BE1024869B1 - Grouping and / or packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a grouping and / or packaging machine for packaging articles, preferably thin articles extending substantially in a plane, comprising: a stacking device with a plurality of fingers attached to a conveyor belt; at least one supply station for supplying at least one article between consecutive fingers at at least a first location; and a collection station for removing a group of consecutive articles in the stacking device at a second location and for collecting this removed group at at least one collection location. The collecting station comprises a first and / or a second removal and pushing unit which extends on a first and / or second side of the stacking device, and is adapted to push the removed group of successive articles in a direction away from the conveyor belt to the at least one collection location, while the conveyor belt rotates continuously.

Description

(73) Holder (s):

E.L.G.C. BVBA 9220, HAMME Belgium (72) Inventor (s):

CLOOSTERMANS Geert Ivo Coletta Maria

9220 HAMME

Belgium (54) Grouping and / or packaging machine (57) The invention relates to a grouping and / or packaging machine for packaging articles, preferably thin articles extending mainly in flat, comprising: a multi-finger stacking device attached to a conveyor belt; at least one supply station for supplying at least one article between successive fingers at at least a first location; and a collection station for removing a group of successive articles in the stacker at a second location and for collecting this removed group at at least one collection location. The collection station comprises a first and / or a second removal and pushing unit which extends on a first and / or second side of the stacking device, and is adapted to

pushing the removed group of consecutive articles in a direction away from the conveyor to the at least one collection location while the conveyor rotates continuously.

BELGIAN INVENTION PATENT

FPS Economy, K.M.O., Self-employed & Energy

Publication number: 1024869 Filing number: BE2016 / 5980

Intellectual Property Office International classification: B65B 35/44 B65G 47/08 B65G 47/82 B65G 47/244 B65G 47/248 Date of issue: 31/07/2018

The Minister of Economy,

Having regard to the Paris Convention of 20 March 1883 for the Protection of Industrial Property;

Having regard to the Law of March 28, 1984 on inventive patents, Article 22, for patent applications filed before September 22, 2014;

Having regard to Title 1 Invention Patents of Book XI of the Economic Law Code, Article XI.24, for patent applications filed from September 22, 2014;

Having regard to the Royal Decree of 2 December 1986 on the filing, granting and maintenance of inventive patents, Article 28;

Having regard to the application for an invention patent received by the Intellectual Property Office on 26/12/2016.

Whereas for patent applications that fall within the scope of Title 1, Book XI, of the Code of Economic Law (hereinafter WER), in accordance with Article XI.19, § 4, second paragraph, of the WER, the granted patent will be limited. to the patent claims for which the novelty search report was prepared, when the patent application is the subject of a novelty search report indicating a lack of unity of invention as referred to in paragraph 1, and when the applicant does not limit his filing and does not file a divisional application in accordance with the search report.

Decision:

Article 1

E.L.G.C. BVBA, Jules Vincartpark 105, 9220 HAMME Belgium;

represented by

D'HALLEWEYN Nele Veerle Trees Gertrudis, Meir 24 box 17, 2000, ANTWERP;

a Belgian invention patent with a term of 20 years, subject to payment of the annual fees as referred to in Article XI.48, § 1 of the Code of Economic Law, for: Grouping and / or packaging machine.

INVENTOR (S):

CLOOSTERMANS Geert Ivo Coletta Maria, Jules Vincartpark 105, 9220, HAMME;

PRIORITY:

BREAKDOWN:

Split from basic application: Filing date of the basic application:

Article 2. - This patent is granted without prior investigation into the patentability of the invention, without warranty of the Merit of the invention, nor of the accuracy of its description and at the risk of the applicant (s).

Brussels, 31/07/2018,

With special authorization:

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BE2016 / 5980

Grouping and / or packaging machine

Discipline

The present invention relates to grouping and / or packaging machines, in particular grouping and / or packaging machines for thin, mainly flat-extending articles, and more particularly for relatively flat products such as sanitary articles, handkerchiefs, napkins, packaged food, etc.

Background

Known sanitary article grouping and / or packaging machines typically include a so-called multi-finger stacking device hinged or fixedly attached to a conveyor such as a closed circuit chain. The multiple fingers are arranged to receive an article each time between successive fingers, such that a group of articles is received between successive fingers. The articles are then removed as a group. Existing grouping and / or packaging machines have the drawback that the stacker typically moves discontinuously and must be stopped to remove the group of items. In addition, the number of items per group is typically fixed and the existing establishments are therefore not very flexible.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the invention aim to provide a grouping and / or packaging machine that can remove the articles from a multi-finger stacker in an improved manner.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a grouping and / or packaging machine according to claim 1. The grouping and / or packaging machine is intended for packaging articles, preferably thin articles extending mainly in a plane. The grouping and / or packaging machine comprises at least one supply station, a stacking device and a collecting station. The stacking device comprises a plurality of fingers which, viewed in a conveying direction, are hinged side by side or fixedly attached to a closed circuit conveyor, the plurality of fingers being adapted to receive at least one article between successive fingers. The at least one supply station is arranged to supply at least one article between successive fingers at at least one first location. The collection station is arranged to remove a group of successive articles in the stacker at a second location and to collect this removed group at at least one collection location. The collection station includes a first and / or a second removal

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BE2016 / 5980 pushing unit which extends on a first and second side of the stacking device, respectively, preferably in a substantially symmetrical manner. The first and second removal and / or pushing unit comprises a first and / or second elongated removal member which extends along opposite sides of a group of successive fingers and which makes an angle, ie an angle different from 90 ° the conveyor belt, such that a group of successive articles are removed from the group of successive fingers upon rotation of the conveyor belt in the conveying direction. Furthermore, the first and / or second removal and pushing units are arranged to push the removed group of successive articles in a direction away from the conveyor to the at least one collection location.

By providing the collection station with a first and / or a second removal and pushing unit which extends on a first and a second side of the stacking device, respectively, the articles can be removed and collected in an improved manner, the conveyor belt of the stacking device being preference rotates continuously. Furthermore, such a collecting device allows to easily adjust the number of articles of a group since the pushing cycle of the first and second removal and pushing units can be easily adjusted, preferably without the feed station having to stop and while the conveyor belt can continue to run continuously . Thus, embodiments of the invention preferably allow to adjust the number of items from a group of items brought to the at least one collection location by the first and / or second removal and pushing unit without having to stop the grouping and packaging machine .

In a preferred embodiment, the grouping and / or packaging machine has the properties according to any one of the claims in Annex.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and / or the second removal and pushing unit comprises a first and / or a second pushing conveyor, respectively. The first and / or a second push conveyor belt is preferably provided with at least one first and second push element, respectively. Even more preferably, the first and / or a second push conveyor belt is provided with at least two first and second push elements, respectively. An axis of the first and second push conveyor belt is preferably oriented perpendicular to an axis of the conveyor belt of the stacking device. The at least one first and second pushing member is attached to the first and second pushing conveyor and is sized to engage behind an article at the second location such that rotation of the first and second pushing conveyor moves the group of removed articles to the at least one collection location can push. Such push conveyor belts make it possible to accurately adjust and control the push sequences in function of the desired one

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BE2016 / 5980 number of articles in a group. Optionally, the first and second push conveyor belt also form the first and second removal part. In the event that two or more first and / or second pushing elements are provided, they can be coupled to two or more Servo mechanisms. According to a variant, the axis of the first and second push conveyor belt can be parallel to an axis of the conveyor belt of the stacking device, see for instance the embodiment of figures 15A and 15B.

According to another possible embodiment, the first and / or second push conveyor belt is not provided with a first and / or second push element, the push conveyor belt itself exerts a pushing force on the articles.

In a preferred embodiment, the grouping and / or packaging machine further comprises a control unit for controlling the first and second removal and pushing units and the conveyor belt, the control unit being arranged to periodically push the first and second removal and pushing units while the conveyor belt is rotating continuously.

The control unit may further be arranged, after removing a predetermined number of articles, to have the first and second removal and pushing units perform a pushing movement.

In a possible embodiment, the first push conveyor belt comprises one or more Servomechanisms and / or the second push conveyor belt comprises one or more Servomechanisms. In case multiple Servomechanisms are used, each servomechanism can be associated with one or more push elements of the respective push conveyor, such that the transport to the one or more collection locations can be further optimized.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a grouping and / or packaging machine with a transport module is provided. The transport module comprises an elevator module that is movable between a collection location where a group of articles has been stacked and a transport location, for instance a lower or higher location. The transport module may comprise a fourth and a fifth pushing element which are arranged to hold and move the group of articles between the fourth and a fifth pushing element in the second location.

Preferably, the elevator module comprises a first module with a chain or belt and a second module with a chain or belt, and a number of profiles connected to these first and second modules, the profiles being arranged and arranged to support the group of articles .

Preferably, the first module has a first side and the second module has a second opposite parallel side and the group of stacked articles is accommodated between the first and the second side, supported by at least a first profile connected to the first side and a second profile connected to the second side. According to a variant, there are no profiles

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BE2016 / 5980 and a group of articles is accommodated between a conveyor belt on the first side of the first module and a conveyor belt on the second side of the second module, whereby optionally a pushing element can be provided to push the group of articles to the transport location .

In a possible embodiment, the first module comprises one or more Servomechanisms and the second module comprises one or more Servomechanisms. In case multiple Servomechanisms are used, each servomechanism can be associated with a set of Profrei, such that multiple consecutive groups of articles can be transported independently, optionally to different transport locations.

In a possible embodiment, the elevator module is arranged to move a group of articles from the transport location to a second transport location, for example an even higher or lower location, and the transport module comprises a sixth push element which is arranged to push the group of articles to a packaging station. The number of items in a group may vary depending on the output of the stacker and the settings of the first and / or second remove and push units.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a grouping and / or packaging machine with a feed station is provided. The feed station is arranged to alternately or not turn the supplied articles. The feed station includes a first pair of parallel conveyor belts and a second pair of intersecting conveyor belts, and the feed station is arranged to pass an article alternately between the first pair of parallel conveyor belts and between the second pair of intersecting conveyor belts.

Short description of the figure

The above and other advantageous features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures IA and IB respectively show a schematic side and top view of an embodiment of a packaging machine;

Figure 1C shows a front view of a finger of Figures 1A and IB, with an article placed behind the finger;

Figure 1D illustrates a control unit;

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Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C schematically show a front view of a finger of Figures IA and IB with an article placed behind the finger and one or more pushing elements pushing against the article, Figure 2A using one servo mechanism on each side of the fingers , Figure 2B uses two Servo mechanisms on each side of the fingers, and Figure 2C uses four Servo mechanisms on each side of the fingers;

Figures 3A-3G schematically show, in a plan view, successive steps of the removal and pushing process for the variant of Figure 2A; and Figure 3C schematically shows a side view corresponding to the top view of Figure 3A;

Figures 4A-4F schematically show successive steps of the removal and pushing process for the variant of Figure 2B; and Figure 4C schematically shows a side view corresponding to the top view of Figure 4A;

Figure 5 schematically shows a possible step of the removal and pushing process for the variant of Figure 2C;

Figures 6A, 6B and 6C respectively illustrate a schematic side view, a front view and a top view of an elevator module;

Figures 7A-7H schematically illustrate successive positions of a group of articles in an elevator module;

Figures 8A and 8B; 9A and 9B; 10A and 10B; 11A and 11B; 12A and 12B; 13A and 13B; 14A and 14B;

15A and 15B; 16A and 16B; 17A and 17B show a schematic side and top view of other embodiments of a packaging machine;

Figures 18A and 18B show a schematic view of an embodiment of a supply station.

Detailed embodiments

A first embodiment of a packaging direction according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D. The grouping and / or packaging machine is intended for stacking and packaging of articles A. The articles A are preferably thin, mainly flat-extending articles, for example sanitary articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins, handkerchiefs, napkins, food articles such as packaged biscuits , etc. The thickness of the articles is typically considerably smaller, preferably at least 5 times smaller, than the width and length of the articles.

The packaging machine includes one or more supply stations 100, 100, a stacker 200, a collection station 300, a transport module 400, and a packaging station 500. The articles are transferred from the one or more supply stations 100, 100 to the stacker. Then, the articles A are removed in stacked fashion from stacker 200 by collection station

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300. Transport module 400 then transports the stacked articles A from collection station 300 to packaging station 500.

Stacking device 200 comprising a plurality of fingers 210 which, viewed in a conveying direction T, are hinged side by side to a conveyor belt 220 forming a closed circuit.

According to a variant, the fingers 210 can also be fixedly attached to conveyor belt 220.

Conveyor belt 220 is typically a chain. Fingers 210 are arranged to receive at least one article A between successive fingers 210. Finger 210 has a height h and width b, see figure 1C. An article A typically protrudes on either side of finger 210, see Figure 1C.

Feeding station 100 is arranged to feed at least one article between successive fingers 210 at a first location LI. Feeding station 100 may be arranged for feeding one article A between two successive fingers 210 or for feeding two or more articles A simultaneously between two successive fingers 210. Optionally, a second feeding station 100 'may also be provided for feeding at least one article between successive fingers 210 at a first location L1 '. For example, the first supply station 100 can supply an article every two fingers and the second supply station 100 can then supply an article at the places that have remained empty after passage along the first supply station 100.

Collection station 300 is arranged to remove a group of successive items A in the stacker at a second location L2 and to collect this removed group at a collection location L3. Collection station 300 includes a first removing and pushing unit 321 and a second removing and pushing unit 322 extending on a first and second side K1, K2 of stacker 200, respectively, see Figure 1B. The first removal and pushing unit 321 has a first elongated removal part 311 extending along a first side K1 of a group of successive fingers 210. The first removal part 311 here is in the form of a removal slat 311 which is part of a base plate 310. The second removal and pushing unit 322 has a second elongated removal member 312 extending along a second side K2 of a group of successive fingers 210. The second removal member 312 is in the form of a removal slat 312 which is also part of base plate 310. Removal slats 311, 312 are at an acute angle oc with conveyor belt 220, see Figure 1A, such that a group of successive articles A is removed from the group of successive fingers 210 upon rotation of conveyor belt 220 in the conveying direction T. The first and second removal and pushing units 321, 322 are arranged to push the removed group of successive articles A in a direction away from conveyor belt 2 20 to collection location L3.

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In the variant of Figures 1A-1D, the first and second removal and pushing units 321, 322 comprise a first and a second pushing conveyor 331, 332 with at least one first and second pushing element 341, 342, respectively. A shaft A1, A2 of the first and second push conveyor 331, 332 is oriented perpendicular to an axis AM of conveyor 220 of stacker 200. The at least one first and second push element 341, 342 is attached to the first and second push conveyor 331, 332, respectively, and is sized to be rear to grab a deleted item A. In this way, a rotation of the first and second push conveyor belt 331, 332 can push the group of removed articles to collection location L3.

In the variant of Figures 1A-1D, for each push conveyor belt 331, 332, four push elements 341,

342 provided, but versions with fewer or more pushing elements are also possible, see below. In the case of a plurality of pushing elements 341, 342 they can alternately function as retainers of articles A and as pushing elements.

Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C schematically show a front view of a finger of Figures 1A and IB, with an article placed behind the finger and one or more pushing elements pushing against the article. In the variant of Figure 2A, one servo mechanism S1 is on each side of the fingers; S2 used to drive the respective conveyor belt 331; 332. In the variant of Figure 2B, on either side of the fingers are two Servo mechanisms S1, S2; S3, S4 used to drive the respective conveyor belt 331; 332. In the variant of Figure 2C, on each side of the fingers are four Servo mechanisms S1, S2, S5, S6; S3, S4, S7, S8 used to drive the respective conveyor belt 331; 332.

Figures 3A-3H schematically show, in a plan view, successive steps of the pushing removal process for the variant of Figure 2A. For clarity, Figure 3C also shows a side view corresponding to the top view of Figure 3D. Each conveyor belt 331,

332 here is provided with two push elements 341a, 341b; 342a, 342b, and the latter are coupled to one servo mechanism S1, S2 each. When the machine is started up and the first articles are fed between the fingers 210, the first articles can be retained by first and second pushing members 341b, 342b as illustrated in Figure 3A. The push conveyor belt 331, 332 can then run at approximately the same speed as that of the conveyor belt 220, see figure 3B. When the push element 341b, 342b has reached the end position on the right, see figure 3C, the push conveyor belt 331, 332 is stopped, such that a group of articles is collected and optionally compressed against the push element 341b, 342b. An optional push element 350 can now optionally touch the first article

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All of the group of articles are brought and the push conveyor belt 331, 332 is further rotated such that a group of articles A1-A 10 is pushed to the collection location, see Figures 3D and 3E. Instead of an additional pushing element 350, other means can also cause the group of articles to be retained, for example a friction means or a spring means. For example, at the position of pushing element 341b and / or at the position of 342b, a resiliently mounted element could be provided as a retainer of the articles, whereby the spring force can be overcome by the pushing force exerted by pushing elements 341a, 342a in figure 3D. The additional pushing element 350 is adapted to push against the group of articles as they move to the collection location L3 and to move in synchronization with the first and second pushing conveyor 331, 332 in the same direction as the first and second pushing conveyor 331, 332. In Figure 3F contains a group of eleven articles in the collection location L3, and a next group of articles is prepared. In Fig. 3G, pushing elements 341a and 342a are rotated upwards and the second group of eleven articles can be moved to the location L3. Thus, in this embodiment, the conveyor belt 220 can rotate continuously while the items group by group are removed from the stacker 200 by the collection station 300.

Those skilled in the art understand that by changing the speed and timing (i.e., the moment when the push conveyor starts moving and stops moving) of the push conveyors 331, 332, the number of items in a group can be changed. Thus, the numbers can be varied without having to stop conveyor belt 220. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art understands that the position and the number of push elements on push conveyor belt 331, 332 can be changed in function of, inter alia, the type of articles, the desired number of articles of a group, etc. Furthermore, additional push elements 341a ", 341b" can optionally be provided; 342a, 342b are provided.

The embodiment of Figures 3A-G further illustrates that articles can be compressed in the second location L2 and / or during transport from second location L2 to the collection location L3 and / or in the collection location L3 using the push conveyor belts 331, 332.

Figures 4A-4F schematically show, in a plan view, successive steps of the pushing removal process for the variant of Figure 2B. For all clarity, Figure 4C also shows a side view corresponding to the top view of Figure 4C. Each conveyor belt 331;

332 here is provided with four push elements 341a, 341b, 341c, 341d; 342a, 342b, 342c, 342d.

Pushing elements 341a, 341c are coupled to a first servo mechanism S1, and pushing elements

341b, 341d are coupled to a second servo mechanism S2. Pushing elements 342a, 342c are coupled to a third servo mechanism S3, and pushing elements 342b, 342d are coupled to

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BE2016 / 5980 a fourth servo mechanism S4. When the machine is started up and the first articles are fed between the fingers 210, the first articles can be retained by first and second push members 34Id, 342d as illustrated in Figure 4A. The push conveyor belt 331, 332 can then run at approximately the same speed as that of the conveyor belt 220, see figure 4B. When the pushing element 34Id, 342d has almost reached the end position on the right, pushing elements 341c, 342c are set in motion, and in the final position the pushing element 34Id, 342d is stopped, see figure 4C such that a group of articles is collected and optionally compressed against the pushing element 34Id, 342d. Now pushing pushers 341a,

342b against the group of items, such that the group of items A1-A10 is pushed to the collection location, see Figures 4C and 4D. In Figure 4E, a group of eleven articles is located in the collection location L3, and a next group of articles is prepared. As illustrated, this next group may comprise a different number of articles, here eight articles. This is achieved by moving pusher elements 341b, 342b at an appropriate time / at the appropriate speed, see Figure 4E. In Figure 4F, pushing elements 341a and 342a are rotated upwards and the second group of eight articles has been moved to location L3. Then a group of 11 items can be moved back to location L3, see figure 4F. Thus, in this embodiment, the conveyor belt 220 can rotate continuously while the article group per group is removed from the stack 200 by the collection station 300, the number of articles in a group being variable. This number can be easily set here by the Servomechanisms St,

S2, S3, S4 can be controlled appropriately. Thus, the numbers can be varied without having to stop conveyor belt 220. The person skilled in the art understands that the position and the number of push elements on push conveyor belt 331, 332 can be changed and optionally additional push elements can be provided. The embodiment of Figures 4A-F further illustrates that articles can be compressed in the second location L2 and / or during transport from second location L2 to the collection location L3 and / or in the collection location L3 using the push conveyor belts 331, 332.

Figure 5 schematically shows the removal and pushing process for the variant of Figure 2C. Each conveyor belt 331; 332 is provided here with eight push elements 341a-h; 342a-h. Pushing elements

341a-h are coupled with different Servomechanisms St, S2, S5, S6. Pushing elements 342a-h are coupled with different Servomechanisms S3, S4, S7, S8. In this way, even more combinations of different numbers of articles can be grouped, and at the same time different groups of articles can be located between conveyor belts 331 and 332. The embodiment of figure 5 further illustrates that articles can be compressed in the push conveyor belts 331, 332 in the second location L2 and / or during transport from second location L2 to the collection location L3 and / or in the collection location L3.

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More specifically, a first group of articles between push conveyor belt 331 and 332 can be compressed in a different way than a second group of articles between push conveyor belt

331 and 332. Furthermore, the distance between a first group of articles between push conveyor 331 and 332 and a second group of articles between push conveyor 331 and 332 can be changed (optimization of spacing between groups of articles) by the timing and / or speed of the different servo mechanisms set appropriately. Furthermore, it is possible to take a first group of articles to a first collection location L3 and to bring a second group of products to a second collection location L3, the second collection location L3 being at a distance from L3 in the pushing direction. Consecutive groups of articles can thus be associated with different output stations.

In non-illustrated embodiments, the first and second push conveyor belt 331,

332 themselves form the first and second removal parts. In this case, the group of articles A should extend against the first and second push conveyor such that the group of articles A is held between the first and second push conveyor as they pass between them. The first and second push conveyor belts then preferably rotate continuously together with conveyor belt 220 of stacker 200. The removal slats 311, 312 can then be omitted or replaced by conveyor belts.

Furthermore, the grouping and / or packaging machine preferably includes a control unit 600 for controlling the first and second removal and pushing units 321, 322 and conveyor belt 220 of stacker 200. The control unit 600 is preferably adapted to remove the first and second removal and to have a pushing unit 321, 322 periodically perform a pushing movement (see also figure 13D) while conveyor belt 220 rotates continuously. In other words, it is the control unit

600 preferably, after removing a predetermined number of articles, the first and second removing and pushing units 321, 322 perform a pushing movement.

In the embodiment of Figures 1A-1D, the axis AM of conveyor belt 220 is oriented horizontally, and conveyor belt 220 at the second location L2, viewed in the conveying direction T, is inclined downwards. Conveyor belt 220 rotates at least around two shaft parts 231, 232 of different diameter. The diameter of the first shaft part 231 is greater than the diameter of the second shaft part 232 and the first location L1 is located at the height of the first shaft part 231, preferably where the fingers are oriented approximately horizontally. According to an non-illustrated variant, the conveyor belt 220 rotates in the reverse direction, the articles are supplied at a first location near the second smallest shaft part 232, the second smallest shaft part 232 is higher

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BE2016 / 5980 is located then the first axis part 231 and the second location L2 is provided at the level of an inclined downward part of conveyor belt 220, seen in the transport direction T.

The first and second removal slats 311, 312 are here directed substantially horizontally, such that a substantially horizontal pushing movement in the direction of collection location L3 is possible.

The transport module 400 is arranged to transport the group of articles in the collection location L3 to a packaging location L5. In the illustrated embodiment, transport module 400 includes an elevator module 410 which is movable between the collection location L3, through an elevated location L4 to a packaging location L5. The transport module may further comprise a fourth and a fifth push member 440, 450 which are arranged to hold and move the group of articles between the fourth and a fifth push member 440, 450 in the higher location L4. These fourth and fifth pushing elements further function as guiding elements for guiding the group of articles from the collection location L3 to the packaging location L5. The transport module includes a sixth pusher element 460 adapted to push the group of articles from the packaging location L5 (so this is actually a location just before the packaging station 500) to the packaging station 500. The packaging station 500 is arranged to package the group of transported articles in a package V.

The transport module 400 is further illustrated in Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C. The lift module 410 comprises two sets, each with a rotating chain or belt 411, 412 and a number of profiles 421, 422 connected to the chains 411, 412, which are arranged and arranged to support the group of articles, and optionally a number with the chains 411,412 connected profiles 423, 424 arranged and arranged to extend over the group of articles. Profiles 421-424 are parallel. Chains 411, 412 have parallel axes A1, A2. Chain 411 has a first side which is parallel to a second side of chain 412, such that between the first side of chain 411 and the second side of chain 412, articles can be located and transported. The articles are preferably held between four profiles 421424 but those skilled in the art understand that additional profiles may be provided, and that two profiles

421, 422 is also an option for some products. Furthermore, different sets of profiles 421-424 can be provided at a pitch distance from each other on the chains 411, 412.

Furthermore, the transport module 400 may be arranged with more than three locations L3, L4, L5 located one above the other, whereby the lift module 410 is then adapted accordingly and, for example, is carried out longer with more sets of profiles 421-424. According to a variant, the locations L4 and L5 can be located below the location L3. According to a variant of the lift module, a plurality of servo mechanisms may be provided for the lift module to profile multiple groups

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421-424. Thus, in case multiple Servomechanisms are used, each servomechanism may be associated with a set of profi jaws 421-424 such that multiple consecutive groups of articles can be transported independently of each other, optionally to different transport locations L4, L5. In this way, the height of a group of profiles 421-424 can be adjusted “on the fly”. For example, one could bring a first group of articles transported by a first group of profiles 421-424 to a first height L5 and a second group of articles transported by a second group of profiles 421-424 to a second height L5 'so that two outlets for two packing stations are provided at different heights. The skilled person understands many

Variants are conceivable depending on the desired speed, the packaging station used, etc.

According to a variant, no profiles are provided and a group of articles is received directly between a conveyor belt 411 on the first side of a first set and a conveyor belt 412 on the second side of the second set, whereby a pushing element can optionally be provided around the group of articles pushing, for example pushing up or down, to the transport location L4.

Figures 7A-7H illustrate a possible packaging sequence when using the transport module 400 of Figures 6A-6C. A group of articles G is first brought by the collection station 300 to the collection location L3, see Figures 7A-7C. Pushing element 350 hereby accompanies this movement. The group of articles G at location L3 is then transported by the elevator module 410 to location L4, see figure 7D and figure 7E. The lift module 410 is briefly stopped and the group of articles is moved to the right with push elements 440, 450 to location L4_R, see Figure 7F.

The lift module is then put back into motion to move profiles 421-424 further up to location L5, see figure 7G. From location L5, the group of articles is placed in a package V with the aid of push element 460, see figure 7H. Now the profiles 421-424 move back to the starting position (location L3) to receive a new group of articles A. As shown in figures 6A-6C, the lift module can be provided with several sets of profiles 421-424, etc. such that at the same time packaging from location L5, a movement to the right at location L4, and receipt of a new group of articles at location L3 can be performed, see also figures 7G and 7H.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a variant of the packaging machine of Figures 1A-1B in which like parts are indicated with the same reference numerals. In this variant, a group of articles is brought from location L5 to an adjacent location L5 and two groups of products are packed together in a package V.

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Figures 9A and 9B illustrate a variant of the packaging machine of Figures 1A-1B in which like parts are indicated with the same reference numerals. The packing station

500 here comprises a conveyor belt 550 with an arm 560 provided with push element 460. The arm is shown in a first position P1 on the far left and in a second position P2 on the far right. The arm 560 is arranged to push a group of articles in package V . The conveyor 550 moves the arm from left to right and back. According to a variant, at the location L5, several groups of packages can be placed one behind the other, and the conveyor belt is provided with several arms 560. The conveyor belt 550 can then preferably rotate stepwise instead of moving back and forth.

Figures 10A and 10B illustrate another embodiment of a packaging machine in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a rotation axis AM of the conveyor belt 220 is oriented horizontally, and the conveyor belt 220 at the second location L2 is inclined upwardly, viewed in the conveying direction T of the conveyor belt 220. The first and second removal parts 311, 312 are here directed substantially vertically, such that a substantially vertical pushing movement in the direction of collection location L3 is possible. In this embodiment, a pushing element 470 is provided to move the articles A from the collection location L3 to a packaging location L5. This pushing element 470 is arranged to cause a horizontal pushing movement such that the articles are supplied rotated a quarter turn to the package V.

Figures 11A and 1 IB illustrate another embodiment of a packaging machine in which like parts are indicated with like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a rotational axis AM of the conveyor belt 220 is oriented horizontally, and the conveyor belt 220 at the second location L2 is inclined downwards, viewed in the conveying direction T of the conveyor belt 220. The first and second removal parts 311, 312 are here directed substantially vertically, such that a substantially vertical pushing movement in the direction of collection location L3 is possible. Here, therefore, the articles are transported vertically down to the collection location

L3. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a push element 470 is provided to move the articles A from the collection location L3 to a packaging location L5.

In such an embodiment, the Stack of articles A can here be moved to location L3 both in a product transport direction of stacker 200 and in the opposite direction. In Figures 11A and IB, the Stack of articles A moves in the product transport direction from stacker 200 to location L3.

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Figures 12A and 12B illustrate yet another embodiment of a packaging machine in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a rotational axis AM of the conveyor belt 220 is vertically oriented. The first and second removal parts 311, 312 are oriented substantially horizontally and make an angle with the conveying direction T of the conveyor belt 220. Here, therefore, the articles are discharged horizontally, in the drawing to the right, to the collecting location L3. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a push element 470 is provided to move the articles A from the collection location L3 to a packaging location L5. In this variant, it is an option to omit the top or bottom 10 removal and pushing units 322, 321.

Figures 13A and 13B illustrate a variant of the packaging machine of Figures 1A-1B in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals. The packaging station here comprises additional pushing elements 590, 595 and guide profiles 570, 580 to guide the group of articles during packaging. Here, therefore, the Stack of articles is delivered transverse to the product transport direction. In this way, a different production configuration can be obtained in the packaging station.

Figures 14A and 14B illustrate a variant of the packaging machine of Figures 1A-1B in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals. Here, the group of articles A is fed directly from a collection location L3 into the package V. To this end, the packaging station 500 comprises a conveyor belt 550 with second push arms 560, 560 which are arranged to move a group of articles A from the collection location L3 in the package V.

Figures 15A and 15B illustrate a variant of the packaging machine of Figures 1A-1B in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals. Here, as in the variant of Figures 8A and 8B, the group of articles A is fed directly from a collection location L3 into the package V. To this end, the packaging station 500 comprises a conveyor belt 447 with second push arms 445, 446 which are arranged to move a group of articles A from the collection location L3 in the package V. Furthermore, the removal parts here are designed as conveyor belts 351, 352 with horizontal axes A3. These conveyor belts 351, 352 thus have a transport function in addition to the removal function. In this way, the transport to collection location L3 can be further optimized. Optionally, the conveyor belts 351, 352 can be provided with additional pushing elements 361, 362. Pushing elements 361, 362 will hereby contribute in a similar manner to the transport of groups of articles to the

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BE2016 / 5980 collection location L3. Pushing elements 341, 342 and pushing elements 361, 362 can thus cooperate to move groups of articles to collection location L3, for example in a manner analogous to the sequence described above for Figures 4A-4F and Figure 5.

Figures 16A and 16B illustrate a variant of the packaging machine of Figures 1A-1B in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals. The articles A are supplied here via a supply station 100 which supplies the articles in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction T of conveyor belt 220.

Figures 17A and 17B illustrate a variant of the packaging machine of Figures 1A-1B in which like parts are indicated with the same reference numerals. The fingers 210 are further spaced here and allow multiple articles A, A to be fed between two successive fingers 210.

Figures 18A and 18B illustrate a possible embodiment of a supply station 100. The supply station is arranged to alternately or not turn the supplied articles A.

To this end, the feed station 100 comprises a first pair of parallel conveyor belts 110, 120 and a second pair of crimped conveyor belts 130, 140. The feed station 100 is arranged to alternate an article A between the first pair of parallel conveyor belts 110, 120 and between the second pair crisscross each other. conveyor belts 130, 140 to pass. The separation in the product flow that causes a supplied article to alternate between conveyor belts 110,

120 and moving between conveyor belts 134, 140 can for instance take place by means of pressure, for instance a vacuum chamber below and above with an associated control. According to an alternative of a mechanical means such as a mechanical gate are used for this.

Those skilled in the art understand that the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that many modifications and variants are possible within the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the following claims.

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Claims (3)

Conclusions A grouping and / or packaging machine for packaging articles (A), preferably thin substantially flat-extending articles, comprising: A stacking device (200) comprising a plurality of fingers (210) which, viewed in a conveying direction, are attached side by side to a closed circuit conveyor (220), the plurality of fingers being adapted to receive at least one item ( A) between successive fingers; at least one feed station (100) for feeding at least one article 10 between successive fingers (210) at at least a first location (L1); a collection station (300) for removing a group of consecutive articles in the stacker at a second location (L2) and for collecting this removed group at at least one collection location (L3); the collection station comprising: 15 a first and / or a second removal and pushing unit (321, 322) extending on a first and / or second side of the stacking device, respectively; wherein the first and / or second removal and pushing unit has a first and / or second elongated removal member which extends along a first and / or second side of a group of successive fingers and which forms an angle with the conveyor belt, Such that a group of successive articles are removed from the group of successive fingers upon rotation of the conveyor belt in the conveying direction; which first and / or second removal and pushing unit is adapted to push the removed group of successive articles in a direction away from the conveyor to the at least one collection location (L3). The grouping and / or packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the first and / or the second removal and pushing unit (321, 322) comprises a first and / or a second pushing conveyor (331, 332; 351, 352) respectively, such that a rotation of the first and second push conveyor belts the group of removed articles to the at least one 30 collection location can push. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein the first and / or a second push conveyor belt (331, 332; 351, 352) comprises at least one first and / or second push element (341, 342), respectively. ; wherein the first and second pushing element is attached to the first and second pushing conveyor and is sized to engage behind an article at the second location. 2016/5980 BE2016 / 5980 The grouping and / or packaging machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an axis (A1, A2) of the first and / or second push conveyor (331, 332) is oriented perpendicular to an axis (AM) of the conveyor (220 ) of the stacking device. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the first and second push conveyor (331, 332) also form the first and second removal part. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims, further 10 comprising a control unit for controlling the first and second removal and pushing units and the conveyor belt, the control unit being arranged to periodically push the first and second removal and pushing units while the conveyor belt is rotating continuously. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control unit for checking the first and second removal and pushing units and the conveyor belt, the control unit being arranged to remove, after removal of a predetermined number of articles, to have the first and second removal and pushing units perform a pushing movement. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an axis of the conveyor belt is oriented horizontally, the conveyor belt at the second location (L2) pointing obliquely downwards or upwards, and wherein the first and second removal parts are oriented substantially horizontally. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein an axis of the conveyor belt is oriented horizontally, the conveyor belt at the second location (L2) being inclined downwards or upwards, and wherein the first and second removal parts are directed substantially vertically. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein an axis of the conveyor belt is oriented vertically, wherein the first and second removal parts are oriented substantially horizontally and make an angle with the conveying direction of the conveyor belt. 2016/5980 BE2016 / 5980 The grouping and / or packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a transport module (400) arranged for transporting the group of articles in the at least one collection location to a packaging location. 5 The grouping and / or packaging machine according to the preceding claim, further comprising a packaging station (500) adapted to package the group of transported articles. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims, Wherein the at least one collection location includes a third push member (350) adapted to push against the group of articles in the at least one collection location and to synchronize with it in the same direction as the first and second removal and pushing units move with the first and second removal and pushing units. 14. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transport module (400) is an elevator module (410) movable between the at least one collection location (L3) and a transport location, for instance a higher or lower location (L4). 15. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the transport module comprises a fourth and a fifth push element (440, 450) which are arranged to hold the group of articles between the fourth and a fifth push element in the transport location. and to move. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the lift module comprises a first module with a chain or belt and a second module with a chain or belt, and a number of profiles connected to these first and second modules, the profiles being arranged and arranged to support the group of articles. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the first module has a first side and the second module has a second opposite parallel side and the group of articles is accommodatable between the first and the second side, supported by at least a first profile connected to the first side and a second profile connected to the second side. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to claim 11 and any one of claims 1417, wherein the elevator module (300) is arranged to accommodate the group of articles from the transport location 2016/5980 BE2016 / 5980 to move to a second transport location, the transport module comprising a sixth push element (460) adapted to push the group of articles to the packaging station (500). 5 The grouping and / or packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply station (100) is arranged to alternately or not turn the supplied articles. The grouping and / or packaging machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the The feed station (100) comprises a first pair of parallel conveyor belts (110, 120) and a second pair of intersecting conveyor belts (130, 140), and the feed station is arranged to alternate an article between the first pair of parallel conveyor belts and between the second pair pass intersecting conveyor belts. 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