EP4316996A1

EP4316996A1 - Device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet

Info

Publication number: EP4316996A1
Application number: EP23188622.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianni FRANGELLA
Original assignee: Sacmi Packaging & Chocolate SpA
Current assignee: Sacmi Packaging & Chocolate SpA
Priority date: 2022-08-03
Filing date: 2023-07-31
Publication date: 2024-02-07

Abstract

A device (1) for transferring a product (P) and partially covering it with a packaging sheet (A), of the type arranged so as to operate on a conveyance line for products (P) and comprising a assembly for supplying packaging sheets (A) and a folding hopper (2) for folding at least one sheet (A) onto at least one corresponding product (P). The device (1) comprises grip means (3) which are configured to clamp the product (P) and the sheet (A) which is partially juxtaposed against a face thereof. The grip means (3) are functionally associated with respective actuators for transferring the product (P) and the sheet (A) clamped together from a first position, upstream of the hopper (2), to a second position, downstream of the hopper (2). The sheet (A), in the second position, is partially juxtaposed against at least two faces (P₁, P₂, P₃) of the product (P).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet.
In the industry of packaging individual products (or, also, bundles constituted by a plurality of products coupled together) the use is known of covering hoppers to place a wrapping sheet on part of the outer surfaces of each product.
Basically the product is made translate along a conveyance line until it encounters (with its foremost surface with respect to the direction of conveyance) a wrapping sheet. Once the product has encountered the sheet, a further translation of the product determines the entry of its foremost surface, and of the sheet abutting on it, into a hopper which folds the remaining portions of the sheet onto the faces of the product that are contiguous with the foremost surface).
If the sheet is constituted by a permanently deformable material (such as for example sheets of aluminum or sheets that comprise such material), this will settle on the faces of the product in a stable manner, when passing through the hopper, ready for subsequent operations for folding and/or heat-sealing and/or adhesive bonding. But if the sheet comprises materials that exhibit an elastic return after the folding imposed by the hopper, this will complicate the successive steps of packaging the product, and may even compromise the quality of the corresponding results.
Furthermore, materials that have an elastic return may also result in relative movements between the product and the sheet that may impede (or in any case complicate) the subsequent packaging operations.
It must furthermore be noted that the relative movements that occur between the product and the sheet, especially with very thin wrapping sheets, can lead to the sheet being damaged during the passage through the hopper, as well as to the formation of creases along the sheet.
The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing a device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet that ensures the stable juxtapositioning of the flaps of the sheet against respective faces of the product.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet that prevents relative movements between the product and the sheet.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet that prevents the sheet from being damaged during the passage through the hopper.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet that prevents the formation of wrinkles on the sheet during the passage through the hopper.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet that ensures an arrangement of the sheet on the product that is ideal for the subsequent operations to complete the packaging.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet which is of low cost, easily and practically implemented, and safe in use.
This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet, of the type arranged so as to operate on a conveyance line for products and comprising an assembly for supplying packaging sheets and a folding hopper for folding at least one said sheet onto at least one corresponding product, characterized in that it comprises grip means which are configured to clamp said product and said sheet which is partially juxtaposed against a face thereof, said grip means being functionally associated with respective actuators for transferring the product and the sheet clamped together from a first position, upstream of said hopper, to a second position, downstream of said hopper, said sheet, in said second position, being partially juxtaposed against at least two faces of said product.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of a device for transferring a product and partially covering it with a packaging sheet according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the device of Figure 1 in a first step of operation;
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the device of Figure 1 in a second step of operation;
Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the device of Figure 1 in a third step of operation.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a device for transferring a product P and partially covering it with a packaging sheet A.
The device 1 according to the invention can conveniently be arranged to operate on a conveyance line of products P.
The device 1 can advantageously comprise an assembly for supplying packaging sheets A (the assembly can be an integral part of the device 1 or be associated with it in any manner) and a folding hopper 2 for folding at least one sheet A onto at least one corresponding product P.
The folding hopper 2 is substantially of the type known in the packaging sector: the product P, advancing toward (and through) the hopper 2, abuts against the sheet A and pushes it into the hopper 2.
The passage through the hopper 2 (which will have an opening with shape and dimensions complementary to those of the product P, optionally increased in order to allow the passage also of the sheet A overlaid thereon and suitable play) will result in the sheet A being placed in juxtaposition against faces of the product P, thus constituting the first operation to cover the product P with the sheet A that takes place in the process of packaging it.
The device 1 according to the invention comprises grip means 3 which are configured to clamp a product P and the sheet A which is partially juxtaposed against a face P₁ thereof.
The grip means 3 are profitably functionally associated with respective actuators for transferring the product P and the sheet A clamped together from a first position, upstream of the hopper 2, to a second position, downstream of said hopper 2.
The sheet, in this second position (shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying Figure 4), is partially juxtaposed against at least two faces P₁, P₂ and P₃ of the product P.
With reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the grip means 3 can advantageously comprise a pusher 4, which is adapted to abut against a face P₄ of the product P which is opposite to the face P₁ that is proximate to the wrapping sheet A.
The pusher 4 will advantageously be actuated by a respective first controlled actuator, along a preset stroke, of which a section coincides substantially with the path traveled by the product P between the conveyance line and a delivery station 5, arranged downstream of the hopper 2, at the aforementioned second position.
In this specific embodiment, it should be noted that the grip means 3 can conveniently comprise a contrast pusher 6, which is adapted to abut against the face P₁ of the product P that is proximate to the wrapping sheet A.
This contrast pusher 6 will advantageously be actuated by a respective second controlled actuator, along a preset stroke, of which a section coincides substantially with the path traveled by the product P between the conveyance line and the delivery station 5, arranged downstream of the hopper 2 at the aforementioned second position.
In practice the product P will pass through the hopper 2 while it is clamped between the pusher (which abuts against its face P₄) and the contrast pusher 6 (which abuts against its face P₁): it should be noted that the sheet A is interposed between the face P₁ and the contrast pusher 6. In order to allow the passage of the product P and of the sheet A through the hopper 2 while they are clamped by the grip means 3 (pusher 4 and contrast pusher 6), it is essential that the hopper 2 have an open portion through which the pusher 4 and the contrast pusher 6 can slide.
The delivery station 5 can conveniently comprise clamping means which are configured to keep the sheet A juxtaposed against respective faces P₁, P₂ and P₃ of the product P.
In particular, the clamping means can positively comprise at least one jaw 7 for clamping the mutually opposite faces P₂ and P₃ of the product P that are contiguous with the faces P₁ and P₄ against which the grip means 3 abut (during the transfer of the product P and the sheet A from the first position to the aforementioned second position).
In particular it is possible to have a pair of jaws that are clamped on the product P, or a single jaw 7 which can move with respect to a fixed plane of abutment (in this second case, the product P partially covered by the sheet A will be clamped between the jaw 5a and the fixed plane of abutment).
The at least one jaw 7 can usefully comprise a terminal tooth 7a protruding toward the face P₄ of the product P against which the pusher 4 was resting. The tooth 7a will therefore be conveniently configured to force a portion of the sheet A onto the face P₄ against which the pusher 4 is placed, even after the respective distancing of the pusher from such face P₄.
With reference to an embodiment of undoubted efficiency and functionality, it should be noted that the pusher 4 can advantageously comprise a contoured lever 8 with an initial end 9 which is adapted to abut against a respective face P₄ of the product P. The lever 8 will be functionally associated with at least one movement element by way of at least one pusher linkage 10, 11 hinged thereto.
In more detail, it should be noted that the pusher linkages 10, 11 can profitably be two in number: a first pusher linkage 10 will conveniently be hinged substantially at a terminal end of the lever 8 and keyed to a respective controlled motor; a second pusher linkage 11 will instead advantageously be hinged at a central part of the lever 8, and an articulated pusher arm 12 will be interposed between the second pusher linkage 11 and a respective controlled motor.
In the embodiment just described, it should be noted that the contrast pusher 6 can also positively comprise a contoured bar 13 with an initial end 14 which is adapted to abut against a respective face P₁ of the product P.
The bar 13 will, in turn, be functionally associated with at least one movement element by way of at least one contrast pusher linkage 15, 16 which is hinged thereto.
The contrast pusher linkages 15, 16 will preferably be two in number: a first contrast pusher linkage 15 will efficiently be hinged substantially at a terminal end of the bar 13 and keyed to a respective controlled motor, while a second contrast pusher linkage 16 will be hinged at a central part of the bar 13. An articulated contrast pusher arm 17 will usefully be interposed between the second contrast pusher linkage 16 and a respective controlled motor.
Adoption of the architectures just described, combined with the use of controlled motors for moving the pusher 4 and the contrast pusher 6, makes it possible to create any rule of motion for the pusher 4 and the contrast pusher 6, and this brings the great advantage of being able to vary the manner in which the product P and the sheet A pass through the hopper 2, so optimizing the arrangement of the sheet A on the faces P₁, P₂ and P₃ of the product P.
The device 1 according to the invention ensures that the correct relative positioning between the product P and the wrapping sheet A obtained in the hopper 2 (that draws the wrapping sheet A) is maintained right up until arrival inside the delivery station 5.
The two independent kinetic mechanisms (the lever 8, the linkages 10 and 11, the arm 12 and respective controlled motors for the pusher 4 and the bar, the linkages 15 and 16, the arm 17 and respective controlled motors for the contrast pusher 6) move in a complementary manner, first by bringing the product P (with its face P₁) into contact with the wrapping sheet A in their correct relative position (as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in Figure 2), and then clamping them respectively (as illustrated by way of non-limiting example in Figure 3). Once the relative engagement of the sheet A on the product P is achieved, the sheet A can conveniently be cut to the desired length.
The pusher 4 and the contrast pusher 6 move in perfect synchrony, transporting the assembly constituted by the product P and the sheet A through the drawing hopper 2 which will draw the covering sheet A so as to conveniently cover the product P on three sides (so covering the faces P₁, P₂ and P₃, as shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying Figure 4).
The positive conveyance of the product P and the wrapping sheet A, conveniently coupled in their correct relative position, is ensured right up until arrival inside the delivery station 5, in which the product P and the sheet are clamped by means of the at least one jaw 7 which will be associated with subsequent packaging stations of the machine of installation.
When the product P and the wrapping sheet A are located in the correct position, the at least one jaw 7 can be closed, clamping them; only after this closure the pusher 4 and the contrast pusher 6 will abandon the assembly constituted by the product P and the sheet A, thus effecting a proper handover to the next stage (the assembly of product P and sheet A is never left and this constitutes an assurance of the correct positioning of the sheet A with respect to the product P).
With respect to conventional embodiments, the adoption of the pusher 4 and the contrast pusher 6 brings the following advantages:

once the correct relative positioning between the product P and the wrapping sheet A is achieved, this is retained up until the heat-seals are performed, by virtue of the action of the pusher 4 and the contrast pusher 6 which rule out the possibility of any movement (translation and/or rotation) of the sheet A on the product P;
from the moment the first positioning between the product P and the sheet A occurs, the conveyance of the two always takes place in a positive manner (the product P and the sheet A are always held in a mutually locked configuration) through all the steps of packaging (therefore also downstream of the device 1 according to the invention) right up to the point of exit from the machine.

These contrivances make it possible to considerably increase both packaging quality and production speeds.
Advantageously the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, by providing a device 1 for transferring a product P and partially covering it with a packaging sheet A that ensures the stable juxtapositioning of the flaps of the sheet A against respective faces P₁, P₂ and P₃ of the product P.
Conveniently the device 1 according to the invention prevents relative movements between the product P and the sheet A.
Advantageously the device 1 according to the invention prevents the sheet A from becoming damaged during the passage through the hopper 2.
Profitably the device 1 according to the invention prevents the formation of wrinkles on the sheet A during the passage through the hopper 2.
Profitably the device 1 according to the invention ensures an arrangement of the sheet A on the product P that is ideal for the subsequent operations to complete the packaging.
Positively the device 1 according to the invention is easily and practically implemented and is of low cost: such characteristics make the device 1 according to the invention an innovation that is safe in use.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.
In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000016500 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

A device for transferring a product (P) and partially covering it with a packaging sheet (A), of the type arranged so as to operate on a conveyance line for products (P) and comprising an assembly for supplying packaging sheets (A) and a folding hopper (2) for folding at least one said sheet (A) onto at least one corresponding product (P), characterized in that it comprises grip means (3) which are configured to clamp said product (P) and said sheet (A) which is partially juxtaposed against a face thereof, said grip means (3) being functionally associated with respective actuators for transferring the product (P) and the sheet (A) clamped together from a first position, upstream of said hopper (2), to a second position, downstream of said hopper (2), said sheet (A), in said second position, being partially juxtaposed against at least two faces (P₁, P₂, P₃) of said product (P).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said grip means (3) comprise a pusher (4), adapted to abut against a face (P₄) of said product (P) opposite to the face that is proximate to said wrapping sheet (A), which is actuated by a respective first controlled actuator, along a predefined stroke which has a portion that substantially coincides with the trajectory followed by said product (P) between said conveyance line and a delivery station (5), arranged downstream of said hopper (2) at said second position.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said grip means (3) comprise a contrast pusher (6), adapted to abut against said face (P₁) of said product (P) that is proximate to said wrapping sheet (A), which is actuated by a respective second controlled actuator, along a predefined stroke which has a portion that substantially coincides with the trajectory followed by said product (P) between said conveyance line and a delivery station (5), arranged downstream of said hopper (2) at said second position.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said delivery station (5) comprises clamping means which are configured to keep said sheet (A) in juxtaposition against respective faces (P₁, P₂, P₃) of said product (P).
The device according to claim 4, characterized in that said clamping means comprise at least one jaw (7) for clamping mutually opposite faces (P₂, P₃) of said product (P) which are contiguous to the faces (P₁, P₄) against which said grip means (3) abut.
The device according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one jaw (7) comprises a terminal tooth (7a) which protrudes toward the face (P₄) of said product (P) against which said pusher (3) was resting, said tooth (7a) being configured to force a portion of said sheet (A) onto said face (P₄) of said product (P) against which said pusher (4) rests, even after the respective spacing apart of said pusher (4) from said face (P₄).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pusher (4) comprises a contoured lever (8) which is provided with an initial end (9) which is adapted to abut against a respective face (P₄) of said product (P), said lever (8) being functionally associated with at least one movement element by means of at least one pusher linkage (10, 11) which is hinged thereto.
The device according to claim 7, characterized in that said pusher linkages (10, 11) are two in number, a first pusher linkage (10) being hinged substantially at a terminal end of said lever (8) and keyed to a respective controlled motor, and a second pusher linkage (11) being hinged at a central part of said lever (8), an articulated pusher arm (12) being interposed between said second pusher linkage (11) and a respective controlled motor.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contrast pusher (6) comprises a contoured bar (13) which is provided with an initial end (14) which is adapted to abut against a respective face (P₁) of said product (P), said bar (13) being functionally associated with at least one movement element by means of at least one contrast pusher linkage (15, 16) which is hinged thereto.
The device according to claim 9, characterized in that said contrast pusher linkages (15, 16) are two in number, a first contrast pusher linkage (15) being hinged substantially at a terminal end of said bar (13) and keyed to a respective controlled motor, and a second contrast pusher linkage (16) being hinged at a central part of said bar (13), an articulated contrast pusher arm (17) being interposed between said second contrast pusher linkage (16) and a respective controlled motor.