GB2488911A

GB2488911A - Counting separation and transfer of flat objects

Info

Publication number: GB2488911A
Application number: GB1204215.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gianni Marsiletti
Original assignee: Paper Converting Machine Co Italia SpA; Paper Converting Machine Co
Current assignee: Paper Converting Machine Co Italia SpA; Paper Converting Machine Co
Priority date: 2011-03-09
Filing date: 2012-03-09
Publication date: 2012-09-12
Also published as: ES2399589R1; GB201204215D0; ES2399589B1; ES2399589A2; ITMI20110364A1

Abstract

A device for the counting separation and transfer to subsequent packaging of flat objects or product 10 vertically placed in compact rows 11,12 moving forwards on a platform 2 comprises screw feeders 20 for separating at each turn a respective product from the corresponding row 11,12; separators 30 for separating each formed pack of products from the corresponding row 11,12 of products; a cylinder 40 with a plurality of racks 41 to transfer the packs of products 10 onto a conveyor for subsequent packaging. The rack 41 are adapted to extend from and re-enter the cylinder 40 at different points in the cycle.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE COUNTING, SEPARATION AND

TRANSFER TO SUBSEQUENT PACKAGING OF FLAT OBJECTS

DESCRIPTION

S

The present invention relates to a device and a method for the counting, separation and transfer to subsequent packaging of flat objects, in particular single-use products of paper, board, tissue, nonwoven or similar materials.

In particular the products in question have a certain thickness (grams per square metre greater than 80g/sq. m) and are normally separated into packs of a few units, for example from two to ten.

Devices of this type, also known by the name of "transferers", are used for the counting and the automatic separation of flat objects of small thickness, such as paper napkins, for the formation of packs containing at least twenty items.

These devices are not suitable for handling flat obj ects with the grams per square metre indicated, to which the present invention refers.

The counting and the separation into packs of these flat objects of a certain thickness are operations which are currently performed manually or with machines which require manual intervention by the operator.

EP 037193 1A1 discloses a method and device for the discharging and automatic transfer into packets of paper serviettes, from a production machine to a packaging machine. The method consists in separating each formed package of products from a corresponding row of products and transferring the package of products, by means of a turnover of about 90° on a conveyor for the subsequent packaging.

An object of the present invention is to address such disadvantages of the prior art, providing a device which enables the counting, the separation and the transfer of flat objects in a fully automatic manner, without requiring interventions by an operator.

Another obj ect of the present invention is to provide such a device which is reliable, of simple design and economical to manufacture.

These objects are achieved by a device in accordance with the invention with the S features listed in independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of a device according to the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims.

The invention also relates to a method for the counting, the separation and the transfer to subsequent packaging of flat objects having the features disclosed in independent claim 11.

A device according to the invention substantially comprises: two screw feeders placed at the sides of the same number of rows of vertically placed products, suitable for selecting single products; two separators which intervene from above on the rows of products to separate the respective packs formed; a cylinder with racks re-entering and exiting from its surface for the transfer of the packs of products onto a belt conveyor for the subsequent packaging.

Further features of the invention will be made clearer by the following detailed description of a non-limiting example embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate schematically in perspective the essential components of a device according to the invention in three different working phases; Figures 4, 5 and 6 are schematic views, respectively a side elevation, a plan view from above and a frontal, partially sectioned view, of a machine incorporating the device according to the invention; Figure 7 is a frontal view of the device, enlarged in relation to Figure 6, showing only the transfer cylinder and relative drives; Figure 8 is a side view of the device, enlarged in relation to Figure 4, showing in particular the means of separation of the products; Figures 9a and 9b are schematic side views taken respectively in the direction of arrows A and B of Figure 6; Figure 10 is an enlarged view of Figure 9a showing a succession of positions of a rack viewed from the damping side; Figures 11 a, 1 lb and 11 c are fictitious views of the right side of the machine of Figure 6, taken in the direction of the arrow A, i.e. in the opposite direction to that of Figure S 9b, showing a succession of positions of the racks during the rotation of the transfer cylinder.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate, in its essential components, a device according to the invention, for the counting, separation and transfer to subsequent packaging of flat objects, denoted overall by reference numeral 100, which, in Figures 4, 5 and 6, is mounted on a machine fitted with a frame, denoted overall by reference numeral 1.

The flat objects which are counted and separated by a device according to the invention are in particular single-use products of paper, board, tissue, nonwoven and similar materials, having grams per square metre normally not lower than 80g/sq. rn, and which are divided into packs which normally contain from two to ten products.

The single flat objects or products 10 (Figures 1-3) exiting the production machine (not shown) move forwards in two compact rows 11, 12, vertically placed on the platform 2 of the machine (Figure 5).

The device 100 according to the invention substantially comprises two screw feeders 20, placed on the outer side of the respective rows of products 11, 12, and actuated by respective independent motor drives, in particular brushless motors 21; two separators 30 placed above the two rows of products 11, 12, also actuated by independent motor drives, in particular brushless motors 31; a cylinder 40 with racks 41, three in number in the example shown, placed at 120° degrees one in relation to the other and designed in such a way as to re-enter the cylinder 40 and exit from its shell 42 until positioning in a radial position, perpendicular to the shell; a series of belts 50 for the transfer of the packs of products, which alternate with the teeth 43 of the racks 41.

All the elements mentioned above are described in greater detail herein below.

Figure 8 shows in greater detail the configuration of a screw feeder 20, which is made up of a disk 27, with a radial opening 22, bordered by bevelled edges 23 of the disk, wherein a single product 10 is inserted at each turn of the screw feeder, to be separated from the corresponding row 11, 12 and made to move forwards towards the corresponding rack 41.

S

Each turn of the screw feeders 20 corresponds also to a small angular movement of the cylinder 40 carrying the rack 41, in such a way as to create the space necessary for the successive product 10 (Figure 2).

Having reached the predetermined number of products 10 of which the pack is to be composed, the separators 30 intervene, which in the example illustrated are made up of oscillating levers, which move from a horizontal position of disengagement from the products (Figure 1) to a vertical position, rotated through approximately 90°, to be positioned between the newly composed pack of products and the corresponding row 11, 12 of products in arrival (Figure 2).

The separators 30 are provided with a nozzle 32, schematised in Figure 8, through which a puff of air 33 is blown on the packs of products formed (Figure 2) to keep them adherent to the rack 41 in the initial phase of rotation of the rack for the transfer of the packs of products on the belts 50 (Figure 3).

In fact, as soon as the pack of products is formed (Figure 2) the cylinder 40 starts a rapid rotation through 120°. At approximately 90° of rotation the packs of products are placed on the transport belts or aprons 50, as shown in Figure 3. At the end of the rapid travel of 120° a successive rack is positioned as in Figure 1, in the exact position for the start of the composition of a new pack of products.

During the rotation of the cylinder 40, the racks 41 re-enter and exit from the shell 42 of the cylinder, through appropriate slits 45 formed in the same, with a continuous movement dictated by a cam 60, as will be described in greater detail herein below.

Figures 6 and 7 show in greater detail the cylinder 40 carrying the racks 41, whose axis 46 is driven in rotation, on the left side of the drawing, by an appropriate motor not shown.

The cam 60 which drives the movement of the racks 41 is mounted in a fixed position on the right side of the cylinder 40, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, and is shown in the "fictitious" views of Figures 11 a, b, c, taken in the direction of the arrow A of S Figure 6.

Figure 9b shows a view of the right side of the cylinder 40 taken in the direction of the arrow B of Figure 6, where however the cam 60 is not shown.

Figures 9a and 10 show instead a view of the cylinder 40 from the left side of Figure 6 in the direction of the arrow A, to illustrate the damping device of the racks.

Arrows in the various drawings indicate the direction of rotation of the cylinder 40.

Figures 1 la, b, c show the cylinder 40 in a succession of three different angular positions wherein there is the exiting of a rack and the re-entering of another.

As can be seen, the cam 60 has a substantially circular profile 47 which extends parallel to the profile of the cylinder 40 to re-enter slightly, distancing itself more from the profile of the cylinder, in the terminal section 48 on the left in Figures 11. In its initial part, on the right in Figures 11, the cam 60 has a sharp recess 49, wherefrom the aforesaid circular section 47 departs.

Each rack 41 is carried by a shaft 70, keyed on a lever 71, whereon a pin 72 is mounted with bearing 73, acting as a cam follower, as will be explained in greater detail herein below.

At the end of the lever 71, opposite that of keying of the shaft 70, the end of a return spring 74 is hooked, whose other end is fixed to the corresponding lateral wall of the cylinder 40, passing around an idle pulley 75.

Each spring 74 tends to hold the corresponding rack 41 in extracted position from the cylinder 40, when the bearing 73 is not engaged with the cam 60.

Figures 1 la, b, c show the exiting of a rack, denoted by reference numeral 41.1, from the profile of the cylinder 40, and the re-entering of a second rack denoted by reference numeral 41.2. The third rack cannot be seen, as in the angular rotation shown between Figures 1 la and 11 c, it always remains inside the profile of the cylinder 40.

As can been seen in Figure 1 la, the rack 41.1 is exiting the cylinder 40, as the bearing 73 carried by the lever 71 has covered almost all the more curved terminal section 48 of the profile of the cam 60. In the position of Figure lib, which is rotated through 15° in relation to that of Figure 1 la, the bearing 73 disengages from the profile of the cam and the corresponding spring 74 returns the lever 71 sharply towards the right, causing an equally sharp rotation of the rack 41.1 which positions radially to the cylinder in the position suitable for holding the pack of products. The rack 41.1 does not undergo variations in the position of Figure llc, wherein the cylinder is rotated through 35°, as its bearing 73 is still disengaged from the profile of the cam 60.

In the position of Figure 1 la, the bearing 73 of the rack 41.2 is entering the recess 49 of the cam 60, so that the rack starts to re-enter the cylinder, in contrast to the action of the corresponding spring 74. Figures 1 lb and 1 lc show how the rack 41.2 re-enters the cylinder 40 as the cam follower bearing 73 travels along the recess 49 until bringing itself onto the circular section 47 of the profile of the cam 60.

The third rack cannot be seen in Figures 1 la, b, c, as its cam follower 73, in the angular rotation shown of the cylinder 40, remains always on the circular section 47 of the profile of the cam 60.

Figures 9a and 10 show the cylinder 40 on the side opposite that of the drawings previously illustrated, and show the damping action of the racks.

In these drawings the reference numeral 80 denotes tie rods (one can also be seen in Figure 6) which connect the side walls of the cylinder.

In proximity to the shaft 70 of each rack 41 a damping device is placed, denoted overall by reference numeral 90, for example of the oil type, suitable for damping the travel of a lever 81 keyed on the shaft 70 during the exiting from the rack 41.

In Figure 10, 41.1 denotes the same rack of Figures 11 and is shown in the same position of Figure 1 ib, at which it has arrived sharply after the corresponding cam follower bearing 73 has left the profile of the cam 60. It is seen how the corresponding lever 81 is engaged with the damping device 90.

The lever 81 associated with rack 41.2, which is shown in the same position as Figure 1 lb, is disengaged from the corresponding damping device 90, given that the rack is re-entering the cylinder. The same is the case for the third rack, which cannot be seen in Figure 10, which is already inside cylinder 40.

From what has been stated the advantages appear clear of the device and method according to the invention, which allow the counting, the separation and the transfer of flat objects to subsequent packaging in a completely automatic manner.

Naturally the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but instead numerous changes can be made thereto, within the reach of the person skilled in the art, without thereby departing from the scope of the same invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for the counting, the separation and the transfer to subsequent packaging of flat objects or products (10) vertically placed in compact rows (11, 12) moving S forwards on a platform (2), said device comprising: -screw feeders (20) suitable for separating at each turn a respective product from the corresponding row (11, 12); -separators (30) suitable for separating each formed pack of products from the corresponding row (11, 12) of products; -a cylinder (40) with a plurality of racks (41) suitable for exiting and re-entering from/into the cylinder to transfer the packs of products (10) onto a conveyor for the subsequent packaging.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said screw feeders (20), said separators (30) and said cylinder (40) are independently actuated.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said screw feeders (20) are placed on the outer sides of said rows of products (11. 12) and said separators (30) are placed over said rows.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said screw feeders (20) have a discoidal shape, with an opening (22) for the insertion of single products (10).
5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said separators (30) comprise an oscillating lever suitable for moving, with a rotation of about 90°, from a position of disengagement to a position of engagement with said rows of products (11, 12).
6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said separators (30) have a nozzle (32) for blowing air on the formed packs of products.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said cylinder (40) has on its shell (42) slits (45) for the exiting and the re-entry of said racks (41). the movement of which is driven by a suitable fixed cam (60), with which a cam follower bearing (73) engages, which is carried by a lever (71) keyed on the shaft (70) of each rack (41).
8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that a spring (74) acts on said lever (71) in the direction of the exiting of the corresponding rack (41) from the cylinder (40).
9. A device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said cam (60) has an initial recess (49), a section (47) perfectly circular and concentric with the cylinder (40) and a terminal curved section (48) with a decreasing radius.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that it provides damping devices (90) acting on a lever (81) keyed on the shaft (70) of a respective rack (41) to damp and stop the exiting of the rack from the cylinder (40).
11. A method for the counting, the separation and the transfer to subsequent packaging of flat objects or products (10) vertically placed in compact rows (11, 12) moving forwards on a platform (2), comprising the following steps: -separation of single products (10) from the corresponding row (11, 12); -separation of each fonTled pack of products from the corresponding row (11, 12) of products; -transfer of the packs of products, by means of a tumover of about 90°, onto a conveyor for the subsequent packaging, wherein said turnover of the packs of products on the conveyor takes place by making racks (41) exit and re-enter from/into the shell (42) of a cylinder (40) rotating at differentiated speeds.
12. A device for the counting, the separation and the transfer to subsequent packaging of flat objects or products substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A method for the counting, the separation and the transfer to subsequent packaging of flat objects or products substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings