FR3073502A1 - DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING PRODUCTS BY FARDELING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for packaging products (1) by wrapping, in a first and second batch (2), with, on the one hand, cutting means (5) divided into a first knife (50) ensuring the severing a first film (6) into a first sheet (60) for coating said first batch (2) and a second knife (51) providing independent cutting of a second film (10) into a second sheet ( 100) of coating of said second batch (2), and, on the other hand, supply means (9) supplying said cutting means (5) with the first film (6) from a first spool (61) and the second film (10) from at least one second spool (101), of which at least a first drive roller and at least a second drive roller comprise separate actuation means .

Description

Device for packaging products by bundling

The present invention enters the field of packaging of products within a production line.

Such products consist of containers, such as flasks, bottles, cans, etc. These products undergo a first so-called production phase during which they are finalized individually through a succession of several stages within corresponding modules, such as filling, capping and labeling.

Then, said ready-to-use products undergo a second stage of packaging in batches, each batch being constituted by grouping, in staggered rows or not, of several products according to a matrix arrangement, generally of generally rectangular or square rectangular shape. The products are held together in a batch by a coating consisting of a heat-shrinkable film. This coating is applied through a wrapping step, by means of a dedicated shrinkwrapping type module. In a complementary manner, each batch can be held below by means of a support forming a bottom, for example a cardboard tray, generally positioned before coating and bundling. At the end of this second packaging step, the products are then kept in the form of bundles; for example, such burdens can then be placed on a pallet for handling and transport.

The invention relates in particular to the packaging of batches of products into bundles through a bundling step, said products passing through a bundling module.

More specifically, a shrinkwrapper is continuously fed by a product flow, advancing on a conveyor along several parallel lines. To bundle several products from each of said lines, a shrinkwrapper firstly includes a selection station, commonly known as a "cassette", ensuring the grouping of said products transversely to the direction of advance of said flow, in a or several rows of products, then according to different possibilities through a so-called "cycler" station ensuring the longitudinal division of the rows by lateral spacing, so as to space each group of rows in batches. Thus, one to several rows of products can be grouped according to the direction of advancement, so as to create one to several transverse groups corresponding to the number of rows mentioned above. Longitudinally, these groups can then be divided and discarded as the products progress, to finally form several batches spaced across the width of the conveyor. By way of nonlimiting example, six product lines can be separated every two rows, forming a group of twelve bottles, which can then be divided into two batches of six bottles, on either side on the left and on the right. relative to the direction of movement of said products.

Commonly, the separation of the product flow into one or more batches each time determines one track per batch, each track therefore corresponding to a longitudinal succession of batches. In other words, a shrinkwrapper separating the flow of products into a single batch has a single track and can be called "single track", a shrinkwrapper separating the flow into two lots simultaneously has two tracks and can be called "double tracks ", etc.

The formed batches are transferred to a conveyor of a so-called “topping” station, making it possible to coat each batch of products with a sheet from a film. Said topping station covers each batch of products with said sheet at the posterior, upper, anterior and lower faces (said posterior and anterior faces being reciprocally upstream and downstream relative to the direction of advancement of said products) . The side faces are therefore not covered, while each batch of products is surrounded from back to front.

To this end, first of all, a feed station continuously scrolls the film from a single reel to a cutting station. Along this path, said film is optionally sectioned along its length in laterally spaced strips (i.e. cutting the film from the reel into sheets), said strips being intended to simultaneously coat several batches of products from the same group. Then said cutting station makes it possible to simultaneously cut each strip transversely at regular intervals to form said sheets. This sectioning into sheets is carried out by means of a rotary knife, motorized in a controlled manner and synchronized with the progress of the batches of products to be coated.

Generally, at the input and output of said cutting means, supply means are provided, ensuring the tensioning of said film on either side of the cutting means, as well as upstream the drive of said film and in downstream the good ejection of the leaves after cutting.

It will be noted that the film is generally printed and the cutting into sheets is generally carried out according to determined lengths, at specific intervals, so that each sheet comes to adequately cover the walls of each batch, ensuring good visibility of the impression. This so-called “facing” constraint means that each strip must be sectioned in the right place in relation to the printing and transferred at the right time so that it perfectly covers the batch of products.

Indeed, at the output of the cutting means, the sectioned sheets are sent by the supply means to the topping station via a so-called "injection" station, which allows each sheet to be moved to topping station, synchronized with the transfer of batches of products from the selection station and the cycler. According to different possibilities, in particular because of the rates of dispatch of the sheets, the injection station comprises a fixed or mobile transfer surface, in the form of a conveyor, in particular equipped with suction means ensuring the maintenance of the sheets during their transfer. In particular, this transfer takes place so that the front end of each sheet comes to rest on the surface of a topping conveyor and is pinched by the weight of the products transferred at the same time from the cycler, in particular at the bottom products from the line or lines located at the rear (after coating, the rear and opposite end of the sheet can then be pinched by the products from the front line or lines at the time of transfer out of said topping conveyor).

Once the batches are covered with their film sheet, they pass through a heating station, consisting of at least one oven. The material of said film is provided heat-shrinkable, allowing each sheet under a heating action to match the external shape of the batch of products, holding them together. The batch thus coated and enclosed by said shrunk film is cooled at the outlet of the oven, in order to impart sufficient mechanical strength to the burden thus kept coated for handling and transport.

Currently, an operation as mentioned above is suitable for a flow of products to be wrapped by bundling by means of a film coming from a single reel, so as to create burdens which are externally all identical. To coat batches of products with a different film, it is necessary to change the reel supplying the shrinkwrapper, stopping production for the time required for this intervention. Indeed, as mentioned above, to process a product flow in double tracks or more, a shrinkwrapper has a single coil split into two or more strips, imposing an identical coating on each of said tracks. It is therefore not possible to deal with the same shrinkwrapper and in a distinct manner different product tracks with different films each coming from different reels.

A problem therefore lies in the possibility of coating, in a separate installation, several tracks with different films. In addition, for reasons of production flexibility, such an installation must also allow identical coating along one or more tracks.

An existing solution consists in using a shrinkwrapper by coating, multiplying the size on the ground, the operators having to intervene at the level of each shrinkwrapper, as well as the acquisition and maintenance costs.

Another problematic of the distinct treatment of products in multi-tracks with different reels, starting from the same installation, lies in an independent management of several distinct film paths, with clean kinematics, in a synchronized way.

In particular, in the case of a printed film, the facing constraint requires a cut synchronized with the movement of each batch of products to be coated. The existing shrinkwrappers, using a motorized control of their stations, does not allow the cuts in each of the two separate coils and the perfectly synchronous injection with separate tracks of products to be adjusted at different locations.

In addition, the prints on a spool have a spacing between them with a printing tolerance of up to five millimeters. Therefore, when cutting the film, it is necessary to adapt the exact location of the cut, in order to compensate for this fluctuation in the spacing of the printed matter, ensuring perfect positioning at the time of each recovery of successive batches of the same line. Consequently, for different reels, with variations in the spacings specific to each, a constraint resides in the fact of perfectly aligning, for each reel, the location of the cut. It is thus clearly not possible to use one and the same knife to cut the two coils simultaneously, in the same places, without adapting to the differences in the spacings of their respective prints.

The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a device for packaging products by bundling provided flexible, capable of adapting to an identical coating, but especially to different coatings.

To do this, such a device includes in particular, a

post

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reel or several separate reels and, from other station reciprocally cut

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provides separate supply independent drives for

at least two coils. The invention also contemplates separable cutting means, capable of being coupled or uncoupled, making it possible to reciprocally form a single knife or two separate knives. In this second configuration, the invention envisages motorizing each of said two knives independently.

In sum, the invention makes it possible to subdivide at least in two the supply and the film cutting, creating two film cutting half-tables, with a view to ensuring the independent coating of two product tracks. In addition, the elements of these half-tables can be coupled so as to form only one, then operating synchronously for the simultaneous coating of one or two tracks.

Alternatively, the elements of these half-tables, in particular the cutting station, and / or jointly with the supply station, can be removable, to be easily and quickly replaced by elements of a conventional table, to return to identical coating of the two tracks.

The invention therefore relates to a device for packaging products by bundling, comprising:

- selection means separating a product flow into at least one group consisting of at least one row of products extending transversely relative to said device;

- at least one longitudinal spacing station in each group in at least a first batch and a second batch;

- cutting means provided with at least one first knife ensuring the cutting of a first film into at least one first coating sheet of said first batch;

- means for coating at least said first batch with said first sheet;

- Means for injecting at least each first sheet from said cutting means to said coating means of each first batch;

supply means for supplying said cutting means with said first film coming from at least one first reel.

Such a packaging device is characterized by the fact that:

- Said supply means supply said cutting means with at least one second film from at least one second reel;

- Said supply means comprise at least a first roller and at least a second drive roller vice versa of the first film of said first reel and the second film of said second reel, each first drive roller and each second roller drive comprising separate actuation means;

and by the fact that:

- Said cutting means comprise at least one second knife ensuring the independent cutting of said second film into at least one second coating sheet of said second batch.

Additionally, said injection means can transfer each second sheet to said coating means of each second batch.

Said supply means may include means for synchronizing the actuation means of each first drive roller and each second drive roller.

Said cutting means may comprise means for coupling aligned said first knife with said second knife, so as to form a single blade.

Said conditioning device can comprise first means of motorization of said first knife and second separate means of motorization independent of said second knife.

Said coupling means may include means for controlling said second motorization means with said first motorization means, by coupling of said first knife and said second knife.

Said first knife can be mounted on a first rotary shaft and said second knife can be mounted on a second rotary shaft coaxial with said first shaft, said first shaft being equipped with engagement means and said second shaft being equipped with complementary engagement means , said coupling means ensuring the coaxial movement of said first shaft relative to said second shaft until cooperation of said engagement means with said complementary engagement means.

At least said cutting means can comprise removable fixing means with said packaging device.

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coils, the cutting means being capable of being coupled.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows of nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures in which:

- Figure 1 schematically shows a view in a longitudinal vertical section of a simplified example of an embodiment of a packaging device according to the invention, showing in particular the means for supplying films from two separate reels and the cutting means;

FIG. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of a detail of FIG. 1,

- Figure 3 schematically shows a view in a longitudinal section along the axis of the cutting means, showing a specific embodiment with the first knife and the second knife in the uncoupled position;

- Figure 4 shows a view similar to Figure 1, showing the first knife and the second knife in the coupled position; and

- Figure 5 shows schematically in a perspective view an embodiment of a detail of the coupling means between the first knife and the second knife.

The present invention relates to a device for packaging products 1 by bundling. Such a packaging device corresponds to all or part of a shrinkwrapper.

The invention relates in particular to the step of cutting and supplying film, with a view to coating a flow of products 1 separated into lots 2.

To this end, said packaging device comprises selection means 3 or “cassette” separating the flow of products 1 into at least one group consisting of at least one row of products 1, preferably several rows, extending transversely by report to said device. These selection means 3 ensure the separation of said product flow 1 into at least a second batch. This separation preferably takes place at regular intervals. The successions of the first and second lots form two parallel tracks.

Then, at least one post or "cycler" ensures

The longitudinal spacing of each group in at least a first batch and a second batch. According to one embodiment, a cycler can comprise at least by oriented channeling means ensuring a transverse offset of one or more product lines 1 as they progress.

As such, the movements of said products 1 are effected by means of different conveying means 4, such as for example conveyors in the form of an endless belt conveyor.

The packaging device also comprises cutting means 5 ensuring the cutting of a first film 6 into at least one first sheet 60 for coating said first batch. To do this, said cutting means 5 are provided with at least one first knife 50.

This first cut sheet 60 is transferred to lapping means 7 (partially shown in Figure 1). These coating means 7 ensure the coating of at least said first batch with said first sheet 60.

Consequently, the packaging device comprises means 8 for injecting at least each first sheet 60 from said cutting means 5 towards said coating means 7 of each first batch.

Said packaging device comprises supply means 9 for supplying said cutting means 5 with said first film 6 coming from at least one first reel 61. To this end, the supply means 9 can comprise means for receiving said first reel 61, in particular in the form of a first unwinding and feeding station 62, as visible in FIG. 1. Consequently, a first reel 61 unwinds towards the cutting means 5, where it can be separated into first 60 successive leaves.

In addition, during its journey, the first film 6 can be separated across its width into two strips which are then cut simultaneously into first sheets 60 to

Synchronized coating of batches of said two tracks.

Advantageously, said supply means 9 are designed to supply said cutting means 5 with at least one second film 10 from at least one second reel 101. This second reel 101 is completely independent of the first reel 61 , following a separate path and course. Consequently, the supply means 9 are equipped with a second unwinder and supply station 102.

Consequently, at the output of this second unwinder and supply station 102, the second film 10 of the second reel 101 is introduced into the cutting means 5 at the end of a film extending parallel or substantially parallel to the path of the first film 6 of said first coil 61.

When using a second reel 101, the first 61 and second reels 101 may have widths half the width than when using a single first reel 61, which can be longitudinally separated into two strips , or even used in a single strip.

It will be noted that these first 62 and second 102 unwinding and feeding stations can be positioned at different locations of the packaging device, preferably under the conveyors where the products 1 move, upstream and downstream, one next to the 'other.

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separate actuation. In addition, each first roller is aligned coaxially with each second roller. Consequently, the unrolling of the first 6 and second films 10 can be carried out in a distinct and independent manner on either side of the packaging device, on the right and left sides.

More precisely, with reference to the preferred embodiment, said supply means 9 comprise, on one side of the cutting means 5, a pair of first lower 90 and upper 91 upstream rollers as well as a pair of first lower downstream rollers 92 and upper 93. On the other side, they comprise a pair of second lower and upper upstream rollers 95 and a pair of second lower downstream 96 and upper 97 rolls.

Such a configuration is visible in Figure 2.

Therefore, said means of supply ensure

The tension drive under said first film and said

second movie 10 from either side said means of cutting 5. We Note than said motorization means separate occurs at the levels at least one roll of each pair, 1'autre roller of said pair being free in rotation. said means of motorization can also lead into rotation each roll of each pair. In Classes of operation, the first rolls

94, 95 provide upstream 90.91 and the second upstream rollers reciprocally drive the first film and the second film 10 towards the cutting means 5, while the first downstream rollers 92.93 and the second downstream rollers 96.97 reciprocally driving each first sheet 60 and each second sheet 100, as well as their ejections towards said injection means 8. The maintenance of each film is effected by pinching between each pair of rollers, ensuring in particular a sufficient tension between the upstream and downstream for the purpose of cutting each film into sheets during their respective course, therefore being carried out independently.

In an alternative configuration, provided for a single coil, said supply means 9 can comprise means for synchronizing the actuation means of each first drive roller and each second drive roller. Such synchronization means ensure the same speed of rotation at least per pair of upper upstream rollers 91.95 and at least per pair of upper downstream rollers 93.97 if the other rollers are free, otherwise, firstly, a first same speed of rotation, for pairs of first upstream rollers 90.91 and second upstream rollers 94.95 and, secondly, a second same speed of rotation, for pairs of first downstream rollers 92.93 and second downstream rolls 96.97.

In addition, each roller of the same pair is actuated in opposite directions of rotation, in particular that the upper rollers rotate counterclockwise while the lower rollers rotate clockwise, allowing the unwinding of the film or films in common sense (according to the figures from left to right).

Advantageously, said cutting means 5 comprise at least one second knife 51 ensuring the independent cutting of said second film 10 into at least one second sheet 100 for coating said second batch. In other words, the cutting means 5 are divided into a first knife 50 and a second knife 51 with cuts dedicated to their respective first film 6 and second film 10. In short, each knife is actuated differently to cut its spool in the right place, in particular to correspond to the facing.

Preferably, said conditioning device comprises first means of motorization of said first knife 50 and second separate means of motorization independent of said second knife 51. The first knife 50 and second knife 51 can therefore rotate at different speeds, cutting their respective spool at different places, depending on the process specific to each film.

The first and second sheets thus cut can then be sent to the same topping station with its topping means 7, where the first and second batches of products 1 circulate in a perfectly synchronous and aligned fashion, but are coated with different sheets. These movements take place via said injection means 8 ensuring, in addition to each first sheet 60, the transfer of each second sheet 100 to said topping means 7 of the topping station of each second batch by each second sheet 100. According to different embodiments, the injection means 8 may comprise the same fixed surface, on which the sheets slide, or else a mobile surface in the form of at least two conveyors extending parallel, left and right, actuated differently so ensuring movement at injection speeds suitable for first sheets 60 and second sheets 100, or actuated in synchronization for the injection of first sheets 60 and second identical sheets 100.

Advantageously, to ensure the production of two tracks with an identical coating (ie from the same reel separated into two strips), the cutting means 5 can comprise coupling means 11 aligned with said first knife 50 with said second knife 51. Consequently, said first knife 50 and said second knife 51 are found assembled together. It only forms one blade, as shown in Figure 4.

according to a preferential mode of realization, visible sure the figures 3 at 5, said first knife 50 is mounted sure a first tree 110 rotary and said second knife 51 East

mounted on a second rotary shaft 111. The latter is provided coaxial with said first shaft 110. In addition, shaft 110 is equipped with means for meshing said first

112 and said second shaft 111 is equipped with complementary engagement means

113. Said coupling means 11 ensure the coaxial displacement, namely in a translation, in approximation, of said first shaft 110 relative to said second shaft 111 until cooperation of said engagement means

112 with said complementary engagement means 113. The translation in the opposite direction makes it possible to uncoupling the knives 50, 51 by spacing.

It will be noted that the polarizing pins can allow, during coupling, to angularly orient the first 110 and second shaft 111, so that the knives 50, 51 are aligned in a single blade.

Consequently, once coupled, the knives 50, 51 are driven simultaneously. To do this, said coupling means 11 comprise means for controlling said second motorization means with said first motorization means, in coupling of said first knife 50 and said second knife 51. According to a preferred embodiment, this control can consist of a clutch / disengaging of the second motorization means, making the rotation of the second shaft 111 free at this level, its rotation then being subject to the rotation of the first shaft 110 by means of the engagement of the coupling means 11. In sum, when the first knives 50 and second knife 51 are combined, the actuation of the second knife 51 takes place under the action of the first motorization of the first knife 50.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the coupling means 11 are located at the level of the adjacent ends of the first shafts 110 and second shaft 111, said ends finding themselves abutted in coupling, while the first motorization means and the second means motorization are located at the respective opposite ends of each of said shafts 110,111. Bearings, in particular provided with suitable bearings, can be positioned at said opposite ends, in particular the end of the second shaft 111, in order to ensure perfect rotation, the knives 50, 51 being coupled or uncoupled.

Additionally, according to a particular embodiment, it is possible to replace at least the cutting means 5, in particular a block formed by the cutting means 5 and the supply means 9 (in particular a module comprising all the rollers supply means 9. This replacement consists in removing said block to replace it with another conventional block, provided with a single knife for processing a single coil, and / or supply means suitable for said single To do this, at least said cutting means 5 may comprise removable fixing means with said conditioning device. Such removable fixing means allow the insertion and extraction at least of said cutting means, by lateral sliding. conversely to or from a corresponding housing provided within said packaging device.

More precisely, said removable fixing means can comprise means of referencing and energetic connection of at least said cutting means 5 with said conditioning device, preferably said cutting means 5 and said supply means 9.

Thus, the cutting and / or supply block can be easily and quickly inverted, with perfect mechanical indexing but also an electrical connection for the motorization means, as well as a connection with the management means for all of the elements constituting said conditioning device.

Claims (9)

1. Device for packaging products (1) by bundling, comprising: selection means (3) separating a product flow (1) into at least one group consisting of at least one row of products (1) extending transversely relative to said device; group in at least a first batch (2) and a second batch (2); cutting means (5) provided with at least a first knife (50) ensuring the cutting of a first film (6) into at least one first sheet (60) batch (2); means for coating at least said first batch (2) with said first sheet (60); at least each first sheet (60) from said cutting means (5) to said coating means of each first batch (2); means for feeding said cutting means (5) with said first film (6) coming from at least one first reel (61); characterized by the fact that: said supply means (9) provide Feeding said cutting means (5) with at least one second film (10) from at least one second reel (101); said means minus a first roller and at least a second drive roller vice versa of the first film (6) of said first reel (61) and of the second film (10) of said second reel (101), each first drive roller and each second drive roller designing separate actuation means; and by the fact that: - Said cutting means (5) comprise at least one second knife (51) ensuring the independent cutting of said second film (10) into at least one second sheet (100) for coating said second batch (2). 2. Packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that said injection means (8) ensure the transfer of each second sheet (100) to said coating means of each second batch (2). 3. Packaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said supply means (9) comprise means for synchronizing the actuation means of each first drive roller and of each second roller d training. 4. Packaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said cutting means (5) comprise coupling means (11) aligned with the said first knife (50) with the said second knife (51), so as to form a single blade. 5. Packaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises first means of motorization of said first knife (50) and second separate means of motorization independent of said second knife (51). 6. A packaging device according to claim 5, characterized in that said coupling means (11) comprise means for controlling said second motorization means with said first motorization means, in coupling of said first knife (50) and said second knife (51). 7. Packaging device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said first knife (50) is mounted on a first rotary shaft (110) and said second knife (51) is mounted on a second shaft (111) rotary coaxial with said first shaft (110), said first shaft (110) being equipped with engagement means (112) and said second shaft (111) being equipped with complementary engagement means (113), said means coupling (11) ensuring the coaxial movement of said first shaft (110) relative to said second shaft (111) until cooperation of said engagement means (112) with said complementary engagement means (113). 8. Packaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least the said cutting means (5) comprising removable fixing means with the said packaging device. 9. Packaging device according to claim 8, characterized in that said removable fixing means comprise referencing means and energy connection at least of said cutting means (5) with said packaging device.