VAN VEELEN, Aart (Narcissenstraat 62, JB Barneveld, NL-3772, NL)
KLEIN WOOLTHUIS, Harmen Frederik (Mauritsstraat 13, KE Hilversum, NL-1211, NL)
SCHREUDER, Marinus Gerardus (Hackfortlaan 26, XD Barneveld, NL-3771, NL)
VAN VEELEN, Aart (Narcissenstraat 62, JB Barneveld, NL-3772, NL)
KLEIN WOOLTHUIS, Harmen Frederik (Mauritsstraat 13, KE Hilversum, NL-1211, NL)
| Claims
1. An apparatus for filling boxes or crates (200) with packets (100) of packed food, for instance packed meat, more particularly packed, slaughtered poultry, comprising:
- a supply conveyor (1) for supplying such packets (100) one by one with a conveying unit (11),
- a transferring unit (2) with a carrier (3) for transferring each successively supplied packet (100) from the supply conveyor (1), and for downward unloading of said packet (100) into a box or crate (200), wherein the boxes or crates are filled with patterns of packets, while the transferring unit is rotatable about a first axis (25);
- a packaging conveyor (4) for supplying and placing successively supplied empty boxes or crates (200) in a substantially horizontal plane in a conveying direction T, and thereupon discharging filled boxes or crates (200); and wherein the carrier (3) of the transferring unit (2) comprises an unloading unit (5) which is designed for unloading, in use, a packet (100) in a preselected unloading direction (R), unequal to the vertical.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transferring unit (2) comprises a holder (20) which is rotatable about the first axis (25) in a vertical plane which extends in said conveying direction (T), between a transferring position for said transferring, with the carrier (3) located above the packaging conveyor and adjacent the supply conveyor, and an unloading position for said unloading, while for rotating the carrier (3) comprising the unloading device (5) to the unloading direction (R), the unloading device (5) is connected to the holder (20) via a second axis (23) which is included in an axis housing and is connected to an axis drive (24), the second axis (23) being located in a vertical plane in said conveying direction.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, upon unloading, with the holder (20) in the unloading position, the second axis (23) takes up a substantially vertical position.
4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unloading device (5) of the carrier (3) comprises a channel-shaped carrier surface (30) while the unloading direction (R) coincides with the direction of said channel-shaped carrier surface.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the unloading direction (5) comprises at least a single holder element (50) with which the packet (100) is retained on the channel-shaped carrier surface (30).
6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unloading device (5) further comprises a pusher (51) which is designed for pushing, upon unloading, the packet (100) from the channel-shaped carrier surface (30) towards and into a box or crate (200).
7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel-shaped carrier surface (30) comprises a slide (31), wherein the slide (31) is slidable in the unloading direction (R) for the purpose of moving the channel-shaped carrier surface (30) to and fro in and against the unloading direction (R).
8. A method for unloading packets (100) of packed food, for instance packed meat, more particularly packed, slaughtered poultry, with an unloading device (5) from a carrier surface (30), wherein such a packet (100) is unloaded by sliding the packet (100) downwards over the carrier surface (30) in an unloading direction (R) which is at an angle to the vertical and extends in a vertical plane.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the sliding is effected by pushing against the packet (100) to be unloaded in the unloading direction (R) from an upstream side of the packet (100).
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein unloading further comprises that after sliding, the carrier surface (30) is retracted against the unloading direction (R).
11. A method according to any one of claims 8 — 10, wherein the unloading is carried out with an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 7. |
Title: Box filler
The present invention relates to an apparatus for filling boxes or crates with packets of packed food, for instance packed meat, more particularly packed slaughtered poultry, comprising
- a supply conveyor for supplying such packets one by one with a conveying unit,
- a transferring unit with a carrier, for transferring each successively supplied packet from the supply conveyor, and for downwards unloading of the packet into a box or crate, wherein the boxes or crates are filled with patterns of packets, while the transferring unit is at least rotatable about a first axis;
- a packaging conveyor for supplying and placing successively supplied empty boxes or crates in a substantially horizontal plane in a conveying direction T, and thereupon discharging filled boxes or crates.
Such an apparatus is known from NL1009708. In this publication, and apparatus is described which transfers, from a machine for packaging in foil or bags for instance chickens slaughtered for consumption, the thus obtained packets and places them in, for instance, boxes. In particular, a gripper construction is described that is somewhat elongated and which takes up, due to the poultry-specific head-tail build, asymmetrical packets from a supply position, one after the other, one by one, with suction cups, while the suction cups are comprised in a rotational direction such that the slightly elongated and asymmetrical packets are suitably placed opposite each other and next to each other in a box. More particularly, the packets end up in the box by removing the vacuum and unloading the packets through falling from a small height, vertically downwards. It is indicated in particular how the packets are provided in elongated boxes, while two rows are formed and a packet from one row is rotated through 180° relative to a packet from the other row.
While, in the past, such packets were only processed manually, with the above-described apparatus, a method is obtained of automatically packaging in boxes, wherein operations take place not only in situations of well conditioned hygiene but also, a large processing capacity is obtained. However, in the technology of packaging, it is a general problem that the package itself, i.e. the boxes or crates, mutually exhibit large and all sorts of differences and, furthermore, meet no standard in any manner. In particular with the above-mentioned packets, irregularly folded-out boxes and also boxes with supporting edges are a problem to be filled in a suitable manner, more particularly for positioning the packets correctly along box walls which remain askew, or below the above-mentioned edges.
In order to remedy the above-mentioned shortcomings, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the carrier of the transferring unit comprises an unloading device which is designed for unloading, in use, a packet in a preselected unloading direction, unequal to the vertical.
With great advantage, filling is possible in several directions that match the size and shape of the box or crate, in particular because in general, such a shape of such packets allows only manual processing. In a further exemplary embodiment, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the transferring unit comprises a holder which is rotatable about the first axis in a vertical plane which extends in the conveying direction mentioned, between a transferring position for transferring, with the carrier located above the packaging conveyor and adjacent the supply conveyor, and an unloading position for said unloading, while for rotating the carrier comprising the unloading device to the unloading direction, the unloading device is connected to the holder via a second axis that is included in an axis housing and is connected to an axis drive, the second axis being located in a vertical plane in said conveying direction.
In a highly suitable manner, the size of the entire apparatus, to be considered as a system for packaging such packets, is kept very compact.
In a further elaboration, the apparatus can be characterized in that: upon unloading, with the holder in the unloading position, the second axis takes up a substantially vertical position; the unloading device of the carrier comprises a channel-shaped carrier surface wherein the unloading direction coincides with the direction of said channel-shaped carrier surface; the unloading device comprises at least a single holder element with which the packet is retained on the channel-shaped carrier surface; the unloading device further comprises a pusher which is designed for pushing the packet, upon unloading, from the channel-shaped carrier surface to and into a box or crate; and the channel-shaped carrier surface comprises at least one slide, wherein the slide is slideable in the unloading direction for the purpose of moving the channel-shaped carrier surface to and fro, in and against the unloading direction.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a method is comprised for unloading packets of packed food, for instance packed meat, more particularly packed slaughtered poultry, with an unloading device from a carrier surface, wherein such a packet is unloaded by sliding the packet downwards over the carrier surface in an unloading direction which is at an angle to the vertical and extends in a vertical plane.
It is achieved in a highly advantageous manner that packets with strongly deviating forms are placed in a well fitting manner in boxes and crates of various sizes. Thus, much inconvenience and also much manual labour is avoided.
In a further elaboration, the method can be characterized in that: the sliding is effected by pushing against the packet to be unloaded in the unloading direction from an upstream side of the packet;
unloading further comprises that after sliding, the carrier surface is retracted against the unloading direction; and unloading is carried out with a device according to the invention.
In the following, the invention will be explained in detail on the basis of a drawing, wherein:
Fig. 1 gives a perspective, schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, more particularly a view wherein a packet is supplied;
Fig. 2 gives a perspective schematic view of the same exemplary embodiment, more particularly a view wherein a packet is transferred by the transferring unit, and
Fig. 3 shows a side view of the conveying direction T of the same exemplary embodiment, more particularly a view wherein the packet is about to be unloaded into a ready box. In the different Figures, the same parts or features are indicated with the same reference numerals.
In Figs. 1 and 2 is shown a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, with a supply conveyor 1 for supplying packets 100 that are to be packaged into a box or crate 200. Such a packet 100 is carried by a conveying unit 11, clamped between two gripper brackets 12, along a rail 10 in the supply direction S to a transferring unit 2. After transfer from the gripper brackets 12, the conveying unit 11 is moved back for retrieving a following packet, while a supply drive 13 allows the movement. Such a drive 13 is generally known, for instance a drive for a toothed belt or a pneumatic drive. In Fig. 1 it is represented in which position the transferring unit 2 is located directly after transfer of a packet 100 from the gripper brackets 12.
More in detail, the transferring unit 2 comprises a holder 20 which is rotatable with a holder drive device 21 about a first axis 25 for moving a carrier 3 connected to the holder 20 up and down between a transferring
position, for transfer of a packet 100 as represented in Fig. 1, and an unloading position for unloading, for instance as indicated in Fig. 2. The carrier 3 is connected to the holder via a second axis 23 which is included in an axis housing 22 and which is drivable by an axis drive 24 such that the carrier 3 can rotate about an axis direction P. From Figs. 1 and 2 it will be clear to all skilled in the art that for this exemplary embodiment, rotational angles over approximately a semi circle, i.e. between 0° and 180°, are possible and applicable. The packet 100 is carried along from the gripper brackets 12 with the carrier 3 to the unloading position from which, with the aid of the unloading device 5 forming part of the carrier, the packet is unloaded into a box or crate 200. It will be clear to all skilled in the art that also the position of the carrier 3 relative to the axis housing 22, other than in the exemplary embodiment shown, can be designed to be adjustable.
More particularly, the carrier 3 comprises a channel-shaped carrier surface 30 which is connected to a slide 31. As shown in the side view according to Fig. 3, the carrier 3 further comprises a unloading device 5 which is provided with a holder element 50 for holding a packet 100 clamped after transfer from the gripper brackets 12 and upon rotation to the correct position for unloading, and further a pusher 51 for pushing away the carried along packet 100 in the unloading direction R downwards of the carrier 3 along the slide 31.
It is represented in detail in Fig. 3 in which direction a packet 100 is unloaded, i.e. in an unloading direction R, at an angle to the vertical, so that the packet can be placed in a suitable manner in a box 200 having a supporting or stacking edge 201. During unloading, successively, a packet 100 will be pushed downwards by the pusher 51 along the slide 31 while, after certain pushing movement, the slide 31 is moved upward against the pushing direction so that the upstream end of the packet sinks into the box or crate. With great advantage, packets 100 are thus arranged in boxes which are, in turn, provided with the above-mentioned supporting or stacking edge 201.
It will be clear to all skilled in the art that the channel-shaped carrier surface 30 considerably simplifies pushing a packet 100 downwards in the correct direction upon loading. It will further be clear that both for the axis drive 24 and for the pusher 51 known drives can be utilized, for instance an electric motor for the axis drive 24, a pneumatic drive for the pusher 51.
As outlined in Figs. 1 and 2, the packets 100 can be positioned in a mutually rotated manner through 180°, opposite each other, for instance in line with each other. Packets can also be introduced at different angles into the box or create 200, for instance because of fitting options at an angle of 90°. The boxes or crates 200 are supplied by a packaging conveyor 4, typically advanced stepwise upon unloading, and, after having been completely filled, carried further in conveying direction T. It is further possible, if desired, to fill boxes or crates with several layers, wherein an adjusted movement for the boxes or crates can be set. Not drawn or represented is a control which controls the different and mutually geared movements, including the timing thereof.
More in detail, the movement of the holder 2 is carried out in a vertical plane located in the conveying direction T. This means that for the exemplary embodiment drawn, the axis direction P is also located in a vertical plane in the conveying direction T. Further, for the exemplary embodiment represented, when the holder 2 has reached the unloading position the axis direction P will be practically vertical, in particular represented in Figs. 2 and 3.
It will be clear to all skilled in the art that variants on the exemplary embodiment as shown are very well possible, for instance step motors, or other types of unloading instead of pushing. Such embodiments are understood to fall within the protective scope of the appended claims.