Apparatus for bundling pet bottles or similar containers by bundling

Abstract

An apparatus for bundling bales of PET bottles, cans, jars or similar containers, which is arranged on four operating levels and comprises two horizontal bundling machines.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] At the current level of technology, containers such as PET bottles for beverages, as well as other equivalent containers such as jars and / or pots, are assembled primarily from sheets of heat-shrinkable plastic polymers in groups or bundles of four or six or more elements.

[0002] The present invention alternatively relates to another method of rapid assembly, and therefore to a novel device that is safe and economical by using a strap-like restraint that can be used with appropriate and specific measures using conventional strapping machines. Such machines have existed for a long time for general packaging of parcels, boxes, or various containers, but have not yet been used industrially for the assembly of PET bottles or similar containers.

[0003] The only machine suitable for this purpose is known, such as the machine described in document WO2013018047.

[0004] Such a machine can produce bundles of containers, where the containers are held together by at least two straps oriented to face a plane perpendicular to the container's own axis. Furthermore, the described machine can only produce bundles in which the containers are arranged such that on each side of the bundle, the containers are tangent to a plane parallel to their own axis. Therefore, the machine according to the prior art does not allow the production of bundles of containers arranged in a quincunx pattern, i.e., where the shell surfaces of the containers arranged along the periphery of the bundle are not all tangent to the plane parallel to the container's axis and defining the sides of the bundle itself. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a bundle consisting of a group of containers held together by at least one, preferably two or more, straps, and the apparatus allows for high productivity and is easily adaptable to the production of bundles, wherein the group of containers comprises different relative arrangements of the containers themselves, and in a staggered or any arrangement of the containers, wherein not all containers are tangent to the plane defining the side of the bundle along the side of the bundle.

[0006] The object of the present invention is that the device relates to an operating unit capable of performing rapid assembly (i.e., safe and simple bundling), the operating unit comprising at least one, preferably two, straps arranged in a plane parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of the containers in the assembly.

[0007] Possible embodiments may additionally provide at least a third strap perpendicular to the orientation of the two straps, i.e., the third strap extends in a plane parallel to the container axis and preferably passes through the center of gravity of the container group bound together to form a package or bundle.

[0008] The device of the present invention is configured to simplify and minimize shrink-packing time, thereby ensuring reduced operating costs along with constant and reliable operation, and ensuring the device's simple and rapid adaptability to multiple package constructions that differ in that they have containers arranged according to a pattern in which, at least on one side of the package or bundle, not all containers are tangent to a plane that coincides with and / or extends along said side.

[0009] The device according to the invention is designed to bundle containers by binding, that is, to bundle a predetermined number of containers arranged opposite each other in a predetermined order, thereby forming a compact package or bundle that serves as a single parcel.

[0010] The container can be any type, such as plastic bottles like PET bottles, or jars or cardboard containers, or glass containers such as jars, bottles, or other similar containers.

[0011] This invention relates to a machine of this type, which essentially comprises: a conveyor belt that feeds a series of containers to a forming station, wherein the containers are formed in a sequence of ordered container groups, the sequence of ordered container groups comprising a predetermined number of containers having a predetermined relative arrangement of the containers, the conveyor and the forming station being disposed at a first intermediate layer; a conveyor for transferring the series of ordered container groups to a binding station, the binding station being disposed at a second intermediate layer; and a conveyor for unloading the series of ordered groups being disposed downstream of the binding station and at a layer lower than the second intermediate layer.

[0012] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, in order to allow for easy arrangement of containers according to a predetermined order and easy variation of the container arrangement, the present invention provides, in conjunction with further features:

[0013] The forming station provides a fixed sequencer for containers on a predetermined number of parallel rows of containers oriented in the forward direction of the feed conveyor, while end stop walls of the containers are located at the front of the container in the forward direction of the conveyor.

[0014] The shape of the wall corresponds to a predetermined relative arrangement of containers on the front surface of the container assembly.

[0015] The transfer conveyor is positioned at a higher level than the forming station of the container assembly, and this higher level is spaced apart from the forming station by a distance at least corresponding to the height of the container or greater.

[0016] A container lifting unit is provided in the forming station to connect the middle layer of the forming station to the upper layer where the transfer conveyor is located.

[0017] Simultaneously, the conveyor continuously unloads the formed container group in the descending station, where the container is transferred to the second intermediate layer by vertical translation caused by gravity in the binding station, and the bottle is transferred from the second intermediate layer to the lower layer where the unloading conveyor is located by a vertically movable support.

[0018] The described device generally operates on four layers or planes, which are:

[0019] A) First intermediate layer, feeding containers at the forming station of the ordered container group and shaping the composition.

[0020] B) Upper layer, transferred from the forming station to the descending station along a predetermined path by a transfer conveyor;

[0021] C) A second intermediate layer, used for binding with two synchronized horizontal straps that bind the containers together. The binding is performed by two binding machines whose binding planes overlap vertically and are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the containers.

[0022] The distance between the two straps can advantageously correspond to the distance of the annular groove on the shell surface of the contained container and inside the strap (i.e., the binding strip).

[0023] D) Lower unloading layer, where groups of containers bundled together in the bundling station are transferred to be unloaded from the machine and sent to other processes, such as palletizing.

[0024] As will become clearer below, the forming station provides that the containers do not come into contact with adjacent containers at least on some of their sides, but are instead held apart by a predetermined distance, corresponding at least to some sides facing one or more adjacent containers, and the container group with this spaced configuration produced in the forming station is thus conveyed to the transfer conveyor.

[0025] According to an embodiment, still in the forming station or at the entrance of the transfer conveyor, it is feasible to provide a dispensing unit for a viscous substance and / or to increase friction between the contact surfaces of the containers, the substance being able to be applied to at least some areas of the contact surfaces between adjacent containers, and the surfaces being disposed on the still spaced sides of the adjacent containers.

[0026] In this case, there is a clear characteristic of a series of container group transfer paths from the forming station to the bundling station, or a clear descent toward the bundling station.

[0027] In fact, during this path, compaction units, such as lateral pressurizers, can be provided to the containers to bring them into contact with each other, and / or in the forward direction, the compaction units bring the containers together to bring them into contact with each other, and cause the areas where material has been deposited to adhere to an adhesive or adhesion-enhancing coating or friction-enhancing coating.

[0028] Furthermore, the length of the transfer path is set in a manner that allows the transfer time of the container to allow the material applied to the adhesion area to dry sufficiently, so that the effect of the material is not affected by further processing steps used to produce packaging or bundling.

[0029] Other features, modifications, or variations of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The features of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom will be better described by the following non-limiting description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Two perspective views in two different directions are shown according to a simplified embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0032] Figure 3 A side view of the device, based on the preceding diagram, is shown.

[0033] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Two cross-sectional views of the device, as shown in the current figure, are presented, either in a vertical cross-sectional plane or parallel to the axis of the bottle and oriented in the forward direction of the conveyor.

[0034] Figure 6 The view shown shows the conveyor system partially omitted. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The apparatus for producing bundles of containers, or so-called bundles, is shown in a non-limiting manner, involving bottles, plastic bottles such as PET, or other materials. In fact, as is evident, the apparatus can be used to produce other types of containers such as glass bottles, jars, pots, and cardboard containers or similar bundles.

[0036] The equipment has a feed conveyor 1, through which rows of containers 2 are fed to a forming station S1 for ordered container groups. Each group includes a predetermined number of containers arranged according to a predetermined pattern.

[0037] In particular, the illustrated device allows the creation of groups of containers arranged relative to each other such that at least one side portion of a container in the group is arranged tangent to a plane defining the side portion of the container, the at least one side portion being spaced apart from the plane.

[0038] In this embodiment, for simplicity, a variant is shown in which the containers in the group are arranged in two rows and in each row in a quincunx pattern.

[0039] The number of containers in each group can vary depending on the circumstances and / or the relative arrangement of the containers within that group.

[0040] In the forming station S1, the container 2 is arranged on multiple parallel rows that are oriented parallel to each other in the forward direction of the feed conveyor 1.

[0041] According to one embodiment, this is possible thanks to the fact that the deflection and guide wall 3 is oriented parallel to the axis of the container and extends a certain length in the forward direction of the container 2.

[0042] The deflection and guide wall 3 has a certain thickness, so that the containers 2 are arranged in several rows with mutual lateral distances or laterally to the direction of travel.

[0043] The forming station S1 has an end-stop propulsion wall 4 for propelling containers. This end-stop propulsion wall 4 has a template and a three-dimensional shape. The shape of the end-stop wall, or the cross-sectional shape along the horizontal plane of the end-stop wall 4, defines the relative positions of the containers in the front position of each row of containers 2 in the forming station S1. In this case, the end-stop wall 4 is manufactured in a staggered manner to position the containers 2, such that the end-stop wall 4 has a flat end-stop surface and coincides with two different vertical planes oriented transversely to the forward direction and spaced apart from each other. The distance between these two different vertical planes approximately corresponds to the radius of the container or half the size of the container in the forward direction.

[0044] The wall 4 is formed by two alternating series of stop surfaces 104 and 204, each of which coincides with a row of containers 2 and also coincides with one of the two vertical planes and is transverse to the direction of travel.

[0045] The container group 1 formed in the forming station S1 has several rows of containers 2 arranged side by side and spaced apart by a predetermined size, and these rows are staggered in the forward direction of the containers to arrange the containers in a quincunx shape.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the container group includes only two rows of containers placed side by side in a direction intersecting the forward direction, but the container group has five rows of containers that are parallel to each other and spaced apart in a direction intersecting the forward direction.

[0047] The lifting assembly (not shown in detail) can be made in various ways known in the art and, for example, consists of a set of push rods, each push rod contacting the bottom of the container, or each push rod having a plate that contacts a portion of the bottom of at least two or more containers, and these push rods are capable of moving vertically in both directions, thus lifting the container group 2 formed in station S1 at the first intermediate layer LV1 at the upper level and at the inlet end of the transfer conveyor 5.

[0048] The forming wall 6, corresponding to the surface of the container in the group formed in station S1, is set on the side of the group opposite to the forward direction of the container on conveyor 1.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the container group has five rows, each row including two containers 2, and the rear wall 6 is shaped to correspond to the end stop wall 4 and also has the function of a template.

[0050] The wall 4 can be moved from the forming station S1 to the entrance of the transfer conveyor, or the wall 4 can be set only at the entrance of the transfer conveyor 5.

[0051] The rear wall 6 moves together with the container 2 in the group and pushes the container in the group toward the descending station S2 located at the opposite end of the transfer path PT.

[0052] According to an embodiment, a possible transfer conveyor includes: a container sliding surface, which may be fixed or composed of a movable conveyor belt that can move idling or be motorized; and a combination of multiple drive pressurizer components 105, which are in the form of crossbars movable by end belts or chains 205, the belts or chains 205 moving along a closed path and driven around pulleys or gears 405, at least some of which are rotatably driven by a motor (not shown).

[0053] Each crossbar drive pressurizer 105 carries a forming wall that functions as a template 6 and cooperates with a set of containers. The pressurizers 105 are arranged at a distance from each other to allow each set formed between two pressurizers 105 to be accommodated, thereby forming a series of container sets 2.

[0054] It should be noted that, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the process, the sliding surface of container 2 in conveyor 5 is invisible, while Figures 3 to 6 The sliding surface is shown and is designated by the number 305.

[0055] During movement along the transfer path PT, the containers in each group undergo a compaction operation, that is, they are brought close together so that each container is in contact with the adjacent container.

[0056] In the illustrated example, containers are arranged in several rows spaced apart laterally in the forward direction, and compacted by two lateral pressurizers aligned and / or overlapping each other in the forward direction of the container group. Each lateral pressurizer is arranged on the longitudinal side of the transfer conveyor 5 and is movable relative to each other. The two lateral pressurizers are not shown in detail, but for example, they may consist of a pair of opposing pressure plates oriented vertically and parallel to the forward direction, and the two lateral pressurizers are moved parallel to themselves by at least a linear actuator.

[0057] According to another feature, the compactors, i.e., the lateral pressureors facing each other, are positioned at a point in the transfer path PT, which is downstream of the intermediate station used to apply adhesives or coatings to increase friction between containers in the group.

[0058] The workstation is not shown in detail and can be implemented in any way by a technician using their basic knowledge.

[0059] Specifically, the workstation may include at least one or more nozzles that are movable along the container group or arranged in a predetermined relative position relative to at least some of the containers in order to spray a predetermined amount of adhesive, paint or other coating material onto at least some areas of the surface of the container 2, whereby the surfaces of adjacent containers come into contact with each other during lateral pressure of the container group as described above.

[0060] It is feasible to provide other application methods, such as the application of double-sided tape or the like.

[0061] The position of the station for applying adhesives and / or substances to increase friction between the surfaces of two adjacent containers is such that the remaining length of the transfer path PT and the descent toward the binding station SR located at the second intermediate layer LV3 are sufficient to allow the adhesive, paint, or other substances to dry substantially to the extent that they do not impair the effect of keeping the individual containers held together in a releasable manner, even in subsequent stages of the plant during further movement of the container assembly.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown in the following figures, one embodiment provides that the wall having the function of the rear template 6 is only set at the entrance of the transfer conveyor 5, while the pressure rod pushes each group by acting directly on the container 2 protruding from the rear.

[0063] Upon exiting the transfer conveyor 5, each container group is placed in a vertically descending station facing the binding station SR.

[0064] Compared to the transfer conveyor, the binding station SR is located at a lower level and in the middle level where the forming station S1 of the container group is located.

[0065] The height difference between each layer roughly corresponds to the height of the container or a multiple thereof.

[0066] Considering that, as shown in the figure, the distance between the intermediate layer LV1 where the forming station S1 is located and the intermediate layer LV2 where the binding station SR is located is equal to the height of the container, and the distance between the intermediate layer LV1 where the forming station S1 is located and the LVS layer where the transfer conveyor 5 is located is also equal to the height of the container 2, the binding station SR is set at layer LS2. Layer LS2 is approximately twice the height of the container 2, which is lower than the upper layer LVS where the output end of the transfer conveyor 5 is located.

[0067] It is clear that in the descending station SD, the containers 2, which are not yet bundled together, are in the bundling station SR by... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The lower, removable support stop is schematically shown in section 7. After two straps are applied along two horizontal planes and perpendicular to the container axis by means of strapping machines R1 and R2, the connected container group 2 is unloaded from the strapping machines by a lifting / lowering conveyor 8, which feeds each group at the inlet of the unloading conveyor 9.

[0068] The vertical movement of the lowering conveyor between the intermediate layer LV2 where the binding station SR is located and the lower layer LVINF where the unloading conveyor 9 is located is motorized.

[0069] One particular embodiment shown in the illustration is that both the lowering conveyor 8 and the unloading conveyor 9 are in the form of conveyor belts.

[0070] However, any type of conveyor can be provided.

[0071] Similarly, relative to the middle and upper layers, the lower LVINF where the unloading conveyor 9 is located is also set at a distance that substantially corresponds to the height of the container, or may even be slightly higher than the height of the container.

[0072] It is clear that the container group 2, which leaves the transfer conveyor 5 and enters the descending station SD, is composed of... Figure 4 and Figure 5The removable support member, schematically shown and indicated by 10, is held at the upper LVS. The descent station terminating at the binding station SR has a descent channel whose length is generally equal to or a multiple of the height of the container. Thus, depending on whether the descent station channel is long enough to be equal to or a multiple of the height of a single container 2, one or more vertically aligned groups are provided between the container group in the binding station SR and the container group leaving the transfer conveyor, and at the entrance of the descent station.

[0073] Furthermore, the descent occurs by gravity because the descent station lacks a vertical transfer member for the containers, and because the containers or groups of containers in the group are located between the group in the binding station SR and the group entering the descent station SD, which is supported by containers in the lower group, namely the container group in the binding station and / or the container groups in the continuous group 2" present in the descent channel when the length of the descent channel is equal to a multiple of the container height. When the movable support member 10 moves to the inactive position and the containers in the group move freely downward under gravity, the last group 2' located at the upper end of the descent channel then supports the containers in the group leaving the transfer conveyor.

[0074] As clearly described above, the device adapts to forming container packs or bundles of containers in a predetermined order and number by simply changing walls 4 and 6. In fact, the relative arrangement of the containers on each row is determined by the shape of the walls.

[0075] Furthermore, by providing a forming unit that includes offset and guide walls as separate components or as components joined together in the unit, the configuration of the container group in terms of the number of rows can be modified, rather than simply modifying the arrangement of the containers within the rows.

[0076] Clearly, the conveyor, the moving parts of the containers, and the bundling machine are independent of the construction of the container group in terms of the number and arrangement of the container groups within a certain limit, as well as the positioning sequence of the containers in the groups. This makes the equipment very flexible, enabling it to be adapted quickly and at low cost to different container packs or bundles.

[0077] The possibility of applying an adhesive substance and / or a coating that also has adhesive properties or increases friction to at least a portion of the contact area of ​​the containers allows for the creation of a container group in which the central container is relatively far from the retainer, and these containers are able to move axially relative to other containers, or even slide out of the group and thus effectively dissolve the adhesive binding the containers together.

[0078] This effect depends on both the material used to manufacture the container and the shape of the container itself, and the likelihood of axial displacement and / or extraction increases with low-friction metallic materials and / or a smooth rather than three-dimensional surface of the container.

[0079] This measure makes the system more flexible in terms of the possible different constructions of the package or bundle.

[0080] List of reference numerals

[0081] Feed conveyor 1

[0082] Container 2

[0083] Forming station S1 for ordered container groups

[0084] Longitudinal deviation guide wall 3

[0085] Forward end stop 4 with positioning template function

[0086] Limiting and stopping surfaces 104, 204

[0087] First Intermediate Layer LV1

[0088] Conveyor 5

[0089] Post-formed positioning wall 6

[0090] SD station drop

[0091] Transmission route PT

[0092] Lateral towing thruster 105

[0093] 205 belt or chain

[0094] Sliding plane 305

[0095] 405 pulleys or gears

[0096] SR bundling workstation

[0097] Second intermediate layer LV2

[0098] Upper LVS

[0099] Removable lower support 7

[0100] Bundling machines R1 and R2

[0101] Lift / lower conveyor 8

[0102] Unloading conveyor 9

[0103] Lower LVINF

[0104] Removable support member 10

[0105] The last 2' at the upper end of the descending channel

[0106] Consecutive groups 2 appearing in the descending channel between the upper LVS layer and the second intermediate layer LV2

Claims

1. An apparatus for bundling PET bottles by binding, the apparatus comprising: A conveyor belt for feeding a series of containers to a forming station for an ordered group of containers, the ordered group comprising a predetermined number of containers arranged relative to the same predetermined conveyor belt, and the forming station being located at a first intermediate layer; a transfer conveyor for transferring a series of the ordered group of containers to a bundling station located at a second intermediate layer; and an unloading conveyor located at a lower level than the second intermediate layer for unloading the series of the ordered group of containers, the device being characterized in that... The forming station provides a fixed sequencer for the containers on a predetermined number of container rows that are parallel and oriented in the forward direction of the conveyor belt, while the end stop walls of the containers are positioned forward of the conveyor belt in the forward direction. The shape of the end stop wall corresponds to a predetermined relative arrangement of the containers on the front of the ordered container group. The transfer conveyor is positioned at a higher level than the forming station used to shape the ordered container assembly, and this higher level is spaced apart from the first intermediate layer of the forming station by a distance at least corresponding to the height of the container or greater. A lifting assembly is provided in the forming station to lift the containers in the group formed by the containers from the first intermediate layer of the forming station to the upper layer where the transfer conveyor is located. Simultaneously, the transfer conveyor continuously unloads the formed container group in the descending station, where the container is transferred to the second intermediate layer by means of vertical translation caused by gravity in the binding station, and the container is transferred from the second intermediate layer to the lower layer where the unloading conveyor is located by means of a vertically movable support.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance between the second intermediate layer and the first intermediate layer is equal to the height of the container, and an intermediate channel station is provided between the descending station and the binding station at the exit of the transfer conveyor, the intermediate channel station being located at the same intermediate layer as the forming station, and the container group in the intermediate channel station being supported by the containers in the ordered container group in the binding station, and the containers in the container group in the intermediate channel station subsequently supporting the containers in the formed container group in the descending station.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the containers in the ordered container group formed in the forming station are spaced apart at least with respect to the rows of containers oriented in the forward direction of the containers, and the containers in each group are compacted together by two opposing transverse presses arranged along the path of the transfer conveyor in a direction intersecting the forward direction.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Upstream of the container compactor in each group, there is a dispensing station for dispensing adhesive material onto at least one contacting area of ​​the containers in the ordered group of containers, which are in a compacted state.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two binding machines are provided, the at least two binding machines being vertically spaced apart from each other or spaced apart in the direction of the container axis, so as to arrange the corresponding binding straps at points axially spaced apart from each other.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the formed forming wall of the rear side of the ordered container group is provided in the forming station and / or at the inlet of the transfer conveyor, corresponding to a predetermined order and predetermined position relative to the containers in the ordered container group corresponding to the rear side.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sequencer of the containers on a plurality of adjacent and parallel rows of containers is disposed in the forming station formed by a plurality of partition walls of the rows of containers, the plurality of partition walls being oriented in the forward direction of the containers and parallel to the vertical axis of the containers, and the plurality of partition walls having a predetermined thickness for lateral spacing within a predetermined range of the rows of containers therebetween.

8. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one additional vertically oriented binding machine, i.e., oriented in a plane parallel to the axis of the container, is provided for applying vertical binding straps.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the ordered container group in the binding station is supported by a conveyor belt that can be raised to the layer of the binding station and lowered to the layer of the unloading conveyor located at a lower layer, the lower layer being lower than the layer of the binding station to a degree corresponding to the height of the container, and removable supports for the ordered container group are located at the layer of the binding station.

10. The device of claim 4, wherein the adhesive substance comprises glue and / or paint and / or coating or an external finishing material of the container, and the adhesive substance is applied to some areas of the container or the entire surface of the container.

11. The device of claim 6, wherein the end stop wall having the function of a template, the associated end stop surface of the end stop wall, and the forming wall are composed of independent forming elements, the independent forming elements being axially actuated by any mechanized or electric operating system to move the incoming container so that the dimensions of the formed container assembly can be adjusted to the appropriate size before lifting.

12. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Upstream of the container compactor in each group, there is a dispensing station for spraying an adhesive substance onto at least one contacting area of ​​the containers in the ordered group of containers, which are in a compacted state.

13. The device according to claim 4, wherein, The dispensing station is used to dispense the adhesive material in the inlet area of ​​the ordered container group entering the transfer conveyor.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein, The dispensing station is used to spray the adhesive substance in the inlet area of ​​the ordered container group entering the transfer conveyor.

15. The device according to claim 5, wherein, The point corresponds to each of the two axial halves of the container.

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