Device and method for making openings in protective packaging of palletised loads

Abstract

Aeration device (1) for forming aeration openings in a protective packaging material (13), in particular a stretch film, wrapping a palletised load (10), comprising a support pallet (11) on which a plurality of products (20) are stacked according to a vertical direction (Z), said aeration device (1) comprising a bearing structure (100), adapted to move a perforating head (200) closer to / away from a side surface (12) of the palletised load (10), and said perforating head (200) comprises a plurality of perforating elements (210) for forming aeration openings in said protective packaging (13), wherein the bearing structure (100) is configured to perforate at least one first and one second side (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) of the palletised load (10), in particular at least one longitudinal side (12b, 12d) and / or at least one transverse side (12a, 12c).

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for making openings in protective packaging of palletised loads in such a way as to allow aeration.PRIOR ART

[0002] Devices for making openings in stabilising protective packaging of palletised loads are known to the state of the art.

[0003] Palletised loads refer to a plurality of articles or products generally stacked on loading pallets.

[0004] The purpose of protective packaging is to guarantee the containment, stabilisation, protection and waterproofing of the load while preserving its integrity and facilitating the transport and storage of articles.

[0005] Protective packaging, also known as tertiary packaging, typically covers the entire side surface of the load, i.e. at least the four vertical sides of the load, and can be done for example with a stretchable packaging material such as polyethylene film.

[0006] It is particularly useful to make openings in the protective film to prevent the formation of condensation inside the tertiary packaging. In these cases, moisture is deposited on the surface of the product and the interlayers, which can deteriorate.

[0007] For this reason, the protective packaging can be made of perforated materials, or openings are made afterwards to ensure natural aeration and prevent the accumulation of moisture inside the packed palletised load.

[0008] Devices and procedures for forming these openings in said protective packaging of palletised loads are known.

[0009] For example, a known device comprises a plurality of spikes, which are arranged to form an array. The device performs the perforation by moving said array of spikes closer to the surface of the load until the perforation of the protective film takes place.

[0010] This therefore allows perforation on only one side of the palletised load.

[0011] Perforation on other sides is useful to allow more effective aeration. In particular, openings on different sides, e.g. opposite sides of the pallet, are preferred.

[0012] Known solutions do not allow perforation on sides other than the one flanking the device.

[0013] To overcome this drawback, the device is generally combined with a rotating platform on which the pallet is placed. Said platform is configured to rotate the pallet. This allows the protective film to be perforated on other sides of the pallet as well. However, this is a solution that requires a high cycle time, because it is necessary to wait for the pallet to rotate before perforation.

[0014] In addition, once the perforation is finished, it may be necessary to rotate the pallet back to its original position in order to evacuate it.

[0015] Alternatively, in order to overcome said drawbacks, an additional device should be installed to work on opposite sides of the pallet without rotating the pallet.

[0016] This would make the solution expensive and cumbersome.DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The technical problem underlying the present invention is that of making available to the art a device and method for making openings in protective packaging of palletised loads functionally conceived to overcome one or more of the limits set out above with reference to the cited known art.

[0018] In the context of the aforementioned problem, a main aim of the invention is to develop a device and method for making openings in protective packaging of palletised loads that allows a flexible solution for making openings on different sides and different positions of the pallet.

[0019] Further, it is also the aim to provide a device capable of making openings without having to be combined with other pallet movement equipment.

[0020] It is therefore the purpose of the invention to provide a device and method for making openings in protective packaging of palletised loads that enables the cycle time required to make perforations on several sides of the palletised load to be made quicker.

[0021] In particular, the invention provides a device for making openings in protective packaging of palletised loads, in particular a stretch film wrapping a palletised load, said palletised load comprising a support pallet on which a plurality of products is stacked according to a vertical direction.

[0022] Preferably, the aeration device comprises a bearing structure.

[0023] Preferably the bearing structure is adapted to move a perforating head closer to / away from a side surface of the palletised load.

[0024] Preferably, said perforating head comprises a plurality of perforating elements for the creation of aeration openings in said protective packaging.

[0025] Preferably the bearing structure is configured to perforate at least one first and one second side of the palletised load (10).

[0026] Preferably the bearing structure is configured to perforate at least one longitudinal side and / or at least one transverse side.

[0027] Preferably, the bearing structure perforates at least one longitudinal side by moving said perforating head according to a horizontal longitudinal direction parallel to at least one longitudinal side of the palletised load.

[0028] Preferably the bearing structure perforates at least one transverse side by moving said perforating head according to a horizontal transverse direction parallel to at least one transverse side of the palletised load.

[0029] Optionally, the bearing structure perforates at least one longitudinal side by moving said perforating head according to an oblique longitudinal direction parallel to at least one longitudinal side of the palletised load.

[0030] Optionally, the bearing structure perforates at least one transverse side by moving said perforating head according to an oblique transverse direction parallel to at least one transverse side of the palletised load.

[0031] Preferably the bearing structure is an anthropomorphic robot.

[0032] Preferably the anthropomorphic robot comprises at least three movement axes, preferably four or five axes.

[0033] Preferably the plurality of perforating elements is arranged on the perforating head aligned and preferably spaced apart from each other with a constant pitch.

[0034] Preferably, the perforating head is installed on the bearing structure so that said plurality of perforating elements are arranged according to a vertical direction or a transverse or longitudinal inclined direction.

[0035] Preferably, the perforating head comprises an elongated body along whose length the perforating elements are mechanically connected.

[0036] Preferably, the perforating elements are protrusions that extend orthogonally to the length of the body.

[0037] Preferably the body in operational phase is arranged with its length parallel to the vertical axis or parallel to a transverse or longitudinal inclined direction.

[0038] Preferably the perforating elements are movable along the body preferably to move closer to / away from each other.

[0039] Preferably the perforating elements are movable along the body at a constant pitch from each other.

[0040] Preferably the body comprises at least one guide.

[0041] Preferably the guide extends along the length of the body.

[0042] Preferably a plurality of carriages moves on the guide.

[0043] Preferably each carriage is adapted to support at least one perforating element.

[0044] Preferably, the aeration device comprises actuator means to translate the perforating elements along the body to the desired position.

[0045] Preferably said actuator means comprise a bearing frame and at least one positioning element movable in the vertical direction along the bearing frame configured to cooperate with the perforating elements.

[0046] Preferably the positioning element is configured to cooperate with a single perforating element at a time.

[0047] In particular, the present invention also makes available a method for providing aeration openings in a protective packaging material, in particular a stretch film, wrapping a palletised load comprising a support pallet on which a plurality of products is stacked according to a vertical direction.

[0048] Preferably, said method involves using an aeration device to make a plurality of openings along a side surface of the palletised load.

[0049] Preferably, said method involves perforating at least one longitudinal side by translating the perforating head of the aeration device parallel to the longitudinal side of the palletised load along a horizontal longitudinal direction and / or an oblique longitudinal direction.

[0050] Preferably, said method involves perforating at least one transverse side by translating the perforating head parallel to the transverse side of the palletised load along a horizontal transverse direction and / or an oblique transverse direction.

[0051] Preferably, said method involves perforating a first and a second side of the palletised load.

[0052] Preferably, said method involves perforating at least two opposite longitudinal sides of the pallet.

[0053] Preferably, said method involves perforating at least two opposite transverse sides of the pallet.

[0054] Preferably said method involves using a perforating head of the aeration device to make a row of openings aligned according to the vertical direction.

[0055] Preferably, said method involves repeating said row of openings by moving said head in steps along the side surface of the palletised load according to the horizontal longitudinal direction.

[0056] Preferably, said method involves repeating said row of openings by moving said head in steps along the side surface of the palletised load according to the oblique longitudinal direction.

[0057] Preferably, said method involves repeating said row of openings by moving said head in steps along the side surface of the palletised load according to the horizontal transverse direction.

[0058] Preferably, said method involves repeating said row of openings by moving said head in steps along the side surface of the palletised load according to the oblique transverse direction.

[0059] Preferably, said method involves repeating said row of openings at a space present in particular between the bottom of a product of one layer and the neck of a product of the underlying or overlying layer.

[0060] These and other objects are reached by the characteristics of the invention as set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims outline preferred and / or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

[0061] These purposes and advantages are all achieved by the automatic head changing device in a palletised load wrapping machine, which is the subject of the present invention, and which is characterised by the following claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] These and other features will be more apparent from the following description of certain embodiments illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1: illustrates an axonometric view of a device for making openings in a protective packaging, in the perforating position on one side opposite the side where the device is installed Figure 2: illustrates a front view of a device for making openings in a protective packaging, in the perforating position on one side opposite the side where the device is installed. Figure 3: illustrates a side view of a device for making openings in a protective packaging, in the perforating position on one side opposite the side where the device is installed Figure 4: illustrates a top view of a device for making openings in a protective packaging, in the perforating position on one side opposite the side where the device is installed Figure 5: illustrates a detail of the perforating head Figure 6: illustrates an axonometric view of a device for making openings in a protective packaging with actuator means according to an embodiment, Figure 7: illustrates a front axonometric view of a detail of the positioning element cooperating with the perforating elements Figure 8: illustrates a rear axonometric view of a detail of the positioning element cooperating with the perforating elements, Figure 9: illustrates an axonometric view of the positioning element, Figure 10: illustrates an axonometric view of the actuator means. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] With particular reference to the figures, an aeration device for making aeration openings in a protective packaging material 13, wrapping a palletised load 10, is indicated by the reference 1.

[0064] Said palletised load 10 comprises a support pallet 11 on which a plurality of products 20 are stacked according to a vertical direction Z. The products 20 are arranged to form overlapping layers and preferably separated by materials such as flaps or trays that increase their stability.

[0065] In particular, said palletised load 10, which we will also refer to in the following simply as a pallet 10, can have dimensions ranging between various sizes, e.g. 400x600, 800x600, 800x1200, 1000x1200, 1420x1120, etc., which are generally standard dimensions of the support pallet 11.

[0066] In particular, said palletised load 10 is wrapped in protective packaging 13 which may be stretch film, e.g. polyethylene.

[0067] Alternatively, the protective packaging can also be made of other materials such as paper-type materials.

[0068] Generally, the palletised load 10 wrapped in said protective packaging 13 extends over a side surface 12 that extends along the four sides of the pallet 10.

[0069] We define longitudinal side 12b, 12d as the two opposite sides that run along a longitudinal direction X perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and parallel to the advancement direction of the pallet 10.

[0070] We define transverse side 12a, 12c as the two opposite sides that run along a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the directions X and Z.

[0071] In an embodiment of the invention said palletised load 10 may contain a plurality of articles or products 20 preferably containers, such as bottles, jars, bundles, arranged to form overlapping layers.

[0072] Said aeration device 1 will also be referred to simply as device 1 in the following description.

[0073] In the following, the protective packaging material 13 will also be simply called packaging 13 or film 13 without thereby restricting the field of application of the invention.

[0074] In the following, aeration openings will also simply be called openings or holes without restricting the field of application of the invention.

[0075] Said device 1 is particularly used to make openings in palletised wrapped loads 10.

[0076] The device 1 comprises a bearing structure 100 and a perforating head 200.

[0077] According to an aspect of the invention, said bearing structure 100 is configured to cooperate with the perforating head 200 preferably connected solidly to the bearing structure 100 by mechanical connections.

[0078] The structure 100 is configured to bring the perforating head 200 closer to / away from the side surface 12 of the palletised load 10 preferably with rotation and / or translation movements.

[0079] According to an advantageous embodiment, the device 1 is able to make openings on more than one side of the pallet 10.

[0080] In particular, it can perforate one longitudinal side 12b, 12d and one transverse side 12a, 12c or two longitudinal sides 12b, 12d or two transverse sides 12a, 12c.

[0081] Preferably the device 1 makes it possible to perforate all sides 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the pallet 10.

[0082] This allows maximum flexibility on perforating positions on the pallet 10 with a single device 1.

[0083] In a preferred form of the invention the bearing structure 100 is an anthropomorphic robot 110.

[0084] The definition of anthropomorphic robot 110 includes an automatically controlled, programmable system consisting of three or more movement axes.

[0085] Preferably said anthropomorphic robot 110 performs a rotation about each axis.

[0086] According to a preferred aspect, said anthropomorphic robot 110 comprises four axes or five. In this configuration, the robot 110 is able to bring the perforating head 200 to all the longitudinal sides 12b, 12d and transverse sides 12a, 12c.

[0087] According to an aspect of the invention said perforating head 200 comprises a plurality of perforating elements 210.

[0088] Preferably said perforating elements 210 are aligned and preferably spaced apart so as to define a constant pitch.

[0089] This makes it possible to insert said perforating elements 210 at spaces 15, generally with a constant pitch, present between one layer of products 20 and the next.

[0090] In particular, in order not to risk coming into contact with the product 20, the area most suitable for the insertion of the perforation elements 210 is that between the bottom of a product 20 of one layer and the neck of a product 20 of the layer below or above.

[0091] One aspect of the invention provides that said bearing structure 100 moves said perforating head 200 according to a horizontal longitudinal direction X and / or an oblique longitudinal direction L parallel to at least one longitudinal side 12b, 12d of the palletised load 10.

[0092] The term oblique longitudinal direction L means an inclined direction arranged on a plane defined by the vertical direction Z and the horizontal longitudinal direction X, said plane being parallel to the longitudinal side 12b, 12d of the pallet 10.

[0093] This allows perforation of the longitudinal side 12b, 12d.

[0094] Said bearing structure 100 may further move said perforating head 200 according to a horizontal transverse direction Y and / or an oblique transverse direction T parallel to at least one transverse side 12a, 12c of the palletised load 10.

[0095] The term oblique transverse direction T means an inclined direction arranged on a plane defined by the vertical direction Z and the horizontal transverse direction Y, said plane being parallel to the transverse side 12a, 12c of the pallet 10.

[0096] This allows perforation of the transverse side 12a, 12c.

[0097] According to an advantageous embodiment, the perforating head 200 is installed on the bearing structure 100 in such a way that said plurality of perforating elements 210 during operational phase are arranged in the vertical Z or inclined direction L', T'.

[0098] The term inclined direction L' refers to a direction orthogonal to the oblique longitudinal direction L along which the head 200 can translate.

[0099] The term inclined direction T' refers to a direction orthogonal to the oblique transverse direction T along which the head 200 can translate.

[0100] Thanks to these arrangements of the perforating elements 210, it is possible to position the head 200 on all sides 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the pallet 10.

[0101] In fact, the anthropomorphic robot 110 with a head 200 conformed as described above, is able to perforate even in the lowest positions on the opposite side 12d to the side adjacent to the robot 110.

[0102] If, for example, a head 200 with perforating elements 210 arranged in a horizontal longitudinal X or transverse Y direction were installed on the robot 110, it would be impossible to perforate all four sides 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the pallet 10 and would require the use of several robots 110 making the solution very expensive.

[0103] In an embodiment said perforating head 200 comprises an elongated body 201 extending according to a main direction that we define as length.

[0104] Said perforating head 200 comprises a plurality of perforating elements 210 mechanically connected to the body 201.

[0105] According to a preferred embodiment, the perforating elements 210 are protrusions that extend orthogonally to the length of the body 201.

[0106] In an embodiment, said perforating elements 210 may be arranged over the entire extension of the body 201, preferably arranged aligned along one or more rows.

[0107] Such perforation elements 210 may be of various types, e.g. pointed, or heated, etc., and are adapted to make aeration openings in said protective packaging 13.

[0108] More specifically, the perforating elements are sized to fit into the spaces 15 between one product 20 and another, more precisely between one product 20 and an adjacent product 20 arranged in the same layer and an adjacent product 20 arranged on overlapping layers.

[0109] Generally, the products 20 of one layer are all equal to each other and therefore the spaces 15 are repeated equally between one product 20 and the adjacent one.

[0110] Consequently, the perforating elements are arranged at a preferably constant pitch, so that they fit into said spaces 15.

[0111] In some possible configurations, the pallet 10 may not have any perforation spaces, for example in the case of a pallet of cartons.

[0112] In such a case, the perforation elements 210 are configured to perforate the film 13 by resting on the product 20.

[0113] In this case, heating-type perforating elements 210 can be used.

[0114] Additionally to avoid damaging the product 20 there may be support elements, not shown in the figure, from which the perforating elements 210 extend.

[0115] The purpose of said support elements is to contact the product 20 preventing the perforating elements 210 from advancing too far into the pallet 10 and damaging the product 20 itself or the interlayers present in the pallet.

[0116] In a variant of the invention, the perforating elements 210 are movable along the length of the body 201 and can move closer to / away from each other.

[0117] According to an aspect of the invention, as depicted in the figures, the body 201 comprises at least one guide 202.

[0118] Said guide 202 preferably extends along the length of the body 201.

[0119] In particular a plurality of sliding carriages 203 move on said guide 202, each adapted to support at least one perforating element 210.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the aeration device 1 may comprise actuator means 205 adapted to move the perforating elements 210 along the length of the body 201.

[0121] Said perforating head 200 may comprise actuator means 205 adapted to move the perforating elements 210 along the length of the body 201.

[0122] Said actuator means 205 can be integrated into the perforating head 200.

[0123] Said actuator means 205 as depicted in Figure 5, can be installed directly on the body 201.

[0124] In particular, said actuator means 205 can be of various types, manual or automatic.

[0125] In the case of automatic actuator means, these can be, for example, pneumatic or electric actuators of the linear or rotary type, in which case they are combined with mechanical transmissions known to a person skilled in the art.

[0126] Thanks to the actuator means 205, in particular as the shape and size of the products 20 of the layer change, the perforating elements 210 adapt their position to the position of the spaces 15.

[0127] This is preferably done by maintaining a constant pitch between one perforating element 210 and the adjacent one, especially when the pallet contains products 20 all identical to each other.

[0128] In particular, as will be described below, the perforating elements 210 being movable allow the creation of said rows of openings with variable distances between one opening and the next, and it is possible to work on palletised loads 10 containing different products, i.e. with different heights / dimensions.

[0129] A particularly advantageous alternative embodiment is that the actuator means 205 adapted to move the perforating elements 210 along the length of the body 201 are not integrated either into the perforating head 200 or the bearing structure 100.

[0130] The invention envisages the actuator means 205 being an independent device, as depicted in Figure 6.

[0131] Said actuator means 205, comprise a bearing frame 250.

[0132] Preferably as depicted in Figure 6, said bearing frame 250 is fixed to the ground and independent of the bearing structure 100.

[0133] Said bearing frame 250 extends mainly according to the vertical direction Z.

[0134] Said actuator means 205 may comprise a positioning element 251 configured to cooperate with the perforating elements 210 so that they translate along the body 201 to the desired position.

[0135] In particular, the positioning element 251 cooperates with a single perforating element 210 at a time.

[0136] The positioning element 251 is shaped to connect with the perforating element 210 in order to be able to raise or lower it in a vertical direction.

[0137] For example, Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment in which the positioning element 251 is shaped like a fork to engage both above and below the perforating element 210.

[0138] This allows the perforating element 210 to be moved both downwards and upwards.

[0139] Said positioning element 251 can be permanently installed on the bearing frame 250.

[0140] Alternatively, the positioning element 251 can be installed in a movable manner adapted to slide in the vertical direction Z along the bearing frame 250 as shown in the figures.

[0141] In the case where the positioning element 251 is permanently installed on the bearing frame 250, it is the bearing frame 100 which translates the perforating head 200 in the vertical direction Z by displacing the perforating element 210 engaged with the positioning element 251.

[0142] Thanks to this solution, it is possible to perform the format change by exploiting the movement of the structure 100 and without using additional drives, which makes the solution very simple and economical.

[0143] In the alternative solution in which the positioning element 251 is slidingly installed on the bearing frame 250, said actuator means 205 may comprise a drive 252 installed on the bearing frame 250 configured to move the positioning element 251 in the vertical direction Z.

[0144] Preferably said drive 252 is positioned in the part of the bearing frame 250 close to the ground, so as not to create an obstruction when approaching the perforating head 200.

[0145] Alternatively, as shown in the figure, said drive 252 can be integral with the positioning element 251 and movable with it.

[0146] We will not go into the details of the embodiment for moving the positioning element 251, for example with the use of transmission means such as racks or belts, or chains as known to a person skilled in the art.

[0147] Thanks to this solution, it is possible to perform the format change using only one drive 252, which makes the solution simple and economical.

[0148] In this case, the drive 252 does not act directly on the perforating elements 210, but moves the positioning element 251, which engages with the perforating elements 210 and causes them to change position by sliding the respective carriages 203 along the body 201.

[0149] Preferably, the invention provides that the perforating elements 210, comprise a locking element 204 for preventing / allowing the respective carriages 203 to slide along the body 201.

[0150] Preferably, each perforating element 210 is associated with a respective locking element 204.

[0151] Therefore, once the positioning element 251 has brought the perforating element 210 into the correct working position, said position is maintained by activation of the locking element 204 which prevents the carriage 203 from moving along the body 201.

[0152] Conversely, when the positioning element 251 cooperates with the perforating element 210 to position it in the correct working position, the locking element 204 unlocks the carriage 203 allowing it to move along the body 201.

[0153] Figure 8 shows a possible embodiment of the locking element 204 comprising a rack 204a extending along the body 201 and a pad 204b moved by a pneumatic actuator 204c.

[0154] This embodiment is just one example of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

[0155] According to an aspect of the invention, the positioning element 251 is movable in a horizontal direction between an engaged position and a disengaged position with the perforating element 210.

[0156] Said translation in a horizontal direction closer to / away from the perforating element 210, can be carried out by means of an actuator 253 e.g. pneumatic or electric, to which the positioning element 251 is mechanically connected.

[0157] This can facilitate the engagement between the positioning element 251 and the perforating element 210.

[0158] Preferably, the positioning element 251 comprises detection means 254 for identifying the position of the perforating element 210 to be positioned.

[0159] Said detection means 254 may perform the detection directly of the perforating element 210 to be positioned or perform the detection of, for example, a cam 255 integral with said perforating element 210.

[0160] Below we describe a possible changeover cycle according to this embodiment.

[0161] Depending on the recipe chosen by the operator, the cycle can take place as follows: The bearing frame 100 positions the perforating head 200 in close proximity to the actuator means 205 in particular with the perforating elements 210 opposite the bearing frame 250.

[0162] The positioning element 251 moved by the drive 252 moves on the vertical axis, or alternatively the structure 100 translates the head 200 in the vertical direction Z.

[0163] This movement preferably takes place until the detection means 254 detect the cam 255 integral with a first perforating element 210 to be positioned.

[0164] Once the position is detected, the drive 252 stops the positioning element 251 at the correct height to engage with the first perforating element 210 to be positioned.

[0165] By activating the actuator 253, the positioning element 251 translates in a horizontal direction to connect with said first perforating element 210.

[0166] When engaged, the locking element 204 unlocks the carriage 203, allowing its displacement along the body 201.

[0167] At this point, the drive 252 is activated to translate the positioning element 251 in a vertical direction and bring the first perforating element 210 to be positioned at a predetermined recipe height. The positioning of the first perforating element 210 at the correct height can be established with the aid of, for example, an encoder comprised in the actuator means 205 and operatively associated with the drive 252.

[0168] Alternatively, the structure 100 translates the head 200 in the vertical direction Z to bring the perforating element 210 engaged in the positioning element 251 to a predetermined recipe height.

[0169] Once the positioning of the first perforating element 210 is finished, the locking element 204 returns to the locking position to prevent the carriage 203 from translating the first positioned perforating element 210.

[0170] Upon activation of the actuator 253, the positioning element 251 translates in a horizontal direction to disconnect from said first positioned perforating element 210.

[0171] The same format changeover cycle will be repeated for the number of perforating elements 210 to be positioned according to the recipe.

[0172] Preferably, the changeover cycle takes place starting with the perforating element 210 which is located in the lower part closest to the ground and ascending to the subsequent perforating elements 210.

[0173] Preferably the lowest perforating element 210 flush with the palletised load 10, is the one that should never be adjusted except for the first setting.

[0174] Once all the perforating elements 210 have been positioned, the aeration device 1 can start its operating cycle to make the openings on the side surface 12 of a palletised load 10.

[0175] One aspect of the invention is that, in the operational phase, the body 201 is arranged with its length parallel to the vertical axis Z.

[0176] This allows said openings to be made parallel to the vertical axis Z.

[0177] This solution, as explained above, allows all positions of the pallet to be reached allowing maximum flexibility in the position of the openings.

[0178] In such a case, the anthropomorphic robot 110 moves said perforating head 200 according to the horizontal longitudinal direction X parallel to the longitudinal side 12b of the palletised load or according to at least the horizontal transverse direction Y parallel to the transverse side 12a of the palletised load.

[0179] An alternative embodiment provides that, in the operational phase, the body 201 is arranged with its length parallel to the inclined transverse or longitudinal direction L', T'. This allows the said openings to be made inclined with respect to the vertical axis Z.

[0180] In this case, the anthropomorphic robot 110 moves said perforating head 200 according to the oblique longitudinal direction L parallel to the longitudinal side 12b, 12d of the palletised load or according to at least the oblique transverse direction T parallel to the transverse side 12a, 12c of the palletised load.

[0181] Thanks to this solution, the anthropomorphic robot 110 is able to move the perforating head 200 closer to the lateral surface 12 of the palletised load 10 without rotating this palletised load 10.

[0182] Thanks to this solution, it is possible to reach operating positions with the perforating head 200, which are suitable for perforating both on adjacent sides of the pallet 10 and on opposite sides without moving the palletised load 10.

[0183] Subject matter of the invention is also the working method of the aeration device 1.

[0184] Said method involves making a plurality of openings on the side surface 12 of a palletised load 10.

[0185] An illustrative description of the operation of the device 1 involves placing the palletised load 10 within an operating area of the device 1 itself.

[0186] Particularly in the case where the bearing structure 100 is an anthropomorphic robot 110 the pallet must be positioned within the working area related to the type and conformation of the robot.

[0187] Next, the robot 110 positions the perforating head 200 in the vicinity of the palletised load 10, arranging the perforating head 200 so that the perforating elements 210 are aligned according to the vertical direction Z, i.e. vertically parallel to the palletised load 10.

[0188] Then the robot 110 moves the perforating elements 210 closer to a side 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and performs the perforation by moving in a direction preferably perpendicular to the side 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d to be perforated.

[0189] The robot 110 continues to move the perforating elements 210 closer to the side surface 12 until it contacts the protective film 13 and continues in the same direction until it perforates said film 13.

[0190] A row of openings aligned according to the vertical direction Z in said protective packaging 13 of the palletised load 10 is thus made.

[0191] The robot 110 then moves the perforating head 200 away from the palletised load 10 and then translates the head in a horizontal direction parallel to the side 12a 12b, 12c, 12d where the first row of openings was made.

[0192] Thus, the robot 110 moves the perforating head 200 along the horizontal longitudinal direction X, if the first perforation was performed on the longitudinal side 12b, 12d, or along the horizontal transverse direction Y, if the first perforation was performed on the transverse side 12a, 12c.

[0193] Then the robot 110 again moves the perforating elements 200 closer to the side 12a 12b, 12c, 12d to be perforated by moving in a direction perpendicular to that side 12a 12b, 12c, 12d, so as to perforate the film and perform a further row of openings parallel to the one previously performed.

[0194] Then the robot 110 moves the perforating head 200 away from the palletised load 10.

[0195] The robot 110 repeats the above procedure as many times as required.

[0196] In a preferred form, the robot 110 could go on to repeat the same steps as described above, also on the adjacent side 12a 12b, 12c, 12d to that on which the perforation was carried out or on the opposite side 12a 12b, 12c, 12d.

[0197] An alternative embodiment of the method is for the robot 110 to position the perforating head 200 in the vicinity of the palletised load 10, arranging the perforating head 200 so that the perforating elements 210 are aligned in the transverse or longitudinal inclined direction L', T'.

[0198] Then the robot 110 moves the perforating elements 210 closer to a side 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and performs the perforation by moving in a direction preferably perpendicular to the side 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d to be perforated.

[0199] The robot 110 continues to move the perforating elements 210 closer to the side surface 12 until it contacts the protective film 13 and continues in the same direction until it perforates said film 13.

[0200] A row of openings aligned according to the transverse or longitudinal inclined direction L', T' in said protective packaging 13 of the palletised load 10 is thus made.

[0201] The robot 110 then moves the perforating head 200 away from the palletised load 10 and subsequently translates the perforating head 200 in an oblique transverse direction T or longitudinal direction L, parallel to the side 12a 12b, 12c, 12d where the first row of openings was made.

[0202] Preferably, the robot 110 moves the head perpendicular to the aligned arrangement of the perforating elements 210.

[0203] Thus, the robot 110 moves the perforating head 200 along the oblique longitudinal direction L, if the first perforation was performed on the longitudinal side 12b, 12d, or along the oblique transverse direction T, if the first perforation was performed on the transverse side 12a, 12c.

[0204] Then the robot 110 again moves the perforating elements 200 closer to the side 12a 12b, 12c, 12d to be perforated by moving in a direction perpendicular to that side 12a 12b, 12c, 12d, so as to perforate the film and perform a further row of openings parallel to the one previously performed.

[0205] Then the robot 110 moves the perforating head 200 away from the palletised load 10.

[0206] The robot 110 repeats the above procedure as many times as required by the operating procedure.

[0207] Preferably, the method comprises making such openings at the spaces 15 created between adjacent containers on the same layer and between adjacent containers on overlapping layers.

[0208] An advantageous aspect of this method is that the distance between vertically aligned openings can be varied, depending on the content of the palletised load 10.

[0209] In some embodiments, the method comprises making additional rows of openings parallel to the row previously made, preferably by translating the perforating head 200 in steps in a direction orthogonal to the aligned arrangement of the perforation carried out, on the same side 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the wrapped palletised load 10.

[0210] This facilitates and speeds up the relative positioning of the perforating head 200 along the sides 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the palletised load 10.

[0211] Thanks to this feature, the method also allows the openings to be made on adjacent or opposite sides without therefore rotating the palletised load 10.

[0212] Each of these features contributes to a method that makes it possible to make the openings in the correct positions according to the size of the wrapped palletised load 10 and according to the size of the product 20 contained in the palletised load.

Claims

1. Aeration device (1) for forming aeration openings in a protective packaging material (13), in particular a stretch film, wrapping a palletised load (10), comprising a support pallet (11) on which a plurality of products (20) are stacked according to a vertical direction (Z), said aeration device (1) comprising a bearing structure (100), adapted to move a perforating head (200) closer to / away from a side surface (12) of the palletised load (10), and said perforating head (200) comprises a plurality of perforating elements (210) for forming aeration openings in said protective packaging (13), characterised in that the bearing structure (100) is configured to perforate at least one first and one second side (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) of the palletised load (10), in particular at least one longitudinal side (12b, 12d) and / or at least one transverse side (12a, 12c).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bearing structure (100) perforates at least one longitudinal side (12b, 12d) by moving said perforating head (200) according to a horizontal longitudinal direction (X) parallel to at least one longitudinal side (12b, 12d) of the palletised load (10) and / or perforates at least one transverse side (12a, 12c) by moving said perforating head (200) according to a horizontal transverse direction (Y) parallel to at least one transverse side (12a, 12c) of the palletised load (10).

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing structure (100) perforates at least one longitudinal side (12b, 12d) by moving said perforating head (200) according to an oblique longitudinal direction (L) parallel to at least one longitudinal side (12b, 12d) of the palletised load (10) and / or perforates at least one transverse side (12a, 12c) by moving said perforating head (200) according to an oblique transverse direction (T) parallel to at least one transverse side (12a, 12c) of the palletised load (10).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing structure (100) is an anthropomorphic robot (110) comprising at least three movement axes, preferably four or five axes.

5. Device (1), according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said plurality of perforating elements (210) are arranged on the perforating head (200) aligned and preferably spaced apart from each other with a constant pitch.

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the perforating head (200) is installed on the bearing structure (100) so that said plurality of perforating elements (210) are arranged according to a vertical direction (Z) or a transverse or longitudinal inclined direction (L', T').

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said perforating head (200) comprises an elongated body (201) along whose length the perforating elements (210), which preferably are protrusions extending orthogonal to the length of the body (201), are mechanically connected.

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the body (201) in the operational phase is arranged with its length parallel to the vertical axis (Z) or parallel to a transverse or longitudinal inclined direction (L', T').

9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the perforating elements (210), are movable along the body (201) preferably to move closer to / away from each other preferably at a constant pitch.

10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the body (201) comprises at least one guide (202) extending along the length of the body (201) and on which a plurality of carriages (203) moves, each adapted to support at least one perforating element (210).

11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising actuator means (205) comprising a bearing frame (250) and at least one positioning element (251) configured to cooperate with the perforating elements (210), preferably with a single perforating element (210) at a time, to translate them along the body (201) to the desired position.

12. Method for forming aeration openings in a protective packaging material (13), in particular a stretch film, wrapping a palletised load (10) comprising a support pallet (11) on which a plurality of products (20) are stacked according to a vertical direction (Z), said method comprising forming a plurality of openings arranged along a side surface (12) of the palletised load (10) by means of an aeration device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said method provides perforating at least one longitudinal side (12b, 12d) by translating the perforating head (200) of the aeration device (1) parallel to the longitudinal side (12b, 12d) of the palletised load (10) along a horizontal longitudinal direction (X) and / or an oblique longitudinal direction (L) and / or provides perforating at least one transverse side (12a, 12c) by translating the perforating head (200) parallel to the transverse side (12a, 12c) of the palletised load (10) along a horizontal transverse direction (Y) and / or an oblique transverse direction (T).

13. Method according to claim 12, which provides perforating a first and a second side (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) of the palletised load (10), in particular at least one of the two opposite longitudinal sides (12b, 12d) of the pallet (10) and / or one of the two opposite transverse sides (12a, 12c).

14. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, which provides, by means of a perforating head (200) of the aeration device (1), forming a row of openings aligned according to the vertical direction (Z) and repeating said row of openings by moving said head (200) in steps along the side surface (12) of the palletised load (10) according to the horizontal longitudinal direction (X) and / or the oblique longitudinal direction (L) and / or according to the horizontal transverse direction (Y) and / or the oblique transverse direction (T).

15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the openings of the row along the vertical direction (Z) are made at a space (15) present in particular between the bottom of a product (20) of one layer and the neck of a product (20) of the underlying or overlying layer.

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