Abstract:
The invention relates to an apparatus for grouping objects in which objects on an ingoing conveyor are released in preselected numbers by a brake. The preselected number of objects pass one or two pushers which are arranged such that they execute a movement that is both transverse relative to the direction of an outgoing conveyor and synchronous with the outgoing conveyor. Where two pushers are used, they move in sequence so that a first pusher groups objects first, followed by the second pusher, and then both pushers remain in their position of rest, and the objects are grouped in three different rows on the outgoing conveyor.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for grouping objects, comprising an ingoing conveyor entering the apparatus, with a brake which releases the objects in a preselected number, a carrier or pusher and at least one outgoing conveyor departing from the apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the manufacture and handling of objects, it is often desirable to group such objects so as to be able to more readily handle them and pack them in suitable multipacks. This also applies to disposable packages or cartons for foods such as, for instance, milk or juice. When the packages depart from the filling machine on a conveyor, it is often desirable to combine the packages into larger units in order to be able to more readily handle them on distribution. Such combination into and packaging in larger units is normally carried out at the dairy or in the juice factory and the distribution units may consist of trays of cardboard or plastics, but may also be different types of shrink-film wrapped groups. 
     Each type of machine for combining into different distribution units normally features its own type of grouping apparatus. This grouping apparatus normally consists of a carrier or so-called pusher which brings together a number of packages to form a group. This system entails that the ingoing transport of packages must be arrested in order to allow the pusher to have time to execute its grouping operation. There are also types of rotary pushers, as described in Swedish Patent Application No. 8900869-2. Most of these grouping operations entail, however, that output capacity must be reduced in order for the pusher to have time to carry out the grouping operation. Furthermore, these prior art solutions entail that each distribution machine must be provided with a grouping unit specifically adapted to the purpose. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a grouping apparatus which is rapid and reliable and which may group objects, such as the packages, together without ingoing transport of the packages being stopped. Further, the apparatus according to the invention should be so flexible that the same grouping apparatus can be employed for different types of distribution machines, such as shrink-film wrappers or tray packers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects have been attained according to the present invention in that an apparatus of the type described by way of introduction move, on the one hand, transversely in relation to the conveyor device of the outgoing conveyor and, on the other hand, such that the contact surface of the pusher moves synchronously with the transport device. 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention have further been given the characterizing features as set forth in the appended subclaims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the present invention will be well understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which like numerals indicate similar elements and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention with two pushers; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention with two pushers; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two pushers according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows therefor apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention in a distribution machine; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention including a brake that raises objects from the ingoing conveyor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The apparatus according to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a conventional ingoing conveyor 1 into the apparatus. The conveyor I has a conveyor device which may consist of an endless belt or a chain. The conveyor 1 is driven by, for instance, an electric motor (not shown). The ingoing conveyor 1 feeds in the objects 2, the packages, into the apparatus from, for example, a filling machine. 
     A brake 3 of conventional type is disposed at that point where the objects 2 depart from the ingoing conveyor 1. The brake may, for example, be of the belt brake type in which belts move in towards the objects and fixedly restrain them in that one belt 4 clamps the objects from either side. The brake 3 retains the objects 2 so that they slip against the ingoing conveyor 1, but may also be a brake 3 of the type which lifts the objects 2 from the conveyor device of the ingoing conveyor 1 as seen in FIG. 5. The brake 3 is programmed such that it releases the objects 2 in a preselected number and allows them to pass further into the apparatus. 
     Next in the direction of transport of the objects 2, there is disposed at least one--but in the preferred embodiment two--carriers 5 of the so-called &#34;pusher&#34; type. As seen with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the pusher 5 is secured by horizontal shafts at two points, the shafts 6 being mechanically interconnected with one another by the intermediary of a connector plate 7. Between the horizontal shafts 6 and the connector plate 7, there are two arms 8, which entails that, the cyclic movement of the pusher 5 will be elliptical. The pusher 5 is electrically driven, either directly or via a cogged belt. On the connector plate 7, there is secured a pusher plate 9 which, at least on one face, is bent down to a contact surface 10 acting against the objects 2. The width of the contact surface 10 must at least correspond to the width of that number of objects 2 which is to be displaced in one and the same work cycle, i.e., the number of objects 2 preselected by the brake 3. 
     Thus, the pusher 5 executes a movement which, on the one hand, is transverse in relation to the conveyor device of the conveyor 1 and, on the other hand, such that the contact surface 10 of the pusher 5 moves synchronously with this conveyor device while it displaces the objects 2 advanced ahead of the pusher 5. In order to obtain these two movements, the pusher 5 may also be designed in a more conventional manner, but be provided with a belt which is disposed on the contact surface 10 and which runs synchronously with the conveyor device and advances the objects 2 while the pusher 5 displaces them in the lateral direction. 
     Once the objects 2 have left the brake 3 in their preselected number, they move out onto an outgoing conveyor 11 of conventional type with an endless belt or a chain driven, for example, by an electric motor. The outgoing conveyor 11 may consist of a single wide conveyor device or, as in the preferred embodiment, a plurality of conveyor devices divided up such that rails 12 may be raised up between them and in such a manner marshal the objects 2 into different pens. The speed of the outgoing conveyor 11 may be the same as that of the ingoing conveyor 1, but in order to ensure a more uniform rate of operation for the apparatus as a whole, it is more advantageous if the outgoing conveyor 11 operates at a slightly slower speed. Furthermore, the ingoing conveyor 1 may continue as one of the outgoing conveyors 11. By dividing up the outgoing conveyor 11 into a plurality of parallel conveyor devices with guide rails 12 upstanding between them, a more flexible apparatus will be obtained. The guide rails 12 may be designed such that they can be depressed down to a level beneath the outgoing conveyor 11, it then becoming possible to convey larger objects 2. 
     Those objects 2 which are to be grouped (in this specific case packages of the disposable type) arrive on the ingoing conveyor 1 into the apparatus. The objects 2 may come straight from a packaging machine or may have been stored in some form of magazine apparatus. The objects 2 first reach the brake 3 where the two mutually facing brake belts 4 move in towards the objects 2, the packages, and clamp them so that they are retained in this position. Thereafter, the brake 3 releases the packages 2 in a preselected number, for example three, which continue on the outgoing conveyor 11. When the objects 2 pass the pusher or pushers 5, this (or one of them) executes its movement. 
     In the case which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, use is made of two pushers 5 disposed on either side of the outgoing conveyor 11. When the packages 2 leave the brake 3, either the one pusher 5&#39; or the other 5&#34;, or neither of them, may execute its movement. The packages 2 are then moved either to one side of the outgoing conveyor 11 or the other side, or remain in their mid-position. Hence, the movement of the pushers 5 is, on the one hand transverse in relation to the conveyor device of the outgoing conveyor 11, and on the other hand synchronous with the direction of movement of this conveyor device, so that the pushers 5 execute an elliptical movement. In such instance, the pusher 5 displaces the packages 2 without disrupting their advancement on the outgoing conveyor 11. For packages 2 of the parallelepipedic type--which may be relatively tall and slim--this is particularly suitable, since a gentle and reliable displacement in the lateral direction of the packages 2 will then be obtained. The packages 2 need not be arrested in their movement in order to be grouped. 
     Once the packages 2 have been moved to the one or other side, or have been retained in their mid-position on the outgoing conveyor 11, they are moved via different guide rails 12 into different pens. These pens may, of course, be utilized to distribute the packages 2 onto different conveyor belts. FIG. 4 shows the use of the apparatus including two pushers 5&#39; and 5&#34; and the guide rails 12 to group the packages 2 prior to a further packing in a cardboard tray 13 so as to facilitate the distribution of the packages 2. 
     By leaving the pusher 5 in its outermost position when the contact surface 10 is in contact with the packages 2, it is possible, through the employment of an integrated cylinder and piston assembly (not shown), to extend the movement of the pusher 5 in the lateral direction so that packages can be distributed in a larger number of pens. 
     That number of packages 2 which is distributed on each stroke of the pusher depends upon the size of the packages 2 which are to be distributed, and the contact surface 10 of the pusher 5 is correspondingly adapted. By varying the width of the contact surface 10 of the pusher 5, a larger or smaller number of packages 2 can be distributed. 
     As will have been apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention realises a grouping apparatus which is flexible and usable together with different types of distribution equipment. It may further be employed for different package sizes, and by distributing among different numbers of pens, it is possible to obtain an optional grouping or distribution on different outgoing conveyors. 
     The present invention should not be considered as restricted to that described above and shown on the Drawings, many modifications being conceivable without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended Claims.