WO2015121508A1

WO2015121508A1 - High-speed sticking unit for container lids

Info

Publication number: WO2015121508A1
Application number: PCT/ES2014/000022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rafael Moreno Navarro; Jesús PUJANTE LOPEZ; Angel MORENO NAVARRO; Lucas ROCAS NIETO
Original assignee: Taller Autorema, S.L
Priority date: 2014-02-11
Filing date: 2014-02-11
Publication date: 2015-08-20
Also published as: EP3106424B1; EP3106424A1; EP3106424A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-speed sticking unit for container lids, applicable to a polar robot (2) for spraying liquid adhesive or other fluids along a pre-defined edge, comprising a central rotary element (3) for supplying fluid and an outer rotary element (4) for supplying a signal, which are connected to a main rotary shaft (5) and to the control means (8) of the robot. There is also a lower rotary block (9) with the outflow (10) of the fluid and electrical signal towards the product applicator pistols which are set with means for adjusting the turn radius thereof and the incline thereof. The invention also relates to a configurable cleaning station (15) which is arranged in the vicinity of the applicator pistons (13).

Description

DESCRIPTION

HIGH SPEED RUBBER UNIT FOR CONTAINER COVERS OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as stated in the present specification, refers to a high-speed gumming unit for packaging lids, which provides a series of innovative structural and constitutive characteristics, which will be described in detail below, which They are a novelty within their field of application.

More particularly, the object of the invention is focused on a unit applicable to a polar robot, and whose specific purpose is to be constituted as a high speed system for the application of rubber on the flange of metal packaging lids, allowing to achieve a spray of liquid rubber or other fluids following a defined contour, operation for high cover productions, keeping the static cover halfway through the cycle, tilting the projection if necessary, avoiding changing the format for different cover diameters or geometries and providing a system Automatic cleaning FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of manufacturers of packaging and metal-graphic industries, focusing particularly in the field of rubber or other fluid application systems on the edge of metal container lids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although the application of powdered rubber on the edge of container lids is known, the systems currently used have a number of limitations that make the work slow in certain circumstances or The head must be changed every time the model or size of the cover is changed, and the difficulty of cleaning the product application nozzles is also a problem.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) The objective of the present invention is, therefore, to develop an improved application system of said rubber that avoids the above-described drawbacks and allows a high-speed application through the use of a polar robot, consequently allowing the production costs to be improved.

It should be noted, on the other hand that, at least on the part of the applicant, it is unknown the existence of any other high-speed gumming unit for packaging lids or any other invention that has similar technical, structural and constitutive characteristics to those presented which here is recommended and as claimed.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the high speed gumming unit that the invention proposes is configured as a remarkable novelty within its field of application, since according to its implementation and in a restrictive way, the aforementioned objectives are satisfactorily achieved, the details being characteristic thereof, conveniently set out in the final claims that accompany the present description.

Specifically, said unit which, as indicated above, is applicable to a polar or spherical robot, whose operation is based on the application of a polar coordinate system, essentially comprising a central rotating element for feeding the fluid product, under which an external rotary element is coupled for the power of the electrical signal, both of which are linked to a main rotary axis that is conveniently coupled to the robot body.

At the same time, the unit has, linked to the lower end of the aforementioned main shaft, with a rotary block also designed as a corrector of the turning radius in which product applicator guns inserted in means with which its position can be varied with respect to the center of said block and fixed so that they can also be tilted in various positions within a given range; in addition, they can be coupled with a cleaning station, existing between them, in the center of said block the output of signal and fluid to be led to the applicator guns.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) With all this, two or more concentric axes that rotate synchronously, the main axis and the lower rotary block are contemplated, allowing, by combination of them, to describe any type of trajectory in two or three dimensions, without requiring format changes, regardless of the dimensions and geometry of the contour of the lid to which the gumming is to be applied.

This fact makes it possible to draw any type of profile without the need to exchange parts. The movements of rotation and displacements can be controlled synchronously so that the drop projection accelerations remain constant.

The rotating block can carry one or several guns. This is possible because the turning movement is made from the center of this block. These guns can also move synchronously, electrically or mechanically, this synchronization being independent or linked, depending on the number of axes and needs of each case.

The main advantage it provides is that it allows reducing the centrifugal and linear accelerations of the projected drop for the same number of paths per minute.

It should also be noted that these guns may have a certain adjustable tilt angle that facilitates the application of the product. This allows, advantageously, to control the approximate angle of incidence on the flange within a range.

The unit includes, as indicated at the beginning of this section, rotating systems, one central and the other external, for the supply of gases, fluids and current to the application area, that is, to the application guns. These systems allow, advantageously, the activation of signals, feeding and supply of material to the guns and to the signal output without causing vibrations in the tubes or cables that could cause defective applications.

Finally, the unit includes a cleaning station located near the application area, which allows cleaning the guns and dosing system of

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) configurable form, even after each cycle. This provides the advantage of being able to keep the nozzle of the dosing guns in perfect condition to avoid blockages. The unit described thus allows to achieve the objectives of:

- spray with liquid rubber or other fluids following a predefined contour;

- achieve high cover productions thanks to the high working speeds achieved;

- keep the static lid half the cycle when applying the product with two or more guns at the same time on the flange of each lid;

- be able to tilt the spray projection of liquid rubber or other fluids to direct it outwards from the flange of the lid;

- eliminate the need to make format changes for different sizes or part geometries;

- have an automatic cleaning system selectable, and can be configured to perform a cleaning per work cycle.

In view of the foregoing, it is found that the described high-speed gumming unit for packaging lids represents an innovative structure with structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now for the purpose to which it is intended, reasons that together with its practical utility, endow it of sufficient foundation to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that is requested.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, of a set of drawings, in which with character Illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure number 1.- Shows a schematic elevational view of an example of the high speed gumming unit for container lids, object of the invention, the main parts and elements comprising it being appreciated.

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Figure number 2.- Shows an elevation view of the polar robot with the gumming unit, according to the invention, incorporated therein, showing the arrangement of all its elements. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and according to the numbering adopted, a non-limiting example of the recommended gumming unit can be seen, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

Thus, as seen in said figures, the unit (1) in question comprises, coupled to a polar robot (2), a central rotating element (3) for feeding fluid to be applied and an external rotating element (4) for the signal feed, linked to a main rotary axis (5) which, incorporated into a protective housing (6) that is placed high on a lateral support (7), is linked to the drive and control means (8) of the robot (2).

In addition, linked to the lower end of the main shaft (5), it contemplates a lower rotary block (9) in whose center is the outlet (10) of fluid and electrical signal from which they start, adjustable position means, for example bars horizontal (11), to whose ends are coupled, the supports (12) in which the product applicator guns (13) are incorporated, so that by means of said bars or other adjustable coupling means the turning radius of the same depending on the dimensions of the lid (not shown) to which the gumming will be applied.

Likewise, said applicator guns (13), in turn, are incorporated into said supports (12) with movable fasteners (14) that allow the regulation of their inclination, within a range, to control the angle of incidence on the flange of the cover as appropriate in each case.

Finally, the unit (1) recommended also includes a cleaning station (15) that, also associated with the control of the robot (2) for placement in the position of use or rest, is incorporated in the vicinity of the guns (13) applicators , allowing the cleaning of them in a configurable way.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Describing sufficiently the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages derived therefrom, stating that, within its essentiality, it may be carried out in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and to which it will also achieve the protection that is sought provided that it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle .

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

1. - HIGH SPEED GLUING UNIT FOR CONTAINER LIDS, which can be applied to a polar robot (2) to spray liquid rubber or other fluids following a predefined contour, and is characterized by comprising at least one central rotating element (3). for fluid supply and an external rotating element (4) for supplying the electrical signal, linked to a main rotating axis (5) and to the drive and control means (8) of the robot (2), also existing associated with said main axis (5), a lower rotating block (9) with the fluid outlet (10) and electrical signal to the product applicator guns (13) that it incorporates fixed with means that allow the radius of gyration to be adjusted and his inclination.

2. - HIGH SPEED GLUING UNIT FOR CONTAINER LIDS, according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a cleaning station (15) associated with the control of the robot (2) to configure its operation, which is incorporated in the vicinity of the applicator guns (13).

3. - HIGH SPEED GLUING UNIT FOR CONTAINER LIDS, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the center of the lower rotating block (9) is located the outlet (10) of fluid and electrical signal from which the position adjustable means to whose ends the supports (12) in which the product applicator guns (13) are incorporated.

4 - HIGH SPEED GLUING UNIT FOR CONTAINER LIDS, according to claim 3, characterized in that the applicator guns (13) are incorporated into said supports (12) with mobile fixings (14) that make it possible to regulate their inclination within a range.

5.- HIGH SPEED GLUING UNIT FOR CONTAINER LIDS, according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that, at least, the central rotating element (3) for fluid feeding and the external rotating element (4) for the signal supply, linked to the main rotating axis (5), are incorporated within a protective casing (6).

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26)