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EP 1 647 485 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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13.06.2007 Bulletin 2007/24 |
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Date of filing: 20.09.2005 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Machine for boxing objects in groups
Maschine zum gruppenweisen Kartonieren von Gegenständen
Machine de mise en boîte d'un groupe d'articles
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE
SI SK TR |
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Priority: |
15.10.2004 IT RE20040130
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Date of publication of application: |
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19.04.2006 Bulletin 2006/16 |
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Proprietor: Bema - S.r.l. |
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42030 Viano (RE) (IT) |
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Inventor: |
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- Murarotto, Emilio
c/o Bema - S.r.l.
42030 Viano (Reggio Emilia) (IT)
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Representative: Corradini, Corrado et al |
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Ing. C. Corradini & C. S.R.L.
Via Dante Alighieri 4 I-42100 Reggio Emilia I-42100 Reggio Emilia (IT) |
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References cited: :
DE-A1- 3 906 635 GB-A- 1 375 703
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FR-A- 2 303 715 US-A- 5 239 807
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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).
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[0001] The present invention concerns a machine and a method for arranging groups of objects
in boxes comprising a support means for at least one box suitable for receiving the
group of objects and a feeding means of the objects that one wishes to insert into
the box, according to the preamble of claim 1 and claim 7, respectively (
GB-A-1375703).
[0002] A purpose of the invention is, generally speaking, to make a machine having a relatively
high operative rhythm. A typical and advantageous application of the invention is
to box packets containing fluid material and having a yielding consistency, having
an upper sealing edge, which is more or less flat. Indeed, machines for boxing packets
filled with fluid, having yielding consistency and unreliable stability, are not known;
this operation is currently carried out manually.
[0003] Therefore, with reference to this particular application, a purpose of the present
invention is to make a machine capable of manipulating such types of objects.
[0004] This and other purposes are accomplished by the invention in object as characterised
in the claims.
[0005] According to the invention, the manipulating devices operate to carry out transfer
cycles that are staggered one with respect to the other so that while a manipulating
device operates a cycle step, the other device operates a different cycle step.
[0006] In particular, said manipulating devices each comprise at least one gripping member
suitable for taking at least one object at a time and means suitable for moving said
gripping member from the feeding means to the box to carry out said transfer cycle,
the gripping member of each manipulating device being mobile in a respective space
separated from the space of the gripping member of the other manipulating device by
an axial vertical plane. The support means is suitable for transferring the box alternatively
from the space in which a gripping member operates to the space in which the other
gripping member operates.
[0007] Thanks to such characteristics, the gripping member of each manipulating device can
operate at the same time as that of the other manipulating device, without interfering
with the movements thereof, but rather working in coordination with it.
[0008] Generally speaking, the result is that the machine is capable of operating with much
higher speeds compared to conventional machines.
[0009] Also, in the case in which one operates on yielding packets filled with fluid, the
result is, indeed, that it becomes possible to box such objects with a machine.
[0010] The operating speed is in any case very high; to box yielding packets filled with
fluid, of a weight of 1 kg, it is possible to reach 14-15 boxing cycles per minute.
[0011] The invention is outlined in detail hereafter with the help of the attached figures
that illustrate an embodiment thereof, as an example and not for limiting purposes.
FIG. 1 is a front vertical elevation view of the machine.
FIG. 1A is an enlarged detail of Fig. 1.
FIG. 2 is a side vertical elevation view of Fig. 1.
FIG. 2A is an enlarged detail of Fig. 2.
FIG. 3 is a plan view from above of Fig. 1.
FIG. 3A is an enlarged detail of Fig. 3.
FIG. 4 shows an example of a packet that is treated with the machine of Fig. 1.
FIG. 4a shows an example of an arrangement of a group of packets boxed with the machine
of Fig. 1.
[0012] An example of an object that is treated with the machine according to the invention
is illustrated in Fig. 4. This object is a soft packet 9, in particular formed with
a film of polymeric material, filled with a fluid substance, typically food; the object
has a general yielding consistency to the point that it is not sufficiently self-supporting,
and its ability to keep stable and upright is clearly insufficient. Its general shape
is roughly a prism with a rectangular base and tapered towards the top, where it ends
with a flat sealing upper edge 91.
[0013] Such packets 9 advantageously lend themselves to being boxed in the way illustrated
in Fig. 4A: a lower layer of packets is placed, laid down flat, with the upper edge
91 facing in one direction (towards the left in the figure) and above it a second
layer is arranged, laid down flat, with the upper edge 91 facing in the opposite direction
(towards the right); in such a way one proceeds by depositing a desired number of
layers until the box 8 (shown as transparent in Fig. 4A) is filled. A particularly
rational pile of packets is obtained that completely exploits the volume of the box
8.
[0014] The machine comprises a support means 10 suitable for supporting at least one box
8 (in particular two boxes 8 in the figures) suitable for receiving the group of packets
9 and a feeding means 20 that carries the packets 9 near to the box to be filled.
[0015] According to the invention a pair of manipulating devices 30A and 30B is foreseen,
each suitable for operating according to transfer cycles with which it picks up at
least one packet 9 at a time from the feeding means 20 and arranges it in the box
8 placed on the support means 10.
[0016] Each manipulating device comprises at least one gripping member 31 suitable for taking
at least one packet 31 from the feeding means 20 to the box 8 to carry out said transfer
cycle.
[0017] The gripping member 31 of each manipulating device 30A, 30B is mobile in a respective
space separated from the space of the gripping member 31 of the other manipulating
device by an axial vertical plane P. More specifically, the gripping member 31 of
the manipulating device 30A moves within a space Sa whereas the gripping member 31
of the manipulating device 30B moves within a space Sb that is separated from the
space Sb through the vertical (ideal) plane P, in particular passing through the axis
of the feeding device 20.
[0018] In greater detail, each gripping member 31 comprises at least one group of suction
cups 32 connected with a suction means (not illustrated in the figures) suitable for
gripping, by suction action, at least one packet at a time, in particular being rested
against its side wall 92. The gripping member 31 is fixed to the end of an arm 33
supported by a frame 34, to which it is firmly attached with the possibility of oscillation
through a pin 35 with horizontal and longitudinal axis. A jack 36, firmly attached
to the frame 34, acts upon the arm 33 producing the desired oscillation of the gripping
member 31.
[0019] For its part, the frame 34 is supported by a trolley 37 that is able to slide along
a vertical column 38 arranged at the side of the space Sa, Sb. The frame 34 is firmly
attached to the trolley 37 with the possibility of oscillation, through a pin 39 with
horizontal and longitudinal axis arranged at the end of an arm 41 fixed canti-levered
to the trolley 37. A jack 42, firmly attached to the trolley 37, acts upon the frame
34 producing the desired oscillation thereof about the axis of the pin 39.
[0020] The trolley 37 can slide with translation movement in the vertical direction, actuated
by a chain in turn actuated by a motor 44.
[0021] The gripping member 31 therefore has three degrees of freedom with which it is able
to carry out a transfer cycle of the packet where:
- a) initially, through the suction cups 32, it grips at least one packet 9 held arranged
vertically by the feeding means 20 at the plane P (this position is indicated with
A in Fig. 1A, where the gripping member is indicated with 31a and the packet with
9a),
- b) it detaches the packet from the feeding means 20 (which for its part lets go, as
specified below) and takes it away sideways from the plane P after rotation of the
frame 34 about the pin 39,
- c) it rotates (more or less simultaneously) the packet 9 to arrange it lying substantially
horizontally, after rotation of the arm 33 about the axis of the pin 35 (this position
is indicated with C in Fig. 1A, where the gripping member is indicated with 31c and
the packet with 9c) ,
- d) it transfers the packet downwards until it is deposited in the box 8 placed on
the support means 10, after vertical translation of the trolley 37 along the column
(this position is indicated with D in Fig. 1A, where the gripping member is indicated
with 31d and the packet with 9d),
- e) it roughly repeats the described movements in reverse so as to go back into the
initial position of the cycle.
[0022] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, each manipulating device 30A, 30B comprises
two gripping members 31 arranged side-by-side and aligned and acting simultaneously
and each member 31 is suitable for taking and moving three packets 9. Therefore, two
axially aligned boxes 8 are loaded, in each of which three columns of packets 9 are
formed.
[0023] According to the invention, the manipulating device 30A and 30B are actuated in a
substantially uninterrupted manner, and each of them operates so as to carry out the
described transfer cycles that are staggered with respect to the other device.
[0024] For example, whereas the device 30A is in a gripping step of the packet 9 carried
by the means 20 (step a)), the device 30B transfers the packet downwards and places
it in the box below (step d)), and vice-versa.
[0025] According to the invention, said support means 10 is suitable for transferring the
box alternatively from the space Sa in which the gripping member 31 of a manipulating
device 30A operates to the space Sb in which the gripping member 31 of the other manipulating
device 30B operates, and vice-versa.
[0026] In particular, the support means 10 comprises a conveyor belt 11, arranged in the
lower part of the spaces Sa and
[0027] Sb, having a sufficient length to contain the desired number of boxes resting there
that are filled simultaneously, arranged with its longitudinal axis horizontal and
parallel to the axis of the feeding means 20. The conveyor belt 11 is slidably supported
by two fixed rails 12, horizontal and transversal, through which it can translate
in the transversal direction. Suitable moving members take care of alternatively moving
the conveyor belt 11 and with it the box 8 (two boxes in the figures) from the space
Sa to the space Sb and vice-versa, in two extreme positions arranged symmetrically
with respect to the vertical plane P.
[0028] The alternative transfer in a transversal and horizontal direction of the box 8,
arranged on the conveyor belt 11, is carried out in synchrony with the transfer cycles
operated by the gripping members 31 so that the box 8 is, in every cycle, below the
member that at that moment is setting down the packet 9 so as to be able to receive
that packet.
[0029] The described manipulating device 30A and 30B have components arranged symmetrically
with respect to the vertical plane P; thanks to this the rotation of the packet operated
by a gripping member 31 to make it lie down horizontally (step c)) takes place in
two opposite directions in the two manipulating devices, with the result that the
packets operated upon by the manipulating device 30A, arranged to the left, are arranged
in the box 8, with the upper edge 91 facing to the right, and vice-versa in the packets
operated upon by the manipulating device 30B, arranged to the right; the result is
that the packets are arranged in the box 8 with the arrangement illustrated in Fig.
4A, just as desired.
[0030] In the case in which, as illustrated in the figures, the object to be boxed is a
soft packet filled with fluid material (as described above and illustrated in Fig.
4), the feeding means 20 comprises a final conveyor belt 21c having two motorised
belts 22, opposite and mobile in harmony, which clasp the packets 9 close to the upper
edge 91.
[0031] The extreme portion upstream of the conveyor 21a has two symmetrically oscillating
branches 24, suitable for moving away to receive the packets 9 that are taken into
that position by the dispensing machine of the packets themselves (indicated with
50 and schematically illustrated in the figures) and suitable for then moving closer
to squeeze and hold such packets 9. The movement of such branches 24 is actuated through
a linkage 241, actuated by a jack (not illustrated in the figures), which moves the
two front end pulleys 243 of the conveyor 21a. In Fig. 3A, the separated position
of the two pulleys 243 is indicated with a solid line and the close together position
is indicated with a broken line.
[0032] Downstream of the conveyor 21a and upstream of the conveyor 21c an intermediate conveyor
21b is arranged, also formed from two motorised belts 25, opposite and mobile in harmony,
which clasp the packets 9 close to the upper edge 91.
[0033] In operation, the first conveyor belt 21a takes care of picking up the packets 9
from a dispensing machine (for example the filling machine).
[0034] The next conveyor belt 21b takes care of arranging the packets that it receives from
the conveyor 21a at the correct distance (pitch), in particular adjacent to each other.
[0035] The final conveyor belt 21c takes care of taking the packets to the action zones
Sa and Sb of the manipulating device 30A and 30B.
[0036] Here, as soon as the packets have been gripped by the gripping members 31, the two
branches of the belts 21c are moved apart (through a compound lever actuated by a
pneumatic jack, not illustrated in the figures) and the packets themselves are released
by the gripping members 31 and, with a succession of transfer cycles produced alternatively
by one device 30A and by the other 30B whilst the box 8 moves alternatively and in
synchrony between one space Sa and the other Sb, they are dropped down according to
predetermined groups, inside the box 8. When a box 8 is completed (or a group of two
boxes as illustrated in the figures, or a group of more boxes) it is taken away by
the line and other empty boxes are placed on the support means 10.
[0037] Of course, numerous practical-application modifications can be made to the invention
in object, without for this reason departing from the scope of the inventive idea
as claimed below.
1. Machine for boxing objects in groups, comprising a support means (10) for at least
one box suitable for receiving the group of objects and a feeding means (20) of the
objects, comprising a pair of manipulating devices (30A, 30B) each suitable for operating
according to transfer cycles with which it picks up at least one object at a time
from the feeding means (20) and arranges it in the box, said manipulating devices
(30A, 30B) being actuated in a substantially uninterrupted manner, characterised in that the manipulating devices (30A, 30B) operate to carry out transfer cycles that are
staggered one with respect to the other so that while a manipulating device (30A,
30B) operates a cycle step, the other device (30B, 30A) operates a different cycle
step.
2. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that said manipulating devices (30A, 30B) each comprise at least one gripping member (31)
suitable for taking at least one object at a time and means suitable for moving said
gripping member (31) from the feeding means (20) up to the box to carry out said transfer
cycle, the gripping member (31) of each manipulating device (30A, 30B) being mobile
in a respective space separated from the space of the gripping member of the other
manipulating device (30A, 30B) by an axial vertical plane (P).
3. Machine according to claim 2, characterised in that said support means (10) is suitable for transferring the box alternatively from the
space (Sa) in which the gripping member (31) of one manipulating device (30A) operates
to the space (Sb) in which the gripping member (31) of the other manipulating device
(30B) operates, and vice-versa.
4. Machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the alternative transfer in the transversal and horizontal direction of the box (8),
operated by the support means (10), is carried out in synchrony with the transfer
cycles operated by the gripping members (31) so that the box (8) is, at every cycle,
under the member (31) that at that moment is setting down the packet (9) so as to
be able to receive such a packet.
5. Machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the manipulating devices (30A, 30B) have components arranged symmetrically with respect
to the vertical plane (P).
6. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the feeding means (20) comprises a conveyor belt having two belts, opposite and mobile
in harmony, which clasp the upper edge of the object.
7. Method for boxing objects in groups, using a machine comprising: a support means (10)
for at least one box suitable for receiving the group of objects; a feeding means
(20) of the objects, and a pair of manipulating devices (30A, 30B),
each manipulating device (30A, 30B) operating according to transfer cycles with which
it picks up at least one object at a time from the feeding means (20) and arranges
it in the box, said manipulating devices (30A, 30B) being actuated in a substantially
uninterrupted manner, characterised in that said manipulating devices operate to carry out transfer cycles that are staggered
one with respect to the other so that while a manipulating device (30A, 30B) operates
a cycle step, the other device (30B, 30A) operates a different cycle step.
1. Maschine zur gruppenförmigen Anordnung von Gegenständen in Boxen, die eine Trägereinrichtung
(10) für mindestens eine Box, die zur Aufnahme der Gruppe von Gegenständen geeignet
ist, und eine Zufuhreinrichtung (20) der Gegenstände umfasst, die ein Paar von Handhabungsvorrichtungen
(30A,30B) umfasst, die jeweils zum Betrieb gemäß Übertragungszyklen geeignet sind,
womit sie mindestens einen Gegenstand auf einmal von der Zufuhreinrichtung (20) aufnimmt
und ihn in der Box anordnet, wobei die Handhabungsvorrichtungen (30A,30B) auf im Wesentlichen
ununterbrochene Art und Weise betätigt werden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet , dass
die Handhabungsvorrichtungen (30A,30B) arbeiten um Übertragungszyklen auszuführen,
die im Verhältnis zueinander versetzt sind, so dass, während die Handhabungsvorrichtung
(30A,30B) einen Zyklusschritt ausführt, die andere Vorrichtung (30B, 30A) einen anderen
Zyklusschritt ausführt.
2. Maschine nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet , dass
die Handhabungsvorrichtungen (30A,30B) jeweils mindestens ein Greifelement (31), welches
zum Aufnehmen mindestens eines Gegenstandes auf einmal in der Lage ist, und Einrichtungen
umfassen, die in der Lage sind, das Greifelement (31) von der Zufuhreinrichtung (20)
nach oben zu der Box zu bewegen, um den Übertragungszyklus auszuführen, wobei das
Greifelement (31) einer jeden Handhabungsvorrichtung (30A,30B) in einem jeweiligen
Raum bewegbar ist, der von dem Raum des Greifelementes der anderen Handhabungsvorrichtung
(30A,30B) durch eine axiale Vertikalebene (P) getrennt ist.
3. Maschine nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet , dass
die Trägereinrichtung (10) zur Übertragung der Box alternativ von dem Raum (Sa) in
der Lage ist, indem das Greifelement (31) einer Handhabungsvorrichtung (30A) zu dem
Raum (Sb) hinarbeitet, in dem das Greifelement (31) der anderen Handhabungsvorrichtung
(30B) arbeitet, und umgekehrt.
4. Maschine nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet , dass
die alternative Übertragung in der transversalen und horizontalen Richtung der Box
(8), die durch die Trägereinrichtung (10) ausgeführt wird, in Synchronisation mit
den durch die Greifelemente (31) ausgeführten Übertragungszyklen ausgeführt wird,
so dass sich die Box bei jedem Zyklus unter dem Element (31) befindet, welches in
dem Moment das Paket (9) absetzt, um zum Empfangen eines solchen Paketes in der Lage
zu sein.
5. Maschine nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet , dass
die Handhabungsvorrichtungen (30A,30B) symmetrisch im Verhältnis zu der Vertikalebene
(P) angeordnete Komponenten umfassen.
6. Maschine nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet , dass
die Zufuhreinrichtung (20) ein Förderband mit zwei Riemen umfasst, die einander gegenüberliegend
und harmonisiert bewegbar sind, welche die Oberkante des Gegenstandes umklammern.
7. Verfahren zur gruppenförmigen Anordnung von Gegenständen in Boxen unter Verwendung
einer Maschine, die Folgendes umfasst: eine Trägereinrichtung (10) für mindestens
eine Box, die zur Aufnahme der Gruppe von Gegenständen geeignet ist; eine Zufuhreinrichtung
(20) der Gegenstände und ein Paar von Handhabungsvorrichtungen (30A, 30B), wobei jede
Handhabungsvorrichtung (30A,30B) gemäß Übertragungszyklen arbeitet, womit sie mindestens
einen Gegenstand auf einmal von der Zufuhreinrichtung (20) aufnimmt und ihn in der
Box anordnet, wobei die Handhabungsvorrichtungen (30A, 30B) auf im Wesentlichen ununterbrochene
Art und Weise betätigt werden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet , dass
die Handhabungsvorrichtungen (30A,30B) arbeiten, um Übertragungszyklen auszuführen,
die im Verhältnis zueinander versetzt sind, so dass, während die Handhabungsvorrichtung
(30A,30B) einen Zyklusschritt ausführt, die andere Vorrichtung (30B,30A) einen anderen
Zyklusschritt ausführt.
1. Machine de rangement d'objets par groupe dans des boîtes, comprenant un dispositif
de support (10) d'au moins une boîte convenant au logement du groupe d'objets et un
dispositif (20) d'alimentation en objets, comportant une paire de dispositifs de manipulation
(30A, 30B) pouvant chacun fonctionner dans des cycles de transfert au cours desquels
il prélève au moins un objet à la fois depuis le dispositif d'alimentation (20) et
le range dans la boîte, les dispositifs de manipulation (30A, 30B) étant manoeuvrés
de manière pratiquement ininterrompue, caractérisée en ce que les dispositifs de manipulation (30A, 30B) fonctionnent pour l'exécution de cycles
de transfert qui sont décalés l'un par rapport à l'autre afin que, lorsqu'un dispositif
de manipulation (30A, 30B) exécute une étape d'un cycle, l'autre dispositif (30B,
30A) effectue une étape différente du cycle.
2. Machine selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les dispositifs de manipulation (30A, 30B) comprennent chacun au moins un organe
de saisie (31) convenant à la prise d'au moins un objet à la fois et un dispositif
qui convient au déplacement de l'organe de saisie (31) du dispositif d'alimentation
(20) jusqu'à la boîte pour l'exécution du cycle de transfert, l'organe de saisie (31)
de chaque dispositif de manipulation (30A, 30B) étant mobile dans un espace respectif
séparé de l'espace de l'organe de saisie de l'autre dispositif de manipulation (30A,
30B) par un plan vertical axial (P).
3. Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de support (10) convient au transfert de la boîte alternativement depuis
l'espace (Sa) dans lequel l'organe de saisie (31) d'un premier dispositif de manipulation
(30A) fonctionne vers l'espace (Sb) dans lequel l'organe de saisie (31) de l'autre
dispositif de manipulation (30B) fonctionne, et inversement.
4. Machine selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que le transfert alternatif en directions transversale et horizontale de la boîte (8),
effectué par le dispositif de support (10), est exécuté en synchronisme avec les cycles
de transfert exécutés par les organes de saisie (31) afin que la boîte (8) se trouve,
à chaque cycle, au-dessous de l'organe (31) qui, à ce moment, met en place le paquet
(9) en le descendant, afin qu'il puisse loger ce paquet.
5. Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que les dispositifs de manipulation (30A, 30B) comportent des éléments constituants disposés
symétriquement par rapport au plan vertical (P).
6. Machine selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif d'alimentation (20) comporte une courroie transporteuse ayant deux
courroies opposées et mobiles en harmonie, qui serrent le bord supérieur de l'objet.
7. Procédé de mise en boîte d'objets par groupe, à l'aide d'une machine qui comprend
un dispositif de support (10) d'au moins une boîte convenant au logement du groupe
d'objets, un dispositif de manipulation (20) des objets, et une paire de dispositifs
de manipulation (30A, 30B),
chaque dispositif de manipulation (30A, 30B) fonctionnant suivant des cycles de transfert
dans lesquels il prélève au moins un objet à la fois du dispositif d'alimentation
(20) et le place dans la boîte, les dispositifs de manipulation (30A, 30B) étant manoeuvrés
de manière pratiquement ininterrompue, caractérisé en ce que les dispositifs de manipulation fonctionnent pour exécuter des cycles de transfert
qui sont décalés l'un par rapport à l'autre si bien que, pendant qu'un dispositif
de manipulation (30A, 30B) exécute une étape d'un cycle, l'autre dispositif (30B,
30A) exécute une étape différente du cycle.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description