ES2893023T3 - Packaging unit for bags, sachets, sticks, sealed pads and the like in box-shaped cases - Google Patents

Abstract

Unit (1) for packaging bags, sachets, bars, sealed pads or the like (4) in box-shaped cases (3), comprising means (2) for supporting at least one box-shaped case (3) while said box-shaped case (3) is open on one side (3b) and while said means (2) abut one side (3a) of said box-shaped case (3), and a station (5) for inserting one or more sachets (4), or the like, inside the case (3), said insertion station (5) comprising insertion means (6) suitable for pushing one or more sachets (4), or the like, towards the interior of the case (3) through said open side (3b), said support means (2) comprising members (7) for positioning said box-shaped case (3) in a configuration in which said flank (3a ) is inclined at a preset angle (α) with respect to a horizontal plane (A), wherein said positioning members (7) comprise at least u a first surface (7a) to which said flank (3a) of said box-shaped case (3) adheres, said first surface (7a) being inclined at said pre-established angle (α) with respect to said plane (A) horizontal, and wherein said positioning members (7) comprise tilting means (13) suitable for selectively bringing said first surface (7a) from a position in which said flank (3a) is substantially parallel to said horizontal plane (A) and in which the bags (4) are inserted into said box-shaped case (3), up to a position in which said flank (3a) is inclined at a pre-established angle (α) with respect to said plane (A) horizontal, characterized in that said tilting means (13) comprise a fixed element, integrated with the frame of the packaging unit, and conveyor means, provided with a plurality of casings for respective box-shaped cases (3), being said means tran mobile supports with respect to said fixed element, said fixed element being shaped in such a way as to determine a change in the inclination of said flanks (3a) when said box-shaped cases (3) come into contact with said fixed element, when said box-shaped cases (3) are pulled by said conveyor means.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Packaging unit for bags, sachets, sticks, sealed pads and the like in box-shaped cases

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a unit for packaging bags, sachets, sealed pad bars and the like in box-shaped cases.

More in detail, the present invention relates to a unit for packaging bags, sachets, sticks, sealed pads and the like, for example containing pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, chemical and other products, supplied in granular, powdered, liquid, viscous or solid, in tablets and the like, in box-shaped cases, the latter being, for example, in the shape of a parallelepiped but also other shapes.

Background art

In various manufacturing fields, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, chemical, among others, various products supplied in granular, powder, liquid, viscous or solid form, in tablets and the like are previously packaged in so-called "sticks", that is, in sealed bags, as a single dose or otherwise, for convenience of use or administration, for proper preservation of the products, or for the special form in which they are supplied.

It should be noted that hereinafter in this description the generic term "sachets" means, for convenience, bags, sachets, sticks, sealed pads or the like.

These sachets are in turn packed for sale in cases, for example made of cardboard or other suitable material, by means of packaging machines of known type.

Generally, the cases are box-shaped and have a substantially parallelepipedal shape, or even different shapes.

In these machines, the sachets to be packed are fed in a predetermined number to one or more respective inserting stations, which generally move along a predetermined feeding path.

Typically, cartons are initially contained in a store where they are, for example, in a flattened configuration, or are stored directly as semi-finished blanks.

Each case is removed from the store, formed and/or opened by the respective opening means, and transported with one side open to a respective insertion station, where the bags are inserted into the case by means of opening means. insertion.

At the insertion station, each case rests on one side parallel to the ground and has an open side facing the station, through which the sachets are let in.

Once filled with pouches, the case is transported to downstream sealing stations for final packaging.

The handling of the cases along their respective feeding paths, as well as the vibrations generated by the operation of the machine itself, can cause accidental movements of the bags that have just been inserted into the cases.

Therefore, the bags, which have an irregular shape, or in any case a shape not suitable for stacking one on top of the other, can accidentally slide relative to each other, especially if the case has not yet been completely filled: this can cause incorrect packaging of the pouches, or damage to the pouches and/or the cases, or even - if the pouches accidentally fall out of the case - the machine jams, with consequent downtime and service costs.

It should be added that the phenomenon described here above can be further amplified by the fact that the sachets will often contain powdered or granular material which can move freely and consequently change the position of the center of gravity in an unpredictable manner. of the bag itself.

US 2011/0005174 discloses a method and device for inserting tubular bags, containing fragile packaging products, into cardboard boxes.

Each carton is kept ready at a packing station, so that the bags can be inserted into the carton by means of a delivery device, in particular a pusher.

In order to create different ordered formations of the bags within the carton, the carton can be moved during the filling or packing process such that the packaging formation is created due to a corresponding relative positioning of the carton. cardboard in a predetermined feeding plane.

US 6,094,885 discloses a packing station including a device to assist in removing items from a first conveyor system to a container and for reorienting the container for loading onto a second conveyor system.

The device comprises a base, a platform pivotally connected to the base, and a drive mechanism configured to operatively pivot the platform.

The platform has a panel and edge operatively configured to cooperatively support and retain the container in a substantially inclined position, substantially adjacent the first conveyor system, to facilitate loading of articles into the container. The drive mechanism pivots the platform and thus the container such that the panel assumes a substantially horizontal position to load the container onto the second conveyor system.

US 5,778,640 discloses an apparatus and method for packing upright bags in cartons, wherein flexible bags are placed in an upright position in a carton by tilting the carton and its open top on its side, and placing and pushing multiple rows of overlapping flexible bags into the carton.

The row is picked up by a thin vacuum head at the end of a robotic arm, and is moved and placed on the tilted carton with the sequence repeating with subsequent rows until the carton is full and empty. tilt back into position.

The vacuum pick-up head is a thin, cantilevered head that tilts during transfer from a pick-up station to the carton.

Objects of the invention

The objective of the present invention is to improve the state of the art

Within said technical objective, an object of the present invention is to develop a packaging unit that allows the correct insertion of bags and the like in their respective box-shaped cases, avoiding their incorrect placement inside the case itself and/or accidental slippage outside.

Another object of the present invention is to make available a packaging unit that allows achieving the aforementioned purposes through a technical solution characterized by low costs and simple and effective use.

This aim and these objects are achieved by the unit for packaging bags, sachets, sticks, sealed pads and the like in box-shaped cases according to claim 1 appended.

The packaging unit comprises support means for supporting at least one box-shaped case open on one side and supported on one side, and a station for inserting one or more sachets, or the like, inside the case itself.

The insertion station comprises insertion means suitable for pushing one or more sachets, or the like, forward inside the case through the open side mentioned above.

The support means comprise members for positioning the case in a configuration in which the support flank is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane.

The positioning members comprise at least a first surface to which said flank of said box-shaped case adheres, said first surface being inclined by said preset angle with respect to said horizontal plane.

The positioning members comprise tilting means suitable for selectively bringing said first surface from a position where said flank is substantially parallel to said horizontal plane, and in which the insertion of the sachets in said box-shaped case is carried out, to a position in which said flank is inclined by a pre-established angle with respect to said horizontal plane.

The tilting means comprise a fixed element, integrated with the packaging unit frame, and conveying means, provided with a plurality of casings for respective box-shaped cases; the conveying means are mobile with respect to said fixed element; the fixed element is shaped in such a way that it determines a change in the inclination of said flanks when the box-shaped cases come into contact with it, pulled by said conveyor means.

This aim and these objects are also achieved by a packaging machine comprising the packaging unit according to the appended claim 1.

The dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

the characteristics of the invention will be better understood by any person skilled in the art from the following description and attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figures 1 to 3 are schematic side views and partially in cross section of the packaging unit, which does not form part of the invention, in the respective successive stages of inserting the sachets, or the like, into a box-shaped case;

Figure 4 is a schematic and partially cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the packing unit, not forming part of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic and partially cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the packing unit, not forming part of the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic and partially cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the packing unit, not forming part of the invention;

Figure 7 is a schematic and partially cross-sectional side view of a further embodiment of the packaging unit, according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic and partially cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the packing unit, not forming part of the invention;

Figure 9 is a schematic and partially cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the packing unit, not forming part of the invention;

Figure 10 is a schematic and partially cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the packing unit, not forming part of the invention;

Figure 11 is a schematic and partially cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the packing unit, not forming part of the invention;

Figure 12 is a schematic and partially cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the packing unit, not forming part of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention

With reference to the attached Figure 1, a packaging unit for bags, sachets, sticks, sealed pads and the like, in the form of a box, which does not form part of the invention, is indicated in its entirety with the reference number 1.

The packaging unit 1 comprises support means 2 for at least one case 3 in the form of a box. In particular, the support means 2 support the case 3 which rests on a flank 3a. Furthermore, the support means 2 supports the case 3 in an open configuration on one side 3b, through which the sachets 4, or the like, must be inserted.

In the rest of this description, the generic term of sachets 4 will mean, for convenience, bags, sachets, bars, sealed pads or the like: therefore, the list of possible types of containers will not be repeated each time, so as not to overload the list. reading.

Unit 1 further comprises a station 5 for inserting one or more bags 4 into case 3.

The insertion of the sachets 4 takes place through the open side 3b mentioned above. The insertion station 5 comprises insertion means 6.

Furthermore, the insertion station 5 may comprise, for example, a portion 5a for collecting the sachets 4 to be inserted into the case 3.

The insertion means 6 are suitable for pushing one or more sachets 4 forward inside the case 3 through the open side 3b mentioned above.

Insertion means 6 may comprise, for example, a pusher or other similar elements.

The insertion station 5 can be fixed; or it can be mobile and paired with the respective feeding means 5b of any type known in the art.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the support means 2 comprise positioning members 7.

The positioning members 7 are suitable for positioning the case 3 in a configuration in which the supporting flank 3a is inclined at a predetermined angle a with respect to a horizontal plane A.

As will be better illustrated below, the positioning of each case 3 in the aforementioned inclined configuration prevents the sachets 4 placed therein from being able to accidentally move or partially or completely come out of the case 3 during the operating steps of the packaging unit 1 .

According to one aspect of the invention, the positioning members 7 comprise at least one first surface 7a, to which the support flank 3a of the case 3 adheres.

Said first surface 7a is inclined by the aforementioned predetermined angle a with respect to the horizontal plane A.

In the specific embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, the positioning members 7 comprise at least one wedge-shaped element 8.

The wedge-shaped element 8 comprises an upper face, which in turn comprises said first surface 7a.

Furthermore, the wedge-shaped element 8 comprises a lower face parallel or substantially parallel to said horizontal plane A.

According to another aspect of the invention, the positioning members 7 comprise at least one second surface 7b.

The bottom 3c of the case 3 rests on the second surface 7b.

The second surface 7b can be perpendicular to the first surface 7a, or it can also be inclined by a certain angle with respect to the first surface 7a.

According to another aspect of the invention, the positioning members 7 comprise at least one support element 9 for the bottom 3c of the case 3.

The support element 9 comprises the aforementioned second surface 7b.

The support element 9 can be fixed, for example, with respect to the wedge element 8 and thus also with respect to the insertion station 5.

The support element 9 can also move towards or away from the insertion station 5.

This allows the case 3 to be positioned at different distances from the insertion station 5, or this may allow cases 3 of different sizes to be accommodated.

As can be easily understood by observing the operating sequence shown in Figures 1-3, the positioning of the case 3 with the support flank 3a inclined at a predetermined angle a with respect to the horizontal plane A allows the sachets 4 to be retained inside the case. 3 in a particularly stable configuration, in which the vibrations or inertial actions transmitted to the bags 4, due to the operation of the packaging unit 1, cannot cause displacements such as to cause instability or poor balance conditions within the case 3 itself.

An object of the present invention is also a packaging machine comprising at least one packaging unit 1 having the characteristics described above.

The packaging machine comprises conveying means 10 of each case 3 from and/or to the insertion station 5 .

The conveyor means 10 can be, for example, of the belt, chain, belt or similar type.

According to one aspect of the invention, the positioning members 7 can be connected to the conveyor means 10.

In other embodiments of the invention, the positioning members 7 can be released from the aforementioned conveyor means 10, ie in a fixed position with respect to the insertion station 5.

The operation of the packaging unit 1 according to the invention is, in the light of what has been described, totally intuitive.

The sachets 4 are fed in a predetermined number to the insertion station 5; each case 3 is taken, for example, from a warehouse by the conveyor means 10, which lead it to the insertion station 5 in a box-like configuration - substantially a parallelepiped with an open side 3b.

The positioning members 7 allow the case 3 to be kept resting on the flank 3a in an inclined configuration according to the angle a with respect to the horizontal plane A: this ensures, once the cases 3 are filled with the sachets 4 a through the insertion means 6, that the bags 4 always remain inside the case 3, without being able in any way to move uncontrollably or even come out, for example, due to the vibration generated during the operation of the packaging machine.

Another embodiment of the packaging unit 1, which does not form part of the invention, is illustrated in Figure 4. This embodiment differs from that of Figures 1-3 in that the positioning members 7 also comprise lateral support means 11 for the case. 3.

The lateral support means 11 prevent any accidental movement of the case 3 in a transverse direction to the direction of insertion of the bags 4 inside it.

In Figure 5 another embodiment of the packaging unit 1 is illustrated, which does not form part of the invention. In this embodiment, the positioning members 7 comprise at least one plate element 12.

The plate element 12 comprises an upper face, which in turn comprises the aforementioned first surface 7a.

Furthermore, the mentioned plate element 12 comprises a support element 9 defining a second surface 7b on which the bottom 3c of the case 3 rests.

The plate element 12 can be of any shape and size, without any particular limitation.

The plate element 12 may be supported by fixed parts of the packaging unit 1, or by the base of the packaging machine.

Furthermore, the plate element 12 could be replaced by another element having a different shape but technically equivalent to it.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment, not forming part of the invention, in which the positioning members 7 are incorporated in the conveyor means 10 of the packaging machine.

More in detail, the conveyor means 10 - for example, of the belt, chain, belt or similar type - comprise the positioning members 7, and in particular the cross-section of the conveyor means 10 is substantially wedge-shaped, as in the embodiments shown in Figures 1-4.

In figure 7 another embodiment of the packaging unit 1 according to the invention is shown.

In this embodiment, the positioning members 7 comprise a plate element 12, or an element technically equivalent to it.

Furthermore, the positioning members 7 comprise tilting means 13.

The tilting means 13 are suitable for selectively bringing the first surface 7a of the plate element 12 from a position in which the supporting flank 3a of the case 3 is parallel, or substantially parallel, to the horizontal plane A, and in which it is performs the insertion of the sachets 4 inside the case 3, to a position in which the support flank 3a is inclined at a predetermined angle a with respect to said horizontal plane A.

This means that, in practical operation, the sachets 4 are inserted into the case 3 when the latter is in a horizontal configuration (that is, with the support side 3a parallel, or substantially parallel, to the horizontal plane A), and the itself is then brought to the inclined position at a predetermined angle a with respect to the horizontal plane A once the sachets 4 (all or only some of them) have been inserted into the case 3. The advantages of this solution consist mainly in the fact that the insertion of the sachets 4 in the case 3 occurs in a facilitated condition: normally, the insertion means 6 work in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction, and therefore, insertion stations 5 of a type can be used preexisting.

In addition, another important advantage consists in the fact that the tilting means 13 of the case 3 can be activated only when necessary: for example, it is possible to choose to tilt the case 3 only when a certain number of sachets 4 have been inserted inside it, or when the case 3, already filled with sachets 4, is about to be transferred to a downstream operating station, or in any other operating phase where this may be of some use.

The tilting means 13 may comprise, for example, a base 14; the base 14 can be connected to the carrying means of the cases 3, or can also be released from them. Furthermore, the tilting means 13 comprise an articulation axis 15 provided between the base 14 and the plate element 12 on which the case 3 rests.

On the hinge axis 15, drive means may be provided which rotate the plate element 12 with respect to the base 14.

This allows the predetermined angle α to be varied according to the different requirements of the application, for example when the dimensions of the case 3, the number of contained sachets 4 and other things vary.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tilting means 13 may comprise a fixed element, integrated with the packaging unit frame, and conveyor means, provided with a plurality of casings for the respective cases 3.

More in detail, the conveying means are mobile with respect to the fixed element; the latter is shaped in such a way that it determines a change in the inclination of the flank 3a when the cases 3 come into contact with it, pulled by the conveyor means. For example, the fixed element can be similar in shape to a linear cam profile, in which the cases, pulled by the conveyor means, act as followers; therefore, the inclination of the flanks 3a of the cases changes from a horizontal position to an inclined one and vice versa, in the production stages in which this is required, due to the relative movement of the cases 3 with respect to the fixed element.

In Figure 8 another embodiment of the packaging unit 1 is shown, which does not form part of the invention. In this embodiment, the positioning members 7 comprise vacuum actuated gripping means 16. The vacuum gripping means 16 are suitable for holding the case 3 in a configuration in which the supporting flank 3a is inclined at a predetermined angle a with respect to the horizontal plane A.

The vacuum gripping means 16 comprise at least one gripping surface 17 suitable for adhering to the support flank 3a of the case 3.

The embodiment of Figure 8 comprises a wedge-shaped element 8 such as that described with reference to the embodiments of Figures 1-4; the gripping surface 17 is contained in the upper surface of the wedge-shaped element 8.

The gripping surface 17 may comprise holes or openings 18 through which the vacuum gripping means 16 act, via respective channels 19.

The vacuum gripping means 16 allow to keep the case 3 in the desired position in a more stable and safe way; thanks to this, the positioning members 7 can be constructively simpler (for example, a support element may not be necessary for the bottom of the case 3).

In Figure 9 another embodiment of the packaging unit is shown, which does not form part of the invention. This embodiment differs from that of Figure 8 in that the positioning members 7 comprise a plate element 12 which retains the supporting flank 3a of the case 3.

Vacuum gripping means 16 with characteristics similar to those described for the previous embodiment operate through the plate element 12.

The packaging unit 1 according to the embodiment of Figure 9 may further incorporate tilting means 13 such as those of the Figure 7 embodiment.

In the latter case, the solution adopted is especially advantageous, since the vacuum gripping means 16 firmly retain the case 3 and prevent accidental movements during its tilting operation.

In Figure 10 another embodiment of the packaging unit 1 is shown, which does not form part of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the positioning members 7 comprise at least a first support element 20 and a second support element 21 for the flank 3a of the casing 3. The first support element 20 and the second support element 21 comprise respective end portions that support the flank 3a of the case 3, placed at different heights with respect to the horizontal plane A.

This solution is simpler and lighter than the solution comprising a wedge-shaped element; case 3 is supported only on very limited portions of its outer surface. As shown in Figure 10, a support element 9 of the type described above can be added to the support elements 20, 21, for example movable towards or away from the insertion station 5.

This makes it possible to retain the cases 3 of different sizes.

The first support element 20 and the second support element 21 may be mutually connected to each other by a central section 22 or by other connecting elements.

The support elements 20, 21 can be connected to the carrying means 10 of the cases 3 - as shown in Figure 10 - or can be released from them.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first support member 20 and the second support member 21 is selectively movable between a lowered position, in which the flank 3a of the case 3 is parallel, or substantially parallel, to the horizontal plane A, and in which the sachets 4 are inserted into the case 3, to a raised position in which the flank 3a is inclined at a predetermined angle a with respect to the horizontal plane A.

For example, the first support element 20 in particular can be selectively moved between the two positions mentioned above.

In this way, a result similar to that obtained thanks to the actuation of the tilting means 13 is obtained. Figure 11 shows another embodiment of the packaging unit 1, which does not form part of the invention, which differs from that of Figure 10 in that in the positioning members 7 the second support element 21 is substantially at the same height as center section 22; moreover, the support element 9 is made to be integral with the central section 22 itself.

This is a simplified solution with respect to the one in Figure 10, but less versatile in terms of the dimensions of the cases 3.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the positioning members 7 are incorporated in the carrying means 10 of the cases 3.

More in detail, Figure 12 shows as a cross section an example in which the conveying means 10 comprises a belt, or a chain, a belt or the like (seen in cross section); the positioning members 7 comprise a first edge 23 and a second edge 24 of the tape, or chain, or strap, which reach different heights with respect to the horizontal plane A, and therefore allow the case 3 to be positioned in the desired inclined configuration .

It is specified that in all the embodiments of the invention described above, the predetermined angle α may be between 1° and 70°.

It has thus been seen how the invention achieves the intended purposes.

The invention greatly limits the risk that the sachets inserted in the case accidentally move or come out during the stages of the packaging operation.

This result is obtained with technically simple and effective solutions, easily adaptable even on pre-existing packaging machines or packaging units.

In the event that the technical characteristics mentioned in the appended claims are followed by reference numbers, said reference numbers are introduced for the sole purpose of further clarifying the claims, and therefore do not have any limiting effect.

The present invention has been described in accordance with preferred embodiments, but various equivalent versions are still possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (7)

1. Unit (1) for packaging bags, sachets, bars, sealed pads or the like (4) in box-shaped cases (3), comprising means (2) to support at least one case (3) in the form while said box-shaped case (3) is open on one side (3b) and while said means (2) abut one side (3a) of said box-shaped case (3), and a station ( 5) to insert one or more bags (4), or the like, inside the case (3), said insertion station (5) comprising insertion means (6) suitable for pushing one or more bags (4), or the like, towards the interior of the case (3) through said open side (3b), said support means (2) comprising members (7) for positioning said box-shaped case (3) in a configuration in which said flank (3a) is inclined at a preset angle (a) with respect to a horizontal plane (A), wherein said positioning members (7) comprise at least s a first surface (7a) to which said flank (3a) of said box-shaped case (3) adheres, said first surface (7a) being inclined at said pre-established angle (a) with respect to said plane (A ) horizontal, and wherein said positioning members (7) comprise tilting means (13) suitable for selectively bringing said first surface (7a) from a position in which said flank (3a) is substantially parallel to said plane (A) horizontal and in which the bags (4) are inserted into said box-shaped case (3), up to a position in which said flank (3a) is inclined at a pre-established angle (a) with respect to said horizontal plane (A), characterized in that said tilting means (13) comprise a fixed element, integrated with the packaging unit frame, and conveyor means, provided with a plurality of casings for respective box-shaped cases (3) , being said means t mobile conveyors with respect to said fixed element, said fixed element being shaped in such a way as to determine a change in the inclination of said flanks (3a) when said box-shaped cases (3) come into contact with said fixed element, when said Box-shaped cases (3) are pulled by said conveyor means. Unit according to claim 1, wherein said positioning members (7) comprise at least one plate element (12) provided with an upper face comprising said first surface (7a). Unit according to claim 1, wherein said positioning members (7) comprise at least one second surface (7b), on which the bottom (3c) of the box-shaped case (3) is suitable for resting. . Unit according to claim 3, wherein said positioning members (7) comprise at least one support element (9) for the bottom (3c) of the box-shaped case (3), said element (9) comprising ) supporting said second surface (7b). Unit according to claim 4, wherein said support element (9) is fixed or movable when approaching or moving away from said insertion station (5), in order to position the box-shaped case (3). at different distances from said insertion station (5) and/or to accommodate boxes (3) in the form of boxes of different sizes. 6. Unit according to claim 1, wherein said fixed element is shaped as a linear cam profile, and wherein said box-shaped cases (3), pulled by said conveyor means, act as followers, so that the inclination of said flanks (3a) varies due to the relative movement of said box-shaped cases (3) with respect to said fixed element. 7. Packaging machine, comprising at least one packaging unit (1) according to one of claims 1-6, and means (10) for transporting the box-shaped cases (3) from and/or to said insertion station (5), wherein said positioning members (7) are connected to said conveyor means (10), or incorporated in said conveyor means.