(19)
(11) EP 2 942 292 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
11.11.2015 Bulletin 2015/46

(21) Application number: 14167052.1

(22) Date of filing: 05.05.2014
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B65B 25/00(2006.01)
B65G 47/84(2006.01)
B65B 35/26(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME

(71) Applicant: M.C. AUTOMATIONS S.r.l.
40033 Casalecchio di Reno (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • Caselli, Mario
    40033 Casalecchio di Reno (BO) (IT)

(74) Representative: Manzella & Associati 
Via Nosadella, 9
40123 Bologna
40123 Bologna (IT)

   


(54) Transfer device for wrapping machines for confectionery products


(57) The transfer device for wrapping machines for confectionery products comprises an overturn member (10) peripherally shaping shaped seats (13) suitable to receive a respective product (2) outgoing from a feeding line (3) of the wrapping machine. Said overturn member (10) is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal median plane of the feeding line (3) and is suitable to be operated in angular rotation for rotating said product (2) inserted in a respective shaped seat (13) from a picking configuration, in which the same product (2) is arranged with said flat base (2a) in support on a support member (7) suitable to be an extension of the feeding line (3), to an overturned configuration at which said product (2) is arranged for being grasped by grip means (21, 22).




Description

Technical Field



[0001] The present invention concerns a transfer device for confectionery products and the like intended for the use in a wrapping machine for such products.

Background Art



[0002] It has been known that machines that provide an automatic wrapping of confectionery products such as chocolates and the like are currently used. Known wrapping machines generally provide that the products to be wrapped be fed individually, one after another, along a feeding line, defined for example by a conveyor belt. The products are fed on the conveyor belt in support at one of their lower faces. At the exit from the feeding line, the products are associated with a respective sheet of wrapping material and transferred to a wrapping head. The wrapping head is provided with a series of grip members for the single products, angularly distributed about a horizontal rotation axis, and is suitable to be driven in rotation at pitch, so as to bring the products with the wrapping sheets at a series of working stations, in which the wrapping of the wrapping sheet around the product, the closure of the wrapping and the release of the packaged product are carried out in succession.

[0003] According to a known solution, the products are transferred from the feeding line to the wrapping head by means of a pliers member mobile alternately between a picking zone at the exit from the feeding line and a release zone to a grip member of the wrapping head. Such pliers member comprises for example a lift and a counter-lift suitable to cooperate for grasping a single product, reached superiorly by a wrapping sheet, at the top and at the base of the same product.

[0004] The wrapping machines of the described type are suitable to produce different types of packaging, for example of the packet type, twist type, double-twist type and the like. A drawback of these wrapping machines is the fact that the twist, simple or double, can be made only at the lateral faces of the product. In fact, the wrapping sheet is provided above the product to be wrapped and then wrapped on the same product.

[0005] The machines of the described type do not allow therefore the packaging with the twist closing on the top, which is typical of certain confectionery products such as big chocolates containing liquor known with the name of Boeri. The Boeri have generally a dome shape starting from a flat base.

[0006] To meet the need of generating the twist at the top of the product, it is therefore necessary to use dedicated machines which overturn the product, fed to the picking area by the feeding line, so that the top of the Boeri chocolate is laterally turned during packaging step.

[0007] For example, dedicated machines are known, provided with a pliers member, operated in alternate motion in suitable step relationship with the feeding of the single products in the picking zone, the pliers member being suitable to grasp and rotate the product of an angle of 90° on the vertical feeding plane along the feedng line.

[0008] Patent application DE 101 55 599 discloses a wrapping machine in which the products fed along the feeding line are transferred to the wrapping head by means of a carousel device which peripherally carries a plurality of pliers members. Such gripping members are suitable to grip the single products from opposite sides, according to an axis transverse to the feeding line. The gripping members are also operable in rotation according to the axis of exit of the products, in such a way as to produce the angular rotation of the products during the transfer step from the feeding line to the wrapping head.

[0009] The drawbacks of wrapping machines of known type are obvious. On the one hand, traditional machines do not allow to make a packaging with the closure twist or other types of closure on the top of the product. On the other hand, the dedicated machines which overturn the products to be wrapped cannot be used for other types of packaging.

Disclosure



[0010] The task of the present invention is that of providing a device which allows to carry out the transfer of confectionery products, in particular Boeri chocolates and the like, so as to allow to make a packaging having the twist on the top of such products in traditional wrapping machines.

[0011] Within such task, it is a further scope of the present invention that of providing a transfer device for confectionery products of simple conception, requiring a reduced space, easy to insert in the wrapping machine, as well as of reliable functioning and versatile use.

[0012] The cited scopes are attained, according to the present invention, by the transfer device for confectionery products for wrapping machines according to claim 1.

[0013] The transfer device according to the present invention comprises an overturn member peripherally shaping at least one shaped seat suitable to receive a product outgoing from a feeding line of a wrapping machine and at least one holding member cooperating with said overturn member for holding said product at said shaped seat, said overturn member being rotatable at pitch about an axis perpendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the said feeding line for rotating said product inserted inside said shaped seat from a picking configuration, which corresponds to the exit position from said feeding line, to an overturned configuration at which said product held by said holding member is arranged for being grasped by gripping means.

[0014] Advantageously, said axis of the overturn member is defined by the outlet shaft of a parallel axis intermittent unit, suitable to convert the uniform motion of an inlet shaft in intermittent motion.

[0015] Preferably, said overturn member is star-shaped so as to peripherally define a plurality of shaped seats, regularly distributed with respect to the rotation axis and each suitable to receive one said product.

[0016] Preferably, said overturn member is made up of a disc constrained to a shaft protruding from a plate suitable to be coupled in removable way to the frame of the wrapping machine.

[0017] Preferably, said shaped seats are made up of notches made peripherally, in angularly distributed positions, on said disc.

[0018] Preferably, said shaped seat substantially shapes one half of the median longitudinal profile of the product to be overturned.

[0019] Preferably, said shaped seat has a linear portion against which a flat base of the product is intended to be brought in support, from the internal end of said linear portion extending a curvilinear portion which is suitable to copy the shape of one half of the median longitudinal profile of the same product or of one of its parts.

[0020] Preferably, said holding member comprises a hammer-shaped element, mounted tiltable at a respective vane which shapes said shaped seat of the overturn member.

[0021] Preferably, said hammer-shaped element shapes a head having a working surface dome-shaped which is suitable to copy the upper shape of said product.

[0022] Preferably, said holding member is operated in relative alternate motion with respect to said overturn member through cam means associated with said intermittent unit.

[0023] Preferably, said holding member is suitably sprung for not damaging said product in the gripping step.

[0024] Preferably, said overturn member passes, with a play, through a longitudinal opening of a support member for the product outgoing from said feeding line, on which the same product is carried in support on a flat base.

[0025] Preferably, said gripping means are associated with lateral transfer means suitable to transfer the overturned product in a direction transversal to the feeding direction along said feeding line.

Description of Drawings



[0026] Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the transfer device for wrapping machines for confectionery products illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a schematic front view of the transfer device according to the invention;

figure 2 shows the same schematic front view of the transfer device in a different operative step;

figures 3 and 4 respectively show a top view and a lateral view of said transfer device;

figure 5 shows a perspective view of the overturn member of the transfer device according to the invention;

figure 6 shows a corresponding front view;

figures 7 and 8 respectively show a lateral view and a longitudinal cross-section view of the above mentioned overturn member.


Best Mode



[0027] With particular reference to such figures, the transfer device for confectionery products 2 intended to be used in a wrapping machine, known per se, has been indicated in its entirety with 1. In the illustrated case, the confectionery products 2 have the typical shape of Boeri chocolates, having a circular flat base 2a and a dome-shaped top 2b. The device according to the invention can be used anyway for wrapping products with a different shape, having preferably a flat base. The products 2 are fed in succession along a feeding line 3 made up for example of a conveyor belt suitably stretched by stretching rolls and operated by commands of known type. In particular, the feeding line 1 shapes a rectilinear horizontal portion on which the products 2 are fed in line, one after another, in support on the flat base 2a. At such rectilinear portion, the conveyor belt 3 is supported by a strip 4, preferably metallic, having width substantially equal to the width of the conveyor belt and substantially extending along all the above mentioned rectilinear portion. The strip 4 is constrained to the fixed frame of the wrapping machine and connected through rod members 5 to the heads of the rolls 6 which guide and operate the conveyor belt 3.

[0028] At the end of the rectilinear portion of the conveyor belt 3, the feeding line feeds in succession the products 2 to a picking zone at which an overturn member 10, which is a part of the transfer device 1 according to the invention, works. The overturn member 10 is substantially star-shaped and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the feeding line 3.

[0029] The picking zone has a fork-shaped support member 7, constrained to the frame of the wrapping machine and suitable to substantially make up a front extension of the conveyor belt 3. In particular, the support member 7 has, at the median longitudinal plane, a slot 8 having a size suitable to allow the passage, with a suitable play, of a portion of the overturn member 10.

[0030] In the case shown in figures 1 and 2, the device provides above the overturn member 10 a fixed cap 9 having the shape of the arc of a circle, suitable to take the products 2 during the rotation at pitch of the overturn member 10. The cap 9 has substantially the function of holding the products 2 during the overturn step. The cap 9 is suitably constrained to the fixed framework of the wrapping machine.

[0031] The star-shaped overturn member 10 is preferably made up of a shaped disc which is constrained to a shaft 11 suitably carried in protruding manner by a plate 12 fixed trough known screw means to the frame of the wrapping machine and operated in unidirectional rotation through known motor members. It is further provided that the shaft 11 on which the overturn member 10 is fastened constitute the outlet shaft of an intermittent unit 14 with parallel axis, suitable to convert the uniform motion of an inlet shaft 15 in an intermittent motion.

[0032] The disc defining the overturn member 10 is peripherally provided with shaped seats 13, regularly distributed with respect to the rotation axis. In particular, such shaped seats 13 are placed at an angular distance equal to the angular rotation to perform upon the products 2, preferably 90°. Each shaped seat 13 substantially shapes one half of the median longitudinal profile of the products 2 to be overturned, so as to receive and firmly house the single product 2. More precisely, the shaped seat 13 has a linear portion 13a against which the base 2a of the product is intended to be brought in support; from the internal end of the linear portion 13a extends a curvilinear portion 13b which copies one half of the median longitudinal profile of the dome-shaped product 2b, or of one of its parts.

[0033] Suitably, at each shaped seat 13 of the overturn member 10 a holding member 16 is arranged, being suitable to hold the product 2 inserted in the same shaped seat 13 in the overturning step. Such holding member 16 is substantially made up of a hammer-shaped element, mounted tilting at the vane which defines the above mentioned shaped seat 13 inside the body of the star 10; the hammer shapes in particular a head 16a having a dome-shaped working surface 16b which copies the upper profile 2b of the product.

[0034] The holding member 16 is operated in alternate relative motion with respect to the overturn member 10 through suitable cam means associated with the intermittent unit 14. The holding member 16 is as well suitably sprung, in order not to damage the product 2 in the grasping step.

[0035] At the position occupied by the shaped seat 13 in which the single product 2 is in overturned position, lateral transfer means 20 work, being suitable to grasp the single product 2 from such seat 13 and to transfer it in a direction transversal to the longitudinal plane of the feeding line 3. In particular, such lateral transfer means 20 comprise a couple of pliers 21, 22 suitably shaped, placed at the end of relative arms 23, 24 suitable to be operated in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the overturn member 10, each coming from sides opposite with respect to the same overturn member 10. The subsequent lateral transferring occurs from a side of the overturn member 10, in direction parallel to the rotation axis of the same overturn member 10.

[0036] The functioning of the transfer device for wrapping machines for confectionery products is easy to understand from the preceding description.

[0037] The products 2 to be wrapped are brought in line along a rectilinear portion of the feeding line defined by the conveyor belt 3, on which they are in support through their respective flat base 2a (fig. 1). At the end of such rectilinear portion, the single product 2 is brought to the fork-shaped support member 7, at the picking zone. In such position, the product 2 is inserted inside a shaped seat 13 of the overturn member 10, prearranged in the same picking zone (fig. 2). In particular, the overturn member 10 is inserted by one of its parts in the hole 8 of the support member 7, so that the rectilinear portion 13a of the above mentioned shaped seat 13 is aligned with the surface of the support member 7.

[0038] In such step, the holding member 16 is initially lifted, in order not to thwart the entry of the product 2 in the shaped seat 13. Once completed the insertion of the product 2, the holding member 16 rotates angularly to block the same product 2 in the seat 13. In particular, the product 2 results to be arranged in support with its base 2a on the linear portion 13a of the seat 13, in contact at one side with the curvilinear portion 13b of the same seat and elastically blocked at the top of the dome 2b of the dome-shaped surface 16b of the holding member 16.

[0039] Then, the overturn member 10 rotates of a predetermined angle, in the illustrated case equal to 90°, carrying out in such way the overturring of the product 2, firmly housed inside its respective seat 13, in which the product 2 is held by the holding means 16 (see in particular figures 5 and 6). Once the product has been overturned, the holding member 16 rotates angularly in opposite direction to free the product 2 which is contextually grasped by gripping means 21, 22.

[0040] In the illustrated case, such grip means 21, 22 are made by a couple of pliers associated with lateral transfer means 20, which are suitable to transfer the product 2 in a direction transversal to the longitudinal plane of the transport line 3 (fig. 3). The product 2, arranged in the overturned position, is picked by grip means 17 made up for example of a lifter 18 and of a counter-lifter 19 for being brought in known way towards the wrapping head, where the closure operations are completed.

[0041] The device according to the invention attains therefore the scope of performing the transfer of confectionery products, for example Boeri chocolates, to allow to make the twist of the package at the top of such product. In particular, the device can be usefully used in the traditional wrapping machines, suitable to manufacture also different types of wrappings. Therefore, it is no more necessary to use a dedicated machine for making such type of wrappings.

[0042] This is enabled by the fact of providing an overturn member 10 which can be easily applied to the wrapping machine every time it is required to make wrappings of the type with the twist on the top of the product. To assemble the device it is sufficient to fix, to the frame of the machine, the plate 12 which carries the overturn member 10 and to suitably modify the positioning of the conveyor belt 3.

[0043] A further advantage of the invention is the constructive simplicity of the transfer device. In particular, the overturn member 10 is advantageously operated by a single command member with intermittent feeding.

[0044] Moreover, the star-shaped overturn member 10 can be easily made by a metal sheet through laser cut, thus creating an embodiment in which the shaped seats 13 are made by suitable shaped notches. It is really easy to insert in the wrapping machine more overturn members 10, suitable for working on products having different shapes.

[0045] The device object of the invention increases the production performance of a wrapping machine, since it ensures no dead time for the transferring of the products 2. Such result is due in particular to the fact that the device according to the invention does not use an alternate motion but a unidirectional motion at pitch.

[0046] In practice, the embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, may vary depending on the requirements.

[0047] The single characteristics disclosed with reference to general descriptions or specific embodiments can all be present in other embodiments or substitute characteristics in such other embodiments.

[0048] Should the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.


Claims

1. Transfer device for wrapping machines for confectionery products comprising a feeding line (3) suitable to feed in ordered succession single products (2) to be wrapped, the products (2) having a flat base (2a), up to a pick-up zone at which a support member (7) is arranged suitable to be substantially an extension of said feeding line (3), characterized in that it comprises
an overturn member (10) peripherally shaping at least one shaped seat (13) suitable to receive one product (2) outgoing from said feeding line (3), and
at least one holding member (16) associated with said overturn member (10) for holding said product (2) at said shaped seat (13),
said overturn member (10) being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal median plane of said feeding line (3) and being suitable to be operated in angular rotation for turning said product (2) inserted in said shaped seat (13) from a picking configuration, in which the same product (2) is arranged in support with said flat base (2a) on said support member (7), to an overturned configuration at which said product (2) held by said holding member (16) is arranged for being grasped by grip means (21, 22).
 
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said axis of the overturn member (10) is shaped by the outlet shaft of a parallel axis intermittent unit (14), suitable to convert the uniform motion of an inlet shaft (15) in an intermittent motion.
 
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said overturn member (10) is star-shaped so as to peripherally shape a plurality of said shaped seats (13), regularly distributed with respect to the rotation axis.
 
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said star-shaped overturn member (10) is made up of a disc constrained to a shaft (11) protruding from a plate (12) suitable to be attached in removable way to the frame of the wrapping machine.
 
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said shaped seats (13) are made up of notches, peripherally made, in angularly distributed positions, on said disc.
 
6. Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that said shaped seat (13) shapes substantially one half of the longitudinal median plane of the product (2) to be overturned.
 
7. Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that said shaped seat (13) has a linear portion (13a) against which said base (2a) of the product (2) is to be brought in support, from the internal end of said linear portion (13a) extending a curvilinear portion (13b) which is suitable to copy one half of the longitudinal median profile of the same product (2) or one of its parts.
 
8. Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that said holding means (16) comprise a hammer-shaped element, mounted tilting at a respective vane which defines said shaped seat (13) of the overturn member (10).
 
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said hammer-shaped element shapes a head (16a) having a dome-shaped working surface (16b) which is suitable to copy the top profile (2b) of said product.
 
10. Device according to claims 2 and 8, characterized in that said holding means (16) is operated in relative alternate motion with respect to said overturn member (10) through cam means associated with said intermittent unit (14).
 
11. Device according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that said holding means (16) is suitably sprung in order not to damage said product (2) in the gripping step.
 
12. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said support member (7) has a hole (8) on a plane longitudinal to said feeding line (3), inside said hole being passing with play said overturning member (10).
 
13. Device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said grip means (21, 22) are associated with lateral transfer means (20) suitable to transfer said product (2) overturned in direction transversal to the feeding direction along said feeding line (3).
 
14. Machine for wrapping confectionery products comprising a transfer device according to one of the previous claims.
 




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Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description