U.S. patent application number 14/895257 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-21 for improved apparatus for filling containers with horticultural products and relative method.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNITEC S.P.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is UNITEC S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Luca BENEDETTI.
Application Number | 20160107777 14/895257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49000563 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160107777 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BENEDETTI; Luca |
April 21, 2016 |
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH HORTICULTURAL
PRODUCTS AND RELATIVE METHOD
Abstract
Apparatus for filling containers with horticultural products,
built and operating in such a manner as to utilize at least one
horizontal transporting conveyor, a moving structure arranged at
the output edge of said conveyor and provided with displacement and
engagement means to incline said containers, through a partial
rotation, from a first inclined position with respect to the
horizontal plane, in which the mouth of the container remains
contiguous with the output edge of the conveyor, and subsequent
working positions in which the same container moves progressively
through less inclined positions until it returns to the normal
horizontal position. Said mobile structure includes a U-shaped
oscillating frame whose open side is designed to position itself in
front of said output edge of the transporting conveyor, and
blocking means, typically shaped jaws, supported by said
oscillating frame and suitable to selectively engage and disengage
the outer perimeter of the container, so as to initially cause the
container to rotate to a predetermined inclination, and
subsequently return in reverse rotation to the normal position, in
which the container is released and removed.
Inventors: |
BENEDETTI; Luca; (Savarna,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNITEC S.P.A. |
Lugo (RA) |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
UNITEC S.P.A.
Lugo, RA
IT
|
Family ID: |
49000563 |
Appl. No.: |
14/895257 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
May 14, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2014/061426 |
371 Date: |
December 2, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/248 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 43/56 20130101;
B65B 57/00 20130101; B65B 43/42 20130101; B65B 25/02 20130101; B65B
25/046 20130101; B65B 43/54 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 25/04 20060101
B65B025/04; B65B 43/54 20060101 B65B043/54 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 11, 2013 |
IT |
PN2013A000031 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for the filling with horti-fructural loose products of
each of a plurality in series of containers or small boxes, and
comprising: at least one transporting conveyor moving on an
horizontal plane with a motion on a closed path, at least a moving
structure arranged at the output edge of said conveyor, and
provided with displacement and engaging means able of oscillating
in an articulated way said container from: a first raised position
wherein the plane of the loading aperture of said container is
inclined, at a maximum pre-defined n angle, with respect to the
plane of said conveyor, said loading aperture maintained contiguous
to said output edge of said transporting conveyor, to successive
working positions wherein said container takes progressively less
inclined positions, until the horizontal position of said loading
aperture, wherein said conveyor, in said inclined positions of said
container, is able of moving forward to said container so that, by
gravity, said horti-fructural loose products fall into said
container, wherein said moving structure comprises: an oscillating
frame, substantially shaped as an "U", whose open side is apt of
being placed in front of said output edge of said transporting
conveyer, blocking means engaged by said oscillating frame and able
of selectively: - being arranged, at least partially, around and
into contact to the outer perimeter of said container, and of being
disengaged from said outer perimeter.
2. Apparatus according to claim wherein said blocking means do
comprise: one or more jaws arranged inside said oscillating frame
and able of being shifted with a translatory motion with respect to
the frame itself and be engaged and selectively be disengaged in a
controlled and simultaneous way, and on the same direction but with
opposed sense, against two opposed rims of said container, each of
said opposed rims being arranged on a respective plane
substantially parallel to the motion direction of said transporting
conveyor.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said jaws are partially
concave to the inner portion of said oscillating frame, and are
placed on the opposed sides of it.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said oscillating frame
is apt of rotating on an axis: orthogonal to said motion direction
of said transporting conveyor, and basically firm to the position
of said outlet edge.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said oscillating frame
is able to be rotated around said orthogonal axis through one or
more hydraulic cylinders, preferably by double effect, each of
which being engaged between a portion which preferably is a rear
portion, of said oscillating frame, and a respective resistance
point, which is solid to the structure of said apparatus.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a lifting
means: provided with a lifting surface which is basically flat,
arranged in correspondence and below said output edge of said
transporting conveyor, able of selectively lifting and lowering one
of said containers to the level wherein the respective upper rims
are raised to the level of said jaws .
7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein pneumatic or hydraulic
means are arranged, which are able of acting said jaws, and in that
said means are mounted on said oscillating frame.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it comprises command and
control means of said oscillating frame, of said jaws and of said
lifting surface able of acting them according to the sequence which
includes the following steps: a) loading the container on said
lifting surface when lowered, b) raising said lifting surface, and
subsequent stopping it, c) closing said jaws around the upper rims
of said container, d) rotating said oscillating frame to a
pre-determined inclination, e) acting said transportation conveyor
for a definite time interval depending on at least an external and
pre-defined variable, and successive stopping of said conveyor, f)
reverse rotation of said oscillating frame to the initial position,
g) opening of said jaws, h) lowering of said lifting surface, i)
unloading said container from said lifting surface.
9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said external and
pre-defined variable is, as alternative: a pre-defined time
interval, the volume of the products loaded into said container,
the weight of the products loaded into said container, the length
of the path of said conveyor, whose load is introduced into said
container between successive stops, a photocell or a functionally
equivalent device, able of measuring the filling level of the
container.
10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it comprises command
and control means able: of activating the motion of said conveyor
at the beginning of the rotation of said oscillating frame, and of
causing the activation of said hydraulic means so as said
oscillating frame is progressively rotated towards the starting
position during the operation of said conveyor.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the operation of said
conveyor and/or the rotational motion of said oscillating frame are
automatically made dependent on the detection of the
presence/absence of such products on the conveyor itself.
12. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it comprises a lifting
means: provided with a lifting surface which is basically flat,
arranged in correspondence and below said output edge of said
transporting conveyor, able of selectively lifting and lowering one
of said containers to the level wherein the respective upper rims
are raised to the level of said jaws.
13. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it comprises a lifting
means: provided with a lifting surface which is basically flat,
arranged in correspondence and below said output edge of said
transporting conveyor, able of selectively lifting and lowering one
of said containers to the level wherein the respective upper rims
are raised to the level of said jaws.
14. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein it comprises a lifting
means: provided with a lifting surface which is basically flat,
arranged in correspondence and below said output edge of said
transporting conveyor, able of selectively lifting and lowering one
of said containers to the level wherein the respective upper rims
are raised to the level of said jaws.
15. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it comprises a lifting
means: provided with a lifting surface which is basically flat,
arranged in correspondence and below said output edge of said
transporting conveyor, able of selectively lifting and lowering one
of said containers to the level wherein the respective upper rims
are raised to the level of said jaws.
16. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein pneumatic or hydraulic
means are arranged, which are able of acting said jaws, and in that
said means are mounted on said oscillating frame.
17. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein pneumatic or hydraulic
means are arranged, which are able of acting said jaws, and in that
said means are mounted on said oscillating frame.
18. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein pneumatic or hydraulic
means are arranged, which are able of acting said jaws, and in that
said means are mounted on said oscillating frame.
19. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein pneumatic or hydraulic
means are arranged, which are able of acting said jaws, and in that
said means are mounted on said oscillating frame.
20. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein pneumatic or hydraulic
means are arranged, which are able of acting said jaws, and in that
said means are mounted on said oscillating frame.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for
filling containers, in particular a special type of such
containers, used for the final packaging of horticultural vegetable
and/or fruit products of small size, and relative method of
operation.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] It is well known that in the field of packaging
horticultural products there is an extensive use of types of
containers that are filled in different ways according to both the
type of product to be collected and the characteristics of the
containers themselves.
[0003] Since said products are very delicate and everything
possible is done to prevent handling and moving them roughly, which
would inevitably damage at least their outer appearance, which is
important to classify the value of the same products, an
established method is to transfer said products through
conventional transporting conveyors, which at the end of their
travel unload them into the final containers.
[0004] Generally, said containers into which the products are
unloaded have a significant internal height, and thus it happens
that at the end of the conveyor the products, which drop directly
to the bottom of the container fall through the entire height of
the container, which means that in its fall the product naturally
reaches a certain speed.
[0005] Since said horticultural products are very often
intrinsically delicate, the impact caused by their fall damages
them unacceptably; all this is well known and therefore the subject
will not be treated further.
[0006] To avoid this problem, a known method is to incline the
containers at the end of the transporting conveyor so that the
individual products are prevented from dropping vertically, but are
released from the conveyor on an upper edge of one of its walls,
obviously inclined with respect to the relative vertical
position.
[0007] In effect, a vertical wall is turned into an inclined plane,
over the upper edge of which is released the product, which thus
rolls down without dropping to the bottom of the container.
[0008] This provides a simple and efficient solution to the problem
of the product freely falling into the container.
[0009] The solution of inclining the container has been widely
applied in the field, as for example is cited in patents EP 0 641
716, EP 1 007 410 B1, EP 0 352 841 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 3,040,826,
which are referred to for brevity.
[0010] However, in the case of packaging for final distribution
loose horticultural products of small size such as cherry tomatoes,
plums, cherries, etc., no large crates or bins, described in the
above-mentioned patents, are used, but small containers are mainly
used instead, in general small boxes made of thermoformed plastic,
not higher than 20 cm, having walls that are very flexible and
provide a minimal resistance to compression.
[0011] The present invention deals particularly with the filling of
such small boxes, although in general it can be used for cases or
bins of traditional type, and thus having a rigid structure and of
large dimensions. Therefore, herein will be described an
application aimed at such types of small boxes, although the
invention may apply in general to any other type of container.
[0012] For such specific application, the solutions described above
are not easily achieved due to two problems of different nature:
[0013] the first problem is due to the fact that the disclosed
apparatus requires, downstream of the transporting conveyor, a
considerable space for moving the boxes; however, in the case
involving the filling of plastic small boxes, the filling operation
is preferably, although not exclusively, carried out in storerooms
or places specialized for the purpose; in such places, as in all
industrial spaces, the available area must be used in the most
efficient and economic manner possible, and therefore in the
filling of the small boxes, which in the prior-art methods is
carried out with the apparatus facing the product feeding conveyor,
there is a substantially lowered overall efficiency of the
apparatus; [0014] the second problem lies in the fact that the same
prior-art devices are rather slow, as they are designed to process
boxes of large size, but most of all they are complex and costly,
both in terms of construction and operation.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Thus it would be desirable--and it is in fact the main
objective of the present invention--to provide a type of apparatus
for filling small containers, or also boxes or similar containers,
with horticultural products, that resolves the drawbacks described
above and makes it possible to rapidly fill a large number of small
containers, that requires a minimum space, and that is very simple,
economical and flexible to use for filling small containers of
different sizes.
[0016] This objective is achieved with the type of apparatus
provided and operating so as to use at least one horizontal
conveyor, a moving structure arranged at the output edge of said
conveyor and provided with displacement and engaging means for
inclining, through a partial rotation, a container from a first
inclined position with respect to the horizontal plane, in which
the rim of the container remains contiguous to the output edge of
the conveyor, and subsequent working positions in which the same
container is moved progressively through less inclined positions
until it returns to the normal horizontal position, and in which
said moving structure includes a U-shaped oscillating frame whose
open side can be arranged in front of said output edge of the
conveyor; blocking means are provided to be supported by said
oscillating frame and suitable to selectively engage and disengage
the outer perimeter of the container so as to initially rotate the
container to a pre-determined inclination and subsequently return
it by reverse rotation to the normal position, in which the
container is released and removed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Characteristics and advantages of the invention will become
evident from the following description, given by way of
non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in
which:
[0018] FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate separate perspective views, taken
from the same viewing position, of the inventive apparatus in seven
subsequent steps of operation;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, taken from a viewing position
opposite to the one of the previous figures, of the inventive
apparatus in the operating step of FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view, taken from a viewing
position opposite to the one of FIG. 4, of the inventive apparatus
in the operating step of FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view, from a viewing
position opposite to the one of FIG. 5, of the inventive apparatus
in the operating step of FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates the exploded view of the apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0023] FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate two schematic elevational views
and plane projections on a vertical plane of a detail of the
inventive apparatus, in two respective steps of operation;
[0024] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate two schematic plane views from
above of a portion of the inventive apparatus in two subsequent
steps of operation corresponding respectively to FIGS. 12A and
12B.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0025] With reference to the figures, an apparatus for filling with
loose horticultural products each of a plurality of containers
and/or small boxes, preferably made of plastic, in succession
comprises: [0026] at least one transporting conveyor 1 that runs on
a horizontal plane on a closed path; [0027] at least one moving
structure arranged at the output edge 2 of said conveyor 1, and
provided with displacement and engaging means that allow it to
oscillate the container in an articulated manner as it will be
described later.
[0028] Said moving structure includes: [0029] an oscillating frame
10 formed substantially in a "U" shape (see FIGS. 13A and 13B) and
in which the open side 11 is suitable to position itself in front
of said output edge 2 of said transporting conveyor 1; [0030] at
least one, but preferably at least two blocking means 12, 13
supported by said oscillating frame 10.
[0031] The oscillating frame 10 is suitable to be rotated, by known
means, in a plurality of reciprocally angular positions around a
single axis "Z" integral with the apparatus and parallel to, and
therefore integral with, said output edge 2, and specifically:
[0032] from a first raised position, as in FIGS. 4 and 9, in which
the plane of the loading aperture "V" of the container is inclined,
at a maximum pre-defined angle "A", with respect to the plane of
said conveyor 1, and with said loading aperture "V" remaining
contiguous to the output edge 2 of said conveyor; [0033] to
subsequent working positions in which said container moves through
progressively less inclined positions, until it reaches the
position of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, or substantially horizontal (at
the end or at the beginning of the filling step).
[0034] The blocking means 12 and 13, as shown, consist of
respective partially concave jaws, with the concave surface turned
toward the inside of the oscillating frame 10 and are arranged at
the opposite internal sides of the frame, and specifically at the
two sides 10A and 10B that make up the opposite arms of said
oscillating frame 10 defined as "U" shaped.
[0035] Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment as shown in
the figures, the assembly formed by the oscillating frame 10 and
the jaws 12 and 13 is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane
passing through the centre line of the conveyor 1; the intersection
of said vertical plane with said conveyor is shown in FIG. 1 by the
cross-sectional line "X".
[0036] FIGS. 13A and 13B, which illustrate schematically said two
jaws 12, 13 viewed from above, also show that each of them is
provided, in the relative central part, with a rectilinear profile
12A and 13A; said profiles are shaped and dimensioned so that each
jaw can adapt itself around a corresponding opposite vertical side
20A, 20B of a container 20 inserted inside and in the central area
of the oscillating frame 10.
[0037] Each of said jaws is provided with known displacement and
engagement means, suitable to displace it, in a translational and
rectilinear manner, through respective paths P1, P2, from a first
position defined here as "open", as in FIGS. 1, 12A and 13A, to a
second position defined here as "closed", as in FIGS. 3, 12B and
13B.
[0038] In the "open" position said jaws are drawn back and
displaced toward said respective opposite arms of the "U" on the
oscillating frame 10, which leaves the container 20 completely free
and disengaged from the oscillating frame 10 and from the two jaws,
as in FIGS. 2, 6, 12A and 13A; when said jaws are displaced to the
"closed" position, they are displaced with a controlled and
simultaneous, and preferably symmetrical, movement, toward the
centre, and they close in toward the respective sides 20A and 20B
of the container 20, which is thus caught between them; given the
geometry of the components described and involved, and shown in the
figures, it is evident that said jaws are always displaced with a
motion which is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the
transporting conveyor 1, shown by said cross-sectional line "X" in
FIG. 13A.
[0039] Thus said jaws perform selectively and alternatively a
rectilinear motion, moving reciprocally closer to each other and
reciprocally apart from each other.
[0040] The reciprocal dimensions and the geometry of said container
and of said jaws, and their relative movements, are such that when
the container itself is in a suitable raised position, which will
be better detailed later, the passage of said jaws from the "open"
position to the "closed" position (see FIGS. 3, 12B, 13B) brings
the jaws in contact with the sides 20A, 20B of the container in a
particular position; in fact, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the
containers used in the apparatus of the invention are empty
parallelepiped containers, whose opposite sides 20A, 20B are
provided, on the respective upper edges, with respective engaging
rims 20A-A and 20B-B configured as outwardly and horizontal
projections (with the container in a normal resting position on a
horizontal plane) of the respective sides.
[0041] Said engaging rims, which resemble typical "collars", work
therefore like "handles" that are engaged by the respective jaws
12, 13 which insert immediately below the engaging rims and clasp
them firmly.
[0042] In this operation, said jaws are limited to coming into
contact with the respective sides 20A, 20B of the container 20
preventing to squeeze them, since the simple lifting of the jaws
immediately brings the respective upper faces 12A, 13A (FIGS. 12A,
12B) into engagement with the lower faces of the respective
engaging rims 20A-A and 20B-B, which in effect allows the lifting
or partial rotation of the container without squeezing it, which is
in fact the desired effect.
[0043] Preferably, in order to actuate in a controlled mode the
movement and synchronism of said jaws, appropriate double-acting
pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 35, 36 (see FIGS. 1, 3) are
arranged on said oscillating frame 10; such double-acting pneumatic
or hydraulic cylinders 35, 36 offer an improvement in the operating
speed of the jaws 12, 13 as well as a perfect synchronism of their
movements, which is necessary to prevent the possibility that an
asymmetric displacement of the jaws causes a displacement of the
container from the correct position in the loading phase.
[0044] Advantageously, said oscillating frame 10 is operated in a
rotational motion around said orthogonal axis "Z" by means of one
or more hydraulic cylinders 40, 41, (see FIGS. 1, 4), preferably of
double-acting type, each of which being engaged between a portion,
preferably a rear portion 40A, 40B, of said oscillating frame, and
a respective resistance point 40B, 41B, integral with the structure
of said apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 8.
[0045] Moreover, in order to pick said container 20 by selecting it
from a succession of similar containers, the apparatus includes
lifting means provided with a substantially flat lifting surface
45, shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 9, arranged at and below said output
edge 2 of said transporting conveyor 1 and suitable to selectively
lift and lower one of said containers and/or small boxes in a
controlled manner.
[0046] Said lifting surface 45 is operated, with known means, so as
to be supplied, in a lowered position, with a single container at a
time by suitable feeding means that supply said surface 45 with the
individual separate containers.
[0047] After said surface 45 is loaded with a single container, it
is lifted to a level in which the respective engaging rims 20A-A
and 20B-B rise up to the level of said jaws 12, 13, and
specifically up to the engaging level as previously explained, as
is clearly shown in FIG. 2.
[0048] In effect, said surface 45 forms a simple hoisting table
that lifts every container to a level suitable for the correct
operation of said oscillating frame 10; in fact, the oscillating
frame, after having held the respective engaging rims 20A-A and
20B-B (FIG. 3) by means of said jaws 12 and 13, is rotated toward
the conveyor 1 so as to be set at the desired inclination (FIG. 4);
the filling of the container begins immediately after the start of
rotation of the frame, and continues during the whole phase of
rotation of the same and, if necessary, even after the container
has been rotated to the stable position at its maximum
inclination.
[0049] When the filling of the container is completed, the
oscillating frame returns in reverse rotation to its initial
position, in which said container rests again on the surface 45, as
in FIG. 5; immediately after this, the jaws 12 and 13 open and free
the container 20 from the frame 10 (FIG. 6), and subsequently said
surface 45 is lowered again to the starting position (FIG. 7), from
where the newly filled container is removed, and in its place is
brought an empty container to begin another filling cycle.
[0050] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate, from a different perspective
angle, the steps of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, respectively, and thus their
detailed explanation is omitted.
[0051] It will be readily understood by the skilled person that the
basic function of said surface 45 is to bring each container in
succession to the working position, and thus it works as a
"loader"; the fact that it works only vertically is dictated by the
requirement of taking up the least possible useful space on the
horizontal plane.
[0052] It has to be noted that the apparatus of the invention
utilizes three separate mechanisms, each of which performing a
separate function: [0053] the oscillating frame 10 moves with a
partial rotation, that is, an "oscillation" about the "Z" axis
integral with the apparatus; [0054] the two jaws 12 and 13 move in
synchronism with a reciprocal movement apart from and toward each
other, and are displaced with respect to the opposite sides of said
frame 10 by which they are supported. Thus it can be said that said
jaws can perform a double movement: a movement of their own with
respect to the frame and a motion induced by the oscillation of the
frame with respect to the apparatus; however, for what concerns the
control of said jaws, their movement is a simple alternating
rectilinear movement of translation with respect to said frame 10
since they are supported by the frame 10; [0055] the third movement
regards the lifting/lowering of the lifting surface 45. As
explained above, said single functional assemblies are provided
with respective operating means, known per se or explicitly
described above.
[0056] However, in order to perform the general function required,
said functional assemblies must be able to sequence their operating
steps in a logical manner, thus also achieving a more effective
step-by-step synchronization.
[0057] For this purpose, the apparatus is provided with known
command and control means that process the control signals that
must be sent to each of said functional assemblies to implement the
designated method, which is made up of the following individual
steps briefly described herebelow with reference to the enclosed
figures: [0058] a) Loading the container 20 onto the lowered
lifting surface 45, FIG. 1; [0059] b) Raising said lifting surface
45 and stopping it at the predetermined level, FIG. 2; [0060] c)
Closing said jaws 12, 13 around the upper rims 20A-A and 20B-B of
said container/small box 20, FIGS. 3, 8; [0061] d) Rotating said
oscillating frame 10 to a predetermined inclination, FIGS. 4, 9;
[0062] e) Actuating said transporting conveyor 1 for a time
depending on at least one predefined external variable, or until a
predefined moment, so as to ensure the desired filling of the
container with the horticultural products, and subsequently
stopping the conveyor 1. Said predefined variable, or said
predefined moment, are implemented in a manner that is functional
only to the purpose of ensuring the filling of the container; since
they are per se known, they do not belong to the present invention;
for the purpose of general information alone, it is pointed out
that said predefined variable can be based on: [0063] a predefined
time interval; [0064] the volume of the products loaded into said
container 20; [0065] the weight of the products loaded into the
container; [0066] the length of the travel of said conveyor,
wherein the container is loaded between two subsequent stops;
[0067] a photocell connected to said conveyor, or a functionally
equivalent device, capable of measuring the filling level of the
container.
[0068] As mentioned above, the transporting conveyor can also start
to fill the container right at the start of its rotation phase:
[0069] f) Reverse rotation of the oscillating frame 10 to return to
the initial position, in which the bottom of the container rests
again on the surface 45, FIGS. 5, 10; [0070] g) Opening said jaws
12, 13, FIG. 6; [0071] h) Lowering said lifting surface 45, FIG.
7.
[0072] It will be noted that the function identified as "e" in the
above list of steps, and which does not have a representative
figure of its own--that is, the programmed operation of the
conveyor--is not a function included among the first three listed
above; nevertheless it has been included because it must be
sequenced and synchronized with the other functional assemblies
described, so as to be able to carry out all the actions necessary
for the purpose of filling each container as described; therefore
this demonstrates the necessity that said command and control means
do not control only the three functional assemblies described, but
that they are integrated with the rest of the functional components
of the whole apparatus.
[0073] In particular, the presence of means suitable to sense the
presence, or the absence of products on the transporting conveyor,
especially means like the above-mentioned photocell, offers the
possibility of having an advantageous and improved functional mode;
this consists of the fact that when said photocell senses the
absence of products on the conveyor, the signal produced and
transmitted by the same photocell can be used to interrupt both the
movement of the conveyor itself, and also, or alternatively, the
rotational movement of the oscillating frame and thus of the
respective container. In practice, if there is no product detected
on the conveyor, both the movement of the conveyor and the movement
of the container can be temporarily stopped (as if placed on
stand-by), until new product is sensed on the conveyor, which
causes the automatic resumption of operation of the complete
apparatus.
[0074] It must also be made clear that the geometrical
architecture, the installation and the functionality of said jaws
12 and 13 can be validly and identically substituted by any means
suitable to implement the same function, as for example a pair of
tongs, or clamps, etc.
* * * * *