Device for overpacking at least one object into a batch
The invention relates to a device for overpacking a least one object using at least one blank of an appropriate material such as carton in order to form a batch. The device of the invention includes at least one carousel including at least one receptacle, and at least three work stations distributed about said carousel, said three stations including a work station with distribution means for distributing at least one blank of material to the at least one receptacle, a work station with loading means for loading said at least one object into said receptacle, and a work station with unloading means for unloading at least one assembled batch, wherein means for folding and/or closing the blank in order to form the overpacking are also provided.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for overpacking at least one object, generally a plurality of identical objects, such as products packaged in pots, cartons, cans, bottles, pouches and others, into a batch.
2. Background of the Related Art
Numerous products, particularly food products, are generally placed on sale in the form of a batch grouping together either a plurality of individual packaging units separate from each other such as cartons or cans, or packaging units connected to each other in pairs or sheets, such as yoghurt pots for example.
This batch is generally overpacked using a blank of material such as cardboard, plastic or any other suitable material shaped for example to encompass the products in the form of a tubular wrapping forming an overpacking.
To produce such an overpacking, the products are grouped into successive batches which are then conveyed to an installation wherein means for affixing a cardboard blank on each batch and folding and closing said blank in the form of a wrapping around a batch for example are provided. An overpacking may also completely cover the batch of objects or only be present on the top portion of the objects.
Generally, the device for overpacking the batch of objects is implemented in-line, i.e. the objects arrive grouped into successive batches on conveyors. Once a batch of objects has entered the device, cardboard blank distribution means are implemented to deposit on each batch a cardboard blank either from above or below. Means for folding the blank are then used to form the wrapping around the batch, the ends of the folded blank being glued for example. Once the overpacking has been produced, the batch packaged in this way may then be conveyed by conveyors to another packaging device for example a batch boxing device.
In addition, an overpacking device is generally installed at the end of a product packaging line. Format changes are generally made by modifying the height and grouping (width) parameters in an automated manner as the overpacking is performed in-line.
Such overpacking devices or overpacking machines offer high qualities particularly as they are flexible, offering the possibility to change the format of the objects in an automated manner and because they operate at a high output.
However, a major drawback lies in the size of these devices. Indeed, as this device operates in-line, it requires significant room to be integrated in a product packaging installation.
In addition, to be able to use such overpacking devices, it is essential to convey the objects in batch form, each comprising at least one object, at a distance from the others such that the batches can be engaged in succession to be processed successively. Therefore, it is important to be able to also offer means, generally upstream, for creating this space between the batches. If this space is not created in a regular and accurate manner, the overpacking device cannot function efficiently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe aim of the present invention is to propose a device for overpacking the batch of objects which has a reduced size with respect to the existing in-line devices and which also offers the option of not systematically needing to separate the successive batches to be processed.
To this end, the invention relates to a device for overpacking at least one object using at least one blank of suitable material such as cardboard in order to form a batch, the device including at least one receptacle, and at least three work stations distributed about said carrousel, said three stations including a work station for distributing at least one blank of material to the at least one receptacle, a work station for loading said at least one object into said receptacle and a work station for unloading at least one assembled batch, wherein means for folding and/or closing the blank in order to form the overpacking are also provided.
In this way, advantageously, the device according to the invention makes it possible in a space limited substantially to the surface area occupied by the carrousel to perform all the operations for overpacking a batch of objects.
Overpacking may be performed using the device according to the invention to form a batch comprising at least one object such as a carton, bottle, pouch, can, pot, unit of a plurality of rigidly connected pots (for example, yoghurt pots), etc. Generally, this batch comprises a plurality of objects, organized into one or a plurality of layers.
Very advantageously, the carrousel preferentially comprises at least the same number of receptacles as work stations distributed about the carrousel.
Preferentially, the means for folding the blank makes it possible to shape the blank into overpacking and the means for closing said blank makes it possible to close said overpacking. These closing means may consist of means for gluing, sealing the blank and/or means for fastening some fastening members provided on the blank. These means are already known per se.
The blank of material is produced in a suitable manner according to the desired overpacking i.e. sleeve overpacking, completely closed overpacking, overpacking only on the top part of the products and others.
These means for folding and/or closing may in particular be integrated together on the station for unloading at least one assembled batch or on the station upstream from same i.e. the station for loading the object(s) in the receptacle or the station for distributing the blanks.
In an alternative embodiment, the means for folding and the means for closing the blank are integrated on the station for unloading at least one assembled batch and on the station upstream therefrom, i.e. the station for loading the object(s) in the receptacle or the station for distributing the blanks, respectively.
According to another embodiment, the means for folding and the means for closing the blank are provided together on a further station provided before the station for unloading the assembled batch(es). The device according to the invention in this case advantageously comprises four work stations distributed about the carrousel.
In an alternative embodiment, it is envisioned that the means for folding and the means for closing the blank can be each provided on an independent work station before the station for unloading the assembled batch(es).
It is also possible that the device also comprises a work station for depositing, for example before closing the blank, an insert such as a publicity insert, for example a toy, inside a batch.
Advantageously, the overpacking device according to the invention is integrated at the primary product packaging line outlet, the work station for loading the objects being positioned at the outlet of the objects arriving in the form of a sheet, in a line, etc.
Furthermore, each receptacle is sized to receive at least one batch of objects, the means for loading the receptacle with products preferentially consisting of means for gripping at least one object from the objects conveyed to the device for example in a sheet or in a line, subsequently making it possible to deposit same in the receptacle. Preferentially, the receptacle receives a plurality of batches.
Therefore, advantageously, the means for loading makes it possible to form batches readily, for example by depositing a first layer of objects followed by a second layer of objects.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the station for distributing the blank represents the first work station and the station for loading the objects the second.
In this way, an overpacking device according to the invention has an operating cycle as follows.
At the station for distributing the blank, the means for distributing the blank comprise unstacking means making it possible to take at least one blank from an overpacking material blank storage tray.
Such a blank may for example comprise a base portion, two side walls and two end portions that can be folded down on each other to lock the overpacking. Optionally, the blank may also comprise portions that can be folded down on the sides to form a completely closed overpacking.
The distribution means are advantageously arranged to deposit said blank on a receptacle such that the base portion of the blank rests on the base of the receptacle and the side wall along the side walls of the receptacle, the end portions projecting from said receptacle.
Once the blank has been deposited in the receptacle, the carrousel is rotated to convey the receptacle provided with the blank to the station for loading with objects.
The loading means are preferentially arranged to take up at least one unit of objects to be deposited on the base of the blank consisting either of the batch of objects to be overpacked or a layer of the batch of objects to be overpacked. In this way, the loading means preferentially consist of gripping means that can be lowered towards objects conveyed to the overpacking device, and can be moved to the receptacle to deposit the objects taken up therein.
Said loading means may consist of mechanical gripping means, suction gripping means and any other suitable means.
Once the objects have been deposited in the receptacle, the batch is assembled by folding the fold-down ends of the blank and gluing or fastening the sleeve formed in this way about the objects from above.
Once the sleeve has been closed and the batch assembled, the receptacle finally arrives at the station for unloading the batch. The means for unloading at least one assembled batch consist of gripping means such as mechanical, suction or other means, making it possible to take up the batch(es) assembled in the receptacle.
These gripping means are therefore arranged to take up the batches and convey same to a deposit table wherefrom they may then be conveyed to another station for processing the packaging for example a suitable boxing station for packaging the batches in boxes with a view to the storage and/or transport thereof.
According to a second embodiment, the station for loading the objects in the receptacle is the first work station and the station for distributing the blank therefore makes it possible to deposit the blank into the receptacle already comprising the objects for overpacking.
In this way, the blank which may, for example, comprise as described above, a base portion, two side walls and two end portions that can be folded down to close the overpacking is conveyed to the receptacle comprising the objects in a folded U shape, the base portion being positioned on the objects in the receptacle and the side walls and the end portions being engaged along the objects. The blank may then be closed from below by suitable folding and closing means.
In this operating mode of the device, said device advantageously comprises a receptacle having a base and side walls to receive at least one bed of objects. Furthermore, the base comprises at least one hinged portion to enable the folding and closure of the blank from below.
In an alternative embodiment, in this operating mode, the blank may be arranged so that the folding and closure thereof form an overpacking only in the upper portion of the batch.
Furthermore, it may be envisaged that the material blank is placed on the top of the objects and only locked without folding on the upper portion thereof, by means of gluing for example.
Advantageously, the receptacles may be secured in a removable manner to the carrousel such that it is possible to change same readily. In this way, very advantageously, it is possible to envisage sets of receptacles of different sizes making it possible to produce batches of different objects with separate overpackings. Similarly, according to the type of overpacking, the receptacle may have a different shape enabling either the closure thereof from above or the closure thereof from below.
In this way, the type of batches produced, the receptacles on the carrousel, the blanks in the storage tray and the gripping controls of the loading and unloading means and those of the folding and closing means are changed.
Obviously, the device according to the invention may comprise receptacles mounted fixedly on the carrousel.
Therefore, the invention relates to an overpacking device for overpacking objects of batches of varied sizes, according to the different forms of overpacking, in a limited space while offering satisfactory processing outputs.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures wherein:
An example of an embodiment of the device for overpacking batches of objects according to the invention is represented in
This device comprises a carrousel 1 comprising at least one receptacle 2. In the example shown, four receptacles 2 have been provided on said carrousel 1.
Said carrousel 1 is rotatable by suitable rotation driving means known per se between three work stations distributed about said carrousel 1.
In the example shown, the receptacle 2 is designed to enable the simultaneous formation of six batches of objects, each batch consisting of two layers of four rigidly connected objects, for example yoghurt pots.
The first work station is the station for distributing the blank 3 of material for wrapping a batch of objects.
Said station comprises means 4 for distributing six blanks 3 of material in a receptacle 2. The means for distributing the blank 3 comprise unstacking means making it possible to take the six blanks 3 simultaneously from a storage tray of blanks 3 of overpacking material.
Each blank 3 comprises a base portion, two side walls and two end portions 3a, 3b which can be folded down on each other to close the overpacking sleeve about the batch of objects.
Therefore, the distribution means 4 deposit the blanks 3 on the receptacle 2 such that the base portion rests on the base of the receptacle 2, the side walls along the side walls of the receptacle 2, the end portions 3a, 3b projecting from said receptacle 2.
Once the blanks 3 have been deposited in the receptacle 2, the carrousel 1 is rotated to convey the receptacle 2 provided with the blanks 3 on the station for loading with objects 6.
The second work station or loading station comprises means for loading 5 the objects 6 into said receptacle 2 to assemble the batches of objects.
Therefore, the loading station is generally positioned at the outlet of a primary product packaging line assembling objects 6. Said objects 6 are, in the example selected, combined in units comprising four rigidly connected objects 6, the units arriving in a sheet on a table in lines of six units.
The loading means 5 are arranged to take up at least one unit 6a of objects 6, in this case, four rigidly connected yoghurt pots forming a layer of the batch of objects 6 for overpacking. In that the receptacle 2 comprises six blanks 3, the loading means 5 are arranged to simultaneously pick up six units 6a of objects 6. This unit 6a in turn represents an object.
Said loading means 5 preferentially consist of gripping means, that can be lowered towards the objects 6 conveyed in a sheet to the overpacking device, and can be moved towards the receptacle to deposit said objects 6 taken up therein.
Said loading means 5 may in particular comprise suction gripping means.
In this way, the suction gripping means 5 takes up the six units of a line of the sheet to subsequently deposit same into the receptacle 2. The gripping means 5 are used twice in succession to assemble the batch of objects 6 consisting of two layers of units 6a.
Once the objects 6 have been deposited in the receptacle, the batch is assembled by folding the fold-down ends 3a and 3b of the blank 3 and gluing said ends 3a, 3b to form the sleeve about the objects. The folding and gluing means are not represented for clarity purposes and may form a fourth work station inserted between the station for loading the objects and the station for unloading the assembled batches.
Once the sleeves have been closed and therefore the six batches of objects assembled in the receptacle 2, said receptacle finally arrives at the station for unloading batches. The means for unloading the assembled batches consist of suction gripping means 7 for taking up the six assembled batches in the receptacle 2.
The unloading means 7 are arranged to take up the batches in the receptacle 2 and extract same therefrom towards a table 8 whereon they are deposited in the form of a line of six batches, said table 8 being arranged to subsequently transport same to a station for packaging the batches, for example a boxing station.
Said boxing station comprises means for distributing a blank 10 for forming a box 11 and means for folding said blank 10 for forming the box 11. Means for grouping assembled batches are also provided for forming groups of batches with a view to the positioning thereof in boxes 11 and gripping means for taking up the groups of assembled batches to deposit same in boxes 11. Said grouping and gripping means may be in grouped form as represented in 9.
Once the receptacle has been emptied, the carrousel 1 moves said receptacle again to the station for distributing blanks 3 for a new overpacking cycle.
The control of the device and the regulation thereof (movement speed, trajectory, etc.) are preferentially performed using suitable electronic control means.
The invention is obviously not limited to the examples described but also covers the alternative embodiments provided in the claims.
Claims
1. A device for overpacking at least one object, using at least one blank of suitable material such as cardboard in order to form a batch, comprising a carrousel including at least one receptacle and at least three work stations distributed about said carrousel, said three stations including a work station comprising means for distributing at least one blank of material to the at least one receptacle, a work station comprising means for loading said at least one object into said receptacle and a work station comprising means for unloading at least one assembled batch, wherein means for folding and/or closing the blank in order to form the overpacking are also provided.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the carrousel comprises at least the same number of receptacles as work stations distributed about said carrousel.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein each receptacle is sized to receive at least one batch of objects.
4. A device according to claim 1, wherein each receptacle is secured in a removable manner to the carrousel.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for distributing blanks comprises unstacking means making it possible to take at least one blank from an overpacking material blank storage tray to convey said blank to the receptacle.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for loading the receptacle with objects consists of means for gripping at least one object from the objects conveyed to the overpacking device, and can be moved to the receptacle to deposit said at least one object taken up therein.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the loading means are preferentially arranged to take up at least one unit of objects to be deposited in the receptacle consisting either of the batch of objects to be overpacked or a layer of the batch of objects to be overpacked.
8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for unloading at least one assembled batch includes gripping means, making it possible to take up the batch(es) assembled in the receptacle and deposit same to another packaging processing station.
9. A device according to claim 1, wherein each receptacle is configured to have a base and at least lateral walls and the station for distributing the blank having at least one base portion, two side walls and two end portions that can be folded down on each other, is positioned upstream from the station for loading objects, the distribution means being further arranged to deposit said blank on the receptacle such that the base portion of the blank rests on the base of the receptacle, the side walls of the blank along the side walls of the receptacle, the end portions of the blank projecting from said receptacle.
10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for folding and the means for closing the blank are integrated together on the station for unloading at least one assembled batch or on the station upstream from same i.e. the station for loading the object(s) in the receptacle or the station for distributing the blanks.
11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for folding and the means for closing the blank are integrated on the station for unloading the assembled batch(es) and on the station upstream therefrom, i.e. the station for loading the object(s) in the receptacle or the station for distributing the blanks, respectively.
12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for folding and/or closing the blank are provided together on a further station provided before the station for unloading the assembled batch(es).
13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for folding and/or the means for closing the blank are each provided on an independent work station before the station for unloading the assembled batch(es), respectively.
14. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a work station depositing an insert inside at least one batch.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2009
Publication Date: Aug 12, 2010
Inventors: Jean-Christophe Bonnain (Chateauroux), Pascal J. Portrait (Vendoeuvres), Patrice Bridier (Mers-Sur-Indre), Jean-Jacques Dussart (Clavieres)
Application Number: 12/459,070
International Classification: B65B 5/08 (20060101); B65B 35/30 (20060101);
