Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
  • B31B50/26—Folding sheets, blanks or webs
  • B31B50/44—Folding sheets, blanks or webs by plungers moving through folding dies
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
  • B31B50/02—Feeding or positioning sheets, blanks or webs
  • B31B50/04—Feeding sheets or blanks
  • B31B50/044—Feeding sheets or blanks involving aligning
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
  • B31B50/02—Feeding or positioning sheets, blanks or webs
  • B31B50/04—Feeding sheets or blanks
  • B31B50/07—Feeding sheets or blanks by air pressure or suction
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2100/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs
  • B31B2100/002—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs characterised by the shape of the blank from which they are formed
  • B31B2100/0026—Rigid or semi-rigid containers made by folding single-piece sheets, blanks or webs characterised by the shape of the blank from which they are formed having two opposite first side walls attached to the bottom and the other side walls being attached to the first side walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2110/00—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B31B2110/30—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers having a polygonal cross section
  • B31B2110/35—Shape of rigid or semi-rigid containers having a polygonal cross section rectangular, e.g. square
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2120/00—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B31B2120/10—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers provided with covers, e.g. lids
  • B31B2120/102—Construction of rigid or semi-rigid containers provided with covers, e.g. lids with a hinged cover
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
  • B31B50/02—Feeding or positioning sheets, blanks or webs
  • B31B50/022—Holders for feeding or positioning blanks or webs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
  • B31B50/02—Feeding or positioning sheets, blanks or webs
  • B31B50/04—Feeding sheets or blanks
  • B31B50/046—Feeding sheets or blanks involving changing orientation or changing direction of transport
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
  • B31B50/02—Feeding or positioning sheets, blanks or webs
  • B31B50/04—Feeding sheets or blanks
  • B31B50/06—Feeding sheets or blanks from stacks
  • B31B50/066—Feeding sheets or blanks from stacks from above a magazine
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
  • B65B43/12—Feeding flexible bags or carton blanks in flat or collapsed state; Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain
  • B65B43/14—Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines
  • B65B43/16—Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines by grippers
  • B65B43/18—Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines by grippers by suction-operated grippers
  • B65B43/185—Feeding individual bags or carton blanks from piles or magazines by grippers by suction-operated grippers specially adapted for carton blanks
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B47/00—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved
  • B65B47/04—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved by application of mechanical pressure
  • B65B47/06—Apparatus or devices for forming pockets or receptacles in or from sheets, blanks, or webs, comprising essentially a die into which the material is pressed or a folding die through which the material is moved by application of mechanical pressure using folding dies

Definitions

• the present invention falls within the field of forming by folding cardboard plates with a view to forming containers, for packaging one or more products therein.
• the term “product” encompasses an individual object.
• a product is a container, such as a bottle or a flask, or else a can, or even a cardboard brick.
• Such products can also be grouped, positioned within a cardboard box (or “cluster”) and / or wrapped in a film.
• a product can be made of any type of material, in particular plastic, metal or even glass.
• a product can be rigid or semi-rigid.
• This container is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, in particular of the food or cosmetic type, or dedicated to maintenance or personal hygiene.
• a product can have any type of shape, symmetrical or not, regular or irregular.
• Such products are obtained along an industrial production line, undergoing several successive treatments passing through dedicated stations, such as, for example, the blowing of a bottle or flask made of plastic material, filling and capping, labeling, or else. sterilization or pasteurization.
• dedicated stations such as, for example, the blowing of a bottle or flask made of plastic material, filling and capping, labeling, or else. sterilization or pasteurization.
• the finished products are grouped and packaged in batches, especially inside a container.
• Such a container may be in the form of a cardboard box or “cardboard”, dedicated to the packaging of said products.
• a box has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, with an internal volume capable of receiving a group of products, staggered but preferably arranged in a matrix in columns and rows, in a single layer or else several layers of superimposed products. Once filled, a box can be closed at the top or open, thus forming a tray also called a “cardboard”.
• FIG. 1 schematically showing an elevational view of an example of a cardboard plate 100, appearing flat, it comprises several walls, including a bottom 101, intended to receive the products on the upper face, once the 110 container formed.
• the bottom 101 comprises two side walls 102.
• the cardboard plate 100 may include a cover 103, along an edge of one of the side walls 102, located opposite the edge connecting it with said bottom 101.
• This cover may also include a tab 104, which will be glued. and folded against the outside of a side wall 102, at the end of the folding when the container 110 thus formed is closed once the products have been introduced inside.
• the cardboard plate 100 comprises flaps, at least four in number on each side: on the one hand, vertical flaps 105 connected to each of the side walls 102 and, on the other hand , horizontal flaps 106 connected to the bottom 101 and to the cover 103.
• the different walls of the plate 100 are connected by fold lines, extending along the junction edges between them. Said folding lines are produced beforehand during the cutting of said plate 100 and facilitate the folding operations of each wall with respect to another.
• the cardboard plate 100 is folded through several successive operations. These folding operations can be carried out through dedicated stations and in several different ways.
• the invention specifically relates to the folding of a cardboard plate known as “die bottom folding”.
• Folding at the bottom of the die is carried out by cold deformation of a material in a press, provided with a fixed die in alignment with which a movable punch moves.
• FIG. 1 schematically showing perspective views of several steps during a die bottom folding of a cardboard plate 100, the latter is positioned between a die 200 and a punch 201.
• the bottom 101 is positioned vis-à-vis the die 200 of complementary shape, namely rectangular parallelepiped, with the fold lines aligned with the inner edges of said die 200.
• the punch 201 is quantified. to him positioned on the upper face of said bottom 101 and internally relative to the future container 110 to be formed.
• the punch 201 is then moved downward relative to the die 200, in particular vertically, to apply a thrust against the bottom 101 and thus force the side walls 102 against the 'inside the faces of the die 200, with a view to folding the said side walls 102 towards the inside of the future container 110 and towards the inside the vertical 105 and horizontal 106 flaps, until they are positioned orthogonally with respect to audit bottom 101.
• the descent of the punch 201 first of all causes the beginning of the folding of the four vertical flaps 105, by pressing on the outside face against dedicated studs shaped specifically and fitted to said die 200. Then, as visible in Figure 4, the two horizontal flaps 106 connected to the bottom 101, begin to be folded against other dedicated pads, to come to cover from the outside the vertical flaps 105. Finally, as visible in Figure 4, the end stroke of the punch 201 has just finished folding the side walls 102, as well as the vertical flaps 105 and the horizontal flaps 106 linked to the bottom.
• the container 110 is formed and opened: the plate 100 then has an internal volume, open at the top.
• the punch 201 is withdrawn and the container 110 is extracted from the die 200, with a view to introducing products into its interior volume, during a packaging operation, in particular for packing.
• the cover 103 is folded to close the container 110, possibly with a folding of the tongue 104, to obtain the final container 110 surrounding and protecting the products it contains.
• a constraint of this type of die-bottom bending is the required alignment of the bend lines with the die and the punch, especially at each corner.
• the precision of such an alignment is of the order of a few millimeters (mm). Otherwise, during folding, an offset risks causing a detrimental deformation of the container, or even tearing of the cardboard material at the time of this operation, in particular during the descent of the punch.
• an optimal shape of the container rectangular parallelepiped, respecting the orthogonality of its walls, is important and must be optimal, on the one hand, for the aesthetic appearance and the good packaging of the products, but above all on the other hand.
• a deformation of a single box is likely to unbalance a stack of boxes, making their handling precarious and dangerous for the operators.
• the forming of containers by folding cardboard sheets is carried out through a forming device.
• Such a forming device comprises a folding station, supplied with cardboard sheets which are formed therein, as previously described.
• Such cardboard plates are placed in a store, in the form of a stack of several plates superimposed horizontally or vertically.
• the plates are extracted one after the other during a handling step to transport them from said store to said folding station.
• This step can consist of extracting the plates one by one and transporting them along guided angles.
• the angles are fixed to a frame and shaped to complement the cardboard plates and the containers to be formed. This installation therefore does not make it possible to adapt to different formats of cardboard sheets, or else requires a substantial intervention time.
• production lines must make it possible to manage the manufacture of several different product formats. Consequently, the packaging of these different product formats is carried out in separate containers, with dimensions complementary to said products, as well as to the number of products to be packaged per container. The same line must therefore be able to process several formats of plates in order to operate their folding and obtain the desired containers, depending on the products they are going to receive.
• the handling of plates can be carried out by means of a dedicated station, mounted mobile along several axes of movement, by means of a multi-axis frame or of a multi-axis robotic arm.
• a handling station is provided with a gripping head unit of the plates.
• each plate can be carried out by various gripping means, in particular by vacuum using suction cups.
• Each suction cup comes into contact with the face of a plate and performs suction ensuring that said plate is held in view of its extraction from said store and its movement towards the forming station.
• the suction grip is maintained during the bending operation, in order to maintain the plate relative to the die and the punch. Consequently, the suction cups are gripped at the level of the upper face of the base, which will remain plane during the movement of the plate within the die under the action of the movement of the punch.
• the suction is stopped, with a view to releasing said container.
• the punch is raised and the container is evacuated, for example through the underside of the die, in particular via a conveyor which will transport each container to a downstream product packing station, before closing the container.
• the punch is attached to the handling station, at the level of the gripping head, integrally with the suction cups.
• the suction cups are found flush with the underside of said punch, to cooperate with the bottom during gripping. Consequently, the problem of aligning the corners of the cardboard plate with the die and the punch is considerably complicated.
• the punch must be aligned with the corners of the plate to be gripped, or the plates are generally not perfectly aligned in superposition in said store.
• the stored plates can present a lateral offset, but also angular, with respect to each other. It is therefore necessary to correct this possible offset.
• a known solution lies in detecting an offset, at the time of gripping in the magazine, of the exact position of the plate to be gripped, in order to correct the position of the gripping head, in particular to place the punch in alignment with the corners of the bottom.
• the object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a device for forming containers by folding cardboard plates, making it possible to correct a possible offset between the punch and a plate, once gripped and at the time. of the bending operation at the bottom of the die.
• the invention provides, at the level of the gripping head, to make the suction cups free to move relative to the punch, in order to allow lateral and / or angular adjustment of the plate under the action of the punch during its movement. descent into the matrix.
• the movement of the suction cups relative to the punch confers mobility on the gripping plane according to at least two degrees of freedom parallel or substantially parallel with respect to the bottom of the gripped plate.
• the freedom of movement of the means of input allows a natural replacement of the bottom in alignment with the die, under the effect of the force applied by the cooperation between said die and said punch. It is then the forces applied by the die on the plate during the bending induced by the movement of the punch, which allows repositioning of the plate thanks to the mobility of the gripping means.
• the mobility of the gripping means which can for example be represented by at least one suction cup, makes it possible to make the fold lines of the bottom of the plate coincide with the die, by reducing the stresses applied to the cardboard material, to promote more repositioning. natural in alignment with said fold lines.
• the invention relates to a device for forming containers by folding cardboard sheets comprising at least:
• folding station for folding cardboard plates, said folding station being provided with at least one die;
• a station for handling said plates from a store to said folding station comprising a frame and at least one gripping head mounted to move relative to said frame between said store and the die of said folding station; said gripping head comprising means for gripping and holding said plate; said gripping head comprising at least one punch shaped complementarily to cooperate internally with said die, said punch comprising a bearing surface against the bottom of said gripped plate.
• Such a forming device is characterized in that said gripping means is mounted movably relative to said punch and free to move in at least one plane parallel to said bearing surface of said punch.
• said gripping means can be mounted so as to move according to at least two degrees of freedom of movement parallel or substantially parallel with respect to said bearing surface.
• the gripping means can be integrated with said punch provided partially hollow.
• Said gripping means can be mounted at the end of a rod mounted in a ball joint connection with respect to the gripping head.
• Said forming device may comprise means for locking said gripping means with respect to said punch.
• Said input means may comprise at least one suction cup acting by suction at the level of said plate.
• the input means can comprise several free suction cups moving in said plane.
• the invention also relates to a method of forming containers by folding cardboard sheets, in which at least:
• the gripped plate is moved to a folding station and the bottom is positioned vis-à-vis a die;
• Such a forming process is characterized in that it consists, at the time of bending, in adjusting the position of said base relative to said punch, leaving said plate free of movement relative to said punch.
• FIG. 1 schematically represents a simplified elevation view of an example of a cardboard plate, shaped for a bottom-of-die folding
• FIG. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of a first die bottom folding step, showing in particular the positioning of the bottom of the plate in alignment with the punch and the die;
• FIG. 3 schematically represents a view similar to FIG. 2 of a following step, showing in particular the folding of the vertical flaps during the descent of the punch into the die;
• FIG. 4 schematically represents a view similar to FIG. 3 of a following step, showing in particular the folding of the horizontal flaps and of the side walls;
• FIG. 5 schematically represents a view similar to FIG. 4 of a following step, showing in particular the container completely folded;
• FIG. 6 schematically represents a simplified elevational view of an embodiment of a forming device, showing in particular the movement of a plate between a magazine and the folding station;
• FIG. 7 schematically represents a simplified view in vertical section of FIG. 6;
• FIG. 8 schematically represents a simplified perspective view of one embodiment, showing in particular the freedom of movement conferred on said corner of a plate gripped at the time of its folding against the die by the punch;
• FIG. 9 schematically represents a simplified view in vertical section of a detail of a gripping head, showing in particular a suction cup mounted in a ball joint connection on said punch;
• FIG. 10 schematically represents a perspective view of a detail of a first embodiment of said forming device, showing in particular a gripping head equipped with four suction cups integrated into a punch formed by four wedge pillars;
• FIG. 11 schematically represents a perspective view of a detail of a second embodiment of said forming device, showing in particular a gripping head equipped with two suction cups integrated into a punch with perforated faces;
• FIG. 12 schematically represents a side view of a detail of a suction cup in an unlocked position, showing in particular the freedom of movement conferred;
• FIG. 13 schematically represents a view similar to FIG. 12 in a locked position, showing in particular the descent of a locking member by actuation of a piston.
• the present invention relates to the making of containers 110.
• Such a container 110 can be in the form of a cardboard box or “cardboard”, dedicated to the packaging of products.
• a box has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, with an internal volume capable of receiving a group of products, staggered but preferably arranged in a matrix in columns and rows, in a single layer or else several layers of superimposed products.
• a box can be closed at the top or open, then forming a tray also called "cardboard”.
• a product encompasses an individual object.
• a product is a container, such as a bottle or a flask, or else a can, or even a cardboard brick.
• a product can be made of any type of material, in particular plastic, metal or even glass.
• a product can be rigid or semi-rigid.
• This container is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, in particular of the agri-food or cosmetic type, or dedicated to maintenance or personal hygiene.
• a product can have any type of shape, symmetrical or not, regular or irregular.
• Such products are obtained along an industrial production line, undergoing several successive treatments passing through dedicated stations, such as, for example, the blowing of a bottle or flask made of plastic material, filling and capping, labeling, or else. sterilization or pasteurization.
• the finished products are grouped and packaged in batches, in particular inside containers 110.
• the invention relates to the forming of containers 110 by folding cardboard plates 100. These cardboard plates are pre-cut and preformed, too. called “cutouts".
• the term “plate” relates to a cardboard plate.
• a plate 100 comprises several walls, including a wall which will constitute a bottom 101, intended to receive the products on the upper face, once the container 110 has been formed.
• the bottom 101 At the level of two of its opposite edges, the bottom 101 comprises two side walls 102.
• the plate 100 may include a cover 103, along an edge of one of the side walls 102, located opposite the edge connecting it with said bottom 101.
• This cover can also include a tongue 104, which will be glued and folded against the outside of a side wall 102, at the end of folding when the container 110 thus formed is closed.
• the plate 100 comprises flaps, at least four in number on each side: on the one hand, vertical flaps 105 connected to each of the side walls 102 and, on the other hand, horizontal flaps 106 connected to the bottom 101 and to the cover 103.
• the different walls of the plate 100 are connected by fold lines, extending along the junction edges between them. Said folding lines are produced beforehand during the cutting of said plate 100 and facilitate the folding operations of each wall with respect to another.
• the plate 100 is folded through several successive operations.
• a first folding operation makes it possible to form the container 110 by folding the side walls 102, as well as the vertical flaps 105, then the horizontal flaps 106 located on either side of said bottom 101. This first operation is carried out by folding at the bottom of the die. Container 110 is therefore formed once it has passed through the matrix 200.
• the invention relates to a device 1 for forming containers 110 by folding plates 100 cardboard.
• Such a forming device 1 is located along the production line, between a store 2 supplied with plates 100 and a downstream station, such as for example a station for packaging the products inside the container 110. Once loaded in products, the container 110 will be closed by a dedicated station.
• the store 2 is supplied with plates 100, in particular from bundles.
• the plates 100 are placed on a reception area, superimposed horizontally or vertically, or even in an inclined manner, from which they can be extracted one by one.
• the forming device 1 comprises a station 3 for handling said plates 100 from the store 2.
• This handling station 3 ensures the transport of the plates 100 by gripping them one by one, or even several at a time, to bring them to a station dedicated to folding.
• the forming device 1 comprises at least one station 4 for folding plates 100.
• a single station 4 can allow the folding of one or more plates 100 at a time.
• said folding station is provided with at least one die 200.
• a die 200 comprises an upper face for receiving a plate 100, on which the lower face of the plate 100 can rest.
• This die 200 comprises a hollow central shape, dimensioned to complement the bottom 101 of the plate 100, with a clearance close to the thickness of the side walls 102 and of the flaps 105, 106 when folded.
• the die 200 comprises studs, projecting relative to the upper face of said die 200, and shaped to allow the successive folding of the vertical flaps 105, then of the side walls 102 and horizontal flaps 106 located below and connected to the bottom 101.
• the studs may be provided rounded, in order to impart a gradual, smooth folding of the walls.
• This folding operation is carried out under the action of a punch 201.
• Such a punch 201 is conformally shaped to the hollow of the die 200, to allow it to slide internally, to the aforementioned clearance.
• the punch 201 applies a force against the bottom 101 of the plate 100, said bottom 101 being sandwiched between said punch 201 and said die 200, so as to induce the folding of the different walls.
• the punch 201 applies a force against the die 200, which will force the plate 100 and bend it.
• the punch 201 comprises a bearing surface intended to cooperate at least on the edge of the bottom 101, for example in its corners as visible in FIG. 10 or on its entire inner periphery as visible in FIG. 11.
• This bearing surface may also include areas of contact with other parts of the base 101, in particular located towards the center of said base 101, in order to distribute the force applied and to avoid any deformation.
• the bearing surface of the punch 101 can comprise several zones coming into contact with the upper face of the base 101, against all or part of its surface.
• the punch 201 is extracted from the die 200, making it possible to evacuate this container 110, in particular from below the die 200 as shown in FIG. 7, in particular towards a conveyor 5 which takes then the containers 110 to a packing station (not shown).
• the punch 201 can also be moved to eject the container 110 to another location, such as for example on said conveyor 5.
• the handling station 3 comprises a frame 30 and at least one gripping head 6 mounted to move relative to said frame 30 between said magazine 2 and the die 200 of said folding station 4.
• Such a frame 30 is provided with multiple axes, making it possible to move the gripping head 6 in space, according to several degrees of movement.
• the frame 30 comprises a motorization of its own, allowing the movements necessary to pick up the plates. 100 from the magazine 2 by means of the gripping head 6, move said head 6 to the folding station 4, place the plates 100 there and return to the magazine 2 to take another plate 100 there.
• the frame 30 can allow movement in horizontal, longitudinal and transverse translations, as well as upward and downward vertical movement, as in particular shown schematically in FIGS. 6 and 7.
• the downward vertical movement imparted to the gripping head 6 is used during the folding step.
• said gripping head 6 incorporates the at least one punch 201. The latter is therefore transported during the movements of the gripping head 6 between the folding station 4 and the magazine 2, and vice versa.
• the frame 30 comprises several guides 31.
• the gripping head 6 is then secured to a guide 31 or mounted on a carriage movable along one of the guides 31. , while the other guides can slide relative to each other.
• the frame 30 comprises a multi-axis robotic arm, at the distal end of which the gripping head 6 is mounted as a tool.
• a robotic arm can also be mounted on guides 31. This arm allows in particular better precision when gripping the plates 100 at the level of the magazine 2.
• the gripping head 6 may include a structure 60 cooperating in attachment with the frame 30 and receiving various on-board components, such as the punch 201. which can be fixed on this structure 60.
• said gripping head 6 is equipped with means 7 for gripping and holding said plate 100.
• Such gripping means 7 ensure gripping of a plate 100, in particular at one of its faces, or even a side edge, then maintains it during its transport to the folding station 4, preferably by preventing it from moving, in particular during the acceleration and deceleration phases.
• This gripping means 7 can be located anywhere on the gripping head 6.
• the gripping means 7 can be mounted on the structure 60 of said gripping head 6.
• the gripping means 7 is integrated into said punch 201, attached relative to the latter, in particular by means of the structure 60 of the gripping head 6.
• the gripping means 7 are found positioned at the distal end of the punch 201, flush with its bearing surface. Therefore, said bearing surface of the punch 201 is completed by the contact surface of the gripping means 7 against the place 100.
• the bearing surface corresponds to the contact surface between the means 7 of seizure and plate 100.
• the punch 201 may be provided at least partially hollow, delimiting an internal space capable of receiving said gripping means 7 and its fixing with said punch 201 or the structure 60 of the gripping head 6.
• the gripping means 7 can be of any type, for example in the form of needles which sufficiently perforate the wall of a plate 100 in order to ensure its gripping and its retention.
• the input means 7 can also be an electrostatic type system.
• said gripping means 7 comprises at least one suction cup 8, preferably several suction cups 8, acting by suction at the level of said plate 100.
• said suction cup 8 can be arranged so that its suction takes place flush with the bearing surface of said punch 201. Consequently, the bearing surface of the punch 201 is at least partially formed by the surface of the punch 201. suction of said suction cup 8.
• suction cups 8 can be distributed in order to apply depressions to several places of the plate 100, in a plane alignment.
• this plane alignment is parallel or substantially parallel to the bearing surface of the punch 200.
• the forming device 1 makes it possible to move the gripping head 6 to the magazine 2, to grip a plate there under the action of the gripping means 7, then to transport it to the folding station 4, to position it on the die 200, to perform a descent of the punch 201 and bend the side walls of the plate 100, in order to form the container 110.
• the handling station 3 can provide for detecting the position of each plate 100 in the store 2, in order to align the punch 201 with the bottom 101 of the plate 100 to be gripped. This alignment makes it possible to compensate for any lateral or angular offset with respect to an optimal position.
• the stroke of the handling station 3 is determined in order, on return from the magazine 2, to perfectly align the punch 201 with the die 200.
• the invention provides for improving the positioning of the gripped plate 100, when it is positioned with the punch 201 in alignment with the die 200.
• the invention provides for adjusting the position of the bottom 101, in order to that at least one of its corners is perfectly positioned relative to the die 200, when the punch 201 descends into the die 200.
• said gripping means 7 is mounted to move relative to said punch 201.
• the plate 100 is still gripped and held, but the gripping means 7 can move, essentially parallel with respect to the punch 201 and its bearing surface. The movement of the gripping means 7 then makes it possible to move the plate 100 relative to the punch 201, without moving the latter relative to the frame 30.
• the gripping means 7 are free to move in at least one plane parallel to said bearing surface of said punch 201. In other words, no motorization ensures the movement of the gripping means 7, that is, the construction of the gripping means 7 on the gripping head which gives it freedom of movement within a given perimeter.
• the gripping means 7 are in principle movable in at least the plane corresponding substantially to the plane of the bearing surface.
• said gripping means 7 is mounted to move according to at least two degrees of freedom of movement parallel or substantially parallel with respect to said bearing surface.
• FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of repositioning of a corner of the plate 100, taking place according to two orthogonal lateral translations. Only one translation is possible, this one being able to be a result of these orthogonal translations: the wedge then moving in oblique.
• the freedom of movement can be limited to a few millimeters, of the order of plus or minus five millimeters (+/- 5mm).
• the free movement of the gripping means 7 takes place over a reduced distance, of the order of 2% to 5% with respect to the dimensions of the base 101, in particular with respect to its length or its width.
• said gripping means 7 may comprise a mounting articulated on the gripping head 6, in particular with respect to the structure 60 of said gripping head 6. gripping.
• a joint can be of any type, in particular in the form of a double sliding connection.
• the articulation comprises two sliding possibilities, preferably mutually orthogonal, of the gripping means 7.
• said gripping means 7 is articulated in a ball joint connection, in particular by means of a cradle or else joints.
• This ball joint can be mounted on the gripping head 6, in particular on its structure 60 and / or on said punch 201.
• the invention can provide to compensate for it, in order to obtain a flat or substantially flat mobility of the plate 100.
• the articulation is offset, in particular at one end of the head 6. gripping, (for example in the upper part), while the gripping means 7 is located at the opposite end (in the lower part). This offset makes it possible to increase the radius of curvature of the movement of the ball joint.
• said gripping means 7 is mounted at the end of a rod 9 mounted in ball joint connection with respect to the gripping head 6.
• the gripping means 7 are fixed to the lower end of a rod 9, the opposite upper end of which is mounted as a ball joint on the gripping head 6.
• the gripping means 7 comprises several suction cups 8, they can be mounted independently, each being mobile and in freedom of movement in a distinct manner with respect to the other suction cups 8. However, when they are engaged by suction from the suction cup. plate 100, in particular each suction cup
• the suction cups 8 are integral with one another and jointly free to move in said plane.
• the suction cups 8 can be interconnected, in particular by a mechanical part, such as a plate or rods.
• the invention provides for limiting the freedom of movement of the gripping means 7 outside the moment of folding, in particular to avoid any movement of the gripping plate 100 during the movements of the gripping head 6 by the gripping head 6.
• the forming device 1 comprises means 10 for locking said gripping means 7 with respect to the punch 201.
• the locking means 10 make it possible, in an unlocked position, to release the mobility of the gripping means 7.
• the locking means 10 comprise a ring 11, provided to move along the rod 9. Such a ring 11 can therefore pass from a high unlocking position, to a low locking position, and vice versa. .
• said ring 11 is guided in sliding, in a vertical translation, along an inner wall 202 of said punch 201.
• the ring 11 can therefore only move upwards or downwards, without freedom of movement transversely or horizontally.
• the rod 9 passes through the ring 11 and the through hole has an internal diameter larger than the section of the rod 9, in order to allow freedom of movement of the rod.
• the actuation of the displacement of the ring 11 can be carried out by any means of motorization, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic, under the action of a centralized control, in particular managing the operation of the forming device 1.
• the ring 11 is mounted at the movable end of a pneumatic cylinder 12, namely at the level of its piston.
• the opposite end of the jack is secured to the gripping head 6.
• the cylinder 12 can be fixed on the gripping head 6, in particular on an internal wall of the punch 201, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 12 and 13.
• the deployment of the cylinder 12 ensures the sliding of the ring 11 towards the locking position. , and vice versa during its folding.
• the locking action between the ring 11 and the gripping means 7 is carried out mechanically, by interlocking pieces of complementary shapes.
• the ring 11 has a frustoconical section at the level of its inner walls, while the gripping means 7 is provided with a peripheral wall 13 provided inclined. This peripheral wall 13 then extends convergently, from the bottom to the top.
• a peripheral wall 13 can be formed on a support part of the suction cup 8.
• the invention also relates to a method of forming containers 110 by folding the cardboard plates 100.
• Such a forming method can be adapted for the implementation of the forming device 1 as described above.
• a gripping of a plate 100 is carried out.
• This gripping is carried out from the magazine 2 by the gripping head 6.
• the plate 100 is gripped at the level of one face of at least one of its walls, in particular the bottom 101, by means of at least the gripping means 7.
• the plate 100 is moved to the folding station 4. This movement can be carried out by the handling station 3. During this journey, the plate 100 is held by the gripping means 7.
• the bottom 101 of the plate 100 is positioned in vis-à-vis the die 200 of said folding station 4.
• the side walls of said plate 100 are then folded by lowering a punch 201 within said die 200.
• a punch 201 which applies against the bottom 101 of the plate. 100, a force necessary to force the walls against the interior edges of the die 200 and initiate the folding along lines dedicated for this purpose.
• the forming process provides, at the time of bending, to adjust the position of said base 101 relative to said punch 201, leaving said plate 100 free of movement relative to said punch 201.
• This freedom of movement is obtained by the means 7 gripping which is mounted movable relative to the punch 201 and in freedom of movement according to at least two degrees of freedom, namely at least in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the bearing surface of said punch 201.
• the plate 100 can adjust naturally so that the fold lines coincide with the engagement of the punch 201 in and against the die 200.
• the plate 100 shifts on its own, to take its place perfectly, in particular under the die.
• the plate 100 when the plate 100 is moved, its movement is not allowed relative to the punch 201 and to the gripping head 6.
• the forming process provides for locking the movement of said plate 100 relative to said punch 201 at least during said movement of said plate 100.
• the locking and unlocking can be carried out at the level of the input means 7.
• the forming device 2 and the forming method according to the invention make it possible, through a freedom of movement granted to the gripping means 7, in particular or even only at the time of folding, to reposition the plate 100, in order to compensate any delay that occurred beforehand at the time of entry. It is the cooperation of the action of the punch 201 against the bottom 101 and the die 200, which makes it possible to rectify the position of the plate 100 and replace it correctly, naturally along the fold lines.

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• 2019
  • 2019-12-18 FR FR1914943A patent/FR3105082B1/fr active Active
• 2020
  • 2020-12-17 ES ES20824940T patent/ES2968186T3/es active Active
  • 2020-12-17 CA CA3159430A patent/CA3159430A1/fr active Pending
  • 2020-12-17 PL PL20824940.9T patent/PL4076928T3/pl unknown
  • 2020-12-17 EP EP20824940.9A patent/EP4076928B1/de active Active
  • 2020-12-17 WO PCT/EP2020/086840 patent/WO2021123030A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2020-12-17 AU AU2020405320A patent/AU2020405320A1/en active Pending
  • 2020-12-17 US US17/787,576 patent/US20220410522A1/en active Pending

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