EP3397559A1 - Station for inserting a bottle in a casing - Google Patents

Station for inserting a bottle in a casing

Info

Publication number
EP3397559A1
EP3397559A1 EP16825440.7A EP16825440A EP3397559A1 EP 3397559 A1 EP3397559 A1 EP 3397559A1 EP 16825440 A EP16825440 A EP 16825440A EP 3397559 A1 EP3397559 A1 EP 3397559A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
casing
bottle
configuration
arm
laminar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP16825440.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3397559B1 (en
Inventor
Fabio Sassi
Giulia GUIDI
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.)
IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
Original Assignee
Gima SpA
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
Application filed by Gima SpA filed Critical Gima SpA
Publication of EP3397559A1 publication Critical patent/EP3397559A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3397559B1 publication Critical patent/EP3397559B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
    • B65B5/04—Packaging 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
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • B65B35/16—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by grippers
    • B65B35/18—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by grippers by suction-operated grippers
    • 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
    • B65B43/38—Opening hinged lids
    • B65B43/39—Opening-out closure flaps clear of bag, box, or carton mouth
    • 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 present invention relates to a station for inserting a bottle in a casing.
  • casings generally made of a material such as cardboard, paper, optionally with layers of polymeric films, or constituted directly by polymeric sheets
  • products such as bottles, jars, and the like.
  • this specific packaging method is very widespread for cosmetic products and for some pharmaceutical products, although it is in any case used universally also in other fields (generally with a lower incidence).
  • the casings generally have the shape of a parallelepiped and are already completely formed when the bottle is inserted.
  • bottles for the cosmetic sector are wrapped within a protective covering that is interposed between the bottle and the casing once packaging has been completed.
  • This protective covering has the function of preserving the bottle against accidental friction against other surfaces, furthermore damping the effect on the bottle of any impacts affecting the entire packaging.
  • the protective covering is generally provided by means of sheets of cardboard or polymeric material that have an undulated or ribbed shape: these shapes allow to damp the effects on the bottle of any deformations to which the entire packaged product is subjected.
  • the aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, by proposing a station for inserting a bottle in a casing that does not generate permanent deformations of the casing and therefore preserves its aesthetic appearance.
  • an object of the invention is to propose a station for inserting a bottle in a casing that is completely automated.
  • Another object of the invention is to propose a station for inserting a bottle in a casing that allows to process bottles wrapped within a protective covering as well.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a station for inserting a bottle in a casing that has modest costs, is relatively simple to provide in practice and is safe in application.
  • a station for inserting a bottle in a casing of the type that can be installed between a line for supplying said bottles and a line for forming/delivering said casings, characterized in that it comprises at least one functional arm provided with grip means for at least one bottle and at least one laminar tab that can be oriented to move the top flaps of a casing, said arm being movable between a pickup configuration, in which it is aligned with a region for delivering said bottles of said supply line, and an insertion configuration, in which it is aligned with a casing arranged on the end portion of said line for forming/delivering said casings, said grip means being translatable along said arm between a raised configuration, in which they surmount said laminar tab, and a lowered configuration, in which they are, at least partially, at a substantially lower height than said laminar tab, said laminar tab being able to slide along said arm between a lowered configuration of substantial
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a functional arm of a station for the insertion of a bottle in a casing, according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a front view of the arm of Figure 1 in a first step of pickup of the bottle wrapped in a protective covering;
  • Figure 3 is a front view of the arm of Figure 1 in a second step of transfer of the bottle, wrapped in a protective covering, from the pickup region to the delivery region;
  • Figure 4 is a front view of the arm of Figure 1 in a third step of insertion of laminar tabs in a respective casing;
  • Figure 5 is a front view of the arm of Figure 1 in a fourth step of insertion of the bottle in a respective casing, the upper flaps of which are kept open by the laminar tabs;
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bottle wrapped in a protective covering.
  • the reference numeral 1 generally designates a functional arm of a station for inserting a bottle A in a casing B.
  • the station is of the type that can be installed between a line for supplying bottles A and a line for forming/delivering the casings B.
  • the line for supplying the bottles A is such as to convey the bottles A with a predefined pitch, so as to ensure that they are delivered to the station according to the invention in a precisely defined position.
  • the line for supplying the bottles A can have sliders, cups or, more generically, containers in which the bottles A are to be accommodated in order to know precisely their position at each instant.
  • the supply line can therefore also be preset for the insertion of the bottle A within a respective protective covering.
  • the assembly constituted by the pair formed by the protective covering C and the bottle A also can be delivered with precision to the station according to the invention.
  • the station according to the invention comprises at least one functional arm 1 , which is provided with grip means 2 for at least one bottle A and at least one orientable laminar tab 3 for the movement of the top flaps D of a casing B.
  • the arm 1 can move between a pickup configuration, in which it is aligned with a region for the delivery of the bottles A, which is located on the supply line of the bottles A, and an insertion configuration, in which it is aligned with a casing B that is arranged on the end portion of the line for forming/delivering the casings B.
  • the grip means 2 can translate along the arm 1 itself between a raised configuration, in which they surmount the laminar tab 3, and a lowered configuration, in which they are at least partially at a substantially lower level than the laminar tab 3.
  • the laminar tab 3 can slide along the arm 1 between a lowered configuration of substantial alignment of its terminal edge 4 with at least one upper portion of the lateral walls of a casing B arranged on the respective forming/delivery line, and a raised configuration, in which its terminal edge 4 is at a higher level.
  • the at least one functional arm 1 can validly comprise a guiding track 5 for the grip means 2 and the orientable laminar tab 3.
  • the grip means 2 and the tab 3 can translate with respect to a same linear reference (the track 5) in order to ensure correct mutual alignment.
  • the grip means 2 can comprise a linear actuator 6, which can slide along the guiding track 5, to which a fluid-operated device 7 (which might be constituted by a fluid-operated cylinder or more simply by a support which comprises a channel of a circuit in partial vacuum associated with a respective suction element) is coupled, said device being provided, at its terminal end, with a grip head 8 provided with at least one sucker (the operation of which can be validly controlled by the connection to said channel of the circuit in partial vacuum).
  • a fluid-operated device 7 which might be constituted by a fluid-operated cylinder or more simply by a support which comprises a channel of a circuit in partial vacuum associated with a respective suction element
  • the grip head 8 can comprise effectively at least one lower sucker 9 that abuts against the top of a respective bottle A (in the configuration for picking up said bottle) and at least one lateral sucker 10, which abuts against the inner wall of a protective covering C which is arranged around the bottle A, for the simultaneous pickup of the bottle A and of the protective covering C.
  • each lateral sucker 10 in this case is aligned with a respective inner wall of one of the four lateral surfaces of the protective covering C (ensuring that it retains its arrangement wrapped around the bottle A).
  • the orientable laminar tabs 3 can be at least two, mutually opposite and orientable between a first configuration, intended for their entry in a respective casing B, in which the respective terminal edges 4 face each other and are mutually proximate, and a second configuration, which is intended for the divarication of the flaps D that protrude from the lateral walls of the casing B, in which the respective terminal edges 4 are mutually distant.
  • the first inlet configuration is therefore designed for easy access of the laminar tabs 4 within the perimetric flaps D of the opening of the casing: the converging arrangement of the laminar tabs 3 in fact determines a wedge-like shape, which facilitates their entry in the opening of the casing even if the perimetric flaps D are greatly folded inward (partially occluding the opening of the casing B).
  • the second divarication configuration is instead designed for the mutual spacing of the perimetric flaps D of the opening of the casing B: the laminar tabs 3 in fact act on the internal surface of the flaps D, divaricating them and rendering the opening of the casing B delimited between them fully accessible.
  • the grip head 8 can advantageously comprise an external frame 1 1 the shape and dimensions of which are complementary to those of the protective covering C of the bottle A, for its snug entry within the covering C.
  • the frame 1 1 accommodates internally at least one main sucker 9 for the grip of at least one bottle A and supports, on its external walls, a plurality of secondary lateral suckers 10 for locking the protective covering C of said bottle.
  • the arm 1 can move, by virtue of the action of respective movement means (not visible in the accompanying figures), along a conveyance path which is arranged perimetrically with respect to a fixed supporting structure.
  • the path has at least one first portion which is aligned with a region for the delivery of the bottles A along the supply line of the bottles A and at least one second portion which is aligned with a casing B arranged on the end portion of the forming/delivery line of the casings B.
  • a sliding support 12 (able to slide along the track 5 by means of respective actuators) is interposed between the arm 1 and the at least one orientable laminar tab 3 : the at least one laminar tab 3 is pivoted to the sliding support 12 and is coupled to a pusher which is designed for its rotation with respect to the respective pivoting axis.
  • the suckers 9 and 10 are connected to a suction circuit in order to allow rapid transition (by activation/interruption of the suction flow) from a step for retaining the bottle A and the enclosure C to a step for release thereof (after they have been inserted correctly in the respective casing B).
  • suction circuit i.e., the linear actuator 6 and the component for moving the support 12
  • the fluid-operated device 7 or other equivalent movement apparatus
  • the pusher designed to move/orient the tabs 3
  • the movement means which allow the arm 1 to move along the path defined on the respective supporting structure
  • the station according to the invention can be managed in a fully automated manner.
  • Operation of the present invention is very simple: once the bottle A (and also the optional protective covering C) has been picked up from the respective supply line (by means of the suckers 9 and 10 of the grip head 8, which are supplied by the defined suction circuit), the arm 1 moves along the previously described path until it aligns itself with the region for the insertion of the bottle A (optionally wrapped within the protective covering C) that is formed along the line for forming/delivering the casings B.
  • a first descent of the laminar tabs 3 thus occurs (by virtue of the translation of the support 12 along the track 5) while they are in the first configuration, in which their terminal edges 4 face each other and are mutually proximate (wedge- like arrangement).
  • the tabs 3, by widening, are subsequently capable of spacing the flaps D and thus completely free the opening of the casing B.
  • this descent can be determined by a translation of the linear actuator 6 along the track 5, with which the fluid-operated device 7 (which as described previously might be constituted by a simple support provided with a suction channel associated with the sucker of the grip head) and the grip head 8 are integral.
  • the present invention solves the problems described previously, proposing a station for inserting a bottle A within a casing B that does not generate permanent deformations of the casing B and therefore preserves its aesthetic appearance. It has in fact been shown that the laminar tabs 3 divaricate the flaps D, moving them into a configuration that is proximate to their mutually parallel arrangement, without therefore generating any opposite folding thereon which might generate permanent deformations of specific portions of the casing B.
  • the station 1 according to the invention is fully automated: the intervention of operators to prevent the insertion of the bottles A in the casings B from being able to cause deformations of the casing B that might compromise its aesthetic appearance is therefore not required.
  • the station according to the invention allows to process even bottles A wrapped within a protective covering C.
  • the station according to the invention can be provided in a relatively simple manner, by bearing substantially modest costs: these characteristics render the station according to the invention a technical solution of assured application.
  • the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)

Abstract

A station for inserting a bottle (A) in a casing (B), which can be installed between a line for supplying bottles (A) and a line for forming/delivering casings (B) and comprises at least one functional arm (1) provided with grip means (2) for at least one bottle (A) and at least one laminar tab (3) that can be oriented to move the top flaps (D) of a casing (B); the arm (1) is movable between a pickup configuration, in which it is aligned with a region for delivering the bottles (A) of the supply line, and an insertion configuration, in which it is aligned with a casing (B) arranged on the end portion of the line for forming/delivering the casings (B); the grip means (2) are translatable along the arm (1) between a raised configuration, in which they surmount the laminar tab (3), and a lowered configuration, in which they are, at least partially, at a substantially lower height than the laminar tab (3); the laminar tab is able to slide along the arm (1) between a lowered configuration of substantial alignment of its terminal edge (4) with at least one upper portion of the lateral walls of a casing (B) arranged on the respective forming/delivery line and a raised configuration in which its terminal edge (4) is at a higher level.

Description

STATION FOR INSERTING A BOTTLE IN A CASING
The present invention relates to a station for inserting a bottle in a casing.
It is known to resort, in many fields, to packaging by means of casings (generally made of a material such as cardboard, paper, optionally with layers of polymeric films, or constituted directly by polymeric sheets) of products such as bottles, jars, and the like.
In particular, this specific packaging method is very widespread for cosmetic products and for some pharmaceutical products, although it is in any case used universally also in other fields (generally with a lower incidence).
The casings generally have the shape of a parallelepiped and are already completely formed when the bottle is inserted.
In this step, the flaps of each casing, which will be intended for the subsequent closure thereof, must be kept divaricated in order to allow easy entry of the bottle.
Keeping the flaps in the divaricated configuration forces an opposite folding thereof, which inevitably causes the generation of deformations along the folding line: even after closing the casing, these deformations in any case will be visible, worsening the overall appearance of the packaging.
Since these are products intended for sectors in which aesthetic appearance is very important (for example cosmetics), or for top-range products in the most disparate sectors, the presence of folding lines along which deformations are visible might induce the potential buyer to reject the product.
It is therefore very difficult to provide a package with high quality and aesthetic standards, especially if one resorts to automatic packaging.
On the other hand, manual packaging entails excessively high costs, which would affect negatively the final price of the product.
Finally, it should be noted that in many cases bottles for the cosmetic sector (it is specified that this solution is used also in some pharmaceutical, food, electronic products and for clothing, costume jewelry and jewelry accessories) are wrapped within a protective covering that is interposed between the bottle and the casing once packaging has been completed.
This protective covering has the function of preserving the bottle against accidental friction against other surfaces, furthermore damping the effect on the bottle of any impacts affecting the entire packaging.
The protective covering is generally provided by means of sheets of cardboard or polymeric material that have an undulated or ribbed shape: these shapes allow to damp the effects on the bottle of any deformations to which the entire packaged product is subjected.
The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, by proposing a station for inserting a bottle in a casing that does not generate permanent deformations of the casing and therefore preserves its aesthetic appearance.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to propose a station for inserting a bottle in a casing that is completely automated.
Another object of the invention is to propose a station for inserting a bottle in a casing that allows to process bottles wrapped within a protective covering as well.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a station for inserting a bottle in a casing that has modest costs, is relatively simple to provide in practice and is safe in application.
This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a station for inserting a bottle in a casing, of the type that can be installed between a line for supplying said bottles and a line for forming/delivering said casings, characterized in that it comprises at least one functional arm provided with grip means for at least one bottle and at least one laminar tab that can be oriented to move the top flaps of a casing, said arm being movable between a pickup configuration, in which it is aligned with a region for delivering said bottles of said supply line, and an insertion configuration, in which it is aligned with a casing arranged on the end portion of said line for forming/delivering said casings, said grip means being translatable along said arm between a raised configuration, in which they surmount said laminar tab, and a lowered configuration, in which they are, at least partially, at a substantially lower height than said laminar tab, said laminar tab being able to slide along said arm between a lowered configuration of substantial alignment of its terminal edge with at least one upper portion of the lateral walls of a said casing arranged on the respective forming/delivery line and a raised configuration in which said terminal edge is at a higher level.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the station for inserting a bottle in a casing according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a functional arm of a station for the insertion of a bottle in a casing, according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the arm of Figure 1 in a first step of pickup of the bottle wrapped in a protective covering;
Figure 3 is a front view of the arm of Figure 1 in a second step of transfer of the bottle, wrapped in a protective covering, from the pickup region to the delivery region;
Figure 4 is a front view of the arm of Figure 1 in a third step of insertion of laminar tabs in a respective casing;
Figure 5 is a front view of the arm of Figure 1 in a fourth step of insertion of the bottle in a respective casing, the upper flaps of which are kept open by the laminar tabs;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bottle wrapped in a protective covering. With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a functional arm of a station for inserting a bottle A in a casing B.
The station is of the type that can be installed between a line for supplying bottles A and a line for forming/delivering the casings B.
In particular, the line for supplying the bottles A is such as to convey the bottles A with a predefined pitch, so as to ensure that they are delivered to the station according to the invention in a precisely defined position.
The line for supplying the bottles A can have sliders, cups or, more generically, containers in which the bottles A are to be accommodated in order to know precisely their position at each instant.
Furthermore, it is known to resort to protective coverings C which can be wrapped (or more generically folded) around the bottle A in order to preserve its integrity.
The supply line can therefore also be preset for the insertion of the bottle A within a respective protective covering.
In any case, the assembly constituted by the pair formed by the protective covering C and the bottle A also can be delivered with precision to the station according to the invention.
The station according to the invention comprises at least one functional arm 1 , which is provided with grip means 2 for at least one bottle A and at least one orientable laminar tab 3 for the movement of the top flaps D of a casing B.
The arm 1 can move between a pickup configuration, in which it is aligned with a region for the delivery of the bottles A, which is located on the supply line of the bottles A, and an insertion configuration, in which it is aligned with a casing B that is arranged on the end portion of the line for forming/delivering the casings B.
According to the invention, the grip means 2 can translate along the arm 1 itself between a raised configuration, in which they surmount the laminar tab 3, and a lowered configuration, in which they are at least partially at a substantially lower level than the laminar tab 3.
In turn, the laminar tab 3 can slide along the arm 1 between a lowered configuration of substantial alignment of its terminal edge 4 with at least one upper portion of the lateral walls of a casing B arranged on the respective forming/delivery line, and a raised configuration, in which its terminal edge 4 is at a higher level.
It is deemed useful to point out that the at least one functional arm 1 can validly comprise a guiding track 5 for the grip means 2 and the orientable laminar tab 3.
In this manner, the grip means 2 and the tab 3 can translate with respect to a same linear reference (the track 5) in order to ensure correct mutual alignment.
With particular reference to a particularly interesting and efficient embodiment, the grip means 2 can comprise a linear actuator 6, which can slide along the guiding track 5, to which a fluid-operated device 7 (which might be constituted by a fluid-operated cylinder or more simply by a support which comprises a channel of a circuit in partial vacuum associated with a respective suction element) is coupled, said device being provided, at its terminal end, with a grip head 8 provided with at least one sucker (the operation of which can be validly controlled by the connection to said channel of the circuit in partial vacuum).
With particular reference to the described embodiment, the grip head 8 can comprise effectively at least one lower sucker 9 that abuts against the top of a respective bottle A (in the configuration for picking up said bottle) and at least one lateral sucker 10, which abuts against the inner wall of a protective covering C which is arranged around the bottle A, for the simultaneous pickup of the bottle A and of the protective covering C.
It is specified that the lateral suckers 10 are at least four: each lateral sucker 10 in this case is aligned with a respective inner wall of one of the four lateral surfaces of the protective covering C (ensuring that it retains its arrangement wrapped around the bottle A).
With particular reference to a constructive solution of unquestionable interest in practice and in application, it is deemed useful to specify that the orientable laminar tabs 3 can be at least two, mutually opposite and orientable between a first configuration, intended for their entry in a respective casing B, in which the respective terminal edges 4 face each other and are mutually proximate, and a second configuration, which is intended for the divarication of the flaps D that protrude from the lateral walls of the casing B, in which the respective terminal edges 4 are mutually distant.
The first inlet configuration is therefore designed for easy access of the laminar tabs 4 within the perimetric flaps D of the opening of the casing: the converging arrangement of the laminar tabs 3 in fact determines a wedge-like shape, which facilitates their entry in the opening of the casing even if the perimetric flaps D are greatly folded inward (partially occluding the opening of the casing B).
The second divarication configuration is instead designed for the mutual spacing of the perimetric flaps D of the opening of the casing B: the laminar tabs 3 in fact act on the internal surface of the flaps D, divaricating them and rendering the opening of the casing B delimited between them fully accessible.
According to a particularly efficient embodiment, the grip head 8 can advantageously comprise an external frame 1 1 the shape and dimensions of which are complementary to those of the protective covering C of the bottle A, for its snug entry within the covering C.
In this case, the frame 1 1 accommodates internally at least one main sucker 9 for the grip of at least one bottle A and supports, on its external walls, a plurality of secondary lateral suckers 10 for locking the protective covering C of said bottle.
In order to specify the various aspects that ensure optimum operation of the station according to the invention, it is specified that the arm 1 can move, by virtue of the action of respective movement means (not visible in the accompanying figures), along a conveyance path which is arranged perimetrically with respect to a fixed supporting structure.
The path has at least one first portion which is aligned with a region for the delivery of the bottles A along the supply line of the bottles A and at least one second portion which is aligned with a casing B arranged on the end portion of the forming/delivery line of the casings B.
In order to clarify the operating and functioning modes of the station according to the invention, it is appropriate to point out that a sliding support 12 (able to slide along the track 5 by means of respective actuators) is interposed between the arm 1 and the at least one orientable laminar tab 3 : the at least one laminar tab 3 is pivoted to the sliding support 12 and is coupled to a pusher which is designed for its rotation with respect to the respective pivoting axis.
In this manner, by virtue of an action of the pusher it is possible to actuate the simultaneous rotation of the two mutually opposite laminar tabs 3 between the first inlet configuration (in which their terminal edges 4 face each other and are mutually proximate) and the second divarication configuration (in which the two tabs 3 are substantially mutually parallel and keep the flaps D of the casing B divaricated).
The suckers 9 and 10 are connected to a suction circuit in order to allow rapid transition (by activation/interruption of the suction flow) from a step for retaining the bottle A and the enclosure C to a step for release thereof (after they have been inserted correctly in the respective casing B).
It is specified that the suction circuit, the actuators (i.e., the linear actuator 6 and the component for moving the support 12), the fluid-operated device 7 (or other equivalent movement apparatus), the pusher (designed to move/orient the tabs 3) and the movement means (which allow the arm 1 to move along the path defined on the respective supporting structure) are controlled by a respective control and management unit.
In this manner it has been pointed out that the station according to the invention can be managed in a fully automated manner.
Operation of the present invention is very simple: once the bottle A (and also the optional protective covering C) has been picked up from the respective supply line (by means of the suckers 9 and 10 of the grip head 8, which are supplied by the defined suction circuit), the arm 1 moves along the previously described path until it aligns itself with the region for the insertion of the bottle A (optionally wrapped within the protective covering C) that is formed along the line for forming/delivering the casings B.
A first descent of the laminar tabs 3 thus occurs (by virtue of the translation of the support 12 along the track 5) while they are in the first configuration, in which their terminal edges 4 face each other and are mutually proximate (wedge- like arrangement).
Within this descent step, a part of the tabs 3 enters the casing B through its opening, finding itself within the flaps D, which protrude from the respective edge.
The tabs 3, by widening, are subsequently capable of spacing the flaps D and thus completely free the opening of the casing B.
By means of the pusher it is therefore possible to determine a rotation of the laminar tabs 3 in the second configuration for divarication of the flaps D, in which the tabs 3 are mutually substantially parallel and are arranged within the flaps D. This arrangement ensures easy and complete accessibility to the inside of the casing B (the flaps D not block even partially the opening that is delimited between them).
At this point it is possible to actuate the descent of the grip head 8: this descent can be determined by a translation of the linear actuator 6 along the track 5, with which the fluid-operated device 7 (which as described previously might be constituted by a simple support provided with a suction channel associated with the sucker of the grip head) and the grip head 8 are integral.
Once the arrangement of the bottle A (and of the optional protective covering C) within the casing B has been achieved, it is possible to interrupt the suction flow (disabling the ability to retain the bottle A and the covering C respectively to the suckers 9 and 10), releasing them.
Advantageously, the present invention solves the problems described previously, proposing a station for inserting a bottle A within a casing B that does not generate permanent deformations of the casing B and therefore preserves its aesthetic appearance. It has in fact been shown that the laminar tabs 3 divaricate the flaps D, moving them into a configuration that is proximate to their mutually parallel arrangement, without therefore generating any opposite folding thereon which might generate permanent deformations of specific portions of the casing B.
Conveniently, the station 1 according to the invention is fully automated: the intervention of operators to prevent the insertion of the bottles A in the casings B from being able to cause deformations of the casing B that might compromise its aesthetic appearance is therefore not required.
Validly, the station according to the invention allows to process even bottles A wrapped within a protective covering C.
Usefully, the station according to the invention can be provided in a relatively simple manner, by bearing substantially modest costs: these characteristics render the station according to the invention a technical solution of assured application.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.
In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102015000088899 (UB2015A009768) from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A station for inserting a bottle (A) in a casing (B), of the type that can be installed between a line for supplying said bottles (A) and a line for forming/delivering said casings (B), characterized in that it comprises at least one functional arm (1) provided with grip means (2) for at least one bottle (A) and at least one laminar tab (3) that can be oriented to move the top flaps (D) of a casing (B), said arm (1) being movable between a pickup configuration, in which it is aligned with a region for delivering said bottles (A) of said supply line, and an insertion configuration, in which it is aligned with a casing (B) arranged on the end portion of said line for forming/delivering said casings (B), said grip means (2) being translatable along said arm (1) between a raised configuration, in which they surmount said laminar tab (3), and a lowered configuration, in which they are, at least partially, at a substantially lower height than said laminar tab (3), said laminar tab being able to slide along said arm (1) between a lowered configuration of substantial alignment of its terminal edge (4) with at least one upper portion of the lateral walls of a said casing (B) arranged on the respective forming/delivery line and a raised configuration in which said terminal edge (4) is at a higher level.
2. The station according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one functional arm (1) comprises a guiding track (5) for said grip means (2) and said orientable laminar tab (3).
3. The station according to claim 2, characterized in that said grip means (2) comprise a linear actuator (6), which can slide along said guiding track (5), to which a fluid-operated device (7) is coupled which is provided, at its terminal end, with a grip head (8) provided with at least one sucker.
4. The station according to claim 3, characterized in that said grip head (8) comprises at least one lower sucker (9) that abuts against the top of a respective bottle (A) and at least one lateral sucker (10) that abuts against the inner wall of a protective covering (C) arranged around said bottle (A), for the simultaneous pickup of said bottle (A) and said protective covering (C).
5. The station according to claim 4, characterized in that said lateral suckers (10) are at least four, each lateral sucker (10) being aligned with a respective inner wall of one of the four lateral surfaces of said protective covering (C).
6. The station according to claim 1, characterized in that said orientable laminar tabs (3) are at least two, are mutually opposite and are orientable between a first inlet configuration, in which the respective terminal edges (4) face each other and are mutually proximate, said inlet configuration being designed for easy access of the laminar tabs (3) inside the perimetric flaps (D) of the opening of the casing (B), and a second divarication configuration, in which the respective terminal edges (4) are mutually spaced, said divarication configuration being designed to move mutually away said perimetric flaps (D) of the opening of the casing (B).
7. The station according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said grip head (8) comprises an external frame (11) with a shape and dimensions that are complementary to those of the protective covering (C) of said bottle (A), for its snug entry into said covering (C), said frame (11) accommodating internally at least one main sucker (9) to grip at least one said bottle (A) and supporting on the external walls a plurality of secondary suckers (10) for blocking the protective covering (C) of said bottle (A).
8. The station according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said arm (1) can move, by virtue of the action of respective movement means, along a conveyance path that is arranged perimetrically with respect to a fixed supporting structure, said path having at least one first portion aligned with a region for delivering said bottles (A) along said supply line and at least one second portion aligned with a casing (B) arranged on the terminal portion of said line for forming/delivering said casings (B).
9. The station according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sliding support (12) is interposed between said arm (1) and said at least one orientable laminar tab (3), said at least one laminar tab (3) being pivoted to said sliding support (12) and coupled to a pusher intended for its rotation relative to the respective pivoting axis.
10. The station according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said suckers (9, 10) are connected to a suction circuit, said suction circuit, said actuators (6, 12), said fluid-operated device (7), said pusher and said movement means being controlled by a respective control and management unit.
EP16825440.7A 2015-12-30 2016-12-27 Station for inserting a bottle in a casing Not-in-force EP3397559B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITUB2015A009768A ITUB20159768A1 (en) 2015-12-30 2015-12-30 STATION FOR INSERTION OF A BOTTLE WITHIN A CASE
PCT/EP2016/082715 WO2017114833A1 (en) 2015-12-30 2016-12-27 Station for inserting a bottle in a casing

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3397559A1 true EP3397559A1 (en) 2018-11-07
EP3397559B1 EP3397559B1 (en) 2019-11-27

Family

ID=55806605

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16825440.7A Not-in-force EP3397559B1 (en) 2015-12-30 2016-12-27 Station for inserting a bottle in a casing

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3397559B1 (en)
IT (1) ITUB20159768A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2017114833A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN117533607B (en) * 2024-01-09 2024-04-26 广州蓝海机器人系统有限公司 Working method of automatic lining feeding machine for packaging line

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1135359B (en) * 1960-09-08 1962-08-23 Nat Dairy Prod Corp Method and device for emptying and filling a cardboard box with containers
DE4013274C2 (en) * 1990-04-26 1999-03-18 Bosch Gmbh Robert Cartoning machine
ITMI20030012A1 (en) * 2003-01-08 2004-07-09 Antonio Marchetti MACHINE FOR THE DIVARICATION OF THE UPPER PITCHES
ITTO20040324A1 (en) * 2004-05-14 2004-08-14 Oma Srl COMPACT CASE PACKING MACHINE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITUB20159768A1 (en) 2017-06-30
EP3397559B1 (en) 2019-11-27
WO2017114833A1 (en) 2017-07-06

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