EP2626305B1 - Machine à emballer et procédé de production de paquets rigides, comprenant chacun au moins deux récipients, l'un à l'intérieur de l'autre - Google Patents

Machine à emballer et procédé de production de paquets rigides, comprenant chacun au moins deux récipients, l'un à l'intérieur de l'autre Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2626305B1
EP2626305B1 EP13154718.4A EP13154718A EP2626305B1 EP 2626305 B1 EP2626305 B1 EP 2626305B1 EP 13154718 A EP13154718 A EP 13154718A EP 2626305 B1 EP2626305 B1 EP 2626305B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inner containers
feed line
containers
conveyor
compensating
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
EP13154718.4A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2626305A1 (fr
Inventor
Maurizio Zanotti
Matteo Degli Esposti
Luca Cavazza
Michele Squarzoni
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GD SpA
Original Assignee
GD SpA
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Publication date
Priority claimed from ITBO20120062 external-priority patent/ITBO20120062A1/it
Application filed by GD SpA filed Critical GD SpA
Priority to PL13154718T priority Critical patent/PL2626305T3/pl
Publication of EP2626305A1 publication Critical patent/EP2626305A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2626305B1 publication Critical patent/EP2626305B1/fr
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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
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
    • B65B19/22—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers
    • B65B19/223—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers in a curved path; in a combination of straight and curved paths, e.g. on rotary tables or other endless conveyors
    • 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
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/28—Control devices for cigarette or cigar packaging machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/44—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by endless belts or chains
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/56—Orientating, i.e. changing the attitude of, articles, e.g. of non-uniform cross-section
    • B65B35/58—Turning articles by positively-acting means, e.g. to present labelled portions in uppermost position

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packing machine and method for producing rigid packets, each comprising at least two containers, one inside the other.
  • the present invention finds advantageous application in the manufacture of rigid cigarette packets, to which the following description will make explicit reference, but without any loss of generality.
  • the rigid cigarette packet consists of the so-called "rigid packet with hinged lid", which comprises a set of cigarettes wrapped in foil and a single container with a hinged lid that is made by folding a single blank around the set of cigarettes.
  • patent application WO2006021581A1 describes a rigid cigarette packet with slide opening by means of a rotational movement
  • patent application WO2007031484A1 describes a rigid cigarette packet with slide opening by means of a translatory movement
  • patent applications IT2000BO00245 , IT2006BO00020 and IT2006BO00420 describe a rigid cigarette packet with book-like opening (in this case, at least two inner containers are provided and are held together by the outer container)
  • patent application EP2017198A1 describes a rigid cigarette packet with swing opening (in this case, at least two inner containers are provided and are held together by the outer container).
  • the only common characteristic of these new-generation rigid cigarette packets is that it is necessary to use two different blanks that must be folded in sequence (i.e. first of all, the inner blank must be folded around the set of cigarettes and then, after completing the folding of the inner blank, the outer blank is folded around the previously folded inner blank).
  • the packing machines used to make the above-described types of new-generation rigid cigarette packets are equipped with a first packing unit on which the inner blanks are folded around the inner packages (each of which is formed by a foil-wrapped set of cigarettes) to form the inner containers, a second packing unit on which the outer blanks are folded around the inner containers, and a transfer unit that receives the inner containers from the first packing unit and feeds the inner containers to the second packing unit.
  • WO 2013/001497 discloses a packing machine having all of the features of the pre-characterizing portion of claim 1 and a compensating conveyor according to the first feature of the characterizing portion of claim 1.
  • Patent application DE102007009251 represents the closest prior art in accordance with Article 54(2) EPC and discloses a packing machine and method for producing rigid packets, each comprising at least two containers, one inside the other, according to the pre-characterizing portion of the independent claims.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a packing machine and method for producing rigid packets, each comprising at least two containers, one inside the other, this packing machine and method being devoid of the above-described drawbacks and, at the same time, simple and inexpensive to implement.
  • a packing machine and method for producing rigid packets each comprising at least two containers, one inside the other, are provided in accordance with that claimed in the appended claims.
  • reference numeral 1 indicates, in its entirety, a rigid cigarette packet with slide opening by means of a linear movement.
  • the packet 1 of cigarettes shown in Figure 1 comprises a wrapped group 2 of cigarettes, or rather a set of cigarettes wrapped in foil, and a rigid outer casing made of cardboard or similar, housing the wrapped group 2 and comprising, in turn, a rigid inner container 3, inside which the wrapped group 2 is directly positioned, and a rigid outer container 4, which houses the inner container 3 in a sliding manner to enable the inner container 3 to slide with respect to the outer container 4 with a linear movement between a closed position (not shown), in which the inner container 3 is completely inserted inside the outer container 4, and an open position (shown in Figure 1 ), in which the inner container 3 is partially extracted from the outer container 4 to provide a user with direct access to the wrapped group 2.
  • the containers 3 and 4 of the packet 1 of cigarettes shown in Figure 1 are respectively obtained from corresponding blanks 17 and 18, of known type and shown in Figures 5 and 7 , respectively.
  • FIG 2 partially shows a packaging line 14 that produces packets 1 of cigarettes of the above-described type and shown in Figure 1 .
  • the packaging line 14 comprises a cigarette packing machine 19 that produces the packets 1 of cigarettes, a cellophane wrapping machine 15 that applies a transparent plastic wrapper around each packet 1 of cigarettes, and a feed channel 16 that transfers the packets 1 of cigarettes from the packing machine 19 to the cellophane wrapping machine 15.
  • the packing machine 19 comprises a packing unit 20 that produces inner containers 3 by folding blanks 17 around corresponding wrapped groups 2 of cigarettes, a packing unit 21 that produces the outer containers 4 by folding blanks 18 around corresponding inner containers 3, and a transfer unit 22 that receives the inner containers 3 from the packing unit 20 as input at an input station 23 and outputs the inner containers 3 to the packing unit 21 at an output station 24.
  • the packing unit 20 comprises a conveyor 25 for forming groups 26 of cigarettes that is equipped with a plurality of pockets, each of which receives a corresponding group 26 of cigarettes from the outlet of the hopper 13.
  • the packing unit 20 comprises a packing conveyor 27 equipped with two straight packing lines, parallel to each other and side by side, on which wrapping sheets 28 cut from a continuous strip are fed by a feed device 12 and then folded around groups 26 of cigarettes to form wrapped groups 2 of cigarettes.
  • the packing unit 20 comprises a transfer wheel 29, which receives wrapped groups 2 of cigarettes from the packing conveyor 27, and a packing wheel 30, which receives the wrapped groups 2 of cigarettes from the transfer wheel 29 and blanks 17 from a feed device 11 and then folds the blanks 17 around the wrapped groups 2 of cigarettes to form the inner containers 3.
  • the packing unit 20 comprises a drying conveyor 31, which is equipped with two straight drying lines, parallel to each other and side by side, which receive inner containers 3 from the packing wheel 30 and feed the inner containers 3 to the input station 23 of the transfer unit 22.
  • Each drying line of the drying conveyor 31 is formed by fixed walls that define a "tunnel" along which the inner containers 3 are pushed: each time a "new" inner container 3 is added at the tail end by a pusher at the entrance of the drying conveyor 31, the "new” inner container 3 pushes the queue of all the other inner containers 3 already present on the drying conveyor 31, causing expulsion of the inner container 3 located at the head of the queue from the drying conveyor 31, which is then "taken” by the transfer unit 22.
  • a rejection device 10 is connected to the drying conveyor 31 for removing defective inner containers 3 from the drying conveyor 31.
  • the transfer unit 22 transfers the inner containers 3 from the input station 23 to the output station 24 and orients the inner containers 3 (and, in the embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14 , also a group of inner containers 3) at four handling stations 32-35, arranged in series between the input station 23 and the output station 24.
  • the transfer unit 22 comprises four handling stations 32-35 that can be individually activated or deactivated (completely or even partially) depending on the desired orientation operations and/or grouping of the inner containers 3. In other words, only part of the four handling stations 32-35 can be activated (and therefore the remaining part of the four handling stations 32-35 is deactivated) to perform all and only the desired operations of orientation and/or grouping of the inner containers 3.
  • only handling stations 33 and 34 are active (i.e. effectively perform an operation on the inner containers 3), while the other handling stations 32 and 35 are deactivated (i.e. do not perform any operation on the inner containers 3).
  • the packing unit 21 comprises a packing wheel 36, which receives inner containers 3 from the output station 24 of the transfer unit 22 and blanks 18 from a feed device 9 and then folds the blanks 18 around the inner containers 3 to form the outer containers 4 and so complete manufacture of the packets 1 of cigarettes.
  • the packing unit 21 comprises a drying conveyor 37, which is equipped with two straight drying lines, parallel to each other and side by side, which receive packets 1 of cigarettes from the packing wheel 36 and feed the packets 1 of cigarettes to an output station 38 of the packing machine 19. In the output station 38 of the packing machine 19, the packets 1 of cigarettes are passed to the feed channel 16 for being fed to the cellophane wrapping machine 15.
  • Each drying line of the drying conveyor 37 is formed by fixed walls that define a "tunnel" along which the packets 1 of cigarettes are pushed: each time a "new" packet 1 of cigarettes is added at the tail end by a pusher at the entrance of the drying conveyor 37, the "new" packet 1 of cigarettes pushes the queue of all the other packets 1 of cigarettes already present on the drying conveyor 37, causing expulsion of the packet 1 of cigarettes located at the head of the queue from the drying conveyor 37, which is then "taken" by the feed channel 16.
  • the packing unit 21 is entirely similar to the end portion of the packing unit 20 shown in Figure 5 ; the evident similarities between the two packing wheels 30 and 36, between the drying conveyors 31 and 37 and between the feed devices for the blanks 17 and 18 should be noted. Thanks to this similarity, it is possible to simplify the manufacture of the two packing units 20 and 21, as many parts are the same or at least very similar.
  • the transfer unit 22 comprises two horizontal feed lines, parallel to each other and side by side (in particular, arranged vertically, one above the other), each of which preferably feeds a succession of inner containers 3 along a straight feed path P, which extends between the input station 23 and the output station 24, with a stepwise movement (i.e. a movement that cyclically alternates between a motion step and a stationary step).
  • Each feed line comprises two belt conveyors 39 and 40, which are arranged in series arranged and separated from each other by the handling station 34, each of which comprises a belt and a plurality of partitions that extend perpendicular from the belt to define respective seats 41 (shown in Figure 9 ) for the inner containers 3.
  • the inner containers 3 rest on (and therefore are supported from below by) the belt of the belt conveyor 39; whereas the upper belt conveyor 39 comprises a static supporting surface (not shown) on which the inner containers 3 rest and slide (and are therefore supported by it from below) while they are pushed along the feed path P.
  • Each belt conveyor 40 comprises a static supporting surface (not shown) on which the inner containers 3 rest and slide (and are therefore supported by it from below) while they are pushed along the feed path P.
  • the handling station 35 comprises a group-forming device 63 positioned crosswise to the two feed lines and which groups together an inner container 3 of the upper feed line and an inner container 3 of the lower feed line by moving one inner container 3 in a direction perpendicular to the two feed paths P, to move the inner container 3 from the upper feed line to the lower feed line.
  • the group-forming device 63 When the group-forming device 63 is in operation, downstream from the group-forming device 63, the lower feed line feeds a succession of groups, each composed of two inner containers 3, to output station 24, while again downstream from the group-forming device 63, the upper feed line does not feed any inner container 3 to the output station 24 (as shown in Figures 13 and 14 ).
  • the embodiment in Figures 13 and 14 contemplates that in each packet 1 of cigarettes, the outer container 4 encloses a group composed of two inner containers 3, as shown in Figure 12 .
  • the transfer unit 22 comprises a pair of compensating conveyors 66, each of which is connected to a corresponding feed line at an interchange station, is perpendicular to the feed path P and contains a reserve of inner containers 3 (indicatively capable of holding approximately 20-30 inner containers 3).
  • Each compensating conveyor 66 advances in steps in an insertion direction D1 (shown in Figure 11 ) to transfer an inner container 3 from the reserve to the feed line and advances in steps in a pickup direction D2 (shown in Figure 11 ), opposite to the insertion direction D1, to transfer an inner container 3 from the feed line to the reserve.
  • Each compensating conveyor 66 is a belt conveyor and comprises a belt equipped with a plurality of partitions that extend perpendicular from the belt to define respective seats 67 for the inner containers 3.
  • the compensating conveyor 66 connected to the upper feed line is located "below” the inner containers 3 travelling along the feed path P and therefore the bottom of the inner containers 3 rests on the belt of the compensating conveyor 66; whereas the compensating conveyor 66 connected to the lower feed line is located “above” the inner containers 3 travelling along the feed path P and therefore the bottom of the inner containers 3 rests on a static supporting surface (not shown), on which they slide when moving.
  • Each seat 67 of a compensating conveyor 66 is positioned perpendicular to the feed path P and is open on two sides so that inner containers 3 can pass right through it when the compensating conveyor 66 is stationary.
  • the transfer unit 22 comprises a collection bin 68 for inner containers 3 located beneath the compensating conveyors 66 at a first end of the compensating conveyors 66 close to the feed lines.
  • the transfer unit 22 comprises a collection bin 69 for inner containers 3 located beneath the compensating conveyors 66 at a second end of the compensating conveyors 66, opposite to the first end, and "at a distance" from the feed lines.
  • Collection bin 68 is normally used to collect inner containers 3 that must be rejected (i.e. removed from the feed paths P because they are defective) and have been identified by a control station (not shown) located upstream from the transfer unit 22; to reject an inner container 3 from the corresponding feed path P, when the inner container 3 to be rejected is in a seat 67 of a compensating conveyor 66, the compensating conveyor 66 is made to advance a step to push the inner container 3 out of the feed path P and consequently make the inner container 3 fall by gravity into the underlying collection bin 68.
  • the upper compensating conveyor 66 i.e.
  • the compensating conveyor 66 connected to the upper feed line could be equipped with an ejector device located near the collection bin 68 and able to "help" the inner containers 3 fall from the upper compensating conveyor 66 to the underlying collection bin 68. It is important to note that every time a compensating conveyor 66 advances a step to push an inner container 3 out of the feed path P and consequently make the inner container 3 fall by gravity into the underlying collection bin 68, at the same time, the compensating conveyor 66 adds a new inner container 3 to the feed path P that takes the place of the inner container 3 just rejected and comes from the corresponding reserve of inner containers 3 (obviously, unless the reserve of inner containers 3 is completely empty).
  • collection bin 68 could be divided into a reject zone, where rejected inner containers 3 are sent, and a sample zone, where small quantities (a few units) of inner containers 3 picked for sample-based quality control are sent.
  • collection bin 68 is normally fitted with a motorized movable partition, which is moved to direct the inner containers 3 that fall by gravity from the feed lines into either the reject zone or the sample zone.
  • Collection bin 69 is normally used to collect a number of samples of inner containers 3 (for example, the first 50 inner containers 3 produced at the beginning of a new production shift or after a change in format) to be used for sample-based quality control.
  • each compensating conveyor 66 is made to advance in the pickup direction D2 for a certain period of time in order to pick the desired inner containers 3 from the feed paths P and consequently make the inner containers 3 fall by gravity into the underlying collection bin 69.
  • the upper compensating conveyor 66 i.e. the compensating conveyor 66 connected to the upper feed line
  • the compensating conveyor 66 comprises a leading end sensor 75 located at a first end of the compensating conveyor 66, close to the feed line and able to detect (normally optically) the presence/absence of an inner container 3; in addition, the compensating conveyor 66 comprises a trailing end sensor 76 located at a second end of the compensating conveyor 66, opposite to the first end, and able to detect (normally optically) the presence/absence of an inner container 3.
  • the transfer unit 22 comprises a feed device 70 that is located at the output station 24 and feeds the inner containers 3 from each feed line to the packing unit 21.
  • the packing machine 19 comprises a control unit 74 (schematically shown in Figure 3 ) that controls the operation of all the parts of the packing machine 19.
  • the control unit 74 determines a first number N1 of inner containers 3 that constitute a first reserve of a first compensating conveyor 66, and determines a second number N2 of inner containers 3 that constitute a second reserve of a second compensating conveyor 66.
  • Calculating the numbers N1 and N2 of inner containers 3 is simple as, starting from the initial number of inner containers 3 when the packing machine 19 is started, it is sufficient to decrement this initial number by one unit every time an inner container 3 is taken from the reserve and increment this initial number by one unit every time an inner container 3 is added to the reserve.
  • the numbers N1 and N2 of inner containers 3 that constitute the reserves of the compensating conveyors 66 are counted whenever the packing machine 19 is restarted; in fact, when the packing machine 19 is stopped, an operator could manually change the number of inner containers 3 that constitute the reserves of the compensating conveyors 66.
  • the compensating conveyor 66 To count the number N1 or N2 of inner containers 3 constituting the reserve of each compensating conveyor 66, the compensating conveyor 66 is made to move in the pickup direction D2 until the trailing end sensor 76 detects the presence of an inner container 3 and is then made to move in the insertion direction D1 until the leading end sensor 75 detects the presence of an inner container 3; in this way, the control unit 74 determines precisely the "head” and the "tail” of the reserve and can therefore calculate the number N1 or N2 of inner containers 3 constituting the reserve in a simple manner.
  • each packet 1 of cigarettes comprises a single inner container 3 housed in the outer container 4, in the event of stoppage of the packing machine 19 due to stoppage of the cellophane wrapping machine 15 located downstream from the packing machine 19, the compensating conveyor 66 is completely filled with inner containers 3 by advancing a number of steps in the pickup direction D2.
  • the group-forming device 63 in the handling station 35 is consequently activated to group together an inner container 3 from the upper feed line and an inner container 3 from the lower feed line, by moving an inner container 3 in a direction perpendicular to the two feed paths P, to move the inner container 3 from the upper feed line to the lower feed line.
  • the lower feed line feeds a succession of groups, each composed of two inner containers 3, to the output station 24, while again downstream from the group-forming device 63, the upper feed line does not feed any inner container 3 to the output station 24.
  • the control unit 74 detects an empty seat 41, i.e. from which an inner container 3 has been rejected, on a first feed line (which can be the upper feed line or the lower feed line, indifferently).
  • a first feed line which can be the upper feed line or the lower feed line, indifferently.
  • the control unit 74 advances a first compensating conveyor 66 in the insertion direction D1 to insert a replacement inner container 3 previously stored on the first compensating conveyor 66 onto the first feed line, so that the two feed lines together supply the group-forming device 63 (i.e.
  • the control unit 74 advances a second compensating conveyor 66 in the pickup direction D2 to remove an inner container 3 from a second feed line and store it on the second compensating conveyor 66, so that the two feed lines together supply the group-forming device 63 (i.e. the packing unit 21) with two empty seats 41.
  • the choice of the action to perform depends on the filling level of the compensating conveyors 66 (i.e. on the numbers N1 and N2 of inner containers 3 that constitute the reserves) and is intended to try to keep (as far as possible) the compensating conveyors 66 in an intermediate situation of balance, neither too empty nor too full.
  • the packing unit 21 can receive a complete group composed of two superimposed inner containers 3 from the transfer unit 22 (and in this case, the packing unit 21 will form an outer container 4 by folding a blank 18 around the group of two inner containers 3), or the packing unit 21 can receive a "gap" from the transfer unit 22, i.e. the complete absence of inner containers 3 (and in this case, the packing unit 21 does not form any outer container 4 and also avoids feeding a blank 18 by temporarily blocking the feed device 9). Therefore, the packing unit 21 is able to optimally manage both the reception of a complete group composed of two superimposed inner containers 3, and the reception of a "gap", i.e. the complete absence of inner containers 3.
  • the packing unit 21 is unable to optimally manage the reception of just a single inner container 3 (i.e. an incomplete group composed of just one inner container 3), as the single inner container 3 must be surely rejected and also because it can give rise to blockage during the various manoeuvres, as it can assume “strange” positions due to "wobbling" inside a pocket intended for two superimposed inner containers 3.
  • the control unit 74 determines (as previously described) the first number N1 di inner containers 3 that constitute the first reserve of the first compensating conveyor 66 and determines the second number N2 of inner containers 3 that constitute the second reserve of the second compensating conveyor 66. Furthermore, the control unit 74 compares the first number N1 and second number N2 with a safety threshold WPL (indicatively, the safety threshold WPL is in the range between 3 and 7), and activates the compensating conveyors 66 to remove inner containers 3 from the feed lines when the first number N1 and/or second number N2 are/is below the safety threshold WPL and until the first number N1 and second number N2 are above the safety threshold WPL. In this way, under normal conditions it is guaranteed that the numbers N1 and N2 of inner containers 3 that constitute the reserves of the compensating conveyors 66 are always above the safety threshold WPL.
  • control unit 74 determines (as previously described) the first number N1 of inner containers 3 that constitute the first reserve of the first compensating conveyor 66 and determines the second number N2 of inner containers 3 that constitute the second reserve of the second compensating conveyor 66.
  • control unit 74 compares the first number N1 and second number N2 with an intermediate threshold LPD (indicatively, the intermediate threshold LPD is in the range between 14 and 20), and, by acting on the packing unit 20, temporarily stops (for example, for a number of inner containers 3 equal to the difference between the intermediate threshold LPD and the safety threshold WPL) the manufacture of inner containers 3 fed by the feed line connected to the compensating conveyor 66 when the number N1 or N2 of inner containers 3 constituting the reserve is above the intermediate threshold LPD.
  • intermediate threshold LPD is in the range between 14 and 20
  • control unit 74 acts on the two hoppers 13 (of the total four hoppers 13) of the packing unit 20, the groups 26 of cigarettes of which, once provided with wrapping sheet 28, are inserted on the feed line connected to the compensating conveyor 66 where the number N1 or N2 of inner containers 3 constituting the reserve is above the intermediate threshold LPD; the control unit 74 temporarily disables the two hoppers 13 of the packing unit 20 so as to create "gaps" (i.e. the absence of groups 26 of cigarettes) that arrive on the feed line connected to the compensating conveyor 66 where the number N1 or N2 of inner containers 3 constituting the reserve is above the intermediate threshold LPD (obviously, the feed device 12 is also temporarily stopped to not pointlessly feed wrapping sheets 28).
  • the compensating conveyor 66 can partially empty itself to fill these gaps and therefore the number N1 or N2 of inner containers 3 constituting the reserve returns to being abundantly below the intermediate threshold LPD (but always above the safety threshold WPL).
  • the control unit 74 determines (as previously described) the first number N1 of inner containers 3 that constitute the first reserve of the first compensating conveyor 66 and determines the second number N2 of inner containers 3 that constitute the second reserve of the second compensating conveyor 66. Furthermore, the control unit 74 compares the first number N1 and second number N2 with a warning threshold LRF and, by acting on the packing unit 20 (in particular on the rejection device 10 of the packing unit 20) and regardless of defects, causes a predetermined number (for example, 2-7) of rejects of the inner containers 3 fed by the feed line connected to the compensating conveyor 66 where the number N1 or N2 of inner containers 3 constituting the reserve is above the warning threshold LRF.
  • control unit 74 compares the first number N1 and second number N2 with a warning threshold LRF and, by acting on the compensating conveyor 66 where the number N1 or N2 of inner containers 3 constituting the reserve is above the warning threshold LRF and regardless of defects, causes a predetermined number (for example, 2-7) of inner containers 3 to be rejected from the feed line, with the rejected inner containers 3 being simultaneously replaced with the same number of inner containers 3 from the reserve.
  • a predetermined number for example, 2-7
  • the control unit 74 determines (as previously described) the first number N1 of inner containers 3 that constitute the first reserve of the first compensating conveyor 66 and determines the second number N2 of inner containers 3 that constitute the second reserve of the second compensating conveyor 66. Furthermore, the control unit 74 compares the first number N1 and second number N2 with an overflow threshold FLT and stops the packing machine 19 if the first number N1 and/or the second number N2 are above the overflow threshold FLT.
  • the above-described packing machine 19 has numerous advantages.

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  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)

Claims (21)

  1. Machine à empaqueter (19) permettant de produire des paquets rigides, chacun comprenant au moins deux contenants (3, 4), l'un à l'intérieur de l'autre ; la machine à empaqueter (19) comprenant :
    une première unité d'empaquetage (20) permettant de produire des contenants internes (3) en pliant des ébauches internes (17) autour d'articles correspondants ;
    une seconde unité d'empaquetage (21) permettant de produire des contenants externes (4) en pliant des ébauches externes (18) autour de contenants internes (3) correspondants ; et
    une unité de transfert (22), qui reçoit les contenants internes (3) provenant de la première unité d'empaquetage (20) au niveau d'un poste d'entrée (23) et délivre les contenants internes (3), le long d'un chemin d'alimentation (P) et au moyen d'une ligne d'alimentation, à la seconde unité d'empaquetage (21) au niveau d'un poste de sortie (24) ;
    la machine à empaqueter (19) étant caractérisée en ce que :
    l'unité de transfert (22) comprend un convoyeur de compensation (66), qui est relié à la ligne d'alimentation au niveau d'un poste d'interéchange, est perpendiculaire au chemin d'alimentation (P), est capable de contenir une réserve de contenants internes (3), est mobile dans une direction d'insertion (D1) pour transférer un contenant interne (3) de la réserve à la ligne d'alimentation, et est mobile dans une direction de ramassage (D2), opposée à la direction d'insertion (D1), pour transférer un contenant interne (3) de la ligne d'alimentation à la réserve ; et
    il est prévu une unité de commande (74) qui compte le nombre (N1, N2) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la réserve du convoyeur de compensation (66) à chaque fois que la machine à empaqueter (19) est redémarrée.
  2. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le convoyeur de compensation (66) est un convoyeur à courroie, et comprend une première courroie dotée d'une pluralité de premières cloisons perpendiculaires à la première courroie pour définir des premières assises (67) respectives pour les contenants internes (3).
  3. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle la ligne d'alimentation comprend au moins un convoyeur à courroie (39 ; 40) équipé d'une seconde courroie et d'une pluralité de secondes cloisons perpendiculaires à la seconde courroie pour définir des secondes assises (41) respectives pour les contenants internes (3).
  4. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle, au niveau du poste d'interéchange, la première assise (67) sur le convoyeur de compensation (66) est complètement superposée sur une seconde assise (41) sur la ligne d'alimentation de sorte qu'au niveau du poste d'interéchange, un contenant interne (3) est logé simultanément à l'intérieur d'une première assise (67) sur le convoyeur de compensation (66) et une seconde assise (41) sur la ligne d'alimentation.
  5. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 2, 3 ou 4, dans laquelle chaque première assise (67) sur le convoyeur de compensation (66) est positionnée perpendiculaire au chemin d'alimentation (P) et est ouverte sur deux côtés, de sorte que les contenants internes (3) se déplaçant le long du chemin d'alimentation (P) peuvent le traverser directement lorsque le convoyeur de compensation (66) est stationnaire.
  6. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans laquelle le convoyeur de compensation (66) est capable de rejeter un contenant interne défectueux (3) en poussant le contenant interne défectueux (3) hors du chemin d'alimentation (P) en avançant d'un pas dans la direction d'insertion (D1) qui est perpendiculaire au chemin d'alimentation (P).
  7. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle l'unité de transfert (22) comprend une première benne de collecte (68) pour des contenants internes (3), situés en dessous du convoyeur de compensation (66) à une première extrémité du convoyeur de compensation (66) proche de la ligne d'alimentation.
  8. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans laquelle l'unité de transfert (22) comprend une seconde benne de collecte (69) pour des contenants internes (3), situés en dessous du convoyeur de compensation (66) à une seconde extrémité du convoyeur de compensation (66), opposée à la première extrémité, et à une distance de la ligne d'alimentation.
  9. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle le convoyeur de compensation (66) est capable de collecter des contenants internes d'échantillon (3) dans la seconde benne de collecte (69) en avançant d'un nombre de pas dans la direction de ramassage (D2).
  10. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans laquelle, dans le cas d'un arrêt de la machine à empaqueter (19) provoqué par un arrêt d'une machine de suremballage en aval de la machine à empaqueter (19), le convoyeur de compensation (66) est complètement rempli de contenants internes (3) en avançant d'un nombre de pas dans la direction de ramassage (D2).
  11. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans laquelle :
    le convoyeur de compensation (66) comprend un capteur d'extrémité d'attaque (75) situé à une première extrémité du convoyeur de compensation (66), proche de la ligne d'alimentation, et capable de détecter la présence/l'absence d'un contenant interne (3) ;
    le convoyeur de compensation (66) comprend un capteur d'extrémité de fuite (76) situé à une seconde extrémité du convoyeur de compensation (66), opposée à la première extrémité, et capable de détecter la présence/l'absence d'un contenant interne (3) ; et
    pour compter le nombre (N1, N2) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la réserve du convoyeur de compensation (66), le convoyeur de compensation (66) est déplacé dans la direction de ramassage (D2) jusqu'à ce que le capteur d'extrémité de fuite (76) détecte la présence d'un contenant interne (3) et soit déplacé dans la direction d'insertion (D1) jusqu'à ce que le capteur d'extrémité d'attaque (75) détecte la présence d'un contenant interne (3).
  12. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11 et comprenant :
    deux lignes d'alimentation qui délivrent deux successions respectives de contenants internes (3) le long de deux chemins d'alimentation droits (P) parallèles l'un à l'autre ; et
    deux convoyeurs de compensation (66), dont chacun est relié à une ligne d'alimentation correspondante au niveau d'un poste d'interéchange.
  13. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle :
    les deux lignes d'alimentation sont situées l'une au-dessus de l'autre et sont alignées verticalement ;
    un convoyeur de compensation (66) relié à la ligne d'alimentation inférieure est situé en dessous des contenants internes (3) se déplaçant le long du chemin d'alimentation (P) et le fond des contenants internes (3) repose par conséquent sur la courroie du convoyeur de compensation (66) ; et
    le convoyeur de compensation (66) relié à la ligne d'alimentation supérieure est situé sur les contenants internes (3) se déplaçant le long du chemin d'alimentation (P) et le fond des contenants internes (3) repose par conséquent sur une surface de support statique, sur laquelle ils coulissent lorsqu'ils se déplacent.
  14. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 12 ou 13, dans laquelle :
    chaque contenant externe (4) contient un groupe de deux contenants internes (3) ;
    l'unité de transfert (22) comprend un dispositif de formation de groupe (63) positionné en travers des deux lignes d'alimentation au niveau d'un poste de manipulation (35) correspondant et qui regroupe un contenant interne (3) provenant d'une première ligne d'alimentation et un contenant interne (3) provenant d'une seconde ligne d'alimentation en déplaçant un contenant interne (3) dans une direction perpendiculaire aux deux chemins d'alimentation (P), pour déplacer le contenant interne (3) de la première ligne d'alimentation à la seconde ligne d'alimentation ; et
    en aval du dispositif de formation de groupe (63), la seconde ligne d'alimentation fournit au poste de sortie (24) une succession de groupes, chacun comprenant deux contenants internes (3), alors que, en aval du dispositif de formation de groupe (63), la première ligne d'alimentation ne fournit aucun contenant interne (3) au poste de sortie (24).
  15. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 14, dans laquelle l'unité de commande (74) :
    détecte une assise vide (41), c'est-à-dire à partir de laquelle un contenant interne (3) a été rejeté, sur une première ligne d'alimentation ;
    lors de la détection d'une assise vide (41) sur la première ligne d'alimentation, et lorsque l'assise vide (41) est située au niveau du poste d'interéchange, active un premier convoyeur de compensation (66) pour insérer un contenant interne de remplacement (3) préalablement stocké sur le premier convoyeur de compensation (66) sur la première ligne d'alimentation, de sorte que les deux lignes d'alimentation fournissent ensemble au dispositif de formation de groupe (63) deux contenants internes (3) ; ou, en variante,
    lors de la détection d'une assise vide (41) sur la première ligne d'alimentation, et lorsque l'assise vide (41) est située au niveau du poste d'interéchange, active un second convoyeur de compensation (66) pour enlever un contenant interne (3) d'une seconde ligne d'alimentation et stocker le contenant interne (3) sur le second convoyeur de compensation (66), de sorte que les deux lignes d'alimentation fournissent ensemble au dispositif de formation de groupe (63) deux assises vides (41).
  16. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 15, dans laquelle l'unité de commande (74) :
    détermine un premier nombre (N1) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la première réserve du premier convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    détermine un second nombre (N2) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la seconde réserve du second convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    compare le premier nombre (N1) et le second nombre (N2) à un seuil de sécurité (WPL) ; et
    active les convoyeurs de compensation (66) pour enlever des contenants internes (3) des lignes d'alimentation lorsque le premier nombre (N1) et/ou le second nombre (N2) sont/est en dessous du seuil de sécurité (WPL) et jusqu'à ce que le premier nombre (N1) et le second nombre (N2) soient au-dessus du seuil de sécurité (WPL) .
  17. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 15 ou 16, dans laquelle l'unité de commande (74) :
    détermine un premier nombre (N1) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la première réserve du premier convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    détermine un second nombre (N2) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la seconde réserve du second convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    compare le premier nombre (N1) et le second nombre (N2) à un seuil intermédiaire (LPD) ; et
    arrête temporairement la production, en agissant sur la première unité d'empaquetage (20), des contenants internes (3) alimentés par la ligne d'alimentation reliée au convoyeur de compensation (66) sur lequel le nombre (N1, N2) de contenants internes (3) constituant la réserve est au-dessus du seuil intermédiaire (LPD).
  18. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon la revendication 15, 16 ou 17, dans laquelle l'unité de commande (74) :
    détermine un premier nombre (N1) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la première réserve du premier convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    détermine un second nombre (N2) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la seconde réserve du second convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    compare le premier nombre (N1) et le second nombre (N2) à un seuil d'avertissement (LRF) ; et
    provoque, en agissant sur la première unité d'empaquetage (20) et indépendamment de défauts, le rejet d'un nombre prédéterminé de contenants internes (3) alimentés par la ligne d'alimentation reliée au convoyeur de compensation (66) sur lequel le nombre (N1, N2) de contenants internes (3) constituant la réserve est au-dessus du seuil d'avertissement (LRF).
  19. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 15 à 17, dans laquelle l'unité de commande (74) :
    détermine un premier nombre (N1) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la première réserve du premier convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    détermine un second nombre (N2) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la seconde réserve du second convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    compare le premier nombre (N1) et le second nombre (N2) à un seuil d'avertissement (LRF) ; et
    provoque, en agissant sur le convoyeur de compensation (66) sur lequel le nombre (N1, N2) de contenants internes (3) constituant la réserve est au-dessus du seuil d'avertissement (LRF) et indépendamment de défauts, le rejet d'un nombre prédéterminé de contenants internes (3) à partir de la ligne d'alimentation et le remplacement simultané des contenants internes (3) rejetés avec le même nombre de contenants internes (3) provenant de la réserve.
  20. Machine à empaqueter (19) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 15 à 19, dans laquelle l'unité de commande (74) :
    détermine un premier nombre (N1) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la première réserve du premier convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    détermine un second nombre (N2) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la seconde réserve du second convoyeur de compensation (66) ;
    compare le premier nombre (N1) et le second nombre (N2) à un seuil de débordement (FLT) ; et
    arrête la machine à empaqueter (19) lorsque le premier nombre (N1) et/ou le second nombre (N2) sont/est au-dessus du seuil de débordement (FLT).
  21. Procédé d'empaquetage permettant de produire des paquets rigides, chacun comprenant au moins deux contenants (3, 4), l'un à l'intérieur de l'autre ; le procédé d'empaquetage comprenant les étapes de :
    production de contenants internes (3) en pliant des ébauches internes (17) autour d'articles correspondants sur une première unité d'empaquetage (20) ;
    production de contenants externes (4) en pliant des ébauches externes (18) autour de contenants internes (3) correspondants sur une seconde unité d'empaquetage (21) ; et
    transfert des contenants internes (3) au moyen d'une unité de transfert (22), qui reçoit les contenants internes (3) provenant de la première unité d'empaquetage (20) au niveau d'un poste d'entrée (23) et délivre les contenants internes (3), le long d'un chemin d'alimentation (P) et au moyen d'une ligne d'alimentation, à la seconde unité d'empaquetage (21) au niveau d'un poste de sortie (24) ;
    le procédé d'empaquetage étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend les étapes supplémentaires de :
    emploi d'un convoyeur de compensation (66), qui est relié à la ligne d'alimentation au niveau d'un poste d'interéchange, est perpendiculaire au chemin d'alimentation (P), contient une réserve de contenants internes (3), est mobile dans une direction d'insertion (D1) pour transférer un contenant interne (3) de la réserve à la ligne d'alimentation, et est mobile dans une direction de ramassage (D2), opposée à la direction d'insertion (D1), pour transférer un contenant interne (3) de la ligne d'alimentation à la réserve ; et
    comptage du nombre (N1, N2) de contenants internes (3) qui constituent la réserve du convoyeur de compensation (66) à chaque fois que la machine à empaqueter (19) est redémarrée.
EP13154718.4A 2012-02-09 2013-02-08 Machine à emballer et procédé de production de paquets rigides, comprenant chacun au moins deux récipients, l'un à l'intérieur de l'autre Not-in-force EP2626305B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL13154718T PL2626305T3 (pl) 2012-02-09 2013-02-08 Maszyna do pakowania oraz sposób wytwarzania sztywnych paczek, z których każda zawiera co najmniej dwa pudełka, jedno wewnątrz drugiego

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITBO20120062 ITBO20120062A1 (it) 2011-06-28 2012-02-09 Macchina impacchettatrice e metodo di incarto per realizzare pacchetti rigidi comprendenti ciascuno almeno due contenitori disposti uno all'interno dell' altro.

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EP2626305B1 true EP2626305B1 (fr) 2015-01-07

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DE102012019909A1 (de) 2012-10-11 2014-04-17 Theegarten-Pactec Gmbh & Co. Kg Hochleistungs-Verpackungsverfahren zur Verpackung von, insbesondere kleinstückigen, Produkten und Hochleistungs-Verpackungseinrichtung, insbesondere zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
EP2894103B1 (fr) * 2014-01-10 2016-09-07 Robert Bosch Gmbh Procédé et dispositif d'emballage de produits alimentaires en portions individuelles
WO2015104057A1 (fr) * 2014-01-10 2015-07-16 Robert Bosch Gmbh Procede et dispositif d'emballage de produits alimentaires en portions individuelles
IT201800004908A1 (it) * 2018-04-27 2019-10-27 Apparato di trasporto e macchina comprendente tale apparato
CN110104277A (zh) * 2019-05-05 2019-08-09 贵州中烟工业有限责任公司 一种卷烟包装机烟条输送通道堵塞预防装置
IT201900019978A1 (it) * 2019-10-29 2021-04-29 Gd Spa Unità e metodo di raggruppamento per formare un gruppo composto da due incarti contenenti ciascuno un gruppo di articoli da fumo.
IT202000003958A1 (it) * 2020-02-26 2021-08-26 Gd Spa Macchina confezionatrice per la fabbricazione di un prodotto

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PL2626305T3 (pl) 2015-04-30

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