APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PLACING A SCOOP IN A CONTAINER

摘要

The invention concerns an apparatus for automatically placing a scoop in a container, where the apparatus comprises a scoop supply unit adapted to supply scoops to a release position of the scoop supply unit in a hanging manner, a first gripping device configured to grip an individual scoop at the release position of the supply unit and to move the scoop to a delivery position where the scoop is released from the gripping device in order to place the scoop in a container, where the supply unit comprises two sets of reciprocating holding fingers adapted to release one scoop at a time in the release position, where the gripping device comprises two gripping fingers having a semi-circular shape corresponding to the shape of the scoop, such that the inner sides of the gripping fingers bears on the rim of the scoop. The invention also concerns a method for automatically placing a scoop in a container. The advantage of the inventive apparatus is that one scoop at the time can be picked up and placed in a container in a secure way.

主权项

1. An apparatus for automatically placing a scoop in a container, where the scoop comprises a cup-shaped part and a handle, said apparatus comprises
a scoop supply unit adapted to supply scoops to a pick-up position of the scoop supply unit, a first moveable gripping device configured to grip an individual scoop at the pick-up position of the supply unit and to move the scoop to a first delivery position where the scoop is released from the gripping device in order to place the scoop in a container, where the supply unit comprises two rails spaced apart such that the scoop can be forwarded on the rails in a hanging manner with the handle of the scoop pointing downwards, where the supply unit comprises two sets of reciprocating holding fingers adapted to release one scoop at a time in the pick-up position, and where the gripping device comprises two gripping fingers adapted to grip the scoop, where each gripping finger is provided with a semi-circular shape corresponding to the shape of the cup-shaped part of the scoop, such that the inner sides of the gripping fingers bears on the rim of the scoop.