U.S. patent application number 10/984081 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-11 for machine for banding groups of palletized products.
This patent application is currently assigned to AETNA GROUP S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Mauro Cere'.
Application Number | 20060096244 10/984081 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36314900 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060096244 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cere'; Mauro |
May 11, 2006 |
Machine for banding groups of palletized products
Abstract
A machine for banding individual, grouped or palletized products
comprises at least: a conveyor (2), extending in a direction of
feed (A), for transporting the products (3); a frame (4) mounted
over the conveyor (2) and equipped with at least two rolls (5, 6)
of film mounted on the frame uprights (7, 8) in such a way as to
form a band of film (9, 9') positioned transversely relative to the
uprights (7, 8) so as to intercept the front of the products (3) as
they move forward; at least one unit (10) for sealing and cutting
the film (9, 9'), supported by the frame (4) and mobile between an
idle position, where the unit (10) is close to the uprights (7, 8),
and a working position, where the unit (10) is away from the
uprights (7, 8) so that it intercepts, seals and cuts the portion
of film (9, 9') wrapped around the products (3). The machine (1)
further comprises at least one unit (11) located in the vicinity of
a section of the film band (9, 9') unwinding path (P) and designed
to apply at least one distinctive code (C) to at least one part of
the film band (9, 9').
Inventors: |
Cere'; Mauro; (Loiano
(Bologna), IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY, SHARPE, FAGAN, MINNICH & MCKEE, LLP
1100 SUPERIOR AVENUE, SEVENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Assignee: |
AETNA GROUP S.p.A.
|
Family ID: |
36314900 |
Appl. No.: |
10/984081 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/399 ;
53/135.3; 53/415; 53/586 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 13/02 20130101;
B65B 9/026 20130101; B65B 61/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/399 ;
053/586; 053/135.3; 053/415 |
International
Class: |
B65B 61/00 20060101
B65B061/00; B65B 13/00 20060101 B65B013/00 |
Claims
1. A machine (1) of the type for banding individual, grouped or
palletized products and comprising at least: a conveyor (2)
extending in a direction of feed (A) and used to transport the
products (3); a frame (4) mounted over the conveyor (2) and
equipped with at least two rolls (5, 6) of film mounted on the
frame uprights (7, 8) in such a way as to form a band of film (9,
9') positioned transversely relative to the uprights (7, 8) and
intercepted by the front of the products (3) as they move forward
in such a way as to unwind the film from the pair of rolls (5, 6);
at least one unit (10) for sealing and cutting the film (9, 9'),
supported by the frame (4) and mobile between an idle position,
where the unit (10) is close to the uprights (7, 8), and a working
position, where the unit (10) is away from the uprights (7, 8) so
that it intercepts, seals and cuts the portion of film (9, 9')
wrapped around the products (3); the machine further comprising at
least one unit (11) located in the vicinity of a section of the
film band (9, 9') unwinding path (P) and designed to apply at least
one distinctive code (C) to at least one part of the film band (9,
9').
2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the unit (11) is
positioned in the vicinity of one of the film rolls (5, 6) and is
equipped with a plurality of feed rollers (12) forming the
unwinding path (P) and defining at least one straight section of
the film (9) facing the unit (11).
3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the unit (11) is
mounted outside the frame (4), on one side of the frame (4).
4. The machine according to claim 1, where the pair of rolls (5, 6)
can be adjusted vertically in both directions along the uprights
(7, 8) of the frame (4), wherein the unit (11) is equipped with
vertical drive means (13) allowing the band (9, 9') and the unit
(11) to assume predetermined positions relative to each other.
5. The machine according to claim 1, where the pair of rolls (5, 6)
can be adjusted vertically in both directions along the uprights
(7, 8) of the frame (4), wherein the unit (11) is equipped with
vertical drive means (13) that permit synchronized drive between
the band (9, 9') and the unit (11).
6. The machine according to claim 1, where there are two pairs of
rolls (5, 6; 16, 17) forming respective bands (9, 9') around the
palletized product stack (3) and two units (10, 10') for sealing
and cutting the respective bands (9, 9'), wherein the code (C)
application unit (11) is positioned along the path (P) of the band
(9) closest to the conveyor (2), that is to say, in the vicinity of
a lower roll (6).
7. The machine according to claim 1, where there are two pairs of
rolls (5, 6; 16, 17) forming respective bands (9, 9') around the
palletized product stack (3) and two units (10, 10') for sealing
and cutting the respective bands (9, 9'), wherein the code (C)
application unit (11) is positioned along the path (P) of the band
(9') furthest from the conveyor (2), that is to say, in the
vicinity of an upper roll (16).
8. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the unit (11)
comprises a labeling unit (11e) and means (11m) for applying at
least one label (C) to the band of film (9, 9').
9. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the unit (11) is
equipped with means (11m) for applying at least one label (C) made
of paper.
10. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the unit (11) is
equipped with means (11m) for applying at least one label (C) made
of plastic.
11. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the code (C)
application unit (11) comprises means (11s) for printing the codes
(C) directly on the band of film (9, 9').
12. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the unit (11) is
connected to a data processing and transmission system (30) to
enable the unit (11) to receive at least one signal corresponding
to at least one distinctive code (C) to be applied to the band (9,
9').
13. The machine according to claim 1, comprising means (31) for
controlling the unwinding of the band (9, 9') and activating the
unit (11) in accordance with the parts (Z, Z') of the band (9, 9')
to which the codes (C) have to be applied.
14. A method for applying codes (C) to bands of film (9, 9')
wrapped around products (3) by a machine (1) as defined in claim 1,
the method comprising at least the step of: feeding the products
(3) along the conveyor (2) in such a way that the front (3f) of the
products intercepts at least one band of film (9, 9') positioned
transversally with respect to the uprights (7, 8), causing the film
(9, 9') to be unwound at least from the pair of rolls (5, 6),
wherein the step of feeding the products (3) and intercepting the
film band (9, 9') is preceded by: a step of moving the branch (R)
of the band (9, 9') positioned transversally by an amount
sufficient to position at least one part (Z) of it at the unit (11)
that applies the codes (C); a step of applying at least one
distinctive code (C) to the part (Z) of the film (9, 9'); a step of
further moving the branch (R) of the band (9, 9') by an amount
sufficient to reposition the branch (R) between the uprights (7, 8)
and with the part (Z) with the code (C) applied to it at a
predetermined position.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of moving
the part (Z) of the band (9, 9') towards and away from the uprights
(7, 8) is accomplished by the joint rotation of the pair of film
rolls (5, 6).
16. A method for applying codes (C) to bands of film (9, 9')
wrapped around products (3) by a machine (1) as defined in claim 1,
the method comprising at least the step of: feeding the products
(3) along the conveyor (2) in such a way that the front (3f) of the
products intercepts at least one band of film (9, 9') positioned
transversally with respect to the uprights (7, 8), causing the film
(9, 9') to be unwound at least from the pair of rolls (5, 6),
wherein the step of unwinding the film band is performed at the
same time as a step of applying the code (C) to at least one part
(Z) of the film band (9, 9').
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for banding
groups of palletized products, in particular palletized loads
consisting of stacked products (such as, for example, but not
restricted to, packs of bottles or other containers) to undergo
intermediate processes and to be transported from one factory to
another or from one processing station to another.
[0002] Machines of this type are used to wrap a band of material
around a groups of palletized products stacked to a certain height
and relatively light in weight, in such a way as to stabilize the
stacks during transportation or normal handling in processing
lines. Typically, the palletized load consists of bottle crates
placed side by side and stacked in two or more layers.
[0003] To stabilize a load of this type, the banding machine wraps
a first band of plastic film at a certain height in order to hold
the stack together at the most unstable part of it (usually the top
of the stack) which would be the first to topple during
transportation.
[0004] Prior art machines that perform banding operations of this
type comprise a portal frame whose uprights mount a pair of film
rolls at a predetermined height. The film is unwound by suitable
rollers in such a way that it is positioned transversely between
the uprights to intercept the palletized load as the pallet moves
under the portal frame on a conveyor.
[0005] The forward motion of the pallet, after its front end has
come into contact with the band of film, causes the rolls to unwind
so as to wrap the band around the sides of the products stacked on
the pallet. As soon as the pallet has moved past the portal frame,
it is stopped and a unit comprising a sealer and a cutter, mounted
behind the uprights, runs along the back of the palletized load on
suitable supports in a direction parallel to the rear face of the
load in such a way that the band of film is wrapped right around
the load.
[0006] In other words, the film forms a loop around the upper
section of the palletized product load and, since the film used is
usually stretch film, also has a tightening effect which holds the
load together.
[0007] At this point, the section of the band at the back of the
palletized load is sealed and, as soon as this has been done, the
cutter cuts the band half way between the two sealed ends: that
means the looped band wrapped around the palletized load is closed,
sealed and cut off, while the seal keeps the two rolls joined to
each other by the remaining film positioned transversely between
the two uprights and ready to intercept the next palletized load
moving forward on the conveyor, thus ensuring that the process is
not interrupted.
[0008] An increasingly frequent requirement is for banding machines
to apply to the palletized load a second band of film, lower down
than the first and bearing a distinguishing mark, such as, for
example, a label identifying the products transported, their
factory of origin, or other information.
[0009] To make applications of this type possible, the following
have been added to banding machines:
[0010] a pair of rolls mounted on the uprights of the portal frame
and designed to wrap a second band of plastic film, to which labels
can be applied, at a fixed height relative to the uprights
themselves; and
[0011] a second sealer and cutter assembly similar to the first
assembly, and independent of it, mounted close to the base of the
portal frame and mobile in synchrony with the first assembly by
means of two additional arms, designed to seal and cut the second
band in the same way as the first.
[0012] This type of solution consists basically of a machine
already well known in the trade used to apply a single band, with
the simple addition of another pair of film rolls and a second,
fixed, independent unit but without adapting its constructional
philosophy to suit the new requirement.
[0013] This type of structure has several disadvantages which have
been overcome in a new solution proposed by the same Applicant as
the present (see Italian patent application BO2002 A000232), in
which the two sealing and cutting units are supported by a single
mounting unit that projects from the portal frame and that slides
along the frame crossbeam to and from the idle and working
positions of the units: this solution has made the sealing and
cutting units extremely, practical and adaptable to any type of
production line in which the portal frame is used.
[0014] This improvement has led to a widespread and increased use
of labels applied to the plastic bands and bearing information such
as product type, destination, origin, quantity, weight, etc.
[0015] The labels, usually placed on three sides of the palletized
load, are applied to the plastic band at a station located
downstream of the banding machine and equipped with independent
label application means.
[0016] This type of configuration, however, tends to slow down the
flow of the pallets that have already been banded to enable the
labels to be applied and requires an independent, dedicated
labeling station which increases the overall dimensions of the
production line.
[0017] The present invention has for an object to overcome the
above mentioned disadvantages by providing a machine for banding
palletized products that has a very compact structure, and is
equipped with units for sealing and cutting the plastic band and
for applying alphanumeric characters, all mounted in a single
station that is quick and easy to adjust and operates in highly
synchronized fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a
machine of the type for banding individual, grouped or palletized
products and comprising at least: a conveyor, extending in a
direction of feed, for transporting the products; a frame mounted
over the conveyor and equipped with at least two rolls of film
mounted on the frame uprights in such a way as to form a band of
film positioned transversely relative to the uprights so as to
intercept the front of the products as they move forward; at least
one unit for sealing and cutting the film, supported by the frame
and mobile between an idle position, where the unit is close to the
uprights, and a working position, where the unit is away from the
uprights so that it intercepts, seals and cuts the portion of film
band wrapped around the products; the machine further comprises at
least one unit located in the vicinity of a section of the film
band unwinding path and designed to apply at least one distinctive
code to at least one part of the film band.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The technical characteristics of the invention, with
reference to the above objects, are clearly described in the claims
below and its advantages are apparent from the detailed description
which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which
illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention provided merely
by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive
concept, and in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view, with some parts cut away to better
illustrate others, of a machine according to the present invention
for banding groups of palletized products;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view of the banding machine of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the banding machine illustrated
in the figures listed above;
[0023] FIGS. 4 to 6 are schematic top plan views illustrating a
series of steps in the application of codes to a band placed round
the groups of products in a machine according to the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular
FIGS. 1 to 3, the machine according to the invention, denoted in
its entirety by the numeral 1, is used for banding, individual,
grouped or palletized products.
[0025] More specifically, the machine is used, for example, for
palletized stacks 3 of products which have undergone intermediate
processes and have to be transported from one factory to another or
from one processing station to another.
[0026] For example, and without restricting the scope of the
invention, the machine is used for banding palletized loads which
consist of bottle crates placed side by side and stacked in two or
more layers and which necessitate a band of film to stabilize them
at the top, and another band of film bearing a series of
identification codes at the bottom.
[0027] The machine 1 comprises a conveyor 2, a frame 4, here in the
form of a portal, and a pair of sealing and cutting units 10 and
10'. Obviously, the fact that it comprises two sealing and cutting
units 10 and 10' is a non-restrictive example of the solution
according to the invention.
[0028] More specifically, the conveyor 2 may consist of a roller
conveyor or a conveyor belt extending in a direction of feed A and
used to carry the pallets, each supporting a stack 3 of the
aforementioned products.
[0029] The frame 4 is mounted over the conveyor 2 and is equipped,
in this non-restrictive embodiment, with two pairs 5, 6 and 16, 17
of film rolls, each pair being mounted at a different height from
the other on the uprights 7 and 8 of the frame 4.
[0030] The pairs of film rolls 5, 6 and 16, 17 are mounted in such
a way as to form respective bands of film 9, 9' positioned
transversely relative to the uprights 7 and 8 so as to intercept
the front of the product stack 3 as it moves forward (see FIG.
3).
[0031] The upper band 9' is designed to stabilize the stack 3,
whilst the second band 9 usually has the twofold purpose of
stabilizing the stack 3 and presenting information or codes C
relating to the products in the stack 3.
[0032] The units 10 and 10' for sealing and cutting the bands of
film 9 and 9' are mounted, relative to the direction of feed A, at
the back of the frame 4 and are mobile between:
[0033] an idle position, where the units 10 and 10' are close to
the uprights 7 and 8 (as shown in FIG. 3); and
[0034] a working position, where the units 10 and 10' are away from
the uprights 7 and 8 so that each intercepts, seals and cuts a
respective portion of the film bands 9 and 9' wrapped around the
product stack 3 (as shown in FIG. 2), leaving other portions of the
bands 9 and 9' positioned transversely between the uprights 7 and 8
for the next stack 3.
[0035] Still with reference to FIG. 2, the sealing and cutting
units 10 and 10' are supported by a single mounting unit 22 that
projects from the frame 4 and that slides along the crossbeam 4c of
the latter to and from the idle and working positions (as indicated
by the arrows F in FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0036] This structure is exhaustively described in Italian patent
application BO2002 A000232 by the same Applicant as the present and
will not therefore be described in further detail herein.
[0037] The rolls 5, 6 and 16, 17 are mounted on the uprights 7 and
8 and are equipped with rollers 23 for feeding and tensioning the
respective bands of film 9 and 9' being unwound so as to keep the
bands of film properly tensioned when they are intercepted by the
product stack 3.
[0038] Each of the rolls 5, 6 and 16, 17 also has a carriage 24
coupled to a power driven worm screw shaft 25 that enables
adjustment in both directions along the respective upright 7 and 8
(see arrows F2): this permits adjustment of the position of the
bands 9, 9' on the stack 3 according to the height of the
stack.
[0039] The banding machine 1 also comprises a unit 11, mounted in
the vicinity of a section of the path P (shown in FIG. 3) along
which one of the two bands of film--the one labeled 9--is unwound
and designed to apply at least one distinctive code C to at least
one part of the band 9 itself.
[0040] The code C may be any type of label or similar device
including any combination of alphanumeric strings, graphics,
symbols or logos or any other alternative reference systems such as
bar codes.
[0041] The unit 11 may be mounted in the vicinity of one of the
film rolls 5 and 6 (in this case it is the lower pair and the roll
is the one labeled 6). The unit 11 is equipped with a plurality of
rollers 12 forming the unwinding path P and defining at least one
straight section of film facing the unit 11: in this way, the codes
C can be applied to the part of the band 9.
[0042] Similarly (see dashed line in FIG. 1), the unit 11 may be
mounted at the upper pair of rollers 16 and 17 so as to apply the
codes C to the respective upper band 9' without thereby limiting
the scope of the inventive concept.
[0043] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the unit 11 is
mounted outside the frame 4, on one side of the frame 4.
[0044] As mentioned above, the pairs of rolls 5, 6 and 16, 17 can
be adjusted in height in both directions and, for this purpose, the
unit 11 is equipped with vertical drive means 13 allowing the band
9 and the code C application unit 11 to assume predetermined
positions relative to each other.
[0045] Preferably, but without restricting the scope of the
invention, the drive means 13 may synchronize the unit 11 with the
lower pair of rolls 5 and 6.
[0046] The drive means 13 may, purely by way of example, comprise a
beam mounting unit 14 for the unit 11, coupled with a worm screw
shaft 15 that may be power driven or actuated manually by an
operator in order to drive the unit 11 up and down in synchrony
with the rolls 5 and 6 (see arrows F11 in FIG. 1).
[0047] As regards the type of codes C applicable to the band 9, the
unit 11 may consist of a customary labeling unit 11e equipped with
means 11m, a kind of application pad, designed to apply at least
one label C to the band of film 9.
[0048] The labeling unit 11e may apply labels C made of paper or
plastic, depending on working requirements.
[0049] In an alternative embodiment, the code C application unit 11
may comprise means 11s (illustrated schematically in FIGS. 4, 5 and
6) for printing the codes C directly on the band of film 9 being
unwound.
[0050] Obviously, the unit 11 is connected to a data processing and
transmission system 30 (illustrated as a block in FIG. 3) to enable
the unit 11 to receive the codes C to be printed on the band 9.
[0051] Similarly, there may be means 31 for controlling the
unwinding of the band 9 and activating the unit 11 in accordance
with the parts of the band 9 on which the codes C have to be
printed: in practice, the parts where the codes C are to be applied
are decided in accordance with the size of the product stack 3 and,
hence, the length of the band 9 unwound before the unit 11 is
activated.
[0052] Thus, the codes C to be applied to the band 9 are generated
while the band 9 itself is being unwound and printed on
predetermined parts of the latter (as shown in FIG. 1) calculated
in accordance with the size of the stack 3 passing by.
[0053] For easy legibility of the codes C when the stack 3 is in a
warehouse or is being transported from one place to another, the
band 9 may have three sets of codes C applied to it, positioned on
the front 3f, on one side 3g and at the back 3r of the stack 3.
[0054] On the side 3g and back 3r of the stack 3 the codes C are
generated or applied to the predetermined part Z' during the step
of feeding the stack 3 along the conveyor 2 while the band 9 is
being unwound and in such a way that the stack front 3f intercepts
the film bands 9 and 9' positioned transversally with respect to
the uprights 7 and 8. The step of generating and applying the codes
C to the band 9 is performed preferably while the band 9 is moving
normally, or it may be performed while the band 9 is slowed down
slightly or stopped for a short length of time. Alternatively,
depending on the type of unit 11 used, the unit 11 may be made to
move at the same speed as the band 9 being unwound and to generate
and apply the codes as it follows the band 9.
[0055] The codes C on the front 3f of the stack 3, on the other
hand, are obtained by a step of generating the codes C prior to the
step of feeding the stack 3.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the step of feeding the stack 3
may be preceded by:
[0057] a step of moving the branch R of the band 9 positioned
transversally with respect to the uprights 7 and 8 by an amount
sufficient to position at least one part Z of it at the unit 11
that applies the codes C;
[0058] a step of generating at least the codes C on the part Z of
the band 9 (see FIG. 5);
[0059] a step of further moving the branch R of the band 9 by an
amount sufficient to reposition the branch R between the uprights 7
and 8 and with the part Z with the codes C applied to it at a
predetermined position depending on the size of the incoming stack
3 (see FIG. 6).
[0060] These steps of moving the part Z of the band 9 towards and
away from the uprights 7 and 8 is accomplished by jointly turning
the pair of film rolls 5 and 6.
[0061] A machine structured as described above therefore achieves
the aforementioned objects by incorporating into the banding
machine structure a code application unit in such a way that
operations previously carried out at two different operating
stations are now carried out at a single operating station.
[0062] This architecture makes it possible to speed up stack
processing without affecting normal banding time and with the
advantage that the stacks have the codes assigned to them applied
at the same time as they are banded.
[0063] The incorporation of the code application unit into the
banding machine eliminates the need for a labeling station
downstream of the banding machine, thus saving time, space and
money.
[0064] The invention described has evident industrial applications
and may be subject to modifications and variations without thereby
departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all
the details of the invention may be substituted by technically
equivalent elements.
* * * * *