The present invention generally relates to packaging products, and particularly to packaging food products.
Fragile foodstuffs, for example corn tostadas, require care in their handling. In areas such as Mexico, such food products are sometimes transported by wicker baskets lined for shock dampening purposes with white cloth cotton napkins. In more industrialized processes, handling and transportation are accomplished by hand bailing the goods, for example by a conveyor belt that carries the food products to a plurality of packing stations where the goods are baled, bagged or packaged by hand. Such a packing process is highly tedious and tiring. In addition, such process is labor intensive, which increases production costs.
Automated packaging systems have been provided. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,934,756, MX 287809 by Yan Ruz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,410 by Robert Harper and GB 2426498B by Bate et al.
Notwithstanding, the different packaging alternatives which are known in the field, the need exists for additional packing solutions for fragile brittle goods that improves handling of the goods, eases the transportation process and delivers the goods to the user unbroken, therefore reducing costs and waste.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
The industrial method and apparatus of the invention pertain to packaging goods or products of any type, including fragile goods or products, food products or any combination of the foregoing. The goods or products can optionally include brittle goods or fragile goods, for example brittle or fragile food products or goods. The goods or products can be of any shape, for example have a plate, round, oval, spherical, cylindrical or discoidal shape, or any combination of the foregoing. The goods for products can be made from various materials. The goods or products can have various mechanical features, for example fragility, brittleness or hardness, that may complicate their handling and subsequent transportation. The food products can optionally include tostadas, tortillas, fruits, vegetables or bread. The goods or products can optionally nonfood related products, for example compact discs, steel or cutting discs, cylinders such as thermoses, Christmas balls, a variety of balls, golf balls, tennis balls, baseball balls, hockey pucks, glasses, cups or cylindrical containers.
The method and apparatus of the invention can include an industrial process that involves placing one or more goods in a stacking tower, which can optionally be referred to as a container. The stacking tower has a chamber for receiving the goods. The stacking tower can optionally be partially or entirely filled with goods. An empty package, bag or cover is placed by the method and apparatus of the invention over the stacking tower having the goods therein. The package can be referred to as covering, veiling or shrouding at least the opening of the stacking tower or along a portion of or the entire length of the stacking tower. The stacking tower can be tilted by the method and apparatus of the invention, for example to an angle inclined downwardly or upside down, so that the goods in the stacking tower empty into the package, for example partially or entirely under the force of gravity. The tilting of the stacking tower can optionally cause the package to slide off the stacking tower, for example partially or entirely under the force of gravity.
A series or a plurality of stacking towers can be provided, for example spaced apart along a length of a conveyor belt of the apparatus of the invention and secured, coupled or mounted to the conveyor belt. The stacking towers can optionally be fixed or pivotably coupled to the conveyor belt. The towers can optionally be mounted vertically, for example at a right angle to the conveyor belt, or inclined at an angle less than 90° to the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can optionally be part of a conveyor system, which can be configured so that advancement of the conveyor belt causes the stacking tower when containing goods to tilt and the goods in the stacking tower to slide or empty into the package, for example partially or entirely under the force of gravity. The conveyor system can optionally be configured so that tilting of the stacking tower causes the package to slide off the stacking tower, for example partially or entirely under the force of gravity. The conveyor system can optionally be provided with a gear and configured so that advancement of the conveyor belt around the gear causes such tilting of the stacking tower.
The empty package can be made from any suitable material, for example polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, paper, a thermoplastic combination with natural fibers, recycled materials, biodegradable compounds or any combination of the foregoing. The empty package can be placed over the stacking tower by the industrial method and apparatus of the invention in any suitable manner. For example, the mouth of an empty package can be placed over the stacking tower, for example the top of the stacking tower having an opening therein for receiving the goods. The empty package can be slid down the exterior of the stacking tower, for example to cover some or all of the length of the stacking tower. The empty package can optionally have a shape that approximates or conforms to the shape of the stacking tower. The empty package can optionally have a length less than the length of the stacking tower or approximating the length of the stacking tower. The empty package can optionally be placed over the stacking tower having goods therein to cover the goods in the stacking tower with the package.
The industrial process and apparatus of the invention can optionally include selecting an empty package from a plurality of stored empty packages. A suitable package picking mechanism can be provided for this purpose. Industrial process and apparatus can optionally include opening the mouth of the empty package to permit placement of the empty package over the stacking tower. Such opening step can optionally include blowing air through the mouth of the package to expand the package. A suitable package opening mechanism can be provided For the foregoing.
The apparatus for packaging goods of the invention can optionally include first and second sections. The first section can optionally include a conveyor system with stacking towers mounted on a conveyor which transports goods of any suitable type, for example fragile brittle products with a given shape, to a baling, bagging or packaging area. The second section can optionally include a baler, to which covers, bags or packages are supplied. The covers, bags or packages can optionally be taken from a stack by any suitable means, for example by one or more suction cups, which can optionally place them on a shutter by means of tweezers. The tweezers can optionally grab the covers, bags or packages on their lower part. Once in this position, another set of one or more suction cups can optionally open the covers, bags or packages. The shutter opens the cover, bag or package and fastens it by the mouth to later descend over a stacking tower so as to shroud, cover or veil the tower with the cover, bag or package. The covered stacking tower continue along the conveyor system until tilted by the conveyor to a downwardly inclined angle, for example an upside down position, which causes separation of the goods from within the shrouded stacking tower, for example under the force of gravity. Once separated from the stacking tower, goods are collected within the covers, bags or packages containing, which are then optionally closed. The closing of the covers, bags or packages can be done manually or automatically, for example in a process that is independent from the baling or packaging of the process and apparatus of the present invention.
The accompanying figures are illustrative of an embodiment of the process and apparatus of the invention. It is appreciated that other embodiments of the process and apparatus of the invention can be provided.
When referring to any structural feature, mechanical link or component of the apparatus of the invention, the terms mechanically or otherwise fixed, joined, secured or fastened includes any means known in the art for such purpose, for example screws, nuts, rivets, any kind of welding, agglutinant, clamps, mechanical joints (dynamic or static), or any combination of the foregoing.
An embodiment of an apparatus for packaging products 10 of the present invention is illustrated in
Conveyor system or conveyor 11 optionally includes highly precise placement or indexing equipment, for example optionally including a high precision endless chain indexing conveyor belt 27. The high precision indexing conveyor system 11 can be of any suitable type. One suitable conveyor system 11 includes a series of links 49 fixedly joined in a chain manner to form a conveyor belt 27. The upper part of each link 49 can optionally include a platform with a series of threaded holes 57 to which a series of stacking towers 14 can be fastened in spaced apart position along the length of the conveyor belt 27 (see
Jutting from the lower face of the link 49 is a set of bearings 54 are optionally provided. Each bearing 54 is mechanically fixed to a vertical pin 55, which is threaded on one end and cylindrical smoothened on the other end. The vertical pin 55 can be inserted in a vertical hole to be mechanically fixed on the upper part of the link 49 by any suitable means, for example a nut screwed unto the thread of the vertical pin 55 (see
Conveyor 11 can optionally include a chassis 25 constructed over a pair of crossbars 48, which can be manufactured of extruded steel, extruded aluminum or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, a rectangular shingle with constant cross section can be employed. Windows or holes can optionally be carved into or provided in the crossbars 48 to reduce weight. provide an access area for servicing or both (see
The conveyor belt system 11 can optionally include a driver shaft supported by colinear bearings (not shown) placed at the proximal end of the crossbars 48, taking
The pair of parallel crossbars 48 of the chassis 25, illustrated in
The stacking towers 14, which can optionally be referred to as containers or transports, can optionally be formed from a hollow cylinder. The towers can be manufactured from any suitable material, for example stainless steel, an engineering thermoplastic, aluminum or any combination of the foregoing. Each tower 14 is provided with a chamber for receiving goods. The stacking tower 14 can optionally be provided with a vertical groove that runs from its base up to the upper cavity. On the lower part of the cylinder a base or plate can optionally be mounted (not shown), which can lend support to the goods placed in the stacking tower as well as serve as means for mechanically fix the stacking tower 14 to the upper face of a given link 49.
The driver crown gear 23 is powered by motor 22, which is optionally coupled to a gear box that allows control with a high degree of precision the position and speed of the conveyor belt 27 and stacking towers mounted to the conveyor belt. The motor 22 can be of any suitable type and is optionally of the servomotor type that enables position control with a high degree of precision. The motor can optionally be a stepper electric motor or an asynchronous squirrel cage rotor type. The motor 22 is electrically connected to a control system 28 (not illustrated). The control system 28 can be of any suitable type, for example a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or similar system. The control system 28 can optionally send pulses energizing the motor 22 for a determined time. The control system 28 can optionally energize the motor 22 until a mechanical switch, position or presence sensor detects that the stacking tower 14 is at a determined position. The mechanical switch or sensors are electrically connected to the control system 28, enabling the control system 28 to receive signals from the mechanical switch or sensors in order to carry out control operations. The motor 22 can optionally be a pneumatic motor connected to a pneumatic supply network (not illustrated), which may or may not be provided with a gear box. Such a pneumatic motor 22 can optionally be controlled by a pneumatic control valve (not illustrated) as well as by a flow regulator (not illustrated), which may be manual or automated controlled. The pneumatic control valve and flow regulator are electrically connected to the control system 28 for controlling the rotation and speed of the pneumatic motor 22.
Regardless of the type of motor 22, motor 22 is optionally mechanically fixed to the input shaft of a gear box, with the output shaft of the gear box mechanically fixed to the driver shaft of the driver crown gear 23. The gear box can be of any suitable type for the job. The output shaft of the motor 22 can optionally anchor a driver toothed pulley (not illustrated). On another axle, a driven toothed pulley can be mechanically fixed to the shaft of the driver crown gear 23. A toothed band (not illustrated) can join both driven and driver toothed pulleys. The pulleys may have various diameters for effecting the output speed of the driver shaft. The motor 22, regardless of type, can be mechanically fixed to the driver shaft that anchors the driver crown gear 23.
The second section of the apparatus 10 for packaging goods, illustrated in
All of the structural components of the aforementioned cage that form the structure of the baler 12, such as the struts 32, the ribbons 34, the posts 38, the lintels 43, the perches 41 and the cross pieces 33, can each be made from any suitable material, for example manufactured in a structural steel profile, an aluminum profile or any combination thereof.
A tray 35 is optionally provided aside the structural cage of the baler 12. A multitude or plurality of covers, bags or packaging for packing can be placed atop the tray 35 for the package picking mechanism to utilize in the baling process. The tray 35 can be formed from any suitable material, for example an embossed sheet of steel or aluminum. An optional “C” shape channel is shaped longitudinally to provide rigidity to the tray. A piling mechanism can optionally be used on the tray 35, for example a slidable fin secured by screws or any other means. The slidable fin can allow for piling different bags, covers or packages, inhibiting or preventing a pile collapse. One transversal end of the tray 35 can be mechanically fixed to the baler 12 structural cage ribbon 34 and a lower transverse cross piece 33 (see
The baler 12 can also be provided with a package picking mechanism of any suitable type, for example including a pneumatic suction cup or cups 15 set on the end of a pneumatic arm. One or more suction cups 15 can be provided, but for simplicity herein shall be referred to as a suction cup 15. The suction cup 15 can lift the covers, bags or packaging placed atop the tray 35 in order to locate them underneath the tweezer 16. This is possible due to the translation or extendable movement of the pneumatic or piston arm included in pneumatic cylinder 30, the suction cup 15 being mechanically fixed to the end of the piston rod. The other end of the pneumatic cylinder 30 is mechanically fastened to the pivotal hinge 29, which can have a scalene triangle shape as shown in
A pneumatic cylinder 31 can be mechanically fixed to the upper vertex of the hinge 29, for example by means of a pintle. Cylinder 31 can include an extendable and retractable pneumatic piston or arm. The other end of the pneumatic cylinder 31 can be rotatably mechanically fixed to the hinge panel 76. This arrangement grants the pneumatic cylinder 31 a degree of freedom, being able to oscillate while the piston rod is ejected or is contracted from the housing of cylinder 31, which allows the hinge 29 to rotate over the pin axle. The trajectory of the hinge 29, pneumatic cylinder 30 and suction cup 15 can be seen as the dotted lines in
A pneumatic tweezer 16 can optionally be used for holding and hanging the covers, bags or packages when the suction cup 15 has been moved to its horizontal position, as shown by the dotted lines in
The baler 12 includes a veiling system and method, which can optionally be referred to as a covering or shrouding system and method, that covers the goods containing or filled stacking tower 14. The method and apparatus of the invention utilizing stacking towers 14 advantageously reduces the handling of the goods, for example goods made from brittle fragile materials, and provides a gentle packing that reduces the risk of breaking the goods being handled for packaging. The method and apparatus of the invention advantageously covers, which can optionally be referred to as veiling or shrouding, the goods containing stacking tower 14 while the stacking tower 14 is still. The extraction, which can optionally be referred to as emptying, of the goods from the veiled stacking tower 14 can be under the force of gravity when the veiled staking tower 14 is inclined downwardly, for example upside down, so as to release or empty the goods from the tower into the package, cover or bag that has been placed over, for example to veil, cover or shroud, the stacking tower 14 (see
The elevator 40 can optionally be placed between a pair of ribbons 34 and the crossbars 48 of the baler 12 cage. The lower part of the elevator 40 can be mechanically fixed to the crossbars 48. The elevator 40 is capable of transporting any of shutter (18 or 18′) embodiments of the present invention, including shutter embodiments described herein. In any given embodiment the shutter (18 or 18′) annular body (74 or 75) can optionally be mechanically fixed between, or sandwiched between, a fixing plate 65 and a counter plate 71. Both fixing plate 65 and counter plate 71 can have a set of bushings 68 that slide over the guide rods 70. The counter plate 71 can be mechanically fixed to a piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder 47. The counter plate 71 can optionally be mechanically fixed to a pneumatic cylinder 47 per side in such a way that a pneumatic cylinder 47 is mechanically fixed to a given crossbar 48. The fixing plate 65 and the counter plate 71 bushings 68 can optionally slide over a set of guide rods 70 that on their lower ends can optionally be mechanically fixed to the crossbar 48 and on their upper end can optionally be mechanically fixed to the cover 67. A pair of pillars 69 can optionally run parallel to the guide rods 70 so as to reinforce and stiffen the elevator 40 structure. The pillars 69 can optionally be mechanically fixed to the ribbon 34. When pneumatic cylinders 47 of the elevator 40 are retracted, they can serve to raise the shutter (18 or 18′) set. When expanding or extending the pneumatic cylinders 47, the elevator 40 causes the shutter (18 or 18′) set to descend.
The structural members of the elevator 40, for example the fixing plate 65, cover 67, guide rods 70 and counter plate 71, can each be made from any suitable material, for example steel, aluminum, an engineering thermoplastic or any combination of the foregoing. The fixing plate 65 and counter plate 71 bushings 68 can be made from any suitable material, for example brass or a suitable engineering thermoplastic such as nylon or auto-lubricating nylon.
The upper face of the annular body (74 or 75) of the shutter (18 or 18′) can optionally be mechanically fixed to the fastening plate 65 only, so as to not utilize counter plate 71. As such, the bushings 68 for the guide rods 70 and the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder 47 can be mechanically fixed to the fastening plate 65 in such a way that the shutter (18 or 18′) set is raised when the pneumatic cylinders 47 of the elevator 40 are retracted and lowered when the pneumatic cylinders 47 the elevator 40 are expanded. The pneumatic cylinder 47 can optionally be mechanically fastened to one of the posts 38. Alternatively, the pneumatic cylinder 47 can optionally be mechanically coupled to each one of the posts 38. Alternatively, a plurality of pneumatic cylinders 47 operating in a parallel manner and fastened mechanically to each one of the posts 38 can optionally be provided. The pneumatic cylinders 47 of the elevator 40 can be of any suitable type, including “piston rod-less” type with magnetic couplings, that is piston rod-less pneumatic actuators, providing attachment and rigidity to the ensemble.
Some of covers, bags or packages ones hanging from the tweezer 16 may open their respective mouth, which can optionally be referred to as an opening or entrance, by themselves without further assistance so as to facilitate grabbing of the covers by the shutter (18 or 18′). In other cases when a cover, bag or package is hung upside down from the tweezer 16, assistance may be desired to open the cover, bag or package mouth so the shutter (18 or 18′) is able to grab the cover, bag or package by their mouth and veil or cover the stacking tower 14. In this regard, an optional cover, bag or package mouth opening mechanism of any suitable type can be provided. The cover, bag or package mouth opening mechanism can optionally include a pair of suction cups 17 provided at the ends of the piston rods of the pneumatic cylinders 42 (see
When a packaging cover, bag or package is hung upside down from the tweezer 16, the cover, bag or package mouth opening mechanism can optionally operate as follows. The pneumatic suction cups 17 can approach the closed mouth of the cover, bag or package located at the lower end of the baler 12. Extraction or extension of the piston rods of the pneumatic cylinders 42, 42′ causes the suction cups 17 to get sufficiently near to the upper part of the cover, bag or package so that the vacuum of the suction cups 17 can seize the upper part. When the pneumatic cylinder 42 is retracted, the mouth of the cover, bag or package is opened, for example opened wide. The pneumatic cylinder 37 can be energized so as to expel or extend its piston rod, thereby placing the blower 36 in position under the shutter (18 or 18′). Activation of the blower 36 introduces air into the cover, bag or package, causing it to inflate. Following such inflation, the blower 36 can be de-energized and the pneumatic cylinder 37 retracted. The suction cups 17 can also be de-energized and the pneumatic cylinders 42 and 42′ retracted and returned to their home positions. The shutter (18 or 18′) can be energized to cause the mouth of the cover, bag or package to adhere to the inner wall of the annular body (74 or 75) so as to secure the mouth of the cover, bag or package.
The method and apparatus of the invention can include a shutter set mechanism of any suitable type, for example shutters (18 or 18′) set mechanisms. An embodiment of iris shutter 18 is illustrated in
Operation of the components of the iris shutter 18 can be as follows. As shown in
Movement of the iris shutter 18 can be as follows. Energizing the motor 20 powers the worm gear 45, causing an angular movement of the crown gear 44, which angularly translates the fingers 19 in relation of the annular body 74 so that the fingers get closer to the phalanx 72. This action causes the phalanx 72 to be subjected to a compression force that pushes the fingers 19 radially inwardly towards the center of the annular body 74. When the motor 20 rotates in a different direction, the crown gear 44 engaged with the worm gear 45 angularly travels in a counter direction, which causes the holed end of the finger 19 to move angularly away of the phalanx 72. This action causes the phalanx 72 to be subjected to a tension force that pulls the body of the fingers 19 radially towards the inner wall of the annular body 74. When the curved palettes of the fingers 19 travel radially towards the inner wall of the annular body 74 they catch and hold the mouth of the cover, bag or package against the inner wall of the annular body 74. The fingers 19 and the phalanx 72 can be made from any strong but lightweight material, for example aluminum, steel, an engineering thermoplastic or any combination of the foregoing. Both the fingers and the phalanx can optionally have a rectangular or square cross section.
In an alternative embodiment, the iris shutter 18 can optionally be replaced by a shutter based on suction or vacuum. Such an embodiment can advantageously minimize the mobile parts of the shutter so as to reduce possible failure modes of the shutter. As can be seen from
In suction shutter 18′, the upper face of the annular body 75 can optionally be provided with a plurality of threaded holes 62 for fastening the suction shutter 18′ to a fastening plate 65 by means of any suitable fasteners such as screws. The threaded holes 62 can optionally number between three and nine. Alternatively, the plate 65 can optionally be mechanically fixed to the upper face of the annular body 75. The annular body 75 can optionally be provided with a series of threaded holes in his bottom face (not shown) for permitting the annular body to be fixed to the counter plate by any suitable fasteners such as screws. The threaded holes 62 can optionally number between three and nine. In this embodiment, the annular body 75 is “sandwiched” and fixed by fasteners to the fixing plate 65 and the counter plate 71.
The conveyor 11 optionally maintains a stacking tower 14 coaxially aligned under the shutter (18 or 18′). Once the shutter (18 or 18′) have secured the mouth of the cover, bag or package, the pneumatic cylinders 47 of the elevator 40 can be energized to descend the elevator 40 and cause the shutter (18 or 18′) to cover, veil or shroud goods containing stacking tower 14 placed axially colinear underneath the shutter (18 or 18′) at that moment with the cover, bag or package. In this regard, the stacking towers can optionally be mounted at right angles or perpendicular to the conveyor belt 27. The elevator 40 and shutter (18 or 18′) can be controlled, configured or both to cover, veil or shroud at least the opening of the chamber in the stacking tower, at least a portion of the length of the stacking tower, the entirety of the length of the stacking tower or any combination of the foregoing. Once the stacking tower 14 has become veiled or covered by the cover, bag or package, the shutter (18 or 18′) can release the mouth of the cover, bag or package. The pneumatic cylinders 47 of the elevator 40 can then optionally be activated to lower the shutter (18 or 18′), fully releasing the mouth of the cover, bag or package in its entirety. The shutter (18 or 18′) can then optionally be retracted to its home position, in which the mechanisms of the shutter allow clearance between the inner wall of the annular body (74 or 75) and the veiled stacking tower 14. The pneumatic cylinders 47 of the elevator 40 can be energized to elevate the elevator 40, with the shutter (18 or 18′), back to its home position underneath the tweezer 16.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the staking towers 14 can be mounted to the conveyor belt 27 in an inclined position relative to the conveyor belt. In such an embodiment, the stacking towers are not vertically disposed. Such stacking towers can optionally have an angle between 30° to 90°, or between 30° to 89°, with respect to the horizontal or the crossbars 48. The stacking towers 14 can optionally be provided with a hinge in their lower part that is mechanically fixed to the base or lower part of the stacking tower 14. The other end of such a hinge can be mechanically fixed to the conveyor belt 27, for example the upper face of the links 49 of the conveyor belt. The base of the stacking tower 14 can optionally not be parallel to the horizontal or to the upper face of the links 49 but mounted to the conveyor belt 27 at any suitable fixed angle with respect to the conveyor belt or links. In such an embodiment, the base of the stacking tower 14 can optionally be mechanically fixed to the upper face of the links 49. In such an embodiment, the stacking towers 14 can optionally travel on the chassis 25 of the conveyor 11 with any suitable inclination of less than 90°, for example between 30° to 89°, with respect to the horizontal or the crossbars 48. In any embodiment, the stacking tower 14 conveyor 11 can optionally maintain a stacking tower 14 coaxially aligned under the shutter (18 or 18′). For example, the structure of the baler can be provided with the same inclination as the stacking towers 14, for example the ribbon 34 is inclined causing the inclination of the pillars 69 of the elevator 40. The inclination of the ribbon 34 can optionally be obtained by hinging the joint between the ribbons 34 and the struts 32 in the vicinity of the posts 38. The struts 32 located below the tray 35 can optionally be provided with a series of through holes, for example with a constant spacing between them, for receiving respective pins and holding or retaining the struts 32 with the ribbon 34 that is provided with a fin for this purpose. The pillars 69 can optionally be hinged to the crossbars 48. In an alternative embodiment, the pillars can optionally be mechanically fixed to said crossbars 48 with the same inclination as the stacking towers 14, so that the shutter (18 or 18′) travels in a collinear manner with the stacking tower 14.
Once the goods containing stacking tower 14 has been veiled, and the elevator 40 with the shutter (18 or 18′) is at its home position, the motor 22 of the conveyor 11 can be energized so as to cause the stacking towers 14 on the conveyor belt 27 to advance. The motor 22 can be energized until the next goods containing stacking tower 14 is coaxially located under the shutter (18 or 18′). The veiled or otherwise covered stacking towers 14 continue traveling on the conveyor band or belt 27 to the “Bagged Product Receiving” area, which can optionally be located on the lower end of the conveyor under the baler 12 structure (see
The baler 12 structure can optionally include a dumping arch 46, as illustrated in
All the pneumatic actuators discussed herein, such as the pneumatic cylinders, the pneumatic motors, the suction cups, the blowers or any combination thereof, can optionally include limit switch sensors and can optionally be controlled by means of any suitable pneumatic valve, for example of the 5 way, the 2 position type, 4 way and 2 position type, 5 way and 3 position type or any combination of the foregoing. The pneumatic actuators can optionally be piloted by means of a solenoid, for example electro valves, which can be pneumatically connected in a fluid manner to the actuators, for example the pneumatic cylinders or motors. The limit switch sensors and the electro valves are electrically connected to the control system 28, so that the control 28 receives the signals from the limit switch sensors to be able to process them. The control system is also capable of energizing or de-energizing the electro valves in a controlled manner for bagging products in the desired manner, or example as disclosed herein. In an alternative embodiment, the pneumatic cylinders herein, including pneumatic cylinders 21, 30, 31, 37, 42, 42′, 47 or any combination thereof, may optionally be of the magnetic pneumatic type. In another alternative embodiment, the pneumatic cylinders herein, including pneumatic cylinders 21, 30, 31, 37, 42, 42′, 47 or any combination thereof, as well as the tweezers 16, can optionally be electric and connected to a driver which controls the actuators. The drivers can be electrically connected to the control system 28 so that the system 28 may selectively energize or de-energize the drivers. The electric actuators can optionally be electrically connected to the control system 28 without mediating with drivers. The control system 28 can be of any suitable type, for example a programmable logic controller (PLC). The solenoids of the valves can be connected directly to the analog exit of the PLC, with the analog exits of the PLC being electrically connected to a suitable power source. The control system 28 can optionally be a processor or microprocessor connected electrically to a power stage, with a suitable piloted switch such as a solenoid relay, a transistor, an insulated gate bipolar transistor, an optical switch, a Mosfet or any combination of the foregoing for receiving a signal or pulse emanating from the processor or microprocessor to energize the piloted switch. The piloted switch can be connected on its power side to a power source capable of energizing the actuator, which can be of any suitable type such as a solenoid.
The motors disclosed herein can optionally be directly connected to the analog exit of the PLC of the control system 28, wherein the analog exit is electrically connected to a power source. The control system 28 can optionally be processor or a microprocessor, in which case the motors can be connected as disclosed in the preceding paragraph Where pneumatic motors are used, the pneumatic motors can be pneumatically coupled to an electro valve, which can allow or restrict the compressed air flowing towards them. The electro valves can in turn be electrically connected to the control system 28, so that they may be energized or de-energized by the control system 28.
The pneumatic system herein can include a compressor, a tank, a maintenance unit, a flow regulator and any other necessary accessories for operating and distributing compressed air to the electro valves, as well as to the actuators, for example the pneumatic cylinders, the motors, the suction cups, the blower or any combination of the foregoing.
Any of the pneumatic cylinders disclosed herein can optionally include, for example on the outside or on the inside of the body of the cylinder, a position sensor of any suitable type, or example a micro switch type, a magnetic sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor or any combination of the foregoing. The position sensors can be electrically connected to the control system 28, so that it is possible to receive signals from the sensors and respond as a function of the signals. The sensors set over the baler structure 12, as well as those set on the conveyor, may optionally be of the micro switch type, a magnetic sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor or any combination of the foregoing. The position sensors can be electrically connected to the control system 28, so that the control system can receive the signals from the sensors and respond as a function of the signals.
A method of bagging or packaging products has been provided, and can include the steps of placing the goods in one or more stacking towers, advancing the stacking tower to a certain position, for example by activating a conveyor belt until the immediately preceding goods containing stacking tower is collinear with the center of a shutter, approaching a stack or pile of covers, bags or packages set over the tray with a suction cup, for example by energizing a pneumatic cylinder, grabbing a cover, bag or package and delivering it to a tweezer 16, for example by energizing the suction cup and rotating a pneumatic arm, holding the cover, bag or package by the tweezer, returning the suction cup to a home position, for example by returning the pneumatic arm to its home position, opening the mouth of the cover, bag or package, for example by energizing the suction cup and a mouth opening mechanism, blowing air into the cover, bag or package with a blower 36, for example by energizing a pneumatic cylinder and a blower, grasping the opened mouth with the shutter, positioning the shutter to seize the open mouth of the cover, bag or package and energizing the shutter to hold the opened mouth of the cover, bag or package against an inner cylindrical wall of an annular body, de-energizing and returning home the suction cup 17 and blower 36, for example by de-energizing the suction cup and the blower and energizing a mouth opening mechanism commanding, veiling or covering the goods filled stacking tower, for example by lowering an elevator that vertically transports the shutter so as to cause the veiling or covering of the goods containing stacking tower with the cover, bag or package seized by the mouth by the shutter, releasing the mouth of the cover, bag or package, for example once the goods containing stacking tower has been veiled the shutter gets actuated in order to loosen the seized mouth of the cover, bag or package and assure a clearance between the veiled or covered stacking tower and the inner cylindrical wall of the annular body, returning the shutter to its home position, for example by energizing the elevator so as to cause the elevator to raise to its home position, and optionally repeat the foregoing steps.
An apparatus for packaging products has been provided, and can include a conveyor with a conveyor belt having a series of stacking towers mechanically secured or fixed to the conveyor belt, a baler comprising a tray, wherein the covers, bags or packages or packages are placed, a cover, bag or package picking mechanism that picks the cover, bags or package from the tray and delivers it to a tweezer where the cover, bag or package hangs seized by the tweezer, a cover, bag or package mouth opening mechanism that opens the closed cover, bag or package mouth and blows air to the interior of the cover, bag or package, an elevator placed collinearly to a staking tower that transports a shutter that seizes the tweezer hanging cover, bag or package by its mouth and veils or covers a stacking tower, and a bagged product receiving area where the goods and cover, bag or package is detached from the veiled stacking tower due to gravity, leaving the goods within the cover, bag or package.
The shutter can optionally be an iris shutter with fingers and phalanges. The shutter can optionally be a suction shutter with a series of suction ports. The cover collection mechanism can optionally include a suction cup placed on an end portion of a pneumatic arm. The pneumatic arm can optionally include a first pneumatic cylinder fixed at a vertex of a hinge and the rod has mechanically attached a suction cup, a second pneumatic cylinder whose end is mechanically attached to a hinged panel and its rod is mechanically attached to another vertex of the hinge, the remaining vertex of the hinge being mechanically attached to a hinge fin arranged on a post, promoting rotation of the hinge and first pneumatic cylinder when energizing the second pneumatic cylinder. The bag mouth opening mechanism can optionally include first and second pneumatic cylinders arranged in tandem one above the other, the rod of the first pneumatic cylinder has arranged in its end a pair of pneumatic suction cups, a third pneumatic cylinder whose rod mechanically supports a pneumatic blower. The stacking towers as well as the elevator can optionally each have an inclination ranging from 30° to 89°.
A method for packaging products using the apparatus of the invention has been provided, and can include the steps of placing goods in a stacking tower, advancing the stacking tower to a certain position by activating the conveyor belt until the immediately precedent goods containing stacking tower is found collinear with the center of the shutter, moving the suction cup to the pile of covers, bags or packages set over the tray by energizing the pneumatic cylinder, grabbing a cover, bag or package and delivering it to the tweezer by energizing the suction cup and rotating the pneumatic arm, holding the cover, bag or package by the tweezer, returning the suction cup to its home position by returning the pneumatic arm to its home position, opening the mouth of the cover, bag or package by energizing the suction cups and the mouth opening mechanism, blowing air into the cover, bag or package by the blower, for example by energizing pneumatic cylinder (37) and blower (36), grasping the open mouth by positioning the shutter to seize the open mouth of the cover, bag or package and energizing the shutter to hold the opened mouth of the cover, bag or package against the inner cylindrical wall of the annular body, de-energizing and returning home the suction cups and blower by de-energizing the suction cups and blower (36) and energizing the mouth opening mechanism commanding it to its home position, veiling or covering the goods containing stacking tower by lowering the elevator, which vertically transports the shutter promoting the veiling or covering of the goods containing stacking tower with the cover, bag or package seized by the shutter, releasing the mouth of the cover, bag or package, once the goods containing stacking tower has been veiled or covered, the shutter is actuated in order to release the seized mouth of the cover, bag or package to assure a clearance or gap between the veiled stacking tower and the inner cylindrical wall of the annular body, returning the shutter home, for example by energizing the elevator so as to cause the elevator to raise to its home position, and optionally repeating the foregoing steps.
The method and apparatus of the invention can carefully stacks a brittle or fragile goods in a tower or container. The tower or container can be gently shrouded, covered or veiled with an appropriate wrapping, for example by a shutter system. The method and apparatus of the invention can decrease product waste, saving time and easing handling and packing procedures. The method and apparatus of the invention addresses issues pertaining to the baling, bagging or packaging of goods, for example brittle fragile foods, wherein the consumer expects to find the goods or products whole and not broken within the packages.
The method and apparatus of the invention has been described with sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to reproduce the invention. The method and apparatus of the invention have a high degree of industrial application, as well as inventive activity. It is appreciated that a person skilled in the art will be able to glimpse alternative embodiments of the method and apparatus of the invention, which must be considered to lie within the scope and spirit of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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MX/A/2021/006240 | May 2021 | MX | national |
This application claims priority to International Application Number PCT/IB2022/054765 filed May 20, 2022, which claims priority to MX/a/2021/006240 filed May 27, 2021, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/IB2022/054765 | May 2022 | US |
Child | 18517357 | US |