Cartoning machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartoning machine comprising: a store unit for cardboard blanks; means for picking the blanks from the store unit; an unfolding station for forming boxes with the blanks, provided with an unfolding base which supports unfolding members mounted on a support; a conveyor for conveying the blanks to the unfolding station; a feeding station for the products destined for the boxes; an insertion station, in which the products are inserted into the boxes; an exit station for the packages made up of boxes with the products inside them; a mechanism for folding vertical flaps of one side of the boxes with folders mounted on a respective support. The position of said support of the unfolding base and/or the position of the support for the folders with respect to the product insertion station can be adjusted according to the format of the blanks.

1 ) Cartoning machine comprising:
 a store unit (M) configured for storing a stack (P) of cardboard blanks (F);   means for picking the blanks (F) from the store unit (M);   an unfolding station(S), in which the cardboard blanks (F) are put into shape, assuming the shape of an open parallelepiped box (C);   a conveyor (CB) that transports the blanks to the unfolding station(S);   a product feeding station (A), into which the products (RC) destined to be packaged in the boxes (C) obtained from the cardboard blanks (F) are fed;   an insertion station (N), in which the products (RC) are inserted into the open boxes (C);   an exit station (U) for the packages consisting of boxes (C) with the products (RC) inside them;   
       wherein
 in the unfolding station(S) are arranged means for unfolding the blanks (F) comprising unfolding members (V 1 , V 2 ) acting on an upper side of the blanks and 
 
       a lower unfolding base (BS) that supports unfolding members (V 3 ) mounted on a support (B 3 ) which can be moved parallel to the conveyor (CB) in correspondence with an outlet section of the latter, the unfolding members (V 3 ) supported by said lower unfolding base (BS) acting on a lower side of the blanks; 
       and wherein
 in an intermediate position between the unfolding station(S) and the product insertion station (N) there is a mechanism for folding vertical flaps (PS) of a rear side of the boxes (C) with folding means (Y 2 , Y 3 ) mounted on a respective support (Y 1 ) oriented parallel to a direction (FN) followed by the boxes between the product insertion station (N) and the output station (U); 
 the position of said support (B 3 ) of the lower unfolding base and/or the position of said support (Y 1 ) of the folding means (Y 2 , Y 3 ) with respect to the product insertion station are adjustable according to the size of the cardboard blanks. 
 
     
     
         2 ) Machine according to  claim 1  wherein said unfolding means comprise two independent upper unfolding units (R 1 , R 2 ) arranged above the lower unfolding base (BS) and comprising said unfolding members (V 1 , V 2 ). 
     
     
         3 ) Machine according to  claim 1  wherein said erection means (V 3 ) are pneumatic suction cups. 
     
     
         4 ) Machine according to  claim 1  wherein the position of said supports (Y 1 ) and (B 3 ) is controlled by respective actuators (YM, BM). 
     
     
         5 ) Machine according to  claim 1  wherein said folders (Y 2 , Y 3 ) are two in number. 
     
     
         6 ) Machine according to  claim 1  wherein said stations are arranged along a “U” shaped or “C” shaped path. 
     
     
         7 ) Machine according to  claim 2  wherein the two upper independent erection units (R 1 , R 2 ) each comprise a support (B 1 , B 2 ) on which more pneumatic suction cups (V 1 , V 2 ) are mounted and which is mounted on a vertical guide (G 1 , G 2 ) to be moved vertically to and from the conveyor (CB) by means of a respective actuator (W 1 , W 2 ).