Apparatus and method for manoeuvring products

Abstract

Packaging apparatus for randomly orientated fragile solid products comprising: a) an apparatus for manoeuvring randomly orientated products prior to packaging, the apparatus comprising at least one conveying means for conveying the products and a vibratory conveyor arranged to receive the products from the at least one conveying means, wherein the mechanical alignment means are arranged to sort the products into parallel lines of products and wherein the vibratory conveyor comprises: an upstream portion having a conveying surface arranged for increasing transverse spacings between the products; a downstream portion having mechanical alignment means arranged to align the products and sort the products into a plurality of lines; and b) a stick-pack packaging machine arranged to receive products from the apparatus and package the products in stick-packs, wherein the stick-pack packaging machine comprises multiple packaging lines arranged in parallel to each receive respective lines of the products.

1 . Packaging apparatus for a product, particularly randomly orientated fragile solid products comprising:
 an apparatus for maneuvering product comprising at least one conveyor for conveying the products and a vibratory conveyor arranged to receive the products from the conveyor, wherein a mechanical alignment member is arranged to sort the products into parallel lines of products and the vibratory conveyor comprises:   an upstream portion having a conveying surface for increasing transverse spacings between the products;   a downstream portion having a mechanical alignment member for aligning the products and sorting the products into a plurality of lines; and   a stick-pack packaging machine for receiving products from the apparatus and package the products in stick-packs, the stick-pack packaging machine comprises multiple packaging lines arranged in parallel to receive respective lines of the products.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical alignment comprises upstanding members having longitudinal guide surfaces and/or elongate channels formed into the conveying surface of the vibratory conveyor. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibratory conveyor is an electromagnetic-type vibratory conveyor. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an in-feed conveyor for a packaging machine, the in-feed conveyor receiving the products from the vibratory conveyor, the vibratory conveyor and the in-feed conveyor defining a longitudinal separation gap for the removal of detritus and under-sized products. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor comprises a plurality of conveyors, each conveyor other than the first being arranged to convey the products at a greater speed than an immediately upstream conveyor. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein each of the conveyors is a belted conveyor. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a static chute arranged upstream of the conveyor for providing a supply of products to a first one of the conveyors, wherein the static chute is arranged to increase the transverse spacings between products. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , for maneuvering randomly orientated food products prior to packaging. 
     
     
         9 . Packaging apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the delivery tubes of the stick-pack packaging machine have a substantially vertical orientation. 
     
     
         10 . Use of the apparatus according to  claim 1  for packaging non-flowing solid food products. 
     
     
         11 . Use according to  claim 10 , wherein the food products are selected from the group consisting of confectionery and bakery products. 
     
     
         12 . Use according to  claim 10 , wherein the food products are elongate food products having a substantially constant shape and size. 
     
     
         13 . A method of maneuvering randomly orientated products prior to packaging, the method comprising conveying the products using at least one conveyor and conveying the products using a vibratory conveyor arranged to receive the products from the at least one conveyor, wherein:
 transverse spacings between the products are increased as the products are conveyed by an upstream portion of the vibratory conveyor; and   the products are aligned and sorted into a plurality of lines by a downstream portion of the vibratory conveyor having a mechanical alignment member.   
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 13 , wherein the products are food products. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled)