Device for overpacking at least one object into a batch

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for overpacking a least one object using at least one blank of an appropriate material such as carton in order to form a batch. The device of the invention includes at least one carousel including at least one receptacle, and at least three work stations distributed about said carousel, said three stations including a work station with distribution means for distributing at least one blank of material to the at least one receptacle, a work station with loading means for loading said at least one object into said receptacle, and a work station with unloading means for unloading at least one assembled batch, wherein means for folding and/or closing the blank in order to form the overpacking are also provided.

1 . A device for overpacking at least one object, using at least one blank of suitable material such as cardboard in order to form a batch, comprising a carrousel including at least one receptacle and at least three work stations distributed about said carrousel, said three stations including a work station comprising means for distributing at least one blank of material to the at least one receptacle, a work station comprising means for loading said at least one object into said receptacle and a work station comprising means for unloading at least one assembled batch, wherein means for folding and/or closing the blank in order to form the overpacking are also provided. 
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrousel comprises at least the same number of receptacles as work stations distributed about said carrousel. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle is sized to receive at least one batch of objects. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle is secured in a removable manner to the carrousel. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for distributing blanks comprises unstacking means making it possible to take at least one blank from an overpacking material blank storage tray to convey said blank to the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for loading the receptacle with objects consists of means for gripping at least one object from the objects conveyed to the overpacking device, and can be moved to the receptacle to deposit said at least one object taken up therein. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the loading means are preferentially arranged to take up at least one unit of objects to be deposited in the receptacle consisting either of the batch of objects to be overpacked or a layer of the batch of objects to be overpacked. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for unloading at least one assembled batch includes gripping means, making it possible to take up the batch(es) assembled in the receptacle and deposit same to another packaging processing station. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle is configured to have a base and at least lateral walls and the station for distributing the blank having at least one base portion, two side walls and two end portions that can be folded down on each other, is positioned upstream from the station for loading objects, the distribution means being further arranged to deposit said blank on the receptacle such that the base portion of the blank rests on the base of the receptacle, the side walls of the blank along the side walls of the receptacle, the end portions of the blank projecting from said receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for folding and the means for closing the blank are integrated together on the station for unloading at least one assembled batch or on the station upstream from same i.e. the station for loading the object(s) in the receptacle or the station for distributing the blanks. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for folding and the means for closing the blank are integrated on the station for unloading the assembled batch(es) and on the station upstream therefrom, i.e. the station for loading the object(s) in the receptacle or the station for distributing the blanks, respectively. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for folding and/or closing the blank are provided together on a further station provided before the station for unloading the assembled batch(es). 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for folding and/or the means for closing the blank are each provided on an independent work station before the station for unloading the assembled batch(es), respectively. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a work station depositing an insert inside at least one batch.