EP1378451A1 - Locating device for cartoning machines and similar - Google Patents
Locating device for cartoning machines and similar Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1378451A1 EP1378451A1 EP03014966A EP03014966A EP1378451A1 EP 1378451 A1 EP1378451 A1 EP 1378451A1 EP 03014966 A EP03014966 A EP 03014966A EP 03014966 A EP03014966 A EP 03014966A EP 1378451 A1 EP1378451 A1 EP 1378451A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- blade
- locating device
- holder
- horizontal
- supporting frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
- B65B39/12—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers movable towards or away from container or wrapper during filling or depositing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
- B65B39/007—Guides or funnels for introducing articles into containers or wrappers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
- B65B43/54—Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a locating device for cartoning machines and similar.
- the present invention relates to a device for locating cardboard boxes and similar containers, and which is normally used on cartoning machines to hold the containers stationary in a predetermined position as they are being filled; to which application the following description refers purely by way of example.
- cartoning machines are automatic machines for receiving at the input a succession of loose products together with a succession of cardboard boxes or similar containers, and for supplying at the output a succession of cardboard boxes or similar containers, each filled with one or more orderly, compact layers of products.
- cartoning machines are automatic machines for fully automatically depositing one or more orderly, compact layers of products inside a series of cardboard boxes or similar containers fed successively through the machine on a belt conveyor or similar.
- the cartoning machines still most commonly used substantially comprise a linear container conveyor for step-feeding a succession of cardboard boxes or similar containers, with the opening facing upwards, along a straight path through a filling station, where one or more orderly layers of products are deposited in rapid succession inside each box; a linear loose product conveyor for feeding a succession of loose products alongside the filling station; and a forming and transfer unit for arranging the incoming loose products from the linear loose product conveyor into a series of orderly, compact layers of products, and then depositing one or more layers of products in rapid succession inside the cardboard boxes arrested successively at the filling station.
- the forming and transfer unit normally comprises a loose product accumulating surface located alongside the filling station to receive the incoming loose products from the linear product conveyor; a product orienting and compacting devices for orienting and compacting the products on the accumulating surface successively into layers of products to be deposited inside the boxes; and a transfer head, which moves horizontally and vertically over the filling station and product accumulating surface to successively pick up the layers of products and deposit them inside the boxes successively arrested temporarily at the filling station.
- the forming and transfer unit also comprises a container locating device for temporarily locating and locking each cardboard box at the filling station, so that each box standing at the filling station is aligned perfectly with the transfer head when this is lowered to deposit a layer of products inside the box.
- the locating device currently comprises an actuating slide movable vertically on command alongside the filling station; a rectangular locating frame fitted to and projecting from the actuating slide so as to be positioned horizontally exactly over the filling station, with the long sides aligned with and parallel to the sides of the linear container conveyor; and four flexible blades extending downwards from the four sides of the rectangular locating frame to form a truncated-pyramid-shaped funnel or hopper converging vertically downwards.
- the bottom end of the funnel or hopper is sized to temporarily engage the opening of the cardboard box, so as to locate and lock the cardboard box in a predetermined position at the filling station.
- the shape of the rectangular locating frame and flexible blades being determined by the shape and size of the cardboard boxes, packaging machine manufactures, to cater to different requirements, are forced to produce locating devices that can be dismantled to remove the rectangular locating frame from the slide and replace it with another rectangular locating frame specially sized for a different type of box.
- cartoning machines In some cases, to cater to a reasonable number of container sizes, cartoning machines must be supplied by the makers with over a dozen rectangular locating frames, which, given the size of the frames and relative flexible blades, poses serious space problems.
- a locating device for cartoning machines and similar comprising an actuating slide movable vertically on command; a supporting frame projecting from the slide so as to be positioned horizontally; and a number of flexible blades fixed to said supporting frame to define a substantially truncated-pyramid-shaped hopper converging vertically downwards, and the bottom outlet of which engages the opening of a generic box container; the locating device being characterized by comprising a number of blade-holder angles, which are fitted movably to the supporting frame so as to be located at all times at the vertices of a horizontal rectangle varying in size as required, and each of which supports at least two flexible blades defining a respective lateral edge of said hopper.
- Number 1 in Figures 1 to 5 indicates a locating device particularly suitable for a cartoning machine 2 for fully automatically depositing one or more orderly, compact layers of products (not shown) inside a series of cardboard boxes or similar box containers step-fed successively into the machine.
- cartoning machine 2 substantially comprises:
- Linear container conveyor 4 and linear loose product conveyor 6 are both defined by known belt conveyors, while forming and transfer unit 7 comprises:
- transfer head 11 is fitted to frame 10 to move freely, both horizontally and vertically, over accumulating surface 8 and the portion of linear conveyor 4 corresponding to filling station 5, and selectively grips and retains a whole orderly, compact layer of products to transfer the layer into box 3 standing at filling station 5.
- forming and transfer unit 7 also comprises locating device 1, which provides, on command, for locating and locking each box 3 in a predetermined reference position at filling station 5, to ensure perfect alignment at all times between box 3 standing at filling station 5, and transfer head 11 as it is lowered vertically to deposit the layer of products inside box 3.
- device 1 for locating boxes 3 is located just over the portion of linear conveyor 4 corresponding to filling station 5, and is movable vertically, on command, along frame 10 between a lowered position, at a minimum distance from linear conveyor 4, to locate and lock the box 3 standing at filling station 5, and a raised position, at a maximum distance from linear conveyor 4, to allow box 3 to travel freely through filling station 5.
- locating device 1 comprises an actuating slide 12 mounted to slide vertically along frame 10 alongside the portion of linear conveyor 4 corresponding to filling station 5; and a rectangular or U-shaped supporting frame 13 projecting from slide 12 so as to be positioned horizontally exactly over filling station 5, with the long sides aligned with and parallel to the sides of linear conveyor 4, and with the short sides perpendicular to the travelling direction of boxes 3 on linear conveyor 4.
- slide 12 is defined by a horizontal cross member extending parallel to the side of linear conveyor 4, i.e. to the travelling direction of boxes 3 along linear conveyor 4, and fitted at the two axial ends to slide along two vertical guides 10a forming part of frame 10.
- frame 13 is defined by the central portion of horizontal cross member 12, and by two horizontal arms projecting from, close to the two axial ends of, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of, horizontal cross member 12, i.e. perpendicular to the travelling direction of boxes 3 along linear conveyor 4, so as to form said U shape.
- the two horizontal arms are obviously parallel and face each other, and are defined by two flat rectangular plates positioned vertically, and each with a short lateral edge fixed rigidly to horizontal cross member 12.
- locating device 1 also comprises a number of horizontal guide rods 15 arranged on frame 13 in parallel, facing pairs to form a horizontal rectangle having two long sides parallel to the longitudinal axis of horizontal cross member 12, and two short sides perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of horizontal cross member 12.
- Horizontal rods 15 are fitted to frame 13 to translate freely in a horizontal direction perpendicular to their longitudinal axes L, and locating device 1 also comprises four blade-holder angles 16, each of which is mounted to slide along all the horizontal rods 15 intersecting at a corresponding vertex of the horizontal rectangle defined by horizontal rods 15.
- the four blade-holder angles 16 are fitted movably to frame 13, so as to be located at all times at the vertices of a horizontal rectangle, which is variable in size as required, and the four sides of which are parallel or perpendicular, in pairs, to horizontal cross member 12, i.e. to the travelling direction of boxes 3 along linear conveyor 4.
- locating device 1 comprises four pairs of circular-section horizontal guide rods 15, which are arranged on frame 13 in parallel, facing pairs to form, as stated, a horizontal rectangle having two long sides parallel to the longitudinal axis of horizontal cross member 12, and two short sides perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of horizontal cross member 12.
- each of the two pairs of horizontal rods 15 defining the two long sides of the horizontal rectangle is defined by two parallel circular-section horizontal rods 15 located one over the other, offset vertically with respect to each other, and each fitted at both axial ends to slide inside respective horizontal slots 14a formed in the two horizontal arms 14.
- Each horizontal arm 14 therefore has two pairs of parallel, aligned horizontal slots 14a.
- each of the two pairs of horizontal rods 15 defining the two short sides of the horizontal rectangle is defined by two parallel circular-section horizontal rods 15 located one over the other, offset vertically with respect to each other, and each fixed rigidly at one axial end to the same body of a rod-holder slide 17, which in turn is mounted to slide along a straight rail or guide 18 extending horizontally along the side of horizontal cross member 12, between the two horizontal arms 14.
- Each pair of horizontal rods 15 defined by two circular-section horizontal rods 15 may obviously be replaced by a single horizontal rod 15 with an oval, rectangular, polygonal, or any other shaped section allowing angle 16 to slide freely along, but not rotate about, the body of the rod.
- each blade-holder angle 16 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped supporting body 19 having four circular-section through holes 19a, each engaged in sliding manner by a respective horizontal rod 15; and two blade-holder assemblies 20 fixed rigidly to the sides of supporting body 19, so that each directly faces the blade-holder angle 16 located at the adjacent vertex of the horizontal rectangle.
- each blade-holder assembly 20 is fixed to a lateral face of supporting body 19, and substantially comprises a blade-holder plate 21 bolted to supporting body 19 so as to straddle both the horizontal rods 15 in a pair of horizontal rods 15, i.e. inclined by a given angle with respect to the vertical; a flexible, substantially trapezoidal blade 22, the top portion of which rests on the top face of blade-holder plate 21, and the bottom portion of which projects beneath frame 13; and a locking device 23 for selectively locking the top end of flexible blade 22 to blade-holder plate 21.
- locking device 23 comprises an L-shaped cover plate 24 located at the top edge of blade-holder plate 21, astride the top end of flexible blade 22; and a bolt 25 for tightening cover plate 24, and so locking flexible blade 22, to the body of blade-holder plate 21.
- each of the four blade-holder angles 16 comprises two flexible blades 22 positioned in space to define the two sides of a V-section chute, and that each of the two flexible blades 22 is coplanar with a corresponding flexible blade 22 of the adjacent blade-holder angle 16, so that the eight flexible blades 22 define in space the four lateral edges of a truncated-pyramid-shaped funnel or hopper converging vertically downwards, and the bottom outlet of which is shown by the dash line in Figures 3, 4 and 5.
- locating device 1 is moved between the lowered position ( Figures 1 and 2) - in which the bottom ends of flexible blades 22 are inserted inside box 3 to locate and lock box 3 standing at filling station 5 - and the raised position - in which the bottom ends of flexible blades 22 are located a maximum distance from linear conveyor 4 to allow boxes 3 to travel freely through filling station 5 - by a known linear actuator 25 positioned vertically beneath horizontal cross member 12, with a first end fixed to frame 10, and a second end connected to the bottom end of a vertical rod 26, in turn connected to horizontal cross member 12 by a known screw-nut screw assembly.
- Device 1 for locating boxes 3 has numerous advantages.
- locating device 1 as described adapts to boxes 3 of any size, thus eliminating the current necessity to equip cartoning machines with a fairly bulky set of rectangular locating frames specially designed for more widely used box 3 sizes.
- Locating device 1 also has the advantage of being reconfigurable extremely rapidly, by eliminating retooling of the cartoning machine at each changeover from one box 3 size to another.
- locating device 1 may have a further two blade-holder angles 27 mounted to slide along horizontal rods 15 at the centre of the two long sides of the rectangle formed by horizontal rods 15.
- blade-holder angles 27 are both fitted to slide along a further pair of horizontal rods 15' parallel to the horizontal rods 15 defining the short sides of the rectangle, but, unlike blade-holder angles 16, both have four blade-holder assemblies 20 defining, with blade-holder assemblies 20 of blade-holder angles 16, the four lateral edges of two truncated-pyramid-shaped funnels or hoppers converging downwards, and the bottom outlets of which are shown by the dash line in Figure 6.
- Locating device 1 is thus able to locate and lock two boxes 3 simultaneously at filling station 5.
- locating device 1 may have actuating means for moving blade-holder angles 16 and 27, on command, along horizontal rods 15 and 15' to reconfigure locating device 1 fully automatically under control of the machine control unit.
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- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
Abstract
A locating device (1) for cartoning machines and
similar, having an actuating slide (12) movable
vertically on command; a rectangular supporting frame
(13) projecting from the slide (12) so as to be
positioned horizontally; and a number of flexible blades
fixed to the supporting frame (13) to define a
substantially truncated-pyramid-shaped hopper converging
vertically downwards, and the bottom outlet of which
engages the opening of a generic box container (3); the
locating device (1) also having a number of blade-holder
angles (16, 27), which are fitted movably to the
supporting frame (13) so as to be located at all times at
the vertices of a horizontal rectangle varying in size as
required, and each of which supports at least two
flexible blades (22) defining a respective lateral edge
of the hopper.
Description
- The present invention relates to a locating device for cartoning machines and similar.
- More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for locating cardboard boxes and similar containers, and which is normally used on cartoning machines to hold the containers stationary in a predetermined position as they are being filled; to which application the following description refers purely by way of example.
- As is known, cartoning machines are automatic machines for receiving at the input a succession of loose products together with a succession of cardboard boxes or similar containers, and for supplying at the output a succession of cardboard boxes or similar containers, each filled with one or more orderly, compact layers of products.
- In other words, cartoning machines are automatic machines for fully automatically depositing one or more orderly, compact layers of products inside a series of cardboard boxes or similar containers fed successively through the machine on a belt conveyor or similar.
- The cartoning machines still most commonly used substantially comprise a linear container conveyor for step-feeding a succession of cardboard boxes or similar containers, with the opening facing upwards, along a straight path through a filling station, where one or more orderly layers of products are deposited in rapid succession inside each box; a linear loose product conveyor for feeding a succession of loose products alongside the filling station; and a forming and transfer unit for arranging the incoming loose products from the linear loose product conveyor into a series of orderly, compact layers of products, and then depositing one or more layers of products in rapid succession inside the cardboard boxes arrested successively at the filling station.
- The forming and transfer unit normally comprises a loose product accumulating surface located alongside the filling station to receive the incoming loose products from the linear product conveyor; a product orienting and compacting devices for orienting and compacting the products on the accumulating surface successively into layers of products to be deposited inside the boxes; and a transfer head, which moves horizontally and vertically over the filling station and product accumulating surface to successively pick up the layers of products and deposit them inside the boxes successively arrested temporarily at the filling station.
- The forming and transfer unit also comprises a container locating device for temporarily locating and locking each cardboard box at the filling station, so that each box standing at the filling station is aligned perfectly with the transfer head when this is lowered to deposit a layer of products inside the box.
- The locating device currently comprises an actuating slide movable vertically on command alongside the filling station; a rectangular locating frame fitted to and projecting from the actuating slide so as to be positioned horizontally exactly over the filling station, with the long sides aligned with and parallel to the sides of the linear container conveyor; and four flexible blades extending downwards from the four sides of the rectangular locating frame to form a truncated-pyramid-shaped funnel or hopper converging vertically downwards. The bottom end of the funnel or hopper is sized to temporarily engage the opening of the cardboard box, so as to locate and lock the cardboard box in a predetermined position at the filling station.
- The shape of the rectangular locating frame and flexible blades being determined by the shape and size of the cardboard boxes, packaging machine manufactures, to cater to different requirements, are forced to produce locating devices that can be dismantled to remove the rectangular locating frame from the slide and replace it with another rectangular locating frame specially sized for a different type of box.
- Such a solution obviously involves a considerable increase in machine set-up time, and in the number of rectangular locating frames originally supplied with each machine.
- In some cases, to cater to a reasonable number of container sizes, cartoning machines must be supplied by the makers with over a dozen rectangular locating frames, which, given the size of the frames and relative flexible blades, poses serious space problems.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a locating device for cartoning machines and similar, designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a locating device for cartoning machines and similar, comprising an actuating slide movable vertically on command; a supporting frame projecting from the slide so as to be positioned horizontally; and a number of flexible blades fixed to said supporting frame to define a substantially truncated-pyramid-shaped hopper converging vertically downwards, and the bottom outlet of which engages the opening of a generic box container; the locating device being characterized by comprising a number of blade-holder angles, which are fitted movably to the supporting frame so as to be located at all times at the vertices of a horizontal rectangle varying in size as required, and each of which supports at least two flexible blades defining a respective lateral edge of said hopper.
- A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figures 1 and 2 show a front and side view respectively of a cartoning machine featuring a locating device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
- Figures 3, 4 and 5 show a plan, front, and side view respectively of the locating device in Figures 1 and 2;
- Figure 6 shows a plan view of a variation of the locating device in Figures 1 to 5.
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Number 1 in Figures 1 to 5 indicates a locating device particularly suitable for acartoning machine 2 for fully automatically depositing one or more orderly, compact layers of products (not shown) inside a series of cardboard boxes or similar box containers step-fed successively into the machine. - In the following description, specific reference is made to a succession of
cardboard boxes 3, though this in no way excludes other types of box containers. - With reference to Figures 1 and 2, in the example shown,
cartoning machine 2 substantially comprises: - a
linear container conveyor 4 for step-feeding a succession ofboxes 3, with the opening facing upwards, along a preferably, though not necessarily, straight path through afilling station 5; - a linear
loose product conveyor 6 for feeding a succession of loose products (not shown) alongsidefilling station 5; and - a forming and transfer unit 7 for arranging the
incoming loose products from
linear conveyor 6 into a series of orderly, compact layers of products (not shown), and then depositing one or more of the layers in rapid succession insideboxes 3 arrested successively atfilling station 5. -
Linear container conveyor 4 and linearloose product conveyor 6 are both defined by known belt conveyors, while forming and transfer unit 7 comprises: - a loose
product accumulating surface 8, which is located immediately alongsidelinear conveyor 4, atfilling station 5, to receive the incoming loose products fromlinear conveyor 6, and which, in the example shown, is defined by the end portion oflinear conveyor 6; - a product orienting and compacting device 9 (only
shown partly in Figures 1 and 2) for orienting and
compacting the products on accumulating
surface 8 into a succession of orderly, compact layers of products to be deposited insideboxes 3; - a supporting
frame 10 straddlinglinear conveyor 4, atfilling station 5, and looseproduct accumulating surface 8; and - a transfer head 11 (only shown partly in Figures 1
and 2) for picking up one orderly, compact layer of
products at a time off accumulating
surface 8, and then depositing the layer insidebox 3 temporarily arrested atfilling station 5. - More specifically,
transfer head 11 is fitted toframe 10 to move freely, both horizontally and vertically, over accumulatingsurface 8 and the portion oflinear conveyor 4 corresponding tofilling station 5, and selectively grips and retains a whole orderly, compact layer of products to transfer the layer intobox 3 standing atfilling station 5. - With reference to Figures 1 and 2, forming and transfer unit 7 also comprises locating
device 1, which provides, on command, for locating and locking eachbox 3 in a predetermined reference position atfilling station 5, to ensure perfect alignment at all times betweenbox 3 standing atfilling station 5, and transferhead 11 as it is lowered vertically to deposit the layer of products insidebox 3. - With reference to Figures 1 and 2,
device 1 for locatingboxes 3 is located just over the portion oflinear conveyor 4 corresponding tofilling station 5, and is movable vertically, on command, alongframe 10 between a lowered position, at a minimum distance fromlinear conveyor 4, to locate and lock thebox 3 standing atfilling station 5, and a raised position, at a maximum distance fromlinear conveyor 4, to allowbox 3 to travel freely throughfilling station 5. - With reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5, locating
device 1 comprises anactuating slide 12 mounted to slide vertically alongframe 10 alongside the portion oflinear conveyor 4 corresponding tofilling station 5; and a rectangular orU-shaped supporting frame 13 projecting fromslide 12 so as to be positioned horizontally exactly overfilling station 5, with the long sides aligned with and parallel to the sides oflinear conveyor 4, and with the short sides perpendicular to the travelling direction ofboxes 3 onlinear conveyor 4. - In the example shown,
slide 12 is defined by a horizontal cross member extending parallel to the side oflinear conveyor 4, i.e. to the travelling direction ofboxes 3 alonglinear conveyor 4, and fitted at the two axial ends to slide along twovertical guides 10a forming part offrame 10. - In the example shown,
frame 13 is defined by the central portion ofhorizontal cross member 12, and by two horizontal arms projecting from, close to the two axial ends of, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of,horizontal cross member 12, i.e. perpendicular to the travelling direction ofboxes 3 alonglinear conveyor 4, so as to form said U shape. - The two horizontal arms, hereinafter indicated 14, are obviously parallel and face each other, and are defined by two flat rectangular plates positioned vertically, and each with a short lateral edge fixed rigidly to
horizontal cross member 12. - With reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5, locating
device 1 also comprises a number ofhorizontal guide rods 15 arranged onframe 13 in parallel, facing pairs to form a horizontal rectangle having two long sides parallel to the longitudinal axis ofhorizontal cross member 12, and two short sides perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofhorizontal cross member 12. -
Horizontal rods 15 are fitted toframe 13 to translate freely in a horizontal direction perpendicular to their longitudinal axes L, and locatingdevice 1 also comprises four blade-holder angles 16, each of which is mounted to slide along all thehorizontal rods 15 intersecting at a corresponding vertex of the horizontal rectangle defined byhorizontal rods 15. - In other words, the four blade-
holder angles 16 are fitted movably toframe 13, so as to be located at all times at the vertices of a horizontal rectangle, which is variable in size as required, and the four sides of which are parallel or perpendicular, in pairs, tohorizontal cross member 12, i.e. to the travelling direction ofboxes 3 alonglinear conveyor 4. - With reference to Figures 4 and 5, in the example shown, locating
device 1 comprises four pairs of circular-sectionhorizontal guide rods 15, which are arranged onframe 13 in parallel, facing pairs to form, as stated, a horizontal rectangle having two long sides parallel to the longitudinal axis ofhorizontal cross member 12, and two short sides perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofhorizontal cross member 12. - In the example shown, each of the two pairs of
horizontal rods 15 defining the two long sides of the horizontal rectangle is defined by two parallel circular-sectionhorizontal rods 15 located one over the other, offset vertically with respect to each other, and each fitted at both axial ends to slide inside respectivehorizontal slots 14a formed in the twohorizontal arms 14. Eachhorizontal arm 14 therefore has two pairs of parallel, alignedhorizontal slots 14a. - In the example shown, each of the two pairs of
horizontal rods 15 defining the two short sides of the horizontal rectangle is defined by two parallel circular-sectionhorizontal rods 15 located one over the other, offset vertically with respect to each other, and each fixed rigidly at one axial end to the same body of a rod-holder slide 17, which in turn is mounted to slide along a straight rail orguide 18 extending horizontally along the side ofhorizontal cross member 12, between the twohorizontal arms 14. - Each pair of
horizontal rods 15 defined by two circular-sectionhorizontal rods 15 may obviously be replaced by a singlehorizontal rod 15 with an oval, rectangular, polygonal, or any other shapedsection allowing angle 16 to slide freely along, but not rotate about, the body of the rod. - With reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5, in the example shown, each blade-
holder angle 16 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped supportingbody 19 having four circular-section throughholes 19a, each engaged in sliding manner by a respectivehorizontal rod 15; and two blade-holder assemblies 20 fixed rigidly to the sides of supportingbody 19, so that each directly faces the blade-holder angle 16 located at the adjacent vertex of the horizontal rectangle. - More specifically, each blade-
holder assembly 20 is fixed to a lateral face of supportingbody 19, and substantially comprises a blade-holder plate 21 bolted to supportingbody 19 so as to straddle both thehorizontal rods 15 in a pair ofhorizontal rods 15, i.e. inclined by a given angle with respect to the vertical; a flexible, substantiallytrapezoidal blade 22, the top portion of which rests on the top face of blade-holder plate 21, and the bottom portion of which projects beneathframe 13; and alocking device 23 for selectively locking the top end offlexible blade 22 to blade-holder plate 21. - In the example shown,
locking device 23 comprises an L-shaped cover plate 24 located at the top edge of blade-holder plate 21, astride the top end offlexible blade 22; and abolt 25 for tighteningcover plate 24, and so lockingflexible blade 22, to the body of blade-holder plate 21. - With reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5, it should be pointed out that each of the four blade-
holder angles 16 comprises twoflexible blades 22 positioned in space to define the two sides of a V-section chute, and that each of the twoflexible blades 22 is coplanar with a correspondingflexible blade 22 of the adjacent blade-holder angle 16, so that the eightflexible blades 22 define in space the four lateral edges of a truncated-pyramid-shaped funnel or hopper converging vertically downwards, and the bottom outlet of which is shown by the dash line in Figures 3, 4 and 5. - With reference to Figures 1 to 5, in the example shown, locating
device 1 is moved between the lowered position (Figures 1 and 2) - in which the bottom ends offlexible blades 22 are inserted insidebox 3 to locate and lockbox 3 standing at filling station 5 - and the raised position - in which the bottom ends offlexible blades 22 are located a maximum distance fromlinear conveyor 4 to allowboxes 3 to travel freely through filling station 5 - by a knownlinear actuator 25 positioned vertically beneathhorizontal cross member 12, with a first end fixed toframe 10, and a second end connected to the bottom end of avertical rod 26, in turn connected tohorizontal cross member 12 by a known screw-nut screw assembly. - Operation of locating
device 1 is easily deducible from the foregoing description with no further explanation required. -
Device 1 for locatingboxes 3 has numerous advantages. In particular, locatingdevice 1 as described adapts toboxes 3 of any size, thus eliminating the current necessity to equip cartoning machines with a fairly bulky set of rectangular locating frames specially designed for more widely usedbox 3 sizes. - Locating
device 1 also has the advantage of being reconfigurable extremely rapidly, by eliminating retooling of the cartoning machine at each changeover from onebox 3 size to another. - Clearly, changes may be made to locating
device 1 as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention. - In particular, with reference to Figure 6, locating
device 1 may have a further two blade-holder angles 27 mounted to slide alonghorizontal rods 15 at the centre of the two long sides of the rectangle formed byhorizontal rods 15. Like blade-holder angles 16, blade-holder angles 27 are both fitted to slide along a further pair of horizontal rods 15' parallel to thehorizontal rods 15 defining the short sides of the rectangle, but, unlike blade-holder angles 16, both have four blade-holder assemblies 20 defining, with blade-holder assemblies 20 of blade-holder angles 16, the four lateral edges of two truncated-pyramid-shaped funnels or hoppers converging downwards, and the bottom outlets of which are shown by the dash line in Figure 6. - Locating
device 1 is thus able to locate and lock twoboxes 3 simultaneously atfilling station 5. - In a further embodiment not shown, locating
device 1 may have actuating means for moving blade-holder angles horizontal rods 15 and 15' to reconfigure locatingdevice 1 fully automatically under control of the machine control unit.
Claims (8)
- A locating device (1) for cartoning machines and similar, comprising an actuating slide (12) movable vertically on command; a supporting frame (13) projecting from the slide (12) so as to be positioned horizontally; and a number of flexible blades fixed to said supporting frame (13) to define a substantially truncated-pyramid-shaped hopper converging vertically downwards, and the bottom outlet of which engages the opening of a generic box container (3); the locating device (1) being characterized by comprising a number of blade-holder angles (16, 27), which are fitted movably to the supporting frame (13) so as to be located at all times at the vertices of a horizontal rectangle varying in size as required, and each of which supports at least two flexible blades (22) defining a respective lateral edge of said hopper.
- A locating device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by also comprising a number of horizontal guide rods (15, 15') arranged on the supporting frame (13) in parallel facing pairs to form said horizontal rectangle, and fitted movably to the supporting frame (13) to translate freely in a horizontal direction perpendicular to their longitudinal axes (L); each said blade-holder angle (16, 27) being mounted to slide along the horizontal rods (15, 15') intersecting at a respective vertex of the horizontal rectangle formed by said horizontal rods (15, 15').
- A locating device as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that each said blade-holder angle (16, 27) comprises a supporting body (19) having a number of through holes (19a), each engaged in sliding manner by a respective horizontal rod (15, 15'); and at least two blade-holder assemblies (20) fixed rigidly to the sides of said supporting body (19) so that each directly faces a second blade-holder angle (16, 27) located at the adjacent vertex of the horizontal rectangle.
- A locating device as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that each said blade-holder assembly (20) comprises a blade-holder plate (21) fixed rigidly to the supporting body (19) so as to slope by a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical; a flexible blade (22) positioned with its top portion resting on the top face of said blade-holder plate (21); and a locking device (23) for selectively locking the top end of the flexible blade (22) to said blade-holder plate (21).
- A locating device as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that said flexible blade (22) is substantially trapezoidal.
- A locating device as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said locking device (23) comprises an L-shaped cover plate (24) located at the top edge of said blade-holder plate (21), astride the top end of the flexible blade (22); and a bolt (25) for tightening the cover plate (24) to the body of the blade-holder plate (21) and so locking the flexible blade (22) to the body of said blade-holder plate (21).
- A locating device as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized by having actuating means for moving the blade-holder angles (16, 27), on command, along the horizontal rods (15, 15').
- A cartoning machine (2), characterized by having a locating device (1) as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT2002TO000574A ITTO20020574A1 (en) | 2002-07-02 | 2002-07-02 | CENTERING DEVICE FOR CARTONING MACHINES AND SIMILAR |
ITTO20020574 | 2002-07-02 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1378451A1 true EP1378451A1 (en) | 2004-01-07 |
Family
ID=11459457
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03014966A Withdrawn EP1378451A1 (en) | 2002-07-02 | 2003-07-01 | Locating device for cartoning machines and similar |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1378451A1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITTO20020574A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2012166788A (en) * | 2011-02-10 | 2012-09-06 | Yamato Scale Co Ltd | Boxing apparatus |
CN105667889A (en) * | 2016-02-25 | 2016-06-15 | 苏州佳世达电通有限公司 | Automatic cartoning equipment |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN110589100B (en) * | 2019-09-25 | 2024-07-26 | 蚌埠凯盛工程技术有限公司 | Storage box sliding positioning device |
CN114715476B (en) * | 2022-06-10 | 2022-08-09 | 山东佳博耀集食品有限公司 | Meat stick filling machine |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2842912A (en) * | 1953-04-15 | 1958-07-15 | Heinz Co H J | Article packing apparatus |
US2956384A (en) * | 1957-07-12 | 1960-10-18 | Robert L Underwood | Freeze package caser |
US3067559A (en) * | 1960-02-23 | 1962-12-11 | King Sales & Engineering Co | Package caser |
US3673756A (en) * | 1970-12-02 | 1972-07-04 | Emhart Corp | Apparatus for simultaneously loading groups of articles into packing cases |
US3691717A (en) * | 1970-12-01 | 1972-09-19 | Swift & Co | Method and apparatus for filling cartons |
US5542238A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1996-08-06 | Cbw Automation, Inc. | Apparatus and method for loading horizontal stacks of containers into a carton |
-
2002
- 2002-07-02 IT IT2002TO000574A patent/ITTO20020574A1/en unknown
-
2003
- 2003-07-01 EP EP03014966A patent/EP1378451A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2842912A (en) * | 1953-04-15 | 1958-07-15 | Heinz Co H J | Article packing apparatus |
US2956384A (en) * | 1957-07-12 | 1960-10-18 | Robert L Underwood | Freeze package caser |
US3067559A (en) * | 1960-02-23 | 1962-12-11 | King Sales & Engineering Co | Package caser |
US3691717A (en) * | 1970-12-01 | 1972-09-19 | Swift & Co | Method and apparatus for filling cartons |
US3673756A (en) * | 1970-12-02 | 1972-07-04 | Emhart Corp | Apparatus for simultaneously loading groups of articles into packing cases |
US5542238A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1996-08-06 | Cbw Automation, Inc. | Apparatus and method for loading horizontal stacks of containers into a carton |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2012166788A (en) * | 2011-02-10 | 2012-09-06 | Yamato Scale Co Ltd | Boxing apparatus |
CN105667889A (en) * | 2016-02-25 | 2016-06-15 | 苏州佳世达电通有限公司 | Automatic cartoning equipment |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITTO20020574A1 (en) | 2004-01-02 |
ITTO20020574A0 (en) | 2002-07-02 |
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