EP3771668A2 - Installation and container for packaging containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation (1) for packaging containers (2) in containers, comprising a deployment module (4) of containers (3) fed folded and held in the form of a stack (30) inside the container (3). 'a supply rack (5), as well as a filling module (6) for the deployed containers (3), the deployment module (4) comprising means for gripping a folded container (3), and means for horizontal translational movement of said gripping means, along an X axis extending in parallel, above a plane (7) for conveying the deployed containers (3), the horizontal translational movement taking place between a position in which said gripping means overhang said supply rack (5) and a position in which they overhang a deposit zone (71) of a container (3) that comprises said conveying plane (7). It is characterized in that the filling module comprises at least one base (60) having at least one receiving surface (64) of a container (2), said base (60) being connected to the frame (10) in such a manner. on the one hand to extend between a conveyor belt (13) intended for the routing of the containers (2) and the conveying plane (7, 7A) intended for the routing of the deployed containers (3, 3A), and on the other hand to be placed in front of the deposit zone of an expanded container that comprises the conveying plane (7, 7A).

Description

The present invention relates to an installation for packaging containers, such as for example bottles, in containers such as in particular packaging cartons, the installation comprising a frame supporting a deployment module for containers routed folded and maintained in the form stack inside a supply rack delimited by a frame, as well as at least one module for filling the deployed containers, the deployment module comprising means for gripping a folded container, and means for horizontal translational movement of said gripping means, along an X axis extending above a conveying plane of the deployed containers, parallel to the axis thereof, at a height h equal to or greater than the depth p of an deployed container, the displacement in horizontal translation taking place between a position in which said gripping means overhang said supply rack and a position in the lacquer They overlook a drop zone for a container deployed from the conveying plane.

The invention further relates to a container intended to be used for conditioning containers during the implementation of such an installation.

At the present time, various solutions are already employed for the automated packaging of containers of various kinds in suitable containers.

Thus, for example, there is known a device and a method specifically designed to pack a larger number of champagne bottles in a palletizable packaging of fixed standard dimensions, described in the publication. WO 2011 01 0055 .

A machine for pushing bottles, lying in a horizontal position, inside individual cases is also described in the document FR 2 753 434 .

The publication FR 1,537,976 is dedicated to an installation for packaging objects in cardboard boxes transported folded, then deployed by means of a system comprising suction cups and a counterweight.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution to those known, making it possible, compared with the latter, to minimize the number of means required to accomplish automated packaging of containers in containers, and to simplify the structure of these means. In the same spirit, an additional object aimed at by the present invention is to provide a structure making it possible to limit the energy consumption of the installation, in particular by avoiding the use of suction cups, clamps, or other means for raising, orienting or lowering. from the receptacles towards the receptacles.

In short, the aim of the invention is to provide an installation for the mechanized packaging of containers, the size of which as well as the manufacturing and maintenance costs are reduced to a minimum.

Developing a solution in which the noise level is reduced to a minimum, thanks to a simplified structure in which the number of structural elements liable to be noisy is limited is also an objective of the present applicant, with a view to improving the working conditions of operators.

Furthermore, another objective of the invention is to provide a compact installation, designed so as to allow its possible integration into conventional production lines, called “end of line”, between the labeling machines on the one hand, and packaging renting systems and possible packaging palletizing robots on the other hand. In short, the developments undertaken within the framework of the invention have also aimed to provide an installation integrating in a single frame, all the technical means making it possible to carry out fully automated packaging of containers in a container, from the shaping thereof, through its filling, until it is closed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a container shaped to safely receive containers arranged horizontally on a single plane, this container being specifically designed to allow shaping. mechanized fast, through simple means and leading to an irreproachable result.

To this end, the present invention relates to an installation of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that the filling module comprises at least one base having at least one surface for receiving a receptacle, said base being connected to the frame of on the one hand so as to extend between a conveyor belt intended for the transport of the containers and the conveying plane intended for the transport of the deployed containers, and on the other hand to be placed in front of the deposit zone a deployed container included in the conveying plan.

According to a characteristic of the installation according to the invention, the gripping means of the deployment module comprise at least one "L" shaped tab, while the means for moving in horizontal translation comprise a carriage mounted to slide by means of 'a linear actuator on the frame.

An additional characteristic of the installation according to the invention is defined by the fact that the supply rack comprises means for moving in vertical translation of a support element of a stack of folded containers, which said supply rack comprises. .

In the context of a preferred embodiment variant, the gripping means comprise at least one "L" -shaped tab, having a vertical-looking branch extended by a horizontal-looking branch, intended to cooperate with at least one. slot that said containers comprise, and in that said tab is itself mounted movably in horizontal translation on said carriage, relative to the frame of the supply rack, between an inactive position and an active position corresponding respectively to a position in which , when the cart is placed above the feed rack, the horizontal leg of the leg is centered on the axis of a slot of a container intended to be placed on the stack and a position in which its horizontal leg is offset from the axis of the same slot.

It should be noted that the tab can be mounted movable in translation on said carriage along an axis which may, depending on the case, be perpendicular or parallel to the X axis.

In accordance with a possible variant embodiment, the zone for depositing the conveying plane is defined by the upper face of a plate mounted to pivot on said frame, around an axis A perpendicular to the axis X, downstream of the rack d supply, between a position for receiving the deployed containers and an evacuation position for the filled containers.

In this case, the plate is preferably designed capable of pivoting through an angle of 90 °, clockwise or counterclockwise to switch from one of its positions to the other.

According to another characteristic, the plate comprises at least one stopper extending perpendicularly to the X axis, on its upper face, so as to be situated in the median axis of the conveying plane when the plate is placed in its position of reception of deployed containers.

Provision has also been made for the filling module to include first means for transferring a container from the conveyor belt to the receiving surface of the base, means for tilting the filling module between a position in which the surface of receiving the base extends in a plane perpendicular to the conveyor belt and the conveying plane and a position in which the receiving surface of the base extends in the plane of the conveyor belt and the conveying plane, as well as the second means for transferring the container from the receiving surface of the base to a deployed container placed on the deposit zone of the conveying plane.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first transfer means comprise at least one arm mounted in rotation on said module along the base between an inactive position in which it extends in a plane of appearance perpendicular to the receiving surface and an active position in which it extends in a plane parallel to the receiving surface vis-à-vis the latter, said arm being shaped to be able to fit a portion of a container when it is placed in its active position.

An alternative solution has also been proposed, in which the first transfer means comprise an “L” -shaped arm, having a branch extending parallel to the conveyor belt, and mounted in horizontal translation with respect to the base along a axis perpendicular to the conveyor belt between an inactive position in which the branch is located along an outer edge of the conveyor belt and an active position in which the branch is located along an internal edge of the conveyor belt, at near the base.

In this case, the base can advantageously have several receiving surfaces delimited by wedges.

Another characteristic of the installation according to the invention is further defined by the fact that the second transfer means can be defined by two tori extending in parallel planes, each stretched over two pulleys mounted in rotation on the filling module. , said tori forming the receiving surface of the base.

On the other hand, provision is also made for the filling module to include means designed capable of keeping open an deployed container, placed on the conveyor belt, these means possibly consisting for example of a rod with an axis parallel to the surface of the container. receiving the base, extending in the extension of a face of the base oriented in the direction of the conveying plane of the containers when the receiving surface of the base extends in the plane of the conveyor belt and the conveying plane, the rod being designed capable, where appropriate, of adopting an inactive position in which it is retracted into the volume occupied by the filling module and an active position in which it emerges from this same volume.

Advantageously, the filling module can also be equipped with means designed capable of completing the insertion of the container into a container.

Another characteristic of the installation according to the invention is defined by the fact that it comprises a module for closing the containers, sheltered by said frame, and comprising means for automatically closing the containers, integral with the conveying plane.

Advantageously, the automatic closing means preferably comprise means for automatically bringing the flaps that the containers include to a closed position of said containers and means for automatically applying to said containers means for maintaining the flaps in the closed position of the containers.

The subject of the invention is also a container intended to be used to condition at least one container by means of the installation as described above, comprising two opposite side walls each connected by a fold line to an upper wall. and to a lower wall, upper, lower and side flaps respectively connected by fold lines to the front and rear ends of the side, upper and lower walls, characterized in that it comprises means allowing it to be gripped by the gripping means of the installation deployment device.

In accordance with a possible variant embodiment, the container according to the invention comprises at least one slot designed to allow the insertion of the "L" -shaped tab of the gripping means of the deployment device of the installation.

The slit may advantageously be formed on a top flap near one of the fold lines connecting the top wall to the top flap.

The container according to the invention is further characterized in that it comprises means for wedging at least two containers, obtained from a blank of material having means allowing it to be gripped by the gripping means of the deployment device. of the installation and comprising cutouts and fold lines defining portions designed to be placed with respect to each other under the effect of their gravity.

In the context of the invention, it may be provided that a first portion of the material blank is connected to the internal face of the upper wall of the container and / or that a second portion of the material blank is connected to the face inside the bottom wall of the container.

The invention will be better understood, and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the light of the description which follows in relation to the appended figures in which:

The figure 1 is an overall view of an alternative embodiment of the installation according to the invention, applied to the packaging of bottles in cardboard boxes, in which the mobile carriage is moved in translation by a linear actuator centered on its path,

The figure 2 represents the installation of the figure 1 viewed from another angle, during another step of the bottle packaging process, and in which the mobile carriage is moved in translation by a linear actuator extending offset from its path,

The figure 3 shows in an enlarged manner the means of gripping the deployment module of the installation of the figure 1 ,

The figure 4 illustrates an enlarged view of the filling module included in the installation of the figure 1 ,

The figures 5A-5E illustrate the different stages of the implementation of this same filling module,

The figures 6A-6C illustrate the different stages of shaping an alternative embodiment of the container according to the invention,

The figures 7A and 7B illustrate an alternative embodiment of a wedging element that the container of figure 6 , respectively before and after its formatting,

The figure 8 represents the container of figure 6 devoid of its flaps for reasons of clarity of the drawing and comprising the wedging element of the figure 7 visible in transparency,

The figure 9 illustrates an overall view of another variant embodiment of the installation according to the invention,

The figures 10A and 10B is a simplified view of the stages of deployment of a container by means of the deployment module included in the installation of the figure 9 ,

The figures 11A-11E schematically illustrate the different stages of the implementation of the filling module involved in the installation of the figure 9 , and

The figures 12A-12C schematically illustrate the various stages of the implementation of the locking module involved in the installation of the figure 9 .

In the variant embodiments illustrated in the figures, the installation 1, 1A according to the invention is implemented to package bottles 2 in cardboard boxes 3, 3A. Of course, it could also be applied to the packaging of containers of different shape, such as flasks, jars, etc.

It conventionally comprises a frame 10 supporting a deployment module 4, 4A of the boxes 3, 3A routed respectively folded in the manner illustrated in figures 6A and 10A . As illustrated in figures 1 and 2 , the boxes 3 are maintained in the form of a stack 30, 30A inside a supply rack 5, delimited by a frame 50, and equipped with means for moving in vertical translation of a support element 51 of the stack 30, 30A, between a plane P on which the installation 1 rests and the deployment device 4, 4A. This makes it possible to feed the latter as and when the folded boxes 3, 3A are withdrawn, the stack 30, 30A being progressively moved so as to approach the gripping means and consequently to move away from the plane P.

It should be noted that in the examples illustrated, the cardboard boxes 3, 3A have a conventional parallelepipedal shape, in which they have two opposite side walls 31 each connected by a fold line 32 to an upper wall 33 and to a lower wall. 34, as well as two upper flaps 35, two lower flaps 36 and four side flaps 37 respectively connected by fold lines 38 at the front and rear ends of the side walls 31, upper 33 and lower 34.

In short, such a configuration makes it possible to have the bottles 2 in the boxes 3, 3A in such a way that the axis of symmetry of the bottles 2 is parallel to the lower walls 34, and upper 33.

In the illustrated embodiments, the installation 1, 1A and the box 3, 3A are furthermore designed such that the bottles 2 are introduced into each box 3, 3A such that their axis of symmetry also extends. parallel to the side walls 31 of the body 3, 3A.

In this regard, in the embodiments illustrated, the frame 10 of the installation 1, 1A also houses two filling modules 6, 6A, intended to perform the operation of inserting the bottles 2 into the boxes 3, 3A when these are deployed.

More precisely, the two filling modules 6, 6A are arranged on either side (cf. figures 1 and 2 illustrating the first variant embodiment) of a central conveying plane 7, 7A having a deposit zone 71 on which the boxes 3, 3A are arranged after their deployment. Each filling module 6, 6A here allows three bottles 2 to be introduced simultaneously through one of the opposite front and rear faces of a case 3, 3A, so that six bottles 2 can be packaged in one and the same operation. Of course, the boxes 3, 3A are dimensioned so as to be able to accommodate these six bottles 2.

In particular, in the example illustrated, the boxes 3, 3A are shaped to accommodate six bottles 2 arranged head-to-tail with respect to each other, and separated from each other by wedging means 8, which will be described in more detail in details below.

In the installation 1, the deployment module 4 and the boxes 3 are specifically designed to allow deployment of the latter under the effect of their gravity.

For this purpose, with reference to figures 6A-6C , the boxes 3 comprise two series of three slots 39 extending over each upper flap 35, in the vicinity of each fold line 38.

The deployment module 4 comprises for its part gripping means of a folded body 3, designed to cooperate with the slots 39, and means for horizontally translating these gripping means, along an axis X extending above the conveyor plane 7 (which includes the area deposit 71 of the boxes 3 deployed), at a height h equal to or greater than the depth p of a box 3 deployed, it being specified that the depth p corresponds to the distance between its upper 33 and lower 34 walls (cf. fig. 6C ).

More specifically, in this variant embodiment, the gripping means comprise six "L" -shaped legs 9, having a vertical-shaped branch extended by a horizontal-shaped branch 90, each intended to cooperate with a slot 39 of checkout 3.

In fact, the legs 9 are integral with a carriage 11 slidably mounted along the X axis on a linear actuator 12 with which the frame 10 is provided, between a position in which it extends above the rack. feed 5 and a position in which it overhangs the deposit zone 71 of the conveying plane 7. It should be noted that depending on the case, the linear actuator 12 can be centered above the conveying plane 7, (cf. fig. 1 ) or extend along one of the sides of the frame 10 (cf. fig. 2 or fig. 3 ).

In this variant embodiment, the carriage 11 carries two series of three legs 9 extending on either side of the X axis, with their horizontal branches 90 pointing in the direction of the X axis. In other words , the horizontal branches 90 of a series of three legs 9 point in the direction of the horizontal branches 90 of the other series of three legs 9.

Furthermore, the legs 9 are distributed over the mobile cart 11 such that when the mobile cart 11 is located above the supply rack 5, just before the start of the process of deploying a box 3, the branch horizontal 90 of each tab 9 is placed above a slot 39, in the axis of the latter, and can therefore be inserted therein.

In addition, the legs 9 are mounted movable in horizontal translation on the carriage 11, along a Y axis, perpendicular to the X axis, between an inactive position, corresponding to that mentioned above, in which when the carriage 11 is placed above the supply rack 5, the horizontal branch 90 of each leg 9 is centered on the axis of a slot 39 of a folded box 3 placed on the stack 30, and an active position in which the horizontal branch 90 of each tab 9 is offset relative to the axis of the slots 39, and the upper wall 33 of the body 3 rests on the horizontal branch 90. In other words, the two series of tabs 9 can move on the carriage 11 so as to approach one another and allow the upper wall 33 of a box 3 to rest on their horizontal branches 90 or move away from one another and allow said branches 90 to insert or extract the slots 39.

In practice, when the installation 1 is started up, the mobile cart 11 is located above the supply rack 5. A stack 30 of folded boxes 3 is placed in the support element 51 of the rack. feed 5 and hoisted, if necessary, to a height such that the horizontal branches 90 of the legs 9 of the gripping means are able to be introduced into the slots 39 of the box 3 from the top of the stack 30.

When this is the case, the deployment device 4 is actuated.

The horizontal branches 90 of the legs 9 then enter the slots 39, then the legs 9 of a first series approach those of the other series, allowing the upper wall 33 of the body 3 in question to rest on the horizontal branches 90.

The support element 51 supporting the stack 30 in the supply rack 5 then undergoes a slight displacement in the direction of the plane P, which allows the stack 30 to be moved away from the box 3 which has just been gripped by the tabs 9 .

The mobile trolley 11 then moves away from the supply rack 5, causing the body 3 supported by the legs 9 in its movement, and then causing the deployment of the body 3 under the effect of gravity.

The mobile carriage 11 continues its course until it reaches the top of the conveying plane 7. If necessary, it goes beyond the filling zone and moves back and forth in one direction and then in the other along the line. X axis above the deposit zone 71 of the conveying plane 7, in order to allow a complete completion of the deployment of the body 3.

Then, the latter is deposited, at the height of the filling modules 6, on the deposit zone 71 of the conveying plane 7, advantageously defined, in the illustrated variant embodiments of the installation 1, 1A, by the upper face of a plate 101 pivotally mounted on the frame 10 about an axis A perpendicular to the axis X, downstream of the supply rack 5, between a position for receiving the containers 3, 3A deployed and an evacuation position for the containers 3, 3A filled. In fact, in the variant embodiments illustrated, the plate is designed to be able to pivot through an angle of 90 ° to switch from one of its positions to the other, as will be described in more detail below.

It is specified that the installation 1A (cf. figures 9 , 10A, 10B ) differs from installation 1 in particular by the fact that the gripping means of the deployment module 4A only comprise a single “L” -shaped tab 9A connected to a carriage 11A slidably mounted on the frame 10. Furthermore , with reference to figures 10A and 10B , the plate 101 here comprises a cleat 72 integral with its upper face 73, and extending perpendicularly to the axis X, in the median axis of the conveying plane 7A, when the plate 101 is placed in its position for receiving the 3A containers deployed.

Thus, in this variant embodiment, the deployment of a container 3A positioned at the top of a stack 30 of folded containers positioned in the supply rack 5, is carried out not by gravity but by simple translation of the container 3A from the stack 30 to the deposit zone 71 of the conveying plane 7A. In fact, each container 3A is placed on the stack 30 such that its fold lines 31 are oriented perpendicular to the X axis. When launching the deployment module 4A, the tab 9A is located as illustrated in figure 10A , above the supply rack 5, so that the stack 30 of containers 3A is disposed between the tab 9A and the lug 72, and near a fold line 31. Furthermore, the latch 72 is itself separated from the supply rack 5 by the deposit zone 71 of the conveying plane 7A. Thus, when the carriage 11A is moved in translation along the frame 10 from the supply rack 5 in the direction of the deposit zone 71, the tab 9A bears on the fold line 31 of the still folded container 3A and the drives with it in its movement until the opposite fold line 31 is placed in abutment against the stopper 72. At this stage, the container 3A is upright by unfolding (cf. figure 10B ). It should be noted that in this variant of the installation 1A, the conveying plane 7 is aligned with the top of the stack 30 of containers 3A, while in the variant embodiment described above, the conveying plane 7 is necessarily located below the plane containing the top of the stack 30. Furthermore, the deployment module 4A included in the installation 1A allows the use of containers 3A without a slot.

It is also specified that each container 3, 3A comprises means for wedging the bottles 2, advantageously obtained by deploying a blank 8 of cardboard, inserted into the box 3, 3A, either under the effect of gravity, or under the effect of the translational displacement of the container 3A.

As illustrated in figures 7A, 7B and 8 , the cardboard blank 8 has zones 83 allowing it to be gripped by the tabs 9 of the deployment device 4 of the installation 1. More precisely, the blank 8 has edges 83, intended to be positioned along the fold lines 38 of a box 3, when the blank 8 is inserted into the latter, and under which the horizontal branches 90 of the tabs 9 of the gripping means can be placed when they are introduced into the slots 39 of a box 3. Thus , the tabs 9 are able to jointly support a box 3 and a wedging blank 8 previously inserted into the latter, making any possible attachment of the blank 8 to the box 3. As regards the containers 3A, the blanks 8 qu 'they comprise, on the contrary, are secured to their internal face by several points of adhesive, so that they are deployed jointly with the container 3A, at the end of travel of the tab 9A.

Each blank 8 also comprises cutouts 80 and fold lines 81 delimiting portions 82, designed to be properly placed with respect to each other during the deployment of a box 3, 3A, and to delimit housings between them. 84 for bottles 2.

The blanks 8 are inserted into the folded boxes 3, 3A before their storage in the form of a stack 30 in the supply rack 5. However, a blank 8 can also be inserted into a box 3, 3A already deployed. Each blank 8 is designed capable of extending between the upper 33 and lower 34 walls of a box 3, 3A and has a surface area equivalent to that of the latter.

As indicated above, depending on the case, the blank 8 can be disposed freely between the walls 33, 34 or made integral with the internal face of the upper wall 33 and / or with the internal face of the lower wall 34.

For this purpose, with reference to the figure 7B , it may for example be provided that a portion 82A is integral with the internal face of the upper wall 33 and a portion 82B is integral with the internal face of the lower wall 34 of a body 3. It should be noted that the the presence of these portions 82A, 82B allows perfect positioning of the wedging means, represented by the portions 82, in a box 3, 3A after the deployment of the assembly formed by a box 3, 3A and a wedging blank 8.

As the deposit of the assembly formed by a box 3, 3A and a wedging blank 8, deployed, on the deposit zone 71, that is to say the upper face 73 of the plate 101 of the plane conveyor 7, 7A, the filling modules 6, 6A carry out the introduction of bottles 2 into the housings 84 delimited by the portions 82 of the wedging means 8.

In accordance with the invention, in the embodiments illustrated, the filling module 6, 6A comprises three bases 60 connected to the frame 10 of the installation 1, 1A so on the one hand to extend between a conveyor belt 13 intended for the routing of the containers 2 and the conveying plane 7, 7A intended for the routing of the deployed containers 3, 3A, and on the other hand to be placed in front of the deposit zone 71 of a container 3 , 3A deployed that includes the conveyor plane 7, 7A. The bases 60 each have two tori 61, extending in parallel planes, and each stretched over two pulleys 62 mounted in rotation on the filling module 6, 6A. Each pair of tori 61 thus forms a receiving surface 64 for a bottle 2 (cf. fig. 4 , 5A-5E , 11A-11E ).

Furthermore, in the filling module 6 of the installation 1, each module 6 is equipped with three arms 63, mounted to pivot along each base 60, between an inactive position in which they extend in a plane of speed. perpendicular to the receiving surface 64 formed by the tori 61 and an active position in which they extend in a plane parallel to the receiving surface 64, facing the latter. More precisely, the pivoting of the arms 63 is actuated by means of a jack 67 to which they are connected by rods 66.

The arms 63 make it possible to transfer each bottle 2 from the conveyor belt 13 to the receiving surface 64 of a base 60. Furthermore, each arm 63 is shaped so as to be able to match the base of a bottle 2 when it is placed in. its active position, and thus contributes to the perfect locking in position of a bottle 2 on a base 60 during its manipulation by the filling module 6.

On the other hand, in the filling module 6A of the installation 1A, the bases 60 are provided with wedges 88 delimiting the receiving surfaces 64. In addition, the bottles 2 are transferred from the conveyor belt 13 to the bases 60. by means of an arm 63A in "L" having a branch 85 extending parallel to the conveyor belt 13 and mounted in horizontal translation on the bases 60 along a Z axis perpendicular to the conveyor belt 13 between an inactive position in which the branch 85 is located along an outer edge 86 of the conveyor belt 13 and an active position in which the branch 85 is located along an internal edge 87 of the conveyor belt 13, near the bases 60 (cf. figures 11B, 11C ).

Furthermore, each filling module 6, 6A is equipped with means for tilting between a position in which the receiving surface 64 of the bases 60 extends in a plane perpendicular to the conveying plane 7 and to the conveying belt 13 and a position in which the receiving surface 64 of the bases 60 extends in the plane of the conveyor belt 13 and of the upper face 73 of the plate 101 of the conveying plane 7, 7A.

In practice, when a deployed box 3, 3A, provided with its wedging means 8 also deployed, arrives at the level of the filling module 6, 6A, three bottles 2 are inserted by one side of the box 3, 3A by a first filling module 6, 6A and simultaneously three other bottles 2 are inserted through the other side of the box 3, 3A by the second filling module 6, 6A.

At the start of the process of filling a box 3, 3A, the two modules 6, 6A are in the position in which the receiving surfaces 64 of the bases 60 extend in the plane of the belt 13 and of the deposit zone 71 .

The three bottles 2 are conveyed up to each module 6, 6A by the conveyor belt 13, in such a way that they are each located in front of a receiving surface 64.

The modules 6, 6A then switch to their position in which the receiving surfaces 64 of the bases 60 extend in a plane perpendicular to the conveyor belt 13 and to the deposit zone 71, that is to say parallel to the 'axis of symmetry of the bottles 2 placed vertically on the conveying plane 13.

At this stage, the arms 63 of the filling mold 6 are placed in their inactive position, near the base of the bottles 2, perpendicular to the receiving surfaces 64, along each base 60.

A pivoting of the arms 63 towards their active position then drives each bottle 2 towards the receiving surface 64 which faces it, and keeps it locked against the latter.

As regards the filling module 6A, at this stage the "L" arm 63A is also placed in its inactive position, its branch 85 extending along the outer edge 86 of the conveyor belt 13. A translational movement horizontal arm 63A along the Z axis allows its branch 85 to be driven in the direction of the bases 60. The bottles 2 are driven in the same direction when the branch 85 comes into contact with them and continues to travel to the bases 60 The bottles 2 are then held against their respective receiving surfaces 64 by means of the "L" arm 63A.

A new tilting of the modules 6, 6A then makes it possible to reposition the receiving surfaces 64 in the plane of the conveyor belt 13, and of the deposit zone 71, directly in front of the latter, driving the bottles 2 towards a position in which their axis of symmetry extends horizontally. Such a rotation of the modules 6, 6A around their center of gravity makes it possible to avoid any manipulation of the bottles 2 by an operator, in particular for them. lift and replace them, and therefore considerably limits any untimely fatigue.

Rotation of the toroids 61, driven by the pulleys 62, then causes the transfer of the bottles 2 from the receiving surfaces 64 to a deployed box 3, 3A, placed on the deposit zone 71 of the conveying plane 7, 7A.

At this stage, a rod 14, of axis parallel to the receiving surface 64 of each base 60 (cf. fig. 5A and 5C ) and extending, in its active position ( fig. 5C , 11C ), in the extension of a face 65 of the base 60 oriented in the direction of the conveying plane 7, 7A when the receiving surface 64 is placed in the plane thereof, makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the bottles 2 into a body 3, 3A by resting on a lower flap 36, preventing the latter from positioning itself on the path of the bottles 2.

It should be noted that each module 6, 6A further comprises a bar 68, integral with the tori 61, extending transversely to the latter at the level of one end 69 of each base 60 extending in front of the conveyor belt 13. when the receiving surface 64 is placed in the plane thereof (cf. fig. 4 ). Thus, when the bottles 2 are held against each receiving surface 64, their base 20 is in abutment against an edge 70 of the bar 68. During the rotational movement of the toruses 61, the latter is moved in translation in the direction of the plane of conveying 7, 7A on which rests a box 3, 3A. It is shaped such that at the end of the rotational movement of the toroids 61 its edge 70 extends slightly outside the receiving surfaces 64, close to the conveying plane 7, 7A. Such a structure advantageously makes it possible to perfect the packaging of the bottles 2 in the box 3, 3A still in abutment against the edge 70 by pushing them into the internal volume of said box 3, 3A.

According to another alternative, the bar 68 moves freely in translation along each receiving surface 64 and makes it possible both to move the bottles 2 in translation along the latter in the direction of a box 3, 3A and to proceed to their complete insertion into it. In this case, the tori 61 rotate freely and simply act as a receiving surface 64 for the bottles 2.

It should also be noted that the installation 1A advantageously comprises a module 100 for closing the containers 3A, also housed by the frame 10, and comprising means for automatically closing the containers 3A, integral with the conveying plane 7A.

According to a conceivable variant embodiment, the automatic closing means may comprise means for automatically bringing the flaps 36 that the containers 3A include to a closed position of said containers 3A and means for automatically applying to said containers 3A holding means, such as for example a piece of a roll of adhesive tape 102, flaps 35, 36, 37 in the closed position of the containers 3A.

With reference to figures 12A-12C , the automatic closing means comprise two pairs of pivoting hooks 103, defined here by sections of flat profiles in the shape of "C", mounted symmetrically on either side of the median axis of the conveying plane 7A le along opposite edges of the pivoting plate 101, and intended for closing the side flaps 37. They also include two pivoting fingers 108 intended for closing the lower flaps 36, also integral with the rotating plate 101, and mounted symmetrically along opposite edges of the latter.

The automatic closing means also comprise two extraction belts 104 extending parallel to the X axis, above the conveying plane 7A, and each provided on their lower face with two studs 105 spaced apart from each other by a distance f greater than the width i (which corresponds to the distance between the fold lines 38) of a container 3A. The straps 104 are intended for closing the upper flaps 37.

In fact, the pivoting hooks 103 are mounted in rotation on the rotating plate 101, around a horizontal axis 109 perpendicular to the X axis, between an active position (cf. fig. 12B ) and an inactive position (cf. figures 12A and 12C ). More precisely, in their inactive position illustrated in figure 12A , they are arranged in a plane both perpendicular to the conveying plane 7A and parallel to the X axis, below the plate 10, their small branches 107 pointing in opposite directions. In their active position shown in figure 12B , they have rotated by half a turn, and are always arranged in a plane both perpendicular to the conveying plane 7A, and parallel to the X axis. But, this time, they are located opposite the upper face 73 of the turntable 101, the small branches 107 of the hooks 103 of the same pair pointing towards each other. The same applies to the fingers 108, movable in rotation by half a turn around a horizontal axis 110, perpendicular to the X axis, between an inactive position in which they extend below the plane defined by the turntable 101 ( figures 12A, 12C ) and an active position ( figure 12B ) in which they extend above the plane defined by the turntable 101.

On the other hand, the extraction belts 104 are movable in vertical translation between an inactive high position and an active low position. In their inactive position (cf. figures 12A and 12B ) they are located at a height of the conveying plane 7A such that the studs 105 are located away from the upper face 73 of the turntable 101 by a distance j0 greater than the depth p of an deployed container 3A. Moreover, in their active position (cf. fig. 12C ), they are located at a height of the conveying plane 7A such that the studs 105 are located away from the upper face 73 of the turntable 101 by a distance j1 less than the depth p of an deployed container 3A.

Thus, when the container 3A is filled with six bottles 2, the two pairs of hooks 103 and the two fingers 108 pivot from their inactive position illustrated in figure 12A to their active position shown in figure 12B . During their movement, the hooks 103 and the fingers 108 bear respectively on the side flaps 37 the lower flaps 36 which are then gradually folded towards the closed position of the container 3A. A 45 ° cutout of the flaps 36, 37 allows them to fit into each other and remain in the closed position reached.

At this point, the plate 101 pivots a quarter of a turn, for example, clockwise, which allows the upper flaps 35 of the container 3A to be placed perpendicular to the extraction belts 104. These then move towards their active lower position. During their movement, the studs 105 are supported on the upper flaps 35 of the container 3A and lead them towards their position of complete closure of the container 3A (cf. fig. 12C ). At the start of the closing of the upper flaps 35 by the studs of the extraction belt 104, the hooks 103 and the fingers 108 return to their inactive position below the rotating plate 101.

The plate 101 having rotated by a quarter of a turn, the stopper 72 is now located parallel to the X axis. Thus, it does not hinder the movement of the closed container 3A between the plate 101 and a closing zone 76 of the plane. conveyor 7A, by means of extraction belts 104, remained in the low position and driven in a rotational movement around tension rollers 105.

One or more strips of adhesive are then applied to the container 3A in order to keep the flaps securely closed.

Then, the extraction belts 104 return to their inactive position.

In parallel, the plate 101 again pivots a quarter of a turn, in the opposite direction, therefore anti-clockwise in the example described, in order to find itself in the position in which the cleat 72 extends perpendicularly to the X axis, allowing a new cycle of deploying, filling and closing a 3A container to start.

Claims (23)

Installation (1, 1A) for packaging containers (2) in containers such as packaging boxes (3), comprising a frame (10) supporting a deployment module (4, 4A) of containers (3, 3A ) routed folded and held in the form of a stack (30) inside a supply rack (5) delimited by a frame (50), as well as at least one filling module (6, 6A) of the containers (3, 3A) deployed, the deployment module (4, 4A) comprising means for gripping a folded container (3, 3A), and means for moving in horizontal translation of said gripping means, along a X axis extending above a plane (7, 7A) for conveying the containers (3, 3A) deployed, parallel to the axis thereof, at a height h equal to or greater than the depth p d 'a container (3, 3A) deployed, the movement in horizontal translation taking place between a position in which said gripping means overhang said supply rack (5) and a position on in which they overhang a deposit zone (71) of an expanded container that comprises the conveying plane (7, 7A), characterized in that the filling module comprises at least one base (60) having at least one surface receiving (64) a container (2), said base (60) being connected to the frame (10) so as on the one hand to extend between a conveyor belt (13) intended for the transport of the containers (2) and the conveying plane (7, 7A) intended for the routing of the deployed containers (3, 3A), and on the other hand to be arranged in front of the deposit zone of an deployed container that comprises the conveying plane (7, 7A). Installation (1, 1A) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping means of the deployment module (4, 4A) comprise at least one lug (9, 9A) in the shape of an "L", while the means of horizontal translational movement comprise a carriage (11, 11A) slidably mounted by means of a linear actuator (12) on the frame (10). Installation (1, 1A) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the supply rack (5) comprises means for moving in vertical translation of an element support (51) of a stack (30) of folded containers (3, 3A) that comprises said rack (5). Installation (1) according to any one of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the lug (9) has a branch of vertical appearance extended by a branch (90) of horizontal appearance, intended to cooperate with at least one slot (39) in said containers (3) and in that said tab (9) is itself mounted movable in horizontal translation on said carriage (11), relative to the frame (50) of the supply rack (5) ), between an inactive position and an active position corresponding respectively to a position in which, when the carriage (11) is placed above the supply rack (5), the horizontal branch (90) of the bracket (9) is centered on the axis of said slot (39) of a container (3) placed on the stack (30) and a position in which its horizontal branch (90) is offset from the axis of this same slot ( 39). Installation (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the tab (9) is mounted movably in translation on said carriage (11) along an axis perpendicular to the X axis or along an axis parallel to the X axis. Installation (1, 1A) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deposition zone (71) is defined by the upper face of a plate (101) mounted to pivot on said frame (10), around it. 'an axis A perpendicular to the X axis, downstream of the supply rack (5), between a position for receiving the containers (3, 3A) deployed and an evacuation position for the filled containers (3, 3A). Installation (1, 1A) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the plate (101) is designed to be able to pivot through an angle of 90 °, in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, to pass from one of its positions to the other. Installation (1A) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the plate (101) comprises at least one cleat (72) extending on its upper face (73) so as to be located perpendicular to the 'X axis, in the median axis of the conveying plane (7A) when the plate (101) is placed in its position for receiving the containers (3A) deployed. Installation (1, 1A) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling module (6, 6A) comprises first means for transferring a container (2) from the conveyor belt (13) to the receiving surface (64) of the base (60), means for tilting the module (6, 6A) between a position in which the receiving surface (64) of the base (60) extends in a plane perpendicular to the belt conveyor belt (13) and the conveyor plane (7, 7A) and a position in which the receiving surface (64) of the base (60) extends in the plane of the conveyor belt (13) and the conveyor plane (7, 7A), as well as second means for transferring the container (2) from the receiving surface (64) of the base (60) to a container (3, 3A) deployed arranged on the deposit zone (71) of the conveying plane (7, 7A). Installation (1, 1A) according to claim 9, characterized in that the first transfer means comprise at least one arm (63) mounted in rotation on said module (6) along the base (60) between an inactive position in which it extends in a plane of aspect perpendicular to the reception surface (64) and an active position in which it extends in a plane of aspect parallel to the reception surface (64) vis-à-vis the latter, said arm (63) being shaped to be able to match a portion of a container (2) when it is placed in its active position. Installation (1, 1A) according to claim 9, characterized in that the first transfer means comprise an "L" shaped arm (63A) having a branch (85) extending parallel to the conveyor belt (13) and mounted in horizontal translation relative to the pedestal (60) along an axis perpendicular to the conveyor belt (13) between an inactive position in which the branch (85) is located along an outer edge (86) of the conveyor belt (13) and an active position in which the branch (85) is located along an internal edge (87) of the conveyor belt (13), close to the base (60). Installation (1, 1A) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the base (60) has several receiving surfaces (64) delimited by wedges (88). Installation (1, 1 A) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the second transfer means are defined by two tori (61) extending in parallel planes, each stretched over two pulleys (62 ) mounted in rotation on the filling module (6, 6A), said toroids (61) forming the receiving surface (64) of the base (60). Installation (1, 1A) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the filling module (6, 6A) comprises means designed capable of keeping open a container (3, 3A) deployed, arranged on the conveyor belt (7, 7A). Installation (1, 1A) according to Claim 14, characterized in that the means designed to hold open a container (3, 3A) deployed are defined by a rod (14) of axis parallel to the receiving surface (64) of the base (60), extending in the extension of a face (65) of the base (60) intended to be oriented in the direction of the conveying plane (7, 7A) of the containers (3, 3A) when the surface of reception (64) extends in the plane of the conveyor belt (13) and of the conveyor plane (7, 7A). Installation (1, 1A) according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the filling module (6, 6A) comprises means (68) designed capable of completing the insertion of the container (2) into a containing (3, 3A). Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a module for closing the containers (3, 3A), housed by said frame (10), and comprising means for automatically closing the containers (3, 3A). ), integral with the conveying plane (7, 7A). Installation according to Claim 17, characterized in that the automatic closing means comprise means for automatically bringing the flaps that the containers (3, 3A) include to a closed position of said containers (3, 3A) and means for automatically applying on said containers (3, 3A) means for holding the flaps (3, 3A) in the closed position of the containers (3, 3A). Container (3) intended to be used to condition at least one container (2) by means of the installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising two opposite side walls (31) each connected by a fold line (32) to an upper wall (33) and to a lower wall (34), upper (35), lower (36), side flaps (37), respectively connected by fold lines (38) at the front and rear ends of the side (31), upper (33) and lower (34) walls, characterized in that it comprises means allowing it to be gripped by the gripping means of the deployment device (4) of the installation (1). Container (3) according to Claim 19, characterized in that it comprises at least one slot (39) designed to allow the insertion of the "L" shaped tab (9) of the gripping means of the deployment device (4 ) of the installation (1). Container (3) according to claim 20, characterized in that the slot (39) is formed on an upper flap (35) near one of the fold lines (38) connecting the upper wall (33) to the upper flap ( 35). Container (3) according to any one of Claims 19 to 21, characterized in that it comprises means for wedging at least one container (2), obtained from a blank of material (8) having means allowing it to be gripped by the gripping means of the deployment device (4) of the installation (1) and comprising cutouts (80) and fold lines (81) delimiting portions (82) designed to be able to place the relative to each other under the effect of their gravity. Container (2) according to Claim 22, characterized in that a first portion (82A) of the material blank (8) is connected to the internal face of the upper wall (33) of the container (3) and / or that a second portion (82B) of the material blank (8) is connected to the internal face of the lower wall (34) of the container (3).

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