Abstract:
A device for guiding objects that are connected to one another in a strip form and that are to be individually applied to packaging containers includes a feed wheel for receiving the objects and feeding them in a forward direction. A guide plate surrounds an end of the feed wheel and the guide plate is connected to an arrangement that allows the position of the guide plate to be adjusted relative to the feed wheel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a device for guiding objects that are to be attached to containers. More particularly, the present invention concerns a device for guiding objects connected in strip form when applying the objects to packaging containers, wherein this device includes a drive mechanism for feeding the objects. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Within the packaging industry, e.g. in the manufacture of parallelepiped-shaped packages with liquid foodstuffs, objects e.g. straws or spoons will often be applied to the packaging container. These various objects for application are often found in connected strip form where each single object is individually prepacked between two thin plastic films. The object is separated from the connected strip and applied to each packaging container. 
     Within the packaging industry various types of straws have been developed such as straight tubes of various lengths or various diameters, U-shaped tubes or telescopic tubes. These different types of tubes often require individual height positioning on the packaging container for each type of tube and for each size of packaging container, so that the tube does not project beyond the periphery of the packaging container. This con entail a disadvantage when the packaging container is often collectively distributed in some form of collective container. 
     Hitherto in order to satisfy the requirement for different straws on packaging containers, a number of different feed wheels has been used, i.e. drive mechanisms for onward feed of the connected straw strip. The feed wheel has been adjusted in height with a spring-loaded plate placed under the feed wheel. This has entailed an ever greater requirement for different spare parts and also difficulties when it is wished to change the feed wheel quickly in order to change the length of straw when production is in progress. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     An aim of the present invention is to make possible the use of a small number of different feed wheels for all types of straws currently known today. 
     A further aim of the present invention is to provide a machine in which the adjustment of the application height can be carried out with a single screw adjustment, without the necessity of changing parts in the application machine. 
     These and other applications have been achieved according to the invention through the fact that the device is designed such that one end of the drive mechanism is completely or partly enclosed by a guide plate which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the drive mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings in which: 
     Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device including an illustration of the path of the connected strip of straws into the drive mechanism. 
     FIG. 2 is a plain view the guide device shown FIG. 1 
     FIG. 3 is a side view partly in section a of the drive mechanism. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The drawings only show those details essential for understanding the invention, and other parts of the application machine which are well known to the specialist are left out. A complete description of an application machine can be seen e.g. from Swedish publication SE 424847 (Swedish Patent N. 7801067-5.) 
     The drive mechanism, or feed wheel 1, which brings forward the connected strip of straws 2 to the position of application is set up on an application machine in the middle of a conveyor belt where the packaging containers which are to be provided with straws or similar objects are brought forward. The feed wheel 1 is fastened on a plate 3 which can be fixed or turned at different angles, so that the application can be done at different angles on the packaging container. Under the plate 3 the feed wheel 1 is connected via a drive axle 4 to a stepped motor 5 for forward feeding of the feed wheel 1 for each application of straws or similar objects to the packaging container. The feed wheel 1 also has in its immediate vicinity a mechanism for separating the various straws from the connected strip. This mechanism most frequently consists of a knife which is controlled by some form of pneumatically controlled piston and cylinder unit. Further the feed wheel 1 is surrounded by various forms of press-on devices for pressing the straw, after it has been separated from the connected strip 2, fixedly on to the packaging container. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the plate 3 on which the feed wheel 1 is mounted is fitted at the top with a guide plate 7. This plate 7 can be fabricated of various materials such as plastic, hard rubber, metal or the like. In the preferred embodiment the plate 7 is made of plastic. The form of the plate 7, which can be seen from FIG. 2, can be varied and its appearance is in principle unimportant. It should surround the feed wheel 1 as much as possible without encroaching on the space for the keeper 16, separator or press-on device 6. The guide plate must also be delimited so that it does not interfere with the movement of the conveyor. It should also contain room for the guide axles 8 to permit adjustment of the height of the plate 7. In the preferred embodiment, the adjustment plate 7 has two guide axles 8 and an adjustment spindle 9 situated between the guide axles 8. One end of the adjustment spindle, where it engages the adjustment plate 7, is threaded and its other end exhibits an adjustment knob 10 for setting the height of the adjustment plate 7. The adjustment knob or similar feature can, of course, be placed under the plate 3, but due to the lack of space, in the preferred embodiment it is placed above the plate 3. The adjustment plate 7 surrounds almost the whole feed wheel 1, but in the preferred embodiment it is provided with a cut-out 11 where the separating device which separates the individual objects from the connected strip 2 can move in towards the feed wheel to separate the objects. 
     FIG. 3 shows how the adjustment plate 7 is situated very close to the feed wheel 1, which is possible if the adjustment plate 7 is made of a material with low friction, preferably plastic. The guide plate 7 in the preferred embodiment is placed at a distance of 0.1-0.8 mm from the feed wheel 1, preferably at a distance of 0.35 mm from the feed wheel 1. The feed wheel 1 is recess-turned at one end of it, where the adjustment plate 7 bears against the feed wheel 1. This is done so that the straw is not able to stick between the feed wheel 1 and the adjustment plate 7. 
     The two guide axles 8 which are employed in the preferred embodiment can be completely surrounded by the guide plate 7 or provided with a bushing 12 where they are inserted into the guide plate 7. If the guide plate 7 is made of a material with low friction, such as plastic, it is not necessary to provide the guide axles 8 with bushings 12. The guide axles 8 must make it possible for the guide plate 7 to be adjusted straight in the longitudinal direction of the feed wheel 1. Therefore only a single adjustment is required with the adjustment knob 10 which is fixed on the adjustment screw 9 that is preferably located between the two guide axles 8, for a more even guiding of the plate 7. FIG. 1 shows how the connected strip of straws 2 passes through the guide axles 8 via a guide roller 13 and via a further guide roller 14, and approaches the feed wheel 1 where each straw is placed in a cut-out 15 provided in the feed wheel 1. The straws are then fed round intermittently by the feed wheel 1, cut off from the strip form 2, held fast against the feed wheel 1 and finally applied to the individual packaging containers which are brought forward one by one on a conveyor art a point right opposite the feed wheel 1. During this entire process the strip 2 of straws is kept at the same height by the guide plate 7 even during the entire time when the straws are carried round by the feed wheel 1, in strip form 2 or after they have been cut off from the connected strip 2. 
     Regardless of whether the feed wheel 1 is horizontal in the application machine or it slants for a slanting attachment of straws, the connected strip 2 of straws will be kept at the same height position the whole time. 
     As can be seen from the above description a simple and sure holding of the height position of the connected strip of straws when it passes through the feed wheel is achieved with the present invention. Furthermore, with the present invention, the same feed wheel can be used for different lengths of straw, thereby minimizing and the requirement for different feed wheels for different types of straw which are to be found on the market. The invention makes possible a simple and quick adjustment of the height position of the straw. 
     While this invention has been illustrated and described in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made and equivalents employed herein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.