Patent Application
20200031506
The present invention relates to the particular technical sector concerning packaging and packing of articles internally of a cardboard box.
In particular the present invention relates to a closing station for closing a cardboard box formed about an article and a machine for realising a packaging of an article internally of a cardboard box obtained from the cardboard blank.
In the sector of logistics and goods dispatching, the need to pack and package the goods to be dispatched is known, in relative cardboard boxes, with the purpose of protecting and safeguarding them.
The Applicant has realised a special cardboard blank for packaging articles, usable for forming a cardboard box with reinforced walls for packing and packaging an article internally thereof, so as to give a special protection and resistance against impacts, and the Applicant also set up special operating procedures for obtaining and realising, from a cardboard sheet, on the basis of the effective dimensions of the article to be packed, the relative cardboard blank and enveloping it about the article so as to package it internally of a box. The Applicant is the owner of Italian patent application no. 1 0201 500001 4902 of 13 May 2015 in which the special shape of a cardboard blank for packaging utilisable for the packaging of articles is described.
The cardboard blank (C) of this patent application is illustrated in
In particular, the cardboard blank (C) has a quadrilateral shape, which can be for example square or preferably rectangular, with two transversal edges (B1, B2) and two longitudinal edges (BL), and comprises, at a first transversal edge (B1) and a second transversal edge (B2), two longitudinal score lines (L1, L2), parallel to one another: the two longitudinal score lines (L1, L2) identify, in the cardboard sheet, a central sector (SC) and two lateral sectors (SL1, SL2). Usually, the articles to be packed and dispatched have, or are predisposed in, containers having a parallelepiped shape, with a quadrangular or rectangular base.
The two longitudinal score lines (L1, L2) are realised on the cardboard blank (C) distanced from one another on the basis of the effective dimensions of the base of the article to be packed, for example on the basis of the length (L) of the base of the article.
The cardboard blank (C) further comprises four transversal score lines (T1, T2, T3, T4), parallel to one another and such as to identify, on the central sector (SC) of the cardboard blank (C) and between the two transversal edges (B1, B2), five portions (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5).
The four transversal score lines (T1, T2, T3, T4) are made so as to be distanced from one another as a function of the effective dimensions of the article to be packed, in particular on the basis of the width (I) of the base of the article, the width (L*) of the upper face and the height (H) of the flanks of the article.
In detail, starting from a first transversal edge (B1) of the cardboard blank (C);
The cardboard blank (C) further comprises, again in the central sector (SC), a fifth portion (P5), adjacent to the fourth portion (P4) and hinged thereto by means of the fourth transversal score line (T4), which constitutes a closing/opening tab (AC) of the box that will be obtained from the cardboard blank (C), and which is destined to be glued to the second portion (P2) of the cardboard blank (C), once the second portion (P2) has been folded to envelop the first flank of the article and the third portion (P3) and the fourth portion (P4) have been folded respectively to envelop the second flank of the article and the upper face of the article: the tab (AC) will enable a facilitated opening of the cardboard box for unpacking the article.
The cardboard blank (C) further comprises, for each of the two lateral sectors (SL1, SL2), four transversal cuts (11, 12, 13, 14) which extend from the longitudinal edges (BL) of the cardboard blank (C) up to arriving at the two longitudinal score lines (L1, L2), and which are made at the four transversal score lines (T1, T2, T3, T4).
In this way, in the two lateral sectors (SL1, SL2) of the cardboard blank, the cardboard blank (C) comprises:
With this particular conformation, the cardboard blank. (C), before the operations of packaging an article internally thereof, enables the forming of reinforced walls for enveloping corresponding lateral walls/flanks of the article. In fact, the first reinforcing flap (R1) is foldable on the second portion (P2) about the first longitudinal score line (L1), while the second reinforcing flap (R2) is in turn foldable on the second portion (P2) about the second longitudinal score line (L2) so as to at least partly superpose on the first reinforcing flap (R1): in this way the second portion (P2) of the central sector (SC) of the cardboard blank, with the first reinforcing flap (R1) and second reinforcing flap (R2) folded thereon and at least partly superposed, constitutes a first lateral closing wall (C1) which is foldable about the first transversal score line (T1) for covering the first lateral flank of the article to be packed (see for example
The third reinforcing flap (R3) is foldable on the third portion (P3) about the first longitudinal score line (L1), while in turn the fourth reinforcing flap (R4) is foldable on the third portion (P3) about the second longitudinal score line (L2) so as to at least partly superpose on the third reinforcing flap (R3): in this way the third portion (P3) of the central sector (SC) of the cardboard blank (C), with the third reinforcing flap (R3) and fourth reinforcing flap (R4) folded thereon and at least partly superposed, constitutes a second lateral closing wall (C2) which is foldable about the second transversal score line (T2) for covering the second lateral flank, opposite the first flank, of the article to be packed (see for example
The fifth reinforcing flap (R5) is foldable on the fourth portion (P4) bout the first longitudinal score line (L1), while the sixth reinforcing flap (R6) is in turn foldable on the fourth portion (P4) about the second longitudinal score line (L2) so as to at least partly superpose on the fifth reinforcing flap (R5): in this way the fourth portion (P4) of the central sector (SC), with the fifth reinforcing flap (R5) and sixth reinforcing flap (R6) folded thereon and at least partly superposed, constitutes an upper closing wall (PS) which is foldable about the third transversal score line (T3), once the second lateral closing wall (C2) has been folded about the second transversal score line (T2) for covering the second lateral flank, for covering the upper face of the article to be packed (see
The first lateral enveloping flap (A1) is foldable about the first longitudinal score line (L1) for maintaining a raised position with respect to the first portion (P1) on which the base of the article to be packed will be placed, in such a way as to be usable for covering and enveloping a third lateral flank of the article to be packed, while the second lateral enveloping flap (A2) is foldable about the second longitudinal score line (L2) for maintaining a raised position with respect to the first portion (P1), in such a way as to be usable for covering and enveloping the fourth flank, opposite the third, of the article to be packed (see for example
Figures from 1A to 1E show the shape of the box that can be formed starting from the cardboard blank once the reinforcing flaps have been folded above the relative portions present on the central sector of the cardboard blank; the box will be conformed-to-measure on the basis of the effective dimensions of the base, the lateral flanks, the upper wall of the article to be packed.
In particular, the first lateral enveloping flap (A1) comprises a pair of longitudinal folding lines (a, b) parallel and realised at a distance such that on the first flap (A1), between the two folding lines (a, b), a third lateral closing wall (C3) is identified, having a height corresponding to the height of a third lateral flank of the article to be packed, and also a first folding tab (a1), between the third lateral closing wall (C3) and the first longitudinal score line (L1), and a second folding tab (a2), between the third lateral closing wall (C3) and the longitudinal edge (BL) of the cardboard blank (C) are identified.
The first folding tab (a1) is superposed on a part of the first portion (P1) once it has been rotated with respect to the first longitudinal score line (L1), so as to form a reinforcing edge, while the second folding tab (a2) is destined, once the third lateral closing wall (C3) has been folded with respect to the first folding tab (a1) for covering the third flank of the article, to be folded with respect to the third lateral closing wall (C3) for covering a portion of the upper face of the article, before the face is covered by the upper closing wall (PS).
Correspondingly, the second lateral enveloping flap (A2) comprises a pair of longitudinal folding lines (c, d) parallel and realised at a distance such that on the second flap (A2) a fourth lateral closing wall (C4) is identified, having a height corresponding to the height of a fourth lateral flank of the article to be packed, opposite the third flank, and also a third folding tab (a3), between the fourth lateral closing wall (C4) and the second longitudinal score line (L2), and a fourth folding tab (a4), between the fourth lateral closing wall (C4) and the second longitudinal edge (BL) of the cardboard blank (C) are identified.
The third folding tab (a3) is superposed on a part of the first portion (P1) once it has been rotated with respect to the second longitudinal score line (L2), so as to form a reinforcing edge, while the fourth folding tab (a4) is destined, once the fourth lateral closing wall (C4) has been folded with respect to the third folding tab (a3) for covering the fourth flank of the article, to be folded with respect to the fourth lateral closing wall (C4) for covering a portion of the upper face of the article, before the face is covered by the upper closing wall (PS) (see
The present invention has the aim of providing a closing station for closing a cardboard box which has been formed about an article, starting from a cardboard blank of
In particular, the present invention has the aim of making available a closing station able to rapidly and effectively carry out a rotation and folding of the first lateral closing wall of the cardboard blank facing towards the uncovered lateral flank of the article and the rotation, folding and gluing of the closing tab, hinged to the upper closing wall, against the first lateral closing wall once the first lateral closing wall has been folded to cover the flank of the article.
More precisely, the present invention has the aim of providing a closing station which receives in inlet a cardboard box (SCA) partially open and containing an article (D) internally thereof and which comprises: a base wall (CB), a first lateral closing wall (C1), hinged to a first transversal side of the base wall (CB), a second lateral closing wall (C2), hinged to a second transversal side of the base wall (CB), a third lateral closing wall (C3), hinged to a first longitudinal side of the base wall (CB), a fourth lateral closing wall (C4), hinged to a second longitudinal side of the base wall (CB), an upper closing wall (PS), hinged transversally to the second lateral closing wall (C2), on an opposite side with respect to the base wall (CB), and a closing tab (AC) hinged transversally to the upper closing wall (PS), on an opposite side with respect to the second lateral closing wall (C2), and with the article (D) arranged with the base thereof resting on the base wall (CB) with a first lateral flank facing towards the first lateral closing wall (C1), a second lateral flank, opposite the first, facing towards the second lateral closing wall (C2), a third lateral flank, transversal to the first two, facing towards the third lateral closing wall (C3), and a fourth lateral flank, opposite the third flank, facing towards the fourth lateral closing wall (C4). the cardboard box (SCA) being such that the first lateral closing wall (C1) is arranged on the same plane as the base wall (CB) so that the first flank of the article is uncovered, the second lateral closing wall (C2) being folded with respect to the base wall (CB) so as to cover the second lateral flank of the article, the third lateral closing wall (C3) being folded with respect to the base wall (CB) so as to cover the third lateral flank of the article, the fourth lateral closing wall (C4) being folded with respect to the base wall (CB) so as to cover the fourth lateral flank of the article, and with the upper closing wall (PS), being folded with respect to the second lateral closing wall (C2) so as to cover the upper face of the article (D) and be arranged above the ends of the third and fourth lateral closing walls, and which is predisposed so as to block the box (SCA) and realise:
The cited aim is obtained with a closing station according to claim 1.
The present invention also has the aim of providing a machine for obtaining the cardboard blank described in the foregoing and illustrated in
The objective of the invention is also to provide a machine able to carry out all the operations necessary for completing the packaging of an article internally of a cardboard box, very rapidly and efficiently, with the aim of guaranteeing high productivity in terms of numbers of articles packaged per hour, up to even 1000 articles packaged per hour.
This aim is obtained by a machine for packing an article internally of a cardboard box obtained from a cardboard blank as described in the preamble, according to claim 11, and comprising the closing station of claims 1-10.
The characteristics of a preferred embodiment of a closing station for folding a cardboard blank formed about an article, and a machine for packaging an article internally of a cardboard box obtained from a cardboard blank, of the present invention, will be described in the following with reference to the appended tables of drawings, in which:
FIGS. from 1B to 1F illustrate, according to respective perspective views, possible folding steps of the cardboard blank of
FIGS. from 3A to 3G illustrate, each in a schematic perspective view, the closing station of the present invention in successive operating steps of closing the cardboard box formed about an article to be packed and partly open at a first lateral flank of the article;
With reference to the appended FIGS. of the drawings, (S5) denotes the closing station for closing a cardboard box (SCA) formed about an article to be packed (D) and partly open at a first lateral flank of the article (D), object of the present invention, while reference numeral (100) denotes the machine for packaging an article internally of a cardboard box obtained from a cardboard blank in its entirety, and comprising, among the various work stations, the closing station (S5).
The closing station (S5) of the invention comprises an inlet (IN), an outlet (OUT), a sliding plane (P) between the inlet (IN) and the outlet (OUT), and a conveyor (10) which extends from the inlet (IN) to the outlet (OUT) along the sliding plane (P).
The closing station (S5) is designed to receive, at the inlet (IN) thereof, a cardboard box (SCA) formed about an article (D) and still partly open.
The cardboard box (SCA) which is received at the inlet (the) by the closing station (S5) is obtained from a cardboard blank as in
The article (D) is arranged resting with the base thereof on the first base wall (CB) and with a first lateral flank facing upstream towards the first lateral closing wall (C1), a second lateral flank, opposite the first flank, facing towards the second lateral closing wall (C2), a third lateral flank, transversal to the first two, facing towards the third lateral closing wall (C3), and a fourth lateral flank, opposite the third lateral flank, facing towards the fourth lateral closing wall (C4).
The cardboard box (SCA) has been formed about the article (D) in such a way that:
the first lateral closing wall (C1) is arranged on the same plane as the base wall (CB) so that the first flank of the article is uncovered;
the second lateral closing wall (C2) is folded with respect to the base wall (CB) so as to cover the second lateral flank of the article;
the third lateral closing wall (C3) is folded with respect to the base wall (CB) so as to cover the third lateral flank of the article;
the fourth lateral closing wall (C4) being folded with respect to the base wall (CB) so as to cover the fourth lateral flank of the article;
and with the upper closing wall (PS) being folded with respect to the second lateral closing wall (C2) so as to cover the upper face of the article (D and be arranged above the ends of the third (C3) and fourth (C4) lateral closing walls. The closing station (S5) of the invention is such that the sliding plane (P) comprises a transversal opening (A) arranged transversally to the conveyor (10); while the conveyor (10) is able to receive, at the inlet (IN), the cardboard box (SCA) enveloped about the article (D) with the base wall (CB) arranged resting on the conveyor (10) and with the first lateral closing wall (C1) facing upstream, and the first lateral flank of the article (D) facing upstream and transversal to the conveyor (10) (see for example
stop means (8), predisposed and activatable with respect to the sliding plane (P) so as to abut the cardboard box (SCA) and to halt the cardboard box (SCA) when the base wall (CB) of the cardboard box (SCA) has passed beyond the transversal opening (A) so that the first lateral closing wall (C1) is situated above the transversal opening (A) (see
first folding means (81) predisposed with respect to the sliding plane (P) so that they are movable between a lowered position (D1) (
and glue application means (82), predisposed so as to be associated to the first folding means (81) and to follow the movement thereof, and activatable for dispensing the glue.
In particular, the first folding means (81) are further predisposed, once moved and positioned in the raised position (D2), above the sliding plane (P) (see
In this way, realising the folding of the first lateral closing wall (C1) against the first lateral flank of the article (D) takes place very rapidly, at the first lateral closing wall (C1) is maintained folded against the first lateral flank of the article (D) during the application of the glue.
A further special aspect of the closing station (S5) consists in the fact that it comprises second folding means (83), predisposed above the sliding plane (P) which are activatable for abutting the closing tab (AC) at the cardboard box (SCA) for rotating it with respect to the upper closing wall (PS) so as to fold it with respect to the upper closing wall (PS) and bring it against the first lateral closing wall (C1), above portions on which the glue application means (82) have applied glue, for reciprocally fixing and for completion of the closing of the cardboard box (SCA) (see for example FIGS. from 3D to 3F).
The closing tab (AC) will then enable a facilitated opening of the cardboard box by the consumer: it will be sufficient to detach it from the first lateral closing wall, by rotating the first lateral closing wall and extracting the article.
Further and other preferred aspects of the closing station (S5) of the invention are described in the following.
The sliding plane (P) further comprises two longitudinal openings (A1, A2) which are arranged between the transversal channel (A) and the outlet (OUT), at the sides of, and parallel to, the conveyor (10) (visible in particular for example in
The stop means (8) comprise a pair of abutting elements (18), each of which is positioned in a longitudinal opening (A1, A2) of the two longitudinal openings (A1, A2), and which, are predisposed in such a way as to be movable between a lowered position (Z1), in which they are situated beneath the sliding plane (P) (see for example
A particularly advantageous aspect of the closing station (S5) consists in the fact that the abutting elements (18) of the pair of abutting elements (18) are further predisposed so as to be translated alternatingly in opposite translation directions, longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal openings (A1, A2), in a parallel direction to the conveyor (10).
In this way it is possible to regulate and vary the position thereof along the longitudinal openings (A1, A2) of the sliding plane (P), and therefore adjust the distance thereof from the transversal channel (A), so as to be able to regulate the position thereof with respect to the actual dimensions of the cardboard box (SCA), in particular with respect to the dimensions of the base wall (CB), so as to position the first lateral closing wall (C1) is always positioned at the transversal opening (A) when it is halted by the abutting elements (18). The stop means (8) further comprise an abutting plate (19), predisposed above the sliding plane (P) and which is vertically mobile with respect to the sliding plane (P) so as to be lowered towards the sliding plane (P), once the abutting elements (18) of the pair of abutting elements (18) have been brought into the raised position (Z2) thereof for stopping the cardboard box (SCA), for abutting the upper closing wall (PS).
In this way the cardboard box (SCA) can be maintained stable and stationary during the activation of the first folding means (81) and the second folding means (83).
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying FIGS. of the drawings, in particular FIGS. from 3C to 3E, and FIGS. from 4A to 4D, the first folding means (81) comprise a folding rod (21), a support plate (22) bearing the folding rod (21), and in that the glue application means (82) comprise at least a glue dispensing element (23) which is predisposed and borne by the support plate (22).
The second folding means (83) comprise a folding bar (24) that is situated above the sliding plane (P) transversally to the conveyor (10), and which is predisposed so as to be vertically mobile with respect to the sliding plane (P) and rotatable with respect to an axis that is parallel and transversal to the sliding plane (P) so as to able to abut the closing tab (AC) of the cardboard box (SCA), rotate it with respect to the upper closing wall (PS) so as to fold it with respect to the upper closing wall (PS) and take it against the first lateral closing wall (C1), above the portions on which the glue application means (82) have applied glue, for reciprocally fixing and for completion of the closing of the cardboard box (SCA).
In greater detail, the abutting plate (19) of the stop means (8) and the folding bar (24) of the second folding means (83) are predisposed so as to be vertically mobile with respect to the sliding plane (P), towards the sliding plane (P) or away from the sliding plane (P), at the same time, so that when the abutting plate (19) is lowered towards the sliding plane (P) for abutting the upper closing wall (PS) of the cardboard box (SCA), and for maintaining it stationary during the folding operations, the folding bar (24) will already be above the closing tab (AC) to be folded against the first lateral closing wall (C1) folded against the first lateral flank of the article (D).
Further and other preferred aspects of the closing station (S5) of the invention are as follows.
The closing station comprises a pair of longitudinal sliding guides (85) predisposed below the sliding plane (P) so as to be parallel to the pair of longitudinal openings (A1, A2) of the sliding plane (P) (see for example FIGS. from 4B to 4D), the abutting elements (18) of the pair of abutting elements (18) being predisposed so as to be translated along the longitudinal sliding guides (85) so as to be able to adjust a position thereof along the longitudinal openings (A1, A2) and a distance thereof from the transversal opening (A). The abutting elements (18) are further predisposed so as to be activatable in vertical translation with respect to the pair of longitudinal sliding guides (85) so as to be movable from the lowered position (Z1) thereof to the raised position (Z2) thereof, and vice versa.
The closing station (S5) further comprises a first frame (T1), predisposed below the sliding plane (P) and mounted slidably on relative vertical sliding guides (35); a transversal sliding guide (36) predisposed on the first frame (T1), the first frame (T1) being predisposed with respect to the sliding plane (P) so that the transversal sliding guide (36) is arranged transversally to the sliding plane (P), parallel to and aligned with the transversal opening (A) of the sliding plane (P).
The support plate (22) of the folding rod (21) of the first folding means (81) and of the glue application means (82) is predisposed to be borne by carriages (28) mounted slidably on the transversal sliding guide (36).
The closing station (S5) further comprises first movement means (37) predisposed to translatingly move the first frame (T1) (by raising and lowering it) alternatively along the vertical sliding guides (35) so as to move the first folding means (81) alternatingly between the relative lowered position (D1) and the relative raised position (D2); and second movement means (38) which are predisposed for translating the carriages (28) which bear the support plate (22) alternatingly along the transversal sliding guide (36) so as to translate the first folding means (81) and the glue application means (82) along the transversal opening (A) of the sliding plane (P) once brought into the relative raised position (Z2) (see FIGS. from 4B to 4D).
For example, the first movement means (37) comprise a belt (370) loop-wound on relative pulleys, of which one is a drive pulley, and which is arranged with the relative branches vertically disposed and with a first vertical branch (371) which is constrained to the first frame (T1), and a motor organ (372) for activating the drive pulley in rotation in opposite rotation directions.
The second movement means (38) in turn comprise a belt (380) loop-wound on relative pulleys, of which one is a drive pulley, and which is arranged with the relative branches horizontally disposed and transversal to the sliding plane (P) and to the conveyor (10), and parallel to the transversal channel (A), with a first horizontal branch (381) which is constrained to the carriages (28) slidably mounted on the transversal sliding guide (36), and which bear the support plate (22) of the first folding means (81) and of the glue application means (82), and a motor organ (382) for acting the drive pulley in rotation in opposite rotation directions.
The closing station (S5) further comprises a second frame (T2) mounted slidably by means of carriages (31) on the longitudinal sliding guides (85) of the pair of longitudinal sliding guides (85); vertical guide elements (32) predisposed on the second frame (T2), the abutting elements (18) of the pair of abutting elements (18) of the stop means (8) being mounted slidably on the vertical guide elements (32) of the second frame (T2).
Third movement means (33) which are predisposed for translatably alternatingly moving the second frame (T2) along the longitudinal sliding guides (85), and fourth movement means (34) predisposed to translatingly move the abutting elements (18) along the vertical guide elements (32) of the second frame (T2), so as to move the abutting elements (18) between the relative lowered position (Z1) and the relative raised position (Z2).
For example, the third movement means (33) comprise a belt (330) loop-wound on relative pulleys, of which one is a drive pulley, and which is arranged with the relative branches horizontally disposed and perpendicular to the transversal channel (A) and parallel to the two longitudinal channels (A1, A2), with a first horizontal branch (331) which is constrained to the second frame (T2), and a motor organ (332) for activating the drive pulley in rotation in opposite rotation directions.
The fourth movement means (34) comprise pistons (340), for example pneumatic or hydraulic, connected to the abutting elements (18).
The closing station (S5) lastly comprises also a third frame (T3), predisposed above the sliding plane (P), the abutting plate (19) of the stop means (8) being mounted on the third frame (T3) so as to be vertically mobile with respect to the third frame (T3), the folding bar (24) of the second folding means (83) being hinged to the abutting plate (19) according to a hinge axis that is transversal and parallel to the sliding plane (P).
In this regard, fifth movement means (48) for vertical movement of the abutting plate (19) with respect to the sliding plane (P), and sixth movement means (49) for activation in rotation of the folding bar (24) about the hinge axis with respect to the abutting plate (19).
For example, the fifth movement means (48) comprise vertical rods (481) slidably mounted in cylindrical guide elements (482) vertically mounted on the third frame (T3) and a piston (483), for example pneumatic or hydraulic, connected to the abutting plate (19), while the sixth movement means (49) comprise jacks (490), for example pneumatic or hydraulic, predisposed on a side of the abutting plate (19) and connected to the folding bar (24), so as, when activated, to rotate the folding bar (24) about the hinge axis by which it is hinged to the abutting plate (19).
As indicated in the preceding, in
In particular,
The operating sequences illustrated in the succession of images in
This is also for demonstrating how the machine (100) of the present invention is able to package and close articles internally of the relative cardboard boxes independently of the dimensions of the articles, i.e. the machine (100) realises the cardboard for packaging on the basis of the effective dimensions of the articles so that the blanks can be folded about the articles and obtain the relative boxes with the packaged and packed articles internally of the boxes.
The machine (100) comprises:
In the score line forming station (S1*), the longitudinal score lines (L1, L2) and the transversal score lines (T1, T2, T3) are realised as a function of the effective dimensions of the article to be packed, in particular as a function of the dimensions of the base of the article (width L, length l) and of the height (H) of the flanks of the article.
In particular, for example, the two longitudinal score lines (L1, L2) are made at a mutual distance that is equal to the length (L) of the base of the article, the first transversal score line (T1) is made at a distance from a first transversal edge (B1) of the cardboard sheet (upstream edge with respect to the infeed direction into the score line forming station) corresponding to the height (H) of a first flank of the article, the second transversal score line (T2) is made at a distance from the first transversal score line (T1) on the basis of the width (I) of the base of the article, the third transversal score line (T3) is made at a distance from the second score line (T2) corresponding to the height (H) of a second flank of the article, opposite the first flank, and at a distance from the fourth transversal score line (T4), corresponding to the score line (T4) which had previously been realised in the sectioning station (S1), corresponding to the width (L*) of the upper face of the article.
The above-mentioned sectioning station (S1) of a cardboard sheet (F) from the continuous strip of cardboard (S) comprises: a conveyor plane (1), predisposed so as to be able to restingly receive the continuous strip of cardboard (S) which is unwound from the fanfold (SF), conveying means (2), for advancing the continuous strip of cardboard (S) along the conveyor plane (1) in an advancement direction (w) and for halting the continuous strip of cardboard (S) for enabling cutting thereof, and a sectioning group (3), predisposed above the conveyor plane (1), for sectioning and cutting a cardboard sheet (F) from the continuous strip of cardboard (S) and contemporaneously realising the score line (T4) in proximity of the cut edge (which will constitute the fourth score line (T4) in the cardboard sheet). The score line forming station (S1*) comprises (
first score line forming means (51) predisposed to realise, on the cardboard sheet (F), two longitudinal score lines (L1, L2) parallel to the advancement direction and parallel to the longitudinal edges (BL) of the cardboard sheet (F), distanced from one another by a distance corresponding to a length (L) of the base of the article to be packed, so as to identify, in the cardboard sheet (F), a central sector (SC) and two lateral sectors (SL1, SL2) (see for example the third image starting from the left in
second score line forming means (52) which are predisposed for realising, in the central sector (SC), the three transversal score lines (T1, T2, T3) parallel to one another and distanced so as to identify, in the central sector (SC), together with the fourth score line (T4) (which is the score line (T4) realised in the sectioning station (S1)), the above-mentioned five portions (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) in the following way (see
A first portion (P1), between the first transversal score line (T1) and the second transversal score line (T2) having dimensions corresponding to the base of the article to be packed;
a second portion (P2), between a first transversal edge (B1) of the cardboard sheet (F) and the first transversal score line (T1), having dimensions corresponding to a first flank of the article;
a third portion (P3), adjacent to the first portion (P1), between the second transversal score line (T2) and the third transversal score line (T3) having dimensions corresponding to a second flank of the article, opposite the first flank;
a fourth portion (P4), between the third score line (T3) and a fourth score line (T4) (which as mentioned is the score line (T4) that has been realised in the sectioning station (S1)) having dimensions corresponding to the upper face of the article;
and a fifth portion (P5) constituted by a strip of material of the cardboard sheet (F) beyond the fourth transversal score line (T4) and up to the second transversal edge (B2) of the cardboard sheet (F), which will constitute the closing/opening tab (AC) of the cardboard box.
In particular, the second score line forming means (52) are predisposed for realising the three transversal score lines (T1, T2, T3) from a longitudinal edge (BL) to the other longitudinal edge (BL) of the cardboard sheet (F), so that the transversal score lines involve also the two lateral sectors (SL1, SL2) of the cardboard sheet (F).
The score line forming station (S1*) lastly further comprises third score line forming means (53) which are predisposed so as to realise, in the portions of the cardboard sheet (F) of the two lateral sectors (SL1, SL2), at flanks of the first portion (P1), pairs of longitudinal folding lines (a, b), (c, d) parallel to the two folding lines (L1, L2) and having a same width extension as the first portion (P1).
The machine further comprises a transversal cutting station (S2), downstream of the score line forming station (S1*), into which the cardboard sheet (F) is fed in an advancement direction with the longitudinal score lines (L1, L2) and the four transversal score lines (T1, T2, T3, T4) and the pairs of folding lines (a, b), (c, d), into which cutting station (S2), for each of the two lateral sectors (SL1, SL2) four transversal cuts (11; 12, 13, 14) are made on the cardboard sheet at the four transversal score lines (T1; T2, T3, T4), each at a relative transversal score line.
The transversal cutting station (S2) will provide, at the outlet thereof, as mentioned above, a cardboard blank for packaging (C) such as the one illustrated in the foregoing and illustrated in
The transversal cutting station (S2) comprises cutting means (41, 42), for example constituted by two pairs of rotary cutting dies (41, 42) arranged on both sides of the cardboard sheet (F) for carrying out four transversal cuts (11, 12, 13, 14) for each of the two lateral sectors (SL1, SL2) of the cardboard sheet (F), at the four transversal score lines (T1, T2, T3, T4), so as to obtain: at the two ends of the second portion (P2), a first reinforcing flap (R1) and a second reinforcing flap (R2); at the two ends of the first portion (P1), a first lateral enveloping flap (A1), containing the first pair of longitudinal folding lines (a, b) which identify a first folding tab (a1) between the folding line (a) and the first longitudinal score line (L1), a second folding tab (a2) between the folding line (b) and the edge of the first enveloping flap (A1), and a central part (C3) between the two longitudinal folding lines (a, b), and a second lateral enveloping flap (A2), containing the second pair of longitudinal folding lines (c, d) which identify a third folding tab (a3), between the folding line (c) and the second longitudinal score line (L2), a fourth folding tab (a4) between the folding line (d) and the edge of the second enveloping flap (A2) and a central portion (C4) between the two longitudinal folding lines (c, d); at the two ends of the third portion (P3), a third reinforcing flap (R3) and a fourth reinforcing flap (R4); at the two ends of the fourth portion (P4), a fifth reinforcing flap (R5) and a sixth reinforcing flap (R6); and forming, between the fourth transversal score line (T4) and the second transversal edge (B2), a tab (AC) for closing the cardboard box, so as to provide, at the outlet of the transversal cutting station (S2), a cardboard blank (C) for packing an article.
Downstream of this cutting station (S2), the machine (100) further comprises a successive series of work stations for carrying out the operations on the cardboard blank (C) that are necessary for realising the packaging of the article internally of a box obtained from the cardboard blank.
In detail, downstream of the transversal cutting station (S2), the machine (100) comprises, in succession one after another: a first folding station (S3), a feeding station (S3*) of the article to be packed, a second folding station (S4), for the partial folding of the cardboard blank about the article, and a closing station (S5) for the final folding of the cardboard blank about the article so as to obtain a closed cardboard box with the article inside, completely packed and packaged, which is made like the closing station of the present invention and described in the foregoing (see
The first folding station (S3) is arranged downstream of the transversal cutting station (S2), into which the cardboard blank (C) is fed in an advancement direction and at which the cardboard blank (C) is halted and, simultaneously, i.e. in a single operation:
the first (R1) and second reinforcing flap (R2) are folded, with respect to the first (L1) and the second (L2) longitudinal score line, on the second portion (P2) of the central sector (SC), for obtaining the first lateral closing wall (C1);
the third (R3) and fourth reinforcing flap (R4), with respect to the first (L1) and the second (L2) longitudinal score line, on the third portion (P3) of the central sector (SC), for obtaining a second lateral closing wall (C2);
the fifth (R5) and sixth reinforcing flap (R6), with respect to the first (L1) and the second (L2) longitudinal score line, on the fourth portion (P4) of the central sector (SC), for obtaining an upper closing wall (PS);
the first folding tab (a1) of the first lateral enveloping flap (A1) is folded, with respect to the first longitudinal score line (L1), for superposing on a part of the first portion (P1) of the central sector (SC) and forming a reinforcing edge, leaving the central part (C3) of the first enveloping flap (A1) in the raised position, defining a third lateral closing wall (C3),
and the third folding tab (a3) of the second lateral enveloping flap (A2) is folded, with respect to the second longitudinal score line (L2), for superposing a part of the first portion (P1) of the central sector (SC) and forming a reinforcing edge, leaving the central part (C4) of the second lateral enveloping flap (A2) in the raised position, so as to define a fourth lateral closing wall (C4) (see
As mentioned, these folding operations are carried out, as described in the foregoing, with the cardboard blank and simultaneously with one another, i.e. in a single action, therefore very rapidly and swiftly, required truly short pause times for the cardboard blank.
In this regard, the machine (100), in this first folding station (S3), comprises a first folding bar (61), arranged at a first side of the cardboard blank and rotatable about a rotation axis that is parallel to the advancement direction of the cardboard blank (C) so as to abut the first reinforcing flap (R1), the first folding tab (a1) of the first enveloping flap (A1), the third reinforcing flap (R3) and the fifth reinforcing flap (R5) present in the first lateral sector (SL1) of the cardboard blank (C), and to rotate them about the first longitudinal score line (L1) so as to fold and arrange them respectively: the first reinforcing flap (R1) above the second portion (P2) of the central sector (SC); the first folding tab (a1) above a part of the first portion (P1) of the central sector (SC); the third reinforcing flap (R3) above the third portion (P3) of the central sector (SC) and the fifth reinforcing flap (R5) above the fourth portion (P4) of the central sector (SC).
The machine (100) further comprises, once more in the first folding station (S3), also a second folding bar (62) arranged by a flank of the second side of the cardboard blank and which is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the advancement direction of the cardboard blank (C) so as to abut the second reinforcing flap (R2), the third folding tab (a3) of the second enveloping flap (A2), the fourth reinforcing flap (R4) and the sixth reinforcing flap (R6) present in the second lateral sector (SL2) of the cardboard blank (C), in order to rotate them about the second longitudinal score line (L2) so as to fold and arrange them respectively: the second reinforcing flap (R2) above the second portion (P2) of the central sector (SC); the third folding tab (a3) above a part of the first portion (P1) of the central. sector (SC); the fourth reinforcing flap (R4) above the third portion (P3) of the central sector (SC) and the sixth reinforcing flap (R6) above the fourth portion (P4) of the central sector (SC).
At the outlet of the first folding station (S3), the cardboard blank (C) has, formed upon it, the first lateral closing wall (C1), the second lateral closing wall (C2), the upper closing wall (PS), which all have a reinforced structure thanks to the reinforcing flaps folded and partially superposed on one another, and which are on the same plane as the first portion (P1) of the cardboard blank, while the third (C3) and fourth (C4) lateral closing wall are already partially erected and folded with respect to the central portion (P1) following the folding of the first folding tab (a1) and third folding tab (a3) above the first portion (P1), with the cardboard blank having the shape illustrated in the fifth image from the left in
Downstream of this first folding station (S3), the machine (100) comprises a feeding station (S3*) of an article to be packed (see
At this point, the machine (100) further comprises, downstream of the inserting station of the article (S3*), a second folding station (S4) to which the cardboard blank (C) with the article rested thereon, on the first portion (P1) thereof, is fed and advanced in an advancement direction.
In the second folding station (S4), the cardboard blank (C) is advanced in the advancement direction, and while the cardboard blank (C) is in motion, at the same time (see for example the third-last image of
the third lateral closing wall (C3) is folded with respect to the folding line (a) which separates it from the first folding tab (a1) so as to cover the third flank of the article, and the second folding tab (a2) is folded with respect to the score line (b) which separates it from the third lateral closing wall (C3), so as to superpose it on a part of the upper face of the article,
the fourth lateral closing wall (C4) is folded with respect to the score line (c) which separates it from the third folding tab (a3) so as to cover the fourth flank of the article, and the fourth folding tab (a4) is folded with respect to the score line (d) which separates it from the fourth lateral closing wall (C4), so as to superpose it on a part of the upper face of the article.
These folding operations, as mentioned, are carried out by advancing the cardboard blank along an advancement direction, and as soon as these folding operations have been completed, the machine (100) applies glue on the second (a2) and fourth (a4) folding tabs folded onto the upper face of the article.
The machine (100) also includes, again in the second folding station (S4), and once the glue has been applied, halting the cardboard blank and (see for example the penultimate image of
rotating the second lateral closing wall (C2), with respect to the second transversal score line (T2), so as to fold it with respect to the first portion (P1) on which the article (for example folded by 90°) is rested up to when it goes to cover the second flank of the article, and then, in sequence, rotating the upper closing wall (PS), with respect to the third transversal score line (T3), so as to fold it with respect to the second lateral closing wall (C2) (for example folded by 90°) up to when it goes to cover the upper face of the article.
For this purpose, the machine (100) comprises, in this second folding station (S4) (see
first folding organs (71) for rotating the third lateral closing wall (C3) and folding the third lateral closing wall (C3) up to when it goes to cover the third flank of the article, and for rotating the second folding tab (a2), with respect to the score line (b) which separates it from the third lateral closing wall (C3), and folding the second folding tab (a2) up to superposing it on a part of the upper face of the article;
second folding organs (72) for rotating the fourth lateral closing wall (C4), and folding the fourth lateral closing wall (C4) up to when it goes to cover the fourth flank of the article, and for rotating the fourth folding tab (a4), with respect to the score line (d) which separates it from the fourth lateral closing wall (C4), so as to fold the fourth folding tab (a4) up to superposing it on a part of the upper face of the article;
glue dispensing means (73) predisposed for applying glue on the second (a2) and fourth (a4) folding tab folded onto the upper face of the article; blocking means (74), for blocking and halting the cardboard blank (C) once the means for dispensing glue (74) have applied the glue,
third folding organs (75) for rotating the second lateral closing wall (C2), so as to fold it with respect to the first portion (P1) on which the article is rested up to when it goes to cover the second flank of the article,
and fourth folding organs (76) for rotating, in succession, following the folding of the second lateral closing wall (C2), the upper closing wall (PS) so as to fold it with respect to the second lateral closing wall (C2) up to when it goes to cover the upper face of the article, and therefore provide in outlet from the second folding station (S4) a cardboard box (SCA) partially closed with the packed article internally thereof.
At this point, at the outlet of the second folding station (S4), the article is almost completely enveloped in the folded cardboard blank and the almost concluded packaging box.
The machine (100), therefore, transfers the cardboard box (SCA) formed about the article in the above-described way, to the final closing station (S5), situated downstream of the second folding station (S4), and which is realised as the closing station (S5) described in the foregoing and object of the invention, at which the cardboard box SCA) is stopped, the first lateral closing wall (C1) is rotated with respect to the first transversal score line (T1) and folded with respect to the first portion (P1) (for example by 90°) so that it goes to cover the first lateral flank of the article; at the same time as the folding of the first lateral closing wall (C1), glue is applied on the upper part of the first lateral closing wall (C1) (see the image on the left of the pair of last two images of
Lastly, following the completion of these operations, the machine (100), while still keeping the cardboard box stationary in the final closing station (S5), rotates the closing tab (AC) with respect to the fourth transversal score line (T4), and folds the closing tab (AC) with respect to the upper wall (PS) (for example by 90°) against the upper part of the first lateral closing wall (C1), to make it adhere thereto and complete the closure of the cardboard box with the packaged article internally thereof (see the last image of
The machine (100) then transfers the cardboard box, with the packaged article inside, to the outlet of the final closing station (S5), so that the cardboard box can be collected and directed towards a station for management and dispatch of orders.
The machine (100) further comprises, between the transversal cutting station (S2) and the first folding station (S3), also a trimming station (S2*), in which the cardboard blank can be trimmed along the longitudinal edges so as to adapt the width of the reinforcing flaps (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6) to the effective dimensions of the second (P2), third (P3) and fourth portion (P4), so that the reinforcing flaps can effectively be folded above the portions, and at least partially superposed on one another, so as to adapt the width of the two lateral folding flaps (A1, A2), to the effective dimension of the third flank and fourth flank of the article.
The machine (100) also comprises, again between the transversal cutting station (S2) and the first folding station (S3), downstream of the trimming station (S2*), a glue applying station (S2**) comprising means for applying glue at least on reinforcing flaps (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6) and/or on the second portion (P2), third portion (P3) and fourth portion (P4), on which the reinforcing flaps (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6) have to be folded in the following first folding station (S3).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102016000053190 | May 2016 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2017/052941 | 5/18/2017 | WO | 00 |
