DISCRETE ARTICLE SPACING APPARATUS FOR VIBRATION TRAYS

• US 20100133066A1
• Filed: 12/01/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Countlab, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Count Lab Incorporated
• Inventors: BASSINI, Loris
• Granted Patent: US 8,225,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/460.100
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/06 Separating single articles from loose masses of articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/14 by agitators or vibrators
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 35/24 by endless belts or chains B65B35/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/08 Packaging groups of articles, the articles being individually gripped or guided for transfer to the containers or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 57/20 Applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles other applications B65B65/08
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 27/34 comprising a series of co-operating units
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/26 arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles

Abstract

A container filling machine comprising a vibration tray that is suitable for moving discrete articles from a discrete article receiving end of the vibration tray towards a plurality of guiding paths that lead to a container. The container filling machine further comprises at least one spacing device located in proximity to the vibration tray. The at least one spacing device is operative for receiving the discrete articles from the vibration tray at a first speed, and causing the discrete articles to be deposited into the plurality of guiding paths at a second speed. The second speed is greater than the first speed.

Claims

1. A system for use in a container filling machine, said system comprising:

a. a vibration tray suitable for moving discrete articles from a discrete article receiving end of the vibration tray towards a discrete article drop-off end of the vibration tray;

b. at least one spacing device located in proximity to said discrete article drop-off end, said at least one spacing device being driven at a rotation speed, said at least one spacing device being operative for receiving discrete articles from said vibration tray at a first speed, and causing the discrete articles to be deposited from the vibration tray at a second speed, the second speed being greater than the first speed.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said vibration tray comprises a plurality of channels that extend from said discrete article receiving end to said discrete article drop-off end.

3. A system as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of channels forms a V-shaped channel.

4. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of channels comprises a slot for receiving a respective one of said at least one spacing devices.

5. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one spacing device comprises a belt capable of carrying the discrete articles at the second speed.

6. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein said belt is mounted around a driving shaft and a driven shaft.

7. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one spacing device comprises a wheel capable of carrying the discrete articles at the second speed.

8. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said second speed is between 150-600 rpm.

9. A container filling machine, comprising:

a. a vibration tray that is suitable for moving discrete articles from a discrete article receiving end of the vibration tray towards a plurality of guiding paths that lead towards a container;

b. at least one spacing device located in proximity to said vibration tray, said at least one spacing device being operative for receiving the discrete articles from said vibration tray at a first speed, and causing the discrete articles to be deposited into the plurality of guiding paths at a second speed, the second speed being greater than the first speed.

10. A container filling machine as defined in claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of vibration trays comprises a plurality of channels that extend from the discrete article receiving end to a discrete article drop-off end.

11. A container filling machine as defined in claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of channels forms a V-shaped channel.

12. A container filling machine as defined in claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of channels comprises a slot for receiving a respective one of said at least one spacing devices.

13. A container filling machine as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one spacing device comprises a belt capable of carrying the discrete articles at the second speed.

14. A container filling machine as defined in claim 13, wherein the belt is mounted around a driving shaft and a driven shaft.

15. A container filling machine as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one spacing device comprises a wheel capable of carrying the discrete articles at the second speed.

16. A method for filling containers with discrete articles, said method comprising:

a. causing rotational motion to be provided to a first spacing device for moving discrete articles from a first vibration tray to a first set of guiding paths that lead to a first container;

b. causing rotational motion to be provided to a second spacing device for moving discrete articles from a second vibration tray to a second set of guiding paths that lead to a second container;

c. receiving an indication that the first container and the second container are being filled with the discrete articles at different rates;

d. causing an adjustment in the rotational motion provided to one of the first spacing device and the second spacing device.