Automatic product packing machine with manual electric drive control

Abstract

An automatic product packing machine having: a conveying device which feeds a product for packing along a packing path, which originates at a first feed station and extends through a second feed station and at least one work station; an electric machine motor which drives at least part of the conveying device to move the conveying device; a manual control operated manually by an operator; and a control unit which controls operation of the electric machine motor according to the position of the manual control; and a portable device, which can be gripped and moved about freely by an operator, and supports the manual control.

1 . An automatic product packing machine ( 1 ) comprising:
 at least a first feed station ( 20 ) for supplying at least one product ( 21 ) for packing;   at least a second feed station ( 22 ) for supplying at least one sheet ( 23 ) of packing material, which is applied to the product ( 21 );   at least one work station ( 24 ) where the product ( 21 ) is packed in the sheet ( 23 ) of packing material;   a conveying device ( 25 ) which feeds the product ( 21 ) for packing along a packing path (P), which originates at the first feed station ( 20 ) and extends through the second feed station ( 22 ) and the work station ( 24 );   at least one electric machine motor ( 4 ) which drives at least part of the conveying device ( 25 ) to move the conveying device ( 25 );   at least one manual control ( 9 ) operated manually by an operator; and   a control unit ( 8 ) which controls operation of the electric machine motor ( 4 ) according to the position of the manual control ( 9 );   the automatic machine ( 1 ) being characterized by comprising:   a portable device ( 15 ), which supports the manual control ( 9 ), is physically independent of and separate from the automatic machine ( 1 ), is designed for easy, one-handed grip by an operator to allow the operator to grip the portable device ( 15 ) in one hand and simultaneously operate the manual control ( 9 ) with the other hand, and in use can be gripped and moved about freely by the operator; and   a connecting cable ( 16 ), which connects the portable device ( 15 ) to the control unit ( 8 ), and is of a given length designed to allow the operator using the portable device ( 15 ) to move in the vicinity of, but no further than a given maximum distance from, the automatic machine ( 1 ).   
     
     
         2 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the manual control ( 9 ) is in the form of a rotary knob. 
     
     
         3 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable device ( 15 ) has a safety button ( 18 ), which must be kept pressed at all times to permit operation of the electric machine motor ( 4 ) by the manual control ( 9 ). 
     
     
         4 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the safety button ( 18 ) is located on one side of the portable device ( 15 ), so the operator gripping the portable device ( 15 ) with one hand can press the safety button ( 18 ) with the thumb of the same hand while operating the manual control ( 9 ) with the other hand. 
     
     
         5 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable device ( 15 ) comprises a scale adjuster ( 14 ) for adjusting the transmission ratio between a variation in the position of the manual control ( 9 ) and a corresponding variation in the position of the electric machine motor ( 4 ). 
     
     
         6 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable device ( 15 ) comprises a direction control ( 17 ) for controlling the operating direction of the electric machine motor ( 4 ). 
     
     
         7 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , and comprising a receptacle ( 19 ) for housing and supporting the portable device ( 15 ) when not in use. 
     
     
         8 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , and comprising a computer tablet ( 28 ) connected wirelessly to the control unit ( 8 ) by a radiofrequency connection. 
     
     
         9 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the computer tablet ( 28 ) interacts with the control unit ( 8 ) to display information relating to the status of the automatic machine ( 1 ), and to modify settings or configurations of the automatic machine ( 1 ). 
     
     
         10 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the computer tablet ( 28 ) does not provide for controlling the electric machine motor ( 4 ). 
     
     
         11 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 8 , and comprising at least one docking station ( 30 ) where the computer tablet ( 28 ) is connectable. 
     
     
         12 . An automatic machine ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the docking station ( 30 ) is fitted to a column ( 31 ) fixed to the floor in front of the automatic machine ( 1 ).