Flexible Package Transport Device for Packaging Machines

Flexible package transport device for packaging machines;

• said device being suited to be coupled to an endless conveyor responsible for moving the latter along the different work stations of a packaging machine and said device comprising at least one pair of parallel arms (1, 2) which have clamps (11, 21) on the opposing laterals for clamping the packages (E) to be transported and means for regulating the separation between the parallel arms (1, 2);
• characterized in that:
• the parallel arms (1, 2) of each pair are mounted with the possibility of being moved longitudinally with respect to a support piece (3) suited to being fixed to an endless conveyor of the packaging machine and in that the means for regulating the separation between each pair of arms (1, 2) comprises:
• a scissor mechanism (4) provided on a plane parallel to that defined by the parallel pair of arms (1, 2), and which comprises two rods (41, 42) associated with each other through an intermediate area by means of a vertical axis of rotation (43);
• said rods (41, 42) each comprising front ends articulated by means of both vertical axes of rotation (44, 45) to the rear end of the parallel arms (1, 2);
• and both rear ends carrying roller means (46, 47);
• guide sections (5, 5a . . . ) distributed on the packaging machine, parallel to the route of the transport device and provided with a longitudinal track (51) for guiding the roller means (46, 47) of the scissor mechanism (4) associated with each pair of parallel arms (1, 2);
• actuating means (7) for moving each guide section (5, 5a) in a transversal direction and arranging the latter in a position suited for determining the separation of each pair of the parallel arms (1, 2) at each area of the route of the transport device by means of a variation in the longitude of the scissor mechanism (4).