Abstract:
A star feeder ( 4 ) is arranged between a first and a second conveying device ( 1, 2 ) for conveying objects in series and it serves for transferring the objects (G) from the first conveying device ( 1 ) to the second conveying device ( 2 ). In order to make the star feeder adaptable to a wide range of different types of objects, the compartments ( 5 ) are all simultaneously adjustable regarding their form and/or their radial depth.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is in the field of conveying technology and concerns a star feeder, which star feeder serves for transferring serially conveyed objects from a first conveying means to a second conveying means. With the aid of such a star feeder e.g. objects which are supplied in a substantially lying position are transferred to be conveyed away in a substantially hanging position. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART 
     For a transfer from a lying conveyance e.g. on a conveying belt to a hanging conveyance by means of e.g. individual grippers, the objects must not only be stood up, i.e. turned by 90°, but they must also be clocked and positioned in a highly precise manner. For carrying out such a transfer, a star feeder is a possible solution. A star feeder comprises compartments arranged at regular distances on the perimeter of a feeder wheel, which compartments have openings extending in axial direction. The star feeder is driven to rotate around a substantially horizontal axis. In a position on the perimeter of the feeder from where the compartments move upwards and have a more or less horizontal position (position 9 o&#39;clock, if the feeder is rotating clockwise; position 3 o&#39;clock if the feeder is rotating counter-clockwise), one of the objects supplied in a lying position is introduced into each compartment of the rotating star feeder. Each object has been rotated by about 90° when it has reached the topmost position (position 12 o&#39;clock) where it can be gripped by gripping means to be removed from the compartment. 
     Of course, the application of star feeders for transferring serially conveyed objects is not restricted to the application between supply in a lying position and further conveying in a hanging position. A star feeder can e.g. also be used for transferring objects supplied in a hanging position and conveyed away in a lying position or for transferring between two lying conveyances, whereby the objects are turned by the star feeder such that their part oriented downstream on supply to the transfer is turned upstream when being conveyed away. 
     Operation of such star feeders causes little problems. However, for transferring the objects not only precise positioning is necessary but in particular for objects of small stiffness (e.g. bags of all kind) sufficient guiding within the compartments is necessary also. Therefore, the form of the compartments must be adapted to the objects to be handled. This means that for a change in object type the compartments must possibly be exchanged or the whole star feeder must be exchanged. This kind of adaptation is connected with a lot of effort concerning time and material and can only be prevented through a very restricted use of the star feeder. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the invention to create a star feeder allowing changes in the type of objects to be handled without problems or in other words, being able to handle different types of objects within much broader limits without problems and without causing mechanical work. 
     The inventive star feeder comprises compartments which are adjustable together, i.e. the compartment depth (distance from the bottom of the compartment to the perimeter of the feeder) and/or the compartment form of all compartments can be adjusted with one mutual adjusting means. By adjusting the radial compartment depth, the star feeder is adjusted for different dimensions of objects to be transferred. This means that a change in the dimension of the objects to be transferred does no make it necessary to shift the complete star feeder and/or the first and second conveying means. By adjusting the form of the compartments these are adapted to different characteristics and different forms of objects to be handled. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modification within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The inventive device is described in more detail in connection with the following drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and whereby 
     FIG. 1 shows the transfer of serially conveyed objects from a lying conveyance to a hanging conveyance with the help of an exemplified embodiment of the inventive star feeder which is arranged between a first and a second conveying means (viewing direction perpendicular to the conveying direction or parallel to the axis of the star feeder); 
     FIGS. 2 to  4  show different adjustments regarding form and depth of one compartment of the star feeder according to FIG. 1 (viewing direction parallel to the axis of the star feeder); 
     FIGS. 5 to  8  show exemplified adjusting means for the simultaneous adjustment of all compartments of the star feeder according to FIG. 1 (viewing direction parallel to the axis of the star feeder); 
     FIG. 9 shows a top view of the transfer arrangement according to FIG. 1 with an exemplified embodiment of the inventive star feeder. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows in a general view, a transfer of objects G having the form of bags. The objects G are supplied in a substantially lying position (e.g. as a stream of objects partly overlapping each other) by a first conveying means  1 , e.g. a conveying belt. From the first conveying means, the objects G are taken over by the star feeder  4  having e.g. eight compartments open towards the perimeter of the feeder, for being transferred to a second conveying means  2  having grippers  3  for conveying the objects away in a substantially hanging position. The star feeder  4  is arranged between the first and the second conveying means ( 1  and  2 ). 
     The conveying direction F of all three devices (first conveying means  1 , second conveying means  2  and star feeder  4 ) are substantially in the same plane (plane of the paper in FIG.  1 ). The axis of the star feeder  4  is arranged perpendicular to this plane and substantially horizontal. The star feeder  4  is driven by a suitable drive (see further below) in counter-clockwise direction. The first conveying means  1  leads into the star feeder in a position of about 3 o&#39;clock and the second conveying means is arranged such that the objects are gripped and moved out of the compartments  5  by the grippers in a position of about 12 o&#39;clock. 
     For separating the objects from each other before being introduced into the compartments  5  of the star feeder  4  and possibly for synchronizing supply of the objects with the movement of the compartments, an intermediate conveying means  6  may be provided between the first conveying means  1  and the star feeder  4  which intermediate conveying means runs faster than the first conveying means  1  and is possibly adaptable with the help of sensor-means (not shown) to a non-continuous movement of the compartments  5  of the star feeder  4  by being switched on and off. 
     For driving the star feeder  4 , e.g. a drive  7  is provided by which not only the star feeder  4  but also the second conveying means  2  with the grippers  3  are driven in precise synchronism via a chain or tooth belt (broken line  8 ). 
     The shown objects  3  are bags with protruding seams. This kind of bag is often used for packaging foodstuffs and consists e.g. of plastic film or metal/plastic film and has varying characteristics which influence its handling (e.g. stiffness, staying ability, specific gripping points). The bags shown in FIG. 1 are merely an example for objects that can be handled with the inventive star feeder. 
     FIGS. 2 to  4  show the adjustable parts of one individual compartment  5  of a star feeder  4  as shown in FIG.  1 . The star feeder is driven to rotate around the rotation axis A, in a direction which between the two conveying means corresponds to the conveying direction F. The circumference of the star feeder is designated with U. The compartment  5  is shown in a section perpendicular to the axis A. 
     The compartment  5  is formed by three walls  10 ,  11  and  12 . Wall  10  is the upstream wall of the compartment and is stationary relative to the feeder axis. Wall  11  is the downstream wall and is also stationary. The two stationary walls  10  and  11  are fixed to the feeder shaft  13 . Between the stationary walls  10  and  11  and connecting these, a deformable and/or displaceable, i.e. adjustable wall  12  is arranged, whereby the adjustment of the adjustable wall  12  is guided by the stationary walls. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an adjustment of the form of the compartment by deformation of the adjustable wall  12  within the compartment  5 . The adjustable wall  12  of the shown, exemplified embodiment comprises a first, a second and a third wall part  12 . 1 ,  12 . 2 ,  12 . 3  which wall parts are flexibly joined to each other by means of joints  20  and  21 . The first wall part  12 . 1  is guided along the upstream wall  10 , the third wall part  12 . 3  is guided pivotally in an opening  22  of the downstream wall  11 . For restricting the pivotability of the wall parts  12 . 1 ,  12 . 2 , and  12 . 3  against each other the guiding opening  22  is dimensioned correspondingly and limit stops  23  and  24  are provided. 
     Deformation of the wall  12  is effected with the aid of an adjusting means yet to be described which adjusting means acts on a form-control-pin  25 . For adjusting the form of the compartment, the form-control-pin is displaced in a first control slot  26 . 1  arranged on a face plate of the star feeder (not shown). The form-control-pin  25  is arranged on a control part  27  which is rigidly connected to the second wall part  12 . 2 . 
     The adjustable wall  12  is shown in FIG. 2 in two extreme positions. In unbroken lines, a position is shown in which the adjustable wall  12  or its second part  12 . 2  respectively forms a substantially right angle with the upstream wall  10 , i.e. forms a floor within the compartment (right angled form of compartment). The adjustable wall  12  is held in this position by fixing the form-control-pin  25  in the corresponding position, by a first limit stop  23  upon which the second wall part  12 . 2  lies and by an opening  22  which defines the position of the third wall part  12 . 3 . This wall position is especially suited for handling objects which have a base themselves and thus can stand by themselves. As an example of such an object, a stand-up bag G. 1  is shown in the compartment  5 . 
     Broken lines show a position of the adjustable wall  12  in which the second wall part  12 . 2  forms an acute angle with the upstream wall  10  (acute angled form of compartment). The adjustable wall  12  is held in this position by fixing the form-control-pin  25  in a corresponding position and by a second limit stop  24  on which the third wall part  12 . 3  lies. This kind of position of the adjustable wall  12  is especially suited for handling flat objects which have no ability to stand and/or require lateral guidance. As an example of this kind of object a flat bag G. 2  is shown which bag has a protruding seam on its upper edge. 
     Wall positions between the right angled form and the acute angled form of the compartment (as shown in FIG. 2) can be realized also. As will be shown further below, the compartment depth in the shown embodiment cannot be adjusted for any intermediate form. 
     FIG. 3 shows the same compartment  5  as FIG.  2  and illustrates the adjustment of the compartment depth for the acute angled form of the compartment. For this kind of adjustment, the first wall part  12 . 1  of the adjustable wall  12  is displaced in radial direction along the stationary upstream wall  10 , whereby the form of the adjustable wall  12  is retained due to the form-control-pin  25  being shifted in a corresponding second control slot  26 . 2  keeping the position of the second wall part  12 . 2  and the third wall part  12 . 3  still lying on the second limit stop  24 . For the radial displacement of the adjustable wall  12 , corresponding control means (not shown) are arranged on the first wall part  12 . 1  e.g. on its inner end which control means are functionally coupled to adjusting means yet to be described. 
     In FIG. 3, the adjustable wall  12  is shown again in two extreme positions: in unbroken lines in a position in which its distance to the axis A of the star feeder is the smallest and thus the compartment depth (distance from the circumference of the star feeder) is largest and in broken lines in a position in which the compartment depth is smallest. 
     FIG. 4 again shows the same compartment as FIGS. 2 and 3 and illustrates the adjustment of the compartment depth with a right angled compartment form. This adjustment is in principle the same as the adjustment of the compartment depth for the acute angled compartment form (FIG.  3 ), whereby the form-control-pin  25  is moved in a corresponding control slot  26 . 3  such that the compartment form is kept constant when the compartment depth is adjusted. Again, the position of the adjustable wall  12  for the deepest compartment is shown in unbroken lines and for the least deep compartment in broken lines. 
     If control the slots  26 . 2  and  26 . 3  for the form-control-pin  25  for adjusting the depth of the compartment  5  according to FIGS. 3 and 4 are provided only for the two extreme compartment forms (right angled and acute angled compartment form) depth adjustment is not possible for intermediate compartment forms as noted above. 
     FIGS. 5 to  8  show exemplified adjusting means with which all compartments  5  of an inventive star feeder  4  are adjustable together regarding compartment form and/or compartment depth. The angle of view is again parallel to the axis of the star feeder  4 , whereby FIGS. 5 and 6 show the one face of the star feeder  4  and FIGS. 7 and 8 the other. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 show the mutual adjusting means for the form adjustment of all compartments  5  of the star feeder. This adjusting means is arranged on one face of the star feeder  4  and substantially consists of a form-control disc  30  arranged co-axially with the star feeder. The form-control disk has recesses  31  arranged regularly on its circumference and catching control levers  32  arranged pivotally on the star feeder, the control levers acting on the form-control-pins  25  of the adjustable walls  12 , i.e. displacing them in the control slots  26 . 1 . By rotation of the form-control-disc  30  relative to the star feeder  4  in counter-clockwise direction, the control levers  32  are rotated clockwise and from an acute angled compartment (FIG. 5) e.g. for flat bags G. 2 , a right angled compartment (FIG. 6) e.g. for stand-up bags G. 1  is made. Obviously, setting an intermediate form is possible also. The form-control-disc  30  is fixed in the desired rotation position relative to the star feeder  4  with the help of locking screws  33 . 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 show the mutual adjusting means for simultaneous adjustment of the depth of all compartments of an inventive star feeder according to FIG.  1 . For this adjustment a depth-control-disc  40  again arranged co-axially to the star feeder is provided on the face of the star feeder  4  opposite to the form-control-disc  30  (FIGS.  5  and  6 ). This depth-control-disc  40  comprises slots  41  arranged spirally in which slots the depth-control-pins  42  are displaceable in a guided manner which depth-control-pins  42  are mounted on the inner ends of the first wall parts  12 . 1  of the adjustable compartment walls  12 . 
     Due to clockwise rotation of the depth-control-disc  40  relative to the star feeder  4 , the depth-control-pins  42  guided in the control slots  41  are displaced radially outward and the compartment depth is reduced. The depth-control-disc  40  is fixed in the desired position relative to the star feeder  4  by means of locking screws  33 . 
     FIG. 7 shows, for the acute angled compartment form, the deepest compartments in unbroken lines and the least deep compartments in broken lines. As mentioned before, intermediate positions are possible also. For adjusting the depth for the acute angled compartments the form-control-pins  25  are guided in the control slots  26 . 2  (see also FIG.  3 ). 
     FIG. 8 shows, for the right angled compartment form, the deepest compartments in unbroken lines and the least deep compartments in broken lines. As mentioned before, intermediate positions are possible also. For adjusting the depth of right angled compartments, the form-control-pins  25  are guided in the control slots  26 . 3  (see also FIG.  4 ). 
     From FIG. 8 the U-shaped slots  26  are clearly visible. These slots consist of control slots  26 . 1 ,  26 . 2  and  26 . 3  leading into one another and serve for guiding the form-control-pins  25 . Also shown is a plate  50  in which these slots are arranged. This plate  50  is connected rigidly to the face of the star feeder. 
     It can easily be imagined that further parallel slots are arranged between the slots  26 . 2  and  26 . 3  serving for depth adjustment for intermediate compartment forms. 
     In order to adjust the inventive star feeder, firstly, the largest compartment depth is set by corresponding rotation of the depth control disc  40 , causing the form-control-pins  25  to be positioned in slot  26 . 1  and enabling form adjustment. Then, the desired compartment form is set by corresponding rotation of the form-control-disc  30  and then the desired compartment depth is set by corresponding rotation of the depth-control-disc  40 . 
     FIG. 9 finally shows a top view of the arrangement previously shown in FIG.  1 . Here, the second conveying means is not shown and the star feeder  4  is shown in section (horizontal section line) such that on the left hand side of the axis A of the star feeder  4  the walls  10 ,  11  and  12  of a compartment  5  can be seen from the inside of the compartment and on the right hand side from the outside. 
     From this Figure, the arrangement of the two control discs  30  and  40  on axially opposite sides of the star feeder  4  and the facial plate  50  can be seen. The form-control-disc  30  cooperates with the control parts  27  and the form-control-pins  25  and the depth-control-parts  27  cooperate with the depth-control-pins  42 . 
     The axial extension of the compartment walls can, as is shown in FIG. 9, be smaller than the corresponding extension of the objects G to be handled. It may however be of the same size or larger. In any case, the axial position of the control discs  30  and  40  and of the facial plate  50  limit the axial width of the objects G to be handled. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.