MXPA00002729A - Feeder mechanism and hopper for two different types of cartons - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for storing two different types of carton, and for selecting and transferring cartons (10, 30) to be packaged, which apparatus comprises a first hopper (58) for storing a first carton type, a second hopper (60) for storing a second carton type, carton engaging means incorporating means to provide a first position for engaging cartons from the first hopper and a different second position for engaging cartons from the second hopper and transfer means to transfer the cartons from its respective first or second hopper from the infeed end of a packaging machine.

Description

POWER AND HOPPER MECHANISM FOR TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARDBOARDS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the packaging of primary articles such as cans and bottles in multiple packaging cartons and more particularly relates to the feeding of such cartons in collapsed condition from a hopper and to start and then complete a card installation operation in sequence. Most of the known packing machines are delicate machines that build only one size of a type of cardboard. Therefore, modern bottling plants are required to use a plurality of packaging machines to pack different types of cardboard, each machine occupying a considerable floor space and being expensive to both buy and operate. A limited number of packaging machines are able to pack different sizes of cartons, for example six, eight or twelve packets of a cardboard wrap. All such machines require adjustments when they are changed from one size or type of cardboard to another. This adjustment includes the manual removal of the total of the cartons inside the packing machine and possibly the mechanical adjustment of the components in the machine. During this period of change, which can be thirty minutes or more, a machine can not be used (known as "unproductive time"), which is an expensive delay in a bottling plant. Such a delay may still result in unproductive time for the entire bottling line, not just the packing machine, if problems arise during the exchange procedure. The present invention seeks to overcome the trade disadvantages of known packaging machines by providing a feeder mechanism that is capable of installing more than one type of cardboard. In addition, the invention is capable of changing from one type of cardboard to another, or between sizes with minimal downtime. The modular nature of the present invention facilitates a "fully flexible" machine to be built with advantages, or at least mitigate, the problems of known machines. - The present invention can be used with a packaging machine described in a corresponding application (reference of Applicant D-7725). It is desirable that the present invention can be used in several other types of packaging machine. Alternatively, the arming mechanism of the present invention can be sold as an individual module to be adjusted to the new equipment or to existing equipment on a retrofit basis. One aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for storing two different types of cardboard, selecting and transferring cartons for packaging, the apparatuses comprising a first hopper for storing a first type of cardboard, a second hopper for storing a second type of cardboard, cardboard crimping and transfer means for transferring the cardboard from its respective first or second hoppers from the internal feed end of a packaging machine characterized in that the cardboard and transfer crimping means is rotatable about an axis fixed in an orbital path and in which the paperboard crimping means incorporate means to provide a first position for crimping cartons from the first hopper and a second position for crimping cartons from the second hopper, the first and second picking positions they are located at different points of the orbital trajectory. According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the apparatus may further comprise means for positioning one of the hoppers in an operative position and control means for selecting the position of the cardboard engaging means corresponding to the operating hopper. selected According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, means for placing one of the hoppers in an operative position may comprise a frame mounted to a second fixed shaft and wherein the first and second hoppers are mounted to the frame each hopper being opposite arranged around the second fixed axis. According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the operational hopper can be adjacent to the orbital path of the cardboard collection and transfer medium. According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the control means can control the hoppers to place them in operative and inoperative positions. A second aspect of the invention provides a method for selecting cartons fastened in the first or second hoppers and transferring the cartons to the internal feed end of a packaging machine whose method comprises the steps of selecting one of the hoppers to be operative, placing the Hopper in an operative position, place a cardboard crimp means to crimp a carton stored in the operative hopper and transfer the crimp carton to the inlet feed end. A third aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for storing two different types of cardboard, comprising a first hopper and a second hopper arranged in opposition about an axis fixed and rotatable between a first position whereby one of the first and second hoppers are in operative opposition and a second position by means of which the other of the first and second hoppers is in an operative position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE la is a side view of a basket-type carton supplied in a flat collapsed condition suitable for use with the machine according to the invention; FIGURE lb is a perspective view of a basket-like cardboard suitable for use with the machine according to the invention; FIGURE 2a is a perspective view of a completely closed cardboard template suitable for use with the machine according to the invention; FIGURE 2b is a perspective view of a reinforced and loaded carton of the type illustrated in Figure 2a; FIGURE 3 is a view. in perspective of the internal feeding of a baler machine illustrating the hopper unit and the feeding mechanism of a preferred embodiment of invention; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the packaging machine illustrated in Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the invention illustrating the hopper unit in a first position, FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the invention illustrating the hopper unit in a second position, FIGURE 7 is a view in perspective of the feeder assembly shown in Figure 3; and FIGURE 8 is an exploded view of the feeder assembly of Figure 7. A mechanism according to the present invention is capable of storing and feeding a variety of cardboard types, for example wrapping cartons, fully enclosed and of the type basket. Any reference in this specification to the type of cardboard includes different sizes of any particular cardboard style, for example fully closed cartons for eight or twelve items. With reference to the drawings, and in particular to the Figures 1 and lb thereof, the carton 10 is a basket-type conveyor shown in Figures lb in an installed condition ready to be lowered onto the articles. The cardboard 10 includes panels 12, 14 of opposite side walls and panels 16, 18 of opposite end walls hingedly connected one to the next. The carton further includes a handle structure 20 interconnecting the end wall panels 16, 18 and comprising transverse partition panels 22 interconnecting each side wall 12, 14. The base panels 24, 26 are hingedly connected to each side panel panel 12, 14 respectively. Referring now to Figure 2a and b of the drawn cartons 30 is a fully closed carton shown in Figure 2a in its flat collapsed form. The cardboard template includes panels 32, 34 of opposite side wall and panels 36, 38 of opposite end wall hingedly connected one to the next. The carton further comprises upper panels 40, 42 and base panels 44, 46 hingedly connected to the respective side walls 32, 34. The articles A are inserted into the cardboard from above or, as may be the case from below, and the upper base panels are then secured together to provide a completely closed cardboard. It is conceptualized that the cartons will vary depending on the configuration and / or quantity of items to be packaged and accordingly, a machine according to the present invention is adjustable in numerous respects in such a way that it can process a wide variety of such cartons. The main arrangements that are likely to be varied are shown in Figures la and 2a in which "H" is the total height of the installed cardboard equivalent to the distance between the upper end of the side wall and the base panel, "L" is the total length of the cardboard when the base panels have been closed.

With reference to Figures 3 to 4 of the drawings, a machine 50 for processing cartons of the type indicated in the foregoing is shown. The upstream end of the machine includes a dual hopper 52 in which a multiplicity of basket cartons 10, 30 and fully closed in a collapsed condition are fastened ready for the process. A feeder 54 of the type referred to in the corresponding application (References D-7723 of the Applicant) and a rotary vacuum feeder 55 are located adjacent to the dual hopper 52. A paper feed chain 56 is provided to transfer cartons downstream to the loading station 57. The hopper unit 52 comprises two or more hoppers 58, "60 separated at adjacent positions described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 through 6. Each hopper 58, 60 is mounted on a frame 62, as shown in Figure 3. The frame 62 is mounted on a main arrow 64 that can be rotated about the axis X-X shown in Figure 5. Each hopper 58, 60 is a type of gravity feed whereby the cardboard templates are held in their respective hoppers in an inclination to provide a positive feed It is conceptualized that the hopper unit may comprise more hoppers adapted to receive different types or sizes of cardboard that are preferably located around the rotary feeder described hereinafter. If the template is transferred from the inclined position to a vertical plane, it is necessary to deflect the axis of rotation of the rotary feeder 55 from the vertical plane, as illustrated FIG. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) is used to rotate the frame 62 between two positions: the first position, as shown in FIG. 5, with first hoppers 58 located in an operative position ready to hold the cartons 30 completely closed in the first hopper 58 to be fed into the packing machine. Figure 6 illustrates the frame 62 in a second position with the second hopper 60, contact is made with the basket-type cartons 10 in an operative position. Each hopper 58, 60 includes spaced support member 61, 63 respectively, for holding the cartons in a flat collapsed condition. The support members 61, 63 are fully adjustable to support different sizes and types of cardboard. The position of the hopper is controlled by a control system described in the corresponding application (reference D-7725 of the Applicant). The construction of the rotary feeder 55 is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. The feeder mechanism 55 according to this invention includes a main arrow 70 rotatable about a fixed axis. The arrow 70 is generally supported at its end by a bearing structure 71, 73 but which is conventional and which is mounted to a side frame 72. The suitable drive mechanism, such as a servomotor 74 is provided to the rotating shaft. In order to remove the most collapsed lower carton from the hopper unit, a picking device 68 is provided including cardboard engaging means, for example suction cups 80 which are supported on cup holders and a frame 82 and 84 respectively. The frames 84 of the cup holder are preferably mounted in a fixed manner respectively on an elongated support rod 86 which is slidable and effectively mounted on a collar structure 88. The collar structure 88 is preferably rigidly secured to the main rotatable arrow 70. The frames 84 are mounted on cam rods 76 extending to the side frame 72 housing a cam track 78 described hereinafter. As illustrated from Figure 7, in this embodiment, there are 3 sets of card collecting device 67, 68, 69 provided in association with the main rotatable arrow 70. Only one set of such devices such as those indicated at 68 are described in detail because the three sets of collection devices are of the same construction operating in an identical manner. Figure 8 serves to illustrate an exploded view of the internal components of the side frame 72 of the rotary vacuum feeder. In this embodiment a fixed cam plate 77 is mounted on the inner surface of the side frame 72 and is provided with an opening 79 through which the actuating arrow 70 extends. A cam track 78 is formed on the cam plate 77 with cam followers (not shown) disposed within the cam track 78. The purpose of the cam track 78 is to facilitate the cam rods 76 to be extended away from the main arrow 70 so that the suckers come into contact with the cartons so they remove one of the cartons from the operational hopper 58 and to rotate the paperboard in a uniform path to the paper feed chain 56. When the paper is rotated from its hopper 58, a feeder 54 is used to separate the opposite side panels and to aid in the assembly of the carton. A vacuum interruption 90 is provided in the feeder mechanism 55 which is used in conjunction with a vacuum supply to establish the vacuum connection and cutoff points, described in the following. In use, the hopper unit is located in such a way that one of the hoppers is in an operative position, for example, the first hopper 58. Thereafter, the cartons are continuously and sequentially fed from the hopper 52 to the supply chain 56 of paper by means of the main arrow 70 which rotates the collection device 68 in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in Figure 5. When the collection devices 67, 68, 69 rotate, the hoppers 82 extend to be moved in contact with a side wall 32 of the carton 30 by the trajectory of the cam track. A vacuum is then applied to the suction cup set 80. In this way, the cardboard 30 is removed and then transferred to the paper feed chain 56. The vacuum is maintained during this transfer stage in such a way that the suckers 80 hold the cardboard wall 30. When the paperboard is deposited in the paper feed chain 56 the vacuum break 90 disconnects the vacuum supply from the cups to release the paperboard. If you want to pack a different type of cardboard, for example 'a carton 10 of the basket type held in the second hopper, a number of adjustments are made to the machine, the second hopper 60 is rotated by the pneumatic cylinder around the arrow 64 and placed in an operative position and hopper 58 corresponding moves to a non-operational position. When the position of the second hopper 60 in relation to the rotary feeder 55 is different from the first hopper 58, it is necessary to move the collection point 91 (or cardboard crimp) of the suction cups shown in Figure 8 and to alter the positions of "on" and "off" of the vacuum supply. These changes are carried out by moving the cam track 78 and / or the vacuum interrupters 90 controlling the supply of a vacuum to a second position. Suitable drive means, for example, a servomotor 92 controlled by the control system moves these sub-assemblies between the two positions. It is preferred to include a third position for the vacuum supply: this position being "established by default" by means of which the vacuum supply is disconnected through the rotation of the suckers 80. The default position is adopted during the change of cardboard or if there is a fault in the machine. According to this invention, the speed of operation of the apparatus is improved as well as its efficiency and durability when the cardboard moves from a collapsed position to a fully installed position. Of course, the final installed operation is due in part to the crimping with a feeder and a corner of the carton with the stops which then affect the complete and final installation of a carton while being held by the suction cup. While the preferred embodiment described herein is for loading bottles into cartons, it will be recognized that the invention is not limited to bottle cartons. The invention can be used with machines for packing cans, cardboard "partitions" and other containers in cartons. In addition, while the preferred embodiment described herein is shown as a part of a machine for loading containers into a vertically loaded liner type carton, the invention is not limited to cartons of this type. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the invention can be used with wrapping or extreme loading cartons. It will be understood that the hopper and feeder mechanism of the invention has been illustrated with reference to a specific embodiment and that numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. The hopper and feeder mechanism is capable of processing cartons comprising numerous configurations of the article groups that cover a range of size and configuration of cardboard, for example, four, six, eight and twelve bottles without unduly wasting the time in adjusting the mechanism.

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for storing two different types of cardboard, and for selecting and transferring cartons to be packed, which apparatus comprises a first hopper for storing a first type of cardboard, a second hopper for storing a second type of cardboard, crimping of cardboard and transfer means for transferring the cardboard of its respective first or second hopper from the input feeding end of the packaging machine characterized in that the means for crimping and transferring cardboard is rotatable about an axis fixed in a path orbital and in which the crimping means incorporate means for providing a first position for crimping boards of the first hopper and a second position for crimping cartons of the second hopper, the first and second collection positions are located at different points in the orbit trajectory.
2. 2. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises means for placing one of the hoppers in an operative position and control means for selecting the position of the paperboard crimping means corresponding to the selected operational hopper.
3. 3. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the means for placing one of the hoppers in an operative position comprises a frame mounted to a second fixed shaft and wherein the first and second hoppers are mounted to the frame each hopper being arranged oppositely around the second fixed shaft.
4. The apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the operative hopper is adjacent to the orbital path of the cardboard collecting and transferring means.
5. The apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the control means controls the hoppers to place them in operative and inoperative positions.
6. 6. A method for selecting cartons attached to the first or second hoppers and transferring such-cartons to the input feeding end of a packaging machine whose method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of selecting one of the hoppers to be operative, placing the Hopper in an operative position, place a cardboard crimp means to crimp a carton stored in the operative hopper and transfer the crimp carton to the inlet feed end.
7. 7. An apparatus for storing two different types of cardboard, characterized in that it comprises a first hopper and a second hopper arranged opposite one another around a fixed axis and rotatable between a first position by means of which one of the first and second hoppers is in a operative position and a second position by means of which the other of the first and second hoppers is in an operative position.