ES1242845U - MECHANISM OF SUPPLY OF CARDBOARD SHEETS IN A CONFORMING MACHINE OF BOXES (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Mechanism for supplying cardboard sheets of a box-forming machine comprising a motor-reducer located on a fixed base (5) in addition to a stacking area (1) of cardboard sheets (4), a forming area (3) and a conveyor line (2) intended to transport the cardboard sheets (4) captured in the stacking area (1) to transport them to the forming area (3), where the mechanism comprises a plurality of suction cups (12) connected to a pneumatic system configured to create a depression when activated, the mechanism being characterized in that it comprises a sensor arm (6) formed by a first section (7) and a second section (8), articulatedly joined by one of the ends, where: - the free end of the first section (7) is solidly attached to the axis of the motor-reducer; - the free end of the second section (8) is solidly attached to a support element that incorporates the plurality of suction cups (12); - the second section (8) is attached, with the ability to slide, to a fixing element (9) attached to the fixed base (5) with the ability to rotate freely, so that the rotation of the motor-reducer involves the capture of a cardboard sheet (4) in the stacking area (1) to be deposited on the conveyor line (2). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

MECHANISM FOR THE SUPPLY OF CARDBOARD SHEETS IN A MACHINE

BOX CONFORMER

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a box forming machine that incorporates a mechanism responsible for sucking cardboard sheets from a reception area, where they are stacked, to deposit them on a conveyor line and be taken to the forming area where they are transformed into boxes. The mechanism is configured to minimize the space required and enable the machine to optimize box manufacturing speed based on size. For this, it is activated by a motor-reducer that is located next to the motor-reducer in charge of activating the forming male, so that the mechanism can deposit the sheets on the conveyor line flush with the forming area.

It finds special application in the field of the industry of the mechanisms for the manufacture of cardboard boxes by folding.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of box forming machines are known in the current state of the art where a common feature is based on the preparation of the box before reaching the forming area from a reception area in which the boxes are stacked in folded sheet form.

Document ES-2660059_B1 represents a box assembling machine formed, mainly, by a reception area, which incorporates a stacking area where the boxes are folded in the form of sheets and in which the boxes are collected, and a forming area, defined by a pressing station that is delimited by longitudinal rails for guiding the box to be shaped, where the box is given its final shape. A shaping device is responsible for carrying out the movement of the box between the reception area and the shaping area and, by means of a conveyor device, is responsible for picking up a box by moving a pick-up arm that incorporates a suction cup system in the direction to the reception area, according to an axis front, to move later in the direction of the forming area, along a transverse axis, and deposit the box in the pressing station, where the box will be finished.

In this machine, the forming device incorporates a curved beam that causes the box to unfold in its return movement along the front axis, leaving the box sucked by the suction cup system but in an open box position. The assembly machine also incorporates two transverse beams, in charge of folding the transverse flaps of the box base and a pair of longitudinal beams, separated by a distance equal to the width of the box to be shaped and configured in the form of inclined sheets that interfere with the longitudinal flaps of the box to fold them as the box progresses.

In this way, the shaping device positions the box, held by the suction cup system and with the four lower flaps already folded, in the shaping area to finish shaping the box with the final shape.

However, this invention has the drawback of including too many mechanisms to carry the box from the reception area to the forming area, requiring generous dimensions of the machine.

Document ES-1127280_U describes a box forming machine that incorporates a mechanism for capturing cardboard sheets to take them from the supply area to a conveyor line. For this, the mechanism is made up of two arms with suction cups linked by an axis that is activated by a servomotor to be able to fold down and go from a vertical position in which the sheets are captured to a horizontal one where they are deposited on the conveyor line. The mechanism is located in the lower area of the machine, interspersed with the conveyor line, so that it does not take up additional space.

However, this mechanism cannot be used on any machine, especially if it was not designed for it from the beginning.

The present invention describes a box assembling machine that incorporates a sheet supply mechanism in which the aforementioned problems are solved. To do this, it incorporates a sensor arm, which includes a suction cup system to suck the boxes, with the ability to rotate, so that the sheets are captured in a vertical position as they are located in the stacking area of the reception area to be deposited on a conveyor line through which the sheets are brought to the forming area, so that the dimensions of the machine can be reduced without affecting its functionality. The mechanism is powered by a motor-reducer located flush with the motor-reducer that activates the shaping male, in the upper area, in order not to interfere with other elements of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the objectives and avoid the aforementioned drawbacks, the present invention describes a cardboard sheet supply mechanism of a box-forming machine that is activated by a motor-reducer located on a fixed base, in addition to a zone for stacking cardboard sheets, a forming area and a conveyor line intended to transport the captured cardboard sheets to the forming area. For this, the mechanism comprises a plurality of suction cups connected to a pneumatic system configured to create a depression when activated and thus be able to suck the sheets.

It is important to consider that the mechanism is located in proximity to the forming area so that the bottom edge of the sheets, as they are in the stacking area, is always glued to the end of the conveyor line, where the gluing guns, just before going to the forming area, being free at the other end to accommodate larger sheets of cardboard. In this way, the cycle time is reduced to a minimum, increasing the productivity of the machine

The mechanism is configured by means of a sensor arm formed by a first section and a second section joined together in an articulated way by one of the ends.

The first section is solidly connected at the other end to the axis of the motor-reducer.

The second section is solidly attached at the other end to a support element to which a plurality of suction cups is attached.

In addition, the second section is connected, with the ability to slide, to a fixing element, which in turn is connected to the fixed base by a shaft with the ability to rotate freely. In this way, a rotational movement of the motor-reducer translates into a rotation of the first section, which causes both the rotation and the sliding of the second section with respect to the fixed base. With this configuration, the motor-reducer has a rotation movement to ensure that the second section rotates at the same time that it initially slides with respect to the fixing element to withdraw from the conveyor line and, continuing the rotation, slide in the opposite direction to approach to the stacking area and capture a cardboard sheet by suction. Then, the motor-reducer changes its direction of rotation so that the second section makes the reverse movement, sliding with respect to the fixing element to withdraw from the stacking area, with the captured sheet, and then sliding in the opposite direction to deposit it in the conveyor line, where the cycle ends. The positions of the mechanism where the motor-reducer changes its direction of rotation are determined by means of separate detectors.

To give greater possibilities of adjustment to the system, the support element of the mechanism can be a support shaft in which a pair of stringers are fixed at each of the ends, to which the plurality of suction cups is fixed.

Furthermore, the location of both the suction cups on the beams and of the beams on the support axis is adjustable, so that the size of the cardboard sheets is not a limitation for the mechanism of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To complete the description of the invention and in order to help a better understanding of its characteristics, in accordance with a preferred example of embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached where, by way of illustration and not limitation, have been represented the following figures:

- Figure 1 represents a side view of the interior of a box forming machine incorporating the mechanism of the invention on the conveyor line, the cardboard sheet stacking area and the box forming area.

- Figure 2a represents a perspective view of the mechanism of the invention in a position to capture a cardboard sheet.

- Figure 2b represents a perspective view of the mechanism of the invention with a sheet caught in the process of turning to deposit it on the conveyor line. - Figure 2c represents a perspective view of the mechanism of the invention in the position of releasing a sheet on the conveyor line.

- Figure 3 represents a perspective view of the mechanism of the invention isolated to show its components more clearly.

Below is a list of the references used in the figures:

1. Stacking area.

2. Conveyor line.

3. Forming area.

4. Cardboard sheet.

5. Fixed base.

6. Pick-up arm.

7. First section.

8. Second section.

9. Fixing element.

10. Support shaft.

11. Stringers.

12. Suction cups.

13. First detector.

14. Second detector.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a cardboard sheet supply mechanism (4) that is incorporated in a box-forming machine whereby the cardboard sheet (4) is captured in a stacking area (1) to be located on a conveyor line (2) that takes them to the forming area (3).

Figure 1 represents a side view of the mechanism of the invention located in the box forming machine. In this figure it can be seen how the space between the stacking area (1) and the forming area (3) has been reduced to a minimum to enable a conveyor line (2) with a linear dimension that can be as small as the dimension of the cardboard sheet of the box to be shaped. In this way, the machine is dimensioned to accommodate cardboard sheets (4) of a certain maximum size. In case of forming boxes with cardboard sheets (4) of smaller dimensions, the lower side of the sheet (4) as it is located in the stacking area (1) is always positioned in the gluing area, located at the entrance of the forming area (3), the free space remaining in proximity to the stacking area (1). This is achieved In this way, the production speed is always the same, regardless of the size of the cardboard sheet (4) and the path of the conveyor line (2) is optimized with respect to the length of the cardboard sheet ( 4).

Figure 2a represents the phase of picking up the cardboard sheet (4) from the stacking area (1) by the pick-up arm (6) of the mechanism.

Figure 2c represents the phase of depositing the cardboard sheet (4) on the conveyor line (2).

Figure 3 represents the mechanism of the invention isolated to show its components in more detail.

As shown in figure 3, the mechanism is located on a fixed base (5) that supports the motor-reducer. The mechanism is located near the forming area (3), so that the sheets (4) can always be deposited in proximity to it, leaving the free space for production with sheets (4) of greater dimensions in proximity to the stacking area (1).

The mechanism is configured by a sensor arm (6) that comprises a first section (7) and a second section (8) articulatedly joined by one of its ends.

The first section (7) is solidly connected by the free end to the axis of the motor-reducer.

teniendo capacidad de deslizar por ella. El elemento de fijación (9) está unido a la base fija (5) mediante un eje con capacidad de rotar libremente.The second section (8) is connected by an intermediate area to a fixing element (9) that incorporates a shape in

having the ability to slide through it. The fixing element (9) is connected to the fixed base (5) by means of a shaft with the ability to rotate freely.

A support shaft (10) is solidly attached to the free end of the second section (8) by a central area, configuring arms, in each of which a spar (11) is attached. At each of the spars (11) there is fixed at least one suction cup (12). The position of the suction cups (12) on the beams (11) and of the beams (11) on the support shaft (10) can be adjusted as needed, as well as the number of suction cups (12) and the dimensions of both the beams (11) as the support shaft (10), so that there is no limitation when capturing a cardboard sheet (4) due to its size if not for the size of the machine.

With this configuration of the pick-up arm (6), considering that the mechanism in the initial rest position is found as it has deposited a sheet (4) on the conveyor line (2), a rotary movement in an anti-clockwise direction, as shown in the figure 3, of the gear motor causes the first section (7) to rotate in the same direction, which implies a rotation and also a sliding with respect to the fixing element (9) of the second section (8) to withdraw from the conveyor line (2 ). As the rotation of the first section (7) continues, the second section (8) also continues rotating to change the sliding direction and approach the stacking area to capture a cardboard sheet by suction. At this time, the first detector (13) detects that the second section (8) has reached its limit position and causes the direction of rotation of the gearmotor to change so that the second section (8) performs the reverse movement, sliding with respect to the fixing element (9) to withdraw from the stacking area (1), with the sheet (4) captured, and then slide in the opposite direction to deposit it on the conveyor line (2), where the second detector (14) detects the position of the second section (8) and causes the change of direction of rotation of the motor-reducer to start a new cycle. Once the cardboard sheet (4) has been deposited on the conveyor line (2), it is transferred to the forming area (3), where the box forming process continues while the mechanism begins a new cycle to capture the next plate (4).

Finally, it should be borne in mind that the present invention should not be limited to embodiment described here. Other configurations can be made by those skilled in the art in view of the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (7)

1. - Mechanism for supplying cardboard sheets of a box-forming machine comprising a motor-reducer located on a fixed base (5) in addition to a stacking area (1) of cardboard sheets (4), an area for forming (3) and a conveyor line (2) intended to transport the cardboard sheets (4) captured in the stacking area (1) to transport them to the forming area (3), where the mechanism comprises a plurality of suction cups ( 12) connected to a pneumatic system configured to create a depression when activated, the mechanism being characterized by comprising a sensor arm (6) formed by a first section (7) and a second section (8), articulatedly joined by one of the ends, where: - the free end of the first section (7) is solidly attached to the axis of the motor-reducer; - the free end of the second section (8) is solidly attached to a support element that incorporates the plurality of suction cups (12); - the second section (8) is attached, with the ability to slide, to a fixing element (9) attached to the fixed base (5) with the ability to rotate freely, so that the rotation of the motor-reducer involves the capture of a cardboard sheet (4) in the stacking area (1) to be deposited on the conveyor line (2). 2. - Mechanism for supplying cardboard sheets of a box-forming machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element is a support shaft (10) fixed to the second section (8) by an intermediate area that incorporates in the ends of each side member (11) in which the suction cups (12) are located. 3. - Mechanism for supplying cardboard sheets of a box-forming machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that the location of the mechanism is considered so that the sheets (4) are located in an area of the conveyor line attached to the forming area. 4. - Mechanism for supplying cardboard sheets of a box-forming machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that the location of the suction cups (12) on the lengths (11) is adjustable. 5.- Mechanism for supplying cardboard sheets of a box-forming machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that the location of the spars (11) on the support axis (10) is adjustable. 6. Mechanism for supplying cardboard sheets of a box-forming machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a first detector (13) that detects the final movement of the second section (8) once it has captured a sheet ( 4) from the stacking area (1) to cause the direction of rotation of the motor-reducer to change. 7.- Mechanism for supplying cardboard sheets of a box-forming machine, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a second detector (14) that detects the final movement of the second section (8) once the sheet has been deposited ( 4) on the conveyor line to cause the direction of rotation of the motor-reducer to change.