WO1998022347A1 - Procede et installation pour emballer avec soin des produits, ou des ensembles de pieces constituant lesdits produits, dans un emballage - Google Patents

Procede et installation pour emballer avec soin des produits, ou des ensembles de pieces constituant lesdits produits, dans un emballage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998022347A1
WO1998022347A1 PCT/IB1997/001453 IB9701453W WO9822347A1 WO 1998022347 A1 WO1998022347 A1 WO 1998022347A1 IB 9701453 W IB9701453 W IB 9701453W WO 9822347 A1 WO9822347 A1 WO 9822347A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
products
line
sets
plant
conveyor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB1997/001453
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Davide Cagnolati
Original Assignee
Robopac Sistemi S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robopac Sistemi S.R.L. filed Critical Robopac Sistemi S.R.L.
Priority to AU47919/97A priority Critical patent/AU4791997A/en
Publication of WO1998022347A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998022347A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/008—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material by webs revolving around articles moved along the axis of revolution
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/58—Applying two or more wrappers, e.g. in succession
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/12—Feeding flexible bags or carton blanks in flat or collapsed state; Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain
    • B65B43/14—Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines
    • B65B43/20—Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines by reciprocating or oscillating pushers
    • B65B43/205—Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines by reciprocating or oscillating pushers specially adapted for carton blanks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the packing of finished products, or sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a packaged and ready for the final assembly of the products, which present surfaces liable to be damaged during handling and transport.
  • the invention can be used, advantageously, in packing manufactured articles and in particular, but not exclusively, furniture or components thereof ready for assembly, which are grouped neatly as packages to be handled as a single body, so-called “kit- forms", to which the description that follows refers, without thereby losing its general characteristic.
  • Furniture packing generally presents the need absolutely to prevent damages from surface sliding or shock, as a consequence thereof the furniture can be ruined irremediably, becoming of unacceptable quality and thus not sellable.
  • Some types of such protective elements have such shapes as to allow for their interposition between parts of the product, enabling to prevent direct contact of said parts when they are gathered as a set to form the package, or to compensate for gaps existing between the gathered parts.
  • the pre-moulded protective parts In order to be effectively adaptable to the great geometric variety of the products to be packaged, the pre-moulded protective parts must however present gamuts of different shapes with very broad size ranges.
  • this packpackinging method implies the need to manage a high number of different pre-moulded elements, resulting in non negligible operating costs and times, is not very flexible and lastly it can be automated with extreme difficulty and anyway only to a partial extent.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the drawbacks just mentioned by means of a packing method able to offer excellent guarantees of protection to the component parts of the product if these are neatly gathered in such a way as to be handled all together as a single body.
  • this object is attained by means of a method comprising the following essential phases, in combination thereof: superficial wrapping of the product, or of the set of its component parts neatly gathered in a package, with film made of stretchable plastic material, which is unwound from a reel and is wrapped and tensioned onto the products, to form a tubular envelope which is placed in direct contact with the products, or with the sets of parts thereof, onto which it is tightened through the elastic contraction of the film itself;
  • a containment casing which is essentially box-like and is structured to present a stiffening frame which comes to enclose the products, or the sets of parts thereof, providing increased protection to their edges and corners against external shocks.
  • the packing method constituting the subject of the present invention provides numerous advantageous, the first whereof is represented by the fact that no accessory element is required for the stabilisation of the parts of the set and/or for the protection of edges and corners, to be inte ⁇ osed between the parts of the product or between the product and the plastic film envelope wrapped around it.
  • This allows to reduce the number of packing materials and their management, since such materials are reduced solely to cardboard and to the plastic film of the envelope.
  • it also allows to reduce the logistical and ecological problems connected with the disposal of the packing materials as waste.
  • an additional advantage of the method is represented by the fact that it allows to adopt a single type of film for the wrapping and protection of all formats of the product, or of the sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a package.
  • Another advantage is represented by the fact that the absence of the aforesaid accessory packing elements allows for the total visibility of the product, through the plastic film, which may be made of transparent material.
  • box shaped containment casing which in particular is obtained in two parts fitting together telescopically and used as bottom and lid, and in which casing in addition the lid sets directly onto the products contained, allows for an ample chance of superimposing the casings by stacking without running the risk of collapsing the side walls of the package, which would not only give rise to aesthetic problems, but would also reduce the protective function performed by the side walls of the box casing.
  • the longitudinal walls of the lower part of the casing, which serves as a bottom may, in particular, be folded back onto themselves so as to present a stiffening frame of double thickness, and therefore of increased resistance, enclosing the product.
  • protection against shocks is provided by protective elements which are inco ⁇ orated in the box casing itself and which, upon completion of the packing process, are located outside the tubular envelope made of plastic film.
  • the present invention also relates to a plant for packing products, or sets of component parts thereof gathered in a package which employs the method described above and which in particular comprises:
  • - a line to form a superficial wrapping of the products, or of related said component sets gathered neatly in a package, with a stretchable film which is wrapped directly in contact and tensioned onto the products, or onto said sets thereof;
  • the plant which employs the packing method according to the invention lends itself to be fully line automated, without requiring manual interventions or phases to complement the packing process, except for feeding the materials.
  • the plant also comprises automatic command means and sensor means interfacing therewith, with the forming line and with the packing line which are able to drive with continuous motion the entire plant keeping in phase the speed of the forming line and of the packaging line according to the distance between products, or between related sets thereof, succeeding each other in the plant, which distance is measured by the sensor means, and it is compared with a reference value previously set on the automatic command means.
  • the plant also comprises adjustment means interfaced with the sensor means and with the automatic command means able to allow for the mechanical adjustment of the plant in automatic and as a function of the dimensions of the products, or of the related sets, according to the three spatial dimensions set on the control means.
  • the mechanical adjustment of all the parts of the plant as a function of the dimensions of the product occurs by progressive pursuit.
  • Appropriate measuring devices belonging to the aforesaid sensor means and adjustment means allow to identify the instant of depletion of a batch of products of homogeneous size, or of the related sets thereof, in the individual sections comprising the line, then allowing, as the individual section empties, the automatic mechanical adjustment for that section to begin without waiting for the complete emptying of the line or of the whole plant.
  • Another feature of the aforesaid adjustment means is also represented by the fact that for each dimension (width, length, height) presented by the products, the adjustment of the mechanical parts is perfo ⁇ ned with respect to the linear references always positioned in correspondence with a side of the forming and packaging lines. This allows not to modify the working position of the personnel tending the plant, making operations easier for those operators who may be tasked with manually loading the products.
  • the present invention also relates to some apparatuses and devices inserted in the plant to perform specific functions related to carrying out the packing method according to the invention, which however can also be used separately from the plant.
  • the additional technical characteristics of the invention can clearly be seen from the content of the claims reported below and its advantages shall be made more evident in the description that follows, made with reference to the enclosed drawings, which show an embodiment provided purely by way of non limiting example, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic general plan view of a packing plant carrying out the method according to the present invention;
  • - Figure 2 subdivided in the parts 2A and 2B, is a schematic view of a line for forming a plastic film envelope which wraps the products, shown with some parts removed;
  • - Figure 3 subdivided in the parts 3 A and 3B, is a schematic plan view in enlarged scale of a packing line which is part of the plant in Figure 1, shown with some parts removed;
  • FIG. 4 subdivided in the parts 4A and 4B, is a schematic plan view of two lines for the preparation and feeding of packing material to the packing line, which are parallel and interconnected with the packing line in correspondence with two distinct and separate stations for the introduction of the material;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of an apparatus for wrapping products with plastic film inserted in the forming line
  • FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of the wrapping apparatus as per the previous Figure 5;
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively a side view and a front view of a detail of the wrapping apparatus as per Figure 6 shown in enlarged scale;
  • - Figure 9 is a top plan view of a detail of the wrapping apparatus in correspondence with which the wrapped products exit the apparatus;
  • - Figure 10 is a view of the station for cutting plastic film with which the wrapping apparatus as per Figure 5 is equipped;
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a succession of phases indicated as A), B), C) and D) by means of which it is possible to construct one of the component parts - bottom and/or lid - of a box casing employed in the packing method according to the invention;
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a succession of phases indicated as A), B), C) and D) by means of which another part of the box casing, having in particular walls which can fold back onto themselves, is constructed;
  • FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a casing according to the invention shown in its entirety;
  • FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a set of products gathered in a package, packaged according to the packing method and plant constituting the subject of the present invention
  • FIGS. 15 and 16 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of an apparatus for transferring the products from the forming line to the packaging line;
  • FIG. 17 and 18 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of the packaging line, shown with parts removed, wherein in particular a first station for the introduction of the packing material is provided for;
  • FIGS. 19 and 20 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of a transport apparatus inserted in the packaging line of the plant, in correspondence with which, directly on the product, a first part of the containment casing is formed;
  • - Figures 21 and 22 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of a detail of the packaging line comprising in particular a second station for the introduction of the packing material destined to form the lid of the containment casing;
  • - Figures 23 and 24 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of a detail of the packaging line of the plant in correspondence with which the second part of the box casing is formed onto the product and is associated to the first part of said casing;
  • FIG. 25 is an overall perspective view of the transfer apparatus as per the previous Figure 15;
  • Figure 26 is a top plan view of some details of Figure 18 shown in enlarged scale and pertaining to the first station for the introduction of the packing material in the packaging line;
  • FIGS. 27A and 27B are top plan views of some details of the first introduction station as per Figure 18, shown in enlarged scale;
  • Figures 28 and 29 are respectively a top plan view and a side view of a detail of Figure 26 shown in enlarged scale;
  • FIG. 30 is a side view of an additional detail of Figure 26 shown in enlarged scale;
  • FIGS 31 and 32 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of some means for handling the packing material operating between the material preparation and feeding line and the packaging line;
  • - Figure 33 is a cross section, enlarged view of the packaging line as per the previous Figures 19 and 20;
  • - Figures 34 and 35 are respectively a top plan view and a side view of some constructive details of the packaging line as per Figure 33, shown in enlarged scale and with some parts removed the better to highlight others;
  • Figures 36 and 37 represent respectively a view in cross section to the packaging line of an apparatus for the transport of the product, which is constructed in such a way as to be adjustable in height.
  • the number 1 globally indicates a mechanised packing plant comprising essentially: a line 80 for the formation of a superficial envelope of products 2, or of sets of components thereof neatly gathered in a package ( Figures 2A and 2B); a line 140 for packaging the aforesaid products 2, or the related sets thereof, within a containment casing 4, which line is planimetrically positioned at a right angle and in continuation with the previous one ( Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B); and lastly two lines 200, 220 for the preparation and feeding of packing material to the packaging line 140.
  • the line 80 for the formation of the superficial envelope in turn is subdivided into ad advance line 5 along which the products 2 follow each other at set distances, and into a wrapping machine 75 positioned downstream from the advance line 5, and fed by it.
  • the line of advance 5 comprises a first moving belt continuous conveyor IN, driven by related motor driving means M8, BQ6 which are actuated by an electrical motor controlled by a related angular position solver consisting of an encoder.
  • the first conveyor IN is followed by a succession of essentially similar conveyor belts, indicated as 2N, 3N, 4N, which are driven by related motor driving means represented, in this case as well, by motors M9, Ml 1, Ml 3 controlled by related encoders BQ49, BQ50, BQ51.
  • all conveyors 2N, 3N, 4N are separate, however in an alternative, but equivalent, embodiment, they can comprise a single belt.
  • All the aforesaid conveyors IN, 2N, 3N, 4N have their related driving motors correlated in phase with a reference motor Ml which is positioned in the packaging line 140, as shall be made clearer farther on, and is in turn controlled by means 150 for the automatic command of the entire packing plant 1.
  • the first conveyor IN is fitted, in proximity to its output end INa, with two sensors Bl, B2, specifically embodied by photoelectric cells, which are able to measure the distance between the products 2 successively transported by the first conveyor IN.
  • the sensors Bl, B2 belong to more general sensor means of the plant 1, globally indicated as 230, which are interfaced with the automatic command means 150, with the forming line 80 and with the packaging line 140 to allow the exchange of signals necessary to enable the automatic command means 150 to drive with continuous motion the whole plant 1, controlling in particular the phasing in speed of the forming line 80 and of the packaging line 140 as a function of the distance between the products 2, or between the related sets, measured by the sensors Bl, B2 of the first belt IN and compared with a reference value previously set on the automatic command means 150.
  • the belt IN is also provided with a segment of a first continuous linear reference 51 which extends along the line 80 for the formation of the envelope thus also involving the subsequent belts 2N, 3N, 4N and which is borne in correspondence with a side of the forming line 80, to check the conveyed products 2 providing them with a suitable alignment longitudinally to the forming line 80 itself.
  • All the belts IN, 2N, 3N, 4N are fitted with their own mechanical adjustment means, belonging to more general mechanical adjustment means 170 of the plant 1, which are interfaced with the sensor means 230 and with the means 150 for automatically commanding the plant 1.
  • said mechanical adjustment means comprise motors M8, M10, M12, M14 controlled by related encoders BQ6, BQ7, BQ8, BQ9 and operating between limit stop sensors SQ11 - SQ13, SQ14 - SQ16, SQ17 - SQ19, SQ20 - SQ22 and with reference sensors SQ12, SQ15, SQ18, SQ21 able to signal the so-called zero position, in order to adjust the belts IN, 2N, 3N, 4N according to the plan size variation of the products 2, or more specifically as a function of the format variations of the furniture items, or of their components measurable in particular, in a direction transverse to the forming line 80.
  • the belts 2N, 3N, 4N are also mounted additional sensors B6, B7, B8 belonging to the mechanical adjustment means 170. These are actuated in particular by photoelectric cells positioned to measure, independently from each other, the presence or absence of products 2 on the related belt.
  • the signals coming from said photoelectric cells can be used by the means 150 for commanding the plant 1 for various pu ⁇ oses.
  • One of them, for instance, is to provide consent to the mechanical adjustment, also called re-tooling, of the individual belts IN, 2N, 3N, 4N after the depletion of a batch of products, and before beginning the transport of a subsequent batch with different format.
  • the forming line 80 comprises stations for loading the products 2 indicated respectively as INI, 2NI, 3NI, 4NI, which are opposed to the first linear reference 51 and are provided to arrange the products 2 on the line of advance 5.
  • the loading operator gaining access to the first loading station INI, loads a succession of first products 2 onto the first conveyor IN setting them against the first linear reference 51.
  • the products 2 advance individually to the output end INa.
  • the photoelectric cells B1-B2 measure the distance between a generic product 2 in transit, which is being transferred onto the subsequent conveyor 2N and a product 2 which follows it immediately.
  • the step correlation of the products 2 along the forming line 80 is managed by the means 150 for commanding the plant 1 in terms of time intervals.
  • the management of the correct distance of the products 2 following each other on the first conveyor IN is performed by the control means 150 as a function of the measurement of the obscuration times of the photoelectric cells B1-B2, whose light signals are intercepted by the products 2 following each other.
  • the belt IN is stopped for the time required to restore the proper interval between the products 2.
  • the product 2 that follows is late. If the latter intercepts the photoelectric cell Bl remaining within a maximum delay limit, then the first conveyor IN continues to be driven regularly. If on the contrary, the product 2 which follows has an excessive delay, then the first conveyor IN is stopped in order to leave an empty space in the sequence of the products 2 on the forming line 80; whereupon it is again set in motion when the pre-set interval between the products 2 is reached.
  • the first photoelectric cell Bl detects the start of the product 2 in transit. The corresponding signal is processed by the control means 150 in order to stop, if necessary, the first conveyor IN before the product 2 intercepts the subsequent photoelectric cell B2.
  • the signal coming therefrom is used to check the distance between the product 2 in transit and the product 2 which follows it.
  • the photoelectric cell Bl is used to manage the arrest of the products 2
  • the subsequent photoelectric cell B2 is used to manage the distance between consecutive products 2.
  • the number of the belts 2N, 3N, 4N subsequent to the first belt IN is related to the number of components to be gathered together in the set, and can also vary in total number and length according to the maximum number of components to be gathered.
  • the line 80 for the formation of the envelope comprises, as stated, a wrapping apparatus, indicated in its entirety as 75 ( Figures 5-6) by means of which the products 2, or the related neatly gathered sets coming from the line of advance 5, following each other according to a regular spacing, are wrapped with a film 3 made of plastic material, elastically stretchable.
  • the wrapping apparatus 75 consists in particular of a conveyor 6N introducing the products 2, or the related sets; a wrapping machine Al, a related output conveyor 7N of the products 2 arranged one after the other along the forming line 80 and lastly, a cutting station 33, 34.
  • the introducing conveyor 6N is of limited length and it is actuated by means of a motor-driven belt with continuous motion, similarly to the arrangement for the conveyors of the line of advance 5.
  • the wrapping machine Al ( Figure 5) essentially comprises:
  • the support and transfer device 19 is positioned along the forming line 80 and it comprises in particular ( Figure 6) two continuous conveyors 24, overlaid on each other, positioned parallel and longitudinally to the forming line 80, and moving with identical speeds V2 directed parallel to the forming line 80 itself. More particularly, each conveyor 24 ( Figures 7, 8 and 9) includes a belt 25 and motor-driven rollers 26, around which the belt 25 is enclosed in a loop and is movable tangentially to rollers 26.
  • the conveyors 24 are positioned in such a way as to touch with their active branch 44 bilaterally the products 2, so that the latter are simultaneously supported and made to advance by the active branch 44 along the forming line 80, between an input end 27 and an output end 28 of the device 19.
  • each conveyor 24 is subdivided into nine branches 29a and 29b parallel to each other, positioned longitudinally to the forming line 80.
  • the branches 29a, 29b are so hinged at one of their ends as to be able to be individually lowered vertically and lifted horizontally.
  • the total number of branches 29a, 29b which is lifted horizontally in the working position, or which on the contrary is lowered vertically in the rest position, is selected according to the width of the products 2 moving along the forming line 80.
  • the embodiment of the conveyors 24 described above is particularly advantageous especially for packing sets of components gathered in packages such as to present great differences in width, as well as widely differing relative positions of the components.
  • branches 29a, 29b of the belt 25 of the conveyors 24 allows to support the products 2 in optimal fashion whatever the format of the products 2 may be, without lateral protrusions onto which the film 3 can impart localised pressures which could prevent it from tensioning correctly and uniformly.
  • the wrapping machine Al deposits the film 3 by means of a wrapping device 20 of a type known in the prior art which supports a reel 21 of previously stretched plastic film 3.
  • the wrapping device 20 ( Figure 6) comprises an annular rotor 55 able to revolve coaxially with respect to the forming line 80 with constant speed V4 and supporting the reel 21 of the film 3 with its axis of rotation 22 parallel to the direction of advance of the products 2.
  • the film 3 is unwound from the reel 21 and, tensioning elastically, it is wrapped continuously around the products 2, rotating essentially with centre of rotation on the forming line 80.
  • rotation and translation motions received by the film 3 derives a progressive deposition thereof onto the products 2 which, like a bandage, generates a continuous tubular envelope with helical turns wrapping the products 2 and which extends itself along the forming line 80.
  • the cutting station of the film 3 comprises cutting means 33 and 34 positioned along the forming line 80 so as periodically to cut the envelope generated by the film 3 between the products 2, which follow each other continuously along the forming line 80.
  • the cutting means ( Figures 5 and 6) essentially comprise a plane frame 33 positioned transversely to the forming line 80, which frame 33 carries a pair of blades 34 alternatively movable with opposite directions and between which the products 2 advance tightly wrapped by the film 3.
  • the frame 33 is mounted on a fixed structure in such a way as to be able to oscillate angularly around an axis 35 transverse to the forming line 80, driven by a pneumatic piston 46.
  • Such characteristic allows to orient the frame 33 itself to be set tilted in a condition wherein the vector resulting from the operating speed of the blades 34 and of the speed V2 of the support and transfer device 19 is directed orthogonally to the line 80 for the formation of the wrap.
  • the products 2 Upon completion of the enveloping and stabilisation phase of the products 2 through the elastic stretching of the film 3, the products 2 are subsequently subjected to a packaging phase accomplished by the packaging line 140 wherein they are inserted automatically into a box shaped containment casing 4 which is modelled directly onto the products 2.
  • the casing 4 ( Figure 14) is constructed in two parts, preferably made of cardboard, provided in such a way as to present a stiffening frame 60 encompassing the products 2 and guaranteeing the utmost protection against shocks especially on the edges and on the corners of the products 2 where contacts able to damage them can take place more frequently.
  • the casing 4 is preferably obtained in two parts of identical shape, but of different size in order to fit mutually and telescopically within each other, one of which parts serves as a bottom 16, the other one as a lid 17.
  • the bottom 16 of the casing 4, or in an equivalent manner its lid 17, are formed by successive folding or re-folding of the peripheral edges, which in the hypothesis of a parallelepiped casing 4, as shown for instance in Figures 11 and 12, are represented by edges 10 corresponding to the longer sides, by edges 11 corresponding to the shorter sides of the casing 4 and lastly by the tabs 15 at the ends of the aforesaid edges 10, 11.
  • the aforesaid folds are performed both for the bottom 16 and for the lid 17 starting from a plane sheet of cardboard, or of equivalent packing material, whose edges 7 and 7a are folded and superimposed to obtain, in the finished casing 4, trihedrals 8 having at least one face with double thickness with respect to the others.
  • the edge 16, in an operating embodiment of the packing, can be formed also when the products 2 are already positioned onto a plane cardboard sheet 6 and the edge 16 is carried into an output station 59 positioned downstream from the wrapping machine Al before the product 2 to be contained reaches said output station 59.
  • the lid 17 subsequently formed may be fitted onto the bottom 16 to complete the casing 4.
  • the output station 59 shall be suitably distanced from the wrapping machine Al itself as a function at least of the time required to form the casing 4 and of the speed of advance of the products 2 along the forming line 80.
  • the forming line 80 comprises an additional conveyor 5N, driven with a related motor Ml 5 which is controlled by an encoder BQ52 and is correlated in phase with the reference motor Ml.
  • the motor Ml 5 and the encoder BQ52 belong to the means 150 for the automatic command of the packing plant 1 and they are functionally interconnected with sensors embodied by photoelectric cells B3, B4, and included in the more general sensor means 230 of the plant 1, which control the distance in output of the products 2, or of the related sets thereof, commanding the emergency of the plant 1 if the distance between products 2 following each other along the forming line 80 is smaller than the reference value, slowing the speed of the forming line 80 if the aforesaid distance should be found to exceed said value.
  • the forming line 80 and the packaging line 140 are mutually arranged at a right angle and comprise support planes 80a, 140 a ( Figure 15) whereon the products 2, or the related neatly gathered sets of components thereof move, which planes are positioned on distinct vertical levels.
  • the support plane 80a of the forming line 80 is located in particular at a higher level than that of the packaging line 140 and corresponds to the optimal ergonomic level for the operators which may be tasked with manually loading the products 2.
  • the transfer of the products 2 from one line to the other is performed between two stations indicated in Figure 1 as IP and 2P and by means of a transferring apparatus 90 ( Figures 15, 16 and 25) positioned between the two lines 80 and 140, which comprises a vertical structure 89 provided with a station 88 for receiving the products 2 located at the level of the support plane 80a of the forming line 80 and a station 87 for off-loading the products 2, vertically underlying the receiving station 88, aligned with the packaging line 140 and positioned at a level corresponding to the related support plane 140a of the products 2.
  • a transferring apparatus 90 Figures 15, 16 and 25
  • the vertical conveyor 86 Between the receiving station 88 and the off-loading station 87 operates a vertical conveyor 86 which transfers in continuous succession the products 2, or the neatly gathered related sets of components thereof.
  • the vertical conveyor 86 is actuated by a toothed track 85, or in equivalent fashion by a chain, enclosed in a loop around two toothed pulleys 84 which are vertically superimposed one on the other and rotate around their horizontal axes of rotation 84a ( Figure 3A).
  • the track 85 is fitted with a series of loading platforms 83 projecting transversely thereto, externally to the loop, and comprising a plurality of parallel linear supports 81, with rollers freely revolving around their axis of symmetry, borne in projection by the track 85 transversely to the axis 84a of the pulleys 84.
  • the transfer apparatus 90 further comprises a conveyor belt 5 IN which is provided to accelerate the entry onto the loading platforms 83 of the products 2 of reduced size and, on the contrary, to retard the products 2 of larger size coming from the forming line 80 with high quantity of motion deriving from the larger mass.
  • the vertical conveyor 86 is driven with unidirectional intermittent stepped motion of the track 85 by means of a step actuator commanded by a self-braking asynchronous motor M5, with arrest positions of the track 85 signalled by sensors SQ7 and SQ8.
  • the vertical conveyor 86 alternating stops and motions of the track 85 progressively transfers each loading platform 83 from the receiving station 88, wherein in correspondence with an arrest the products 2 or the related sets are introduced into the structure 89 between two subsequent loading platforms 83 and with movement parallel to the axis 84a of the pulleys 84, to the off-loading station
  • the support base 82 is actuated in particular by a horizontal conveyor comprising a plurality of tracks 91 parallel and driven with continuous motion which are interposes in an orderly manner between the linear supports 81 of the vertical conveyor 86 and which translate the products 2 from the transferring apparatus 90 to the forming line 140 at a speed which may vary according to the format of the products 2 and to the production rate.
  • This technical effect is obtained, in this case as well, by providing the conveyor with a motor Ml 9 controlled by an angular position solver BQ53 and interfaced with a sensor BIO which signals the correct extraction of the product 2 from the transferring apparatus 90.
  • the transferring apparatus 90 further comprises ( Figure 25) an element 92 for arresting the products 2, or the related component sets neatly gathered as a package, located on the receiving station 88 and preferably comprising a bar brought in a condition wherein it is oriented transversely to the forming line 80.
  • the arresting element 92 is movable parallel to itself along a horizontal direction parallel to the forming line 80, thus with the possibility to be displaced in a direction orthogonal to the vertical plane 94 of evolution of the linear supports 81.
  • motion actuation means comprising a threaded rod
  • actuating means and sensors belong to the more general means 170 for the mechanical adjustment of the plant 1 and co-operate functionally with the automatic command means 150 in such a way as to displace the arresting element 92 in a controlled manner and in a position corresponding to the size of the products 2 parallel to the forming line 80.
  • the activation of the motion of the threaded rod 93 allows to adjust the arresting element 92 both in the sense of meeting the positioning requirements connected with the variations in the dimensional format of the various batches of products 2, and with the need systematically to move the arresting element from the plane 94 of evolution of the linear supports 81 in order to allow the advance by one step of the track 85 without the linear elements 81, which follow the corresponding linear elements 81 engaged in supporting the products 2, intercepting the arresting element 92 itself, which is in a more advanced position with respect to them.
  • the transferring apparatus 90 comprises a second linear reference 96, which is oriented transversely to the forming line 80 and is borne longitudinally to the packaging line 140 in correspondence with a side thereof and in an intermediate position to the arresting element 92 and to the forming line 80 itself.
  • the second linear reference 96 is alternatively movable in the vertical plane upon activation of related actuating means CL 2, SQ9, SQ10 from a lowered position of free transit of the products 2, or of the related sets thereof from the forming line 80 to the receiving station 88 to a lifted position in correspondence with which the arresting element 92, which instead is horizontally movable, presses against the second linear reference 96 the product 2 inte ⁇ osed between the arresting element 92 and the second linear reference 96 itself.
  • the actuating means of the second linear reference 96 are preferably embodied by a pneumatic cylinder CIL 2 operating between two limit stop detectors SQ9 and
  • the transferring apparatus 90 comprises: a photoelectric cell detector B5 which signals the complete crossing of the vertical plane of evolution of the second linear reference 96 by the product 2 in transit towards the receiving station 88 and enables the command to the cylinder CLL2 which activates the rise of the second linear reference 96; a positioning sensor SQ4 located in correspondence with the arresting element 92 which detects the condition of actual contact of the front part of the product 2 with the arresting element 92 itself.
  • the packaging line 140 ( Figures 1, 3 A, 3B) essentially comprises an apparatus 160 to form the containment casing of the products 2, or of the related sets of components thereof, interconnected with a feeding device 180 which conveys thereon the products 2 received from the transferring apparatus 90, and with two feeding stations 6 V, 6P of plane sheets 6 of packing material respectively destined to the formation of the parts of the casing 4 serving respectively as bottom 16 and lid 17.
  • the feeding device 180 of the products 2 comprises a phasing station 3P consisting of two conveyors ( Figure 15) positioned downstream from the conveyor which actuates the support base 82 of the transferring apparatus 90 and which comprise two flexible elements 178 positioned in succession and enclosed in a loop around respective pairs of rotating pulleys 179, one of which is motor driven.
  • a phasing station 3P consisting of two conveyors ( Figure 15) positioned downstream from the conveyor which actuates the support base 82 of the transferring apparatus 90 and which comprise two flexible elements 178 positioned in succession and enclosed in a loop around respective pairs of rotating pulleys 179, one of which is motor driven.
  • the phasing conveyor 3P is motor driven with its own driving means comprising a motor M20 equipped with a related angular solver or encoder BQ10 which is interfaced with the means 150 for commanding the plant 1 in such a way as to translate towards the forming apparatus 160 the products 2 received supporting them on the flexible elements 178.
  • the phasing conveyor 3P is driven with its own continuous operating speed and its phase synchronism is controlled with the speed of the entire packaging line 140 thus allowing the products 2 received to be progressively synchronised with such speed during their transport.
  • the feeding device 180 Downstream from the phasing conveyor 3P, ( Figures 17 and 18) the feeding device 180 comprises a mechanical thrust conveyor 175 which is provided with a sliding plane 177 with freely revolving rollers, positioned in continuation with the phasing conveyor 3P and coplanar thereto with respect to the common support plane 140a of the products 2.
  • the mechanical conveyor 175 In opposition to the sliding plane 177, the mechanical conveyor 175 comprises a plurality of thrusting bar elements 186 borne in projection by, and arranged at intervals along, a motor driven chain 187.
  • Thruster elements 186 are associated at the rear to the products 2 received from the phasing conveyor 3P and push them in succession, arranged at orderly intervals according to a rigorously pre-set reference distance, along a section of the packaging line 140 identified by the stations 4P, 5P, 7P in Figure 1.
  • the first station 6V for feeding the sheets 6 of packing material provided to form the bottoms 16 of the casing 4 ( Figures 1 and 17).
  • the first feeding station 6V is fed in turn by a first line 200 for feeding the sheets 6 positioned transversely to the packaging line 140 and shown schematically in Figure 1. Between the fist feeding station 6 V and the outlet of the mechanical conveyor
  • the plant 1 comprises feeding means 190 controlled by the automatic command means 150 in such a way as to associate in appropriate phase synchronism the sheets 6 of packing material directly with the products 2, or related said sets thereof, which are movable along the overlying section 4P, 5P, 7P of the packaging line 140 corresponding to the mechanical conveyor 175.
  • the mentioned feeding means 190 more particularly comprise two mechanical conveyors 181 a, 181 b positioned one in continuation to the other between an end 185 receiving the sheets 6 placed in correspondence with the first feeding station 6V and the off-loading end 7 V of the mechanical conveyor 175 of the products 2.
  • the aforesaid mechanical conveyors 181 a, 181b are of the type with a plurality of tracks 182a, 182b enclosed in a loop around motor-driven pulleys 184a, 184b, tracks which are interposed in an orderly fashion to parallel strips of metal fitted with teeth 183a, 183b arranged at constant intervals, and borne in transverse projection to the tracks 182a, 182b themselves ( Figure 30).
  • the mechanical conveyors 181a, 181b are moved by driving means actuated by motors M53 fitted with related angular solvers BQ39 and interfaced with the means 150 for controlling the plant 1 in such a way as to be controlled and synchronised in phase with the reference motor Ml of the packaging line 140.
  • the teeth 183a, 183b ( Figure 30) of the mechanical conveyors 181a, 181b are also adjustable with respect to a reference detector SQ127, constituted for instance of a zero microswitch, belonging to the more general mechanical adjustment means
  • the feeding means 180 are correlated with means 210 for releasing the sheets 6 at the proper interval which, with reference to Figures 17, 18, 26, 27A, 27B, 29 and 30, in particular comprise a pair of guides 20 If, 201m linear, parallel and horizontal which are elongated transversely to the packaging line 140 operating between an arrest station 5V of the sheets 6, located on the feeding line 200, and a station 6V for feeding the sheets 6, located on the packaging line 140 ( Figure 1).
  • the guides 20 If, 201m present cross sections profiled in such a way as to have a vertical opening 202 for the entry of the opposed edges 7 of the sheets 6, which opening is delimited at the bottom by a horizontal wing 203 which is movable alternatively and horizontally.
  • Such mobility is obtained by means of an action imparted by related activating means comprising pairs of fluid-operated linear actuators, for instance pneumatic cylinders CLL20, CLL21, CLL22, CLL23, respectively associated to the aforesaid guides 20 If and 201m, interconnected with limit stop detectors SQ123, SQ124, SQ125, SQ126 belonging to the sensor means 230 and interoperating with the automatic command means 150 of the plant 1.
  • the guides 20 If, 201m are able to convey the sheets 6 of packing materials lying horizontally, supporting pairs of their edges 10 or 11 peripheral and opposite in a condition of support on their movable wings 203, guiding them in such a way as to make the sheets 6 arrive above the receiving end 185 of the mechanical conveyor
  • the sheets 6 are then released in free fall onto the underlying mechanical conveyor 181a, 181b following the horizontal move of the support wings 203 away from each other imposed by a corresponding activation of the pneumatic cylinders CLL20, CLL21, CLL22, CLL23.
  • the guides 20 If, 201m moreover are movable relatively to one another, with respect to the packaging line 140 also to vary their mutual distance in an adjustable manner according to the connected size variations of the sheets 6 of packing material; and with the size variations corresponding to the format variations of the products 2; both being set by the operator on the automatic command means 150 of the plant 1.
  • one of the guides 20 If is borne by a threaded rod 204 which is driven by a motor M49 fitted with a related angular solver
  • the aforesaid guide 20 If is movable as an effect of the rotation of the threaded rod 204 in such a way as to perform the adjustments connected with the size variations of just the edges 10 corresponding for instance to the longer sides of the casing 4.
  • this second guide 201m is borne, together with the means for the adjustment of the edges 10, in a movable manner by the wing 203 which in turn is supported by a threaded rod 206 driven in the usual way by a motor M51 equipped with related angular solver BQ37, which threaded rod operates between limit stop sensors SQl 17, SQl 19 and with a reference sensor SQl 18.
  • the activation of the threaded rod 206 which in this case presents greater length, allows to perform the dimensional adjustments of this latter guide 201m with respect to the other one 20 If also as a function of the format variations of the sheets 6 connected with the variations in size format of the products 2.
  • the feeding means 190 are also fitted with an alignment element 189 ( Figure 26) for the lateral contact of the sheets 6 along the packaging line 140.
  • alignment element 189 is associated with driving means represented by a motor M52 fitted with related angular solver BQ38 able to vary its position with respect to the packaging line 140, and in transverse direction thereto, as a function of the format variations of the sheets 6 of packing material and with reference to limit stop detectors SQ120, SQ122 and to a reference detector SQ121 inte ⁇ osed thereto.
  • the feeding means 190 comprise a device 211 for gripping and transferring in succession the sheets 6 associated with apportioning means 210 and represented in particular in the Figures 31 and 32.
  • the aforesaid device 211 is obtained from a rod 209 alternatively movable horizontally and in a direction transverse to the packaging line 140, which carries at an end 208 an articulated hook-up element 207 freely revolving in the vertical plane in such a way as to oscillate angularly under the action of its own weight.
  • the hook-up element 207 is provided with its own operating end 207a which can be associated to the sheet 6 awaiting in the arrest station 6V so as to slide freely on a horizontal face 6p of the sheet 6 in correspondence with a stroke of the rod 209 performed in the direction away from the packaging line 140 and to be associated instead with a vertical rear face 6v of the sheet 6 in such a way as to hook it and to drag it toward the feeding station 6V in the return stroke performed by the rod 209 in the direction approaching the packaging line 140.
  • the apportioning means 210 fed with sheets 6 coming from the first feeding line 200, thus convey the sheets 6 of packing material above the receiving end 185 of the first conveyor 182b; they then let them drop with a timed and controlled sequence onto the underlying track 182b where they are intercepted by the teeth 183a, 183b and transported in contact therewith onto the offloading end7V where they arrive in succession distanced at rigorously set intervals.
  • each of the sheets 6 is associated with a product 2, simultaneously exiting the above section 4P, 5P and 7P of the packaging line 140 and positions itself progressively in contact therewith, below it, in a pre-set condition of relative position and orientation with which the sheets 6 and the products 2 then continue, integral to each other, along the packaging line 140.
  • Figure 1 with the references 6p, 7p, 8p, 9p, is positioned the forming apparatus 160 destined to construct, directly on the products 2 or on the related sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a package, the lower part of the casing 4, serving as a bottom 16.
  • the forming apparatus 160 ( Figures 19, 20, 33, 34, 35) essentially comprises: a continuous conveyor device 120 provided with seven beams 121 parallel and longitudinal with respect to the packaging line 140, which support parallel chains 123 enclosed in a loop and motor-driven to convey the products 2 set onto the sheets 6 of packing material; folding means indicated in their entirety as 130 to fold, during the transfer of the products 2 or of the related sets of parts thereof, the sheets 6 of packing material in direct contact with the products 2 themselves; and lastly fastening means provided to join together the peripheral edges 10, 11 of the sheets 6 in order to obtain the definitive and stable formation of the bottom 16 of the casing 5.
  • Each of the beams 121 supports a pair of chains 123, which encompass corresponding pairs of revolving pulley s 118 positioned at the ends 121a, 121 b of the beams 121.
  • the chains 123 bear movable folding elements 131, with arms 131a, 131b mutually angled, which are articulated to the chains 123 in a manner that is rotationally oscillating in the vertical plane.
  • folding elements 131 lift, starting from their inactive condition wherein their operating arm 131a is oriented horizontally and in correspondence with the path of an initial section of the transport branch 123a of the chains 123, setting themselves in a vertical condition which determines the progressive folding of opposite peripheral edges 10 of the sheet 6 ( Figure l ib, 12c) and oriented transversely to the chains 123 until they are positioned vertically and maintained constantly pressed during transport against the product 2 associated to the sheet 6.
  • each product 2 comes to be engaged by the arms 131a of two movable folding devices positioned in succession on a same chain 123, whilst conventional fixed folding devices 132, of similar construction, or alternatively comprising for instance rigid walls with helical development, rigidly connected with the structure of the beams 121 in succession fold back the tabs 15 at the end of such edges 10, deposit a layer of adhesive and fold back the remaining pairs of side edges 11 ( Figure 12 D) of the sheet 6, whilst the product 2 is transferred by the chains 123 from one end 121a, 121b to the other of the beams 121.
  • conventional fixed folding devices 132 of similar construction, or alternatively comprising for instance rigid walls with helical development, rigidly connected with the structure of the beams 121 in succession fold back the tabs 15 at the end of such edges 10, deposit a layer of adhesive and fold back the remaining pairs of side edges 11 ( Figure 12 D) of the sheet 6, whilst the product 2 is transferred by the chains 123 from one end 121a, 121b to the other of the beam
  • each beam 121 are independently driven by motor-driving means which, in particular, are represented by two motors Ml, M2 fitted with related angular position solvers BQ1, BQ2 and interfaced with, and controlled by, means 150 for commanding the plant 1.
  • motor-driving means which, in particular, are represented by two motors Ml, M2 fitted with related angular position solvers BQ1, BQ2 and interfaced with, and controlled by, means 150 for commanding the plant 1.
  • Each of the motors Ml and M2 transmits motion to seven chains 123 individually belonging to distinct beams 121 by driving two distinct grooved bars
  • the motor Ml in particular constitutes the actuator serving to fold the rear edge 10, 11 of the bottom 16 of the casing 4 positioned transversely to the direction of advance of the products 2 along the packaging line 140. It also constitutes the reference actuator whereto are correlated the movements of all the movable parts of the plant 1 for the phasing required for its operation.
  • the beams 121 are supported at their own opposite ends by related motor- driven supports 122 which are slidingly and linearly engaged to be guided along the two grooved bars 119 in such a way as to allow for the displacement of the beams
  • the supports 122 and the grooved bars 119 therefore embody guides which belong to more general selector means, indicated overall as 250, which are interconnected operatively with the automatic command means 150 of the plant 1 in such a way as to allow to select automatically the maximum number of beams 121 required to support the products 2, or the related sets of components thereof, as a function of the dimensions transverse to the packaging line 140 and during their transit through the forming apparatus 160.
  • the beams 121 which are not necessary are excluded from use and translated into a parking station 111 lateral to the packaging line 140.
  • the supports 122 contain lead screw bodies 124 housed in the structure of each beam 121 which are helically coupled with a pair of parallel threaded rods 125, orthogonal to the packaging line 140, which cross through the beams 121 in correspondence with their opposite ends 121a, 121b.
  • the threaded rods 125 are driven by motor-driving means controlled by the means 150 for controlling the plant 1 which comprise a motor M23 interacting with seven angular solvers BQ13, BQ14, BQ15, BQ16, BQ17, BQ18, BQ19.
  • sensor means operatively correlated with the motor-driving means 150 and comprising: a first set of sensors SQ35, SQ36, SQ37, SQ38, SQ39, SQ40, SQ41 for positional reference able to signal the so-called zero position of the beams 121, and a second set of sensors SQ23, SQ24, SQ33, SQ34, SQ75, SQ76, SQ128, able to signal the collision condition of the beams 121.
  • the motor M23 transmits to the two screws 125 a continuous rotation movement by means of a conventional distribution mechanism which, at the output, derives on the two threaded rods 125 the input movement received from the motor M23.
  • coupling means 110 which, in their operating condition, render the lead screw bodies 124 integral to the structure of the beams 121 bringing about, as a consequence, the translation of the beams 121 along the wheels 125.
  • the coupling means 110 leave instead the lead screw bodies 124 free to rotate with respect to the structure, integrally with the threaded rods 125, thus maintaining, in this case, the beam 121 stopped with respect to the packaging line 140.
  • the coupling means 110 in a preferred form of their embodiment, comprise pins 127 which are operatively positioned between the structure of the beam 121 and the lead screw bodies 124, in radial sliding engagement with respect to the lead screw bodies 124 themselves.
  • the latter comprise in particular an externally toothed wheel 129 integral to the lead screw bodies 124, with inter-teeth gaps wherein the pins 127 engage or disengage themselves depending on the case, upon activation of related actuating means 128, in turn commanded by the automatic command means 150 of the plant 1.
  • the actuator means 128 related to the seven beams 121 are distinct from each other, one for each beam 121, and comprise preferably a piston with opposed stems which, actuated by a working fluid, imparts through lever mechanical transmissions
  • the stroke for the adjustment and positional reference of the beams 121 in transverse direction to the packaging line 140 is signalled by limit stop sensor means actuated in particular by micromagnets SQ49, SQ50, SQ51, SQ52, SQ53, SQ54, SQ55, SQ56, SQ57, SQ58, SQ59, SQ60.
  • the forming apparatus 160 further comprises a linear reference 249 in contrast with which the products 2 are aligned longitudinally to the packaging line 140.
  • a linear reference 249 is borne parallel to the packaging line 140 and along a side thereof and ii is vertically movable on command from the more general means 150 for automatically commanding the plant 1.
  • the linear reference 249 is supported in horizontal projection above the conveyor device 120 by a load-bearing structure surrounding one side of the conveyor device 120 delimiting, in combination with this, the mentioned parking station 111 into which are translated the beams 121 not necessary to transport the products 2.
  • the fixed folder elements 132 provided to fold the edges 10 or 11 of the sheet 6 which are oriented parallel to the packaging line 140, are supported on one side by the structure which supports the alignment linear reference 249 and on the other side by the beam 121 of the set which is farther away from it, and which in the case in the Figure presents larger transverse dimensions than the others. Similar positioning is provided for the fastening means which serve for the mutual connection of the edges 10, 11 and which can be embodied by conventional gluing devices or alternatively by equivalent and conventional seaming devices, not shown.
  • the intermediate beams 121 of the set which are located in proximity to the linear reference 249 are those destined to enter or exit more frequently into and out of the parking station
  • sections lOp and 1 lp, of the packaging line 140 are mainly provided to distance the lines 200, 220 for the preparation of the sheets 6 from each other; therefore the products 2 and the bottom 17 of the casing advance along them in a condition of simple transport towards a subsequent section of the packaging line 140 distinguished with the references 12P, 13P, 14P, 15P, 16P and in which instead the formation of the upper part of the casing 4, which serves as a lid 16, is provided for.
  • the product 2 is transported, set onto fixed belts driven by the same motor M2 and translates along the packaging line 140 below a station 6c wherein the sheets 6 destined to form the lids 17 are introduced into the packaging line 140 itself until reaching a condition wherein the sheet 6 and the product 2 meet tangentially one to the other and the sheet 6 is released to be set over, and in direct contact with, the product 2 itself.
  • the product 2 with the sheet 6 set over it is transferred onto a conveyor device 120' which comprises six beams 121' equipped with revolving bodies 100 free to revolve, above which are positioned seven parallel motor-driven chains 123', inte ⁇ osed to the beams 121' and equipped with movable folders 131' and fixed folders 132' wholly similar to those provided for folding the sheet 6 of the bottoms 16.
  • a conveyor device 120' which comprises six beams 121' equipped with revolving bodies 100 free to revolve, above which are positioned seven parallel motor-driven chains 123', inte ⁇ osed to the beams 121' and equipped with movable folders 131' and fixed folders 132' wholly similar to those provided for folding the sheet 6 of the bottoms 16.
  • the chains 123' and the folders 131' and 132' interact with the upper part of the product 2, and fold back the edges 10, 11 of the sheet 6 in such a way as to form the lid 17 of the casing 4 and to thrust forward the product 2 in a manner wholly similar to the one described above for the formation of the bottom 16.
  • the chains 123' are adjustable in a transverse direction to the packaging line 140 by means of a servomotor M25 which commands two threaded rods whereon are engaged corresponding lead screw bodies commanded by coupling means.
  • the wheels, the lead screw bodies and the coupling means are interconnected with the control means 150 with the means for adjusting the plant 1 and with sensor means 230 in a manner that is wholly similar to what is provided for the beams 121 of the conveyor device 120 serving to support the products 2 during the formation of the bottom 16.
  • a parking station 111' wherein are confined the beams 121' in excess with respect to those strictly necessary to support the products 2.
  • the forming apparatus 160 is also equipped with lifting means 270 which allow to lift or lower the sections 12P, 13P, 14P, 15P, 16P of the forming line 140 so as to position the top of the products 2 at a pre-set, constant level regardless of the vertical dimension of the products 2.
  • the aforesaid lifting means comprise in particular a structure constituted by four vertical bars 99 mounted to slide with respect to the fixed upper load-bearing structure of the packaging line 140.
  • the bars 99 are movable by acting upon four threaded rods 98 actuated, through angular transmissions, by a motor M61 controlled by related encoder BQ47 which make them movable along a stroke delimited by sensors SQl 46, SQl 48 and referred to a reference sensor SQl 47 able to detect the so-called zero position.
  • the line 200 for the preparation of the sheets 6 of packing material provides for a horizontal conveyor 155, for instance of the type with conveying plane with rollers driven by a motor Ml 6, destined to transfer towards its off-loading end 155b a plurality of sheets 6 stacked vertically onto a pallet received, by an operator, above a loading end 155a of the conveyor 155.
  • the sheets 6 are laid onto a plane with horizontal rollers, belonging to a vertically movable elevator A2, which is able to translate the stack of sheets 6 positioning their top in correspondence with a raised station IV, located at an unchangeable, pre-set height.
  • Gripping means provided for instance with a dolly with vacuum suction cups, are positioned above the vertical elevator A2.
  • the gripping means upon consent by a sensor B9, move above the elevator A2 and draw the sheets 6 from the top of the stack, transfer them and lay them one at a time onto an inlet station 2 V of the preparation line 200, located to the side of the station IV.
  • the sheets 6 are intercepted by jogging means which align them in contact with a longitudinal reference located to the side of the preparation line 200, whereupon a conveyor of the type known as "comb" advances them towards successive stations 3V and 4V wherein a pair of opposite edges 10;11 of the sheet 6 are folded back onto themselves and glued to be then pressed in a subsequent station 4v in order to increase their original structural resistance.
  • the sheets 6 pass through a station 5v positioned downstream which transfers them into the loading station 6v of the packaging line 140 feeding them in timed fashion, with a pre-set interval between them, correlated with the interval between the products 2 which move along the packaging line 140 itself.
  • the station 5V comprises, more in particular, means for accumulating sheets
  • the aforesaid accumulator means are provided by means of a vertically movable elevator, which is driven by step actuator moved by a motor M44 provided with an arrest sensor SQl 00 and controlled by an angular position solver BQ30.
  • the elevator is operatively correlated with the means 150 for automatically commanding the plant 1 in order to move up or down by one or more steps with respect to a station 6V for off-loading the sheets 6 located at a constant, pre-set height from which the sheets 6 are drawn by a chain conveyor with tugging teeth which hook onto them and send them to the packaging line 140.
  • the preparation line 200 is also provided with mechanical adjustment means able to deal with the dimensional variations of the sheets 6 corresponding with the format variations of the products 2.
  • Such adjustments are three. Two of them, lateral and symmetric, are performed, on both sides of the sheet 6, to compensate for the variation of the height of the edges 10. A third, on the movable side, opposed to the fixed side which allows to compensate for the dimensional variation of the sheet 6 in terms of width.
  • the plant 1 in sum provides for the accomplishment of the entire packing process with a succession of phases whereby the products 2, or the sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a package undergo a superficial wrapping with the stretchable film 3 and a subsequent packaging in a containment casing 4 which is formed exactly to measure on the dimensions of the product 2 or of the sets of parts thereof gathered in a package, and directly on the product 2 itself.
  • the operating cycle of the plant starts with the operator's laying the product 2 or the first component of the set onto the first conveyor IN of the forming line 80, onto which the product 2 is set and positioned against the longitudinal reference 51 which imposes its alignment with a first direction of space.
  • the products 2 are made to advance by being thrust along the packing station 140 to the station 6P wherein they associate in contact with the sheets 6 destined to form the bottom 16 of the casing 4.
  • the forward and rear edges 10, 11 and the side tabs 15 of the sheets 6 are folded. These phases are followed in the station 8P by the spraying of the adhesive and the folding of the side edges 10, 11. Pressing for gluing is performed in station 9P.
  • station 10P and 1 IP the products 2 are transported upwards, whereupon a horizontal transport is performed in the station 12P, by means of which the products 2 are lifted to a height in correspondence with which the third dimension in space of the products 2 is controlled.
  • the sheets 6 destined to form the lids 16 are associated above and set onto the products 2.
  • the forward and rear edges 10, 11 and the side tabs 15 are folded, to be followed in the station 15P by the spraying of the adhesive and the folding of the side edges 10, 11 of the lid 17.
  • the station 16P after pressing for gluing, the products 2, or the sets of parts thereof, definitively packaged are transferred towards an output and storage section 300.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé permettant de protéger et de stabiliser avec soin des produits (2), ou des ensembles de pièces constituant lesdits produits, dans un emballage. Selon l'invention, on enveloppe superficiellement des produits (2), ou leurs ensembles de pièces, avec un film étirable élastiquement que l'on déroule depuis un dévidoir (21) et que l'on tend sur les produits (2) ou leurs ensembles de pièces, de façon à former une enveloppe tubulaire, qui après l'emballage se rétracte élastiquement sur lesdits produits (2) ou ensembles de pièces; puis on emballe lesdits produits (2) ou ensembles de pièces, revêtus du film (3), dans une caisse de maintien (4), sensiblement en forme de boîte, que l'on forme directement à la mesure des produits (2) et que l'on structure de façon qu'elle présente un cadre rigide (60) venant enfermer les produits (2) ou ensembles de pièces, ce qui permet de mieux protéger leurs bords et leurs coins contre les chocs externes.
PCT/IB1997/001453 1996-11-22 1997-11-17 Procede et installation pour emballer avec soin des produits, ou des ensembles de pieces constituant lesdits produits, dans un emballage WO1998022347A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU47919/97A AU4791997A (en) 1996-11-22 1997-11-17 Method and plant for packing products or sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a package

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT96BO000604A IT1286785B1 (it) 1996-11-22 1996-11-22 Metodo ed impianto di imballaggio di prodotti o di insiemi di loro parti ordinatamente aggregate a pacco
ITBO96A000604 1996-11-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998022347A1 true WO1998022347A1 (fr) 1998-05-28

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB1997/001453 WO1998022347A1 (fr) 1996-11-22 1997-11-17 Procede et installation pour emballer avec soin des produits, ou des ensembles de pieces constituant lesdits produits, dans un emballage

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4791997A (fr)
IT (1) IT1286785B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998022347A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2302069A1 (de) * 1973-01-17 1974-07-18 Rahdener Maschf August Sammelverpackung fuer buecher
GB2145991A (en) * 1983-08-26 1985-04-11 Peter Frederick Ferguson Packaging
EP0141351A1 (fr) * 1983-10-20 1985-05-15 B. Hagemann & Co. Dispositif pour envelopper des paquets dans une feuille étirable

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2302069A1 (de) * 1973-01-17 1974-07-18 Rahdener Maschf August Sammelverpackung fuer buecher
GB2145991A (en) * 1983-08-26 1985-04-11 Peter Frederick Ferguson Packaging
EP0141351A1 (fr) * 1983-10-20 1985-05-15 B. Hagemann & Co. Dispositif pour envelopper des paquets dans une feuille étirable

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITBO960604A1 (it) 1998-05-22
IT1286785B1 (it) 1998-07-17
AU4791997A (en) 1998-06-10
ITBO960604A0 (it) 1996-11-22

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