ES1294611U - STACKING MACHINE FOR CARDBOARD BOXES OF DIFFERENT SIZES DESIGNED TO BE NESTED AND WITH RIDGES LOCATED ON THE UPPER PART OF THE SIDE WALLS OF THE SAME AND FOLDED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THEM (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Stacking machine (100) for cardboard boxes (B) of different sizes intended to be nested and with rims (R) located on the upper part of the side walls (PL) of the same and folded towards the outside of these, comprising - an essentially rectangular lifting cavity (30), configured to house a vertically raised stack of boxes (B) coming from a delivery end of a conveyor (10) of boxes (B); - a lifter (40), located adjacent to the lifting cavity (30), movable between a lower position, where the lifter (40) is configured to receive one or more of these boxes (B) from the conveyor (10) , and an upper position, where the elevator (40) is configured to transfer these one or more boxes (B) to a support device configured to support the boxes (B) in elevated positions within the lifting cavity (30) related to an exit path (60); and - an evacuator (50) configured to move one or more vertical stacks (P) of boxes (B) from the raised position on the support device towards the exit path (60); and where the support device comprises at least two vertical brushes (5) facing each other, where bristles of each vertical brush (5) are laterally introduced at least partially in the rectangular lifting cavity (30) to support the boxes (B) by said rims (R), and where each vertical brush (5) is supported on a base support (2), supported in turn on the chassis (1) of the stacking machine (100); characterized in that the stacking machine (100) comprises a double device for positioning the at least one pair of vertical brushes (5) along a linear direction (X) essentially perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z), where the first positioning device (31, 32) is configured to regulate the position of the base supports (2) together with the vertical brushes (5) supported on these base supports (2) with respect to the chassis (1), according to the linear direction (X) to approach o move the vertical brushes (5) away from each other; and where the second positioning device (6, 7) is configured to regulate the position of the vertical brushes (5) according to the linear direction (X) to bring the vertical brushes (5) facing each other closer or further away, regardless of the positioning of the base supports (2) by means of the first positioning device (31, 32). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

STACKING MACHINE FOR CARDBOARD BOXES OF DIFFERENT SIZES DESIGNED TO BE NESTED AND WITH RIDGES LOCATED ON THE UPPER PART OF THE SIDE WALLS OF THE SAME AND FOLDED TOWARDS THE OUTSIDE OF

THESE

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The technical sector of the present invention are transport or storage devices, specifically the stacking or unstacking of objects, particularly adding the objects at the bottom of the stack. In this specific case the objects are formed cardboard boxes.

The present invention is related to a stacking machine for cardboard boxes of different sizes designed to be nested and with flanges located at the top of their side walls and folded outwards. Such stackers are typically linked to a case forming machine that forms cases from flat sheets.

Said boxes are made of a corrugated cardboard sheet, compact cardboard sheet, also called cardboard, a combination of these, or similar, obtained from the folding of said sheet and the joining of some parts of the sheet with others.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO SOLVE

Documents US2904941A, ES2066663A2, ES2343771A1 and ES2554823A1 disclose cardboard box stacking machines comprising, respectively: an elevator, operatively located in a lifting cavity, capable of lifting one after another cardboard boxes coming from an input conveyor to form a stack of boxes by adding the boxes from the bottom of the stack, a support device being arranged configured to support the bottom box of the stack and allowing the boxes to be added to the stack one by one from below by the elevator, and where said pusher device comprises a pusher member movable by a drive member between a retracted position and an extended position to push and move a finished stack of boxes from said support means to an outlet site.

These stacking machines are conventionally linked to a box forming machine that forms boxes from planks, i.e. flat sheets, such as described in documents US2798416A, US3978774A, ES8606124A1, ES235835U, ES255122U, US4581005A, and ES2593823B1.

For example, the stacking machine of document ES2066663A2 is configured to adapt the elements of the machine for stacking boxes of different sizes. To do this, the stacker has adjustable vertical guides, two at the front and two at the rear corresponding to the vertical corners of the box, at the same time that they are evenly coupled to two transverse spindles respectively, the spindles being coupled at the same time by their ends to transverse bridges that are related to longitudinal spindles. Turning the spindles in one direction or another, the vertical guides will be adjusted to the dimensions of the boxes. When a box is between the four vertical guides, an elevator moves upwards that moves the box to make way for another and so on. When a stacking column of boxes has been formed, automatically counted, the box will be moved by a pusher towards an exit lane.

In the stackers of documents ES2554823A1 and ES2066663A2, the support device of the stacking machine comprises retractable claws to vertically support the objects of the stack in height. In this sense, documents US3092266A, US3533517A, US4865515A, US4993916A and US2011305553A1 can be cited.

On the other hand, documents DE2307053A1 GB2173758A and DE3101569A1 disclose two mutually facing endless movable elastic bands made of rubber or cellular foam, between which objects such as glass plates, cookie boxes and tiles, respectively, are transported thanks to the lateral adjustment pressure between the bands. Document DE1079522B can be cited in this same sense.

Any of the stacking machines mentioned up to this point, through the use of retractable claws or adjusted lateral elements, for the vertical maintenance of the stack of objects in height, would inconveniently tear, break, and/or deform the peripheral frame formed by such rims of cardboard located on top of the side walls and folded out of the box. Examples of said boxes with these flanges are disclosed in documents ES1258339U and ES2851825A1, which concern machines for forming such boxes from flat plates or sheets of the same inventor as the present application.

A possible solution to this drawback is the use of two mutually opposite zones with vertical brushes, each with a plurality of fibrous elements or cedars arranged essentially horizontally, to support the objects of the pile in a desired vertical position. The use of brushes to support the objects in the stack vertically is widely used in the sector of stacking or unstacking objects: document US3915317A is related to the stacking of blister-type or tray-shaped objects with rims that form a flat frame, the document US3771670A deals with a vertical stacking of flat labels, document US5255584A is related to the stacking of slices of product, document DE19821108A1 proposes short 11 and long 12 cedras for stacking packages, document EP0799781A2 uses brushes 24 for stacking panels polystyrene, document DE1127810B concerns the stacking of cardboard packages on tracks 2 provided with brushes, document FR1278938A shows in its Figs. 5 to 8 brushes for the vertical stacking of cigarette boxes, while document ES2018869B3 concerns parallel rows of brushes 40A, 40b, 40C that support packages.

It is noted that, identically to US2904941A, ES2066663A2, ES2343771A1 and ES2554823A1, in documents DE1127810B and FR1278938A also prior to stacking the boxes, these are transported horizontally and raised vertically, and also after stacking the boxes, these boxes forming stacks of boxes are moved horizontally to an exit path.

Given the aforementioned background, and on the other hand, the stacking machine of the company Boix Maquinaria Spain SLU, model AR5, which is of the type described in document ES2066663A2, and which it also comprises some vertical and mutually facing brushes, on opposite sides of the rectangular cavity for forming the stack of boxes and adjacent to it, arranged to come into contact with the straight side walls of some boxes that are open at the top. The brushes of this AR5 machine are also configured to support in height a stack of boxes intended to be nested and with ridges located on the top of the side walls of the same and folded towards the outside of these. Nevertheless,

Disadvantageously, in all these antecedents, the brushes are subject to high wear due to the high number of support operations of the objects they carry out and their efficiency is considerably compromised in relatively short periods of time, leading to undesired production stops due to the need to replace brushes. the supporting brushes of the stacking machine. This situation is aggravated in the context of stacking cardboard boxes, since the work environment contains cardboard particles in suspension that can be undesirably trapped between the bristles of the brushes, and in the work environment the brushes are exposed to ambient temperatures. relatively extreme, reducing its useful life and aggravating the productive downtime of the stacking machine.

Also disadvantageously, the box transport, lifting and/or stacking operations of the stacking machine can tear, break, and/or permanently deform the frame formed by such outwardly folded edges, due to the structure of the cardboard, that is, from whether it is compact cardboard or cardboard (less resistant) or corrugated cardboard (more resistant), as well as the changing sizes and/or shapes of the boxes or parts thereof, causing the shrinkage of the boxes and again frequent and unwanted productive stops of the stacking machine.

The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a stacking machine for cardboard boxes of different sizes intended to be nested with rims located in the upper part of the side walls of the same and folded towards the outside of these, so that it is configured to carry out the stacking of such boxes without tearing, breaking and/or permanently deforming the peripheral frame formed by such outwardly folded rims, in a reliable, durable, simple and efficient manner, especially without frequent productive stops of the stacking machine.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

To solve the inconveniences exposed in the previous section, the present invention presents a stacking machine for cardboard boxes of different sizes intended to be nested and with rims located in the upper part of the side walls of the same and folded towards the outside of these .

In a way known in the state of the art, the stacking machine comprises:

• an essentially rectangular lifting cavity, configured to house a stack of vertically raised boxes coming from a delivery end of a box conveyor;

• an elevator, located adjacent to the lifting cavity, movable between a lower position, where the elevator is configured to receive one or more of these boxes from the conveyor, and an upper position, where the elevator is configured to transfer these one or more boxes to a support device configured to support the boxes in elevated positions within the lifting cavity related to an exit path; Y

• an evacuator configured to move one or more vertical stacks of boxes from the raised position on the lifting device towards the exit lane.

Likewise, in a known manner, in the stacking machine, the support device comprises at least two vertical brushes facing each other, where some ridges of each vertical brush are laterally introduced at least partially in the rectangular lifting cavity to support the boxes by said flanges, and where each vertical brush is supported on a base support, supported in turn on the chassis of the stacking machine.

The plurality of bristles or fibers of each of the brushes of the support device have sufficient flexibility to, on the one hand, allow the lifting of the boxes in the lifting cavity without tearing, breaking and/or permanently deforming the edges of the boxes that are part of the upper frame of the same, and to, on the other hand, allow the boxes to be effectively supported in the lifting cavity.

Differentially, the present invention proposes that, in a way not known in the existing state of the art, the stacking machine of the present invention also comprises, in combination:

• a double device for positioning the at least one pair of vertical brushes along a linear direction X essentially perpendicular to the vertical direction Z;

• where the first positioning device of this double positioning device is configured to regulate the position of the base supports together with the vertical brushes supported on these base supports with respect to the chassis, according to the linear direction X to move the vertical brushes closer or further away facing each other; Y

• where the second positioning device of this double positioning device is configured to regulate the position of the vertical brushes according to the linear direction X to bring the vertical brushes facing each other closer or further away, regardless of the positioning of the base supports by means of the first positioning device.

Advantageously, the double positioning device allows the machine to be configured for stacking boxes of different sizes (different measures of base, height, and/or rims) and/or for stacking boxes of different shapes (boxes with four walls sides and a rectangular frame determined by the rims, boxes with one or more chamfers at the corners and an essentially rectangular frame with chamfered corners determined by the rims, and/or for stacking boxes of different cardboard structures (corrugated cardboard or cardboard compact / cardboard), without tearing, breaking and / or permanently deforming the edges of the boxes, and making a stacking of boxes in a reliable, durable, simple and efficient, without frequent productive stoppages of the stacking machine.

Advantageously, the first positioning device can be used to position the vertical brushes, adapting the width or length measurements of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity to the different box sizes, positioning the base supports where the vertical brushes are supported in desired positions.

Advantageously, the second positioning device can be used to move the vertical brushes closer to or further away from each other to finely position the vertical brushes during adjustment tasks, being able to position the vertical brushes in effective positions to support the boxes without tearing, breaking and/or permanently deforming the edges of the boxes, depending on the carton structure: corrugated board (stronger) or solid board/cardboard (less strong), depending on the punching and weakened fold lines of the boxes, especially those that define a frame determined by the edges bent outwards, or to solve a loss of effectiveness (resistance / flexibility) of the bristles of the vertical brushes due to their use and/or exposure to the work environment.

This is achieved by the independence of the positioning of the vertical brushes facing each other of the second positioning device, with respect to the positioning of the base supports by means of the first positioning device.

The present invention expressly covers, among others, the cases where the support device comprises:

• two vertical brushes facing each other, one vertical brush being positioned on one side of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity and the other vertical brush on the opposite side thereof;

• four vertical brushes facing each other in pairs, each vertical brush being positioned on a respective side of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity;

• four vertical brushes facing each other in pairs, each vertical brush being positioned in a respective corner of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity; either

• a combination of these options.

The present invention expressly covers the cases where a base support supports one or more vertical brushes.

From this point on, optional aspects of the stacking machine of the present invention are described, which contribute to solving the technical problem posed.

Preferably, the support device comprises four vertical brushes, facing each other in pairs. Advantageously, these four vertical brushes optionally provide versatility to the stacking machine for stacking boxes of different sizes, and/or shapes and/or cardboard structures.

Preferably, the four vertical brushes face each other in pairs on two mutually opposite sides of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity.

Alternatively, these four vertical brushes are arranged one at each of the corners of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity.

Preferably, the vertical brushes facing each other are positioned on the long sides of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity. Advantageously, this confers simplicity to the stacking machine to increase the minimum and maximum dimensions of boxes to be stacked.

Optionally, the second positioning device is configured to regulate the position of each vertical brush individually. Advantageously, this confers improved robustness and efficiency to the support of the boxes by the support device.

Preferably, the first positioning device comprises at least one linear positioning device aligned with the linear direction, and at least one respective locking and unlocking element, to position one or more brushes in a desired position along the linear direction X .

Preferably, the second positioning device comprises at least one auxiliary linear positioning device aligned with the linear direction X, and at least one respective auxiliary locking and unlocking element, to position one or more brushes in a desired position along the linear X direction.

Optionally, the stacking machine further comprises a third positioning device configured to regulate the position of the vertical brushes according to a second linear direction Y perpendicular to the linear and vertical directions X, Z, to move the vertical brushes transversely closer or further away.

Advantageously, the first and third positioning devices can be used to position the vertical brushes, adapting the width and/or length measurements of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity to the different box sizes, positioning the base supports where they are. The vertical brushes are supported in desired positions, for stacking boxes of different sizes.

Additionally, each vertical brush has cedars arranged in an essentially continuous manner along their respective vertical extension.

Preferably, the support device and the elevator are configured together to nest boxes within each other in the vertical stack of boxes within the lifting cavity.

Preferably, the vertical brushes are fixedly supported on the base supports, advantageously making it possible to nest boxes inside one another in the vertical stack of boxes inside the lifting cavity.

Either of these last two preferable options advantageously reduces the number of elements that make up the stacking machine, making the stacking machine simple and efficient, while the stacking machine is reliable and durable, minimizing the replacement of elements. of the stacking machine susceptible to wear and/or breakage, reducing production downtime and manufacturing costs of the stacking machine.

Alternatively, in the stacking machine, the support device further comprises a drive configured to move at least two closed-loop augers on which respective bristle brushes are mounted along the extent of the closed-loop.

These endless elements can be materialized in respective link chains, tapes or bands, or a combination of these, among other options.

These endless elements are arranged adjacent to the lifting cavity, facing each other, and each one supported on a respective base support of those already mentioned.

These endless elements are configured to support and raise the boxes individually within the lifting cavity, and where each vertical brush corresponds to the vertical sections of the brush mounted on each closed loop endless element, each vertical brush being movably supported in a basic support.

Optionally, in the stacking machine, some top and/or side stop devices of the boxes advantageously keep the edges of the box in their desired folding position and guide the box during its transport on the conveyor, avoiding in any case the turning of the box. boxes or uncontrolled bumping between ledges of subsequent boxes in the row of boxes on the conveyor.

Optionally, the stacking machine further comprises a pusher device, arranged between the conveyor and the lifting cavity, configured to push a box laterally by means of a pusher stop from a supported position on an auxiliary support adjacent to the delivery end of the conveyor, to the position where it is supported on a lifting support of the elevator.

Advantageously, with the pusher device it is possible to leave boxes of different sizes perfectly positioned and centered on the lifting support, described later, to avoid subsequent tears, breakage and/or deformation of the rims during the lifting and stacking of the boxes in the cavity. of elevation.

In addition, the pusher device comprises a retaining stop configured to prevent the passage of a subsequent box towards the auxiliary support.

Advantageously, the pusher device with the retaining stop makes it possible to transport subsequent boxes to the cavity continuously, without tearing, breaking and/or permanently deforming the edges of the boxes, controlling the collisions between adjacent boxes in the row of boxes being transported. on the conveyor and avoiding unwanted turning of the boxes on the conveyor, without productive interruptions in the supply of formed boxes to the conveyor of the stacking machine of the present invention from a box forming machine linked to the stacking machine, the boxes being able to remain to be stacked supported on the conveyor as a lung.

Optionally, the stacking machine further comprises a secondary auxiliary support, located between the auxiliary support and the lifting support, configured to support the boxes pushed laterally from the auxiliary support to the lifting support. The supporting surface end of the secondary auxiliary support is extensible in the lateral pushing linear direction of the box, and the supporting surface end of the secondary auxiliary support faces and is adjacent to the lifting support.

Optionally, the optional elements and/or devices of the stacking machine are configured to be positioned along strategic linear directions by positioners that comprise linear guide elements locked by locking and unlocking elements for the formation of cardboard boxes of different sizes, shapes and/or cardboard structure.

In one option, the stacking machine comprises two lifting cavities; one or respective elevators, for the elevation cavities; two support devices as referred to above, one associated with each lifting cavity; one or respective evacuators, one associated with each lifting cavity; and one or respective exit paths, one associated with each lifting cavity; all this supported in the same chassis. The stacking machine comprises two double positioning devices as referred to above, one associated with a respective lifting cavity and with one or respective lifting devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made of the object of the invention and to help a better understanding of the characteristics that distinguish it, this description is accompanied, as an integral part of it, by a set of plans, in which that for illustrative and non-limiting purposes the following has been represented:

Figs. 1 and 3 are respective rear top perspective views of an embodiment of the stacking machine of the present invention, and where some cardboard boxes intended to be nested and with rims located on the upper part of the side walls of the boxes have been represented. same and bent towards the outside of these,

Fig. 2 is an enlargement of detail view IV indicated in Fig. 1, where two vertical brushes and the second device for positioning them to regulate their position according to the X direction are shown;

Fig. 4 is an enlargement of the detail view V indicated in Fig. 3, where a box is shown supported on two mutually opposite rims by the vertical brushes of the supporting device of the stacking machine;

Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cutaway plan view of the stacking machine shown in Fig. 1, where a box is shown supported on two mutually opposite rims by the vertical brushes of the stacking machine support device; Y

Fig. 7 is a cutaway bottom perspective view of the stacking machine shown in Fig. 1.

DETAILED EXPOSITION OF EMBODIMENTS / EXAMPLES

Figs. 1 to 7 show an embodiment of a stacking machine (100) configured to stack cardboard boxes (B) of different sizes intended to be nested with rims (R) located on the upper part of the side walls (PL) of the boxes ( B) and folded to the outside of these boxes (B).

The boxes (B) of Figs. 3 to 7 are made of a sheet of corrugated cardboard, a sheet of compact cardboard, also called cardboard, a combination of these, or similar, obtained from the folding of said sheet and the joining of some parts of the sheet with others .

These boxes (B) have four side walls (PL) surrounding the bottom (F) of the box (B) and an essentially rectangular frame determined by the rims (R), preferably flat.

Preferably, the rims (R) start from the upper part of the four side walls (PL) of the box (B).

In the example of the figures, the rims (R) are flat and horizontal, forming a peripheral frame in the upper part of the side walls (PL) and parallel to the bottom plane of the box (B), preferably flat, to facilitate subsequent optional upper sealing operation of a mouth open at the top using a film, usually made of a plastic compound.

These boxes (B) are intended to be nested by the converging inclination of their side walls (PL) towards the bottom of the box (B).

Optionally, Figs. 3 to 7 show that these boxes (B) have one, two or more corner chamfers defined between two adjacent side walls (PL) and an essentially rectangular frame with chamfered corners determined by the rims (R).

Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7 show that the stacking machine (100) comprises an essentially rectangular lifting cavity (30), configured to house a stack (P) of vertically raised boxes (B) coming from a delivery end of a conveyor ( 10) of boxes (B).

As shown in Fig. 6, the essentially rectangular lifting cavity (30) is delimited by a support device provided with vertical brushes (5), an evacuator member (51) of the evacuator (50) and an outlet path (60), which will be described later.

In Figs. 1, 3 and 5, the conveyor (10) is configured to transport boxes (B) from a receiving end to a delivery end in a forward direction (D).

Preferably, at the delivery end of the conveyor (10) of the present invention, the conveyor object of the Spanish utility model application U202131942, of the same inventor as the present invention, is arranged.

Preferably, the conveyor (10) is materialized in one or more endless belts or bands that determine the transport plane (13) of the conveyor (10), and are movable by means of a drive unit, for example, an electric motor (14).

Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6 show that the stacking machine (100) further comprises a box top stop device (11) configured to come into contact with the top of the rims (R) of the box (B) during loading. transporting it on the conveyor (10).

The upper box stop device (11) that extends above the transport plane (13) of the box (B) on the conveyor (10).

In the figures, the box top stop device (11) is materialized in a bar. Alternatively, the box top stop device (11) can be embodied in an auxiliary linear brush (not shown).

Figs. 1 and 3 show that the stacking machine (100) further comprises a box top stop positioner (18) configured to position the box top stop device (11) in a desired position in height towards or away from the conveyor ( 10), preferably with respect to the transport plane (13) of the box (B) therein.

The box top stop positioner (18) comprises a shaft or bar (18) connected to the box top stop (11), preferably arranged essentially vertically, and a locking and unlocking element (18a) of the shaft or bar (18) in a desired position. In Figs. 1 and 3, the locking and unlocking element (18a) is hardware, such as a screw, a knob, a handle or a wing nut.

Alternatively, in an option not shown in the figures, the upper box stop positioner (18) comprises a threaded spindle or shaft, where the locking and unlocking element (18a) corresponds to the helical edges or grooves of the spindle. These edges or grooves that are received in a corresponding hole. Thus, by turning the spindle in one direction or another, the box top stop (11) moves closer to or further away from the conveyor (10), preferably with respect to the transport plane (13) of the box (B) therein.

Figs. 1, 3 and 5 show that the stacking machine (100) further comprises a box side stop device (12) configured to come into contact with two mutually opposite side walls (PL) of the box (B) and/or with the lower part of two mutually opposite rims (R) of the box (B) during the transport of the same on the conveyor (10).

The box side stop device (12) comprises two side stops (12), one on each side of the box (B) according to the forward direction (D), preferably materialized in respective side bars.

Figs. 1 and 3 show that the stacking machine (100) further comprises a box side stop positioner (17) configured to position the side stops (12) in a desired position in height towards or away from the conveyor (10), preferably with respect to the transport plane (13) of the box (B) therein.

The box side stop positioner (17) comprises two auxiliary shafts or bars (17), each one connected to a respective box side stop (12), preferably arranged essentially vertically, and one or more locking and unlocking elements (17a). ) of the axles or auxiliary bars (17) in a desired height position.

Figs. 1 and 3 show that the stacking machine (100) further comprises a box side stop transverse positioner (16) comprising a cross shaft or bar (16) configured to position two side stops (12) a desired transverse separation distance perpendicular. to the forward direction (D) of the conveyor (10).

In Figs. 1 and 3, the stacking machine (100) comprises at least one bridge (15) fixed to the conveyor (10) where the transverse positioner for the box side stop (16) is mounted, which is mounted in the intermediate zone of the axis or crossbar (16) the upper box positioner (18), and at each of its ends of the shaft or crossbar (16) has an auxiliary shaft or bar (17) of the box side stop positioner device (17) mounted. ).

Preferably, Figs. 1 and 3 show that the stacking machine (100) has two of these bridges (15).

Figs. 4 to 7, and especially Fig. 6, show that the stacking machine (100) further comprises a pushing device (20), arranged between the conveyor (10) and the lifting cavity (30). The pusher device (20) is configured to push by means of a pusher stop (21b) laterally a box (B) from a supported position on an auxiliary support (29a) adjacent to the delivery end of the conveyor (10), until a position where it is supported on a lift support (42) of a lift (40) to be described later.

The pusher device (20) comprises a retaining stop (21a) configured to prevent the passage of a subsequent box (B) towards the auxiliary support (29a).

Figs. 4 and 5 show that the stacking machine (100) comprises a box end stop (19), configured to laterally and superiorly retain the box (B) supported on the auxiliary support (29a), prior to being pushed by the pusher device (20). ).

Continuing in Fig. 6, the stacking machine (100) further comprises a pusher longitudinal positioner (25, 26) configured to position the pusher device (20) in a desired position along a longitudinal direction, parallel to said push side of the box (B) by the pushing device (20), towards or away from the lifting cavity (30) and the lifting support (42).

Advantageously, with the pusher longitudinal positioner (25, 26) it is also possible to leave boxes (B) of different sizes perfectly positioned and centered on the lifting support (42), described later, to avoid later tears, breakages and/or deformations. of the ridges during the lifting and stacking of the boxes in the lifting cavity (30).

The stacking machine (100) further comprising a pusher transverse positioner (23a, 24a) configured to position the pusher device (20) in a desired position along a transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In Fig. 6, the pusher device (20) comprises a linear actuator (22), for example, a pneumatic cylinder, in whose movable part there is fixed an "L" shaped piece where the pusher stop (21b) is integrated. ) and the retaining stop (21b).The linear actuator (22) is supported on a base support (23) supported in turn on an auxiliary base support (24).

In Fig. 6, the pusher longitudinal positioner (25, 26) comprises two slots (26) aligned along a longitudinal linear direction and made in respective fixed structural points of the chassis (1) of the stacking machine (100), one at each side of the linear actuator (22).

The auxiliary base support (24) is locked in a desired position along the slots (26) by locking and unlocking elements (25) of the pusher longitudinal positioner (25, 26).

In Fig. 6, the transverse pusher positioner (23a, 24a) comprises at least one auxiliary groove (24a) aligned along a transverse linear direction and preferably made in the auxiliary base support (24).

In order to leave boxes (B) of different sizes perfectly positioned and centered on the lifting support (42), Figs. 4, 6 and 7 show that the stacking machine (100) further comprises a secondary auxiliary support (29b), located between the auxiliary support (29a) and the lifting support (42), configured to support the boxes (B) pushed laterally from the auxiliary support (29a) to the lifting support (42), the end of the support surface of the secondary auxiliary support (29b) being extensible in the linear direction of lateral thrust of the box (B), and the end of the surface being Secondary Auxiliary Support Bracket (29b) Facing and Adjacent to Lift Support (42)

To achieve said extension, the auxiliary support (29b) is moved along supplementary guide elements (28), preferably slots, and the auxiliary support (29b) is locked in the new desired position by means of locking and unlocking elements (27). ).

Following in Figs. 5 to 7, and continuing the description according to the operation of the stacking machine (100), this comprises the aforementioned elevator (40), located adjacent to the elevation cavity (30), movable between a lower position, where the elevator (40) is configured to receive one or more of these boxes (B) from the conveyor (10), and an upper position, in which the elevator (40) is configured to transfer these one or more boxes (B) to a support device configured to support the boxes (B) in elevated positions within the lifting cavity (30) related to an exit path (60).

The elevator 40 comprises a lifting actuator 41, eg, a pneumatic cylinder, configured to move a lifting support 42 of the elevator 40 and thereby transfer the boxes B to the support device.

Following in Figs. 5 to 7, the stacking machine (100) comprises an evacuator (50) configured to move one or more vertical stacks (P) of boxes (B), preferably by laterally pushing one or more stacks (P), from the raised position on the support device towards the exit path (60).

The evacuator (50) comprises an evacuator actuator (52), eg, a pneumatic cylinder, configured to move an evacuating member (51) of the evacuator (50).

Optionally, continuing in Figs. 6 and 7, the stacking machine (100) comprises an evacuator positioner (53, 54) configured to position the evacuator (50) in a desired position along a second linear (Y) direction perpendicular to the linear and vertical (X, Z) directions.

Preferably, to achieve said positioning, the evacuating actuator (52) and the evacuating member (51) are slid along complementary guide elements (53), preferably slots, and the evacuating actuator (52) and the evacuating member ( 51) in the new desired position by means of locking and unlocking elements (54).

Throughout the figures, and especially Figs. 4, 6 and 7, in the stacking machine (100), the support device comprises at least two vertical brushes (5) facing each other, where some cedars of each vertical brush (5) are laterally introduced at least partially in the rectangular lifting cavity (30) to support the boxes (B) by said rims (R), and where each vertical brush (5) is supported on a base support (2), supported in turn on the chassis (1 ) of the stacking machine (100), directly or indirectly.

Specifically in the embodiment of the stacking machine (100) of the figures, the support device comprises four vertical brushes (5), facing each other in pairs, as shown in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 6, the four vertical brushes (5) face each other in pairs on two mutually opposite sides of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity (30).

Figs. 4 and 6 show that the vertical brushes (5) facing each other are preferably positioned on the long sides of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity (30), that is, the vertical brushes (5) are configured to support the rims (R) located in the upper part of the larger side walls (PL) of the box (B).

Figs. 1 to 3, and especially Fig. 2, show that each vertical brush (5) has cedars arranged essentially continuously along its respective vertical extension.

Following, in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, each of the vertical brushes (5) has a plurality of fibrous elements or cedars arranged essentially horizontally.

Preferably, in the particular embodiment, Figs. 1, 3 and 6 show more specifically that two vertical brushes (5) are supported on the same base support (2), while the other two vertical brushes (5) are supported on the same base support (2) supported on the chassis (1) of the stacking machine (100).

Alternatively, the four vertical brushes (5) are individually supported on respective base supports (2), supported in turn on the chassis (1) of the stacking machine (100).

The figures show that the vertical brushes (5) are firmly supported on the base supports (2), during the lifting of the boxes (B) in the lifting cavity (30).

The support device and the elevator (40) are configured together to nest boxes (B) within each other in the vertical stack (P) of boxes (B) within the lifting cavity (30).

Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6 show that the stacking machine (100) comprises a double device for positioning the two pairs of vertical brushes (5) along a linear direction (X) essentially perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z).

Figs. 3 and 6 show the first positioning device (31, 32) of this double positioning device, which is configured to regulate the position of the base supports (2) together with the vertical brushes (5) supported on these base supports (2). ) with respect to the frame (1), to move the vertical brushes (5) facing each other closer or further away in the linear direction (X).

Figs. 2 and 6 show the second positioning device (6, 7), which is configured to regulate the position of the vertical brushes (5) in order to move the vertical brushes (5) towards each other closer or further away according to the linear direction (X), independently of the positioning of the base supports (2) by means of the first positioning device (31, 32).

That is, in the example of the figures, the position of the base supports (2) remains unchanged during the adjustments of the second positioning device (6, 7).

The first positioning device (31, 32) comprises at least one linear positioning device (31) aligned with the linear direction (X), and at least one respective locking and unlocking element (32), to position one or more brushes (5) at a desired position along the linear direction (X).

The second positioning device (6, 7) comprises at least one auxiliary linear positioning device (6) aligned with the linear direction (X), and at least one respective auxiliary locking and unlocking element (7), to position one or more brushes (5) in a desired position along the linear direction (X).

Optionally, said linear positioning devices (31, 6) comprise respective linear guide elements that allow continuous adjustment along the direction aligned with the linear direction (X), and the locking and unlocking devices (32, 7) lock the vertical brushes (5) in a desired position along the respective linear guide elements.

Examples of these linear guide elements are slots, slides (not shown) or threaded shafts / spindles (not shown), among others. In the case of threaded shafts, the locking and unlocking elements correspond to the threaded edges of the threaded shaft.

In the example of the figures, the first positioning device (31, 32) serves to position the vertical brushes (5), adapting the measurements of the essentially rectangular lifting cavity (30) to the different box sizes (B ), according to the linear direction (X) shown in Fig. 6, positioning the base supports (2) where the vertical brushes (5) are supported in desired positions along some linear guide elements materialized in grooves (31 ) and locking the base supports (2) in the desired positions by means of the locking and unlocking elements (32) made of screws.

Alternatively, in a position not shown, said linear positioning devices (31, 6) each comprise a plurality of holes aligned with the linear direction (X), and one or more locking and unlocking devices (32, 7) to lock the vertical brushes (5) in a preset position corresponding to one of said holes.

In Figs. 2 and 6 the second positioning device is used to bring the vertical brushes (5) closer to each other or further away in the linear direction (X) to carry out a fine positioning of the vertical brushes (5) during adjustment tasks, being able to position the brushes uprights (5) in positions effective to support the boxes (B) without tearing, breaking and/or permanently deforming the box rims (B), depending on the carton structure: corrugated board (stronger) or solid board/ cardboard (less resistant), depending on the punching and weakened folding lines of the boxes (B), especially those that define the frame determined by the edges (B) folded towards the outside of the box (B), or to solve a loss of effectiveness (resistance / flexibility) of the bristles of the vertical brushes (5) due to their use and/or exposure to the work environment.

For any one of these purposes, in the example of Figs. 1, 2 and 6 show that the second positioning device (6,7) comprises linear guide elements (6) materialized in elongated holes (6) aligned with the linear direction (X) and some respective auxiliary locking and unlocking elements (7) materialized in screws, for each of the vertical brushes (5).

Thus, by unlocking, moving and locking the vertical brushes (5) to a new position along the linear direction (X), by means of the elongated holes (6) and the auxiliary locking and unlocking elements (7), the position of the vertical brushes (5) along the linear direction (X) can be adjusted to move the mutually facing vertical brushes (5) closer or further away, according to the linear direction (X) indicated in Figs. 2 and 6, maintaining the position of the base supports (2).

In Figs. 1, 2 and 6, preferably, the second positioning device (6, 7) is configured to adjust the position of each vertical brush (5) individually.

Each of the vertical brushes (5) is supported on a respective brush support (4) where the elongated holes (6) of the second positioning device (6, 7) are made, thanks to the locking of some locking elements and auxiliary release (7).

Figs. 1, 5 and 6 show that the stacking machine (100) further comprises a third positioning device (8, 9) configured to regulate the position of the vertical brushes (5) according to a second linear direction (Y) perpendicular to the linear directions and vertical (X, Z), to move the vertical brushes (5) crosswise closer or further away.

In the example of the figures, each of the two base supports (2) comprises a respective lateral structure (3, 8), each one provided with vertical bars (3) joined by horizontal bars (8). The vertical brushes (5) are mounted in pairs on the horizontal bars (8).

Thus, the third positioning device (8, 9) comprises the horizontal bars (8) aligned according to the second transverse linear direction (Y) to guide the brush supports (4) and the vertical brushes (5) along them. supported on these. Once the brush supports (4) are positioned in a desired position, they are locked to the horizontal bar (8) by means of locking and unlocking elements (9), materialized in screws.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (15)

1.- Stacking machine (100) for cardboard boxes (B) of different sizes planned to be nested and with rims (R) located in the upper part of the side walls (PL) of the same and folded towards the outside of these , understanding - an essentially rectangular lifting cavity (30), configured to house a stack of vertically raised boxes (B) coming from a delivery end of a conveyor (10) of boxes (B); - a lifter (40), located adjacent to the lifting cavity (30), movable between a lower position, where the lifter (40) is configured to receive one or more of these boxes (B) from the conveyor (10) , and an upper position, where the elevator (40) is configured to transfer these one or more boxes (B) to a support device configured to support the boxes (B) in elevated positions within the lifting cavity (30) related to an exit path (60); Y - an evacuator (50) configured to move one or more vertical stacks (P) of boxes (B) from the raised position on the support device towards the exit path (60); Y where the support device comprises at least two vertical brushes (5) facing each other, where some cedras of each vertical brush (5) are laterally introduced at least partially in the rectangular lifting cavity (30) to support the boxes ( B) by said rims (R), and where each vertical brush (5) is supported on a base support (2), supported in turn on the chassis (1) of the stacking machine (100); characterized in that the stacking machine (100) comprises a double device for positioning the at least one pair of vertical brushes (5) along a linear direction (X) essentially perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z), where the first positioning device (31, 32) is configured to regulate the position of the base supports (2) together with the vertical brushes (5) supported on these base supports (2) with respect to the chassis (1), according to the linear direction (X) to move the vertical brushes (5) facing each other closer or further away; Y where the second positioning device (6, 7) is configured to regulate the position of the vertical brushes (5) according to the linear direction (X) to bring the vertical brushes (5) facing each other closer or further away, regardless of the positioning of the base supports (2) by means of the first positioning device (31, 32). 2. - Stacking machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the support device comprises four vertical brushes (5), facing each other in pairs. Stacking machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second positioning device (6, 7) is configured to adjust the position of each vertical brush (5) individually. 4. - Stacking machine (100) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second positioning device (6, 7) comprises at least one auxiliary linear positioning device (6) aligned with the linear direction (X), and at least one respective auxiliary locking and unlocking element (7), to position one or more brushes (5) in a desired position along the linear direction (X). 5. - Stacking machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a third positioning device (8, 9) configured to regulate the position of the vertical brushes (5) according to a second linear direction (Y) perpendicular to the linear and vertical directions (X, Z), to move the vertical brushes (5) crosswise closer or further away. 6. - Stacking machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support device and the elevator (40) are configured together to nest some boxes (B) inside others in the vertical stack (P) of boxes ( B) inside the lifting cavity (30). 7. - Stacking machine (100) according to claim 6, wherein the vertical brushes (5) are fixedly supported on the base supports (2). 8. - Stacking machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each vertical brush (5) has cedras arranged essentially continuously along its respective vertical extension. 9. - Stacking machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8, wherein the support device further comprises: a drive configured to move at least two closed loop auger elements on which respective bristle brushes are mounted along the extent of the closed loop, these endless elements being arranged adjacent to the lifting cavity (30), facing each other, and each one supported on a respective base support (2), and these endless elements being configured to support and raise the boxes (B) individually within the lifting cavity (30), and where each vertical brush (5) corresponds to the vertical sections of the brush mounted on each endless closed-loop element, each vertical brush (5) remaining movably supported on a base support (2). 10. - Stacking machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a box top stop device (11) configured to come into contact with the top of the rims (R) during its transport in the conveyor (10). 11. - Stacking machine (100) according to claim 10, further comprising a box top stop positioner (18) configured to position the box top stop device (11) in a desired position in height in approach or distance on the conveyor (10). 12. - Stacking machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a box side stop device (12) configured to come into contact with two mutually opposite side walls (PL) of the box and/or with the lower part of two mutually opposite rims (R) of the box (B) during the transport of the same on the conveyor (10). 13. - Stacking machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pusher device (20), arranged between the conveyor (10) and the lifting cavity (30), configured to push by means of a pusher stop (21b ) laterally a box (B) from a position supported on an auxiliary support (29a) adjacent to the delivery end of the conveyor (10), to the position where it is supported on a lifting support (42) of the elevator (40). 14. - Stacking machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a secondary auxiliary support (29b), located between the auxiliary support (29a) and the lifting support (42), configured to support the boxes (B) pushed laterally from the auxiliary support (29a) to the lifting support (42), the end of the support surface of the secondary auxiliary support (29b) being extensible in the linear direction of lateral thrust of the box (B), and the end being from the supporting surface of the secondary auxiliary support (29b) facing and adjacent to the lifting support (42). 15. - Stacking machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an evacuator positioner (53, 54) configured to position the evacuator (50) in a desired position along a second linear direction (Y) perpendicular to the linear and vertical (X, Z) directions.