CA2245320C - Tortilla counter-stacker - Google Patents
Tortilla counter-stacker Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2245320C CA2245320C CA002245320A CA2245320A CA2245320C CA 2245320 C CA2245320 C CA 2245320C CA 002245320 A CA002245320 A CA 002245320A CA 2245320 A CA2245320 A CA 2245320A CA 2245320 C CA2245320 C CA 2245320C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- canister
- stacker
- lift
- tortilla
- power means
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A21—BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS
- A21C—MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING OR PROCESSING DOUGHS; HANDLING BAKED ARTICLES MADE FROM DOUGH
- A21C9/00—Other apparatus for handling dough or dough pieces
- A21C9/08—Depositing, arranging and conveying apparatus for handling pieces, e.g. sheets of dough
- A21C9/086—Stacking or unstacking discrete dough sheets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G21/00—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors
- B65G21/20—Means incorporated in, or attached to, framework or housings for guiding load-carriers, traction elements or loads supported on moving surfaces
- B65G21/2027—Suction retaining means
- B65G21/2036—Suction retaining means for retaining the load on the load-carrying surface
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G57/00—Stacking of articles
- B65G57/02—Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack
- B65G57/03—Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack from above
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G57/00—Stacking of articles
- B65G57/02—Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack
- B65G57/11—Stacking of articles by adding to the top of the stack the articles being stacked by direct action of the feeding conveyor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/44—Moving, forwarding, guiding material
- B65H2301/447—Moving, forwarding, guiding material transferring material between transport devices
- B65H2301/4473—Belts, endless moving elements on which the material is in surface contact
- B65H2301/44734—Belts, endless moving elements on which the material is in surface contact overhead, i.e. hanging material ba attraction forces, e.g. suction, magnetic forces
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2406/00—Means using fluid
- B65H2406/30—Suction means
- B65H2406/32—Suction belts
- B65H2406/323—Overhead suction belt, i.e. holding material against gravity
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S414/00—Material or article handling
- Y10S414/10—Associated with forming or dispersing groups of intersupporting articles, e.g. stacking patterns
- Y10S414/115—Associated with forming or dispersing groups of intersupporting articles, e.g. stacking patterns including article counter
Abstract
A tortilla counter-stacker (10) having a canister (12) which has a canister side (12C) having a horizontal canister side slot (12CA) disposed therein. A stacker (16) positioned adjacent to the canister (12). The stacker (16) has a stacker cylinder (16A) having a movable stacker cylinder piston (16AA) attached at a front distal end to a rear distal end of a horizontal stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) which inserts and retracts through the canister side slot (12CA). A
lift (18) positioned directly below the canister (12). The lift (18) has a lift cylinder (18A) having a lift cylinder piston (18AA) movably positioned therein. The lift cylinder piston (18AA) has a horizontal lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) securely attached to a top distal end thereof. An upper conveyor (20) horizontally positioned in alignment with the canister top (12T). The upper conveyor (20) has a rotatable upper conveyor belt (20A) upon which incoming tortilla (28C) are placed. A lower conveyor (22) positioned between the lift (18) and the canister (12). The lower conveyor (22) has a lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right belt (22AR) synchronically rotatably about the lift (18). A photoelectric eye (4) and counter (26) electrically connected thereto.
lift (18) positioned directly below the canister (12). The lift (18) has a lift cylinder (18A) having a lift cylinder piston (18AA) movably positioned therein. The lift cylinder piston (18AA) has a horizontal lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) securely attached to a top distal end thereof. An upper conveyor (20) horizontally positioned in alignment with the canister top (12T). The upper conveyor (20) has a rotatable upper conveyor belt (20A) upon which incoming tortilla (28C) are placed. A lower conveyor (22) positioned between the lift (18) and the canister (12). The lower conveyor (22) has a lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right belt (22AR) synchronically rotatably about the lift (18). A photoelectric eye (4) and counter (26) electrically connected thereto.
Description
Atty. Docket SPECI~ICATION
accompanying Application for Grant of U.S. Letters Patent INVENTORS: LONGORIA, JOSE L. and KENISON, STEVEN M.
TIILE: "TORTILLA COUNTER-STAC~R"
TECHNICAL ~l~;LD
This invention is related to food handling, appald~us~ and more particularly to an improved device for counting and stacking tllin, flexible food items such as tortillas.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of the provisional patent application serial number 601067,127 filed on 1212/97 titled Tortilla Counter-Stacker.
BACKGROUND ART
The state of the art in tortilla counter-stackers is the counter-stacker m~nl~f~c~lred by AIT-Tech ~g., Inc. This device s~ffers from a severe drawback, in that the tortillas stacked by this device are not co~ lly ~ l resll1ting in stacks having ragged edges like a deck of cards imme~ tely after cl,. . m;,~g Also like a deck of cards, the stacks of tortillas have to be m~ml~llv ! CA 0224~320 1998-08-19 f tapped on the sides to obtain a smooth-sided cyl;~lr1~ ;c~l stack. In an industry where the production of tortillas is almost totally automated, this manual stack-ali~in~ step adds stlbst~nti~l labor cost.
It is estimated that for tortillas only 20% of the cost is in the product and 80% is in the labor-intensive p~L ~ging process. Automated stack-~l ignin~ would elimin~fe a half to two-thirds of the labor involved in packaging.
Nurnerous innovafions for Tortilla Counter-Stackers have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, fhey differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.
In Patent number 4,760,777, titled Tortilla Stacker, invented by Richard S. Weish, an apparatus for stacking tortillas includes a loading unit in the form of a trough-like loading conveyor for l~ spolling a series of dough members while forming a small depression in each of the dough members. A container in the form of an upright hollow cylinder having a retractable loading surface is positioned at the discharge end of .he loading conveyor. The tortillas are ,tacked one-on-top-of-the-other on the retractable loading surface by the loading conveyor. A conveyor located beneath the container receives the stack of tortillas upon retraction of the loading surface.
A counter on an inclined chute leading to the conveyor accurately counts the number of ;ortillas entering the container.
In Patent number 4,006.~ l, titled .iutomatic Tortilla Counter and Stacker. invented by lames A. Jirnenez, a method of st~ king articles and an automatically controlled appa.dlus for sllccçscively receiving articles formed of rigid or s~nirigi~1 sheet m~tPri~l such as cooked or partially cooked tortillas or similar food products, aulo~ lically formed orderly stacks of a lJl&~ ".;l~d number of articles, and then ~ o~ y carrying away for p,~L ;.~ each stack when completed.
-- In Patent number 4,530,632, titled Stacking App~dlus for Flexible, Generally Planar Food Products, invented by Richard Sela, an app~Lus for counting and sPr~in~o food products such as tortillas. The tortillas are initially placed on an entry chute cont~inin,, a large number of air outlets for creating a cushion of air to allow the tortilla to slide down the entry chute onto an incline conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is of an open mesh design and it is supported on a belt support having a large number of air inlets which create a vacuum that m~int~inc the tortilla in contact with the belt. The tortillas are carried by the belt down one end of the belt support and along the underside of the belt support with contact between the tortilla and belt being m~int~ined by vacuum creating air inlets formed in the belt support. The air inlets t~rmin~te at a location on the underside of the belt support thereby allowing the tortillas to drop from the conveyor belt. The tortillas drop onto a stationary rack formed by rods which are interleaved with conveyor belts moving together as a unit.
The conveyor belts are normally positioned beneath the upper surface of the rack. However. v~-hen a predeterrnined number of tortillas have been stacked. the belt is lifted thereby carrying the tortillas from the rack. The me~h~nicm for lifting the belts is <~ct~tç~ by a counter which counts a predetermined number oftortilIas passing past a counting station and delays ~ctl-~fing the belt liftino mechanism until the final tortilla hac dropped onto the rack. rhe belts discharging the stac.cs of tortilla move in the direction opposite the direction that the tortillas are delivered to the rack in order to minimi7ç the time required to remove the tortillas from the rack before an additional tor~illa may be placed thereon.
In Patent Number 5,~20,593, titled Apparatus and Method of Counting, ~nspecting and Stacking Planar Food Productc, invented by Todd B. Pleake, an appalalu~ for couIlting, incpeCting and ct~in~ flexible, g~lly planar food products such as tor~llas, or the like. The al,p~dlu_ has - an inclin.~d infeed conveyor with adjustable ~li~m~nt guides thereon to adjust the lateral position of each tortilla as it moves to a transit conveyor. Sensors mounted on the transit conveyor count the tortillas and inspect the size and shape of the tortillas to detect any defective tortillas moving along the transit conveyor. At the end of the transit conveyor, an arcuate-shaped trajectory guide bends the tortilla into an arcuate shape as the tortilla leaves the trajectory guide and flies through a known flight trajectory to a stacking mech~ni~m The arcuate shape allows the leading edge of the tortilla to resist bending or folding. A rejection mechanism positioned between the end of the transit conveyor and the trajectory guide redirects any rejected tortillas detected bv the sensors downward away from the trajectory guide. A stacking mech~ni~m receives the tortillas at the end of the flight trajectory. A shaker shakes the st~king mech~nism and jostles the stack of tortillas to form a tight, aligned stack. A movable stack plate supports the stack of tortillas in the stackinçr mechanism and moves downward incrementally as tortillas are stacked in~o the stackin_ mechanism so the flight trajectory of each tortilla is approximately the same. The stacking plate has a lowered position that deposits a stack of tortillas on a baseplate, and a stack removal device moves the stack of tortillas away from the stacking assembly to a discharge conveyor.
In Patent Nurnber 5,~53,762, titled Stacking, Counting and Sorting Device for Flexible.
Planar Food Products. invented by Daryl G. Duncan, a device for countin, inspecting, sorting, and stacking planar food products such as tortillas. The tortillas are sand~iched between a pair of conveyor belts moving at the same speed to a discharge location between a pair of rollers around which the l~,~e~ e conveyor belts extend. The speed of the tor~Ilas causes them to be flung from between the rollers onto a discharge tray. A counter de~ ,ines when a ple~i~te- ...inPd ~ ber of tortillas have been discl~ged onto the discharge tray. The counter then triggers an actuator to - remove the tray from beneath the stack of tortillas, thereby allowing them to fall onto a discharge conveyor belt. The discharge conveyor belt is then moved an increm~nt~ ict~n~e The tortillas passing through the device are sc~nn~ in order to detect defective tortillas. When a defective tortilla is found, one ofthe rollers at the discharge location is shi~ed, thereby altering tbe path ofthe tor~llas flung from the conveyor belts at the discharge location onto a reject discharge conveyor belt.
In Patent number 5,601,397, titled App~dl ls for Counting and Stacking Tortillas, invented by l~anuel Lopez and Rafael Lopez, an ~yaldlus having a series of conveyor belts for fl~ttt?ning and stacking a plurality of flexible, generallv planar articles, such as tortillas. The appaldL ls includes a first conveyor belt extPn~in~ along first end, upper, second end and lower surfaces of a belt support.
The conveyor belt is adapted to move the planar articles placed on the upper surface of the belt support from the first end to the second end. A second conveyor belt is biased against the first belt at the second end of the belt support for applying colllpressi~e and lateral forces to the planar arncles as they are moved along the second end of the belt support. A third conveyor belt is located beneath the first and second conveyor belts for receiving the planar articles from the first belt, forrning stacks of them, and then discharging the stacked planar articles. Motor assemblies drive the first, second.
and third conveyor belts.
In Patent Number ~,05~,015. titled Chip Packing Apparatus and ~ethod, invented bv Lvme A. Rowell, invented by Lorne A. Rowell~ an apparatus for staclcing food chips in a cylinancal container. Random chips are oriented into tandem ~lignment on an inclined conveyor traveling in an upward direction and are deposited into an upright cylindrical ~ in~ tube above a station for the empty cylindrical co..~ . A valve co...~ operatively ~c~osi~d upper and lower blades in the s~ in~ tube load vertical stacks of chips into the cylindrical cu. ~ s.
CA 02245320 1998-08-19 f - In Patent Number 3,9 1 5,31 6, titled Counting and st~ckin~ A~ aLus, invented by JohMy B. Pomara, Jr., appal~lus for counting and st~ing ~ y flat articles, such, particularly, as food articles of the nature of Mexican tortillas, which includes a first belt type feed conveyor, a second belt type st~rlring conveyor intermeshing with a vertically movable st~c~ing rack or fork, and a take-away conveyor. The articles are sequentially fed from a conventional conveyor from ~)lualatu~ such as an oven to the feed convevor beneath a counting switch. Each article is discharged from the feed conveyor in a stacked relationship to the stacking conveyor against the stacking rack.
When the desired nurnber of articles are stacked on the st~rking conveyor against the rack, the rack rapidly retracts downwardly releasing the stack for discharge to the t~ke-away conveyor. Between the tirne of discharge of each stack and the arrival of the first article for forming the next stack~ the stacking rack returns upwardly to intermeshed relationship with the stacking conveyor for forrnirlg and holding the next stack.
The above p~t~nt~d inventions differ trom the present inven~on be~ause they fail to describe or claim at least one combination of the following features depicted in the present invention: canister with canister sleeve, vibrator, stacker. li~ upper conveyor, lower convevor. photoelectric eve. and counter.
SI~UMARY OF T~IE INVENTION
This invention provides an improved tortilla counter-stacker where tortillas are evenlv stacked and the stacks are l,~o,t~ to a ba~gin~ station ~ lly ready to be bagged. The present invention describes and claimc novel elements such as a se~nen~e(l elevator, lift, stacker.
vibrating canister and corlical c~nict~r sleeve which are an ~l~lu~e~ t of the art making the CA 02245320 1998-08-19 f - invention more co.~ e,cially viable.
The types of problems enco~te,cd in the prior art are inco~ g tortillas stick to the inner sides of a canister.
In the prior art, unsuccessful aU,,~ to solve this problem were attempted namely:
smoother non-stick sll~ces However, the problem was solved by the present invention because of the vibrating canister and conical canister sleeve.
Innovations within the prior art are rapidly being exploited in the field of automated food ~r~paldlion.
The present invention went contrary to the tea~ing of the art which teaches semi-au~omated tortilla m~mlf~cturing.
The present invention solved a long felt need for a fully automated tortilla manuf~uring apparatus.
The present invention produced unexpected results namely: the tortillas were less ~maged and therefor had a lower waste rate.
A synergistic effect was produced lltili7ing the present invention due to the follov~ing facts and results from ~y~ l ;" ,ent~tjon: the cost of b~gging was reduced due to the more evenly ,tacked tortillas.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tortilla counter-,lacker having a canister, a vibrator, a stacker, a lif~, an upper conveyor. a lower conveyor, a photoelectric eye, and a counter.
In keeping with these objects, and with others which will becolllc a~pa~ ~t hereina~er. one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in the canis~ top having a canister top shroud which has a ca~ r top shroud left flair and a car~ister top shroud right flair.
When the canister bottom is desi~ed in accordance with the present invention, it contains a canister bottom extender and a canister bottom vent.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the canister side has a horizontal canister side slot.
Another feature of the present invention is that the vibrator has a vibrator arm.
Yet another feature of the present invention is that stacker has a stacker cylinder, a stacker power means, and a stacker controller.
Still another feature of the present invention is that stacker cylinder has a stacker cylinder piston which has a stacker cylinder piston plate attached thereto.
Yet still another feature of the present invention is that the stacker power means has a stacker power means inlet, a stacker power means egress, and a stacker power means connector.
Still yet another feature of the present invention is that the li~ has a lift cylinder, a lift power means, a lift filst controller, a lift second controller, a lift third controller, and a lift valve.
Another feature of the present invention is that the upper conveyor has an upper convevor belt.
Yet another feature of the present invention is that the lower conveyor has a lower conveyor left belt. a lower conveyor right belt, and a lower conveyor middle belt.
The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following ~esr ~ ;0n of the specific e~ im~nts when read and ~ lood in con~ n with the acco~ )~jing drawings.
LIST OF REFERENOE NIJMERALS Ul n~T7~F~n IN TIIE DRAWINGS
10 - tortilla counter-stacker (10) 12 - canister (12) 12A- canister sleeve (12A) 12T- canister top (12T) 12TA- canister top shroud (12TA) 12TAL- canister top shroud le~ ~air ( 1 2TAL) 12TAR- canister top shroud ri~t flair (12TAR) 12B- canister bottom (12B) 12BA- canister bo~om extender (12BA) 12BB- canister bottom vent (12BB) 12C- canister side ( 1 2C) 12CA- canister side slot (12CA) 14 - vibrator (14) 14A - vibrator arm ( l 4A) 16 - stacker ( 16) CA 0224~320 1998-08-19 - 16A- stacker cy~der (16A) 16AA- stacker cylinder piston ( 1 6AA) 16AAA- stacker cylinder piston plate ( 1 6AAA) 16B- stacker power means ( 1 6B) 16BA- stacker power means inlet ( 16BA) 16BB- stacker power me~s egress ( 1 6BB) 16BC- stacker power means connector ( 16BC) 16C - stacker controller (16C) 18-li~(18) 18A- lift cylinder (1 8A) 18AA-li~ cy~der piston ( 1 8AA) 18AAA- lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) 18B- lift power means (1 8B) 18BA~ power means ~et ( 1 8BA) 18BB- lift power means egress ( l 8BB) 18BC-li~ power means connector ( 1 8BC) 18C- lift first controller (1 8C) 18D- lift second controller ( 1 8D) 18E-li~ third controller ( 1 8E) 18F- lift valve (18F) 20 - upper conveyor (20) 20A- upper conveyor belt (20A) CA 02245320 1998-08-19 ¢
22 - lower conveyor (22) 22AL - lower conveyor left belt (22AL) 22AR - lower conveyor right belt (22AR) 22AM - lower conveyor middle belt (22AM) 24 - photoelectric eye (24) 26 - counter (26) 28 - tortilla (28) 28A - tortilla first stack (28A) 28B - tortilla second stack (28B) 28C - incoming tortilla (28C) 30 - arrows (30) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
P IGURE 1 is a sçh~m~tic view of a tortilla counter-stacker (10) exhibiting a lift cvlinder piston (18AA) and stacker cylinder piston (16AA) in extended positions.
~ IGURE 2a is a schematic view of a tortilla counter-stacker (10) exhibiting a lift cylinder piston (18AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate (16A~) co~ g a tortilla first staclc (28A) in a retracting position and stacker cylinder piston (16AA) in an extended position having an incoming tortilla (28C) forming a tortilla second stack (28B).
~ IGURE 2b is a sr~ tic view of a tortilla counter-stacker (10) exhibiting a li~
cylinder piston (18AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) in a fully retracted position a~er tortilla first stack (28A) was placed upon lower conveyor (22) and staclcer cylinder piston ( 1 6AA) in an ext~n-~d position having an incoming tortilla (28C) falling on tortilla second stack (28B).
~ IGURE 2c is a s~hem~tic view of a tortilla counter-stacker ( 10) exhibiting a li~
cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate ( l 6AAA) in an e~ten~lin~ position and stacker cylinder piston ( 1 6AA) in an extended position having an incoming tortilla (28C) falling on tortilla second stack (28B).
FIGURE 2d is a schematic view of a tortilla counter-stacker (10) exhibiting a li~t cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate ( 1 6AAA) in an incremental retracting position and stacker cylinder piston (16AA) in a retracting position placing second stack (28B) on top of stacker cylinder piston plate (1 6AAA).
~ IGURE 3 is a perspective view of a tortilla counter-stacker ( 10) constTucted in accordance with the invention.
DESCRIPIION OF l~; PREFERRED ElVIBODIMEl~
Referring initially to FIGURE 1, the novel elements of our counter-stacker are -~e tapered canister ( 12), the lift cylinder piston ( I ~AA), and the stacker cylinder piston ( 16~ ).
For example, for corn tortillas 6.0 to 6.125 inches in diameter, the canister (l') is ~.0 inches tall.
and has an inner frustroconical canister sleeve (12A) havin~J a diameter of 6.5 inches at -~e ~op and 6.25 inches at the bottom. A pneumatic eccentric vibrator (14) is provided to 'jiggle ' down any mi~ l tortillas that other~vise might have a tendency to stic~, fold in, or jarn the canister.
Stacker cylinder piston plate ( 1 6AAA) extends through a canister side slot ( 1 2CA) in the side of canister ( 12). Stacker cylinder piston plate ( 1 6AAA) is a thin sheet-like mom~, with p~allel CA 0224~320 1998-08-19 linear sides and a rounded end compl i. . ~ r to the radius of the ca~ sleeve ( 1 2A). Stacker cylinder piston plate (1 6AAA) is sized slightly smaller than the ~i~m~ter of irmer canister sleeve (12A) at canister side slot (12CA). The stacker (16) and lift (18) are pnellm~tically ~ch~t~d in a precise sequence, as will be described below in cormection with ~IGURES 2a-2d. The rem~inin~ elements in ~IGURE 1 are conventional tortilla bakery equipment iterns farniliar to those skilled in the art, such as the photoelectric eye (24), upper conveyor (20), lower conveyor (22), lift valve ( 1 8F), stacker controller ( 1 6C), lift irst controller ( 1 8C), li~ second controller ( 1 8D), and lift third controller (1 8E) which are basically timers fami~i~r to those skiIled in the art.
In ~IGURE 2a, a finished stack of tortillas, tortilla f~rst stack (28A), has a preselected number of tortillas all in an even-sided stack, ready for ba~ing The tortilla first stack (28A) is being lowered on lift cylinder piston plate ( 1 8AAA) attached to lift cylinder pis,on ( 18~) to a lower conveyor (22). Lower lower conveyor (22) termin~tes at a bagging station. Meanwhile~
stacker cylinder piston ( l 6AA) has been extended to its fillly-extended position. where lift cylinder piston plate ( 1 8AAA) ser~es to catch the constant flow of incoming torrillas ~ 8C) while lift cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) is sequenced. I he flow of incomLng tortilla (28C) is never interrupted. The elevator sequence is initiated when tortilla first stack (28A) is ~ompleted. i.e..
has the requisite number of units as deterrnined by the photoelectric eye (~ l) and counter !''6).
While lift cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) sequences, lift cylinder piston plate ( 1 8AAA) serves as a t~Ol~ ~ floor for the building new tor~illa second stack (28B).
In PIGURE 2b, li~ cylinder piston plate ( I 8AAA) has ~lesclon~l~d to a position where it has ~ cd tortilla first stack (28A) to lower conveyor (22). Me~wllile, new tortilla second CA 02245320 1998-08-19 f stack (28B) continues to build on stacker cylinder piston (16AA).
In ~IGURE 2c, lift cylinder piston (18AA) continues its sequence by traveling upwards.
Meanwhile, new tortilla second stack (28B) continues to build on lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA).
Finally, in FIGURE 2d, lift cylinder piston (18AA) has returned to the position shov~n in FIGURE 1, where lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) once again serves as the floor for ne~
tortilla second stack (28B). Stacker cylinder piston (16AA) has been retracted. To m~int~in a relatively constant elevation of the top of tortilla second stack (28B), release lift valve (18F) is intermittently ~ te~l to lower lift cylinder piston (18AA) in relatively small amounts, as schematically illustrated by arrows (30). When tortilla second stack (28B) reaches its predetermined quantity of units, the sequence is repeate~ where lift cylinder piston (18AA) with li~ cylinder piston plate (18AAA) lowers and stacker cylinder piston (16AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) extends, as shown in ~IGURE '~.
Referring now to FIGURE 3 in conjunction with the other ~IGIJRES, tor~illa COUIlle,-s~acker (10) has a canister (12), which includes a canister tOp (12T), a canister bottom (12B~.
and a canister side (12C) having a horizontal canister side slot (12CA) disposed therein. A
stacker (16) is positioned adjacent to the canister (12), and the stacker (16) comprises a stac;~r cylinder (16A) having a movable stacker cylinder piston ~16~) ~ chP~ at a front distal end ,o a rear distal end of a horizontal stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) which inserts and retracts through the canister side slot (12CA). The stacker (16) fi~er includes a stackerpower means (16B). The stacker power means (16B) includes a stacker pow~ means inlet (16BA) and a stacker power means egress (16BB) ~ he~ to and in cci.. ~.. ;c~tion wit~ a lower and upper CA 0224~320 1998-08-19 ends, re~e~ tively, of the stacker cylinder ( 1 6A). The stacker power means (16B) filr~er includes a stacker power means connector (16BC) which is ~o~ ed by hydraulic or pl~P~ ;c means. The stacker power means (16B) is connected to and controlled by a stacker controller (16C).
A lift (18) is positioned directly below the canister (12). The lift (18) includes a li~
cylinder ( 1 8A) having a lift cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) movably positioned therein. The lift cylinder piston (1 8AA) includes a horizontal lift cylinder piston plate (l 8AAA) securely a~ched to a top distal end thereof. The lift (18) further includes a lift power means ( l 8B). The lif~
power means (1 8B) includes a lift power means inlet (1 8BA) having a lift valve (1 8F) and ~ 't power means egress ( 1 8BB) attached to and in communication with a lower and upper en~
respectively, of the lift cylinder (18A). The lift power means (18B) further includes a lift p~-er means connector (18BC) which is powered by hydraulic or pneumatic means. The lift po~
means (18B) is connected to and controlled '~y a lift second controller (18D) which is electc~
connected to a lift first controller ( 1 8C) which is electrically connected to the stacker contr~iler ( 1 6C). The lift power means ( 1 8B) further ncludes a lift third controller ( 1 8E) attached th~o.
The lift valve ( 18~) is electrically connected to the lift first controller ( 1 8C).
An upper conveyor (20) is horizontally positioned in alignment with the canister toc ( 1 2T). rhe upper conveyor (20) includes a rotatable upper conveyor belt (20A) upon whic_ incorning tortillas (28C) are placed.
A lower conveyor (22) is po5iti~)necl between the lift (18) and the canister (12). The lower conveyor (22) includes a lower conveyor lef~ belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right ~eit (22AR) s~llc~onically rotated. The space bc~ ,n the lower conveyor leflc belt (22AL) ana Ihe lower conveyor right belt (22AR) is slightly larger than the ~i~meter of the li~ cylinder piston plate (18AAA) which deposits a tortilla first stack (28A) on lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right belt (22AR).
A photoelectric eye (24) is electrically connPct~Pd to the li~ third controller (18E), and a counter (26) electrically connected to the photoelectric eye (24).
The canister (12) fiurther includes a canister sleeve (12A) securely mounted therein, and the canister sleeve (12A) includes a diameter slightly bigger than a diameter of an incoming tortilla (28C). The canister top (12T) further includes a canister top shroud (12TA) having an opening facing the upper conveyor (20). The canister top shroud (12TA) functions to facilitate directing the incoming tortilla (28C) into the canister (12) which rest upon the lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) forming a tortilla second stack (28B).
The canister top shroud (12TA) includes a canister top shroud left flair (12TAL) and a canister top shroud right flair (12TAR) positioned at opposite ends. The canister top shroud lef~
flair (12TAL) and the canister top shroud right flair (12T~R) function to facilitate direct~ng Ihe incoming tortilla (. 8C) into the canister (12).
The canister bottom (12B) includes a canister bottom extender (12BA) positiorled at an opposite side to the movable direction of the lower conveyor (22). The canister bottom e~erlder (12BA) functions to facilitate directing the tor~illa first stack (28A) onto the lower conveyor !e*
belt (22AL) and the lower conveyor right belt (2~AR).
The canister bottom (12B) fi~ther includes canister bottom vent (12BB) e~t~n-ling upwardly therefrom. The c~i~L~,. bottom vent (12BB) functions to facilitate directing the tortilla first stack (28A) onto the lower con~eyor le~ belt (22AL) and the lower conveyor right belt (22AR).
A vibrator (14) is ~ cl~ed to the canister side (12C) by a vibrator arm (14A). The vibrator (14) fi~nctionc to jiggle the c~nicter (12) directing the incoming tortilla (28C) to properly position on top of the tortilla second stack (28B).
The canister sleeve ( 1 2A) includes a conical configuration narrowing toward a bottom thereof.
Whereas, the present invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various changes and modifications will be suggested to one slcilled in the art, and it is intPn~ to encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claim.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other t~-pes of constructions differing from the type described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a Tortilla Counter-Stacker, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown. since it will be understood that various omissions~ modifications, substitutions and changes in the forrns and details of the device illust~ated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting f~alul~is that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly co~liluLe ess~n*~l c~ ics ofthe generic or specific aspe~ts ofthis invention.
What is cl~imed as new and desired to be pr~ ,led by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
accompanying Application for Grant of U.S. Letters Patent INVENTORS: LONGORIA, JOSE L. and KENISON, STEVEN M.
TIILE: "TORTILLA COUNTER-STAC~R"
TECHNICAL ~l~;LD
This invention is related to food handling, appald~us~ and more particularly to an improved device for counting and stacking tllin, flexible food items such as tortillas.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of the provisional patent application serial number 601067,127 filed on 1212/97 titled Tortilla Counter-Stacker.
BACKGROUND ART
The state of the art in tortilla counter-stackers is the counter-stacker m~nl~f~c~lred by AIT-Tech ~g., Inc. This device s~ffers from a severe drawback, in that the tortillas stacked by this device are not co~ lly ~ l resll1ting in stacks having ragged edges like a deck of cards imme~ tely after cl,. . m;,~g Also like a deck of cards, the stacks of tortillas have to be m~ml~llv ! CA 0224~320 1998-08-19 f tapped on the sides to obtain a smooth-sided cyl;~lr1~ ;c~l stack. In an industry where the production of tortillas is almost totally automated, this manual stack-ali~in~ step adds stlbst~nti~l labor cost.
It is estimated that for tortillas only 20% of the cost is in the product and 80% is in the labor-intensive p~L ~ging process. Automated stack-~l ignin~ would elimin~fe a half to two-thirds of the labor involved in packaging.
Nurnerous innovafions for Tortilla Counter-Stackers have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, fhey differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.
In Patent number 4,760,777, titled Tortilla Stacker, invented by Richard S. Weish, an apparatus for stacking tortillas includes a loading unit in the form of a trough-like loading conveyor for l~ spolling a series of dough members while forming a small depression in each of the dough members. A container in the form of an upright hollow cylinder having a retractable loading surface is positioned at the discharge end of .he loading conveyor. The tortillas are ,tacked one-on-top-of-the-other on the retractable loading surface by the loading conveyor. A conveyor located beneath the container receives the stack of tortillas upon retraction of the loading surface.
A counter on an inclined chute leading to the conveyor accurately counts the number of ;ortillas entering the container.
In Patent number 4,006.~ l, titled .iutomatic Tortilla Counter and Stacker. invented by lames A. Jirnenez, a method of st~ king articles and an automatically controlled appa.dlus for sllccçscively receiving articles formed of rigid or s~nirigi~1 sheet m~tPri~l such as cooked or partially cooked tortillas or similar food products, aulo~ lically formed orderly stacks of a lJl&~ ".;l~d number of articles, and then ~ o~ y carrying away for p,~L ;.~ each stack when completed.
-- In Patent number 4,530,632, titled Stacking App~dlus for Flexible, Generally Planar Food Products, invented by Richard Sela, an app~Lus for counting and sPr~in~o food products such as tortillas. The tortillas are initially placed on an entry chute cont~inin,, a large number of air outlets for creating a cushion of air to allow the tortilla to slide down the entry chute onto an incline conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is of an open mesh design and it is supported on a belt support having a large number of air inlets which create a vacuum that m~int~inc the tortilla in contact with the belt. The tortillas are carried by the belt down one end of the belt support and along the underside of the belt support with contact between the tortilla and belt being m~int~ined by vacuum creating air inlets formed in the belt support. The air inlets t~rmin~te at a location on the underside of the belt support thereby allowing the tortillas to drop from the conveyor belt. The tortillas drop onto a stationary rack formed by rods which are interleaved with conveyor belts moving together as a unit.
The conveyor belts are normally positioned beneath the upper surface of the rack. However. v~-hen a predeterrnined number of tortillas have been stacked. the belt is lifted thereby carrying the tortillas from the rack. The me~h~nicm for lifting the belts is <~ct~tç~ by a counter which counts a predetermined number oftortilIas passing past a counting station and delays ~ctl-~fing the belt liftino mechanism until the final tortilla hac dropped onto the rack. rhe belts discharging the stac.cs of tortilla move in the direction opposite the direction that the tortillas are delivered to the rack in order to minimi7ç the time required to remove the tortillas from the rack before an additional tor~illa may be placed thereon.
In Patent Number 5,~20,593, titled Apparatus and Method of Counting, ~nspecting and Stacking Planar Food Productc, invented by Todd B. Pleake, an appalalu~ for couIlting, incpeCting and ct~in~ flexible, g~lly planar food products such as tor~llas, or the like. The al,p~dlu_ has - an inclin.~d infeed conveyor with adjustable ~li~m~nt guides thereon to adjust the lateral position of each tortilla as it moves to a transit conveyor. Sensors mounted on the transit conveyor count the tortillas and inspect the size and shape of the tortillas to detect any defective tortillas moving along the transit conveyor. At the end of the transit conveyor, an arcuate-shaped trajectory guide bends the tortilla into an arcuate shape as the tortilla leaves the trajectory guide and flies through a known flight trajectory to a stacking mech~ni~m The arcuate shape allows the leading edge of the tortilla to resist bending or folding. A rejection mechanism positioned between the end of the transit conveyor and the trajectory guide redirects any rejected tortillas detected bv the sensors downward away from the trajectory guide. A stacking mech~ni~m receives the tortillas at the end of the flight trajectory. A shaker shakes the st~king mech~nism and jostles the stack of tortillas to form a tight, aligned stack. A movable stack plate supports the stack of tortillas in the stackinçr mechanism and moves downward incrementally as tortillas are stacked in~o the stackin_ mechanism so the flight trajectory of each tortilla is approximately the same. The stacking plate has a lowered position that deposits a stack of tortillas on a baseplate, and a stack removal device moves the stack of tortillas away from the stacking assembly to a discharge conveyor.
In Patent Nurnber 5,~53,762, titled Stacking, Counting and Sorting Device for Flexible.
Planar Food Products. invented by Daryl G. Duncan, a device for countin, inspecting, sorting, and stacking planar food products such as tortillas. The tortillas are sand~iched between a pair of conveyor belts moving at the same speed to a discharge location between a pair of rollers around which the l~,~e~ e conveyor belts extend. The speed of the tor~Ilas causes them to be flung from between the rollers onto a discharge tray. A counter de~ ,ines when a ple~i~te- ...inPd ~ ber of tortillas have been discl~ged onto the discharge tray. The counter then triggers an actuator to - remove the tray from beneath the stack of tortillas, thereby allowing them to fall onto a discharge conveyor belt. The discharge conveyor belt is then moved an increm~nt~ ict~n~e The tortillas passing through the device are sc~nn~ in order to detect defective tortillas. When a defective tortilla is found, one ofthe rollers at the discharge location is shi~ed, thereby altering tbe path ofthe tor~llas flung from the conveyor belts at the discharge location onto a reject discharge conveyor belt.
In Patent number 5,601,397, titled App~dl ls for Counting and Stacking Tortillas, invented by l~anuel Lopez and Rafael Lopez, an ~yaldlus having a series of conveyor belts for fl~ttt?ning and stacking a plurality of flexible, generallv planar articles, such as tortillas. The appaldL ls includes a first conveyor belt extPn~in~ along first end, upper, second end and lower surfaces of a belt support.
The conveyor belt is adapted to move the planar articles placed on the upper surface of the belt support from the first end to the second end. A second conveyor belt is biased against the first belt at the second end of the belt support for applying colllpressi~e and lateral forces to the planar arncles as they are moved along the second end of the belt support. A third conveyor belt is located beneath the first and second conveyor belts for receiving the planar articles from the first belt, forrning stacks of them, and then discharging the stacked planar articles. Motor assemblies drive the first, second.
and third conveyor belts.
In Patent Number ~,05~,015. titled Chip Packing Apparatus and ~ethod, invented bv Lvme A. Rowell, invented by Lorne A. Rowell~ an apparatus for staclcing food chips in a cylinancal container. Random chips are oriented into tandem ~lignment on an inclined conveyor traveling in an upward direction and are deposited into an upright cylindrical ~ in~ tube above a station for the empty cylindrical co..~ . A valve co...~ operatively ~c~osi~d upper and lower blades in the s~ in~ tube load vertical stacks of chips into the cylindrical cu. ~ s.
CA 02245320 1998-08-19 f - In Patent Number 3,9 1 5,31 6, titled Counting and st~ckin~ A~ aLus, invented by JohMy B. Pomara, Jr., appal~lus for counting and st~ing ~ y flat articles, such, particularly, as food articles of the nature of Mexican tortillas, which includes a first belt type feed conveyor, a second belt type st~rlring conveyor intermeshing with a vertically movable st~c~ing rack or fork, and a take-away conveyor. The articles are sequentially fed from a conventional conveyor from ~)lualatu~ such as an oven to the feed convevor beneath a counting switch. Each article is discharged from the feed conveyor in a stacked relationship to the stacking conveyor against the stacking rack.
When the desired nurnber of articles are stacked on the st~rking conveyor against the rack, the rack rapidly retracts downwardly releasing the stack for discharge to the t~ke-away conveyor. Between the tirne of discharge of each stack and the arrival of the first article for forming the next stack~ the stacking rack returns upwardly to intermeshed relationship with the stacking conveyor for forrnirlg and holding the next stack.
The above p~t~nt~d inventions differ trom the present inven~on be~ause they fail to describe or claim at least one combination of the following features depicted in the present invention: canister with canister sleeve, vibrator, stacker. li~ upper conveyor, lower convevor. photoelectric eve. and counter.
SI~UMARY OF T~IE INVENTION
This invention provides an improved tortilla counter-stacker where tortillas are evenlv stacked and the stacks are l,~o,t~ to a ba~gin~ station ~ lly ready to be bagged. The present invention describes and claimc novel elements such as a se~nen~e(l elevator, lift, stacker.
vibrating canister and corlical c~nict~r sleeve which are an ~l~lu~e~ t of the art making the CA 02245320 1998-08-19 f - invention more co.~ e,cially viable.
The types of problems enco~te,cd in the prior art are inco~ g tortillas stick to the inner sides of a canister.
In the prior art, unsuccessful aU,,~ to solve this problem were attempted namely:
smoother non-stick sll~ces However, the problem was solved by the present invention because of the vibrating canister and conical canister sleeve.
Innovations within the prior art are rapidly being exploited in the field of automated food ~r~paldlion.
The present invention went contrary to the tea~ing of the art which teaches semi-au~omated tortilla m~mlf~cturing.
The present invention solved a long felt need for a fully automated tortilla manuf~uring apparatus.
The present invention produced unexpected results namely: the tortillas were less ~maged and therefor had a lower waste rate.
A synergistic effect was produced lltili7ing the present invention due to the follov~ing facts and results from ~y~ l ;" ,ent~tjon: the cost of b~gging was reduced due to the more evenly ,tacked tortillas.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tortilla counter-,lacker having a canister, a vibrator, a stacker, a lif~, an upper conveyor. a lower conveyor, a photoelectric eye, and a counter.
In keeping with these objects, and with others which will becolllc a~pa~ ~t hereina~er. one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in the canis~ top having a canister top shroud which has a ca~ r top shroud left flair and a car~ister top shroud right flair.
When the canister bottom is desi~ed in accordance with the present invention, it contains a canister bottom extender and a canister bottom vent.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the canister side has a horizontal canister side slot.
Another feature of the present invention is that the vibrator has a vibrator arm.
Yet another feature of the present invention is that stacker has a stacker cylinder, a stacker power means, and a stacker controller.
Still another feature of the present invention is that stacker cylinder has a stacker cylinder piston which has a stacker cylinder piston plate attached thereto.
Yet still another feature of the present invention is that the stacker power means has a stacker power means inlet, a stacker power means egress, and a stacker power means connector.
Still yet another feature of the present invention is that the li~ has a lift cylinder, a lift power means, a lift filst controller, a lift second controller, a lift third controller, and a lift valve.
Another feature of the present invention is that the upper conveyor has an upper convevor belt.
Yet another feature of the present invention is that the lower conveyor has a lower conveyor left belt. a lower conveyor right belt, and a lower conveyor middle belt.
The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following ~esr ~ ;0n of the specific e~ im~nts when read and ~ lood in con~ n with the acco~ )~jing drawings.
LIST OF REFERENOE NIJMERALS Ul n~T7~F~n IN TIIE DRAWINGS
10 - tortilla counter-stacker (10) 12 - canister (12) 12A- canister sleeve (12A) 12T- canister top (12T) 12TA- canister top shroud (12TA) 12TAL- canister top shroud le~ ~air ( 1 2TAL) 12TAR- canister top shroud ri~t flair (12TAR) 12B- canister bottom (12B) 12BA- canister bo~om extender (12BA) 12BB- canister bottom vent (12BB) 12C- canister side ( 1 2C) 12CA- canister side slot (12CA) 14 - vibrator (14) 14A - vibrator arm ( l 4A) 16 - stacker ( 16) CA 0224~320 1998-08-19 - 16A- stacker cy~der (16A) 16AA- stacker cylinder piston ( 1 6AA) 16AAA- stacker cylinder piston plate ( 1 6AAA) 16B- stacker power means ( 1 6B) 16BA- stacker power means inlet ( 16BA) 16BB- stacker power me~s egress ( 1 6BB) 16BC- stacker power means connector ( 16BC) 16C - stacker controller (16C) 18-li~(18) 18A- lift cylinder (1 8A) 18AA-li~ cy~der piston ( 1 8AA) 18AAA- lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) 18B- lift power means (1 8B) 18BA~ power means ~et ( 1 8BA) 18BB- lift power means egress ( l 8BB) 18BC-li~ power means connector ( 1 8BC) 18C- lift first controller (1 8C) 18D- lift second controller ( 1 8D) 18E-li~ third controller ( 1 8E) 18F- lift valve (18F) 20 - upper conveyor (20) 20A- upper conveyor belt (20A) CA 02245320 1998-08-19 ¢
22 - lower conveyor (22) 22AL - lower conveyor left belt (22AL) 22AR - lower conveyor right belt (22AR) 22AM - lower conveyor middle belt (22AM) 24 - photoelectric eye (24) 26 - counter (26) 28 - tortilla (28) 28A - tortilla first stack (28A) 28B - tortilla second stack (28B) 28C - incoming tortilla (28C) 30 - arrows (30) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
P IGURE 1 is a sçh~m~tic view of a tortilla counter-stacker (10) exhibiting a lift cvlinder piston (18AA) and stacker cylinder piston (16AA) in extended positions.
~ IGURE 2a is a schematic view of a tortilla counter-stacker (10) exhibiting a lift cylinder piston (18AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate (16A~) co~ g a tortilla first staclc (28A) in a retracting position and stacker cylinder piston (16AA) in an extended position having an incoming tortilla (28C) forming a tortilla second stack (28B).
~ IGURE 2b is a sr~ tic view of a tortilla counter-stacker (10) exhibiting a li~
cylinder piston (18AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) in a fully retracted position a~er tortilla first stack (28A) was placed upon lower conveyor (22) and staclcer cylinder piston ( 1 6AA) in an ext~n-~d position having an incoming tortilla (28C) falling on tortilla second stack (28B).
~ IGURE 2c is a s~hem~tic view of a tortilla counter-stacker ( 10) exhibiting a li~
cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate ( l 6AAA) in an e~ten~lin~ position and stacker cylinder piston ( 1 6AA) in an extended position having an incoming tortilla (28C) falling on tortilla second stack (28B).
FIGURE 2d is a schematic view of a tortilla counter-stacker (10) exhibiting a li~t cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate ( 1 6AAA) in an incremental retracting position and stacker cylinder piston (16AA) in a retracting position placing second stack (28B) on top of stacker cylinder piston plate (1 6AAA).
~ IGURE 3 is a perspective view of a tortilla counter-stacker ( 10) constTucted in accordance with the invention.
DESCRIPIION OF l~; PREFERRED ElVIBODIMEl~
Referring initially to FIGURE 1, the novel elements of our counter-stacker are -~e tapered canister ( 12), the lift cylinder piston ( I ~AA), and the stacker cylinder piston ( 16~ ).
For example, for corn tortillas 6.0 to 6.125 inches in diameter, the canister (l') is ~.0 inches tall.
and has an inner frustroconical canister sleeve (12A) havin~J a diameter of 6.5 inches at -~e ~op and 6.25 inches at the bottom. A pneumatic eccentric vibrator (14) is provided to 'jiggle ' down any mi~ l tortillas that other~vise might have a tendency to stic~, fold in, or jarn the canister.
Stacker cylinder piston plate ( 1 6AAA) extends through a canister side slot ( 1 2CA) in the side of canister ( 12). Stacker cylinder piston plate ( 1 6AAA) is a thin sheet-like mom~, with p~allel CA 0224~320 1998-08-19 linear sides and a rounded end compl i. . ~ r to the radius of the ca~ sleeve ( 1 2A). Stacker cylinder piston plate (1 6AAA) is sized slightly smaller than the ~i~m~ter of irmer canister sleeve (12A) at canister side slot (12CA). The stacker (16) and lift (18) are pnellm~tically ~ch~t~d in a precise sequence, as will be described below in cormection with ~IGURES 2a-2d. The rem~inin~ elements in ~IGURE 1 are conventional tortilla bakery equipment iterns farniliar to those skilled in the art, such as the photoelectric eye (24), upper conveyor (20), lower conveyor (22), lift valve ( 1 8F), stacker controller ( 1 6C), lift irst controller ( 1 8C), li~ second controller ( 1 8D), and lift third controller (1 8E) which are basically timers fami~i~r to those skiIled in the art.
In ~IGURE 2a, a finished stack of tortillas, tortilla f~rst stack (28A), has a preselected number of tortillas all in an even-sided stack, ready for ba~ing The tortilla first stack (28A) is being lowered on lift cylinder piston plate ( 1 8AAA) attached to lift cylinder pis,on ( 18~) to a lower conveyor (22). Lower lower conveyor (22) termin~tes at a bagging station. Meanwhile~
stacker cylinder piston ( l 6AA) has been extended to its fillly-extended position. where lift cylinder piston plate ( 1 8AAA) ser~es to catch the constant flow of incoming torrillas ~ 8C) while lift cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) is sequenced. I he flow of incomLng tortilla (28C) is never interrupted. The elevator sequence is initiated when tortilla first stack (28A) is ~ompleted. i.e..
has the requisite number of units as deterrnined by the photoelectric eye (~ l) and counter !''6).
While lift cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) sequences, lift cylinder piston plate ( 1 8AAA) serves as a t~Ol~ ~ floor for the building new tor~illa second stack (28B).
In PIGURE 2b, li~ cylinder piston plate ( I 8AAA) has ~lesclon~l~d to a position where it has ~ cd tortilla first stack (28A) to lower conveyor (22). Me~wllile, new tortilla second CA 02245320 1998-08-19 f stack (28B) continues to build on stacker cylinder piston (16AA).
In ~IGURE 2c, lift cylinder piston (18AA) continues its sequence by traveling upwards.
Meanwhile, new tortilla second stack (28B) continues to build on lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA).
Finally, in FIGURE 2d, lift cylinder piston (18AA) has returned to the position shov~n in FIGURE 1, where lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) once again serves as the floor for ne~
tortilla second stack (28B). Stacker cylinder piston (16AA) has been retracted. To m~int~in a relatively constant elevation of the top of tortilla second stack (28B), release lift valve (18F) is intermittently ~ te~l to lower lift cylinder piston (18AA) in relatively small amounts, as schematically illustrated by arrows (30). When tortilla second stack (28B) reaches its predetermined quantity of units, the sequence is repeate~ where lift cylinder piston (18AA) with li~ cylinder piston plate (18AAA) lowers and stacker cylinder piston (16AA) with stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) extends, as shown in ~IGURE '~.
Referring now to FIGURE 3 in conjunction with the other ~IGIJRES, tor~illa COUIlle,-s~acker (10) has a canister (12), which includes a canister tOp (12T), a canister bottom (12B~.
and a canister side (12C) having a horizontal canister side slot (12CA) disposed therein. A
stacker (16) is positioned adjacent to the canister (12), and the stacker (16) comprises a stac;~r cylinder (16A) having a movable stacker cylinder piston ~16~) ~ chP~ at a front distal end ,o a rear distal end of a horizontal stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) which inserts and retracts through the canister side slot (12CA). The stacker (16) fi~er includes a stackerpower means (16B). The stacker power means (16B) includes a stacker pow~ means inlet (16BA) and a stacker power means egress (16BB) ~ he~ to and in cci.. ~.. ;c~tion wit~ a lower and upper CA 0224~320 1998-08-19 ends, re~e~ tively, of the stacker cylinder ( 1 6A). The stacker power means (16B) filr~er includes a stacker power means connector (16BC) which is ~o~ ed by hydraulic or pl~P~ ;c means. The stacker power means (16B) is connected to and controlled by a stacker controller (16C).
A lift (18) is positioned directly below the canister (12). The lift (18) includes a li~
cylinder ( 1 8A) having a lift cylinder piston ( 1 8AA) movably positioned therein. The lift cylinder piston (1 8AA) includes a horizontal lift cylinder piston plate (l 8AAA) securely a~ched to a top distal end thereof. The lift (18) further includes a lift power means ( l 8B). The lif~
power means (1 8B) includes a lift power means inlet (1 8BA) having a lift valve (1 8F) and ~ 't power means egress ( 1 8BB) attached to and in communication with a lower and upper en~
respectively, of the lift cylinder (18A). The lift power means (18B) further includes a lift p~-er means connector (18BC) which is powered by hydraulic or pneumatic means. The lift po~
means (18B) is connected to and controlled '~y a lift second controller (18D) which is electc~
connected to a lift first controller ( 1 8C) which is electrically connected to the stacker contr~iler ( 1 6C). The lift power means ( 1 8B) further ncludes a lift third controller ( 1 8E) attached th~o.
The lift valve ( 18~) is electrically connected to the lift first controller ( 1 8C).
An upper conveyor (20) is horizontally positioned in alignment with the canister toc ( 1 2T). rhe upper conveyor (20) includes a rotatable upper conveyor belt (20A) upon whic_ incorning tortillas (28C) are placed.
A lower conveyor (22) is po5iti~)necl between the lift (18) and the canister (12). The lower conveyor (22) includes a lower conveyor lef~ belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right ~eit (22AR) s~llc~onically rotated. The space bc~ ,n the lower conveyor leflc belt (22AL) ana Ihe lower conveyor right belt (22AR) is slightly larger than the ~i~meter of the li~ cylinder piston plate (18AAA) which deposits a tortilla first stack (28A) on lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right belt (22AR).
A photoelectric eye (24) is electrically connPct~Pd to the li~ third controller (18E), and a counter (26) electrically connected to the photoelectric eye (24).
The canister (12) fiurther includes a canister sleeve (12A) securely mounted therein, and the canister sleeve (12A) includes a diameter slightly bigger than a diameter of an incoming tortilla (28C). The canister top (12T) further includes a canister top shroud (12TA) having an opening facing the upper conveyor (20). The canister top shroud (12TA) functions to facilitate directing the incoming tortilla (28C) into the canister (12) which rest upon the lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) forming a tortilla second stack (28B).
The canister top shroud (12TA) includes a canister top shroud left flair (12TAL) and a canister top shroud right flair (12TAR) positioned at opposite ends. The canister top shroud lef~
flair (12TAL) and the canister top shroud right flair (12T~R) function to facilitate direct~ng Ihe incoming tortilla (. 8C) into the canister (12).
The canister bottom (12B) includes a canister bottom extender (12BA) positiorled at an opposite side to the movable direction of the lower conveyor (22). The canister bottom e~erlder (12BA) functions to facilitate directing the tor~illa first stack (28A) onto the lower conveyor !e*
belt (22AL) and the lower conveyor right belt (2~AR).
The canister bottom (12B) fi~ther includes canister bottom vent (12BB) e~t~n-ling upwardly therefrom. The c~i~L~,. bottom vent (12BB) functions to facilitate directing the tortilla first stack (28A) onto the lower con~eyor le~ belt (22AL) and the lower conveyor right belt (22AR).
A vibrator (14) is ~ cl~ed to the canister side (12C) by a vibrator arm (14A). The vibrator (14) fi~nctionc to jiggle the c~nicter (12) directing the incoming tortilla (28C) to properly position on top of the tortilla second stack (28B).
The canister sleeve ( 1 2A) includes a conical configuration narrowing toward a bottom thereof.
Whereas, the present invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various changes and modifications will be suggested to one slcilled in the art, and it is intPn~ to encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claim.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other t~-pes of constructions differing from the type described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a Tortilla Counter-Stacker, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown. since it will be understood that various omissions~ modifications, substitutions and changes in the forrns and details of the device illust~ated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting f~alul~is that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly co~liluLe ess~n*~l c~ ics ofthe generic or specific aspe~ts ofthis invention.
What is cl~imed as new and desired to be pr~ ,led by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
Claims (8)
1. A tortilla counter-stacker (10) comprising:
A) a canister (12) which comprises a canister top (12T), a canister bottom (12B), and a canister side (12C) having a horizontal canister side slot (12CA) disposed therein;
B) a stacker (16) positioned adjacent to the canister (12), the stacker (16) comprises a stacker cylinder (16A) having a movable stacker cylinder piston (16AA) attached at a front distal end to a rear distal end of a horizontal stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) which inserts and retracts through the canister side slot (12CA), the stacker (16) further comprises a stacker power means (16B), the stacker power means (16B) comprises a stacker power means inlet (16BA) and a stacker power means egress (16BB) attached to and in communication with a lower and upper ends respectively, of the stacker cylinder (16A), the stacker power means (16B) further comprises a stacker power means connector (16BC) which is powered by hydraulic or pneumatic means, the stacker power means (16B) is connected to and controlled by a stacker controller (16C);
C) a lift (18) positioned directly below the canister (12), the lift (18) comprises a lift cylinder (18A) having a lift cylinder piston (18AA) movably positioned therein, the lift cylinder piston (18AA) comprising a horizontal lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) securely attached to a top distal end thereof, the lift (18) further comprises a lift power means (18B), the lift power means (18B) comprises a lift power means inlet (18BA) having a lift valve (18F) and a lift power means egress (18BB) attached to and in communication with a lower and upper ends, respectively, of the lift cylinder (18A), the lift power means (18B) further comprises a lift power means connector (18BC) which is powered by hydraulic or pneumatic means, the lift power means (18B) is connected to and controlled by a lift second controller (18D) which is electrically connected to a lift first controller (18C) which is electrically connected to the stacker controller (16C), the lift power means (18B) further comprises a lift third controller (18E) attached thereto.
the lift valve (18F) is electrically connected to the lift first controller (18C);
D) an upper conveyor (20) horizontally positioned in alignment with the canister top (12T), the upper conveyor (20) comprises a rotatable upper conveyor belt (20 upon which incoming tortillas (28C) are placed;
E) a lower conveyor (22) positioned between the lift (18) and the canister (12), the lower conveyor (22) comprises a lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right belt (22AR) synchronically rotated, the space between the lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and the lower conveyor right belt (22AR) is slightly larger than the diameter of the lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) which deposits a tortilla first stack (28A) on lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right belt (22AR);
F) a photoelectric eye (24) electrically connected to the lift third controller (18E);
and G) a counter (26) electrically connected to the photoelectric eye (24).
A) a canister (12) which comprises a canister top (12T), a canister bottom (12B), and a canister side (12C) having a horizontal canister side slot (12CA) disposed therein;
B) a stacker (16) positioned adjacent to the canister (12), the stacker (16) comprises a stacker cylinder (16A) having a movable stacker cylinder piston (16AA) attached at a front distal end to a rear distal end of a horizontal stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) which inserts and retracts through the canister side slot (12CA), the stacker (16) further comprises a stacker power means (16B), the stacker power means (16B) comprises a stacker power means inlet (16BA) and a stacker power means egress (16BB) attached to and in communication with a lower and upper ends respectively, of the stacker cylinder (16A), the stacker power means (16B) further comprises a stacker power means connector (16BC) which is powered by hydraulic or pneumatic means, the stacker power means (16B) is connected to and controlled by a stacker controller (16C);
C) a lift (18) positioned directly below the canister (12), the lift (18) comprises a lift cylinder (18A) having a lift cylinder piston (18AA) movably positioned therein, the lift cylinder piston (18AA) comprising a horizontal lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) securely attached to a top distal end thereof, the lift (18) further comprises a lift power means (18B), the lift power means (18B) comprises a lift power means inlet (18BA) having a lift valve (18F) and a lift power means egress (18BB) attached to and in communication with a lower and upper ends, respectively, of the lift cylinder (18A), the lift power means (18B) further comprises a lift power means connector (18BC) which is powered by hydraulic or pneumatic means, the lift power means (18B) is connected to and controlled by a lift second controller (18D) which is electrically connected to a lift first controller (18C) which is electrically connected to the stacker controller (16C), the lift power means (18B) further comprises a lift third controller (18E) attached thereto.
the lift valve (18F) is electrically connected to the lift first controller (18C);
D) an upper conveyor (20) horizontally positioned in alignment with the canister top (12T), the upper conveyor (20) comprises a rotatable upper conveyor belt (20 upon which incoming tortillas (28C) are placed;
E) a lower conveyor (22) positioned between the lift (18) and the canister (12), the lower conveyor (22) comprises a lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right belt (22AR) synchronically rotated, the space between the lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and the lower conveyor right belt (22AR) is slightly larger than the diameter of the lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) which deposits a tortilla first stack (28A) on lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and a lower conveyor right belt (22AR);
F) a photoelectric eye (24) electrically connected to the lift third controller (18E);
and G) a counter (26) electrically connected to the photoelectric eye (24).
2. The tortilla counter-stacker (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the canister (12) further comprises a canister sleeve (12A) securely mounted therein, the canister sleeve (12A) comprises a diameter slightly bigger than a diameter of an incoming tortilla (28C).
3. The tortilla counter-stacker (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the canister top (12T) further comprises a canister top shroud (12TA) having an opening facing the upper conveyor (20), the canister top shroud (12TA) functions to facilitate directing the incoming tortilla (28C) into the canister (12) which rest upon the lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) forming a tortilla second stack (28B).
4. The tortilla counter-stacker (10) as described in claim 3, wherein the canister top shroud (12TA) comprises a canister top shroud left flair (12TAL) and a canister top shroud right flair (12TAR) positioned at opposite ends, the canister top shroud left flair (12TAL) and the canister top shroud right flair (12TAR) function to facilitate directing the incoming tortilla (28C) into the canister (12).
5. The tortilla counter-stacker (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the canister bottom (12B) comprises a canister bottom extender (12BA) positioned at an opposite side to the movable direction of the lower conveyor (22), the canister bottom extender (12BA) functions to facilitate directing the tortilla first stack (28A) onto the lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and the lower conveyor right belt (22AR).
6. The tortilla counter-stacker (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the canister bottom (12B) further comprises canister bottom vent (12BB) extending upwardly therefrom, the canister bottom vent (12BB) functions to facilitate directing the tortilla first stack (28A) onto the lower conveyor left belt (22AL) and the lower conveyor right belt (22AR).
7. The tortilla counter-stacker (10) as described in claim 1 further comprises a vibrator (14) attached to the canister side (12C) by a vibrator arm (14A), the vibrator (14) functions to jiggle the canister (12) directing the incoming tortilla (28C) to property position on top of the tortilla second stack (28B).
8. The tortilla counter-stacker (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the canister sleeve (12A) comprises a conical configuration narrowing toward a bottom thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US6712797P | 1997-12-02 | 1997-12-02 | |
| US60/067,127 | 1997-12-02 | ||
| US09/072,563 US6053695A (en) | 1997-12-02 | 1998-05-05 | Tortilla counter-stacker |
| US09/072,563 | 1998-05-05 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2245320A1 CA2245320A1 (en) | 1999-06-02 |
| CA2245320C true CA2245320C (en) | 2001-08-07 |
Family
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002245320A Expired - Fee Related CA2245320C (en) | 1997-12-02 | 1998-08-19 | Tortilla counter-stacker |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US6053695A (en) |
| AR (1) | AR004931A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU734284B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9804285A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2245320C (en) |
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-
1999
- 1999-02-17 US US09/251,770 patent/US6168370B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR9804285A (en) | 1999-12-14 |
| CA2245320A1 (en) | 1999-06-02 |
| US6053695A (en) | 2000-04-25 |
| AU8713298A (en) | 1999-06-24 |
| AR004931A1 (en) | 1999-04-07 |
| US6168370B1 (en) | 2001-01-02 |
| AU734284B2 (en) | 2001-06-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |