Separating conveyor for feeding packaging units filled with bulk goods to a palletizer

Abstract

The invention relates to a separating conveyor (1) for a palletizer, the separating conveyor (1) having an upstream inlet side (2) and a downstream outlet side (3) and being designed to convey packaging units in the conveying direction (X) from the inlet side (2) towards the outlet side (3), and having a blade-like distributing element (4) which extends substantially in the conveying direction (X) along the separating conveyor (1) and which, for lateral deflection of the packaging units, has a first axis of movement allowing the blade-like distributing element (4) to be moved substantially perpendicularly to the conveying direction (X), the blade-like distributing element (4) having a second axis of movement in which at least a portion of the blade-like distributing element can be moved substantially along the separating conveyor (1).

Description

[0001] Separation conveyor for feeding packaging units filled with bulk material to a palletizer

[0002] The invention relates to a separating conveyor for a palletizer, wherein the separating conveyor has an upstream input side and a downstream output side and is configured to convey packaging units in the conveying direction from the input side toward the output side, and having a distribution bar that extends substantially in the conveying direction along the separating conveyor and has a first adjustment axis for laterally deflecting the packaging units, wherein the distribution bar is adjustable substantially transversely to the conveying direction. Such a separating conveyor is already known from the document EP 4219353 Ai. Furthermore, EP 2354052 Ai and US 5 787 679 A disclose separating conveyors that enable adjustment of the distribution bar substantially along the separating conveyor.

[0003] A separation conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, for example a belt conveyor or link belt conveyor, on which the packaging units are transported. A distribution blade is arranged on the conveyor belt. The task of a distribution blade is to divide a flow of packaging units, for example bags (valve bags or oven bags), cartons or containers, into several lanes, for example a left and a right lane. The higher the throughput of bags is to be, or the more difficult it is for bags to pass through the distributor and to be distributed by it, the smaller the distance between the individual bags becomes. However, above a certain number of bags (> approx. 4000 bags / h), pivoting the distribution blade from left to right around its axis of rotation and vice versa is only possible by stopping the upstream indexing belt. This in turn reduces the flow of bags on the indexing belts.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantage and to develop a distribution blade that does not require stopping the upstream indexing belt, so that an increase in the performance of the palletizer is achieved and more bags can be palletized per hour.

[0005] The object is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. Accordingly, it is provided that the distribution blade has a second adjustment axis, along which at least one section of the distribution blade is adjustable substantially along the separation conveyor. By adjusting the at least one section along the separation conveyor, an absolute length of the at least one section can be changed.

[0006] The distribution device thus has a first direction of travel around a rotational axis (swiveling left / right), and the front distribution blade area is supplemented by a second direction of travel in the conveying direction. It can be provided that this second movement in the conveying direction retracts the distribution blade in front of the bag stream at the moment of swiveling, and extends the distribution blade again to its full length after swiveling, so that the absolute length of the distribution blade area can be changed.

[0007] Alternatively, it can be provided that in order to shorten the distribution blade relative to the input side of the separating conveyor, the front distribution blade area is raised in the vertical direction.

[0008] The packaging units are fed to the distribution bar or separation conveyor via an indexing belt, which is positioned upstream of the distribution bar or separation conveyor in the conveying direction. The indexing belt has a transport track. An indexing belt can be a conveyor belt, for example, a driven belt conveyor or link belt conveyor, which controls or regulates the feed of the packaging units. The distribution bar of the separation conveyor can be configured to create at least two transport tracks located downstream of the distribution bar, as viewed in the conveying direction.It can be provided that an alignment conveyor is arranged downstream of the separation conveyor, which is designed to rotate the transported bags on the conveyor perpendicular to the conveying plane as required, so that, depending on the layer pattern to be created, some of the bags leave the alignment conveyor in a longitudinal orientation and others in a transverse orientation. The separation conveyor and the alignment conveyor can be aligned with one another such that the bags transferred to the alignment conveyor are each transported directly along a left or right edge of the alignment conveyor. The alignment conveyor can have a rotating device for the left and one for the right transport track to rotate the bags, in particular by 90°. Torsion bar rotating devices can be used as rotating devices. These require a transport axis oriented towards the edge.Viewed in the conveying direction, additional conveyor belts, so-called row conveyors, can be arranged behind the alignment conveyors. One or more row conveyors can be used. Preferably, two row conveyors are used, which are connected to the left and right transport tracks of the alignment conveyors.

[0009] The invention has the particular advantage that the additional travel movement allows the bag flow to flow continuously along the indexing belt. This eliminates the need to stop the bag flow on the upstream indexing belt. Furthermore, a larger bag flow can be achieved without having to increase the belt speed excessively.

[0010] The distribution blade can be provided with a downstream end, to which the distribution blade is pivotably fixed about a pivot axis oriented perpendicular to the conveying plane, for example, arranged centrally to the transverse extension of the separating conveyor. Furthermore, the distribution blade can have an upstream end facing the inlet side, which can be pivoted relative to the downstream end essentially transversely to the conveying direction by means of a pivot drive.

[0011] It can be provided that the adjustable section of the distribution blade is telescopic in the longitudinal direction by means of a telescopic drive. In particular, it can be provided that the distribution blade has a fixed first section which is not adjustable in the longitudinal direction and has a second section which is telescopic relative to the first section. It is conceivable that the fixed first section extends upstream from the pivot axis. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the telescopic second section, or a distribution blade tip, borders the inlet side of the separating conveyor. However, the distribution blade tip can be designed such that the distribution blade tip is spaced a minimum distance from the inlet side of the separating conveyor both in the extended and in the retracted state and, for example, does not protrude beyond the conveyor belt.

[0012] The separation conveyor can further comprise a controller by means of which the pivot drive is controlled such that the distribution blade is adjusted between a first position, in which the distribution blade is pivoted towards a first side of the separation conveyor, and a second position, in which the distribution blade is pivoted towards a second side of the separation conveyor opposite the first side of the separation conveyor. Furthermore, the telescopic drive can be controlled by means of the controller such that the distribution blade has a first longitudinal extent in the first and second positions and a second longitudinal extent in a position located between the first and second positions. The controller can comprise a frequency converter and / or a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).The controller can be configured to coordinate or synchronize both travel movements (swiveling left / right and shortening the absolute length of the distribution blade area) as well as the cycle speed of the bag flow. The controller can also be configured to adjust the feed speed of the cycle conveyor upstream of the separation conveyor.

[0013] It can be provided that the first longitudinal extension of the distribution blade is greater than the second longitudinal extension of the distribution blade. This allows the distribution blade to have a greater length when located in an edge position than when located in a central position between the two edge positions.

[0014] For example, the telescopic drive can be configured to have a constant adjustment speed for the distribution blade. Furthermore, a reversal of the adjustment direction of the telescopic drive can be provided when the center position of the distribution blade is exceeded. This allows the distribution blade to telescope from its maximum length during pivoting, starting from an edge position, to its minimum length until reaching the center position. Upon exceeding the center position, it can telescope back from the minimum length to its maximum length until reaching the opposite edge position.

[0015] For example, the distribution blade can be adjustable in the longitudinal direction by an adjustment range of between 50-150 mm.

[0016] The second or adjustable distribution blade section can be guided along a guide rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the distribution blade. The guide rail can be mounted on a bracket connected to the distribution blade. The adjustable distribution blade section can have corresponding guide shoes which are movably coupled and can be moved along the guide rail. It can be provided that the second distribution blade section is connected to the telescopic drive via a connecting piece. The connecting piece can extend through an elongated recess in the bracket of the distribution blade and can be moved along the recess. The telescopic drive can have a piston-cylinder unit, which can be designed as an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder. Alternatively, the telescopic drive can be designed as a servo drive.The adjustment of the telescopic element can be performed in a continuous or discontinuous movement. The type of movement depends on the actuator (e.g., electric cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or hydraulic cylinder) of the telescopic element.

[0017] Further details of the invention are explained with reference to the following figures.

[0018] Fig. i is a plan view of an embodiment of the separating conveyor according to the invention;

[0019] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the separating conveyor according to the invention;

[0020] Fig. 3a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the distribution blade in the extended state;

[0021] Fig. 3b is a perspective view of an embodiment of the distribution blade in the retracted state;

[0022] Fig. 4a is a side view of an embodiment of the distribution blade in the extended state;

[0023] Fig. 4b a side view of an embodiment of the distribution blade in the retracted state.

[0024] Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of the separation conveyor according to the invention in a palletizer. Figure 1 is a plan view of a separation conveyor 1 having an input side 2 and an output side 3, wherein bags are delivered to the input side by means of an upstream cyclic conveyor (not shown) and placed onto the separation conveyor 1. The separation conveyor 1 has a conveyor belt 15 guided by a plurality of rollers 16, which is driven by a conveyor drive 21. The separation conveyor 1 further has two side boundaries 17, which continuously taper the travel track in the conveying direction X. Two output-side sections of the side boundaries 17 adjoin the tapered area and are aligned parallel to one another.The separation conveyor 1 has a distribution blade 4, which is arranged centrally between the side boundaries 17 and held by a holding frame 18 and divides the conveyor path into a right and a left lane. The distribution blade 4 is used to distribute bags fed in at the inlet side into the left and right lanes, depending on which layer pattern is to be created by the downstream palletizer (not shown). The bags hitting the middle of the separation conveyor 1 are guided to the left or right lane depending on the position of the distribution blade 4 and, as soon as the bags are located laterally next to the distribution blade 4, are pushed in the direction of the respective side boundary 17 by pivoting the distribution blade 4. The distribution blade 4 is articulated at its downstream end 5 and can be pivoted about a pivot axis Z.The pivot arm extending from the pivot axis Z in the direction of the inlet side 2 can be pivoted between a left and a right position along an adjustment link by means of a pivot drive 7 arranged at the upstream end of the distribution blade 4, thereby realizing a first adjustment direction A. The distribution blade 4 has a distribution element aligned perpendicular to the conveying plane and a holder 14 mounted horizontally on the distribution element. The rotary pivot drive 7 is connected to the holder 14 via a coupling rod. By means of the telescoping function according to the invention (shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4), it is possible to adjust the distribution blade tip 6 in the longitudinal direction of the blade, so that instead of a convex travel path 19 transverse to the conveying surface, a concave travel path 20 of the distribution blade is realized.This makes it possible to pull the distribution blade 4 away from an incoming bag in a central position between the outer distribution blade positions and to extend it again as soon as the distribution blade 4 is next to the incoming bag. This makes it possible to reduce the distance between incoming bags and thus increase the cycle time or throughput. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the separation conveyor i. In particular, the downstream pivot axis Z of the distribution blade Z and its attachment to the holding frame 18 can be seen. It can also be seen that the distribution blade consists of a vertical distribution element adjacent to the belt conveyor and the horizontally aligned holder 14 mounted thereon. The difference between the travel paths 19, 20 of the distribution blade tip 6 in the telescoped and non-telescoped state is also clearly shown.

[0025] Figures 3a-4b show the distribution blade 4 in the extended state (Figures 3a and 4a) and in the retracted state (Figures 3b and 4b), with Figures 3a and 3b each showing perspective views and Figures 4a and 4b each showing side views. Shown in particular is the front distribution blade area or the second distribution blade section 10, which is telescopic by approximately 50 - 150 mm relative to the first distribution blade section 9. The telescopic section 10 is movable along a guide rod 11 in and against the conveying direction X. In Figures 3a and 4a, the distribution blade 4 has its maximum length in the extended state; in Figures 3b and 4b, the distribution blade 4 is in the retracted state and has its minimum length. Via the connecting piece 12, the telescopic element 10 is firmly connected to the telescopic drive 8, which is designed as a piston-cylinder unit.The connecting piece 12 can be moved along an elongated recess 13 in the holder 14 of the distribution blade 4. In Figure 3a and Figure 4a, the piston rod is extended out of the cylinder, and in Figure 3b and Figure 4b, it is retracted into the cylinder. As can be clearly seen, the distribution blade 4 has two adjustment directions: one is an adjustment direction A essentially transverse to the conveying direction X, and one is an adjustment direction B essentially along the conveying direction. The drives 7 and 8 of the distribution blade are controlled by a controller such that the telescopic element 10, as the distribution blade 4 is pivoted along the first adjustment direction A, is retracted to the maximum in the adjustment direction B upon reaching the middle position, and is extended to the maximum in the adjustment direction B in both end positions on the left and right, transverse to the conveying direction X.The adjustment of the telescopic element 10 can occur in a continuous or discontinuous movement. The type of movement depends on the actuator (e.g., electric cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or hydraulic cylinder) of the telescopic element. The distribution to the right or left track occurs depending on the selected layer pattern. The signals for controlling the telescopic drive for extending and retracting the distribution blade 4 come from the control loop of a higher-level PLC controller.

[0026] Figure 5 shows a schematic overall view of a palletizer having a separation conveyor 1 according to the invention. The palletizer has a timing belt 30 upstream of the separation conveyor, which feeds products and / or containers to the separation conveyor 1. Downstream of the separation conveyor 1 are two parallel alignment conveyors or straightening belts 40, each having a torsion bar rotating device 45. Downstream of the straightening belts 40 are two layer belts 60 with pushers for pushing a layer onto the downstream deposit table 80. Between the layer belts 60 and the deposit table 80, a balcony plate 70 is arranged, which serves for pre-positioning or as a buffer unit. Palletizers are used to palletize products and / or containers (e.g., bags, cartons) on a load carrier (e.g., pallet).During palletizing, the load carrier is located on a lifting truck with roller conveyor or belt conveyor below the deposit table 80 and can be moved vertically with the help of the drive train of the lifting gear consisting of drive shaft, gearbox, motor and traction device (e.g. chains). The deposit table 80 consists of two parts that can assume an open and a closed position. On the layer belts 60, a layer or a row is formed from several products and / or packages. Before a product / pack reaches the layer belt 60, it is transported via several conveyors that are arranged upstream of the layer belt. This is the layer-forming level, which can consist of, for example, indexing belts 30, straightening belts 40 and row belts 50. For the overlapping arrangement of the layers on the load carrier, it is necessary to feed some products / packs lengthwise and others crosswise, depending on the type of layer arrangement.Therefore, the products / containers are rotated accordingly by means of a rotating device 45 before reaching the layer belt 60. Once a layer or row is complete, the layer or row is pushed from the layer belt 60 onto the closed deposit table 80 with the aid of a cross pusher (not shown). If a layer is formed successively from several rows, rows are pushed from the layer belt 70 onto the closed deposit table 80 until the layer is completely placed on the closed deposit table 80. The pressers are in position to keep the layer pressed; then the deposit table 80 opens and the finished layer is placed on the lifting gear roller conveyor or onto a pallet or another load carrier (slip sheet, tray, etc.) on the lifting gear roller conveyor. The lifting gear moves down and the deposit table 80 is closed again.

[0027] The lifting mechanism then moves upwards again and presses the entire upper layer of the stack of goods under the closed stacking table along a fixed or variable path. This levels the upper layer.

[0028] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential for the realization of the invention both individually and in any combination.

[0029] List of reference symbols:

[0030] 1 separation conveyor

[0031] 2 Entrance side

[0032] 3 Output page

[0033] 4 Distribution blade

[0034] 5 Downstream end

[0035] 6 Upstream end / distribution blade tip

[0036] 7 Rotary actuator

[0037] 8 Telescopic drive

[0038] 9 First distribution blade section io Second distribution blade section ii Guide rail

[0039] 12 connecting piece

[0040] 13 Recess

[0041] 14 Bracket

[0042] 15 conveyor belt

[0043] 16 rolls

[0044] 17 Page limit

[0045] 18 holding frames

[0046] 19 Travel path of the distribution blade tip without telescoping

[0047] 20 travel path of the distribution blade tip with telescoping

[0048] 21 Conveyor drive

[0049] 30 timing belt

[0050] 40 alignment conveyors

[0051] 45 Torsion bar rotating device

[0052] 50 line band

[0053] 6o layer tape

[0054] 70 balcony sheet

[0055] 8o storage table

[0056] A first adjustment direction

[0057] B second adjustment direction

[0058] X Conveying direction

[0059] Z swivel axis

Claims

Claims 1. Separating conveyor (1) for a palletizer; wherein the separating conveyor (i) has an upstream input side (2) and a downstream output side (3) and is configured to convey packaging units in the conveying direction (X) from the input side (2) toward the output side (3); and having a distribution blade (4) which extends substantially in the conveying direction (X) along the separating conveyor (1) and has a first adjustment direction (A) for laterally deflecting the packaging units, in which the distribution blade is adjustable substantially transversely to the conveying direction (X), wherein the distribution blade (4) has a second adjustment direction (B) in which at least one section of the distribution blade (4) is adjustable substantially along the separating conveyor (1), characterized in that an absolute length of the at least one section can be changed by adjusting the at least one section in the second adjustment direction (B).

2. Separating conveyor (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distribution blade (4) has a downstream end (5) on which the distribution blade (4) is pivotally fixed about a pivot axis (Z) oriented perpendicular to the conveying plane, for example arranged centrally to the transverse extent of the separating conveyor (1), and has an upstream end (6) pointing towards the input side (2) which is pivotable relative to the downstream end (5) substantially transversely to the conveying direction (X) by means of a pivot drive (7).

3. Separating conveyor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distribution blade (4) is telescopic in the longitudinal direction of the distribution blade (4) by means of a telescopic drive (8).

4. Separating conveyor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution blade (4) has a fixed first section (9) which is not adjustable in the longitudinal direction, and a second section (10) which is telescopic relative to the first section (9). 5- Separating conveyor (i) according to claim 4, wherein the fixed first section (9) extends upstream from the pivot axis (Z) and the telescopic second section (10) opens into the input side (2) of the separating conveyor (1).

6. Separating conveyor (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, which further comprises a control by means of which the pivoting drive (7) is controlled such that the distribution blade (4) is adjustable between a first position in which the distribution blade (4) is pivoted towards a first side of the separating conveyor (1), and a second position in which the distribution blade (4) is pivoted towards a side opposite the first side of the separating conveyor (1).

7. Separating conveyor (1) according to claim 6, wherein the telescopic drive (8) is controlled by the controller such that the distribution blade (4) has a first longitudinal extent in the first and second positions, and a second longitudinal extent in a position located between the first and second positions, which second longitudinal extent differs from the first longitudinal extent.

8. Separating conveyor (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first longitudinal extent is greater than the second longitudinal extent of the distribution blade (4).

9. Separating conveyor (1) according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the telescopic drive (8) has a constant telescopic speed.

10. Separating conveyor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution blade (4) is adjustable in the longitudinal direction by an adjustment path between 50-150 mm.

11. Separating conveyor (1) according to one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust a feed speed of the cyclic conveyor arranged upstream of the separating conveyor (1).

12. Separating conveyor (1) according to one of claims 4 to 11, wherein the second distribution blade section (10) is guided along a guide rail (11) extending in the longitudinal direction of the distribution blade (4). 13- Separating conveyor (i) according to one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the second distribution blade section (10) is connected to the telescopic drive (8) via a connecting piece (12).

14. Separating conveyor (1) according to claim 13, wherein the connecting piece (12) extends through an elongated recess (13) of a holder (14) of the distribution blade (4) and is movable along the recess (13).

15. Separating conveyor (1) according to one of claims 3 to 14, wherein the telescopic drive (8) has a piston-cylinder unit which is designed as an electric cylinder, as a pneumatic cylinder or as a hydraulic cylinder.

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