Tray filling machine

Abstract

Tray filling machine, comprising: a first conveying device ( 2 ), structured so as to transport between a loading position (C) and an unloading position (S) along a direction of transport (X) a plurality of items (F) arranged in one or more distinct rows; a second conveying device ( 3 ), structured so as to transport a tray (V) on a movement plane ( 31 ) arranged in the proximity of the unloading position of the first conveying device ( 2 ) beneath the first conveying device; said first and second conveying devices ( 2,3 ) being synchronized in relation to each other in a manner such that the items (F) and the tray (V) transit contemporaneously at the unloading position and the items (F) can be arranged on the tray (V).

1 . A tray filling machine, characterized in that it comprises: a first conveying device ( 2 ), structured so as to transport a plurality of items (F) arranged in one or more distinct rows, between a loading position (C) and an unloading position (S) along a direction of transport (X); a second conveying device ( 3 ), structured so as to transport a tray (V) on a movement plane ( 31 ) arranged in the proximity of the unloading position of the first conveying device ( 2 ) beneath the first conveying device; said first and second conveying device ( 2 , 3 ) being synchronized in relation to each other in a manner such that the items (F) and the tray (V) transit contemporaneously at the unloading position and the items (F) can be arranged on the tray (V). 
     
     
         2 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said first conveying device ( 2 ) comprises one or more mobile lanes ( 21 ,  22 ), each lane being structured so as to advance a single row of items (F). 
     
     
         3 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said mobile lanes extend at least along an end tract of the first conveying device, said end tract comprising the unloading position (S). 
     
     
         4 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein each lane ( 21 ,  22 ) is delimited on the underside by a pair of motorized belts ( 21   a,    21   b,    22   a,    22   b ); the belts of each pair are inclined with respect to each other so as to define a concave surface with its concavity facing downwards. 
     
     
         5 . The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein each one of said lanes ( 21 , 22 ) comprises a braking layer structured so as to hinder relative sliding movements between the lanes ( 21 , 22 ) and the items (F) lying on the lanes ( 21 , 22 ). 
     
     
         6 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said second conveying device ( 3 ) comprises a manipulator ( 32 ) predisposed to take a tray (V) from a store ( 51 ) and to position the tray on the movement plane ( 31 ). 
     
     
         7 . The machine according to  claim 6 , wherein said manipulator ( 32 ) comprises a gripping head ( 33 ) that is mobile between a first position, wherein it can take a tray (V) from the store ( 51 ), and a second position, wherein it places the tray (V) over the movement plane ( 31 ). 
     
     
         8 . The machine according to  claim 7 , wherein said gripping head ( 33 ) is rotatingly mobile about a first horizontal axis (A 1 ) between the first and the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The machine according to  claim 6 , wherein said manipulator ( 32 ) is associated with a mobile frame ( 34 ), which slides along a second horizontal axis (A 2 ). 
     
     
         10 . The machine according to  claim 9 , wherein said movement plane ( 31 ) is associated with the mobile frame ( 34 ). 
     
     
         11 . The machine according to  claim 9 , wherein said mobile frame ( 34 ) is slidable along the second axis (A 2 ) between a position aligned with the store ( 51 ) for the trays (V) and a position aligned with the first conveying device ( 2 ). 
     
     
         12 . The machine according to  claim 1 , comprising a synchronization device ( 4 ), structured so as to time the advancement of the items (F) on the first conveying device ( 2 ) with the advancement of the tray (V) carried out by the second conveying device in a manner such that the items (F) and the tray (V) transit contemporaneously at the unloading position and the items (F) can be arranged on the tray (V). 
     
     
         13 . The machine according to  claim 12 , wherein said synchronization device ( 4 ) comprises a first stop element ( 41 ) that is mobile between an active position, wherein it blocks advancement of the items (F) along the first conveying device ( 2 ), and an inactive position, wherein it permits advancement of the items (F) along the first conveying device ( 2 ). 
     
     
         14 . The machine according to  claim 13 , wherein said synchronization device ( 4 ) comprises a second stop element ( 42 ) that is located upstream of the first stop element ( 41 ) and is mobile between an active position, wherein it blocks advancement of the items (F) along the first conveying device, and an inactive position, wherein it permits advancement of the items (F) along the first conveying device. 
     
     
         15 . The machine according to  claim 14 , wherein the first and second stop elements are synchronized with respect to each other in a manner such that when one is in its respective active position, the other is in its respective inactive position, and vice versa.