(19)
(11)EP 2 615 038 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
02.04.2014 Bulletin 2014/14

(21)Application number: 12199418.0

(22)Date of filing:  27.12.2012
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B65B 35/40(2006.01)

(54)

An apparatus for inserting articles into boxes

Vorrichtung zum Einführen von Artikeln in Schachtel

Appareil pour l'insertion d'articles à l'intérieur de boîtes


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 16.01.2012 IT BO20120016

(43)Date of publication of application:
17.07.2013 Bulletin 2013/29

(73)Proprietor: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
40065 Pianoro (Bologna) (IT)

(72)Inventor:
  • Monti, Giuseppe
    40065 Pianoro (Bologna)  (IT)

(74)Representative: Dall'Olio, Christian et al
INVENTION S.r.l. Via delle Armi, 1
40137 Bologna
40137 Bologna (IT)


(56)References cited: : 
US-A- 5 079 896
US-A1- 2010 307 107
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to the technical sector of apparatus for inserting of articles, such as blister packs containing tablets, into boxes.

    [0002] An apparatus of known type for introducing articles into boxes (see e.g. US-A-2010/0307107) is arranged by a side of a first conveyor which moves articles in an advancement direction and in a horizontal advancement direction; the first conveyor is of the belt type and transports the articles on the upper branch thereof, which articles can be for example blister packs containing tablets. The belt of the first conveyor is provided with pairs of lateral walls which each define a housing compartment for one or more articles stacked on one another.

    [0003] A second conveyor is arranged by a side of the first conveyor, which second conveyor moves boxes in a same sense and direction of advancement of the first conveyor; the second conveyor is of a belt type and transports, on the upper branch thereof, empty boxes destined to be filled with the articles transported on the first conveyor. The belt of the second conveyor is provided with pairs of lateral wall which define abutments each for maintaining a box to be filled in position.

    [0004] The apparatus is activated in synchrony with the first conveyor and the second conveyor such as to insert an article, or a stack of articles, internally of a box.

    [0005] The apparatus comprises: a thrust plate for pushing an article, arranged in the housing compartment of the belt of the first conveyor, internally of a box arranged on the belt of the second conveyor; and an abutting blade destined to at least partially enter the box and supply an upper abutment for facilitating the insertion of the article in the box. The presence of the abutting blade is necessary where the articles have a limited resistance to buckling and might arch during the action of the thrust plate: an example of articles of this type are blister packs containing tablets.

    [0006] The thrust plate and the abutting blade are activated by cam mechanisms having various drawbacks: in fact they have a large number of components, are complicated to regulate and are voluminous.

    [0007] The aim of the present invention is to obviate the above drawbacks.

    [0008] The above aim is obtained by an apparatus for inserting articles internally of boxes, in accordance with claim 1, which apparatus comprises a frame; is positionable by a side of a first conveyor which moves articles in an advancement direction and in a horizontal advancement direction; can operate in synchrony with the first conveyor and with a second conveyor which is arranged by a side of the first conveyor and which moves boxes in a same sense and advancement direction as the first conveyor; comprises a first thrust plate for pushing at least an article internally of a box; comprises a first abutting blade for at least partially entering the box and providing an upper abutment for facilitating insertion of the article in the box; the apparatus being characterised in that it comprises: a first straight guide solidly constrained to the frame, which straight guide is parallel to the advancement direction; a first member which can slide along the first straight guide and which is provided with a second straight guide that is vertical and perpendicular to the advancement direction; a first linear motor which is borne by the first member; a first rod which bears the first thrust plate and which is moved by the first linear motor in order to move the first thrust plate in alternating motion in a horizontal and perpendicular direction to the advancement direction; a second member which can slide along the second straight guide; a second linear motor which is borne by the second member; a second rod which bears the first abutting blade and which is moved by the second linear motor such as to move in alternating motion in a horizontal and perpendicular direction to the advancement direction; a third member which is hinged to the frame at a first hinge axis; a fourth member which is hinged to the third member at a second hinge axis and which is hinged to the second member at a third hinge axis; a fifth member which is hinged to the frame at the first hinge axis; a sixth member which is hinged to the fifth member at a fourth hinge axis and which is hinged to the first member at a fifth hinge axis; the first hinge axis, the second hinge axis, the third hinge axis, the fourth hinge axis and the fifth hinge axis being horizontal and perpendicular to the advancement direction; the apparatus being positionable with respect to the first conveyor in such a way that the fourth member is downstream of the fifth member with respect to the advancement direction; the third member and the fifth member being activatable in rotation such as to move the first member and the second member in synchrony with the first conveyor and with the second conveyor and in order to enable movement of the first thrust plate and the first abutting blade by action respectively of the first linear motor and the second linear motor in order to insert at least an article internally of a box.

    [0009] The combined use of members hinged to one another and linear motors for moving the first thrust plate and the first abutting blade has been seen to be particularly advantageous and has enable attaining the predetermined aim.

    [0010] Specific embodiments of the invention will be described in the following of the present invention, according to what is set down in the claims and with the aid of the appended tables of drawings, in which:

    figures 1, 2, 3 are respectively a side view, a front view and a first perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, in a first operating step;

    figure 4 is a second perspective view, alike to the perspective view of figure 3, in which some parts are "transparent";

    figures 5, 6, 7 are respectively a lateral view, a front view and a first perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, in a second operating step;

    figure 8 is a second perspective view, alike to the perspective view of figure 7, in which some parts are "transparent";

    figures 9, 10, 11 are respectively a lateral view, a front view and a first perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, in a third operating step;

    figures 12, 13, 14 are respectively a lateral view, a front view and a first perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, in a fourth operating step which concludes an operating cycle of the apparatus;

    figure 15 is a second perspective view alike to the perspective view of figure 14, wherein some parts are "transparent".



    [0011] With reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, general reference numeral (1) denotes the apparatus for inserting articles in boxes, object of the present invention.

    [0012] The apparatus (1) is positionable by a side of a first conveyor (2) which moves articles (3) in an advancement direction (A) and in a horizontal advancement direction; the first conveyor (2) can be a belt and can transport the articles (3) on a relative upper branch thereof. The belt of the first conveyor (2) can be provided with pairs of lateral walls (4) which each define a housing compartment (5) for one or more articles (3), stacked on one another (in the example two blister packs (3) of tablets). In the illustrated example each housing compartment (5) receives two blister packs (3) of tablets which are stacked on one another.

    [0013] A second conveyor (6) can be arranged by a side of the first conveyor (2), which second conveyor (6) moves boxes (7) in the same sense and direction of advancement as the first conveyor (2); the second conveyor (6) can be a belt and can transport empty boxes (7) on the upper branch thereof, destined to be filled with the articles (3) transported by the first conveyor (2). The belt of the second conveyor (6) can be provided with pairs of lateral walls (4) (not illustrated) which define abutments for each maintaining in position a box (7) to be filled. A fixed abutment (not illustrated) can also be provided, positioned by a side of the second conveyor (6) such as to abut the bottom of the boxes (7), such that the boxes (7) remain in position, for example, during the insertion of the blister packs (3) internally thereof.

    [0014] The apparatus (1) is activatable in synchrony with the first conveyor (2) and with the second conveyor (6) such as to insert an article, or a stack of articles (3), internally of a box (7).

    [0015] The apparatus (1) comprises: a frame (8), a first thrust plate (9) for pushing at least an article internally of a box (7); and a first abutting blade (36) for at least partially entering the box (7) and providing an upper abutment for facilitating insertion of the article (3) in the box (7).

    [0016] As mentioned in the preamble, the presence of the first abutting blade (34) is necessary where the articles (3) have a limited resistance to buckling and might arch during the action of the thrust plate (9): an example of this type of article (3) is the blister pack (3) containing tablets, illustrated in the appended figures, but might also be floppy packs containing liquid or granular or powder substances .

    [0017] The apparatus (1) further comprises: a first straight guide (10) solidly constrained to the frame (8), which straight guide is parallel to the advancement direction; a first member (11) which can slide along the first straight guide (10) and which is provided with a second straight guide (12) that is vertical and perpendicular to the advancement direction; a first linear motor (13) which is borne by the first member (11); a first rod (14) which bears the first thrust plate (9) and which is moved by the first linear motor (13) in order to move the first thrust plate (9) in alternating motion in a horizontal and perpendicular direction to the advancement direction; a second member (15) which can slide along the second straight guide (12); a second linear motor (16) which is borne by the second member (15); a second rod (17) which bears the first abutting blade (34) and which is moved by the second linear motor (16) such as to move in alternating motion in a horizontal and perpendicular direction to the advancement direction; a third member (18) which is hinged to the frame (8) at a first hinge axis (19); a fourth member (20) which is hinged to the third member (18) at a second hinge axis (21) and which is hinged to the second member (15) at a third hinge axis (22); a fifth member (23) which is hinged to the frame (8) at the first hinge axis (19); a sixth member (24) which is hinged to the fifth member (23) at a fourth hinge axis (25) and which is hinged to the first member (11) at a fifth hinge axis (35); the first hinge axis (19), the second hinge axis (21), the third hinge axis (22), the fourth hinge axis (25) and the fifth hinge axis (35) being horizontal and perpendicular to the advancement direction.

    [0018] The apparatus (1) is positionable with respect to the first conveyor (2) in such a way that the fourth member (20) is downstream of the fifth member (23) with respect to the advancement direction (A).

    [0019] The third member (18) and the fifth member (23) are activatable in rotation such as to move the first member (11) and the second member (15) in synchrony with the first conveyor (2) and with the second conveyor (6) and in order to enable movement of the first thrust plate (9) and the first abutting blade (34) by action respectively of the first linear motor (13) and the second linear motor (16) in order to insert at least an article internally of a box (7).

    [0020] The first member (11) can form a first housing (30); the first linear motor (13) can thus be housed internally of the first housing (30).

    [0021] The second member (15) can form a second housing (31); the second linear motor (16) can therefore be housed internally of the second housing (31).

    [0022] The first member (11) can comprise: a first support structure (111) which forms a first housing (30) (figure 4) and the second straight guide (12); and a first carriage (112) which is fixed to the first support structure (111) and which can slide along the first straight guide (10) (figure 15).

    [0023] The second member (15) comprises: a second support structure (151) which conforms a second housing (31); and a second carriage (152) (figure 15) which can slide along the second straight guide (12). The second carriage (152) can be hinged to the fourth member (20) at the third hinge axis (22) (figure 5).

    [0024] The first housing (30) of the first member (11) can also receive the second member (15) (compare figures 4 and 15).

    [0025] The second member (15) can slide along the second straight guide (12), by means of the slide carriage (152) between two end positions: in a first position (figure 4) the second member (15) is arranged in the first housing (30) of the first member (11), while in a second position (figure 15) the second member (15) is arranged above the first member (11) at a height such that the first abutting blade (34) passes over the walls (4) of the first conveyor (2).

    [0026] The second support structure (151) of the second member (15) can be designed such as to bear mainly the second linear motor (16), the second rod (17) and the first abutting blade (34), with the aim of minimising the weight of the mechanical components which have to slide along a second straight guide (12) and perform vertical runs; the first linear motor (13), the first rod (14) and the first thrust plate (9) are instead solidly constrained to the first member (11) as it is not necessary for them to perform straight runs.

    [0027] Thus the mechanical inertia of the second member (15) and the mechanical components borne thereby is advantageously minimised, which enables making the functioning of the apparatus (1) more rapid and reducing the energy demanded in order to activate the apparatus (1) itself.

    [0028] The figures illustrate an operating cycle of the apparatus (1) of the invention, which occurs in synchrony with the functioning of the first conveyor (2) and the second conveyor (6).

    [0029] Figures 1-4 show a first operating step of the apparatus (1), in which the first abutting blade (34) is interposed between a pair of lateral walls (4) of the first conveyor (2) and is arranged above a pair of stacked blister packs (3) (figure 2).

    [0030] The first thrust plate (9) and the first abutting blade (34) are then activated respectively such as to push the pair of blister packs (3) internally of a corresponding empty box (7) and to provide a constant upper abutment to the pair of blister packs (3) with the aim of ensuring introduction of the pair of blister packs (3) into the box (7), see figures 5-8 (second operating step). The first abutting blade (34) therefore prevents the pair of blister packs (3) from arching, which might prejudice the correct inserting of the pair of blister packs (3) in the box (7). A support plane is for example provided between the first conveyor (2) and the second conveyor (6), not illustrated, such as to enable the transfer of the pair of blister packs (3) from the housing compartment (5) of the first conveyor (2) to the box (7) which is on the second conveyor (6).

    [0031] Once the pair of blister packs (3) has been inserted into the box (7), the first abutting blade (34) is retracted such that it exits from the box (7) while the first thrust plate (9) is maintained in position to abut the pair of blister packs (3) internally of the box (7) and prevent the exiting of first abutting blade (34) from accidentally causing also an even partial exiting of the pair of blister packs (3); see figures 9-11, third operating step.

    [0032] Lastly, the apparatus (1) has to be moved in such a way as to be predisposed to transfer a further pair of blister packs (3) arranged on the first conveyor (2) internally of a box (7) arranged on the second conveyor (6): in order to do this, the first abutting blade (34) has to be raised to a higher level than the lateral walls (4) of the first conveyor (2) (and therefore the second member (15) has to slide along the second straight guide (12) upwards) and the first member (11) (which bears the second member (15) and therefore also the second linear motor (16), the second rod (17) and the first abutting blade (34)) has to be moved along the first straight guide (10) in order to displace towards a further housing compartment (5) containing a pair of blister packs (3) to be transferred (figures 12-15), fourth operating step) internally of an empty box (7). Thus a new operating cycle for the apparatus (1) starts.

    [0033] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the apparatus (1) further comprises: a second thrust plate (26) (figure 4) for pushing at least an article internally of a box (7); a second abutting blade (27) for at least partially entering the box (7) and providing an upper abutment to facilitate entry of the article into the box (7); a third linear motor (28) which is housed in the first housing (30) of the first member (11); a fourth linear motor (29) which is housed in the second housing (31) of the second member (15); a third rod (32) which bears the second thrust plate (26) and which is moved by the third linear motor (28) such as to move alternatingly in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the advancement direction; a fourth rod (33) which bears the second abutting blade (27) and which is moved by the fourth linear motor (29) such as to move alternatingly in a horizontal and perpendicular direction to the advancement direction. The above considerations regarding the functioning of the apparatus (1) are valid also in reference to this embodiment, its being understood that the first housing (30) and the second housing (31) can also house a greater number of linear motors for moving abutting blades and thrust plates with the aim of contemporaneously introducing a plurality of pair of blister packs (3) internally of the empty boxes (7).

    [0034] The above has been described by way of non-limiting example, and any eventual constructional variations are understood to fall within the protective scope of the present technical solution, as claimed in the following.


    Claims

    1. An apparatus for inserting articles (3) into boxes (7), which apparatus (1):

    comprises a frame (8);

    is positionable by a side of a first conveyor (2) which moves articles (3) in an advancement direction (A) and in a horizontal advancement direction;

    can operate in synchrony with the first conveyor (2) and with a second conveyor (6) which is arranged by a side of the first conveyor (2) and which moves boxes (7) in a same sense and advancement direction as the first conveyor (2);

    comprises a first thrust plate (9) for pushing at least an article into a box (7);

    comprises a first abutting blade (36) for at least partially entering the box (7) and providing an upper abutment for facilitating insertion of the article (3) in the box (7);

    the apparatus (1) being characterised in that it comprises:

    a first straight guide (10) solidly constrained to the frame (8), which straight guide is parallel to the advancement direction;

    a first member (11) which can slide along the first straight guide (10) and which is provided with a second straight guide (12) that is vertical and perpendicular to the advancement direction;

    a first linear motor (13) which is borne by the first member (11);

    a first rod (14) which bears the first thrust plate (9) and which is moved by the first linear motor (13) in order to move the first thrust plate (9) in alternating motion in a horizontal and perpendicular direction to the advancement direction;

    a second member (15) which can slide along the second straight guide (12);

    a second linear motor (16) which is borne by the second member (15);

    a second rod (17) which bears the first abutting blade (34) and which is moved by the second linear motor (16) such as to move in alternating motion in a horizontal and perpendicular direction to the advancement direction;

    a third member (18) which is hinged to the frame (8) at a first hinge axis (19);

    a fourth member (20) which is hinged to the third member (18) at a second hinge axis (21) and which is hinged to the second member (15) at a third hinge axis (22);

    a fifth member (23) which is hinged to the frame (8) at the first hinge axis (19);

    a sixth member (24) which is hinged to the fifth member (23) at a fourth hinge axis (25) and which is hinged to the first member (11) at a fifth hinge axis (35);

    the first hinge axis (19), the second hinge axis (21), the third hinge axis (22), the fourth hinge axis (25) and the fifth hinge axis (35) being horizontal and perpendicular to the advancement direction;

    the apparatus (1) being positionable with respect to the first conveyor (2) in such a way that the fourth member (20) is downstream of the fifth member (23) with respect to the advancement direction (A);

    the third member (18) and the fifth member (23) being activatable in rotation such as to move the first member (11) and the second member (15) in synchrony with the first conveyor (2) and with the second conveyor (6) and in order to enable movement of the first thrust plate (9) and the first abutting blade (34) by action respectively of the first linear motor (13) and the second linear motor (16) in order to insert at least an article internally of a box (7).


     
    2. The apparatus (1) of the preceding claim, wherein the first member (11) comprises: a first support structure (111) which forms a first housing (30) and the second straight guide (12); and a first carriage (112) which is fixed to the first support structure (111) and which can slide along the first straight guide (10).
     
    3. The apparatus of the preceding claim, wherein the first housing (30) can receive the first linear motor (13) and the second member (15).
     
    4. The apparatus (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second member (15) comprises: a second support structure (151) which conforms a second housing (31); and a second carriage (152) which can slide along the second straight guide (12).
     
    5. The apparatus of the preceding claim, wherein the second housing (31) can receive the second linear motor (16).
     
    6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5, wherein the second carriage (152) is hinged to the fourth member (20) at the third hinge axis (22).
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Vorrichtung zum Einführen von Artikeln (3) in Schachteln (7), wobei diese Vorrichtung (1):

    einen Rahmen (8) beinhaltet;

    an einer Seite eines ersten Förderers (2) angeordnet werden kann, welcher die Artikel (3) mit einem Vorschubsinn (A) und in einer horizontalen Vorschubrichtung bewegt;

    synchron mit dem ersten Förderer (2) und mit einem zweiten Förderer (6) betrieben werden kann, der an einer Seite des ersten Förderers (2) angeordnet ist und der zur Bewegung von Schachteln (7) mit demselben Vorschubsinn und in derselben Vorschubrichtung wie der erste Förderer (2) dient;

    eine erste Druckplatte (9) beinhaltet, um zumindest einen Artikel in eine Schachtel (7) zu schieben;

    ein erstes Anschlagblatt (34) beinhaltet, das dazu bestimmt ist, zumindest teilweise in die Schachtel (7) einzutreten und somit eine obere Anschlagführung für das erleichterte Einführen des Artikels (3) in die Schachtel (7) zu bilden;

    wobei die Vorrichtung (1) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass sie Folgendes beinhaltet:

    eine erste gerade Führung (10), die fest mit dem Rahmen (8) verbunden ist, wobei diese gerade Führung parallel zur Vorschubrichtung ist;

    ein erstes Element (11), das entlang der ersten geraden Führung (10) gleiten kann und das mit einer zweiten geraden Führung (12) versehen ist, die vertikal und perpendikular zur Vorschubrichtung angeordnet ist;

    einen ersten Linearmotor (13), der von dem ersten Element (11) getragen wird;

    eine erste Stange (14), welche die erste Druckplatte (9) trägt und von dem ersten Linearmotor (13) angetrieben wird, um die erste Druckplatte (9) in eine Wechselbewegung in einer horizontalen und perpendikularen Richtung zur Vorschubrichtung zu versetzen;

    ein zweites Element (15), das entlang der zweiten geraden Führung (12) gleiten kann;

    einen zweiten Linearmotor (16), der von dem zweiten Element (15) getragen wird;

    eine zweite Stange (17), welche das erste Anschlagblatt (34) trägt und von dem zweiten Linearmotor (16) angetrieben wird, um eine Wechselbewegung in einer horizontalen und perpendikularen Richtung zur Vorschubrichtung auszuführen;

    ein drittes Element (18), das an einer ersten Scharnierachse (19) an den Rahmen (8) angelenkt ist;

    ein viertes Element (20), das an einer zweiten Scharnierachse (21) an das dritte Element (18) angelenkt ist und das an einer dritten Scharnierachse (22) an das zweite Element (15) angelenkt ist;

    ein fünftes Element (23), das an der ersten Scharnierachse (19) an den Rahmen (8) angelenkt ist;

    ein sechstes Element (24), das an einer vierten Scharnierachse (25) an das fünfte Element (23) angelenkt ist und das an einer fünften Scharnierachse (35) an das erste Element (11) angelenkt ist;

    wobei die erste Scharnierachse (19), die zweite Scharnierachse (21), die dritte Scharnierachse (22), die vierte Scharnierachse (25) und die fünfte Scharnierachse (35) horizontal und perpendikular zur Vorschubrichtung sind;

    wobei die Vorrichtung (1) relativ zu dem ersten Förderer (2) derart angeordnet werden kann, dass das vierte Element (20) bezogen auf den Vorschubsinn (A) stromabwärts nach dem fünften Element (23) angeordnet ist;

    wobei das dritte Element (18) und das fünfte Element (23) in eine Drehbewegung versetzt werden können, so dass sie das erste Element (11) und das zweite Element (15) synchron mit dem ersten Förderer (2) und mit dem zweiten Förderer (6) bewegen, derart, dass die Bewegung der ersten Druckplatte (9) und des ersten Anschlagblatts (34) jeweils durch Wirkung des ersten Linearmotors (13) beziehungsweise des zweiten Linearmotors (16) ermöglicht wird, um zumindest einen Artikel in eine Schachtel (7) einzuführen.


     
    2. Vorrichtung (1) nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, worin das erste Element (11) Folgendes beinhaltet: eine erste Trägerstruktur (111), die ein erstes Gehäuse (30) und die zweite gerade Führung (12) bildet; und einen ersten Wagen (112), der an der ersten Trägerstruktur (111) befestigt ist und der entlang der ersten geraden Führung (10) gleiten kann.
     
    3. Vorrichtung nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, worin das erste Gehäuse (30) den ersten Linearmotor (13) und das zweite Element (15) aufnehmen kann.
     
    4. Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, worin das zweite Element (15) Folgendes beinhaltet: eine zweite Trägerstruktur (151), die ein zweites Gehäuse (31) bildet; und einen zweiten Wagen (152), der entlang der zweiten geraden Führung (12) gleiten kann.
     
    5. Vorrichtung nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch, worin das zweite Gehäuse (31) den zweiten Linearmotor (16) aufnehmen kann.
     
    6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, worin der zweite Wagen (152) an der dritten Scharnierachse (22) an das vierte Element (20) angelenkt ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Un appareil pour l'insertion d'articles (3) dans des boîtes (7), ledit appareil (1) :

    comprend un châssis (8) ;

    peut être positionné à côté d'un premier transporteur (2) qui achemine les articles (3) dans une direction d'avance (A) et dans un sens d'avance horizontal ;

    peut opérer en synchronisation avec le premier transporteur (2) et avec un deuxième transporteur (6) qui est disposé à côté du premier transporteur (2) et qui achemine des boîtes (7) dans la même direction d'avance (A) et le même sens d'avance que ledit premier transporteur (2) ;

    comprend une première plaque de poussée (9) destinée à pousser au moins un article dans une boîte (7) ;

    comprend une première lame de butée (34) destinée à entrer au moins partiellement dans la boîte (7) et à fournir une butée supérieure pour faciliter l'insertion de l'article (3) dans la boîte (7) ;

    l'appareil (1) étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :

    un premier guide rectiligne (10) solidaire du châssis (8), ledit guide rectiligne est parallèle à la direction d' avance ;

    un premier membre (11) qui peut coulisser le long du premier guide rectiligne (10) et qui est doté d'un deuxième guide rectiligne (12) qui est vertical et perpendiculaire à la direction d'avance ;

    un premier moteur linéaire (13) qui est porté par le premier membre (11) ;

    une première tige (14) qui porte la première plaque de poussée (9) et qui est mue par le premier moteur linéaire (13) de manière à déplacer la première plaque de poussée (9) selon un mouvement alterné dans une direction horizontale et perpendiculaire à la direction d'avance ;

    un deuxième membre (15) qui peut coulisser le long du deuxième guide rectiligne (12) ;

    un deuxième moteur linéaire (16) qui est porté par le deuxième membre (15) ;

    une deuxième tige (17) qui porte la première lame de butée (34) et qui est mue par le deuxième moteur linéaire (16) de manière à se déplacer selon un mouvement alterné dans une direction horizontale et perpendiculaire à la direction d'avance ;

    un troisième membre (18) qui est articulé au châssis (8) au niveau d'un premier axe d'articulation (19) ;

    un quatrième membre (20) qui est articulé au troisième membre (18) au niveau d'un deuxième axe d'articulation (21) et qui est articulé au deuxième membre (15) au niveau d'un troisième axe d'articulation (22) ;

    un cinquième membre (23) qui est articulé au châssis (8) au niveau du premier axe d'articulation (19) ;

    un sixième membre (24) qui est articulé au cinquième membre (23) au niveau d'un quatrième axe d'articulation (25) et qui est articulé au premier membre (11) au niveau d'un cinquième axe d'articulation (35) ;

    le premier axe d'articulation (19), le deuxième axe d'articulation (21), le troisième axe d'articulation (22), le quatrième axe d'articulation (25) et le cinquième axe d'articulation (35) étant horizontaux et perpendiculaires à la direction d'avance ;

    l'appareil (1) pouvant être positionné par rapport au premier transporteur (2) de manière à ce que le quatrième membre (20) soit en aval du cinquième membre (23) par rapport à la direction d'avance (A) ;

    le troisième membre (18) et le cinquième membre (23) pouvant être mis en rotation de manière à déplacer le premier membre (11) et le deuxième membre (15) en synchronisation avec le premier transporteur (2) et avec le deuxième transporteur (6) et de manière à permettre le ouvement de la première plaque de poussée (9) et de la première lame de butée (34) par l'action, respectivement, du premier moteur linéaire (13) et du deuxième moteur linéaire (16) de manière à insérer au moins un article à l'intérieur d'une boîte (7).


     
    2. L'appareil (1) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel le premier membre (11) comprend : une première structure de support (111) qui forme un premier logement (30) et le deuxième guide rectiligne (12) ; et un premier chariot (112) qui est fixé à ladite première structure de support (111) et qui peut coulisser le long du premier guide rectiligne (10).
     
    3. L'appareil selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel le premier logement (30) peut recevoir le premier moteur linéaire (13) et le deuxième membre (15).
     
    4. L'appareil (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le deuxième membre (15) comprend : une deuxième structure de support (151) qui forme un deuxième logement (31) ; et un deuxième chariot (152) qui peut coulisser le long du deuxième guide rectiligne (12).
     
    5. L'appareil selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel le deuxième logement (31) peut recevoir le deuxième moteur linéaire (16).
     
    6. L'appareil selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans lequel le deuxième chariot (152) est articulé au quatrième membre (20) au niveau du troisième axe d'articulation (22).
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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    Patent documents cited in the description