SORTING MODULE FOR BAG CHECKING MACHINES

Abstract

Sorting module for bags checking machines, of the type that are installed before the bag can enter the checking machine comprising driving means that activate the module, and in that comprises: a pressure roller (102) that puts pressure on the bags (1) as they pass through under said roller (102), which has an ascending and a descending motion, a first input roller (101) connected to conveyance means (4) of the checking machine and to the pressure roller (102), and at least one automatic or manually-operated diverter element (103) positioned bellow pressure roller (102), which has at least two positions, a first upward position that blocks the passing of the bags towards the conveyance means (4) and guides the bags towards another predetermined destination, and a second downward position that defines a passage (105) formed by the conveyance means (4), said diverter element (103) blocks the passing of the bags (1) towards the other predetermined destination and guides the bags (1) towards the passage (105).

Claims

1. A bag checking machine with a sorting module, installed before the bag can enter the checking machine, which comprises driving means that activate the module, characterized in that it comprises: a pressure roller (102) that puts pressure on the bags (1) as they pass through under said roller (102), which has an ascending and a descending motion, a first input roller (101) connected to conveyance means (4) of the checking machine and to the pressure roller (102), and at least one automatic or manually-operated diverter element (103) positioned bellow pressure roller (102), which has at least two positions, a first upward position that blocks the passing of the bags towards the conveyance means (4) and guides the bags towards another predetermined destination, and a second downward position that defines a passage (105) formed by the conveyance means (4), said diverter element (103) blocks the passing of the bags (1) towards the other predetermined destination and guides the bags (1) towards the passage (105).

2. The bag checking machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the pressure roller (102) is driven by the conveyance means (4) and is integrated with the conveyance means.

3. The bag checking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure roller (102) is driven by friction.

4. The bag checking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure roller (102) is driven by driving means.

5. The bag checking machine according to claim 2, characterized in that is comprises a second input roller (104) connected to the pressure roller (102).

6. The bag checking machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one diverter element (103) is a nail.

7. The bag checking machine according to claim 6, characterized in that when the nails (103) take the upwards position, the pressure roller (102) likewise moves upwards, and the nails (103) block the passing of the bags (1) to the conveyance means (4).

8. The bag checking machine according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises passing means (2) and when said passing means (2) detect a delay in the passing of the bags (1) the pressure roller (102) moves upwards and if the passing means (2) continues detecting the delay of the bags, they move the nails (103) to an upwards position, thus blocking the passing of the bags (1) towards the conveyance means (4).

9. The bag checking machine according to claim 3, characterized in that is comprises a second input roller (104) connected to the pressure roller (102).

10. The bag checking machine according to claim 4, characterized in that is comprises a second input roller (104) connected to the pressure roller (102).

11. The bag checking machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one diverter element (103) is a nail.

12. The bag checking machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one diverter element (103) is a nail.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] To facilitate the explanation of the invention, seven sheets of drawings are included herein. The drawings represent a practical embodiment, which is cited as a non-limiting example of the scope of the present invention, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a view of the general operation of the module, in a position of passing towards the passage when the bag is coming from a drum machine.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1 with a simulation of a jam.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a view of the general operation of the module in a position of passing towards the predetermined destination when the bag is coming from a drum machine.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a view of the general operation of the module in a position of passing towards the passage when the bag is coming from a flat conveyor belt.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a view of the general operation of the module, in a position of passing towards the predetermined destination, with the bag coming from a flat conveyor belt.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a modification of FIG. 1 by adding a second input roller; and

[0023] FIG. 7 is a modification of FIG. 4 by adding a second input roller.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0024] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a bag 1, passing means 2, conveyance means 4, a drum 5 having an outer gripper 6 and a cam 7, a first input roller 101, a pressure roller 102, a diverter element 103 and a passage 105.

[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate bag 1, passing means 2, conveyance means 4, first input roller 101, pressure roller 102, diverter element 103, passage 105 and a conveyance belt 106.

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates bag 1, passing means 2, conveyance means 4, drum 5, outer gripper 6, cam 7, first input roller 101, pressure roller 102, diverter element 103, passage 105 and a second input roller 104.

[0027] Last, FIG. 7 shows bag 1, passing means 2, conveyance means 4, first input roller 101, pressure roller 102, diverter element 103, second input roller 104, passage 105 and conveyor belt 106.

[0028] Thus, in a practical embodiment, the present sorting module for bag checking machines, is one of the types that are installed before the bag enters the checking machine, that is, between the bag feeder machine and bag checking machine.

[0029] This module comprises driving means of a known type (not shown) that activate the module, for example, a servo motor.

[0030] The module comprises a pressure roller 102 that puts pressure on the bags 1 as they pass through under said roller 102. It should be noted that this pressure roller 102 has an ascending motion that allows that any bags 1 that could have been blocked or trapped to be detected by the passing means 2 to pass, and a descending motion to recover its initial position.

[0031] The upward motion can also be used to facilitate the passing of the bags 1 on their way to the predetermined destination, allowing the diverter element 103 to fully free the flow of the bag 1 (FIG. 3).

[0032] In addition, the module comprises a first input roller 101 that is connected to the conveyance means 4 of the checking machines and to the pressure roller 102.

[0033] EI pressure roller 102 may be driven by the conveyance means 4 and be formed as a part of the conveyance means 4, as it is shown in the drawings. Otherwise, the pressure roller 102 can be driven by its friction with the drum 5 or the conveyor belt 106 or by independent driving means, such as an engine.

[0034] The module in addition comprises at least one diverter element 103 (the number of the diverter elements 103 will depend on the width of the module) that can be automatic or manually driven, that is, it will be either started by the passing means 2 upon detecting the jam, or an operator will start it manually upon reception of a signal from the passing means 2.

[0035] The diverter element 103 is positioned under del pressure roller 102, and has at least two positions, a first upward position which blocks the passing of the bags towards the conveyance means 4 (FIGS. 3 y 5) and guides them towards another predetermined destination.

[0036] The second position arranges the diverter element 103 downwards (FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7) which thus defines a passage 105 formed by the conveyance means 4; the diverter element 103 thus blocks the passing of the bags 1 towards the other predetermined destination and guides them towards the passage 105.

[0037] Optionally, the module can comprise a second input roller 104 connecting the pressure roller 102 (FIGS. 6 y 7) that allows keeping the bag 1 under pressure and to continue its due course towards the passage 105 or to the predetermined destination.

[0038] One of the possible embodiments of the diverter element 103 is in the form of a, as shown in the figures, but other shapes or configurations could be used depending on the machines in which the module is to be fitted. The number of nails will depend on the size of the module, starting from one nail.

[0039] As above stated, one of the embodiment comprises that when the nails 103 are in the upwards position, the pressure roller 102 is likewise moved upwards, the nails 103 thereby completely blocking the passing of the bags 1 to the conveyance means 4 (FIG. 3), thus facilitating the passing of the bags to the predetermined destination.

[0040] Optionally, when the passing means 2 detect a delay in the passing of the bags 1, the pressure roller 102 moves upwards and, if the passing means 2 keep detecting the delay, they cause the nails 103 to move to the upwards position, thus blocking the passing of the bags 1 to the conveyance means 4 (FIG. 2). In other words, at a first moment, the passing means 2 attempt to let the bag that is delayed, for example, because it is higher than the normal, to pass towards the passage 105 by elevating the pressure roller 102 to avoid a jam. If this fails, the nails 103 move upwards, redirect the bags to the predetermined destination, and gradually stop the machines in use to allow the jammed bags 1 to be removed.

[0041] Constructively, it can be configured that the first input roller 101 be formed integrally with the conveyance means 4, thus facilitating both the operation and the implementation of the modules.

[0042] The module works similarly when the feeding machine is fed by the drum 5 and when it is fed by the conveyor belt 106.

[0043] If a conveyor belt 106 is used, the same conveyor belt 106 leaves bag 1 near the diverter element 103 and if the diverter element 103 is in a position for conveying the bag 1 to the passage 105, it will divert its course and make the bag 1 pass under the pressure roller 102 and then through the first input roller 101, which provides for its admission into passage 105.

[0044] If the passing means 102 detect a problem, the pressure roller 102 will be elevated to let the bag 1 pass anyway. If the passing means 102 detect that the bag 1 has still not passed, they will change the diverter element 103 so that the bags 1 continue their course through the conveyor belt 106 until a different predetermined destination and, at the same time, the machine will gradually come to a stop.

[0045] If a drum 5 is provided, the bag 1 would be released from the outer gripper 6 by the interaction of the cam 7 in the manner described in document WO2019115840 of the same applicant.

[0046] Once the passing means 2 detect the jam, they will anyway rise the pressure roller 102, and if the passing means 2 detect that the bag 1 has still not passed to the passage 105, then the diverter element 103 would change its position so that the bags proceed to the predetermined destination and, at the same time, the machine will gradually come to a stop.

[0047] This invention describes a new sorting module for bag checking machines. The examples mentioned herein are not intended to limit the present invention, which may have different applications and/or adaptations, all of which are within the scope of the following claims.