A BOXING MACHINE FOR BOXING IN VERTICAL DIRECTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a boxing machine which enables to automatically locate products required to be boxed in vertical direction particularly such as blister, bottle.

Background of the Invention

Boxing machines are machineries whereby products such as bottle, vial, blister involved in industries such as pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics are located in a box and then the box is made ready for use by the end user. In boxing machines included in the state of the art, pneumatic groups which are located on thereof receive motion signals from mechanical-cam systems whereto electrical signals are connected. Operation scenario of a machine is likely to break down because of reasons such as abrasion, defective manufacturing of a cam system and imprecise insertion thereof during maintenance and replacement, and lack of communication to occur due to non-contact sensor. Today, instability which is experienced during folding settings and operation of side lugs of a box is another problem confronted in vertical boxing machines. In addition, the folding process on the lower and upper lugs of a box and the settings to fit the lug into the box upon breaking the locking tab connected to the lug are difficult due to the lack of range of motion in the mechanism wherein the piston is connected.

Therefore, today there is need for solutions which can overcome problems included in the state of the art; whereby the movement time of piston motions can be determined according to the diversity of boxes; deformations existing in lugs are eliminated by means of a revision carried out in lug-breaking systems as well; and further distance is provided in order to adjust pen-type pistons, which enable to break the locking tab on the lower-upper lugs, according to the box.

Summary of the Invention

An objective of the present invention is to realize a boxing machine which enables to locate products with different dimensions such as blister, bottle, vial used mainly in pharmaceutical, food supplement industry into a box and then to make the box ready for the end user by ensuring that it is closed.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a boxing machine whereby products are located in a box by means of a full-automation control and then it is ensured that lugs of the box are closed.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a boxing machine whereby the movement of pneumatic groups is entirely brought under control and the movement time of piston motions is determined according to the diversity of boxes as required.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a boxing machine which has a breaking system of lower side lug wherein problems such as deformation, tearing, irregular breaking on side lugs are eliminated.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a boxing machine whereby breaking of the locking tab on the lower-upper lugs is avoided by creating a further movement distance to adjust the pen-type pistons according to the box.

Detailed Description of the Invention

“A Boxing Machine for Boxing in Vertical Direction” realized to fulfil the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which: Figure la is a perspective view of the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction, in an auto-feed condition.

Figure lb is a perspective view of the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction, in an auto-feed condition.

Figure 2 is view of the feeding group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction.

Figure 3 is a side and top view of the locating group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction. Figure 4 is a view of the breaking group of lower side lug in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction.

Figure 5 is a view of the lower lug group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction.

Figure 6 is a view of the package insert locating group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction.

Figure 7 is a view of the product locating group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction.

Figure 8 is a view of the breaking apparatus of upper side lug in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction. Figure 9 is a view of the upper lug group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction.

Figure 10 is a view of the key control group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction.

Figure 11 is a view of the unboxing group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction.

Figure 12 is a view of the rotary group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction.

Figure 13 is a view of the pneumatic group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction. Figure 14 is a view of the panel group in the inventive boxing machine for boxing in vertical direction. The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

1. Boxing machine

2. Feeding group

3. Guide shaft

4. Pushing apparatus

5. Rodless cylinder

6. Locating group

7. Vacuum member

8. Piston

9. Breaking group of lower side lug

10. Breaking apparatus

11. Mobile breaking apparatus

12. Valve

13. Lower lug group

14. Lug breaking device

15. Lug breaking piston

16. Lug bending apparatus

17. Lug closing apparatus

18. Lower lug bearing-piston

19. Locating group of package insert (prospectus)

20. Pulling apparatus

21. Locating apparatus

22. Product locating group

23. Pushing piston

24. Pushing apparatus

25. Product chamber

26. Breaking apparatus of upper side lug

27. Breaking apparatus of upper side lug 28. Breaking valve of upper side lug

29. Upper lug group

30. Breaking piston of upper lug

31. Bending apparatus of upper lug

32. Closing apparatus of upper lug

33. Upper lug bearing-piston

34. Key control group

35. Locking apparatus

36. Piston with lock bearing

37. Unboxing group

38. Unboxing apparatus

39. Unboxing piston

40. Box cleaning brush

41. Rotary group

42. Rotary housing

43. Transmission shaft

44. Torque limiter

45. Gear

46. Engine

47. Pneumatic group

48. Regulator group

49. Vacuum generators

50. Valve island

51. Panel group

52. Power supply

53. Driver

54. PLC

H: Chamber Y : Unboxing route The inventive boxing machine (1) for locating products in a box (K) and then making the box (K) ready for the end user upon closing it comprises: at least one feeding group (2) wherein boxes (K) that are present in an unopened form and have all lugs thereof in an open form are included; at least one housing locating group (6) which is used for locating the boxes (K) into a rotary housing; has at least one vacuum member (7) that keeps the boxes (K), being present in an unopened form, in the feeding group (2) and at least one piston (8) wherein the vacuum member (7) is present at the end thereof and that receives the boxes (K), being kept by the vacuum member (7) by providing motion to the vacuum member (7) preferably in horizontal direction, from the feeding group (2); at least one breaking group of lower side lug (9) which closes at least lower side lugs of a box that has lugs thereof -included in the rotary housing, in an open form; at least one lower lug group (13) which ensures that the lower lug, that will be closed onto the side lugs, is broken upon the lower side lugs are closed and then it is closed onto the lower side lugs; at least one locating group of package insert (19) which ensures that at least one package insert is located in the box (K) from a package insert chamber (H) upon the lower side lugs are closed and the lower lug is closed onto the lower side lugs; at least one product locating group (22) which enables to locate at least one product into the box (K) wherein at least one package insert is included; and has at least one pushing piston (23) and product pushing apparatus (24) to push the product, and at least one product chamber (25) to keep the product; at least one breaking apparatus of upper side lug (26) which is used for breaking and closing the upper side lugs of the box (K) wherein the product is included; at least one upper lug group (29) which ensures that the upper lug, that will be closed onto the upper side lugs upon the upper side lugs are closed, is broken and then closed onto the lower side lugs; at least one key control group (34) which controls whether covers of the box (K) -that has its closed upper side lugs in a closed form, whereon the upper lug is closed and wherein the product is included- are closed or not by means of a locking apparatus (35) contacting the cover surfaces; at least one locking apparatus (37) which has closed covers and controlled locks, and ensures that the box (K) wherein the product is included is received from a rotary housing; and at least one panel group (51) which is used in order to provide the energy need required for the parts that are used for boxing, and to control the operation of components.

In the inventive boxing machine (1), the feeding group (2) houses the boxes (K) - that are present in an unopened form- in an open form and comprises a plurality of guide shafts (3) in order to keep the boxes (K) in a vertical position. The boxing machine (1) also comprises at least one pushing apparatus (4) which pushes the boxes (K) included between the guide shafts (3), towards the locating group (6). In the inventive boxing machine (1), the feeding group (2) comprises at least one rodless cylinder (5) used for providing motion to the pushing apparatus (4) as well.

In the inventive boxing machine (1), the locating group (6) receives the boxes (K) from the feeding group (2) and locates them into the rotary housing (42). Therefore, the locating group (6) comprises at least one vacuum member (7) that keeps the box (K) by contacting the box (K) and at least one box piston (8) that fits the box (K) -being kept by the vacuum member (7)- into the rotary housing (42). The locating group (6) fits the box (K) into the rotary housing (42) such that all lugs thereof will be open in a preferred embodiment. In the invention, the breaking group of lower side lug (9) closes the lower side lug that is located into the rotary housing (42) and then closes the other side lug again by means of the motion of the rotary housing (42). The breaking group of lower side lug (9) comprises a breaking apparatus (10) and a mobile breaking apparatus (11) in order to break the lugs and approach them towards the box (K). The breaking group of lower side lug (9) comprises at least one rotary valve (12) used for providing motion to the mobile breaking apparatus (11).

In the inventive boxing machine (1), the lower lug group (13) breaks the lower lug towards the box (K) and closes it, upon the lower side lugs are broken. The lower lug group (13) comprises a lug breaking device (14) and a lug bending apparatus

(16) in order to break the lower lug towards the box (K), upon the lower side lugs are broken. The lug breaking device (14) is activated by means of a lug breaking piston (15). The lower lug group (13) comprises at least one lug closing apparatus

(17) to close the lower lug upon the lower lug is broken towards the box (K), and a plurality of lower lug bearing-pistons (18) that provide motion to the lug closing apparatus (17).

In the inventive boxing machine (1), the locating group of package insert (19) is used for locating a package insert into the box (K) with closed lower side lugs and lower lug and it comprises at least one pulling apparatus (20) pulling the package insert from the package insert chamber (H) and at least one locating apparatus (21) locating the pulled package insert into the box (K).

In the inventive boxing machine (1), the product locating group (22) locates the product into the box (K), upon the package insert is located. Therefore, the product locating group (22) comprises a product chamber (25) keeping the product, at least one product pushing apparatus (24) being in contact with the product chamber (25) and a pushing piston (23) providing motion to the product pushing apparatus (24). In the inventive boxing machine (1), the breaking apparatus of upper side lug (26) breaks the upper side lugs towards the box (K) upon the product is located inside the box (K), and therefore comprises two breaking apparatus of upper side lug (27) and the breaking valve of upper side lug (28) providing motion to the said breaking apparatus of upper side lug (27). Thereby, the upper side lugs of the box (K) wherein the product is included are broken towards the box (K) and they are made ready to be closed onto the upper lug.

In the inventive boxing machine (1), the upper lug group (29) carries out transactions of breaking and closing the upper lug onto the broken side lugs, upon the upper side lugs are broken. The bending apparatus of upper lug (31) bends the upper lug towards the box (K) by means of the motion of the rotary housing (42) at first for the transactions of breaking and closing the upper lug in the upper lug group (29). Then, the breaking piston of upper lug (30) breaks the locking lug at the end of the upper lug and finally, the closing apparatus of upper lug (32) enables to carry out the closing transaction by pushing the upper lug towards the box (K). The upper lug bearing-pistons (33) provide the motion to the closing apparatus of upper lug (32) used for pushing the upper lug towards the box (K).

In the inventive boxing machine (1), the key control group (34) controls the locking status of the lug, upon pressure is applied on the lower and/or upper surface of the box (K) with closed lugs. The key control group (34) comprises at least one locking apparatus (35) applying pressure to the upper surface of the lug for control and at least one piston with lock bearing (36) providing the motion to the locking apparatus (35).

In the inventive boxing machine (1), the unboxing group (37) removes the box (K) -lug control of which is performed- from the rotary housing (42), and therefore comprises at least one unboxing apparatus (38) and at least one unboxing piston (39) providing the motion to the unboxing apparatus (38). The unboxing group (37) gets the box (K) out of an unboxing route (Y) and comprises at least one box cleaning brush (40) used for cleaning the box (K) while getting the box (K) out.

The inventive boxing machine (1) also comprises at least one rotary group (41) wherein transactions of lug bending, closing and locking control are carried out for the boxes (K) and a plurality of rotary housings (42) are included. The rotary group (41) is driven by at least one engine (46) and the driving engine (46) is in contact with at least one gear. The gear (45) is an index gear and its number of revolutions can be set. The gear (45) is in communication with at least one transmission shaft (43). The transmission shaft (43) is in communication with at least one torque limiter (44) and a transmission shaft (43) is included on the other end of the torque limiter (44) again.

The inventive boxing machine (1) also comprises at least one pneumatic group (47) having at least one regulator group (48), a plurality of vacuum generators (49) and at least one valve island (50). The pneumatic group (47) controls the flow of liquid which enables to control the motion utilized in the boxing machine (1). Besides, the inventive boxing machine (1) comprises at least one power supply (52), at least one driver (53) and at least one PLC (programmable logic control).

In the inventive boxing machine (1), unopened boxes (K) are opened at first and then the transaction of product boxing is carried out by closing the covers upon the product is put into thereof. Unopened boxes (K), which are included in the feeding group (2) in the boxing machine (1) are pulled by means of the vacuum member (7) and the piston (8) and they are located in one of a plurality of rotary housings (42) included in the rotary group (41). Upon the box (K) is located into the rotary housing (42) such that all lugs thereof are open, the lower side lug included against the direction of rotation of the rotary housing (42) is closed with the breaking group of lower side lug (9) following its movement with the rotary group (41). Upon it is controlled whether a box (K) is present at the second station or not by means of the second movement of the rotary group (41), the lower lug is bent by the lower lug group (13) at the third movement. In the lower lug group (13), the lug breaking piston (15) becomes open such that it will correspond to the breaking part of the locking tab at the lower lug end and then, the lower lug is compressed from the end thereof by making the lower lug bearing-piston (18) open. Since the lower lug rests against the lug breaking piston (15), the locking tab of the lower lug is broken and made ready for entering into the box (K); subsequently, the locking tab closes the lug by compressing the lug -which is in a broken form- towards the box (K) upon the lug breaking piston (15) is taken into a closed form and then the lower lug bearing-piston (18) is opened. At the fourth movement of the rotary group (41), the package insert is pulled from a chamber (H) by means of the locating group of package insert (19) in the box (K) and then it is pushed into the box (K). In the fifth movement of the rotary group (41), it is controlled whether a package insert is located into the box (K) by means of a sensor and then the product is located into the box (K) at the six and seventh movement. The product locating group (22) is used for locating the product into the box (K) and it is controlled whether the product is located into the box (K) by means of a sensor. The upper side lugs of the box (K) is bent by means of the breaking apparatus of upper side lug (26), with the eighth movement of the rotary group (41). Upon the eighth movement is over, the breaking piston of upper lug (30) becomes open such that it will enter between the upper lug that is in a bent form and will correspond to the breaking part of the locking tab at the end of the upper lug. In the upper lug group (29), the upper lug bearing-pistons (33) becomes ready to enter into the box (K) upon becoming open and being broken in the bending part of the locking tab, and then the breaking piston of upper lug (30) closes. Upon the upper lug bearing-piston (33) opens, the lug is closed by being compressed into the box (K). At the ninth movement of the rotary housing (42), it is controlled whether the lugs of the box (K) are compressed by the key control group (34) and locked. Following this control, box (K) is removed from the rotary group (41) by means of the unboxing group (37). Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of “A Boxing Machine for Boxing in Vertical Direction (1)”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.