ES2344815T3 - MACHINE TO PACK ITEMS IN BOXES WITH VARIABLE DISPOSAL WITH REGARD TO THE PRODUCTION LINE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine for packing items in boxes with variable arrangement with respect to the production line, including said machine: at least one deposit of raw parts (F) to obtain the boxes (2); an entry station (SI), located near said raw parts deposit (60); means for removing and assembling the blanks (3), to obtain the boxes (2) with open ends; a transport line (1) for the boxes, located with an initial part corresponding to the entrance station (SI): a feeding line (LC) of the items to be placed in the boxes (2) along of said transport line (1): means (80) for removing the articles from the article feeding line (LC) and for introducing the articles into the boxes (2); means (26, 36) for closing boxes, which act along said transport line; a discharge station (SS) of the boxes (2) filled with the articles, located at the end of said transport line (1); said supply line (LC) of articles extending to the side of the machine; characterized in that the line (LC) includes an access section (78), formed by two paths (78B, 78), which can be oriented independently of one another in a horizontal plane, and a closed loop terminal section (79), which joins the two paths (78A, 78B) of said access section (78) and passing in correspondence with said means (80) to remove the articles from the line (LC) to feed articles and to introduce the articles in the boxes (2 ), thus allowing said machine (M) to be connected to operating units arranged either aligned or perpendicular to it.

Description

Machine to pack items in boxes with variable arrangement with respect to the production line.

Technical sector

The present invention relates to a machine To pack items in boxes.

In particular, the present invention relates to a machine, in which articles of various types, generally bottles, are introduced in boxes, usually obtained from of tubular shaped blanks.

State of the art

There are machines that automatically pack items in containers or boxes, in a known manner, varying in as for the type of article and the box.

For example, some containers used in the field of cosmetics require the prior introduction of a support in the box, because otherwise the conformation of the particular container it does not allow to place it firmly in a respective box.

In these cases, the article is transported by appropriate supports, called "buckets" in the technique, to take to the station, in which the articles are placed in the boxes. Next, empty buckets must return to the machine to produce the items that are going to pack up

Document DE 102 03 459 discloses a machine according to the preamble of claim 1 for packing groups of items inside boxes made from pieces in gross, forming each blank, by means of marked lines, at least one front wall, one rear wall and side walls, said machine comprising: a conveyor for transporting article groups continuously; a conveyor for transport U-shaped folded blanks, being arranged the article conveyor and the conveyor of blanks to identify a common section in which it they move at the same speed and have a parallel direction to each other to allow the alignment of groups of articles each time with a corresponding U-folded blank; pushing means located in the common section to transfer groups of items from the conveyor of items to U-folded blanks corresponding driven by the raw parts conveyor; and manipulation means to subsequently bend the walls of the blanks in which item groups have been arranged until you get a finished item packaging.

EP 1 008 517 discloses another machine to pack items inside crates made from of blanks, which have a plurality of brands longitudinal and transverse and a plurality of cuts that define front and rear fins and side flaps, which It essentially comprises: a deposit of these blanks; to the less mechanical handling means supported in a manner pivoting by a car and mobile between the tank and the station output from an outlet condition, in which the means of mechanical handling take a blank, and a condition of training, in which the mechanical handling means fold each blank along the longitudinal marks by means of pivotal mounting elements connected to the means of mechanical manipulation that also fold the rear wings towards inside by means of rotating means; a closing station equipped of fixed folding means, suitable for folding back the front fins in correspondence with a condition of feeding of said blank in the closing station, of at less a gluing group suitable for supplying adhesive on the front and rear fins, and lower bending means and upper suitable for tilting the flaps respectively lateral on the front and rear fins so that it close the box

JP 05 254515 describes a device and a method to laterally move a group of items from a drawer conveyor to a station collection in which rows of articles are formed before packing back inside boxes made from blanks. He device comprises a power line to send items arranged in a row; a drawer conveyor for transfer the items from the feed line to a collection station, and a packing station to pack rows of items collected at the collection station by means of boxes manufactured from raw parts. The method disclosed provides: progressively transfer an N number of items to the drawer conveyor, so that each item is inserted into a corresponding drawer even in an inclined configuration; create a vacancy, so that a drawer is emptied; move laterally the group thus formed of N items to the collection station; Repeat the previous phases. The creation of a vacancy facilitates the lateral displacement of the group of N articles although the latter are arranged in an inclined position.

JP 2002 068105 discloses a transport and filling apparatus for a box filling machine small, comprising an endless drawer conveyor operated intermittently. The drawer conveyor is equipped with a box receiving position defined in a route of offset on its lower side, a defined filling position successively on the route of travel on its upper side, and first and second bending positions. When a drawer is placed in the box receiving position, a small box in a state Open is received in the drawer. Then when the drawer is located in the filling position, the small box is filled; Y, when the small box passes successively through the first and second folding positions with the drawer, it takes perform a bending operation of a small box lid, and it close the lid

Often products are supplied using a part of the line, for example, leaving the production machine of articles, arranged longitudinally aligned with the machine packaging. On the other hand, the point at which the articles reach The packaging machine is often located on the side of the machine, according to a transverse direction with respect to the extension of machine

This requires placing the packing machine oriented perpendicular to the machine production, with the obvious difficulty for the reasonable management of spaces for the arrangement of machines. In other cases, the machine layout with transverse orientation with respect to the production line becomes a necessity, that the machines currently available may not always satisfy, due to Your specific construction configuration.

Otherwise, it is necessary to prepare, during Machine installation, connection sections for the line article feeding, which obviously results in construction complications and a considerable increase in time and costs

The same problem occurs downstream of the machine, for the removal of items already inserted in the boxes Devices that operate downstream of the machine often are arranged in line, that is aligned with the machine packaging. However, it often happens that it is necessary to take the full boxes along a transverse direction to the machine.

If, for example, the machine is oriented so transversal with respect to the production line, also the line Product output could be oriented at 90 degrees.

Also, this need causes serious difficulties in locating the machines and managing the available spaces or, in other cases, cannot be satisfied.

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Object of the invention

From this point of view, an objective Particular of the invention is to propose a machine constructed of so that it can be easily associated with a supply line of items to be packed, or aligned with a machine packaging, or perpendicular to it.

Also, the proposed machine must have the possibility of connecting to an operating unit, by example, for packing purposes, arranged downstream and oriented both online and perpendicular to the machine itself.

These and other objectives are obtained through the machine object of claims 1 and 2.

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Description of the figures

The characteristic features of the invention, if they are not obvious from the above, they will be described to then, referring to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1A is a perspective view of the machine as a whole;

- Figure 1B is a plan view of the machine;

- Figure 1C is a side view of the machine;

- Figure 1D is a perspective view from behind the machine;

- Figures from 2A to 2R show different machine arrangements, depending on the configuration adopted for the entry and exit of articles and their containers

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Detailed description of the invention

A machine (M), shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, is commonly referred to as "vertical", referring to this term really to the address in which the items are placed In the boxes.

This machine construction configuration It is preferably used when the items to be packed they have a shape that allows them to be stable only in position vertical, which is a frequent need in the field of perfumery and cosmetics, in general.

From this derives the need to take the items arranged vertically in the feed line, possibly placed inside the so-called buckets (supports that internally match the shape of the part bottom of the containers and that externally have a shape that can be easily manipulated).

The blanks are placed in a warehouse (60) next to each other and supported by one of its folded edges, that is, with the side flaps and the closing fins turned to opposite sides of the tank.

A withdrawal device (3), for example, similar to that described in Italian Patent Application No. BO2006A
000123, presented by the same applicant, described hereinafter only schematically, includes a rotary translation arm (30), which removes one blank each time from the tank (60), keeping it horizontal and then rotating it to arrange it vertically , that is, with the side flaps and the closing fins turned up and down.

Mounting means (4), fitted with cups suction, receive the blank and mount it getting every time a box (2), while the loading means (40) receive the boxes (2), already formed by the mounting means and introduce them into the seats of a transport line 1.

For this purpose, as described in the Italian patent application BO2006A 000739, line (1) of transport includes a series of associated withdrawal modules (10) to a group (20) of movement and directed to determine their movement forward along a loop path (P), which includes a superior active route (RA) and a backward travel lower (RR).

The terminal part of the active path (RA) is located in correspondence with a download station (SS), from which originates an output line (LU), along which Completed boxes leave the machine.

A station for the removal and placement of a sheet of tape material (FC) from a reservoir (70) related, which is provided optionally, is also located optionally, along the path of the active path (RA) of the transport line. The tape material sheet is properly shaped, to obtain support or protection for the item to be introduced in the box (2). By consequently, also the formed sheet of tape material is enter in the box by suitable means (75), which are not described in this document and not shown in detail, but only schematically, since they are not relevant to the invention.

After the station to place the sheet tape material, there is a station to place the items (SC), in which ends a power line (LC) of the items They are going to be packed.

We don't stop at the media description (80) to take the items from the feed line, aimed at placing the items in the boxes, since they are of known type, for example, of type of take and placement, and are not relevant to the description of the invention.

As for the power line (LC ') of the articles, it is important to note that it includes a section (78), extending longitudinally along the side of the machine packing

As seen in Figures 1B and 1D, the section (78) consists of two paths (78A and 78B), which can be oriented together in the same direction or separately in different directions.

The terminal part of the power line (LC) extends horizontally, like a closed loop (79), thus allowing the return to the production line of possible items not taken, which are subsequently collected by known systems, or buckets, emptied of the article respective by means of taking and placing, in case such supports are used.

The two routes (78A and 78B) of the section (78) access are connected to closed loop section (79) terminal during the construction of the machine and the two routes (78A and 78B) are oriented, together or separately, according to the specific placement that the machine has to adopt in the environment in which it will work.

In particular, the orientation of the routes (78A and 78B) depends on the arrangement of the machine with respect to an operating unit, located upstream, with respect to which the machine can be aligned or perpendicular.

In the case shown in Figure 1A, by example, the feed line (LC) of articles presents the machine a head aligned with its longitudinal extension, allowing the coupling with a unit that supplies the items, aligned with the machine itself.

Figures 1B and 1D also show a transversal orientation of the paths (78A and 78B) of the section (78) access, which allows the coupling with a unit of production, arranged at 90 ° with respect to the machine.

After the station to place items (SC), There is a station for placing information leaflets (SF).

There are additional closing means to close the tape material holders before closing the boxes, likewise optionally arranged or activated, if the material supports of Tape have been introduced and if they should be closed.

Then along the line (1) of power, there is a device for the application of a print (if required) in a part of the bottom of the box, in particular closing flap, which is still open and back down. These media are not shown, since they are of type known and are not relevant for the purposes of the invention.

Before arriving at the download station (SS), below and above the active path (RA) of line (1) of transport, there are closing means (36), which close the fins bottom and top of the box (2), which have been open until now, while the blank has moved, moving over closed bottom flaps and leaning on the conveyor belt (141).

The conveyor belt (141) is connected to the same movement mechanism of the transport line (1), for operate with the same forward movement speed.

In the download station (SS), means (50) of extraction, which includes a pusher (51), actuated in a transverse direction to the transport line (1), move the boxes (2) already closed and with the items, to an exit line (LU), formed by a conveyor belt, arranged at right angles with with respect to the transport line (1).

In addition to the starting line (LU), there are also an additional line (LA), which can be arranged aligned or angled straight with respect to the starting line (LU). This allows the full boxes come out aligned with respect to the extension longitudinal of the machine (M).

Next, some stage of characteristic operation of the machine.

The boxes (2) move in stages along the transport line (1) and arrive at the means (80) of taking and placement.

The items to be placed in the boxes move forward along the path (78A) of the section (78) power line access (LC), arranged freely on it, or placed inside the supports respective, also called "buckets."

Along the closed loop section (89), the articles are taken by means (80) of taking and placing and placed in the boxes while remaining on the line (1) of transport.

In case the items are transported in the bucket, the latter, once emptied, returns to the unit of production, completing the trajectory along the section (79) closed loop and then along the path (78B) backward.

If the items are transported in a condition free, without buckets, the backward travel of the line Article feed (LC) is not used and can be omitted.

After having placed an information leaflet, the box heads (2) close, thus completing practically the packaging.

When the withdrawal module (10) stops at the discharge station (SC), the pusher (51) is operated to push the box to the output line (LU), oriented so perpendicular to the active path (RA).

Therefore, the box goes in one direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the machine, for transfer to another machine, to undergo operations of additional termination or to be packaged and then be sent

If the additional output section (LA) is arranged at right angles to the starting line (LU), it is possible to supply the boxes to another machine or unit of subsequent operation in a longitudinal direction with respect to the extension of the machine.

This possibility of supplying the items in the exit in the longitudinal direction, as well as in the direction transverse, makes the machine uniquely versatile, and makes possible to attach it to other machines or operating units with less location restrictions.

The versatility and ease of coupling with other machines or operating units increase additionally by prior arrangement of the power line of items, extending longitudinally or perpendicular to the side rear of the machine

In practice, a machine is already supplied equipped with means that allow it to be coupled with other units of operation of the production line, without interventions additional, both in line and at right angles.

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The different combinations of provisions of the power supply line (LC) of articles, and in particular of the two routes (78A and 78B) that form it, allow get different configurations of the machine and its coupling with upstream and upstream operating units below, according to the examples shown in the figures, from the figure 2A to Figure 2R.

For example, in Figures 2A and 2B the machine it is supplied with the route (78A) of the line (LC), arranged longitudinally with respect to the side of the machine and respectively with the unloading of full boxes online or in right angle.

The arrows indicate the direction of movement of the articles and the direction of movement away from the full boxes. In this case, the route is not provided (78B) back of the line (LC), since it is not used.

In figure 2A, the machine (M) is oriented aligned with the production operating unit, located upstream, as well as with the operating unit, located downstream (none shown). In figure 2B the machine is aligned with the water operating unit located above and is perpendicular to the direction in which the boxes are sent to the operating unit, located downstream.

In the case of figures 2C and 2D, the articles they are supplied in a direction perpendicular to the machine (M).

In the case of Figure 2C, the machine is oriented perpendicular to the production operating unit, located upstream, and aligned with the operating unit located downstream.

In Figures 2E and 2F the origin has been changed of the items supplied to the machine.

In figures 2G, 2H, 2I and 2J also added backward travel (78B) of the power line (LC), by example, because buckets are used to transport articles and configurations of the figures are reproduced previous.

Finally, in the figures from 2K to 2R the above combinations are proposed again, but with the routes (78A and 78B) oriented in different directions.

In addition to the advantage of one more provision machine free with respect to the production line in In general, it seems obvious that the machine setup time is reduces, what you get due to the orientation of the routes (78A and 78B) (when provided) and the additional line (LA), already executed during the construction of the machine.

This preventive preparation of the line of article feeding and the box exit line allows the elimination of the time necessary for the preparation of joining sections, when it is not possible to arrange the machine such As would be required.

Obviously, the placement of the machine more fast, according to the described arrangement, also allows a cut considerable preparation time of the system in general.

It is understood that what has been described above is a non-limiting example, therefore, they are included possible variants of construction or functional within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

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References cited in memory

This list of references cited by the applicant is directed only to help the reader and is not part of the European patent document. Even if the greater care in its conception, errors cannot be excluded or omissions and the OEB declines all responsibility in this regard.

Patent documents mentioned in the report

DE 10203459 (0006)

JP 2002068105 A (0009)

EP 1008517 A (0007)

IT BO20060123 A (0024)

JP 5254515 A (0008)

IT BO20060739 A (0026)

Claims (2)

1. Machine to pack items in boxes with variable arrangement with respect to the production line, including said machine:

at least one deposit of blanks (F) to obtain the boxes (2);

a station of entrance (SI), located near said deposit of parts (60) in stupid;

means for remove and assemble the blanks (3), to obtain the boxes (2) with open ends;

a line (1) of transport for the boxes, located with an initial part in Correspondence with the entrance station (SI):

a line of feeding (LC) of the items to be placed in the boxes (2) along said transport line (1):

means (80) for remove items from the article feed line (LC) and to introduce the items in the boxes (2);

media (26, 36) of closing of boxes, which act along said line of transport;

a station of unloading (SS) of the boxes (2) filled with the items, located in the end of said transport line (1);

spreading said supply line (LC) of articles next to the machine;

characterized in that the line (LC) includes an access section (78), formed by two paths (78B, 78), which can be oriented independently of one another in a horizontal plane, and a closed loop terminal section (79), which joins the two paths (78A, 78B) of said access section (78) and passing in correspondence with said means (80) to remove the articles from the line (LC) to feed articles and to introduce the articles in the boxes (2 ), thus allowing said machine (M) to be connected to operating units arranged either aligned or perpendicular to it.

2. Machine for packing articles in boxes with variable arrangement with respect to the production line, according to claim 1, characterized in that said unloading station (SS) for the boxes full of the articles includes a first output line (LU), arranged at 90 degrees with respect to the line (1) of transport of boxes, and a second additional output section (LA), which can be arranged aligned or at 90 degrees with respect to said output line (LU), to make the boxes (2) come out, either aligned, or at right angles to the longitudinal extension of the machine (M).