EP1197436B1 - 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 objects previously deposited within a box of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or the like sheet material having a square or rectangular section.

The technical field of invention is that of packaging machines, manufacture or closure of packaging or manufacturing and implementation of cushioning materials for such packaging.

The present invention is more particularly related to the introduction of a cushioning material inside crates used for the preparation of multi-item orders and more generally of crates whose contents have a variable volume of a cash register. the other, which blocking material has the function of immobilizing this content during subsequent manipulations of the box, for example until it is received by the recipient.

It is known that crates of this type are formed by machines from a blank of sheet material having different flaps or flaps assembled by gluing or adhesive tape.

Boxes are known which, after forming, are composed of five faces, a square or rectangular bottom and a belt composed of four lateral faces. Known cases of this type are called "American half-boxes", "trays" or "bell cases". These boxes are, after filling, closed by a lid. Lids are known that have four flaps that are folded and glued to the sides of the box. Lids are also known whose different shutters are previously shaped; these lids are inserted on the top of the body and secured to the body by gluing or by a metal or plastic link.

Boxes are known which, after forming, are composed of five faces, like the boxes previously described, and four upper panels. Each of these flaps is connected to one of the lateral faces of the box by a fold line. Known cases of this type are called "American boxes". These boxes are, after filling, closed by folding the four upper flaps which are held in position by gluing or by a metal link or plastic.

The boxes described above have the characteristic of offering a constant volume after manufacture and closure.

Several means are used by the users or integrated in the machines forming and closing crates, to wedge different objects whose number and unit volume vary from one fund to another.

Heat-shrinkable plastic films are known, one or more sheets of which are secured to the bottom or the lateral faces of the box during its forming. After filling the box, these films are folded on the pile of objects and then retracted by passing through a heating tunnel.

Polystyrene particles are known which are spread inside the box after filling, to fill the unused volume.

There are known inflatable plastic bags which are arranged 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 disadvantages. Indeed :

• these cushioning materials must necessarily be disconnected 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 manpower hours; the cost of these operations is therefore high.

Also known chips, particles, balls agglomerated, paper, cardboard or wood which are, in various forms, arranged inside the 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 disadvantages. Indeed :

• the dosage of the distribution of these setting materials, so as to occupy exactly the unused volume, is an operation that is difficult to automate and which requires either complex automated machines or a large number of hours of labor; the cost of these operations is therefore high;
• the collection of these materials after opening the packaging, requires gather a multitude of scattered elements and is therefore a little easy operation to achieve for the end user.

The problem posed therefore consists in providing a means of setting objects inside crates used for the shipping of parcels whose useful volume is variable, and in ensuring that this means of setting and its implementation are not very easy. expensive and generate a minimum of constraints for the one who makes the packaging before shipping and for the one who opens the package upon receipt of the package.

The document EP-0,251,945 describes a method and a system according to which a box intended to receive expandable products after compression is provided at its periphery and in the upper part of a fold disposed in the opposite direction of the rim of a lid which, after being pressed into the box, rises under the effect of expansion of compressed products, until its folded edge come to engage and stop in the upper folds of the box. This method and this system require a complete filling of the box, so that they are not applicable to the closing of incompletely filled boxes whose contents may have various heights and conformations.

The document FR-919,469 relates to a package for shipping cut flowers according to which the flowers are lying in a box and covered with a sheet of crystal paper; they are then immobilized in this box by means of a sheet of cardboard arranged transversely in the median part thereof and fixed by stapling, by means of its folded ends, on the longitudinal sides of the box. The box is then closed by means of a conventional lid. It is, in fact, a specific package cut flowers, consisting of a conventional cardboard box, requiring the implementation of special means for the immobilization of flowers inside the box.

The solution to the problem posed consists in providing a machine and a method for inserting, inside a box composed of a square or rectangular or approximately square or rectangular shaped bottom, and at least four lateral faces, a sheet of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or equivalent sheet material, which sheet is brought into contact with the upper surface of the stack of objects arranged in said box and then secured to said box in order to ensure a wedging of said objects.

The present invention relates to a machine for inserting such a sheet having a central portion of square or rectangular shape of dimensions substantially equivalent to those of said bottom of said box, and comprising, around said central portion, and on at least two of its four sides at least one and preferably several foldable flaps, and which is brought into contact with the stack of objects disposed in said box and then secured to said box.

• 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 shutters, a

or a plurality of dots or glue beads, means for folding said flaps and means for holding them in such a way that the unsized side of said flaps forms an angle less than 90 degrees with the upper face of said central portion, before insertion of said sheet in said box;

• means for inserting said sheet into said box, by deforming it, if necessary, so that the lower face 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 said flaps so that their glued face comes into contact with said four lateral faces of said body.

• 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 whose movement makes it possible to separate the sheet situated at the bottom of said magazine from said stack of sheets;
• a horizontal transfer plane consisting of several rails;
• sizing nozzles located under said horizontal plane and aimed at said flaps for removing said dots or glue beads on said lower face of each of said flaps during the transfer of said sheet in said horizontal plane;
• movable cleats to ensure the transfer of said sheet in said horizontal plane and the positioning of said sheet above said body.

• 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 downward translation movement of said tool to ensure gripping of said sheet;
• mobile arms in number substantially identical to the total number of said flaps of said sheet, which movable arms are positioned substantially opposite each of said flaps and each have a bearing plate which is brought into contact with the zone of said central portion of said sheet located near each of said shutters by said vertical translation movement down said tooling
• holding devices provided with suction cups for maintaining said flaps after folding;
• actuators whose output is controlled in order to fold said flaps, by pushing said holding devices, so that said glued face of said flaps comes into contact with said four lateral faces of said body.

• 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, to generate said folding of said flaps;
• an elevator, which assures a rise of said box and said tool such that the greater part of said lower face of said central portion of said sheet is deformed and pressed against said upper surface of said stack of objects by the effort vertical produced by the action of said bearing plates of said movable arms on said central portion, which vertical force can be generated by any appropriate means such as the weight of said movable arms and said support plates, which can move vertically by relative to said gripping plate.

• 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 ses 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 performed by the machine described above for inserting said sheet inside said crate is remarkable in that:

• said sheet has a central portion of square or rectangular or approximately square or rectangular dimensions substantially equivalent to those of said bottom of said box, so as to be introduced into the latter and moved in translation towards the bottom thereof;
• said sheet comprises around said central portion, and on at least two of its opposite sides, and, preferably, on its four sides, at least one and preferably several foldable flaps;
• said sheet is inserted and pressed into said box, deforming it, if necessary, so that the lower face 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 fixed and fixed against the internal face of the side walls of the box, so as to achieve the solid fixing of the wedging sheet on said side walls and, therefore, the setting of the objects housed in said box.

In a preferred embodiment of the process of the invention, foldable flaps are deposited on the underside before introduction of the cushioning sheet of the box, one or more points or beads of glue, so as to achieve after insertion and insertion of the blocking sheet into the box, the application of the collapsible flaps glued against the inner face of the side walls of the latter and drying the glue, a solid attachment of said cushioning sheet on said side walls of the box.

In an advantageous embodiment, said flaps of said sheet comprise one or more fold lines parallel to the hinges of said flaps with respect to said central portion of said sheet, which fold lines make it possible to reduce the area of said flaps applied against said flaps. four side faces of said box and use the surface thus available to compensate for the surface increase of said central portion of said sheet related to its deformation when it comes into contact with said upper surface of said stack of objects.

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

Advantageously, said sheets are previously stored in the form of a stack of identical sheets arranged inside an inclined magazine and the sheet located in the lower part of said magazine is depilated individually by the action of a movable plate provided with suction cups whose displacement allows separating said sheet from said stack of sheets and depositing said sheet on a horizontal plane consisting of several rails and removing said points or beads of glue on said lower face of each of said flaps is produced during the transfer of said sheet in said plane horizontal, by the action of gluing nozzles located under said horizontal plane and aimed at said flaps, which transfer is generated by moving movable cleats and also has the function of positioning said sheet above said body.

• 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 above said box:

• a tool, previously disposed above said box in its initial position, comprises a gripping plate provided with suction cups, and said cups are brought into contact with said sheet by a vertical downward translation movement of said tool to ensure a seizure of said sheet;
• said tooling also comprises movable arms, which movable arms are substantially identical in number to the total number of said flaps of said sheet, and are positioned substantially in front of each of said flaps, said movable arms each having a support plate, and said bearing plates in contact with the area of said central portion of said sheet located near each of said flaps by said upwardly translating movement of said tooling;
• pushers are arranged around said sheet opposite each of said flaps and said pushers are actuated from their rest position to obtain a fold of said flaps;
• said movable arms also each have a holding device provided with a suction cup and it is ensured, with the aid of said holding devices, a maintenance of said flaps after said folding;
• 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:

• assuring, with the aid of said elevator, a rise of said box, such that said upper surface of said stack of objects comes into contact with said lower face of said central portion of said sheet;
• said rise of said box also produces a rise of said tooling such that the greater part of said lower face of said central portion of said sheet is pressed against said upper surface of said stack of objects by the vertical force produced by the action of said bearing plates of said movable arms on said central portion, which vertical force can be generated by any suitable means such as the dead weight of said movable arms and said bearing plates, which can move vertically with respect to said gripping plate
• said holding devices each have an actuator, and the output of said actuators is controlled after the raising of said box, in order to fold said flaps, by pushing said holding devices, so that said glued face of said flaps comes into contact with said four lateral faces of said box;
• the drying of said points or cords of glue is awaited, 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;
• releasing the action of said suction cups of said gripping plate;
• it ensures, with the aid of said elevator, the descent of said box and said sheet;
• said descent of said box also produces the descent 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 of objects and then secured to said box by gluing said flaps of said sheet against said side faces of said said box.

The calibration 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 induces no particular constraint related the collection and recycling of waste generated by the destruction of the packaging after use.

The advantages provided by the invention will be better understood through the following description which refers to the appended drawings, which illustrate, without any limiting character, a particular embodiment of a machine according to the invention. the invention.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'une caisse utilisable pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé et de la machine selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique d'une feuille utilisée pour le calage des objets dans une caisse, suivant le procédé et à l'aide de la machine selon l'invention.
• Les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues isométriques d'une même partie d'une machine selon l'invention, à deux étapes successives du cycle de fonctionnement.
• La figure 5 est une vue isométrique d'une autre partie de cette machine.
• La figure 6 est une vue de dessus de la partie de la machine montrée à la figure 5.
• Les figures 7 à 15 sont des vues en coupe d'une même partie de la machine selon l'invention, à neuf étapes successives du cycle de fonctionnement.
• La figure 16 est une vue isométrique d'une machine selon l'invention.
• Les figures 17 et 18 sont deux vues en coupe illustrant deux exemples de caisses après passage dans une machine selon l'invention.

In these drawings, identical references designate like elements.

• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a box used for the implementation of the method and the machine according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a schematic view of a sheet used for the wedging of objects in a box, according to the method and with the aid of 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 operating cycle.
• 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 Figure 5.
• Figures 7 to 15 are sectional views of the same part of the machine according to the invention, in nine successive stages of the operating cycle.
• 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 cases after passing through a machine according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows the box 1 used by the machine according to the invention. Said body 1 is composed of at least five faces, ie at least four lateral faces 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d and a bottom 1e. According to the illustrated example, the bottom has a rectangular shape, so that the box has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. It is pointed out that the bottom could have a square or substantially rectangular or square shape, for example a general square or rectangular shape with cut corners, the box then having the shape of a right parallelepiped with cut edges and having in fact eight faces (four large and four small).

Figure 2 shows an example of conformation of a sheet 2 used for the implementation of the method and the machine according to the invention. Said sheet 2 comprises a central portion 2k of dimensions substantially equivalent to those of said bottom 1e of said box 1. Said sheet 2 also comprises, on at least two of its opposite sides, at least one foldable flap. According to the advantageous example shown, it is seen that the wedging sheet 2 has foldable shutters 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j on each of its sides. We also see the joints 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22h, 22i and 22j of said flaps relative to said central portion. Another typical arrangement also shows folding lines 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g, 21h, 21i and 21j on said flaps which are parallel to said hinges.

As indicated above, this sheet 2 can be made of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or any other equivalent sheet material.

Figures 3 and 4 show a part of the machine used for the transfer of said sheet 2 and the gluing of said flaps. FIGS. 3 and 4 show 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. The nozzles are also seen sizing 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and 11e located under said horizontal plane and aimed at said components. Figure 3 shows said sheet 2 during its passage vertically of said sizing nozzles. FIG. 4 shows said sheet 2 after complete sizing and end of the transfer. FIG. 4 therefore shows the adhesive beads 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i and 4j deposited on the underside of said flaps by pressurized projection of said adhesive by said jet nozzles. gluing.

The rails 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f constituting the end portion of the horizontal plane of transfer and supply, have a spacing a little larger than that of the rails 10a, 10b forming the initial portion of said horizontal plane and are arranged from and other of the space where is carried out the insertion of the sheet of blocking 2.

FIG. 5 shows the part of the machine used for the insertion of said sheet 2 into said box 1. This figure shows the tool 13 previously arranged above said box 1. This part of the machine comprises a plurality pusher for folding the flaps of the timing sheet 2.On particular see the pusher 17c used to fold said shutters 2d and 2e and pushers 17d and 17e used to fold said shutters 2f, 2g and 2h. Finally, we see the elevator 19 disposed below the tool 13 and on which said body 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 the insertion of said sheet 2 into said box 1. It is seen in this figure, said tooling 13 comprising:

• a gripping device disposed in the central zone of said tool and, for example, constituted by a gripping plate 14 provided with suction cups making it possible to grip the setting sheet 2;
• movable arms 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h, 15i and 15j provided with support plates, holding devices and actuators, these movable arms being distributed around the horizontal gripping plate 14 and connected thereto by means of articulations permitting their pivoting in vertical planes; we see, more precisely:

• the support plates 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i and 16j, making it possible 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, 18e, 18f, 18g, 18h, 18i and 18j ensuring the retention in the folded position of the flaps of the setting sheet 2, after folding of these by the action of the pushers, and,
• the actuators 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i and 20j making it possible to fold down and apply the glued flaps of the wedging sheet 2, against the internal face of the side walls of the body, during the time required to take the glue fast (a few seconds).

We also see all of said pushers 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e 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 explanation of the operation of the machine of the invention, the description made for FIGS. 7 to 15 relates to the action of the various active elements of said machine on one of said flaps (flap 2d) of said sheet 2. The action of the other similar elements of said machine on the other flaps is, naturally, similar and simultaneous.

In these figures, the body 1 positioned on the elevator 19 and the lateral face 1b of the body 1 are seen. The sheet 2, the central portion 2k of the latter and the shutter 2d are also seen, as well as a bead of glue 4d applied to the underside of the latter. We still see the stack of objects 3 previously arranged inside said box 1. Also seen the tool 13 provided with the gripping plate 14, the movable arm 15d, the support plate 16d, the device of holding 18d and the actuator 20d. Finally we see the pusher 17c.

In FIG. 7, said tooling 13 is seen in the initial position and said sheet 2 resting on the pushers (pusher 17c, ...) and on the rails 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, via its shutters and positioned above said box 1 after the gluing and transfer step. We also see the irregular upper surface 6 of said stack of objects (3) housed in said box.

FIG. 8 shows 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 translation downwards. said tool 13 under the action, for example, gravity.

In FIG. 9, foldable shutters (shutter 2d,...) Are folded by the action of the pushers (pusher 17c,...), Produced for example by a pneumatic cylinder, so that the angle 5, between the upper face of said flaps and the upper face of said central portion 2k of said sheet 2, being less than 90 degrees.

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

FIG. 11 shows the rise of said box 1 carried by said elevator 19, the movement of which is for example produced by an electric jack, and the bringing into contact of said lower face of said central portion 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 stroke, a rise in said tooling 13, and the action of the bearing plates (support plate 16d, ... ) on the central portion 2k of said sheet 2 and the deformation of said central portion such that the greater part of said lower face of said central portion is pressed against said upper surface of said stack of objects 3. It is understood that the assemblies constituted by the movable arms (movable arm 15d, ...), the actuators (actuator 20d, ...) and the support plates (support plate 16d, ...), fill, under the effect of their own weight, the function of means of back pressure ensuring, at the end of the upward 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.

FIG. 13 shows the thrust of the holding devices (holding device 18d,...) Induced by the control of the actuators (actuator 20d,...) Which can, for example, integrate a pneumatic cylinder, in order to fold down the flaps (flap 2d, ...), so that the glued face of the flaps comes into contact with the lateral faces (lateral face 1b, ...) of the body 1.

In FIG. 14, after drying of said adhesive bead 4d, which drying makes it possible to secure said sheet 2 with said box 1, the relaxation of the action of said suction cup of the 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, and the descent of said tool 13 in said initial position.

Figure 16 is a view of the entire machine on which we 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 an inclined magazine 8 and the movable plate 9 provided with suction cups whose displacement allows to separate the sheet located in the lower part of said magazine of said stack of sheets and deposit it on said horizontal plane of transfer. Finally, we see said box 1, in which was previously arranged said stack of various objects 3, before its introduction into said machine and its positioning on said elevator 19.

The various suction cups of the machine are connected to a suction system with automated control.

A method and a very advantageous machine have been described, according to which the wedging sheet 2 is secured by gluing on the internal face of the side walls 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d of the body 1. However, it is pointed out that according to the invention, the fixing sheet could be fixed by other methods, for example by stapling, the holding devices 18a, 18b, 18c, ..., and the actuators 20a, 20b, 20c, ..., of the machine being by example replaced by staplers.

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

In Figure 17, we see on the left a stack of objects 3 whose upper surface is not flat. Folding of said shutter 2d is therefore seen along the fold line 21d, parallel to the hinge 22d of said shutter 2d. Said folding reduces the surface of said shutter 2d applied against said lateral face 1b, and makes it possible to use the surface thus available to compensate for the surface increase of said central portion 2k of said sheet 2 related to its deformation when it is brought into contact with said upper surface of said stack of objects.

In Figure 18, we see on the left a stack of objects 3 whose upper surface is substantially flat. It is therefore seen that there is no folding of said shutter 2d along the fold line 21d. The entire surface of said shutter 2d is therefore applied against said side face 1b.

Claims (16)

1. A machine for fastening objects in the interior of a box (1) formed by a bottom (1e) of square or rectangular or approximately square or rectangular shape, and at least four side faces (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) by means of a fastening sheet (2) made of a foldable material, for example cardboard, comprising a central portion (2k) of a shape and dimensions which are substantially equivalent to those of the bottom of said box and, on at least two of its opposite sides, at least one and preferably a plurality of foldable flaps (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j), characterised in that it comprises:

   - means (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and 11e) for depositing on the lower face of each of said flaps one or more dots or lines of glue (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i and 4j),

   - means (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e and 17f) for folding said flaps in such a way that the non-glued face of said flaps forms an angle (5), preferably less than 90°, with the upper face of said central portion (2k) prior to insertion of said sheet into said box; and

   - means (14; 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h, 15i and 15j; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i and 16j; 19) for inserting and pushing said sheet into said box in such a way that the lower face of said central portion (2k) comes into contact with the upper face (16) of the stack of objects (3) accommodated in said box.
2. A process for fastening objects in a box formed by a bottom (1e) and at least four side faces (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), which is carried out by a machine according to claim 1, wherein a sheet (2) of foldable material, for example made of cardboard, is introduced into said box (1), said sheet (2) comprising a central portion (2k) whose dimensions are substantially equivalent to those of the bottom (1e) of the box (1) in such a way that it can be displaced in a direction towards the bottom thereof and, on at least two opposite sides of said central portion (2k), at least one foldable flap (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j), said foldable flaps being on the one hand folded upwardly so as to form an angle (5) which is preferably less than 90° between their upper face and the upper face of said central portion and on the other hand provided on their lower face with one or more dots or lines of glue (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4i, 4j); the fastening sheet (2) which is shaped and prepared in that way then being inserted and pushed into the box (1) under it is brought into contact with the upper surface (6) of the objects (3) accommodated in said box, in such a way as to cause said fastening sheet (2) to be solidly fixed to the side walls of the box (1) after the fastening sheet (2) has been introduced into and pushed into the box (1), the glued foldable flaps have been applied against the internal face of the side walls (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) of the box and after the glue has dried.
3. A process according to claim 2 characterised by using a fastening sheet (2) comprising at least one foldable flap (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j) on each side of its central portion (2k).
4. A process according to claim 3 characterised by using a fastening sheet (2) comprising a plurality of foldable flaps (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j) on each side of its central portion (2k).
5. A process according to any one of claims 2 to 4 characterised in that the fastening sheet (2) is pressed at a plurality of points of the surface of its central portion (2k) against the upper surface (6) of the objects (3) accommodated in the box (1) so as to match said upper surface.
6. A process according to any one of claims 2 to 5 characterised in that the flaps of the fastening sheet (2) are provided with one or more fold lines (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g, 21h, 21i, 21j) which are parallel to the hinge joins (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g, 22h, 22i, 22j) of said flaps with respect to said central portion (2k) of said sheet, which fold lines make it possible to reduce the surface area of said flaps which is applied against said lateral faces of said box and to use the surface which is thus available to compensate for the increase in surface area of said central portion of said sheet which is linked with its deformation when it is brought into contact with said upper surface of said stack of objects.
7. A process according to any one of claims 2 to 6 characterised in that said fastening sheets (2) are previously stored in the form of a stack (7) of identical sheets which are disposed in the interior of an inclined magazine (8) and that the sheet disposed in the bottom part of said magazine is individually removed from the stack and deposited on a horizontal plane formed by a plurality of rails (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e and 10f) and that the operation of depositing said dots or lines of glue (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j) on said lower face of each of said flaps is effected during the displacement of said sheet on said horizontal plane which also ensures positioning of said sheet above said box containing the objects to be fastened.
8. A process according to any one of claims 2 to 7 characterised in that the box containing the objects (3) to be fastened is positioned on a lift (19) for ensuring an upward movement of said box in such a way that said upper surface (6) of said stack of objects (3) comes into contact with said lower face of said central portion (2k) of said fastening sheet (2) which is held by a gripping device (14) equipping a tool arrangement (13) positioned above said lift.
9. A process according to claim 8 characterised in that in that the rising movement of the lift (19) is also used to press the central portion (2k) of the fastening sheet (2) disposed above the upper surface (6) of the stack of objects (3) which is accommodated in the box (1) against counterpressure means (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, 16j), permitting deformation of said fastening sheet (2) in such a way that it substantially matches said upper surface (6).
10. A machine according to claim 1 characterised in that it comprises means (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f, 18g, 18h, 18i and 18j) for holding the flaps folded after they have been glued and folded in such a way that their non-glued face forms an angle (5) of less than 90° with the upper face of the central portion (2k) of the fastening sheet (2) prior to insertion thereof into the box (1), and means (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i and 20j) for then folding over said flaps so that their glued face is applied against the side faces (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) of said box.
11. A machine according to one of claims 1 and 10 characterised in that it comprises means (14; 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h, 15i, 15j; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i, and 16j; 19) making it possible to press the fastening sheet (2) against the upper surface (6) of the stack of objects (3) which is accommodated in the box in order to ensure if necessary deformation of said fastening sheet in such a way that it substantially matches said upper surface.
12. A machine according to any one of claims 1, 10 and 11 characterised in that it comprises:

    - an inclined magazine (8) for storage of the fastening 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 disposed in the bottom part of said magazine from said stack of sheets;

    - a horizontal transfer plane formed by a plurality of rails (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e and 10f);

    - glueing nozzles (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and 11e) disposed under said horizontal plane and aiming at said flaps for depositing one or more dots or lines of glue on said lower face of each of the foldable flaps during transfer of said sheet on said horizontal plane; and

    - movable stops (12a and 12b) for ensuring displacement of said sheet on said horizontal plane and positioning thereof above said box.
13. A machine according to any one of claims 1 and 10 to 12 characterised in that it comprises a tool arrangement (13) for placement of the fastening sheet (2) in the box (1), said tool arrangement comprising:

    - a gripping plate (14) disposed in the central region of said tool arrangement and provided with suction cups which are brought into contact with said sheet by a vertical translatory movement downwardly of said tool arrangement in order to ensure that said sheet is gripped;

    - movable arms (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g, 15h, 15i and 15j) which are distributed around said gripping plate (14), the number thereof being substantially identical to the total number of flaps (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j) of said sheet, the arms being capable of being positioned substantially in facing relationship with each of said flaps and each having a support plate (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, 16g, 16h, 16i and 16j) which is brought into contact with the region of said central portion of said sheet which is disposed in the proximity of each of said flaps by said vertical translatory movement downwardly of said tool arrangement;

    - holding devices (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f, 18g, 18h, 18i and 18j) provided with suction cups for holding said flaps in the folded position after they have been folded over; and

    - actuators (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h, 20i and 20j) which for example include pneumatic jacks, the extension of which is controlled in order to fold over said flaps by a pushing movement of said holding devices in such a way that said glued face of said flaps comes into contact with said four side faces of said box.
14. A machine according to any one of claims 1 and 10 to 13 characterised in that the means for folding the foldable flaps (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j) of the fastening sheet (2) are formed by thrust members (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e and 17f) which are distributed around the space occupied by said sheet when it is placed in a position permitting insertion thereof into the box (1), said thrust members being disposed in facing relationship with and below said flaps and are actuated from their rest position in order to cause folding of the flaps.
15. A machine according to any one of claims 1 and 10 to 14 characterised in that it comprises a lift (19) intended to receive a box (1) and disposed below the tool arrangement (13), said lift (19) permitting an upward movement of said box to a position in which said fastening sheet is inserted into said box and placed in contact with the upper surface (6) of the stack of objects (3) which is accommodated therein.
16. A machine according to claim 15 characterised in that the tool arrangement (13) is mounted with a freedom of rising movement in such a way that it can be entrained upwardly by the lift (19) and that the fastening sheet (2) can be deformed and caused to bear 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 fastening sheet (2), which vertical force can be generated by any suitable means such as the inherent weight of the movable arms and the components equipping them, which can be displaced vertically with respect to said gripping plate.

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