Method and device for supplying pouring elements arranged and aligned at a distance from each other and comprising a flange

{
  "publication_number": "US9481527B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Method and device for supplying pouring elements arranged and aligned at a distance from each other and comprising a flange",
  "abstract": "A method and a device for supplying pouring elements arranged and aligned at a distance from each other and comprising a flange, wherein the pouring elements are each supplied directly strung together and are then separated. Acceleration of the first pouring element respectively may occur along a segment of a circle after brief stoppage of the following pouring element and transfer of the separated pouring elements to a further conveying path.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for supplying pouring elements comprising a flange, the method comprising the steps of: a) conveying the pouring elements, wherein the pouring elements are aligned at a first distance from one another; b) accelerating a first pouring element along a segment of a circle by moderate acceleration forces using different circumferential speeds, induced by a linkage, after brief stoppage of a following pouring element such that the first pouring element and the following pouring element are separated from one another by a second distance that is greater than the first distance; and c) transferring the separated pouring elements to a further conveying path.",
    "2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in step a), the pouring elements are supplied linearly.",
    "3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in step a), the pouring elements are supplied continuously.",
    "4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pouring elements are conveyed, accelerated, and transferred by their flange along a rail which laterally guides the flange of the pouring element.",
    "5. A device for supplying pouring elements, wherein the pouring elements are arranged and aligned at a distance from each other and comprise a flange and the pouring elements are each supplied directly strung together and are then separated, comprising: a linkage with a drivable rotary disc having a plurality of bearing blocks rotatably mounted thereon and each having a guide arm with an eye at its free end, with a pin arranged immovably and eccentrically with respect to the rotary disc, with a plurality of pivot arms, corresponding to the number of bearing blocks, having one eye respectively at each end, wherein one end forms a pivot joint with the eye of the associated guide arm and another end is mounted so as to rotate about the pin, with a drive cam as an elongated axis of each pivot joint and a guide rail system for conveying the pouring elements.",
    "6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the rotary disc has a central opening.",
    "7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the rotary disc is mounted on a fixed ring.",
    "8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the rotary disc is driven by a sprocket concentrically arranged underneath.",
    "9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the sprocket is an annular gear wheel with internal teeth.",
    "10. The device according to claim 5, wherein the bearing blocks are ball bearing mounted.",
    "11. The device according to claim 5, wherein the guide rail system has a supply rail, an acceleration rail and a transfer rail.",
    "12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the acceleration rail is designed as a segment of a circle spanning an angle of 180°.",
    "13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the segment of a circle of the acceleration rail is arranged concentrically around the pin.",
    "14. The device according to claim 11, wherein at least the acceleration rail is part of a guide plate.",
    "15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the guide rail system is arranged in one plane."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe invention relates to a method and to a device for supplying pouring elements arranged and aligned at a distance from each other and comprising a flange, wherein the pouring elements are each supplied directly strung together and are then separated.\n\n2. Description of Related Art\n\nWhen applying pouring elements to packaging, in particular beverage packaging, there is a requirement that the pouring elements, which usually consist of basic bodies having a pouring tube and a fastening flange and screw-on lid and optionally an opening element arranged in the basic body, must be supplied to the applicator at a predefined distance, wherein this distance is different depending on the applicator and packaging format. To achieve this the pouring elements are firstly individually aligned in order to then be able to be supplied in a guide rail or the like to the actual applicator.\n\nA generic method and a corresponding device are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,374 A. There the pouring elements are transferred to a conveyor belt in a clocked manner via a supply path, it being possible to variably determine the distance of the pouring elements by the clocking and the speed of the conveyor belt.\n\nThe known devices all have a complex construction with a large number of moving components and corresponding overall size and are therefore cost- and maintenance-intensive. The pouring elements sometimes experience abrupt acceleration when they are separated.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65B 37/00",
    "B31B 1/00",
    "B31B 2201/9085",
    "B31B 50/00",
    "B31B 50/84",
    "B65B 37/08",
    "B65B 61/18",
    "B65B 61/184",
    "B65G 19/02",
    "B65G 47/28",
    "B65G 47/32"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B31B 1/00",
    "B65B 37/00",
    "B65B 61/18",
    "B65G 19/02",
    "B65G 47/28",
    "B65G 47/31",
    "B65G 47/32"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SIG Technology AG"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Martin Rüegg"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-07-10",
  "publication_date": "2016-11-01",
  "grant_date": "2016-11-01",
  "priority_date": "2012-08-07",
  "application_number": "US-201314420156-A",
  "family_id": "48771439",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
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  ]
}