APPARATUS FOR STACKING FRUSTOCONICAL CUP-SHAPED ARTICLES

Abstract: Apparatus for forming stacks of frustoconical, cup-shaped articles (P), comprising a drum (1) having a side jacket (2), an open top end (3) and a plate (4) whose circumferential contour substantially corresponds to the internal contour of the side jacket (2), which plate (4) is accommodated in the drum (1) substantially adjacent a bottom end of the drum (1) and extends substantially perpendicularly to the side jacket (2), wherein the plate (4) is provided with a large number of holes (5) having dimensions such that the cup-shaped articles (P) are partially receivable therein, wherein measures are taken that serve to exert a force on the cup-shaped articles (P) so that, when the cup-shaped articles (P) have not yet been received in a hole (5) in the plate (4) or in a stack formed in such a hole (5), these cup-shaped articles (P) are moved relative to the plate (4).

Description: Title: Apparatus for stacking frustoconical cup-shaped articles The invention relates to an apparatus for stacking cup-shaped, frustoconical articles, such as for instance coffee cups. The frustoconical articles for which the present stacking apparatus is intended are mostly manufactured in an injection molding process. In this injection molding process, a number of articles are generally manufactured in one injection molding processing pass, in one mold. When the articles are being removed from the mold, the articles are disordered and should be stacked. Up to the present, this stacking mostly takes place by hand. The object of the invention is to provide a stacking apparatus which has a simple construction and by means of which stacks can readily be formed from disorderly supplied frustoconical articles, such as, for instance, cups. To this end, according to the invention, the stacking apparatus is characterized by the features of claim 1. Surprisingly, it has been found that when a number of articles are introduced into the drum disorderly, the movement of the articles relative to the plate having holes will, in time, cause all of them to fall into one of the holes of the plate . When a large part of the holes in the plate has been filled, the subsequently supplied articles will, in time, in each case fall into one of the articles already received in a hole. Thus, the beginning of a number of stacks of articles is formed. This process continues in a regular manner. The chance of an article falling into a low stack is greater than the chance of the article being received in the upper article of a high stack. Hence, as the process continues, approximately equally great stacks will in each case be formed. A particularly simple manner to realize that force is exerted on the cup-shaped articles is described in claim 2. Such an apparatus offers the advantage that the rotatably disposed drum always has the same vertical position, which enables a simple bearing-mounting and drive of the drum. Another possibility for exerting a force on the articles is described in claim 9. In that case, the force is formed by gravity. Under the influence of gravity, the articles in each case move over the surface of the plate with the holes. To simplify the removal of the stacks of articles from the drum, it is particularly favorable if the apparatus is characterized by the features described in claim 8 or 11. When the plate is in the position adjacent the open end of the drum, the stacks of articles can freely be engaged, which simplifies the emptying of the stacking apparatus. Hereinafter, to explain the invention, two exemplary embodiments of the apparatus will be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the apparatus in the stacking position; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, in the vertical stack-removing position. The exemplary embodiments, shown in the drawings, of an apparatus for forming stacks of frustoconical, cup-shaped articles P, both comprise a drum 1 having a side jacket 2, an open top end 3 and a plate 4 whose circumferential contour substantially corresponds to the internal contour of the side jacket 2. In the present cases, the drums are of a cylindrical design. However, it is understood that polygonal drums are also possible. The plate 4 is accommodated in the drum 1 substantially adjacent a bottom end of the drum 1 and extends substantially perpendicularly to the side jacket 2. The plate 4 is provided with a large number of holes 5 having dimensions such that the cup-shaped articles P are partially receivable therein. Also, measures have been taken that serve to exert a force on cup-shaped articles P, so that, when the cup-shaped articles P have not yet been received in a hole 5 in the plate 4 or in a stack formed in such a hole 5, these cup-shaped articles P are moved relative to the plate 4. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the measures taken to exert a force on the cup-shaped articles P comprise blowing means generating a gas or air flow in the drum 1 whose direction varies relative to the plate 4. Such an air flow causes the cup-shaped articles P that have not yet fallen into a hole 5 in the plate 4, or into the upper article P of a stack of articles already formed in a hole 5, to be moved through the drum. This movement creates the possibility that the cup-shaped article P as yet falls into a hole 5 or into the upper article P of a stack of articles P already formed. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the drum 1 is disposed for rotation about a rotary shaft 6 extending perpendicularly to the plate 4. A blow pipe 13 with an inlet side 13a is connected to a gas or air source (not shown) . An outflow opening 13b of the blow pipe 13 opens above the drum 1 so that, in operation, a gas or air flow can be delivered that is directed substantially perpendicularly to the plate 4. This gas or air flow provides that the cup-shaped products P keep moving as long as they have not yet been received in a hole 5 or in a stack. The outflow opening 13b of the blow pipe 13 is displaceably arranged above the plate 4, so that the position to which the gas or air flow in the drum 1 is directed varies. In the present exemplary embodiment, the blow pipe 13 has the shape of an inverted U, one leg of the U-shaped pipe 13 being connected to the gas or air source and the other leg of the U-shape forming the outflow opening 13b at the end thereof. The blow pipe 13 is disposed for pivoting about the former leg. It is thus achieved that the position to which the gas or air flow in the drum 1 is directed always varies. Moreover, an additional movement of the gas or air flow relative to the plate 4 further occurs in that the drum 1 rotates by the plate 4 about a rotary shaft 6 which is not visible in Fig. 1, but which is accommodated in the bush 12 that serves to fill up the space, if any, between the articles P and the rotary shaft 6 and that also prevents articles P from becoming wedged in the space, if any, between the rotary shaft 6 and the stacks formed around it. It is understood that in the embodiment with the pivotable blow pipe 13, the rotation of the drum 1 need not be required. After all, the displacement of the position to which the gas or air flow is directed causes the cup-shaped articles to be moved relative to the plate 4 all the same. The rotation of the drum 1 merely effects a more regular stack formation. It is understood that the blowing means that serve to exert a force on the cup-shaped articles can also be constructed in a manner other than in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The blowing means could be constructed to generate a gas or air flow that is oriented in a fixed direction, parallel to the plate 4, so that the articles P are always blown in one direction. Preferably, in a stacking apparatus thus constructed, the side jacket were provided with air flow passages, allowing the blowing means to be arranged outside the drum 1. In an embodiment of such design, too, a movement relative to the plate 4 is in each case imposed on the articles P, because the plate 4 rotates about rotary shaft 6 and the air flow always has a fixed direction. Owing to the movement of the articles P relative to the plate 4, the articles will, each time that they move over a hole 5, fall into that hole 5 or into an article P that is already located in that hole 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the measures for exerting a force on the cup-shaped articles P consist in that the drum 1 with the plate 4 provided therein and the rotary shaft 6 thereof, in a stacking position, are inclined relative to an imaginary, horizontal plane. As a result of the oblique position of the drum 1 and under the influence of gravity, the articles P to be stacked, which are dumped into the " drum l onto the plate 4 so as to be separate from each other, will always slide to the lowest point . As the drum 1 rotates about the rotary shaft 6 , the articles are in each case dragged along upwards again, and fall back again downwards under the influence of gravity. During this process, the holes 5 in the plate 4 are gradually filled by a cup-shaped product P. Surprisingly, this process continues in a regular manner, so that in each hole 5 in the plate 4 , a stack of products P is formed that will in each case be approximately equally high for all holes 5. When the drum 1 is disposed in too oblique a position, the holes 5 located adjacent the jacket 2 of the drum 1 will sooner contain slightly higher stacks, while, when the oblique position of the drum 1 is less inclined, the stacks of articles P in the holes 5 located at the center of the plate 4 will sooner be slightly higher. The position of the plate 4 in the drum 1 always remains the same during the stacking process , however the height of the stacks increases in a regular manner due to the fact that the chance that an article P is received in a lower stack is greater than the chance that an article P is received in a high stack. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs . 2 and 3 , the drum 1 with the plate 4 provided therein and the rotary shaft 6 can be brought from the inclined position, shown in Fig. 2, into a vertical position. This vertical position is shown in Fig. 3. In this vertical position, the plate 4 extends in an imaginary, substantially horizontal plane and the drum jacket 2 and the rotary shaft 6 extend substantially perpendicularly to this horizontal plane. In the vertical position, the plate 4 is disposed for up and down movement in the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft 6, permitting the plate 4 to be brought from the position adjacent the bottom end of the drum 1 into a position adjacent the open top end 3. In this position adjacent the open top end 3, shown in Fig. 3, the stacks of articles P extend outside the drum 1 and can readily be engaged, enabling the stacking apparatus to be emptied in a simple manner. For being able to move up and down, the plate 4 in the present exemplary embodiment is connected to a cylinder 7 bearing-mounted so as to be slidable over the rotary shaft 6 in longitudinal direction. Provided in the rotary shaft 6 is an air supply duct 8 which, in the vertical position of the drum 1, is connected to a gas or air pressure source duct 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the drum 1 can be brought from the inclined position into the vertical position and vice versa by means of a handle 9. In the present exemplary embodiment, the angle of inclination of the drum 1 in the stacking position can be set, due to the fact that the length of a push rod 10, cooperating with the handle 9, is settable. Obviously, it is also possible to effect the adjustment of the drum from the vertical position into the inclined position and vice versa automatically, by means of a motor. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, too, a bush 12 is disposed around the rotary shaft 6, which bush serves to fill up the space that may be present between the articles P and the rotary shaft 6. Thus, articles P are prevented from becoming wedged in the space, if any, between the rotary shaft 6 and the stacks formed around it. It is readily understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described, but that various modifications are possible within the framework of the invention.

Claims: Claims. 1. An apparatus for forming stacks of frustoconical, cup-shaped articles (P) , comprising a drum (1) having a side jacket (2) , an open top end (3) and a plate (4) whose circumferential contour substantially corresponds to the internal contour of the side jacket (2) , said plate (4) being accommodated in the drum (1) substantially adjacent a bottom end of the drum (1) and extending substantially perpendicularly to the side jacket (2) , wherein the plate (4) is provided with a large number of holes (5) having dimensions such that the cup-shaped articles (P) are partially receivable therein, wherein measures are taken that serve to exert a force on the cup-shaped articles (P) so that, when the cup-shaped articles (P) have not yet been received in a hole (5) in the plate (4) or in a stack formed in such a hole (5) , said cup-shaped articles (P) are moved relative to the plate (4) . 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the measures taken for exerting a force on the cup- shaped articles (P) comprise blowing means which generate a gas or air flow in the drum (1) whose direction varies relative to the plate (4) . 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the drum is disposed so as to be rotatable about a rotary shaft (6) extending perpendicularly tot the plate (4) , wherein a blow pipe (13) is connected, by an inlet side (13a) thereof, to a gas or air source, of which blow pipe an outflow opening (13b) opens above the drum (1) so that, in operation, a gas or air flow is delivered that is directed substantially perpendicularly to the plate (4) . 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the outflow opening (13b) of the blow pipe (13) is displaceably arranged above the plate (4) , so that the position to which the gas or air flow in the drum (1) is directed varies. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the blow pipe (13) has the shape of an inverted U, wherein one leg (13a) of the U-shape is connected to the gas or air source and the other leg (13b) of the U-shape forms, at the end thereof, the outflow opening (13b) , wherein the blow pipe (13) is arranged for pivoting about said one leg (13a) . 6. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the drum is arranged so as to be rotatable about a rotary shaft (6) extending perpendicularly to the plate (4) , wherein the blowing means are constructed to generate a gas or air flow directed in a fixed direction and extending parallel to the plate (4) , so that the articles (P) are in each case blown in one direction. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the plate (4) extends in an imaginary, substantially horizontal plane, wherein the side jacket (2) is provided with gas or air flow passages and wherein the blowing means are disposed outside the drum (1) . 8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the plate (4) can be brought from the position adjacent the bottom end of the drum (1) into a position adjacent the open top end (3) . 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the drum (1) is arranged so as to be rotatable about a rotary shaft (6) extending perpendicularly to the plate (4) , wherein the measures taken for exerting a force on the cup- shaped articles (P) consist in that the drum (1) with the plate (4) provided therein and the rotary shaft (6) thereof, in a stacking position, are inclined relative to an imaginary, horizontal plane. 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the drum (1) with the plate (4) provided therein and the rotary shaft (6) can be brought from the inclined stacking position into a vertical removing position, wherein the plate (4) extends in an imaginary, substantially horizontal plane and the drum jacket (2) and the rotary shaft (6) extend substantially perpendicularly to said horizontal plane. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that in the vertical removing position, the plate (4) is disposed for moving up and down in longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft (6) , so that the plate (4) can be brought from the position adjacent the bottom end of the drum (1) into a position adjacent the open top end (3) . 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the plate (4) is connected to a cylinder (7) bearing- mounted for sliding over the rotary shaft (6) in longitudinal direction, wherein an air supply duct (8) is provided in the rotary shaft (6) , said air supply duct (8) being connected, in the vertical position of the drum (1) , to a gas or air pressure source. 13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 9-12, characterized in that the angle of inclination of the drum (1) in the stacking position is settable.

Inventors: VAN TUIJL GIJSBERT GERARD JACO, VERWOERD WILLEM TEUNIS, VAN TUIJL, GIJSBERT, GERARD, JACOB, VERWOERD, WILLEM, TEUNIS
Applicants: DEN BRINK B V VAN, TUIJL GIJSBERT GERARD JACOB VA, VERWOERD WILLEM TEUNIS, VAN DEN BRINK B.V., VAN TUIJL, GIJSBERT, GERARD, JACOB, VERWOERD, WILLEM, TEUNIS
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65G47
IPC codes: B65G47, B65G57