ES2326696T3 - PARTICULAR WRAPPING MACHINE TO WRAP CONFITERIA PRODUCTS SUCH AS CHOCOLATE TABLETS AND SIMILAR PRODUCTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Multi-line machine for wrapping products (P), comprising a plurality of lines or wrap alignments (F) that are adjacent and coplanar with each other, each wrapping line being defined between a common input station (2) and a respective station of output (3) for the output of the wrapped products, said lines running parallel to each other in a forward direction from the input station to the exit station, transporting means (N) being provided for transporting the products (P) in line one by one along each respective wrapping line, the products contributed to the input station (2) in rows at a set speed, each product of each row being incorporated into each respective wrapping line at the same time, being provided drag means on each respective wrap line to drag a respective wrapping film (T) in a direction of unwrapping wrapping, wrapping means being provided for wrapping the individual product (P) in wrapping film (T) and also for cutting and welding the supposedly reciprocal edges of the wrapper, the wrapped product being provided to the outlet station (3); characterized in that for each wrapping line (F1, F2, ... Fn) of said plurality of lines there are separate and independent means (N1, N2, ... Nn) for transporting the products of said input station (2) to said output station (3), different and independent means to advance the respective wrapping film (T) and different and independent means to wrap the product (P), whereby the entire translation and wrapping stage of the products from the entrance station to the exit station is executed and controlled along each line (F1, F2, ... Fn) independently of the other respective lines.

Description

Multi-line wrapping machine particularly to wrap confectionery products such as tablets Chocolate and similar products.

Technical scope

The present invention relates to a machine wrapper used in particular to wrap products of confectionery such as chocolate tablets and similar products and It has the characteristics described in the preamble of the main claim 1.

Prior art

The machine according to the invention is used in particularly, although not exclusively, in the technical sector of multi-line wrapping of confectionery products such as bars or chocolate tablets. The machines of the type above mentioned are widely used in wrapping lines in which individual products are contributed to wrappers from the production lines and are moved over conveyor belts being arranged in rows or groups of rows distanced ("rows" means in this context groups of products alienated in a direction perpendicular to the direction product advancement). In multi-line wrapping machines each product of a respective row is incorporated simultaneously to the respective wrap line so that the entire row passes synchronously through the different stages of movement and wrapping inside the wrapping machine.

Unlike what happens in the case of Monoline wrapping machines, known for the production of the applicant, multi-line wrapping machines typically have motor means for operation and means for controlling the latter that are capable of serving the entire group of lines of envelopment. In other words, the movement of products to along each line is achieved through unique motor means of drive that with the respective transmission means are in connection with the transport elements of the lines of individual wrapping Similarly, on machines traditional multi-line wrapping welding heads and Wrapping the film are triggered by unique ones motorization means that by means of the appropriate elements of transmission and deviation transmit the movement to the respective end of the corresponding line.

The limitation of these applications consists of the fact that all stop of motorization devices It implies a stoppage of the machine that affects all the lines of involvement, with serious disadvantageous consequences with respect to to the productivity of these machines. On the other hand, the systems existing acquaintances have failed to provide solutions satisfactory with a view to overcoming the limitations above mentioned, basically due to the necessary space and the consequent difficulty in accessing the operational elements, preventing such aspects the correct performance of operations Verification, adjustment and maintenance required by the machine wrapper

Exhibition of the invention

One of the main purposes of the invention is to provide a wrapping machine that is structurally and functionally designed to overcome limitations that have been described with reference to the aforementioned machines known in the prior art, offering in particular a functionally reliable solution to achieve high productivity and at the same time allow easy adjustment and maintenance of work and control elements.

This and other purposes that will remain more clearly from now on they are reached by a multi-line wrapping machine made according to the claims attached.

Brief description of the drawings

The characteristics and advantages of the invention in light of the following description detailed of one of his preferred embodiments illustrated with indicative nature and in no way limiting to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a partial schematic view of a wrapping machine according to the invention;

- Figures 2 and 3 are schematic views in plant from the top of the wrapping machine shown in the Figure 1;

- Figures 4A and 4B are schematic views in side elevation respectively according to arrows A 'and B' of the Figure 2;

- Figures 5 and 6 are front elevation views of a part of the wrapping machine shown in the previous figures, in two respective working states;

- Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the part shown in Figure 6;

- Figures 8 to 15 are partial views of the machine shown in the preceding figures.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

With reference to these figures, 1 indicates in its set a multi-line wrapping machine according to the present invention. Machine 1 comprises a plurality of lines or wrapping alignments, indicated with F1, F2, ... Fn, which they run parallel and coplanarly with each other between a station of input 2 and an exit station 3, in a forward direction marked with the reference X in the figures. They are transported to the input station 2 rows of products P to wrap, such such as tablets or chocolate bars that arrive from the Production lines located before the wrapping machine. Every wrap line has a respective conveyor belt N1, N2, ..., Nn, which is preferably moved with transmission by motorized chain (not illustrated in the figures), being by means of This is the products transported to the departure station. The P products of the same row can be driven to the sides opposite of the entrance station 2, in order to join correctly to N1-Nn tapes, so that each product in the row is incorporated into the respective line at Same time. For reasons of laterally occupied space, the N1-Nn tapes can diverge along a first section in the X direction in order to connect the input station, which is distinguished by a certain lateral passage between the products, with the wrapping lines after said first section, in which a greater step is chosen between the lines. After said section, the N1-Nn tapes of the wrapping lines run parallel to each other with the mutual distance preselected until arriving at the station output 3, in which the products P of the same row are downloaded after having been wrapped at the same time.

In the example described here, machine 1 it comprises nine wrapping lines F, but it is understood that can comprise a different number that is compatible with the space occupied by enveloping devices and elements associated to each respective line.

In order to move the conveyor belts N1-Nn of the wrap lines, there are separate and independent servomotors that are operatively connected to each line independently of the other lines, of such that stopping one or several lines does not stop the other lines of involvement.

In order to wrap P products, the machine it comprises, for each wrapping line, a group of coils B in which a T-film is wrapped to wrap the products.

More particularly, for each line of involvement F, the respective group comprises a pair of coils B1, B2 among which there is a change device 5 Automatic coil that is the same type as the one traditionally used in single-line wrappers and that will not be therefore described in detail. Said device comprises a pair of bobbin winders 6, a sensor 7 that is capable of detect the end of the coil film, and about means 8 for attaching the final edge of the film of a coil to the initial edge of that of the other coil, in order to guarantee the change coil without requiring the machine to stop.

It will be noted how each coil group is powered by separate and independent means to make advance and drag the respective wrap film, said respective means including motor means for dragging the film in the direction of unwinding.

For reasons of space, being the conditioning the number of coil groups required for the lines of planned wrapping, said groups of coils B are located outside the F lines, with the axes of the coils parallel to the X direction. Preferably, the coils are located next to the lines and are divided into a first group of four pairs of coils and a second opposite group of five pairs of coils, as illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B. Based on this provision, the wrapping film of each coil B is dragged along a first section perpendicular to the X direction and then deviated 90º to pass along a second section straight parallel to the X direction, until you reach the corresponding departure station. To divert to each movie, a respective diverter arm 9 is positioned at 45 ° with respect to the directions of the two drag sections (which are at an angle  90º to each other), as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. The positioning of each diverter arm 9 can also be adjusted as will be clearly apparent in the light of the following description, in order to allow the corresponding wrap film is dragged into a position where the It is centered with respect to the product P to wrap. Doing reference to Figures 8 and 9, each diverter arm 9 is attached to a respective bearing support 10 which is guided by being in Sliding coupling with a guide element 11 in the address (indicated by a Y) perpendicular to the X direction. With for this purpose, each support 10 has a respective nut of spindle 12 which in turn is screwed into a corresponding spindle 13 which is coaxially connected to the output shaft of a respective servomotor 14. The connection is such that a number preselected engine speed 14 corresponds to a pre-selected translation of support 10 (thanks to connection to thread consisting of the spindle and the spindle nut, the rotation  of the motor is converted into a translation of the spindle nut and therefore of the support). Reference number 15 indicates a proximity sensor that is able to detect the position of the 10 support in the transverse adjustment stroke in the direction Y.

In order to center each T-wrap film there are also, after the corresponding diverter arm 9, a respective centering device 16 comprising a first and a second pair of sensor means (L1, L2; R1, R2), being each pair willing to detect the position of one of the respective opposite side edges of the film T. Making reference Figure 10, each pair of sensors is arranged to detect the position of the corresponding edge of the T-film within an established reading range, this signal being detection sent to a U signal processing unit that It contains means to compare the measurements made. Since there are two pairs of sensors, the processing unit U makes comparisons calculating the difference between measurements individual (made on each of the opposite edges), and if find a misalignment with respect to the longitudinal geometric axis from the film a control signal is generated to drive the corresponding motor 14, which, when moving the support 10 of the diverter arm 9, makes the film recover the position centered, thus eliminating the misalignment detected. Due to the presence of the double sensor, the T film is held in position central regardless of its actual transverse dimension. In addition, when selecting a reading range of the sensors preset, whose amplitude is indicated schematically with the reference G in the figures, it is possible to guarantee the detection of the edges of T films that have variable widths left located within a preselected range of dimensions, and in any case within the reading range of the sensors.

The pairs of sensors L1, L2, R1, R2 in each centering device of the film of a corresponding line Envelopes are conveniently analog type.

Returning to the coil B group of the wrap film T and making particular reference to the Figures 14 and 15, each coil B1, B2 of each coil group is associated with a film cutting device, marked with the reference number 18 in the figures. This device includes a rotary roller 18a having a blade along one of its generatrices and runs transversely to cut all the film width The operation of each roller 18a is controlled by signals sent by the control unit U. There are also attached to each cutting device means for joining the cut edge of the film of one of the coils B1, B2 to the edge initial of the other coil B1, B2, to drag automatically the wrapping film of the second coil to the corresponding wrapping line. The control unit U Contains means to generate control signals to cut and join the film synchronously for each coil group, with which wraps around the second reels of each group arrive simultaneously at the respective lines of wrapping, so as to affect the P products of a whole row contributed to the entrance station and so on accordingly simultaneously change the film for all lines of envelopment. In other words, when you have to change the wrap film, for example in order to wrap items of products with envelopes that have information and writing in a different language, it is necessary to be able to change simultaneously the wrap films for each wrap line. Since the films travel different distances from the groups of bobbin holder to the wrapping lines, the unit processing determines the points in time to cut the movies to replace in succession, to synchronize automatically change coils in each group and change simultaneously all the films in all the corresponding wrap lines.

For the final stages of the involvement of the products, in which the wrapping of the product is cut to size and welded on both longitudinal ends, the wrapping machine has for each wrapping line its own welding and cutting head, which is indicated in its in conjunction with reference number 20. It will be described then only one of these heads, since the Heads are structurally identical.

Referring to the Figures 5-7 and 11-13, each head 20 it comprises a frame 21 in which those of a pair of welding and cutting rollers 22a, 23a. The rollers are supported on the frame so that they are rotating, and the reciprocally rotating roller movement Opposites are achieved by means of a pair of sprockets 22b, 23b which are respectively keyed in the axes of the respective rollers and mesh with each other.

Each roller also has a projection longitudinal 22c, 23c comprising a pressing element for cold weld the overlapping edges of the film. In this projection there is also a cutting element 22d, 23d for cut the movie

The frame 21 is removably attached to a counterframe 24 of the stationary structure of the machine in order to form an individually maneuverable unit, with independence of the heads 20 associated with the other lines of wrap F.

The frame 21 comprises a pair of supports facing 21a, 21b who have guide profiles to guide their introduction in corresponding counterguide means provided in the counterframe 24 of the machine. Thanks to this structure, the frame 21 slides, guided in a perpendicular Z direction to the forward X direction, from a non-operative position of extraction out of counterframe 24 (Figure 5) to a operational operation in which said frame is introduced in the counter-counter of the machine (Figure 6), remaining in the latter position set the kinematic coupling of the cogwheel 23b with the respective movement transmission elements. More particularly, for each head 20 there is a different servomotor and independent (not illustrated) to control by means of a cogwheel gear 26 and pinion 27 the rotation of a shaft 28 supported in such a way that it is rotatable in the counterframe 24 of the machine. A cogwheel 29 is keyed with said axle 28 which is able to engage with the sprocket 23b when the frame 21 being thus taken to the operative position that shown in Figure 6. By means of this kinematic coupling the rotation movement of the rollers 22a, 23a is achieved. The gear wheels 22b, 23b are advantageously housed in the part inside the support 21b of the frame 21. The number of reference 30 indicates as a whole a device to adjust the contact pressure between rollers 22a, 23a. With this purpose, each support 21a, 21b is divided into two parts structurally independent, each part being connected to the respective roller. A pair of springs 31a, 31b with their respective screws 32a, 32b to adjust the elastic stress acts on the respective protrusions 34a, 34b that are attached to the parts upper of the supports that support the roller 22a. The quays they are also limited by a plate 35 that can be fixed to the upper parts of the frame supports 21 as well as the stationary structure of the machine.

The screws 32a, 32b, which are to adjust the elastic load and are coaxial with the respective springs 31a, 31b, are fixed by means of a cylindrical joint to the respective projections 34a, 34b. When the frame 21 is in the position in which it has been introduced (Figure 6), by middle of adjusting screws it is possible to vary the load elastic active at the axial ends of roller 22a (by a lower or higher compression of the springs), in order to adjust the relative contact pressure between the rollers at said ends axial.

It will be observed how each cutting head and welding 20, which comprises an individually maneuverable unit, facilitates the operations of assembly and disassembly of the heads, makes the heads of each line of involvement, and at the same time facilitates the realization of all head adjustment operations as well as operations that may be necessary during maintenance. In addition, the provided for independent motorized units for each of those of the plurality of heads as well as for all others wrapping elements makes it possible to control and handle independently each line of wrapping, thus ensuring the machine operation even if one or more stops remain several lines

The invention thus achieves the purposes pursued, providing the advantages that have been described in Comparison with known solutions.

Claims (10)

1. Multi-line machine for wrapping products (P), which comprises a plurality of lines or alignments of wrapping (F) that are adjacent and coplanar with each other, remaining each wrap line defined between an input station common (2) and a respective output station (3) for the output of the wrapped products, running said lines in parallel each other in a forward direction from the entrance station to the departure station, transporting means being provided (N) to transport the products (P) in line one by one along each respective wrapping line, the products being contributed to the entrance station (2) in rows at a speed established, incorporating each product of each row to each respective wrapping line at the same time, being provided dragging means in each respective line of wrap to drag a respective wrapping film (T) in a winding direction, wrapping means being provided for wrap the individual product (P) in wrapping film (T) and also for cutting and welding the reciprocally assumed edges of the wrapper, being the wrapped product contributed to the station output (3); characterized in that for each wrapping line (F1, F2, ... Fn) of said plurality of lines there are separate and independent means (N1, N2, ... Nn) for transporting the products of said input station (2) to said output station (3), different and independent means to advance the respective wrapping film (T) and different and independent means to wrap the product (P), whereby the entire translation and wrapping stage of the products from the entrance station to the exit station is executed and controlled along each line (F1, F2, ... Fn) independently of the other respective lines. 2. Wrapping machine according to claim 1, where for each wrap line there are first means different and independent engines to transport the products from the entrance station (2) to the exit station (3), second different and independent motor means to make the Wrap film (T) feed along the line corresponding, and different and independent motor means for drive a respective pair of rollers (22a, 23a) to weld and cut the wrap around the product (P). 3. Wrapping machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, where there are nine wrap lines (F) which are coplanar and parallel to each other in the direction of the station output 4. Wrapping machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, where for each wrap line  (F) there is a respective group of winding film coils (B) (T), said coils being arranged outside the lines of wrapping with the geometric axes of said coils parallel to the direction of advancement of the products along the lines, whereby the film (T) of each coil (B) is dragged into along a first section transversely with respect to said direction of advance and is then diverted 90º so as to pass to run along a second section parallel to the forward direction, being provided for each line of wrapping (F) a film centering device (16), to keep the wrap film (T) in a centered position with respect to the product (P) of the corresponding line. 5. Wrapping machine according to claim 4, where for each line there is an arm (9) to divert the film (T) in order to make it pass from the first section to the second section, said diverter arm (9) being positioned at 45 ° with respect to the unwinding directions of the first and second sections, the positioning of each diverter arm (9) being adjustable, comprising each centering device (16) after corresponding diverter arm (9) a first pair (L1, L2) and a second pair (R1, R2) of sensing means, each being first and every second couple operatively associated with a respective side edge of the film (T) and arranged for detect the position of the corresponding edge of the film (T) within an established reading range of the sensors, being the sensor means connected to a processing unit of signals (U) containing means to process the signals of each pair of sensors for the corresponding film, so compare measurements made on opposite sides of the film and, if a film misalignment is detected with with respect to an established central geometric axis, generate a signal of command that is sent to a motorized actuator (12, 14) located in the corresponding diverter arm (9) in order to adjust the position of said arm (9) in order to move the film (T) towards a position where it is centered. 6. Wrapping machine according to claim 5, where said sensor means (L1, L2, R1, R2) are of the type analog and have a reading range whose amplitude guarantees the Edge detection for films (T) of remaining widths located within an established range of measures. 7. Wrapping machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, where for each wrap line  there is a pair of wrapping paper reels with a first coil (B1) and a second coil (B2) and a device (5) of automatic coil change, being a cutting device (18) of the film also associated with at least the first coil (B1) of said pair and being provided means for joining the cut edge from the film to the end of the film of the other second coil (B2), to drag said film (T) to the corresponding line of wrapping (F), control means being provided for synchronize the cutting of the film of each first coil (B1) of said pairs of coils, so that the envelope film of the second coils (B2) arrive simultaneously at the respective wrap lines in order to affect the products of all a row contributed to the entrance station (2) and consequently simultaneously change the film (T) for all lines of envelopment. 8. Wrapping machine according to one or more of the claims 2 to 7, wherein each pair of welding rollers and cut (22a, 23a) associated with each respective wrap line (F) is mounted on a frame (21) that is likely to be removably attached to the machine structure so form an individually maneuverable unit, independently of the roller pairs (22a, 23a) of the other lines of wrapping (F) of the machine. 9. Wrapping machine according to claim 8, wherein said frame (21) has means that constitute guides and may be coupled with corresponding means (24) that they constitute counterguides and are provided in the structure stationary machine, whereby said frame (21) can be displaced in a transverse direction with respect to the forward direction to be thus taken from a position in which it has been extracted and is not operational to a position operational kinematic coupling with the respective elements of movement transmission located in the structure of the machine. 10. Wrapping machine according to claim 9, wherein said frame (21) comprises at least one support (21b) in whose part of the interior are housed respective sprockets (22b, 23b) that are keyed with the respective axes of said welding and cutting rollers (22a, 23a), one (23b) being of said wheels mounted on the frame (21) in a position suitable for engaging with a cogwheel (29) that drives the transmission in said operative position.