Patent Grant
9499370
The present invention is comprised in the technical field of machines for manipulating flat items and, particularly, in the sector of stacking machines for stacking flat items such as, for example, aluminum sheets, paper, chipboard, plywood, etc., and is especially useful in the stacking of flat cardboard items, such as cardboard sheets and folded cardboard boxes.
These machines for stacking flat items, which are used in many industrial sectors, apart from stacking batches made up of a determined number of such items from a constant and continuous flow thereof, tend to count and extract those batches. Flat items of this type can be aluminum sheets, paper, chipboard, plywood, cardboard etc.
In the industry for transforming and manipulating cardboard and particularly corrugated cardboard, there is a range of so-called “FLEXO-FOLDER-GLUER LINES” machines, known by the abbreviation “FFG LINES”, which are used for manufacturing printed and die-cut cardboard sheets, as well as for forming folded, glued and/or stitched boxes from the previous cardboard sheets. Square or rectangular cardboard sheets are introduced in this type of machine and bundles made up of a determined number of boxes (for example from 2 to 30) stacked one on top of the other are obtained at the end of the line. The height of these bundles can vary between limits generally comprised, for example, between 5 and 350 mm. The purpose of this extraction is to form the bundles to send them to a subsequent strapping and packing process, finishing the bundle in a transport pallet.
These lines in which the transformation of the cardboard sheets is carried out comprise different modules, in which different operations are carried out. These modules are basically the following:
INTRODUCER: It is the module responsible for feeding the sheets to the line. It feeds a sheet by advancement of the printing roller which is in the printer module.
PRINTER: It is the module responsible for printing the sheets with ink.
SLOTTER: It is the module responsible for cutting the slots, marking the folding slits and the gluing flap.
CUTTER: It is the module responsible for carrying out all the other irregular cuts which the SLOTTER cannot carry out, when the cardboard sheet optionally requires so.
FOLDER: It is the module responsible for gluing the flap and folding the panels of the box on the previously marked slits, thus forming the box.
STITCHER: It is the module responsible for stitching the flap of the box with staples.
STACKER: It is the module responsible for stacking said sheets or boxes in perfectly counted and arranged bundles.
Conventionally, the manufacturers of these “FFG” LINES use a stacking module at the end of their lines to generally carry out a process which is fairly problematic for all manufacturers today, and the basic operations of which are: receiving, aligning and squaring up the sheets or boxes that come from the folder, because they may be slightly out of square; forming each bundle with the exact number of boxes and separating the last box of a bundle and the first box of the next bundle; this process has to be carried out in a fraction of a second; stacking the boxes in piles or stacks without said boxes coming from the folder being able to open, i.e., preventing the panels of the boxes from being unfolded during the stacking process and jams from occurring in the operation of the stacker; and removing the bundles or stacks of boxes from this module and introducing them into the next, which generally tends to be a strapping machine. It thus proceeds to the strapping of the bundle.
The existing conventional stackers can carry out the stacking in two ways, namely, by the lower part, i.e., the box enters the stack below the box which had previously entered, or by the upper part, in which case the box enters from the top, one on top of the other.
Document EP-A-0666234 describes a station for stacking, separating and evacuating the batches to the discharge end of a machine for transforming cardboard sheets, wherein the station stacks folded and flattened cardboard boxes in the lower area thereof, comprising element intake means, these elements falling on a stack which is formed on a raised table which descends as the stack is created, the upper part of the table being formed by rollers or treadmills, also comprising separator arms joined to a mobile horizontal crossbar which is displaced parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the table, the separators being positioned to receive the plate elements. It also comprises a discharge conveyor, to the level of which the table descends for evacuating the batch or elements bundle.
Document EP-A-0006771 describes a process and a device for stacking sheets, based on a system of conveyor belts which displace the cardboard boxes and deposit them in a stack with height-adjustable base, such that that when a determined height is reached, the stacker interrupts the loading of boxes to the stack.
Document EP-A-0578990 in turn describes a sheet retaining member for storing the stack, this retaining member being formed based on elastic bars, displaceable by pistons or cylinders, to retain the sheets of cardboard boxes when these are stacked.
Document EP-A-0529708 describes a machine having means for displacing each sheet to the infeed end through the infeed end on the upper area, having rotating elastic cams by means of which compacting and flattening of the folded boxes is carried out, introducing them into the inside until reaching a stop. In this machine, and after the operations previously mentioned, the folded boxes are then lowered to a stacking area and, when the stack is of a determined height, the entire assembly or bundle is displaced due to the action of rollers.
The Spanish patents with numbers ES-512711, ES-523290, ES-523291 and ES-523.292, which correspond to the U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,243, describe improvements in machines or apparatus for feeding successively synchronized sheets, based on a corrugated cardboard sheet feeder, synchronized with other adjacent machines, using negative atmospheric pressure to fasten each sheet against the transporting means made up of conveyors, all without the need for valves and without interrupting the suction pressure. Likewise, a mechanism for feeding, with stopping and omission, which allows the feeding of sheets in alternate cycles and by selective stopping is described in these Spanish patents.
On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,196 describes a box counter-ejector which feeds a machine in which means for stacking the folded cardboard boxes are established. These means have pressure elements which keep the box folded during the displacement thereof along the conveyor belts, from the infeed end area to the stacking area. Fingers which are always introduced at a determined height between the boxes are also described in the United States patent, dividing the stack bundle so that the bundle has a height selected by the lower area itself of the fingers at the discharge end of the machine such that the stacked boxes arranged on these fingers form what will be the following bundle.
The staking machines must carry out the stacking and counting of the flat items and separating and extracting the corresponding batches of flat items in a greatly reduced time lapse, and at the same time they must avoid mistakes in counting, jams and flaws in the flat items; therefore its good operation is critical in the production lines of flat items because in the event of any failure such as a jam, for example, the entire production line is paralyzed. However, the stacking machines of the state of the art can still be improved with regard to the combination of a suitably fast work speed and a very high operational safety.
The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art detailed above by means of a machine for stacking flat items comprising an infeed end for flat items and a discharge end for bundles of flat items; and stacking means in which flat items successively received from the infeed end are stacked to form successive bundles of flat items which is characterized in that it further comprises
a first horizontal stacking table and a second horizontal stacking table arranged in respective longitudinal planes vertically parallel to one another;
first displacement means susceptible to displacing the first stacking table in a longitudinal plane and in a vertical plane at least between a horizontal stacking position in which the first stacking table receives flat items to successively form first bundles and an unloading position in which the bundles are successively transferred from the first stacking table to unloading means;
second displacement means susceptible to displacing the second table in said longitudinal plane and in said vertical plane at least between said stacking position in which the second stacking table receives flat items to successively form bundles when the first stacking table is not in said stacking position, and said unloading position in which the bundles are successively transferred from the second stacking table to said unloading means when the first stacking table is in said unloading position;
unloading means to successively collect the bundles of the first stacking table and of the second stacking table; and
coupling means which couple the unloading means alternatively to one of the stacking tables when it is finished forming the stack and must unload the bundle and which uncouples the unloading means when the stacking table returns to the standby area and the other table needs the unloading means.
According to the invention, the infeed end can comprise a transversely rotating upper infeed roller and lower infeed roller, between which the flat items enter with pressure applied on their upper face by the upper infeed roller and on their lower face by the lower infeed roller. At least one of the infeed rollers, preferably both, is connected to a drive motor. Preferably, the upper infeed roller is height-adjustable to distance itself from or move closer to the lower infeed roller depending on the thickness of the flat items which enter between the infeed rollers and on the pressure to be applied by the infeed rollers on the faces of the flat items. To adjust its height, the upper infeed roller can be connected to a thickness adjustment cam which adjusts the height of the upper infeed roller. The movements of the thickness adjustment cam are controlled and driven by a control motor.
In the stacking area a swinging infeed beater can be provided which squares up the flat items that are going to be stacked, mounted on an eccentric shaft and a front stop, transversally arranged and between which the stack of flat items is formed, in which case the lower infeed roller, the upper infeed roller and the eccentric shaft are connected to the drive motor by means of an infeed transmission belt.
The front stop can in turn be mounted in a transverse frame longitudinally moveable on adjustment screws driven by a drive motor for adjusting the distance of the front stop with respect to the infeed beater.
An auxiliary frame can also be arranged in the stacking area, in which rotating infeed pressure wheels which apply pressure on the upper faces of the successive flat items deposited on top of the stack of flat items are mounted. Preferably, these rotating infeed pressure wheels are adjustable with regard to the pressure which they exert on the upper faces of the flat items. By means of the rotating infeed pressure wheels a determined and controlled pressure can be applied on the flat items at the time of their falling onto the stacks which will be formed on the respective tables, thus preventing in the case of folded boxes the unfolding of the parts thereof and favoring, in the case of previously glued cardboard boxes, the gluing thereof.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the displacement means of each table comprise vertical displacement means for rapidly lowering the stacking table, with which they are associated from a standby position located above the stacking table to the stacking position, for continually lowering the stacking table in the stacking position from an initial stacking position proportionally to the growth of the stack caused by each new flat item deposited on the stack to a final stacking position, and to raise the stacking table from a longitudinally advanced position located below the unloading position. Likewise, the first vertical displacement means comprise longitudinal displacement means for horizontally advancing the stacking table from the final stacking position towards the advanced position located below said unloading position and to move the stacking table back from the unloading position towards the standby position, which is longitudinally equal or approximate to that of the stack.
In this preferred embodiment, the unloading means comprise a mobile unloading table longitudinally guided by respective side guiding elements and displaceable between an extended position towards the infeed end and a retracted position to the discharge end of the machine, such that the coupling means couple the mobile unloading table to one of the stacking tables when the already formed bundle is in the unloading area, and the extraction is necessary, and decouples when the extraction has completed, the stacking table is already in the standby area and the other stacking table claims the unloading means to start the unloading of the already completed bundle. To enable a maximum retraction of the mobile unloading table, this can comprise longitudinal arms which can be inserted into longitudinal cavities corresponding to a fixed evacuation table when the mobile unloading table is displaced to its retracted position.
According to the invention, the respective displacement means of the stacking tables can comprise a longitudinal displacement carriage displaceable along the horizontal guiding means due to the action of a longitudinal displacement screw connected to a longitudinal displacement motor, while the second displacement means can comprise a longitudinal displacement carriage displaceable along the horizontal guiding means due to the action of a longitudinal displacement screw connected to a longitudinal displacement motor. In this case, the vertical displacement means can be arranged in the horizontal displacement carriage and comprise vertical guiding means which guide the stacking table to which they are connected, and a vertical displacement screw driven by a screw motor coupled to the stacking table to displace it vertically. The vertical guiding means can further comprise a first vertical guide and a second vertical guide between which the vertical displacement screw is arranged.
The first stacking table can comprise a plurality of longitudinal, horizontal arms in which respective rows of retractable pressure wheels are arranged which are retracted in the longitudinal arms when the stacking table is in said standby position and emerging in the lower portion of the longitudinal arms when the stacking table reaches its initial stacking position on top of the other stacking table which is in said final stacking position. In this situation, the emerging retractable wheels exert pressure on the stack of flat items which is on the other stacking table, and further facilitate the orderly extraction of the bundles of flat items formed from the stacking area.
For the transfer of the bundles of flat items formed in the respective stacking tables to the mobile unloading table, the stacking machine can be provided with a transverse vertical unloading stop and with a retractable unloading stop. The unloading stop is provided such that, when one of the stacking tables has risen to its unloading position, and upon starting the horizontal trajectory towards the standby area, the bundle contacts said vertical unloading stop, the stacking table being slid entirely below the bundle and the latter being arranged on the unloading table, which is coupled by means of the coupling means to the stacking table. On the other hand, the retractable unloading stop is arranged in the rear part of the mobile unloading table, and retracts when, upon moving towards its extended position, the mobile unloading table slides below the bundle retained by the vertical unloading stop, and which emerges upwards from the mobile unloading table when the latter returns to its retracted position, such that it drags the bundle towards the fixed unloading table.
The fixed evacuation table can be provided with a plurality of longitudinal rows of idler wheels on which the bundles can roll towards the discharge end of the stacking machine. Likewise, the fixed evacuation table can be provided with a central longitudinal unloading belt which passes along the upper surface of the fixed evacuation table and which is connected to driving means, for transporting bundles received from the mobile unloading table towards the discharge end of the stacking machine. This unloading belt can be arranged around a longitudinal row of rotating rollers. In this case, the driving means of the unloading belt are connected in the lower portion to the front part of the mobile unloading table and comprise a driving pin displaceable by a pneumatic driving cylinder between a retracted position in which it does not contact the lower part of the unloading belt and a raised position in which it contacts said lower part and pulls it towards the infeed of the stacking machine when the mobile unloading table is displaced in that direction. The upper part of the unloading belt thus transports the bundles received towards the discharge end of the stacking machine.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stacking machine further comprises a discharge presser which extends longitudinally on top of the mobile unloading table from the unloading stop towards the table on top of the fixed unloading table. The discharge presser is height-adjustable to exert pressure on at least the bundles which are located on the mobile unloading table.
The stacking machine according to the present invention is preferably provided with conventional sensors and detectors therein, such as position sensors and end of line detectors, connected to a programmable control unit, with parameters such as the dimensions of the flat items, number of flat items per bundle, and determination of the type of flat item that is stacked, such as for example if folded and/or stitched up boxes or sheets of cardboard, etc. are stacked, such that from these parameters the stacking machine carries out the automatic adjustment movements. To be able to achieve these automatic positions, the stacking machine is conveniently controlled by intelligent regulators or controllers which receive the different position references from a central controller.
According to that inferred by the previous description, the two stacking tables alternately perform both the function of stacking the flat items as well as the function of separating the already formed bundles from the stack being formed and can even act as a pulling element for the mobile unloading table in the stacking machine according to the present invention. Likewise, the stacking tables can be positioned in infinite number of positions in the longitudinal plane and in the vertical plane, such that the machine can receive the flat items in any position it determines.
Even though the stacking machine according to the present invention has a special use in the preparation of bundles of flat cardboard boxes and folded cardboard boxes previously stitched up and/or glued, especially in the paper, grey board and corrugated cardboard industries, the use of this invention for other sheets with similar features but of different shapes, weight, density, etc. which sheets are not from specific cardboard and which can be stacked for convenience, in this manner described, such as, for example, aluminum sheets, sheets of paper, sheets of chipboard, etc., cannot be dismissed.
According to the above, the present invention advantageously achieves its objective by means of a stacking machine which allows forming bundles of flat items in a fast, reliable and precise manner, while being simple.
The following describes aspects and embodiments of the invention based on schematic drawings, wherein
Reference numbers appear in these figures which identify the following elements:
According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the machine is formed by mechanical-welded elements, which is essentially made up of two symmetric longitudinal frames -A, B- which are mounted facing each other, joined to one another by three crossbars -C-, and joined to the other infeed frame -D- and on which all the elements which will be described below are mounted. These frames -A, B, C, D- are themselves conventional in electromechanical construction.
The machine is supported on side displacement lanes -1- transverse to the longitudinal plane -X- thereof, so that the center of the stacking machine can be placed in the center of the folded box or cardboard sheet -12- to be stacked (hereinafter known as “box -12-”). This center is defined by the previous module to the stacking machine within the transformation line. To that end, a transverse displacement transmission shaft -2- is mounted which communicates the sets of wheels -2a- which are mounted respectively in the ends of the three crossbars -C- which join the two longitudinal frames -A, B-. This shaft -2- is driven with a transverse displacement motor -3- such that the shaft -2- rotates the wheels -2a- and thus obtains the movement of centering the stacker in the transverse plane -Z-.
The height at which the box -12- enters this stacking machine is defined as level “0”. When the box -12- arrives from the transformer module which precedes the stacking machine, it meets an upper infeed roller -5- and a lower infeed roller -4-. The box -12- passes between these rollers -4, 5- which are motorized and synchronized by means of a drive motor -6-. This motor -6- also moves a swinging beater -17-, the function of which is squaring up the boxes -12- as they are incorporated into the stack of boxes -33-. The infeed rollers -4, 5- have the same roller diameter and the upper roller -5- is further susceptible to adopting different positions in the longitudinal plane -X- to better control and direct the box -12- towards the stack -33-. To synchronize these two rollers -4, 5- and the beater -17-, a transmission belt is used -7-, the location of which corresponds to the strict engineering calculations which allow an exhaustive control of the box -12- at the time of stacking. The beater -17- swings on an eccentric axis -16- mounted for that and, as like the rest of the elements which are related through the belt -7-, synchronizes its speed whereby the box -12- coming from the module preceding the stacking machine is carried.
The belt -7- has a predetermined layout in the longitudinal plane -X- and in the vertical plane -Y-, to enable the opening or closing of the upper roller -5- according to the thickness of the box -12-. To control this thickness automatically, a thickness adjustment cam -8- is used the movement of which is automatically controlled and driven by a control motor -9-. If there is a jam in this area, for example, the cam -8- opens quickly and the upper infeed roller -5- can distance itself vertically, for example by 60 mm, then returning to its programmed work position.
The infeed rollers -4, 5- control the pressure on the upper face -12a- of the box -12- and also on the lower face -13- thereof. The possibilities of pressure and direction that they give to the boxes -12- are very important for good operation. It must be taken into account that before passing the box -12- through the infeed rollers -4- and -5- all the elements that take part at the time of receiving the boxes which they will then stack the successive stacks -33- must also be laid out in their position.
There is a mobile front stop -11- which is mounted on a frame -15- and which frame is adjusted automatically according to the specifications of the box -12-. These specifications or parameters of the box -12- are given in the central program of the machine, stored in a conventional programmable CPU (not shown in the drawings). The front stop -11- is moved on adjustment screws -10- by means of an independent motor. Between the front stop -11- and the alternative hit of the beater -17- the squaring up of the stack of boxes -33- is achieved.
For total control during the process of receiving the boxes -12- the disorientation of the boxes -12- must be prevented. To that end, the invention also incorporates infeed pressure wheels -14- which also are mounted on their own independent transverse frame and are controlled at the discretion of the machine operator. According to the needs, the wheels -14- can be moved longitudinally at any time of the process of stacking the boxes -12- since the movement thereof is manually driven. The wheels -14- prevent the unfolding of the folded box -12- deposited each time on the stack -33- and they maintain the box in a good layout. The mechanical pressure which is applied on the upper face -12a- of each box -12- without damaging it is continuous and non-stop. This action also works with the gluing of the flaps on the box -12-.
The receiving and, consequently, the collection of boxes -12- in the stacks of boxes -33- are carried out alternately on a first or a second stacking table -18, 19-, which are symmetrically identical, and move in a longitudinal plane -X- and in a vertical plane -Y-, respectively mounted in a right longitudinal displacement carriage -24′- and a left longitudinal displacement carriage -24-, and are also respectively slide vertically in the respective carriage -24, 24′-. These movements are driven by servomotors and are carried out on high performance linear guides.
The stacking table -18, 19- is configured to collect the boxes -12-, to make a bundle with the programmed number of boxes -12- and to take the bundle towards the unloading point of the machine. This is what alternately and simultaneously separates, when appropriate, the stacks of boxes -33- are alternately and simultaneously separated. The position for collecting the boxes -12- is automatically adjusted such that the distance between the pressure wheels 14 and the top part of the stack in formation is slightly greater than the thickness of the cardboard sheet -12-.
Each stacking table -18, 19- has rows of retractable pressure wheels -32- inside it, the function of which is, when separation has finished, to apply pressure on the bundle which is below the other stacking table -19-. These pressure wheels -32- can adopt two positions and, at the time of separation of the bundle, tend to be retracted to reduce the thickness of the stacking table -18, 19- to the minimum. The retractable wheels -32- change their position when the stacking table -18, 19- surpasses level zero -0- for receiving the boxes -12- upwards or downwards. This parameter is very important when minimizing the time necessary to carry out the basic process of separating the stacks of boxes -33-. Once the zero point for receiving the boxes -12- is surpassed, the pressure wheels -32- act firmly, preventing the unfolding of the boxes -12-.
For its movement in the vertical plane -Y-, the carriage -24,24′- of each stacking table -18, 19- is guided by guiding lines -28, 29-28′,29′-, and the movement is provided by a motor -31, 31′- which drives a screw -30, 30′-. To aid the displacement of the stacking tables, they are provided with respective compensation pneumatic cylinders -39, 39′-. On the other hand, for movement in the horizontal plane -X-, each carriage -24, 24′- uses a controlled servomotor -25, 25′- which, by means of a screw 30, 30′, moves the carriage -24, 24′- horizontally on linear guides -20, 22-. These guides -20, 22-21, 23- are located in the left side main frame -B-. The alternative combination of these two stacking tables -18, 19- and separation of stacks -33- is thus according to the combination that one of the tables -18, 19- is stacking the boxes -12- and the other is clearing the stacks -33- at all times.
The machine is also provided with a mobile unloading table -36-, which is always alternately fastened to one of the two carriages -24, 24′- by means of a locking arm -42- driven by a locking cylinder -41-. The mobile table -36- thus always moves with one of the displacement carriages -24- sliding on symmetrical rolling supports which both main frames mounted thereon. The condition as to which carriage the mobile table -36- should be subjected is determined by the stacking table -18, 19- being stacked in each instant. Thus, if the first stacking table -18- is the one being stacked, the mobile table -36- will be fastened to the carriage of the other stacking table, so that the other stacking table drags the mobile table towards the unloading area; it transfers the bundle to the unloading table aided by the vertical unloading stop -35-, which is located in the XY plane, and again drags the mobile table to the standby position so that it can couple to the stacking table carrying out the stacking when the bundling is finished. In summary, the mobile table must be coupled to each of the stacking tables during the unloading of the bundle. The mobile table -36- is also provided with a retractable unloading stop -48- which has the function of not allowing the stack -33- to return backwards.
In order to prevent the stacks of boxes -33- from unfolding, the machine incorporates a discharge presser -40- which is mounted in the entire upper part of the machine, which remains free and aims to maintain the bundle in a compact condition during the discharge thereof, thus facilitating the gluing process of the boxes which has yet to be completed due to lack of time in the preceding modules. The discharge presser -40- is also height-adjustable. The idea is to maintain the bundle under the influence of the discharge presser -40- for the maximum time possible. To that end, the previously made bundle or bundles are cleared from this system just when a space is required for the following bundles.
When, through this mobile table -36-, the bundles circulate towards the discharge end of the machine and, depending on the size thereof, they leave the mobile table -36-; they move to a counter that is mounted on a fixed evacuation table -46- having idler wheels -46a-. The bundles leave the stacking machine though the fixed table -46-. In this fixed table -46-, the bundles slide on the idler wheels -46a- by effect of the push between some bundles against other bundles. Additionally, a central unloading belt -45- is mounted in the fixed table -46- with automatic driving to enable an automatic unloading of any bundle which, for example, is desired to be checked. So that the operator can carry this out without risk, an inspection platform -47- is mounted, fastened to the left longitudinal frame -B- so that the operator can safely gain access to the bundle. Only in this point can the bundle be touched with the machine running because in the rest of the cycle it would be very dangerous to do so due to such fast automatic movements and the configuration of the machine does not allow it. Other accesses from the main frame will be mounted, but to be able to gain access inside the machine, the machine will automatically and mandatorily be stopped.
As has been indicated, the fixed table -46- comprises a belt -45- moved by a pneumatic cylinder -43- which acts on a driving pin -44- which is stuck to the belt. This pin -44- makes the belt -45- rotate by friction when the mobile table -36- moves as said pin -44- is mounted therein. The movement of the mobile evacuation table -36- mandatorily depends on one of the left -24- or right -24′ horizontal displacement carriages.
The movements previously described depend on a central intelligent control which will previously have to be programmed for its operation and which is mounted in the machine with a powerful electric cabinet, touch screen and a suitable protective fairing. The parameters which the operator has to enter in the control are easy to handle and are standard for any manufacturer of folded cardboard boxes or cardboard sheets.
In accordance with what has previously been indicated,
In the second work step shown in
In the third step shown in
In the fourth step shown in
In the fifth step shown in
In the sixth step shown in
In the seventh step shown in
The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh steps previously described have to be performed in a time period shorter than what it would take to stack the second bundle -33B- because otherwise, the second stacking table -19- would not reach the standby position analogous to the standby position of the first stacking table -18- in the third step shown in
According to
In the ninth step shown in
In the tenth step shown in
In the eleventh step shown in
In the thirteenth step illustrated in
In the fourteenth step illustrated in
In the fifteenth step illustrated in
Once the desired number of bundles has been formed, or in the event that the stacking machine must be cleared for some reason, for example to check the first bundle, an unforeseen jam situation is presented, or in the event of extracting the last bundles formed, i.e., when the push exerted by successive new bundles can no longer be used, the stacking machine carries out the final steps which are explained below assuming, by way of example, that the fourth bundle -33D- completes the desired number of bundles.
In the first final step, the first bundle -33A- has been cleared from the stacking machine by the push exerted by the fourth bundle -33D- pushing the third bundle -33C- and the second bundle -33B-.
In accordance with
In the third final step, to the pin -44- is given more ground to cover such that it causes a movement of the belt -45- which clears the third bundle -33C- from the fixed table -46-. Then, the pin -44- covering more ground, the corresponding movement of the belt -45- clears the fourth bundle -33D-. The pin -44- only acts when the program loaded in the central controller automatically indicates for the stacking machine to do so.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/ES2010/070319 | 5/12/2010 | WO | 00 | 11/9/2012 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011/141584 | 11/17/2011 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130051968 A1 | Feb 2013 | US |
