MXPA00002730A - Carton erecting mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for sequentially manipulating out of a hopper collapsed cartons having oppositely disposed panels and for initiating set up thereof, said machine comprising carton pick up means for sequentially engaging one of said opposed panels and for withdrawing from the hopper a collapsed carton which includes said one panel, means for transferring said carton orbitally about a rotatable axis from said hopper to an infeed end of a packaging machine and wherein panel engaging means is disposed outside the path of orbit for engaging the other of said panels so as to pull said other panel in a direction away from the carton pick up means thereby to initiate opening of the carton characterised in that said panel engaging means is mounted to a guide rail (39) and a transverse carriage (38) moveable in a first plane along said guide rail.

Description

MECHANISM OF ARMING CARTONS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the packaging of primary articles such as cans and bottles in multiple packaging cartons and relates more particularly to the feeding of such cartons in collapsed conditions from a hopper and to start and Then complete a cardboard installation operation in sequence. Most known packing machines are delicate machines that build only one size of one type of cardboard. Therefore, modern bottling plants are required to use a plurality of packaging machines to pack different types of cardboard, each machine occupying a considerable floor space and being expensive both for comparison and for operation. A limited number of packaging machines are able to pack different sizes of cartons, for example six, eight or twelve packets of a cardboard wrap. All such machines require adjustments when they are changed from one size or type of cardboard to another. This adjustment includes the manual removal of the total of the cartons inside the packing machine and possibly the mechanical adjustment of the components in the machine. During this period of change, which can be thirty minutes or more, a machine can not be used (known as "unproductive time"), which is an expensive delay in a bottling plant. Such a delay can still result in unproductive time for the entire bottling line, not just the packing machine, if problems arise during the exchange procedure. The present invention seeks to overcome the commercial disadvantages of known packaging machines by providing a feeder mechanism that is available to install more than one type of cardboard. Furthermore, the invention is capable of changing from one type of cardboard to another, or between sizes with minimal unproductive time. The modular nature of the present invention facilitates a "fully flexible" machine to be constructed that overcomes, or at least alleviates, the problems of known machines. The present invention can be used with a packaging machine described in a corresponding application (reference of Applicant D-7725.It is desirable that the present invention can be used in several other types of packing machine.Alternatively, the assembly mechanism of the present invention It can be sold as an individual module to be fitted to the new equipment or for existing equipment on a retrofit basis UK 2053133 is related to an apparatus for removing / attaching box templates from a stationary deposit and which arms and transfers the The apparatus comprises transfer members that are mounted on four attachment points and arranged on a rotating can controlled by cans During rotation, to facilitate the removal of the templates, such members are stationary During the transfer of the armed templates in the transport device the section members are moved syn ironically with the transport device. US Patent 4625575 refers to a can assembly for a feeder mechanism in which a can plate is provided having a continuous can track including a deep section and a section that catches the surface can. Arms that follow the tin track are used for relative movement within the deep and shallower can track. The collection means are connected to the can arm by an eccentric arm and the can track causes the collection means to move to an outward extended position and returns to a retracted inward position. WO 92/15450 relates to a cardboard picking machine having a suction device for removing collapsible sheath-like cartons from a device. The suction device moves inward and towards out on a slide rod such as this orbit around a rotating shaft an oscillating fastener mounted on the outer side of the orbit of the suction device pulls out on an outer sheet of the collapsed cardboard to be opened. This reference of the prior art refers to the means of collecting primary cardboard although it is not directed to a problem associated with the assembly of cartons from a flat condition. The present invention addresses the difficulties associated with opposing separation canvases of different cartons after they have been stored in a flat condition and which can be easily modified for different types of cardboard. Therefore, the present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problem of the prior art. One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for sequentially manipulating out of a hopper of collapsed cartons having an opposingly arranged canvas and for initiating the installation thereof, the machine comprises, cardboard collecting means for sequentially crimping one of the opposite canvases and for removing from the hopper a collapsed cardboard including the canvas, means for transferring the cardboard orbitally, approximately an axis rotatable from the hopper to an internal feed end of a packaging machine and wherein the means for crimping the canvas are arranged on the outer side of the orbit path to engage the other of the opposing canvases so that it pulls the other canvas in a direction away from the cardboard collecting means whereby the opening of the carton commences, characterized in that the means of canvas crimping is mounted to a guide rail and a transverse conveyor moves in a first plan or along the guide rail. According to an optional feature of this aspect of. In the invention, the canvas crimping means can be moved in the first plane by a linear servomotor. According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the canvas crimping means may be mounted to a sliding member in a substantially perpendicular relationship with the guide rail and such a sliding member may be able to move relative to the guide rail so that the means of crimping the canvas is able to move in two planes. According to an additional optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the canvas crimping means is moved in a second plane by a linear servomotor. According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the control means can be arranged to control the movement of the linen crimping means. According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the canvas crimping means may comprise a suction cup and a cup holder mounted on the sliding member, such a suction cup being connected to a vacuum supply during the cardboard opening. According to yet a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the front contacting canvases may comprise opposite side walls of the. paperboard. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS - FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the input feeding of a baler machine illustrating the backward mechanism entador of an embodiment of this invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the packaging machine illustrated in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a feedback mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 1; FIGS. 4 to 6 are perspective views illustrating a feedback mechanism of separately opposite canvases of a cardboard; FIGURES 7a, 7b and 7c are side elevation views of basket-type carton, fully closed carton for eight bottles and a totally closed carton for twelve bottles; FIGURE 8 illustrates four graphs showing an example of the distance, velocity, acceleration and acceleration derived, plotted against time of the linear servomotor that controls the X coordinates of the suction cup; and FIGURE 9 illustrates four graphs that show an example of the distance, speed, acceleration and acceleration plotted against the time of the linear servomotor that controls the Y coordinates of the suction cup. A mechanism according to the present invention is capable of erecting a variety of cardboard types, for example, wrapped, fully enclosed and basket-like cartons. Any reference in this specification to cardboard type includes different sizes of a particular cardboard style. For example, the mechanism can load totally closed cartons for eight or twelve items. With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, a machine 10 for processing cartons of the type indicated in the foregoing is shown. The upstream end of the machine includes a dual hopper 12, 14 in which a multiplicity of cartons for example basket type and fully closed cartons 16, 18 in a collapsed condition which are kept ready for processing. In this embodiment, each hopper 12, 14 is a type of gravity feed whereby the cardboard templates are fastened in their respective hopper at an inclination to provide a positive feed. A rotary vacuum feeder 20, positioned adjacent to the dual hopper 12, 14, removes a carton sequentially from the hopper unit and transfers the carton in a rotating "Z" path to a paper feed chain 22 shown in FIGURE 3 The paper chain 22 is provided to transfer cardboard downstream to the loading station 24. When the cardboard is removed from the hopper unit 12 and is rotated by the rotary feeder 20, a feedback mechanism 30 is used to separate the opposing canvases and to partially assist the cardboard reinforcement. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the cardboard being transferred by the rotary feeder is a completely closed cardboard, shown in FIGURE 7b in a flat collapsed condition. In order that the cardboard is transferred from the inclined position in the hopper 12, 14 to a vertical plane in the paper fed chain 22, it is necessary to deflect the axis of rotation of the rotary feeder 20 from the vertical plane, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. Therefore, the feeder 30 could also be deviated "tangentially from the orbital path of a cardboard." Returning to the construction of the feeder 30, shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the crimping means comprise a suction cup 32 supported on a cup holder 34 which is mounted on a sliding member 36. A suitable means is provided for moving the means crimping in the "X" and / or "Y" directions For example, the sliding member 36 is in turn mounted on a transverse carriage 38 and is capable of being moved in a direction ion designated by the letter X relative to the transversal car. The cross carriage 38 is preferably connected to a guide rail 39 which is fixed to a supporting frame (not shown): the transverse carriage being adapted to move the suction cup and the sliding member in a direction designated by the letter Y, relative to the guide rail 39. In this way, the suction cup 32, is able to move towards or away from the feeder 20 of rotary vacuum in a direction 20 and / or a direction parallel to the orbital path Z of the cardboard. If desired, limit stops may be included at the ends of the sliding member and / or guide rail.

It is conceptualized that alternative components or configurations can be used to provide a mount which can be moved in X-Y directions. The sliding member 36 is moved by a first drive means, for example a first linear servo motor (not shown) which is controlled by a suitable control system and the transverse carriage 38 is moved by means of the second driver, for example, a second linear motor servo (not shown) which is also controlled by the control system. In some modalities, the system is programmed to preset the appropriate X-Y coordinates and to define the trajectory of the suction cup. The control means can be a dedicated processor or can be a control means for a packaging machine in which the feedback device is used. Alternatively, the control means may preferably be a known programmable servo control means, it may preferably be a known programmable servo control system. Manual input means can be included to change the particular "X" or "Y" coordinates. Further details of a type of control system are provided in the corresponding application (reference D-7725 of the Applicant). In use, the feeder 30 separates one of the walls 40 from the cardboard from the opposite wall 42 held by the rotary feeder 20. In this embodiment, the opposite walls used are the side walls 40, 42. When the rotary feeder 20 transfers the carton, the sucker 32 of the feeler 30 is moved to the front in contact with a side wall 40 of the collapsed carton 18, shown in Figure 4. Preferably, the contact point is in an approximately central portion. of the wall being, separated. The vacuum is applied to the suction cup 32 to hold the side wall 40. When the rotary feeder 20 continues to rotate the cardboard toward the front, the feedback pad 32 moves away from the rotary feeder 20 to separate the two side walls, shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the driving torque of the cups 44 of the rotary feeder releases the leading end canvas 46. In this way, the cardboard is bent in an armed condition in part with the side and end walls being separated. The feed of the feeder vacuum is then disconnected and the carton is released from the feeder in Figure 6. While it is preferred to use a cup to hold one of the walls, some embodiments may adopt alternative components, for example mechanical connection means. . The cardboard 18 continues in its orbital path until it comes into contact with the paper fed chain 20. In particular, the leading edge 48 of the cardboard reaches abutting the stop 50 for driving the paper fed chain. The driving stop 50 guides the driving end 48 away from the suckers 44, 52 of the rotary feeder 26, thereby placing the front end canvas 54 and the side canvas 40 in a substantially perpendicular relationship. At the same time, the rear stop 56 moves in contact with the rear end canvas 58 to assist in completing the installation. Therefore, the suckers 44, 52 of the rotary feeder 26 release the cardboard and continue to move in the "Z" direction and the cardboard 30 is moved downstream to the loading station 60 by the paper fed chain. As explained in the above, the preferred "pickup" position 62 of the feedback pad sucker, shown in Figure 7, is at an approximately central point of the sideboard sheet. However, this position will vary according to the type of cardboard, and in particular the dimensional variations of the side and end walls for each type of cardboard and for different sizes of cardboard. Examples of these positions applied to a carton of the basket type and the larger size of a fully closed cardboard are illustrated in Figure 7a and c. Likewise, the trajectory of the suction cup that separates the two walls will also vary according to the type of particular cardboard that is assembled. It is conceptualized that the suction may follow an oscillatory path similar to that described in WO 92/15450. Alternatively, a rotary path can be used by some cartons. An advantage of the feedback device described in the above is the flexibility offered by the system. Therefore, the position of the sucker 32 of the feeder can be moved to any desired position or to adopt any number of trajectories with the end retention limits of the sliding member 36 and the guide rail 39. In this way, the feeder can be programmed to follow a path and / or move to a pickup position for a particular type of carton, the path and position being changeable according to the type of carton. An example of the trajectory of the suction cup, speed and acceleration of the linear servo motors that control the X and Y direction of the suction cup, when a totally closed cardboard is constructed as shown in Figures 8 and 9. By preprogramming the system control, the position and trajectories of the suction cup 32 can be preset, thus reducing the amount of unproductive time when the types or styles of cardboard are exchanged. According to this invention, the speed of operation of the apparatus is improved as well as its efficiency and durability. While the preferred embodiments described herein are for loading bottles in cartons, it will be recognized that the invention will not be limited to cartons for bottles. The invention can be used with machines for packaged cans, cardboard "partitions" and other containers in cartons. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment described herein is shown as part of a machine for loading containers in vertically loaded liner-type cardboard, the invention is not limited to cartons of this type. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the invention can be used with loop or extreme load cartons. It will be understood that the feedback mechanism of the invention has been illustrated with reference to a specific embodiment and numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. The feedback mechanism is capable of processing cartons comprising numerous article group configurations that cover a range of cardboard size and configuration, for example four, six, eight, and twelve bottles without undue wasting time in adjusting the mechanism.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for sequentially manipulating the outside of a hopper of collapsed cartons having canvases arranged in opposite form, outside of a hopper and to start the installation thereof, the machine comprises means of collecting cardboard to sequentially link one of the opposite canvases and to remove from the hopper a collapsed cardboard including a canvas, means for transporting the cardboard orbitally around a pivotable axis from the hopper to a feeding end of a packaging machine and where the means of crimping the canvas they are arranged external to the orbit path to engage the other of the canvases in such a way that it pulls the other of the canvases in a direction away from the cardboard collection means whereby the operation of the carton characterized by the crimping means starts. of canvas are mounted to a guide rail and a movable transverse carriage in a foreground along the guide rail .
2. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the canvas crimp means is moved in the first plane by a linear servomotor.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the canvas crimp means is mounted to a sliding member in a substantially perpendicular relationship with the guide rail and wherein the sliding member moves relative to the rail guide by means of which the means of setting of canvas moves in two planes.
4. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the linen frame means is moved in a second plane by means of a linear servomotor.
5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the control means are arranged to control the movement of the linen crimping means.
6. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the control means is arranged to control the speed of the linen setting means. The apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the control means comprises means for receiving information regarding the speed of the orbital transfer cartons. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linen setting means comprises a suction cup and a cup holder mounted on the sliding member, the suction cup being connected to a vacuum supply during the cardboard opening. The apparatus according to any preceding claim characterized in that the canvases contacting the face comprise opposite side walls of the cardboard.