U.S. patent number 3,580,442 [Application Number 04/718,732] was granted by the patent office on 1971-05-25 for method and apparatus for transferring articles and the like.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Packaging Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Fred P. Brown, Jr., Howard A. Rohdin.
United States Patent |
3,580,442 |
Rohdin , et al. |
May 25, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ARTICLES AND THE LIKE
Abstract
The method and apparatus of the disclosure relate to the
transfer of articles that are formed in a predetermined array at a
fixed center-to-center relationship to form another predetermined
array of articles which have a center-to-center relationship
different from the first predetermined array. The apparatus
includes at least one transfer arm, that is equipped with a suction
cup for pulling an individual article from its position in the
first predetermined array, and for holding the article while it is
transferred from that position to a position in the second
predetermined array.
Inventors: |
Rohdin; Howard A. (Waquoit,
MA), Brown, Jr.; Fred P. (Centerville, MA) |
Assignee: |
Packaging Industries, Inc.
(Hyannis, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
24887274 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/718,732 |
Filed: |
April 4, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
225/2; 198/458;
225/3; 225/99; 414/736; 198/468.3; 225/101; 414/737 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B
43/46 (20130101); Y10T 225/12 (20150401); Y10T
225/343 (20150401); Y10T 225/357 (20150401); Y10T
225/14 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B65B
43/42 (20060101); B65B 43/46 (20060101); B26f
003/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;225/99,98,100,101,4,5,1,106,2,3 ;83/107,103 ;198/30,34 ;93/36
(A)/ |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Meister; James M.
Claims
It is claimed:
1. The method of transferring a plurality of articles arranged in a
medium in the form of a first array of articles from the medium to
their respective positions in a second array having article
positions spaced in a center-to-center relationship along a line
extending through the centers thereof different than the
center-to-center relationship in the first array, comprising the
steps of:
a. supplying the medium;
b. engaging each article of the first array at the article transfer
location with a vacuum cup device positioned adjacent to the
article and applying a vacuum to the vacuum cup device;
c. removing the article from the medium and carrying it at an angle
to the first line to another article location to form a second
array of articles thereat, each article of the second array at the
other article location having a different predetermined
center-to-center relationship with respect to one another along a
second line extending through the centers thereof than that of the
array being supplied, whereby the plurality of articles are
transferred from the first array to the second array
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the articles being
transferred while being advanced in the direction of travel from
the first array to the second array are simultaneously moved in a
direction orthogonally thereto.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein predetermined fractions
of the plurality of articles are removed from a continuous medium
and transferred to their respective positions in the other
array.
4. In a blister packaging operation, the method of transferring a
plurality of blisters formed in a sheet of blister material and
arranged therein in an array, from the sheet to positions in
another array spaced in a center-to-center relationship different
than the spacing of the blisters formed in the sheet, comprising
the steps of:
a. supplying the sheet;
b. engaging the blister with a vacuum means in order to separate
the blisters from the sheet;
c. moving the separated blisters away from the sheet in a first
direction; and
d. moving the separated blisters in a second direction different
than said first direction prior to releasing the blisters in the
other array thereby changing the center-to-center relationship.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the resultant motion of
a blister during the moving steps is vectorially resolvable into
motion components having mutually orthogonal directions.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein predetermined fractions
of the plurality of blisters are removed from the sheet and
transferred to their respective positions in the other array.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein rows of at least two
end and a middle adjacently spaced blister indentations formed on
the sheet are supplied, a plurality of indentations at a time, and
removed and transferred therefrom, and which further includes the
steps of transferring the end blisters in each row in directions
that differ from the direction of transfer taken by the middle
blister.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein rows of adjacent
blister indentations formed on the sheet are supplied, a plurality
of indentations at a time, and removed and transferred
therefrom.
9. An article transfer machine for transferring articles from means
for supplying a plurality of articles arranged in an array of
articles, said machine comprising means for separating articles
from the plurality of articles being supplied, means for moving the
separated articles away from the supply in one direction and means
for simultaneously moving the separated articles in another
direction orthogonal to the one direction during the movement of
the articles to their respective positions in another array, the
article positions in the other array being spaced in a
center-to-center relationship different from the center-to-center
relationship of the articles in the supplied array.
10. An article transfer machine in accordance with claim 9 and
further comprising means for receiving the other predetermined
array of articles.
11. An article transfer machine in accordance with claim 9 in which
said moving means includes transfer arm means for conveying a
supplied article from its position in the array to its position in
the other array.
12. An article transfer machine in accordance with claim 11 in
which said transfer arm means includes means for picking up a
supplied article.
13. An article transfer machine in accordance with claim 12 and
including:
i. means for supporting said picking up means for movement with
respect to said transfer arm means, and
ii. means mounted on said supporting means for moving said picking
up means with respect to said transfer arm means in a direction at
an angle to the direction of the movement of said transfer arm
means as said transfer arm means conveys a supplied article,
whereby said moving means causes the center-to-center relationship
of the other array to be different from that of the array.
14. An article transfer machine in accordance with claim 11,
wherein said moving means includes means for imparting cyclic
motion to said transfer arm means, said imparting means being so
constructed and arranged that said transfer arm means in response
thereto undergoes resultant motion that is vectorially resolvable
into motion components having mutually orthogonal directions,
thereby to convey a supplied article from a position in the array
to a position in the other array.
15. An article transfer machine in accordance with claim 14 wherein
said imparting means includes:
i. means for supporting said transfer arm means;
ii. means for moving said supporting means; and
iii. means for guiding said transfer arm means in the direction of
said resultant motion during the motion of said support means.
16. An article transfer machine for transferring articles from a
means for supplying a plurality of articles arranged in a medium to
form an array of articles, said machine comprising:
means for separating the supplied articles from the medium and for
moving the separated articles to their respective positions in
another array, the article positions in other array being spaced in
a center-to-center relationship that is different from the
center-to-center relationship of the articles in the array, said
separating and moving means including:
i. a stationary support means;
ii. mounting plate means slidably positioned on said support
means;
iii. means for reciprocating said plate means;
iiii. a bearing secured to said plate means;
v. a rotatable shaft journaled in said bearing;
vi. transfer arm means mounted on said shaft and rotating therewith
for conveying a separated article from its position in the array to
its position in the other array, said arm means adapted to move
longitudinally on said shaft during movement of said plate means,
said arm means including vacuum-operated means for picking up a
supplied article;
vii. and means responsive to the rotation of said shaft in a first
direction for rotating said vacuum-operated means in a second
direction, said rotating means including a member pivotally mounted
on said mounting plate means and an elongated guide shaft secured
to said device means and slidably journaled through said
member.
17. An article transfer apparatus for transferring an article from
means for supplying a plurality of articles on a web, said
apparatus comprising means for removing the articles from the web
and for transferring the removed articles by first rotating them
away from the supply and further moving the articles in a direction
extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, thereby
to form an array of consecutive rows of individual articles spaced
in a center-to-center relationship different from that of the
articles being supplied.
18. A blister transfer apparatus for transferring a blister from
means for supplying a web having formed thereon a plurality of
blisters, said apparatus comprising means including means for
removing the blisters from the web and means for transferring the
removed blisters by first rotating them away from the supply and
further moving the articles in a direction extending substantially
parallel to the axis of rotation, thereby to form an array of rows
of individual blisters spaced in a center-to-center relationship
different from that in the web.
19. The blister transfer apparatus according to claim 18 in which
the means for transferring the removed blisters includes at least
one transfer arm means for conveying a removed blister along a path
which varies from the path along which the web is supplied.
20. The blister transfer apparatus according to claim 18 in which
said means for transferring the removed blisters includes:
i. a rotatable shaft;
ii. at least one transfer arm mounted on the shaft and adapted to
be moved longitudinally on the shaft for conveying a removed
blister along a path which varies in direction from that of the
path along which the web is supplied;
iii. means for rotating the shaft; and
iiii. means for moving said transfer arm longitudinally on the
shaft as said transfer arm conveys a removed blister.
21. The blister transfer apparatus according to claim 18 in which
said means for transferring the removed blisters includes:
i. a guide rod which varies in direction from the path along which
the web is supplied;
ii. a transfer arm journaled on said rod for conveying removed
blisters along the varying paths; and
iii. means for moving said transfer arm with respect to said
rod.
22. A machine for transferring articles from means for supplying
articles to a first location comprising:
a. a carriage,
b. means for conveying said carriage along a path of travel
extending from the first location to a second location spaced apart
therefrom,
c. means mounted upon said carriage for selectively engaging an
article at the first location and during the conveying of said
conveying means between the first location and the second location
and for disengaging the article at the second location, said means
for selectively engaging and disengaging an article comprises:
i. a vacuum cup device facing the article to be transferred,
and
ii. means for selectively applying vacuum to said cup device at the
first location and during the conveying of said carriage between
the first and second location and for terminating the vacuum
applied to said cup device at the second location, and
iii. means for selectively advancing said vacuum cup device
adjacent to the article at the first location and for retracting
said cup device during the conveying to the second station, and
d. means for moving said article engaging and disengaging means
with respect to said carriage in a direction extending at an angle
to the direction of carriage travel, whereby the movement of said
article engaging and disengaging means with respect to said
carriage causes the position of the article with respect to the
path of conveying of said carriage to vary between the first and
second locations.
23. A machine in accordance with claim 22 in which said advancing
and retracting means is advanced at the second location to deposit
the article upon a receiving surface.
24. A machine in accordance with claim 22 in which said advancing
and retracting means comprises an actuator device for advancing
said cup device away from said carriage and for retracting said cup
d3vice toward said carriage.
25. A machine in accordance with claim 22 in which said means for
moving said article engaging and disengaging means with respect to
said carriage means comprises a guide member coupled to said
engaging and disengaging means and extending at an angle to the
direction of travel of said carriage, whereby said guide member
directs the position of the article with respect to the path of
conveying to vary between the first and second locations.
26. The method of transferring a plurality of articles comprising
the steps of:
a. supplying an array of articles which have a predetermined
center-to-center relationship to an article transfer location;
b. picking up articles from the array and moving it to an article
position to form another array of articles; and
c. changing the center-to-center relationship of the articles for
at least a portion of the movement of the articles from the array
to the other array by simultaneously moving the articles with
respect to one another in a direction orthogonal to that of moving
the articles to the article position during the movement of the
articles to the article position.
27. In a blister packaging operation, the method of transferring a
plurality of blisters formed in a sheet of blister material and
arranged therein in an array with a predetermined center-to-center
relationship between adjacent blisters, the blisters being
transferred from the sheet to positions in another array comprising
the steps of:
a. supplying the sheet;
b. separating the blisters from the sheet;
c. transferring the separated blisters to their respective
positions in the other array; and
d. changing the center-to-center relationship of the separated
blisters for at least a portion of the movement of the separated
blisters being transferred to the other array by moving the
articles with respect to one another in a direction different than
that of moving the articles to the article position.
28. An article transfer machine for transferring articles from
means for supplying a plurality of articles arranged in an array of
articles, said machine comprising:
a. means for separating articles from the plurality of articles
being supplied;
b. means for moving the separated articles to their respective
positions in another array; and
c. means for changing the center-to-center relationship of the
separated articles for at least a portion of the movement of the
articles to the other array by moving the articles with respect to
one another in a direction orthogonal to that of moving the
articles to the article position.
29. A machine for transferring articles comprising:
i. a rotatable shaft;
ii. means for reciprocating said shaft about its longitudinal
axis;
iii. a transfer arm mounted adjacent one end thereof on said shaft
and moving therewith;
iiii. means pivotally mounted adjacent the other end of said
transfer arm for engaging an article to be transferred, said
engaging means having the engaging portion thereof maintained at a
fixed distance from the pivotal connection therebetween;
iiiii. a guide block pivotally mounted with respect to the frame of
the machine; and
iiiiii. means for pivotally and slidingly connecting said engaging
means for said guide block to cause said engaging means to revolve
in a direction opposite to that of said rotatable shaft and
transfer the article.
30. A machine for transferring articles in accordance with claim 29
wherein said engaging means in response to said connecting means
faces in a substantially horizontal direction when engaging the
formed article to be transferred and faces downwardly in a
substantially vertical position when releasing the article which
has been transferred.
31. A machine for transferring articles in accordance with claim 29
wherein said engaging means comprises a vacuum pickup means.
32. A machine for transferring articles in accordance with claim 31
which further includes means for applying vacuum between said
pickup means and the article during engagement and transferring of
the article and for terminating the vacuum between said pickup
means the article when releasing and depositing the article.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for
transferring articles, and in particular to apparatus, used in a
blister packaging machine, for transferring blisters from a
predetermined array of blisters each of which are located at a
given center-to-center relationship to form another predetermined
array of blisters which may have a different center-to-center
relationship.
A method of packaging and a packaging machine, used in blister
packaging operations, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,970,414
issued on Feb. 7, 1961, to H. A. Rohdin, a coinventor of the
present invention. In this packaging operation, a plurality of
blisters are formed in a sheet of plastic material. The plurality
of blisters can be formed in a plurality of rows, parallel rows, or
staggered in a repeated pattern. The sheet of plastic material is
hereinafter referred to as a "web;" as used in this specification
and the appended claims, a "web" includes a sheet having formed
thereon at least one row of articles.
Referring to the above-identified packaging operation, a web having
a plurality of rows of blisters is slit into separate webs
comprised of rows of blisters. The separate webs are then diverged
and blisters are cut therefrom to form rows of individual blisters,
that can be filled with a consumer product and sealed to a backing
card thereby to form a complete blister package. In a related
packaging operation, the separate webs are converged prior to the
cutting of individual blisters therefrom. Where the blisters have a
deep form, the material taken from between the rows in making the
deep form forms a gap between the rows into which the rows can be
converged.
Slitting the web, diverging or converging the web, and cutting
individual blisters therefrom can create difficulties in
maintaining a given flange width or the blisters being cut. The
packaging operation can be modified by placing perforations on a
web which has formed thereon a plurality of rows of blisters; the
perforations are placed between the blisters formed on the web;
these perforations can be made at the same time that the blisters
are formed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a novel method
for transferring articles.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel
apparatus for transferring articles. It is still another object of
the invention to provide a method and apparatus for transferring
articles from a first predetermined array, that has a fixed
center-to-center relationship among the articles, to form a second
predetermined array of articles, that have a different
center-to-center relationship.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and
apparatus for separating blisters from a web, and for transferring
the separated blisters to form an array of individual blisters,
that have a different center-to-center relationship from the
corresponding relationship in the web.
It is an additional object of the invention to converge or diverge
articles as they are moved along an arcuate path from one location
to another location.
It is a further object of the invention to converge or diverge
articles as they are moved along converging or diverging paths of
travel extending from one location to another location.
In accordance with the invention, a method for transferring a
plurality of articles comprises the steps of supplying a
predetermined array of articles which have a fixed center-to-center
relationship to an article transfer location. The method
additionally includes the step of picking up an article and moving
it to an article position to form at least one other predetermined
array of articles which have a center-to-center relationship
different from the center-to-center relationship in the first
predetermined array.
Further objects and a more complete understanding of the invention
are held by reference to the specification and claims, taken in
conjunction with the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an article
transfer apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention,
showing blisters being separated from a web of blisters.
FIG. 2 shows a web that has consecutive parallel rows of plastic
blisters formed thereon.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the article transfer apparatus of
FIG. 1, showing blisters being delivered to a conveyor after being
diverged with respect to one another.
FIG. 4 shows a fragmentary plan view of another embodiment of
article transfer apparatus constructed in accordance with the
invention.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the FIG. 4
apparatus.
FIG. 6 shows a plan view in greater detail of the FIG. 4
apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a vertical section view taken along the line 7-7 in FIG.
6 and showing the transferred articles being lowered to a conveyor
belt.
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a motion-imparting mechanism
which can be used in the FIG. 1 apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a section view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 11.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
motion-imparting mechanism, that can be used in FIG. 1
apparatus.
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the motion-imparting mechanism,
described with reference to FIG. 8, that has been modified to
include apparatus for imparting eccentric motion.
FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the device to shift the arm of
the transfer apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a portion of an embodiment of the
invention similar to that of FIG. 4 but being adapted to converge
rows of blisters during transfer.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
One embodiment of an article transfer apparatus 20 constructed in
accordance with the invention, and incorporated in the packaging
machine disclosed in the above-referenced patent, is shown in FIG.
1. The apparatus 20 is specifically used for transferring blisters
21 from a web 22 of plastic material (FIG. 2); perforations or
slits 23 extend between blisters 21.
The article transfer apparatus 20 includes a means 24 for supplying
the web 22, for example, a storage cabinet 25, that encloses an
inventoried web roll, that is advanced out of the cabinet 25 by
motor driven roller 27 (FIG. 1). The apparatus 20 additionally
comprises a means 28, including means for removing blisters 21 from
the web 22, for transferring the removed blisters 21 along mutually
diverging paths, for example, transfer arms 29, 30, each equipped
with vacuum device means 31, 32, respectively, such as suction cups
33, 34, coupled by vacuum lines 35, 36 to a vacuum source (not
shown). Mechanical grippers can be used in place of the vacuum
devices to engage the blisters during the transfer.
In addition, the apparatus 20 includes means 37 for moving the
transfer arm; specific embodiments of the means 37 are described
more fully below, with reference to FIGS. 8--12.
In the operation of the article transfer apparatus 20, suction cups
33, 34 are positioned into contact with blisters 21 in web 22 (FIG.
1); the vacuum source is turned on, enabling the suction cups 33,
34 to pick up the pair of blisters when the transfer arms are
actuated. When the transfer arms 29, 30 are rotated in the
direction of the solid curved arrows in FIG. 1 and laterally
separated by moving means 37 in the direction of the solid straight
arrows in FIG. 1, the web is fractured along the lateral and
transverse perforations 23 to remove the blisters 22 from the web,
and to transfer the blisters along mutually diverging paths to
conveyor belts 38, 39 (FIG. 3) which are driven by motor 2); driven
roller 40. When the vacuum source is turned off, the blisters 21
are released from the suction cups 33, 34 into apertures 41 in
belts 38, 39. The transfer arms 29 and 30 are then returned in the
direction of the dashed line arrows in FIG. 3 to their initial
positions, preparatory to starting the next blister transfer
cycle.
The belts 38, 39 carry consecutive parallel rows of individual
blisters, spaced at centers larger than the blister center spacing
in the web 22, to the work areas where consumer products are
packaged in the individual blisters.
The rate of web supply from roller 27, the motion of transfer arms
29, 30 and the rate of advance of conveyor belts 38, 39 are
synchronized by the packaging machine timer apparatus, such as
described in detail in the above-referenced patent.
Referring now to FIGS. 8--11, there is illustrated two embodiments
of means 37 for laterally moving the transfer arms 29 and/or 30.
Thus either one or both of the transfer arms can be moved laterally
with respect to the line of travel of the web. The first embodiment
(FIG. 8) which corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and
3, includes a mounting plate means 42 slidably positioned in the
channel 43 of a stationary support means 44, that is secured to a
table 45. The mounting plate 42 slides back and forth in channel 43
in response to the activation of air cylinder 46, that has a
piston, whose throw determines the center-to-center spacing of the
consecutive rows of individual blisters. The piston rod 47 of air
cylinder 46 is secured to the vertical arm 48 of the plate 42.
Alternatively, an electromechanical device such as a solenoid can
be used in place of air cylinder 46.
Pillow block 49a, spaced from vertical arm 48, is secured by cap
screws 50 to the plate 42. A shaft 51 is journaled through the
bearing of the pillow block 49a. Shaft 51 is driven by actuator 51a
connected by device 51b to crank arm 51c attached to the shaft. The
transfer arms 29, 30 (transfer arm 30 not shown in FIG. 8) are
slidably mounted on the shaft 51. Arm 29 contains a keyway which
slidably engages key 52 (FIGS. 8 and 9), that is fixedly positioned
in keyway 52aformed in shaft 51.
Transfer arms 29, 30 are equipped with suction cups 33, 34 (suction
cup 34 not shown in FIG. 8), respectively. The mounting arrangement
is the same for each transfer arm 29, 30, consequently only
transfer arm 29 is described in detail. The suction cup 33 is
mechanically secured to a bracket 53, that is mounted on a
rotatable pin 54, journaled in the transfer arm 29; a member 55 is
mounted on the other end of the pin 54.
A guide shaft 56 is seated in member 55 and is slidably journaled
in a movable member 57, which has pivot pin 58 journaled or
pivotally mounted in the vertical arm 48 of the mounting plate 42.
The bracket 53, the members 55, 57, the rotatable pin 54, the pivot
pin 58, and the shaft 56 comprises a means, responsive to the
rotation of the shaft 51 in a first direction, for rotating the
suction cups 33 in a second direction.
Arm 29 having base portion 29a can be slidably mounted with respect
to shaft 51 and driven thereby as shown in the right side of FIG.
12 as viewed in the patent drawings. Thus base portions 29a (FIG.
8) is pivotally supported within pillow block 49a mounted on plate
42 by capscrew 50. The sliding coupling between shaft 51 and base
portion 29a is provided by key 52 in keyway 52a (FIG. 9).
In operation, shaft 51 is indexed in the clockwise direction (as
viewed in the position shown in FIG. 8) to move suction cup 33
adjacent to a blister 21 in web 22 (blister 21 and web 22 not shown
in FIG. 8); the suction cup 33 is actuated to pick up the blister
21, and the shaft 51 is then indexed in the counterclockwise
direction to rotate the transfer arm 29; at this time, guide shaft
56 slides into member 57, and member 57 pivots in the clockwise
direction; pin 54 also rotates in the clockwise direction, thereby
rotating member 55 and bracket 53 in that direction; consequently,
as transfer arm 29 rotates counterclockwise, suction cup 33 rotates
clockwise. Shaft 51 is indexed in the counterclockwise direction,
until the blister 21 held by suction cup 33 is parallel to the
plane of conveyor belt 38 (not shown in FIG. 8).
Air cylinder 46 can be activated at any time during the
counterclockwise rotation of the transfer arm 29 to drive piston
rod 47 to the right or left as viewed in FIG. 8, thereby moving
transfer separated 29 longitudinally on shaft 51. In this way
blister 21 is carried along a path which converges or diverges from
the path taken by transfer arm 29 to a position directly on a
receiving surface such as a table or in an aperture 41 in conveyor
belt 38. The suction cup 33 is then deactuated to release blister
21. Air cylinder 46 is deactivated, and the shaft 51 is indexed in
a clockwise direction to return the transfer arm means 29 to its
initial position, preparatory to initiating the next blister
transfer operation. When the rows of blisters are separated prior
to transfer, as for example, when the material between rows of
blisters is consumed during the working of blisters with a deep
form, the air cylinder can be actuated to cause arm 29 to converge
with respect to arm 30. In addition to delivering the blisters to a
conveyor, the machine of the invention can deliver the blisters to
any other receiving surface such as table, moving belt or a web of
plastic material.
FIG. 10 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 8. Support
105 includes a track 105a in which is mounted base 107 of suction
cup 108. Piston rod 109 of cylinder 110 is connected to base 107.
The cylinder which is mounted upon bracket 111 extending from
support 105 enables base 107 to be reciprocated in track 106 in the
direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 10.
Pin 54 is pivotally mounted with respect to arm 29 and is connected
to bracket 111 of support 105. Shaft 56 which is coupled to member
55 controls the motion of support 105 and thereby suction cup 108
when arm 29 is reciprocated by the motion imparted to shaft 51 by
means of crank 112. Thus the control of support 105 by the
connection thereto from pin 54 is similar to that discussed above
with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 8.
With the embodiment of Fig. 10 it can be seen that suction cup 108
can be reciprocated along track 15a without requiring the
reciprocation of the linkage connected to arm 29 including pin 54
and without requiring the reciprocation of arm 29 itself. When it
is desired to have reciprocating suction cups 108 along with a
nonreciprocating suction cup 109, base 107 of suction cup 109 can
be fixed with respect to support 105. By the provision of
additional cylinders 100 for reciprocating bases 107, more than one
reciprocating suction cup can be provided for support 105.
FIG. 11 shows another modification of the apparatus of FIG. 8. In
the modification of FIG. 11 eccentric motion is imparted to pivot
pin 58 during the movement of guide block 57. To obtain the
eccentric motion of the pivot pin, the pivot pin which is attached
to guide block 57 is inserted into an opening in shaft 102. The
opening in shaft 102 is offset from the axis of rotation thereof.
In addition shaft 102 is secured to gear 103 which is driven by
sector gear 106.
Shaft 51 extends through the cylindrical base portion 29a of arm 29
(FIG. 12). Base portion 29a is supported with respect to plate 42
by means of ball bearing 49 which is retained in pillow block 49a.
The pillow block is secured to plate 42 by cap screws 50. By
providing bearing 49 with an outer race having a partially
spherical cross section, misalignment of the ball bearing can be
eliminated. Bearing 49 is maintained in position against shoulder
29b of the base portion 29a by means of snapring 49b.
The base portion of sector gear 106 is secured to base portion 29a
by means of key 106a. Snaprings 106b retain sector gear 106 in
position with base portion 29a. The base portion 29a receives shaft
51 through its length and is retained to the shaft to rotate
therewith by means of key 52 disposed in slot 52a (FIG. 11). In
this way it can be seen that both the drive for imparting an
eccentric motion to pivot pin 58 as well as the operation of arm 29
can both be caused to move laterally by means of cylinder 46 having
piston rod 47 connected to upright 48 extending from plate 42.
With the arrangement of FIG. 11 an arcuate motion is imparted to
pin 54 during the movement thereof. The eccentric motion of pin 58
and guide block 57 and the imparting mechanism thereof is more
fully disclosed and claimed in the copending U.S. Pat. Application
entitled "Apparatus and Method for Handling Blisters or the Like"
of Fred P. Brown, Jr., which is assigned to the assignee of the
present application.
By controlling the lateral motion of transfer arms 29 and/or 30,
the transferred articles can be delivered to a receiving surface in
a number of different arrays each having different center-to-center
distances between the articles or compared to those of the articles
prior to transfer. By programming the control of the lateral motion
of the transfer arms, the array in which the transferred articles
are delivered can be varied on a cyclical basis. Similarly the
longitudinal movement of the transfer arm can be varied to affect
the array in which the transferred articles are delivered.
Where the method and apparatus of the invention is intended to
fracture blisters along the longitudinal lines of slits or
perforations in web 22, the transfer arms can be diverged with
respect to one another in order to fracture the slits or
perforations as the blisters are held by the vacuum cups.
Subsequently the transfer arms can be returned to an interval with
respect to one another which is the same interval at which the arms
were located at the time the blisters were separated from the web.
As a result, the blisters can be placed on a receiving surface with
the same center-to-center relationship as the blisters had when in
web 22.
Another embodiment of an article transfer apparatus, constructed
with the invention, is shown in FIG. 4. The article transfer
apparatus 64 includes a means for supplying a web 22 that has
formed therein blisters 21, for example, a web roll fed from a
supplying means 24.
The article transfer apparatus 64 additionally comprises means 66,
including means for removing blisters 21 from the web 22, for
transferring the removed blisters along mutually diverging paths,
for example, transfer arms 67, 68, 69, each equipped with suction
cups 70--72 (FIG. 7) coupled by vacuum lines 73--75 to a vacuum
source (not shown).
In addition, the apparatus 64 includes means 76 for moving the
transfer arms 67, 68, 69, for example, carriage 77 that is driven
along track rods 78, 79 (FIG. 6) by a cable 80, that is supported
on idler pulleys 81 and driven by air-operated piston 82. The
assembly of means 76 can be of the type manufactured by
TOL-O-MATIC, INC. of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In operation of the transfer apparatus 64, carriage 77 is moved
toward the left-hand carriage stop 83, 84 (FIG. 6) when the
blisters are separated along transverse perforations from the web.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show the carriage at the station when the blisters
are picked up from the web. In this position, suction cups 70, 71,
72 are directly over a row of adjacent blisters 21. The suction
cups 70, 71, 72 (FIG. 7) are lowered by actuation of pistons 85,
86, 87 (FIGS. 6 and 7) to engage the blisters; the vacuum source is
turned on; and the suction cups 70, 71, 72 (FIG. 7) engage the
blisters and the cylinders 85--87 are actuated, thereby raising the
suction cups. As a result of raising the suction cups fracturing of
the web occurs along the lateral perforations 23, thereof, enabling
the roll of blisters 21 to be removed from the web.
The carriage 77 is then moved toward the right-hand stops 88, 89
(FIG. 6) or toward the right as view in FIG. 4. During the motion,
transfer arms 67, 69, that are journaled on diverging guide rods
90, 92 diverge from the path followed by transfer arm 68, that is
journaled on guide rod 91; the guide rods are supported on
stationary frame 100. During the movement of carriage 77 (FIG. 7),
bearings 93, mounted on transfer arms 67, 69 roll along the inner
wall of slots 97, that are formed in a mounting plate 96. In
addition, bearings 94, also mounted on transfer arms 67, 69, roll
along the undersurface of the mounting plate 96.
The diverging motion imparted to transfer arms 67, 69 causes them
to move away from transfer arm 68. As a result the longitudinal
perforations of the blisters are fractured as the transfer arms
advance.
When the carriage 77 (FIG. 6) reaches the right-hand stops 88, 89,
the transfer arms are positioned over a row of adjacent apertures
41 in conveyor belt 98 (FIG. 5). At this time, suction cups 70, 71,
72 are lowered to place the blisters 21 in the apertures 41. When
the blisters are disposed in apertures 41, the application of
vacuum to the suction cups is terminated and the blisters are
thereby released. The suction cups are then elevated with respect
to the blisters and the carriage 77 is returned to its initial
position.
When it is desired to converge the rows of blisters, apparatus 64a
shown in FIG. 13 can be employed. Apparatus 64a substantially
corresponds to apparatus 64 although guide rods 90a and 92a
converge in the direction of travel of the web, rather than
diverge.
Although the blisters 21 have been supplied to the above-described
article transfer apparatus in the form of a preperforated web, it
is to be understood that the web can be upperforated, and
automatically cut into webs comprised of rows of blisters as the
web to be cut is advanced out of the storage cabinet 25. Moreover,
the blister web can be supplied to the article transfer apparatus
directly from a blister forming apparatus, for example, the blister
forming apparatus described in the above-referenced patent.
Furthermore, conveyor belts 38, 39 (FIGS. 1 and 3) 98 (FIGS. 5 and
7) can be replaced by self-supporting webs of packaging material,
such as apertured paper board. In this case, the packaging material
webs, with blisters inserted in the apertures, are conveyed to a
work area where consumer products are placed in the blisters.
Furthermore, it is to be understood that the FIG. 1 embodiment can
be modified so that both of the transfer arms 29, 30 can converge
or diverge laterally on the shaft 51, thereby decreasing or
increasing, respectively the center-to-center separation of the
rows of individual blisters as compared to that spacing obtained
when both transfer arms 29, 30 diverge laterally on the shaft
51.
In addition, it is apparent that the transfer arms 29, 30 can be
constructed and arranged on either side of the supplied web 22,
thereby removing and transferring individual blisters 21 along
paths that diverge at right angles to the path along which the
supplied web advances.
The machine of the invention is capable of providing positive
control of the article throughout the transfer process. Thus the
article is firmly attached by vacuum to the suction cup from the
time at which the article is separated from the web until the time
at which the article is placed upon the receiving surface. In this
way the article can be transferred with a degree of precision which
is impossible to obtain when the delivery of the article to a
receiving surface is dependent upon gravity or an air blast.
Although the above-described apparatus has been illustrated in it
use as means for transferring plastic blisters, in a
blister-packaging operation, it is to be understood that the
apparatus can be used to remove and to transfer other articles
along mutually diverging or converging paths, thereby to form an
array of individual articles.
It is to be further understood that, while specific embodiments of
the invention have been described as shown, variations in
structural detail within the scope of the appended claims, are
possible and are contemplated. There is no intention, therefore, of
limitation to the exact abstract of description of embodiments
herein presented.
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