FR2636306A1 - PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR CONSTITUTING A PACKET COMPRISING SEVERAL JUXTAPOSED OBJECTS SEPARATED BY AN INTERNAL PARTITION AND SURROUNDED BY A BODY-SHAPED ENVELOPE - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for constituting a package 1 comprising several juxtaposed objects 2 separated by an internal partition 3 and surrounded on the outside by an envelope 4 forming a box, characterized in that from a storage of objects to be packaged 11, a group of objects to be packaged 16 in its final configuration; from a partition storage 12, a partition 3 is entered so that it is in its final configuration; then the group of objects to be packaged 16 thus formed and the partitioning thus grasped facing one another is brought in and they are made to cooperate by relative sliding to form a group of partitioned objects to be packed 17; a flat blank 7 is entered from a storage 13 of such blanks; the group of partitioned objects 17 is brought onto the flat blank 7 located in its waiting position 22 and the group of partitioned objects 17 is wrapped in the flat blank 7 by the wrap-type packaging technique. around.

Description

METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING A PACKAGE COMPRISING SEVERAL

  OBJECTS JUXTAPOSED SEPARATED BY AN INTERNAL PARTITION AND SURROUNDED

  OUTSIDE O'UNE ENVELOPE FORHANT CAISSE

  The invention relates to a method and an installation for constituting a package comprising several juxtaposed objects separated by an internal partitioning and surrounded externally by an envelope.

forming a case.

  The wraparound technique is already known in the field of packaging (see documents FR 2 502 290, FR 2 563 493) which consists, schematically, in carrying out the wrapping of the objects to be packaged around a preformed group of those Ci by conforming a cutout

  originally flat, by folding, suitably.

  We also know the use of partitioning separating objects (such as bottles in particular) from a package in which they are wrapped (see documents FR 2 465 653, FR 2 475 002 and FR

2,389,546).

  We still know various means of implementing a partitioning

  in a group of objects (see documents FR 2 523 158 and 2 541 235).

  However, the installation of such partitions poses a problem of cadence as the state of the art teaches, which has the effect that the performance of packaging installations is often

  affected by this partitioning.

  The object of the invention is that, in the case of packaging of objects by the wrap-around type technique, the use of spacers does not limit the rate of installation while providing other advantages

  especially the quality of the package produced.

  To this end, the invention provides a method for constituting a package comprising several juxtaposed objects separated by an internal partitioning and surrounded externally by an envelope forming a case in which, from a storage of objects to be packaged, a group of 'objects to be packaged in its final configuration; from a partition storage, a partition is entered so that it is in its final configuration; then the group of objects to be packaged is brought in and the partitioning seized opposite one another and they are made to cooperate by relative sliding to constitute a group of partitioned objects to be packaged; a flat envelope cut is entered from a storage of such envelopes; and the group of partitioned objects to be packaged is wrapped in the flat cutting of envelopes by the technique

wrap-around packaging.

  An installation according to the invention which allows the implementation of the method comprises a carousel with several positions, intermittently movable in steps, of vertical axis, driven by drive means; means for constituting a group of objects to be packaged in its final configuration from storage means thereof, situated opposite a first indexed upstream position of the carousel; means for transferring the group of objects to be packaged to the first indexed position of the carousel; means for entering a partition in its final configuration capable of bringing it with regard to a second intermediate indexed position of the carousel in a waiting position; means for vertically sliding the partition from its standby position to the second indexed position of the carousel; means for gripping and bringing a flat cut from storage means to a waiting position nearby, facing and coplanarly to a third indexed position downstream of the carousel; means for transferring the group of partitioned objects to be packaged from the third indexed position downstream of the carousel to the waiting position for the flat blank; and wrap-around type packaging means associated with the waiting position for cutting. The other characteristics of the invention will result from the

  description which will follow with reference to the attached drawing which is a view

  schematic in perspective illustrating the process and the installation

according to the invention.

  The invention relates to a method and an installation for constituting a package 1 comprising several juxtaposed objects 2 separated by an internal partitioning 3 and surrounded externally by an envelope 4

forming a case.

  The objects 2, the partitioning 3 and the envelope 4 are not in themselves and directly the subject of the invention. They are in themselves generally

  known or within the reach of the skilled person.

  Objects 2 are for example bottles or cans or other equivalent products. These objects 2 are juxtaposed by being placed horizontally one beside the other, being generally arranged in rows and columns. For example, and although this in no way constitutes a limitation of the invention, a group of twelve objects grouped in four rows and three columns is shown in the figure. Preferably the objects 2 are close to each other so as to form a compact group, being

  only separated by partitioning 3.

  The partitioning 3 can be of the cross-forming type, comprising for this purpose strips 5 and 6 intended to separate the rows and columns of objects 2. Such a partitioning 3 in the form of a striped crosspiece 5, 6 can be produced for example made of cardboard or similar material and can be presented either in the folded state (reference A in the figure) o the strips 5, 6 are coplanar with one another, which allows the storage of partitions 3, or in the final configuration (reference B in the figure) o bands 5, 6

  are substantially perpendicular to each other.

  The envelopes 4 can be made of cardboard or equivalent material. Such envelopes 4 can be formed from cutouts 7 originally flat so that they can be stored stacked (reference C in the figure). Such flat cutouts have faces 8 intended to form the walls of the envelope 4 separated by fold lines 9, and flaps 10 which can be superimposed and secured by gluing, stapling, or in any other suitable manner to ensure the keeping closed of

envelope 4.

  Objects 2 are initially in the form of a storage of objects to

  package 11 such as a conveyor belt with accumulation.

  Also, the partitions 3 can be originally presented in the form of a partitioning storage 12 in which these are

  placed flat folded against each other, particularly vertically.

  And, the envelopes 4 are, originally, in the form of cut-outs

  dish 7 stacked in a cutout storage 13.

  The invention uses a carousel 14 with several positions 15 movable intermittently in steps, of vertical axis, driven by

  training means not shown.

  Such a carousel 14 has at least three irtxed positions 15 and

  in particular, as illustrated in the figure, six indexed positions.

  The principle of such a carousel-type structure is generally known in the packaging field and for this reason need not be described in more detail. Such a carousel has several positions, each position can occupy successive locations as a result of the step-by-step movement of the carousel. At each of the locations, the positions 15 remain stationary for the duration of time necessary so as to allow a certain operation to be carried out. The same position 15 passes through the successive locations so that the successive functions necessary for the packaging process are carried out. At some point, positions 15 or some of them are in different locations

  corresponding to different stages of the process.

  In the rest of the text, reference is made to indexed positions. By indexed position is meant a position 15 located in a certain given location. In addition, upstream and downstream means the relative position of the positions indexed with respect to the direction

carousel drive.

  According to the invention, from the storage of objects 11, a group of objects to be packaged 16 is formed in its final configuration. By group of objects to be packaged in its final configuration 16 is meant objects 2 in number and in arrangement which are those of

package 1 completed.

  From the partition storage 12, a partition 3 is entered so that it is in its final configuration. These two operations can be done simultaneously or substantially simultaneously and in a coordinated manner so as to be able to bring the group of objects to be packaged and constituted 16 and the partitioning entered 3 opposite one another. They are then made to cooperate by relative sliding to constitute a group of partitioned objects to be packaged 17 (as opposed to the group of non-partitioned objects 16). This cooperation of the group of objects 16 and of the partitioning 3 is preferably carried out while the group of objects 16 and the partitioning 3 are fixed relative to a plane perpendicular to their common direction which is that of sliding, in this case the vertical direction. Furthermore, a flat cut 7 is entered from the cutout storage 13. The group of partitioned objects 17 is brought in and the flat cut 7 thus captured one on top of the other and the group of partitioned objects 17 is packaged in the flat cut 7 by the packaging technique of

wrap-around type.

  The wrap-around packaging technique being well known per se

  those skilled in the art need not be described in more detail.

  The method according to the invention as just described and the presence of the carousel 14 with several positions 15 makes it possible to constitute

  several packets 1 successively but partially simultaneously.

  As it follows from the above, the group of non-partitioned objects 16 is formed from a storage of objects 11 with accumulation and, as will be seen later at barrage

transverse mobile 18.

  Preferably, to make the partition 3 and the group of objects to be packaged cooperate 16, they are brought vertically opposite one another and a relative sliding is carried out to make them cooperate, that is to say place the partitioning 3 between the objects 2 and that in a phase of stopping the carousel. In particular, the partition 3 is placed vertically and above the group of objects 16 and only the partition 3 is moved by sliding, the

  group of objects 16 then remaining fixed.

  To pack the group of partitioned objects 17 to be packaged in the envelope 4, first bring the group of partitioned objects 17 on and above the flat cutout 7 and then fold this

  cutout 7 around the group of partitioned objects 17.

  An installation for implementing the method therefore comprises the carousel 14; means for constituting the group of objects 16 from the storage of objects 11 located opposite a first indexed upstream position 19 of the carousel. The installation also includes means for transferring the group of objects to be packaged 16

  on the first upstream indexed position 19.

  The installation also includes means for entering a partition 3 in its final configuration capable of bringing this partition in this configuration with regard to a second intermediate indexed position 20 of the carousel 14 in a waiting position 21. To these means transfer means are associated with vertical sliding of the partition 3 from its waiting position resulting from the use of the gripping means towards the second

indexed position 20.

  The installation also includes means for gripping and bringing a flat cut 7 from the storage means 13 to a standby position 22 located in particular but not exclusively near, facing and coplanarly to a third position

indexed downstream 23 from the carousel 14.

  The installation also includes means for transferring the group of partitioned objects 17 to be packaged from the third indexed downstream position 23 of the carousel 14 to the standby position 22 for cutting. Finally, the installation includes packaging means of the type

  wrap-around associated with the waiting position 22 for cutting.

  In the case of the figure shown, the carousel 14 has six positions 15, namely from upstream to downstream and from the first indexed position 19: the first indexed position 19, immediately after the second indexed position 20, immediately after a position indexed intermediate 24 on which the group of partitioned objects 17 is normally located, immediately after the third indexed position downstream 23, and, immediately after two successive indexed intermediate positions 25, 26 empty, that is to say devoid of objects. In this situation, the first and third indexed positions are diametrically opposite one with respect to the other. This configuration makes it possible to place the storage of objects 11 on one side, on the opposite side the storage of cutouts 13. As for the storage of partitions 12 it can be placed for example at a level placed above the carousel 14, on the side of the storage of objects 11. And, the wrap-around packaging means can be placed rather at a lower level than the carousel 14 and on the storage side of

  cutouts 13 or cutout standby position 22.

  The installation which has just been described can be the subject of numerous alternative embodiments of detail implementing the various embodiments of members capable of achieving the

  different functions already described.

  For example, the means for forming a group of objects to be packaged 16 and transferring them to the first indexed position 19 of the carousel 14 comprise an object conveyor belt 2 with accumulation; a transverse barrier 18 movable vertically between an inactive position away from the carpet and objects 2 and an active position (shown in the figure) interposed on the carpet and the

  objects so as to define a group of objects 16 downstream of the carpet.

  And, the means for constituting the group of objects to be packaged transfer them to the first indexed position 19 finally comprise a transfer member such as a pusher movable in the horizontal direction in the radial direction situated opposite the first indexed position, in particular from outside the carousel 14, movable between an inactive position away from the indexed position 19 and a position close to the carousel 14.

  However, other embodiments are also possible.

  Thus, it is possible to provide a movable gripping head carried in particular by a robot comprising suction cups coming to pick up each object 12 from a conveyor belt

  to the first indexed position 19.

  The partition 3 gripping means preferably ensure its unfolding. These gripping means may also include suction cups, clamps, pushing cleats or other similar devices capable of gripping the flat partitions located in the partition storage 12, to deploy it in particular by acting by a relative movement of the strips 5, 6 and then to move the partition 3 thus deployed to bring it from its standby position 21 located above it directly above the second indexed position 20 to said second indexed position 20 in which the group of objects not

  partitioned 16 so as to produce the group of partitioned objects 17.

  It is also conceivable that these different input means,

  movement etc ... are carried by a robot.

  The means for entering the cutout from the storage of cutouts 13 and for transferring the cutout thus captured to the cutout standby position 22 are constituted for example by suction cups carried by movable arms, as is well known in the general field of packaging. The cut-out waiting position 22 is preferably located outside and in the immediate vicinity of the third indexed downstream position 23 while being coplanar with the latter, which facilitates the transfer of the group of partitioned objects 17 from the third indexed position downstream 23 at the cutout 7 being in the standby position 22. This transfer of the group of partitioned objects 17 is preferably carried out by means of a pusher movable horizontally in the radial direction. However, other devices can be envisaged such as a gripping head by means of suction cups or compression tubes. In the case where the transfer of the group of partitioned objects 17 is not carried out by simple sliding, the waiting position for cutting 22 can then be

  more or less removed from the third indexed downstream position 23.

  In the figure, the arrows indicate the different movements performed.

Claims (9)

  1) Method for constituting a package (1) comprising several juxtaposed objects (2) separated by an internal partitioning (3) and surrounded externally by an envelope (4) forming a box, characterized in that from storage objects to be packaged (11), a group of objects to be packaged (16) is formed in its final configuration; from a partition storage (12), a partition (3) is entered so that it is in its final configuration; then, the group of objects to be packaged (16) thus formed is brought in and the partitioning thus seized opposite one another and they are made to cooperate by relative sliding to constitute a group of partitioned objects to be packaged (17 ); a flat cut (7) is entered from a storage (13) of such cutouts; the group of partitioned objects (17) is brought to the flat blank (7) which is in its standby position (22) and the group of partitioned objects (17) is packaged in the flat blank (7) by technique wrap-around packaging.   2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that several packages (1) are formed successively but partially simultaneously by means of a carousel (14) with several positions (15)   and working intermittently step by step.   3) Method according to any one of claims 1 and 2,   characterized by the fact that a group of objects to be packaged (16) is formed from an accumulation and dam supply transverse (18).   4) Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that in order to make the partitioning (3) and the group of objects to be packaged (16) cooperate, they are brought vertically opposite one another and a relative sliding is carried out for the   to cooperate in a phase of stopping the carousel (14).   ) Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized by the fact that to pack the group of partitioned objects (17) in the envelope (4) the group of partitioned objects (17) is first brought to the flat blank (7) in the standby position (22) and then we fold the cutout (7) around the group of objects (17).   6) Installation for constituting a package (1) comprising several juxtaposed objects (2) separated by an internal partitioning (3) and externally surrounded by an envelope (4) forming a box, characterized by the fact that it comprises a carousel (14. with several positions (15), intermittently movable step by step, with a vertical axis, driven by drive means; means for constituting a group of objects to be packaged in its final configuration from means of storage (11) of these, located opposite a first indexed upstream position (19) of the carousel (14); means for transferring the group of objects to be packaged on the first indexed position (19) of the carousel ( 14); means for entering a partition in its final configuration capable of bringing it opposite a second intermediate indexed position (20) of the carousel (14) in a waiting position (21); vertical sliding of the partition (3) from its posi waiting position (22) to the second indexed position (20) of the carousel (14); means for gripping and bringing a flat blank (7) from storage means (13) to a waiting position (22) close opposite and coplanarly to a third indexed position downstream (23) of the carousel; means for transferring the group of partitioned objects to be packaged from the third indexed position (23) to the cut-out waiting position (22); and packaging means   wrap-around type associated with the cut-out waiting position (22).   7) Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the carousel (14) has at least three indexed positions (19, 20,   23) including six indexed positions (19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26).   8) Installation according to any one of claims 6 and 7,   characterized in that the means for forming a group of objects to be packaged and transferring them to a first indexed position (19) of the carousel (14) comprise a conveyor belt for objects with accumulation; a transverse barrier (18) movable in vertical direction between an inactive position away from the belt and an active position interposed on the belt so as to define downstream of the latter a group of objects to be packaged (16) and a transfer member such as a pusher movable in a horizontal direction radially with respect to the carousel (14), opposite the first indexed position (19) between an inactive position separated from the carousel and a position close to the carousel.   9) Installation according to any one of claims 6 to 8,   characterized by the fact that the means for entering the partition (3) also ensure its unfolding.