Title of Invention

AN AUTO FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARRYINGTHIN PRODUCTS STANDING ON THEIR

Abstract An auto feeding mechanism for carrying thin products standing on their edge for further operation of stack separation in an auto-feeding system, said auto feeding mechanism comprising a carrier belt which passes over at least one set of carrier belt drive rollers, wherein the carrier belt drive roller is coupled to a carrier belt drive motor for providing motion to the carrier belt, and an inline travelling product support coupled to an inline driving motor through a coupling means for providing motion to the inline travelling product support, wherein the inline travelling product support and the carrier belt are operated independent of each other.
Full Text FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970)
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; Rule 13)
"AN AUTO FHHDING MECHANISM FOR CARRYING
THIN PRODUCTS STANDING ON THEIR EDGE FOR FURTHER OPERATION OF STACK SEPARATION IN AN AUTO FEEDING SYSTEM"
MULTI PACK SYSTEMS PVT. LTD., an Indian Company of 2nd Floor, Paqtriot Complex, Ellora Park, Baroda, Gujarat 390 007, India.
The following specification (particularly) describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.



BELTS CARRYING THIN PRODUCTS ON-EDGE FOR FURTHER OPERATION OF STACK SEPARATION IN THE AUTO FEEDING SYSTEM
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved auto feeding mechanism for carrying thin products standing on their edge for further operation of stack separation in an auto-feeding system, more particularly the present invention relates to an improved auto feeding mechanism for carrying biscuits standing on their edge for further operation of stack separation in the auto-feeding system.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
As a person skilled in packaging of biscuits, breads and other similar products may know it; the stack length of the product to be formed is calculated using the following procedure:
1. the weight and the width of each biscuit are first calculated;
2. the total weight of the biscuit pack is then arrived;
3. the total number of biscuits that are necessary to constitute the total weight is then calculated, and
4. the total length of the stack is then determined.
After the aforesaid procedure is adopted, the products such as biscuits, breads etc. are automatically separated based on the stack length and the weight of the stack is not checked instantaneously. Weight check of the biscuit or bread is done after the biscuit or bread is packed.
As it may be known to a person skilled in the art, while calculating the length of the stack, it is assumed that the products will be close to each other and form a compact stack. However, during the operation of the packing devices in the industry, it has been found by experience that during the step of stack formation, the product which is at the beginning and/or end of the stack are either disoriented or a part of the product is broken or the product falls down thereby affecting the operation. The Inventor also noticed that due to this improper stack formation, one in every three or four stacks formed weighs less than the calculated amount.


The Inventor also found that gaps as small as 1 to 1.5 mm between two closely standing products hinders in the stack forming operation. More particularly, the Inventor noticed that if there exists one or two gaps of 1 to 1.5 mm between two closely standing products in a stack, the product that is at the beginning and/or end of the stack is either disoriented or a part of the product is broken.
The Inventor also noticed that if there are more than two such gaps in a stack, the number of products that are separated to form a stack are lesser, due to which the stack of product weighs less than the calculated amount.
Thus, the Inventor found that compacting of the products not only plays a vital role in the disorientation and the breakage but also on the formation of a stack which is weighing less.
The Inventor also noticed that in some of the sophisticated packaging machines a separate compacting unit for proper compacting of the products was provided. The cost of such compacting unit is extremely high and hence, compacting units are not available in all the packaging machines.
Thus, there is a grave need to develop a cost-effective packaging machine that provides sufficient compacting of the products without the use of a separate compacting unit. Also, there exists a need to develop a packaging machine that provides sufficient compacting of the products without applying excessive pressure to the products.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved auto feeding mechanism for carrying thin products standing on their edge for further operation of stack separation that obviates the disadvantages described above.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved auto feeding mechanism for carrying biscuits standing on their edge for further operation of stack separation in the auto-feeding system.


Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved auto feeding mechanism for carrying biscuits standing on their edge which obviates the need of a separate compacting unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
In the drawings accompanying the specification,
FIGURE 1 represents existing auto feeding system carrying thin products on their edge for
further operation of stack separation.
FIGURE 2 represents the newly developed auto feeding system carrying thin products on
their edge for further operation of stack separation.
STATEMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention relates to an improved auto feeding mechanism for carrying thin products standing on their edge for further operation of stack separation in an auto-feeding system, more particularly the present invention relates to an improved auto feeding mechanism for carrying biscuits standing on their edge for further operation of stack separation in the auto-feeding system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In their efforts to develop a cost effective packaging machine which provides sufficient compacting without the use of a separate compacting unit the Inventor studied the working of the commonly available packaging machine that does not have a compacting unit. More particularly, the Inventor focussed their study on the auto feeding mechanism, which supplies a constant flow of biscuits to the stack separating mechanism.
As can be seen from figure 1, the auto feeding system comprises of a carrier belt (1) and an inline travelling product support mechanism (2) simultaneously driven by a single driving mechanism (3) for supplying a constant flow of biscuits to the stack separating mechanism. The driving mechanism (3) comprises a motor (4) attached through coupling means (5) to a cam (6), the said cam being attached with a lever (7). The aforesaid motor (4) assembly simultaneously provides motion to inline travelling product support (2) and the carrier belt (1) which rolls over a set of carrier belt drive rollers (8) through two independent links (9 and 10).

During the experimentation procedures, the Inventor replaced the motor with a geared motor that can operate at varying speed but found that the compaction of the stack was a little bit improved but was not satisfactory.
As a single motor drives the inline travelling product support and the carrier belt, it can be noticed that they are operated at equal speed. After much experimentation, the Inventor surprisingly noticed that operating the inline travelling product support and the carrier belt at the same speed did not provide sufficient compacting of the stack of products and also the pressure on the stack of products is comparatively higher.
Thus in order to overcome this disadvantage, the Inventor tried operating the inline travelling product support and the carrier belt at different speeds. During an initial attempt, the Inventor operated the inline travelling product support and the carrier belt at different speeds, wherein the difference in the speeds was kept high.
On the contrary to the above hypothesis, the Inventor noticed that operating the inline travelling product support and the carrier belt under such conditions i.e. at different speeds, wherein the difference in the speeds is very high, totally disoriented the stacks formed.
Thus, in a subsequent attempt, the Inventor operated the inline travelling product support and the carrier belt at different speeds, wherein the difference in the speeds was comparatively lesser.
To the surprise of the Applicants, it was noticed that the formation of the stack under these conditions was taking place and also the stacks thus formed were compact and devoid of any gap between two closely standing products in the stack.
The Inventor also noticed that the speed of the carrier belt and the speed of the inline travelling product support cannot be fixed at a predetermined value. The operating speeds of the carrier belt and the inline travelling product support are dependent upon the stack length, the size and the weight of the products i.e. biscuits. The difference in the operating speeds of the carrier belt and the speed of the inline travelling product support are


determined based on the particular stack length, size and weight of biscuit. Thus, it is essential to provide an auto feeding system wherein the carrier belt and the inline travelling product support are essentially operated at two different speeds, wherein the speeds of operation of the carrier belt and the inline travelling product support are individually controllable.
Keeping in view the above finding and in order to achieve the aforesaid objects, the
Inventor developed an auto feeding mechanism for carrying thin products standing on their
edge for further operation of stack separation in an auto-feeding system comprising:
a carrier belt (11) which passes over at least one set of carrier belt drive rollers (12),
wherein the carrier belt drive roller (12) is coupled to a carrier belt drive motor (13) for
providing motion to the carrier belt (11), and
an inline travelling product support (14) coupled to an inline driving motor (15) through a
coupling means (16) for providing motion to the inline travelling product support (14),
wherein the inline travelling product support (14) and the carrier belt (11) are operated
independent of each other..
In an embodiment of the present invention, the inline driving motor (15) is a servomotor.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the coupling means (16) used is a ball screw assembly.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the carrier belt drive motor (13) is selected from a geared motor or servo motor.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the carrier belt drive motor (13) is coupled to the carrier belt drive roller through coupling means (17).
In one more embodiment of the present invention, the carrier belt is located below the inline travelling product support.
In one another embodiment of the present invention, the operating speeds of the carrier belt and the speed of the inline travelling product support are individually controllable.


In a further embodiment of the present invention, the inline travelling product support and the carrier belt are operated at different speeds.
In a further more embodiment of the present invention, the difference in the operating speeds of the carrier belt and the speed of the inline travelling product support are determined based on the particular stack length, size and weight of biscuit.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the difference in the operating speeds of the carrier belt and the speed of the inline travelling product support is in the range of 10 to 100 rpm.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the auto feeding mechanism compacts the stack of the product while reducing the pressure being applied on the product stack.
MAIN ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
1. The device of the present invention facilitates compacting of the stack of the product.
2. The device of the present invention reduces pressure being applied on the product stack.
3. The device of the present invention controls the velocity of the product carrier belts independent of the speed of operation of the inline traveling product support.


WE CLAIM:
1. An auto feeding mechanism for carrying thin products standing on their edge for
further operation of stack separation in an auto-feeding system, said auto feeding
mechanism comprising:
a carrier belt (11) which passes over at least one set of carrier belt drive rollers
(12) , wherein the carrier belt drive roller (12) is coupled to a carrier belt drive
motor (13) for providing motion to the carrier belt (11), and
an inline travelling product support (14) coupled to an inline driving motor (15)
through a coupling means (16) for providing motion to the inline travelling
product support (14),
characterized in that the inline travelling product support (14) and the carrier belt
(11) are operated independent of each other.
2. An auto feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inline driving motor (15) is a servomotor.
3. An auto feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means (16) used is a ball screw assembly.
4. An auto feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier belt drive motor (13) is selected from a geared motor or servo motor.
5. An auto feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier belt drive motor (13) is coupled to the carrier belt drive roller through coupling means (17).
6. An auto feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier belt (11) is located below the inline travelling product support (14).
7. An auto feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating speeds of the carrier belt (11) and the speed of the inline travelling product support (14) are individually controllable.


8. An auto feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inline travelling product support (14) and the carrier belt (11) are operated at different speeds, wherein the difference in the operating speeds of the carrier belt (11) and the speed of the inline travelling product support (14) are determined based on the particular stack length, size and weight of biscuit.
9. An auto feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the difference in the operating speeds of the carrier belt (11) and the speed of the inline travelling product support (14) is in the range of 10 to 100 rpm.
10. An auto feeding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auto feeding mechanism compacts the stack of the product while reducing the pressure being applied on the product stack.
Dated this 6th day of
January, 2004.
G. DEEPAK SRINIWAS
Of K & S Partners Agent for the Applicants

Documents:

18-MUM-2003-ABSTRACT(7-1-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-ABSTRACT(GRANTED)-(3-4-2007).pdf

18-mum-2003-cancelled pages(12-07-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-CANCELLED PAGES(12-7-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-CLAIMS(7-1-2004).pdf

18-mum-2003-claims(granted)-(06-01-2004).doc

18-mum-2003-claims(granted)-(06-01-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-CLAIMS(GRANTED)-(3-4-2007).pdf

18-mum-2003-correspondence 1(16-12-2005).pdf

18-mum-2003-correspondence 2(19-12-2005).pdf

18-mum-2003-correspondence 3(30-11-2005).pdf

18-MUM-2003-CORRESPONDENCE(24-2-2005).pdf

18-mum-2003-correspondence(ipo)-(06-02-2006).pdf

18-MUM-2003-CORRESPONDENCE(IPO)-(8-6-2007).pdf

18-MUM-2003-DESCRIPTION(COMPLETE)-(7-1-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-DESCRIPTION(GRANTED)-(3-4-2007).pdf

18-MUM-2003-DESCRIPTION(PROVISIONAL)-(6-1-2003).pdf

18-mum-2003-drawing(12-07-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-DRAWING(6-1-2003).pdf

18-MUM-2003-DRAWING(7-1-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-DRAWING(GRANTED)-(3-4-2007).pdf

18-mum-2003-form 1(03-04-2003).pdf

18-mum-2003-form 1(06-01-2003).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 1(6-1-2003).pdf

18-mum-2003-form 19(07-01-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 2(COMPLETE)-(7-1-2004).pdf

18-mum-2003-form 2(granted)-(12-07-2004).doc

18-mum-2003-form 2(granted)-(12-07-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 2(GRANTED)-(3-4-2007).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 2(PROVISIONAL)-(6-1-2003).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(COMPLETE)-(7-1-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(GRANTED)-(3-4-2007).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(PROVISIONAL)-(6-1-2003).pdf

18-mum-2003-form 26(12-07-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 26(12-7-2004).pdf

18-mum-2003-form 26(24-02-2005).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 26(24-2-2005).pdf

18-mum-2003-form 3(06-01-2003).pdf

18-mum-2003-form 5(06-01-2003).pdf

18-MUM-2003-FORM 5(7-1-2004).pdf

18-MUM-2003-PETITION UNDER RULE 134(24-11-2005).pdf

18-MUM-2003-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(12-7-2004).pdf

abstract1.jpg


Patent Number 207140
Indian Patent Application Number 18/MUM/2003
PG Journal Number 51/2008
Publication Date 19-Dec-2008
Grant Date 19-Oct-2005
Date of Filing 06-Jan-2003
Name of Patentee MULTI PACK SYSTEMS PVT. LTD.,
Applicant Address 2nd FLOOR, PATRIOT COMPLEX, ELLORA PARK, BARODA - 390 007, GUJARAT, INDIA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 RAMESHCHANDRA REVABHAI PATEL MULTI PACK SYSTEMS PVT. LTD., 2nd FLOOR, PATRIOT COMPLEX, ELLORA PARK, BARODA - 390 007, GUJARAT, INDIA
PCT International Classification Number N/A
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA