FR2824532A1 - PROCESS FOR VOLUME AND PARTIAL ASSEMBLY OF PACKAGING IN SEMI-RIGID MATERIAL - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of making the packaging from a cardboard blank comprises stages of assembling the lateral walls (2-5) and stages of folding the flaps (6a-9a) around a rigid structure with an external section corresponding to the packaging internal section. During the different stages the rigid structure is moved alternately between a first position, in which the blank rests by a first wall on a corresponding face of the structure, and a second position where a part of the contiguous walls (4,5) and associated flaps (8a) occupy the folded position. Then the structure is returned to the first position where the other walls (2) and associated flaps (6a,7a,9a) occupy the folded and assembled position whilst the other opposite end remains open. The packaging is then disengaged from the structure.

Description

DELHAYE Cabinet

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  Method for volume and partial assembly of a

  packaging in a semi-rigid material.

  The present invention relates to a method of setting in volume and partial assembly of a package of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, from a precut and pressed blank. It relates more particularly to the production by this method of packaging comprising a plurality of side walls articulated to each other by first fold lines parallel to each other and at least some of which have, at at least one of their ends, a flap called "flap" articulated on the adjoining wall by a fold line perpendicular to the previous ones and folded perpendicular to this wall, the fold lines associated at one end with the different flaps being arranged in the same plane, so that the folded flaps can come into contact with the adjacent flaps and be assembled and locked in this position by

  means known in the art.

  The packaging to which this process applies is therefore of the general type of American boxes or American half-boxes and, after setting in volume, they remain open at one of their ends,

  so that they can be filled immediately.

  Various continuous manufacturing processes have already been proposed for this purpose in the art, but we are always looking for a reliable and easy process to be implemented at any rate, which does not use

  than readily available mechanical means.

  It is this problem that the present invention aims to solve and, for this purpose, it relates to a method of setting in volume and assembling a package in a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard. of the type mentioned above, from a pre-cut and pressed blank, this method comprising steps of volume and assembly of the side walls of the packaging and steps of folding the flaps disposed at the same end of some of these walls perpendicular to this wall and of any assembly of these flaps, the volume of the packaging being effected around a rigid mobile structure of external section corresponding at least partially to the internal section of the packaging to be formed , this process being characterized in that:

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  - During the implementation of the different stages, said structure is driven by an alternating movement between a first position, in which the starting blank rests by a first wall on a corresponding face of the structure, and a second position, in which at least part of the adjoining walls and flaps arranged at the same end occupy the folded position which is theirs in the packaging placed in volume, with the structure then returning to the first position, in which the other walls and the other flaps arranged at the same end also occupy the folded and assembled position which is theirs in the packaging placed in volume, while the opposite end remains open; - At least part of the folding and / or assembly operations is carried out during the path of the rigid structure between the first and the second position and / or between the second and the first position; - after return of the rigid structure to the first position, the structure is immobilized and the packaging set in volume is dogged by sliding relative to the latter, while a new

  blank is placed in position on the rigid structure.

  Advantageously, during the transition from the first to the second position, two walls adjoining the first wall are folded relative to the latter, as is a flap adjoining this first part. These operations can be carried out by fixed or mobile guides. The rigid structure can then be immobilized in the second position to bring the closing wall of the body there into its final position and make it integral with the adjoining wall. These operations can also be carried out possibly during the journey back to the first position, for example using guides.

fixed or mobile.

  During the return of the rigid structure to the first position, a flap adjoining a wall opposite the first wall can be folded back into its final position and the flaps adjoining the other walls can then be folded back and applied against the flaps already folded so as to be optionally made integral therewith,

  for example in pre-glued locations.

  After evacuation of the packaging thus placed in volume and assembled, a new blank can be put in place on the rigid structure

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  and a new cycle of operations can begin.

  These operations are therefore very simple to implement, in particular due to the fact that one takes advantage of the reciprocating movement of the rigid structure, which limits the volume of the apparatuses used and makes it possible to have recourse to organs such as as fixed guides to impart movement to certain walls or to

some flaps.

  One form of implementation of this process will be described below in its application to a rectangular section packaging of the "American box" type, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art that it applies to any other type of polygonal section flap packaging

  with or without parallel walls.

  In the description which follows, reference will be made to the drawings

  attached diagrams, in which: FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the transfer of the blank of pre-cut and repressed cardboard intended for the production of a packaging according to the invention from a store to a rigid mobile structure, from stiné to its setting in volume and capable of driving it in a reciprocating movement; FIG. 2 illustrates the folding of certain elements of this blank during the movement of the mobile structure, from its starting position to a second position; Figures 3 to 6 illustrate four other successive phases of

  volume setting and packaging assembly.

  In the example illustrated by the drawings, the starting blank 1 of corrugated cardboard comprises four walls 2, 3, 4, 5, hinged together by first parallel fold lines, at each end of which are hinged by lines of folding perpendicular to the previous flaps called "flaps", respectively 6a-6b, 7_-7b, 8_ 8_, 9_-9_, intended to be folded perpendicular to the adjoining walls. A so-called "bonding" tab 10, adjoining the free edge of the wall 5 by a line parallel to the first fold lines, is intended to

  come to stick against the internal face of the adjoining closure wall 2.

  Alternatively, the bonding tab can be attached to the wall 2 and come

stick against the wall 5.

  The process according to the invention which will now be described is

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  intended for the volume and assembly of the walls 2-5 and for the folding of the flaps 6_ - 9_ arranged at one end of these walls

  perpendicular to them, as well as to their possible assembly.

  According to the invention, a blank 1 is first brought to rest on a rigid structure 11 having an external shape complementary to that of the packaging to be produced, which will match the shape of this structure. For this purpose, a first wall 4 of the blank 1 comes to bear on one face of the structure 11 (see FIG. 1) and the latter is then moved upwards by means not shown, but it

  could of course be dragged in another direction.

  In this movement, the walls 3 and 5 contiguous to the wall 4 are folded down 90, by fixed or mobile guides, while the inner flap 8_ adjoining the wall 4 is also folded towards the

  down to 90 by similar means (see Figure 2).

  When the structure 11 reaches a second position or high position, the bonding tab 10 previously glued is folded perpendicular to the adjoining wall 5, while the wall 2 is simultaneously folded back to 90 to come to bear against the tab 10 (see figure 3). These operations can be carried out using a guide

mobile or of the so-called "guillotine" type.

  The structure 11 then returns to its starting position and, in its downward movement, the inner flap 6_ opposite the flap 8a is raised to 90 using a fixed or movable guide, while the outer flaps 7a, 9_, optionally pre-glued, are applied against the flaps 6_ and 8_ (Figures 4 and 5). The locking of the flaps can also be ensured by adhesive strips, in another implementation.

of the process of the invention.

  When the structure 11 has returned to its starting position (FIG. 6), the packaging thus placed in volume and assembled, with its end opposite to the flaps 6a-9_ in the open position, is evacuated by sliding relative to the structure 11 immobilized and transferred to a filling station, while a new blank is brought in

  then on the structure 1 1, for a new cycle of operations.

  The fold lines between the walls 2, 3, 4 and 5 and between the walls and the flaps, may be of the simple type, as shown in the drawings, or be made up of multiple parallel fold lines,

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  can ultimately define a portion of cylinder.

  The process described here concerns a parallelopipedic packaging, but it applies equally well to packaging with only three walls or more than four walls, the fold lines between the walls possibly being parallel, as described here, or arranged obliquely to form a volume of general trapezoidal shape or prism or truncated pyramid.

Claims (4)

  1. A method of setting in volume and partial assembly, from a precut and pressed blank, of a packaging in a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, of the type comprising a plurality of articulated side walls between them by first fold lines parallel to each other and at least some of which have, at at least one of their ends, a flap called "flap" articulated on the adjoining wall by a fold line perpendicular to the previous ones and folded perpendicularly to this wall, the fold lines associated at one end with the various flaps being arranged in the same plane, this method comprising steps of setting up and assembling the side walls s (2 - 5) of the packaging and steps of folding of the flaps (6_-9a) arranged at the same end of some of these walls perpendicular to them and of possible assembly of these flaps, the setting in volume of the packaging being effectuce around a rigid mobile structure (11) of external section corresponding at least partially to the internal section of the packaging to be formed, this process being characterized in that: - during the implementation of the different stages, said structure (11) is moved alternately between a first position, in which the starting blank (1) rests by a first wall on a corresponding face of the structure, and a second position, in which at least part of the walls contiguous (3, 4, 5) and flaps (8_) arranged at the same end occupy the folded position which is theirs in the packaging placed in volume, with then return of the structure (11) to the first position, in which the other walls (2) and the other flaps (6a, 7a, 9_) disposed at the same end also occupy the folded and assembled position which is theirs in the mounted packaging, while e the opposite end remains open; - At least part of the folding and / or assembly operations is carried out during the path of the rigid structure (11) between the first and the second position and / or between the second and the first position; - after return of the rigid structure (11) to the second position, the 7 2824532   structure is immobilized and the packaging placed in volume is dogged by sliding with respect to it, while a new   blank is placed in position on the rigid structure.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during the passage from the first to the second position, two walls (3, 5) adjoining the first wall (4) are folded relative to the latter, of   same as a flap (8a) adjoining this first part.   3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the rigid structure (11) is immobilized in the second position to bring the other walls (2) into their final position and make integral a tab (10) adjoining one (5) of them with a wall contiguous (2).   4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that during the return of the rigid structure to the first position, a flap (6_) adjoining a wall (2) opposite the first wall (4) is folded in its final position and the flaps (7_, 9_) adjoining the other walls (3, 5) are then folded in turn and applied against the flaps already