WO2011010242A1

WO2011010242A1 - A method for forming box containers about a group of articles

Info

Publication number: WO2011010242A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/053174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Verri
Original assignee: Progetto C S.R.L.
Priority date: 2009-07-23
Filing date: 2010-07-12
Publication date: 2011-01-27
Also published as: ITBO20090477A1; IT1395019B1

Abstract

The method enables realising box containers (100) having variable dimensions within determined parameters, according to the length, width and height dimensions of the group of articles (G) to be packed. The method comprises positioning the group of articles (G) on a bottom (1), provided at sides thereof with flaps (10), and then preparing two strips (3) having a height (H) which is just greater than a height of the group (G) and a horizontal development (So) which is greater than a semiperimeter of the bottom (1). The strips (3) are folded into a U-shape and positioned at sides of the bottom (1), one opposite another, about the group of articles (G), such that parts of the respective lateral portions (34, 35) are superposed; the portions are then glued to one another. A cover (2) is positioned on the strips (3), which cover (2) is the same as the bottom (1), and thereafter the flaps (10) of both the bottom (1) and the cover (2) are folded such as to superpose on the strips (3) and be glued thereto.

Description

A Method for Forming Box Containers about a Group of Articles.

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical sector concerning packing groups of articles in box containers.

Description of the Background Art

For automatic packing of groups of homogeneous objects, boxing machines are usually employed, in which box containers of an appropriate format are stored, for example in a flattened tubular shape, and then collected one by one, opened out, inserted in a conveyor line and taken to a filling station where suitable handling organs insert the articles in the required number and orientation.

Downstream of the filling station there are further organs which close the box container, which can then be sent towards the outlet of the conveyor line. With suitable adjustments, it is also possible to use the boxing machines with heterogeneous groups of articles, as long as the whole group of articles thus made-up is insertable internally of the container and is such that the handling organs can process the group.

When the group of articles to be packed is of a composition that might change from group to group, in terms of both type and number of articles, and also in terms of overall size, quite often it is necessary to pack by hand. A goods sector in which manual packing is frequently used is publishing, in particular in the stage of despatching groups of books from a publishing house or a wholesaler to a retailer or, in the case of direct sales, to the final client.

It follows that in the present example each order to be processed is different from another, in terms of number and types of books to be collected together to make up a group; this also leads to a considerable variety in the dimensions of the assembled groups of books, especially in terms of height. The operator must therefore take a box container of standard dimensions which is sufficient for the books, insert the books of that particular group, together or one at a time according to circumstances; the empty spaces which almost certainly remain then have to be filled with suitable material, such as paper, polystyrene, straw or the like, opportunely distributed.

The inserting of filling material has a protective purpose but, as is known, also prevents movement of the articles inside the box container during all the transport stages thereof up to the final destination.

Obviously the above-described procedure is slow and expensive, and represents a not-insignificant obstacle in some particular situations, such as for example the despatch time of school text books, where in reality fast despatch times are required.

Other negative aspects derive from the fact that the packs obtained are always larger than really necessary, sometimes significantly so, with a waste of space in despatch warehouses and transport means, with consequent negative impacts on costs.

Summary of the Invention.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for forming box containers around a group of articles, which method obviates the above- described drawbacks, in particular for realising box containers having variable dimensions in accordance with the dimensions of each group of articles formed.

A further aim of the invention consists in providing a method which enables, where necessary, modifying the dimensions of the box container obtained at each operating cycle, such as to enjoy the greatest possible operating flexibility.

A further aims of the invention relates to the desire to provide a method which is adaptable to various operating requirements, and which provides variations in the work stages while respecting the concept at the base of the present invention.

Brief description of the Drawings.

The characteristics of the method of the invention will emerge in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the method, in accordance with what is set out in the claims and with the aid of the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a lateral view of a flow diagram of the various elements of the box container during the stages of its formation;

figure 2 is an axonometric view of the flow diagram of figure 1 ;

figure 3 is a larger-scale view, from a different point of view, of a significant portion of the flow diagram of figure 2;

figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a stage of folding lateral elements of the box container, in a first embodiment of the method;

figure 5 is a plan view of the elements of figure 4, folded and coupled in a maximum-volume configuration, with a relative bottom element flanked thereto;

figure 6 is a plan view of the elements of figure 4, folded and coupled in a minimum-volume configuration, with a relative bottom element flanked thereto;

figure 7 schematically illustrates, in plan view, options for the stage of folding one of the lateral elements of the box container, in a second embodiment of the method;

figure 8 is a plan view of the elements of figure 7, folded in a first way and coupled in a maximum-volume configuration, with a relative bottom element flanked thereto;

figure 9 is a plan view of the same elements as in figure 8, coupled in a minimum-volume configuration, with a relative bottom element flanked thereto;

figure 10 is a plan view of the elements of figure 7, folded in a second way and coupled in a maximum-volume configuration, with a relative bottom element flanked thereto;

figure 11 is a plan view of the same elements as in figure 10, coupled in a minimum-volume configuration, with a relative bottom element flanked thereto; figure 12 is a plan view of the same elements as in figure 7, folded in a third way and coupled in a maximum-volume configuration, with a relative bottom element flanked thereto;

figure 13 is a plan view of the same elements as in figure 12, coupled in a minimum-volume configuration, with a relative bottom element flanked thereto;

figure 14 is a plan view of a special bottom element that can be used in the method;

figures 15A, 15B, 15C illustrate, in an axonometric view, portions of box containers obtained with the bottom element of figure14;

figure 16 is a plan view in larger-scale of a corner portion of a further bottom element that can be used with the method;

figure 17 is an enlarged axonometric view of a corner of a box container obtained with the bottom element of figure 16.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention.

With reference to the figures of the drawings, 100 denotes the box container obtained with the method of the invention.

The box container 100 is formed according to the dimensions of a group of articles G₁ as better specified herein below.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a flow diagram showing the succession of the various stages of a preferred embodiment of the method, in which a first flat element 1 is collected from a store (not illustrated) for example a rigid ribbed rectangular box, provided at each side thereof with a flap 10 hinged by at least a fold line 11.

The first flat element 1 defines a bottom, the exploitable dimensions of which, i.e. the length A and width B of the rectangle, not including the flaps 10, are slightly greater than corresponding dimensions of the group of articles G to be packed.

A second flat element 2 is also collected, preferably identical to the first, destined to define a cover. The bottom 1 and the cover 2 are arranged horizontally, at first with the cover 2 overlying the bottom 1.

The cover 2 is then raised with respect to the bottom 1 to a height which is sufficient for allowing positioning, on the bottom 1 , of the group of articles G, appropriately centred.

Thus two identical strips 3 are prepared, also made of rigid ribbed cardboard, and having a height H which is greater than a height of the group G and having a horizontal development So which is greater than the semiperimeter of the bottom 1 (and the cover 2), not including the relative flaps 10.

Each strip 3 can be fashioned from a flat sheet 30 having a dimension which corresponds to the horizontal development So, by cutting away a piece of height H; alternatively the two strips 3 can be fashioned from a single sheet 30 by successively cutting away two equal pieces.

Each strip 3 is folded into a U shape, according to two lines 31 , 32 that are perpendicular to the relative horizontal development So, such as to define an intermediate portion 33 flanked by two lateral portions 34, 35, for example of equal length.

The intermediate portion 33 exhibits a length A3, measured from outside the fold, which is slightly smaller than a corresponding dimension A of the bottom 1 , measured internally of the fold lines 11.

Each strip 3 is then positioned by a side of the bottom 1 , such that the height H dimension thereof is perpendicular to the bottom 1 , and the respective intermediate portion 33 is at one of the sides of the length A of the bottom 1 , just internally with respect to the relative fold line 11.

The intermediate portions 33 of the two strips 3 are slightly staggered in the direction of the length by an amount which is equal to the thickness thereof, and are orientated such that the lateral portions 34, 35 of one are facing the lateral portions of the other.

The strips 3 are then squared, so that the lateral portions 34, 35 of each are perpendicular to the relative intermediate portion 33, aligned with the corresponding sides of the width B of the bottom 1 and partially superposed, with the free ends, on the opposite lateral portions 34, 35 of the other strip 3. The staggering of the intermediate portions 33 means that the crossing of the lateral portions 34, 35 is done one over another, i.e. each strip 3 has a lateral portion which is internal of the superposing zone and another lateral portion which is external thereof (figures 3, 5, 6 and the like).

Appropriate adhesive means are applied in the superposing zone, for example hot glue, which achieve mutual blocking of the lateral portions 34, 35.

The cover 2, which has been maintained centred with the bottom 1 , is lowered and arranged above the strips 3.

At this point, the flaps 10 of the bottom 1 and the cover 2 are folded towards the strips 3 up to bringing them to adhere to the outside of the corresponding portions 33, 34, 35 thereof.

The small step present in the sides of the width B due to the superposed zone of the lateral portions 34, 35 is recuperated by adapting the folding of the folds 10 so that they adhere to the lateral portions 34, 35.

In the flaps 10 and the contact zones thereof with the strip 3, suitable adhesive means are first applied, for example hot glue, which achieve the mutual blocking of the flaps 10 to the corresponding portions 33, 34, 35, such as to define a corresponding closed box container 100 which encloses the group of articles G₁ leaving the group only a very small degree of movement internally of the container 100.

In the above-described method various variations are possible during the secondary actuating stages, apart from the ones already mentioned. Among the variations are, for example:

collecting the cover 2 can be variously achieved with respect to the bottom 1 , as can the modes of application and/or blocking thereof to the strips 3;

the cover 2 can have a different conformation from the bottom 1 and thus require special stages for application and blocking thereof; the assembly of the folded strips 3 can be done without the staggering, with adjustment for the "missing" part being made by correcting the folding angle of the lateral portions 34, 35 with respect to the standard 90° fold;

assembly of the folded strips 3, by joining the respective lateral portions 34, 35, can be done before laying the strips 3 on the bottom 1 ;

the group of articles G can be introduced, either the whole group or a remaining part thereof with respect to an initial part, following the positioning of the strips 3 on the bottom 1 and the mutual blocking of the relative lateral portions 34, 35;

the group of articles G can be introduced, either the whole group or a remaining part thereof with respect to an initial part, following the blocking of the flaps 10 of the bottom 1 to the strips 3, immediately before application of the cover 2.

With strips 3 having a predetermined horizontal development So and maintaining the length A3 of the intermediate portion 33 fixed (figure 4), box containers 100 can be obtained having a base area that is variable from a maximum (figure 5) to a minimum (figure 6), by increasing or reducing the superposing zone of the lateral portions 34, 35 in combination with a bottom 1 and a cover 2 of an adequate format (see figures 5 and 6).

The exploitable volume of the box container 100 is also variable, according to the height H of the strips 3.

With strips 3 having a predetermined horizontal development So and varying the length of the intermediate portion 33 (A3/1 , A3/2, A3/3 in figure 7), box containers 100 can be obtained having a base area which is variable from a maximum (figure 10) to a minimum (figure 9), by increasing or reducing the zone of superposition of the lateral portions 34, 35 which in combination with a bottom 1 and a cover 2 exhibit a format which is adequate to the task.

In particular, figures 8 and 9 illustrate the maximum and minimum base areas with an intermediate portion 33 as in A3/1 ; figures 10 and 11 have an intermediate portion 33 as in A3/2; and figures 12 and 13 have an intermediate portion as in A3/3. The bottom 1 and the cover 2 used in the above-described method, in a first embodiment, exhibit, at the corners thereof, a straight-cut cornering of the flaps 10 at an oblique angle of 45° (figures from 1 to 13).

In the method it is alternatively possible to realise a second variant in the shape of the bottom 1 and/or of the cover 2, in which each flap 10 exhibits an increased depth and also exhibits a series of supplementary fold lines parallel to the main fold line 11 , by which the flap 10 is hinged to the base rectangle R1 (figure 14).

At the corners, the flaps 11 are cut at the corners by 90°.

Figure 14 illustrates, in a non-limiting example, a case in which each flap 10 exhibits two supplementary fold lines, respectively a first 12 and a second 13.

The rectangles R2, R3 formed respectively with the prolongations of the first supplementary fold lines 12 and the second supplementary fold lines 13 are longer than the base rectangle R1 (see again figure 14).

Thus a bottom 1 or cover 2 made in this way is designed to define three formats having different lengths A and widths B, according to which fold line is used for folding each flap 10.

Figure 15A illustrates an example in which the flaps 10 are folded along the respective main fold lines 11 , and therefore are against the corner edges of the box container 100.

Figure 15B, on the other hand, illustrates an example in which the flaps 10 are folded along respective first supplementary fold lines 12; in this case the flaps 10 are distanced from the corner edge of the box container 100 and leave a small part 14 open in each corner.

Likewise, figure 15C illustrates an example in which the flaps 10 are folded at the second supplementary fold lines 13, and are further distanced from the corner edge of the box container 100 and leave a larger part 14 in each corner edge.

In the proposed method a further alternative can be a third variant of the shape of the bottom 1 and/or the cover 2, in which each flap 10 is connected to the adjacent flap, at the corners, by means of a circular sector 15 made in a single body with them and interested by a series of radial fold lines 16 having a centre in the corner conjoining the fold lines 11 (figure 16).

As a consequence of the folding of the flaps 10 of the bottom 1 and the cover

2, the circular sector 15 folds bellows-like on the corner edge of the box container (figure 17).

From the above description the special characteristics of the method of the invention clearly emerge, which enable all the set aims to be attained, in particular for easily realising box containers in a format according to dimensions of each group of articles to be packed.

With a suitable assortment of bottoms and covers which are dimensionally suited to the horizontal development of the flat sheets from which the strips are made, if necessary it is possible to modify, in each operating cycle, the dimensions of both the base area and the height of the box container obtained, such as to have maximum work flexibility.

In this way, as there is no need to have box containers of standardised dimensions, firstly the use of filling material is avoided; this can only be done by hand and is considerably time-consuming.

Secondly, waste of space in despatch store-rooms is avoided, as well as in transport means; this also helps to contain costs.

It is important to stress how the stages of the proposed method are easily realisable using automatic mechanised devices, with the aim of significantly increasing operating speed.

Thanks to these important characteristics the method of the invention is extremely interesting for those goods sectors where there is usually a necessity to have recourse to manual packing, because of the variety of composition of the goods, in terms of type, number of articles and overall dimensions, for each order to be processed.

In the publishing sector, in particular, it can be advantageous to use an apparatus which performs the proposed method, in combination with an automatic system for selection and sorting of books, which can prepare the groups as in the client's order. The versatility of the method, thanks to the various possible variants on the sequence of stages, enables various operating needs to be satisfied.

The foregoing is however intended as a non-limiting example, and any eventual variants in details thereof with respect to the operating stages described are considered to fall within the ambit of protection defined in the following claims.

Claims

Claims.

1. A method for defining box containers around a group of articles, each group (G) being of a length, a width and a height which are comprised between respective minimum and maximum values, the method being characterised in that it comprises:

positioning the group of articles (G) on a rectangular bottom (1), having exploitable dimensions which are greater than a corresponding length and width of the group (G), the bottom (1) being provided, at each side thereof, with a flap (10) hinged to the rectangular bottom (1) by at least a fold line (11);

preparing two strips (3) each being of a height (H) which is greater than a height of the group (G) and also having a horizontal development (So) which is greater than a semi-perimeter of the bottom (1) measured excluding the flaps (10);

folding each strip (3) into a U-shape along two lines (31 , 32), perpendicular to the horizontal development (So) such as to define, in a same strip (3), an intermediate portion (33) flanked by two lateral portions (34, 35), the intermediate portion (33) being of a length (A3), measured externally of the fold lines, which is less than a corresponding dimension (A) of the bottom (1) measured internally of the fold lines (11) and excluding the flaps (10);

positioning the folded strips (3) on edges of the bottom (1), such that each strip (3) is perpendicular to the bottom (1), such that a respective intermediate portion (33) is positioned at a side of the sides of the length (A) of the bottom (1) and such that the respective lateral portions (34, 35) are facing the lateral portions (34, 35) of the other strip (3);

squaring the strips (3) such that the lateral portions (34, 35) of each are substantially perpendicular to the relative intermediate portion (33) thereof, and are arranged at the sides of the width (B) of the bottom (1), as well as being partially superposed, with free ends thereof, on the opposite lateral portions (34, 35) of the other strip (3);

mutually blocking the lateral portions (34, 35) in the superposing zones thereof;

folding the flaps (10) of the bottom (1) towards the strips (3) up until the flaps (10) adhere to an external surface of the portions (33, 34, 35) thereof;

blocking the flaps (10) of the bottom (1) to the corresponding portions (33,

34, 35) of the strips (3);

positioning a cover (2) having exploitable dimensions which are identical to the dimensions of the bottom (1), restingly on the strips (3), which cover (2) is centred with respect to the bottom (1), with the cover (2) being provided, at each side thereof, with a flap (10) hinged to a base rectangle thereof by means of at least a fold line (11);

folding the flaps (10) of the cover (2) towards the strips (3) up until the flaps

(10) adhere to the external surface of the corresponding portions (33, 34, 35) of the strips (3);

blocking the flaps (10) of the cover (2) to the corresponding portions (33, 34,

35) of the strips (3), such as to define a corresponding closed box container

(100) which contains the group of articles (G).

2. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that a zone of superposing of the lateral portions (34, 35) can be increased or reduced within a predetermined interval in accordance with a bottom (1) and a cover (2) of adequate format.

3. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that the cover (2) is substantially identical to the bottom (1) and is initially superposed thereon, and then raised by an amount which is sufficient to enable the positioning of the group of articles (G).

4. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that each strip (3) is produced from a flat sheet (30) having a size which corresponds to the horizontal development (So), by cutting from each flat sheet (30) a piece having the predetermined height (H).

5. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that the strips (3) are produced from a single flat sheet (30), by cutting, in succession, two pieces having a same predetermined height (H).

6. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that the strips (3) are folded such that the lateral portions (34, 35) have an identical development.

7. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that, in the stage of positioning the strips (3), the strips (3) are staggered in a lengthwise direction by an amount which is equal to a thickness of the said strips (3), and in that, in the following stage of squaring, the lateral portions (34, 35) are arranged at 90° with respect to the intermediate portions (33).

8. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that during the stage of positioning the strips (3), the strips are mutually centred in a lengthwise direction, and in that in the successive stage of squaring the lateral portions (34, 35), the lateral portions (34, 35) are arranged, with respect to the relative intermediate portions (33), at an angle which is modified to either more or less than 90°.

9. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that the blocking of the superposed zones of the lateral portions (34, 35) is performed using adhesive means applied on the surfaces of mutual contact of the superposed zones.

10. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that the folding of the flaps (10) is performed in such a way as to eliminate a fold-over in the superposing zone of the lateral portions (34, 35).

11. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that the blocking of the flaps (10) to the strips (3) is performed with adhesive means applied on mutual contact surfaces of the flaps (10) and the strips (3).

12. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that the stages of folding the strips (3) in a U-shape, the squaring of the strips (3) and the mutual blocking of the relative lateral portions (34, 35) are realised in such order and precede the stage of positioning thereof on the bottom.

13. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that the stage of positioning the group of articles (G) is done following the stage of blocking the lateral portions (34, 35) of the strips (3).

14. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that the stage of positioning the group of articles (G) is done following the stage of blocking the flaps (10) of the bottom (1) to the portions (33, 34, 35) of the strips (3).

15. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that in the stage of positioning only a first part of the group of articles (G) is arranged on the bottom (1), with the remaining part of the group of articles (G) being positioned following the stage of blocking the lateral portions (34,35) of the strips (3).

16. The method of claim 1 , characterised in that in the stage of positioning only a first part of the group of articles (G) is arranged on the bottom (1), with the remaining part of the group of articles (G) being positioned following the stage of blocking the flaps (10) of the bottom (1) to the portions (33, 34, 35) of the strips (3).