BRPI0920903B1 - PACKAGING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

packaging apparatus "is a packaging apparatus comprising propellers (12) which fold two opposing flaps of cardboard (14) on two opposite sides of a tile stack (t) which rests on a conveyor chain (27). ) the conveyor belt 28 will be raised to interact with the stack such that the lower flap of the cardboard is held down by the weight of the stack while the stack is moved away from the conveyor belt. stack for a subsequent docking station, keeping the bottom flap of the cardboard in position.

Description

PACKAGING APPLIANCE

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to a packaging apparatus, in particular, for packaging flat products, such as, for example, ceramic tiles, shaped building materials such as sheets and the like. Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention can be used to package polygonal flat products (for example, objects in the shape of a rectangular plate) such as ceramic tiles, shaped building materials such as sheets and the like, which are optionally arranged stacked .

The invention further relates to a handling device, in particular, for handling cardboard. Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention can be used to handle cardboard (in general, raw cardboard blocks) in the field of apparatus for packaging flat products of polygonal shape (for example, objects in the shape of a rectangular plate) as tiles of ceramic, plate-shaped products made of a building material and the like, which are optionally arranged in a stack. A non-limiting example of the use of the invention is to position a cardboard on one side of a substantially flat and rigid product to be packaged in. that two opposite longitudinal flaps of the cardboard are folded over the two opposite sides of the product. From WO 2007/148183, a system for packaging tiles is known for the fact that it prepares an amount of raw cardboard blocks that is equal to the number of sides of the tile, folds the cardboard along two fold lines and assemble the

2/17 cardboard in order to create a polygonal frame that is associated with the perimeter of the tile.

Summary of the invention

An object of the invention is to provide a packaging system for packaging products that is capable of effectively protecting the products (in particular, during transportation and / or storage).

Another objective is to protect the corners of polygonal flat products.

An additional objective is to provide packaging with high productivity.

Yet another objective is to be able to package flat products with a relatively small amount of packaging material (cardboard).

An advantage of the invention is to allow the effective packaging of flat products with raw cardboard blocks, avoiding the use of glue.

Another advantage is to provide a packaging method / apparatus that is able to reduce

the dimensions total deposits in material in packaging. An additional advantage is to produce one method / apparatus packaging that be able to if

adapt easily and practically to various product sizes, particularly flat products.

Yet another advantage is to provide packaging that is simple and inexpensive to deploy.

One advantage is to provide a packaging system for packaging products that is able to easily adapt to changes in the size of products.

One advantage is to provide packaging of great productivity and versatility.

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An advantage is to produce a packaging device that is able to adapt easily and practically to various product sizes, in particular, flat products of different widths.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a handling device for handling objects (such as cardboard or other objects that are usable for packaging) that is adaptable to objects of various sizes.

An advantage of the invention is to produce a handling device, in particular, for packaging devices for packaging flat products using raw cardboard blocks, which is able to adapt easily and practically to various product sizes, in particular, flat products of various thicknesses.

Yet another advantage is to provide a manipulator that is simple and inexpensive to deploy.

These objectives and advantages and still others are achieved by one or more of the following claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate some non-limiting examples of it.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the packaging apparatus.

Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view on the left side of the figure

2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus in figure 1.

Figure 5 shows the frame that supports stations 3 and 4 of the device in figure 1.

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Figure 6 shows the means of movement of the cardboard of the device in figure 1.

Figure 7 is an enlargement of figure 6.

Figures 8A to 8C show three steps in sequence of the movement of a cardboard from a deposit to the side edge of the product to be packaged.

Figure 9 shows the means of fitting the upper flap of the cardboard of the apparatus in figure 1.

Figures 10A to 10C show three steps in sequence of folding the longitudinal flaps of a cardboard over the faces of the product to be packaged, with some parts that are not shown to better highlight other parts of it.

Figures 11A to 11C are three enlargements of figures 10A to 10C.

Figure 12 shows the first support means that hold the product to be packaged in position before folding the lower longitudinal flap over the lower face of the product.

Figure 13 shows the second support medium that holds the product to be packaged in position after folding the lower longitudinal flap.

Figure 14 shows the cardboard deposits of the device in figure 1.

Figure 15 shows the means for connecting the products of the apparatus in figure 1.

Figure 16 shows the station for preparing the products to be packaged from the device in figure 1.

Figures 17A to 17C show three steps in sequence of a first example of packaging a product.

Detailed Description

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With reference to figures 1 to 4, 1 indicates a general packaging apparatus, 2 a product preparation station, 3 a cardboard application station and 4 a tape application station. The products to be packaged, which can be, in particular, products with a flat shape (such as, for example, sheets, ceramic tiles, stacks of tiles and the like), enter preparation station 2, thus passing through the station first. of cardboard application 3 and, then, to the tape application station 4 and, finally, they leave the device 1. Both the entry of the products to be packaged and the exit of the packaged products are carried out by means of transport of known type that are not described in detail.

With reference to figure 5, 5 indicates a frame (rectangular) that optionally supports both the cardboard application station 3 and the tape application station 4. The frame 5 optionally comprises two parallel and opposite sides 6. The sides 6 are extend in length between stations 3 and 4. Sides 6 are optionally parallel to an advance direction F of products from station 3 to station 4. Sides 6 are optionally movable with respect to each other, so that the mutual distance is adjustable in order to adjust the width of the operating zone of stations 3 and 4. This allows the device to be adapted to products of a different width. The sides on at least two guides optionally advance the linear products.

The are optionally slidable

7. Guides 7 are guides that are perpendicular guides 7 are base 8 of the frame the shape of a rectangular frame side 6 optionally carries one by optionally horizontal conveyor. Each has an optionally direction

5. Base 8

6/17 support structure 9 which, in turn, transports the operating means (not shown in figure 5) of the cardboard application station 3, as will be better explained below. Each support structure 9 optionally has at least partially a portal structure. The two moving sides 6 are connected to a movement system (not shown) configured to move both sides in a coordinated manner 6. The movement system optionally operates in order to keep the two sides 6 arranged in a specular manner with respect to one median geometric axis of product advance. The movement system optionally comprises a working thread movement device (for example, with two working threads, one on the right side and the other on the left side, to provide the specularity mentioned above) and a device for transmitting movement to a flexible member (chain) configured to allow the movement system to be controlled by a single working member.

With reference to figures 6 and 7, 10 indicates two cardboard movement devices. Optionally, devices 10 are arranged in a specular manner in relation to the geometric axis of advance of the cardboard. Each device 10 optionally comprises a plurality of suction cup members 11 and a plurality of pairs of buoyancy members 12. The suction cup members 11 are configured to move the cartons. The pairs of thrust members 12 are configured to fold two opposite flaps of the cartons. The cartons are positioned in a container 13 which houses the cartons 14, which are optionally arranged stacked on top of each other. The suction cup members 11 are movable with the possibility of adopting a position to remove cardboard from the tank (for example, from the bottom of the tank) and a position of

7/17 approach to cause the removed cardboard to approach a side edge of the product to be packaged positioned at station 3.

Each device 10 optionally comprises a first support 15 provided, at opposite ends, with two pins 16, each of which can be rotatably coupled with a support 17 for the rotation which is optionally carried by the structure 9. The two pins 16 are optionally coaxial. The first support 15 is optionally provided with the possibility of rotation (in relation to the structure 9) about a horizontal axis of rotation (defined by the geometric axis of the two pins 16). The first support 15 can rotate (at least through a rotation angle of approximately 90 °) on the control of at least one actuator 18. The actuator 18 optionally comprises a linear actuator that has an axially movable part that is pivoted on the first support 15 around a pin with a geometric axis that is parallel to and spaced from the geometric axis of rotation of the first support 15. The first support 15 optionally comprises a beam element that extends in length having a longitudinal geometric axis that optionally coincides with essence with its geometric axis of rotation. Each device 10 optionally comprises a second support 19 which is movable with respect to the first support 15. The second support 19 is optionally slidable with respect to the first support 15 on linear guides 20. The second support 19 can slide relative to the first support 15 of according to a sliding direction that rests on a plane that is optionally perpendicular to the geometric axis of rotation of the first support 15. The second support 19 can optionally slide in relation to the first support 15 on the

8/17 control of one or more actuators 21 (linear type). The second support 19 optionally has members 11 and 12. The suction cup members 11 are optionally mounted (in relation to the second support 19) with the possibility of axial sliding (this sliding being optionally parallel to the sliding axis of the second support 19). Each suction cup member 11 can be movable (relative to the thrust members 12) with the possibility of adopting an advanced position and a retracted position 10 and can be operationally associated with an elastic element 22 (spring) that optionally holds the member 11 in an advanced position. The suction cup members 11 are optionally arranged on two opposite rows (one for each side of the product). Each group 15 (row) of suction cup members 11 optionally defines a fluid suction gripping plane. The thrust members 12 are optionally arranged on four opposite rows (two on each side of the product). Each group (row) of suction cup members 11 optionally defines 20 a thrust line (horizontal) which is parallel to the gripping plane mentioned above and is used to fold a longitudinal flap of a cardboard. On each side of the product, two groups of buoyancy members 12 are optionally arranged, the two groups being optionally arranged on opposite sides with respect to the suction cup members 11. Each buoyancy member 12 optionally comprises an elongated body with a longitudinal geometric axis perpendicular to the gripping plane defined by the suction cup members 11.

Each row of buoyancy members 12, as well as the row of suction cup members 11 (in an example that is not illustrated, it is possible to allow the use of two or more rows or groups of suction cup members that are

9/17 parallel to each other and, optionally, defining the same gripping plane), is optionally mounted on a respective support beam 34 (for example, horizontal as in the illustrated example). One or more of such support beams 34 5 (for example, at least one support beam 34 of the thrust members 12 as in the example shown) are configured with the possibility of positioning, in order to adjust the distance between the rows of members . In the specific case, a row of thrust members 12 is mounted on a support beam 34 that extends in length and is, in turn, mounted with the possibility of sliding and being removably fixed in a desired position along one or more guides 35 (for example, linear, which optionally slide, guides that are perpendicular to the 15 row of thrust members 12 and / or parallel to the gripping plane defined by the suction cup members 11). Each device 10 is therefore optionally configured to allow the distance between two rows of thrust members (benders) and / or the distance between two rows of gripping members (positioners) and / or the distance between a row of thrust members (benders) and a row of gripping members (positioners) are adjusted. This allows the adaptation of the device 10 to various sizes of T 25 products to be facilitated, in particular, depending on the height or thickness of the product and, consequently, depending on the width of the cardboard to be handled.

Members 11 and 12 can perform the sequence of movements illustrated in figures 8A to 8C. In a first step (figure 8A), the first support 15 is positioned so that the suction cup members 11 are facing upwards (the actuator 18 is in an elongated position) and can be removed (by linear motion guided by the actuators

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21) the cardboard placed at the base of the second stage deposit (figure 8B), the first support while the suction cup members

In a third stage (figure 8C),

13. In one, the cardboard 14 is rotated and the cardboard 14 is packaged (the sides of the cup are actuated by the actuators 21) side of the product T to be suction 11 are advanced until they come into contact with the side edge of the product, after that, the thrust members 12 continue to advance (still actuators 21, while the elements driven by the elastics 22 are compressed to allow mutual movement between the suction cup members 11 and the thrust members 12, members 11 press the cardboard against the edge of the product) to fold the two outer flaps (opposite, one above and one below) of the cardboard on the two sides of the flat product T.

Station 3 optionally comprises, on each side, a locking device 23 (figure 9) mounted on the respective support structure 9. The devices 23 are optionally arranged opposite each other in a specular manner (in relation to the working position of a product and / or in relation to the geometric axis of product advance). The device 23 is configured to hold in position (against the upper face of the product) the upper flap folded by the thrust members 12. Each device 23 optionally comprises a locking element 24 extended along the side edge of the product T and provided with a horizontal flat surface configured to keep the top flap of the cardboard folded in position towards the top face of the product. The locking element 24 is optionally movable vertically under the control of one or more actuators 25. The locking element 24 is optionally provided with openings

11/17 that allow (if necessary) thrust members 12 and / or suction cup members 11 to pass.

The apparatus 1 optionally comprises a first conveyor 27 (for example, of the chain type or another flexible closed-loop conveyor element) for transporting the products from station 2 to station 3 and, optionally, a second conveyor 28 (for example, of the type belt or other flexible closed loop conveyor element) to transport products from station 3 to station 4.

Optionally, the first conveyor 27 and / or the second conveyor 28 are configured to move the product T parallel to itself, in particular, keeping the product in a horizontal configuration.

At station 3, the product is optionally transferred from the first conveyor 27 to the second conveyor 28, as shown in figures 10A to 10B, which also illustrates the operation of the locking devices 23 of the upper flaps of the cardboard 14. It should be noted that the second conveyor 28 can operate as a locking element for the bottom flaps of the cardboard 14.

In a first stage (figures 10A and 10B), the product in a horizontal position rests on the first conveyor 27, which acts in contact with an inner part of the product, while the second conveyor 28 has an end zone that is at the side of an end zone of the first conveyor 27. The second conveyor 28 is arranged on the outermost part of the product than the first conveyor and is spaced from the lower face of the product, in order to activate the lower thrust members 12 and the flap bottom of the cardboard to be inserted.

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In a second stage (figure 10C), the second conveyor 28 comes into contact with the lower flap (through the effect of a mutual movement in a vertical direction of the two conveyors 27 and 2S, made, for example, by raising the second conveyor 28 and / or shrinking the first conveyor 27) immediately after (or during) the thrust members are retracted to allow space for the second conveyor 28. The locking devices 23 are lowered to hold the top flap folded in position, while the the bottom flap is pressed (at least through the effect of the weight of the product) between the product T and the second conveyor 28. The bottom flap thus remains pressed even during transport to the subsequent station 4, where the packaging strips are applied to the product that laterally squeeze the cardboard over the product, keeping both tabs and also the rest of the cardboard locked in position.

Figures 12 and 13 show the two conveyors 27 and 28.

In figure 14, the two tanks 13 which are configured to receive the stacks of cardboard 14 to be applied on the sides of the products in station 3 are illustrated. Each tank 13 optionally comprises four vertically extending corner walls 29, which are optional and mutually arranged in a rectangular manner. The walls 29 are optionally mounted on a frame (rectangular in shape with at least one side that is movable and fixable in a desired position) with the possibility of adjusting the two dimensions of the rectangle mentioned above. In particular, the four walls 29 can be arranged, in pairs, on two bars of the frame which are parallel to each other and arranged at an adjustable reciprocal distance. Each wall 29 is optionally slidable on the respective wall

13/17 frame bar and can be fixed on the bar in the desired position to allow the storage 13 to receive various sizes of cardboard 14.

In figure 15, a device 30 for applying tapes operating at station 4 is illustrated. Device 30 optionally comprises a portal structure having two tools 31 configured to apply tapes or strips around products. Each tool 31 wraps a ribbon like a loop and tightens the ribbon laterally around a product, in order to retain the cardboard applied on the side edges of it. The structure and operation of the tools 31 are substantially known and require no further explanation. It should be noted that the tapes applied around a product can act as handles (this can be facilitated by the fact that the central part of the upper face of the product is free of cardboard).

In figure 16 the product preparation station 2 is illustrated in greater detail, where the products are prepared for the next station 3. In station 2, the products are advanced in an intermittent manner, one after the other, and then, especially if the product comprises a stack of overlapping rigid products, such as ceramic tiles and the like, the products are compacted transversely and / or axially by means of compaction which may comprise, for example, a front insert 32 ( comprising two fittings that extend vertically and placed next to each other) in order to position the products in a pre-defined reference position. , The products are optionally compacted in a transverse way, aligned and centered in relation to the geometrical axis of advancement by two movable lateral locking elements that operate in

/ 17 contact with the side edges of the product. Station 2 can be provided with means for forming the product to be packaged, number of objects that can comprise a certain (tiles) stacked on top of the case, the means mentioned above for understanding means for m objects to form a pile of n are whole numbers 1, with m Ψ to be packaged can stack consisting of objects, in one of the forming another, in that the product to receive one that lesser apparatus to pack flat and rigid products, products arranged in a stack, as, packaging is configured ,

n.

in particular, in particular, for example, a pile of ceramic tiles.

Optionally, the packaging apparatus may have a packaging line for disposed products comprising (of packaging type, configured for or continuously) being part of a plan (tiles stacked on top of an additional ceramic tile, for example, the top of each other) that known palletizing device) disposed downstream of the device The palletizing device can be received (for example, intermittently the products packaged by the packaging device and for palletizing the products (for example, ordering several stacks of tiles on a pallet).

packaging apparatus can packaging (for example, one above) for ceramics)

Optionally, the being part of a line line as mentioned plans additionally (upstream (tiles of the appliance packaging products comprising packaging) a device (of known type) for selection that selects the products (for example, ceramic tiles ) based on previously defined criteria (for example, quality criteria) and sorts the various products based on the selection made.

15/17 configured to send (for example, intermittently or continuously) products from a previously defined selection to the packaging device.

The packaging apparatus can be configured, in particular, to form a package comprising a rough block of cardboard placed beside at least one side of the flat product. The raw cardboard block has a first longitudinal flap (for example, top) that is folded to a first face (eg, top) of the flat product, and a second longitudinal flap (which is substantially opposite and parallel to the first longitudinal flap) , which is folded towards a second (for example, bottom) side of the product.

In figures 17A to 17C, the packaging method implemented with the operation of the apparatus described above is briefly illustrated. The method consists of placing two rough cardboard blocks next to each other on opposite sides of the tile (figure 17A), folding the two opposite longitudinal flaps ^ on the opposite faces of the tile (figure 17B) and, thus, tightening a or more tapes 33 (consisting of, for example, plastic strips) around the side edges mentioned above, in order to hold the raw cardboard blocks firmly in position (figure 17C).

Subtitle:

T Flat product to be packaged

F Forward direction (intermittent) of T products arranged one after the other

Packaging device

Product preparation station

Cardboard application station

Tape application station

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Support frame to support station 3 and, optionally, station 4

Frame 5 sides (which are mutually movable for adjusting the workstation width)

Sliding guides on the sides 6

Frame base 5

Support structure (for the operating means of the cardboard application station 3)

Cardboard movement devices

Device suction cup members 10

Thrust members for folding the cardboard flaps

Cardboard storage

Cardboards for packaging T products

First support (being part of the device

10)

Pins carried by the first support 15

17 Support for rotation (allows that structure 9 support rotating O first support 15 by pins 16) 18 Actuator of movement (rotation) of first

support 15

Second support (being part of the device

10)

Second support movement guides 19

Second support movement actuators 19

Elastic element (operationally associated with a respective suction cup member 11)

Snap-in device (operationally associated with the folded top flap of cardboard)

Device (movable) insert 23

Element 24 actuators

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26 Apertures on element 24 (for the passing From members 11 and / or 12) 27 First conveyor (for carry the products Station tee 2 for station 3) 5 28 Second conveyor (for carry the products from station 3 to the station 4)

Corner walls of warehouse 13

Tape application device

Tape application tools

32 Front plug-in element

Ribbons

Support beams to support members 11 and 12

Guides for positioning at least one beam 34 for each device 10.

Claims (5)

1. Apparatus (1), characterized by comprising: - support means (27; 28) configured to support a flat product (T) that has at least one first lateral edge; and first positioning means (10) for positioning a first cardboard (14) extended in length in at least one approach position in which the first cardboard (14) is arranged close to the side of the first side edge and is parallel to the first side edge ; the support means (27, 28) comprise at least a first support means (27) and a second support means (28), which are configured so that they adopt at least a first operating configuration in which the first means of operation support (27) supports the flat product (T) and at least a second operating configuration in which the second support means (28) supports the flat product (T); in the first operating configuration the first support means (27) and the second support means (28) are spaced from the first side edge in order to leave a free space to allow a first flap of the first cardboard (14) which is folded and it faces a first face of the flat product (T) to be positioned; in the second configuration of operation o second half in Support (28) sustains the product plane (T) pressing The first tab against the first face. 2 . Equipment, in wake up with claim 1, characterized by the fact in that in second configuration operation the second support means (28) is configured to support the flat product (T) in a substantially horizontal position in which the first face is a lower face of the flat product (T), the weight of which rests 2/4 at least partially resting on a resting zone of the second support means (28), so that the first flap is pressed between the resting zone and the first face through the effect of the weight. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the second support means (28) comprises a second means of transport configured to move the flat product (T) while maintaining the second operating configuration. 4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the second support means (28) comprises a flexible and sliding loop conveyor element, which in the second operating configuration, is configured to interact in 15 contact with the first tab. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the loop conveyor element comprises a flexible belt made of elastomeric material configured to interact in contact with the 20 first tab. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second positioning means (10) for positioning a second cardboard (14) extended in length 25 in an approach position in which the second cardboard is disposed close to a second lateral edge of the flat product (T) and is parallel to it; in the first operating configuration the first support means (27) and the second support means (28) are spaced from the second side edge so as to leave a free space to allow a second flap of the second cardboard (14) which is folded and is facing the first face of the flat product (T) to be positioned; in the second configuration of 3 / 4 operation the second medium in Support (28) sustains the product plane (T) by pressing The Monday tab Against the first face. 7. Appliance, in wake up with any one of previous claims , characterized by fact of understand a season in application in cardboard (3) in which second positioning means (10) operates the first and / or to position a first and / or a second cardboard (14) and a tape application station (4), in which a connecting means (30) operates, which is configured to wrap one or more strips (33) of the flat product (T) packaged by cardboard, the first support means comprises a first means of transport (27) configured to move the flat product (T) from a source (2) of flat products for the cardboard application station (3), the second support means comprises a second means of transport (28) configured to receive the flat product (T) from the first means of transport (27) and to move the product plane (T) of application station in cardboard (3) to the station in tape application (4). 8. Apparatus , in wake up with the claim 7, characterized by fact that O first half in transport (27) and the second half in transportation (28) are configured for advance the flat product (T) intermittently. 9. Device , in wake up with any one of previous claims, , characterized by the fact that what the first support means (27) and the second support means (28) are provided with the possibility of carrying out an operating movement. that has at least one component of movement in a vertical direction during the passage between the first operating configuration and the second 10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises a folding means (12) that is configured to operate on the first cardboard (14) in the position of 5 approach and is provided with the possibility of executing a movement in relation to the first positioning means (27) through the effect of which the folding means (12) folds the first flap towards the first face, the folding means ( 12) is additionally configured to fold an additional ribbon from the first cardboard (14) opposite the first flap towards an additional face of the flat product (T) opposite the first face. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that it comprises a fitting means 15 configured to interact in contact with the additional flap in order to keep the additional flap in a folded position substantially facing the additional face, the locking means being movable with the possibility of adopting at least one inactive position in which the means insert is spaced from the additional face and does not interact in contact with the additional tab and at least one active position that is close to the additional face and interacts in contact with the additional tab. 12. Packaging system, characterized in that it uses the apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11.