Multi-grip packaging machine

Abstract

Cutting unit (1 ) for cutting sheets (100) comprising: -a rest surface (2) for the sheets (100); -a cutting device (3) for cutting the sheets (100) into sections (200); -a pick-up device (4) for picking up the sheets (100) from the rest surface (2), operating between a position for picking up a sheet (100), situated on the rest surface (2), and a position for releasing the sheet (100) at the cutting device (3); -a first gripping assembly (51 ), configured during use to take hold of a sheet (100) or a section (200) at the cutting device (3) and to move the sheet (100) or the section (200) in a feed direction (X); wherein the first gripping assembly (51 ) is movable along a first movement axis (M1 ) between a start-of-travel position, in which it takes hold of the sheet (100) at the cutting device (3), and an end-of-travel position, in which it releases a section (200) obtained from the sheet (100), said cutting unit (1 ) comprising at least a second gripping assembly (52) that is movable along a second movement axis (M2) between a start-of-travel position in which it takes hold of the sheet (100) at the cutting device (3) and an end-of-travel position, in which it releases a section (200) obtained from the sheet (100), wherein the first and second gripping assembly (51,52) are independently activatable between the start-of-travel position and the end- of-travel position. Packaging machine comprising the cutting unit (1 ).

Description

[0001] MULTI-GRIP PACKAGING MACHINE

[0002] The present invention relates to a cutting unit and a packaging machine comprising said cutting unit.

[0003] In detail, the present invention relates to the technical field of end-of-line packaging within production processes.

[0004] With particular, but not exclusive, reference to the production processes for slab-shaped products, the end of the line comprises packaging machines for products, preferably stacked, in order to facilitate storage and transport operations; for example, packaging machines for stacked products are used in the ceramic sector, in which slabs or tiles are stacked in packages and packaged inside a packaging machine which is set up to pick up a plurality of suitably cut cardboard sheets, called blanks, and to fold and assemble the blanks in order to obtain a package that keeps the slab-shaped products stacked, facilitating their transport to and storage in subsequent stations and protecting their integrity.

[0005] Typically, for each pack of stacked slab-shaped products, the packaging machine picks up four blanks from four cutting stations positioned on the sides of said packaging machine by means of manipulator means, and then folds each blank and assembles the four blanks to create a quadrangularshaped package. In other words, a single packaging machine is fed by four lines, each picking up one blank at a time from the cutting unit.

[0006] Each cutting unit operates by cutting a section, corresponding to the blank to be obtained, starting from a larger cardboard sheet and moving the cut section towards the packaging machine. The prior art cutting units operate by cropping and moving one section or blank at a time.

[0007] The first limit of the prior art is that the cutting units operate at a limited capacity and can be improved from a cutting and movement efficiency point of view.

[0008] In addition, the packaging machines comprising the four cutting units, one for each blank feeding line, are very bulky within a production plant and overall not very efficient. Finally, the four cutting units feeding the four lines can be subject to failures or maintenance operations, independently of each other and slowing down the end-of-line packaging operations.

[0009] The technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide a cutting unit and a packaging machine comprising said cutting unit capable of overcoming the obvious limitations of the prior art.

[0010] The stated technical task and specified objects are achieved by a cutting unit and by a packaging machine comprising said cutting unit, comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

[0011] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a cutting unit and a packaging machine comprising said cutting unit.

[0012] Such a description will be set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided solely for illustrative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which:

[0013] - figure 1 shows an isometric view of a cutting unit according to the present invention;

[0014] - figure 2 shows a top view of the cutting unit of figure 1 ;

[0015] - figure 3 shows a side view of the cutting unit of Fig.1 , with some parts removed to better show others.

[0016] The first object of the present invention is a cutting unit 1 for sheets 100.

[0017] Number 1 generically indicates a cutting unit 1 in use configured for the efficient cutting of sections 200 from sheets 100 and for making said sections 200 available for packaging stations situated downstream of said cutting unit 1 , considering a production line.

[0018] Number 10 generically indicates a packaging machine 10 comprising the cutting unit 1 .

[0019] The term sheet 100 preferably refers to sheets of cardboard or die-cut cardboard for the creation of packages for the storage of products. The sheets 100 can have variable size and thickness; moreover, sheets 100 made of material other than cardboard and die-cut cardboard are not excluded, as long as they can be used for the packaging of products.

[0020] In the course of this discussion, reference will be made to a production line in the ceramic sector: the cutting unit 1 and the packaging machine 10 comprising the cutting unit 1 can be advantageously used respectively for cutting the sheets 100 and for assembling packages starting from the sheets 100, as will be illustrated below. In the ceramic sector, in fact, the slabshaped products, such as tiles and slabs, once formed and stacked are placed in a cardboard package, having a quadrangular shape which is shaped to contain and protect said slab-shaped products and to facilitate subsequent storage and transport operations. The aforesaid packaging is obtained by folding and assembling sections 200 obtained from sheets 100. Intuitively, the cutting unit 1 according to the present invention can be placed in production plants and, in particular, in packaging lines for different products, as long as they require the assembly of a package having one or more sections 200 obtained or, in other words, cut, from the sheets 100 in cardboard, die-cut cardboard or other material.

[0021] With reference to figures 1 -3, the cutting unit 1 according to the present invention comprises a rest surface 2 for the sheets 100; the sheets 100 are placed on the rest surface 2, preferably stacked on top of each other. Alternatively, the sheets 100 can be positioned on the rest surface 2 side by side. Still alternatively, the sheets 100 can be fed to the rest surface 2 or to the cutting unit 1 through, for example, a conveyor belt of the type known to the sector.

[0022] The cutting unit 1 according to the present invention further comprises a cutting device 3 for cutting the sheets 100 into sections 200. In other words, the sheets 100 positioned on the rest surface 2 and / or fed to the cutting unit 1 are cut by the cutting device 3 into sections 200, as will be illustrated below.

[0023] The cutting device 3, in an embodiment, comprises a support element 31 arranged to receive and support at least a portion of the lower surface of the sheet 100, facilitating cutting operations.

[0024] The cutting device, in fact, further comprises a cutting member, for example, comprising a slidable blade 32 connected to motor means 33; the slidable blade 32 is in use configured to be moved by the motor means 33 in at least one predetermined cutting direction Z and to perform the cutting of the sheet 100 in the aforesaid predetermined cutting direction Z, obtaining a section 200 from said sheet 100.

[0025] Preferably, the slidable blade 32 connected to the motor means 33 is configured to perform the cutting of the sheet 100 in a cutting direction Z transverse to the feed direction X.

[0026] In the preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the cutting unit 1 according to the present invention, the cutting device 3 comprises a slidable blade 32 connected to motor means 33, configured to perform the cutting of the sheet 100 in a cutting direction Z perpendicular to the feed direction X. Additionally, the cutting device 3 may comprise a stabilizing element 34, preferably opposite the support element 31 , and movable towards and away from the support element 31 or from the sheet 100 positioned on the support element 31 : when the sheet 100, in particular a portion of its lower surface, is positioned at or on the support element 31 , the stabilizing element 34 is actuated towards said sheet 100 or said support element 31 , until it comes into contact with said sheet 100, in order to keep the sheet 100 in a predetermined position, allowing a precise and controlled cutting of the section 200 from the sheet 100. At the end of the cutting operation, the stabilizing element 34 can be actuated to move away from the sheet 100 or from the support element 31 .

[0027] The cutting unit 1 according to the present invention further comprises a pick-up device 4 for picking up the sheets 100 from the rest surface 2, in use configured to pick up a sheet 100 from the rest surface 2; furthermore, the pick-up device 4 is configured to position said sheet 100, picked up from the rest surface 2, at or, in other words, near the cutting device 3. Preferably, the pick-up device 4 is in use configured to pick up a sheet 100 positioned above with respect to a plurality of vertically stacked sheets 100.

[0028] In particular, the pick-up device 4 operates between a pick-up position, in which it picks up the sheet 100 from the rest surface 2, and a release position, in which it releases the sheet 100 picked up at the cutting device 3.

[0029] The pick-up device 4 can operate in various ways, following a plurality of trajectories in the three dimensions of the space (vertical, horizontal and / or orthogonal to the previous ones) and one or more rotations around the axes identified by the three dimensions of the space, in order to position the sheet 100 at the cutting device 3.

[0030] In the preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the cutting unit 1 , the pick-up device 4 is movable at least vertically between the pick-up position, situated below, and the release position, situated above the pick-up position; in other words, in the preferred embodiment, the pick-up device 4 is movable at least perpendicularly to the rest surface 2 on which the sheet 100 is positioned: the pick-up device is, therefore, at least configured to lift the sheet 100 positioned on the rest surface 2.

[0031] The pick-up device 4 may comprise various types of pick-up means configured to pick up, or in other words take hold of, the sheet 100. Preferably, the pick-up device 4 comprises one or more suction cup means 41 actuated to pick up and release the sheet 100: for example, through a first operating command the suction cups are actuated to perform the picking up of the sheet 100 and, through a second operating command, the suction cup means 41 are actuated to perform the release of the sheet 100. The cutting unit 1 according to the present invention further comprises gripping assemblies 5, in use configured to take hold and move a sheet 100 or a section 200.

[0032] In detail, the cutting unit 1 comprises a first gripping assembly 51 , in use configured to take hold of the sheet 100 picked up by the pick-up device 4 and to move the sheet 100 or a section 200 obtained from the sheet 100 in a feed direction X. The first gripping assembly 51 , in detail, is movable along a first movement axis M1 between a start-of-travel position, in which it takes hold of the sheet 100 picked up by the pick-up device 4, and an end-of- travel position, in which it releases a section 200 picked up by the sheet 100.

[0033] The cutting unit 1 further comprises a second gripping assembly 52, in use configured to take hold of a sheet 100 or a section 200 obtained from the sheet 100 and to move said sheet 100 or section 200 in the feed direction X. The second gripping assembly 52, in detail, is movable along a second movement axis M2 between a start-of-travel position, in which it takes hold of a sheet 100 picked up by the pick-up device, and an end-of-travel position, in which it releases a section 200 obtained from the sheet 100.

[0034] The first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52, movable along the respective movement axes M1 ,M2, are activatable independently between the respective start and end-of-travel positions.

[0035] Alternatively and preferably, the first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52, movable along the respective movement axes M1 ,M2, are alternatively activatable between the respective start-of-travel positions and the respective end-of-travel positions: in other words, when the first gripping assembly 51 is situated in the start-of-travel position, the second gripping assembly 52 is situated in the end-of-travel position, and vice versa.

[0036] Advantageously, the independent and, in particular, alternating movement of the first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52 allows the cutting unit 1 according to the present invention to move a greater number of sections 200 in a working time interval T, resulting in a greater efficiency of movement of the sections 200 from the cutting device 3 towards the end-of- travel position.

[0037] In detail, the first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52 are movable between the start-of-travel position, in which they take hold of a sheet 100 picked up by the pick-up device 4, and an intermediate position, said cutting position, in which in the cutting position the picked-up sheet 100 is moved or fed in the feed direction X by a step corresponding to a desired width L of the section 200; by the term width L is preferably meant the desired size for the section 200 parallel to the feed direction X. In other words, once the desired width L for the section 200 is set, the first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52 are configured to move the sheet 100 from the start-of-travel position to the cutting position, travelling a distance equal to said width L.

[0038] Preferably, in the cutting position each gripping assembly 51 ,52 positions the picked-up sheet 100 at the support element 31 .

[0039] In the cutting position, in fact, the cutting device 3 performs the cutting of the sheet 100 in the preset cutting direction Z and obtains from said sheet 100 moved in the feed direction X the section 200 of desired width L.

[0040] Furthermore, the first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52 are movable between the cutting position, in which the section 200 is cut from the sheet 100, and the end-of-travel position, in which they release said section 200. Finally, the first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52 are movable, in an independent and preferably alternating manner, between the end-of-travel position and the start-of-travel position.

[0041] The start-of-travel position of the first gripping assembly 51 and the start-of- travel position of the second gripping assembly 52 may be substantially coincident and, preferably, located at the cutting device 3; alternatively, the start-of-travel position of the first gripping assembly 51 and the start-of- travel position of the second gripping assembly 52 are not coincident and are located at different positions; for example, the start-of-travel positions of the first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52 respectively may be located at different positions considering the feed direction X.

[0042] Similarly, the end-of-travel position of the first gripping assembly 51 and the end-of-travel position of the second gripping assembly 52 may be substantially coincident; alternatively, the end-of-travel position of the first gripping assembly 51 and the end-of-travel position of the second gripping assembly 52 are not coincident and are located in different positions; for example, the end-of-travel positions of the first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52 respectively may be located in different positions considering the feed direction X.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figs. 1 -3, the start-of-travel position of the first gripping assembly 51 and the start-of-travel position of the second gripping assembly 52 are substantially coincident and located at the cutting device 3. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the end-of- travel position of the first gripping assembly 51 and the end-of-travel position of the second gripping assembly 52 are not coincident, as will be illustrated in the following paragraphs.

[0044] In one embodiment, the first gripping assembly 51 comprises a gripping member 51 1 connected to a carriage 512 which is slidable along the movement axis M1. Similarly, the second gripping assembly 52 comprises a gripping member 521 connected to a carriage 522 which is slidable along the movement axis M2.

[0045] Preferably, the gripping members 51 1 ,521 comprise one or more respective grippers 513,523 actuated to take hold and release the sheet 100 or the section 200 obtained from the sheet 100: for example, the grippers 513,523 can take hold of the sheet 100 in response to a first operating command, and can release the sheet 100 or the section 200 in response to a second operating command.

[0046] The cutting unit 1 according to the present invention may further comprise, in an embodiment, at least one temporary magazine 6, situated at an end- of-travel position of the gripping members 5 and shaped to receive one or more sections 200 obtained from the sheets 100; in other words, the temporary magazine 6 is located at the end-of-travel position of the first and / or second gripping assembly 51 ,52.

[0047] In detail, the cutting unit 1 may comprise a single temporary magazine 6, configured to receive the sections 200 from both the first and the second gripping assembly 51 ,52.

[0048] Alternatively and preferably, the cutting unit 1 comprises two temporary magazines 6, each arranged to receive the sections 200 from the first or second gripping assembly 51 ,52. In other words, each temporary magazine is situated at an end-of-travel position of the gripping assemblies 5.

[0049] Intuitively, more than two independently and / or alternatively movable gripping assemblies 5 and more than two temporary magazines 6 can be comprised in the cutting unit 1 according to the present invention.

[0050] Each temporary magazine 6 comprises, in detail, a surface 61 for the storage of one or more sections 200 released by the gripping assemblies 5. The sections 200 can be positioned on the surface 61 stacked or set side by side.

[0051] In addition, each temporary magazine 6 comprises movement means activated to move one or more sections 200 fed out from the cutting unit 1 along an outfeed direction E; the sections 200 can be moved out of the cutting unit 1 one at a time, stacked or set side by side.

[0052] Considering the preferred embodiment illustrated in figures 1 -3 of the cutting unit 1 according to the present invention, it operates following the following steps:

[0053] -a sheet 100 is fed to said cutting unit 1 and / or is positioned on the rest surface 2;

[0054] -the sheet 100 is picked up by the pick-up device 4 and is lifted from the rest surface 2;

[0055] -the sheet 100 is released by the pick-up device 4 at the cutting device 3 when the first gripping assembly 51 is situated in the start-of-travel position; -the sheet 100 is transported in the feed direction X by the first gripping assembly 51 movable along the movement axis M1 and is moved by a step corresponding to the predetermined width L for a section 200;

[0056] -the section 200 is cut from the sheet 100 by activating the cutting device 3; -the first gripping assembly 51 moves the section 200 in the feed direction X from the cutting position to the end-of-travel position.

[0057] -the first gripping assembly 51 releases the section 200 at a respective temporary magazine 6 located at its end-of-travel position.

[0058] Simultaneously with the above steps, the second gripping assembly 52 is moved from the end-of-travel position to the start-of-travel position, where it takes hold of the sheet 100 and moves it in the feed direction X by a further step corresponding to the width L of the section 200 to be obtained.

[0059] Thanks to the independent and, preferably, alternating movement of the first and second gripping assembly 51 ,52, the cutting unit operates more quickly and efficiently than in the prior art.

[0060] Advantageously, the cutting unit 1 according to the present invention can be placed at a packaging machine and can be set up to feed the sections 200 to said packaging machine.

[0061] The packaging machine according to the present invention comprises the cutting unit 1 .

[0062] The packaging machine according to the present invention further comprises manipulator means, picking up the sections 200 fed out from the cutting unit and a work surface for positioning one or more sections 200 picked up by the manipulator means.

[0063] Furthermore, the packaging machine comprises folding means operating on one or more sections 200 in order to form a package.

[0064] For example, the packaging machine is located downstream of the cutting unit 1 , considering the feed direction X or the outfeed direction E identified by each temporary magazine 6 present.

[0065] As illustrated in detail above, the sections 200 are moved out of the cutting unit 1 or at the temporary magazines 6 by the gripping members 51 ,52 which are independently or alternatively movable with respect to each other: said movement is faster and more efficient than in cutting units of prior art. The packaging machine, therefore, receives a plurality of sections 200 cut from the sheets 100, preferably four sections 200; the manipulator means position the four sections 200 at the work surface and the folding means fold the sections 200 in order to form a package. The sections 200 are, for example, blanks having fold lines, identifying a plurality of flaps and wherein the folding means are in use configured to fold the blanks at the fold lines. Preferably, said package is quadrangular, with sections 200 folded and opposed two by two; preferably, the package is formed by folding the sections 200 around a plurality of stacked slab-shaped products, resulting in them being packaged for transport.

[0066] Advantageously, the packaging machine according to the present invention, comprising the cutting unit 1 having at least a first and a second gripping member (51 ,52) movable independently and, preferably, alternatively is efficiently fed by said cutting unit.

[0067] Advantageously, therefore, the packaging machine according to the present invention is considerably less cumbersome than prior art packaging machines, limiting the space required within a production plant.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A cutting unit (1 ) for cutting sheets (100) comprising:-a rest surface (2) for the sheets (100);-a cutting device (3) for cutting the sheets (100) into sections (200);-a pick-up device (4) for picking up the sheets (100) from the rest surface (2), operating between a position for picking up a sheet (100), situated on the rest surface (2), and a position for releasing the sheet (100) at the cutting device (3);-a first gripping assembly (51 ), configured during use to take hold of a sheet (100) or a section (200) at the cutting device (3) and to move the sheet (100) or the section (200) in a feed direction (X); wherein the first gripping assembly (51 ) is movable along a first movement axis (M1 ) between a start-of-travel position, in which it takes hold of the sheet (100) at the cutting device (3), and an end-of-travel position, in which it releases a section (200) obtained from the sheet (100), said cutting unit (1 ) being characterised in that it comprises at least a second gripping assembly (52) that is movable along a second movement axis (M2) between a start-of-travel position, in which it takes hold of the sheet (100) at the cutting device (3), and an end-of-travel position, in which it releases a section (200) obtained from the sheet (100), wherein the first and second gripping assemblies (51 ,52) are independently activatable between the start-of-travel position and the end-of-travel position.

2. The cutting unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second gripping assemblies (51 ,52) are alternately activatable between the start-of- travel position and the end-of-travel position.

3. The cutting unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each gripping assembly (51 ,52) is movable along the respective movement axis (M1 ,M2):-between the start-of-travel position, in which they take hold of a sheet (100) at the cutting device (3), and a cutting position, in which in the cutting position the sheet (100) is fed forward in the feed direction (X) by a pitch corresponding to a desired width (L) of the section (200);- between the cutting position, in which a section (200) with a width (L) is cut from the sheet (100), and the end-of-travel position, in which said section (200) is released by the gripping assembly (51 ,52); and-between the end-of-travel position and the start-of-travel position.

4. The cutting unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein each gripping assembly (51 ,52) comprises a gripping member (51 1 ,521 ) connected to a carriage (512,522) which is slidable along a respective movement axis (M1 ,M2).

5. The cutting unit according to claim 4, wherein the gripping member(51 1.521 ) comprises a pair of jaws (513,523) connected to the carriage(512.522), wherein the jaws (513,523) are actuated so as to take hold of and release a sheet (100) or a section (200).

6. The cutting unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one temporary magazine (6) situated at the end-of-travel position of the gripping members (51 ,52) and comprising a surface (61 ) for the storage of one or more sections (200) which are stacked or set side by side.

7. The cutting unit according to claim 6, wherein the temporary magazine (6) comprises movement means (62) that are activated in order to move one or more sections (200), stacked or set side by side on the surface (61 ), fed out from the cutting unit (1 ) along an outfeed direction (E).

8. The cutting unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the pick-up device (4) is movable vertically between the position for picking up the sheet (100) and the release position.

9. The cutting unit according to one of claims 1 or 8, wherein the pick-up device (4) comprises one or more suction cup means (41 ) that are actuated in order to pick up and release the sheet (100).

10. The cutting unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting device (3) comprises a support element (31 ) situated in the release position and adapted to receive a lower portion of the sheet (100) moved by the pick-up device (4).11 . The cutting unit according to one of claims 1 or 10, wherein the cutting device (3) comprises a slidable blade (32) connected to motor means (33).

12. The cutting unit according to one of claims 1 or 1 1 , wherein the cutting device (3) operates in a cutting direction (Z) transverse to the feed direction (X).

13. A packaging machine comprising-a cutting unit (1 ) for cutting sheets (100) into a plurality of sections (200); -manipulator means, for picking up the sections (200) fed out from the cutting unit (100);-a work surface for positioning one or more sections (200) picked up by the manipulator means; and-folding means operating on one or more sections (200) in order to form a package, wherein the cutting unit (1 ) is a cutting unit (1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

14. The packaging machine according to the preceding claim, wherein the sections (200) are blanks having fold lines identifying a plurality of flaps and wherein the folding means are configured during use to fold the blanks (200) at the fold lines.

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