Packing and unpacking machine

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6612095
  • Patent Number
    6,612,095
  • Date Filed
    Monday, June 3, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 2, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A pick-up member for use with an apparatus for transporting a container from a pick-up station to a deposit station. The pick-up member being substantially formed of plastic and includes a bell-shaped head having a longitudinal bore for receiving containers and transverse bores intersecting the longitudinal bore and causing transverse movement engaging members for engaging with the containers. A control mechanism is provided to control the position of the engaging members.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention is primarily directed to a pick-up mechanism which operates with a packing machine which operates to move containers between a pick-up station and a deposit station. Such type apparatus is well known and normally uses pivoting gripping members, which are operated by way of pivoting linkages. Generally, the pick-up and gripping devices are formed of forged metal, which is expensive to fabricate. Also, the control linkages are fairly complicated and time consuming to assemble and adjust. This aggravates the change over procedure required to accommodate different size containers.




U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,864,890 and 4,169,621 are directed to examples of this known structure.




The instant gripping or pick-up member is formed of primarily plastic members either extruded or molded. The lone metal members comprise a unitary stamped metal piece and a spring. The structure is first a low cost product. It can be quickly assembled as there are only eight independent elements and adjustment is substantially negligible. Also, the change over procedure to accommodate different size containers is easily performed.




It is a primary object of this invention to provide a gripping member, which is easily installed with the container transporting apparatus.




Another object of the invention is a gripping member, which is inexpensive to manufacture.




Another object of the invention is a gripping apparatus, which operates substantially error free.




Another object of the invention is a gripping apparatus comprised essentially of plastic components.




Another object of the invention is a gripping apparatus, which is easily interchanged with the transporting apparatus.




Another object of the invention is a gripping apparatus, which is easily adjusted to operate synchronously with the transporting apparatus.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The instant invention is directed to an apparatus for transferring containers from a pick-up position to a deposit position, which includes a pick-up and a guide grid carrying a plurality of guide members. The pick-up grid, which is movable between the pick-up position and the deposit position, carries a plurality of pick-up members. Each pick-up member includes a head having an axial bore, which extends from one end thereof and a plurality of transverse bores which engage with the axial bore. Each transverse bore carries an engaging member which is capable of movement between an engaging position where the engaging member is positioned to extend inwardly beyond the periphery of the axial bore and a release position where the engaging member is moved outside the periphery of the axial bore. Each pick-up member includes a control mechanism.




The apparatus is constructed so that when the guide grid positions the guide members in their active position the pick-up grid positions the pick-up members in the pick-up position with the heads located about the containers. The control mechanism is actuated to move the engaging members into the engaging position and into gripping contact with the containers. Also, when the guide grid positions the guide fingers and the pick-up grid positions the pick-up members in the deposit position, an engagement member actuates the control mechanism to allow the engaging members to move into the release position allowing the containers to be released into the deposit position.




The control mechanism includes a reciprocating cam carried by each head. The cam is movable between an engaging position in which the engaging member is cammed into the engaging position and a non-engaging position in which the engaging member is allowed to move into the release position. It is preferred that both the head and the engaging members are formed of plastic. Also, the engaging members are shaped in the form of a ball or a pin.




There is a tube connecting each pick-up grid with each head. Also, there is a rod, carried in each tube and extending above its upper end. This allows for movement of the pick-up grid relative the engagement member to bring about relative movement between the head and the cam.




The invention is further directed to a container pick-up member, which includes a shaped head, preferably, bell shaped, having an upper and lower end with an axial bore extending from its lower end for receiving containers. There are transverse bores through the head, which engage, with the axial bore. Each transverse bore carries an engaging member, which moves laterally into and out of the axial bore. Also, there are longitudinal grooves formed in the head and which engage with respective of the transverse bores. A camming member is carried in each groove for movement longitudinally of the head and transverse of the associated of the transverse bores. Longitudinal movement of the camming members control the position of the engaging members within the transverse bores.




There is a tube secured with the upper end of the head, which connects the head with the pick-up grid. Also, there is a rod passing through the tube, which is in contact with the actuator plate for controlling the downward movement of the cam into the release position. A resilient member is engaged with the camming members, which continuously urge them toward the upper end of the head. Each camming member is carried by a camming fork, which is supported on the head.




It is preferred that all major components be made of plastic either injection molded or extruded. Generally only the fork carrying the cams is made of metal.











DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof.




The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:





FIG. 1

is a top or plan view of a portion of the transporting apparatus equipped with the pick-up mechanism of the invention;





FIG. 2

is a diagrammatic sectional side view of transporting apparatus;





FIG. 3

is a diagrammatic sectional view of the actuator;





FIG. 4

is a sectional side view of the pick-up mechanism;





FIG. 5

is a perspective sectional view of the head of the pick-up member;





FIG. 6



a


is a sectional side view of the pick-up mechanism with the gripping members in the engaged position;





FIG. 6



b


is similar to

FIG. 5



a


but showing the engaging members in the disengaged position;





FIG. 7

is an exploded perspective view of the camming fork; and





FIG. 8

is a side view of another gripping member.











DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Referring now to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail.




Turning now to

FIGS. 1-3

the general environment in which the novel pick-up members of the invention operate.

FIG. 1

shows a transfer apparatus A which operates to deliver containers B along a feed conveyor C, to group a selected number of containers into slug D, to then transfer slug D to pick-up station E where the slug of containers is picked up and transported to deposit station F. At the deposit station the slug of containers is deposited into a container G which is removed by conveyor H. This operation and apparatus of performing is described in more detail in co-pending application to which reference is here made.




More specifically, the apparatus with which the novel pick-up members operate include pick-up grid


10


which is carried by rotating tower


14


in a position above guide grid


12


as shown in FIG.


2


. The pick-up and guide grids are carried about axis Y by tower


14


and are also caused to move vertically along a plane arranged about the periphery of the rotating tower in known manner. This vertical movement positions the guide grid and the pick-up grids into and out of a pick-up position, a carrying position and a deposit position.




Returning again to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, as rotating tower


14


moves the pick-up grid into pick-up position E, the pick-up grid is in its most raised position. Upon reaching the pick-up position pick-up grid


10


along with guide grid


12


are lowered into the pick-up position. Fingers


16


descend around each container of the slug. Slightly after but substantially simultaneously, pick-up grid


10


lowers pick-up members


18


into position over the upper end of each container. A transfer apparatus, more fully disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/418,619, including engagement member


58


actuates the pick-up member


18


to engage with the containers. Pick-up grid


10


is then raised as pick-up and guide grids


10


and


12


continue to move about axis Y. Upon reaching deposit position F, pick-up and guide grids,


10


,


12


are again lowered placing the containers into boxes or packages. At this time a releasing mechanism or engaging mechanism


59


of the transfer apparatus actuates pick-up members


18


to release the containers as pick-up and guide grids


10


and


12


are raised leaving the containers in boxes


24


which are removed via conveyor H.




Turning now to

FIGS. 4-7

, the structure of pick-up member


18


will be described. Preferably, the pick-up member is made substantially of plastic, which substantially reduces the cost of manufacture and its overall weight. Pick-up member


18


consists of bell or receiving end


26


, which includes an axial bore


28


from its lower end to a point generally around its mid-point. The bore is of a size slightly larger than the upper end of the container to be moved. A second axial bore


30


is formed in bell


26


from its upper end terminating just short of bore


28


forming shelf


32


. In opposed positions along the outer surface of bell


26


are formed vertical slots


34


which extend about half the length of the bell terminating with shelf


32


. Slots


34


are cut into the bore


30


. From shelf


32


downward to just short of the lower end of bell


26


slots


34


′, which merge with slots


34


are cut to about 1 cm. At a point generally midway of axial bore


28


a pair of opposed transverse bores


36


are cut to extend from the inner surface of slots


34


′ into bore


28


. An engaging member is positioned in each transverse bore. The engaging member is preferably a molded plastic ball


38


as shown in

FIGS. 6



a


and


b


but can alternatively comprise pin


38


′ as shown in FIG.


8


. The engaging member is of a size that a portion thereof may extend inwardly of the outer wall of bore


28


and into the area of the bore when urged inward. The engaging member may also be removed from this area. The size of transverse bores


36


is such as to freely fit about ball


38


or pin


38


′ allowing transverse movement thereof along the bore. Also in the case of ball


38


, the inner ends of transverse bores


36


are slightly reduced in size allowing only a portion of the ball to penetrate into the cavity of the bore.




Fork


40


is formed with a pair of arms each carrying cam member


42


adjacent its lower end. Cams


42


are arranged just below recesses


43


formed in each arm. Centrally of fork


40


is arranged a resilient member such as spring


44


and extension


46


forms the upper portion of the fork.




Fork


40


is adapted to extend across axial bore


30


with its arms fitted into slots


34


and extending into slots


34


′. The arms are of a length to allow cams


42


to extend below transverse bores


36


as shown in

FIG. 6



b.






Spring


44


is positioned in axial bore


30


to be located between the medial portion of fork


40


and shelf


32


. Spring


44


acts to urge fork


40


away from the lower end of bell


26


.




A tube


48


fits into the upper end of axial bore


30


and is secured in position by bolt


52


. The upper end of tube


48


is adapted to secure with pick-up grid


10


as shown generally in

FIGS. 2 and 3

. Rod


50


is carried within tube


48


and is of a length to normally extend above the upper end thereof. See FIG.


3


. The lower end of rod


50


secures with extension


46


. Bolt


52


passes through slot


52


′ in extension


46


to allow vertical movement of fork


40


and rod


50


.




In operation, the control mechanism, which includes rod


50


, fork


40


, cams


42


and engaging members


38


or


38


′ is normally positioned in the engaging position as shown in

FIG. 6



a


. In this position spring


44


locates rod


50


above the end of tube


48


, fork


40


spaced above shelf


32


and cams


42


opposite transverse bores


36


in position to urge engaging members


38


into the engaging position.




In this position, as shown in

FIG. 6



a


, portions of the engaging members extend into axial bore


28


to engage with and grip the upper end of a container.




In the disengaged position, rod


50


is moved against spring


44


to be substantially flush with the upper end of tube


48


, cams


42


are moved below bores


36


allowing engaging members


38


to move into the area of recesses


43


freeing the container end.




The transfer apparatus, as best shown in

FIGS. 1 and 3

, includes a pair of stationary arms


19


,


20


which extend over the path of conveyors C and H in a position substantially above the pick-up position E and the deposit position F. Each arm carries an engagement member


58


,


59


at its end.




Each pick-up grid


10


includes an actuating member


60


; see

FIGS. 2 and 3

, which includes an extension


62


and a plate


64


. Plate


64


is supported by the upper ends of rods


50


. An arm


56


connects with tower


12


and forms a guide for extension


62


.




In operation, tower


12


carries pick-up and guide grids


10


,


12


about axis Y and also in a vertically reciprocating motion. As a pair of grids


10


,


12


move over pick-up position E and are lowered into position over the containers, engagement member


58


strikes extension


62


lowering plate


64


which in turn lowers each cam


42


placing the pick-up members into their disengaged position which allows the upper portion of the containers of the slug to be positioned in bores


28


. As extension


62


moves past, engagement member


38


plate


64


is raised by springs


44


which also move forks


40


to upwardly moving cams


42


into engagement with engaging members


38


locking the containers with the pick-up members.




As the grids


10


,


12


are lowered into the deposit position positioning the containers in boxes or suitable packages, engagement member


59


engages with extension


62


causing a repeat of the above described action and releasing the containers into box G. Box G is removed by conveyor H while grids


10


,


12


move to repeat the operation.




While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. An apparatus for transferring containers from a pick-up position to a deposit position comprising:a guide grid carrying a plurality of guide fingers; a pick-up grid movable between said pick-up position and said deposit position, said pick-up grid carrying a plurality of pick-up members; each said pick-up member including a head having an axial bore, extending from one end thereof, and a plurality of transverse bores engaging with said axial bore, each said transverse bore carrying an engaging member for movement between an engaging position where said engaging member is moved to extend beyond the periphery of said axial bore and a release position where said engaging member is moved outside the periphery of said axial bore; each said pick-up member including a control mechanism associated with said control grid; wherein, when said pick-up grid positions said pick-up members in said pick-up position with said heads located about said containers, said control mechanism is actuated to move said engaging members into said engaging position and into gripping contact with said containers and when said pick-up grid positions said pick-up members in said deposit position said control grid actuates said control mechanism to allow said engaging members to move into said release position allowing said containers to be released into said deposit position.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, at least one of said head and said engaging member is molded plastic.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, said control mechanism includes a reciprocating cam carried by each said head, said cam being movable between an engaging position in which said engaging member is cammed into said engaging position and a non-engaging position in which said engaging member is allowed to move into said release position.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, said engaging member comprises one of a ball and a pin.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 3 including a tube connecting each said pick-up grid with each said head.
  • 6. The apparatus of claim 5 including an engagement member and a rod, carried in each said tube, connecting said control grid with said cam; wherein movement of said pick-up relative said engagement member causes said rod to move said cam between said engaging and said non-engaging positions.
  • 7. In an apparatus for transferring containers from a pick-up station to a deposit station which includes a guide grid and a pick-up grid operating in synchronism;a plurality of pick-up members carried by said pick-up grid, each said pick-up member comprising: a shaped head having an upper and lower end with an axial bore extending from said lower end for receiving the containers; transverse bores engaging with said axial bore, each said transverse bore carrying an engaging member for lateral movement into and out of said axial bore; longitudinal grooves formed in said head and engaging with respective of said transverse bores; a camming member carried in each said groove for movement longitudinally of said head and transverse of the associated of said transverse bores; wherein, movement of said camming members controls the position of said engaging members along said transverse bores.
  • 8. The pick-up member of claim 7 including a tube secured with said upper end of said head for securing said head with said pick-up grid.
  • 9. The pick-up member of claim 8 including a rod passing through said tube, said rod being secured with said camming member for controlling said movement of said cam.
  • 10. The pick-up member of claim 7 including a resilient member continuously urging said camming members toward said upper end.
  • 11. The pick-up member of claim 7 wherein each said camming member is carried by a camming fork supported on said head.
  • 12. The pick-up member of claim 11 including a resilient member carried by said head urging said camming fork away from said lower end.
  • 13. The pick-up member of claim 7 wherein said head is molded plastic.
  • 14. The pick-up member of claim 7 wherein said engaging members are plastic.
  • 15. The pick-up member of claim 7 wherein said head is bell shaped.
Parent Case Info

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/418,619, filed Oct. 15, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herewith.

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Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/418619 Oct 1999 US
Child 10/160908 US