DE2610351A1 - DEVICE FOR ALIGNING OR REPLACING ARTICLES - Google Patents

Description

PATENT LAWYERS

Dipl.-Ing. P. WIRTH Dr. V. SCHM1ED-KOWARZIK Dipl.-Ing. G. DANNENBERG Dr. P. WEINHOLD Dr. D. GUDEL

TELEPHONE coen: ^{281 134} 6 FRANKFURT / M.

287014 GR. ESCHENHEIMER STH. 39

March 11, 1976

Gu / ki RP-8137-M19

DART Industries Inc.

P.O. Box 3157

Terminal Annex

Los Angeles, California 90051

Device for aligning or transferring articles

The invention relates to a device for aligning or transferring articles. It particularly affects the area the production of unbreakable glassware, such as unbreakable bottles. The coating of such shatterproof V / are requires the use of particulate! Synthetic resin. A careful control of the preheating of the glassware and the curing temperature is necessary,

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

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as well as immersion times and the like to ensure the production of a well-adhering coating. A preferred one The process is the application of a polymer coating to the goods using fluidized bed technology, which can be carried out in connection with the other mentioned process steps on the assembly line, preferably in cooperation with suitable bottle molding machines.

Shatterproof bottled goods have recently become increasingly popular. For the production of such goods are specially designed devices for alignment are required in order to present the goods to the coating medium. It is for a correct coating, *? important that Goods effective between the individual procedural stages transport. The device described below for aligning and moving the goods is therefore insofar important when the goods moving on wide conveyor belts are driven through ovens and other processing stations where the goods or articles suffer in their alignment with one another, in particular because of the slippage on the Conveyor belt or stretching the conveyor belt. If the alignment of the articles is therefore critical for moving the goods is, as is the case with such processes, the articles must be realigned.

Furthermore, it is obvious that by having the articles stacked more closely in the systems in question production rates can be increased. An effective transfer of articles between different conveyors Type in such systems can still be critical because all articles are uniform and without significant change in residence time between the different treatment stations must be processed.

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

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It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for realigning articles into precisely aligned ones To propose a position with which it is possible:

1) handle a wider variety of commodity sizes,

2) the articles at different fixed center-to-center distances to be able to align again

3) the articles from a longitudinal distance of the center points to one to be able to rearrange others,

4) to position the goods between goods stacked at a small distance from each other on a conveyor, and

5) to perform a modification of the transport system so that the articles from a conveyor to a to be implemented by others.

With the device according to the invention, a very precise realignment of the articles on a conveyor is possible at different times predetermined center-to-center distances in longitudinal directions possible. Two sets of push bar slats are on one Support frame mounted. One of these sets is stationary and the other set is rotatable near its top. Everyone Set consists of a series of vertical push rods with sliding plates mounted on their lower ends. The rotatable Row can be adjusted relative to the stationary row and set to various predetermined center points from stalls in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the rotatable row can also be driven by piston-cylinder units be to the articles from a spacing arrangement present on the input side of their present in the longitudinal direction To move center points to larger distances between these center points when realigning. The head of the Apparatus containing the sets is mounted on a longitudinally traversing trolley with rails. As soon as a signal is received from a photocell system,

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

the head of the device is through in the vertical direction the piston-cylinder units are driven down, causing the push rods and sliding plates to move behind Item series fall. The head and trolley assembly are then advanced forward by other piston cylinder units moves, with the sliding plates collecting the articles in pockets when the articles are a few centimeters on the conveyor belt be moved. The head is then retracted vertically upward, freeing the articles on their tops come. Then the head is moved horizontally back to the starting point. The sliding plates are more or less triangular or trapezoidal shaped and move between the items as the items are aligned. These If necessary, sliding plates can fall between the rows of articles that together form a stop in the longitudinal direction obtain.

The push rods on which the sliding plates are mounted are guided in sockets so that a plate is lifted, if it falls on one or more items in the wrong place. This will remove any undue burden avoided, and it is possible that the other disks will operate normally. Groups of goods that leave the device Straight rows arranged at a constant distance from one another and are for further processing and / or repositioning precisely aligned.

The device for aligning the goods can also serve as a converter for conveyor belts. By removing the sentence of stationary push bars and replacement of the special ones Push rods for alignment with flat push plates on the rotatable sets can also be used for the articles from a wide one Conveyors via stationary plates can be transferred to a conveyor with a single conveyor line, which is at right angles works to the broad sponsor.

£ 09843/0720

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments, from which further important ones emerge Features result. It shows:

1 shows a side view of a device according to the invention for aligning and / or transferring articles;

Fig * 2 is a partially sectioned end view of the device to clarify the frame with support structure;

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing additional components of the support structure and the sliding units; FIG.

4 shows, in perspective from above, the connecting components between the frame, support structure and sliding units;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. to illustrate the gripping of an article between two sliding units;

6 shows, in perspective from above, a further embodiment of the sliding units in a device for Transfer of articles.

Applying a shatterproof coating to a glass bottle involves preheating, a coating with particulate matter and curing or fusing of the coating. All the machinery to carry out This process step can include the following stations:

1) An unpacking machine for the uncoated bottles a box, a conveyor for boxes and a packaging machine for coated bottles,

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ORlGfNAL INSPECTED

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2) a preheating oven for paint, which the bottles in a line are supplied, a paint spray or description unit and a stacking device with push rods,

3) a preheating furnace for a polymer coating with a conveyor, a fluidized bed and a bottle turner or Immersion mechanism and a curing oven with conveyor,

4) a cooling station, waxing station, sensitizer for Flames and an automatic inspection station.

Immediately next to the discharge end of a preheating furnace, not shown, is a device 10 for aligning transversely Arranged over a conveyor. The device 10 for. Alignment aligns the bottles both lengthways and in Transverse direction of the conveying path of the conveyor 12. It aligns the bottles in such a way that they are of a transfer device not shown can be taken.

The device 10 for aligning articles or bottles extends in the transverse direction to the conveyor 12 and over this sponsor. It is located relatively close to both the exit end of the preheat furnace, not shown, as well at the receiving point of the fluidized bed with transfer device (also not shown). The warmed up bottle will thus, after leaving the preheating oven, the device is gripped and one or more rows of bottles are placed on the Conveyor 10 realigned so that they can be properly gripped at the aforementioned pick-up point.

The alignment device 10 includes a frame 14 which is connected to either the conveyor 12 or others of those mentioned Apparatus is connected. The frame can also be constructed free-standing, as shown and preferred.

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

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A movable support 16 is located in the frame and includes end pieces 18 and cross pieces 20.

The end pieces 18 and crosspieces 20 are suitably secured by lid clips or other suitable fastening means 22 connected, as best shown in FIG. They are also provided opposite one another Trolley members 24 mounted, which are held in the frame by wheels. The wheels 26 have channels 28 and run on rails 30 which are connected to frame pieces 32. The frame pieces 32 have longitudinal slots 34 about axes 36 to receive the support 16 and to protrude to the outside. This will make changes, repairs and maintenance work of the system.

From Fig. 1 it can be seen that the frame 14 consists of a plurality of pipe pieces 38 which are connected via connecting plates 40 and cranked rods 42 are suitably connected to one another. The offset rods allow pipe sections to pass through 44 and the inclusion of actuating means 46 approximately along the center line of these pipe sections. This will the bending moment is kept as small as possible, the weight of the support 16 and of sliding units 48 on the shafts and wheels of the structure exercises. The bending moment can also be further reduced if additional trolley links 24 are provided outside the frame pieces 32, which are suitably connected to the axles 36 and the actuating means 46. The construction of this alternative is familiar to the person skilled in the art.

The frame is further stiffened by transversely extending pipe pieces 50 that extend over the Conveyor 12 and extend in the transverse direction, further-

-8th

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

through other similar, not shown pieces below of the conveyor are provided. Similarly, support plates 52 support the pipe sections 38 over Connections 54 are connected to the frame as a whole. This plate is also used for other purposes, as further is explained in more detail below.

The support 16 includes an axle 36 and wheels 26 to which the trolley members 24 are attached. These limbs and associated components are along each side of the conveyor 12 and on the frame as described. These limbs are further connected to one another by at least one pair of stiffening brackets 56, which are therefore suitable Way connected. The support is operated by the actuating means 46 complete!; Which are also connected to the trolley links 24. The actuating means can raise and lower pusher units 48 that extend across the conveyor, as best the Figures 3 and 4 show. These sliding units 48, which are explained in greater detail below, are essentially shown in FIG vertically movable crossing structures including the vertical and stationary end portions 18, which are firmly connected to one another via the channel-like cross pieces 20. This structure is above and below connected to the actuating means 46. The upper connection is achieved via an L-profile plate 58, the one Has slot 60 through which a piston rod 62 connected to the upper end of the end portions 18 extends. At the on the opposite side, bearings 64 are connected to it, on which second rotatable end parts 18 A are mounted, namely via coupling bolts 66. Opposing parts are connected via cross pieces 20 A similar to the one above mentioned end parts.

The connection between the L-profile plates 58 and the piston rods 62 is caused to loosely coat the longitudinal slits 60.

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ORIGINAL INSPECTED

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This gives the various components free movement options, so that they can work due to changes in temperature. Rigid connections would be bending moments bring about between the wheels 26 and the rails 30 when the temperature of the components changes. The lower However, ends of the piston rods 62 are rigidly connected to the end portions 18, through blocks 66 and connection plates 68.

Spacers 70 are connected to the underside of the blocks 66, which either support vertical plates 72 (Fig. 1) or hold actuators 74 (Fig. 4). The vertical Plates 72 support rods 76 connected to the rotatable end portions 18A in any of a variety of positions may be fastened, whereby a front row of sliding units 48 a predetermined distance from the rear row of units is located away. In a preferred embodiment, the Front row of sliding units approximately 13 or 15 cm (5 or 6 inches) from the back row. Article that i.e. from conveyor 12 at intervals of 5 or 6 inches (13 or 15 cm) of their center points are promoted again by the device.

The device allows in a similar Yfeise article again spacing those on the conveyor with centers of about 10 cm (4 inches) or less, by using the embodiment shown in FIG. The front row of the sliding units is pivoted by the actuating means 74, which is connected to the spacer connected is. In both cases, the rods 76 of the actuating means 74 with the rotatable end pieces 18A are through Front panels 78 and pillow-shaped blocks 80 connected. The end pieces 18 A are rotatably mounted on the bearings 64 and

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oscillate between a rearward and a forward position by actuation via fluid cylinders or the actuation means 74.

As mentioned, a plurality of sliding units 48 are connected to the cross pieces 20, 20 A on the stationary and rotatable end parts 18, 18 A. These units are designed to simultaneously grasp and align two rows of articles. In some cases it may also be advantageous to use only one row of sliding units, or to enlarge the frame 14 to accommodate three or more such rows. The number of pusher units 48 extending in the transverse direction of the conveyor 12 along the length of the cross pieces 20, 20 A can be modified in a similar manner to accommodate the number of bottles per row that is transported on the conveyor 12 will.

Each slide unit 48 has a slide plate 82 located at the lower ends of two slidable rods 84. The rods are in turn mounted so as to be vertically slidable in bearings 86 via retaining collars 88. The bearings are held by means of end plates 90.

Each sliding unit is a completely separate structural unit, which is attached separately to the cross pieces 20, 20A and can be dismantled. Double bars 84 are also provided to facilitate lifting of the panels 82, if they grasp a bottle when the frame is moving downwards, and to avoid jamming when Prevent lifting. ¥ because the plates are at a distance from each other and their sides are angularly pointed, For example, bottles of various sizes can be accommodated in the voids 92 between the plates 82. An opening angle

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of 40 ° at the entrance of the voids is preferred so the bottles can roll into these spaces. The units 48 also have shock absorbers 94 which are suitable Form, for example that described in U.S. Patent Application No. 374,298 dated 6/28/1973.

This will reduce the noise and vibrations if a sliding plate incorrectly grips an article, it then raises so that the article falls down.

As mentioned, there are several support plates 52 on the frame 14. Each of the support plates has a longitudinal slot 96 for adjustable positioning of an indicator plate 98. This indicator plate carries either a light source or a light sensitive Element (not shown) indicating the presence of an article on conveyor 12. As soon such an article is displayed, the electronics of the system activate the device. So when in operation for example, a photocell or other suitable detection arrangement is provided on the plate 98, is thereby the presence of the first row of articles in a predetermined location relative to the retracted position of the Sliding units 48 are displayed. This initiates the downward movement of these units, so that the sliding plates 82 are adjacent to the conveyor 12 and just behind the articles in each row (Figs. 3 and 5). Afterward A microswitch (not shown) switches actuating means 100 to this downward movement (for example a piston-cylinder unit) following the activation of the fluid cylinder 46. As a result the support 16 is moved forward in the direction of movement of the conveyor 12. The goods are thereby removed from the sliding plates 82, and in particular by the V-shaped voids 92 between these plates (Figs. 4 and 5). By Movement of the goods into the empty spaces will cause this in the longitudinal direction

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aligned on the conveyor. The forward movement of the device causes the goods to move sideways on the conveyor aligned.

After a predetermined forward movement, which is sensed, for example, via a microswitch (not shown), which can be mounted on the frame on an adjustable plate 104, the piston-cylinder units 46 are activated again, this time to retract the slide units 48 to a position over the articles. After a dwell time they pull Cylinder 100 returns the assembly to its starting position and another, not shown microswitch, which is on a Plate 106 is mounted activates the electronic system for a new cycle of movement.

If the rearrangement of the goods is to be carried out by the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the fluid cylinders 74 during the forward movement the support 16 activated, whereby the cross pieces 20 A are brought from the vertical to the foremost position. After the sliding units 48 have been withdrawn, the same fluid cylinders 74 pull the cross pieces 20A in a similar manner and back the front row of pusher units to the substantially vertical position. Every operation of the Cylinder after the start of the cycle is preferably initiated by microswitches that are mechanically moved by the moving Components is actuated. However, other systems can also be used for this purpose. After aligning the articles continue to move forward on the conveyor 12. Their presence is sensed again when they are in the correct position to be picked up by other suitable means.

As mentioned in the introduction and shown in FIG. 6, the device can also be easily modified to implement articles. For such a transfer, the movement of the

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Typically stacked goods on an oven conveyor 12, in rows across fixed panels 108 to another Conveyor 110 with a single conveyor line. This type of transfer is conventionally carried out by a separator. However, it is essential that uniform conditions of the articles be maintained, for example the same

At the temperature of the articles for the subsequent further treatment, separators are not suitable for this.

The device shown in Fig. 6 avoids these disadvantages. The rear row of sliding units 48 has been removed there. The sliding plates 82 are replaced by sliding rods 112 on the rotatable front row of the sliding units. It may also be necessary to exchange the actuating means 74 for rearranging the distances in order to achieve a sufficient Provide a horn with which the articles can be pushed over the stationary plates 108. Otherwise however, the mode of operation of the device of FIG. 6 is the same as that of the devices previously described.

It is therefore essential in the invention that a device for aligning or transferring articles is proposed is used with either a variety of glass goods at the same time can be precisely aligned on a conveyor at centers that can be easily adjusted, to meet the needs of the user, or to transfer a single row of items from a conveyor system to a to implement another funding system.

The device is in particular for use in a coating system suitable for glassware, which works continuously to the outer surface of the glassware with a thermoplastic polymer layer to provide. The device can be easily modified in order to implement serve, so that stacked goods on a conveyor übe.r stationary plates are transferred to another conveyor can that promotes in a single row.

Claims (1)

March 11, 1976 DART Industries Inc. Gu / Schu RP-8137-M19 Patent and protection claims Cont. Ί) Device for the simultaneous and precise alignment of a large number of moving, upright articles, characterized by a frame with components across and across a conveyor, a support which is mounted on the frame and which has at least one cross piece extending into the side of the conveyor extends approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement of the conveyor, furthermore a first actuating device which is connected to the frame and can move the support to and fro, namely in the direction of movement and the opposite direction of movement of the conveyor second actuating means mounted on the support and engaging the crosspiece, the connection being such that the actuation of the second actuating means over the crosspiece substantially vertically into a retracted position and moved adjacent the articles and by a plurality of pusher units located on the crosspiece -2 6098Λ3 / 0720 261Ü351 and are suitable for attachment to the goods. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide units are slidably positioned with bearings Have rods extending therethrough and which have sliding plates fixedly connected to the rods are. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding units have separate sliding plates from each of which can grab opposite sides of neighboring goods on the conveyor. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide units in a plurality of parallel Rows are arranged so that each cyclical movement of the device a plurality of rows of goods on aligns with the sponsor. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding units in two parallel rows across the Conveying direction are arranged, one of which is rotatably mounted with respect to the support. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the first, second and third actuation units are fluid Piston-cylinder units are. 603843/0720 261U351 - γ- 7. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the sliding plates are trapezoidal and are trapezoidal Grip opposite sides of adjacent articles and these on the conveyor in cross and Align lengthways. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the sliding plates are connected to the lower ends of the rods are. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that resilient means the downward movement of the rods and the interaction of the rods with the Catch the cross piece with a spring. 10. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that each of the sliding plates is connected to a pair of rods, 11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support includes a plurality of wheels, each run on rails connected to the frame. 12. Device for simultaneously transferring a large number of articles from one conveyor to another conveyor , marked by 609843/0720 -ir- lOWiih 1 to a frame with components across and across a conveyor, a support that is mounted to the frame, and which has at least one cross piece that extends to the side of the conveyor approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement of the conveyor extends, further a first actuator associated with the frame is connected and the support can move back and forth, in the direction of movement and in the opposite direction of movement of the sponsor second actuating means mounted on the support and engaging the crosspiece, the connection is such that the actuation of the second actuating means, the cross piece is substantially vertical in a withdrawn position above and adjacent to the articles and moved through a large number of sliding units that are located on the crosspiece and are suitable for contact with the goods are. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the slide units are slidably positioned with bearings Have rods extending therethrough and which have sliding plates that are integral with the rods are connected. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the slide units are separated substantially vertically have arranged sliding plates which are firmly connected to the rods. 15. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that third actuation means with the rotatable slide units -5 B0S8A3 / 072Q ORIGINAL INSPECTED are connected and the parallel row of these sliding units about their pivot axes on the support back and forth move forward. B O 9 8 A 3 / O 7 2 Q ORIGINAL INSPECTED