Equipment for packaging products in boxes

Abstract: In packaging equipment suitable for products (3) of a delicate nature such as tablets of soap, each tablet is directed into a box (2) by one of a succession of push-rods (4) set in motion synchronously with a first feed line (20), conveying boxes (2), and a second feed line (30) conveying the products (3); the advancing push-rods (4) pass initially through a diverter (5) capable of movement between a first position and a second position, and are made as a result to follow a first guide (16) and a second guide (17) respectively. The diverter is timed to alternate between the first and the second positions with the passage of each push-rod (4), and can be locked for a predetermined duration in the second position.

Description: The present invention relates to an item of equipment for packaging products internally of boxes. More specifically, though not exclusively, the present invention finds useful application in the packaging of particularly delicate products such as, for example, tablets of soap. Reference is made in particular to equipment typically comprising a first feed line conveying boxes, a second feed line synchronized with the first feed line and conveying products, a plurality of push-rod elements advanced in succession and synchronously with the feed lines,- a diverter element positioned to engage the advancing push-rod elements and capable of movement between a first position, selecting an active path which the push-rod elements are made to follow and along which each push-rod element is caused to direct a respective product into a corresponding box, and a second position from which the push-rod elements are made to follow an inactive path; also a sensor such as will detect an error situation affecting either the box or the product about to be packaged by a given push-rod element. The prior art already embraces equipment as outlined above, wherein under normal operating conditions the diverter element will remain motionless in the first position. In the event that the sensor should detect an error situation requiring a given push-rod element to be directed onto the inactive path (for instance, a box missing on the first feed line), the diverter element is caused to switch to the second position by suitable actuator means, such as a double acting cylinder; once in engagement with the diverter element, consequently, the push-rod element in question is made to follow the inactive path. The diverter element is returned by the actuator means to the first position immediately after the passage of this same push-rod element and before the arrival of the next in succession. Accordingly, both the switch movement and the return movement of the diverter element must be completed within the time that separates the passage of two successive push-rod elements. The conventional equipment described above betrays certain limitations and drawbacks. Firstly, the number of products packaged per unit of time is modest, due mainly to the fact that the speed with which the diverter element alternates between the two positions is effectively limited by the inertia of the relative actuator means. This in turn limits the frequency with which the push-rod elements are able to advance, and therefore restricts the operating speed of the equipment as a whole. Secondly, the diverter element tends to wear somewhat rapidly by reason of the fact that the interaction between the push-rod elements and the diverter element involves striking contact. One possible consequence of such wear, among others, is a loss of timing between the push-rod elements and the rest of the equipment. As a result, the diverter element requires servicing periodically. The object of the present invention is to overcome the limitations and drawbacks of the prior art described above, by providing equipment such as will package a high number of products per unit of time. The stated object is realized in equipment according to the invention for packaging products internally of boxes, comprising a first feed line, conveying boxes, a second feed line synchronized with the first feed line and conveying products, a plurality of push-rod elements advanced in succession and synchronously with the two feed lines, a diverter element positioned to engage the advancing push-rod elements and capable of movement between a first position, selecting an active path which the push-rod elements are made to follow and along which each push-rod element is caused to direct a respective product into a corresponding box, and a second position from which the push-rod elements are made to follow an inactive path; also a sensor such as will detect an error situation affecting the box or the product about to be packaged by a given push-rod element, characterized in that it comprises transmission means by which the diverter element is caused to alternate periodically between the first and the second position, synchronously with the passage of the push-rod elements, and inhibiting means such as can be piloted by the sensor to restrain the diverter element in the second position for a predetermined duration. The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: fig 1 is a plan view of equipment according to the present invention, in which certain parts are omitted better to reveal others; fig 2 shows a detail of fig 1, with the equipment in a different operating configuration; fig 3 shows the equipment of figs 1 and 2 in a side elevation. With reference to the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes equipment, in its entirety, for packaging products 3 in respective boxes 2; such products appear as tablets of soap in the example illustrated. The equipment 1 comprises a first feed line conveying boxes 2 and a second feed line conveying products 3, denoted 20 and 30 respectively. The two feed lines are timed one with another in such a way that each box 2 advances at a given velocity and in a given direction, denoted 25, flanked by a relative product 3. 40 denotes a chain conveyor carrying a plurality of supports 13 set apart one from the next at a regular and predetermined distance. The chain operates in a closed loop as indicated to advantage in fig 3, which shows a token number of the supports 13 only. The supports 13 are advanced in succession along the feed direction 25 by the conveyor 40, synchronously with the feed lines 20 and 30. Each support 13 in its turn carries a slidable push-rod element 4 of which the sliding action occurs in a direction 38 normal to the feed direction 25; the single push-rod element 4 is furnished at one end with a plate 14, positioned to interact with the product 3, and at the opposite end with a downwardly directed roller 15 (fig 3). The equipment 1 also comprises a first guide 16 and a second guide 17, of which the function is to interact with each successive roller 15 in such a way as will cause the associated push-rod element 4 to follow an active or an inactive path respectively. In effect, the first guide 16 occasions a sliding movement of the push-rod element 4 in relation to the corresponding support 13, thereby causing the plate 14 to enter into contact with a product 3 advancing along the second feed line 30 and direct it into a respective box 2 advancing along the first feed line 20. Conversely, a push-rod element 4 following the second guide 17 will make no contact with a product 3. 5 denotes a diverter element positioned to engage the rollers 15 of the advancing push-rod elements 4. The diverter element 5 is rotatable about a vertical axis between a first position illustrated in fig 2 and a second position illustrated in fig 1. When the diverter element 5 is in the first position, the roller 15 of an advancing push-rod element will be directed onto the first guide 16 (active path). With the diverter element 5 occupying the second position, on the other hand, the roller 15 is directed onto the second guide 17 (inactive path). The equipment also comprises a sensor 6, conventional in embodiment and indicated schematically in fig 1, such as will monitor the two feed lines 20 and 30 and detect any error situation affecting either the box 2 and/or the product 3 about to be packaged by a given push-rod element 4; a typical situation might be, for example, the absence of a box 2 or of a product 3. For the equipment 1 then to continue operating correctly, the relative push-rod element 4 must be diverted onto the second guide 17, hence along the inactive path. The features described thus far are common both to the equipment disclosed and to equipment embraced by the prior art. The equipment 1 according to the invention comprises transmission means 50, 18, 21, 7 by which the diverter element 5 is caused to alternate periodically between the first and the second position synchronously with the passage of the push-rod elements 4. Illustrated in fig 3, such transmission means comprise a mechanism 50 by which the continuous rotation of a shaft 7 driving the chain conveyor 40 is converted in such a manner as to produce alternating angular movement at a shaft 18 rigidly associated with the diverter element 5. More precisely, the mechanism 50 comprises a crank 8, a connecting rod 9 and a rocker arm 10, of which the crank 8 is connected to the drive shaft 7 by way of a belt 19 and a speed reducer 21. The rocker arm 10 is rigidly associated with the shaft 18 of the diverter element 5. Also forming part of the mechanism are release means serving to uncouple the diverter element 5 from the drive shaft 7. Such means comprise two coaxial parts of the connecting rod 9, denoted 9' and 9'', which are joined by a spring element 11; the same two parts 9' and 9'' are also rendered capable of sliding motion, one relative to the other, in the presence of a force sufficient to deform the spring element 11. The equipment further comprises inhibiting means 12 and 22 by which the diverter element 5 can be held at the second position for a predetermined duration in response to a signal from the sensor 6. Such means comprise a catch 12 rotatable about a fixed pivot 23 and capable of movement, produced by a cylinder 22, between an active position (that of fig 1) in which the catch 12 itself is caused to interact with the diverter element 5 while in the second position, thus disallowing its return to the first position, and an inactive position in which there is no interaction with the diverter element 5. In the active position, the catch 12 locates in a recess 24 afforded by the rocker arm 10. The operation of the cylinder 22 is piloted by the sensor 6. Also forming part of the equipment 1 disclosed are safety means serving to isolate the products 3 from the action of the push-rod elements 4 once the applied pushing force registers at a preset limit value. Such means comprise a frame 27, a movable portion 16'' of the first guide 16, a spring element 31, two links 32, a locating surface 33 afforded by the frame 27, and a sensor 28. The first guide 16 also comprises a stationary portion denoted 16' in the drawings. The frame 27 is associated rigidly with the top end of a shaft 39 capable of rotation about a vertical axis. The shaft 39 in its turn is coupled to a motor 29, as illustrated schematically in fig 2, thus rendering the frame 27 rotatable in the direction denoted 36 between an operating position, indicated in fig 2, and an idle position in which the movable portion 16'' of the guide makes no contact with the push-rod elements 4. The two links 32 are disposed mutually parallel, each pivotably associated with the frame 27 and with the movable portion 16'' of the first guide 16. Thus, the frame 27, the links 32 and the movable portion 16'' of the guide 16 form a quadrilateral linkage in which the movable guide portion 16'' is translatable relative to the frame 27 and parallel with itself. The aforementioned locating surface 33 is afforded by a slot 34 in the frame 27, which also accommodates the spring element 31. Operating thus between the frame 27 and the movable portion 16'' of the first guide 16, the spring element 31 serves to maintain the movable portion 16'' in a position of engagement, tensioned against the locating surface 33, whereby the push-rod elements 4 and the relative portion 16'' of the guide are caused to interact. In practice, the spring element 31 and the locating surface 33 together constitute control means designed to maintain the movable portion 16'' of the first guide in the position of engagement. Such means will subject the movable portion 16'' to a force of predetermined strength, opposing the force applied by the push-rod elements 4. In the event that the action of the spring element 31 should be overpowered by the reaction of the push-rod elements, the movable portion 16'' of the guide 16 will be distanced from the operating position, causing the links 32 to rotate in the direction denoted 37. The sensor 28 of the safety means serves to detect any shift in position of the movable portion 16'' of the guide, relative to the frame 27, and is connected by way of a control unit 26 to the motor 29. Whenever the movable portion 16'' is distanced from the operating position, the sensor 28 triggers the movement of the frame 27 toward the idle position. The operation of the equipment will now be described. Under normal operating conditions, that is, in the absence of any signal from the sensor 6 indicating an error situation, the catch 12 remains in the inactive position and the diverter element 5 will continue to alternate between the first and the second position at a frequency corresponding to the frequency with which the push-rod elements 4 are advanced. The alternating movement of the diverter element 5 is produced by the motor 7 in combination with the mechanism 50 described above. The spring element 11 possesses a rigidity such that any deformation will remain negligible during normal operation. The alternating movement of the diverter element 5 is timed in relation to the advancing movement of the push-rod elements 4 in such a way that the successive rollers 15 will enter and quit the diverter element 5 substantially when in the second position and when in the first position, respectively. In this way, wear on the diverter element 5 resulting from repeated contact with the rollers 15 is attenuated significantly, and the maintenance requirement in respect of the diverter element 5 also much reduced in comparison with prior art solutions. As the diverter element 5 regains the second position in readiness to engage the roller 15 of a successive push-rod element 4, the previous roller 15 continues along the first guide 16, taking the relative push-rod element 4 toward a respective product 3. Once a product 3 has been directed into the box 2, the relative push-rod element 4 is caused to retract by the stationary portion 16' of the first guide 16, and made thus to slide in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 38. In the event that the sensor 6 should detect an error situation, such as a missing box 2 on the first feed line 20, the respective push-rod element 4 must not be brought into contact with the corresponding product 3 but made instead to follow the second guide 17 and therefore the inactive path. In this instance the equipment 1 operates as follows. As the roller 15 of the push-rod element 4 in question enters the diverter element 5, currently in the second position, the catch 12 will be rotated by the relative cylinder 22 and caused almost instantaneously to take up the active position, engaging the recess 24 of the rocker arm 10 and as a result restraining the diverter element 5 in the second position. The diverter element 5 remains locked in the second position at least until the roller 15 has run through and onto the second guide 17. At the same time, the spring element 11 of the rod 9 will deform, thereby uncoupling the rocker arm 10 from the action of the crank 8. Once the crank 8 regains the position of fig 1, the catch 12 will be returned to the inactive position by the cylinder 22, releasing the rocker arm 10 and restoring the connection between the diverter element 5 and the drive shaft 7. Normal operation is resumed at this point, with the diverter element 5 ready to receive the roller 15 of the next push-rod element 4 and all other elements of the equipment 1 faultlessly timed one with another. The diverter element 5 and the push-rod elements 4 are associated in such a way that the alternating movement of the one is subordinate to the linear movement of the others, and accordingly, faultless timing between the diverter element 5 and the push-rod elements 4 will always be ensured. With the facility of uncoupling the diverter element 5 from the drive shaft 7, furthermore, the alternating movement of the diverter element 5 can be inhibited for the appropriate duration without interrupting the advancing movement of the push-rod elements 4. Both the locking movement and the releasing movement of the catch 12 can be brought about at relatively high speed, thanks to the extremely low inertia of the catch 12 itself. Consequently, the interval of time that separates the passage of two successive push-rod elements 4 can be significantly reduced by comparison with prior art solutions, and the operating speed of the equipment thus increased.

Claims: Equipment for packaging products internally of boxes, comprising a first feed line (20) conveying boxes (2), a second feed line (30) synchronized with the first feed line (20) and conveying products (3), a plurality of push-rod elements (4) advanced in succession and synchronously with the feed lines (20, 30), a diverter element (5) positioned to engage the advancing push-rod elements (4) and capable of movement between a first position, selecting an active path which the push-rod elements (4) are made to follow and along which each push-rod element is caused to direct a respective product (3) into a corresponding box (2), and a second position from which the push-rod elements are made to follow an inactive path; also a sensor (6) such as will detect an error situation affecting the box (2) or the product (3) about to be packaged by a given push-rod element (4), characterized in that it further comprises transmission means (18, 50, 21, 7) by which the diverter element (5) is caused to alternate periodically between the first and the second position, synchronously with the passage of the push-rod elements (4), and inhibiting means (12, 22) such as can be piloted by the sensor (2) to restrain the diverter element (5) in the second position for a predetermined duration. Equipment as in claim 1, wherein transmission means (18, 50, 21, 7) comprise a mechanism (50) by which the continuous rotation of a drive shaft (7) generating the movement of the push-rod elements (4) is converted and transmitted as alternating angular movement to the diverter element (5), operating in conjunction with release means (9', 9'', 11) by which the diverter element (5) can be uncoupled from the drive shaft (7). Equipment as in claim 2, wherein the mechanism (50) comprises a crank element (8) connected to the drive shaft (7), a connecting rod (9), and a rocker arm (10) connected to the diverter element (5), whilst release means (9', 9'', 11) comprise two parts (9', 9'') of the connecting rod (9) and a spring element (11) by which the two parts (9', 9'') are interconnected. Equipment as in preceding claims, wherein the diverter element (5) is restrained by inhibiting means (12, 22) comprising a catch (12) capable of movement, piloted by the sensor (6), between an active position in which the selfsame catch (12) is caused to interact with the diverter element (5) when in the second position and thus disallow its return to the first position, and an inactive position in which there is no interaction between the catch (12) and the diverter element (5). Equipment as in preceding claims, further comprising safety means by which the products (3) are isolated from the action of the push-rod elements (4) when the applied pushing force reaches a predetermined limit value. Equipment as in claim 5, wherein safety means comprise a frame (27) capable of movement between an operating position and an idle position, a movable guide (16'') such as can be distanced in relation to the frame (27) from a position of engagement whereby, with the frame in the operating position, the push-rod elements (4) advancing along the active path are caused to interact with the movable guide (16''), control means (31, 33) by which the movable guide (16'') is subjected to a force of predetermined strength opposing the action of the push-rod elements (4) and maintained thus in the position of engagement, also a sensor (28) of which the function is to detect any shift of the movable guide (16'') away from the position of engagement and thereupon occasion the movement of the frame (27) to the idle position. Equipment as in claim 6, wherein control means by which the movable guide (16'') is maintained in the position of engagement comprise a spring element (31) operating between the frame (27) and the guide (16''), and a locating surface (33) afforded by the frame (27) against which the movable guide (16'') is caused to register when in the position of engagement. Equipment as in claim 6 or 7, wherein the movable guide (16'') is anchored permanently to the frame (27) and capable of translational movement parallel with itself in relation thereto. Equipment as in claim 8, wherein the movable guide (16'') is pivotably associated with two links (32) disposed mutually parallel and pivotably associated in their turn with the frame (27).

Inventors: NANNINI LUCIANO, STRAZZARI GIULIO, NANNINI, LUCIANO, STRAZZARI, GIULIO
Applicants: AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI ACMA SPA, AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE-A.C.M.A.-S.P.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65B35
IPC codes: B65B35