IMPROVED INDUSTRIAL PLANT AND METHOD

Abstract

An improved method for packing an object is described.

To limit the usage of protection material, around the object a plurality of bands of protective material are applied at a different vertical height of the object, wherein the bands are applied so that they are spaced apart and distributed along the height of the object.

Claims

1. Method for packing an object, comprising the step of applying around the object a plurality of bands of protective material at a different vertical height of the object, wherein the bands are applied so that they are spaced apart and distributed along the height of the object.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the bands are applied to the object sequentially, one after the other, at consecutive stations or points of a packaging line.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein in each of said points or stations only one band is applied at a different height of the object, or a plurality of bands are applied at different heights of the object.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the bands are applied to the object so that they are spaced apart and uniformly distributed along the height of the object.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the position of a or each band to be applied to the object is calculated by measuring a physical dimensional variable of the object.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the distance between two adjacent applied bands is a function of the total height of the object.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein a or each band of protective material is closed at its ends to form a ring around the object.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein just before or just after the application of all the bands, a plastic film or a sheet of cardboard is applied to the top of the object to cover the upper part thereof.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the object is a set of distinct pieces superimposed and stacked vertically one on top of the other.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the object is placed on a pallet while receiving the bands.

11. Method according to claim 2, wherein the position of a or each band to be applied to the object is calculated by measuring a physical dimensional variable of the object.

12. Method according to claim 3, wherein the position of a or each band to be applied to the object is calculated by measuring a physical dimensional variable of the object.

13. Method according to claim 4, wherein the position of a or each band to be applied to the object is calculated by measuring a physical dimensional variable of the object.

14. Method according to claim 11, wherein the distance between two adjacent applied bands is a function of the total height of the object.

15. Method according to claim 12, wherein the distance between two adjacent applied bands is a function of the total height of the object.

16. Method according to claim 13, wherein the distance between two adjacent applied bands is a function of the total height of the object.

17. Method according to claim 1, wherein the object is a furniture item.

18. Method according to claim 1, wherein the object is a set of furniture items or furniture components stacked or superimposed vertically.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Further advantages will become clear from the following description, which refers to an example of a preferred embodiment of a packaging machine in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a packaging plant or machine,

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a module or stations of the packaging plant or machine,

[0058] FIG. 3 shows in side view a series of objects during packing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Equal numbers in the figures indicate equal or substantially equal parts.

[0060] A packing machine 10 (FIG. 1) comprises the in-line series of three equal stations or modules 12, 14, 16 fed by a conveyor belt 20 configured so that an object 18, placed on it, can reach and pass sequentially through the modules 12, 14, 16 moving along a horizontal feed X axis (see also arrow F). The modules 12, 14, 16 may also be just one, two, or more than three.

[0061] Preferably the object 18 travels on a pallet 19.

[0062] Each module 12, 14, 16 (see detail of FIG. 2) is configured to apply a band of protective material, e.g. cardboard, around the object 18. For this purpose, each module 12, 14, 16 comprises two reels 30, 32 of protective material 28 that feed an applicator device 34. The use of two reels 30, 32 allows a module 12, 14, 16 to remain active during the replacement of an empty reel.

[0063] The applicator device 34 is structured to lay a strip of protective material 28 in front of the object 18 and then fold the strip around the object 18 as the object 18 advances on the conveyor belt 20. Specifically, the applicator device 34 comprises a pair of arms 40 and a pair of arms 50. The arms 40, 50 of each pair are aligned, placed opposite each other on opposite sides of the conveyor belt 20, and linearly movable along a respective axis Y1, Y2 that is horizontal and orthogonal to a vertical plane passing through the X axis.

[0064] As the object 18 moves along the X axis, the pair of arms 50 is reached by the object 18 first, the pair of arms 40 secondly.

[0065] A roller 42 is mounted at the end of each arm 40 to return the strip of protective material 28 around the object 18.

[0066] The arms 40 are movable, relatively displaceable closer to or away from each other, to widen or narrow a horizontal stretch 44 of protective material 28 that the object 18 encounters frontally. Thus the arms 40 adjust the transverse length of the horizontal stretch 44 to the width of the object 18. Then the object 18, moving on the conveyor belt 20, drags the horizontal stretch 44 and lays it on its sides.

[0067] The arms 50 are movable, relatively displaceable closer to or away from each other, to bring two bends of protective material 28 closer to each other behind the object 18 and thus form a segment of band that can be closed behind the object 18.

[0068] To close the band around the object 18, each module 12, 14, 16 comprises e.g. a gluing head 36 with means for cutting the protective material 28, applying glue to the ends of the cut strip and then pressing them on each other to close the strip and make a ring. E.g. the gluing head 36 is mounted at the end of one or each arm 50.

[0069] The pair of arms 40 and the pair of arms 50 are also linearly and synchronously movable along a vertical Z-axis (FIG. 3), i.e. orthogonally to the horizontal sliding surface of the conveyor belt 20. Therefore, the arms 40, 50 are movable to be vertically displaced closer to or away from the conveyor belt 20. Therefore, by moving the arms 40, 50 along the Z axis it is possible to vary the elevation of the segment 44 relative to the conveyor belt 20, thereby varying the height to which the band of protective material 28 currently applied on the object 18, is applied.

[0070] The pair of arms 40 and the pair of arms 50 are preferably also linearly and synchronously movable along an axis parallel to the X axis. Thus they can position themselves along the conveyor belt 20 to track the object 18 when necessary.

[0071] The modules 12, 14, 16 are configured to work independently, then each module 12, 14, 16 can apply a strip or rings 96 of protective material 28 to the object 18 at a height different than that engaged by the other modules 12, 14, 16. See e.g. FIG. 3 showing an example of progressive packing on the machine 10.

[0072] As the object 18 advances on the conveyor belt 20 it receives at least one band of protective material 28 from each module 12, 14, 16, so that, at the exit point of the machine 10, around the object 18 there is a plurality of bands or rings 96 of protective material 28 that are spaced apart and distributed along the height of the object 18 without mutual overlapping.

[0073] For maximum machine-cycle speed, each module 12, 14, 16 applies only one band of protective material 28. However, it is possible to equip a or each module 12, 14, 16 with more pairs of arms 40, 50 to apply simultaneously to the object 18 several bands at different heights.

[0074] For example, relatively to the conveyor belt 20, the band 96 applied at highest level is at 2500 mm, and the 96 band applied at lowest level is at 350 mm.

[0075] The height to which each module 12, 14, 16 applies its band 28 of protective material may be constant, or determined in real time by a program and/or an electronic control unit 60, e.g. a PC or PLC. The control unit 60 drives all the actuators of the modules 12, 14, 16, including those that set the position of the arms 40, 50.

[0076] In a variant, the object 18 has a code that is read by a reader 62, placed at the entry point of the conveyor belt 20 and connected to the control unit 60. In a different variant, the object 18 is recognized by a sensor 64 (e.g. an image sensor, a camera, or a LIDAR) placed at the entry point of the conveyor belt 20 and connected to the control unit 60.

[0077] The control unit 60 receives the code, or data, from the reader 62 or the sensor 64 and extracts information therefrom regarding the total height of the object 18. By means of an algorithm then the control unit 60 determines how many bands and at what height each module 12, 14, 16 has to apply, and gives them commands accordingly.

[0078] To increase the protection of the object 18, the machine 10 optionally comprises a dispenser 70, e.g. also of known type, to lay a protective sheet 72 on the object 18. E.g. the sheet 72 is a plastic film, e.g. a polyethylene sheet, which is dustproof and waterproof. E.g. the sheet 72 is applied to the top of the object 18 to cover it from dust.

[0079] The dispenser 70 is placed at the entry or exit point of the conveyor belt 20, for construction convenience, and comprises a portal 74 that supports a reel 76 at the top from which the sheet 72 is unwound.

[0080] The portal 74 has two lateral columns 78 and an upper crossbeam 80. The upper crossbar 80 is adjustable in height by a drive 81. The distributor 70 comprises rollers, e.g. rubber-coated, for unwinding the sheet 72. The reel 76 is cut by means of a full-width blade: the distributor 70 has means on board for holding the sheet 72 from above and below while the blade cuts it.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows a typical snapshot situation for various objects 18 on the conveyor belt 20. The objects 18 are in a row along the X axis and some are formed of a stack or column of components. Along the overall height of the object 18, closed bands or rings 96 of protective material 28 are progressively applied by the modules 12, 14, 16.

[0082] Going from right to left: an object 18 arrives and a first band or ring 96 is applied to it at the module 12, thenif the height of the object 18 requires ita second band or ring 96 is applied at the module 14, and thenif the height of the object 18 requires ita third band or ring 96 5 is applied at the module 16.

[0083] If the distributor 70 is at the head of the conveyor belt 20, going from right to left in FIG. 3 the sheet 72 is applied first, and then sequentially the bands or rings 96 along the succession of the modules 12, 14, 16.