A system for batching elongated articles

Abstract

The method uses a batching apparatus for batching the elongated articles into batches and outputs each batch into a rectifying channel for rectifying the elongated articles in a batch such that the elongated articles in each batch being substantially parallel.

Description

[0001] A system for batching elongated articles

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for batching elongated articles such as sausages, specifically batching and packaging batches such that the elongated articles are arranged from a substantially random orientation to a substantially parallel orientation in packaging containers.

[0004] An example is disclosed in EP2049399, which is incorporated in the present disclosure by reference.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure is:

[0006] A method for weighing and batching elongated articles such as sausages, said method comprising:

[0007] - providing a batching apparatus for batching said elongated articles into batches having a target weight or a target number of articles, said batching apparatus having an outlet,

[0008] - feeding said elongated articles into said batching apparatus and batching batches of elongated articles, each batch having a plurality of elongated articles,

[0009] - providing a plurality of rectifying channels for rectifying said plurality of elongated articles in each batch such that said plurality of elongated articles in each batch being substantially parallel,

[0010] - distributing a batch from said outlet into each rectifying channel,

[0011] - providing a conveyor supporting a plurality of packaging containers,

[0012] - conveying a batch through each rectifying channel and packaging a batch from each rectifying channel and into each packaging container. A second aspect of the present disclosure is:

[0013] A system for weighing and batching elongated articles such as sausages, said system comprising:

[0014] - a batching apparatus for batching said elongated articles into batches having a target weight or a target number of articles, each batch having a plurality of elongated articles, said batching apparatus having an outlet,

[0015] - a plurality of rectifying channels for rectifying said plurality of elongated articles in each batch such that said plurality of elongated articles in each batch being substantially parallel,

[0016] - a distributing system for distributing a batch from said outlet into each rectifying channel,

[0017] - a conveyor for supporting a plurality of packaging containers.

[0018] Elongated means that each article has a longitudinal direction, and the length of an article (measured in the longitudinal direction) is greater than the width of an article, e.g. width measured in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

[0019] In the following, specific examples according to aspects of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms than depicted below, and should not be construed as limited to any examples set forth herein. Rather, any examples are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows an example of a batching and packaging system, e.g. articles may be batched together, and each batch packaged in a tray / packaging containers including a first tray 1. Specifically, the system comprises a batching apparatus which in the example is illustrated as a circular multi-head weigher.

[0021] Other types of batching apparatuses may be contemplated such as a linear multi-head weigher or a robot batcher.

[0022] However, in general, a common feature is that the batching is done according to weight. That entails that a number of articles which have a combined weight / total weight / batch weight that is above a threshold / target weight are selected to make up the batch such that the batch has a weight that is above the threshold weight. Of course, normally the articles that should make up the batch are selected such that the batch weight is just above the threshold, e.g. so that weight is not given away for free (the end consumer pays for the threshold / minimum weight and if the batch weight is much higher than the target the consumer gets more than what he / she pays for). In practice a weight range could be defined so that articles that have a combined weight within the weight range may be selected to make up the batch.

[0023] A circular multi-head weigher has an infeed, e.g. articles are illustrated as being dropped down onto the batching apparatus.

[0024] The apparatus has a top cone 10, which may be stationary, or it may rotate.

[0025] Below the top cone is illustrated a rotating cone 12. The top cone may be omitted such that the machine only has the rotating cone. The rotating movement causes the articles to be distributed to the plurality of weighing heads arranged around the rotating cone.

[0026] Each weighing head may include a buffer bin / hopper 14 and a weight (hopper) 16. The buffer may be omitted. The buffer may be above the weigher and the other way around as well.

[0027] The batching apparatus in fig. 1 is illustrated as having 24 weighing heads. Another number of weighing heads may be contemplated such as 12 or 20 or 32.

[0028] Once the weight of an article has been determined by the weight hopper, it may be selected to be part of a batch, e.g. several articles are selected to meet a target weight, which can be a threshold that the weight of a batch has to be above. Alternatively / in addition, the batch may be batched according to a target number of articles, e.g. the batch is to comprise a certain number of articles.

[0029] The articles that are to make up a batch are then released (substantially at the same time / within a time window of for example up to one or two seconds such as up to ten seconds) from the respective weighing heads and they all fall down through a collection chute 18 and end up at the outlet of the batching apparatus.

[0030] The outlet is illustrated as comprising two gates including a first gate 20 (the two gates are illustrated as being next to each other / arranged linearly). There may be less gates such as one, and there may be more gates such as three or four.

[0031] A distribution system is arranged below the gates / outlet of the batching apparatus.

[0032] The distribution system is illustrated as comprising two reciprocating linear bucket conveyors next to each other, e.g. there is a conveyor / distributor arranged below each gate. Thus, one conveyor is contemplated per gate. There is a front conveyor and a back conveyor, e.g. behind the front conveyor, and they may move in parallel.

[0033] Another type of distribution system may also be contemplated such as a robot for example, e.g. a robot arm picks up each batch from the outlet and transfers it to a rectifying channel.

[0034] Below the distribution system is illustrated rectifying channels including a first rectifying channel 22. Eight rectifying channels are illustrated, but there may be less and there may be more such as between 4 and 18 channels such as between 6 and 12 channels.

[0035] The distribution system is responsible for distributing a batch from the outlet of the batching apparatus and into the rectifying channels.

[0036] Each conveyor of the distribution system comprises a table including a first table 23 and a number / plurality of buckets on the table. The table functions as a gate, e.g. it may move away from the buckets such that the buckets may be emptied. The movement may be in a direction substantially orthogonal to the movement of the conveyor, or the table may swing / rotate. The buckets have sidewalls, and the bottom is constituted by the table (when the gate is closed, e.g. when articles are to be contained in a bucket and not emptied). When the gate is open the buckets are emptied, e.g. the articles fall out through the bottom.

[0037] It is illustrated that each conveyor has four buckets including a first bucket 24 resulting in a total number of eight buckets. In the illustrated example the total number of buckets corresponds to / equals the number of rectifying channels, e.g. the number of buckets may depend on / be a function of the number of rectifying channels.

[0038] Fig. 1 illustrates that a bucket of each conveyor is below the outlet gates and each bucket receives a batch. In the illustrated example, a batch is constituted by 7 articles.

[0039] When all the buckets have received a batch, and the distribution system has positioned a bucket above each rectifying channel, the table(s) are moved away such that the batches in the buckets may be emptied down into the rectifying channels such that each rectifying channel receives a batch. Fig. 3 illustrates this.

[0040] In fig. 1 the front conveyor is all the way to the right in the figure, and the back conveyor is all the way to the left in the figure, which is the start position that the two bucket conveyors have when the buckets are about to be filled with batches.

[0041] In fig. 2 the front conveyor is all the way to the left and the back conveyor is all the way to the right. All the buckets contain a batch, and the buckets are ready to be opened / emptied, e.g. there is a bucket above each rectifying channel.

[0042] It is contemplated that one of the buckets in one of the conveyors could be omitted, e.g. one conveyor would have one bucket less than the other - because the batch could drop directly from an outlet gate and down into a rectifying channel.

[0043] Each rectifying channel is illustrated with a flat bottom and straight sidewalls. However, other shapes may be contemplated such as a hollow half cylinder or a U-shape or a V shape.

[0044] The rectifying channels are substantially parallel (within manufacturing tolerances), and the pitch of the channels is not greater than two times the width of a channel. Pitch describes the distance between repeated elements in a structure possessing translational symmetry. In this case it may be the distance between the center of a first channel and the center of a neighboring channel.

[0045] The rectifying channels extend between the outlet of the batching apparatus and a tray conveyor.

[0046] Between the rectifying channels and tray conveyor may be arranged a robot for moving articles from said rectifying channels and into trays on said tray conveyor. The robot may be operated in a plane, e.g. the articles are moved in a plane between the rectifying channels and the tray conveyor. In the following the robot is referred to as an “xy” robot.

[0047] Each rectifying channel may have a width greater than the width of at least two elongated articles such that there is room for at least two articles moving side by side down through the rectifying channel.

[0048] Each rectifying channel may have a width smaller than the length of an elongated article, e.g. a channel should not be so wide that an article can lay orthogonal in a channel, because then it would not be possible to achieve the rectifying process. There may be a tradeoff / function between the length of a channel and the width, e.g. the wider the channel the longer it may have to be in order to rectify.

[0049] The width of a rectifying channel may depend on the type of articles, e.g. the articles may be thin and long or fat and short or fat and long.

[0050] Each rectifying channel may have a length greater than the length of at least two elongated articles or in absolute measure be longer than 0.4 m such as longer than 0.5 m or 0.6 m.

[0051] Each rectifying channel is substantially horizontal (said in other words: an article has substantially the same angle with respect to a horizontal plane at the start of a channel as it has at the end of the channel - not withstanding a slightly curved channel, a curved channel should have a radius at least five times as large as the length of the channel). The present disclosure is intended for a system for packing articles in a horizontal po- sition / laying down - the articles in a tray are arranged in a plane / layer (there might be two layers for some types of articles).

[0052] The inclination may be up to 50 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane such as up to 45 or 30 or 20 or 15 or 10 or 5 degrees.

[0053] The rectifying channels may vibrate in order to move the articles along each channel, e.g. the system may comprise one or more motors / actuators for vibrating each rectifying channel.

[0054] Alternatively, the bottom of each rectifying channel may comprise rollers for moving the articles by gravity, e.g. in this case the bottom of each rectifying channel has an inclination.

[0055] Fig. 3 illustrates the articles of each batch in each rectifying channel on their way through each rectifying channel.

[0056] Each rectifying channel has a vertical shaft / compartment at the end, which a batch may fall into, and the articles in the batch may lay in parallel, e.g. each rectifying channel has a channel part and a compartment part. For a rectifying channel the bottom of the compartment part may be lower than the bottom of the channel part.

[0057] A rectifying channel (or all of them) may comprise a partition wall / center separator (not shown) dividing the rectifying channel in two parts / sub-channels (also called distributaries) along the length of the rectifying channel - the rectifying channel is bifurcated so to speak.

[0058] With such a center separator, a number of articles may travel in one distributary and another number of articles may be in the other distributary, e.g. on each side of the center separator until the articles reach the end of the channel or reach the compartment and drop down into the compartment. In other words, for each compartment (or all of them) there would in principle be two sub-channels feeding a compartment (when there is one partition wall). With two partition walls there would be three channels per compartment.

[0059] The partition wall could extend down into the compartment. In this case it could be said that there are more rectifying channels than there are trays to be filled, e.g. if X number of trays are to be filled with a batch at a time, the number of rectifying channels is higher than X - for example two times X. As an example, 8 trays are to be filled at a time (with one batch in each tray). There could then be 16 rectifying channels. Two rectifying channels would be responsible for rectifying a batch for a tray.

[0060] Fig. 3 comprises a zoom of a compartment 29 illustrating an article that has been rectified and is laying in the compartment.

[0061] The bottom of each compartment is constituted by a table 30 acting as a gate. The table may move away from the compartments in order to empty the compartments. The bottom of a compartment is arranged lower than the bottom of a rectifying channel, e.g. there is a level difference between the bottom of a compartment and the bottom of a rectifying channel.

[0062] Below the rectifying channels / compartments is the xy robot. When the compartments are emptied the batch in each compartment falls down into the xy robot.

[0063] The xy robot is responsible for transporting the batches from the rectifying channels / compartments to a tray conveyor.

[0064] As such the compartments are not necessary, e.g. the end of each rectifying channel may have a bottom that is flush with the bottom of a rectifying channel.

[0065] Fig. 4 comprises a zoom of a compartment illustrating that the table has moved away and an article is falling out of the compartment and down into the xy robot.

[0066] The xy robot may have a plurality of containers including a first container 32. Preferably there is one container per batch such that a batch is contained in a container as it is moved from the rectifying channel to the tray conveyor. The number of containers is a function of the compartments - preferably there are as many containers as there are compartments / rectifying channels.

[0067] Each container may be rotated such as 90 degrees. All the containers may rotate substantially simultaneously and with substantially the same angle.

[0068] Fig. 5 illustrates that the containers are in the process of being rotated while the xy robot moves towards the tray conveyor.

[0069] It is not necessarily so that the containers have to be rotated. It depends on the type of product and / or trays, but the possibility of rotating the containers achieves flexibility to different products and / or trays.

[0070] The xy robot is called so due to the possibility of rotating the containers, e.g. the device has freedom of movement in a plane (can rotate).

[0071] The bottom of each container is constituted by a table 34 acting as a gate. The table may move away from the containers in order to empty the containers, e.g. each container is arranged on the table.

[0072] The tray conveyor is below the xy robot.

[0073] The xy robot may be omitted, and the trays may be conveyed directly below the rectifying channels and each batch drop from a rectifying channel and into a tray by means of for example gravity.

[0074] The tray conveyor conveys the trays that the batches are to be packaged in, e.g. one batch per tray.

[0075] The rectifying channels are arranged orthogonal to the tray conveyor.

[0076] The trays are output by a thermoforming machine (not shown) to the tray conveyor, e.g. the tray conveyor may move through the thermoforming machine. The tray conveyor may have a plurality of conveyors / lines (such as belt conveyors) that are parallel, and which support and convey the trays. The illustrated example has two lines (a first / front line and a second / back line when observing the illustrated example).

[0077] The thermoforming machine may output different formats, e.g. lines in which a number of trays may be placed. In the illustrated example, the thermoforming machine outputs a format of 4 by 2 trays at a given frequency (trays output per unit of time), e.g. there are two lines and on each line is placed four trays.

[0078] The figures so far show that filled trays on the two conveyors / lines are displayed / offset with respect to each other, e.g. there are four empty trays on the front conveyor (when looking at the figure) next to four filled trays on the back conveyor. This is because for each time the xy robot moves from the rectifying channels to the tray conveyor, the thermoforming machine outputs a batch of trays according to a format, e.g. 2 by 4 or 3 by 3. And there are a higher number of containers than the number of trays output on a line, e.g. the xy robot is illustrated with 8 containers (that are on a line) and these 8 containers are to be emptied into 8 trays (on a line). Thus, when starting production, the very first four trays on one of the lines are not filled with articles. Instead, the thermoforming machine outputs two batches such that eight trays on one of the lines has been filled. As the xy robot transports a new set of batches to the tray conveyor, the thermoforming machine has made another batch of trays and the other line has eight empty trays ready to be filled. This is illustrated in fig. 6.

[0079] The number of rectifying channels / compartments (not including bifurcated channels), and the number of containers as well may be found as a function of the format, e.g. by multiplying the number of lines with the number of trays placed on each line. For a format of 2 by 4 there would be eight rectifying channels, and the xy robot would comprise eight containers.

[0080] Another format could be 3 by 3 trays, e.g. three lines with 3 trays placed on each line by the thermoforming machine. In this case there would be nine rectifying channels, and nine containers in the xy robot.

[0081] The present disclosure is adaptable to the format of the thermoforming machine as well as to different products, e.g. width of the articles for example. Thus, there may be a plurality of kits of parts for different types of products and / or tray formats, e.g. parts of the batching apparatus that may be exchanged depending on the size of the articles that are to be batched. Thus, a first kit of parts comprises parts for a first size of articles and a second kit of parts comprises parts for a second size of articles - different from the first size.

[0082] A kit of parts may comprise a plurality of rectifying channels, and possibly a plurality of containers for the xy robot, and possibly also a plurality of buckets for the distributor.

[0083] Thus, when changing the format of the thermoforming machine, a kit of parts is replaced with another kit of parts, e.g. a kit of parts with a number of a certain type of rectifying channels may be replaced with a kit of parts with another number of another type of rectifying channels. The number of rectifying channels in the two kits of parts may be the same, but with different channels / of different type, e.g. the channels in the first kit of parts may be wider than the channels in the other kit of parts. And / or the number of channels in the first kit of parts may be different to the number of channels in the other kit of parts.

[0084] The same with the containers, e.g. each container is to fit to the contents of a batch. One type of article / product or batch (number or articles in the batch) may require one type of container and another type of article or batch may require another type of container. For example, one type of batch may be a certain number of long and thin articles and another type of batch may be another number of short and wide articles. Thus, when changing the format of the thermoforming machine a kit of parts is replaced with another kit of parts, e.g. a kit of parts with a number of a certain type of containers may be replaced with a kit of parts with another number of another type of containers.

[0085] Fig. 7 illustrates the emptying of the xy robot into trays.

[0086] As the xy robot (and the containers) are above trays ready to be filled on the tray conveyor, the table of the xy robot moves away such that the batches drop down into the trays.

[0087] Fig. 8 shows that a batch may be rectified such that there are two layers of articles in case each tray is to have two layers of articles, e.g. the zoom in the figure shows two articles on top of each other in a rectifying channel. Another number than two layers may be contemplated, for example three layers or four layers. In general, a plurality of layers may be packed in the trays.

[0088] Fig. 9 shows another format (3 by 3 trays output by the thermoforming machine).

[0089] In this case there are three lines of tray conveyors moving parallel to each other, and three trays are placed on each conveyor.

[0090] For an efficient production, nine trays on a line may be filled at a time. Thus, there are nine rectifying channels / compartments for collecting rectified articles. And the xy robot has nine containers.

[0091] The distribution system may have nine buckets - five in one line and four in another line.

[0092] The example shows cocktail sausages which are so small that no rectification takes place, and this kind of sausage are randomly oriented in the trays.

[0093] Now follows a set of items, which constitute aspects of the present disclosure which may be considered independently patentable and as such the following sets form basis for possible future sets of claims:

[0094] 1. A method for weighing and batching elongated articles such as sausages, said method comprising:

[0095] - providing a batching apparatus for batching said elongated articles into batches having a target weight or a target number of articles, said batching apparatus having an outlet,

[0096] - feeding said elongated articles into said batching apparatus and batching batches of elongated articles, each batch having a plurality of elongated articles, - providing a rectifying channel for rectifying said plurality of elongated articles in a batch such that said plurality of elongated articles in each batch being positioned substantially parallel to each other at a distal end of said rectifying channel,

[0097] - distributing said batch from said outlet into said rectifying channel,

[0098] - providing a conveyor supporting a plurality of packaging containers,

[0099] - conveying a batch through said rectifying channel and packaging a batch from said rectifying channel and into a packaging container.

[0100] 2. The method according to the preceding item, comprising providing a plurality of rectifying channels for rectifying said plurality of elongated articles in each batch such that said plurality of elongated articles in each batch being positioned substantially parallel to each other at a distal end of each rectifying channel.

[0101] 3. The method according to any of the preceding items, each rectifying channel having a proximal end opposite said distal end, said proximal end being closer to said outlet than said distal end.

[0102] 4. The method according to any of the preceding items, each batch entering into each rectifying channel at said proximal end.

[0103] 5. The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising distributing a batch from said outlet into each rectifying channel.

[0104] 6. The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising conveying a batch through each rectifying channel and packaging a batch from each rectifying channel and into each packaging container.

[0105] 7. The method according to any of the preceding item, each rectifying channel having a width greater than the width of at least two elongated articles and smaller than the length of an elongated article.

[0106] 8. The method according to any of the preceding items, each rectifying channel being substantially horizontal. 9. The method according to any of the preceding items, each rectifying channel vibrating for conveying a batch.

[0107] 10. The method according to any of the preceding items, said plurality of rectifying channels being substantially parallel.

[0108] 11 . The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising providing a distribution system for distributing a batch from said outlet into each rectifying channel of said plurality of rectifying channels.

[0109] 12. The method according to any of the preceding items, said distribution system comprising a plurality of buckets, each bucket having a batch for a rectifying channel for transporting a plurality of batches into said plurality of rectifying channels.

[0110] 13. The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising distributing a batch from said outlet into each rectifying channel by means of said distribution system.

[0111] 14. The method according to any of the preceding items, each rectifying channel comprising a compartment at an end closest to said conveyor.

[0112] 15. The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising providing a (xy) robot for transporting a plurality of batches from said plurality of rectifying channels to said conveyor.

[0113] 16. The method according to any of the preceding items, said robot comprising a plurality of containers for containing a batch in each container.

[0114] 17. The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising emptying a batch from each rectifying channel into each container.

[0115] 18. The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising transporting a plurality of batches from said plurality of rectifying channels to said conveyor by means of said robot. 19. The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising providing a thermoforming machine for outputting packaging containers onto said conveyor.

[0116] 20. The method according to any of the preceding items, comprising outputting packaging containers onto said conveyor by means of said thermoforming machine.

[0117] 21 . The method according to any of the preceding items, each rectifying channel comprising a center separator.

[0118] 22. The method according to any of the preceding items, providing a first kit of parts comprising a first plurality of rectifying channels, and / or a first plurality of buckets, and / or a first plurality of containers.

[0119] 23. The method according to any of the preceding items, providing a second kit of parts comprising a second plurality of rectifying channels, and / or a second plurality of buckets, and / or a second plurality of containers.

[0120] 24. The method according to any of the preceding items, said first plurality of rectifying channels being different from said second plurality of rectifying channels.

[0121] 25. The method according to any of the preceding items, said first plurality of buckets being different from said second plurality of buckets.

[0122] 26. The method according to any of the preceding items, said first plurality of containers being different from said second plurality of containers.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for batching elongated articles such as sausages, said method comprising:- providing a batching apparatus for batching said elongated articles into batches having a target weight or a target number of articles, said batching apparatus having an outlet,- feeding said elongated articles into said batching apparatus and batching batches of elongated articles, each batch having a plurality of elongated articles,- providing a plurality of rectifying channels for rectifying said plurality of elongated articles in each batch such that said plurality of elongated articles in each batch being positioned substantially parallel to each other at a distal end of each rectifying channel, each rectifying channel being substantially horizontal and having a proximal end opposite said distal end, said proximal end being closer to said outlet than said distal end,- distributing a batch from said outlet into each rectifying channel,- providing a conveyor supporting a plurality of packaging containers,- conveying a batch through each rectifying channel and packaging a batch from each rectifying channel and into each packaging container.

2. The method according to any of the preceding claims, each rectifying channel having a width greater than the width of at least two elongated articles and smaller than the length of an elongated article.

3. The method according to any of the preceding claims, each rectifying channel vibrating for conveying a batch.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, said plurality of rectifying channels being substantially parallel.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising providing a distribution system for distributing a batch from said outlet into each rectifying channel of said plurality of rectifying channels.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, said distribution system comprising a plurality of buckets, each bucket having a batch for a rectifying channel for transporting a plurality of batches into said plurality of rectifying channels.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising providing a robot for transporting a plurality of batches from said plurality of rectifying channels to said conveyor.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, said robot comprising a plurality of containers for containing a batch in each container.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising transporting a plurality of batches from said plurality of rectifying channels to said conveyor by means of said robot.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising providing a thermoforming machine for outputting packaging containers onto said conveyor.

11. The method according to any of the preceding claims, each rectifying channel comprising a center separator.

12. The method according to any of the preceding claims, providing a first kit of parts comprising a first plurality of rectifying channels, and / or a first plurality of buckets, and / or a first plurality of containers.

13. The method according to any of the preceding claims, providing a second kit of parts comprising a second plurality of rectifying channels, and / or a second plurality of buckets, and / or a second plurality of containers.

14. The method according to any of the preceding claims, said first plurality of rectifying channels being different from said second plurality of rectifying channels.

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