DEVICE FOR FEEDING AND ARRANGING SOLID FOOD PRODUCTS

Technical field

This invention relates to a device for feeding and arranging solid food products. In particular, the device is aimed at a machine for packaging solid products, that is to say, products in the form of pressed stock cubes, such as those with a cubic or polyhedral shape.

Background art The machines for packaging solid food products currently comprise, along a feed line:

- a press for compressing the products, starting from a corresponding granular material, configured for feeding individual products (preferably in continuous sequence); - a device for feeding and arranging products configured for positioning the individual products according to at least one row and, subsequently, for spacing the products from each other before their wrapping (of particular interest in this specification);

- an apparatus for wrapping the product in a respective wrapper configured for picking up individual products from the device for feeding and arranging products and for wrapping the product, with a piece or sheet of film, by folding a sheet about a corresponding product; this apparatus moves intermittently during the steps for processing the product.

The devices for feeding and arranging products such as pressed stock cubes generally comprise groups of guides for conveying and channelling the products and means configured for the relative longitudinal spacing between the individual products advancing towards the wrapping apparatus located downstream relative to the feed line. This device for feeding and arranging products is an extremely delicate and important station for the entire machine, since:

- it must adapt the various functional features of the machine, that is to say, it must compensate and make safe the feeding of the products between the press (which operates in a continuous cycle and with a feeding of the products which may be generally high, but with continuous variations of the number of products arriving) and the wrapping apparatus (which operates in a regular and step by step fashion, that is to say, with a productivity less than the press);

- it must allow a correct spacing between the products in succession before the products are picked up from the wrapping apparatus.

All these requirements make the current feed devices extremely complex and large in size.

This results in drawbacks due to an extremely long and bulky overall machine layout, a high cost of the device as a whole and the format "rigidity" of the feeding device with respect to the machine.

The current feeding devices are made for processing products according to a well-defined type of packaging.

In practice, the current feed devices are designed for packaging a single product in an individual package, even if the machine downstream may already be set up for a greater flexibility of use, that is to say, for packaging multiple products (at least two) inside an individual package.

The need is therefore felt in the sector to provide a device for feeding products which is particularly flexible in use or operation, and such as to allow machine lines to be obtained, in which the device is used, which are equally flexible to use.

Aim of the invention

The aim of the invention is to provide a device for feeding and arranging solid food products which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, the aim of the invention is to provide a device for feeding and arranging solid food products which is able to facilitate a fast size changeover, that is to say, packaging multiple products of the machine line.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a device for feeding and arranging solid food products which is able to maintain a high productivity and a operational flexibility in reduced machine dimensions.

Said aims are fully achieved by the device for feeding and arranging solid fed products according to the invention as characterised in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a machine for packaging solid food products having a device for feeding and arranging solid food products according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic scaled-up plan view with respect to Figure 1 of the device for feeding and arranging solid food products according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an enlarged detail relative to Figure 2, in particular the zone of spacing the pair of solid food products for their insertion in a wrapping apparatus.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, and in particular with reference to Figure 1 , the device for feeding and arranging solid food products, labelled 100 in its entirety, is inserted in machines for packaging solid food products 1. More specifically, these solid food products 1 may be pressed stock cubes with a cubic or parallelepiped shape.

As illustrated, the machine M may comprise, along a relative line of extension and along a direction A for feeding a press 23 for compressing products, starting from a granulated material, configured for producing and feeding, continuously, individual solid food products 1 (the press is illustrated with a block).

As illustrated, the machine M comprises a motor-driven conveyor 2 for accumulating and conveying the solid food products 1 (arriving from the press 23).

The conveyor 2 is equipped with walls 2a for guiding the solid food products 1 in such a way as to arrange the solid food products 1 in single rows.

Again as illustrated, the machine comprises a unit 3 for controlled transit of the solid food products 1 arriving from the motor-driven conveyor 2 for accumulating and conveying the solid food products 1.

The transit unit 3 defines a transit path along the direction A for feeding the solid food products 1 from a first inlet end to a second outlet or release end of the solid food products 1 (see also Figure 2).

Moreover, the machine comprises means 4 for spacing solid food products 1 positioned close to and downstream of the outlet or release end of the transit unit 3.

In light of this, the spacing means 4 are designed for spacing the solid food products 1 which are at the end of the remaining solid food products 1 in transit along the path of the transit unit 3, in such a way as to allow a feeding of a pair of solid food products 1 alongside each other to a wrapping apparatus 5 (the latter illustrated with a block in Figures 1 and 2). As illustrated, the transit unit 3 comprises a stationary panel 6 extending at least between the first inlet end and the second outlet or release end of the solid food products 1 from the transit unit 3, and parallel to the feed direction A. Again as illustrated, the transit unit 3 comprises a first 7 and a second 8 pulling belt comprising a first 7a and a second 8a active branch positioned parallel facing each other and at the opposite sides of the panel 6 and forming with the latter a respective first 3a and a second 3b transit channel for a respective row of solid food products 1 , 1’.

In light of this, each first 7a and second 8a active branch pulls the respective row of solid food products 1 , 1' in a sliding fashion against the panel 6.

Moreover, each first belt 7 and second 8 belt has an autonomous independent drive unit 9 and 10.

The transit unit 3 also comprises a control unit 11 connected to the independent drive units 9, 10 of the first 7 and of the second 8 belt and able to modify the respective feed speeds of the first 7 and second 8 belt, in such a way as to allow the controlled feeding of the respective row of solid food products 1 , T transiting in the respective first 3a and second 3b channel.

Moreover, the control unit 11 is programmed in such a way that the solid food products 1 , T which are at the end of the respective row are placed with a respective front surface on a common vertical plane, at least close to the spacing means 4.

In other words, the device, that is to say, the transit unit 3, is configured to allow a controlled feeding of two parallel rows of products thanks to the presence of the panel 6 which acts as dividing element against which the products made to advance from the active branches of the belts slide.

The machine M further comprises an element 30 for pushing the pair of solid food products 1, 1' arranged side by side, positioned close to the spacing means 4 (see Figures 2 and 4). The pushing element 30 comprises an insertion device which intercepts the pair of solid food products 1 , 1' arranged side by side and spaced by the spacing means 4 for pushing it towards the wrapping apparatus 5 in synchrony with the latter. Preferably, this insertion device 30 comprises a pushing head 30a, 30b for each product 1 , 1' forming the pair of products spaced by the spacing means 4. These pushing heads 30a, 30b are connected to a kinematic system (not illustrated) which is able to move the two heads 30a and 30b in synchrony to bring them into contact simultaneously, respectively, with each solid food product 1 , 1' forming said pair, so as to insert the pair in the wrapping apparatus 5.

As illustrated, each row of products 1 , 1' is supported at the bottom by respective lower guides 31 spaced from each other in such a way as to allow the passage of the pushing heads 30a, 30b close to the spacing means 4 (see dashed line in Figures 2 and 3 and Figure 4).

This allows a machine to be configured with the possibility of obtaining an individual package with two products simultaneously, in the case of stock cubes the double cube is formed, without having to reconfigure the entire machine in its entirety and maintaining the reduced dimensions of the feed line.

In particular, the machine according to the invention makes it possible to move forward two stock cubes arranged side by side forming a pair of stock cubes, in such a way as to arrive at the same moment in phase with the insertion device 30 without ever losing the control and timing between the two rows of stock cubes.

Preferably, the panel 6 is positioned equidistant relative to the first 7a and second 8a active branch.

Preferably, the panel 6 has an extension, in length L, which is greater than the transit path (defined by the two active branches of the belts).

Preferably, the panel 6 is interrupted at the spacing means 4. It should be noted that the control unit 11 comprises a first 12 and a second 13 sensor for detecting its position along the first 3a and second 3b channel and which is able to detect the position of each solid food product 1 , 1' which passes through the first 3a and the second (3b) channel.

In light of this, the first 12 and second 13 sensors are positioned close to the inlet end of the path defined by the respective first 3a and second 3b channel.

Preferably, the control unit 11 comprises a third 14 and a fourth 15 sensor for detecting the position downstream of the outlet or release end, and which is able to detect the position of each solid food product 1 , 1 ’ at the outlet from the first 3a and second 3b channel.

In this way, the control unit 11 which controls the respective speeds of the first and second belts 7 and 8 (thanks to the two pairs of sensors) is designed to always bring a pair of solid food products 1 , 1' to be wrapped at the insertion device 30 in the correct position.

In turn, the insertion device 30 is in phase with the wrapping apparatus 5.

It should be noted that the control unit 11 also controls, that is to say, is connected to, the spacing means 4 for a precise phase coordination between:

- arrival of pairs of solid food products 1 , 1' close to the spacing means 4;

- detaching of the same pair of solid food products 1 , 1' from the rows of solid food products 1 , 1' being fed;

- contact with thrust of the pair of solid food products 1 , 1' by the insertion device 30 towards the packaging apparatus 5.

Thanks to this control structure, in particular to the presence of the two pairs of sensors 12, 13 and 14, 15, the feeding and the position of each solid food product 1 , 1' along each channel 3a and 3b and up to the spacing means 4 is constantly checked in such a way as to keep a precise synchronism between each row of products 1 , 1' being fed and a receiving position of the wrapping apparatus 5.

The logic for controlling and operating the transit unit 3 comprises:

- detecting each individual product advancing in each channel 3a and 3b defined by the first and second belts 7 and 8 and by the panel 6 by the first and second sensors 12 and 13 so as to send a corresponding signal to the unit 11 corresponding to the position of the product in transit, so as to determine the presence or absence of product as well as the exact position of each product 1 and 1' in the corresponding channel 3a and 3b and, therefore, be able to modify, if necessary, the feed speed of the first and/or second belt 7 and 8 which pulls the respective row of products 1 , 1'. If no product is detected in transit through one of the two channels, the device may be stopped.

The modification of the speed of the belts independently is performed as a function of the exact time of arrival of the products 1 , 1' to the insertion device 30;

- detecting the position, preferably of the front wall of each pair of head products 1 , 1', by the third and fourth sensors 14, 15 with the sending of a relative signal to the control unit 11 in such a way as to automatically calibrate the speed of the belts if the products of the head pair are not exactly aligned.

If the pair of head products arrives in phase with the movement of the insertion device 30, the control unit 11 does not perform any modification relative to the individual speeds of the first and/or the second belt 7 and 8. On the other hand, if the third or fourth sensor 14, 15 verify a position of the front wall of one or both of the products of the pair of products 1 , 1' which is incorrect (in advance or delay relative to the insertion device 30 and therefore of the wrapping apparatus 5), the control unit 11 sends an appropriate signal to one or both of the drive units 9 and 10 of the first and/or the second belt 7, 8 for modifying the relative speed of the first and/or the second belt 7, 8 in such a way as to keep in phase the position of the pairs of products 1 , 1' with the operating step of the wrapping apparatus 5. The device 100 also comprises a pair of pads 16, each positioned downstream of a corresponding first 7a and second 8a active branch of a respective first 7 and second 8 belt and upstream of the spacing means 4, relative to the feed direction A, in such a way as to define an extension of the first 3a and second 3b channel (together with the panel 6).

Each pad 16 has a surface of contact with corresponding and different solid food products 1, 1' feeding in the first 3a and second 3b channel and configured to slow down the corresponding solid food product 1 , 1', by contact with the panel 6, closest to the spacing means 4.

In light of this, each solid food product 1 , 1' is positioned between each pad 16 and a respective side of the panel 6 so as to define the extension of the first 3a and the second 3b channel.

It should be noted that the panel 6 extends beyond the first 7 and second 8 belt and towards the spacing means 4.

Preferably, the first and second belts 7 and 8 are closed in a loop around at least one pair of pulleys 17, 18 of which one is connected to the respective drive unit 9 and 10.

Between each pair of pulleys 17 and 18 of each first and second endless belt 7 and 8, there are contact elements 19 (for example plates) in contact with the belt 7 and 8, that is, on the corresponding inner side of the first active section 7a and the second 8a active branch.

The above-mentioned spacing means 4 (see also Figure 3) comprise at least one pair of wheels 20, 21 positioned on opposite sides to a zone for spacing pairs of solid food products 1 , 1' placed side by side coming from the first 3a and second 3b channel.

Each wheel 20, 21 is equipped with at least one circumferential head 22 for contact with a lateral surface of the corresponding solid food product 1 , 1' in such a way as to allow an acceleration in the feed movement of the pair of solid food products 1, 1' contacted by the two heads 22 in order to space the pair of solid food products 1 , 1' in contact with the two heads 22 from the remaining solid food products 1 , 1' in transit in the first 3a and second 3b channel defined by the first 7 and second 8 belt and by the panel 6.

Preferably, each wheel 20, 21 comprises at least two contact heads 22 distributed uniformly along the circumference of each wheel 20, 21.

Each head 22 is configured to adapt radially at the contact with the corresponding solid food product 1 , T (by compressing an elastic element) and releasing the product through a return to the initial position again through the pushing action of the elastic element during rotation of the wheel 20, 21.

The elastic compression of the heads 22 allows the pair of food products 1, 1' to remain in stable mutual contact with their respective lateral surface during the movement towards the wrapping apparatus 5.

By way of a non-limiting example, the wrapping apparatus 5 (see Figure 3) comprises a rotary carousel equipped with a plurality of radial arms 24 each having an end 25 configured to house a pair of solid food products 1 , 1 ' to be wrapped in a single piece 26 of film.

The carousel is positioned facing the means 4 for spacing the pairs of solid food products 1 , 1' in such a way as to have, in sequence, an end terminal 25 at the means 4 for spacing the solid food products 1 , 1 ' for receiving the pair of solid food products. It should be noted that the single piece 26 of film is fed along a direction transversal to the feed direction A and is interposed between the pair of solid food products 1 , 1' and the end 25 for receiving both the solid food products 1 , 1' and the piece of film 26.

Thanks to this device, the machine for packaging solid food products is highly flexible in making several formats inside a structure with reduced dimensions, with stations substantially similar both for individual packages and for multiple packages, whilst maintaining a high speed and final quality.