Guide apparatus for a carton blank delivery system

Abstract

 Apparatus (B) for guiding and separating blanks (1) comprises first and second conveyors (E and F). The input ends of the conveyors (E and F) are positioned on opposite sides of the feed path of a stream of a plurality of rows of blanks (1) to the guide apparatus (B). Each of the conveyors is constituted by a plurality of laterally-spaced suction belt means (3). Each suction belt means (3) is aligned with the feed path of a respective row of blanks (1). The conveyors (E and F) are such that some of the blanks (1a) are conveyed by the suction belt means (3) of the first conveyor (E), and the rest of the blanks (1 b) are conveyed by the suction belt means (3) of the second conveyor (F).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to guide apparatus tor a carton blank delivery system, to a carton blank delivery system incorporating such a guide apparatus, and to a method of guiding and separating blanks from a stream or a plurality of rows of blanks. The guide apparatus of the invention is intended particularly to guide some of the blanks of a stream of a plurality of rows or blanks in a first direction, and to guide the rest of said blanks in a second direction, thereby separating the stream of blanks into two streams.

[0002] Guide apparatus of this type is necessary in blank delivery systems when either the speed of the input stream of blanks is so high that inteference occurs between successive blanks as they are ejected onto a shingling conveyor (that is to say the tail of one blank has insufficient time to fall clear of the leading edge of the following blank); or the blanks are nested, rotated or printed in such a manner that they must be collected separately.

[0003] Known guide apparatus of this type makes use of either mechanical blank deflectors, or an oscillating roller system which directs the blanks upwards and downwards alternately. Unfortunately, these known types of guide apparatus are not particularly reliable. Moreover, they are difficult to modify for use with different forms of blank.

[0004] The aim of the invention is to provide guide apparatus which can be used tc separate blanks, and which is reliable in opeiation, and is easily modified to accommoaate different sizes and shapes of blank.

[0005] ine present invention provioes apparatus for guiding and separating blanks, the apparatus comprising first and second conveyor means wnose input ends are positionea on opposite sides of the feed path of a stream of a plurality of rows of blanks to the apparatus, wherein each of the conveyor means is constituted by a plurality of laterally-spaced suction belt means, each suction belt means being aligned with the feed path of a respective row of blanks, the conveyor means being such that some ot the blanks are conveyed by the suction belt means of the first conveyor means and the rest of the blanks are conveyed by the suction belt means of the second conveyor means.

[0006] Preferably, the conveyor means are such that alternate blanks of each row are conveyed by the suction belt means of the first and second conveyor means.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the first and second conveyor means diverge away from the input ends thereof and in the direction of blank feed.

[0008] Advantageously, each of the suction belt means is constituted by a pair of suction belts which are laterally spaced with respect to the direction of blank feed. Preferably, each of the conveyor means is constituted by three pairs of laterally-spaced suction belts.

[0009] Advantageously, each of the suction belts is provided with a plurality of suction ports. The suction belts of the two sets of conveyor means may be driven in synchronism, and the suction ports of said suction belts may be so positioned that some ot the blanks of each row of blanks are picked up by the suction ports of the suction belts of the first conveyor means, and the rest of the blanks of each row of blanks are picked up by the suction ports ot the suction belts of the second conveyor means. Where the apparatus is used to separate alternate blanks of each row, each suction belt may have an even number of sets of suction ports. Preferably, there are four sets of suction ports. Each set of suction ports may have at least one, and preferably two, suction ports.

[0010] Instead of positioning the suction ports in sets, they may be positioned in a continuous row round each of the suction belts. In this case, means may be provided for closing at least one suction port of at least one suction belt, and the suction ports of each suction belt are equispaced.

[0011] Preferably, a respective box-like chamber is associated with each of the suction belts, the portion of each chamber which faces the associated suction belt being closed off by a curved, longitudinally-slotted plate, and the chambers being connectible to a vacuum pump via an inlet manifold, the arrangement being such that each of the suction belts passes over the associated curved, longitudinally-slotted plate so that the suction ports of the belts can be subjected to a sub-atmospheric pressure.

[0012] The present invention also provides a system for delivery blanks, the system comprising feed means for receiving a stream of a plurality of rows of blanks from an upstream processing unit, guide apparatus positioned downstream or the feed means, and first and second pairs of shingling units positioned downstream of the guide apparatus, the guide apparatus being as defined above, wherein respective shingling units of the first pair of shingling units are positioned at the downstream ends of the first and second conveyor means, and respective shingling units of the second pair of shingling units are positioned at the downstream ends of the shingling units of the first pair.

[0013] The invention further provides a method of guiding and separating blanks, the method comprising the steps of guiding some blanks of a continuous stream of a plurality of rows of blanks in a first direction by means of a plurality of laterally-spaced suction belt means, and of guiding the rest of said blanks in a second direction using a plurality of laterally-spaced further suction belt means.

[0014] A carton blank delivery system incorporating a guide apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the delivery system;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the guide apparatus of the delivery system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarges, longitudinal cross-section of part ot one of the suction belts of the guide apparatus ot Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, transverse cross-section of the suction belt shown in Fig. 3.

[0015] Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a delivery system which comprises feed means A, guide means B positioned downstream of the feed means, a first pair of shingling units C_l and C₂ positioned downstream of the guide apparatus, and a second pair of shingling units D₁ and D₂ positioned downstream of the first pair of shingling units. The feed means A is arranged to deliver a continuous stream of carton blanks 1 to the guide apparatus, and is constituted by a plurality of pairs of rollers 2. The feed means A is positioned downstream of cutting and creasing units (not shown) which are effective to cut out and crease carton blanks from a continuous web of board.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, the pre-formed carton blanks 1 are fed to the guide apparatus in three rows. Moreover, alternate blanks of each row are "right-hand" blanks la and "left-hand" blanks lb. The right-hand blanks la are identical with the left-hand blanks lb, but are rotated through 180° with respect to the left-hand blanks. The blanks 1 are formed in this manner, with right-hand blanks la alternating with left-hand blanks lb, as this results in a smaller amount of scrap material than would be the case if all the blanks were pre-formed as either right-hand blanks or left-hand blanKs.

[0017] The guide apparatus B is constituted by an upper set of conveyors E, and a lower set of conveyors F, (see Fig. 2). There are six conveyors in each of the sets E and F, and the guide apparatus is arranged so that two conveyors of each set are aligned with the lateral edge portions of the blanks 1 in each of the three rows of blanks. As shown best in Fig. 1, the two sets of conveyors E and F diverge in the direction of carton blank feed. Each conveyor E or F includes an endless, internally-toothed belt 3 (best seen in Fig. 3), which is driven by a pair of externally-toothed wheels 4 and 5. A respective box-like chamber 6 is associated with each of the belts 3. The inwardly-facing surfaces of the chambers 6 are closed off by curvec, longitudinally-slotted plates (not shown). The conveyors E and F are so constructed that each of the belts 3 passes over the curved, slotted plate of the associated chamber 6. Each of the chambers 6 is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) via an inlet manifold 7 and a pair of inlets 8. Each of the belts 3 is provided with four sets ot suction ports 9. The sets of suction ports 9 are equispaced around the belts 3, and each of these sets has two suction ports. Each of the ports 9 is constituted by an aperture 9a in the associated belt 3, and by a washer-shaped head 9b fixed to the outer surface of the belt. Thus, as the belts 3 pass over the slotted plates of the chambers 6, the suction ports 9 are subjected to the partial vacuum within these chambers, so that any blank 1 in contact therewith will be held iirmly against tne associated belt. Each of the ports 9 can be sealed oft from the partial vacuum inside the associated chamber 6 by means of a respective disc 9c which is a snap fit within the head of that port (see Figs. 3 and 4). Thus, the belts 3 can easily be adapted to vary the number of ports 9 in use. The belts 3 are driven in synchronism by a common drive means (not shown) via gear means (not shown). Moreover, the suction ports 9 are so positioned on their belts that, as the rows of blanks 1 are fed to the input end of the guide apparatus B, alternate blanks of each row are pickea up by the belts 3 of the conveyors E, and alternate blanks are picked up by the belts 3 of the conveyors F. Thus, the right-hand blanks la can be picked up by the belts 3 of the upper conveyors E and the left-hand blanks lb can be picked up by the belts 3 of the lower conveyors F. In this way, the right-hand blanks la are separated from the left-hand blanks lb, so that there is no danger of interference between successive blanks as they are fed along the delivery system downstream of the guide apparatus B.

[0018] At the outlet ends of the conveyors E and F the blanks la and lb are fed respectively to first shingling units C_l and C₂. The shingling units C₁ and C₂ are standard conveyor-belt shingling units whose speed is slightly less than half that of the input speed of the carton blanks la and lb. Thus, the shingling units C₁ and ^C2 are effective to overlap the leading and trailing edges of the carton blanks la and lb by a small amount. After leaving the shingling units C₁ and C₂, the carton blanks la and lb pass respectively to second shingling units D₁ and D₂. The shingling units D₁ and D₂ are also standard conveyor-belt shingling units. The units D₁ and D₂ are slow-speed shingling units, and the carton blanks la and lb are made to over lap by almost their full length in these units. The two sets of shingling units C and D are, therefore, effective to slow down the delivery speed of the carton blanks la and lb, and to perform a preliminary stacking operation. As the blanks leave the downstream shingling units D₁ and D₂, they are, therefore, ready for immediate stacking by either manual or automatic means.

[0019] The guide apparatus described above has a number of advantages. In particular, this apparatus is particularly suitable for separating successive blanks which are nested, positioned or printed in such a manner that they must be collected separately. Another advantage of this guide apparatus is that the use of suction belts is effective to guide the blanks through the entire length of the guide apparatus, and this was not possible with the known types of apparatus using deflector plates or oscillating rollers. Consequently, this guide apparatus gives an improved guiding function. Moreover, the blanks are held in position by suction belts at their opposite lateral edges as they pass through the apparatus, so that this guiding function is particularly positive and secure.

[0020] The guide apparatus described above could be modified in a number of ways. For example, each of the suction belts 3 could be provided with a different number of sets of suction ports 9. Typically, each suction belt 3 could have any number of sets of suction ports 9, but two, four, six or any other even number of sets of suction ports is preferred. Moreover, each set of suction ports 9 could comprise one or more suction ports. It would also be possible for each suction belt 3 to be provided with a continuous row of equispaced suction ports 9. In use, and depending upon the particular configuration of the blanks to be guided, most of the suction ports 9 would be blocked off by discs 9c, so that only the suction ports positioned at predetermined spacings along the suction belts 3 would be used to convey the blanks. Obviously, this particular arrangement is very versatile, as it enables the same suction belts 3 to be used for conveying many different types of blank, it being necessary only to block off different suction ports 9 for each type of blank.

[0021] Where the apparatus is used to guide blanks of relatively large width, it would also be possible to provide three or more suction belts 3 for each row of blanks fed to the apparatus. Similarly, if the blanks to be guided are very narrow, only one suction belt 3 would be required for each row of blanks.

[0022] The guide apparatus described above could also be used to separate some blanks of a continuous stream of a plurality of rows of blanks from the rest thereof. Thus, for example, where the guide apparatus is used downstream of a printing and processing init which utilises a printing roller which has three circumferentially-spaced dies in each row of several transversely-spaced rows, one die of each row may be arranged to print a different blank from the other two dies of that row. In this case, the suction belts 3 of the conveyors of one of the sets E or F will be arranged to convey every third blank, and the suction belts 3 of the conveyors of the other set will be arranged to guide the rest of the blanks. In this way, different blanks can be separated from the continuous stream containing both types of blank in a reliable manner.

[0023] The apparatus described above could also be used to separate all the blanks in a given row from all the blanks in an adjacent row. In other words, the blanks of a plurality of rows of blanks can be separated transversely as well as longitudinally. This is particularly useful for blanks which are excessively interleafed edge-to-edge.

[0024] It would also be possible to use the guide apparatus described above to separate the blanks of a plurality of rows of blanks transversely with respect to the direction of feed. In this case, the suction belt means (usually a plurality of pairs of suction belts) of each conveyor will diverge transversely (as well as vertically) with respect to the direction of feed.

[0025] Although the guide apparatus described above has been referred to exclusively for use in guiding and separating blanks such as carton blanks, it will be appreciated that the apparatus could also be used for guiding and separating other flat articles such as printed labels, and the following claims should be construed in this light.

Claims

1. Apparatus for guiding and separating blanks (1), the apparatus comprising tirst and second conveyor means (E and F) whose input ends are positioned on opposite sides of the teed path of a stream of a plurality ot rows of blanks to the apparatus, wherein each of the conveyor means is constituted by a plurality of laterally-spaced suction belt means (3), each suction belt means being aligned with the feed path of a respective row of blanks, the conveyor means being such that some of the blanks (la) are conveyed by the suction belt means of the first conveyor means and the rest of the blanks (lb) are conveyed by the suction belt means of the second conveyor means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor means (E and F) are such that alternate blanks (la, lb) of each row are conveyed by the suction belt means (3) oE the first and second conveyor means.

3. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second conveyor means (E and F) diverge away from the input ends thereof and in the direction of blank feed.

4. Guide apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the suction belt means is constituted by a pair of suction belts (3) which are laterally spaced with respect to the direction of blank feed.

5. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the conveyor means (E and F) is constituted by three pairs of laterally-spaced suction belts (3).

6. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein each of the suction belts (3) is provided with a plurality of suction ports (9).

7. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the suction belts (3) of the two sets of conveyor means (E and F) are driven in synchronism, and wherein the suction ports of said suction belts are so positioned that some of the blanks (la) of each row of blanks are picked up by the suction ports of the suction belts of the first conveyor means, and the rest of the blanks (lb) of each row of blanks are picked up by the suction ports of the suction belts of the second conveyor means.

8. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein means (9c) are provided for closing at least one suction port of at least one suction belt (3).

9. Guide apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a respective box-like chamber (6) is associated with each of the suction belts (3), the portion of each chamber which faces the associated suction belt being closed off by a curved, longitudinally-slotted plate, and the chambers being connectible to a vacuum pump via an inlet manifold (7), the arrangement being such that each of the suction belts passes over the associated curved, longitudinally-slotted plate so that the suction ports (9) of the belts can be subjected to a sub-atmospheric pressure.

10. A system for delivery blanks, the system comprising feed means for receiving a stream of a plurality of rows of blanks from an upstream processing unit, guide apparatus positioned downstream of the feed means, and first and second pairs of shingling units positioned downstream of the guide apparatus, the guide apparatus being as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein respective shingling units of the first pair of shingling units are positioned at the downstream ends of the first and second conveyor means, and respective shingling units of the second pair of shingling units are positioned at the downstream ends of the shingling units of the first pair.

11. A method of guiding and separating blanks, the method comprising the steps of guiding some blanks of a continuous stream of a plurality of rows of blanks in a first direction by means of a plurality of laterally-spaced suction belt means, and of guiding the rest of said blanks in a second direction using a plurality of laterally-spaced further suction belt means.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second directions diverge with respect to the direction of feed of the continuous stream of blanks.

13. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7,wherein the suction ports (9) of each suction belt (3) are equispaced.

14. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein each suction belt (3) has an even number of sets of suction ports (9).

15. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein there are four sets of suction ports (9).

16. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein each set of suction ports (9) has at least one suction port.

17. Guide apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein each set of suction ports (9) has two suction ports.

Drawing