Machine for cartoning products, particularly packed poultry carcasses

Abstract

 An apparatus intended for placing in a box products that are asymmetrical in at least one direction, such as for instance packed poultry carcasses (P) intended for consumption, which apparatus (1) comprises a conveyor (3), a first engaging element (5) arranged for movement by means of a first moving mechanism (4) and a second engaging element (7) arranged for movement by means of a second moving mechanism (6), the apparatus (1) further comprising a control for controlling the conveyor (3), the first and the second moving mechanism (4,6) and the first and the second engaging element (5,7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for placing in a box products that are asymmetrical in at least one direction, such as for instance packed poultry carcasses intended for consumption. The present apparatus may, for instance, cooperate with a packaging machine. For poultry carcasses, such a packaging machine is known from practice and is, inter alia, marketed by applicants under the name of MAXIPACK. The poultry carcasses intended for consumption, packed in foil or a bag by means of the packaging machine, need to be manually packed in a box by a packer. When the packer has to interrupt his activities, for instance for a sanitary break, the packaging process stops and the packaging machine has to be stopped temporarily. This also has disadvantageous consequences for the upstream poultry treatment processes. Moreover, placing packed poultry carcasses in boxes is a rather monotonous work and a packer is relatively expensive.

[0002] The apparatus according to the invention is intended for automating the placing of packed poultry carcasses in boxes. Furthermore, the apparatus should have a considerable capacity of at least about 1200 packed poultry carcasses per hour. Also, in connection with hygiene, the products should as less as possible be touched by hand. The apparatus according to the invention should additionally be rinsable with water, so that cleaning is easy.

[0003] To this end, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a conveyor, a first engaging element arranged for movement by means of a first moving mechanism and a second engaging element arranged for movement by means of a second moving mechanism, the apparatus further comprising a control for controlling the conveyor, the first and the second moving mechanism and the first and the second engaging element.

[0004] Although products, such as poultry carcasses, could also be placed in a box by means of a robot arm provided with a suitable gripper, the desired capacity cannot be obtained with such a mechanism. Moreover, such a solution would be much too expensive. By using two engaging elements, the moving mechanisms, by means of which the engaging elements are movable, can be of relatively simple design. Not only is this favorable for the cost price of the moving mechanisms, but the rate of movement may also be chosen considerably higher if the movements to be carried out are relatively simple.

[0005] Since the products are automatically placed in boxes by means of the apparatus, a packer can be saved. Moreover, the packaging process need not be interrupted any longer for personal care of the packer.

[0006] According to a further elaboration of the invention, it is very favorable to arrange the control for controlling the first and the second engaging element, the first and the second moving mechanism and the conveyor in such a manner that the first engaging element is brought into the first position where it assumes an open position and assumes a closed position as soon as a product is within reach of the first engaging element, following which the first engaging element is moved to the second position, the second engaging element engages the product which is in the first engaging element, the first engaging element assumes the open position, the second engaging element moves from the second position to the third or the fourth position and releases the product in the third or fourth position and thereby places it in a box arranged on the conveyor, following which the conveyor is driven so as to slightly move the relevant box, so that a next product can be placed therein, while the successive products to be placed in a box are delivered alternately in the third and the fourth position.

[0007] With a control of such design, a closest possible packing of products in a box can be effected without any human intervention. It is preferred in this connection that the third and the fourth position are rotated through 180° relative to each other and are staggered in the width direction of the conveyor.

[0008] Further elaborations of the invention are described in the subclaims and will be explained below in more detail by means of a practical example with reference to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the packaging apparatus with a juxtaposed practical example of an apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the packaging apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with the juxtaposed practical example;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the first engaging element;

Fig. 4 is a left side view of the first engaging element shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the second engaging element; and

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a box with packed poultry carcasses, filled by means of the apparatus.

[0009] Figs. 1 and 2 show an apparatus 1 intended for cooperation with a packaging machine 2. The packaging machine 2 is known from practice and is marketed by applicants under the trade name of MAXIPACK. The known packaging apparatus 2 is intended for packaging in foil or bags poultry carcasses P intended for consumption. The apparatus 1 is particularly intended for placing in a box D the poultry carcasses packed by means of the packaging apparatus 2.

[0010] To this end, the apparatus 1 comprises a conveyor 3, a first engaging element 5 arranged for movement by means of a first moving mechanism 4 and a second engaging element 7 arranged for movement by means of a second moving mechanism 6. The apparatus 1 further comprises a control for controlling the conveyor 3, the first and the second moving mechanism 4 and 6, respectively, and the first and the second engaging element 5 and 7, respectively.

[0011] By means of the first moving mechanism 4, here designed as a pneumatically energized piston/cylinder assembly 4 without piston rod, the first engaging element 5 is movable from a first position A in the packaging machine 1 to a second position B above the conveyor 3. It is self-evident that, instead of a piston/cylinder assembly without piston rod, other drives may also be chosen for the moving mechanism. Preferably, the movement is a translation along a straight path.

[0012] In the present practical example, the first engaging element 5 is designed as a gripper 5. The gripper 5 is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4. The gripper 5 comprises two gripper arms 8, 9, which each include a bow 8a, 9a, and two piston/cylinder assemblies 10, 11 for opening and closing the gripper arms 8, 9. The gripper arms 8, 9 are controllable independently of each other, so that, in addition to engaging a packed poultry carcass P, the gripper 5 is also suitable for pushing the packed poultry carcass P away from the first position A, for instance when it has been established by means of detection with sensors that the poultry carcass P is not correctly packed.

[0013] The second engaging element 7, in the present practical example designed as two suction cups 7, is arranged above the conveyor 3 for movement at least up and down by means of the second moving mechanism 6 and for rotation about a substantially vertical axis L1.

[0014] The second moving mechanism 6, shown in detail in Fig. 5, is of such design that the second engaging element 7 can engage the packed poultry carcass P in the second position B and take it over from the first engaging element 5 and can move the packed poultry carcass P down from the second position B to bring it into either a third C or a fourth position D. The third C and the fourth position D are thereby rotated through 180° relative to each other and are staggered in the width direction of the conveyor 3. To this end, the second moving mechanism 6 is designed as an arm 12 pivotable on a vertical axis L2 and a horizontal axis L3. At a free end 12a of the arm 12, the second engaging element 7 is rotatably mounted. The at least one suction cup 7 is mounted on a belt pulley 13 which is rotatably mounted at the free end of the arm 12a. The belt pulley 13 is rotatable from a neutral position through at least 90° in a positive sense and at least 90° in a negative sense. The drive of the belt pulley 13 can also cause a slight pivotation of the arm on the vertical axis L2 in one or the other direction, so that the poultry carcass P, after release, lies either against one side E1 or against an opposite other side E2 of the box E. The latter, however, is not necessary. In the present practical example, the drive is formed by two pneumatically energized piston/cylinder assemblies 14, 15 which rotate a drive pulley 16. Two piston/cylinder assemblies 18, 19 arranged beside the piston/cylinder assemblies 14, 15 effect the pivotation of the arm 12. The drive pulley 16 and the belt pulley 13 are effectively interconnected with a toothed belt 17.

[0015] The control is arranged for controlling the first and the second engaging element 5 and 7, respectively, the first and the second moving mechanism 4 and 6, respectively, and the conveyor 3 in such a manner that the first engaging element 5 is brought into the first position A where it assumes an open position. As soon as a packed poultry carcass P is within reach of the first engaging element 5, the gripper 5 assumes a closed position. Subsequently, the first engaging element 5 is moved to the second position B. In the second position B the suction cups 7 engage the packed poultry carcass P which is in the first engaging element 5. After the engagement between the suction cups 7 and the poultry carcass P has been effected, the gripper 5 assumes the open position. Subsequently, the second engaging element 7 moves from the second position B to the third or the fourth position C or D, respectively. In the third or fourth position C or D, respectively, the suction cups 7 release the poultry carcass P. The poultry carcass P is thereby placed in a box E arranged on the conveyor 3. Subsequently, the conveyor 3 is driven so as to slightly move the box E, so that a next packed poultry carcass P can be placed therein. The successive packed poultry carcasses P to be placed in the box E are alternately delivered in the third and the fourth position C and D, respectively.

[0016] A box E filled by means of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 6. It is clearly visible how the poultry carcasses are arranged in the box E according to a close packing. It is self-evident that the box E can thus also be filled with more layers of products.

[0017] It is clear that the invention is not limited to the described practical example, but that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus, the apparatus is also suitable for processing other products that are asymmetrical at least in one direction.

Claims

1. An apparatus for placing in a box products that are asymmetrical in at least one direction, such as for instance packed poultry carcasses (P) intended for consumption, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a conveyor (3), a first engaging element (5) arranged for movement by means of a first moving mechanism (4) and a second engaging element (7) arranged for movement by means of a second moving mechanism (6), the apparatus (1) further comprising a control for controlling the conveyor (3), the first and the second moving mechanism (4 and 6, respectively) and the first and the second engaging element (5 and 7, respectively).

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first engaging element (5) is movable by means of the first moving mechanism (4) from a first position (A) to a second position (B) above the conveyor (3).

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second engaging element (7) is arranged above the conveyor (3) for movement at least up and down by means of the second moving mechanism (6) and for rotation about a substantially vertical axis (L1), the second moving mechanism (6) being of such design that the second engaging element (7) can engage the product (P) in the second position (B) and take it over from the first engaging element (5) and can move the product (P) down from the second position (B) to bring it into either a third (C) or a fourth position (D).

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the third (C) and the fourth position (D) are rotated through 180° relative to each other and are staggered in the width direction of the conveyor (3).

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the control is arranged for controlling the first and the second engaging element (5 and 7, respectively), the first and the second moving mechanism (4 and 6, respectively), and the conveyor (3) in such a manner that the first engaging element (5) is brought into the first position (A) where it assumes an open position and assumes a closed position as soon as a product (P) is within reach of the first engaging element (5), following which the first engaging element (5) is moved to the second position (B), the second engaging element (7) engages the product (P) which is in the first engaging element (5), the first engaging element (5) assumes the open position, the second engaging element (7) moves from the second position (B) to the third or the fourth position (C or D, respectively) and releases the product (P) in the third or fourth position (C or D, respectively) and thereby places it in a box arranged on the conveyor (3), following which the conveyor (3) is driven so as to slightly move the relevant box (E), so that a next product (P) can be placed therein, while the successive products (P) to be placed in a box (E) are delivered alternately in the third and the fourth position (C and D, respectively).

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first engaging element (5) is designed as a gripper (5), while the second engaging element (7) is designed as at least one suction cup (7).

7. An apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the first moving mechanism (4) is designed as a pneumatically energized piston/cylinder assembly (4) without piston rod.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the gripper (5) comprises two gripper arms (8, 9) and two piston/cylinder assemblies (10, 11) for opening and closing the gripper arms (8, 9), the position of the gripper arms (8, 9) being controllable independently of each other, so that, in addition to engaging a product (P), the gripper (5) is also suitable for pushing the product (P) away from the first position (A).

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that the second moving mechanism (6) is designed as an arm (12) pivotable on a vertical axis (L2) and a horizontal axis (L3), the second engaging element (7) being rotatably mounted at a free end (12a) of the arm (12).

10. An apparatus according to at least claims 6 and 9, characterized in that the at least one suction cup (7) is mounted on a belt pulley (13) which is rotatably mounted at the free end of the arm (12a), which belt pulley (13) is rotatable from a neutral position through at least 90° in a positive sense and at least 90° in a negative sense, a drive (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) also causing a slight pivotation of the arm (12) on the vertical axis (L2) in one or the other direction, so that the product (P), after release, lies either against one side (E1) or against an opposite other side (E2) of the box (E).

Drawing