EP1919776A1 - Method and machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group - Google Patents

Method and machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group

Info

Publication number
EP1919776A1
EP1919776A1 EP06778067A EP06778067A EP1919776A1 EP 1919776 A1 EP1919776 A1 EP 1919776A1 EP 06778067 A EP06778067 A EP 06778067A EP 06778067 A EP06778067 A EP 06778067A EP 1919776 A1 EP1919776 A1 EP 1919776A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
group
products
machine
station
forming
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06778067A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Maurizio Oleandri
Eros Stivani
Fulvio Boldrini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA
Original Assignee
Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA filed Critical Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA
Publication of EP1919776A1 publication Critical patent/EP1919776A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
    • B65B19/22—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers
    • B65B19/223—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers in a curved path; in a combination of straight and curved paths, e.g. on rotary tables or other endless conveyors
    • B65B19/226—Wrapping the cigarettes; Packaging the cigarettes in containers formed by folding wrapping material around formers in a curved path; in a combination of straight and curved paths, e.g. on rotary tables or other endless conveyors using endless conveyors having pockets, each pocket being provided with separate members, e.g. folders
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/06—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths
    • B65B11/38—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a combination of straight and curved paths
    • B65B11/40—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a combination of straight and curved paths to fold the wrappers in tubular form about contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/50—Stacking one article, or group of articles, upon another before packaging
    • B65B35/52—Stacking one article, or group of articles, upon another before packaging building-up the stack from the bottom

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group.
  • Figure 1 shows a partial, schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the machine according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a partial, schematic view of a second preferred embodiment of the machine according to the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of a third preferred embodiment of the machine according to the present invention
  • Figure 4 shows an example of the type of product used to form groups of products according to the method of the present invention
  • Figures 5 to 9 show respective different groups of products obtainable using the method according to the present invention.
  • Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a machine for forming groups 2 of products 3 and an overwrapping about each group 2.
  • products 3 are parallelepiped- shaped and in the form of rigid, hinged-lid packets . It should be stressed, however, that the product shown is purely by way of example and has no functional bearing, in that, in other examples not shown, product 3 may differ in shape and structure from those shown and described herein by way of example.
  • machine 1 comprises a feed conveyor 4 for feeding a succession of individual products 3 to a group-forming station 5, where products
  • grouping device 6 As they reach group-forming station 5, are formed into groups 2 by a grouping device 6.
  • Feed conveyor 4 is a belt conveyor, and comprises a belt 7 looped about pulleys 8 (only one shown) rotating about respective axes 9 perpendicular to the Figure 1 plane, and defining on belt 7 a work branch on which products 3 are fed one after another in a substantially horizontal feed direction Dl (indicated by an arrow in Figure 1) , and are stopped at group-forming station 5 in an intermediate position between conveyor 4 and a wrapping unit.
  • the wrapping unit comprises a wheel 10 rotating in steps about an axis 11 perpendicular to the Figure 1 plane, and having a number of peripheral pockets 12 equally spaced about axis 11, and each of which receives a respective group 2 and a respective sheet 14 of wrapping material at a loading station 13, and conveys respective group 2 from loading station 13 to an unloading station 15, diametrically opposite loading station 13, via a number of work stations where (as explained in detail below) each sheet 14 is closed about respective group 2 to form a respective overwrapped group 16.
  • Sheets 14 are fed to loading station 13 by a feed line 17 in a substantially vertical direction D2
  • a knife 20 is moved back and forth, in time with wheel 10, through strip 18, so that, when a pocket 12 is arrested at loading station 13, a sheet 14 is positioned exactly opposite pocket 12.
  • Machine 1 also comprises an output conveyor 21 comprising a belt 22 looped about pulleys (only one shown) which define on belt 22 a work branch extending in a substantially horizontal direction D3 (indicated by an arrow in Figures 1 and 2) from unloading station 15 to successively remove the overwrapped groups 16 coming out of unloading station 15.
  • an output conveyor 21 comprising a belt 22 looped about pulleys (only one shown) which define on belt 22 a work branch extending in a substantially horizontal direction D3 (indicated by an arrow in Figures 1 and 2) from unloading station 15 to successively remove the overwrapped groups 16 coming out of unloading station 15.
  • group-forming station 5 also acts as a collecting station where, as they are formed, groups 2 are stacked and gradually transferred one at a time to a respective pocket 12.
  • Grouping device 6 at group-forming station 5 comprises a pusher 23 located at the output end of the work branch of conveyor 4, and which is moved back and forth, crosswise to the travelling direction Dl of products 3 on conveyor 4, to engage one product 3 at a time entering group-forming station 5, and to lift and add the product 3 to the bottom of a vertical stack 24 resting on pusher 23, substantially opposite loading station 13, and comprising a given number of products 3 transferred previously from conveyor 4 and arranged contacting one another to form relative groups 2.
  • each group 2 is of the type shown in Figure 5, i.e. comprising two products 3 positioned with respective major lateral surfaces contacting.
  • grouping device 6 also comprises a pusher 25, which transfers groups 2 to respective pockets 12, is located on a level with the top end of stack 24, on the opposite side of stack 24 to loading station 13, and is operated back and forth, in a horizontal direction and in time with wheel 10, to and from loading station 13, to engage one group 2 at a time, i.e. two top products 3 in stack 24, and push group 2 into a respective stationary pocket 12 at loading station 13.
  • a pusher 25 which transfers groups 2 to respective pockets 12, is located on a level with the top end of stack 24, on the opposite side of stack 24 to loading station 13, and is operated back and forth, in a horizontal direction and in time with wheel 10, to and from loading station 13, to engage one group 2 at a time, i.e. two top products 3 in stack 24, and push group 2 into a respective stationary pocket 12 at loading station 13.
  • group 2 when transferred by pusher 25 into respective pocket 12, intercepts a sheet 14 fed previously by feed line 17 into position in front of pocket 12, and, as it is inserted inside pocket 12, forces sheet 14 to fold into a U about group 2.
  • the size of sheets 14 is such that, once group 2 is fully inserted inside pocket 12, respective sheet 14 projects outwards of pocket 12, about the whole of group 2. While the loaded pocket 12 is still stationary at loading station 13, which is also a folding station, the first step in closing sheet 14 about group 2 is performed by a known folding device 26, which is moved in a direction substantially tangent to wheel 10 to fold a flap of sheet 14, projecting radially from pocket 12, onto group 2. As wheel 10 moves forward one step, the other flap of sheet 14 projecting radially from pocket 12 is folded onto group 2 by a fixed folding device 27 defined by a semicircular rail extending along the periphery of wheel 10 from a point immediately downstream from loading station 13 in the rotation direction of wheel 10.
  • the two flaps folded one on top of the other are joined firmly at a first sealing station located upstream from unloading station 15 and comprising a known heat-sealing device 28 movable radially to and from wheel 10 to close sheet 14 laterally about group 2 and form a respective tubular wrapping.
  • each end of the tubular wrapping is closed by pinching together two flaps defining the end, and so forming a corresponding wall of the overwrapping, and a tab projecting transversely from the wall.
  • the tabs are folded onto the relative walls by respective fixed rails 29 (only one shown in Figure 1) located at unloading station 15, in an intermediate position between wheel 10 and a second sealing station where two heat-sealing devices 30 (only- one shown in Figure 1) , located on opposite sides of group 2, seal the tabs firmly to the respective walls to form a relative overwrapped group 16.
  • sheet 14 may be closed about group 2 in other ways known in the wrapping machine industry and differing from that shown and described in the present invention.
  • the end closed at loading station 13 may be closed by pinching together the two flaps projecting radially from pocket 12, and folding the resulting tab onto the resulting wall; in a further variation, the ends of each tubular wrapping may be closed by superimposing and sealing the respective pairs of flaps .
  • sheets 14 of other than thermoplastic material, and appropriately gummed on the sealing areas may be used; in which case, sealing is effected, not by melting the material, as in the case of thermoplastic material, but by the sealing devices hot-melting the glue.
  • thermoplastic material used in the example embodiment described above is also impermeable, the method according to the present invention also provides for forming sealed overwrappings about groups 2.
  • group-forming station 5 need not necessarily be a collecting station.
  • pushers 23 and 25 are operated in time with each other and at such a frequency that, as soon as pusher 23 has transferred into position in front of loading station 13 a number of products 3 equal to the number of products defining a group 2, group 2 is inserted immediately inside a respective pocket 12 by pusher 25.
  • Machine 1 in Figure 2 provides for forming and overwrapping groups 2 of the type shown in Figure 6 and comprising two products 3 positioned with respective minor lateral surfaces contacting.
  • pusher 23 engages two side by side products 3, which already define a group 2, and which are then transferred by pusher 25 - which is designed to engage one row of stack 24 at a time - into relative pocket 12, which is shaped and sized to receive group 2.
  • machine 1 according to the present invention can be modified easily to form different types of overwrapped groups 16 by forming different types of groups 2, as shown for example in Figures 7, 8 and 9.
  • machine 1 to form a group 2 of the type shown in Figure 9, machine 1 must be equipped with a known inverting device (not shown) for rotating and flipping over one product 3 in group 2 with respect to the other, so that the respective front walls of products 3 face outwards ( Figure 9) or inwards (not shown) .
  • supply of products 3 to group-forming station 5 and subsequent transfer of groups 2 to respective pockets 12 may be performed in line, i.e. the work branch of conveyor 4 may be located on a level with loading station 13.
  • grouping device 6 may only comprise pusher 25, which engages one group 2 at a time reaching group-forming station 5, and feeds it directly into respective pocket 12.
  • products 3 may be fed to group-forming station 5 in a feed direction Dl substantially tangent to wheel 10 and crosswise to direction D3. All the variations described above relative to the location of conveyor 4 with respect to loading station 13 and the types of groups obtainable obviously also apply in this case too.
  • the method according to the present invention provides for effectively forming and overwrapping groups of products using a straightforward machine specially designed to adapt, with no major alterations required, to changes in the composition or shape of the groups to be formed and overwrapped.

Abstract

A method of forming groups (2) of products (3) and an overwrapping about each group (2), whereby individual products (3) , fed successively to a group-forming station (5), are formed into groups (2), each defined by at least two products (3) contacting each other; the groups (2) are then transferred, one at a time and together with respective sheets (14) of wrapping material, to respective pockets (12) on a wheel (10), and are fed through a number of work stations, where folding devices (26, 27) and sealing devices (28, 30) fold and stabilize each sheet (14) about the relative group (2) to form a respective overwrapped group (16).

Description

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING GROUPS OF PRODUCTS AND AN OVERWRAPPING ABOUT EACH GROUP
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method and machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group.
In the packing industry, there is increasing demand for wrapping machines which receive wrapping material and a succession of individual products, form the products into orderly groups, and, finally, form an overwrapping about each group.
BACKGROUND ART
Though reliable and efficient in many cases, currently used machines for performing the above operations often have serious limitations, mainly due to the group-forming devices, the devices for feeding the groups and the wrapping material to the wrapping machine, and the wrapping machine itself, normally being relatively complex in design, both as regards the devices themselves and the way they are connected to surrounding components .
For these reasons, machines of this sort are normally very expensive, adapt poorly to changes in format, and are of relatively low output. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group, designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks .
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group, and which is cheap and easy to produce and as adaptable as possible to changes in format.
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group, as claimed in Claim 1 and, preferably, in any one of the following Claims depending directly or indirectly on Claim 1.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group, as claimed in Claim 18 and, preferably, in any one of the following Claims depending directly or indirectly on Claim 18.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a partial, schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the machine according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a partial, schematic view of a second preferred embodiment of the machine according to the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of a third preferred embodiment of the machine according to the present invention;
Figure 4 shows an example of the type of product used to form groups of products according to the method of the present invention;
Figures 5 to 9 show respective different groups of products obtainable using the method according to the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a machine for forming groups 2 of products 3 and an overwrapping about each group 2.
As shown in Figure 4, products 3 are parallelepiped- shaped and in the form of rigid, hinged-lid packets . It should be stressed, however, that the product shown is purely by way of example and has no functional bearing, in that, in other examples not shown, product 3 may differ in shape and structure from those shown and described herein by way of example.
With reference to Figure 1, machine 1 comprises a feed conveyor 4 for feeding a succession of individual products 3 to a group-forming station 5, where products
3, as they reach group-forming station 5, are formed into groups 2 by a grouping device 6.
Feed conveyor 4 is a belt conveyor, and comprises a belt 7 looped about pulleys 8 (only one shown) rotating about respective axes 9 perpendicular to the Figure 1 plane, and defining on belt 7 a work branch on which products 3 are fed one after another in a substantially horizontal feed direction Dl (indicated by an arrow in Figure 1) , and are stopped at group-forming station 5 in an intermediate position between conveyor 4 and a wrapping unit.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wrapping unit comprises a wheel 10 rotating in steps about an axis 11 perpendicular to the Figure 1 plane, and having a number of peripheral pockets 12 equally spaced about axis 11, and each of which receives a respective group 2 and a respective sheet 14 of wrapping material at a loading station 13, and conveys respective group 2 from loading station 13 to an unloading station 15, diametrically opposite loading station 13, via a number of work stations where (as explained in detail below) each sheet 14 is closed about respective group 2 to form a respective overwrapped group 16.
Sheets 14 are fed to loading station 13 by a feed line 17 in a substantially vertical direction D2
(indicated by an arrow in Figures 1 and 2) tangent to wheel 10, and are obtained from a continuous strip 18, preferably of heat-seal material, such as cellophane or similar, unwound off a reel 19 and cut transversely into sheets 14 at a cutting station located upstream from loading station 13 in the travelling direction D2 of strip 18.
At the strip 18 cutting station, a knife 20 is moved back and forth, in time with wheel 10, through strip 18, so that, when a pocket 12 is arrested at loading station 13, a sheet 14 is positioned exactly opposite pocket 12.
Machine 1 also comprises an output conveyor 21 comprising a belt 22 looped about pulleys (only one shown) which define on belt 22 a work branch extending in a substantially horizontal direction D3 (indicated by an arrow in Figures 1 and 2) from unloading station 15 to successively remove the overwrapped groups 16 coming out of unloading station 15.
In the Figure 1 machine 1, the work branch of conveyor 4 is lower than loading station 13 for loading groups 2 into respective pockets 12. In this case, in fact, group-forming station 5 also acts as a collecting station where, as they are formed, groups 2 are stacked and gradually transferred one at a time to a respective pocket 12. Grouping device 6 at group-forming station 5 comprises a pusher 23 located at the output end of the work branch of conveyor 4, and which is moved back and forth, crosswise to the travelling direction Dl of products 3 on conveyor 4, to engage one product 3 at a time entering group-forming station 5, and to lift and add the product 3 to the bottom of a vertical stack 24 resting on pusher 23, substantially opposite loading station 13, and comprising a given number of products 3 transferred previously from conveyor 4 and arranged contacting one another to form relative groups 2.
More specifically, in the Figure 1 machine 1, each group 2 is of the type shown in Figure 5, i.e. comprising two products 3 positioned with respective major lateral surfaces contacting.
In addition to pusher 23, grouping device 6 also comprises a pusher 25, which transfers groups 2 to respective pockets 12, is located on a level with the top end of stack 24, on the opposite side of stack 24 to loading station 13, and is operated back and forth, in a horizontal direction and in time with wheel 10, to and from loading station 13, to engage one group 2 at a time, i.e. two top products 3 in stack 24, and push group 2 into a respective stationary pocket 12 at loading station 13.
Given the way in which sheets 14 are supplied as described above, group 2, when transferred by pusher 25 into respective pocket 12, intercepts a sheet 14 fed previously by feed line 17 into position in front of pocket 12, and, as it is inserted inside pocket 12, forces sheet 14 to fold into a U about group 2.
In this connection, it should be pointed out that the size of sheets 14 is such that, once group 2 is fully inserted inside pocket 12, respective sheet 14 projects outwards of pocket 12, about the whole of group 2. While the loaded pocket 12 is still stationary at loading station 13, which is also a folding station, the first step in closing sheet 14 about group 2 is performed by a known folding device 26, which is moved in a direction substantially tangent to wheel 10 to fold a flap of sheet 14, projecting radially from pocket 12, onto group 2. As wheel 10 moves forward one step, the other flap of sheet 14 projecting radially from pocket 12 is folded onto group 2 by a fixed folding device 27 defined by a semicircular rail extending along the periphery of wheel 10 from a point immediately downstream from loading station 13 in the rotation direction of wheel 10. The two flaps folded one on top of the other are joined firmly at a first sealing station located upstream from unloading station 15 and comprising a known heat-sealing device 28 movable radially to and from wheel 10 to close sheet 14 laterally about group 2 and form a respective tubular wrapping.
Between the first sealing station and unloading station 15, known folding devices, not shown, close the open ends of the tubular wrappings, so that each sheet 14 is folded completely about respective group 2 by the time group 2 reaches unloading station 15, where group 2 is expelled from respective pocket 12 by a known radial pusher not shown.
In a preferred embodiment, each end of the tubular wrapping is closed by pinching together two flaps defining the end, and so forming a corresponding wall of the overwrapping, and a tab projecting transversely from the wall. As each group is expelled radially from respective pocket 12, the tabs are folded onto the relative walls by respective fixed rails 29 (only one shown in Figure 1) located at unloading station 15, in an intermediate position between wheel 10 and a second sealing station where two heat-sealing devices 30 (only- one shown in Figure 1) , located on opposite sides of group 2, seal the tabs firmly to the respective walls to form a relative overwrapped group 16.
It should be pointed out that, in other variations, sheet 14 may be closed about group 2 in other ways known in the wrapping machine industry and differing from that shown and described in the present invention. For example, the end closed at loading station 13 may be closed by pinching together the two flaps projecting radially from pocket 12, and folding the resulting tab onto the resulting wall; in a further variation, the ends of each tubular wrapping may be closed by superimposing and sealing the respective pairs of flaps .
As regards the material of sheets 14, it should be pointed out that sheets 14 of other than thermoplastic material, and appropriately gummed on the sealing areas, may be used; in which case, sealing is effected, not by melting the material, as in the case of thermoplastic material, but by the sealing devices hot-melting the glue.
If the thermoplastic material used in the example embodiment described above is also impermeable, the method according to the present invention also provides for forming sealed overwrappings about groups 2.
In a variation not shown, group-forming station 5 need not necessarily be a collecting station. In other words, pushers 23 and 25 are operated in time with each other and at such a frequency that, as soon as pusher 23 has transferred into position in front of loading station 13 a number of products 3 equal to the number of products defining a group 2, group 2 is inserted immediately inside a respective pocket 12 by pusher 25. Machine 1 in Figure 2 provides for forming and overwrapping groups 2 of the type shown in Figure 6 and comprising two products 3 positioned with respective minor lateral surfaces contacting. In this case, as opposed to one product 3 at a time, as in machine 1, pusher 23 engages two side by side products 3, which already define a group 2, and which are then transferred by pusher 25 - which is designed to engage one row of stack 24 at a time - into relative pocket 12, which is shaped and sized to receive group 2. As will be clear from the foregoing description, by altering the form of pushers 23 and 25 and pockets 12, machine 1 according to the present invention can be modified easily to form different types of overwrapped groups 16 by forming different types of groups 2, as shown for example in Figures 7, 8 and 9.
It should be pointed out that, to form a group 2 of the type shown in Figure 9, machine 1 must be equipped with a known inverting device (not shown) for rotating and flipping over one product 3 in group 2 with respect to the other, so that the respective front walls of products 3 face outwards (Figure 9) or inwards (not shown) . In a further variation of machine 1, supply of products 3 to group-forming station 5 and subsequent transfer of groups 2 to respective pockets 12 may be performed in line, i.e. the work branch of conveyor 4 may be located on a level with loading station 13. In which case, if no stack 24 is formed, grouping device 6 may only comprise pusher 25, which engages one group 2 at a time reaching group-forming station 5, and feeds it directly into respective pocket 12.
As shown in Figure 3, products 3 may be fed to group-forming station 5 in a feed direction Dl substantially tangent to wheel 10 and crosswise to direction D3. All the variations described above relative to the location of conveyor 4 with respect to loading station 13 and the types of groups obtainable obviously also apply in this case too.
To conclude, it should be stressed that the method according to the present invention provides for effectively forming and overwrapping groups of products using a straightforward machine specially designed to adapt, with no major alterations required, to changes in the composition or shape of the groups to be formed and overwrapped.

Claims

1) A method of forming groups (2) of products (3) and an overwrapping about each group (2), the method comprising the steps of: feeding individual products (3) successively, in a given feed direction (Dl) , to a group- forming station (5) ; forming a given number of products (3) at a time, as the products (3) reach the group- forming station (5), into a respective group (2), each group (2) comprising at least two products (3) contacting each other; feeding wrapping material in sheets to a wrapping unit comprising at least one seat (12) for receiving a respective group (2); inserting each group
(2), together with a respective sheet (14) of wrapping material, into a respective seat (12) at a loading station (13), so as to fold said sheet (14) partly about the group (2), said sheets (14) being formed by cutting a continuous strip (18) of wrapping material at a cutting station located upstream from the loading station (13) ; and completely folding and stabilizing the respective sheet (14) about each group (2) to form a respective overwrapped group (16) .
2) A method as claimed in Claim 1, and comprising the further step of removing the overwrapped groups (16) successively from said wrapping unit by means of conveying means (21) cooperating with the wrapping unit.
3) A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said step of completely folding and stabilizing the respective sheet (14) about each group (2) is performed by feeding the group (2) through a number of work stations by means of a wheel (10) rotating in steps and having a number of said seats (12) equally spaced along the periphery of the wheel (10); each seat (12) receiving a respective group (2) and relative sheet (14) at the loading station (13) .
4) A method as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said step of inserting each group (2) into the respective seat (12) is performed by means of a first pusher (25) located at the group-forming station (5) and moving back and forth, in a radial direction with respect to the wheel (10) , to engage, at each forward movement, a group (2) located at the group-forming station (5) , and to insert the group (2) inside a respective seat (12) arrested at the loading station (13) .
5) A method as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said step of forming the products (3) reaching the group-forming station (5) into groups (2) is performed by means of at least said first pusher (25) .
6) A method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said step of forming the products (3) reaching the group-forming station (5) into groups (2) is also performed by means of a second pusher (23) , which is located at the group- forming station (5) , cooperates with the first pusher (25) , and moves back and forth in a direction substantially crosswise to the operating direction of the first pusher (25) .
7) A method as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the second pusher (23) is operated to engage at least one product (3) at a time from the products (3) reaching the group-forming station (5) , and to move said product (3) into contact with at least a second product (3) to form the relative group (2) .
8) A method as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the group-forming station (5) is also a group-collecting station for housing a number of superimposed groups (2) forming a stack (24) .
9) A method as claimed in one of Claims 3 to 8, wherein said sheets (14) of wrapping material are fed in a substantially vertical direction (D2) tangent to said wheel (10) .
10) A method as claimed in one of Claims 3 to 9, wherein the products (3) are fed to the group-forming station (5) by a conveyor (4), which conveys the products (3) in a substantially horizontal feed direction (Dl) substantially radial with respect to said wheel (10) .
11) A method as claimed in one of Claims 3 to 9, wherein the products (3) are fed to the group-forming station (5) by a conveyor (4), which conveys the products (3) in a substantially horizontal feed direction (Dl) substantially tangent to said wheel (10) .
12) A method as claimed in one of Claims 3 to 11, wherein said step of completely folding and stabilizing the respective sheet (14) about each group (2) is performed by folding and connecting means (26, 27, 28, 29, 30) at least partly associated with said wheel (10) .
13) A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the wrapping material is a thermoplastic material, and said step of stabilizing the respective sheet (14) about each group (2) is a heat-sealing step.
14) A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the wrapping material is an impermeable material, and the overwrapping formed by folding a sheet (14) of wrapping material about a respective group (2) is a sealed overwrapping .
15) A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the products (3) are substantially parallelepiped-shaped, and each group (2) comprises two products (3) arranged with respective major lateral surfaces contacting.
16) A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the products (3) are substantially parallelepiped-shaped, and each group (2) comprises two side by side products (3) arranged with respective minor lateral surfaces contacting. 17) A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein each group (2) comprises more than two products (3) .
18) A machine for forming groups (2) of products (3) and an overwrapping about each group (2), the machine comprising: first feed means (4) for feeding individual products (3) successively, in a given feed direction
(Dl) , to a group-forming station (5) ; grouping means (23,
25) for forming a given number of products (3) at a time, as the products (3) reach the group-forming station (5) , into a respective group (2), each group (2) comprising at least two products (3) contacting each other; a wrapping unit comprising at least one seat (12) for receiving a respective group (2) of products (3); second feed means
(17) for feeding wrapping material in sheets (14) to the wrapping unit; and transfer means (25) located at the group-forming station (5) and for inserting each group
(2), together with a respective sheet (14) of wrapping material, into a respective seat (12) at a loading station (13), so as to fold said sheet (14) partly about the group (2); said sheets (14) of wrapping material being formed from a continuous strip (18) of wrapping material cut into sheets (14) at a cutting station located upstream from the loading station (13) ; and the wrapping unit comprising folding and connecting means
(26, 27, 28, 29, 30) for completely folding and stabilizing each sheet (14) of wrapping material about the relative group (2) to form a respective overwrapped group (16) .
19) A machine as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said wrapping unit comprises a wheel (10) rotating in steps and having a number of seats (12) equally spaced along the periphery of the wheel (10); each seat (12) receiving a respective group (2) together with the relative sheet
(14) at the loading station (13), and conveying the group (2) from the loading station (13) to an unloading station
(15) via a number of work stations comprising, at least partly, said folding and connecting means (26, 27, 28, 29, 30) .
20) A machine as claimed in Claim 19, wherein said transfer means (25) comprise a first pusher (25) located at the group-forming station (5) and moving back and forth, in a radial direction with respect to the wheel (10), to engage, at each forward movement, a group (2) located at the group-forming station (5) , and to insert the group (2) inside a respective seat (12) arrested at the loading station (13) .
21) A machine as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the transfer means (25) form part of said grouping means (23, 25) .
22) A machine as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the grouping means (23, 25) comprise a second pusher (23) , which is located at the group-forming station (5) , cooperates with the first pusher (25) , and moves back and forth in a direction substantially crosswise to the operating direction of the first pusher (25) . 23) A machine as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the second pusher (23) is operated to engage at least one product (3) at a time from the products (3) reaching the group-forming station (5) , and to move said product (3) into contact with at least a second product (3) to form the relative group (2) .
24) A machine as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the group-forming station (5) is also a group-collecting station for housing a number of superimposed groups (2) forming a stack (24) .
25) A machine as claimed in one of Claims 19 to 24, wherein said transfer means (25) coincide with the grouping means (23, 25) . 26) A machine as claimed in one of Claims 19 to 25, wherein said second feed means (17) feed the sheets (14) of wrapping material in a substantially vertical direction tangent to said wheel (10) .
27) A machine as claimed in one of Claims 19 to 26, wherein said first feed means (4) comprise a conveyor
(4), which conveys the products (3) in a substantially horizontal feed direction (Dl) substantially radial with respect to said wheel (10) .
28) A machine as claimed in one of Claims 19 to 25, wherein said first feed means (4) comprise a conveyor
(4), which conveys the products (3) in a substantially horizontal feed direction (Dl) substantially tangent to said wheel (10) .
29) A machine as claimed in one of Claims 19 to 28, wherein said folding and connecting means (26, 27, 28,
29, 30) are at least partly associated with said wheel (10) .
30) A machine as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the wrapping material is a thermoplastic material, and said connecting means (28, 30) comprise heat-sealing devices.
31) A machine as claimed in Claim 30, wherein the wrapping material is an impermeable material, and the overwrapping formed by folding a sheet (14) of wrapping material about a respective group (2) is a sealed overwrapping .
32) A machine as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the products (3) are substantially parallelepiped-shaped, and each group (2) comprises two products (3) arranged with respective major lateral surfaces contacting.
33) A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 18 to 31, wherein the products (3) are substantially parallelepiped-shaped, and each group (2) comprises two side by side products (3) arranged with respective minor lateral surfaces contacting.
34) A machine as claimed in any one of Claims 18 to 31, wherein each group (2) comprises more than two products (3) .
EP06778067A 2005-07-29 2006-07-28 Method and machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group Withdrawn EP1919776A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITBO20050512 ITBO20050512A1 (en) 2005-07-29 2005-07-29 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR THE FORMATION OF GROUPS OF PRODUCTS AND THE REALIZATION OF A OVERLOOK AROUND A GROUP OF EACH
PCT/EP2006/064810 WO2007014917A1 (en) 2005-07-29 2006-07-28 Method and machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1919776A1 true EP1919776A1 (en) 2008-05-14

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ID=37072248

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06778067A Withdrawn EP1919776A1 (en) 2005-07-29 2006-07-28 Method and machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group

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EP (1) EP1919776A1 (en)
IT (1) ITBO20050512A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2007014917A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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WO2007014917A1 (en) 2007-02-08

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