Packaging method and machine for closing a rectangular box with an open top with a lid.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for closing a box with a lid (30) comprising a rectangular central panel (31) and four side flaps (33), wherein the method - A step of transporting the box and the lid (30) to a closing station, where the lid is placed vertically next to the box and horizontally stacked, and the two transverse side flaps (33) of the lid are held in a partially folded position during transport of the lid, - The step of bringing the box and the lid together by moving them vertically and smoothly so that the upper edge of the box contacts the central panel, -In order to ensure that the lid is securely attached to the box by adhesive, the four side flaps are folded and pressed against the upper part of the side wall of the box for a predetermined time, Includes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of order preparation. In particular, the present invention relates to a packaging method and machine for closing a rectangular parallelepiped box with an open top with a lid.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of order preparation, i.e., distribution, it is common to have to ship orders containing multiple objects of different shapes and sizes. For this purpose, it is common to use rectangular parallelepiped boxes that are open at the top and generally made of cardboard.

[0003] Such boxes, commonly referred to as "trays" or "half-slotted boxes", include a bottom bounded by four side walls joined in pairs by edges. These are sold in countless basic general formats each having a given width, length, and height that define the overall volume of the box.

[0004] Before attaching a cover lid formed from a solid cardboard or cardboard blank that includes a rectangular central panel sized to cover the open upper side of the box and four side flaps designed to be folded and adhered to the upper portions of the four vertical side walls of the box, packaging machines are known that reduce the height of the box to an optimal height for the products contained therein.

[0005] The lid can optionally include a crease formed between its central panel and the side flaps to facilitate folding of the side flaps.

[0006] These machines conventionally include a horizontal conveyor such as a bar, belt, or band conveyor, on which cardboard boxes pre-filled with products of various heights sequentially advance in the forward direction through several stations under the control of a controller.

[0007] Therefore, the specification of the U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0031676 describes how a continuous encounter along a conveyor belt is possible. - A station for detecting the height of the products inside each box, - The box has a station for making cuts along its vertical edges to a specific height, - A station for marking the sides of a box to form horizontal folds that define the boundaries of four upper folded panels of variable width, depending on the height of the product packaged in each box, - A station for folding the folding panel on top of the contents of the box, - A closure station whose essence is to place a lid on top of a box, and which has a lid storage magazine associated laterally, The present invention discloses such a packaging machine equipped with [the specified features].

[0008] Therefore, the box and lid are generally transported in the longitudinal and transverse directions, respectively, to such a closing station, where the lid is placed horizontally alongside the box perpendicularly. During these transports, adhesive is sprayed onto the upper portion of the longitudinal side walls of the box and the lower surfaces of the two transverse side flaps of the lid, respectively.

[0009] Next, the box and the lid are brought together by sliding them vertically and smoothly so that the upper edge of the box contacts the central panel of the lid and its periphery, and then the four such side flaps of the lid are folded and pressed against the upper portion of the side wall of the box for a predetermined time to ensure that the lid is attached to the box by adhesion.

[0010] The adhesive is sprayed onto the underside of the two transverse side flaps of the lid using a conventional adhesive gun that is positioned beneath these flaps and emits a jet of adhesive oriented substantially vertically.

[0011] It is understood that this vertical arrangement of the adhesive gun tends to lead to clogging of its nozzles and repeated soiling of the machine, resulting in frequent stoppages for cleaning and / or declogging of these nozzles.

[0012] In addition, lids often tend to have a certain curvature due to the deformation of the corrugated cardboard over time, resulting from fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

[0013] Transporting such curved lids often causes jams, forcing workers to discard entire pallets of lids. This jamming problem is exacerbated when the paper used on both sides of the cardboard has a different composition. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0031676 [Overview of the project]

[0015] The present invention aims to improve this situation.

[0016] For this purpose, a method is proposed for closing a box with a lid comprising a rectangular central panel and four side flaps, wherein the box is a rectangular parallelepiped with an opening at the top and four vertical side walls extending from the horizontal bottom, and the above method comprises the following sequential steps: - A step of transporting the box and the lid to a closing station in the longitudinal and transverse forward directions, respectively, wherein the lid is placed vertically next to the box and superimposed horizontally, and adhesive is sprayed onto the upper portion of the longitudinal side wall of the box and the lower surface of the two transverse side flaps of the lid during their transport, respectively. - The step of bringing the box and the lid together by moving them vertically and smoothly so that the upper edge of the box contacts the central panel of the lid and its periphery, -In order to ensure that the lid is securely attached to the box by adhesive, the four side flaps of the lid are folded and pressed against the upper part of the side wall of the box for a predetermined time, Includes, The two transverse side flaps of the lid are characterized in that they are held in a partially folded position during the transport of the lid to the closing station in the forward direction of the transverse direction.

[0017] By transporting the lid with its two transverse side flaps partially folded, it becomes possible to mechanically flatten the potentially curved central panel of the lid. Thus, the present invention makes the closing process more reliable while significantly limiting the loss of cardboard due to lids that cannot be processed by machine.

[0018] To significantly limit the risk of contamination and clogging of the adhesive gun nozzle, the adhesive is sprayed substantially horizontally onto the underside of the two transverse side flaps of the lid. It should be noted that this substantially horizontal bonding direction is made possible by the fact that the lid is transported with its two transverse side flaps partially folded.

[0019] To achieve optimal flattening of the central panel of the lid and to facilitate adhesion of the two transverse side flaps, each of these flaps forms a first predetermined angle with the central panel, advantageously 100° to 135°, and more preferably 110° to 130°, during the transport of the lid.

[0020] In addition, in order to limit the elastic return force of the side flaps of the lid that prevent folding and thus significantly shorten the pressing time required to adhere the side flaps to the upper part of the side wall of the box, the method preferably includes a step of pre-folding the four side flaps downward at a second predetermined angle greater than 90° with respect to the central panel before transferring the lid.

[0021] To achieve an optimal shortening of the pressing time, this second predetermined angle is preferably 110° - 150°, more preferably 130° - 140°.

[0022] Therefore, this pressing time is preferably 0.5 - 1 second.

[0023] A second aspect of the present invention is a packaging machine comprising a closing station for closing a box with a lid having a rectangular central panel and four side flaps, the box being open at the top and being a cuboid having four vertical side walls extending from a horizontal bottom, the machine comprising conveying means capable of conveying the box in the longitudinal forward direction to the closing station, and a transfer sub-assembly capable of transferring the lid in the transverse direction to the closing station, wherein at the closing station, the lid is horizontally superimposed vertically with the box, and the transfer sub-assembly comprises two transverse guide rails capable of gripping the lid and holding the two transverse side flaps in a partially folded position during its transfer in the transverse direction to the closing station.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the two guide rails extend symmetrically opposite to each other and define two respective internal concave surfaces each having a downward-facing 7 shape, and thus the internal concave surface of each rail is bounded by a horizontal lower abutment wall and an inclined wall extending from the outer end of this lower abutment wall and forming a predetermined angle preferably of 100° - 135°, more preferably 110° - 130° with it.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the machine also includes a weakening subassembly capable of causing the four side flaps of the lid to be pre-folded relative to its central panel.

[0026] The weakening subassembly preferably comprises a first pair of transverse pre-bent members rotatably mounted around a transverse rotation axis and a second pair of longitudinal pre-bent members rotatably mounted around a longitudinal rotation axis.

[0027] Therefore, according to the advantageous configuration, each of the pre-bent members comprises, for example, at least one lyra-shaped fork, the fork having two branches, an inner and an outer, mounted to rotate around an axis located near its concave bottom, and one or more forks of each of the pre-bent members are permanently elastically returned to a resting position by a return means, in which case their openings face downward with their planes of symmetry offset inward by a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical line, and as a result, the free ends of their outer branches are lower than those of their inner branches.

[0028] Finally, each pre-bent member is advantageously provided with at least three of the above-mentioned forks, which rotate together and are spaced equally apart from each other along their axes of rotation.

[0029] Herein, an exemplary and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be given with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] This is a schematic top view of the packaging machine according to the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is a perspective view of boxes processed by the machine shown in Figure 1 at different stages of the packaging process. [Figure 2B] This is a perspective view of boxes processed by the machine shown in Figure 1 at different stages of the packaging process. [Figure 2C]This is a perspective view of boxes processed by the machine shown in Figure 1 at different stages of the packaging process. [Figure 2D] This is a perspective view of boxes processed by the machine shown in Figure 1 at different stages of the packaging process. [Figure 2E] This is a perspective view of boxes processed by the machine shown in Figure 1 at different stages of the packaging process. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a Pilgrims step conveyor device used in the packaging machine shown. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a schematic top view of one of the carriages of the Pilgrims step conveyor system. [Figure 5A] Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing different stages of the operating cycle of the Pilgrims step conveyor device. [Figure 5B] Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing different stages of the operating cycle of the Pilgrims step conveyor device. [Figure 5C] Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing different stages of the operating cycle of the Pilgrims step conveyor device. [Figure 5D] Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing different stages of the operating cycle of the Pilgrims step conveyor device. [Figure 5E] Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing different stages of the operating cycle of the Pilgrims step conveyor device. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one of the two measurement and cutting stations of the packaging machine, captured in a vertical cross-section parallel to the direction of travel of the box as it arrives at this station. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the measurement and cutting station at the time the box arrived at this station. [Figure 8] This figure is similar to Figure 6, but it captures the image during the cutting stage. [Figure 9]Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the folding station of the packaging machine, captured in a vertical cross-section parallel to the direction of travel of the box as it arrives at this station. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a schematic top view of the folding station at the point when the box arrives at this station. [Figure 11] This figure is similar to Figure 10, but it was captured after the folding stage of the transverse upper folded panel created on the box at one of the measurement and cutting stations. [Figure 12A] This is a magnified view showing the various stages of the punching cycle performed on a box at this folding station. [Figure 12B] This is a magnified view showing the various stages of the punching cycle performed on a box at this folding station. [Figure 12C] This is a magnified view showing the various stages of the punching cycle performed on a box at this folding station. [Figure 13] This is an enlarged front view of the folding jaw that performs the punching function by folding one of the upper transverse folding panels of the box. [Figure 14] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one of the lid magazines of the packaging machine, in which one of the lids within this magazine is captured as it is pulled out by the feeder subassembly in a vertical cross-section parallel to the forward direction of the box and offset from the axis of flow of the box. [Figure 15] This diagram is similar to Figure 14, but it captures the lid after it has been straightened horizontally by the feeder subassembly. [Figure 16] This diagram is similar to those in Figures 14 and 15, but captures the lid as it passes through a subassembly designed to reduce the fold of the lid's side flaps. [Figure 17A] This is a magnified view showing the various stages of the weakening cycle that occur as the lid passes through this weakening subassembly. [Figure 17B]This is a magnified view showing the various stages of the weakening cycle that occur as the lid passes through this weakening subassembly. [Figure 17C] This is a magnified view showing the various stages of the weakening cycle that occur as the lid passes through this weakening subassembly. [Figure 18] This diagram is similar to those in Figures 14, 15, and 16, but captures the moment when the lid is forcibly positioned between the guide rails of the transport subassembly for carrying the lid to the closing station. [Figure 19] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the guide rail in the vertical cross-sectional plane between the magazine and the closing station, where the adhesive gun is positioned to apply a sliver of adhesive to the transverse folding panel of the lid as the lid moves smoothly toward this closing station. [Figure 20] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the closing station of the packaging machine, captured in a vertical cross-section parallel to the direction of travel of the box at the moment when the box and lid arrive at this station simultaneously. [Figure 21] This diagram is similar to Figure 20, but shows the process of attaching the side flaps of the lid to the side wall of the box. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of the packaging machine 1 according to the present invention.

[0032] The orthogonal reference coordinate system XYZ is defined with respect to this machine 1 and includes three axes that are perpendicular to each other in pairs, i.e., - The X-axis defines the horizontal direction in the longitudinal direction, -The Y-axis defines the horizontal direction in the transverse direction, which together with the X-axis defines the horizontal XY plane, - The Z-axis defines the vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal XY plane, Includes.

[0033] In the remainder of this explanation, referring to the reference coordinate system defined above, the terms “longitudinal” or “in the longitudinal direction” refer to the direction parallel to the X-axis, the terms “transverse” or “in the transverse direction” refer to the direction parallel to the Y-axis, and the terms “perpendicular” or “perpendicular” refer to the direction parallel to the Z-axis.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms "front" and "back" are used to specify the longitudinal positioning of a particular element with respect to the X-axis orientation. Similarly, the terms "top" and "bottom" are used to specify the relative position of a particular element with respect to the Z-axis orientation.

[0035] Finally, the use of the term "substantially" indicates that slight deviations from a given nominal position or arrangement are permissible while remaining within the scope of the invention. For example, "substantially horizontal" indicates that deviations of approximately 10° to 20° from a strictly horizontal orientation are permissible within the scope of the invention.

[0036] Machine 1 includes five consecutive stations 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 arranged along a longitudinal forward direction D from rear to front, over which two different predetermined box formats 10 pass sequentially, their bottoms resting on a horizontal forward table 3 consisting of, for example, a smooth bottom plate element or a free roller conveyor. These box 10 are pre-filled with items of varying heights.

[0037] Box 10 enters machine 1 by being loaded onto the forward table 3 and passing through the first feeding station 100. The first feeding station 100 includes detection means (not shown) for detecting the format of boxes 10 arriving at the feeding station 100 from a feed conveyor 600 located in the upstream extension of machine 1.

[0038] The feeding station 100 typically includes a motor-driven roller that advances the box 10 to a stop (not shown) designed to precisely position the box 10 along its longitudinal axis of movement. Once the box 10 contacts this stop, a central positioning device (not shown) ensures its central position in the transverse direction.

[0039] For example, the means for detecting the format of box 10 may, advantageously, include a barcode reader present in each box 10, which contains information about its format in particular. This information is then stored by the control system of machine 1 and follows the boxes as they move from one station to the next.

[0040] Alternatively, the means for detecting the format of box 10 may be of a different type, such as an optical camera or infrared sensor associated with the processing module.

[0041] Following this feeding station 100, there is a first station 200 for measuring and cutting boxes 10 of the first format (boxes 10 of the second format are not processed here), and then a second station 300 for measuring and cutting boxes 10 of the second format (boxes 10 of the first format are not processed here).

[0042] The function of these two stations 200 and 300 is to measure the height of the tallest item A (see Figure 2A) contained in box 10, and, depending on the height of item A, to form a variable-height upper folding panel and / or to make specific cuts in the box to define its boundaries.

[0043] Following these two measuring and cutting stations 200 and 300 is a fourth bending station 400, whose function is to bend the upper bending panel over the tallest product housed in the box 10.

[0044] Finally, the function of the fifth and last closing station 500 is to close the boxes 10 by placing and gluing cardboard lids 30 of the corresponding size onto the top of each box 10 before the boxes 10 are transported to the discharge conveyor 700 of the downstream extension of machine 1.

[0045] For this purpose, two lid storage magazines 800 and 900 are laterally associated with this final closing station 500.

[0046] Machine 1 also includes a controller or control system (not shown) that communicates with various stations 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and two lid storage magazines 800, 900.

[0047] This controller, configured to control various components of machine 1, comprises at least one computer associated with a memory module that stores the control process.

[0048] Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a type of box 10 processed by machine 1, which is made from solid cardboard or corrugated cardboard with single, double, or triple flutes, and is commonly called a "tray" or "half-slot box".

[0049] Each box 10, which is open at the top, is designed to support one or more articles, such as article A, and has a rectangular horizontal bottom 11 bounded by four side walls 12, 13 (in this case, two longitudinal side walls 12 and two smaller transverse side walls 13) to define the boundaries of its rectangular internal volume. The side walls 12, 13 are joined in pairs along their respective vertical edges 14.

[0050] Referring to Figure 3, machine 1 includes a Pilgrim's step conveyor device 50 for moving boxes 10, which are placed on a forward table 3, from one station to the next in the forward direction D.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, the Pilgrims step conveyor device 50 is mounted on the frame (not shown) of machine 1 and includes two longitudinal guide rails 51 that extend parallel to the forward direction D on both sides of the forward table 3.

[0052] The Pilgrims step conveyor device 50 also includes a first series of four carriages 52 mounted to be movable so as to translate longitudinally along a first guide rail 51, and a second series of four carriages 52 mounted to be movable so as to translate along a second guide rail 51 and positioned opposite the carriages of the first series.

[0053] For this purpose, each carriage 52 is provided with a slide guide member 53 on a corresponding rail 51, which is advantageously provided with ball or roller bearings or even anti-friction pads to limit frictional forces.

[0054] Four carriages 52 of the same series are kept apart from each other at the same spacing pitch Pe distance corresponding to the spacing pitch between two stations of adjacent machine 1 (for example, via their respective longitudinal belts 54, which are toothed at two points on the same strand 54A stretched between two sprockets 55 positioned upstream of the first station 100 and downstream of the last station 500, respectively), and are made possible by the first drive means 56 to move backward and forward, respectively, between two positions that are longitudinally separated by the value of this spacing pitch Pe.

[0055] This first driving means consists, for example, of a pneumatic cylinder 56, the body and rod of which are attached to the frame of the machine 1 and to one of the strands 54A of the belt 54 associated with this series, or vice versa.

[0056] The carriages 52 of the two series are further coupled to each other (for example, via transverse belts or connecting shafts 57) such that their movements are synchronized and each of their carriages 52 remains permanently facing each other.

[0057] Referring to Figure 4, each carriage 52 is - The first support plate 58 on which the slide guide member 53 is positioned, -A second support plate 59 is mounted on the first plate 58 via guide means, for example, two slides 60, so as to be able to translate transversely relative to the first plate 58. -Two square gripping members 61 are mounted via guide means, for example, two slides 62, so as to translate longitudinally relative to the second plate 59, It is equipped with.

[0058] The second support plate 59 can be moved between three positions spaced transversely apart from the first support plate 58 by a second drive means, for example, a double-stroke pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 63, the body and rod of the cylinder being coupled to one and the other of these plates 58, 59, respectively.

[0059] The two gripping members 61 extend symmetrically with respect to the transverse axis of symmetry S within the same mid-level horizontal plane slightly above the plane of the forward table 3, and are each designed to grip the respective lower corner regions of the box 10.

[0060] These two gripping members 61 are capable of moving simultaneously in opposite directions via a longitudinal belt 64 stretched between two pulleys 55, the two parallel strands 64A and 64B of which are respectively connected to each gripping member 61. Their movement between three different spacing values ​​is ensured by a third drive means, for example, a double-stroke pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 66, the body and rod of which are coupled to a second plate 59 and one of the strands 64A or 64B of the belt 64, respectively, or vice versa.

[0061] As shown in Figures 5A to 5E, the second drive means 63 and third drive means 66 of each pair of opposing carriages 52 are synchronized so that their four gripping members 61 occupy one of the following three positions. -The release position shown in Figures 5A, 5D, and 5E, in which these four gripping members 61 take their maximum longitudinal and transverse spacing away from the box 10 positioned on the forward table 3. - Positions for gripping and centering a larger format box 10, such that the spacing between them in the longitudinal and transverse directions corresponds to the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of a larger format box 10. - A position for gripping and centering a smaller format box 10, where the distance between their longitudinal and transverse directions corresponds to the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of a smaller format box 10.

[0062] To ensure a play-free grip of a box 10 of a given format, which may have relatively large dimensional tolerances, elastically deformable cushioning material, not shown, made of, for example, an elastomer material, is advantageously and securely attached to the concave inner surface of these gripping members 61.

[0063] Here, referring to the same Figures 5A to 5E, we will briefly explain the operating cycle of the Pilgrims step conveyor device 50.

[0064] In the arrangement shown in Figure 5A, immediately after a new box 10 arrives at the first station 100 from the feed conveyor 600, the four pairs of carriages 52 are positioned in their retracted positions facing the first four stations 100, 200, 300, and 400, with their gripping members 61 in their released positions.

[0065] Once the formats of the various boxes 10 positioned on these first four stations 100, 200, 300, and 400 are communicated, the controller then controls the appropriate movement of the four gripping members 61 of each pair of carriages 52 to cause simultaneous gripping of all these boxes 10, as shown in Figure 5B.

[0066] Referring to Figure 5C, this controller then controls the longitudinal movement of all carriages 52 by one pitch Pe in the forward direction toward their forward positions, causing the simultaneous movement of all these boxes 10 by one pitch Pe toward the next station (the boxes then occupy stations 200, 300, 400, and 500).

[0067] It should be noted that the transfer of the closed box 10 located at the final station 500 onto the downstream conveyor 700 is carried out by two pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 67 mounted on the two carriages 52 located furthest downstream in the longitudinal forward direction D. As shown in Figure 5C, these cylinders 67 take a retracted position when the carriage 52 is stationary or moving backward, and an extended position when the carriage 52 is moving forward, in order to transfer the box 10 onto the discharge conveyor 700.

[0068] Next, the controller commands the four gripping members 61 of each pair of carriages 52 to return to their release positions, thereby releasing these boxes 10 (see Figure 5D).

[0069] Finally, as shown in Figure 5E, the controller controls the return of all carriages 52 to their retracted positions before a new box 10 arrives at the first station 100 from the feed conveyor 600, and before the box 10 positioned at the last station 500 is discharged onto the discharge conveyor 700.

[0070] In contrast to conventional motor-driven roller or pallet conveyor systems, the Pilgrims step conveyor system 50 allows for the movement of boxes 10 of different formats while ensuring their perfect longitudinal and transverse centering relative to each of the stations where they are sequentially positioned.

[0071] In addition, such a Pilgrims step conveyor device 50 provides greater tolerance for the dimensional tolerances of the boxes 10 to a given format in order to enable a significant reduction in the proportion of boxes 10 that cannot be processed by the machine 1 and to significantly reduce the stop rate due to box deformation.

[0072] The number of stations included in the packaging machine 1 may be changed depending on the situation (for example, by one when processing boxes 10 of a single format, or by one when processing boxes 10 of three different formats), and accordingly the number of opposing pairs of carriages on the Pilgrims step conveyor device 50 may be changed, so that the number of opposing pairs of carriages is always one less than the number of stations on the machine 1.

[0073] Now, referring to Figures 6 to 8, we examine in more detail the first station 200 for measuring and cutting the box 10 of the first format.

[0074] As shown in Figure 6, the station 200 includes a lifter 210 capable of lifting the box 10 into a guide 220 that defines a cutout cavity 221 in which a mechanical sensor 230 is positioned. The mechanical sensor is vertically movable and capable of measuring the height of the tallest item A contained in the box 10 when the item makes contact with the mechanical sensor.

[0075] Referring further to Figures 6 and 7, the station 200 also includes a cutting subassembly 240 located a few millimeters above the sensor 230, comprising sliding horizontal cutting blades 241, 242 and a vertical cutting blade 243 positioned on the outer circumference of the guide 200, as well as fixed horizontal counter cutting blades 244, 245 and a vertical counter cutting blade 246 positioned inside the cutting cavity 221 opposite the cutting blades 241, 242.

[0076] When the tallest item A in box 10 touches the mechanical sensor 230, the elevator 210 stops moving upward, and as a result the top of this tallest item A is several millimeters below the cutting blades 241, 242, 243 and the counter-cutting blades 244, 245, 246.

[0077] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the cutting blades 241, 242, and 243 move smoothly in the transverse or longitudinal direction, and as a result they pass through the corresponding side walls 12 and 13 of the box 10, respectively, forming multiple full and partial cuts in these side walls, as shown in Figure 2B.

[0078] For details, please refer to Figure 2B. -The horizontal cutting blade 241 positioned opposite the transverse side wall 13 of the box 10 forms two continuous horizontal cutting lines 15 that extend across the entire width of the box 10, slightly above the tallest article A contained within it by a few millimeters. - The vertical cutting blades 243, similarly positioned opposite the transverse side wall 13 of the box 10, form two continuous vertical cutting lines 16 in the box, each extending from a continuous horizontal cutting line 15 to the top of the box 10.

[0079] Therefore, the creation of these continuous cut lines 15, 16 results in the formation of four transverse upper folded panels 17 whose height varies depending on the height of the tallest item A housed in the box 10.

[0080] Referring further to Figure 2B, the horizontal cutting blade 242 positioned opposite the longitudinal side wall 12 of the box 10 forms two discontinuous horizontal cutting lines 18 in the box, which extend slightly upward by an offset d1 of a few millimeters (e.g., 2-5 mm) from the continuous horizontal cutting line 15 along the entire length of the box 10.

[0081] Therefore, the creation of these discontinuous cut lines 18 results in defining the boundaries of two longitudinal upper folded panels 19 whose heights similarly vary based on the height of the tallest item A housed in the box 10.

[0082] The structure and operation of the second measurement and cutting station 300 are similar to those of station 200, which have just been described, so no further details will be given here.

[0083] Here, we will examine the bending station 400 in more detail with reference to Figures 9 to 13.

[0084] As shown in Figure 9, the station 400 is positioned above the forward table 3 and includes a folding subassembly 410 that is translatably movable along a vertical axis by an actuator 411. Such an arrangement allows the folding subassembly 410 to be positioned at a height corresponding to a discontinuous horizontal cut line 18 that extends along the entire length of the box 10 manufactured at station 200, and this height is stored by the machine controller. As will be described later in relation to the closing station 500, this arrangement can be further used to position adhesive guns 450 on both sides of the forward table 3 so that an adhesive jet oriented substantially horizontally can be sprayed toward the upper portion of the longitudinal side wall 12 of the box 10 to close the box with the lid 30.

[0085] Referring to Figure 10, the folding subassembly 410 comprises four folding modules 412 that are positioned in the same horizontal midplane and movable longitudinally and transversely by guide means (not shown), so that the box 10 can surround the four corner regions of a box of a first or second format when it is positioned at the folding station 400.

[0086] Each folding module 412 includes a support 413, the support having three movable members relative to the support, namely, - A folding jaw 414 that can rotate about a vertical axis via an actuator 415, - An inclined punch 416 that can be translated along the transverse axis via an actuator 417, - A pusher 418 that can be translated along the transverse axis via actuator 419, To support.

[0087] Once the four folding modules 412 are positioned around the four corner regions of the box 10, each folding jaw 414 closes by pivoting 90° from its open position shown in Figure 10, so as to rotate its respective transverse upper folding panel 17 around the vertical edge 14 of the box 10 and press it against the inner surface of the longitudinal side wall 12 adjacent to the folding panel 17 (see Figures 11 and 12A).

[0088] Next, as shown in Figure 12B, each punch 416 continuously punches through the longitudinal side wall 12 and the transverse upper folded panel 17, and then translates from its retracted position shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12A so as to pass through the bending jaws through the holes 420 provided in the bending jaws 414. The punches made in the longitudinal side wall 12 and the transverse upper folded panel 17 form two overlapping tongues 20 and 21 on these two elements, respectively, which fold transversely inward into the box 10 and also pass through the holes 420.

[0089] When the punch 416 and the bending jaw 414 return to their retracted and open positions, respectively, it should be noted, referring to Figure 12C, that the presence of the bent tongues 20, 21 ensures that the transverse upper bent panel 17 is held against the longitudinal side wall 12 of the box 10.

[0090] To ensure optimal retention of the transverse upper bent panels 17 and to prevent the tongues 20 formed on the longitudinal side walls 12 from protruding through the openings 22 created in these bent panels 17 by the punch 416, the punch advantageously has a triangular cross-sectional shape as shown in Figure 13.

[0091] Furthermore, referring to Figure 13, it should be noted that the holes 420 formed in each folding jaw 414 advantageously have a first portion 420A and a second portion 420B, the first portion 420A having a shape complementary to the cross-section of the punch 416 passing through it and being slightly larger in size, and the second portion 420B having a rectangular shape and being adjacent to this first portion 420A at the folds of the tongue portions 20, 21 created by this punch 416.

[0092] This second part 420B also has a width slightly greater than the width of this same punch 416, and its height is at least twice the thickness of the cardboard forming the box 10, so that the tongues 20, 21 created by this punch 416 can be folded back and this folding jaw 414 can be returned to the open position without the risk of them being torn.

[0093] After the punch 416 and the bending jaw 414 have returned to their retracted and open positions, respectively, the pusher 418 translates from their retracted positions as shown in Figures 10 and 11 to force the longitudinal upper bending panel 19 to fold over the contents of the box 10 around a discontinuous horizontal cut line 18, as shown in Figure 2C.

[0094] It should be noted that the presence of these discontinuous horizontal cut lines 18 makes it easier to fold the longitudinal upper folding panels 19 without the risk of them detaching from the rest of the box 10.

[0095] The height offset d1 between these discontinuous horizontal cut lines 18 and continuous horizontal cut lines 15 further ensures that these longitudinal upper bend panels 19 can be bent at least 90° without contacting the upper part of the transverse side wall 13 of the box 10.

[0096] Now we consider the final closing station 500, whose function is to position and glue a lid 30 of the corresponding size onto the top of each box 10, as shown in Figures 2D and 2E.

[0097] The lid 30 consists of a solid cardboard or corrugated blank including a rectangular central panel 31 sized to cover the open top of a box 10 of a corresponding size, and four side flaps 32, 33 (in this case, two longitudinal side flaps 32 and two smaller transverse side flaps 33) intended to be folded and glued to the upper portions of the four side walls 12, 13 of the box 10.

[0098] Each lid 30 further includes folds 34, 35 formed between the central panel 31 and the side flaps 32, 33.

[0099] As shown in Figure 1, the lid 30 intended to close the box 10 of the first format is stored in the first storage magazine 800, and the lid intended to close the box 2 of the second format is stored in the second storage magazine 900.

[0100] With respect to a magazine 800 for storing lids 30 of the first format, as shown in Figure 14, such a storage magazine conventionally comprises a motor-driven belt conveyor 810 on which the lids 30 are laid flat and substantially vertically at one of their edges, arranged in a line to form a stack, the stack having a longitudinal axis and held by a stopping means 820, and moves forward as these lids 30 are consumed.

[0101] Referring further to Figure 14, the processing of the lid 30 begins with pulling the lid from a corresponding magazine 800, 900 selected by the controller based on the format of the box 10, using a feeder subassembly 830 which typically includes a carrier plate 831 that holds a suction cup 832.

[0102] The carrier plate 831 includes a duct connecting a suction cup 832 to pneumatic and vacuum means, which allows the first lid 30 of the stack, initially held by the stopping means 820, to be pulled out of the magazine by a suction effect applied substantially longitudinally to its central panel 31.

[0103] When the lid 30 is pulled out from either the magazine 800 or 900, the feeder subassembly 830 can be moved according to adapted kinematics by a drive mechanism consisting of, for example, two pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 833, 834 articulated with each other, to position the lid 30 in the horizontal plane, vertically aligned below the weakening subassembly 840 and the transfer subassembly 850 mounted on the weakening subassembly 840 and equipped with two transverse guide rails 851 (see Figure 15).

[0104] The weakening subassembly 840 comprises two pairs of pre-bent members 841, which are positioned in the same horizontal midplane and mounted to be pivotable around a rotation axis.

[0105] More specifically, the weakening subassembly 840 comprises a first pair of transverse pre-bent members 841, as shown in Figures 16 and 17A to 17C, which are rotatably mounted around a transverse rotation axis, and a second pair of longitudinal pre-bent members (not shown), which are rotatably mounted around a longitudinal rotation axis.

[0106] As shown in Figure 16, the lid 30, held by the feeder subassembly 830, is then forced by the feeder subassembly to pass through the weakening subassembly 840 in a vertical upward movement, causing the four side flaps 32, 33 of the lid 30 to be pre-folded at a predetermined angle α greater than 90° (i.e., greater than the angle these flaps 32, 33 will have when finally folded and glued to the side walls 12, 13 of the box 10) with respect to its central panel 31, with respect to the folds 34, 35.

[0107] This pre-folding action sufficiently weakens the cardboard at folds 34 and 35, limiting the elastic return force exerted by the cardboard on the side flaps 32 and 33, which tends to unfold the side flaps. To ensure optimal weakening of the cardboard, the pre-folding angle α of these side flaps 22 is favorably 110° to 150° (thus each of these four side flaps forms a complementary angle α of 30° to 70° with the central panel 31).

[0108] More preferably, this angle α is 130° to 140°, and is equal to, for example, 135°.

[0109] Here, the weakening subassembly 840 and the pre-folding operation will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 17A to 17C.

[0110] Each pre-bent member 841 is provided with two branching sections 843, 844 and includes at least one rilla-shaped fork 842 mounted to rotate around an axis 845 located near its concave bottom. Advantageously, each of these pre-bent members includes at least three (e.g., four or five) forks 842 that rotate together and are equally spaced apart from one another along their axes of rotation.

[0111] As shown in Figure 17A, the forks 842 of each transverse (or longitudinal) pre-bent member 841 are permanently elastically returned toward a resting position by a return mechanism (not shown), where their openings face downward with their planes of symmetry offset inward with respect to the vertical line, i.e., in the direction of the other transverse (or longitudinal) pre-bent member 841, by a predetermined angle θ, and as a result, the free ends 844A of their outer branches 844 are below the free ends 843A of their inner branches 843.

[0112] In this resting position, the free end 844A of the outer branch portion 844 of each fork 842 of each pre-bent member 841 is positioned perpendicular to the corresponding side flaps 32 and 33 of the lid 30, while the free end 843A of the inner branch portion 843 of the fork 842 is positioned perpendicular to the central panel 31 of the lid 30. The folds 34 and 35 separate the flaps 32 and 33 from the central panel 31 and are therefore positioned opposite the opening of the same fork 842.

[0113] The initial contact between the lid 30 and each pre-folded member 841 occurs at the free end 844A of the outer branch portion 844 of the fork 842, which contacts the side flaps 32 and 33 of the lid 30, gradually folding the side flaps around the folds 34 and 35.

[0114] As shown in Figure 17B, the continuous upward movement of the lid 30 causes the free ends 844A of the outer branches 844 of the forks 842 to come into contact with the central panel 31 of the lid 30, causing the inside of these forks 842 to rotate against the elastic return force, and as a result additional bending stress is applied to the side flaps 32, 33 by the free ends 844A of the outer branches 844 of these same forks.

[0115] As the lid 30 passes completely through the weakened subassembly 840, the forks 842 of each pre-bent member 841 return to their resting positions, while the side flaps 32, 33 of the lid 30 partially unfold (Figure 17C).

[0116] As shown in Figure 18, the lid 30, held by the feeder subassembly 830, is then pushed by the feeder subassembly, still in a vertical upward movement, into a position between two transverse rails 851 of a transport subassembly 850 designed to grip the lid 30, and the two transverse side flaps 33 of the lid 30 are held in a partially bent position, where each transverse side flap forms a predetermined angle β with respect to the central panel 31, advantageously 100° to 135°, and more preferably 110° to 130° (see Figure 19).

[0117] Maintaining these two transverse side flaps 33 in a partially folded position ensures that the main panel 31 of this lid 30, which tends to have a certain natural curvature that could lead to rejection by the closing station 500, remains flat.

[0118] For this purpose, the two guide rails 851 define two respective internal concave surfaces 852 that extend symmetrically opposite to each other and each have a downward-facing shape 7. Thus, the internal concave surface 852 of each rail 851 is bounded by a horizontal lower abutment wall 852A and an inclined wall 852B extending from the outer end of this lower abutment wall 852A, forming a predetermined angle Ω which is a complement to angle β (the sum of these two angles Ω and β is equal to 180°). This angle Ω is advantageously 45° to 80°, and more preferably 50° to 70°.

[0119] The longitudinal spacing e between the inner ends of the lower contact wall 852A is slightly larger by a few millimeters than the longitudinal dimension of the central panel 31 of the lid 30, and as a result, when the lid 30 contacts the lower contact wall, they fold back the transverse side flaps 33 of the lid 30 by approximately 90° to allow the central panel 21 to pass through.

[0120] Next, these transverse flaps 32 partially unfold until they lean against the inclined wall 852B, which holds them in a partially folded position.

[0121] As can be seen in Figure 1, these two rails 851 extend transversely within the intermediate horizontal plane between the magazine 800 and the closing station 500 to transport the lid 30 to this final station 500, where the lid is horizontally superimposed perpendicularly to the corresponding box 10.

[0122] A second, smaller format lid 30, which is stored in the magazine 900 until it is transferred to the closing station 500, is handled in the same manner using a second weakening and transfer subassembly (not shown), the components of which have dimensions that conform to the format of this second lid.

[0123] This transfer of the lid 30 is initiated by the box 10 moving away from the folding station 400. At this point, the lid 30 moves smoothly along the rail 841 to the closing station 500 by the actuator 853 of this transfer subassembly 850.

[0124] As the lid 30 moves toward the closing station 500, a streak of hot melt adhesive is sprayed onto the underside of the two partially downward-bent transverse side flaps 33 of the lid 30, as shown in Figure 19, in accordance with sensor commands.

[0125] These streaks of hot melt adhesive are typically produced by an adhesive gun 854 mounted on the frame of machine 1 and positioned between two rails 851, which sprays an adhesive jet substantially horizontally toward the underside of the transverse side flap 33.

[0126] Furthermore, this orientation of the adhesive jet, made possible by maintaining the two transverse side-folded panels 33 in a partially folded position, significantly reduces the risk of repeated contamination of the machine 1 and clogging of the nozzles of these adhesive guns 854.

[0127] As shown in Figure 1, as the box 10 moves from the bending station 400 to the closing station 500, a spur of hot melt adhesive is also sprayed onto the upper portion of the remaining longitudinal side wall 12 after the bending panel 19 has been bent, according to sensor instructions.

[0128] These hot-melt adhesive streaks are typically produced by an adhesive gun 450 mounted on the frame of machine 1 and positioned above and on both sides of the forward table 3, spraying an adhesive jet substantially horizontally toward the upper portion of the longitudinal side wall 12 of box 10.

[0129] Referring to Figure 20, once the lid 30 and the corresponding box 10 are positioned vertically in the closing station 500, the elevator 510 smoothly moves and lifts the box 10 vertically, so that the box enters a guide 520 which can be controlled by the controller of machine 1 between two positions that define a vertical axis and two rectangular pressing cavities 521 having different dimensions suitable for the first and second formats of box 10, respectively.

[0130] Therefore, each pressing cavity 521 has a length and width that is slightly greater than the length and width of the central panel 31 of the box 10 and the corresponding lid 30 of a given format.

[0131] As the box 10 rises, it gradually approaches the lid 30 until the upper edge of the box 10 contacts the central panel 31 of the lid 30 and its periphery.

[0132] Therefore, this continuous upward movement of the box 10 drives the lid 30 upward, which is then pulled out from the guide rail 851 of the transport subassembly 850 by the elasticity of its transverse side flaps 33, which unfold around the fold 35.

[0133] Next, the lid 30 penetrates into the press cavity 521 together with the upper portion of the box 10, and the lower edge of the press cavity is advantageously widened to facilitate their insertion and the folding of the four longitudinal flaps 32 and transverse side flaps 33 of the lid 30 at an angle slightly less than 90° (because the length and width dimensions of the press cavity 521 are slightly larger than the dimensions of the central panel 31).

[0134] As the box 10 rises through this pressure cavity 521, a weighted horizontal plate 522, which is mounted to move freely vertically, keeps the lid 30 pressed against the box 10.

[0135] As shown in Figure 21, the elevator 510 stops when the controller is notified by sensors that these four side flaps 32, 33 have reached the pressing elements 523 assigned to the four sides of the guide 520.

[0136] Next, the pressing element folds the four side flaps 32 and 33 through the slots of the guide 520 for a predetermined time, for example, 0.5 to 1 second, and presses them against the upper parts of the side walls 12 and 13 of the box 10, thereby ensuring that the lid 30 is attached to the box 10 by adhesive.

[0137] The closed box 10 is then lowered back onto the forward table 3, and as a result, the box can be discharged to the discharge conveyor 700 by the Pilgrims step conveyor device 50.

[0138] According to modifications of embodiments of the present invention not shown, the conveying means included in machine 1 may differ from the Pilgrims step conveyor device 50 described above, particularly when the machine must handle only one box format, in which case the use of a conventional motor-driven blade or roller conveyor is entirely conceivable.

[0139] The number of measuring and cutting stations 200, 300 can also be varied based on the number of different formats of boxes 10 to be processed. It may also be possible to completely omit this type of measuring and cutting station by maintaining the height of the boxes at their initial height, which also means omitting the folding station 400.

[0140] Naturally, many other embodiments of the present invention can be considered, and in this regard, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the figures, but also includes all embodiments within the capabilities of those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for closing a box with a lid (30) comprising a rectangular central panel (31) and four side flaps (32, 33), wherein the box is a rectangular parallelepiped having an opening at the top (10) and four vertical side walls (12, 13) extending from a horizontal bottom (11), wherein the method comprises the following sequential steps: - A step of transporting the box (10) and the lid (30) to a closing station (500) in the longitudinal and transverse forward directions, respectively, wherein at the closing station, the lid (30) is placed vertically next to the box (10) and superimposed horizontally, and adhesive is sprayed onto the upper portion of the longitudinal side wall (12) of the box (10) and the lower surface of the two transverse side flaps (33) of the lid (30) during their transport, - The step of bringing the box (10) and the lid (30) together by moving them vertically and smoothly so that the upper edge of the box (10) comes into contact with the central panel (31) of the lid (30) along its peripheral edge, - To ensure that the lid (30) is securely attached to the box (10) by adhesive, the four side flaps (32, 33) of the lid (30) are folded and pressed against the upper portion of the side walls (12, 13) of the box (10) for a predetermined time, Includes, A method for closing, characterized in that the two transverse side flaps (33) of the lid (30) are held in a partially folded position during the transport of the lid to the closing station in the transverse forward direction.

2. A method for closing according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive is sprayed substantially horizontally onto the lower surface of the two transverse side flaps (33) of the lid (30).

3. A method for closing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, during transport of the lid (30), the two transverse side flaps (33) each form a first predetermined angle (β) of 100° to 135° with the central panel (31).

4. The method for closing according to claim 3, characterized in that the first predetermined angle (β) is 110° to 130°.

5. A method for closing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, before transporting the lid (30), the four side flaps (32, 33) are pre-folded downward with respect to the central panel (31) at a second predetermined angle (α) greater than 90°.

6. The method for closing according to claim 5, characterized in that the second predetermined angle (α) is 110° to 150°.

7. The method for closing according to claim 6, characterized in that the second predetermined angle (α) is 130° to 140°.

8. A method for closing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the predetermined time for pressing the four side flaps (32, 33) of the lid (30) against the upper portion of the side walls (12, 13) of the box (10) is 0.5 to 1 second.

9. A packaging machine (1) comprising a closing station (500) for closing a box with a lid (30) having a rectangular central panel (31) and four side flaps (32, 33), wherein the box is a rectangular parallelepiped with an opening at the top (10) and four vertical side walls (12, 13) extending from a horizontal bottom (11), and the machine (1) comprises a conveying means (50) capable of transporting the box (10) in a longitudinal forward direction to the closing station (500), and the lid (30) in a transverse direction to the closing station A packaging machine comprising a transport subassembly (850) capable of transporting to a closing station (500), wherein at the closing station the lid (30) is aligned vertically with the box (10) and stacked horizontally, and the transport subassembly (850) is equipped with two transverse guide rails (851) capable of gripping the lid (30) and holds its two transverse side flaps (33) in a partially folded position during its transport to the closing station in the transverse direction.

10. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the two guide rails (851) extend symmetrically opposite to each other and define two respective internal concave surfaces (852) each having a downward-facing shape 7, and therefore the internal concave surface (852) of each rail (851) is defined by a horizontal lower contact wall (852A) and an inclined wall (852B) extending from the outer end of the lower contact wall (852A) and forming a predetermined angle (Ω) with it.

11. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the predetermined angle (Ω) between the inclined wall (852B) and the lower contact wall (852A) is 100° to 135°.

12. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the predetermined angle (Ω) between the inclined wall (852B) and the lower contact wall (852A) is 110° to 130°.

13. The packaging machine (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising a weakening subassembly (840) capable of causing the four side flaps (32, 33) of the lid (30) to be pre-folded relative to their central panel (31).

14. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the weakening subassembly (840) comprises a first pair of transverse pre-bent members (841) rotatably mounted around a transverse rotation axis and a second pair of longitudinal pre-bent members rotatably mounted around a longitudinal rotation axis.

15. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 14, wherein each of the pre-bent members (841) comprises at least one rilla-shaped fork (842), the fork having two branches, an inner (843) and an outer (844), and mounted to rotate around an axis (845) located near its concave bottom, the fork (842) of each of the pre-bent members (841) is permanently elastically returned to a resting position by a return means, in which case their openings face downward with their planes of symmetry offset inward by a predetermined angle (θ) with respect to a vertical line, and as a result, the free ends of their outer branches (844) are lower than those of their inner branches (843).

16. The packaging machine (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that each of the pre-bent members (841) comprises at least three of the forks (842), the forks rotate together and are spaced equally apart from each other along their axes of rotation (845).

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