ES2397567T3 - Double packaging line - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging machine comprising at least two independent paths (26, 28) in which primary articles (C) that will be contained in groups of secondary packages (80) are transportable from a feeding end (56) of the packaging machine to an integral packing device (12, 24) where secondary packages (80) directly from each of these two independent paths are joined and combined with an initial piece (6) of tertiary package where the tertiary packages loaded with more than one secondary package (80) and are transported along a transfer means outside said tertiary packaging device (12, 24) moving at a speed substantially equal to the speed of each of the two independent paths on which they have the incoming primary items, the packaging machine comprises a device (64) for grouping the items that can work ionar to interact with the primary articles (C) arranged in two independent paths (26, 28) simultaneously, characterized in that a part of the device (64) for grouping the articles is arranged between said two independent paths (26, 28), the part of the The device comprises spacer elements (88) arranged back to back and coupled by common impulse means such that the spacer elements (88) can be operated in synchrony on the streams of primary articles (C) arranged on said two independent paths ( 26, 28) to group and measure simultaneously the primary items (C) transported on each of the two paths (26, 28).

Description

Double packaging line

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the packaging of primary items, such as cans or bottles, in multiple packaged cardboard boxes. More particularly, though not exclusively, the invention is related to an apparatus and a method for simultaneously packaging items transported in more than one adjacent stream; an apparatus and a method for measuring and grouping items transported in two lines in more than one adjacent stream; a packaging line that incorporates such a measuring system and includes an integrated tertiary packaging system and a quaternary wrapping system.

Background of the invention

In the field of packaging, it is necessary to provide adaptable machines that are capable of packaging various types of primary items, such as cans and bottles, in secondary packages (cardboard boxes) that contain or hold together a distribution of items in a multi-package. It is known how to provide such multipacks for subsequent subsets in order to order a series of multipacks or cardboard boxes in a tertiary package. In addition, it is known how to provide groups of these tertiary packages to an additional subsequent subset to order several such tertiary packages and wrap them in pallet loads for distribution to retail stores.

In the interest of economical and efficient packaging, it is necessary to achieve the highest possible production yield of cardboard boxes and wrapped tertiary packages. Also important are the linear size of a packaging line; the type of article; and the type of cardboard box that can be housed by a packaging line, as well as machine wear. Higher production yields can be achieved if machine lines can run faster; However, this is not always possible when the handling of cardboard boxes introduces complexities that limit the speed of operation. In addition, high-speed operation can cause machine components to suffer wear and damage due to friction and heat. This, in turn, can cause types of stopping of the packaging machine and potentially of the entire bottling line, as well as costly repairs on the machines. Therefore, it is advantageous to optimize the production of the machine in other ways than simply increasing the operating speed of the machines. In fact, because wear, friction and heat damage can occur, it is desirable that the machines run at slower speeds without compromising the production performance of packaged items.

Many known machines are only capable of packing one type of cardboard box and bottling plants may be forced to use a plurality of machines to package different types of cardboard boxes; Each machine occupies a considerable floor space and can be expensive to buy and handle. Therefore, it is desirable to have packaging machines that are adaptable to accommodate a variety of items; types of cardboard boxes and sizes of cardboard boxes. It is also desirable to minimize the linear size of the packaging machines to reduce the amount of floor space occupied.

The present invention seeks to provide several advantages or improvements in the field of packaging.

Compendium of the invention

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a packaging machine comprising at least two independent paths in which primary articles that will be contained in groups of secondary packages are transportable from a feeding end of the packaging machine to an integral device. tertiary packaging where secondary packages directly from each of these two independent paths joins and combines with an initial piece of tertiary package where tertiary packages loaded with more than one secondary package are formed and transported along some transfer means outside said tertiary packaging device moving at a speed substantially equal to the speed of each of the two independent paths on which the incoming primary items are arranged, the packaging machine comprises a device for grouping the items that can it worked onar to interact simultaneously with the primary articles arranged in two independent paths, characterized in that a part of the device for grouping the articles is arranged between said two independent paths, the part of the device comprises spacer elements arranged back to back and coupled by common means of impulse in such a way that the spacer elements can be operated in synchrony on the currents of primary articles arranged on said two independent paths to simultaneously group and measure the primary articles transported on each of the two paths.

In addition, or as an alternative, the packaging machine comprises a transfer conveyor for supplying an initial piece of tertiary package to a tertiary packaging device for combination with the secondary packages to be joined, the transfer conveyor has a feed end disposed above or below a horizontal plane containing said two independent paths and is inclined such that an outlet end of the transfer conveyor is disposed, and substantially aligned in the same plane, between one end of the outlet of said two independent paths where the secondary packages are joined and combined with the initial part of the tertiary package.

Optionally, there is a termination device disposed upstream of said tertiary packaging device, the termination device is structured and arranged to receive items directly from the tertiary packaging device, and to transport finalized packages from said termination device along transfer means that move at the same speed as each of the paths on which the primary incoming items are arranged.

Optionally, the packaging machine comprises means for supplying initial pieces of secondary packages for each of the two independent paths for the combination with the primary items of each of the two independent paths; means for the supply of tertiary packages for the combination with packaged primary articles leaving each of the two independent paths, the means of supply of the initial parts of tertiary packages are arranged close to the means for the supply of the initial parts of secondary packages; and a single loading device that can function to load, in turn, initial parts of secondary packages and initial parts of tertiary packages in the respective means for supplying initial parts of secondary packages and initial parts of tertiary packages.

Accordingly, a second aspect of the invention provides a device for grouping items that will be contained by a secondary cardboard box, the device comprises a first series of spacer elements arranged to move along a predetermined path, each spacer element can operate for coupling to at least one article of a first feed stream and for transporting articles through a working range of the device, characterized in that the device further comprises a second series of spacer elements arranged to move along a predetermined path similarly, each spacer element of the second series may function to engage at least one article of a second article feed stream, wherein a spacer element of the first series of spacer elements is coupled to a spacer element of the second series of spaced elements ores and both are coupled to impulse means such that the coupled spacer elements are transported at the same speed.

Preferably, the spacer elements of the first and second series are arranged back to back and operate in separate streams of primary items arranged in separate independent conveyors to synchronize the processing of primary items on said separate separate conveyors such that the primary items, processed by the device as they are transported on each of said separate independent conveyors, are grouped and measured in a similar manner and exit at the exit end of their respective independent conveyor separated in synchrony.

Optionally, the spacer elements of the first series are coupled to the spacer elements of the second series in pairs by means of a common bar and said pairs of spacer elements are structured and arranged to follow a cam path of the device to control and synchronize their travel through the working range of the device.

Optionally, one embodiment of the invention comprises a loading device for delivering items such as initial parts to the packaging machine for processing those items, the loading device comprises a loading mechanism, a first conveyor for supplying pallets loaded with items ; a conveyor for removing empty pallets and a first pallet elevator where the conveyor for supplying pallets loaded with articles is arranged substantially aligned in parallel with the conveyor for the removal of empty pallets such that the full pallets can be removed which They can be delivered as empty pallets.

Optionally, the loading mechanism can work to take items from the loaded pallet and supply them to one

or more feeding points of a packaging machine and where the first pallet elevator can operate to move a pallet from the first conveyor to supply pallets loaded with items to the conveyor for the removal of empty pallets once the loading mechanism has taken the items from the loaded pallet.

Preferably, the packaging machine further comprises a second conveyor for delivering loaded pallets and a second loaded pallet elevator, where the same loading mechanism can also function to take items from a pallet loaded on the second conveyor and deliver them to another point of feeding of a packaging machine and wherein the second pallet elevator can operate to move a pallet from the second conveyor to supply pallets to said conveyor to remove empty pallets, said conveyor for the removal of empty pallets serves so that the first and the second conveyor supply loaded pallets.

Brief description of the drawings

Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A and 1B show examples of cardboard packages constructed by a packaging machine according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an example packaging line according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of an inlet end of the packaging line of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of a measuring mechanism and box-forming section of 10 cartons of the packaging line of Figure 2;

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the mechanism of feeding cardboard boxes, forming cardboard boxes and measuring shown in Figures 2-4;

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of the measuring mechanism of the packaging line of Figure 1 and

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of a tertiary packaging section of the packaging line of Figure 1.

For ease of reference to the features shown in the drawings, a list of features and their corresponding reference number are provided below:

Reference number

Characteristic  Reference number Characteristic

X

Direction of movement of items and packages on the packaging line fifty Second hopper for initial pieces of cardboard boxes

C

Primary items 52 Elevator for initial parts of the box packer

4

Empty pallet (used for tertiary initial parts of cardboard boxes) 54 Hopper for tertiary initial parts

6

tertiary initial parts of cardboard boxes 56 power end

8

secondary initial pieces of cardboard boxes 58 rotary vacuum mechanism

10

Packaging line 60 Suction cups

12

feeding mechanism of tertiary cardboard boxes 62 Crashed wheel

14

termination device 64 Grouping mechanism

16

auto-charging set 66 Delay mechanism

18

Transfer robot 68 Termination mechanism

twenty

Rotary robot 70 Loading mechanism

24

section for loading secondary package to tertiary package 72 Lifting arm

26

First conveyor 74 trainer

28

Second conveyor 76 Individual tongue

Reference number

Characteristic  Reference number Characteristic

30

pallet loaded with secondary initial pieces of cardboard boxes 78 Tertiary initial parts conveyor

32

Conveyor for the supply of a complete pallet of initial pieces of secondary cardboard boxes 80 Secondary Package Completed

3. 4

Conveyor for the supply of a complete pallet of initial parts of tertiary cardboard boxes 82 Group of two pairs of secondary packages completed

36

Conveyor for empty pallets 84 External means of endless momentum

38

First pallet elevator 86 inner means of endless momentum

40

Second pallet elevator 88 Spacer elements

42

first stream of primary items 90 bars

44

Second stream of primary items 92 Cam travel

46

pallet loaded with tertiary initial pieces of cardboard boxes 94 External grouping mechanism

48

First hopper for initial pieces of cardboard boxes 96 Internal grouping mechanism

Detailed description of examples of embodiments

A packaging line of the present invention will be described with general reference to each of Figures 2-7. The present invention allows efficient packaging of primary items, such as cans or bottles

5 (C) in secondary cardboard boxes, such as the examples of upper grip fasteners 8a, 8b (as shown in Figures 1A and 1B) by using two incoming streams of items C. Items C in each stream Incoming are processed simultaneously, thereby doubling the output compared to a single-item packaging machine running at an equivalent linear speed.

The packaging line 10 of the present invention is shown in Figure 2. The packaging line

10 comprises a feed end denoted generally by reference 56; a set of self-loading generally denoted by 16 for loading initial pieces 8 of secondary cardboard boxes and initial parts 6 of tertiary cardboard boxes; a mechanism for feeding tertiary cardboard boxes, generally denoted by reference 12; a secondary package load section 8 to tertiary package 6 generally denoted by reference 24 and an end device 14.

15 Packaging line 10 houses primary items C transported in two streams on a first conveyor 26 and houses items C transported in two streams in a second conveyor 28. The first and second conveyor, 26, 28 receive, at one end, primary items C from the outlet end of a bottling or filling line and deliver the items C, at its other end, to the feed end 56 of the packaging line 10. The conveyors 26, 28 can be adjustable in width to allow a

20 variety of C items (such as from 330 ml cans to 500 ml bottles) are housed in the packaging line. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second conveyor 26, 28 are sized to accommodate two primary items C next to each other. A first stream of primary items C is denoted in Figure 3 by reference 42 and a second stream of primary items C is denoted by 44.

The secondary cardboard boxes 8a and 8b are structured to accommodate four and six C cans arranged with

25 configurations 2x2 and 2x3 respectively. After reading the following description with reference to the drawings it will be appreciated that the fasteners 8a and 8b of secondary packages are illustrative examples of secondary packages or wrappers of secondary cardboard boxes and it is conceived that the packaging machine of the present embodiment and others embodiments can accommodate different types of secondary packages, (more generally indicated in Figures 2-8 with reference number 8) to contain, in addition to cans, other primary items

30 C, such as bottles and for example daily plastic boats. Such primary items C may be contained in the secondary cardboard boxes in different configurations. The direction of movement of primary items C is denoted by the arrow ‘X’.

To provide initial parts 8 of secondary cardboard boxes and initial parts 6 of tertiary cardboard boxes (see Figure 3) to the first and second hopper 48, 50 of cardboard boxes and to the elevator 52 of tertiary cardboard boxes and to the hopper 54 of tertiary cardboard boxes, a self-loading assembly 16 is provided. The self-loading assembly 16 is shown more clearly in Figure 3. The self-loading assembly 16 comprises a loading mechanism 70, a conveyor. 32 for supplying pallets loaded with initial pieces 8 of secondary cardboard boxes; a conveyor 34 for supplying pallets loaded with initial parts 6 of tertiary cardboard boxes; a conveyor 36 for removing empty pallets 4; a first pallet elevator 38 and a second pallet elevator 40.

The self-loading assembly 16 is compact and therefore minimizes the amount of floor space necessary to supply the pallets loaded with initial pieces 30, 38 of secondary and tertiary cardboard boxes. In addition, by automating this process, the need for an operator is relieved. The self-loading assembly 16 operates by means of conveyors 32 and 34 that supply pallets 30 loaded with initial pieces 8 of secondary cardboard boxes and pallets 46 loaded with initial parts 6 of tertiary cardboard boxes respectively. At the end of each conveyor 32, 34 an elevator 40, 38 is provided. When an elevator 40, 38 is not holding a pallet 30, 46, a loaded pallet 30, 46 is supplied by the appropriate conveyor 32, 34. The loaded pallet 30, 46 in this embodiment is moved from the end of the conveyor 32, 34 on the associated adjacent elevator 40, 38 by the loading mechanism 70. In other embodiments transfer means connected to the elevator 40, 38 are used to transfer a pallet 30 loaded with initial pieces 8 of secondary cardboard boxes and pallets 46 loaded with initial parts 6 of tertiary cardboard boxes to the associated elevator 40, 38.

Once a pallet 30 loaded with initial pieces 8 of secondary cardboard boxes and / or a pallet 46 loaded with initial parts 6 of tertiary cardboard boxes is arranged on a lift 40, 38, the loading mechanism 70 (equipped with a articulated lifting arm 72) collects a stack of initial parts 8 or 6 using an articulated lifting arm 72 and loads the initial parts 8; 6 on the appropriate hopper 48/50 or 52 respectively. Once sufficient load repetitions and an empty pallet of initial pieces 6, 8 of secondary or tertiary cardboard boxes have been completed, the elevator 40, 38 that holds the empty pallet 4 is lowered substantially to the same height as the conveyor for empty pallets 36. The empty pallet is transferred, in this embodiment, by the loading mechanism on the empty pallet conveyor 36 that can function to remove the empty pallet (s) from the self-loading assembly 16. The conveyors 32, 34, 36 of pallets are controlled by a programmable logic controller and therefore no human machine operator is needed in this area.

The outward conveyor 36 for the removal of empty pallets 4 is arranged below the conveyor 34 to supply pallets 46 loaded with initial parts 6 of tertiary cardboard boxes. This means that the supply and withdrawal mechanism are housed within the same floor space and thereby minimize the amount of floor space necessary to supply loaded pallets and remove loaded pallets. This compact solution reduces the necessary area in the packing line 10.

It is conceived that in other embodiments, the outward conveyor 36 is arranged below the other conveyor 32 to supply pallets 30 loaded with initial pieces 8 of secondary cartons. In a further embodiment, the inward supply conveyors 34, 32 have their own outward conveyor 36. However, it is more advantageous to need only one outward conveyor 36 that serves two inward conveyors 32, 34. Another advantage of The present invention is obtained because the elevator 5 of tertiary cardboard boxes and the hopper 54 of tertiary cardboard boxes are arranged within the operating range of the loading mechanism 70. The loading mechanism 70 can provide initial parts 8 to both hoppers 48 , 50 for the secondary initial parts and for the elevator 52 of tertiary cardboard boxes which in turn feeds the hopper 54 of tertiary cardboard boxes. The compact nature of the loading mechanism 70 and its versatility allows efficient supply of initial parts 6, 8 to the packaging line. In known packaging machines a tertiary packaging assembly is provided as a separate assembly from the secondary packaging assembly or is provided to some extent downstream of the supply for the secondary initial parts needed for the separate tertiary initial part 6. In a manner beneficial, the packaging line of the present invention is structured and arranged such that the supply and feeding of initial pieces of secondary cardboard boxes are in the vicinity of the supply and feeding of initial parts of tertiary cardboard boxes and Thus, a single loading mechanism 70 can efficiently service both, thereby increasing efficiency (because less components and / or machine operators are needed) and a more compact packaging line 10.

Meanwhile, the two incoming streams of articles 42, 44 are supplied with regular line pressure by the crashed wheels 62. The crashed wheels 62 are known in the art to regulate the flow of articles. In this embodiment, four crashed wheels are used for each side of each incoming stream of articles 42, 44. In other embodiments in which one or each stream comprises only a single line of articles, the number of crashed wheels can be reduced. In an alternative embodiment, in which more than two incoming streams of articles house the number of crashed wheels 62 is greater than four. In the present embodiment, each crashed wheel 62 is provided with its own independent impeller, preferably a servo motor. By having star wheels 62 driven independently, the packaging line remains fully adjustable in order to ensure synchronized incoming currents 42, 44.

The measuring device 64 (described below) groups the incoming streams of articles 42, 44 with the required configuration. In the example described and illustrated, the initial pieces 8 of secondary cartons contain 6 C items in a 2x3 configuration (see Figure 1B). The measuring mechanism 64 of the present embodiment can operate on each side of the incoming stream of items 42, 44 and separates items C into groups of 2x3 items.

Once the first and second hopper 48, 50 have been supplied with initial parts 8 of secondary cardboard boxes, and in turn from the set of a first group of items C, each of the first and second hoppers, 48, 50 simultaneously supplies a single initial part to a rotary vacuum mechanism 58 which by using vacuum suction cups 60 (known in the art) simultaneously deposits an initial part 8 onto a group of articles C in each incoming stream 42, 44. This It is illustrated in Figure 5. In this illustrated embodiment, a single rotary vacuum mechanism 58 is used to supply initial parts 8 to each of the incoming streams 42, 44. This simplifies the process and minimizes the number of motors needed. Therefore, the need to synchronize two independently driven rotary vacuum mechanisms that could be used, one to deposit initial parts 8 in groups formed in an incoming stream 42 and the other to deposit initial parts 8 in groups formed in the second incoming stream, is attenuated 44. However, in a conceived embodiment, two independently driven rotary vacuum mechanisms are used in cases where each incoming stream 42, 44 comprises different items C and C '(not shown). This optional feature, while incorporating a slight increase in complexity, provides the advantage that the packaging line 10 can offer a greater degree of flexibility.

Subsequent groups of items C are created as the two streams of items 42, 44 are transported downstream of the feed 56. In this embodiment the secondary cardboard boxes are placed on a group of items C by means of a former 74 In other embodiments, the 2x3 former is replaced by a suitable former for the configuration of the cardboard boxes that are packaged. In other embodiments a formator is not used, such a formator is totally optional.

The grouping mechanism 64 will now be described with specific reference to Figure 6. Each of the first and second input streams of articles 42, 44 comprising articles C with an adjoining side-to-side relationship, is introduced into each feed end of the grouping mechanism 64. As mentioned above, the pressure of the article line C is preferably controlled by starry feed wheels 62 as is well known. The article grouping mechanism 64 groups the correct number of articles C per carton as described below, with the mechanism also controlling the flow of articles C, so that they can be coupled with the cartons with the same regime of cardboard boxes downstream of the grouping mechanism 64.

The grouping mechanism 64 comprises a grouping assembly 94 located on each side of the article conveyor. Each grouping set 94 is of similar construction; First, the outer grouping assembly 94 will be described and then an inner grouping assembly 96 (comprising two grouping assemblies arranged in a back-to-back relationship) will be described.

The assembly 94 includes a plurality of spacer elements 88 mounted on an endless conveyor comprising a spaced pair of endless chains 84. In this embodiment, each spacer element 88 includes a coupling part comprising three partially cylindrical recesses, one placed together to another. If the items C to be packaged are the same size, then each recess has an identical length and is substantially shaped to fit the peripheral wall portion of a bottle or can C (or other item) with which it is coupled The recess. The spacer elements 88 can be grouped in pairs with head or tail spacer elements.

The followers protrude from the bottom of body parts of the spacer elements (not shown). Each spacer element 88 is connected to the endless chains 84 by suitable connection means. In this embodiment, the body part of each element is slidably mounted on a pair of bars that extend between the endless chains 84 and are secured thereto (only one is visible). This arrangement allows to establish the transverse movement but prevents a rotational or longitudinal movement of the spacer elements 88 with respect to the endless chains 84.

The endless chains 84 are mounted on guide tracks of the assembly 94. The assembly 94 further comprises a cam track 92 for receiving the cam followers extending from each spacer element 88. The endless chains 84 are driven by a engine, for example, a servomotor (not shown) through a drive shaft. As each spacer element 88 moves downstream along the path of the cam track 92 the recesses are maintained in a plane parallel to the direction of movement of the articles C on the conveyor 26, 28 of articles.

In operation, the continuous movement downstream of the endless chains 84 causes the head spacer element 88 to be deployed until the coupling with the articles C before a tail separating element, thereby causing the mechanism to form two groups of C items, which have a maximum length of three C items and a relatively short step in between.

Optionally, in order that the grouping mechanisms 94, 96 can be used to produce two groupings between one and three articles in the direction of flow, or alternatively a group comprising between four and six articles in length in The flow of articles, the mechanism has a second mode of operation.

To this end, in addition to the primary cam track 92, (which brings the separator elements 88 into contact with the articles C to achieve the desired grouping), a secondary cam track (not shown) is provided in another embodiment of such so that said spacer elements 88 that follow the secondary cam track is delayed from being deployed to contact with the articles C. Adjustment or selection means are provided to select whether the head spacer element 88 enters the secondary track of cams according to the particular mode of operation. Preferably, a locking member is provided at the exit of the secondary cam track to ensure that the tail coupling member (not shown) does not partially retract when the opening passes or is engaged in the opening.

The inner grouping assembly 96 has been structured and arranged to optimize the space required for this section of the packing line 10. The spacer elements 88 on the inner grouping assembly 88 are mounted on each end of the double-ended bars 90 which they extend between endless chains 86 and are secured thereto. In this way the inner grouping assembly 96 is formed by two of the outer grouping assemblies 94 arranged back to back but with the important difference that a spacer element 88 is mounted on each of the ends of the bars 90 and only two endless chains 86 are required to drive two opposing spacer elements 88, while in the outer cluster assembly 94, two endless chains 84 (or other suitable drive means) are needed for a single head assembly. The inner assembly 96 is therefore narrower than the sum of the widths of two outer assemblies 94, such that a double-ended measuring system can operate between the two processing streams 26 and 28. It is conceived that In other embodiments, the spacer elements 88 on each side of the double-ended measuring system can be configured, arranged and / or have a different shape to accommodate different styles of items C in each of the two rails 42, 44.

The grouping of articles C is, as described above, adaptable in such a way that groups of 1 to 6 articles C can be created (from 4 to 6 articles C a double cam track arrangement and two spacer elements are required Adjacent 88 function as a pair, this is not shown). The grouping of articles C is an optional feature of the general packaging line 10 and the measurement can be done in other ways, however for the described double-lane packaging line, the double-sided grouping mechanism 96 offers a compact solution It is adaptable to different sizes of C items and can accommodate cardboard boxes that require a variety of configurations. Because the grouping mechanism 96 is narrower than the sum of the widths of two outer assemblies 94, the total width of the packing line 10 is kept narrow enough so that ordered groups 82 of cardboard boxes can be easily transferred over a tertiary initial piece 6 (see description below).

Furthermore, it is conceived that in other embodiments the spacer elements on one side of the grouping assembly 96 may differ in shape and / or size from those on the other side to accommodate different types of items C that are provided on the first and second lines of Processing 26, 28. In that embodiment the final tertiary package would contain two packages of cans and two packages of bottles.

The cardboard package is completed by passing the grouped items C and the secondary cardboard boxes through the completion mechanism 68, in this case a pair of rollers 68 that apply pressure to each side of a package to ensure that the side parts of the box Cardboard have been secured in place. As indicated above, the precise nature of the cardboard boxes to be packaged is optional and, as such, the use of the pair of rollers 68 is totally optional. The completed package 80 is then transferred to a delay mechanism comprising a chain of tongues, of individual tongue 76. The completed packages 80 are transferred to the delay mechanism 66 the movement of the head pack 82 is slower and a package immediately tail catches it. The slowdown of a package to create a group of 2 packages can be achieved with a system of belts, wheels, a robot or chains and with a cam travel in such a way that the articles are grouped into 2x6 articles (2 packages of articles arranged in a 2x3 configuration or 3 packages arranged in a 2x2 configuration) and is not limited to the mechanism described herein.

At the same time that the packages 80 of cardboard boxes are being assembled, the initial parts 6 of tertiary cardboard boxes are transferred along a conveyor 78 from the elevator for initial parts 52 of box packer onto the box hopper 54 of tertiary cardboard and then transported below and between the grouping mechanism of the first incoming stream 42 and the second incoming stream 44. Using two levels, the linear dimension of the packaging line is reduced and made more compact. The delivery of initial parts 6 of tertiary cardboard boxes is synchronized with the set of packages 80 of cardboard boxes such that the initial parts of tertiary cardboard boxes approximate the level of the bundled packages 82 and between the two streams processing (see Figure 8). Almost immediately when the construction and grouping of a pair of packages 80 in each processing stream is completed, a tertiary initial part 6 is supplied to receive them. The transfer robot 18 is provided on each side of a processing stream 42, 44 to move the ordered pair of packets 82 of each processing stream 42, 44 over the tertiary initial part 6 disposed therebetween (as shown in Figure 7 ). By using robots to collect and place the ordered packages 82 in this way the passage of the packaging line 10 is maintained and the tertiary packaging assembly is formed as an integral part of the packaging line 10 without the need to transport the packages finalized 82 to a separate subset to transfer the collected secondary packages to a tertiary package.

In a final stage in the processing carried out by the packaging line 10 described, the tertiary packages are transferred by a rotary robot 20 and are transferred to a termination device, in this embodiment a contractile wrapping device.

The construction of the cardboard box 8 as illustrated in the Figures provides an illustration of how the benefits of the present invention can be applied to a specific formation of secondary cardboard boxes and tertiary packaging in a box. It is conceived that the cardboard boxes formed by a different series of sequential folding operations, preferably in a straight-line machine, could be assembled by a packaging machine according to the invention without necessarily involving the grouping, forming and finishing stages. described. As such, the invention should not be construed to be limited in its application to the specific types of cardboard boxes or items described or the folding and construction processes described and these aspects may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. .

By reading the foregoing it will be understood that the present invention provides improvements in the field of packaging machinery. In a known single-line packaging machine, the items are ordered using a secondary fastener, the grouped items are then moved along a conveyor to a second in-line subset, a splitter, where the only line is divided from so that two side-by-side packets can be transferred to a third online subset. The tertiary initial pieces of packages are supplied to the third online subset and the secondary packages are loaded into the tertiary packages that are then transported along a fourth in-line subset in which the completion with contractile wrapping is carried out. The average length of such a machine is 300 m, while the said packaging line of the present invention is only 120 m. It is known that the single-line machine operates at an average linear operating speed of 760 m per minute, while the integrated two-line packaging line of the present invention only needs to operate at an average linear operating speed of 380 m per minute. to produce 300 cardboard boxes per minute (comprising 4 items in a 2x2 configuration) and 50 tertiary packages (comprising 24 items). In summary, the present invention provides a compact and efficient machine that has a high production even having less than half the length of a known equivalent machine and being able to work at half the linear operating speed of known machines without compromising production yield These advantages are obtained by providing a double line machine with simultaneous processing of two (or more) article lanes; a compact (narrow and short) measuring and grouping mechanism that simultaneously serves both article lanes; a self-loading mechanism that serves both the secondary initial parts hoppers and the tertiary initial parts hopper; an outward conveyor arranged in vertical alignment with the pallet delivery conveyor (to reduce the linear dimension of the machine line); a feed / transfer of tertiary cardboard boxes arranged in vertical alignment with the formation of secondary packages (to reduce the linear dimension of the machine line) and positioned in such a way that the initial parts of tertiary packages meet the secondary items packaged in only a few steps of cardboard boxes (preferably one) of the completion of the secondary packages; and the immediate transfer of tertiary packages to the termination device.

It can be appreciated that various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention, for example in other embodiments the size and shape of the items and the packaged cardboard boxes and the style of the secondary and tertiary packages will be different with respect to those illustrated in this memory. In other embodiments of the invention, it is conceived to omit the termination device or in other embodiments in which the termination device is present the termination process may be different from a contractile wrapper.

The possibility is also conceived that while the processing on two lines has been described simultaneously, in other embodiments three incoming rails or processing lanes are provided and each one is operated simultaneously. In that embodiment the measuring device may comprise two double sections and two individual sections. In addition, the supply of the tertiary package of one embodiment can be arranged between the first and second and / or the second and third lanes or, alternatively, can be aligned with the end of the second lane, such that the cardboard boxes from the second lanes are immediately fed on the initial piece of tertiary cardboard box and the secondary cardboard boxes from the first and third transformation lanes are transferred by the transfer robot onto the tertiary package. However, the optimum benefit for reducing complexity is obtained through the use of two processing lines and although it is conceived that more than two processing lines can be used, it will be understood that the advantage of reducing the linear dimension will be offset by the necessary increase in the width of such a packaging machine.

It will be recognized that, as used herein, address references, such as "in", "end", "up", "down", "side" do not limit the described feature to that orientation, but only serve to distinguish relative orientations from each other.

Claims (10)

one.

A packaging machine comprising at least two independent paths (26, 28) in which primary articles (C) that will be contained in groups of secondary packages (80) are transportable from a feeding end (56) of the machine of packaging to an integral tertiary packaging device (12, 24) where secondary packages (80) directly from each of these two independent paths are joined and combined with an initial piece (6) of tertiary package where the tertiary packages loaded with more than one secondary package (80) and are transported along transfer means outside said tertiary packaging device (12, 24) moving at a speed substantially equal to the speed of each of the two independent paths on which the incoming primary items are arranged, the packaging machine comprises a device (64) for grouping the items that can be of functioning to interact with the primary articles (C) arranged in two independent paths (26, 28) simultaneously, characterized in that a part of the device (64) for grouping the articles is arranged between said two independent paths (26, 28), the part of the device comprises spacer elements (88) arranged back to back and coupled by common impulse means such that the spacer elements (88) can be operated in synchrony on the streams of primary articles (C) arranged on said two independent routes (26, 28) to group and measure simultaneously the primary articles (C) transported on each of the two routes (26, 28).

2.

A packaging machine according to claim 1 comprising a transfer conveyor

(78) to supply an initial part (6) of tertiary package to tertiary packaging device (12, 24) for combination with the secondary packages (80) to be joined, the transfer conveyor (78) has one end of supply arranged above or below a horizontal plane containing said two independent paths (26, 28) and is inclined such that an outlet end of the transfer conveyor (78) is arranged, and substantially aligned therein flat, between one end of the exit of said two independent paths (26, 28) where the secondary packages are joined and combined with the initial part (6) of tertiary package.

3.

A packaging machine according to claim 2 comprising an ending device (14) disposed upstream of said tertiary packaging device, the finishing device (14) is structured and arranged to receive items directly from the tertiary packaging device (12 , 24), and for transporting finished packages from said termination device along transfer means that travel at the same speed as each of the paths on which the primary incoming items are arranged.

Four.

A packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3 comprising means (48, 50) for the supply of initial pieces of secondary packages for each of the two independent paths for the combination with the primary articles of each of the two independent tours; means (52) for the supply of tertiary packages for the combination with packaged primary articles leaving each of the two independent paths (26, 28), the means for supplying the initial parts of tertiary packages are arranged next to the means for supplying the initial pieces of secondary packages; and in a single loading device (76) that can function to load, in turn, initial parts (8) of secondary packages and initial parts (6) of tertiary packages in the respective means for supplying initial parts of secondary packages and initial parts of tertiary packages (48, 50, 52).

5.

A packaging machine according to claim 1 comprising a loading device for supplying items such as initial parts to the packaging machine for processing those items, the loading device comprises a loading mechanism (70), a first conveyor ( 34) to supply pallets loaded with items (8); a conveyor (36) for removing empty pallets (4) and a first pallet elevator (38) where the conveyor (32) for supplying pallets loaded with articles (8) is arranged substantially aligned in parallel with the conveyor for the removal of empty pallets so that full pallets can be removed that can be delivered as empty pallets.

6.

A packaging machine according to claim 5 wherein the loading mechanism can operate to take items from the loaded pallet and supply them to one or more feeding points of a packaging machine and wherein the first pallet elevator can operate to move a pallet from the first conveyor to supply pallets loaded with items to the conveyor for the removal of empty pallets once the loading mechanism has taken the items from the loaded pallet.

7.

A packaging machine according to claim 6 further comprising a second conveyor

(32) to supply loaded pallets and a second elevator (40) of loaded pallets, where the same loading mechanism can also work to take items from a pallet loaded on the second conveyor (32) and supply them to another feeding point of a packaging machine and wherein the second pallet elevator can operate to move a pallet from the second conveyor (32) to supply pallets to said conveyor (36) to remove empty pallets, said conveyor for the removal of empty pallets serves to the first and the second conveyor provide loaded pallets. 8. A device (64) for grouping items (C) that will be contained by a secondary cardboard box (8), the device comprises a first series of spacer elements (88) arranged to move along a predetermined path, each spacer element (88) can function to engage at least one article

(C)

 of a first supply current (42) and for transporting articles through a working range of the device, characterized in that the device further comprises a second series of spacer elements

(88)

 arranged to move along a similar predetermined path, each spacer element (88) of the second series may function to engage at least one article of a second feed stream

(44)

 of articles, wherein a spacer element of the first series of spacer elements (88) is coupled to a spacer element (88) of the second series of spacer elements and both are coupled to impulse means such that the spacer elements Trailers are transported at the same speed.

9.

A device according to claim 8 wherein the spacer elements (88) of the first and second series are arranged back to back and operate in independent streams of primary articles arranged in separate independent conveyors (26, 28) to synchronize article processing primary on said separate independent conveyors (26, 28) such that the primary articles (C), processed by the device as they are transported on each of said separate independent conveyors, are grouped and measured in a similar manner and exit by the output end of its respective independent conveyor separated in synchrony.

10.

A device according to claim 9 wherein the spacer elements (88) of the first series are coupled to the spacer elements (88) of the second series in pairs by means of a common bar (90) and said pairs of spacer elements are structured and arranged to follow a cam path (92) of the device to control and synchronize its trip through the working range of the device.