U.S. patent number 3,775,941 [Application Number 05/225,084] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-04 for article packaging machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pennwalt Corporation. Invention is credited to Charles Frederick Bross.
United States Patent |
3,775,941 |
Bross |
December 4, 1973 |
ARTICLE PACKAGING MACHINE
Abstract
The present article packaging machine is particularly suitable
for use in depositing capsules into rows of pockets formed in a
web. As the web pockets are formed by separate apparatus, th web is
periodically advanced a predetermined distance. The packaging
machine includes a depositer which oscillates over the web pockets,
the depositer moving forward with the advancing web. Shortly after
the web movement stops, the depositer reaches the end of its
forward stroke where the first capsules are discharged. Remaining
capsules are sequentially discharged during the return stroke, the
capsules being arranged in columns in vertically arranged
passageways formed in the depositer. A plurality of vertically
arranged pin gates in each passageway hold the capsules therein
until the depositer reaches the proper discharge zone. When the
depositer reaches the end of its rearward stroke, a top pin gate
opens and a bottom gate closes in each of the passageways. This
allows a column of capsules to drop within each of the passageways,
and be held therein by the bottom gate. The depositer is thus ready
to repeat the cycle when the web is once again advanced. A
stationary transition member is mounted between the depositer and
web, this member having a plurality of openings extending
therethrough which openings are located over the web pockets to be
filled; because the openings are suitably shaped, this member
accepts the discharged capsules so as to allow them to clear the
moving depositer, and at the same time guides the discharged
capsules into the web pockets.
Inventors: |
Bross; Charles Frederick
(Chicago, IL) |
Assignee: |
Pennwalt Corporation
(Philadelphia, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
22843459 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/225,084 |
Filed: |
February 10, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/246; 53/248;
53/559; 221/296; 221/298 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B
5/103 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65B
5/10 (20060101); B65b 005/10 (); B65b 039/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;53/184,244,246,248
;221/11,93,124,175,185,186,289,296,298,311 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Spruill; Robert L.
Claims
I claim:
1. An article packaging machine for receiving and holding a
predetermined number of articles formed in a column, and
sequentially discharging said articles into a web having a row of
pockets formed therein, said machine comprising a depositer mounted
for cycles of oscillating movement over said web in the direction
of said row in a substantially horizontal plane, said depositer
having a vertically arranged passageway extending from the upper to
the lower surface of said depositer for containing said column of
articles, top clamping means mounted for movement into alternate
clamp and release positions for alternately clamping and releasing
the top article of said column in said passageway, intermediate
clamping means mounted for movement into alternate clamp and
release positions for alternately clamping and releasing an
intermediate article in said column, means for moving said
intermediate clamping means into said clamp and release positions,
bottom clamping means mounted for movement into alternate clamp and
release positions for alternately holding and releasing the bottom
article of said column, and means for moving said top clamping
means into one of said positions while simultaneously moving said
bottom clamping means into the other of said positions and vice
versa, and means for sequentially first moving said bottom clamping
means, then moving said intermediate clamping means, and finally
moving said top clamping means each into said release positions
during one portion of each of said cycles.
2. An article packaging machine according to claim 1 including
manifold means disposed above said depositer, and adapted to
release articles to said passageway.
3. An article packaging machine according to claim 2 wherein said
means for simultaneously moving said top and bottom clamping means
to opposite clamp and release positions, includes a connecting
member, said connecting member being pivotally connected to said
top and bottom clamping means, and being mounted so as to pivot
about a point located between said top and bottom clamping
means.
4. An article packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein said
means for moving said intermediate clamping means into said clamp
and release positions includes cam means.
5. An article packaging machine according to claim 4, wherein said
cam means includes stationarily mounted frame means having a cam
track formed therein, and a cam finger adapted to reciprocate
within said depositer, said cam finger being adapted to move into
and out of said depositer during said oscillating movement to
alternately move said intermediate clamping means into said clamp
and release positions.
6. An article packaging machine according to claim 4, and further
including means stationarily mounted between said depositer and
said web for allowing said articles being sequentially discharged
from said depositer to clear the depositer while being
simultaneously guided into said pockets.
7. An article packaging machine according to claim 6 wherein said
latter mentioned means comprises a transition member having
plurality of openings extending from the upper to the lower surface
thereof, said openings being formed in a row and disposed in line
with said row of pockets, the upper end of each of said openings
being larger than the lower end thereof, the lower ends of said
openings being located directly above said pockets, said openings
being formed so as to allow the entire discharged articles to clear
said depositer, whereby said articles sequentially discharged from
said depositer are easily accepted by said guide means, and guided
into their respective pockets.
8. An article packaging machine according to claim 6 wherein said
manifold means includes a vertically arranged elongated hollow
flexible member, the lower end of said flexible member being
connected to the upper end of said passageway, and adapted to
contain a supply of said articles for release into said
depositer.
9. An article packaging machine according to claim 5 wherein said
depositer includes a plurality of said passageways transversely
spaced across the width thereof, each of said passageways having
said top clamping means, said bottom clamping means, and said
intermediate clamping means, and means connecting each of said
clamping means in each passageway with the corresponding clamping
means in the remaining passageways whereby said means for
sequentially moving said clamping means into their alternate
positions simultaneously moves all of the corresponding clamping
means.
10. An article packaging machine according to claim 9, and further
including an air cylinder for moving said top and bottom clamping
means, the piston rod of said air cylinder being fixedly connected
to said depositer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to an article packaging machine
for receiving and holding a plurality of articles, and subsequently
depositing or discharging each of the articles at a predetermined
location.
One example of where such a machine can be utilized is in filling a
"web" with articles such as tablets or capsules, this web commonly
being a sheet of plastic material having a plurality of pockets
(receptacles) formed therein, each pocket being sized to receive
one or more of such articles. The receptacles which are to receive
the articles, however, need not be necessarily in the form of such
web pockets; they might also be bottles or other types of
containers capable of receiving one or more of such articles. After
each receptacle is filled, it is generally closed at a subsequent
station to complete the packaging operation.
The problems encountered with present machinery relate to the speed
of operation, reliability and/or the complexities of the machinery.
As the speed of operation is increased, the reliability of the
machine sometimes decreases; also, because of the increased speed
of operation of the machinery, there is a greater likelihood that
the machinery will not discharge the articles at the proper time or
place, or that it wll not discharge the articles at all. To provide
for more accurate and positive discharge of the articles, more
complex machinery has been developed; this machinery requires a
larger number of moving parts, is generally larger in size, and
becuase of the increased complexity, increases the maintenance
problems.
Thus, what is required, is a relatively simple and compact machine,
which is capable of accurately and rapidly picking up and holding a
plurality of articles from a source such as a manifold, and
depositing or discharging these articles into one or more
receptacles or containers. since a typical environment in which
such a machine might be utilized is that of depositing tablets,
pills, or capsules, into a web, this is the environment which will
be used in discussing the operation of the present invention, a web
forming apparatus being used in conjunction with the invention; the
invention, however, is not so limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an article packaging machine which
utilizes a depositer for depositing capsules into a web, the latter
reciprocating or oscillating back and forth over the web in a
substantially horizontal plane during the operation of the machine
to receive, hold, and discharge a plurality of capsules, which
discharged capsules are subsequently guided into the pockets of the
web by a guide member.
The depositer has a plurality of vertically arranged and
transversely spaced passageways extending therethrough, these
passageways being designed to receive and hold a pre-determined
number of capsules formed in a column. Initially, the capsules drop
from a conventional tablet counter into an aligning manifold; such
a counter is presently manufactured by the Merrill Division of
Pennwalt Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. The aligning manifold
utilizes a revolving shaft to upend the capsules, to arrange them
into a plurality of columns, and to help them enter a plurality of
vertically arranged hollow flexible members or tubes. The lower
ends of these tubes are connected to the upper ends of the
passageways in the depositer, there being one tube connected to
each of these passageways. A pre-determined level of capsules is
maintained in each tube by a sensor that starts and stops the
tablet counter; consequently, a supply of capsules is always
available in the tubes for receipt by the depositer. Because the
tubes are flexible, the lower ends of the tubes will move in a
reciprocating or oscillating manner with the depositer during the
operation of the machine.
A plurality of bottom pin gates holds the columns of capsules in
the passageways of the depositer until reaching the proper
discharge zone, there being one bottom pin gate for each
passageway.
The present embodiment is designed to fill a web having 20 rows of
pockets. During each cycle of operation of the machine, 4 capsules
are discharged and deposited in each of the 20 rows. Since there
are 20 rows of pockets, there are 20 passageways, there being one
passageway over each of the rows .
A top pin gate for each of the passageways controls the capsules
coming into the depositer, and clamps the fifth capsule from the
bottom of the depositer in its associated passageway during the
discharge stroke of the depositer. The bottom and top pin gates for
each passageway are mounted on a toggle so that when one is open,
the other is closed and vice versa.
There are three intermediate pin gates for each of the passageways,
these intermediate pin gates being located between the bottom and
top pin gates. These intermediate pin gates clamp the 2nd, 3rd, and
4th capsules respectively in each of the passageways until
sequentially released during the discharge stroke of the depositer.
Thus, during each discharge stroke of the depositer, 80 capsules
are discharged and deposited in the web pockets.
As the depositer begins moving forward during operation of the
machine, the bottom pin gates are closed, and the intermediate and
top pin gates are all open; consequently, a column of capsules has
dropped within each of the passageways of the depositer.
Subsequently, during this forward stroke of the depositer, a cam
finger closes the intermediate pin gates to clamp the second,
third, and fourth capsules in passageways. As the depositer reaches
the proper discharge zone at the end of its forward stroke, the
bottom pin gates open, and the top pin gates close, thus
discharging the first capsule from each passageway, and clamping
the fifth capsule in each passageway.
As the bottom (first) capsule is discharged from each passageway
and the depositer begins its rearward stroke, the finger cam
sequentially moves out of driving contact with each of the
intermediate pin gates in each passageway, thus allowing a spring
to sequentially open each of the pin gates to sequentially
discharge the second, third and fourth capsules therefrom. When the
depositer reaches the end of its rearward stroke, the bottom pin
gates close, thus opening the top pin gates to allow four more
capsules to enter each passageway of the depositer. The depositer
is now ready to repeat the cycle.
As stated above, although not so limited, the present article
packaging machine is described herein in conjunction with a web
forming apparatus. As the web pockets are formed, the latter
mentioned apparatus will advance the web, and as the web moves
forward, the article packaging machine receives a signal, and
consequently the depositer begins to move forward with the web. The
web will advance a predetermined distance, and stop shortly before
the depositer reaches the end of its forward stroke. As the
depositer reaches the proper discharge zone at or near the end of
its forward stroke, it will then begin to discharge the capsules,
four capsules being discharge by the time the depositer reaches the
end of its rearward stroke as described above. A transition member
is stationarily disposed between the depositer and the web to
assist in accurately guiding the discharged capsules into the web
pockets. This transition member has a plurality of openings
extending therethrough, each opening being adapted to receive one
capsule and there being one opening associated with each web
pocket. Each of these openings is larger at the top than at the
bottom thereof, in order to easily receive the discharged capsule,
and each opening is formed so as to allow the entire discharged
capsule to clear the moving depositer while being guided into a web
pocket by the transition member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing an article packaging
machine in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view taken through line 2--2 of FIG. 1, showing the
top of the depositer, and the transition members used for guiding
the discharged articles into the web pockets.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 3--3 of FIG. 2,
showing the front of the depositer with the web located beneath
it.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 4--4 of FIG. 2,
showing the means for sequentially moving each of the pin
gates.
FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are sequential views showing various positions of
the depositer during the operation of the machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, article packaging machine 10 is shown,
which includes a stationarily mounted frame 12. Mounted to the
latter is motor 14 utilized for driving sprocket 16. As sprocket 16
rotates in a counterclockwise direction, chain 18 moves likewise,
thus driving larger sprocket 20 in a counterclockwise direction.
Rotation of sprocket 20 causes crank 22 which is fixably connected
to shaft 24 on which the latter sprocket is mounted, to rotate in a
counterclockwise direction; this causes follower 26 to ride in slot
28 of crank 30, the latter being pivotally mounted to frame 12.
Consequently, crank 30 rotates in a counterclockwise direction,
moving carriage 34 via crank 32 in a forward direction as indicated
by the solid arrow 36. As can be seen, this crank mechanism causes
carriage 34 to reciprocate or oscillate in a substantially
horizontal plane, the carriage being supported and guided by guide
rods 38.
Fixedly mounted to carriage 34 is a depositer 40, the depositer
containing a plurality of vertically arranged passageways 42
extending therethrough. As stated above, each of these passageways
is designed to accept a predetermined number of capsules formed in
a column. The capsules enter passageways 42 via manifold means 44,
the latter including a plurality of vertically arranged elongated
hollow flexible members or tubes 46, these tubes being connected to
the upper ends of passageways 42. Because the tubes are flexible,
as carriage 34, and consequently depositer 40 reciprocate or
oscillate back and forth on guide rods 38, the tubes 46 will move
therewith as indicated by the phantom line position shown in FIG.
1.
As depositer 40 moves forward, a predetermined number of capsules
(4 in the present instance) drop within each of the passageways 42,
and are held therein by each of the bottom pin gates 48 until the
bottom of each passageway 42 is located over the discharge zone
where the first (bottom) capsule from each passageway is to be
discharged; this discharge zone is located at or near the end of
the forward stroke. As depositer 40 is moving forward, a cam finger
50 reciprocably mounted in the depositer moves downwardly as a
result of its follower 52 riding in cam track 54 of frame 12 to
sequentially move intermediate pin gates 56, 58 and 60 into clamp
positions to respectively clamp the second, third, and fourth
tablets within each of the passageways 42.
As shown in FIG. 1, depositer 40 is at the extreme end of its
rearward stroke. In this position, top pin gates 62 in passageways
42 are open (i.e., in their release positions). Because top pin
gates 62 are connected to the bottom pin gates 48 by toggle 64,
when the top pin gates 62 are open, the bottom pin gates 48 are
closed (i.e., in their clamp positions). Since intermediate pin
gates 56, 58, and 60 are also open in this extreme rearward
position, a column of four capsules drops within each passageway
42. When the bottom pin gates 48 are in their clamp positions, they
hold the bottom capsules, and consequently the unclamped
intermediate and top capsules within passageways 42.
The present article packaging machine is being described in
conjunction with a web forming apparatus. In the present instance,
this latter mentioned apparatus forms a web having 20 transversely
spaced rows of pockets across the width thereof. As the pockets are
formed, the web is periodically advanced or moved in the forward
direction a predetermined distance.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, web 66, having pockets 68 therein, is
periodically advanced by means of a clamping mechanism 70, the
latter having a lower clamp 72, and an upper clamp 74, the latter
being operated by solenoid 76. Web 66 is disposed between clamps 72
and 74, and when it is time for the web to be advanced, solenoid 76
is automatically actuated to clamp the web within the mechanism 70.
Mechanism 70 is fixedly connected to a movably mounted bar 78 which
then advances a predetermined distance after which the solenoid is
deactuated, and the bar returns to its initial rearward position
ready to repeat the cycle. A supper member 80 is stationarily
mounted below the web, this support member having a plurality of
grooves 82 formed therein. This support member with the grooves
formed therein is designed to support and guide the web as it is
being advanced. There is a clamping mechanism 70 located on each
side of the web forming apparatus to simultaneously clamp each side
of the web in order to advance the latter. Referring to FIG. 1, it
can be seen that a transition member 84 is stationarily mounted
between depositer 40 and web 66. This transition member has
openings 86, 88, 90, and 92, extending therethrough. This
transition member 84 is designed to assist in guiding the
discharged capsules into the pockets 68 of the web 66, and will be
more fully explained below.
After the pockets have been formed in the web, and the web is about
to be advanced, a cam shaft in the web forming apparatus triggers a
cycle initiating switch to actuate a clutch to begin the forward
stroke of the depositer 40. There is a variable speed drive on the
web forming apparatus, and article packaging machine 10, so that
the web is always in an advanced position, and stops before
depositer 40 reaches the end of its forward stroke. Depositer 40
reaches the end of its forward stroke, and begins its rearward
stroke; the pin gates in the depositer will be sequentially
released during the rearward stroke of the depositer so that the
capsules are sequentially discharged over openings 86, 88, 90 and
92. After the cycle initiate switch is momentarily triggered to
begin the forward stroke of depositer 40, the cycle hold switch
continues to drive or energize the clutch power supply until such
time as the depositer completes a cycle, and comes to rest in its
rearward position. After reaching the extreme end of the rearward
stroke, depositer 40 is locked into a detent position in which it
remains until the cycle initiate switch is once again closed to
repeat the cycle.
As stated above, when the depositer 40 is at the extreme end of its
rearward stroke, the bottom pin gate 48 will be closed and the
intermediate pin gates 56, 58, and 60, and the top pin gate 62 will
be open in order that four more capsules can be dropped within each
of the passageways 42. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, it can be
seen how this is accomplished. At the end of the rearward stroke of
depositer 40, air is delivered to an air cylinder 94. This air
cylinder is a conventional piston and cylinder arrangement, but
having its piston rod 98 fixedly connected to depositer 40 by means
of a pin 100. Consequently, if air is injected into air cylinder 94
cylinder casing 102 will move with respect to depositer 40. Casing
102, being threadably connected to plate 104 by means of a fitting
106, will thus move the latter mentioned plate with respect to
depositer 40. A transverse bar 108 in which is mounted the top pin
gate 62 for all 20 passageways 42 is secured to plate 104 by means
of bolts 110 (see FIG. 2). Consequently, when air is delivered to
air cylinder 94 so as to move casing 102 leftwardly as viewed in
FIG. 5, all top pin gates 62 will move to their release positions.
It should be noted that piston rod 98 must necessarily be slidably
disposed within the fitting 106. Top pin gates 62 may be biased in
one of their positions by suitable means, and moved to the other
position by delivering air to the appropriate side of the piston
within air cylinder 94. Other suitable means such as solenoids may
be used to move top pin gates 62 from one position to the
other.
Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that toggle 64 includes a
central connecting member 112 which is pivotally connected to upper
and lower connecting members 114 and 116 respectively. These latter
connecting members are in turn pivotally connected to brackets 118
and 120 respectively, these latter mentioned brackets being fixedly
connected to transverse bars 108 and 122 respectively. Lower
transverse bar 122 has secured thereto 20 bottom pin gates
associated with the 20 vertically arranged passageways 42 as
described above. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 4, as the top pin
gates 62 are moved to their release positions, member 112 will
rotate counterclockwise about shaft 124, the latter being mounted
on a bracket 126 which is fixedly connected to the depositer 40.
Thus, as the top pin gates 62 are moved to their release positions,
bottom pin gates 48 are moved to their clamp positions so as to
close off the bottoms of passageways 42.
On each side of article packaging machine 10, a finger cam 50 is
reciprocably mounted in depositer 40 so that when depositer 40 is
moving in a forward direction, cam follower 52, riding in cam track
54, will act to drive finger cam 50 downwardly against rods 128,
130, and 132. These latter mentioned rods are mounted in brackets
134, 136, and 138, which in turn are fixedly secured to transverse
bars 140, 142 and 144. The fourth, third, and second intermediate
pin gates for each of the 20 passageways are secured within
transverse bars 140, 142, and 144 respectively. Since each of these
latter mentioned transverse bars is biased rightwardly as viewed in
FIG. 4, it can be seen that each pin gate within each passageway is
normally biased open, or in other words, is biased toward its
release position. As can be seen, these bars are biased by springs
146, 148 and 150. Thus, as depositer 40 moves in the forward
direction, or to the right as viewed in FIG. 4, finger cam 50 will
be moved downwardly against each of the rods 128, 130, and 132.
Consequently each of the intermediate pin gates within each of the
passageways 42 will be moved to its clamp position before depositer
40 reaches the end of its forward stroke.
Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, the operation of the article
packaging machine will be briefly summarized. FIG. 5 illustrates
the machine with the depositer at the extreme end of its rearward
stroke. Top pin gate 62 is in its release position as are the
intermediate pin gates 56, 58, and 60. The bottom pin gate 48 being
closed, a column of capsules is thus held within depositer 40 ready
for discharge.
It should be noted that each of the openings 86 through 92 of the
transition member 84 is larger or longer at the top than at the
bottom thereof. By making each of the openings later at the top, it
presents a larger discharge zone over which depositer 40 may
discharge the capsules during its reciprocating or oscillating
movements. It should also be noted that each of these openings is
at least partially defined by various inclined surfaces 152. By
designing the transition member 84 in this manner, each of the
capsules may be discharged over a wider or longer discharge zone
than would be the case if the capsules had to be deposited directly
into the web pockets 68. Each of the openings 86 through 92 are
formed so as to allow the entire capsule to clear the moving
depositer after being discharged from passageway 42 so that the
capsule will not be crushed while being guided into a web pocket;
the incline surfaces 152 assist in orienting each capsule, and
guiding it into a web pocket. It is noted that the bottoms of each
of the openings 86 through 92 are located precisely above web
pockets 68. The width of each of the openings 86 through 92 as
measured in a direction transverse to that of the movement of
depositer 40 will naturally be less than the length of each
capsule. Thus, because of this, and because of the inclined
surfaces 152, each of the discharged capsules will have plenty of
time to clear the depositer 40 upon being discharged, and properly
align itself for movement into a web pocket 68.
At the proper time, depositer 40 will begin its forward stroke,
moving to the right as viewed in FIG. 5. Upon reaching the
discharge zone presented by the top of openings 86 (FIG. 6), a
signal is generated, and air is injected into air cylinder 94 to
move top pin gate 62 to its clamp position, thus clamping the fifth
capsule in place within passageway 42; simultaneously, bottom pin
gate 48 is moved to its release position, thus discharging the
first (bottom) capsule in the column. As stated above, intermediate
pin gates 56, 58, and 60 are closed (moved to their clamp position)
during the forward stroke of depositer 40, thus respectively
clamping the second, third, and fourth capsules in place.
As depositer 40 begins its rearward stroke, finger cam 50 moves
upwardly out of depositer 40, thus sequentially releasing
intermediate pin gates 56 and 58, until reaching the position shown
in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the third capsule is leaving or being
discharged from the bottom of passageway 42, and as depositer 40
continues to move leftwardly, the capsule will eventually be
deposited in a position substantially as shown by dotted line
position 154. Depositer 40 will continue to move leftwardly, thus
releasing intermediate pin gate 60 to discharge the fourth capsule
over the discharge zone presented by the top of opening 92. Upon
reaching the extreme end of its rearward stroke, depositer 40 will
come to rest in a detent position, and will remain therein until
receiving a subsequent signal to repeat the cycle. Upon reaching
the extreme end of its rearward stroke, article packaging machine
10 will receive a signal to allow casing 102 to move leftwardly as
viewed in FIG. 5 to move top pin gates 62 back into their release
positions. Consequently, bottom pin gates 48 will move to their
clamp positions as shown in FIG. 5, and 4 capsules drop within
passageway 42. Depositer 40 is now ready to move forward once again
upon receiving the appropriate signal.
* * * * *