EP0209480B1 - Partition element, especially for a cardboard box, and machine for the automatic shaping and inserting of this device - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A cuboid separator for packing boxes, formed from a single cardboard blank, which is cut out, scored and shaped with a view to forming a plurality of individual juxtaposed compartments, comprising rectangular or square panels (1 to 4; 7 to 15), which are integral with one another, the panels being separated by perpendicular or parallel cutting and/or scoring lines (5, 11, 16) for determining, when the separator is shaped : - a vertical central double separating partition (1, 2), - two double lateral partitions (7, 8; 9, 10) located in the plane of and on either side of the said central partition (1, 2), - partitions (12 to 15) perpendicular to the above-mentioned partitions and formed by single panels ; - single panels (22) as an extension of the said partitions (12, 15), and - joining panels (3, 4) of the said double partitions and of the said single partitions (12 to 15), each being extended by three single panels (19a, 19b, 19c) located in the same plane and parallel to the double partitions (1, 2; 7, 8; 9, 10), one of the panels of each double lateral partition (7, 8; 9, 10) extending by an appropriate cut-out (18; 33, 34) to the adjacent lateral panel, the said separator being characterised in that each of the two panels (1, 2) of the said double central separating partition extends, via another appropriate cut-out in the form of a flap (1a, 2a), to the other panel, and in that the said cut-out (18; 33, 34) is appropriately shaped and dimensioned, so that in the folded position of the separator, the said cut-outs (18, 33, 34) are locked in the plane of the double central partition, both mutually and by means of the other cut-outs (1a, 2a) of the double central partition.

Description

The present invention relates to a new structure of a separation box for a packaging box, in particular the so-called American box, as well as to a machine for the automatic shaping of this box and its insertion into its receiving box.

In the packaging in parallelepeledic boxes of several objects arranged side by side it is necessary to provide in the boxes a sort of grid called a rack defining inside the box receiving cells objects thus separated from each other , wedged and protected. These racks are usually made of double-sided fluted cardboard and the current production techniques have a certain number of drawbacks.

For certain types of lockers, the cutting made out of a cardboard blank does not allow rational and optimal use and leads to a percentage of falls which strikes the cost price. For other types of locker, several pieces must be made, which must be assembled by entanglement or gluing.

These manipulations lead to an increase in prices when they are mechanized, and difficult management of stocks.

Manual or mechanized assemblies are not functional and require either a lot of time (manual), or too much space and investment (mechanized).

There is also known a particular type of crate cut from a cardboard blank so that by simple folding, a separating grid is formed, in particular for the packaging of bottles by twelve.

The principle of such a locker is illustrated for example by the documents FR-A 2 082 539 - FR-A 2 479 145 and FR-A 2 559 125.

In essence, such a rack is made up of rectangular or square panels, integral with each other, separated by orthogonal or parallel cutting and / or creasing lines determining during the shaping of the rack a double central vertical dividing partition obtained. by folding one against the other of two central panels, two side partitions double in the plane and on either side of said central partition, also obtained by folding against each other of two adjacent panels and partitions orthogonal to the above-mentioned partitions and formed by simple panels.

In the version of such a rack intended for packaging by twelve, said simple partitions are extended by complementary simple panels and said connecting panels by three simple panels located in the same plane and raised at 90 ° so as to be parallel to said double partitions. power stations.

These lockers, however, have the serious disadvantage of not being able to lend themselves to shaping and a place in packaging boxes mechanically and fully automatically because they do not include means ensuring rigorous maintenance of the various dividing walls orthogonally between them. during their shaping and in place, which is absolutely essential on an automatic packaging line.

In order to solve these problems, the Applicant has developed both an improved locker and an automatic mist machine in the shape and in place of this locker in a receiving carton, such as an American box, and which have made the subject of the filing on January 28, 1985 of the European patent application EP-A 0 152 365 constituting a prior art within the meaning of art. 54 (3) EPC.

The purpose of the present invention is to improve both the lockers of the type described in the above patent application and the shaping machine and in place, in order to make them more efficient, it is that is to facilitate and reinforce the correct shaping of the crate and the preservation of its correct positioning until the final operation of crating the bottles as well as increasing the efficiency and the versatility of the machine.

• - une cloison séparatrice verticale centrale double,
• - deux cloisons latérales doubles dans le plan et de part et d'autre de ladite cloison centrale,
• - des cloisons orthogonales aux cloisons susdites et formées par des panneaux simples ;
• - des paneaux simples dans le prolongement desdites cloisons, et
• - des panneaux de liaison desdites cloisons doubles et desdites cloisons simples, chacun étant prolongé par trois panneaux simples situés dans le même plan et parallèles auxdites cloisons doubles,

l'un des panneaux de chaque paroi latérale double se prolongeant par une découpe appropriée, sur le panneau latéral adjacent, ledit casier étant caractérisé en ce que chacun des deux panneaux de ladite cloison séparatrice centrale double se prolonge, par une autre découpe appropriée en forme de patte, sur l'autre panneau, et en ce que ladite découpe est conformée et dimensionnée de manière appropriée en sorte qu'en position pliée du casier, lesdites découpes soient verrouillées dans le plan de la cloison double centrale, à la fois mutuellement et grâce auxdites autres découpes de la cloison double centrale.To this end, the subject of the invention is a separation rack for a parallelepipedic packaging box, produced from the same blank of cardboard cut, grooved and shaped in order to form a plurality of juxtaposed individual boxes, comprising rectangular or square panels, integral with each other, separated by orthogonal or parallel cutting and / or creasing lines determining, during the shaping of the rack:

• - a double central vertical dividing wall,
• - two double side partitions in the plane and on either side of said central partition,
• - partitions orthogonal to the above-mentioned partitions and formed by simple panels;
• - simple panels in the extension of said partitions, and
• - connecting panels of said double partitions and of said single partitions, each being extended by three simple panels situated in the same plane and parallel to said double partitions,

one of the panels of each double side wall extending by an appropriate cut, on the adjacent side panel, said rack being characterized in that each of the two panels of said double central dividing wall is extended, by another suitable cut in shape of leg, on the other panel, and in that said cutout is shaped and dimensioned appropriately so that in the folded position of the rack, said cutouts are locked in the plane of the central double partition, both mutually and thanks to said other cutouts of the central double partition.

• - un poste de saisie une à une de découpes empilées à plat,
• - un poste de mise en forme des casiers et d'insertion dans une boîte réceptrice, disposé à côté dudit poste de saisie et comportant un conformateur de mise en forme du casier ;
• - des moyens pour transférer chaque découpe du poste de saisie au poste de mise en forme au-dessus dudit conformateur ;
• - des moyens pour contraindre ladite découpe à passer à travers ledit conformateur et pousser le casier ainsi formé dans ladite boîte réceptrice, et
• - des moyens d'amenée des boîtes réceptrices vides et d'évacuation des boîtes munies de casiers, ladite machine étant caractérisée en ce que ledit poste de saisie comporte un jeu de ventouses portées par un support fixe et lesdits moyens de transfert des découpes au-dessus dudit conformateur sont constitués par des pinces mobiles horizontalement, cependant que lesdits moyens pour contraindre la découpe à passer à travers ledit conformateur sont constitués, d'une part, par un jeu de ventouses et des bras oscillants portés par une traverse, lesdits jeu de ventouses et traverse étant montés mobiles verticalement indépendamment l'une de l'autre, et, d'autre part, par un plateau de poussage disposé en dessous de la traverse et également mobile verticalement.

The invention also relates to a machine for the automatic shaping of the above locker comprising:

• - one-by-one input station for cutouts stacked flat,
• a station for shaping the lockers and insertion into a receiving box, placed next to said entry station and comprising a shaping shaper for the locker;
• - Means for transferring each cut from the input station to the shaping station above said shaper;
• means for forcing said cutout to pass through said shaper and pushing the rack thus formed into said receptor box, and
• means for supplying empty receiving boxes and for evacuating boxes provided with racks, said machine being characterized in that said gripping station comprises a set of suction cups carried by a fixed support and said means for transferring the blanks to- above said shaping device are constituted by grippers movable horizontally, while said means for forcing the cut to pass through said shaping tool are constituted, on the one hand, by a set of suction cups and oscillating arms carried by a crosspiece, said set of suction cups and cross member being mounted movable vertically independently of each other, and, on the other hand, by a pushing plate arranged below the cross member and also vertically movable.

• - Figure 1 représente une découpe à plat d'un casier de type connu ;
• - Figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un casier presque mis en forme à partir de la découpe de la figure 1 ;
• - Figure 3 représente un premier mode de réalisation d'une découpe à plat d'un casier selon l'invention ;
• - Figure 4 représente une vue partielle en perspective de la partie centrale du casier de la figure 3 à l'état plié ;
• - Figure 5 représente un second mode de réalisation d'une découpe à plat d'un casier selon l'invention ;
• - Figure 6 est une vue en perspective du casier de la figure 5 presque complètement mis en forme ;
• - Figure 7 représente un troisième mode de réalisation d'une découpe à plat d'un casier selon l'invention ;
• - Figure 8 est une vue en perspective d'un casier presque mis en forme à partir de la découpe de la figure 7 ;
• - Figure 9 est une vue en élévation frontale d'une machine conform à l'invention, destinée à la mise en forme automatique des casiers selon les figures 1 à 8;
• - Figure 10 est une vue de dessus de la machine de la figure 9 ;
• - Figure 11 est une vue en perspective du conformateur assurant la mise en forme des casiers, et
• - Figures 12a à 12h illustrent différentes phases du processus de mise en forme d'une découpe par la machine de la figure 9.

Other characteristics and advantages of the lockers according to the invention and of said machine will emerge from the description which follows of embodiments of said lockers and of the machine, description given by way of example only and with reference to the appended drawings in which :

• - Figure 1 shows a flat cut of a known type of locker;
• - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a rack almost shaped from the cutout of Figure 1;
• - Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of a flat cut of a rack according to the invention;
• - Figure 4 shows a partial perspective view of the central part of the locker of Figure 3 in the folded state;
• - Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a flat cut of a rack according to the invention;
• - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the locker of Figure 5 almost completely shaped;
• - Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of a flat cut of a rack according to the invention;
• - Figure 8 is a perspective view of a rack almost shaped from the cutout of Figure 7;
• - Figure 9 is a front elevational view of a machine according to the invention, intended for the automatic shaping of lockers according to Figures 1 to 8;
• - Figure 10 is a top view of the machine of Figure 9;
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the shaper ensuring the shaping of the lockers, and
• - Figures 12a to 12h illustrate different phases of the process of shaping a cut by the machine of Figure 9.

In Figure 1 there is shown a section of crate intended for the packaging of objects grouped by twelve, produced for example in a double-sided corrugated cardboard blank. Such a cut is known and described in the patent application cited above.

The cutout shown comprises two central square panels 1 and 2, flanked by two external square panels 3 and 4, crease lines 5 individualizing said panels 1 to 4.

The other sides of the panels 1 and 2 are free thanks to cutouts 6 separating the said panels 1 and 2 from two pairs of adjacent rectangular panels 7,8, and 9,10 respectively.

The adjacent panels 7,8, on the one hand, and 9,10, on the other hand, are separated by a double creasing line 11 intended to facilitate the folding by folding of the panel 7 on the panel 8 and 9 of 10 as we will see later.

The external square panels 3 and 4 are each secured to two rectangular panels respectively 12,13 and 14,15 also secured to respective adjacent panels 7,9,8 and 10. Creasing lines 16 individualize the different panels.

The crease line 16 between the panels 7, 12 and 10, 15 does not extend to the outer edge of the cut but is interrupted and extended by a notch 17 delimiting a tab 18 secured to the panel 7 or 10 and encroaching on the surface of the adjacent panel 12 or 15.

Each panel 3,4 is also extended opposite the panels 1,2 by a panel 19 subdivided into three parts 19a, 19b, 19c separated by notches 20 connected by a cutting line 21 to the outer edge of the panel 19. The axis of the notches 20 is located in the extension of the cutouts 6. Finally, the panels 12 and 13 are extended by two panels 22 partially encroaching on the surface of the facing parts 19a and 19c by a rounded cutout 23. In addition, a notch 24 is formed at the border between the panels 14, 22 and 15, 22 and to the right of the outer edge of the cutout of the rack, while the cutout separating the panels 12 to 15 from the panels 19a and 19c is widened so as to form a projection 23a capable of cooperating with the bottom 20a (inner end) of the associated notch 20, as will be seen below.

The panels 14 and 15 are extended in the same way.

The volume or shape of the crate is made by simple folding along the various creasing lines shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1.

This layout is illustrated in FIG. 2. Its principle consists in raising the two central square panels 1 and 2 towards the center of the rack until applying them one against the other so as to form a double central partition s extending from the bottom of the locker to a certain height. At the same time the panels 7,8 and 9,10 are also brought together and folded one against the other towards the outside of the locker in order to constitute two double partitions (7,8 and 9,10) located in the same plane and on either side of said double central partition 1,2 (FIG. 3), the panels 7,8,12,14 and 9,10,13,15 being raised at 90 ° with respect to the external square panels 3 and 4 which remain in the same plane, are come close until they become adjacent and will come into contact with the bottom of the receiver box.

Finally, raise the panels 19 at 90 _° around the fold line 25 to bring them parallel to the double partitions 7,8 and 9,10.

During this shaping, the notches 20 allow easy insertion of the rounded end 22a (FIG. 2) of the panels 22 and, at the end of the race, the contiguous edges of the cutouts 21 snap into the notches 24, however, the projections 23a engage in the bottom 20a of the notches, so as to effectively lock the panels 19 in a vertical position.

The object of the present invention is to improve this type of rack by providing a certain number of means capable of ensuring perfect locking in a vertical position at right angles to the various partitions separating the rack in its shaped state.

To this end, Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a first embodiment of such an improved cutting.

In the cutout in Figure 3, the elements homologous to those in the cutout in Figure 1 have the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the double fold lines 11 have incisions 26 from place to place. The fold lines 5, 16 and 25 also include such incisions 26. Furthermore, as regards the fold line 16 separating the panels 7 and 12, on the one hand, and 10 and 15, on the other hand, a special incision 27 is made in correspondence with the height of the cutouts 18 made in the panels 14 and 13 as an extension of the panels 8 and 9. The advantage of these incisions is to equalize the resistance to folding on either side of the double side partitions 7,8 and 9,10 so that in the folded position these partitions remain even more strictly perpendicular to the adjacent panels 12,14 and 13,15.

Each panel 1,2 is extended by overlapping each other in one - of its angles, by means of a rectangular tab 1a, 2a.

The legs 1a, 2a are astride the two panels 1 and 2. In addition, according to an important characteristic, the legs 1a, 2a have an outer rim 28 offset towards the inside of the rack relative to the corresponding rim of the panel considered 1,2. The amplitude of this offset is such that said flange reaches and slightly exceeds the axis of the fold lines 16 between the panels 3,4 and the panels 12,14 on the one hand, and 13,15, on the other hand . Consequently, in the folded position of the double partitions of the rack (FIG. 4), the legs 1a, 2a are positioned vertically in the plane of the panels 7, 9, the flange 28 abutting against the edge of these panels (at the height of the 'incision 27), while said legs 1a, 2a are wedged laterally because sandwiched between the extensions 18 and the edge of the panel 12,14. It can also be seen in FIG. 4 that the cutouts 18 partially apply against each other.

In addition, the foot of the panels 7, 10 has a part 29 offset towards the inside of the rack relative to the internal edge of the panels. The amplitude of this offset is such that said part 29 reaches and slightly exceeds said axis of the fold lines 16 between the panels 3,4 and the panels 12,14, on the one hand, and 13,15 on the other hand . These particular conformations are obtained by an appropriate configuration of the reserves produced by the cutouts 6. When the crate is folded, the projecting parts 29 which are close to the double fold lines 11 are at the two ends and at the bottom of the double transverse central partition of the rack and thus constitute wedges perfectly stabilizing the rack in the bottom of the receiving box.

All of the above arrangements, namely the incisions 27 for balancing resistance to folding, the cutouts 18 in partial overlap, the legs 1a, 2a in sandwich and the extensions 29, ensure perfect holding of the central double walls ( 1,2) and lateral (7,8; 9,10) and allows the shaping and positioning of the rack according to the invention by a fully automatic machine without risk of misalignment of the partitions dividing the rack.

It should also be noted that in FIG. 3, the cutouts 6 are, at the ends, extended slightly beyond the intersection of the fold lines 5.16 in order to reduce the resistances to folding which are liable to thwart the stable and correct folding of the locker.

Still to reduce the resistance to folding, the panels 19 are, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, separated from the panels 12 to 15 by a wide notch 30 corresponding substantially to twice the thickness of the cardboard blank.

Finally, the notches 20 are extended to the extreme edge of the panel 19 by an S-shaped incision 31 in the axis of the notch. This allows effective locking of the panel 19 in the raised position, each notch 24 retaining the two panels adjacent to the incision 31 concerned because of the S shape (or along a broken or sinuous line providing the same effects) causing a part to penetrate. of each panel in the notch 24.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of an improved cut whose elements homologous to those of the cutouts in Figures 1 and 3 also bear the same reference numerals.

This cutting is carried out for example in a double-sided corrugated cardboard blank and comprises two small rectangular central panels 1 and 2, flanked by two external square panels 3 and 4, crease lines 5 individualizing said panels 1 to 4. It is to note that in the embodiment shown the width 1 (counted perpendicular to the crease lines 5) of each panel 1,2, is equal to half the side of the squares 3 and 4.

The other sides of panels 1 and 2 are free thanks to cutouts 6 separating said panels 1 and 2 from two pairs of rectangular panels, respectively 7.8 and 9.10. The external square panels 3 and 4 are each secured to two rectangular panels 12,13 and 14,15 respectively also integral with the respective adjacent panels 7,9,8 and 10. Creasing lines 16 individualize the different panels.

Each rectangular panel 1,2 is extended by interfering with each other by means of a rectangular cut tab 1a and 2a of length equal to I.

One (7) of the panels of the pair 7.8 and one (10) of the other pair 9.10 are also extended on the two respective adjacent panels, by means of suitable cutouts.

This is how the panels 7 and 10 encroach on the panels 8 and 9 by an extension 32 of width equal to that of the panels 8, 9 and extending over a considerable length covering the central part of the panels considered.

The panels 7, 10 extend on the other side by encroaching on the panels 12 and 15 by cutouts 33 and 34 of dissimilar shapes intended to complement each other during the shaping of the crate as will be seen below.

The panels 7,8, on the one hand, and 9,10, on the other hand, are identified by a crease line 35 aligned with the line 5 separating the panels 1,2. Each panel 3,4 is extended on its free edge by a panel 19 subdivided into three parts 19a, 19b, 19c separated by diamond notches 20 extended by a notch 36 not reaching the extreme edge of the panel 19. The axis notches 20 is located in the extension of the cutouts 6.

The panels 14 and 15 are extended by two panels 22 partially encroaching on the surface of the facing parts 19a and 19c by a rounded cutout 23. A notch 24 is formed at the border between the panels 14,22.

The panels 12 and 13 are extended in the same way.

The panels 19 fold around a fold line 25.

Finally, a projection 23a is formed on the edge of the panels 12 to 15 and is intended to come into abutment with the bottom of the notches 20 during assembly of the rack.

Figure 6 illustrates the mounting of the locker of Figure 5 which is quite similar to that of the lockers of the previous figures.

The panels 22 engage in the notches 20 and the panels 19 lock in a vertical position, on the one hand, thanks to the notches 24 engaging in the notches 36 and, on the other hand, thanks to the projections 23a coming in the bottom notches 20 at their other end. The panels 19 are thus perfectly held vertically.

It should be noted that the upper edge of the panels 19 slightly exceeds the plane delimited by the upper edges of the other panels. This allows the panels 19a, 19b, 19c to be joined at their ends and provides the assembly with the necessary rigidity in the event of manual folding of the rack. If the rack is used exclusively on an automatic shaping machine and the rack is in place, it is not necessary to provide such an arrangement, the notches 36 then reaching the extreme edge of the panel 19. In the fully folded position of the panels 1,2; 7.8; 9,10 the external vertical edges of the extensions 32 are located substantially at the level of the external vertical edges of the panels 19.

Similarly, the extensions 33 and 34 together form (in addition to the double partition 1.2) a central dividing partition parallel to the panels 19. Thus, despite a very reduced width of the panels 7.8 and 9.10, we nevertheless achieves, by clever cuts (32,33,34), partition walls providing the same efficiency as solid partitions. The cutouts in question can be fitted strictly at the fragile points of the objects to be packaged and can therefore have variable configurations and dimensions.

As can easily be seen in Figure 5, all of the panels 7 and 10 occupies a cardboard area equal to that of the panels 12,13 or 14,15 which saves about 10 to 15% of material per compared to a cut in which the panels 7 to 10 would have a width equal to that of the other panels 12 to 15.

Furthermore, the tabs 1a, 2a are placed as illustrated by FIG. 4 with regard to the embodiment of FIG. 3 and in particular against the lower part of the cutouts 33 and 34, which ensures good retention of the panels 7 and 10 parallel to the panels 19. This retention is further reinforced by a wedging effect of the outer edge of the legs 1a, 2a between 34 and the edge of the panel 13, on the one hand, and between 33 and the edge of the panel 14, on the other hand go.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a third embodiment of a rack more specifically intended for packaging bottles having a bead at their lower end, such as Porto bottles for example.

Elements homologous to those of the cutout in FIG. 3 bear the same numerical references.

The cutout in FIG. 7 differs from that in FIG. 3 essentially as regards the shape of the panels 19 and 22.

Indeed, the panels 22 encroach by a substantially central extension 22a on the panels 19a and 19c up to the height of the axis of the notches 20, which open in the space 23 separating the panels 22 from the panels 19a, 19c.

These extensions 22a thus leave parts 19a 'and 19c' in the form of horns flanking the central panel 19b at its lower part.

Such an arrangement ensures perfect wedging of the lower parts of Porto type bottles, thanks to the parts 22a and 19a ', 19c' which are located at the level of the protruding parts of said bottles, completely in the bottom of the receiving case, as illustrated in Figure 8.

In addition, the height of the panels 22 is reduced, as are the notches 20 with S-locking slots 31. This allows, while keeping the panels 19 the same height as the panels 7 to 15, not to extend the said slots. locking 31 to the upper edge of the panels 19 which thus have better rigidity in line with their upper edge. An incision 31a transverse to the slots 31 allows better positioning of the edges of the slots in the notches 24.

We will now describe with reference to Figures 9 and 10, a machine designed for the shaping of the above lockers and which is itself an improved version of the machine described in said patent application.

FIGS. 9 and 10 represent a double station machine which comprises, for each station, a frame 126, a station 127 for entering the cut-out of crates and a station 128 for shaping the crates and insertion into a receiving box 138.

A lifting plate 129 with its actuating cylinder 129a supports a stack 130 of cuts as illustrated in FIG. 3 for example.

The shaping station 128 consists of a shaper 137 shown in FIG. 11 and also described in said patent application.

This conformator 137 essentially consists of a certain number of guide paths, cams or deflectors, mounted fixed and responsible for carrying out the various folds by passing the cutouts through the conformator 137.
the shaper 137 consists of a rectangular frame 144 carrying inclined planes 145 intended for lifting the compartments 19a, 19b, 19c of the panels 19, side cams 146 for lifting the panels 12 to 15, side guides 147 for folding down one against the other of the panels 7,8 on the one hand, and 9,10 on the other hand, as well as retractable fingers 148 temporarily retaining the cutout engaged in the shaper during the roughing of the formation of the central double partition 1.2.

For more details as to the mode of action of this shaper, reference will usefully be made to said patent application cited in the preamble to this application.

The device for gripping and transporting the cutouts one by one from the stack 130 to above the station 128 comprises, in accordance with the invention, on the one hand, a fixed device 158 with suction cups 159 for gripping and lifting of a cutout 149 and, on the other hand, a device 160 for transferring the cutout 149 above the shaper 137 of the station 128.

The device 160 consists of two clamps 161 mounted at the end of the arm 162 sliding along horizontal slides 163 and moved using endless belt systems 164 and pulleys 165. The correct positioning of the arms 162 above the stack 130 is provided by fixed but adjustable end-of-travel stops 166 while above the shaper 137 it is provided by fixed but adjustable end-of-travel stops 167. The back-and-forth actuation of the systems 164 -165 is provided by a horizontal cylinder (not shown), the rod of which is secured to the upper side of the belts 164 adjacent to the two stations I and II (FIG. 10) of the machine.

The cutout 149 once brought above the shaper 137 is gripped by the suction cups 168 (FIGS. 12c and 12d) of a device 169 for lowering the cutout 149 through the shaper until complete insertion into the box 138 .

The device 169 is carried by a horizontal disc 170 rotatably mounted in a fixed plate 171. The disc 170 can pivot by a quarter of a turn under the action of a fixed jack 172 driving an endless belt 173 integral with the discs 170 of the two posts and II.

The suction cups 168, two in number, are carried by two vertical rods 174 driven by cylinders 175 carried by the disc 170 and recalled by spring 176. The suction cups 168 are placed above the central panels 1 and 2 of the cutout 149 .

The device 169 furthermore comprises a horizontal cross member 177 in the form of a cross, movable vertically by means of vertical rods 178 passing through the disc 170 and moved by a vertical jack 179.

The cross member 177 carries two arms 180 mounted in pendulums oscillating around axes 181 carried by said cross member. Inside the cross-member 177 pass freely two vertical sleeves 182 surrounding the rods 174 of the suction cups 168 and integral with the disc 170. At their lower end the sleeves 182 are bevelled at 183 and serve as actuating cams for two hooks 184 for locking on the cross-member 177 of a pushing plate 185. The plate 185 is movable vertically under the action of the rods 178 at the end of which it is fixed, the cross-member 177 being slidably mounted on the rods 178.

Finally, the cross member 177 carries on its underside two vertical fingers 186 whose end is bevelled.

The operation of the machine is as follows.

The suction cups 159 of the fixed device 158 come down and go up taking over the cut 149 from above the stack 130. Then, the two clamps 161 take over this cut 149 and transfer it above the shaper 137 and below the device 169 (Figures 12a, 12b).

The suction cups 168 descend (FIGS. 12c, 12d) using the jacks 175 and take over from the clamps 161 by gripping the cutout 149 with suction, in line with the two central panels 1 and 2.

The assembly 177-185 is lowered by means of the jack 179 and the rods 178 (FIGS. 12e, 12f) so as to force the cut to be shaped by passing through the shaper 137. During the introduction phase of the cutout 149 in the shaper 137, the crossmember 177 is stopped in its descent (FIG. 12g) but the rods 178 continue their descent so that the plate 185 continues to drive the cutout through the shaper, completes the shaping complete with the locker 187 then placing it at the bottom of the box 138 (Figures 12g, 12h).

Once the rack in place, the rods 178 go up, the tray 185 takes up the crossbar 177 in passing and the assembly returns to the position of FIGS. 12a, 12b, and is ready for processing a new cut.

When going up the tray 185 takes over the crossbar 177, the hooks 184, continuing their ascent (Figure 12f), will be re-locked against the sides 177a of the crosspiece by the bevelled parts 183 of the fixed sleeves 182 which constrain said hooks 184 to be pressed against said crosspiece.

Box 138 is automatically brought in and out by roller conveyor 188 and two lateral bands 189 responsible for momentarily immobilizing the box under the shaper 137 while inserting the rack 187, the stop of the bands 189 being triggered from a position detector of the box along the conveyor 188.

The operation of the machine is of course fully automatic.

The two stations and II of the machine operate simultaneously from a single conveyor 188, means being provided for simultaneously feeding the two stations in empty boxes 138.

The machine can obviously have only one station.

The pivoting mounting of the discs 170 and the shaping heads 169 makes it possible, by pivoting 90 _° thanks to the jack 172, to pass on the same packaging line boxes or cases 138 of 6 and 12 bottles in the same direction, without have to rotate the crates of 6 bottles.

In such a case, the shaper 137 which can handle both the 12-cell and 6-cell lockers is also pivoted 90 _° on its frame, this being done by hand, the shaper being easily removable.

Claims (12)

1. A cuboid separator for packing boxes, formed from a single cardboard blank, which is cut out, scored and shaped with a view to forming a plurality of individual juxtaposed compartments, comprising rectangular or square panels (1 to 4; 7 to 15), which are integral with one another, the panels being separated by perpendicular or parallel cutting and/or scoring lines (5, 11, 16) for determining, when the separator is shaped:

- a vertical central double separating partition (1, 2),

-.two double lateral partitions (7, 8; 9, 10) located in the plane of and on either side of the said central partition (1, 2),

- partitions (12 to 15) perpendicular to the above-mentioned partitions and formed by single panels;

- single panels (22) as an extension of the said partitions (12, 15), and

- joining panels (3, 4) of the said double partitions and of the said single partitions (12 to 15), each being extended by three single panels (19a, 19b, 19c) located in the same plane and parallel to the double partitions (1, 2; 7, 8; 9, 10),

one of the panels of each double lateral partition (7, 8; 9, 10) extending by an appropriate cut-out (18; 33, 34) to the adjacent lateral panel, the said separator being characterised in that each of the two panels (1, 2) of the said double central separating partition extends, via another appropriate cut-out in the form of a flap (1a, 2a), to the other panel, and in that the said cut-out (18; 33, 34) is appropriately shaped and dimensioned, so that in the folded position of the separator, the said cut-outs (18, 33, 34) are locked in the plane of the double central partition, both mutually and by means of the other cut-outs (1 a, 2a) of the double central partition.

2. A separator according to claim 1, characterised in that the slots (6) separating the panels (1, 2) of the double central partition from the panels of the double lateral partitions (7, 8; 9, 10) are so formed that the outer edge (28) of the flaps (1 a, 2a) is slightly offset towards the exterior relative to the folding line of the single panels (12 to 15) on the bottom of the separator, so that in the folded position of the separator, the outer edge (28) is wedged between the cut-outs (18; 33, 34) and the cut edge of the adjacent single panel.

3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the slots (6) separating the panels (1, 2) of the double central partition from the panels of the double lateral partitions (7, 8; 9, 10) are so formed that at least a portion (29) of the edge of one of the panels of the double lateral partitions (7, 8; 9, 10) is slightly offset towards the interior relative to the folding line of the single panels (12 to 15) on the bottom of the separator, so that in the folded position of the separator, the offset edge (29) forms a stop for preventing transverse movement of the separator in the bottom of the receiving box.

4. A separator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the panels folded back on themselves and defining the double central separating partition (1, 2) and the double lateral partitions (7, 8; 9, 10) have a width, considered perpendicular to their mutual folding line (5), distinctly less than the corresponding width of the other adjacent panels (12 to 15), and preferably equal to half this width, and one of the panels (7, 10) of each double lateral partition is extended by an appropriate cut-out (32 to 34) on the two adjacent lateral panels.

5. A separator according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the outer end of the notches (20) comprises an S-shaped or similar slot (31) cooperating with a locking notch (24) provided at the join between the single panels (22) and the single partitions (12 to 15).

6. A separator according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the joins between the panets of the double lateral partitions (7 to 10) and the adjacent single panels (12 to 15) are so incised (27) as to provide folding lines of substantially equal length.

7. A separator according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the folding lines of the central panels (3, 4) adjacent to the double central partition (1, 2) and the separating lines (11) of the panels of the double central partitions (7 to 10) are provided with incisions (26).

8. A separator according to the invention one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the single panels (22) and the single panels (19a, 19c) are cut out so as to form in the panels (22) an extension (22a) whose end is level with the lower edge of the partitions (7 to 15), and in the lower end of the panels (19a, 19c) horn-shaped parts (19a', 19c') for protecting, together with the extensions (22a), the lower end of the bottles.

9. A separator according to claim 8, characterised in that the height of the panels (22) is lower than that of the partitions (7 to 15), and the S-shaped slots (31a) provided at the upper or outer end of the notches (20) stop at the level of a transverse incision (31) located at a distance from the extreme edge of the panels (19a, 19b, 19c).

10. A machine for automatically assembling a separator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

- a station (127) for picking up one by one cut-outs (130) laid flat in a pile,

- a station (128) for assembling the separators and for inserting them in a receiving box (138) disposed next to the pick-up station and comprising a device (137) for assembling the separator;

- means for transferring each cut-out (149) from the pick-up station to the assembly station above the assembling device;

- means for forcing the cut-out to pass through the said assembling device and for pushing the separator thus formed into the receiving box, and

- means for supplying empty receiving boxes and for removing boxes supplied with separators,

the said machine being characterised in that the picking up station comprises a set of suction cups (159) mounted on a fixed support (158) and the means for transferring the cut-outs to the top of the assembling device are formed by grips (161), which are movable in the horizontal direction, whereas the means for forcing the cut-out (149) to pass through the assembling device (137) are formed, on the one hand, of a set of suction cups (168) and swivel arms (180) mounted on a crossbar (177), the set of suction cups and the crossbar being mounted movably in the vertical direction independently of one another, and on the other hand, by a pushing plate (185) disposed below the crossbar (177) and also movable in the vertical direction.

11. A machine according to claim 10, characterised in that the pushing plate (185) is rigidly connected to the crossbar (177) while the latter is being displaced, both downwards and upwards, but is capable of moving vertically independently from the crossbar when the latter is in its lowest position.

12. A machine according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the means (169) for forcing the cut-out (149) to pass through the assembling device (137) are carried by a support (170) rotatably mounted about a vertical axis and actuated by a jack (172) or the like.

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