A MOUNTING DEVICE FOR MOUNTING A SCREW FEEDER TO A COMBINATION WEIGHER

Abstract

A mounting device for mounting a screw feeder to a combination weigher allows an operator to mount a screw feeder to a motor unit assembly of a combination weigher by placing the screw feeder to the motor unit assembly such that the actual rotation of the motor ensures the actual mounting of the screw feeder to the motor unit.

Claims

1.-19. (canceled)

20. A mounting device for mounting a screw feeder to a combination weigher, comprising: a cylindrical mounting end having an outer diameter being essentially the same or less than an inner diameter of a hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap, where one of the cylindrical mounting end and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a first pin structure and the other one of the cylindrical mounting end and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a first receiving slot and a first longitudinal arranged mounting slot, the first receiving slot extending from a free end along a first longitudinal axis towards a first position, where the first receiving slot is designed for allowing the first pin structure to slide therein when the cylindrical mounting end slides into the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap until the first pin structure reaches the first position, the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot having a second longitudinal axis forming an angle in relation to the first longitudinal axis of the first receiving slot, where one of the cylindrical mounting end and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises an attachment end for attachment to a motor unit, whereby during operation of a rotational movement of the motor unit, the first pin structure becomes automatically advanced from the first position and along the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot causing the first pin structure to be propped therein.

21. The mounting device according to claim 20, where the cylindrical mounting end comprises the first pin structure and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises the first receiving slot and the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot.

22. The mounting device according to claim 20, where the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises the first pin structure and the cylindrical mounting end comprises the first receiving slot and the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot.

23. The mounting device according to claim 20, where the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises the attachment end for attachment to the motor unit.

24. The mounting device according to claim 23, wherein the cylindrical mounting end forms part of the screw feeder.

25. The mounting device according to claim 20, where the cylindrical mounting end comprises the attachment end for attachment to the motor unit.

26. The mounting device according to claim 25, wherein the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap forms part of the screw feeder.

27. The mounting device according to claim 26, wherein the hollow cylindrical shaped cap is configured to receive the cylindrical mounting end in an axial passage extending through the hollow cylindrical shaped cap between a receiving opening configured to receive the cylindrical mounting end and an axially opposite second opening which is circumferentially enclosed by a spiral shaped structure.

28. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein one of the cylindrical mounting end and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a second pin structure and the other one of the cylindrical mounting end and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a second receiving slot and a second longitudinal arranged mounting slot, the second receiving slot extending from a free end along a longitudinal axis towards a second position, where the second receiving slot is designed for allowing the second pin structure to slide therein and thus the cylindrical mounting end to slide into the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap until the second pin structure reaches the second position, the second longitudinal arranged mounting slot having a second longitudinal axis forming an angle in relation to a first longitudinal axis of the second receiving slot, wherein during operation of a rotational movement of the motor unit, the second pin structure becomes automatically advanced from the second position and along the second longitudinal arranged mounting slot causing the second pin structure to be propped therein.

29. The mounting device according to claim 28, wherein the first pin structure and the second pin structure are formed on the same hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap or cylindrical mounting end.

30. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein the first pin structure is formed on the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap, and the second pin structure is formed on the cylindrical mounting end.

31. The mounting device of claim 20, wherein at least one of the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot and second longitudinal arranged mounting slot defines a first section, having a component in a forward direction along the first longitudinal axis and a component along the second longitudinal axis.

32. The mounting device of claim 31, wherein at least one of the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot and the second longitudinal arranged mounting slot defines a second section, having a component along the second longitudinal axis and a component in a rearward direction which is opposite the forward direction along the first longitudinal axis thereby forming a pocket in which the first or second pin structure can be received.

33. The mounting device of claim 30, wherein the first section is closer to the first receiving slot or second receiving slot than the second section.

34. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot and second longitudinal arranged mounting slot defines a first section extending in the direction of the second longitudinal axis, and a second section extending along the first longitudinal axis.

35. The mounting device according to claim 34, wherein the second section extends transverse to the first section from one side of the first section to an opposite side of the first section.

36. The mounting device of claim 20, wherein at least one of the first and second pin structure has a non-circular cross-section.

37. The mounting device according to claim 20, wherein the cylindrical mounting end has the outer diameter being essentially the same or less than the inner diameter of a hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap over an insertion section having a length exceeding a diameter of the cylindrical mounting end.

38. A combination weigher comprising a dispersion unit adapted to radially disperse food products dropped in from above and onto the dispersion unit, and a plurality of trenches along and below a periphery of the dispersion unit extending radially away from the dispersion unit, where the trenches comprise receiving ends where the radially disperse food products are received from the dispersion unit and outfeed ends where the food products are released from the trenches, where each of the trenches is provided with a motor unit arranged below the associated trench, where the combination weigher comprises multiple of screw feeders associated with each of the trenches, where each of the screw feeders is joined to a motor by a mounting device according claim 20.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an example of a prior art combination weigher,

[0035] FIGS. 2 to 4, including FIGS. 2(a) to 4(b), show an embodiment of a screw feeder to be used e.g. in relation to a combination weigher shown in FIG. 1,

[0036] FIGS. 5-6 illustrate details of pockets of the longitudinal arranged mounting slots;

[0037] FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an embodiment where the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap forms part of the screw feeder and the cylindrical mounting end comprises an attachment end for attachment to a motor unit;

[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment, and

[0039] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0040] FIGS. 2 to 4 show an embodiment of a screw feeder 200 to be used e.g. in relation to a combination weigher shown in FIG. 1, where the screw feeder comprises a cylindrical mounting end 201 comprising, in this embodiment, two outwardly extending pin structures 202a,b, where at an opposite end of the mounting end is a spiral shaped like structure 204 similar to the spiral shaped structure 104 shown in FIG. 1. The number of outwardly extending pin structures should however not be construed as being limited to two such structures, a single such pin structure may just as well be implemented or more than two.

[0041] The outer diameter of the cylindrical mounting end 201 is essentially the same or less than an inner diameter of a hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap 203. As shown here, the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a free end 210 and an opposite attachment end 211 comprising an engaging structure 212 for mechanically attaching the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap to a motor unit (not shown).

[0042] The hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap 203 comprises a first receiving slot 205a and a second receiving slot (not shown here) extending from the free end 210 along a longitudinal axis 207 of the receiving cap towards a first position, where the receiving slots are designed for allowing the outwardly extending pin structures 202a,b to slide therein and thus the cylindrical mounting end to slide into the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap.

[0043] The cylindrical shaped receiving cap 203 further comprises longitudinal arranged mounting slots 206a,b which second longitudinal axis 208 forms an angle in relation to a first longitudinal axis of the receiving slot, or as shown here, a 90° angle.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows the step where the screw feeder is moved (by an operator) as indicated by arrow towards the first/second receiving slots 205a,b.

[0045] FIG. 3 depicts where the outwardly extending pin structure 202a (same applies for the pin structure 202b on the opposite site) has reached a first position which may be defined as a bottom position of the first receiving slot 205a,b, i.e. where the mounting end 201 of the screw feeder is resting in the receiving cap 203.

[0046] FIG. 4 depicts the scenario where the motor (not shown) is started causing the receiving cap 203 to rotate as indicated by arrow 412 causing the outwardly extending pin structure 202a to automatically move towards an end position of the longitudinal arranged mounting slot 206a until it reaches the end position thereof and becomes automatically propped therein. This embodiment shows two such pin structures, the same occurs for the pin structure 202b on the other side (not shown) in the mounting slot 206b. Accordingly, an operator only needs to push the screw feeder 200 into the first receiving slot 205a,b where the respective pin structures slide through the respective slots 205a,b, where after subsequent starting of the motor, the screw feeder becomes automatically fixed to the receiving cap as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0047] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, the first and second longitudinal arranged mounting slots 206a,b define pockets 401, c.f. FIG. 4. The pockets are configured to receive the first and second pin structures 202a, b.

[0048] The pockets are shown in the schematic view of FIG. 5 and are defined by use of the illustrated Cartesian space. The first section extends along the arrow 501 and has a component y′ in a forward direction along the first longitudinal axis 207, i.e. a component in the Y direction of the illustrated Cartesian space. It also has a component x′ in the direction of the second longitudinal axis (208), i.e. a component in the X direction of the illustrated Cartesian space.

[0049] The second section extends along the arrow 502 and has a component in the direction of the second longitudinal axis 208, i.e. the component x″, and a component in a rearward direction which is opposite the forward direction along the first longitudinal axis 207, i.e. the component y″. This forms pockets at the location illustrated by the dots 503, 504 in which the first or second pin structure can be received.

[0050] The first section illustrated by arrow 501 is closer to the first receiving slot 205 (or to the second receiving slot) than the second section illustrated by arrow 502.

[0051] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment where the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap forms part of the screw feeder, and the attachment end 211 is part of the cylindrical mounting end.

[0052] The hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap defines a passage which is sized to receive the cylindrical mounting end. The passage extends axially between a receiving opening where the cylindrical mounting end is to be inserted and an axially opposite second opening pointing into the screw thread structure of the screw feeder. The axial passage is indicated by the arrow 701.

[0053] In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a first and a second inwardly extending pin structure 202a, b which are received in the first and second receiving slot 205a,b.

[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates schematically the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot 206a or the second longitudinal arranged mounting slot 206b in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0055] In this embodiment, the longitudinal arranged mounting slot defines a first section extending in the direction of the second longitudinal axis 208, illustrated in FIG. 6 with the arrow 601, and a second section extending along the first longitudinal axis 207, illustrated in FIG. 6 with the arrow 602. The second section extends transverse to the first section from one side of the first section to an opposite side of the first section. This forms pockets at the location illustrated by the dots 603, 604 in which the first or second pin structure can be received.

[0056] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment where the cylindrical mounting end 201 comprises the first pin structure 202a, and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap 203 comprises the first receiving slot 205a and the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot 206a. In this embodiment, the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap forms part of the screw feeder 200 and the cylindrical mounting end 201 comprises the attachment end 211 for attachment to a motor unit.

[0057] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment where the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap 203 comprises the first pin structure 202a and the cylindrical mounting end comprises the first receiving slot and the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot 206a. In this embodiment, the cylindrical mounting end forms part of the screw feeder 200 and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap 203 comprises the attachment end 211 for attachment to a motor unit.

[0058] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and 7-8 the first and second pin structures 202a,b are formed on that one of the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap 203 or cylindrical mounting end 201 which forms part of the screw feeder 200. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, the pin structures 202a,b are formed on that one of the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap 203 or cylindrical mounting end 201 which forms the attachment end 211 for attachment of the motor unit.

[0059] The embodiment corresponding to FIGS. 2-4 and 7-8 may be preferred, particularly since the pin structures are formed in one part with the screw feeder. During attachment of the screw feeder to the motor unit, it may be an advantage to manipulate the screw feeder with the pin structure.

Numbered Further Embodiments

[0060] 1. A mounting device for mounting a screw feeder (200) to a combination weigher, comprising: [0061] a cylindrical mounting end (201) comprising a first outwardly extending pin structure (202a), where the outer diameter of the cylindrical mounting end is essentially the same or less than an inner diameter of a hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap (203), where the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a free end (210) and an opposite mounting end (211) for mechanically mounting the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap to a motor unit, [0062] where the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a first receiving slot (205a) extending from the free end along a longitudinal axes of the receiving cap towards a first position (311), where the first receiving slot is designed for allowing the first outwardly extending pin structure (202a) to slide therein and thus the cylindrical mounting end (201) to slide into the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap (203) until the first outwardly extending pin structure (202a) reaches the first position, where the cylindrical shaped receiving cap further comprises a first longitudinal arranged mounting slot (206a) which second longitudinal axis (208) forms an angle in relation to a first longitudinal axis (207) of the first receiving slot, [0063] whereby during operation of a rotational movement of the motor unit and thus the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap, the first outwardly extending pin structure becomes automatically advances from the first position and along the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot causing the first outwardly extending pin structure to be propped therein.

[0064] 2. The screw feeder according to embodiment 1, wherein the cylindrical mounting end further comprises a second outwardly extending pin structure, and where the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap further comprises a second receiving slot and a second longitudinal arranged mounting slot designed in essentially the same manner as said first receiving slot and said first longitudinal arranged mounting slot, where the second receiving slot and the second longitudinal arranged mounting slot are designed to engage with the second outwardly extending pin structure in essentially the same manner as said first receiving slot and the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot engage with said first outwardly extending pin structure.

[0065] 3. A combination weigher comprising a dispersion unit adapted to radially disperse food products dropped in from above and onto the dispersion unit, and a plurality of trenches along and below a periphery of the dispersion unit extending radially away from the dispersion unit, where the trenches comprise receiving ends where the radially disperse food products are received from the dispersion unit and outfeed ends where the food products are released from the trenches, where each of the trenches is provided with a motor unit arranged below the associated trench having a hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap having a free end and an opposite mounting end for mechanically mounting the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap to the motor unit, where the combination weigher comprises multiple of screw feeders associated with each of the trenches, where each of the screw feeders comprises a mounting device which comprises: [0066] a cylindrical mounting end having a first outwardly extending pin structure, where the outer diameter of the cylindrical mounting end is essentially the same or less than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap, where the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a first receiving slot extending from the free end thereof and along a longitudinal axes of the receiving cap towards a first position, where the first receiving slot is designed for allowing the first outwardly extending pin structure to slide therein and thus the cylindrical mounting end to slide into the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap, where the cylindrical shaped receiving cap further comprises a first longitudinal arranged mounting slot which second longitudinal axis forms an angle in relation to a first longitudinal axis of the first receiving slot, [0067] whereby during operation of a rotational movement of the motor unit and thus the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap, the first outwardly extending pin structure becomes automatically advances from the first position and along the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot causing the first outwardly extending pin structure to be propped therein.

[0068] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.