System and method for compact and orderly packaging of floor levellers and the like

Abstract

The present application relates to a system for compact and orderly packaging (1) comprising a feed compartment (4) that houses floor levellers (3) for rotary positioning units (5), provided with spiral distribution rails (6) by means of a conveyor (7) in the feed compartment (4). Thus, the floor levellers (3) are directed to a sequential conveyor (8), wherein they are aligned in a row and then directed to a rotary directing device (9), comprising recesses (10) and a mouthpiece (B) that moves the floor levellers (3) clockwise and counterclockwise, in order for them to be arranged in an interleaved and stacked manner. Next, by means of a pneumatic actuator (A) that moves vertically, organised and stacked floor levellers (3) are sent to angular housings (11), which are internally lined with packaging material (E). The floor levellers (3) packed in the packaging material (E) are sent to a release mechanism (12), which is disarmed to send the floor levellers (3) packed in the packaging material(E) to an output conveyor (13). The field of application of the invention pertains to the logistics and industrial packaging sector, more particularly to the automated solutions for optimising space and efficiency in the packaging and transport of small construction items.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING OF FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR ITEMS

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003]

[0001] This patent application relates to a compact and orderly packaging system and method for floor levelers. The field of application is focused on the logistics and industrial packaging sector, more specifically, automated solutions for optimizing space and efficiency in the packaging and transportation of small construction items. The present invention aims to provide a packaging method that standardizes packaging dimensions and geometry, promoting a substantial improvement in storage and transportation space utilization, in addition to improving the visual presentation of products to facilitate identification and attract consumers, minimizing environmental impact by reducing packaging material consumption.

[0004] PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

[0005]

[0002] Specifically, most floor leveler manufacturers offer their products in standardized packaging, where the parts are misaligned and arranged unevenly. This practice results in less optimized space utilization, both during transportation and storage, resulting in logistics management that requires greater physical volume. Additionally, the shape and layout of these standardized packages do not favor adequate stacking and overlapping due to their irregular geometry, presenting challenges in terms of efficiency and stability during storage and handling.

[0006] CURRENT STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0007]

[0003] The current state of the art is known from document BR 112019013346-1, published on 12 / 31 / 2019, entitled "PACKAGING METHOD AND PACKAGING MACHINE", which deals with a packaging method in which a tube is supplied in a forward movement direction, which comprises a bending step in which said tube is actuated so that it is transverse to the forward movement direction, bending part of the tube in a bending direction and a sealing and cutting step after which a tube near one end and a closed and separated package of the tube are obtained. During the bending step, the tube is held transversely and a break is generated in the bending direction between the actuated and held parts of the tube. The tube is sealed on both sides of the break and cut at the height of the break. Suitable packaging machine for applying the method.

[0008]

[0004] However, the above prior art is cited only to compose the state of the art, given that it was not possible to obtain any patent reference that contained teachings close to a system and process for compact and ordered packaging of floor levelers, as claimed in the present invention.

[0009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010]

[0005] The present invention encompasses an automated packaging system and method for floor levelers, designed to improve space efficiency and logistics management. The present invention comprises a series of synchronized mechanisms that ensure the alignment and uniform arrangement of products within the packages. The system is equipped with components that organize the levelers in an interleaved and overlapping manner, resulting in superior volumetric utilization. Additionally, the present invention has features that facilitate stacking and handling of packages, reducing operating costs and contributing to a reduced environmental impact by reducing the material used in the packaging. The present invention, therefore, brings significant improvements to the construction materials logistics sector, offering an efficient solution from feeding the levelers to the final delivery of the packaged products.

[0011] OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0012]

[0006] The present invention contemplates the following objectives:

[0013]

[0007] It is the objective of the present invention to provide a packaging system and method that improves the alignment and arrangement of floor levelers within the packages, overcoming the non-uniform arrangement found in current solutions;

[0014]

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to optimize the use of space both in the transportation and storage of floor levelers, through an organization that favors the stacking and overlapping of packaging;

[0015]

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to reduce the operational costs associated with the transportation and storage of floor levelers by providing packaging that requires less space and facilitates handling;

[0016]

[0010] The objective of the present invention is to minimize the environmental impact associated with the use of packaging for floor levelers, by reducing the material required for their manufacture;

[0011] The objective of the present invention is to improve the visual presentation of floor levelers in the packaging, in order to facilitate identification and attract the consumer;

[0017]

[0012] The objective of the present invention is to offer an automated packaging system that integrates the feeding, alignment, overlapping and packaging of floor levelers, promoting an effective solution from production to delivery to the end customer.

[0018] ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0019]

[0013] The present invention contemplates the following advantages: Increased efficiency in the packaging of floor levelers, by adopting a system that comprises the precise alignment and uniform arrangement of the parts, thus maximizing the space within the packaging; Improved use of transportation and storage space, since the present invention contemplates packaging whose dimensions are optimized for stacking and overlapping, reducing the volume required for logistics; Reduction of operational and logistical costs, since the present invention allows the use of less packaging and facilitates handling during the distribution and storage stages of the products; Contribution to environmental sustainability, since the present invention allows a significant reduction in the use of packaging materials, reducing waste and ecological impact;Improving product presentation at the point of sale, as the present invention comprises packaging with an attractive appearance that allows the consumer to quickly and effectively identify the contents; Integration and automation of the packaging process, where the present invention includes a system that organizes, aligns, and packages floor levelers in a sequential and automated manner, increasing production efficiency and minimizing the need for manual intervention.

[0020] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0021]

[0014] The following figure is presented to better explain the patent application in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

[0022] Fig. 1: shows the perspective view of the floor leveler;

[0023] Fig. 2: shows the perspective view of the interleaved floor levelers; Fig. 3: shows the perspective view of the interleaved and overlapping floor levelers;

[0024] Fig. 4: shows the perspective view of the interleaved and overlapping floor levelers packed by a package;

[0025] Fig. 5: shows the perspective view of the overall packaging system;

[0026] Fig. 6: shows the view of double-acting pneumatic cylinders coupled with timers;

[0027] Fig. 7: shows the view of the photosensitive presence sensor, which aims to identify the alignment and misalignment of the floor levelers;

[0028] Fig. 8: shows the view of the photosensitive presence sensor with the three-axis rotary cylinder, which pushes the floor levelers towards the rotary steering device;

[0029] Fig. 9: shows the perspective view of the rotary steering device, consisting of recesses and a nozzle that moves the floor levelers clockwise and counterclockwise, so that they are arranged in an interleaved and overlapping manner;

[0030] Fig. 10: shows the perspective view of the angular housing compartment lined internally by packaging, as well as the actuating devices, which seal and cut the mouth of the packaging and the pneumatic actuators;

[0031] Fig. 11: shows the perspective view of the angular housing compartments lined with packaging, also showing the angular closure of said packaging;

[0032] Fig. 12: shows the perspective view of the angular housing compartments;

[0033] Fig. 13: shows the perspective view of the pneumatic actuator with vertical movement that assists the angular housing compartments;

[0034] Fig. 14: shows the perspective view of the release mechanism equipped with an outlet duct connected to a vertical projection, having an angled outlet ramp to send the floor levelers packaged by the packaging to an outlet conveyor;

[0035] Fig. 15: shows the perspective view of the output conveyor for the floor levelers packed by the packaging.

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING OF FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, consists of a compact and ordered packaging system (1), object of the present invention, which aims to provide the standardization of the measurements and geometry of the packages (E) that contain the floor levelers (3), in addition to promoting a substantial improvement in the occupation of space for storage and transportation of these packages (E). The floor levelers (3) are organized in an interleaved and overlapping manner, allowing precise alignment, which maximizes the quantity of items per volume. The standardization of the dimensions of the packages (E) facilitates the stacking and handling of the floor levelers (3), reducing logistical costs and environmental impact due to the lower consumption of packaging material (E).Furthermore, the packaging (E) is designed to be not only functional but also to enhance the visual presentation of the floor levelers (3), facilitating identification and attracting the consumer.

[0037]

[0016] The compact and ordered packaging system (1) is configured by a feeding compartment (4) that packages the floor levelers (3), which are destined to rotary positioning units (5) equipped with spiral distribution rails (6) by means of a conveyor belt (7) contained in the feeding compartment (4). Thus, the floor levelers (3) are directed to a sequential transport belt (8), where they pass through two double-acting pneumatic cylinders (CP) coupled with timers, which alternate during the feeding of the floor levelers (3), supplying the quantity and speed that the packaging system (1) needs.Next, the floor levelers (3) follow the sequential transport belt (8) in a profile, passing through a photosensitive presence sensor (SF), which aims to identify the alignment and misalignment of the floor levelers (3) on the sequential transport belt (8), so that, if one or more floor levelers (3) are misaligned, the photosensitive presence sensor (SF) sends a signal to the packaging system (1) causing the sequential transport belt (8) to stop.

[0038]

[0017] In time, together with the sequential transport belt (8), there is a support configured by a photosensitive presence sensor (SF1), which is installed opposite a three-axis rotary cylinder (CR), which pushes the floor levelers (3) towards the rotary directing device (9). It is worth noting that the photosensitive presence sensor (SF1) has the function of counting the floor levelers (3).

[0018] Next, the floor levelers (3) are directed towards a rotary directing device (9), consisting of recesses (10) and a nozzle (B) that moves the floor levelers (3) clockwise and counterclockwise, in order to be arranged in an interleaved and overlapping manner. Then, the arranged and overlapping floor levelers (3) are sent to the angular housing compartments (11) with the help of a pneumatic actuator (A) with vertical movement.

[0039]

[0019] The angular housing compartments (11) are internally lined with packages (E), which packages (E) are heat sealed, and also have both ends sealed at a right angle by means of actuating devices (14), which seal and cut the mouth of the package (E), and also have pneumatic actuators (P) which heat seal the end vertically of the package (E), thus packaging the floor levelers (3) providing standardization of the measurements and geometry of the packages (E) that house the floor levelers (3), in addition to promoting a substantial improvement in the occupation of space for storage and transportation of these packages (E).Once this is done, the floor levelers (3) packaged by the packages (E) are sent to a release mechanism (12) configured by an outlet duct (15) connected to a vertical projection (16), having an angled outlet ramp (17) to send the floor levelers (3) packaged by the packages (E) to an outlet conveyor belt (18).

[0040]

[0020] The compact and ordered packaging system (1) is composed of a process consisting of the following steps:

[0041] - In the first stage, the conveyor belt (7) from the feed compartment (4) sends the floor levelers (3) to the rotary positioning units (5) equipped with spiral distribution rails (6);

[0042] - In the second stage, the spiral distribution rails (6) of the rotary positioning units (5) direct the floor levelers (3) to a sequential transport belt (8), where they are profiled before being directed to the rotary directing device (9);

[0043] - In the third stage, the floor levelers (3) pass through two double-acting pneumatic cylinders (CP) coupled with timers, which alternate during the feeding of the floor levelers (3), supplying the quantity and speed that the packaging system (1) needs; - In the fourth stage, the floor levelers (3) follow the sequential transport belt (8) in a profiled manner, passing through a photosensitive presence sensor (SF), which aims to identify the alignment and misalignment of the floor levelers (3) on the sequential transport belt (8), so that, if one or more floor levelers (3) are misaligned, the photosensitive presence sensor (SF) sends a signal to the packaging system (1), causing the sequential transport belt (8) to stop;

[0044] - In the fifth stage, together with the sequential transport belt (8), there is a support configured by a photosensitive presence sensor (SF1), which is installed in front of a three-axis rotary cylinder (CR), which pushes the floor levelers (3) towards the rotary direction device (9), while the photosensitive presence sensor (SF1) has the function of counting the floor levelers (3);

[0045] - In the sixth stage, the rotating steering device (9), consisting of recesses (10) and a nozzle (B), uses the recesses (10) to move the floor levelers (3) clockwise and counterclockwise, arranging them in an interleaved and overlapping manner;

[0046] - In the seventh stage, the floor levelers (3), already arranged in an interleaved and overlapping manner by the rotating directing device (9), are directed towards the angular housing compartments (11), which are internally lined with packages (E), and are pushed and fitted with the aid of a pneumatic actuator (A) with vertical movement, whose packages (E) have both ends sealed at a right angle;

[0047] - In the eighth stage, once the floor levelers (3) are properly organized, fitted and overlapped in an interleaved manner in the angular housing compartments (11) lined with packages (E), the packages (E) already packaged by the floor levelers (3) are heat sealed, with both ends sealed at a right angle by means of actuating devices (14), which seal and cut the mouth of the package (E), and also have pneumatic actuators (P) which heat seal the vertical end of the package (E) with the floor levelers (3) packaged in an orderly manner;

[0048] - In the ninth stage, the floor levelers (3) packaged by the packages (E) are sent to a release mechanism (12) equipped with an outlet duct (15) connected to a vertical projection (16), having an angled outlet ramp (17) to send the floor levelers (3) packaged by the packages (E) to an outlet conveyor belt (18).

[0049]

[0021] In summary, the compact and orderly packaging system (1) and process improve the efficiency of packaging floor levelers (3), promoting an orderly and precise distribution, while optimizing the use of storage and transportation space and functioning as an automated solution from feeding to the final delivery of the packaged packages (E).

Claims

CLAIMS 1) COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, consists of a package (E) for floor levelers (3), which are packaged in a feeding compartment (4), then destined for rotary positioning units (5) equipped with spiral distribution rails (6) by means of a conveyor belt (7) contained in the feeding compartment (4); the floor levelers (3) are directed to a sequential transport belt (8), characterized by being a compact and ordered packaging system (1) configured by a rotary directing device (9), which receives the floor levelers (3) coming from the sequential transport belt (8);by the rotating directing device (9) send the floor levelers (3) in a sequential, standardized and organized manner to angular housing compartments (11) lined with packages (E), which are heat-sealed and sent with the floor levelers (3) ordered and compacted to a release mechanism (12) with an exit conveyor (18).; 2) COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, according to claim 1, is characterized by the fact that the compact and ordered packaging system (1) is configured by a rotating directing device (9) equipped with recesses (10) and a nozzle (B), which rotates the floor levelers (3) in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, in order to profile and organize the floor levelers (3) within angular housing compartments (11). 3) COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, according to claim 1, is characterized by the fact that the angular housing compartments (11) are internally lined with packaging (E) with the aid of a pneumatic actuator (A) with vertical movement. 4) COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, according to claims 1 and 3, is characterized by the fact that the packages (E) have both ends sealed at right angles by means of actuating devices (14) and pneumatic actuators (P) that heat seal and cut the vertical end of the package (E) inside the angled housing compartments (11), so that the floor levelers (3) are packaged by the packaging (E) and configured in standardized measurements and geometries and, being sent to a release mechanism (12). 5) COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, according to claims 1 and 4, is characterized by the fact that the release mechanism (12) is equipped with an outlet duct (15) connected to a vertical projection (16), having an angled outlet ramp (17) to send the floor levelers (3) packaged by the packages (E) to an outlet conveyor belt (18). 6) COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, according to claim 1, is characterized by the fact that the floor levelers (3), when accessing the sequential transport belt (8), pass through two double-acting pneumatic cylinders coupled with timers (CP), which alternate during the feeding of the floor levelers (3) to the sequential transport belt (8), supplying the quantity and speed that the packaging system (1) needs. 7) COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, according to claims 1 and 6, is characterized by the fact that the floor levelers (3) follow profiled on the sequential transport belt (8), passing through a photosensitive presence sensor (SF), which aims to identify the alignment and misalignment of the floor levelers (3) on the sequential transport belt (8), so that, if one or more floor levelers (3) are misaligned, the photosensitive presence sensor (SF) sends a signal to the packaging system (1) causing the sequential transport belt (8) to stop. 8) COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, according to claims 1, 6 and 7, is characterized by the fact that the sequential transport belt (8) has a support configured by a photosensitive presence sensor (SF1), which is installed in front of a three-axis rotary cylinder (CR), which pushes the floor levelers (3) towards the rotary directing device (9), while the photosensitive presence sensor (SF1) counts the floor levelers (3). 9) METHOD FOR COMPACT AND ORDERLY PACKAGING FLOOR LEVELERS AND SIMILAR, using the compact and ordered packaging system (1) of claim 1, having a method with the following steps: - In the first stage, the conveyor belt (7) from the feed compartment (4) sends the floor levelers (3) to the rotary positioning units (5) equipped with spiral distribution rails (6); - In the second stage, the spiral distribution rails (6) of the rotary positioning units (5) direct the floor levelers (3) to a sequential transport belt (8), where they are profiled before being directed to the rotary directing device (9), characterized by the fact that: - In the third stage, the floor levelers (3) pass through two double-acting pneumatic cylinders coupled with timers (CP), which alternate during the feeding of the floor levelers (3), supplying the quantity and speed that the packaging system (1) needs; - In the fourth stage, the floor levelers (3) follow the sequential transport belt (8) in a profiled manner, passing through a photosensitive presence sensor (SF), which aims to identify the alignment and misalignment of the floor levelers (3) on the sequential transport belt (8), so that, if one or more floor levelers (3) are misaligned, the photosensitive presence sensor (SF) sends a signal to the packaging system (1), causing the sequential transport belt (8) to stop; - In the fifth stage, together with the sequential transport belt (8), there is a support configured by a photosensitive presence sensor (SF1), which is installed in front of a three-axis rotary cylinder (CR), which pushes the floor levelers (3) towards the rotary direction device (9), while the photosensitive presence sensor (SF1) has the function of counting the floor levelers (3); - In the sixth stage, the rotating steering device (9), consisting of recesses (10) and a nozzle (B), uses the recesses (10) to move the floor levelers (3) clockwise and counterclockwise, arranging them in an interleaved and overlapping manner; - In the seventh stage, the floor levelers (3), already arranged in an interleaved and overlapping manner by the rotating directing device (9), are directed towards the angular housing compartments (11), which are internally lined with packages (E), and are pushed and fitted with the aid of a pneumatic actuator (A) with vertical movement, whose packages (E) have both ends sealed at a right angle; - In the eighth stage, once the floor levelers (3) are properly organized, fitted and overlapped in an interleaved manner in the angular housing compartments (11) lined with packages (E), the packages (E) already packaged by the floor levelers (3) are heat sealed, with both ends sealed at a right angle by means of actuating devices (14), which seal and cut the mouth of the package (E), and also have pneumatic actuators (P) which heat seal the vertical end of the package (E) with the floor levelers (3) packaged in an orderly manner; - In the ninth stage, the floor levelers (3) packaged by the packages (E) are sent to a release mechanism (12) equipped with an outlet duct (15) connected to a vertical projection (16), having an angled outlet ramp (17) to send the floor levelers (3) packaged by the packages (E) to an outlet conveyor belt (18).

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