Method and apparatus for packing bunches of flowers into sleeves

Abstract

 The invention relates to a method, flower line and apparatus for packing bunches of flowers (F) into sleeves (S). The bunches of flowers are successively conveyed by a supply conveyor (1), packed in packing apparatuses (3) and discharged by a discharge conveyor (4). The flowers are distributed from the supply conveyor over different packing apparatuses by distribution means (2) on the basis of signals from sensor means which are positioned in different positions along the flower line to sense the presence or absence of bunches of flowers at these positions. A central processing unit connected to the sensor means, the conveyors (1, 4), the apparatuses (3) and the distribution means (2), is adapted to control the distribution means (2) depending on signals from the sensors.
The apparatus for packing bunches of flowers (F) into sleeves (S) comprises: holding means (15) for holding a sleeve (S) in an open position to introduce a bunch of flowers (F), introduction means (10) adapted to hold the bunch of flowers at least temporarily and a buffer conveyor (8) of which the direction of conveyance is substantially parallel to that of the introduction means (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of packing bunches of flowers into sleeves, wherein bunches of flowers are successively conveyed by a supply conveyor, packed and discharged. The invention also relates to a flower line for making and packing bunches of flowers into sleeves and an apparatus for packing bunches of flowers into sleeves.

[0002] Such method, flower line and apparatus are known from NL-C-1001993 of applicant. This document discloses a method in which a number of packing apparatuses is mounted to a circulator which is positioned besides the supply conveyor. The supply conveyor is provided with a plurality of introduction means spaced along the length of the conveyor in order to successively transfer bunches of flowers from the supply conveyor directly into a respective sleeve.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve this prior art method, apparatus and flower line.

[0004] According to the invention there is provided a method of packing bunches of flowers into sleeves, wherein bunches of flowers are successively conveyed by a supply conveyor, packed and discharged, and wherein the bunches of flowers are distributed from the supply conveyor over different packing apparatuses on the basis of signals from sensor means which are positioned in different positions to sense the presence or absence of bunches of flowers at these positions.

[0005] According to the invention there is also provided a flower line for making and packing bunches of flowers into sleeves, comprising a supply conveyor for supplying bunches of flowers to be packed, a discharge conveyor for discharging packed bunches of flowers, at least two apparatuses for packing bunches of flowers into sleeves, distribution means connected to the supply conveyor and to the apparatuses to distribute bunches of flowers to the apparatuses, sensor means positioned along the line to sense the presence or absence of bunches of flowers at predetermined positions, and a central processing unit connected to the sensors, the conveyors, the apparatuses and the distribution means, and being adapted to control the distribution means depending on signals from the sensors.

[0006] By distributing the bunches of flowers from the supply conveyor to the apparatuses, the operation of the supply conveyor and the apparatuses is separated so that the operation of each packing apparatus is independent from the supply conveyor. This leads to a more reliable operation, while the capacity can be increased without compromising the reliability, by placing additional apparatuses such that the total capacity of the various apparatuses is at least equal to the maximum supply capacity of the supply of bunches of flowers.

[0007] Due to the sensor means in the flower line the central processing unit has information about the positions of the various bunches of flowers and on the basis of this information, the central processing unit is able to distribute the bunches of flowers over the different packing apparatuses, so as to obtain a maximum processing capacity.

[0008] The apparatus for packing bunches of flowers into sleeves, comprising holding means for holding a sleeve in an open position to introduce a bunch of flowers, and introduction means adapted to hold the bunch of flowers at least temporarily, said introduction means being drivable to insert the introduction means together with the bunch of flowers into the sleeve, is characterised by a buffer conveyor of which the direction of conveyance is parallel to that of the introduction means, and the relative position of the buffer conveyor and the introduction means is such that the buffer conveyor is able to bring a bunch of flowers in engagement with the introduction means.

[0009] The buffer container makes it possible to operate the packing apparatus independently of the supply conveyor. There is no direct link between the supply conveyor and the introduction means as in the prior art. The buffer conveyor receives the bunches of flowers from the supply conveyor and at a suitable point of time, the buffer conveyor brings the bunch of flowers in engagement with the introductions means.

[0010] Preferably the buffer conveyor is a trough-shaped belt conveyor in order to obtain a substantially predetermined lateral position of the bunch of flowers.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the introduction means is an elongated support adapted to support the flowers during introduction and being equipped with gripping means near its end facing the holding means. Conveniently, the introduction means is movably supported below the buffer conveyor in order to obtain an easy transfer from the buffer conveyor to the introduction means.

[0012] In order to enable a reliable engagement of the bunch of flowers by the gripping means of the introduction means, the apparatus comprises alignment means, for example laterally movable elements, positioned near the place where the gripping means are positioned when they are brought in engagement with the bunch of flowers.

[0013] These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated by one embodiment thereof, described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a side view of a part of a flower line for making and packing bunches of flowers, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the part of the flower line shown in Fig. 1.

[0016] Figs. 3-11 are plan view illustrations of one apparatus for packing bunches of flowers into sleeves, illustrating the operation of the apparatus and its cooperation with the supply and discharge conveyors.

[0017] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a part of a flower line for making and packing bunches of flowers. The flower line may include more apparatuses which are not shown, such as a cutting machine and a machine for stripping off leaves from the flowers stems. Such machines are known per se and are not described here.

[0018] Shown in the drawing is a supply conveyor 1, distribution means, in this case including three telescopic conveyor belts 2a, 2b, 2c, three apparatuses for packing bunches of flowers into sleeves 3a, 3b, 3c and a main discharge conveyor 4 as main assemblies. Depending on the required capacity of the complete flower line and the maximum capacity of each apparatus 3, the number of apparatuses 3 may be increased or decreased.

[0019] The supply conveyor 1 comprises a conveyor belt having equidistant cross ribs 5. These cross ribs 5 ensure that bunches of flowers F are conveyed to a higher level at discrete positions. The discharge end of the supply conveyor 1 is positioned next to the first telescopic conveyor belt 2a of the distribution means and a roller 6 of each telescopic conveyor belt 2 is movable between a first position, in which the telescopic conveyor belt 2a, 2b is positioned next to the end roller 7 of the next telescopic conveyor belt 2b, 2c, so that the flowers are transferred from one conveyor belt 2a, 2b to the next conveyor belt 2b, 2c, and a second position in which there is created a gap between the end roller 6 of the conveyor belt 2a, 2b and the end roller 7 of the next conveyor belt 2b, 2c so that the bunch of flowers is discharged to a buffer conveyor 8 of the respective apparatus 3a , 3b or 3c. The movements of the end rollers 6 of the conveyor belts 2 are controlled by a central processing unit (not shown) which controls the operation of the whole flower line.

[0020] As mentioned above, each apparatus 3 includes a buffer conveyor 8 positioned below the gap created in the second position of the end roller 6 and extending perpendicularly to the direction of conveyance (see arrow A) of the telescopic conveyor belts 2. In this embodiment, the buffer conveyor 8 is a trough-shaped belt conveyor, in which the trough-shape assists in positioning the bunch of flowers in a lateral direction of the buffer conveyor 8.

[0021] The buffer conveyor 8 is attached to a frame 9 to which also the other parts of the apparatus are attached.

[0022] Below the buffer conveyor 8 there is arranged an introduction means 10, here comprising an elongated support member 11 extending parallel to the buffer conveyor 8 and having drive means to translate the support member 11 back and forth in order to introduce a bunch of flowers F into a sleeve S. In order to hold a bunch of flowers in engagement with the support member 11, the support member is provided with gripping means 12, for example comprising two movable jaws adapted to engage around the stems of the flowers in the bunch. In order to ensure that the stems of the flowers in a bunch are correctly positioned with respect to the gripping means 12, the apparatus comprises alignment means 13, for example comprising two elements movable in lateral direction (symmetrically to the center line of the support member 11). These elements may be pivotable fingers, for example.

[0023] The apparatus further comprises a table 14 for supporting a stack of sleeves S, said table 14 preferably being adjustable in height in order to maintain the top of the stack at a constant height. This height adjustment is controlled by the central processing unit on the basis of information provided by sensor means.

[0024] Above the table 14 there is a support structure of the frame which supports a holding means 15 which is adapted to grip the upper side of the upper sleeve S near its opening in order to open the sleeve and to hold it in this open position in order to introduce the bunch of flowers F. In this embodiment, the holding means 15 is a vacuum suction member, which is movable up and down to grip the sleeve and open it. This holding means 15 may also be provided with the sensor means which is used for adjusting the height of the table 14.

[0025] In front of the table 14 there is arranged a sleeve spreader 16, in this case comprising a plurality of fingers 17 extending in the direction of introduction of the introduction means 10 and being constructed such that they are movable from a collapsed position close to each other in order to be easily introduced into the sleeve S, and an expanded position in which they hold the sleeve S in an opened position and provide a hollow structure of the sleeve spreader 16 so as to allow a bunch of flowers F to be introduced into the sleeve S thorough the sleeve spreader 16. Preferably, each finger has two staggered parts and is rotatable around the axis of one of the parts.

[0026] As stated before, the table 14 is adapted to support a stack of sleeves S, the number of which may range up to a few thousand sleeves S. Each sleeve S is provided with a holding strip H which is connected to the opening end of the sleeve S through a tear line. A plurality of holding strips H is connected to each other. The stack of sleeves S is held on the table 14 by means of a clamping member 18, which in this embodiment is a crank shaft-like rod which is rotatable and movable in vertical direction. The clamping rod is adapted to hold down the stack of holding strips H, by a central section thereof and when a plurality of sleeves S has been removed from their holding strips H, these separated holding strips H are removed by rotating the crank shaft-like rod, thereby pushing away the plurality of holding strips H from the table 14. This prevents these useless holding strips from interfering with the introduction of a bunch of flowers. Furthermore, a plurality of stacked strips H would become instable without the connected sleeves S, so it is an advantage if they can be removed automatically.

[0027] Next to the holding means 15 above the table 14 there is provided a manipulator 19, in this case comprising a stem clamp 20 and a bundle clamp 21. The relative position of these clamps 20 and 21 can be changed, depending on the size of the flowers to be handled and also their position relative to the holding means 15 is adjustable. The stem clamp 20 is intended to clamp the stems of the bunch of flowers to be handled together with the sleeve S around the bunch of flowers, whereas the bundle clamp 21 is adapted to engage the bunch of flowers and the surrounding sleeve S in a position near the longitudinal center of the bunch.

[0028] The manipulator 19 is slidably guided in a longitudinal guide 22 which is slightly inclined so as to allow the manipulator 19 to pull the bunch of flowers F and the surrounding sleeve S away from the holding strip H and to bring it above a transfer conveyor 23. This transfer conveyor 23 is slidable in transverse direction and is also drivable in this transverse direction in order to transfer a bunch of flowers F dropped onto the transfer conveyor 23 to a further conveyor 24 which extends in and is drivable in a direction parallel to the direction of introduction of the introduction means 10. Connected to the further conveyor 24 is a discharge conveyor 25. This discharge conveyor 25 is a trough-shaped belt conveyor of which the two belts forming the trough can be separated in order to drop a bunch of flowers from the discharge conveyor 25 onto a main discharge conveyor 4. This main discharge conveyor 4 has compartments 27 each adapted to receive a bunch of flowers F therein.

[0029] The central control unit is programmed to control the main discharge conveyor 4 and the discharge conveyor 25 of the various apparatuses 3 such that the bunches of flowers are dropped in different empty compartments 26. Downstream of the apparatus 3 there is arranged a binder 27 besides the main discharge conveyor 4 in order to bind the stems of the bunch of flowers M together to finish the handling of this bunch of flowers.

[0030] Not shown in the drawing is a series of sensors which are adapted to sense the presence or absence of bunches of flowers in different parts of the flower line. The information from these sensors is used to control the flower line and the packing apparatus within the flower line.

[0031] The operation of the flower line and the packing apparatus will be furher described with reference to Figs. 3 - 11.

[0032] These Figs. 3 - 11 show a flower line having only one packing apparatus 3. A flower line having more than one packing apparatus 3 operates in the same way, apart from the fact that the operation of the different apparatuses is coordinated and the processing unit being programmed to distribute the supplied bunches of flowers F over the different packing apparatuses 3.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a flower line in which two bunches of flowers F are supplied. One bunch of flowers F is conveyed by the supply conveyor 1, while the other bunch of flowers F is present on the telescopic part of the telescopic conveyor belt 2.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows that the end roller 6 is moved so as to create a gap between the end roller 6 of one telescopic conveyor belt 2 and the end roller 7 of the next telescopic conveyor belt. The bunch of flowers F will fall into this gap and onto the trough-shaped buffer conveyor 8. This operation is only effected after sensors have determined that there is a bunch of flowers F available, while there is no bunch of flowers present in the buffer conveyor 8 so that it is ready to receive a new one. Detail 4A shows the apparatus in side view with the bunch of flowers F dropped onto the buffer conveyor 8.

[0035] Fig. 5, 5A and 5B show that the buffer conveyor 8 is operated by driving it in a direction towards a table 14 having a stack of sleeves S thereon. When the bunch of flowers F is moved from the buffer conveyor 8, the stems thereof come to rest on the upper surface of the elongated support member 11 of the introduction means 10. By means of a sensor the bunch of flowers F is conveyed to such an extent that the stems come to rest within the opened gripping means 12. Before the gripping means 12 is moved to its closed position, alignment means 14 is activated (see Fig. 5A) in order to align the stems of the bunch of flowers F and bring them close to the central axis of the support member 11 so that the gripping means 12 is enabled to grip the stems in a reliable way. With the gripping means closed, the elongated support member 11 of the introduction means 10 and the bunch of flowers F are engaged with each other. Fig. 5B shows that at least a part of the upper surface of the elongated support member 10 is concavely shaped as seen in longitudinal direction of the support member 10.

[0036] In order to be able to introduce the introduction means 10 together with the bunch of flowers F into a sleeve S, this sleeve S is opened and held open. The sleeve S is opened by means of the vacuum gripper 15 acting as a holding means. This vacuum gripper is moved downwardly into engagement with the sleeve near the opening thereof. Due to the vacuum, the gripper adheres to the sleeve and if the gripper 15 is moved upwardly again it takes along the upper sheet of the sleeve so that the sleeve is opened. After opening sleeve S the spreader 16 is moved in the direction of introduction so as to introduce the fingers 17 into the part of the sleeve which is adjacent the wide opening thereof. The fingers 17 are in their collapsed position close to each other in order to facilitate introduction thereof into the sleeve S. Once the spreader 16 is in its active position within the sleeve S, the fingers 17 are moved to their expanded position. In this expanded position, the spreader 16 has a hollow structure enabling a bunch of flowers F to be introduced into the sleeve S through the sleeve spreader 16.

[0037] In Fig. 6 there is shown a position in which the support member 11 of the introduction means 10 has been moved into the sleeve S, such that the bunch of flowers F is completely within the sleeve, or at least the stems of the flowers in the bunch are positioned such that they can be gripped by the stem clamp 20 of the manipulator 19.

[0038] In fig. 6A it is shown that the stem clamp 20 has been clamped around the stems and the surrounding sleeve. Once the stem clamp 20 is in its clamping position, the gripping means 12 of the introduction means 10 is opened and the elongated support member 11 of the introduction means 10 is retracted from the sleeve S.

[0039] After the elongated support member 11 has been retracted to its starting position, the bundle clamp 21 is activated and grips the bunch of flowers F at a substantially central position of the bunch. Then the manipulator 19 moves the clamps 20, 21 substantially parallel to the direction of introduction and as a result of this displacement, the sleeve S is disconnected from its holding strip H.

[0040] Fig. 7 shows the position of the sleeved bunch of flowers F above the transfer conveyor 23. In this position, the clamps 20, 21 are opened again in order to drop the bunch of flowers F onto the transfer conveyor 23. Fig. 7A illustrates the take-away movement of the manipulator, as seen from the side.

[0041] In Fig. 8, the transfer conveyor 23 has been moved in a direction perpendicularly to the direction of introduction of the bunch of flowers F to such position that the discharge end of the transfer conveyor 23 is positioned above a further conveyor 24. In this position, the belt of the transfer conveyor 23 is driven so as to transfer the bunch of flowers from the transfer conveyor 23 to the further conveyor 24.

[0042] Fig. 9 illustrates that the further conveyor 24 is driven so as to move the bunch of flowers F parallel to, but opposite the direction of introduction of the bunch of flowers F.

[0043] In Fig. 10, the bunch of flowers F has arrived in its end position on the discharge conveyor 25 and in this position, the discharge conveyor 25 is opened in order to drop the bunch of flowers F onto the main discharge conveyor 4, particularly in an empty compartment 26 thereof. By means of sensors, it has been established whether a particular compartment of the main discharge conveyor 4 is empty so as to control the discharge conveyor 25 at the right time.

[0044] Fig. 7 shows that the bunch of flowers F is conveyed by the main discharge conveyor 4 to a binder 27. This binder 27 is designed to provide a binding means around the bundle of stems of the bunch of flowers F. These binding means may for example be an elastic band, tape or the like, as is known in the prior art.

[0045] With this binding, the cycle of packing a bunch of flowers is finished, although it is conceivable, of course, to add further process steps.

[0046] As soon as buffer conveyor 8 is emptied by transferring a bunch of flowers to the introduction means 10, the buffer conveyor 8 is ready again to receive the next bunch of flowers.

[0047] From the above description it will be clear that the invention provides a reliable and efficient packing method, flower line and packing apparatus with which high processing capacities can be obtained without jeopardizing the operation.

[0048] The invention is not limited to the embodiment described hereinbefore and shown in the drawings and can be varied in different manners within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the buffer conveyor may have a different construction. The introduction means may also operate without buffer conveyor if the introduction means cooperates directly with the distribution means.

Claims

1. Method of packing bunches of flowers into sleeves, wherein bunches of flowers are successively conveyed by a supply conveyor, packed and discharged, and wherein the bunches of flowers are distributed from the supply conveyor over different packing apparatuses on the basis of signals from sensor means which are positioned in different positions to sense the presence or absence of bunches of flowers at these positions.

2. Flower line for making and packing bunches of flowers (F) into sleeves (S), comprising,
   a supply conveyor (1) for supplying bunches of flowers to be packed,
   a main discharge conveyor (4) for discharging packed bunches of flowers
   at least two apparatuses (3) for packing bunches of flowers into sleeves,
   distribution means (2) connected to the supply conveyor and to the apparatuses to distribute bunches of flowers to the apparatuses,
   sensor means positioned along the line to sense the presence or absence of bunches of flowers at predetermined positions,
   a central processing unit connected to the sensors, the conveyors (1, 4), the apparatuses (3) and the distribution means (2) and being adapted to control the distribution means (2) depending on signals from the sensors.

3. Flower line according to claim 2, wherein the distribution means (2) comprises telescopic belts (2a, 2b, 2c), one for each apparatus (3a, 3b, 3c), such that the telescopic belts are moveable from an extended position, in which the telescopic belts connect to each other and the bunches of flowers are conveyed over the telescopic belts, to a retracted position in which the bunch of flowers is discharged to the corresponding apparatus.

4. Flower line according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the supply conveyor (1), distribution means (2) and main discharge conveyor (4) are adapted to convey continuously, and the operation of the apparatuses for packing the bunches of flowers (F) is adapted to operate independently from the supply conveyor (1).

5. Flower line according to one of claims 2 - 4, wherein the main discharge conveyor (4) has discrete compartments (26) for receiving a bunch of flowers (F) in each of them, and wherein the apparatuses (3) for packing bunches of flowers each comprise a discharge conveyor (25) controlled by the central processing unit so as to discharge a bunch of flowers in an empty compartment (26).

6. Apparatus for packing bunches of flowers (F) into sleeves (S) comprising:

holding means (15) for holding a sleeve (S) in an open position to introduce a bunch of flowers (F),

introduction means (10) adapted to hold the bunch of flowers at least temporarily, said introduction means being drivable to insert the introduction means together with the bunch of flowers into the sleeve,

   characterized by a buffer conveyor (8) of which the direction of conveyance is substantially parallel to that of the introduction means (10), and the relative position of the buffer conveyor (8) and the introduction means (10) is such that the buffer conveyor is able to bring a bunch of flowers (F) in engagement with the introduction means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the buffer conveyor (8) is a trough-shaped belt conveyor.

8. Apparatus preferably according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the introduction means (10) is an elongated support member (11) adapted to support the bunch of flowers (F) during introduction and being equipped with gripping means (12) near its end facing the holding means (15).

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the introduction means (10) is moveably supported below the buffer conveyor (8).

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, comprising alignment means (13), for example laterally moveable elements, positioned near the place where the gripping means (12) are positioned when they are brought in engagement with the bunch of flowers (F).

11. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 - 10, wherein the holding means (15) comprises at least one of a substantially vertically moveable vacuum gripper for engaging the sleeve (S) near its opening, and a sleeve spreader (16) moveable in the direction of introduction of the bunch of flowers (F) and having a hollow expandable structure to open the sleeve and allow a bunch flowers to be introduced into the sleeve through the spreader (16).

12. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 - 11, comprising a manipulator (19) positioned behind the holding means, as seen in the direction of introduction of the bunch of flowers, and comprising at least one of a stem clamp (20) and a bundle clamp (21), said manipulator being moveable so as to move a clamped bunch of flowers (F) from the packing position to a discharge position.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, comprising a transfer conveyor (23) adapted to receive the packed bunch of flowers (F) from the manipulator (19) and drivable so as to transfer the bunch of flowers to a discharge conveyor (25), preferably extending parallel to the buffer conveyor (8).

14. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 - 13, comprising a table (14) for supporting a stack of sleeves (S), said table being moveable in vertical direction so as to maintain a substantially constant height for the top of the stack, wherein preferably the table (14) is adapted for sleeves (S) each having a holding strip (H) at their opening end, from which the sleeve (S) is separated after introduction of a bunch of flowers (F) therein, said table (14) preferably having a clamping member (18) for clamping the stack of holding strips (H), said clamping member (18) being adapted to remove a stack of holding strips from which the sleeves (S) have been used, said clamping member (18) being preferably a crankshaft-like member which is rotatable and moveable in vertical direction.

Drawing