ES2411805B1

ES2411805B1 - AUTOMATIC FEEDING SYSTEM FOR STRIPING MACHINES.

Info

Publication number: ES2411805B1
Application number: ES201131963A
Authority: ES
Inventors: Antonio BERNABEU VIDAL
Original assignee: Cartonajes Bernabeu SA
Current assignee: Cartonajes Bernabeu SA
Priority date: 2011-12-02
Filing date: 2011-12-02
Publication date: 2014-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-02
Also published as: ES2411805A2; ES2411805R1

Abstract

Sistema de alimentación automática para máquinas flejadoras.#Aplicable a máquinas flejadoras (1) asistidas por una línea de alimentación (2) motorizada, la invención prevé la inclusión de un pórtico (6), por el que son pasantes los bloques de embalajes (4), y sobre el que se establece un lector láser (7) de medición de las dimensiones en planta de dichos bloques, asistido por el correspondiente equipo informático, de manera que junto a la línea de alimentación se establece un robot (9), cuyo brazo articulado está asociado a un cabezal transportador de tapas, ya sean planchas o saldos de cartón, así como tableros, con unas dimensiones que le confieran un margen de maniobra para operar sobre diferentes zonas de apilamiento de saldos/tapas/tableros de distintas dimensiones, así como sobre la línea de alimentación (2), y sobre una mesa formadora (12), dotada de medios de doblado automático a medida de las tapas o saldos en función de la anchura de los bloques de embalaje (14) entrantes a la línea de alimentación.Automatic feeding system for strapping machines. # Applicable to strapping machines (1) assisted by a motorized feeding line (2), the invention provides for the inclusion of a gantry (6), through which the packing blocks (4) are passed ), and on which a laser reader (7) for measuring the plan dimensions of said blocks is established, assisted by the corresponding computer equipment, so that next to the power line a robot (9) is established, whose Articulated arm is associated with a cap conveyor head, whether they are sheets or cardboard balances, as well as boards, with dimensions that give it a margin of maneuver to operate on different areas of stacking balances / tops / boards of different dimensions, as well as on the feeding line (2), and on a forming table (12), equipped with automatic bending means tailored to the lids or balances depending on the width of the packing blocks laje (14) incoming to the power line.

Description

OBJETO DE LA INVENCIÓN OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

La presente invención se refiere a un sistema que ha sido especialmente concebido para permitir llevar a cabo de forma totalmente automática el proceso previo de implantación de tapas o tableros sobre apilamientos de embalajes dispuestos sobre los correspondientes palets, que forman un conjunto que debe estabilizarse, en orden a evitar el dañado de los embalajes en el propio proceso de flejado. The present invention relates to a system that has been specially designed to allow the previous process of implantation of covers or boards on stacks of packages arranged on the corresponding pallets, which form a set to be stabilized, to be carried out completely automatically. order to avoid damaging the packaging in the strapping process itself.

El objeto de la invención es proporcionar un sistema que permita aprovechar los saldos de cartón en este proceso de implantación de las tapas, permitiendo adaptarse de forma totalmente automática a diferentes tipos de pedidos, y consecuentemente de anchuras distintas, todo ello de forma totalmente automatizada. The object of the invention is to provide a system that allows to take advantage of the balances of cardboard in this process of implantation of the covers, allowing to adapt completely automatically to different types of orders, and consequently of different widths, all of it in a fully automated way.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

En el proceso de fabricación y distribución de embalajes, éstos, una vez obtenidos y plegados, se apilan sobre palets, formando bloques de considerable volumetría, cuyo ancho depende del tipo de embalajes de que se trate, bloques que deben ser estabilizados, mediante el empleo de flejes, que se disponen envolviendo el conjunto transversalmente. In the process of manufacturing and distributing packages, these, once obtained and folded, are stacked on pallets, forming blocks of considerable volumetry, whose width depends on the type of packaging in question, blocks that must be stabilized, by using of strips, which are arranged by wrapping the assembly transversely.

Para esta aplicación, son conocidas máquinas flejadoras, que se encargan de llevar a cabo de forma totalmente automatizada la implantación de los flejes, mediante un dispositivo a través del cual se hacen pasar los diferentes bloques por medio de una mesa de rodillos, de forma automatizada. For this application, strapping machines are known, which are responsible for carrying out the implementation of the strips fully automatically, by means of a device through which the different blocks are passed through a roller table, in an automated way .

Sin embargo, estos flejes si se disponen directamente sobre la mercancía, provocarían el deterioro de la misma, concretamente dañarían los embalajes que se disponen formando las aristas laterales superiores del bloque de embalajes, lo que es a todas luces indeseable, para lo cual, previa alimentación de dichos bloques de embalajes, es habitual que un operario se encargue de disponer en correspondencia con las citadas aristas laterales superiores que forma el bloque de embalajes, tapas de cartón, materializadas en planchas de cartón que se doblan formando un diedro, de manera que éstas protejan parcialmente tanto la superficie superior como la superficie lateral próxima a dicha arista, donde se concentran las tensiones de los flejes. However, if these strips are disposed directly on the merchandise, they would cause the deterioration of the merchandise, specifically they would damage the packages that are arranged forming the upper lateral edges of the packaging block, which is clearly undesirable, for which, prior Feeding of said packaging blocks, it is usual for an operator to be in charge of arranging in correspondence with the aforementioned upper lateral edges that form the packaging block, cardboard covers, materialized in cardboard sheets that are folded into a dihedral, so that these partially protect both the upper surface and the lateral surface close to said edge, where the tension of the strips is concentrated.

Este tipo de tapas deben cortarse y doblarse a medida, en función de la anchura del bloque de embalajes, el cual, en función de la producción de la fábrica de que se trate, puede estar variando constantemente, por lo que hasta la fecha dicho proceso se realiza de forma manual, con los problemas y limitaciones que ello supone. This type of covers must be cut and folded to measure, depending on the width of the packaging block, which, depending on the production of the factory in question, may be constantly changing, so that to date said process It is done manually, with the problems and limitations that this implies.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

El sistema de alimentación automática para máquinas flejadoras que se preconiza ha sido concebido para resolver la problemática anteriormente expuesta, permitiendo automatizar el proceso anteriormente descrito, y permitiendo además el empleo de saldos de cartón, con el consecuente ahorro económico que ello supone. The automatic feeding system for strapping machines that has been recommended has been conceived to solve the problem described above, allowing to automate the process described above, and also allowing the use of cardboard balances, with the consequent economic savings that this entails.

Para ello, en la línea de palets automatizada de alimentación de la máquina flejadora, se ha previsto que se instale un pórtico, dispuesto transversalmente a dicha línea, en cuya zona media superior se establece un lector láser, que, conjuntamente con el complementario sistema informático de control, permite obtener, las dimensiones exactas en planta de cada bloque de embalajes que se dirige hacia la flejadora, de manera que, tras dicho pórtico, junto a la línea de alimentación se establece un robot, preferentemente un robot de cuatro ejes, controlado por el sistema informático, cuyo brazo articulado se remata por su extremidad libre en un cabezal de aspiración, a través del cual el sistema permite seleccionar diferentes tipos de saldos en funciones de tapas, de acuerdo con la anchura detectada para los distintos tamaños de bloques de embalajes que entran, de manera que dicho robot se encarga de seleccionar los saldos adecuados a las dimensiones calculadas por el sistema, y de depositarlos, mediante succión y desplazamiento del robot sobre una mesa formadora-dobladora mediante la cual se doblan automáticamente dichos saldos en función de la medida que le proporciona el láser, de manera que, una vez doblados, el robot los deposita sobre el bloque de embalajes, adaptándose perfectamente a las dimensiones en planta del dicho bloque, y procediendo el sistema a activar la línea para entrada del conjunto en la máquina flejadora, de manera que dicho conjunto quede perfectamente estabilizado mediante flejes, todo ello de forma totalmente automatizada. For this, in the automated pallet line of the strapping machine, it is planned to install a gantry, arranged transversely to said line, in whose upper middle area a laser reader is established, which, together with the complementary computer system of control, allows to obtain, the exact dimensions in plan of each block of packagings that goes towards the strapping machine, so that, after said porch, next to the feeding line a robot is established, preferably a four-axis robot, controlled by the computer system, whose articulated arm is topped by its free end in a suction head, through which the system allows to select different types of balances in functions of covers, according to the width detected for the different block sizes of incoming packaging, so that the robot is responsible for selecting the appropriate balances to the dimensions calculated by the system, and of depositing them, by means of suction and displacement of the robot on a forming-bending table by means of which said balances are automatically folded according to the measure provided by the laser, so that, once folded, the robot deposits them on the block of packaging, adapting perfectly to the dimensions of the said block, and proceeding to activate the line for entry of the assembly into the strapping machine, so that said assembly is perfectly stabilized by strapping, all fully automated.

Dado que los flejes se fijan en disposición transversal, es fundamental controlar la anchura de los bloques, y consecuentemente la definición exacta de las líneas de doblez para los extremos de los saldos, pudiéndose utilizar varios saldos con el mismo tipo de plegado, dispuestos alineadamente sobre el bloque de embalajes, en caso de que las dimensiones longitudinales de los mismos no permitan cubrir longitudinalmente a dicho bloque. Since the strips are fixed in transverse arrangement, it is essential to control the width of the blocks, and consequently the exact definition of the fold lines for the ends of the balances, being able to use several balances with the same type of folding, arranged alignedly on the block of packaging, in case the longitudinal dimensions thereof do not allow said block to be covered longitudinally.

En cualquier caso, esta maniobra se llevará igualmente a cabo de forma totalmente automatizada, puesto que, junto al robot, se definen zonas de almacenamiento de dos saldos y dos tableros de diferentes dimensiones, de manera que el programa informático trata de optimizar el uso de los mismos en función de la disponibilidad y de las necesidades específicas de cada caso. In any case, this maneuver will also be carried out in a fully automated way, since, next to the robot, two balances storage areas and two boards of different dimensions are defined, so that the computer program tries to optimize the use of the same depending on the availability and the specific needs of each case.

En cuanto a la mesa formadora-dobladora, esta está formada a partir de un bastidor en el que se definen dos superficies de apoyo coplanarias sobre las que el robot deposita los saldos, (superficies rectangulares), con sus aristas laterales extremas vivas, de manera que dichas superficies son desplazables horizontalmente una con respecto a la otra, en orden a que la distancia entre ambas aristas extremas pueda regularse de acuerdo con la anchura del bloque de embalajes detectada por el sistema láser, y consecuentemente de acuerdo con las líneas de plegado para el saldo a realizar, de manera que una vez adaptada la mesa a la anchura adecuada, el robot deposita el saldo sobre la misma, el cual sobresaldrá con respecto a las aristas descritas, y una pareja de horquillas neumáticas en “U”, asociadas a la estructura que participa en las superficies de apoyo del saldo se desplazan angularmente, de manera que su rama media describe una trayectoria angular tangencial a dichas aristas, impactando sobre el cartón, y provocando en hendido del mismo a la anchura exacta, de modo que, una vez generados dichos pliegues, el robot se encarga de desplazar el saldo plegado sobre el bloque de embalajes para que éste sea desplazado hacia la flejadora y finalizar así de forma automática el proceso. As for the forming-bending table, it is formed from a frame in which two coplanar support surfaces are defined on which the robot deposits the balances, (rectangular surfaces), with its extreme lateral edges alive, so that said surfaces are horizontally movable with respect to each other, in order that the distance between both extreme edges can be adjusted according to the width of the packaging block detected by the laser system, and consequently according to the folding lines for the balance to be made, so that once the table is adapted to the appropriate width, the robot deposits the balance on it, which will stand out with respect to the described edges, and a pair of pneumatic forks in “U”, associated with the structure that participates in the balance support surfaces moves angularly, so that its middle branch describes a tangential angular path to said edges, impacting on the cardboard, and causing it to cleave to the exact width, so that, once said folds are generated, the robot is responsible for moving the folded balance on the packaging block so that it is moved towards the strapping machine and finish thus the process automatically.

Adicionalmente, se ha previsto que en la zona de almacenaje de los diferentes tipos de saldo se defina una zona para apilamiento de tableros, en caso de que el conjunto deba ser rematado superiormente con un tablero previamente al proceso de flejado, tableros que, obviamente se dispondrán directamente sobre el conjunto a flejar sin paso previo por la mesa formadora. Additionally, it is foreseen that in the storage area of the different types of balance an area for stacking boards is defined, in case the assembly must be topped off with a board prior to the strapping process, boards that obviously are obviously they will have directly on the set to strap without previous step by the forming table.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Para complementar la descripción que seguidamente se va a realizar y con objeto de ayudar a una mejor comprensión de las características del invento, de acuerdo con un ejemplo preferente de realización práctica del mismo, se acompaña como parte integrante de dicha descripción, un juego de dibujos en donde con carácter ilustrativo y no limitativo, se ha representado lo siguiente: To complement the description that will then be made and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

La figura 1.- Muestra una vista en perspectiva de un sistema de alimentación automática para máquinas flejadoras realizado de acuerdo con el objeto de la presente invención. Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of an automatic feeding system for strapping machines made in accordance with the object of the present invention.

La figura 2.- Muestra una vista en planta de la instalación de la figura 1. Figure 2.- Shows a plan view of the installation of Figure 1.

La figura 3.- Muestra una vista en perfil del conjunto de las figuras anteriores. Figure 3.- Shows a profile view of the set of the previous figures.

La figura 4.- Muestra una vista en alzado del conjunto de las figuras anteriores. Figure 4.- Shows an elevation view of the set of the previous figures.

La figura 5.- Muestra un detalle en perspectiva de la mesa formadora que participa en el sistema. Figure 5.- Shows a detail in perspective of the training table that participates in the system.

La figura 6.- Muestra una vista en planta del conjunto de la figura anterior. Figure 6.- Shows a plan view of the assembly of the previous figure.

La figura 7.- Muestra una vista en alzado de la mesa de las figuras 5 y 6. Figure 7.- Shows an elevation view of the table of figures 5 and 6.

La figura 8.- Muestra una vista en perfil de la mesa de las figuras anteriores, sobre la que se ha depositado un saldo, mesa que aparece en fase previa al doblado del saldo. Figure 8 shows a profile view of the table of the previous figures, on which a balance has been deposited, a table that appears in the pre-folding phase of the balance.

La figura 9.- Muestra una vista similar a la de la figura 8, pero correspondiente a un instante después de llevarse a cabo el proceso de doblado del saldo. Figure 9.- Shows a view similar to that of Figure 8, but corresponding to an instant after the balance bending process is carried out.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A la vista de las figuras referidas, puede observarse como en el sistema de la invención participa una máquina flejadora (1), convencional, que se dispone transversalmente a una línea de alimentación (2), convenientemente motorizada, máquina flejadora (1) asistida por los correspondientes rodillos (3) o bobinas de flejes, y que está destinada a estabilizar mediante dichos flejes bloques de embalajes (4) dispuestos sobre palets (5). In view of the aforementioned figures, it can be seen how a conventional strapping machine (1) participates in the system of the invention, which is arranged transversely to a conveniently motorized feed line (2), strapping machine (1) assisted by the corresponding rollers (3) or strapping reels, and which is intended to stabilize by means of said strapping blocks of packages (4) arranged on pallets (5).

Pues bien, de acuerdo ya con la esencia de la invención, se ha previsto que a la entrada de la línea de alimentación (2) se disponga un pórtico (6), bajo el que son pasantes los bloques de embalajes (4), pórtico sobre el que se establece un lector láser (7), encargado de calcular las dimensiones en planta de dichos bloques de embalajes (4) entrantes, de manera que dichos datos son enviados a un equipo informático (8), a través del cual puede controlarse la operativa del sistema. Well, according to the essence of the invention, it is provided that at the entrance of the feed line (2) a porch (6) is arranged, under which the packing blocks (4), gantry are passed on which a laser reader (7) is established, in charge of calculating the plan dimensions of said incoming packing blocks (4), so that said data is sent to a computer equipment (8), through which it can be controlled The operation of the system.

Junto a la línea de alimentación se establece un robot (9) de seis ejes, cuyo brazo articulado está asociado a un cabezal (10) de aspiración, que a través de una pluralidad de elementos de aspiración (11), convenientemente amortiguados, permite desplazar mediante efecto vacío, los saldos de uno en uno, tal y como se indica a continuación. Next to the power line, a six-axis robot (9) is established, whose articulated arm is associated with a suction head (10), which, through a plurality of suction elements (11), conveniently damped, allows movement by means of an empty effect, balances one by one, as indicated below.

De forma más concreta, se ha previsto que junto al robot (9) se definan zonas de apilamiento (12-12’-12’-12’’’) para saldos (13) o tableros de diferentes dimensiones, que lógicamente estarán controlados por el programa asociado el equipo informático (8). More specifically, it is envisaged that next to the robot (9) stacking areas (12-12'-12'-12 '' ') are defined for balances (13) or boards of different dimensions, which logically will be controlled by the associated program the computer equipment (8).

Así pues, el robot se encarga de disponer sobre una mesa formadora (14) el saldo (13) mas adecuado a la anchura del bloque de embalajes (4) entrante. Thus, the robot is responsible for arranging on a training table (14) the balance (13) most appropriate to the width of the incoming packing block (4).

Tal y como se puede observar en las figuras 5 a 9, la mesa formadora (14), está constituida a partir de un bastidor (15), en el que se definen dos superficies de apoyo (16-16’) coplanarias, rectangulares, una de las cuales es desplazable a lo largo de guías (17) con respecto a la otra, a través de un moto-reductor (18), controlado por el sistema informático, de manera que mediante dicho sistema es posible regular la separación entre ambas superficies, adaptándose a la anchura de los bloques de embalajes (4), definiéndose para las mismas sendas aritas extremas (19), de manera que en correspondencia con la estructura asociada a dichas superficies de apoyo (1616’) se establece un mecanismo basculante, constituido a partir de una pareja de horquillas neumáticas en “U” (20), de modo que su rama media describe una trayectoria angular tangencial a dichas aristas, impactando sobre los bordes del saldo (13), tal y como se puede ver en las figuras 8 y 9, provocando en hendido del mismo a la anchura exacta, de modo que, una vez generados dichos pliegues, el robot (9) se encarga de desplazar el saldo plegado sobre el bloque de embalajes (4), de manera que si éste no cubre toda la longitud de dicho bloque podrá utilizar los saldos que sean necesarios hasta cubrir totalmente en sentido longitudinal dicho bloque, previamente a alimentar a la máquina flejadora con el mismo. As can be seen in Figures 5 to 9, the forming table (14) is constituted from a frame (15), in which two rectangular, coplanar, supporting surfaces (16-16 ') are defined, one of which is movable along guides (17) with respect to the other, through a motor-reducer (18), controlled by the computer system, so that by means of said system it is possible to regulate the separation between both surfaces, adapting to the width of the packaging blocks (4), defining for the same paths extreme aritas (19), so that in correspondence with the structure associated with said support surfaces (1616 ') a tilting mechanism is established, constituted from a pair of pneumatic forks in "U" (20), so that its middle branch describes a tangential angular path to said edges, impacting on the edges of the balance (13), as can be seen in the Figures 8 and 9, causing the cleft of same to the exact width, so that, once said folds have been generated, the robot (9) is responsible for moving the folded balance over the packaging block (4), so that if it does not cover the entire length of said block You can use the balances that are necessary until the block is completely covered in a longitudinal direction, before feeding the strapping machine with it.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S

1st.- Automatic feeding system for strapping machines, strapping machines (1) assisted by a feeding line (2), conveniently motorized, characterized in that at the entrance of the feeding line (2) includes a gantry (6), by which are the packing blocks (4), gantry on which a laser reader (7) measuring the plan dimensions of said packing blocks (4), assisted by the corresponding computer equipment, is provided, having provided that next to the power line a robot (9) is established, whose articulated arm is associated with a cap conveyor head, be they irons, cardboard balances, as well as boards, with dimensions that give it a margin of maneuver to operate on different areas of stacking balances / covers / boards of different dimensions, as well as on the feeding line (2), and on a forming table (12), equipped with automatic folding means custom attic of the lids or balances depending on the width of the packing blocks (14) incoming to the power line, table automatically controlled by the computer system.

2nd.- Automatic feeding system for strapping machines, according to claim 1, characterized in that the robot head (9) is materialized in a suction head (10), provided with a plurality of suction elements (11), suitably damped.

3.- Automatic feeding system for strapping machines, according to claim 1, characterized in that the forming table (14) is constituted from a frame (15), in which two support surfaces (16-16 ') are defined. coplanar, rectangular, one of which is movable along guides (17) with respect to the other, through a motor-reducer (18), controlled by the computer system, defining for said support surfaces two extreme aritas (19), so that, in correspondence with the structure associated with said support surfaces, a tilting mechanism is established, consisting of a pair of pneumatic forks in “U” (20), whose middle branch describes a tangential angular trajectory to these edges.

12 13 14

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND

Application no .: 201131963

SPAIN

Date of submission of the application: 02.12.2011

Priority Date:

REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

51 Int. Cl.: B65B13 / 18 (2006.01)

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Categoría Category: 56 Documentos citados Reivindicaciones afectadas 56 Documents cited Claims Affected

Y Y: US 2003051439 A1 (LANCASTER) 20.03.2003, párrafos 6,62,65,71,91,98,104; figuras 1-4,17. 1,2 US 2003051439 A1 (LANCASTER) 20.03.2003, paragraphs 6.62.65.71.91.98,104; Figures 1-4.17. 1.2

Y Y: WO 2004041653 A1 (RANPAK CORP) 21.05.2004, página 5, línea 20 – página 6, línea 25; figuras 1-3,6. 1,2 WO 2004041653 A1 (RANPAK CORP) 21.05.2004, page 5, line 20 - page 6, line 25; Figures 1-3.6. 1.2

A TO: US 5546730 A (LANTECH INC) 20.08.1996, todo el documento. 1-3 US 5546730 A (LANTECH INC) 20.08.1996, the whole document. 1-3

A TO: DE 3700146 A1 (FORSCH ENTWICKLUNG WIRTSCHAFTL) 14.07.1988, resumen; figuras. 1-3 DE 3700146 A1 (FORSCH ENTWICKLUNG WIRTSCHAFTL) 14.07.1988, summary; figures. 1-3

A TO: EP 1357032 A1 (FORSCH ENTWICKLUNG WIRTSCHAFTL) 29.10.2003, resumen; figuras. 1-3 EP 1357032 A1 (FORSCH ENTWICKLUNG WIRTSCHAFTL) 29.10.2003, summary; figures. 1-3

A TO: US 2004216425 A1 (MORTON et al.) 04.11.2004, todo el documento. 1-3 US 2004 21425 A1 (MORTON et al.) 04.11.2004, the whole document. 1-3

Categoría de los documentos citados X: de particular relevancia Y: de particular relevancia combinado con otro/s de la misma categoría A: refleja el estado de la técnica O: referido a divulgación no escrita P: publicado entre la fecha de prioridad y la de presentación de la solicitud E: documento anterior, pero publicado después de la fecha de presentación de la solicitud Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

El presente informe ha sido realizado • para todas las reivindicaciones • para las reivindicaciones nº: This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Fecha de realización del informe 28.11.2013 Date of realization of the report 28.11.2013: Examinador F. J. Riesco Ruiz Página 1/4 Examiner F. J. Riesco Ruiz Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Application number: 201131963

Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) B65B Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of

search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI

State of the Art Report Page 2/4

WRITTEN OPINION

Application number: 201131963

Date of Written Opinion: 28.11.2013

Statement

Novedad (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986) Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986): Reivindicaciones Reivindicaciones 1-3 SI NO Claims Claims 1-3 IF NOT

Actividad inventiva (Art. 8.1 LP11/1986) Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986): Reivindicaciones Reivindicaciones 3 1,2 SI NO Claims Claims 3 1.2 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).

Opinion Base.-

This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published.

State of the Art Report Page 3/4

WRITTEN OPINION

Application number: 201131963

1. Documents considered.-

The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Documento Document: Número Publicación o Identificación Fecha Publicación Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01 D01: US 2003051439 A1 (LANCASTER) 20.03.2003 US 2003051439 A1 (LANCASTER) 03.20.2003

D02 D02: WO 2004041653 A1 (RANPAK CORP) 21.05.2004 WO 2004041653 A1 (RANPAK CORP) 05/21/2004

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement

The object of the invention is an automatic feeding system for strapping machines, of strapping machines assisted by a motorized feeding line. At the entrance of the feeding line there is a gantry through which the packing blocks pass, a gantry on which a laser reader measuring the plan dimensions of the blocks is established, assisted by the corresponding computer equipment. Next to the power line there is a robot, whose articulated arm is associated with a cap conveyor, whether they are sheets or cardboard balances, and boards. The robot operates on the stacking areas of covers and boards, on the power line and on a forming table, which is equipped with automatic bending means tailored to the covers depending on the width of the incoming packing blocks in the power line, the table being controlled by the computer system. Document D1 is considered the state of the art closest to the technical object of claim 1 of the application. Document D1 discloses an automatic feeding system for strapping machines, of strapping machines assisted by a motorized feeding line. Next to the feeding line there is a robot, whose articulated arm is associated with a cap conveyor head that, once folded, is applied as protectors for the side edges of the block to be packed. The robot operates on the stacking areas of the covers, on the power line and on a forming-bender device (390) which is equipped with automatic folding means of the covers to form the corner protectors that are then applied to the blocks to pack incoming in the feeding line. The robot head has suction elements and the forming device has a fixed and a movable part that, once placed in the precise position, allows the lid to be folded along a weakened line marked on the lid (see paragraphs 6, 62, 65, 71, 91, 98, 104; figures 1-4.17). The difference between D1 and the technical matter of claim 1 lies in the gantry with a laser reader associated with a computer equipment that controls the bending line on the forming table. The technical problem that therefore underlies the present application can be established as the provision of a mechanism that allows the realization of the folding line of the lid as a function of the dimensions of the block. This problem and its solution are already included in document D2, which discloses an automatic feeding system for packaging machines that has a feed line with a portico at the entrance provided with a laser reader to measure the dimensions of the block in question . Based on these measures, a computer system automatically determines the amount of filler material to be supplied to the block (see page 5, line 20 page 6, line 25; figures 1-3,6). For an expert in the field, it would be obvious to incorporate this gantry with laser reader and computer equipment disclosed in document D2, to the machine described in document D1 to regulate the position of the mobile part of the forming-bender device as a function of the dimensions of the block, resulting in the technical object set forth in claims 1 and 2 of the application. Therefore, claims 1,2 lack inventive activity in relation to what is disclosed in documents D1 and D2 (Art. 8 LP).

State of the Art Report Page 4/4