Method and apparatus for automatic boxing of products on sticks
By using a closed conveyor line and sensor-controlled independent unit design, the complexity and manual dependence of existing automatic packing equipment are solved, enabling efficient and low-cost automatic packing of products on bars.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CT PACK
- Filing Date
- 2021-04-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing automated packing equipment suffers from high production, management, and maintenance costs when packing products on packing bars. Furthermore, the reliance on manual visual inspection during the control process leads to low efficiency and makes it difficult to guarantee the accuracy and consistency of product quantities.
Employing a closed conveyor line and independently moving unit design, combined with linear motors and sensor systems, the system detects product positions and controls unit movement via sensors, enabling precise picking and packing while reducing equipment complexity and manual intervention.
It has enabled simple and flexible automated packing equipment and methods, reducing production, management and maintenance costs, and ensuring the accuracy of product quantity and packing efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN113562226B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a device for automatically packing products on sticks, particularly ice cream on sticks.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for automatically packing products, particularly ice cream sticks, onto a packing bar using the aforementioned automatic packing equipment. Background Technology
[0003] The phrase "product on a stick" usually refers to food products that include a stick, which serves to support the edible product and to be held by the user during consumption.
[0004] In the technical field of the present invention, the products on the bar are packaged directly inside the box without any wrapping for each individual product, and therefore the conventional name of bare products is used.
[0005] Equipment for automated packing of products on existing bars uses a conveyor line, on which the products move and are then picked up by a pick-up unit and placed in a box suitable for any transport and final sale.
[0006] Typically, automated packing equipment comprises a series of units that move along a conveyor line, each designed to hold and maintain at least one product on a bar.
[0007] The products on the bar are located at the entrance of the automated packing equipment, where the loading device places them on the corresponding units in the loading area.
[0008] These units, moving along the conveyor line, transport the products on the bars from the loading area to the unloading area, where the products on the bars are picked up by the corresponding units and placed inside the boxes using the aforementioned picking units.
[0009] In industrial processes, the number of products to be packed on the bars inside each box is predetermined and unlikely to change, so as not to adversely affect the quality of the final product and user satisfaction.
[0010] In fact, too many products on the bars can lead to over-compression of the products in the box, and at least some of them may spoil.
[0011] On the other hand, insufficient product quantity can lead to dissatisfaction among end consumers, who end up paying for fewer products than indicated on the outside of the box.
[0012] In this sense, in the automated packing equipment in use, control measures are implemented to minimize packing errors, thereby ensuring the best and consistent quality of the finished product and the packed product.
[0013] The most common type of these control systems includes a manual control unit downstream of the picking and packing station. Under this system, the operator visually assesses the contents of the box before sealing and checks that the quantity of products inside the box corresponds to the predetermined quantity.
[0014] However, this approach has significant drawbacks compared to automated activities, which are typically associated with human activities, primarily in terms of the effectiveness and efficiency of the control process.
[0015] Therefore, an automated packing device solution has been proposed, which uses the integrated control system in the device to measure the actual position of the product on the bar.
[0016] Based on the position detected by the control system, the equipment adjusts the picking operation from the unit so that the picking unit picks up and always places the same number of products on the bars.
[0017] These solutions require the pickup unit to adapt to the actual position of the product on the bar on the unit so that pickup operations are not performed at units where the product to be packaged is not being delivered.
[0018] The implementation of the pickup unit significantly increases the complexity of automated packing equipment, especially the pickup unit itself, as it must be able to adapt to the actual position of the product on the bar, thus increasing production, management, and maintenance costs. Summary of the Invention
[0019] The purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus for products on an automatic packing bar, which has a particularly simple and flexible structure and significantly reduced production, management and maintenance costs.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for automatically packing products onto a packing bar with high efficiency and effectiveness, and its implementation is particularly flexible and simple. Attached Figure Description
[0021] The advantages and features of the apparatus and method for products on an automated packing bar according to the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] - Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of an automated packing device according to the present invention is shown;
[0023] - Figure 2 The highlighted area is shown by a circle. Figure 1 A detailed 3D view of the automated packing equipment;
[0024] - Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 A top view showing details of the automated packing equipment;
[0025] - Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the components of an automatic packing device;
[0026] - Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 Side view of the components of the automatic packing equipment;
[0027] - Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the components of an automatic packing device;
[0028] - Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 A three-dimensional view showing the details of the components of the automated packing equipment;
[0029] - Figure 8 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the components of an automatic packing device;
[0030] - Figure 9 schematically shown Figure 8 The operation of components in automatic packing equipment;
[0031] - Figure 10 It shows Figure 1 A 3D view of multiple components of an automated packing device;
[0032] - Figure 11 It shows Figure 10 Alternate perspective views of several components of the automated packing equipment shown;
[0033] - Figure 12 It shows Figure 10 and 11 A top perspective view of one of the components of the automated packing equipment shown;
[0034] - Figure 13 It shows Figure 1 A top-view perspective view showing the details of the components of an automated packing device;
[0035] - Figure 14 It shows Figure 13 A bottom-view perspective view of the components of an automated packing machine;
[0036] - Figure 15 It shows Figure 13 and 14 A top view showing the details of the components of the automated packing equipment;
[0037] - Figure 16 A block diagram illustrating the steps of the automatic packing method according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation
[0038] Referring to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates equipment for use on an automatic packing bar for product P.
[0039] In the following description, the term "product on a stick" preferably refers to a product in the food sector, which includes a stick P1 that has a product support function and a function for the user to grasp during consumption.
[0040] Examples of common products in this category are popsicles or ice cream bars with sticks, preferably made of wood to facilitate gripping by the end consumer.
[0041] Preferably, the automatic packing equipment according to the invention is designed for automatically packing products on exposed bars, i.e., packing the products on the bars directly inside the box without providing any separate wrapping for each individual product.
[0042] In the accompanying drawings, the product P on the stick is shown as ice cream on a stick, which includes an elongated stick P1 that is partially inserted into and partially protruding from the product on the stick.
[0043] For example, especially in Figures 1 to 3 As shown, device 1 includes conveyor line 2.
[0044] According to one aspect, the conveyor line 2 is a closed conveyor line, that is, the start and end points of the conveyor line coincide.
[0045] In one embodiment, the conveyor line 2 includes a track along which movable elements can slide, as will be described below.
[0046] As shown in the figure, the conveyor line 2 includes a forward guide section 2A and a return guide section 2B that are connected to each other.
[0047] Preferably, the starting point of the forward guide section 2A coincides with the ending point of the return guide section 2B, and similarly, the starting point of the return guide section 2B coincides with the ending point of the forward guide section 2A.
[0048] In other words, the forward guide section 2A and the return guide section 2B are connected through their respective ends.
[0049] Preferably, the forward guide 2A and the return guide 2B are parallel to each other along at least a portion of their paths.
[0050] Preferably, the conveyor line 2 is made of a conductive material, typically a metallic material.
[0051] According to an embodiment, the delivery line 2 includes a conductive element and is configured to be partially traversed by a current along the conductive element.
[0052] The local current circulating along the conductive element is preferably supplied by a current generator (not shown) and modulated by a control unit (also not shown).
[0053] According to another embodiment, the conveyor line 2 is magnetically polarized in a localized manner, that is, it has variable and permanent magnetic polarization along its extension.
[0054] According to especially Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the conveyor line 2 includes a first portion 21 and a second portion 22 positioned at an angle to each other.
[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are configured to be at an angle to each other to form a 90° angle.
[0056] In other embodiments, the angle formed between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 may take different values depending on the space dedicated to installing the device 1.
[0057] As shown in the attached figure, the device 1 includes multiple units 3 associated with the conveyor line 2.
[0058] More specifically, the units of the plurality of units 3 are movable along the forward guide 2A and the return guide 2B in the feed direction V.
[0059] More precisely, in the straight extension of the conveyor line 2, the unit 3 is movable along the forward guide section 2A and the return guide section 2B according to the feed direction V from the opposite direction.
[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, each of the plurality of units 3 is movable along the conveyor line 2 independently of the other units 3.
[0061] In other words, the movement of each unit is independent of the position or movement of other units in the multiple units 3.
[0062] According to an embodiment, each unit 3 is magnetically polarized in a permanent manner.
[0063] According to another embodiment, each unit 3 includes a conductive element configured to allow current to pass through it locally.
[0064] The local current circulating along the conductive element is supplied by a current generator, preferably portable but not shown, and modulated by a control unit, also not shown.
[0065] Preferably, when each of the plurality of units 3 is magnetically polarized, the transmission line 2 includes a conductive element and is configured to be locally carried by a current along the conductive element.
[0066] Similarly, when the transmission line 2 is magnetically polarized in a localized manner, each of the plurality of units 3 includes a conductive element configured for the passage of an electric current.
[0067] According to the two configurations just described, the movement of multiple units 3 along the conveyor line 2 is controlled by a linear motor.
[0068] Advantageously, the use of linear motors involves applying the principle of local electromagnetic induction to trigger the movement of each individual unit 3 independently of the other units 3, preferably depending on its position on the conveyor line 2.
[0069] Again, advantageously, the use of a linear motor allows for particularly precise movement of unit 3.
[0070] For example, especially in Figures 10 to 12 As shown, each of the plurality of units 3 includes a holding system 31 configured to hold the product P on the bar.
[0071] Preferably, the holding system 31 includes two elements that are movable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position is used to hold the product P on the bar, preferably at bar P1. In the open position, the product P on the bar can be inserted into or picked up.
[0072] exist Figures 10 to 12 In the diagram, the holding system 31 is shown in a closed position, wherein two movable elements face each other to form a seat for the rod P1, the rod is held inside the seat and the product P on the rod is attached to the corresponding unit 3.
[0073] In the open position (not shown), the two movable elements of the holding system 31 are spaced apart, creating an opening in the seat of the rod P1 for inserting or picking up the product P on the rod.
[0074] Depending on the embodiment, the structural changes between the open and closed positions of the holding system 31 are controlled by a mechanical or electromechanical system.
[0075] As in Figure 1 In and more in Figure 4 and 5 As shown, device 1 includes a loading unit 4 operatively connected to conveyor line 2.
[0076] The loading unit 4 is configured to load a predetermined number of products P on a predetermined number of bars onto an equal number of units 3 at the loading area Z1 of the forward guide 2A.
[0077] More specifically, the loading unit 4 is configured to pick up a predetermined number of products P from the accumulation zone Z0 and to place the predetermined number of products P on the bars onto an equal number of units 3 located at the loading zone Z1 of the forward guide 2A.
[0078] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the loading unit 4 includes a conveying element 40 for conveying the product P on the bar from the production area (not shown) to the accumulation area Z0.
[0079] Preferably, in order to pick up and load the product P on the execution bar, the loading unit 4 includes a loading element 41, in Figure 4 and Figure 5 The embodiments are shown.
[0080] The loading element 41 is configured to transport a predetermined number of products P on bars from the accumulation zone Z0 to the loading zone Z1, and to load the predetermined number of products P on bars onto an equal number of units 3 present on the forward guide 2A in the loading zone Z1.
[0081] exist Figure 4 In one embodiment, the loading element 41 is configured to pick up the product P from the sixteen bars from the accumulation zone Z0 and to load the product P from the sixteen bars onto a plurality of units 3 fixed in the loading zone Z1.
[0082] Preferably, the loading element 41 includes a plurality of pickup elements 42, each pickup element 42 being configured to pick up the product P on the bar from the accumulation zone Z0 and transport the product P on the bar to the loading zone Z1, where the product P on the bar is loaded onto the unit 3 and held by a corresponding holding system 31.
[0083] In order to support the product on the bar during the transport from the accumulation zone Z0 to the loading zone Z1, the pick-up element 42 includes a pick-up system 43.
[0084] Preferably, the pickup system 43 includes two elements that are movable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position is used to hold the product P on the bar, preferably at bar P1. In the open position, the product P on the bar can be inserted into or picked up.
[0085] exist Figures 13 to 15 In the open position shown, the two movable elements of the pickup system 43 are spaced apart, creating an opening in the seat of the rod P1 for inserting or picking up the product P on the rod.
[0086] In the closed position (not shown), the pickup system 43 has two movable elements facing each other to form a seat for the rod P1, inside which the rod is held and the product P on the rod is attached to the corresponding pickup element 42.
[0087] The structural changes between the open and closed positions of the pickup system 43 are controlled by a mechanical system, such as... Figures 13 to 15 The illustrated embodiment, in an alternative embodiment, uses a pusher and an opposing or electromechanical spring.
[0088] According to one aspect of the invention, the device 1 includes a control and return unit 5, which is operatively connected to the conveyor line 2, and... Figure 2 and 3 It is shown in more detail below.
[0089] Advantageously, the control and return unit 5 is positioned downstream of the loading unit 4 along the forward guide section 2A relative to the feeding direction V of the unit 3.
[0090] The control and return unit 5 is configured to control the presence of product P on the bar in the unit 3 that is conveyed along the forward guide 2A.
[0091] Preferably, the control and return unit 5 includes a sensor 51 configured to detect the presence or absence of the product P on the bar on each unit 3 conveyed on the forward guide 2A.
[0092] More preferably, sensor 51 is an optical presence sensor.
[0093] More specifically, the control and return unit 5 is configured to selectively interrupt the movement of the unit 3 along the forward guide 2A in the feeding direction V, and move the interrupted movement of the unit 3 from the forward guide 2A to the return guide 2B without allowing them to complete their path on the forward guide.
[0094] More specifically, in this specification, selective interruption of the movement of unit 3 means the interruption of the forward movement of unit 3, which does not hold product P on the bar, along the forward guide 2A, and the unit subsequently moves on the return guide 2B.
[0095] On the other hand, the unit 3, which is detected by the control and return unit 5 as product P on the conveyor bar, continues in the feeding direction along the forward guide 2A.
[0096] Advantageously, this prevents units 3 without product P on the conveyor bar from continuing their movement along the forward guide 2A, and thus from reaching a position along the forward guide 2A where they would undergo unnecessary movement due to the absence of product P on the bar.
[0097] Better, such as especially in Figure 3 As shown, the control and return unit 5 includes an exchange guide section 52.
[0098] The exchange guide 52 is movable between a first active connection position and a second non-active isolation position.
[0099] In the first active connection position, the exchange guide 52 connects the forward guide 2A and the return guide 2B to interrupt the movement of the unit 3 along the forward guide 2A in the feed direction V, and to move the unit 3 from the forward guide 2A to the return guide 2B.
[0100] Advantageously, as detected by sensor 51, when unit 3 is transferring product P on a non-conveying bar, exchange guide 52 is in a first active connection position.
[0101] In the second non-active isolation position, the exchange guide 52 partially disconnects the forward guide 2A from the return guide 2B to allow the unit 3 to be conveyed along the forward guide 2A in the feed direction V.
[0102] Advantageously, as detected by sensor 51, when unit 3 of product P on the carrier bar is being transported, the exchange guide 52 is in a second non-active isolation position.
[0103] In an embodiment, the control and return unit 5 includes a switching unit (not shown) that is operatively connected to the exchange guide 52 and communicates with the sensor 51.
[0104] The switching unit is configured to perform state switching of the switching guide 52 between a first active connection position and a second non-active isolation position.
[0105] The switching unit is preferably connected to sensor 51.
[0106] More preferably, the switching unit operates based on a signal sent by sensor 51, which indicates whether product P on the bar is present or absent on the unit being transferred at the exchange guide 52.
[0107] In this way, only units 3 that have been detected by sensor 51 as product P on the conveyor bar are allowed to move along the forward guide 2A in the feeding direction V.
[0108] Advantageously, on the other hand, units 3 that do not have products P on the conveying bar detected by sensor 51 are conveyed on the return guide 2B. Since there are no products on the bar, they do not complete their path on the forward guide 2A and thus undergo unnecessary activity.
[0109] Again advantageously, downstream of the control and return unit 5 relative to the feeding direction V, only the unit 3 of the product P on the conveyor bar is placed on the forward guide 2A, and subsequent operations performed by the components of the device 1 are carried out under optimal conditions.
[0110] According to another aspect of the invention, the device 1 includes an unloading unit 6 operatively connected to the conveyor line 2.
[0111] Advantageously, the unloading unit 6 is positioned downstream of the control and return unit 5 along the forward guide section 2A relative to the feeding direction V of the unit 3.
[0112] like Figure 1 As shown, the unloading unit 6 includes at least one picking unit 61, 62.
[0113] The at least one pickup unit 61, 62 is configured to pick up a predetermined number of products P on the bars from the unit 3 at the unloading area Z2 of the forward guide 2A, and pack the predetermined number of products P on the bars into a plurality of boxes S.
[0114] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the unloading unit 6 includes two pickup units 61 and 62, which are located at two adjacent positions in the unloading area Z2 of the forward guide 2A.
[0115] Advantageously, the use of more than one pickup unit allows each pickup unit to partially fill each box S, so that the complete filling of the box occurs in several steps.
[0116] In this way, it is advantageous to pack the product P on the bar into the corresponding box S, such that the distance between the products on adjacent bars inside the box S is less than the minimum distance between adjacent units on the conveyor line 2, and therefore less than the minimum distance between the products on the bars conveyed by the unit.
[0117] Even more advantageously, packing the product P on the stick inside the box S is the best use of the internal space of the box.
[0118] In order to pick up the product P from the unit on the bar and transport the product on the bar inside the box S, at least one picking unit 61, 62 includes a plurality of picking elements 63.
[0119] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment shown in detail, each pickup unit 61, 62 includes ten pickup elements 63.
[0120] In order to support the product P on the support bar during the transfer from the unloading area Z2 to multiple boxes S, each pickup element 63 includes a pickup system 64.
[0121] Preferably, the pickup system 64 includes two elements that are movable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position is used to hold the product P on the bar, preferably at bar P1. In the open position, the product P on the bar can be inserted into or picked up.
[0122] In the open position (not shown), the two movable elements of the pickup system 64 are spaced apart, creating an opening in the seat of the rod P1 for inserting or picking up the product P on the rod.
[0123] exist Figure 7 In the closed position shown, the pickup system 64 has two movable elements facing each other to form a seat for the bar P1, inside which the bar is held and the product P on the bar is attached to the corresponding pickup element 63.
[0124] Depending on the embodiment, the configurational changes between the open and closed positions of the pickup system 64 are controlled by a mechanical or electromechanical system.
[0125] The present invention also discloses a method 100 for use on an automatic packing bar for product P, such as Figure 16 The steps are shown in the diagram.
[0126] According to the present invention, the automatic packing method 100 includes a preparation step 101 in which a conveyor line 2 is prepared, the conveyor line further including a forward guide 2A and a return guide 2B that are connected to each other, a plurality of units 3, a control unit and a return unit 5, and an unloading unit 6.
[0127] Preferably, preparation step 100 includes preparing loading unit 4.
[0128] More preferably, preparation step 100 includes preparing sensor 51.
[0129] The composition and arrangement of the above-mentioned components are the same as those described in this specification.
[0130] like Figure 16 As shown, method 100 preferably includes a placement step 102, during which the product P on the bar is placed on a plurality of units 3.
[0131] After the positioning step 102, the product P on the bar is held by the corresponding unit 3 and moves along the conveyor line 2.
[0132] Preferably, the placement step 102 includes the loading step 102'.
[0133] During loading step 102', loading unit 4 loads a predetermined number of products P on bars at loading area Z1 of forward guide 2A in the same quantity as unit 3.
[0134] Preferably, the predetermined number of products P on the bars are picked up from the accumulation zone Z0, wherein after the corresponding production, the products P on the bars remain stationary, waiting to be loaded onto an equal number of units 3.
[0135] exist Figure 4 and5 In the embodiment shown, during loading step 102', product P is picked up from sixteen bars in accumulation zone Z0 and loaded onto sixteen units 3 present in loading zone Z1.
[0136] Again Figure 16 As shown, method 100 includes a conveying step 103.
[0137] During the conveying step 103, multiple units 3 move along the conveying line 2, preferably first on the forward guide 2A and then on the return guide 2B, depending on the feeding direction V.
[0138] According to one aspect of the invention, during the conveying step 3, each of the plurality of units 3 moves independently of the other units.
[0139] In other words, the movement of each unit is independent of the position or movement of other units in the multiple units 3.
[0140] Preferably, the conveying step 103 includes moving each of the plurality of units 3 by means of a linear motor.
[0141] Based on this structure, the movement of each individual unit 3 is triggered by the principle of local electromagnetic induction, according to its position on the conveyor line 2.
[0142] According to an embodiment, the conveyor line 2 is partially equipped with a conductive element configured to allow local current to pass through it, and the unit 3 is made of a magnetically polarized material.
[0143] According to another embodiment, the conveyor line 2 is partially equipped with a magnetic polarization element, and the unit 3 includes a conductive element configured to allow the passage of a local current generated by a power source.
[0144] Advantageously, by locally and appropriately adjusting the flow of current within the conductive element, the movement of each unit can be locally controlled independently of other units.
[0145] Again, advantageously, the use of a linear motor allows for particularly precise movement of unit 3.
[0146] According to another aspect of the invention, method 100 includes a control and return step 104.
[0147] During the control and return step 104, the control and return unit 5 controls the presence or absence of product P on the control bar for each of the plurality of units 3.
[0148] Based on the information regarding the presence or absence of product P on the bar, the control and return unit 5 selectively interrupts the movement of unit 3 along the forward guide 2A and moves unit 3 from the forward guide 2A to the return guide 2B.
[0149] Preferably, the control and return unit 5 interrupts the movement of the unit 3 without product P on the bar along the forward guide 2A, and moves the unit 3 without product on the bar from the forward guide 2A to the return guide 2B, without allowing these to complete their path along the forward guide 2A.
[0150] Preferably, the presence or absence of the product P on the rod is detected by means of the sensor 51 in each unit 3 conveyed by the forward guide 2A.
[0151] Even more preferably, the control and return step 104 includes the sensor 3 detecting that the unit 3 with product P on the bar has moved forward on the forward guide 2A, and the sensor 3 detecting that the unit 3 without product P on the bar has been conveyed on the return guide 2B.
[0152] In this way, it is advantageous to allow only the unit 3 of the product P on the conveyor bar that has been detected by sensor 51 to move along the forward guide 2A in the feeding direction V.
[0153] Again, advantageously, the unit 3 without product P on the conveyor bar continues to move along the forward guide 2A, and thus reaches along the forward guide 2A a position where they would undergo unnecessary movement since there is no product P on the bar.
[0154] like Figure 16 As shown, method 100 includes an unloading step 105, wherein the unloading unit 6 picks up a predetermined number of products P from the plurality of units 3 at the unloading area Z2 of the forward guide 2A to place them inside the plurality of boxes S.
[0155] Preferably, in unloading step 105, the filling of each box S occurs in several steps, that is, each box is first partially filled in a first step, and the complete filling of the box occurs in at least one subsequent step.
[0156] exist Figure 9 In one embodiment, the unloading unit 6 includes two picking units that fill the boxes S in two steps and include packing five bars of product P on each box.
[0157] In this embodiment, at the first picking unit 61, depending on its position, the four boxes S are first filled with products P on two or three sticks.
[0158] Subsequently, at the second pickup unit 62, depending on whether the box has been filled with two or three products P on the bars by the first pickup unit, each of the four boxes S is filled with three or two products P on the bars, thereby filling each box S with five products P on the bars.
[0159] In this way, it is advantageous to pack the product P on the bar into the corresponding box S, such that the distance between products on adjacent bars inside the box S is less than the minimum distance between units 3 on the conveyor line 2, and therefore less than the minimum distance between products on the bar conveyed by the unit.
[0160] Preferably, unloading step 105 includes placing the product P on the plurality of bars inside the plurality of boxes S, wherein the product P on each bar does not have a separate wrapping, that is, the product on the bar is packaged in an exposed manner.
[0161] The automatic packing apparatus according to the invention enables the provision of a device for automatically packing products on packing bars in a particularly simple, flexible structure and, in particular, in a way that reduces production, management, and maintenance costs.
[0162] The automatic packing method, which is also the object of this invention, enables the provision of a method for products on an efficient and effective automatic packing bar, and its implementation is particularly flexible and simple.
Claims
1. An apparatus (1) for loading products (P) onto an automatic packing bar, comprising: A closed conveyor line (2), which includes a forward guide section (2A) and a return guide section (2B) that are connected to each other. Multiple units (3) associated with the conveyor line (2) move in the feed direction (V) along the forward guide (2A) and the return guide (2B), each unit (3) including a holding system (31) for holding the product (P) on the holding bar. An unloading unit (6) is operatively connected to the conveyor line (2), the unloading unit including at least one collection unit (61, 62), the at least one collection unit (61, 62) being configured to pick up products (P) from a predetermined number of bars from the unit (3) at the unloading area (Z2) of the forward guide (2A) and pack the products (P) on the predetermined number of bars into boxes. The device (1) is characterized in that each of the plurality of units (3) moves independently of the other units (3) along the conveyor line (2), and wherein the device (1) includes a control and return unit (5) operatively connected to the conveyor line (2), the control and return unit being positioned upstream of the unloading unit (6) along the forward guide (2A) relative to the feed direction (V), the control and return unit (5) being configured to control the presence of product (P) on a bar in the unit (3) moving along the forward guide (2A) in order to selectively interrupt the movement of the unit (3) in the feed direction (V) at the forward guide (2A) and move the unit (3) from the forward guide (2A) to the return guide (2B).
2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes a loading unit (4), which is operatively connected to the conveyor line (2), and is positioned upstream of the control and return unit (5) along the forward guide (2A) relative to the feed direction (V), and is configured to load a predetermined number of products (P) on bars onto an equal number of units (3) at the loading area (Z1) of the forward guide (2A).
3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control and return unit (5) includes an exchange guide (52) that moves between a first active connection position and a second non-active isolation position. In the first active connection position, the control and return unit connects the forward guide (2A) to the return guide (2B) to interrupt the movement of the unit (3) in the feed direction (V) at the forward guide (2A) and to move the unit (3) from the forward guide (2A) to the return guide (2B). The second non-active isolation position allows the unit (3) to be conveyed along the forward guide (2A) in the forward feed direction (V).
4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control and return unit (5) includes a sensor (51) configured to detect whether the product (P) on the bar is present on each unit (3) conveyed on the forward guide (2A).
5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control and return unit (5) is configured to allow the unit (3) that has detected a product (P) on a bar by the sensor (51) to move forward on the forward guide (2A) in the feeding direction (V), and to return the unit (3) that has detected no product (P) on a bar by means of the exchange guide (52) to the return guide (2B).
6. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The conveyor line (2) includes a first part (21) and a second part (22) positioned at an angle to each other.
7. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, At least one of the collection units (61, 62) includes a plurality of collection elements (63).
8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The unloading unit (6) includes two collection units (61, 62).
9. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The loading unit (4) includes a loading element (41) configured to transport a predetermined number of products (P) on bars from the accumulation zone (Z0) to the loading zone (Z1) and load the predetermined number of products (P) on bars onto the same number of units (3) present in the loading zone (Z1).
10. A method (100) for a product (P) on an automatic packing bar, comprising: Preparation step (101), wherein a closed conveyor line (2) is prepared, the closed conveyor line including a forward guide (2A) and a return guide (2B) connected to each other, multiple units (3), a control and return unit (5) and an unloading unit (6); The placement step (102) involves placing the product (P) on the bar onto the plurality of said units (3). A conveying step (103) for conveying a plurality of said units (3), wherein the plurality of said units (3) move along said conveying line (2); Unloading step (105), wherein the unloading unit (6) picks up a predetermined number of products (P) from the multiple units (3) at the unloading area (Z2) of the forward guide (2A) for placing them inside multiple boxes (S); The method (100) is characterized in that, during the conveying step (103), each of the plurality of units (3) moves independently of the other units, and wherein the method includes a control and return step (104), wherein the control and return unit (5) selectively interrupts the movement of the unit (3) along the forward guide (2A) and moves the unit (3) from the forward guide (2A) to the return guide (2B) according to the presence or absence of product (P) on the bar by controlling each of the plurality of units (3).
11. The method (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The preparation step (101) includes preparing the loading unit (4), and the placement step (102) includes a loading step (102') during which the loading unit (4) loads a predetermined number of products (P) on the same number of units (3) at the loading area (Z1) of the forward guide (2A).
12. The method (100) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The preparation step (101) includes preparing a sensor (51), and the control and return step (104) includes using the sensor (51) to detect whether the product (P) on the bar is present on each unit (3) conveyed on the forward guide (2A).
13. The method (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The control and return step (104) includes moving the unit (3) that has detected a product (P) on a bar forward on the forward guide (2A) and conveying the unit (3) that has detected no product (P) on a bar on the return guide (2B).
14. The method (100) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The conveying step (103) includes moving each of the plurality of units (3) by means of a linear motor.
15. The method (100) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The unloading step (105) includes placing the products (P) on the plurality of bars inside the plurality of boxes (S), wherein the products (P) on each bar are not individually packaged.