FR3097535A1 - Opening device by cutting packages, in particular cardboard packages - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for opening by cutting packages comprises: - a protective bell 12 provided with a lower face 12d for bearing on the package to be cut, - a drive shaft 14 extending axially through the bell 12 protection, - at least one rod 16 mounted on the drive shaft, extending inside the bell and supporting at least one cutting blade 18, - the drive shaft being at least axially movable relative to the bell between a rest position in which said cutting blade 18 remains axially set back relative to the lower bearing face 12d of the bell, and at least one cutting position in which said cutting blade 18 is at least partially projecting axially, the device further comprising a resilient return member 20 of the drive shaft 14 in the rest position. Figure for the abstract: Fig 4

Description

Device for opening parcels by cutting, in particular cardboard parcels

The present invention relates to a device for opening by cutting parcels, in particular cardboard parcels.

To date, to open packages, it is necessary to carry out manual cutting using a cutter. The cut is generally made at the level of the adhesive tape used to assemble the flaps of the package.

This cutting operation can be relatively long and presents a risk of cuts for the user of the cutter.

This is particularly problematic in the field of logistics or even in the field of handling in which an operator can open a large number of packages within the same day.

Furthermore, particularly in the field of logistics, it may be necessary to open the packages by making a cut on one side of the package.

It is easy to see that making such a cut on one side of the package can also be relatively long and lead to the risk of being cut with the cutter. In addition, the shape of the opening made by cutting may not be of sufficient size to allow easy passage of the operator's forearm through the face of the package in order to remove the objects contained in it. inside of it, and thus cause scratches on the forearm.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

The subject of the invention is a device for opening parcels by cutting, in particular cardboard parcels, comprising a protective cover provided with an underside for bearing on the parcel to be cut, a drive shaft extending axially through the protective bell, at least one support rod mounted on the drive shaft and extending inside the protective bell, and at least one cutting blade mounted on said support rod .

According to a general characteristic, the drive shaft is at least axially movable in translation relative to the protective bell between a rest position in which said cutting blade remains axially recessed or flush with respect to the underside of support of said bell, and at least one cutting position in which said cutting blade is at least partly axially projecting with respect to said lower support face.

According to another general characteristic, the device further comprises an elastic return member of the drive shaft in the rest position.

With such a device, the cutting of one side of the package to be opened can be carried out quickly and easily without risk of cuts for the operator. To perform the cut, the drive shaft is driven in translation to the cutting position. During the cutting operation, the protective cover avoids any risk of contact with the cutting blade(s). The sliding of the drive shaft can be carried out manually by the operator or can be controlled in a manner assisted by the operator, for example using a motor.

Once the package has been cut, the operator stops the axial force applied manually or assisted to move the drive shaft into the cutting position. The return device allows an automatic return of the drive shaft to the rest position in which the cutting blade(s) are housed inside the protective bell.

With the device of the invention, the time for cutting a parcel is greatly reduced and the risk of cutting with the cutting blade(s) is very low. In addition, the arduousness of the opening operation by cutting is greatly reduced compared to the use of a cutter which requires numerous wrist movements.

Furthermore, with the device, a cutout of the same shape is always obtained on the packages. This facilitates the passage of the operator's forearm through the cut wall without risk of scratches.

The return member exerts an axial force on a stop fixed to the drive shaft. By “stop integral with the drive shaft”, is meant an element made in one piece with the drive shaft, or even an element attached to said shaft and fixed with respect to it.

The return member can for example be a cylindrical compression spring. Alternatively, the return device can be made by stacking so-called Belleville conical spring washers.

The cutting blade(s) can be made of any material capable of cutting a package, for example metal, ceramic, plastic, etc.

Preferably, the device also comprises a member for adjusting the state of compression of the elastic return member which is slidably mounted on the drive shaft axially on the side opposite to said support rod with respect to the bell housing. protection.

Thus, it is possible to adjust the axial stroke of the drive shaft, and consequently the downward stroke of the cutting blade(s) below the underside of the support of the protective bell. This makes it possible to be able to cut parcels of different thicknesses, for example according to the number of grooves when the parcel is made of cardboard.

Advantageously, the downward stroke of the cutting blade(s) is adjusted according to the thickness of the package. It can be chosen by the user in order to avoid crossing the entire thickness of the face of the package to be cut. By leaving a small thickness of material after cutting, the user can easily tear it off manually. This ensures that the objects, in particular products and goods, contained inside the package are not damaged.

The return member can be mounted on the drive shaft axially between the adjustment member and a stop integral with the protective bell. By “stop integral with the protective bell”, is meant an element made in one piece with the protective bell, or even an element attached to said bell and fixed with respect to the latter.

According to a particular design, the adjustment member is mounted axially bearing against the return member and comprises a nut engaged on a threaded portion of the drive shaft.

The adjustment member may also further comprise a compression ring disposed axially between the nut and the return member. The compression ring can bear axially against the nut and the return member. The axial contact of the compression ring with the nut and the return device can be direct or indirect, i.e. with the interposition of an additional part.

According to a first design of the device, the drive shaft is also mounted rotatably relative to the protective bell.

With such a design, to cut one face of the package, the drive shaft is driven in rotation and said shaft slides simultaneously to the cutting position.

According to a second alternative design of the device, the drive shaft is movable only in translation relative to the protective bell.

With this second design, the cut is obtained by a simple translational movement of the drive shaft.

In a particular embodiment, the device may further comprise, suspended from the free end of the drive shaft which is located axially inside the protective bell, a support member in position of the package to be cut provided with an underside bearing on said package. The drive shaft is at least axially movable in translation relative to the support member. A shoulder of the drive shaft can bear axially against the support member in said position in which said shaft is cut. In the design according to which the drive shaft is also mounted rotatably relative to the protective bell, said drive shaft is rotatably movable relative to the support member.

In another alternative embodiment, the device may further comprise, fixed to the free end of the drive shaft which is located axially inside the protective bell, a tip extending axially above beyond the underside of support of said protective bell.

Preferably, the device further comprises means for adjusting the position of said cutting blade along the support rod. Thus, it is possible to pre-adjust the size of the cut that will be made on the package.

According to a particular design, the device may further comprise a bearing interposed radially between the drive shaft and the protective bell. Advantageously, the drive shaft may comprise a shoulder bearing axially against the bearing in the rest position of said shaft. The shoulder forms an axial stop for the drive shaft when it returns to its rest position.

The bearing can be provided with an inner ring, an outer ring and at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings. Alternatively, the bearing may be of the sliding type and consist of a single annular ring, for example made of thermoplastic material, and may include radial grooves capable of being filled with lubricant. In another variant, the sliding bearing can comprise two rings in direct sliding one on the other.

The invention also relates to a kit for cutting parcels, in particular cardboard parcels, comprising a device for opening by cutting as defined above, a tool capable of being fixed on the drive shaft of the device for opening by cutting and equipped with a motor, and a receiving box inside which are housed said tool and the device for opening by cutting. In the design according to which the drive shaft is also mounted rotatably relative to the protective bell, the tool can for example be a drill in the chuck of which the drive shaft is intended to be fixed. of the cut-out opening device.

The present invention will be better understood on studying the detailed description of an embodiment, taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

are perspective views of a device for opening by cutting parcels according to a first embodiment of the invention,

is a front view of the device of Figure 1,

is a sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 2,

is a sectional view of the device of FIGS. 1 to 4 mounted in abutment against one side of a package to be opened in a rest position of the device,

is a sectional view of the device against the face of the package to be opened in a cutting position,

is a cross-sectional view of the device after cutting the front of the package, and

is a sectional view of a device for opening parcels according to a second embodiment of the invention.

In Figures 1 to 3 is shown a device for opening by cutting, designated by the general reference numeral 10, which is intended to allow the cutting of part of a package. The package can for example be made of cardboard.

The device 10 comprises a protective bell 12, a drive shaft 14 extending through the bell 12, and a rod 16 mounted on the shaft 14 and supporting two cutting blades 18. The device 10 also comprises a handle 19 attached to the protective bell 12 to facilitate gripping and handling.

As will be described in more detail below, the drive shaft 14 can slide relative to the bell 12 to move the cutting blades 18 from a rest position illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, to a position cutout shown in Figure 6.

As will also be described in more detail below, the device 10 also comprises a spring 20 to allow an automatic return of the drive shaft 14 from the cutting position to the rest position.

In FIG. 4, the device 10, with a longitudinal axis X-X', is shown in a supposedly vertical position. The protection bell 12 comprises an upper front wall 12a, and a peripheral skirt 12b extending the front wall 12a. The peripheral skirt 12b axially extends a large-diameter edge of the front wall 12a. The peripheral skirt 12b here has a cylindrical shape. The handle 19 is fixed on the upper front wall 12a.

The protective bell 12 internally delimits a chamber 22 inside which the rod 16 and the cutting blades 18 are housed. The internal chamber 22 is delimited radially by the peripheral skirt 12b and is axially closed on one side by the front wall 12a. The chamber 22 is open axially on the side opposite the front wall 12a.

The protective bell 12 also comprises a support flange 12c extending radially outwards the lower end of the peripheral skirt 12b. The collar 12c has a lower face 12d which is intended to bear against the package to be cut. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower face 12d of the collar forms the lower face of the protective bell 12. Alternatively, it could be possible to provide a protective bell 12 without a collar 12c. In this case, the lower end of the peripheral skirt 12b forms the lower face of the protection bell 12 which is intended to bear against the package to be cut.

The drive shaft 14 extends through the upper front wall 12a of the bell. A recess (not referenced) is provided for this purpose on the upper front wall 12a of the bell. The drive shaft 14 extends partly inside the chamber 22 of the bell. In this embodiment, the drive shaft 14 is rotatably mounted relative to the bell 12. The shaft 14 is movable around the axis X-X'.

To ensure the rotary mounting of the shaft 14, the device 10 comprises a rolling bearing 24 interposed between said shaft and the bell 12. The rolling bearing 24 is mounted inside the chamber 22 of the bell.

The bearing 24 comprises an inner ring mounted on the drive shaft 14, an outer ring mounted inside a bore formed by the front wall 12a of the bell, and a row of rolling elements, here made under form of balls, arranged between raceways of the rings. In the figures, the constituent elements of the rolling bearing 24 are not referenced.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 12a of the bell has a stepped shape to allow the mounting of the rolling bearing 24. The outer ring of the bearing is fitted radially into the bore formed by a radial portion of the front wall 12a of the bell, and abuts axially against an axial portion of the front wall 12a which extends an upper edge of the radial portion. On the side opposite this axial portion of the front wall 12a of the bell, a plate 26 is fixed to the front wall 12a on the side of the chamber 22 to form an axial stop for the outer race of the rolling bearing 24. The plate 26 is fixed here by screwing on the front wall 12a of the bell.

As indicated above, in this embodiment, the shaft 14 is rotatable relative to the bell 12. The shaft 14 is also axially movable relative to the latter. Shaft 14 is movable along axis X-X'. To allow axial movement of the shaft, it is mounted sliding in the bore of the inner race of the rolling bearing 24.

The device 10 further comprises a member 28 for adjusting the state of compression of the spring 20. The spring 20 is here a cylindrical compression spring. Spring 20 is mounted around drive shaft 14.

As will be described in more detail below, the adjustment member 28 makes it possible to adjust the axial travel of the displacement of the drive shaft 14.

The adjusting member 28 is mounted on the part of the drive shaft 14 located outside the bell 12. The adjusting member 28 leaves an end portion 14a of the drive shaft free.

The adjusting member 28 comprises a nut 30 mounted on a threaded portion 14b of the drive shaft, and a compression ring 32 mounted on the shaft 14 being disposed axially between the nut 30 and the spring 20. The nut 30 internally comprises a thread in engagement with a corresponding thread of the threaded portion 14b of the drive shaft.

In the embodiment illustrated, the adjustment member 28 also comprises a washer 34 interposed axially between the nut 30 and the ring 32. The ring 32 is mounted axially bearing against the nut 30 via the washer 34. Alternatively, it may be possible to provide mounting of the ring 32 directly bearing against the nut 30, i.e. without interposing the washer 34.

Axially on the side opposite the nut 30, the ring 32 is mounted axially bearing against the spring 20. One end of the spring 20 therefore bears against the adjustment member 28, and the other end bears against the rolling bearing 14, more precisely the inner ring of the bearing. In this exemplary embodiment, the rolling bearing 14 fulfills a dual function, namely ensuring the rotary mounting of the shaft 14, and forming an axial stop for the spring 20.

Axially on the side opposite the spring 20, a shoulder 35 of the shaft 14 bears axially against the rolling bearing 14, more precisely against the inner ring of the bearing.

Rod 16 extends radially relative to shaft 14. Rod 16 is fixed to shaft 14 by any suitable means. The rod 16 extends radially in the direction of the peripheral skirt 12b of the protective bell, leaving a radial space between them. The rod 16 supports the cutting blades 18. In the embodiment illustrated, the rod 16 has a rectangular section. Alternatively, the rod 16 may have other sections, for example square, triangular, circular, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, a single rod 16 is provided extending radially on either side of the shaft 14. Alternatively, two rods 16 could be provided mounted on either side of the shaft 14. shaft 14 and each supporting one of the blades. In another variant, it could also be possible to provide a single cutting blade 18.

In the rest position of the drive shaft 14 illustrated in Figure 4, the cutting blades 18 are set back axially with respect to the lower face 12d supporting the protective cover. Alternatively, it could be possible to provide that, in this rest position, the cutting blades 18 are flush with the underside 12d of the bell support. However, with such a positioning, the risk of the operator being cut by the blades 18 when handling the device 10 is increased.

In the illustrated embodiment, each cutting blade 18 is mounted on a base 36, itself fixed to the rod 16. Each base 36 extends axially. Each base 36 is mounted at a free end of the rod 16 and fixed thereto, here by screwing. Alternatively, it could be possible to make the rod 16 and the bases 36 in one piece.

The cutting blades 18 are here identical to each other. Each cutting blade 18 is in the form of a disc. Each cutting blade 18 is fixed here on the base 36 associated with the possibility of rotation around a horizontal axis Y-Y' which is perpendicular to the axis X'X'. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a fixed mounting of the cutting blades 18 on the bases. The cutting blades 18 can also have other shapes, for example a pointed shape.

The device 10 further comprises a support member 38 able to bear against the package. The support member 38 is suspended from the free end of the shaft 14 located inside the chamber 22 of the bell. The support member 38 comprises a lower face 38a which is coplanar with the lower face 12d of the protective bell.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plate 40 is fixed to the free end of the shaft 14 for the suspended mounting of the support member 38. The shaft 14 is rotatable and axially movable in translation relatively to the supporting body 38.

To ensure the rotary mounting of the shaft 14 with respect to the support member 38, the latter is equipped here with a rolling bearing 42. The bearing 42 comprises an inner ring mounted on the plate 40, an outer ring mounted inside a recess of the support member 38, and a row of rolling elements, here made in the form of balls, arranged between raceways of the rings. The outer race of the rolling bearing 42 is radially fitted against the recess of the support member 38, and the inner race is mounted on the shaft 14 with a sliding fit. In the figures, the constituent elements of the rolling bearing 42 are not referenced.

To cut a package, proceed as follows.

In a first step, the device 10 is positioned in abutment against the face of the package on which it is desired to make a cutout as shown in FIG. 5. The lower face 12d of the protective bell 12 and the lower face 38a of the support member 38 rests against the face of the package to be cut.

Then, in a second step, the drive shaft 14 is driven in rotation around the X'-X' axis by means of a tool (not shown) which has been mounted beforehand on the portion 14a free end of said shaft. The tool can for example be a drill in the chuck of which is fixed the portion 14a of the shaft 14 drive.

Then, in a third step, the operator exerts, via the tool, an axial force on the drive shaft 14 which is oriented in the direction of the package to cause said shaft to slide from the rest position illustrated in FIG. in the cutting position illustrated in FIG. 6. The shaft 14 is therefore driven in rotation around the axis X-X' and slides simultaneously along said axis.

During the axial sliding of the drive shaft 14, the cutting blades 18 penetrate the thickness of the face to be cut of the package. The shaft 14 slides relative to the protective bell 12 and to the support member 38. The axial movement of the shaft 14 from the rest position to the cutting position takes place counter to the permanent axial force exerted by the spring 20. During this axial displacement of the shaft 14, the spring 20 is compressed axially.

In the cutting position, the cutting blades 18 project axially with respect to the lower face 12d of the protective bell. The descent in height of the cutting blades 18 is sufficient to cross the majority of the thickness of the face of the package. A small thickness of material remains which can then be easily torn off manually. As a variant, it could be possible to provide that during their descent the cutting blades 18 pass through the entire thickness of the face of the package.

In the cutting position illustrated in Figure 6, the spring 20 is fully compressed. This corresponds to a maximum axial stroke of descent of the cutting blades 18.

In the cut-out position illustrated, a shoulder 44 of the shaft bears axially against the rolling bearing 42, more precisely against the inner ring of the bearing. The plate 40 also bears axially against the bottom of the housing of the support member 38.

During the descent of the cutting blades 18 towards the cutting position of the shaft 14, thanks to the rotary movement of these, the cutting of the face of the package is obtained. The cutout is circular. As illustrated in Figure 7, the device 10 is then removed from the face of the package and the cutout made on this face can be torn manually.

After having reached the cutting position, the operator can stop the rotational drive of the shaft 14 and stop the axial force exerted on it. The spring 20 then tends to return to its initial position before compression, and makes it possible to obtain the automatic return of the shaft 14 to its rest position.

As indicated above, the axial downward stroke of the shaft 14, and therefore of the cutting blades 18, can be adjusted by means of the adjustment member 28. This adjustment is carried out prior to the cutting operation. .

To do this, simply turn the nut 30 of the adjuster clockwise or counterclockwise depending on whether you want to reduce, or on the contrary increase, the state of compression of the spring 20.

As indicated previously, in the cutting position illustrated in FIG. 6, the device 10 has been adjusted so as to obtain a maximum downward travel of the shaft 14 and of the cutting blades 18.

Prior to the cutting operation, if the device 10 is adjusted, via the adjustment member 28 by compressing the spring 20 more significantly so as to obtain a reduced downstroke, only the spring 20 when it is in its fully compressed state forms a stop blocking the movement of the shaft 14 and the cutting blades 18 in the cutting position. An axial space remains between the shoulder 44 of the shaft and the rolling bearing 42, and between the plate 40 and the bottom of the housing of the support member 38.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, in which the identical elements bear the same references, differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment in that the device 10 further comprises means for adjusting the position of the cutting blades 18 along stem 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, these adjustment means comprise a plurality of recesses 46 provided on the rod 16, and a removable fixing screw 48 which is associated with each base 36 supporting one of the cutting blades 18.

Each recess 46 is internally threaded so that each screw 48 can be fixed inside the chosen recess. The recesses 46 are divided into two identical groups, each group being on one side of the shaft 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing between two successive recesses 46 of the same group is regular. Alternatively, this spacing could be irregular. The recesses 46 extend vertically on the rod 16. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a horizontal orientation of the recesses 46.

Each screw 48 bears against a flange (not referenced) of the associated base 36 and engages the thread of the recess 46 inside which it extends. Each base 36 is mounted on the rod 16 with the possibility of sliding when the associated screw 48 is removed. The operator can adjust the size of the cut that will be made on the parcel according to the spacing that is chosen beforehand between the cutting blades 18, according to the retained position of the screws 48 along the rod 16.

In the two embodiments illustrated, the drive shaft 14 is mounted axially movable in translation and movable in rotation relative to the protective bell 12 so as to obtain the cutout on the face of the package to be opened thanks to this double movement. of the shaft 14 and therefore of the cutting blades 18.

As a variant, it could be possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to provide a mounting of the drive shaft which can only be moved in translation with respect to the protective bell. In this case, the front of the package is cut by a simple sliding movement of the drive shaft.

In such a variant embodiment, a single or several cutting blades may be provided. The cutting blade or blades can be configured to obtain a circular, or oval, or polygonal cut such as rectangular, square, etc.

Thanks to the invention, we have a tool that makes it possible both to greatly reduce the time it takes to cut a package and the associated risk of cutting.

Claims (13)

Device for opening parcels by cutting, in particular cardboard parcels, characterized in that it comprises:
- a protective cover (12) provided with an underside (12d) to rest on the package to be cut,
- a drive shaft (14) extending axially through the protective bell (12),
- at least one support rod (16) mounted on the drive shaft (14) and extending inside the protective bell (12),
- and at least one cutting blade (18) mounted on said support rod (16),
- the drive shaft (14) being at least axially movable in translation relative to the protective bell (12) between a rest position in which said cutting blade (18) remains axially recessed or flush with respect to the lower face (12d) supporting said bell, and at least one cutting position in which said cutting blade (18) is at least partly axially projecting with respect to said lower bearing face (12d),
- the device further comprising an elastic return member (20) of the drive shaft (14) in the rest position. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a member (28) for adjusting the state of compression of the elastic return member (20) which is slidably mounted on the drive shaft (14) axially on the opposite side to said support rod (16) with respect to the protective bell (12). Device according to Claim 2, in which the return member (20) is mounted on the drive shaft (14) axially between the adjustment member (28) and a stop integral with the protective bell (12) . Device according to Claim 2 or 3, in which the adjustment member (28) is mounted axially bearing against the return member (20) and comprises a nut (30) engaged on a threaded portion of the shaft. drive (14). Device according to Claim 4, in which the adjustment member (28) further comprises a compression ring (32) disposed axially between the nut (30) and the return member (20). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the drive shaft (14) is also rotatably mounted relative to the protective bell (12). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising, suspended from the free end of the drive shaft (14) which is located axially inside the protective bell (12), a support (38) provided with an underside (38a) for bearing on the parcel to be cut. Device according to Claim 7, in which the drive shaft (14) is at least axially movable in translation relative to the support member (38). Device according to Claim 7 or 8, in which a shoulder (44) of the drive shaft bears axially against the support member (38) in the said position of cutting said shaft. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (46, 48) for adjusting the position of the said cutting blade (18) along the support rod. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a bearing (24) interposed radially between the drive shaft (14) and the protective bell (12). Device according to Claim 11, in which the drive shaft (14) comprises a shoulder (35) bearing axially against the bearing (24) in the rest position of the said shaft. Kit for cutting parcels, in particular cardboard parcels, comprising a device for opening by cutting according to any one of the preceding claims, a tool capable of being fixed on the drive shaft of the device for opening by cutting and equipped with a motor, and a receiving box inside which are housed said tool and the device for opening by cutting.