U.S. patent application number 12/459070 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for device for overpacking at least one object into a batch.
Invention is credited to Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Patrice Bridier, Jean-Jacques Dussart, Pascal J. Portrait.
Application Number | 20100199599 12/459070 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38266649 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100199599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bonnain; Jean-Christophe ;
et al. |
August 12, 2010 |
Device for overpacking at least one object into a batch
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
Bonnain; Jean-Christophe;
(Chateauroux, FR) ; Portrait; Pascal J.;
(Vendoeuvres, FR) ; Bridier; Patrice;
(Mers-Sur-Indre, FR) ; Dussart; Jean-Jacques;
(Clavieres, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION;ATTN: IP LEGAL DEPARTMENT
1021 MAIN CAMPUS DRIVE
RALEIGH
NC
27606
US
|
Family ID: |
38266649 |
Appl. No.: |
12/459070 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/FR2007/002181 |
Dec 27, 2007 |
|
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12459070 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 43/285 20130101;
B65B 43/50 20130101; B65B 5/08 20130101; B65B 5/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/147 |
International
Class: |
B65B 5/08 20060101
B65B005/08; B65B 35/30 20060101 B65B035/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 29, 2006 |
FR |
0611534 |
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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] 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.
[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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 INVENTION
[0012] The 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] Very advantageously, the carrousel preferentially comprises
at least the same number of receptacles as work stations
distributed about the carrousel.
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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).
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] In this way, an overpacking device according to the
invention has an operating cycle as follows.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] Said loading means may consist of mechanical gripping means,
suction gripping means and any other suitable means.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] Obviously, the device according to the invention may
comprise receptacles mounted fixedly on the carrousel.
[0046] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] The invention will now be described in more detail with
reference to the figures wherein:
[0048] FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the top of an
example of an embodiment of the overpacking device according to the
invention;
[0049] FIG. 2 represents an enlarged top perspective view of the
first two work stations of a device according to FIG. 1;
[0050] FIG. 3 represents an enlarged top perspective view of the
unloading station of a device according to FIG. 1;
[0051] FIG. 4 represents a top perspective view of the packaging
station at the outlet of the device according to FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0052] An example of an embodiment of the device for overpacking
batches of objects according to the invention is represented in
FIG. 1.
[0053] 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.
[0054] Said carrousel 1 is rotatable by suitable rotation driving
means known per se between three work stations distributed about
said carrousel 1.
[0055] 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.
[0056] The first work station is the station for distributing the
blank 3 of material for wrapping a batch of objects.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] Said loading means 5 may in particular comprise suction
gripping means.
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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.
[0072] The control of the device and the regulation thereof
(movement speed, trajectory, etc.) are preferentially performed
using suitable electronic control means.
[0073] The invention is obviously not limited to the examples
described but also covers the alternative embodiments provided in
the claims.
* * * * *