US 5,699,651 A · Selector assembly

Abstract

A selector assembly for dividing a continuous line of products moving along a processing path is positioned between a product infeed line and packaging machine line. As the line of products enters the selector assembly, the products are engaged by a rotating starwheel which meters the further flow of the products into a product grouping area of the selector assembly. Thereafter, the lugs of upper and lower selector belts selectively engage the line of products to divide the line of products into groups of products for packaging. The selector lugs engage the groups of products at the product infeed speed and thereafter are progressively accelerated to accelerate the groups of products up to the speed of the packaging machine line for transfer of the groups of products to the packaging machine line.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A selector assembly for dividing a continuous line of products moving in the direction of a path of travel along a product infeed line moving at a first rate of speed toward a packaging machine line moving at a second rate of speed, and for forming the products into groups of products of a predetermined group size for packaging, said selector assembly comprising:

means for metering a flow of products from the product infeed line, said means for metering being positioned at an upstream end of the selector assembly and adapted to engage and space the products at desired intervals;
means for grouping the products, said means for grouping being positioned downstream of said means for metering and including a first endless selector belt extending along the path of travel, wherein at least a portion of said first selector belt is mounted adjacent, and moving in the direction of, the path of travel;
said first selector belt including a series of lugs mounted at spaced intervals along the length thereof and being adapted to engage the line of products after the products have passed through and been spaced by said means for metering to form a group of products of a predetermined group size;
and
means, connected to said first selector belt, for driving said first selector belt at varying speeds in timed relationship with the movement of the products along the product infeed line into the selector assembly and for accelerating the group of products formed between said lugs from the first rate of speed to the second rate of speed for placement of the group of products on the packaging machine line.

2 more elements

An apparatus for dividing a continuous line of products moving in the direction of a path of travel along a product infeed line at a first rate of speed toward a packaging machine line moving at a second rate of speed, and for forming the products into groups of products of a predetermined group size for packaging, said apparatus comprising:

a first selector assembly positioned adjacent the path of travel intermediate the product infeed line and the packaging machine line;
said first selector assembly comprising;
a first endless selector belt supported for movement along the path of travel;
a second endless selector belt supported for movement along the path of travel independently of said first selector belt, said second selector belt being spaced vertically from, parallel to, and in alignment with said first selector belt;
a first series of spaced lugs affixed to said first selector belt and extending along the length thereof, the lugs of said first series of lugs being sized and shaped to be moved into engagement with the line of products moving in the direction of the path of travel for forming a first groups of products;
a second series of spaced lugs affixed to said second selector belt and extending along the length thereof, the lugs of said first and of said second series of lugs, respectively, alternating with one another along the length of said selector belts, wherein the lugs of said second series of lugs are sized and shaped to be moved into engagement with the line of products moving in the direction of the path of travel for forming a second group of products spaced from the first group of products;
a first drive assembly for moving said first selector belt along the path of travel;
and
a second drive assembly for moving said second selector belt along the path of travel independently of said first selector belt.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Selector assembly

Life of this patent

Selector assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22