EP1197436A2 - Method and machine for securing objects in a container with a rectangular or square cross-section - Google Patents

Abstract

Process for the fastening of objects into a box made of a bottom and of at least four lateral sides including introducing, into this box, a sheet of a flexible material, for example, made of cardboard, this sheet consisting of a central part having dimensions that are approximately the same as the bottom of the box, in a manner so as to be able to be displaced in a direction to the bottom of the box and, on at least two opposing sides of this central part, at least one flexible folding panel. The flexible folding panels are folded up to the top. The fastening sheet is shaped, prepared, inserted and pushed into the box until the sheet contacts the upper surface of the objects housed in the box. The folding panels are pushed back, applied and fixed, for example, by gluing, against the internal side of the lateral walls of this box, in a manner so as to create solid fixation of the fastening sheet onto the lateral walls of the box, and, as a result, the fastening of the objects housed in it.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a machine for wedging of objects previously placed inside a cardboard box, corrugated cardboard or the like in sheet material, having a square section or rectangular.

The technical field of the invention is that of packaging, manufacturing or closing of packaging or manufacturing and use of cushioning materials for such packaging.

The present invention relates more particularly to the establishment a cushioning material inside boxes used for the preparation of multi-item orders and more generally of cases whose content has a variable volume from one box to another, which cushioning material has the function to immobilize this content during subsequent handling of the box, by example until received by the recipient.

We know that cases of this type are formed by machines from a sheet of sheet material comprising different flaps or flaps assembled by gluing or adhesive tape.

We know of boxes which, after forming, are composed of five sides, either a square or rectangular bottom and a belt composed of four side faces. Known cases of this type are called "half cases" American "," trays "or" bell crates ". These crates are, after filling, closed by a cover. We know covers that have four flaps which are folded down and glued to the sides of the body. We also knows covers whose different flaps are previously shaped; these covers are inserted on top of the body and secured to the body by gluing or by a metal or plastic link.

We know of boxes which, after forming, are composed of five sides, like the boxes described above, and four upper flaps. Each of these components is connected to one of the side faces of the body by a fold line. Known cases of this type are called "American cases". These boxes are, after filling, closed by folding the four flaps upper which are held in position by gluing or a metal link or plastic.

The cases described above have the characteristic of offering a volume constant after manufacturing and closing.

Several means are used by users or integrated into boxes forming and closing machines, to wedge the different objects the number and volume of which vary from one case to another.

We know the heat shrinkable plastic films including one or more sheets are secured to the bottom or the lateral sides of the box during its forming. After filling the box, these films are folded back onto the stack objects then retracted by passage through a heating tunnel.

We know the polystyrene particles that are scattered inside the box after filling, to fill the unused volume.

We know the inflatable plastic pockets which are arranged to inside the crates to fill this unused volume.

• ces matériaux de calage doivent être nécessairement désolidarisés de l'emballage carton avant collecte et recyclage éventuel des déchets correspondants; cette collecte est donc une opération complexe et très onéreuse;
• les matériaux employés pour le calage sont eux-mêmes onéreux;
• leur mise en oeuvre est difficile et nécessite, soit des machines automatisées complexes, soit un grand nombre d'heures de main d'oeuvre; le coût de ces opérations est donc élevé.

Such manufacturing processes have many drawbacks. Indeed :

• these cushioning materials must necessarily be separated from the cardboard packaging before collection and possible recycling of the corresponding waste; this collection is therefore a complex and very expensive operation;
• the materials used for wedging are themselves expensive;
• their implementation is difficult and requires either complex automated machines or a large number of man hours; the cost of these operations is therefore high.

We also know the chips, particles, agglomerated balls, ... paper, cardboard or wood which are, in various forms, arranged inside boxes to fill the unused volume.

• le dosage de la distribution de ces matériaux de calage, de façon à occuper exactement le volume inutilisé, est une opération difficilement automatisable qui nécessite, soit des machines automatisées complexes, soit un grand nombre d'heures de main d'oeuvre; le coût de ces opérations est donc élevé;
• la collecte de ces matériaux après ouverture de l'emballage, nécessite de rassembler une multitude d'éléments épars et est donc une opération peu aisée à réaliser pour l'utilisateur final.

Such manufacturing processes also have several drawbacks. Indeed :

• dosing the distribution of these cushioning materials, so as to occupy exactly the unused volume, is an operation which is difficult to automate and which requires either complex automated machines or a large number of man hours; the cost of these operations is therefore high;
• the collection of these materials after opening the packaging, requires gathering a multitude of scattered elements and is therefore an operation that is not easy for the end user to carry out.

The problem is therefore to provide a means of wedging objects inside boxes used for shipping parcels whose useful volume is variable, and to ensure that this timing device and its implementation are inexpensive and generate a minimum of constraints for those who carry out the packaging before shipment and for those who open the packaging upon receipt of the parcel.

The solution to the problem posed consists in providing a method for inserting, inside a box made up of a square or rectangular bottom or approximately square or rectangular, and at least four faces side, a sheet of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or equivalent sheet material, which sheet is contacted with the top surface of the stack of objects arranged in said box and then secured to said box so as to ensuring a wedging of said objects.

• ladite feuille a une partie centrale de forme carrée ou rectangulaire ou approximativement carrée ou rectangulaire de dimensions sensiblement équivalentes à celles dudit fond de ladite caisse, de façon à pouvoir être introduite dans cette dernière et déplacée en translation en direction du bas de celle-ci ;
• ladite feuille comporte autour de ladite partie centrale, et sur au moins deux de deux côtés opposés, et, de préférence, sur ses quatre côtés, au moins un et préférentiellement plusieurs volets pliables ;
• on insère et on enfonce ladite feuille dans ladite caisse, en la déformant, au besoin, de façon à ce que la face inférieure de ladite partie centrale vienne au contact de ladite pile d'objets et épouse sensiblement la forme de la surface supérieure de ladite pile d'objets ;
• on rabat et on fixe lesdits volets contre la face interne des parois latérales de la caisse, de sorte à réaliser, la fixation solide de la feuille de calage sur lesdites parois latérales et, par conséquent, le calage des objets logés dans ladite caisse.

The method used to insert said sheet inside said box is remarkable in that:

• said sheet has a central part of square or rectangular or approximately square or rectangular shape of dimensions substantially equivalent to those of said bottom of said box, so that it can be introduced into the latter and moved in translation towards the bottom thereof;
• said sheet comprises around said central part, and on at least two of two opposite sides, and preferably on its four sides, at least one and preferably several foldable flaps;
• inserting and pressing said sheet into said box, deforming it, if necessary, so that the underside of said central part comes into contact with said stack of objects and substantially matches the shape of the upper surface of said stack of objects;
• said flaps are folded down and fixed against the internal face of the side walls of the box, so as to produce the solid fixing of the wedging sheet on said side walls and, consequently, the setting of the objects housed in said box.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, it is deposit, on the underside of the foldable flaps, before inserting the sheet for setting the body, one or more points or beads of glue, so that carry out, after introduction and insertion of the setting sheet in the box, application of the foldable flaps glued against the internal face of the side walls of the latter and drying of the glue, a solid fixing of said sheet of wedging on said side walls of the body.

In an advantageous embodiment, said flaps of said sheet have one or more fold lines parallel to the joints said flaps relative to said central part of said sheet, which fold lines make it possible to reduce the surface of said flaps applied against said four side faces of said box and use the surface as well available to compensate for the increase in area of said central part of said sheet linked to its deformation when it comes into contact with said surface upper of said stack of objects.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the process of the invention, the wedging sheet is pressed, at several points on the surface of its part central, against the upper surface of the objects housed in the box, so that be deformed and conform to the shape of said upper surface.

Advantageously, said sheets are previously stored under shape of a pile of identical sheets arranged inside an inclined magazine and the sheet located in the lower part of said magazine is unstacked individually by the action of a movable plate provided with suction cups whose displacement allows separate said sheet from said stack of sheets and deposit said sheet on a horizontal plane consisting of several rails and the removal of said points or beads of glue on said underside of each of said flaps is produced, during the transfer of said sheet in said horizontal plane, by the action of glue nozzles located under said horizontal plane and targeting said flaps, which transfer is generated by moving movable cleats and also has function of positioning said sheet above said box.

• un outillage, préalablement disposé au dessus de ladite caisse dans sa position initiale, comporte une plaque de préhension munie de ventouses, et on met lesdites ventouses en contact avec ladite feuille par un mouvement de translation verticale vers le bas dudit outillage afin d'assurer une saisie de ladite feuille ;
• ledit outillage comporte également des bras mobiles, lesquels bras mobiles sont en nombre sensiblement identique au nombre total desdits volets de ladite feuille, et sont positionnés sensiblement en face de chacun desdits volets, lesdits bras mobiles possédant chacun une plaque d'appui, et on met lesdites plaques d'appui en contact avec la zone de ladite partie centrale de ladite feuille située à proximité de chacun desdits volets par ledit mouvement de translation verticale vers le bas dudit outillage ;
• des pousseurs sont disposés autour de ladite feuille en face de chacun desdits volets et on actionne lesdits pousseurs, à partir de leur position de repos, afin d'obtenir un repli desdits volets ;
• lesdits bras mobiles possèdent également chacun un dispositif de maintien muni d'une ventouse et on assure, à l'aide desdits dispositifs de maintien, un maintien desdits volets après ledit repli ;
• on ramène lesdits pousseurs dans ladite position de repos.

Advantageously, after said transfer of said sheet over said box:

• a tool, previously disposed above said box in its initial position, comprises a gripping plate provided with suction cups, and said suction cups are brought into contact with said sheet by a movement of vertical translation downwards of said tool in order to ensure a entering said sheet;
• said tooling also comprises mobile arms, which mobile arms are in number substantially identical to the total number of said flaps of said sheet, and are positioned substantially opposite each of said flaps, said mobile arms each having a support plate, and we put said bearing plates in contact with the zone of said central part of said sheet situated near each of said flaps by said movement of vertical translation downwards of said tool;
• pushers are arranged around said sheet opposite each of said flaps and said pushers are actuated, from their rest position, in order to obtain a folding of said flaps;
• said movable arms also each have a holding device provided with a suction cup and it is ensured, by means of said holding devices, that said flaps are held after said withdrawal;
• said pushers are returned to said rest position.

• on assure, à l'aide dudit ascenseur, une montée de ladite caisse, de telle manière que ladite surface supérieure de ladite pile d'objets vienne au contact de ladite face inférieure de ladite partie centrale de ladite feuille ;
• ladite montée de ladite caisse produit également une montée dudit outillage de telle manière que la plus grande partie de ladite face inférieure de ladite partie centrale de ladite feuille soit plaquée contre ladite surface supérieure de ladite pile d'objets par l'effort vertical produit par l'action desdites plaques d'appui desdits bras mobiles sur ladite partie centrale, lequel effort vertical peut être généré par tout moyen approprié tel que le poids propre desdits bras mobiles et desdites plaques d'appui, lesquels peuvent se déplacer verticalement par rapport à ladite plaque de préhension ;
• lesdits dispositifs de maintien possèdent chacun un actionneur, et on commande la sortie desdits actionneurs, après la montée de ladite caisse, afin de rabattre lesdits volets, par poussée desdits dispositifs de maintien, de telle manière que ladite face encollée desdits volets vienne au contact desdites quatre faces latérales de ladite caisse ;
• on attend le séchage desdits points ou cordons de colle, lequel séchage permet de solidariser ladite feuille avec ladite caisse ;
• on relâche l'action desdites ventouses desdits dispositifs de maintien et on commande la rentrée desdits actionneurs ;
• on relâche l'action desdites ventouses de ladite plaque de préhension ;
• on assure, à l'aide dudit ascenseur, la redescente de ladite caisse et de ladite feuille ;
• ladite redescente de ladite caisse produit également la redescente dudit outillage jusqu'à ladite position initiale de celui-ci.

Advantageously, said box has been previously positioned on an elevator and, to insert said sheet into said box:

• it is ensured, with the aid of said elevator, a rise of said box, so that said upper surface of said stack of objects comes into contact with said lower face of said central part of said sheet;
• said rise of said box also produces a rise of said tooling so that the greater part of said lower face of said central part of said sheet is pressed against said upper surface of said stack of objects by the vertical force produced by the action of said support plates of said mobile arms on said central part, which vertical force can be generated by any suitable means such as the self-weight of said mobile arms and said support plates, which can move vertically relative to said plate gripping;
• said holding devices each have an actuator, and the output of said actuators is controlled, after the raising of said body, in order to fold down said flaps, by pushing said holding devices, in such a way that said bonded face of said flaps comes into contact with said four side faces of said box;
• waiting for the drying of said points or beads of glue, which drying makes it possible to secure said sheet with said box;
• the action of said suction cups of said holding devices is released and the retraction of said actuators is controlled;
• the action of said suction cups of said gripping plate is released;
• it is ensured, using said elevator, the descent of said box and said sheet;
• said lowering of said box also produces the lowering of said tool to said initial position thereof.

From these operations, it follows that said sheet has been inserted inside said box, deformed and pressed against said upper surface of said stack objects then secured to said body by gluing said flaps of said sheet against said side faces of said box.

The wedging method according to the invention provides several advantages.

Thus, thanks to the invention, the objects arranged inside the box are perfectly wedged using a sheet whose acquisition and implementation are inexpensive and which does not induce any particular constraint linked to the collection and recycling the waste generated by the destruction of the packaging after use.

The present invention further relates to a machine for inserting, at the inside of a box made up of a square or rectangular bottom and of four side faces, a sheet of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or similar material equivalent sheet, which sheet has a square central part or rectangular of dimensions substantially equivalent to those of said bottom of said box, comprises around said central part, and on at least two of its four sides, at least one and preferably several foldable flaps and is brought into contact with the stack of objects placed in said box then secured to said body.

• des moyens pour déposer sur la face inférieure de chacun desdits volets, un ou plusieurs points ou cordons de colle, des moyens pour replier lesdits volets et des moyens pour les maintenir de telle façon que la face non encollée desdits volets forme un angle inférieur à 90 degrés avec la face supérieure de ladite partie centrale, avant insertion de ladite feuille dans ladite caisse ;
• des moyens pour insérer ladite feuille dans ladite caisse, en la déformant, au besoin, de façon à ce que la face inférieure de ladite partie centrale vienne au contact de ladite pile d'objets et épouse sensiblement la forme de la surface supérieure de ladite pile d'objets ;
• des moyens pour rabattre lesdits volets de telle manière que leur face encollée vienne au contact desdites quatre faces latérales de ladite caisse.

Said machine is remarkable in that it comprises:

• means for depositing on the underside of each of said flaps, one or more points or beads of glue, means for folding up said flaps and means for holding them so that the non-glued side of said flaps forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with the upper face of said central part, before insertion of said sheet into said box;
• means for inserting said sheet into said box, deforming it, if necessary, so that the underside of said central part comes into contact with said stack of objects and substantially matches the shape of the upper surface of said stack objects;
• means for folding down said flaps so that their glued side comes into contact with said four side faces of said box.

• un magasin incliné pour le stockage desdites feuilles sous forme d'une pile de feuilles identiques et une plaque mobile munie de ventouses dont le déplacement permet de désolidariser la feuille située en partie basse dudit magasin de ladite pile de feuilles ;
• un plan horizontal de transfert constitué de plusieurs rails ;
• des buses d'encollage situées sous ledit plan horizontal et visant lesdits volets pour la dépose desdits points ou cordons de colle sur ladite face inférieure de chacun desdits volets pendant le transfert de ladite feuille dans ledit plan horizontal ;
• des taquets mobiles pour assurer le transfert de ladite feuille dans ledit plan horizontal et le positionnement de ladite feuille au dessus de ladite caisse.

In an advantageous embodiment, the machine comprises:

• an inclined magazine for storing said sheets in the form of a stack of identical sheets and a movable plate provided with suction cups, the displacement of which makes it possible to separate the sheet situated in the lower part of said magazine from said stack of sheets;
• a horizontal transfer plane consisting of several rails;
• glue nozzles located under said horizontal plane and aiming at said flaps for depositing said dots or beads of glue on said underside of each of said flaps during the transfer of said sheet in said horizontal plane;
• movable tabs to ensure the transfer of said sheet in said horizontal plane and the positioning of said sheet above said box.

• une plaque de préhension munie de ventouses qui sont mises en contact avec ladite feuille par un mouvement de translation verticale vers le bas dudit outillage afin d'assurer une saisie de ladite feuille;
• des bras mobiles en nombre sensiblement identique au nombre total desdits volets de ladite feuille, lesquels bras mobiles sont positionnés sensiblement en face de chacun desdits volets et possèdent chacun une plaque d'appui qui est mise en contact avec la zone de ladite partie centrale de ladite feuille située à proximité de chacun desdits volets par ledit mouvement de translation verticale vers le bas dudit outillage;
• des dispositifs de maintien munis de ventouses pour le maintien desdits volets après repli;
• des actionneurs dont on commande la sortie afin de rabattre lesdits volets, par poussée desdits dispositifs de maintien, de telle manière que ladite face encollée desdits volets vienne au contact desdites quatre faces latérales de ladite caisse.

Advantageously, said machine comprises a tool, previously disposed above said box in its initial position, which tool itself comprises:

• a gripping plate provided with suction cups which are brought into contact with said sheet by a vertical translational movement towards the bottom of said tool in order to ensure gripping of said sheet;
• mobile arms in a number substantially identical to the total number of said flaps of said sheet, which mobile arms are positioned substantially opposite each of said flaps and each have a support plate which is brought into contact with the zone of said central part of said sheet located near each of said flaps by said vertical downward movement of said tool;
• holding devices provided with suction cups for holding said flaps after folding;
• actuators whose output is controlled in order to fold down said flaps, by pushing said holding devices, in such a way that said bonded face of said flaps comes into contact with said four lateral faces of said box.

• des pousseurs qui sont disposés autour de ladite feuille en face de chacun desdits volets et sont actionnés, à partir de leur position de repos, afin de générer ledit repli desdits volets;
• un ascenseur, lequel assure une montée de ladite caisse et dudit outillage de telle manière que la plus grande partie de ladite face inférieure de ladite partie centrale de ladite feuille soit déformée et plaquée contre ladite surface supérieure de ladite pile d'objets par l'effort vertical produit par l'action desdites plaques d'appui desdits bras mobiles sur ladite partie centrale, lequel effort vertical peut être généré par tout moyen approprié tel que le poids propre desdits bras mobiles et desdites plaques d'appui, lesquels peuvent se déplacer verticalement par rapport à ladite plaque de préhension.

Advantageously, said machine also comprises:

• pushers which are arranged around said sheet opposite each of said flaps and are actuated, from their rest position, in order to generate said folding of said flaps;
• an elevator, which ensures a rise of said box and said tools in such a way that the greater part of said lower face of said central part of said sheet is deformed and pressed against said upper surface of said stack of objects by force vertical produced by the action of said support plates of said mobile arms on said central part, which vertical force can be generated by any suitable means such as the self-weight of said mobile arms and said support plates, which can move vertically by compared to said gripping plate.

The advantages provided by the invention will be better understood through the following description which refers to the attached drawings, which illustrate, without no limiting character, a particular embodiment of a machine according to the invention.

In these drawings, identical references designate elements similar.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a box usable for setting work of the method and of the machine according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a sheet used for wedging objects in a crate, according to the process and using the machine according to the invention.

Figures 3 and 4 are isometric views of the same part of a machine according to the invention, at two successive stages of the operation.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of another part of this machine.

Figure 6 is a top view of the part of the machine shown in the figure 5.

Figures 7 to 15 are sectional views of the same part of the machine according to the invention, at nine successive stages of the operation.

Figure 16 is an isometric view of a machine according to the invention.

Figures 17 and 18 are two sectional views illustrating two examples of boxes after passing through a machine according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows the box 1 used by the machine according to the invention. Said box 1 is composed of at least five sides, that is to say at least four sides side 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d and a bottom 1e. According to the example illustrated, the bottom has a rectangular shape, so that the body has the shape of a parallelepiped rectangle. It is emphasized that the background could have a square shape or substantially rectangular or square, for example a generally square shape or rectangular with cut corners, the body then having the shape of a straight parallelepiped with cut edges and actually comprising eight faces (four large and four small).

Figure 2 shows an example of the shape of a usable sheet 2 for implementing the method and the machine according to the invention. said sheet 2 has a central part 2k of dimensions substantially equivalent to those of said bottom 1e of said box 1. Said sheet 2 comprises also, on at least two of its opposite sides, at least one foldable flap. According to the advantageous example shown, it can be seen that the setting sheet 2 has foldable flaps 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j on each of its ratings. We also see the joints 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22h, 22i and 22j of said flaps relative to said central part. We also see, according to another characteristic arrangement, fold lines 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g, 21h, 21i and 21j on said flaps which are parallel to said joints.

As indicated previously, this sheet 2 can be executed in cardboard, corrugated cardboard or any other equivalent sheet material.

Figures 3 and 4 show part of the machine used for the transfer of said sheet 2 and gluing of said flaps. We see in Figures 3 and 4, the horizontal transfer plane consisting of rails 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e and 10f. We also see the movable cleats 12a and 12b sliding on the rails 10a, 10b and whose displacement, which can be produced for example by the action of a pneumatic cylinder, ensures the transfer of said sheet 2. We also see the glue nozzles 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and 11e located under said horizontal plane and targeting these components. FIG. 3 shows said sheet 2 during its passage to the vertical of said glue nozzles. Figure 4 shows said sheet 2 after complete gluing and end of transfer. We therefore see, in Figure 4, the cords of glue 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4th, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i and 4j deposited on the underside of said shutters by pressure spraying of said glue by said glue nozzles.

The rails 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f constituting the terminal portion of the plane horizontal transfer and supply, have a little more spacing important than that of the rails 10a, 10b forming the initial part of said plane horizontal and are arranged on either side of the space where the inserting the timing sheet 2.

Figure 5 shows the part of the machine used for the insertion of said sheet 2 in said box 1. We see in this figure, the tool 13 previously disposed above said body 1. This part of the machine comprises a plurality of pushers for folding the shutters of the shimming sheet 2. We can see in particular the pusher 17c used to fold said flaps 2d and 2e and the pushers 17d and 17e used to fold said flaps 2f, 2g and 2h. We see finally the elevator 19 arranged below the tool 13 and on which said box 2 has been positioned.

• un dispositif de préhension disposé dans la zone centrale dudit outillage et, par exemple, constitué par une plaque de préhension 14 munie de ventouses permettant de saisir la feuille de calage 2 ;
• des bras mobiles 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h, 15i et 15j munis des plaques d'appui, des dispositifs de maintien et des actionneurs, ces bras mobiles étant répartis autour de la plaque de préhension horizontale 14 et reliés à celle-ci au moyen d'articulations autorisant leur pivotement dans des plans verticaux ; on voit, plus précisément :
  • les plaques d'appui 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i et 16j, permettant d'exercer une contre-pression sur des zones réparties autour du centre de la partie centrale 2k de la feuille de calage 2;
  • les dispositifs de maintien 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f, 18g, 18h, 18i et 18j assurant le maintien en position repliée des volets de la feuille de calage 2, après pliage de ces derniers par l'action des pousseurs, et,
  • les actionneurs 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i et 20j permettant de rabattre et d'appliquer les volets encollés de la feuille de calage 2, contre la face interne des parois latérales de la caisse, pendant la durée nécessaire à la prise de la colle rapide (quelques secondes).

FIG. 6 also shows the part of the machine used for inserting said sheet 2 into said box 1. We see in this figure, said tool 13 comprising:

• a gripping device disposed in the central zone of said tooling and, for example, constituted by a gripping plate 14 provided with suction cups making it possible to grip the setting sheet 2;
• mobile arms 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h, 15i and 15j provided with support plates, holding devices and actuators, these mobile arms being distributed around the horizontal gripping plate 14 and connected thereto by means of articulations allowing their pivoting in vertical planes; we see, more precisely:
  • the support plates 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i and 16j, allowing to exert a back pressure on zones distributed around the center of the central part 2k of the setting sheet 2;
  • the holding devices 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18th, 18f, 18g, 18h, 18i and 18j ensuring that the flaps of the shimming sheet 2 are kept in the folded position, after folding of the latter by the action of the pushers, and,
  • the actuators 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20th, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i and 20j making it possible to fold down and apply the glued flaps of the setting sheet 2, against the internal face of the side walls of the box, during the time required for setting the quick glue (a few seconds).

We also see all of said pushers 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17th and 17f.

Figures 7 to 15 also show the part of the machine used for the insertion of said sheet 2 into said box 1 at nine successive stages of the operating cycle.

To simplify the presentation of the operation of the machine of the invention, the description made for Figures 7 to 15 relates to the action of the different active elements of said machine on one of said flaps (flap 2d) of said sheet 2. The action of other similar elements of said machine on the others shutters is, of course, similar and simultaneous.

We see in particular, in these figures, the body 1 positioned on the elevator 19 and the side face 1b of the body 1. We also see sheet 2, the part central 2k of it and the shutter 2d, as well as a bead of glue 4d applied to the underside of the latter. We can still see the stack of objects 3 beforehand disposed inside said box 1. We also see the tool 13 provided with the gripping plate 14, the movable arm 15d, the support plate 16d, the holding device 18d and actuator 20d. We finally see the pusher 17c.

In Figure 7, we see said tool 13 in the initial position and said sheet 2 resting on the pusher (pusher 17c, ...) and on the rails 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, through its flaps and positioned above said body 1 after the gluing and transfer step. We also see the upper surface irregular 6 of said stack of objects (3) housed in said box.

In Figure 8, we see the contacting of said gripping plate 14 and said support plates (support plate 16d, ...) with said sheet 2, produced by a controlled movement of vertical downward translation of said tool 13 under the action, for example, of gravity.

In Figure 9, we can see the fold back of the foldable flaps (flap 2d, ...) by the action pusher (pusher 17c, ...), produced for example by a jack pneumatic, such that the angle 5 between the upper face of said flaps and the upper face of said central part 2k of said sheet 2, ie less than 90 degrees.

In Figure 10, we see the return of the pushers (pusher 17c, ...) in rest position and holding the flaps (flap 2d, ...) by the holding (holding device 18d, ...) fitted with a suction cup.

In Figure 11, we see the rise of said body 1 carried by said elevator 19, the movement of which is for example produced by a jack electric, and bringing said lower face of said central part into contact 2k of said sheet 2 with the upper face of said stack of objects 3.

In FIG. 12, it can be seen that the upward movement of said box 2 then produces, at the end of the race, a rise in said tool 13, and we see the action of the support plates (support plate 16d, ...) on the central part 2k of said sheet 2 and the deformation of said central part so that the greater part of said underside of said central part is plated against said upper surface of said stack of objects 3. It is understood that the assemblies constituted by the mobile arms (mobile arm 15d, ...), the actuators (actuator 20d, ...) and the support plates (support plate 16d, ...), fill, under the effect of their own weight, the function of back-pressure means ensuring, at the end of the ascending stroke of the elevator 19, a deformation of the wedging sheet 2, so that it substantially matches the shape of the upper surface 6 of the stack of objects 3 housed in the box 1.

In Figure 13, we see the thrust of the holding devices ( holding 18d, ...) induced by the actuator control (actuator 20d, ...) which can, for example, incorporate a pneumatic cylinder, in order to fold down the flaps (flap 2d, ...), so that the glued side of the flaps comes in contact with the lateral faces (lateral face 1b, ...) of the body 1.

In FIG. 14, it can be seen, after drying of said bead of glue 4d, which drying makes it possible to secure said sheet 2 with said box 1, the relaxation the action of said suction cup holding devices (holding device 18d, ...) and the retraction of the actuators (actuator 20d, ...).

In Figure 15, we see the descent of said box 1 and said sheet 2, as well as the descent of said tool 13 into said initial position.

Figure 16 is a view of the whole machine on which we can see the various elements described above. We also see in the figure 16, a stack 7 of sheets used by said machine, which are stored in a inclined magazine 8 as well as the movable plate 9 provided with suction cups, the displacement allows to separate the sheet located in the lower part of said store said stack of sheets and lay it on said horizontal plane of transfer. Finally we see said box 1, in which was previously disposed said stack of various objects 3, before its introduction into said machine and its positioning on said elevator 19.

The different suction cups of the machine are connected to a system with automatic control.

A very advantageous method and machine have been described, according to which the wedging sheet 2 is secured by bonding to the inner face of the walls side 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d of the body 1. It is emphasized however that according to the invention, the setting sheet could be fixed by other methods, by example by stapling, the holding devices 18a, 18b, 18c, ..., and the actuators 20a, 20b, 20c, ..., of the machine being for example replaced by staplers.

Figures 17 and 18 show two examples of boxes after passage in the machine according to the invention.

In Figure 17, we see on the left side a stack of objects 3 whose upper surface is not flat. We therefore see the folding of said flap 2d along the fold line 21d, parallel to the articulation 22d of said flap 2d. Said folding reduces the surface of said flap 2d applied against said side face 1b, and makes it possible to use the surface thus available to compensate for the increase of the surface of said central part 2k of said sheet 2 linked to its deformation during of bringing it into contact with said upper surface of said stack of objects.

In Figure 18, we see on the left side a stack of objects 3 whose upper surface is substantially flat. We therefore see the absence of folding of said flap 2d along the fold line 21d. The entire surface of said flap 2d is therefore applied against said lateral face 1b.

Claims (17)

Method for wedging objects in a box consisting of a bottom (1e) and at least four side faces (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), characterized in that one introduces into said box (1 ), a sheet (2) of a foldable material, for example made of cardboard, this sheet comprising a central part (2k) whose dimensions are substantially equivalent to those of the bottom (1e) of the box (1), so to be able to be moved towards the bottom thereof and, on at least two opposite sides of this central part (2k), at least one foldable flap (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j), said foldable flaps being folded up, the wedging sheet (2), thus shaped and prepared then being inserted and pressed into the box (1) until it comes into contact with the upper surface (6 ) objects (3) housed in said box and its flaps being pushed back, applied and fixed against the internal face of the side walls (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) of the latter, so as to achieve the solid fixing of said wedging sheet (2) on said side walls of the box (1) and, consequently, the wedging of objects housed therein. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that foldable flaps (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j) are deposited on the underside before the sheet is introduced. wedging (2) in the box (1), one or more points or beads of glue (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j), so as to achieve, after insertion and insertion of the wedging sheet (2) in the box (1), application of the foldable flaps glued against the internal face of the side walls (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) of the latter and drying of the glue, a solid fixing of the said wedging sheet (2) on said side walls of the box (1). Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a wedging sheet (2) is used comprising at least one foldable flap (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i , 2j) on each side of its central part (2k). Method according to claim 3, characterized in that a wedging sheet (2) is used comprising several foldable flaps (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j) on each side of its central part (2k). Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wedging sheet (2) is pressed, at several points on the surface of its central part (2k), against the upper surface (6) of the objects (3) housed in the box (1) so as to match said upper surface. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flaps of the shimming sheet (2) are provided with one or more fold lines (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g , 21h, 21i, 21j) parallel to the articulations (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22h, 22i, 22j) of said flaps relative to said central part (2k) of said sheet, which fold lines make it possible to reduce the surface of said flaps applied against said lateral faces of said box and to use the surface thus available to compensate for the increase in surface of said central part of said sheet linked to its deformation when it is brought into contact with said surface. upper of said stack of objects. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the said setting sheets (2) are previously stored in the form of a stack (7) of identical sheets arranged inside a magazine (8) inclined and in that the sheet located in the lower part of said magazine is unstacked individually and deposited on a horizontal plane consisting of several rails (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e and 10f), and in that the removal of said points or cords glue (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4th, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j) on said underside of each of said flaps is carried out, during the movement of said sheet on said horizontal plane, which also ensures positioning of said sheet above said box containing the objects to be wedged. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the box containing the objects (3) to be propped up is positioned on an elevator (19) ensuring that said box is raised, so that said upper surface (6 ) of said stack of objects (3) comes into contact with said underside of said central part (2k) of said wedging sheet (2) held by a gripping device (14) fitted to a tool (13) positioned at- above said elevator. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the upward movement of the elevator (19) is also used to press the central part (2k) of the wedging sheet (2) arranged above the upper surface (6) of the stack of objects (3) housed in the box (1) against back-pressure means (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16th, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, 16d), allowing a deformation of said wedging sheet (2), so that it substantially matches said upper surface (6). Machine for wedging objects, inside a box (1) composed of a bottom (1e) of square or rectangular shape, or approximately square or rectangular, and of at least four lateral faces (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), by means of a wedging sheet (2) made of a foldable material, for example of cardboard, comprising a central part (2k) of shape and dimensions substantially equivalent to those of said bottom of said box and, on at least two of its opposite sides, at least one and preferably several flaps (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j) foldable, according to the method of any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises: means (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and 11e) for depositing on the underside of each of said flaps, one or more dots or beads of glue (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i and 4j), means (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e and 17f) for folding up said flaps so that the non-glued side of said flaps forms an angle (5) with the upper face of said central part (2k) , before inserting said sheet into said box; means (14; 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15th, 15f, 15g, 15h, 15i and 15d; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16th, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i and 16d; 19) to insert and pushing said sheet into said box, so that the underside of said central part (2k) comes into contact with the top face (6) of the stack of objects (3) housed in said box. Machine according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises means (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18th, 18f, 18g, 18h, 18i and 18d) for keeping the flaps folded after gluing and folding them, so that their non-glued side forms an angle (5) of less than 90 degrees with the upper side of the central part (2k) of the dunnage sheet (2) before insertion of the latter in the box (1), and means (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20th, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i and 20j) for then folding down said flaps, so that their glued side is applied against the lateral faces (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) of said case. Machine according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that it comprises means (14; 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h, 15i, 15d; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d , 16th, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i and 16d; 19), making it possible to press the wedging sheet (2) against the upper surface (6) of the stack of objects (3) housed in the box (1), in order to ensure, if necessary, a deformation of said setting sheet, so that the latter substantially matches said upper surface. Machine according to any one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it comprises: an inclined magazine (8) for storing the setting sheets (2) in the form of a stack (7) of identical sheets and a movable plate (9) provided with suction cups the displacement of which makes it possible to separate the sheet situated in the lower part said store of said stack of sheets; a horizontal transfer plane made up of several rails (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e and 10f); glue nozzles (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and 11e) located under said horizontal plane and aimed at said flaps for depositing one or more points or beads of glue on said underside of each of the foldable flaps during transfer of said sheet on said horizontal plane; movable tabs (12a and 12b) for ensuring the displacement of said sheet on said horizontal plane and its positioning above said box. Machine according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a tool (13), for the positioning of the wedging sheet (2) in the box (1), this tool comprising: a gripping plate (14) disposed in the central zone of said tool and provided with suction cups which are brought into contact with said sheet by a movement of vertical translation downwards of said tool in order to ensure gripping of said sheet; mobile arms (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15th, 15f, 15g, 15h, 15i and 15d), distributed around said gripping plate (14), in a number substantially identical to the total number of flaps (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j) of said sheet, capable of being positioned substantially opposite each of said flaps and each having a support plate (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16th, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i and 16j) which is brought into contact with the zone of said central part of said sheet located near each of said flaps by said movement of vertical translation downwards of said tool; holding devices (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18th, 18f, 18g, 18h, 18i and 18d) provided with suction cups for maintaining said flaps in the folded position after folding thereof; actuators (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i and 20j), including, for example, pneumatic cylinders, the output of which is controlled in order to fold down said flaps, by pushing said holding devices , so that said glued side of said flaps comes into contact with said four side faces of said body. Machine according to any one of Claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the means making it possible to fold the foldable flaps (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j) of the setting sheet (2) are constituted by pushers (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17th and 17f) which are distributed around the space occupied by said sheet when the latter is placed in the position allowing its insertion into the box ( 1), said pushers being arranged opposite and below said flaps and are actuated, from their rest position, in order to generate the folding of the latter. Machine according to any one of Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that it comprises an elevator (19) intended to receive a box (1) and arranged below the tool (13), this elevator (19) allowing a rise of said box to a position according to which said wedging sheet is inserted into said box and placed in contact with the upper surface (6) of the stack of objects (3) housed therein. Machine according to claim 16, characterized in that the tool (13) is mounted with freedom of upward movement, so that it can be driven upwards by the elevator (19) and that the wedging sheet ( 2) can be deformed and pressed against said upper surface (6) of said stack of objects (3) by the vertical force produced by the action of said support plates (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f , 16g, 16h, 16i and 16j) on said setting sheet (2), which vertical force can be generated by any suitable means such as the self-weight of the mobile arms and of the elements equipping them, which can move vertically relative to to said gripping plate.

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