ES2741224T3 - Set and process to organize stacks of cork stoppers and machine comprising said set - Google Patents

Abstract

A set (1) for organizing stacks of cork stoppers, comprising: · a platform (2) for organizing stacks of cork stoppers comprising a base (3) defining a plane (P), comprising the platform (2) a receiving area (4) for receiving stacks of corks, a transport area (5) for transporting stacks of corks and a packaging area (6) for packaging stacks of corks; · A mechanism (7) for receiving and positioning stacks of cork stoppers, the mechanism (7) comprising: an organ (8) for receiving and transporting stacks of cork stoppers, the organ (8) comprising a first receiving plate ( 9) to receive stacks of cork stoppers, the first plate (9) being movable with respect to the plane (P), a second receiving plate (11) to receive stacks of cork stoppers, the second plate (11) being movable with respect to the plane (P), a retention member (12) for retaining stacks of cork stoppers, the member (12) comprising a retention element (13) and a presser (14) which are both movable perpendicular to the plane ( P) and are arranged to operate in the packaging area (6); · A border (15) comprising a wall (16) for the alignment of stacks of cork stoppers, the border (15) being movable parallel with respect to the plane (P) and being arranged on the platform (2) and around the positioning and receiving mechanism (7); wherein the plates (9, 11) respectively have guides (1709, 1711) for receiving and storing stacks of cork stoppers; and the first plate (9) for receiving stacks of cork stoppers is parallel with respect to the wall (16) for the alignment of stacks of cork stoppers of said edging (15).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Set and process to organize stacks of cork stoppers and machine comprising said set

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a set and process for organizing cork stopper piles and to a machine comprising said set for organizing cork stopper piles. Cork stopper stacks are organized to facilitate and optimize their packaging, reduce packaging volume and facilitate transport. The present invention has application in the field of the cork industry and production of cork stoppers.

Background of the invention

When the production process of cork stoppers is finished, the cork stoppers are counted and packaged in suitable conditions taking into account their transport to the bottler, to ensure that the cork stoppers reach the customer in the expected quantities and in conditions of proper conservation. Manual counting and packaging processes have been replaced by semi-automatic or fully automatic devices that prevent manual intervention during counting and packaging operations.

The devices and processes generally used in the art allow the packaging of cork stopper batches in polyethylene bags, normally inserting sulfur dioxide, a microbiological development inhibitor gas commonly used in the wine industry and these bags are sealed, then sealed. , to ensure the preservation of cork stoppers. Optionally, the sealed bags having said cork stoppers are placed in cardboard boxes or the like.

On average, each cork stopper container comprises approximately 1,000 to 1,500 standard units, but this value depends on the dimensions of the cork stoppers and the total quantity requested, as well as the means used to transport the containers that have such cork stoppers.

There are several types of cork stopper counting and packaging devices in the art. For example, it is well known the "automatic equipment for packing cork stoppers EMB-100" marketed by Azevedos Industria which is designed for the automatic packing of cork stoppers in bags.

The packing of cork stoppers in bags is carried out in bulk, that is, the cork stoppers are maintained in a disorganized manner in said bags, which causes problems in the amount of cork stoppers per bag due to the volume occupied by these caps. . Consequently, the space required for the storage of cork stoppers in the warehouse, as well as their transport will also increase the costs that accentuate the production costs.

In fact, a problem that cork stoppers are currently facing is the volume occupied by these cork stoppers inside the container, that is, the lack of packaging means that allow an orderly grouping of the cork stoppers. in its packaging in view of its subsequent storage and distribution to the customer.

Therefore, considering the current needs of the industry, the devices and processes for packing cork stoppers used in the art have proved ineffective.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device that makes it possible to increase, in a cost-effective manner, the productivity of the cork stopper packaging process, providing a reduction in the volume occupied per batch of packaged cork stoppers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a set for organizing cork stopper stacks, which allows the storage of cork stoppers in an organized manner to reduce the volume of packaging per batch, overcoming the inconveniences shown by the packaging devices and processes. prior art

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to an assembly for organizing cork stopper stacks, characterized in that it comprises:

• a platform for organizing cork stopper piles comprising a base defining a plane (P), the platform comprising a reception area for receiving cork stopper piles, a transport zone for transporting cork stopper piles and a packaging area for packing cork stopper batteries;

• a mechanism for receiving and positioning cork stopper batteries, the mechanism comprising:

an organ for receiving and transporting cork stopper piles, the organ comprising

a first receiving plate for receiving cork stopper batteries, the first plate being mobile with respect to the plane (P),

a second receiving plate for receiving cork stopper batteries, the second plate being mobile with respect to the plane (P),

a retaining member for retaining stacks of cork stoppers, the organ comprising a retaining element and a presser that are both movable perpendicularly with respect to the plane (P) and are arranged to operate in the packaging zone;

• a edging comprising a wall for the alignment of cork stopper piles, the parallel edging being mobile with respect to the plane (P) and being arranged on the platform and around the receiving and positioning mechanism;

where

said first and second reception plates have guides for receiving and storing cork stopper piles; and the first plate for receiving cork stopper piles is parallel to the wall for the alignment of cork stopper piles of said piping.

In one embodiment, the first reception plate is movable, within the edging, parallel with respect to the plane (P), between said reception zone and packaging zone.

In another embodiment, the first receiving plate is mobile perpendicular to the plane (P).

In yet another embodiment, the second reception plate is mobile perpendicular with respect to the plane (P), being also mobile parallel with respect to the plane (P), between said reception area and packaging area.

In another embodiment of the invention, the assembly for arranging stacks of cork stoppers additionally comprises a plate for separating stacks of cork stoppers, the separation plate being mobile with respect to the plane (P) and being arranged between the first plate of reception and the second reception plate. Preferably, the separation plate is movable perpendicular to the plane (P) and is arranged to act in the reception area.

In one embodiment of the invention, the guides of the first receiving plate are misaligned with respect to the guides of the second receiving plate.

In another embodiment, said alignment wall has guides aligned with the guides of the second receiving plate.

Preferably, the guides of the first reception plate, the second reception plate and the wall for alignment, are spaced from each other and parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the plane (P). In a preferred embodiment, the retention element is a honeycomb element.

In another embodiment, the first receiving plate for receiving cork stoppers has through holes arranged spaced along the guides of said first plate and the spaces between said guides.

In one aspect of the invention, the assembly for organizing cork stopper batteries additionally comprises a suction member, movable between the reception area and the packaging area, parallel with respect to the plane (P), the suction member being arranged upstream of the receiving plate and ready to cooperate with it.

In another aspect, the suction member comprises a set of suction rods, wherein each rod comprises a suction tip.

Preferably, said rod tips of said assembly define at least one suction plane (Q). Most preferably, said suction rod tips of said assembly define at least two aspiration planes (Q ', Q "), the aspiration planes (Q', Q") being strictly parallel.

In a preferred aspect, the suction rods are aligned with the through holes of the first receiving plate and said suction rods are prepared to, when in use, cross said through holes. The present invention also relates to a machine for packing cork stoppers, the machine comprising a set for organizing cork stopper piles of the invention arranged between a set for supplying cork stoppers and a set for packing cork stopper piles.

The invention also relates to a process for organizing cork stopper piles that uses a set to organize cork stopper piles as described above, the process being characterized by comprising the steps of:

a) supply, in a reception area (4), with a predefined number of cork stopper stacks, the organ (8) for receiving and transporting cork stopper stacks comprising the first and second receiving plates (9, eleven);

b) remove the second receiving plate from the platform to organize cork stopper stacks;

c) advance the first receiving plate to the packaging area;

d) advance the edging from a predefined distance;

e) operate the retainer in the packaging area, to retain the cork stoppers transported by the first receiving plate;

f) return the first reception plate to the reception area;

g) reposition the second reception plate to the reception area and

h) repeat steps a) to g) to form a desired block of cork stoppers.

In one embodiment of the invention, the process further comprises an additional step between steps a) and b) of removing a plate to separate stacks of cork stoppers from the receiving area and, in step g), repositioning the second plate and separation plate, where

before removing the separation plate, a suction member operates by aspiration to fix the cork stopper batteries arranged in the first receiving plate;

after removing the separation plate, the same suction organ operates by aspiration to fix the cork stopper batteries arranged in the second receiving plate;

in step c) the first receiving plate moves forward together with the suction member that continues to grip the cork stopper stacks;

between stage e) and stage f) the suction organ releases the cork stopper stacks; Y

in step f) the first plate and the suction organ are returned to the reception area.

Brief description of the drawings

Next, the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1.1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary block of cork stoppers of the present invention, wherein said block has 46 matrices of cork stoppers, each matrix having 12 stacks of cork stoppers and where each stack has 10 stoppers. of cork stacked in a total of 5,520 cork stoppers. The arrows indicate the packaging direction of the cork stopper batteries.

Fig. 1.2 shows a top view of the cork stopper block of Fig. 1.1, where the arrows indicate the packing direction of the cork stopper stacks.

Fig. 1.3 shows a side view of the cork stopper block of Fig. 1.1, showing 24 stacks of cork stoppers, each stack having 10 cork stoppers stacked.

Fig. 2.1 shows a schematic embodiment of an assembly for organizing cork stoppers of the present invention, in a starting position, before being charged with cork stopper stacks.

Figs. 2.2 to 2.4 are schematic views, in perspective, front view and side view, respectively, of an assembly formed by the first plate to receive stacks of cork stoppers and by the suction member, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 2.5 to 2.7 are schematic views of the suction member in perspective, front view and top view, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3.1 shows the organ for retaining stacks of cork stoppers that works in the assembly for organizing cork stoppers of the present invention.

Fig. 3.2 shows a honeycomb retention element.

Figs. 4 to 12 show an operating cycle of a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Fig. 4 shows the beginning of the operation cycle of the assembly for organizing cork stopper piles of the invention, wherein the plate for separating cork stopper piles is shown removed from the platform and the synchronized forward movement of the first receiving plate, according to the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 shows the continuity of the cycle of Fig. 4 showing the organ for receiving and transporting cork stopper batteries without the separation plate.

Fig. 6 shows the second plate for receiving cork stopper piles removed from the platform of the assembly to organize cork stopper piles and the synchronized forward movement of said first receiving plate, according to the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7.1 shows the work platform without the second receiving plate.

Fig. 7.2 to 7.4 schematically show in perspective, in front view and side view, respectively, the suction member in cooperation with the first plate to receive stacks of cork stoppers.

Fig. 8 shows the movement of the first receiving plate, the movement of the matrices of the cork stoppers to the packaging area, the retention member being in a high position.

Fig. 9 shows the synchronized movement of the retaining member that moves down before the first receiving plate moves back to its starting position, according to the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 10 shows the retention element in a stop position of the cork stopper stacks in the packaging area and the recoil of the first receiving plate and associated suction member.

Fig. 11 shows the return movement of the first reception plate, in the direction indicated by the arrow, in the reception area, the separation plate and the second reception plate having resumed their position in the reception area for Start a new cycle.

Fig. 12 shows the assembly for organizing cork stopper batteries of the present invention in the starting position, ready to start a new operating cycle.

Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly for organizing cork stopper piles of the present invention associated with a cork stopper piles feeder.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging machine comprising the assembly for organizing cork stopper piles of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to an assembly and process for organizing cork stopper piles and to a machine comprising said set for organizing cork stopper piles, to pack said cork stopper piles into a block with predefined dimensions, to facilitate packaging. of a predetermined amount of cork stoppers and reduce the volume occupied by such stoppers, as well as storage and transportation costs. The invention ensures that cork stoppers are properly preserved as provided by the International Code of Cork Stopper Manufacturing Practices (ICCSMP).

The cork stopper packaging achieved by the assembly and process of the present invention allows the packaging of a considerably higher quantity of cork stoppers per volume set, that is, per package, as compared to mass cork stopper packaging. carried out by the devices and processes of the prior art.

In the context of the present invention, the term "cork stopper" or "cork stoppers" refers to natural cork stoppers, clogged natural cork stoppers, agglomerated cork stoppers, micro agglomerated cork stoppers, technical cork stoppers or similar and combinations thereof.

The term "cylindrical body" refers to the body of a cork stopper having a substantially cylindrical shape and two flat ends. By substantially cylindrical it refers, in the context of the present description, to the shape of a body that has equal diameters at both ends or that allows dimensional variation between the diameters of said ends, normally associated with the production method, i.e. , which has a substantially conical shape. Any end of the cylindrical body can be bevelled or rounded and is intended to be partially or totally inserted into the mouth or neck of a container.

The expression "pile of cork stoppers" refers to a column of cork stoppers arranged one above the other, the cork stoppers resting on their flat ends. In other words, the ends of the cylindrical body of said cork stoppers rest on top of each other to achieve said stack. An example of a stack of the present invention comprises a stack of 10 overlapping cork stoppers. Of course, any other number of cork stoppers can be used to form a stack of cork stoppers.

In the context of the present invention, the term "cork stopper matrix" refers to a group of cork stopper stacks, the stacks being arranged next to each other. For example, an array of 120 caps of Cork means an arrangement of 12 batteries, each stack having 10 stacked cork stoppers, as shown in Fig. 1.2. As an example, Fig. 1.1 shows an organization (or block) of 46 cork stopper matrices. Of course, any other number of cork stoppers can be used to form a matrix.

In the context of the present invention, the term "block" means an ordered set of cork stopper matrices. An exemplary cork stopper block is shown in Fig. 1.1, which has 46 dies in a total of 5,520 cork stoppers.

The term "strictly parallel planes" means that at least two planes are parallel to each other and have no point in common with each other, that is, they are not coincident.

The term "manual" or variations thereof refers to any task performed by a human operator without the use of any automatic, mechanical, electrical or electronic device, or the like.

The term "semi-automatic" refers to any task performed by automatic, mechanical, electrical or electronic devices, or the like, but that requires human intervention for its implementation.

The term "automatic" refers to any task performed only by automatic, mechanical, electrical or electronic devices, or the like, but without any human intervention.

In the context of the present description, the expression "comprising" should be interpreted as "including, among others". As such, this expression should not be interpreted as "consisting only of".

The invention will be explained hereinafter with non-limiting reference to the attached Figures.

Fig. 1.1 to 1.3 show an exemplary block obtained by the assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles of the present invention. The block shown in these figures corresponds to a standard size commercially available cardboard boxes. Naturally, the dimensions of the block to form the assembly (1) can be adjusted to any desired packaging size.

Surprisingly, with the aforementioned packaging, the inventors have found that it was possible to increase by approximately 30% the volume of packaging available for the block generated by the assembly (1) for the organization of cork stoppers of the invention, with respect to the volume of bulk caps used in an identical container.

As will be understood, this increase in volume is expressed in significant benefits in terms of transport and storage costs.

Referring to Figs. 2.1 and 3.1, the assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles of the invention comprises:

• a platform (2) for organizing cork stopper stacks comprising a base (3) defining a plane (P), the platform (2) comprising a zone (4) for receiving cork stopper stacks, an area of transport (5) to transport cork stopper piles and a packaging area (6) to pack cork stopper piles;

• a mechanism (7) for receiving and positioning cork stopper batteries, the mechanism (7) comprising: an organ (8) for receiving and transporting cork stopper piles, the organ (8) comprising a first receiving plate ( 9) to receive cork stopper batteries, the plate (9) being mobile with respect to the plane (P),

a second receiving plate (11) for receiving cork stopper batteries, the plate (11) being mobile with respect to the plane (P),

a retaining member (12) for retaining stacks of cork stoppers, the member (12) comprising a retaining element (13) and a presser (14) which are both movable perpendicularly with respect to the plane (P) and are arranged to operate in the packaging zone (6);

• a edging (15) comprising a wall (16) for the alignment of cork stopper piles, the edging (15) being movable parallel to the plane (P) and being arranged on the platform (2) and around the mechanism ( 7) reception and positioning;

where

the plates (9, 11) have, respectively, guides (1709, 1711) for receiving and storing cork stopper piles; and the first plate (9) for receiving cork stopper batteries is parallel to the wall (16) for alignment of batteries of cork stoppers of said edging (15).

The platform (2) for organizing cork stopper piles is a working plane for the mechanism (7) for receiving and positioning cork stopper piles, which has a movement of movement between two zones (4, 6) defined in the platform.

In the area (4) for receiving the platform (2), said receiving and positioning mechanism (7) receives cork stopper batteries that are supplied by a cork stopper feeding assembly, as shown in Fig. 14. This feed assembly may be any prior art feeder, adapted in a manner suitable to interact with the assembly (1) of the invention.

In one possible embodiment, this feeder provides cork plugs, aided by gravity and feed channels, to the mechanism (7), as shown in Fig. 13. The advantage is that the supply allows the immediate formation of batteries of cork stoppers to feed them to the mechanism (7).

The mechanism (7) for receiving and positioning cork stopper batteries comprises a receiving and transporting body (8) that includes two plates (9, 11). It should be noted that it is advisable, at all times of the operation of the assembly (1), that there is a permanent containment of cork stopper batteries, otherwise, they could collapse and, consequently, make it impossible to form the cork stopper block. .

In one embodiment, the first plate (9) is movable, within the edging (15) parallel with respect to the plane (P), between said zone (4) and zone (6).

In another embodiment, the first plate (9) is mobile perpendicular to the plane (P). This feature is useful when used in one of the embodiments that includes an aspiration member (19), which will be better described below.

The second plate (11) is mobile perpendicular with respect to the plane (P), being also parallel mobile with respect to the plane (P), between said zone (4) and zone (6). In a preferred embodiment, the assembly (1) for arranging stacks of cork stoppers additionally comprises a plate (10) for separating stacks of cork stoppers, the plate (10) being mobile with respect to the plane (P) and being arranged between the first reception plate (9) and the second reception plate (11). The plate (10) is mobile perpendicular with respect to the plane (P) and is arranged to operate in the receiving area (4), allowing the separation of cork stopper matrices and avoiding contact between them.

Preferably, the receiving plates (9, 11) comprise guides (1709) and (1711), respectively, to aid in the orderly and stable formation of cork stopper matrices.

Preferably, the guides (1709) of the first plate (9) are disposed in a misaligned manner in relation to the guides (1711) of the second plate (11).

The expression "guides arranged in a misaligned manner" means that the guides (1709) of the first plate (9) of the organ (8) for receiving and transporting cork stopper piles of the present invention, do not coexist in the same line of parallel reference with respect to the plane (P), with the guides (1711) of the second plate (11). Similarly, in the context of the invention, the guides of the first plate (9) are aligned in the same parallel reference line with respect to the plane (P), with the spaces between the guides (1711) of the second plate . These aspects are shown in Fig. 6.

Such misalignment between the cork stopper matrices formed in the plates (9) and (11) is useful in saving the volume of the final block formed, since it allows the use of the spaces between adjacent cork stoppers in the same matrix . In this way, the cork stoppers of the die formed in the first plate (9) fit into said free spaces between the stacks of cork stoppers of the die formed in the second plate (11). This aspect is visible in Fig. 1.2 and also in the cork stopper block in Fig. 1.1.

To organize the cork stopper stacks to obtain the final block, the wall (16) of the edging (15) preferably also has guides (1716). These guides (1716) are aligned with the guides (1711) of the second plate (11). By the term "aligned" it means that the guides (1716) of the wall (16) of the edging (15) coexist in the same parallel reference line with respect to the plane (P) with the guides (1711) of the second plate (11), as can be seen in Fig. 11, as explained better below.

To maintain the formation, organization and balance between the cork stopper piles, the guides (1709, 1711, 1716) are spaced apart from each other and parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the plane (P). This arrangement prevents, for example, that the cork stopper piles come into contact with each other at the stage of forming the cork stopper matrices on the plates.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the operating cycle begins with the feeding stage, in which the plates (9, 10, 11) are located in the area (4) to receive stacks of cork stoppers. The plate (10) for separating stacks of cork stoppers is arranged between the plates (9) and (11), which serves to separate the dies from cork stoppers that have been formed in the latter avoiding, in this way, the contact between the cork stoppers of said dies and, thus, ensuring the balance that is essential for the subsequent construction of the final block of cork stoppers.

After feeding and forming the cork stopper matrices, the plate (10) is removed by perpendicular movement, preferably downwards, with respect to the plane (P), which allows the connection and contact of the two stopper matrices of cork already formed. Fig. 5 shows these aspects.

Next, the plate (11) is removed by perpendicular movement, preferably downwards, with respect to the plane (P), as shown in Fig. 7.1. At this point, the plate (9) and the two matrices of cork stoppers are still in the receiving area (4).

Subsequently, as shown in Figs. 7.1, 8 and 9, the plate (9) initiates a transport movement of the cork stopper stacks (and corresponding dies) from the area

(4) to the packaging area (9), in which the assembly formed by both cork stopper dies is supported against the wall (16) for the alignment of the cork stopper stacks (15), leaving the matrix formed in the plate (11) in direct contact with the wall (16).

In a preferred embodiment, the wall (16) comprises guides (1716) which, as indicated above, are aligned with the guides (1711) of the second plate (11), whereby the guides (1716) receive the batteries of cork stoppers from the matrix formed in the plate (11) thus guaranteeing the stability and balance of the cork stopper stacks.

After this stage, the edging (15) moves forward downstream of the area (4) parallel with respect to the plane (P) a distance significantly identical to the thickness of the cork stopper matrices transported by the plate (9) in each operating cycle. This solution allows the subsequent packaging of another set of cork stopper matrices and then again until the desired final block is formed.

Before moving the plate (9) back to the receiving area (4), to start a new cycle, this set of freshly packed cork stopper dies will have to be immobilized to prevent the cork stoppers from collapsing that would compromise the formation of the final block. For this purpose, the organ (12) for retaining stacks of cork stoppers functions as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Finally, with the immobilized set of cork stopper matrices, the plate (9) goes back to the receiving area (4), after which the plates (10, 11) return to their starting position thus ending, thus , an operating cycle of the assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles of the invention. From here, the assembly (1) is ready to start a new cycle of feeding and transporting cork stoppers.

These cycles can be repeated as many times as necessary to build a block of cork stoppers with the required dimensions. For example, to build a block identical to the one shown in Fig. 1.1, 23 cycles of cork stopper stacking would be necessary as described above.

It should be noted that the organization of batteries according to the present invention is carried out on the platform (2) which defines a plane (P), which corresponds in practical terms with the working plane of the assembly (1) for its organization. Although the natural orientation of the plane (P) is substantially horizontal, the present invention contemplates angular variations of said horizontal orientation.

In another embodiment, the platform (2) may have an upward slope with respect to the horizontal and, thus, the zone (4) is at a level below the zone (6). With this arrangement, it is possible to use gravity also in the transport stage of the cork stopper piles between the zone (4) and the zone (6) to keep the cork stopper matrices together, promoting balance and stability of the set formed by said cork stopper matrices.

Preferably, said retention element (13) is a honeycomb element.

In the context of the present description and referring to Fig. 3.2, the expression "honeycomb element" refers to an element (13) formed by a plurality of teeth, parallel to each other, which are fixed at one of its ends to a bar type element. Such a toothed configuration allows said honeycomb element (13) to move perpendicular to the plane (P), where the spaces between the teeth allow them to move between the suction rods (20) of the suction member (19) in Fig. 2.5.

In another embodiment of the invention and referring to Figs. 2.2 and 2.3, the first receiving plate (9) has through holes (18), the holes (18) being arranged spaced along the guides (1709) already arranged along the spaces between the guides (1709).

The term "through holes" in the context of the present invention is associated with the plates (9, 11) described above. Said expression means that any of said plates (9, 11) may have a through hole arranged in its guides or spaces between its guides; or it may have several through holes arranged along their guides or along the spaces between their plate guides; or, alternatively, it may have through cuts arranged in the place of its guides, assuming in the latter case, a configuration similar to that of the honeycomb element shown in Fig. 3.2.

The term "through holes" when associated with the plate (10) for the separation described above, refers to parallel cuts arranged in the plate body (10) that provides them with a configuration similar to that of the honeycomb element shown in Fig. 3.2.

The expression "through holes arranged spacedly along the guides and along the spaces between the guides" refers to through holes, whose distance between two through holes, arranged in the same guide (1709) or in the same space between the guides must be such that it allows each hole to be struck with the body of a respective plug from the stack of cork stoppers located in that guide (1709) or space between guides (1709).

It should be noted that there may be 2 or more holes (18) through each cork stopper body.

In another exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 2.5 and 2.7, the assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper stacks additionally comprises a suction member (19), prepared to move between said zone (4) and zone (6 ), parallel to the plane (P), the organ (19) being arranged upstream of the receiving plate (9) and prepared to cooperate with it (as shown in Fig. 7.2 and 7.4).

However, another embodiment using the aspiration organ (19), after administering the receiving organ (8) and after the aspiration organ (19) has been operated to maintain the cork stoppers, can be removed the plates (9, 10, 11), allowing the suction member (19) to move the cork stopper piles from the zone (4) to the zone (6) without needing the cooperation of the plate (9) in that movement towards the packaging area.

Preferably, the suction member (19) comprises a set of suction rods (20), wherein each rod (20) comprises a suction tip (21). The suction tips (21) of the rod assembly (20) define at least one suction plane (Q) as shown in Fig. 7.4, preferably, define at least two suction planes (Q ', Q "), the suction planes (Q ', Q ") being strictly parallel, as shown in Fig. 2.7.

Preferably, the suction rods (20) are aligned with the through holes (18) of the first plate (9) and prepared, in use, to pass through said through holes (18).

In case the receiving plate (9) takes the form of a honeycomb element, the suction rods (20) can pass through the teeth of the honeycomb element to reach the cork stoppers and then be maintained by aspiration. After this, the suction member (19) can move to the packaging area (6), together with or without said honeycomb plate (9), depending on the type of movement allowed to the plate (9), respectively, parallel or perpendicular movement with respect to the plane (P). In other words, if the honeycomb plate (9) has a parallel movement with respect to the plane (P), the plate (9) will move with the suction member (19) to the packaging area, to help in immobilization of cork stopper batteries during movement. If the honeycomb plate (9) has a perpendicular movement with respect to the plane (P), the plate (9) will be removed (by moving up and down, according to its mechanical design) from the reception area (4), after the suction member (19) has secured the support of the cork stoppers, the latter being released from the plate (9) during the movement towards the packaging area (6).

In a special embodiment, it is appreciated that the suction member (19) as described can act separately or in combination with a plate (9) or even in combination with a receiving organ (8), to fix the Cork stoppers to be organized and, in association with a mechanical arm (not shown), to release them directly into a container or box, which would allow the remaining parts and devices described in this document to be administered.

The present invention further relates to a machine for packing cork stoppers. The machine comprises a set for feeding cork stoppers and a set for packing cork stopper piles, as well as a set (1) of the invention for organizing cork stopper piles, the set (1) arranged between said sets for feeding and pack cork stopper batteries.

In a particular embodiment of the assembly (1) for organizing cork stoppers of the present invention, the first receiving plate (9) having through holes (18), the second receiving plate (11) and the receiving plate (10) separation, are located parallel to each other and perpendicular with respect to the plane (P), in the area (4) to receive piles of cork stoppers. The plate (19) for separating stacks of cork stoppers is arranged between the plates (9) and (11). The plates (9, 11) have guides (1709, 1711) misaligned from each other. Upstream of the plate (9), an aspiration member (19) is provided having rods (20) comprising suction tips (21) defining two planes (Q ', Q "). In this design, after feeding and the respective formation of cork stopper matrices, the organ (19) moves forward, so that all its rods (20) cross the holes (18) through the plate (9) and, as a result, the suction tips (21) in the plane (Q ') hold the plugs by suction of cork of the matrix formed in the plate (9) in which the batteries are aligned in the guides (1709). After that, the plate (10) is removed by downward movement, perpendicular to the plane (P), allowing the organ (19) to move forward and the aspiration tips (21) of the plane (Q ") to be maintained by suction the cork stoppers of the matrix formed in the plate (11), which is then removed, by downward movement, perpendicular to the plane (P). At this point, the plate (9) is still in the reception area (4), as well as the suction organ (19), then the plate (9) and the organ (19) in cooperation, initiate the transport of the cork stopper stacks (and corresponding dies) from the zone (4) to the zone (6) of packaging, in which the assembly formed by both matrices of cork stoppers are supported against a wall (16) for the alignment of stacks of cork stoppers on a rim (15 ), the matrix of cork stoppers that is formed in the plate (11) being arranged in the guides (1716) of the wall (16) It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the guides (1711) are aligned with the guides (1716) of the wall (16). After this stage, a retaining member (12) operates to retain cork stopper stacks, the organ (12) comprising a presser (14) and a honeycomb (13) that cooperate in synchronized fashion. At this point, the honeycomb (13) is moved by a perpendicular downward movement with respect to the plane (P), as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, to immobilize the transported cork stopper matrices, and the teeth of the honeycomb (13) pass through the spaces between the rods (20) of the organ (19). Only then, the organ (19) releases the cork stoppers and the plate (9) and the organ (19) go back to the reception area (4) thus returning to its starting position. After this, the plates (10, 11) return to their positions in the zone (4) starting a new operating cycle of the assembly (1). In the following cycles, the above described is repeated until the functioning of the retention organ (12). At this stage, when the plate (9) and the suction member (19) reach the packing area (6), near the honeycomb (13), the presser (14) moves by a downward movement perpendicular with respect to the full (P), until it reaches the top of the cork stopper piles packed in the previous cycle, to keep them in the position they are in and the honeycomb (13) moves up and perpendicularly with respect to the plane (P), allowing the new cork stopper matrices to join the previous matrices. When the plate (9) together with the organ (19) moves forward and the new cork stopper dies are supported against the previous dies, the presser (14) moves upwards, releasing the cork stopper dies from the previous cycle and allows the movement of the edging (15) downstream of the area (4), to allow an increase in the necessary space for the new cork stopper matrices in the next cycle. After said movement of the edging (15), the honeycomb (13) moves down and perpendicularly with respect to the plane (P), now retaining the cork stopper assembly of the two cycles and allowing the plate to retract (9 ) and the aspiration organ (19). The following cycles repeat the procedure described above until a block of 5,520 cork stoppers is obtained, which corresponds to a block of 48 cork stopper matrices, wherein the matrix formed in the plate (9) has 11 stacks of plugs. of cork and the matrix formed on the plate (11) has 12 stacks of corks, where each stack of corks has 10 corks. This configuration is obtained by means of an organ (8) for receiving and transporting cork stopper stacks, in which the first and second plates (9, 11) have, respectively, 11 guides (1,709) and 12 guides (1,711) . In this embodiment, 24 operating cycles are carried out, as described above, to obtain a block of 5,520 cork stoppers. It should be noted that the configuration of the block obtained in this embodiment is different from that shown in Fig. 1.1 to 1.3.

In order to obtain a block with dimensions identical to those of the block obtained in the previous embodiment, the previous embodiment may change slightly so that the matrix formed in the plate (9) has 12 stacks of cork stoppers and the matrix formed in the plate ( 11) It has 11 stacks of cork stoppers, each with 10 stacked cork stoppers. In this way, a block is also formed formed by 48 matrices of cork stoppers, where the first and second plates (9, 11) have, respectively, 12 guides (1709) and 11 guides (1711). In this variant, 24 operating cycles, as described for the previous embodiment, are also carried out to obtain a block of 5,520 cork stoppers.

These embodiments show how the final configuration of cork stopper blocks to be produced can be designed by means of a set for organizing cork stopper stacks of the present invention. In this way, different configurations of cork stopper blocks are possible, to adapt the latter to the forms of packaging and to the required quantity of cork stoppers per container.

In a preferred embodiment of the process for organizing cork stopper piles using the assembly (1) to organize cork stopper piles of the present invention, the process comprises the steps of:

a) supply, in a reception area (4), with a predefined number of cork stopper stacks, the organ (8) for receiving and transporting cork stopper stacks comprising the first and second receiving plates (9, eleven);

b) remove the second receiving plate (11) from the platform (2) to organize cork stopper stacks;

c) advance the first plate (9) to the packaging area (6);

d) advance the edging (15) from a predefined distance;

e) operate the retainer (12) in the packaging area (6), to retain the cork stoppers transported by the first receiving plate (9);

f) return the first plate (9) to the reception area (4);

g) reposition the second plate (11) in the receiving area (4); Y

h) repeat steps a) to g) to form a desired block of cork stoppers.

In an optional embodiment of the invention, the process defined above further comprises an additional step, between steps a) and b), to remove a plate (10) to separate stacks of cork stoppers from the receiving area (4) and, in step g), to reposition the second plate (10) and the separation plate (10), where before removing the separation plate (10), a suction member (19) operates by aspiration to fix the stacks of cork stoppers arranged on the first plate (9);

after removing the separation plate (10), the same suction member (19) works by aspiration to fix the cork stopper batteries arranged in the second plate (11);

in step c) the first plate (9) moves forward together with the suction member (19) that continues to grip the cork stopper stacks;

between stage e) and stage f) the suction organ releases the cork stopper stacks; Y

in step f) the first plate (9) and the suction organ (19) are returned to the reception area (4).

As mentioned above, the number of cork stopper batteries to feed the assembly (1) to organize the invention depends on the dimensions of the final block of cork stopper stacks and, as such, can be predefined to confirm the requirements of packaging or regulations that exist in this industry.

The foregoing description should be understood as exemplary and not limiting the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (21)

1. A set (1) for organizing cork stopper stacks, comprising: • a platform (2) for organizing cork stopper stacks comprising a base (3) defining a plane (P), the platform (2) comprising a receiving area (4) for receiving cork stopper stacks, a transport zone (5) for transporting cork stopper piles and a packaging zone (6) for packing cork stopper piles; • a mechanism (7) for receiving and positioning cork stopper batteries, the mechanism (7) comprising: an organ (8) for receiving and transporting cork stopper piles, the organ (8) comprising a first receiving plate (9) for receiving cork stopper batteries, the first plate (9) being mobile with respect to the plane (P), a second receiving plate (11) for receiving cork stopper batteries, the second plate (11) being mobile with respect to the plane (P), a retaining member (12) for retaining stacks of cork stoppers, the member (12) comprising a retaining element (13) and a presser (14) that are both movable perpendicular to the plane (P) and are arranged to operate the packaging zone (6); • a edging (15) comprising a wall (16) for the alignment of cork stopper piles, the edging (15) being movable parallel to the plane (P) and being arranged on the platform (2) and around the mechanism (7) of reception and positioning; where the plates (9, 11) have, respectively, guides (1709, 1711) for receiving and storing cork stopper piles; and the first plate (9) for receiving cork stopper piles is parallel with respect to the wall (16) for the alignment of cork stopper piles of said edging (15). 2. The assembly (1) for arranging stacks of cork stoppers according to claim 1, wherein the first plate (9) is movable, within the edging (15), parallel with respect to the plane (P), between said zone (4) and zone (6). 3. The assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles according to claim 1, wherein the first plate (9) is mobile, perpendicular to the plane (P). 4. The assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second plate (11) is movable perpendicular to the plane (P). 5. The assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles according to claim 4, wherein the second plate (11) is additionally movable parallel with respect to the plane (P), between said zone (4) and zone ( 6). 6. The assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a plate (10) for separating cork stopper piles, the plate (10) being movable with with respect to the plane (P) and being arranged between the first reception plate (9) and the second reception plate (11). 7. The assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles according to claim 6, wherein the plate (10) is movable perpendicular to the plane (P) and is arranged to operate in an area (4) of reception. 8. The assembly (1) for arranging stacks of cork stoppers according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guides (1709) of the first plate (9) are arranged in a misaligned manner with respect to the guides ( 1711) of the second plate (11). 9. The assembly (1) for arranging stacks of cork stoppers according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the wall (16) has guides (1716) aligned with the guides (1711) of the second plate ( eleven). 10. The assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the guides (1709, 1711, 1716) are spaced apart from each other and parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the plane (P). 11. The assembly (1) for arranging stacks of cork stoppers according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the retaining member (13) is a honeycomb element. 12. The assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plate (9) has through holes (18) spaced apart along the guides (1709 ) and along the spaces between the guides. 13. The assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles according to claim 12, further comprising a movable suction member (19), between said zone (4) and the zone (6), parallel with respect to the plane (P), the organ (19) being arranged upstream of the first plate (9) and prepared to cooperate with it. 14. The assembly (1) for organizing cork stopper piles according to claim 13, wherein the suction member (19) comprises a set of suction rods (20), wherein each rod (20) comprises a suction tip (21). 15. The assembly (1) for arranging cork stopper piles according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said rod tips (20) of said assembly define at least one suction plane (Q). 16. The assembly (1) for arranging cork stopper piles according to claim 15, wherein said tips (21) of the rods (20) of said assembly define at least two suction planes (Q ', Q " ), the suction planes (Q ', Q ") being strictly parallel. 17. The assembly (1) for arranging cork stopper piles according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the suction rods (20) are aligned with the through holes (18) of the first plate (9) ) and prepared for, in use, to pass through said through holes (18). 18. A machine for packing cork stoppers, comprising a set for supplying cork stoppers and a set for packing stacks of cork stoppers, further comprising a set (1) for arranging stacks of cork stoppers according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged between the assembly for supplying cork stoppers and the assembly for packing cork stopper piles. 19. A process for organizing cork stopper batteries using a set (1) to organize cork stopper stacks according to claim 1, the process comprising the steps of: a) supply, in a reception area (4), with a predefined number of cork stopper batteries, the organ (8) for receiving and transporting cork stopper stacks; b) remove the second receiving plate (11) from the platform (2) to organize cork stopper stacks; c) advance the first plate (9) to the packaging area (6); d) advance the edging (15) from a predefined distance; e) operate the retainer (12) in the packaging area (6), to retain the cork stoppers transported by the first receiving plate (9); f) return the first plate (9) to the reception area (4); g) reposition the second plate (11) in the receiving area (4); Y h) repeat steps a) to g) to form a desired block of cork stoppers. 20. The process according to claim 19, wherein between steps a) and b), a plate (10) is removed to separate stacks of cork stoppers from the receiving area (4) and, in step g) , the second plate (11) and the separation plate (10) are repositioned. 21. The process according to claim 20, wherein: before removing the separation plate (10), a suction member (19) works by aspiration to fix the stacks of cork stoppers arranged in the first plate (9); after removing the separation plate (10), the same suction member (19) works by aspiration to fix the cork stopper batteries arranged in the second plate (11); in step c) the first plate (9) moves forward together with the suction member (19) that continues to grip the cork stopper stacks; between stage e) and stage f) the suction member (19) releases the cork stopper stacks; and in step f) the first plate (9) and the suction organ (19) are returned to the reception area (4).