KR20010030626A - Feeder mechanism and hopper for two different types of cartons - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for packaging a main article such as a can or a bottle into several packaged cartons, etc. The apparatus and method store two different types of cartons, and the cartons to be packaged (10,30) Select and move, the apparatus comprises a first hopper 58 for storing a first carton type, a second hopper 60 for storing a second carton type, and a first position for interlocking cartons from the first hopper. And carton interlocking means incorporating means for providing another second position for interlocking the carton from the second hopper, and moving means for moving the carton from the supply end of the packaging machine from each first or second hopper. It characterized by having a.

Description

Feeder Mechanism and Hopper for TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARTONS

The present invention relates to the packaging of major items such as cans and bottles into several packaged cartons and the like, and more particularly, to supplying such cartons in a pressed state from a hopper and finishing the set-up operation of the carton continuously. .

The majority of known packaging machines are dedicated machines for assembling only one size of one type of carton. Therefore, current bottle filling facilities require packaging multiple carton types using multiple packaging machines, each of which has significant footprint and is both costly to purchase and operate.

A limited number of packaging machines can package different carton sizes, for example six, eight or twelve packs of surrounding cartons. All these machines need to be adjusted to change the carton from one size or type to another. This adjustment involves manually removing all cartons inside the packaging machine and mechanically adjusting the components of the machine. This change can take up to 30 minutes or more, and the machine is not available (known as “downtown”), which results in significant delays in the injection facility. This delay is not only the packaging machine but also the entire injection. It can also cause downtown lines, and problems can arise during this change.

The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of currently known packaging machines by providing a supply mechanism which can set up one or more types of cartons. In addition, the present invention can exchange from one carton type to another, or change the size to minimum downtown. The present invention allows the fabrication of a "completely flexible" machine whose features overcome and at least alleviate the problems of currently known machines.

The invention can be used in the packaging machine described in the corresponding application (Applicant reference number D-7725). The invention can also be used with other various packaging machine types. Alternatively, the assembly mechanism of the present invention can be sold in individual modules to fit new equipment or to fit the opposite base of existing equipment.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing two different types of cartons and for selecting and moving cartons to be packaged, said apparatus comprising a first hopper, a second carton type for storing a first carton type. Carton interlocking means incorporating means for providing a second hopper for storing, a first position for interlocking the carton from the first hopper and another second position for interlocking the carton from the second hopper, and supply of a packaging machine A moving means is provided for moving the carton from each first or second hopper from the stage.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises means for positioning one of the hoppers in an operating position and means for selecting a carton interlocking position corresponding to the selected operating hopper.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the carton pickup and movement means may also rotate about a fixed axis in the track path.

Another optional feature of this aspect of the invention is that the first and second pick-up positions may be located at different points on the track path.

A further optional feature of this aspect of the invention is that the means for locating one of the hoppers in an operating position may also have a frame mounted to a fixed second axis, wherein the first and second hoppers are mounted to the frame. Each hopper may be disposed opposite the second fixed shaft.

A further optional feature of this aspect of the invention is that the operating hopper is also adjacent to the track path of the carton pickup and transport means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of moving a carton to a supply end of a packaging machine by selecting a carton in a first or second hopper, the method comprising selecting one of the hoppers to be operated, Positioning the hopper in an operating position, positioning a carton interlocking means to interlock a carton stored in the operating hopper, and moving the interlocked carton to the supply end.

A third aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for storing two different types of cartons, the apparatus having a first hopper and a second hopper which are located opposite to a fixed axis and wherein the first and second hoppers are And rotatable between a first position in which one of the first and second hoppers is in the operating position and a second position in which the other of the first and second hoppers is in the operating position.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Is a side view of a flat pressed carton supplied in a flat pressed state suitable for use with the machine according to the invention;

1b is a perspective view of a basket type carton suitable for use with the machine according to the invention;

2a is a perspective view of a fully wrapped carton blank suitable for use with the machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of assembling and loading a carton of the type described in FIG. 2A; FIG.

3 is a perspective view of the supply side of a packaging machine illustrating the hopper unit and supply mechanism of a suitable embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a perspective view from the opposite side of the packaging machine described in FIG. 3;

5 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the hopper unit in a first position;

6 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the hopper unit in a second position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the feeder assembly shown in FIG. 3; FIG. And

8 is an exploded view of the feeder assembly of FIG. 7.

The mechanism according to the invention is capable of storing and supplying various types of cartons, including various types, for example, wrapping, fully packaged and basket type cartons. The criteria for carton type herein include several sizes of fully enclosing cartons for any particular carton style, for example eight or twelve articles.

Referring to the drawings, in particular FIGS. 1A and 1B, the carton 10 is ready to be lowered onto the article as the basket type carrier shown in FIG. 1B. The carton 10 has opposing side wall panels 12 and 14 and opposing end wall panels 16 and 18 which are then hingedly connected to each other. The carton also has a handle structure 20 to connect the end wall panels 16 and 18 from the inside, and the movable partition panel 22 to connect the respective side wall panels 12 and 14 from the inside. The bottom panels 24, 26 are hingedly connected with the respective side wall panels 12, 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the carton 30 is a fully wrapped carton, and FIG. 2A shows a flat pressed form. The carton blank has opposing side wall panels 32 and 34 and opposing end wall panels 36 and 38 which are later hingedly connected. Ketone also has top panels 40 and 42 and bottom panels 44 and 46 which are hingedly connected to the respective side walls 32 and 34. The article A is inserted into the carton from above or from the bottom according to the case and the top and bottom panels are closed to each other to provide a completely wrapped carton.

The carton is changeable depending on the shape or condition of the article to be packaged and thus the machine according to the invention can be adjusted in various aspects to handle a wide variety of changes in such carton. The layout principle can vary as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, where "H" is the overall height of the setup carton corresponding to the distance between the top edge of the sidewall and the bottom panel, and "L" is the bottom panel closed. The total length of the carton when pressed.

3 and 4, a machine 50 for processing a carton of the type briefly mentioned above is shown. At the end of the upstrip of the machine there are a number of basket types and a double hopper 52 in which the fully packed cartons 10 and 50 are ready for processing. A rear feeder 54 of this type is mentioned in the corresponding application (applicant reference number D-7723) and a rotary vacuum feeder 55 is located adjacent to the double hopper 52. There is a paper supply chain 56 which moves the carton downwards to the loading station 57.

The hopper unit 52 consists of two or more separation hoppers 58 and 60 in adjacent positions, which are described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. Each hopper 58, 60 is mounted on a frame 62 as shown in FIG. 3. The frame 62 is mounted on the main shaft 64 which can rotate about the X-X 'axis as shown in FIG. Each hopper 58, 60 is a gravity feed type where the carton blank is kept tilted in each hopper so that there is a feed from top to bottom. The hopper unit may have more hoppers adapted to accommodate cartons of various types or sizes suitably positioned around the rotary hopper, which will be described later.

In order to move the blank from the inclined position to the vertical plane, it is necessary to offset the axis of rotation of the rotary hopper 55 from the vertical plane, as described in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In this embodiment, a gas dynamic cylinder (not shown) is used to rotate the frame 62 between two positions: a first position, as shown in FIG. 5, in the first hopper 58. A retained fully enclosed carton 30 is in the first hopper 58 placed in an operating position ready to be fed to the packaging machine. FIG. 6 illustrates the frame 62 in a second position with the second hopper 60, which includes the basket type carton 10 in an operating position.

Each hopper (58, 60) includes a space supporting member (61, 63) for holding the carton in a flat folded state, respectively. These space members 61 and 63 are sufficiently adjustable to support various carton sizes and types.

The position of the hopper is controlled by the control system described in the corresponding application (agent D-7725).

The structure of the rotary feeder 55 is described in FIGS. 7 and 8. The feeder mechanism 55 according to the invention has a main shaft 70 that is rotatable about a fixed shaft. This shaft 70 is generally supported at its ends by a suitable bearing structure 71, 73 which is conventional in construction and mounted with the side frame 72. The shaft is rotated by a suitable driving mechanism such as servo motor 74.

In order to withdraw the fully folded carton from below the hopper unit, a pick-up device 68 is provided, wherein a carton interlocking means such as a suction cup 80 supported on the cup holder and the frames 82 and 84 respectively. Included. The cup holder frames 84 are suitably secured respectively to elongated support rods 86 which are each slidably mounted on the collar structure 88. The collar structure 88 is suitably firmly fixed to the rotatable main shaft 70. The frame 84 is mounted on a cam rod 76 extending to the side frame 72 which houses the cam track 78 which will be described later. As illustrated in FIG. 7, in this embodiment there are three sets of carton pickup devices 67, 68, 69 associated with the rotatable main shaft 70. Only one set of these devices performs the same configuration operation in the same form.

8 illustrates an exploded view of the internal components of the side frame 72 of the rotary vacuum feeder. In this embodiment, a fixed cam plate 77 is mounted on the inner surface of the side frame 72 and an opening 79 is provided in which the drive shaft 70 extends. A cam track 78 is formed in a fixed cam plate 77 with a cam follower (not shown) disposed inside the cam track 78. The cam track 78 facilitates extending the cam rod 76 away from the main shaft 70 to bring the suction cup into contact with the carton to remove one of the cartons from the operation hopper 58 and feed the paper. The carton is rotated in a uniform path to the chain 56. As the carton rotates from its hopper 58, a rear feeder 54 is used to help separate the opposing side panels and to build the carton up.

A vacuum brake 90 is provided in the feeder mechanism 55 that is used with the vacuum supply to establish a vacuum connection and drop the point, as described below.

In use, the hopper unit is positioned such that one of the hopper units is in the operating position of, for example, the first hopper 58. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, continuously and continuously from the hopper 52 to the paper supply chain 56 by the main shaft 70 which rotates the pickup device 68 in the direction indicated by the arrow. The carton is fed. As the pick-up devices 67, 68, 69 rotate, the suction cup 82 extends away from contact with the side wall 32 of the carton 30 by the path of the cam track. Next, a vacuum is applied to the set of suction cups 80. Thus, the carton 30 is taken out and moved to the paper supply chain 56. The vacuum is maintained during this movement step to allow the suction cup 80 to hold the carton wall 30. When the carton is placed in the paper supply chain 56, the vacuum brake 90 disconnects the vacuum supply from the suction cup to release the carton.

If various carton types are to be packaged, for example, if the basket type carton 10 is to be kept in the second hopper, there will be a lot of adjustment in the machine. The second hopper 60 is rotated by the hydrodynamic cylinder about the axis 64 and placed in an operating position and the corresponding hopper 58 moves to an inoperative position. As the position of the second hopper 60 with respect to the rotary feeder 55 differs from the first hopper 58, it is possible to move the pick-up (or carton linkage) point 91 of the suction cup shown in FIG. 8. There is a need to change the "on" and "off" positions of the vacuum supply. This change is carried out by moving the cam track 78 and / or the vacuum brake 90 which controls the vacuum supply to the second position. Appropriate drive means, for example a servo motor 92 controlled by the control system, move this sub-assembly between the two positions. It is appropriate to include a third position for the vacuum supply: this position is the "default setting" so that the vacuum supply is disconnected through the rotation of the suction cup 80. This default position is taken during the carton change or if there is a fault in the machine.

According to the present invention, the operating speed of the device improves efficiency and durability while the carton moves from the pressed position to the complete setup state. Of course, the final setup operation is due in part to the interlocking of the carton with the lugs and back feeder with lugs that affect the completion and final setup of the carton while held by the suction cup.

While in the preferred embodiments described herein, the bottle is loaded in a carton, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to cartons for bottles. The invention is also used in cans, paperboard “bricks”, and other container machines packaged in cartons.

Moreover, although the preferred embodiments described herein are shown as part of a machine for a sleeve type carton for vertically loading a container, the invention is not limited to this type. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention may also be used in wrap-around or end-loaded cartons.

The hopper and feeder mechanism of the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and it will be understood that various modifications are possible within the spirit of the present invention. The hopper and feeder mechanisms can handle cartons including structures of various groups of articles covering, for example, four, eight and twelve bottles covering a range of carton sizes and shapes, without the time required to adjust this mechanism. Can be.

Claims (8)

A device for storing various types of cartons, and for selecting and moving cartons to be packaged, the device comprising: a first hopper for storing a first carton type, a second hopper for storing a second carton type, the first A carton interlocking means incorporating means for providing a first position for interlocking the carton from a hopper and another second position for interlocking the carton from the second hopper and a packaging machine of the carton from each of the first and second hoppers And moving means for moving from the supply end of the apparatus. The method of claim 1, Means for positioning one of the hoppers in an operating position and control means for selecting a position of a carton interlock corresponding to the selected operating hopper. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And said carton pick-up and moving means are rotatable about a fixed axis in the orbital path. The method of claim 3, wherein And the first and second pick-up positions lie at different positions on the track path. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The means for placing one of the hoppers in an operating position has a frame mounted on a second fixed shaft, the first and second hoppers mounted on the frame, and each hopper is mounted relative to the second fixed shaft. The device is disposed toward the device. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, The operating hopper is adjacent to the orbital path of the carton pickup and moving means. A method of selecting cartons in first and second hoppers and moving the cartons to a supply end of a packaging machine, the method comprising: selecting one of the hoppers to operate, placing the hopper in an operating position Positioning the carton interlock means to interlock the carton stored in the operation hopper and moving the interlocked carton to the supply end. A device for storing two different types of cartons, the apparatus comprising: first and second hoppers disposed opposite to a fixed axis, wherein one of said first and second hoppers is in an operating position and said Wherein the first one of the first and second hoppers is rotatable between the first positions such that the other one is in the operating position.