EP4076928B1 - Device for forming containers by folding cardboard panels and corresponding method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention enters the field of forming by folding cardboard plates with a view to forming containers, for packaging one or more products.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “product” encompasses an individual object. Such a product is a container, such as a bottle or flask, or a can, or even a cardboard brick. Such products can also be grouped, positioned within a carton (or “cluster”) and/or packaged in film. A product can be made of any type of material, in particular plastic, metal or even glass. A product can be rigid or semi-rigid. This container is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, in particular of the food or cosmetic type, or dedicated to maintenance or personal hygiene. A product can have any type of shape, symmetrical or not, regular or irregular.

Such products are obtained along an industrial production line, undergoing several successive treatments passing through dedicated stations, such as for example the blowing of plastic bottles or vials, filling and capping, labeling, or even sterilization or pasteurization. Once processed, the finished products are grouped and packaged in batches, particularly inside a container.

Such a container can be in the form of a cardboard box or “cardboard”, dedicated to the packaging of said products. A carton has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, with an interior volume capable of receiving a group of products, in a staggered pattern but preferably arranged in a matrix in columns and rows, in a single layer or several layers of superimposed products. Once filled, a carton can be closed at the top or opened, forming a tray also called a “cartonette”.

In a known manner, the automated making of cardboard boxes is carried out by folding from previously pre-cut and pre-formed cardboard plates, also called “cuts”.

In reference to the figure 1 schematically representing an elevational view of an example of a cardboard plate 100, presented flat, it comprises several walls, including a bottom 101, intended to receive the products on the upper face, once the container 110 has been formed. At the levels of two of its opposite edges, the bottom 101 comprises two side walls 102.

The cardboard plate 100 may include a cover 103, along an edge of one of the side walls 102, located opposite the edge connecting it with said bottom 101. This cover may also include a tab 104, which will be glued and folded against the exterior of a side wall 102, at the end of folding when closing the container 110 thus formed once the products have been introduced inside. In addition, on either side, the cardboard plate 100 comprises flaps, at least four in number on each side: on the one hand, vertical flaps 105 connected to each of the side walls 102 and, on the other hand , horizontal flaps 106 connected to the bottom 101 and to the cover 103.

The different walls of the plate 100 are connected by folding lines, extending along the joining edges between them. Said folding lines are previously produced when cutting said plate 100 and facilitate the folding operations of each wall relative to another.

This being said, during the forming of the container 110, the cardboard plate 100 is folded through several successive operations. These folding operations can be carried out using dedicated stations and in several different ways.

The invention specifically relates to the folding of cardboard plates known as “die-bottom folding”.

Die-bottom bending is carried out by cold deformation of a material within a press, provided with a fixed die in alignment with which a movable punch moves.

With reference to figures 2 to 5 , schematically representing perspective views of several stages during die-bottom folding of a cardboard plate 100, the latter is positioned between a die 200 and a punch 201. In particular, as visible in the figure 1 , the bottom 101 is positioned opposite the matrix 200 of complementary shape, namely rectangular parallelepiped, with the folding lines aligned with the interior edges of said matrix 200. The punch 201 is positioned opposite upper of said bottom 101 and internally in relation to the future container 110 to be formed. During folding, as visible on the figures 3 to 5 , the punch 201 is then moved downwards relative to the die 200, in particular vertically, to apply a thrust against the bottom 101 and thus force the side walls 102 against the inside of the faces of the die 200, with a view to folding towards the inside of the future container 110 said side walls 102 and towards the inside the vertical flaps 105 and horizontal 106, until they are positioned orthogonal to said background 101.

More precisely, as visible on the Figure 3 , the descent of the punch 201 first causes the start of the folding of the four vertical flaps 105, by pressing on the exterior face against dedicated studs specifically shaped and equipping said matrix 200. Then, as visible on the figure 4 , the two horizontal flaps 106 connected to the bottom 101, begin to be folded against other dedicated pads, to cover the vertical flaps 105 from the outside. Finally, as visible on the figure 4 , the end of travel of the punch 201 finishes folding the side walls 102, as well as the vertical flaps 105 and the horizontal flaps 106 linked to the bottom.

Note that, prior to folding, certain surfaces of the walls of the cardboard plate 100 can be glued, so as to hold the walls together once folded. In addition, it is the pressure applied between the die 200 and the punch 201, at the end of folding, which ensures good contact between the glued surfaces.

Once the side walls 102 are folded orthogonally with respect to said bottom 101, the container 110 is formed and opened: the plate 100 then has an internal volume, open in the upper part. The punch 201 is removed and the container 110 is extracted from the matrix 200, with a view to introducing products into its interior volume, during a packaging operation, in particular boxing. Then, if present, the cover 103 is folded to close the container 110, possibly with a folding of the tab 104, to obtain the final container 110 surrounding and protecting the products it contains.

A constraint of this type of die bottom bending is the required alignment of the fold lines with the die and punch, particularly in each corner. Furthermore, the precision of such alignment is of the order of a few millimeters (mm). Otherwise, during folding, an offset risks causing detrimental deformation of the container, or even tearing of the cardboard material at the time of this operation, in particular when lowering the punch.

In addition, an optimal shape of the container, rectangular parallelepiped, respecting the orthogonality of its walls, is important and must be optimal, on the one hand, for the aesthetic appearance and the good packaging of the products, but above all on the other hand , when several boxes must be stacked, particularly on pallets. A deformation of a single box is likely to unbalance a stack of boxes, making their handling precarious and dangerous for operators.

In this context, the forming of containers by folding cardboard plates is carried out through a forming device.

Such a forming device is already known from the documents FROM 10 2012 008817 A1 Or US 2010/263333 A1 and includes a folding station, supplied with cardboard plates which are formed there, as previously described.

Before folding, such cardboard plates are arranged within a store, in the form of a stack of several plates superimposed horizontally or vertically. The plates are extracted one after the other during a handling step to transport them from said store to said folding station.

This step may consist of extracting the plates one by one and transporting them along guided angles. However, the angles are fixed on a frame and shaped complementary to the cardboard plates and the containers to be formed. This installation therefore does not allow it to be adapted to different formats of cardboard plates, or requires significant intervention time.

Currently, due to the diversity of products to be manufactured, production lines must be able to manage the manufacturing of several different product formats. Consequently, the packaging of these different product formats is carried out in separate containers, with dimensions complementary to said products, as well as the number of products to be packaged per container. The same line must therefore be able to process several formats of plates in order to fold them and obtain the desired containers, depending on the products they will receive.

To adapt more easily to several formats, the handling of plates can be carried out via a dedicated station, mounted mobile along several axes of movement, via a multi-axis chassis or a multi-axis robotic arm. In addition, such a handling station is provided with a gripping head for the plates unit.

This gripping of each plate can be carried out by different gripping means, in particular by depression using suction cups. Each suction cup comes into contact with the face of a plate and performs suction ensuring said plate is held in place with a view to its extraction from said magazine and its movement towards the forming station. Suction grip is maintained during the bending operation, in order to maintain the plate in relation to the die and the punch. From then on, the gripping of the suction cups is carried out at the level of the upper face of the bottom, which will remain flat during the movement of the plate within the matrix under the action of the movement of the punch.

Once the container is formed, the suction is stopped, in order to release said container. The punch is raised and the container is evacuated, for example from below the matrix, in particular via a conveyor which will transport each container to a downstream product packing station, before closing the container. From the above, in order to optimize the forming device, the punch is attached to the handling station, at the level of the gripping head, integrally with the suction cups. In particular, the suction cups are found flush with the underside of said punch, to cooperate with the bottom during gripping. Therefore, the problem of aligning the corners of the cardboard plate with the die and the punch is considerably complicated. Indeed, at the start of gripping the plate at the magazine, the punch must be aligned with the corners of the plate to be gripped, but the plates are generally not perfectly aligned in superposition in said magazine. The stored plates can have a lateral, but also angular, offset relative to each other. It is therefore necessary to correct this possible discrepancy.

A known solution lies in detecting an offset, at the time of gripping in the magazine, of the exact position of the plate to be gripped, to correct the position of the gripping head, in particular to place the punch in alignment with the bottom corners.

An alternative solution is to correct the position of the plate by moving the magazine.

Such solutions considerably complicate the handling station, with dedicated detection means and increased mobility of the gripping head or the magazine, thereby increasing the costs inherent in its manufacture and the time required for its configuration.

The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art by proposing a device for forming containers by folding cardboard plates, making it possible to correct a possible offset between the punch and a plate, once seized and at the moment of the bending operation at the bottom of the die.

Said goal is achieved with a device comprising the characteristics according to claim 1 and with a method according to claim 8.

In particular, the invention provides, at the level of the gripping head, to make the suction cups free to move relative to the punch, in order to allow lateral and/or angular adjustment of the plate under the action of the punch during its descent into the matrix.

More precisely, the movement of the suction cups relative to the punch gives mobility to the gripping plane according to at least two degrees of freedom parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom of the gripped plate.

Thus, when the punch begins to descend, the freedom of movement of the means of seizure allows a natural replacement of the background in alignment with the matrix, under the effect of the force applied by the cooperation between said matrix and said punch. These are then the forces applied by the matrix on the plate during the folding induced by the movement of the punch, which allows repositioning of the plate thanks to the mobility of the gripping means. Thus, the mobility of the gripping means which can for example be represented by at least one suction cup, makes it possible to make the folding lines of the bottom of the plate coincide with the matrix, by reducing the stresses applied to the cardboard material, to promote more repositioning. natural in alignment with said fold lines.

• un poste de pliage de plaques cartonnées, ledit poste de pliage étant pourvu d'au moins une matrice ;
• un poste de manutention desdites plaques depuis un magasin vers ledit poste de pliage,
  • ledit poste de manutention comprenant un châssis et au moins une tête de préhension montée mobile par rapport audit châssis entre ledit magasin et la matrice dudit poste de pliage ;
  • ladite tête de préhension comprenant un moyen de saisie et de maintien de ladite plaque ;
  • ladite tête de préhension comprenant au moins un poinçon conformé complémentairement pour coopérer intérieurement avec ladite matrice, ledit poinçon comprenant une surface d'appui contre le fond de ladite plaque saisie.

To do this, the invention relates to a device for forming containers by folding cardboard plates comprising at least:

• a station for folding cardboard plates, said folding station being provided with at least one die;
• a station for handling said plates from a store to said folding station,
  • said handling station comprising a frame and at least one gripping head mounted movable relative to said frame between said magazine and the die of said folding station;
  • said gripping head comprising means for gripping and holding said plate;
  • said gripping head comprising at least one punch shaped complementary to cooperate internally with said matrix, said punch comprising a bearing surface against the bottom of said gripped plate.

Such a forming device is characterized in that said gripping means is mounted movable relative to said punch and free to move in at least one plane parallel to said bearing surface of said punch.

According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, said gripping means can be mounted movable in at least two degrees of freedom of movement parallel or substantially parallel to said support surface.

The gripping means can be integrated into said partially hollow punch.

Said gripping means can be mounted at the end of a rod mounted in a ball joint relative to the gripping head.

Said forming device may comprise means for locking said gripping means relative to said punch.

Said gripping means may comprise at least one suction cup acting by suction at said plate.

The gripping means may comprise several free suction cups moving in said plane.

• on effectue une saisie d'une plaque ;
• on effectue un déplacement de la plaque saisie vers un poste de pliage et on positionne le fond en vis-à-vis d'une matrice ;
• on effectue un pliage des parois latérales de ladite plaque par descente d'un poinçon au sein de ladite matrice.

The invention also relates to a method of forming containers by folding cardboard plates, in which at least:

• a plate is entered;
• the gripped plate is moved towards a folding station and the bottom is positioned opposite a die;
• the side walls of said plate are folded by lowering a punch into said matrix.

Such a forming process is characterized in that it consists, at the time of folding, of adjusting the position of said bottom relative to said punch, leaving said plate free to move relative to said punch.

According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, it is possible to lock the movement of said plate relative to said punch at least during said movement of said plate.

When folding, the movement of said plate can be unlocked.

• La figure 1 représente schématiquement une vue simplifiée en élévation d'un exemple d'une plaque cartonnée, conformée pour un pliage à fond de matrice ;
• La figure 2 représente schématiquement une vue en perspective d'une première étape de pliage à fond de matrice, montrant notamment le positionnement du fond de la plaque en alignement avec le poinçon et la matrice ;
• La figure 3 représente schématiquement une vue similaire à la figure 2 d'une étape suivante, montrant notamment le pliage des rabats verticaux lors de la descente du poinçon dans la matrice ;
• La figure 4 représente schématiquement une vue similaire à la figure 3 d'une étape suivante, montrant notamment le pliage des rabats horizontaux et des parois latérales ;
• La figure 5 représente schématiquement une vue similaire à la figure 4 d'une étape suivante, montrant notamment le conteneur entièrement plié ;
• La figure 6 représente schématiquement une vue simplifiée en élévation d'un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de formage, montrant notamment le déplacement d'une plaque entre un magasin et le poste de pliage ;
• La figure 7 représente schématiquement une vue simplifiée en coupe verticale de la figure 6 ;
• La figure 8 représente schématiquement une vue simplifiée en perspective un mode de réalisation, montrant notamment la liberté de mouvement conférée audit coin d'une plaque saisie au moment de son pliage contre la matrice par le poinçon ;
• La figure 9 représente schématiquement une vue simplifiée en coupe verticale d'un détail d'une tête de préhension, montrant notamment une ventouse montée selon une liaison rotule sur ledit poinçon ;
• La figure 10 représente schématiquement une vue en perspective d'un détail d'un premier mode de réalisation dudit dispositif de formage, montrant notamment une tête de préhension équipée de quatre ventouses intégrées à un poinçon formé par quatre piliers en coin ;
• La figure 11 représente schématiquement une vue en perspective d'un détail d'un deuxième mode de réalisation dudit dispositif de formage, montrant notamment une tête de préhension équipée de deux ventouses intégrées à un poinçon avec des faces ajourées ;
• La figure 12 représente schématiquement une vue de côté d'un détail d'une ventouse dans une position déverrouillée, montrant notamment la liberté de mouvement conférée ;
• La figure 13 représente schématiquement une vue similaire à la figure 12 dans une position verrouillée, montrant notamment la descente d'un organe de verrouillage par actionnement d'un piston.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• There figure 1 schematically represents a simplified elevation view of an example of a cardboard plate, shaped for folding at the bottom of the die;
• There figure 2 schematically represents a perspective view of a first step of folding at the bottom of the die, showing in particular the positioning of the bottom of the plate in alignment with the punch and the die;
• There Figure 3 schematically represents a view similar to the figure 2 a following step, showing in particular the folding of the vertical flaps during the descent of the punch into the die;
• There figure 4 schematically represents a view similar to the Figure 3 a next step, showing in particular the folding of the horizontal flaps and the side walls;
• There figure 5 schematically represents a view similar to the figure 4 a next step, showing in particular the fully folded container;
• There Figure 6 schematically represents a simplified elevation view of one embodiment of a forming device, showing in particular the movement of a plate between a store and the folding station;
• There Figure 7 schematically represents a simplified view in vertical section of the Figure 6 ;
• There figure 8 schematically represents a simplified perspective view of an embodiment, showing in particular the freedom of movement conferred on said corner of a plate gripped at the time of its folding against the die by the punch;
• There Figure 9 schematically represents a simplified view in vertical section of a detail of a gripping head, showing in particular a suction cup mounted in a ball joint connection on said punch;
• There Figure 10 schematically represents a perspective view of a detail of a first embodiment of said forming device, showing in particular a gripping head equipped with four suction cups integrated into a punch formed by four corner pillars;
• There Figure 11 schematically represents a perspective view of a detail of a second embodiment of said forming device, showing in particular a gripping head equipped with two suction cups integrated into a punch with perforated faces;
• There Figure 12 schematically represents a side view of a detail of a suction cup in an unlocked position, showing in particular the freedom of movement conferred;
• There Figure 13 schematically represents a view similar to the Figure 12 in a locked position, showing in particular the descent of a locking member by actuation of a piston.

The present invention relates to the making of containers 110.

Such a container 110 can be in the form of a cardboard box or “cardboard”, dedicated to the packaging of products. A carton has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, with an interior volume capable of receiving a group of products, in a staggered pattern but preferably arranged in a matrix in columns and rows, in a single layer or several layers of superimposed products. A carton can be closed at the top or opened, forming a tray also called a “cartonette”.

Note that the term “product” encompasses an individual object. Such a product is a container, such as a bottle or flask, or a can, or even a cardboard brick. A product can be made of any type of material, in particular plastic, metal or even glass. A product can be rigid or semi-rigid. This container is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, in particular of the food or cosmetic type, or dedicated to maintenance or personal hygiene. A product can have any type of shape, symmetrical or not, regular or irregular.

Such products are obtained along an industrial production line, undergoing several successive treatments passing through dedicated stations, such as for example the blowing of plastic bottles or vials, filling and capping, labeling, or even sterilization or pasteurization. Once processed, the finished products are grouped and packaged in batches, in particular inside containers 110. The invention aims to form containers 110 by folding cardboard plates 100. These cardboard plates are previously pre-cut and preformed, also called “cuts”. In the context of the invention, the term “plate” refers to a cardboard plate.

In particular, as mentioned previously, a plate 100 comprises several walls, including a wall which will constitute a bottom 101, intended to receive the products on the upper face, once the container 110 has been formed. At the levels of two of its opposite edges, the bottom 101 comprises two side walls 102.

The plate 100 may include a cover 103, along an edge of one of the side walls 102, located opposite the edge connecting it with said bottom 101.

This cover can also include a tab 104, which will be glued and folded against the outside of a side wall 102, at the end of folding when closing the container 110 thus formed.

In addition, on either side, the plate 100 comprises flaps, at least four in number on each side: on the one hand, vertical flaps 105 connected to each of the side walls 102 and, on the other hand, horizontal flaps 106 connected to the bottom 101 and to the cover 103.

The different walls of the plate 100 are connected by folding lines, extending along the joining edges between them. Said folding lines are previously produced when cutting said plate 100 and facilitate the folding operations of each wall relative to another.

This being said, during the forming of the container 110, the plate 100 is folded through several successive operations. In particular, a first folding operation makes it possible to form the container 110 by folding the side walls 102, as well as the vertical flaps 105, then the horizontal flaps 106 located on either side of said bottom 101. This first operation is carried out by folding at the bottom of the die. Container 110 is therefore formed once passed through the matrix 200.

To do this, the invention relates to a device 1 for forming containers 110 by folding cardboard plates 100.

Such a forming device 1 is located along the production line, between a store 2 supplied with plates 100 and a downstream station, such as for example a product packaging station inside the container 110. Once loaded with products, container 110 will be closed by a dedicated station.

Note that store 2 is supplied with plates 100, in particular from bundles. The plates 100 are placed in a reception area, superimposed horizontally or vertically, or even inclined, from where they can be extracted one by one.

For this purpose, the forming device 1 comprises a station 3 for handling said plates 100 from the magazine 2.

This handling station 3 ensures the transport of the plates 100 by grabbing them one by one, or even several at a time, to bring them to a station dedicated to folding.

Thus, the forming device 1 comprises at least one station 4 for folding plates 100. The same station 4 can allow the folding of a single or several plates 100 at a time.

To do this, said folding station is provided with at least one die 200. Such a die 200 comprises an upper face for receiving a plate 100, on which the lower face of the plate 100 can rest. This matrix 200 comprises a hollow central shape, dimensioned complementary to the bottom 101 of the plate 100, to the clearance close to the thickness of the side walls 102 and the flaps 105,106 once folded. As previously mentioned, on either side of the hollow, the matrix 200 comprises studs, projecting relative to the upper face of said matrix 200, and shaped to allow the successive folding of the vertical flaps 105, then the side walls 102 and horizontal flaps 106 located below and connected to the bottom 101. In addition, the studs can be provided rounded, in order to cause the walls to fold progressively and gently.

This folding operation is carried out under the action of a punch 201.

Such a punch 201 is shaped complementary to the hollow of the die 200, to allow it to slide internally, with the aforementioned clearance. When a plate 100 is positioned on the die 200, the punch 201 then applies a force against the bottom 101 of the plate 100, said bottom 101 being sandwiched between said punch 201 and said die 200, so as to induce the folding of the different walls. In other words, the punch 201 applies a force against the die 200, which will constrain the plate 100 and bend it. To do this, the punch 201 comprises a support surface intended to cooperate at least at the edge of the bottom 101, for example in its corners as visible on the Figure 10 or on its entire interior perimeter as visible on the Figure 11 . This support surface may also include contact zones with other parts of the bottom 101, in particular located towards the center of said bottom 101, in order to distribute the applied force and avoid any deformation. In short, the bearing surface of the punch 101 may include several zones coming into contact with the upper face of the bottom 101, against all or part of its surface.

Once the container 110 is formed but not closed, the punch 201 is extracted from the die 200, making it possible to evacuate this container 110, in particular from below the die 200 as visible on the Figure 7 , in particular towards a conveyor 5 which then takes the containers 110 towards a boxing station (not shown).

The punch 201 can also be moved to eject the container 110 to another location, such as for example on said conveyor 5.

Previously, in order to transport the plates from the store 2 to the folding station 4, the handling station 3 comprises a frame 30 and at least one gripping head 6 mounted movable relative to said frame 30 between said store 2 and the die 200 of said folding station 4.

Such a chassis 30 is provided with multiple axes, making it possible to move the gripping head 6 in space, according to several degrees of movement. In particular, the chassis 30 includes a motorization of its own, authorizing the movements necessary to pick up the plates 100 from the magazine 2 by means of the gripping head 6, move said head 6 to the folding station 4, place the plates 100 there and return to the magazine 2 to pick up another plate 100. From then on, so non-exhaustive, the chassis 30 can allow movement according to horizontal translations, longitudinally and transversely, as well as vertical upward and downward movement, as in particular shown schematically on the figures 6 and 7 .

In particular, the downward vertical movement given to the gripping head 6 is used during the folding step. Thus, said gripping head 6 integrates at least one punch 201. The latter is therefore transported during movements of the gripping head 6 between the folding station 4 and the magazine 2, and vice versa.

According to one embodiment, as visible on the figures 6 and 7 , the chassis 30 comprises several guides 31. The gripping head 6 is then secured to a guide 31 or mounted on a movable carriage along one of the guides 31, while the other guides can slide relative to each other.

According to another embodiment, the chassis 30 comprises a multi-axis robotic arm, at the distal end of which the gripping head 6 is mounted as a tool. Such a robotic arm can also be mounted on guides 31. This arm notably allows better precision when gripping the plates 100 at the level of the magazine 2. In addition, the gripping head 6 can comprise a structure 60 cooperating in fixing with the chassis 30 and receiving various on-board components, such as the punch 201 which can be fixed on this structure 60.

As such, said gripping head 6 is equipped with means 7 for gripping and holding said plate 100. Such gripping means 7 ensures gripping of a plate 100, in particular at one of its faces, or even a side edge, then maintains it during its transport to the folding station 4, preferably by preventing it from moving in particular during the acceleration and deceleration phases.

This gripping means 7 can be located at any location on the gripping head 6. In particular, the gripping means 7 can be mounted on the structure 60 of said gripping head 6. Preferably, the gripping means 7 is integrated into said punch 201, attached to the latter, in particular via the structure 60 of the gripping head 6. In such a configuration, the gripping means 7 is positioned at the distal end of the punch 201, flush with its bearing surface. Therefore, said bearing surface of the punch 201 is completed by the contact surface of the gripping means 7 against the place 100. According to certain embodiments, the bearing surface corresponds to the contact surface between the means 7 of seizure and plate 100.

According to one embodiment, the punch 201 can be provided at least partially hollow, delimiting an internal space capable of receiving said gripping means 7 and its fixing with said punch 201 or the structure 60 of the gripping head 6.

The gripping means 7 can be of any type, for example in the form of needles sufficiently perforating the wall of a plate 100 in order to ensure its grip and retention. The input means 7 can also be an electrostatic type system. Preferably, said gripping means 7 comprises at least one suction cup 8, preferably several suction cups 8, acting by suction at said plate 100. Thus, the depression created makes it possible to firmly grip the plate 100. As mentioned previously, said suction cup 8 can be arranged so that its suction takes place flush with the bearing surface of said punch 201. Therefore, the bearing surface of the punch 201 is at least partially formed by the surface of suction of said suction cup 8.

It will be noted that, in the case of several suction cups 8, they can be distributed to apply depressions at several locations on the plate 100, in a plane alignment. In addition, this plane alignment is parallel or substantially parallel to the bearing surface of the punch 200.

Thus, the forming device 1 makes it possible to move the gripping head 6 to the magazine 2, to grip a plate there under the action of the gripping means 7, then to transport it to the folding station 4, to position it on the die 200, to lower the punch 201 and fold the side walls of the plate 100, in order to form the container 110.

As such, during gripping, the handling station 3 can provide for detecting the position of each plate 100 in the magazine 2, in order to align the punch 201 with the bottom 101 of the plate 100 to be gripped. This alignment makes it possible to compensate for any lateral or angular shift relative to an optimal position.

In addition, the travel of the handling station 3 is determined in order, upon returning from store 2, to perfectly align the punch 201 with the die 200.

Advantageously, the invention provides for improving the positioning of the gripped plate 100, when it is positioned with the punch 201 in alignment with the die 200. In particular, the invention provides for adjusting the position of the bottom 101, to that at least one of its corners is perfectly positioned relative to the die 200, at the time of the descent of the punch 201 into the die 200.

To do this, said gripping means 7 is mounted movable relative to said punch 201. In short, the plate 100 is always gripped and held, but the gripping means 7 can move, essentially parallel to the punch 201 and its surface of 'support. The movement of the gripping means 7 then makes it possible to move the plate 100 relative to the punch 201, without moving the latter relative to the frame 30.

In addition, the gripping means 7 is free to move in at least one plane parallel to said bearing surface of said punch 201. In other words, no motorization ensures the movement of the gripping means 7, it is the construction of the gripping means 7 on the gripping head which gives it freedom of movement within a given perimeter.

Indeed, it is the force applied at the time of folding, when the punch 201 cooperates with the die 200, under the action of the movement of the gripping head 6, that the constraints allow the plate 100 to be repositioned, due to the freedom of movement of the input means 7. Thus, the plate 100 repositions itself naturally, coming to be pressed perfectly between the punch 201 and the matrix 200 cooperating with each other.

It should be noted that when the gripping means 7 is integrated into the punch 201, the gripping means 7 is in principle movable in at least the plane corresponding substantially to the plane of the support surface.

Preferably, said gripping means 7 is mounted movable in at least two degrees of freedom of movement parallel or substantially parallel to said support surface.

There figure 8 schematically shows an example of repositioning a corner of the plate 100, carried out according to two orthogonal lateral translations. Only one translation is possible, this can be a result of these orthogonal translations: the corner then moving at an angle.

Note that freedom of movement can be limited to a few millimeters, of the order of plus or minus five millimeters (+/- 5mm). In short, the free movement of the gripping means 7 takes place at a reduced distance, of the order of 2% to 5% relative to the dimensions of the bottom 101, in particular relative to its length or its width.

In order to confer this freedom of movement of the means of the gripping means 7 relative to the punch 201, said gripping means 7 may comprise an articulated assembly on the gripping head 6, in particular with respect to the structure 60 of said head 6 of grip. Such a joint can be of any type, in particular in the form of a double sliding connection. In other words, the articulation includes two sliding possibilities, preferably orthogonal to each other, of the gripping means 7.

Preferably, said gripping means 7 is articulated according to a ball joint, in particular via a cradle or joints. This ball joint can be mounted on the gripping head 6, in particular on its structure 60 and/or on said punch 201.

Such a ball joint conferring a curved movement, the invention can provide for compensating it, in order to obtain a plane or substantially plane mobility of plate 100. To do this, the joint is offset, in particular at one end of the head 6 gripping, (for example in the upper part), while the gripping means 7 is located at the opposite end (in the lower part). This offset makes it possible to increase the radius of curvature of the movement of the ball joint.

Preferably, said gripping means 7 is mounted at the end of a rod 9 mounted in ball joint connection relative to the gripping head 6. In short, as visible on the Figure 9 , the gripping means 7 is fixed to the lower end of a rod 9, the upper opposite end of which is ball-jointed on the gripping head 6.

As mentioned previously, when the gripping means 7 comprises several suction cups 8, they can be mounted independently, each being mobile and free to move in a distinct manner relative to the other suction cups 8. However, when they are engaged by suction of the plate 100, in particular each suction cup 8 applying suction against an area of the bottom 101, then the latter plays the role of a junction surface, making the suction cups 8 integral with each other in their free movement.

According to another embodiment, the suction cups 8 are integral with each other and jointly free to move in said plane. To do this, the suction cups 8 can be connected together, in particular by a mechanical part, such as a plate or rods.

According to one embodiment, the invention provides for limiting the freedom of movement of the gripping means 7 outside the moment of folding, in particular to avoid any movement of the plate 100 gripped during movements of the gripping head 6 by the handling station 3 between store 2 and folding station 4, including when entering a plate 100 at said store 2.

To do this, the forming device 1 comprises means 10 for locking said gripping means 7 relative to the punch 201. Conversely, the locking means 10 make it possible, in an unlocked position, to release the mobility of the gripping means 7.

According to a preferred embodiment, the locking means 10 comprise a ring 11, provided to move along the rod 9. Such a ring 11 can therefore move from a high unlocking position to a low locking position, and vice versa. .

According to one embodiment, as visible on the figures 12 and 13 , said ring 11 is guided in sliding, in a vertical translation, along an interior wall 202 of said punch 201. The ring 11 can therefore only move upwards or downwards, without freedom of movement transversely or horizontally .

In addition, the rod 9 passes through the ring 11 and the through hole has an internal diameter larger than the section of the rod 9, in order to allow freedom of movement of the rod 9 inside the ring 11, and thus the freedom of movement of the input means 7. The actuation of the movement of the ring 11 can be carried out by any means of motorization, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic, under the action of a centralized control, managing in particular the operation of the forming device 1. Preferably, the ring 11 is mounted at the movable end of a pneumatic cylinder 12, namely at the level of its piston. The opposite end of the cylinder is secured to the gripping head 6. The jack 12 can be fixed on the gripping head 6, in particular on an internal wall of the punch 201, as visible in particular on the figures 12 and 13 . The deployment of the cylinder 12 ensures the sliding of the ring 11 towards the locking position, and vice versa when it is folded. In addition, the locking action between the ring 11 and the gripping means 7 is carried out mechanically, by fitting together parts of complementary shapes. Preferably, the ring 11 has a frustoconical section at its interior walls, while the gripping means 7 is provided with a peripheral wall 13 provided as inclined. This peripheral wall 13 then extends in a convergent manner, from the bottom to the top. Such a peripheral wall 13 can be provided on a support part of the suction cup 8. Thus, as visible in the figure 13 , when the ring 11 slides around the gripping means 7, the frustoconical section of the ring 11 comes into contact by sliding against said peripheral wall 13, notably centering the gripping means 7. The ring 11 continues its course until it fits perfectly with said support part and locks the parts together. Furthermore, the internal dimensions of said ring 11 correspond in a complementary manner to the external dimensions of said support part, with the exception of clearance ensuring the sliding of one relative to the other.

The invention also relates to a method of forming containers 110 by folding cardboard plates 100.

Such a forming process can be adapted for the implementation of the forming device 1 as previously described.

During such a forming process, in a non-limiting manner, a plate 100 is gripped. This grip is carried out from the magazine 2 by the gripping head 6. In particular, the plate 100 is gripped at the level of one face of at least one of its walls, in particular the bottom 101, via at least the gripping means 7.

Then, the plate 100 is moved towards the folding station 4. This movement can be carried out via handling station 3. During this journey, the plate 100 is held by the gripping means 7.

Arriving at the level of folding station 4, the bottom 101 of the plate 100 is positioned in opposite the matrix 200 of said folding station 4.

We then carry out a folding of the side walls of said plate 100 by lowering a punch 201 within said matrix 200. In particular, it is the bearing surface of the punch 201, which presses against the bottom 101 of the plate 100, a force necessary to constrain the walls against the interior edges of the matrix 200 and initiate folding along lines dedicated to this purpose.

Advantageously, the forming process provides, at the time of folding, to adjust the position of said bottom 101 relative to said punch 201, leaving said plate 100 free to move relative to said punch 201. This freedom of movement is obtained by means 7 of grip which is mounted movable relative to the punch 201 and in freedom of movement in at least two degrees of freedom, namely at least in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the bearing surface of said punch 201. Thus, the plate 100 can adjust naturally so that the folding lines coincide with the nesting of the punch 201 in and against the die 200. The plate 100 shifts on its own, to take its place perfectly, in particular under the effect of the lines folding, the prestressing of the material properly orients the plate 100 in its positioning.

According to a preferred embodiment, when the plate 100 is moved, its movement is not allowed relative to the punch 201 and the gripping head 6.

To do this, the forming process provides for locking the movement of said plate 100 relative to said punch 201 at least during said movement of said plate 100.

Conversely, in order to obtain freedom of movement, at the time of folding, the movement of said plate 100 can be unlocked, as mentioned above.

Locking and unlocking can be done at the input means 7. Thus, the forming device 2 and the forming method according to the invention allow, through a freedom of movement granted to the gripping means 7, in particular or even only at the time of folding, to reposition the plate 100, in order to compensate a possible discrepancy that occurred previously at the time of entry. It is the cooperation of the action of the punch 201 against the bottom 101 and the matrix 200, which makes it possible to rectify the position of the plate 100 and replace it correctly, in a natural way according to the fold lines.

Claims (10)

1. A device (1) for shaping containers (110) by folding cardboard sheets (100), comprising at least the following:

   - a folding station (4) for folding cardboard sheets (100), said folding station (4) being provided with at least one die (200);

   - a handling station (3) for handling said sheets (100) from a storage area (2) to said folding station (4),

   said handling station (3) comprising a frame (30) and at least one gripping head (6) mounted so as to be able to move relative to said frame (30) between said storage area (2) and the die (200) of said folding station (4);

   said gripping head (6) comprising a grasping means (7) for grasping and holding said sheet (100);

   said gripping head (6) comprising at least one punch (201) with a complementary shape for interacting with the inside of said die (200), said punch (201) comprising a bearing surface for bearing against the bottom (101) of said grasped sheet (100);

   characterized in that said grasping means (7) is mounted so as to be able to move relative to said punch (201) and free to move in at least one plane parallel to said bearing surface of said punch (201).
2. The shaping device (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that said grasping means (7) is mounted so as to be able to move in at least two degrees of freedom of movement parallel or substantially parallel to said bearing surface.
3. The shaping device (1) as claimed in either one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grasping means (7) is incorporated with said punch (201), which is configured to be partially hollow.
4. The shaping device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said grasping means (7) is mounted at the end of a rod (9) mounted in the manner of a ball-jointed connection with respect to the gripping head (6).
5. The shaping device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises locking means (10) for locking said grasping means (7) with respect to said punch (201).
6. The shaping device (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that said grasping means (7) comprises at least one suction cup (8) acting on said sheet (100).
7. The shaping device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grasping means (7) comprises multiple suction cups (8) freely displaceable in said plane.
8. A method for shaping containers (11) by folding cardboard sheets (100), comprising at least the following:

   - grasping a sheet (100);

   - displacing the grasped sheet (100) toward a folding station (4) and positioning the bottom (101) facing a die (200);

   - folding the side walls of said sheet (100) by lowering a punch (201) within said die (200); characterized in that it consists, at the time of folding, in adjusting the position of said bottom (101) relative to said punch (201), leaving said sheet (100) free to move relative to said punch (201).
9. The shaping method as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the movement of said sheet (100) relative to said punch (201) is locked, at least during said displacement of said sheet (100).
10. The shaping method as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that, at the time of folding, the movement of said sheet (100) is unlocked.

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