Improved industrial plant and method

Abstract

An improved method for packaging articles is described. To limit the use of protective material, a plurality of strips of protective material are applied around the article at different vertical heights of the article, where the strips are applied in a manner such that the strips are spaced apart and distributed along the height of the article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an improved industrial apparatus and method, and more particularly to a module or device, and a method for continuously packaging articles. Such articles are components of furniture (e.g., bases, paneling, or column units). Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, furniture or furniture products (using furniture or furniture products as an example here) are packed into custom-made cardboard boxes during transportation to protect them. In addition to the inconvenience of producing or storing many bulky and expensive boxes for each size of furniture, the physical packing of furniture products also requires a lot of manpower and space.

[0003] It's easy to understand that such a system has several drawbacks, such as low productivity and high operating costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The primary objective of this invention is to improve upon existing technologies. Another objective is to provide an improved industrial method and apparatus for packaging articles (e.g., furniture) or components thereof, which uses less protective material (e.g., less cardboard) and is faster.

[0005] These and other objectives are achieved by means of the contents described in the appended claims; advantageous preferred solutions are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention is a method for packaging articles, comprising the step of applying multiple strips of protective material around the articles at different vertical heights, wherein the strips are applied in a manner that the strips are spaced apart and distributed along the height of the articles (preferably in a manner that no two strips are at the same height).

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging articles, comprising:

[0008] N packaging stations arranged in series, N>=2, wherein each Nth station includes an application device for applying one or more strips of protective material around the article at different vertical heights of the article, wherein the strips are applied spaced apart from each other and distributed along the height of the article (preferably not overlapping each other, i.e., no two strips at the same height).

[0009] Known manipulators, actuators, robots, and transmitters can also be used in this device and method.

[0010] The advantage of this method is that it eliminates the need for custom boxes or packaging while still providing sufficient protection for items. Using the aforementioned straps, the edges of items (the most vulnerable areas) can be effectively protected without covering their entire surface, thus saving on protective materials. Another advantage is the ability to stock a single type of protective material to protect items of all different shapes and sizes.

[0011] The following are shared variants of the method and device. The device's site can perform any or all of the steps defined herein for the method.

[0012] In one variation, the band is applied to the article simultaneously.

[0013] In a different variation, the tapes are applied to the item sequentially, one after another and / or one at a time. This improves cycle time by preventing the item from remaining in the same position for extended periods. That is, another tape is applied only after the current tape has been applied. The tapes are applied sequentially and progressively to the same item at consecutive stations or locations on the packaging line. At each station or location, only one or more tapes are applied at different heights on the item, and the item receives all tapes as it visits all stations or locations in sequence. The tape applied at the Nth station is placed at a different height on the item than the tapes applied at the other (N-1) stations.

[0014] Preferably, the application of each individual tape is performed sequentially by a different machine. Such a machine is dedicated to applying only one tape. Where cycle time permits, only one machine can apply all tapes, or several machines can each apply a subset of the total number of tapes. That is, one machine can apply a subset of the total number of tapes.

[0015] In a preferred variant, the method includes the following steps:

[0016] To ensure the items proceed in order through N stations, where N>=2,

[0017] And at each Nth site, one or more protective material strips are applied around the item, especially if there is only one strip, and each strip has a different height.

[0018] Preferably, the strips are applied to the article in such a way that they are spaced apart and evenly distributed along the height of the article.

[0019] More preferably, the position of one or each strip to be applied to the article is calculated by measuring the article's physical variables (especially dimensional variables), such as its height and / or weight and / or width and / or color and / or the material constituting it.

[0020] More preferably, the distance between two adjacent strips is a function of the total height of the item. For example, if the height of the item is denoted as H, and a total of N strips are applied to the item, then the distance between two adjacent strips is H / N. This criterion is satisfied for the strips applied at each station and for the set of strips applied to all stations in total.

[0021] Preferably, the height of each strip applied to the article is a function (e.g., a fraction) of the total height of the article. For example, if there are a total of N strips evenly distributed, in order to optimize the spacing of the strips, the height of each Nth strip applied to the article (relative to the base of the article) is preferably equal to J*H / N or (J-1)*H / N or (J-1 / 2)*H / N, where J = 1, 2, ..., N.

[0022] To achieve all-around protection, it is preferable to attach (e.g., glue or nail) a strip of protective material at its end to form a loop around the article.

[0023] For convenience, the preferred protective material is a cardboard ring or strip.

[0024] Preferably, to increase protection, a plastic film or cardboard sheet is applied to the article, more preferably to the top of the article to cover its top. For example, the plastic film or cardboard sheet is applied to the article at a dedicated site, such as the beginning or end of a series of N sites.

[0025] Specifically, a plastic or cardboard covering film can be applied at the entrance of the station row, in which case the covering film is preferably folded to fit the shape of the items and covered by the top strip placed first. Alternatively, a plastic or cardboard covering film can be applied at the exit of the station row, in which case the covering film is preferably folded to fit the shape of the items and glued to the top strip.

[0026] Preferably, the item is:

[0027] A group of different components stacked vertically on top of each other, and / or

[0028] Furniture articles, or in particular a group of furniture articles or furniture parts that are stacked and / or piled up vertically.

[0029] Preferably, the items are placed on a pallet when receiving the items, so that they can be easily loaded and ready for shipment after packaging.

[0030] In one variation, each of the N stations is configured to apply only one stripe to the item at different heights, or to apply a subset of the total number of stripes to the item, wherein each stripe in the subset is located at a different height of the item.

[0031] In a preferred variant, the device includes a conveying mechanism to allow items to proceed sequentially through N stations.

[0032] In one variant, each of the N sites is configured as follows:

[0033] One or more strips are applied to the item in a manner that the strips are spaced apart and evenly distributed along the height of the item, and

[0034] More preferably, the distance between two adjacent strips is a function of the total height of the item, such as as defined above for the method.

[0035] In one variation, each of the N stations includes a structure or device for closing the strip at its end (e.g., gluing or nailing it) to form a loop around the article.

[0036] Preferably, the device includes a station configured to apply a plastic film or cardboard to an article, more preferably to the top of the article.

[0037] Preferably, the device includes the N stations arranged in series (in a front-to-back manner) and is fed by a conveyor belt configured to sequentially transport items from one station to the next along the feed axis.

[0038] Preferably, each station includes two reels of protective material for supplying protective material to an application device, which preferably includes a first pair of arms and a second pair of arms, wherein each pair of arms is aligned and positioned opposite each other on opposite sides of the conveyor belt and is linearly movable along a corresponding axis that is horizontal and orthogonal to a vertical plane passing through the feed axis.

[0039] Preferably, a roller is installed at the end of each arm of the first pair of arms to allow the protective material strip to return around the article.

[0040] Preferably, the first pair of arms are movable and can be moved closer to or further away from each other to widen or narrow the horizontal extension of the protective material extending between its ends, such that the front of the article encounters the horizontal extension.

[0041] Preferably, the second pair of arms is movable and can be moved closer or further away from each other so that the two curved portions of the protective material are closer together at the rear of the article.

[0042] Preferably, the device includes a glue applicator head, which is provided with means for performing the following functions:

[0043] Cutting protective material,

[0044] Apply glue to the end of the cut strip, then

[0045] The ends are pressed together to close the band and form a loop.

[0046] Preferably, the paired arms can be along a vertical axis ( Figure 3 The vertical axis moves linearly and synchronously with the horizontal sliding surface of the conveyor belt, thereby applying the belt to the item at different heights.

[0047] Preferably, the two pairs of arms can move linearly and synchronously along an axis parallel to the feed axis.

[0048] Preferably, the device includes:

[0049] -Electronic control unit,

[0050] - A code reader connected to the control unit and / or a sensor (e.g., image sensor, camera, or LiDAR) connected to the control unit to detect the shape of an object.

[0051] The control unit is configured as follows:

[0052] - Receive codes or data from readers or sensors.

[0053] - Extract information about the total height of the item.

[0054] - Determine the procedure for how many strips must be applied at each site and at what height, and

[0055] - Send commands to the site's drive to execute the program.

[0056] Preferably, the device includes a dispenser for applying protective sheet material to an article. Specifically, the dispenser is positioned at the inlet or outlet of the conveyor belt and includes a gantry that supports a reel at its top from which the sheet material unfolds. Specifically, the gantry has two side posts and an upper crossbar, wherein the height of the upper crossbar is adjustable by a drive. Attached Figure Description

[0057] Further advantages will become clear from the following description, which relates to an example of a preferred embodiment of the packaging machine, wherein:

[0058] Figure 1 A floor plan of the packaging equipment or machine is shown;

[0059] Figure 2 A floor plan of the modules or sites of the packaging equipment or machine is shown;

[0060] Figure 3 A side view of a series of items during the packaging process is shown.

[0061] The same reference numerals in the figure indicate the same or substantially the same parts. Detailed Implementation

[0062] Packaging machine 10 ( Figure 1 This includes three identical stations or modules 12, 14, and 16 connected in series, fed by a conveyor belt 20 configured such that items 18 placed on it can arrive at and pass through modules 12, 14, and 16 in sequence, thereby moving along the horizontal feed axis X (see also arrow F). Modules 12, 14, and 16 may also be one, two, or more than three.

[0063] Preferably, the item 18 travels on the tray 19.

[0064] Each module has 12, 14, and 16 (see...) Figure 2 The details of the configuration are as follows: Modules 12, 14, and 16 are configured to apply a strip of protective material (e.g., cardboard) around the article 18. For this purpose, each module 12, 14, and 16 includes two reels 30 and 32 for the protective material 28, which feed the material to the application device 34. The use of the two reels 30 and 32 allows modules 12, 14, and 16 to remain operational during empty reel replacements.

[0065] The application device 34 is configured to lay a strip of protective material 28 in front of the article 18, and then fold the strip around the article 18 as it moves along the conveyor belt 20. Specifically, the application device 34 includes a pair of arms 40 and a pair of arms 50. Each pair of arms 40, 50 is aligned and positioned opposite each other on opposite sides of the conveyor belt 20, and is linearly movable along corresponding axes Y1, Y2, which are horizontal and orthogonal to a vertical plane passing through axis X.

[0066] As item 18 moves along axis X, item 18 first reaches a pair of arms 50, and then a pair of arms 40.

[0067] At the end of each arm 40 is a roller 42 for returning the strip of protective material 28 around the article 18.

[0068] Arm 40 is movable and can be moved closer to or further away from each other to widen or narrow the horizontal extension 44 of the protective material 28 that the front of the item 18 encounters. Thus, arm 40 adjusts the lateral length of the horizontal extension 44 to the width of the item 18. The item 18, moving on the conveyor belt 20, then drags the horizontal extension 44 and places it to the side.

[0069] Arm 50 is movable and can be moved closer or further away from each other so that the two curved portions of the protective material 28 are close to each other behind the article 18, thus forming a strip that can be closed behind the article 18.

[0070] To close the strip around the article 18, each module 12, 14, 16 includes, for example, an adhesive applicator 36, which has means for cutting the protective material 28, applying adhesive to the ends of the cut strips, and then pressing them together to close the strip and form a loop. For example, the adhesive applicator 36 is mounted at the end of one or each arm 50.

[0071] A pair of arms 40 and a pair of arms 50 can also be along the vertical axis Z ( Figure 3 The arms 40 and 50 move linearly and synchronously, that is, orthogonally to the horizontal sliding surface of the conveyor belt 20. Therefore, the arms 40 and 50 can move to move closer to or further away from the conveyor belt 20 along a vertical displacement. Thus, by moving the arms 40 and 50 along axis Z, the height of segment 44 relative to the conveyor belt 20 can be changed, thereby changing the height of the protective material 28 currently applied to the article 18.

[0072] The pair of arms 40 and the pair of arms 50 are preferably also capable of moving linearly and synchronously along an axis parallel to axis X. Therefore, they are able to self-position themselves along conveyor belt 20 to track items 18 when necessary.

[0073] Modules 12, 14, and 16 are configured to operate independently, so each module 12, 14, and 16 can apply the tape or loop 96 of the protective material 28 to the article 18 at a different height than the joint height of the other modules 12, 14, and 16. For example Figure 3 An example of progressive packaging on machine 10 is shown.

[0074] As the item 18 moves along the conveyor belt 20, it receives at least one strip of protective material 28 from each module 12, 14, 16. Thus, at the exit position of the machine 10, there are multiple strips or loops 96 of protective material surrounding the item 18, which are spaced apart and distributed along the height of the item 18 without overlapping each other.

[0075] To achieve maximum machine cycle speed, only one strip of protective material 28 is applied to each module 12, 14, 16. However, multiple pairs of arms 40, 50 can be provided for one or each module 12, 14, 16 to simultaneously apply multiple strips to the article 18 at different heights.

[0076] For example, relative to conveyor belt 20, belt 96 applied at the highest height is located at 2500 mm, while belt 96 applied at the lowest height is located at 350 mm.

[0077] The height of the band on which the protective material 28 is applied to each module 12, 14, 16 can be constant or determined in real time by a program and / or electronic control unit 60 (e.g., PC or PLC). The control unit 60 drives all actuators of modules 12, 14, 16, including actuators that set the positions of arms 40, 50.

[0078] In one variant, the item 18 has a code read by a reader 62, which is placed at the entrance of the conveyor belt 20 and connected to the control unit 60. In another variant, the item 18 is identified by a sensor 64 (e.g., an image sensor, camera, or LiDAR), which is placed at the entrance of the conveyor belt 20 and connected to the control unit 60.

[0079] The control unit 60 receives codes or data from the reader 62 or sensor 64 and extracts information about the total height of the item 18. Then, the control unit 60 uses an algorithm to determine how much tape must be applied to each module 12, 14, 16 and at what height, and issues commands to them accordingly.

[0080] To increase protection for article 18, machine 10 may optionally include a dispenser 70 (e.g., of a known type) to lay a protective sheet 72 over article 18. For example, sheet 72 is a dustproof and waterproof plastic film, such as a polyethylene sheet. For example, sheet 72 is applied to the top of article 18 to cover it from dust.

[0081] For ease of construction, the distributor 70 is placed at the inlet or outlet of the conveyor belt 20 and includes a gantry 74 that supports a reel 76 at the top from which the sheet 72 unfolds.

[0082] The gantry 74 has two side posts 78 and an upper crossbeam 80. The height of the upper crossbeam 80 is adjustable via a drive 81. The distributor 70 includes rollers, such as rubber-coated rollers, for unwinding the sheet 72. The reel 76 cuts the sheet 72 by means of a full-width blade: the distributor 70 has means for holding the sheet 72 from above and below as the blade cuts it.

[0083] Figure 3 A typical snapshot of various items 18 on conveyor belt 20 is shown. Items 18 are arranged in a row along axis X, some consisting of a stack or a row of parts. Along the total height of items 18, modules 12, 14, 16 progressively apply closed strips or loops 96 of protective material 28.

[0084] From right to left: Item 18 arrives and a first band or loop 96 is applied to the item at module 12, then—if the height of item 18 requires—a second band or loop 96 is applied at module 14, and then—if the height of item 18 requires—a third band or loop 96 is applied at module 16.

[0085] If the distributor 70 is located at the head of the conveyor belt 20, then in Figure 3First, sheet 72 is applied from right to left, and then belts or rings 96 are applied sequentially along modules 12, 14, and 16.

Claims

1. A method for packaging an article, comprising the step of applying a plurality of strips of protective material around the article at different vertical heights of the article, wherein: The tapes are applied in such a way that they are spaced apart and distributed along the height of the article.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The tape is applied to the articles sequentially, strip by strip, at successive stations or locations in the packaging line.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: In each of said positions or stations, either only one strip is applied at different heights of said objects, or a plurality of strips are applied at different heights of said objects.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The tapes are applied to the article in such a manner that the tapes are spaced apart and evenly distributed along the height of the article.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The position of the or each strip to be applied to the article is calculated by measuring physical dimensional variables of the article.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The distance between two adjacent applied bands is a function of the overall height of the article.

7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The or each strip of protective material is closed at its ends to form a loop around the article.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: Just before or after all the tapes are applied, a plastic film or cardboard is applied to the top of the article to cover the upper portion of the article.

9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The object is a group of different components and / or articles of furniture arranged and stacked vertically on top of each other, or in particular a group of articles of furniture or furniture components arranged or stacked vertically.

10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein: The items are placed on a pallet while receiving the tape.

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