EP0744363A2 - Method for extracting intermediate flat supports for stacks of products - Google Patents
Method for extracting intermediate flat supports for stacks of products Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0744363A2 EP0744363A2 EP96107483A EP96107483A EP0744363A2 EP 0744363 A2 EP0744363 A2 EP 0744363A2 EP 96107483 A EP96107483 A EP 96107483A EP 96107483 A EP96107483 A EP 96107483A EP 0744363 A2 EP0744363 A2 EP 0744363A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- flat support
- stacks
- grip element
- extracted
- flat
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/08—Separating articles from piles using pneumatic force
- B65H3/0808—Suction grippers
- B65H3/0816—Suction grippers separating from the top of pile
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for extracting intermediate flat supports for stacks of products.
- the invention relates to a method for extracting intermediate flat supports for stacks of cardboard cutouts arranged on pallets and the like.
- stacks of cutouts such as for example those used to package cigarette packets of the rigid flip-top type.
- These stacks of cutouts are generally arranged on a pallet-like support in multiple rows and in a plurality of layers that are separated from one another, in pairs, by an intermediate flat support constituted for example by a sheet of paper of appropriate thickness.
- These devices pick up the stacks of cutouts in an orderly fashion and then transfer them to an inlet of a user machine.
- Said grip means are capable of moving between a position for picking up the intermediate flat supports and a position for releasing said intermediate flat supports inside a collecting container.
- the suction of the suckers also affects the cutouts arranged at the regions where said suckers are applied.
- the lifting of the flat support tends to produce, with known extraction devices, a movement of the cutouts located at the top of the stacks with respect to the lower ones, due to adhesion between said flat support and said cutouts.
- a principal aim of the present invention is to provide an extraction method that allows to eliminate the above-described drawback, extracting the intermediate flat supports without interfering with the stacks of products.
- a method for extracting intermediate flat supports of stacks of products characterized in that it comprises the steps of: moving a grip element above a flat support to be extracted; activating presser means, carried by said grip element, to act on the stacks lying below said flat support, by virtue of the interposition of said flat support; lifting said flat support, at its peripheral region, by virtue of suction means carried by said grip element, and deactivating said presser means; and moving said grip element to place said grip element at means for collecting said extracted flat support.
- the step of moving said element above said flat support to be extracted is performed by moving said suction means into contact with said flat support.
- the reference numeral 1 designates a device for extracting intermediate flat supports 2 for stacks 3 of cutouts, such as for example those used to package cigarette packets of the rigid type.
- the stacks 3 of cutouts are arranged in an orderly fashion on pallet-like supporting means 4.
- the stacks 3 of cutouts are arranged so as to form superimposed layers 5 that are separated from one another by virtue of the intermediate flat supports 2, which are made of flexible material, for example paper.
- the extraction device 1 includes a vertical framework 6 provided with a container 7 for collecting the extracted flat supports 2.
- Said framework 6 is provided, in a substantially median position, with a bracket 8, and an arm 10 which oscillates on a vertical plane is pivoted to said bracket 8 by means of a pivot 9 having a horizontal axis.
- the arm 10 is actuatable, by means of a crank 11, by a jack 12 that is pivoted to said framework 6.
- a grip element 14 is articulated to the free end of the oscillating arm 10 by means of a pivot 13 having a horizontal axis.
- Said grip element 14 comprises a frame 15 provided with suction means 16 that are constituted for example by a plurality of suckers 16 adapted to be connected to appropriate known suction devices, which are not shown in the figure.
- the grip element 14 is furthermore provided, on the same side as the suckers 16, with a plurality of presser elements 17 that are actuatable by respective actuators 18 along axes that are perpendicular to the frame 15.
- the suckers 16 are arranged at opposite ends of the frame 15, so as to act at the peripheral region of the flat support 2 to be extracted, while the pressers 17 are arranged in a central region of said frame 15.
- the method for extracting the intermediate flat supports 2 entails a first step during which, by rotating the oscillating arm 10, actuated by the jack 12, the frame 15 is placed above the flat support 2 to be extracted so that the suckers 16 are arranged in contact with said flat support 2.
- presser elements 17 are actuated by the actuators 18. Said pressers 17 act on the stacks 3 that lie below the flat support 2 to be extracted, by virtue of the interposition of said flat support 2, in order to apply a constant pressure that is directed towards the pallet 4 and is capable of blocking said stacks 3.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)
- De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)
- Manipulator (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a method for extracting intermediate flat supports for stacks of products.
- In particular, the invention relates to a method for extracting intermediate flat supports for stacks of cardboard cutouts arranged on pallets and the like.
- Devices are currently known which allow to pick up stacks of cutouts, such as for example those used to package cigarette packets of the rigid flip-top type. These stacks of cutouts are generally arranged on a pallet-like support in multiple rows and in a plurality of layers that are separated from one another, in pairs, by an intermediate flat support constituted for example by a sheet of paper of appropriate thickness.
- These devices pick up the stacks of cutouts in an orderly fashion and then transfer them to an inlet of a user machine.
- Once the transfer of an entire layer of stacks of cutouts has been completed, the intermediate flat support is extracted.
- For this purpose, there are provided appropriate devices which have means for gripping said intermediate flat support and are constituted for example by sucker-fitted suction means.
- Said grip means are capable of moving between a position for picking up the intermediate flat supports and a position for releasing said intermediate flat supports inside a collecting container.
- In known extraction devices, in many cases the cutouts arranged at the top of the stacks of the layer that lies below the flat support to be extracted cling to said flat support when it is picked up by said sucker-fitted suction means.
- Due to the porosity of the material that constitutes the flat support, the suction of the suckers also affects the cutouts arranged at the regions where said suckers are applied.
- Furthermore, more generally, the lifting of the flat support tends to produce, with known extraction devices, a movement of the cutouts located at the top of the stacks with respect to the lower ones, due to adhesion between said flat support and said cutouts.
- A principal aim of the present invention is to provide an extraction method that allows to eliminate the above-described drawback, extracting the intermediate flat supports without interfering with the stacks of products.
- According to the present invention, a method is provided for extracting intermediate flat supports of stacks of products, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: moving a grip element above a flat support to be extracted; activating presser means, carried by said grip element, to act on the stacks lying below said flat support, by virtue of the interposition of said flat support; lifting said flat support, at its peripheral region, by virtue of suction means carried by said grip element, and deactivating said presser means; and moving said grip element to place said grip element at means for collecting said extracted flat support.
- Preferably, the step of moving said element above said flat support to be extracted is performed by moving said suction means into contact with said flat support.
- The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates a non-limitative embodiment thereof, in which the only figure is a schematic side view of an extraction device that performs the method according to the present invention.
- With reference to the above figure, the reference numeral 1 designates a device for extracting intermediate flat supports 2 for
stacks 3 of cutouts, such as for example those used to package cigarette packets of the rigid type. - The
stacks 3 of cutouts are arranged in an orderly fashion on pallet-like supporting means 4. In particular, thestacks 3 of cutouts are arranged so as to formsuperimposed layers 5 that are separated from one another by virtue of the intermediate flat supports 2, which are made of flexible material, for example paper. - The extraction device 1 includes a vertical framework 6 provided with a container 7 for collecting the extracted flat supports 2. Said framework 6 is provided, in a substantially median position, with a
bracket 8, and anarm 10 which oscillates on a vertical plane is pivoted to saidbracket 8 by means of a pivot 9 having a horizontal axis. Thearm 10 is actuatable, by means of a crank 11, by ajack 12 that is pivoted to said framework 6. - A
grip element 14 is articulated to the free end of the oscillatingarm 10 by means of apivot 13 having a horizontal axis. Saidgrip element 14 comprises aframe 15 provided with suction means 16 that are constituted for example by a plurality ofsuckers 16 adapted to be connected to appropriate known suction devices, which are not shown in the figure. Thegrip element 14 is furthermore provided, on the same side as thesuckers 16, with a plurality ofpresser elements 17 that are actuatable byrespective actuators 18 along axes that are perpendicular to theframe 15. - The
suckers 16 are arranged at opposite ends of theframe 15, so as to act at the peripheral region of the flat support 2 to be extracted, while thepressers 17 are arranged in a central region of saidframe 15. - The method for extracting the intermediate flat supports 2 entails a first step during which, by rotating the oscillating
arm 10, actuated by thejack 12, theframe 15 is placed above the flat support 2 to be extracted so that thesuckers 16 are arranged in contact with said flat support 2. - It should be pointed out that for the sake of clarity said first step is shown in the accompanying figure with the
frame 15 arranged (dashed line) above a flat support 2 that separates twolower layers 5 ofstacks 3. - Thereafter the
presser elements 17 are actuated by theactuators 18. Saidpressers 17 act on thestacks 3 that lie below the flat support 2 to be extracted, by virtue of the interposition of said flat support 2, in order to apply a constant pressure that is directed towards the pallet 4 and is capable of blocking saidstacks 3. - Then, first the suction means connected to the
suckers 16 are activated and thereafter an upward rotation of thearm 10 is actuated the extent whereof is such as to cause a slight lifting of theframe 15 and accordingly a slight curving of the flat support 2, the peripheral region whereof is raised with respect to the cutouts that constitute the top of thestack 3. This step of the operation of the device 1 is shown (in solid lines) in the upper part of the figure, with reference to the removal of the upper flat support 2. - The subsequent deactivation of the
actuators 18 that actuate thepressers 17 allows the flat support 2 to fully separate from thestacks 3 and to continue to be retained against theframe 15 by means of thesuckers 16, preventing relative movements of the cutouts that lie below said flat support 2. - Finally, the rotation of the oscillating
arm 10 is completed, and said arm is arranged in a vertical position (dot-and-dash line), while known actuators, not shown, are actuated to turn theframe 15 about thepivot 13 and move saidframe 15 into a vertical position (dot-and-dash line) at the container 7, inside which the extracted flat support 2 is allowed to drop as a consequence of the deactivation of said suction means. - Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
Claims (2)
- A method for extracting intermediate flat supports (2) of stacks (3) of products, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: moving a grip element (14) above a flat support (2) to be extracted; activating presser means (17), carried by said grip element (14), to act on the stacks (3) that lie below said flat support (2), with said flat support (2) being interposed; lifting said flat support (2), at its peripheral region, by virtue of suction means (16) carried by said grip element (14), and deactivating said presser means (17); and moving said grip element (14) to place said grip element (14) at means (7) for collecting said extracted flat support (2).
- Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said step of placing said grip element (14) above said flat support (2) to be extracted is performed by moving said suction means (16) into contact with said flat support (2).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT95BO000236A IT1278207B1 (en) | 1995-05-18 | 1995-05-18 | METHOD FOR EXTRACTING INTERMEDIATE SUPPORT PLANES OF PRODUCT STACKS |
ITBO950236 | 1995-05-18 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0744363A2 true EP0744363A2 (en) | 1996-11-27 |
EP0744363A3 EP0744363A3 (en) | 1997-11-05 |
EP0744363B1 EP0744363B1 (en) | 1999-11-24 |
Family
ID=11340608
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP96107483A Expired - Lifetime EP0744363B1 (en) | 1995-05-18 | 1996-05-10 | Method and device for extracting intermediate flat supports for stacks of products |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0744363B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69605241T2 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1278207B1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6604704B2 (en) | 2000-05-25 | 2003-08-12 | Topack Verpackungstechnik Gmbh | Method of and apparatus for manipulating bobbins |
EP1415803A1 (en) * | 2002-11-01 | 2004-05-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Conveying device |
ITPC20110005A1 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2012-08-24 | Samec S P A | DEVICE FOR LOADING FLAT ELEMENTS, IN PARTICULAR PANELS, ON A MACHINE TOOL |
ITBO20120709A1 (en) * | 2012-12-27 | 2014-06-28 | Sorma S P A | DEVICE FOR CHANGING COILS OF PACKAGING MATERIAL FOR PACKAGING MACHINES |
WO2023144785A1 (en) * | 2022-01-31 | 2023-08-03 | Muratori Machines S.R.L. | Device for loading flat elements onto a work table of a machine tool |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS59212335A (en) * | 1984-04-26 | 1984-12-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Method of separating flexible sheet |
JPS61197334A (en) * | 1985-02-28 | 1986-09-01 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Separation lifter |
WO1990004558A1 (en) * | 1988-10-27 | 1990-05-03 | Cimcorp Oy | Method and apparatus for the picking up and handling of sheets of material, in particular sheets of porous and flexible material |
EP0437760A2 (en) * | 1990-01-16 | 1991-07-24 | Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.) | Device for separating (intermediate) layers from piles of stacked products |
EP0486719A1 (en) * | 1989-07-31 | 1992-05-27 | Aluminum Company Of America | Single head device for removing alternate articles from a stack of the articles |
JPH0538693A (en) * | 1991-08-06 | 1993-02-19 | Fanuc Ltd | Suction type hand |
-
1995
- 1995-05-18 IT IT95BO000236A patent/IT1278207B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
1996
- 1996-05-10 EP EP96107483A patent/EP0744363B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-05-10 DE DE69605241T patent/DE69605241T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS59212335A (en) * | 1984-04-26 | 1984-12-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Method of separating flexible sheet |
JPS61197334A (en) * | 1985-02-28 | 1986-09-01 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Separation lifter |
WO1990004558A1 (en) * | 1988-10-27 | 1990-05-03 | Cimcorp Oy | Method and apparatus for the picking up and handling of sheets of material, in particular sheets of porous and flexible material |
EP0486719A1 (en) * | 1989-07-31 | 1992-05-27 | Aluminum Company Of America | Single head device for removing alternate articles from a stack of the articles |
EP0437760A2 (en) * | 1990-01-16 | 1991-07-24 | Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.) | Device for separating (intermediate) layers from piles of stacked products |
JPH0538693A (en) * | 1991-08-06 | 1993-02-19 | Fanuc Ltd | Suction type hand |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 11, no. 25 (M-556) [2472] , 23 January 1987 & JP 61 197334 A (MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC), 1 September 1986, * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 17, no. 324 (M-1433), 21 June 1993 & JP 05 038693 A (FANUC), 19 February 1993, * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 9, no. 84 (M-371) [1807] , 13 April 1985 & JP 59 212335 A (FUJI SHASHIN FILM), 1 December 1984, * |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6604704B2 (en) | 2000-05-25 | 2003-08-12 | Topack Verpackungstechnik Gmbh | Method of and apparatus for manipulating bobbins |
EP1415803A1 (en) * | 2002-11-01 | 2004-05-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Conveying device |
US6964228B2 (en) | 2002-11-01 | 2005-11-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Conveying device |
ITPC20110005A1 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2012-08-24 | Samec S P A | DEVICE FOR LOADING FLAT ELEMENTS, IN PARTICULAR PANELS, ON A MACHINE TOOL |
EP2492224A1 (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2012-08-29 | Samec S.p.A. | Device for loading flat elements, such as panels or the like, onto a machine tool |
CN102649244A (en) * | 2011-02-23 | 2012-08-29 | 萨迈克股份公司 | Device for loading flat elements, such as panels or the like, onto a machine tool |
ITBO20120709A1 (en) * | 2012-12-27 | 2014-06-28 | Sorma S P A | DEVICE FOR CHANGING COILS OF PACKAGING MATERIAL FOR PACKAGING MACHINES |
WO2023144785A1 (en) * | 2022-01-31 | 2023-08-03 | Muratori Machines S.R.L. | Device for loading flat elements onto a work table of a machine tool |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0744363B1 (en) | 1999-11-24 |
IT1278207B1 (en) | 1997-11-17 |
ITBO950236A0 (en) | 1995-05-18 |
DE69605241D1 (en) | 1999-12-30 |
EP0744363A3 (en) | 1997-11-05 |
ITBO950236A1 (en) | 1996-11-18 |
DE69605241T2 (en) | 2000-07-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4787810A (en) | Method and apparatus for handling stacks of loose sheet material | |
US5083763A (en) | Method and apparatus for the picking up and handling of sheets of material, in particular sheets of porous and flexible material | |
US4140258A (en) | Methods and apparatus for separating glass sheets into separate sheet portions | |
JP2670980B2 (en) | Unpacking device for film package | |
US20030123962A1 (en) | Method and device for de-palletizing stacks of blanks | |
JP3968048B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for picking up a stack of blanks | |
JPH02178161A (en) | Method and apparatus for transporting product of printing house | |
EP0744363A2 (en) | Method for extracting intermediate flat supports for stacks of products | |
JP2023520348A (en) | System and method for moving and dismantling carton stacks | |
JPH0710301A (en) | Transferring device for glass plate | |
JP2788177B2 (en) | Film transfer equipment | |
JPH0925043A (en) | Device to delete foam from paper piled body | |
JPH03111236A (en) | Unpacking and processing method for packaged sheet paper | |
US5709524A (en) | Device for picking up stacks of products from a support | |
EP0322458A1 (en) | Apparatus for automatically stacking piles of paper | |
EP0739835A1 (en) | Device for picking up stacks of products from a support | |
JP2658758B2 (en) | Suction and transfer device and transfer method for plate-like body | |
US4712782A (en) | Method and apparatus of separating and transporting fabric pieces | |
KR101971836B1 (en) | Device for sheet feeding and pick-up | |
FI104964B (en) | Hardware for extracting end tags | |
JP3835224B2 (en) | Picking equipment | |
JPH05246565A (en) | Paper sheet separating conveying device | |
JP3468988B2 (en) | Cardboard sheet take-out device | |
JPS628936A (en) | Paper sheet loosening device | |
JP3560329B2 (en) | Swing arm of film package unpacking machine |
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: A2 Designated state(s): DE GB IT |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): DE GB IT |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19980429 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19980611 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
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 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE GB IT |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69605241 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19991230 |
|
ITF | It: translation for a ep patent filed |
Owner name: MODIANO & ASSOCIATI S.R.L. |
|
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 | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20070525 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20070525 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20080630 Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20080510 |
|
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: 20080510 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20080510 |
|
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: 20091201 |