Product conveying assembly

Abstract: A conveying assembly (5) for conveying products (2), and having a conveying wheel (12) for feeding a number of pockets (14) in steps along a path (P) extending through a loading (4) and an unloading (6) station having, respectively, a loading device (21) and an unloading device (22), which in turn have respective push elements (23, 26) movable through the pockets (14) and operated in push-pull manner with respect to each other, so as to perform a work stroke when the wheel (12) is arrested, and a return stroke when the wheel (12) is moving.

Description: The present invention relates to a product conveying assembly. The present invention is particularly advantageous for use on machines for packing relatively small products, such as cigarette packing machines, to which the following description refers purely by way of example. Currently used packing machines are known to feature a conveying assembly comprising a pocket conveyor for feeding the products in steps along a given path extending between a loading station and an unloading station and through at least one work station where each product is manipulated between successive operating steps of the pocket conveyor. Each product is normally loaded and unloaded by means of actuating devices normally comprising a pusher and a counter-pusher, and at least one of which performs a work stroke and a return stroke through each pocket when loading/unloading the product. The downtime during which the actuating devices engage each pocket at the loading and unloading stations therefore determines the hold time between successive operating steps of the pocket conveyor and, hence, the output capacity of the machine as a whole. A cigarette packing machine of the aforementioned type is, for example, disclosed by GB-A-2225564, which refers to a machine for packing cigarettes in hard flip-top packs, whereby flat hard pack blanks and preformed groups of unpacked cigarettes are fed, the former on a continuous feed line and the latter on an intermittent feed line, to a first and second station respectively, for loading a continuously rotating packing wheel; and whereby the packs formed on the packing wheel are unloaded off the same at an unloading station via an intermittent unloading line; the packing wheel presenting a number of seats, each designed to receive a blank and a respective preformed group, and. each being connected to a rotary drum on the packing wheel via a respective articulated support, the configuration of which is controlled by fixed cams in such a manner as to feed the respective seat at constant speed through the first loading station, and to temporarily stop the respective seat at both the second loading station and the unloading station. In the second loading station and in the unloading station there is provided a relevant pusher, which performs a work stroke and a return stroke through each seat when loading/unloading the product; each seat being stopped at the relevant station for a time enough to let the relative pusher to complete the work stroke and the return stroke through the seat. It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveying assembly of the above type, designed to minimize said downtime. According to the present invention, there is provided a conveying assembly for conveying products as recited in Claim 1. A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view, with parts in section and parts removed for clarity, of a product conveying assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and at a first operating stage; Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the same view as in Figure 1 of the Figure 1 assembly at further operating stages. Number 1 in the accompanying drawings indicates a machine for packing products 2, which, in the example shown, comprise respective groups of cigarettes wrapped in respective sheets of wrapping material. Machine 1 comprises a supply assembly 3 for successively feeding products 2 to a loading station 4; and a conveying assembly 5 for receiving products 2 at station 4 and transferring products 2 to an unloading station 6. Supply assembly 3 comprises a supply wheel 7 fitted to a vertical drive shaft 8 to rotate in steps about an axis 9 coaxial with shaft 8, and which comprises a number of pockets 10 (only one shown) equally spaced about the periphery of wheel 7 and lying in a horizontal plane. Each pocket 10 is fed in steps by wheel 7 through loading station 4, and is defined by a substantially rectangular frame 11 surrounding a through seat for a respective product 2. Conveying assembly 5 comprises a conveyor, in turn comprising a wheel 12, which is rotated in steps (anticlockwise in the drawings) about an axis 13 crosswise to axis 9, and has a number of conveying pockets 14 equally spaced about the outer periphery of wheel 12. Pockets 14 are fed in steps by wheel 12 in a direction 15 and along an annular path P extending through loading station 4 and unloading station 6, which is located downstream from station 4 in direction 15 and at a distance from station 4 equal to a whole number of operating steps of wheel 12. Each pocket 14 is substantially U-shaped, and comprises a bottom wall 16 with a central opening 17, and two lateral walls 18 extending perpendicularly to wall 16 and outwards of wheel 12, which provides for simultaneously arresting a pocket 14 at station 4, in a position coaxial with a pocket 10 also arrested in station 4, and a further pocket 14 at station 6, in a position aligned with a substantially rectangular frame 19 defining the input of a fixed channel 20 in which to unload products 2. Assembly 5 also comprises a loading device 21 located at station 4 and for successively transferring products 2 from respective pockets 10 to respective pockets 14; and an unloading device 22 located at station 6 and for feeding products 2 from respective pockets 14 into channel 20 through frame 19. Loading device 21 comprises a push element, in turn comprising a counter-pusher 23, and a pusher 24, which, at each loading operation, are located along a radius 25 of wheel 12 parallel to axis 9, and respectively inside and outside path P, and cooperate with each other to transfer a product 2 into a stationary pocket 14 at station 4. Unloading device 22 comprises a push element, in turn comprising a pusher 26, and a counter-pusher 27, which, at the end of each unloading operation, are located along a radius 28 of wheel 12 coaxial with channel 20, and respectively inside and outside path P, and cooperate with each other to transfer a product 2 from a respective stationary pocket 14 at station 6 into channel 20 through frame 19. Pusher 24 and counter-pusher 27 each comprise an actuating rod 29 movable back and forth; and a plate 30 connected integrally to the end of rod 29 facing the periphery of wheel 12. Plate 30 of pusher 24 is movable, by means of respective rod 29 and in a direction 31 coaxial with radius 25 and crosswise to path P, between a lowered idle position (shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4) in which plate 30 is positioned facing the end of a pocket 10 opposite the end facing the periphery of wheel 12, and a raised operating position (shown in Figure 2) in which respective rod 29 extends through seat 10, and plate-30 is located at the input of a pocket 14 located at station 4 and aligned with pocket 10. Plate 30 of counter-pusher 27 is movable, by means of respective rod 29 and in a direction 32 coaxial with radius 28 and crosswise to path P, between an extracted idle position (shown in Figure 2) in which plate 30 is located inside channel 20, and a forward operating position (shown in Figure 1) in which respective rod 29 extends through frame 19, and plate 30 is located at the input of a pocket 14 located at station 6 and aligned with frame 19. Counter-pusher 23 and pusher 26 each comprise an actuating rod 33, and a plate 34 connected integrally to one end of rod 33, and are connected to respective actuating devices 35, 36, each connected to a respective rod 33. Actuating device 35 of counter-pusher 23 provides for moving plate 34 of counter-pusher 23 between a withdrawn position (shown in Figures 2 and 3) in which plate 34 is located inside wheel 12, and an extracted position (shown in Figure 1) in which plate 34 is positioned facing and adjacent to frame 11 of pocket 10 arrested in station 4, and respective rod 33 extends through pocket 14. The movement of counter-pusher 23 from the extracted to the withdrawn position defines a work stroke, and the movement of counter-pusher 23 from the withdrawn to the extracted position defines a return stroke. Actuating device 36 of pusher 26 provides for moving plate 34 of pusher 26 between a withdrawn position (shown in Figure 4) in which plate 34 is located inside wheel 12, and an extracted position (shown in Figure 2) in which plate 34 is located inside channel 20, and respective rod 33 extends through pocket 14. The movement of pusher 26 from the withdrawn to the extracted position defines a work stroke, and the movement of pusher 26 from the extracted to the withdrawn position defines a return stroke. Actuating devices 35 and 36 are identical, and both fitted inside wheel 12 to a frame comprising a fixed disk 37 housed inside wheel 12. Each actuating device 35, 36 comprises a first transmission, in turn comprising an articulated quadrilateral 38 hinged to the end of respective rod 33 opposite the end connected to respective plate 34; a second transmission, in turn comprising a connecting rod-crank element 39 hinged to an intermediate point of respective rod 33; and two drive devices 40, 41 for respectively controlling quadrilateral 38 and element 39. Drive device 40 so controls quadrilateral 38 as to move respective plate 34 substantially in a direction 38a crosswise to path P and axial with respect to respective rod 33; and drive device 41 so controls element 39 as to move respective plate 34 substantially in a direction 39a parallel to path P and crosswise to respective rod 33. Quadrilateral 38 comprises a frame defined by disk 37; a crank 42 and a rocker arm 43, both pivoting at one end on disk 37; and a connecting rod 44 connecting the free end of crank 42 to an intermediate point of rocker arm 43, the free end of which is hinged to the end of rod 33 opposite the end fitted with plate 34. Drive device 40 controls the angular position of crank 42 with respect to disk 37, and comprises a cam disk 45 parallel to and facing wheel 12, and which rotates about axis 13 in direction 15 at a substantially constant angular speed equal to the average angular speed of wheel 12. Drive device 40 also comprises a number of annular tracks 46 formed about axis 13 on the surface of disk 45, and a positive tappet 47 connected to tracks 46 and angularly integral with crank 42. Connecting rod-crank element 39 comprises a crank 48 pivoting at one end on disk 37; and a connecting rod 49 hinged at one end to the free end of crank 48, and at the other end to an intermediate point of rod 33. Drive device 41 controls the angular position of crank 48 with respect to disk 37, shares cam disk 45 with drive device 40, and comprises a number of annular tracks 50 formed about axis 13 on the surface of disk 45, and a positive tappet 51 connected to tracks 50 and angularly integral with crank 48. Operation of machine 1 will now be described as of the Figure 1 operating position, in which wheel 12 is stationary, and with reference to only two pockets 14, a first arrested in station 4 and ready to receive a product 2 housed inside a pocket 10 also arrested in station 4, and a second arrested in station 6 and ready to unload a product 2 into channel 20. As of the above operating position, and while wheel 12 is stationary, disk 45, which rotates uniformly about axis 13, moves tracks 46 and 50 in such a manner as to move rods 33 axially in respective directions 38a, and so perform the work strokes of respective plates 34. More specifically, plate 34 of loading device 21 is moved from the extracted position (Figure 1) to the withdrawn position (Figure 2) in unison with plate 30 of pusher 24, so as to transfer a product 2 from pocket 10 to pocket 14, both arrested in station 4. Upon product 2 contacting bottom wall 16 of pocket 14, plate 30 of pusher 24 is arrested and reversed away from wheel 12, while plate 34 continues the work stroke through opening 17 and into wheel 12. At the same time, plate 34 connected to actuating device 36 is moved, in push-pull manner with respect to plate 34 connected to actuating device 35, from the withdrawn position (Figure 1) to the extracted position (Figure 2) in unison with plate 30 of counter-pusher 27, so as to transfer a product 2 from pocket 14, arrested in station 6, into channel 20 through frame 19. Tracks 46 and 50 are therefore so formed as to determine, during the work stroke of plates 34, a relatively wide angular movement of cranks 42, and substantially no angular movement of cranks 48. As shown in Figure 3, as soon as the two plates 34 complete the respective work strokes, wheel 12 starts rotating in direction 15, and devices 35 and 36, still operating in push-pull manner, move counter-pusher 23 and pusher 26 through the respective return strokes, despite the fact that wheel 12 is moving in direction 15. More specifically, in the case of counter-pusher 23, respective tracks 46 (Figure 3) first determine substantially no angular movement of crank 42, so as to keep respective plate 34 at a substantially constant distance from axis 13, while respective tracks 50 determine a relatively wide angular movement of respective crank 48, so as to reverse respective plate 34, in direction 39a and in the opposite direction to direction 15, into a position facing the opening 17 of the next pocket 14 approaching station 4. At this point, plate 34 is reversed, and is moved both by respective element 39 in direction 15 (Figure 4) and at the same speed as wheel 12, so as to remain aligned with said opening 17, and by quadrilateral 38 in direction 38a, so as to reach the extracted position when wheel 12 is arrested and respective rod 33 is again coaxial with radius 25 (Figure 1). In the case of pusher 26, respective plate 34 is first moved both by respective element 39 in direction 15 (Figure 4) and at the same speed as wheel 12, so as to remain aligned with opening 17 of respective pocket 14, and by quadrilateral 38 in direction 38a, so as to move gradually into the withdrawn position. Upon plate 34 being housed inside wheel 12, tracks 46 determine substantially no angular movement of respective crank 42, so as to keep plate 34 at a substantially constant distance from axis 13, while respective tracks 50 reverse plate 34 in direction 39a and in the opposite direction to direction 15, until respective axis 33 (Figure 1) is coaxial with radius 28. Actuating devices 35, 36 and respective devices 40 and 41 therefore enable plates 34, movable through pockets 14, to perform the respective return strokes as wheel 12 moves one step forward, thus substantially halving the downtime of assembly 5.

Claims: A conveying assembly for conveying products (2), and comprising a conveyor (12) having a number of pockets (14) and moving in steps to feed said pockets (14) along a path (P) extending through a loading station (4) and an unloading station (6) for respectively loading and unloading said products (2); the assembly (5) also comprising an unloading device (22) and a loading device (21) located respectively at the unloading station (6) and the loading station (4), to transfer said products (2) from and to said pockets (14); and the loading (21) and unloading (22) devices comprising respective push elements (23, 26) movable through said pockets (14), and respective actuating devices (35, 36) comprising respective drive means (45, 38, 39, 40, 41) for imparting to said push elements (23, 26) a work stroke and a return stroke; each drive means (45, 38, 39, 40, 41) comprising first actuating means (45, 38, 40) for imparting to the respective push element (23; 26) a first movement in a first direction (38a) substantially crosswise to said path (P), and second actuating means (45, 39, 41) for imparting to the respective push element (23; 26) a second movement in a second direction (39a) substantially parallel to said path (P); said conveyor (12) being designed to move each pocket (14) along said path (P) so as to stop the pocket (14) at said stations (4, 6) during the work stroke of the relevant push element (23; 26) each push element (23; 26) being moved by the relevant first actuating means (45, 38, 40) only in said first direction (38a) during the relevant work stroke, characterized in that said conveyor (12) is further designed to feed the pocket (14) along said path (P) during the return stroke of the relevant push element (23; 26) when the push element (23; 26) is still moving through said pockets (14); each push element (23;26) being moved by the relevant first actuating means (45, 38, 40) and by the relevant second actuating means (45, 39, 41) both in said first direction (38a) and second direction (39a) during the relevant return stroke so as to follow the movement of the relative pocket (14) along said path (P). A conveying assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said path (P) is a path (P) in the form of a loop, said push elements (23, 26) being located inside said loop. A conveying assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said push elements (23, 26) comprise a loading counter-pusher (23) and an unloading pusher (26). A conveying assembly as claimed in Claim 3, further comprising a loading pusher (24) and an unloading counter-pusher (27), both located outside said loop and for performing respective work strokes substantially in time with said loading counter-pusher (23) and said unloading pusher (26) respectively. A conveying assembly as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein said conveyor (12) comprises a conveying wheel (12) rotating in steps about a central axis (13) and in turn comprising a fixed central frame (37); said actuating devices (35, 36) being located inside said wheel (12) and being fitted to said fixed frame (37). A conveying assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said drive means (45, 38, 39, 40, 41) are designed for moving the respective push elements (23, 26) back and forth along said path (P) in the course of the respective return strokes, and for activating the push elements (23, 26) in push-pull manner with respect to each other so as each to cause the respective push element (23; 26) to perform the respective work stroke when the conveyor (12) is arrested between one step and the next, and the respective return stroke when the conveyor (12) is moving. A conveying assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, further comprising a fixed central frame (37); each said push element (23; 26) comprising a control rod (33); and said first and second actuating means (38,40; 39,41) of each said actuating device (35; 36) respectively comprising a first (38) and second (39) transmission pivoting on said fixed frame (37) and connected to separate points of the respective said rod (33). A conveying assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein each said first transmission (38) comprises an articulated quadrilateral (38), a frame of which comprises said fixed frame (37); and a first drive device (45, 40) for orienting said quadrilateral (38) with respect to said frame (37). A conveying assembly as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said quadrilateral (38) comprises a rocker arm (43) hinged at a first end to said fixed frame (37) and at a second end to a point of the respective said rod (33). A conveying assembly as claimed in Claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein said second transmission (39) comprises a crank (48) and a connecting rod (49), and a second drive device (45, 41) for rotating the crank (48) with respect to said frame (37). A conveying assembly as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said connecting rod (49) is hinged at one end to a point of the respective said rod (33). A conveying assembly as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims from 8 to 11, wherein each said drive device (45,40; 45,41) is a cam device comprising a cam (45) movable at a constant angular speed equal to an average angular speed of said pockets (14) along said path (P).

Inventors: DRAGHETTI FIORENZO, OSTI ROBERTO, DRAGHETTI, FIORENZO, OSTI, ROBERTO
Applicants: GD SPA, G.D SOCIETA' PER AZIONI
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B65B19
IPC codes: B65B19