FR2755665A1 - Carton making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The carton making machine enables placing products in tubular cases closed by folded flaps. The machine comprises on the same table (11) a magazine for folded cases (12), which is on the table side. There is a system (13,14) for gripping the cases one by one from the magazine. A device (15) receives the case from the gripping system and conveys them to different posts in the machine. There is a post for closing the case bottom by folding the flaps into the case. There is a filling post (20) for the formed case, a case closing post (21) which folds their upper flaps, and a delivery post (22) for the closed case. The receiving device is mounted on a plate (16) rotating around a central column (17). This column carries parts which intervene on the case upper flaps. The position of these parts is adjustable. The control parts (23) of the reception device is also mounted on a post fixed to the column. The machine enables treating different shaped cases with different upper and lower closing flaps without significant modification.

Description

VERTICAL CARTONER MACHINE AND CLOSING METHOD
FROM ETUI.

 The present invention relates to a vertical cartoning machine intended to put in tubular cases closed by lugs and flaps, either single products, or products divided and distributed in bulk.

 The present invention also relates to the method of closing said cases by tabs and flaps as implemented by said machine.

The cases used are presented folded flat in the form of blanks, the tubular shape being able to be given to them by shaping by any suitable means.

Generally, these cases have a rectangle or polygonal section, for example having four or six faces of the same dimensions or of different dimensions.

These cases can also be constituted by only two walls folded one on the other flat and which by spacing one from the other define a tube of more or less oblong section.

 The volume of these cases, especially those of rectangular section, is closed by tabs which are folded transversely; some are glued to each other, others are superimposed, at least one covering the others is provided with a flap which must be folded and then inserted in the case.

 The machines known for carrying out these operations are complex and require numerous adjustments.

In particular, the means for shaping the case from the planar blank are adapted to each type of case and the means for folding and inserting the tabs are also specific.

 The object of the present invention is to provide a machine intended without significant modifications to allow the treatment of cases of different shapes and whose upper and lower closure systems may be different.

 For this purpose, the vertical cartoning machine intended to put in tubular cases with closure by folded tabs, either products packaged individually, or divided and bulk products, said machine comprising on a same table - a reserve of folded cases or blanks, said reserve being lateral to the table - a device for gripping the cases one by one from the reserve - at least one device receiving the case and conveying it to the various stations of the machine - a possible closing station for the bottom of the case by folding the legs - a filling station for the shaped case - a station for closing the case by folding its upper legs; - a closed case delivery station is essentially characterized in that - each of the devices respectively receiving a case is mounted on a rotary table around a central column at a table - the central column carries intervention organs on the foldable upper legs of the case, the position of the members being adjustable from the central column - the control members of each case receiving device are also mounted at a fixed post on the central column, the members involved in closing the case by folding the lower and / or upper legs with which it is provided, being also arranged at a fixed post on the periphery of the plate.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, each of the case receiving devices is constituted by a vertical wall provided with two wings orthogonal to said wall of which at least one articulated can be moved apart and return to position to grip and block the case.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, each of the case receiving devices is constituted by a vertical wall provided with two wings orthogonal to said wall and articulated.

Advantageously, according to an additional characteristic of the invention, the maximum spacing of the wings between them is equal to or greater than the width of the holster blank presented flat and the minimum spacing is equal to the width of the holster form.

 According to yet another characteristic, the machine according to the invention implements a method of closing the cases by folding the tabs with which they are provided, at least one of which is transverse to the case and is provided with a flap to be inserted into the case which consists of - folding the tab transversely to the case so as to close it off - folding the flap of the tab against the vertical wall of the case by folding on the upper edge of said wall - lifting upwards said tab above the case by pushing the flap - introduce the flap into the case and push down on the tab to accommodate the flap in the case.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the machine comprises a station for closing the case by folding its upper tabs and in particular, its transverse tab at the opening which consists of - a first pusher with downward movement then ascending with a member moving transversely to the previous one - with a second push button with descending movement.

 According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the machine comprises a station for closing the case by folding its lower legs which comprises - a first push-button with upward and then downward movement provided with a member for movement transverse to the previous movement - a second push-button with upward movement.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which - Figure 1 is a view of a case in the form blank folded flat - Figure 2 is a view of said shaped case; - Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the bottom of the case; - Figure 4 shows a plan view and in section of another form of case - Figure 5 shows another form of case seen in section - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a machine according to invention; - Figure 7 is a schematic top view of the machine - Figures 8, 9, 10, are views of one of the receiving and conveying devices of the cases fixed to the tray - Figures 11 A, B, C, D schematize the method of closing the cases with lower and / or upper legs - Figure 12 is a sectional and perspective view of the device for closing the cases by folding the lower legs; - Figure 13 is a sectional and perspective view of the device for closing the cases by folding the upper tabs
As shown in Figure 1, a case is in the form of a tubular blank, at least one end of which is provided with closure tabs.

In the example of a case shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the bottom (Figure 3) is of the so-called automatic type having two walls 1/2 cut, folded and glued and preformed so that during the shaping of the case (Figure 2), they close it.

 Such automatic funds, which can also be shaped differently, are known and an embodiment is only shown in Figure 3 to facilitate understanding.

The case has, opposite the bottom, 3/4 closing tabs which fold towards one another and towards the middle of the case and a transverse tab 5 or rear which covers the previous ones .

 In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the rear tab is of the type with a flap 6 which to lock the closure, must be inserted between the front wall 7 (which has no tab) and the tabs 3/4 side.

It goes without saying that such a case can also be provided at its other end with the same system of closing lugs in place of the so-called "automatic" bottom.

 The case of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 is a case in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having four faces.

The tubular case according to Figures 4 and 5 has six sides. It is closed by lugs 8-9 of its front and rear faces which overlap and are glued to each other.

 The tubular case according to Figure 5 has two walls 10 defining an internal volume by spacing.

This type of case is closed at each end by folding the tabs formed on each of its walls.

 The cartoning machine according to the invention can be used for all types of case preformed into a flat blank and shaped by deployment; the cases of FIGS. 1 to 5 being only examples of cases capable of being used by said machine.

 The vertical cartoning machine according to the invention intended to allow the packaging, of the tubular type with closure by folded tabs, either of single products or of bulk products, comprises a table 11 carried by a frame and under which are arranged the drive motors and actuators not shown to simplify the description.

 On the table 11 is disposed a lateral magazine with a case 12.

The cases in the form of a flat blank are stacked, folded and singing in the case; they appear vertically.

A mobile device 13 for gripping a blank case is provided with a suction cup 14.

 The device 13 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7 takes a blank and transmits it to a receiving and conveying device 15 carried by a rotary plate 16 on the table.

The plate rotates around a central column 17.

The rotation, step by step, of the plate 16 is controlled by a drive member and a transmission under the table 11.

The rotary plate 16 is provided with several devices 15 for receiving and conveying the cases.

 The machine according to the invention successively comprises in the direction of rotation of the plate 16 from the magazine 12 and around the central column 17 - a station 18 for possible closure of the bottom of the cases, the means and the operation of which will be described - a station 19, if applicable, for marking the case - a station 20 for filling the case; - A station 21 for closing the case - a station 22 for delivering the closed case.

 On the central column 17 are mounted intervention members on the upper legs, said members having to put them in position suitable for the passage of the case at each station.

The mounting on these members on the central column makes it possible to adjust them in position by screw adjustment means acting on the support plate or plates of these members sliding on the column.

 At the base of the column 17, above the plate are arranged the control members or jacks 23 of the case-receiving devices.

Each case 15 receiver and case conveyor consists of a vertical wall 24 carried by a rear base 25.

 The vertical wall is provided at each end with two wings 26 orthogonal to the vertical wall 24.

At least one of these wings is articulated around an axis 27.

Preferably, the two wings are articulated and locked in position orthogonal to the wall 24 by a spring member not shown, the wings then being parallel.

 The rear of each of the wings 24 has a shoulder 28 against which a rod 29 can exert an antagonistic pressure to the action of the spring and which controls the tilting of the wing 26 around the axis and the spacing of the wings.

 The rods 29 undergo at a fixed position the action of a pusher 23 carried by the column above the plate which controls the opening of the wings 26 by spacing.

Advantageously, the height of the wall 24 and of the wings 26 is less than the height of the blank and / or of the case that it receives to allow free access to the upper and / or lower closing tabs.

 Likewise, the wall 24 has a width equal to that of the case. The spacing between the wings 26 corresponds to the width of the case.

The wall 24 and the wings 26 can be shaped and dimensioned as desired according to the shape and / or dimensions of the case.

The maximum spacing between the wings 26 corresponds to the width of the blank.

 The device is adapted to be able to receive both cases of FIG. 1 as well as cases in the form of a planar blank to be shaped, examples of which are given without limitation in FIGS. 4 and 5.

 The devices as described are removably mounted on the turntable.

To this end, the periphery of the rotary plate 16 has straight sides 30 provided with a radial pin 31.

The rear base 25 of each of the devices for gripping the cases has a shoulder 32 corresponding to a face 30 and a hole 33 for passage of the pin 31.

Each of the devices rests on the plate by the shoulder and the pin and it is blocked by any suitable means such as a quick attachment system under the plate.

 When the device receiving the case arrives by rotation of the plate in front of the case with blanks for cases, it is opposite a pusher device 23 with a fixed post on the column which exerts a thrust on the rods 29 and opens the wings 26.

The suction cup system 13 is then ordered to take a blank from the magazine case and place it between the wings 26.

The pusher is then controlled in retreat and the pressure of the wings on the blank in their approach towards one another has the effect of putting the case in tubular form.

 In the case where the case is of the so-called automatic bottom type, this pressure has the effect of closing the bottom.

The rotation of the tray brings the case to the next station.

In the case where the cases used are not with automatic bottom but have two lateral tabs 3/4 and a transverse tab 5, a bottom closing station is actuated.

This station can be disengaged and taken out of service if necessary.

This position is shown in Figure 12.

 This bottom closure station, like the closure station at the top of the case, operates according to a specific method shown in FIG. 11 for closing by folding the tabs, at least one transverse of which 5 to the case is provided with a flap 6. to be inserted into the case which, the lateral tabs being folded inside the case beforehand, consists in - folding the tab 5 transversely to the case so as to close it; - fold the flap 6 against the vertical wall 7 of the front of the case by folding on the upper edge of said wall (view B) - push or move said tab 6 relative to the case (view C), either towards the top, either down while pushing the flap towards the body of the case; - Introduce by this push the flap into the case and exert a push on the tab towards the case to accommodate the flap in the case (view D).

 The method according to the invention has the advantage of making the case play at the level of the upper edge of its wall 7 a function of shaping the tab 5 and the flap 6 which avoids the use of such devices before the closure.

 As shown in FIG. 12, the station for closing the bottom of the case by folding the tabs, comprises - a first pusher and a second pusher with alternating up and down movement. The pushers are actuated by guide rods controlled by eccentrics placed under the table 11.

 The first pusher comprises a vertical support plate 34 fixed to a base 35 provided with means for adjusting the position of said plate relative to the position of the case.

On the plate and transversely to it is mounted a horizontal blade 36.

Under the horizontal blade and slightly set back relative to its edge towards the case is mounted a movable vertical plate 37 with horizontal displacement controlled by a pneumatic hub and / or by a spring and capable of deviating from the edge 38 of the horizontal blade.

 The vertical plate is movable behind the case and it acts at the flap 6 which is provided with the transverse tab covering the opening of the case.

The blade presses upwardly from its support plate on the flap 6; which has the effect of pressing the tab 5 on the case and folding the flap around the upper edge of the wall of the case.

 At the end of the upward movement of the support plate and of the blade, the edge of the flap is hooked by the edge 38 of the horizontal blade.

The support blade is then actuated downwards, the tab is lowered relative to the case, the flap being kept folded.

The tab and the flap are lowered until the rim of the flap comes above the upper edge 39 of the wall 7 of the case.

 The horizontally moving plate is then subjected to a thrust which releases the flap from the lower edge 38 of the horizontal blade and pushes it towards the case behind the vertical wall 7 of the latter, more precisely between the latter and the lateral tabs 3/4 previously folded by conventional and known means.

 The second pusher with a vertical blade 40 is then actuated upwards.

This pusher acts on the transverse tab 5 and the plate on the body of the case by pushing the flap into the case, thereby closing the bottom.

The case is then conveyed to the loading station or beforehand to the marking station where a known device makes a mark on the upper transverse tab previously placed horizontally and maintained in this position by known suitable means.

The case can be loaded either by an attendant or by an automatic machine.

 By rotation of the plate, the case is then conveyed to the closing station by folding the upper tabs of the case.

The side tabs are folded over the case by suitable and known means; the transverse tab 5 is folded over the previous ones and onto the case, the flap 6 being introduced into the case between its wall and the folded side legs.

The device performing this operation is identical to the device for the bottom closing station described above and operates in the opposite direction to it.

 I1 is shown in Figure 13.

 I1 comprises a first pusher with vertical downward and upward movement and a second pusher with vertical downward and upward movement.

The first and second pushers are carried by guide rods on bases 35 controlled by eccentrics placed under the table 11.

 The first pusher carries a vertical plate 41 provided with a horizontal transverse blade 42 set back from the upper edge of which is mounted a plate 43 with controlled horizontal movement.

The lowering of the vertical plate causes the blade to act on the flap which, together with the application of the tab on the case, folds the flap around the edge of the wall of the case.

 When the vertical plate goes back, its blade catches the edge of the flap and lifts the tab.

Jointly, the horizontal displacement plate 42 fixed above the blade pushes the flap to allow its introduction into the case which is obtained by lowering the second pusher and its vertical plate 44 on the tab, which achieves the closure.

 The rotation of the tray then brings the case to the evacuation station.

At this level, a pusher 23 fixed on the column acts on the rods of the wings of the conveyor device which open and jointly, a horizontal fork not shown ejects the case.

 The closure devices of the case are mounted adjustable in position, either by adjusting the position of the base, or by adjusting the position of the pushers.

As the plate 16 rotates, the devices for receiving and conveying the cases pass in front of the various stations as stated.

 Advantageously, the plate is provided with a declutching system preferably of the ball type which makes it possible to separate it from its means of rotation in the event of blockage.

Claims (10)

 1. Vertical cartoning machine intended to allow the placing in tubular cases with closure by folded tabs (3, 4, 5), either of single products, or of divided and loose products, said machine comprising on the same table (11) - a store or reserve of folded cases (12), said reserve being lateral to the table - a gripping device (13, 14) of the cases one by one from the reserve; - At least one device (15) receiving the case from the gripping device and conveying it to the various positions of the machine - a possible position for closing the bottom of the case by folding the tabs in the case; - a filling station (20) for the shaped case - a closing station (21) for the case by folding its upper tabs; - a delivery station (22) for the closed case, characterized in that - each of the devices (15) respectively receiving a case is mounted on a plate (16) rotatable around a central column (17) - the central column (17) carries the intervention members on the foldable upper legs of the cases, the position of the said members being adjustable from the central column and the control members (23) of the receiver devices (15) of the case being also mounted on a station fixed on the column.  2. Vertical cartoner machine according to claim 1 characterized in that each of the holster receiving devices (15) is constituted by a vertical wall (24) provided with two wings (26) orthogonal to said wall of which at least one is articulated and recalled in position by a spring to be able to be spread.  3. Cartoning machine according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that each of the device (15) for receiving the case is constituted by a vertical wall (24) provided with two wings orthogonal (26) to said wall hinged apart one from the other. compared to each other.  4. Cartoning machine according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that the vertical wall and the wings are carried by a rear base (25) fixing on the turntable so as to be removable and through which pushers (29 ) actuated by fixed station cylinders control the opening of the wings to receive a case or release it.  5. Cartoning machine according to claim 4 characterized in that the rear base (25) has a shoulder (32) coming on a straight pan (30) of the plate and a bore (33) of a pin (31) radial to the plate .  6. Machine according to claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that the height of the wall (24) and the wings (26) is less than the height of the case.  7. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 6 characterized in that the spacing between the wings (26) is equal to the width of the blank.  8. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that each of the closure stations of the case by folding its legs comprises a first pusher with descending then ascending or ascending then descending movement and a second pusher, the first pusher pressing the transverse tab (5) on the case and its flap (6) on the edge of its wall (7) then raising or moving apart said tab and the flap of said edge while a horizontal thrust is exerted on the flap (6 ) and the second pusher acting on the tab (5) pushing the flap (6) into the case.  9. Machine according to claim 8 characterized in that the first pusher comprises a vertical plate (34-41) on which is mounted a blade (36-43) and under the blade (36-43) and recessed from its rim (38) a movable vertical plate (37-42) with horizontal displacement.  10. Method for closing the cases by folding the tabs with which they are provided, at least one (5) of which is transverse to the case, which has a flap to be inserted into the case, which consists in - folding the tab (5) transversely to the case so as to close it; - fold the flap (6) of the tab against the vertical wall (7) of the case by folding on the upper edge of said wall - raise up or lower said tab above the case by pushing the flap - insert the flap into the case and push down or up on the tab to accommodate the flap in the case.