DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ON PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES IN BOXES

Abstract

A device for packaging articles in boxes, including a carousel rotatable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation and a frame provided with a first operating unit arranged to operate on one of said articles and/or one of said boxes. The frame is supported and kept raised from the ground by the carousel by a rotatable coupling that allows the relative rotation between the carousel and the frame. The device also includes a fixing structure connected to the frame so that the frame remains fixed with respect to the ground when the carousel rotates around the axis of rotation. A method for packaging articles in boxes is also described.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. A device for packaging articles in boxes, comprising: a carousel rotatable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation, a frame supported and raised from ground by said carousel, a first operating unit arranged to operate on at least one of said articles or one of said boxes, and a fixing structure connected to said frame, wherein: said carousel is configured to rotate relative to said frame, and said fixing structure is configured to fix said frame with respect to the ground when said carousel rotates around said axis of rotation.

22. The device according to claim 21, further comprising a second operating unit which comprises a first member connected to a portion of said carousel below said frame so that rotation of the carousel around said axis of rotation moves said second operating unit along a predefined path.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein said first member is arranged at least partially beyond said frame with respect to the axis of rotation so that said first operating unit is extended between said axis of rotation and said first member at least in an operating section of said predefined path.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said first member is configured to operate in said operating section on the at least one of said articles or one of said boxes during a movement of said second operating unit along said predefined path when the at least one of said articles or one of said boxes is at said operating section.

25. The device according to claim 22, wherein said second operating unit further comprises a second member connected to said portion of said carousel below said frame and arranged opposite said first member with respect to said frame.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein said first operating unit is extended between said first member and said second member at least in an operating section of said predefined path.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein said first member and said second member are configured to operate jointly in said operating section on the at least one of said articles or one of said boxes during movement of said second operating unit along said predefined path when the at least one of said articles or one of said boxes is at said operating section.

28. The device according to claim 21, wherein said first operating unit comprises a working surface on which the at least one of said articles or one of said boxes can be placed or advanced.

29. The device according to claim 26, wherein said first operating unit comprises a working surface on which the at least one of said articles or one of said boxes can be placed or advanced, and wherein at least said first member or said second member comprises a relative head adapted to operate on the at least one of said articles or one of said boxes present on said working surface, said head being above said working surface in said operating section.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein said head is adapted to retain one end of said at least one of said articles or one of said boxes.

31. The device according to claim 21, wherein said frame comprises an annular groove and said carousel comprises at least one upright configured to rotatably support said frame by at least one roller constrained to said at least one upright and configured to slide in said annular groove.

32. The device according to claim 21, wherein said frame is rotatably coupled to said carousel by a fifth wheel.

33. The device according to claim 21, wherein said frame comprises a ramp extending longitudinally from a first end of the ramp to a second end of the ramp, said second end being above said first end and substantially coplanar with a working surface.

34. The device according to claim 21, wherein said frame has a ring shape.

35. The device according to claim 28, wherein said working surface comprises at least one curvilinear portion.

36. The device according to claim 22, wherein said predefined path comprises a portion extended according to an annulus section or said predefined path has a ring shape.

37. The device according to claim 23, wherein said operating section comprises at least a curvilinear portion of said predefined path.

38. The device according to claim 21, wherein said fixing structure comprises a support with a vertical extension fixed to the ground and an arm integrally extended by said support and rigidly connected to an upper portion of said frame.

39. The device according to claim 23, wherein said fixing structure is connected to a portion of said frame not affected by said operating section of said predefined path.

40. A method for packaging articles in boxes, comprising: arranging a carousel rotatable around a substantially vertical axis of rotation, arranging a frame having a ring shape and provided at a top of the frame with a first operating unit arranged to operate on at least one of said articles or one of said boxes, said frame fixed with respect to ground, arranging a second operating unit comprising a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member constrained to said carousel in a position below said frame, said second member opposed to said first member with respect to said frame, rotating said carousel to move said second operating unit along a predefined path extended along said frame, and operating on said at least one of said articles or one of said boxes present at said predefined path by said second operating unit.

Description

[0300] The characteristics and advantages of the present solution will become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof shown, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0301] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device for operating on products, in particular for packaging articles in boxes, according to an embodiment of the present solution,

[0302] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a device for operating on products, in particular for packaging articles in boxes, according to a second embodiment of the present solution,

[0303] FIGS. 3 and 4 are a perspective and, respectively, plan view of a device for operating on products, in particular for packaging articles in boxes, according to a further embodiment of the present solution,

[0304] FIGS. 5-11 show different details of a device for operating on products, in particular for packaging articles in boxes, according to an embodiment of the present solution,

[0305] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a device for operating on products, in particular for packaging articles in boxes, according to an embodiment of the present solution,

[0306] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a detail of FIG. 12, and

[0307] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a device for operating on products, in particular for packaging articles in boxes, according to an embodiment of the present solution.

[0308] With reference to the enclosed Figures, number 100 globally denotes a device for operating on products made according to the present solution.

[0309] Specifically, the device 100 for operating on products shown in the Figures is a device for packaging articles 1 in boxes 2.

[0310] Accordingly, the product is represented by the article 1 or box 2, or by the set formed by article 1 and box 2.

[0311] With particular reference to FIG. 1, the device 100 comprises a carousel 3 rotatable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation X.

[0312] The carousel is rotatably coupled to a stand 3a fixed to the ground of the device 100.

[0313] The device 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a frame 4 provided at the top with a first operating unit 5 made in the form of a support surface on which one or more products, i.e. one or more articles 1 and/or one or more boxes 2, may be placed and/or advanced.

[0314] The first operating unit 5 is therefore arranged to operate on at least one product.

[0315] The support surface is rigidly connected to the frame 4 and defines a substantially horizontal working surface 5a on which one or more articles 1 and/or one or more boxes 2 may be placed and/or advanced.

[0316] The articles 1 and boxes 2 are shown for exemplary purposes at least in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0317] With particular reference to FIGS. 1-6, the frame 4 comprises a ring-shaped single-piece body 6 to which the support surface is rigidly connected.

[0318] In other words, the support surface is rigidly connected to the frame 4 and defines a substantially horizontal working surface 5a on which one or more products may be placed and/or advanced.

[0319] The frame 4 comprises a sequence of lightening holes 7 formed in the single-piece body 6 to reduce the overall weight of the frame 4.

[0320] The frame 4 is rotatably supported and raised from the ground by the carousel 3 by means of a coupling that allows the relative rotation between the carousel 3 and the frame 4.

[0321] Specifically, the axis of rotation of the carousel 3 passes through the centre of the ring-shaped single-piece body 6.

[0322] With particular reference to FIGS. 5-7, the frame 4 comprises an annular groove 8 while the carousel comprises a plurality of uprights 9 adapted to rotatably support the frame 4 by means of respective rollers 10 constrained to the relative upright 9 and sliding in the annular groove 8. The annular groove 8 is extended on an outer side surface of the frame 4, i.e. on a surface opposite to that of the frame facing the axis of rotation of the carousel 3. The uprights 9 are arranged radially with respect to the axis of rotation X of the carousel 3.

[0323] The carousel 3 comprises a base 11 from which the uprights 9 are extended along a vertical direction to a respective free end 12. The free end 12 is provided with a bracket 13 to which a roller 10 is constrained which is able to rotate around a horizontal axis with respect to the upright 9.

[0324] In alternative to the rotatable coupling between the carousel 3 and the frame 4 described above, the frame 4 is rotatably coupled to the carousel 3 by a fifth wheel.

[0325] With particular reference to FIGS. 3-6, the support surface comprises at least a curvilinear portion 5b extended along a section of the frame 4. The curvilinear portion 5b is extended consistently with the arched extension of the frame section below it.

[0326] With particular reference to FIG. 7, the device 100 comprises a fixing structure 14 connected to the frame 4 so as to keep the frame 4 fixed to the ground when the carousel 3 rotates about its axis of rotation X. The frame 4 thus remains stationary during the rotation of the carousel 3.

[0327] The fixing structure 14 comprises a support 15 with a predominantly vertical extension fixed to the ground and an arm 16 extended from the support 15 and rigidly connected to an upper portion 17 of the frame 4.

[0328] The support 15 is spaced from, and arranged externally to, the frame 4 with respect to the axis of rotation X of the carousel 3 and the arm 16 comprises an inverted U-shaped portion.

[0329] With particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, the device 100 comprises a plurality of second operating units 18, each one comprising a first member 19 connected to a portion of the carousel 3 below the frame 4 so that the rotation of the carousel 3 about the axis of rotation X moves the second operating unit 18 along a predetermined path 20.

[0330] The second operating units 18 are therefore arranged to operate on the products.

[0331] For exemplary purposes, the aforesaid portion of the carousel 3 below the frame 4 is indicated with reference number 21 in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0332] The predefined path 20 has a circular shape and extends along the ring-shaped extension of the frame 4. Thus, the predefined path 20 comprises an extended portion according to an annulus section 20a.

[0333] With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first member 19 is arranged at least partially beyond the frame 4 with respect to the axis of rotation X of the carousel 3 so that the working surface 5a is extended between the axis of rotation X and the first member 19 at least in an operating section 22 of the predefined path 20.

[0334] The working section 22 corresponds to a curvilinear portion 22a of the predefined path 20 and extends along the working surface 5a.

[0335] With particular reference to FIG. 7, the fixing structure 14 is advantageously connected to a portion 23 of the frame 4 not affected by the operating section 22.

[0336] Returning now to the second operating unit 18, it must be noted that it comprises a second member 24 connected to the portion 21 of the carousel 3 and arranged opposite the first member 19 with respect to frame 4.

[0337] Specifically, the working surface 5a is extended between the first member 19 and the second member 24 at least in the operating section 22 of the predefined path 20.

[0338] The device 100 shown in the Figures provides that the first member 19 and the second member 24 of the operating units 18 are configured to operate jointly in the operating section 22 on one or more articles 1 and/or one or more boxes 2 during the movement of the second operating unit 18 along the predefined path 20 when said one or more articles 1 and/or one or more boxes 2 are/is on the working surface 5a at the operating section 22.

[0339] With particular reference to FIG. 8, the first member 19 and the second member 24 comprise a respective head 25 adapted to operate on an article 1 and/or a box 2 present on the working surface 5a, each head 25 being above the working surface 5a in the operating section 22.

[0340] The head 25 of each first member 19 and second member 24 comprises a base 27 and a pair of sidewalls 28, 29 and is adapted to retain and support an end 26 of an article 2 and to provide an appropriate abutment while forming a box 2 around it.

[0341] Specifically, the heads 25 of the first member 19 and of the second member 24 jointly define a mandrel 30a configured to accommodate and support an article 1 and to promote the formation of a box 2 around it according to a wrap-around packaging process.

[0342] The head 25 also comprises a piston 31 sliding in a seat 30 and adapted to hold the article 1 in position when it is accommodated in the mandrel 30a.

[0343] With particular reference to FIG. 11, the frame 4 comprises a ramp 31 extended longitudinally from a first end 32 to a second end 33 thereof above its first end 32, wherein the second end 33 is substantially coplanar to the working surface 5a.

[0344] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the device 100 wherein the frame is rotatably coupled to the carousel by a fifth wheel 34.

[0345] The fifth wheel 34 comprises a concentric inner ring 35 and outer ring 36 and rotating elements 37, in particular balls, contained within a seat 38 formed between the inner ring 35 and outer ring 36.

[0346] These components are visible in FIG. 13.

[0347] The frame 4 is fixed to the outer ring 36 while the inner ring 35 is fixed to a base 39 of the carousel 3 by means of a plurality of arms 40 radially extended with respect to the axis of rotation X of the carousel 3.

[0348] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the device 100 wherein the frame is rotatably coupled to the carousel by a linear guide 41.

[0349] The linear guide 41 comprises a rail 42 fixed to the frame 4 and a plurality of slides 43 fixed to a base 44 of the carousel 3 by respective arms 45 radially extended with respect to the axis of rotation of the carousel 3. The slides 43 are sliding on the rail 42.

[0350] A method for packaging articles in boxes by means of the device 100 may therefore provide a step of rotating the carousel 3, e.g. by means of a suitable electric drive, so as to move the operating units 18 along the frame 4. During the rotation of the operating units 18 around the axis of rotation X, the respective heads 25 operate (in particular retain) on the articles 1 and/or boxes 2 on the support surface at the operating section 22.

[0351] A further method for operating on products may therefore provide: [0352] arranging the frame 4 provided with the first operating unit 5, [0353] arranging the carousel 3 that is rotatable around the substantially vertical axis of rotation X and provided with the second operating units 18, [0354] rotatably coupling the frame to the carousel so that the frame is supported and raised from the ground by the carousel and a relative rotation between the carousel and the frame is allowed, [0355] connecting the fixing structure 14 stably to the ground, [0356] connecting the frame 4 stably to the fixing structure 14 so as to keep the frame 4 fixed with respect to the ground by means of the fixing structure 14 when the carousel 3 rotates around the axis of rotation, [0357] moving one of the products 1, 2 along the predefined path 20 passing through the first operating unit 5, [0358] rotating the carousel 3 around the axis of rotation X, and [0359] operating on the product 1, 2 by means of the first operating unit 5 and a second operating unit 18.

[0360] Specifically, the aforesaid method provides that the step of operating on one of the products 1, 2 by means of the first operating unit 5 and the second operating unit 18 is implemented in the operating section 22. In the operating section 22, the product 1, 2 is placed on the working surface 5a and thus supported by the first operating unit 5.

[0361] The product 1, 2 is advanced on the working surface 5a by means of the second operating unit 18 thanks to the heads 25 of the first member 19 and second member 24 which retain the respective ends 26 of the product 1, 2.