ES1234939U - ADJUSTABLE BOX STACKING MACHINE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Adjustable box stacking machine (1), comprising: - an essentially rectangular lifting cavity (3), adjacent to a delivery end of a box conveyor (2) configured to transport boxes from a receiving end to a delivery end according to a forward direction (D); - an elevator (4) located in the lifting cavity (3) vertically movable by the action of an actuator between a lower position, in which said elevator (4) is configured to receive one or more boxes from said conveyor (2), and an upper position, in which the elevator (4) is configured to transfer said one or more boxes to a support device (5) that holds them in an elevated position related to an exit path (6); - a support device (5) for boxes comprising: - two lateral structures (33) supported on the chassis (11) on opposite sides of the lifting cavity (3), each of which supports two retractable nails (7); and - at least four of said retractable nails (7) respectively associated with the four corners of the lifting cavity (3), each retractable nail (7) being movable between a retention position, where the retractable nail (7) is inserted at least partially in the lift cavity (3), and a retracted position, where it is adjacent or outside the lift cavity (3); - a pusher device (8) comprising a pusher member (9) and an actuator (10), said pusher member (9) being movable in a guided manner according to a linear direction of thrust (E), by said actuator (10) between a retracted position and an extended position to push and move one or more stacks of boxes stacked vertically one above the other from said support device (5) towards an exit path (6); - said exit path (6) comprising a pair of exit guides (26), each provided with a horizontal surface (26c); - a chassis (11) where the conveyor (2), the support device (5), the pusher device (8) and the exit path (6) are supported; - a first regulating device comprising at least two linear guidance elements (34), said linear guidance elements (34) being connected to both lateral structures (33) and supported in the chassis (11), configured to regulate the position the lateral structures (33), their retractable nails (7), and the exit guides (6), along a first direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction of advance (D); characterized because each exit guide (26) is provided with a vertical member (26a) configured so that the boxes stop against said vertical member (26a) when they are introduced into the lifting cavity by the conveyor (2); said respective vertical members (26a) are configured to move by means of the first regulating device along the first direction (Y) integral with its respective lateral structure (33) and its exit guide (26); and because it further comprises a second regulating device that regulates the position of said respective vertical members (26a) along a second direction (X) perpendicular to the first direction (Y) regardless of the position of the supported retractable nails (7) in the lateral structures (33). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

ADJUSTABLE BOX STACKING MACHINE

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention is related to an adjustable box stacking machine. Such boxes are formed from flat plates, and are typically made of corrugated cardboard sheet, corrugated plastic sheet, compact cardboard sheet, compact plastic sheet, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Documents ES2066663B1 and ES2343771B1 disclose a cardboard box stacking machine where a conveyor suitable for transporting boxes from a receiving end to a delivery end. It also comprises an elevator, operatively located in a lifting cavity, capable of individually lifting one after another cardboard boxes from said conveyor to form a stack of boxes, with a support device configured to withstand the bottom box of the stack and allowing the boxes to be added to the stack one by one from below by the elevator, and wherein said pushing device comprises a pushing member movable by a drive member between a retracted position and an extended position to push and move a finished stack of boxes from said support device to an exit path, which comprises a pair of exit guides where the piles of boxes sit and whose separation is adjustable. These stackers are suitable for stacking boxes of different sizes.

In ES2066663B1 in each of the corners of the rectangular elevation cavity vertical squares are placed at right angles. Each of them supports a retractable corner nail. The separation between two pairs of vertical brackets and the opposite is adjustable independently in two mutually perpendicular directions, by means of two transverse spindles and two longitudinal spindles, to adapt the change in sizes of the base of boxes to be stacked. The two brackets opposite the delivery end of the conveyor perform end stop functions that limit the introduction of the box into the lift cavity in the direction of travel of the conveyor. The two vertical squares adjacent to the exit path, in addition to supporting the retractable nails, include respective exit guides.

A drawback of the end stop and the support device of the ES2066663B1 document stacking machine is that the retractable nails tend to stack deficient of some box formats. This happens because the boxes of these formats have protrusions in their upper part that fit with cavities made in the base of the box located superiorly in the pile of boxes. If the four cavities of that box format coincide with the areas where the base of the box is supported with the support device, the pile of boxes may be distorted because on some retractable nail it supports the hollow area of the cavity and in another retractable nail supports the base of the box, thus leaving the stack of boxes inclined.

Another drawback of the end stop and the support device of document ES2066663B1 is that they make the stacking machine not suitable for lifting and supporting two or more boxes at the same time in the lifting cavity.

Document ES2554840B1 solves these drawbacks and discloses a stacking machine with an end stop device for box stacking machine. The end stop device comprises an end stop disposed in a lifting cavity of a box stacking machine where there is a vertical lift, which in its lower position receives one or more boxes from a conveyor, and in its upper position transfers one or more boxes to a lift device. The position of the end stop is adjustable with respect to a fixed frame of the machine in a direction of advance of the conveyor by means of a spindle, and the position of the end stop determines that the lifting cavity can accommodate one or more boxes at a time, and / or adapts the lift cavity to different box sizes. To regulate this stacker at a change in the size of the base, two boxes must be made. First, regulate the position of the end stop by rotating a spindle, and second, independently, the position of two lateral structures comprising three or more retractable nails and the exit guides by turning a spindle.

However, a drawback of the stacking machine of document ES2554840B1 is that the adjustable end stop device comprises a plurality of sprockets, attached to a chain, a plurality of guides and a plurality of linear skates, which add a raised extra cost to the machine stacker

It would be desirable to obtain an adjustable stacking machine with reduced costs that would reduce your downtime and increase your productivity. These downtimes are related to the adaptation of the stacking machine for a box of different size, to the time associated with stopping by a poorly formed battery, to the time taken to arrange the stacking machine from a transport configuration to a work configuration , etc.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

To solve the drawbacks set forth in the previous section, the present invention presents, according to a first aspect, an adjustable box stacking machine.

Said stacking machine comprises an essentially rectangular lifting cavity, adjacent to a delivery end of a box conveyor configured to transport boxes from a receiving end to a delivery end according to a forward direction.

Likewise, said stacking machine comprises an elevator located in the vertically movable lifting cavity by the action of an actuator between a lower position, in which said elevator is configured to receive one or more boxes from said conveyor, and an upper position, in which the elevator is configured to transfer said one or more boxes to a support device that holds them in an elevated position related to an exit path.

Likewise, said stacking machine comprises a box support device.

The lifting device comprises two lateral structures supported on the chassis on opposite sides of the lifting cavity, each of which supports two retractable nails.

In addition, said support device comprises at least four of said retractable nails associated respectively with the four corners of the lifting cavity, each retractable nail being movable between a retention position, wherein the retractable nail is at least partially inserted into the cavity lifting, and a retracted position, where it is adjacent or outside the lifting cavity.

Likewise, said stacking machine comprises a pusher device comprising a pusher member and an actuator member, said pusher member being movable in a guided manner according to a linear thrust direction, by said actuator member between a retracted position and an extended position for pushing and moving one or more stacks of boxes stacked vertically one above the other from said support device towards an exit path.

Also, the stacking machine comprises said exit path, which comprises a pair of exit guides, each provided with a horizontal surface.

Also, the stacking machine comprises a chassis where the conveyor, the support device, the pusher device and the exit path are supported.

In addition, the stacking machine comprises a first regulating device comprising at least two linear guiding elements, said guiding elements being linear attached to both lateral structures and supported on the chassis. The first regulating device is configured to jointly regulate the position of the lateral structures, their retractable nails, and the exit guides, along a first direction perpendicular to the direction of advance.

In said stacking machine, each exit guide is provided with a vertical member configured so that the boxes stop against said vertical member when they are introduced into the lifting cavity by the conveyor.

Also, in said stacking machine, said respective vertical members are configured to move the first regulating device along the first direction together with its respective lateral structure and its exit guide.

Said stacking machine further comprises a second regulating device that regulates the position of said respective vertical members along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, regardless of the position of the retractable nails supported on the side structures. That is, the second regulating device regulates the position of the vertical members and not the position of the retractable nails.

Thus, since the position of these vertical members that perform stop functions can be regulated independently of the position of the retention nails, the problems related to the stacks of twisted boxes for some box formats are solved. An adjustable stacking machine for boxes with different sizes is also achieved by these two simple regulations of the first and second regulation device, while being a solution of reduced costs.

Preferably, the second regulating device comprises, in each exit guide, a second linear guide element aligned with the second direction and a locking and unlocking element that locks and unlocks each respective exit guide with respect to the lateral structure.

Preferably, each second linear guidance element is a respective elongated hole, and each locking and unlocking element is a screw.

Also preferably, the linear guidance elements are two spindles.

Also preferably, a support device comprises one or more additional retractable nails supported on each lateral structure between the two corresponding retractable nails to support in each cycle one or more additional boxes laterally adjacent to said box in said upper position.

Optionally, each retractable nail and additional retractable nail is pivotally installed with respect to an axis of rotation, and wherein a recovery device pushes the additional retractable nails towards a retention position, in which the additional retractable nails protrude from the corresponding structure lateral into the lifting cavity, and the box and / or the one or more additional boxes push the additional retractable nails against the force of said recovery device towards a retracted position when the elevator is moved to the upper position.

Optionally, the two corresponding retractable nails and the one or more additional retractable nails located on each side structure are pivotally installed relative to a common axis of rotation.

In addition, the stacking machine further comprises two lateral protections supported on the chassis in an articulated manner, by means of respective vertical joints, each lateral protection being located on each side of the exit guides, and where the exit guides protrude below the protections laterals in a transport position where the lateral protections are essentially coplanar to each other.

Optionally, the elevator comprises an elevator member provided with two L-shaped surfaces, configured to be one of them vertical to the ground and the other horizontal to the ground, one of said surfaces being flatter than the other, and configured to lock and unlock. of the elevator actuator and exchange its vertical or horizontal position to adapt to the base of the box or boxes to be raised.

Throughout the description and the claims the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. In addition, the word "comprises" includes the case "consists of". For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be derived partly from the description and partly from the practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting of the present invention. The numerical signs relating to the drawings and placed in parentheses in a claim are only intended to increase the understanding of the claim, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claim. In addition, the present invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made of the object of the invention and to help a better understanding of the characteristics that distinguish it, it is accompanied in the present specification, as an integral part thereof, of a set of drawings, in the that the following has been represented by way of illustration and not limitation:

Figs. 1 and 3 are respective top perspective views of the stacking machine of the present invention according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is another top perspective view of the stacking machine of Fig. 1, where a box stack supported on the support device is located, and another box stack supported on the exit guides.

Fig. 4 is the view of Fig. 3, now with the side shields in transport position.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the pusher device, the lifting cavity, the substantiation device and the exit guides.

Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of a side structure, and of some elements that are supported on it.

Fig. 8 is a sectioned and cut-away side view of the stacking machine of Fig. 1, where a stack of boxes supported in the support device is also shown.

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectioned side views of the stacking machine of Fig. 1, in which, respectively, a stack of boxes with the pushing device in the retracted position, and a stack of boxes with the pushing device in the extended position has been shown.

DETAILED EXHIBITION OF EMBODIMENTS / EXAMPLES

Figs. 1 to 10 show a first embodiment of the stacking machine of the present invention.

In Figs. 1, 5 and 6 it is shown that said stacking machine (1) comprises an essentially rectangular lifting cavity (3), adjacent to a delivery end of a box conveyor (2) configured to transport boxes from a receiving end to a delivery end according to a direction of advance (D).

Figs. 5, 8 to 10 show that said stacking machine (1) comprises an elevator (4) located in the lifting cavity (3) vertically movable by the action of an actuator between a lower position (Figs. 9 and 10), in the that said elevator (4) is configured to receiving one or more boxes from said conveyor (2), and an upper position (Figs. 8), in which the elevator (4) is configured to transfer said one or more boxes to a support device (5) that supports them in an elevated position related to an exit route (6). The actuator of this embodiment is a pneumatic cylinder (41) that moves a lifting member (42).

In Figs. 5, 8 and 9 it can be seen that the lifting member (42) is provided with two L-shaped surfaces (42a, 42b), configured to be one of them vertical to the ground and the other horizontal to the ground, one of said surfaces being (42b) more flattened than the other (42a), and configured to lock and unlock the elevator actuator (4) and exchange its vertical or horizontal position to adapt to the base of the box or boxes (C) to be raised.

Figs. 5 to 10 show that said stacking machine (1) comprises a support device (5) for boxes (C). The support device (5) comprises two lateral structures (33) supported in the chassis (11) on opposite sides of the lifting cavity (3), each of which supports two retractable nails (7). Said side structures (33) are embodied in respective side walls.

Following in Figs. 5 to 7, said lifting device comprises at least four of said retractable nails (7) associated respectively to the four corners of the lifting cavity (3), each retractable nail (7) being movable between a holding position, wherein The retractable nail (7) is at least partially inserted into the lifting cavity (3), and a retracted position, where it is adjacent or outside the lifting cavity (3).

Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8 to 10 show that said stacking machine (1) comprises a pusher device (8) comprising a pusher member (9) and a drive member (10), said pusher member (9) being ) guided in a guided direction according to a linear direction of thrust (E), by said actuator (10) between a retracted position (Figs. 8 and 9) and an extended position (Fig. 10) to push and move one or more stacks (P) of boxes (C) stacked vertically one above the other from said support device (5) towards an exit path (6).

In Figs. 2 to 6 it is shown that the stacking machine (1) comprises said exit path (6), which comprises a pair of exit guides (26), each provided with a horizontal surface (26c).

Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate that the stacking machine (1) comprises a chassis (11) where the conveyor (2), the support device (5), the pusher device (8) and the exit path (6) are supported.

In Figs. 6 to 8 it is shown in detail that the stacking machine (1) comprises a first regulating device comprising two linear guiding elements (34), materialized in two spindles connected with a chain (39). Said spindles are rotatably connected to both lateral structures (33) by means of nuts (38). In Figs. 1 to 3, the spindles are supported on the chassis (11).

Figs. 5 and 6 show that the first regulating device is configured to jointly regulate the position of the lateral structures (33), their retractable nails (7), and the exit guides (6), along a first direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction of advance (D).

Figs. 3, 5 show that said stacking machine (1), each exit guide (26) is provided with a vertical member (26a) configured so that the boxes abut against said vertical member (26a) when they are inserted into the lifting cavity by the conveyor (2).

In Figs. 1 to 7 it can be seen in detail that said stacking machine (1), said respective vertical members (26a) are configured to move by means of the first regulating device along the first direction (Y) integral with its respective lateral structure ( 33) and its exit guide (26).

Following in Figs. 1 to 7, said stacking machine (1) further comprises a second regulating device that regulates the position of said respective vertical members (26a) along a second direction (X) perpendicular to the first direction (Y) independently of the position of the retractable nails (7) supported on the side structures (33).

In this first embodiment, Figs. 5 to 7 show in detail that the second regulating device comprises, in each output guide (26), a second linear guidance element (26b) aligned with the second direction (X) and a locking and unlocking element (30) which locks and unlocks each respective exit guide (26) with respect to the lateral structure (33).

Following in Figs. 5 to 7, each second linear guide element (26b) is a respective elongated hole, and each locking and unlocking element (30) is a screw that locks each exit guides (26) in a respective nut (38) adjacent to the exit route (6).

In this embodiment, Figs. 5 to 7 show that support device (5) comprises seven additional retractable nails (35) supported on each lateral structure (33) between the two corresponding retractable nails (7) to support in each cycle one or more additional boxes laterally adjacent to said box in said upper position.

Following in Figs. 5 to 7, each retractable nail (7) and additional retractable nail (35) is pivotally installed with respect to an axis of rotation (37), and where a recovery device (36) pushes the additional retractable nails (35) towards a retention position, in which the additional retractable nails (35) protrude from the corresponding lateral structure (33) into the lifting cavity (3), and the box and / or the one or more additional boxes push the nails additional retractable (35) against the force of said recovery device towards a retracted position when the elevator (4) is moved to the upper position (Fig. 8).

In the Fis. 5 to 7 it is detailed that the two corresponding retractable nails (7) and the seven additional retractable nails (35) located on each side structure (33) are pivotally installed with respect to a common axis of rotation (37).

Figs. 1 to 4 and 8 to 10 show that the stacking machine (1) further comprises two lateral protections (27) supported in the chassis (11) in an articulated manner, by means of respective vertical joints (28), each lateral protection (27) being located on each side of the exit guides (26), and where the exit guides (26) protrude below the side shields (27) in a transport position (Fig. 4) where the side shields (27) They are essentially coplanar to each other.

Claims (9)

1.- Stacking machine (1) with adjustable boxes, comprising: - an essentially rectangular lifting cavity (3), adjacent to a delivery end of a box conveyor (2) configured to transport boxes from a receiving end to a delivery end according to a forward direction (D); - an elevator (4) located in the lifting cavity (3) vertically movable by the action of an actuator between a lower position, in which said elevator (4) is configured to receive one or more boxes from said conveyor (2) , and an upper position, in which the elevator (4) is configured to transfer said one or more boxes to a support device (5) that holds them in an elevated position related to an exit path (6); - a support device (5) for boxes comprising: - two lateral structures (33) supported on the chassis (11) on opposite sides of the lifting cavity (3), each of which supports two retractable nails (7); Y - at least four of said retractable nails (7) respectively associated with the four corners of the lifting cavity (3), each retractable nail (7) being movable between a retention position, where the retractable nail (7) is inserted at least partially in the lift cavity (3), and a retracted position, where it is adjacent or outside the lift cavity (3); - a pusher device (8) comprising a pusher member (9) and an actuator (10), said pusher member (9) being movable in a guided manner according to a linear direction of thrust (E), by said actuator (10) between a retracted position and an extended position to push and move one or more stacks of boxes stacked vertically one above the other from said support device (5) towards an exit path (6); - said exit path (6) comprising a pair of exit guides (26), each provided with a horizontal surface (26c); - a chassis (11) where the conveyor (2), the support device (5), the pusher device (8) and the exit path (6) are supported; - a first regulating device comprising at least two linear guidance elements (34), said linear guidance elements (34) being connected to both lateral structures (33) and supported in the chassis (11), configured to regulate the position the lateral structures (33), their retractable nails (7), and the exit guides (6), along a first direction (Y) perpendicular to the direction of advance (D); characterized because each exit guide (26) is provided with a vertical member (26a) configured so that the boxes stop against said vertical member (26a) when they are introduced into the lifting cavity by the conveyor (2); said respective vertical members (26a) are configured to move by means of the first regulating device along the first direction (Y) integral with its respective lateral structure (33) and its exit guide (26); Y because it also comprises a second regulating device that regulates the position of said respective vertical members (26a) along a second direction (X) perpendicular to the first direction (Y) regardless of the position of the supported retractable nails (7) in the lateral structures (33). 2. - Stacking machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second regulating device comprises, in each exit guide (26), a second linear guide element (26b) aligned with the second direction (X) and a locking and unlocking element (30) that locks and unlocks each respective exit guide (26) with respect to the lateral structure (33). 3. Stacking machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein each second linear guiding element (26b) is a respective elongated hole, and each locking and unlocking element (30) is a screw. 4. - Stacking machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the linear guide elements (34) are two spindles. 5. - Stacking machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support device (5) comprises one or more additional retractable nails (35) supported on each side structure (33) between the two corresponding retractable nails (7 ) to support in each cycle one or more additional boxes laterally adjacent to said box in said upper position. 6. - Stacking machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein each retractable nail (7) and additional retractable nail (35) is pivotally installed with respect to an axis of rotation (37), and wherein a recovery device ( 36) pushes the additional retractable nails (35) towards a retention position, in which the additional retractable nails (35) protrude from the corresponding lateral structure (33) into the lifting cavity (3), and the box and / or the one or more additional boxes push the additional retractable nails (35) against the force of said recovery device towards a retracted position when the elevator (4) is moved to the upper position. 7. - Stacking machine (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the two corresponding retractable nails (7) and the one or more additional retractable nails (35) located on each side structure (33) are pivotally installed with respect to to a common axis of rotation (37). 8. Stacking machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising two lateral protections (27) supported on the chassis (11) in an articulated manner, by means of respective vertical joints (28), each lateral protection (27) being located on each side of the exit guides (26), and where the exit guides (26) protrude below the side shields (27) in a transport position where the side shields (27) are essentially coplanar to each other . 9. Stacking machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elevator (4) comprises a lifting member (42) provided with two L-shaped surfaces (42a, 42b), configured to be one of them vertical to the ground and the other horizontal to the ground, one of said surfaces (42b) being flatter than the other (42a), and configured to lock and unlock the elevator actuator (4) and exchange its vertical or horizontal position to adapt to the base of the box or boxes to raise.