WO2022090899A1

WO2022090899A1 - Method and integrated machine for packaging and stacking packages

Info

Publication number: WO2022090899A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/059829
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianluca SCARAMUZZA; Emanuele TRONI
Original assignee: Cft Robotics S.R.L.
Priority date: 2020-10-27
Filing date: 2021-10-25
Publication date: 2022-05-05
Also published as: IT202000025492A1

Abstract

An integrated machine for packaging and stacking packages comprising: -an introduction station (12) for introducing products into the packages; -a stacking station (30) without a pallet for stacking the packages which is located downstream of the introduction station (12). The stacking station (30) is devoid of a pallet loading system.

Description

DESCRIPTION

METHOD AND INTEGRATED MACHINE FOR PACKAGING AND STACKING PACKAGES

Technical field

The present invention relates to a method and integrated machine for packaging and stacking packages. Typically, such packages are cardboard boxes containing products that can be of different type.

Prior art

Box moving systems are known that involve forming boxes, their filling, closing thereof and palletising. For this reason, the boxes are moved along a conveyor belt. Palletization is conducted at an unloading station of the conveyor belt. For this purpose, a pick and place robot is present that picks the arriving boxes, positioning them above a pallet (in technical sector the pallet is well known and is thus not further described).

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and an integrated machine for packaging and stacking packages that enables the contaminations of the packaged products to be minimized. Another object is linked to an optimization of the flows. A further important object is to minimize the overall dimensions of the machine.

The set technical task and the specified objects are substantially attained by a method and an integrated machine for packaging and stacking packages comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate, and hence non-limiting, description of a method and an integrated machine for packaging and stacking packages as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows a plan view of a machine according to the present invention; - figure 1 a shows a schematic view of the machine illustrated in figure 1 ;

- figure 1 b shows a schematic side view of a portion of the machine of figure 1a;

- figure 2 shows a side view of the machine of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 shows a perspective view of the machine of figures 1 and 2;

- figure 4 shows a system that incorporates the machine of figure 1 .

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the appended figures, reference number 1 denotes an integrated machine for packaging and stacking packages. This machine 1 comprises an introduction station 12 for introducing products into the packages; In the technical sector, a filling station is sometimes also defined. Possibly, (non-preferred solution) several introduction stations can be present for introducing products into the packages (for example to introduce different types of product into the same package). In the introduction station 12, a robot picks the products to be positioned (which appropriately come from the loading line 120) and inserts the products into the packages. Appropriately, the packages are filled in succession in the packaging station 12. Appropriately, upstream of the introduction station 12 for introducing the products into the packages, the machine 1 comprises forming means 11 for forming the packages. They enable the packages to be shaped. In this manner, each package defines a housing to enable the products to be received. Appropriately, the forming means 11 is integrated into a single forming station, but they could also be distributed over several forming stations arranged in succession. The forming means 11 appropriately comprises folding means for folding a blank intended to form the package. Appropriately, the machine 1 also comprises means for applying adhesive to the wrappers. This is to connect stably different parts of the wrappers, enabling the shaping of the wrappers. Also the forming means 11 forms thus part of said machine 1 .

Appropriately, the machine 1 also comprises a stacking station 30 for stacking the packages without a pallet. For example, the stacking station 30 could comprise a robot 300, preferably of “pick and place” type. This robot 300 can have for example 4 or more axes. This stacking station 30 is placed downstream of the introduction station 12 for introducing products. The stacking station 30 is devoid of a pallet loading system. In fact, the stacking station 30 forms a group of packages without positioning them on a pallet. The introduction station 12 for introducing products into packages and the stacking station 30 are part of the same machine and not of two distinct machines.

Appropriately, between the introduction station 12 and the stacking station 30, the machine 1 comprises a closing station 13 for closing the wrappers. The closing station for example enables an access mouth to be closed that in the introduction station 12 allowed the products to be inserted into the wrappers. For example, the closing station 13 enables flaps of the wrappers to be folded and/or glued.

Appropriately, the machine 1 comprises a first support base supporting the introduction station 12 for introducing products into said wrappers and/or said closing station 13. Appropriately, the machine 1 also comprises a second support base supporting the stacking station 30 (or anyway the robot 300). Appropriately, the first and the second base are adjacent to one another and are appropriately linked reciprocally. In an alternative solution, the first and the second base could be spaced less than 3 metres apart from one another. In this case they could be connected by means of a conveyor belt that connects the station 12 and/or the station 13 to the station 30. Also in this case they define a single machine (they thus correspond to the same control unit that is shared and do not have two different control units as in the case of two machines that are distinct and assembled together). Appropriately, the station 12 and/or the station 13 and/or the station 30 are in a single machine box 100.

As mentioned above, the machine 1 comprises a control unit that is shared both by the introduction station 12 for introducing products into the packages and by the stacking station 30. Appropriately, this control unit also enables the forming means 11 to be controlled. Appropriately, the control unit enables the operation of both the introduction station 12 for introducing products into the packages and of the stacking station 30 to be adjusted. The control unit then commands the station 12, the station 30 and the synchronization between the station 12 and the station 30.

The machine 1 comprises a user interface 8 (for example a PLC) that is shared by both the introduction station 12 for introducing the products and by the stacking station 30. The user is thus able to have control over the machine 1 from the user interface 8. Appropriately, no user control interface is present for controlling the stacking station 30 separated from a user control interface for controlling the introduction station 12 for introducing the products into the packages.

Preferably, said stacking station 30 and said introduction station 12 for introducing products are less than 5 metres (as the crow flies or along the path of the packages), preferably less than 3 metres distant (as the crow flies or along the path of the packages). This distance refers to a minimum distance.

Appropriately, the stacking station 30 and said closing station 13 for closing the packages are less than 5 metres distant (as the crow flies), preferably less than 3 metres distant (as the crow flies). Also in this case, the distance refers to a minimum distance.

Appropriately, the machine 1 comprises an advancement line 9 for advancing the packages. The stacking station 30 appropriately stacks the packages on a portion of said advancement line 9 for advancing the packages. This facilitates the movement thereof without pallets.

Appropriately, this advancement line 9 transits at the introduction station 12 and at the stacking station 30. Appropriately, this advancement line 9 also transits at the forming means 11 and/or the closing station 13.

Appropriately, the machine 1 comprises a loading system 33 for loading blanks that have to be shaped to define the packages. These blanks are of cardboard. The advancement line 9 appropriately starts at the loading system 33 for loading blanks. Appropriately, the machine 1 comprises an evacuation station 32 for evacuating a group of stacked packages. Appropriately, the advancement line 9 ends at said evacuation station 32. For example, the machine 1 (or more in detail the advancement line 9) comprises a linear motor 90 along which a plurality of conveyors 91 move to convey the packages. Appropriately, the conveyors 91 comprise generating means for generating a magnetic field (typically one or more permanent magnets) that interact with the linear motor 90 to cause a linear displacement of the conveyors 91 along the linear motor 91 . Appropriately, electric supply means is also present for supplying electrical utilities located on corresponding conveyors 91 (the electrical utilities are advantageously not responsible for the displacement of the conveyors); such electrical supply means comprises contactless electrical supply means supplying each conveyor 91 (they exploit the principle of magnetic induction). The linear motor 90 and the conveyors 91 are of the type disclosed in private patents 102019000003895 and 102019000003899.

The linear motor 90 has an annular extension; appropriately the following face each another along the linear motor 90: the loading system 33 for loading blanks and/or the forming means 11 for forming the packages (that typically occur with the blank to be shaped placed on the conveyor) and/or the introduction station 12 for introducing the products into the packages and/or the closing station 13 for closing the wrappers.

Appropriately, the advancement line 9 can comprise also a single conveyor belt or several conveyor belts. For example, a first conveyor belt 911 could be present that extends from the linear motor 90 towards the stacking station 30. Appropriately, a removing system 19 is present for removing the packages from the conveyors 91 and positioning on the first conveyor belt 91. Appropriately, a second conveyor belt 912 is present (distinct from the first) that from the stacking station 30 extends away from the stacking station 30 (typically towards an evacuation station 32 that is defined better below). Appropriately, in this case the robot 300 transfers the packages 2 from the first conveyor belt 911 (or from a roller conveyor 913 placed at the end of the first conveyor belt 911 ) to the second conveyor belt 912.

The object of the present invention is also a system 10 comprising:

-a machine 1 having one or more of the characteristics described above; -a vehicle 4 intended to receive a group of packages from said machine 1 . Appropriately, this vehicle 4 is a self-propelled vehicle. Appropriately, it is a self-guided vehicle. In the technical sector it is also known as an AGV. A driver (meaning a person) is absent on the vehicle 4. The vehicle 4 comprises a control system that moves the vehicle 4 as a function of a remote signal (preferably in wireless mode) or pre-stored in a storage unit placed in the vehicle.

The vehicle 4 is provided with wheels (appropriately at least one drive wheel and a steering wheel; this steering wheel could possibly also coincide with a drive wheel). Appropriately, the vehicle 4 comprises a support (for example a platform) that receives said group of packages 2 from the evacuation station 32. Appropriately, said vehicle 4 in at least one configuration of the system 1 is placed immediately downstream of the evacuation station 32 so as to receive the group of packages. Appropriately, said vehicle support 4 is placed substantially at the same height reached by the advancement line 9 at the evacuation station 32. This enables the group of packages to be transferred without pallets and without damages.

The vehicle 4 can thus convey the group of packages as far as an unloading station, which is for example placed in a warehouse.

The object of the present invention is also a packaging and stacking method for packaging and stacking packages. These packages are typically boxes and/or blanks intended for forming boxes. Typically, the boxes are cardboard boxes (remembering that they can be inserted not necessarily in cardboard or that there can be glue to retain flaps of the box in the preset shape). Appropriately, the method comprises the step of introducing the products into the packages. This takes place in an introduction station 12.

The method comprises the steps of closing packages 2 containing products. This can for example include folding flaps that obstruct an opening giving access to the packages. A vast variety of products can be inserted into the box, by way of example: food products, cosmetic products, manufactured products in general etc.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the products placed in a package are products that are identical to one another.

Appropriately, the method comprises a step of performing forming of one of said packages starting from a blank; said forming being performed upstream of said introduction station 12.

The method comprises the step of stacking the closed packages 2 in layers to obtain a group 20 of packages. Appropriately, the step of stacking the packages 2 occurs in a stacking station 30 that is part of the same machine of which the filling station is a part.

Appropriately, each layer of packages can comprise a single or a plurality of packages.

The step of stacking the packages 2 includes positioning a lower layer 21 in a stacking zone 31 without resting it on a pallet.

Preferably but not necessarily, the step of stacking the packages 2 in layers is performed by a "pick and place" robot 300; in one alternative non preferred solution, stacking could occur by raising or lowering the stacking zone 31

The lower layer 21 is placed on a support without interposition of a pallet (which is thus not used in this step). As explained below, this support can be a conveyor belt. Typically, the lower layer 21 is placed on a conveyor belt, typically, it is placed directly on the conveyor belt. The lower layer 21 can define for example a quadrilateral plan layer, typically rectangular or square. The method also comprises the step of positioning at least one additional layer 22 on said lower layer 21. This occurs in said stacking zone 31. This additional layer 22 can consist of one or more packages. Appropriately, the additional layer 22 has the same plan extension as the lower layer. A pallet is absent from between the additional layer 22 and the lower layer 21 .

Appropriately, it is possible to position a plurality of additional layers on the lower layer 21 .

The method further comprises the step of transferring the already stacked group 20 of packages on a vehicle 4. In this manner, the group 20 is positioned on the vehicle 4 without being rested on a pallet.

The stacking zone 31 is preferably located at advancement means 3 for advancing the group 20. In particular, it is located on advancement means 3 for advancing the group 20. The advancement means for advancing the group 20 can comprise a conveyor belt or rotatable rolls with a pusher/drawing member for pushing/drawing the group 20. The positioning zone is for example placed at said conveyor belt or said rollers.

The step of performing a closure of the packages 2 containing the products is completed in a closing station 13. The closing station 13 is placed downstream of said stacking station 30. Appropriately, the closing station 13 and/or the introduction station 12 for introducing the products into the packages is placed at less than 5 metres, preferably at less than 3 metres, from the stacking zone 31. Appropriately, the introduction station 12 for introducing the products into the packages is placed at less than 5 metres, preferably at less than 3 metres, from the stacking zone 31. Appropriately, a movement line 9 is present for moving packages from the closing station 13 to the stacking zone 31 .

The method comprises the step of moving the advancement means 3 by displacing the group 20 from the stacking zone 31 onto a support base 50. The support base 50 is obtained on the parked vehicle 4 in a predetermined zone at a release zone 32 of the advancement means 3. Appropriately, any pallet is absent from the vehicle 4. In particular, the pallet is not interposed between the vehicle 4 and the group 20 of packages.

The method comprises the step of moving said group 20 of packages by means of said vehicle 4 as far as an unloading station 5 for unloading the packages 2 from the vehicle 4.

The step of moving the group 20 of packages by means of said vehicle 4 occurs by means of an automatic drive vehicle. As mentioned above, it is also known in the technical sector as AGV.

Appropriately, in said unloading station 5, the group 20 of packages is placed on a pallet.

The unloading station 5 is located in a warehouse 7.

The present invention achieves important advantages.

Above all, it enables introducing pallets at a stacking zone obtained in the same machine in which the products are packaged to be avoided. This enables contaminations to be minimized that are linked to the introduction of pallets, typically wooden pallets and which are conveyed in very many, also dirty, places. A further advantage is linked to the fact that it is not necessary to position the pallets in the machine 1 , thus simplifying the flows of the material. Another advantage is linked to the fact that the integration into a single machine of a packaging system for packaging the wrappers with a stacking system enables the overall dimensions of the machine 1 to be minimized.

Claims

1. A method for packaging and stacking product packages (100) comprising the steps of:

- introducing the products into the packages in an introduction station (12); -stacking the packages (2) in layers to obtain a group (20) of packages; the step of stacking the packages (2) in layers occurring in a stacking station (30) that is part of the same machine of which the filling station is part; the step of stacking the packages in layers comprises the steps of positioning a lower layer (21 ) in a stacking zone (31 ) without resting it on a pallet and positioning at least one additional layer (22) above said lower layer (21 ).

2. The method according to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises the steps of:

-transferring said group (20) of packages that are already stacked onto a vehicle (4) by positioning said group (20) on the vehicle (4) without resting the group (20) on a pallet;

-moving said group (20) of packages by means of said vehicle (4) as far as an unloading station (5) for unloading the packages (2) from the vehicle (4).

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the step of moving the group (20) of packages by means of said vehicle (4) occurs by means of an automatic drive vehicle (4).

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that in said unloading station (5) the group (20) of packages is placed on a pallet.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said stacking zone (31 ) is located on an advancement means (3) for advancing the group (20) of packages; said method comprising the step of moving the advancement means (3) by displacing said group (20) from the stacking zone (31 ) to a support base (50) obtained on the vehicle (4) that is parked at a release zone (32) of the advancement means (3).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of performing a closure of the packages (2) containing the products; said step of performing a closure of the packages (2) containing the products is completed in a closing station (13) placed at less than 5 metres from the stacking zone (31 ); said closing station (13) is downstream of said introduction station (12).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said packages (2) are cardboard boxes.

8. An integrated machine for packaging and stacking packages comprising:

-an introduction station (12) for introducing products into the packages;

-a stacking station (30) without a pallet for stacking the packages which is located downstream of the introduction station (12); said stacking station (30) being devoid of a pallet loading system.

9. The machine according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a control unit that is common both to the introduction station (12) for introducing products into the packages and to the stacking station (30).

10. The machine according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises a user interface (8) that is common both to the introduction station (12) for introducing products and to the stacking station (30).

11. The machine according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said stacking station (30) and said introduction station (12) for introducing products are less than 5 metres away.

12. The machine according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , characterized in that it comprises advancement means (3) for advancing the packages; said stacking station (30) stacking the packages on said advancement means (3).