Apparatus and method for closing a package

Abstract

 An apparatus (1) and a method for closing a packaging (3) with a substantially parallelpipedon shape comprising a cover (4) connected on one side (5) to a first side wall (6) of the packaging (3), and having on the other three sides a first flap (7), a second flap (9) and a third flap (10), said apparatus (1) comprising a conveying device (2) for said packaging (3), a first folding and gluing station (13), in which said first flap (7) is folded and glued to a second side wall (8) of said packaging (3) opposite said first side wall (5), and a second folding and gluing station (13a), in which said second flap (9) and said third flap (10) are folded and glued, respectively to a front wall (11) and to a rear wall (12) of said packaging (3), said first folding and gluing station (13) comprising first folding and gluing means (14, 15), said second folding and gluing station (13a) comprises second folding and gluing means (19) and third folding and gluing means (20) that is movable in both directions in a direction that is parallel to an advancing direction of said conveying device (2).
The method comprises folding and gluing the second flap (9) and the third flap (10) whilst the packaging (3) is moving along the conveying device (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for closing packagings with a parallelepipedon shape, such as, for example, packagings for parts of furnishing products.

[0002] The aforesaid packagings with a parallelepipedon shape comprise a closing cover that is connected on one side to a side wall of the packaging, whilst, on the other three sides it has flaps that are folded and fixed, for example by gluing, to the remaining walls of the packaging.

[0003] From the prior art apparatuses are known for folding and gluing the aforesaid flaps to the walls of the packagings. These apparatuses generally comprise two folding and gluing stations in which the packagings are moved by a conveying device, for example a roller conveying device. In a first station the first flap of the cover is folded and glued to a side wall of the packaging and, in a second station, a second and a third flap of the cover are folded and glued respectively to the front wall and to the rear wall of the packaging.

[0004] The operations of folding and gluing the second and third flap are conducted by stopping the packagings in the second station, which prolongs the time required by the folding and gluing operations and a reduction in the productivity of the apparatus.

[0005] The present invention proposes to increase the productivity of an apparatus for folding and gluing the flaps of the cover of packagings with a parallelpipedon shape.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved with an apparatus according to claim 1 and with a method according to claim 15.

[0007] Owing to the invention it is possible to perform the operations of folding and gluing the flaps of the cover of a parallelepipedon packaging whilst the packaging moves along a conveying line, without ever having to stop the packaging. This significantly increases the productivity of the apparatus, because it eliminates downtime of the folding and gluing operations.

[0008] The invention will be disclosed below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a raised schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figures 3, 4, 5 schematically illustrate the folding and the gluing of a first flap of the cover of a packaging in a first folding and gluing station of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figures 6 and 7 schematically illustrate the folding and the gluing of a second and a third flap of the cover of a packaging, in a second folding and gluing station of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figures 8 and 9 are schematic frontal views of the second folding and gluing station during the folding and gluing operations of the second and third flap of the cover;

Figures 10 to 13 schematically illustrate a second embodiment of the second folding and gluing station, during the folding and gluing operations of the second and third flap of the cover;

Figure 14 schematically illustrates a version of the second folding and gluing station.

[0009] In Figures 1 and 2 there is schematically illustrated an apparatus 1 according to the invention, in a raised view and in a top view respectively.

[0010] The apparatus 1 comprises a conveying device 2, for example a roller conveyor, along which packagings 3 are conveyed, which packagings 3 having a substantially parallelepipedon shape. Each packaging 3 is provided with a cover 4 (Figure 2) fixed along a side 5 to a first side wall 6 of the packaging 3. The cover 4 is provided with a first flap 7, intended for being fixed to a second side wall 8 of the packaging 3, opposite said first side wall 6. The cover 4 is further provided with a second flap 9 and with a third flap 10, intended for being fixed respectively to a front wall 11 and to a rear wall 12 of the packaging 3.

[0011] The apparatus 1 according to the invention further comprises a first folding and gluing station 13, in which the first flap 7 of the cover 4 is folded downwards and fixed by gluing to the second side wall 8 of the packaging 3, and a second folding and gluing station 13a, in which the second flap 9 and the third flap 10 of the cover 4 are folded downwards and fixed by gluing respectively to the front wall 11 and to the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3.

[0012] The first folding and gluing station 13 comprises a first fixed applying device 14 that applies an adhesive substance to said side wall 8 whilst the packaging 3 transits in said first station. The first folding and gluing station 13 further comprises a first folding device 15, which is vertically movable, that exerts a downward thrust on the first flap 7, folding the first flap 7 to the second side wall 8 to which said adhesive substance has been applied. Downstream of the first folding device 15, in the advancing direction of the conveyor 2, an abutting element 16 is arranged, against which the packaging 3 is pushed by a first pressing element 17, which is transversely movable with respect to the conveyor 2, so as to make the first flap 7 adhere to the second side wall 8 of the packaging 3 so as to enable the adhesive substance to get a grip and fix the first flap 7 to the second side wall 8.

[0013] A second pressing element 18 is further provided that is vertically movable that exerts a pressure on the cover 4 of the packaging 3, whilst the latter is pushed by the first pressing element 17 against the abutting element 16.

[0014] The second folding and gluing station 13a is arranged downstream of the first station 13, in the advancing direction of the conveyor 2.

[0015] A first embodiment of the second folding and gluing station 13a is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and in Figures 6 to 9. The second folding and gluing station 13a comprises a first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 arranged transversely to the conveying device 2 and slidably supported in a direction parallel to the advancing direction of the conveyor 2, on guides 20 of a frame 21 of the apparatus 1.

[0016] The first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 comprises a first arm 22 that extends vertically downwards and is movable along said first tool-equipped crosspiece 19, in a direction that is transverse to the advancing direction of the conveyor 2. To the lower end of the first arm 22 there is fixed a second applying device 23, intended for applying an adhesive substance to the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3.

[0017] The first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 further comprises a first folding and pressing element 24 consisting of a bar 25 arranged transversely to the advancing direction of the conveyor 2 and fixed to a pair of second vertical arms 26 movable along respective vertical guides 27.

[0018] The second folding and gluing station 13a further comprises a second tool-equipped crosspiece 28, which is similar to the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19, which is also arranged transversely to the conveying device 2 and slidably supported in a direction parallel to the advancing direction of the conveyor 2, on said guides 20. The second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 is arranged downstream of the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19, in the advancing direction of the conveyor 2.

[0019] The second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 comprises a third arm 29 that extends vertically downwards and is movable along said second tool-equipped crosspiece 28, in a direction transverse to the advancing direction of the conveyor 2. To the lower end of the third arm 29 a third applying device 30 is fixed, intended for applying an adhesive substance to the front wall 11 of the packaging 3.

[0020] The second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 further comprises a second folding and pressing element 31 consisting of a second bar 32 arranged transversely to the advancing direction of the conveyor 2 and fixed to a pair of fourth vertical arms 33 that are movable along respective further vertical guides 34 (Figure 8).

[0021] The first bar 25 and the second bar 32 are provided with a respective first pressure-sensor device 35 and with a respective second pressure-sensor device 36.

[0022] Operation of the second folding and gluing station, in a first embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention is as follows:

[0023] when a packaging 3 coming from the first folding and gluing station 13 reaches the second folding and gluing station 13a, the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 and the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 are positioned in such a manner that the distance between the first bar 25 and the second bar 32 and the distance between the second applying device 23 and the third applying device 30 are only slightly greater than the dimension of the packaging in the advancing direction of the conveyor 2. The second applying device 23 and the third applying device 30 are positioned on a first side of the conveyor 2, whilst the packaging 3 moves along a second side of the conveyor 2 opposite said first side. When the packaging 3 reaches the position between the two tool-equipped crosspieces 19 and 28, the position being detected by appropriate sensor means associated with the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28, the tool-equipped crosspieces 19 and 28 start to move at the same speed as the conveyor 2, so as to follow the movement of the packaging 3 along the conveyor 2. The second applying device 23 and the third applying device 30 move transversely from one side to the other of the conveyor 2, applying a strip of adhesive substance to the front wall 11 and to the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3, then return to the original position. At this point the first bar 25 and the second bar 32 descend so as to come into contact with the second flap 9 and the third flap 10 of the cover 4, folding the flaps downwards respectively along the front wall 11 and the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3.

[0024] Lastly, the advancing motion of the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 is slowed slightly with respect to the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19, such that the first bar 25 and the second bar 32 exert a pressure respectively on the third flap 10 and on the second flap 9 of the cover 4, so as to make the flaps adhere respectively to the rear wall 12 and to the front wall 11 of the packaging 3, owing to the action of the adhesive substance applied to said walls. The pressure exerted by the first bar 25 and by the second bar 32, detected by the respective sensor means 35 and 36, is maintained for a preset time, depending on the type of adhesive used, that is sufficient to ensure that the second flap 9 and the third flap 10 adhere to the respective front walls 11 and rear walls 12 of the packaging 3. After said preset time has elapsed, the bars 25 and 32 rise so that the packaging 3, which is not completely closed, can continue along the conveyor 2, whilst the tool-equipped crosspieces 19 and 28 return back to position themselves at the inlet of the second folding and gluing station 13a, waiting for a subsequent packaging 3.

[0025] Owing to the fact that the folding and gluing operations of the second flap 9 and of the third flap 10 are performed by maintaining the packaging 3 in movement along the conveyor 2, the downtime present in prior-art apparatuses is eliminated, where said operations of folding and gluing the second flap 9 and the third flap 10 are conducted with the packaging 3 stationary. The productivity of the apparatus 1 according to the invention is noticeably greater than the productivity of apparatuses known in the prior art.

[0026] In Figures 10 to 13 there is illustrated a second embodiment of the second folding and gluing station 13a, in which the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 is placed downstream of the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28, with respect to the advancing direction of the conveyor 2.

[0027] In this version, both tool-equipped crosspieces 19 and 28 are initially positioned near the inlet of the second folding and gluing station 13a at an initial preset distance from one another. When a packaging 3 reaches the second folding and gluing station 13a, the third applying device 30 associated with the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 moves transversely from one side to another of the conveyor 2 applying a strip of adhesive substance to the front wall 11 of the packaging 3 and then returns to the initial position, whilst the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 is driven to move in the motion direction of the conveyor 2, at the same speed as the conveyor 2. At this point the second bar 32 descends downwards so as to come into contact with the second flap 9 of the cover 4, folding the second flap 9 downwards along the front wall 11 of the packaging 3. Subsequently, the advancing motion of the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 is slowed slightly with respect to the advancing motion of the conveyor 2, such that the second bar 32 exerts a pressure on the second flap 9 of the cover 4, so as to make the second flap 9 adhere to the front wall 11 of the packaging 3, owing to the action of the adhesive substance applied to said wall. The pressure exerted by the second bar 32, detected by the respective sensor means 36, is maintained for a preset time, depending on the type of adhesive used, that is sufficient to ensure that the second flap 9 adheres to the front wall 11. After said preset time has elapsed, the bar 32 lifts up so that the packaging 3 can pass below the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 and below the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 and the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 returns to the initial position, waiting for a subsequent packaging 3.

[0028] The initial distance between the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 and the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 is selected in such a way that the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 terminates the folding and gluing operations of the second flap 9 of the cover 4 before coming into contact with the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19.

[0029] When the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3 reaches the height of the second applying device 23 of the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19, the second applying device 23 moves transversely from one side to the other of the conveyor 2 applying a strip of adhesive substance to the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3 and then returning to the initial position, whilst the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 is moved in the motion direction of the conveyor 2, at the same speed as the conveyor 2. At this point the first bar 25 moves downwards to come into contact with the third flap 10 of the cover 4, folding the third flap 10 downwards along the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3. Subsequently, the advancing motion of the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 is accelerated slightly with respect to the advancing motion of the conveyor 2, such that the first bar 25 exerts pressure on the third flap 10 of the cover 4, so as to make the third flap 10 adhere to the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3, owing to the action of the adhesive substance applied to said wall. The pressure exerted by the first bar 25, detected by the respective sensor means 35, is maintained for a preset time, depending on the type of adhesive used, that is sufficient to ensure adhesion of the third flap 10 to the rear wall 12. After said preset time has elapsed, the first bar 25 lifts up so that the packaging 3 can move below the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 and continue along the conveyor 2 and the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 is returned to the initial position.

[0030] In this version, the movements that the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 and the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 have to perform are less than the movements that they perform in the embodiment of the apparatus 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 9. This enables the longitudinal dimensions of the apparatus 1 to be reduced for the same length of the packagings to be processed, or to increase the maximum length of the packagings to be processed for the same longitudinal dimensions of the apparatus.

[0031] In Figure 14 there is illustrated a version of the second folding and gluing station 13a in which there is provided a third tool-equipped shaft 37 arranged upstream of the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 and of the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28, in the advancing direction of the conveyor 2. The third tool-equipped shaft 37 comprises an arm 38 that extends vertically downwards and is movable along said third tool-equipped shaft 37, in a direction that is transverse to the advancing direction of the conveyor 2. To the lower end of the arm 38 a second applying device 23, intended for applying an adhesive substance to the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3 and a third applying device 30 intended for applying an adhesive substance to the rear wall 11 of the packaging 3 are fixed. The second applying device 23 and the third applying device 30 face opposite sides with respect to the advancing direction of the conveyor 2. In this version, the second tool-equipped arm 19 and the third tool-equipped arm 28 are not provided with devices for applying an adhesive substance.

[0032] The version illustrated in Figure 14 is applicable both to the first and the second embodiment of the second folding and gluing station 13a disclosed previously.

[0033] The presence of the third tool-equipped shaft 37 with the applying devices 23 and 30 enables the adhesive substance to be applied to the front wall 11 and to the rear wall 12 of the packaging 3 whilst the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 and the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 are being positioned to perform folding and gluing of the second flap 9 and of the third flap 10 of the cover 4. In other words, it is not necessary to wait for the first tool-equipped crosspiece 19 and the second tool-equipped crosspiece 28 to be positioned to be able to apply the adhesive substance to the packaging 3. This enables the total time required for operations of applying the adhesive substance, folding and gluing of the second flap 9 and of the third flap 10 to be reduced, with a consequent increase in the productivity of the apparatus 1.

[0034] In the practical embodiment, the materials, dimensions and constructional details may be different from those indicated but be technically equivalent thereto without thereby falling outside the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for closing a package (3) having a substantially parallelpipedon shape, said package comprising a cover (4) connected on one side (5) to a first side wall (6) of the package (3), and having on the other three sides a first flap (7), a second flap (9) and a third flap (10), said apparatus (1) comprising a conveying device (2) for said package (3), a first folding and gluing station (13), in which said first flap (7) is folded and glued to a second side wall (8) of said package (3) opposite said first side wall (5), and a second folding and gluing station (13a) in which said second flap (9) and said third flap (10) are folded and glued, respectively, to a front wall (11) and to a rear wall (12) of said package (3), said first folding and gluing station (13) comprising first folding and gluing means (14, 15), characterised in that said second folding and gluing station (13a) comprises second folding and gluing means (19) and third folding and gluing means (28) that are movable to and from in a direction that is parallel to a conveying direction of said conveying device (2).

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein said third folding and gluing means (28) is arranged downstream of said second folding and gluing means (19) with respect to the advancing direction of said conveying device (2).

3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein said third folding and gluing means (28) is arranged upstream of said second folding and gluing means (19) with respect to the advancing direction of said conveying device (2).

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said second folding and gluing station (13a) comprises applying means (23, 30) for applying an adhesive substance.

5. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said second folding and gluing means comprises a first tool-equipped crosspiece (19) arranged transversely to said conveying device (2) and slidingly supported, in a direction parallel to said advancing direction, on guides (20) of a frame (21) of the apparatus (1).

6. Apparatus (1) according to claim 5, wherein said first tool-equipped crosspiece (19) comprises a first arm (22) that extends vertically downwards and is movable along said first tool-equipped crosspiece (19), in a direction that is transverse to said advancing direction, to a lower end of said first arm (22) there being fixed an applying device (23) for applying an adhesive substance.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, or 6, wherein said first tool-equipped crosspiece (19) comprises a first folding and pressing element (24) comprising a first bar (25) arranged transversely to said advancing direction and fixed to a pair of second vertical arms (26) that are movable along respective vertical guides (27).

8. Apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein said first bar (25) is provided with pressure-sensor means (35).

9. Apparatus (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said third folding and gluing means comprises a second tool-equipped crosspiece (28) arranged transversely to said conveying device (2) and slidingly supported, in a direction parallel to said advancing direction, on guides (20) of a frame (21) of the apparatus (1).

10. Apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein said second tool-equipped crosspiece (28) comprises a third arm (29) that extends vertically downwards and is movable along said second tool-equipped crosspiece (28), in a direction that is transverse to said advancing direction, to a lower end of said third arm (29) there being fixed a further applying device (30) for applying an adhesive substance.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, or 10, wherein said second tool-equipped crosspiece (28) comprises a second folding and pressing element (31) comprising a second bar (32) arranged transversely to said advancing direction and fixed to a pair of fourth vertical arms (33) that are movable along respective vertical guides (34).

12. Apparatus (1) according to claim 11, wherein said second bar (32) is provided with pressure-sensor means (36).

13. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or according to any one of claims 7 to 9, or according to claim 11, or according to claim 12, wherein said applying means (23, 30) for applying an adhesive substance is arranged upstream of said first folding and gluing means (19) and of said second folding and gluing means (28) with respect to the advancing direction of said conveyor (2).

14. Apparatus (1) according to claim 13, further comprising a third tool-equipped crosspiece (37) arranged upstream of the first tool-equipped crosspiece (19) and of the second tool-equipped crosspiece (28), with respect to the advancing direction of the conveyor (2), said third tool-equipped crosspiece (37) comprising an arm (38) that extends vertically downwards and is movable along said third tool-equipped crosspiece (37), in a direction that is transverse to the advancing direction of the conveyor (2), to a lower end of said arm (38) there being fixed an applying device (23) for applying an adhesive substance and a further applying device (30) for applying an adhesive substance.

15. Method for closing a package (3) having a substantially parallelpipedon shape, said package (3) comprising a cover (4) connected on one side (5) to a first side wall (6) of the package (3), and having on the other three sides a first flap (7), a second flap (9) and a third flap (10), said method comprising moving said package (3) along a conveying direction by means of a conveying device (2), folding said first flap (7) and gluing said first flap (7) to a second side wall (8) of said package (3) opposite said first side wall, further folding said second flap (9) and said third flap (10) and further gluing said second flap (9) and said third flap (10), respectively, to a front wall (11) and to a rear wall (12) of said package (3), characterised in that said further folding and said further gluing are conducted whilst said package (3) moves along said conveying device (2).

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein said second flap (9) and said third flap (10) are folded and glued substantially simultaneously.

17. Method according to claim 15, wherein said second flap (9) is folded and glued before said third flap (10) has been folded and glued.

Drawing