WO2009123994A2 - Method and apparatus for cutting straps from boxes - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for cutting straps from boxes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009123994A2
WO2009123994A2 PCT/US2009/038856 US2009038856W WO2009123994A2 WO 2009123994 A2 WO2009123994 A2 WO 2009123994A2 US 2009038856 W US2009038856 W US 2009038856W WO 2009123994 A2 WO2009123994 A2 WO 2009123994A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
box
cutting
rotating cutter
cutter
blade
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2009/038856
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2009123994A3 (en
Inventor
Lars Erik Vedsted
Søren Christian VEDSTED
Original Assignee
Laitram, L.L.C.
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 Laitram, L.L.C. filed Critical Laitram, L.L.C.
Publication of WO2009123994A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009123994A2/en
Publication of WO2009123994A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009123994A3/en

Links

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
    • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
    • B65B69/0025—Removing or cutting binding material, e.g. straps or bands
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
    • B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
    • B26D1/01—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work
    • B26D1/12—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis
    • B26D1/14—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter
    • B26D1/20—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter coacting with a fixed member
    • B26D1/205—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter coacting with a fixed member for thin material, e.g. for sheets, strips or the like

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to packaging and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for removing straps from packages or boxes.
  • the strap cutter comprises a rotating cutter and a lifting finger movable with the rotating cutter along a cutting path.
  • the rotating cutter has a peripheral blade that is rotatable about an axis of blade rotation. The outermost extent of the rotating blade defines the cutting radius about the axis of blade rotation.
  • the lifting finger has a distal finger tip that is spaced from the axis of blade rotation by a distance greater than the cutting radius. In this way, the lifting finger is positioned to lift straps away from the boxes before they are cut by the advancing rotating cutter.
  • a method for cutting a strap from a box comprises: (a) advancing a rotating cutter along a cutting path on one side of a box with a strap; (b) lifting the strap away from the box as the rotating cutter advances along the cutting path; and (c) guiding the strap lifted away from the box into the advancing rotating cutter to be severed.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a deboxing apparatus having a strap cutter embodying features of the invention
  • FIG 2 is an isometric view of a box whose straps may be cut by the strap cutter of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the strap cutter of FIG. 1; and FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the strap cutter of FIG. 1.
  • the deboxing apparatus 2 includes a horizontally extending conveyor belt 4 with a number of lateral guides 6.
  • the conveyor belt runs from an entry position 8 for boxes to a strap-cutting station 10 and a lid-removing station
  • a horizontally disposed, height-adjustable pneumatic guide beam 20 supports a rotating cutter 22.
  • the guide beam is disposed oblique to the direction of belt travel 34. In this way, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotating cutter follows a cutting path 23 parallel to a diagonal of a side of a box 32 to cut through crossed straps 24 or through parallel straps 26 in a single pass.
  • the cutter 22 has a support frame 36 with a top plate 38 that mounts to the guide beam 20.
  • a downwardly extending tab 40 supports a cutter arm 42 at a pivot point 44.
  • a vertical-positioning motor 44 pivots the arm to raise and lower a rotating cutter blade 48 to a selected vertical position.
  • the cutter blade is mounted to the shaft of a cutter motor 50, which is supported in a shaft mount 52.
  • a finger assembly 58 which includes a lifting finger 60 and a guard 62.
  • the guard extends angularly upward and outward of the blade to a position forward of the blade advancing along the cutting path 23.
  • the guard prevents severed straps from wrapping around the shaft of the motor and causing it to bind.
  • the lifting finger 60 extends outward to a distal finger tip 64.
  • the finger tip is spaced from the axis of blade rotation 54 by a distance D greater than the cutting radius R.
  • the side of the lifting finger opposite the blade forms a sliding surface 66 that rides along a side of the box as the rotating cutter advances along the cutting path.
  • the lifting finger separates the blade of the rotating cutter from a box to prevent the blade from cutting into the box.
  • the lifting finger tapers narrower to the finger tip to form a sloped guide surface 68 opposite the sliding surface.
  • the guide surface guides straps into the blade of the cutter to be severed.
  • the rotating cutter is lowered by the vertical-positioning motor 46 to the proper level for the box.
  • the pneumatic guide beam 20 advances the cutter 22 along the cutting path 23.
  • the finger tip 64 of the lifting finger 60 riding along the side of the box hooks the straps, lifts them away from the box, and guides them into the rotating blade 48 as the cutter advances along the cutting path.
  • the box may be conveyed to the lid-removal station 12, where the lid 70 of the box is removed by a suction-cup device 72, and then to the emptying station 14.

Abstract

A strap cutting apparatus for a deboxer and a method for cutting straps from boxes. The apparatus includes a rotating cutter that advances on a diagonal cutting path along one side of a box. The finger tip of a lifting finger advancing with the cutter extends forward of the cutter's rotating blade along the cutting path. The lifting finger rides along the side of the box, lifts the box's straps away from the box, and guides them into the blade where they are severed.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING STRAPS FROM BOXES
BACKGROUND
The invention relates generally to packaging and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for removing straps from packages or boxes.
Packages or boxes with lids often have one or more bands or straps surrounding the box to hold the lid in place. Before such a box can be opened and emptied, its straps must be removed. International Patent Application Publication Number WO/2007/ 112740A1 describes a deboxing system that includes a rotating cutter on a horizontally disposed, height- adjustable pneumatic guide beam. The guide beam translates the rotating cutter along a diagonal path across the top of the box to sever its straps. Because the straps lie on the top of the box, the rotating cutter can cut into the box top and damage it while severing the band. And saw dust from the kerf cut in the box top can contaminate the contents. Setting the vertical level of the rotating cutter to sever the band without cutting into the box top is difficult because of the precise positioning required.
Thus, there is a need for a strap cutter that does not cut into a box.
SUMMARY
This need and other needs are satisfied by an apparatus embodying features of the invention for cutting straps from boxes. The strap cutter comprises a rotating cutter and a lifting finger movable with the rotating cutter along a cutting path. The rotating cutter has a peripheral blade that is rotatable about an axis of blade rotation. The outermost extent of the rotating blade defines the cutting radius about the axis of blade rotation. The lifting finger has a distal finger tip that is spaced from the axis of blade rotation by a distance greater than the cutting radius. In this way, the lifting finger is positioned to lift straps away from the boxes before they are cut by the advancing rotating cutter.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for cutting a strap from a box comprises: (a) advancing a rotating cutter along a cutting path on one side of a box with a strap; (b) lifting the strap away from the box as the rotating cutter advances along the cutting path; and (c) guiding the strap lifted away from the box into the advancing rotating cutter to be severed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These aspects and features of the invention, as well as its advantages, are better understood by reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a deboxing apparatus having a strap cutter embodying features of the invention;
FIG 2 is an isometric view of a box whose straps may be cut by the strap cutter of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the strap cutter of FIG. 1; and FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the strap cutter of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
One version of a strap cutter embodying features of the invention is shown in conjunction with the deboxing apparatus in FIG. 1. The deboxing apparatus 2 includes a horizontally extending conveyor belt 4 with a number of lateral guides 6. The conveyor belt runs from an entry position 8 for boxes to a strap-cutting station 10 and a lid-removing station
12 to an emptying station 14.
After passing the entry position, the boxes arrive at the strap-cutting station 10. A horizontally disposed, height-adjustable pneumatic guide beam 20 supports a rotating cutter 22. The guide beam is disposed oblique to the direction of belt travel 34. In this way, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotating cutter follows a cutting path 23 parallel to a diagonal of a side of a box 32 to cut through crossed straps 24 or through parallel straps 26 in a single pass.
Details of the rotating cutter are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The cutter 22 has a support frame 36 with a top plate 38 that mounts to the guide beam 20. A downwardly extending tab 40 supports a cutter arm 42 at a pivot point 44. A vertical-positioning motor 44 pivots the arm to raise and lower a rotating cutter blade 48 to a selected vertical position. The cutter blade is mounted to the shaft of a cutter motor 50, which is supported in a shaft mount 52.
As the cutter motor rotates the rotating cutter about an axis of blade rotation 54, the outermost points of the cutter's peripheral blade 48 sweep out a circle 56 with a cutting radius R. Supported offset from the blade is a finger assembly 58, which includes a lifting finger 60 and a guard 62. The guard extends angularly upward and outward of the blade to a position forward of the blade advancing along the cutting path 23. The guard prevents severed straps from wrapping around the shaft of the motor and causing it to bind. The lifting finger 60 extends outward to a distal finger tip 64. The finger tip is spaced from the axis of blade rotation 54 by a distance D greater than the cutting radius R. The side of the lifting finger opposite the blade forms a sliding surface 66 that rides along a side of the box as the rotating cutter advances along the cutting path. Thus, the lifting finger separates the blade of the rotating cutter from a box to prevent the blade from cutting into the box. The lifting finger tapers narrower to the finger tip to form a sloped guide surface 68 opposite the sliding surface. The guide surface guides straps into the blade of the cutter to be severed.
In operation, the rotating cutter is lowered by the vertical-positioning motor 46 to the proper level for the box. The pneumatic guide beam 20 advances the cutter 22 along the cutting path 23. The finger tip 64 of the lifting finger 60 riding along the side of the box hooks the straps, lifts them away from the box, and guides them into the rotating blade 48 as the cutter advances along the cutting path. Once the straps are cut, the box may be conveyed to the lid-removal station 12, where the lid 70 of the box is removed by a suction-cup device 72, and then to the emptying station 14. What is claimed is:

Claims

1. Apparatus for cutting straps from boxes, comprising: a rotating cutter movable along a cutting path and having a peripheral blade rotatable about an axis of blade rotation to define a cutting radius at the outermost extent of the rotating blade; a lifting finger movable along the cutting path with the rotating cutter and having a distal finger tip spaced from the axis of blade rotation by a distance greater than the cutting radius to lift straps away from boxes before they are cut by the rotating cutter advancing along the cutting path.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lifting finger includes a sliding surface that rides along a side of a box as the rotating cutter advances along the cutting path.
3. The apparatus on claim 1 wherein the lifting finger includes a guide surface that extends from the finger tip inward to a position spaced from the axis of blade rotation by a distance less than the cutting radius to guide the straps away from the box and into the rotating cutter.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lifting finger tapers narrower toward the finger tip.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a guard mounted to the movable frame and extending outward of the axis of blade rotation at a position forward of the blade advancing along the cutting path.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lifting finger separates the blade of the rotating cutter from the boxes to prevent the rotating cutter from cutting into the boxes.
7. A method for cutting a strap from a box, comprising: advancing a rotating cutter along a cutting path on one side of a box with a strap; lifting the strap away from the box as the rotating cutter advances along the cutting path; guiding the strap lifted away from the box into the advancing rotating cutter to be severed.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising spacing the box from the rotating cutter to prevent the cutter from cutting into the box.
PCT/US2009/038856 2008-03-31 2009-03-31 Method and apparatus for cutting straps from boxes WO2009123994A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US4096008P 2008-03-31 2008-03-31
US61/040,960 2008-03-31

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009123994A2 true WO2009123994A2 (en) 2009-10-08
WO2009123994A3 WO2009123994A3 (en) 2009-12-30

Family

ID=41136082

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2009/038856 WO2009123994A2 (en) 2008-03-31 2009-03-31 Method and apparatus for cutting straps from boxes

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2009123994A2 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102582865A (en) * 2012-03-09 2012-07-18 华北制药河北华民药业有限责任公司 Automatic unpacking bottle-providing machine
CN110422417A (en) * 2019-08-02 2019-11-08 广东科达洁能股份有限公司 A kind of strapping removal device
CN112830042A (en) * 2021-02-08 2021-05-25 江西中烟工业有限责任公司 Tobacco slice smoke box bundling belt shearing device
WO2021156426A1 (en) * 2020-02-05 2021-08-12 Marel Salmon A/S Device, system and method for removing straps from boxes

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5101703A (en) * 1988-09-08 1992-04-07 Kao Corporation Box cutting method and apparatus thereof
US6401582B1 (en) * 1999-01-20 2002-06-11 Bwg Bergwerk- Und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau Gmbh Apparatus for removing binder straps from, for example, coils bound thereby
US20040055438A1 (en) * 2000-11-10 2004-03-25 Ours David C. Method and apparatus for cutting a case containing product
WO2007112740A1 (en) * 2006-04-05 2007-10-11 Laitram, L.L.C. Method and apparatus for opening and emptying box-shaped packings

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5101703A (en) * 1988-09-08 1992-04-07 Kao Corporation Box cutting method and apparatus thereof
US6401582B1 (en) * 1999-01-20 2002-06-11 Bwg Bergwerk- Und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau Gmbh Apparatus for removing binder straps from, for example, coils bound thereby
US20040055438A1 (en) * 2000-11-10 2004-03-25 Ours David C. Method and apparatus for cutting a case containing product
WO2007112740A1 (en) * 2006-04-05 2007-10-11 Laitram, L.L.C. Method and apparatus for opening and emptying box-shaped packings

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102582865A (en) * 2012-03-09 2012-07-18 华北制药河北华民药业有限责任公司 Automatic unpacking bottle-providing machine
CN110422417A (en) * 2019-08-02 2019-11-08 广东科达洁能股份有限公司 A kind of strapping removal device
WO2021156426A1 (en) * 2020-02-05 2021-08-12 Marel Salmon A/S Device, system and method for removing straps from boxes
US11919671B2 (en) 2020-02-05 2024-03-05 Marel Salmon A/S Device, system and method for removing straps from boxes
CN112830042A (en) * 2021-02-08 2021-05-25 江西中烟工业有限责任公司 Tobacco slice smoke box bundling belt shearing device

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Publication number Publication date
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