FR3013687A1 - DEVICE FOR CONVEYING A CASE FOR A MACHINE - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention is a device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner, the conveying device (30) comprising a base (32) on which are mounted two left jaws (34G) and right (34D), each jaw (34G, 34D) comprising a flat and inner lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) of a case (10) and each lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) lying opposite to -vis the lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) of the other jaw (34G, 34D), each jaw (34G, 34D) being pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (A34G, A34D) parallel to its surface lateral gripping mechanism (36G, 36D), the two axes of rotation (A34G, A34D) of the two jaws (34G, 34D) being parallel, and the two axes of rotation (A34G, A34D) of the two jaws (34G, 34D) being spaced apart from each other in a transverse plane (PT30) perpendicular to these two axes of rotation (A34G, A34D), and each jaw (34G, 34D) rotating in rotation between: - u a gripping position in which its lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) is parallel to the lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) of the other jaw (34G, 34D), and - an opening position in which its lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) is not parallel to the lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) of the other jaw (34G, 34D), the conveying device (30) being characterized in that least one jaw (34G, 34D) is mounted on the base (32) via a carriage (42G, 42D) mounted to move in translation (T) along an adjustment axis (AR30) perpendicular to the axes rotation (A34G, A34D) of the two jaws (34G, 34D).

Description

The present invention aims to provide improvements to the cartoners, or cartoning machines, such as that disclosed in FR-2,755,665. In various industries, including the pharmaceutical or agri-food industry, cardboard cases are used to package a certain quantity of products to be marketed, such as tablets or capsules or prepackaged foods in sachets. Thus, the products to be marketed can be more easily transported and stored in larger containers, such as other cardboard packaging.

For the automated filling of a large number of cases with products to be marketed on a production line, it has been developed cartoners, or cartoning machines, such as that described in document FR-2,755,665. According to this document FR-2.755.665, a cartoner comprises on the same table: a store or supply of folded cases, said reserve being lateral to the table; a device for gripping the cases one by one from the reserve; at least one conveying device receiving the case from the gripping device and conveying it to the different positions of the machine; a possible closure station of the bottom of the case by folding the lower flaps of the case in the case; a filling station of the shaped case; a closing station of the case by folding its upper flaps in the case; a delivery station of the case filled and closed. Still according to this document FR-2,755,665, each of the conveying devices, or buckets, is mounted on a turntable around a central column, and the central column carries the intervention elements on the folding flaps of the holsters. position of these bodies being adjustable from the central column and the control devices of the conveying devices of a case being also mounted stationary on the column.

Also, each conveying device of a case consists of a vertical wall carried by a rear base and provided at each end of two jaws hinged to the vertical wall around vertical axes to grip the case to be conveyed. These two jaws and the vertical wall can maintain a holster when transported between the different positions of the cartoner. By default, the two jaws are locked orthogonal to the vertical wall by a spring, the jaws then being parallel. Also, the rear of each of the jaws has a shoulder against which a rod can exert a pressure opposing the action of the spring and thus control the tilting of each jaw around its vertical axis to move the jaws one of the other. According to this document FR-2,755,665, the vertical wall has a width equal to that of the case to be conveyed, and the spacing between the jaws corresponds to the width of the holster to be conveyed. Thus, the device for conveying a case presented in this document FR-2,755,665 is suitable for conveying a case of shapes and dimensions given. However, the same cartoner can be used to package different or identical products in cases of different shapes and / or sizes, and the shapes and dimensions of these cases can also evolve and change for economic or marketing reasons.

Also, the lack of adaptability of the device for conveying a case presented in this document FR-2.755.665 presents a major drawback for manufacturers: it is expensive to have to be equipped with several case conveying devices. The present invention aims to remedy the disadvantages encountered with non-adaptable devices for conveying a case, such as that presented in FR-2,755,665.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for conveying a holster, or bucket, for a cartoner, the device comprising a base on which are mounted two left and right jaws, each jaw comprising a flat and internal surface of lateral gripping of a case and each lateral gripping surface lying opposite the lateral gripping surface of the other jaw, each jaw being pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation parallel to its gripping surface; lateral, the two axes of rotation of the two jaws being parallel, and the two axes of rotation of the two jaws being spaced apart from each other in a transverse plane perpendicular to these two axes of rotation, and each jaw pivoting in rotation between : a gripping position in which its lateral gripping surface is parallel to the lateral gripping surface of the other jaw, and an opening position in which its lateral gripping surface is not parallel to the lateral gripping surface of the other jaw. According to the invention, the conveying device is characterized in that at least one jaw is mounted on the base by means of a carriage mounted to move in translation along an adjustment axis perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the two jaws.

Thanks to this mobility in translation, it is possible to adapt the gripping length of the conveying device to different lengths of different cases or cases of different shapes. Preferably, the two jaws are movably mounted in translation and the position of these two jaws is adjustable along the adjustment axis, each carriage comprising translational stop means along the adjustment axis. In addition, and always with a view to improving the adaptability of the conveying device to different cases, each jaw comprises a hook whose position is adjusted in the length of this jaw, these hooks adjustable in position allow to adjust the width of the jaw. gripping the conveying device to different widths of different cases or cases of different shapes. Also, the conveying device according to the invention allows the treatment of cases of different shapes and dimensions without having to change the conveying device on the cartoner or without having to change gripping means of the conveying device. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the invention, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective of a transportable case with a conveying device according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective of a conveying device according to the invention, FIG. 3 is a schematic representation from below of a conveying device according to the invention. FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation, seen from below, of a conveying device according to the invention, with its jaws in the open position, FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation with a view to above a conveying device according to the invention, with its jaws in the gripping position and now a case of great width and great length, and Figure 6 is a schematic representation in top view of a conveying device according to the invention, with its jaws in the gripping position and now a holster of small width and small length. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the invention relates to the conveying of a case 10 used to condition a certain quantity of products to be marketed, such as medicaments in the form of tablets or capsules or pre-packaged foods in sachets. . This case 10 comprises a packing body 12 and at least one transverse flap 14 attached to this packing body 12 by an attachment edge 16 and provided with a transverse flap 18 along its free edge 20 opposite the edge. 16. In addition, the case 10 includes 15D left and 15G left side flaps attached to the packaging body 12 and to maintain the transverse flap 18 in the packaging body 12 once the transverse flap 14 folded towards the packing body 12 to close it.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the case 10 comprises a parallelepiped packing body 12, a rectangular transverse flap 14 and a rectangular transverse flap 18 with a left corner 22G and a right corner 22D. Advantageously, the left corner 22G and the right corner 22D are rounded to facilitate the penetration of the transverse flap 18 into the packaging body 12 of the case 10 during the closure of this case 10. Still in the example shown in FIG. the case 10 is a case with forced closure, that is to say without nicks between the transverse flap 14 and the transverse flap 18, and the transverse flap 14 is used to form the upper bottom 24 of the case 10, the products to be packaged having been previously deposited in the packaging body 12 of the case 10.

Finally, once closed, this parallelepipedal case 10 has a front wall PAV, a rear wall PAR, and two left side walls PLG and PLD right, and a predetermined height H10, and especially a predetermined length L10 and width W10 to which a device for conveying the case 10 and its gripping means must be adapted. According to the invention and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the conveying device 30 of a case 10 for a cartoner (not shown in the figures) comprises a base 32 on which are mounted two jaws left 34G and right 34D each jaw 34G, 34D including a flat side gripping surface 36G, 36D of a case 10 and each lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D lying opposite the lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D of the another jaw 34G, 34D, this to allow the gripping of a case 10 in its length L10 by its left side walls PLG and PLD right.

In known manner, the conveying device, or bucket, 30 is intended to be mounted via its base 32 on the turret bucket holder of a cartoner so as to convey a case 10 from one station to another from this healer. To allow the gripping and release of a case 10, each jaw 34G, 34D is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation A34G, A34D parallel to its lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D. These two axes of rotation A34G, A34D of the two jaws 34G, 34D are parallel, and these two axes of rotation A34G, A34D of the two jaws 34G, 34D are spaced from each other in a transverse plane PT30 perpendicular to these two rotation axes A34G, A34D. Also, each jaw 34G, 34D rotates R between: a gripping position, illustrated in FIG. 3, in which its lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D is parallel to the lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D of the other jaw 34G , 34D, and an open position, illustrated in Figure 4, wherein its lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D is not parallel to the lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D of the other jaw 34G, 34D. In more detail, the free ends 38G, 38D of the two jaws 34G, 34D located opposite their ends 40G, 40D connected to the base 32 are further apart from each other in their open position than in their gripping position. According to an important characteristic of the conveying device 30 according to the invention, at least one jaw 34G, 34D is mounted on the base 32 via a carriage 42G, 42D mounted to move in translation T along an axis of adjustment AR30 perpendicular to the axes of rotation A34G, A34D of the two jaws 34G, 34D.

Indeed, one of the jaws 34G, 34D can be pivotally mounted directly on the base 32 or on a carriage 42G, 42D fixed relative to the base 32. Thanks to this translational assembly T of at least one jaw 34G, 34D, it is possible to adapt the gripping length L30 of the conveying device 30 to the length L10 of the case 10 to be conveyed, the gripping length L30 being the distance between the lateral gripping surfaces 36G, 36D of the two jaws 34G, 34D in gripping position, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. In a preferred embodiment of the conveying device 30 according to the invention, each jaw 34G, 34D is mounted on the base 32 via a carriage 42G, 42D mounted to move in translation T along an adjustment axis AR30 perpendicular to the axes of rotation A34G, A34D of the two jaws 34G, 34D. Thanks to this double mounting in translation, it is possible to adapt the gripping length L30 of the conveying device 30 to the length L10 of the case 10 to be conveyed while keeping the case 10 in the central position relative to the base 32 .

Still in a preferred embodiment of the conveying device 30 according to the invention, the flat lateral gripping surfaces 36G, 36D of the two jaws 34G, 34D are perpendicular to the adjustment axis AR30 when these two jaws 34G, 34D are in position. gripping position. In a preferred embodiment of the translational guidance T of each carriage 42G, 42D, the base 32 comprises two low ramps 44B and 44H of high translational guide T of the carriages 42G, 42D, as can be seen in FIG. low ramps 44B and 44H high, preferably cylindrical along the adjustment axis AR30, extend parallel to the adjustment axis AR30 and are superimposed in a front plane PF30 perpendicular to the transverse plane PT30 and containing the axis of adjustment AR30, and the (or) mobile carriage (s) 42G, 42D in translation T along the adjustment axis AR30 are mounted (s) sliding (s) on these two low 44B and 44H high ramps . The use of two low 44B and 44H high ramps makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the translation guide T of the two carriages 42G, 42D along the adjustment axis AR30. In order to maintain an identical gripping length L 30 during the treatment of a batch of cases 10 having the same length L 10, each sliding carriage 42G, 42D comprises stop means 46 of its translation T along the axis adjusting AR30.

In more detail, each sliding carriage 42G, 42D comprising 48B and 48H high bottom bores (visible in FIGS. 2 and 5) for its sliding mounting on the low 44B and high 44H ramps, each sliding carriage 42G, 42D comprises a threaded bore 50 (Visible in Figure 3) carried along a stop axis A50 perpendicular to the adjustment axis AR30, opening into a low bores 48B or 48H high of the carriage, and allowing a pressure screw 52 introduced into the 50 'threaded boring to come exert a force on one of the low 44B or high 44H ramps so as to block the position of this carriage on the low 44B and 44H high guide ramps, and therefore along the axis of adjustment AR30. Optionally, in addition to the stop means 46 of the sliding carriages 42G, 42D, and the base 32 comprising left lateral supports 54G and right 54D supporting the left 56G and right 56D ends of the low 44B and 44H high guide rails, these supports left side 54G and right 54D have inner walls 58G and 58D stopping the translation T of the carriages 42G, 42D at the left 56G and right 56D ends of the low rails 44B and 44H high guide, as shown in Figure 4.

Then, and in order to ensure a better hold of a case 10, the conveying device 30 preferably comprises a flat posterior gripping surface 60 of a case 10, this posterior gripping surface 60 being perpendicular to the lateral gripping surfaces. 36G, 36D of the jaws 34G, 34D in the gripping position and perpendicular to the transverse plane PT30 of the conveying device 30.

This rear gripping surface 60 is intended to ensure the grip and thus the maintenance of a case 10 by its rear wall PAR or before PAV. According to a characteristic of the conveying device 30 according to the invention, each sliding carriage 42G, 42D comprises a front wall 62G, 62D forming part of the rear gripping surface 60 of the conveying device 30, as shown in FIGS. Thus, the case 10 is also maintained in a first direction D1 parallel to the lateral gripping surfaces 36G, 36D of the jaws 34G, 34D and close thereto. Still with a view to ensuring a better maintenance of a case 10, the conveying device 30 comprises a flat front gripping surface 64 of a case 10, this frontal gripping surface 64 being perpendicular to the lateral gripping surfaces 36G, 36D jaws 34G, 34D in the gripping position and perpendicular to the transverse plane PT30 of the conveying device 30.

Thus, this front gripping surface 64 is parallel to the posterior gripping surface 60, and this front gripping surface 64 is separated from the posterior gripping surface 60 by a distance corresponding to the gripping width W 30 of the conveying device 30 and corresponding to the width W10 of the case 10 to be conveyed, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This front gripping surface 64 is intended to ensure the gripping and thus the holding of a case 10 by its front wall PAV or rear BY. According to the invention, each jaw 34G, 34D comprises an inner hook 66G, 66D extending from its lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D and comprising a rear face 68G, 68D forming a portion of the front gripping surface 64 of the conveyor device 30. With the rear faces 68G, 68D of the inner hooks 66G, 66D, the case 10 is also held in a second direction D2 parallel to the lateral gripping surfaces 36G, 36D of the jaws 34G, 34D and in the vicinity thereof, the second direction D2 being opposite to the first direction D1. According to another important characteristic of the conveying device 30 according to the invention, the position of each inner hook 66G, 66D is adjustable in the length L36G, L36D of the lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D of the jaw 34G, 34D which carries it . With this adjustment in position of the inner hooks 66G, 66D, it is possible to adapt the gripping width W30 of the conveying device 30 to the width W10 of the case 10 to be conveyed, the gripping width W30 being the distance between the flat front gripping surface 64 and the posterior gripping flat surface 60. In a preferred embodiment, and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, mounting the inner hooks 66G, 66D on the jaws 34G, 34D, each inner hook 66G , 66D comprising a body 70G, 70D supporting the rear face 68G, 68D of gripping and a mounting tail 72G, 72D connected to this body, and each jaw 34G, 34D comprising a longitudinal lumen 74G, 74D passing through it through its width W34G, W34D and extending in its length L36G, L36D of its lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D, the mounting tail 72G, 72D of each inner hook 66G, 66D is guided and locked in translation in the longitudinal lumen 74G, 74D of the jaw 34G, 34D which carries the inner hook 66G, 66D.

The longitudinal lumens 74G, 74D being through, the hooks 66G, 66D are locked in translation in the slots 74G, 74D of the clamping jaws, screws 75G, 75D bearing on the flat and outer surfaces 77G, 77D of the jaws and in the mounting tails 72G, 72D of the hooks 66G, 66D, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. According to another characteristic of the conveying device 30 according to the invention, the rotation R of each jaw 34G, 34D of its gripping position towards its open position being actuated by means of a rod 76G, 76D exerting a force FG, FD on the rear face 78G, 78D of this jaw, the actuating rod 76G, 76D of each jaw 34G, 34D is slidably mounted through the carriage 42G, 42D receiving this jaw, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, the actuating rods 76G, 76D, for example set in motion by mobile control means, the carer, are located to Always in front of the rear faces 78G, 78D jaws they actuate regardless of the position of the carriages 42G, 42D, and therefore the jaws, along the adjustment axis AR30. In a preferred embodiment of the mounting of the rods 76G, 76D, each carriage 42G, 42D comprising a base 80G, 80D sliding under the base 32, these bases 80G, 80D are traversed by bores 82G, 82D in which the rods slide. 76G actuation, 76D, counters 84G, 84D can be provided at the ends of the bores 82G, 82D for receiving 86G heads 86D rods 76G, 76D. In order to complete the maintenance of a case 10 by the jaws 34D and 34G, each carriage 42G, 42D comprises means 88 for adjusting the perpendicularity between the lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D of the jaw 34G, 34D that it supports and the posterior gripping surface 60 formed by its front wall 62G, 62D.

For example, these adjustment means 88 may take the form of 90G, 90D pressure screws located in the bases 80G, 80D and opening from these bases so as to bear against the rear faces 78G, 78D of the jaws 34G, 34D, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Advantageously, this perpendicularity adjustment, as well as the adjustment of the hooks 66G, 66D in the length L36G, L36D of the lateral gripping surface 36G, 36D which receives it, can be simplified by the use of reference templates adapted to the dimensions of the different cases 10 to be conveyed, each reference template being positioned and centered with respect to the posterior gripping surface 60, for example by centering with the aid of a cylindrical pin introduced into a predicted hole in the base 32.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner, the conveyor device (30) comprising a base (32) on which are mounted two left (34G) and right (34D) jaws, each jaw (34G) , 34D) comprising a flat and inner lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) of a case (10) and each lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) lying opposite the lateral gripping surface ( 36G, 36D) of the other jaw (34G, 34D), each jaw (34G, 34D) being pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (A34G, A34D) parallel to its lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D), the two axes of rotation (A34G, A34D) of the two jaws (34G, 34D) being parallel, and the two axes of rotation (A34G, A34D) of the two jaws (34G, 34D) being distant from each other in a transverse plane (PT30) perpendicular to these two axes of rotation (A34G, A34D), and each jaw (34G, 34D) rotatable in rotation (R) between: a gripping position of in which its lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) is parallel to the lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) of the other jaw (34G, 34D), and an opening position in which its lateral gripping surface ( 36G, 36D) is not parallel to the lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) of the other jaw (34G, 34D), the conveying device (30) being characterized in that at least one jaw (34G , 34D) is mounted on the base (32) by means of a carriage (42G, 42D) movably mounted in translation (T) along an adjustment axis (AR30) perpendicular to the axes of rotation (A34G, A34D) of the two jaws (34G, 34D). 2. Device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner according to claim 1, characterized in that each jaw (34G, 34D) is mounted on the base (32) via a carriage (42G, 42D) mounted movable in translation (T) along an adjustment axis (AR30) perpendicular to the axes of rotation (A34G, A34D) of the two jaws (34G, 34D). 3. Device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the base (32) comprises two low ramps (44B) and high (44H) guide in translation (T) of the carriages (42G, 42D), these two low (44B) and high (44H) ramps extending parallel to the adjustment axis (AR30) and being superposed in a frontal plane (PF30) perpendicular to the plane transverse (PT30) and containing the adjustment axis (AR30), and the mobile carriage (s) (42G, 42D) in translation (T) along the adjustment axis (AR30) being mounted (s) sliding (s) on these two low (44B) and high (44H) ramps. 4. Device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each carriage (42G, 42D) comprises stop means (46) of its translation (T) along the adjustment axis (AR30). 5. Conveying device (30) of a case (10) for a cartoner according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conveying device (30) comprising a flat surface for rear gripping (60) a case (10), and this posterior gripping surface (60) being perpendicular to the lateral gripping surfaces (36G, 36D) of the jaws (34G, 34D) in the gripping position and perpendicular to the transverse plane (PT30) of the device conveyor (30), each carriage (42G, 42D) comprises a front wall (62G, 62D) forming part of the posterior gripping surface (60) of the conveying device (30). 6. Device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner according to claim 5, characterized in that each carriage (42G, 42D) comprises means (88) for adjusting the perpendicularity between the gripping surface. lateral (36G, 36D) of the jaw (34G, 34D) that it supports and the posterior gripping surface (60) formed by its front wall (62G, 62D). 7. Device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the conveying device (30) comprising a planar front gripping surface (64) of a holster (10), this front gripping surface (64) being perpendicular to the lateral gripping surfaces (36G, 36D) of the jaws (34G, 34D) in the gripping position and perpendicular to the transverse plane (PT30) of the gripping device. conveyor (30), and each jaw (34G, 34D) comprising an inner hook (66G, 66D) extending from its lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) and having a rear face (68G, 68D) forming a portion of the front gripping surface (64) of the conveyor device (30), the position of each inner hook (66G, 66D) is adjustable in the length (L36G, L36D) of the lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D) of the jaw (34G, 34D) who wears it. 8. Device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner according to claim 7, characterized in that, each inner hook (66G, 66D) comprising a body (70G, 70D) supporting the rear face (68G , 68D) and a mounting shank (72G, 72D) connected to said body, and each jaw (34G, 34D) including a longitudinal lumen (74G, 74D) extending therethrough in width (W34G, W34D) ) and extending in its length (L36G, L36D) from its lateral gripping surface (36G, 36D), the mounting tail (72G, 72D) of each inner hook (66G, 66D) is guided and locked in translation in the longitudinal lumen (74G, 74D) of the jaw (34G, 34D) which carries the inner hook (66G, 66D). 9. Device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rotation (R) of each jaw (34G, 34D) from its position of gripping towards its open position being actuated by means of a rod (76G, 76D) exerting a force (FG, FD) on the rear face (78G, 78D) of this jaw, the actuating rod ( 76G, 76D) of each jaw (34G, 34D) is slidably mounted through the carriage (42G, 42D) receiving this jaw. 10. Device for conveying (30) a case (10) for a cartoner according to claim 9, characterized in that, each carriage (42G, 42D) comprising a base (80G, 80D) sliding under the base (32) , these bases (80G, 80D) are traversed by bores (82G, 82D) in which slide the actuating rods (76G, 76D).