DE69834672T2 - Packaging machine and method for erecting a box - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging machine (2) for continuously setting up and loading top gripping type cartons (10) into a crate (82) containing at least one article (B), which machine comprises feed means (36) sequentially to deliver successive cartons from a supply (34) in flat collapsed condition to a setting up station (S) of the machine, means to restrain (36) upper portions of the carton relative to the lower portions thereof so that lower portions are moved away from said upper portions to bring the carton into a set up condition, means to group (38) a plurality of said cartons as they are moved downstream, means for transferring (92) said grouped (32) cartons to said crate (82) and means for locating and locking (98, 124) each said carton over neck portions of at least one article (B) contained within said crate (82) characterized in that the carton is moved from a set up station to grouping means in a first direction by carton conveying means and in that the carton is moved from the grouping means to the locating and locking means in a second direction by the carton conveying means. <IMAGE>

Description

The The invention relates to a packaging machine and is especially useful for Handling or processing of boxes of the upper part gripping type, adapted to receive a plurality of objects, For example, four or six drinks bottles.

boxes of the top gripping type, which serve to accommodate glass bottles, usually have sidewalls (and end walls), adapted to form a substantially solid tubular structure. To the grouped objects it is often desirable to use so-called "clip-type" article carriers. The "clip-type" article carrier is usually equipped with at least one opening to one to pick up the upper part of the object. In some embodiments tabs are used, which are the underside of the flange of a Engage the object to the item in the box to lock. Optionally, tabs are used to secure the box in to hold an upright position.

Such Boxes have a mid-section fold line (midriff fold line) up, over they are folded or hinged when they are from be brought into a erect state in their flat state, where they are ready, attacks will be brought. The boxes will tilt during or immediately after upright and before loading, in their flat state back to bend or back to fall, and it is necessary to erect the box and to support the box immediately after it was erected, so that this tendency of buckling is diminished.

It it is also necessary to remove the boxes from a straightening station to transport to a charging station. The packaging machine according to the present Invention is configured, successive boxes one Supply charging station, on a crate transport lane (Crate conveying line) is arranged. The boxes will be during the continuous forward movement engaged with the bottles contained in these boxes are. It is thus necessary to provide a packaging machine, which performs a variety of carton erecting and box loading functions.

The Machine can be easily adjusted or adjusted to a big Process range of box sizes to be able to without that unnecessary Time is consumed, the machine from the processing of Nesting a size on the processing switch boxes of a different size.

One Another problem, the traditional packaging machines attached, is that they have a significant footprint or floor area taking. The present invention seeks to address these problems diminish by providing a bidirectional conveyor system for the box and the boxes is used.

One Aspect of the invention provides a packaging machine for continuous Erecting and loading boxes of the generic type ready in a box that contains items, with the machine feeding or feeding means includes sequentially consecutive boxes of one Stock or magazine in a flat folded state To feed a Aufrichtstation the machine, means for retention from upper sections of the box relative to the lower sections of it, leaving lower sections away from the upper sections be moved to the box in a erect condition means for grouping a plurality of boxes, if these are downstream be moved, means of transport the grouped boxes to the box as well as means for locating and lock each box over an upper portion of an item contained in the box is characterized in that the box by box conveyance means from a righting station to grouping means in a first Direction is moved, and in that the box of the grouping means to the localization and locking means in a second opposite set or other direction is moved.

Preferably the box moves through the packaging machine in the second opposite direction.

optional there is further provided a second erecting station (E) for erecting end panels of each box includes, prior to transport of the grouped boxes to the locating and locking means.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of continuously erecting and loading boxes of the top gripping type, the method comprising the steps of: (i) causing each box to be fed sequentially in a flat folded state to a carton infeed end of a packaging machine; (ii) retaining upper portions of the carton relative to lower portions thereof as it is moved downstream to bring the carton into an erected condition; (iii) causing the box to with a second box is arranged adjacent to the first box; (iv) conveying the grouped boxes to a box comprising at least one article (B); (v) locating and locking the boxes over portions of at least one item contained in the box, characterized in that steps (i) to (iii) are performed when the box is continuously moving in a first direction, and the boxes Steps (iv) and (v) are performed as the carton moves continuously in a second opposite direction.

Preferably the method further comprises the step of conveying the grouped boxes to a second erecting station (E) for erecting end panels each Box, before transporting the grouped boxes to the box.

optional the box goes through in the second opposite direction transported the packaging machine.

One Another aspect of the invention provides a packaging device for one Packaging machine for the continuous erection and loading of Nesting the shell gripping type in a box ready, the objects Contains (B) wherein the packaging device comprises a righting station (S) for erecting covered by boxes that folded in a flat Condition are supplied by the packaging machine, means for grouping a variety of boxes when downstream of the Aufrichtstation transported become; Means of transport the grouped boxes to the box as well as means for locating and locking each box of the group over an upper section an article (B) contained in the box, characterized that means of transportation the grouped boxes are operational, the grouped boxes between the erecting station and the grouping means in one first direction to move, and are operational, the boxes between the grouping means and the localization and locking means to move in a second opposite direction.

Under Reference to the accompanying drawings hereinafter will be an embodiment the invention described by way of example.

1 shows a perspective view of a machine according to the invention, and seen from a point in which the upstream end of the machine is located on the left side.

2 shows a perspective view of the in 1 as seen from a point where the downstream end of the machine is located on the right side.

3a and 3b show perspective views of boxes of the top gripping type, which are suitable for use in a machine according to the invention.

4 shows a perspective view of the box feeding and erection station of the machine, which in 1 is shown.

5 FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the end panel erecting station of FIG 1 shown machine.

6 shows a perspective view of the box loading station and the box transport track.

7 shows a perspective view of the outlet end of the machine according to the invention.

8th shows a perspective view of the vacuum piston-support assembly.

9a , b and c are views showing details of the negative pressure piston support assembly.

10 shows a perspective view of the vacuum piston device, at the upstream end of the machine according to the invention.

11 shows a perspective view of the vacuum piston device at the downstream end of the machine according to the invention.

As in the 1 and 2 3, the boxes are inserted into the machine in a direction X, the boxes are erected, and then the direction of flow of the boxes is reversed to allow the boxes to be packed with the items held in boxes which are stored move in a direction opposite to the carton feed direction Y. The feed ends of the machine are adjacent to each other. As can be readily appreciated from the drawings, this configuration results in a machine that requires less floor space in a bottling plant, which is often an important commercial aspect when selecting a machine.

With reference to the drawings, in particular the 1 and 2 , you see one packaging machine 2 , with the boxes of the top gripping type 10 continuously erected and in a box 82 loaded containing at least one object B, wherein the box 10 by means of the box conveyor 50 is moved continuously downstream, wherein the machine feeding means or feeding means 36 includes, in turn, successive boxes 10 from a feeder 34 in a flat folded together state to a righting station S of the machine, further means 36 to retain upper portions of the carton relative to their lower portions so that the lower portions are moved away from the upper portions to bring the cartons into an erected condition, further means 38 for grouping at least one box when moved downstream, and means 92 to grouped boxes 32 to the aforementioned box 82 to convey, and means 98 . 124 with which that box above the neck portion of the at least one article B located in the aforesaid box 82 is located, arranged and locked.

A box of shell-type 10 is in 3a as a box that is packaged in a machine of the present invention. The box 10 is provided from a unitary blank consisting of paperboard or similar paper web material. The box 10 closes an upper wall surface 12 , a first side wall surface 14 , a basic wall surface 16 and a second side wall surface 18 which are hinged in turn to form a tubular structure. The ends of the box are closed by an end panel flap structure identified by reference numerals 20 and 22 is shown at the respective ends of the box. Six openings 24 . 25 are both in the top wall surface and in the bottom wall surface 12 . 16 educated. locking tabs 26 . 27 extend from the upper edge of the end panels 20 . 22 , The openings of the top panel are flush with the corresponding openings of the bottom panel and are adapted to receive and retain six items arranged in two rows of items.

It has been considered that the box may vary depending on the shape and / or amount of the items to be packaged, and accordingly, a machine according to the present invention is adjustable in many respects so that it can handle a wide variety of such boxes. The main dimensions that are likely to change are in 3a where "H" is the total height of the erected box equal to the distance between the top panel and the bottom panel, and where "L" is the entire length of the box when the end tabs are closed.

By using a box as shown in 3b For example, the packaging of four objects can be achieved.

If one refers again to the 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is a machine there 2 shown, for handling or processing of boxes 10 of the type described above. The box 10 is in a flat, over the fold lines 28 and 29 collapsed state, fed, in such a way that the top wall surface 12 and the first side wall surface 14 in face-contacting relationship with the second side wall surface 18 and the base wall area 20 are. This in 4 Shown upstream end of the machine includes a magazine 34 one in which a variety of boxes 10 held in a flat folded state in two or three rows for further handling. The boxes are taken from the magazine in pairs or in trio by means of a rotatable vacuum feeder 36 subtracted at the same time two or three boxes a box conveyor 38 supplies. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary feeder includes 36 four pairs of suckers 40 that with a drive shaft 42 via drive rods 44 are connected, wherein the drive rods on a device 44a are attached, which are free around the drive shaft 42 rotates. The drive rods 44 Glide freely through a device that holds the suction cups 40 holds. The suckers 40 and the drive rods 44 are with a cam track 46 and cam followers 48 connected, providing a uniform path for the suction cups 40 deploy when the main shaft 42 is turned. In this way, a pair or a trio of collapsed cartons is moved from the magazine in direction A (see FIG. 4 ), such that the top and bottom walls of each collapsed box are separated by centrifugal force as the collapsed boxes rotate. The collapsed cartons are rotated at a speed sufficient to cause the top and bottom panels to move away from one another, thereby partially erecting the carton. It will be understood that without departing from the scope of this invention, other rotatable feeders may be used, such as those disclosed herein EP 0 429 231 ,

In the present embodiment, the box conveyor is 38 adapted to two pairs of boxes 32 to group together. The conveyor 38 moves each group to be moved forward to an upright sub pressure-piston unit 50 , which will be described below. The box conveyor 38 includes an endless chain 52 which is driven by suitable drive means, for example a servomotor (not shown) and an endless row of guide lugs and trailing lugs 54 . 56 which accommodate adjacent boxes and the side walls 14 . 18 in a substantially vertical, spaced apart relationship. As in 4 illustrates, comes the guide sidewall 14 in contact with the guide nose 54 and the trailing nose 56 occupies a position immediately behind the box, which is evidently in an erect, open condition. It is obvious that the guide nose and the trailing nose 54 . 56 can help bring the boxes into an upright state.

As in 4 illustrated, a second pair of boxes is preferably between the noses 55 . 57 placed immediately after the first pair of boxes. Thus, the boxes are grouped into groups of four or six, by spacing between the sets of noses 59 provided. It is intended that the number of boxes making up a group may be changed according to the particular requirements of the machine.

The group of boxes 32 is then by means of an overhead vacuum piston unit 50 (described in detail below) to the end panel erection station E as shown in FIG 4 and 5 shown, transferred. The end panels 20 . 22 are erected by placing the grouped boxes on at least one vertically oriented guide pin 62 . 64 be lowered. Preferably, the guide pins go 62 . 64 through the outermost end openings 24 each box and come in contact with the end panels 20 and 22 , As the boxes are lowered further, the guide pins will poke 62 . 64 the end panels 20 . 22 in an upward and outward direction, until the Endwandflächenlaschen 26 . 27 through the upper openings 24 go through and are locked in place with the appropriate openings. As a result, the cartons are in a set-up condition, as in 1 is shown are. One each set of guide pins 62 is on an endless chain or a conveyor belt (or chain set) 66 which are driven by suitable drive means, for example servomotors (not shown), to provide an upper surface which advances at the same speed as the overhead unit 50 , Consequently, the grouped boxes can 32 on the guide pins 62 . 64 be lowered to erect the end panels, while downstream by means of the elevated unit 50 to be moved.

Turning now in detail the construction of the guide pins 62 . 64 too, so are two pairs of guide pins 62 along opposite transverse end edges of the conveyor belt 66 and are adapted to receive outer end panels of a pair of adjacent boxes. In a central section of the conveyor 66 are two more pairs of guide pins 64 arranged to accommodate the inner end panels of each box. Similarly, pairs of guide pins 68 . 70 on the conveyor belt 66 mounted, adjacent to the respective locations of the four pairs of guide pins described above 62 . 64 , As in 5 Illustrated is the second set of guide pins 68 . 70 adapted to receive the box pairs engaged in the rear of the machine. It is intended that the guide pins may be varied in number and arrangement to accommodate boxes of different sizes and shapes. Preferably, the conveyor belt 66 are removed as a unit and replaced with an alternative configuration of guide pins, which reduces replacement time and machine downtime.

Each group of erected boxes then becomes as in 6 and 7 illustrates to the crate carriage track 80 transferred to be packed on the spot with items, such as bottles, in each box 82 are included. In this embodiment, the box contains 82 Twenty-four bottles B, each housed in individual cells of the box. The boxes 82 are fed to the packaging machine in turn, the throughput through the noses 84 controlled with the endless chains 86 connected on each side of the boxes 82 are attached. The noses 84 keep the boxes 82 until a suitable distance to the previous box is reached. The endless chains 86 are driven by suitable drive means, for example a servomotor, which is preferably controlled by suitable control means. In this way, the throughput of the boxes is timed to be grouped in this way with grouped objects 32 to cooperate through the unit 50 to get promoted.

The box is then able to move on to a second endless chain 87 to move, the guide noses and trailing noses 88 . 89 to each box 82 through the packaging machine. If the box 82 to the outlet end of the machine become nesting groups 82 from the top of the box 82 introduced and lowered over the upper sections of each bottle B. At this stage become box and grouped boxes 32 in a vertical orientation and the boxes are lowered progressively to the upper portions of the bottles B as the box moves forward. Consequently, the bottles 8th in alignment with the openings 24 and 25 and they are first lowered through the upper openings and then the lower openings until the tabs 26 . 27 on the underside of a protruding part of an upper portion of the bottles, for example, the bottle caps, are engaged. It is obvious that in this embodiment, each box 82 four boxes each containing six bottles, or six boxes containing four bottles each.

The vacuum piston 90 is then released from the boxes, causing the boxes 32 in the box 82 left as it moves to the outlet end of the packaging machine.

The in the 8th . 9a c, 10 and 11 illustrated high-lying unit 50 (overhead unit) will now be explained in detail. The unit 50 includes a plurality of vacuum piston devices 90 , each unit being of the same shape, and upper and lower endless chains and gear sets 92 . 94 the latter being driven by suitable drive means, for example servomotors (not shown). In this way, the piston devices 90 forced to move around the unit so continuously.

A vacuum piston device 90 is in the 8th and 9a -C. The device includes a number of suction cups 96 on the vacuum plate 98 are mounted. In the present embodiment, the vacuum plate closes 98 twelve suckers 96 one adapted to four boxes, as in 9c shown to hold. The suckers 96 are arranged in two rows, each row holding a pair of adjacent boxes. At each end of the vacuum plate 98 is a series of support guides 100 that with the leading edge and the trailing edge 102 . 104 the vacuum plate 98 are connected. In use, these guides hold 100 the guide side panels and the trailing side panels 14 . 18 the grouped boxes back.

The suckers 96 are connected to a vacuum source via a coupling 106 connected. 9a illustrates the completed vacuum suction cup plate 98 , As in 8th illustrates is the vacuum plate 98 on a support frame 108 the vacuum piston device 90 appropriate. Bolts (not shown) extend from the support frame 108 and are in engagement with openings 110 that in the vacuum plate 98 are provided. The arrangement of bolts and openings 110 allows easy attachment and removal of the plate 98 on and off the frame 108 ,

The carrier frame 108 is at the bottom of a pair of floating arms 112 . 113 assembled. Both floating arms 112 . 113 are on a fixed plate 114 attached to a pair of frame rails 116 . 118 comprising, at lower and upper portions of the stationary plate 114 are arranged. Each of the floating arms 112 . 113 goes through the pair of frame girders 116 . 118 , as in 8th shown through. The stationary plate 114 is at each of its opposite ends on the upper and lower chain and gear set 92 . 94 attached, leaving the vacuum piston device 90 can be forced to continuously move around the unit 50 to move.

While moving around the unit 50 becomes the vacuum suction plate 98 by means of a curve trace 124 that between the chain and gear sets 92 . 94 is arranged and engaged by a roller-Aufhalter 126 that by the arms 112 . 113 worn, forced to move back and forth. A preferred configuration of the curve trace 124 is in the 10 and 11 illustrated. In this way, the vacuum suction plate 98 moved to the Aufrichtstation S and is forced to move down in relation to their frame members 116 . 118 stretch out, leaving them the ceiling wall 12 of four boxes located underneath, at a time when vacuum is applied to the boxes 32 on the suction cups 96 moor. Once the piston device 90 moving further forward, the vacuum suction plate 98 withdrawn so that the partially erected boxes 32 can be moved to the Endwandflächen erector E. As described above, the guide side wall surface and the trailing side wall surface become 14 . 18 the box held stationary, by means of the guide pins 100 ,

The curve trail 124 is configured to hold the vacuum suction plate 98 and the boxes 32 down to the end panel erecting station E, where the end panels are erected as described above. Following this is the plate 98 pulled back so that the erected boxes are raised and leave the station and transported to the box loading station L. The vacuum suction plate 98 gets on a box 82 loaded with bottles B, he rabgelassen. The boxes 32 are then engaged with the bottles B as described above.

In the present embodiment, the carton conveyor and the carton conveyor are, respectively 38 at the Aufrichtstation, the guide pin conveyor 66 at the erection station and the movement of the boxes is controlled by suitable control means (not shown) so that their speed is corresponding to the forward movement of the vacuum suction plate 98 and the boxes 32 , In the present embodiment, the time the boxes must spend at each station is dictated by the configuration of the curve trace 124 , As in 10 illustrated is the vacuum piston device 90 in a lowered position for a longer period of time at the box erecting station S than at the erecting station E. The angle at which the boxes are lowered onto the articles is indicated by the curve trace 124 which, in the present embodiment, is shaped to form a shallow angle with the inclination G. It is intended that in other embodiments, the angle of inclination may either be increased to reduce the charging time, or conversely, that it may be reduced to increase the charging time.

How out 11 can be seen, then, when the vacuum suction plate 98 in the direction of the box 82 is lowered, a pair of holding crossbars 130 . 132 ready to take a pair of roll-ons 134 . 136 engage on opposite ends of the support frame 108 are attached. The holding crossbars 130 . 132 are optionally provided to the support frame 108 to hold in a substantially horizontal plane and order for the boxes 32 to provide a positive guide when they are moved down to the bottles in the box 82 have spent, to intervene. Similarly, a vertical support is provided by holding guides 140 and roller-holder 142 , The negative pressure is then withdrawn, so that the vacuum suction cups 96 Release the boxes and get the vacuum piston device 92 moved forward to repeat their cyclical float action. To complete the packaging process, the boxes are tightly closed. Optionally, sensors (not shown) may be provided to ensure that the boxes are in the correct position in the box.

It is intended that the packaging throughput of the machine be controlled by one or more computer programs which control the speed of the upper and lower gear sets as well as the throughput of the boxes to ensure that the boxes are aligned with the boxes. When changing the box size, a different vacuum suction plate 98 used, which can be connected to the machine by means of a quick-release device, as described above. In this way the machine down time is minimized.

The Machine according to the present Invention is adjustable in many ways, so that in the Location is more diverse, boxes To handle or process configurations and groups of objects, thus a big one Range of box sizes and to create forms, i. for example, from four bottles to eight Change bottles without causing unnecessary downtime will set the machine.

Claims (7)

Packaging machine ( 2 ) for the continuous erection and loading of boxes ( 10 ) of the shell-gripping type into a box ( 82 ) containing articles (B), the machine feeding ( 36 ) to sequentially successive boxes from a supply ( 34 ) in a flat folded state to a Aufrichtstation (S) of the machine, means for retaining ( 36 ) of upper sections of the box relative to the lower sections thereof so that lower sections are moved away from the upper sections to bring the box into an erected condition, means for grouping ( 38 ) a plurality of the cartons, when moved downstream, means for conveying ( 92 ) of the grouped ( 32 ) Boxes to the box ( 82 ) and means for locating and locking ( 98 . 124 ) each box over an upper portion of an item (B) stored in the box ( 82 ), characterized in that the carton is moved by carton conveying means from one erecting station to grouping means in a first direction, and in that the carton is moved from the grouping means to the locating and locking means in a second opposite direction. Packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the Crate through the packaging machine in the second opposite Direction moves. Packaging machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a second Aufrichtstation (E) for erecting end panels each box is included, prior to transporting the grouped boxes to the locating and locking means. Method for continuously erecting and loading boxes ( 10 of the upper part gripping type, the method comprising the steps of: (i) causing each box to be sequentially in a flat collapsed state to a box feed end of a packaging machine ( 2 ) is led to; (ii) retaining upper portions of the carton relative to lower portions thereof as it is moved downstream to bring the carton into an erected condition; (iii) causing the box to be grouped with a second box disposed adjacent to the first box; (iv) transport the grouped boxes ( 32 ) to a box ( 82 ) comprising at least one article (B); (v) locating and locking the boxes over portions of at least one article contained in the box, characterized in that steps (i) to (iii) are performed when the box is continuously moving in a first direction, and Steps (iv) and (v) are performed when the carton moves continuously in a second opposite direction. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises the step of conveying the grouped boxes ( 32 ) to a second erecting station (E) for erecting end panels of each box, prior to conveying the grouped boxes to the box (Fig. 82 ). Method according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the box ( 82 ) in the second opposite direction through the packaging machine ( 2 ). A packaging apparatus for a packaging machine for continuously erecting and loading boxes of the top gripping type into a box containing articles (B), the packaging apparatus comprising a erecting station (S) for erecting boxes supplied from the packaging machine in a flat folded state , Means of grouping ( 38 ) a plurality of the cartons when conveyed downstream of the erecting station; Means for transporting ( 92 ) of the grouped boxes to the box ( 82 ) and means for locating and locking ( 98 . 124 ) each box of the group over an upper portion of an object (B) contained in the box, characterized in that the means of transporting ( 92 ) of the grouped cartons are operable to move the grouped cartons between the erecting station and the grouping means in a first direction and are operable to move the cartons between the grouping means and the locating and locking means in a second opposite direction.