Packaging system

Abstract

The present invention provides a packing system for collecting together multiple articles and delivering them to a receptacle ( 50 ) such as a box and relates particularly to such a mechanism which can do so in a gentle manner, thereby reducing damage to said produce. The present invention may be used in the food packing industry where such damage is extremely undesirable but also lends itself to use in the packing of other products. In particular, the present invention provides a packing system ( 10 ) comprising a product accumulation station ( 12 ) and a filling point ( 14 ) having a lowering system ( 16 ), wherein said lowering system comprises a hinged lowering plate ( 16 a ) pivotally connected at a hinge ( 18 ) to said filling point ( 14 ) and being connected to an actuator ( 20 ) for actuation of said plate ( 16 ) between a first product receiving position (A) and a second product delivering position (B).

1 . A packing system ( 10 ) comprising a product accumulation station ( 12 ) and a filling point ( 14 ) having a lowering system ( 16 ), wherein said lowering system comprises a hinged lowering plate ( 16   a ) pivotally connected at a hinge ( 18 ) to said filling point ( 14 ) and being connected to an actuator ( 20 ) for actuation of said plate ( 16 ) between a first product receiving position (A) and a second product delivering position (B) and further comprises a guide plate ( 17 ) opposite an end of said lowering plate ( 16   a ) and extending downwardly and into a container ( 50 ) to be filled. 
     
     
         2 . A packaging system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said guide plate ( 17 ) comprises a first introduction portion ( 17   a ) at a top ( 17   b ) thereof and being positioned to produce a reducing gap G 1  as the lowering plate ( 16   a ) opens and a second portion ( 17   c ) at a bottom ( 17   d ) thereof and being positioned for producing an increasing gap G 2  as the lowering plate ( 16   a ) is lowered to a fully lowered position. 
     
     
         3 . A packaging system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said guide plate ( 17 ) comprises a second portion ( 17   c ) at a bottom ( 17   d ) thereof and being positioned for producing an increasing gap G 2  as the lowering plate ( 16   a ) is lowered to a fully lowered position. 
     
     
         4 . A packaging system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 2  or  claim 3  wherein said second portion ( 17   c ) is angled at an angle β relative to a vertical plane. 
     
     
         5 . A packaging system as claimed in any one of  claims 2  to  4  wherein said first portion is angled at an angle θ relative to a vertical plane. 
     
     
         6 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said system ( 10 ) includes a longitudinal conveying axis X and said hinge ( 18 ) includes a longitudinal pivot axis ( 22 ) extending substantially parallel to said conveying axis X. 
     
     
         7 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said system ( 10 ) includes a longitudinal conveying axis X and said lowering system ( 16 ) comprises a pair of lowering plates ( 16   a,    16   b ) each of which includes a longitudinal pivot axis ( 22 ) extending substantially parallel to said conveying axis X. 
     
     
         8 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 3  and including a pair of actuators (( 20   a,    20   b ) for moving said first and second lowering plates ( 16   a,    16   b ) between said first and second positions (A,B). 
     
     
         9 . A packing system as claimed in  claim 3  or  claim 4  wherein said lowering plates ( 16   a,    16   b ) are each hinged along a central portion ( 26 ) of said filling point ( 14 ) and have otherwise free ends ( 28 ,  30 ) outward ( 0 ) thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5  wherein a surface ( 26 ) of said plate ( 16 ) extends substantially horizontally (H) when said plate ( 16 ) is in said first position (A) such as to receive product from said accumulation station ( 12 ) and extends generally downwardly (D) relative to said horizontal plane (H) when in said delivering position (B). 
     
     
         11 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  4  wherein said accumulation station ( 12 ) includes a stopper plate ( 32 ) and a pusher system ( 34 ) for advancing accumulated product from said accumulation station ( 12 ) to said filling point ( 14 ). 
     
     
         12 . A packaging system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said pusher system includes an actuator ( 38 ) for causing said pusher ( 34 ) to advance towards said filling point ( 14 ) in a first plane and return thereform in a second plane above said first plane. 
     
     
         13 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said pusher system ( 34 ) includes a plurality of mobile fingers ( 36 ) collectively forming a wall for engagement with product to be delivered and further including an actuation mechanism ( 38 ) for advancing said fingers from a first retracted position (RP) to a second advanced position (AP) and any collected product towards said filling point ( 14 ). 
     
     
         14 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the accumulation station ( 12 ) further includes a plurality of fixed fingers ( 40 ) positioned between said mobile fingers ( 36 ) when said mobile fingers are in said retracted position and which in combination with said mobile fingers ( 36 ) collectively form a sidewall ( 42 ). 
     
     
         15 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  9  wherein said accumulation station ( 12 ) includes a separate driven conveyor belt ( 44 ). 
     
     
         16 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  10  and further including a product delivery mechanism ( 46 ) for delivering product to said accumulation station ( 12 ). 
     
     
         17 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said delivery mechanism ( 46 ) comprises a conveyor system of a production machine. 
     
     
         18 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  12  and further including a receptacle conveying mechanism ( 48 ) for delivering and removing a receptacle ( 50 ) to said filling point ( 14 ) as and when required. 
     
     
         19 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said conveying mechanism ( 48 ) includes a lateral conveyor ( 52 ) and a vertical conveyor ( 54 ) and wherein said mechanism ( 48 ) is on an underside (US) of said filling point ( 14 ) and wherein said filling point is configured to lower product into a receptacle ( 50 ) when so required. 
     
     
         20 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said lateral conveyer ( 52 ) comprises a conveyor belt ( 56 ) and drive system ( 58 ). 
     
     
         21 . A packing system ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 14  or  claim 15  wherein said vertical conveyer ( 54 ) comprises a displaceable support platform ( 60 ) and an actuation mechanism for displacing said receptacle ( 50 ) substantially vertically between a first lower position (L) in which it is engaged with said lateral conveyor ( 52 ) and distal said filling point ( 24 ) and a second higher position (H) in which it is proximal said filling point ( 14 ) and distal said lateral conveyer ( 52 ). 
     
     
         22 . A packing system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said vertical conveyor ( 54 ) further includes a connection rod ( 54 ) and a rotatable crank ( 56 ) mounted for rotation on an actuator shaft ( 58 ) of an actuator ( 60 ) and being operable to lift and lower said Platform ( 60 ) upon rotation of said actuator ( 60 ). 
     
     
         23 . A packing system as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  17  and further including a control system ( 62 ) operably connected to one or more actuators (WW,XX, YY, ZZ) to operate said system ( 10 ). 
     
     
         24 . A packing system as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  18  and further including sensors for determining the presence or otherwise of one or more of: a receptacle and one or more product.