SYSTEM FOR PLACING ELEMENTS IN AN ORDERLY FASHION

Abstract

System for placing elements in an orderly fashion, which comprises a conveyor belt (1) variable in length that projects or retracts itself to convey and deposit elements; a separator (3) for selecting an active container and separating at least the active container from a plurality of stacked containers, thus creating a gap that enables the insertion of the conveyor belt (1). The separator (3) and the conveyor belt (1) are coordinated such that, the conveyor belt (1) is designed to vary in length by either projecting or retracting itself as the elements pass from the conveyor belt (1) to the active container

Claims

1. A system for placing elements in an orderly fashion, comprising: a conveyor belt variable in length designed to convey elements, a separator designed to select an active container and separate al least the active container from a plurality of stacked containers, thus creating a gap that enables the insertion of the conveyor belt, wherein the separator and the conveyor belt are coordinated such that, the conveyor belt is designed to vary in length by either projecting or retracting itself as the elements pass from the conveyor belt to the active container

2. The system according to claim 1, comprising a mobile module associated with the conveyor belt designed to move sideways the conveyor belt for placing an additional row of elements into the active container.

3. The system according to claim 1, comprising a mobile module associated with the conveyor belt designed to move vertically the conveyor belt up to a new active container.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the separator is designed to select and separate a new active container when the conveyor belt is in its retracted or projected position.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the separator comprises arms for handling at least two containers simultaneously.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the length variation of the conveyor belt is a function of the belt linear speed of the of the conveyor belt.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the length variation of the conveyor belt is a function of the container size.

8. The system according to claims, wherein the length variation of the conveyor belt is a function of the type of element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] FIG. 1A: Is a longitudinal sectional view of the conveyor belt.

[0021] FIG. 1B: Is a perspective view of the conveyor belt.

[0022] FIG. 2A: Is a perspective view of the mobile module associated with the conveyor belt.

[0023] FIG. 2B: Is a side view of the mobile module.

[0024] FIG. 2C: Is a top view of the mobile module.

[0025] FIG. 3A: Is a perspective view the tray separator, on site.

[0026] FIG. 3B: Is a side view of the tray separator.

[0027] FIG. 3C: Is a top view of the tray separator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] With reference to the previous figures, a non-limiting exemplary embodiment is set forth for clarity purposes.

[0029] In FIG. 1A, a sectional view of the conveyor belt 1 is shown, in which some of its elements can be observed. In particular, a guide 11 that is projected longitudinally varying the length of the endless belt 12. The mechanism that enables the extension is mainly formed by a first motor 14, which activates the guide 11 and a second motor 16, which activates a motor roller 15 for driving the endless belt 12 so as to make it extensible and retractable. An idler pulley 13 keeps the endless belt stretched. FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of the same conveyor belt 1 depositing elements into a tray 10. The elements, flexible packagings in this case, are deposited directly into a stackable tray without having to group the packagings previously or picking them up. This way, it is possible to do without additional systems such as mechanical clamps or suction systems, which are slower and more complex.

[0030] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a mobile module 2 where the conveyor belt 1 is to be mounted so it can move vertically and sideways. In FIGS. 2B and 2C a side and a top view of said mobile module can be observed, wherein the motion is signalled with arrows. A lifting support 22 is responsible of the vertical motion; insofar a pair of side moving guides 21 transmits a lateral movement.

[0031] FIG. 3A illustrates the separator 3 that enables creating between the trays 10 or containers a space for the insertion of the conveyor belt 1 by means of arms 31, which select a tray, hold it whilst they separate the tray from the other trays stacked above. In FIGS. 3B and 3C a side and a top view can be observed, wherein the motion of the arms is signalled with arrows.

[0032] Below, the operation relating to a manufacturing plant that works with flexible packagings is described. It should be understood that the present embodiment might be employed in numerous domains where it is necessary to convey elements, goods, products, etc., in an orderly fashion, with a conveyor belt and deposit them in stackable containers or trays.

[0033] To insert the product into the packaging it is not necessary to unstack the trays and move them to another place. The tray 10 separator 3 operates on site separating the trays from one another and enabling to insert directly the conveyor belt 1.

[0034] On one hand, the flexible packagings coming from filling machines, which approach forming a row with a given separation and at a given speed, are collected by the conveyor belt 1, which is extensible and retractable in a longitudinal direction, that places the packagings preferably with no separation between them, inside an active tray 1, in parallel rows, which complete the tray area.

[0035] The insertion is carried out through one of the sides of the tray; the conveyor belt 1 is located above the tray on one end and extends until reaching the opposite side of the tray, where it will start leaving the first row of packagings. At the same time, the packagings advance on the endless belt at a given speed and with a given separation, so when the first packaging reaches the end, it falls by gravity into the active tray 10, the belt 1 retracts so there is enough distance such that the following packaging falls contiguous to the previous one and they stay together. This process is repeated until completing the row. Once the row has been completed, the belt 1 moves horizontally to position itself in the second row position and simultaneously it extends again in order to reach the level at which the first packaging of that row is to be left, as described above, on the opposite side. When it initiates the extension, the linear extension velocity is greater that the linear velocity of the belt conveying the packagings and prevents the packagings from falling in the wrong location. The row insertion process is repeated until completing all the rows of a tray.

[0036] Moreover, the trays 10 are provided empty and stacked vertically in groups of a given number. This stack of trays is located in a static position. The trays separator 3 runs on site and preferably consists of four arms 31 that operate in two sets of two synchronized parallel arms and each one is capable of moving horizontally.

[0037] These two sets of arms 31, which operate independently from each other, are located at both sides of the stack of trays with a vertical travel running from the lowest tray to the uppermost tray of the stacked trays. The support of the lifter 32 is also capable of moving horizontally, which enables the arms insertion into the tray 1 at both sides and to support in this way the tray so it can be lifted. When the lifting movement is carried out with a set of two arms 31, the tray in which the claws have been inserted is lifted as well as, the trays stacked above, thus creating a gap or separation distance between the lifted trays and those that remain below. Given that there is another set of arms 31, which has exactly the same functionality, it is possible to create another gap between the trays.

[0038] Below there is an example with a stack of ten trays, for a better understanding thereof:

[0039] The trays are numbered from bottom to top, from the 1.sup.st to the 10.sup.th. A set of arms lifts the 2.sup.nd tray and leaves a gap between the 2.sup.nd and the 1.sup.st, if the other set of arms lifts the 3.sup.rd tray, it will leave a gap between the 3.sup.rd and the 2.sup.nd tray. Two gaps have been created, between the 1.sup.st and the 2.sup.nd tray, and between the 2.sup.nd and the 3.sup.rd tray. If the first set of arms comes down and leaves the 2.sup.nd tray next to the 1.sup.st, these arms will then be free and come up until the 4.sup.th tray, and lift it thus creating a gap between the 4.sup.th and the 3.sup.rd tray. In this position, there are two gaps between the 2.sup.nd and the 3.sup.rd and between the 3.sup.rd and the 4.sup.th tray. If this sequence is repeated two contiguous gaps will be created from the 1.sup.st tray to the 10.sup.th tray. Each set of arms may lift from below the lowest tray to above the uppermost tray, from the 1.sup.st to the 10.sup.th in the previous example and creates gaps between the trays. To change the stack of trays, the sets of arms move below or above the first and the last tray and there is an obstacle-free area around the stack of trays so it can be replaced whenever the process that is being carried out with it finishes.

[0040] As it can be appreciated, the belt 1 mounted on the mobile module 2 and the trays separator 3 operate interacting in a synchronised manner. The separator 3 creates the gaps between the trays 10, which are stacked and empty, while, the belt 1 deposits the packagings into the trays in an orderly fashion.

[0041] Interaction between the devices:

[0042] A set of arms 31 of the tray separator 3, separates one tray 10 from the remaining trays thus creating a gap and the other set of arms 31 creates another contiguous upper gap between the trays. The belt 1 modifies its structure in a longitudinal direction so as to deposit the packagings in rows on an empty tray 10 in the first gap, to this end it extends above the active tray 10 and retracts gradually to deposit the packagings on it. It is also capable of moving horizontally thanks to the mobile module 2, so once a row has been deposited on the tray 10, it moves on to the next parallel row, repeating this process until completing all the rows in the tray 10. At that moment, the first and second set of arms 31 come down in a synchronised manner thus eliminating the first gap by joining the trays together and liberating this set of arms. Simultaneously, the belt 1, which is capable of moving vertically thanks to the mobile module 2, moves to the level where the gap is, which previously was the second gap, and initiates its cycle of depositing packagings on this empty tray and the set of arms, which was previously the first one, creates another gap above the tray on which the packagings are now being deposited. These cycles are repeated until completing all the trays 10 of a stack.

[0043] In conclusion, the proposed system offers, among others, these advantages: [0044] It does not require grouping the elements previously for their insertion since they are deposited directly on the area of interest (which may be a tray) as they come thus avoiding eventual deformations. [0045] It is not affected by the packaging shape, the material in which the packaging is made, the weight or temperature thereof, etc. since they are conveyed on an endless belt, which inserts them directly into the tray without the intervention of any additional device and/or apparatus. [0046] It has a very high rate of packaging insertion since they are inserted directly into the tray in a continuous manner and is not necessary to pick them up, or move them, thus involving a minimum work cycle. [0047] It is a modular and flexible system given that it is possible to place one or more devices in parallel, making the system flexible with respect to its production over time. [0048] It does not require unstacking the trays and lining them up, one by one, in order to deposit packagings on them. The gaps are created in the stack itself, with the resulting space optimisation. [0049] By creating the gap in the stack itself, the cycle times are significantly reduced, thus allowing a much higher production rate.

[0050] It should be understood that is possible to use various alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Therefore, the present invention shall not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0051] 1 Conveyor belt.

[0052] 10 Tray.

[0053] 11 Guide.

[0054] 12 Endless belt.

[0055] 13 Idler pulley.

[0056] 14 First motor.

[0057] 15 Motor roller.

[0058] 16 Second motor.

[0059] 2 Mobile module.

[0060] 21 Side moving guide.

[0061] 22 Lifting support.

[0062] 3 Separator.

[0063] 31 Arm.

[0064] 32 Lifting support.