Abstrict A desiccant feeder system comprising, a reservoir for desiccant
canisters, means for delivering the canisters through a transfer
tube to at a loading station, means for presenting the open end
of containers one at a time at the loading station, means for circulating
air at high velocity through the tubing including an adjustable
internal ring-shaped nozzle to deliver desiccant canisters from
the reservoir to the loading station, and a shuttle selectively
actuatable to discharge at least one desiccant cannister to the
containers at the loading station.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A shuttle assembly comprising of a top block and a bottom block
held in assembled relation by a draw latch, a shuttle mounted for
sliding movement in the shuttle bottom block between a first limit
position blocking flow of desiccant canisters through a discharge
opening in the shuttle bottom block and a second limit position
wherein the discharge opening is aligned with the opening in the
bottom block to permit discharge of a predetermined number of desiccant
canisters to a container aligned with the discharge opening.
2. A shuttle assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shuttle
slide is cycled between limit positions by a spring bias solenoid.
3. A shuttle assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein shuttle slide
as an entrance ramp located below the level of the top of the discharge
opening so as the shuttle slide moves to its first limit position,
desiccant canisters in a stack rest on the ramp and ensure the release
of the predetermined number of canisters when the shuttle slide
is activated to its second limit position.
Description [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/433251 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/107671 filed Nov. 5 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to improvements in desiccant
feeder systems and apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The prior art patents listed below show bottle unscrambling
systems and apparatus. However, these patent do not teach or suggest
the desiccant feeding system and apparatus of the present invention.
[0004] Omega Design Corp. U.S. Pat. No. 5421447
[0005] HIGH RATE TRANSFER WHEEL FOR ORIENTING UNSCRAMBLED CONTAINERS
[0006] Issued: Jun. 6 1995
[0007] and
[0008] Omega Design Corp. U.S. Pat. No. 4655338
[0009] BOTTLE UNSCRAMBLER
[0010] Issued: Apr. 7 1987
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The canister desiccant feeder of the present invention has
seven areas to be monitored for optimum machine performance. They
are reservoir hopper, pre-orienter, air transfer device, desiccant
shuttle system, container handling system, verification system,
rejection station and discharge conveyor.
[0012] The hopper supplies desiccant by gravity feed through a
"stopper" valve at the bottom of the reservoir. The stopper
valve is actuated by a connecting rod and lever attached to an air
cylinder outboard of the reservoir. The stopper is cycled open and
closed when the pre-orienter requires desiccants. The cycle time
and the movement of the stopper should not require adjustments during
normal operation.
[0013] The pre-orienter begins the orienting process by forming
a single column of desiccants and transferring the column to the
air transfer device. A sensor called the pre-orienter sensor controls
the quantity of desiccants in the pre-orienter. This sensor signals
the stopper valve to open and close, hence delivering desiccants
to the pre-orienter. The level of desiccants directly affects the
overall operating efficiency of the pre-orienter.
[0014] Sorter discs are used to form a groove or trough in which
the desiccants are colunmized. Sorter discs are exchanged at changeovers
to form different size grooves for different size/shape desiccants.
Air jets are used to help position the desiccants properly in the
sorter disc's groove.
[0015] The air transfer device for the present invention transports
the oriented desiccants from the pre-orienter to the shuttle. The
air transfer device utilizes compressed air to transfer the desiccants.
Upon the exit from the pre-orienter a reducer is coupled to an air
amplifier, which is connected to a discharge tube and the desiccant
transfer tubing. Slots milled into the tubing regulate the fill
height of the desiccants to a determined height and once the slots
are blocked then the back pressure in the tubing will not allow
the transfer of any more desiccants. A sensor is mounted to confirm
the presence of desiccants within the tube. If the eye acknowledges
absence of desiccants, then the container handling system is stopped.
[0016] The desiccant shuttle system consists of a main housing
(top and bottom block), a linear electronic solenoid, a spring and
a desiccant transfer block. The desiccants are supplied to the shuttle
by the aforementioned transfer device and then are available for
dispensing. The shuttle is in a non-active (retracted) state and
the proper quantity of desiccants are stopped by a ridge on the
bottom block and allowed to stack. The desiccants will remain in
this configuration until activation. The activation is provided
through a gate eye sensor, which signals the linear solenoid to
activate. Desiccants are then moved within the transfer block to
a position where the desiccants can exit the transfer block into
the bottle below. Exit from the transfer block is assisted by an
air nozzle to achieve higher speed. The transfer block is maintained
in its extended position for a determined period of time. Next,
the linear solenoid is deactivated and a spring returns the transfer
block to its original position.
[0017] Desiccants are dispensed into the bottles at a predetermined
speed which is dependent upon the neck of the bottle. In accordance
with the verification system of the present invention, the eye verifies
if a desiccant has been inserted into the bottle. The eye is mounted
under the bottle in the container handling system and senses through
the bottle for the desiccant. The system also includes a leading
edge eye sensor and a trailing edge eye sensor. The leading edge
eye determines when a bottle is entering the verification area and
the trailing edge eye determines when it is leaving the area. If
a desiccant is not detected, then the bottle is rejected at the
rejection station. The rejection station rejects the bottle via
an air jet into a bin.
[0018] In accordance with the discharge conveyor of the present
invention, the discharge conveyor's tabletop chain speed should
be adjusted to provide a smooth transfer of containers through the
system. A sensor called the backlog sensor monitors the conveyor
discharge conditions at the edge of the canister desiccant feeder.
Should the conveyor backlog or overload, the backlog sensor will
signal the entire canister desiccant feeder to pause. Once the blockage
has cleared, the machine will automatically restart. Minor adjustments
to the timer settings of the sensor may be required to compensate
for actual in-plant operations, conveyor velocities and container
sizes and shapes.
[0019] The system of the present invention has many features. They
include the fact that the system may be mounted on an adjustable
free-standing mobile frame which can be easily moved into and over
existing conveyor systems. The system is fully automatic and provides
on demand operation with discharge backlog detection. The system
is adaptable to a ten gallon unit mounted floor-level hopper with
vertical elevator to minimize floor space requirements. The system
is provided with a desiccant drop verification and is fully guarded
with interlocks. The system does not require changing the parts
for different sized bottles or containers and provides positive
container control through variable speed side belts with shaft encoder
to track container speeds. The system and apparatus of the present
invention also has a container reject for missing desiccant with
reject verification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] These and other objects of the present invention and various
features and details of the operation and construction thereof are
hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view showing a system
for delivering a continuous stream of desiccant canisters to a shuttle
system, the shuttle discharging single or multiple desiccant canisters
into individual containers carried at high speed on a bottle unscrambling
turret.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 1 showing the desiccant
reservoir and pre-orienter, air transfer device, desiccant transfer
tubing, shuttle assembly, bottle unscrambling turret, conveyor,
rejection station and sensor locations.
[0023] FIG. 2A is a side elevational view partially in section
showing a typical bottle having a desiccant canister contained therein.
[0024] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional side elevational
view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2 showing details of the air
transfer device and a portion of the pre-orienter.
[0025] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view
of the detail contained within the dot and dash line shown in FIG.
3 and designated in FIG. 4.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational sectional view
taken on the line 55 of FIG. 2 showing details of the shuttle assembly
with its shuttle block in the forward or desiccant discharge position.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to
FIG. 5 showing the shuttle block in the retracted or desiccant loading
position.
[0028] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the shuttle original slide-design.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 88 of
FIG. 5 showing additional details of the shuttle assembly.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevational sectional view taken
on the line 99 of FIG. 2 showing how the bottles carried in the
pocket assemblies of the bottle unscrambler have their bottom faces
all raised to a common plane by means of a ramp prior to passing
over a sensor so that the presence of a desiccant canister in each
bottle may be determined.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a schematic fragmentary side elevational view
showing a conveyor modification wherein a portion is broken away
and in section to show certain details of construction.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a plan view of FIG. 10.
[0033] FIG. 12a is a perspective view of a shuttle modification
in accordance with the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 12b is a top plan view of the modified shuttle slide.
[0035] FIG. 13a is a perspective view of a modified shuttle bottom
block.
[0036] FIG. 13b is a top plan view of the shuttle block.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS.
1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a system and apparatus for delivering
desiccant canisters (C)and depositing predetermined preselected
canisters in a container or bottle (B) in a continuous assembly
line fashion. The desiccant feeding and loading system is shown
in association with a bottle unscrambler, generally of the type
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4655338 entitled, BOTTLE UNSCRAMBLER, which
issued Apr. 7 1987 and is owned by Omega Design Corp., assignee
of the present application. The bottle orienting system comprises
a rotating turret (10) having a plurality of pocket assemblies (12)
disposed at equi-spaced locations circumferentially around the turret
(10). The bottles (B) are fed into a feeding station (S.sub.f) in
either a top down or top up condition and as they are rotated by
the turret (10), they are oriented to a top up position at a desiccant
feeding and loading station (S.sub.d) where desiccant canisters
(C) are discharged, for example, one to a bottle (B) and then delivered
to a discharge conveyor (C.sub.d).
[0038] The basic elements of the desiccant feeder system include
a reservoir (30) wherein desiccant canisters (C) are fed in random
fashion and are delivered to a pre-orienter (32) which orients the
canisters (C) single file, end to end, for delivery to an infeed
tube (34) of an air transfer device (36). The air transfer device
(36) releases a predetermined amount of compressed air at high velocity
through an internal ring-shape nozzle to drive the desiccant canisters(C)through
desiccant transfer tubing (T.sub.d)connecting the air transfer device
(36) to a desiccant shuttle assembly (50) at the desiccant feeding
and loading station (S.sub.d). As explained in more detail hereafter,
the air released through the nozzle creates a strong vacuum drawing
additional ambient air through the infeed tube (34) and pulling
additional surrounding air through the rear of the air transfer
device while pushing the ambient air in front. This creates a very
efficient delivery system at relatively low air pressures, in the
order of 10 psi.
[0039] The desiccant delivery station (S.sub.d), as best illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 5 includes a shuttle assembly (50), which in the
present instance, is mounted on an upstanding support frame (53)
so that it may be selectively adjusted in a vertical direction for
ease of aligning the shuttle assembly (50) with respect to the bottle
unscrambler turret (10). The shuttle assembly (50) is of relatively
simplified construction and comprises a top block (52) and a bottom
block (54) which are held in assembled relation by a draw latch
(56). A shuttle slide (60) having a discharge opening (62) is mounted
for sliding movement in the shuttle bottom block (54) between a
first limit or rest position (FIG. 6) blocking flow of desiccant
canisters(C) through the discharge opening (63) in the shuttle bottom
block (54). In this position, the discharge opening (62) is aligned
with the stack of desiccants in the accumulator tube (66). A second
discharge limit position (FIG. 5) wherein the discharge opening
(62) is aligned with the opening in the bottom block (63), thus
permitting discharge of a single canister(C) to a bottle (B). The
shuttle slide (60) is cycled between the limit positions by a spring
biased solenoid (67) having a rod (68) connected to the shuttle
slide (60) and a conventional extension spring (70) normally biasing
the shuttle slide (60) to its second blocking limit position (FIG.
6). When the solenoid is energized, it moves the shuttle slide (60)
to the discharge limit position (FIG. 5). The shuttle top block
(52) mounts a fitting (72) connected through a line (74) to the
pressurized air supply to direct air through an internal channel
(76) and propel desiccant canisters(C)directly into the bottle(B)in
the manner shown in FIG. 5.
[0040] The shuttle slide (60) has an entrance ramp (61) cut below
the level of the top of the discharge opening (62) so that as the
shuttle slide (60) is moved to its first limit position, the desiccant
canisters(C)in the stack rest on the ramp and ensure the release
of a predetermined number of canisters(C) in the manner shown and
described.
[0041] Conventional sensors operatively connected to various components
of the system are provided for synchronizing the feed and delivery
of the desiccants to the open containers as they are moved at a
constant speed through the desiccant discharge and feeding station
(S.sub.d). To this end, a so-called gate sensor (80) is disposed
in the path of the pocket assemblies and is operatively connected
to the shuttle slide (60), solenoid (67) so that if it senses a
pocket assembly coming into the station as having a bottle (B),
then it activates the solenoid (67) to cycle the shuttle slide (60)
to feed a desiccant canister(C) to the bottle (B). If the pocket
assembly entering the station is not loaded with a bottle (B), the
gate eye sensor (80) does not activate the solenoid (67).
[0042] Downstream of the desiccant loading and feeding station
(S.sub.d) is a verification sensor (90) which is mounted in an upwardly
inclined ramp (92). The leading edge sensor (94) and trailing edge
sensor (96) in cooperation with the verification sensor (90) are
operatively connected to a reject mechanism (100) so that bottles(B)
passing through the station without a desiccant canister(C)are discharged
from the conveyor at the rejection station (S.sub.r).
[0043] In some instances, it is desired to feed two desiccant canisters(C)
to each bottle (B). In this instance, the system can be easily modified
to accommodate feeding two at a time. The shuttle block bottom assembly
is simply removed and replaced with one wherein the shuttle slide
(60) has a discharge opening twice the height of a desiccant canister.
To do this, the draw latch and hinge are simply disengaged. Then,
the new bottom block assembly can be mounted and in all other respects
operates the same as in the manner described above.
[0044] Considering now the air transfer assembly, the construction
and details thereof are best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown therein,
air transfer assembly comprises an air amplifier infeed tube (120)
having a central bore (123) of a diameter (D) slightly larger than
the diameter (D.sub.1) of the desiccant canisters(C) and has an
enlarged inner end (121 ) terminating at a circumferentially extending
frusto-conical face (122) which is stepped as at 124 at it inner
terminal end to define a circumferentially extending air inlet chamber
(126). The assembly further includes an elongated tubular air amplifier
throat member (130) having a frusto-conical face (132) complementing
and confronting the frusto-conical face (122) of the air amplifier
infeed tube. The air amplifier throat member (130) and air amplifier
infeed tube (120) are held in the abutting relationship shown in
FIG. 3 by a nozzle reducer (140). The assembly further includes
an amplifier discharge tube (142) having an outwardly diverging
flared inner face (142.sub.a) adjacent its inner end which confronts
the air amplifier infeed tube (120) and which serves as a pilot
section directing the desiccant canisters(C) to the discharge tube
in the manner shown in FIG. 3. An intermediate sleeve (146) is mounted
on the inner end of the amplifier discharge tube (142) and has external
threads which mate with threads on the air amplifier throat (130).
[0045] A nut (150) is used to secure the parts in place in the
manner shown in FIG. 3. The sleeve (146) has a annular undercut
at its inner end defining an air chamber (152). A fitting (153)
connects the air chamber (152) to a pressurized air supply (S.sub.a).
The flexible tube (T.sub.d) as illustrated is connected at its inner
end to the air amplifier discharge tube (142). As shown by the arrows,
pressurized air from a source enters the fitting and flows into
the annular chamber (152) and from there the air is directed inwardly
through the annular chamber (124) to the bore of the amplifier discharge
tube. This arrangement creates a vacuum, thereby pulling additional
air from the ambient environment through the amplifier infeed tube
(34) as shown by the arrows designated X.
[0046] Consider briefly, the operation of the system and apparatus
as described. Desiccant canisters (C) flow from the reservoir (30)
to the pre-orienter (32) and into the amplifier infeed tube (34)
where they arrive in an end to end configuration. This tube as shown
has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the canisters
(C) so that they accumulate in the air infeed tube in an end to
end array. Pressurized air drives the canisters (C) through the
desiccant transfer tubing (T.sub.d) and deliver the canisters (C)
to the accumulator tube (66) at the desiccant loading station (S.sub.d).
An opening is provided in the tubing and accumulation tube at points
154 and 156 (as shown in FIG. 5). The transfer assembly will continue
to automatically feed desiccant canisters (C) through the system
until the supply of desiccant canisters in the accumulator tube
(66) reaches the upper limit at 156. At such point, back pressure
within the transfer tubing (T.sub.d) will prevent the transfer of
desiccants. When the level of desiccant canister (C) falls below
the lower limit (154), the bottle handling machine is stopped. If
this condition lasts longer than the predetermined time, an alarm
is triggered. The tubing is preferably of a fluorinated ethylene
propylene (FEP) which is available under the trade name Chemfluor.
[0047] There is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 a conveyor modification
where it may be desired to locate the desiccant feeding and loading
system of the present invention along the path of a conveyor rather
than in association with the bottle unscrambler as described above.
In this instance, the downflex conveyor section shown in FIGS. 10
and 11 is simply placed in the location desired for sensing bottles
(B) and the desiccant loading station is appropriately positioned
upstream of the downflex conveyor section. As illustrated, the conveyor
belt (159) is diverted downwardly by a suitable modification and
three sensors (160) are located across the width of the conveyor
for sensing whether bottles (B) moving through this section of the
conveyor are filled with the appropriate desiccant canister. The
drive system for moving bottles (B) through the sensor station includes
a series of rollers (158) and belts (159) and a suitable drive motor
(164) for advancing the bottles (B) moving on the conveyor in the
direction indicated through the sensing station.
[0048] It is shown in FIGS. 12a-13b, inclusive, a modified form
of shuttle assembly in accordance with the present invention which
is generally similar in construction of the arrangement to that
described previously except the slide is generally rectangular rather
than rounded at its front and rear end. Accordingly, similar reference
numerals have been assigned with the subscript "A".
[0049] It has been found that this form of the shuttle assembly
is easier and more economical to manufacture.
[0050] Even though particular embodiments of the present invention
have been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to
limit the invention and changes and modifications may be made therein
within the scope of the following claims. |