EP0688718B1 - A method and a machine for inserting a plurality of components which are to be assembled to form a toy in a generally egg-shaped case - Google Patents
A method and a machine for inserting a plurality of components which are to be assembled to form a toy in a generally egg-shaped case Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0688718B1 EP0688718B1 EP95109377A EP95109377A EP0688718B1 EP 0688718 B1 EP0688718 B1 EP 0688718B1 EP 95109377 A EP95109377 A EP 95109377A EP 95109377 A EP95109377 A EP 95109377A EP 0688718 B1 EP0688718 B1 EP 0688718B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- components
- sheet
- heat
- shrinkable material
- station
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 30
- 239000002654 heat shrinkable material Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 235000013601 eggs Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000000080 chela (arthropods) Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 235000019219 chocolate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000009508 confectionery Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001131 transforming effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
- B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
- B65B35/54—Feeding articles along multiple paths to a single packaging position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B53/00—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging
- B65B53/02—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat
- B65B53/06—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat supplied by gases, e.g. hot-air jets
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method and to a machine for inserting a plurality of components which are to be assembled to form a toy in a generally egg-shaped case formed by two half-shells.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a method and a machine which can insert the components in their cases automatically even when the components together take up a considerable portion of the space available in the case.
- this object is achieved by a method and a machine having the characteristics which form the subjects of Claims 1 and 2.
- the present invention is based on the concept of transforming the gift constituted by several distinct components into a single unit by binding the various components with a sheet of heat-shrinkable material which is first welded so as to wrap the various components and is then heated, packing the components close together (as an example see GB-A-934 389).
- the group of bound components can thus be treated as an independent body the insertion of which in one of the half-shells of the case is greatly simplified in comparison with the insertion of several loose components.
- a sheet 1 of heat-shrinkable plastics material (for example PVC) is cut to the desired length and constitutes a substrate on which the components 2a, 2b, 2c, etc., are placed in a predetermined sequence.
- the sequence in which the components are deposited on the sheet 1 and their relative positions are determined in dependence on the shapes and sizes of the components and remain the same for all toys of the same type.
- the group of components bound by the sheet 1 of heat-shrinkable material is then inserted between the two half-shells 4, 6 constituting the case.
- the machine generally indicated 10, comprises a plurality of parallel belt conveyors 12a, 12b, ... 12f, each of which supplies components of a particular type 2a, 2b, ... 2f in the direction indicated by the arrows 14 in Figure 2.
- a station 16 for the supply of a sheet of heat-shrinkable material can be distinguished a station 16 for the supply of a sheet of heat-shrinkable material, a plurality of stations 18a, 18b, ... 18f which load the components 2a-2f onto the sheet 1 of heat-shrinkable material, a welding station 20 and a heating station 22.
- a device 24 which picks up the group of components bound together by the sheet 1 of heat-shrinkable material and inserts it in the half-shells of the case which are supplied by a conveyor 25.
- a plurality of transfer members 26 is movable in steps along the line 15 in the direction indicated by the arrows 28 in Figure 2.
- the transfer members 26 are spaced uniformly along the line 15 and, if the distance between two adjacent stations is not equal to the distance between two adjacent transfer members (as is the case for the distances between the loading stations 18a-18f), it is equal to an integer multiple of the spacing of the transfer members 26.
- the machine 10 comprises a straight guide 30 along which a motor-driven chain 32, to which the transfer members 26 are fixed, is movable.
- Each transfer member 26 has an upper horizontal surface 34 in which a seat 36 opens for receiving the components 2a-2f.
- the profile of the seat 36 is of a shape corresponding to that produced by a section taken in a plane extending through the larger axis of symmetry of the case in which the components 2a-2f are to be inserted.
- the base of the seat 36 is formed by a piston 38 which is movable relative to the transfer member 26 in the directions indicated by the double arrow 40. The movement of the piston 38 relative to the transfer member 26 is brought about by the reaction of a projecting element 42 thereof on a fixed profile 44 extending parallel to the direction of movement of the transfer members 26.
- each transfer member 26 has a suction hole which puts the seat 36 into communication with a pipe 46 connected to a vacuum source by means of a rotary distributor (not shown).
- Each transfer member 26 also has a series of grooves 48 disposed transverse the direction of movement of the member 26 and communicating with the seat 36.
- the transfer members 26 which are moved by means of the motor-driven chain 32, advance in steps and remain stationary at each station for the time necessary for the execution of the operative steps described in detail below.
- a transfer member 26 If a transfer member 26 is followed in its movement along the line 15, it first comes to the station 16 for the supply of a sheet of heat-shrinkable material ( Figure 2). In the station 16 there is a reel 50 on which a strip of heat-shrinkable material is wound. When the transfer member 26 stops in the station 16, the end of the strip is placed on the surface 34 of the transfer member 26 by a conventional linear actuator (not shown).
- the strip is then cut along the line indicated 52 in Figure 2.
- the sheet 1 which remains on the transfer member 26 is restrained by the vacuum inside the cavity 36.
- the transfer members 26 are constantly connected to a vacuum source by means of respective flexible pipes 46 and by means of a rotary distributor which prevents the pipes 46 from becoming twisted during the movement of the transfer members 26 along the closed loop of the chain 32.
- the transfer member 26 is brought to the loading stations 18a-18f.
- a pneumatic actuator 54a-54f carrying, at its end, suction cup means 56a-56f which are movable between a position for picking up a component 2a-2f and a position for depositing the component on the sheet 1 in the seat 36 of the transfer member 26.
- the positions and the sequence in which the components are deposited are established in a manner such as to reduce the size of the group of components to a minimum. It is important to note that the loading stations 18a-18f can achieve a high degree of repeatability in the composition of the pack of components, ensuring that the final dimensions of the finished pack of components fall within quite tight tolerance margins.
- the transfer member 26 upon completion of the loading of the components, the transfer member 26 is brought to the welding station 20.
- this station there are two positioning members 58 for clamping together the ends of the sheet 1 which project from the seat 36 perpendicular to the upper surface 34 of the transfer member.
- the positioning members 58 are movable towards one another transverse the direction of movement of the transfer member 26 and have prongs 60 which are inserted in the grooves 48 of the transfer member 26.
- a pair of heating elements 62 comes into action clamping together and welding the close-together edges of the sheet 1.
- the transfer member 26 upon completion of the welding, is brought to the heating station 22 and is placed adjacent a supply spout 64 which sends a jet of hot air at about 300°C onto the group of components wrapped in the sheet 1 of heat-shrinkable material.
- the supply spout 64 is shaped so as partially to surround the group of components to improve heat-exchange efficiency.
- the temperature of the hot-air jet is quite high since the time for which the transfer member 26 remains in the heating station is very short (no more than a few seconds) and it is necessary for sufficient heat to be transferred to the sheet 1 of heat-shrinkable material to shrink the sheet so as to pack the components close together within this limited time.
- the transfer member 26 reaches the end of the line where the group of components enclosed by the sheet of heat-shrinkable material is urged out of the seat 36 by the piston 38.
- the group of components can thus be picked up by the gripping device 24 which has a movable pincer 70 for gripping the group of components and inserting it in a half-shell which is supplied by a conveyor 25 ( Figure 2) synchronized with the line for preparing the pack of components.
- the machine according to the invention prevents all the problems of hygiene connected with manual handling of the components, which is of particular value in view of the fact that the components are then inserted in a food product intended for children.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Confectionery (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
Description
Claims (7)
- A method of inserting a plurality of components (2a-2f) which are to be assembled to form a toy in a generally egg-shaped case formed by two half-shells, comprising the following steps, in order:the components (2a-2f) are placed on a sheet (1) of heat-shrinkable material in a predetermined sequence,the opposite ends of the sheet (1) are welded together so as to wrap the components (2a-2f),the sheet (1) is heated so as to be shrunk to a predetermined extent causing the components (2a-2f) to be packed close together, andthe group of components bound together by the sheet (1) of heat-shrinkable material is inserted in one of the half-shells of the case.
- A machine for inserting a plurality of components (2a-2f) which are to be assembled to form a toy in a generally egg-shaped case formed by two half-shells, comprising:a station (16) for supplying a sheet (1) of heat-shrinkable material,a plurality of stations (18a-18f) for loading components (2a-2f) in a predetermined sequence onto the sheet (1),a welding station (20) for joining the opposite ends of each sheet (1) so as to wrap the components (2a-2f),a heating station (22) in which the heat-shrinkable material undergoes shrinkage which packs the components (2a-2f) close together,a plurality of transfer members (26) movable in steps along a path extending through the stations (16-22), anda gripping device (24) for picking up the group of components (2a-2f) bound together by the sheet (1) of heat-shrinkable material and inserting the group in one of the half-shells of the case.
- A machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that each of the transfer members (26) has a seat (36) in which a respective sheet (1) of heat-shrinkable material is restrained by suction means connected to a vacuum source.
- A machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that each of the loading stations (18a-18f) comprises an actuator (54a-54f) having gripping means (56a-56f) movable between a position for picking up components (2a-2f) and a position for depositing components (2a-2f).
- A machine according to Claim 3, characterized in that the welding station (20) comprises a pair of heating elements (62) which can clamp together the end portions of a sheet (1) of heat-shrinkable material projecting from the seat (36) in the respective transfer member (26).
- A machine according to Claim 5, characterized in that the welding station (20) has positioning means (58) for placing the projecting portions of the sheet (1) of heat-shrinkable material close together before the welding is carried out.
- A machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that the heating station (22) comprises a hot-air supply spout (64) shaped so as at least partially to surround the group of components (2a-2f) enclosed in the sheet (1) of heat-shrinkable material.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT94TO000507A IT1266030B1 (en) | 1994-06-17 | 1994-06-17 | PROCEDURE AND MACHINE FOR INSERTING A PLURALITY OF COMPONENTS INTENDED FOR |
ITTO940507 | 1994-06-17 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0688718A1 EP0688718A1 (en) | 1995-12-27 |
EP0688718B1 true EP0688718B1 (en) | 1998-09-02 |
Family
ID=11412614
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP95109377A Expired - Lifetime EP0688718B1 (en) | 1994-06-17 | 1995-06-16 | A method and a machine for inserting a plurality of components which are to be assembled to form a toy in a generally egg-shaped case |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0688718B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69504426T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2124465T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1266030B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2006092451A1 (en) * | 2005-03-02 | 2006-09-08 | Discapa, Sl | Installation and method for filling, assembling and sealing capsules and support element and capsule suitable for one such installation |
US8438819B2 (en) | 2005-03-10 | 2013-05-14 | Reckitt Benckiser N.V. | Process for the preparation of a package containing compacted composition and the package obtained with this process |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB934389A (en) * | 1961-01-26 | 1963-08-21 | Union Carbide Corp | Improvements in and relating to packaging articles |
US3527015A (en) * | 1968-10-07 | 1970-09-08 | Lilly Co Eli | Method and apparatus for filling capsules |
US3707825A (en) * | 1970-12-23 | 1973-01-02 | Hanes Corp | Hosiery packaging machine |
-
1994
- 1994-06-17 IT IT94TO000507A patent/IT1266030B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
1995
- 1995-06-16 EP EP95109377A patent/EP0688718B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-16 ES ES95109377T patent/ES2124465T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-16 DE DE69504426T patent/DE69504426T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITTO940507A0 (en) | 1994-06-17 |
IT1266030B1 (en) | 1996-12-16 |
DE69504426T2 (en) | 1999-01-28 |
EP0688718A1 (en) | 1995-12-27 |
ES2124465T3 (en) | 1999-02-01 |
ITTO940507A1 (en) | 1995-12-17 |
DE69504426D1 (en) | 1998-10-08 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
RU2258645C2 (en) | Method and machine for product packing in heat-shrinkable material | |
KR101821582B1 (en) | Contents automatic packaging system | |
US6826890B2 (en) | Method for making a package of products and apparatus implementing the method | |
US20030190394A1 (en) | Apparatus for toasting sheets of laver | |
CA1291021C (en) | Packaging machine having individual controlled atmosphere chamber means for each package | |
JP2005255255A (en) | Method and device for finishing cellophane-wrapped pack | |
EP0688718B1 (en) | A method and a machine for inserting a plurality of components which are to be assembled to form a toy in a generally egg-shaped case | |
EP1098755A1 (en) | Bag handle and method and means of attachment | |
RU2266849C2 (en) | Method and machine for cigarette pack with hinged lid production | |
US3736723A (en) | Film wrapping machine | |
US4323585A (en) | Process for the production of pasta products packed ready for sale in serving portions in packages | |
EP3877265A1 (en) | Machine and method for the hermetic packaging of food products | |
JPH04201805A (en) | Packing method and device therefor | |
GB2130545A (en) | Process and apparatus for packaging three-dimensional articles | |
IT201700022526A1 (en) | Packaging method for hygroscopic food products | |
CA2016160A1 (en) | Sausage link handling and packaging machine | |
EP0761537B1 (en) | Method and unit for packing products | |
EP0532785B1 (en) | Film-wrapping and boxing machine particularly for spools of thread and the like | |
EP1094005B1 (en) | Process and apparatus for packaging a pasty food product | |
JPH0725361B2 (en) | Automatic bobbin packaging method and apparatus | |
EP0059844A2 (en) | A process and means for the continuous and automatic enveloping of electric battery plates | |
KR970006557Y1 (en) | Inserting apparatus for side sealing package | |
EP1504997B1 (en) | Method and machine wrapping products | |
JP2799653B2 (en) | Package transfer equipment | |
AU1880392A (en) | Packaging of round tea bags |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): CH DE ES FR GB LI |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19960624 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19970821 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: FERRERO OHG MBH Owner name: FERRERO S.P.A. |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): CH DE ES FR GB LI |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69504426 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19981008 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: JACOBACCI & PERANI S.A. |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2124465 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20010629 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20010702 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20010713 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20010713 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20020616 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20020617 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20020630 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20020630 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20020616 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20030228 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20030711 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20070626 Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20090101 |