Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6546697
-
Patent Number
6,546,697
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, July 31, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 15, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 053 443
- 053 473
- 053 475
- 053 244
- 053 251
- 053 253
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A tamale loading apparatus (10) includes a converging mechanism (61) and diverter wheels (83, 84) to position tamales (200) on a belt (24). The belt is run at a speed to fly the tamales (200) into a can (300) wherein the tamales are automatically loaded and it is no longer necessary to load the tamales (200) by hand into the cans (300).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the packaging of tamales and more particularly to the automated and high speed packaging of tamales.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tamales are a meat product wrapped in corn meal which is then wrapped with a fine paper. The tamales are very fragile. They are soft and frangible. To date, the packaging of tamales has always been by hand. Tamales are placed on a loading conveyor, usually in groups of three. Individual workers are stationed along the length of the conveyor. The workers will make a sweeping motion to take three tamales at once and then place then into a can. A second set of three is similarly taken by the worker and placed in the same can. The can, with six tamales, is then transported to another area where it is filled with sauce and further packaging steps are completed, i.e., putting on a lid, etc.
To date, there have not been many successful attempts in automating this process. It is a very labor-intensive process and adds substantially to the costs. In addition, as the workers grab the tamales, the shape of the tamale is effected. That is, the tamales are quite soft and the finger indentation of the worker grasping the tamales to place them in the can may be left on the tamales.
The present invention addresses the problems associated with the prior art and provides for an automated high speed loading of tamales that does not involve hand packing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for positioning frangible objects on a moving conveyor from a first position to a second position. The apparatus includes a conveyor having a conveyor belt for carrying the frangible objects. The conveyor belt has a centerline. A first rotatable wheel is mounted above the conveyor belt. The wheel has a plurality of pushing members attached to the wheel at spaced intervals. The wheel has an axis which is at an angle to the centerline of the conveyor belt. A stop is positioned laterally to the frangible objects when in the first position, wherein rotation of the wheel over the moving conveyor causes the paddles to contact the frangible objects at the first position and move the frangible objects laterally as the frangible objects continue travelling on the conveyor to contact the stop member, thereby moving the frangible objects to a second position.
In another embodiment, the invention is a method of positioning frangible objects moving on a conveyor. The method includes placing a frangible object on a moving conveyor, the frangible object being at a first lateral position. Then, a pushing member is moved in a path. The path is at an angle to the centerline of the conveyor, wherein the movement of the pushing member relative to the conveyor has a lateral component and a longitudinal component. Next, the frangible object is contacted with the moving/pushing member, wherein the frangible object is moved from the first lateral position to a second lateral position.
In another embodiment, the invention is a method of loading an object into a container. The method includes placing an object on a moving conveyor belt, the conveyor belt having a loading end. The container is then indexed to a receiving position, the container in alignment with the object and positioned at the loading end. The conveyor is moved at a speed sufficient to fly the object off of the conveyor into the container. Next, the container is indexed away from the conveyor.
In another embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for loading tamales into a container. The apparatus includes a frame and a conveyor operatively connected to the frame. The conveyor has a conveyor belt and drive mechanism for moving the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt has a longitudinal axis. The conveyor belt has a loading end and an unloading end. A means for positioning the conveyor at the loading end of the conveyor belt is provided. The positioning means positions the container for receiving the object as the object if thrown off of the conveyor belt and for removing the container after the container is filled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1
a
and
1
b
are perspective views of the tamale packaging apparatus of the present invention;
FIGS. 2
a
and
2
b
are top plan views of the tamale packaging apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1
a
and
1
b;
FIGS. 3
a
and
3
b
are side elevational views of the tamale packaging apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1
a
and
1
b;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of the drive train used in the tamale packaging apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
a;
FIG. 5
is an enlarged perspective view showing the diverter wheels shown in
FIG. 1
a;
FIG. 6
is an enlarged perspective view of the diverter wheels shown in
FIG. 5
taken from the other side of the packaging apparatus;
FIG. 7
is an enlarged perspective view of the can handling wheel shown in
FIG. 1
a;
FIGS. 8
a
and
8
b
are top plan views of the apparatus shown in
FIGS. 1
a
and
1
b
with the top conveyor and diverter wheels removed;
FIG. 9
is a view of the can handling paddle shown in
FIG. 1
a;
FIG. 10
is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line
9
—
9
of the can handling section shown in
FIG. 9
; and
FIG. 11
is a perspective view of the strip off conveyor shown in
FIG. 1
a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, there is generally disclosed at
20
a tamale loading apparatus. In
FIGS. 1
a
and
1
b,
there are some additional features shown, which have been removed in other views, for clarity and when not needed to understand the invention. The tamale loading apparatus
20
has a frame
21
on which the various components, to be described more fully hereafter, are mounted. The frame
21
includes a plurality of longitudinal, upright and cross members that are connected by suitable means such as welding or brackets, all means well known in the art. A plurality of leveling feet
22
are connected to the longitudinal members of the frame
21
in order to properly align the apparatus
20
. A tamale transport conveyor
23
includes a continuous loop belt
24
. The belt
24
is mounted on to end rollers
25
,
26
which are in turn suitably mounted on the frame
21
. Underneath the belt
24
is supported a solid plastic bearing member
27
that extends substantially between the end rollers
25
,
26
. The continuous loop belt
24
rests on the bearing member
27
as it is moved around the end rollers
25
,
26
.
The conveyor
23
is driven by a drive train, generally designated at
30
and is shown in FIG.
4
. The drive train
30
includes a first gear box
31
, second gear box
32
and third gear box
33
. The gear boxes
31
-
33
are driven by a servo motor
34
. The servo motor
34
is operatively connected to a gear coupler
35
. The gear coupler
35
has an output shaft
35
a
which is operatively connected to a coupler
36
. The coupler
36
is operatively connected to and drives the first gear box
31
. The gear box
31
has three output shafts that are operatively connected to couplers
31
a,
31
b,
31
c.
Line shaft
37
is operatively connected to the coupler
31
a
and is supported by bearing blocks
38
a,
38
b.
The other end of the line shaft
37
is operatively connected to a pulley
39
. The coupler
31
c
is operatively connected to a line shaft
40
that is carried by bearing blocks
41
a,
41
b.
The other end of the line shaft
40
is operatively connected to a pulley
42
. The coupler
31
b
is operatively connected to a line shaft
43
that is carried by bearing blocks
44
a,
44
b.
The other end of the line shaft
43
is operatively connected to a coupler
45
which is in turn connected to the input of the gear box
32
. The gear box
32
has three output shafts. The first output shaft is directly connected to a pulley
46
. The second output shaft is operatively connected to a coupler
47
which is operatively connected to a line shaft
48
. The line shaft
48
is carried by block bearings
49
a,
49
b.
The other end of the line shaft
48
is operatively connected to a pulley
50
. The other output shaft of the gear box
32
is operatively connected to a coupler
51
which is operatively connected to the input shaft of the gear box
33
. The gear box
33
has a first pulley
52
operatively connected to one of its output shafts and a second pulley
53
operatively connected to another of its output shafts. The drive train
30
is operatively connected to and supported by the frame
21
. Also operatively connected to the frame
21
, between the first gear box
31
and second gear box
32
is a line shaft
54
. The line shaft
54
is carried by two block bearings
55
a,
55
b
which are in turn operatively connected to the frame
21
. Connected to one end of the line shaft
57
is a pulley
56
and at its other end is operatively connected a pulley
57
.
The conveyor
23
is driven by a belt
58
. The belt
58
is driven by pulley
57
at one end and is positioned around the roller
26
at its other end. The pulley
57
is driven by a belt
60
which is operatively connected between pulleys
56
,
46
. Positioned proximate a first end
23
a
of the conveyor
23
is a metal detector
59
. The conveyor
23
passes through an opening of the metal detector
59
.
A converging mechanism, generally designated at
61
, includes a first conveyor
62
laterally spaced from a second conveyor
63
. The conveyors
62
,
63
are mirror images of each other and only one will be described in detail. A post
64
is operatively connected to the frame
21
. The post
64
has a parallel support member
66
operatively connected thereto by an arm
67
. An extension arm
65
is pivotally connected to the support members
66
by a pivot joint
68
, thereby allowing the extension arm to pivot upward, as viewed in
FIG. 3
a.
A conveyor belt
69
is rotatably mounted around three rollers
70
,
71
,
72
. The three rollers
70
-
72
are operatively connected to each other by suitable brackets that connect shafts about their centerline. As seen in
FIG. 2
a,
the brackets are shown as reference numerals
73
,
74
. A drive shaft
75
has a drive sprocket (not shown) which is operatively connected to the roller
70
, thereby providing a rotating force to the conveyor belt
69
as the roller
70
is driven. The drive shaft
75
has a pulley
76
operatively connected thereto. A drive belt
77
is positioned around the pulley
76
and pulley
52
to provide the driving force. A similar drive shaft
78
has a pulley
79
that is connected by a belt
80
to the pulley
53
. As seen in
FIG. 3
a,
the shaft
78
extends behind the drive shaft
75
up to the rollers in the second conveyor
63
. A tensioning pulley
81
is positioned between the pulleys
76
,
52
. Similarly, a tensioning pulley
82
is positioned between the pulley
79
and pulley
53
. The conveyor
62
is in the shape of a triangle. The side between roller
72
and
73
is at an angle to the centerline of the belt
24
to be angled inward downstream.
Two diverter wheels
83
,
84
are mounted over the belt
24
. An upright support member
85
is secured to the frame
21
. Pivotally connected to the member
85
by a pivot joint
86
is a T-shaped support member
87
having a first arm
88
and a second arm
89
. Servo motor mounting plate
90
is operatively connected to the first arm
88
and servo motor mounting plate
91
is operatively connected to the second arm
89
. Servo motor
92
is mounted in the mounting plate
90
and has the diverter wheel
83
operatively connected to its output shaft. Similarly, servo motor
93
is mounted in the mounting plate
91
and its output shaft is operatively connected to the diverter wheel
84
. The diverter wheels
83
,
84
are similar in construction and therefore only one will be described in detail. The diverter wheels
83
,
84
are the same, except for their alignment with respect to the conveyor
23
.
The diverter wheel
84
has a central portion
94
in the shape of a disc with an outer rim
95
operatively connected to the central portion
94
. A plurality of diverter paddles
96
are secured to the outer rim
95
by suitable means such as bolts
97
. A shown in the Figures, there are eight diverter paddles
96
secured to the diverter wheel
84
. It is understood that other numbers of paddles could be utilized as well as different constructions such as a spoke configuration.
A plane, extending through the diverter wheel
84
forms an angle of approximately 40 degrees with the longitudinal axis of the conveyor
23
. The diverter paddles
96
have a tamale engaging surface
96
a
that is at an angle of 54 degrees to the plane extending through the diverter wheel
84
. The specific angles of the diverter wheel
84
to the conveyor
23
and the angle of the diverter paddles
96
to the wheel
84
are determined so that the tamales
200
receive substantially only lateral forces from the diverter paddles
96
as they are moved laterally, as will be described in more detail hereafter. Similarly, the diverter wheel
83
has diverter paddles
98
, having tamale-engaging surfaces
98
a
operatively connected thereto and is at an angle such that the tamale engaging surfaces
98
a
will push the tamales to the opposite side of the conveyor
23
than the tamale engaging surfaces
96
a.
The distance from the end of the engaging surfaces
96
a,
98
a
to the center of their respective wheel is preferably at least 12 inches so that the movement of the surfaces proximate a straight line over the conveyor
23
. The larger the distance the closer the path is to a straight line. It is also understood a reciprocating mechanism could also be used to move the tamales laterally. The reciprocating mechanism would be at an angle to have a lateral and longitudinal component, with respect to the conveyor, the same as the movement of the surfaces
96
a,
98
a.
Two cam wheels
99
are rotatably mounted to the support member
85
. A handle
100
is secured to the cam wheels
99
. As seen in
FIG. 5
, pulling back on the handle
100
will cause the cam wheels
99
to rotate and the cams will engage stops
101
, which are secured to the T-shape support member
87
. This will cause the T-shaped support member
87
to pivot upward, thereby moving the diverter wheels
83
,
84
out of position for cleaning or maintenance.
A side or positioning conveyor
102
is operatively mounted on the right side of the conveyor
23
and a side positioning conveyor
103
is operatively mounted to the left side of the conveyor
23
. The side positioning conveyor
102
operates in conjunction with the diverting wheel
83
and the side positioning conveyor
103
operates in conjunction with the diverting wheel
84
. The side positioning conveyor
102
is of similar construction to the side positioning conveyor
103
. Each conveyor
102
,
103
has a first roller
102
a,
103
a
operatively connected to a second roller
102
b,
103
b
by a bracket
102
c,
103
c.
A conveyor belt
102
d,
103
d
is positioned around the rollers for rotation about the rollers. The roller
103
a
is operatively connected to a drive shaft
104
that is mounted by suitable bearing blocks
105
and has a pulley
106
at its end. The pulley
106
is connected by belt
107
to pulley
52
to provide the rotating force for the conveyor belt
103
d.
Similarly, a similar drive shaft (hidden behind the post
87
in
FIG. 3
a
), is connected to the roller
102
b.
The drive shaft (not shown) has a pulley (not shown) which is connected via a belt
108
to pulley
53
, thereby providing the rotating force for the belt
102
d.
In viewing
FIGS. 2
,
3
,
8
and
11
, an empty can conveyor
110
is mounted between two rollers
110
a,
110
b.
The empty cans move in the direction of the arrow shown with respect to the conveyor
110
in
FIG. 2
b.
A return conveyor
112
is mounted at one end between rollers
112
a
and at its other end on its own idler roller on the shaft between the bearings
110
b
and
114
b,
but which are in alignment with rollers
110
b.
The conveyor
112
has its own motor
112
b
and gear box with a speed control that is connected by a belt (not shown) to roller
112
a.
A recycling conveyor
114
is mounted between end rollers
114
a,
114
b.
Rollers
110
b
and
114
b
are on the same shaft and driven by the same motor
112
b.
Can supply conveyor
116
moves the cans in the direction of the arrow as shown in
FIG. 2
a.
A can
300
is moved by diverter arm
201
from the conveyor
110
to the conveyor
116
. The conveyor
116
is mounted between two rollers
116
a,
116
b.
The roller
116
a
is mounted on bearing blocks
116
c,
116
d
which are in turn suitably mounted to the frame
21
. The roller
116
b
is mounted on bearing blocks
116
e,
117
f
which are also in turn mounted to the frame
21
. Finally, a strip-off conveyor
118
is mounted between end rollers
118
e,
118
f.
Referring now especially to
FIG. 11
, the strip off conveyor
118
is shown in detail. The end roller
118
f
is mounted on two bearing blocks
118
g,
118
h
which are suitably mounted to the frame
21
. A pulley
118
m
is connected to the end of the roller
118
f
and is connected by a belt
118
n
to pulley
50
. The other roller
118
e
is mounted on two bearing blocks
119
a,
119
b
which are in turn mounted to the frame
21
. Four nose rollers
141
-
144
are at the left end, as viewed in
FIG. 11
of four conveyor segments
145
-
148
. The roller
118
f
forms the other end of the conveyor segments
145
-
148
. Positioned between the conveyor segments
145
-
148
are additional conveyor segments
149
-
151
. These conveyor segments
149
-
151
are carried between the rollers
118
e,
118
f.
It can therefore be seen that the strip off conveyor
118
actually comprises seven conveyor segments
145
-
151
. Outer members
135
are secured to the curved portion of conveyor segments
141
,
144
to hold the curved shape of the conveyors
145
,
148
. Not shown are curved plastic members which are mounted by brackets and are on the underneath side of the conveyor segments
146
,
147
proximate the curved end to have the conveyor segments
146
,
147
hold their curved shape at the left end, as viewed in FIG.
11
. The can
300
coming off of the paddle wheel
121
is positioned between the curved segments of the conveyor segments
145
,
146
. The can coming off of the paddle wheel
122
is positioned between the curved portion of conveyor segments
146
,
147
. Finally, the can coming off of paddle wheel
123
is positioned between the curved portion of conveyor segments
147
,
148
. A plurality of magnets
152
are positioned underneath the conveyor segments
145
-
148
at their curved end to assist in positioning the cans
300
and prevents the cans
300
from tipping as they are being further moved away from the paddle wheels
121
-
123
. The magnets are positioned substantially along the entire length of the curved section of the conveyor segments
145
,
148
, even though only shown in segments
146
,
147
.
The can positioning mechanism of the present invention includes a can positioning and supply mechanism generally designated at
120
. The mechanism
120
is best seen in
FIGS. 1
,
7
and
9
-
10
. The mechanism
120
includes a plurality of paddle wheels
121
,
122
,
123
. The construction of the paddle wheels are similar and only one will be discussed in detail. Further, while the invention is shown with three paddle wheels, it is understood that there is one paddle wheel that is used for each line of tamales
200
coming down the conveyor. Therefore, if there is only one line, only one paddle wheel would be necessary. Further, if there were more than three lines, more than three paddle wheels would be utilized. The paddle wheel
121
has an outer periphery on which eight can positioning members
124
are secured. The can positioning members are secured to the paddle wheel
121
by suitable means such as bolts
125
. The can positioning members
124
have a curved front wall
124
a
and a curved rear wall
124
b.
The rear wall
124
is raised and prevents a can
300
, in the can que from being pushed forward. Two magnets
126
are positioned underneath the top surface of the member
124
and provide for an attraction force to the can
300
to hold it in position. The magnets
126
may be embedded in the members
124
or positioned beneath the members
124
, by means well known. The paddle wheels
121
-
123
are driven by their own respective servo motor
127
-
129
.
A three-piece shaft is used to rotate the paddle wheels
121
-
123
. However, it is understood that the servo motors may be connected to the paddle wheels in any suitable manner to provide the rotation of the paddle wheels. In the present embodiment, servo motor
127
drives pulley
127
a
by means of a belt
127
b.
Servo motor
128
drives pulley
128
a
by belt
128
b
and servo motor
129
drives pulley
129
a
by belt
129
b.
A first shaft
130
is supported by bearing blocks
133
,
134
, which are operatively connected to the frame
21
. The first shaft
130
is rotated by rotation of a pulley
127
a
and controls rotation of paddle wheel
123
. A second shaft
131
is coaxially mounted on the first shaft
130
and is rotated by rotational movement of the pulley
128
a
and controls rotation of the paddle wheel
122
. A third shaft
132
is coaxially mounted on the second shaft
131
and is rotated by rotational movement of the pulley
129
a
and controls rotation of paddle wheel
121
.
As viewed in
FIG. 7
, the can
300
that is tilted and shown in the loading position has one side almost resting on the strip-off conveyor
145
and the other side almost on the strip-off conveyor
146
. Therefore, as the strip-off conveyor
145
,
146
are moved and the loading wheel
121
is indexed, the can
300
will contact the strip off conveyor and will be carried away with the strip off conveyors
145
,
146
.
The can supply conveyor
16
has three lanes formed which feed the cans
300
to the paddle wheels
121
-
123
. Four dividing members
136
-
139
are supported over the conveyor
116
to channel the cans
300
to the paddle wheels
121
-
123
. It is understood that any type of channeling or queuing mechanism may be utilized.
In operation, a plurality of tamales
200
are continuously extruded and placed on the first end
23
a
of the conveyor
23
. When they are initially on the conveyor
23
, they are typically extruded three across. There is a slight spacing between the tamales at this time. The tamales
200
then pass through a metal detector
59
, as is well known in the art. The tamales
200
then approach the converging mechanism
61
. At this point, there is still a slight spacing, approximately ⅛ inches between the individual tamales side to side. The three tamales abreast may be referred to as a draft of tamales. The draft of tamales is moving on the conveyor
23
in the direction of the arrows shown in
FIG. 2
b.
The converging conveyors
62
,
63
are being driven at the same speed as the belt
24
, so as to reduce the stress on the tamales as they are moved inward. The distance between the first conveyor
62
and second conveyor
63
upstream is greater than the distance between the conveyors downstream. As can be seen in
FIG. 2
a,
the conveyors
62
,
63
converge going downstream. The purpose of this is to move the tamales
200
into a tight draft of three tamales so that they are positioned so as to be touching.
As will be described, the present invention is shown as being used for three lanes or lines. The converging mechanism
61
does reposition and converge every draft of tamales going down the belt
24
. However, the main function of the converging mechanism
61
is to converge the draft of tamales
200
that are going down the centerline. The drafts of tamales
200
that are going to the right and left sides are acted upon by the diverter wheels
63
,
64
which, as will be described more fully hereafter, do also function as a force to converge the draft of tamales into a draft where the adjacent tamales are touching each other.
A photosensor (not shown) is positioned just downstream from the converging mechanism
61
. The photosensor detects a draft of tamales and sends a signal to a controller (not shown) which controls the servo motors
92
,
93
as well as the servo motors
127
-
129
. The controller will signal for the diverter wheel
83
to be rotated at the appropriate time. This causes a draft of tamales
200
to be moved to the right as seen in FIG.
6
. The diverter wheel
83
is at an angle as are the diverter paddles
98
. This results in a sweeping motion causing the drafts of tamales to move from the center to the right. The speed of the rotation of the diverter wheel
83
is such that the tamales
200
, as they are being moved to the right, are not pushed forward or rearward with respect to the movement of the belt
24
. The sweeping motion of the paddles
98
is at an angle to the belt
24
and therefore the motion of the paddles
98
have a horizontal component and a lateral component. The lateral component of the movement will transfer the tamales from the center to the right-hand portion while the horizontal component is matched to the speed of the belt
24
so there is not damage to the tamales as they are moved sideways. This restricts the amount of forces that are placed on the tamales
200
. The lateral component of the paddles is equal to the distance the tamales are to be moved to the edge. The longitudinal component substantially matches the speed of the belt
24
. As the tamales
200
are moved to the right, the paddles
98
will move the tamales into the conveyor
103
. This conveyor
103
provides a stop for the tamales
200
and aligns them laterally at a specific location and orientation so that they are in position to be placed in the cans
300
, as will be described more fully hereafter. Again, the speed of the side positioning conveyor belt
103
d
is the same as the belt
24
again to minimize forces on the tamales
200
. As previously stated, if the converging section
61
was not utilized on the tamale drafts being moved to the right by diverter wheel
83
, the movement of the diverter wheel
83
and paddles
98
would compress the draft tamales
200
into a side-by-side arrangement. That is, the movement would act as a converging mechanism, the same as converging mechanism
61
, if the function had not already been performed by a converging mechanism
61
. The diverter wheel
83
is cycled twice so as to cause two drafts of tamales to be positioned behind each other on the right, as shown in FIG.
6
. Then, at the appropriate time, the diverter wheel
84
is similarly operated to move the draft of tamales
200
off to the left, as viewed in FIG.
6
. Similarly, the diverter paddles
96
will move the draft of tamales lateral to the left into the side conveyor
103
which functions the same as side conveyor
102
. Also, at the appropriate time, the diverter wheels are not actuated so that two drafts of tamales
200
are still going down the center of the belt
24
and are in alignment with the output of the converging mechanism
61
.
FIG. 6
shows two drafts of tamales to the left, two drafts of tamales in the center and two drafts of tamales to the right. The three lanes of drafts are now filled up and ready to approach the can positioning and supply mechanism
120
. The three lanes have been precisely laterally aligned to be fed into the cans
300
on the paddle wheels
121
-
123
.
The paddle wheels have been utilized to divert the tamales to the right or left side of the conveyor. It is also understood that a reciprocating motion could also be utilized such as the actuation of an air cylinder having a tamale engaging member on its end. Again, it would be preferable that this reciprocating motion would be at an angle to the belt
24
so that there would be a horizontal component of motion that would be equal to the speed of the belt
24
.
A supply of cans
300
is provided by placing the empty cans
300
on the conveyor
110
. The cans
300
then travel until they hit the diverter arm
201
where they are moved to the can supply conveyor
116
. The cans
300
then queue into one of three lanes defined by the dividing members
136
-
139
. Any cans that are not placed into the queues formed by the divider members will move to the bottom, as viewed in
FIG. 2
a.
They would then be moved on conveyor
112
to the right until they hit a stop arm
153
, shown only in
FIG. 1
a.
The stop arm is positioned just prior to the end of the conveyor
114
and the stop arm would move the cans on to the conveyor
114
where the cans
300
would be recycled back to the can supply conveyor
116
. It is understood that any other suitable means of queuing the cans to the three lanes leading up to the paddle wheels
121
-
123
may be utilized. Various controls are only shown in
FIGS. 1
a
and
1
b
and are not shown in the other views. It is understood that these controls, or other suitable controls, known to one skilled in the art, may be used.
Proceeding now with the description of the tamales as they are moved into the cans
300
, and referring now, especially to
FIG. 7
, there is shown one can
300
in an inclined position on paddle wheel
121
. The other cans are not shown in position, however, it is understood that there would also be a can in the inclined position on paddle wheels
122
,
123
. Further, there would be cans in position on the can positioning members
124
behind the inclined cans
300
. The tamales are approximately 4⅛ inches long and there is a space of approximately 2 inches between the drafts of tamales. Each draft of tamale, consisting of three tamales, is approximately 2½ inches in width. The can
300
has an opening with a diameter of 2⅞ inches. The inclined can, as shown in
FIG. 7
, is in the receiving position. The tamales are moved along the belt
24
at a speed of approximately 44 inches per second and this speed is sufficient to fly the draft of tamales off of the belt
24
and into the can
300
. The speed, spacing and orientation of the can
300
and tamales
200
are such that the draft of tamales
300
fly into the can on a trajectory that inserts them slightly above the horizontal centerline of the can opening. The tamales hit the bottom of the can then immediately fall downward and the next draft of tamales, 2 inches behind, is flown into the can at the same position, slightly above the horizontal centerline of the can. Even at a spacing of 1 inch between drafts, and at the speed noted above, there is still sufficient time for the first draft of tamales to fall down in the can before the second draft enters. Six tamales are then in the can and it is ready to be removed for further processing. This further processing would include adding the sauce and the top to the can, such processing being well known in the art.
As previously discussed, a controller will control the movement of the paddle wheels
121
-
123
to provide a can in the receiving position. The rotation of the paddle wheels by the servo motors has been previously described and will not be described in more detail. As the paddle wheels rotate, the rear wall
124
b
is rotated forward allowing the next can
300
to be positioned on the can positioning member
124
. The magnets will assist in holding the can in the correct position as it is being loaded. The can is then indexed to the receiving position. Then, after the tamales have been loaded, the can paddle wheel will rotate and the can
300
will be stripped away from the paddle wheel as it is moved on top of conveyors
145
,
146
. This will bring the can down and away from the paddle wheel along the arc of the curved sections
145
,
149
. The conveyor
145
,
149
then moves the cans on to the takeaway conveyor which includes the four strip-off conveyors
145
-
149
and additional conveyors
149
-
151
that are placed between the segments of the strip-off conveyors
145
-
149
to form a flat take-away conveyor. The cans are then moved between positioning arms
140
,
141
to move the cans, as viewed in
FIG. 8
, downward and on to the return conveyor
112
where they are then subsequently removed for further processing.
While the flying of the tamales into the cans on the paddle wheel
121
have been described, it is understood that the tamales are similarly flown into the cans on the paddle wheels
122
,
123
. The controller controls the appropriate movement of the paddle wheels to coincide with the draft of tamales which have been detected by the photosensor further upstream. The diverter wheels and converging mechanism has aligned the three lanes of tamales to match the three cans
300
on the three paddle wheels
121
-
123
.
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
Claims
- 1. A method of loading a continuous stream of frangible objects into a food container, comprising:a) placing a frangible object on a moving conveyor belt, the conveyor belt having a loading end; b) indexing the food container to a receiving position, the container in alignment with the frangible object and positioned at the loading end; c) moving the conveyor at a speed sufficient to fly the frangible object off of the conveyor into the food container; d) flying the object into the food container, the object flying at a trajectory witch is similar for the object and successive objects; and e) indexing the food container away from the conveyor.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the objects are soft.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the objects are tamales.
- 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising positioning three tamales in a closely packed configuration into a draft prior to flying the tamales into the food container.
- 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising flying a second draft of tamales into the food container.
- 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:a) moving a pushing member in a path, the pat at an angle to a centerline of the conveyor, wherein the movement of the pushing member relative to the conveyor has a lateral component and a longitudinal component; and b) contacting the tamale with the moving pushing member, wherein the tamale is moved from the first lateral position to a second lateral position, prior to flying the tamales into the food container.
- 7. A method of loading a soft frangible tamale into a container, comprising:a) placing a tamale on a moving conveyor belt, the conveyor belt having a loading end; b) indexing the container to a receiving position, the container in alignment with the tamale and positioned at the loading end; c) moving the conveyor at a speed sufficient to fly the tamale off of the conveyor into the container; d) flying the tamale into the container; and e) indexing the container away from the conveyor.
- 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising positioning three tamales in a closely packed configuration into a draft prior to flying the tamales into the container.
- 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising flying a second draft of tamales into the container.
- 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:a) moving a pushing member in a path, the path at an angle to a centerline of the conveyor, wherein the movement of the pushing member relative to the conveyor has a lateral component and a longitudinal component; and b) contacting the tamale with the moving pushing member, wherein the tamale is moved from the first lateral position to a second lateral position, prior to flying the tamales into the container.
US Referenced Citations (12)