Packaging aid device and method for positioning a packaging envelope

Abstract

Packaging aid device and method for positioning a packaging envelope. The present invention relates to a packaging aid device (1) comprising: - a mast (2) equipped with a foot (22), - a ring (4) mounted around the mast (2) and adapted to slide along the mast (2) from a starting position (C1) to an end position (C2) proximal to the foot (22), and - at least one arm (8) one end of which is articulated on the ring (4) by a joint (82) with an axis orthogonal to the mast (2), the arm (8) being adapted to assume a folded position along the mast (2) when the ring (4) is in the starting position (C1), and to assume an unfolded position towards the outside of the mast (2) when the ring (4) is in the end position (C2). (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Device to aid in packaging and method for positioning a packaging envelope

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of logistics and manufacturing and more specifically concerns a packaging aid device for the packaging of parts or components in a container.

[0002] In various industrial sectors, it is necessary to transport parts while minimizing their size during transport and optimizing their packaging. To this end, it is common practice to pack parts in anti-corrosion covers known as VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) covers, made of large plastic sheets. To maximize the filling of such a cover with parts to be delivered, an operator unfolds the cover inside a container by pressing the plastic sheet forming the cover against the internal walls of the container, then fills the container, protected by the cover, with parts. The cover is then folded over the parts placed on top of the container and must completely cover them before it can be closed.The plastic sheet must therefore be pressed firmly and tautly against the internal walls of the container so that the flaps are wide enough to cover the parts protruding from the container opening.

[0003] However, to secure the cover to the four lower corners of the container, the operator must bend over to reach the corners, which represents several dozen lumbar flexions per hour and is a source of lower back pain. The deeper the container, the greater the flexions, and the higher the risk of lower back pain.

[0004] Solutions exist, such as the use of an assistant robot, but are too expensive or not adapted to the ergonomic and speed requirements needed when deploying the cover in the container.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a device to assist in the deployment of covers in a container, which is quick, inexpensive and avoids an operator having to take uncomfortable and traumatic positions.

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy at least in part the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a packaging aid device and a method for positioning a packaging envelope in a container, which prevent an operator deploying the envelope in the container from having to take constraining positions to press the envelope into the bottom of the container, in an efficient and inexpensive manner.

[0007] To this end, the invention proposes a conditioning aid device comprising: - a mast equipped with a base, - a ring mounted around the mast and capable of sliding along the mast from a starting position to an end position proximal to the foot, and - at least one arm, one end of which is mounted articulated on the ring by a joint with an axis orthogonal to the mast, the arm being capable of taking a folded position along the mast when the ring is in the starting position, and of taking an unfolded position towards the outside of the mast when the ring is in the end position.

[0008] The end-of-travel position is proximal to the foot relative to the start-of-travel position. Furthermore, "orthogonal to the mast" means orthogonal to a principal axis of extension of the mast. Preferably, the articulation axis is tangent to the mast to the thickness of a hinge and the bushing, that is, the articulation axis is parallel to a surface of the mast proximal to the articulation axis.

[0009] The packaging aid device according to the invention can be used by an operator to secure a plastic cover forming an envelope to the bottom of a container, in particular by securing the cover at the corners of the container, in order to achieve optimal positioning of the cover inside the container. For example, the operator simply positions the mast of the packaging aid device vertically on its base in the center of the container in which the envelope is roughly positioned, with the ring initially positioned vertically at approximately waist height. Then, at least one arm of the mast is extended, releasing, for example, the ring, which, under the effect of its own weight, will reach its end-of-travel position.The deployment of the arm, or arms if several arms are associated with the ring, is sized to allow the free end of the arm to fit into a corner of the container, with the envelope positioned between this free end of the arm and the container. This ensures that the envelope remains pressed against this corner when the operator pulls on the edges of the envelope to ensure that a sufficient amount of the envelope overflows from the container before parts are added to fill it.

[0010] The mast and the ring's travel on the mast are dimensioned so that, at the start of its stroke, the ring is approximately at waist height for the operator, and at the end of its stroke, the ring is close to the bottom of the container. Of course, the packaging aid can be used or dimensioned for other configurations, for example, in a configuration where the container is positioned at a height. Thanks to the invention, the operator does not need to bend over, and the packaging aid is inexpensive, simple, and quick to use.

[0011] According to an optional feature of the invention, the mast includes means for locking the ring in the starting position of its stroke. The operator then simply needs to deactivate these locking means for the ring to begin its stroke, under the effect of its weight, or with the operator's assistance, and that the arm(s) unfold via the appropriate joints associated with the ring. Locking means include, for example, a pin or screw passing through the ring and capable of engaging in a hole arranged on the mast at the starting position of the stroke. Alternatively, the ring is fitted onto the mast and slides along the mast by actuating a handle attached to the ring, as explained later.

[0012] According to an optional feature of the invention, another end of the arm is provided with a roller mounted for rotation on said other end, about an axis parallel to the articulation axis of the arm. This roller allows the arm to slide more easily against the bottom wall of the container, particularly up to the corresponding corner of the container, during its deployment. The diameter of the roller can, in particular, be between 0.04 and 0.08 times the length of the mast. This dimension is a good compromise for generating a reduced footprint and for preventing small-diameter rollers from tearing the envelope when the operator pulls on the envelope once the arm is in the deployed position.

[0013] Preferably, the mast includes an indexing device for the starting position of the stroke, defining a position of the ring for which the arm roller cannot extend beyond the foot parallel to a direction of mast extension. In other words, when the ring is in the starting position, the arm roller does not extend beyond the foot in an axial direction, i.e., parallel to the mast axis. This indexing device is, for example, formed by the locking means. More specifically, it is the position of the hole in which the pin or screw locking the ring in the starting position is engaged that defines the indexing device.This starting position of the stroke allows the ring to begin its movement without the rollers rubbing against the shell at the bottom of the container, and therefore the potential energy generated by the stroke of the ring before the rollers touch the shell is sufficient so that the force pushing the rollers away from the mast, when the rollers reach the shell and the bottom wall of the container, is greater than the friction force of the rollers on the shell.

[0014] According to an optional feature of the invention, the mast includes a limit stop for the ring along the mast, located on the base. This stop is, for example, formed from the base of the mast. Alternatively, this stop is adjustable on the mast so as to adapt the stroke of the arms on the bottom of the container to the size of the container, and thus to position this stop at the end-of-stroke position of the ring when the arms are extended.

[0015] According to an optional feature of the invention, the arm or arms are telescopic, their length being adjustable to adapt to different container sizes.

[0016] According to an optional feature of the invention, the packaging aid device comprises at least one handle attached to the ring. Preferably, said at least one handle is between 0.75 and 1.5 times the length of the ring's travel on the mast, said at least one handle having a first end in contact with the ring, and a second end extending beyond the ring on the side opposite the foot. This ergonomic handle allows a user of the packaging aid device to avoid having to bend down to return the ring to its starting position after use. In a variant where the packaging aid device does not include means for locking the ring at the beginning of its travel, the ring being held in position on the mast by friction, the handle is used to push the ring to its end-of-travel position.In one embodiment of the invention, the handle is formed by several handles following one another along the mast. In this case, the length to be taken into account is the distance between the most distal ends of this set of handles, along the mast.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, the packaging aid device comprises a support on which one end of the mast opposite the foot is mounted to slide in the direction of the ring's travel. In this embodiment, the packaging aid device is transported using the support, which is, for example, a rolling gantry or jib crane, or an overhead rail. In the latter case, the end of the mast opposite the foot is fixed to a sliding attachment on this overhead rail, in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the ring's travel on the mast. When using an overhead rail, an operator slides this end of the mast, the mast being suspended in the air by the overhead rail, in a direction in a horizontal plane until the mast is positioned above the container in a manner centered with respect to the container opening.Then the operator slides the mast vertically to place it on its base in the middle of a bottom wall of the container. Next, he can unfold the arms to press the cover against the walls of the container, the rest of the operations performed by the operator being identical to the main embodiment of the invention.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the conditioning aid device according to the invention comprises a pivoting connecting rod between the base of the mast and a median portion of the arm. This connecting rod facilitates the deployment and retraction of the arm by preventing its twisting.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, the conditioning aid device according to the invention comprises four arms such as said arm, the arms being angularly distributed regularly around the mast. This mode the design is indeed suitable for containers of classic shape, i.e. rectangular.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method for positioning a packaging envelope in a container, comprising the steps of: - folding the edges of the envelope over the edges of a container opening, - centering a packaging aid device according to the invention in the bottom of the container, with a central portion of the envelope held against the bottom of the container by the packaging aid device, the ring of said device being held in the starting position of its stroke, and - deployment of the arms outwards from the mast so that the packaging envelope is pressed against the walls of the container, particularly at each of the corners of the container.

[0021] During the centering step, the packaging aid device according to the invention is also oriented so as to position the arms opposite the corners of the container. Furthermore, in this step, the ring is held in its starting position by means of locking the ring on the mast, or by friction.

[0022] The deployment step is therefore carried out by disabling the locking means, or by pushing the ring towards the end-of-stroke position using the ergonomic handle.

[0023] The method further comprises, after the deployment step, a tension adjustment step of the envelope on the edges of the container, a step of putting the ring back in the starting position of the stroke, and then a step of removing the container conditioning aid device.

[0024] The method for positioning a packaging envelope in a container according to the invention has advantages similar to those of the packaging aid device according to the invention. In particular, it makes it possible to effectively adjust the tension of the envelope on the edges of the container, which allows a sufficient portion of the envelope to remain outside the container when the parts intended to fill the container are in place and must be covered by this portion of the envelope.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given by reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] illustrates a conditioning aid device according to the invention, in a method of embodiment of the invention,

[0027] [Fig.2] represents steps in the process of positioning an envelope packaging in a container according to the invention, in this embodiment of the invention, and

[0028] [Fig.3] represents the conditioning aid device of [Fig.1], at the end of a deployment step of the arm of the conditioning aid device, this step being part of the process shown [Fig.2].

[0029] According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated [Fig. 1], a packaging aid device 1 according to the invention comprises a mast 2 equipped with a foot 22. The mast 2 has a principal elongation direction, here vertical, and is formed of a metal cylinder, one end of which is fixed to the foot 22. This foot 22 is here made of molded plastic and has a flat shape substantially perpendicular to the elongation axis of the mast 2. Alternatively, other materials may be used, and the mast and / or the foot may have a different shape. By way of a non-limiting alternative, the foot may be made of the same material as the metal cylinder. By way of another non-limiting alternative, the mast may be formed from a profile piece, provided that it extends along the aforementioned principal elongation direction and that its shape corresponds to a ring intended to slide along the mast.Furthermore, the foot may include a wedge positioned, irreversibly or reversibly, opposite the mast.

[0030] More specifically, a ring 4, here made of metal, is disposed around the mast 2, and is adapted to slide along the main extension direction of the mast. In [Fig. 1], the ring 4 is held in position, near the end of the mast 2 opposite the foot 22, by locking means 6. These locking means 6 are formed of a pin, inserted through the ring 4, into a hole (not shown) in the metal cylinder of the mast 2. Alternatively, the locking means 6 are formed of a screw adapted to cooperate with a tapped hole formed in the mast.

[0031] In the embodiment of the invention shown [Fig. 1], the mast 2 is positioned vertically on its base 22, its height is approximately one meter, and the ring 4 is held approximately 80 centimeters from the base 22 in its position maintained by the locking means. It is understood that this value is given by way of example, to indicate that preferably the ring 4 is approximately at the height of a person of average build when the mast is positioned in the container. Of course, this value may vary depending on the dimensions of the container and, in particular, on the presence or absence of feet under the container.

[0032] The mast 2 extends along a vertical X axis on the [Fig. 1], defining an axial direction, a radial direction being defined as orthogonal to this axial direction and passing through the X axis of the mast, while an angular direction is defined as orthoradial with respect to the axial direction.

[0033] The ring 4 comprises four arms 8 angularly distributed around the mast 2. Each of these arms 8 is articulated to the ring 4 by hinges 82 formed from the same material as the ring 4, the articulation axis of each hinge 82 being orthogonal to the X-axis. Each arm 8 extends from a hinge 82 to an end of the arm 8 opposite this hinge 82 and provided with a roller 12. The roller 12 is rotatably mounted on this end of the arm 8 about an axis orthogonal to the X-axis. In the illustrated example, the rollers 12 have a diameter of approximately 5 centimeters, or approximately 0.05 times the height of the mast 2. It is understood that depending on the height of the mast of the device of the invention, the diameter of the rollers 12 may vary, but it is desirable that the diameter of the rollers be between 0.04 and 0.08 times the length of the mast.

[0034] The length of each arm 8 is less than that of the mast 2. In particular, when the ring 4 is held in place on the mast 2 by the locking means 6, and the foot 22 at the end of the mast rests on the ground, the rollers 12 located at the ends of the arms do not touch the ground and are angled relative to the vertical of the mast to facilitate their deployment. It is indeed desirable that the rollers 12 not be in contact with the container when the ring is moved and the arms are deployed, in order to ensure that the rollers do not hinder the proper deployment of the assembly. In the position described, where the ring is held by the locking means, the rollers are vertically close to the ground. The length of the arms in the illustrated example is approximately seventy centimeters.

[0035] A central portion of each arm 8 is provided with a hinge 84 in which one end of a connecting rod 10 is rotatably mounted, the other end of the connecting rod 10 being rotatably mounted in a hinge 26 arranged on the base 22 of the mast 2. The articulation axes of the connecting rod 10 are parallel to the articulation axis of the arm 8 in the hinge 82 integral with the ring 4. The connecting rods 10 allow the arms 8 to be deployed away from the mast 2 when the ring 4 slides along the mast 2 towards the base 22, and conversely, they allow the arms 8 to be folded back along the mast 2 when the ring is moved up towards the locking means 6.

[0036] The hole in the locking means 6, arranged in the mast 2, forms an indexing device for a starting position Cl of the ring 4, corresponding to a position of the ring 4 in which the arms 8 are folded and arranged substantially along the mast, this position being visible in [Fig. 1]. By way of example, in this starting position Cl, each of the arms forms an acute angle of less than thirty degrees with the axis X of the mast 2. In this position Cl, the rollers 12 of the arms 8 do not touch the ground when the foot 22 rests on it, the distance in the direction The axial distance between the rollers 12 and the end of the foot 22 opposite the mast is non-zero. As mentioned previously, this prevents the rollers from coming into contact with the casing before the arms are deployed, when the device is positioned at the bottom of the container. This prevents the casing's friction force from resisting the arms' deployment and potentially causing the casing to tear.

[0037] It should be noted that alternative locking means are available. For example, instead of a hole, the mast may have a groove into which a screw passing through the ring engages, locking the ring by compression when the screw is tightened against the surface of the mast. The starting position of the stroke is then determined by a user of the packaging aid device according to the invention, i.e., without an indexing device. In yet another embodiment, the packaging aid device according to the invention does not include additional means such as screws or pins; the locking means are generated by the adjustment of the ring on the mast.

[0038] When the locking means 6 are deactivated, i.e., when the screw or pin is disengaged or when a force greater than the frictional forces generated by the ring's adjustment on the mast is applied, the ring 4 descends along the mast until the rollers of the arms are in contact with the vertical walls of the container, thus defining an end-of-stroke position C2 of the ring 4, which is a vertical position of the ring 4 on the mast 2. When the ring 4 is in this end-of-stroke position C2, the arms 8 are extended, with the rollers having moved away from the mast. Such a configuration is illustrated [Fig. 3]. In this end-of-stroke position C2, the arms are substantially orthogonal to the X-axis of the mast, i.e., orthogonal to within approximately thirty degrees. The stroke C of the ring is defined by the axial distance between the starting position Cl and the end position C2.

[0039] A limit stop 24 is preferably disposed in the lower part of the mast 2, between the limit position C2 and the foot 22, for example in the form of a metal ring fixed around the mast 2, or of an end of the foot 22 extending radially around the mast 2.

[0040] An ergonomic handle 14, 16 is fixed at one end to the ring 4, and it extends mainly along the previously defined vertical axis from the ring 4 to the end of the mast 2 opposite the foot 22. The length L of this ergonomic handle is substantially equal to the length of the stroke C of the ring 4 along the mast 2, that is to say, between 0.75 and 1.5 times the length of the stroke C, said lengths being measured along the vertical axis, that is to say, along the axis X of the mast. In this embodiment of the invention, the length L of the ergonomic handle is approximately sixty centimeters and the length of the stroke C is approximately fifty centimeters long. The ergonomic handle allows a user of the packaging aid device 1 to lift it, hold the ring 4 when deactivating or activating the locking means 6, and raise the ring 4 without bending over when the ring 4 is in the end-of-travel position C2. The ergonomic handle is formed here of two handles 16, 14 placed axially side by side to facilitate manipulation by the operator, with an intermediate gripping element forming the junction between the two handles. However, it should be noted that this specific shape of the ergonomic handle is not limiting to the invention.

[0041] A method 100 for positioning a packaging envelope 5 in a container 3, shown in [Fig. 3], is now described in relation to [Fig. 2]. The method 100 is carried out by an operator. The container 5 is parallelepiped-shaped.It comprises a base, an opening arranged vertically above the base, and vertical sides. The packaging envelope 5 is a VCI cover in the form of a large plastic sheet.

[0042] A first step 110 of the process 100 is the folding of the edges of the envelope 5 over the edges of the opening of the container 3. In this step 110, the operator roughly positions the envelope 5 over the opening of the container 3 by letting the envelope 5 overhang the edges of the opening, and folding the edges of the envelope 5 outwards from the container 3.

[0043] A second step 120 of the process 100 is the centering of the packaging aid device 1 in the bottom of the container 3, the ring 4 being held in the starting position Cl by the locking means 6. In this step 120, the operator places the mast 2 vertically on its base 22 substantially in the center of the container 3, and also orients the arms 8 of the packaging aid device 1 opposite the corners of the container 3.

[0044] A third step 130 of the process 100 is the deployment of the arms 8 towards the corners of the container 3. In this step 130, the operator deactivates the locking means 6 and the ring 4 slides axially to its end-of-stroke position C2. The arms 8 unfold, the ends of the arms 8 distal to the mast 2 sliding by means of the rollers 12 towards the corners of the container 3, thus pressing the envelope 5 against the walls of the container 3 at each of these corners, as shown [Fig.3].

[0045] A fourth step 140 of the process 100 is the tension adjustment of the envelope 5 on the edges of the container 3, by pulling on the edges of the envelope 5, which is held against the bottom of the container 3 by means of the arms 8. During this step 140, the operator ensures that the edges of the envelope 5 have a sufficient distance from the edges of the opening, so that the envelope 5 can be closed by attaching its edges to each other.

[0046] A fifth step 150 of the process 100 is returning the ring to its starting position Cl. To do this, the operator uses the ergonomic handle, for example by pulling on handle 14, which is located near their waist. When the ring reaches its starting position Cl, it remains locked there by means of the locking mechanism, which returns to its initial state via a return spring attached to the pin.

[0047] Finally, a sixth and final step 160 of the process 100 is the removal of the container conditioning aid device 1 from the container 3.

[0048] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the characteristics of the different embodiments of the invention envisaged in this application can be combined to carry out the invention, provided that these embodiments are not incompatible with each other.

Claims

Demands

1. A conditioning aid device (1) comprising: - a mast (2) equipped with a foot (22), - a ring (4) mounted around the mast (2) and capable of sliding along the mast (2) from a starting position (Cl), to an end-of-stroke position (C2) proximal to the foot (22), and - at least one arm (8) one end of which is articulated on the ring (4) by a joint (82) with an axis orthogonal to the mast (2), the arm (8) being capable of taking a folded position along the mast (2) when the ring (4) is in the starting position (Cl), and of taking an unfolded position towards the outside of the mast (2) when the ring (4) is in the end-of-stroke position (C2), characterized in that it comprises at least one handle (14,16) fixed to the ring (4).

2. A packaging aid device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which another end of the arm (8) is provided with a roller (12) mounted for rotation on said other end, about an axis parallel to the articulation axis of the arm (8).

3. A conditioning aid device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the mast (2) has a starting position indexing device (Cl), defining a position of the ring (4) for which the roller (12) of the arm (8) cannot extend beyond the foot (22) parallel to an extension direction of the mast (2).

4. A conditioning aid device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mast (2) has a stop for the end of travel (24) of the ring (4) along the mast (2), disposed on the foot (2).

5. Packaging aid device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one handle (14, 16) has a length (L) between 0.75 and 1.25 times the stroke length (C) of the ring (4) on the mast (2), said at least one handle (14, 16) having a first end in contact with the ring (4), and a second end extending beyond the ring (4) on the side opposite the foot (22).

6. A conditioning aid device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a support on which one end of the mast (2) opposite the foot (22) is mounted to slide in the direction of the stroke (C) of the ring (4).

7. A conditioning aid device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a connecting rod (10) pivoting between the foot (22) of the mast (2) and a median portion of the arm (8).

8. A conditioning aid device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising four arms (8) such as said arm (8), the arms (8) being angularly distributed around the mast (2) in a regular manner.

9. A method (100) for positioning a packaging envelope (5) in a container (3), comprising the steps of: - folding (110) the edges of the envelope (5) over the edges of an opening in the container (3), - centering (120) a packaging aid device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in a bottom of the container (3), with a central portion of the envelope held against the bottom of the container by the packaging aid device, the ring (4) of said device being held in the starting position (Cl), and - deploying (130) the arms (8) outwards from the mast (2) so that the packaging envelope (5) is pressed against the walls of the container, in particular at each of the corners of the container.

Images