EP3912920A1

EP3912920A1 - A collecting system for picking up cardboard die-cut blanks from a store

Info

Publication number: EP3912920A1
Application number: EP21174260.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maurizio Ceci
Original assignee: Tiber Pack SpA
Current assignee: Tiber Pack SpA
Priority date: 2020-05-20
Filing date: 2021-05-18
Publication date: 2021-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2041-05-18
Also published as: IT202000011656A1; EP3912920B1; ES2969276T3

Abstract

The collecting system (100) of cardboard die-cut blanks (F), comprises: a gripping device (1), for gripping a die-cut blank (F) from a store and transport means (2), having seats (S) for receiving the die-cut blank (F). The transport means (2) comprises a first conveyor means (21) and a second conveyor means (22) which is movable towards and away from the first conveyor means (21). The gripping device (1) comprises: a first arm (11) and a second arm (12), activatable in rotation about a rotation shaft (10) and having relative suction gripping elements for picking up a die-cut blank from the store and for releasing the die-cut blank into a seat of the transport means (2). The second arm (12) is translatable with respect to the first arm (11) and connecting means (5) are comprised between the second arm (12) and the second conveyor means (22) and are configured so that the second arm (12) can be activatable in rotation about the rotation shaft (10) and, further, can be translated longitudinally with respect to the rotation shaft (10) in nearing or moving away from the first arm (11), when the second conveyor means (22) is movable in nearing or moving away from the first conveyor means (21).

Description

The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning the packaging of products internally of cardboard boxes which are opened out starting from flat die-cut blanks of cardboard, which are stored, stacked one flanked to another, in a substantially vertical or inclined configuration inside a relative store.
In particular, the present invention relates to a collecting system for picking up cardboard die-cut blanks from a store.
The cardboard die-cut blanks to be used for realising packaging boxes or crates are stored and kept in stores, from which they then have to be collected to be transferred to a transporter.
The cardboard die-cut blanks are sized according to the dimensions of the boxes to be formed, and comprise a series of longitudinal and transversal fold lines (score lines) which define among themselves a series of portions which, when the die-cut blank is folded about the fold lines, will define the lateral walls, the base wall, and the upper closing wall of the box.
For example, the die-cut blank comprises a central portion, comprised between the two longitudinal fold lines and two transversal fold lines, which will constitute the base wall of the box, once the die-cut blank has been fold about the various fold lines.
This central portion usually has a polygonal shape, for example rectangular or square.
Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a collecting system (SN) of the prior art which carries out the picking up of die-cut blanks (F) from a store (M) (not illustrated in detail), in which the die-cut blanks (F) are stored one flanking another to form a stack of die-cut blanks which is substantially arranged vertically, or with an inclination with respect to the vertical.
Figure 1A, for example, shows the stack of die-cut blanks (F) present in the store (M) with the outermost first die-cut element (F1) of the stack of die-cut blanks (F), which is to be collected, and in which the relative central portion (FC) can be observed.
The known collecting system (SN) comprises a gripping device (D) and a conveyor means (T) which is provided with seats (S) in which a die-cut blank (F) is to be positioned with the relative central portion (FC) arranged between the seats (S). The conveyor means (T) comprises a first loop-wound conveyor means (C1) and a second loop-wound conveyor means (C2), both borne by the frame (V) and arranged parallel to one another.
The second conveyor means (C2) is mounted on the frame (V) in such a way as to be movable in nearing or moving away from the first conveyor means (C1), as a function of the size of the die-cut blanks, for example as a function of the length of the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blanks (F).
Abutment elements (RS) are arranged on the two conveyor means (C1, C2), known as "flights" distanced with respect to one another to define, between them the seats (S) for receiving the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blanks (F), carrying out a folding of the portions (FA, FB) of the die-cut blanks (F) which are lateral and contiguous to the central portion (FC), about the fold lines with which the lateral portions (FA, FB) are connected to the central portion (FC).
The distance between the abutment elements (RS) can be varied and adjusted to vary the width of the seats (S) in correspondence with a size change of the die-cut blanks (F), in relation to the width of the central portion (FC) of the new size of the die-cut blanks.
For example, in this regard, the transporter (T) can be realised in such a way that the first conveyor means (C1) comprises a first pair of chains (C11, C12) loop-wound and parallel to one another on relative activation wheels or pulleys (P1) borne by the frame (V), and the second conveyor means (C2) comprises a second pair of chains (C21, C22) loop-wound and parallel to one another on relative activation wheels or pulleys (P2) borne by the frame (V).
In particular, each pair of chains (C11, C12; C21', C22') comprises a first loop-wound chain (C11, C21), with relative abutment elements (RS) that are distanced from one another by a prefixed distance, and a second loop-wound chain (C12, C22) adjacent and parallel to the first chain (C11, C21), with relative abutment elements (RS) distanced from one another, for example by the same prefixed distance, as described above.
Each pair of chains (C11, C12; C21', C22') is made in such a way that the timing between the first chain (C11, C21) and the second chain (C12, C22) can be changed and regulated to vary the reciprocal position of the relative abutment elements (RS) in order to be able to vary the width of the seat (S) (distance between flights) to suit the possible size change of the die-cut blanks (F), i.e. to the change of the width of the central portion (FC).
In this regard, for the size change of the die-cut blanks, as previously mentioned, the conveyor means (T) is realised in such a way that the first pair of chains (C11, C12) of the first conveyor means (C1) is fixed with respect to the frame (V), in the sense that the relative chains (C11, C12) are always located at a reference vertical plane, or fixed "line" of the collecting system, and the second pair of chains (C21, C22) is instead movable with respect to the frame (V) in a transversal direction with respect to the first pair (C11, C12) of chains in such a way that the relative reciprocal distance can be varied, between a minimum reciprocal distance and a maximum reciprocal distance (in substance the second pair of chains is on a movable vertical plane, which constitutes the movable "line" of the collecting system).
This enables suiting the position of the second pair of chains (C21, C22), and thus the length of the seat (S) as a function of the size of the die-cut blanks, in particular the length of the central portion thereof (FC).
The gripping device (D) of the collecting system (SN) of the prior art comprises a movable frame (DT) which is hinged to a fixed frame (DF) about an axis of rotation (DR), for example horizontal and arranged transversally to the conveyor means (T), and which bears a gripping element (PR) comprising two arms (DB), parallel to one another, on which suction gripping cups (DV) are arranged, working by aspiration (depression).
The gripping device (D) is arranged and configured in such a way that the movable frame (DT) is activatable in rotation about the relative axis of rotation (DR) in such a way as to be positionable in a first raised position (PS), in which the suction gripping cups (DV) of the two arms (DB) are in contact with the central portion (FC) of the first outer die-cut element (F1) of the die-cut blanks (F) present in the store (M), in order to grip by suction the first die-cut element (F1) (see figure 1B), and a lowered position (PA) in which the two arms (DB) are arranged between the two pairs of chains (C11, C12; C21', C22') of the conveyor means (T), in order to position the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blank (F1) between the abutment elements (RS), so that the contiguous portions (FA, FB) to the central portion (F1) can be folded with respect to the central portion (FC) (see figure 1A).
Having reached the lowered position, the suction action of the suction gripping cups (DV) is stopped, in order to release the die-cut blank (F1), and enable the conveyor means (T) to move the die-cut blank (F1) thus-folded towards a subsequent operating station for forming the box with a possible contemporary or subsequent filling.
This collecting system of known type has some drawbacks.
In the case of a size change of the die-cut blanks, and thus of the dimensions of the relative central portions, i.e. of the length and width of the relative central portions, it is necessary to proceed both to an adjustment of the position of the second pair of chains with respect to the first pair of chains (i.e. of the second loop-wound conveyor with respect to the first loop-wound conveyor) and to a size change of the gripping element, i.e. of the arms of the gripping device.
For the size change of the arms of the gripping device, the arms must be replaced by removing the gripping element from the movable frame and replacing it with another gripping element having the two arms at a reciprocal distance which conform to the effective dimensions of the central portion of the die-cut blanks, i.e. such as to enable the suction cups of the two arms to act contemporaneously exclusively on the surface of the central portion.
This requires being able to first have a supply of a number of different gripping elements having the two arms distanced with all the various possible distances conforming to the different sizes of the die-cut blanks, with a consequent need to have available the space necessary for the storing thereof.
Further, this surely leads to an increase in costs and, additionally, for each size change of the die-cut blanks, to proceed to a machine shut-down and to require operators who must manually carry out the replacement.
Once the replacement has been made, it is necessary to proceed to the alignment of the position of the second pair of chains (of the second conveyor) with the position of the two arms of the new gripping element: this operation can be awkward.
Other known collecting systems are provided with collecting devices in which the gripping element is conformed in such a way as to be able to move, in a pneumatic or hydraulic way, one of the two arms with respect to one another in order to vary the reciprocal distance thereof.
As well as being more expensive, a gripping device of this type is also very large, and, further, there remain issues of alignment of the arms with the position of the second pair of chains (second conveyor means) of the conveyor means which is changed with respect to the first pair of chains (first conveyor means) at each size change (i.e. the adjustment of the reference fixed "line").
In this case, in fact, the control logic of the collecting system is very complex and delicate, as it must be able to adjust the position of the components (second pair of chains and arms of the collecting element) independent of one another and which are not correlated to one another with respect to a fixed reference.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a new collecting system for collecting cardboard die-cut blanks from a store that is able to obviate the drawbacks present in the prior art and described in the foregoing.
In particular an aim of the present invention is to provide a new collecting system of cardboard die-cut blanks from a store that is able to adapt simply and immediately to a size change of the die-cut blanks.
The above-mentioned aims are obtained with a collecting system for collecting die-cut blanks from a store according to the contents of the claims.
The characteristics of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the collecting system of the present invention are described in the following with reference to the appended tables of drawings, in which:

figure 1A, already mentioned in the foregoing, schematically illustrates in a perspective view, the collecting system of the prior art described in the foregoing;
figure 1B, also already mentioned in the foregoing, schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a part of the gripping device of the collecting system of the prior art of figure 1A;
figure 2 illustrates, in a schematic plan view from above, the collecting system of the present invention in a preferred but not exclusive embodiment;
figure 3 illustrates the collecting system of figure 2 in a lateral view;
figure 4 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, the collecting system of figure 2;
figure 4A illustrates a larger-scale detail of figure 4;
figure 5A illustrates, in a schematic lateral view, the collecting system of the present invention in the preferred but not exclusive embodiment of figure 2, in a first operating collecting position of a die-cut blank of a first size of a relative store, which is not illustrated in detail as it is not pertinent to the invention;
figure 5B is a perspective view of figure 5A;
figure 6A illustrates, in a view from above, the collecting system of the invention, in the preferred but not exclusive embodiment of figure 2, in a second operating position in which the die-cut blank has been borne by the gripping device into a seat of a conveyor means;
figure 6B is a view of detail A of figure 6A in larger scale;
figure 6C is a lateral view of the collecting system of figure 6A;
figure 6D is a perspective view of the collecting system of figure 6A;
figure 7A illustrates in a view from above, the collecting system of the invention, in the preferred but not exclusive embodiment of figure 2, in a second operating position in which a die-cut blank of a different second size with respect to what is illustrated in the preceding figures has been borne by the gripping device into a seat of the transport means;
figure 7B is a larger-scale view of detail B of figure 7A in larger scale;
figure 7C is a lateral view of the collecting system of figure 7A;
figure 7D is a perspective view of the collecting system of figure 7A.

With reference to the appended tables of drawings, in particular figures from 2 to 7D, reference numeral (100) denotes the collecting system of the present invention, in its entirety.
The collecting system (100) is for picking up die-cut blanks (F) from a store (not illustrated in detail as not pertinent to the invention), in which the die-cut blanks (F) are arranged flanked to one another to form a stack of die-cut blanks which are arranged vertically, or in an inclined configuration, internally of the store.
In the figures, in particular in figures 5A and 5B, only a most-external die-cut blank (F) of the stack of die-cut blanks is illustrated (not illustrated in detail) which die-cut blanks are present in the store which, time by time, are to be collected by the collecting system of the invention.
The die-cut blanks (F) in the store comprise a central portion (FC), which is delimited by two fold lines (score lines) which are transversal and two fold lines (score lines) which are longitudinal (not illustrated in detail).
The collecting system (100) comprises a gripping device (1), for gripping and picking up a die-cut blank (F) from the store, in particular the most external die-cut blank (F) of the stack of die-cut blanks present in the store, and a transport means (2), for receiving the die-cut blank (F) picked up by the gripping device (1).
The transport means (1) comprises: a frame (20), a first conveyor means (21) and a second conveyor means (22) borne by the frame (20) and arranged parallel to one another, a first series of abutment elements (3) mounted at a distance from one another on the first conveyor means (21) and configured in such a way as to be able to be reciprocally moved away from one another, and a second series of abutment elements (4) mounted distanced from one another on the second conveyor means (22) and configured in such a way as to be able to be reciprocally moved away from one another (see for example figure 2 and figure 4).
The first series of abutment elements (3) and the second series of abutment elements (4) define between one another seats (S) for receiving the central portion (PC) of the die-cut blank (F) picked up by the gripping device (1) from the store.
Further, the second conveyor means (22) is mounted on the frame (20) in such a way as to be movable with respect to the frame (20) when nearing or moving away from the first conveyor means (21).
This enables changing the length of the seat (S) according to the size of the die-cut blanks (F), i.e. the effective length of the central portion thereof (FC).
The gripping device (1) comprises: a first arm (11) and a second arm (12), a first series of suction gripping elements (110) (for example of the suction cup type), predisposed along the first arm (11), and a second series of suction gripping elements (120), predisposed along the second arm (12).
The gripping device (1) is configured so that the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) can be activated in rotation about a rotation shaft (10) between a first raised position (V1) (see for example figures 5A and 5B), wherein the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are facing the die-cut blank (F) in such a way that relative suction gripping elements (110, 120) are in contact with the die-cut blank (F) to grip by suction the die-cut blank (F), and a second lowered position (V2) (see for example figures 6A-6D, and 7A-7D) wherein the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are arranged with respect to the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22) in a position that is such as to position the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blank (F) in a seat (S) and to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S) following the deactivation of the suction gripping elements.
The special characteristics of the collecting system (100) of the present invention consist in the fact that the second arm (12) is mounted in such a way as to be longitudinally translatable with respect to the rotation shaft (10) and in that the collecting system (100) comprises connecting means (5) between the second arm (100) and the second conveyor means (22).
The connecting means (5) are configured so that the second arm (12) can be activatable in rotation about the rotation shaft (10) and, further, can be translated longitudinally with respect to the rotation shaft (10) in nearing or moving away from the first arm (11), when the second conveyor means (22) is moved with respect to the frame (20) in nearing or moving away from the first conveyor means (21).
The second arm (12) is mounted in such a way as to be longitudinally translatable with respect to the rotation shaft (10) and thus the second arm (12) is translatable along a parallel direction to the rotation shaft (10).
The fact that the second arm (12) is mounted in such a way as to be longitudinally translatable with respect to the rotation shaft (10) enables being able to vary the distance with respect to the first arm (11), i.e. to near and/or distance it from the first arm (11) of the gripping device (1).
This means that the gripping device (1) is configured to be suited to the effective size of the die-cut blanks present in the store, i.e. to the width and length thereof, for example in particular to the effective length of the central portion (FC) which is to be inserted in the seats (2), so that the distance between the two arms is always such as to enable the die-cut blank to be contemporaneously gripped by the two arms (11, 12).
Further, the presence of the connecting means (5) between the second arm (12) and the second conveyor means (22) enables carrying out the adjustment of the distance between the two arms of the gripping device, according to the size of the die-cut blanks, simply, rapidly and efficiently.
In fact, when the second conveyor means (22), as a function of the size of the die-cut blanks, for example on the basis of length of the central portion thereof, is moved towards or away from the first conveyor means (21), in order to reduce the length of the seat (S) or to increase the length of the seat (S) on the basis of the effective length of the central portion of the die-cut blanks to be collected from the store, the second arm (12) can at the same time be translated longitudinally with respect to the rotation shaft (10) in nearing or moving away from the first arm (11) due to the connecting means (5) which rigidly connect it to the second conveyor means (22).
In this way, the adjustment of the distance between the two arms of the gripping device takes place immediately and contemporaneously with the measurement of the distance between the second conveyor means and the first conveyor means. There is therefore no need for any manual intervention by an operator to carry out the adjustment of the distance between the two arms of the gripping device, nor any need to carry out an adjustment between the position of the second arm of the gripping device and the position of the second conveyor means, as these are already reciprocally set, due to the presence of the connecting means.
In other words, the position of the first conveyor means, which is fixed, identifies a fixed reference system, known as the fixed "line", with respect to which the adjustment operations of the size change of the die-cut blanks are carried out.
The increase or reduction of the length of the central portion of the die-cut blanks refers to the position of the first conveyor means, i.e. to the fixed reference system, (or fixed "line").
The position of the first arm of the gripping device is also fixed, and preset with respect to the fixed reference system, (fixed "line"), i.e. to the position of the first conveyor means.
On the other hand, the position of the second conveyor means, as described in the foregoing, can be varied with respect to the fixed reference system, as the second conveyor means can be moved with respect to the frame in nearing or moving away from the first conveyor means.
The position of the second conveyor means on the other hand identifies a movable reference system, known as the movable "line", which is a function of the effective size of the die-cut blanks, for example in particular the effective length of the central portion thereof.
With the collecting system (100) of the invention, as described in the foregoing, it is thus sufficient to act on the adjustment of the position of the second conveyor means with respect to the first conveyor means, i.e. adjust and set the movable "line" with respect to the fixed "line" according to the size of the die-cut blanks, in order to obtain, immediately, also the adjustment of the position of the second arm with respect to the first arm of the gripping device.
The movable "line" of the second arm will automatically be already adjusted and set precisely and correctly as it is connected, by the connecting means (5), to the second conveyor means.
Therefore, the entity of the displacement of the second arm of the gripping device will always correspond to the entity of the displacement of the second conveyor means.
Figures from 2 to 7D illustrate a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention.
In this preferred embodiment, the gripping device (1) is realised and configured in such a way that, when the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are positioned in the second lowered position (V2) in order to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S), both the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are arranged between the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22).
In this case, when the first arm (1) and the second arm (12) are positioned in the first raised position (V1) for gripping a die-cut blank from the store, both, with the relative suction gripping elements, can be in contact with the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blank (F) for the suction gripping of the central portion.
In other possible embodiments, not illustrated, but in any case falling within the scope of protection of the present invention, the gripping device (1) can be realised and configured in such a way that, when the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are positioned in the second lowered position (V2) in order to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S), at least one from between the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) is arranged between the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22).
For example, in a possible embodiment, the gripping device (1) can be realised and configured in such a way that, when the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are positioned in the second lowered position (V2) in order to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S), the first arm (11) (fixed) is in a position between the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22), while the second arm (12) (movable) is in a position external of the second conveyor means (22).
In this case, when the two arms are positioned in the first raised position (V1) for gripping a die-cut blank, the suction gripping elements of the first arm can act on the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blank, while the suction gripping elements of the second arm will be able also to act at a portion of the die-cut blank lateral to the central portion and hinged thereto by a fold line.
The gripping device (1) can alternatively be realised and configured in such a way that, when the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are positioned in the second lowered position (V2) in order to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S), the first arm (11) (fixed) is arranged in a position external of the first conveyor means (21) while the second arm (12) (movable) is in a position between the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22).
In this case, when the two arms are positioned in the first raised position (V1) for gripping a die-cut blank, the suction gripping elements of the first arm can act on a portion of the die-cut blank that is lateral to the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blank, while the suction gripping elements of the second arm can act on the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blank.
In another possible embodiment, also not illustrated but in any case falling within the scope of protection of the present invention, the gripping device (1) can be realised and configured in such a way that, when the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are positioned in the second lowered position (V2) in order to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S), both the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are arranged externally with respect to the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22).
In this case, when the two arms are positioned in the first raised position (V1) for gripping a die-cut blank, the suction gripping elements of the first arm (11) and the suction gripping elements of the second arm (12) will also be able to act on the two portions of the die-cut blank which are lateral to the central portion (FC), and hinged thereto by relative fold lines.
Returning to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures.
Figures from 6A and 6D illustrate the situation relative to a first size of the die-cut blanks, for example having a maximum size, with the second conveyor means (22) being at a first distance, for example a maximum distance (Max), from the first conveyor means (21), and the second arm (12) of the gripping device (1) which in turn is at a first distance, for example to a maximum distance (Nax), from the first arm (11) of the gripping device (1).
In this way, the seat (S) in which the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blank (F) collected from the store must be positioned will have a length, for example a maximum length, such as to be able to house the central portion (FC) and the two arms of the gripping device will be distanced from one another by a distance such as to enable the respective suction gripping elements to be contemporaneously able to act on the central portion (FC).
In this case, the position of the abutment elements (3) and (4) present on the first (21) and second (22) conveyor means will be adjusted in such a way that they will be reciprocally distanced by a distance corresponding to the width of the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blanks (F).
Figures from 7A and 7D, on the other hand, illustrate the situation relative to a second size of the die-cut blanks, for example having a minimum size, with the second conveyor means (22) being at a second distance, for example a minimum distance (Min), from the first conveyor means (21), and the second arm (12) of the gripping device (1), which in turn is at a second distance, for example a minimum distance (Nim), from the first arm (11) of the gripping device (1).
In this way, the seat (S) in which the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blank (F) collected from the store must be positioned will have a length such as to be able to house the central portion (FC) and the two arms of the gripping device will be distanced from one another by a distance such as to enable the respective suction gripping elements to be contemporaneously able to act on the central portion (FC). In this case, the position of the abutment elements (3) and (4) present on the first (21) and second (22) conveyor means will be adjusted in such a way that they will be reciprocally distanced by a distance corresponding to the width of the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blanks (F).
The collecting system of the invention can include a series of intermediate positions between the two above-described configurations, in order to suit the position of the second conveyor means and the second arm of the gripping device, like the position of the abutment elements according to the effective dimensions of the die-cut blanks, in particular the length and width of the relative central portions.
Therefore, with a few simple adjustment operations, the collecting system is able to rapidly suit itself to each size change of the die-cut blanks.
Further special characteristics of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the collecting system (100) of the present invention are described in the following.
The gripping device (1) can be realised so as to comprise (see for example figures 2, 4 and 4A):

a fixed frame (13), the rotation shaft (10) being hinged to the fixed frame (13) according to an axis of rotation (130);
a movable frame (14), constrained to the rotation shaft (10) so as to be activatable in rotation as a consequence of the activation in rotation of the rotation shaft (10) about the axis of rotation (130);
and a second shaft (15), constrained to the movable frame (13) in such a way as to be parallel to the rotation shaft (10).

For example the movable frame (14) can comprise two brackets (14) bilaterally constrained in proximity of the two ends of the rotation shaft (10).
The first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are connected to the second shaft (15) (for example they can comprise seats in which the second shaft (15) is inserted) so that when the rotation shaft (10) is activated in rotation about the axis of rotation (130), the movable frame (14) is activated in rotation about the axis of rotation (130) by moving the second shaft (15) in rotation about the axis of rotation (130) and thus activating in rotation the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) about the rotation shaft (10); further the second arm (12) is connected to the second shaft (15) in such a way as to be translatable with respect to the second shaft (15) and thus longitudinally with respect to the rotation shaft (10).
In particular, the second arm (12) is borne by a crank (16) (see in particular figure 4A) having a through-hole (17), the crank (16) being slidably mounted on the second shaft (15) at the position of the through-hole (17).
Other ways of realising the gripping device (1) can be carried out with other equivalent specifications that can enable the second arm (12) to be both activatable in rotation about the rotation shaft (10), or to be longitudinally translatable with respect to the rotation shaft (10), i.e. along a parallel direction to the axis of the rotation shaft (10).
The connecting means (5) can be made in such a way as to comprise a bracket (51), which is solidly mounted on the second conveyor means (22), a connecting arm (52), borne by the bracket (51), and guide means (53), borne by the connecting arm (52) and coupled to the second arm (12).
The guide means (53) are configured to enable rotation of the second arm (12) and to translate the second arm (12) in a translation direction (Z) (see for example figures 2 and 7B) which is parallel to the rotation shaft (10) when the second conveyor means (22) is moved with respect to the frame (20) in nearing or moving away from the first conveyor means (21).
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the guide means (53) are made in such a way as to comprise a curved plate (54) borne inferiorly by the second arm (12) and which is constrained to the crank (16), and a guide cam (55) which is borne by the connecting arm (52) and which is conformed in such a way as to comprise a channel (56).
The curved plate (54) is constrained to the crank (16) in such a way as to be arranged in the channel (56) of the guide cam (55), the curved plate (54) being configured and conformed in such a way as to remain in the channel (56) of the guide cam (55) during the activation in rotation of the second arm (12) with respect to the rotation shaft (10) (see in particular figure 4A).
In a preferred aspect, the curved plate (54) and the channel (56) of the guide cam (55) are made of a resilient material, preferably Teflon, which enables effective relative sliding with modest wear.
The number of suction gripping elements predisposed on the two arms of the gripping device is advantageously chosen in such a way as to be able to process the various possible sizes of the die-cut blanks.
For example, figure 6B illustrates a die-cut blank having maximum dimensions, where all the suction gripping elements (in the illustrated case, for example, three for each arm) of the two arms all act at the same time on the central portion of the die-cut blank.
Figure 7B, on the other hand, illustrates the case of a die-cut blank having smaller dimensions, for example minimum: in this case only a part of the gripping elements of the two arms (for example two out of three) will be activatable to act to grip by suction on the central portion of the die-cut blank, while the remaining elements will remain inactive, i.e. not activated in aspiration.
In practice the suction gripping elements of the two arms are activatable in aspiration independently of one another.
In this way, by first choosing the number of suction gripping elements to install on the two arms of the gripping device, according to the range of sizes of the die-cut blanks that can be stored in the store, it will not be necessary to proceed time by time to the addition of further gripping elements in the event of a size change of the die-cut blanks.
The transport means (2) can be realised in such a way that the first conveyor means (21) comprises a first pair of loop-wound chains (61, 62), flanked to one another and parallel, and the second conveyor means (22) comprises a second pair of loop-wound chains (71, 72) flanked and parallel to one another, and parallel to the first pair of chains (61, 62) (see for example figures 2 and 4A).
The first pair of chains (61, 62) is mounted on relative pulleys (63A, 63B) while the second pair of chains (71, 72) is in turn mounted on relative pulleys (73A, 73B).
For example, as shown in figure 2, the inner chain (62) of the first pair of chains (61, 62) will be mounted on pulleys (63B) while the outer chain (61) of the first pair of chains (61, 62) will be mounted on pulleys (63A).
In turn, the inner chain (72) of the second pair of chains (71, 72) will be mounted on pulleys (73B) while the outer chain (71) of the second pair of chains (71, 72) will be mounted on pulleys (73A).
The pulley (63A) downstream (with respect to the store of die-cut blanks) of the outer chain (61) of the first pair of chains (61.62) and the pulley (73A) downstream (once more with respect to the store of the die-cut blanks) of the outer chain (71) of the second pair of chains (71, 72) are activatable in rotation via a first drive shaft (74), while the pulley (63B) downstream of the inner chain (62) of the first pair of chains (61, 62) and the pulley (73B) downstream of the inner chain (72) of the second pair of chains (71, 72) are mounted idle on the first drive shaft (74).
On the other hand, the pulley (63B) upstream (with respect to the store of die-cut blanks) of the inner chain (62) of the first pair of chains (61, 62) and the pulley (73B) upstream (once more with respect to the store of the die-cut blanks) of the inner chain (72) of the second pair of chains (71, 72) are instead activatable in rotation via a second drive shaft (64), and the pulley (63A) upstream of the outer chain (61) of the first pair of chains (61, 62) and the pulley (73A) upstream of the outer chain (71) of the second pair of chains (71, 72) which are mounted idle on the second drive shaft (64).
The second pair of chains (71, 72) is predisposed in such a way as to be moved towards, or away from, the first pair of chains (61, 62).
In the appended figures there is not a detailed illustration of the means for moving the pulleys (73A, 73B) of the second pair of chains (71, 72) longitudinally along the relative shafts (64, 74) as they can be made in various ways known to the expert in the sector.
Each of the chains of the first pair of chains (61, 62) bears relative abutment elements (3), i.e. the flights for the definition of the seat in which the central portion of the die-cut blanks is to be inserted and positioned.
The relative timing between the chains of the first pair of chains (61, 62) can be adjusted and varied, for example by activating one of the two chains and keeping the other halted, in order to be able to vary the distance between the relative abutment elements (3) and thus vary the width of the seat.
In the same way, each of the chains of the second pair of chains (71, 72) bears relative abutment elements (4), i.e. the flights for the definition of the seat in which the central portion of the die-cut blanks is to be inserted and positioned.
The relative timing between the chains of the second pair of chains (71, 72) can be adjusted and varied, for example by activating one of the two chains and keeping the other halted, in order to be able to vary the distance between the relative abutment elements (4) and thus vary the width of the seat.

Claims

A collecting system (100) for picking up die-cut blanks (F) from a store (F), wherein the die-cut blanks (F) comprise a central portion (FC) delimited by longitudinal and transversal score lines, the system (100) comprising:
a gripping device (1), for gripping and picking up a die-cut blank (F) from the store; a transport means (2), for receiving the die-cut blank (F) picked up by the gripping device (1), comprising a frame (20), a first conveyor means (21) and a second conveyor means (22) borne by the frame (20) and arranged parallel to one another, a first series of abutment elements (3) mounted at a distance from one another on the first conveyor means (21) and configured in such a way as to be able to be reciprocally moved away from one another, a second series of abutment elements (4) mounted distanced from one another on the second conveyor means (22) and configured in such a way as to be able to be reciprocally moved away from one another, wherein the first series of abutment elements (3) and the second series of abutment elements (4) define between one another seats (S) for receiving the central portion (PC) of the die-cut blank (F) picked up by the gripping device (1) from the store, the second conveyor means (22) being mounted on the frame (20) in such a way as to be movable with respect to the frame (20) when nearing or moving away from the first conveyor means (21);

wherein the gripping device (1) comprises: a first arm (11) and a second arm (12), a first series of suction gripping elements (110), predisposed along the first arm (11), and a second series of suction gripping elements (120), predisposed along the second arm (12), the gripping device (1) being configured so that the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) can be activated in rotation about a rotation shaft (10) between a first raised position (V1), wherein the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are facing the die-cut blank (F) so as to grip the die-cut blank (F) by suction, with relative suction gripping elements (110, 120), and a second lowered position (V2) wherein the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are arranged with respect to the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22) in a position that is such as to position the central portion (FC) of the die-cut blank (F) in a seat (S) and to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S) following the deactivation of the suction gripping elements (110, 120),

characterised in that the second arm (12) is mounted in such a way as to be longitudinally translatable with respect to the rotation shaft (10) and in that it comprises connecting means (5) between the second arm (12) and the second conveyor means (22), the connecting means (5) are configured so that the second arm (12) can be activatable in rotation about the rotation shaft (10) and, further, can be translated longitudinally with respect to the rotation shaft (10) in nearing or moving away from the first arm (11), when the second conveyor means (22) is moved with respect to the frame (20) in nearing or moving away from the first conveyor means (21).
The collecting system (100) of claim 1, characterised in that the gripping device (1) comprises: a fixed frame (13), the rotation shaft (10) being hinged to the fixed frame (13) according to an axis of rotation (130), a movable frame (14), constrained to the rotation shaft (10) so as to be activatable in rotation as a consequence of the activation in rotation of the rotation shaft (10) about the axis of rotation (130), and a second shaft (15), constrained to the movable frame (14) in such a way as to be parallel to the rotation shaft (10), and in that the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are connected to the second shaft (15), so that when the rotation shaft (10) is activated in rotation about the axis of rotation (130), the movable frame (14) is activated in rotation about the axis of rotation (130) by moving the second shaft (15) in rotation about the axis of rotation (130) and thus activating in rotation the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) about the rotation shaft (10), wherein the second arm (12) is connected to the second shaft (15) in such a way as to be translatable with respect to the second shaft (15) and thus longitudinally with respect to the rotation shaft (10).
The collecting system (100) of claim 2, wherein the second arm (12) is borne by a crank (16) having a through-hole (17), the crank (16) being slidably mounted on the second shaft (15) at the position of the through-hole (17).
The collecting system (100) of any one of claims from 1 to 3, wherein the connecting means (5) comprise a bracket (51) solidly mounted on the second conveyor means (22), a connecting arm (52), borne by the bracket (51), and guide means (53), borne by the connecting arm (52) and coupled to the second arm (12), the guide means (53) being configured to enable rotation of the second arm (12) and to translate the second arm (12) in a translation direction (Z) which is parallel to the rotation shaft (10) when the second conveyor means (22) is moved with respect to the frame (20) in nearing or moving away from the first conveyor means (21).
The collecting system (100) of claim 4, wherein the guide means (53) comprise a curved plate (54) borne inferiorly by the second arm (12) and constrained to the crank (16), and a guide cam (55) conformed in such a way as to comprise a channel (56), the curved plate (54) being constrained to the crank (16) in such a way as to be arranged in the channel (56) of the guide cam (55), the curved plate (54) being configured and conformed in such a way as to remain in the channel (56) of the guide cam (55) during the activation in rotation of the second arm (12) with respect to the rotation shaft (10).
The collecting system (100) of claim 5, wherein the curved plate (54) and the channel (56) of the guide cam (55) are made of a resilient material, preferably Teflon.
The collecting system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping device (1) is realised and configured in such a way that, when the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are positioned in the second lowered position (V2) in order to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S), at least one from between the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) is arranged between the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22).
The collecting system (100) of claim 7, wherein the gripping device (1) is realised and configured in such a way that, when the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are positioned in the second lowered position (V2) in order to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S), both the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are arranged between the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22).
The collecting system (100) of any one of claims from 1 to 6, wherein the gripping device (1) is realised and configured in such a way that, when the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are positioned in the second lowered position (V2) in order to release the die-cut blank (F) in the seat (S), both the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are arranged externally with respect to the first conveyor means (21) and the second conveyor means (22).