System and method for changing the direction of packaging

Abstract

The package (101) grouping and rotation system includes a first conveyor (102) configured to drive a stream of packages from a first end (102A) to a second end (102B) at a predetermined first speed, an operating section (104) located at the second end (102B) of the first conveyor (102) configured to receive the stream of packages from the first conveyor (102) and move the stream of packages to a turning section (108) at a predetermined second speed slower than the first speed, and a plurality of lugs (106) adjacent to the operating section (104), the lugs (106) configured to move packages in the stream of packages forward to form groups (105) of two or more packages (101).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 985,013, filed Mar. 4, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates in particular, but not exclusively, to the field of machines for grouping a plurality of articles prior to their redirection. More particularly, it relates to the field of machines, but not exclusively, which include tools each driven independently around a fixed track by its own drive means.

Background Art

[0003] In the packaging industry, it is often required to redirect and re - redirect flowing articles prior to packaging or labeling. Further, it is also often required to space articles apart at a predetermined interval corresponding to the spacing between their respective packages. A variety of solutions are known among those skilled in the art for these requirements, and it is routine for each article or package to be positioned individually.

[0004] However, the systems described above typically require a centralized drive mechanism and numerous steering mechanisms. These common design features place a relatively large load on the drive mechanism and corresponding mechanical linkage, especially when the volume of traffic is high, reducing the overall flexibility of the system. One possible solution is to provide a drive system by using multiple drive chains, each fitted with a selected tool, and controlling each drive chain in a coordinated manner. However, this solution results in an overly complex system because it requires many drive chains that must be carefully coordinated for high-speed operation. Furthermore, unless each tool—of which there are usually a considerable number—is provided with its own drive chain, this solution cannot escape the problem that each tool is mechanically connected to at least one other tool, making it impossible to control each tool completely independently.

[0005] Further problems with conventional technology include the provision and subsequent maintenance of chains or belts to which tools are attached. Chains are required to be robust and flexible, but they are also subjected to wear and tear from continuous use at high speeds. Therefore, there is a need for drive and steering systems that do not require belts or chains that rotate at high speeds. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to overcome, or at least mitigate, the problems of the prior art concerning the provision of systems, thereby enabling each tool to be controlled independently of other individual tools, allowing the system to be implemented without excessive complexity or cost, and reducing the required maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technical advantages of this system will become clear in the following explanation, but in short, they relate to increasing the system's throughput, enhancing its flexibility, and expanding its ability to accommodate various goods and / or carton requirements, while maintaining continuous use of the system as a whole.

[0008] A package grouping system comprising: a first conveyor configured to drive a flow of packages from a first end to a second end at a predetermined first speed; an operating section located at the second end of the first conveyor, configured to receive a flow of packages from the first conveyor and to move the flow of packages to a reversing section at a predetermined second speed slower than the first speed; and a plurality of lags adjacent to the operating section, configured to move packages in the package flow forward to form groups of two or more packages. The plurality of lags are each mounted on the path of a single fixed track and can follow that path, and are individually controllable, so that at least one of the lags works to increase the speed of the packages when moving them, while one or more other lags move at different speeds. Each of the lags can pass through the operating section. The track is configured such that each of the lags driven by it contacts the packages before the reversing section, and each of the lags driven by it moves away from the packages within the reversing section. Each lag can be configured to operate every other package or every third package in the package flow.

[0009] The direction change section can be located downstream of the operating section and may include multiple chain-driven rotating mechanisms configured to rotate the package group. The rotating mechanisms can rotate the package group by approximately 90 degrees.

[0010] A second conveyor section can be located downstream of the direction change section. A division section can be provided downstream of the second conveyor.

[0011] The method for turning package groups includes driving the flow of packages with a first conveyor, while spacing out each package; driving one or more packages in the flow of packages at a different speed from the first conveyor to form package groups, while spacing out each package group from one another; and rotating each package group by approximately 90 degrees to prepare the package groups for subsequent packaging processes. In the group formation step, packages are driven by lugs every other package or every two packages (or with a predetermined number of other packages in between) from the flow of packages.

[0012] Each package in the downstream package flow of the first conveyor may be decelerated relative to the first conveyor. Subsequent packaging steps may include driving each of the package groups with a second conveyor and dividing the previously formed package groups into individual packages or individual package flows.

[0013] Those skilled in the art will more readily understand the various features described above or otherwise of the systems and methods of the present disclosure by reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are presented in conjunction with the drawings.

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to several drawings, so that those skilled in the art who are familiar with the present invention can easily understand the method of constructing the apparatus and the method of using the apparatus without unnecessary experimentation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is an overview of the entire packaging and spacing system. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the grouping section, illustrating individual packages that are grouped together and each of those groups rotated. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a side view of the grouping section and the direction change section. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the end of the direction change section and the second conveyor section in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereafter, references to the drawings will be made using the same reference numerals for those identifying similar structural features or aspects of the present invention. For non-limiting explanatory and illustrative purposes, a partial diagram of an embodiment of a conveyor system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1, and the entire system is denoted by reference numeral 100. Other diagrams of the system according to an embodiment or aspect of the present invention are shown in Figures 2 to 4, as described below. The method and system of the present invention can be used to rotate and reorient a group of packages at once, rather than rotating each package individually. Each package may contain multiple articles or the like.

[0017] Figure 1 shows a system 100 for receiving a single package flow 101, grouping the packages, reorienting the group by approximately 90 degrees, and then dividing the group again to create three parallel package flows 103, wherein each of the packages in the three package flows 103 contains a package that has been reoriented by 90 degrees relative to the original single flow 101. The system 100 comprises a first conveyor 102 that drives the single package flow 101 from a first end 102a to a second end 102b. The first conveyor 102 moves the single flow 101 at a first speed. Each of the packages 101 in the single flow is separated from one another. When the single flow 101 reaches the second end 102b of the first conveyor 102, the packages can be slowed down, thereby reducing the spacing between each package. For example, if a leading package 101a slows down or stops in the operating section 104, a following package 101b catches up, and the gap between the two narrows, forming a package group 105. The package group 105 may also be further formed by the lug 106 engaging with one or more packages, causing the packages to move so that they come into contact with or close proximity to each other to form a package group 105. Alternatively, individual packages can be grouped together by other pushing or guiding mechanisms that push or guide the packages together to form a package group 105. Another example is a restraining mechanism that constrains or slows down the movement of one or more packages so that they move as a unit, each forming a package group 105. Other grouping mechanisms and methods will be obvious to those skilled in the art and could be used to reorient individual packages into a package group 105.

[0018] Figure 2 is a close-up view of the operating section 104. The operating section 104 is located at the second end 102b of the first conveyor 102. The lug 106 moves the newly formed package group 105 forward to the reversal section 108 at a predetermined second speed. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the lug 106 can be mounted on one or more driven chains or other suitable movable or drive mechanisms. In the operating section 104, the belt can move the package group 105 forward in cooperation with the lug 106. The lug 106 circulates adjacent to the operating section 104, moving a predetermined portion of the packages in the flow forward. For example, the lug 106 can contact the back of every third or every other package, thereby moving that package and the packages before it forward. Alternatively, the lug 106 can contact the back of a predetermined number of packages in between, moving that package and the packages before it forward.

[0019] Figure 2 further shows each lug 106 mounted on the path of track 110 and following that path. Track 110 can be a driven chain or other suitable mechanical means for moving and traversing the lugs 106 along the direction of the conveyor. Each lug 106 is individually controllable, thereby allowing a lug 106 to accelerate and increase speed when operating alternating packages, while one or more other lugs 106 move around track 110 at different speeds, moving away from the package group 105. This allows the lugs 106 to be adapted to the pace 101 of a single package flow, the size of the individual packages, and the desired size of each package group 105. Each lug 106 can pass over the operating section 104. A lug 106 can overlap a portion of the operating section 104 when a lug 106 is operating a package forward. Track 110 is configured to allow each lug 106 to make contact with the package in front of the turning section 108, and to cause each lug 106 to move away from the package within the turning section 108.

[0020] Figure 3 shows the direction change section 108 located downstream of the operation section 104. The direction change section 108 comprises a plurality of chain-driven rotary mechanisms 112. Each rotary mechanism 112 is configured to grip a package group and rotate it by 90 degrees. The rotary mechanism 112 grips each package group from above at a specific point, and the rotary mechanism is rotated by its chain drive unit, thereby sliding the package group to change its direction again by 90 degrees, after which it releases its grip.

[0021] System 100 can perform the conveyance of a single package stream 101, the grouping of a predetermined number of those packages into groups, the 90-degree reorientation or rotation of those groups, and the formation of three parallel package streams 103 by splitting the packages within the package groups. By doing so, while the operating time of the system can be made shorter or the throughput can be made higher, it is possible to accomplish handling the same number of packages with a smaller number of rotating mechanisms than individually turning each package of the single stream 101.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a second conveyor section 114 disposed downstream of the reorientation section 108. The second conveyor section 114 can split a package group into parallel flows of individual packages and can be used to convey the packages to subsequent packaging or labeling processes. The package group 105 can be split or cut into flows of individual packages by, for example, a slat divider provided in the second conveyor section 114. The slat divider forms parallel flows of individual packages by creating separation locations or gaps between each of the packages of the package group. Other separating mechanisms or processes will be apparent to those skilled in the art and could be used to split the package group 105 into separated flows of individual packages. In an alternative implementation, the package group 105 can be conveyed to subsequent packaging and / or labeling processes without splitting the package group into parallel flows of individual packages.

[0023] The methods and systems of the present disclosure described above and shown by the drawings implement a reorientation system with superior characteristics, including improvements in reliability and stability, and reductions in size, weight, complexity, and / or cost. Although the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure have been shown and described with reference to embodiments, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that modifications and / or changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Description of Symbols

[0024] 100 System 101 Single Flow 101a Preceding Package 101b Succeeding Package 102 First Conveyor 102a First End 102b Second End 103 Three Parallel Flows 104 Operating Section 105 Package Group 106 Lag 108 Direction Changing Section 110 Track 112 Rotating Body Mechanism 114 Second Conveyor Section

Claims

1. A first conveyor configured to drive the flow of packages from a first end to a second end at a predetermined first speed, An operating section located at the second end of the first conveyor, configured to receive the flow of packages from the first conveyor and to move the flow of packages to a direction-changing section at a predetermined second speed slower than the first speed, A plurality of lags adjacent to the aforementioned operating section, configured to move packages forward in the package flow to form groups of two or more packages, A direction-changing section disposed downstream of the aforementioned operating section, comprising a plurality of rotating body mechanisms configured to rotate the group of packages, A system for changing the direction of a package that includes the following features.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of lugs is mounted on the path of a fixed track and follows the path of the fixed track.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein each of the lags is individually controllable, so that at least one of the lags acts to increase the speed of one or more packages when operating one or more packages, and the other one or more lags move at a different speed from the at least one lag.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein each of the lags is configured to operate every other or every two packages in the flow of packages.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rotating body mechanisms comprises a plurality of chain-driven rotating body mechanisms.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of lugs is mounted on the path of a track and the track is configured to drive each of the lugs to contact the package before the turning section and to drive each of the lugs away from the package within the turning section.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein each of the rotating body mechanisms is configured to rotate one of the groups of packages by about 90 degrees.

8. The system according to claim 5, further comprising a second conveyor section downstream of the reversal section, configured to receive and transport the group of packages.

9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising a dividing section located adjacent to or downstream of the second conveyor, the dividing section comprising one or more dividers configured to separate each package of the group of packages.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the aforementioned lags passes through an operation section.

11. A method for changing the orientation of a package using the system described in Claim 1, The first conveyor drives the flow of packages, and in doing so, a gap is created between each package. The steps include driving one or more packages in the flow of packages at a speed different from that of the first conveyor to form a package group, wherein the package group includes two or more packages spaced apart from each other, The steps include rotating each of the aforementioned package groups by approximately 90 degrees, A method for changing the direction of a package that includes [this].

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein driving one or more packages in the package flow includes driving every other or every other package in the package flow by a lag to form the package group.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of slowing down each of the packages in the downstream package flow of the first conveyor.

14. The steps include driving each of the package groups with a second conveyor, The step of dividing each of the package groups formed in the previous steps into individual package flows, The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

15. The step of dividing each of the package groups formed in the previous steps is: The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of separating each package in the package group with a divider to create a gap between each package in each of the package groups.

16. The step of rotating each of the aforementioned package groups is: The method according to claim 11, comprising the step of engaging a plurality of chain-driven rotating mechanisms with the package group, wherein each of the rotating mechanisms is configured to rotate one of the package group.

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