KR20220007893A - Method and system for folding the upper support flap - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of the present invention includes folding a front top flap of a carton blank, folding a trailing top flap of the carton blank, and passing the folded front and trailing top flaps into a gap between a pair of guide rails. The method includes engaging the front top flaps to the front cans of the product packs, engaging the trailing top flaps to the trailing cans of the product packs, wrapping the carton blanks around the product packs to wrap the product packs together.

Description

Method and system for folding the upper support flap

The present disclosure relates to packaging, and more particularly to systems and methods for packaging multiple product units, such as cans or bottles, together.

One way to pack multiple bottles or cans together is to use cardboard wrappers that wrap 4 out of 6 sides of a batch of multiple cans or bottles. For example, a cardboard wrapper or carton can be wrapped around the top, left, bottom and right sides of a 2x2 bundle of 4 cans. A similar carton can be used to wrap 6-pack cans in a 2x3 arrangement using the same technique.

The existing technology was considered satisfactory for its intended purpose. However, there is always a need for improved systems and methods for packaging.

The present disclosure provides a solution to this need.

The system of the present invention includes a pair of longitudinally extending guide rails which receive therein a series of carton blanks and at the front end of each carton as the cartons are conveyed along the pair of guide rails. They are spaced apart from each other by a gap configured to hold a leading upper flap and a trailing upper flap in a folded state. A rotary conveyor is mounted fixedly with respect to the longitudinal direction. The rotary conveyor has a rotational axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and is mounted to rotate about the rotational axis. At least a pair of tines extend radially outward from the rotary conveyor. Each pair of the at least one pair of protrusions includes a front protrusion and a rear end protrusion. The shear protrusion is arranged to contact and fold a shear top flap of a passing carton blank of one of a series of carton blanks as the carousel rotates so that the shear top flap passes into the gap between the pair of guide rails. make it fold The trailing protrusion is configured to contact and fold the trailing top flaps of the passing carton as the carousel rotates so that the trailing top flaps are folded before passing into the gap between the pair of guide rails.

A second pair of guide rails may be laterally offset from the first pair of guide rails with respect to the longitudinal direction. A second carousel may be mounted fixedly relative to the longitudinal direction, laterally offset from the first carousel and aligned with the second pair of guide rails. The second rotary conveyor may be mounted to rotate about the rotation axis. The first and second rotary conveyors may be configured to fold two leading upper flaps and two trailing upper flaps of each carton blank of the series of carton blanks.

The rotary conveyor may include a main wheel fixedly mounted with respect to the longitudinal direction. The trailing projections may follow a cam path to deflect relative to the primary wheel. The shear protrusions may be fixed so as not to deflect with respect to the rotary conveyor.

A secondary wheel may be mounted transversely from the carousel fixed with respect to the longitudinal direction. The secondary wheel may have a rotation axis offset parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary conveyor. the secondary wheel comprises a wheel contour configured to maintain the folded state of the front and trailing flaps after being folded by the pair of protrusions and before the front and trailing flaps enter the gap between the pair of guide rails can do. The front and rear end projections of the rotary conveyor may be fixed so as not to be bent with respect to the rotary conveyor.

The rotary conveyor may include a chain drive defining a circulation path extending to extend in the longitudinal direction. The front and rear projections may follow a cam path to deflect relative to the chain drive.

A pack conveyor may be aligned in the longitudinal direction. The pack conveyor may be positioned to align a series of packs of products with a respective carton blank, wherein each pack is aligned with a respective carton blank as the carton blank is folded by the carousel.

A pack conveyor may be arranged to introduce a series of packs of products in a lateral direction in alignment with the longitudinal direction, wherein the pack conveyor is located at a position downstream of the location where the carton blank enters the gap between the guide rails. Arranged to align the packs with each carton blank.

The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: folding a front top flap of a carton blank, folding a trailing top flap of a carton blank, and passing the front and trailing top flaps in a folded state into a gap between a pair of guide rails. include The method comprises the steps of engaging the front upper flap with the front can of a product pack, engaging the trailing upper flap with the rear can of the product pack, and wrapping the carton blank around the product pack to close the product pack. It includes the process of packaging together.

The step of folding the front top flaps of the carton blank may include simultaneously folding the two front top flaps of the carton blank, wherein the folding of the trailing top flaps comprises simultaneously folding the two trailing top flaps of the carton blank. wherein said step of engaging the front and trailing top flaps comprises engaging the two front top flaps with two side-by-side shear units of the product pack and the two trailing top flaps with the two side-by-side trailing ends of the product pack engaging the units. The product pack may be a 6 pack can in a 2x3 arrangement.

Folding the front and trailing top flaps can only be performed with access from above the carton blank since the product pack is below the carton blank. It is also contemplated that the folding of the front and trailing top flaps is performed by accessing the carton blank from above and below, wherein the product pack is aligned with the carton blank downstream after the front and trailing top flaps are folded. The folding step may include initially folding with access only over the carton blank and maintaining the fold after the initial fold, wherein maintaining the fold comprises only accessing from above and inserting the front and rear flaps between the guide rails. accessing only under the carton blank prior to passing it into the gap.

Folding the leading upper flap may occur prior to folding the trailing upper flap. Engagement of the front and trailing upper flaps may include lowering the carton down a ramp to engage the product pack. Passing the leading and trailing upper flaps into the gap between the guide rails is to first pass a carton blank under the upper one of the guide rails and then pass the carton blank under the upper one of the guide rails while still maintaining the carton blank under the guide rails. passing the carton blank over the lower guide rail. Folding at least one of the front and trailing upper flaps may include deflecting the protrusion to achieve folding thereof.

These and other features of the systems and methods of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains may readily understand without undue experimentation how to make and use the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail below with reference to the specific drawings:
1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a primary wheel from a perspective above a carton blank;
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 showing the folding of the shear top flap of one of the cartons from a viewpoint under the carton blank;
Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the system of Fig. 1, showing the shear upper flap entering the gap between the guide rails from a viewpoint below the carton blank;
Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the system of Fig. 1, showing the rear end upper flap folded in view from under the carton blank;
Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the system of Fig. 1, showing a cam path for deflecting the trailing protrusions;
6 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 , showing one of the primary wheels;
Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the system of Fig. 6, showing both of the primary wheels;
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 , showing the chain drive instead of the primary wheels;
FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a part of the chain drive of FIG. 8 , showing protrusions and a carton blank;
Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the chain drive of Fig. 8, showing the cam path for deflecting the lugs;
Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the system of Fig. 1, showing another carousel approaching the carton blank from above and below;
Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the carousel of Fig. 11, seen from a position above the carton blank;
FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the carousel of FIG. 11 , showing a secondary wheel with a wheel contour different from that shown in FIG. 11 ;
14 is a schematic diagram of a product packaging process according to the present disclosure, showing the top flaps engaging each can and a carton blank wrapped around the cans of a pack.
Figure 15 is a schematic view of the process of Figure 14, viewed from a point below the carton blank;
16 is a perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 showing the carousel of FIG. 11 installed and the pack conveyor introducing product packs downstream of the carousel;
Fig. 17 is a side view of the system of Fig. 16, showing the primary and secondary wheels;

Reference will now be made to the drawings in which like reference numbers identify like structural features or aspects of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not of limitation, a partial view of one embodiment of a system according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated by reference numeral '100'. Other embodiments of a system according to the present disclosure or aspects thereof will be provided and described in FIGS. 2-17 . The systems and methods described herein can be used to store product units within a carton after wrapping the carton around a pack of product units by folding the top flap of a carton blank to engage a product unit such as a beverage can.

The system 100 includes a pair of guide rails 102 , 104 extending in the longitudinal direction D . The upper guide rail 102 accommodates a series of carton blanks 106 therein and also includes a trailing upper flap of each carton 106 as the carton 106 is transported along the pair of guide rails 102 , 104 . It is spaced apart from the lower guide rail 104 (see FIG. 2 ) by a gap G configured to hold 108 and the front upper flap 110 in a collapsed state. The rotary conveyor 112 is mounted fixedly with respect to the longitudinal direction (D). The rotary conveyor 112 has an axis of rotation A oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D. The rotary conveyor 112 is mounted to rotate about the axis of rotation (A).

The second pair of guide rails 114 , 116 is laterally offset from the first pair of guide rails 102 , 104 with respect to the longitudinal direction D. A second carousel 118 is fixedly mounted with respect to the longitudinal direction D, is laterally offset from the first carousel 112 and aligned with the second pair of guide rails 114 , 116 . The second rotary conveyor 118 is mounted to rotate about the rotation axis A at the same speed as the first rotary conveyor 112 . For the sake of clarity, this disclosure describes the operation of the first carousel 112 and the first and second guide rails 102 , 104 , however, those skilled in the art will recognize the first carousel 112 . It will be readily understood that the description of the structure and operation of the and guide rails 102 and 104 may be directly applied to the second rotary conveyor 118 and its corresponding rails 114 and 116 . The first and second rotary conveyors 112 , 118 have two trailing top flaps 108 , 120 and two leading top flaps 110 , 122 in each carton blank 106 of a series of carton blanks 106 . ) is configured to fold.

Several pairs of protrusions 124 , 126 extend radially outward from the rotary conveyor 112 . Each pair of protrusions 124 , 126 includes a trailing end protrusion 124 and a front end protrusion 126 . The shear protrusion 126 is positioned to contact and fold the shear top flap 110 of one passing carton blank 106 in the series of carton blanks 106 as the carousel 112 rotates. The flap 110 is folded before passing into the gap G between the pair of guide rails 102 , 106 . 2 shows the shear upper flap 110 folded by one of the shear protrusions 122 in position P1 . 3 shows the same upper flap 110 entering the gap G at position P2. 4 shows that at position P3 the same upper flap 110 is captured in the gap G and transported along the guide rails 102 , 104 . Passing the front and trailing upper flaps 110 , 108 into the gap G involves first passing the carton blank 106 under the upper guide rail 102 of the guide rails, and then passing the upper guide rail 102 under the upper guide rail 102 . Passing the carton blank 106 over the lower one of the guide rails while still maintaining it, where the upper guide rail 102 is upstream than the lower guide rail 104, ie further left in FIG. 1 . from, because it departs from

Each of the trailing end protrusions 124 is configured to contact and fold the rear end upper flap 108 of the carton 106 through which the carton 106 passes as the rotary conveyor 112 rotates, so that the rear end upper flap 108 is a pair of guide rails. Fold before passing into the gap (G) between (102, 104). 4 shows the trailing upper flap 108 (of the same carton described above for the folding of the leading upper flap 110 ) folded by the protrusion 124 at position P4, and of the preceding carton blank 106 at position P5. The trailing top flap 108 is shown captured between the guide rails 102 , 104 . After folding the trailing top flap 108 , the trailing protrusion 124 articulates away from the trailing top flap 108 as the carton blank 106 passes past the carousel 112 . turn off

The carousel 112 includes a primary wheel 128 (identified in FIGS. 5 and 7 ) fixedly mounted with respect to a longitudinal direction D. The trailing projection 124 follows the cam path 130 defined on the sidewall 134 to deflect the trailing projection 124 relative to the primary wheel 128 as indicated by the curved arrow in FIG. 5 . Each trailing projection 124 has a respective tinea for the primary wheel 128 as a result of a respective cam follower 132 of the trailing projection 124 along the cam path 130 . axis) (T), with the cam path 130 remaining fixed relative to the rotation of the primary wheel 128 . The shear protrusion 126 (not shown in FIG. 5 , see FIG. 1 ) is secured against the carousel 112 so that it does not deflect. A corresponding sidewall 134 for the second carousel 118 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 .

Referring now to FIG. 8 , another apparatus 200 for use in system 100 is, for example, instead of a carousel 112 , 118 having a respective primary wheel 128 , each A rotary conveyor 212 , 218 comprising a chain drive 228 is used. Each chain drive 228 rotates about an axis A but forms a rotational path extending along a longitudinal direction D. 9 shows that each chain drive 228 includes a leading projection 226 and a trailing projection 224, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any suitable number of pairs of projections 224, 226 in each chain It will be readily appreciated that it may be included in the drive 228 . The elongated shape of the chain drive shown in FIG. 8 allows the protrusions 224 , 226 to have extended contact with the carton 106 (see FIGS. 1 and 9 ) for applications where extended contact is advantageous. Although the extended contact extends in terms of distance, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the extended contact does not necessarily extend in time as the chain drive 228 may promote high throughput. Referring to FIG. 10 , the extended contact is facilitated by articulation of both protrusions 224 and 226 . Shear protrusion 226 deflects about pivot 236 whose deflection is driven by cam follower 238 on cam track 240 of cam wall 234 . The trailing protrusion 224 deflects about a pivot 242 , the deflection of which is driven by a cam follower 244 on the cam track 246 of the cam wall 234 . The deflection of the protrusions 224 and 226 is similar to that described above for the trailing protrusions 124 .

The carousel conveyors described above with respect to FIGS. 1-10 provide for folding of the upper flaps 108 , 110 without the need for access below the carton 106 . This is, in a setting where product (eg packs 148 of candles 150 ) is conveyed just below where the carousel conveyors are folding the upper flaps 108 , 110 , as shown in FIG. 1 , the upper Provides folding of the flaps 108 and 110 . In Figure 1, the pack conveyor 152 is aligned with the longitudinal direction (D). A pack conveyor 152 is positioned to align a series of product packs 148 for each carton blank 106 , where each pack 148 is where the carton blank 106 is transported by a rotary conveyor 112 , 118 . Aligned with each carton blank 106 when folded.

Referring to FIG. 16 , in another application a pack conveyor 352 carries a series of product packs (not shown in FIG. 16 but see pack 148 in FIG. 1 ) from a transverse direction I in alignment with a longitudinal direction D. positioned to introduce Pack conveyor 352 transports pack 148 to each carton blank at a location downstream where carton blank 106 enters gap G (see FIG. 1) between guide rails 102, 104, 114, 116. It is positioned to align with 106 (not shown in FIG. 16 but see FIG. 1 ). That is, in FIG. 16 , carton blank 106 may enter from the left along longitudinal direction D, pack 148 may enter along direction I from a lateral position, and pack 148 may enter rails ( Meeting the carton downstream of the beginning of 102 , 104 , 114 , 116 , the pack 148 and the carton together leave the area indicated by output arrow O in FIG. 16 . This allows for the introduction of the pack 148 downstream of the carousel 312, 318 (shown from the side in FIG. 17), which can be accessed under the carton while the top flaps 108, 110 are folded. it means.

Referring now to FIG. 11 , shown is a system 100 in which folding is performed by accessing carton 106 from both the top and bottom. Each secondary wheel 360 , 362 is mounted over each of the primary wheels 328 of the rotary conveyors 312 , 318 fixed with respect to the longitudinal direction D. Each secondary wheel 360 , 362 has an axis of rotation R that is offset parallel to and offset from the axis of rotation A of the rotary conveyors 312 , 318 . Each secondary wheel 360 , 362 is folded by a pair of protrusions 326 , 324 and then the leading and trailing flaps 110 , 108 enter the gap G between the guide rails 102 , 104 . and a wheel profile 364 configured to maintain the folded position of the front and trailing flaps 110 , 108 before. The front and trailing protrusions 326 and 324 of the rotary conveyors 312 and 318 are each fixed non-deflecting relative to their respective primary wheels 328 . 11 and 12 show the two shear protrusions 326 folding the two shear top flaps 110 respectively in perspective below and above the carton 106 . Folding the upper flaps 108 , 110 may include an initial fold approaching only over the carton blank 106 , and the secondary wheels 360 , 362 retain the fold after the initial fold as described above. Maintaining the folds here includes accessing only from below the carton blank 106 before passing the front and trailing flaps 110 , 108 into the gap G between the guide rails 102 , 104 .

The number of protrusions 324 , 326 can be varied as needed for a given application, such as wheel profile 364 . 13 shows a modified version of a primary wheel 428 with fewer protrusions 424 , 426 and a secondary wheel 460 , 462 with a different wheel profile 464 . Such modifications may be made, for example, to accommodate systems with different speeds. Wheel outline 464 may, for example, move at twice the speed of carton 106 , while wheel profile 364 of FIG. 11 moves at the same speed as carton 106 .

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15 , which schematically depict the system 100 in perspective above and below the carton 106 , respectively, the steps of packing a pack 148 into a carton blank 106 are shown. On the left side of FIGS. 14 and 15 , carton 106 accesses primary and secondary wheels 428 , 460 , 462 that fold leading and trailing top flaps 110 , 108 . After folding the upper flaps 108 , 110 , the carton blank 106 is transferred into the gap G identified in FIG. 3 with the upper flaps 108 , 110 folded. The pack 148 is then introduced under the carton 106 and guide rails 102 , 104 , 114 , 116 (shown in FIGS. 1-3 ) bring the carton 106 into contact with the pack 148 . slope downwards. When the pack 148 is initially introduced under the carton 106 as in FIGS. 1-4 , there are no wheels 460 , 462 accessing the blank 106 from below. As the carton blank 106 comes into contact with the pack, the two side-by-side front top flaps 110 engage the top rim 170 of the two side-by-side shear cans 150, and the side-by-side trailing top flaps 108 engage the trailing edge. It engages the parallel upper rim 170 of the candle 150 . A carton blank 106 is then wrapped around the pack 148 of product to wrap together the pack 148 of product, as shown in the far right of FIG. 14 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that, although shown with respect to a six-pack can 150 in a 2x3 arrangement, other products or pack configurations (eg, four-pack) may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. will be.

As described above and shown in the drawings, the methods and systems of the present disclosure are provided for packaging product units, such as beverage cans, in cartons having superior properties including ease of use and reliability. Although the apparatus and method of the present disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (20)

a pair of guide rails extending longitudinally and spaced apart from each other by a gap configured to receive a series of carton blanks therein, comprising a leading upper flap and a trailing upper flap of each carton as the carton is conveyed along the pair of guide rails; a pair of guide rails configured to remain folded;
a rotary conveyor fixedly mounted with respect to the longitudinal direction, having an axis of rotation oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and mounted to rotate about the axis of rotation; and
at least one pair of projections extending radially outwardly from the rotary conveyor;
includes,
Each pair of said at least one pair of protrusions comprises:
The shear top flap of one of the passing carton blanks of the series of carton blanks as the carousel rotates so that the shear top flap is folded before the shear top flap passes into the gap between the pair of guide rails. an anterior protrusion arranged to fold in contact with; and
a rear projection configured to contact and fold the trailing top flaps of the passing carton as the rotary conveyor rotates so that the trailing top flaps are folded before the trailing top flaps pass into the gap between the pair of guide rails;
comprising, a system. According to claim 1,
the carousel is a first carousel, and the guide rail pair is a first guide rail pair;
a second pair of guide rails laterally offset from the first pair of guide rails with respect to the longitudinal direction; and
a second rotary conveyor fixedly mounted relative to the longitudinal direction, laterally offset from the first rotary conveyor, aligned with the second pair of guide rails, and mounted for rotation about the axis of rotation;
It further includes
wherein the first and second carousel are configured to fold the two leading top flaps and the two trailing top flaps of each carton blank in the series of carton blanks. According to claim 1,
wherein the rotary conveyor comprises a primary wheel fixedly mounted with respect to the longitudinal direction. 4. The method of claim 3,
wherein the trailing protrusions follow a cam path to deflect relative to the primary wheel, and wherein the front protrusions are secured against deflection relative to the carousel. According to claim 1,
and a secondary wheel mounted transversely from the rotary conveyor fixed with respect to the longitudinal direction, the secondary wheel having an axis of rotation parallel and offset from the axis of rotation of the carousel;
wherein the secondary wheel comprises a wheel contour configured to maintain the folded state of the front and trailing flaps after the front and trailing flaps are folded by the pair of protrusions and before entering the gap between the pair of guide rails. 6. The method of claim 5,
and wherein the front and rear end projections of the carousel are secured against deflection with respect to the carousel. According to claim 1,
wherein the rotary conveyor comprises a chain drive defining a circulation path extending to extend in the longitudinal direction. 8. The method of claim 7,
and the leading and trailing projections follow a cam path to articulate relative to the chain drive. According to claim 1,
further comprising the longitudinally aligned pack conveyor, wherein the pack conveyor is positioned to align a series of product packs with respective carton blanks, each pack comprising a respective carton when the carton blanks are folded by the rotary conveyor. system, aligned with the blank. According to claim 1,
and a pack conveyor positioned to introduce a series of packs of product from a transverse direction in alignment with the longitudinal direction, wherein the pack conveyor is positioned downstream of a location where the carton blank enters the gap between the guide rails. positioned to align with each carton blank. folding the shear top flap of the carton blank;
folding the rear end upper flap of the carton blank;
passing the front and rear top flaps in a folded state into a gap between a pair of guide rails;
engaging the shear top flap with the shear can of a product pack;
engaging the rear end upper flap with the rear end can of the product pack; and
wrapping the carton blank around the product pack to wrap the product pack together;
A method comprising 12. The method of claim 11,
The step of folding the front top flaps of the carton blank comprises simultaneously folding the two leading top flaps of the carton blank, and the folding of the trailing top flaps includes folding the two trailing top flaps of the carton blank at the same time; , the step of engaging the front and trailing upper flaps comprises the steps of engaging two front upper flaps to two side-by-side front units of the product pack and engaging the two trailing upper flaps to two side-by-side trailing units of the product pack. A method comprising steps. 13. The method of claim 12,
wherein the product pack is a can of 6 packs in a 2x3 arrangement. 12. The method of claim 11,
wherein said step of folding the leading and trailing top flaps is performed with access only over the carton blank when the product pack is under the carton blank. 15. The method of claim 14,
wherein the step of folding the front and trailing top flaps is performed by accessing the carton blank from above and below, the product pack being aligned with the carton blank downstream after the front and trailing top flaps are folded. 16. The method of claim 15,
The folding step includes initially folding and maintaining the folded state after the initial folding by accessing only over the carton blank, wherein maintaining the folded state includes the shearing into the gap between the guide rails only after accessing from the top only. and access only under the carton blank prior to passing through the trailing top flap. 12. The method of claim 11,
wherein said step of folding the leading upper flap occurs before said step of folding the trailing upper flap. 12. The method of claim 11,
wherein said engaging the leading and trailing top flaps comprises lowering the carton down a ramp to engage the pack of products. 12. The method of claim 11,
The step of passing the leading and trailing upper flaps into the gap between guide rails may include first passing the carton blank under an upper one of the guide rails, and then passing the carton blank under the upper guide rail while still holding the carton blank under the upper guide rail. passing the carton blank over a lower one of the guide rails. 12. The method of claim 11,
wherein folding at least one of the leading upper flap and the trailing upper flap comprises deflecting the protrusion to effect the folding.

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