Automatic packaging system for squeezable tubes in a container

Abstract

Installation (1) for the automatic packaging of compressible tubes (2) in a package (3), notable in that it comprises at least one unit comprising: - at least one first multi-articulated system (5) comprising a gripper coupled with a unit gripping tool (6) equipped with at least one suction cup and configured to grasp, 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 platform (9); - at least one intermediate platform (9) comprising at least one row (12) of wedges fitted to the shape of the tubes (2) and laterally joined to each other to support the tubes (2) flat side by side and in the same direction;- at least one second multi-articulated system (10) comprising a gripper coupled with a simultaneous gripping tool (11) equipped with a row of suction cups (16) and configured to simultaneously grasp all the tubes (2) from the intermediate platform (9) and to package them flat in a container (3). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Automatic packaging system for compressible tubes in a container. Technical field

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

[0002] Squeezable tubes are defined as the type of deformable tube that is 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 internal volume intended to contain a product, for example, a cosmetic. The dispensing head typically has a neck onto which a cap is fitted. The second end is generally closed after filling with the product by pinching the tubular partition and welding it. Previous 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 multi-articulated systems configured to grasp the tubes in a linear bulk and place them vertically in a carton, the tubes being separated and held by crossbars.

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

[0007] One of the aims of the invention is to provide an automatic packaging installation for 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] To this end, an automated packaging system for compressible tubes in a container has been developed, remarkable in that it comprises at least one unit including: - at least one first multi-articulated system comprising a gripper coupled with a unit gripping tool equipped with at least one suction cup and configured to grasp, a by and in association with a first vision system, tubes and place them flat, in association with a second vision system, on an intermediate platform; - at least one intermediate platform comprising at least one row of wedges fitted to the shape of the tubes and placed laterally next to each other to support the tubes flat side by side and in the same direction; - at least one second multi-articulated system comprising a gripper coupled with a simultaneous gripping tool equipped with a row of suction cups and configured to simultaneously grasp all the tubes from the intermediate platform and package them flat in a container.

[0009] Under these conditions, the tubes are now packaged flat in the packaging, so that the bulk 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 multi-jointed system.

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

[0012] In this way, when the second multi-articulated system grips all the tubes to flatten them in the packaging, the rows of suction cups are brought closer together to interlock the tubes of one row with the tubes of the other row, thus significantly reducing the overall size. In practice, flat packaging reduces the overall size by a factor of three.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the platform includes at least two wedges per tube, in particular one for each tube, of which a first wedge has 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 has an inclined slope to receive an opposite end of the tube in support.

[0014] In this way, each tube is held optimally and precisely to facilitate the simultaneous gripping operation. The inclined slope allows each tube to be held with an inclination at its welded end so that, after packaging, the ends of the tubes partially overlap each other, which is commonly called overlapping packaging.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment, the wedges are oriented so as to receive the tubes on the platform at an angle to the row of wedges, according to a The angle should be 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 packaging.

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

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

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

[0019] In order to increase the conditioning rates, the unit includes at least two intermediate platforms, each positioned within the field of action of a multi-articulated system, and mobile alternately between the first and second multi-articulated systems.

[0020] In this configuration, this allows work to be carried out in the background. In particular, when the second multi-articulated system simultaneously picks up all the tubes from one of the trays to package them in the container, the first multi-articulated system deposits new tubes onto the other tray.

[0021] Preferably, the suction cup of the unit gripping tool is pivotable around a vertical axis and around 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 the opposite direction.

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

[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 according to the invention.

[0026] [Fig.2] is a perspective of a platform 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], top view.

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

[0029] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the arrangement of two intermediate platforms that move alternately between the multi-articulated systems.

[0030] [Fig.6] is a view of the second multi-articulated system ready to simultaneously grasp all the tubes from an intermediate platform.

[0031] [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of 6, illustrating in perspective the simultaneous gripping tool simultaneously grasping 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 bulk of the tube packaging, and to achieve the staggered overlapping.

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

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

[0036] [Fig. 12] illustrates in perspective the first multi-articulated system grasping a tube.

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

[0038] With reference to figures 1 to 13, the invention relates to an installation (1) for the automatic packaging of compressible tubes (2) in a package (3), in particular by overlapping, 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 seizing them, one by one, for packaging in the container (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) transports the linear bulk of tubes (2).

[0041] Each unit includes a first multi-articulated system (5) comprising a gripper coupled with a unit gripping tool (6) configured to grasp, one by one and in association with a first vision system (7), tubes (2) on the conveyor (4) and then deposit them flat, in association with a second vision system (8), on an intermediate platform (9).

[0042] The unit also includes a second multi-articulated system (10) comprising a gripper coupled with a simultaneous gripping tool (11) configured to simultaneously grasp all the tubes (2) arranged on the intermediate tray (9), and to flatten them in the packaging (3).

[0043] To do this, and in a known manner, the installation (1) includes 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 platform (9), and programmed to send corresponding piloting instructions to the multi-articulated system.

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

[0045] In practice, the plate (9) includes two wedges per tube, of which a first wedge (13) has an imprint, 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 in 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 with respect to the row (12) of wedges, and at an angle between 80° and 90°, preferably 85°.

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

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

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

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

[0051] This design allows the two multi-articulated systems (5, 10) to work in masked time, when the first multi-articulated system (5) places the tubes (2) one by one on the tray (9), the second multi-articulated system (10) grabs all 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 multi-jointed system (10) is equipped with at least one row of suction cups (16), and with two rows of suction cups (16) when the platform (9) comprises two rows (12) of wedges. The rows of suction cups (16) are therefore complementary to the rows (12) of wedges of the platform (9), the suction cups being spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to the distance between the tubes (2) placed on the platform (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 links.

[0054] In this way, after simultaneously grasping all the tubes (2) arranged flat on the platform (9), the second multi-articulated system (10) is driven to bring the rows of suction cups (16) closer together so as to engage the tubes (2) of one row with the tubes (2) of the other row to achieve a staggered overlap of the tubes (2).

[0055] Next, the set of tubes (2) placed together is arranged flat in a package (3) cardboard for example.

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

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

[0058] With reference to Figures 12 and 13, the unit gripping tool (6) of the first multi-articulated 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 fixed to the suction cup (17), mounted on a rack movable by a jack to pivot the suction cup.

[0059] In this way, the second multi-articulated system (10) can easily deposit the different tubes (2) in one direction and then in another onto the wedges of the two rows of the platform (9).

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

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

Claims

Demands

1. An installation (1) for the automatic packaging of compressible tubes (2) in a package (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one unit including: - at least one intermediate tray (9) comprising at least one row (12) of wedges fitted to the shape of the tubes (2) and laterally joined to each other to support the tubes (2) flat side by side and in the same direction; - at least one first multi-articulated system (5) comprising a gripper coupled with a unit gripping tool (6) equipped with at least one suction cup (17) and configured to grasp, 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 the intermediate tray (9);- at least one second multi-articulated system (10) comprising a gripper coupled with a simultaneous gripping tool (11) equipped with a row of suction cups (16) and configured to simultaneously grasp all the tubes (2) from the intermediate platform (9) and to package them flat in a container (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 any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (9) comprises at least two rows (12) of parallel wedges, intended to support the tubes (2) in opposite directions to each other and in a staggered pattern, and the simultaneous gripping tool (11) comprises two parallel rows (16) of suction cups, which can be brought together.

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

5. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedges (13, 14) are oriented to receive the tubes (2) on the platform (9) in an inclined manner with respect to the row (12) of wedges, at an angle between 80° and 90°.

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

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

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

9. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction cup (17) of the unit 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 when it is gripped.

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