IES79658B2

IES79658B2 - An erecting device for erecting a packaging sleeve

Info

Publication number: IES79658B2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Joseph Carey
Original assignee: R J Research Limited
Priority date: 1997-08-01
Filing date: 1997-08-01
Publication date: 1998-05-20
Also published as: WO1999006283A1; AU8643898A; IES970573A2

Abstract

An erecting device (4) for erecting a packaging sleeve (3) comprising a magazine (20) for holding a plurality of the sleeves in a collapsed state (6) in a stack. A dispensing outlet (22) from the magazine (20) accommodates the sleeves (6) sequentially from the magazine (20). A transfer mechanism (35) withdraws the sleeves (6) sequentially from the magazine (20) into a former (25) within which the sleeves (6) are erected. Restraining lips (23) located on opposite sides of the dispensing outlet (22) support the collapsed sleeves (6) in the magazine (20) and urge the side edges (17) of each collapsed sleeve (6) towards each other as it is being withdrawn through the dispensing outlet (22) for urging leaves (14 and 15) of the collapsed sleeve (6) apart for facilitating erection of the sleeve (3) in the former (25).

Description

An erecting device for erecting a packaging sleeve The present invention relates to an erecting device for *· erecting a sleeve of the type which is formed from a sleeve blank and is in a collapsed state. The invention also relates to a packaging line which comprises the erecting device.

Typically such sleeves are of cardboard and are provided around consumer products, typically, consumer products which are sold in a sealed tray, for example, food products and the like. In general, such sleeves carry descriptions of the food or other products contained in the package as well as recommended retail price and data which is statutorily required, for example, the expiry date of the packaged product. Such sleeves, in general, are formed from a blank which is sealed along its opposite ends, thus forming the sleeve, and the sleeve is then subsequently collapsed to form two adjacent parallel leaves which are joined together along respective opposite folds which define respective opposite side edges of the collapsed sleeve.

A pair of opposite end edges of the collapsed sleeve extend between the side edges, and when the sleeve is erected form respective opposite openings for accommodating the package through the sleeve. Because the sleeves are supplied in collapsed form, it is necessary for each sleeve to be erected prior to insertion of the package into the sleeve. While erecting devices are provided for erecting such sleeves from a collapsed state, they tend to be unsatisfactory.

There is therefore a need for an erecting device for erecting such a sleeve from a collapsed state, and there is also a need for a packaging line comprising the erecting device for inserting a package into the sleeve.

The present invention is directed towards providing such an erecting device and a packaging line.

According to the invention there is provided an erecting device for erecting a sleeve which is formed from a sleeve blank and is in a collapsed state, the sleeve blank having a pair of parallel adjacent leaves joined together along respective opposite folds which define respective opposite side edges of the collapsed sleeve, the sleeve blank defining at a pair of respective opposite end edges which extend between the side edges, such that when the sleeve is erected the opposite end edges form open ends for accommodating a package therethrough, the erecting device comprising a magazine for holding a plurality of the collapsed sleeves lying parallel to each other in a stack, a dispensing outlet from the magazine for accommodating 'f withdrawal of the sleeves sequentially from the magazine, a withdrawing means for withdrawing the sleeves sequentially from the magazine into a former for erection of the sleeves in the former, and a restraining means being located adjacent to the dispensing outlet for engaging one of the side edges of each collapsed sleeve as it is being withdrawn through the dispensing outlet, the restraining means and the withdrawing means cooperating with each other for causing the leaves of the collapsed sleeves to separate intermediate the side edges as the sleeves are being withdrawn through the dispensing outlet.

In one embodiment of the invention a pair of restraining means is provided, the respective restraining means being provided at opposite sides adjacent to the dispensing outlet for engaging the respective opposite side edges of the collapsed sleeves.

Preferably, the restraining means cooperate with each other or with a part of the magazine defining the t. dispensing outlet for reducing the effective width of the dispensing outlet to be less than the width of the collapsed sleeves between the side edges of the respective collapsed sleeves.

In another embodiment of the invention the withdrawing means engages the leaf of the collapsed sleeve which is exposed by the dispensing outlet.

Preferably, the withdrawing means comprises a suction means for engaging and gripping by suction the leaf of the sleeve which is exposed by the dispensing outlet. Preferably, a pair of suction means are provided, and ideally, the suction means are located spaced apart from each other for engaging the exposed leaf of the collapsed sleeve at spaced apart locations, which are spaced apart from the respective side edges, and which preferably are located spaced apart from each other in a line extending between the respective side edges.

In another embodiment of the invention a drive means is provided for driving the withdrawing means from a first position engaged with the collapsed sleeve exposed by the dispensing outlet to a second position with the sleeve in the former and erected therein.

Advantageously, the drive means returns the withdrawing means from the second to the first position for engaging the next collapsed sleeve exposed by the dispensing outlet.

In one embodiment of the invention the drive means comprises a ram, and preferably a pneumatic ram, and advantageously a double acting ram.

In another embodiment of the invention the former defines at least a part of two adjacent walls of the erected sleeve. Preferably, the former defines a base wall of the erected sleeve, and advantageously, the former defines at least a part of two opposite side walls extending from the base wall.

Preferably, the former is of trough shape having at least one open end, and preferably, a pair of opposite open ends communicating with the open ends of the erected sleeve for accommodating a package into the erected sleeve.

Additionally, the invention comprises a packaging line comprising the erecting device located therein, and a means for sequentially feeding packages into the respective erected sleeves as they are erected. Preferably, the feeding means sequentially feeds the packages into the former for engaging the sleeves erected in the former.

Further, the invention provides a package which has been packed in a sleeve erected by the erecting device, according to the invention, and additionally, the invention provides a package which is packed in a sleeve erected by the erecting device according to the invention and packed in the sleeve in the packaging line also according to the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a package according to the invention which has been packed on a packaging line also according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the package of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a packaging line according to the invention on which the package of Figs. 1 and 2 has been packed, Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of an erecting device also according to the invention of the packaging line of Fig. 3 for erecting sleeves within which the package of Fig. 1 is packed, and Ί Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) are end elevational views of a portion of the erecting device of Fig. 4 and v illustrates the progress of a sleeve being erected by the erecting device of Fig. 4. · Referring to the drawings and in particular to Figs. 3 to 5 there is illustrated a packaging line according to the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 which comprises an erecting device also according to the invention for erecting sleeves from a collapsed state to an erected state for packaging packages 5, typically, sealed tin foil trays of the type in which food products and other products are packed, see Figs. 1 and 2. The sleeves 4 when erected comprise a base wall 7 and a top wall 8 which are joined by inclined side walls 9. Opposite end edges 10 of the sleeves 4 when erected define opposite open ends 11 which accommodate the package 5 therethrough. The sleeves 4 are typically of cardboard and carry relevant data and information on their respective base, top and side walls 7 to 9, such as, for example, trade marks, a description of the goods packed in the package 5, the recommended retail price and the expiry date of the goods. The sleeves 4 are ' formed from a collapsed state whereby in the collapsed state they comprise a pair of parallel adjacent leaves and 15, see Fig. 4. The leaves 14 and 15 are joined along opposite folds which form opposite side edges 17, which extend between the end edges 10. Typically, the lower leaf 15 forms the base wall 7, and one of the side walls 9 and a part of the other side wall 9. The upper leaf 14 typically forms the top wall and the remaining part of the other side wall 9. The construction of such sleeves will be well known to those skilled in the art.

Before describing the packaging line 1 in detail, the erecting device 2 for erecting the sleeves from their collapsed state will first be described. The erecting device 2 comprises a magazine 20 within which a plurality of the sleeves 4 are stacked one on top of the other. The magazine 20 at its lower end defines a downwardly extending dispensing outlet 22 through which the collapsed sleeves 4 are sequentially withdrawn as will be described below. A pair of restraining means, namely, restraining pins 23 are located on the magazine 20 adjacent to the dispensing outlet 22 for engaging the respective opposite side edges 17 of the collapsed sleeves 4 as they are being withdrawn through the dispensing outlet 22.

A withdrawing means, which in this embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of suction cups 24 are carried on corresponding suction tubes 25 and grip by suction the lower leaf 15 of the collapsed sleeve 4 adjacent the dispensing outlet 22 which is exposed by V the dispensing outlet 22. A drive means comprising a double acting main pneumatic ram (not shown) drives the suction tubes 25, and in turn the suction cups 24 downwardly in the direction of the arrow A from a first position with the suction cups 24 extending into the dispensing outlet 22 for engaging the exposed leaf 15 of the collapsed sleeve 4 in the dispensing outlet 22, to a second position illustrated in broken lines in Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) with the sleeve 4 withdrawn into a former 26 for erection therein. A vacuum provided by a vacuum pump (not shown) is selectively applied to the suction pumps 24 through the suction tubes 25 for gripping the lower leaves 15 of the sleeves 4 as the sleeves 4 are being sequentially withdrawn from the magazine 20 into the former 26.

The former 26 is of trough shape and comprises a base which defines the base wall 7 of the sleeve 4 when erected. Side walls 28 and 29 extending upwardly from the base 27 at respective opposite sides thereof define the inclined side walls 9, and the slope of the side walls 28 and 29 corresponds to the angle of inclination * of the side walls 9 to the base wall 7 of the erected « sleeve 4, see Fig. 4. Opposite ends 30 and 31 of the former 26 which correspond with the opposite side edges of the sleeve 4 are open for accommodating the packages 5 sequentially into the respective sleeves 4 as the sleeves 4 are erected in the former 26.

The packaging line 1 comprises a belt conveyer 33 which continuously conveys the packages 5 which are located thereon at spaced apart intervals in the direction of the arrow B towards the former 26. A plurality of spaced apart support bars 35 which extend parallel to each other and longitudinally from the conveyor 33 receive the packages 5 sequentially from the conveyor 33. The former 26 is located in the packaging line 1 with its open end 30 facing the support bars 35 and the conveyor 33 for sequentially receiving the packages 5 into erected sleeves 4. A feed means, namely, a double acting pneumatic feed ram 37, a piston rod 38 of which carries a pusher member 39 engages each package 33 when on the support bars 35 for urging the respective packages 5 into the former 26 as the piston rod 38 is retraced in the direction of the arrow C into a housing 40 of the feed ram 37. The feed ram 37 is pivotally mounted at 42 and is pivotal in the direction of the arrow D by a double acting pneumatic lift ram 43 from a j position with the pusher member 39 space apart from the support bars 35 (see Fig. 3) to a position (not shown) with the pusher member 39 located between the support bars 35 and extending upwardly between and above the support bars 35 for engaging each package 5 on the support bars 35, for engaging and transferring the packages 5 sequentially into the former 26.

In use, a plurality of the sleeves 4 in their collapsed state are stacked in the magazine 20. Packages 5 are conveyed at spaced apart intervals along the conveyor onto the support bars 35. The suction cups 24 and the suction tubes 25 are urged upwardly in the direction of arrow E by the main ram (not shown) until the suction cups 24 engage the exposed lower leaf 15 of the sleeve 4 located adjacent to the dispensing outlet 22. In this position vacuum is applied to the suction cups 24. The main ram (not shown) is operated for driving the suction tubes 25, and in turn the suction cups 24 with the vacuum still applied to the suction cups 24 downwardly in the direction of the arrow A for withdrawing the engaged sleeve 4 downwardly through the dispensing outlet 22, and into the former 26 for erection of the sleeve therein. The suction cups 24 are retained in the bottom of the former with the vacuum still applied to the suction cups 24 thereby retaining the sleeve 4 formed in the erected state in the former 26. The lift ram 43 pivots the feed ram 37 Q about the pivot 42, thereby urging the pusher member 39 upwardly above the support bars 35 behind the package 5 supported on the support bars 35. The feed ram 37 is operated to retract the piston rod 38, and in turn causes the pusher member 39 to urge the package 5 from the support bars 35 into the former 26, where the - package 5 is packed into the erected sleeve 4. The vacuum is then released from the suction cup 24, and a discharge ram (not shown) urges the package 5 packed in the sleeve 4 through the open end 31 of the former 26.

The suction cups 24 and suction tubes 25 are operated by the main ram (not shown) for withdrawing the next sleeve 4 from the magazine 20 into the former 26 for erection therein, and the rams 43 and 37 are operated for urging the next package 5 on the support bars 35 into the erected sleeve 4.

One important aspect of the erecting device 2 according to the invention is the arrangement of the restraining pins 23. The restraining pins 23 are located adjacent to the dispensing outlet 22 for engaging the opposite side edges 17 of the collapsed sleeves 4 as they are being withdrawn through the dispensing outlet 22. The restraining pins 23 are located so that they effectively reduce the width of the dispensing outlet i 22 between the side edges 17 of the sleeves 4, so that as the collapsed sleeves 4 are being withdrawn through * the dispensing outlet 22, the restraining pins 23 cooperate with the suction cups 24 for causing the leaves 14 and 15 to separate from each other intermediate the side edges 17, see in particular Figs. 4 and 5(a). Thus erection of the sleeves 4 commences as the sleeves 4 are being withdrawn through the dispensing outlet 22 and is completed in the former 26.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. An erecting device for erecting a sleeve which is formed from a sleeve blank and is in a collapsed state, the sleeve blank having a pair of parallel adjacent leaves joined together along respective opposite folds which define respective opposite side edges of the collapsed sleeve, the sleeve blank defining a pair of respective opposite end edges which extend between the side edges, such that when the sleeve is erected the opposite end edges form open ends for accommodating a package therethrough, the erecting device comprising a magazine for holding a plurality of the collapsed sleeves lying parallel to each other in a stack, a dispensing outlet from the magazine for accommodating withdrawal of the sleeves sequentially from the magazine, a withdrawing means for withdrawing the sleeves sequentially from the magazine into a former for erection of the sleeves in the former, and a restraining means being located adjacent to the dispensing outlet for engaging one of the side edges of each collapsed sleeve as it is being withdrawn through the dispensing outlet, the restraining means and the withdrawing means cooperating with each other for causing the leaves of the collapsed sleeves to separate intermediate the side edges as the sleeves are being withdrawn through the dispensing outlet.

2. An erecting device as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that a pair of restraining means is provided, the respective restraining means being provided at opposite sides adjacent to the dispensing 5 outlet for engaging the respective opposite side edges of the collapsed sleeves.

3. An erecting device as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the restraining means cooperate with each other or with a part of the magazine defining 10 the dispensing outlet for reducing the effective width of the dispensing outlet to be less than the width of the collapsed sleeves between the side edges of the respective collapsed sleeves.

4. A packaging line comprising an erecting device as 15 claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 and a means for sequentially feeding packages into the respective erected sleeves as they are erected.

5. A package packed in a sleeve erected by the erecting device according to any of Claims 1 to 3.