ES2907817A1 - Machine to cover boxes of different formats (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes a machine to cover boxes of different formats that comprises two input areas (2) of sheets (1) with the corresponding sheet stacking areas (3), two closing males (17), a capture device of sheets (5) with a head (7) that incorporates windy (6) on two opposite sides to take sheets (1) from any of the stacking areas (3) and depositaria, by activating a mechanism (13), in A guide (15) with squads (19) to be introduced by a pusher (21) in additional squads (19') that includes each of the closing males (17), which are mobile to align with the guide (15) depending on the type of box that is selected from the stacking zone (3) and subsequently move the sheet (1) on the box to cover it. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

MACHINE FOR COVERING BOXES OF DIFFERENT FORMATS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a machine for capping conventional cardboard boxes that is capable of capping boxes of different formats without altering the continuous operation of the machine.

It finds special application in the field of the machinery industry for the manufacture of cardboard boxes.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO SOLVE AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the current state of the art, machines for capping cardboard boxes are already known. These machines incorporate an input area for cardboard sheets, a system for capturing the sheets to take them to a work area where they are deposited in an area where there is a closing male, located at a level higher than the shaped sheet. that, when a certain box passes through a conveyor belt, the closing male is activated, presses on the sheet and pushes it to place it on the box and leave it closed. Before placing the sheet on the box, glue has been impregnated in certain areas of the sheet, so that the box is left with the lid in place and configured to come out of the machine.

However, this type of machine is only valid for forming boxes of a single format. In the case of needing to form a box with another format, either by a different size or by a different exterior marking, the different sheet must be in the stack of the entrance area, waiting to be captured when the time comes, something which is not feasible due to the processes related to the organization of production.

In the state of the art, there are already machines for covering boxes of different sizes, for which they incorporate two forming males. However, this allows to increase the performance, but not to cover different box formats, without the machine stopping. In this way, this type of machine can cover boxes of different sizes, but in individualized productions.

The present invention solves this problem by incorporating a modified pick-up system in the machine that has the capacity to pick up sheets from two stacking areas, so that the sheets are separated by format and the organization of the machine is what decides where capture the sheet at all times.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the objectives and avoid the drawbacks mentioned above, the present invention describes a machine for capping boxes of different formats that comprises two sheet input areas with the corresponding sheet stacking areas, a sheet capturing device and a work area, where two closing males are located. The machine also includes a guide for placing the sheets, a gluing device for applying glue to the sheets, and a pusher to move the sheets from the guide to the work area.

The closing males can move according to the longitudinal direction of the machine so that any of them can be located aligned with the guide and work with the sheet destined to be placed on a box to cover it.

However, the device for capturing sheets is the differentiating component with respect to known machines, in that it is configured to be able to capture sheets from any of the two stacking zones and deposit them on the guide. To do this, the device for capturing sheets comprises a head configured by means of a segment to which fixing arms are attached, preferably perpendicularly to form a kind of grid. A series of suction cups is located on each of the arms, on two opposite sides, so that the suction cups are arranged to be able to capture sheets through the two opposite areas of the grid that make up the head and thus be able to capture sheets from each one of them. stacking areas.

The sheet capture device also incorporates a turning lever, attached to the head, which is activated by a mechanism that is responsible for transmitting the rotation movement to the head and, therefore, to the suction cups. The turning lever makes the sheet pick-up device go from a practically vertical position to pick up the sheets to a horizontal position to deposit the sheets in the guide.

In addition, the device for capturing sheets also incorporates a casing that incorporates a rail that fits into a rail along which it has the ability to slide.

For its part, the guide comprises two brackets, on which the sheets are deposited, which are located on additional rails so that the separation between the brackets can be adjusted to accommodate sheets of different sizes. The brackets can be moved synchronously so that the center of the guide is always unchanged. In this way, the sheet is always centered with respect to the closing male located in front of it.

In addition, each of the closing males incorporates a supplementary guide that incorporates a pair of supplementary brackets that remain in alignment with the brackets of the guide where the sheets are deposited.

With this configuration, the sheet capturing device can move between any of the two sheet stacking areas, to capture a sheet through the corresponding area of the head to be deposited on the guide brackets and subsequently be moved by means of a pusher to the work area along the supplementary squares of the closing male that is working so that it presses on it and places it on the box to be covered.

The gluing system is preferably located at the ends of the brackets closest to the work area, so that, while they are pushed to position themselves on the supplementary brackets, the sheets are impregnated with glue at the ends parallel to the brackets and remain located in the supplementary brackets with the glue already applied.

Although the movement is very fast, each of the supplementary brackets preferably incorporates a supplementary profile, so that the blades are raised with respect to them. This avoids the contact of the glue with these brackets, since the glue is applied to the sheets in the lower area, which is the one facing the boxes intended to be covered, which circulate below. The location of the supplementary profiles can be adjusted so that the distance between them varies and thus allows different positions of the glue with respect to the sheet.

A final configuration alternative consists of incorporating suction cups in the closure males to fix the sheets and make the capping process more precise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To complete the invention that is being described and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its embodiment, a set of drawings is attached where, for illustrative purposes and not limiting, the following figures have been represented:

- Figure 1 represents a plan view of the machine of the invention where two input zones for sheets, the collection system, two capping zones and the exit zone of the already capped box are shown. Some arrows are also shown that represent the direction of entry and exit with respect to the machine of the boxes intended to be covered.

- Figure 2 represents an elevation view of the machine where the sheet capture device and the two stacking areas are located.

- Figure 3 represents an elevation view of the machine where the device for capturing sheets has moved to one of the two stacking areas for capturing a sheet.

- Figure 4 represents an elevation view of the machine where the sheet capturing device has rotated to deposit the captured sheet in the guide.

- Figure 5 represents a perspective view of the machine where the sheet pick-up device is in the process of depositing a sheet on the guide.

- Figure 6 represents a view of a sheet located in the brackets of the guide with the pusher that is going to insert them into the supplementary brackets of the closing male in turn.

- Figure 7 represents an enlargement of the guide and the device for capturing sheets shown in figure 5.

- Figure 8 represents a perspective view of the cardboard sheet capture system holding a sheet on one side and showing that the suction cups are located on both sides.

- Figure 9 represents a perspective view of the capture system shown in Figure 7 from the opposite side holding a sheet with the suction cups on the other side.

- Figure 10 represents a perspective view of a closing plug with an enlargement of a sectioned supplementary square to show in detail the supplementary profile that it incorporates to avoid contact with the glue deposited on the sheet.

- Figure 11 represents a perspective view of the closing plug seen from below, showing some suction cups for capturing the sheet and the folders intended to act on the sheet once it is located in the box to bend the ends.

A list of the references used in the figures is provided below:

1. Cardboard sheet.

2. Entrance area.

3. Sheet stacking area.

4. Work area.

5. Sheet catcher device.

6. Suction cups.

7. Head.

8. Regulator segment in height of the suction cups.

9. Fixing arms.

10. Swing lever.

11. Casing.

12. Rail.

13. Mechanism.

14. Rail.

15. Guide.

16. Supplementary profile.

17. Closing males.

18. Tail.

19. Squads.

19'. Supplementary squads.

20. Additional rail.

21. Pusher.

22. Folders.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a machine for covering boxes of different formats that has the capacity to capture the sheets (1) from two different stacking areas (3), so that the machine does not need to stop to change format and go from covering a first type of box to cover a second type of box.

To do this, as shown in figure 1, the machine incorporates two input areas (2) of cardboard sheets (1), responsible for performing the function of box lids, which end in the corresponding sheet stacking areas. (3), each located on one side of a sheet capture device (5) responsible for transferring the sheets (1) from the stacking area (3) to a guide (15) from where a pusher (21) It will be transferred to the work area (4), where two closing males (17) are located, destined to place the lids on the boxes to cover them.

The boxes intended to be covered circulate through the machine as indicated by the arrows in an area lower than the work area (4) where the guide (15) is located. Thus, to place the sheet (1) on the box, the closing male (17) only has to press the sheet (1) to take it over the box and activate some folders (22) that are responsible for folding the perimeter areas of the sheet (1), where some strings of glue (18) have previously been applied, to place them around the open area of the box and thus be definitively closed.

Located opposite the guide (15) and centered with respect to it, is located one of the closing males (17) that is working. Each of the closing males (17), as shown in Figure 6 and in more detail in Figures 10 and 11, incorporates supplementary brackets (19') that are aligned with the brackets (19) of the guide ( 15) to carry out the transfer of the sheets (1). The positions of the closing males (17) are interchangeable, so that it is possible to select which of the two is going to work to be positioned facing and centered with respect to the guide (15), depending on what is needed at that moment.

Figure 2 shows the location of the two sheet stacking areas (3), the sheet capture device (5), with suction cups (6) on both sides and the guide (15) where they are to be located. the sheets from the stacking area (3).

Figures 3 to 5 show the sheet capture device (5) in different positions along the route from the stacking area (3) to the guide (15).

Figure 6 shows a closing male (17) with its supplementary brackets (19') aligned with the brackets (19) of the guide (15) where a sheet (1) is located. You can see the pusher (21) that will be in charge of moving the sheet (1) from an initial position on the brackets (19) to a final position on the supplementary brackets (19'). The pusher (21) is made up of a plate that is joined by an arm to a telescopic guide activated by a motor.

Figures 8 and 9 show the sheet capture device (5). As can be seen in the figures, the device (5) comprises a head (7) that incorporates a segment (8) and fixing arms (9) joined perpendicularly to the segment (8) and in which suction cups (6) are located. ), located on two opposite sides of the arms (9) to be oriented in two opposite directions of the head (7). The suction cups (6) can slide along the fixing arms (9) just as the arms (9) can slide along the segment (8), which acts as a height adjuster for the arms (9) and, therefore, therefore, of the suction cups (6), so that both components (6, 9) can be fixed in certain positions depending on the size of the cardboard sheet (1) with which they are going to work.

The head (7) is attached to a turning lever (10) that is activated by a mechanism (13) responsible for transmitting the rotation movement so that the head (7) can move from one position with the blades (1) practically vertically, as captured from the stacking areas (3), to a position with the sheets (1) horizontally, as they are deposited on the guide (15).

On the other hand, the sheet capture device (5) incorporates a casing (11) that has a rail (12) for fixing to a rail (14) along which it can slide, that the pick-up device (5) can move to pick up sheets (1) from any of the two sheet stacking areas (3).

The rotation lever (10) causes the head (7) to rotate with the blade (1) to be deposited on the guide (15).

For its part, the guide (15) incorporates some brackets (19) where the sheets (1) rest. The brackets (19) rest on additional rails (20), as shown in figure 7, through which they can be moved closer to or further away from each other to adjust to the size of the work sheet (1). This displacement of the brackets (19) preferably occurs symmetrically, so that the center of the guide (15) does not vary in position.

In addition, in the event that the sheet (1) is intended to be placed by the second closing male (17), the closing males (17) can move along the longitudinal axis of the machine so that any of them can be aligned through the supplementary brackets (19') with the brackets (19) of the guide (15) and thus be in position to be able to receive an already glued sheet to press on it and take it over the box to be covered to subsequently activate the folders (22) and leave the sheet (1) definitely located on the box.

The gluing system that the machine incorporates can consist of some applicators or, simply, some glue applicator guns (18).

In one embodiment, the glue (18) is applied during the movement of the sheet (1) through the guide (15) to the work area (4) with the aim of not slowing down the process. In this way, the glue (18) can be applied to the two parallel edges of the sheet (1) that rest on the brackets (19) of the guide (15), also being applied to the other two complementary edges of the intended box. to be closed by the sheet (1), so as to ensure that the four edges of the box, with the sheet (1) already located, have glue (18) applied and the perimeter closure is ensured. The glue applicators (18) have not been shown in the figures because they are sufficiently known elements.

In addition, once a sheet (1) has been impregnated with a bead of glue (18), since the bead of glue (18) is located in the lower area of the sheet (1), which is the area that faces the box where it is intended to be located, to avoid contact of the tail (18) with the supplementary brackets (19'), each of these brackets (19') incorporates a supplementary profile (16) in the area more so that the sheet (1) is slightly raised, leaving the area impregnated with glue (18) projecting, as shown in figure 10. This supplementary profile (16) can be moved with respect to the supplementary bracket (19). ') in which it is located to facilitate different positions of the glue cord (18) in the sheet (1).

As shown in Figure 11, the closing males (17) can incorporate suction cups to fix the sheet (1) and move it in a more controlled manner until it is deposited on the box. In this figure you can also see the folders (22), which are located peripherally on the sheet (1) so that they act on the sheet (1) from the time it is located on the box, until the end of the movement.

Finally, it should be noted that the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiment described herein. Other configurations can be made by those skilled in the art in view of the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (5)

1.- Machine for capping boxes of different formats comprising a sheet input area (2) with a sheet stacking area (3), a sheet capture device (5), a work area (4) that It comprises a closing male (17), a guide (15) for the location of the sheets (1), a pusher to move the sheets to the work area (4) and a gluing device configured to apply glue on a sheet (1), the machine being characterized by: - comprises a second sheet input area (2) with the corresponding second sheet stacking area (3), - comprises a second closing male (17) in the work area (4), - the guide (15) comprises two brackets (19) for the location of the sheets (1), - the sheet capture device (5) in turn comprises: - a head (7) configured by means of a segment (8) and fixing arms (9), where some suction cups (6) are located, the arms (9) being attached to the segment (8), - a turning lever (10), attached to the head (7), which is activated by a mechanism (13) responsible for transmitting the rotation movement to the head (7), and - a casing (11) including a rail (12), where: - the rail (12) of the casing (11) fits into a rail (14) along which it has the ability to slide, - the brackets (19) of the guide (15) are connected to an additional rail (20) along which they can slide, - the suction cups (6) are located on two opposite planes of the head (7), - the closing males (17) have the capacity to move, so that: - the brackets (19) of the guide (15) can move between them to adapt to the size of the sheet (1) intended to receive, - either of the two closing males (17) can be placed aligned with the guide (15) to work on the sheet (1), - the pick-up device (5) can move along the rail (14) between any of the two sheet stacking areas (3), to pick up a sheet (1) and rotate to deposit the sheet (1) in the guide (15) to be subsequently transferred to the work area (4) so that the corresponding closing male (17) places it on the box intended to be covered. 2. - Machine for covering boxes of different formats, according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the brackets (19) of the guide (15) incorporates a supplementary profile (16) intended to support the sheets (1), that are raised to avoid contact of the brackets (19) with the tail (18). 3. - Machine for covering boxes of different formats, according to claim 2, characterized in that the supplementary profiles (16) can be moved with respect to the respective brackets (19) in which they are located. 4. - Machine for covering boxes of different formats, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movement of the brackets (19) is synchronized, so that the center of the guide (15) is always unchanged. 5. - Machine for covering boxes of different formats, according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the closing males (17) incorporates a pair of additional fixed brackets (19 ') with which the brackets (19) align of the guide (15).