GB2085831A - Dispensing means for dragee-like goods - Google Patents

Abstract

Means for arranged goods, e.g. dragee sweets, in file sequence and spacing them for counting comprises a drum unit (1) disposed in inclined position and formed of at least two side by side drums (5, 6) rotating about their axes in opposite directions and outwardly as viewed from above, the goods flow being directed axially in between these drums to be fed downwardly in the direction of the incline to exit from the bottom end of the drums and therefrom further to a collection space (11). As the goods leave the drums they may be counted by optical counting heads (8). At the end of a count, the goods may be deflected by an air jet (9) for recycling. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispensing means for dragee-like goods The present invention concerns a means for dispensing dragee-like goods, such as sweets, entailing a count of the number dispensed, and wherein e.g. for the purpose of counting, the flow of pieces has to be in file with sufficient spacing between consecutive pieces for identification of individual pieces.

Dispensing means are known in prior art which are based on either volume or weight determination.

The drawback of dispensing automata based on volume is the inaccuracy of dispensing in the case of dragee-like material. Moreover, providing for adjustment of the dispensed quantity is difficult. The drawback in dispensing based on weight is impairment of the dispensing accuracy when the speed is increased.

Attempts have been made to eliminate the detriments mentioned, in that, counter means have been developed which afford a better accuracy when dispensing such goods where counting of the number of pieces yields an accurate enough result. These dispensing means have the drawback that they impose requirements on the shape of the pieces to be dispensed and on the homogeneity of the goods.

The present invention has as its object to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned. The dispensing means of the invention comprises a drum unit disposed in an oblique position; the drum unit comprising at least two side by side drums rotating about their axes in opposite directions, outward as viewed from above, the goods being passed axially in between them to be fed downwardly in the direction of the incline to exit at the lower end of the drums, and thence to a collecting space.

It is possible with the means of the invention to dispense exactly with regard to numbers, such goods in which the shape of pieces and even the size may vary quite considerably. Of other advantages afforded by the invention, regarding operation, the short passage time may be mentioned, that is, the ease of arrangements and convenient possibilities to increase the capacity by adding parallel drum units.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, following the drum unit, there is a bypass system to which the goods flow is directed by means of a compressed air system when required. By means of the bypass system, the goods flow coming from the drum unit can be recycled for the duration of emptying or replacement of the dispensing space.

The inclination of the drums may be adjusted by adjusting means to fit various qualities. Since different types of goods pass between the drums at different speeds, it is thus possible to adjust the speed for each quality as desired.

The counting system of the means may be connected to a microprocessor which counts the quantity recycled and in accordance therewith controls the goods supply rate to the optimum. Thereby the maximum feed rate of the means can be simply automated.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 presents an embodiment of the invention, in an elevational view.

Figure 2 shows the embodiment, viewed in the direction A of Figure 1.

The drum unit 1 is mounted in the frame 2 of the dispensing automaton in an inclined position, the angle of which is adjustable. The dispensing unit 3 is so disposed that it is possible from the supply chute 4 to shed goods in between the drums 5 and 6. The means further comprises a guiding and counting unit 7, its counting heads 8 being trained on the goods flow exiting from between the drums. Likewise trained is a compressed air nozzle 9 of a bypass system 10. Furthermore, the means comprises a dispensing funnel 11 in which the quantity to be dispensed is collected.

The drum unit 1 consists of two side by side, parallel drums 5 and 6. The drums have been rotatably carried on shafts and are rotated disposed over a belt by the drive motor 12. The size of the drums is not limited in any way, but e.g. when handling goods with less than 20 mm diameter, the diameter ofthe drums may be e.g. 100 mm and their length 600 mm. Likewise, the speed of rotation of the drums is not fixed; and in this example it could be e.g. 1300 r.p.m. The gap between the drums, however, must be smaller than the smallest diameter of the goods to be dispensed. The direction of rotation of the drums must be opposed to each other and outward as viewed in direction B, that is, such that no nip is formed between the drums.

The feed unit 3 may comprise e.g. a silo 13 and thereunder a feeding means comprising a feed chute 4 with vibrator. The control and counting unit 7 comprises optical counting heads 8, a microprocessor 14, and a control panel 15. The bypass system comprises a compressed air nozzle 9 and a recycling system 10. The dispensing funnel 11 may consist e.g. of several revolving funnels which may at the same time be feed hoppers in a packaging machine, for instance.

The means operates as follows: The goods to be dispensed are introduced between the drums 5 and 6 from the silo 13 of the feed unit 3. The feeding rate can be adjusted by adjusting the outflow aperture of the silo or the vibration of the feed chute. While rolling or sliding downward between the drums 5 and 6, the goods to be handled position themselves in file. The spacing of pieces following after each other, and the speed of progress of the file, depend on the rotation of the drums and their inclination, and on the feed rate. The file formation is produced in the groove like space established between the drums 5 and 6 as a result of accelerated velocity of the pieces, starting at the moment when each piece falls from the feed chute onto the drums, and which is influenced by the rotational movement of the drums and by the movement of the piece downwardly along an inclined line.

Counting of the pieces is accomplished after the drum unit 1. It is the counting process which implies a goods flow of the kind described. The optical counting heads 8 react to the pieces passing by, and the microprocessor 14 collects the information thus received in a counter. When the counter has been filled, the processor controls the compressed air valve 9 to open, observing requisite delay times. The compressed air jet deflects the material flow to recycling 10 instead of into the dispensing funnel 11.

The processor closes the air valve when it is possible to supply a further quantity, that is, for instance when empty dispensing funnel has come into register.

The processor may also be employed to control the feed rate of the goods, whereby it becomes possible to optimize the feed, minimizing the quantity which is recycled.

It is possible to set various starting values in the microprocessor, depending on the behaviour of the goods, on quantities to be metered etc. Thus, one and the same apparatus may be used with ease in dispensing many different types of goods. It is implied, of course, that the dispensing can be based on the number of pieces.

The speed of the means may be increased by increasing the feed rate and by making the drums 5, 6 more steeply sloping, within the capacity of reaction of the counting heads. The capacity may also be increased by mounting a plurality of parallel drum units and controlling the number of pieces passing through them.

Claims (5)

1. A dispensing means for dragee-like goods, in which the number of goods being dispensed is counted, and for counting of the goods flow is arranged in a file sequence where the spacing between consecutive goods is great enough for individual goods to be identified, wherein the means comprises a drum unit disposed in an inclined position; the drum unit comprising at least two side by side drums rotating about their axes in opposite directions and outward as viewed from above, the goods flow being directed axially in between these drums to be fed downwardly in the direction of the incline to exit from the lower end of the drums and therefrom to a collection space.

2. A means according to claim 1, wherein, following the drum unit, there is a bypass system to recycle goods, if need be, into which the goods flow is directed by means of a compressed air system.

3. A means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inclination of the drums is adjustable.

4. A means according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the counting system of the means is connected to a microprocessor which counts the quantity exiting from the drum unit and controls the feed thereto in accordance with a predetermined feed rate.

5. A dispensing means for dragee-like goods, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.