APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING ITEMS WITH ENHANCED GUIDANCE SYSTEM

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for conveying items (12, 14) comprising a sustaining frame (16), a belt (18) for supporting and advancing said items (12, 14), first and second means (20, 22) for laterally guiding said items advancing on said belt (18), said first and second guiding means being supported by said frame (16) and being transversely separated from each other by a distance corresponding to the width of the items to be guided (12, 14). Means are provided for varying the distance between said first and second guiding means (20, 22) in such a way as to adapt it to the size of the supported items.

Description: Description Apparatus for Conveying Items with Enhanced Guidance System Technical Field The present invention relates to an apparatus for conveying items. The apparatus for conveying items comprises, in a known manner, a sustaining frame for a belt for the support and advancement of said items and for first and second means for the lateral guidance of said items advancing on said belt. Said first and second guidance means are transversely distanced from each other by a distance corresponding with the width of the items to be guided. Background Art Currently, varying the distance between the guides, in order to adapt it to the different width of the supported items, requires the manual intervention of operators who must disengage the guides from the support frame, for instance by unscrewing certain fastening screws, and reposition the guides in the new working positions, re-engaging them to said frames by re-tightening said fastening screws. Such a way of operating, in addition to being decidedly annoying in its implementation, requires excessive personnel work times. Disclosure of Invention The main aim of the present invention is to provide a conveying apparatus that presents a guidance system in which the distance between the opposite lateral guidance means can be varied in a simple and rapid manner, to adapt it to the different width of the supported items. According to claim 1 , an apparatus is provided for conveying items, comprising a sustaining frame, a belt for supporting and advancing said items, first and second means for the lateral guidance of said items advancing on said belt, said first and second lateral guidance means comprising respective longitudinal guidance elements, means being provided for connecting said longitudinal guidance means to said frame, characterised in that said means for connecting said longitudinal guidance elements to said frame connect said longitudinal guidance elements to said frame in a manner movable at least in a direction transverse to the belt, and in that means are provided for moving said longitudinal guidance elements at least between a first transversely approached position for guiding smaller items and a second transversely distanced position for guiding larger items. Further provided, according to claim 21, is an apparatus for conveying items comprising a sustaining frame, a belt for supporting and advancing said items, first and second means for laterally guiding said items advancing on said belt, characterised in that said first and second guidance means comprise each respective first and second longitudinal guidance elements, in that means are provided for connecting said first and second longitudinal guidance elements to said frame, in such a way that said second longitudinal guidance elements are positioned transversely externally to said first longitudinal guidance means, in that said means for connecting said first longitudinal guidance elements to said frame connect said first guidance elements in a manner movable at least in a direction perpendicular to the belt, and in that means are provided for moving said longitudinal guidance elements at least from a first raised position for guiding smaller items, and a second lowered position, in which said second longitudinal elements provide the lateral guidance for larger items. With the use of guidance systems having an easily actuated movable part, it is possible for the present conveying apparatus rapidly to change the guidance configuration in order to be able to convey items of mutually different sizes. The secondary claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments. Further features and advantages of the invention shall become more readily apparent from the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent embodiments provided purely by way of non limiting examples. Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a cross section view, relating to a first operative condition, of a first embodiment of apparatus for conveying items according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a cross section view, relating to a second operative condition, of the first embodiment of apparatus for conveying items according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows a top view relating to the single actuating organ of the lateral guides of the first embodiment of apparatus for conveying items according to the present invention; Figures 4A and 5 A show respective cross section views, relating to a second operative condition, of a second version of the first embodiment of apparatus for conveying items according to the present invention; Figures 4B and 5B show a bottom view relating to the single actuating organ of the lateral guides of the second version of the first embodiment of apparatus for conveying items according to the present invention; - Figure 6 shows a cross section view, relating to a first operative condition, of a second embodiment of apparatus for conveying items according to the present invention; - Figure 7 shows a cross section view, relating to a second operative condition, of the second embodiment of apparatus for conveying items according to the present invention. Description of the Illustrative Embodiments In accordance with Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, one can observe that a first embodiment 10 of apparatus for conveying items of the present invention comprises a sustaining frame 16, a belt 18 for supporting and advancing said items, and first and second means 20, 22 for laterally guiding the items advancing on said item 18. The present apparatus is suitable for bearing items with different widths, shown in the figures respectively with the reference numbers 12 and 14. Said items could, by way of example, be constituted by rolls of paper, plastic or other material, or be constituted by bottles, packages or items of any kind whatsoever. In a substantially known manner, said first and second guidance means comprise each respective longitudinal guidance elements 24, 26 longitudinally aligned along the path of the belt 18, which are connected, through suitable means, to said frame 16. As the aforementioned figures show, in an advantageous manner, said means for connecting said longitudinal guidance elements 24, 26 to said frame 16 connect said guidance elements to said frame in a manner movable at least in a direction transverse to the belt 18. Means are also provided for moving said longitudinal guidance elements 24, 26 at least from a first transversely approached position for guiding smaller items and a second transversely distanced position for guiding larger items. In any case, for the present invention it would also be imaginable to have said longitudinal guidance elements 24, 26 move between more than one working positions, as referred above, in order to allow the conveyance of a greater number of items with mutually different widths. Said means for connecting said longitudinal guidance elements 24, 26 to said frame 16 comprise at least a respective first arm 27, 28, in hinged connection to said frame 16, and a respective second arm 30, 32, also in hinged connection to said frame 16, which defines, with the corresponding first arm 27, 28, a respective articulated parallelogram that allows to move said guidance element transversely whilst maintaining it parallel to the advancing belt. Said first and second arm define the aforementioned articulated parallelogram thanks to respective braces 25, 27', whereto they are hinged, which support, in correspondence with their extremity oriented towards the interior of the line, said guidance organs 24, 26. As shown, the aforementioned hinged connections are obtained thanks to respective pivot pins which are inserted into appropriate holes in correspondence with suitable extreme points of the arms to be connected. As the accompanying figures show, the belt 18 for supporting and advancing the items 12, 14 is supported by cross members 17 of said frame 16. Said connecting arms 27, 28, 30, 32 extend upwards starting from said supporting cross members 17. The aforementioned first connecting arms 27, 28 comprise each a respective extension 34, 36, which can be actuated to displace transversely said guidance elements 24, 26, which extends below the conveyor belt 18 and is U shaped. To move said longitudinal guidance elements 24, 26 between said first transversely approached guidance position, for smaller items 12, and said second transversely distance guidance position, for larger items 14, suitable means are provided, able to displace transversely said actuating extensions 34, 36, which are provided with a single organ 38 movable between a first position corresponding to the approached condition of said guidance elements 24, 26 and a second position corresponding to the distanced condition of said guidance elements 24, 26. In this way, with a single actuation operation on the single actuating organ 38 both lateral guides 24, 26 can be moved. Said actuating organ 38 is, in particular, advantageously movable, parallel to the longitudinal direction of said conveyor belt 18, in a position below said belt. The actuating organ 38 is shaped as a plate and the means provided thereon for transversely displacing said extensions 34, 36 for actuating said arms 27, 28 comprise, in particular, corresponding guidance tracks 40, 42, which are in the form of mutually diverging linear slits 40, 42, into which are inserted the upwardly folded extremities 34', 36' of said extensions for actuating the connecting arms 27, 28. Appropriate actuation means 52, 54 are provided for actuating said single actuating organ 38, respectively forward and backward. Said actuation means comprise a first part or stem 52, fastened to said sustaining frame, and a second part of hollow stem 54, fastened to said actuating organ 38 and movable by sliding relative to said first part 52, which is inserted in said second part 54. Said actuation means further comprise a linear actuator (not shown in the figures), in particular of the pneumatic type, connected to the free extremity of said second part 54 fastened to the actuating organ. Laterally to the conveyor belt 18 extend a first 44 and a second 46 longitudinal inferior sliding elements for said items 14. Each longitudinal sliding element 44, 46 lies in the support plane of said advancing belt 18 to support, therewith, said larger items 14. As shown, each longitudinal sliding element is supported, through respective connecting means or arms 48, 50, by said cross elements 17 sustaining the belt 18. The operation of the present first embodiment is briefly as follows. As shown in Figure 1, in a first operative condition, said guides 24, 26 are in mutually approached condition and carry an item 12 of reduced width. In this condition, the actuating organ 38 is in a position approached to the fixed reference 16' of the supporting frame, as indicated schematically in Figure 3. Starting from this position, to allow the conveying apparatus to carry items of greater width 14, said actuating organ is actuated away from the fixed reference 16', causing the extremities 34' and 36' of the extensions of the arms to arrive in the opposite extremities of the slits 40, 42. This operation causes the extensions 34, 36 of the arms 27, 28 to be approached with the consequent separation of the sliding organs 24, 26 which assume the second working position, shown in Figure 2. The subsequent figures 4A, 4B, 5 A, 5B show a second version of the first preferred embodiment 10 of apparatus for conveying items 12, 14 of mutually different widths. This second version of the first embodiment is substantially similar to the first wherefrom it differs only in the different realisation of the actuating means. The parts of this second version that are similar to those of the first version of Figures 1 through 3 are therefore not described in detail. To move said longitudinal guidance elements 24, 26 between said transversely approached guidance position, for smaller items 12, and said transversely distanced guidance position, for larger items 14, in this second version of the first embodiment, means are provided that are able transversely to move said actuating extensions 74, 76, provided on a single organ 88 movable between a first position, corresponding to the approached condition of said guidance elements 24, 26, and a second position, corresponding to the distanced position of said guidance elements 24, 26. In this way, with a single actuation operation on the single actuating organ 88 it is possible to move both lateral guides 24, 26. Said single actuating organ 88 is, in particular, advantageously movable, parallel to the longitudinal direction of said conveying belt 18, in a position underlying the belt. The single actuating organ 88 is shaped as a plate and the means for moving transversely said extensions 74, 76 for actuating said arms 27, 28 comprise, in particular, arms or connecting rods 90, 92 which present a respective pivoting extremity 91, 93 and a corresponding pivot pin 81, 83, integral with the plate 88, and whose other extremity 95, 97 receives the corresponding lower extension 74, 76 of the arms 27, 28 defining the guide- bearing parallelograms. Suitable connecting means 82 allow the attachment of an actuator for the forward and backward motion of the single actuating organ 88. The plate 88 presents a central rectilinear slit 85 within which are inserted a first and a second vertical screws 87, 89 for guiding the longitudinal sliding of said plate 88, which screws are fastened to the cross member 17 of the frame 16 and which present a widened lower head for the sliding support of the plate 88. The subsequent figures 6 and 7 show a second preferred embodiment 100 of apparatus for conveying items 12, 14 of mutually different widths. The apparatus 100 of this second embodiment comprises, like the first embodiment, a sustaining frame 16, a belt 18 for supporting and advancing said items 12, 14, and first and second means 20, 22 for laterally guiding said items advancing on said belt 18. In the description relating to this second embodiment, the elements similar to those of the first preferred embodiment maintain, for the sake of description convenience, the same numerical references employed to describe the aforementioned first preferred embodiment. Advantageously, in this second preferred embodiment, said first and second guiding means comprise respective first 124, 126 and second 224, 226 longitudinal guidance elements, which are connected, through suitable means, to said frame 16, in such a way that said second longitudinal guidance elements 224, 226 are transversely positioned externally so said first longitudinal guidance elements 124, 126. In particular, the distance between said first guide elements is substantially equal to the height of a first type of items 12, which present a reduced height, whilst the distance between said second guide elements is substantially equal to the height of a second type of items 14, which present a greater height than the previous first items 12. As shown, said means for connecting said first longitudinal guidance elements 124, 126 to said frame 16 connect said first guide elements 124, 126 in a manner movable at least in a perpendicular direction to the belt 18. Means are provided for moving said longitudinal guidance elements 124, 126 between a first raised position (shown in Figure 6) for guiding smaller items, and a second lowered position (shown in Figure 5), wherein said second longitudinal elements 224, 226 provide lateral guidance for larger items. Said means for connecting said longitudinal guidance elements to said frame 16 comprise at least a respective first movable arm 127, 128 for supporting each first longitudinal guidance element 124, 126 and a respective second fixed arm 227, 228 for connecting said second longitudinal guidance elements 224, 226, which arms 127, 128, 224, 226 extend vertically upwards perpendicularly to the respective cross member 17 sustaining the belt 18. As the accompanying Figures 6 and 7 show, said first arms 127, 128 for supporting each first longitudinal guidance element 124, 126 are movable perpendicular to the belt 18. Said first connecting arms 127, 128 of said second embodiment comprise a respective extension 134, 136 which extends below the conveying belt 18. To move said longitudinal guidance elements 124, 126, between said first raised position and said second lowered position, a single organ 138 is provided, able to move between a first position corresponding to the raised condition of said guidance elements 124, 126 and a second position corresponding to the lowered condition of said guidance elements 124, 126. Said single actuating organ 138 is in the form of a plate organ and it is movable perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of said conveying belt 18. With further advantage, in this second preferred embodiment, said first guidance elements 124, 126 define, in the lowered position, longitudinal sliding elements for the lower face of said items 14. Means 152, 154 for actuating said first guidance elements 124, 126 are provided between said arms 134, 136 for supporting said guidance elements 124, 126 and said sustaining frame 16. In particular said actuating means are provided for actuating said single actuating organ 138 and are provided between said arms 134, 136 supporting said guidance elements 124, 126 and said cross members 17 sustaining the belt 18. Said actuating means comprise a linear actuator, of any suitable type, which is preferably in the form of a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator constituted by a cylinder 152 connected fixedly below said cross member 17 and by a movable stem 154 having the free extremity fastened to said plate 138 for fastening said arms 127, 128. The operation of the present second embodiment is briefly as follows. As Figure 6 shows, in a first operative condition said first longitudinal guides 124, 126 are in a raised condition and carry between them an item 12 of reduced width. In this condition, the actuating organ 138 is in an approached position to the cross member 17 of the sustaining frame 16. Starting from this position, to allow the conveying apparatus to carry the items of different width 14, said actuating organ 138 is activated, as shown in Figure 5, to move away from the fixed reference 17, causing the arms 134, 136 that bear the first guidance elements 124, 126 to be lowered, until bringing said first guidance elements in correspondence with the transport plane defined by the belt 18. In this position said first guidance elements 124, 126 define the longitudinal support and sliding elements for the larger items 14. In this second operative condition, the function of laterally guiding the items 14 is performed, as referred above, by said second fixed longitudinal guidance elements 224, 226. It would obviously be possible or imaginable for the present invention to employ a different number of pairs of guidance elements, greater than the two shown herein, in order to allow the present conveying apparatus to transport a greater number of formats of items. In this case, each pair of guidance elements positioned inside the outermost guidance elements would be able to be lowered similarly to the present first pair of guidance elements 124, 126. It would obviously also be imaginable to use both of the two embodiments of guidance systems described above on a single transport apparatus. Sensor means can be provided on the present apparatus for conveying items in order to measure the width of the conveyed items and allow to activate, in response to said signal, said activation or actuation means in such a way that they provide a distance between the lateral guides that corresponds to that of the item being conveyed. Obviously, instead of acting automatically, it would also be imaginable to effect a manual activation of the means for actuating said lateral guides. The invention thus conceived can be subject to numerous modifications and variations, without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all components can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims: Claims 1. An apparatus (10) for conveying items (12, 14) comprising a support frame (16), a belt (18) for supporting and advancing said items (12, 14), first and second means (20, 22) for laterally guiding said items advancing on said belt (18), said first and second guidance means comprising respective longitudinal guidance elements (24, 26), means being provided for connecting said longitudinal guidance elements to said frame (16), characterised in that said means for connecting said longitudinal guidance elements (24, 26) to said frame (16) connect said longitudinal guidance elements (24, 26) to said support frame in a manner movable at least in a direction transverse to the belt (18) and in that means are provided for moving said longitudinal guidance elements (24, 26) at least between a first transversely approached position for guiding items of smaller dimensions and a second transversely distanced position for guiding items of larger dimensions. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said means for connecting said longitudinal guidance elements (24, 26) to said frame (16) comprise at least a respective first arm (27, 28) in hinged connection to said frame (16). 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said means for connecting said longitudinal guidance elements (24, 26) to said frame (16) comprise a respective second arm (30, 32) in hinged connection to said frame (16) defining, with the corresponding first arm (27, 28), a respective articulated parallelogram which allows to move transversely said guidance element maintaining it parallel to the transport plane defined by the advancing belt (18). 4. An apparatus as claimed in either of the previous claims 2 and 3, characterised in that said belt (18) for supporting and advancing the items is supported by cross members (17) of said frame (16), said connecting arms (27, 28, 30, 32) extend upwards starting from said sustaining cross members (17). 5. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims from 2 to 4, characterised in that said first connecting arms (27, 28) comprise a respective extension (34, 36) able to be actuated to displace transversely said guidance elements (24, 26). 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the actuation extension (34, 36) extends below the conveyor belt (18). 7. An apparatus as claimed in either of the previous claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the actuation extension (34, 36) is U-shaped. 8. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims from 2 to 7, characterised in that, in order to move said longitudinal guidance elements (24, 26) between said first transversely approached position for guiding items of smaller dimensions (12) and said second transversely distanced position for guiding items of larger dimensions (14), means are provided for transversely displacing said actuation extensions (34, 36). 9. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that, in order to move said longitudinal guidance elements (24, 26) between said first transversely approached position for guiding items of smaller dimensions (12) and said second transversely distance position for guiding items (14) of larger dimensions, 'a single organ (38, 88) is provided, movable between a first position corresponding to the approached condition of said guidance elements (24, 26) and a second position corresponding to the distanced condition of said guidance elements (24, 26). 10. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims from 8 to 10, characterised in that said single actuating organ (38, 88) is movable parallel to the longitudinal direction of said conveying belt (18). 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said means for transversely displacing said actuation extensions (34, 36) comprise corresponding tracks (40, 42) for guiding said extensions (34, 36) provided on a single organ (38) movable between a first position corresponding to the approached condition of said guidance elements (24, 26) and a second position corresponding to the distanced condition of said guidance elements (24, 26). 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that said guiding tracks are in the form of mutually diverging linear slits (40, 42) within which are inserted the extremities (34', 36') of said actuation extensions (34, 36) of the connecting arms (27, 28). 13. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that, laterally to the conveying belt (18), extends at least a first (44), preferably a first (44) and a second (46) longitudinal lower sliding element for said items (14), each longitudinal sliding element (44, 46) lying in the support plane of said advancing belt (18) to sustain, therewith, said items of larger dimensions (14). 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that each longitudinal sliding element is supported by respective means (48, 50) for connecting to said cross members (17) sustaining the belt (18). 15. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims from 9 to 14, characterised in that actuation means (52, 54) are provided for activating said single actuating organ (38). 16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that said actuation means comprise a first part (52) fixed to said sustaining frame and a second part (54) fastened to said actuating organ (38) and movable by sliding relative to said first part (52). 17. An apparatus as claimed in either of the previous claims 15 or 16, characterised in that said actuation means comprise an actuator acting on said movable part (54) fastened to said actuating organ (38). 18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said means for moving transversely said actuating extensions (34, 36) comprise a first and a second connecting rod (90, 92) which present a respective extremity (91, 92) pivotingly engaged to a corresponding pivot pin (81, 83) integral to the single actuating element (88) and whose other extremity (95, 97) receives the corresponding lower extension (74, 76) of the arms (27, 28) which bear guides (24, 26). 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the single actuating element (88) presents a central rectilinear slit (85) within which are inserted a first and a second stem (87, 89) for guiding the longitudinal sliding of the single actuating element (88). 20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that said first and second stem (87, 89) for guiding the longitudinal sliding of the single actuating element (88) define means for the sliding support of the single actuating element (88). 21. An apparatus (100) for conveying items (12, 14) comprising a sustaining frame (16), a belt (18) for supporting and advancing said items (12, 14), first and second means (20, 22) for the lateral guidance of said items advancing on said belt (18), characterised in that said first and second guidance means comprise respectively first (124, 126) and second (224, 226) longitudinal guidance elements, in that means are provided for connecting said first and second longitudinal guidance elements (124, 126, 224, 226) to said frame (16), in such a way that said second longitudinal guidance elements (224, 226) are transversely positioned externally to said first longitudinal guidance elements (124, 126), in that said means for connecting said first longitudinal guidance elements (124, 126) to said frame (16) connect said first guidance elements (124, 126) in a manner movable at least in perpendicular direction to the belt (18), and in that means are provided for moving said longitudinal guidance elements (124, 126) at least between a first position for guiding items of smaller dimensions, and a second lowered position, in which said second longitudinal elements (224, 226) provide the lateral guidance for items of larger dimensions. 22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 , characterised in that said means for connecting said longitudinal guidance elements (124, 126) to said frame (16) comprise at least a respective first movable arm (127, 128) for supporting each first longitudinal guidance element (124, 126) and a respective second fixed arm (227, 228) for connecting said second longitudinal guidance elements (224, 226). 23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that said first arms (127, 128) for supporting each first longitudinal guidance element (124, 126) are movable perpendicular to the belt (18). 24. An apparatus as claimed in either of the previous frames 22 or 23, characterised in that said first connecting arms (127, 128) comprise a respective extension (134, 136) extending below the conveying belt (18). 25. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims from 21 to 24, characterised in that, in order to move said longitudinal guidance elements (124, 126) between said first raised position and said second lowered position, a single organ (138) is provided, able to move between a first position corresponding to the raised condition of said guidance elements (124, 126) and a second position corresponding to the lowered condition of said guidance elements (124, 126). 26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, characterised in that said single actuating organ (138) is movable perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of said conveying belt (18). 27. An apparatus as claimed in either of the previous claims 25 or 26, characterised in that said single actuating organ is in the form of a plate organ (138). 28. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims from 21 to 27, characterised in that said first guidance elements (124, 126) define in the lowered position longitudinal lower sliding elements for said items (14). 29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 28, characterised in that means (152, 154) for the actuation of said first guidance elements (124, 126) are provided between said arms (134, 136) supporting said guidance elements (124, 126) and said sustaining frame (16). 30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, characterised in that said means (152, 154) for the actuation of said first guidance elements (124, 126) are provided between said arms (134, 136) for supporting said guidance elements (124, 126) and a corresponding cross member (17) sustaining the belt (18). 31. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims from 25 to 30, characterised in that activation means (152, 154) are provided for activating said single actuating organ (138). 32. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims from 29 to 31 , characterised in that said actuating means comprise a linear actuator (152, 154). 33. An apparatus as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that sensor means are provided for measuring the width of the conveyed items and allow to activate, in response to that signal, said actuation means in such a way that they provided a distance between the lateral guides (24, 26; 124, 126) that corresponds to that of the item being conveyed (12 or 14).

Inventors: FRANZAROLI MASSIMO, FRANZAROLI, MASSIMO
Applicants: FRANZAROLI MASSIMO, PULSAR S R L, FRANZAROLI, MASSIMO, PULSAR S.R.L.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65G21
IPC codes: B65G21