EP4197922A1 - Forming method, unit and apparatus for the manufacturing of child-proof containers - Google Patents
Forming method, unit and apparatus for the manufacturing of child-proof containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4197922A1 EP4197922A1 EP21215807.5A EP21215807A EP4197922A1 EP 4197922 A1 EP4197922 A1 EP 4197922A1 EP 21215807 A EP21215807 A EP 21215807A EP 4197922 A1 EP4197922 A1 EP 4197922A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- side walls
- cover
- body side
- container
- container body
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000011111 cardboard Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013501 sustainable material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/20—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by folding-down preformed flaps
- B65B7/24—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by folding-down preformed flaps and interengaging tongue and slot closures
-
- 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
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
- B65B7/2842—Securing closures on containers
- B65B7/285—Securing closures on containers by deformation of the closure
- B65B7/2857—Securing closures on containers by deformation of the closure and the container rim
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/64—Lids
- B65D5/66—Hinged lids
- B65D5/6626—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank
- B65D5/665—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank the lid being held in closed position by self-locking integral flaps or tabs
- B65D5/6661—Flaps provided over the total length of the lid edge opposite to the hinge
- B65D5/6664—Flaps provided over the total length of the lid edge opposite to the hinge combined with flaps or tabs provided at the side edges of the lid
- B65D5/6667—Flaps provided over the total length of the lid edge opposite to the hinge combined with flaps or tabs provided at the side edges of the lid and connected to one another in order to form an uninterrupted telescoping flange
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2215/00—Child-proof means
- B65D2215/02—Child-proof means requiring the combination of simultaneous actions
Definitions
- the present invention relates to containers, in particular even if not exclusively to containers for household products such as laundry and dishwasher detergent pods.
- Child-proof containers made of paper or cardboard is a challenge, as it is difficult to make re-closable child-proof containers made of paper or cardboard that meet the requirements of child-resistant standards.
- each of the body side walls comprises an outer layer having a through hole and an inner layer having a through window facing the through hole of the outer layer.
- the inner layer of each body side wall has a flap folded towards the interior of the container body and extending along a lower edge of the respective through window.
- the cover which is movable between a closing position and an open position of the container, comprises a top wall and a pair of cover sides parallel to each other and orthogonal to the top wall, each having an engagement tab folded over a respective outer surface.
- the outer surfaces of the cover sides are in contact with respective portions of inner surfaces of respective body side walls, and the cover sides bear on the two flaps of the body side walls.
- the engagement tabs of the cover sides engage into the through windows of the body side walls so as to retain the movable cover: a user can release the cover from the container body only by inserting a finger in each of the through holes and pressing inwardly the engagement tabs.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above problem, and more specifically to provide a forming method, unit and apparatus designed to provide the two flaps of the body side walls of the container along its producing line efficiently and at a high rate, so as to cope with the manufacturing rates of the container.
- a pair of pushing members are provided to enter into the container body through the through holes and associated windows so as to displace the stop flaps substantially perpendicularly to the body side walls.
- a box-like paper or cardboard container to which the present invention is applied to is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10.
- the container 10 comprises a container body 12 and a movable cover 14.
- the container body 12 has an aperture and the movable cover 14 is hingedly or removably applied onto the aperture and is movable between a closed configuration shown in figure 1 and an open configuration shown in figure 2 .
- the movable cover 14 is formed in one piece with the body 12 and is hinged thereto.
- the cover 24 can be detachable from the container body 12.
- the container body 12 and the cover 14 are produced, as disclosed in already cited European patent application No. 21166876.9 , starting from a flat blank (or respective flat blanks) of paper or cardboard sheets or from a continuous paper sheet unwound from a reel.
- the blank (or each blank) has a plurality of folding lines and the container body 12 and the cover 14 are obtained by folding the blank (or each blank) along such folding lines.
- the container body 12 comprises a bottom wall 18 opposite the aperture 16, a pair of body front walls 20 parallel to each other and orthogonal to the bottom wall 18, and a pair of body side walls 22 parallel to each other and orthogonal to the bottom wall 18.
- Each of the body side walls 22 comprises an outer layer 24 and an inner layer 26 overlapped to each other.
- the outer layer 24 has a through hole 28 and the inner layer 26 has a through window 30 facing the through hole 28 of the outer layer 24.
- the through holes 28 and the through windows 30 of the body side walls 22 are aligned to each other and may have either a round configuration, as shown in figures 1 and 2 , or any other design such as for instance a quadrangular or an elongated shape.
- the cover 14 is hinged at 52 on top of one front wall 20 and comprises a top wall 42 and a pair of cover sides 44 parallel to each other and orthogonal to the top wall 42.
- the cover 14 may also comprise a front wall 46 parallel orthogonal to the top wall 42.
- the cover 14 has a pair of engagement tabs 48 projecting from the lower edges of the respective cover sides 44. Each engagement tab 48 is folded over an outer surface of the respective cover side 44.
- the engagement tabs 48 may be fixed, e.g. by glue, to the respective outer surfaces of the cover sides 44 or they may be free, i.e. not fixed to the respective outer surfaces of the cover sides 44.
- the engagement tabs 48 and the through windows 30 together with the through holes 28 may be located in central portions of the cover sides 44 and body side walls 22, respectively, or as shown in Figures 1 and 2 at a location which is closer to the front wall 20 opposite to the hinge 52.
- the outer surfaces of the cover sides 44 are in contact with respective portions of the inner surfaces of the respective body side walls 22 and the cover front walls 46 are in contact with respective portions of the inner surfaces of the body front walls 20.
- the engagement tabs 48 of the cover sides 44 engage into respective windows 30 of the body side walls 22 and retain the cover 14 to the container body 12.
- a user may release the cover 14 from the container body 12 by inserting a finger in each of the through holes 28 and pressing inwardly on the engagement tabs 48, so as to disengage the engagement tabs 48 from the respective through windows 30 and simultaneously raising the movable cover 14.
- the operations necessary for opening the cover 14 are sufficiently complex to ensure that the paper or cardboard container 10 is child-proof compliant.
- each body side wall 22 has a stop flap 50 folded towards the interior of the container body 12 from the inner layer 26, perpendicularly thereto or at an angle slightly greater than 90°, and extending along the lower edge of the respective through window 30.
- the stop flaps 50 bear against the lower edges of the engagement tabs 48, thus preventing the cover 14 being pushed inside the container body 12 beyond the position in which the engagement tabs 48 are engaged into the respective through windows 30.
- the manufacturing cycle of the container 10 starts from a flat blank of paper or cardboard sheet B having the plurality of folding lines, and the container body 12 along with the cover 14 is formed by converting the blank by folding it along such folding lines (step 1). After folding of the blank the two flaps 50 are arranged parallelly to the side walls 22 of the container body 12, in front of the respective windows 30 and associated through holes 28.
- the container body 12 is filled with products, such as for instance laundry and dishwasher detergent pods, while the cover 14 is kept in its raised open position (step 2).
- the container 10 is then transferred to the forming unit of the invention (step 3) disclosed herebelow.
- a pair of pushing members are provided to enter into the container body 12 through the through holes 28 and associated windows 30 so as to displace the stop flaps 52 substantially perpendicularly to the body side walls 22, after the content (such as for instance laundry and dishwasher detergent pods) has been introduced into the container.
- the forming unit of the invention is generally designated as 60 and comprises a fixed support 62 bearing superiorly an actuator (not visible in then figure) which is driving an eccentric shaft 64.
- Rotation of the shaft 64 operates the alternate vertical displacement of a movable support 66 carrying a pair of spaced-apart vertical toothed racks 68 which in turn provide an alternate swinging motion of two juxtaposed toothed arms 70, meshing with the two racks 68, around respective transverse pivots 72.
- a movable support 66 carrying a pair of spaced-apart vertical toothed racks 68 which in turn provide an alternate swinging motion of two juxtaposed toothed arms 70, meshing with the two racks 68, around respective transverse pivots 72.
- Only one arm 70 and the related pivot 72 are visible.
- Each swinging arm 70 is provided with a shaped pusher end 74.
- the pusher ends 74 are alternatively moved between a mutually distal position and a mutually proximal position, shown in Figure 5 as well as in the detail of Figure 6 .
- a conveyor diagrammatically designated as 76 transfers the container 10 with its open cover 14 beneath the forming unit 60, between the two pusher ends 74 of the arms 70 set in the mutually distal position following displacement upwardly of the racks 68.
- the conveyor is stopped as soon as the container 10 is positioned with the through holes 28 and the windows 30 in the side walls 22 of the container body 12 aligned with the pusher ends 74 of the arms 70 set in the distal position.
- Opening and closing of the arms 70 along with the pusher ends 74 can be operated at appreciably high speed so as to efficiently cope with the high rate of the manufacturing cycle of the containers.
- the two arms 70 can be further lowered by slightly shifting downwardly the movable support 66, pushing the flaps 50 further downwardly as show with dotted lines in Figure 6 so as to form an angle beyond 90° with the respective side wall 22.
- Such an extra folding is intended to overcome the elastic memory of the cardboard and prevent that the flaps 50 may return towards the original position.
- FIG. 7 differs from the embodiment already disclosed in the above only in that the support 62 of the forming unit 60 is movable, namely is alternatively shifted by means of a motor (not visible in the figure) along a rail 78 in synchronism with the displacement of the container 10 on the conveyor 76.
- the formation of the folded flaps 50 is thus carried out without the need of stopping the container 10 along the production line.
- Displacement of the two assemblies 80 can be operated for instance by means of respective rack-and-pinion or screw-and-nut devices, not shown in detail since within the knowledge of the skilled practitioner, controlled either manually by means of control knobs 82 or in a motorized fashion.
- Figure 8 also shows the electric motor, referenced as 100, driving the eccentric shaft 64 operating the alternate vertical displacement of the movable support 66 carrying the two assemblies 80.
- folding of the two flaps 50 is carried out by means of a pair of mutually convergent extensible actuators 84, such as for instance telescopic fluid or electric stems, which are carried by respective slides 86 in turn displaceable in mutual opposite directions along a rail 88 by means of an actuator 90.
- actuators 84 such as for instance telescopic fluid or electric stems
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Making Paper Articles (AREA)
Abstract
Forming method, unit and apparatus for the manufacturing of containers (10) for detergent pods and the like, comprising a container body (12) and a cover (14) having a pair of engagement tabs (48) which in a closed configuration of the cover (14) within the container body (12) engage respective windows (30) to form child-proof engagement formations. A pair of pushing members (70, 74) are provided to enter into the container body (12) through the through holes (28) and associated windows (30) so as to displace the stop flaps (50) substantially perpendicularly to the body side walls (22).
Description
- The present invention relates to containers, in particular even if not exclusively to containers for household products such as laundry and dishwasher detergent pods.
- Many containers are nowadays made to a greater or lesser extent of paper or cardboard which - as such - represent environmentally sustainable materials with a low environmental impact as they are totally recyclable.
- However, the creation of child-proof containers made of paper or cardboard is a challenge, as it is difficult to make re-closable child-proof containers made of paper or cardboard that meet the requirements of child-resistant standards.
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European patent application No. 21166876.9 - A problem arises in connection with the two flaps of the body side walls during manufacturing of the container, since folding the two flaps around the lower edge of the respective through windows of the body side walls has to be carried out not only after the box-like container has been formed starting from a flat creased blank, but also after the filling stage of the container, which is necessary in order to avoid any interference of the flaps with the products being introduced into the container during filling.
- The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above problem, and more specifically to provide a forming method, unit and apparatus designed to provide the two flaps of the body side walls of the container along its producing line efficiently and at a high rate, so as to cope with the manufacturing rates of the container.
- In accordance with the present invention, this object is achieved by the forming method, unit and apparatus as set forth in the appended claims.
- According to the main peculiar feature of the invention a pair of pushing members are provided to enter into the container body through the through holes and associated windows so as to displace the stop flaps substantially perpendicularly to the body side walls.
- The claims form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided here in relation to the invention.
- The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, given purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container formed according to the present invention, shown in a closed configuration, -
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container ofFigure 1 in an open configuration, -
Figure 3 is a cross-section taken along the line III-III offigure 1 , -
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sketch summarizing the manufacturing flow of the container ofFigures 1-3 , -
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic elevational and partially sectioned view of a first embodiment of the forming unit according to the invention, -
Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a detail of the forming unit ofFigure 5 , -
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a first variant of the forming unit according to the invention, -
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second variant of the forming unit according to the invention, -
Figures 9 and 10 are elevational front views showing the forming unit ofFigure 8 in two different operative positions, and -
Figure 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third variant of the forming unit. - With reference to
figures 1 and 2 , a box-like paper or cardboard container to which the present invention is applied to is generally indicated by thereference numeral 10. Thecontainer 10 comprises acontainer body 12 and amovable cover 14. Thecontainer body 12 has an aperture and themovable cover 14 is hingedly or removably applied onto the aperture and is movable between a closed configuration shown infigure 1 and an open configuration shown infigure 2 . - In the embodiment shown the
movable cover 14 is formed in one piece with thebody 12 and is hinged thereto. In a variant thecover 24 can be detachable from thecontainer body 12. - The
container body 12 and thecover 14 are produced, as disclosed in already citedEuropean patent application No. 21166876.9 container body 12 and thecover 14 are obtained by folding the blank (or each blank) along such folding lines. - The
container body 12 comprises abottom wall 18 opposite the aperture 16, a pair of body front walls 20 parallel to each other and orthogonal to thebottom wall 18, and a pair ofbody side walls 22 parallel to each other and orthogonal to thebottom wall 18. - Each of the
body side walls 22 comprises anouter layer 24 and aninner layer 26 overlapped to each other. Theouter layer 24 has a throughhole 28 and theinner layer 26 has a throughwindow 30 facing the throughhole 28 of theouter layer 24. The throughholes 28 and the throughwindows 30 of thebody side walls 22 are aligned to each other and may have either a round configuration, as shown infigures 1 and 2 , or any other design such as for instance a quadrangular or an elongated shape. - The
cover 14 is hinged at 52 on top of one front wall 20 and comprises atop wall 42 and a pair ofcover sides 44 parallel to each other and orthogonal to thetop wall 42. Thecover 14 may also comprise afront wall 46 parallel orthogonal to thetop wall 42. - The
cover 14 has a pair ofengagement tabs 48 projecting from the lower edges of therespective cover sides 44. Eachengagement tab 48 is folded over an outer surface of therespective cover side 44. Theengagement tabs 48 may be fixed, e.g. by glue, to the respective outer surfaces of thecover sides 44 or they may be free, i.e. not fixed to the respective outer surfaces of thecover sides 44. - The
engagement tabs 48 and the throughwindows 30 together with the throughholes 28 may be located in central portions of thecover sides 44 andbody side walls 22, respectively, or as shown inFigures 1 and 2 at a location which is closer to the front wall 20 opposite to thehinge 52. - With reference to
figures 1 and3 , in the closed configuration of the paper orcardboard container 10 the outer surfaces of thecover sides 44 are in contact with respective portions of the inner surfaces of the respectivebody side walls 22 and thecover front walls 46 are in contact with respective portions of the inner surfaces of the body front walls 20. Theengagement tabs 48 of thecover sides 44 engage intorespective windows 30 of thebody side walls 22 and retain thecover 14 to thecontainer body 12. - A user may release the
cover 14 from thecontainer body 12 by inserting a finger in each of the throughholes 28 and pressing inwardly on theengagement tabs 48, so as to disengage theengagement tabs 48 from the respective throughwindows 30 and simultaneously raising themovable cover 14. - The operations necessary for opening the
cover 14 are sufficiently complex to ensure that the paper orcardboard container 10 is child-proof compliant. - With reference again to
figures 2 and3 , eachbody side wall 22 has astop flap 50 folded towards the interior of thecontainer body 12 from theinner layer 26, perpendicularly thereto or at an angle slightly greater than 90°, and extending along the lower edge of the respective throughwindow 30. In the closed position of thecover 14 the stop flaps 50 bear against the lower edges of theengagement tabs 48, thus preventing thecover 14 being pushed inside thecontainer body 12 beyond the position in which theengagement tabs 48 are engaged into the respective throughwindows 30. - As diagrammatically depicted in
Figure 4 the manufacturing cycle of thecontainer 10 starts from a flat blank of paper or cardboard sheet B having the plurality of folding lines, and thecontainer body 12 along with thecover 14 is formed by converting the blank by folding it along such folding lines (step 1). After folding of the blank the twoflaps 50 are arranged parallelly to theside walls 22 of thecontainer body 12, in front of therespective windows 30 and associated throughholes 28. - Then the
container body 12 is filled with products, such as for instance laundry and dishwasher detergent pods, while thecover 14 is kept in its raised open position (step 2). Thecontainer 10 is then transferred to the forming unit of the invention (step 3) disclosed herebelow. - According to the main peculiar feature of the invention a pair of pushing members are provided to enter into the
container body 12 through the throughholes 28 and associatedwindows 30 so as to displace thestop flaps 52 substantially perpendicularly to thebody side walls 22, after the content (such as for instance laundry and dishwasher detergent pods) has been introduced into the container. - Referring now to
Figure 5 the forming unit of the invention is generally designated as 60 and comprises afixed support 62 bearing superiorly an actuator (not visible in then figure) which is driving aneccentric shaft 64. Rotation of theshaft 64 operates the alternate vertical displacement of amovable support 66 carrying a pair of spaced-apartvertical toothed racks 68 which in turn provide an alternate swinging motion of two juxtaposedtoothed arms 70, meshing with the tworacks 68, around respectivetransverse pivots 72. InFigure 5 only onearm 70 and therelated pivot 72 are visible. - Each swinging
arm 70 is provided with ashaped pusher end 74. Upon the alternate vertical downwardly and upwardly motion of the tworacks 68 and the consequent alternate swinging motion of the twoarms 70, thepusher ends 74 are alternatively moved between a mutually distal position and a mutually proximal position, shown inFigure 5 as well as in the detail ofFigure 6 . - In operation, a conveyor diagrammatically designated as 76 transfers the
container 10 with itsopen cover 14 beneath the formingunit 60, between the two pusher ends 74 of thearms 70 set in the mutually distal position following displacement upwardly of theracks 68. The conveyor is stopped as soon as thecontainer 10 is positioned with the throughholes 28 and thewindows 30 in theside walls 22 of thecontainer body 12 aligned with thepusher ends 74 of thearms 70 set in the distal position. Then the tworacks 22 are moved downwardly so as to displace, by virtue of the consequent swinging of thearms 70, the pusher ends 74 to the proximal position so as to enter the throughholes 28 as well as thewindows 30 and urge theflaps 50 to the folded position shown inFigures 5 and 6 , whereinsuch flaps 50 are extending perpendicularly to theside walls 22 towards the interior of thecontainer body 12. - Opening and closing of the
arms 70 along with the pusher ends 74 can be operated at appreciably high speed so as to efficiently cope with the high rate of the manufacturing cycle of the containers. - Starting from this position the two
arms 70 can be further lowered by slightly shifting downwardly themovable support 66, pushing theflaps 50 further downwardly as show with dotted lines inFigure 6 so as to form an angle beyond 90° with therespective side wall 22. Such an extra folding is intended to overcome the elastic memory of the cardboard and prevent that theflaps 50 may return towards the original position. - The variant shown in
Figure 7 differs from the embodiment already disclosed in the above only in that thesupport 62 of the formingunit 60 is movable, namely is alternatively shifted by means of a motor (not visible in the figure) along arail 78 in synchronism with the displacement of thecontainer 10 on theconveyor 76. The formation of the folded flaps 50 is thus carried out without the need of stopping thecontainer 10 along the production line. - In the further embodiment shown in
Figures 8 through 10 , wherein parts identical or similar to those already disclosed in the above are indicated by the same reference numerals, the tworacks 68 and the associatedarms 70 along with therelated pivots 72 formrespective assemblies 80 which are slidable along themovable support 66 in opposite direction, so as to vary the mutual distance between the pusher ends 74 and adjust it tocontainers 10 of different sizes. - In
Figure 9 the distance between the twoassemblies 80 is minimum, whereby the formingunit 10 is adapted to operate withcontainers 10 having a minimum width, while inFigure 10 the distance between the twoassemblies 80 is maximum, whereby the formingunit 10 is adapted to operate withcontainers 10 having a maximum width. - Displacement of the two
assemblies 80 can be operated for instance by means of respective rack-and-pinion or screw-and-nut devices, not shown in detail since within the knowledge of the skilled practitioner, controlled either manually by means ofcontrol knobs 82 or in a motorized fashion. -
Figure 8 also shows the electric motor, referenced as 100, driving theeccentric shaft 64 operating the alternate vertical displacement of themovable support 66 carrying the twoassemblies 80. - In the further embodiment shown in
Figure 11 folding of the twoflaps 50 is carried out by means of a pair of mutually convergentextensible actuators 84, such as for instance telescopic fluid or electric stems, which are carried byrespective slides 86 in turn displaceable in mutual opposite directions along arail 88 by means of anactuator 90. - Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments can be widely varied with respect to those described and illustrated, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow.
Claims (15)
- A forming method in the manufacturing of child-proof containers (10) comprising a container body (12) and a cover (14) movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the container body (12) comprises a pair of body side walls (22) having respective through holes (28) and associated windows (30) aligned to each other, wherein the movable cover (14) comprises a pair of cover sides (44) having respective engagement tabs (48), wherein in said closed configuration the outer surfaces of said cover sides (44) are in contact with respective portions of inner surfaces of the respective body side walls (22), wherein in said closed configuration the engagement tabs (48) of the cover sides (44) engage into said through windows (30) of said body side walls (22) and retain the movable cover (14) to the container body (12), wherein each of said body side walls (22) has a stop flap (50) extending along a lower edge of the respective window (30) and which has to be displaced, during manufacturing of the container (10), towards the interior of the container body (12) so as to prevent the cover (14), when closed, being pushed inside the container body (12) beyond the position in which said engagement tabs (48) are engaged into the respective through windows (30) of the body side walls (22), characterized in that a pair of pushing members (70, 74; 84) are provided to enter into the container body (12) through said through holes (28) and associated windows (30) so as to displace said stop flaps (50) substantially perpendicularly to said body side walls (22).
- Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during displacement of said stop flaps (50) said container (10) is moving along a manufacturing line.
- Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said stop flaps (52) are initially displaced at 90° with respect to said body side walls (22) and subsequently slightly beyond 90°.
- Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mutual distance between said pushing members (70, 74; 84) is adjustable.
- Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that displacing of said stop flaps (50) is performed after the content has been introduced into the container (10).
- A forming unit (60) for the manufacturing of child-proof containers (10) comprising a container body (12) and a cover (14) movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the container body (12) comprises a pair of body side walls (22) having respective through holes (28) and associated windows (30) aligned to each other, wherein the movable cover (14) comprises a pair of cover sides (44) having respective engagement tabs (48), wherein in said closed configuration the outer surfaces of said cover sides (44) are in contact with respective portions of inner surfaces of the respective body side walls (22), wherein in said closed configuration the engagement tabs (48) of the cover sides (44) engage into said through windows (30) of said body side walls (22) and retain the movable cover (14) to the container body (12), wherein each of said body side walls (22) has a stop flap (50) extending along a lower edge of the respective window (30) and which has to be displaced, during manufacturing of the container (10), towards the interior of the container body (12) so as to prevent the cover (14), when closed, being pushed inside the container body (12) beyond the position in which said engagement tabs (48) are engaged into the respective through windows (30) of the body side walls (22), characterized in that said forming unit (60) comprises a pair of pushing members (790, 74; 84) designed to enter into the container body (12) through said through holes (28) and associated windows (30) so as to displace said stop flaps (50) substantially perpendicularly to said body side walls (22).
- Unit according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a pair of spaced-apart toothed racks (68) alternately displaceable vertically, a pair of juxtaposed swinging toothed arms (70) meshing with said racks (68) and having respective pusher ends (74), said arms (70) being swingable relatively to the container (10) set therebetween, upon displacement of said racks (68), from a mutually distal position to a mutually proximal position in which said pusher ends (74) enter said through holes (28) and windows (30) and fold said stop flaps (50).
- Unit according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that during displacement of said stop flaps (50) said unit (60) is displaceable in synchronism with the displacement of the container (10) on a conveyor (76).
- Unit according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said two arms (70) in said mutually proximal position are slightly moved downwardly so as to further fold said stop flaps (50) beyond 90°.
- Unit according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it comprises means (80, 82) to adjust the mutual distance between said racks (68) and related arms (70).
- Unit according to claim 5, characterized in that said pushing members comprise two mutually converging extensible actuators (84).
- A forming apparatus for the manufacturing of child-proof containers (10) comprising a container body (12) and a cover (14) movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the container body (12) comprises a pair of body side walls (22) having respective through holes (28) and associated windows (30) aligned to each other, wherein the movable cover (14) comprises a pair of cover sides (44) having respective engagement tabs (48), wherein in said closed configuration the outer surfaces of said cover sides (44) are in contact with respective portions of inner surfaces of the respective body side walls (22), wherein in said closed configuration the engagement tabs (48) of the cover sides (44) engage into said through windows (30) of said body side walls (22) and retain the movable cover (14) to the container body (12), wherein each of said body side walls (22) has a stop flap (50) extending along a lower edge of the respective window (30) and which has to be displaced, during manufacturing of the container (10), towards the interior of the container body (12) so as to prevent the cover (14), when closed, being pushed inside the container body (12) beyond the position in which said engagement tabs (48) are engaged into the respective through windows (30) of the body side walls (22), characterized in that it comprises a forming unit (60) including a pair of pushing members (790, 74; 84) designed to enter into the container body (12) through said through holes (28) and associated windows (30) so as to displace said stop flaps (50) substantially perpendicularly to said body side walls (22) .
- Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a pair of spaced-apart toothed racks (68) alternately displaceable vertically, a pair of juxtaposed swinging toothed arms (70) meshing with said racks (68) and having respective pusher ends (74), said arms (70) being swingable relatively to the container (10) set therebetween, upon displacement of said racks (68), from a mutually distal position to a mutually proximal position in which said pusher ends (74) enter said through holes (28) and windows (30) and fold said stop flaps (50).
- Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it comprises means (80, 82) to adjust the mutual distance between said racks (68) and related arms (70).
- Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that said pushing members comprise two mutually converging extensible actuators (84).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP21215807.5A EP4197922A1 (en) | 2021-12-20 | 2021-12-20 | Forming method, unit and apparatus for the manufacturing of child-proof containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP21215807.5A EP4197922A1 (en) | 2021-12-20 | 2021-12-20 | Forming method, unit and apparatus for the manufacturing of child-proof containers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4197922A1 true EP4197922A1 (en) | 2023-06-21 |
Family
ID=79230618
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP21215807.5A Withdrawn EP4197922A1 (en) | 2021-12-20 | 2021-12-20 | Forming method, unit and apparatus for the manufacturing of child-proof containers |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP4197922A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3394529A (en) * | 1966-02-25 | 1968-07-30 | Owens Illinois Inc | Carton locking apparatus |
US4196563A (en) * | 1978-07-14 | 1980-04-08 | Menasha Corporation | Arrangement for filling a receptacle having self-contained closure means |
NL1020300C2 (en) * | 2002-04-04 | 2003-10-07 | Kappa Packaging | Box made from e.g. cardboard, has tabs in side walls which can be fixed inside locating spaces in lid |
-
2021
- 2021-12-20 EP EP21215807.5A patent/EP4197922A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3394529A (en) * | 1966-02-25 | 1968-07-30 | Owens Illinois Inc | Carton locking apparatus |
US4196563A (en) * | 1978-07-14 | 1980-04-08 | Menasha Corporation | Arrangement for filling a receptacle having self-contained closure means |
NL1020300C2 (en) * | 2002-04-04 | 2003-10-07 | Kappa Packaging | Box made from e.g. cardboard, has tabs in side walls which can be fixed inside locating spaces in lid |
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