Apparatus and method for collating products
AssigneeQuin Systems Limited
InventorMichael Webb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A collating conveyor (4, 6) receives products (2) sequentially from a delivery point and collates them into groups (8). A pusher (9) transfers groups (8) of products from the collating conveyor (4, 6) to a receiving trough (10), where they are turned through a predetermined angle B. The collating conveyor (4, 6) is inclined to the horizontal and is provided with lugs (5, 7), each of which supports a stack (8) of products under the effect of gravity. A pick-and-place head (11) picks up a group (8) of products from the trough (10) by gripping and clamping the products (2) together.
Claims18
Apparatus for turning and collating products, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a collating conveyor arranged to receive products sequentially from a delivery point and collate the products into groups;
- and
- b. a holder arranged at one side of the collating conveyor to receive groups of products from the collating conveyor:
- wherein, in use, said collating conveyor is inclined to the horizontal and the vertical such that, as they arrive on the collating conveyor, products are turned through a first angle with respect to their orientation at the delivery point and said collating conveyor is provided with lugs, each of which supports a stack of products under the effect of gravity;
- and
- the holder is movable between a first position in which it is aligned with the collating conveyor to receive groups of products from the collating conveyor and a second position such that products in the holder are turned through a second angle that adds to said first angle.
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising pick-and-place means arranged to pick up a group of products from said holder, after turning through said second angle, and then place the turned group of products in a predetermined position.
A method of turning and collating products, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. receiving products sequentially from a delivery point and collating the products into groups by means of a collating conveyor;
- and
- b. transferring groups of products from the collating conveyor to a holding station:
- wherein said collating conveyor is inclined to the horizontal and the vertical such that, as they arrive on the collating conveyor, products are turned through a first angle with respect to their orientation at the delivery point and said collating conveyor is provided with lugs, each of which supports a stack of products under the effect of gravity;
- and
- the holder is movable between a first position in which it is aligned with the collating conveyor to receive groups of products from the collating conveyor and a second position such that products in the holder are turned through a second angle that adds to said first angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.