Plant with feeding station
The feeding station with magnetically controlled shuttles addresses transfer issues in plants, enhancing efficiency and versatility in handling tubular die-cut items by managing product movement between storage and operating stations.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MARCHESINI GROUP SPA
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing plants face issues with product transfer between storage and operating stations, particularly with tubular die-cut items, leading to jamming and loss, exacerbated by increased quantities and speeds.
A plant with a feeding station featuring magnetically controlled shuttles on a base surface, allowing controlled movement of products from storage to operating stations, using magnetically sensitive elements to manage product transfer efficiently.
The feeding station effectively manages product transfer, reducing jamming and loss, ensuring versatility and speed, and accommodating various product dimensions and formats.
Smart Images
Figure IB2025057292_07052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
DESCRIPTION"PLANT WITH FEEDING STATION"
[0001] The present invention concerns a plant suitable for performing specific operations on products .
[0002] In particular, by "products" reference is made to substantially planar products , for example having a substantially planar development , or for example because they are folded on themselves so as to be substantially planar . In accordance with a preferred embodiment , by "product" is meant a die-cut item or a "tubular" die-cut item folded onto itself in a planar manner . Said tubular die-cut item is a die-cut item folded in such a way as to subsequently undergo operations of volume-setting into the form of a case or a box to be, subsequently filled .
[0003] Known plants are suitable for operating and handling large quantities of products at high speeds, also in the order of hundreds of products per minute .
[0004] Said plants comprise specific operating stations suitable for performing specific operations .
[0005] Among said stations there is the storage station in which the products are stored and collected in groups , preferably in packs .
[0006] Moreover, among said stations there is the operating station suitable for performing specific operations on a product or on a pack of products , for example picking andhandling operations .
[0007] In the prior art , the transfer of the products between the storage station and the operating station is often the source of problems , for example jamming and / or loss of products . Furthermore, with the increase in the quantity of products and / or with the increase in the speed of movement of the products , the difficulties and problems increase .
[0008] Moreover, such difficulties and problems are also greater when the products to be handled are tubular die-cut items .
[0009] An object of the present invention is to propose a plant that effectively solves the aforementioned problems . In other words , an object of the present invention is to provide a plant suitable for effectively managing the transfer of products from the storage station to the operating station by providing a specific feeding station .
[0010] Preferably, said plant is specifically a case packing plant type : by "product" is meant a tubular die-cut item suitable for being volume-setted and subsequently filled .
[0011] Said object is achieved by a plant in accordance with claim 1 . The dependent claims seek protection for further features and entail further technical advantages .
[0012] In addition, further features and advantages of the invention will appear from the description given below of its preferred embodiments , provided by way of non-limitingexample, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0013] - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a plant in accordance with the present invention, in a first operational configuration;
[0014] - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a plant in accordance with the present invention, in a second operational configuration;
[0015] - Figure 3 is a front view of the feeding station and of the operating station of the plant according to the present invention, in a first embodiment;
[0016] - Figure 3a shows a side view of figure 3;
[0017] - Figure 4 is a front view of the feeding station and of the operating station of the plant according to the present invention, in a second embodiment;
[0018] - Figure 4a shows a side view of figure 4;
[0019] - Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the movements of the shuttles belonging to a plant, in particular to the feeding station, according to the present invention.
[0020] With reference to the attached figures, number 1 denotes a plant in accordance with the present invention.
[0021] Said plant 1 comprises a storage station 2, in which products 900 are stored, and an operating station 7 suitable for performing an operation on said products.
[0022] Said plant 1 furthermore comprises a feeding station3 connecting the storage station 2 and the operating station7 .
[0023] According to a preferred embodiment , the products 900 are tubular die-cut items . According to a preferred embodiment , the products 900 are tubular die-cut items flattened in such a way as to be planar .
[0024] According to a preferred embodiment , the operating station 7 is suitable for performing specific operations on a product , for example the picking of the tubular die-cut item and its volume-setting . Or also, preferably, the operating station 7 is suitable for performing specific operations on a product , for example the filling of the case / box obtained from the tubular die-cut item .
[0025] The shapes and features of the storage station 2 do not limit the present invention . Detailed features of the storage station 2 relevant to the present invention are described below .
[0026] The shapes and features of the operating station 7 do not limit the present invention . Detailed features of the operating station 7 relevant to the present invention are described below .
[0027] In accordance with the present invention, the feeding station 3 comprises a base surface 4 and at least one transport shuttle 5 engaging said base surface 4 and moving on it .
[0028] The base surface 4 extends with respect to animaginary plane I substantially vertical . In other words , the base surface 4 is orthogonal to a support floor of the plant 1 and in particular of the feeding station 3 .
[0029] On said imaginary plane I lie a vertical axis V-V and a longitudinal axis X-X .
[0030] In accordance with the present invention, the base surface 4 comprises a loading region 41 facing the storage station 2 and an unloading region 42 facing the operating station 7 .
[0031] The loading region 41 and the unloading region 42 are longitudinally spaced apart from each other .
[0032] According to a preferred embodiment , the base surface 4 comprises a plurality of tiles 400 modularly engageable with one another .
[0033] In accordance with the present invention, the transport shuttle 5 comprises a housing tray 50 suitable for containing a pack of products 900 .
[0034] In accordance with the present invention, the transport shuttle 5 comprises movement means 55 suitable for operating with the base surface 4 .
[0035] According to the present invention, the movement means 5 and the base surface 4 comprise magnetically sensitive elements respectively passive and active, or vice versa, configured to move each transport shuttle 5 from the loading region 41 to the unloading region 42 and vice versa .
[0036] In accordance with a preferred embodiment , the base surface 4 comprises magnetically active sensitive elements , suitable for creating an appropriate magnetic field, and the movement means 55 of each transport shuttle 5 comprise magnetically passive sensitive elements , for example ferromagnetic elements , suitable for undergoing the action of the magnetic field created by the magnetically active sensitive elements .
[0037] That is to say, the magnetically active sensitive elements are electrically controllable to produce a magnetic field .
[0038] Preferably, the base surface 4 comprises a plurality of magnetically active sensitive elements arranged in a matrix configuration .
[0039] Preferably, each tile 400 comprises a plurality of magnetically active sensitive elements arranged in a matrix configuration .
[0040] Preferably, each transport shuttle 5 comprises a pad comprising said magnetically passive sensitive elements , so that upon a commanded actuation of the magnetically active sensitive elements and the corresponding magnetic field induces the movement of the transport shuttle 5 .
[0041] According to a preferred embodiment , each transport shuttle 5 is controllable in movement , on the base surface 4 , independently of the others .
[0042] According to a preferred embodiment , the feeding station 3 comprises at least four shuttles 5 , and said shuttles are controlled to move in such a way as to always have a shuttle 5 in the unloading region 42 .
[0043] According to a preferred embodiment , the magnetically sensitive elements control the transport shuttle 5 in the unloading region 42 into a plurality of unloading positions aligned along the longitudinal axis X-X . Preferably, in fact , the transport shuttle 5 in the unloading region 42 is movable in an advancing direction, that is , towards the operating station 7 , corresponding to the unloading of products 900 .
[0044] According to a preferred embodiment , the transport shuttle 5 engages and moves on the base surface 4 from the loading region 41 to the unloading region 42 at a first height , while engaging and moving on the base surface 4 from the unloading region 42 to the loading region 41 at a second height .
[0045] In accordance with a preferred embodiment , the second height is lower than the first height .
[0046] In accordance with a preferred embodiment , the first height is lower than the second height .
[0047] According to a preferred embodiment , the transport shuttle 5 engages and moves on the base surface 4 so as to define a substantially annular, substantially closedtrajectory, that is , from the loading region to the loading region .
[0048] That is to say, the transport shuttle 5 containing the products 900 is moved from the storage station 2 to the operating station 7 at the first height . In other words , the shuttle 5 is controlled to move in a longitudinal direction at a first height .
[0049] That is to say, the transport shuttle 5 emptied of the products , is moved from the operating station 7 to the storage station 2 at the second height . In other words , the shuttle 5 is controlled to move in a longitudinal direction at a second height .
[0050] In accordance with the above, the shuttle 5 , once all the products have been unloaded, is moved vertically between a position corresponding to the first height in which it undergoes the unloading operations and a position corresponding to the second height in which it is then movable again towards the loading region 41 .
[0051] According to a preferred embodiment , the base surface 4 comprises an intermediate region 44 longitudinally enclosed between the loading region 41 and the unloading region 42 .
[0052] Preferably, the magnetically sensitive elements are configured to control a transport shuttle 5 , once the products have been loaded in the loading region 41 , to park in saidintermediate region 44 while another shuttle 5 is in the unloading region 42 and is undergoing unloading operations carried out with the operating station 7 .
[0053] That is to say, while a shuttle 5 is in the unloading region 42 and is undergoing unloading operations by the operating station 7 , a second shuttle 5 loaded with products 900 is commanded to park in said intermediate region 44 in such a way as to take position in the unloading region 42 as soon as it is freed by the preceding shuttle 42 .
[0054] According to a preferred embodiment , the feeding station 3 comprises a control group operatively connected with the base surface 4 and with the magnetically active sensitive elements . Preferably, the control group is configured to control the activation of the magnetically active sensitive elements to create an appropriate magnetic field by controlling the movement of the shuttles 5 .
[0055] According to a preferred embodiment , the control group is suitable for commanding the movements and parking of the shuttles 5 .
[0056] According to a preferred embodiment , the control group comprises load detection sensors , suitable for detecting the end of the operations of loading the products 900 in the loading region 41 .
[0057] According to a preferred embodiment , the control group comprises unloading detection sensors , suitable fordetecting the end of the operations of unloading the products 900 in the unloading region 42 .
[0058] Preferably, the control group commands the movements of the shuttles based on what is detected by the above- mentioned sensors .
[0059] According to a preferred embodiment , the control group is a specific control group operable via a specifically configured and specifically connected electronic device .
[0060] According to a preferred embodiment , the housing tray 50 of each shuttle 5 is shaped based on the shape of the products 900 .
[0061] Preferably, the housing tray 50 is shaped to house a pack of products 900 .
[0062] Preferably, the housing tray 50 comprises a shaped support surface 500 comprising at least one support 501 suitable for contacting the products 900 and at least one space 502 through which the operating station 7 is configured to operate and engage a respective product in an unloading operation .
[0063] According to a preferred embodiment , the housing tray 50 is interchangeable and replaceable based on the dimensions and shapes of the products to be transported .
[0064] In particular, preferably, the operating station 7 comprises at least one picking element and at least one transport element .
[0065] According to a preferred embodiment, said picking element is an elongated component which, extending into said space 502, is suitable for engaging at least one product 900 in order to pick it and thus unload the shuttle 5.
[0066] Preferably, said picking element is a bar or a tierod movable longitudinally to come into contact and pick the product .
[0067] Preferably, the operating station 7 comprises two transversely spaced picking elements.
[0068] According to a preferred embodiment, the transport element is a conveyor belt.
[0069] Preferably, said support surface 500 extends substantially orthogonally to the base surface 4.
[0070] Preferably, the products 900 are housed in the housing tray 50 in such a way that each product is orthogonal to the housing tray 50 and to the base surface 4.
[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the storage station 2 performs the operations of storing the products 900 on a shuttle 5 in a region distal from the base surface 4 and moves the shuttle 5 loaded with products up to the loading region 41 in which the shuttle 5 engages the base surface 4.
[0072] Preferably, the storage station 2 picks up an empty shuttle 5, that is, one without products, to bring back to the loading region a shuttle 5 full of products.
[0073] According to a preferred embodiment, the products900 are tubular die-cut items and the storage station 2 is configured to perform operations of storing tubular die-cut items in packs in order to carry out the operations of loading a pack of tubular die-cut items onto a shuttle 5 positioned in the loading region 41 , and the operating station 3 is configured to perform operations of picking a tubular die-cut item belonging to a pack housed on a shuttle 5 positioned in the unloading region 42 .
[0074] By way of example, figure 5 schematically shows the stages of movement of the shuttles 5 ( loaded and unloaded with products ) on the base surface 4 , showing the translations they perform in the longitudinal and vertical directions .
[0075] Innovatively, the plant fully achieves the intended purpose, overcoming the typical problems of the known art .
[0076] Advantageously, the plant comprises a feeding station in which each shuttle is suitable for moving a pack of products .
[0077] Advantageously, the feeding station is extremely versatile and the shuttles are movable as needed .
[0078] Advantageously, the feeding station is extremely versatile and the shuttles are movable depending on the execution of the loading and / or unloading operations .
[0079] Advantageously, the feeding station is extremely versatile and the speed of movement of the shuttles depends on the execution of the loading and / or unloading operations .
[0080] Advantageously, the feeding station has extremely compact dimensions and is positionable in a plant simply and with minimal difficulty.
[0081] Advantageously, the feeding station performs the loading and unloading operations without being affected by the dimensions and formats of the products.
[0082] Advantageously, the shuttles are configurable according to the products to be moved.
[0083] It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent needs, could make modifications to the invention described above, all within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A plant (1) comprising a storage station (2) , in which products (900) , preferably tubular dye-cut items, are stored, an operating station (7) suitable for performing an operation on said products, and a feeding station (3) which comprises:- a base surface (4) extending with respect to an imaginary plane (I) , substantially vertical, on which a vertical axis (V-V) and a longitudinal axis (X-X) lie, wherein the base surface (4) comprises a loading region (41) facing the storage station (2) and an unloading region (42) , longitudinally spaced apart from the loading region (41) , facing the operating station ( 7 ) ;- at least one transport shuttle (5) comprising a housing tray (50) and movement means (55) , wherein the housing tray (50) extends orthogonally to the base surface (4) , i.e., substantially horizontally, and is suitable for containing a pack of products (900) ; wherein the movement means (5) and the base surface (4) comprise magnetically sensitive elements, respectively passive and active, or vice versa, configured to move each transport shuttle (5) from the loading region (41) to the unloading region (42) and vice versa.
2. Plant (1) according to claim 1, wherein the magnetically sensitive elements control the transport shuttle (5) in the unloading region (42) in a plurality of unloading positionsaligned along the longitudinal axis (X-X) .
3. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport shuttle (5) engages and moves on the base surface (4) from the loading region (41) to the unloading region (42) at a first height, while engaging and moving on the base surface (4) from the unloading region (42) to the loading region (41) at a second height, preferably wherein the second height is lower than the first height.
4. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base surface (4) comprises an intermediate region (44) longitudinally enclosed between the loading region (41) and the unloading region (42) , wherein the magnetically sensitive elements are configured to control a transport shuttle (5) , once the products have been loaded into the loading region (41) , to be parked in said intermediate region (44) while another shuttle (5) is in the unloading region (42) and is subject to unloading operations by operating with the operating station (7) .
5. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each transport shuttle (5) is controllable in movement, on the base surface (4) , independently of the others.
6. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding station (3) comprises at least four shuttles (5) , and said shuttles are controlled to move so as to always have a shuttle (5) in the unloading region (42) .
7. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base surface (4) comprises magnetically active sensitive elements, suitable for creating an appropriate magnetic field, and the movement means (55) of each transport shuttle (5) comprise magnetically passive sensitive elements, for example ferromagnetic elements, suitable for undergoing the action of the magnetic field created by the magnetically active sensitive elements.
8. Plant (1) according to claim 6, wherein the feeding station (3) comprises a control group operatively connected to the base surface (4) and to the magnetically active sensitive elements, wherein the control group is configured to control the activation of the magnetically active sensitive elements to create an appropriate magnetic field by controlling the movement of the shuttles (5) .
9. Plant (1) according to claim 7, wherein the control group comprises load detection sensors, suitable for detecting the end of the products loading operations (900) in the loading region (41) and / or unloading detection sensors, suitable for detecting the end of the products unloading operations (900) in the unloading region (42) .
10. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base surface (4) comprises a plurality of tiles (400) modularly engageable with one another.
11. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claimswherein each housing tray (50) is shaped to house a pack of products (900) , preferably so that each product is orthogonal to the housing tray (50) and to the base surface (4) .
12. Plant (1) according to claim 11, wherein the housing tray (50) comprises a shaped support surface (500) comprising at least one support (501) suitable for contacting the products (900) and at least one space (502) through which the operating station (7) is configured to operate and engage a respective product in an unloading operation.
13. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage station (2) performs the operations of storing the products (900) on a shuttle (5) in a distal region from the base surface (4) and moves the product-loaded shuttle (5) up to the loading region (41) in which the shuttle (5) engages the base surface (4) .
14. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the products (900) are tubular dye-cut items and the storage station (2) is configured to perform the operations of storing tubular dye-cut items in packs to perform the operations of loading a pack of tubular dye-cut items onto a shuttle (5) positioned in the loading region (41) and the operating station (3) is configured to perform the operations of picking a tubular dye-cut item belonging to a pack housed on a shuttle (5) positioned in the unloading region (42) .
Citation Information
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