WO2008003422A1 - Device for housing and dispensing products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for housing and dispensing products, comprising a container (11) for housing the products (18), said container being formed by several side walls (13, 14, 15, 16), or similar and a base wall (17) or similar and an opening (23) in the region of the base wall (17), which may be closed by at least one flap (19, 20) pivotable about a pivot axis (33, 34) or similar, for the dispensing of the products. The above is characterised in that the container (11) is provided with an auxiliary element (27) designed and arranged such that the products (18) falling into the container (11) with the base wall (17) closed remain in the vicinity of the free edge (24, 25) of the or each flap (19, 20) opposite the pivot axis (33, 34).

Description

 Device for picking up and delivering products

description

The invention relates to a device for receiving and dispensing products, comprising a container for receiving the products, wherein the container of a plurality of side walls or the like and a bottom wall or the like is formed and in the region of the bottom wall by at least one pivotable about a pivot axis flap or having the same closable opening for dispensing the products.

The invention further relates to a multihead weigher with a plurality of weighing elements, wherein each weighing element is associated with at least one container for receiving and dispensing products.

Such devices or containers are used in a wide variety of areas. Purely by way of example its storage, conveying and / or transport facilities called. In particular, so-called multihead weighers, in which a plurality of weighing elements are arranged in a linear, annular or other manner, also have such containers. Such generic devices or containers are preferably used when the product transfer between such containers with each other or such containers and other containers associated transport, conveying or storage elements according to the principle of product transfer by bottom flaps or the like.

When loading containers, it often happens that the products stick to the container walls, so the side walls and in particular the bottom wall. In the case of sticky and / or moist products, such as fish or meat, particularly high adhesion forces arise. Using the example of the multihead weigher, this means that Products are taken for example from a supply device, a storage container or the like by means of pliers, grippers, suction nozzles, etc. and fed to the containers. Preferably, the feed is made by transporting the products over the containers and then dropping them so that they then impact the bottom wall or sidewalls. Due to adhesion of the products to the container, a usually timed release to downstream weighing elements or containers, transport elements, etc. is sometimes not possible. In other words, the adhesion between the products and the contact surfaces of the container prevents the timed operation of equipment using such containers. Namely, if the bottom wall is opened by pivoting the or each flap to dispense the product or products, they will not fall without undesirable time delay or even out of the container. This effect is more pronounced when the products are close to the pivot axis of the flaps, whereby the momentum when opening the flaps is particularly small.

Various measures have been developed to improve the ejection and release safety of the products from the container. Thus, at least the contact surfaces of the containers have been coated with special coatings, preferably non-stick materials, e.g. Polytetrafluoroethylene (short PTFE) provided. Other variants for improving the lubricity of the products on the contact surfaces provide, the contact surfaces e.g. by a ripple structure or the like to reduce. A combination of coating and minimization of the contact surface is known. However, all previously known embodiments of such containers continue to have the disadvantage that products, especially when they are close to the rotation or pivot point of the or each flap and thus experience only a small impulse when opening the or each flap, time-delayed with open flaps or not fall out of the container.

Such a device having the said disadvantages and comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1 is e.g. from DE 31 15 895 Al known.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which is suitable, in particular, to safely pick up and, in particular, sticky products. on the other hand reliable and timely. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a multihead weigher with a reliable and timely transfer of the products.

This object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned above in that the container is associated with an auxiliary element which is designed and arranged such that the products falling into the container in the closed state of the bottom wall in the region of the pivot axis opposite the free edge or every flap remain lying. By means of this construction according to the invention, on the one hand, it is ensured that the products located inside the container are given a maximum impulse when opening the flap (s) due to the large distance from the pivot axis. On the other hand, the adhesion of the products to side walls and to the or each flap of the bottom wall near the pivot axis (s) is prevented. This ensures safe and timely delivery of the products when the flap (s) are opened.

Advantageously, the bottom wall is formed by two flaps, which are arranged pivotably about pivot axes in the region of the side wall and in the closed state with their free ends facing away from the pivot axes are substantially adjacent to each other. The division of the bottom wall into two flaps ensures a particularly safe and time-optimized delivery of the products.

In a preferred embodiment, the flaps in the closed state run funnel-shaped downwards and thus form a vertex of the pair of flaps. This arrangement or training supports the fall of the products in an optimized for the reliable and timely delivery area.

An expedient development provides that the auxiliary element has a spring action. Thus, the auxiliary element has a kind of trampoline effect, such that products falling on the auxiliary element are rejected and fall into the vertex of the flap pair. A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the auxiliary element is formed of an elastic material. As a result, the trampoline effect is produced in a particularly simple manner and even enhanced.

Advantageously, the auxiliary element is formed from at least two guide elements, which are arranged on opposite side walls within the container. These vanes are particularly well suited to completely cover or replace the original contact surfaces of the container, so the sides walls and the bottom wall on which the products may fall, thereby ensuring that all products falling into the container in the ideal delivery position can be brought.

Conveniently, the guide elements are elastic bands. As a result, the lining of the side walls and the bottom wall is possible in a particularly simple and effective manner.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that each band is fastened between its two attachment points at a bend point. This ensures that the bands defined follow the pivoting movement of the flaps.

Advantageously, the position of the pivot axes on the one hand and the buckling points on the other hand chosen such that the flaps or hinged to the flaps band portions of the bands over the vertical extent are also overstretched. By this hyperextension, an additional output pulse is exerted on the products, since these then hang virtually overhead on the flaps or the flap covering tape sections and thus in the event that the opening pulse of the flaps should not be sufficient, by gravity, the adhesion overcome. The elasticity of the bands acts to increase the release of the products from the band sections.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a multi-head weigher of the type mentioned above in that the or each container according to one or more of claims 1 is formed to 20. With regard to the resulting advantages, reference is made to the above statements.

Further advantageous or expedient features and developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly advantageous embodiments and the method principle will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing shows:

1 shows the container with closed flaps before a product is supplied, wherein the container is shown for better view without front wall,

FIG. 2 shows the container according to FIG. 1 with a product falling on the auxiliary element, FIG.

3 shows the container according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with a product lying in a region of the flaps, the so-called vertex, in which the flaps are the flap

Release opening, and

Fig. 4 shows the container according to the figures 1 to 3 with opened flaps for dispensing the product.

The device shown in the figures is used to transfer products between containers with bottom flap, especially as part of a multihead weigher. Of course, the device shown may be formed as a single element or be part of other conveying, transport and / or storage systems, etc.

The device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is shown at different stages, starting from FIG. 1 in a filling stage up to FIG. 4 in an emptying stage. The device 10 is used for receiving and dispensing products 18 of various kinds, such as meat or fish, but also of non-moist products 18, and this includes a container 11. This container 1 1 is at least partially enclosed to form a receiving space 12. In the embodiment shown, the container 11 has sides 13, 14, 15, 16 and a bottom wall (bottom wall) 17. The invention is not limited to the details limited with side walls 13 to 16. Instead of the side walls 13 to 16, a frame construction with attachment points or other corresponding constructions may be provided.

The side walls 15 and 16 are formed as a front wall and rear wall, wherein the front wall is not shown for the sake of clarity. The side walls 13, 14 may, as mentioned above, also consist of frame parts, rails or otherwise and provide attachment points.

The bottom wall 17 comprises at least one flap. In other words, the bottom wall 17 is formed from at least one flap. Preferably, the bottom wall 17 is formed by two flaps 19, 20 which are each pivotable about a pivot axis 33, 34. With the flaps 19, 20, a bottom-side opening 23 of the container 1 1 can be closed and opened according to the dispensing of the products 18. The flaps 19, 20 are arranged on the mutually opposite sides walls 13, 14 and formed and shaped so that they in the closed state (see in particular Figures 1 to 3) with their pivot axes 33, 34 facing away from free edges 24, 25 substantially lie together. The free edges 24, 25 can also have a spacing, wherein the distance must be smaller than the products 18 to be received and delivered. The free edges 24, 25 can also engage in one another like a digger bucket. In the closed state, the flaps 19, 20 further extend funnel-shaped downwards and thus form at the lowest point a vertex 26. Particularly preferred is a position of the flaps 19, 20 in the closed state with a funnel angle α of about 90 °. Of course, the funnel angle can also be chosen larger or smaller. The flaps 19, 20 may also be designed as a lever element, swivel aid or otherwise.

Associated with the container 11 is an auxiliary means 27 for assisting and facilitating reliable and timely dispensing of products 18 from the container. For this purpose, the aid 27 is designed and arranged such that each falling into the container 11 product 18 in the closed state of the bottom wall 17 and the flaps 19, 20 in the region of the pivot axes 33, 34 opposite free edges 24, 25 of the flaps 19, 20, in the example shown that is to say at the apex 26. This means that all products 18 falling into the container 11 fall by means of a kind of forced movement into the region of the container 11 which is optimal for dispensing the products 18.

The auxiliary element 27 has a spring action, which is preferably generated by a formation of elastic material. Other design possibilities for producing a spring effect, e.g. by tensioning a chain element or the like are also possible. The auxiliary element 27 itself consists in the described embodiment of two guide elements 28, 29, wherein a single guide element or more than two guide elements can be used as an auxiliary element. The two guide elements 28, 29 are arranged on opposite side walls 13, 14 or at attachment points of corresponding frame parts or the like within the container 11. In the embodiment shown, the side wall 13 is formed longer or higher than the side wall 14. The side walls 15, 16 are formed as long or high as the side wall 13. This provides access through the container 1 1 is provided, a particularly simple Filling the container 1 1, for example, by suction nozzles or the like ensured, the access is preferably a product supply, a supply element, etc., faces. Of course, the upwardly open side of the container 1 1 is suitable as access. In accordance with the different lengths or heights of the side walls 13, 14, the guide elements 28, 29 assigned to the side walls 13, 14 are also of different lengths. Of course, the side walls 13 to 16, corresponding frame members or the like, as well as the guide elements 28, 29 have other dimensions and lengths. In particular, the guide elements 28, 29 may have the same length.

The guide elements 28, 29 may be formed as elastic bands 30, 31, as wipes, chain elements or in another manner forming a spring action. Optionally, the guide elements 28, 29 may also be provided with a non-stick coating. The guide elements 28, 29 or bands 30, 31, preferably modular plastic belts, are firmly but detachably attached to the side walls 13, 14, with one end in the region of the side wall 13 or 14 or corresponding frame members and with the other end on the flap 19 and 20. Instead of the flaps 19, 20, other levers, pivot elements or the like may be provided. Here are the Guide elements 28, 29 and the bands 30, 31 in the closed state of the flaps 19, 20 funnel-shaped downwards and meet in a vertex 32 to each other. The bands 1 1, at least partially lining the container 1 1 preferably extend linearly in the closed state of the flaps 19, 20 and form a funnel angle β, which is preferably smaller than the funnel angle α formed by the flaps 19, 20. Ideally, vertices 26 and 32 are identical. In other words, the vertices 26 and 32 lie directly above one another and are located on the symmetry axis S of the container. Alternatively, the vertices 26, 32 may also be offset relative to one another and / or together next to the axis of symmetry S.

In addition to the attachment points of the straps 30, 31 on the sidewalls 13, 14 and the flaps 19, 20, each strap 30, 31 is secured between its attachment points on a buckling point 21, 22 formed by bolts, pins or other deflecting elements. In the region of the break points 21, 22, the bands 30, 31 are either fastened or loosely placed, for example, around the bolts, pins, deflection elements or the like. The position of the pivot axes 33, 34 and the position of the break points 21, 22 is selected regardless of the type of attachment or deflection such that the flaps 19, 20 or hinged to the flaps 19, 20 band portions of the bands 30, 31 on the vertical extension are also overstretched (see in particular Figure 4). It is clear that the flaps 19, 20 or similar other levers or the like serve as an actuating element for the guide elements 28, 29 or in particular for the band portions of the bands 30, 31. It can be seen that the pivot axes 33, 34 lie in a common horizontal plane E ₂ and the break points 21, 22 of the two bands 30, 31 preferably in a common horizontal plane E ₂ . However, it is also possible that the break points 21, 22 in the vertical direction, ie in the fall direction of the products 18, one above the other or with each other. The same applies to the pivot axes 33, 34 of the flaps 19, 20. Also, the planes E ₁ and E _{2 to} each other, so forming a common plane lie.

Preferably, the bands 30, 31 extend over the entire width of the container 1 1 or the side walls 13, 14, so that they are at least in the area in which the incident products 18 can impinge, covered or lined. In other words, the guide elements 28, 29 or the bands 30, 31 itself side walls of the Form container 11. By way of example, a container 11 may be mentioned, which is also formed laterally by the guide elements 28, 29 and the side walls 15, 16 and on the bottom side by the guide elements 28, 29. Also, a narrower embodiment of the bands 30, 31 or more juxtaposed strips of tape can be used. The tapes 30, 31 can optionally also be closed or provided with openings.

Several of the containers 11 may be linear or circular or in another way and arrangement part of a higher-level device, such as a not shown multi-head weigher. For this purpose, they have flange-like bracket 35, by means of a releasable attachment can be realized. Such multi-head cars usually comprise a plurality of weighing elements, wherein each weighing element is associated with at least one container 11. Preferably, each weighing element, which itself may be formed in the previously described manner as a container 1 1, above and below each assigned a container 1 1.

In the following, the method principle is explained in more detail with reference to Figures 1 to 4: At least one product 18 is removed from a storage, supply or the like, not shown, and passed over the container 1 1. Above the container 1 1, the product 18 is released from the feed element, so that the product 18 falls into the container 11. The product 18 strikes one of the guiding elements 28, 29. The falling product 18 is rejected by the yielding band 30 comparable to a trampoline effect and falls into the apex 26 of the flap pair 19, 20 and thus also into the apex 32 of the guide elements 28, 29th (See the exemplary flight curve F in Figure 2). It is also possible that the product 18 between the Leitememen- 28, 29 back and forth, quasi ping-pong-like rejected. Finally, the elastic formation prevents adhesion of the product 18 to the guide elements 28, 29, so that the product 18 finally remains in the common vertex 26, 32. The steep funnel angle ß supports this effect.

When opening the flaps 19, 20 acts, due to the maximum distance of the product 18 to the pivot axes 33, 34 a large impulse to the product, so that this alone is sufficient to deliver the product 18 safely and timely from the container 11. Due to the attachment points of the guide elements 28, 29 on the one hand and the position of the pivot axes 33, 34 and the break points 21, 22 on the other hand pivot the band portions which extend from the break point 21, 22 to the free edges 24, 25 of the flaps 19, 20, beyond the vertical. In addition to the gravitational force then acting on the products 18 adhering to the band sections at the top, the elasticity of the guide elements 28, 29 assists in releasing the products 18 from the guide elements 28, 29. These then drop out of the container 11 reliably and without any time delay.

Claims

claims 1. A device for receiving and dispensing products, comprising a container (1 1) for receiving the products (18), wherein the container (1 1) of a plurality of side walls (13, 14, 15, 16) and a bottom wall (17 ) and in the region of the bottom wall (17) has an opening (23) which can be closed by at least one flap (19, 20) pivotable about a pivot axis (33, 34), for discharging the products, in that an auxiliary element (27) is associated with the container (11), which is designed and arranged such that the products (18) falling into the container (11) in the closed state of the bottom wall (17) in the region of the pivot axis (33, 34) opposite free edge (24, 25) of the or each flap (19, 20) remain lying. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the Bodenwan- fertil (17) by two flaps (19, 20) is formed, which pivot about axes (33, 34) pivotally in the region of the side walls (13, 14) are arranged and in the closed state with their pivot axes (33, 34) facing away from free edges (24, 25) are substantially adjacent to each other. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the flaps (19, 20) in the closed state funnel-shaped down and thus forming a vertex (26) of the pair of flaps. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the auxiliary element (27) has a spring action. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the auxiliary element (27) is formed of an elastic material. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the auxiliary element (27) from at least two guide elements (28, 29) is formed, which are arranged on opposite side walls (13, 14) within the container (11) , 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide elements (28, 29) are elastic bands (30, 31). 8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the guide elements (28, 29) or bands (30, 31) each with one end fixed in the region of a side wall (13, 14) and with the other end fixed to one of Pivot axis (33, 34) facing away from the free edge (24, 25) of the flap (19, 20) are arranged. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide elements (28, 29) or bands (30, 31) in the closed state funnel-shaped down and thus form a vertex (32) of the guide elements (28, 29). 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the vertices (26, 32) of the flap pair (19, 20) and the guide elements (28, 29) are identical. 1 1. Device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that a funnel angle ß of the guide elements 28, 29 is smaller than a funnel angle α of the flaps (19, 20). 12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 1 1, characterized in that each band (30, 31) between its two attachment points on a Kink point (21, 22) is attached. 13. The device according to 12, characterized in that the position of the pivot axes (33, 34) on the one hand and the break points (21, 22) on the other hand chosen such that the flaps (19, 20) or on the flaps (19 , 20) hinged band portions of the bands (30, 31) are over the vertical extension beyond stretched. 14. Device according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the bands (30, 31) in the closed state of the flaps (19, 20) extend substantially linearly. 15. Device according to one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the vertexes (26, 32) lie on the axis of symmetry S of the container (11). 16. Device according to one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that the mutually opposite bands (30, 31) have a different length. 17. Device according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the pivot axes (33, 34) and / or the break points (21, 22) of the two bands (30, 31) each in a common horizontal plane egg or E ₂ lie. 18. Device according to one of claims 7 to 17, characterized in that the bands (30, 31) extend almost over the entire width of the container (1 1). 19. Device according to one of claims 7 to 18, characterized in that the bands (30, 31) are optionally closed or provided with openings. 20. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the container (1 1) is part of a multihead weigher. 21 multi-head weigher with a plurality of weighing elements, each weighing element is associated with at least one container for receiving and dispensing products, d ad urch ge ike i ch net, that or each container (1 1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 20 formed is.