EP3953256A1

EP3953256A1 - Apparatus and method for putting in order and packaging sachets

Info

Publication number: EP3953256A1
Application number: EP20721832.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pietro Donati
Original assignee: Universal Pack SRL
Current assignee: Universal Pack SRL
Priority date: 2019-04-09
Filing date: 2020-04-09
Publication date: 2022-02-16
Also published as: WO2020208665A1; IT201900005402A1

Abstract

Apparatus to put in order and package sachets (S) comprising a primary packaging unit (11) configured to supply the sachets (S) containing a product, a secondary packaging unit (14) configured to introduce the sachets (S) inside packages (P), a horizontal transfer unit (12) interposed between the primary packaging unit (11) and the secondary packaging unit (14). The horizontal transfer unit (12) comprises a feed plane (15) on which the sachets (S) advance from the primary packaging unit (11) to the secondary packaging unit (14), parallel to a horizontal direction of feed (Z).

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PUTTING IN ORDER AND PACKAGING SACHETS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus to put in order and package sachets which allows to put in order, on each occasion and on horizontal planes parallel to each other, a predefined and variable number of sachets to be inserted into packages, in particular box-shaped packages. The present invention also concerns a connected method to put in order and package the sachets as above. For example, the sachets can contain different types of solid, liquid or powder products, such as, by way of example, drugs, supplements, food stuffs, granules, seeds, creams, detergents or other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Apparatuses to put in order and package sachets with a substantially horizontal operating flow are known in the field of automatic machines typically called “cartoners”, the iunction of which is to automatically introduce objects into packages or boxes. Examples of these apparatuses are described in the prior art documents n. WO 2018/029630 and DE 102004063620.

These apparatuses typically comprise a primary packaging unit, in which loose products are dosed and packaged into sachets, also called primary packaging in the sector, and a secondary packaging unit, in which groups of sachets are inserted into packages, or boxes, also called secondary packaging in the sector.

Between the primary packaging unit and the secondary packaging unit there is a transfer unit that allows to move, in an orderly manner, groups of sachets to be inserted into the packages.

The primary packaging unit, the transfer unit and the secondary packaging unit are advantageously disposed according to a configuration of reciprocal alignment.

The transfer unit comprises a feed plane provided with operating grooves each of which is configured to allow the sliding of one sachet from the primary packaging unit toward the secondary packaging unit. Generally, the sliding grooves converge reciprocally in order to compact the group of sachets to be transferred to the secondary packaging unit. The secondary packaging unit can provide a temporary housing drawer or directly the packages to be filled.

Currently, known apparatuses to put in order and package sachets allow to insert them into packages with respect to a single containing level. This does not allow an optimal use of the internal volume of the package and consequently allows the insertion of a limited number of sachets.

Another disadvantage of known apparatuses to put in order and package sachets is that the sachets are inserted into the packages in bulk. This can cause the sachets to become entangled which, in addition to reducing the useful containing volume of the packages, can limit or even block the entry of the following ones.

Some solutions known in the state of the art, such as for example the one described by DE 102004063620, comprise an ordering device that receives the loose articles, which are then disposed, according to an ordered matrix, inside the box-shaped packages. However, this solution, which provides to use two anthropomorphic robots, each equipped with a respective articulated arm that supports members to grip the articles, is cumbersome, complex and expensive.

There is therefore the need to perfect an apparatus to put in order and package sachets that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to put in order and package sachets which allows to insert the sachets into packages with respect to multiple containing levels.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to put in order and package sachets which allows to insert the sachets into the packages in an ordered manner.

Another purpose is to perfect a method to put in order and package sachets into packages with respect to multiple containing levels.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to optimize the disposition of the sachets inside the packages, so as to be able to dispose a greater number thereof, with the same internal volume of the package itself.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, an apparatus to put in order and package sachets comprises:

- a primary packaging unit configured to supply the sachets containing a product;

- a secondary packaging unit configured to introduce the sachets inside packages;

- a horizontal transfer unit interposed between the primary packaging unit and the secondary packaging unit and comprising a feed plane on which the sachets advance from the primary packaging unit to the secondary packaging unit parallel to a direction of feed.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprises an ordering device interposed between the horizontal transfer unit and the secondary packaging unit and provided with at least two bearing planes, parallel to each other and to the feed plane as above, and each configured to support a group of sachets. The ordering device comprises a drive device configured to linearly move the ordering device along a vertical displacement directrix, substantially orthogonal to the direction of feed, to alternately position the first bearing plane or the second bearing plane substantially coplanar with the feed plane.

In this way, the ordering device allows to organize groups of sachets on one or more levels before the secondary packaging unit inserts them into packages suitably prepared to maintain the order previously achieved.

The ordering device also allows to easily, economically and flexibly put in order one or more groups of sachets within a package. For example, the ordering device, by organizing and compacting the sachets on several levels, allows to obtain an optimal use of the containing volume of the package.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is provided to put in order and package sachets. The method to put in order and package sachets provides the steps of:

- receiving the sachets containing a product from a primary packaging unit;

- introducing the sachets inside packages by means of a secondary packaging unit; - feeding the sachets from the primary packaging unit toward the secondary packaging unit by means of a horizontal transfer unit which is provided with a feed plane on which the sachets slide during the feed, wherein the sachets advance parallel to a horizontal direction of feed.

In accordance with one aspect of the method according to the present invention, it is provided to linearly move an ordering device by means of a drive device along a vertical displacement directrix, substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of feed, wherein the ordering device is interposed between the horizontal transfer unit and the secondary packaging unit, and is provided with at least two bearing planes, parallel to each other and to the feed plane, and configured to each support a group of sachets, in order to position the bearing planes alternately coplanar with the feed plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus to put in order and package sachets in accordance with some embodiments;

- fig. la shows an enlarged perspective view of a component comprised in the apparatus of fig. 1 ;

- figs. 2 - 10 show an operating sequence for positioning a group of sachets on the vertical transfer unit and on the corresponding housing drawer.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

Embodiments described using the attached drawings concern an apparatus to put in order and package sachets, indicated as a whole with reference number 10 in the attached drawings.

The apparatus 10 to put in order and package sachets S comprises a primary packaging unit 1 1 configured to supply the sachets S containing a product, shown schematically with a dotted line in the drawings, and a secondary packaging unit 14 configured to introduce the sachets S into packages P, of which only part of the transport line can be seen.

According to some embodiments, the primary packaging unit 11 can comprise one or more stations, not shown and of a type known in the state of the art, configured to package the product into the sachets S, such as for example a filling station, a station for sealing the filled sachets S, and one or more stations or devices for transferring the sachets S suitable to feed at the same time a group formed by a desired number of sachets S.

According to some embodiments, the secondary packaging unit 14 can comprise one or more stations, not shown and of a type known in the state of the art, configured to prepare the packages P filled with sachets S. These stations can comprise, by way of a non-limiting example, a station for forming the package P, a station for introducing the sachets S therein, optionally a station for introducing one or more other objects into the package P (such as for example an explanatory leaflet, in case the sachets S contain a pharmaceutical product), and a station for closing the packages P.

The apparatus 10 also comprises a horizontal transfer unit 12 interposed between the primary packaging unit 1 1 and the secondary packaging unit 14. The horizontal transfer unit 12 is provided with a feed plane 15 on which the sachets S advance from the primary packaging unit 11 to the secondary packaging unit 14 parallel to a horizontal direction of feed Z.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus 10 comprises an ordering device 13 interposed between the horizontal transfer unit 12 and the secondary packaging unit 14 and provided with at least two bearing planes 28, 29 each configured to support a group of sachets S. The ordering device 13 comprises a drive device 46 configured to linearly move the ordering device 13 along a vertical displacement directrix X, substantially orthogonal to the direction of feed Z, in order to alternately position the first bearing plane 28 or the second bearing plane 29 substantially coplanar with the feed plane 15.

In accordance with possible solutions, the sachets S can contain solid, liquid or powder products, such as, for example, drugs, supplements, food stuffs, granules, seeds, creams, detergents or other. The sachets S can have various shapes, such as for example rectangular, stick-shaped, square, or other type based on their content and/or production requirements. By way of a non-limiting example, two or more sachets S can be separable and connected to each other, for example, by means of a tear-off connection portion, or of another type. In this case, these sachets S are also called coupled sachets S. The sachets S containing a product have a certain thickness which defines a lateral edge of the sachets S. According to possible embodiments, the sachets S can be moved edgeways, that is, moving the sachets S with their side of the lateral edge located resting on the feed plane 15, so as to be disposed in an upright position and not lying on the plane below, as in the examples shown in the attached drawings.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in fig. 1, the feed plane 15 has an oblong development in a direction of feed Z. The direction of feed Z defines the sliding direction of the sachets S on the feed plane 15 as well as the overall direction of the operating flow of the apparatus 10.

The feed plane 15 is delimited by a first end 16, in correspondence with which the sachets S are fed to the horizontal transfer unit 12 by the primary packaging unit 11, and by a second end 17, in correspondence with which the sachets S are transferred to the ordering device 13.

In accordance with the embodiments shown, the feed plane 15 comprises one or more grooves 18 along which the sachets S can slide edgeways, that is, with their side of the lateral edge resting on the feed plane 15, from the first end 16 to the second end 17 of the feed plane 15. This allows to optimize spaces since more sachets S can be moved than if they were laid on the feed plane 15, and stacked on top of each other. In fact, by moving the sachets S edgeways there is not the disadvantage of them slipping when stacked on top of each other.

The feed plane 15 comprises a number N* of grooves 18 so that at each operating cycle a number N* of sachets S can slide toward the ordering device 13 simultaneously.

The grooves 18 are conformed to allow the sachets S to slide inside them, and have lateral sizes substantially slightly greater than the thickness of the sachets S, or in the case of coupled sachets S greater than the thickness of several sachets S, so that one or even more sachets S can simultaneously pass in the same groove

18.

The grooves 18 have a depth, orthogonal to the feed plane 15, smaller than the height of the sachet S to allow their advance along the feed plane 15, as will be explained in more detail below. The height of the sachet S is understood as the size orthogonal to the lateral edge of the sachet S.

The grooves 18 define a path converging from the first end 16 to the second end 17 which allows to bring the sachets S closer and compact them in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed Z, as visible in fig. 1.

Advantageously, the grooves 18 converge, in correspondence with the second end 17 of the feed plane 15, into an outlet channel 19 that has a lateral size substantially slightly larger than the overall thickness of the group of sachets S. In this way, the sachets S are further compacted and then transferred to the ordering device 13.

The horizontal transfer unit 12 comprises one or more movement members 20 able to make the sachets S slide substantially parallel to the direction of feed Z, along the path defined by the grooves 18.

In accordance with possible solutions, the movement members 20 can comprise suction members, drawing rollers, or other members, able to move the sachets S along the paths defined by each groove 18 and totally equivalent from the functional point of view to those mentioned above. In accordance with some embodiments, shown in figs. 1-10, the horizontal transfer unit 12 comprises a movement member 20 provided with a transfer rake 22 configured to allow the advance of the sachets S each along the path defined by the respective groove 18, at least in a first segment of the feed plane 15.

The movement member 20 also comprises a first thrust element 25 and a second thrust element 26 configured respectively to transfer the sachets S from the feed plane 15 to the ordering device 13 and to transfer the sachets S from the ordering device 13 to the secondary packaging unit 14.

The transfer rake 22 and the thrust elements 25, 26 perform an integral movement coherent with the operating cycle as will be described below. For this purpose, the transfer rake 22 and the thrust elements 25, 26 are connected to a support bar 30 that has an oblong development parallel to the direction of feed Z.

The support bar 30 is connected to a transmission member 21, represented as an example with a“rectangular block” in the drawings, configured to allow the movement member 20 to complete the operating cycle.

In accordance with possible solutions, the transmission member 21 can be chosen in a group comprising a belt, a lever or other known system.

The transfer rake 22 comprises transverse elements 31 disposed orthogonal to the direction of feed Z and integral with the support bar 30.

The transverse elements 31 are distanced from each other, in the direction of feed Z, by an interspace 32, which extends parallel to the direction of feed Z, for a length greater than the length of the lateral edge of the sachets S, this to ensure the correct advance of the sachets S during the operating cycle and prevent unwanted blockages.

In accordance with possible solutions, the transverse elements have an oblong shape substantially parallel to the feed plane 15. Advantageously, the transverse elements 31 can be provided with a thrust wall 31a orthogonal to the feed plane 15 and configured to improve the overall thrust effect on the sachets S.

According to possible embodiments, the transverse elements 31 can be directly connected to the support bar 30.

In accordance with embodiments shown in the drawings, the transverse elements 31 are connected to each other by longitudinal support elements 34 parallel to the direction of feed Z. In this way, the transfer rake 22 has a substantially grid-like conformation which increases its rigidity and overall stability during the execution of the operating cycle. In particular, one of the longitudinal support elements 34 is free, while the opposite one is connected to the support bar 30.

In accordance with some embodiments, the thrust element 25 is positioned immediately downstream of the transfer rake 22 and is distanced from the last transverse element 31 of the transfer rake 22 by a distance defined by another interspace 33, also measured parallel to the direction of feed Z. Advantageously, the extension of the other interspace 33 is smaller than the interspace 32. In particular, the other interspace 33 has a length slightly greater than the length of the lateral edge of the sachets S so as to ensure a precise and desired alignment of the sachets S in the direction of feed Z.

The second thrust element 26 comprises a first portion 26a and a second portion 26b, configured as flat or laminar elements, parallel to each other and with respect to the feed plane 15, so as to be disposed lying substantially on a horizontal plane. The first portion 26a is configured to thrust the sachets S present on the first bearing plane 28 and the second portion 26b is configured to thrust the sachets S present on the second bearing plane 29 toward the secondary packaging unit 14, respectively when the corresponding bearing plane 28, 29 is substantially coplanar with the feed plane 15. In this condition, the second portion 26b is configured to penetrate into the space disposed between the two bearing planes 28, 29, and the first portion 26a is mobile above the first bearing plane 28, both moving at a vertical distance (height) respectively from the second bearing plane 29 and from the first bearing plane 28 suitable to determine the interaction between the portions 26a, 26b and the group of sachets S present on the bearing planes 28, 29, so as to generate the necessary thrust to feed the sachets S.

In accordance with some embodiments, shown in figs. 2-10, the movement member 20 is driven by a first drive unit 44 and a second drive unit 45 operatively coordinated with each other in order to take the transfer rake 22, the first thrust element 25 and the second thrust element 26 from an inactive or raised position, in which they are not suitable to interact with the sachets S, to an active or thrust position, in which each is suitable to thrust a determinate respective group of sachets S. In one embodiment, the first drive unit 44 and the second drive unit 45 each comprise a respective electric motor, for example of the brushless or step type. In an alternative embodiment, a single motorization is provided that suitably commands both drive units 44, 45.

The ordering device 13 is positioned in the proximity of the second end 17 of the feed plane 15, so that the first bearing plane 28 and the second bearing plane 29, when alternately coplanar with the feed plane 15, can achieve a natural continuation thereof. The first bearing plane 28 is positioned above the second bearing plane 29 and is vertically aligned with the latter. The distance, in a vertical direction, between the two bearing planes 28, 29 is coherent with the containing volume of the package P and with the containing planes, provided therein, for the final storage of the sachets S.

The bearing planes 28, 29 are disposed parallel to each other and with respect to the feed plane 15.

The drive device 46 is configured to take the ordering device 13 from a first operating position U, in which the second bearing plane 29 is coplanar with the feed plane 15 and the first bearing plane 28 is above the feed plane 15, to a second operating position D, in which the first bearing plane 28 is coplanar with the feed plane 15 and the second bearing plane 29 is below the feed plane 15, and vice versa. In other words, the drive device 46 allows to move the ordering device 13 linearly in a bidirectional manner along a vertical displacement directrix X, as indicated by the opposite arrows in figs. 5 and 9, which will be described in greater detail below.

The ordering device 13 is also positioned so as to be substantially aligned with the outlet channel 19.

Each bearing plane 28, 29 has at least one containing edge 35 (fig. la) configured to laterally delimit the group of sachets S.

In accordance with possible solutions, each bearing plane 28, 29 can have a plurality of dividing walls to laterally support each sachet S or one or more groups of sachets S.

The first bearing plane 28 and the second bearing plane 29 are connected to each other and move vertically in an integral manner. For this purpose, the bearing planes 28, 29 are attached onto a guide arm 37 moved according to an intermittent motion, in a bi-directional manner, along the vertical displacement directrix X.

The guide arm 37 is connected to the drive device 46 and driven in movement by the latter.

According to some embodiments, the drive device 46 is operatively independent of the first drive unit 44 and the second drive unit 45.

According to some embodiments, the drive device 46 can comprise any suitable drive of the mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic type, of a type known in the state of the art, such as for example an electric motor, or a pneumatic cylinder.

In accordance with some embodiments provided here, the apparatus 10 comprises a support device 36, interposed between the ordering device 13 and the secondary packaging unit 14, integrally mobile with the movement member 20 at least along a vertical displacement directrix X, and configured to support the sachets S during their transfer from the ordering device 13 to the secondary packaging unit 14. In this specific case, the support device 36 is vertically mobile integrally with the second thrust element 26.

In accordance with the embodiments described here, the support device 36 comprises two support planes 36a, 36b parallel to the bearing planes 28, 29 and advantageously having the same transverse size, with respect to the direction of feed Z.

In accordance with possible solutions, the support device 36 can comprise a single support plane parallel to said bearing planes 28, 29 and configured to support both groups of sachets S during their transfer toward the secondary packaging unit 14.

According to some embodiments, the secondary packaging unit 14 can comprise housing drawers 38 configured to be aligned, one at a time, with said support device 36 and optionally with the ordering device 13, in order to receive the groups of sachets S.

According to the embodiments described here, each housing drawer 38 can comprise housing planes 39, 40 oriented so as to be parallel to the bearing planes 28, 29.

The housing planes 39, 40 are coplanar with the bearing planes 28, 29 respectively, when the ordering device 13 is in the first operating position U.

Advantageously, the distance, in a vertical direction, between the two housing planes 39, 40 has to be coherent with the containing volume of the packaging P and with the containing planes provided therein for the final storage of the sachets S.

In accordance with possible solutions, the housing drawers 38 can comprise a single housing plane. In this case, each housing drawer 38 can be made to measure in order to exactly contain the groups of sachets S previously put in order on one or more levels. In this case, in fact, maintaining the configuration is guaranteed by the degree of filling of the sachets S and by the quantity of air present inside them.

The housing drawers 38 act as temporary storage containers of the groups of sachets S before they are inserted into the packages P. This allows to decouple the operation of inserting the sachets S into the packages P with respect to the operation of putting in order the sachets S, on several levels, carried out by the ordering device 13.

The insertion of the sachets S into the P packages can therefore occur in a packaging station located downstream or in another operationally suitable position.

For this purpose, the housing drawers 38 can be moved with a transporter device 47, for example a conveyor belt, so that each housing drawer 38 can be filled, on each occasion, with one or more groups of sachets S while downstream one or more groups of sachets S are transferred into a package P from another housing drawer 38 in a known manner.

In the embodiment shown, both the housing drawers 38 and also the packages P are mobile on respective transporter devices 47, 48 in a transverse direction T substantially orthogonal to the direction of feed Z.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the secondary packaging unit 14 may not by provided with the housing drawers 38. In this case, the insertion of the sachets S into the packages P is carried out directly by the second thrust element 26 into packages P suitably aligned both with respect to the transverse direction T, and also in a vertical direction so that the containing planes possibly, but not necessarily, provided in the package P are coplanar with the respective bearing planes 28, 29 of the ordering device 13, when the ordering device 13 is in the first operating position.

Embodiments described here also concern a method to put in order and package sachets S. The method to put in order and package sachets S provides the steps of:

- receiving the sachets S containing a product from a primary packaging unit 11 ;

- introducing the sachets S inside packages P by means of a secondary packaging unit 14;

- feeding the sachets S from the primary packaging unit 11 toward the secondary packaging unit 14 by means of a horizontal transfer unit 12 which is provided with a feed plane 15 on which the sachets S slide during the feed, wherein the sachets S advance parallel to a horizontal direction of feed Z.

In accordance with one aspect of the method according to the present invention, it is provided to linearly move an ordering device 13 by means of a drive device 46 along a vertical displacement directrix X, substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of feed Z, wherein the ordering device 13 is interposed between the horizontal transfer unit 12 and the secondary packaging unit 14, and is provided with at least two bearing planes 28, 29 parallel to each other and to the feed plane and configured to each support a group of sachets S, in order to position the bearing planes 28, 29 alternately coplanar with the feed plane 15.

Embodiments shown in figs. 2-10 show the operating cycle of the apparatus 10 to put in order on several levels one or more groups of sachets S using the ordering device 13.

With reference to fig. 2, this shows the loading step of the bearing plane 29 of the ordering device 13. The movement member 20 is in the thrust position, that is, in the position where the transverse elements 31, and in this specific case the thrust wall 31a of the transverse elements 31, are located adjacent to the feed plane 15 in contact with a respective group of sachets S (immediately to the left of the group of sachets S to be thrust) in order to thrust the sachets S in the direction of feed Z, as indicated by the arrow FI in fig. 2.

The movement member 20 is made to advance in the direction of feed Z toward the ordering device 13 and while the transverse elements 31 of the transfer rake 22 each thrust forward a respective group of sachets S, the first thrust element 25 transfers the last group of sachets S which is disposed on the feed plane 15 (on the side of the second end 17) onto the bearing plane 29 of the ordering device 13 which is in the first operating position U.

At the same time, the second thrust element 26 thrusts the groups of sachets S, which had previously been positioned on the bearing planes 28, 29 of the ordering device 13 during the previous operating cycle and shown in this case with a dotted line, onto the respective housing planes 39, 40 of the housing drawer 38. During the passage of the sachets S from the ordering device 13 to the housing drawer 38, the sachets S are supported by the support planes 36a, 36b of the support device 36.

Subsequently, with reference to fig. 3, the movement member 20 is taken into the inactive or raised position (by lifting it, as shown schematically by the arrow F2), that is, into the position in which the transverse elements 31, and in this specific case the thrust walls 31a of the transverse elements 31, are located at a certain vertical distance from the feed plane 15 so as to not interfere with the sachets S positioned on the feed plane 15.

Subsequently, with reference to fig. 4, the movement member 20, which is in an inactive or raised position, is moved backward parallel to the direction of feed Z, in the opposite direction to that in which it moves closer to the ordering device 13, as indicated by the arrow F3.

It should be noted that in the operating configurations of figs. 3 and 4, the ordering device 13 remains stationary, in the first operating position U.

Subsequently, with reference to fig. 5, the movement member 20 is taken into the active, or thrust, position (arrow F4), while at the same time the ordering device 13 is taken into the second operating position D in which the first bearing plane 28 is coplanar with the feed plane 15.

Subsequently, with reference to fig. 6, this shows the loading step of the first bearing plane 28 of the ordering device 13. The movement member 20, which is in the thrust position, is made to advance in the direction of feed Z toward the ordering device 13 as indicated by the arrow FI and, while the transverse elements 31 of the transfer rake 22 each thrust forward a respective group of sachets S, the first thrust element 25 transfers the last group of sachets S which is disposed on the feed plane 15 (on the side of the second end 17) onto the first bearing plane 28 of the ordering device 13 which is disposed in the second operating position D. At this point of the operating cycle, at least one group of sachets S is positioned on both bearing planes 28, 29.

Subsequently, with reference to fig. 7, the movement member 20 is again taken into the inactive or raised position (arrow F2), that is, into the position in which the transverse elements 31, and in this specific case the thrust walls 31a of the transverse elements 31, are at a certain vertical distance from the feed plane 15 so as not to interfere with the sachets S positioned on the feed plane 15.

Subsequently, with reference to fig. 8, the movement member 20, which is in the inactive or raised position, is again moved backward parallel to the direction of feed Z, but in the opposite direction to that in which it moves closer to the ordering device 13, as indicated by the arrow F3. It should be noted that at the end of the backward movement of the movement member 20, the first thrust element 25 is disposed in a position suitable to interact with the last group of sachets S disposed on the feed plane 15 in order to transfer them onto one of the two bearing planes 28, 29 at a time, so as to load them, while the second thrust element 26 is disposed in a position suitable to interact with the two groups of sachets S which are on the bearing planes 28, 29 in order to transfer them to the respective housing planes 39, 40 of the housing drawer 38.

Subsequently, with reference to fig. 9, the movement member 20 is taken into an active or thrust position (lowering it as indicated by the arrow F4) while at the same time the ordering device 13 is taken into the first operating position U in which the second bearing plane 29 is coplanar with the feed plane 15.

With reference to fig. 10, substantially identical to fig. 2, this shows the loading step of the housing drawer 38 and simultaneously of the second bearing plane 29 of the ordering device 13 thanks to the movement of the movement member 20, which is made to advance in the direction of feed Z toward the ordering device 13 as indicated by the arrow FI .

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to apparatus and method to put in order and package sachets as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of apparatus and method to put in order and package sachets, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus to put in order and package sachets (S) comprising:

- a primary packaging unit (11) configured to supply said sachets (S) containing a product;

- a secondary packaging unit (14) configured to introduce said sachets (S) inside packages (P);

- a horizontal transfer unit (12) interposed between said primary packaging unit (11) and said secondary packaging unit (14) and comprising a feed plane (15) on which said sachets (S) advance from said primary packaging unit (11) to said secondary packaging unit (14), parallel to a horizontal direction of feed (Z);

- an ordering device (13) interposed between said horizontal transfer unit (12) and said secondary packaging unit (14) and provided with at least two bearing planes (28, 29), parallel to each other and with respect to said feed plane (15), and each configured to support a group of sachets (S), said ordering device (13) comprises a drive device (46) configured to linearly move said ordering device (13) along a vertical displacement directrix (X), substantially orthogonal to said direction of feed (Z), to alternately position said first bearing plane (28) or said second bearing plane (29) substantially coplanar with said feed plane (15).

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said bearing planes (28, 29) are attached onto a guide arm (37) driven in movement according to an intermittent motion, in a by-directional manner, along the vertical displacement directrix (X), by said drive device (46), so that said bearing planes (28, 29) are connected to each other and move integrally.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said drive device (46) is configured to take said ordering device (13) from a first operating position (U), in which said second bearing plane (29) is coplanar to said feed plane (15) and said first bearing plane (28) is above said feed plane (15), to a second operating position (D), in which said first bearing plane (28) is coplanar to said feed plane (15) and said second bearing plane (29) is below said feed plane (15), and vice versa.

4. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said horizontal transfer unit (12) comprises a movement member (20) provided with a transfer rake (22), configured to allow the advance of said sachets (S) along said feed plane (15).

5. Apparatus as in claim 4, characterized in that said movement member (20) comprises a first thrust element (25) and a second thrust element (26) configured respectively to transfer said sachets (S) from said feed plane (15) to said ordering device (13) and to transfer said sachets (S) from said ordering device (13) to said secondary packaging unit (14).

6. Apparatus as in claim 5, characterized in that said movement member (20) is driven by a first drive unit (44) and a second drive unit (45) operatively coordinated with each other to take said transfer rake (22), said first thrust element (25) and said second thrust element (26) from an inactive or raised position, in which they are not suitable to interact with said sachets (S), to an active or thrust position, in which they are suitable to each thrust a determinate respective group of sachets (S).

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, characterized in that said drive device (46) is independent from said first drive unit (44) and from said second drive unit (45).

8. Apparatus as in claims from 3 to 5, characterized in that said second thrust element (26) comprises a first portion (26a) and a second portion (26b) parallel to each other and with respect to said feed plane (15), wherein said first portion (26a) is configured to thrust said sachets (S) present on said first bearing plane (28) and said second portion (26b) is configured to thrust said sachets (S) present on said second bearing plane (29), toward said secondary packaging unit (14), when said ordering device (13) is in said first operating position (U).

9. Apparatus as in any claim from 4 to 8, when claim 4 depends on claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a support device (36), interposed between said ordering device (13) and said secondary packaging unit (14), mobile integrally with said movement member (20), at least along said vertical displacement directrix (X), and configured to support said sachets (S) during their transfer from said ordering device (13) to said secondary packaging unit (14).

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, characterized in that said support device (36) comprises two support planes (36a, 36b) parallel to said bearing planes (28, 29) and having the same transverse size thereof, with respect to the direction of feed (Z).

11. Apparatus as in claim 3, characterized in that said secondary packaging unit (14) comprises housing drawers (38) configured to be aligned, one at a time, with said ordering device (13) and optionally with a support device (36), configured to support said sachets (S) during their transfer from said ordering device (13) to said secondary packaging unit (14), to receive the groups of sachets (S), each housing drawer (38) comprising housing planes (39, 40) parallel to said bearing planes (28, 29), said housing planes (39, 40) being coplanar respectively to said bearing planes (28, 29) when said ordering device (13) is in said first operating position (U).

12. Apparatus as in claim 11, characterized in that the distance, in a vertical direction, between said housing planes (39, 40) has to be coherent with the containing volume of the package (P) and with the containing planes provided therein for the final storage of the sachets (S).

13. Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each of said bearing planes (28, 29) has a plurality of dividing walls to laterally support each sachet (S) or one or more groups of sachets (S).

14. Method to put in order and package sachets (S) which provides the steps of:

- receiving sachets (S) containing a product from a primary packaging unit (11);

- introducing said sachets (S) inside packages (P) by means of a secondary packaging unit (14);

- feeding said sachets (S) from said primary packaging unit (11) toward said secondary packaging unit (14) by means of a horizontal transfer unit (12) which is provided with a feed plane (15) on which said sachets (S) slide during said feed, wherein said sachets (S) advance parallel to a horizontal direction of feed

(Z),

characterized in that it is provided to linearly move an ordering device (13) by means of a drive device (46) along a vertical displacement directrix (X), substantially orthogonal to said horizontal direction of feed (Z), wherein said ordering device (13) is interposed between said horizontal transfer unit (12) and said secondary packaging unit (14), and is provided with at least two bearing planes (28, 29), parallel to each other with respect to said feed plane (15), and configured to each support a group of sachets (S), in order to position said bearing planes (28, 29) alternately coplanar with said feed plane (15).

15. Method as in claim 14, characterized in that it provides to drive, by means of a first drive unit (44) and a second drive unit (45) operatively coordinated with each other and independent of said drive device (46), a movement member (20) comprising a transfer rake (22), a first thrust element (25) and a second thrust element (26) to take the latter from an inactive or raised position, in which they are not suitable to interact with said sachets (S), to an active or thrust position, in which they are each suitable to thrust a determinate respective group of sachets (S).