EP4178866B1 - Apparatus for bundling by strapping pet bottles or similar containers - Google Patents
Apparatus for bundling by strapping pet bottles or similar containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4178866B1 EP4178866B1 EP21746574.9A EP21746574A EP4178866B1 EP 4178866 B1 EP4178866 B1 EP 4178866B1 EP 21746574 A EP21746574 A EP 21746574A EP 4178866 B1 EP4178866 B1 EP 4178866B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- containers
- station
- group
- level
- strapping
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 42
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000013519 translation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002390 adhesive tape Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001010 compromised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B65B27/00—Bundling particular articles presenting special problems using string, wire, or narrow tape or band; Baling fibrous material, e.g. peat, not otherwise provided for
- B65B27/04—Bundling groups of cans or bottles
-
- 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
- B65B13/00—Bundling articles
- B65B13/18—Details of, or auxiliary devices used in, bundling machines or bundling tools
-
- 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
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
- B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
-
- 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
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
- B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
- B65B35/40—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers
- B65B35/405—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by reciprocating or oscillatory pushers linked to endless conveyors
-
- 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
- B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
- B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
- B65B35/44—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by endless belts or chains
-
- 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
- B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
- B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
Definitions
- containers such as PET bottles for beverages and, moreover, also other equivalent containers such as cans and/or jars, are assembled in groups or bundles of four or six or more elements mainly by means of sheets of heat-shrinking plastic polymers.
- the present invention instead, relates to another method of fast assembly and therefore a new type of apparatus, safe and economical by using of tape-like constraints called straps usable with appropriate and specific measures using traditional strapping machines.
- Said machines have already existed for a long time for the general packaging of packages, boxes or various containers but have not yet been used industrially for the assembly of PET bottles or similar containers.
- the purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the production of bundles consisting of groups of containers which are held together by at least one, preferably two or more straps and which allows high productivity and easy adaptation to the production of bundles in which the groups of containers comprise different relative arrangements of the containers themselves and in a quinconce or any arrangement of the said containers wherein along the sides of the bundle not all containers are tangent to a plane that defines the said side of the bundles.
- the apparatus, object of the present invention relates to an operating unit capable of carrying out a rapid assembly, i.e. a safe and simple bundle comprising at least one, preferably two straps: arranged on planes parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axes of the containers of the group.
- a possible embodiment may additionally provide at least a third strap oriented perpendicular to the two said straps, i.e. extending in a plane parallel to the axes of the containers and preferably passing through the gravity centre of the containers group bound together to form the package or bundle.
- the apparatus of the present invention is provided to simplify and minimise the shrinkwrapping time, thus ensuring a reduced operating cost in conjunction with constant and reliable working and to ensure a simple and rapid adaptability of the apparatus to a multiple of pack configuration which differ in that they have containers arranged according to pattern wherein at least on one side of the pack or bundle not all containers are tangent to a plane coinciding and/or extending along said side.
- the apparatus according to the present invention is designed for bundling, by strapping, of containers, that is, for binding a predetermined number of containers arranged relatively to each other according to a predetermined order so as to form a compact pack or bundle that act as a single package.
- the containers can be of any type, for example plastic bottles, such as PET bottles, or cans or cardboard containers or glass containers such as jars, bottles, or other types of similar containers.
- the invention relates to a machine of the type essentially comprising a conveyor belt feeding a series of containers to a forming station, wherein said containers are formed in a sequence of ordered groups of containers comprising a predetermined number of containers with a predetermined relative arrangement of said containers, which conveyor and which forming station are provided at a first intermediate level, by a conveyor for transferring a series of said ordered groups of containers to a strapping station, which strapping station is foreseen at a second intermediate level, and by a conveyor for unloading said series of ordered groups foreseen downstream of said strapping station and at a level which is lower than said second intermediate level.
- the present invention provides in combination further features that
- the apparatus described basically works on four levels or planes, which are:
- the distance between the two straps can profitably correspond to the distance of the annular grooves on the shell surfaces of the containers and inside the straps, i.e. the binding tapes, are housed.
- the forming station provides that the containers are not brought at least on some sides of the same in contact with the adjacent containers, but said containers are kept spaced apart at a predetermined distance, at least in correspondence with some sides facing towards one or more of the adjacent containers and that the group of containers generated in the forming station with this spaced configuration of the containers is thus transferred to the transfer conveyor.
- a dispensing unit for an adhesive substance and/or a substance that increases the friction between the mutual contact surfaces of the containers which substance can be applied on at least some areas of the surfaces of mutual contact between adjacent containers and which surfaces are provided on the still spaced sides of the adjacent containers.
- the length of the transfer path is set in a way that the transfer time of the containers allows the substance applied to the adhesion areas to dry sufficiently so that the action of this substance is not compromised by the further processing steps for the generation of the package or the bundle.
- the apparatus for production of containers packs is illustrated in a non-limiting way referring to bottles, to plastic bottles, such as PET or other materials.
- the same apparatus can be used to produce packs of other types of containers, such as glass bottles, cans, jars, and cardboard containers or similar.
- the apparatus has a feed conveyor 1 wherein rows of containers 2 are fed to a forming station S1 of ordered groups of containers. Each group comprises a predetermined number of containers which are arranged according to a predetermined pattern.
- the illustrated apparatus allows to create groups of containers which are arranged relatively to each other in a way that the group has at least one side part of the containers which are arranged tangent to a plane which defines said side and part of said containers which is spaced from said plane.
- the number of containers for each group may vary depending on the case and/or also the relative arrangement of the same within the group.
- the containers 2 are arranged on a plurality of parallel rows oriented parallel to each other in the forward direction of the feed conveyor 1.
- this is possible thanks by deviation and guide walls 3 which are oriented parallel to the axes of the containers and which extend for a certain length in the forward direction of the containers 2.
- the said deviation and guide walls 3 have a certain thickness which arranges the containers 2 on several rows at a lateral distance from each other, or crosswise to the forward direction.
- the forming station S1 has an end-stop advancement wall 4 for advancing the containers which has a template, and which has a three-dimensional shape.
- the shape of said end-stop wall, or the cross-section shape along a horizontal plane of said end-stop wall 4 defines the relative position of the container in front position of each row of containers 2 in the forming station S1.
- the said end-stop wall 4 is made in such a way as to position the containers 2 in quinconce, so that the said end-stop wall 4 has flat end stop faces and coincide with two different vertical planes oriented crosswise to the forward direction and spaced from each other for a measure substantially corresponding to a radius or to half the size of the container in the forward direction.
- the said wall 4 is formed by two alternating series of stop surfaces 104, 204 which are each coincident with a row of containers 2 and which are coincident respectively with one of said two vertical planes and cross-sectional to the forward direction.
- the group of containers 1 formed in the forming station S1 has several rows of containers 2 side by side and spaced apart in a predetermined size and which rows are arranged staggered from each other in the forward direction of the containers to such an extent that the containers are arranged in quinconce.
- the group of containers comprises only two rows of containers placed side by side in a cross direction to the forward direction, while it has five rows of containers parallel to each other and spaced apart in a cross direction to the forward direction.
- a lifting assembly (not shown in detail) can be made in various ways known to the state of art and for example comprises of a group of pushing rods, each comes into contact with the bottom of a container or with a plate that comes into contact with part of the bottom of at least two or more containers and which pushing rods can be moved vertically in both directions raises the group of containers 2 formed in station S1 at a first intermediate level LV1 at an upper level and in the inlet end of a transfer conveyor 5.
- a shaped wall 6 corresponding to the surfaces of the containers of the group formed in the station S1 is provided on the side of the group which is backward to the forward direction of the containers on the conveyor 1.
- said rear wall 6 is shaped correspondingly to the end-stop wall 4 and also has the function of template.
- the said wall 4 can be movable from the forming station S1 to the entrance into the transfer conveyor, or it can be provided only at the entrance of the transfer conveyor 5.
- Said rear wall 6 moves together with the containers 2 of the group and accompanies, pushing the containers of the group towards a descent station S2 at the opposite end of a transfer path PT.
- a possible transfer conveyor comprises a container sliding surface which can be stationary or consisting of a movable conveyor belt that is displaceable either idle or motorized and in combination a multiple of driving pressors members 105 in the form of crosspieces movable by an end belts or chains, which belts or chains 205 move along closed paths and are driven around pulleys or gears 405 at least some of which are rotationally driven by motors (not shown).
- Each crosswise driving pressor 105 carries a shaped wall with the function of template 6 and cooperates with a group of containers, the said pressors 105 being arranged at distances from each other as to allow each group formed between two said pressors 105 to be housed, thus forming a series of groups of containers 2.
- the containers of each group are subjected to a compacting operation, that is to approach each other to be brought into mutual contact of each container with the adjacent containers.
- the compaction takes place through two lateral pressors aligned and/or coincident with each other in a cross forward direction of the groups of containers and each arranged on a longitudinal side of the transfer conveyor 5 and can be moved towards and relative to each other.
- the said two lateral pressors are not illustrated in detail, but for example they can be constituted by a pair of opposing pressure plates oriented vertically and parallel to the forward direction and which are moved parallel to themselves by at least a linear actuator.
- the said compactors i.e. the lateral pressors opposite each other, are provided in a point of the transfer path PT which is downstream of an intermediate station for applying an adhesive or a coating to increase the friction between the containers of a group.
- This station is also not illustrated in detail and can be realized in any way by a skilled person using his basic knowledge.
- said station may comprise at least one nozzle or a multiples of spray nozzles which can be moved along the group of containers or arranged in a predetermined relative position with reference to at least some of the containers, in order to project a predetermined quantity of adhesive, paint or other coating substance on at least some areas of the surface of the containers 2, in correspondence with said surfaces of adjacent containers come into contact with each other upon lateral compaction of the group of containers as described above.
- the position of the station for applying the adhesive and/or substance to increase the friction between the surfaces of two adjacent containers is such that the remaining length of the transfer path PT and the descent into the strapping station SR provided at a second intermediate level LV3 is enough to allow a substantial drying of the adhesive, paint or other substance to an extent that does not compromise the effect of retaining the individual containers fixed in a releasable way to each other even during further movements of the group of containers in the plant for the subsequent phases.
- an embodiment provides that the wall with the function of a rear template 6 is provided only at the entrance of the transfer conveyor 5, while the pressors rods push each group by acting directly on the containers 2 that protrude from the rear.
- the strapping station SR is provided at a lower level than the transfer conveyor and at the intermediate level of the forming station of the groups of containers S1.
- the difference in height between each level is substantially corresponding to the height of the containers or a multiple of thereof.
- the distance between the intermediate level LV1 of the forming station S1 and the intermediate level LV2 of the strapping station SR is equal to the height of the containers and the distance between the intermediate level LV1 of the forming station S1 and the LVS level of the transfer conveyor 5 is also equal to height of the containers 2, the strapping station SR is provided at a level LS2 which is lower than the upper level LVS of the output of the transfer conveyor 5 which is substantially equal twice the height of the containers 2.
- the containers 2 of the individual groups which are not yet strapped together are supported in the strapping station SR by lower, removable support stops, indicated schematically in Figures 4 and 5 with 7, while after the application of the two straps along the two horizontal planes and perpendicular to the axis of the containers by means of the strapping machines R1 and R2, the group of linked containers 2 is unloaded from the strapping machine by a lifting/lowering conveyor 8 which feeds each group at the entrance of an unloading conveyor 9.
- the lowering conveyor is motorized with regards to the vertical movement of lifting and lowering between the intermediate level LV2 of the strapping station SR and the lower level LVINF of an unloading conveyor 9.
- a particular embodiment which is the one illustrated provides that both the lowering conveyor 8 and the unloading conveyor 9 are in the form of conveyor belts.
- any type of conveyor can be provided.
- the lower level LVINF of the unloading conveyor 9 is also provided at a distance essentially corresponding to the height of the containers or possibly even slightly higher than the said height of the containers.
- Descent station that ends in the strapping station SR has a descent channel whose length is basically equal to the height of the containers or to a multiple of said height, so that between the group of containers in the strapping station SR and the group of outgoing containers one or more vertically aligned groups are provided from the transfer conveyor and at the inlet to the descent station according to whether the channel of the descent station is long to an extent equal to a single height of the containers 2 or a multiple of said height.
- the descent takes place by gravity since the descent station has no vertical transfer members for the containers, and since the containers of the group or groups of containers are interposed between the group in the strapping station SR and the group entering the descent station SD supported respectively by the containers of the underlying group, that is of the group of containers in the strapping station and/or in the group of containers of the succession of groups 2 "present in the descent channel when this has a length equal to a multiple of the heights of the containers.
- the last group 2 'at the upper end of the descent channel in turn supports the containers of the group leaving the transfer conveyor, when the removable support members 10 are moved to an inactive position and the containers of said group are free to move downwards by gravity.
- This effect depends both on the material of which the containers are made and on the shape of the containers themselves and the possibility of axial offset and/or extraction increases with low-friction metal materials and/or with smooth and not three-dimensionally shaped surfaces of the containers.
- feed conveyor 1 containers 2 forming station of ordered groups of containers S1 longitudinal deflection and guide walls 3 advancement end-stop wall with positioning template function 4 limit stop surfaces 104, 204 first intermediate level LV1 transfer conveyor 5 rear shaped positioning wall 6 descent station SD transfer course PT transverse drag pusher 105 belts or chains 205 sliding plane 305 pulleys or gears 405 strapping station SR second intermediate level LV2 upper level LVS removable lower support 7 strapping machines R1 and R2 lift / lower conveyor 8 unloading conveyor 9 lower level LVINF removable support members 10 the last group 2 'at the upper end of the descent channel succession of 2" groups present in the descent channel between the upper LVS level and the second intermediate level LV2
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
Description
- In the current state of art, containers such as PET bottles for beverages and, moreover, also other equivalent containers such as cans and/or jars, are assembled in groups or bundles of four or six or more elements mainly by means of sheets of heat-shrinking plastic polymers.
- The present invention, instead, relates to another method of fast assembly and therefore a new type of apparatus, safe and economical by using of tape-like constraints called straps usable with appropriate and specific measures using traditional strapping machines. Said machines have already existed for a long time for the general packaging of packages, boxes or various containers but have not yet been used industrially for the assembly of PET bottles or similar containers.
- Only machines suitable for this purpose are known, for example the machine described in document
WO2013018047 . - In this machine it is possible to produce packs of containers, so called bundles wherein the containers are held together by at least two straps oriented to subtend a plane perpendicular to the axes of the themselves containers. Furthermore, the machine described can only produce bundles wherein the containers are arranged in such a way that on each side of the bundle the containers are all tangent to a plane which is parallel to the axis of the containers themselves. Therefore, said machine according to the state of art does not allow to produce bundles of containers arranged in quinconce, i.e. the shell surfaces of the containers arranged along the perimeter sides of the bundle are not all tangent with a plane parallel to the axes of said containers and defining the side of the bundle itself.
- The purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the production of bundles consisting of groups of containers which are held together by at least one, preferably two or more straps and which allows high productivity and easy adaptation to the production of bundles in which the groups of containers comprise different relative arrangements of the containers themselves and in a quinconce or any arrangement of the said containers wherein along the sides of the bundle not all containers are tangent to a plane that defines the said side of the bundles.
- The apparatus, object of the present invention, relates to an operating unit capable of carrying out a rapid assembly, i.e. a safe and simple bundle comprising at least one, preferably two straps: arranged on planes parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axes of the containers of the group.
- A possible embodiment may additionally provide at least a third strap oriented perpendicular to the two said straps, i.e. extending in a plane parallel to the axes of the containers and preferably passing through the gravity centre of the containers group bound together to form the package or bundle.
- The apparatus of the present invention is provided to simplify and minimise the shrinkwrapping time, thus ensuring a reduced operating cost in conjunction with constant and reliable working and to ensure a simple and rapid adaptability of the apparatus to a multiple of pack configuration which differ in that they have containers arranged according to pattern wherein at least on one side of the pack or bundle not all containers are tangent to a plane coinciding and/or extending along said side.
- The apparatus according to the present invention is designed for bundling, by strapping, of containers, that is, for binding a predetermined number of containers arranged relatively to each other according to a predetermined order so as to form a compact pack or bundle that act as a single package.
- The containers can be of any type, for example plastic bottles, such as PET bottles, or cans or cardboard containers or glass containers such as jars, bottles, or other types of similar containers.
- The invention relates to a machine of the type essentially comprising a conveyor belt feeding a series of containers to a forming station, wherein said containers are formed in a sequence of ordered groups of containers comprising a predetermined number of containers with a predetermined relative arrangement of said containers, which conveyor and which forming station are provided at a first intermediate level, by a conveyor for transferring a series of said ordered groups of containers to a strapping station, which strapping station is foreseen at a second intermediate level, and by a conveyor for unloading said series of ordered groups foreseen downstream of said strapping station and at a level which is lower than said second intermediate level.
- According to a first embodiment of the invention, to allow an easy and easily variable arrangement of the containers according to a predetermined order, the present invention provides in combination further features that
- the forming station provides stationary sequencers of the containers on a predetermined number of parallel rows of containers oriented in the forward direction of said feeding conveyor, while an end stop wall of the containers is provided at the front regarding to the forward direction of said conveyor,
- the shape of said wall corresponding to a predetermined relative arrangement of the containers on the front face of the group of containers,
- the transfer conveyor being provided at a higher level than said forming station of the containers group, said level being spaced from the level of the forming station by an extent at least corresponding to the height of the containers or greater,
- in the forming station being provided a container lifting unit from the intermediate level of said forming station to the upper level of the transfer conveyor,
- while the transfer conveyor unloads in succession the formed groups of containers in a descent station wherein the containers are transferred by a vertical translation, by gravity in the strapping station at the said second intermediate level and from said second intermediate level the said bottles are transferred by a vertically movable support to the lower level of the unloading conveyor.
- The apparatus described basically works on four levels or planes, which are:
- A) First intermediate level of container feeding at the forming station of the ordered groups of containers and forming said groups.
- B) upper level of transfer from the forming station to the descent station by a transfer conveyor along a predetermined path;
- C) Second intermediate level of strapping for application of two simultaneous horizontal strapping that bind together the containers. Said strapping is performed by two strapping machines whose strapping planes are superimpose vertically on each other and are spaced from each other in the axial direction of the containers.
- The distance between the two straps can profitably correspond to the distance of the annular grooves on the shell surfaces of the containers and inside the straps, i.e. the binding tapes, are housed.
- D) lower unloading level wherein the containers group tied together in the strapping station are transferred in order to be unloaded from the machine and sent for other processes, such as palletizing.
- As will become clearer below, the forming station provides that the containers are not brought at least on some sides of the same in contact with the adjacent containers, but said containers are kept spaced apart at a predetermined distance, at least in correspondence with some sides facing towards one or more of the adjacent containers and that the group of containers generated in the forming station with this spaced configuration of the containers is thus transferred to the transfer conveyor.
- According to an embodiment, still in the forming station or at the entry to the transfer conveyor, it is possible to provide a dispensing unit for an adhesive substance and/or a substance that increases the friction between the mutual contact surfaces of the containers, which substance can be applied on at least some areas of the surfaces of mutual contact between adjacent containers and which surfaces are provided on the still spaced sides of the adjacent containers.
- In this case, there is a clear feature of the transfer path of the series of containers group from the groups forming station to the strapping station or descent towards the strapping station is evident.
- In fact, during this path it is possible to provide compacting units of the containers into contact each other, for example lateral pressors and/or in the forward direction that bring the containers together into mutual contact and bringing the areas on which the substance has been deposited to adhere adhesive or the adhesion or friction increase coating.
- Furthermore, the length of the transfer path is set in a way that the transfer time of the containers allows the substance applied to the adhesion areas to dry sufficiently so that the action of this substance is not compromised by the further processing steps for the generation of the package or the bundle.
- Further features of the invention or improvements or variations are the subject of the dependent claims.
- The features of the invention and the advantages derived from it will be better described by the following non-limiting description of an embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, wherein:
-
Figures 1 and2 show two perspective views according to two different directions of a simplified embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. -
Figure 3 shows a side view of the apparatus according to the previous figures. -
Figures 4 and5 show two section views of the apparatus according to the figures present according to a vertical section plane, or parallel to the axes of the bottles and oriented in the forward direction on the conveyors. -
Figure 6 shows a view wherein the transfer conveyor has been partially omitted. - The apparatus for production of containers packs, so-called bundles, is illustrated in a non-limiting way referring to bottles, to plastic bottles, such as PET or other materials. In fact, as is immediately clear, the same apparatus can be used to produce packs of other types of containers, such as glass bottles, cans, jars, and cardboard containers or similar.
- The apparatus has a
feed conveyor 1 wherein rows ofcontainers 2 are fed to a forming station S1 of ordered groups of containers. Each group comprises a predetermined number of containers which are arranged according to a predetermined pattern. - In particular, the illustrated apparatus allows to create groups of containers which are arranged relatively to each other in a way that the group has at least one side part of the containers which are arranged tangent to a plane which defines said side and part of said containers which is spaced from said plane.
- In the embodiment for simplicity, a variant is shown in which the containers of the group are arranged in two rows and in quinconce in each of said rows .
- The number of containers for each group may vary depending on the case and/or also the relative arrangement of the same within the group.
- In the forming station S1, the
containers 2 are arranged on a plurality of parallel rows oriented parallel to each other in the forward direction of thefeed conveyor 1. - According to an embodiment, this is possible thanks by deviation and
guide walls 3 which are oriented parallel to the axes of the containers and which extend for a certain length in the forward direction of thecontainers 2. - The said deviation and
guide walls 3 have a certain thickness which arranges thecontainers 2 on several rows at a lateral distance from each other, or crosswise to the forward direction. - The forming station S1 has an end-
stop advancement wall 4 for advancing the containers which has a template, and which has a three-dimensional shape. The shape of said end-stop wall, or the cross-section shape along a horizontal plane of said end-stop wall 4 defines the relative position of the container in front position of each row ofcontainers 2 in the forming station S1. In this case the said end-stop wall 4 is made in such a way as to position thecontainers 2 in quinconce, so that the said end-stop wall 4 has flat end stop faces and coincide with two different vertical planes oriented crosswise to the forward direction and spaced from each other for a measure substantially corresponding to a radius or to half the size of the container in the forward direction. - The
said wall 4 is formed by two alternating series ofstop surfaces containers 2 and which are coincident respectively with one of said two vertical planes and cross-sectional to the forward direction. - The group of
containers 1 formed in the forming station S1 has several rows ofcontainers 2 side by side and spaced apart in a predetermined size and which rows are arranged staggered from each other in the forward direction of the containers to such an extent that the containers are arranged in quinconce. - In the illustrated embodiment, the group of containers comprises only two rows of containers placed side by side in a cross direction to the forward direction, while it has five rows of containers parallel to each other and spaced apart in a cross direction to the forward direction.
- A lifting assembly (not shown in detail) can be made in various ways known to the state of art and for example comprises of a group of pushing rods, each comes into contact with the bottom of a container or with a plate that comes into contact with part of the bottom of at least two or more containers and which pushing rods can be moved vertically in both directions raises the group of
containers 2 formed in station S1 at a first intermediate level LV1 at an upper level and in the inlet end of atransfer conveyor 5. - A
shaped wall 6 corresponding to the surfaces of the containers of the group formed in the station S1 is provided on the side of the group which is backward to the forward direction of the containers on theconveyor 1. - In the illustrated embodiment wherein the group of containers has five rows comprising two
containers 2 for each row, saidrear wall 6 is shaped correspondingly to the end-stop wall 4 and also has the function of template. - The
said wall 4 can be movable from the forming station S1 to the entrance into the transfer conveyor, or it can be provided only at the entrance of thetransfer conveyor 5. - Said
rear wall 6 moves together with thecontainers 2 of the group and accompanies, pushing the containers of the group towards a descent station S2 at the opposite end of a transfer path PT. - According to an embodiment, a possible transfer conveyor comprises a container sliding surface which can be stationary or consisting of a movable conveyor belt that is displaceable either idle or motorized and in combination a multiple of driving pressors
members 105 in the form of crosspieces movable by an end belts or chains, which belts orchains 205 move along closed paths and are driven around pulleys orgears 405 at least some of which are rotationally driven by motors (not shown). - Each crosswise driving pressor 105 carries a shaped wall with the function of
template 6 and cooperates with a group of containers, the said pressors 105 being arranged at distances from each other as to allow each group formed between two said pressors 105 to be housed, thus forming a series of groups ofcontainers 2. - It should be noted that in
figures 1 and2 the sliding surface of thecontainers 2 in thetransfer conveyor 5 is not visible, whilefigures 3 to 6 show it and it is indicated by thenumber 305. - During the movement on the transfer path PT, the containers of each group are subjected to a compacting operation, that is to approach each other to be brought into mutual contact of each container with the adjacent containers.
- In the example illustrated, wherein the containers are arranged in several rows spaced apart in the crosswise of forward direction, the compaction takes place through two lateral pressors aligned and/or coincident with each other in a cross forward direction of the groups of containers and each arranged on a longitudinal side of the
transfer conveyor 5 and can be moved towards and relative to each other. The said two lateral pressors are not illustrated in detail, but for example they can be constituted by a pair of opposing pressure plates oriented vertically and parallel to the forward direction and which are moved parallel to themselves by at least a linear actuator. - According to another feature, the said compactors, i.e. the lateral pressors opposite each other, are provided in a point of the transfer path PT which is downstream of an intermediate station for applying an adhesive or a coating to increase the friction between the containers of a group.
- This station is also not illustrated in detail and can be realized in any way by a skilled person using his basic knowledge.
- In particular, said station may comprise at least one nozzle or a multiples of spray nozzles which can be moved along the group of containers or arranged in a predetermined relative position with reference to at least some of the containers, in order to project a predetermined quantity of adhesive, paint or other coating substance on at least some areas of the surface of the
containers 2, in correspondence with said surfaces of adjacent containers come into contact with each other upon lateral compaction of the group of containers as described above. - It is possible to provide other methods of application such as the application of double-sided adhesive tapes or similar.
- The position of the station for applying the adhesive and/or substance to increase the friction between the surfaces of two adjacent containers is such that the remaining length of the transfer path PT and the descent into the strapping station SR provided at a second intermediate level LV3 is enough to allow a substantial drying of the adhesive, paint or other substance to an extent that does not compromise the effect of retaining the individual containers fixed in a releasable way to each other even during further movements of the group of containers in the plant for the subsequent phases.
- As shown in
figures 4 and following, an embodiment provides that the wall with the function of arear template 6 is provided only at the entrance of thetransfer conveyor 5, while the pressors rods push each group by acting directly on thecontainers 2 that protrude from the rear. - On leaving
transfer conveyor 5, the individual groups of containers are placed in a vertical descent station towards a strapping station SR. - The strapping station SR is provided at a lower level than the transfer conveyor and at the intermediate level of the forming station of the groups of containers S1.
- The difference in height between each level is substantially corresponding to the height of the containers or a multiple of thereof.
- Considering that as shown in the figures, the distance between the intermediate level LV1 of the forming station S1 and the intermediate level LV2 of the strapping station SR is equal to the height of the containers and the distance between the intermediate level LV1 of the forming station S1 and the LVS level of the
transfer conveyor 5 is also equal to height of thecontainers 2, the strapping station SR is provided at a level LS2 which is lower than the upper level LVS of the output of thetransfer conveyor 5 which is substantially equal twice the height of thecontainers 2. - As is clear , in the descent station SD, the
containers 2 of the individual groups which are not yet strapped together are supported in the strapping station SR by lower, removable support stops, indicated schematically inFigures 4 and5 with 7, while after the application of the two straps along the two horizontal planes and perpendicular to the axis of the containers by means of the strapping machines R1 and R2, the group of linkedcontainers 2 is unloaded from the strapping machine by a lifting/loweringconveyor 8 which feeds each group at the entrance of an unloadingconveyor 9. - The lowering conveyor is motorized with regards to the vertical movement of lifting and lowering between the intermediate level LV2 of the strapping station SR and the lower level LVINF of an unloading
conveyor 9. - A particular embodiment which is the one illustrated provides that both the lowering
conveyor 8 and the unloadingconveyor 9 are in the form of conveyor belts. - However, any type of conveyor can be provided.
- Similarly, to the intermediate and upper levels, the lower level LVINF of the unloading
conveyor 9 is also provided at a distance essentially corresponding to the height of the containers or possibly even slightly higher than the said height of the containers. - As it's clear, the group of
containers 2 exiting thetransfer conveyor 5 and entering the lowering station SD is held at the upper level LVS by removable support members shown schematically and indicated with 10 infigures 4 and5 . Descent station that ends in the strapping station SR has a descent channel whose length is basically equal to the height of the containers or to a multiple of said height, so that between the group of containers in the strapping station SR and the group of outgoing containers one or more vertically aligned groups are provided from the transfer conveyor and at the inlet to the descent station according to whether the channel of the descent station is long to an extent equal to a single height of thecontainers 2 or a multiple of said height. - Furthermore, the descent takes place by gravity since the descent station has no vertical transfer members for the containers, and since the containers of the group or groups of containers are interposed between the group in the strapping station SR and the group entering the descent station SD supported respectively by the containers of the underlying group, that is of the group of containers in the strapping station and/or in the group of containers of the succession of
groups 2 "present in the descent channel when this has a length equal to a multiple of the heights of the containers. The last group 2 'at the upper end of the descent channel in turn supports the containers of the group leaving the transfer conveyor, when theremovable support members 10 are moved to an inactive position and the containers of said group are free to move downwards by gravity. - As it appears clear from the previous description, the adaptation of the apparatus to forming of packs or bundles of containers with a predetermined order and number of containers takes place simply by replacing the
walls - Furthermore, by providing for a forming unit which comprises the deviation and guide walls as separate parts or as parts joined together in a unit, it is possible to modify the configuration of the group of containers also as regards the number of rows and not only the arrangement of the containers within the said rows.
- It is clear that the conveyors, the moving parts of the containers and the strapping machines are independent of the configuration of the container groups as regards the number and arrangement of the same within a certain limit of the said number and the order of positioning of the containers in the group. This makes the apparatus extremely flexible to be quickly adapted and with low costs to different configurations of packs or bundles of containers.
- The possibility of applying on at least part of the reciprocal contact areas of the containers an adhesive substance and/or a coating that also has an adhesive function or an increase in friction allows to create groups of containers wherein the central containers are relatively distant from the holds, and these containers can move axially with respect to the others even slipping out of the group and therefore effectively dissolving the bond that binds the containers together.
- This effect depends both on the material of which the containers are made and on the shape of the containers themselves and the possibility of axial offset and/or extraction increases with low-friction metal materials and/or with smooth and not three-dimensionally shaped surfaces of the containers.
- This measure makes the system even more flexible with regard to the possible different configurations of the packs or bundles.
Legend: feed conveyor 1 containers 2 forming station of ordered groups of containers S1 longitudinal deflection and guide walls 3 advancement end-stop wall with positioning template function 4 limit stop surfaces 104, 204 first intermediate level LV1 transfer conveyor 5 rear shaped positioning wall 6 descent station SD transfer course PT transverse drag pusher 105 belts or chains 205 sliding plane 305 pulleys or gears 405 strapping station SR second intermediate level LV2 upper level LVS removable lower support 7 strapping machines R1 and R2 lift / lower conveyor 8 unloading conveyor 9 lower level LVINF removable support members 10
succession of 2" groups present in the descent channel between the upper LVS level and the second intermediate level LV2
Claims (11)
- Apparatus for bundling, by strapping, PET bottles or similar containers essentially comprising a feed conveyor (1), a forming station (S1), a transfer conveyor (5), a strapping machine (SR) and an unloading conveyor (9), whereinthe feed conveyor (1) is configured to feed a series of containers (2) to the e-forming station (S1) which is configured to form ordered groups of containers comprising a predetermined number of containers (2) with an arrangement relative to the feed conveyor (1), said forming station (S1) being provided at a first intermediate level (LV1), from the transfer conveyor (5) which is configured to transfer a succession of said ordered groups of containers (2) to the strapping station (SR) provided at a second intermediate level (LV2) wherein the unloading conveyor (9) is configured to unload said succession of ordered groups of containers and is provided at a lower level (LVINF) than said second intermediate level (LV2), characterized in thatthe forming station (S1) comprises stationary sequencers of the containers on a predetermined number of rows of containers parallel and oriented in the forward direction of said feed conveyor (1), and further comprises an end-stop wall (4) of the containers in a front position with regard to the direction of said feed conveyor (1),the shape of said end-stop wall corresponding to a predetermined relative arrangement of the containers on the front face of the group of containers,the transfer conveyor (5) being provided at a higher level (LVS) than said station (S1) for forming the groups of containers, said higher level being spaced from the level (LV1) of the forming station (S1) to an extent at least corresponding to the height of the containers (2) or greater,the forming station (S1) being provided with a lifting assembly for the containers of a group formed of containers (2) from the intermediate level (LV1) of said forming station (S1) to the upper level (LVS) of the transfer conveyor (5),the transfer conveyor (5) being configured to unload in succession the formed groups of containers (2) in a descent station (SD) in which the containers are transferred by means of a vertical translation, by gravity intothe strapping station (SR) to the said second intermediate level (LV2)the apparatus further comprising a vertically movable support (8) for transferring from the said second intermediate level (LV2) the said containers to the lower level (LVINF) of the unloading conveyor (9).
- Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second intermediate level (LV2) is spaced from said first intermediate level (LV1) by a distance equal to the height of the containers (2), while a station is provided between the descent station (SD) leaving the transfer conveyor (5) and the strapping station (SR) intermediate passage which is at the same intermediate level (LV1) as the forming station (S1) and in which a group of containers (2") is supported by the containers of the group of containers in the strapping station (SR) and in turn the containers of the group (2") in said intermediate passage station support the containers of the group (2') of containers in the descent station (SD).
- Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the containers of the group (2) formed in the forming station (S1) are spaced apart at least as regards the rows of containers oriented in the forward direction of the same, while the containers (2) of each group are compacted together in the cross direction to the forward direction by opposing lateral pressors (105) provided along the path of the transfer conveyor (5).
- Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein , upstream of the container compactor (105) of each group, the apparatus comprises a station for dispensing/spraying an adhesive substance on at least one or more areas of mutual contact of the containers (2) of the group in the compacted together condition, preferably in the entry area of the groups of containers into the transfer conveyor (5).
- Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the strapping station (SR) is provided with at least two strapping machines (R1, R2) which are spaced vertically from each other or in the containers axis direction in order to arrange the corresponding straps in points axially spaced from each other and preferably in correspondence with each of the two axial halves of said containers (2).
- Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein in the forming station (S1) and/or at the entrance to the transfer conveyor (5) is provided a shaped forming wall (6) of the rear front of the containers group corresponding to a predetermined order and a predetermined position relative to the containers of the said group in correspondence with the said rear front.
- Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the stationary sequencers of the containers on several adjacent and parallel rows of containers provided in the forming station (S1) composed of a plurality of dividing walls (3) of the said rows, said walls are oriented in the forward direction of the containers and parallel to the vertical axes of the same, and which walls (3) have a predetermined thickness for the lateral spacing in a predetermined extent of the rows of containers between them.
- Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least one further vertically oriented strapping machine is provided for the application of a vertical strap, i.e. oriented in a plane parallel to the container's axis.
- Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the group of containers (2") in the strapping station (SR) is supported by a conveyor belt of the vertically movable support (8) which can be raised to the level (LV2) of said strapping station (SR) and lowered to the level (LVINF) of the unloading conveyor (9) provided at a level lower, said level (LVINF) being lower than the level (LV2) of the said strapping station (SR) to the extent corresponding to the height of the containers, while at the level (LV2) of the said strapping station (SR) a removable support (10) of the group of containers is provided.
- Apparatus according to claim wherein the apparatus is configured to apply said adhesive substance to at least some areas or on the entire surface of the containers, wherein said adhesive substance is constituted by a glue, and/or a paint and/or a coating or external finishing substance of the containers
- Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the advancement end-stop wall having the function of template (4), the relevant end-stop surfaces (104, 204), the rear shaped forming wall (6) are constituted by independent shaped elements, axially actuated to motion of the incoming containers, by means of any mechanized or electrically operated system, in order to make the size of the formation, or of the group of containers, adjustable to size before lifting.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102020000016945A IT202000016945A1 (en) | 2020-07-13 | 2020-07-13 | EQUIPMENT FOR THE RAPID STRAPPING OF BOTTLES, CANS, JARS OR OTHER EQUIPOLLENT CONTAINERS |
PCT/IB2021/056272 WO2022013723A1 (en) | 2020-07-13 | 2021-07-13 | Apparatus for bundling by strapping pet bottles or similar containers |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4178866A1 EP4178866A1 (en) | 2023-05-17 |
EP4178866B1 true EP4178866B1 (en) | 2024-05-29 |
Family
ID=72644757
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP21746574.9A Active EP4178866B1 (en) | 2020-07-13 | 2021-07-13 | Apparatus for bundling by strapping pet bottles or similar containers |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20230249857A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4178866B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN115867490A (en) |
IT (1) | IT202000016945A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2022013723A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3612299A (en) * | 1970-02-18 | 1971-10-12 | C T Supply Co | Palletizer for cans |
US5271709A (en) * | 1992-07-22 | 1993-12-21 | Goldco Industries, Inc. | Device and method for repeatedly forming a preselected arrangement of conveyed articles |
US7726464B2 (en) * | 2008-07-18 | 2010-06-01 | Alain Cerf | Apparatus for nesting bottles |
DE102010033549A1 (en) * | 2010-08-05 | 2012-02-09 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Method and apparatus for forming groups of articles to be packaged and profiled drawer for use herein |
CH705375A2 (en) | 2011-08-04 | 2013-02-15 | Leon Ribi | System for the assembly of bottles or other containers. |
US11161634B2 (en) * | 2016-10-07 | 2021-11-02 | Ribi Limited | Plant for applying straps to a group of containers such as bottles or the like |
-
2020
- 2020-07-13 IT IT102020000016945A patent/IT202000016945A1/en unknown
-
2021
- 2021-07-13 CN CN202180049459.9A patent/CN115867490A/en active Pending
- 2021-07-13 WO PCT/IB2021/056272 patent/WO2022013723A1/en unknown
- 2021-07-13 EP EP21746574.9A patent/EP4178866B1/en active Active
- 2021-07-13 US US18/004,723 patent/US20230249857A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IT202000016945A1 (en) | 2022-01-13 |
CN115867490A (en) | 2023-03-28 |
WO2022013723A1 (en) | 2022-01-20 |
US20230249857A1 (en) | 2023-08-10 |
EP4178866A1 (en) | 2023-05-17 |
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