ES2281067T3 - APPLIANCE TO SUBJECT PRODUCTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for holding individual products, grouped or palletized, the apparatus (1) being of the type comprising: - a conveyor (2) for transporting the products (3) in a forward direction (D); - a frame (4) placed on top of the conveyor (2) and provided with at least two reels (5, 6) of film installed in the frames of the frame (7 and 8) to form a band of film (9) located transversely with with respect to the uprights (7 and 8) and intercepted by the front of the products (3) while advancing by unrolling the film (9) of the two coils (5 and 6); - at least one unit (10) for welding and cutting the film (9), supported by the frame (4) and movable between a non-operative position and an operative position, where the unit (10) moves so that it defines a film wrapping cycle comprising the stages of interception of the film, its welding and the cutting of a portion of the film (9) already wrapped around the products (3); - at least one unit (11) comprising a microswitch (16) controlled by a sensor (17) that touches the film (9) to inspect the film (9), the apparatus being characterized by the fact that the unit (11) for inspecting the film (9) it is associated with the welding and cutting unit (10) and by the fact that the unit (11) is projected to start operation after the welding stage of the film (9) has been completed.

Description

Apparatus for holding products.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for holding products, in particular stacked products (such as, for example, but without implying any restriction, packages or bottles or other containers) that must be subjected to intermediate processes and transported from one factory to another or from one Processing station to another.

An apparatus of this type is used to wrap a material band around a group of products (preferably palletized) stacked to a certain height and relatively light, in order to stabilize the battery during transport from one processing line to another. Load palletized can be composed, for example, of bottle boxes arranged side by side and stacked in two or more strata.

To stabilize such a load, the clamping apparatus wraps a first band of film plastic at a certain height to keep the battery together in correspondence from your most unstable part and that could be the First to tip over during transport.

The machines of the known technique that perform clamping operations of this type comprise a structure of gantry type frame whose uprights support a pair of coils of film at a certain height. The film unwinds by suitable rollers so that it is located transversely between the uprights to intercept the load palletized while the pallet moves on a conveyor below of the gantry type frame.

The advance of the paddle, after its end frontal has come into contact with the movie band, causes that the coils are unwound so as to wrap the band around the sides of the products stacked on the palette. As soon as the pallet has exceeded the frame type gantry stops, after which a unit that includes a welder and a blade, arranged behind the uprights, moves at length of the back of the palletized cargo on suitable supports in a direction parallel to the rear face of the load so that the film band is wrapped around the load.

In other words, the film forms a ring around the upper section of the palletized cargo of products and, since the film used is usually a Tensile film also has a tightening effect that Keeps the load compact.

After the above, the band section it is welded in correspondence of the back of the load palletized and, as soon as this operation has been completed, the blade cuts the band in the center line between the two ends soldiers; this means that the band wrapped in a ring around of the palletized cargo closes, welds and cuts, while the welding keeps the two coils joined together through the remaining film located transversely between the two uprights and ready to intercept the next palletized load that is advancing on the conveyor, thus ensuring that the process does not suffer interruptions

An increasingly requested requirement is that of that the clamping machines apply to the palletized load a second film band, below the first, which includes an identification mark, such as a label of Identification of transported products, the factory from where They come or other information.

A novel solution for this new type of device has been proposed by the same party requesting the present invention patent (see patent application for invention EP 1,357,031), in which the two welding units and cutting are supported by a single mounting unit that protrudes of the gantry type frame that slides along the beam transverse of the frame to and from the non-operative positions and operational units: this solution has converted the units welding and cutting in highly practical and adaptable to any type of production line where a type frame is used portico.

The apparatus of this type is also provided with a unit to inspect the band or bands of film applied to the product group and that, if necessary, if the band of film was not applied or was applied incorrectly cause the device to stop.

For this unit there are at least two solutions different techniques The first is a suction cup unit, which is near one of the frames of the gantry type frame and it it activates when the clamping cycle has been completed; the unit of suction cup moves in contact with the band and applies to the film a vacuum that exerts a traction action that allows the system of control detect if the film band has been applied and, of be so, if it has been applied correctly.

The second solution is a proposal by the requesting party, again in the patent application of invention EP 1,357,031 and it is a unit consisting of a rod with a hook located, with respect to the direction of advance of the products, behind one of the uprights of the frame. The rod is inserted between the product stack and the band of film that is wrapping around the products and, a Once the band has been welded, it exerts a tensile action on the film to check that it has been applied correctly and that it has been wrapped around the products of tight way.

The two previous solutions, although reliable in terms of operation, they are not without disadvantages mainly because they reduce the speed of the productive cycle, under the fact that the product stack has to be stopped to allow the control to be carried out, and for its high cost, since the device requires two inspection units, one for each of the applied film bands.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages mentioned with beforehand through a product holding device that present at the same time the characteristics of being reliable and accurate and provided with film inspection units that are reliable, economical and technically integrated within the productive cycle so as not to impair the operation of the apparatus.

According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a machine in accordance with the claims They are ahead.

The technical characteristics of this invention, with reference to the aforementioned objectives, they are described with utmost clarity in the claims that follow and their advantages become apparent from the description detailed that follows, with reference to the attached drawings that exhibit a preferred embodiment of the present invention provided to purely exemplifying title, therefore without limiting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:

- Figure 1 is an anterior front view, with some parts omitted to better display others, of an apparatus of securing products in accordance with the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a partial detailed view in perspective, with some parts omitted to better display others, which shows a welding and cutting unit;

- Figures 3 and 4 are front views that show a detail of figure 2 in two operational configurations different;

- Figures 5 to 9 are schematic views in perspective that exhibit respective operational stages of the welding and cutting unit of figures 1 and 2 and of the detail of Figures 2 to 4.

With reference to the attached drawings, in particular to figure 1, the published apparatus is used to hold individual products grouped or palletized and, in particular, to hold stacked products up to a certain height and relatively light, so as to stabilize the battery during transport from one processing line to another. For example, and without restrict the scope of the present invention, the apparatus is used to hold palletized loads composed of bottle boxes arranged juxtaposed and stacked in two or more strata.

This type of device, denoted in its entirety with the number 1, it is illustrated by way of example in the figure 1 and many of its parts are well known because they have already described in the aforementioned EP patent application 1,357,031 of the same requesting party and, therefore, below They will not be described in details.

Essentially, the apparatus (1) comprises:

- a conveyor (2) to transport the products (3) in the direction of advance indicated by the arrow D;

- a frame (4) located above the conveyor (2) and provided with at least two coils (5 and 6) of film placed on the frame studs (7 and 8) so of forming a band of film (9) located transversely with with respect to the uprights (7 and 8) and intercepted by the front of the products (3) while the latter advance in a way unwind the film (9) of the two coils (5 and 6);

- at least one unit (10) for welding and cutting the film (9), supported by the frame (4) and mobile between a non-operative position, where the unit (10) is close to the uprights (7 and 8), and an operational position, where the unit (10) is far from the uprights (7 and 8) so as to define a cycle of film wrapper comprising the interception stages of the film, its welding and the cutting of a portion of the film (9) already wrapped around the products (3);

- at least one unit (11) suitable for inspect the portion of film (9) defined during the cycle wrapping and acting on the same film (9).

In particular, the unit (11) to inspect the film (9) is associated with the welding and cutting unit (10) and is projected to become operational after it has completed the welding stage of the film (9).

More exactly, the unit (11) begins to operate simultaneously with the end of the wrap cycle  of the film (9) around the products (3).

As you can clearly see in the figures from 5 to 9, the inspection unit (11) of the film (9) can start working when the welding and cutting unit (10) is moves from the operating position to the non-operating position.

Alternatively, the unit (11) could start to work even before, that is when the welding unit and cut (10) release the film (9), already welded and cut.

To better understand the structure and context operating in which the unit (11) is placed, again with reference to figure 1, the apparatus (1) may be provided with four coils (5, 6, 5 'and 6') of film (9 and 9 '), which work in pairs at two different heights, and two separate units (10 and 10 ') to weld and cut the respective film (9, 9').

In addition, each unit (10, 10 ') for welding and cut the respective film (9, 9 ') is divided into two semi-parts (12 and 13) each associated with a respective beam drive (14, 15) to move them from the non-operative position to the operational position and vice versa.

In an apparatus (1) structured in this way, there may be two units (11 and 11 ') to inspect the respective film (9, 9 ') and associated with the two respective units of welding and cutting (10 and 10 ').

Each of the units (11, 11 ') for inspecting the film (9, 9 ') may be associated with one of the  semi-parts (12 and 13) that constitute the unit (10, 10 ') for weld and cut the film (9, 9 ').

Looking more closely at the details technicians with reference to figures 2, 3 and 4, each of the Inspection units (11, 11 ') of the films (9, 9') comprise a microswitch (16) controlled by a sensor (17) that touches the respective film (9, 9 ').

The sensor (17) consists of a rod driven by suitable means (18) on the semi-part (12, 13) of so that it moves at least between a first non-operative position in which the contact rod (17) is in a low position (see Figures 2, 3 and 5) and an operational position in which the rod (17), when the two semi-parts (12 and 13) move in reciprocal approach, is raised arranged between products (3) and the respective film (9 and 9 ') that is being wrapping around them (see figures 4 and 6).

The rod (17) is also linked to a lever (19) that is part of the driving means (18) and capable to rotate freely around at least two axes (Z and X) (see the Figure 2) perpendicular to each other and defining a parallel plane to the direction of advance (D) of the products (3) so that the at the beginning it leans towards the products (3) until a initial position between the welded film (9, 9 ') and the products (3) (see figures 6, 7 and 8) and then, when the respective semi-part (12, 13) moves from the operational position to the non-operative position (see figure 9), separates from the film (9, 9 ').

Returning to the structure of the unit (11, 11 '), again with reference to figures 2, 3 and 4, the rod (17) is linked to the lever (19) through a spring (20) which allows said free rotation through at least one arc around the two axes (Z and X) that are perpendicular to each other (See arrows FZ and FX in figure 2).

The lever (19), in turn, is bolted into a of the two semi-parts (12, 13) of the respective welding unit (10, 10 ') and moved by said driving means (18) of the lever (19) from a rest position, in which the lever (19) is parallel to the semi-part (12 and 13) with the rod (17) in position low (see figure 3), to an operational position, in which the lever (19) is rotated by a predetermined angle (?) and the rod (17) is in a high position, which is equivalent to say, vertical (see figure 4 and arrow F18).

The lever (19) is linked, in correspondence of one of its ends, to a pneumatic actuator (18) which constitutes the driving means mentioned above. The actuator (18) is associated with the semi-part (12, 13) of the unit of welding (10, 10 ') and allows the lever (19) to move from the resting position to the operating position and vice versa.

The movement of the rod (17) then acts on the microswitch (16), which is connected to a unit of control (22) (displayed as a block since it is of the type known) to control the apparatus (1), and which sends to the unit (22) a signal (S) indicating that the film (9, 9 ') has been correctly applied to the products (3) when the rod (17) reaches a predetermined low position (see figure 3).

In another arrangement to control that the film (9, 9 ') has been applied correctly, the rod (17) could be connected to an element (21) to detect the voltage of the film (9, 9 '). This detector element (21) could record the deflection of the rod (17) with respect to its position of rest, which is equivalent to saying, with respect to the minimum signal electric corresponding to this position, to the aforementioned operating position in which the rod (17) is raised and produces a signal (S1) whose value is proportional to the diversion with regarding the resting position, which is equivalent to saying, proportional to the inclination of the rod (17).

In other words, the detector element (21) could be connected to the microswitch (16), and act in conjunction with the latter, and could act on the rod (17) in order to produce a signal (S1) depending on the inclination of the rod (17) towards the products (3) when it is thrown by the movie (9, 9 ').

In a first embodiment offered in title purely exemplifier, this detector element is a cell of load (21) connected to the rod (17) and acting in conjunction with the microswitch (16): the load cell (21) allows the tilting the rod (17) towards the products (see again Figure 8) if the tensile force applied to the rod is greater than a predetermined opposition force applied by the same cell (21).

In a second embodiment offered in title Example, the detector element is a Hall effect sensor (21), again connected to the rod (17) and acting together with the microswitch (16).

In a third embodiment provided to purely exemplifying title, the detector element is a sensor of proximity (21), again connected to the rod (17) and that It works together with the microswitch (16).

In figure 3, the detector means (21) and the microswitch (16) are displayed as blocks since they are of the known type.

Below is a description of how the structured apparatus (1) works as described above, starting from an initial configuration in which the products (3) have exceeded the frame (4), unwinding the band or film bands (9, 9 '), as shown in Figure 5.

Only one of the welding and cutting units (10 or 10 ') since the other unit, If installed, it works in exactly the same way.

As you can see in Figures 5 and 6, the two semi-parts (12 and 13) of the welding and cutting unit (10) begin to move in reciprocal approach (see arrow F10), intercepting the movie (9) that is already partially unwound. Unit (11) is initially in position no. operational, which is equivalent to saying, with the rod-sensor (17) in the low position (as You can see in figure 3). When the two welding semi-parts (12 and 13) are almost in reciprocal contact, the rod (17) is "weapon", that is, is raised vertically by the actuator (18) that rotates the lever (19) (see figures 4 and 6).

Then, the semi-parts (12 and 13) enter contact with each other, welding and cutting the film portion (9) wrapped around the products (3) to separate it from the rest of the film (9) (see figure 7).

The instant it is cut, the band of film wrapped around products (3) tends to move in contact with the same products (3), followed by the rod (17) that thus moves away from a certain angle with respect to the semi-part (12) to which it is connected (see figure 8 and the arrow F17). If a detection unit (21) is placed as it has been described above, the latter sends a signal (S1) to the unit of control (22) whose value is a function of the position taken by the rod (17) and compared to the minimum initial signal predisposed

After which, the two semi-parts (12 and 13) begin to move reciprocally towards position no operational, to be ready for another cycle (see arrow F10R). This causes the rod (17) to turn down, so that can be unlinked from the film (9), until it remains in a substantially horizontal position, thus activating the microswitch (16), which is equivalent to saying, closing the circuit  of the same microswitch (16), and sending a signal (S) to confirm that the film band (9) wrapped around the products have been applied correctly (see figure 9 and the arrow F18).

If the signal or signals (S and S1) sent to the unit (22) fall within defined parameters, this means that the film band (9) has been correctly wrapped around the products (3) and, therefore, the apparatus (1) goes into the cycle next. If the signals, on the other hand, are outside the defined parameters, the device stops so that they can take corrective measures of the case.

The preset objectives of this invention, thus, are achieved by placing a simple unit, Cheap and compact directly in the welding and cutting unit of the device

This provision, apart from carrying advantages in terms of structure, cost and dimensions, too allows a quick and immediate inspection of the film band applied, even with reference to two or more parameters, since the inspection is carried out during the normal wrapping cycle without reducing the speed of the process.

The invention just described presents Clear industrial applications and can be subjected to modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the inventive concept In addition, all the details of this invention can be replaced by technically elements equivalent.

Claims (17)

1. Device for securing products individual, grouped or palletized, the apparatus (1) of the type comprising: - a conveyor (2) to transport the products (3) in a forward direction (D); - a frame (4) placed above the conveyor (2) and provided with at least two coils (5, 6) of film installed in the frame studs (7 and 8) to forming a band of film (9) located transversely with with respect to the uprights (7 and 8) and intercepted by the front of the products (3) while moving forward by unrolling the film (9) of the two coils (5 and 6); - at least one unit (10) for welding and cutting the film (9), supported by the frame (4) and mobile between a non-operational position and an operational position, where the unit (10) moves so that it defines a film wrap cycle which includes the interception stages of the film, its welding and cutting a portion of the film (9) already wrapped around the products (3); - at least one unit (11) comprising a microswitch (16) controlled by a sensor (17) that touches the film (9) to inspect the film (9), the apparatus being characterized by the fact that the unit (11) for inspecting the film (9) it is associated with the welding and cutting unit (10) and by the fact that the unit (11) is projected to start operation after the welding stage of the film (9) has been completed. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit (11) for inspecting the film (9) is associated with the welding and cutting unit (10), the unit (11) enters into operation simultaneously with the completion of the film wrapping cycle (9) around the products (3). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the unit (11) for inspecting the film (9) becomes operational when the welding and cutting unit (10) is moved from the operating position to the non-position operational 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the unit (11) for inspecting the film (9) becomes operational when the welding and cutting unit (10) releases the film (9). 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are four coils (5, 6, 5 'and 6') of film (9 and 9 '), operating in pairs at two different heights, and two separate units (10 and 10' ) for welding and cutting the respective film (9 and 9 '), characterized by the fact that it comprises two units (11 and 11') for inspecting the film bands (9 and 9 ') and associated, respectively, with the two units welding and cutting (10 and 10 '). 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 5, wherein each unit (10, 10 ') for welding and cutting the film (9, 9') is divided into two semi-parts (12 and 13) each associated with a respective driving beam ( 14 and 15) to move it from the non-operative position to the operative position and vice versa, characterized by the fact that the respective unit (11, 11 ') for inspecting the film (9, 9') is associated with one of the semi-parts ( 12, 13) that constitute each unit (10, 10 ') for welding and cutting the film (9, 9'). 7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (17) that touches the respective film (9, 9 ') is propelled by suitable means (18) over the semi-part (12, 13) in a manner that moves at least between a first non-operative position in which the contact sensor (17) is lowered and an operative position in which the sensor (17) is raised when the semi-parts (12, 13) move in reciprocal approach , between the products (3) and the respective film band (9, 9 ') wrapped around them. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the sensor is in the form of a rod (17) and is linked to a lever (19) that is part of the driving means (18) and able to rotate freely around of at least two axes (Z and X) perpendicular to each other and defining a plane parallel to the direction of advance (D) of the products (3) so that it is initially inclined towards the products (3) in an initial position between the welded film (9, 9 ') and the products (3) and then away from the film (9, 9') when the respective semi-parts (12, 13) move from the operative position to the non-operative position. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the rod (17) is linked to the lever (19) by means of a spring (20) which allows free rotation through at least one arc around the two axes ( Z and X) that are perpendicular to each other. 10. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the sensor (17) is linked to the lever (19) which, in turn, is bolted into one of the two semi-parts (12 and 13) of the respective welding unit (10, 10 ') and driven by said driving means (18) of the lever (19) from a rest position, in which the lever (19) is arranged parallel to the semi-part (12, 13) with the sensor (17) in the low position, to an operating position, in which the lever (19) is rotated by a predetermined angle (α) and the sensor (17) is in a raised position, which is equivalent to saying vertical 11. Apparatus according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the microswitch (16) is connected to a unit (22) to control the apparatus (1), and sends to the unit (22) a signal (S) that indicates that the film (9, 9 ') has been correctly applied to the products (3) when the rod (17) reaches a predetermined low position. 12. Apparatus according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that an element (21) is connected to the rod (17) to detect the tension of the film (9, 9 ') wrapped around the products (3), the detector element (21) being suitable for recording the deviation of the rod (17) from its resting position, which is equivalent to saying, with respect to the minimum electrical signal corresponding to this position, to the operational position in which the rod (17) is raised and produce a signal whose value is proportional to the deviation from the position of
repose. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the detector element (21) is connected to the microswitch (16) and acts together with the latter on the rod (17) so that the signal produced is a function of the inclination of the rod (17) towards the products (3) when it is pulled by the film (9, 9 '). 14. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the means for detecting film tension is composed of a load cell (21) connected to the rod (17) and acts in conjunction with the microswitch (16) and is suitable to allow the inclination of the rod (17) if the tensile force applied to the rod exceeds a predetermined opposing force applied by the same cell (21). 15. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the means for detecting film tension is composed of a Hall effect sensor (21) connected to the rod (17) and acting
together with the microswitch (16). 16. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the means for detecting the tension of the film is composed of a proximity sensor (21) connected to the rod (17) and acting in conjunction with the microswitch (16). 17. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that at one end of the lever (19) a pneumatic actuator (18) associated with the semi-part (12, 13) of the welding unit (10, 10 ') is connected , which allows the lever (19) to move from the rest position to the operating position and vice versa.