Plant with feeding station

Abstract

The invention is a plant (1) comprising a storage station (2), in which products (900) are stored, preferably tubular die-cut items or information leaflets, an operating station (7) suitable for performing an operation on said products, and a feeding station (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (X-X), a transverse axis (Y-Y), and a vertical axis (V-V). The feeding station (3) comprises a base surface (4) and at least one transport shuttle (5). The base surface (4) extends with respect to an imaginary plane (I) comprising a loading region (41) facing the storage station (2) and an unloading region (42), longitudinally spaced from the loading region (41), facing the operating station (7). The transport shuttle (5) comprises a housing tray (50) in which the products (900) are housed so as to be mutually aligned in a substantially vertical position, and movement means (55). The movement means (55) 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. The housing tray (50) comprises a bottom wall (500), vertical walls extending in height from the bottom wall (500) comprising a product passage opening (511), a rear wall (503) facing said product passage opening (511), and two side walls (502, 504) configured so as to identify between them a product space (P) tapered proximal the product passage opening (511).

Description

“Plant with feeding station” Description

[0001] The present invention relates to 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. According to a preferred embodiment, “product” means a die-cut item or a “tubular” die-cut item folded upon itself in a planar manner. Said tubular die-cut item is a die-cut item folded in such a way as to subsequently undergo volume-setting operations in the form of a case or a box, to be subsequently filled. According to a preferred embodiment, “product” means an information leaflet folded on itself in a planar manner.

[0003] Known plants are suitable for operating and handling high quantities of products at high speeds, even in the order of hundreds of products per minute.

[0004] Said plants comprise specific operating stations suitable for carrying out specific operations.

[0005] Among said stations is the storage station in which the products are stored and collected in groups, preferably in packs.

[0006] Moreover, among said stations is the operating station suitable for performing specific operations on a product or on a pack of products, for example unloading and handling operations.

[0007] In the prior art, the passage of products between the storage station and the operating station is often a source of problems, such as jamming and / or product loss. Furthermore, with the increase in the quantity of products and / or with the increase in the speed of handling the products, the difficulties and problems also increase.

[0008] Moreover, such difficulties and problems are also greater when the products to be handled are tubular die-cut items and / or information leaflets.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to propose a plant that effectively solves the aforementioned problems. In other words, the 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, such plant is of the cartoning plant type: “product” means a tubular die-cut item suitable for being volume-setted to subsequently be filled; “product” means an information leaflet suitable for being repositioned inside a box and / or a case.

[0011] Said object is achieved by a plant according to claim 1. The dependent claims seek protection for further features and entail additional technical advantages.

[0012] In addition, further features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of its preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] - Figures la and lb show two respective perspective views of a plant according to the present invention;

[0014] - Figures 2a' and 2a" show two respective perspective views of a part of the plant of Figures la and lb with products on board the shuttle;

[0015] - Figures 2b' and 2b" show two respective perspective views of a part of the plant of Figures la and lb with products being unloaded from the shuttle;

[0016] - Figures 2c' and 2c" show two respective perspective views of a part of the plant of Figures la and lb with products unloaded from the shuttle;

[0017] - Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a shuttle included in the feeding station according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] - Figure 4 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.

[0019] With reference to the accompanying drawings, number 1 denotes a plant according to the present invention.

[0020] 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.

[0021] Said plant 1 also comprises a feeding station 3 connecting the storage station 2 and the operating station 7.

[0022] Said feeding station 3 extends along a longitudinal axis X-X, a transverse axis Y-Y, and a vertical axis V-V. Preferably, the storage station 2 and the operating station 7 are mutually spaced longitudinally. Preferably, the storage station 2 and the operating station 7 are mutually spaced vertically.

[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 pressed in such a way as to be planar.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the products 900 are information leaflets. According to a preferred embodiment, the products 900 are information leaflets folded on themselves.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the operating station 7 is suitable for performing specific operations on a product, for example the unloading of the tubular diecut item and its volume-setting. In a further preferred embodiment, the operating station 7 is suitable for performing specific operations on a product, for example the filling of the cases / boxes obtained from the tubular die-cut item. In a further preferred embodiment, preferably, the operating station 7 is suitable for performing specific operations on a product, for example the positioning of an information leaflet in a previously created case / box (in the operating station 7 itself or in other operating stations of the plant 1).

[0026] The shapes and characteristics 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.

[0027] The shapes and characteristics 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.

[0028] In accordance with the present invention, the feeding station 3 comprises a base surface 4 and at least one transport shuttle 5 that engages said base surface 4 and moves on it.

[0029] The base surface 4 extends with respect to an imaginary plane I.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the base surface 4 is substantially horizontal. In other words, the base surface 4 is parallel to a ground support plane of the plant 1 and in particular to the support of the feeding station 3.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The loading region 41 and the unloading region 42 are mutually spaced longitudinally.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the base surface 4 comprises a plurality of tiles 400 modularly engageable with one another.

[0034] In accordance with the present invention, the transport shuttle 5 comprises a housingtray 50 suitable for containing a pack of products 900. Preferably, the products 900 are housed in the housing tray in such a way as to be mutually aligned in a substantially vertical position.

[0035] In accordance with the present invention, the transport shuttle 5 comprises movement means 55 suitable for operating with the base surface 4.

[0036] According to the present invention, the movement means 55 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.

[0037] According to 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 555, for example ferromagnetic elements, suitable for undergoing the action of the magnetic field created by the magnetically active sensitive elements.

[0038] That is to say, the magnetically active sensitive elements are electrically controllable to produce a magnetic field.

[0039] Preferably, the base surface 4 comprises a plurality of magnetically active sensitive elements arranged in a matrix layout.

[0040] Preferably, each tile 400 comprises a plurality of magnetically active sensitive elements arranged in a matrix layout.

[0041] Preferably, each transport shuttle 5 comprises a slider comprising said magnetically passive sensitive elements 555, in such a way that upon a controlled activation of the magnetically active sensitive elements and the corresponding magnetic field, the transport shuttle 5 is moved.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, each transport shuttle 5 is controllable in movement, on the base surface 4, independently of the others.

[0043] 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 one shuttle 5 in the unloading region 42.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the magnetically sensitive elements control the transport shuttle 5 in the unloading region 42 in a plurality of unloading positions aligned along the longitudinal axis X-X. Preferably, in fact, the transport shuttle 5 in the unloadingregion 42 is movable forward, that is towards the operating station 7, at the unloading of products 900.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the transport shuttle 5 engages and moves on the base surface 4 so as to identify a substantially ring-shaped, substantially closed trajectory, that is from the loading region to the loading region.

[0046] Preferably, the transport shuttle 5 containing the products 900 is moved from the storage station 2 to the operating station 7 in a first horizontal direction. In other words, the shuttle 5 is controlled to move in a longitudinal direction to a first horizontal direction.

[0047] Preferably, the transport shuttle 5 emptied of products is moved from the operating station 7 to the storage station 2 in a second horizontal direction. In other words, the shuttle 5 is controlled to move in a longitudinal direction to a second horizontal direction.

[0048] In accordance with the above, the shuttle 5, once all the products have been unloaded, is moved horizontally between a position corresponding to the first horizontal direction in which it is subject to unloading operations and a position corresponding to the second horizontal direction in which it is then movable again towards the loading region 41.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the base surface 4 comprises an intermediate region 44 longitudinally located between the loading region 41 and the unloading region 42.

[0050] 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 mode in said intermediate region 44 while another shuttle 5 is in the unloading region 42 and is subject to unloading operations operating with the operating station 7.

[0051] That is to say that, while one shuttle 5 is in the unloading region 42 and is subject to unloading operations by the operating station 7, a second shuttle 5 loaded with products 900 is controlled to park in said intermediate region 44 so as to be ready to go to the unloading region 42 as soon as it is cleared by the previous shuttle 42.

[0052] 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.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the control group is suitable for controlling the movements and the stationary positions of the shuttles 5.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the control group comprises load detection sensors, suitable for detecting the completion of the loading operations of the products 900 in the loading region 41.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, the control group comprises unloading detection sensors, suitable for detecting the completion of the unloading operations of the products 900 in the unloading region 42.

[0056] Preferably, the control group controls the movements of the shuttles based on what is detected by the aforementioned sensors.

[0057] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the control group is a specific control group operable by means of a specifically configured and specifically connected electronic device.

[0058] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the housing tray 50 of each shuttle 5 is shaped in such a way as to temporarily retain the products 900, at least provisionally.

[0059] Preferably, the housing tray 50 is shaped to house a pack of products 900.

[0060] According to the present invention, the housing tray 50 comprises a bottom wall 500, vertical walls extending in height from the bottom wall 500 comprising a product passage opening 511, a rear wall 503 facing said product passage opening 511, and two side walls 502, 504.

[0061] In accordance with the present invention, the two side walls 502, 504 are configured so as to identify between them a product space P tapered proximal the product passage opening 511.

[0062] Preferably, the two side walls 502, 504 are positioned so that they converge towards the product passage opening 511.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the products 900 are pressed against one another in the transverse direction proximal the product passage opening 511 by the two side walls 502, 504.

[0064] That is to say, in top view the products 900 are arranged in a substantially pyramidal configuration.

[0065] Preferably, the product space P identifies the narrowest point at the product passage opening 511 (in particular at its lateral edges).

[0066] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the product passage opening 511 is positioned in a substantially central region of the housing tray 50.

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, the housing tray 50 comprises a front wall, wherein said product passage opening 511 is included in said front wall.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, said front wall is defined only by the front edges of the side walls 502, 504.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment, the side walls 502, 504 are configured to include an upper wing 512, 514 extending parallel to the bottom wall 500.

[0070] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the upper wings 512, 514 extend substantially parallel to the bottom wall 503 and are shaped so as to identify between them a product space P tapered proximal the product passage opening 511.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the products 900 are pressed against one another in the longitudinal direction where the upper wings 512, 514 are present.

[0072] That is to say, in side view the products 900 are arranged in a substantially pyramidal configuration, or in a substantially hourglass -shaped configuration.

[0073] In particular, preferably, the operating station 7 comprises at least one unloading element 70 and at least one conveyor element 75.

[0074] According to a preferred embodiment, the conveyor element 75 is suitable for transporting the pack of products. Preferably, the conveyor element 75 is a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor element 75 is a transfer device suitable for performing the transport by picking up and moving the pack of products.

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment, the unloading element 70 is suitable for engaging the products 900 housed on a shuttle 900 positioned in the unloading region 42 to push them to unload through the product passage opening 511.

[0076] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the unloading element 70 is an elongated component.

[0077] Preferably, the unloading element 70 is a bar or a tie-rod movable to come into contact with the products 900 protruding from the shuttle 5 (and in particular with their vertically protruding portion) to push them through the front opening 511.

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment, the operating station 7 comprises at least one conveyor element 75 on which the products 900 engaged to push by the unloading element 70 are unloaded.

[0079] According to a preferred embodiment, the conveyor element is a conveyor belt.

[0080] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the storage station 2 performs thestorage operations of the products 900 on a shuttle 5 in a region distal from the base surface4 and moves the shuttle 5 loaded with products to the loading region 41 in which the shuttle5 engages the base surface 4.

[0081] Preferably, the storage station 2 picks up an empty shuttle 5, that is, unloaded of products, to bring back to the loading region a shuttle 5 full of products.

[0082] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the products 900 are tubular die-cut items and the storage station 2 is configured to perform storage operations of tubular die-cut items in packs to perform the loading operations of a pack of tubular die-cut items onto a shuttle 5 positioned in the loading region 41, and the operating station 7 is configured to perform unloading operations of said pack of tubular die-cut items.

[0083] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the products 900 are information leaflets and the storage station 2 is configured to perform storage operations of information leaflets in packs to perform the loading operations of a pack of information leaflets onto a shuttle 5 positioned in the loading region 41, and the operating station 7 is configured to receive said pack of information leaflets.

[0084] By way of example, Figure 5 schematically shows the movements steps of the shuttles 5 (loaded and unloaded with products) on the base surface 4, showing the translations they perform in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. It is noted that preferably, with a vertical base surface, the same movements of the shuttles 5 are performed in the longitudinal direction and in the vertical direction.

[0085] According to a further embodiment, the plant is usable with products of different shapes and of different nature.

[0086] For example, the products may also be jars or small vials which, positioned in a vertical position, are suitable for being pushed out through the product passage opening 511. Preferably, the configuration of the side walls 502, 504 is such as to facilitate the singularised or metered exit of said products, using the side walls as a hopper. Furthermore, preferably, the presence of the upper wings in the side walls is such as to retain the products and prevent them from tipping over.

[0087] Innovatively, the plant fully achieves the intended purpose by overcoming the typical issues of the known art.

[0088] Advantageously, the plant comprises a feeding station in which each shuttle is suitable for moving a pack of products.

[0089] Advantageously, the feeding station is extremely versatile and the shuttles are movable when required.

[0090] Advantageously, the feeding station is extremely versatile and the shuttles are movable based on the execution of the loading and / or unloading operations.

[0091] Advantageously, the feeding station is extremely versatile and the movement speed of the shuttles depends on the execution of the loading and / or unloading operations.

[0092] Advantageously, the shuttles are shaped in such a way as to contain a pack of products thus to retain said products and avoid their undesired falling out during the movements of the shuttles.

[0093] Advantageously, the shuttles retain the products thanks to their shape without the need for further active gripping actions.

[0094] Advantageously, the feeding station has extremely compact dimensions and is positionable in a plant easily and with minimal difficulty.

[0095] Advantageously, the feeding station performs the loading and unloading operations without being affected by the dimensions and formats of the products.

[0096] Advantageously, the shuttles is configurable according to the products to be handled.

[0097] It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent needs, could make changes 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) are stored, preferably tubular die-cut items or information leaflets, an operating station (7) suitable for performing an operation on said products, and a feeding station (3) extending along a longitudinal axis (X-X), a transverse axis (Y-Y), and a vertical axis (V-V), comprising:- a base surface (4) extending with respect to an imaginary plane (I) comprising a loading region (41) facing the storage station (2) and an unloading region (42), longitudinally spaced from the loading region (41), facing the operating station (7);- at least one transport shuttle (5) comprising a housing tray (50) in which the products (900) are housed so as to be mutually aligned in a substantially vertical position, and movement means (55); wherein the movement means (55) 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; wherein the housing tray (50) comprises a bottom wall (500), vertical walls extending in height from the bottom wall (500) comprising a product passage opening (511), a rear wall (503) facing said product passage opening (511), and two side walls (502, 504) configured so as to identify a product space (P) therebetween, tapered proximal the product passage opening (511).

2. Plant (1) according to claim 1, wherein the product passage opening (511) is positioned in a substantially central region of the housing tray (50).

3. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing tray (50) comprises a front wall (501), wherein said product passage opening (511) is included in said front wall (501).

4. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (502, 504) comprise respective upper wings (512, 514) each extending parallel to the bottom wall (500).

5. Plant (1) according to claim 4, wherein the upper wings (512, 514) are shaped so as to identify a product space (P) therebetween, tapered proximal the product passage opening (511).

6. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base surface (4) extends with respect to a substantially horizontal imaginary plane (I) so that the at least one transport shuttle (5) translates parallel to said imaginary plane (I).

7. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating station (7) comprises an unloading element (70) suitable for engaging the products (900) housed on a shuttle (900) positioned in the unloading region (42) to push them for their unloading through the product passage opening (511).

8. Plant (1) according to claim 7, wherein the operating station (7) comprises at least one conveyor element (75) onto which the products (900) engaged by the pushing action of the unloading element (70) are unloaded.

9. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base surface (4) comprises an intermediate region (44) longitudinally located 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 park in said intermediate region (44) while another shuttle (5) is in the unloading region (42) and is undergoing unloading operations operating with the operating station (7).

10. 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.

11. 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 (555), for example ferromagnetic elements, suitable for undergoing the action of the magnetic field created by the magnetically active sensitive elements.

12. Plant (1) according to claim 11, 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 controlling the shuttles (5) in movement.

13. 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.

14. Plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the products (900) are tubular die-cut items or information leaflets and the storage station (2) is configured to perform the storage operations of tubular die-cut items or information leaflets in packs to perform the operations of loading a pack of tubular die-cut items or information leaflets onto a shuttle (5) positioned in the loading region (41), and the operating station (3) is configured to perform the unloading operations of the pack of tubular die-cut items or information leaflets housed on a shuttle (5) positioned in the unloading region (42).

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