ES2332325T3 - PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR THE CONDUCT OF A VARIABLE VOLUME CARTON PACKING. - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves forming horizontal folding lines at convenient height on four flanks (5, 6) of a package (2) e.g. box, to delimit longitudinal flaps. The formation of folding lines is carried out after filling the package with products by marking on both inner and outer sides of the package for each flap using inner and outer marking tools (20, 21), respectively. An independent claim is also included for a device for making a cardboard package.

Description

Procedure and device for realization of a cardboard packaging of variable volume.

The present invention relates, in a manner general, to the realization of cardboard packaging, designated here as "boxes", whose volume is variable, that is, adapted to the height of the products packed in each case. This invention this concerns the field of order preparation and product shipments, of nature and variable quantity of way they occupy diverse volumes and heights.

It is known, in this field, to use boxes of cardboard with identical initial characteristics, but which can be adapt to each particular use, that is to each height of products to be packed, by appropriate procedures.

A first solution, described in the patent French FR 2,710,580 on behalf of the Applicant, consists of cutting a cardboard box, in an empty state, so as to eliminate the cardboard surplus, which is no longer useful depending on the height anymore or less reduced the contents of the box. The cardboard cutout as well created must then be evacuated.

Other known solutions allow to reduce the volume of a cardboard box to adapt it to the height of the packaged products, without cuts being formed to evacuate.

A particular solution is to provide for the four sides of the box, several parallel folding lines and nearby. Depending on the height occupied in each case by the products placed at the bottom of the box, choose the line of folding according to which the flaps will be formed and folded. TO example title, reference is made here to the French patent FR 2,612,885.

As easily conceived, this solution you previously need, on all four sides of the box, the complex implementation of numerous folding lines of which only one will be used. In addition, height adaptation of the box is approximate, since it can only be made of discontinuously, according to the "step" corresponding to the distance between two consecutive fold lines.

Another solution, avoiding these inconveniences, it consists of using a box whose parts, destined to constitute the upper flaps are not initially delimited by No preformed folding line. At each use, and in function of the height of the products to be packed, is formed in each flank of the box a fold line at height convenient, then the flap delimited by this line is folded above the contents of the box, previously filled. This principle is described, for example, in the patent French FR 2,606,367.

However, such a procedure assumes that after the formation of the folding lines, in the proper placement, flaps can be folded and held above the contents of the box, before joining each other for example by gluing or stapling or adhesive strip or also by simple overlapping.

In the case of a thick cardboard box, in particular double-corrugated cardboard, the procedure that just exposed is difficult to implement, since the "natural" elasticity of cardboard tends to return flaps up. In particular, in the case of a machine known by implementing this procedure, the lines of folded flaps are marked by a sharp blade acting only on the inner side of the box, which can Suitable for simple corrugated cardboard, but it turns out insufficient in the case of a double-corrugated cardboard, such as frequently used for boxes called "American", or also waffles or cardboard containers.

In addition, in the case of the French patent FR 2606367 above, the box is formed around products to pack, previously positioned, and therefore the lines of folding delimiting the flaps are made before filling of the box, on this box still flat. So the procedure of this document can only be applied in the case of packaging of products of predetermined height, therefore of geometry very precise; this procedure is practically irrelevant to boxes containing products whose nature, form and quantity they can be very variable, which is the case in the field of preparation of orders and shipments of products. In addition, the device that implements this procedure uses a tooling that performs the folding lines in the boxes still of flat, and in the process of sliding, which makes change difficult of position of the folding lines, from one box to another.

Also, US 3866523 provides for realization of folding lines in boxes still flat, in progress  of sliding, without taking into account here the height of the Products that will be packed in each box.

The present invention tends to avoid all drawbacks mentioned above, and therefore has main objective, within the framework of the realization of a packaging of variable volume cardboard, of the type considered here, provide a perfected procedure and device, ensuring the folding and keeping flaps in place, for a box already formed and filled, even in the case of a box made in  thick cardboard, typically a double-corrugated cardboard, of way to widen the scope of this type of process.

To this end, the invention has first object a procedure for the realization of a packaging of cardboard, box type, variable volume adapted to the height of the products packed in each case, providing for the procedure, in a known way, the formation of fold lines at height convenient, on the four sides of the box, to delimit upper flaps, then folding these flaps on top of the contents of the box, this procedure being characterized because at the stage of formation of the folding lines, carried out After filling the box with the products to be packed, it make a marking on each flank of this box, for each flap on the inner side of the box and another marking on the outer side of the box.

Thus, the idea at the base of the present invention consists in the realization of a "double marking" of the cardboard, on the sides of the box, so as to facilitate the overlapping of the upper parts of these flanks, even in the case of a thick cardboard, especially a double corrugated cardboard. Thanks to this double marking, made both internally and externally, the flaps fold more easily over the contents of the box, previously filled and these flaps no longer tend to be lifted by elasticity, which also facilitates their maintenance.
In place and its assembly between them, before placing the lid or the closing cap of the box.

Double marking is done according to various advantageous modalities.

In particular, a slight displacement in height, enter the marking made on the inside and on the other hand the marking done from the outer side of the box, this on each flank of the box; he exterior marking is here advantageously performed slightly more above the interior marking, in order to facilitate the folding of the cardboard in a preferential sense, avoiding interference from tooling marking the inner side and side Exterior.

In addition, both for interior marking and for the external marking, a displacement is advantageously provided in height, substantially equal to the thickness of the cardboard, enter by a part marking the longitudinal flanks and on the other hand the marking of the transverse flanks of the box, this to allow an easy overlap of the four flaps, without creating pressures and deformations to the upper four angles of the box.

The markings made internally and externally they can be marked continuous or discontinuous marked,  and more or less supported, going to a real pre-cut of the outer sheet of the cardboard, on the outer side of the box. The marking can, for each flank of the box, be less supported in the center of this flank and more supported on the side parts of the same flank, to ensure a good initial folding point of the flaps, in the four angles Top of the box.

The marked doubles of the four flanks of the box can be made simultaneously. Can also lag in time, for example by performing doubles first marked on the two longitudinal flanks, and then the double marked on the transverse flanks of the box.

The invention also aims at a device for the realization of a cardboard packaging, of type variable volume box adapted to the height of the products packed in each case, implementing the procedure of "double dial" defined above.

According to the invention, this device comprises, for the interior and exterior marking of the four flanks of a cardboard box, overlooking the delimitation of the flaps top, a set of four pairs of marking tools, attributed to the four respective flanks of the box, each pair of tools comprises an internal marking tool, suitable for get down in the box at a convenient height, and a tool exterior marking, able to reach externally against the flank corresponding to the box, substantially at the same height as the interior marking tool.

Marking tools, both interior as exteriors, they are advantageously constituted by sheets jagged or wavy, being the jagged or the undulations of these more or less pronounced leaves. These marking sheets are guided perpendicular to the corresponding flanks of the box, and are movable, each in a plane perpendicular to the corresponding flank of the cardboard box, by means of actuators pneumatic or hydraulic or also by mechanical actuators, Electrical or electromechanical.

Advantageously, the four tools of Internal marking are movable by a central actuator common type cat, joined by mechanical transmission means such as connecting rods to each of the four marking tools inside.

In each pair of marking tools, the Outside marking tool is preferably slightly moved up in relation to the marking tool inside, to impose on the cardboard (after double completion marked) a sense of preferential folding, while avoiding a interference between the two marking tools, at the time of its drive.

The set of the four tool pairs marking is advantageously carried by a common framework, vertically movable which, by descent, is suitable for covering inside and outside the box, to position the tools Interior and exterior marking at a convenient height relatively to this box.

In complement or in variant to what precedes, the device may also comprise an elevator set, arranged under the marking tools and intended for lift the box at the time of the marking operation of the flanks of this box. Such an elevator set is advantageous, in particularly in cases of a low-rise box (once it is reduced by folding the flaps).

The "double dial" device, object of the present invention, advantageously constitutes a position intermediate of a machine in which the boxes move forward in a horizontal conveyor, comprising the machine successively, to along the conveyor, a box cutting post along of its vertical edges, at a certain height, the double position marking the sides of the boxes, inside and out, a folding and pressing of the flaps, and a post of placement of closing caps on the top of the boxes. This machine may also comprise a position for placement, in the boxes, of inflatable bags intended to hold the packed products.

The invention will be better understood with the description below, referring to the drawing schematic annex representing by way of example, a form of execution of this "double dial" device, and of the machine incorporating such device:

- Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating in section, in a very simplified way, the principle of a packaging of variable volume cardboard;

- Figure 2 represents, in the form of a succession of schemes the main stages of the realization of such packing;

- Figure 3 is an overall view, in perspective, of a machine on which such are made packaging;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the marking tool and its support frame, belonging to the marking position of this machine;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view corresponding to figure 4 but without the frame, showing in particular marking tools;

- Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the Application of the invention to a double cardboard packaging groove.

Figure 1 shows, in vertical section, a 2 carton type box packaging, which has an initial height indicated H. Packaging 2 receives, on its bottom 3, products 4 occupying a height h, less than the initial height H of this packaging. In this case, a height reduction of the packing 2, of the value (H-h), in order to reduce the top of this packaging 2 bringing it just above the top of packaged products 4.

Referring to Figure 2, they are described. now the different stages of the realization and closing of such 2 packing, leading to the adaptation of its height.

In the initial state considered, packaging 2 it has two longitudinal flanks 5 and two transverse flanks 6 of same height H, this packing 2 being still open in its part higher. In a first stage (a), a cut of the cardboard along the four vertical edges of packing 2, to make vertical grooves 7 that extend over certain height, from the top of this packaging 2.

In a second stage (b), the marking is carried out of the four flanks 5 and 6 of the packaging 2, that is to say that they are formed on these flanks some horizontal folding lines 8, which just towards the lower extremities of the vertical grooves 7 previously cut. The fold lines 8 thus formed delimit rectangular parts 9, initially directed towards above, designated as top flaps or simply as flaps

In an intermediate stage (c), the flaps upper 9 are glued, by the glue zone deposit 10 towards the upper angles of the longitudinal flaps 9.

In the next stage (d), the flaps 9 are folded, by pivoting around the folding lines 8, and so on these flaps 9 are pressed down so as to assemble between them, in the four upper angles of the box, thanks to the tail areas 10 previously deposited in the stage (C).

Finally, in step (e), the packaging 2 is closed at the top, by placing a cap 11.

These different operations are performed successively on a single machine, represented as a whole in figure 3. The machine comprises several positions, arranged in line, which follow each other along a horizontal conveyor 12, for example a bar conveyor. Thus the packaging 2 enters on one end of the machine, according to arrow F1, and they are carried forward on the conveyor that makes them pass successively by:

- a cutting position 13, which performs the vertical grooves 7 on the four vertical edges of the packaging 2;

- a marking position 14 of the flanks 5 and 6 of the packages 2;

- a folding and pressing station 15 of the flaps 9;

- a position 16 for the placement of the caps 11, to which a storage warehouse 17 is associated laterally of the copings 11.

Full and closed boxes leave, according to the arrow F2, to the end of the machine where the position is located 16 placement of the caps 11.

The cutting post 13, the folding post and pressed 15, and the position 16 of placement of the caps are performed in a generally known manner and will not be detailed well.

He is especially interested here at position 14 of flank marking, depicted in more detail in the figures 4 and 5 and described below.

The 14th flank marking post comprises, on top of the conveyor 12, a movable frame 18 vertically by means of a central actuator 19. The frame 18 it carries a marking tooling, composed of marking tools interior 20 and exterior marking tools 21.

The interior marking tools 20 are consisting of four mobile corrugated sheets, arranged according to a horizontal rectangle Each marking tool 20 is guided horizontally in translation, perpendicular to its direction longitudinal, and is fixed on a support block 22. A central pneumatic jack 23, arranged vertically, displaces a rectangular horizontal plate 24 that is connected by connecting rods obliques 25 articulated on the four sides of this plate 24 a the respective block-supports 22 of the four interior marking tools 20.

The outer marking tools 21 are constituted by four mobile serrated blades, arranged according to a horizontal rectangle, each outer marking tool being 21 located parallel to an internal marking tool 20, and in front of the latter. Each marking tool 21 is mobile in horizontal translation, perpendicular to its direction longitudinal, and is fixed to a support bar 26. Two pneumatic jacks 27, arranged laterally, are coupled to each support bar 26 to move the tool corresponding 21.

Thus the marking tooling consists of four pairs of marking tools, each of which comprises an interior marking tool 20 and a marking tool exterior 21, facing each other, being able to outer marking 21 be slightly higher than the tool internal marking 20. In addition, as shown in Figure 5, it is planned a height offset between the tools of marked 20, 21 arranged in the longitudinal direction, on the one hand, and marking tools 20, 21 in the transverse direction by other part, which allows in particular at the extremities of the tools go over marking tools 20 transversal.

In the process of machine operation, when a package 2 is transferred to the marking position 14 of the flanks by the advance of the conveyor 12, the frame 18 is lowered thanks to central actuator 19 so as to cover this packaging 2, inside and outside. Marking tools interior 20 and exterior 21 are thus carried in a position still apart from each other, in front of flanks 5 and 6 of the packing 2, these tools being positioned at height convenient in relation to the desired volume reduction in each case. The simultaneous activation of the interior marking tools 20 and exterior 21 in particular:

- by the command of the central cat 23. And by the mechanical transmission made by connecting rods 25, the four interior marking tools 20 are approached, by the inside, to the four corresponding flanks 5 and 6 of the packaging 2;

- by the simultaneous control of all cats 27, the four outer marking tools 21 are close, on the outside, to the four flanks 5 and 6 of the packaging 2.

Thanks to its undulations, the tools 20 make an internal marking of the sides 5 and 6 of the packaging 2. Thanks to their teeth, tools 21 also perform a outer marking of flanks 5 and 6 of packaging 2. These marked delimit on the packaging 2 the flaps 9.

Then, cats 23 and 27 are operated on in the opposite direction, so as to cause the distance of the marking tools 20 and 21, then frame 18 is lifted so as to clear the packaging 2. Once the marking tool, packing 2 can be transferred, by the conveyor 12, to the next folding position 15 and of pressing, making the glue of the flaps 9 in the course of this transfer

As illustrated by Figure 6, the invention is Applicable to a 2 thick, double corrugated cardboard packaging grooving or a packing of two thicknesses of simple grooving, as found in the case of wafers. The realization simultaneous marking of the inside of the sides of the packaging by the tools 20, and an outer marking of the same flanks by tools 21, to position 14 of marking the flanks, it then facilitates the folding of the flaps to the next position 15 of folding and pressing.

This figure 6 also shows the light vertical displacement, indicated in d, which is advantageously provided between the outer marking tool 21 and the corresponding interior marking tool 20.

It would not depart from the framework of the invention such as defined in the appended claims:

- with modifications of detail, referring for example to the shape of the marking sheets;

- by recourse to all equivalents, especially replacing the pneumatic drive jacks of the marking sheets by hydraulic jacks or by actuators mechanics;

- by the attachment of any function complementary, for example by providing that, in all or part of the pairs of marking tools, is associated with the tool external marking at least one organ of folding start of the corresponding flap of the box;

- for an adaptation on any type of machine, for example a machine that would treat the boxes in position lying down, the set of marking tools being in this case approached by a horizontal and no longer vertical movement, or also a machine that, before closing the boxes, would introduce automatically swollen airbags in these destined to the subjection of the packed products, being the volume of these holding bags adapted to the height of the packed products.

Claims (19)

1. Procedure for the realization of a cardboard packaging, of the box type, of variable volume adapted to the height (h) of the products (4) packed in each case, the procedure foreseeing the formation of folding lines (8) a the convenient height, on the four flanks (5, 6) of the box (2), to delimit upper flaps (9), and then the folding of these flaps (9) above the contents of the box, characterized in that, in the stage of formation of the folding lines (8), carried out after filling the box (2) with the products to be packed, is carried out on each of the flanks (5, 6) of this box (2), to each flap (9), a marking on the inner side of the box (2) and another marking on the outer side of the box (2). 2. Double marking method according to claim 1, characterized in that a slight height displacement (1) is provided, on the one hand the marking made on the inner side of the box (2) and on the other hand the marking made on the outer side of the box (2), this on each flank (5, 6) of the box (2). 3. Double marking method according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer marking is made slightly higher than the inner marking. 4. Double marking method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, both for the internal marking and for the external marking, a height displacement is provided, substantially equal to the thickness of the cardboard, between the one hand marking of the longitudinal flanks (5) and on the other hand the marking of the transverse flanks (6) of the box (2). 5. Double marking method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the marks made internally and externally are marked continuously. 6. Double marking method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the markings made internally and externally are marked discontinuous. 7. Double marking method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the markings comprise a precut of the outer sheet of the cardboard, on the outer side of the box (2). 8. Double marking method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, for each flank (5, 6) of the box, the marking is less supported at the center of this flank, and more supported on the side parts of the same flank. 9. Device for the realization of a cardboard packaging, of box type, of variable volume adapted to the height (h) of the products (4) packed in each case, implementing the device the "double marking" procedure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises for the interior and exterior marking of the four flanks (5, 6) of a cardboard box, with a view to the delimitation of the upper flaps (9), a set of four pairs of marking tools (20, 21), attributed to the four flanks (5, 6) respectively of the box (2), each pair of tools comprises internal marking tools (20), suitable for lowering in the box (2 ) at a convenient height, and an external marking tool (21), able to reach externally against the corresponding flank (5, 6) of the box (2), substantially at the same height as the marking tool
interior (20). 10. Double marking device according to claim 9, characterized in that the marking tools (20, 21), both internal and external, are constituted by serrated or corrugated sheets, guided perpendicularly to the corresponding flanks (5, 6) of the box (2). 11. Double marking device according to claim 10, characterized in that the marking sheets (20, 21) are movable, each in a plane perpendicular to the corresponding flank (5, 6) of the cardboard box, by means of pneumatic actuators (23 , 27) or hydraulic or also by mechanical, electrical or electromechanical actuators. 12. Double marking device according to claim 11, characterized in that the four internal marking tools (20) are movable by a common central actuator (23), of the jack type, connected by mechanical transmission means such as connecting rods (25) in each of the four markup tools
riores (20). 13. Double marking device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, in each pair of marking tools, the outer marking tool (21) is slightly displaced upwards relative to the inner marking tool (20 ). 14. Double marking device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that a height displacement is provided between the marking tools (20, 21) arranged in the longitudinal direction, on the one hand, and the marking tools ( 20, 21) arranged in the transverse direction, on the other hand. 15. Double marking device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that, in all or part of the marking tool pairs, at least one folding start member is associated with the outer marking tool (21) of the corresponding flap (9) of the box (2). 16. Double marking device according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the set of the four pairs of marking tools (20, 21) is carried by a common frame (18), movable vertically which, by descent, It is suitable to cover the box (2) inside and outside, to position the inner (20) and outer (21) marking tools at a convenient height relatively to this box (2). 17. Double marking device according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that it comprises an elevator set, arranged below the marking tools (20, 21) and intended to lift the box (2) at the time of operation of marking the flanks (5, 6) of this box (2). 18. Double marking device according to any one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that it constitutes an intermediate position (14) of a machine in which the boxes move forward on a horizontal conveyor (12), the machine comprising successively along the length of the conveyor (12), a station (13) for cutting the boxes (2) along their vertical edges over a certain height, the double marking station (14) of the flanks (5, 6) of the boxes (2) ), internally and externally, a position (15) for folding and pressing the flaps (9), and a position (16) for placing the closing caps (11) on the upper part of the boxes (2). 19. Double marking device according to claim 18, characterized in that the machine incorporating this device also comprises a position for placing, in the boxes (2) of inflatable bags intended to hold the packed products.