Box assembly process in assembly centers

Abstract

Title: Method for assembling boxes in assembly centers Method for assembling cardboard boxes in assembly centers, comprising assembling (14) on one or more assembly machines; collecting the boxes at the outlet of one or more assembly machines and transferring them by the same transparent belt to a packaging machine; nesting (16) the boxes two by two, with their upper bases facing each other, by means of a packaging machine; grouping a determined number of pairs of boxes in a grouping and bundling machine; banding (18) the grouped assembly, forming bundles of pairs of boxes; turning over (19) the bundles, and; stacking (20) the bundles on pallets by means of a palletizing machine or robot. Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: Method for assembling boxes in assembly centers Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention falls within the technical field of boxes intended to receive and transport products, in particular cardboard boxes delivered disassembled and stacked and requiring an assembly process. Field of invention

[0002] Currently, boxes are the main means of transporting and receiving products in various sectors, including order preparation, sales and exhibition.

[0003] In the case of cardboard boxes for agricultural use, the most common method of supplying to producers involves a first phase of manufacturing the different models of cardboard boxes from rolls of paper or cardboard, and a second phase of transporting the boxes to the farmers.

[0004] Since the transport and delivery of already assembled boxes represents a very large transport volume, these boxes are generally delivered unassembled, in the form of stacked sheets, to assembly centers near the farms, where they are assembled fully or partially automatically using suitable machines. Once the boxes are assembled, they are generally stacked on pallets for delivery.

[0005] This partly solves the problem of box transportation, by allowing large numbers of space-saving boxes stacked in sheets to be shipped from manufacturing centers to assembly centers.

[0006] However, the problem is transferred to the next step of the process, because once the sheet boxes arrive at the assembly center, they must be assembled and stacked until they are used. This stacking of assembled boxes again generates excessive storage volumes, which are bulky and difficult to manage for producers.

[0007] Purpose of the invention

[0008] The invention aims to find a way to improve this process so that it is ultimately more efficient for producers, with a reduction in collection volumes.

[0009] Description and advantages of the invention

[0010] The method of assembling cardboard boxes relates to assembled cardboard boxes having a lower base, an open upper base, first and second opposite and parallel ends, and opposite and parallel sides; these boxes are delivered unassembled and stacked, the process includes a first step of assembling the cardboard boxes on one or more assembly machines.

[0011] After assembly, the boxes are collected on one or more assembly machines and transferred together on a single conveyor belt to a packaging machine.

[0012] The third phase consists of mounting the boxes two by two, with their upper bases facing each other, using an assembly machine.

[0013] This third stage of packaging comprises several stages. Thus, a first stage is the positioning of a first and a second box in a nesting area of a nesting machine, in which the two are positioned consecutively and their sides face each other.

[0014] Once they are thus positioned, a second step consists of a first movement of the second box on the mounting area in a direction perpendicular to the ends, such that the first end of the second box is separated by a first distance from the first box.

[0015] This step is followed by a third step of turning over and nesting the second box on the first box and, finally, by a fourth step which is a second movement of the second box in the opposite direction to the first movement, so that the first end of the first box and the second box are separated by a second distance less than the first separation distance.

[0016] The packaging phase is completed and the fourth phase consists of grouping a certain number of pairs of packed boxes in a grouping and shrink-wrapping machine.

[0017] Then, a fifth wrapping phase is carried out by means of a bundling element of the grouped assembly, in the grouping-bundling machine, to form bundles of pairs of boxes; in a sixth phase the bundles are turned over in a turning machine to be placed in the optimal position.

[0018] Finally, the seventh phase consists of gathering the packages onto pallets using a palletizing machine or robot.

[0019] The method of assembling cardboard boxes according to the invention constitutes a significant improvement over the state of the art.

[0020] In fact, the fully automated process makes it possible to assemble the cardboard boxes in the smallest possible space, by nesting them two by two, which allows a very significant reduction in the size and, consequently, a significant reduction in the storage space required.

[0021] In addition, automation significantly reduces the number of operators.

[0022] On the other hand, as according to the invention the output of the assembly machines has been unified and they are all connected to the same conveyor belt that transfers the boxes from all these machines to a packaging machine, there is a substantial increase in productivity, since the speed of the complete line is determined by the packaging speed and if several machines feed the packaging machine, this allows to increase the production.

[0023] The method also allows the grouped batch to be packaged in pairs of boxes, which provides better protection for the boxes that would be exposed to humid or contaminating environments in the field or greenhouse where they are sent.

[0024] In summary, the process is very efficient and minimizes the volume required for storing assembled boxes. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] Perspective view of the first stage of the assembly phase of the box assembly process,

[0027] [Fig.2] perspective view of the second stage of the assembly phase,

[0028] [Fig.3-1] perspective view of the third stage of the assembly phase,

[0029] [Fig.3-2] perspective view of the fourth stage of the assembly phase,

[0030] [Fig.4] elevation view of a pallet containing several packages according to a preferred embodiment of the method of assembling cardboard boxes of the invention,

[0031] [Fig.5] Functional diagram of the cardboard box assembly process.

[0032] Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0033] In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the method of assembling cardboard boxes refers to boxes delivered unassembled and stacked and which, once assembled, have a lower base, an open upper base, first and second opposite and parallel ends 1.1, 1.2, and opposite and parallel sides 2.

[0034] The method comprises a first phase consisting of assembling (14) the boxes on one or more assembly machines. The method uses two assembly machines 14.1 for assembling the boxes.

[0035] Then, according to [Fig.5], a second phase consists of collecting (15) the boxes at the exit of the two assembly machines, to transfer the boxes assembled in the two machines, together on the same conveyor belt to a packaging machine.

[0036] The third phase is the assembly of the boxes (16) two by two, with their upper bases facing each other, in an assembly machine.

[0037] According to [Fig.5], this third phase of fitting (16) takes place in several steps: in [Fig.l], the first of these steps consists of positioning (16.1) a first and a second box 3.1, 3.2 in a nesting area, in which they are positioned consecutively and with the sides 2 facing each other.

[0038] The second step is a first displacement (16.2) of the second box 3.2 from the mounting area in a direction 5 perpendicular to the ends 1.1, 1.2, so that the first end 1.1 of the second box 3.2 is at a first separation distance 6 from that of the first box 3.1 ([Fig.2]).

[0039] According to Figures 1 and 2, the engagement zone has a strip 4.1 on which the first box 3.1 rests and rollers 4.2 on which the second box 3.2 rests. In this zone there is a first pushing element 12 which makes the first movement 16.2 of the second box 3.2.

[0040] This first movement (16.2) is necessary for the third step consisting of turning over and fitting (16.3) the second box 3.2 onto the first box 3.1, (figures 3-1 and 3-2). Thus, thanks to the first movement of the second box 3.2 relative to the first box 3.1, the corners of the two boxes do not collide with each other during turning, avoiding wearing or damaging the edges.

[0041] The turning is done with the same pusher 12, which holds the second box 3.2 from the base, (figure 3-1), so that the rotation of the pusher 12 turns the second box 3.2.

[0042] Then, once the second box 3.2 has been turned over onto the first box 3.1, the fourth step is followed for a second movement (16.4) of the second box 3.2 in the opposite direction 7 to the first movement (16.2). In this way, the first end 1.1 of the first and second boxes 3.1, 3.2 are separated by a second separation distance 8 less than the first separation distance 6 (figure 3-2). This brings the two boxes closer together and reduces the bulk of the two boxes. In particular, as shown in figure 3.2, the pushing is done until the end of the second box 3.2 is very close, adjacent or in contact with the inner reinforcing columns of the first box 3.1.

[0043] This second movement takes place in the area of the strip 4.1 where there is a second pusher 13 which pushes the second box 3.2 in the opposite direction 7.

[0044] Thus, the third packaging step 16, the fourth step, consists of grouping (17) a certain number of pairs of boxes wrapped in a shrink-wrapping machine.

[0045] Then, a fifth wrapping step (18) a shrink element 9 of the grouped assembly, in the grouping-shrinking-wrapping machine, forms bundles 10 of pairs of boxes.

[0046] In a second embodiment of the invention, the method comprises an additional phase of packaging (21) the bundle 10 of pairs of boxes with a protective film, before banding, using a shrink-wrapping machine 9. This packaging is practical for boxes exposed to polluting, humid or aggressive environments which can damage the cardboard box.

[0047] The sixth phase comprises the turning (19) of the packages 10 in a turning machine to place them in the optimal position and finally, the seventh phase is the stacking (20) of the packages 10 on pallets 11 with a palletizing machine or robot ([Fig.4]).

[0048] In this embodiment, the boxing phase comprises an additional step which is a final turning (16.5) of the boxes after the fourth step during which a second movement of the second box 3.2 is made. This operation aims to find the optimal position of the boxes to occupy the least possible space, depending on the conditions of the storage area.

[0049] In one embodiment, the method for optimized assembly of boxes in assembly centers, the assembled boxes having a lower base, an open upper base, first and second ends 1.1, 1.2 opposite and parallel and sides 2 opposite and parallel, and they are delivered unassembled and stacked, consists of:

[0050] - assembling 14 of the boxes on one or more assembly machines 14.1,

[0051] - collect 15 the boxes coming from one or more assembly machines 14.1 and transfer them by a single conveyor belt to a packaging machine,

[0052] - fit the boxes two by two, their upper bases facing each other, at by means of a nesting machine, the nesting consisting of:

[0053] positioning 16.1 a first and a second box 3.1, 3.2 in an assembly area, in which the two boxes are positioned consecutively and with the sides 2 facing each other,

[0054] making a first movement 16.2 of the second box 3.2 on the mounting area in a direction 5 perpendicular to the ends 1.1, 1.2, such that the first end 1.1 of the second box 3.2 is spaced by a first separation distance 6 from the first box 3.1,

[0055] turn over and fit 16.3 the second box 3.2 onto the first box 3.1,

[0056] making a second displacement 16.4 of the second box 3.2 in the opposite direction 7 to the first displacement 16.2, so that the first end 1.1 of the first and second boxes 3.1, 3.2 are separated by a second distance 8 less than the first separation distance 6,

[0057] - placing 17 a specific number of pairs of boxes in a packaging machine shrink-wrapped,

[0058] - banding 18 with a retractable element 9 the grouped assembly, in the machine of grouping-shrink-bundling, to form packs of 10 pairs of boxes,

[0059] - tilt 19 the packages 10 into a machine to put them in a position optimal, and

[0060] - grouping 20 of the packages 10 onto pallets 11 using a palletizer or a robot.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for optimized assembly of boxes in assembly centers, - the assembled boxes having a lower base, an open upper base, first and second opposite and parallel ends (1.1, 1.2) and opposite and parallel sides (2), and they are delivered unassembled and stacked, characterized in that it consists of: - assembling (14) boxes on one or more assembly machines (14.1), - collecting (15) the boxes coming from one or more assembly machines (14.1) and transferring them by a single conveyor belt to a packaging machine, - nesting (16) the boxes two by two, their upper bases facing each other, by means of a nesting machine, the nesting consisting of: positioning (16.1) a first and a second box (3.1, 3.2) in an assembly area, in which the two boxes are positioned consecutively and with the sides (2) one in front of the other, make a first move (16.2) of the second box (3.2) onto the mounting area in a direction (5) perpendicular to the ends (1.1, 1.2), such that the first end (1.1) of the second box (3.2) is spaced apart by a first separation distance (6) from the first box (3.1), turning over and nesting (16.3) the second box (3.2) onto the first box (3.1), making a second movement (16.4) of the second box (3.2) in the opposite direction (7) to the first movement (16.2), such that the first end (1.1) of the first and second boxes (3.1, 3.2) are spaced apart by a second distance (8) smaller than the first separation distance (6), - placing (17) a specific number of pairs of boxes in a shrink-wrapping machine, - banding (18) with a shrink-wrapping element (9) the grouped assembly, in the shrink-wrapping machine grouping-shrinking-bundling, to form bundles (10) of pairs of boxes.

2.

3. - tilt (19) the packages (10) in a machine to put them in an optimal position, and - grouping (20) packages (10) onto pallets (11) using a palletizer or a robot. Method according to claim 1, comprising an additional step of wrapping (21) the bundle (10) of pairs of boxes with a protective film, before banding (18) with a bundler (9). A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the nesting phase of the boxes (16) comprises an additional step consisting of a final turning (16.5) of the nested boxes after the second movement of the second box (3.2).

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