• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The invention relates to the field of conveyors for containers of plastic, for example PET, with protruding neck rings. In particular, the apparatus (1) comprises a supporting structure (4) that mounts a track (5) which supports the containers by their neck rings (3). The apparatus further comprises means for propelling the containers along the feed path and means for detecting jammed containers along the feed path. At least one pusher (7) is mounted on the supporting structure (4) to act on the containers when a jam is detected.
    公开号:US20010006592A1
    申请号:US09/732,987
    申请日:2000-12-08
    公开日:2001-07-05
    发明作者:Lino Lanfranchi
    申请人:Lino Lanfranchi；
    IPC主号:B65G21-2072
    专利说明:
    [0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for conveying containers, such as PET bottles, suspended by protruding neck rings. [0001]
    [0002] As is known, containers with protruding neck rings can be conveyed using air conveyors in which the container is supported under the neck ring within a track and is propelled by air jets produced by fans located along the container feed path. [0002]
    [0003] Air conveying apparatus normally comprises a supporting frame on which the track that supports the container by its neck ring is mounted. [0003]
    [0004] There may also be guides running parallel to the feed path designed to keep the body of the container vertical. [0004]
    [0005] Air conveying apparatus of this known type has an important disadvantage. Indeed, in the Applicant's experience in the sector, jams frequently occur along the feed path, especially if long-necked bottles are being handled. [0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [0006] The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned disadvantage by providing an apparatus for conveying suspended containers with protruding neck rings and which is capable of detecting and eliminating jams along the container feed path. [0006]
    [0007] This aim is fully achieved by the apparatus for conveying containers suspended by their protruding neck rings made according to the present invention as characterised in the claims below and in particular characterised in that it comprises means for detecting jammed containers along the feed path and at least one pusher mounted on a supporting structure and designed to act on the containers when a jam is detected. [0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0008] These and other characteristics are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of the apparatus for conveying suspended containers made according to the present invention. [0008] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
    [0009] With reference to FIG. 1, the numeral [0009] 1 indicates an apparatus for conveying containers 2, in particular PET bottles, suspended by a neck ring 3.
    [0010] The apparatus [0010] 1 comprises a supporting structure 4 consisting of a frame extending all along the feed path of the containers.
    [0011] The supporting structure [0011] 4 mounts a track 5 that interacts with the neck ring 3 of the containers to define the feed path. The track 5 is made from a press bent sheet that forms a groove into which the neck of the container fits. Over the track 5, there is a covering element 6 in the shape of an upturned “U”.
    [0012] The apparatus [0012] 1 further comprises means for propelling the containers along the feed path. These means are connected to the supporting structure 4 and, being in the form of pneumatic means, consist of a plurality of fans distributed along the feed path and varying in number according to the power of each individual fan, that is to say, the propelling force that each individual fan can apply to the containers.
    [0013] The novel aspect of the air conveyor according to the present invention is that it comprises means for detecting containers that have jammed along the feed path and at least one pusher [0013] 7 mounted on the supporting structure 4 and designed to act on the containers when a jam is detected.
    [0014] Looking in more detail, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, the pusher [0014] 7 comprises a guide 8 running parallel to the container feed path and mounted on the supporting structure 4, below the track 5.
    [0015] The guide can move in a direction transversal to the container feed path and, for this purpose, comprises an actuator [0015] 9 consisting of a cylinder whose lining is attached to the supporting structure 4 and whose stem is attached to the mobile guard 8.
    [0016] The actuator [0016] 9 is triggered by the means for detecting the jammed containers and causes the guide 8 to move transversally relative to the feed path of the containers 2 until the guide comes into contact with the containers in such a way as to clear the jam.
    [0017] The apparatus [0017] 1 further comprises a fixed guide 10 located on the opposite side of the container feed path. The fixed guide and the mobile guide lie preferably in the same plane, close to the neck of the container, below the neck ring 3.
    [0018] The means for detecting jammed containers are not illustrated in the drawing and may comprise two or more photocells mounted on the supporting structure along the container feed path. [0018]
    [0019] The preferred embodiment illustrated also comprises other guides which act on the body of the container. [0019]
    [0020] The apparatus according to the present invention works in the following manner. The photocells mounted along the container feed path detect any break in the flow of containers caused by a jam along the feed path. [0020]
    [0021] The photocells then send a control signal to the actuator [0021] 9 which moves the mobile guide 8 sideways relative to the feed path. The mobile guide shuffles the row of containers until the jam is cleared.
    [0022] The actuator [0022] 5 operates on the mobile guide 8 repeatedly and alternately, applying a series of rhythmic strokes on the row of containers.
    [0023] The action of the actuator [0023] 5 continues until the photocells detect an uninterrupted flow of containers again.
    [0024] The apparatus [0024] 1 according to the present invention has several important advantages. In particular, it facilitates smooth, uninterrupted flowing of the containers, including those with elongated shapes, such as certain types of PET bottles, which tend to jam very easily. Moreover, it is simple in construction and operation, and does not encumber the container handling system.
    权利要求:
    Claims (6)
    [1" id="US-20010006592-A1-CLM-00001] 1. An apparatus (1) for conveying containers (2) suspended by their protruding neck rings (3), the apparatus being of the type comprising:
    a supporting structure (4);
    a track (5) mounted on the supporting structure and designed to interact with the container neck rings to form a feed path;
    means for propelling the containers along the feed path and connected to the supporting structure;
    wherein the apparatus has
    means for detecting jammed containers along the feed path;
    at least one pusher (7) mounted on the supporting structure and designed to interact with the containers when a jam is detected.
    [2" id="US-20010006592-A1-CLM-00002] 2. The apparatus according to
    claim 1 , wherein the pusher (7) has at least one mobile guide (8) mounted on the supporting structure below the track and extending substantially parallel to the container feed path.
    [3" id="US-20010006592-A1-CLM-00003] 3. The apparatus according to
    claim 2 , wherein the mobile guide (8) has an actuator (9) triggered by the jammed container detecting means and causing the guide to move repeatedly to and from transversally relative to the container feed path.
    [4" id="US-20010006592-A1-CLM-00004] 4. The apparatus according to
    claim 2 , a fixed guide (10) is located opposite the mobile guide (8) on the other side of the container feed path.
    [5" id="US-20010006592-A1-CLM-00005] 5. The apparatus according to
    claim 1 , wherein the means for detecting jammed containers have at least one photocell mounted on the supporting structure (4) along the container feed path.
    [6" id="US-20010006592-A1-CLM-00006] 6. The apparatus according to
    claim 1 , wherein the means for propelling the containers along the feed path are pneumatic means.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US4802571A|1989-02-07|Apparatus for conveying suspended bottles
    CA2253474C|2003-12-16|High speed, compound, belted diverter and method of operating same
    US10358298B2|2019-07-23|Slide sorter pop-up diverting conveyor with transfer rate based on article characteristics
    US6488449B1|2002-12-03|Conveyor for transporting articles having a collar and including a fitted stop to reduce the risk of the articles jamming
    US7344018B2|2008-03-18|Conveyor and method for diverting closely spaced articles
    US4986407A|1991-01-22|Apparatus for controlling the path of transportation of articles
    US7331443B2|2008-02-19|Vertical parallel transportation of caps
    US20070085259A1|2007-04-19|Device for singulating overlapping flat mailings
    US3910402A|1975-10-07|Routing and conveying apparatus
    WO1986007338A1|1986-12-18|Sorting device for belt conveyors systems
    CA2224785A1|1997-02-13|Article combiner
    US7677552B2|2010-03-16|Unstacker apparatus having a retractable blower member
    US6568882B2|2003-05-27|Apparatus for conveying containers suspended by protruding neck rings
    GB2233621A|1991-01-16|Accumulating conveyor.
    US6250471B1|2001-06-26|Sorting apparatuses and sorting methods
    US3741366A|1973-06-26|Device for orienting and stacking shallow cups and lids
    EP0589821B1|1998-06-03|Sorting apparatus
    US3572490A|1971-03-30|Container handling apparatus
    US9126758B2|2015-09-08|Arrangements for transferring articles
    WO2016108936A2|2016-07-07|Slide sorter pop-up diverting conveyor with transfer rate based on article characteristics
    GB2370026A|2002-06-19|Compressed air conveyor
    GB2143193A|1985-02-06|Belt conveyor systems for wafer leaves and deflectors therefor
    SE414017B|1980-07-07|PLANT FOR TRANSPORTING SIGNIFICANT PLATFORM OR DISK LENGTHS OF MAGNETIC MATERIAL
    US7637366B2|2009-12-29|High speed diverter
    GB1034055A|1966-06-29|Means for feeding articles to conveyor and elevator systems
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    IT1308585B1|2002-01-08|
    EP1110884A1|2001-06-27|
    US6568882B2|2003-05-27|
    ITPR990096A1|2001-06-23|
    ITPR990096D0|1999-12-23|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US5170879A|1991-04-10|1992-12-15|Simplimatic Engineering Company|Single file conveyor system|
    US5421678A|1993-06-28|1995-06-06|Aidlin; Samuel S.|Method and apparatus for conveying bottles|
    US5542789A|1994-02-22|1996-08-06|Aidlin; Stephen H.|Multi position bottle guide assembly|
    US5611647A|1994-08-17|1997-03-18|Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.|Diverter for bottle air conveyor|
    US5768860A|1996-11-07|1998-06-23|Standard-Knapp, Inc.|Round product divider for packaging line|
    FR2767517B1|1997-08-25|2001-03-02|Netra Systems|CONVEYOR FOR CONTAINERS WITH GUIDES FOR LIMITING TIPPING OF CONTAINERS WITH RESPECT TO THE VERTICAL IN THEIR DIRECTION OF TRANSPORT|
    US6318935B1|1998-11-23|2001-11-20|Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.|Braking system for air conveyors|US6827203B2|2001-11-02|2004-12-07|Rexnord Marbett S.P.A.|Positioning system of conveyor guides|
    ITPR20030003A1|2003-01-29|2004-07-30|Lanfranchi Srl|AIR TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS|
    US6843367B1|2004-02-03|2005-01-18|Dillin Engineered Systems Corp.|Adjustable top guide assembly for air driven conveyor|
    US9884733B1|2017-08-11|2018-02-06|Flexibility Engineering, Llc|Conveyed bottle guide apparatus and method|
    法律状态:
    2006-11-27| FPAY| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
    2010-11-19| FPAY| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 8 |
    2015-01-02| REMI| Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
    2015-05-27| LAPS| Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
    2015-06-22| STCH| Information on status: patent discontinuation|Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
    2015-07-14| FP| Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee|Effective date: 20150527 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    ITPR99A000096||1999-12-23||
    IT1999PR000096A|IT1308585B1|1999-12-23|1999-12-23|APPARATUS FOR THE SUSPENDED TRANSPORT OF CONTAINERS PROVIDED WITH A COLLAR-RELEASE.|
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