EP3468875B1

EP3468875B1 - Packaging system for rigid products and related packaging procedure

Info

Publication number: EP3468875B1
Application number: EP16763332.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arnaud Sebastien Alexandre CAIVEAU; Diego IASEVOLI; Fabio IASEVOLI; Rosario IASEVOLI
Original assignee: NWOA Srl
Current assignee: NWOA Srl
Priority date: 2016-06-08
Filing date: 2016-06-08
Publication date: 2020-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-08
Also published as: WO2017212502A1; CN109311544B; CN109311544A; EP3468875A1

Description

The present invention refers to a packaging system for rigid products, and to the related packaging procedure.
So far, in the field of packaging products, the following machines are known, having various scopes of use:

heat-shrinkable machines, used in the foodstuff, cosmetic and technical fields, for packaging foods, perfumes and the like;
automatic bundling machines, used for packaging cans, bottles and the like. Such known packaging are made through a heat-shrinkable film, capable of losing up to 50% of its initial size when it is subjected to a heat source, adhering to the product around which it is wrapped.

Packaging machines are further known which, through an extendable film, such as a film made of plastic material of the polyethylene type, exploit the elastic properties of the film, which is cold stretched and wound around the product to be packaged: as soon as the stretching force ceases, the elastic return of the film determined a tightening force on the package. For example, wrapping machines for pallets with rotary table define a particular type, having a footboard at their base, on which the pallet is placed, which, due to the machine rotation, wraps the pallet.
Automatic and semi-automatic packaging machines are known, mainly in the industrial field. In particular, the operation of an automatic machine, such as for example an automatic packaging machine, provides for the following steps: working a product coming from a production chain, placed on a pallet, wherein, through suitable sensors, the automatic packaging machine detects the arrival of the pallet and of the related product; applying a first edge of the film around the external surface of the product; and finally cutting the film through a suitable cutting machine.
Semi-automatic packaging machines are also known, which requires the presence of a user which manually places the product, manually applies the film edge to the product, mechanically wraps, cuts the film and finally removes the product from the packaging machine. In particular, such semi-automatic packaging machines are widely used in airports for packaging suitcases, preserving the baggage contents and integrity.
Manual packaging machines with extensible film are further known, used for foodstuff packaging, such as fruits and vegetables, meat or other foodstuff products. Such manual packaging machines are used both in public and privately, but has a unique tendency for the type of film which has to be used. Moreover, such film, being extendible and transparent, is not suitable for a packaging aimed to aesthetically improve the product, since the film is lacking a graphic representation. It is further clear how the above manual packaging machines subject the user, when privately using the machines, to risks of physical damages, requiring specific competences by the user.
An automatic industrial cellophane placing machine is also known, suitable for any type of packaging: it is mainly composed of: two coil-holders, one for the tearable band and one for the film; a cutting device; a rotary knife and a fixed knife; a longitudinal welding device; and a series of benders and welders for closing the heads. This known cellophane placing machine wraps pencil cases or other squared products, for example packages of cigarettes, soap cases, chocolate or chocolate table cases, fruit juice vessels, soup or beverage vessels, perfumes, through a single transparent coils, aimed for packaging and not for aesthetically improving the product.
A plurality of types of materials are also known, used in the above described automatic, semi-automatic or manual packaging machines, like those disclosed, for example, in the following patents:

CN104859278 , which discloses a packaging film on which it is possible to perform prints which show a good resistance and a high brilliancy;
CN104015443 , which discloses a packaging film composed of two heat-welded PE layer in order to contain therein an isolated and resistant printout;
CN101511590 , which discloses a flexible packaging material useful for frozen or refrigerated foodstuff composed of a single layer or multiple layers or a rolled section as substrate on which printing is performed and an external layer made of PP or PE which makes the image visible and protects it;
US6548572 , which discloses the formulation of an ink which can be used for printing on foodstuff packages and related packaging methods;
US2005233240 , which discloses a flexible packaging material composed of a single film or a film composed of two or more materials resisting to hot pressing and to a photoelectric print.
EP 0 278 617 A1 discloses a packaging system of a rigid product, adapted to perform an on-site packaging of said rigid product by placing onto said rigid product a coating element.

It is clear from the description that no packaging machine is known which is adapted to coat rigid packages, which allows a user of the machine and/or the consumer of the rigid packages to perform such packaging on site, for example in household or commercial or public environments, and to be able to choose the graphic coating to be applied to such product in a complete safety.
Object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems, by providing a packaging system of a rigid product, adapted to on-site package a rigid product by a user of the packaging system and/or a consumer of the rigid product.
A second object of the present invention is providing a packaging system adapted to on-site package a rigid product, by a user of the packaging system and/or a consumer of the pre-packaged and/or pre-moulded rigid product.
A further object of the present invention is providing a packaging system adapted to on-site package a rigid product by placing a coating element by a user of the packaging system and/or a consumer of the rigid product.
A last object of the present invention is providing a packaging system capable of allowing the user of the packaging system and/or the consumer of the rigid product to choose a coating element to be placed onto a rigid product during a packaging procedure.
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will appear from the following description, are obtained with a packaging system for rigid products as claimed in claim 1, as well as a packaging method for a rigid product according to claim 7. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
It is intended that all enclosed claims are an integral part of the present description.
It will be immediately obvious that numerous variations and modifications (for example related to shape, sizes, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionalities) can be made to what is described, without departing from the scope of the invention as appears from the enclosed claims.
The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 respectively show a front sectional view and a side view of a first embodiment of the packaging system according to the present invention;
Figures 3 and 4 respectively show a side view and a top view of a second embodiment of the packaging system according to the present invention; and
Figures 5 and 6 respectively show a front view and a side view of a third embodiment of the packaging system according to the present invention.

As shown in the Figures, a packaging system 1 of at least one rigid product 2, according to the present invention, is adapted to on-site package the rigid product 2, by placing at least one continuous coating element 6 onto the rigid product 2, by a user of the packaging system 1, such as for example a user not specialized in packaging systems, and/or by a consumer of the rigid product 2.
Such continuous coating element 6 is, for example, a thin film of polymeric material, cellophane, or other suitable one, or a pre-cut material, such as, for example, an adhesive, or a label, or other similar one, possibly equipped with at least one graphic representation.
The at least one rigid product 2 can have a cylindrical, rectangular, cubic, parallelepiped, oval shape, etc., and is, for example, a package of cigarettes, or a box of soap, or a perfume package, or a box of chocolates, or a box of condoms, of a chocolate tablet, or a beverage vessel, or a box of perfume, or a package of candies or gums, or the like.
This placement by a user and/or consumer can occur on site, in particular in a household environment, or in a commercial environment, such as for example a tobacconist next to a dispenser of cigarettes, or of pharmaceuticals, or of condoms, etc.
Advantageously, the packaging system 1 is adapted to allow the user of the packaging system and/or the consumer of the rigid product 2 to choose a coating element 6 to be applied onto the rigid product 2 during the related packaging procedure, in particular a pre-packaged and pre-moulded rigid product 2, reducing the visual impact of possible unwelcomed images pre-printed on the product, or protecting the consumer's privacy when purchasing personal products, such as for example condoms, or improving the external pleasantness for the consumer.
In particular, the packaging system 1 of a rigid product 2, according to the present invention, is essentially composed of:

at least one frame, adapted to structure the packaging system 1;
at least one loading means 15 shaped as a frustum of pyramid, or an overturned cone, or with a cylindrical or rectangular shape, or other suitable shape, equipped with an access element 8, adapted to enable inserting and withdrawing by the user and/or consumer of the rigid product 2 inside the loading means 15;
the access element 8 is equipped with at least one closing element and with at least one safety element, such as, for example, a squashing-preventing sensor, adapted to avoid physical damages to the user when inserting and withdrawing the rigid product 2;
at least one circular rotor means 3 equipped with a plurality of housings 13, each adapted to contain at least one containing element 4;
the containing element 4, such as, for example, a coil, or a solid core or other similar one, adapted to wrap and contain therein the continuous or pre-cut coating element 6, possibly equipped with the graphic representation;
at least one guiding element 5 adapted to block and centre the rigid product 2 in an optimum position in the loading means 15; and
at least one actuator device, such as, for example, a piston or another electro-mechanical device, adapted to place the continuous or pre-cut coating element 6 onto the rigid product 2.

Moreover, the packaging system 1 is possibly equipped with at least one cutting means, such as, for example, a lever-type cutter, or a rotating blade, or the like, adapted to complete the placement of the continuous coating element 6 onto the rigid product 2.
Figures 1 and 2 show, as a non-limiting example, a first embodiment of the packaging system 1 according to the present invention, characterized in that it can be used by a user of the packaging system 1 and/or by a consumer of the rigid product 2 in a vertical, horizontal or oblique positioning, allowing the user and/or consumer to insert and withdraw the rigid product 2 inside the loading means 15 through the access element 8 both on the upper part 8a and in the front part 8b, enabling the on-site packaging of the rigid product 2 by placing by the user and/or consumer the coating element 6, possibly equipped with the graphic representation, contained inside the containing element 4.
Figures 3 and 4 show, as a non-limiting example, a second embodiment of the packaging system 1 characterized in that it allows the user and/or consumer to choose the coating element 6 and the possible graphic representation to be placed onto the rigid product 2, and to be capable of being used by the user and/or consumer in a vertical positioning, allowing the insertion of the rigid product 2 inside the loading means 15 on the upper part 8a through the access element 8.
The packaging system 1 is further equipped with:

a first room 7 arranged on the bottom and in parallel with the rotor means 3; such first room 7 is equipped with a plurality of housings 13, each adapted to contain one or more containing elements 4, each one containing a coating element 6, and arranged along a vertical axis 13a in parallel with the plurality of housings 13 placed in the rotor means 3; and
at least one actuating element adapted to upward vertically move along the vertical axis 13a of the containing element 4, chosen by the user and/or consumer, from one of such plurality of housings 13 placed in the first room 7 in an initial position, to one of such plurality of housings 13 placed in the rotor means 3 in a final position, and adapted to downward vertically move along the vertical axis 13a of the containing element 4 from the final position in the rotor means 3, to the initial position in the first room 7.

Moreover, Figures 5 and 6 show, as a non-limiting example, a third embodiment of the packaging system 1 according to the present invention, characterized in that it allows the user and/or consumer to choose the coating element 6 and the possible graphic representation to be placed onto the rigid product 2, and allows the user and/or consumer to insert the rigid product 2 inside the loading means 15, on the front part 8b through the access element 8.
The packaging system 1 is further equipped with:

a second room, adapted to contain one or more containing elements 4, each one containing a coating element 6, possibly equipped with a graphic representation;
at least one motor 10, such as for example a direct current motor, equipped with an arm element 12;
the arm element 12 adapted to withdraw from the second room of the containing element 4 containing the coating element 6, and to place the containing element 4, in one of the plurality of housings placed in the rotor means 3;
at least one actuating means 14, such as, for example, an electric linear actuator, or the like, adapted to convert the rotary motion of the motor 10 into a linear movement, allowing the linear displacement of the motor 10 and of the related arm element 12, through a sliding means 11 integral with the actuating means 14, from an initial position 16 (dashed line), characterized by the withdrawal by the arm element 12 of the containing element 4 from the second room, to a final position 18 (continuous line) characterized by the insertion of the containing element 4 into one of such plurality of housings of the rotor means 3 next to the rigid product 2 to be packaged; and
the sliding means 11, such as, for example, a double sliding slider, or the like, fastened on its top to the lower surface of the motor 10, and on its bottom onto the actuating means 14.

The packaging procedure of the rigid product through the packaging system 1 according to claim 7 of the present invention is composed of the following steps:

a) providing the packaging system 1;
b) inserting into the loading means 15 the rigid product 2 by the user and/or consumer through the access element (8);
c) blocking the rigid product 2 through the guiding element 5 in the optimum position in the loading means 15;
d) actuating the packaging system 1, by the user and/or consumer, through a plurality of control and emergency means;
e) actuating the closing and safety element of the access element 8, preventing physical damages to the user and/or consumer when operating the packaging system 1;
f) actuating the rotor means 3 and placing the containing element 4 next to the rigid product 2, said rotor means 3 being equipped with a plurality of housings 13, each adapted to contain said containing element 4, said containing element 4 having said coating element 6 being placed in one of said plurality of housings 13 placed in said rotor means 3 in a final position, such that said rigid product 2 is wrapped with said coating element 6;
g) actuating the actuator device and positioning a first end of the coating element 6 contained inside the containing element 4 on a short side of the rigid product 2;
h) rotating the rotor means 3 and rotating the containing element 4 around the rigid product 2;
i) placing the coating element 6 onto the rigid product 2, with at least one overlapping of the coating element 6 on the surface of the rigid product 2 by an amount at least equal to 15% of the surface of the rigid product 2;
j) ending the packaging of the rigid product 2;
k) releasing the closing and safety element of the access element 8; and
l) withdrawing the rigid product 2 by the user and/or consumer from the loading means 15.

The packaging procedure of the rigid product 2 through the second embodiment of the packaging system 1 according to the present invention is further composed of the following steps, in addition to those of the process performed with the first embodiment:

between steps e) and f) there is a step of activating the actuating element, and upward vertically moving along the vertical axis 13a the containing element 4 chosen by the user from one of such plurality of housings 13 placed in the first room 7 in an initial position, to one of such plurality of housings 13 placed in the rotor means 3 in a final position; and
between steps j) and k) there is a step of re-activating the actuating element and downward vertically moving along the vertical axis 13a the containing element 4 from the final position in the rotor means 3 to the initial position in the first room 7.

The packaging procedure of the rigid product 2 through the third embodiment of the packaging system 1 according to the present invention is further composed of the following steps, in addition to those of the process performed with the first embodiment:

between steps e) and f) there are the steps of actuating the motor 10 and its related arm element 12; putting the motor 10 and its related arm element 12 in the initial position 16 (dashed line) and withdrawing the containing element 4 containing the coating element 6 chosen by the user and/or consumer from the second room, through the arm element 12 of the motor 10; activating the actuating means 14; linearly displacing the motor 10 and its related arm element 12, through the sliding means 11; putting the motor 10 and its related arm element 12 in the final position 18 (continuous line) and inserting the containing element 4, in one of a plurality of housings of the rotor means 3 next to the rigid product 2; and
between the steps j) and k) there are the steps of putting the motor 10 and its related arm element 12 in the initial position 16 (dashed line); and placing the containing element 4 again into the second room, through the arm element 12 of the motor 10.

Moreover, the packaging system 1 of a rigid product 2 is equipped with a frame advantageously adapted to be integrated into a system for dispensing a plurality of rigid products 2, composing a new unit simultaneously suitable to dispense a rigid product and to perform the packaging procedure by the user and/or consumer.
Such unit composed of the dispensing system and the packaging system 1 allows the user and/or consumer to purchase and withdraw a rigid product from the dispensing system, and perform or not its packaging with the packaging system 1, through a withdrawal action by the user and/or consumer from the dispensing system and following positioning into the packaging system 1. Finally, the unit is equipped with at least one user interface adapted to enable the actions of user and/or consumer, through a plurality of actuations, and of controls of the dispensing system and of the packaging system 1.

Claims

Packaging system (1) of at least one rigid product (2), wherein it is adapted to perform an on-site packaging of said rigid product (2) by placing onto said rigid product (2) at least one coating element (6) by at least one user of said packaging system (1) and/or at least one consumer of said rigid product (2), said packaging system (1) being composed of:
- at least one containing element (4) adapted to wrap and to contain therein said coating element (6) possibly equipped with at least one graphic representation;

- at least one loading means (15) equipped with at least one access element (8), adapted to enable an insertion and a withdrawal by said user and/or consumer of said rigid product (2) inside said loading means (15);

- at least one actuator device, adapted to place said coating element (6) onto said rigid product (2); characterised in further comprising:
- at least one rotor means (3) equipped with a plurality of housings (13), each adapted to contain said containing element (4), said containing element (4) having said coating element (6) being placed in one of said plurality of housings (13) placed in said rotor means (3) in a final position, such that said rigid product (2) is wrapped with said coating element (6).
System (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that it is adapted to enable said user and/or consumer in choosing said coating element (6), and further comprising:
- a first room (7) arranged on its bottom part and in parallel with said rotor means (3), said room (7) being equipped with said plurality of housings (13), each adapted to contain said one or more containing elements (4), arranged along a vertical axis (13a) in parallel with said plurality of housings (13) placed in said rotor means (3);

- at least one actuating element adapted to upward vertically move along said vertical axis (13a) said containing element (4), chosen by said user and/or consumer, from one of said plurality of housings (13) placed in said room (7) in an initial position, to one of said plurality of housings (13) placed in said rotor means (3) in a final position, and adapted to downward vertically move along said vertical axis (13a) said containing element (4) from said final position in said rotor means (3) to said initial position in said room (7);

- at least one guiding element (5) adapted to block and centre said rigid product (2) in an optimum position in the loading means (15); and

- at least one frame, adapted to structure said packaging system(1).
System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said rigid product (2) is pre-packaged and/or pre-moulded.
System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said access element (8) is equipped with at least one closing element and with at least one safety element, avoiding physical damages to said user and/or consumer during said insertion and said withdrawal of said rigid product (2).
System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said packaging system (1) is adapted to be used in a vertical, horizontal or oblique positioning by said user and/or consumer, adapted to perform said insertion, and said withdrawal of said rigid product (2) in said loading means (15) through said access element (8) both on the upper part (8a) and on the front part (8b).
System (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises:
- a second room, adapted to contain said one or more containing elements (4);

- at least one motor (10) equipped with at least one arm element (12);

- said arm element (12) adapted to withdraw said containing element (4) from said second room containing said coating element (6) chosen by said user and/or consumer, and to place said containing element (4), into one of said plurality of housings placed in said rotor means (3);

- at least one actuating means (14) adapted to convert a rotary motion of said motor (10) into a linear movement allowing a linear displacement of said motor (10) and of said arm element (12), through at least one sliding means (11), from an initial position 16 (dashed line), said initial position (16) being characterized by a withdrawal by said arm element (12) of said containing element (4) from said second room, to a final position (18) (continuous line), said final position being characterized by an insertion of said containing element (4) into one of said plurality of housings of said rotor means (3) next to said rigid product (2); and

- said sliding means (11) fastened on its top with the lower surface of said motor (10), and on its bottom on said actuating means (14), said sliding means (11) being integral with said actuating means (14).
Packaging procedure for a rigid product (2), through the use of the packaging system (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein it comprises the following steps:
a) providing said packaging system (1);

b) inserting into said loading means (15) said rigid product (2) by said user and/or consumer through said access element (8);

c) blocking said rigid product (2) through said guiding element (5) in its optimum position in said loading means (15);

d) actuating said packaging system (1), by said user and/or consumer, through a plurality of control and emergency means;

e) actuating said closing and safety element of said access element (8), preventing physical damages to said user and/or consumer during said use of said packaging system(1);

f) actuating said rotor means (3) and placing said containing element (4) next to said rigid product (2), said rotor means (3) being equipped with a plurality of housings (13), each adapted to contain said containing element (4), said containing element (4) having said coating element (6) being placed in one of said plurality of housings (13) placed in said rotor means (3) in a final position, such that said rigid product (2) is wrapped with said coating element (6);

g) activating said actuator device and placing a first end of said coating element (6) contained inside said containing element (4) on a short side of said rigid product (2);

h) rotating said rotor means (3) and rotating said containing element (4) around said rigid product (2);

i) placing said coating element (6) onto said rigid product (2), with at least one overlapping of said coating element (6) onto the surface of said rigid product (2) by an amount at least equal to 15% of the surface of said rigid product (2);

j) ending said packaging of said rigid product (2) ;

k) releasing said closing and safety element of said access element (8); and

l) withdrawing by said user and/or consumer said packaged rigid product (2), from said loading means (15) .
Packaging procedure according to the previous claim, characterized in that:
- between said steps e) and f) there is a step of activating said actuating element, and upward vertically moving along said vertical axis (13a) said containing element (4) chosen by said user from one of said plurality of housings (13) placed in said room (7) in an initial position, to one of said plurality of housings (13) placed in said rotor means (3) in a final position; and

- between said steps j) and k) there is a step of re-activating said actuating element and downward vertically moving along said vertical axis (13a) said containing element (4) from said final position in said rotor means (3) to said initial position in said room (7).
Packaging procedure according to claim 7, characterized in that:
- between said steps e) and f) there are the steps of: actuating said motor (10) and said arm element (12); putting said motor (10) and said arm element (12) in said initial position 16 (dashed line) and withdrawing said containing element (4) containing said coating element (6) chosen by said user and/or consumer from said second room, through said arm element (12) of said motor (10); activating said actuating means (14); linearly displacing said motor (10) and said arm element (12), through said sliding means (11); putting said motor (10) and said arm element (12) in said final position (18) (continuous line) and inserting said containing element (4), into one of said plurality of housings of said rotor means (3); and

- between said steps j) and k) there are the steps of: putting said motor (10) and said arm element (12) in said initial position (16); and placing again said containing element (4) into said second room, through said arm element (12) of said motor (10).