ES2559304B1 - Device for gripping a packaging case in a flattened configuration and opening it in a tubular configuration, and machine comprising said device. - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for gripping a packaging case in a flattened configuration and opening it in a tubular configuration, and machine comprising said device. # Device (1) for capturing and opening packaging cases comprising: a drum of rotary drag with respect to a fixed frame; at least one gearwheel (7) eccentrically connected to the drive drum and rotated in rotation by a gearwheel (8) integral with the fixed frame; and at least one capture group (2) rotatably linked at an eccentric point of the gearwheel (7), so that it follows an epicycloidal profile corresponding to whose cusps the capture group (2) approaches, following an advantageously path radial, first to a capture position (3) of a folded packing case, then to the opening piece (4) with which it collaborates to open the packing case in a tubular configuration thereof adapted to successive filling operations.

Description

Device for gripping a packaging case in a flattened configuration and opening it in a tubular configuration, and machine comprising said device

Scope

The present invention relates to a device for capturing a tubular manufacturing case in flattened configuration and volume shaping thereof. Such a device, known in the sector with the name of cardboard opening unit, is generally integrated in cartoning machines intended for packaging products in cardboard boxes, cardboard or similar folding material.

The invention therefore finds useful application, in particular, in the field of product packaging, in particular in drug packaging.

Prior art

Most of the medications are usually packed in ampoules, which are then introduced, accompanied by an illustrative leaflet, in packaging cases, or cardboard boxes that carry the trademark that identifies the product sold. The operations of introduction of the ampoules and closing of the box are carried out in an automated way by the so-called cartoning machines or lines.

Such machines generally comprise a first station where the packing cases are removed from a dispenser and opened successively in a tubular configuration, or the cartons are opened, according to the terminology of the sector, to be then placed on a conveyor that drag to successive filling stations.

To better appreciate the usefulness of the carton opening unit, it is necessary to observe how the packing cases, of generally parallelepiped conformation, are stacked in a flattened configuration inside the dispenser, line above the station. As it is known even to those who are not technical, the drug packaging case has a tubular structure of rectangular section, delimited by four side panels opposed two to two, whose ends are closed by two end panels, gilded with a tongue of adequate retention. In the flattened configuration, the four side panels are collapsed, in contact with each other. The main purpose of the carton opening unit is precisely to bring the case to its tubular configuration, so that it can be successively filled through the openings of the ends before the closing of the respective panels.

Among the various types of carton opening units used to date, the ones that employ suction cups mounted on the periphery of a rotating carousel are particularly noted. The suction cups remove the flattened packing case in a first angular position, then open it in collaboration with a piece provided in a second angular position, and finally release it in correspondence with a third angular position. Such a configuration guarantees good reliability and a high rate of development of the device.

In some cases, the rotary mode of the suction cups can be combined with a radial movement in order to improve efficiency, either in the capture or in the opening of the packaging.

The systems that provide for such a combination of movements, even those essentially corresponding to the demands of the sector, nevertheless have some inconveniences not resolved until today.

In particular, they rely on separate linear activators with respect to the first motor that rotates the carousel in rotation, increasing complexity and making precise electronic synchronization of the movements necessary, or defining trajectories and orientations of the screens that quickly separate from the radial direction ideally required for the entire phase of approaching and moving away from the operating stations, damaging the precision of the manipulations carried out on the case.

The technical problem at the base of the present invention is, therefore, that of inventing a case extraction and opening device that overcomes the drawbacks encountered in the known technique, and that allows, in particular, a perfect radial alignment of the capture elements, in correspondence with the operating stations, however using a single engine first.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem referred to is solved by a device for capturing a packing case in a flattened configuration and opening it in a tubular configuration, comprising: at least one mobile capture group with respect to a fixed frame,

provided with at least one capture element - for example, a suction cup - in a position to temporarily retain the packaging case, and prepared to: capture a packaging case, in a flattened configuration, from a capture position; carrying said packing case in correspondence with an opening piece and collaborating with said opening piece to open the packing case in a tubular configuration; finally bring said packing case in tubular configuration to a release position.

The device further comprises: a trailing drum, movably rotatable with respect to the fixed frame, according to a first axis of rotation; at least one cogwheel, rotatably linked with the drive drum, along a second axis of eccentric rotation thereto, said cogwheel being engaged in a cogwheel integral with the fixed frame which determines a certain number of complete revolutions of the cogwheel for each revolution of the drive drum, said capture group being linked to the gearwheel along a third axis of rotation eccentric thereto, so that said third axis of rotation follows an epicycloid with the rotation of the drive drum with respect to the fixed frame, said capture group being respectively in correspondence with the capture position and the opening piece when said third axis of rotation is in correspondence with two of the cusps of said epicycloid.

A technician in the sector will perceive how the epicycloid profile, made with great simplicity of technical means, by using sprockets supported by the rotating drum, determines the desired radial path of the capture group, in correspondence with the operating points of the device .

Desiring also to guarantee a radial orientation of the capture elements in the approach and in the distance of the aforementioned points, the capture group may subsequently be linked to a stabilizing leverage mechanism, predisposed to limit the departures with respect to a radial orientation. of the capture group when it moves in correspondence with the capture position and I or with the opening piece.

The capture group may advantageously comprise four rigid antlers defining an articulated parallelogram, the at least one element being integral with a first one of said rigid antlers, distant from the third axis of rotation, a second one of said rigid antlers being directly linked to the stabilization lever mechanism.

Note that such a technical resource admits to linking the movement of the capture head to the gearwheel, allowing, however, a radially external placement thereof, avoiding any interference with the leverage mechanism in the course of handling the packaging case.

A third and a fourth of said rigid antlers, respectively embedded with the first and second rigid antlers, are preferably embedded together in correspondence with the third axis of rotation defined above.

The device can also advantageously comprise a tooth profile within which a soldering probes bolt with an arm rotatably attached to the drive drum is attached, along a fourth axis of eccentric rotation thereto, kinetically joining said stabilizing lever mechanism , said arm to said capture group.

The stabilizing lever mechanism comprises, in particular, a connecting rod with the arm, and embedded, at its free end, with a lever integral with the capture group.

Said tooth profile is preferably a lobed profile provided with central symmetry with respect to the first axis of rotation. The number of the lobes of the tooth profile is preferably equal to the number of cusps of the epicycloid described by the third axis of rotation.

The capture group is preferably in correspondence with the release position when said third axis of rotation is in correspondence with one of the cusps of said epicycloid.

The aforementioned technical problem is also solved by a carton machine comprising at least one device with the characteristics described above, intended for capturing a packing case in a flattened configuration and for

opening it in a tubular configuration.

S

Additional features and advantages will arise mostly from the detailed description, given hereinafter, of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the attached figures, given by way of example, but not limiter

Brief description of the drawings

10

Figure 1 represents the present invention; a view in perspective of a cartoning machine according to

fifteen

Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a device for capturing and opening a packaging case according to the present invention; Figure 3 represents a developed perspective view of the device of Figure 2;

twenty

Figure 4 represents a front view of the device of Figure 2, with a section of the cover case and the underlying drag drum removed, to allow visualization of the internal components;

25

Figures 5 to 12 represent a schematic front view of the device of Figure 2 during successive working positions, wherein the drive drum that drives the device is respectively turned O ", 300, 60", 900, 120 ", 140 ", 1700 AND 200" counterclockwise;

Figure 13 represents an elevational view of a driving group that is part of the machine of Figure 1;

30

Figure 14 represents a perspective view of a detail of the drive group of Figure 13.

Detailed description

35

With reference to the attached figures, we identify generically with 200 a cartoning machine, in particular predisposed for the packaging of drugs in ampoules within

a packing box 100 in cardboard or a similar flexible material.

The packing case 100, known per se, is schematically illustrated in the attached figures 5 to 12. It is usually made from an outline on paper material, which provides six panels separated from each other by fold lines. Once the packaging is finished, the six panels define a parallelepiped box: four contiguous side panels form the main wrap, while two end panels, usually equipped with a joint tongue, allow the box to be opened and closed. In the context of the present invention, however, two configurations previously assumed by the sketch in question are of interest. In a filling configuration, referred to below as a tubular configuration, the box is essentially formed but the end panels are open, or aligned with one of the side panels. A storage configuration, then called a flattened configuration, is analogous to the previous one, but it has the side panels collapsed against each other, to define a minimum thickness.

The cartoning machine 200 comprises a distribution system of the packing cases 100 in flattened configuration, which in this case is specified in an inclined plane 30 along which the stacked packing cases 100 are advanced.

The carton machine 200 comprises therefore the device for capturing and opening the cases 1, or the carton opening device, which captures the packing cases 100 from a capture position 3 to the exit of the inclined plane 30 And it facilitates opening them in tubular configuration, to then deposit them in an underlying position of release 5 on top of a conveyor belt 51 to pallets.

The cartoning machine 200 finally comprises a filling station proper, provided with a drive group 300 predisposed to introduce the product to be packaged, in this case, medications in ampoules, into the packing cases 100 in tubular configuration, during transit over the conveyor belt 51.

The carton opening device 1, illustrated individually in the attached figures 2 to 4, provides three different capture groups 2 identical to each other and angularly equidistant with reference to a first axis of rotation x of the device. During operation of the device, the capture groups 2 are driven in rotation, with respect to a fixed frame 50 of the machine, around the first axis of rotation x, according to the modalities described below.

Such capture groups 2, whose structure is described in detail below, comprise two capture elements 20, which are specified in suction cups of a type known per se. Such capture elements 20 are predisposed to come into contact with one of the panels of the packing case 100, in correspondence with the capture position 3 previously mentioned, and retain it until release, in correspondence with the release position 5.

In a first operational phase, illustrated in the attached figures 5 to 6, an unloaded capture group 2 is then approached following an essentially radial path to the capture position 3 of the inclined plane 30. The capture elements 20 adhere to the front panel of the packing case 100 and the aspiration is activated in order to retain the element. The capture group 2 then moves the packing case 100 away from the inclined plane 30 still following an essentially radial path once.

In a second operational phase, illustrated in Figure 7, the capture group 2, with the packaging case 100 associated therewith, is moved angularly at about 120 °, until an opening piece 4 of the device 1 is reached.

In this case, the opening piece 4 comprises two suction cups 40, totally analogous to those that make up the capture elements, and also a revision socket 41 provided below the line. Both elements are fixed, or integral with the fixed frame 50 of the machine 200.

In a third operational phase illustrated in the attached figures 8 to 11, the opening piece 4 collaborates with the capture group 2 to open the packing case 100.

First, the capture group 2 gradually brings the packing case 100, in flattened configuration, to the two suction cups 40. Once the case is joined with the suction cups at the ends, the suction is activated in order to retain the panel contrasted with respect to the joint of the capture elements 20.

Subsequently, the capture group 2 moves away, following an essentially radial path, from the fixed suction cups 40, in order to separate the two opposing panels, gradually making the tubing case 100 assume its tubular configuration. The 40 fixed vacuum suction cups then release the catch and the semi-open packing case 100 rubs against the superstructure of the revision socket 41, which promotes its complete opening.

In a fourth operational phase, the capture group 2, with the open packaging case 100 associated therewith, is angularly moved at around 120 °, until it reaches the release position.

10 In a fifth operational phase, illustrated in Figure 12, the aspiration of the capture elements is interrupted in order to deposit the open packaging case 100 on top of the conveyor belt 51.

When performing the operations described above, the trajectory of the capture group

15 20, in correspondence with the capture position 3, the opening piece 4 and the release position 5, follows an essentially radial path with reference to the first axis of rotation x described above. Furthermore, always in correspondence with such positions, the very orientation of the capture elements 20 remains essentially aligned with the path followed. The kinetic capacity that allows the

20 cited paths are described in detail below.

The carton opening device 1 comprises a first motor, not illustrated in the attached figures, which, by means of a transmission 60, rotates a drive drum 6 around the first axis of rotation x. The drag drum 6 is rotatably housed in

25 a cylindrical mold 61, which is integral with the fixed frame 50 of the machine.

The drive drum 6 supports three gearwheels 7, angularly equidistant, arranged frontally with respect to this, or on the side facing the working area of the machine. Each sprocket 7 is mounted on the drive drum 6, 30 rotatable with respect to a second axis of rotation and, eccentric with respect to the first. The sprockets 7 are all meshed on an internally toothed crown 8, carved on the periphery of the cylindrical mold. The number of teeth of the internally toothed crown 8 is three times that of the teeth of the sprockets 7, so that, for each complete turn of the drive drum 6, the sprockets 7 meet three 35 revolutions on each other. same. A cover housing 62, integral with the drive drum 6, partially covers said gear wheels 7, leaving only its face to emerge

frontal. It also hides the underlying crown, internally toothed, 8.

Each capture group 2 comprises four rigid antlers 21, 22, 23, 24 that define an articulated parallelogram with development parallel to the drag drum 6. The first rigid horn 21 is embedded, at its opposite ends, with the second 22 and the third rigid horn, and the latter are in turn embedded with the fourth stiff horn 24. The opposing antlers are essentially the same length. The first rigid horn 21 is associated with a support base 25 that carries the two capture elements 20, aligned in a direction normal to the development of the articulated parallelogram.

The hinge that joins the third 23 and the fourth 24 rigid horn is linked on top of a respective gearwheel 7, along a third axis of rotation z, eccentric with respect to the second axis of rotation and the gearwheel 7.

Given the structure described above, said hinge then moves, when rotating of the drag drum 6, following an epicycloid with three cusps. The three cusps are naturally made to coincide with the three notable points of the work path, or the capture position 3, the opening piece 4 and the release position 5. The rectilinear trajectory of the capture group 2 in correspondence is thus carried out. to these positions.

The kinetic capacity further comprises a stabilizing leverage mechanism 10 attached to the second pole 22 of the capture group 2, and which is predisposed to maintain an acceptable alignment of the capture elements 20 with the almost rectilinear trajectory, in correspondence with the cusps of the epicycloid

On the bottom of the cylindrical mold 61 mentioned above a tooth profile 9, trilobed, symmetrically central with respect to the first axis of rotation x is carved. As a technician in the sector you will not have difficulty understanding, a profile with a different number of lobes, for example, two, four or five, can be integrated. Within the tooth profile 9 three probing bolts 90 are linked, which define the movement of each of the stabilizing leverage mechanisms 10 of the three capture groups 2. Each probing bolt 90 is effectively connected to the end of a support arm 91 with a shaft 92 that crosses the drive drum 6 in a normal direction thereto. Thus, the shaft 92 is rotatably linked along a fourth axis of rotation w, eccentric to the drive drum 6, and the radial distance of the tooth profile with respect to such point defines the orientation of the same shaft 92.

The stabilizing leverage mechanism 10 kinetically joins the shaft 92 with the second pole 22 of the capture group 2. In particular, the leverage mechanism comprises a connecting rod 11 integral with the arm 91 and oriented at an angle with respect to it. The shaft 92 joins the two elements in solidarity, crossing the drive drum 6 and the cover housing 62 above. The free end of the connecting rod 11 is embedded with a lever 12 which defines a continuation of the second pole 22 beyond the insertion point with the fourth pole 24. The lever 12 has an inclination of a few degrees with respect to the second pole 22 .

Given the right angle configuration between the connecting rod 11 and the arm 91, said connecting rod 11 is essentially directed towards the center of the rotating drum 6 when the tooth profile 9 is radially aligned with the fourth axis of rotation w. When the tooth profile 9 moves away from the center of the rotating drum 6, the connecting rod 11 swings in the direction of the respective catch group 2. When the tooth profile 9 approaches the center of the rotating drum 6, the connecting rod 11 tilts in the opposite direction, or it moves away with respect to the capture group 2. By matching the cusp points of the epicycloid described by the third insertion axis z with the transit of the probing bolt 90 along the external lobes of the Tooth profile 9, the end of the connecting rod 11 thus maintains an almost constant distance from the capture group 2. In fact, when the capture group 2, dragged by the z-hinge, moves away from the center of the rotating drum 6 in the proximity of which the connecting rod foot 11 lies, the connecting rod 11 itself approaches, compensating for the distance, and vice versa, at the points at which the hinge z returns towards the center. Thus, along the entire path, and particularly in correspondence with the cusp points, an almost radial orientation of the capture elements 20 is obtained.

The drive group 300 of the cartoning machine 200, individually illustrated in Figure 13, comprises a plurality of carts 301 -only two of which are illustrated in the figure -solidably mounted on a pair of belts 302 that allow their transfer in one direction longitudinal parallel to the sliding of the conveyor belt 51 to pallets.

Each carriage 301, individually illustrated in Figure 14, has a lower arm 303 and an upper arm 304, transversely movable with respect to the main body of the same carriage. The lower arm 303 has at its end an impeller 305 intended to introduce medicinal ampoules, or other things, into a packing case 100, in a tubular configuration, carried by the border conveyor belt 51 to pallets; the upper arm 304, on the other hand, has a horizontal sheet 306 intended to define an upper revision for the ampoules, also temporarily inserting it in the case

100 packing

The carriage 301 also has two mobilization sledges 307, also they can slide transversely along the same carriage. The mobilization sleds 307 internally have a guide wheel 309, linked within a respective horizontal rail 308 integral with the frame 50 of the machine. Both rails 308 comprise a curvilinear path, which defines an approach of the respective guide wheel 309 to the front conveyor belt 51 to pallets, in correspondence with a central part of the drive group 300.

Mobilization sledges 307 mount a loose pinion 310, which meshes, on the one hand, on a fixed rack 311 integral with the carriage 301 and, on the other hand, on a mobile rack 312, respectively integral with one between the lower arm 303 and the superior 304.

The forward movement of one of the mobilization sleds 307, from the profile of the respective lane 308, thus determines a rotation of the loose pinion 310 against the fixed rack 311 and a double entity transfer of the respective arm, by means of the associated mobile rack 312 the same.

The technical resource identified above allows the necessary transfers of the operating arms to be obtained advantageously, remedying the transverse impediment of the rails with respect to the prior art structures, which associate the arms directly to the mobilization sleds.

Obviously, to the invention described above, a technician of the sector, in order to meet contingent and specific requirements, may make numerous modifications and variants, all of which are, however, within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. Device (1) for capturing a packing case (100), in a flattened configuration, and opening it in a tubular configuration, comprising: at least one mobile capture group (2) with respect to a fixed frame (50), provided with at least one capture element (20), capable of temporarily retaining the packaging case (100), and predisposed to: capture a packaging case (100), in a flattened configuration, from a capture position (3); carrying said packing case (100) in correspondence with an opening piece (4) and collaborating with said opening piece (4) to open the packing case (100) in a tubular configuration; bringing said packing case (100) in tubular configuration to a release position (5); characterized in that it further comprises: a drive drum (6), rotatably movable with respect to the fixed frame (50), according to a first axis of rotation (x); at least one gearwheel (7), rotatably linked to the drive drum (6), along a second axis of rotation (and) eccentric thereto, said gearwheel (7) being engaged to a gearwheel (8) integral with the fixed frame (50) that determines a number of complete revolutions of the gearwheel (7) for each revolution of the drive drum (6), said capture group (2) being linked to the gearwheel (7) along a third axis of rotation (z) eccentric thereto, so that said third axis of rotation (6) follows an epicycloid when rotating of the drive drum (6) with respect to the fixed frame (50), said capture group (2) being respectively in correspondence with the capture position (3) and with the opening piece (4) when said third axis of rotation (z) is in correspondence with two of the cusps of said epicycloid.

2.

Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said capture group (2) is subsequently linked with a stabilizing lever mechanism (10), arranged to limit the departures with respect to a radial orientation of the capture group (2) when it moves in correspondence with the capture position (3) and I or with the opening piece (4).

3.

Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said capture group (2) comprises four rigid antlers (21, 22, 23, 24) defining an articulated parallelogram, the at least one being integral (20) capture element with a first (21) of said rigid antlers, away from the third axis of rotation (z), a second (22) of said rigid antlers being directly linked to the stabilizing lever mechanism (10).

Four.

Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein a third (23) and a fourth (24) of said rigid antlers, respectively embedded with the first (21) and the second (22) rigid horn, are embedded in each other in correspondence with the third axis of rotation (z).

5.

Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a tooth profile (9) within which a probing bolt (90) connected with an arm (91) rotatably linked to the drive drum (6) is linked , along a fourth axis of rotation (w) eccentric thereto, kinetically joining, said stabilizing lever mechanism (10), said arm (91) to said capture group (2).

6.

Device (1) according to claim 5, wherein said stabilizing lever mechanism comprises a connecting rod (1 1) integral with the arm (91) and embedded at its free end with a lever (12) integral with the capture group ( 2).

7.

Device (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein said tooth profile

(9) is a lobed profile with central symmetry with respect to the first axis of rotation (x).

8.

Device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the number of the lobes of the tooth profile (9) is equal to the number of cusps of the epicycloid described by the third axis of rotation (z).

9.

Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said capture group (2) is in correspondence with the release position (5) when said third axis of rotation (z) is in correspondence with one of the cusps of said epicycloid.

10.

Casting machine (200) comprising at least one device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, intended for capturing a packing case (100) in a flattened configuration and opening it in a tubular configuration.