JPS6236930B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an article feeding device, and more particularly, for automatically feeding a single type of article or a group of articles in spaced relation to a processing machine, such as an article packaging machine. Regarding an article feeding device.

The feeding device of the present invention is a known type of packaging device that wraps a single type of item or a group of items in a film or the like, cuts the film, and seals the item to create an individual package containing the item. The explanation will be given assuming that it is used in conjunction with. In this type of packaging machine or other processing machine, the items are fed into the machine in a uniformly and precisely spaced manner, and after the items have been wrapped by a film or the like, spacing is provided between the items. It is required that the spacing accommodate a sealing and cutting head assembly head for individually forming the items into packages.

Prior art packaging machines of the type described above use continuous drive mechanisms to operate feed rolls, sealing bars, cutting devices, etc. These packaging machines also use a feed conveyor driven from the drive mechanism described above, the feed conveyor having a plurality of spaced apart ears to advance the items into the packaging machine at predetermined intervals and to separate the items. and a conveyor which allows the items to be packaged or otherwise processed as described above.
In the past, it was necessary to manually feed the items between the ears of the feed conveyor to ensure that the items were properly introduced into the packaging machine. A typical feed conveyor of the type described above is illustrated in Aterianus Publication No. 56-47044, particularly in FIG. 2 thereof. It is time consuming to reliably place the individual items to be processed between the spaced ears of a moving feed conveyor without damaging the items and within each interval. , required a long-stroke feed conveyor to allow access to the conveyor by workers tasked with feeding product between the ears of such a conveyor.

According to the invention, the above-described feed conveyor operates quickly and automatically, and the articles are properly positioned between each pair of ears in order to convey the articles to the processing or packaging machine without damage. An article feeding device is provided. The essential elements of the article feeder of the present invention are driven from a continuous drive mechanism located within the processing machine so that perfect synchronization is maintained.

That is, according to the present invention, in an article feeding device for feeding articles received from an accumulation conveyor to a packaging machine on a horizontal line of an intermediate conveyor, the article feeding device has a horizontal parallel path and a uniform conveyor for feeding articles to the packaging machine. a feed conveyor having ears spaced apart from each other; and a transfer conveyor disposed between the article delivery end of the intermediate conveyor and a horizontal path of the feed conveyor, the transfer conveyor having ears spaced apart from each other. The feed conveyor has a horizontal transfer stroke for supporting the straddling article, the upstream path of the feed conveyor has an inclined path inclined upward from the bottom of the transfer conveyor toward the horizontal transfer stroke of the transfer conveyor, and the lug rotates. an upright device is mounted on the feed conveyor so as to increase the linear speed of the feed conveyor, and is further provided with an upright device for raising the ears in preparation for feeding the article in conjunction with the inclined stroke of the feed conveyor; An article feeder is provided which is driven at a linear velocity higher than that of the article.

According to the configuration of the invention described above, the feeding device is able to feed precisely and evenly spaced rows of articles to the packaging machine at high speed without damage. For example, if the ears on the feed conveyor have a spacing of approximately 15.2 cm (6 inches) and the item has a longitudinal dimension of approximately 10 cm (4 inches), the feeder will can be sent at a rate of approximately 200 pieces per minute.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a scanning device is provided which is activated upon detecting the leading edge of an item on a finger placed at the downstream end of the intermediate conveyor, but in other embodiments a scanning device is provided which operates upon detecting the leading edge of an item on a finger placed at the downstream end of the intermediate conveyor; It may also operate by detecting the trailing edge of the item as it is picked up and accelerated by the feed conveyor.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the switch, which is actuated in response to the position of the ears on the feed conveyor, is driven synchronously with the feed conveyor and one revolution of the camshaft covers a distance equal to the spacing between the ears. is controlled by the rotation of a cam timed to represent the distance traveled by the feed conveyor. The cam is configured to provide an adjustable rest period so that when the rest period is extended, instead of placing one item between a pair of ears on the feed conveyor, two or more It can be operated to place an item.

Additionally, the inventive concept allows a wide range of items of various sizes to be reliably delivered to the feed conveyor;
The only requirement is that the spacing between the ears on the feed conveyor be sufficient to accommodate the selected length of item. In addition to items of varying lengths, the inventive concept also allows for the shipping of items of varying heights or items that are highly irregular in shape, e.g., with cross-sections that vary in height in the longitudinal or transverse directions. It can also be applied to machines with a high degree of regularity so that each lug of the feeding conveyor can be properly positioned and fed.

Additionally, the present invention allows for the sending of items that require careful handling to prevent them from becoming distorted or damaged. Items such as ground wheat, cream-filled cakes, Kratzka sandwich, sugar-dusted tops, or even chocolate-coated candy bars, whose non-supporting surfaces must not touch to prevent breakage, should also be shipped properly. I can provide.

As mentioned above, according to embodiments of the present invention:
The article feed system is controlled in part by a photosensitive scanning device that is responsive to the passage of the leading or trailing edge of the article as it progresses from the intermediate conveyor to the feed conveyor. The scanning device is positioned above the path of the items so that the spacing between the items is accurately determined regardless of their height, contour or shape. In particular, the scanning device is responsive to the amount of reflected light and can thereby be adjusted to optimize the spacing between the articles in response to the length of the articles.

Further embodiments of the invention include a variable speed drive to drive the conveyor and adjust the speed of the conveyor to optimize the drive ratio for each product size and avoid delaying or braking effects. The intermediate conveyor is operated at a constant speed to increase the product feed rate, or reduce it to an absolute minimum. By providing an adjustable drive, the conveyor speed ratio is quickly adjusted to accommodate the feed rate required by each item size.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the conveyor is operated intermittently or continuously so that at least a single row of items is organized in abutting relationship, and each lug of the feed conveyor is A control device is provided to ensure that the item is placed against the container. Such a control device is particularly advantageous when it is desired to feed more than one item for each lug of the feed conveyor.

According to the invention, when conveying goods from an accumulation conveyor towards a feed conveyor, in which the goods are arranged in abutting relation, an opposite endless conveyor is provided with a horizontal transport stroke that abuts the goods on both sides. Opposed conveyors with belts are provided. Such a transfer conveyor configuration is particularly effective when processing relatively tall items or items that require careful handling. Regarding tall items,
It is possible to bring the ears of the feed conveyor close to the items. This is because the lug protrudes between the horizontal parallel sections of the transfer conveyor along the inclined stroke, and when the lug is upright, i.e. in vertical orientation, an article is already conveyed by the transfer conveyor just before the lug. This is because it has been done.

These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following preferred embodiments of the invention.

The article feeding apparatus of the present invention will be described herein in connection with a processing machine for packaging individual articles or groups of articles in films or the like. Such processing machines are disclosed in Camp Bell, US Pat. A common feature of the processing machines to which the article feeder of the present invention is compatible is that these processors are equipped with single, uniformly spaced or a group of items that come into contact with each other.

1 to 3 illustrate a known feeding device for feeding articles to a processing machine, ie a packaging machine W or a horizontal filling and sealing machine. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, this feeding device will be described below. The receiving end of the packaging machine has a former 10;
Former 10 receives packaging film F (FIG. 3) and within former 10 the film is folded around spaced items to form individual packages before being sealed and cut. Such packaging machines are known to those skilled in the art and are shown in the aforementioned Campbell U.S. Pat. Shown in detail.

FIG. 1 shows the main elements of the feeding device. These elements have a feed conveyor PC;
carries rotatable ears to feed the items into the packaging machine with uniform spacing between the items. feeding conveyor
Items are supplied to the PC by an intermediate conveyor MC that is driven intermittently.
The first item from the stationary plate DP is captured by the feed conveyor PC. The feed conveyor PC has a greater linear speed than the intermediate conveyor MC. The accumulation conveyor AC receives the supplies and transfers them to the intermediate conveyor via the transmission plate TP.
Advance to MC. The speed of the cumulative conveyor AC is determined by keeping the items in contact with each other as shown in Figure 2, and transferring the rows of items that are in contact with each other to the intermediate conveyor MC.
The speed is adjusted to the speed that can be transmitted.

The feed conveyor PC is driven from a variable speed drive WVS of the packaging machine W. The intermediate conveyor MC is also a variable speed drive from the packaging machine drive WVS
Driven by the VS, both conveyors are synchronized with the wrapping machine. The intermediate conveyor MC is driven intermittently through a clutch brake assembly. Clutch brakes of the type used herein are known to those skilled in the art, and a suitable one is a clutch brake coupling, model TCBBC-500, manufactured by Warner Electric Brake and Clutch Co., Beloit, Wis., USA. The packaging machine W is driven by a drive WVS under the control of a photoelectric device. The photoelectric device changes the operating speed of the packaging machine,
To ensure that a tight row of items is conveyed to the intermediate conveyor as described in connection with FIG.

The intermediate conveyor MC is controlled by a clutch brake C-B, and according to this control method the articles can be interfered with individually or in groups by the ears of the feed conveyor PC in the area of the stationary plate DP. It is conveyed onto the feed conveyor PC without being transferred. This control device includes the feed conveyor PC and the scanning device SC
It has a limit switch LS that operates in synchronization with the In the form shown, the scanning device SC is of the retroreflective type, so that when the item does not interrupt the scanning device, light from the scanning device is directed to the scanning device by a reflective tape T on or adjacent to the stationary plate DP. reflected by the photoelectric element. The scanning device SC is model MCS-615 manufactured by Warner Electric Brake and Clutch Co., Beloit, Wisconsin, USA.
A reflective scanning device is used. The limit switch LS and the scanning device SC are connected in a control circuit which alternately switches the clutch brake C
- A modular CBM with a clutch brake that energizes the clutch of B to release the brake, or energizes the brake and releases the clutch.
has. The details of the circuit elements of the modular CBM are not important to the invention. A module suitable for use in the article feeder is commercially available as a model TR4-3 logic module manufactured by Microswitch Armor Electric Division, Minneapolis Honeywell Company, Freeport, Illinois, USA. These modules are configured to operate in one of two modes.
That is, it can be set to operate when the light reflected to the scanning device SC decreases or when the light reflected to the scanning device SC increases. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the module
The CBM is set to operate in light reduction mode.

Feed Conveyor To drive the feed conveyor and the intermediate conveyor, the packaging machine W is equipped with a variable speed drive of a construction known to those skilled in the art having a speed control handle 12.
Equipped with WVS. The drive WVS operates the internal unit of the packaging machine via the mechanism 13 shown. The drive unit WVS also drives chain and sprocket assemblies 14 and 15, which in turn drive the feed conveyor PC.
lateral chains 22, 24 sprockets 18,
drive shaft 16 which rotates 20; The shaft 16 is rotatably mounted within a framework, which is not shown for clarity of illustration. Lugs 26 are rotatably mounted on the side chains 22, 24 of the feed conveyor, and idler sprockets 30, 32 are formed at the inlet end of the feed conveyor. , 32 are surrounded by chains 22, 24. These sprockets 30, 32 are mounted on an idler shaft 34 which is also mounted within the framework.

The construction of conveyors with rotatable ears is well known to those skilled in the art, and the details thereof are not important to the invention, other than when the ears are erected. The construction of such a conveyor is illustrated in simple form and is best illustrated in FIG. ear piece 2
6 is L-shaped and has side chains 22, 24.
It is mounted so that it can pivot between the two. Each ear piece has a pushing leg 26a and a weighting leg 26b. As shown, as the lug begins to travel along the upper path of the feed conveyor PC, the weight leg 26b causes the pushing leg 26a to move under or between the side chains 22, 24. come on the same plane. As the weighting leg 26b slides on the track 28 while the lug advances along a horizontal line above the feed conveyor, the track 28 causes the pushing leg 26a to move the article 40 of FIG.
Place the ears upright so that they can be lifted to the rear of items such as a and 40b. Before the ear piece 26 reaches the track 28, the pushing leg 26a is connected to the side chain 22,
Since it is on the same plane as 24 or below,
Item 40 may slide on the chain, such as item 40c in FIG. The downstroke (return stroke) of the conveyor and the position of the ears on the feed conveyor PC around the sprocket are not critical to the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, another track 29 is provided, which track 29 is connected to the pushing leg 2 of the ear piece.
6a, while the weight leg 26b of the ear piece is erected.

The limit switch LS operates synchronously with the feed conveyor PC, so that the limit switch is actuated each time the feed conveyor advances a distance equal to the spacing between the ears.

Specifically, the feed conveyor is able to receive the goods from the stationary plate DP when the ears are in place without interfering with the goods, and only when the ears reach the proper position. Items are adjacent 2
In addition, when the pushing legs 26a of the ears are erected by the track 28, the limit switches are set such that the pushing legs 26a do not stand upright against the underside of the item. L.S.
operates the conveyors synchronously.

Functionally, the limit switch LS is operated by one of the ears. That is, each time the feed conveyor PC advances a distance equal to the spacing of the ears, the ears actuate the switches, so that the switches are properly synchronized. However, according to the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the limit switch LS is actuated by a cam 41 driven in synchronization with the drive mechanism of the feed conveyor. The cam 41 is connected to a sprocket 42 on the shaft 16, a chain 44, a drive sprocket 46,
and a shaft 48 supported as an independent drive shaft on the machine framework (not shown).

As seen in FIG. 1A, cam 41 is an adjustable cam having lobes 41a, 41b that can be closed and expanded to increase or decrease the quiescent period of the limit switch. These lobes are connected by an arcuate slot and crank bolt assembly to vary the period of rest of the cam. The rest period may be extended to provide groups of two or more items within the lug spacing of the feed conveyor PC instead of one item.

To facilitate adjustment of control circuit synchronization, limit switch LS is mounted on mounting plate 52 (third
Fig.) is adjustable on the top. Therefore, the switch can be fixed at any position on the mounting plate to finely adjust the synchronous operation of the switch. Similarly, scanning device SC (FIG. 3) is adjustable on support plate 54 by means of clamp 55 and slots in plate 54. The edge of the article on the stationary plate DP will therefore be detected by the scanning device in a precise position.

Intermediate Conveyor As mentioned above, the intermediate conveyor MC is driven by a variable speed drive VS from the packaging machine drive WVS. This allows the feed conveyor PC
Depending on the spacing of the upper ears 26, the speed of the intermediate conveyor can be adjusted. Variable speed drive VS
Chain 60 from packaging machine drive WVS
and sprocket 62, and is provided with a speed handle 64. The variable speed drive VS has a sprocket 66 that connects the chain 68 and thus the intermediate conveyor.
Drive sprocket 70 of MC shaft 72 (Fig. 1)
to drive. In the illustrated form, the intermediate conveyor has endless chains 78, 80 wrapped around drive sprockets 74, 76 on shaft 72 and around idler sprockets 82, 84 on idler shaft 86. Both shafts 72, 86 are rotatably mounted within a framework (not shown) in a conventional manner. Intermediate conveyor MC is item 4
The details of the means for supporting the row of zeros R (FIGS. 2 and 3) are not important to the invention. Such conveyors may simply have a pair of synchronized chains, or the chains may be interconnected by connecting rods, or they may be of flat type with a known cog belt drive instead of a chain. A belt may be used. The function of the intermediate conveyor MC is to advance the abutting rows R of articles 40 intermittently under the control of the scanning device SC, the limit switch LS, and the clutch brake module CBM.

Accumulating Conveyor The function of an accumulating conveyor AC is to randomly receive articles from a source and transfer these articles to a transmission plate at a speed that causes them to abut end-to-end as shown in FIG.
It is to advance beyond the TP onto the adjustment conveyor MC. As previously mentioned, the accumulation conveyor is driven by a variable speed electric motor M. This motor drives a chain 92 and a sprocket 94 of an accumulating conveyor shaft 96 (first
Figure). The shaft 96 has spaced apart drive sprockets 98,100;
Endless chains 102 and 104 are wound around 100. These chains are idler shaft 1
10, and both shafts 96, 110 are rotatably mounted within a framework (not shown).

In the illustrated form of accumulator conveyor AC, the articles are supported on rollers 112, the ends of which are supported by chains 102,104. The speed of the packaging machine W is regulated by means of a photoelectric device, i.e. a photocell, which detects the loading and spacing of the articles 40 on the accumulating conveyor, so that the abutting rows of articles 40 at the delivery end of the accumulating conveyor are adjusted as described above. It continues to form. Techniques for forming this type of article abutment row are known to those skilled in the art. 1 pair of electric lights and photocell 1
14,114a; 116,116a; 118,1
18a detects the spacing and quantity of items on the conveyor. These electric lights and photoelectric cells are connected to logic module 120, and logic module 1
20 adjusts the speed of the drive WVS to the speed at which said abutting rows of articles are delivered. As previously stated, the details of the accumulating conveyor AC are not important to the invention provided that the conveyor is capable of accomplishing the purpose described above.

Electrical Circuit FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the control device.
The clutch brake module CBM is shown schematically in a block diagram. This is because the internal circuitry of the module is not important to the invention. In the current state of control technology, once certain desired operating characteristics have been determined by the design engineer, the appropriate module can be selected to perform the desired logic or sequence function. The aforementioned Minneapolis Honeywell module TR4-3 used in the embodiments of the present invention is available as an over-the-counter product or is easily assembled.

The control unit is powered by AC power lines X,Y. The primary winding 122 of the transformer is connected between both power lines, and one of the two secondary windings 124 is connected to the electric light 126 of the scanning device SC of the return reflection type.
to supply power. The optoelectronic element of the scanning device, ie the photoreceiver 128, is connected to the module CBM by terminals 130,132. Reflective tape T is also shown in FIG. 3A, and light from lamp 126 will be reflected by the tape to receiver 128 unless the item interrupts the light.

The clutch brake module CBM receives power from another secondary winding 134 of a transformer connected to its power terminals 136,138. The module is a limit switch opened by cam 41.
It has input terminals 140 and 142 to which LS is connected. The module has output terminals 144, 14 to which a relay such as a mercury switch relay HG is connected.
It has 6. The internal operation of the module CBM is such that when the contacts of the switch LS are closed by the cam 41, the relay HG is fixed in the on state, that is, the energized state, and the contacts are closed by the cam 41 as shown in FIG. 3A. When opened, the module is reset and the mercury relay HG is deenergized.

A rectifier 147 is connected by lines 148 and 149 to power the clutch brake C-B.
Connected between AC power lines X and Y. The rectifier provides direct current for actuation of the clutch brake. The DC positive line 150 from the rectifier is connected to a voltage regulating variable resistor 151, which is connected to a switch contact HG- operated by a relay HG.
It is connected to one movable contact arm 153 by a line 152. The switch with movable contact arm 153 is a single pole double throw switch. One fixed contact 1 of the switch
54 energizes an electromagnet 156 that engages the clutch. Another contact 158 of the switch energizes an electromagnet 160 that sets the brake. Both of these clutch and brake electromagnets are connected to a DC negative line 162.

To schematically show that the clutch brake is in the engaged, or on-clutch, state when relay HG is deenergized, spring 164 is used as a contact point.
It is shown connected to the movable arm of HG-1. Although the spring may not actually be present in the mercury switch relay HG with contact HG-1,
Switch relay to make it easier to understand the mode of operation
Illustrated as being in HG. That is, in the condition shown in FIG. 3A, when module CBM energizes relay HG, switch contact HG-1 opens clutch contact 154 and closes brake contact 158, releasing the clutch and setting the brake. When relay HG is deenergized, arm 153 closes contact 154, thereby releasing the brake and energizing the clutch.

Operating Mode of the Apparatus The operating mode of the feeding device will be briefly explained below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

In the operational diagrams of FIGS. 4-6, the module CBM is set to operate in a "light reduction mode." This means that in order for the scanning device to provide output to the terminals 144 and 146 of the module CBM, the scanning light is first reflected from the tape T;
One edge of the item 40 must then block the light from the scanning device. This thinning of the reflected light reduces the intensity of the reflected light to the scanner SC, causing the module CBM to provide output pulses at contacts 144 and 146 when the contacts of limit switch LS are closed. A summary of important operating conditions with respect to the above description is as follows.

◎FIG. 4 1 When the reflection of light from the reflective tape T to the scanning device is interrupted by the leading edge of the item 40B advancing on the stationary plate DP, a light attenuation pulse is provided from the scanning device. The item 40A, which had been at the top of the intermediate conveyor until just before that point, has been captured and accelerated by the feed conveyor PC.
For this reason, a gap is formed between the item 40A and the first item 40B in the row.

2 The contact of the limit switch LS is closed, but is about to be opened by the cam 41.
When the switch is closed, internal circuitry is internally fixed to output terminals 144, 146 connected to relay HG and responsive to light reduction pulses from scanning device SC.

3. When a light reduction pulse is received from the scanning device with switch LS closed, relay HG is energized and contact HG-1 is switched to the position shown in FIG. 4 to activate brake electromagnet 160. Apply force and release the clutch.

4 In the above state, the intermediate conveyor MC stops.

5. As mentioned above, the feed conveyor PC accelerates the previous leading item 40A to separate it from the leading item 40B in the item row R that terminates on the stationary plate DP.

6 Cam 41 is about to open limit switch LS.

◎FIG. 5 1 The articles 40A on the feed conveyor PC are now properly located within the spacing of adjacent ears 26, and the subsequent ears of the feed conveyor are located between the stationary plate DP and the row of articles on the intermediate conveyor. It is ready to receive the first item 40B.

2 Limit switch LS is opened by cam 41.

3. The output terminals 144 and 146 of the clutch brake module CBM are released and the relay HG is deenergized.

4. Scanning device SC has no effect on relay HG. The light is still being reflected from the lead item 40B, and the scanning device only provides a pulse when the light is cut off after being reflected from the tape. In fact, when the switch LS contacts are opened by cam 41, the module
The internal circuitry of the CBM is such that even if the scanning device generates an output pulse, it will not energize relay HG.

5. When relay HG is deenergized, contact HG-1 displaces from brake magnet 160 to clutch magnet 156 of clutch brake C-B, thereby releasing the brake and energizing the clutch.

6. When the clutch is engaged, the intermediate conveyor MC is started and it begins to advance the abutment row R of articles past the stationary plate towards the feed conveyor PC.

◎Figure 6 1 The cam 41 rotates sufficiently to close the contact of the switch LS again.

2 For this purpose, the module CBM
Output terminals 144 and 146 to HG are scanning device SC
conditioned to respond to light-reduced pulses from

3 The previous top item 40B is on the feeding conveyor here.
It is captured and accelerated by the PC, thus creating a gap between the item 40B and the item 40C immediately following it.

4 If the above-mentioned gap between the items widens, the scanning device
SC receives the reflected light from the reflective tape T, but this light increase does not provide any light pulses from the scanning device. This is because the scanning device is operating in light reduction mode.

5 Relay HG remains deenergized and its contacts HG-1 hold intermediate conveyor MC on clutch.

6. The row of articles on the stationary plate DP and the intermediate conveyor MC continues to advance as before, but it will be recalled that the operating speed of the intermediate conveyor is slower than the operating speed of the feed conveyor PC.

◎Return to the state of FIG. 4 After passing through the state described in connection with FIG.
Continue to advance the row of items on the stationary plate DP and the intermediate conveyor until the light from the SC is cut off. This causes a new light reduction pulse to be applied to the module CBM from the scanning device. Since the limit switch LS is still closed, the module
The CBM energizes terminals 144 and 146 to brake the intermediate conveyor MC. As shown in FIG. 6, the feed conveyor that previously received the item 40B from the stationary plate DP is connected to the item 40B and the first item 40C in the queue.
The gap between the two continues to increase. intermediate conveyor MC
In this case, the feed conveyor PC moves to the next item, i.e. item 4.
The brake is applied, that is, the brake is on, until the brake is at the appropriate position to accept 0C.
When the feed conveyor PC reaches the proper condition to pick up the article 40C, the cam 41 opens the contacts of the limit switch LS, as seen in FIG. 5, and the intermediate conveyor MC returns to the on-clutch position.

Ideal Operating Mode FIG. 7 shows an operating condition, termed "ideal operating", in which clutch brake C-B is held continuously on-clutch. Under certain circumstances,
Ideal operating conditions are achieved by carefully synchronizing the operation of the limit switch LS and properly adjusting the position of the scanning device SC. Then, if the lengths of successive items are uniform and maintained in mutual abutment, the intermediate conveyor MC
It is theoretically possible for the system to remain on clutch. This condition can be implemented for at least a certain continuous quantity of items, and if for some reason the condition is violated, the clutch brake described in connection with FIGS. 4 to 6 is automatically activated. The machine will continue to properly feed the items to the processing machine.

Requirement for ideal operation 1 For example, the article 40B captured by the feed conveyor PC is in the forward position, and the forward position is the next leading article 40C on the stationary plate on the same conveyor.
This is the position when the limit switch LS is open so that it can be accepted at any time.

2. The speed of intermediate conveyor MC relative to the speed of feed conveyor PC is such that the leading edge of article 40C cuts off light from scanning device SC while limit switch LS is open. Under such conditions, a light increase situation as shown in FIG. 6 will not be followed by a light decrease signal as shown in FIG. 4 while limit switch LS is closed. In the ideal operating condition of FIG. 7, the scanning pulse is received while switch LS is open, so module terminal 13
There is no output from 0,132.

3 Under these conditions, relay HG remains deenergized and the intermediate conveyor remains on clutch rather than on brake as seen in FIG. That is, the intermediate conveyor can run continuously and the articles can be transferred onto the feed conveyor when it reaches the appropriate position without switching the clutch brake C-B. Although the ideal operating condition may not be maintained continuously, when the ideal operating condition can be maintained, damage to the clutch brake is correspondingly reduced and high-speed operation is possible.

Multiple Item Feeding Figure 8 shows an adjusted operating mode for multiple item feeding to processing equipment. For certain products, particularly those of small size, it may be desirable to package or otherwise process two or more items in a single package. Such a state is shown in FIG. The only difference between the mode of operation of FIG. 8 and that of FIGS. 4 to 6 previously described is that cam 41 is adjusted to increase the rest period during which the contacts of limit switch LS are open. . This cam rest period can be extended by spreading the lobes 41a, 41b shown in FIG. 1A.

As the rest period of cam 41 increases, the contacts of limit switch LS will also relay long enough to hold intermediate conveyor MC on-clutch for an extended period of time.
Can be left open long enough so that HG is deactivated. During this period, for example, 40 items
Two items such as B1, 40B2 are arranged to be transferred from the stationary plate DP to the feed conveyor PC while the limit switch LS is open.
As previously mentioned, when limit switch LS is open, relay HG is deenergized, regardless of operation of scanning device SC, and the clutch brake is therefore kept on-clutch. Even if the scanning device SC scans the article groups 40B1, 40B2 and the article groups 40C1, 40C2, as in the situation of FIG.
Even though the intermediate conveyor MC continues to detect a small gap between the Remain on-clutch as shown in FIG.

Other Types of Multiple Item Delivery As previously discussed in connection with FIG. In place of the product number TR4-3), use the company's electronic latching type logic module (product number TR4-3).
The same conditions can be obtained using STR-10).
The module provides an output to relay HG that places intermediate conveyor MC on brake only after receiving a predetermined number of pulses set in the module from the scanning device. These pulses occur every time a gap opens between adjacent items in a group of items, but they do not energize relay HG until the predetermined number of pulses are received by the logic module. Also, do not put the intermediate conveyor MC on the brake. As previously mentioned, when the predetermined number of pulses are received (each pulse representing one of the items in the group), the module energizes relay HG to place intermediate conveyor MC on brake, as shown in FIG. As we saw in the example, items are formed into groups.

Item Feeding with Backward Edge Sensing FIG. A control circuit is shown in which the scanning device detects the trailing edge of the lead item on the stationary plate DP when captured by the PC. In this case, switch LS
Item 40 in FIG.
It has one drawback in that no action is taken on the position of the initial item, such as A. After the first item leaves the stationary plate, items 40B, 40
C. Other subsequent items are placed under the control of limit switches and scanning devices which ensure that subsequent items are properly placed on the feed conveyor PC as previously described.

Scanner SC-1 (which may be the same unit as the previously described scanner SC) is set in a light enhancement mode so that it is activated when the scanner detects the trailing edge of the lead item. With this configuration, the scanning device will only generate pulses after the light has first been cut off and reflected from the tape T.

In FIG. 9, the first item 40A is captured by the conveyor PC and the item 40A is captured by the conveyor PC.
A gap is created between A and the next item 40B on the stationary plate DP. The scanning device SC-1 is designed to detect that under these conditions the light emitted from the scanning device's lamp is
and is arranged to be reflected from the scanning device toward the scanning device. Also, since the scanning device is adapted to operate in a light enhancement mode, this reflection will cause
A pulse is given to 1,132. Since the limit switch LS on the feed conveyor is not yet open, its contact is closed and the module CBM
A light-increasing pulse to energizes relay HG and places intermediate conveyor MC on brake. first item 40
Regardless of A, 40B, 40C, and other subsequent items in the column will be properly synchronized. This is because the scanning device will not operate until cam 41 opens and closes limit switch LS, and
The operation of the LS is as described in connection with the operation of the scanning device in the light reduction mode.
This is because the intermediate conveyor MC is restarted at the time when C, etc. are placed on the feed conveyor PC at an appropriate position.

10 to 13 show an article feeding device according to the present invention. The device includes a structure that facilitates the transfer of items from intermediate conveyor MC to feed conveyor PC. The purpose of this is to slope a portion of the upward travel of the feed conveyor so that each lug 26 spaced apart from one another on the conveyor approaches the article feed path very gradually, with the front side of the lug 26 Support device arranged, namely plate 26a' (fourteenth
16) protrudes between the articles when positioned substantially vertically, so that the distance between the articles transferred on the path can be further reduced. In addition to providing an inclined section in the ascending stroke of the feed conveyor PC, according to the invention the articles are in a generally horizontal plane from the intermediate conveyor MC and spaced apart such that the ears 26 can pass between them. The material is transferred to a feeding conveyor while being supported by opposing transfer conveyors.

Referring to FIG. 10, it can be seen that a modified drive structure from the previously described known drive system is used to drive the horizontally opposed transfer conveyors which will be described in detail below. Drive unit with variable speed
Chain 170 and sprocket 1 from WVS
72 drives a transverse main shaft 174 to which a sprocket 176 is fixed, and the sprocket 176 is connected to the shaft 18 by a chain 178 and a sprocket 180.
2 and laterally spaced gearing 184,
186 is driven. From each gear device upwards is shaft 1.
88 and 190 protrude, and drive pulleys 19 are attached to them.
2,194 are fixed respectively. Main shaft 17
Also fixed to 4 is a variable pitch pulley 196 which is connected by a belt 198 to another variable pitch pulley 200 which drives a transverse shaft 202. Between the ends of the shaft 202, the shaft 2
Idle sprocket 2 rotatably mounted on 02
04, this sprocket imparts an upwardly inclined ramp stroke to the chain 206 carrying the lug 26. Drive shaft 72 of intermediate conveyor MC
A brake B is connected to one end, and a clutch C is connected near the other end. Shaft 72 is driven by shaft 202. That is, when the sprocket 209 fixed to one end of the shaft 202 drives the chain 208, the sprocket 210 attached to the end of the shaft 72 rotates, thereby driving the shaft 72. Referring to FIG. 13, it can be seen that idler sprocket 204 is held in a fixed position by collar 205 which is secured to shaft 202 by set screw 207. Furthermore, the shaft 202 as well as other actuating elements are connected to the lateral framework 250.

As mentioned earlier, according to the invention, the transfer conveyor TC is connected to the outlet of the intermediate conveyor MC and to the feed conveyor.
Extending between the PC and the transfer conveyor TC, the transfer conveyor TC has laterally spaced mutually cooperating conveyors.
The conveyor runs in a horizontal plane, and space is provided in its inward travel for the ears 26 to pass through. That is, the inward strokes are laterally spaced from each other. As explained later, such a configuration
This provides an operating configuration that allows the individual ears 26 to be closely spaced and each item to be properly positioned with respect to the ears.

Drive pulleys 192, 194 are belts 212, 21
4, and the belts 212, 214 drive the shaft 18
8, 190 and is stretched around idler pulleys 216, 218, which are fixed to shafts 220, 222 and spaced rearward and longitudinally from pulleys 192, 194 (FIG. 12). Each shaft 220, 222 is rotatably supported in a bearing 224 secured to a downwardly extending bracket 226. Shafts 188, 190 are also mounted in bearings 224a associated with bracket 226a. The shaft 182 driving both gearing systems 184, 186 has a splined portion (not shown) that allows adjustment of the lateral position of both gearing systems while maintaining a driving connection to the shafts 188, 190. Make it. Each bracket 226, 226a associated with the bearings of drive pulleys 192, 194 and idler pulleys 216, 218 is formed with a guide device 228 slidably received within a slot 230 formed in the housing of each bearing. ing.
The slots and guides are arranged to allow adjustment of the lateral position of these pulleys while maintaining their horizontal orientation so that the proper trajectory of the belts 212, 214 is maintained. be done. moreover,
The belts 212 and 214 are connected to the idler pulley 2 as necessary.
The position of the bearings may be adjusted so that the inward travel of belts 212, 214 converges during advancement from drive pulleys 16, 218 to drive pulleys 192, 194.

Referring to FIG. 11, the feed conveyor PC is
When the chain 206 reaches the upstream end of the rail 28, the plate 26a of the lug 26 becomes vertical.
It can be seen that it is formed so as to give an orbit of . As the chain passes around idler sprocket 30, it travels on an upright device or rail 232 that raises the ears. Slots 234 are provided at both ends of the rail 232 to prevent the sprockets 30, 204 from coming into contact with the rails.
is formed. A bracket 236 coupled to the feeder side framework 250 supports the rail in the position shown. As each successive lug 26 contacts the rail 232, the weighted leg 26b of the lug establishes sliding contact with the rail 232 and the plate 26
The lug is pivoted so that a' assumes a perpendicular orientation with respect to the path of chain 206. When each lug 26 reaches the rail 232, the plate 26a'
Note that the is below the advancing feed line or plane.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a finger 240, which is slightly bent and rigidly connected to a frame 242, is positioned to receive the light emitted by the scanning device SC. As each item passes successively over the fingers, light from the scanning device is blocked and the clutch is activated depending on whether the control is set to light increase or light decrease mode as described above. Alternatively, it can be seen that the brake operation is performed. The description assumes that the controller is responsive to a light attenuation mode of operation.
Under this condition, the item 40 on the finger piece 240
C releases the brake and actuates the clutch when its leading edge interrupts the light beam. This, of course, causes the shaft 72 to begin to rotate, causing the leading item 40C and the row of abutting items to be fed from right to left as viewed in FIG. The drive ratio of transfer conveyor TC and feed conveyor PC is set such that the transfer conveyors, ie, belts 212, 214, operate at a linear speed that is greater than the linear speed of feed conveyor PC, and thus chain 206. Under this condition, item 40C is fully supported by the inward travel of belts 212, 214 and thus advances toward the lug feeding the immediately preceding item. As the article passes through the transfer conveyor TC, the advancement of the article is retarded by the support guide device 238 and the plate 2 of the lug
6a will come into contact with the rear surface of the item.

By providing the feed conveyor PC with an inclined run formed by the rails 232, each successive lug approaches each item on the transfer conveyor to minimize the distance between successive items. do. The transfer conveyor TC therefore becomes an effective transfer device between the intermediate conveyor MC and the feed conveyor PC, so that the arrangement of the goods is not disturbed and the exit of the intermediate conveyor and the feed conveyor The air gap between the inlet and the inlet can also be reduced.

Problems arise with some products when packaging them due to their stickiness. This is because the surfaces on which the product slides tend to form sticky films or irregular layers that retard feeding and thus cause the product to become misaligned and break. One way to avoid this situation is shown in other embodiments of the feed conveyor shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16. The feed conveyor PC is formed with a conventional laterally spaced side framework 250 which is fitted with an inwardly extending plate 252 defining a platform with ears 26 defining the platform. It has a vertical opening 254 that can project upwardly. Laterally adjustable brackets 256 are arranged on the platform and serve to guide the article being advanced by the ears 26. Bracket items 2
A series of support devices, i.e. plates 25 and 56, are provided for supporting spaced upwardly from the horizontal guide surface 256a of the plate 25.
8 are pivotally attached to adjacent links of the chain 206 in association with each lug 26. In order to maintain the predetermined spacing between successive items, each item must contact the plate 26a of each lug. Since the support represented by plate 258 is located slightly vertically above the horizontal guide surface 256a of bracket 256, the effect of temporarily stopping the article in contact with plate 26a' of the lug is I can't get it. Thus, according to an embodiment of the invention, a preferably arcuately shaped item placement device 260 is secured to the horizontal surface 256a. 1st
As shown in FIG. 5, the highest point of the positioning device 260 is above the plane of the plate 258 forming the support device. For example, when the article 40A encounters the placement device 260, the resulting frictional force is directed opposite to the direction of feed, so that the article 40A moves in a direction opposite the plate 26a of the lug 26, ie, backwards. In this way each item is properly positioned.

While the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be obvious that changes and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims. It is.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a perspective view of a known article feeding device for understanding the invention; FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an adjustable cam used in a control device; and FIG. Schematic side view, 3rd
The figure shows a schematic side view of the exit section of the intermediate conveyor, the feeding conveyor, and part of the packaging machine, Figure 3A shows the wiring diagram of the control circuit, and Figures 4 to 6 show the relationship between the article detection device and the article. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the operation under ideal adjustment conditions; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the multiple article feeding mode; and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the operation under ideal adjustment conditions. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the article feeding device according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of the discharge end of the adjustment conveyor, the inlet end of the feed conveyor, and the transfer conveyor. 12 is a partially sectional plan view of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is approximately the line 13-1 of FIG. 11.
14, 15, 16
The figures are plan, elevation and cross-sectional views showing a modified form of the feed conveyor including an article support plate on each lug of the feed conveyor. AC: Accumulation conveyor, MC: Intermediate conveyor, PC, IC: Feeding conveyor, TC: Transfer conveyor, W: Processing machine, 26: Ledge, 26a...
...supporting device, 40...item, 260...positioning device, LS, SC...control device, VS...adjustable drive, CBM...device for connecting and disconnecting to the drive, SC, CBM...conveyor control device that maintains continuous operation of the

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An article feeding device for feeding an article received from an accumulation conveyor to a packaging machine in the horizontal direction of an intermediate conveyor, the article having a horizontal path and for feeding the article to the packaging machine. a feed conveyor with uniformly spaced ears; and a transfer conveyor disposed between the article delivery end of the intermediate conveyor and the horizontal path of the feed conveyor, the transfer conveyor having a The feed conveyor has a horizontal transfer path that supports the article by straddling the ears, and the upstream path of the feed conveyor is inclined upward from below the transfer conveyor toward the horizontal transfer path of the transfer conveyor. the lug is rotatably attached to the feed conveyor, and the lug is erected in preparation for feeding an article in relation to the inclined stroke of the feed conveyor. an upright device for causing the article to move, the transfer conveyor being driven at a linear velocity greater than the linear velocity of the feed conveyor. 2. The article feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer conveyor has a laterally spaced endless belt providing an article feeding stroke in a horizontal plane of the conveying stroke, and the article feeding stroke is provided by the lug. an article feeding device for transporting articles to said feeding conveyor by supporting the bottom of said articles across said endless belts, each said endless belt having a return stroke located within said horizontal plane; 3. In the article feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, the feeding conveyor has a support device on the front side of each of the ears, and further supports the article against the front side of each of the ears. An article feeding device having an article placement device that brings the article into contact with the packaging machine. 4. In the article feeding device according to claim 3, the support device is a plate coupled to the feeding conveyor so that both sides of the article can extend beyond both end edges of the plate. has at least one plate extending laterally with respect to the direction of travel of the feed conveyor within an area shorter than the width of the article; An article feeding device in which the ears engage the article through frictional engagement.