The present invention refers to a conveyor and to an apparatus for packaging products using the mentioned conveyor for transporting the product to be packaged and/or the packaged products along an operating path. The invention may find particular application in the transport and packaging of articles, such as for example vacuum packaging or a controlled atmosphere packaging of articles of various kinds, in particular food-type products.
Conveyors may be used to transfer a product from one position to another position. For example, in the field of packaging, a conveyor may be used to transport a product to a packaging machine and/or to transfer a packaged product out of the packaging machine. In some cases, in addition to conveying an article, it is desirable to reorient the article before, during or after packaging. US 2009/0039592 A1 discloses a product orienting apparatus that comprises a table comprising a rotatable device. The table also has an array of substantially identical spherical rollers, each spherical roller being suitable for contacting the product and the table surface. By rotation of the rotatable device, the product is rotated in the opposite direction on the conveyor belt. This is because the rotation of the rotatable device is translated into a rotation of the spherical rollers, which in turn is translated into a rotation of the product.
GB 2203402 A discloses an apparatus for transporting stacks of paper sheets in a production line in which an endless conveyor supports a set of equidistant flexible turntables. Successive turntables accept successive incoming stacks and turn them through 90° before the turned stacks are stripped off the respective turntables. U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,314 B1 discloses a patterning apparatus for advancing packaged baked goods such as loaves of bread, and positioning the packages for loading. The apparatus includes an endless conveyor having a horizontally disposed upper flight and a series of turner assemblies spaced along the conveyor. Each turner assembly receives one or more packages. The turner assemblies are adapted to rotate the received package while also achieving longitudinal conveyance, and lateral movement transversely to the longitudinal direction.
The above apparatuses have a relatively high possibility of malfunctioning. Other disadvantages are that such apparatuses can be very complex, difficult to be cleaned, unreliable, expensive to manufacture and cumbersome.
WO2014029855A1 discloses a conveyor belt with a rotatable portion integrated into the belt. The rotatable portion comprises a plurality of sub-elements, each of which forms part of a surface of the rotatable portion, such that the rotatable portion is bendable and may adapt to a non rectilinear path of the belt.
Although this last solution offers an efficient system for rotating a product, eliminating the need for an operator to rotate any of the packages manually, the applicant identified further areas of improvement.
In particular, it is an aim of the present invention providing a conveyor with ability to rotate articles and yet characterized by a higher operation reliability.
A further object of the invention is that of providing a conveyor having modular rotatable portions which are easy to assemble and which ensure at the same time a stable connection among the sub-elements forming the rotatable portion.
An additional object is that of providing a conveyor provided with an actuation system designed for causing a controlled rotation of the rotatable portion, which is of compact design and yet able to rotate the rotatable parts without requiring high actuation forces.
A 1st aspect refers to a conveyor belt (2) comprising:
a belt body (13) configured to be positioned along a non-rectilinear path;
at least one rotatable portion (12) coupled to the belt body (13) and configured to turn relative to the belt body (13);
wherein the rotatable portion (12) comprises a plurality of sub-elements (17), with each one of said sub-elements being rotatably connected to an adjacent sub-element and having:
each one of the sub-elements (17) further comprising:
wherein the first annular features (19) of a sub-element mate with the first annular features (19) or with the second annular features (20) of an adjacent sub-element form a coupling seat (21) located between the two adjacent sub-elements and extending along an axis of rotation, and
wherein at least one pin (22) is inserted in said coupling seat (21) formed between the two adjacent sub-elements to rotatably connect the two adjacent sub-elements (17).
In a 2nd aspect according to the preceding aspect each sub-element (17) comprises a plurality of first annular features (19) emerging from each one of the respective first side portions (17c) and a plurality of second annular features (20) emerging from each one of the respective second side portions (17d) of the same sub-element.
In a 3rd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects each of said sub-elements (17) has four side portions defined by two first opposite side portions (17c) and by two opposite second side portions (17d), and wherein, for each of said sub-elements:
In a 4th aspect according to one of the preceding aspects the second annular features (20) emerging from a same second side portion (17d) are perpendicular to the first annular features (19) emerging from an adjacent first side portion (17c).
In a 5th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects each one of said sub-elements (17) comprises at least one lock protrusions (25) for at least one of said first and second side portions (17c, 17d), wherein said lock portion (25) extends parallel to at least one of said first and second side portion (17c, 17d).
In an 6th aspect of the preceding aspect said lock protrusions (25) extends parallel to an axis of rotation defined by the first or second annular features (19, 20).
In a 7th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects each sub-element (17) of said plurality is coupled with at least one longitudinally adjacent sub-element and with at least one transversally adjacent sub-element.
In a 8th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects each sub-element (17) comprises at least two axial stops (24), wherein each axial stop (24) defines an axial abutment for the pin (22) inserted in the coupling seat formed between two adjacent sub-elements (17).
In a 9th aspect according to the preceding aspect each axial stop (24) is structurally carried by one of the first annular features or by the first side portion or by a corner region of the sub element where one the first side portions meets one of the second side portions.
In a 10th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects each sub-element (17) includes a four sided prismatic central body having a reticular structure.
In a 11th aspect according to the preceding aspect the central body has a multiplicity of through passages that put in fluid communication the bottom face (17b) and the top face (17a) of the sub-element (17).
In a 12th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the first annular features (19) of a sub-element mate with the second annular features (20) of an adjacent sub-element forming a coupling seat (21) located between the two adjacent sub-elements and extending along an axis of rotation.
In a 13th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects in each one of said sub-elements:
In a 14th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein each one of said sub-elements (17) comprises two lock protrusions (25), one for each one of said first opposite side portions (17c), wherein each lock protrusion (25) extends parallel to the respective first side portion (17c) and according to a direction opposite to that of the other lock protrusion (25) of the same sub-element (17).
In a 15th aspect of the preceding aspect each one of said protrusions (25) extends parallel to an axis of rotation defined by the first annular features (19) of a same side portion.
In a 16th aspect according the 14th or 15th aspect in each one of said sub-elements (17):
In a 17th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects each sub-element (17) of said plurality is coupled to at least two adjacent sub-elements either according to a first coupling mode or according to a second coupling mode; wherein if the sub-element is in the first coupling mode, then said sub-element:
In a 18th aspect according to the preceding aspect said at least one pin (22) comprises at least one transverse pin inserted in each one of said transverse coupling seats and at least one longitudinal pin inserted in each one of said longitudinal coupling seats.
In a 19th aspect according to the aspect 17th or 18th the conveyor belt comprises a plurality of sub-elements in the first coupling mode and a plurality of sub-elements in the second coupling mode, wherein the sub-elements in the first coupling mode are longitudinally and transversally alternated by a sub-elements in the second coupling mode.
In a 20th aspect according to the aspect 17th or 18th or 19th longitudinally aligned sub-elements form lines of sub-elements presenting coaxial longitudinal coupling seats and transversally aligned sub-elements form rows of sub-elements presenting coaxial transversal coupling seats, such that the rotatable portion (12) is capable of bending and follow the non-linear path of the belt body.
In a 21st aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 17th to the 20th each given sub-element (17) of the plurality of sub-elements positioned in the first coupling mode has:
In a 22nd aspect according to the preceding aspect said one lock protrusion (25) of each given sub-element (17) positioned in the first coupling mode is configured to act as axial lock against extraction of the pin (22) only when the given sub-element and the longitudinally adjacent sub-element are coplanar or inclined the one with respect to the other of a prefixed acute angle, while allowing extraction of the pin (22) when the given sub-element and the longitudinally adjacent sub-element are inclined the one with respect to the other of an angle greater than said prefixed acute angle,
and/or
said one lock protrusion (25) of each given sub-element positioned in the second coupling mode is configured to act as axial lock against extraction of the pin (22) only when the given sub-element and the transversally adjacent sub-element are coplanar or inclined the one with respect to the other of a prefixed acute angle, while allowing extraction of the pin (22) when the given sub-element and the transversally adjacent sub-element are inclined the one with respect to the other of an angle greater than said prefixed acute angle.
In a 23rd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 12th to the 22th each one of said sub-elements (17) has centrally symmetric structure, optionally all sub-elements (17) of said plurality of sub elements are structurally identical.
In a 24th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 1st to the 11th, the first annular features (19) of a sub-element mate with the first annular features (19) of an adjacent sub-element forming a coupling seat (21) located between the two adjacent sub-elements and extending along an axis of rotation, and
the second annular features (20) of a sub-element mate with the second annular features (20) of an adjacent sub-element forming a coupling seat (21) located between the two adjacent sub-elements and extending along an axis of rotation.
In a 25th aspect according to the preceding aspect in each one of said sub-elements:
In a 26th aspect according to the preceding aspect the first annular features (19) emerging from one first side portion (17c) are equal in number to the second annular features (20) emerging from one adjacent second side portion (17d).
In a 27th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 1st to the 11th, wherein each one of said sub-elements (17) comprises two lock protrusions (25), one for one first side portion (17c) and one for one adjacent second side portion (17d), wherein each lock protrusion (25) extends parallel to the respective first and second side portion (17c, 17d) and according to a direction intersecting that of the other lock protrusion (25) of the same sub-element (17).
In a 28th aspect according to the preceding aspect the lock protrusion (25) of the first side portion (17c) extends parallel to an axis of rotation defined by the first annular features (19), while the lock protrusion (25) of the second side portion (17d) extends parallel to an axis of rotation defined by the second annular features (20).
In a 29th aspect according to the 27th or 28th aspect wherein in each one of said sub-elements (17):
In a 30th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 27th to the 30th said two lock protrusions (25) join together forming a single piece placed at the corner of two adjacent first and second side portions.
In a 31st aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects each sub-element (17) of said plurality is coupled to at least one adjacent sub-elements in a single coupling mode wherein said plurality of sub-elements presents the same orientation.
In a 32nd aspect according to any one of the aspects from the 24th to the 31st wherein the conveyor belt comprises:
In a 33rd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 24th to the 32nd each given sub-element (17) of the plurality of sub-elements has:
In a 34th aspect according to the preceding aspect each lock protrusions (25) of each given sub-element (17) is configured to act as axial lock against extraction of the respective pin (22) only when the given sub-element and the adjacent sub-element are coplanar or inclined the one with respect to the other of a prefixed acute angle, while allowing extraction of the pin (22) when the given sub-element and the adjacent sub-element are inclined the one with respect to the other of an angle greater than said prefixed acute angle.
In a 35th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 24th to the 34th each one of said sub-elements (17) has diagonal symmetric structure, in particular wherein all sub-elements (17) of said plurality of sub elements are structurally identical.
In a 36th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects each rotatable portion (12) comprises a plurality of perimeter bodies (18) defining a peripheral edge of the rotatable portion (12) encircling the plurality of interconnected sub-elements (17).
In a 37th aspect according to the preceding aspect each one of said perimeter bodies (18) is connected with at least one of said sub-elements (17) and presents a radially external side of curved shape, and wherein the perimeter bodies (18) are positioned in side by side relationship and provide the rotatable portion (12) with a peripheral edge of circular shape.
In a 38th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the belt body (13) and the rotatable portion (12) have a respective top surface (14, 15) configured to receive articles to be conveyed, and the top surface (15) of the rotatable portion (12) positions in alignment with the top surface (14) of the belt body (13).
In a 39th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the belt body (13) has an aperture (16) configured for receiving the rotatable portion (12), the belt body aperture is shaped as the peripheral edge of the rotatable portion (12), and the rotatable portion (12) is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a top surface (14) of the belt body (13).
In a 40th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the rotatable portion (12) comprises one or more driving pieces (26) emerging from a bottom side of the rotatable portion (12), said driving pieces (26) being optionally carried by perimeter bodies (18) of the rotatable portion (12).
In a 41st aspect a conveyor (1) is provided comprising:
In a 42nd aspect the conveyor according to the preceding aspect uses the conveyor belt (2) of aspect 40th, wherein the conveyor (1) further comprises a control mechanism (100) configured to act on said one or more driving pieces (26) and, following a displacement of the conveyor belt body along said predetermined path, cause a rotation of the rotatable portion (12) by 90° or multiples thereof.
In a 43rd aspect a conveyor (1) is provided comprising:
In a 44th aspect according to the preceding aspect the control mechanism (100) comprises at least one guide (101) developing on a plane parallel to the operative tract (2a) of the conveyor belt (2) and extending along a predetermined operative path, said guide (101) being configured to drive the driving piece (26) along the predetermined operative path during displacement of the belt body (13) along said advancement direction (A), causing the rotation of the article (P).
In a 45th aspect according to the 43rd or 44th aspect the guide (101) exhibits a transverse extension (101T), measured along a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction (A), greater than 0.75 of a longitudinal extension (1010 of the same guide measured parallel to the advancement direction (A).
In a 46th aspect according to the preceding aspect the ratio between the transversal extension (101T) and the longitudinal extension (1010 of the guide (101) is equal to or greater than 1.1, optionally comprised between 1.1 and 2, more optionally comprised between 1.1 and 1.5.
In a 47th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 46th the guide (101) of the control mechanism (100) is configured to act on said driving piece (26) and, following a predetermined displacement of the belt body (13) along said advancement direction (A), cause a rotation of the rotatable portion (12) by 90° or multiples thereof.
In a 48th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 47th the rotatable portion (12) exhibits a predetermined transversal size measured perpendicularly to the advancement direction (A), wherein the transversal extension (101T) of the guide (101) is substantially half the predetermined transversal size of the rotatable portion (12).
In a 49th aspect according to the preceding aspect the ratio between the longitudinal extension (1010 of the guide (101) and the transversal size of the rotatable portion (12) is less than 0.6, optionally is less than 0.5, more optionally is comprised between 0.4 and 0.2.
In a 50th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 49th wherein the operative path of the guide (101) exhibits, for at least of a tract of the path, a curved profile, optionally defines a parabolic curve.
In a 51st aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 50th the driving piece (26) is located at a peripheral edge of the rotatable portion (12) In a 52nd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 51st:
In a 53rd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 52nd the control mechanism (100) comprises at least one auxiliary guide (104) developing on a plane parallel to the operative tract (2a) of the conveyor belt (2) and extending along a respective predetermined operative path.
In a 54th aspect according to the preceding aspect the auxiliary guide (104) exhibits a longitudinal extension (104L), measured parallel to the advancement direction (A), greater than a transversal extension (104T) of the same guide measured perpendicularly to the advancement direction (A).
In a 55th aspect according to the 53rd or 54th aspect the control mechanism (100) includes:
In a 56th aspect according to the preceding aspect the control mechanism is configured such that the auxiliary guide (104) engages the second driving piece (26b) before the first driving piece (26) engages said guide (101).
In a 57th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 54th to the 56th the ratio between the longitudinal extension (104L) and the transversal extension (104T) of the auxiliary guide (104) is greater than 1.5, optionally equal or greater than 2, more optionally comprised between 2 and 4.
In a 58th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 54th to the 57th the ratio between the longitudinal extension (104L) of the auxiliary guide (104) and the transversal size of the rotatable portion (12) is comprised between 0.8 and 1.2, optionally the longitudinal extension (104L) of the auxiliary guide (104) is equal to the transversal size of the rotatable portion (12).
In a 59th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 53rd to the 58th the auxiliary guide (104) is distinct and spaced with respect the guide (101).
In a 60th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 53rd to the 59th the auxiliary guide (104) is spaced from the guide (101) in a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction (A).
In a 61st aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 53rd to the 60th the auxiliary guide (104) is spaced from the guide (101) both in a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction (A) and in a direction parallel to the advancement direction (A).
In a 62nd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 53rd to the 61st the belt body presents two longitudinally adjacent transversal halves, and the guide (101) extends underneath one of the two transversal halves of the belt body (13) while the auxiliary guide (104) extends underneath the other of the two transversal halves of the belt body (13).
In a 63rd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 53rd to the 62nd the respective predetermined operative path of the auxiliary guide (104) defines, for at least of a tract of said path, a curved profile.
In a 64th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 63rd the curved profile, optionally the parabolic curve, of the predetermined operative path of the guide (101) has a pre-determined concavity oriented towards a lateral edge of the belt body (13).
In a 65th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 63rd to the 64th the curved profile of the respective operative path of the auxiliary guide (104) has a respective concavity oriented towards the same lateral edge of the belt body (13)
In a 66th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from 43rd to 65th said control mechanism (100) comprises:
In a 67th aspect according to the preceding aspect the operative paths of the first and second guide (102, 103) join at a common end point and are substantially symmetrical with respect to a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction (A).
In a 68th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from 43rd to 67th wherein the control mechanism comprises:
In a 69th aspect according to the preceding aspect the rotatable portion (12) comprises four driving pieces (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) positioned 90° apart the one from the other and emerging from the bottom surface (55) of the rotatable portion (12).
In a 70th aspect according to the preceding aspect each driving piece is configured to cooperate with one of the guides between:
In a 71st aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from 43rd to 70th the belt body (13) has a top surface (14) which positions in alignment with the top surface (15) of the rotatable portion (12).
In a 72nd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from 43rd to 71st the belt body (13) has an aperture (16) configured for receiving the rotatable portion (12), wherein the belt body aperture is shaped as the peripheral edge of the rotatable portion (12).
In a 73rd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from 43rd to 72nd the frame (3) extends along a first and second opposite longitudinal ends (1a, 1b), the frame (3) supports a turning assembly (7) at each of said first and second longitudinal ends of the conveyor (1), the conveyor belt (2) being engaged around the two turning assemblies (7) and configured according to a closed loop thereby forming an endless conveyor belt (2).
In a 74th aspect according to the preceding aspect at least one of the turning assemblies (7) is connected to a motor (8) in order to receive rotational power from the motor (8) and turn it into advancement movement of the conveyor belt (2).
In a 75th aspect of the 73rd or 74th aspect each turning assembly (7) comprises:
In a 76th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 75th the rotatable portion (12) is engaged to a belt body (13) segment such that when this belt body segment is planar also the associated rotating portion (12) is planar but can turn relatively to the belt body (13) according to a rotation axis (R) perpendicular to the belt body segment.
In a 77th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 76th the control mechanism (100) comprises:
In a 78th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 77th the control mechanism (100) comprises at least one between:
In a 79th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 78th the control mechanism (100) comprises at least one between:
In a 80th aspect according to the preceding aspect said activating element or each one of said activating elements (130, 135) is movable along a direction perpendicular to the operative tract (2a) of the conveyor belt (2) at least between:
In a 81st aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 80th the control mechanism (100) comprises:
In a 82nd aspect according to the preceding aspect the sliding block (140) or each one of said sliding blocks (140, 145) is movable along an horizontal direction parallel to the operative tract (2a) of the conveyor belt (2) and perpendicular with respect the advancement direction (A) at least between:
In a 83rd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 43rd to the 82nd the conveyor belt (2) is of the type according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 1st to the 40th.
In a 84th aspect is provided a packaging apparatus (200) comprising:
In a 86th aspect according to the 84th or 85th aspect the packaging apparatus (200) further comprising a control unit (50) configured to synchronize movement of the conveyor (1) with the sealing process performed by the sealing station (201).
Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for indicative and therefore not limiting purposes, in which:
It should be noted that in the present detailed description, corresponding parts illustrated in the various figures are indicated with the same reference numerals. The figures could illustrate the object of the invention by means of non-scale representations; therefore, parts and components shown in the figures relating to the object of the invention could only concern schematic representations.
Packaging
The invention may find application for packaging a product into a packaging solely formed of one or more plastic films, or for packaging of a product positioned on a support to which a plastic film is heat sealed. Note the product may be a food product or not. As used herein support means either a substantially flat element onto which a product is placed, or a container of the type having a base wall, a side wall and a top rim radially emerging from the side wall, the container defining a volume into which the product is positioned. The tray or supports may have a rectangular shape or any other suitable shape, such as round, square, elliptical etcetera, and may be formed either while the packaging process takes place, e.g. at a thermoforming station of the packaging apparatus, or they may be manufactured beforehand and then fed to the packaging apparatus.
Product
The term product refers to an article or a composite of articles of any kind. For example, the product may be of a foodstuff type and be in the solid, liquid or gel state, i.e. in the form of two or more of the aforementioned aggregation states. In the food sector, the product can include: meat, fish, cheese, treated meats, prepared and frozen meals of various kinds.
Control Unit
The apparatus described and claimed herein may include one or more control units, designed to control the operations performed by the apparatus. The control unit can evidently be only one or be formed by a plurality of distinct control units according to the design choices and operational needs.
The term control unit means an electronic component which can comprise at least one of: a digital processor (for example comprising at least one selected in the group between: CPU, GPU, GPGPU), a memory (or memories), an analog circuit, or a combination of one or more digital processing units with one or more analog circuits. The control unit can be “configured” or “programmed” to perform some steps: this can be done in practice by any means that allows you to configure or program the control unit. For example, in the case of a control unit comprising one or more CPUs and one or more memories, one or more programs can be stored in appropriate memory banks connected to the CPU or to the CPUs; the program or programs contain instructions which, when executed by the CPU or the CPUs, program or configure the control unit to perform the operations described in relation to the control unit. Alternatively, if the control unit is or includes analog circuitry, then the control unit circuit may be designed to include configured circuitry in use to process electrical signals so as to perform the steps related to control unit. The control unit may comprise one or more digital units, for example of the microprocessor type, or one or more analog units, or a suitable combination of digital and analog units; the control unit can be configured to coordinate all the actions necessary for executing an instruction and instruction sets.
Actuator
The term actuator means any device capable of causing movement on a body, for example under the control of the control unit. The actuator can be of an electric, pneumatic, mechanical type, or of another type.
With reference to the attached figures, reference numeral 1 identifies a conveyor according to aspects of the invention. The conveyor 1 comprises a conveyor belt 2 mounted on a frame 3. As shown in the exemplifying embodiment of
In accordance with an aspect, and making specific reference to
Going into further detail of the structure of each sub-element 17, it is noted that each sub-element 17 presents a top face 17a, a bottom face 17b, first opposite side portions 17c extending between the top and the bottom faces of each sub-element, and second opposite side portions 17d extending between the top and the bottom faces of each sub-element (see
Each one of the sub-elements 17 further comprises one or more first annular features 19 at each of the first opposite side portions 17c, and one or more second annular features 20 at each the second opposite side portions 17d: in the embodiments shown in
In a first embodiment shown in
As it is visible from the drawings, each sub-element 17 comprises a plurality of first annular features 19 (for example three or more) emerging from each one of the respective first side portions 17c and a plurality of second annular features 20 (for example 2 or more) emerging from each one of the respective second side portions 17d of the same sub-element 17: in particular, the first annular features 19 may be one more in number than the second annular features 20 such that when mating the first annular features of one sub-element with the second annular features of an adjacent sub-element the second annular features 20 seat in the spaces 23 defined between the first annular features 19. In the examples shown, each sub-element 17 has four side portions defined by two first opposite side portions 17c and by two opposite second side portions 17d: in this case, the first annular features 19 emerging from a same first side portion 17c are coaxially aligned along a respective axis of rotation AL or AT, while the second annular features 20 emerging from a same second side portion 17d are coaxially aligned along a respective axis of rotation AT or AL; in particular, the second annular features 20 emerging from a same second side portion 17d are perpendicular the same side portion and to the first annular features 19 emerging perpendicularly to an adjacent first side portion 17c.
As explained above for the first embodiment of the sub-elements, adjacent sub-elements 17 are mutually coupled by mating the first annular features 19 of one sub-element with the second annular features 20 of an adjacent sub-element to form the coupling seat 21 where the pin 22 is inserted. In order to avoid extraction of the pin 22 from the coupling seat 21 each sub-element 17 comprises two lock protrusions 25 and two axial stops 24: in practice, each sub-element carries a lock protrusion 25 and an axial stop 24 for each one of its first opposite side portions 17c, as it will be described in greater detail herein below.
Each lock protrusion 25 extends parallel to the respective first side portion 17c and according to a direction opposite to that of the other lock protrusion 25 present in the same sub-element and associated to the opposite first side portion 17c; in particular, each protrusion 25 extends parallel to an axis of rotation AL or AT defined by the first annular features 19 of a same side portion: as it is visible in
In order to understand to operation of the protrusions 25, it should be noted that each sub-element 17 of a same rotatable portion 12 is coupled with at least one longitudinally adjacent sub-element and with at least one transversally adjacent sub-element in a first coupling mode or in a second coupling mode: in practice half of the sub-elements 17 is in the first coupling mode while half of the sub-elements 17 is in the second coupling mode with the sub-elements in the first coupling mode being longitudinally and transversally alternated by a sub-elements in the second coupling mode.
To facilitate understanding, in
On the other hand, each sub-element 17 in the second coupling mode complies with the following coupling conditions:
At least one transverse pin 22T is inserted in each one of said transverse coupling seats 21T and at least one longitudinal pin 22L inserted in each one of said longitudinal coupling seats 21L.
By virtue of the coupling structure among adjacent sub-elements 17 described above, longitudinally aligned sub-elements form lines Li of sub-elements 17 (see
Again with reference to
On the other hand, each given sub-element of the plurality of sub-elements positioned in the second coupling mode has one of its protrusions 25 acting as an axial lock against extraction of the pin 22 inserted in the coupling seat defined between a further sub-element, transversally adjacent to the given sub-element, and an additional sub-element longitudinally adjacent to the further-sub-element.
In practice, each protrusion 25 carried by a given sub-element 17 prevents extraction of the pin interacting between two other neighboring sub-elements. In order to allow insertion and extraction when needed of the pin 22 the protrusions 25 of each given sub-element prevent extraction of the pin only when the interested sub-elements are coplanar (see for example
As previously mentioned each sub-element also comprises an axial stop 24 for each first side portion 17c: in practice the axial stop may be structurally carried by one of the first annular features or by the first side portion or by a corner region of the sub element where one the first side portions 17c meets one of the second side portions 17d; in any case, each axial stop 24 defines an axial abutment for the pin inserted in the coupling seat formed between two adjacent sub-elements, such that when the pin 22 is inserted it has one end abutting against the axial stop and the opposite end axially blocked by the protrusion 25 of a neighboring sub-element.
In a second embodiment of the sub-elements 17 shown in
As it is visible from the drawings, each sub-element 17 comprises a plurality of first annular features 19 emerging from each one of the respective first side portions 17c and a plurality of second annular features 20 emerging from each one of the respective second side portions 17d of the same sub-element 17. In particular, the first annular features 19 emerging from one first side portion 17c are one more in number of the first annular features 19 emerging from the opposite first side portion 17c such that when mating the first annular features of one sub-element with the first annular features of an adjacent sub-element the first annular features 19 of one sub-element seat in the spaces 23 defined between the first annular features 19 of the adjacent sub-element 17; moreover, the second annular features 20 emerging from one second side portion 17d are one more in number of the second annular features 20 emerging from the other opposite second side portion 17d such that when mating the second annular features of one sub-element with the second annular features of an adjacent sub-element the second annular features 20 of said one sub-element seat in the spaces 23 defined between the first annular features 20 of the adjacent sub-element 17.
In detail, as shown in
In the examples shown in
As explained above for the second embodiment of the sub-elements, adjacent sub-elements 17 are mutually coupled by mating the first annular features 19 of one sub-element with the first annular features 19 of an adjacent sub-element to form the coupling seat 21 where one pin 22 is inserted and, at the same time, second annular features 20 of one sub-element couple with the second annular features 20 of an adjacent sub-element to form another coupling seat 21 where another pin 22 is inserted. In order to avoid extraction of the pin 22 from the respective coupling seat 21, each sub-element 17 comprises two lock protrusions 25 and two axial stops 24: in practice, each sub-element 17 carries a lock protrusion 25 and an axial stop 24 associated to one first side portion 17c and also carries a lock protrusion 25 and an axial stop 24 associated to the second side portion 17d adjacent to the first side portion 17c.
Each lock protrusion 25 extends parallel to the respective first and second side portion 17c, 17d and according to a direction intersecting to that of the other lock protrusion 25 of the same sub-element 17. The lock protrusion 25 of the first side portion 17c extends parallel to an axis of rotation defined by the first annular features 19 while the lock protrusion 25 of the second side portion 17d extends parallel to an axis of rotation defined by the second annular features 20. In particular, the two lock protrusions 25 respectively extend parallel to an axis of rotation AL and AT defined by the first and second annular features 19, 20 of the adjacent side portion. As show for example in
In order to understand operation of the protrusions 25, it should be noted that each sub-element 17 of a same rotatable portion 12 is coupled with at least one longitudinally adjacent sub-element and with at least one transversally adjacent sub-element in a single coupling mode wherein said plurality of sub-elements presents the same orientation (
By virtue of the coupling structure among adjacent sub-elements 17 described above, longitudinally aligned sub-elements form lines Li of sub-elements 17 (see
In order to allow insertion and extraction, when needed, of the pins 22 in the respective seats, the protrusions 25 of each given sub-element prevent extraction of the pin only when the interested sub-elements are coplanar (see for example
As previously mentioned, each sub-element 17 also comprises an axial stop 24 for one first side portion 17c and an axial stop 24 for the adjacent second side portion 17d: in particular, the axial stops 24 are located at the same first and second side portion carrying the lock protrusion 25 in order to define a single corner block of one sub-element 17 comprising the two lock protrusions 25 and the two axial stops 24. Each axial stop 24 defines an axial abutment for the pin inserted in the coupling seat formed between two adjacent sub-elements, such that when the pin 22 is inserted it has one end abutting against the axial stop and the opposite end axially blocked by the protrusion 25 of a neighboring sub-element.
As mentioned at the beginning of the detailed description the sub-elements 17 are surrounded by perimeter bodies 18 (see
Finally, each rotatable portion 12 comprises one or more driving pieces 26 (in
Here below possible embodiments of a passive control mechanism 100 usable for causing motion of the rotatable portions 12 is provided.
As shown in
In term of size, the guide 101 exhibits a transverse extension 101T, measured along a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction A, greater than 75%, optionally greater than 100%, of a longitudinal extension 101L of the same guide measured parallel to the advancement direction A (see
Also the rotatable portion 12 exhibits a predetermined transversal size measured perpendicularly to the advancement direction A; the transversal extension 101T of the guide 101 is substantially half the predetermined transversal size of the rotatable portion 12 (see the schematic representations reported on
As shown in
As shown in
In the case, as in the embodiments shown, the control mechanism 100 comprises two steep guides, namely the first and the second guides 102, 103, then the rotatable portion 12 comprises two driving pieces 26, each of which during a same rotation of the rotatable portion 12, is configured to cooperate with the respective of said first and second guide 102, 103.
The control mechanism 100 may further comprise one auxiliary guide 104 (significantly less steep compared to the guide 101 and the first and second guides 102, 103) developing on a plane parallel to the operative tract 2a of the conveyor belt 2 and extending along a respective predetermined operative path; also the auxiliary guide 104 is configured to cooperate with a respective driving piece 26 and, together with the guide 101 (or together with the first and second guides 102, 103 in case two), rotate the portion 12 of the conveyor belt, following the displacement of the belt body 13 along said advancement direction A.
The control mechanism 100 may comprise exclusively one (relatively steep) guide 101 and one auxiliary guide 104 (significantly less steep than guide 101); in this configuration the rotatable portion 12 comprises different driving pieces as described below, namely:
In a further embodiment, the control mechanism 100 may comprises the first and second guide 102, 103 (parabolic guide with a transversal extension greater than a longitudinal extension) and the auxiliary guide 104 or two distinct first and second auxiliary guides 105, 106. In this configuration, the rotatable portion 12 may comprise three or four distinct and spaced driving pieces 26 each of which is configured cooperate with the respective guide (102, 103, 104 or 102, 103, 105, 106) in order to rotate the portion 12 around the axis R.
As shown in
Concerning dimensions, the auxiliary guide 104 exhibits a longitudinal extension 104L, measured parallel to the advancement direction A, greater than a transversal extension 104T of the same guide measured perpendicularly to the advancement direction A. In detail, the ratio between the longitudinal extension 104L and the transversal extension 104T of the auxiliary guide 104 is greater than 1.5, optionally equal or greater than 2, more optionally comprised between 2 and 4. In particular, the ratio between the longitudinal extension 104L of the auxiliary guide 104 and the transversal size of the rotatable portion 12 is comprised between 0.8 and 1.2, optionally the longitudinal extension 104L of the auxiliary guide 104 is equal to the transversal size of the rotatable portion 12 (see
As shown in
Each of said first and second auxiliary guides 105, 106 presents structure and geometry similar to the just described auxiliary guide 104 in terms of steepness (which is significantly smaller than that of guides 101, 102, 103), longitudinal extension, transversal extension, ratio between the transversal extension and the longitudinal extension and ratios between the longitudinal extension or transversal extension of each auxiliary guide 105, 106 and the transversal size of the rotatable portion 12.
As shown in
In one embodiment shown in
The first and second guides 102, 103 together with the first and second auxiliary guides 105, 106, following the displacement of the belt body 13 along said advancement direction A, are configured to cooperate simultaneously with the four driving pieces (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) of the rotatable portion 12, causing the rotation of this latter.
From a structural perspective, each one of the above described guides and auxiliary guides of the control mechanism 100 may be defined by means of appropriate raceways carried by a base plate 120 borne on top of frame 3 and extending parallel to and below the operative tract 2a of the conveyor.
In the example shown in
In practice, with reference to
Piece 26b of same rotating plate 12, which is spaced 90° a part in a counterclockwise direction with respect to piece 26a and which is travelling along trajectory of first auxiliary guide 105, passes on the internal side of sliding block 140, which has been horizontally displaced (by a mechanical or pneumatic or electric or hydraulic actuator) such as to align its internal side to the external side of block 122 (the upper block 122 in
Piece 26c of same rotating plate 12, which is spaced 90° a part in a clockwise direction with respect to piece 26a and which is travelling along trajectory of second guide 103 is positioned on the front of the rotating element (see
Finally, piece 26d of the same rotating 12 which is angularly spaced by 180° with respect to piece 26a and which follows the trajectory of the second auxiliary guide 106 slides first on the external side inlet guide block 125 (the superior inlet guide block 125 in
The above described operation causes a 90° clockwise angular motion of the rotatable portion as it is visible from
In accordance with a further aspect, it is provided a packaging apparatus comprising the conveyor described above and a sealing station; the conveyor is configured to convey articles to be packaged to the sealing station and the sealing station is configured to apply a sealing film to the products to be packaged. A control unit is configured to synchronize movement of the conveyor with the sealing process performed by the sealing station.
Operation of the conveyor 1 is as follows.
Motor 8 causes motion of the conveyor belt 2. As shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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EP19164148.9 | Mar 2019 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2020/057325 | 3/17/2020 | WO | 00 |