Cart Assembly for a Transport Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention describes a cart assembly (1) for a transport device comprising a body (3) movable along a transport path (P) and at least one tool (5, 6) supported by the body (3) for movement between a work position where the tool (5, 6) is designed to perform an operation on a predetermined item (T) and a standby position where the tool (5, 6) is in a standby state, the cart assembly (1) comprising a guide mechanism (10, The guide mechanism (10, 13, 33) further comprises two first guide portions (12, 22, 34) extending parallel to a predetermined direction (A) and one second guide portion (13, 23, 35) also extending parallel to the direction (A) and disposed between the first guide portions (12, 22, 34), the first guide portion (12, 22, 34) and the second guide portion (13, 23, 35) being slidably coupled to enable relative movement of the second guide portion (13, 23, 35) with respect to the first guide portion (12, 22, 34) along the direction (A) or vice versa, and the second guide portion (13, 23, 35) has opposing side surfaces extending parallel to the direction (A) that contact and cooperate with both of the first guide portions (12, 22, 34). [Selected figure] Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cart assembly for a conveying device, which may be part of a packaging device configured to form and seal a plurality of containers containing pourable food products, or may be part of a capping device for capping said containers. [Background technology]

[0002] Conveying apparatus are known which are provided with one or two tracks along which a plurality of cart assemblies each move in a circular manner at very high speed.

[0003] In known configurations, the cart assemblies are movable independently of one another along their respective tracks.

[0004] To achieve such independent movement, linear motors are typically used, where the track is equipped with a number of electrical coils, the latter with corresponding permanent magnets, to separately control the movement of each cart assembly in a well-known manner.

[0005] Each cart assembly typically includes a body portion and one or more implements movably supported by the body portion itself, and is configured to perform a given task on one or more predetermined items.

[0006] Typically, the tool is movable relative to its respective body parts by an actuator, for example a cam device, between a working position, in which the tool performs the operation on an item, and a standby position, in which the tool is in a standby state.

[0007] For example, if the conveying device is part of a packaging machine configured to form and seal a plurality of pillow packs starting from a tube of packaging material, each cart assembly may comprise a forming unit and a sealing unit, i.e., a pair of devices, a standby or open position in which they are separated from the tube; These are cyclically movable between a working or closed position in which they contact the tube, define and control the volume of the container being formed, and seal each container at successive equally spaced cross sections.

[0008] Typically, each cart assembly further includes one or more guide mechanisms configured to enable precise movement of each instrument between its standby and working positions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] There is a need in industry to minimize the number of components in such guide mechanisms, thereby minimizing the size and construction of the guide mechanisms while maintaining high precision and accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cart assembly designed to meet the above-mentioned needs in an easy and cost-effective manner.

[0011] This object is achieved by a cart assembly according to claim 1.

[0012] Preferred, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, some parts removed for clarity, of two cart assemblies constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and movable along respective tracks. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the cart assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3-5] 3-5 are top schematic partial cross-sectional views, with parts removed for clarity, of a guide mechanism of one of the cart assemblies of FIG. 1 during different successive operating conditions. [Figure 6-7]6 and 7 are schematic partial cross-sectional top views showing details of the guide mechanism of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, with some parts removed for clarity, taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. [Figure 9-10] 9 and 10 are two different perspective views, with parts removed for clarity, of the guide mechanism of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 1 generally designates a cart assembly for a transport apparatus.

[0015] In particular, the transport apparatus comprises a pair of opposing endless tracks 2 (shown only diagrammatically) arranged on opposite sides thereof and arranged to propel a number of cart assemblies 1 along each track 2 .

[0016] More specifically, each cart assembly 1 moving on one track 2 cooperates with a corresponding cart assembly 1 moving on the other track 2, thus defining a pair of cooperating cart assemblies 1.

[0017] 1 shows a pair of such cooperating cart assemblies 1. Each cart assembly 1 essentially comprises a body 3 which cooperates in sliding fashion with a respective track 2, preferably by means of a number of wheels 4.

[0018] In particular, each body part 3 is cyclically movable along a respective track 2 of the transport apparatus. Each track 2 thus defines a respective transport path P for each body part 3, and thus for each cart assembly 1 moving thereon.

[0019] The transport devices are preferably of the linear motor type so that the cart assemblies 1 are cyclically movable along the track 2 independently of one another.

[0020] To achieve such independent movement, each track 2 is preferably provided with a magnetic field generating device, e.g. a number of electric coils, the latter being provided with a corresponding permanent magnet unit (not shown), which controls the movement of each body portion 3 independently in a known manner.

[0021] In practice, each permanent magnet unit is magnetically coupled, in use, to an electrical coil on each track 2, thereby allowing each cart assembly 1 to be controlled independently.

[0022] According to the present illustrated, non-limiting and preferred embodiment, the conveyor is part of a packaging machine configured to form and seal a plurality of containers containing pourable food products starting from a tube T of packaging material (shown only diagrammatically in FIG. 2). In particular, the tube T is arranged vertically between tracks 2 of the conveyor.

[0023] In this case, each cart assembly 1 traveling on one track 2 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding cart assembly 1 and tube T traveling on the other track 2 to form a plurality of pillow packs and to seal the tubes T at equally spaced cross sections or sealing bands across each transport path P. Furthermore, such cart assembly 1 is configured to cooperate with the tubes T to cut the pillow packs along the sealing bands to separate the pillow containers from one another.

[0024] With particular reference to FIG. 1, the conveying path P is substantially each of the work branches O being substantially straight, parallel and facing each other, with a tube T disposed therebetween, along which the cart assembly 1 cooperates with the tube T in order to form and seal one prismatic container at a time (partially visible at the bottom end of the tube T in FIG. 2) and to cut the latter at the sealing band; The cart assembly 1 has a respective return branch R extending away from the tube T along it.

[0025] To this end, each cart assembly 1 comprises: a first tool, preferably in the form of a half shell 5, adapted to cooperate with the tube T to form each container; A second device, preferably a sealing device 6, is provided which is configured to seal the containers formed respectively at the sealing bands.

[0026] In particular, each half shell 5 is movably mounted on the body 3 of each cart assembly 1 and has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. More specifically, as can be seen in Figures 2 to 7, each half shell 5 comprises a main wall 7 and a pair of side flaps 8 projecting from opposite side edges of the wall 7 and hung rotatably about respective axes B (Figures 3 to 7) parallel to the wall 7. In particular, the axis B is parallel to a direction A perpendicular to the working branch O of the path P when the cart assembly 1 moves along the working branch O of the path P.

[0027] Each sealing device 6 is movably mounted on the body 3 of each cart assembly 1 moving on one of the tracks 2, preferably on the lower part of the corresponding half shell 5, and includes a sealing portion and a removable cutting portion. Each sealing device 6 of each corresponding cart assembly 1 moving on the other track 2 includes a respective receiving seat adapted to receive a respective inverted sealing portion and one of the cutting portions.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment shown, the seals are induction heated and the corresponding counter seals are made from an elastomeric material to provide the mechanical assistance necessary to tighten the tube T to the desired pressure.

[0029] With the above in mind, each cart assembly 1 advances along a respective transport path P a single half shell 5 and a single sealing device 6, both of which are movably supported by a respective body portion 3.

[0030] In particular, such components are driven in a circular manner in a working branch O and a return branch R, respectively, along which corresponding cart assemblies 1 move downward parallel to the tube T and are positioned respectively on opposite sides thereof, and along which return branch R such cart assemblies 1 move away from the tube T and, consequently, return again towards the tube T.

[0031] More specifically, as each cart assembly 1 moves along the working branch O of each transport path P, each half shell 5 and sealing device 6: a working position in which the half shells 5 and the sealing device 6 cooperate with the tube T to form and seal each container; Between the half shell 5 and the sealing device 6, the tube T or the formed container is separated from the waiting position, Move back and forth along direction A.

[0032] In particular, when both of the two opposing half shells 5 of a pair of cooperating cart assemblies 1 are in their working positions, their walls 7 and flaps 8 face each other to form a substantially prismatic cavity, thereby controlling and forming the volume and shape of the container.

[0033] As particularly shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, each cart assembly 1 further comprises a guide mechanism 10 configured to enable movement of each half shell 5 along a direction A relative to the body portion 3 thereof.

[0034] In the following description, it is made clear that reference is made to a single cart assembly 1, and its components, moving along each track 2 of the transport apparatus, but what is described below is also valid for each cart assembly 1 moving on the same track 2 or on the other track 2.

[0035] In particular, the guide mechanism 10 of the cart assembly 1 is housed in a compartment 11 of the main body 3, Two first guide parts 12 firmly mounted on the main body part 3 and extending parallel to the direction A; Connected to the half shell 5 is a second guide, preferably a slider 13, which also extends parallel to the direction A and is slidably connected to both guides 12 and arranged between them.

[0036] As shown in particular in FIGS. 6 to 10, the slider 13 comprises a pair of opposing side surfaces 14 extending parallel to the direction A, along which the slider 13 cooperates with both guides 12 .

[0037] In particular, a side surface 14 of the slider 13 contacts and cooperates with a respective side surface 15 of the guide 12 .

[0038] More specifically, each guide 12 comprises a side surface 15 facing a respective one of the sides 14 of the slider 13. Furthermore, both side surfaces 14 and 15 have linear slits 16 adapted to accommodate respective low friction portions, preferably linear bearings 17.

[0039] In practice, one linear bearing 17 is arranged between each side surface 15 and the opposite side surface 14 to enable the slider 13 to slide along the direction A relative to both guides 12 .

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 10, the cart assembly 1 further comprises actuator means configured to automatically control the movement of the slider 13 along the direction A.

[0041] In particular, the actuator means comprises: a pair of cam surfaces 30 fixed to the cart assembly 1 and extending parallel to each of the work branches O and transverse to the direction A; a pair of cam followers 18 supported by the cart assembly 1 and configured to cooperate with the cam surfaces 30; and a sliding member 19 (FIGS. 9 and 10) extending parallel to the direction A below the guide portion 12 and the slider 13 and connected at its rear end 20 to the cam follower 18.

[0042] Furthermore, the sliding member 19 supports the slider 13 upward and also supports the wall 7 of the half shell 5 at its front end 21 .

[0043] In practice, as the cam follower 18 cooperates with the various working portions of each cam surface 30 in a known manner, the cam follower 18 moves back and forth along direction A, causing corresponding back and forth movement of the sliding member 19 along direction A relative to the guide 12, thereby causing corresponding back and forth movement of the slider 13.

[0044] Referring to Figures 2 to 10, the slider 13 is two third guides 22 connected to the walls 7 of the half-shell 5 and extending parallel to the direction A; It is connected to the flap 8 of the half-shell 5 and likewise extends parallel to the direction A and comprises a fourth guide, preferably a further slider 23, slidably connected to the two guides 22 and arranged between them.

[0045] According to the illustrated preferred embodiment, the guide 12, the guide 22 and the slider 23 are rod-shaped with a substantially square cross section. In view of the above, the guide mechanism 10 has a telescopic structure with five rod-shaped guides that are configured to cooperate with each other by sliding.

[0046] As shown in particular in Figures 6 to 10, the slider 23 has a pair of further opposing sides 24 which extend parallel to the direction A and along which the slider 23 cooperates with the guide 22.

[0047] In particular, a side surface 24 of the slider 23 contacts and cooperates with a respective side surface 25 of the guide 22 .

[0048] More specifically, each guide 22 has a side surface 25 facing one side surface 24 of the slider 23. Furthermore, each of the side surfaces 24 and 25 has a respective linear slit 16 adapted to accommodate a linear bearing 17 therein.

[0049] In practice, linear bearings 17 are disposed between each side 25 and the opposing side 24, enabling slider 23 to slide along direction A relative to both guides 22 in the same manner as described above for slider 13 and guide 12.

[0050] As shown in Figures 2 to 10, the cart assembly 1 further comprises further actuator means configured to automatically control the movement of the slider 23 along the direction A.

[0051] In particular, the further actuator means comprises a further cam surface 31 fixed relative to the cart assembly 1 and extending parallel to the cam surface 30; a further cam follower 26 supported by the cart assembly 1 and configured to cooperate with the cam surface 31; A further sliding member 27 (FIGS. 9 and 10) extends parallel to the direction A below the slider 23 and is connected at its rear end 28 to the cam follower 26.

[0052] Furthermore, a sliding member 27 supports the slider 23 above and is connected to the flap 8 of the half-shell 5 by means of a lever mechanism 32, which is known per se and is shown only diagrammatically insofar as is necessary for the understanding of the invention.

[0053] In particular, the lever mechanism 32 is configured to convert movement of the sliding members 27 along a direction A into rotation of the flaps 8 towards and away from each other about their respective axes B.

[0054] In practice, as the cam follower 26 cooperates with the various working portions of each cam surface 31 in a known manner, the cam follower 26 moves back and forth along direction A, causing corresponding back and forth movement of the sliding member 27 along direction A relative to the guide portion 22, thereby causing back and forth movement of the slider 23.

[0055] The lever mechanism 32 converts the lateral movement of the slider 23 and the sliding member 27 into a rotational movement of the flap 8 .

[0056] In this state, the flap 8 of the half shell 5 rotates from the position where it branches off from the wall 7 to a position where it is substantially perpendicular to the wall 7, contacting the tube T and completely surrounding it.

[0057] According to the illustrated non-limiting preferred embodiment, the cart assembly 1 includes a further guide mechanism 33 (only partially shown in FIG. 2) configured to enable movement of the sealing device 6 along direction A relative to the main body portion 3.

[0058] In particular, the guide mechanism 33 is Two first guide parts 34 firmly mounted on the main body 3 and extending parallel to the direction A; It is connected to the sealing device 6 and also comprises a second guide, preferably a slider 35 , which extends parallel to the direction A and is slidably connected to both guides 34 and arranged between them.

[0059] It is noted that such a guide mechanism 33 has components and a working scheme similar to those described above for the slider 13 .

[0060] In view of the above, the guide mechanism 33 has a telescopic structure including three rod-shaped guide parts configured to slide relative to one another and cooperate with one another.

[0061] Starting from a state in which two cart assemblies 1 each move along the track 2, the operation of the cart assemblies 1 following the transport path P from the return branch R to the working branch O will be described below.

[0062] In this state, each cart assembly 1 approaches each working branch O, and the half shells 5 and sealing devices 6 start to move from their standby positions to their working positions (FIG. 3).

[0063] In particular, when each pair of cam followers 18 cooperates with a corresponding cam surface 30, said sliding member 19 moves along direction A, thereby moving the wall 7 of each half-shell 5 (FIG. 4). During this movement, cooperation between the guide 12 and the slider 13 ensures a precise and accurate displacement of the guide 12 and the slider 13 along direction A.

[0064] Thereafter, when each cam follower 26 cooperates with each cam surface 31, the slide member 27 moves along the direction A, actuating each lever mechanism 32 and driving the flap 8 of each half shell 5 (FIG. 5).

[0065] During this movement, cooperation between the guides 22 and the slider 23 ensures a precise and accurate displacement of the guides 22 and the slider 23 along the direction A. After the forming and sealing operation is completed, the half shells 5 and the sealing device 6 return to their waiting positions.

[0066] It is specified that the same working scheme applies to the guide mechanism 33 as described for the components of the slider 13, with the only difference being that the guide 34 is fixed.

[0067] The advantages of the cart assembly 1 according to the present invention will be apparent from the above description.

[0068] In particular, the guide mechanism 10 and the guide mechanism 33 comprise three or five guides that are in contact with each other and cooperate with each other. More precisely, the telescopic arrangement with three guides makes it possible to obtain a movement along the direction A of the instrument with a minimum number of components (three) and with a maximum structural compactness with respect to the direction perpendicular to the direction A.

[0069] Furthermore, the telescopic configuration with five guides makes it possible to obtain two relative movements along direction A with maximum structural compactness relative to the direction perpendicular to direction A using a minimum number of components (five).

[0070] Furthermore, such a construction also reduces the overall weight of the cart assembly 1.

[0071] It will be apparent that modifications may be made to the cart assembly 1 as described herein without departing from the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

[0072] In particular, slider 13, slider 23 and slider 35 may be firmly mounted to main body portion 3 to perform the proper function of the guide portion, and guide portion 12, guide portion 22 and guide portion 34 are connected to half shell 5 or sealing unit 6 and move relative to slider 13, slider 23 and slider 35 to perform the proper function of the slider.

Claims

1. A cart assembly (1) for a transport device, the cart assembly (1) comprising a body part (3) movable along a transport path (P) and at least one tool (5, 6) supported by the body part (3) so as to be movable between a working position where the tool (5, 6) is designed to perform an operation on a given item (T) and a standby position where the tool (5, 6) is in a standby state, the cart assembly (1) further comprising a guide mechanism (10, 13, 33) configured to enable movement of the tool (5, 6) relative to the body part (3), the guide mechanism (10, 13, 33) being arranged to allow the tool (5, 6) to be moved relative to the body part (3), a mechanism (10, 13, 33) comprising two first guides (12, 22, 34) extending parallel to a given direction (A) and one second guide (13, 23, 35) also extending parallel to said direction (A) and arranged between said first guides (12, 22, 34), said first guides (12, 22, 34) and second guides (13, 23, 35) being slidably connected to allow a relative movement of said second guide (13, 23, 35) with respect to said first guides (12, 22, 34) along said direction (A) or in the opposite direction; the second guide portion (13, 23, 35) extends parallel to the direction (A) and has opposing sides in contact with and cooperating with both of the first guide portions (12, 22, 34); said direction (A) being transverse to a portion (O) of said conveying path (P) along which said tools (5, 6) move between said waiting position and said working position; A cart assembly (1) for a transport device.

2. 2. The cart assembly of claim 1, wherein a side surface (14, 24) of said second guide portion (13, 23, 35) contacts and cooperates with a respective side surface (15, 25) of said first guide portion (12, 22, 34).

3. 3. A cart assembly according to claim 2, wherein said lateral surfaces (15, 25) of said first guide portions (12, 22, 34) cooperate with said lateral surfaces (14, 24) of said second guide portions (13, 23, 35) by means of respective linear bearings (17).

4. the second guide portion (13) comprises two third guide portions (22) and one fourth guide portion (23) arranged between the third guide portions (22), the third guide portion (22) and the fourth guide portion (23) being slidably connected to each other so as to enable a relative movement of the fourth guide portion (23) relative to the third guide portion (22) along the direction (A) or in the opposite direction; A cart assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fourth guide portion (23) has opposing sides (24) extending parallel to the direction (A) and cooperating in contact with both of the third guide portions (22).

5. 5. A cart assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein a side surface (24) of said fourth guide portion (23) contacts and cooperates with each side surface (25) of said third guide portion (22).

6. A cart assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first guide portion (12, 34) is mounted to the body portion (3) and the second guide portion (13, 35) is connected to the instrument (5, 6).

7. A transport device comprising at least one cart assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and at least one endless track (2), said transport device being of the linear motor type.

8. A packaging machine comprising at least one cart assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and at least one endless track (2) and at least one conveying device movable along said endless track (2), wherein each cart assembly (1) comprises at least one tool (5, 6) configured to cooperate with packaging material (T) to form and / or seal a plurality of respective containers containing a pourable food product.

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