WO2024089539A1 - Flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine that comprises said apparatus - Google Patents

Flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine that comprises said apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024089539A1
WO2024089539A1 PCT/IB2023/060517 IB2023060517W WO2024089539A1 WO 2024089539 A1 WO2024089539 A1 WO 2024089539A1 IB 2023060517 W IB2023060517 W IB 2023060517W WO 2024089539 A1 WO2024089539 A1 WO 2024089539A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flap closing
carton
flap
unit
blade
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/060517
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Luca PEZZOTTA
Diego Mario Pezzotta
Fabrizio PONZI
Original Assignee
Minipack-Torre S.P.A.
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 Minipack-Torre S.P.A. filed Critical Minipack-Torre S.P.A.
Publication of WO2024089539A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024089539A1/en

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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
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/20—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by folding-down preformed flaps
    • 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
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/003—Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the packaging material
    • 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
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/02—Arrangements to enable adjustments to be made while the machine is running

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns, in general, the technical field of automatic and sem i-automatic machines for sealing cartons, typically cardboard cartons. More in particular, the present invention concerns a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine.
  • the flap closing apparatus is configured to be operated independently by upper and lower tape applicator units of the sealing machine, so as to allow automatic folding of the upper flaps of cartons having different dimensions or formats as they enter the sealing machine.
  • Cardboard cartons typically have a rectangular shape and comprise four side walls, four lower flaps, foldable to close the carton at the bottom , and four upper flaps, foldable to close the carton at the top.
  • the lower closing flaps are folded before the cardboard carton is filled; once filled, the carton is loaded on the sealing machine, where the upper closing flaps are folded and the carton is sealed.
  • Automatic and sem i-automatic carton sealing machines configured to apply sealing tapes along the top and bottom of the cartons, after folding of the top and bottom closing flaps of said cartons.
  • sealing machines comprise an upper tape applicator unit and a lower tape applicator unit which are positioned, respectively, above and below the feed path of the cartons to be sealed, the latter being supported, during feeding and taping, by a work table.
  • the upper and lower tape applicator units supply an adhesive tape, typically made of plastic material, which comes from a respective reel, supported by a reel holder, and is made to adhere by means of articulated rollers to the upper and lower side of the cartons to be sealed.
  • the tape applicator units furthermore include two applicator rollers, preferably rubber-coated, positioned one at the inlet and the other at the outlet of the tape applicator unit, which are elastically tensioned so as to extend from and retract into the space occupied by the carton during the passage of the latter. Between the two inlet and outlet rollers, a movable cutting blade is also provided to cut the tape when required.
  • the sealing machines furthermore comprise, upstream of the upper and lower tape applicator units, a flap closing apparatus, which is positioned above the feed path of the cartons to be sealed, and is configured to fold the upper closing flaps, before the adhesive tape adheres to the upper side of the carton.
  • the flap closing apparatuses of known type typically comprise a fixed central blade body, configured to fold an upper front flap of the carton, two shaped guides, each configured to fold a respective upper side flap of the carton, and a hammer element, configured to fold an upper back flap of the carton.
  • the flap closing apparatuses of known type have a drawback linked to the fact that they are operated in a single body with the tape applicator units, more specifically with the upper tape applicator unit, of the sealing machine. This means that the sealing machines of known type are able to process one carton at a time, in one single format.
  • the main object of the present invention is therefore to make available a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine, and a relative carton sealing machine, able to overcome, or at least reduce, the drawback described above with reference to the flap closing apparatuses of known type.
  • the main object of the present invention is to make available a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine, configured so as to operate independently of the upper and lower tape applicator units of the sealing machine, so that the sealing machine can simultaneously manage the sealing of cartons having different dimensions and/or formats, moving on the work table.
  • a further object of the present invention is to make available a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine, which has a simplified structure.
  • Another object of the present invention is to make available a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine which can be produced in competitive times and at competitive costs.
  • the invention therefore concerns, in a first aspect thereof, a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine, which comprises a support structure and a front flap closing unit, a back flap closing unit and a side flap closing unit, mounted on the support structure.
  • the flap closing apparatus is characterized in that the support structure is translatable along vertical guides, by an electronic control unit, independently of a tape applicator of the sealing machine, to lower and raise the front flap closing unit, the back flap closing unit and the side flap closing unit mounted thereon.
  • the front flap closing unit comprises a blade and drive means controlled by the electronic control unit to rotate the blade, so as to engage the upper front flap of the carton, closing it.
  • the back flap closing unit comprises a blade controlled by the electronic control unit to translate in the feed direction of the carton, so as to engage the back flap of the carton, closing it.
  • the side flap closing unit comprises a first side flap closing device and a second side flap closing device, each provided with a respective longitudinal paddle, and drive means controllable by the electronic control unit to translate the first side flap closing device and the second side flap closing device towards each other, so that the respective longitudinal paddle engages a corresponding side flap of the carton, closing it.
  • the sealing machine is able to simultaneously manage the sealing of cartons having different dimensions and/or formats.
  • the sealing machine is able to simultaneously process three cartons having different dimensions, the first of which is positioned at upper and lower tape applicator units, the second is positioned at the flap closing apparatus and the third is positioned on the work table, upstream of the flap closing apparatus, in an area of the sealing machine where the cartons are centred and their width is measured.
  • the invention concerns a carton sealing machine comprising a carton support and feeding table, a tape applicator, which comprises an upper tape applicator unit and a lower tape applicator unit, and a flap closing apparatus as defined above, in which the flap closing apparatus is driven by an electronic control unit independently of the upper and lower tape applicator units of the tape applicator.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a flap closing apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a front flap closing unit of the flap closing apparatus of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a lateral view of the front flap closing unit of Figure 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a back flap closing unit of the flap closing apparatus of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the back flap closing unit of Figure 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a side flap closing unit of the flap closing apparatus of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a lateral view of the side flap closing unit of Figure 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of a carton sealing machine according to the present invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine according to the present invention.
  • the flap closing apparatus comprises a front flap closing unit 10, configured to fold the upper front flap of a carton to be sealed, a back flap closing unit 20, configured to fold the upper back flap of the carton, and a side flap closing unit 30, configured to fold the upper side flaps of the carton.
  • the units 10, 20 and 30, for front flap closing, back flap closing and side flap closing respectively, are mounted on a support structure 40, which is parallel to a work table of the tape applicator machine and moves up and down relative to the work table along appropriately spaced vertical guides 50.
  • the support structure 40 comprises a front bar 41 , a back bar 42 and a side plate 43 and a side bar 44, connecting the front bar 41 and back bar 42.
  • An electronic control unit (CPU) 60 controls the sliding of the guide elements 45 up and down, and the consequent raising and lowering of the support structure 40 relative to the support surface of the sealing machine.
  • the front flap closing unit 10 comprises a reverse C-shaped tubular support body 1 1 , which comprises an upper arm 1 1 a, configured to be fixed to the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100, and a lower arm 1 1 b. From a free end of the lower arm 1 1 b of the support element 1 1 a bracket 12 extends, which comprises a first horizontal portion 12a and a second vertical portion 12b, which extends downwards from the first portion 12a.
  • a blade 13 is mounted rotatable around a pin 14 at one end of the second vertical portion 12b of the bracket 12, facing the tubular support body 21 .
  • the blade 13 is furthermore fixed, by means of a pin 15 around which it can rotate, at a movable end 16a of a linear actuator 16, for example a pneumatic cylinder, controlled by the electronic control unit 60, while another end 16b of the linear actuator 16 is fixed by means of a fork 17 to one end of the bracket 12 opposite the end where the blade 13 is rotatably mounted.
  • fixing bracket 18 extends upwards fixing the front flap closing unit 10 to the front bar 41 of the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100.
  • the blade 13 is operated by the linear actuator 16, in turn controlled by the electronic control unit 60, so as to rotate according to the arrow F1 thus engaging the upper front flap of a carton being sealed, closing it.
  • the blade 13 rotates clockwise relative to the feed direction - from right to left - of a carton along the work table.
  • the blade 13 would rotate in an anticlockwise direction. In both cases, rotation of the blade is such that it engages the upper front flap of the carton, causing the closure thereof.
  • the back flap closing unit 20 comprises a support bar 21 which is provided, at the front end 21 a and back end 21 b thereof, with a respective pair of plate-like elements 22a, 22b.
  • the plate-like elements 22a, 22b of each pair extend on opposite sides of the support bar 21 , orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the support bar 21 , and allow fixing of the back closing unit 20, respectively, to the front bar 41 and to the back bar 42, of the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100, in a position alongside the front closing unit 20 (see Figure 1 ).
  • a bracket 23 extends downwards, on which a blade 24 is mounted, rotatable around a pin 25.
  • the blade 24 is furthermore fixed, by means of a pin 26, to a movable end 27a of a linear actuator 27, for example a pneumatic cylinder, controlled by the electronic control unit 60, while another end 27b of the linear actuator 27 is fixed, by means of a fork 28, to a plate 29 mounted below the front end 21 a of the support bar 21 .
  • the blade 24 When the flap closing apparatus 100 is in use, the blade 24 is operated by the linear actuator 27, in turn controlled by the electronic control unit 60, so as to rotate according to the arrow F2 passing from a horizontal idle position (not shown) to a vertical work position. After said rotation, the electronic control unit 60 controls the translation of the group formed by the bracket 23, the blade 24, the linear actuator 27 and the plate 29 along the support bar 21 , in the feed direction of a carton along the work table (arrow F3). In other words, when the flap closing apparatus 100 is in use, the blade 24 is operated so as to “run after” the carton, until it engages the upper back flap thereof, closing it.
  • the blade 24 rotates in a clockwise direction relative to the feed direction - from right to left - of the carton along the work table.
  • the blade 24 would rotate in an anticlockwise direction. In both cases, the rotation of the blade is such that it engages the upper back flap of the carton, causing the closure thereof.
  • the side flap closing unit 30 comprises a first side flap closing device 31 and a second side flap closing device 32, each of which comprises a pair of vertical arms 31 1 , 321 , appropriately spaced from each other, and a longitudinal paddle 312, 322, preferably made of sheet metal bent into an L shape.
  • the longitudinal paddles 312 and 322 are specular to each other and each one is fixed, by interposition of an appropriate spacer element 313, 323, to a lower end of the arms 31 1 , 321 of each pair of vertical arms.
  • the upper end of the arms 31 1 , 321 of each pair of vertical arms is fixed to a respective longitudinal element 314, 324, which is movable along a pair of transverse guides 33 and 34 by means of a respective rack gear 31 5, 325 and a linear actuator 35 (shown more clearly in Figure 1 ), for example a pneumatic cylinder.
  • the rack gears 315 and 325 and the linear actuator 35 are driven by the electronic control unit 60.
  • the transverse guides 33 and 34 of the side flap closing unit 30 are mounted between the side plate 43 and the side bar 44 of the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100, while the rack gears 315 and 325 of the first side flap closing device 31 and the second side flap closing device 32 extend, respectively, from the side bar 43 and from the side plate 44 of the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100.
  • the transverse guides 33 and 34 and the rack gears 315 and 325 of the first side flap closing device 31 and the second side flap closing device 32 are mounted on the support structure 40 above the front flap closing unit 10 and the back flap closing unit 20, supported by the support bar 21 of the back flap closing unit 20 with the first side flap closing device 31 and the second side flap closing device 32 positioned on opposite sides relative to the front flap closing unit 10 and the back flap closing unit 20.
  • the first flap closing device 31 and the second flap closing device 32 are operated by the linear actuator 35 and by the respective rack gear 315 and 325, controlled in turn by the electronic control unit 60, so as to translate, towards each other, along the pair of guides 33 and 34, on opposite sides relative to the front flap closing unit 10 and the back flap closing unit 20, thus engaging a respective upper side flap of a carton being sealed, closing it.
  • each longitudinal paddle 312 and 322 carries a respective rod 316, 326, which is fixed, by means of a clamp 317, at a front portion of the longitudinal paddle 312, 322.
  • the rods 316, 326 serve to keep all the upper flaps of the carton closed during transfer of the latter from the flap closing apparatus 100 to the upper and lower tape applicator units of the sealing machine.
  • Figure 8 schematically illustrates a carton sealing machine according to the present invention.
  • the sealing machine indicated in general by the reference number 200, comprises a work table 210, for supporting and feeding cartons S 1 , S2, S3 having different dimensions and/or shapes, a flap closing apparatus 100 described above and illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, and a tape applicator 220, which comprises an upper tape applicator unit 221 and a lower tape applicator unit 222, which are operated independently of operation of the flap closing device 100.
  • the tape applicator 220 is of known type and therefore will not be further described here.
  • a first carton S 1 with the upper flaps open is positioned on the work table 210 of the sealing machine 200 and mechanically aligned by a centring system of known type not shown in the figures.
  • a known detection system also not shown, detects the dimensions, specifically the width, of the first carton S1 .
  • the first carton S1 centred and sized, is fed forward on the work table 210 until it meets a stop 21 1 , activating it; said stop is mounted on the work table 210 below the flap closing apparatus 100 prevents the first carton S 1 from further moving and along the work table 210.
  • the electronic control unit 60 controls operation of the flap closing apparatus 100.
  • the support structure 40, and the closing units 10, 20, 30 of the front flap, back flap and side flaps respectively, associated therewith slide downwards along the vertical guides 50 until the blade 13 of the front flap closing unit 10 meets the upper front flap of the first carton S 1 .
  • the blade 13 begins to rotate (arrow F1 , Figures 2 and 3), operated by the linear actuator 16 controlled by the electronic control unit 60, until it sets to a horizontal position (shown in Figures 2 and 3) so as to fold the upper front flap, closing it, also detecting the height of the carton.
  • the electronic control unit 60 controls the linear actuator 27 and the blade 24 of the back flap closing unit 20 is operated so as to rotate (arrow F2, Figures 4 and 5), passing from a horizontal idle position (not shown) to a vertical work position.
  • the electronic control unit 60 controls the translation of the blade 24 in the feed direction of the first carton S1 along the work table 210, so as to “run after” the first carton S1 positioned on the work table 210, below the flap closing apparatus 100, until engaging the upper back flap, closing it.
  • the electronic control unit 60 controls the linear actuator 35 and the rack gears 315, 325 of the side flap closing unit 30, so that the first flap closing device 31 and the second flap closing device 32 translate, towards each other, along the pair of guides 33 and 34, thus engaging a respective upper side flap of the first carton S1 , closing it.
  • a second carton S2 with the upper flaps open can be positioned on the work table 21 0 of the sealing machine 200 and be mechanically aligned by the centring system and sized by the system for detecting the carton dimensions, more specifically the width.
  • the stop 21 1 is lowered, allowing the first carton S1 to be fed along the work table 210 to be transferred to the tape applicator 220 of the sealing machine 200, for the application of an adhesive tape on the upper side and lower side of the carton by the upper tape applicator unit 221 and lower tape applicator unit 222. Said operation is shown schematically in Figure 1 1 .
  • the rods 316 and 326 that extend from the paddles 31 1 and 321 of the side flap closing unit 30 keep all the flaps of the first carton S 1 closed.
  • the second carton S2 Simultaneously with transfer of the first carton S 1 from the flap opening apparatus 100 to the tape applicator 220, and taping of the first carton S 1 by the upper 221 and lower 222 tape applicator units, the second carton S2, previously positioned on the work table 210, independently moves forward until it meets the stop 21 1 , activating it.
  • the flap closing apparatus 100 is then operated as described above with reference to the first carton S 1 , to close the four upper flaps thereof.
  • a third carton S3 can be positioned on the work table 210, where it is mechanically aligned and where the width thereof is detected.
  • the characteristics of the flap closing apparatus and carton sealing machine that contains it, subject of the present invention are clear, and likewise the relative advantages.
  • the flap closing apparatus and the carton sealing machine according to the invention allow cartons having different dimensions and/or formats, typically cartons having three different dimensions, to be managed simultaneously.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a flap closing apparatus and a carton sealing machine that comprises said apparatus. The flap closing apparatus comprises a support structure (40) and a front flap closing unit (10), a back flap closing unit (20) and a side flap closing unit (30), mounted on the support structure (40). The support structure (40) is translatable, by an electronic control unit (60), independently of a tape applicator of the sealing machine, to lower and raise the front flap closing unit, the back flap closing unit and the side flap closing unit mounted thereon. The front flap closing unit comprises a blade (13) and drive means (16) controlled by the electronic control unit to rotate the blade, so as to engage the upper front flap of a carton (S1, S2, S3), closing it. The back flap closing unit comprises a blade (24) controlled by the electronic control unit to translate in the carton feed direction, so as to engage the back flap of the carton, closing it. The side flap closing unit comprises a first side flap closing device (31 ) and a second side flap closing device (32), each provided with a respective longitudinal paddle (312, 322), and drive means (35, 315, 325) controllable by the electronic control unit to translate the first side flap closing device and the second flap closing device towards each other, so that the respective longitudinal paddle engages a corresponding side flap of the carton, closing it.

Description

“Flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine that comprises said apparatus”
DESCRIPTION
The present invention concerns, in general, the technical field of automatic and sem i-automatic machines for sealing cartons, typically cardboard cartons. More in particular, the present invention concerns a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine. The flap closing apparatus is configured to be operated independently by upper and lower tape applicator units of the sealing machine, so as to allow automatic folding of the upper flaps of cartons having different dimensions or formats as they enter the sealing machine.
Many products are packaged in cartons, for example cardboard cartons, for shipment to their place of destination. Cardboard cartons typically have a rectangular shape and comprise four side walls, four lower flaps, foldable to close the carton at the bottom , and four upper flaps, foldable to close the carton at the top. Usually, the lower closing flaps are folded before the cardboard carton is filled; once filled, the carton is loaded on the sealing machine, where the upper closing flaps are folded and the carton is sealed.
Automatic and sem i-automatic carton sealing machines are known, configured to apply sealing tapes along the top and bottom of the cartons, after folding of the top and bottom closing flaps of said cartons.
For said purpose, sealing machines comprise an upper tape applicator unit and a lower tape applicator unit which are positioned, respectively, above and below the feed path of the cartons to be sealed, the latter being supported, during feeding and taping, by a work table.
The upper and lower tape applicator units supply an adhesive tape, typically made of plastic material, which comes from a respective reel, supported by a reel holder, and is made to adhere by means of articulated rollers to the upper and lower side of the cartons to be sealed. The tape applicator units furthermore include two applicator rollers, preferably rubber-coated, positioned one at the inlet and the other at the outlet of the tape applicator unit, which are elastically tensioned so as to extend from and retract into the space occupied by the carton during the passage of the latter. Between the two inlet and outlet rollers, a movable cutting blade is also provided to cut the tape when required.
The sealing machines furthermore comprise, upstream of the upper and lower tape applicator units, a flap closing apparatus, which is positioned above the feed path of the cartons to be sealed, and is configured to fold the upper closing flaps, before the adhesive tape adheres to the upper side of the carton.
The flap closing apparatuses of known type typically comprise a fixed central blade body, configured to fold an upper front flap of the carton, two shaped guides, each configured to fold a respective upper side flap of the carton, and a hammer element, configured to fold an upper back flap of the carton.
The flap closing apparatuses of known type, briefly described above, have a drawback linked to the fact that they are operated in a single body with the tape applicator units, more specifically with the upper tape applicator unit, of the sealing machine. This means that the sealing machines of known type are able to process one carton at a time, in one single format.
The main object of the present invention is therefore to make available a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine, and a relative carton sealing machine, able to overcome, or at least reduce, the drawback described above with reference to the flap closing apparatuses of known type.
More in particular, the main object of the present invention is to make available a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine, configured so as to operate independently of the upper and lower tape applicator units of the sealing machine, so that the sealing machine can simultaneously manage the sealing of cartons having different dimensions and/or formats, moving on the work table.
A further object of the present invention is to make available a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine, which has a simplified structure.
Another object of the present invention is to make available a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine which can be produced in competitive times and at competitive costs.
These and other objects, which will become clearer in the following part of the present description, are achieved by a flap closing apparatus and a carton sealing machine according to the attached independent claims 1 and 10. Further characteristics of the invention are described in the dependent claims.
The invention therefore concerns, in a first aspect thereof, a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine, which comprises a support structure and a front flap closing unit, a back flap closing unit and a side flap closing unit, mounted on the support structure.
The flap closing apparatus is characterized in that the support structure is translatable along vertical guides, by an electronic control unit, independently of a tape applicator of the sealing machine, to lower and raise the front flap closing unit, the back flap closing unit and the side flap closing unit mounted thereon.
The front flap closing unit comprises a blade and drive means controlled by the electronic control unit to rotate the blade, so as to engage the upper front flap of the carton, closing it. The back flap closing unit comprises a blade controlled by the electronic control unit to translate in the feed direction of the carton, so as to engage the back flap of the carton, closing it. The side flap closing unit comprises a first side flap closing device and a second side flap closing device, each provided with a respective longitudinal paddle, and drive means controllable by the electronic control unit to translate the first side flap closing device and the second side flap closing device towards each other, so that the respective longitudinal paddle engages a corresponding side flap of the carton, closing it.
Due to this combination of characteristics, in particular due to the automatic and independent positioning of the flap closing units on a carton to be processed, the sealing machine is able to simultaneously manage the sealing of cartons having different dimensions and/or formats. In particular, the sealing machine is able to simultaneously process three cartons having different dimensions, the first of which is positioned at upper and lower tape applicator units, the second is positioned at the flap closing apparatus and the third is positioned on the work table, upstream of the flap closing apparatus, in an area of the sealing machine where the cartons are centred and their width is measured.
In a second embodiment, the invention concerns a carton sealing machine comprising a carton support and feeding table, a tape applicator, which comprises an upper tape applicator unit and a lower tape applicator unit, and a flap closing apparatus as defined above, in which the flap closing apparatus is driven by an electronic control unit independently of the upper and lower tape applicator units of the tape applicator.
In the description below of the present invention and in the attached claims, the terms “front” and “back” used with reference to the different components of the flap closing apparatus shall be understood with reference to the feed direction of a carton through the sealing machine during the sealing process.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine and a carton tape applicator machine provided below by way of non-lim iting example, with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings:
- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a flap closing apparatus according to the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a front flap closing unit of the flap closing apparatus of Figure 1 ;
- Figure 3 is a lateral view of the front flap closing unit of Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a back flap closing unit of the flap closing apparatus of Figure 1 ;
- Figure 5 is a lateral view of the back flap closing unit of Figure 4;
- Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a side flap closing unit of the flap closing apparatus of Figure 1 ;
- Figure 7 is a lateral view of the side flap closing unit of Figure 6;
- Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a carton sealing machine according to the present invention; and
- Figures 9 to 1 1 show different operating phases of the flap closing apparatus and of the sealing machine according to the invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine according to the present invention.
The flap closing apparatus, indicated in general by the reference number 100, comprises a front flap closing unit 10, configured to fold the upper front flap of a carton to be sealed, a back flap closing unit 20, configured to fold the upper back flap of the carton, and a side flap closing unit 30, configured to fold the upper side flaps of the carton.
The units 10, 20 and 30, for front flap closing, back flap closing and side flap closing respectively, are mounted on a support structure 40, which is parallel to a work table of the tape applicator machine and moves up and down relative to the work table along appropriately spaced vertical guides 50.
The support structure 40 comprises a front bar 41 , a back bar 42 and a side plate 43 and a side bar 44, connecting the front bar 41 and back bar 42. On the side plate 43 guide elements 45 are fixed, each sliding up and down along a respective upright 50 of the flap closing apparatus 100. An electronic control unit (CPU) 60 controls the sliding of the guide elements 45 up and down, and the consequent raising and lowering of the support structure 40 relative to the support surface of the sealing machine.
As shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3, the front flap closing unit 10 comprises a reverse C-shaped tubular support body 1 1 , which comprises an upper arm 1 1 a, configured to be fixed to the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100, and a lower arm 1 1 b. From a free end of the lower arm 1 1 b of the support element 1 1 a bracket 12 extends, which comprises a first horizontal portion 12a and a second vertical portion 12b, which extends downwards from the first portion 12a.
A blade 13 is mounted rotatable around a pin 14 at one end of the second vertical portion 12b of the bracket 12, facing the tubular support body 21 . The blade 13 is furthermore fixed, by means of a pin 15 around which it can rotate, at a movable end 16a of a linear actuator 16, for example a pneumatic cylinder, controlled by the electronic control unit 60, while another end 16b of the linear actuator 16 is fixed by means of a fork 17 to one end of the bracket 12 opposite the end where the blade 13 is rotatably mounted.
From the first horizontal portion 12a of the bracket 12 a fixing bracket 18 extends upwards fixing the front flap closing unit 10 to the front bar 41 of the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100.
When the flap closing apparatus 100 is in use, the blade 13 is operated by the linear actuator 16, in turn controlled by the electronic control unit 60, so as to rotate according to the arrow F1 thus engaging the upper front flap of a carton being sealed, closing it.
In Figures 2 and 3, the blade 13 rotates clockwise relative to the feed direction - from right to left - of a carton along the work table. Naturally, if the feed direction of the carton along the work table is from left to right, the blade 13 would rotate in an anticlockwise direction. In both cases, rotation of the blade is such that it engages the upper front flap of the carton, causing the closure thereof.
As shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5, the back flap closing unit 20 comprises a support bar 21 which is provided, at the front end 21 a and back end 21 b thereof, with a respective pair of plate-like elements 22a, 22b. The plate-like elements 22a, 22b of each pair extend on opposite sides of the support bar 21 , orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the support bar 21 , and allow fixing of the back closing unit 20, respectively, to the front bar 41 and to the back bar 42, of the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100, in a position alongside the front closing unit 20 (see Figure 1 ).
From the front end 21 a of the support bar 21 , a bracket 23 extends downwards, on which a blade 24 is mounted, rotatable around a pin 25. The blade 24 is furthermore fixed, by means of a pin 26, to a movable end 27a of a linear actuator 27, for example a pneumatic cylinder, controlled by the electronic control unit 60, while another end 27b of the linear actuator 27 is fixed, by means of a fork 28, to a plate 29 mounted below the front end 21 a of the support bar 21 .
When the flap closing apparatus 100 is in use, the blade 24 is operated by the linear actuator 27, in turn controlled by the electronic control unit 60, so as to rotate according to the arrow F2 passing from a horizontal idle position (not shown) to a vertical work position. After said rotation, the electronic control unit 60 controls the translation of the group formed by the bracket 23, the blade 24, the linear actuator 27 and the plate 29 along the support bar 21 , in the feed direction of a carton along the work table (arrow F3). In other words, when the flap closing apparatus 100 is in use, the blade 24 is operated so as to “run after” the carton, until it engages the upper back flap thereof, closing it.
In Figures 4 and 5, the blade 24 rotates in a clockwise direction relative to the feed direction - from right to left - of the carton along the work table. Naturally, if the feed direction of the carton along the work table is from left to right, the blade 24 would rotate in an anticlockwise direction. In both cases, the rotation of the blade is such that it engages the upper back flap of the carton, causing the closure thereof.
With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the side flap closing unit 30 comprises a first side flap closing device 31 and a second side flap closing device 32, each of which comprises a pair of vertical arms 31 1 , 321 , appropriately spaced from each other, and a longitudinal paddle 312, 322, preferably made of sheet metal bent into an L shape.
The longitudinal paddles 312 and 322 are specular to each other and each one is fixed, by interposition of an appropriate spacer element 313, 323, to a lower end of the arms 31 1 , 321 of each pair of vertical arms. The upper end of the arms 31 1 , 321 of each pair of vertical arms is fixed to a respective longitudinal element 314, 324, which is movable along a pair of transverse guides 33 and 34 by means of a respective rack gear 31 5, 325 and a linear actuator 35 (shown more clearly in Figure 1 ), for example a pneumatic cylinder. The rack gears 315 and 325 and the linear actuator 35 are driven by the electronic control unit 60.
The transverse guides 33 and 34 of the side flap closing unit 30 are mounted between the side plate 43 and the side bar 44 of the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100, while the rack gears 315 and 325 of the first side flap closing device 31 and the second side flap closing device 32 extend, respectively, from the side bar 43 and from the side plate 44 of the support structure 40 of the flap closing apparatus 100. As can be seen in Figure 1 , the transverse guides 33 and 34 and the rack gears 315 and 325 of the first side flap closing device 31 and the second side flap closing device 32 are mounted on the support structure 40 above the front flap closing unit 10 and the back flap closing unit 20, supported by the support bar 21 of the back flap closing unit 20 with the first side flap closing device 31 and the second side flap closing device 32 positioned on opposite sides relative to the front flap closing unit 10 and the back flap closing unit 20.
Therefore, when the flap closing apparatus 100 is in use, the first flap closing device 31 and the second flap closing device 32 are operated by the linear actuator 35 and by the respective rack gear 315 and 325, controlled in turn by the electronic control unit 60, so as to translate, towards each other, along the pair of guides 33 and 34, on opposite sides relative to the front flap closing unit 10 and the back flap closing unit 20, thus engaging a respective upper side flap of a carton being sealed, closing it.
Preferably, each longitudinal paddle 312 and 322 carries a respective rod 316, 326, which is fixed, by means of a clamp 317, at a front portion of the longitudinal paddle 312, 322. The rods 316, 326 serve to keep all the upper flaps of the carton closed during transfer of the latter from the flap closing apparatus 100 to the upper and lower tape applicator units of the sealing machine.
Figure 8 schematically illustrates a carton sealing machine according to the present invention.
The sealing machine, indicated in general by the reference number 200, comprises a work table 210, for supporting and feeding cartons S 1 , S2, S3 having different dimensions and/or shapes, a flap closing apparatus 100 described above and illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, and a tape applicator 220, which comprises an upper tape applicator unit 221 and a lower tape applicator unit 222, which are operated independently of operation of the flap closing device 100. The tape applicator 220 is of known type and therefore will not be further described here.
The operation of the flap closing apparatus according to the present invention will be obvious to a person skilled in the art from what has been described, and in particular is as follows.
As shown in Figure 9, a first carton S 1 with the upper flaps open is positioned on the work table 210 of the sealing machine 200 and mechanically aligned by a centring system of known type not shown in the figures. A known detection system , also not shown, detects the dimensions, specifically the width, of the first carton S1 . Subsequently, by means of conveyor belts - also of known type and not shown in the figures - the first carton S1 , centred and sized, is fed forward on the work table 210 until it meets a stop 21 1 , activating it; said stop is mounted on the work table 210 below the flap closing apparatus 100 prevents the first carton S 1 from further moving and along the work table 210.
As can be seen in Figure 10, following activation of the carton stop 21 1 , the electronic control unit 60 controls operation of the flap closing apparatus 100.
In particular, and with reference to Figures 1 to 7, the support structure 40, and the closing units 10, 20, 30 of the front flap, back flap and side flaps respectively, associated therewith, slide downwards along the vertical guides 50 until the blade 13 of the front flap closing unit 10 meets the upper front flap of the first carton S 1 . Following engagement with the upper front flap, the blade 13 begins to rotate (arrow F1 , Figures 2 and 3), operated by the linear actuator 16 controlled by the electronic control unit 60, until it sets to a horizontal position (shown in Figures 2 and 3) so as to fold the upper front flap, closing it, also detecting the height of the carton.
Simultaneously with rotation of the blade 13 of the front flap closing unit 10, the electronic control unit 60 controls the linear actuator 27 and the blade 24 of the back flap closing unit 20 is operated so as to rotate (arrow F2, Figures 4 and 5), passing from a horizontal idle position (not shown) to a vertical work position. After said rotation, the electronic control unit 60 controls the translation of the blade 24 in the feed direction of the first carton S1 along the work table 210, so as to “run after” the first carton S1 positioned on the work table 210, below the flap closing apparatus 100, until engaging the upper back flap, closing it.
With the upper, front and back flaps closed, the electronic control unit 60 controls the linear actuator 35 and the rack gears 315, 325 of the side flap closing unit 30, so that the first flap closing device 31 and the second flap closing device 32 translate, towards each other, along the pair of guides 33 and 34, thus engaging a respective upper side flap of the first carton S1 , closing it.
Again with reference to Figure 10, during closing of the flaps by the flap closing apparatus 100, a second carton S2 with the upper flaps open can be positioned on the work table 21 0 of the sealing machine 200 and be mechanically aligned by the centring system and sized by the system for detecting the carton dimensions, more specifically the width.
Once all four flaps of the first carton S1 have been closed, the stop 21 1 is lowered, allowing the first carton S1 to be fed along the work table 210 to be transferred to the tape applicator 220 of the sealing machine 200, for the application of an adhesive tape on the upper side and lower side of the carton by the upper tape applicator unit 221 and lower tape applicator unit 222. Said operation is shown schematically in Figure 1 1 .
During the passage from the flap closing apparatus 100 to the tape applicator 220, the rods 316 and 326 that extend from the paddles 31 1 and 321 of the side flap closing unit 30 keep all the flaps of the first carton S 1 closed.
Simultaneously with transfer of the first carton S 1 from the flap opening apparatus 100 to the tape applicator 220, and taping of the first carton S 1 by the upper 221 and lower 222 tape applicator units, the second carton S2, previously positioned on the work table 210, independently moves forward until it meets the stop 21 1 , activating it. The flap closing apparatus 100 is then operated as described above with reference to the first carton S 1 , to close the four upper flaps thereof.
Lastly, and as can be seen in Figure 1 1 , while the first carton S1 is taped by the tape applicator 220 and the upper flaps of the second carton S2 are folded by the flap closing apparatus 100, a third carton S3 can be positioned on the work table 210, where it is mechanically aligned and where the width thereof is detected.
From the description provided, the characteristics of the flap closing apparatus and carton sealing machine that contains it, subject of the present invention, are clear, and likewise the relative advantages. In particular, the flap closing apparatus and the carton sealing machine according to the invention allow cartons having different dimensions and/or formats, typically cartons having three different dimensions, to be managed simultaneously.
Any materials and dimensions can be used for the flap closing apparatus according to requirements and the state of the art. The flap closing apparatus thus conceived is subject to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the protective scope of the attached claims; furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. Flap closing apparatus (100) for a carton sealing machine comprising, a support structure (40) and a front flap closing unit (10), a back flap closing unit (20) and a side flap closing unit (30), mounted on the support structure (40); characterised in that the support structure (40) is translatable along vertical guides (50), by an electronic control unit (60), independently from a tape applicator of the carton sealing machine, to lower and lift the front flap closing unit (10), the back flap closing unit (20) and the side flap closing unit (30) mounted thereon, wherein the front flap closing unit (10) comprises a blade (13) and drive means (16) controlled by the electronic control unit (60) to rotate the blade (13), so as to engage the upper front flap of a carton (S1 , S2, S3), closing it; wherein the back flap closing unit (20) comprises a blade (24) controlled by the electronic control unit (60) to translate in the direction of feed of the carton, so as to engage the back flap of the carton (S1 , S2, S3), closing it; and wherein the side flap closing unit (30) comprises a first side flap closing device (31 ) and a second side flap closing device (32), each provided with a respective longitudinal paddle (312, 322), and drive means (35, 315, 325) controllable by the electronic control unit (60) to translate the first side flap closing device (31 ) and the second the side flap closing device (32) towards each other, so that the respective longitudinal paddle engages a corresponding lateral flap of the carton (S1 , S2, S3), closing it.
2. Flap closing apparatus (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the front flap closing unit (10) comprises a tubular support body (11 ), which comprises an upper arm (11a), configured to be fixed to the support structure (40), and a lower arm (11 b), extending from the free end of which is a bracket (12), on which the blade (13) is mounted rotatable around a pin (14).
3. Flap closing apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the drive means of the front flap closing unit (10) comprise a linear actuator (16), at a movable end (16a) of which the blade (13) is fixed rotatably by means of a pin (15), wherein another end (16b) of the linear actuator (16) is fixed to the bracket (12).
4. Flap closing apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back flap closing unit (20) comprises a support bar (21 ) extending downwards from a front end (21a) of which is a bracket (23), on which the blade (24) is mounted, the bracket (23) and the blade (24) being translatable along the support bar (21 ).
5. Flap closing apparatus (100) according to claim 4, wherein the blade (24) of the back flap closing unit (20) is rotatable by a linear actuator (27) between a horizontal or idle position and a vertical or operating position, wherein a movable end (27a) of the linear actuator (27) is fixed to the blade (24) by means of a pin (26), another end of the linear actuator (27) being fixed under the front end
Figure imgf000023_0001
6. Flap closing apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each longitudinal paddle (312, 322) of the side flap closing unit (30) is fixed to a lower end of respective vertical arms (311 , 321 ), wherein an upper end of the vertical arms (311 , 321 ) is fixed to a respective longitudinal element (314, 324), which is translatable along a pair of transverse guides (33, 34).
7. Flap closing apparatus (100) according to claim 6, wherein the longitudinal paddle (312, 322) are made of sheet metal bent into an L-shape and are mounted on the respective vertical arms (311 , 321 ) specular to each other.
8. Flap closing apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive means of the side flap closing unit (30) comprise a linear actuator (35) and rack gears (315, 325), mounted on the support structure (40).
9. Flap closing apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a respective rod (316, 326) extends from a front portion of each longitudinal paddle (312, 322), each rod being configured so as to maintain all the upper flaps of the carton (S1 , S2, S3) exiting from the flap closing apparatus closed.
10. Carton sealing machine (200) comprising a table (210) for supporting and feeding cartons (S1 , S2, S3), a tape applicator (220), which comprises an upper tape applicator unit (221 ) and a lower tape applicator unit (222), and a flap closing apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flap closing apparatus (100) is operated by an electronic control unit (60) independently from the upper (221 ) and lower (222) tape applicator units of the tape applicator (220).
PCT/IB2023/060517 2022-10-28 2023-10-18 Flap closing apparatus for a carton sealing machine that comprises said apparatus WO2024089539A1 (en)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3442063A (en) * 1967-04-03 1969-05-06 Riegel Paper Corp Machine for closing cartons
US4079577A (en) * 1977-06-21 1978-03-21 Durable Packaging Corporation Apparatus for sealing containers
DE8003930U1 (en) * 1980-05-22 Airfix Gesellschaft Fuer Befestigungstechnik Mbh, 4800 Bielefeld Device for closing erected cardboard boxes
US6070396A (en) * 1996-11-27 2000-06-06 Specialty Machinery, Inc. Carton folding apparatus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE8003930U1 (en) * 1980-05-22 Airfix Gesellschaft Fuer Befestigungstechnik Mbh, 4800 Bielefeld Device for closing erected cardboard boxes
US3442063A (en) * 1967-04-03 1969-05-06 Riegel Paper Corp Machine for closing cartons
US4079577A (en) * 1977-06-21 1978-03-21 Durable Packaging Corporation Apparatus for sealing containers
US6070396A (en) * 1996-11-27 2000-06-06 Specialty Machinery, Inc. Carton folding apparatus

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