System and method for weighing containters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021302221-A1
Application number	US-201816643771-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 30, 2018
Priority date	Sep 5, 2017
Publication date	Sep 30, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for weighing containers includes: a weighing station and a conveying path extending from an upstream infeed section to a downstream outfeed section. The conveying path includes a gripping stretch for gripping the containers and a release stretch for releasing the containers, disposed between the infeed section and the outfeed section; and a conveying device for conveying the containers from the infeed section to the gripping stretch, and the weighed containers from the release stretch to the outfeed section. The conveying device includes first and second groups of housings for receiving the containers and moving them from the infeed section to the gripping stretch. A gripping and transferring device transfers the containers from the gripping stretch to the weighing station and from the weighing station to the release stretch. The first and second groups are movable independently of each other from the infeed section to the gripping stretch.

First claim

1 . A system for weighing containers, comprising:
a weighing station for weighing containers; a conveying path of the containers, extending from an infeed section, upstream of the weighing station, to an outfeed section downstream of the weighing station; the conveying path further comprises a gripping stretch for gripping the containers, and a release stretch for releasing the containers, disposed between the infeed section and the outfeed section; conveying means, disposed along the conveying path for conveying the containers to be weighed from the infeed section to the gripping stretch, and the weighed containers from the release stretch to the outfeed section; the conveying means comprising at least a first group of housings and a second group of housings, adapted to receive the containers and movable along the conveying path from the infeed section to the gripping stretch; gripping and transferring means for transferring the containers to be weighed from the gripping stretch to the weighing station, and the weighed containers from the weighing station to the release stretch;
the system wherein:
the first group of housings and the second group of housings of the conveying means are movable independently of each other from the infeed section to the gripping stretch.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping stretch and the release stretch extend along a first orientation; and wherein the gripping and transferring means transfer the containers from the gripping stretch to the weighing station and/or from the weighing station to the release stretch by moving the containers along a second orientation perpendicular to the first orientation.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the weighing station comprises a plurality of scales, each scale being used to weigh a container; and wherein the gripping and transferring means transfer each container to be weighed to a corresponding scale.

4 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein the weighing station further comprises a supporting surface, for supporting the containers during their transfer from the gripping stretch to the scales and from the scales to the release stretch; the supporting surface comprises a plurality of openings, each facing a corresponding scale, the gripping and transferring means releasing the containers to be weighed at the openings in order to engage the latter; the supporting surface being vertically movable between a raised position, above the scales, and a lowered position, at the scales; the openings of the supporting surface and the scales being configured in such a way that when the supporting surface is moved from its raised position to its lowered position, the containers disengage the openings and come into contact with the scales and are weighed; so that when the supporting surface is moved from its lowered position to its raised position, the containers engage the openings again and disengage the scales.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying means comprise a first conveying unit in turn comprising: a first endless belt, carrying the first group of housings; two first pulleys, around which the first belt is looped and which, together with the first belt move the first group of housings; a second endless belt, carrying the second group of housings; two second pulleys, around which the second belt is looped and which, together with the second belt, move the second group of housings; wherein the two first pulleys and the two second pulleys are movable independently of each other and are mounted respectively in pairs, juxtaposed and coaxial with each other.

6 . The system according to any claim 1 , wherein the conveying means comprise: at least a third group of housings and a fourth group of housings, adapted to receive the containers and movable independently of each other along the conveying path from the release stretch to the outfeed section.

7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the weighing station is disposed externally of the container conveying path, alongside the conveying means; and wherein the container gripping stretch and the container release stretch of the conveying path coincide.

8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the weighing station is positioned along the conveying path of the containers, and is disposed between the gripping stretch and the release stretch of the conveying path.

9 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the first conveying unit is positioned upstream of the weighing station; and wherein the conveying means a further comprise, downstream of the weighing station:
a second conveying unit in turn comprising a third endless belt, carrying the third group of housings; and two third pulleys, around which the third belt is looped and which, together with the third belt, move the third group of housings; a fourth endless belt, carrying the fourth group of housings; and two fourth pulleys, around which the fourth belt is looped and which, together with the fourth belt, move the fourth group of housings; the two third pulleys and the two fourth pulleys being movable independently of each other and mounted respectively in pairs, juxtaposed and coaxial with each other.

10 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the gripping and transferring means, comprise two parallel rows of gripper elements that are connected and suitably spaced apart to simultaneously transfer, with a single movement, the weighed containers, on the scales, from the weighing station to the release stretch, and the containers to be weighed, from the gripping stretch to the scales of the weighing station.

11 . A system for weighing containers, comprising:
a weighing station for weighing containers; a conveying path of the containers, extending from an infeed section-upstream of the weighing station, to an outfeed section, downstream of the weighing station the conveying path, further comprises a gripping stretch for gripping the containers and a release stretch for releasing the containers disposed between the infeed section and the outfeed section; conveying means, disposed along the conveying path for conveying the containers to be weighed from the infeed section to the gripping stretch, and the weighed containers from the release stretch to the outfeed section; the conveying means comprise at least a first group of housings and a second group of housings, adapted to receive the containers and movable along the conveying path from the infeed section to the gripping stretch; gripping and transferring means for transferring the containers; to be weighed from the gripping stretch to the weighing station, and the weighed containers from the weighing station to the release stretch; the system wherein: the first group of housings and the second group of housings, of the conveying means are connected to each other and arranged in a row; moved along the conveying path at a first speed from the infeed section towards the gripping stretch, and at a second speed, lower than the first speed, when they are at the gripping stretch, to allow the gripping and transferring means to grip the containers.

12 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein the conveying means further comprise a belt ( 403 ′) carrying the first group of housings and the second group of housings, two translatory pulleys, around which the belt is looped and movement means, to allow the two translatory pulleys to be moved along an orientation parallel to their centre-to-centre line.

13 . A machine for filling and weighing containers comprising:
a first system for weighing containers according to claim 1 , for weighing empty containers t

Assignees

• Gd Spa

Inventors

• Lanzarini Luca
• Testoni Luca
• Moretti Carlo
• Gaudenzi Fabio
• Cesari Marco
• Tallerico Andrea
• Amorati Valerio
• Federici Luca

Classifications

• B65G47/847

  the article-engaging elements being grippers · CPC title

• B65B1/46

  Check-weighing of filled containers or receptacles · CPC title

• G01G17/00 Primary

  Apparatus for or methods of weighing material of special form or property (determining weight by measuring volume G01F) · CPC title

• B65B3/28

  by weighing · CPC title