Patent Publication Number: US-2007095247-A1

Title: Guide positioning system for a container transport line

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/050,278 filed on Feb. 3, 2005. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD  
      The present disclosure relates to a container transport system, and more particularly to a container transport system including a container transport line and a guide positioning system with adjustable guides along the container transport line.  
     BACKGROUND  
      The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.  
      Currently, various packaging and shipping methods are used to transport containers, such as bottles, from one location to another. As such, it is often necessary to provide a container transport line or conveyor to transfer containers from one machine to another in the handling process. Such container transport systems will often utilize guide rails along the transport line to maintain the proper orientation of the containers being transferred. In recent years, variations in shapes and sizes of containers have proliferated. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a system which allows such guide rails to be quickly and repeatedly adjusted to accommodate a variety of bottle sizes and shapes.  
      Container transport systems with adjustable guides can include guide positioning systems. During operation, however, components can slip, misalign, or otherwise require recalibration. Occasionally, such guide positioning systems may require calibration in order to proper align the guides for a given bottle. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a guide positioning system which can be efficiently and repeatedly calibrated.  
     SUMMARY  
      The present disclosure provides a guide positioning system for a container transport line. The guide positioning system can include a guide assembly having a first guide segment and a second guide segment extending opposite each other along the transport line. The guide assembly can further have a rotating member disposed proximate the transport line and a force translation mechanism coupled between the guide segments and the rotating member for displacing the guide segments in correspondence with a rotation of the rotating member. The guide positioning system can also include an actuation system having a drive element extending along the transport line and adapted to engaged the rotating member, an actuator, and an actuator coupling device.  
      In operation, the guide segments locate a home position, and the actuation system is set to correspond with the home position. The actuator coupling device selectively couples the drive element and the actuator. The actuation system selectively operates the drive element to rotate the rotating member and move the guide segments to a predetermined position away from the home positions.  
      In another form, the present disclosure provides a container transport system including an infeed machine for collecting a plurality of containers, a discharge machine for receiving the containers, and a container transport line extending between the infeed machine and the discharge machine. The container transport system further includes a plurality of guide assemblies supporting guides along the transport line and an actuation system selectively coupled to the guide assemblies. When the guide assemblies and the actuation system are uncoupled, the guides are located in a home position, and the actuation system is set to correspond with the home position to calibrate the container transport system. When the container transport system is calibrated, the actuation system selectively operates the guide assemblies to move the guides to a predetermined position away from the home position.  
      In another form, the present disclosure provides a method positioning a guide for a container packaging system. The method includes locating a guide in a home position, setting an actuation system to correspond with the home position of the guide, coupling the guide and the actuation system, and operating the actuation system to move the guide to a predetermined position away from the home position.  
      Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS  
      The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.  
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a container transport system according to the principles of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 2  is a front elevation of a guide assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure showing the guide segments in a home position;  
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation of the guide assembly of  FIG. 2  showing the guide assemblies in a predetermined position away from the home position;  
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a pair of guide assemblies according to the principles of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 5  is a front elevation of an alternative guide assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure showing guide segments in a home position;  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the guide assembly of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a front elevation of the guide assembly of  FIG. 5  showing the guide segments in a predetermined position away from the home position;  
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the guide assembly of  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged portion of the front elevation of the guide assembly of  FIG. 7 ; and  
       FIG. 10  is a top view of a nonlinear portion of a container transport line according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.  
      According to the principles of the present disclosure, a guide positioning system for a container transport line includes a guide assembly supporting a pair of guide segments extending opposite each other along the container transport line. The guide positioning system also includes an actuation system. When the guide segment is located in a home position, the actuation system can be set to correspond with the home position to calibrate the guide positioning system. Furthermore, the actuation system selectively couples and operates the guide assembly so that the guide segments move to predetermined positions away from the home position.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a container transport or conveyor system  20  for a container packaging system is shown. Container transport system  20  includes a container transport line or conveyor  22  along which containers  24  are transported from an infeed machine  26  to a discharge machine  28 . Infeed machine  26  collects a plurality of containers  24  and introduces them to container transport system  20  which accumulates and transports containers to discharge machine  28 .  
      Container transport system  20  also has a guide positioning system. The guide positioning system includes a plurality of guide assemblies  30  coupled along transport line  22  and an actuation system  32  for selectively operating guide assemblies  30 . As described in further detail below, guide assemblies  30  support guides segments  60  along transport line  22 .  
      Actuation system  32  includes a drive element  34  extending along transport line  22  and coupled to guide assemblies  30 . Actuation system  32  includes an actuator  36  for selectively manipulating drive element  34  and a coupling device  38  for selectively coupling drive element  34  and actuator  36 . Actuation system  32  is configured to utilize multiple drive elements  34 , actuators  36 , and coupling devices  38  along the length of the transport line  22 . Additionally, actuation system  32  may include a control device (not shown). As described in more detail below, the control device can be configured to receive inputs from a user to operate actuation system  32  in accordance therewith.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , transport line  22  includes neck guide  48 . Neck guide  48  supports and directs containers  24  traveling along transport line  22 . As presently preferred, an air plenum  50  is supported along transport line  22  above neck guide  48  and accommodates an air conveyance system for powering movement of containers  24  along transport line  22  as is well known in the art. A container shape envelope  52  is defined relative to transport line  22  and neck guide  48  which corresponds to various sizes and shapes of containers  24  transferred along transport line  22 . A system support or base  54  extends proximate transport line  22 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , an exemplary guide assembly  30  is shown. Guide assembly  30  includes a pair of guide segments  60   a,    60   b,  and a corresponding pair of support structures  62   a,    62   b.  It is to be understood that guide assembly  30  may include multiple similar components, such as guide segments  60   a,    60   b  and support structures  62   a,    62   b  depending on the length and configuration of the transport line  22 . As such, it is to be understood that descriptions of an individual component applies to corresponding similar components and that similar components can be collectively described. For example, guide segments  60   a,    60   b  can be collectively described and referenced as guide segments  60 .  
      With particular reference to  FIG. 2 , slidable support structure  62   a  includes a pair of base components  64   a  fixed to support frame  54 . Base components  64   a  are relatively rigid and have apertures  66   a  formed therein. Support structure  62   a  further includes shafts  68   a,  and apertures  66   a  are configured to slidably support shafts  68   a.  Shafts  68   a  are fixed to guide segment  60   a.  In particular, shafts  68   a  include coupling portions  70   a  fixed on an end thereof and configured to engage with t-slots  72   a  formed in guide segment  60   a.  Support structure  62   a  can include two of apertures  66   a,  shafts  68   a,  and coupling portions  70   a.  In this manner, support structure  62  slidably support the guide assemblies  30 .  
      Each of guide assemblies  30  further include a rotating member  80  and a pair of force translation assemblies  90   a,    90   b  for converting the rotating movement of rotating member  80  into translation movement guide segments  60   a,    60   b.  Force translation assembly  90   a  includes a vertically oriented support plate  91   a  which is fixed relative to guide segment  60   a.  Force translation assembly  90   a  further includes cam plate  92   a  fixed to support plate  91   a  by fastening assemblies  93   a.  Cam plate  92   a  is oriented parallel to rotating member  80 . Pin  94   a  is secured to rotating member  80  and extends upward into slot  96  formed within cam plate  92   a.  As rotating member rotates pin  94   a  translates along slot  96   a  and translates force translation assembly  90   a  and, therefore, guide segment  60   a  accordingly.  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , rotating member  80  is in the form of a sprocket, and drive element  34  is in the form of a roller chain configured to meshingly engage the sprocket. Rotating member or sprocket  80  is rotatably supported on system base  54  by a bearing assembly  112 . Additionally, an actuator  114  may be coupled to each of sprockets  80  to locate guides  60  in a home position as described in further detail below.  
      Chain displacement assemblies  120  are supported by system base  54  and include a bracket  122 , an actuation device  124  and a biasing mechanism  120  which may take the form of an air cylinder. Chain displacement assemblies  120  operate to disengage drive element  34  from sprocket  80  as described in detail below.  
      In operation, the guide positioning system of container transport system  20  locates guide segments  60  to a predetermined position within container shape envelope  52 . Initially, guide segments  60  are in a home position ( FIG. 2 ) in which the guide segments are fully retracted. Actuation system  32  is then set to correspond with the home positions. Accordingly, container transport system  20  is calibrated for operation. As described in further detail below, the guide positioning system of container transport system  20  can be calibrated and/or recalibrated automatically in response to an input from a user into the control device of actuation system  32 .  
      To operate container transport system  20 , predetermined positions of guide segments  60  can be input into the control device of actuation system  32 . In response, actuation system  32  operates actuator  36  to move drive element  34 . Sprockets  80  thereby rotate and cause pins  94  to move guide segments  60 . In particular, pins  94  move along slots  96  of cam plates  92  and push guide segments  60  inwardly away from the home position to a predetermined position ( FIG. 3 ). With particular reference to  FIG. 4 , slots  96  can have a non-linear shape in order to provide a consistent relation between the rotation of sprocket  80  and the displacement of guide segments  60 . For example, when pins  94  are at the ends of slots  96 , a larger component of the rotation of sprocket  80  is in the direction of movement of guide segments  60 . Thus, with slots oriented toward this direction, only a part of the component is translated to guide segments  60 . As the sprocket is further rotated, the shape of the slot is such that a greater rotation is necessary for the same amount of linear translation.  
      As described above, slots  96  of cam plates  92  can determine the relation between the rotation of sprocket  80  and the displacement of guide segments  60 . Therefore, slot  96  can, in part, determine the accuracy of container transport system  20  in positioning guide segments  60 . Furthermore, different applications of container transport system  20  may require different levels of accuracy. With cam plates  92  attached to support plates  91  with fastener assemblies  93 , cam plates  92  can be readily removed and/or interchanged depending on the particular application of container transport system  20 . As such, it should be understood that the cam plates and slots illustrated and described herein are exemplary and can vary according to the principles of the present disclosure.  
      The predetermined positions of guide segments  60  are within container shape envelope  52 , as shown in  FIG. 3  and guide segments  60  are maintained in one of the predetermined positions as required by the particular bottle sized and configuration. The container transport system  20  can be readily reconfigured by moving the guide segments to other positions for different sized bottles. Accordingly, container transport system  20  can accommodate a variety of container shapes and sizes.  
      During operation of container transport system  20 , it may be desirable or necessary to recalibrate container transport system  20 . According to the principles of the present disclosure, in order to recalibrate container transport system  20 , coupling device  38  disengages drive element  34  and actuator  36 , and each of guide assemblies  30  are, in turn, reset so as to locate guide segments  60  in the home positions.  
      In particular, with drive element  34  disengaged from actuator  36 , drive element  34  has enough slack to be disengaged from sprocket  80 . As presently preferred, each guide assembly  30  is disengaged in succession. Chain displacement assembly  120  moves drive element  34  away from sprocket  80 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4  at “A”, drive element  34  engages one of sprockets  80 ; while at “B”, drive element  34  is disengaged from the other of sprockets  80 , and the guide assembly  30  at “B” can be reset. In particular, to disengage drive element  34  and sprocket  80 , actuation mechanism  124  is operated to pull bracket  122  away from sprocket  80 , which, therefore, moves drive element  34  away from sprocket  80 . With drive element  34  and sprocket  80  disengaged, guide assembly  30  can be reset.  
      It is to be understood that guide assembly  30  can be reset in a variety of ways. For example, an operator of container transport line could manually move guide assemblies  30  to as to locate guide segments  60  in the home positions. Additionally, actuator  114  can be coupled to sprocket  80  to move guide assemblies  30  so as to locate guide segments  60  in the home position. With guide segments  60  in the home position, actuation mechanism  124  of chain displacement assembly  120  is disengaged, and biasing mechanism  126  moves drive element  34  back into engagement with sprocket  80 . This process can be repeated in succession for each of guide assemblies  30 .  
      With all of guide assemblies  30  reset, actuation system  32  can again be set in correspondence with the home positions of guide segments  60 . As a result, container transport system  20  is recalibrated. The guide positioning system of container transport system  20  can be recalibrated automatically in response to an input from a user into the control device of actuation system  32 . Moreover, the components of container transport system  20  can be re-engaged and again operated as described above.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5-9 , container transport system  20  may employ an alternative guide assembly  30 ′. Guide assemblies  30 ′ includes components that are substantially similar or the same as guide assembly  30 , and, as such, these components are referred to by the same reference numerals (such as guide segments  60   a,    60   b ). Otherwise, similar components are referred to with reference numerals such as  15 ,  15 ′.  
      Guide assembly  30 ′ includes guide segments  60   a,    60   b,  and a corresponding pair of support structures  62   a ′,  62   b ′. As stated above with regard to guide assembly  30 , it is to be understood that descriptions of individual components apply to corresponding similar components, that similar components are collectively described, and that a collective description of such components equally applies to each individual component.  
      As shown in  FIG. 9 , support structure  62   a ′ includes a base component  64   a ′ fixed to system base  54 . Base component  64   a ′ is a relatively rigid component having apertures  66   a  formed therein as described above with regard to base components  64   a.  Support structure  62   a ′ includes shafts  68   a,  which have coupling portions  70   a  engaged with t-slots  72   a  as described above. Support structure  62   a ′ further includes biasing devices  174   a ′ fixed to base component  64   a ′ within apertures  66   a ′ and attached to shafts  68   a  opposite coupling portions  70   a.  Biasing devices  174   a ′ locate guide segment  60   a ′ in a home position. As presently preferred, biasing devices  174   a ′ may be in the form of springs; however other devices which generate a retracting force for urging the guide assembly  30 ′ in to a home position may be utilized. Support structure  62   a ′ further includes two of apertures  66   a,  shafts  68   a,  coupling portions  70   a,  and biasing devices  174   a′.    
      Referring again to  FIGS. 5-9 , each of guide assemblies  30 ′ include a rotating member  80 ′ and a force translation assembly  90 ′ having a plate component  92 ′ and pins  94   a ′,  94   b ′. Pins  94   a ′,  94   b ′ are configured to interact with guide segments  60  and support structures  62 ′. Brackets  96 ′ on guide segments  60  receive pins  94 ′, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 .  
      Force translation assemblies  90 ′ are supported on rotating member  80 ′ for co-rotation therewith. Each of rotating members  80 ′ can be rotatably coupled to system base  54  by a bearing assembly  112 . Drive element  34 ′ is engaged with each of rotating members  80 ′. Coupling devices  220 ′ is supported by system base  54  proximate rotating members  80 ′ and is operable for selectively decoupling force translation assemblies  90  from rotating members  80 ′. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , rotating members  110 ′ can be in the form of pulleys, and coupling devices  220 ′ can be in the form of air cylinders. Furthermore, as also illustrated in the Figures, drive element  34 ′ may be in the form of a cable with sufficient tensile strength to prevent stretching and the length of the conveyor system.  
      In operation, the guide positioning system of container transport system  20  locates guide segments  60  to a predetermined position within container shape envelope  52 . Initially, guide segments  60  and actuation system  32  are decoupled from one another. In particular, coupling device  38  is disengaged so that drive element  34 ′ and actuator  36  are not coupled to one another. As force translation assemblies  90 ′ are coupled to guide segments  60 ′ via pins  94 ′, coupling devices  220 ′ are operated to decouple force translation assemblies  90 ′ from rotating members  80 ′. Biasing devices  174 ′ urge guide segments  60  to a home position, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and force translation assemblies  90 ′ rotate correspondingly. Biasing devices  174 ′ can take a variety of forms, including but not limited to springs, air cylinders, and weight systems. In this manner, biasing devices  174 ′ automatically locate guide segments  60  in the home positions when force translation assemblies  90 ′ are decoupled from rotating members  80 ′. With guide segments  60  in home positions, actuation system  32  is set to correspond with the home positions and container transport system  20  is calibrated for operation. The guide positioning system of container transport system  20  may be configured to be calibrated automatically in response to an input from a user into the control device of actuation system  32 .  
      With container transport system  20  calibrated for operation, coupling device  38  couples drive element  34 ′ to actuator  36 , and coupling devices  220 ′ couples force translation assemblies  90 ′ for rotation with rotating members  80 ′. Next, a predetermined position of guide segments  60  is input into the control device of actuation system  32 . In response, actuation system  32  operates actuator  36  to move drive element  34 ′. Force translation assemblies  90 ′ and rotating members  80 ′ thereby rotate causing pins  94 ′ to move guide segments  60 . In particular, pins  94 ′ move along brackets  96 ′ and push guide segments  60  inwardly away from the home position to a predetermined position within container shape envelope  52 , as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 . Guide segments  60  are maintained in the predetermined position for a given bottle being transported in container transport system  20 . The system may be adjusted by further providing an input to re-locate the guide segments  60  as needed. Accordingly, container transport system  20  can accommodate a variety of container shapes and sizes.  
      As explained above, during operation of container transport system  20 , it may be desirable or necessary to recalibrate container transport system  20 . According to the principles of the present disclosure, in order to recalibrate container transport system  20 , coupling device  38  uncouples drive element  34 ′ and actuator  36 , and coupling device  220 ′ uncouples force translation assemblies  90 ′ and rotating members  80 ′. Therefore, Biasing devices  174 ′ re-locate guide segments  60  in the home position. Actuation system  32  can again be set in correspondence with the home position of guide segments  60 . As a result, container transport system  20  is recalibrated. The guide positioning system of container transport system  20  can be configured to be recalibrated automatically in response to an input from a user into the control device of actuation system  32 . The components of container transport system  20  are then reengaged and again operated as described above.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a curved section  230 ′ of transport line  22  is shown. By using drive element  34 ′ that is flexible (other than in tension), container transport system  20  is readily adaptable for use with a transport line  22  that has a portion such as a wire cable or roller chain, with a non-linear path which may rise or fall in elevation as well as turn in various directions. Guide assemblies  30 ′ are coupled along portion  230 ′. Guide segments  60  of guide assemblies  30 ′ have a curved shape corresponding to portion  230 ′. Drive element  34 ′ extends between guide assemblies  30 ′ along portion  230 ′. The length of guide segments  60  required to extend continuously along portion  230 ′ varies depending on the position of guide segments  60 . Accordingly, guide segments  60 ′ along portion  230 ′ include extensions  240 ′. Each of extensions  240 ′ are attached beneath one of guide segments  60  proximate an end thereof. When guide segments  60  are positioned so as to have gaps between the ends thereof, extensions  240 ′ provide a surface for containers  24  to engage with when traveling across the gap.  
      The present disclosure may vary in many ways. A preferred configuration of the container transport system  20  of the present disclosure includes one guide assembly for approximately every five feet of transport line  22 . Additionally, a preferred configuration would include multiple actuators  36 , the number depending on the length of transport line  22 . As presently preferred, a single actuator  36  can be used to separate one hundred feet of transport line  22 . Thus, in such a configuration, one drive element  34  and one actuator  36  could operate up to forty guide assemblies  30 . Actuators  36  are included which provide a desired accuracy corresponding to the size of container shape envelopes. Suitable actuators  36  may include fluidic muscles, pneumatic motors, hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders stepper motors, servo motors, stepped air cylinders, and servo air cylinders, but it is anticipated that others may be used. Additionally, the control device of actuation system  32  can take a variety of forms well known in the art.  
      The components of a container transport system according to the principles of the present disclosure can be made of a variety of materials. In a typical embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive elements are flexible. As such, suitable materials for both include roller chains, wire rope and steel cables. It is anticipated that other materials can be used for the drive elements. The guide segments can be shaped to correspond to the path of transport line  22 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , and must be sufficiently rigid to maintain shape while interacting with containers  24  traveling along transport line  22 . By way of non-limiting example, the guide segments can include ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. Furthermore, the base components and shafts of the support structures can also include UHMW polyethylene. Alternatively, the guide segments may be an extruded metal component which employs a UHMW guide cover to prevent wear on the guide segment.  
      According to the principles of the present disclosure, transport line  22  may take a variety of configurations and paths. Likewise containers  24  can have a variety of shapes and sizes and container shape envelope  52 . As such, it is to be understood that the guide segments and actuation systems  32  can be coupled in a variety of ways.  
      This disclosure is exemplary in nature and, as such, variations which do not depart from the gist of this disclosure are and intended to be within the scope of this disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.