TW201826937A - Transfer wheel between a lollipop forming and a lollipop wrapping unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lollipop production and down-stream processing apparatus with a forming unit and a down-stream processing unit and a transfer wheel in between the units which rotates around a first axis and which comprises a multitude of grippers which releasably hold the stick of the lollipop and which rotate relative to the transfer wheel around a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation. The present invention further relates to a method to transfer a lollipop from a forming unit to a down-stream processing unit by means of a transfer wheel which rotates around an axis of rotation and which comprises a multitude of grippers, each gripping the stick of a lollipop and taking it out of the holding means of the forming unit and handing it over to the holding means of a down-stream processing unit.

Description

 Transfer wheel between lollipop molding unit and lollipop packaging unit  

The invention relates to a lollipop production and downstream processing apparatus, which is provided with a molding unit and a downstream processing unit and a transfer wheel interposed between the units, the transfer wheel is rotated about a first axis, and includes A plurality of clamps releasably retaining the stick of the lollipop and rotating relative to the transfer wheel about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation. The invention further relates to a method for transferring a lollipop from a molding unit to a downstream processing unit by means of a transfer wheel, the transfer wheel rotating about an axis of rotation and comprising a plurality of clamps, each clamping A stick of lollipop is taken and removed from the clamping mechanism of the forming unit and handed over to the gripping mechanism of a downstream processing unit.

Such devices and methods are well known and are used to produce lollipops. The forming unit includes a rotating drum that is attached to a plurality of forming chambers at, for example, the circumference of the drum. In the forming unit, a piece of material is cut from a belt and formed into the head of the lollipop. During this forming step, and/or after this forming step, a stick is inserted into the lollipop head. The lollipop is held at the forming unit until it is handed over to a downstream processing unit, such as a packaging unit, the head of the lollipop or the entire lollipop is wrapped inside the packaging unit In a plastic film. This handover is performed by a transfer wheel with clamps that hold the lollipop stick and remove the lollipop from the gripping mechanism of the forming unit and transfer it To the packaging unit, the packaging unit also includes a sticking mechanism for taking over the stick of the lollipop. Since these devices must be very flexible and highly reliable, there is a need to continually improve such devices and methods.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lollipop production and packaging apparatus.

The problem is solved by a lollipop production and packaging apparatus with a forming unit and a downstream processing unit and a transfer wheel interposed between the units, the transfer wheel rotating about a first axis and including There are a plurality of clamps that release the stick of the lollipop that is openly held and that move relative to the transfer wheel, preferably about a second rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation An axis, wherein preferably the length of the clamp about the second axis of rotation adjusts the length by which the clamp moves into the gripping mechanism of the stick of the lollipop forming unit, and/or enters The clamping mechanism of the stick of the lollipop packaging unit, and/or for adjusting the distance between the two clamps to a gap of the clamping mechanism at the forming unit, and/or The gap of the clamping mechanism at the downstream processing unit is provided with a mechanism to increase the pressure inside thereof.

This disclosure of the subject matter of the present invention is also applicable to other subject matter of the present invention, and vice versa.

The invention relates to a lollipop production device and a downstream processing device. The lollipop production apparatus includes a molding unit, for example, a rotating drum with a plurality of molding chambers, and each molding chamber forms a lollipop head, for example, after a piece of material is cut, Sugar material molding. The shape of the head of the lollipop may be, for example, flat, elliptical, or spherical. During the forming and/or after the forming, a rod is inserted into the head of the lollipop, and then the forming chamber is opened, and the finished lollipop is held by the clamping mechanism At the forming unit, the clamping mechanism typically interacts with the stick of the lollipop. The forming chambers of the forming unit are preferably exchangeable so that different lollipops with different heads and/or rods can be produced on the same forming unit. Thus, the gap between the two forming chambers and/or the gauge of the clamping mechanism can vary. It is disposed downstream of the molding unit, and the transfer wheel that takes over the lollipop from the molding unit rotates about a first axis and includes a plurality of clamps at an outer circumference thereof. The clamping mechanism of the molding unit takes out a lollipop stick and releases the stick of the lollipop open during the transfer of the lollipop stick to the downstream processing unit.

A downstream processing apparatus or unit is disposed downstream of the forming unit, preferably downstream of the transfer wheel relative to the direction of transport of the lollipop, and is, for example, a cooling unit, a coating unit, a drying unit, and/or Or a packaging unit.

Moving the respective clamps relative to the transfer wheel, preferably about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation, to respectively adjust the movement of the clamps of the transfer wheel to match the forming and/or Or the gap and/or gauge of the packaging unit.

Due to the movement of the clamps relative to the transfer wheel, the radial extent and/or orientation of the respective clamps are adjusted to match the gauge and/or the gap of the clamping mechanism of the forming unit. Thus, the transfer wheel can be easily employed by different forming chambers and/or different downstream processing units.

According to the invention, the transfer wheel is provided with a mechanism to increase the pressure inside thereof. This ensures, for example, that the debris from the forming unit does not stay in the mechanism of the transfer wheel, and that it is stuck or slowed down. In particular, one or more bearings of the transfer wheel are set at a pressure above ambient pressure. Preferably, the mechanism is particularly such that the bearings are breathable so as to have a fixed flow of air from the interior of the transfer wheel to the surrounding environment so that debris does not enter the mechanism and/or Was flushed out.

According to another preferred or inventive embodiment of the invention, the downstream processing unit includes an extraction mechanism adjacent the clamping mechanism.

This disclosure of the subject matter of the present invention is also applicable to other subject matter of the present invention, and vice versa.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the downstream processing unit includes means for improving and/or ensuring that the lollipop is extracted from the clamps of the transfer wheel. Thus, after the individual fixtures have passed the downstream processing unit, no lollipops will remain in the transfer wheel.

According to another preferred or inventive embodiment of the invention, the lollipop production and packaging apparatus includes means for decoupling the movement of the transfer wheel from the movement of the forming unit.

This disclosure of the subject matter of the present invention is also applicable to other subject matter of the present invention, and vice versa.

In particular, during the inventive start-up, when the forming unit and the rotation of the transfer wheel have not been synchronized, they can be independently rotated. Preferably, the transfer wheel is radially displaced relative to the radius of the forming unit prior to or during start-up. Once the start is completed and the forming unit and the transfer wheel are synchronized, the transfer wheel will be moved back again.

Preferably, each of the clamps is attached to a mechanism, such as a loop that moves eccentrically about the second axis of rotation. This rotation can be clockwise or counterclockwise. Due to the eccentric motion, the radial extent and/or angle of the clamp relative to the transfer wheel can be reversibly changed during a rotation of the transfer wheel.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a lollipop production and packaging apparatus wherein the clamps are rotated about a third axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the clamps are rotated about a third axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. Due to this rotation, the orientation of the lollipop can be altered during the transfer from the forming to the downstream processing unit. After the lollipop has been handed over to the downstream processing unit, the clamp is rotated back to its original position and a new lollipop can be picked up from the forming unit.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the clamps is supported at the transfer wheel by a support member, preferably a pivot bearing, to which a cam is attached, preferably the cam is Provided eccentrically and interacting with a stationary control curve with a first and a second section.

The cam and the control curve determine the position of each clamp, that is, its radial extent and/or its angle relative to the transfer wheel. Since the control curve includes a first and a second section, the clamp can be adjusted to the gauge and/or gap of the forming unit and the gauge and/or gap of the packaging unit. Preferably, the first section is modified to match the movement of the clamp that matches the gauge and/or clearance of the forming unit, and the second section control is modified to match the partition of the packaging unit Movement of the jig from and/or the gap.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transfer wheel has a drive that is independent of the drives of the forming and/or downstream processing unit.

Therefore, the rotation of the transfer wheel is not guided by the rotation of the forming unit, but the transfer wheel has its own motor, preferably an electric motor, which rotates the transfer wheel. Preferably, the drum of the forming unit and/or the transport mechanism of the packaging unit and/or its driver respectively include mechanisms for determining the position of the clamping mechanism and/or information about its movement. Depending on the signals of the/these mechanisms, the rotation of the transfer wheel can be controlled. More preferably, the transfer wheel and/or its driver includes mechanisms to determine its position and/or information about its movement. This information can be used to control the drive of the transfer wheel and/or the drive of the transport mechanism of the packaging unit.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive unit of the clamp comprises at least one, preferably two linear drives. Preferably, each of the clamps includes two jaws that hold the rod of the lollipop. More preferably, at least one of the jaws is moveable from an open position to a clamped position and vice versa. Preferably, a linear actuator opens at least one of the components. More preferably, the rotation of the clamp about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel is also facilitated by a linear actuator. More preferably, at least one, and preferably two, linear actuators are each a rack, and even more preferably, the rack is driven by a stationary control curve of one of the transfer wheels.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for transferring a lollipop from a molding unit to a downstream processing unit by a transfer wheel that rotates about an axis of rotation and includes a plurality of clamps Each of the clamps holds a rod of lollipop and takes it out of the clamping mechanism of the forming unit and hands it over to the clamping mechanism of a downstream processing unit, wherein during the starting, the forming The unit and the drives of the transfer wheel are decoupled.

This disclosure of the subject matter of the present invention is also applicable to other subject matter of the present invention, and vice versa.

Preferably, the transfer wheel is radially removed from the forming unit.

Preferably, each of the clamps is rotated relative to the transfer wheel before, during and/or after the lollipop has been taken. This rotation increases and decreases the radial extent of the clamp relative to the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel and/or rotates the clamp about an axis relative to the transfer wheel, the axis being parallel to the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel. This rotation can occur when the lollipop is flipped 180° about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the radial extension of the clamp from the axis of rotation changes during the takeover procedure.

Due to this movement of the clamp, the lollipop can be removed from the clamping mechanism of the forming apparatus and/or placed into the clamping mechanism of the downstream processing unit as a member, the member being flat The radial extension of the clamping mechanism of the forming and / or downstream processing unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transfer wheel rotates independently of the forming unit and/or the downstream processing unit.

1‧‧‧Lollipop production and packaging equipment

2‧‧‧Molding unit

3‧‧‧Transfer wheel

4‧‧‧Downstream processing unit, packaging unit, coating unit, cooling unit, drying unit

5‧‧‧Lollipops

5.1‧‧‧Lollipop head

5.2‧‧‧ sticks

6‧‧‧Clamp

6.1‧‧‧ first condition, fixed condition

6.2‧‧‧Second condition, movable condition

7‧‧‧Control curve

7.1‧‧‧The first section of the control curve

7.2‧‧‧The second section of the control curve

8‧‧‧ cam

9‧‧‧ Third axis of rotation

10‧‧‧Drive shaft parts

11‧‧‧Clamp drive unit

12‧‧‧Drives, linear drives for the clamp components

13‧‧‧Rotary drive, linear drive for clamps

14‧‧‧ core

15‧‧‧Support, ball bearing

16‧‧‧First transfer mechanism, rack

17‧‧‧ pinion

18‧‧‧Second transfer mechanism, rack

19‧‧‧ pivot

20‧‧‧Rotary joystick

21‧‧‧ long hole

22‧‧‧ cam

23‧‧‧Support, ball bearing

24‧‧‧Control lever

25‧‧‧ Spring

26‧‧‧First axis of rotation

27‧‧‧second axis of rotation

28‧‧‧Clamping mechanism of the lollipop stick at the forming unit

29‧‧‧The clamping mechanism of the lollipop stick at the packaging unit

30‧‧‧Support of the clamp 6 at the transfer wheel

31‧‧‧Extraction mechanism, fork

α‧‧‧The angle of the clamp relative to the transfer wheel

These inventions are now illustrated in accordance with Figures 1 through 10. These explanations apply to all inventions of this application. These explanations do not limit the scope of protection.

Figure 1 shows the inventive device.

Figures 2 and 3 show details of the transfer wheel.

Figures 4 to 7 show details of the gripper unit.

Figure 8 shows the detail of the fixture.

Figures 9 and 10 show the extraction mechanism.

Figure 1 shows the inventive lollipop production and a downstream processing apparatus, here a packaging apparatus 1, which comprises, in addition to the other units, a forming unit 2, a transfer wheel 3, and a packaging unit 4 there. The packaging device 1 is only schematically illustrated. In the molding unit 2, a piece of material from a material such as a sugar material is cut and formed into a head portion 5.1 of a lollipop. During this molding, or after this molding, a rod 5.2 is inserted into the head. The forming unit, in this case a roller, includes a plurality of forming chambers on its circumference, each of which can be opened and closed, and the forming chambers are formed The head of the lollipop, while the drum is rotated as illustrated by the arrow, here is clockwise. Furthermore, each of the forming chambers includes a gripping mechanism 28 for the rod 5.2 of the lollipop, where the forming and rod insertion has taken place and the individual forming chambers have been opened to remove the lollipop Thereafter, the gripping mechanism 28 holds the lollipop at the transfer wheel. The molding chambers and/or the entire molding unit at the forming unit are preferably changeable so that a lollipop having a head that is different in size and/or shape is attached. The same device 1 is produced.

Downstream of the forming unit, a transfer wheel 3 is provided which takes the lollipops from the clamping mechanism 28 and transfers them to a packaging unit 4, which also includes a transport mechanism, for example A chain with a gripping mechanism 29 that takes over the lollipop by a stick that grips the lollipop. The transfer wheel 3 includes a plurality of clamps 6 at its circumference, each of the clamps 6 gripping the rod of the lollipop in the molding unit, and transferring the stick of the lollipop to the packaging unit 4. After the stick has been taken over by the clamping mechanism 29 of the packaging unit, the clamp releases the rod there. The transfer wheel rotates counterclockwise about a first axis of rotation 26 in this case. Each of the clamps 6 is mounted to the core 14 of the transfer wheel by a support member 30 which rotates about a second axis of rotation 27 which is parallel to the first axis of rotation 26. However, the second axis of rotation 27 is preferably eccentrically configured to enable a rotational movement of the clamp to be rotated from the axis 26 and/or relative thereto when rotated. The angle α of the transfer wheel can be changed. This rotational movement allows the spacing and clearance of the clamping mechanism 28 of the forming unit 2 and/or the clamping mechanism 29 of the packaging unit 4 to be adjusted. Each of the clamps is driven by a cam 8 that is in contact with a stationary, non-rotating control curve 7, and thus when the clamp and the core 14 are rotated about the axis 26, the clamp is changed from the The axis of rotation 26 is extended away and/or its angle a is varied. As can be seen from Figure 1, the control curve 7 comprises two parts, a first part 7.1 and a second part 7.2. As the core 14 rotates, the individual cams 8 move along the control curve 7. The section 7.1 is shaped such that the movement, i.e., the extension of the clamp 6 from the axis 26 and/or the angle a of the clamp 6, is modified to match the gauge of the clamping mechanism 28 of the forming unit 2 and / or gap, while the cam 8 and the second portion 7.2 of the curve 7 are in contact, the movement of the clamp 6 is adjusted to the configuration of the clamping mechanism 29 of the packaging unit 4, that is, the packaging unit 4 The gauge and/or clearance of the clamping mechanism 29. Preferably, section 7.1 and section 7.2 are different and each is tailored to the respective forming unit and/or packaging unit.

Figures 2 and 3 show a detail of the transfer wheel 3, which in this case is a drum comprising a drive shaft member 10, which is connected to a motor (not shown), The motor drives the transfer wheel, preferably the drive independent of the forming unit 2 and/or the packaging unit 4. The transfer wheel comprises a plurality of clamps 6, wherein in this case only two clamps are illustrated. It can be seen that the lollipop comprises a lollipop head 5.1 and a rod 5.2, and each clamp is in contact with the rod 5.2. As can also be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamp 6 is turned about a third axis of rotation 9 which is perpendicular to the first and/or second axis of rotation 26, 27 such that After the lollipop has been picked up from the forming unit 2, it can be flipped 180° about the third axis of rotation 9 before it is handed over to the packaging unit 4.

Figures 4 to 7 show the details of the clamp drive unit, in particular the mechanism for opening and closing the jaws of the clamp and rotating the clamp 180°. As can be seen from the views, the clamp drive unit includes a driver 12, here a cam that actuates the clamp members 6.1, 6.2. The driver 13, here also a cam, facilitates the rotation of the clamp 6. The individual drives 12, 13 cooperate with a stationary control curve, and thus are moved back and forth relative to the drive unit 11 as the core 14 of the transfer wheel rotates. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the control curves of the drivers 12, 13 are preferably separated from one another and, more preferably, are provided in parallel with one another. The cam 12 is coupled to a rack 18, which is particularly visible from Figure 7, and is thus moved back and forth as illustrated by the double arrows. Due to this linear movement, a lever 20 is rotated about a pivot 19 and thus the jaw 6.2 of the clamp 6 is actuated to be opened and/or closed. As can be seen from Figure 6, the cam 13 moves a rack 16 back and forth, and this movement is also converted by the pinion 17 into a rotation which flips the clamp back and forth 180°. The entire drive unit is supported in the core 14 of the transfer unit by ball bearings 15.

Figure 8 shows the detail of the fixture. In particular, the clamp comprises a first jaw 6.1 and a movable jaw 6.2, which in this case is fixed, the movable jaw 6.2 is opened and closed, Grab and release the stick of the lollipop. In addition, the clamp includes a spring 25 that urges the movable jaw 6.2 into its closed state. This ensures that the closing force is limited so that the jig and/or the stick of the lollipop is not damaged. The rotation of the lever 20 cooperates with a lever 24 that opens the clamp member 6.2 as needed. The clamp is rotatable about the support member 23, which is here a ball bearing that facilitates rotation about the third axis 9.

Figures 9 and 10 show the inventive extraction mechanism 31 attached to the gripping mechanism 29 of the downstream processing unit. The extraction mechanism is here provided as a forked piece with two serrations, which are arranged on either side of the clamping mechanism with respect to its path of motion. During the take-up of the lollipop 5 from the transfer wheel 3 to the clamping mechanism 29 of the downstream processing unit, the clamps 6 and the clamping mechanism 29 pass, preferably simultaneously through the fork It is serrated and thus supports and/or facilitates the delivery of the lollipop. If the lollipop is stuck in the fixture, the extraction mechanism forces the lollipop away from the fixtures to make the fixture empty and ready to take over another stick from the molding unit sugar.

Claims (12)

 A lollipop production and packaging device (1), which is provided with a molding unit (2) and a downstream processing unit (4) and a transfer wheel (3) interposed between the units (2, 4), the transfer The wheel (3) rotates about a first axis (26) and includes a plurality of clamps (6) that can release the stick of the lollipop openly, and the relative The transfer wheel is moved, preferably about a second axis of rotation (27) parallel to the first axis of rotation (26), wherein the movement of the clamp is preferably about the second axis of rotation ( 27) adjusting the angle, the clamp (6) thereby entering the clamping mechanism (28) of the rod of the lollipop molding unit (2), and/or entering the downstream processing unit (4) The clamping mechanism (28) of the stick, and/or for adjusting the distance between the two clamps to the gap of the clamping mechanism (28) at the forming unit (2), and/or The gap of the clamping mechanism (29) at the downstream processing (4) is characterized in that it comprises means for decoupling the movement of the transfer wheel (3) from the movement of the forming unit (2).    A lollipop production and packaging apparatus (1) according to the first aspect of the patent application or the scope of claim 1 of the patent application, characterized in that the downstream processing unit comprises an extraction mechanism in the vicinity of the clamping mechanism (29) ( 31).    The lollipop production and packaging apparatus (1) according to the first aspect of the patent application or the scope of claim 1 is characterized in that the transfer wheel is provided with a mechanism to increase the pressure inside thereof.    A lollipop production and packaging apparatus (1) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the jigs are rotated about a third axis of rotation (9) which is vertical On the first axis of rotation.    A lollipop production and packaging apparatus (1) according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the jig (6) is supported at the transfer by a support member (30) to which a cam (8) is attached The wheel, the cam (8) interacts with a stationary control curve (7) with a first and a second section (7.1, 7.2).    A lollipop production and packaging apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first section (7.1) control is modified to match the gauge and/or gap of the forming unit The movement of the clamp (6) is such that the second section (7.2) controls the movement of the clamp (6) that is adapted to match the gauge and/or clearance of the downstream processing unit (4).    A lollipop production and packaging apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transfer wheel has a drive independent of the forming and/or downstream processing unit ( 2, 4) of these drives.    The lollipop production and packaging apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the driving unit (11) of the jig (6) comprises at least one, preferably two Linear drive (12, 13).    A method for transferring a lollipop from a forming unit (2) to a downstream processing unit (4) by means of a transfer wheel (3), the transfer wheel (3) being rotated about an axis of rotation (26), and A plurality of clamps (6) are included, each of which holds a rod of lollipop, and is taken out from the clamping mechanism (28) of the molding unit (2) and handed over to a downstream processing unit ( The clamping mechanism (29) of 4) is characterized in that the molding unit and the drivers of the transfer wheel are decoupled during starting.    The method according to claim 9 is characterized in that the transfer wheel is radially removed from the molding unit (2).    The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the radial extension of the clamp (6) from the axis of rotation changes during the takeover procedure.    The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the transfer wheel rotates independently of the molding unit (2) and/or the packaging unit (4).