Device for conveying products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for conveying products comprising a frame (1), a tray (5) on which the products are conveyed, and a drive assembly (3) between the frame (1) and the tray (5), which drives the movement of the tray (5). The drive assembly (3) comprises a motor (6) and a connecting rod-crank system (7), which moves the tray (5) in a linear to-and-fro movement. The invention discloses a device for conveying products that is easy to clean, not complex and also achieves continuous conveying and distribution of the product in different directions at the same time.

Description

[0001] PRODUCT TRANSPORT DEVICE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Object of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a product transport device, in which the transport of the products is carried out by a back-and-forth motion through a tray.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] One of the phases in the food production cycle is the transport of the finished product to its packaging. Nowadays, there are factories with large production volumes where several packaging machines operate in parallel, producing different products simultaneously.

[0007] Therefore, it is not enough to simply transport the product from one point to another on the production line; a system is needed that, in addition to transporting, also distributes the product to the different packaging machines according to the needs required at any given time.

[0008] Cleaning these transport systems is essential, as factories handle a wide variety of different products and cannot afford to leave any residue behind during the changeover. At the end of the production process for one type of product, a thorough cleaning of all machinery is necessary to ensure no residue remains that could contaminate the next product.

[0009] It is important that this cleaning can be carried out quickly and easily, facilitating the ergonomics of the worker, avoiding corners and hard-to-reach areas, and that it is as agile and in the shortest possible time to achieve an effective and efficient cleaning.

[0010] To achieve this, various systems are available on the market, such as canvas conveyors, hinged conveyors, sliding belt conveyors, vibrators, etc. These systems have been found to have several disadvantages that prevent them from being optimal, and they could be significantly improved:

[0011] Cleaning these systems is time-consuming and requires specialized labor, as it necessitates disassembling parts of the machines, such as removing the conveyor belt or tarpaulin for cleaning. Cleaning the conveyors is a complex task because small debris and particles can easily remain on them.

[0012] - These are conveyors that accumulate a lot of product residue, with corners, accumulation zones, etc. They usually have chassis that facilitate the falling and deposition of residues on them.

[0013] - Systems that require lubrication, which is a disadvantage due to cleaning, maintenance, and possible contact of the lubricant with the product being transported.

[0014] - Complexity of the systems when they are manufactured and subsequently maintained.

[0015] - Systems that are not ergonomic for workers when performing adjustments, maintenance and cleaning.

[0016] - Inefficient, since some of these products have high electricity consumption and are not as efficient as possible.

[0017] - In some cases they have very high vibrations or very abrupt movements causing a lot of mechanical wear and instability when installing them on platforms or other structures (for example, vibrating type transports).

[0018] - Conveyors distribute the products to different parts of the line, dispensing them in different directions. This distribution in different directions is done alternately, not simultaneously, which results in an inconsistent product flow and can cause brief stoppages in the packaging machines due to product shortages.

[0019] Furthermore, they do not offer many configuration options for customized distribution throughout the installation.

[0020] On the other hand, there are systems that distribute power in two directions simultaneously, but lack the option to switch to only one direction at any given time. These are adaptive systems capable of supplying power in two directions at once, or only in some directions, and can even continuously switch between distribution types.

[0021] There are also non-adaptive systems, which cannot adapt to real-time production by modifying speeds, product distribution quantities, stops due to lack of product, the ability to make the advance more abrupt or smoother, etc.

[0022] Description of the invention

[0023] Therefore, one objective of the present invention is to provide a product transport device that allows for easy cleaning, is not complex, and at the same time achieves continuous transport and distribution of the product in different directions simultaneously.

[0024] Furthermore, it should have the least possible mechanical wear, simplicity and a high level of energy efficiency, offering height adjustments, different dosing positions, speed control, different tray sizes, etc.

[0025] The product transport device of the invention solves the aforementioned problems, while also offering other advantages that will be described below.

[0026] The product transport device according to the present invention is described in claim 1, and the dependent claims include additional features that are optional.

[0027] In particular, the product transport device comprises:

[0028] - a chassis;

[0029] - a tray on which the products are transported;

[0030] - a drive assembly located between the chassis and the tray, which powers the movement of the tray; wherein the drive assembly comprises a motor and a connecting rod-crank system, which moves the tray in a linear reciprocating motion. The tray is positioned horizontally, which provides considerable improvements, such as:

[0031] - Being able to reduce the height of the equipment to the maximum, which allows us to place the equipment in areas with very limited space.

[0032] - In this way, the effort required is less, making it much more efficient; the system is energy-efficient and the linear bearings suffer less wear.

[0033] Preferably, the drive assembly also includes bearings and supports to support the tray.

[0034] These bearings offer several advantages:

[0035] - They do not require any lubrication, so they will not have problems with grease contamination.

[0036] - They do not oscillate up and down in each cycle, so we can link different teams at the same height level from beginning to end.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the motor is a servomotor and the tray has a U-shaped cross-section, although it can be of different shapes depending on the product to be transported.

[0038] The product transport device according to the present invention also preferably comprises a dosing gate, which is located at one end of the tray.

[0039] Furthermore, the dosing gate is preferably movable between a closed position, an open position and an intermediate position between the closed and open positions, and comprises an initial orifice, an end orifice and an intermediate opening.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the dosing gate is moved by means of gears and a servomotor. This gear system achieves the following improvements:

[0041] - It does not need lubrication, thus eliminating the risk of product contamination, since in this case it is very close.

[0042] - Being a rotating gate, we eliminate the risk of entrapment, unlike guillotine gates.

[0043] Preferably, the chassis includes adjustable supports.

[0044] Furthermore, the dosing gate preferably comprises fastening rings to attach the dosing gate to the chassis, which include an opening and closing mechanism, which facilitates its very quick disassembly and reduces cleaning times when changing formats.

[0045] The product transport device according to the present invention provides more possibilities and advantages compared to other conveyors on the market, as it allows the option of varying speeds, achieving greater smoothness or abruptness in the movement, coordination of transports of a set, energy efficiency, etc.

[0046] Because the movement is smooth and vibration-free, we ensure that the previously added additive does not come off.

[0047] Furthermore, it does not require lubrication, which offers significant advantages over other systems, preventing any potential contact of lubricant with the product being transported, which is essential, especially in food products.

[0048] Furthermore, it allows for optimal cleaning and maintenance tasks, as there are no traces of grease on the machine.

[0049] It also features a design focused on worker ergonomics, both during cleaning and when performing adjustment and maintenance tasks, offering the versatility to adapt to uneven floors for greater stability. The tray has a smooth surface, which is a significant advantage for cleaning, as it can be cleaned without disassembly. Simply remove any product residue from the surface using conventional cleaning tools and products such as cloths, paper towels, wipes, etc. The smooth surface makes removing product residue quick and easy. However, it also includes a quick-release system for more thorough cleaning or maintenance.

[0050] Furthermore, the dosing gate offers the advantage of being able to distribute the product longitudinally and transversely at the same time, thus generating a continuous flow of product in different directions.

[0051] Furthermore, it has the option of varying its position to change the type of distribution, being able to alternate between bidirectional and unidirectional feeding in the direction required at any given time.

[0052] This dosing gate allows for quick, easy assembly, disassembly and adjustment without the need for tools.

[0053] The product transport device according to the present invention is designed so that it can be coupled to another product transport device. For longitudinal movement, they are installed one after the other, maintaining the same level.

[0054] Leveling between the transports will be achieved through height adjustment of the adjustable supports, which allow better adaptation to irregular floors, achieving greater stability.

[0055] When multiple product transport devices are used together, their reciprocating motion is coordinated to enhance system stability and prevent product breakage at intersections. This coordination can be achieved through a controller that manages the operation of all the system's transport devices. In summary, the advantages of the product transport device according to the present invention are as follows:

[0056] - Easy tray cleaning without needing to disassemble any part of the conveyor.

[0057] - Reciprocating motion through connecting rod-crank system and linear bearings.

[0058] - Ergonomic machine chassis for performing cleaning, adjustment and maintenance tasks.

[0059] - Lack of lubrication.

[0060] - Synchronization between transports through a controller, preventing product breakage and instability of the assembly.

[0061] - Continuous transport to different areas without causing a lack of product.

[0062] - Longitudinal displacement of the product between different transport devices without the need for a considerable difference in level between them.

[0063] - Possibility of transporting in different directions continuously at the same time thanks to the dosing gate.

[0064] - Simplicity of the manufacturing process.

[0065] - System with high energy efficiency.

[0066] - Product fully adaptable to production needs, able to vary different parameters.

[0067] - Construction of the machine taking into account hygiene and sanitary regulations.

[0068] Brief description of the drawings

[0069] For a better understanding of what has been explained, some drawings are included which, schematically and only as a non-limiting example, represent a practical case of implementation.

[0070] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the product transport device according to the present invention.

[0071] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the product transport device according to the present invention.

[0072] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the drive assembly that performs the back-and-forth movement of the tray;

[0073] Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the dosing gate of the product transport device according to the present invention in its closed, open and intermediate positions, respectively;

[0074] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a detail of the dosing gate of the product transport device according to the present invention;

[0075] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the retaining rings of the dosing gate of the product transport device according to the present invention; and

[0076] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a product transport machine comprising several product transport devices according to the present invention.

[0077] Description of a preferred embodiment

[0078] Figure 1 shows the product transport device according to the present invention, comprising a chassis (1) that is fixed and serves as a support for all elements of the transport device, a tray (5) and a drive assembly (3), the drive assembly (3) being located between the chassis (1) and the tray (5), which drives a linear reciprocating movement of the tray (5).

[0079] The continuous linear back-and-forth motion causes the product to move along the conveyor in the longitudinal direction of the tray (5), as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1.

[0080] The tray (5), according to the embodiment shown, has a U-shaped cross-section, although it could have any suitable shape.

[0081] The chassis (1) comprises adjustable supports (2), four in the embodiment shown, to adapt the height of the tray (5) according to requirements. Each of the supports (2) preferably has two types of adjustment: fixed positions with screws and fine adjustment by means of a threaded rod.

[0082] As shown in Figure 2, the drive assembly (3) comprises a motor (6), such as a servomotor, and a connecting rod-crank system (7) that transforms the rotary motion of the motor shaft (6) into a linear reciprocating motion. This linear motion corresponds to the back-and-forth motion that causes the product to advance along the tray (5).

[0083] As can be seen in Figure 3, the drive assembly (3) is supported on four linear bearings (8) through two supports (9) of the tray (5), in order to achieve the reciprocating motion.

[0084] It should be noted that the back-and-forth movement of the tray (5) is not at a continuous speed. The forward movement is at a fast speed and the backward movement at a slow speed.

[0085] This change in speed results in the product moving forward and not backward, that is, the tray (5) moves towards its front position at a fast speed and changes direction abruptly.

[0086] This change of direction at high speed gives the product an inertia that will make it move forward.

[0087] The reverse movement is performed at a slow speed so that the change of direction in the reverse position is not abrupt, as this would cause the product to move backward. This slow change of direction ensures that the product remains stationary on the tray (5) without moving backward.

[0088] All cycle parameters are configurable, allowing the transport device to be adapted to any installation and need, making its behavior abrupt or smooth, slow or fast, etc. The configurable parameters are as follows: - Slow speed. - Fast speed.

[0089] - Acceleration.

[0090] - Deceleration.

[0091] - Degrees of change from slow to fast speed.

[0092] - Degrees of change from fast to slow speed.

[0093] Figure 7 shows that the product transport device according to the present invention also comprises a dosing gate (11), which is included when it is necessary to transport the product in two different directions, longitudinally and transversely.

[0094] Thanks to this dosing gate (11), three different product routing options can be achieved:

[0095] - Closed position, shown in figure 4, in which the product comes out of the tray (5) longitudinally forward.

[0096] - Open position, shown in figure 5, in which the product comes out of the tray (5) transversely downwards.

[0097] - Intermediate position, shown in figure 6, in which the product comes out of the tray (5) in two directions at the same time, longitudinally and transversely, forwards and downwards.

[0098] The dosing gate (11) can vary these positions automatically according to the real-time state of the product accumulation.

[0099] The dosing gate (11), according to the embodiment shown, is a cylindrical element open at its ends with an intermediate opening (14). An initial orifice (12) is the product inlet to said dosing gate (11), an end orifice (13) is the product outlet from the dosing gate (11) longitudinally, forwards, and the intermediate opening (14) is the product outlet from the gate transversely, downwards.

[0100] The different positions of the dosing gate (11) are achieved through a circular movement. This movement is performed by means of gears (15) driven by a motor (16), such as a servomotor. Furthermore, the product transport device according to the present invention also comprises clamping rings (17) for attaching the dosing gate (11) to the chassis (1).

[0101] These clamping rings (17) open and close without tools using a fully manual mechanism (18). To attach the dosing gate (11) to the chassis (1), the clamping rings (17) are closed over the dosing gate (11) and tightened using the mechanism (18) until a tight and secure fit is achieved.

[0102] Figure 9 shows that several product transport devices according to the present invention can be used together in a product transport machine.

[0103] Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is evident to a person skilled in the art that the described product transport device is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be substituted by technically equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Product transport device, comprising: - a chassis (1); - a tray (5) on which the products are transported; - a drive assembly (3) located between the chassis (1) and the tray (5), which drives the movement of the tray (5); characterized in that the drive assembly (3) comprises a motor (6) and a connecting rod-crank system (7), which moves the tray (5) in a linear reciprocating motion.

2. Product transport device according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly (3) also comprises bearings (8).

3. Product transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive assembly (3) also comprises supports (9) for supporting the tray (5).

4. Product transport device according to claim 1, wherein the motor (6) is a servomotor.

5. Product transport device according to claim 1, wherein the tray (5) has a U-shaped cross-section.

6. Product transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, which also comprises a dosing gate (11), which is located at one end of the tray (5).

7. Product transport device according to claim 6, wherein the dosing gate (11) is movable between a closed position, an open position and an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position.

8. Product transport device according to claim 6, wherein the dosing gate (11) comprises an initial orifice (12), an end orifice (13) and an intermediate opening (14).

9. Product transport device according to claim 7, wherein the dosing gate (11) is moved by means of gears (15) and a motor (16).

10. Product transport device according to claim 1, wherein the chassis (1) comprises adjustable supports (2).

11. Product transport device according to claim 6, wherein the dosing gate (11) comprises fastening rings (17) for attaching the dosing gate (11) to the chassis (1).

12. Product transport device according to claim 11, wherein the fastening rings (17) comprise an opening and closing mechanism (18).

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