ES2774100T3 - Packing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging machine (1) comprising: - an input conveyor (2) for conveying products for packaging along a forward movement direction (A); - a loader (4) to move the products to be packed; - a first collecting head (3) for collecting the products from the input conveyor (2) and placing said products on the loader (4); and - a second collecting head (5) for collecting the products from the loader and placing the products in a box to form a package; characterized in that the magazine (4) comprises: - a body (40) that slides in a horizontal direction along a horizontal guide (10) to move along a horizontal direction (T); - a support (42) that slides in a vertical direction to the body (4) to move along a vertical direction (Z); - a base plate (43) mounted on the support (42) and intended to receive the products intended for packaging, with the size of the package to be obtained; - a fixed edge (46) fixed to the support (42) of the base plate; and - a movable edge (47) movably connected to the fixed edge (46), in such a way that it moves horizontally to fit the dimensions of the base plate (43) according to the size of the package to be obtained.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Packing machine

The present patent application for an industrial invention consists of a packaging machine for packaging a product, or a plurality of products, in a cardboard box or similar material.

Figure 12 shows a packaging machine belonging to the prior art, which is identified with the reference number 100.

The packaging machine (100) comprises an input conveyor (102) suitable for conveying products (P), such as bags that are arranged horizontally on the input conveyor (102). The input conveyor (102) moves along a forward direction (A),

The products (P) on the input conveyor (102) are moved towards a rotary loader (103) with a cylindrical shape. The rotary loader (103) rotates about an axis (X) parallel to the direction of advance (A) of the input conveyor. The rotary magazine (103) has a plurality of housings (130) divided by partitions (131) projecting radially from the magazine. In view of the above, each product (P) is arranged horizontally in a housing (130) of the rotary magazine.

A collection head (104) collects the products (P) from the rotary loader (103) and places them in a box (S) arranged in a packaging area (105). The pickup head (104) moves in the directions of the arrows (F).

When the box (S) is filled with products (P), the filled box (S) advances towards a closing head (106) that closes the box (S). In this way, a closed package (S ') is obtained, which advances towards an exit conveyor (107).

This type of packaging machine (100) suffers from certain drawbacks due to its lack of versatility. Indeed, such a packaging machine can only handle a certain size of products (P) and boxes (S). If the size of products and boxes changes during production, a different packaging machine should be used.

In the following description, the parts that are identical or correspond to the parts described above are identified with the same numbers, omitting their detailed description.

Figure 13 shows a second packaging machine belonging to the state of the prior art, and which is identified with the reference number 200.

The packaging machine (200) comprises an input conveyor (102) suitable for conveying products (P), such as bags that are arranged in a horizontal direction on the input conveyor (102).

The products (P) on the input conveyor (102) advance towards a rotary loader (103) that rotates about an axis (X) orthogonal to the forward travel direction (A) of the input conveyor. According to the above, each product (P) is placed in a vertical position in a housing (130) of the rotary magazine.

A pusher device (204) pushes the products (P) from the rotary loader (103) towards a packaging area (205) where a picking head (206) operates. The pusher device (204) moves along a horizontal direction (F1) parallel to the axis of rotation (X) of the rotary loader. The pusher device (204) is provided with comb-shaped tips (240) suitable for inserting into the housings (130) of the rotary magazine.

A cap feeder (207) contains a plurality of caps consisting of pre-cut pieces (B) of cardboard with a flat shape. The blanks (B) are stacked in the cap feeder (207).

A transport device (208) is used to pick up a blank (B) from the cap feeder (207) and carry the blank (B) to the packaging area (205).

The collection head (206) is provided with suction cups to collect the pre-cut piece (B) from the transport device (208).

Successively, the collecting head (206) places the precut piece (B) in a set of products (P) located in a vertical position in the packaging area (205). By means of folding plates, the head of collection bends the edges of the pre-cut piece around the set of products, in such a way that it groups the set of products (P) forming a package with the products (P) and with the pre-cut piece (B) with folded edges.

Then, the collection head picks up the package (206) which advances towards a second packing area (209), where there is a box (S). The collection head (206) places the package in the box (S) and the set formed by the box (S), the products (P) and the lid, advance towards a closing head (210) that is used to close the lid of the box, forming a package that can be unloaded from the machine.

This type of packaging machine 200 is also affected by some drawbacks due to its lack of versatility. In fact, a packaging machine of this type can only work with a certain size of products (P), pre-cut pieces (B), and covers and boxes (S). If the size of products, precut parts and boxes changes during production, a different packaging machine must be used.

The lack of versatility of the packaging machines (100) and (200) of the prior art is due especially to the presence of the rotary loader (103) which does not adapt to the size of the products. An example of a modular packaging machine that forms part of the state of the art is known from patent US 2013/283731 A1 (in particular, the third embodiment represented by figures 6-8), which comprises a packaging tray for supplying empty containers, and a device to supply the products. Furthermore, it provides a loading station for placing the products in the empty containers, in order to obtain packaging containers, and an exit conveyor to unload the packaging containers.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of prior art packaging machines by describing a packaging machine that is versatile and suitable to adapt to different sizes of products, boxes and lids used to form the package. Another object is to describe a packaging machine that is reliable, efficient and easy to manufacture.

These objectives are achieved with the invention according to the characteristics described in independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

The packaging machine of the invention comprises:

- an inlet conveyor that carries the products intended for packaging in a forward moving direction;

- a loader that transports the products intended for packaging;

- a first collection head that collects the products from the input conveyor and places them in the loader; and

- a second collection head that collects the products from the loader and places them in a box to form a package.

The charger comprises:

- a sliding body mounted in a horizontal direction along a guide, in such a way that it moves in a horizontal direction;

- a sliding support mounted in a vertical direction on the front body, in such a way that it moves vertically;

- a base plate mounted on the support described above and able to receive the products to be packed according to the size of the package to be obtained;

- a fixed edge that is fixed to the support of the base plate; and

- a movable edge connected to the fixed edge, which is horizontally displaced to fit the dimensions of the base plate according to the size of the package to be obtained.

The advantages of the packaging machine according to the invention are manifest, since it comprises a new type of loader that adapts to the size of the package to be obtained. This new type of magazine makes it possible to avoid the use of rotary chargers and push devices that cannot adapt to the change in package size.

Additional features of the invention will be more clearly described below in the detailed description, which refers to merely illustrative, non-exhaustive embodiments, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the packaging machine of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the packaging machine of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is the same view as Figure 1, where a magazine is placed in the packing area.

Figure 4 is the same view as Figure 3, to which a cap feeder and a cap transport and selection device are added, in the cap selection position.

Figure 5 is the same view as figure 4, where the device for transporting the caps is in the position for placing the caps in the packaging area.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a magazine.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the charger of Figure 6 from another angle.

Figure 8 is the same view as Figure 7, showing a charger base plate in a lowered position.

Figure 9 is the same view as Figure 8, showing a compaction edge of the magazine in the open position.

Figure 10 is a side view of the magazine, showing the base plate of the magazine in an inclined position.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the charger, where the base plate has been resized;

Figure 12 is a schematic view of a packaging machine according to the prior art.

Figure 13 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of packaging machine according to the prior art.

Figures 1 to 5 describe the packaging machine of the invention, which is identified with the reference number 1.

In Figures 1 and 2 the packaging machine (1) comprises an input conveyor (2) suitable for transporting various types of products along a forward movement direction (A). The input conveyor (2) can be a conveyor belt.

A first collection head (3) is adapted to collect the products from the input conveyor (2) and place the products in a loader (4) arranged lateral to the input conveyor (2). The first collection head (3) has a selection system (30) provided with suction cups or suitable clamps to collect the products one by one or in groups. The selection system (30) is composed of articulated arms (31) connected to a head (32) that is supported by upper cross members to the frame of the machine. In view of the above, the selection system (30) is arranged above the inlet conveyor (2). The first pick-up head (3) can rotate in all directions and oscillate, placing the products horizontally in a vertical position, along the edges, etc.

The first collection head (3) can be an anthropomorphic robot capable of moving in an orthogonal direction with respect to the forward movement direction (A), and capable of rotating to adapt to the different types of sizes and arrangements of the products that they travel from the input conveyor (2).

As shown in figure 3, after placing a set of products in the loader (4), the loader (4) moves in the horizontal direction (T), orthogonal to the direction of travel toward forward (A) of the input conveyor. The loader (4) then moves away from the input conveyor (2) to be placed in a packing area (I) below a second pick-up head (5).

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the packaging machine (1) comprises a cover feeder (6) composed of a fixed frame where a plurality of pre-cut pieces are arranged in a substantially vertical position and stacked one behind the other.

A transport device (7) is used to pick up a blank (B) from the cap feeder (6) and carry the blank (B) to the packaging area (205).

The transport device (7) comprises arms (70) with suction cups (71) to pick up a pre-cut piece. The arms (70) of the transfer device are articulated on a mobile support (72), in such a way that the arms can go from a vertical collection position (figure 4), in which a pre-cut piece is collected, to a position horizontal (figure 5), where the pre-cut piece is placed in the packing area (I). In view of the above, the blank is arranged horizontally in the packaging area.

The second pick-up head (5) moves vertically along a vertical direction (Y) and descends to pick up the pre-cut piece from the transport device (7). The second collection head (5) is provided with suction cups to hold the pre-cut piece.

Then, the second collection head (5) places the pre-cut piece in the set of products that are placed in the loader (4). Then, the second collection head (5) folds the side edges of the pre-cut piece, so that a lid is obtained with side edges that surround the set of products. In this way, a package is formed, which is made up of the set of products and the cover obtained from the pre-cut piece.

The second collection head (5) supports the package and moves in the horizontal direction (X) to bring the package to a second packaging area (12) (see figure 3) where there is a box. For illustrative purposes, and as shown in the figures, the horizontal travel direction (X) of the second pick-up head is parallel to the forward travel direction (A) of the input conveyor (2) and orthogonal to the horizontal movement direction (T) of the loader (4). However, the input conveyor (2) can move in any direction with respect to the horizontal travel direction (X) of the second pick-up head (5) because the first pick-up head (3) can rotate and oscillate freely.

The second collection head (5) places the package inside the box and returns to the first packing area (I).

The box with the products and the lid is carried by means of a conveyor (8) towards a closing station (9) provided with a closing head used to close the box, forming a package.

The package is discharged from the packaging machine by means of an exit conveyor (20).

The cap feeder (6) and the transport device (7) should be considered as optional and can be omitted. In such a case, the second collection head (5) is configured in such a way that it directly collects the products in the loader (4), without a lid, and places the products in the box.

Advantageously, it is possible to include two loaders (4), which move according to a reciprocating movement, in a staggered position, along the horizontal direction (T) orthogonal to the horizontal movement direction (X) of the second collection head. (5). In any case, by moving in the horizontal direction (X) orthogonal to the horizontal direction of travel (T) of the loaders, the second pick-up head (5) can be placed on the first magazine or on the second magazine.

With reference to Figures 6 to 11, this description continues with a detailed illustration of the magazine (4). With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the loader (4) comprises a sliding body (40) placed on a horizontal guide (10) arranged in a transverse position with respect to the input conveyor (2). The body (40) comprises a slide that slides in the horizontal guide (10). Consequently, the magazine body (40) can translate horizontally in a horizontal direction (T).

The magazine body (40) moves along the horizontal guide (10) by means of a transmission belt (not shown) driven by an electric motor (M1) mounted on the horizontal guide (10). The body (40) has integrated clamps, which are hooked to the transmission belt. The drive belt turns on the pulleys (12). One of the pulleys (12) is driven in rotation by the electric motor (M1) by means of reduction gears.

The body (40) comprises a vertical guide (41). A bracket (42) is mounted so that it can slide in a vertical direction on the vertical guide (41) by moving along a vertical direction (Z). The support (42) supports a base plate (43) arranged horizontally and suitable to contain the products for packaging. The dimensions of the base plate (43) determine the size of the package that is obtained.

The base plate support (42) moves along the vertical guide (41) by means of a transmission belt (not shown) driven by a second electric motor (M2) mounted on the body (10). The clamps (44) integrated in the body (40) are hooked to the transmission belt. The drive belt turns on the pulleys (45). One of said pulleys (45) is driven in rotation by the second electric motor (M2) by means of reduction gears.

Figure 8 shows the base plate (43) in a low position relative to the position of Figure 7.

A fixed edge (46) is attached to the body (40). The fixed edge (46) has an "L" shaped section in such a way that it defines a side wall (46a) and a rear wall (46b), which are arranged on the side and behind the base plate (43). , respectively.

A movable edge (47) is movably connected to the fixed edge (46) so that it moves in the horizontal direction (U) parallel to the horizontal direction of translation (T) of the magazine body (40). The movable edge (47) has an "L" shaped section in such a way as to define a side wall (47a) and a rear wall (47b), which are arranged on the side and behind the base plate (43), respectively. In view of the above, the fixed edge (46) and the movable edge (47) define a parallelepiped compartment that contains the base plate (43) and the base plate support (42). By moving the movable edge (47), the distance between the side wall (47a) of the fixed edge and the side wall (47b) of the movable edge is adjusted according to the dimensions of the base plate (43), that is, of according to the size of the package to be obtained.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment in which the base plate (43 ') has a smaller width than the base plate (43) of Figure 7. In such a case, the movable edge (47) has been moved in such a way as to position the side wall (47a) of the movable edge closer to the side wall (46a) of the fixed edge. The rear wall (47b) of the movable edge slides over the rear wall (47a) of the fixed edge. A system of guides and slides (48) is mounted on the rear walls (46b, 47b) of the fixed edge and the moving edge to guide the sliding movement of the moving edge relative to the fixed edge.

The movable edge (47) can be moved manually or automatically by an actuator (not shown) mounted on the fixed edge (46) and connected to the movable edge (47).

A leading edge (49) is movably connected to the fixed edge (46) in such a way that it travels in the horizontal direction (V), orthogonal to the horizontal translation direction (T) of the magazine body. The leading edge (49) is moved by means of an actuator (A1) mounted on the fixed edge (46). The actuator (41) may be a linear actuator, such as a cylinder-piston assembly, or it may be an electric motor. In this way, the distance between the leading edge (49) and the base plate (43) can be adjusted to group the products on the base plate (43). Therefore, the front edge (49) acts as a compactor for the products.

Figures 6 and 7 show the situation where the front edge (49) is in a closed position proximal to an edge of the base plate.

Figure 9 shows the situation where the leading edge (49) is in the open position distally from the edge of the base plate.

As shown in figure 10, the base plate (43) is articulated at the rear of the support (42), with an articulation axis (P) parallel to the translation direction of the magazine body (40).

An actuator (A2) is connected to the support (42) and to the base plate (43), in such a way that it raises the base plate (43), rotating it around the articulation axis (P), in such a way that the base plate is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. When the base plate (43) is in such an inclined position, the products slide by gravity from the base plate towards the rear wall of the loader.

Various variations and equivalent modifications can be made to the described embodiments of the invention, which are within the scope of one skilled in the art and which, in any event, are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Packaging machine (1) comprising: - an inlet conveyor (2) for conveying products for packaging along a forward travel direction (A); - a loader (4) to move the products to be packed; - a first collection head (3) for collecting the products from the input conveyor (2) and placing said products on the loader (4); and - a second collecting head (5) for collecting the products from the loader and placing the products in a box to form a package; characterized in that the charger (4) comprises: - a body (40) that slides in a horizontal direction along a horizontal guide (10) to move along a horizontal direction (T); - a support (42) that slides in a vertical direction to the body (4) to move along a vertical direction (Z); - a base plate (43) mounted on the support (42) and intended to receive the products intended for their packaging, with the size of the package to be obtained; - a fixed edge (46) fixed to the support (42) of the base plate; and - a movable edge (47) movably connected to the fixed edge (46), in such a way that it moves horizontally to adjust to the dimensions of the base plate (43) according to the size of the package to be obtained. Packaging machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the loader (4) comprises a leading edge (49) movably connected to the fixed edge (46) in such a way that it moves horizontally to compact the products into the base plate (43). 3. Packaging machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the leading edge (49) can be moved horizontally along a horizontal direction (V), orthogonal to the horizontal direction of movement (T) of the body ( 40) from the charger. 4. Packaging machine (1) according to claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the loader (4) comprises an actuator (A1) connected to the fixed edge (46) and to the leading edge (49) to move the leading edge (49) ). 5. Packaging machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable edge (47) is suitable to move horizontally along the horizontal direction (U), which is parallel to the horizontal direction of movement ( T) from the magazine body (40). Packaging machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed edge (46) has an "L" shaped section in such a way that it defines a side wall (46a) and a rear wall (46b ), and because the movable edge (47) has an "L" shaped section such that it defines a side wall (47a) and a rear wall (47b). 7. Packaging machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (43) is connected to the support (42) by means of a pivoting axis (P), and in that the magazine comprises an actuator (A2) connected to the bracket (42) and to the base plate (43), in such a way that you can lift the base plate (43), making it rotate about the axis of the pivot (P) so that the base plate is inclined with respect to a plane horizontal. 8. Packaging machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charger comprises an electric motor (M1) fixed to the horizontal guide (10) to move a transmission belt connected to the body (40) of the charger to move the loader body. Packaging machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charger comprises an electric motor (M2) fixed to the body (40) of the charger to move a transmission belt connected to a clamp (44) attached to the bracket (42) from the base plate to move the bracket (42) from the motherboard. Packaging machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second collecting head (5) can move in a horizontal direction (X) and said horizontal direction of movement (T) of the body (40) of the loader, is orthogonal to the horizontal movement direction (X) of the second collection head (5).