EP0277844A1 - Method for putting small products from containers into a container, and system for performing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to putting small products, such as packets of butter, into a container. It proposes a method for filling containers, constructed from a flat container template, which is filled by forming substantially horizontal layers of products and vertically stacking such layers. This method consists in constructing the container (13) before filling thereof and leaving an opening (12) remaining in the lateral wall of the latter, placing the container in a support structure (14), filling the container via the said lateral opening, completing construction of the container by closing the said opening before removing the container from the support structure (14). The invention can be used in the small-product packaging industry. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a method of containerizing retail products, such as strips of butter, according to which the containers are constructed by folding from a configuration of flat containers and filling the container by forming substantially horizontal layers. product and vertical stacking of such layers, containers and a system for implementing this method.

The technique that has been used up to now for placing containers of butter, for example, involves the prior constitution of the container so that it is in the form of a self-supporting structure open upwards. The filling of the container is then done manually from above.

This technique of placing retail products in containers has the major drawback that it excludes or makes particularly complicated automatic filling of the containers.

The present invention aims to overcome this drawback of the state of the art.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by proposing a method of containerizing retail products such as butter plates, which is characterized in that the container is constructed before filling, leaving an opening in the wall. side of it, places the container in a support structure adapted to hold the container thus partially formed, fills the container through said lateral opening, completes the constitution of the container by closing said filling opening and takes out the container thus filled and made up of said support structure.

According to an advantageous characteristic of this process, the lateral filling opening is formed by spacing a side wall panel from its position for constituting this wall.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the products to be placed in the container are stored in layers, separately, and the layers are placed in the container through said filling opening, these operations being advantageously carried out automatically.

The system for implementing the method is characterized in that it comprises a device for holding the container in its partially constructed configuration with lateral filling opening, a device for forming the layers of products to be placed in the container, which comprises a plate forming a container-setting sole, mounted movable, advantageously substantially horizontally between a position inside the container and a withdrawn position, through said lateral filling opening, and means for transferring the layers located on said sole, on the top layer of the stack of layers already present in the container, and means ensuring a relative vertical displacement between said sole and the container.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the system according to the present invention, the layer forming device comprises a stationary plate for grouping in rows of the products to be loaded into the container and means for transferring these rows onto the movable plate forming the setting sole. container, a device for transporting the products to be placed in the container, such as a conveyor being provided for bringing the products to the device for forming layers.

The container allowing the implementation of the method according to the invention is characterized in that, in its flat configuration, the side wall of the container is formed by a strip of substantially rectilinear material in which the panels forming the sides of the container are juxtaposed being separated by fold lines perpendicular to the axis of the strip, the bottom of the container being formed by flaps connected respectively by a fold line parallel to said axis, laterally to corresponding wall panels.

• - la figure 1 est une vue d'un conteneur selon la présente invention dans sa configuration à plat ;
• - la figure 2 montre un conteneur construit à partir de sa configuration à plat selon la figure 1 ;
• - la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un conteneur selon l'invention dans sa configuration de remplissage ;
• - la figure 4 est une vue schématique, en perspective, d'un système de mise en conteneur selon la présente invention, et
• - la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de support et de maintien d'un conteneur selon la présente invention, à l'état de remplissage.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the explanatory description which follows, made with reference to the appended schematic drawing given solely by way of example illustrating a embodiment of the invention, and in which:

• - Figure 1 is a view of a container according to the present invention in its flat configuration;
• - Figure 2 shows a container constructed from its flat configuration according to Figure 1;
• - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention in its filling configuration;
• FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a containerization system according to the present invention, and
• - Figure 5 is a perspective view of a device for supporting and holding a container according to the present invention, in the filling state.

According to Figure 1, a container according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 2, can be formed by folding from a blank into a suitable material such as for example cardboard. This blank which represents the container in its flat configuration comprises a rectilinear strip constituting the four side wall panels 1 to 4 of the container according to FIG. 2, side flaps 5 and 6 intended to form the bottom of the container and elements forming flaps 7 and 8 respectively for assembling the side wall and the bottom of the container, to give the latter the necessary rigidity and obtain a self-supporting structure. In the flat configuration of the container according to the invention, the lines designated by 9 represent fold lines allowing the deformation of the sidewall according to FIG. 1 with a view to obtaining the container shown in FIG. 2. The closing of the elements of flap 7 and 8 can be carried out in any suitable manner, for example by gluing. The container 13 can be closed at the top by a cover 10. This could be formed separately or by extensions of the panels forming the side walls of the container. The top can be mounted on a pallet 11. To this end, the bottom flaps 5 and 6 could be fixed to the pallet by gluing or stapling.

FIG. 5 shows a support device 14 arranged to constitute a form of a container according to the invention, intended to maintain the latter in a partially reconstituted configuration in which it is only open at 12 on one side, by folding towards the 'rear of the wall panel 4 and folding down the flap elements 8 should be attached to this panel 4. Figure 3 shows the container 13 in this configuration open on one side. This support device 14 essentially comprises vertical uprights 15 mounted on a platform 16. These uprights 15 provided on the three closed sides of the container 13 delimit a space corresponding to the shape of the latter, for receiving the container and for constituting bearing faces for the vertical wall panels 1, 2 and 3. Two uprights 15 are associated with each panel. To immobilize these panels in their vertical position, bearing against the uprights 15, these are provided, at their upper end, with elements forming retaining lugs 17, pivoting between a retaining position of the panels and a position of release of these. The container 13 rests by its pallet 11 on the platform 16 and being positioned and centered between the uprights 15 using elements forming lugs 18, provided at the lower ends of the uprights 15. The lugs 18 retain also the flaps 8 associated with the panel 4 in a folded down position, for release of the side opening 12. The side wall panel 4 is held in its open position by retaining elements 19 provided at its upper edges and lower.

Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that an automatic containerization system for retail products 21 such as strips of butter essentially comprises a vertically mobile table 23, the device 14 for holding the containers shown in FIG. 5 and resting on the table 23, a conveyor 24 for supplying retail products 21 intended to be loaded into the container 13, a device 25 for automatically forming product layers 21 and means 26 for transferring the layers thus formed into the container 13 on the upper layer of the stack already contained therein.

The device for forming the layers 25 essentially comprises a stationary plate 27 for the grouping in rows as indicated in the figure, of the products 21 brought by the conveyor 24, and a movable plate 28 for the formation of the product layers 21 by transfer rows of the plate 27 on the plate 28. The two plates extend horizontally, the plate 27 being located slightly above the plate 28. The latter is movable along guide rods 30 under the effect of means control indicated schematically at 29 such as a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, between a position in which it occupies the horizontal cross section of the container 13, above the upper layer of products 21 already loaded therein, at a predetermined distance (this position is shown in the figure) and a withdrawn position in which it frees the interior of the container. It can be seen that the plate 28 passes through this lateral opening 12 for this purpose.

The plate 27 is associated with means for arranging products 21 in rows on this plate 27, above the movable hearth 28, perpendicular to the direction of movement of the latter. These means essentially comprise a stop 31 capable of making a slight recoil and disposed on the plate 27 so as to allow the formation of a group 32 of for example 4 products 21 brought continuously by the conveyor 24, a first plate- pusher 33, adapted to move the group 32 laterally to the location 34 indicated in broken lines, a second pusher plate 35 capable of pushing the group of products located at location 34 to location 36 in view of the formation of a row above the container bottom 28 and a third push plate 39 adapted to move a row located at location 36, laterally, at location 38 just in front the lateral opening 12 for loading the container 13. The stop 31 as well as the push plates 32, 35 and 39 carry out their reciprocating movement by being driven by drive means of any suitable nature, such as for example v hydraulic jacks. These drive means which are known per se are only shown schematically at 40, 41, 42 and 43 respectively.

It should be noted that the push plate 33 is associated with a part 45 extending perpendicularly to the latter. This plate part 45 is adapted for constitute a stop for the products 21 brought by the conveyor 24 during the movement of the plate 33.

It should also be noted that the pusher plate 39 is suitable for transferring the rows of products 21 formed on the stationary plate 27 on the sole for placing in a mobile container 28, with a view to the formation of layers of products thereon.

The means for transferring the layers formed on the movable floor 28, on the upper layer of the stack of layers already formed in the container essentially comprise a barrier member 47, advantageously produced in the form of a plate with a length corresponding to the width of the opening 12 and vertically movable between a lower position at the level of the floor 28, in which it constitutes a stop for the products 21, and an upper position for releasing the floor 28. The barrier control means 47 can be of any suitable nature and are shown diagrammatically at 48.

Concerning the table 23 on which the support device 14 for the containers 13 during loading rests, it is vertically movable under the effect of a drive device of any suitable nature, shown diagrammatically at 50 (FIG. 4) and of a system of articulated crossed guide arms 51, 52. Thus the table 23 serves as an appropriate leveling table for the containers 13 during their loading.

The containerization method according to the present invention and the operation of the system intended for its implementation will be described below.

In a first operation, the container 13 is constituted from the side shown in FIG. 1, leaving the side wall panel open 4. In this laterally open configuration, the container is placed in the support device 14 and immobilizes the wall panels. side 1, 2 and 3 in their vertical position, using retaining tabs 17. The side wall panel 4 and the associated flaps 8 are retained in their folded position using the pivoting fixing elements 19 and 18 respectively. The placing of a layer of products 21 in the container 13 is carried out as follows: under the pressure of the products 21 brought in permanently by the conveyor 24, it forms on the stationary plate 28, in front of the stop plate 31, a first group of four products. After a slight retreat of the stop plate 31 to eliminate friction forces between the two neighboring products was respectively on the plate 27 and the conveyor 24, the push plate 33 moves the group to the location 34, the part of plate 45 acting as a stop for the products 21 which arrive continuously and accumulate on the conveyor, during the movement of the plate 33.

This first group is then pushed by the pusher plate 35 to the location 36. The plates 33 and 35 having returned to their starting position, a second group of four products is formed in front of the stop 31 and is brought before the plate 35 to be pushed to location 36 by pushing the first group further to form a row full of products, shown schematically in Figure 4. This row is moved one step by the push plate 39. After the formation of a second row, this plate pushes the two rows on the movable floor 28 in its position inside the container 13. By repeating these maneuvers of forming groups and rows and of transferring these from the stationary plate 27 onto the movable floor 28, there is formed on the latter inside the container 13 a layer above the top layer already placed in the container.

Then the barrier plate 47 is lowered into its low position blocking the loading opening 12. When the movable sole plate 28 is then moved to its withdrawn position, the products being on this plate, because they are retained by the barrier 47, reach the upper layer already loaded in the container. Given the low height of the sole 28 above the upper layer, the transfer of the new layer on the old is done without disturbing the layered arrangement of the products newly placed in the container.

After the layer loading operation, the leveling table 23 is lowered by one step and the movable floor 28 is again brought into its position inside the container 13 in order to form a new layer of products 21.

When the container 13 is filled, the side opening is closed by bringing the side panel 4 to its closed position and the flap 7 is fixed to the side panel 1. Then the flaps 8 are folded down on the panel 4 and fixed on it. After this operation, which completes the formation of the container, it can be removed from the form device 14.

Many variants can be made to the principle of the method and of the system according to the present invention. Thus one could provide means for retaining in the container, products of the layers already loaded therein, for example in the form of rods or retaining plates disposed in front of the loading opening 12, below the loading floor 28 This effect of retaining the products in the container could also be ensured by slightly tilting the container 13 as well as the plates 27 and 28 of the loading device so that the part opposite to the opening 12 of the container is at a more level. low. The products 21 would then be retained in the container under the effect of their own weight.

To release the container 13 from its support device 14 and be able to close the panel 4 as well as the flaps 8, without being hindered by the loading device, multiple solutions can be envisaged. The table 23 or the loading device could be mounted to be movable so as to free the area around the opening 12 so as to allow the closing movement of the panel 4. This effect could also be obtained by lowering the table 23 after the filling the container, so that it is below the loading device.

Finally, the means forming a push plate, or at least some of these could be combined with additional control means making these plates retractable. By way of example, the push plate 35 is thus provided with control means 54, which act perpendicular to the plane of the stationary plate 27.

It should also be noted that the means of displacement of the various push-plates operate at a higher speed than the speed of supply of products 21 by the conveyor 24. The ratio of this speed will be chosen so as to avoid excessive accumulation of products 21 in front of the stop 45 of the pusher plate 33 during its travel for the purpose of transferring the group of products 32 to location 34 on the plate 27.

In the description of the invention, which has just been made, the container is of the type to be constructed by folding from a configuration of flat containers. It should however be emphasized that the loading device according to the invention can be used for filling any other type of container with lateral opening, for example a container made of reusable metal wire and possibly provided with rollers making it movable. In the latter case, the support device could be formed by the platform 16 or directly the table 23, then provided with means for immobilizing or retaining the containers in their loading position.

Claims (11)

1. A method of containerizing retail products, such as strips of butter, according to which the containers are constructed by folding from a configuration of flat containers and filling the container by forming layers of substantially horizontal products on a movable plate forming a container-setting sole, through a lateral opening which was left to exist during the formation of the container, and vertical stacking of such layers, by transferring a layer formed on said movable plate on the upper layer present in the container, when removing this sole from the interior of the container, characterized in that said movable plate is introduced entirely into the container from before the formation of a layer on this plate and, before said withdrawal from it ci of the container, a barrier member is placed on said movable plate at the lateral opening (12). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral opening (12) for filling is formed by the spacing of a side wall panel (4) from its position of constituting the container and places the container before filling in a support structure (14) adapted to maintain the side walls of the container in their container building position. 3. System in particular for implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a device for supporting a container in a partially constructed configuration, with lateral filling opening, a device for forming layers of products to be placed in the container, which comprises a plate forming a container-setting floor, mounted movable, substantially horizontally between a position inside the container and a position withdrawn therefrom, through said filling opening, means for transferring a layer located on said sole on the upper layer of the stack of layers already present in the container, means ensuring relative vertical movement between said sole and the container and a device for transporting the products to be put in the container, such as a conveyor, for supplying the products to the layer-forming device, characterized in that said plate (28) forming a container-fitting floor is adapted to be in its position inside of the container in which it occupies substantially the entire cross section thereof, before the formation of a layer on this plate, and the device (25) for forming layers by displacement cementing of the products on said movable plate comprise means forming a movable pusher plate in a rectilinear movement back and forth. 4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the device for forming (25) layers comprises a stationary plate (27) for the grouping in rows of the products (21) brought by the transport device (24), to which are associated a plate forming a stop (31) for the formation of groups of products brought by the device (24) and push-plates (33, 35, 39) movable on said plate in a rectilinear movement back and forth for forming the rows and transferring the rows from the stationary plate (27) to the movable plate (28), the transfer push plate (39) forming advantageously the aforementioned push plate for forming layers on the movable plate. 5. System according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the aforementioned layer transfer means comprises a plate (47) forming a movable barrier between a position on the upper surface of the movable plate (28) perpendicular to this surface, at the filling opening (12), and a plate release position, the plate (47) occupying its barrier position when the movable plate is withdrawn from the container (13) for the aforementioned transfer of a diaper. 6. System according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the support table (23) of the containers (13) to be filled is vertically mobile. 7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the movement device (50, 51, 52) of the support table (23) is adapted to lower the table by a step of a predetermined length after removal of the container (13), the movable floor (28) and before the return of the floor to its position inside the container (13) for the formation of a new layer of products (21). 8. System according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the product conveyor (24) (21) is adapted to bring the products (21) continuously and the stop plate (31) is placed on the stationary plate (27) in the extension of the conveyor (24) to allow a grouping of products (21) on the plate (27) under the pressure exerted by the products brought by the conveyor. 9. System according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the holding device (14) of the containers (13) comprises a platform (16) carrying vertical support elements (15), such as uprights, arranged so as to delimit a space corresponding to the shape of a container to be filled and to provide lateral support surfaces for the part of the reconstituted vertical side wall (1, 2, 3) of the container, elements ( 17) for fixing this reconstituted wall part to the support elements (15) and retaining elements (18, 19) of the remaining wall part (4, 8) in its position from said lateral loading opening (12) containers. 10. System according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that at least the aforementioned movable plate (28) is inclined downward advantageously slightly in the direction of movement of the products (21) on this plate, the container could also be tilted correspondingly. 11. Container for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 or 2, of substantially parallelepiped shape and able to be constructed by folding from a sidewall representing the flat configuration of the container, characterized in that the panels (1 to 4) forming the side wall of the container are aligned in the flat configuration, forming a substantially straight strip, and being separated respectively by a fold line perpendicular to the axis of the strip, the bottom of the container being formed by flaps (5, 6) connected by a fold line parallel to said axis, laterally to corresponding panels (1, 3), the panel (4) allowing the formation the lateral opening (12) for loading the container being formed by the end panel of said strip, with which no flap is associated.

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