ES1306046U - TOP BENDING DEVICE FOR REINFORCED UPPER OUTLETS OF SEMI-RIGID LAMINAR MATERIAL BOXES (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Upper forming device (240) of partially open reinforced upper mouths (51, 52, 54), of boxes (40) of semi-rigid laminate material, preferably cardboard, punched with cutting lines and weakened folding lines (42, 49). , 53), the upper forming device (240) being characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of forming assemblies (245), installed on an upper support of forming assemblies (241), mutually facing each other, arranged on two facing sides of a space operational (202) associated with the upper forming device (240) and sized to house the box (40) during the formation of the reinforced upper mouth (51, 52, 54), each forming assembly (245) comprising: a secondary forming support (246), mounted on the upper support of forming assemblies (241), with a turning device (247) and a bending device (245b) being mounted on the secondary forming support (246); said turning device (247), comprising a positioning drive (247) with first and second drive elements (247a, 247b) provided with relative movement, wherein said first drive element (247a) is articulatedly connected to the support forming secondary (246) by a first horizontal axis (E1), and wherein said second actuator element (247b) is articulatedly connected to the bender support (250) by a second horizontal axis (E2), to pivot a bending support bender (250) of the bending device (245b), between a retracted position and a working position, on a third horizontal axis (E3) mounted on the secondary bending support (246); and said bender device (245b), comprising said bender support (250), a first vertical backpressure element (251) comprising a first vertical backpressure surface (251a), configured to be at least partially adjacent to a top of a side wall (44, 45) of the box (40) to positionally limit it; a second hinged counterpressure element (252), with a second counterpressure surface (252a), hingedly connected to the secondary former support (250) on the third axis (E3); a flap folder drive (248) having first and second drive elements (248a, 248b) provided with relative movement, wherein said first actuator element (248a) is connected to the folder holder (250) and said second element of actuator (248b) is connected to a pusher member (253); and said pusher member (253), with a pushing surface (253a), articulatedly connected with respect to the bender support (250) to pivot on a fourth axis (E4) horizontal, between a rest position and a tightening position; and because each forming assembly (245) has an initial, intermediate and final position to form upper flaps (55, 54) of the mouthpiece, where: in the initial position, the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the retracted position and the thrust surface (253a) in the rest position, are jointly configured to allow the partially formed box (40) to be housed in the operational space (202), with four of said side walls (44). , 45) vertical ones facing each other in pairs, and with upper flaps (54, 55) oriented vertically and connected to the upper parts of the vertical side walls (44, 45) of the box (40); In the intermediate position, the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the working position and the pushing surface (253a) in the rest position, are jointly configured to position the second counterpressure surface (252a) horizontally upside down, superiorly adjacent and parallel to a shelf flap (54) and a reinforcement flap (55) connected to the shelf flap (54), constituting said upper flaps (54, 55), arranged in a first horizontal orientation ; and in the final position, the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the working position and the pusher member (253) in the tightening position, are jointly configured to position the pushing surface (253a) horizontally face up, bottom adjacent and parallel to the second counterpressure surface (252a), to position the reinforcement flap (55) in a second horizontal orientation; and each forming assembly (245) being configured to fold the top flaps (54, 55) 90 degrees from the vertical orientation to the first horizontal orientation, with the second counterpressure element (252) and/or pusher member (253) facing the pivoting of the bending support (250) on the third axis (E3), in cooperation with the first vertical counterpressure element (251), and/or with an additional bending device (256) of the shaping assembly (245) movable by an additional drive (257) between additional retracted and working positions, in cooperation with the first vertical counterpressure element (251); the bending device (245b) of each forming assembly (245) being configured to bend said reinforcement flap (55) an additional 180 degrees, from the first horizontal orientation, to the second horizontal orientation where the reinforcement flap (55) is folded 270 degrees with respect to the side wall (44, 45), before the pivoting of the pusher member (253) in the four axis (E4), to form reinforced upper mouths (51, 52, 54) with horizontal shelf flaps (54) and horizontal reinforcement flaps (55). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

UPPER PILLER DEVICE FOR UPPER MOUTHLETS

REINFORCED BOXES OF SEMI-RIGID LAMINAR MATERIAL

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

The technical field of the present invention is devices for forming boxes of semi-rigid laminate material, for example, cardboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

The documents of the same patent family FR3085881B1 and ES2749298B2, and the documents of the same patent family US1146582B2 and EP3795345A1, all of them from the same applicant of the present application, disclose a machine and/or a method for forming boxes with a upper mouth with four or eight upper flaps that arise from vertical side walls of the box, where the glue is applied to said upper flaps by glue application nozzles according to a vertical path of relative displacement between the box and said nozzles, and subsequently some upper doublers bend 180 degrees and glue some end flaps of the upper flaps with the previously applied glue against the vertical side walls from which they arise, to reinforce said partially open upper mouth.

At the web address https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHbLPn2FpXw a video titled “CAST - Montadora de Caja Palot” is shown, listed on the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ TecnoboxElectromecanica/videos from the company Tecnobox Electromecánica SL, licensee of the aforementioned patents.

In said document US1146582B2, each of the upper benders 14 is moved between a withdrawal position outside the operational space 28 and a bending and pressing position within the operational space 28. Fig. 30 of both documents shows that each of the top folders 14 of top flaps 54 comprise a bending plate 192 comprising a horizontal wall 194 in said folding and pressing position, and a vertical flap 193 in said folding and pressing position, a position in which it is configured to press on one face vertical support 191. It also comprises an inclined wall 195 that joins said horizontal wall 194 with said vertical wall 193 so that said three walls are in contact with respective upper flaps 54 and intermediate 56, 57 of triangular section reinforcement folded against the interior of the side walls 51 of the box 50 of Figs. 4 and 10.

The aforementioned document US1146582B2 describes that each of the upper flap folders 14 can be based on the flap folder described in document ES2536941B1 of the same applicant of the present application.

On the other hand, in the aforementioned document ES2536941B1, the flap folder of a first embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5 is articulated in six axes to fold, in a box, upper flaps of two vertical side walls 82 opposite 180 degrees forming a double vertical wall perpendicular to the bottom wall 83.

On the other hand, in a second embodiment of the flap folder of Figs. 6 to 8 of document ES2536941B1, the flap folder comprises ten horizontal axes and three actuators of the fluid-dynamic cylinder type. First, the box is introduced into the mold and fixed inclined elements bend the side walls and upper flaps 90 degrees with respect to the bottom. Second, a flap actuator bender 32 hinges on an axis E10 a bending plate 31 to slightly tilt the side walls a predetermined angle, between about 5 and 10 degrees as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, to define an upper opening of the box that is narrower than the bottom wall, forming a box with truncated/conical/inclined side walls. Third, a support actuator 17, in cooperation with three axes E7, E8, E9, tilts the flap bending device 10 and support 11 thereof a slight inclination to position itself according to the slight converging inclination of the two mutually opposite walls. carried out by the bending plate 31. Finally, the upper flap previously inclined at a predetermined angle between 5 and 10 degrees with respect to the vertical side wall, is folded an additional 180 degrees by the flap bending actuator 16 of the flap bending device to form the double vertical side wall bent 180 degrees and inclined a slight convergent inclination greater than 90 degrees with respect to the bottom.

At the web address https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CokBwachy4 a video titled “TECNOBOX - Tray former for tapered Open Top trays / assembled double-wall conical C1 box” is shown, listed on the YouTube channel from the company Tecnobox Electromecánica SL https://www.youtube.com/@TecnoboxElectromecanica/videos, a company that is the licensee of the aforementioned patent ES2536941B1. The aforementioned video from the web address partially shows four flap folders of the second embodiment of Figs. 6 to 9 of document ES2536941B1, mutually facing each other in pairs on two opposite sides of the box, also showing that, in each automatic forming cycle, each flap folder has two movements: in a first phase, the cylinder shown in the corresponding video with the cylinder 16 of document ES2536941B1 is inclined to adapt to the slight inclination - between about 5 and 10 degrees - of two opposite vertical side walls of the box made by additional actuators, and subsequently, in a second phase, the upper flaps of The side walls, already with a conical inclination of between 5 and 10 degrees, are additionally bent 180° degrees to form a double side wall of 180 degrees with said slight inclination between 5 and 10 degrees towards the interior of the box.

In all the antecedents cited above, in the upper reinforcement mouth of the box, the benders fold and glue with previously applied glue upper flaps and/or ends or portions thereof 180 degrees against the upper parts of the vertical side walls of the boxes. which are born to form double vertical walls or with a slight inclination with respect to the vertical between 5 and 10 degrees.

Inconveniently, with the aforementioned folders it is not possible to carry out automated machine assembly of boxes that include a partially open reinforcing mouth where each upper flap includes a double horizontal flap folded by weakened fold lines. Inconveniently, the mouthpieces of these boxes with two mutually parallel horizontal flaps are currently assembled manually, with a disadvantageous associated high cost and production time of the boxes.

In this double horizontal flap upper mouth, each upper flap comprises an upper horizontal shelf flap, supporting in stacking, and a horizontal reinforcement flap, lower than the horizontal shelf flap and bent 180 degrees with respect to it, connected by lines of horizontal folds to the side wall from which they arise, the shelf and reinforcement flap of each upper flap providing stable supports for other similar boxes stacked on the reinforced upper mouth. The reinforcement flaps are attached to the walls from which they arise by glue and/or socket.

In the particular case of a socket connection, the reinforcing flaps may be flaps that have end portions introduced at least partially into optional openings made in the upper part of the side walls of the box, without necessarily using glue to such union. Documents ES1057509U, ES1097855U, ES1211863U and ES1143633U disclose examples of boxes with said upper mouths partially open, partially closed with shelf flaps and reinforcement flaps for the formation of a plurality of double horizontal walls with ends inserted by fitting into slots in the upper parts of the vertical side walls.

Therefore, the technical problem to be solved is to achieve automatic machine formation, to reduce production times and costs, of an mouth of a box of semi-rigid laminar material that comprises a plurality of double horizontal upper flaps that arise from the upper part of the least two vertical side walls of the box, each of the upper horizontal flaps including an upper horizontal shelf flap and a lower horizontal reinforcement flap, connected to each other and connected to the vertical side walls from which they arise, directly or indirectly, by weakened horizontal fold lines.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

To solve the drawbacks set out in the previous section, the present invention presents an upper forming device for a machine for forming partially open reinforced upper mouths of boxes of semi-rigid sheet material die-cut with cutting lines and weakened folding lines.

The upper forming device is configured to form mouths of boxes formed from a semi-rigid laminar material, that is, a material that has a certain resistance to bending or flexing, and that has weakened lines to facilitate the bending of parts of the box. box with respect to others due to weakened fold lines.

Preferably, the upper forming device is configured to form mouths of boxes formed from a sheet of cardboard, either corrugated or laminated laminated cardboard (also called compact or paperboard).

More preferably, the upper forming device is configured to form mouths of boxes formed from a sheet of corrugated cardboard with five sheets, three smooth and two corrugated sandwiched between the smooth sheets.

Furthermore, the upper forming device is configured to form cartons which may optionally include other sheets, for example, a plastic liner sheet.

Alternatively, the upper forming device is configured to form mouths of boxes formed by folding and joining parts of a plastic sheet with others.

The partially open reinforced upper mouthpieces are partially closed by stacking support shelf flaps and shelf flap reinforcement flaps, both horizontal, which will be described again later, which partially obstruct the partially open mouthpiece.

The upper forming device comprises at least one pair of forming assemblies, installed on an upper support of forming assemblies, facing each other, delimiting at least two sides of an operational space sized to house the box during the formation of the upper mouth. Each forming assembly is arranged on a respective side of the operational space, such that the two forming assemblies delimit two mutually opposite sides or sides of the operational space.

Each forming assembly comprises a secondary forming assembly support mounted on the upper forming assembly support. A turning device and a bending device, both included in the forming assembly, are mounted on the secondary former support.

The turning device comprises a positioning drive with first and second drive elements provided with relative movement.

The first drive element is articulatedly connected to the auxiliary bender support by a first axis horizontal to the plane of the ground where the machine sits.

The second actuator element is hingedly connected to the bender bracket by a second horizontal axis, to pivot a bender bracket of the bender device. The bender support is configured to pivot between a retracted position and a working position, about a third horizontal axis mounted on the secondary bender support.

The folding device comprises said folding support, a first vertical counter-pressure member, a second articulated counter-pressure member, a flap-folder drive, and a pusher member.

The first vertical backpressure element comprises a first vertical backpressure surface. The first counterpressure element is of fixed position during the formation of the mouthpiece, and is configured to be at least partially adjacent to a top part of a side wall of the box, to positionally limit the top part of the side wall before bending. of upper flaps by weakened fold lines connecting with the upper parts of the side walls, which will be described in detail later.

The second articulated backpressure element comprises a second backpressure surface. The second backpressure element is hingedly connected to the secondary forming support on the third axis.

The first and second backpressure surfaces define respective geometric backpressure planes.

Each of said geometric backpressure planes may be defined by one and/or a plurality of flat counterpressure surfaces contained in said geometric plane, and/or by geometric edges of round bars contained in said geometric plane, among other options.

The flap folder drive has first and second drive elements provided with relative movement. Said first actuator member is connected to the bender support and said second actuator member is connected to the pusher member.

The push member, with a push surface, is hingedly connected to the bender support to pivot on a fourth horizontal axis, between a rest position and a clamping position.

In the upper shaping device, each shaping assembly has an initial, intermediate and final position to form upper flaps of the mouthpiece.

In the initial position, the bending support and the second counterpressure element in the retracted position and the thrust surface in the rest position, are jointly configured to allow the partially formed box, with four of said side walls, to be housed in the operational space. mutually facing verticals in pairs, and with upper flaps oriented vertically and connected to some or all of the vertical side walls of the box.

In the intermediate position, the bending support and the second counterpressure element in the working position and the thrust surface in the rest position are jointly configured to position the second counterpressure surface horizontally upside down, superiorly adjacent and parallel to a flap. shelf and a reinforcement flap connected to the shelf flap, constituting said upper flaps arranged, in a first horizontal orientation.

In the final position, the bending support and the second counterpressure element in the working position and the pusher member in the tightening position, are jointly configured to position the pushing surface horizontally face up, inferiorly adjacent and parallel to the second pressure surface. counterpressure, to position the reinforcement flap in a second horizontal orientation.

In the upper forming device, each forming assembly is configured to bend the upper flaps 90 degrees from the vertical orientation to the first horizontal orientation, with the second counter pressure element and/or pusher member upon pivoting of the bending support in the third axis, in cooperation with the first vertical counterpressure element.

Additionally or alternatively to the previous paragraph, in the upper forming device, each forming assembly is configured to fold the upper flaps 90 degrees from the vertical orientation to the first horizontal orientation, with an additional bending device of the forming assembly movable by an additional drive between positions retracted and additional working elements, in cooperation with the first vertical counterpressure element.

In the upper forming device, the bending device of each forming assembly is configured to, with the pivoting of the pusher member in the four axis, bend said reinforcement flap an additional 180 degrees, from the first horizontal orientation to the second horizontal orientation, where The reinforcement flap is bent 270 degrees with respect to the side wall, to form reinforced upper mouths with shelf flaps horizontal and parallel to the reinforcement flaps.

Within the scope of the present invention is an upper forming device for forming mouthpieces with at least one pair of complex upper flaps of the shelf flap and horizontal reinforcement flap type as described above, associated with two mutually opposite side walls of the box.

Likewise, within the scope of the present invention is an upper forming device with two pairs of forming sets, mutually facing each other in pairs and each forming set being associated with a side wall of the box, to form reinforced upper mouths with at least two pairs. of complex upper flaps of the shelf flap type and horizontal reinforcement flap of those described above, mutually facing each other in pairs, each upper flap being associated with one of the four mutually opposite side walls in pairs of the box.

Also within the scope of the present invention is an upper forming device with four pairs of forming assemblies, one pair of forming assemblies being associated with one of the four side walls of the box or each of the eight forming assemblies being associated with one of the the eight side walls of the box.

In one option, with the upper forming device of the present invention, the embouchure can be formed completely by an upper forming device.

In another option, the mouthpiece may be partially formed by the upper forming device such that the mouthpiece is completely formed in a plurality of upper forming devices of the present invention, one located after the other and linked by a transport device of partially formed box, where, for example, a first upper forming device forms longitudinal upper flaps and a second upper forming device forms transverse upper flaps.

Thus, optionally, the upper shaping device of the present invention may be used as a complete upper embouchure shaping unit.

Thus, optionally, the upper shaping device of the present invention may be used as a modular unit for partial shaping of the mouthpiece associated with other shaping devices.

Advantageously, the upper forming device of the present invention manages to assemble in an automated manner, on a machine, mouthpieces with at least two upper flaps, each of which includes two horizontal flaps, mutually parallel, a shelf flap folded at 90 degrees and another flap of reinforcement of the shelf flap folded 270 degrees, with respect to the respective vertical side wall to which they are connected.

Advantageously, the costs and production times of the box mouthpieces and the box itself are significantly reduced, thanks to the automation of the process, compared to completely manual assembly solutions of the state of the art.

Advantageously, the upper forming device is capable of bending the upper flaps at significantly increased angles/inclinations, inclinations that the devices of the state of the art are not capable of realizing, thanks to the adequate angular variation provided by the set of first, second , third and fourth horizontal axes intentionally connected to key elements of each forming assembly, including the second pivoting counterpressure element with respect to the first fixed counterpressure element, which interrelate the positional variation of the elements of each forming assembly, to enable advantageous formation of The embouchure automates, free of cash losses and productive stops, through three positions of each forming set: initial, intermediate and final position.

Advantageously, the positional configuration of the pusher member and second counterpressure element in suitable angulations/orientations associated with each of the three positions, makes it possible to bend the shelf and reinforcement flaps with respect to the vertical side walls along the predefined weakened bending lines, avoiding advantageously unwanted jamming/jamming effects with which it is not possible to bend some flaps of the upper flaps with respect to others or with respect to the side walls of the box. To do this, the bending device of the present invention uses a specific bending configuration distributed in two bending steps: first, it folds both flaps, shelf and reinforcement, from the initial position to the intermediate position, at least 90 degrees with respect to the side walls. , and then, secondly, fold the reinforcement flap from the intermediate position to the final position at least 180 degrees with respect to the shelf flap.

Due to the so-called enjambment / stranding effect or “entanglement” here, the flap does not fold because the positional variation of the forming device is not capable of positioning its elements properly with respect to the fold lines, at appropriate angulations/inclinations. to produce bending.

Optionally, the configuration of the upper forming device, to ensure a robust and reliable union of the upper flaps to the side walls, free of productive stops and cash losses associated with increased production times and costs, allows folding from the initial position to the intermediate position of both flaps, shelf and reinforcement, an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees (for example between 92 and 100 degrees) with respect to the side walls, and subsequently, secondly, it allows folding from the intermediate position to the final position gusset flap an angle slightly greater than 180 degrees (for example between 182 and 190 degrees) with respect to the shelf flap, that is, an angle slightly greater than 270 degrees, for example between 272 and 280 degrees.

Advantageously, the upper forming device of the present invention allows automatic folding along the weakened folding lines of the shelf flaps and reinforcement of the upper flaps, and also reduces productive downtime and reduces cash losses, which result in a reduction of production times and costs, thanks to the combination of two differentiated counterpressure elements - one fixed in automatic operation and the other pivoting, corresponding to the first vertical counterpressure element and the second pivoting counterpressure element, to cooperate synergistically with the bending and pressing of the pusher member, as well as to cooperate synergistically with the specific intentional connection with key elements of each assembly that forms the first, second, third and fourth axes.

Advantageously, the present invention makes it possible to fold said upper flaps despite their long overhang, since the shelf flap and the reinforcement flap are in series with each other and with the vertical walls, and despite the semi-rigid nature of the laminar material of the box, which It greatly complicates the folding of said two horizontal shelf and reinforcement flaps, and it further complicates their folding without productive stops and/or box losses.

Advantageously, the upper forming device is versatile, being capable of forming upper mouths of boxes joined by socket and/or by glue connection to the side walls, thanks to the configuration of each forming assembly of the upper forming device, provided by the pivoting counterpressure element. of at least 90 degrees and the pusher member pivoting at least 270 degrees, in further synergistic cooperation with the other fixed backpressure element.

Advantageously, thanks to the increased angular variation provided by the first, second and third axes, of 90 degrees of the counterpressure element and 270 degrees of the push member of each forming assembly, in combination with the bending capacity provided by the two elements of differentiated counterpressure - one fixed and the other pivoting - the upper forming device of the present invention is capable of forming upper mouths of boxes of laminar material of different resistance to compression and/or bending, including laminar cardboard boxes (more fragile), boxes of corrugated cardboard (more resistant): double-sided, triple-sided corrugated cardboard boxes, among others, and all this despite the intrinsic deformation of such semi-rigid materials that greatly complicate the automation of the assembly of the upper mouth of the box, especially due to the changing positioning of some parts of the box with respect to others, on the order of millimeters or even a few centimeters that may occur during automatic processing of the box and that the upper forming device is capable of handling.

The upper forming device is capable of forming superior mouthpieces, and also in a robust and efficient way, avoiding productive stops, resulting in lower cost and production time of the box mouthpieces.

The claims relating to the upper forming device of the invention have been drafted in such a way that a possible infringement of the upper forming device can be checked whether it is forming boxes or not forming boxes during the verification.

Optional features of the upper forming device of the invention are listed in the detailed discussion of preferred embodiments, along with the advantages they provide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other advantages and characteristics will be more fully understood from the following detailed lists of embodiment examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are to be taken by way of illustration and not limitation, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of a sheet of semi-rigid laminar material from which the box of Fig. 3 is obtained, the mouth of which can be formed by the forming device of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of a box with a reinforced upper mouth to be formed by the forming device of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of a box with a partially open reinforced top mouth of four top flaps with shelf and reinforcing flaps that can be formed by the forming device of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlargement of detail III of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view of another sheet of semi-rigid laminar material from which the box of Fig. 3 is obtained, the mouth of which can be formed by the forming device of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a box with a partially open reinforced top mouth of four top flaps with shelf and reinforcing flaps that can be formed by the forming device of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is the reinforced upper mouthpiece partially opened at a socket joint of the reinforcement flap of Fig. 3, 6, 10 and 11 in a cut and sectional view according to a vertical plane, for example, according to the planes of section A-A, B-B and C-C indicated in Figs.

6 and 10 and 11, respectively;

Fig. 8 is a cutaway and sectional view of an alternative top mouthpiece to Fig. 7, wherein the partially open reinforced top mouthpiece now has a glue joint at one end of the reinforcing flap;

Fig. 9 is a view of a sheet of semi-rigid laminar material from which the box of Fig. 10 is obtained, the mouth of which can be formed by the forming device of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of a box with a partially open reinforced top mouth of two complex top flaps with shelf and reinforcement flaps and two simple top flaps with shelf flaps that can be formed by the forming device of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a top perspective view of a box with a partially open reinforced top mouth of four top flaps with shelf and gusset flaps that can be formed by the top forming device of the present invention; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the upper forming device installed in a machine (200) for forming partially open reinforced upper mouths of boxes (40) of semi-rigid sheet material;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the machine-installed upper forming device (200) of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a top perspective view of the core or head supported on a vertical core drive;

Fig. 15 is an enlargement of detail V of Fig. 14, showing the male or head;

Fig. 16 is an enlargement of detail IV of Fig. 13, showing the upper forming device installed in said machine;

Fig. 17 is a top perspective view of the upper forming device, located in relation to a lower forming device of lower flaps of the box that inferiorly delimits the operational space;

Fig. 18 is an elevation view of Fig. 17 according to the longitudinal direction vertical side walls mutually facing each other in pairs, and with upper flaps connected to the vertical side walls of the box, oriented vertically;

Fig. 19 is the elevation view of Fig. 17, now with the forming assemblies of the upper forming device in the final forming position;

Fig. 20 is the other elevation view of Fig. 18, according to the transverse direction Y, with the forming assemblies of the upper forming device in the initial forming position;

Fig. 21 is the other elevation view of Fig. 19, along the Y transverse direction, with the forming assemblies of the upper forming device in the final forming position;

Fig. 22 is a front top perspective view of one of the forming assemblies of the upper forming device of the present invention, in the initial position;

Fig. 23 is a rear bottom perspective view of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a side view of the bending device of the forming assembly of Figs.

22 and 23, where part of the bender support has been omitted to show the parts of the bender device;

Fig. 25 is a rear bottom perspective view of the bending device of the forming assembly of Figs. 22 and 23, and where the bender support has been omitted to show the parts of the bending device;

Figs. 26 to 28 show respective side views of the forming assembly of Figs.

22 and 23 in a running sequence,

where in Fig. 26 the forming assembly in the initial forming position,

where in Fig. 27 the forming assembly in the intermediate forming position, and

where in Fig. 28 the forming assembly is in the final forming position;

Fig. 29 is a sectioned and cut side view of the box, showing the vertical orientation of the upper flaps of the box forming the upper mouthpiece reinforced with the forming assembly in the initial position of Fig. 26;

Fig. 30 is a sectioned and cut side view of the box, showing the first horizontal orientation of the upper flaps of the box forming the upper mouthpiece reinforced with the forming assembly in the intermediate forming position of Fig. .27;

Fig. 31 is a sectioned and cut side view of the box, showing the second horizontal orientation of the upper flaps of the box forming the upper mouthpiece reinforced with the forming assembly in the final forming position of Fig. .28;

Figs. 32 and 33 are a side and rear bottom perspective view, respectively, of a forming assembly in the final forming position;

Fig. 34 is a front top perspective view of a different embodiment of one of the forming assemblies of the upper forming device of the present invention, in the initial position;

Fig. 35 is a top perspective view of the machine for forming reinforced upper mouths of semi-rigid laminar material boxes, where the upper forming device indicated with detail VI is located;

Fig. 36 is an enlarged view of detail VI of Fig. 35, showing the upper forming device located in the machine with the forming assemblies of the upper forming device in the initial position of Figs. 22 to 26; and

Figs. 37 to 40 show respective side views of the upper forming device of Figs. 17 and 36 in an operating sequence for forming the upper mouth of the box of Fig. 1,

where Fig. 37 shows the forming assemblies in the initial forming position to house the box with the upper flaps as indicated in Fig. 29,

wherein Fig. 38 shows the forming assemblies in the intermediate forming position and the upper flaps oriented in the first horizontal orientation of Fig. 30,

wherein Fig. 39 shows the forming assemblies in the final forming position and the upper flaps oriented in the second horizontal orientation of Fig. 31, and

where Fig. 40 shows that the forming assemblies return again to the initial forming position when the reinforced upper mouthpiece is formed.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the figures, reference 240 generically designates the upper forming device (240) of the invention, configured to form partially open reinforced upper mouths (51, 52, 54) of boxes (40) of semi-rigid sheet material die-cut with cutting lines. and weakened fold lines (42, 49, 53) of the present invention.

The forming device (240) is intended to be installed in a box forming machine (200) with such reinforced upper mouths (51, 52, 54), shown, for example, in Figs. 16-21 and 35-40.

The Figs. 1-11 and 36-40 show that the upper forming device (240) is configured to form mouths of boxes (40) formed from a semi-rigid sheet material, that is, a material that has a certain resistance to bending or flexing, and which has weakened lines (42, 49, 53) to facilitate the folding of some parts of the box (40) with respect to others by said weakened folding lines (42, 49, 53).

Examples of said boxes (40) with said mouths (51, 52, 54) and die-cut sheets (10) of semi-rigid laminate material, for example, optionally cardboard, from which the boxes (40) are obtained, are shown in Figs. 1 to 11.

The Figs. 2, 3, 6-8, 10-11, 19, 21 and 39-40 show that the partially open reinforced upper mouthpieces (51, 52, 54) are partially closed by shelf flaps (54) for stacking support and some reinforcing flaps (55) of the shelf flap (54), which are connected by weakened upper horizontal fold lines (53) to each other and to the upper parts of the vertical side walls (44, 45) of the box (40). Shelf flaps and gusset flaps (54, 55) are both horizontal and mutually parallel, and are bent 90 degrees and 270 degrees, partially obstructing the partially open embouchure, which will be described again later.

The Figs. 2, 3, 6-8, 10-11, 19, 21 and 39-40 show that in the box (40), the upper mouthpiece comprises first upper flaps (51) folded, by weakened upper horizontal folding lines ( 53), perpendicular to weakened vertical fold lines (42), and attached to the upper part of two first side walls (44) mutually facing each other. Each first folded top flap (51) comprises the shelf flap (54) and the reinforcement flap (55).

The boxes (40) of Figs. 3 and 6 further comprise second folded upper flaps (52), weakened horizontal upper fold lines (53), perpendicular to weakened vertical fold lines (42), and attached to the top of at least two second side walls. (45) mutually opposed.

The boxes (40) of Figs. 10 and 11 comprise two first folded upper flaps (51) and two simple upper flaps each comprising a shelf flap (54).

In Figs. 10 and 11, in the upper flaps of each reinforced upper mouth (51, 52, 54) an optional intermediate flap (56) connects some shelf flaps (54) with reinforcement flaps (55) by horizontal upper fold lines (53). .

The box (40) of Figs. 1-4 has four side walls (44, 45) facing each other in pairs.

The box (40) of Fig. 6 further comprises a vertical chamfer side wall (46) in each corner area, sandwiched between each first and each second side wall (44, 45), forming a box (40) of eight side walls (44, 45, 46).

The boxes in Figs. 10 and 11 have twelve side walls (44, 45, 46), comprising two chamfer side walls (46) in each corner zone, sandwiched between each first and each second side wall (44, 45), forming a chamfer square in every corner area.

In Figs. 16-21 and 36-40 the upper forming device (240) comprises at least one pair of forming assemblies (245) installed on an upper forming assembly support (241). The forming assemblies (245) are mutually facing each other, delimiting at least two mutually opposite sides of an operational space (202) sized to house the box (40) during the formation of the reinforced upper mouthpiece (51, 52, 54).

In Figs. 16-21 and 36-40, each shaping assembly (245) of said at least one pair of shaping assemblies (245) is arranged on a respective side of the operational space (202), so that the two shaping assemblies (245) delimit at least two mutually opposite sides or laterals of the operational space (202).

The Figs. 22 to 33 show that each forming assembly (245) comprises a secondary forming support (246), a turning device (247) and a bending device (245b).

Following in Figs. 22 to 33, each forming assembly (245) comprises a secondary forming assembly support (246) mounted on the upper forming assembly support (241).

A turning device (247) and a bending device (245b) of the forming assembly (245) are mounted on the secondary former support (246).

The secondary former support (246) optionally comprises a plurality of pieces joined together. In one embodiment of the secondary former support (246), it may be formed from a single piece.

Continuing in Figs. 22 to 33, the turning device (247) included in each shaping assembly (245) includes a positioning drive (247) with first and second drive elements (247a, 247b) provided with relative movement.

The first drive element (247a) is articulatedly connected to the auxiliary bender support (246) by a first axis (E1) horizontal to the plane of the ground where the machine (200) sits where the upper forming device (200) is intended to be installed. 240).

The second actuator element (247b) is hingedly connected to the bender bracket (250) by a second horizontal shaft (E2), to pivot a bender bracket (250) of the bender device (245b).

The bender support (250) is configured to pivot between a retracted position shown in Figs. 16-18, 20, 22-23, 26, 36 and 40, and a working position shown in Figs. 19, 21, 27, 28, 32,33 and 38-39, around a third horizontal axis (E3) mounted on the secondary bending support (246).

Continuing in Figs. 22 to 33, each forming assembly (245) comprises the bending device (245b). The folding device (245b) includes the folding bracket (250), a first vertical backpressure member (251), a second hinged backpressure member (252), a flap bender drive (248), and a pusher member (253). ).

Continuing in Figs. 26-31 and 36-40, the first vertical backpressure element (251) comprises a first vertical backpressure surface (251a). The first counterpressure element (251) is of fixed position during the formation of the reinforced upper mouth (51, 52), and is configured to be at least partially adjacent to an upper part of a side wall (44, 45) of the box (40), to positionally limit the upper part of the side wall (44, 45) before the folding of upper flaps (55, 54) by weakened upper horizontal folding lines (53) connecting with the upper parts of the side walls (44, 45), which will be referred to later.

Continuing in Figs. 26-31 and 36-40, the articulated second backpressure element (252) comprises a second backpressure surface (252a). The second counterpressure element (252) is hingedly connected to the secondary shaping support (246) on the third axis (E3).

The first and second back pressure surfaces (251a, 252a) define respective geometric back pressure planes.

Optionally, Fig. 22 shows that the first back pressure surface (251a) comprises two surface portions of two front faces, one on each side of the second back pressure surface (251), which define a first vertical back pressure geometric plane.

In Fig. 22, the first counterpressure surface (251a) is defined by said two vertical surface portions of the secondary forming support (246), or alternatively, in an option not shown in the figures, by one or more joined pieces to the secondary shaping support (246).

Preferably, Fig. 22 shows that the second backpressure surface (252a) is comprised of a second front face, optionally flanked on each side by one of the two portions of the first backpressure surface (251). The second front face of the second backpressure surface (252a) defines the geometric backpressure plane articulated in the third axis (E3).

Continuing in Figs. 22 to 33, each forming assembly (245) comprises the flap folder drive (248), which has first and second drive elements (248a, 248b) provided with relative movement. Said first actuator element (248a) is connected to the bender support (250) and said second actuator element (248b) is connected to the pusher member (253).

Continuing in Figs. 22 to 33, each forming assembly (245) comprises the pusher member (253), which has a pushing surface (253a). The pusher member (253) is hingedly connected with respect to the bender support (250) to pivot on a fourth horizontal axis (E4), between a rest position shown in Figs. 26-27 and 36-38, and a tightening position shown in Figs. 28, 32-33 and 39.

To form upper flaps (55, 54) of the mouthpiece, each shaping assembly (245) of the upper shaping device (240) has three different positions: an initial position, an intermediate position and a final position, as shown in Figs. 26, 27 and 28, respectively.

In the initial position of Fig. 26, the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the retracted position and the thrust surface (253a) in the rest position, house in the operational space (202 ) the partially formed box (40), as further shown in Figs. 2, 18, 20 and 29, with four of said vertical side walls (44, 45) facing each other in pairs, and with upper flaps (54, 55) oriented vertically and connected to the vertical side walls (44, 45) of the box (40).

In the intermediate position of Fig. 27, the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the working position and the pushing surface (253a) in the rest position, position the second counterpressure surface (252a) horizontally upside down, superiorly adjacent and parallel to a shelf flap (54) and a reinforcement flap (55) connected to the shelf flap (54), constituting said upper flaps (54, 55) arranged, in a first orientation horizontal, as shown in Fig. 30.

In the final position of Fig. 28, the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the working position and the pusher member (253) in the tightening position, position the pushing surface (253a ) horizontally face up, inferiorly adjacent and parallel to the second counterpressure surface (252a), to position the reinforcement flap (55) in a second horizontal orientation, as shown in Fig. 31.

The Figs. 26-27 and 37-38 show that, in the upper forming device (240), with the pivoting of the bending support (250) on the third axis (E3) in each forming assembly (245), the second counterpressure element (252 ) and/or pusher member (253) each forming assembly (245) folds the upper flaps (54, 55) 90 degrees from the vertical orientation of Fig. 29 to the first horizontal orientation of Fig. 30, in cooperation with the first vertical counterpressure element (251).

Additionally or alternatively to the previous paragraph, in the other embodiment of Fig. 34, in the upper forming device (240), each forming assembly (245) is configured to fold the upper flaps (54, 55) 90 degrees from the vertical orientation to the first horizontal orientation, with an additional bending device (256) of the forming assembly (245) movable by an additional drive (257) between the retracted position of Fig. 34 and an additional horizontal working position (not shown), in cooperation with the first vertical counterpressure element (251).

In Fig. 34, the additional bending device comprises a bending plate (256) that can be moved by a fluid dynamic cylinder with rod, corresponding to the additional drive (257).

Returning to the embodiment of the upper forming device (240) of Figs. 22-33 and 36 40, upon pivoting of the pusher member (253) in the four axis (E4), the pusher member (253) of each forming assembly (245) bends said reinforcement flap (55) an additional 180 degrees with respect to the side walls (44, 45) vertical. Said 180 degree pivot bend is from the first horizontal orientation of Figs. 30 and 37 to the second horizontal orientation of Figs. 3, 31, 39-40, where the reinforcement flap (55) is folded 270 degrees with respect to the side wall (44, 45), to form reinforced upper mouths (51, 52, 54) with horizontal shelf flaps (54 ) and parallel to the reinforcement flaps (55), as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 8 in detail.

In said reinforced upper mouths (51, 52, 54) with a socket connection of Figs.

3, 4 and 7, the shelf flap (54) and the reinforcement flap (55) are horizontal and parallel, and an end or portion (55a) of said reinforcement flap (55) parallel to the shelf flap (54) is joined by snapping, optionally introduced into one or more holes (5a), for example, introduced into two holes (5a), in an upper part of one of said side walls (44, 45) of the box (40)

In said reinforced upper mouths (51, 52, 54) with glue connection of Fig. 8, the shelf flap (54) and the reinforcement flap (55) are horizontal and parallel, and some ends or portions (55a) are vertical. of said reinforcement flap (55) optionally have glue applied to join said end or portion (55a) with the upper part of the side wall (45) from which it arises.

In the specific embodiment of Figs. 16-21 and 36-40, the forming set (245) comprises four pairs of forming sets (245), mutually facing each other in pairs, and a pair of forming sets (245) being associated with each of the four side walls (44, 45) mutually facing each other in pairs of the box (40), to form the reinforced upper mouth (51, 52) of any one of Figs. 1-11.

In an embodiment not shown in the figures, the forming assembly (245) comprises two pairs of forming elements (245), mutually facing each other in pairs, with one forming assembly associated with each of the four side walls (44, 45) mutually facing each other in pairs. pairs of the box (40), to form the reinforced upper mouth (51, 52) of any one of Figs. 1-11.

In another embodiment not shown in the figures, the forming assembly (245) comprises only one pair of forming (245), the forming assemblies being mutually facing each other on two mutually opposite side walls of the four side walls of the box (40), to partially forming the reinforced upper mouth (51, 52) of any one of Figs. 1-11.

The formation of the upper mouth (51, 52) of the box (40) of Fig. 3, 6 or 11, with four upper flaps (54, 55), each with the shelf flap (54) and the reinforcement (55), can be undertaken with an upper forming device (240) with two pairs of forming assemblies (245), one associated with each of the four side walls (44, 45).

Alternatively, in an option not shown in the figures, the formation of the upper mouth (51, 52) of the box (40) of Fig. 3, 6 or 11, with four upper flaps (54, 55), each with the shelf flap (54) and the reinforcement flap (55), it can be undertaken with two shaping devices of the present invention, one arranged after the other, interconnected by a box transport device, with a pair of shaping assemblies. (245) mutually facing each upper forming device (204), partially forming the reinforced upper mouth (51, 52) each upper forming device (240).

The configuration of the upper mouth (51, 52) of the box (40) of Fig. 10, with four upper flaps (54, 55), two simple upper flaps that include a shelf flap (54) each, and two complex upper flaps that include the shelf flap (54) and the reinforcement flap (55), can be undertaken with an upper forming device (240) with two pairs of forming assemblies (245), one associated with each of the four side walls (44, 45), and canceling or not canceling the movement between the first and second elements of the bender drive (248) that articulates the pusher member (248) in the four axis (E4) in one of the two pairs of forming assemblies ( 245), for example, a pair of forming assemblies facing each other along the longitudinal direction

Alternatively to the previous option, the formation of the upper mouth (51, 52) of the box (40) of Fig. 10, with four upper flaps (54, 55), two complex upper flaps that include the shelf flap (54 ) and the reinforcement flap (55), and two simple upper flaps that include a shelf flap (54) each, may be attached with an upper forming device (240) with a pair of forming assemblies (245) to form the complex upper flaps (55, 54), and with two conventional state-of-the-art forming assemblies configured to fold a flap 90 degrees, installed on the upper forming assembly support (241), to fold the two simple upper flaps, with a flap shelf (54) each.

Optionally, said conventional assemblies of the state of the art may be based on the bending devices of document ES2691245A1 of the same applicant as the present application, of the type that comprises a bending plate articulated on an axis coupled to a rack and pinion assembly movable by a cylinder fluid dynamic to bend 90 degrees some roofs 27 of the upper mouth of the box 20 with respect to the vertical side walls 23.

Preferably, Figs. 27-33 and 38-39, in the intermediate and final forming positions of each forming assembly (245) of the upper forming device (240), the second counterpressure surface (252a) and the third and four axes (E3, E4) are positioned superiorly adjacent to a respective weakened upper horizontal fold line (53) connecting the shelf and reinforcement flaps (54, 55). Advantageously, this positional configuration of the third and fourth axes (E3, E4) improves the bending angle of attack (inclination of initial bending contact) of the second counterpressure surface (252a) and thrust surface (253a) in the initial positions. and final for the bending of both 90 of the shelf flap and reinforcement flap and the subsequent bending of an additional 180 of the reinforcement flap (55), in synergistic cooperation with the first vertical counterpressure surface (251a) and the pusher member ( 253). Advantageously, depending on the properties of the laminar material of the box (40), for example, resistance to bending/compression, in some cases this characteristic enables the formation of the upper flaps (54, 55) of the upper mouth, and/or In other cases, the times and costs associated with production stoppages are mitigated or even eliminated, avoiding unwanted bending jamming/stranding effects.

Complementary to the previous paragraph, Figs. 22-33 show that, in each forming assembly (245) of the upper forming device (240), the positioning drive (247) comprises a fluid dynamic cylinder with a linear rod and an elongated linear rod guiding body, and the drive Flap doubler (248) comprises a fluid dynamic cylinder with a linear rod and an elongated linear rod guiding body. Advantageously, the specific choice of these positioning and flap folding drives (247, 248) improves the aforementioned folding angle of attack and provides precision in the positioning in the initial, intermediate and final forming positions of the forming assemblies ( 245) in a simple and effective way, to enable the folding of the flaps included in the upper flaps (54, 55), and also reducing productive stops and cash losses (40).

Optionally, in Figs. 22-33, said first actuator element (247a) of the positioning drive (247) comprises said elongated body and said second actuator element (247b) of the positioning drive (247) comprises said linear rod guided by the elongated body.

Optionally, in Figs. 22-33, said first actuating element (248a) of the flap folding drive (248) comprises said elongated body and said second actuating element (248b) of the flap folding drive (248) comprises said linear rod guided by the elongated body.

Optionally to the previous complementary option, Figs. 28, 32 and 33 show that, in the final forming position of each forming assembly (245), the elongated bodies and linear rods of said fluid dynamic cylinders are mutually parallel. Advantageously, specific positional configuration of these positioning and flap bending drives (247, 248) improves the aforementioned bending angle of attack, for folding the shelf and reinforcement flaps (54, 55), of the second surface. counterpressure (252a) and thrust surface (253a) in the initial and final forming positions of the forming assemblies (245).

Supplementary to the previous paragraph, Figs. 20 and 26 show that, in the initial forming position in each forming assembly (245), said fluid dynamic cylinders with elongated bodies and linear rods are arranged forming an angle (K) between 75 and 135 degrees, more preferably between 110 and 115 degrees, for example, 112 degrees. Advantageously, this improves the aforementioned bending angle of attack, for bending the shelf and reinforcement flaps (54, 55), the second counterpressure surface (252a) and thrust surface (253a) in the initial and final positions. of formation of the forming sets (245).

Optionally to the previous paragraph, Figs. 20 and 26 show that, in the initial forming position in each forming assembly (245), said fluid dynamic cylinders with elongated bodies and linear rods are arranged in a V, that is, the body and rod of one of said fluid dynamic cylinders form an obtuse angle. with respect to the other body and rod of the other fluid dynamic cylinder. Advantageously, this improves the aforementioned bending angle of attack, for bending the shelf and reinforcement flaps (54, 55), the second counterpressure surface (252a) and thrust surface (253a) in the initial and final positions. of formation of the forming sets (245).

Preferably, Figs. 22 to 33 show that, in the upper forming device (240), each forming assembly (245) further comprises a rocker arm (254) and a connecting rod (255).

The rocker arm (254) has a proximal end hingedly connected to the bender support (250) to pivot about a fifth horizontal axis (E5).

The connecting rod (255) has a first end articulatedly connected to a distal end of said rocker arm (254) by a sixth horizontal axis (E6), and has a second end articulatedly connected to the pusher member (253) by a seventh axis (E7). horizontal.

Continuing in this preferable option, the first actuator element (248a) of the flap doubler drive (248) is hingedly connected to the folder support (250) by an eighth horizontal shaft (E8), and the second actuator element (248b ) of the flap folder drive (248) is articulatedly connected to the rocker arm (251) by a ninth horizontal shaft (E9).

Following this preferable option, in Figs. 28, 32 and 33, the upper forming device (240), in the final position of each forming assembly (245), the seventh axis (E7) is positioned below the third and four axes (E3, E4) according to the direction vertical (Z).

Advantageously, this configuration of connecting rod and rocker arm and additional axles results in an improvement of the aforementioned bending angle of attack, for bending the shelf and reinforcement flaps (54, 55), of the second counterpressure surface (252a) and thrust surface (253a) in the initial and final forming positions of the forming assemblies (245).

Preferably, in Figs. 13, 16-21 and 36-40, the upper forming device (240) comprises at least one or two pairs of forming assemblies (245) installed cantilever on the upper forming assembly support (241). The forming assemblies (245) are mutually facing each other in pairs, according to horizontal longitudinal (X) and transverse (Y) directions, shown in Figs. 18 and 20, respectively. Thus, at least one shaping assembly (245) is associated with a respective side wall (44, 45) of the four lateral walls (44, 45) comprising the box (40), as further shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 37-40

Continuing in this preferred option, the upper support of forming assemblies (241) is movable according to the vertical direction (Z) between an upper position (not shown in the Figs.) and the lower position of the Figs. 18-21 and 36-40.

In the upper position, the upper assemblies (245) are superiorly adjacent to the operational space (202), to position the mouth box (40) to be formed in said operational space (202) and/or evacuate said box with the mouth formed. of the operational space (202).

In the lower position, in Figs. 18-21 and 36-40 the first vertical counterpressure surfaces (251a) of the upper assemblies (245) are laterally adjacent to the vertically oriented upper flaps (54, 55) and/or to the upper parts of the side walls (44, 55). 45) to form the partially open reinforced upper mouths of the boxes (40).

Advantageously, a versatile upper forming device (240) is obtained, capable of completely forming reinforced upper openings (51, 52, 54) of boxes (40) with two, four or more pairs of complex upper flaps (54, 55), of the type that each includes a shelf flap (54) and a reinforcement flap (55) of those described above, with a minimum box production time (40), thanks to the forming in a single upper forming unit. Furthermore, the upper forming device (240) occupies a minimum floor area - reduced length and width measurements of the forming device (240) - which result in lower production costs of the reinforced upper mouthpieces (51, 52, 54) of the boxes (40).

Thus, with the support of shaping assemblies (241) in a superior position, the box (40) is housed in the operational space (202). After this, the forming assembly support (241) is moved, preferably by a forming vertical positioning device (230) of the forming device (240) shown in Figs. 13 and 16 with respect to the chassis (201) of the machine (200), to a lower position as shown in Figs. 18, 20 and 37.

After the formation of the reinforced upper mouth (51, 52, 54) by the forming assemblies (245) in Fig. 39, the forming assemblies (245) return to the initial forming position of Fig. 40.

Subsequently, the forming assembly support (241) is moved, preferably by the vertical positioning device for formers (230), to a higher position to evacuate the mouth box (40) already formed, and to position the next box (40). ) whose mouth is to be formed in the operational space (202) with the upper flaps (54, 55) to be formed in a vertical orientation, as shown in Figs. 18 and 20.

Optionally, the vertical positioning device for formers (230) comprises a rotating electric motor (231), for example, a servomotor, an electric motor associated with a variator or a conventional electric motor, and a first directly coupled vertical guide (232). or indirectly to the rotating electric motor (230) and attached to the upper formers support (241) to move the upper formers support (241) in the vertical direction (Z).

Preferably, Figs. 14 and 15 show that the upper forming device (240) further comprises a head or male (220) comprising a complementary support (221), fluid dynamic cylinders (223) mounted on the complementary support (221) and at least four supporting walls. (22) attached to the fluid dynamic cylinders (223).

In Figs. 14 and 15, the complementary support (221) is movable according to said trajectory aligned with said vertical axis (Z), optionally by a vertical male positioning device (215), independently of the upper support of forming assemblies (241), between a position within the operational space (202) and a higher position outside the operational space (202).

Optionally, Figs. 13 and 16 show that the male vertical positioning device (215) comprises a second rotating electric motor (217), for example, a servomotor, an electric motor associated with a variator or a conventional electric motor, and a second vertical guide ( 216) directly or indirectly coupled to the second rotating electric motor (217) and attached to the complementary support (221) to move the complementary support (221) according to the vertical direction (Z).

In Figs. 14-21, the fluid dynamic cylinders (223) are mounted on the complementary support (221), which are of the horizontally extensible body and rod type, attached to at least four side supporting walls (222), two with mutually parallel front faces and two with mutually parallel side faces perpendicular to the front faces, arranged around a path aligned with the vertical direction (Z).

In Figs. 14-21, the fluid dynamic cylinders (223) are located at different levels or heights according to the vertical direction (Z), so that the rods of the fluid dynamic cylinders (223) in the extended position of Figs. 18 and 20, allow four or eight side walls (44, 45) of the box (40) to be positioned mutually facing each other in pairs, initially with an essentially rhomboidal or rectangular configuration, pushing the side walls (44, 45) of the box (B ) from inside it, before and/or during the folding of the upper flaps (54, 55) by the forming assemblies (245).

In Figs. 14-21, the fluid dynamic cylinders (223) are located at different levels or heights according to the vertical direction (Z), so that the rods of the fluid dynamic cylinders (223) in the retracted position of Figs. 19 and 21 allow the supporting walls (222) and fluid-dynamic cylinders (223) to be extracted from the interior of the box (40) with the partially open reinforced upper mouth (51, 52, 54) formed

Advantageously, the arrangement at different levels or heights of the horizontal fluid-dynamic cylinders (223) of the male (220) makes it possible to form mouths of boxes (40) of greater width and length of side walls (44, 45), and makes it possible to form mouths of boxes (40) with a greater cantilever measurement of the upper flaps (54, 55) with double horizontal walls, all with the upper forming device (204) of the present invention, reducing production times and costs of boxes (40)

Optionally, in the upper forming device (240), the upper former holder (241) is in an upper position (not shown), the rods of the fluid dynamic cylinders (223) of the core (220) are in a retracted position, and These fluid dynamic cylinders (223) are located at different levels or heights according to the vertical direction (Z), to facilitate the insertion of the side supporting walls (222) and fluid dynamic cylinders (223) inside the box (40) with a essentially rhomboidal or rectangular configuration.

Preferably, in Figs. 18 to 21, the upper forming device (205) also comprises a stopper (224) mounted on the complementary support (221) of the male (220), to act as a stop in a position within the operational space (202), before bending. of lower flaps of the side walls (44, 45) of the box (40) by lower benders (226, 227) movable by lower actuators (228) of a lower forming device of the machine (200) that inferiorly delimits the operational space (202).

Advantageously, the stopper results in the advantages previously described for the male (220).

Optionally, Figs. 18 and 21 show that the hold-down (224) comprises lower horizontal surfaces joined to the lateral end walls (222).

Optionally, in Figs. 16-34, the upper forming device (240) comprises four pairs of forming assemblies (245), one pair being associated with each of the four or eight side walls (44, 45) of the box (40).

Advantageously, in said upper forming device with eight forming sets, each upper flap is folded by at least two forming sets, in two folding zones, conferring robustness and reliability to the forming operation of the upper mouth, avoiding the formation of folding lines. twisted or misaligned parts in each of the upper flaps (54, 55) of the reinforced upper mouthpiece (51, 52, 54), and facilitating the operation of joining the flaps in the mouthpiece, thus reducing productive downtime and waste. of cash, resulting in an optimization of productive costs of the boxes.

Additionally, in Figs. 16-34, the upper forming device (240) further comprises a positioning device (242, 242a), which includes transverse and longitudinal horizontal guides (242), and release and fixation devices (242a) of respective secondary former supports (246) to the horizontal guides (242), to change the position of the forming assemblies (245) in the upper support of forming assemblies (241) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z) and parallel to the adjacent sides of the operational space (202).

Preferably, the horizontal guides (242) form an integral part of the upper support of the forming assembly (241) as shown in Fig. 17, and/or alternatively they are horizontal guides (142) attached to the upper support of the forming assembly (241).

Complementarily, the positioning device (242, 242a) also comprises a plate (242b) that slides in the horizontal guides (242) to change the position of the secondary shaper support (246) in the upper support of the shaper set (241).

Optionally, the release and fixing devices (242a) comprise screws.

Advantageously, the positioning device confers robustness and reliability to the operation of forming the upper mouthpiece, avoiding the formation of crooked folding lines or misalignments in each of the upper flaps (54, 55) of the reinforced upper mouthpiece (51, 52, 54) and facilitating the operation of joining the flaps at the mouth, thus reducing production downtime and box losses, resulting in an optimization of production costs of the boxes.

Optionally, following Figs. 16-34, each forming assembly (245) of the upper forming device (240) further comprises an auxiliary positioning device (243, 243a), including a horizontal auxiliary guide (243) and an auxiliary release and fixation device (243a) from the secondary former support (246) to the horizontal auxiliary guide (243), to change the position of each former assembly (245) on the upper former holder (241) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z) in approach/removal with respect to one side of the operational space (202).

Complementarily, each auxiliary positioning device (243, 243a) also comprises an auxiliary plate (243b) that can be moved with respect to the horizontal auxiliary guide (243) to change the position of the secondary former support (246) in the upper support of the former assembly ( 241).

Additionally, the auxiliary release and fixation devices (243a) comprise screws.

Advantageously, the auxiliary positioning device confers robustness and reliability to the embouchure shaping operation, leading to a reduction in production times and costs, by reducing productive stops, since with this positional adjustment it allows control over the position of the positioning elements. each forming assembly in the initial position with respect to the box and upper flaps in vertical orientation initially housed, even in the face of changing positional tolerances and changing intrinsic resistances to different semi-rigid laminar materials, making it possible to carry out the formation of the embouchure even in the face of such conditions that greatly complicate the automation of the process.

Advantageously, the positioning and/or auxiliary positioning devices (242, 243) allow changing the position of the elements of the upper forming device (240) without disassembling the secondary forming supports (246) from their position of use, reducing times. production stoppage and costs associated with it.

The upper forming device (204) of the present invention is intended to be installed in a machine (200) for forming boxes (40) of semi-rigid material from the plates (10) of Figs. 12, 13, 16 and 35.

Firstly, referring to Figs. 12 and 13, the plates (10) of Fig. 1, 5 or 9 are fed into the machine (200) by a loader (205) that includes a loader conveyor (206) that transports the plates (10) in a flat folded configuration, wherein a subgroup of side walls (44, 45) series by weakened vertical fold lines (42) are parallel and are in contact or are close to another subgroup of side walls (44, 45) series by weakened lines of vertical bending (42) and where two ends of the band of the iron (10) are joined. For example, the flange (43) and the free edge of the side wall (45) of the plate of Fig. 1 are joined to the plates (10) of Fig. 12, so that when deployed they have a section closed transverse, in tubular shape, as shown in Fig. 2, preferably with linear grooves (23) of the sheet material arranged vertically on all the vertical side walls (44, 45).

The flat folded plates (10) located in the magazine (205) of Fig. 12, are subsequently deployed one by one by a deployment device (207, 210).

The deployment device (207, 210) optionally includes transport suction cups (210) movable along horizontal deployment guides (211), and deployment stops (207), to deploy the plates (10) from the initial flattened configuration. closed cross section of Fig. 12, to a rhomboidal or rectangular deployed configuration, where the boxes (40) are housed in an operational space (202) associated with the upper shaping device (240), delimited on two sides. opposed by at least one pair of shaping devices (245).

In the rhomboidal or rectangular deployed configuration, for example of four- or eight-sided boxes (80), respectively, the vertical side walls (44, 45) of the box may not be positioned mutually facing each other in pairs in their respective final positions. conformation.

In Fig. 14-21, the optional plug (220) positions the side walls (44, 45) and the upper flaps (54, 55) thereof oriented vertically, from a rhomboidal or rectangular position, to a rectangular or octagonal position. , where the side walls (44, 45) face each other in pairs and the vertically oriented upper flaps face each other, as shown in Figs. 2 and 37, pushing with side walls (222) attached to horizontal fluid dynamic cylinders (223) in the extended position of the male (220).

Alternatively, said positioning of side walls (44, 45) and upper flaps (54, 55) is undertaken by optional shaping stops (not shown in the figures) arranged around the operational space (202) of the machine (200) that enter in contact with the outer lateral contour of the box (40) being deployed or unfolded.

Preferably, the optional core (220) is moved by the vertical core positioning device (230) from an upper position (not shown) to the lower position of Figs. 18, 20 and 37 or to a lower position (not shown) where a stopper (224) is superiorly adjacent to bending plates (226, 227) of a shaping device lower than the operational space (202).

The Figs. 17 to 21 show that, in a lower forming device of the machine (200), under the operation of lower actuators (228), for example, fluid dynamic cylinders, the bottom of the box (40) is formed by folding lower flaps longitudinal (48) and/or transverse (47) by respective weakened lower horizontal fold lines (49), as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 6, 10 and 11. Said folding is carried out by two longitudinal lower bending plates (227) and/or by two transverse lower bending plates (227), and with the optional application of glue by glue injectors (229 ) shown in Fig. 17 and/or interlocking the lower flaps (47, 48) with each other with the lower longitudinal and/or transverse bending plates (227, 226).

The formation of the reinforced upper mouthpiece (51, 52, 54) by the shaping assemblies (245) is preferably during the positioning of the male (220) from a higher position to a lower position to reduce productive times, as shown in Figs. 18 to 21, although the formation of the reinforced upper mouthpiece (51, 52, 54) may also be carried out later and/or before the formation of the lower flaps (47, 48).

The Figs. 18, 20 and 37 show the forming assemblies (245) of the upper forming device (240) in the initial position, with the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the retracted position and the pushing surface ( 253a) in the rest position, allowing the box (40) to be housed in the operational space (202), partially formed, with four of said vertical side walls (44, 45) mutually facing each other in pairs, and with upper flaps (54, 45). 55) oriented vertically and connected to the upper parts of the vertical side walls (44, 45) of the box (40).

The Figs. 27 and 38 show the forming assemblies (245) of the upper forming device (240) in the intermediate position, with the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the working position and the pushing surface (253a ) in the rest position, positioning the second counterpressure surface (252a) horizontally upside down, superiorly adjacent and parallel to a shelf flap (54) and a reinforcement flap (55) connected to the shelf flap (54), constituting said upper flaps (54, 55), arranged in a first horizontal orientation shown in Figs. 30 and 38.

The Figs. 19, 21, 28 and 39 show the forming assemblies (245) of the upper forming device (240) in the final position, with the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the working position and the member pusher (253) in the tightening position, positioning the pushing surface (253a) horizontally face up, inferiorly adjacent and parallel to the second counterpressure surface (252a), to position the reinforcement flap (55) in the second horizontal orientation of Figs. 3, 4, 7, 8 and 31.

The Figs. 19 and 21 show that, once the upper mouth (51, 52, 54) is formed, the stems of the fluid dynamic cylinders (223) go from the extended position to a retracted position to allow the supporting walls (222) and cylinders to be extracted. fluid dynamics (223) of the interior of the box (40) with the partially open reinforced upper mouth (51, 52, 54) formed.

Fig. 40 shows that, once the upper mouth (51, 52, 54) is formed, the forming assemblies (245) return to their initial positions.

Furthermore, once the upper mouth (51, 52, 54) is formed, the upper support of forming sets (241) is moved to a higher position (not shown), by the vertical positioning device of formers (230) of the Fig. 13 and 16, to allow evacuating the already formed mouth box (40) shown in Fig. 40 with the evacuation device with gripping suction cups (260), and to position the next box (40) whose mouth will be to be formed in the operational space (202) with the upper flaps (54, 55) to be formed in a vertical orientation, as shown in Figs. 18 and 20.

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

Claims (13)

1.- Upper forming device (240) of partially open reinforced upper mouths (51, 52, 54), of boxes (40) of semi-rigid laminate material, preferably cardboard, die-cut with cutting lines and weakened folding lines (42, 49, 53), the upper forming device (240) being characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of forming assemblies (245), installed on an upper support of forming assemblies (241), mutually facing each other, arranged on two facing sides of a space operational (202) associated with the upper forming device (240) and sized to house the box (40) during the formation of the reinforced upper mouthpiece (51, 52, 54), each forming assembly (245) comprising: a secondary former support (246), mounted on the upper former support (241), with a turning device (247) and a bending device (245b) being mounted on the secondary former support (246); said turning device (247), comprising a positioning drive (247) with first and second drive elements (247a, 247b) provided with relative movement, wherein said first drive element (247a) is articulatedly connected to the support forming secondary (246) by a first horizontal axis (E1), and wherein said second actuator element (247b) is articulatedly connected to the bender support (250) by a second horizontal axis (E2), to pivot a bending support bender (250) of the bending device (245b), between a retracted position and a working position, on a third horizontal axis (E3) mounted on the secondary bending support (246); and said bender device (245b), comprising said bender support (250), a first vertical backpressure element (251) comprising a first vertical backpressure surface (251a), configured to be at least partially adjacent to a top of a side wall (44, 45) of the box (40) to positionally limit the same; a second hinged counterpressure element (252), with a second counterpressure surface (252a), hingedly connected to the secondary former support (250) on the third axis (E3); a flap folder drive (248) having first and second drive elements (248a, 248b) provided with relative movement, wherein said first actuator element (248a) is connected to the folder holder (250) and said second element actuator (248b) is connected to a pusher member (253); and said pusher member (253), with a push surface (253a), articulatedly connected with respect to the bender support (250) to pivot on a fourth horizontal axis (E4), between a rest position and a tightening position; and because each forming assembly (245) has an initial, intermediate and final position to form upper flaps (55, 54) of the mouthpiece, where: In the initial position, the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the retracted position and the thrust surface (253a) in the rest position, are jointly configured to allow housing in the operational space (202) ) the partially formed box (40), with four of said vertical side walls (44, 45) mutually facing each other in pairs, and with upper flaps (54, 55) oriented vertically and connected to the upper parts of the side walls (44 , 45) vertical of the box (40); In the intermediate position, the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the working position and the pushing surface (253a) in the rest position, are jointly configured to position the second counterpressure surface ( 252a) horizontally upside down, superiorly adjacent and parallel to a shelf flap (54) and a reinforcement flap (55) connected to the shelf flap (54), constituting said upper flaps (54, 55), arranged in a first horizontal orientation ; and In the final position, the bending support (250) and the second counterpressure element (252) in the working position and the pusher member (253) in the tightening position, are jointly configured to position the pushing surface (253a) horizontally face up, bottom adjacent and parallel to the second counterpressure surface (252a), to position the reinforcement flap (55) in a second horizontal orientation; and each forming assembly (245) being configured to fold the top flaps (54, 55) 90 degrees from the vertical orientation to the first horizontal orientation, with the second counterpressure element (252) and/or pusher member (253) upon pivoting of the bending support (250) on the third axis (E3), in cooperation with the first vertical counterpressure element (251), and/or with an additional bending device (256) of the forming assembly (245) movable by an additional drive ( 257) between retracted and additional working positions, in cooperation with the first vertical counterpressure element (251); the bending device (245b) of each forming assembly (245) being configured to bend said reinforcement flap (55) an additional 180 degrees, from the first horizontal orientation, to the second horizontal orientation where the reinforcement flap (55) is folded 270 degrees with respect to the side wall (44, 45), before the pivoting of the pusher member (253) in the four axis (E4), to form reinforced upper mouths (51, 52, 54) with horizontal shelf flaps (54) and horizontal reinforcement flaps (55). 2.- Upper forming device (240) according to claim 1, wherein in the intermediate and final forming positions of each forming assembly (245), the second counterpressure surface (252a) and the third and four axes (E3, E4 ) are positioned superiorly adjacent to a respective weakened upper horizontal fold line (53) connecting the shelf and reinforcement flaps (54, 55). 3. - Upper forming device (240) according to claim 2, wherein, in each forming assembly (245), the positioning drive (247) comprises a fluid dynamic cylinder with a linear rod and an elongated body for guiding the linear rod, and the flap folder drive (248) comprises another fluid dynamic cylinder with a linear rod and an elongated linear rod guiding body. 4. - Upper forming device (240) according to claim 3, wherein, in the final forming position of each forming assembly (245), the elongated bodies and linear rods of said fluid-dynamic cylinders are mutually parallel. 5. - Upper shaping device (240) according to claim 4, wherein, in the initial shaping position in each shaping assembly (245), said fluid dynamic cylinders with elongated bodies and linear rods are arranged forming an angle (K) between 75 and 135 degrees. 6. - Upper shaping device (240) according to claim 5, wherein, in the initial shaping position in each shaping assembly (245), said fluid-dynamic cylinders with elongated bodies and linear rods are arranged in a V, forming an obtuse angle. 7. - Upper shaping device (240) according to any one of the preceding claims, each shaping assembly (245) further comprising: a rocker arm (254) having a proximal end hingedly connected to the bender support (250) to pivot about a fifth horizontal axis (E5); and a connecting rod (255) having a first end articulatedly connected to a distal end of said rocker arm (254) by a sixth horizontal axis (E6), and having a second end articulatedly connected to the pusher member (253) by a seventh axis ( E7) horizontal; and wherein said first actuator element (248a) of the flap doubler drive (248) is hingedly connected to the folder support (250) by an eighth horizontal axis (E8), and wherein said second actuator element (248b) of the flap folder drive (248) is hingedly connected to the rocker arm (251) by a ninth horizontal shaft (E9), and where, in the final position of each forming assembly (245), the seventh axis (E7) is positioned below the third four axes (E3, E4) according to the vertical direction (Z). 8. - Upper shaping device (240) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one or two pairs of shaping sets (245), mutually facing each other in pairs, according to horizontal longitudinal (X) and transverse (Y) directions. , installed cantilevered on the upper support of forming assemblies (241), the upper support of forming assemblies (241) being movable in the vertical direction (Z), between a superior position, where the upper assemblies (245) are superiorly adjacent to the operational space (202), to position the mouth box to be formed in said operational space (202) and/or evacuate said box with the mouth formed from the operational space (202), and a lower position, where the first surfaces vertical counterpressure elements (251a) of the upper assemblies (245) are laterally adjacent to the vertically oriented upper flaps (54, 55) and/or to the upper parts of the side walls (44, 45) to form the partially open reinforced upper mouths of the boxes (40). 9. - Upper forming device (240) according to claim 8, comprising a male (220) comprising a complementary support (221), movable according to said trajectory aligned with said vertical axis (Z) independently of the upper support of forming sets ( 241), between a position within the operational space (202) and a higher position outside the operational space (202), where fluid dynamic cylinders (223) of the horizontally extensible body and rod type are mounted, attached to at least four side supporting walls. (222), with the fluid dynamic cylinders (223) located at different levels according to the vertical direction (Z), allowing the rods in an extended position to position four or eight side walls (44, 45) of the box (40) mutually facing each other by pairs, initially with an essentially rhomboidal or rectangular configuration, pushing the side walls (44, 45) of the box (B) from the inside thereof, before and/or during the folding of the upper flaps (54, 55) by the forming assemblies (245), allowing the stems in a retracted position to extract the supporting walls (222) and fluid dynamic cylinders (223) from the interior of the box (40) with the partially open reinforced upper mouth (51, 52, 54) formed. 10. - Upper shaping device (240) according to claim 9, which further comprises a hold-down (224) mounted on the complementary support (221) to act as an upper stop in a position within the operational space (202) of the complementary support (221). ) before the folding of lower flaps of the side walls (44, 45) of the box (40) by lower benders (226, 227) movable by lower actuators (228) of a lower forming device of the machine (200) that delimits the operational space below (202). 11.- Upper shaping device (240) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising four pairs of shaping assemblies (245), with one pair of shaping assemblies (245) associated with each of the four or eight side walls (44). , 45) of the box (40). 12.- Upper shaping device (240) according to claim 11, further comprising a positioning device (242, 242a), which includes transversal and longitudinal horizontal guides (242), and release and fixation devices (242a) of respective supports forming secondary parts (246) to the horizontal guides (242), to change the position of the forming assemblies (245) on the upper support of forming assemblies (241) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z) and parallel to the adjacent sides of the operational space (202). 13.- Upper shaping device (240) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each shaping assembly (245) further comprises an auxiliary positioning device (243, 243a) that includes a horizontal auxiliary guide (243) and a positioning device. auxiliary release and fixation (243a) of the secondary former support (246) to the horizontal auxiliary guide (243), to change the position of each former assembly (245) in the upper holder of former units (241) perpendicular to the direction vertical (Z) in approach/removal with respect to one side of the operational space (202).