A system and method for separating a stack of carton papers
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-11
AI Technical Summary
Conventional systems fail to efficiently separate carton papers from a stack at high speeds, leading to attachment loss and quality issues in packaging processes, particularly in food packaging systems.
A system comprising a storage unit with a piano magazine and a gripping tool equipped with a grip head and short stroke actuator for initial separation, followed by an air-blown separator with a tongue to ensure complete separation, allowing for accurate and efficient handling of carton papers even at high feeder rotation speeds.
Enables precise and efficient separation of carton papers from the stack, preventing attachment loss and ensuring high-quality packaging material handling, even at rotation speeds of up to 200 per minute.
Smart Images
Figure NL2024050162_07112024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] A system and method for separating a stack of carton papers
[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003]
[0001] The invention relates to a system for separating a stack of carton papers and the method thereof.
[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005]
[0002] Products are usually sold in the market wrapped in packaging. Depending on the product, the packaging may comprise of a box (i.e. an outer shell) and an inner template, also known as a cut-out tray or just ‘tray’ in general. For example, the tray could be designed to fasten each individual crayon, and the tray including crayons could be placed inside the box. This is usually done when the product is fragile.
[0006]
[0003] In conventional art, such packaging systems are known for providing products in a carton box ( or shell) by folding a carton paper (erect cartons). In the manufacturing process of these systems, a stack of carton papers are provided a storage unit in order to maintain sufficient supply to a folding machine.
[0007]
[0004] Such systems are structured in a way by including a feeder in order to allow the system to be able to place the carton papers fast into to a preform unit for forming a carton tray and to place the carton trays fast onto lug-chain units. The feeder includes grip head for attaching each carton to the feeder and placing it to the respective unit and this grip head, usually rotary grip head, works at a rotation speed of around 60 to 200 per minute.
[0008]
[0005] However, it is not possible to separate each carton paper from the stack of carton papers at that speed, for the feeder. Attachment can be lost and the respective tray of the carton paper which is not attached to the grip head of the feeder, can be blank in the pre-folding unit and the lug chain.
[0009]
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a system before the feeder, for separating carton paper to be gripped by the feeder, more efficiently (more fast), from the stack of carton papers, in the storage unit, without pulling out the next carton tray out of the magazine during the gripping, and without adversely affecting the quality of the packaging material.
[0007] Reference is made above to a system for separating the stack of carton papers in a packaging system, in particular in a food packaging system where the stacked products are parts of a food trays. However, there are more processes and their systems that require an accurate separation systems. In such methods, the separation systems may result in quality issues of a product that is produced so that the limitations, drawbacks and disadvantages of the separation system described above apply equally well to such other processes and systems.
[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011]
[0008] It is an objective of the invention to provide a system and method for an accurate separation for a stack of carton papers, in particular for the stack of carton papers that are in transit on a moving conveyor, such as an extended magazine in the storage unit.
[0009] It is another or alternative objective of the invention to provide a separation system that can provide an accurate separation between two products in the stack of products.
[0012]
[0010] It is yet another or alternative objective of the invention to method for separating accurately two products in the stack of products, independently from deviation in the process.
[0013]
[0011] According to an aspect, the invention provides a system for separating a stack of carton papers, comprising; a storage unit configured to store the stack of carton papers, comprising a piano magazine having an opening, and a gripping tool arranged on a first side of the opening and configured to o grip a first carton paper from the stack of carton papers, which carton paper is located nearest to the opening, and o pull the first carton paper in order to at least partially separate the first carton paper (111), from the stack of carton papers.
[0014]
[0012] In an embodiment, the gripping tool comprises; a grip head configured to grip the first carton paper, and a short stroke actuator configured to move the grip head from the first side, in order to pull the first carton paper.
[0015]
[0013] In an embodiment, the short stroke actuator is configured to move the grip head from the first side, in order to transport the first carton paper that is attached to the grip head, into a pocket that is located at the first side of the opening.
[0016]
[0014] In an embodiment, the grip head is configured to grip the first carton paper in order to provide a first separation.
[0017]
[0015] In an embodiment, the system further comprises a separator arranged on a second side of the opening and configured to blow air towards a gap defined between the first carton paper and a second carton paper which is located next to the first carton paper in the stack of carton papers, in order to provide a second separation of the first carton paper after the first separation.
[0018]
[0016] In an embodiment, the short stroke actuator configured to transport the first carton paper into the pocket, after the second separation.
[0019]
[0017] In an embodiment, the separator has a tongue.
[0020]
[0018] In an embodiment, the separator is configured to move along the vertical axis towards the stack of carton papers so that the tongue moves towards the gap (113), in order to provide the second separation.
[0021]
[0019] In an embodiment, the tongue is made of an elastic material.
[0022]
[0020] In an embodiment, the separator is configured to blow air towards the second side, through the tongue, when the tongue moves toward the gap, in order to provide the second separation.
[0023]
[0021] In an embodiment, the grip head comprises at least one vacuum suction cup.
[0024]
[0022] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for separating a stack of carton papers by using the system above, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
[0025] - providing the stack of carton papers in a storage unit that comprises a piano magazine having an opening and extended magazine having a conveyor,
[0026] - transporting the stack of carton papers from the extended magazine via the conveyor, to the piano magazine,
[0027] - gripping a first carton paper from the stack of carton papers, which carton paper is located nearest the opening, via a gripping tool arranged on a first side of the opening, and
[0028] - pulling the first carton paper in order to at least partially separate the first carton paper, from the stack of carton papers.
[0029]
[0023] In an embodiment, the gripping tool comprises a grip head and a short stroke actuator.
[0030]
[0024] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of; gripping the first carton paper, via the grip head for providing a first step of separation, and pulling the first carton paper, by moving the grip head, via the short stroke actuator.
[0031]
[0025] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of; moving the grip head from the first side, in order to transport the first carton paper that is attached to the grip head, into a pocket that is located at the first side of the opening.
[0032]
[0026] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of; providing a separator arranged on a second side of the opening, and
[0033] - blowing air via the separator towards a gap defined between the first carton paper and a second carton paper which is located next to the first carton paper in the stack of carton papers, in order to provide a second separation of the first carton paper after the first separation.
[0034]
[0027] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of placing the first carton paper in the pocket, via the short stroke actuator, after the second separation.
[0035]
[0028] In an embodiment, the separator has a tongue.
[0036]
[0029] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of moving the separator along the vertical axis towards the stack of carton papers so that the tongue moves towards the gap, in order to provide the second separation.
[0037]
[0030] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of blowing air towards via the separator the second side, when the tongue moves toward the gap, in order to provide the second separation.
[0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039]
[0031] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the invention by way of non-limiting and non-exclusive embodiments. These embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection. The person skilled in the art will realize that other alternatives and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0040]
[0032] Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like or same reference symbols denote like, same or corresponding parts, and in which
[0041]
[0033] Figure 1 schematically shows a system for separating a stack of carton papers, comprising a gripping tool,
[0042]
[0034] Figure 2 schematically shows a gripping tool to which a carton paper is attached,
[0043]
[0035] Figure 3 A schematically shows a system for separating a stack of carton papers, comprising a gripping tool and a separator, and
[0044]
[0036] Figure 3B schematically shows the system of Figure 3 A, wherein the separator is actuated for separating a carton paper from the stack of carton papers.
[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0046]
[0037] Various other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to the skilled person when having read the above disclosure in connection with the drawings, all of which are within the scope of the invention and accompanying claims.
[0047]
[0038] Throughout the detailed description, reference is made to a carton paper. The carton paper mentioned can be made of any material which can be used to hold products like food and beverages, as well as products like crayons. Generally speaking, carton is made from paper or sturdy paper, but can also be made from cardboard, which is a type of material resembling heavy paper.
[0048]
[0039] Figure 1 schematically shows a system 100 for separating a carton paper (111) from a stack of carton papers 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The carton paper 111 is contained in a storage unit 120 comprising a magazine 122 and an opening 123. The carton paper may be a blank or a piano. In order to maintain sufficient supply, the storage unit 120 may further comprise an extended magazine 121 comprising a belt-system for transporting carton paper to the piano magazine 122.
[0049]
[0040] Exemplarily, the carton paper i l l contained in the storage unit 120 comprises pre-cut marks. Not only does this allow for ease of folding the carton paper into a carton tray, but can also be used to indicate which parts of the carton paper are to be used as internal dividers for the carton tray.
[0050]
[0041] The system 100 shown in figure 1 further comprises a gripping tool 130 arranged on a first side 123a of the opening 123. The gripping tool 130 comprises a grip head 131 configured to grip the carton paper 111 in the storage unit 120 and a short stroke actuator or cylinder 130 configured to pull the carton paper l l lfor at least partially separating it from the stack of carton paper 110.
[0051]
[0042] As shown in Figure 1, the gripping tool 130 that grips the carton paper 111, places it into a pocket located at the first side 123 a of the opening 123, via the short stroke cylinder 132. In that way, a feeder 140 grips the carton paper 111 in the pocket and transports it another section in another system or in a manufacturing process.
[0052]
[0043] In an example, the rotary feeder 140 may be used to transport the carton paper 111 from the opening 123 in the piano magazine 122 to a pre-form unit (not shown) in a system for folding a carton paper. The rotary feeder may comprise a grip head in order to grip a surface of the carton paper 111. The grip head may be a vacuum suction cup. A vacuum suction cup is suitable for gripping the carton paper 111 as it does not leave any marks on the carton paper 111. The rotary feeder may be rotatably fixed on an axis on a frame (not shown), or is movable in a circular motion.
[0053]
[0044] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the feeder 140 can work at a rotation speed of around 60 to 200 per minute. In that case, the gripping tool 130 may separate the carton paper 111 from the stack of carton papers, completely, and place it to the pocket 124, in order to allow the feeder 140 to grip the first carton paper 111.
[0054]
[0045] Figure 2 schematically shows the gripping tool 130 comprising the grip head 131 and the short stroke cylinder 132. The grip head 131 comprises two vacuum suction cups 131a for providing a secure attachment of the carton paper 111.
[0055]
[0046] In the shown embodiment, the carton paper 111 located at the opening 123 of the piano magazine 122, is completely separated from remaining part of the stack of papers, and ready to be placed in the pocket (e.g. pocket 124 of Figure 1), in order to be gripped via the feeder (e.g. the feeder 140 of Figure 1).
[0056]
[0047] Figure 3A schematically shows the system 100 comprising the gripping tool 130 arranged on the first side 123a of the opening 123, and a separator 150 arranged on a second side 123b of the opening 123. The gripping tool 130 comprises the grip head 131 for gripping a first carton paper 111 and a short stroke cylinder 130 for transporting the carton paper 111 into the pocket 140. The feeder 140 is configured to grip the carton paper 111 in the pocket 124.
[0057]
[0048] In an embodiment, the feeder 140 can work at a rotation speed of around 200 per minute. In that case, the gripping tool 130, solely, may not be enough to separate the first carton paper 111 from the stack of carton papers, completely. Therefore, there is a need for an additional separator, e.g. the separator 150, in order to separate the carton paper 111, completely.
[0058]
[0049] In the shown embodiment, the grip head 131 provides a first separation of the carton paper 111 wherein the carton paper is partially separated from the stack of carton papers 110, towards the first side 123a of the opening 123. The separator 150 is configured to blow air towards a gap 113 defined between the first carton paper 111 and a second carton paper 112 which is located next to the first carton paper 111 in the stack of carton papers 110, in order to provide a second separation of the first carton paper 111, after the first separation, while the first carton paper 11 is attached to the grip head 131. The separator 150 comprises a tongue 151 for providing the second separation, in which the carton paper 111 is completely separated from the stack of carton papers 110.
[0050] After the second separation, the carton paper that is already attached to the grip head 131, is ready to be transport via the short stroke cylinder 132, into the pocket 124. In that way, the feeder 140 can grip the carton paper 111 in the pocket 124.
[0059]
[0051] Figure 3 A illustrates an embodiment wherein the separator 150 is not actuated for providing the second separation. Thus, Figure 3B schematically shows an embodiment wherein the separator 150 of the system 100 of Figure 3A is actuated.
[0060]
[0052] As shown, the separator 150 moves along the vertical axis towards the stack of carton papers 110 so that the tongue 151 moves towards the gap 113, in order to provide the second separation of the first carton paper 111 that is already attached to the grip head 131. The tongue 151 may be made of an elastic material, in order to provide a clear separation of the carton paper 111, without any deviation in the carton paper 111.
[0061]
[0053] In some embodiments, the tongue 151 may have a hole on its tip portion, in order to blow air towards the second side 123b to the gap 123. In that way, the separation process of the first carton paper 111 can be accelerated for the feeder working at the rotation speed of around 200 per minute.
[0062]
[0054] After the second separation, the short stroke cylinder 132 of the grip head 130 can move the grip head 131 to which the first carton paper is still attached, into the pocket 124 located at the first side 123a of the opening 123, in order to allow the feeder 140 to grip the first carton paper 111 which is completely separated.
[0063]
[0055] In the foregoing description of the figures, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as summarized in the attached claims.
[0064]
[0056] In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
[0065]
[0057] In particular, combinations of specific features of various aspects of the invention may be made. An aspect of the invention may be further advantageously enhanced by adding a feature that was described in relation to another aspect of the invention.
[0066]
[0058] It is to be understood that the invention is limited by the annexed claims and its technical equivalents only. In this document and in its claims, the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations are used in their non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, without excluding items not specifically mentioned. In addition, reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. The indefinite article "a" or "an" thus usually means "at least one".
Claims
CLAIMS1. A system (100) for separating a stack of carton papers (110), comprising;- a storage unit (120) configured to store the stack of carton papers (110) and comprising a piano magazine (122) having an opening (123), and- a gripping tool (130) arranged on a first side (123a) of the opening (123) and configured to pull the first carton paper (111) in order to at least partially separate the first carton paper (111) from the stack of carton papers (110), the gripping tool (130) comprising; o a grip head (131) configured to grip a first carton paper (111), from the stack of carton papers (110), which carton paper is located nearest the opening (123), and o a short stroke actuator (132) configured to move the grip head (131) from the first side (123a), in order to pull the first carton paper (111) in order to at least partially separate the first carton paper (111) from the stack of carton papers (110) to provide a first separation, and- a separator (150) arranged on a second side (123b) of the opening (123) and configured to blow air towards a gap (113) defined between the first carton paper (111) and a second carton paper (112) which is located next to the first carton paper (111) in the stack of carton papers (110), in order to provide a second separation of the first carton paper (111) after the first separation; wherein the short stroke actuator (132) configured to transport the first carton paper (111) into a pocket (124), after the second separation.
2. The system (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the short stroke actuator (132) is configured to move the grip head (131) from the first side (123a), in order to transport the first carton paper (111) that is attached to the grip head (131), into the pocket (124) that is located at the first side (123a) of the opening (123).
3. The system (100) according claim 1, wherein the separator (150) has a tongue (151).
4. The system (100) according to claim 3, wherein the separator (150) is configured to move along the vertical axis towards the stack of carton papers (110) so thatthe tongue (151) moves towards the gap (113), in order to provide the second separation.
5. The system (100) according to claims 3 or 4 , wherein the tongue (151) is made of an elastic material.
6. The system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separator (150) is configured to blow air towards the second side, through the tongue (151), when the tongue (151) moves toward the gap (113), in order to provide the second separation.
7. The system (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the grip head (131) comprises at least one vacuum suction cup (131a).
8. A method for separating a stack of carton papers (110) by using the system (100) of claim 1, wherein the method comprises the steps of:- providing the stack of carton papers (110) in a storage unit that comprises a piano magazine (122) having an opening (123) and extended magazine (121) having a conveyor,- transporting the stack of carton papers (110) from the extended magazine (121) via the conveyor, to the piano magazine (122),- gripping a first carton paper (111) from the stack of carton papers (110), which carton paper is located nearest the opening (123), via a gripping tool arranged on a first side (123a) of the opening (123), and- pulling the first carton paper (111) in order to at least partially separate the first carton paper (111), from the stack of carton papers (110)to provide a first separation. providing a separator (150) arranged on a second side (123b) of the opening (123) , and- blowing air via the separator (150) towards a gap (113) defined between the first carton paper (111) and a second carton paper (112) which is located next to the first carton paper (111) in the stack of carton papers (110), in order to provide a second separation of the first carton paper (111), after the first separation and placing the first carton paper in a pocket (124), via the short stroke actuator, after the second separation.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the gripping tool (130) comprises a grip head (131) and a short stroke actuator (132).
10. The method according to claim 9 further comprises the steps of;- gripping the first carton paper (111), via the grip head (131) for providing the first separation, and- pulling the first carton paper (111), by moving the grip head (131), via the short stroke actuator (132).
11. The method according to claim 9 further comprises the step of;- moving the grip head (131) from the first side (123a), in order to transport the first carton paper (111) that is attached to the grip head (131), into the pocket (124) that is located at the first side (123a) of the opening (123).
12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the separator (150) has a tongue (151).
13. The method according to claims 8 or 12 further comprises the steps of; moving the separator (150) along the vertical axis towards the stack of carton papers (110) so that the tongue (151) moves towards the gap (113), in order to provide the second separation.
14. The method according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the tongue (151) is made of an elastic material.
15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 8-14 further comprises the step of; blowing air towards via the separator (150) the second side, when the tongue (151) moves toward the gap (113), in order to provide the second separation.