Classifications

• • 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
  • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
  • B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
  • B65B9/026—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs the webs forming a curtain
• • 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
  • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
  • B65B51/02—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids
• • 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
  • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
  • B65B51/04—Applying separate sealing or securing members, e.g. clips
  • B65B51/05—Stapling
• • 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
  • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
  • B65B57/02—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
  • B65B57/04—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of such material, containers, or packages
• • 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
  • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
  • B65B59/001—Arrangements to enable adjustments related to the product to be packaged
• • 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
  • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
  • B65B59/02—Arrangements to enable adjustments to be made while the machine is running
• • 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
  • B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
  • B65B2220/22—Interconnected packages concurrently produced from the same web, the packages not being separated from one another
• • 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
  • B65B23/00—Packaging fragile or shock-sensitive articles other than bottles; Unpacking eggs
• • 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
  • B65B41/00—Supplying or feeding container-forming sheets or wrapping material
  • B65B41/12—Feeding webs from rolls

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a system and method for packaging, specifically designed for the automated packaging of mechanically sensitive items, both individually and in batches, particularly of items of varying sizes.
• the system is particularly advantageous for packaging short production runs of items prone to abrasion, breakage, and similar mechanical damage. It is especially suitable for packaging glass or ceramic items, which require individual packaging and protection, followed by layer-by-layer palletization.
• DE1989766U discloses a device for packaging, for example, packs of tissues, into packages.
• the elements to be packed are moved in sequence, placed between two strips of packaging material (e.g., foil), which are then connected (e.g., welded) in the space between the individual packed elements.
• packaging material e.g., foil
• this solution does not allow for packing items of different sizes, which limits its application.
• DE102011083919A1 discloses a device for packaging, for example, drug leaflets into packages.
• the elements to be packed are moved in sequence, placed between two strips of packaging material (e.g., foil), which are connected (e.g., welded) in the space between the individual packed elements, creating a plane.
• packaging material e.g., foil
• the string thus created is intended for further transport to the facility where it will be cut.
• this solution does not address the previously mentioned problems related to packaging products of different sizes.
• the present invention provides a system and method that enables the continuous packing of a stream of items, requiring refitting only when there is a change in the height range of the items being packed.
• the size of the packaging needs to be altered, it is only necessary to apply new sizes of packaging tapes.
• the disclosed solution allows for:
• the invention relates to a system for unitary packaging of a stream of individual items moved on a belt conveyor, characterized by including at least two packing tape feeders configured to provide at least one packing tape along each side of the stream of the items; an item position stabilization module configured to hold still the frontmost individual item of the stream of items to be packaged as it is surrounded on the sides by the packing tapes; a packing tape joining module for joining the packing tapes in a position between the item held by the item position stabilization module and its adjacent item downstream; and a controller configured to coordinate the operation of the system.
• This configuration provides the technical advantage of enabling continuous and automated packaging of items with varying dimensions without the need for system re-equipment.
• Another preferred aspect of the invention comprises a belt tension roller module configured to maintain a predefined tension of the dispensing packing tape from the packing tape feeders. This feature provides the technical advantage of preventing slack or breakage in the packing tape, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted packaging operation.
• the belt tension roller module is integrated with the positioning module. This integration offers the technical advantage of reducing the complexity of the system and minimizing the footprint of the packaging line.
• An additional preferred aspect of the invention is where the packing tapes are fed with their surface perpendicular to the belt conveyor. This orientation provides the technical advantage of enabling the lateral securing of items, which is particularly beneficial for the packaging of mechanically sensitive items.
• Another preferred embodiment includes a position sensor attached above the item position stabilization module for determining the position of the packed item while holding the item.
• This sensor provides the technical advantage of precise item detection, which is crucial for accurate packaging tape joining and overall system synchronization.
• a further preferred aspect of the invention comprises an adhesive applicator configured to apply an adhesive to the surfaces of the packing tapes that are to be joined by the packing tape joining module.
• the packing tape joining module comprises a stapler configured to join the packing tapes by staples.
• a preferred aspect of the invention is where the packing tape is made of paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, non-woven plastic, plastic foil, or bubble foil. This variety of materials provides the technical advantage of allowing the system to be adaptable to different packaging requirements and item sensitivities.
• the invention pertains to an automated system for the continuous packaging of mechanically sensitive items, which, due to their physical characteristics or mechanical sensitivity, require individualized, unitary packaging.
• the packaging process is automated and independent of the size and dimensions of the items being packaged.
• the packing material herein referred to as packing tape, is supplied vertically, enveloping the items laterally, which contrasts with the top and bottom wrapping found in prior art solutions.
• the operation of the packaging line is interrupted under two circumstances: the first is depletion of the available supply of packing tapes, and the second is the requirement to adjust the dimensions of the packing tapes to accommodate the size of the items being packaged.
• the invention was conceived to meet the demands of small-scale production of mechanically sensitive items with varying dimensions, intended for layered palletization.
• the system was developed to include packing tape feeders that operate under the control of a system that automatically detects the dimensions of the packaged item and adjusts the spacing between items according to the packaging and palletizing requirements.
• the invention provides a system for the unitary packaging of a stream of mechanically sensitive items 101 conveyed by a belt conveyor 110 and aligned into a linear stream, i.e., one item after another with some distance between the items, by a positioning module 120.
• the system is characterized by including at least two packing tape feeders 130 that supply a packing tape 131 for each side of the stream of items 101; an item position stabilization module 140 for securing the item once it is encircled by packing tape 131 when connecting packing tapes 131 from at least two packing tape feeders 130; a packing tape joining module 150 for affixing packing tapes 131 together behind the item 101 held by the item position stabilization module 140; and a controller 102 configured to synchronize the operation of the system's components and modulate the speed of the belt conveyor 110, as depicted in Fig. 1 .
• the system employs a packing tape feeder 130 on each side of the stream of items 101.
• the packing tapes 131 are the material in which the final product is encased.
• the packing tape feeders 130 dispense the material in ribbon form, either from rolls or pre-folded from boxes.
• the packing tapes 131 can be made of a suitable packing material such as paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, fleece, non-woven fabric, woven fabric, non-woven plastic, plastic foil, or bubble foil.
• the dimensions, width, and mass of the packing tape 131 are contingent on the packaging requirements and the dimensions of the items 101 to be packaged.
• the packing tape joining module 150 connects the left and right packing tapes 131 to form a collective package containing multiple items 101 secured laterally by the packing tape 131.
• the joining technique for the packing tapes is dependent on the material of the tapes and may encompass sealing, welding, melting, stapling, gluing, or other methods. For instance, sealing, welding, or melting can be executed by a heating element situated at the ends of the arms of the joining module 150 that press the packing tapes 131 together, affecting the tapes from the exterior.
• a stapler may be incorporated into one or both arms of the joining module 150 to apply staples or other mechanical fasteners to the tapes.
• the system may also include a packaged item transport module that conveys the bulk package containing the packaged products to the palletizing or further packaging module.
• This module can also regulate the velocity of the packaged items stream.
• the module for transporting packed items facilitates the movement of a web of packed items in packing tapes independently of the conveyor belt 110, while simultaneously controlling the speed of the web's movement. This system transports packed items to the packaging or palletizing module.
• the packaged item transport module for instance, a chain gripper conveyor, allows the packed item string to be transported and the speed of its movement to be adjusted without compromising the integrity of the package.
• the movement and speed of the web of packed items are regulated by the packaged item transport module, which adjusts them as needed.
• the packing tape joining module 150 makes two connections of the ribbons with an adjustable gap. This step is necessary to facilitate cutting the web or arranging the packed items in multiple rows.
• the web of packed items is then conveyed from the roller conveyor 190 to the packing and palletizing module.
• FIGS 2 and 3 illustrate embodiments of the invention that utilize paper belts with one side pre-coated with water-activated adhesive. These figures schematically demonstrate the implementation of the system with the conceptual elements of the described system indicated.
• the packing tapes 131 are stored in the packing tape feeders 130. Items 101 arriving on the conveyor belt 110 are positioned using the positioning module, which may also serve as the belt tension roller module 160, integrating both functions.
• the item position stabilization module 140 employs position sensors 170 such as optical sensors to ascertain the correct positioning of the packed item.
• the system moistens the packing tapes 131 and presses them together for adhesion in the packing tape joining module 150.
• the items, encased in the lateral tapes are moved by a ramp to the bulk packaging area.
• the ramp is an example of a packaged item transport module, though it is not the only possible technical solution for the system.
• the invention also provides a method for the unitary packaging of a stream of mechanically sensitive items 101 conveyed by a belt conveyor 110 and organized by a positioning module 120 using the system described herein.
• the method includes the steps of delivering 201 the items 101 to the belt conveyor 110; moving 202 each item 101 on the belt conveyor 110 into a position between the packing tapes 131; securing 203 the item 101 surrounded by the packing tapes 131 using the item position stabilization module 140; and affixing 204 the packing tapes 131 behind the item 101 held by the item position stabilization module 140 using the packing tape joining module 150.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=90481918

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (1)

Citations (8)

• 2024
  • 2024-03-27 EP EP24461553.0A patent/EP4624348A1/de active Pending

Patent Citations (8)

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