ES1256696U - MACHINE WITH A CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR FORMING CARDBOARD BOXES BY GLUING (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine (100) with a controlling device, to form cardboard boxes (B) by gluing from plates (S), wherein said controlling device is integrated in it and connected to: a supply actuator (61) of a mechanism dispenser configured to supply a plate (S) from an initial position where it is supported in a stacked plate magazine (60) to an origin position; a rotary motor (12) operatively coupled to a plate (S) drive element (11) to move it along positions according to a linear drive direction (T), associated with respective plate positions (S), from said origin position towards a delivery position, where said plate (S) is located between a male (20) and a mold (30), with a plurality of forming elements (31), each one activatable by means of a respective actuator (32 ), arranged around a cavity (33) where said male (20) is insertable; glue injectors (51, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) configured to deposit strands of hot glue (50) parallel to each other on said plate (S) during the movement of the drive element (11), and a second rotary motor (41) of a male drive (40) configured to guide and alternately move said male (20) between an extracted position, where it allows said plate (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and a position introduced, where it is inserted into said cavity (33), where said male (20) is configured to press a portion of said plate (S) in the delivery position into the cavity (33) and form the box (B) bending and joining by gluing and pressure different parts of said plate (S) with others; said controller device comprising: a user interface (73) that allows a user to input operational parameters to the controller device; a processor (74) connected to a memory (M); said memory (M) comprising a plurality of memory areas (M1, M2); an input interface connected to said processor (74) with a plurality of input terminals (71), said input interface comprising: an input terminal (71) configured to receive in said controller device operational values (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6) for a certain type and size of box (B) to be formed sent from a user interface (73); and said controller device further comprising an output interface connected to said processor (74) with a plurality of output terminals (72), said output interface comprising: an output terminal (72) configured to send a signal indicative for activation of said supply actuator (61); an output terminal (72) configured to send a signal indicative to rotate said rotary motor (12) according to a single direction of rotation; output terminals (72) configured to send, each one of them, a signal indicative for the activation of one of said respective tail injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) when the position of said drag (11) stored in a first memory area (M1) coincides with one or more of the respective first preset positions comprised in the respective sets of activation preset positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each one of said tail injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), programmable and previously received at said input terminal (71) from said user interface (73); and one or more output terminals (72) of a signal indicative to rotate said second rotary motor (41); and wherein said controller device is configured to continuously store in a first memory area (M1) the position of said drive element (11) associated with the position of said plate (S); characterized in that said controller device is configured to initiate the movement of said male (20) from said extracted position towards said inserted position when the position (P) of said drive element (11) stored in said first memory area (M1) corresponds with a second position (P2) intermediate between said origin and delivery positions, said second position (P2) being defined by a programmable operational value (P2x, T5x) entered by means of a user interface (73) by a user; and said controller device is configured to again send a signal indicative for the activation of a supply actuator (61) to supply a subsequent plate (S) to a previous plate (S), when the position (P) of said drive element (11) stored in said first memory area (M1) corresponds to a third position (P3) intermediate between said origin position and said second position (P2), said third position (P3) being defined by an operational value (P3x, T6x ) programmable previously entered into a user interface (73) by a user.

Description

DESCRIPTION

MACHINE WITH A CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR FORMING BOXES OF

BOARD PER GLUING

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention presents a machine with a controller device for forming cardboard boxes by gluing from plates. These boxes usually contain food products, such as fruit and vegetable products or industrial products, among other applications. Throughout this description, said plates correspond to semi-rigid flat sheets of cardboard, such as corrugated cardboard, compact cardboard, and the like, punched, provided with cut lines, and weakened crease and / or crease cut lines.

STATE OF THE ART AND TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

Documents ES2531301B1 and ES2586733B1 disclose automatic cardboard box forming machines that comprise a mold cavity, a flat plate feeder that places one or one cardboard plates in a delivery position on said cavity, and a core that, when moved by actuation in a linear direction of introduction, it presses a portion of the plate inserting it into said cavity, causing a bending of different parts of the plate in cooperation with benders of the molding cavity to form the box. The core is then moved by said drive in a linear extraction direction out of the cavity to an extracted position ready to initiate a subsequent case-forming cycle.

Said feeder comprises a stacked plate loader and a dispenser that takes a plate from the loader, for example the flat plate located at the bottom level of the stack, and positions it on guides of a conveyor. Said feeder further comprises said conveyor that translates the plate along said guides to said delivery position on said mold cavity. Generally, said conveyor comprises an endless drag chain mounted on pulleys, a drag element fixed to the drag chain, and an electric motor that rotates one of the pulleys to move the drag chain.

Document ES2531301B1 discloses a tap drive with a rotating electric motor and a reducer, and control means for the machine. These control means allow to regulate the limit positions introduced and extracted from the male, as well as the stroke of the same, in addition to optional dead times in which the tap remains stopped in the extracted limit position and / or in the introduced limit position and / or in any other intermediate position, to adapt the machine to different types of boxes of material in sheet. These control means, together with the specific mechanical solution of the tap drive, simplify the coordination of movements of the tap drive with other moving elements of the machine.

Document ES2586733B1 addresses the problem of precisely controlling the movements of the male drive in coordination with the movements of the plate feeder, by means of control means with respective servomotors and servomotor controllers connected to a programmable logic controller (PLC). Said control means include sensors 54, 55 connected to the PLC that detect the extracted and inserted limit positions of the male, a sensor 53 to detect a predetermined position of a drive element 36 in said feeder, and timers programmed in the PLC make that the male drive starts and stops with respect to a certain cycle start condition, for example, when it is detected that the male reaches its extracted limit position. Said PLC has outputs 52 connected to the conveyor and male servomotors, in turn connected to respective servomotor controllers, and outputs 15 connected to relays that open and close solenoid valves of glue injectors to apply glue on the plate before it is introduced into the cavity.

On the other hand, document US6358191B1 discloses a control system for a carton forming machine, a method for controlling said machine, and a computer program stored in a processor-readable device containing instructions for executing said method. The machine includes a controller, such as a PLC, microprocessor, computer or equivalent, to control the operation of elements of the machine, and a user interface coupled to the controller that allows the user to enter a plurality of box types. The controller is programmed to save control information that describes operational parameters for the elements of the machine for each of the types of box, monitor signals indicative of the position of the plate during its movement through the forming machine, generate signals control of the elements of the machine based on the operational parameters for the type of box selected, so that the forming machine forms one or more boxes of the selected type.

The US6358191B1 forming machine comprises a rotational encoder and said controller is programmed to monitor the output signal of said encoder, which represents the current point in the operating cycle. Thus, the encoder causes the PLC to activate the elements of the machine if the current signal from the encoder is within the range of values previously stored in the controller. The control signals generated by the encoder are to activate the tail injectors and to activate the cylinders that close the case flaps.

On the other hand, document US3955482A discloses a method and a control system for a box forming machine by melting parts of sheets of expanded thermoplastic material covered with a thermoplastic layer by means of heat welding. Said layer is fused with heaters that join some parts of the plate with others and form said box. Said control system synchronizes the reciprocating of the plug and conveyor by means of a cylinder valve that moves said conveyor, a cylinder valve that moves said male, an adjustable timer, a stopped plate detector 144 with an arm 156 and a detector 146 that raises the male from an introduced limit position to an extracted limit position.

The method described in US3955482A maintains the drag element in the original position, for a preset time manually adjusted in said timer, to allow time for the box from the previous cycle to form in the area of the core and the mold, and wait for the male reaches an extracted position ready for a subsequent training cycle. After exceeding said preset time, the timer closes a contact that moves the drive element, which positions the plate of the subsequent cycle in the delivery position on the cavity aligned with the core. With the plate in the delivery position, said detector 144 detects the front part of the plate and simultaneously moves the male towards the inserted position and the drive element towards the origin position of the conveyor. When the core inserts the plate into the mold, the detector 144 stops detecting the plate and causes the timer to start counting that preset time again. When the core is inserted, the detector 146 moves the core towards the maximum extracted position, after which another automatic cycle is initiated after the preset timer time is exceeded.

Disadvantageously, the use of a pneumatic cylinder as an actuator in the US3955482A conveyor does not allow knowing the position of the plate throughout its transport between the origin and delivery positions in order to apply the glue beads on precise positions of the plates. , so the speed of the machine is very limited.

The heat welding technology of US3955482A is very different from the gluing technology of ES2531301B1, ES2586733B1, and US6358191B1, usually also referred to as fast gluing by hot glue or "hot-melt" glue, since the times required for the application of the joint and the control for said joint to be effective are very different in each technology due to several differences: the cooling time of heat welding melting expanded thermoplastic material is very different from the cooling and drying time of the glue onto a cardboard sheet, the application of heat has a very slow speed compared to the application of glue beads, and the welding and gluing joints occur at different stages of the box-forming process.

These documents, separately or in combination, do not indicate or propose a gluing box-forming machine to increase the number of boxes produced per unit of time, even if the types or measurements of the plate to be transformed into a box change, by coordinating the controllable elements in said machines in a simple and efficient way.

US6358191B1 is considered the closest state of the art document. The preamble of claim 1 is the combination of US6358191B1 and ES2586733B1.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a machine with a controller device, to form cardboard boxes by gluing from plates, helping to solve the above and other drawbacks.

In a way known in the state of the art, in said machine said controller device is integrated into it and connected to:

a supply actuator of a supply mechanism configured to supply a plate from an initial position where it is supported in a stacked plate magazine to an origin position;

a rotary motor operatively coupled to a plate drive element to move it along positions according to a linear direction of drive, associated with respective plate positions, from said origin position to a delivery position, where said plate is located between a male and a mold, with a plurality of forming elements, each one activatable by means of a respective actuator, arranged around a cavity where said male is insertable;

glue injectors configured to deposit strands of hot glue parallel to each other on said plate during the movement of the drive element, and

a second rotary motor of a male drive configured to guide and alternately move said male between an extracted position, where it allows said plate to be positioned in the delivery position, and an inserted position, where it remains inserted into said cavity.

In said machine, said male is configured to press a portion of said plate in the delivery position into the cavity and form the box by folding and joining by gluing and pressing different parts of said plate with others.

Said controller device comprises a processor connected to a memory, said memory (M) comprising a plurality of memory areas, and a user interface that allows a user to input operational parameters to the controller device.

An example of said user interface can be a touch screen that integrates buttons programmed on it, while another example can be a display screen and buttons, yet another example can be a touch screen and buttons distributed in said machine.

Likewise, said controller device comprises an input interface connected to said processor with a plurality of input terminals.

Said input interface comprises an input terminal configured to receive in said controller device operational values for a certain type and measurements of the box to be formed sent from a user interface.

Likewise, said controller device comprises an output interface connected to said processor with a plurality of output terminals.

Said output interface comprises an output terminal configured to send a signal indicative for the activation of said supplying actuator.

Likewise, said output interface comprises an output terminal configured to send a signal indicative to rotate said rotary motor according to a single direction of rotation.

Furthermore, said output interface comprises output terminals configured to send, each one of them, a signal indicative for the activation of one of said tail injectors when the position of said drive element stored in a first memory area coincides with one or more of the respective first preset positions comprised in the respective sets of preset positions activation, of each one of said queue injectors, programmable and previously received at said input terminal from said user interface.

Also, said output interface comprises one or more output terminals of a signal indicative to rotate said second rotary motor.

In one example, an output terminal rotates the second motor in a single direction of rotation. In one example, one output terminal can rotate the second rotary motor clockwise, and another output terminal rotates the second rotary motor counterclockwise.

Likewise, said controller device is configured to continuously store in a first memory area the position of said drive element associated with the position of said plate.

In a way not known in the state of the art, the present invention proposes that in said machine, said controller device is configured to initiate the movement of said tap from said extracted position to said inserted position when the position of said drive element is stored in said first memory area corresponds to a second intermediate position between said origin and delivery positions, said second position being defined by a programmable operational value entered through a user interface by a user.

Also in a way not known in the state of the art, the present invention proposes that, in said machine, said controlling device is configured to again send a signal indicative for the activation of a supply actuator to supply a subsequent plate to a previous plate , when the position of said drag element stored in said first memory area corresponds to a third intermediate position between said origin position and said second position, said third position being defined by a programmable operational value previously entered into a user interface by of a user.

The present invention proposes to solve the technical problem of increasing said speed of said box formation by synchronizing the movements between the different movable elements of the machine to eliminate unnecessary downtime within a certain formation cycle and / or between consecutive formation cycles, which reduce the speed of the machine. Specifically, dead times between the movements of the drive element, male, and supply mechanism are synchronized and eliminated in a way that is differential to the state of the art to increase production speed.

With this synchronization, it is also achieved that the male can press the plate just when the plate is positioned in the delivery position, and that in addition said pressure is carried out with the male with a relatively high speed in the initial and subsequent impact against the plate. in order to reduce the time of movement of the core during its insertion movement, since the core can start from an extracted position located at a distance from the plate in the delivery position according to the linear direction of movement of the core, and the travel time of this distance to provide speed to the core during pressing does not add any dead time since this movement of the core occurs simultaneously during plate dragging.

Furthermore, advantageously, the speed in the plate pressure is relatively high because during the travel of this distance before the plate pressure, which does not add any additional time to the box-forming cycle, the low initial speed of the male movement It has been increasing little by little from zero due to the inertia of the male and male drive.

Preferably, the controller device comprises a programmable logic controller or computer that integrates said memory, said processor, a plurality of said input terminals and a plurality of said output terminals.

Preferably, in said machine, said rotary motor is operatively coupled to an endless flexible transmission element in which two driving elements are mounted at mutually opposite ends, synchronizing the movement of the driving element that drives iron with the movement of the other element. drag that does not drag a plate from the drop position to the home position to drag a subsequent plate.

With this, the speed of said box formation increases by synchronizing more movable elements of the machine, eliminating unnecessary downtime in a simple and efficient way. Said speed also increases thanks to the fact that one element is in proximity to the origin position when the other drag element keeps the plate in the delivery position, which does not introduce dead times related to the translation of the drag element to the origin position. , while allowing the plate dragging movement to be carried out at higher speeds without affecting the correct positioning of the plate in said delivery position or the precise deposition of the glue beads on the plate.

According to a first option of said machine, said controller device is configured to initiate the movement of said male from said extracted position towards said introduced position when said second position corresponds to an operational value of a second programmable preset position of the introduced drag element by means of the user interface.

According to a second option, in said machine:

a detector connected to an input terminal detects a position of the front or rear of said plate in a second previous position, intermediate between said origin position and said second position;

said controller device includes a programmable supplementary timer that counts a preset supplementary time period of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface, said preset supplementary time period beginning to count after said detection in said detector; and

said controller device is configured to initiate the movement of said male from said extracted position to said inserted position after said pre-established complementary period of time, wherein the position of the drive element corresponds to said second position of the first memory area.

According to a third option, in said controller device of said machine:

said first memory area registers a position of the drag element that drags the plate in a second previous position, intermediate between said origin position and said second position; and

a programmable supplementary timer that is an integral part of said controller device counts a preset supplementary period of time of programmable duration entered by a user in said user interface, said preset supplementary period of time beginning after said registration; and

said controller device is configured to initiate the movement of said male from said extracted position to said inserted position after said pre-established complementary period of time, wherein the position of the drive element corresponds to said second position of the first memory area.

According to a fourth option of said machine, said controller device is configured to activate said supply actuator again to supply a plate from said initial position to said origin position when said third position corresponds to an operational value of a third programmable preset position of the element of drag entered via user interface.

According to a fifth option, in said machine:

an auxiliary detector connected to an input terminal detects a position of the front or rear of said plate in a third previous position, intermediate between said home position and said third position;

said controller device includes a programmable auxiliary supplementary timer that counts a preset auxiliary supplementary time period of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface, said preset auxiliary supplementary time period beginning to count after said detection in said auxiliary detector; and where

said controller device is configured to activate said supply actuator again to supply an iron from said initial position to said origin position after said preset auxiliary complementary time period, where the position of the drag element corresponds to said third position of the first area from memory.

According to a sixth option, in said controller device of said machine:

said first memory area registers a position of the drag element that drags the plate in a third previous position, intermediate between said origin position and said third position; and

a programmable auxiliary supplementary timer that is an integral part of said controller device counts a preset auxiliary supplementary time period of programmable duration entered by a user in said user interface, said preset auxiliary supplementary time period beginning after said registration; and

said controller device is configured to activate said supply actuator again to supply an iron from said initial position to said origin position after said preset auxiliary complementary time period, wherein the position of the drag element corresponds to said third position of said first memory area.

With any of this first to sixth options of said machine, the speed of said box formation increases thanks to the precision, simplicity and efficiency of the coordination and synchronization in the same formation cycle and in subsequent cycles of the movement of the male, drag element and supply actuator.

Preferably, in said machine:

said controller device comprises an input terminal configured to detect a change in position of the male from an extracted position, receiving an indicative signal sent by a male position detector, or said controller device is configured to detect a change in position of the male from an extracted position, internally reading in said controller and processor device the indicative signal sent by itself to said rotary motor of the tap drive;

said controller device includes a programmable secondary timer that counts a preset secondary period of time of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface, said preset secondary period of time beginning to count after detecting a change in position of the male; and

said controller device is configured to activate said actuators of said forming elements, after said secondary timer has counted said preset secondary period of time.

Also preferably, in said machine:

said controller device further comprises a programmable timer that counts a preset period of time of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface, said preset period of time beginning to count after detecting said change in position of the male from the extracted position;

and said controller device is configured to rotate the rotary motor of the plate driver after counting said timer said preset period of time, and to maintain one of said driver elements in said delivery position during said preset period of time.

Since both the first and second preset time periods are referenced with respect to the change in position of the core with respect to the extracted position, the adjustment of times for the different plate sizes to achieve respective maximum box-forming speeds is achieved in such a way. simple and effective.

Preferably, in said machine:

said controller device comprises an input terminal configured to detect said plug in said inserted position, receiving an indicative signal sent by a plug position detector,

or said controller device is configured to detect said tap said inserted position, internally reading in said controller and processor device the indicative signal sent by itself to said rotary motor of the tap drive;

said controller device includes a programmable auxiliary timer that counts a preset auxiliary time period of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface, said preset auxiliary time period beginning to count after detecting said tap in said entered position; and

said controller device is configured to maintain said tap in said inserted position during said preset auxiliary time period of programmable duration, and to move said tap from said inserted position to an extracted position after counting said preset auxiliary time period.

With this, it is possible to control the duration of the pressure time of the glue joint, that is, the time that the core and the mold press some parts of the glued plate with others to allow time for said applied glue beads to reduce their temperature and thus the union between said parts is permanent after its formation, to achieve respective maximum formation speeds for each condition of ambient temperature, humidity, and specifications of glue and plate in the bonding by gluing.

Preferably, said first timer starts counting a preset period of time regardless of whether the bending and joining subsequent to the introduction of the core into the mold is performed with the core in an inserted or extracted position; and wherein the controller device is configured to activate said actuators to join by pressure and glue all the parts of the box to be formed after placing said plate in said delivery position.

With this, it is specified that the present invention is especially useful for one-step type machines, and furthermore the preset period of time is independent of the type / format of box to be formed, which confers simplicity and efficiency to adjust the machine to the greatest formation speed.

Among others, there are two types of cardboard box-forming machines by gluing that typically form open boxes at the top with reinforced corners: those known in the sector as one-step machines, where the folding and gluing of each of the parts of the plate with others it is made entirely by the action of a male and a mold like those described; and those known in the sector as two-step machines, where the folding and gluing of some parts of the plate with others is carried out in two different phases, a first phase of folding and gluing of some parts of the plate with others occurs during its transport before reaching the area of the core and the mold, and a subsequent second phase of bending and gluing is carried out by the action of said core and mold. Comparing both technologies, one-step machines produce a greater number of boxes per unit of time, are more compact, economical, and easy to adjust; while two-step machines mount very special box formats (types) that one-step machines do not carry out.

According to a first preferred variant, in said machine:

said controller device moves the drive element according to a fixed nominal speed, sending a binary signal through its output terminal to said rotary motor, which is coupled to a rotary encoder; and

said controller device further comprises a rotational encoder configured to send signals indicative of the position of a drive element to said first memory area.

According to a second preferred variant, in said machine:

said controller device further comprises a motor speed controller connected to said rotary motor, and said rotary motor moves the drive element based on a programmable preset desired speed indicator, entered by a user in the user interface from between a plurality of selectable speeds other than zero; and

said controller device is configured, by means of programming instructions stored in said memory and executed by said processor, storing in said first memory area the position of the driver based on the indicative signal sent to rotate said rotary motor.

According to a third preferred variant, said machine also comprises a position detector of the drive element connected to an input terminal and located in said origin position, which sets the position of the drive element in said first memory area to an origin value after every detection.

According to a fourth preferred variant, in said machine:

said controller device further comprises a motor speed controller connected to said rotary motor, and said rotary motor moves the drive element based on a programmable pre-set desired speed indicator, for example a percentage of the rotary motor's nominal rotational speed , entered by a user at the user interface from a plurality of selectable non-zero speeds;

said controller device further comprises a rotational encoder coupled to the rotary motor and connected to an input terminal of the controller device or to an input terminal of the motor speed controller; and

said controller device corrects the position of the driver by comparing the signal sent to the servo motor controller with the signal received from said rotary encoder.

Said motor speed controller comprises a controller of the speed variator type, for example, a frequency inverter, or a servo motor controller, among others. Similarly, in this second and third variants, said rotary motor comprises a conventional electric rotary motor or a servomotor, optionally equipped with a reducer, among other options.

Also preferably, in said machine each of said timers is selected from one of the following options:

a programmable timer relay, and connected to an output terminal of the programmable logic controller or computer;

a programmable digital timer provided with a digital timer processor connected to an output terminal of the programmable logic controller or computer; or a programmable timer implemented by programming instructions stored in said memory and executable by said processor of the programmable logic controller or computer.

Thus, in one example, some timers may be of the programmable timer relay type and the rest timers implemented in a PLC.

According to an option of said machine, in said controller device, one or more of said programmable timer relays are provided with actuating members integrated in the timer relay to modify its programmed duration, said actuating members forming an integral part of the user interface. Such actuation members can be a roulette wheel associated with a potentiometer or push buttons, located on the outside of the timer relay.

According to another option of said machine, in said controlling device, one or more of said digital timers have integrated actuating members to modify their programmed duration, and a display to view said programmed duration connected to said actuating members, said actuating members forming part drive and user interface display. Such a display can be a screen and said actuators one or more buttons, located, for example, on the front of the digital timer.

According to a preferred option of said machine, in the controller device, all of said programmable timers are implemented by means of programming instructions stored in said memory and are executable by said processor of the programmable logic controller or computer.

Preferably, in said machine, said user interface that is an integral part of the controller device comprises a touch screen configured to enter the programmed duration of said programmable timers, and said first pre-established positions of each of the glue injectors.

Throughout the description and the claims the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics. Furthermore, the word "comprises" includes the case "consists of". For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge partly from the description and partly from the practice of the invention. Other embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art in light of this description without departing from the scope defined in the claims. The claims have been expressly drawn up to include the express case that the formation of boxes are distributed in a plurality of elements of devices and / or control elements, remaining within the scope of the present invention, although this is an equivalent solution.

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 relative to the drawings and placed in parentheses in a claim, are only to attempt to increase the understanding of the claim, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claim. The present invention covers all the possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

In the present invention the term "controller device" comprises the terms "microcontroller", "controller", "programmable automaton", "control system", "control unit", "programmable logic controller", "processor", "microprocessor "," Computer "and" computer ", among others.

The term "connected" comprises directly or indirectly connecting two elements by means of a wireless connection or by means of control signal cables, which can be, for example, communication buses, or multi-core or single-core cables, fiber optic or ethernet cables, for example , "EtherCAT®".

The term "user interface" can include a touch screen, pushbuttons, selectors, and any of the "actuation members" defined in the machinery directive 2006/42 / CE, among others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made of the object of the present invention and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics that distinguish it, the present specification is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of plans, in those that with an illustrative and non-limiting character the following has been represented:

Fig. 1 shows a block / flow diagram of the operation of the gluing box forming machine of the present invention, according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows a part of the diagram of Fig. 1, corresponding to labels 90 and 91 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a part of the diagram of Fig. 1, corresponding to the label 92 of Fig. 1 and 4;

Fig. 4 shows a block / flow diagram of the operation of the gluing box forming machine of the present invention, according to a second embodiment, wherein labels 90, 91 and 92 indicate that Figs. 2 and 3 also form an integral part of this second embodiment, and where the letters of the blocks without description in the figure refer to the blocks of the diagram of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 to 9 show a schematic sequence of the first embodiment of said machine, corresponding to the diagram of Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 10 shows a connection diagram of the controller device with different integral elements of the machine of the present invention, according to said first embodiment, and where only two of the six glue injectors are shown;

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show respective connection diagrams of the controller device with different integral elements of the machine of the present invention, according to respective first, second and third variants of said first embodiment, and where in Figs. 12 and 13, the cutout elements are identical to the elements in Figs. 10 and 11;

Fig. 14 shows a connection diagram of the controller device with different integral elements of the machine of the present invention, according to said second embodiment, and where only two of the six glue injectors are shown;

Fig. 15 shows a first embodiment of a machine for forming cardboard boxes by gluing from plates with a controller device;

Fig. 16 is a representative plan view of any one of the first and second embodiments of said machine of the present invention, and where a section IV-IV is indicated;

Fig. 17 is the sectional view of section IV-IV of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 shows strands of glue applied on a plate by the respective activations and deactivations of each glue injector, while the plate is dragged by the drive element;

Fig. 19 represents a rear top perspective view of said first machine embodiment, and where a detail V is indicated,

Fig. 20 is the detail view V of Fig. 19; and

Fig. 21 is the rear top perspective cutaway view of the machine of the present invention, according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED EXHIBITION OF MODES OF REALIZATION / EXAMPLES

Figs. 5 to 10 and 15 to 20 show a first embodiment of a machine (100) for forming cardboard boxes (B) by gluing from plates (S) with a controller device integrated therein.

Fig. 10 shows that said controller device is connected to a supply actuator (61) of a supply mechanism configured to supply a plate (S) from an initial position where it is supported in a magazine of plates (60) stacked to a origin position.

In said machine (100), Figs. 5 to 10 show that said controller device is connected to a rotary motor (12) operatively coupled to a drive element (11) of plate (S) to move it along positions according to a linear drive direction (T), associated to respective plate positions (S), from said origin position towards a delivery position, where said plate (S) is located between a male (20) and a mold (30), with a plurality of forming elements (31) , each one activatable by means of a respective actuator (32), arranged around a cavity (33) where said male (20) is insertable.

Following in Figs. 5 to 9, said box forming machine (100) further comprises another drive element (11), and an endless flexible transmission element (14) where both drive elements (11) are mounted at mutually opposite ends. Said endless flexible transmission element (14) is a link chain and is mounted on two pulleys (15), the servomotor being coupled to a reducer (not shown) and said reducer coupled to one of said pulleys (15) to move said link chain.

Following in Figs. 5 to 10 and 18, in said machine (100), said controlling device is connected to glue injectors (51, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) configured to deposit strings of hot glue (50) parallel between yes on said plate (S) during the movement of the drive element (11) ,.

Following in Figs. 5 to 10 and 18 to 20, in said machine (100), said controller device is connected to a second rotary motor (41) of a male drive (40) configured to guide and alternately move said male (20) between a position extracted, where it allows said plate (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and an introduced position, where it is inserted into said cavity (33).

Figs. 5 to 10 and 17 show that said male (20) is configured to press a portion of said plate (S) in the delivery position into the cavity (33) and form the box (B) by folding and joining by gluing and pressure different parts of said plate (S) with each other.

Fig. 10 shows said controller device of said machine (100) in detail.

Said controller device comprises a programmable logic controller (70), hereinafter referred to as PLC, which integrates a memory (M) comprising a plurality of memory areas (M1, M2), a plurality of input terminals (71) of a input interface, a plurality of output terminals (72) of an output interface, and a processor (74) connected to said memory (M) and said input and output interfaces, which generates output signals at said terminals output (72) depending on the signals detected at said output terminals (71) and the executable computer program in said processor (74) for the control of different control elements of said machine (100).

Said controller device comprises a user interface (73) connected to said input interface of the PLC (70) that allows a user to enter operational parameters to the controller device.

In Fig. 10 said input interface of the PLC comprises an input terminal (71) where a multi-wire cable is connected, for example, of the Ethernet type. Said input terminal (71) is configured to receive in said controller device some operational values (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6) for a certain type and measurements of box (B) to be formed sent from a touch screen that It is an integral part of said user interface (73).

In Fig. 10, said PLC output interface comprises an output terminal (72) configured to send an indicative signal for the activation of said supplying actuator (61), and an output terminal (72) configured to send an indicative signal to rotate said rotary motor (12) according to a single direction of rotation.

Also, Figs. 10 and 15 to 18 show output terminals (72) configured to send, each one of them, a signal indicative for the activation of one of said respective tail injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) when the position of said drive element (11) stored in a first memory area (M1) coincides with one or more of the respective first preset positions comprised in the respective sets of pre-established activation positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each of said tail injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), programmable and previously received in said terminal of input (71) from said user interface (73). In Fig. 10 only two of the six tail injectors of Fig. 18 are shown.

Likewise, Fig. 10 shows an output terminal (72) of said PLC of a signal indicative to rotate said second rotary motor (41).

Following in Fig. 10, in said machine (100), said controller device is configured to store in a first memory area (M1) of said memory (M) continuously the position of said drive element (11) associated with the position of said plate (S).

Following in Figs. 1 to 3 and 5 to 10, in said machine (100), said controller device is configured to initiate movement of said tap (20) from said extracted position to said inserted position, shown in block (f) of Fig. 1, when the position (P) of said drive element (11) stored in said first memory area (M1) corresponds to a second intermediate position (P2) between said origin and delivery positions, said second position (P2) being defined by means of a second preset position (P2x) programmable of the drag element (11) introduced by means of the touch screen the user interface (73).

Following in Figs. 1 to 3 and 5 to 10, in said machine (100), said controlling device is configured to again send a signal indicative for the activation of a supply actuator (61) to supply a plate (S) subsequent to a plate (S ) above, when the position (P) of said drive element (11) stored in said first memory area (M1) corresponds to a third position (P3) intermediate between said origin position and said second position (P2), being defined said third position (P3) by means of an operational value of a programmable third preset position (P3x) of the drag element (11) entered by means of the touch screen of the user interface (73).

Figs. 10 and 20 show that, in said machine (100), said controller device comprises an input terminal (71) configured to detect a change in position of the plug (20) from an extracted position, receiving an indicative signal sent by a sensor of male position (2), shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 20. In Fig. 1, block (k) shows said position change detection.

In Fig. 10, said PLC (70) is provided with inputs (71) where two inductive detectors (3, 5) are connected that detect the male (20) in an extracted and inserted position, respectively, as well as said driver element position detector (18). A touch screen (73) is also connected to an input interface of the PLC (70).

In Fig. 20 it is shown that in said chassis (101) a male position detector device (2) is supported that integrates said inductive detectors (3, 5), each coupled to respective cams (4, 6) coupled coaxially to the rotary shaft (48) of a reducer (47), operatively coupled in turn to the rotary motor (41) of the tap drive (40), to sense the tap (20) in an inserted and withdrawn position.

In Fig. 20, said male drive (40) further comprises a crank (42) integrally coupled to said rotating shaft (48), and a connecting rod (43) articulated at an end proximal to said crank (42) and articulated in its distal end to an arm (46). Said arm (46) is guided vertically by means of two vertical guides (45) supported on said chassis (101) and each coupled to a pair of guide blocks (44) integral with said arm (46). At one end of said arm (46) said male (20) is supported.

Figs. 10 and 15 show that, in said machine (100), said controller device includes a programmable secondary timer (82), implemented through programming instructions stored in said memory (M) and executable by said processor (74) of the PLC (70) , which counts a preset secondary period of time (T2x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface (73), starting to count said preset secondary period of time (T2x) after detecting a change in position of the male ( 20), as shown by block (m) in Fig. 1.

Figs. 1, 5 and 10 show that in said machine (100), said controller device is configured to activate said actuators (32) of said forming elements (31), after counting said secondary timer (82) said preset secondary period of time (T2x ). Fig. 1 shows said activation of said actuators (32) in the block (1).

Figs. 1, 10 and 15 show that in said machine (100), said controller device further comprises a programmable timer (81), implemented by programming instructions stored in said memory (M) and executable by said processor (74) of the PLC (70 ), which counts a preset period of time (T1x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface (73), starting to count said preset period of time (T1x) after detecting said change of position of the male (20) from the extracted position, as shown by the block (n) of Fig. 1.

Figs. 1, 10 and 15 show that, in said machine (100), said controller device is configured to rotate the rotary motor (12) of the plate (S) driving element (11) in the block (c) of Fig. 1, after counting said timer (81) said preset period of time (T1x), and keeping in the block (o) of Fig. 1 one of said drive elements (11) in said delivery position during said period of time preset (T1x).

Figs. 1, 10 and 15 show that, in said machine (100), said controller device comprises an input terminal (71) configured to detect said plug (20) in said inserted position, receiving an indicative signal sent by an inductive detector (5 ) coupled to said cam (6) which is part of a male position detector (2) previously explained and shown in Fig. 20. This detection is represented in block (p) of Fig. 3.

Figs. 3, 10 and 15 show that, in said machine (100), said controller device includes a programmable auxiliary timer (83), implemented by programming instructions stored in said memory (M) and executable by said processor (74) of the PLC ( 70), which counts, as shown in block (r) of Fig. 3, a preset auxiliary time period (T3x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface (73), starting to count said preset auxiliary time period (T3x) after detecting said tap (20) in said inserted position.

Figs. 3, 10 and 15 show that, in said machine (100), said controller device is configured to maintain, as shown by block (q) in Fig. 3, said tap (20) in said inserted position during said period of preset auxiliary time (T3x) of programmable duration, and to move said male (20) from said inserted position to an extracted position after counting said preset auxiliary time period (T3x), as shown in Fig. 6 and the block (h ) of Fig. 3.

Figs. 3, 10 and 15 show that, in said machine (100), said first timer (81) starts counting a preset period of time (T1x) regardless of the bending and joining after the insertion of the core (20) in the mold (30) is made with the male (20) in an inserted or extracted position.

In Fig. 9 and Fig. 5 corresponding to an instant subsequent to Fig. 9, it is illustrated that, in said machine (100), said controller device is configured to activate said actuators (32) to join by pressure and gluing all the parts of the box (B) to be formed after placing said plate (S) in said delivery position.

Fig. 10 shows that in this first embodiment of said machine (100), said controller device further comprises a motor speed controller (16) embodied in a servomotor controller connected to said rotary motor (12). Said rotary motor (12) is a servomotor that moves the drive element (11) based on a programmable preset desired speed indicator (Vx), entered by a user on the user interface (73) out of a plurality selectable speeds other than zero.

Figs. 3, 10 and 15 show that, in said machine (100), said controller device is configured, by means of programming instructions stored in said memory (M) and executed by said processor (74), to store in said first memory area ( M1) the position (P) of the drive element (11) based on the indicative signal sent from the terminal (72) that connects the PLC with the servomotor controller (16) of Fig. 10 to rotate said rotary motor ( 12).

Figs. 3, 10 and 15 show that, in said machine (100), a position detector of the drive element (18) is connected to an input terminal (71) of the PLC.

Figs. 5 to 9 show that said position detector of the drive element (18) is located in said origin position and sets the position (P) of the drive element (11) in said first memory area (M1) to an origin value ( P0) after each detection to increase the precision of the movement of the drag elements (11) and therefore the precision of deposition of the glue beads by means of the glue injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) of Fig. 18. This is shown in block (u) of Fig. 1.

Likewise, before starting block (c) of Fig. 1 again by means of the PLC (70) to drag a subsequent plate (S), said PLC (70) establishes the time period (T1), the period of secondary time (T2), the auxiliary time period (T3), to respective initial values for the subsequent cycle of automatic formation of boxes (B) by gluing, which can occur in block (u) of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 shows that all of said programmable timers are implemented by means of programming instructions stored in said memory (M) and are executable by said processor (74) of the PLC (70).

Figs. 10 and 15 show that, in this first embodiment of said machine (100), said user interface (73) comprises a touch screen and a series of pushbuttons and actuating members distributed in different positions of said machine configured to enter the programmed duration of said programmable timers, and said first pre-established positions of each of the glue injectors, preferably through said touch screen.

In Fig. 10, said PLC (70) is provided with input terminals (71) where two inductive detectors (3, 5) are connected that detect the male (20) in an extracted and inserted position, respectively. In another input terminal (71) said drive element position detector (18) is connected. A touch screen that is an integral part of the user interface (73) is also connected to the input interface of the PLC (70).

Fig. 10 shows that said PLC (70) is provided with output terminals (72), in each of which a relay (K51, K52) is connected, each of which opens and closes a respective contact that energizes a respective coil of a respective solenoid valve (Y51, Y52) that allows or prevents the injection of glue in the glue injectors (51, 52).

Fig. 10 shows that said PLC (70) is equipped with other output terminals (72) where other relays (K61, K32) are connected, one to each one, each opening and closing a respective contact that energizes a respective coil of a respective solenoid valve (Y61, Y32) that allows or prevents the passage of air on one side or the other of the piston of respective pneumatic cylinders, corresponding to the supply actuator (61) and the actuators (32) of the forming elements (31).

Fig. 10 shows that said PLC (70) is equipped with yet another output (72) where another optional relay (K41) is connected and this relay is connected to a contactor (K041) that opens or closes its contacts to supply power to the rotary motor (41) of the male drive of the conventional electric rotary motor type.

Fig. 10 shows that said PLC (70) is equipped with yet another output (72) where another optional relay (K12) is connected and this relay is connected to a contactor (K012) that opens or closes its contacts to supply power to the servomotor controller (16), which is connected to the rotary motor (12) embodied in a servomotor connected to a rotational encoder (13). In Fig. 12 another output (72) is connected to the servomotor controller (16) to send a pulse train signal.

The operation of said machine (100) is described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9.

In Fig. 1, for this first embodiment of said machine (100), operational values (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6, P2x, P3x, T1x, T2x, T3x, Vx) are received in memory (M) of the PLC (70) that is an integral part of the controller device for a certain type and measurements of box (B) to be formed, sent from, for example, the touch screen of the user interface (73) shown in Figs. 10 and 14, where they have been previously entered by a user, as shown in block (a).

Next, a user interacts with said user interface (73), for example, by means of a button shown in Fig. 14, so that said PLC (70) integrated in said controller device receives from it a signal indicative for the start of running of the automatic training cycle.

Then, in block (b) of Fig. 1, the PLC (70) of the machine (100) activates said supply actuator (61) of a supply mechanism with a plurality of suckers (62), shown in Figs. 5 to 9, 16 and 19, to supply a plate (S), from said initial position shown in Fig. 8 where it is supported in said stacked plate loader (60), to said original position shown in Fig. 9.

Following in Fig. 2, corresponding with labels 90 and 91 in Fig. 1, said PLC (70) compares whether or not the position (P) read from the drive element (11) in the block (d) of Fig. 1 with one or more of the respective first preset positions comprised in the respective sets of activation preset positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each of said tail injectors (51, 52 , 53, 54, 55, 56), programmable and previously received.

An example of said first preset positions received by the PLC (70) from the touch screen of said user interface (73) is: 2460, 2580, 3205, and 3270 for the four tail injectors (51, 52, 55 and 56 ); and 1950, 2230, 3350, 3670 for the two tail injectors (53, 54).

Said PLC (70) defines respective sets of activation preset positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each of said tail injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), which in this example are: CP1 = CP2 = CP5 = CP6 = [2460, 2580] U [3205, 3270]; and CP3 = CP4 = [1950, 2230] U [3205, 3270].

Figs. 2, 7 and 18 show that when the position (P) of said drive element (11) read in the PLC (70) belongs to one of the respective first positions preset included in the respective sets of activation preset positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), said PLC (70) activates, in the respective blocks (e), the tail injectors (51, 52, 53 , 54, 55, 56), to deposit strands of hot glue (50) parallel to each other on said plate (S) during the movement of the drive element (11) that drives the plate (S). If it does not belong to the set of preset positions, said PLC (70) continues to read the position (P) of the drive element (11). Following this example, at position P = 2000, the tail injectors (53, 54) are on and the remaining tail injectors (51, 52, 55, 56) are off.

In Fig. 2, once said PLC (70) has been activated a certain glue injector, the PLC (70) keeps it activated if said position (P) belongs to the set of preset positions of that glue injector. Next, the PLC (70) deactivates this specific glue injector when said position (P) does not belong to its set of pre-established positions. In this example, Fig. 17 can represent that the PLC (70) activates the tail injector (51) in position 2460, keeps it activated from said position 2460 to position 2580, where it deactivates it, activates it again in position 3205 to position 3270, where it deactivates it again, depositing two pairs of glue strands (50) mutually parallel on the plate (S).

Fig. 10 shows that the activation and deactivation of said tail injectors is carried out by sending respective indicative signals from a respective output terminal (72) of said PLC (70) to each of the tail injectors (51, 52), more specifically, to their respective solenoid valves (Y51, Y52) that open or close the tail passage in each tail injector (51, 52).

Returning to Fig. 1, the controller device of said machine (100) moves said male (20) according to a linear insertion direction, from an extracted position, to allow said plate (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and towards an inserted position, where said male (20) is inserted into said cavity (33), sending an indicative signal from an output terminal (72) of said PLC (70) to a rotary motor (41) connected to de a tap drive (40) configured to guide said tap (20).

Figs. 1 and 8 show that the controller device of said machine (100) moves said male (20) according to a linear insertion direction, when the position (P) of said drive element (11) read in said PLC (70) corresponds to a second position (P2) intermediate between said origin and delivery positions, said second being defined position (P2) by means of an operational value corresponding to a second preset position (P2x) of the programmable drag element (11), previously entered by a user in a user interface (73) and received in the PLC (70). In this example, until said position (P) is not equal to said second position (P2), the PLC continues reading the position (P) of the drag element (11) that drags plate (S).

In Fig. 1, said machine, through the PLC (70) of the controller device, moves said male (20) according to a linear insertion direction, from a position extracted from Figs.

8 and 17, to allow said plate (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and towards an inserted position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, wherein said male (20) is inserted into said cavity (33), sending an indicative signal from an output terminal (72) of said PLC (70) to a rotary motor (41) of a male drive (40) configured to guide said male (20).

When starting the movement of the male (20) according to said linear insertion direction, Figs. 1 and 8 show that said PLC (70) detects a change in the position of the male (20) from an extracted position, receiving in said PLC (70) an indicative signal sent by a male position detecting device (2) embodied in an inductive detector (3) shown in detail in Fig. 20, and connected to an input terminal (71) of the PLC (70) in Fig. 10. Alternatively, said signal is sent from a male detector device (8 ) embodied in a rotational male encoder (7) shown in Figs. 13 and 21, and optionally further comprising said inductive detector (3).

Also alternatively to this first embodiment of machine (100), said machine (100), said PLC (70) detects said change in the position of the male (20) from an extracted position, sending from said PLC (70) its own indicative signal generated in said PLC (70) and subsequently sent by said PLC (70) to said rotary motor (41) to move the tap (20) according to said insertion direction.

Figs. 1 and 10 show that when said PLC (70) of the controller device of said machine (100) detects said change in the position of the male (20) from an extracted position, said controller device that integrates the PLC (70) initiates two functions simultaneously , the function of counting a period of time (T1) by means of a timer (81), and the function of counting a period of secondary time (T2) secondary timer (82), said timers (81, 82) being programmable and implemented by means of respective programming instructions stored in said memory (M) executable by said processor (74) of the PLC (70).

Following in Fig. 1, when the secondary time period (T2) is equal to or greater than the pre-established secondary time period (T2x) of programmable duration previously entered on the touch screen of the user interface (73) and received in an input terminal (71) of said PLC (70), the PLC (70) activates said actuators (32) of said forming elements (31), sending an indicative signal from said PLC (70) to said actuators (32), materialized in pneumatic cylinders shown in Fig. 10. If said secondary period of time (T2) is not equal to or greater than said preset secondary period of time (T2x), said PLC (70) continues to count the secondary period of time (T2 ).

Once said actuators (32) have been activated, said PLC (70) counts an additional period of time (T20), by means of an additional timer (84) implemented by means of programming instructions stored in said memory (M) and executable by said processor (74) of the PLC (70), and keeps the actuators (32) active for an additional preset period of time (T20x) of programmable duration previously entered on the touch screen of the user interface (73) and received in a terminal of input (71) of said PLC (70). When the additional time period (T20) is equal to or greater than said additional preset time period (T20x), said PLC (70) deactivates the actuators, going from the pressure position shown in Fig. 5 to the retracted position of Fig. 6.

In Fig. 1, parallel to the action of the PLC (70) of counting said period of time and secondary period of time (T1, T2), said PLC (70) continues moving said male (20) according to the direction of introduction and , eventually, said male (20) presses a portion of said plate (S) arranged between said cavity (33) and male (20) in the position of delivery to the interior of the cavity (33) as illustrated by the block (g) . Fig. 9 and block (f) represent the movement of the male in the direction of insertion.

Figs. 1, 3, 5 to 9 and 14 to 20 show that, in this first embodiment of said machine (100), said first timer (81) starts counting said preset period of time (T1x) regardless of whether the subsequent folding and joining the introduction of the core (20) into the mold (30) is carried out with the core (20) in an inserted or extracted position; and wherein the controller device is configured to activate said actuators (32) to join by pressure and glue all the parts of the box (B) to be formed after placing said plate (S) in said delivery position.

Figs. 1 and 5 show that inside said cavity (33), said actuators (32) that move respective forming elements (31) of the mold (30), in cooperation with other parts of the mold (30) and the male (20) , press some parts of said plate (S) against others to form the box (B), by bending and joined by gluing and pressure.

With the male (20) moving in the insertion direction, in the label 92 of Figs. 1 and 3 it is shown that in said machine (100) the controller device is configured to detect said male (20) in said inserted position upon receiving at an input terminal (71) of said PLC (70) an indicative signal sent by said male position detector device (2), embodied in another inductive detector (5) shown in Figs. 10 and 20. As an alternative to this first embodiment, said indicative signal is sent by a male detector device (8) embodied in a male rotational encoder (7) shown in Figs. 13 and 21.

In another alternative to this first embodiment, said PLC (70) detects said male (20) in said inserted position by sending from said PLC (70) the own indicative signal generated in said PLC (70) and subsequently sent by said PLC (70) to said rotary motor (41) to move the male (20) according to said insertion direction.

When the value of the preset auxiliary time period (T3x) is greater than zero, said PLC (70) counts a third time period (T3), which is compared with a preset auxiliary time period (T3x) of programmable duration, previously entered on said user interface touch screen (73), said preset auxiliary time period (T3x) starting to count after detecting said plug (20) in said inserted position.

Until said auxiliary time period (T3) does not equal or exceed said preset auxiliary time period (T3x), said PLC (70) continues counting said auxiliary time period (T3) and maintains said tap (20) in said introduced position , as shown in Fig. 3.

When the auxiliary time period (T3) is equal to or greater than said third preset period of time (T3x), the PLC (70) starts the movement of said male (20) according to the extraction direction.

Figs. 1, 6 and 7, show that said PLC (70) moves said male (20), according to an extraction direction opposite to said insertion direction, from said inserted position of Fig. 5 towards said extracted position of Fig. 8, sending an indicative signal from a output terminal (72) of said PLC (70), shown in Fig. 10, to a rotary motor (41) of a tap drive (40) configured to guide said tap (20).

Following in Fig. 1, when the first time period (T1) counted in said PLC (70) is less than said preset period of time (T1x), said PLC (70) keeps one of said drag elements (11 ) in said delivery position.

The PLC (70) again moves the driving elements (11) in a subsequent automatic cycle by rotating said rotary motor (12) when said first period of time equals or exceeds said pre-established period of time (T 1x), and when the PLC (70) sets the various values to zero for said next cycle. Among these values is the position (P) of the drag element (11) that drags the plate (S), and the value of all time periods (T1, T2, T20, T3).

Figs. 11 and 15 show a first variant of said first embodiment of the machine (100) where all the elements are identical to the first embodiment except that:

said controller device moves the drive element (11) according to a fixed nominal speed, sending a binary signal through its output terminal (72) to said rotary motor (12), which is coupled to a rotational encoder (13) ; and

said controller device further comprises a rotational encoder (13) configured to send signals indicative of the position of a drive element (11) to said first memory area (M1).

In Fig. 11, the rotary motor (12) that moves the drive elements (11) is a conventional electric rotary motor, connected to a contactor (K041) that opens or closes its contacts depending on the opening or closing of the contacts of a relay (K041) connected to an output terminal (72) of the PLC (70).

In Fig. 11, the rotational encoder (13) coupled to the rotary motor (12) is connected to one or more input terminals (71) of the PLC (70), and said inductive detectors (3, 5) of the detection device male position (2).

Figs. 12 and 15 show a second variant of said first embodiment of the machine (100) where all the elements are identical to the first embodiment except that:

- the rotary encoder (13) is connected to an input terminal (71) of the PLC (70); and

- The PLC (70) of the controller device corrects the positions of the drive elements (11) by comparing the signal sent from the PLC (70) to the servomotor controller (16) with the signal received from said rotational encoder (13) connected to an input terminal (71) of the PLC (70).

Figs. 13 and 15 show a third variant of said first embodiment of the machine (100) where all the elements are identical to said second variant of the first embodiment except that:

- the male position detector device (8) is a male rotational encoder (7) connected to one or more input terminals (71) of the PLC (70), and optionally further comprising said inductive detector (3);

- the servomotor controller (16) is connected to an input interface of the PLC (70), for example, with an ethernet cable, so that signals are sent and received between both elements; and

- the rotational encoder (13) is connected to said servomotor controller (16) by means of a cable to send signals indicative of the position of said drive elements (11), and correct the position of said drive elements (11).

Figs. 14 and 15 show a second embodiment of said machine (100) where some of the elements are identical to said first embodiment except that:

- A detector (75) is connected to an input terminal (71) of the PLC (70) that detects a position of the front or rear of said plate (S) in a second previous position (P20), intermediate between said position origin and said second position (P2);

- Said controller device includes a programmable complementary timer (85) of the timer relay type connected to an output terminal (72) of the PLC (70), which counts a pre-established complementary period of time (T5x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in an actuating member said user interface (73) integrated in the timer relay, which can be embodied in a potentiometer associated with a roulette wheel where a user modifies its programmed duration by turning it, and where in the controller device said complementary timer ( 85) starts counting said preset complementary period of time (T5x) after said detection in said detector (75); - said controller device is configured to start the movement of said male (20) from said extracted position to said inserted position after said pre-established complementary period of time (T5x), where the position (P) of the drag element (11) corresponds with said second position (P2) of the first memory area (M1);

- An auxiliary detector (76) is connected to an input terminal (71) of the PLC (70) that detects a position of the front or rear of said plate (S) in a third previous position (P30), intermediate between said origin position and said third position (P3);

- Said controller device includes a programmable auxiliary complementary timer (86) of the timer relay type connected to an output terminal (72) of the PLC (70), which counts a preset auxiliary complementary time period (T6x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in another respective roulette of the user interface (73) integrated in the timer relay, starting to count said pre-established auxiliary complementary time period (T6x) after said detection in said auxiliary detector (76);

- said controller device is configured to activate said supply actuator (61) again to supply a plate (S) from said initial position to said origin position after said preset auxiliary complementary time period (T6x), where position (P) of the drive element (11) corresponds to said third position (P3) of the first memory area (M1); and

- said controller device further includes said timer (81), secondary timer (82), auxiliary timer (83), and supplementary timer (84) that counts said supplementary preset period of time (T20x), each one materialized in a relay timer or in a digital timer connected to a respective output terminal (72) of the PLC (70).

In Fig. 15 it can be seen that, in this second embodiment of said machine (100), said timers (81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86) are connected to a circuit that is an integral part of the controller device for its operation , and also each one of said timer relays, when they reach their respective preset time duration values, close in Fig. 14 (or alternatively open) a respective contact, each of which is connected to an input terminal (71) of the PLC. This is represented by labels 93 to 98 of Fig. 14, where each contact that closes the timer coil is connected to a respective input terminal (71) of the PLC (70). In the timers (81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86), the operational values are entered through the user interface (73) as described for the case of the complementary and auxiliary timers (85, 86).

The operation of this second embodiment of said machine (100), shown in Figs. 2 to 9, 14 and 15.

Figs. 2 to 4 show that in said machine (100), the controlling device, through the PLC (70), initiates the movement of the male according to the linear insertion direction (see block (f) of Fig. 4) when the position (P) of the drag element (11) that drags iron (S) corresponds to said second position (P2), after counting, as shown in block (i) of Fig. 4, in said complementary timer (85 ) materialized in a timer relay said pre-established complementary period of time (T5x) of programmable duration. In Fig. 4 said complementary timer (85) begins to count said pre-established complementary time period (T5x) when said PLC (70) detects at an input terminal (71) connected to a detector (75) shown in Fig. 14, a position of the front or rear part of said plate (S) in a second previous position (P20), intermediate between said origin position and said second position (P2).

In Figs. 4 and 14, said detection of a position of the front or rear part of the plate (S) in said second previous position (P20) can be carried out by means of a detector (75), for example, a photocell, located in said second previous position (P20). Said PLC (70) receives the signal from said photocell continuously during the movement of the drive elements (11). When said photocell detects any of said parts of the plate (S), it sends a signal that is detected at an input terminal (71) of the PLC (70). Said PLC (70) begins to count a complementary time (T5). When said complementary time (T5) equals or exceeds the pre-established complementary time (T5x) of programmable duration, said PLC (70) starts the movement of said male (20) according to the linear insertion direction. At this moment, the position (P) of the drag element (11) that drags the plate (S) corresponds to said second position (P2), as shown in Fig. 4.

Continuing in this second embodiment, Figs. 2 to 4 show that in said machine (100), the PLC (70) activates the supply actuator (61) again to supply a subsequent plate (S) to said origin position (see block (b) of Fig. 4) , when the position (P) of the drive element (11) corresponds with said third position (P3), after counting, as shown in block (j) of Fig. 4, in said complementary timer (86) materialized on a timer relay, a period of time preset auxiliary complementary (T6x) of programmable duration. In Fig. 4, said complementary timer (86) starts counting said pre-established complementary period of time (T6x) when said PLC (70) detects an auxiliary detector (76) connected to an input terminal (71), a position of the front or rear of said plate (S) in a third previous position (P30), intermediate between said origin position and said third position (P3).

In Fig. 4, said detection of a position of the front or rear of the plate (S) in said third previous position (P30) is carried out by means of an auxiliary detector (76), for example, another photocell, located in said third previous position (P30). Said PLC (70) receives the signal from said photocell continuously during the movement of the drive elements (11). When said other photocell detects any of said parts of the plate (S), it sends a signal to said PLC (70) that begins to count an auxiliary complementary time (T6). When said auxiliary complementary time (T6) equals or exceeds the preset auxiliary complementary time (T6x) of programmable duration, said PLC (70) again activates the supply actuator (61) to supply a subsequent plate (S) to said origin position. At this moment, the position (P) of the drag element (11) that drags the plate (S) corresponds to said third position (P3), as shown in Fig. 4.

Claims (21)

1.- Machine (100) with a controller device, to form cardboard boxes (B) by gluing from plates (S), wherein said controller device is integrated in it and connected to: a supply actuator (61) of a supply mechanism configured to supply a plate (S) from an initial position where it is supported in a stacked plate magazine (60) to an origin position; a rotary motor (12) operatively coupled to a plate (S) drive element (11) to move it along positions according to a linear drive direction (T), associated with respective plate positions (S), from said origin position towards a delivery position, where said plate (S) is located between a male (20) and a mold (30), with a plurality of forming elements (31), each one activatable by means of a respective actuator (32 ), arranged around a cavity (33) where said male (20) is insertable; glue injectors (51, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) configured to deposit strands of hot glue (50) parallel to each other on said plate (S) during the movement of the drive element (11), and a second rotary motor (41) of a male drive (40) configured to guide and alternately move said male (20) between an extracted position, where it allows said plate (S) to be positioned in the delivery position, and a position introduced, where it is inserted into said cavity (33), where said male (20) is configured to press a portion of said plate (S) in the delivery position into the cavity (33) and form the box (B) by bending and joining by gluing and pressure different parts of said plate (S) with others; said controller device comprising: a user interface (73) that allows a user to input operational parameters to the controller device; a processor (74) connected to a memory (M); said memory (M) comprising a plurality of memory areas (M1, M2); an input interface connected to said processor (74) with a plurality of input terminals (71), said input interface comprising: an input terminal (71) configured to receive in said controller device some operational values (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6) for a certain type and measurements of box (B) to be formed sent from a user interface ( 73); and said controller device further comprising an output interface connected to said processor (74) with a plurality of output terminals (72), said output interface comprising: an output terminal (72) configured to send a signal indicative for the activation of said supply actuator (61); an output terminal (72) configured to send a signal indicative to rotate said rotary motor (12) according to a single direction of rotation; output terminals (72) configured to send, each one of them, a signal indicative for the activation of one of said respective tail injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) when the position of said drag (11) stored in a first memory area (M1) coincides with one or more of the respective first preset positions comprised in the respective sets of activation preset positions (CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP5, CP6), of each one of said tail injectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), programmable and previously received at said input terminal (71) from said user interface (73); and one or more output terminals (72) of a signal indicative to rotate said second rotary motor (41); and wherein said controller device is configured to continuously store in a first memory area (M1) the position of said drive element (11) associated with the position of said plate (S); characterized because said controller device is configured to initiate the movement of said male (20) from said extracted position towards said inserted position when the position (P) of said drive element (11) stored in said first memory area (M1) corresponds to a second position (P2) intermediate between said origin and delivery positions, said second position (P2) being defined by a programmable operational value (P2x, T5x) entered by means of a user interface (73) by a user; and said controller device is configured to again send a signal indicative for the activation of a supply actuator (61) to supply a plate (S) subsequent to a previous plate (S), when the position (P) of said drive element ( 11) stored in said first memory area (M1) corresponds to a third position (P3) intermediate between said origin position and said second position (P2), said third position (P3) being defined by a programmable operational value (P3x, T6x) previously entered in a user interface (73) by a user. 2. - Machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller device comprises a programmable logic controller (70) or computer that integrates said memory (M), said processor (74), a plurality of said input terminals (71) and a plurality of said output terminals (72). 3. - Machine according to claim 2, wherein said controlling device is configured to start the movement of said male (20) from said extracted position to said inserted position when said second position (P2) corresponds to an operational value of a second position preset (P2x) programmable of the drag element (11) entered through the user interface (73). 4. - Machine according to claim 2, wherein: a detector (75) connected to an input terminal (71) detects a position of the front or rear of said plate in a second previous position (P20), intermediate between said origin position and said second position (P2); said controller device includes a programmable complementary timer (85) that counts a pre-established complementary period of time (T5x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface (73), starting to count said pre-established complementary period of time (T5x ) upon said detection in said detector (75); and where said controller device is configured to initiate the movement of said male (20) from said extracted position towards said inserted position after said pre-established complementary period of time (T5x), where the position (P) of the drag element (11) corresponds to said second position (P2) of the first memory area (M1). 5. - Machine according to claim 2, wherein said controller device: said first memory area (M1) records a position (P) of the drag element (11) that drags the plate (S) in a second previous position (P20), intermediate between said origin position and said second position (P2); A programmable complementary timer (85) that is an integral part of said controller device counts a pre-established complementary period of time (T5x) of programmable duration entered by a user in said user interface (73), said pre-established complementary period of time beginning to count (T5x) after said registration; and where said controller device is configured to initiate the movement of said male (20) from said extracted position towards said inserted position after said pre-established complementary period of time (T5x), where the position (P) of the drag element (11) corresponds to said second position (P2) of the first memory area (M1). 6. - Machine (100) according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein said controller device is configured to activate said supply actuator (61) again to supply a plate (S) from said initial position to said origin position when said Third position (P3) corresponds to an operational value of a programmable third preset position (P3x) of the drag element (11) entered through the user interface (73). 7. - Machine (100) according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein an auxiliary detector (76) connected to an input terminal (71) detects a position of the front or rear of said plate (S) in a third previous position (P30), intermediate between said origin position and said third position (P3 ); said controller device includes a programmable auxiliary complementary timer (86) that counts a preset auxiliary complementary time period (T6x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface (73), said auxiliary complementary time period beginning to count preset (T6x) after said detection in said auxiliary detector (76); and where said controller device is configured to activate said supply actuator (61) again to supply a plate (S) from said initial position to said origin position after said preset auxiliary complementary time period (T6x), wherein the position (P) of the drag element (11) corresponds to said third position (P3) of the first memory area (M1). 8. - Machine according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein said controller device: said first memory area (M1) records a position (P) of the drive element (11) that drives the plate (S) in a third previous position (P30), intermediate between said origin position and said third position (P3); A programmable auxiliary complementary timer (86) that is an integral part of said controller device counts a preset auxiliary complementary time period (T6x) of programmable duration entered by a user in said user interface (73), said period of time beginning to count pre-established auxiliary complementary (T6x) after said registration; and where said controller device is configured to activate said supply actuator (61) again to supply a plate (S) from said initial position to said origin position after said pre-established auxiliary complementary time period (T6x), wherein the position (P) of the drag element (11) corresponds to said third position (P3) of said first memory area (M1). 9. - Machine according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein: said controller device comprises an input terminal (71) configured to detect a change in the position of the plug (20) from an extracted position, receiving an indicative signal sent by a plug position detector (2, 8), or said controller device is configured to detect a change in position of the male (20) from an extracted position, internally reading in said controller and processor device (74) the signal indicative sent by itself to said rotary motor (41) of the drive of male (40); said controller device includes a programmable secondary timer (82) that counts a preset secondary period of time (T2x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface (73), starting to count said preset secondary period of time (T2x ) after detecting a change in position of the male (20); and said controller device is configured to activate said actuators (32) of said forming elements (31), after counting said secondary timer (82) said preset secondary period of time (T2x). 10. - Machine according to claim 9, wherein said controller device further comprises a programmable timer (81) that counts a preset period of time (T1x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface (73), starting to count said preset period of time (T1x) after detecting said change in position of the male (20) from the extracted position; and said controller device is configured to rotate the rotary motor (12) of the plate drive element (11) after counting said timer (81) said preset period of time (T1x), and maintain one of said drive elements (11) in said delivery position during said preset period of time (T 1x). 11. - Machine according to any of claims 9 or 10, wherein said controller device comprises an input terminal (71) configured to detect said plug (20) in said inserted position, receiving an indicative signal sent by a plug position detector (2, 8), or said controller device is configured to detect said plug (20) said inserted position, internally reading in said controller and processor device the indicative signal sent by itself to said rotary motor (41) of the plug drive (40); said controller device includes a programmable auxiliary timer (83) that counts a preset auxiliary time period (T3x) of programmable duration previously entered by a user in said user interface (73), starting to count said preset auxiliary time period (T3x ) after detecting said tap (20) in said inserted position; and said controller device is configured to keep said plug (20) in said inserted position during said preset auxiliary time period (T3x) of programmable duration, and to move said plug (20) from said inserted position to an extracted position after counting said period preset auxiliary time (T3x). 12. - Machine according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein said first timer (81) begins to count said preset period of time (T1x) regardless of the folding and joining subsequent to the introduction of the male (20) in the mold (30) is made with the male (20) in an inserted or extracted position; and wherein the controller device is configured to activate said actuators (32) to joining by pressure and gluing all the parts of the box (B) to be formed after placing said plate (S) in said delivery position. 13. - Machine according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein said controller device moves the drive element (11) according to a fixed nominal speed, sending a binary signal through its output terminal (72) to said rotary motor (12), which is coupled to a rotational encoder (13) ; and said controller device further comprises a rotational encoder (13) configured to send signals indicative of the position of a drive element (11) to said first memory area (M1). 14. - Machine according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein: said controller device further comprises a motor speed controller (16) connected to said rotary motor (12), and said rotary motor (12) moves the drive element (11) based on a preset desired speed indicator (Vx) programmable, entered by a user at the user interface (73) from a plurality of selectable non-zero speeds; and said controller device is configured, by means of programming instructions stored in said memory (M) and executed by said processor (74), to store in said first memory area (M1) the position (P) of the drive element (11) in based on the indicative signal sent to rotate said rotary motor (12). 15. - Machine according to claim 14, further comprising a position detector of the drag element (18) connected to an input terminal (71) and located in said original position, which establishes the position (P) of the drag element (11) in said first memory area (M1) to a source value (P0) after each detection. 16. - Machine according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein said controller device further comprises a motor speed controller (16) connected to said rotary motor (12), and said rotary motor (12) moves the drive element (11) based on a preset desired speed indicator (Vx) programmable, entered by a user at the user interface (73) from a plurality of selectable non-zero speeds; said controller device further comprises a rotary encoder (13) coupled to the rotary motor (12) and connected to an input terminal (71) of the controller device or to an input terminal of the motor speed controller (16); and said controller device corrects the position (P) of the drive element (11) by comparing the signal sent to the servomotor controller (16) with the signal received from said rotational encoder (13). 17. - Machine according to any of claims 4 to 16, wherein each of said timers (81, 82, 83, 84, 85) is selected from one of the following options: a programmable timer relay, and connected to an output terminal (72) of the programmable logic controller (70) or computer; a programmable digital timer provided with a digital timer processor connected to an output terminal (72) of the programmable logic controller (70) or computer; or a programmable timer implemented by programming instructions stored in said memory (M) and executable by said processor (74) of the programmable logic controller (70) or computer. 18. - Machine according to claim 17, wherein one or more of said programmable timer relays are equipped with actuating members integrated in the timer relay to modify its programmed duration, said actuating members forming an integral part of the user interface (73 ). 19. - Machine according to claim 17 or 18, wherein one or more of said digital timers have integrated drive members to modify their programmed duration, and a display to view said programmed duration connected to said drive members, said members being part drive control and user interface display (73). 20. - Machine according to claim 17, wherein all of said programmable timers are implemented by programming instructions stored in said memory (M) and are executable by said processor (74) of the programmable logic controller (70) or computer . 21. Machine according to claim 20, wherein said user interface (73) comprises a touch screen configured to enter the programmed duration of said programmable timers, and said first preset positions of each of the glue injectors (51, 51 , 52, 53, 54, 55, 56).