Boxing method and device intended to sequentially box batches of products inside packaging receptacles

Abstract

A method and device for sequentially batch boxing products inside packaging receptacles. The method includes conveying a continuous supply flow of aligned products along a first supply line extending in a longitudinal direction and; sending m successions of n products in m rows positioned along m separate positioning sub-lines by m movements in transverse directions without a lag with respect to the continuous supply flow; collecting and assembling in the longitudinal direction the n products of each row so as to form a first batch of m×n products; sequentially boxing the m rows of n products forming the first batch inside a first packaging receptacle. The sending step intended to form a first row of a second batch starts during the collecting phase of one of the rows of n products constituting the first batch and along a separate buffer positioning sub-line adjacent to the m positioning sub-lines.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A boxing method intended, from a continuous supply flow of similar products, for sequentially boxing batches of products inside packaging containers, the batches being formed of m rows of n products each, m and n being integers greater than or equal to 1, the boxing method comprising a succession of steps consisting of:
 conveying a continuous supply flow of aligned products along a first supply line extending in a longitudinal direction; and   sending, by m movements in transverse directions with no lag relative to the continuous supply flow, m successions of n products in m rows respectively positioned along m distinct positioning sub-lines, arranged to be adjacent in the first supply line;   collecting and assembling in the longitudinal direction the n products of each row along m positioning sub-lines so as to form a first batch of m×n products;   sequentially boxing said m rows of n products constituting the first batch, inside a first packaging container;   wherein the boxing method consists of:   initiating the step of sending a first succession of n products intended to form a first row of a second batch, during the phase of collecting one of the rows of n products constituting the first batch,
 this first succession of n products intended to form a first row of a second batch being sent, in a transverse movement with no lag relative to the continuous supply flow, along a separate buffer positioning sub-line adjacent to the m positioning sub-lines on which the m rows of n products constituting the first batch have been formed, 
 so as to allow the collection and assembly of products constituting the first batch without interrupting or slowing the continuous supply flow of products; and 
   initiating the step of boxing the first batch with no substantial delay after the collection and assembly of the first batch, in a manner that allows the boxing to occur without interrupting or slowing the continuous supply flow of products.   
     
     
         24 . The boxing method according to  claim 23 , wherein the step of sending m successions of n products consists of positioning the m rows of n products along m positioning sub-lines so that the m rows of n products are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction by a predetermined spacing distance. 
     
     
         25 . The boxing method according to  claim 24 , wherein positioning rails of a thickness corresponding to the spacing distance are arranged to ensure the guiding, transverse positioning, and maintaining in position of m successions of n products along the m positioning sub-lines. 
     
     
         26 . The boxing method according to  claim 24 , wherein the boxing step is performed by boxing means comprising m rows of n gripper heads, the m rows of n gripper heads drawing closer to one another in the transverse direction during the step of boxing the m rows of n products inside a packaging container. 
     
     
         27 . The boxing method according to  claim 24 , comprising a grouping step performed after the step of collecting m rows of n products and consisting of grouping the m rows of n products in the transverse direction so that these m rows are adjacent to one another in this transverse direction. 
     
     
         28 . The boxing method according to  claim 27 , wherein the grouping step is performed by means of a scraper arm positioned between the buffer positioning sub-line and the positioning sub-line adjacent to said buffer positioning sub-line, the scraper arm moving in the transverse direction to group the m rows of n products in the transverse direction so that these m rows are adjacent to one another in this transverse direction. 
     
     
         29 . The boxing method according to  claim 23 , wherein the step of collecting and assembling n products in each row is achieved by means of a barrier wall which stops the advancement of n products in the m positioning sub-lines. 
     
     
         30 . The boxing method according to  claim 23 , wherein the step of collecting and assembling n products in each row is achieved by means of a barrier wall which slows the advancement of the n products along the m positioning sub-lines without stopping them. 
     
     
         31 . The boxing method according to  claim 23 , wherein the packaging containers are shaped and then conveyed along a second supply line positioned near the positioning sub-lines and extending in a substantially longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         32 . The boxing method according to  claim 31 , wherein the packaging containers are moved in a direction opposite the direction of motion of the m rows of n products collected in the m positioning sub-lines. 
     
     
         33 . The boxing method according to  claim 31 , wherein the packaging containers are shaped by folding and gluing a blank upstream of the second supply line. 
     
     
         34 . A boxing device intended for carrying out a method for sequentially boxing batches of products inside packaging containers according to  claim 23 , the batches being formed of m rows of n products each, m and n being integers greater than or equal to 1, the boxing device comprising:
 a first supply line extending in a longitudinal direction;   transport means able to convey a continuous supply flow of aligned products along the first supply line;   offset means able to send, by m movements in transverse directions with no lag relative to the continuous supply flow, m successions of n products in m rows respectively positioned along m distinct positioning sub-lines arranged in an adjacent manner in the first supply line;   collection means able to collect and assemble, in the longitudinal direction, the n products of each row along its positioning sub-line in a manner that forms a first batch of m×n products;   boxing means able to box sequentially said m rows of n products constituting the first batch inside a first packaging container;   wherein   the offset means being able to send a first succession of n products, intended to constitute a first row of a second batch, in a transverse movement with no lag relative to the continuous supply flow, along a separate buffer positioning sub-line adjacent to the m positioning sub-lines on which the m rows of n products constituting the first batch can be formed, so as to allow the collection and assembly of products constituting the first batch without interrupting or slowing the continuous supply flow of products; and   the boxing means being arranged to box the first batch with no substantial delay after the collection and assembly of the first batch, in a manner that allows the boxing to occur without interrupting or slowing the continuous supply flow.   
     
     
         35 . The boxing device according to  claim 34 , wherein the m positioning sub-lines are arranged so that the m rows of n products are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction by a predetermined spacing distance. 
     
     
         36 . The boxing device according to  claim 35 , comprising positioning rails of a thickness corresponding to the spacing distance to ensure the guiding, transverse positioning, and maintaining in position of m successions of n products along the m positioning sub-lines. 
     
     
         37 . The boxing device according to  claim 36 , wherein the boxing means comprise m rows of n gripper heads, the m rows of n gripper heads being able to draw closer to one another in the transverse direction so as to box the m rows of n products inside a packaging container. 
     
     
         38 . The boxing device according to  claim 35 , comprising a scraper arm positioned between the buffer positioning sub-line and the positioning sub-line adjacent to this buffer positioning sub-line, the scraper arm being able to move in the transverse direction to group the m rows of n products in the transverse direction so that these m rows are adjacent to one another in this transverse direction. 
     
     
         39 . The boxing device according to  claim 34 , wherein the collection means comprise a barrier wall able to stop the advancement of n products along the m positioning sub-lines. 
     
     
         40 . The boxing device according to  claim 34 , wherein the collection means comprise a barrier wall able to slow, without stopping, the advancement of n products along the m positioning sub-lines. 
     
     
         41 . The boxing device according to  claim 34 , comprising shaping means able to shape packaging containers and supply means able to convey these packaging containers along a second supply line positioned near the positioning sub-lines and extending in a substantially longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         42 . The boxing device according to  claim 41 , wherein the supply means are able to convey the packaging containers in a direction of motion that is opposite the direction of motion of the m rows of n products collected in the m positioning sub-lines. 
     
     
         43 . The boxing device according to  claim 41 , wherein the shaping means are able to shape the packaging containers by folding and gluing a blank upstream of the second supply line. 
     
     
         44 . The boxing device according to  claim 34 , wherein the offset means comprise:
 a gripping module able to grasp a succession of n products in a manner that allows conveying these n products in an offset movement relative to the first supply line;   a drive module simultaneously able to ensure both the movement of the gripping module in the transverse direction on the one hand, and the movement of this gripping module in the longitudinal direction with no loss of speed relative to the continuous supply flow on the other hand;   in a manner that ensures a movement of the succession of n products in the transverse direction with no lag relative to the continuous supply flow of products.