Method and device for aligning articles and means for detecting the position of the articles
AssigneePulsar S.R.L.
InventorMassimo Franzaroli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method and device for aligning rolls (22) in a feed system (10). The rolls (22) are spaced at regular intervals so as to enable incorrectly positioned rolls (22) to be turned to the correct feed position, when necessary, while they are moving forward. The correct position of each roll (22) is identified by detecting (S1, S2) the longitudinal hole (17) through the center of the roll (22).
Claims39
A method for aligning articles, in particular rolls (22, R), preferably rolls of paper and the like, such as toilet paper rolls, kitchen rolls, rolls of paper, plastic or aluminium foil for household use and the like, the method being characterised in that the position of each roll (22, R) is detected as it feeds forward and, if the position of the roll (22, R) does not match a predetermined feed position, action is taken to move the incorrectly positioned article or roll (22, R) into the required feed position.
The method according to either of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the action required to move the article or roll (22, R) to the correct feed position comprises a step of turning the article or roll (22, R).
The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises a step of spacing the articles or rolls from each other so as to enable the article or roll (22, R) to be turned to the correct position.
The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the step of turning the article or roll (22, R) is carried out in a vertical plane.
The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the step of turning the article or roll (22, R) is carried out in a horizontal plane.
The method according to any of the foregoing claims, where said article or roll (22, R) presents a central hole (17, F) open at both ends and extending lengthways, defined by the inside surface of the tube inside the article or roll (22, R), the method being characterised in that the position of the article or roll (22, R) is identified by detecting the position of said longitudinal hole (17, F).
The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that sensor means (S1, 222a) are provided to detect whether the hole (17, F) is positioned vertically and/or sensor means (S2, 220a, 220b, 120a, 120b) to detect whether the hole (17, F) is positioned transversely.
The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that first and second sensor means are provided to detect whether the hole (17, F) is positioned vertically and/or first and second sensor means to detect whether the hole (17, F) is positioned transversely.
A device for aligning articles, in particular rolls (22, R), preferably rolls of paper and the like, such as toilet paper rolls, kitchen rolls, rolls of paper, plastic or aluminium foil for household use and the like, the device being characterised in that it comprises means for feeding the rolls, means (S1, 222a, S2, 220a, 220b, 120a, 120b) for detecting the position of the rolls as they feed forward and control means which, if the position of each article or roll does not match a predetermined feed position, activate corresponding means (24, 26, 28, 30, 124, 126, 232a, 232b) acting on the incorrectly positioned article or roll (22) so as to move the article or roll (22) into the required feed position.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means (S1, 222a, S2, 220a, 220b, 120a, 120b) for moving the article or roll (22) to the required feed position impart on the article or roll (22) a turning movement to the required conveying position.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 11 to 13, characterised in that it comprises means (12) for spacing the articles or rolls from each other so as to enable any incorrectly positioned article or roll (22) to be turned to the correct position.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 11 to 14, where the article or roll (22, R) presents a central hole (17, F) open at both ends and extending lengthways, in particular defined by the inside surface of the tube inside the article or roll (22, R), the device being characterised in that it comprises means (S1, 222a S2, 220a, 220b, 120a, 120b) for detecting the position of the longitudinal hole (17, F).
The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises sensor means (S1, 222a) to detect whether the hole (17, F) is positioned vertically and/or sensor means (S2, 220a, 220b, 120a, 120b) to detect whether the hole (17, F) is positioned transversely.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises first and second sensor means designed to detect whether the hole (17, F) is positioned vertically and first and second sensor meand to detect whether the hole (17, F) is positioned transversely.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 11 to 24, characterised in that it comprises means for conveying the rolls and consisting of narrow feed belts (16, 16) which contact the bottom of the article or roll (22).
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 19 to 29, characterised in that the means for moving the article or roll (R) to the longitudinal feed position comprise means (232a, 232b) designed to emit a corresponding jet of fluid against a part of the top of the article or roll (R) in such a way as to tip the article or roll (R) in a vertical plane to a longitudinal feed position.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 21 to 30, characterised in that the means for moving the article or roll (R) to the longitudinal feed position comprise means (232a, 232b) designed to emit a corresponding jet of fluid against a part of the article or roll (R) on one side of the latter's longitudinal centre line in such a way as to turn the article or roll (R) in a horizontal plane to a longitudinal feed position.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 26 to 31, characterised in that the means for emitting the jet of fluid comprise a first emitter (232a) of fluid under pressure which directs the fluid in a direction at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of roll feed.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 26 to 33, characterised in that the means for moving the article or roll (R) to the longitudinal feed position comprise means (232a, 232b) which are designed to emit at least one corresponding jet of fluid and which are located upstream and/or downstream of the part struck by the jet of fluid on the article or roll (R) to be repositioned.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 26 to 34, characterised in that, at the zone where the article or roll (R) that is out of position has to be repositioned, the lateral guides of the articles or rolls (R) have sections (230a, 230a) that are wider apart than the sections upstream and downstream of the repositioning zone.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 26 to 35, characterised in that the emitter (232a, 232b) of fluid under pressure directs the fluid in a direction at a downward angle relative to the longitudinal direction of roll feed.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 26 to 36, characterised in that the fluid jet emitting means (232a, 232b) are positioned at a height above the rolls being conveyed.
The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 26 to 37, characterised in that the fluid jet emitting means (232a, 232b) are positioned at the sides of the lane in which the rolls are being conveyed.
Means (S1, 222a, S2, 220a, 220b, 120a, 120b) for detecting the position of an article or roll in a line for conveying the articles or rolls, said means being characterised in that they are in accordance with any of the foregoing claims.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.