CZ2000997A3 - Feeding mechanism and magazine for two different types of cardboard - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is designed to store two different types of cartons and for selecting and transporting cartons (10, 30) to be packaged. The device consists of a first storage container (58) the first type of cartons (30) from the second container (60) for storing a second type of carton (10), from means (61, 63) for grasping the cartons (10, 30) including the means for securing a first position for gripping the carton (30) from the first container (58), and providing a different second position for gripping the carton from the second container (60), and from the means of transport for transporting cartons (10, 30) of its first or second a container (58, 60) from the supply end of the packaging machine.

Description

Feeding mechanism and tray for two different types of cartons

Technical field

The invention relates to the packaging of basic products such as boxes and bottles in multiple packaging cartons, and more particularly relates to the delivery of such cartons in a folded state from the container and the initiation and then completion of a sequential assembly of cartons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most known packaging machines are single-purpose machines that assemble only one carton size. Therefore, modern filling plants are required to use many packaging machines to pack different types of cartons, each machine taking up considerable floor space and costly in terms of both purchase and operation.

A limited number of packaging machines are able to package different sizes of cartons, for example six, eight or twelve packaging units of wrapped carton. All of these machines require adjustment when switching from one size or type of carton to the next. This adjustment includes manual removal of all cartons from the packaging machine and the possibility of mechanically adjusting the individual components in the machine. During this change, during a period of time called 'downtime', which can be thirty minutes or more, the machine cannot be used, and this time is a costly delay in the filling plant. Such a delay can even result in downtime of the entire filling line and not just of the packaging machine if problems occur during this change.

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2. Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the commercial disadvantages of known packaging machines by providing a feed mechanism capable of being adjusted for more than one type of cartons. The present invention further allows switching of one type of cartons to another, or switching between individual sizes with minimal downtime. The modular type of the invention allows the construction of a "fully flexible" machine that overcomes or at least reduces the problems of known machines.

The present invention can be applied to the packaging machine described in the corresponding application (Applicant's mark D-7725). It is contemplated that the present invention may be applied to various other types of packaging machines. Alternatively, the mounting mechanism of the present invention may be sold as a standalone module, which may be adapted to a new device or an existing device based on retrospective adaptation.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for storing two different types of cartons, and for selecting and transporting cartons to be packaged, the apparatus comprising a first cartridge for storing a first type of cartons, a second cartridge for storing a second type of cartons, for grasping cartons, comprising means for securing the first position for grasping carton from the first container and providing a different second position for grasping carton from the second container, and for transporting the carton from its first or second container from the supply end of the packaging machine.

According to optional features of this aspect of the invention, the device may further comprise means for bringing one of these cartridges into an operating position, and control means for selecting a carton grip position corresponding to the selected cartridge in the operative position.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, it may be 0

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A removal and transport means for cartons rotatably arranged about a fixed axis along an orbital path.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the first and second removal positions may be located at different locations on said orbital pathway.

According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the means for bringing one of said cartridges into operative position may comprise a frame attached to the second fixed axis, said first and second cartridges being attached to said frame, each cartridge being disposed opposite said second. fixed axis.

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the process container may be disposed adjacent the orbital path of the removal means and the carton transport means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for selecting cartons held in the first and second cartridges and transporting the cartons to the feed end of a packaging machine, thereby selecting one of said cartridges for an operational position, bringing the cartridge to an operational position. positioning the carton gripping means for engaging the carton stored in the process container and transporting the gripped carton to said supply end.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for receiving two different types of cartons, the apparatus comprising a first container and a second container opposed about a fixed axis and rotatably arranged between a first position in which one of said first and second containers is in an operating position, and between a second position in which another of said first and second containers is in an operating position.

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-4Overview of figures in the drawing

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1a shows a carton-shaped carton fed in a flat collapsed condition suitable for use with the machine of the invention; Figure 1b shows a carton in perspective basket-shaped suitable for use with the machine according to the invention, FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of a fully closed carton blank suitable for use with the machine according to the invention; FIG. 2b shows a perspective view of an assembled and loaded carton of the type shown Fig. 2a, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the supply side of the packaging machine showing the cartridge unit and the feed mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the packaging machine shown in Fig. 3 5 is a perspective view the cartridge unit in the first position, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cartridge unit in the second position, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the feed mechanism assembly shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the assembly the feeding mechanism of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The mechanism of the invention can accommodate and deliver a wide range of carton types, for example, packaged cartons, fully enclosed cartons, and cart-shaped cartons. Any reference in this description of carton types includes different sizes of any particular carton types, for example, fully sealed cartons for eight or twelve articles.

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1a and 1b, the carton 10 is configured as a basket-shaped carrier shown in Fig. 1b in an assembled configuration ready to be dropped onto the articles. The carton 10 comprises opposing side walls 12.14 and opposing end walls 16, 18, hingedly to each other. The carton 10 further comprises a handle 20 which interconnects the end walls 16, 18, and includes transverse dividing panels 22 interconnecting the two side walls 12, 14. The base panels 24, 26 are hingedly attached to each wall 12, 14.

Figures 2a and 2b of the drawing further show the fully closed carton 30 shown in Figure 2a in a flat unfolded state. The carton blank comprises opposing side walls 32, 34 and opposing end walls 36, 38 hinged to each other. The carton further comprises top panels 40, 42 and base panels 44, 46 hingedly attached to respective side walls 32, 34. The articles A are inserted into the carton from above, or in some cases from below, and top panels 40, 42 and base panels 44. 46 are attached to each other to form a completely closed carton.

It is envisaged that the cartons will vary depending on the shape and / or quantity of the packaged products, and accordingly the machine of the invention is adjustable in a number of aspects so that it can handle a wide range of such cartons. The basic arrangement, which may also be varied, is shown in Figs. 1 a and 2a, where the letter "H" represents the total height of the assembled carton, equal to the distance between the upper edge of the side wall and the base panel, and when the base panels are closed.

3 and 4, a carton processing machine 50 of the above type is shown. The upper end of the machine comprises a double magazine 52 in which a plurality of carton-shaped cartons W and fully enclosed cartons 30 are stored in an unfolded state, which are ready for processing. Adjacent to the double hopper 52 is a rear feeder 54 indicated in the corresponding application (Applicant's designation D-7723) and a rotary vacuum feeder 55. The machine is further

- provided with a paper supply chain 56 for transporting the cartons down to the loading station 57.

The cartridge unit 52 is comprised of two or more discrete cartridges 58, 60 arranged adjacent to each other, as will be described in more detail in Figs. 3-6. Each cartridge 58, 60 is mounted on the frame 62 as shown in Fig. 3. The frame 62 is mounted on a main shaft 64 that can rotate about the X-X axis shown in Figure 5. Each container 58, 60 is a gravity feeder in which the carton blanks are held in respective containers at an inclined position to provide a forced administration. It is contemplated that the cartridge unit may be comprised of a plurality of cartridges adapted to accommodate different types or sizes of cartons, which are preferably positioned to surround the rotary feeder, which will be described hereinafter.

In order to transport said blank from an inclined position to a vertical plane, it is necessary to offset the rotational axis of the rotary feeder 55 from the vertical plane, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

In this embodiment, a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) is used to rotate the frame 62 between two positions, between the first position, as shown in Fig. 5, with the first container 58 positioned in the ready position, ready for completely closed cartons 30 held in the first container. 58, for feeding into a packaging machine. In Fig. 6, the frame 62 is shown in a second position, with a second cartridge 60 containing carton-shaped cartons 10 in an operating position.

Each cartridge 58, 60 comprises spaced apart holders 61, 63 for keeping the cartons in a flat unfolded state. The holders 61, 63 are fully adjustable to support different sizes and types of cartons.

The position of the container is controlled by the control system described in the corresponding application (Applicant's Mark D-7725).

The structure of the rotary feeder 55 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8

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The mechanism 55 of the present invention comprises a main shaft 70 rotatably arranged about a fixed axis. The shaft 70 is generally mounted at its end in a suitable set of bearings 71, 73, which is conventional and which is attached to the side frame 72. The rotation of the shaft 70 is provided by a suitable drive mechanism such as a servomotor 74.

In order to remove the bottom unfolded carton from the cartridge unit, the feed mechanism is provided with a pick-up device 68 comprising a carton gripping means, for example a suction cup 80, which are mounted on the holders 82 and frame 84 of the suction cups 80. the annular structure 88 is particularly rigidly attached to the main pivot shaft 70. The frames 84 are mounted on cam bars 76 extending into a side frame 72 which houses a cam track 78 which is will be described below. As shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment includes three sets of carton picking devices 67, 68, 69 arranged in conjunction with the main pivot shaft 70. Only one set of picking devices 68 is described in detail, since all three of said sets of picking devices they have the same construction, working in the same way.

Giant. 8 is an exploded view of the internal components of the side frame 72 of the rotary vacuum feeder. In this embodiment, a fixed cam plate 77 is mounted on the inside of the side frame 72 and is provided with an opening 79 through which the drive shaft 70 passes. A cam track 78 with cams (not shown) arranged in the cam track 78 is formed in the fixed cam plate 77. The path 78 is to facilitate the cam bars 76 to be spaced from the main shaft 70 so that the suction cups come into contact with the carton, thereby removing one of the cartons from the process container 58 and twisting it along a uniform path to the feed chain 56 to paper feeding. When the carton rolls over from its tray 58, it is used.

The rear feeder 54 for detaching opposing side walls and assisting in the assembly of the carton.

The feed mechanism 55 is provided with a vacuum brake 90, which is used in conjunction with a vacuum supply to adjust the vacuum connection and interrupt the locations described below.

In operation, the cartridge unit is positioned such that one of the cartridges is in the operative position, for example, the first cartridge 58. The cartons are then continuously and sequentially fed from the cartridge 52 to the paper feed chain 56 by rotating the main shaft 70 that rotates the pick-up device 68. in the direction indicated by the arrow as shown in FIG. 5. When the takeout device 67, 68, 69 is rotated, the suction cups 80 move into contact with the side walls 32 of the carton 30 along the cam track trajectory. A vacuum is then applied to the set of suction cups 80. Thereby the carton 30 is removed and then transported to the paper supply chain 56. During this transport, the vacuum is maintained so that the suction cups 80 hold the wall of the carton 30. When the carton 30 is deposited on the paper feed chain 56, the vacuum brake 90 interrupts the vacuum supply from the carton release cups.

If it is desired to pack another type of cartons, such as a carton-shaped carton 10 that is held in the second container, several adjustments are made to the machine. The second container 60 is rotated by the pneumatic cylinder about the shaft 64, and is placed in the operating position and the respective first container 58 is moved to the non-operating position. Since the position of the second cartridge 60 with respect to the rotary feeder 55 is different from the position of the first cartridge 58, it is necessary to move the suction point 91 (or carton) of the suction cups shown in Fig. 8 and change the vacuum on and off positions. These changes are made by moving the cam rod 78 and / or the vacuum brake 90, which controls the supply of vacuum to the second position. A suitable driving means, for example a servomotor 92, controlled by a control system, shifts these subassemblies between these.

- Two positions. It is advantageous to include a third vacuum supply position: this position represents the so-called vacuum. "Standard Adjustment", in which the vacuum supply is interrupted throughout the rotation of the suction cups 80. This standard position is used during the exchange of cartons or if the machine encounters a defect.

According to the present invention, the speed of operation of the device, as well as efficiency and durability, are improved as the cartons move from the unfolded position to the fully assembled position. It goes without saying that the final carton assembly operation is carried out by successive engagement with the rear feeder and the corners of the cartons with the stirrups affecting the complete and final carton assembly, which is retained by the suction cups.

While the preferred embodiment described herein is intended for loading bottles into cartons, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to bottle cartons. The invention can be used to pack boxes, cardboard "bricks" and other containers into cartons.

Furthermore, while this preferred embodiment described herein is shown as part of a bottle-filling machine for cartons with vertical housings, the invention is not limited to cartons of this type. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be used for packaged cartons or open-end cartons.

It is understood that the cartridge and the delivery mechanism of the invention have been explained in accordance with a specific embodiment, and that many modifications can be made within the scope of the invention. The cartridge and feeder mechanism can process cartons containing numerous configurations of product groups, including the full range of carton sizes and shapes, for example, for four, six, eight and twelve bottles, without the excessive time spent setting up the mechanism.

Claims (8)

PATENT CLAIMS An apparatus for storing two different types of cartons and for selecting and transporting cartons to be packed, characterized in that it comprises a first container for storing a first type of cartons, a second container for storing a second type of cartons, a means for gripping cartons comprising means for securing the first position for grasping the carton from the first container and providing a different second position for grasping the carton from the second container, and for transporting the carton from its first or second container from the supply end of the packaging machine. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for bringing one of said cartridges into operative position, and control means for selecting a carton grip position corresponding to the selected process reservoir. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said pick-up means and carton transport means are rotatably arranged about a fixed axis along an orbital path. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second removal positions are located at different locations on said orbital pathway. The apparatus of claims 2 to 4, wherein the means for bringing one of said cartridges into operative position comprises a frame attached to the second fixed axis, said first and second cartridges being attached to said frame, each cartridge being disposed opposite to each other. of this second fixed axis. 9 9 9 9 · 9 · · · · · · · 0 0 0 0 0 0 · 0 0 00 9999999 0 0 000 * ·· 0 0000 000 0 · 99 99 99 -11 Apparatus according to claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the process container is arranged close to the orbital path of the pickup means and the carton transport means. 7. A method for selecting cartons held in the first and second cartridges and for transporting the cartons to the feed end of a packaging machine, characterized in that one of said cartridges is selected for the operating position, said container being put into the operating position, positioning the carton gripping means for engaging the carton stored in the process container and transporting the gripped carton to said supply end. 8. A device for storing two different types of cartons, comprising a first container and a second container opposed about a fixed axis and rotatably arranged between a first position in which one of said first and second containers is in an operational position and between a second position in which another of said first and second cartridges is in an operating position.