DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING GRANULATED PRODUCTS

专利摘要:
device and method for transporting granulated products. the invention creates a device with a single rail or multiple tracks and a corresponding method for transporting granulated products, in such a way that the products are separated from a stream of products on each of the tracks and are subsequently transported evenly spaced and / or in groups. for this purpose, systems for feeding products as a flow of products in a single row are provided on each track, as well as systems for unloading separate products spaced apart from each other in a row, where products are transferred from the feeding systems for discharge systems. systems for transporting products are provided on each rail in the area of transfer from the feeding systems to the discharge systems and have extraction devices, which are assembled so that they can be articulated in a controlled manner in the direction of transport of the products and intervene between two successive products in the flow of fed products, so that said systems guide the products during the transfer from the feeding systems to the discharge systems, in such a way that the products are separated from the product flow and are still transported at uniform distances each other and / or in groups, and are discharged in a controlled manner in each case. the multi-rail transport device additionally comprises systems for controlling the transport devices on the tracks, so that product flows over the tracks are synchronized with each other, so that a product from a track, after separation from the respective product flow, is substantially aligned with the individual products on other selected rails or all other rails, so that the products on the rails in question are positioned side by side substantially in a row in a perpendicular direction or at an inclination in the direction transportation of products. (figure 1a).
公开号:BR112014025531B1
申请号:R112014025531-8
申请日:2012-04-12
公开日:2020-12-15
发明作者:Heinz-Peter Hammacher
申请人:Loesch Verpackungstechnik Gmbh；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for transporting granulated products, in such a way that the products are separated from a product stream and are subsequently transported evenly spaced and / or in groups. The invention further relates to a device and method for transporting granulated products on a plurality of tracks positioned side by side and substantially parallel to each other, in which the products are separated from a stream of products on each of the tracks and are subsequently transported evenly spaced and / or in groups.
[0002] The invention relates to a device and a method for transporting granulated products, in which this device and this method can be used, for example, in conjunction with a packaging machine, by means of which the granulated products are packaged. As an example, the products to be transported can be sensitive products from the confectionery industry or long-lasting bakery products, such as cookies, chocolate products and the like. In addition to products from the food industry, however, technical products, for example, are also conceivable, such as electronic or electrical components, machine elements, pharmaceutical or medicinal products and the like, which are generally produced and distributed in large numbers.
[0003] Products of this type, after their production, are usually fed in a more or less disordered and irregular way in a product flow, in which a large number of identical products are heaped in a way to contact each other for a packaging machine or other machine, through which products are still transported and still processed. In particular with packaging machines, it may be necessary here that the individual products are fed in a regular and orderly manner, preferably also at regular distances identical to each other, to a packaging station or another additional processing station. Here, therefore, it is necessary to separate the individual products from the flow of fed products or accumulation of products, that is, separate the products from the product flow and then further transport the products individually, preferably at constant distances identical to each other. others, and feed the products to the next processing station. Here, it may also be desirable that the individual products are further transported and fed to the next processing or packaging station in groups of regular products.
[0004] By way of example, a method and device for filling a multi-row packaging tray with granular products, in particular that which is known as a tray loading type packaging machine are known from DE 10 2010 041 346 A1. With this well-known packaging machine, granulated products are transported on a plurality of tracks positioned substantially parallel to each other, in which the individual product flows over the plurality of tracks are synchronized with each other, so that a product of a track can be transferred substantially simultaneously with a product from other tracks to a multi-row packaging tray. In particular, transport systems for separating a product stream initially without gaps in each of the parallel tracks are provided for this purpose, in such a way that successive individual products from the product stream are still transported at a distance from each other. The speed of this additional transport of the individual products on the plurality of parallel tracks is controlled here so that the products on all tracks, at the end of the tracks, have positions such that each product on each track is transferred substantially simultaneously with the products the other tracks for the packaging tray. This synchronization is implemented here by a plurality of individual transport systems, in particular individual conveyor belts, which are positioned in succession in the direction of transport of the product flow and are formed so that they each transport only an individual product. , in which sensor systems are positioned between the individual transport systems in the transport direction of the product flow and each determines the position of the individual product in each individual transport system in the transport direction. Here, the sensor systems work together with control systems which control the speed of the individual transport systems depending on the determined position of the product in each individual transport system (what is known as “smart belts”). In this way, groups of products can be formed which, for example, in each case, consist of a row of individual products positioned side by side, that is, they consist of a single row of products that are exactly aligned with each other across the direction of transport. At the end of the conveyor section, this group of products in a single row is transferred to the packaging tray, where the plurality of individual products positioned side by side is transferred simultaneously to the plurality of compartments, positioned side by side, of the tray. packing. The next group of products in a single row is then fed at a distance from the previous product group and is transferred to the next row of the receiving compartments of the packaging tray.
[0005] With this known method, individual products or rows of a plurality of individual products positioned side by side are fed in a precisely synchronized manner and positioned to the receiving system downstream of the conveyor belts by means of a plurality of conveyor belts. controlled speed positioned in succession and side by side, that is, in the case described above, to a container in which the individual products are received in an orderly manner and, in particular, stacked. Consequently, products can also be fed to other comparable devices or stacking mechanisms.
[0006] This known conveyor system, however, is structurally complex due to the large number of individual conveyor belts required and requires high costs in relation to the control and regulation of conveyor belts in order to obtain the synchronization described above. Due to the large number of individual conveyor belts required, this system is also associated with the need for a large space. All of the aforementioned factors ultimately contribute to the fact that this known system is very expensive.
[0007] In order to separate individual products from a continuous flow of products or accumulation of products, roller or wheel-type transport systems are additionally known in the state of the art, on the periphery of which extraction devices are mounted. With a rotation of this conveyor wheel, each of the extractor devices grabs the respective first individual product from the accumulation of products in the direction of transport (or, simultaneously, a plurality of first products positioned side by side) and prevents this product from accumulating when accelerating said product. With known rotary conveyor systems of this type, the extractor devices are typically adapted stationary and are oriented radially with respect to the center of the axis of rotation of the conveyor wheel. Here, the extraction devices are partially formed in a resilient manner, so that they can easily yield when they contact the product in question for later transport. As a result, the products would not be damaged or, in any case, would be damaged to a lesser extent when grabbed by the extracting devices in question. In particular, in the case of sensitive products from the food industry, such as cookies or other baked goods, damage to products caused by rigid extraction devices is a major problem. However, even with extraction devices mounted on springs, damage to the product is still frequently noticed.
[0008] In order to align the individual products transported in rows on a plurality of transport tracks positioned side by side, it is additionally known in the state of the art to position alignment tracks on the conveyor belts. In this case, a bar, for example, is articulated on the transport rail and collides against the transported products and aligns said products. However, only an alignment of complete product rows is usually possible here.
[0009] Proceeding from these known devices and methods, the objective of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art described above and, thus, to create an improved device and an improved method by means of which granular products can be separated from one flow of products or accumulation of products and subsequently still transported at identical or regular distances from each other and / or optionally in groups of products. If product groups are to be formed, another objective is to arrange the individual products within the product group at identical or even distances from each other in the direction of transport, where the individual groups as a whole are also positioned at identical distances or regular from each other in the direction of transport. Here, the distances between the individual groups in the transport direction can be greater or less than the distances in the transport direction between the individual products within a group. If products are transported on a plurality of tracks positioned side by side and substantially parallel to each other, the individual products positioned side by side on the tracks must be aligned with each other, so that uniform rows of products and, where applicable product groups or product standards are formed. In this way, it becomes possible to feed the individual products or product rows or product groups positioned in succession in the transport section to a subsequent receiving or further processing system in a controlled and precisely positioned and synchronized manner. Here, all steps of the aforementioned method have to be implemented so that the products are treated with care and, in particular, are not damaged. In addition, as a result of the invention, a device and a method for carrying out the aforementioned steps are created, said device and said method requiring a lower cost for control and regulation than systems known in the art. The device must also be compact as a whole and have a smaller space requirement than known devices. Finally, as a result of the invention, a device and method are thus created, which can be produced and operated more efficiently as a whole.
[0010] This objective is achieved, according to the invention, by a device for transporting granulated products according to patent claim 1 and also by a corresponding method according to patent claim 12. For the case where a plurality of tracks positioned side by side and substantially parallel to each other are provided, on which the products are transported, the objective is achieved, according to the invention, by a device according to patent claim 9 and also by a corresponding method according to patent claim 13.
[0011] According to the invention, a device and method are thus created for transporting granulated products, in such a way that the products are separated from a product stream and are subsequently transported evenly more spaced and / or in groups . Here, the device according to the invention comprises a system for feeding products as a flow of products in a single row and also systems for discharging separate products spaced from each other in a row, where the discharge systems are positioned after the feeding systems in the direction of transport of the products, in such a way that the products are transferred from the feeding systems to the discharge systems. Additionally, systems for transporting products, in which these transport systems are positioned in the transfer area from the feeding systems to the discharge systems, and in which the transport systems have extraction devices, which are assembled in order to be articulated in a controlled manner in the direction of transport of the products and which intervene between two successive products in the flow of products fed in such a way that, with an additional movement of the transport systems, said extraction devices guide the products during the transfer of the transport systems feeding to the discharge systems, in such a way that the products are separated from the flow of fed products and are still transported at uniform distances from each other and / or in groups, and are unloaded in a controlled manner in each case. The method according to the invention is carried out using this device according to the invention and comprises corresponding method steps.
[0012] If the granulated products are transported on a plurality of tracks positioned side by side and substantially parallel to each other, a device and method for transporting the granulated products are created according to the invention, with which the products are separated of a flow of products on each of the tracks and are subsequently transported evenly spaced and / or in groups. Here, the multi-track device according to the invention has one of the single-track transport devices previously described on each of the individual tracks. The multi-rail transport device according to the invention additionally comprises systems for controlling the individual transport devices on the plurality of tracks, so that the flows of individual products on the plurality of tracks are synchronized with each other, in order to such that a product on a track, after separating the respective product stream, is substantially aligned with the respective products on other selected individual tracks or on all other tracks, so that the products on the tracks in question are positioned side by side side substantially in a row in a perpendicular direction or at an inclination in the direction of transport of the products. The multi-rail transport method according to the invention is carried out using the multi-rail transport device previously described according to the invention and comprises corresponding method steps.
[0013] According to the invention, the products are thus not only transferred from a first transport system (feeding system) to a second transport system (discharge system), but the products are additionally stopped and, in in particular, guided by another transport system in the transfer phase from the feeding system to the discharge system. For this purpose, this additional transport system has mobile extracting devices, which can be activated in such a way that said extracting devices intervene between two successive products in the transfer of products from the supply system to the discharge system and, during a time, contact the first product (s) in the product flow, in such a way that said extraction devices stop and guide the product (s) in question at this stage and, when doing so that is, separate said product (s) from the product stream and, at the same time, accelerate said product (s), so that the separated products are subsequently positioned on the unloading system at regular distances identical to each other and, thus, to be transported even more spaced from each other, once the extractor devices have released said products, that is, once the extractor devices have released the products. The individual products are then transferred to the subsequent discharge system in a controlled and precisely positioned and synchronized manner and are positioned and still transported over said discharge system.
[0014] If a plurality of rails are positioned side by side and substantially parallel to each other, the individual products are consequently transferred from the supply system according to the discharge system in a selective and controlled manner and precisely positioned and synchronized by the transport systems provided on each transport rail by means of the extracting devices driven by said transport system, in which the products on each of the tracks are therefore separated from the flow of products fed, accelerated and still transported over uniform distances pre -defined on the discharge device and are discharged in a controlled manner in each case. The transport devices of the individual rails are controlled and synchronized with each other here, so that the products are finally positioned on the plurality of rails, for example, in a straight row or side by side in line, that is, for example , on a straight line perpendicular to the direction of transport. Alternatively, the products on the individual rails can also be aligned with each other, so that they are positioned on an inclined line in relation to the transport direction, said line deviating at a right angle. In other exemplary embodiments, products positioned side by side can also be positioned on other lines on the tracks positioned side by side, for example, curved lines, wavy lines or zigzag lines. Here, it is essential that individual products on the plurality of tracks positioned side by side are always positioned in a fixed, uniform, pre-defined and precisely controlled spatial orientation in relation to each other.
[0015] With the single rail embodiment of the transport device according to the invention, the products can thus still be transported at identical distances from each other on the discharge system. Alternatively, however, groups of products can also be formed, in which each group comprises a plurality of products which are positioned within the group at identical distances from each other. The individual groups are then typically positioned in transport, said distances not corresponding to the distances between the individual products within a group. The distances between the individual groups here are typically greater than the distances between the individual products within a group.
[0016] In the case of a plurality of tracks positioned side by side, the corresponding groups can be provided on each individual track or tracks or a plurality of selected tracks, where these groups are positioned on the tracks again in a controlled manner and in a fixed spatial relationship, preferably regular, to the respective product groups on the other tracks. Since the positions of individual products on the plurality of tracks positioned side by side can be precisely selected and operated with a device according to the invention, both on tracks (that is, in the direction of transport) and on rows (that is, substantially transversal in relation to the direction of transport on the plurality of tracks positioned side by side), any dispositions, patterns and groupings of products, that is, what is known as “product mats” or “product matrices”, they can be produced with the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention.
[0017] In a particular embodiment of the invention, these "product rugs" can also be versatile in a time-dependent manner, that is, the transport of products on individual tracks can be controlled, in such a way that the disposition of products and product orientations towards each other change over time, preferably again on a regular basis.
[0018] In general, the arrangement and orientation of individual products on individual tracks and the formation of product groups and / or “product rugs” possibly caused by them is dependent on the subsequent additional processing provided to the products and the spatial and time. As explained in the introduction, this can be, for example, a simultaneous transfer of a plurality of products arranged side by side as a group of products or row of products to a receiving device, in particular a container or packaging, in which products are received, and consequently grouped.
[0019] So that the groups of products or carpets of products described can be formed, the transport device according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment, comprises control systems which cooperate with the feeding systems, the feeding systems unloading and transport systems with extracting devices and controls their transport speeds individually, in such a way that the products, after separating them from the respective product flow, can be transported evenly more spaced and selectively in regular groups, as described above.
[0020] If the products in the supply system are not positioned from the beginning in an accumulation in succession or in contact with each other or are otherwise not positioned at uniform distances from each other, so that the extraction devices of the supply systems transport intervenes correctly between two successive products and can grab these products for additional transport, as described above, it is first necessary to generate an accumulation of products or an arrangement of the individual products on the feeding systems at a uniform distance from each other. Otherwise, the extractor devices could, in some circumstances, incorrectly contact the individual products during the course of movement of said extractor devices, whereby the products could then be potentially damaged. The control systems of the transport device according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment, therefore, control the transport speeds of the feeding systems and / or the transport systems with extracting devices individually, in such a way that the products in the flow of fed products contact each other in an accumulation or are positioned at a uniform distance from each other before the extractor devices intervene between two successive products. The transport speeds are thus controlled in such a way that the products fed are always positioned precisely, so that the extracting devices grasp the products correctly and can transfer the products to the unloading system without damaging the products.
[0021] In another embodiment of the transport device according to the invention, the accumulation of the products can also be formed by mobile retaining mechanisms, which cooperate with the control systems in such a way that, when necessary, said retaining mechanisms they are moved to the conveyor area of the feeding system in order to stop the fed products, that is, to cause the products to contact each other in an accumulation in the flow of fed products. The retainer systems are then moved out of the feed systems transport area again to make the product flow still transported and to release the product flow for the extractor devices to intervene between two successive products.
[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the additional transport systems positioned in the transfer area of the feeding systems and the discharge systems are endless transport systems, in which a plurality of extraction devices are positioned on the periphery of said transport systems at regular distances from each other and extend substantially radially out of said periphery, and in which the extraction devices are mounted by means of a curved rail and levers that connect to it, in in order to be articulated in a controlled manner towards the periphery of the transport systems.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, these endless conveyor systems with extracting devices are wheel or roller type transport systems, which rotate around an axis that is positioned perpendicular to the direction of transport of the products and parallel to the transport plan for the feeding and discharge systems. In another preferred embodiment, endless conveyor systems with extracting devices are belt (endless) or chain (endless) conveyor systems, which revolve around at least two axes that are positioned parallel to each other and which are positioned perpendicular to the direction of transport of the products and parallel to the transport plane of the feeding systems and the discharge systems.
[0024] In the case of the plurality of product transport rails positioned side by side and substantially parallel to each other, the extracting devices of the endless transport systems with extracting devices on each of the tracks are coupled to each other in an embodiment of the transport device according to the invention, in which the systems for controlling the transport devices in the plurality of tracks cooperate with the feeding systems and the discharge systems in each of the tracks and control the transport speeds of them individually, in accordance with such that the products on each of the rails, after separating them from the respective flow uniformly from each other and selectively in regular groups.
[0025] Alternatively to these coupled extraction devices, the endless transport systems with extraction devices on each of the rails can each have a dedicated extraction device in another embodiment of the invention, said extraction device not being coupled to the devices extractors from other endless conveyor systems with extracting devices, in which the systems to control the conveyor devices in the plurality of rails, then, cooperate with the feeding systems, the discharge systems and the endless conveyor systems with extracting devices on each of the rails and controls their transport speeds individually, so that the products on each of the rails, after separating the respective product flow, are again transported at uniform distances from each other and selectively in regular groups .
[0026] Other details and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description below of several exemplary embodiments, based on the attached drawings.
[0027] Figure 1A shows the transport device according to the invention in a side view.
[0028] Figure 1B shows the transport device according to the invention from figure 1A in a sectional view along line A-A from above.
[0029] Figures 2A to 2C show the transport device according to the invention in three different angular rotation positions, in each case in a side view and a view from above corresponding to Figures 1A and 1B.
[0030] Figure 3A shows an embodiment of the transport device according to the invention in a side view.
[0031] Figure 3B shows a detail of the transport device from Figure 3A.
[0032] Figure 4A shows another embodiment of the transport device according to the invention in a side view and also a schematic partial view from above.
[0033] Figure 4B shows a detail of the transport device from Figure 4A.
[0034] Figure 5A shows schematically an embodiment of a single rail transport device according to the invention.
[0035] Figures 5B to 5E show various embodiments of a transport device with two rails according to the invention.
[0036] A conveying device for granulated products P is illustrated schematically in a side view in Figure 1A. Figure 1B shows this transport device in a plan view from above in the section along line A-A of Figure 1A. In Figure 1B, products P are transported on two parallel rails positioned side by side. Figures 2A to 2C show the corresponding transport device, in each case, in a schematic side view and a schematic plan view from above, in which Figures 2A to 2C illustrate different stages of product transportation. The side view at the top of Figure 2A thus corresponds substantially to the side view of Figure 1A. As can be seen from the respective plan views from above, Figures 2A to 2C each show a transport device consisting of a transport rail. By means of this transport device, the P products are separated from a product stream or accumulation of PS products and are then further transported at uniform distances from each other. Here, the main transport direction of products P in the above-mentioned Figures and also in the other Figures discussed below always runs from left to right.
[0037] The individual P granular products are fed to the global device by means of feeding systems 10. Here, the feeding systems 10 are, in particular, conveyor systems for belt or endless band or chain, for example, that which is known as an accumulation carrier. The P products are fed over these feed systems 10 as a single-row product stream PS, in which the P products, in particular, contact each other here in the accumulation. In order to ensure an orderly, regular and linear supply of the P products, side guides 14 for the P products can be additionally fed in the area of the feeding systems 10.
[0038] The discharge systems 30 are positioned after the feeding systems 10 in the transport direction and transfer the product P from the feeding system 10 and additionally transport the products. Here, the discharge system 30 is, in particular, again conveyor systems of belt or endless band or chain, for example, what is known as a distribution conveyor. As can be seen from the drawings, the feeding systems 10 and the discharge systems 30 are preferably positioned in succession, in such a way that the products P are transported substantially without vertical displacement in a constant plane, and in particular , are transferred in a plane from the feeding systems 10 to the discharge systems 30.
[0039] Other transport systems 50 for transporting the P products are positioned above the transport section formed of the feeding systems 10 and the discharge systems 30 in the transfer area from the feeding systems 10 to the discharge systems 30. As shown , for example, in the side views of Figures 1A and Figures 2A to 2C, these conveyor systems 50 are, in particular, endless conveyor systems on a closed path, in particular wheel or roller conveyor systems, i.e. that is, a 52.1 conveyor wheel or roller. This conveyor wheel or conveyor roller 52.1 rotates on a primary axis 54.1 around a central axis, which resides perpendicular to the transport direction of the products P and in parallel to the transport plane formed by the feeding systems 10 and the discharge systems 30. The 52.1 conveyor wheel or conveyor roller rotates counterclockwise here, as indicated by the arrow in the side views of Figures 1A and 2A to 2C. Where reference is made hereinafter to a conveyor wheel in relation to the conveyor systems 50, this should, in general, always be understood, depending on the application case, to also include the embodiment as a conveyor roller or other comparable embodiments of endless transport systems.
[0040] The conveyor wheel or the conveyor roller 52.1 is moved on the primary axis 54.1 which forms the axis of rotation by a drive mechanism 53, for example, an electric motor and, in particular, a controllable and adjustable servomotor. The control or regulation of this servo unit is an essential feature of the present transport device, as will be clear from the discussion below.
[0041] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1B, two streams of products in parallel single PS lines that run side by side are transported. The endless conveyor systems 50 are therefore formed here as a conveyor roller 52.1 or as two conveyor wheels 52.1 positioned side by side, so that the products P of the two streams of PS products can be transported side by side. In the embodiment of Figure 1B, the conveyor roller 52.1 or the two conveyor wheels 52.1 positioned side by side are moved along a common main axis 54.1 by means of a common drive mechanism 53. The products P of the two rows positioned side by side side are therefore moved by the 52.1 conveyor roller with the same characteristic, for example, the same speed. The 52.1 conveyor roller can thus be formed, to some extent, from two conveyor wheels positioned side by side in parallel, which are driven through a common axis of rotation 54.1. However, as discussed in greater detail below, the individual 52.1 conveyor wheels positioned side by side with the plurality of side-by-side transport rails can also be driven in isolation, separately from one another. In this case, a driver 53 in common for all the conveyor wheels positioned side by side, then, is not supplied but, instead, each conveyor wheel has a dedicated extractor device which, in particular, can also be controlled individually.
[0042] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 2A to 2C, the conveyor systems 50 (conveyor wheel or conveyor roller 52.1) have extraction devices 70, which are positioned at equal distances from each other on the periphery of the conveyor systems 50 and extend substantially radially outwardly. Each of the individual extractor devices 70 is installed and mounted on the transport systems 50, so that each extractor device 70 can be articulated in the direction of transport of the products P or in the direction of rotation of the transport systems 50. Here, the articulated movement of the extracting devices 70 can be controlled so that the extracting devices 70, with a rotation of the transport systems 50, intervene between two products P positioned in succession in the flow of products fed PS, so that the extracting devices 70, with an additional rotation of the conveyor systems 50, grasp the products P during the transfer from the feeding systems 10 to the discharge systems 30 and, in particular, guide said products, in such a way that the products P are selectively separated and controlled from the flow of PS powered products and are positioned at uniform distances from each other in the discharge systems 30 and are still trans ported and thus unloaded.
[0043] As shown in the side views of Figures 1A and 2A to 2C, a plurality of extraction devices 70, in particular six extraction devices 70 in the illustrated embodiments, are positioned on the periphery of the conveyor wheel 52.1. Here, the extractor devices 70 point, in a substantially radial way, out of the periphery of the conveyor wheel 52.1, in which they are not positioned stationarily but, however, as already mentioned above, they are articulated in the peripheral direction. Figure 3A shows an embodiment of the conveyor wheel 52.1 which is slightly modified compared to the illustration in Figure 1A. While the conveyor wheel 52.1 in Figure 1A has six extractor devices 70, the conveyor wheel 52.1 in Figure 3A has eight extractor devices 70 positioned at the periphery. Figure 3B shows a detail of the conveyor wheel 52.1 of Figure 3A in order to illustrate and explain the individual parts of it. Thus, only one of the extraction devices 70 is illustrated by way of example in Figure 3B.
[0044] Each of the extraction devices 70 consists, first of all, of a claw or extraction claw 72, which contacts the P products for transportation. Each extractor device 70 is substantially mounted on the periphery of the conveyor wheel 52.1 by means of a bearing 76 and, in particular, is pivotally mounted. This drive bearing 76 thus forms the geometrical axis of rotation or rotational axis on which the respective extractor device 70 can be articulated. This drive bearing or drive shaft 76 is thus guided on a circular path 56.1 formed with the rotation of the conveyor wheel 52.1. For controlled articulation thereof, each extractor device 70 is coupled to a curved rail 58.1, which resides substantially next to the respective associated circular path 56.1 of the conveyor wheel 52.1, but which has a more or less irregular shape, in particular displaced from an exact circular path (see Figure 3B). The shape or stroke of the curved rail 58.1 is defined, in particular, by the characteristic according to which the extractor devices 70 must be articulated, depending on their position on the periphery or on the circular path 56.1 of the conveyor wheel 52.1 or depending on the rotational position of the conveyor wheel 52.1. Due to the curved track 58.1, the articulated movement and, in particular, the respective angular position of the extracting devices 70 is thus controlled according to the rotation movement and the position of the wheel
[0045] As shown in particular in Figure 3B, the extraction claw 72 of each extractor device 70 is connected, through a lever 73, to a driving roller 78, which runs on the curved rail 58.1. Due to the movement of the drive roller 78 on the curved rail 58.1, the extraction jaw 72 is pivoted taking into account the connection via lever 73 in the event of a rotation of the conveyor wheel 52.1 around the rotation axis 76 that forms the bearing trigger. Figures 1A, 2A to 2C and 3A, thus, show the plurality of extraction devices 70 on the periphery of the conveyor wheel 52.1 in the different positions of rotation thereof, depending on the position of the driving roller 78 associated with the respective extraction claw 72 on the curved rail 58.1 . Here, the curved rail 58.1 is designed so that the rotation movement of the respective extractor device 70 can be applied at different speeds according to the rotational position of the conveyor wheel 52.1. In certain parts of the circular path 56.1, only a slow articulation movement or no articulation movement of the extractor jaw 72 can therefore be implemented, for example, while in other parts of the rotation movement of the conveyor wheel 52.1 along the path circular 56.1, an extractor 72 is implemented. This characteristic movement is dependent on the respective transport conditions of the product, that is, therefore, it is structurally dependent, INTER ALIA, on the dimensions of the granulated products P to be transported, on the transport speed, on the radial length of the extraction claw 72, on the distance of the conveyor wheel system 52.1, on or next to the feeding systems 10 and the discharge systems 30 and other corresponding parameters. It is evident that the articulation movement characteristic of the extraction devices 70 can be altered, in particular by changing the shape of the curved rail 58.1.
[0046] The curved rail 58.1 for orienting the extracting devices 70 of the endless conveyor systems 50 is, in particular, designed so that a characteristic movement of the extracting devices 70 is created, with which the extraction claws 72 plunge substantially vertical between the P products positioned in the forward direction in the accumulation of the flow of PS products and grab the P products in this vertical position, hold said products and guide said products along a specific length of the transport rail. For this purpose, P products may preferably have a shape that allows such intervention of the extraction jaws 72. As an example, P products should therefore have a round or substantially round or oval shape or other curved shape, as a result of which a “immersion window” for the extraction jaws 72 in the form of side openings between successive P products is created between two successive P products that contact each other (see Figure 1B, for example).
[0047] Due to this orientation of the P products by the extracting devices 70, the P products are separated from the flow of PS products fed through the feeding systems (feed conveyor or accumulation) 10 and are accelerated here whenever necessary, transferred to the subsequent discharge systems (delivery conveyor) 30 and are still transported over them at uniform and resulting distances from each other. The transport speed of the delivery conveyor 30 can differ here from the transport speed of the feed conveyor 10; in particular, the transport speed of the delivery conveyor 30 may be greater than the transport speed of the feed conveyor 10.
[0048] The course of movement of the conveyor systems 50 or the conveyor wheel 52.1 with the extracting devices 70 or the extracting jaws 72 will be described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 2A to 2C. The side view of Figure 2A corresponds to the illustration in Figure 1A. Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show different angular positions of rotation of the conveyor wheel 52.1, specifically a first position (Figure 2A), a position still rotating through 20 ° counterclockwise (Figure 2B) and a position still in rotation again through 20 ° in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 2C). For illustration, the six individual extraction jaws 72 of the extraction devices 70 are denoted as jaws 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4, 72.5, 72.6, according to the granulated products “1”, “2”, “3”, etc. associated with them. With the separation of P products from the accumulation of PS products, each individual P product is maintained and guided by the vertical front extraction jaws and, where appropriate, also the rear extraction jaws 72. In the initial position of Figure 2A, the extraction jaws 72.1, thus, they contact the front side of the first product "1", while the next 72.2 extraction jaws intervene between products "1" and "2" and then grab the subsequent product "2" on the front side of it. Here, claws 72.2, depending on the application case, can also grab the product “1” preceding it on the back side, where appropriate. Both successive claws 72.1 and 72.2 intervene here in the vertical direction between the two successive products in question, contact the products in this vertical position and move forward with another rotation of the conveyor wheel 52.1 in the direction of transport, in which the claws 72.1 and 72.2, in this phase, they retain their vertical position for a certain period of time or a certain part of the transportation of the product forward. This vertical orientation of the claws 72.1 and 72.2 is controlled by the curved rail 58.1 of the conveyor wheel 52.1, to which the claws 72 are attached, as described above.
[0049] In the position shown in Figure 2A, the front side of the first product “1” in the product accumulation contacts the extractor claws 72.1 of the conveyor wheel 52.1. Subsequent product "2" contacts product "1". The extraction jaws 72.2 intervene in the gap between products “1” and “2” in which, initially, they do not contact any of the products. As can be seen from the illustration in Figure 2A, the product “1”, in fact, is already on the distribution conveyor 30. However, the said product is still retained by the extraction jaws 72.1, so that it has not yet can move at the transport speed of the distribution conveyor 30. At this stage, product “1” is still moved at the transport speed of the accumulation of PS products, that is, in particular, the transport speed of the feed conveyor 10 Since the transport speeds of the feed conveyor 10 and the delivery conveyor 30 are usually different, wherein the transport speed of the delivery conveyor 30, in particular, may be greater than the transport speed of the feed conveyor feeding 10, a relative movement occurs in this phase, that is, a friction between the product “1” and the distribution conveyor 30. Conveyor belts with a low friction coefficient should, p therefore, be used more advantageously.
[0050] Figure 2B shows the conveyor wheel 52.1 in a position still rotating through 20 °. The 72.1 extraction jaws released the first product "1" and thus released said product. The product "1" is thus now still moved by the distribution conveyor 30 and the movement speed of said product is correspondingly accelerated. The now first product "2" in the accumulation of PS products, meanwhile, contacts the extraction jaws 72.2, in which said product, however, is still retained, thus, during the transfer of the feed conveyor 10 to the feed conveyor. distribution 30 and, in particular, is still maintained in the backlog of PS products. In particular, product “2” is held by the extraction grips 72.2 or is moved at a slower speed until the distance of said product from the previous product “1” corresponds to the desired distance between the separate products still transported on the distribution conveyor 30.
[0051] This state is also illustrated in Figure 2C, at a later time in the corresponding time, when the conveyor wheel 52.1 has already rotated through 20 °. In this state, the front side of the product “2” still contacts the extraction jaws 72.2, while the previous product “1” has already been released and is still moved at the speed of the distribution conveyor 30. At the same time, the next extraction jaws 72.3 they plunge into the side openings between products "2" and "3", in which said extractor claws, once again, initially do not touch substantially any of the products. With just one additional rotation of the 52.1 conveyor wheel, the claws 72.3 again contact the front side of the product “3” and move again in the direction of transport, while maintaining their vertical orientation as the 52.1 conveyor wheel still moves. rotates.
[0052] With this cyclic repetition system, the individual products P are retained and guided by the claws 72 of the extraction devices 70 during the course of rotary movement of the transport systems 50 (conveyor wheel / conveyor roller 52.1) during the transfer of the transport systems feed (feed conveyor) 10 for discharge systems (dispensing conveyor) 30, so that the products P are individually divided and separated in a controlled manner from the flow of products fed PS and are subsequently further transported at distances equal to each other others.
[0053] The controlled articulated assembly described for the extracting devices 70 of the transport system 50 has the following additional advantages, INTER ALIA: due to the vertical diving movement (or diving oriented at an angle and freely selectable within the limits) of the claws 72 in the gaps between successive P products, the risk of damage to the product is considerably reduced. In the case where the claws 72 dive vertically between successive P products, the required “dive window” is additionally reduced. This is particularly advantageous with products with a small diameter, with greater product tolerances and with unfavorable height / diameter proportions of the products.
[0054] Due to the articulating assembly of the extracting devices 70, the position or orientation of the claw 72 in relation to the product can be additionally freely selected in terms of the angle, so that the characteristic of the product distribution to the successive discharge systems 30 can be changed. The distribution characteristic of the claws 72, for example, can therefore be adjusted so that the P products are released as quickly as possible or the P products are retained as long as possible by the claws 72. Due to the characteristic movement of the claws 72, controlled acceleration of the products during product release is also possible, so that the speed difference between product P and the distribution conveyor 30 at the time of product release is minimized and errors in the positioning of product P are minimized on the distribution conveyor 30 are reduced.
[0055] Finally, by virtue of the articulating extracting devices 70, a more precise positioning and alignment of the products, product rows and product groups on the distribution conveyor 30 are obtained compared to a conventional transfer of the products from the feed conveyor 10 for the distribution conveyor 30 without transport systems with additional extracting devices 50. As shown above, this is achieved by the fact that the products, due to the orientation of the extractor devices 70, are not positioned in an uncontrolled manner on the successive distribution conveyors 30, which generally run faster and, in particular, thus, they are not accelerated in an uncontrolled manner, but are selectively and in a controlled manner on the distribution conveyor 30. With a plurality of tracks positioned side by side, the products are released by the extracting devices 70 on the individual tracks, particular in a synchronized manner, and aligned with each other.
[0056] The additional transport of P products on the discharge systems 30 over a constant, even distance from each other is basically dependent on the cooperation of the feeding systems (feed conveyor or accumulation) 10 and the discharge systems (distribution conveyor) ) 30 with transport systems 50 (conveyor wheel or 52.1 conveyor roller). In particular, the transport speeds of these components must be compatible with each other and individually controlled so that, on the one hand, a product P from the product stream or accumulation of PS products is always ready at the right time and, on the other hand hand, so that the extracting devices 70 of the transport systems 50 intervene precisely between the products P waiting at this moment and, in each case, grab the first product in the accumulation of PS products and release and transfer said product in a controlled manner for the discharge system 30, so that successive products P on the discharge systems 30 are still transported at the desired, predefined regular distance from each other.
[0057] In order to achieve this characteristic, control systems are provided, which cooperate with the feed systems 10, the discharge systems 30 and the transport systems 50 in an appropriate manner in order to control the transport speeds of the them individually, as described. These control systems also comprise suitable detector and / or sensor systems that determine the position of the P products in question in the transport section, in which the respective transport speeds of the transport systems in question are then controlled based on this determined information. that is, they are accelerated or delayed or so that the P products have the correct placement, position and alignment at any time in the specific relevant time.
[0058] In order to ensure that P products in the area of transport systems 50 (conveyor wheel 52.1) have the correct placement and position for the intervention of extraction devices 70 and, thus, to prevent P products from being damaged by devices extractors 70 intervening in the event of an incorrect positioning at a certain point in time, it is in particular necessary that the P products are fed continuously and regularly in the direction of transport before the conveyor wheel 52.1. In particular, the P products must contact each other in the accumulation in the flow of PS fed products through the feeding systems 10 or they must be selectively positioned at uniform distances from each other. Otherwise, there will be no continuous, regular product feeding and, without sufficient product accumulation in the area before the 52.1 conveyor wheel, there is the aforementioned risk with irregular or discontinuous product feeding, where P products may be incorrectly contacted by the claws 72 and, therefore, in particular, can be damaged. In order to achieve this, control systems are provided and designed in such a way that the transport speeds of the feed system (feed conveyor) 10 and / or transport systems 50 (conveyor wheel 52.1) and / or, where appropriate , also of the discharge systems (distribution conveyor) 30, are controlled individually and combined with each other or synchronized with each other. The control systems to influence the described movement characteristics may comprise, INTER ALIA, a variable speed jaw (for example, by means of a servomotor) of the primary axis 54.1 of the conveyor wheel 52.1 in question and / or a variable speed of the systems feed (feed conveyor) 10 and / or discharge systems (dispensing conveyor) 30. However, the movement characteristics can also additionally be influenced by the respective curved rail design 58.1 for guiding the claws 72 of the conveyor wheel 52.1 and also by displacement or alteration of curved rail 58.1, which is also possible in a controlled manner during operation, that is, during rotation of the conveyor wheel 52.1.
[0059] In order to ensure that the products P contact each other in the accumulation before feeding them to the conveyor wheel 52.1 and before the respective intervention of the claws 72 between successive products P in the flow of products fed PS or are positioned in a uniform distance from each other, mobile retaining systems 16 can be provided in the area of the feed conveyor 10, alternatively or in addition to the control systems described above. Such retainer systems 16 are illustrated by way of example in Figures 1A and 1B. These retainer systems 16 are used and cooperate, where appropriate, with the aforementioned control systems in such a way that the retainer systems 16 are moved to the feed rail of the feed conveyor 10, as needed, when an insufficient number of individual P products it is fed through the feed conveyor 10. The retainer systems 16 then grasp the fed P products in a defined manner and cause the P products now to contact each other in the build up in the PS fed product stream. In this phase, a frictional or relative movement between the products P and the feed conveyor 10 may be allowed in some circumstances. The 52.1 conveyor wheel runs empty during this period (that is, without transporting products) or is stopped.
[0060] As soon as a sufficient number of P products are present contacting each other in the accumulation, the retainer systems 16 are moved out of the transport area of the feed conveyor 10 again, whereby the flow of PS products is released and it is also transported away from the feed conveyor (or accumulation conveyor) 10 towards the conveyor wheel 52.1, where the products are then ready for the intervention of the claws 72 of the conveyor wheel 52.1 between two successive P products and are correctly positioned .
[0061] In Figures 1A and 1B and also 2A to 2C, the conveyor systems 50 are illustrated as a substantially circular conveyor wheel or circular conveyor roller 52.1 that rotates about a central axis of rotation of 54.1, wherein the axes of rotation 76 of the articulated bearing 72 grips move about the axis of rotation 54.1 along a circular path 56.1. This embodiment is also illustrated, in particular, in Figures 3A and 3B. Alternatively to this embodiment, however, endless conveyor systems 50 can also be formed from an endless belt or an endless chain or the like that revolves at least two axes 54.2, 55.2 positioned parallel to each other, that is, they do not circulate along a circular path. These belt or chain conveyor systems 52.2 are illustrated, by way of example, in Figures 4A and 4B, in which Figure 4B, for illustration, shows a detail of the illustration in Figure 4A. The two axes of rotation 54.2 and 55.2 of the belt or chain conveyor systems 52.2 are again positioned here, perpendicularly to the transport direction of the products P and parallel to the transport plane of the supply systems 10 and the discharge systems 30.
[0062] The extracting devices 70 of the belt or chain conveyors 52.2 of the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B substantially correspond to the extracting devices 70 of the embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B, that is, again, they consist of an extraction claw 72 and a geometrical drive shaft or drive shaft 76, on which the claws 72 can be articulated in the peripheral direction. With the conveyor movement of the belt or chain conveyor 52.2, the drive shaft 76 thus operates on a path of substantially oval shape 56.2 around the two axes of rotation 54.2 and 55.2. The extraction claw 72 of the extractor device 70 is again connected via a lever 73 to a drive roller 78, which works and is guided on the curved rail 58.2. The curved rail 58.2 is positioned substantially next to the oval-shaped guide path 56.2 of the drive bearings 76, in which the course of the curved rail or shape thereof, however, deviates from a regular oval shape. The curved rail 58.2 for guiding the drive rollers 78 is, in particular, redesigned and formed so that the extraction jaws 72, with a rotation of the belt or chain conveyor 52.2, move in the transport section of the products P in the conveyor feed 10 and on the distribution conveyor 30, so that the extraction jaws 72 dive again in a vertical orientation between successive P products and contact product P, as necessary, in order to grab and guide said products over a certain section of the section of transport, while the extraction jaws 72 retain their vertical orientation. As soon as the individual P products have been transferred to the distribution conveyor 30 and have the correct predefined distance from the respective previous P product, said products are released again by the extractor claws 72 by moving the extractor claws 72 out of the vertical position by by means of the driving rollers 78 guided on the curved rail 58.2 and by means of the connection through the levers 73 and, therefore, in particular, when moving said extractor claws out of the transport section as a whole.
[0063] With reference to the articulation movement of the extracting devices 70 in relation to the product P transported, what has been described above in relation to the conveyor wheel or the conveyor roller 52.1 applies, in principle, to the belt conveyor or chain 52.2. However, depending on the application case, the 52.2 belt or chain conveyor can be advantageous compared to the 52.1 conveyor wheel, as it can be produced in a longer travel path taking into account the oval shape (in principle) of the transport movement of the claws 72, travel path on which the claws 72 intervene between the successive P products and hold and guide the P products during the additional movement and thus transferring said products selectively and in a controlled manner from the conveyor supply 10 for the distribution conveyor 30 (see Figure 4A in particular).
[0064] The transport device according to the invention has previously been described substantially on the basis of an individual transport section or transport rail. However, as already indicated above in conjunction with Figure 1B, it may be desirable, in certain application cases, to position a plurality of such transport sections or transport tracks side by side and substantially parallel to each other, where each one of this plurality of tracks, considered individually, in principle works as described above. The P products on each of the plurality of tracks are thus separated from the respective flow of PS products and are subsequently positioned and still transported at identical and / or regular distances from each other and / or in groups. Here, an essential feature of such a positioning on multiple rails is that the products positioned on the rails side by side are aligned with each other in a pre-defined manner so as to form straight lines, for example, transversely or at an incline the direction of transport of the product or rows that run on a regular curved rail of products P positioned side by side correspondingly. In this way, any product group patterns or “product rugs” or “product matrices” can be produced, in which the patterns of such products or product groups, when desired and necessary, can also have gaps or voids.
[0065] In order to form such product patterns or product groups, control devices are provided which control the individual transport devices on the rails positioned side by side, so that the individual PS product flows over the plurality of rails are synchronized with each other, so that a product P on a track, after separating the respective flow of PS products, is substantially aligned with the respective products P on selected individual tracks or all other tracks, so that the products P on the rails in question are positioned, as desired, side by side substantially in a row on a straight or regularly curved line. The control systems for the individual transport devices on the rails positioned side by side are formed here in substantially identical manner as explained above with reference to the control systems of the single rail embodiment, in which the control systems cooperate with the control systems. feed 10, discharge systems 30 and transport systems 50 and control their transport speeds individually, so that products P, after separating them from the flow of PS products, can be transported in a more uniform way spaced and selectively in regular PG groups.
[0066] With the embodiment of multiple rails of the transport device, a distinction has to be made, in principle, between an embodiment which the claws of the endless transport systems 50 with extraction claws (for example, 52.1 conveyor wheel or belt 52.2) on each of the rails are coupled to each other and an embodiment in which the endless transport systems 50 with extractor claws on each of the rails have a dedicated extractor device which is not coupled to the extractor devices of the other transport systems endless transport with extracting devices. In the first mentioned case of the extractor devices coupled to each other, the previously mentioned control systems for controlling the individual transport devices and for synchronizing the flows of individual products in the plurality of tracks positioned side by side have to cooperate with the feeding systems 10 and the discharge systems 30 on each of the tracks and controls the transport speeds of them individually, in such a way that the products P on each of the plurality of tracks, after separating the respective flow of PS products, are still transported over distances uniforms of each other and selectively in
[0067] In the second case mentioned above, in which the endless transport systems with extraction devices on each of the rails have a dedicated extraction device which is not coupled to the extraction devices of other transport systems with an extraction device, the control systems to control the conveyor devices and synchronize the flows of individual products on the plurality of tracks, they must cooperate with the feed systems 10 and the discharge systems 30 and also with the endless conveyor systems 50 with extractor device on each of the tracks and they have to control their transport speeds individually, in such a way that the P products on each of the tracks, after separating them from the respective PS product streams, are again transported at uniform distances from each other and selectively in groups regular PG.
[0068] Figures 5B to 5E show various embodiments of transporting P products on a plurality of tracks positioned side by side. The principles explained below based on two rails positioned side by side also apply, correspondingly, to devices where more than two rails are positioned side by side. Figure 5A, for a single rail embodiment, to which the comments made above in conjunction with Figures 1 to 4 apply, correspondingly, to the illustrations of Figures 5A to 5E, the essential components are illustrated schematically, that is, INTER ALIA , the conveyor systems with an extractor device 50 (conveyor wheel or conveyor roller or belt conveyor or chain conveyor) and also the extractor claws 72 that contact the first product P in the flow of PS-fed products. In the area of feeding systems 10, a detector or sensor system 12 (for example, in the form of a camera) is illustrated before transport systems with an extractor device 50 in the transport direction and is used to determine whether product P is or not present before transport systems with an extractor device 50 in the flow of PS powered products, that is, if a sufficient accumulation of products is present. The information thus determined is provided to the control systems which control the movement speeds of the individual conveyors, as already explained above. As can also be seen from Figure 5A, finally, products P separated from the flow of PS products by means of transport systems with an extractor device 50 are then still transported at identical distances T1 from each other to the systems of discharge 30.
[0069] Figure 5B shows a system with two tracks, in which each of the tracks, considered individually, corresponds to the track shown in Figure 5A. The P products on both rails are fed here with gaps on the respective feed conveyors 10 (product gaps or product voids PL), ie the products are not positioned so as to fully contact each other in the accumulation before the transport systems 50. This situation is detected by the detector systems 12, so that the control systems control the transport speeds of the transport systems in question, in such a way that a complete accumulation of products is produced first. For this purpose, the transport system (conveyor wheel) 50, for example, can be stopped, so that the first extractor claws 72, in the direction of transport, stop the products fed through the feed conveyor 10, so the products flow of fed PS products pile up to form an accumulation of products without gaps. The extracting devices of the two transport systems 50 on the individual rails are coupled together in the embodiment of Figure 5B, that is, the transport wheels of the individual rails have a fixed extractor device in common, so that they run at the same speed and have the same movement characteristics (eg acceleration, immobilization, etc.).
[0070] Figure 5C corresponds to Figure 5B in which, in the embodiment of Figure 5C, however, not all products P separated from the product stream are still transported in the discharge system 30 at an equal distance T1. Instead, product groups PG1, PG2 are formed here, where products within a group, and preferably in each of the groups PG1 and PG2, have equal distances T1 from each other in the direction of transport, whereas the individual PG1, PG2 groups have a different distance from each other in the transport direction in Figure 5C, in particular a distance T2, which is greater than the distance T1 between the individual products within the groups PG1, PG2. The different distances T1, T2 and, therefore, product groups PG1, PG2, are produced by means of the control systems described above and by means of different transport speeds, produced by said control systems of the individual transport systems (in particular conveyor wheel 52.1 and / or distribution conveyor 30).
[0071] Figure 5D shows an embodiment similar to that of Figure 5C for forming groups of individual PG products on the discharge systems (distribution conveyor) 30. However, in contrast to the embodiment of Figure 5C, in the embodiment of Figure 5D, the drive mechanisms of transport systems 50 (for example, conveyor wheel 52.1) are now not coupled to each other, that is, transport systems 50 each have a dedicated drive mechanism 53. As already explained in the introduction , the drive mechanisms 53 can be formed, in particular, by servomotors, which can be controlled in a versatile and individual way.
[0072] In the embodiment of Figure 5D, the flow of products fed over the feed conveyor 10 is initially incomplete again, that is, the products are not positioned to contact each other in a complete accumulation before the transport system 50. The accumulation of necessary products can again be formed, for example, by temporarily operating the conveyor systems 50 with the extractor claws 72 more slowly or by stopping said conveyor systems or temporarily accelerating the feed conveyor 10 and operating said conveyor more quickly, so that more products per unit of time are fed into the area before the transport system 50, so that the products P are then finally brought back into contact with each other in the accumulation in the area of the transport systems 50 for intervention of the extraction jaws 72. Due to the drive mechanisms 53 separated from the transport systems 50 individual and n each of the tracks, each track is individually controlled to form the accumulation of products.
[0073] As also shown in Figure 5D, uniform PG product groups are formed on the distribution conveyors 30. Here, however, individual product groups may be missing from some of the individual rails, that is, PGL gaps of the size of Individual product groups PG are produced on the distribution conveyors 30 (see Figure 5D, lower transport rail). For the objective formation of these product group PGL gaps, the individual P products are again stopped in the area of the transport systems 50 by the extractor claws 72 and / or the distribution conveyor 30 in question, where the product group PGL gap has to be formed, they run at a higher speed a certain part of the time. In principle, the formation of product groups distances between individual product groups and the distances between individual products within product groups and also the formation of any product group gaps are always dependent on the cooperation of the respective transport speeds of the products. three essential transport components, specifically the feeding systems 30 (feed conveyor) 10, the discharge systems (distribution conveyor) 30 and the transport systems with an extractor device (conveyor wheel or belt conveyor) 50.
[0074] Finally, Figure 5E shows yet another embodiment similar to the embodiment of Figure 5D. Here, on the one hand, the feed conveyor 10, again, is not completely filled with products, so that the products, before the conveyor wheel 50, are initially not positioned in contact with each other in the accumulation. In addition, a gap in the product groups PGL is again formed over the distribution conveyor 30 of the lower transport rail in Figure 5E, in which the product groups PG in addition are, however, each completely formed. In contrast to the embodiment of Figure 5D, but according to the embodiments of Figures 5B and 5C, in the embodiment of Figure 5E, the drive mechanisms of the transport systems (conveyor wheels) 50 on the individual tracks are, again, coupled to each other or the individual transport systems 50, in which the rails are moved by means of a common actuating mechanism. In contrast to the previously described embodiments, the formation of product accumulations in the area before the conveyor systems 50 is produced, here, by retainer systems 16, for example, a retainer bar which, as already described above, is moved over the transport rail for product build-up to stop products fed before transport systems 50. If enough individual P products have accumulated to form an accumulation of PS products and, for example, detector systems 12 in the feed area no longer determine gaps in PL products, the retainer system (retainer bar) 16 is moved out of the transport area again, so that the flow of PS products is released for feeding to the transport systems 50 and an intervention of the extraction jaws 72 between the individual P products is released.
[0075] A corresponding embodiment with retaining systems corresponding to Figure 5E is a cost effective alternative to the formation of product accumulations through individual control of the transport components in question, as described above in conjunction with Figures 5B to 5D . The implementation with the retainer system is therefore recommended, particularly in the case of transport devices with which there is a greater risk that the individual tracks in the product feeding area are not temporarily filled, that is, in these areas there is no accumulation of products or accumulation of temporarily insufficient products.
[0076] As is evident from Figures 5B to 5E, transport devices with multiple rails can be produced, of which the transport systems (conveyor wheels) are coupled through a common drive mechanism or of which the transport systems have trigger mechanisms that are separate from each other. The illustrated embodiments are suitable, in particular, for such application cases where, for example, there is a risk that the individual tracks in the product feeding area are not sufficiently full of products, so that the products are not fed to the accumulation of products for transport systems or for cases in which the output of products in the discharge systems to form identical distances and / or groups of regular products, must be controlled. transport of the individual tracks and / or the respective transport elements must be controlled and combined with each other for this purpose and, in extreme cases, brought to zero, where the individual products can be produced in a time-aligned manner and in relation to the position of said products.
[0077] Furthermore, it is conceivable to create transport devices with multiple rails in which the transport systems (conveyor wheels or belt conveyors) 50 are not positioned side by side, but are aligned in relation to each other in the direction of transport. Here, the drive mechanisms of the transport systems can again be coupled to each other or decoupled from each other selectively as individual drive mechanisms for each transport system on each of the plurality of tracks. If, in this case, the transport systems 50 are out of alignment with each other, for example, so that, alternatively, a transport system on a rail is positioned further forward in the direction of transport and the next transport system is positioned then on the next track it is still positioned at the rear in the direction of transport, all front transport systems (conveyor wheels) can be moved along a main axis with a common drive mechanism, while all rear transport systems consequently, they can be moved on a second primary axis with a second trigger mechanism in common.
[0078] With the embodiments described above of the global transport device, almost any product groups or "product mats" or "product matrices" can therefore be produced, since the respective position of an individual product can be precisely selected and actuated both on the tracks and on rows (that is, transversely in relation to the tracks) and the individual products can therefore be exactly aligned with each other according to the pattern to be produced. The alignment of the products with each other and therefore the formation of product groups can also be versatile in a time-dependent manner, that is, it can be variable over time.

权利要求:
Claims (12)
[0001]
1. Device for transporting granulated products (P), in such a way that the products (P) are separated from a product flow (PS) and subsequently transported uniformly further apart and / or in groups (PG), comprising the following features: - systems (10) for supplying products (P) as a flow of single-row products (PS); - systems (30) for unloading the separated products (P) away from each other in a row, in which the discharge mechanisms (30) are arranged immediately after the feeding systems (10), in the direction of transporting the products (P ), in such a way that the products (P) are transferred from the systems (10) that supply directly to the discharge systems (30); - systems (50) for transporting products (P), where the transport systems (50) are arranged in the transfer area of the supply system (10) to the discharge system (30) and where the transport systems (50) have drive systems (70), which are assembled so that they can be articulated in a controlled manner in the direction of transport of the products (P) and which intervene between two successive products (P) in the flow of products supplied (PS) , in such a way that, with an additional movement of the transport systems (50), said drive system guides the products (P) during the transfer of the feeding systems (10) to the discharge systems (30), such that the products (P) are separated from the product flow supplied (PS) and are transported at uniform distances, from each other and / or in groups (PG), and are unloaded, in a controlled manner, in each case; and the control devices, which cooperate with the feeding systems (10), the discharge system (30) and the drive transport systems (50) and control and adjust their transport speed individually, in such a way that the products (P), after being separated from the product flow (PS), are transported uniformly more spaced and / or selectively in regular groups (PG); characterized by the fact that mobile retainer systems (16) for products (P), in which the retainer systems (16) cooperate with the control devices, in such a way that the retainer systems (16), as necessary, are moved to the transport area of the feeding systems (10), so that the products (P) in the flow of products supplied (PS) contact each other in the accumulation, and in such a way that the retaining systems (16) are subsequently moved out of the feed systems transport area (10) in order to make the product flow (PS) still transported and released for the intervention of the drive systems (70) of the drive transport system ( 50) between two successive products (P).
[0002]
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the control devices control the transport speeds of the feed systems (10) and / or the drive transport systems (50) individually, so that the products (P) in the product flow (PS) supplied either come into contact with each other in the accumulation or are disposed at a uniform distance from each other before the drive systems (70) of the drive transport systems (50) interfere between two successive products (P).
[0003]
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the systems (50) for transporting the products (P) are endless transport systems (52.1, 52.2), in which a plurality of drive systems (70) is arranged at regular distances from each other on the periphery of the transport system (52.1, 52.2) and extends substantially out of it, and in which the drive systems (70) are mounted by means of a curved track (58.1, 58.2) and levers (73) that engage with it, in order to be articulated in a controlled manner towards the periphery of the transport systems (52.1, 52.2).
[0004]
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the endless transport systems are transport systems similar to rollers (52.1) or similar to wheels, which rotate around an axis (54.1), which it is arranged perpendicularly to the transport direction of the products (P) and is parallel to the transport plane of the supply system (10) and the discharge devices (30).
[0005]
5. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the endless conveyor system are belts or belt conveyor systems (52.2), which rotate around at least two axes (54.2, 55.2) arranged parallel to each other, which are arranged perpendicular to the transport direction of the products (P) and parallel to the transport plane of the supply system (10) and the discharge devices (30).
[0006]
6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the supply system (10) and the discharge system (30) are conveyor systems for endless bands or belts or chains, which they are arranged in succession, in such a way that the products (P) are transferred substantially in the same plane of the supply system (10) to the discharge system (30).
[0007]
7. Device for conveying granulated products (P) on a plurality of tracks arranged side by side and substantially parallel to each other, in which the products (P) are separated from a flow of products (PS) on each of the tracks and they are subsequently transported uniformly more spaced and / or in groups (PG), comprising the following characteristics: - a device for transporting the granulated products (P) as defined in one of claims 1 to 6, is arranged on each of the tracks; and characterized by the fact that it further comprises - systems for controlling the transport devices of a plurality of tracks so that the flows of individual products (PS) over the plurality of tracks are synchronized with each other in such a way that a product ( P) on a track, after separating the respective product flow (PS), is substantially aligned with the respective products (P) on other selected individual tracks or all others, such that the products (P) on the tracks in question are arranged side by side substantially in a row in a perpendicular direction, or with an inclination towards the direction of transport of the products (P).
[0008]
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the driving mechanisms (53), of the endless transport conveyor system (50) for the products (P) on each of the rails are coupled to each other , and in which the drive system of the transport devices in the plurality of tracks cooperates with the feeding systems (10) and the discharge system (30) in each of the tracks and controls their transport speeds individually, in such a way so that the products (P) on each of the tracks, after being separated from the respective product flow (PS), are still transported at uniform distances, from each other and / or selectively in regular groups (PG).
[0009]
9. Device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the endless drive transport systems (50) for the products (P) on each of the rails have a dedicated drive mechanism (53), which is not connected to the actuating mechanisms (53) of the other endless conveyor transport systems (50), and in which the systems for controlling the transport devices in the plurality of rails cooperate with the feeding systems (10), the discharge system ( 30) and the endless drive transport systems (50) on each of the tracks, and control their transport speeds individually, in such a way that the products (P) on each of the tracks, after their separation from the respective product flow (PS), are still transported at uniform distances, from each other and / or selectively in regular groups (PG).
[0010]
10. Method for transporting granulated products (P), in such a way that the products (P) are separated from a product flow (PS) and subsequently transported uniformly more spaced and / or in groups (PG), characterized by the fact that said method is carried out using a device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6.
[0011]
11. Method of transporting granulated products (P) on a plurality of tracks arranged side by side and substantially parallel to each other, in which products (P), on each of the tracks, are separated from a stream of products ( PS) and subsequently transported evenly spaced and / or in groups (PG), characterized by the fact that said method is carried out using a device as defined in any of claims 7 to 9.
[0012]
12. Method, according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the products (P), after the separation of the product flows (PS), are still transported in groups (PG), in which a group (PG) comprises a plurality of products (P) arranged on selected individual tracks or all tracks, at equal distances (T1) from one another in the direction of transport and arranged side by side, substantially in a row in a perpendicular direction, or with an inclination towards the direction of transport on the tracks in question, and where the individual groups (PG) are arranged at equal distances (T2) from each other in the direction of transport, in which the distances (T2) between the individual groups differ from the distances (T1) between individual products (P) within a group (PG).

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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EP2836447A1|2015-02-18|

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WO2013152798A1|2013-10-17|

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CA2870459A1|2013-10-17|

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CN104220349B|2017-07-14|

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US9409724B2|2016-08-09|

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EP2836447B1|2017-06-28|

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CA2870459C|2019-03-26|

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PL2836447T3|2017-12-29|

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US20150068869A1|2015-03-12|

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CN104220349A|2014-12-17|

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法律状态:
2018-12-18| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|

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2019-08-27| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: suspension of the patent application procedure|

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2020-03-10| B06A| Notification to applicant to reply to the report for non-patentability or inadequacy of the application according art. 36 industrial patent law|

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2020-09-01| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|

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2020-12-15| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 12/04/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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PCT/EP2012/056702|WO2013152798A1|2012-04-12|2012-04-12|Device and method for conveying lumpy products|

---