EP2483168B9 - Appareil et procédé de traitement d'articles - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de traitement d'articles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2483168B9
EP2483168B9 EP10765535.9A EP10765535A EP2483168B9 EP 2483168 B9 EP2483168 B9 EP 2483168B9 EP 10765535 A EP10765535 A EP 10765535A EP 2483168 B9 EP2483168 B9 EP 2483168B9
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
processing route
conveyor
workstation
articles
major
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP10765535.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2483168A1 (fr
EP2483168B1 (fr
Inventor
Jean-Christophe Bonnain
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Original Assignee
Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0917052A external-priority patent/GB0917052D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0917135A external-priority patent/GB0917135D0/en
Application filed by Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC filed Critical Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Priority to EP12194269A priority Critical patent/EP2565125A1/fr
Publication of EP2483168A1 publication Critical patent/EP2483168A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2483168B1 publication Critical patent/EP2483168B1/fr
Publication of EP2483168B9 publication Critical patent/EP2483168B9/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
    • B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
    • B65B43/265—Opening, erecting or setting-up boxes, cartons or carton blanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/02—Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles
    • B65B5/024—Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles for making containers from preformed blanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/06—Packaging groups of articles, the groups being treated as single articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
    • B65B2220/02—Erecting a carton by pushing a blank into a form
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
    • B65B2220/16—Packaging contents into primary and secondary packaging

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the automated processing of articles. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the packaging of primary articles into one or more outer packaging layers.
  • a primary processing line for example a bottling line
  • a primary processing line for example a bottling line
  • Higher throughputs can be achieved if machine lines can be run faster; however this is not always possible when manipulation of cartons introduces complexities that limit the run-speed.
  • greater linear size of packaging machine is often required where run-speeds are higher.
  • the linear size and/ or floor space of a packaging line, (known as its "foot-print") is an important consideration. Indeed in known systems, the tertiary and secondary packaging lines are often separated because of constraints on the end-to-end length of packaging line that can be accommodated in a single space.
  • the secondary packages must be transported from the end of the secondary packaging line to the in-feed of a separate tertiary packaging line. This requires the timing and pitch of the delivered secondary packages to be carefully controlled once they then arrive at a tertiary packaging assembly in order for those secondary packages to be manipulated, collated and packaged into a tertiary package. These additional steps add repetition, complexity, cost, further potential for downtime and error and other disadvantageous characteristics that may result in down time of the tertiary packaging and secondary packaging assemblies and potentially the entire bottling or filling line.
  • a device for overpacking at least one object with at least one blank Is disclosed includes a carousel with three workstations distributed about the carousel.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a number of advantages or improvements in the field of article processing generally and in particular in the field of article processing for packaging.
  • conveyors that are often described as endless because the conveyor itself is a closed loop.
  • the path of such conveyors is however, often linear, with articles being conveyed in a straight line during a working reach.
  • endless circuit is used here to describe the loop-type path of the major processing route.
  • articles are conveyed on an endless conveyor following a closed loop path as they traverse and are processed by the major processing route.
  • the invention provides an apparatus for processing articles, the apparatus comprising:
  • the common workstation is operable to transfer the first work product from the major processing route to the minor processing route so that the one or more workstations positioned along the minor processing route are operable to act upon the first work product to create the second work product.
  • the conveyor of the major processing route has a circular shape and wherein four workstations are positioned along the major processing route.
  • the conveyor of the minor processing route has a circular shape and wherein three workstations are positioned along the minor processing route.
  • the four workstations of the major processing route are each at about 90° apart.
  • the three workstations of the minor processing route are positioned such that a first workstation is spaced about 45° from a second workstation; the second workstation is spaced about 45° from a third workstation and the third workstation is spaced about 270° from the first workstation.
  • the first conveyor and the second conveyor are intermittently operable to transport articles from one workstation to a sequential workstation and once at the sequential workstation the first and second conveyors can be paused in a stationary mode until that workstation has completed acting upon the articles and the articles are then transported from that workstation to a further sequential workstation.
  • the first conveyor and second conveyor are both intermittently operable and are synchronised to move and pause at the same time.
  • the common workstation comprises a robotic mechanism operable to pick-up one or more of said first work products and to place said one or more first work products onto a conveyor of the minor processing route.
  • one or more of said workstations comprises a robot operable to transport one or more articles from an external article feed mechanism onto a first or second conveyor of the major and minor processing routes respectively.
  • the apparatus is suitable for packaging one or more primary packaged articles into secondary packages and for collating a plurality of secondary packages into tertiary packages and wherein the first work product is a secondary package and wherein the second work product is a tertiary package.
  • the first conveyor comprises one or more forming trays and/or wherein a second conveyor of the minor processing route comprises one or more forming trays. More preferably, the first conveyor comprises four forming trays and wherein the second conveyor comprises eight forming trays.
  • a first workstation of the major processing route comprises a robotic mechanism operable to transfer one or more secondary carton wrappers from a secondary carton wrapper feed mechanism disposed alongside the major processing route onto the first conveyor or onto a forming tray of the first conveyor or onto primary articles disposed on the first conveyor.
  • a second workstation of the major processing route comprises a robotic mechanism operable to transfer one or more primary articles from a primary articles feed mechanism disposed alongside the major processing route onto the first conveyor or onto a forming tray of the first conveyor or onto secondary carton wrapper disposed on the first conveyor.
  • a third workstation of the major processing route comprises a mechanism for completing the formation of a secondary carton wrapper about one or more primary articles.
  • a fourth workstation of the major processing route is the common workstation and the common workstation comprises a robotic mechanism operable to pick-up one or more of said secondary packages and to place said one or more secondary packages onto the second conveyor of the minor processing route
  • a first workstation of the minor processing route comprises a robotic mechanism operable to transfer one or more tertiary carton wrappers from a tertiary carton wrapper feed mechanism disposed alongside the minor processing route onto the second conveyor or onto a forming tray of the second conveyor or onto a secondary package disposed on the second conveyor.
  • a second workstation of the minor processing route is the common workstation and the common workstation comprises a robotic mechanism operable to pick-up one or more of said secondary packages from the first conveyor of the major processing route and transfer said one or more secondary packages onto the second conveyor or onto a forming tray of the second conveyor or onto a tertiary wrapper disposed on the second conveyor.
  • a third workstation of the minor processing route comprises a mechanism for completing the formation of a tertiary package comprising one or more secondary packages.
  • the invention provides a method of forming a tertiary package, the method comprising:
  • Table 1.1 Reference Numerals used for the Features Illustrated in Figures 1 to 10 Reference Numerals Feature Illustrated 10, 110, 210 Processing Apparatus A Primary Articles 12, 112, 212 Hopper 14, 114, 214 Vacuum Feed Mechanism 16, 116, 216 Article Filling Station 18, 118, 218 Secondary Carton Wrapper Blank 20, 120 Secondary Carton Forming Tray 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d compartments of Secondary Carton Forming Tray 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d Compartments of Secondary Carton Forming Tray 22, 122, 222 First robotic pick and place arm (for placing secondary carton wrapper blanks 18, 118, 218 into the compartments (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) of the secondary carton forming tray 20, 120.
  • First robotic pick and place arm for placing secondary carton wrapper blanks 18, 118, 218 into the compartments (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) of
  • Second robotic pick and place device for placing array of articles A into folded and opened secondary carton wrapper blanks 18, 118, 218 disposed in secondary carton forming tray 20, 120.
  • Disposed at station 'B2' X Direction of motion of secondary carton forming trays. Clockwise from B1 to B2 to B3 to B4 to B5. Y Direction of motion of tertiary package forming trays. Anticlockwise from B5 to B4 to B3 to B2 to B1.
  • Each of the exemplary apparatus 10, 110, 210, as illustrated and described herein, is structured and arranged to accommodate and process articles A from an incoming stream.
  • a flow chart is provided as Figure 1 which shows an exemplary sequence of operations B1 to B7 that are carried out on the articles A that are supplied to the apparatus 10, 110, 210.
  • FIGS. 2 to 6 , 7 and 9 Examples of an apparatus 10, 110, 210 are shown in Figures 2 to 6 , 7 and 9 .
  • the apparatus 10 of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 6 is illustrated at different, yet sequential, time intervals.
  • the second and third embodiments of the apparatus 110, 210 shown in Figures 8 and 9 respectively are shown at different time frames of operation.
  • Table 1.2 Operations performed at workstations B1 to B7 Workstation Operation Performed
  • B1 Providing secondary carton wrapper blanks to operative conveyor
  • B2/B7 Providing grouped articles
  • B2 Combining the grouped articles with the secondary carton wrapper blanks
  • B3 Completing the formation of a secondary package from the combined articles and secondary carton wrapper blanks
  • B4 Combining completed secondary packages with a tertiary carton to form tertiary packages
  • B5 Providing tertiary carton wrapper blanks to an operative conveyor
  • B6 Outputting finished tertiary packages.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a number of components operating simultaneously and synchronously, the following general description of the apparatus 10 follows the journey of a set of four blanks 18 from the start of the sequence to the end of the sequence; through a major processing route 58 and through a minor processing route 60. As is further described below, the apparatus 10 operates on more than one similar groups of blanks 18 simultaneously and the operations listed above take place simultaneously on different article groups rather than sequentially on a first article group followed by a subsequent article group and so on.
  • the apparatus provides for efficient and simultaneous processing of the articles A.
  • the carousel type structure of the apparatus offers a further benefit in that the apparatus is a compact structure having a smaller foot print than a comparable linear machine.
  • the articles being packaged A1, A2, A3, A4 may be joined or linked groups of articles such as yoghurt pots which are top loaded into a top gripping secondary package which is affixed by means of a composite top wall.
  • the apparatus described herein is readily adaptable for accommodating other types, number and configuration of articles that may be loaded be a variety of relative movements into secondary cartons of a variety of formats.
  • Figure 2 represents a snap shot of the apparatus 10 at a starting time for the journey of the set of four blanks 18.
  • the group of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 are supplied to a secondary carton blank platform 50.
  • a hopper or magazine 12 disposed along the major processing route 58 and a feed mechanism 14 are used to achieve this.
  • a group of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 are held, momentarily, on the secondary carton blank platform 50.
  • Figure 3 it is shown that the group of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 are simultaneously picked, transferred and loaded into separate compartments 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d of a secondary carton forming tray 20 which is disposed on a first conveyor of the major processing route 58.
  • the movement of the group of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 is accomplished by a first robotic mechanism 22 comprised in the first workstation B1.
  • the first conveyor is optionally a belt type endless or closed loop conveyor defining a circular path. This is the circuit of the major processing route 58.
  • Figure 4 it is shown that the group of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 are folded as they are loaded into the separate compartments 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d of the secondary carton forming tray 20.
  • the folding of the group of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 is optionally facilitated by fold lines, pre-creases or demarcation lines on the secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 and/or facilitated by the size and structure of the forming tray 20 and its separate compartments 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d.
  • the secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 have a greater area than the separate compartments 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d and relative movement between the secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 and the framework and sides of the compartments 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d causes the secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 to fold into a part-formed and open position.
  • Guide 53 of the framework of the forming tray 20 facilitates the folding of the secondary carton wrapper blanks 18.
  • the group of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 are thus prepared for combination with groups of articles A1, A2, A3, A4.
  • the first conveyor of the major processing route 58 is, at least for some of that time, paused in a "stationary-mode” or “pause-mode". After the operations undertaken by workstation B1 are completed, the first conveyor is switched to movement mode or "on-mode".
  • the secondary carton forming tray 20 is moved, by the first conveyor of the major processing route 58, in a clock-wise direction (as shown by arrow labelled 'X') towards an article in-feed station (second workstation) B2.
  • the rotation of the apparatus 10 to move secondary carton forming trays 20 between stations B1, B2, B3 and B4 Is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 .
  • the secondary carton forming tray 20 (comprising the open and folded set of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18) is transferred or conveyed to workstation or operating station B2, a group of articles A1, A2, A3, A4 are moved from an article supply stream 16 by a second robotic pick and place device 24.
  • the groups of articles A1, A2, A3, A4 are combined with the open and folded set of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18 respectively. This operation is illustrated In sequence in Figures 2 to 4 .
  • the article supply stream 16 is the second workstation disposed along the major processing route 58 and is disposed in close proximity to the first conveyor so that the second robotic device 24 can transfer the groups of articles in a time scale consistent with the time required for the other workstations B1, B3, B4 of the major processing route 58 to perform their respective operations.
  • the first conveyor is switched to movement mode or "on-mode”. The first conveyor is used to simultaneously transfer working groups from one workstation to the next.
  • each workstation B1, B2, B3, B4 the length of time that the conveyor is held in stationary mode at each workstation B1, B2, B3, B4 is the same.
  • the apparatus pauses to simultaneously allow each workstation to perform its operation on a work product and then the apparatus moves to allow each work product to be transferred to the next successive workstation of the major processing route.
  • the secondary carton forming tray 20 is moved in a clock-wise direction (as shown by arrow labelled 'X'), by the first conveyor, towards the workstation B3.
  • the formation of the secondary packages is completed.
  • a lid portion of the secondary carton wrapper blank is folded and secured to a base of the secondary carton wrapper blank 18.
  • An article group A1, A2, A3, A4, is secured between the lid and base to form a completed secondary package 30.
  • the secondary carton forming tray 20 is moved in a clock-wise direction as shown by arrow labelled 'X' towards the final workstation B4 disposed along the major processing route 58.
  • the four completed secondary packages 30 are picked, moved and rearranged before being loaded into a tertiary packaging tray 32 by a third robotic pick and place device 26.
  • the four completed secondary packages 30 are optionally also rearranged by the third robotic pick and place device 26 from a linear 4 x 1 array to a square 2 x 2 array as the articles are transferred from the major processing route 58 to a minor processing route 60.
  • the completed and rearranged secondary packages 30 are considered to be the first work product of the apparatus, in other words the first work product is the resulting product after the workstations B1, B2, B3, B4 of the major processing route 58 have completed their respective operations on the articles being processed by the major processing route 58.
  • the articles being processed are the article groups A1, A2, A3, A4 and secondary carton wrapper blanks 18.
  • the transfer and rearrangement of the four secondary packages 30 is illustrated in Figures 3 , 4 and 5 .
  • the secondary carton forming tray 20 is thereby emptied of secondary packages 30 and the empty secondary carton forming tray 20 is returned to the first workstation B1 by the first conveyor of the major processing route 58.
  • the empty tray 20 is returned to workstation B1 after the "pause-mode" of the intermittent operating cycle of the first conveyor is complete and during a fourth "on-mode" in the intermittent operating cycle of the first conveyor.
  • the entire operating sequence carried out by the workstations B1, B2, B3, B4 of the major processing route 58 is repeated on that first forming tray 20.
  • Switching between the "pause” and “on” modes is timed to allow the "work-in-progress" at each station to reach a certain level of completeness and then to be moved on to the next successive workstation.
  • the four workstations B1, B2, B3, B4 do not act upon the articles being transported through the major processing route 58. This does not necessarily mean that the robotic devices, in-feed mechanism, and other manipulation and processing devices in each of the respective workstations are completely stationary during the "on mode" of the conveyor.
  • each or some of the devices at the workstations may be operated during the "on-mode" of the conveyor in order to complete manipulation of a wrapper blank, or to ensure the robotic device is at the start of its processing sequence in readiness for attending to the next process.
  • the mechanisms comprised in the four workstations may be programmed to return to their starting position and to perform certain acts in readiness for operating upon articles being transported through the major processing route 58 as soon as the first conveyor has been switched to "pause mode".
  • the first robotic pick and place mechanism 22 of first workstation B1 moves the picking head from a position in vertical alignment with the first conveyor to a position in vertical alignment with the secondary blank platform 50 in readiness for picking a subsequent group of four secondary carton wrapper blanks 18.
  • the second robotic pick and place device of the second workstation B2 moves the picking head from a position in vertical alignment with the first conveyor to a position in vertical alignment with the article supply 16 in readiness for picking up a subsequent set of four groups of articles A1, A2, A3, A4.
  • each or some of the devices at the workstation may not be operated during the entire "on-mode” or during a portion of the "on-mode” of the conveyor.
  • the timing of the processing apparatus and transfer of the work-piece between one workstation and the next is controlled to ensure that the work-piece(s) (i.e. group of articles being loaded into a carton that is completed and then rearranged) are present at the required workstation for the subsequent step in the work-piece's processing cycle and to ensure that the workstation is positioned and ready for executing the required processing step.
  • the minor processing route 60 is provided in close proximity to the major processing route 58 and in intersecting relationship therewith.
  • the major and minor routes are adjacent or neighbour one another.
  • the major and minor routes 58, 60 preferably are adjoined by one or more common workstations.
  • the minor processing route 60 comprises three workstations, B5, B4, B6.
  • One of the workstations B4 is common to both the minor processing route 60 and to the major processing route 58. This common workstation B4 marks the intersection, overlap or link between the major processing route 58 and the minor processing route 60.
  • the link or intersection between the major and minor processing routes 58, 60 enables direct cross-over between the two processing lines so that a different sequence of processes can be performed on the first work product directly as it is output from the major processing route 58.
  • the overall apparatus 10 is compact in the area or footprint that it requires; is efficient in the overall time taken to perform the complete two stage processing, and the major and minor processing lines are synchronised which removes any need to re-organise the pitching of the first work products they enter a subsequent processing line.
  • the output of completed tertiary packages is four times greater than a comparable linear processing device.
  • the specific circular or closed loop structure of the major and minor processing routes 58, 60 offers particular benefit in terms of space saving or compactness.
  • the major and minor processing routes 58, 60 travel in opposite directions. In other arrangements, both routes may follow a clockwise direction or both routes may follow a counter-clockwise direction.
  • the tertiary packaging tray 32 referred to above is created simultaneously with the formation of the secondary packages 30 or first work product 30.
  • a tertiary package blank hopper 36 supplies tertiary package blanks 34 to a "second conveyor", the endless conveyor of the minor processing route 60.
  • the tertiary package blank hopper 36 is conveniently located adjacent to the second conveyor of the minor processing route 60 and a tertiary blank feeder 38 comprised in the first workstation B5.
  • the tertiary package blanks 34 are moved from the supply hopper 36 to a tertiary package forming tray 32 held on a movable support 40 coupled to the second conveyor.
  • the second conveyor may take many formats, however, in the first illustrated embodiment the conveyor is a chain, coupled to a drive means, such as a servo motor.
  • the movable support 40 is a plate of supportive material, in this case metal, that is affixed to the chain. In other (non-illustrated embodiments) the support 40 is attached on an element in rotation (axis of the major processing line or carrousel 60) and is driven centrally or is attached through a rack-pinion type link.
  • the movable support 40 may, in other embodiments be structured in a manner alternative to a plate, providing that the structure can support a tertiary package forming tray 32 and/or tertiary package blanks 34.
  • the support 40 is formed as a frame work rather than as a solid plate and/or is formed of plastic or metal.
  • the support 40 integrally incorporates the forming and supporting functionality of the tertiary package forming tray 32.
  • the individual supports 40 are replaced by a belt having a lug mechanism coupled to the conveyor for moving articles along the belt. The mechanism for transferring articles from station B5 to station B4 and onto station B6 may take a variety of formats.
  • tertiary package blanks 34 are loaded into the tertiary package forming trays 32 they are folded and formed into tertiary packaging trays 52.
  • the tertiary packaging trays 52 held in the tertiary package forming tray 32 are moved by the second conveyor, by rotation of the movable support 40 in a counter-clockwise direction (labelled as 'Y'), to common workstation B4. This rotation Is illustrated in Figure 5 .
  • This sequence is repeated so that a continuous supply of tertiary packaging trays 32 are supplied to common workstation B4 where the completed secondary packages 30 are rearranged and then loaded into the tertiary packaging trays 32. This operation is illustrated in Figures 2 to 4 .
  • the second conveyor of the minor processing route also operates on an intermittent cycle switching between a "pause-mode” and an "on-mode".
  • the "pause-mode" of the second conveyor may be similar or the same in time-length as, the "pause-mode” of the first conveyor of the major processing route 58. It is preferred that the second conveyor is operated in synchrony or in coordinated relationship with the first conveyor of the major processing route 58 so that the tertiary packaging trays 34 held in the tertiary package forming tray 32 are moved to the common workstation B4 in readiness for the placement of secondary packages 30 into those tertiary packaging trays 34 by the third robotic pick and place device 26.
  • the movable support 40 is again rotated in a counter-clockwise direction 'Y'.
  • the loaded tertiary package is conveyed to an output B6, where the completed tertiary packages are removed from the apparatus 10.
  • the output station B6 comprises an elevator (see third embodiment) to convey the loaded tertiary package 54/254 out of the plane of the movable supports 40 for coupling to an output conveyor where the second work product 54, i.e. the loaded tertiary packages 54, are removed for palleting and transportation to a sales outlet.
  • the aforedescribed sequence of operations B1 to B6 is conducted within a relatively small area or footprint because the workstations B1 to B6 are disposed in close proximity and in this embodiment, in a circular, nested, carrousel fashion.
  • a schematic plan view of the apparatus 10 is shown in Figure 8A .
  • the carrousel comprises two processing lines: the major processing line 58 and the minor processing line 60.
  • the major processing line 58 is a closed circuit or loop and comprises workstations B1, B2, B3 and B4.
  • the major processing line 58 is substantially circular in shape.
  • the minor processing line 60 is also, in this illustrated configuration of apparatus 10, a closed circuit or loop and is circular in shape.
  • Each processing route comprises two or more connected workstations at each of which a processing step, is conducted on a work product.
  • the first work product output by the major processing route is then passed by means of a common workstation to the minor processing route for the creation of a second work product.
  • the major processing route 58 has a slightly smaller radius than the minor processing route 60 and as such the major processing route sits within the minor processing route 60.
  • the major processing route as a circumferential path length (from B1 to B1) of about 6 m and the minor processing route has a path length (from B5 to B6) of about 2m.
  • This is equivalent to a linear sequential processing line, where the workstations B1 to B6 are disposed in a straight line, having an end-to end length of at least 8m.
  • such a linear sequential processing line requires additional conveyors between the output of the first major processing linear route and the second minor linear processing route.
  • the apparatus of the present invention only requires a length (as measured between B1 and B3) of about 2.6m to about 4m and a width (as measured between B2 and B4) of about 2.6m to about 3.5m.
  • the dimensions of the apparatus of the present invention compared with those of an equivalent conventional straight-line machine show that the apparatus of the present invention is much more compact than a linear processing line having all of the functions disposed one after another.
  • the apparatus of the present invention has a maximum dimension that is at least 50% smaller than the maximum dimension of the equivalent linearly arranged apparatus.
  • the present apparatus provides a significant saving in terms of the footprint or area required to house the processing equipment.
  • a series of eight tertiary package trays 32 are provided on the second conveying means, the second conveying means transports the tertiary package trays 32 in the direction 'Y'; that is from the tertiary package hopper station B5, to the tertiary tray loading station B4, to the completed tertiary package output B6 and then around to the tertiary package hopper station B5.
  • the workstation B4 operates to move the processed articles between the major processing line 58 and the minor processing line 60.
  • the conveying means of the major processing line 58 and the minor processing line 60 are synchronised or co-ordinated so that as the major processing line 58 rotates 90° in the clockwise 'X' direction, the conveying means of the minor processing line 60 rotates 45° in the anti-clockwise (counter-clockwise) direction 'Y'.
  • the degree of rotation required by the first and second conveyors of each of the respective major and minor processing lines 58, 60 is determined by the number of degrees of separation between adjacent workstations of those processing lines 58, 60.
  • four workstations (B1, B2, B3, B4) are each separated from their immediately adjacent workstation by about 90°. As such four secondary carton forming trays 20 are required, one for each station at any given "work time”.
  • the second conveyor like the first conveyor, operates on an intermittent time cycle switching between "on-mode” where the conveyor moves and causes movement through the minor and major processing routes respectively and on "off-mode” where the conveyor pauses.
  • the processing routes 58, 60 are circular in shape and the conveyor of each processing route can be thought of as affecting a rotation of the articles or trays being operated on by the apparatus 10.
  • the first conveyor of the major processing route 58 affects about a 90° rotation during its "on-mode”.
  • the second conveyor of the minor processing route 60 affects about a 45° rotation during it "on-mode".
  • the number of degrees of rotation is more appropriately applicable in embodiments where the major and or minor processing routes are substantially circular or ring-like.
  • the three workstations (B5, B4, B6) are not evenly separated from the successive workstation in terms of the spatial rotation cycle of the second conveyor.
  • the first workstation B5 is separated from the common workstation B4 by about 45° and the common workstation B4 is separated from the third workstation B6 also by about 45°; however the third workstation B6 is separated or spaced from the first workstation B5 by about 270° of the second conveyor's spatial cycle. Because of this, eight tertiary package forming trays 32 are required: one tray 32 for each of the three workstations (B5, B4, B6) at any given "work time” and five trays 32 for the intermediate stops made around the circuit from start to finish (eight stations spaced by 45°).
  • a simple, neat, compact and synchronised second conveyor means is provided in the minor processing route 60 and the second work product (the completed tertiary package) can be made in close proximity to the formation of the first work product (the completed and arranged secondary packages).
  • the in-feed of the minor processing route 60 is the output of the major processing route 58.
  • FIG. 7 a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated, wherein workstation B1 is shown having a different physical format.
  • the first robotic pick and place device 122 is operable to effect a rotational movement of the pick and place head and as such functionality of the vacuum feed mechanism 14 and secondary blank platform 50 of the first embodiment is incorporated in to the functionality of the first robotic pick and place device 122 and/or dispensed with.
  • the first robotic pick and place device 122 is operable to lift four secondary carton wrapper blanks 118 directly from the hopper or magazine 112 comprising a stack or supply of secondary carton wrapper blanks 118.
  • the apparatus 110 of Figure 7 operates in the same manner as the apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the illustrated physical formation of the apparatus 10, 110 of the invention may take many and various formats.
  • the exact processing completed by each workstation could comprise a variety of operations as required by the processing to be effected.
  • the invention is described in the context of packaging, but where for example, the processing operations that create a first work product are the assembly of a different type of article for example the assembly of a foodstuff or the assembly of mechanical product for example, the devices provided at the various workstations may take a variety of formats; arrangement; and number.
  • the invention is described in the context of packaging because in this field the cross-over between major and minor processing routes provide particular advantage when dealing with primary packaged articles, secondary packages comprising group of primary packaged articles and tertiary packages comprising a group of secondary packages.
  • many automated processing sequences could be executed in a more compact, timely and/or efficient manner by utilising the essence of the present invention.
  • FIG 8B a variation of the first embodiment is illustrated schematically.
  • the sequential workstations B6, B4, B5 of the minor processing route 60 have been reordered and as such the second conveyor operates in a clock-wise direction (as indicated by label 'Y').
  • workstations B1, B2, B3, B4 are separated by an angle 'a12', 'a23', 'a34', 'a41' and that the workstations B5, B4, B6 are separated by an angle 'a54', 'a46' and that the workstations B6, B5, B4 are separated by an angle 'a46', 'a54'.
  • the angular rotation of the first and second conveyors between workstations may not all be equal or none of the angles may be equal. It is envisaged that further processing routes in nested carousel or circular circuit fashion could be used.
  • FIG. 9 A final illustrated embodiment is provided in Figure 9 .
  • the major processing route 258 comprises five workstations and is oval in shape.
  • the first conveyor of the major processing route 258 is operable in a "continuous mode” rather than operated in an "intermittent cycle” as in the first illustrated embodiment.
  • the secondary carton wrapper blanks 218 are of the wrap-around bottom locking type.
  • the oval shape of the major processing route 258 provides a linear stretch during which the manipulation of a bottom panel locking mechanism optionally can be carried out whilst the articles continue to move.
  • a workstation B7 supplies articles A1, A2, A3, A4 in regular spaced and timed order onto a surface of the first conveyor.
  • Lug elements 244 of the first conveyor are operable to cause clockwise movement of the articles A1, A2, A3, A4 after they are placed, by a first robotic pick and place device 224, onto the first conveyor.
  • the secondary carton wrapper blanks 218 are provided from a magazine or hopper 212, by a vacuum or other rotary feeder 214 onto a secondary blank platform 250.
  • a second pick and place robotic device 222 is operable to transfer a series comprising four secondary carton wrapper blanks 218 from the secondary blank platform 250, onto articles A1, A2, A3, A4 as the articles A1, A2, A3, A4 are passed through the workstation B2 of the major processing route 258.
  • the secondary blank platform 250 is a linear conveyor (linear in shape of the working reach albeit the linear conveyor comprises an endless belt that rotates in an oval-shaped route through a working reach and then through a return reach).
  • the secondary carton platform 250 or linear conveyor moves relative to the feeding mechanism 214 so that a series, in this case, four, secondary carton wrapper blanks 218 are part-formed and momentarily held in position ready for the second pick and place robotic device 222 to pick, transfer and place that group of four secondary carton wrapper blanks onto four adjacent articles A1, A2, A3, A4 passing in front of the secondary carton platform 250.
  • the linear conveyor is timed to receive the series of sequential secondary carton wrapper blanks 218.
  • the linear conveyor is disposed close to a guiding or folding mechanism that causes folding and part-formation of those secondary carton wrapper blanks 218 of the series in readiness the series to be combined with an article A1, A2, A3 or A4 respectively.
  • the lugs 244 of the first conveyor mechanism of the major processing route 258, convey articles and articles having a part-folded secondary carton wrapper 218 disposed on top of them to a forming workstation B3 whereat a completing mechanism 248 is provided for locking or securing together the bottom panels of the secondary carton wrapper blank to secure the article A1, A2, A3 or A4 within the secondary wrapper 218 to thereby create a secondary package 230.
  • the secondary carton finishing means 248 may comprise any suitable arrangement of components (static and moveable guides and glue guns etc) required to finish the formation of the secondary package.
  • the secondary package is the work product of the major processing route 258 and is transferred, in a grouped series of four secondary packages in a 2x2 array by the third robotic device 226.
  • the third robotic pick and place device 226 is comprised in workstation B4.
  • Workstation B4 is common to both the major processing route 258 and the minor processing route 260.
  • the workstation B4 acts upon the articles processed by the apparatus 210 by combining the first work product 230 in groups of four with the tertiary package trays 234, to create a second work product, the completed tertiary package 254.
  • the minor processing route 260 is a linear shaped route comprising three workstations B5, B4 and B6.
  • the minor processing route 260 comprises a second conveyor, in this case an endless belt conveyor having a linear shaped path.
  • the second conveyor transfers tertiary package blanks 238 provided by workstation B5 in direction 'Y'.
  • a forming mechanism (not shown) comprised in the first workstation B5 provides for the erection of tertiary package trays from the blanks 234.
  • the formed trays are transferred by the second conveyor to common workstation B4 where the robotic pick and place device 226 transfers grouped secondary packages 230 and loads them Into the tertiary package trays and thereby forms the second work product of the minor processing route, namely a completed tertiary package.
  • the completed tertiary packages are optionally output from the apparatus 210 by means of an elevator 254 at the final workstation B6.
  • the minor processing line comprises a starting workstation B5 disposed at one end of the linear-shaped (endless belt) second conveyor to a finishing workstation B6 disposed at the other end of the linear-shaped second conveyor.
  • the major processing route 258 is shaped and sized to accommodate the minor processing route 260 within its perimeter.
  • the cross-over between the two processing lines enables the apparatus 210 to have an optimal sized foot print or area and enables the direct input (to the minor processing route) of the first work product as it is output from the major processing route 258. As already described, this feature cuts out complexity in synchronising product pitches.
  • the articles manipulated and processed by the apparatus can be bottles, cans, adjoined articles, stacked articles as examples.
  • the articles may not all be uniform and a mixed selection of articles could be combined into a mixed-multi pack or promotional pack.
  • four bottles of beer could be packaged with a promotional glass.
  • the illustrated embodiments show adjoined yoghurt pots, it will be understood that this is not limiting.
  • the secondary carton wrapper blanks may not be required.
  • primary articles are processed by the major processing line and this processing may not include the application of a secondary carton wrapper blank to one or more articles.
  • the processing carried out by the minor processing route does not, in other embodiments, include the provision of tertiary carton blanks.
  • secondary and/or tertiary carton wrapper blanks may be of the top-gripping top-loading type, tray type, wrap around type, end loading type and/or fully enclosed type (as a list of non-limiting, non-exhaustive examples).
  • the primary articles might be yoghurt pots, cans or bottles, diary goods, food stuffs, drinks, and other articles such as media disks, healthcare items and goods or products that would be sold in multiple packs and require further secondary packaging
  • the articles processed in some embodiments of the invention are single articles, collated groups of articles, adjoined groups of articles, stacked articles, stacked adjoined groups of articles, stacked and wrapped articles as examples.
  • the second robotic pick and place device 24, 124, 224 is operable sufficiently quickly to pick more than one group of articles, either simultaneously or sequentially, and stack those articles one on top of the other either as or before the articles are placed onto the forming tray and/or secondary carton wrapper blank.
  • the tertiary package forming trays 32 may be affixed to the second conveyor by mechanical means, or may be simply rested on top of a platform or frame or plate attached to the second conveyor that may be a chain, belt or other conveying means.
  • robotic pick and place mechanisms are preprogrammed with a specific routine to perform, the timing of which routine is synchronised with movement of the conveyors and in-feed of articles (primary packaged products; secondary and tertiary carton wrapper blanks).
  • control means is provided to which the components of the workstations and/or the conveyors of the major and minor processing lines and/or any external supply units (12, 16, 34) are coupled.
  • the control means may take the form of a computer processing unit containing and be capable of monitoring the operation of the components of the apparatus and capable of operating the various components so that the right functions are performed at the right time.
  • the apparatus of Figures 2 to 7 is operable in an intermittent mode and the apparatus of Figure 9 is operable in a continuous mode. It will be understood that the various features of each of these apparatus may be interchanged and that for example, a four workstation major processing route of circular shape may be operated in a continuous mode.
  • the robot tools (24, 26, 28) integrate a motion axis parallel to the flow of articles (products and/or cartons etc.). In this way the robotic pick and place devices (24, 26, 28) are operable to move alongside the conveyor and have a component of their motion that is matched to the motion (speed and direction) of the conveyor.
  • the major and minor processing routes have a variety of shapes and sizes and/or the number of workstations provided is less or greater than 5 and the apparatus is operable in a continuous motion mode or a pseudo-continuous motion mode or an intermittent mode.
  • pseudo-continuous it is meant that the articles being processed or the work-in-progress, is operated on by one or more of the workstations when the work-in-progress is being conveyed through the major and/or minor processing route 58, 60 and in other workstations, the articles being processed (or the work-in-progress) is operated on when the work-in-progress is held stationary.
  • the arrangement of Figure 9 is, in other envisaged embodiments, operated and arranged such that the conveyor can be paused and during this "pause mode", the workstation B7 carries out at least some of its article loading operation Then the conveyor is moved and during the "on-mode" the workstation B2 carries out at least some of its secondary carton wrapper blank loading operation.
  • the individually controllable, programmable and operable devices of the various workstations can be timed to operate in synchrony with moving articles and timed to operate on stationary articles as is required by the specific processing operations being carried out.
  • the mechanisms, devices or tools provided in each of the workstations are altered to meet specific processing requirements.
  • the devices of the workstation may have tool heads for performing functions other than pick, place, move, fold. Indeed, many functions such as heating, pressurizing, screwing, fixing, inserting, baking, joining, testing, to name but a few examples, may be carried out.
  • the apparatus can be set-up to assemble and bake pizzas in the major processing route and then load the cooked pizzas into boxes and close those boxes, in the minor processing route.
  • the configuration and arrangement of the major and minor processing routes may take many shapes including circular, oval, triangular, trapezoidal-shaped, square-shaped etc.
  • the workstations may be uniformly positioned about the major and/or minor processing routes or may be irregularly positioned.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)

Claims (16)

  1. Appareil (10 ; 110) pour le traitement d'articles (A), l'appareil comprenant :
    (i) un parcours de traitement principal (58 ; 158) ;
    (ii) un parcours de traitement secondaire (60 ; 160) ;
    (iii) deux stations de travail connectées ou plus (B1, B2, B3, B4) positionnées le long du parcours de traitement principal (58 ; 158) pour agir séquentiellement sur des articles (A) transportés sur ce parcours de traitement principal (58; 158) pour créer un premier produit ; et
    (iv) deux stations de travail connectées ou plus (B4, B5, B6) positionnées le long du parcours de traitement secondaire pour agir séquentiellement sur des articles transportés sur ce parcours de traitement secondaire pour créer un deuxième produit ;
    dans lequel l'appareil comprend une station de travail commune (B4) qui est positionnée sur le parcours de traitement principal (58 ; 158) et qui est positionnée sur le parcours de traitement secondaire (60 ; 160), ladite station de travail commune peut être utilisée pour agir sur les articles transportés sur le parcours de traitement principal et pour agir sur les articles transportés sur le parcours de traitement secondaire de telle manière que ledit parcours de traitement principal et ledit parcours de traitement secondaire se croisent et dans lequel le parcours de traitement principal comprend un premier convoyeur utilisable pour transporter des articles dans un circuit sans fin reliant les deux stations de travail ou plus positionnées le long du parcours de traitement principal, caractérisé en ce que le parcours de traitement secondaire comprend un deuxième convoyeur utilisable pour transporter des articles dans un circuit sans fin entre les deux stations de travail ou plus positionnées le long du parcours de traitement secondaire, en ce que le premier convoyeur du parcours de traitement principal et le deuxième convoyeur du parcours de traitement secondaire ont une forme au moins substantiellement circulaire et en ce que le rayon du deuxième convoyeur du parcours de traitement secondaire est plus grand que le rayon du premier convoyeur du parcours de traitement principal et le deuxième convoyeur du parcours de traitement secondaire est placé autour du premier convoyeur du parcours de traitement principal.
  2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la station de travail commune (B4) est utilisable pour transférer le premier produit du parcours de traitement principal (58 ; 158) au parcours de traitement secondaire (60 ; 160) de telle manière que lesdites une ou plusieurs stations de travail (B4, B5, B6) positionnées le long du parcours de traitement secondaire (60 ; 160) sont utilisables pour agir sur le premier produit pour créer le deuxième produit.
  3. Appareil selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel quatre stations de travail (B1, B2, B3, B4) sont positionnées le long du parcours de traitement principal (58 ; 158).
  4. Appareil selon la revendication 3, dans lequel trois stations de travail (B3, B4, B5) sont positionnées le long du parcours de traitement secondaire (60 ; 160).
  5. Appareil selon la revendication 3 ou 4, dans lequel les quatre stations de travail du parcours de traitement principal sont disposées à environ 90° les unes des autres.
  6. Appareil selon la revendication 5, dans lequel les trois stations de travail du parcours de traitement secondaire sont positionnées de telle manière qu'une première station de travail est espacée d'environ 45° d'une deuxième station de travail ; la deuxième station de travail est espacée d'environ 45° d'une troisième station de travail et la troisième station de travail est espacée d'environ 270° de la première station de travail.
  7. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le premier convoyeur et le deuxième convoyeur sont utilisables de façon intermittente pour transporter des articles d'une station de travail à une station de travail séquentielle et une fois arrivés à la station de travail séquentielle, les premier et deuxième convoyeurs peuvent être arrêtés dans un mode stationnaire jusqu'à ce que cette station de travail ait terminé d'agir sur les articles, puis les articles sont transportés de cette station de travail à une autre station de travail séquentielle.
  8. Appareil selon la revendication 7, dans lequel le premier convoyeur et le deuxième convoyeur sont utilisables de façon intermittente et sont synchronisés pour se déplacer et s'arrêter en même temps.
  9. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la station de travail commune (B4) comprend un mécanisme robotisé (26) utilisable pour saisir un ou plusieurs desdits premiers produits et pour placer ledit un ou plusieurs premiers produits sur un convoyeur du parcours de traitement secondaire (60 ; 160).
  10. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel une ou plusieurs desdites stations de travail comprend un robot (24) utilisable pour transporter un ou plusieurs articles d'un mécanisme d'alimentation en articles extérieur (16) à un premier ou deuxième convoyeur respectivement du parcours de traitement principal et du parcours de traitement secondaire.
  11. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes pour emballer un ou plusieurs articles emballés primaires en formant des emballages secondaires et pour assembler une pluralité d'emballages secondaires en formant des emballages tertiaires et dans lequel le premier produit est un emballage secondaire et dans lequel le deuxième produit est un emballage tertiaire.
  12. Appareil selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le premier convoyeur comprend un ou plusieurs plateaux de formage (20) et/ou dans lequel un deuxième convoyeur du parcours de traitement secondaire comprend un ou plusieurs plateaux de formage (32).
  13. Appareil selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le premier convoyeur comprend quatre plateaux de formage et dans lequel le deuxième convoyeur comprend huit plateaux de formage.
  14. Appareil selon la revendication 12 ou 13, dans lequel une première station de travail du parcours de traitement principal comprend un mécanisme robotisé (22) utilisable pour transférer une ou plusieurs boîtes en carton secondaires (18) depuis un mécanisme d'alimentation en boîtes en carton secondaires (12) placé le long du parcours de traitement principal (58 ; 158) pour les placer sur le premier convoyeur ou sur un plateau de formage (20) du premier convoyeur ou sur des articles primaires (A) disposés sur le premier convoyeur ; dans lequel une deuxième station de travail du parcours de traitement principal comprend un mécanisme robotisé (24) utilisable pour transférer un ou plusieurs articles primaires (A) depuis un mécanisme d'alimentation en articles primaires (16) placé le long du parcours de traitement principal (58 ; 158) pour les placer sur le premier convoyeur ou sur un plateau de formage (20) du premier convoyeur ou sur une boîte en carton secondaire (18) placée sur le premier convoyeur ; dans lequel une troisième station de travail du parcours de traitement principal comprend un mécanisme pour achever la formation d'une boîte en carton secondaire autour d'un ou de plusieurs articles primaires ; et dans lequel une quatrième station de travail du parcours de traitement principal (B4) est la station de travail commune et la station de travail commune comprend un mécanisme robotisé (26) utilisable pour saisir un ou plusieurs desdits emballages secondaires et pour placer lesdits un ou plusieurs emballages secondaires sur le deuxième convoyeur du parcours de traitement secondaire.
  15. Appareil selon la revendication 14, dans lequel une première station de travail (B5) du parcours de traitement secondaire comprend un mécanisme robotisé utilisable pour transférer une ou plusieurs boîtes en carton tertiaires (34) depuis un mécanisme d'alimentation en boîtes en carton tertiaires placé le long du parcours de traitement secondaire pour les placer sur le deuxième convoyeur ou sur un plateau de formage (32) du deuxième convoyeur ou sur un emballage secondaire placé sur le deuxième convoyeur ; dans lequel une deuxième station de travail (B4) du parcours de traitement secondaire est la station de travail commune et la station de travail commune comprend un mécanisme robotisé (26) utilisable pour saisir un ou plusieurs desdits emballages secondaires sur le premier convoyeur du parcours de traitement principal et transférer lesdits un ou plusieurs emballages secondaires sur le deuxième convoyeur ou sur un plateau de formage (32) du deuxième convoyeur ou sur une boîte tertiaire placée sur le deuxième convoyeur ; et dans lequel une troisième station de travail (B6) du parcours de traitement secondaire (60 ; 160) comprend un mécanisme pour achever la formation d'un emballage tertiaire comprenant un ou plusieurs emballages secondaires.
  16. Procédé de formation d'un emballage tertiaire, le procédé comprenant :
    (i) la fourniture d'un appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 15 pour traiter des articles ;
    (ii) la fourniture d'un ou de plusieurs articles sur le parcours de traitement principal ;
    (iii) la mise en oeuvre des deux stations de travail connectées ou plus du parcours de traitement principal de manière telle que les articles transportés sur ce parcours de traitement principal subissent séquentiellement une action pour créer un premier produit ;
    (iv) la fourniture d'un ou de plusieurs articles sur le parcours de traitement secondaire ;
    (v) la mise en oeuvre des deux stations de travail connectées ou plus du parcours de traitement secondaire de manière telle que les articles transportés sur ce parcours de traitement secondaire subissent séquentiellement une action pour créer un deuxième produit ;
    (vi) la mise en oeuvre d'une station de travail commune qui est positionnée à la fois sur le parcours de traitement principal et sur ledit parcours de traitement secondaire, pour agir sur les articles transportés sur le parcours de traitement principal et pour agir sur les articles transportés sur le parcours de traitement secondaire.
EP10765535.9A 2009-09-29 2010-09-29 Appareil et procédé de traitement d'articles Not-in-force EP2483168B9 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

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GB0917052A GB0917052D0 (en) 2009-09-29 2009-09-29 Apparatus for and method of processing articles
GB0917135A GB0917135D0 (en) 2009-09-30 2009-09-30 Apparatus and method of processsing articles
PCT/US2010/050651 WO2011041362A1 (fr) 2009-09-29 2010-09-29 Appareil et procédé de traitement d'articles

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ITMI20111619A1 (it) * 2011-09-08 2013-03-09 Technology For Beverage S R L Macchina per assemblaggio, riempimento e chiusura di capsule per bevande porzionate
JP5900161B2 (ja) 2012-05-29 2016-04-06 ソニー株式会社 情報処理システム、方法およびコンピュータ読み取り可能な記録媒体
CN105173270B (zh) * 2015-09-06 2018-02-16 苏州宏奇锐自动化有限公司 一种自动化包装流水线
IT201900002693A1 (it) * 2019-02-26 2020-08-26 Ima Spa Isola robotizzata per il confezionamento di articoli o prodotti.

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DE1035555B (de) * 1953-01-05 1958-07-31 Hesser Ag Maschf Fuell- und Schliessmaschine fuer Falten- und Kreuzbodenbeutel
GB1425009A (en) * 1971-11-29 1976-02-18 Gd Spa Cigarette packeting machine
US7401453B2 (en) * 2004-09-02 2008-07-22 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Packaging system having loading carousel
FR2910879B1 (fr) * 2006-12-29 2009-04-03 Michel Lamamy Dispositif pour suremballer en lot au moins un objet
GB0801889D0 (en) * 2008-02-01 2008-03-12 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Twin packaging line and metering system

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EP2483168A1 (fr) 2012-08-08
EP2483168B1 (fr) 2014-01-15
CA2775989A1 (fr) 2011-04-07
WO2011041362A1 (fr) 2011-04-07
EP2565125A1 (fr) 2013-03-06

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