US 5,312,222 AGranted

Process and device for aligning stacks of cutouts in a packaging machine

AssigneeG.D S.p.A.

InventorsArmando Neri, Mino Cesari, Maurizio Rosa

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Abstract

A process and device for compacting stacks of cutouts in a packaging machine wherein the stacks arranged in an orderly manner are removed by a grip element supported by a head of a removal and transfer unit. The stack is transferred to a compacting station fixedly mounted in a position above a feeding station of the packaging machine. and is inserted in the compacting station which is equipped with an abutment element having an inlet shaped complementarily to one end of the cutouts. Pusher elements which are rigidly associated to the head and frontally define a profile being shaped complementarily with respect to the end of the cutouts opposite to the one inserted in the compacting station, act on the stack upon advancement of the head for inserting the stack in the inlet of the abutment element, thereby compacting the stack.

Claims7

Dependent claims

Process for compacting stacks of cutouts in a packaging machine, comprising the steps of:

selectively gripping a stack of cutouts arrange din an orderly manner on supporting means by means of a grip element supported by a head of a removal and transfer unit which can move vertically and horizontally above said supporting means;
removing said stack of cutouts from said supporting means;
transferring said stack of cutouts to a compacting station fixedly mounted in a position above a station for feeding said packaging machine;
inserting said stack of cutouts in said compacting station equipped with an abutment element with inclined surfaces which has an inlet shaped complementarily to one end of said cutouts;
opening said grip element, so as to leave said stack resting on adapted supporting means;
advancing said head in a pushing direction, so as to act on said stack by means of pusher elements with inclined surfaces which are rigidly associated with said head, and making said head slide until said end of the cutouts is inserted in said inlet of the abutment element;
compacting said stack of cutouts by pushing action of said inclined surfaces of said pusher elements towards said inclined surfaces of said abutment element, the inclined surfaces of said pusher elements and of said abutment element being convergent towards said pushing direction of said head;
actuating said grip element for clamping said compacted stack;
and
transferring said stack of cutouts to said station for feeding said packaging machine.

7 more elements

Device for compacting stacks of cutouts in a packaging machine, comprising:

a grip element for gripping a stack, being supported by a head of a removal and transfer unit which can move vertically and horizontally;
pusher elements, rigidly associated with said head, which frontally define a profile being shaped complementarily with respect to an end of the cutouts of said stack, said pusher elements being suitable to act on said stack at said end upon advancing said head in a pushing direction;
and a station for compacting said stack, fixedly mounted in a position above a station for feeding said packaging machine, said station for compacting said stack being provided with an abutment element which is adapted to receive said stack removed and transferred by said grip element and whose profile is complementary to the end of said cutouts which is opposite to the one which said pusher elements act at said station, said pusher elements and said abutment element comprising inclined surfaces being convergent towards said pushing direction of said head.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.