KR20100111310A - Twin packaging line and metering system - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging machine comprises two independent paths 26, 28 through which the article C to be received by the carton is conveyed from the feed end 56 to the integrated tertiary packaging device 12, 24. The carton, which is directly discharged from the two independent paths, is merged and combined with a tertiary package, the tertiary packaging moving at the same speed as the speed of each of the two independent paths 26, 28. It is transported along the transport means outside the machine.

Description

Twin packaging line and weighing system {TWIN PACKAGING LINE AND METERING SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to the packaging of primary articles, such as cans or bottles, in multiple packaged cartons. More specifically, but not limited to, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for packaging an article that is simultaneously transported in more than one adjacent stream; An apparatus and method for metering and grouping articles carried in two lines with more than one adjacent flow; It relates to a packaging line comprising such a metering system and comprising an integrated tertiary packaging system and a quaternary wrapping system.

In the field of packaging, various types of primary items, such as cans and bottles, can be packaged into secondary packages (cartons), which house or hold together an array of items in one multipack. It is necessary to provide a machine. Such multipacks are known to be provided in subsequent sub-assemblies for the purpose of combining a large number of multipacks or cartons into a tertiary package. Further, these groups of tertiary packages may be subjected to another subsequent subassembly process to assemble and wrap a large number of tertiary packages in the form of palletised loads for distribution to retail outlets. It is known to be provided.

In terms of economical and efficient packaging, there is a need to achieve the maximum throughput of carton and wrapped tertiary packages as much as possible. In addition to wear on the machine, the longitudinal size of the packaging line; Type of article; And the type of carton that can be accommodated by the packaging line is also an important consideration. More throughput can be achieved if the machine line can run faster; This is not always possible when handling cartons faces the complexity of limiting driving speed. In addition, high speed operation can cause mechanical parts to suffer from friction and heat wear and damage. This can cause costly repair of the machine, as well as down time of the packaging machine and potentially the entire bottling line in order. Therefore, it is beneficial to optimize the machine output in a way other than simply increasing the machine operating speed. Because of the wear, friction and thermal damage that can actually be caused, it is desirable to operate the machine at low speeds without compromising the throughput of the packaged article.

Many known machines can only package one type of carton, and bottling plants may be required to use multiple machines to package different carton types; Each machine occupies a significant amount of plane space and can be expensive to purchase and operate. Thus, various articles; It is desirable to have a packaging machine suitable to accommodate the carton type and carton size. It is also desirable to minimize the longitudinal size of the packaging machine to reduce the amount of planar space that is occupied.

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

According to a first aspect, the invention comprises at least two independent paths through which the primary article to be received by the secondary carton is transported from the infeed end of the packaging machine to the integrated tertiary packaging machine, In a packaging machine wherein secondary cartons directly discharged from the two independent paths in a primary packaging device are merged and combined into a tertiary package, wherein the tertiary package is configured such that each of the primary articles into which the incoming primary articles are placed is disposed; A packaging machine is provided that is conveyed along a conveying means external to the tertiary packaging device, moving at the same speed as the path.

Preferably the packaging machine comprises a device for grouping articles operable to interact with the articles simultaneously on each path. Optionally, the device for grouping the goods is placed between two adjacent points of the paths to weigh and group the primary goods transported simultaneously in each of the two paths.

Additionally or alternatively, the packaging machine includes a conveying conveyor for supplying the tertiary article to a tertiary packaging device for coupling with the article processed to be merged, wherein the conveying conveyor comprises the two paths. A feed end disposed above or below a horizontal plane comprising a discharge end of the conveying conveyor substantially between the two paths and between the two paths, in which the processed article is combined and combined with a tertiary article. It is inclined so as to be aligned on the same plane. Lose.

Optionally, a finishing device is disposed upstream of the packaging device, the finishing device receiving the goods discharged directly from the tertiary packaging device, and the speed of each path in which the incoming primary items are placed. It is configured and arranged to convey the finished package along a conveying means external to the finishing device moving at the same speed as.

Optionally, the packaging machine further comprises: secondary package supply means in each of the two paths for the joining of the primary article; Tertiary package supply means, upstream of said secondary package supply means, for joining a primary article and a secondary package; And a single stacking device operable to load the secondary package and the tertiary package into the secondary package supply means and the tertiary package supply means, respectively, in order.

Additionally, the present invention according to the second aspect provides a device for grouping articles into a group to be received by a secondary carton, wherein the device draws at least one article from the first feed stream and the device A first continuous spacer element arranged to move along a predetermined path, operable to transport the article through a working reach of the device, wherein the device draws at least one article from the second supply flow of the article A second continuous spacer element arranged to move along a similar predetermined path operable to retract, wherein one spacer element of the first continuous spacer element is driven by a drive means of one of the second continuous spacer elements Coupled to the spacer element, such that the combined spacer elements are transported at the same speed .

Preferably, spacer elements of the first and second continuous spacer elements are disposed one after the other, and on a separate flow of the primary article disposed on a separate independent conveyor, the treatment of the primary article on the separate independent conveyor. Synchronously with each other, so that the primary items processed by the device are similarly gathered and weighed in groups as they are transported on each separate independent conveyor and simultaneously from the discharge end of their respective separate independent conveyor. To be discharged.

Optionally, the first continuous spacer elements are coupled in pairs by a rod common to the second continuous spacer elements, wherein the pairs of elements in the spar are configured to synchronize and control their movement through the working area of the device. It is constructed and arranged to follow the cam-path of.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a stacking device for supplying an article, such as a blank, to a machine for processing the articles, wherein the stacking device comprises a stacking mechanism 70, an article 8. A first conveyor 32 for feeding stacked pallets; A conveyor 36 for removing the empty pallet 4 and a first pallet lift 38, wherein the conveyor 32 for supplying the pallet on which the article 8 is loaded is adapted for removing the empty pallet. Arranged in a substantially parallel alignment with the conveyor, the full pallet can be transported as the empty pallet is removed.

Optionally, the loading machine comprises a second conveyor and a second pallet lift for feeding the loaded pallets, wherein the same loading mechanism also takes the goods from the loaded pallets on the second conveyor and at another supply point of the packaging machine. Operable to feed them, wherein the second pallet lift is operable to move the pallet from the second conveyor for feeding the pallet to the conveyor for removing the empty pallet, wherein the pallet for removing the empty pallet is It serves for both the first and second conveyors for feeding the loaded pallets.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1A and 1B show an exemplary carton package constructed by a packaging machine according to a first embodiment of the invention;
2 is a perspective view showing an exemplary packaging line according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
3 is an enlarged view of the supply end of the packaging line of FIG. 2;
4 is an enlarged view of the metering mechanism and carton forming zone of the packaging line of FIG. 2;
5 is an enlarged view of the carton feeding, carton forming and metering mechanism shown in FIGS.
6 is an enlarged view of the metering mechanism of the packaging line of FIG. 1; And
7 is an enlarged view of the tertiary packaging zone of the packaging line of FIG.

The packaging line of the present invention will be described with reference generally to FIGS. 2 to 7 respectively. The present invention utilizes two feed streams of the article to provide representative top-gripping clips 8a and 8b (as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) of a primary article, such as can or bottle C. for effective packaging into secondary cartons, such as gripping clips. The articles on each feed stream are processed simultaneously to double the throughput compared to a single article flow packaging machine operating at the same longitudinal velocity.

The packaging line 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. The packaging line generally includes a supply end, indicated at 56; An auto-loading assembly, generally indicated at 16, for loading secondary carton blanks (8) and tertiary carton blanks (6); A tertiary carton feeding mechanism, generally indicated at 12; A loading zone from the secondary package 8 to the tertiary package 6, indicated generally at 24; And a finishing device 14.

The packaging line 10 receives the primary article C conveyed in two flows on the first conveyor 26 and the primary article C conveyed in two flows on the second conveyor 28. The first and second conveyors 26, 28 receive the primary article C at one end, from the feed-in or fill line, and at the other end thereof with the feed end 56 of the packaging line 10. C) to carry. Conveyors 26 and 28 will be of adjustable width to enable various articles (such as C: from 330 ml cans to 500 ml bottles) to be received by the packaging line. In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second conveyors 26, 28 is sized to receive two primary articles C side by side. The first flow of primary article C is indicated by reference numeral 42 in FIG. 3, and the second flow of primary article C is indicated by reference numeral 44.

The secondary cartons 8a, 8b are configured to accommodate 4 cans and 6 cans C in a 2x2 and 2x3 arrangement, respectively. In reading the following description with reference to the drawings, the secondary packaging clips 8a and 8b are illustrative examples of secondary packages or secondary carton wrappers, and the packaging machines of this and other embodiments are , Different types of two (more generally indicated as 8 in FIGS. 2 to 8) for accommodating cans, as well as bottles and other primary articles such as plastic dairy pots, for example. You will learn that it is expected to be able to accommodate a car package. Such primary articles can be accommodated in secondary cartons in various arrangements. The direction of movement of the primary article C is indicated by the arrow X.

2nd carton blank 8 and 3rd carton blank 6 to the 1st and 2nd carton hoppers 48 and 50 and the 3rd carton lift 52 and the 3rd carton hopper 54 (refer FIG. 3). In order to provide a consistent, automatic loading assembly 16 is provided. The self loading assembly 16 is shown most clearly in FIG. 3. The automatic loading assembly 16 comprises a loading mechanism 70, a conveyor 32 for feeding a pallet loaded with a secondary carton blank 8; A conveyor 34 for feeding a pallet loaded with tertiary carton blanks 6; A conveyor 36 for supplying empty pallets 4; A first pallet lift 38 and a second pallet lift 40.

The self loading assembly 16 is compact, thus minimizing the amount of planar space required to feed pallets 30 and 46 loaded with secondary and tertiary carton blanks. In addition, by automating this process, the need for workers is alleviated. The automatic loading assembly 16 is operated by conveyors 32 and 34 for feeding pallets 30 with secondary carton blanks 8 and pallets 46 with tertiary carton blanks 6 respectively. do. At the ends of each conveyor 32, 34, lifts 40, 38 are provided. When the lifts 40, 38 do not hold the pallets 30, 46, the loaded pallets 30, 46 are supplied by suitable conveyors 32, 34. In this embodiment, the loaded pallets 30, 46 are moved by the loading mechanism 70 from the ends of the feed conveyors 32, 34 onto the associated adjacent lifts 40, 38. In another embodiment, the conveying means connected to the lifts 40, 38 carry the pallet 30 on which the secondary carton blank 8 is loaded and the pallet 46 on which the tertiary carton blank 6 is loaded. 40, 38).

Once the pallet 30 loaded with the secondary carton blank 8 and / or the pallet 46 loaded with the third carton blank 6 are placed on the lifts 40, 38, the articulated lifting arm A loading mechanism 70 (assembled to have an articulated lifting arm) uses the articulating lifting arm 72 to pick up the stack of blanks 8, 6, and lift the blanks 8, 6, respectively, into a suitable hopper. (48/50 or 52). Once sufficient loading repetition is complete and the secondary or tertiary carton blanks 8, 6 are emptied on the pallet, the lifts 40, 38 holding the empty pallet 4 are substantially empty. It is lowered to the same height as the conveyor 36 for. In this embodiment, the empty pallet is carried by the loading mechanism onto the conveyor 36 for the empty pallet operable to remove the empty pallet (s) out of the automatic loading assembly 16. Pallet conveyors 32, 34, 36 are controlled using a programmable logic controller, so that no machine operator is required in this area.

The outward conveyor 36 for removing the empty pallet 4 is arranged below the conveyor 34 for feeding the pallet 46 loaded with the tertiary carton blank 6. This means that the feeding and removing mechanisms are accommodated in the same plane space, thereby minimizing the amount of plane space required to feed the loaded pallet and to remove the loaded pallet. This compact solution reduces the area required by the packaging line 10.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the outward conveyor 36 is disposed below the other conveyor 32 for supplying the pallet 30 on which the secondary carton blank 8 is loaded. In yet another embodiment, both feed conveyors 32, 34 facing inward have a conveyor 36 facing out of itself. However, it is most beneficial to require only one outward conveyor 36 that assists two inward conveyors 32 and 34. A further advantage of the invention is obtained because the tertiary carton lift 5 and the tertiary carton hopper 54 are arranged in the working area of the loading mechanism 70. The loading mechanism 70 can supply the blank 8 to the tertiary carton lift 52, which feeds both the hoppers 48 and 50 for the secondary blank and, in turn, the tertiary carton hopper 54. . The compact nature of the loading mechanism 70 and its versatility allow for an effective supply of the blanks 6, 8 to the packaging line 10. In known packaging machines, the tertiary packaging assembly is provided in an assembly separate from the secondary packaging assembly or is provided far downstream of the feed flow to the secondary blank such that a separate tertiary blank 6 is required. Advantageously, the packaging line of the present invention is such that the supply and entry of secondary carton blanks takes place in a position very close to the supply and entry of tertiary carton blanks, so that a single loading mechanism 70 is provided (with a small number of parts and Or an increased efficiency and a smaller packaging line 10, thanks to the need for a machine operator, to be effectively arranged and configured.

On the other hand, two entry streams 42, 44 of the article are supplied at the line pressure defined by the star wheels 62. Star wheels are known in the art for regulating article flow. In this embodiment, four star wheels are used on each side of each article entry flow 42, 44. In other embodiments, where one or each flow includes only one article line, the number of star wheels is reduced. In alternative embodiments where more than two article entry flows are accommodated, the number of star wheels is greater than four. In this embodiment, each star wheel 62 is provided with its own independent driver, preferably a servomotor. By having independently driven star wheels, the packaging line remains globally adjustable to ensure synchronized entry flows 42 and 44.

The metering mechanism 64 (described below) groups the article entry flows 42, 44 in the required arrangement. In the example described and illustrated, the secondary carton blank 8 holds six articles C in a 2 × 3 arrangement (see FIG. 1B). The metering mechanism of this embodiment is operable on each side of each article entry flow 42, 44, and separates article C into groups of articles in a 2 × 3 arrangement.

Once the first and second hoppers 48 and 50 are filled with secondary carton blanks, and upon assembly of the first group of articles C, each of the first and second hoppers 48 and 50 are simultaneously individual The blank is placed in parallel, by placing the blank 8 simultaneously on a group of articles C in each inlet flow 42, 44 through the use of vacuum suction cups (known in the art). Supply to typical vacuum mechanism 58. This is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this illustrated embodiment, a single rotary vacuum mechanism 58 is used to supply the blank 8 to each inlet flow 42, 44. This simplifies the process and minimizes the number of motors required.

Two that can be used, one for placing the blank 8 on the group formed in the first entry flow 42 and the other for placing the blank 8 on the group formed in the second entry flow 44 The need to synchronize two independently driven rotary vacuum mechanisms is thus alleviated. However, in the anticipated embodiment, two independently driven rotary vacuum mechanisms are used where each inlet flow 42, 44 includes different articles C and C (not shown). This optional feature, including a slight increase in complexity, provides the advantage that the packaging line 10 can provide a greater degree of flexibility.

As both article streams 42, 44 are transported downstream of the feed end 56, the following group of articles is created. In this embodiment, the secondary carton is placed over a group of articles by formers 74. In another embodiment, the 2x3 configuration is replaced with a suitable formation for the arrangement of the carton being packaged. In other embodiments, the forming tool is not used and such forming tool is entirely optional.

 The grouping mechanism will now be described with reference to FIG. 6 in detail. First and second article feed streams 42, 44, which each include articles in a side-by-side adjacent relationship, are introduced into the feed ends of each of the grouping mechanisms 64. As mentioned above, the line pressure of the article C is, as is well known, preferably controlled by the feed star wheel 62. The grouping mechanism 64, in addition to a mechanism that also controls the flow of the article C, groups the correct number of articles per carton, as described below, so that the article is downstream of the grouping mechanism 64. Allows to be combined with the carton at the same velocity of the carton stream.

The grouping mechanism 64 includes a grouping assembly 94 positioned on each side of the article conveyor. Each grouping assembly 94 (comprising two grouping assemblies placed in a laid back relationship) is a similar structure, first the outer grouping assembly 94 will be described followed by the inner grouping assembly 96.

The assembly 96 includes a plurality of spacer elements 88 mounted on an endless conveyor that includes a pair of spaced endless chains 84. In this embodiment, each spacer element 88 comprises an engagement portion comprising three partially cylindrical grooves which are positioned adjacent to each other. If the articles to be packaged are the same size, then each groove has the same length and is formed to be substantially homogenous with the outer wall portion of the bottle or can C (or other article) to be engaged with the groove. Spacer elements 88 may be grouped in pairs with the preceding or following spacer elements 88.

A cam follower protrudes from the underside of the body portion of the spacer element (not shown). Each spacer element 88 is connected to the endless chain 84 by suitable attachment means. In this embodiment, the body portion of each element is slidably mounted on a pair of bars 90, which are secured to an endless chain 84 (only one visible) and extend between them. . This arrangement allows the lateral movement of the spacer element 88 relative to the endless chain 84, but blocks rotational or longitudinal movement.

An endless chain 84 is mounted on the guide track of the assembly 94. The assembly 94 further includes a cam track 92 for receiving a cam follower extending from each spacer element. The endless chain 84 is driven by a motor, for example a servo motor (not shown), via a drive shaft. As each spacer element 88 moves downstream along the path of the cam track, the groove remains in plane and parallel to the direction of movement of the article C on the article conveyors 26, 28.

During operation, the continuous downstream movement of the endless chain 84 causes the preceding spacer element 88 to be placed in engagement with the article C before the spacer element that follows, so that the mechanism Two groups of articles having a maximum length corresponding to two articles and a relatively short pitch therebetween.

Optionally, the grouping mechanism 94, 96 creates two groups between one and three article lengths in the flow direction, or optionally a group comprising between four and six article lengths in the article flow direction. In order to be able to be used to generate, the mechanism has a second mode of operation.

To this end, in addition to the primary cam track 92 (which causes the spacer element 88 to contact the article C to achieve the desired grouping), a secondary cam track (not shown) is provided. In other embodiments, a spacer element 88 along the track is delayed from being placed in contact with the article C. Adjustment or selection means are provided for selecting whether the preceding spacer element 88 enters the secondary cam track according to the particular mode of operation. Preferably, a blocking member is provided at the outlet of the secondary cam track to ensure that the following engagement member (not shown) does not partially contract when passing through or being held by the opening.

The inner grouping assembly 96 is arranged and configured to optimize the space required by this region of the packaging line 10. Spacer elements 88 on the inner grouping assembly 96 are mounted at each end of the double closed rod 90, which is secured to and extends between the endless chains 86. In this way, the inner grouping assembly 96 is formed from two outer grouping assemblies arranged side by side, but with spacer elements mounted on each end of the rod 92 and only two endless chains 86 It is formed to have the significant difference required to drive the opposing spacer elements 88, whereas in the outer grouping assembly 94, two endless chains (or other suitable drive means) are only one headed assembly. Is required for). The inner assembly 96 is thus narrower than the total width of the two outer assemblies 94 such that a dual finished metering system is operable between the two processing flows 26, 28. In other embodiments, the spacer elements on each side of the dual finish weighing system may be formed differently and arranged to accommodate different styles of articles in each of the two flows 42, 44 and / or Or it can be expected to have a shape.

The grouping of articles C is suitable for producing groups of between 1 and 6 articles as described above (for 4 to 6 articles a double cam track arrangement is required and two adjacent spacers The elements 88 operate in pairs, which are not shown.) The grouping of articles C is an optional feature of the general packaging line 10 and the metering may be performed in other ways, but the dual flow packaging described. For the line, the double grouping mechanism 96 provides a compact solution suitable for articles of different sizes and allows to accommodate cartons requiring various configurations. Since the grouping mechanism 6 is narrower than the total width of the two outer assemblies 94, the overall width of the packaging line 10 is such that the aggregated carton group 82 can be easily transported onto the tertiary blank. It is kept narrow enough (see description below).

Additionally, in another embodiment, the spacer elements on one side of the grouping assembly 96 are shaped and accommodated to accommodate different types of articles provided on the first and second processing lines 26, 28. And / or may differ in size from other spacer elements. In such an embodiment, the last tertiary package may contain two packs of cans and two packs of bottles, so to speak.

The carton package is in this case an article gathered in groups via a closing mechanism 68, which is a pair of rollers 68 which press each side of the package to ensure that the side portions of the carton are fixed in place and 2 Completed by passing the tea carton. As discussed above, the exact nature of the carton to be packaged is arbitrary, and likewise the use of a pair of rollers 68 is entirely arbitrary. The completed package 80 is then conveyed to a delay mechanism, including a single lug 76, lug chains. As the finished package 80 is conveyed to the delay mechanism 66, the movement of the preceding package 82 becomes slower and the immediately following package narrows the gap. The delay of the package to create a group of two packages is such that the belt, Achievable with chains with wheels, robots or cam paths, without being limited to the mechanism described herein.

At the same time, as the carton package 80 is assembled, the tertiary carton blank is conveyed along the conveyor 78 from the lift for case packer blank 52 onto the tertiary carton hopper 54. It is then transferred between and below the grouping mechanism of the first entry flow 42 and the second entry flow 44. By using two tires, the longitudinal dimension of the packaging line is reduced and made smaller. The transport of the tertiary carton blank 6 is synchronized with the assembly of the carton package 80 such that the tertiary carton blank is adjacent to the level of the grouped package 82 and arrives between the two processing flows ( 7). The configuration and grouping of the pair of packages 80 in each processing flow is completed and almost immediately after the tertiary blank 6 is supplied to accommodate them. The transport robot 18 moves the process flow to move the combined pairs of packages 82 of each process flow 42, 44 onto a tertiary blank disposed between them (as shown in FIG. 7). (42, 44) is provided on either side. By using a robot to pick up and place the assembled package 82 in this manner, the pitch of the packaging line 10 is maintained and as a separate subassembly process to convert the assembled secondary package into a tertiary package. Without the need to transport the finished package 82, a tertiary packaging assembly is formed as an integral part of the packaging line 10.

In an optional last step of the processing performed by the described packaging line 10, the tertiary package is carried by the rotatable robot 20 and to the finishing device, which in this embodiment is a shrink wrapping machine.

The configuration of the carton 8 as illustrated in the figure provides an example of how the benefits of the present invention can be applied to the formation of a particular secondary carton and to the generation of a tertiary packaging. Preferably, in a straight line machine, cartons formed by different types of sequential folding operations can be assembled by the packaging machine according to the invention without necessarily involving the collection, forming and finishing steps in the groups described. It is expected that there is.

Likewise, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the application to the specific carton or article types described or to the folding and construction processes described, as such aspects may be modified in accordance with specific production conditions.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides improvements to packaging machinery. In a known single line packaging machine, the articles are collected using a secondary clip, and the articles gathered in groups can then be transported along the conveyor, two side by side packages of a secondary inline subassembly to a third inline subassembly. So that a single line is split, so it is conveyed to a separator. The tertiary package blank is fed to a tertiary inline subassembly and the secondary package is loaded into tertiary packs, which are then transferred to a tertiary inline subassembly where shrink wrap is performed. The average length of such a machine is 300 m, whereas the packaging line of the invention described above is only 120 m. Single line machines are known to operate at an average longitudinal operating speed of 760 meters per minute, whereas the dual line integrated packaging lines of the present invention are only 300 cartons per minute (containing 4 articles in a 2x2 arrangement) and 50 per minute. To produce three tertiary packages (containing 24 articles), it is necessary to operate at a longitudinal operating speed of 380 meters per minute. In summary, the present invention provides a compact and efficient machine with high throughput, although it is less than half the equivalent known machine length and can operate at half the longitudinal running speed of the known machine without compromising throughput. These advantages include dual line machines, which simultaneously process two (or more) article flows; Small (narrow and short) metering and grouping mechanisms that simultaneously play a role in both article flows; An automatic loading mechanism that serves both the secondary blank hopper and the tertiary hopper; Outward conveyors arranged in a vertical alignment with the pallet conveying conveyor (to reduce the yarn dimension of the machine line); Secondary, arranged in vertical alignment with the secondary package formation (to reduce the longitudinal dimension of the machine line) and packaged with a tertiary package blank within only a few carton pitches (preferably 1) of completion of the secondary package A tertiary carton supply / carrier positioned to meet the goods; And an immediate delivery of the tertiary package to the finishing device.

For example, in other embodiments it can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, wherein the size and shape of the packaged carton and the styles of the secondary and tertiary packages differ from those illustrated herein. There will be. In other embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that the finishing device may be omitted, or in other embodiments in which the finishing device is present, the finishing process may differ from shrink wrapping.

While processing in both lines has been described concurrently, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, three entry flows or processing flows are provided, each operating simultaneously. In such embodiments, the metering device will comprise two dual zones and two single zones. Additionally, in such embodiments the supply of the tertiary package is arranged between the first and second flows and / or the second and third flows, or optionally the carton from the second flow is immediately placed onto the tertiary carton blank. It may be supplied and aligned with the end of the second flow such that secondary cartons from the first and third processing flows are carried by the transport robot onto the tertiary package. However, the optimum gain with respect to reduced complexity is obtained by using two processing lines, although it is expected that more than two processing lines can be used, the advantage of reducing the longitudinal dimension is that the need of such packaging machine It will be appreciated that this will be offset by the increased width.

As used herein, orientation-related reference terms such as "in", "end", "up", "bottom", "side", etc., do not limit the described features to those directions, but merely relative to one another. It only serves to distinguish between them.

To facilitate reference of the main parts shown in the figures, a list of main parts and their corresponding reference numerals are provided below:
X: direction of movement of articles and packages on the packaging line
C: Primary Goods
4: empty pallet (used for tertiary carton blanks)
6: 3rd carton blank 8: 2nd carton blank
10: packaging line 12: tertiary carton supply mechanism
14: Finishing Unit 16: Autoload Assembly
18: transfer robot 20: robot rotor
24: Loading zone from secondary package to tertiary package
26: first conveyor 28: second conveyor
30: pallet with secondary carton blanks loaded
32: Conveyor for feeding pallets full of secondary carton blanks
34: Conveyor for feeding pallets filled with tertiary carton blanks
36: conveyor for empty pallets 38: first pallet lift
40: second pallet lift 42: first flow of primary article
44: second flow of primary article
46: Pallet with 3rd carton blank
48: first hopper for carton blank 50: second hopper for carton blank
52: Lift for case packer blank
54: hopper for the third blank 56: feed end
58: rotary vacuum mechanism 60: suction cup
62: star wheel 64: grouping mechanism
66: delay mechanism 68: closing mechanism
70: loading mechanism 72: lifting arm
74: former 76: single lug
78: 3rd blank conveyor 80: Completed 2nd package
82: group of two pairs of completed secondary packages
84: outer endless driving means 86: inner endless driving means
88: spacer element 90: rod
92: cam path
94: gathering mechanism into outer groups
96: mechanism to gather into the inner group

Claims (12)

In the packaging machine,
The primary articles to be grouped in the secondary package comprise at least two independent paths, transferable from the supply end of the packaging machine to the integrated tertiary packaging machine,
In the tertiary packaging device, a secondary package directly discharged from the two independent paths is combined and combined with a tertiary package blank,
In the tertiary packaging device, a tertiary package in which one or more secondary packages are loaded is formed, the tertiary traveling at substantially the same speed as each of the two independent paths on which the incoming primary article is placed Packaging machine, characterized in that conveyed along a conveying means external to the packaging machine. The method of claim 1,
A packaging machine comprising a device for grouping articles operable to interact with the primary article simultaneously on two independent paths. The method of claim 2,
The device for grouping articles is arranged between the two independent paths for grouping and metering primary articles that are simultaneously transported on each of the two paths,
The device comprises a spacer element arranged in succession and coupled by a common drive means, the spacer element being synchronously operable on a flow of primary article disposed on the two independent paths machine. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A conveying conveyor for supplying a tertiary package blank to a tertiary packaging machine for coupling with a secondary article to be merged,
The conveying conveyor is substantially flush with the discharging end of the two independent passages and the discharging end of the two conveying conveyors, which receive the two independent passages and in which the secondary package is combined and combined with the tertiary package blank. And a feed end disposed above or below the horizontal plane inclined to be disposed in alignment with the phase and between the two independent paths. The method of claim 4, wherein
A finishing device disposed upstream of the third packaging device,
The finishing device is finished out of the finishing device along with a conveying means for receiving the goods discharged directly from the tertiary packaging device and at a speed equal to the speed of each path in which the incoming primary goods are placed. Packaging machine, characterized in that it is configured and arranged to convey a package. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Means for supplying a secondary package blank to each of the two independent paths for engagement with the primary article of each of the two independent paths;
Means arranged for adjoining the means for supplying the secondary package blank, the means for supplying a tertiary package blank for engagement with a packaged primary article discharged from each of the two independent paths; And
And a single loading machine operable to load the secondary package blank and the tertiary package blank in sequence to respective means for supplying the secondary package blank and the tertiary package blank in sequence. A device for grouping articles into groups to be received by a secondary carton,
A first continuous spacer element arranged to move along a predetermined path, the first continuous spacer element operable to draw at least one article from the first feed stream and to transport the article through the working area of the device,
A second continuous spacer element arranged to move along a similar predetermined path operable to draw at least one article from the second supply flow of the article,
The spacer element of one of the first continuous spacer elements is coupled to the spacer element of one of the second continuous spacer elements by drive means such that the joined spacer elements are conveyed at the same speed. Collecting device. The method of claim 7, wherein
The spacer elements of the first and second continuous spacer elements are arranged in succession and operate to synchronize the processing of the primary article on the separate independent conveyor, on a separate flow of primary article placed on a separate independent conveyor. Such that primary goods processed by the device are similarly gathered and weighed in groups as they are transported on each separate independent conveyor and discharged simultaneously from the discharge end of each separate independent conveyor. Equipment for grouping items characterized by. The method of claim 8,
The spacer elements of the first continuous spacer element are coupled in pairs by a rod common to the spacer elements of the second continuous spacer element,
And wherein the pairs of elements in the spare are configured and arranged to follow the cam-path of the device to synchronize and control their movement through the work area of the device. A loading apparatus for supplying an article such as a blank to a machine for processing the article,
A loading mechanism 70, a first conveyor 32 for supplying a pallet loaded with the article 8, a conveyor 36 for removing the empty pallet 4, and a first pallet lift 38,
The conveyor 32 for supplying a pallet loaded with the article 8 is arranged in a substantially parallel alignment with the conveyor for removing the empty pallet so that the full pallet can be transported as the empty pallet is removed. And a loading device. The method of claim 10,
The loading mechanism is operable to take the goods from the loaded pallet and feed them to the feed points of the one or more packaging machines,
The first pallet lift is operable to move a pallet to the conveyor for removing empty pallets from the first conveyor for feeding pallets, once the loading mechanism has taken an article from the loaded pallets. Characterized in loading equipment. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a second conveyor and a second pallet lift for supplying the loaded pallet,
The same loading mechanism is also operable to take the goods from the stacked pallets on the second conveyor and feed them to other feed points of the packaging machine,
The second pallet lift is operable to move a pallet from the second conveyor for feeding the pallet to the conveyor for removing the empty pallet, wherein the pallet for removing the empty pallet is configured to supply the loaded pallet. A loading machine, which serves for both the first and second conveyors.

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