Automatic packaging installation for compressible tubes in packaging

Abstract

Installation (1) for automatic packaging of compressible tubes (2) in a package (3), remarkable in that it comprises at least one unit comprising:- at least one first polyarticulated system (5) comprising a gripper coupled with a unitary gripping tool (6) equipped with at least one suction cup and configured to grip, one by one and in association with a first vision system (7), tubes (2) and place them flat, in association with a second vision system (8), on an intermediate plate (9);- at least one intermediate plate (9) comprising at least one row (12) of wedges adjusted to the shape of the tubes (2) and attached laterally to each other to support the tubes (2) flat side by side and in the same direction;- at least one second polyarticulated system (10) comprising a gripper coupled with a simultaneous gripping tool (11) equipped with a row of suction cups (16) and configured to simultaneously grip all of the tubes (2) from the intermediate plate (9) and to package them flat in a package (3). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Installation for automatic packaging of compressible tubes in a package Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical sector of automatic packaging of compressible tubes, for example cosmetic tubes, in packages, for example cardboard boxes.

[0002] By compressible tubes, we mean the type of deformable tube to be squeezed to deliver its contents, generally used in cosmetics and known by the English expression “squeeze tube”.

[0003] This type of tube comprises a tubular body made of a flexible material and having a first open end equipped with a dispensing head, and a second end closed by a weld line. The assembly defines an interior volume intended to contain a product, for example a cosmetic product. The dispensing head conventionally has a neck on which a cap is fixed. The second end is generally closed after filling with the product by pinching said tubular partition and welding. Prior art

[0004] It is known from the prior art to automatically package compressible tubes in a cardboard box, with each tube in a vertical position.

[0005] The packaging is carried out by polyarticulated systems configured to grip the tubes in a linear bulk and place them vertically in a cardboard box, the tubes being separated and held by crosspieces.

[0006] However, it appears that the speed of execution and the size of the packaging of the tubes could be greatly improved. Statement of the invention

[0007] One of the aims of the invention is to provide an installation for automatic packaging of compressible tubes in a package, in particular of parallelepiped shape, which makes it possible to optimize the speed of execution and the size of the packaging.

[0008] For this purpose, an installation has been developed for automatically packaging compressible tubes in a package, remarkable in that it comprises at least one unit comprising: - at least one first polyarticulated system comprising a gripper coupled with a unitary gripping tool equipped with at least one suction cup and configured to grip, one by one and in association with a first vision system, tubes and place them at flat, in association with a second vision system, on an intermediate plate; - at least one intermediate plate comprising at least one row of wedges adjusted to the shape of the tubes and attached laterally to each other to support the tubes flat side by side and in the same direction; - at least one second polyarticulated system comprising a gripper coupled with a simultaneous gripping tool equipped with a row of suction cups and configured to simultaneously grip all of the tubes from the intermediate plate and package them flat in a package.

[0009] Under these conditions, the tubes are now packaged flat in the packaging, so that the size is significantly reduced, with optimized speed of execution.

[0010] According to a particular embodiment, the row of suction cups of the simultaneous gripping tool comprises pairs of suction cups, thus improving the gripping efficiency of the polyarticulated system.

[0011] Advantageously, the plate comprises at least two rows of parallel wedges, intended to support the tubes in opposite directions relative to each other and in a staggered manner, and the simultaneous gripping tool comprises two parallel rows of suction cups, which can be brought closer to each other.

[0012] In this way, when the second polyarticulated system grips all the tubes to package them flat in the packaging, the rows of suction cups are brought together to engage the tubes of one row between the tubes of the other row in order to significantly reduce the space requirement. In practice, flat packaging makes it possible to reduce the space requirement by a factor of three.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the plate comprises at least two wedges per tube, in particular one for each tube, including a first wedge with an imprint, for example semi-circular or V-shaped or any other suitable shape, to receive the neck of the tube, and a second wedge with an inclined slope to receive an opposite end of the tube as support.

[0014] In this way, each tube is held in an optimal and precise manner to facilitate the simultaneous gripping operation. The inclined slope makes it possible to hold each tube with an inclination of its welded end so that after packaging in the package, the ends of the tubes are partly overlapped on each other, which is commonly called a tiling packaging.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment, the wedges are oriented so as to receive the tubes on the tray in an inclined manner relative to the row of wedges, at an angle of between 80° and 90°, preferably 85°. Of course, these values ​​depend on the number of tubes to be packaged relative to a given length of the packaging.

[0016] These values ​​make it possible to optimize the size and reduce the risk of conflict between the tubes when bringing the rows of suction cups together.

[0017] In order to further optimize the size of the tubes packaged flat, by tiling, the slope of the second wedge is inclined relative to the plane of the plate by an angle of between 50° and 60°, for example 55°.

[0018] In order to avoid the positioning defect of a tube and to ensure the stability of the tubes positioned between the wedges, the slope of the second wedge has a chamfered internal portion, in particular to fit the body of the tube.

[0019] In order to increase the packaging rates, the unit comprises at least two intermediate plates, each positioned in the field of action of a poly-articulated system, and movable alternately between the first and second poly-articulated system.

[0020] In this configuration, this allows work to be carried out in hidden time. In particular, when the second polyarticulated system simultaneously picks up all of the tubes from one of the trays to package them in the packaging, the first polyarticulated system places new tubes on the other tray.

[0021] Preferably, the suction cup of the unitary gripping tool is pivotable about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis.

[0022] Under these conditions, this makes it easier to orient the tubes, especially when it comes to placing them on a tray with two rows, that is to say with one row of tubes in one direction and one row of tubes in an opposite direction.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment, the suction cup of this unitary gripping tool is mounted in a shoe intended to cover the tube when it is gripped.

[0024] In this way, the gripping operation is stable, the shoe acts as a template which fixes the position of the tube in order to facilitate its placement on the plate. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] [Fig-1] is a schematic perspective representation of a conditioning installation operation according to the invention.

[0026] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a tray comprising two rows of wedges for receiving tubes, with some tubes positioned on it.

[0027] [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2], seen from above.

[0028] [Fig.4] is a detail view of the wedges intended to support the welded ends tubes.

[0029] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the arrangement of two intermediate plates movable alternately between the polyarticulated systems.

[0030] [Fig.6] is a view of the second polyarticulated system ready to simultaneously grip all of the tubes from an intermediate plate.

[0031] [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of 6, illustrating in perspective the gripping tool si- multiple simultaneously gripping all the tubes.

[0032] [Fig.8] is a bottom view of the simultaneous gripping tool, illustrating the rows of suction cups spaced apart from each other.

[0033] [Fig.9] is a view similar to that of [Fig.7], the rows of suction cups being brought closer together to reduce the size of the tube packaging, and to achieve the staggered tiling.

[0034] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to that of [Fig.8], the rows of suction cups being close to each other.

[0035] [Fig. 11] is a view of the simultaneous gripping tool when laying the tubes flat in a package.

[0036] [Fig. 12] illustrates in perspective the first polyarticulated system gripping a tube.

[0037] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of the unit gripping tool gripping a tube. Detailed description of the invention

[0038] With reference to Figures 1 to 13, the invention relates to an installation (1) for automatically packaging compressible tubes (2) in a package (3), in particular by tiling, that is to say that the tubes (2) are positioned flat and partially overlap each other, as can be seen in the figures.

[0039] In practice, the tubes (2) are presented and oriented randomly in a linear bulk and conveyed through the installation (1) by at least one conveyor (4), with the aim of automatically picking them up, one by one, with a view to packaging them in the packaging (3).

[0040] For this purpose, the installation (1) comprises at least one unit, and preferably a plurality of units positioned one after the other and in front of which the conveyor (4) conveys the linear bulk of tubes (2).

[0041] Each unit comprises a first polyarticulated system (5) comprising a gripper coupled with a unitary gripping tool (6) configured to grip, one by one and in association with a first vision system (7), tubes (2) on the conveyor (4) to then place them flat, in association with a second vision system (8), on an intermediate tray (9).

[0042] The unit also comprises a second polyarticulated system (10) comprising a gripper coupled with a simultaneous gripping tool (11) configured to simultaneously grip all of the tubes (2) arranged on the intermediate tray (9), and to package them flat in the packaging (3).

[0043] To do this, and in a known manner, the installation (1) comprises a control unit (not shown) which executes a computer program programmed to define, in association with the vision systems (7, 8), gripping zones on the tubes (2) and depositing zones on the plate (9), and programmed to send pilot instructions corresponding to the polyarticulated system.

[0044] With reference to Figures 2 to 4, the intermediate plate (9) comprises at least one row (12) of shims (13, 14), and preferably two parallel rows (12), with shims adjusted to the shape of the tubes (2) and laterally attached to each other to support the tubes (2) flat and side by side. The rows of shims support the tubes (2) in opposite directions and in a staggered manner.

[0045] In practice, the plate (9) comprises two wedges per tube, including a first wedge (13) with a footprint, for example semi-circular, to receive the neck of the tube, and a second wedge (14) opposite, with an inclined slope (14a) to receive an opposite end of the tube as support.

[0046] With reference to [Fig. 3], the wedges (13, 14) are oriented to receive the tubes (2) on the plate (9) in an inclined manner relative to the row (12) of wedges, and at an angle of between 80° and 90°, preferably 85°.

[0047] With reference to [Fig.2], the slope (14a) of the second wedge is inclined relative to the plane of the plate (9) at an angle of between 50° and 60°, for example 55°.

[0048] With reference to [Fig.4], the slope (14a) of the second wedge has a chamfered internal portion in order to best match the shape of the tube to be supported.

[0049] With reference to [Fig.5], each unit preferably comprises two intermediate plates (9), each positioned in the field of action of one of the poly-articulated systems, movable alternately between the first and second poly-articulated systems (5, 10).

[0050] The trays (9) are for example each slidably mounted on a rail (15), the two rails (15) being side by side and parallel to each other, and the trays (9) being for example offset to slide along the same axis at different levels to be able to move from one position to another, without conflict.

[0051] This design allows the two polyarticulated systems (5, 10) to work in masked time, when the first polyarticulated system (5) places the tubes (2) one by one on the tray (9), the second polyarticulated system (10) grabs all of the tubes (2) from the second tray (9) to package them in the packaging (3).

[0052] With reference to Figures 7 to 11, the simultaneous gripping tool (11) of the second polyarticulated system (10) is equipped with at least one row of suction cups (16), and two rows of suction cups (16) when the plate (9) comprises two rows (12) of wedges. The rows of suction cups (16) are therefore complementary to the rows (12) of wedges of the plate (9), the suction cups being spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to the distance between the tubes (2) placed on the plate (9). Preferably, and in order to maximize the gripping operation, the row of suction cups (16) comprises pairs of suction cups.

[0053] The two parallel rows (16) of suction cups can be brought together by any suitable means, for example by means of sliding connections.

[0054] In this way, after having simultaneously grasped all of the tubes (2) arranged flat on the plate (9), the second polyarticulated system (10) is controlled to bring the rows of suction cups (16) closer to each other so as to engage the tubes (2) of one row with the tubes (2) of the other row to create a staggered tiling of the tubes (2).

[0055] Then, the set of tubes (2) brought together is placed flat in a cardboard packaging (3) for example.

[0056] Preferably, a sheet of cardboard is then placed on this plane of tubes, to receive another, and so on until the cardboard is filled.

[0057] Once the carton is filled, it is evacuated and closed, and a new empty carton is positioned.

[0058] With reference to figures 12 and 13, the unitary gripping tool (6) of the first polyarticulated system (5) preferably comprises at least one suction cup (17) which can pivot around a vertical axis and around a horizontal axis, according to any suitable technique well known to those skilled in the art, for example by means of a pinion pivotally integral with the suction cup (17), mounted on a rack movable by a jack to pivot the suction cup.

[0059] In this way, the second polyarticulated system (10) can easily place in one direction, then in another, the different tubes (2) on the wedges of the two rows of the plate (9).

[0060] According to a particular embodiment, the suction cup (17) of the unitary gripping tool (6) is mounted in a shoe (18), which has a footprint complementary to that of a tube positioned flat and intended to cover the tube when it is gripped in order to correctly fix the position of the tube for perfect placement on the plate (9).

[0061] It is clear from the above that the installation (1) of the invention makes it possible to carry out automatic packaging, in particular by flat tiling, of compressible tubes (2) with optimized size and speed of execution.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation (1) for automatically packaging compressible tubes (2) in a package (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one unit comprising: - at least one first polyarticulated system (5) comprising a gripper coupled with a unitary gripping tool (6) equipped with at least one suction cup (17) and configured to grip, one by one and in association with a first vision system (7), tubes (2) and place them flat, in association with a second vision system (8), on an intermediate plate (9); - at least one intermediate plate (9) comprising at least one row (12) of wedges adjusted to the shape of the tubes (2) and attached laterally to each other to support the tubes (2) flat side by side and in the same direction;- at least one second polyarticulated system (10) comprising a gripper coupled with a simultaneous gripping tool (11) equipped with a row of suction cups (16) and configured to simultaneously grip all of the tubes (2) from the intermediate plate (9) and to package them flat in a package (3).;

2. Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the row of suction cups (16) comprises pairs of suction cups.

3. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (9) comprises at least two rows (12) of parallel wedges, intended to support the tubes (2) in opposite directions relative to each other and in a staggered manner, and the simultaneous gripping tool (11) comprises two parallel rows (16) of suction cups, which can be brought closer to each other.

4. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (9) comprises two wedges (13, 14) per tube, one for each end, including a first wedge (13) with an imprint to receive the neck of the tube, and a second wedge (14) with an inclined slope (14a) to receive an opposite end of the tube as support.

5. Installation (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the wedges (13, 14) are oriented to receive the tubes (2) on the plate (9) in an inclined manner relative to the row (12) of wedges, at an angle of between 80° and 90°.

6. Installation (1) according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that that the slope (14a) of the second wedge (14) is inclined relative to the plane of the plate (9) at an angle between 50° and 60°, for example 55°

7. JJ. Installation (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the slope (14a) of the second shelf (14) has an internally chamfered portion.

8. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unit comprises at least two intermediate trays (9), each positioned within the field of action of one of the multi-articulated systems, and movable alternately between the first and the second multi-articulated system (10).

9. Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction cup (17) of the single gripping tool (6) is pivotable about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis.

10. Installation (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the suction cup (17) is mounted in a shoe (18) intended to cap the tube during its gripping.

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