EP4272947A1 - Convoyeur pour une machine de formage de récipients à partir de flans - Google Patents

Convoyeur pour une machine de formage de récipients à partir de flans Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4272947A1
EP4272947A1 EP23170855.3A EP23170855A EP4272947A1 EP 4272947 A1 EP4272947 A1 EP 4272947A1 EP 23170855 A EP23170855 A EP 23170855A EP 4272947 A1 EP4272947 A1 EP 4272947A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blank
hopper
working unit
feed path
hoppers
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP23170855.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Marco Righetti
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.)
Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA
Original Assignee
Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA 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 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA filed Critical Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA
Publication of EP4272947A1 publication Critical patent/EP4272947A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/26—Folding sheets, blanks or webs
    • B31B50/44—Folding sheets, blanks or webs by plungers moving through folding dies
    • B31B50/442—Folding sheets, blanks or webs by plungers moving through folding dies having several cooperating plungers and dies fitted on a rotating table or on moving chains
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/003—Straightening the side walls of boxes; Squaring collapsed folded box blanks; Deforming boxes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/004—Closing boxes
    • B31B50/0044—Closing boxes the boxes having their opening facing upwardly
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B31B50/59—Shaping sheet material under pressure
    • B31B50/594—Modifying the shape of tubular boxes or of paper bottle necks
    • 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
    • B65B1/00—Packaging fluent solid material, e.g. powders, granular or loose fibrous material, loose masses of small articles, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B1/02—Machines characterised by the incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles
    • 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
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/005—Packaging other articles presenting special problems packaging of confectionery
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2100/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs
    • B31B2100/002—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs characterised by the shape of the blank from which they are formed
    • B31B2100/0022—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs characterised by the shape of the blank from which they are formed made from tubular webs or blanks, including by tube or bottom forming operations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2110/00—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B31B2110/10—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers having a cross section of varying size or shape, e.g. conical or pyramidal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2110/00—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B31B2110/30—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers having a polygonal cross section
    • B31B2110/35—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers having a polygonal cross section rectangular, e.g. square
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2120/00—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B31B2120/10—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers provided with covers, e.g. lids
    • B31B2120/102—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers provided with covers, e.g. lids with a hinged cover
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
    • B65B2220/02—Erecting a carton by pushing a blank into a form
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a working unit for a conveyor intended for a machine for forming containers from blanks, the conveyor, the machine and a method for forming containers from blanks.
  • These containers are used for packaging small-sized loose articles.
  • these containers may be used in the food industry for packaging loose confectionery products and the like.
  • these containers for example, are shaped in such a way as to have a cross section that tapers from an upper portion of the container to a bottom portion of the container.
  • machines for forming containers are equipped with a conveyor provided with a plurality of pockets adapted to receive blanks (for example, tubular blanks, whether flat or pre-folded and partly glued) to move them along a path through operating stations which form them.
  • blanks for example, tubular blanks, whether flat or pre-folded and partly glued
  • these containers have at least a main body defined by four side walls, a top opening (with upper end flaps) and a bottom opening (with lower end flaps).
  • This container may be made of cardboard or other material suitable for containing the aforementioned small-sized loose articles.
  • the blanks from which these containers are made are worked with suitable means to make creases and/or lines of weakness on them so that they are more compliant during final folding.
  • the blank is conveyed to a part of the machine where two side rails act in conjunction to fold two opposite walls and two folders fold the other two walls.
  • the folders are usually provided with elements that capture one of the panels of the blank and push it in controlled manner so it is folded correctly.
  • the walls are in a folded position and define the aforementioned cross section from the upper portion to the lower portion; the lower end flaps are then also glued in order to hold the blank in position.
  • the container is then filled and the upper end flaps glued in order to close the container thus formed.
  • prior art machines and methods like the ones described above lack precision and/or are slow in operation to ensure optimum forming to prevent the container from opening during one of the later forming operations.
  • state of the art machines are based on a sequence of operations which, if not adequately coordinated, lead to non-optimal formation of the container or possible damage to it, making it unsuitable for containing the above mentioned loose articles.
  • the machine described therein comprises a plurality of shaping hoppers, each of which has a top mouth and a bottom mouth, opposite to each other and open to define a shaping through channel, and which are configured to receive respective blanks at the top mouth.
  • Each hopper is internally provided with folding features giving the shaping channel a tapered cross-sectional shape in order to cause progressive folding of edges and/or side walls of the blank when the blank is inserted into the hopper.
  • the machine comprises an endless conveyor on which are mounted in succession the hoppers and a plurality of pushing elements, each operating on one of the hoppers to push the respective blank into the shaping channel towards the bottom mouth so as to determine the progressive folding of edges and/or side walls of the blank and in such a way that end flaps of the blank protrude respectively from the top mouth and the bottom mouth.
  • the pushing elements are movable in such a way as to follow the respective shaping hoppers along a stretch of the feed path and have a to-and-fro operating movement towards and away from the respective hopper along a direction transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the feed path.
  • the machine comprises folding means disposed on the feed path downstream of the pushing elements and configured to fold the end flaps of the blank inside the respective hopper, thus producing, respectively, a top closure and/or a bottom closure of the blank.
  • the technical purpose of this invention is therefore to provide a conveyor for a machine for forming containers from blanks and a machine for forming containers from blanks to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the aim of this invention is therefore to provide a working unit for a conveyor of a machine for forming containers from blanks, a conveyor of a machine for forming containers from blanks, and a machine for forming containers from blanks comprising such a conveyor to allow the containers to be formed quickly and precisely.
  • this invention relates to a working unit for a conveyor.
  • the conveyor is a conveyor of a machine for forming containers from blanks.
  • the working unit has a structure comprising a first and a second forming hopper for forming a corresponding container.
  • the structure comprises a connecting arm for connecting the first hopper to the second hopper.
  • the first and the second hopper are connected respectively to a first end of the connecting arm and to a second end of the connecting arm.
  • the first hopper, the second hopper and the connecting arm define a main direction of extension of the working unit.
  • the working unit comprises an engagement system for engaging or connecting or coupling the working unit to a traction system.
  • the engagement system is provided in the connecting arm.
  • the working unit is movable by the traction system along a feed direction transverse, preferably orthogonal, or parallel to the main direction of extension of the working unit itself.
  • the first hopper and the second hopper each have a top mouth and a bottom mouth, opposite each other to define a first forming channel in the first hopper and a second forming channel in the second hopper.
  • the first and the second hopper are configured to receive a first blank and a second blank in the corresponding top mouth, respectively.
  • the first and the second hopper are each internally provided with folding features that give the first forming channel and the second forming channel a preferably decreasing transverse cross section, to perform progressive folding of the edges and/or sidewalls of the first blank and second blank when the first blank is inserted into the first hopper and the second blank is inserted into the second hopper.
  • the structure of the working unit is symmetrical about a plane of symmetry orthogonal to the main direction, so that a conveyor comprising a plurality of working units is well balanced.
  • the structure of the working unit is symmetrical about a plane of symmetry parallel to the main direction.
  • the first hopper, the second hopper and the connecting arm are made as one piece to define the structure of the working unit.
  • the working unit is simple and compact.
  • the first forming channel and the second forming channel are through channels. That way, it is possible to process blanks that protrude from both the top mouth and the bottom mouth with flaps that are necessary for forming a bottom closure or a lid of the container.
  • the bottom mouth of the first hopper is closed or substantially closed and the bottom mouth of the second hopper is closed or substantially closed.
  • this description relates to a conveyor of a machine for forming containers from blanks.
  • the conveyor comprises a traction system and at least one working unit according to any one of the aspects set out above, engaged with or connected to or coupled to the traction system, preferably via the engagement system.
  • the traction system comprises a linear electric motor comprising a stator and at least one slider that is electromagnetically coupled to the stator, where the engagement system of the working unit is engaged with a corresponding slider.
  • the stator comprises at least one plurality of energizing coils and the slider comprises a permanent magnet.
  • the conveyor comprises a plurality of working units, each coupled to a corresponding slider of the traction system.
  • each working unit can be driven independently of the others, thus obtaining an extremely flexible conveyor. For example, it is possible to move one or more working units while one or more of the other working units remain stationary or to space the working units apart or group them together depending on the processes which the blanks and/or the containers must be subjected to.
  • Moving the working units with a double hopper via linear motors allows using simple, inexpensive motors, if necessary with low dynamics, since each working unit allows moving a pair of blanks.
  • the stator defines a closed, endless path for the sliders of the conveyor.
  • the main direction of each working unit is orthogonal to the feed direction of the working units themselves.
  • first and the second hopper are disposed on opposite sides of the traction system and the conveyor is well balanced.
  • this description relates to a machine for forming containers from blanks.
  • the machine comprises:
  • the working units define a succession of first hoppers along a first feed path and a succession of second hoppers along a second feed path.
  • the machine comprises a first set of pushing means having a to-and-fro operating movement towards and away from the first hoppers along a direction perpendicular to the first feed path.
  • Each first pushing means acts in conjunction with at least one of the first hoppers to push the corresponding first blank into the corresponding first forming channel, so as to determine a progressive folding of edges and/or side walls of the first blank and in such a way that end flaps of the first blank protrude at least from the top mouth of the first hoppers.
  • the machine comprises a second set of pushing means having a to-and-fro operating movement towards and away from the second hoppers along a direction perpendicular to the second feed path.
  • Each second pushing means acts in conjunction with at least one of the second hoppers to push the corresponding second blank into the corresponding second forming channel, so as to determine a progressive folding of edges and/or side walls of the second blank and in such a way that end flaps of the second blank protrude at least from the top mouth of the second hoppers.
  • the first and the second pushing means are located at a folding station of the machine.
  • the machine comprises folding means disposed along the first and the second feed path, downstream of the folding station, to fold the end flaps of each first and second blank inserted in the respective first or second hopper to make at least one top closure of the first and the second blank.
  • the folding means are configured to make a bottom closure of the first and the second blank, in particular in the case where flaps of the blank protrude from the bottom mouths of the first and the second hopper.
  • the first pushing means are positioned over the first feed path.
  • the second pushing means are positioned over the second feed path.
  • the machine comprises first positioning and feed means for positioning the first blanks and feeding them to the first hoppers and second positioning and feed means for positioning the second blanks and feeding them to the second hoppers.
  • the first positioning means are movable between a position near the first feed path and a position far from the first feed path.
  • the first positioning means are movable along a direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the working units.
  • the second positioning means are movable between a position near the second feed path and a position far from the second feed path.
  • the second positioning means are movable along a direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the working units.
  • the first positioning means when at the position near the first feed path, are interposed between the first pushing means and the first hoppers.
  • the second positioning means when at the position near the second feed path, are interposed between the second pushing means and the second hoppers.
  • the preferred architecture of the machine allows feeding the first and the second blanks to the first and the second hoppers respectively, so that the corresponding pushing means can form the containers even in groups of working units present at the folding station.
  • the traction system of the working units in the container forming machine comprises a linear electric motor comprising a stator, common to the first and the second feed path and extending in the same direction as the working units, and a plurality of sliders which, for example, comprise permanent magnets and which are electromagnetically coupled to the stator.
  • Each working unit of the working units present is coupled to a respective slider of the linear electric motor by its own engagement system, so that each working unit can be moved independently of the others.
  • this description relates to a method for forming containers.
  • the method for forming containers is implemented with a machine for forming containers according to one of the aspects set out above.
  • the method comprises:
  • the step of pushing the first tubular blank into the first forming channel of the first hopper and the step of pushing the second tubular blank into the second forming channel of the second hopper are carried out simultaneously.
  • the numeral 1 denotes a working unit for a conveyor 100.
  • the conveyor 100 is intended for a machine for forming containers from blanks, an example of which is illustrated in Figure 7 and is labelled 200.
  • Figures 4 to 6 illustrate respectively an example of a blank 300, a semifinished item 400 obtained in the course of transforming the blank 300 into a container, and a container 500.
  • the blank 300 is, for example, a pre-glued tubular blank to which reference is made hereinafter without loss of generality.
  • tubular blanks is used to mean blanks 300 having a main body 301 defining side walls 302, a top opening 303 and a bottom opening 304.
  • the blanks 300 illustrated have end flaps 305 at the openings 303, 304.
  • pre-glued is meant that the blanks 300 that are originally flat are then folded, glued and flattened to define a partly formed blank that is ready to adopt the shape described above.
  • the flat blank 300 is folded and glued in such a way that, when processed, its flattened shape will easily adopt a tubular shape with, for example, a substantially rectangular cross section.
  • the blank 300 illustrated by way of example comprises four side walls 302 and four flaps 305 at the top opening 303 and four flaps 305 at the bottom opening 304 (only two of which are visible).
  • the example blank 300 has a main body 301 made in the shape of a square base parallelepiped, extending in height and hollow at the bottom and top bases.
  • Other shapes of the blank 300 are imaginable but, for simplicity, this description hereinafter refers to the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 .
  • the blank 300 has a plurality of edges 306 and various different fold lines 307 located in proximity to the edges, and joining lines located between the flaps 305 and the side walls 302.
  • the flaps 305 at the opening 304 define a bottom closure 501 of the container 500.
  • the flaps 305 in the proximity of the opening 303 define a top closure or lid 502 of the container 500.
  • a preferred example of a container 500 has a box-shaped body, formed of the main body 301, whose cross section decreases from an upper portion to a lower portion of the main body 301.
  • the main body 301, the top closure 502 and the bottom closure 501 delimit a containing space in which to hold loose articles, specifically small-sized loose articles.
  • the container 500 is suitable for use in the food industry for packaging loose confectionery products and the like.
  • the closure 502 can be opened by a user to gain access to the containing space in order to take out the loose articles contained therein.
  • the working unit 1 has a structure 2 comprising a first and a second forming hopper 3, 4 for forming a corresponding container 500.
  • the hopper 3, in use receives a first blank 300a and the hopper 4, in use, receives a second blank 300b.
  • the structure 2 comprises a connecting arm 5 for connecting the hoppers 3, 4.
  • the hoppers 3, 4 are connected respectively to a first end 5a and to a second end 5b of the arm 5.
  • the hoppers 3, 4 and the arm 5 define a main direction of extension D1 of the working unit 1.
  • the hopper 3, the hopper 4 and the arm 5 are made as one piece to define the structure 2.
  • the hoppers 3 and 4 and the arm 5 are distinct components, for example, joined together by fastening devices to obtain the structure 2.
  • the structure 2 is symmetrical about a plane P1 parallel to the direction D1.
  • the structure 2 is symmetrical about a plane P2 orthogonal to the direction D1.
  • the working unit 1 comprises an engagement system 6, configured for engaging or connecting or coupling the working unit 1 to a traction system.
  • the engagement system 6 is integral with the arm 5 or formed therein.
  • the hoppers 3, 4 each have a top mouth 3a, 4a and a bottom mouth 3b, 4b, confronting each other to define a forming channel 7 in the hopper 3 and a forming channel 8 in the hopper 4.
  • the channels 7 and 8 are through channels.
  • the bottom mouths 3b, 4b are closed or substantially closed.
  • the top mouth 3a, 4a is the part of the hopper 3, 4 that is configured to initially receive the tubular blanks 300a, 300b,
  • the hopper 3 is configured to receive the respective blank 300a at the mouth 3a.
  • the hopper 4 is configured to receive the respective blank 300b at the mouth 4a.
  • Each hopper 3, 4 is internally provided with folding features 9 giving the channel 7, 8 a decreasing cross-sectional size.
  • the channels 7, 8 may have a constant or increasing cross-sectional size.
  • the inside walls of the hoppers 3, 4 have a series of recesses and/or protuberances defining the folding features 9 giving the channels 7, 8 a cross section that decreases in size from the mouths 3a, 4a to the mouths 3b, 4b.
  • the features 9 are made in such a way as to progressively fold the edges 306 and/or the side walls 302 of the blanks 300a, 300b while the blanks 300a, 300b are being inserted into the respective hoppers 3, 4.
  • the features 9 press against the edges 306 and/or the side walls 306 so as to give the main body 301 of the corresponding container 500 the shape with the decreasing cross sectional size.
  • the conveyor 100 comprises a traction system 101 and a plurality of working units 1.
  • the engagement systems 6 of the individual working units 1 are engaged with or coupled to or connected to the system 101 so that it moves the working units 1 along a feed direction D.
  • the direction D1 of each working unit 1 is orthogonal to the feed direction D of the working units 1.
  • the hoppers 2, 3 are disposed on opposite sides of the traction system 101.
  • the system 101 comprises a linear electric motor 102, comprising a stator 103 and a plurality of sliders 104, each electromagnetically coupled to the stator 103.
  • the stator 103 defines a closed, endless path for the sliders 104 of the conveyor 100.
  • the sliders 104 are essentially in the form of permanent magnets.
  • Each working unit 1 is movable along the stator 103 independently of the others; depending on the operations to be carried out with the blanks, either on the blanks themselves or on the containers, the working units 1 may be, for example, grouped together or spaced apart.
  • each working unit 1 is engaged with a corresponding slider 104.
  • each working unit 1 of the conveyor 100 is driven by its own linear electric motor, comprising the respective slider 104 and the stator 103; each working unit 1 is driven or drivable independently of the others.
  • the working units 1 are hereinafter also referred to as "carriages".
  • the traction system 101 comprises, for example, a movable cleated belt which the individual working units 1 are attached to.
  • the machine 200 comprises a conveyor 100 which comprises a plurality of working units 1 whose main direction of extension D1 is orthogonal to the feed direction D of the working units 1. Looking at Figure 7 , the working units 1 move in a clockwise direction V.
  • the hoppers 3 follow a feed path P3 and the hoppers 4 follow a feed path P4, parallel to the path P3.
  • the path P3 and the path P4 each have four straight stretches joined by four curved stretches.
  • the row of working units 1 defines a succession of hoppers 3 along the path P3 and a succession of hoppers 4 along the path P4.
  • the machine 200 comprises a set 201 of pushing means 202 having a to-and-fro operating movement towards and away from the hoppers 3 along a direction D2 perpendicular to the path P3.
  • the pushing means 202 are positioned over the feed path P3.
  • Each pushing means 202 acts in conjunction with one of the hoppers 3 to push the corresponding blank 300a into the corresponding forming channel 7, causing the progressive folding of the edges 306 and/or of the side walls 302 of the blank 300a and in such a way that the flaps 305 of the blank 300a protrude at least from the top mouth 3a of the hoppers 3.
  • pushing means 202 A preferred example of the pushing means 202 and its operation is described in document WO2021024079 ( pushing element 5) which is incorporated herein by reference for completeness of description.
  • the machine 200 comprises a set 203 of pushing means 204 having a to-and-fro operating movement towards and away from the hoppers 4 along a direction D2 perpendicular to the path P4.
  • the pushing means 204 are positioned over the feed path P4.
  • Each pushing means 204 acts in conjunction with one of the hoppers 4 to push the corresponding blank 300b into the corresponding forming channel 8, causing the progressive folding of the edges 306 and/or of the side walls 302 of the blank 300b and in such a way that the flaps 305 of the blank 300b protrude at least from the top mouth 4a of the hoppers 4.
  • pushing means 204 A preferred example of the pushing means 204 and its operation is described in document WO2021024079 ( pushing element 5) .
  • the pushing means 202, 204 are located at and define a folding station 205 for folding the blanks 300 in the machine 200.
  • the machine 200 comprises first positioning and feed means 206 for positioning the blanks 300a and feeding them to the hoppers 3 and second positioning and feed means 207 for positioning the blanks 300b and feeding them to the hoppers 4.
  • the means 206 are movable between a position near the feed path P3 and a position far from the path P3.
  • the positioning means 206 are movable along a direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the working units, that is to say, parallel to the direction D1.
  • the means 207 are movable between a position near the feed path P4 and a position far from the path P4.
  • the positioning means 207 are movable along a direction orthogonal to the feed direction of the working units, that is to say, parallel to the direction D1.
  • Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an example of the movement of the means 206 at the station 205; in particular, Figure 9 illustrates the positioning means 206 at the position near the path P3 and Figure 10 illustrates the positioning means 206 at the position far from the path P3.
  • the positioning means 207 are preferably movable in a manner substantially similar to the means 206 and not illustrated.
  • the positioning means 206 are interposed between the pushing means 202 and the hoppers 3.
  • the positioning means 207 are interposed between the pushing means 204 and the hoppers 4.
  • the means 206, 207 have a transverse cross section that is substantially C-shaped so they can correctly hold respective blanks 300a, 300b to position them correctly at respective hoppers 3, 4 and pushing means 202, 204.
  • the positioning means 206, 207 are movable along a respective, closed path P206, P207, positioned partly over the set 201 of pushing means 202 and the set 203 of pushing means 204, respectively.
  • the means 206 move clockwise and the means 207 anticlockwise.
  • the means 206, 207 are movable between a feed station 208, where the blanks 300a, 300b are fed to the means 206, 207 themselves, and the folding station 205, where the blanks are folded.
  • Each positioning means 206, 207 is movable between an engaged configuration in which it is engaged with a respective blank 300a, 300b, corresponding to the position near the respective path P3, P4, and a disengaged configuration in which it is disengaged from the respective blank 300a, 300b, corresponding to the position far from the respective path P3, P4.
  • engaged configuration is meant that the positioning means 206, 207 fits around a respective blank 300a, 300b in such a way as to engage a respective part of a respective pushing means 202, 204.
  • the engaged configuration corresponds to a respective position where the positioning means 206, 207 keeps the blank 300a, 300b aligned with the respective hoppers 3, 4 and with the pushing means 202, 204.
  • the engaged configuration is maintained until the pushing means 202, 204 start pushing the corresponding blank 300a, 300b into the corresponding shaping channel 7, 8.
  • disengaged configuration is meant a configuration in which the positioning means 206, 207 allows the respective pushing means 202, 207 to push the blank 300a, 300b into the shaping channel 7, 8.
  • the disengaged configuration corresponds to a position where the means 206, 207 is far from the respective blank 300a, 300b so that the pushing means 202, 204, which is by now engaged with the blank 300a, 300b, can push the blank 300a, 300b into the forming channel 7, 8 without interference.
  • the machine 200 comprises folding systems, not illustrated, located along the first and the second feed path P3, P4, downstream of or at the folding station 205, for folding the end flaps 305 of the blanks 300a, 300b, inserted in the respective hopper 3 or 4 to form the bottom closure 501 and the top closure 502 of the containers 500.
  • the bottom closure 501 is formed at the station 205 when the corresponding blank 300a, 300b is pushed into the respective hopper 3, 4.
  • the machine 200 comprises a filling station 209 for filling the containers, where the loose products are inserted into the containers 500 and which is located downstream of the station where the bottom closures 501 are formed.
  • the folding systems which make the top closure 502 may be located downstream of the filling station to make the lid and close it.
  • the folding systems may fold the flaps 305 to form the lid 502 upstream of the station 209 and close it downstream of the same station.
  • the machine 100 comprises gluing means (not illustrated), located upstream of the folding systems (or of each folding system) and configured to glue portions of the flaps 305. That way, once the flaps 305 have been folded, the flaps 305 are glued to each other and define the bottom and top closures 501, 502.
  • the machine 100 comprises a first and a second zone 210, 211 where, for example, the containers 500 can be closed and/or other operations can be performed on them.
  • the linear motors which drive the working units 1 five carriages 1, that is to say, ten containers, are filled at the station 209 simultaneously, while in the zones 210 and 211, one and two carriages are processed at a time, respectively.
  • the machine 1 comprises an unloading station 212, where the finished containers 500 are unloaded from the conveyor 100.
  • one carriage 1 is unloaded at a time at the unloading station 212.
  • the blanks 300a, 300b are fed to the positioning means 206, 207 at the station 208.
  • the means 206, 207 following the respective paths P206, P207, carry the blanks 300a, 300b to the station 205.
  • the means 206, 207 preferably find a train of working units 1 with the respective hoppers 3, 4 positioned along the respective paths P3, P4.
  • the working units 1 are stationary and positioned so that the hoppers 3, 4 are under the corresponding pushing means 202, 204.
  • the tubular blanks 300a, 300b are interposed by the means 206, 207 between a respective hopper 3, 4 and a respective pushing means 202, 204.
  • the pushing means 202, 204 advance towards the respective hopper 3, 4 with a to-and-fro movement.
  • Each of the means 202, 204 moves down towards the hopper 3, 4 until it engages the respective blank 300a, 300b and is inserted into it. Once the means 202, 204 has engaged the respective blank 300a, 300b, the positioning means 206, 207 move to the respective far position, illustrated in Figure 10 .
  • the pushing means 202, 204 now move in such a way as to fully insert the blanks 300a, 300b into the corresponding hoppers 3, 4.
  • the means 202, 204 complete their to-and-fro movement by moving away from the respective hoppers 3, 4 and the working units 1 can proceed to the stations or zones downstream, individually or in groups, depending on the operations to be carried out on the blanks or containers. In a preferred embodiment, for example, filling is carried out by groups of working units 1.
  • a method for forming the containers 500 is implemented by the machine 200 for forming containers. The method comprises:
  • the step of pushing the blank 300a into the channel 7 and the step of pushing the blank 300b into the channel 8 are carried out simultaneously.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
EP23170855.3A 2022-05-02 2023-04-28 Convoyeur pour une machine de formage de récipients à partir de flans Pending EP4272947A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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IT102022000008549A IT202200008549A1 (it) 2022-05-02 2022-05-02 Convogliatore per macchina di formatura di contenitori a partire da sbozzati

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EP4272947A1 true EP4272947A1 (fr) 2023-11-08

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120190520A1 (en) * 2011-01-22 2012-07-26 Adrian Rivera Beverage Pod Packaging Manufacturing Machine
WO2021024079A1 (fr) 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. Machine et procédé permettant de former des récipients à partir de flans

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120190520A1 (en) * 2011-01-22 2012-07-26 Adrian Rivera Beverage Pod Packaging Manufacturing Machine
WO2021024079A1 (fr) 2019-08-08 2021-02-11 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. Machine et procédé permettant de former des récipients à partir de flans

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