ITMO20080309A1 - PACKAGING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Description

PACKAGING APPARATUS

Background of the invention

The invention relates to a packaging apparatus, in particular for packaging rigid flat articles, such as for example ceramic tiles or other sheet-like articles made of a construction material.

Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention can be used to package flat items with a polygonal shape (for example objects in the form of a rectangular plate) such as ceramic tiles, sheet-like items made of a building material, and the like, optionally arranged piled up.

A system for packaging tiles is known from WO 2007/148183 which prepares a number of die-cut cartons equal to the number of sides of the tile, folds the cartons along two folding lines, and assembles the cartons to create a polygonal frame that is associated with the perimeter of the tile.

Summary of the invention

An object of the invention is to provide an article packaging system capable of easily adapting to the change in format of the articles.

Another purpose is to effectively protect the articles themselves (in particular during transport and / or storage), in particular the edges of flat polygonal-shaped articles.

A further purpose is to make available a packaging of high productivity and versatility.

Yet another object is to obtain packaging of flat articles with a relatively small quantity of packaging material (cardboard).

An advantage of the invention is to allow an effective packaging of flat items with punched cardboard avoiding the use of glue.

Another advantage consists in providing a packaging apparatus capable of reducing the space occupied by the warehouse of the packaging material.

A further advantage is that of realizing a packaging apparatus capable of easily and practically adapting to various formats of articles, in particular of flat articles of different widths.

Yet another advantage is to give rise to a packaging that is simple and inexpensive to implement.

These aims and advantages and others besides are all achieved by the packaging apparatus according to one or more of the claims reported below.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate some non-limiting examples of implementation.

Figure 1 shows an example of implementation of the packaging apparatus.

Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1. Figure 3 is a left view of figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus of figure 1.

Figure 5 shows the frame that supports stations 3 and 4 of the apparatus of figure 1.

Figure 6 shows the carton handling means of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is an enlargement of Figure 6.

Figures 8A to 8C show three sequential stages of moving a carton from a warehouse to the side edge of the item to be packaged.

Figure 9 shows the contrast media of the upper edge of the cartons of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figures 10A to 10C show three sequential stages of folding the longitudinal edges of a carton on the faces of the article to be packaged, with some parts not shown to better highlight others.

Figures 11A to 11C are three enlargements of Figures 10A to 10C.

Figure 12 shows the first support means which support the article to be packaged in position before folding the lower longitudinal flap on the lower face of the article itself.

Figure 13 shows the second support means which support the article to be packaged in position after folding the lower longitudinal flap.

Figure 14 shows the carton magazines of the apparatus of figure 1.

Figure 15 shows the means for wrapping the articles of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 16 shows the station for preparing the items to be packaged of the apparatus of figure 1.

Figures 17A to 17C show three sequential steps of a first example of packaging an article.

Detailed description

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, with 1 a packaging apparatus has been indicated as a whole, with 2 an article preparation station, with 3 a station for applying cartons, with 4 a station for applying bands. The articles to be packaged, which can be in particular flat-shaped articles (such as for example slabs, ceramic tiles, stacks of tiles and the like), enter the preparation station 2, then pass first to the carton application station 3 and then to the station. of application bands 4 and finally exit from apparatus 1. Both the entry of the items to be packaged and the exit of the packaged items are carried out with means of transport of a known type which are not described in detail.

With reference to Figure 5, 5 indicates a (rectangular) frame which optionally supports both the carton application station 3 and the band application station 4. The frame 5 optionally comprises two parallel and opposite sides 6. The sides 6 extend in length between stations 3 and 4. The sides 6 are optionally parallel to a direction of advancement F of the articles from station 3 to station 4. The sides 6 are optionally movable with respect to each other so that their mutual distance is adjustable in order to adjust the width of the operating area of stations 3 and 4. This will allow to adapt the apparatus to articles of different width. The sides 6 can optionally slide on at least two guides 7. The guides 7 are optionally linear guides and perpendicular to the direction of advancement of the articles. The guides 7 are optionally carried by a base 8 of the frame 5. The base 8 is optionally in the form of a horizontal rectangular frame. Each side 6 optionally carries a support structure 9 which in turn carries the operating means (not shown in Figure 5) of the station for applying the cartons 3, as will be better explained hereinafter. Each support structure 9 optionally has at least one portal structure part. The two movable sides 6 are connected to a movement system (not shown) configured to move the two sides 6 in a coordinated manner. of the articles. The movement system optionally includes a movement device with operating screw (for example with two operating screws, one right and the other left, to provide the aforementioned mirroring) and a motion transmission device with flexible member (chain ) configured to allow control of the movement system by means of a single maneuvering device.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, 10 indicates two carton handling devices. Optionally, the devices 10 are arranged specularly with respect to the advancement axis of the cartons. Each device 10 optionally comprises a plurality of suction cup members 11 and a plurality of pairs of thrusting members 12. The suction cup members 11 are configured for handling the cartons. The pairs of pushing members 12 are configured to fold two opposite edges of the cartons. The cartons are positioned in a warehouse 13 which houses the cartons 14 optionally arranged stacked one on top of the other. The suction cup members 11 are movable with the possibility of assuming a position for picking up cardboard from the warehouse (for example from the bottom of the warehouse) and a position for approaching the cardboard picked up to a side edge of the article to be packaged positioned in station 3.

Each device 10 optionally comprises a first support 15 equipped, at the opposite ends, with two pins 16 each of which can be rotatably coupled to a rotation support 17 optionally carried by the structure 9. The two pins 16 are optionally coaxial. The first support 15 is optionally equipped with the possibility of rotating (with respect to the structure 9) around a horizontal rotation axis (defined by the axis of the two pins 16). The first support 15 can rotate (at least for a rotation angle of about 90 °) upon command of at least one actuator 18. The actuator 18 optionally comprises a linear actuator having a movable part axially pivoted to the first support 15 around a pin with axis parallel and spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the first support 15. The first support 15 optionally comprises a beam element extended in length with a longitudinal axis which optionally coincides substantially with its own rotation axis.

Each device 10 optionally comprises a second support 19 movable with respect to the first support 15. The second support 19 is optionally sliding with respect to the first support 15 on linear guides 20. The second support 19 can slide with respect to the first support 15 according to a sliding direction which lies on a plane optionally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first support 15. The second support 19 can optionally slide with respect to the first support 15 upon command of a or more actuators 21 (linear type). The second support 19 optionally carries the members 11 and 12. The suction cup members 11 are optionally mounted (to the second support 19) with the possibility of axial sliding (this sliding optionally being parallel to the sliding axis of the second support 19). Each suction cup member 11 can be mobile (with respect to the pusher members 12) with the possibility of assuming an advanced position and a backward position and can be operationally associated with an elastic element 22 (spring) which optionally keeps the member 11 in position advanced. The suction cup members 11 are optionally arranged on two opposite rows (one for each side of the article). Each group (row) of suction cup members 11 optionally defines a fluid suction gripping plane. The pushing members 12 are optionally arranged on four opposite rows (two for each side of the article). Each group (row) of suction cup members 11 optionally defines a (horizontal) thrust line which is parallel to the aforementioned gripping plane and which serves to fold a longitudinal edge of a cardboard. On each side of the article two groups of thrusting members 12 are optionally arranged, the two groups being optionally arranged on opposite sides with respect to the suction cup members 11. Each thrusting member 12 optionally comprises an elongated body with longitudinal axis perpendicular to the gripping plane defined by the suction cup members 11.

Each row of pusher members 12, as well as the row of suction cup members 11 (in an example not shown it is possible to use two or more rows or groups of suction cup members parallel to each other and optionally defining a same gripping plane), is optionally mounted on a respective support beam 34 (for example horizontal as in the example illustrated). One, or more, of these support beams 34 (for example at least one support beam 34 of the pushing members 12 as in the example illustrated) is configured with the possibility of positioning so as to adjust the distance between the rows of members . In the specific case, a row of pushing members 12 is mounted on a support beam 34 extended in length and in turn mounted with the possibility of sliding and removable fixing in a desired position along one or more guides 35 (for example linear guides, optionally sliding, perpendicular to the row of pushing members 12 and / or parallel to the gripping plane defined by the suction cup members 11). Each device 10 is therefore optionally configured to allow the adjustment of the distance between two rows of thrusting members and / or of the distance between two rows of gripping members (positioners) and / or of the distance between a row of organs (positioners) ( push benders) and a row of gripping organs (positioners). This makes it possible to facilitate the adaptation of the device 10 to various formats of articles T, in particular according to the height or thickness of the article and consequently according to the width of the carton to be handled.

The members 11 and 12 can perform the sequence of movements illustrated in Figures 8A to 8C. In a first phase (figure 8A) the first support 15 is positioned so that the suction cup members 11 are turned upwards (the actuator 18 is in an elongated position) and can pick up (by means of a linear movement guided by the actuators 21) the cardboard placed at the base of the warehouse 13. In a second phase (figure 8B) the first support 15 is rotated while the suction cup members 11 hold the cardboard 14. In a third phase (figure 8C) the cardboard 14 is approached on a lateral edge of the article T to be packaged, the suction cup members 11 are made to advance (operated by the actuators 21) until they come into contact with the lateral edge of the article, after which the pusher members 12 continue the advancement (always operated by the actuators 21, while the elastic elements 22 compress to allow the relative movement between the suction cup members 11 and the pushing members 12, the members 11 pressing the cardboard against the edge of the article) to fold the two L external embi (opposite, one upper and the other lower) of the cardboard on the two faces of the flat T article.

The station 3 optionally comprises, on each side, a contrast device 23 (figure 9) mounted on the respective support structure 9. The devices 23 are optionally arranged opposite each other in a mirror image (with respect to the position of work of an article and / or with respect to the axis of advancement of the articles). The device 23 is configured to keep in position (against the upper face of the article) the upper flap folded by the pushing members 12. Each device 23 optionally comprises a contrast element 24 extended along the lateral edge of the article T and equipped with a flat horizontal surface configured to hold the top flap of the folded carton in position towards the top face of the item. The contrast element 24 is optionally movable vertically upon command of one or more actuators 25. The contrast element 24 is optionally equipped with openings 26 to allow (if necessary) the passage of the pusher members 12 and / or of the suction cup members 11.

The apparatus 1 optionally comprises a first conveyor 27 (for example of the chain type or other flexible conveyor element closed in a loop) to transport the articles from station 2 to station 3 and optionally a second conveyor 28 (for example of the type a belt or other flexible conveyor element closed in a loop) to transport the articles from station 3 to station 4. Optionally, the first conveyor 27 and / or the second conveyor 28 are configured to translate the article T parallel to itself, in particular keeping the article in horizontal configuration.

In station 3, the article is optionally transferred from the first conveyor 27 to the second conveyor 28, as illustrated in figures 10A to 10B, which also illustrate the operation of the contrasting devices 23 of the upper edges of the cardboard 14. It should be noted that the second conveyor 28 can act as a contrasting element for the lower edges of the carton 14.

In a first phase (figures 10A and 10B) the article in a horizontal position rests on the first conveyor 27 which acts in contact with an innermost area of the article, while the second conveyor 28 has an extremity area which flanks an area end of the first conveyor 27. The second conveyor 28 is arranged further outside the article than the first conveyor and is spaced from the lower face of the article so as to allow the insertion of the pushing organs 12 lower and lower edge of the cardboard.

In a second step (Figure 10C) the second conveyor 28 comes into contact with the lower flap (due to a relative movement in the vertical direction of the two conveyors 27 and 28, achieved for example by lifting the second conveyor 28 and / or a lowering of the first conveyor 27) immediately after (or while) the pushing members are withdrawn to make room for the second conveyor 28. The contrast devices 23 are lowered to keep the upper flap in a folded position, while the lower flap is compressed (at least due to the weight of the article) between article T and the second conveyor 28. The lower flap is thus crushed even during transport to the next station 4 where packing bands are applied to the article which tighten laterally the cartons on the item keeping both flaps and the rest of the carton locked in position.

Figures 12 and 13 show the two conveyors 27 and 28.

Figure 14 illustrates the two magazines 13 configured to receive the stacks of cartons 14 to be applied on the sides of the articles in station 3. Each magazine 13 optionally comprises four corner walls 29, with vertical extension, optionally arranged reciprocally in a rectangle. The walls 29 are optionally mounted on a frame (rectangular in shape with at least one mobile side which can be fixed in a desired position) with the possibility of adjusting the two dimensions of the aforementioned rectangle. In particular, the four walls 29 can be arranged, two by two, on two bars of the frame parallel to each other and arranged at an adjustable mutual distance. Each wall 29 can optionally slide on the respective bar of the frame and can be fixed on the bar in the desired position to allow the magazine 13 to receive various formats of cartons 14.

Figure 15 illustrates a device for applying bands 30 operating in station 4. The device 30 optionally comprises a portal structure carrying two tools 31 configured for applying bands or straps around the articles. Each tool 31 wraps in a ring and tightens a band laterally around an article so as to retain the cartons applied to the lateral edges of the same. The structure and operation of the tools 31 is substantially known and requires no further explanation. It should be noted that the bands applied around an article can perform the function of handles (this can be facilitated by the fact that the central part of the upper face of the article is free from cartons).

Figure 16 illustrates in greater detail the article preparation station 2, where the articles are prepared for the next station 3. In station 2 the articles are made to advance intermittently one after the other and therefore , especially if the article comprises a stack of superimposed rigid articles, such as ceramic tiles and the like, the articles are compacted transversely and / or axially by compacting means which may comprise for example a front abutment element 32 (comprising two extended abutments vertically and side by side) so as to position the articles in a predetermined reference position. The articles are also optionally compacted transversely, aligned and centered with respect to the axis of advancement by means of two mobile lateral abutment elements which operate in contact with the lateral edges of the article. Station 2 can be equipped with means to form the article to be packaged, which can include a certain number of objects (tiles) stacked on top of each other, in which case the aforementioned means of forming the The article to be packaged may comprise means for receiving a stack made up of m objects and forming a stack of n objects, where m and n are integers â ‰ ¥ 1, with m â ‰ n.

The packaging apparatus is configured in particular to package flat and rigid items, in particular items arranged in a stack, such as a stack of ceramic tiles.

Optionally, the packaging apparatus can be part of a packaging line for flat items (ceramic tiles, for example stacked one on top of the other) which also includes a palletizing device (known type) arranged downstream of the packaging apparatus. The palletizing device can be configured to receive (for example intermittently or continuously) the articles packaged by the packaging apparatus and to palletize the articles (for example to order several stacks of tiles on a pallet).

Optionally, the packaging apparatus can be part of a packaging line (for example a line like the one mentioned above) of flat items (ceramic tiles) which also includes (upstream of the packaging apparatus) a sorting device (known type) that selects the articles (for example ceramic tiles) on the basis of predetermined criteria (for example of quality) and that sorts the various articles based on the selection made. The sorting device can be configured to send (for example intermittently or continuously) the articles of a predetermined selection to the packaging apparatus.

The packaging apparatus can be configured in particular to form a package comprising a punched cardboard placed next to at least one side of the flat article. The punched cardboard has a first longitudinal flap (for example upper) which is folded towards a first face (for example upper) of the flat article, and a second longitudinal flap (substantially opposite and parallel to the first longitudinal flap) which is folded towards a second face (for example lower) of the article.

Figures 17A to 17C briefly illustrate the packaging method implemented with the operation of the apparatus described above. The method consists in placing two cardboard blanks alongside opposite sides of the tile (figure 17A), folding the two longitudinal edges opposite each other on the opposite faces of the tile (figure 17B), and then tightening one or more bands 33 (consisting of for example from plastic strapping) around the aforementioned side edges so as to keep the cardboard blanks in place (figure 17C).

Legend:

T Flat item to be packaged

F Direction of advancement (intermittently) of the articles T arranged one after the other

1 Packaging apparatus

2 Article preparation station

3 Carton application station

4 Station for applying bands

5 Support frame to support station 3 and optionally station 4

6 Frame sides 5 (mutually movable to adjust the width of the workstation)

7 Side sliding guides 6

8 Frame base 5

9 Support structure (for the operating means of the carton application station 3)

10 Carton handling devices

11 Suction cup organs of the device 10

12 Pushers to fold the flaps of the cartons

13 Carton warehouse

14 Cartons for packaging T items

15 First support (part of device 10)

16 Pins carried by the first support 15

17 Rotation support (allows the structure 9 to rotatably support the first support 15 by means of the pins 16)

18 First support movement (rotation) actuator 15 19 Second support (part of device 10)

20 Second support movement guides 19

21 Second support movement actuators 19

22 Elastic element (operatively associated with a respective suction cup member 11)

23 Contrast device (operatively associated with the folded upper flap of the cartons)

24 Contrast element (movable) of the device 23

25 Actuators of element 24

26 Openings on element 24 (for the passage of organs 11 and / or 12)

27 First conveyor (to transport T items from station 2 to station 3)

28 Second conveyor (to transport items from station 3 to station 4)

29 Corner walls of the warehouse 13

30 Band application device

31 Band application tools

32 Front striker element

33 Bands

34 Support beams to support organs 11 and 12

35 Guides for positioning at least one beam 34 for each device 10

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus (1) comprising: - a first work station (3) configured to define a support plane for a flat and rigid article (T); - first positioning means (10) configured to position a first cardboard (14) extended in length in at least one approach position in which it is arranged on a first side of said support plane and is extended in length according to a first direction ; - second positioning means (10) configured to position a second cardboard (14) extended in length in at least one approaching position in which it is arranged parallel facing and spaced apart from said first cardboard; - support means (5, 6, 7) configured to support at least said first positioning means (10), said support means comprising guide means (7) configured for the guided movement of said first positioning means (10) in a second direction transversal to said first direction, to adjust the distance between said first and second positioning means (10). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: - a second work station (4) configured to define a support plane for said article (T), said second work station being arranged after said first work station (3) along a direction of advance parallel to said first direction; - transport means (28) for transporting said article (T) from said first working station (39 to said second working station (4) according to said forward direction; - band application means (30) configured to apply one or more packing bands (33) around said article (T) in said second working station (4); said support means (5, 6, 7) being configured to support said transport means (28), said guide means (7) being configured for the guided movement of at least a part of said transport means (28) to adjust a dimension of said transport means (28) in said second direction. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said support means comprise at least one frame (5) equipped with at least two sides (6) extending in length in a direction parallel to said first direction, at least one of said sides (6 ) being coupled to said guide means (7) with the possibility of displacement. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which both said sides (6) are coupled to said guide means (7) with the possibility of displacement. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said sides (6) are connected together in such a way as to move while remaining specular with respect to a median axis of said first work station (3) parallel to said first direction. 6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide means (7) comprise one or more linear sliding guides arranged parallel to said second direction. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first work station (3) comprises a first and a second magazine (13) of cartons operatively associated with said first and, respectively, second positioning means (10) for the picking up the cartons, said support means (5, 6, 7) being configured to support at least said first magazine (13), said guide means (7) being configured for the guided movement of said first magazine (13) into said second direction. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first positioning means comprise suction cup means (11) for transporting said cardboard (14) from a source (13) of cardboard to said approaching position. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said source (13) comprises a magazine of cartons mounted on support means (9) which further support said suction cup means (11). 10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first positioning means comprise pushing means (12) for folding two opposite edges of said cardboard (14) placed in said approaching position on two opposite faces of said article (T) .