TRANSFER APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING IRREGULARLY CONFIGURED PRODUCTS

Abstract

A transfer apparatus is used in a manufacturing process of irregularly configured products having a shell-like configuration with at least a part of its outer surface largely depressed. The transfer apparatus includes a first transfer device, a second transfer device and a supply device. A first transfer device has a gutter-like configuration and receives the products one after another while the depressions of the products being aligned with a transferring direction. The second transfer device receives the products at the depressions and transfers the products one after another in a row. The supply device receives the products from the second transfer device and supplies the products one by one to a next step.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a transfer machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of first and second transfer devices, a distance adjusting device and a supply device of the transfer machine;

FIG. 3A is a plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a view as viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow P in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are explanatory views showing the operation for transferring products from the first transfer device to the second transfer device;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the product during the transportation by the second transfer device;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the operation for transferring the products from a receptacle to a discharge gutter;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the product during the transportation by an auxiliary transfer device;

FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) are explanatory views showing the product during the transportation by the first transfer device;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a transfer machine according to another representative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a right side view of a receptacle and first and second transfer devices shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a detailed enlarged view of FIG. 12 and shows the relation between the receptacle and the first transfer device;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B) are explanatory views showing the operation for transferring the products from the first transfer device to a second transfer device;

FIG. 16 is a schematic front view showing the relation between the second transfer device and a third transferring device;

FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of the third transfer device and showing the product during the transportation:

FIG. 19 is an enlarged explanatory view showing the product during the transportation by the third transfer device;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the third transfer device and a next transfer device for a packaging machine and shows the operation for transferring the products;

FIG. 21 is a front view showing a supply device for supplying the products from the third transfer device to the next transfer device; and

FIG. 22 is an enlarged front view of the supply device.

Claims

1. A transfer apparatus for a manufacturing process of irregularly configured products having a shell-like configuration, comprising: a first transfer device having a U-shaped configuration, wherein the first transfer device is capable of receiving products having a depression, wherein the depressions of the products are aligned with a transferring direction;a second transfer device structured to receive the products at the depressions and to transfer the products in a row; anda supply device arranged and constructed to receive the products from the second transfer device and to supply the products to a next step.

2. The transfer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first and second transfer devices are positioned and structured to be inclined relative to a horizontal direction, so that the products are transferred as the products freely drop along the first and second transfer devices.

3. The transfer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: the first transfer device has a width that is substantially the same as a width of the product when the depression of the product is aligned with the transferring direction, and the first transfer device includes a vibrating device capable of applying vibrations to the first transfer device, so that the position of each product is changed by the vibrations such that the orientation of the depression aligns with the transferring direction.

4. The transfer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the second transfer device comprises at least one plate-like member, capable of supporting the product along the at least one plate-like member.

5. The transfer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the operation timing of the supply device is adjusted in response to the requirement for supplying the products to the next step.

6. A transfer apparatus used in a manufacturing process of irregularly configured products having a shell-like configuration, comprising: a first transfer device arranged and constructed to receive and transfer plurality of groups, each plurality of groups including the a plurality of products, wherein each of the plurality of products includes a depression;a second transfer device having a gutter-like configuration capable of receiving the plurality of groups one after another, so that the plurality of products are arranged and transferred in a row with the depressions aligned with the transfer direction;a third transfer device arranged and constructed to receive the plurality of products at the depressions and to transfer the products one after another in a row; anda supply device arranged and constructed to receive the plurality of products from the third transfer device and to supply the plurality of products one by one to a next step.

7. The transfer apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the third transfer device comprises a substantially elliptical belt formed by a single piece of a band plate-like member, and a drive device for circulating the belt.

8. The transfer apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the first and second transfer devices are positioned and structured to be inclined relative to a horizontal direction.

9. The transfer apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the first transfer device includes a plurality of projections structured to support the plurality of products.

10. The transfer apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the second transfer device includes a vibrating device capable of applying vibrations to the second transfer device.

11. The transfer apparatus as in claim 6, further including an air blowing device positioned adjacent the second transfer device.

12. The transfer apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the third transfer device includes a plate capable of supporting the plurality of products.

13. A transfer apparatus structured to transfer irregularly configured products: a first transfer device having a U-shaped configuration, wherein the first transfer device is capable of receiving products having a depression, wherein the depression of the product is aligned with a transferring direction;a second transfer device including a plate structured to receive the product at the depressions;a supply device arranged and constructed to receive the products from the second transfer device and to supply the products to a next device.

14. The transfer apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the plate is shaped like a triangle.

15. The transfer apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the plate extends along an entire length of the second transfer device.

16. The transfer apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the first and second transfer devices are positioned and structured to be inclined relative to a horizontal direction.

17. The transfer apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the first transfer device has a width that is substantially the same as a width of the product and the first transfer device includes a vibrating device capable of applying vibrations to the first transfer device.

18. The transfer apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the second transfer device comprises at least one plate-like member, capable of supporting the product along the at least one plate-like member.

19. The transfer apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the operation timing of the supply device is adjusted in response to the requirement for supplying the products to the next step.