ES2769173T3 - Food bag packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine for packaging a plurality of bags (2) for food, said machine comprising means (901, 902) for producing plastic bags (2) containing food and a transport apparatus (700) for the bags (2) to be packed or that have been packaged, said conveying apparatus (700) comprising a closed loop chain (703) meshed between a drive ring gear (704) and an idler ring gear (705), both with their own vertical axis of rotation, and a plurality of retention elements (709) of the bags to be packaged or that have been packaged, each retention element (709) of the plurality of retention elements (709) being associated with said chain (703), being retained a single bag (2), to be packaged or that has been packaged of said plurality of bags (2) to be packaged or that have been packaged, by a retention element (709) of said plurality of retention elements (709) , said bags (2) being packaged bags of plastic and said production means being capable of manufacturing bags (2) from a plastic film in such a way that the head (1) of said bags (2) is partially closed, said machine comprising a plurality of modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800) capable of acting on the bags (2) to package them, said plurality of modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800) comprising a first module (200) configured to form the head (1) of the bag (2) for food, a second module (400) capable of welding said head (1) of the bag (2) in order to form a single flap (3100), said transport apparatus being configured to carry said bags (2) to all modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800), characterized in that the second module (400) is capable of cutting the upper part (401) of the head (1 ), said plurality of modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800) comprises a third module (300) configured to fold and press the flaps (31 00) of the bags (2) coming out of the second module (400), said machine also comprises box-shaped elements (31) capable of containing the machine's wiring means, said box-shaped elements (31 ) located on a load bearing frame (35) that houses the transport apparatus (700) and said modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Food bag packaging machine

The present invention relates to a machine for packaging food bags, preferably food pasta, granular products and the like, preferably plastic bags.

Machines for packaging bags, for example, of pasta, comprising a conveyor belt capable of transporting the packages along the machine through a plurality of manufacturing stations arranged in cascade, are known in the prior art. Typically, the conveyor belt supports a succession of compartments, each capable of accommodating at least one container, and each compartment comprises two walls, one upstream and one downstream, and one base, which is the base of the conveyor belt itself, said walls being orthogonal with respect to the base.

The drawbacks of using such a conveyor belt are, on the one hand, not being able to guarantee a stable positioning of the container within the respective compartment, and, on the other hand, the impossibility of manufacturing reciprocally different type containers.

In said packaging machines, the bag is arranged in a first station for a certain period of time to undergo a first manufacturing, to then go on to the next station until the last station, from which the now completed bags leave. Various stations form the head of the bag and each one comprises means moved by a rack and pinion type mobile system or by belts and pulleys; known machines can comprise a single motor to move all the means to form the head of the bag.

This determines a more complex heat forming operation associated with low bag packaging speed.

US-A-2009/0071105 describes a machine for packaging a plurality of food bags. US-A-3545166 discloses a machine for packaging a plurality of food bags comprising means for producing plastic bags, a transport apparatus and a plurality of modules configured to form and weld the head of the bags.

DE-B-1265643 discloses a device for folding and pressing a flap.

GB-A-822335 discloses a device for welding and cutting the top of a package.

It is the aim of the present invention to provide a machine for packaging food bags that is much simpler than known ones and that also allows a greater production of bags.

In accordance with the present invention, said objective is achieved by means of a packaging machine as defined in claim 1.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a practical embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the food bag packaging machine according to the present invention;

Figures 2-3 are schematic perspective views of the machine of Figure 1 without support frame;

Figure 4 is a front view of the packaging machine of Figure 3;

Figure 1a is a perspective view of the apparatus of the first station of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 2a is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1a in a rest position;

Figure 3a is a sectional view taken along the line MI-MI of the apparatus of Figure 2a; Figure 4a is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of the apparatus of Figure 2a; Figure 5a is a sectional view taken along the line V-V of the apparatus of Figure 2a; Figure 6a is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in the first working position;

Figure 7a is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of the apparatus of Figure 6a; Figure 8a is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of the apparatus of Figure 6a; Figure 9a is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in second working position;

Figure 10a is a sectional view taken along line XX of the apparatus of Figure 9a;

Figure 11a is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of the apparatus of Figure 9a;

Figure 12a is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII of the apparatus of Figure 9a;

Figure 1b is a perspective view of the apparatus of the second station of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 2b is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1b in a rest position;

Figure 3b is a sectional view taken along the line MI-MI of the apparatus of Figure 2b in a first working position;

Figure 4b is a sectional view taken along line MI-MI of the apparatus of Figure 2b in a second working position;

Figure 5b is a sectional view taken along the line MI-MI of the apparatus of Figure 2b in a third working position;

Figure 6b is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of the apparatus of Figure 2b in a fourth working position;

Figure 7b is a sectional view taken along line III-III of the apparatus of Figure 2b in a fifth working position;

Figure 8b is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1b;

Figure 9b is a perspective view in greater detail of the first welding assembly;

Figure 10b is a side view of the assembly of Figure 9b;

figure 1c shows a first perspective view of the assembly or folding apparatus of the third station of the machine of figure 1;

Figure 2c shows a second perspective view of the assembly or folding apparatus of the third station of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3c shows a sequence of advancement of bags carried by a visible chain conveyor in the folding assembly of Figures 1c and 2c;

Figure 4c shows a side view of the folding assembly of Figures 1c, 2c;

Figure 5c shows a partial section front view of the folding assembly of Figures 1c, 2c;

Figure 6c shows a sectional view of the folding assembly of Figures 5c taken along line VI-VI;

Figure 7c shows a sectional view of the folding assembly of Figures 4c taken along line VII-VII;

Figure 8c shows a sectional view of the folding assembly of Figures 4c taken along line VIII-VIII;

Figure 9c shows a top view of the folding assembly of Figures 1c, 2c;

Figures 10c-13c show the first stages of operation of the folding unit in a sectional view taken along the line X-X of Figure 5c;

Figures 14c-15c show the second stages of operation of the folding unit in a sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 5c;

Figure 1d shows a perspective view of the pressing apparatus of the fifth station of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 2d shows a front view of the pressing apparatus of Figure 1d;

Figure 3d shows a sectional view of the part of the pressing apparatus of Figure 1d taken along the line III-III of Figure 2d;

Figure 4d shows a side view of the part of the pressing apparatus of Figure 1d;

Figure 5d shows a sectional view of the part of the pressing apparatus of Figure 1d taken along the line V-V of Figure 4d;

Figures 9d show the operating steps of the pressing apparatus of Figure 1d;

Figure 1e shows a perspective view of a food bag conveyor or chain conveyor for a packaging machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2e shows a perspective view of the part of the transport apparatus of Figure 1e;

Figure 3e shows a front view of the transport apparatus of Figure 1e;

Figure 4e shows a side view of the transport apparatus of Figure 1e;

Figure 5e shows a sectional view of the transport apparatus taken along the line V-V of Figure 4e;

Figure 6e shows a perspective view of a container block comprised in the transport apparatus of Figure 1e;

figure 7e shows a side view of the container block of figure 6e;

Figure 8e shows a perspective view of a slide with a tie plate and a locking lever comprised in the transport apparatus of Figure 1e;

Figures 9e and 10e show rear views of a slide with a connecting plate and a locking lever comprised in the transport apparatus of figure 1e in two different stages of work;

Figure 11e shows a perspective view of an adjustment guide comprised in the transport apparatus of Figure 1e;

Figure 1f shows a front view of an adhesive tape application apparatus of the sixth station of the machine in Figure 1 according to the present invention;

Figure 2f shows a top view of the apparatus of Figure 1f;

Figure 3f shows a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1f taken along line III-III;

Figure 4f shows a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 2f taken along line IV-IV;

Figure 5f shows a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1f taken along line V-V;

Figure 6f shows a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1f taken along line VI-VI;

Figure 7f shows a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of Figure 1f;

Figures 8f-16f show details of the apparatus of Figure 1f during the operating steps;

Figure 17 shows a perspective view of the machine with a wiring assembly on top of it;

Figure 18 shows a perspective view of the machine with a pillow bag transport module.

Figures 1-4 show a machine for packaging bags 2 for food, preferably for pasta, granular products and the like, according to the present invention. Bag 2 can be variable in size and made of plastic material; Instead of the bag 2 made of plastic material, the packaging machine can package cardboard boxes with bags 2 made of plastic material inside. Hereinafter, the bag 2 to be packaged will mean a bag 2 made of plastic material or a cardboard box with a bag 2 made of plastic material inside.

The packaging machine comprises a means of producing plastic bags 2 containing food and a conveyor or chain conveyor 700 of the bags 2 to be packed, which is capable of transporting the bags 2 along the X axis of a station to the next for the operations that each station must carry out in bag 2. Transport apparatus 700 is an essential part of the packaging machine according to the present invention.

If the packaging machine is fed with sheets of film, preferably from a reel of plastic film, it comprises an assembly 901 for longitudinally welding the film foil and a cross-weld clamp assembly 902 for forming the plastic bag 2, and an assembly 900 for releasing previously packaged bags 2. The film is unwound by an actuator and passes along an established path to a forming tube, where the tube is wound around a pipe to form bag 2. The The film is kept centered with respect to the axis of the forming tube (which corresponds to the axis of the product falling into the packaging machine) along the path by means of a drive carriage. The film is accompanied along the formation pipe by a pair of feed tracks (each track is provided with an independent drive), which sucks the film and accompanies it on stage with the movement of the welding assembly 901.

The latter provides longitudinal welding using a device consisting of a nickel-chrome strip, which is rotated by a specific brushless motor and heated to the required temperature by an electrical resistance. The welding device is placed in such a way that the tape is in contact with the film without avoiding its sliding. The tape moves in the stage with the film or is moved away by a pneumatic cylinder when the film stops, in order to avoid burning.

Transverse welding is achieved by an assembly consisting of a pair of hot clamps 902 (heated by electrical resistors) which, located below the unwinding rollers, are intended to heat and cut the bags 2 crosswise. The pair of clamps 902 is made up of a front clamp and a rear clamp, which by means of electrical resistances are heated and maintained at constant temperature by thermocouples (this device can be replaced by a set of cold ultrasonic welding). The clamps open and close in a horizontal motion, while moving vertically from top to bottom and vice versa. The film is compressed between the surfaces of the two clamps and is pulled and welded crosswise. A knife actuated by a pneumatic device is present in the rear clamp and allows to divide the packages from one to the other simultaneously with the welding step. Said device is provided with a blowing assembly consisting of four harpoons (two lower and two upper) that intervene in the lower and upper part of the container, thus forming the "edge" of the container. In addition, the clamp allows the upper part of the head 1 of the bag 2 to be completely welded, if fin packs are made, or a part of the head 1 of the bag 2 is left open, in the case of a bottom bag of double block 2. Therefore, a plastic bag 2 coming out of the clamp assembly 902 can be welded in its entirety, both at the bottom and at the top, and in the latter case, bag 2 can be the previously packaged bag 2, which is disposed directly in a chain conveyor retention element 700 and transported to the outlet assembly 900, or is arranged in a cardboard box which in turn is arranged in a conveyor retention element chain, causing bag 2 to be packaged, to be transported to assembly 900. In the latter case, bag 2 to be packaged 2 will be subjected to gluing of the upper part of the cardboard box by a specific station before being transported by the transp apparatus orte 700 towards assembly 900. As an alternative, a plastic bag 2 fully welded only at the bottom and not completely at the top, that is, with the head 1 partially closed, can come out of the clamp assembly 902, and in In this case, in order to make a double block bottom bag 2 to be packaged, the plastic bag 2 passes in sequence through the plurality of stations or modules before reaching assembly 900.

The plurality of stations or modules in succession comprises the following stations:

a first station or module 200, comprising an apparatus for forming the head 1 of the food bags 2,

a second station or module 400, comprising an apparatus for welding and cutting the head 1 of the food containers 2 leaving the first station 200, to weld the head 1 of the bag 2 in order to form a flap 3100 and cut off the top of the head 1 of the bag 2 in excess,

a third station or module 300 for folding and pressing the flaps 3100 of the bags 2 that come out of the second station 400.

The plurality of stations preferably also comprise a fourth station or compartment 800 capable of rotating by 90 ° the flaps 3100 of the bags 2 that come out of the third station 300, in order to bring them to the horizontal position and obtain the flaps 502.

The plurality of stations preferably comprises a fifth station 500 capable of pressing the flaps 502 of the bags 2 exiting the fourth station 800 onto the body 9003 of the bag 2.

The plurality of stations preferably comprises a sixth station 600 capable of affixing an adhesive tape to the top flap 3100, 502 of bag 2, preferably to the folded flap 502 pressed onto the body 9003 of bag 2 exiting the fifth station 500 , in order to maintain the square shape conferred on bag 2; the wrapping station 600 can also act on the flap 3100 coming out of the third station 300 or on the horizontally folded flap 3100 coming out of the fourth station or compartment 800.

The fifth station 500 may also not be present on the machine and the sixth station 600 may be replaced by a labeling station or they may be absent.

Therefore, the packaging machine according to the invention is of the modular type, such that only some of the various stations or modules may be present or only partially present. In this way, the packaging machine according to the invention may have only some essential modules for packaging bags 2 and not all of those listed above.

The packaging machine according to the present invention comprises a control unit 1000 capable of controlling the individual assemblies and / or modules for the operations to be carried out, in particular all the means of movement provided in each station and in the transport apparatus 700 .

Figures 1a-12a describe the first station 200, that is, the apparatus for forming the head 1 of the food bags 2 if the head 1 of the plastic bag 2 is partially closed.

The apparatus or assembly comprises a device 210 for forming the head 1 of the bag 2 and a device 220 for deflating the head 1 of the bag 2.

The device 210 comprises a pair of harpoons 211, preferably in a triangular manner, driven by a single motor 212, for example of the electric type, to form the head 1 of the bag 2 in the working position 2B.

The apparatus also comprises an additional device 215 capable of moving the pair of harpoons 111 from a rest position 2A to a first working position 2B1, intermediate between the resting position 2A and the working position 2B. Device 115 also comprises a single electric motor 216 for displacing the pair of harpoons 211.

Device 220 comprises a two-element press 221 capable of being closed in working position 2B to deflate head 1 of bag 2; the two press-like elements 221 are powered by a single electric motor 222.

Electric motors 212, 216, and 222 are controlled by a control device 2100 that belongs to control unit 1000.

Electric motors 212 and 222 are reciprocally separate and reciprocally independent. The electric motor 216 is separate from and independent of the electric motors 212, 222.

As shown in greater detail in Figures 3, 5, 7 and 11, device 210 comprises two slides 213 sliding on two guides 214 along the X axis; the two harpoons 211 are anchored to the two slides 213 in a sliding way along the Y axis, orthogonal to the X axis.

The two slides 213 are connected to a rotation plate 217 connected to the motor 212 by connecting rods 218 rotationally anchored at points 219 to the slides 213 and at points 2190 to the rotation plate 217. The rotation in the direction of the hands clockwise or counterclockwise of the rotation plate 217 determines an approach or distance of the slides 213 along the X axis. As shown in greater detail in Figures 3a, 5a, 7a and 11a , device 215 comprises two elements 2151 carrying harpoons 211; the elements 2151 slide on a guide 2152 along the X axis along the slides 2153.

The two elements 2151 are slidingly anchored to the slides 213 along the Y axis, orthogonal to the X axis.

Guide 2152 is connected to a rotation plate 2154 connected to motor 216 by a connecting rod 2155 rotationally anchored at point 2156 to guide 2152 and anchored at point 2157 to rotation plate 2154. Rotation clockwise clockwise or counterclockwise of the rotary plate 2154 respectively determines the displacement of the harpoons 211 from rest position 2A to working position 2B1 and the displacement from position 2B1 to position 2A again along the Y axis. As shown in greater detail in Figures 3a, 4a, 6a and 10a, the device 220 comprises two slides 223 sliding on two guides 224 along the Y axis; the two press-like elements 221 are anchored to the two slides 223.

The two slides 223 are connected to the rotation plate 225 connected to the motor 222 by means of connecting rods 226 rotationally anchored at points 228 to the slides 223 and at points 229 to the rotation plate 225. The rotation in the direction of the hands clockwise or counterclockwise of the rotary plate 225 determines an approach or distance of the slides 223 along the Y axis.

The apparatus according to the invention comprises a single frame 250 that carries the motors 212, 216 and 222 and the devices 210, 215 and 220. The stable part of the motors 212, 216 and 222 forms part of the frame 250. The apparatus of According to the invention it operates in the following way.

In the resting stage 2A, the bag 2 is transported by the chain conveyor 700 to the position below the device 220 and with the head 1 arranged between the elements 221 and, preferably, with the flaps 210 of the front and rear walls partially joined together, as shown in Figures 2a-5a.

Successively, the control device 2100 controls the motor 216 of the device 215 in order to make the rotation plate 2154 rotate clockwise; this allows the movement of the guide 215 along the Y axis and also the movement of the harpoons 211, carried by the elements 215, again along the Ya axis to the working position 2B1, as shown in Figures 6a- 8a.

Successively, the control device 2100 simultaneously controls the motor 212 of the device 210 to cause the rotation plate 217 to rotate clockwise and the motor 222 of the device 220 to cause the rotation plate 225 to rotate clockwise.

The clockwise rotation of the rotation plate 117 allows the slides 113 to be approached along the X axis and the consequent approximation of the harpoons 111, carried by the elements 115, which are arranged in the position 2B, as shown in Figures 9a-12a. In the working position 2B, the harpoons 11 empty the air from the head 1 of the bag 2 operating on the lateral parts 131, 132 of the head 1 of the bag 2. The triangular harpoons 111, pushing the lateral parts 131, 132 towards the inside of the head 1, they provide the triangular formation characteristic of the lateral parts of the head 1 of the bag 2 and contribute to emptying the air of the head 1.

The clockwise rotation of the rotation plate 225 allows the slides 223 to approach along the Y axis and the press-type elements 221, carried by the elements 223, are brought closer together, which are arranged in working position 2B, as shown in Figures 9a-12a. In the working position 2B, the press-like elements 221 completely deflate the head 1 of the bag 2. Figures 1b-10B describe the second station, that is, the welding and cutting apparatus or assembly 400, comprising a device for weld 410 to weld the flaps 3 of the head 1 of the container 2, a device 420 to cut the top 401 of the head 1 of the bag 2 and a suction device 430 to suck the top 401 previously cut, as shown in Figures 1b, 2b and 8b.

The device 410 comprises a pair of elements 411, 412 capable of being closed in the working position 4A2 to weld the head 1 of the bag 2 (Figures 3b-7b); in particular, device 410 comprises a fixed element 411 and an element 412 driven by an electric motor 413 by a connecting rod 414 hinged to a pin 415 that is part of a plate 416 rotated by motor 413.

The apparatus also comprises an additional device 440 capable of moving the previously cut upper part 401 of the head 1 of the welding zone 460 towards the suction zone 431 below the suction mouth 432 of the device 430 (Figures 3b-7b, 9b , 10b); device 440 comprises a pair of clamping elements 442, 443 and a moving means 441 of the clamping element 442 only.

Device 420 comprises a blade 421 capable of cutting the head 1 of the bag 2 and creating the upper part or tongue 401 to be removed (Figures 3b-7b, 9b, 10b); blade 421 is moved by moving means 422.

The apparatus according to the invention comprises a single frame 450 that carries devices 410, 420, 430 and 440.

The electric motor 413, the moving means 441,422 and the suction device 430 are controlled by a control device 490 that belongs to the control unit 1000.

As shown in greater detail in Figures 2b, 3b, device 410 comprises a first structure 417, with which the welding element 411 is part, and a second structure 418, for which the welding element 412 are fixed and clamping element 443; the second structure 418 can be fully moved because it is moved by the electric motor 413 by the connecting rod 414, the pin 415 and the plate 416.

The second structure 418 can be moved by the electric motor 413 from a rest position 4A1 (figure 3b) to a working position 4A2 (figure 4b) and vice versa; the second structure 418 slides on a guide 419 that is part of the frame 450.

The first structure 417 is fixed, but that some of its elements, the blade 421 and the clamping element 442, can move with respect to the structure 417 itself, as shown in greater detail in Figures 3b and 9b, 10bb. The first structure 417 comprises the moving means 422, 441, preferably pneumatic cylinders of the blade 421 and of the element 442.

Suction device 430 comprises a suction hood 433 that is part of frame 490; the suction mouth 432 is arranged on the suction zone 431 which is adjacent to the zone in which the welding element 412 is present when the element 412 itself is arranged in the rest position 4A1.

The apparatus 100 according to the invention operates in the following manner.

In the rest stage 4A1, the bag 2 is transported by the chain conveyor 700 to the position below the device 410 and with the flaps 3 of the head 1 arranged between the welding elements 411, 412 and preferably joined, as shown in Figures 3b.

Successively, the control device 490 controls the motor 413 of the device 410 in order to rotate the rotation plate 416; this allows the second structure 417 to move along the Y axis, orthogonal to the flaps 3 of the walls of the head 1 of the bag 2, in order to slide along the guide 419 and allows the closure of the element 412 on element 411, as shown in Figure 4b. In this way, the welding of the flaps 3 is achieved by the elements 411, 412 which are heated, preferably by an electric current.

Successively, the control device 490 controls the movement means 422 to cut the upper part 401 of the flaps 3 on the part 423 of the flaps 3 previously welded in the working position 4A3, as shown in FIG. 5b, forming this way an upper flap 3001 and a tongue 401. The movement means 422 allow the blade 421 to move along the Y axis to cut the flaps 3 of the head 1.

Successively, the control device 490 controls the movement means 441 to move the clamping element 442 along the Y axis to the working position 4A4 when the second structure 418 returns to the rest position, as shown in the figure 6b. The fastening element 442 of the first structure 417 cooperates with a fastening element 443 of the structure 418 in order to hold the tongue 401 and transport it to the suction area 431 under the suction mouth 432 of the hood 433. At the same time, the control device 490 controls the movement means 422 to bring the blade 421 into its rest position.

Therefore, the tongue 401 moves from the welding zone 460, in which the elements 411 and 412 are closed to weld the flaps 3 of the head 1, to the suction zone 431 that coincides with the position zone. of rest 4A1 of the welding element 412.

Successively, the control device 490 controls the activation of the suction device 430 and the movement means 441 to move the clamping element 442 along the Y axis to the rest position, as shown in Fig. 7b, in that the new working position of apparatus 400 is indicated by position 4A5. In such a way, tongue 401 is sucked by suction device 430 through mouth 432 and hood 433. Welding elements 411, 412 are protected by the flow of suction from hood 433 by the presence of clamping elements 442, 443 in the working position 4A5 of the apparatus 400, that is, the elements 411, 412 are arranged between the elements 411, 412 and the suction mouth 432 in the path of the hood suction flow 433, preferably a path along the Z axis, preferably a vertical axis.

Preferably, the suction hood 433 is arranged in such a way that the vertical axis of symmetry 4A of its cross section coincides with the lateral profile of the welding element 412.

Figures 1c, 2c show the third section, ie the apparatus for folding and pressing the top flap 3100 of the bag 2 containing food (Figure 3c).

For example, bag 2 is a flat bottom container made of plastic material, which may have a quadrilateral shape and corresponding side surfaces. As shown in FIG. 3c, the top ends of bag 2 that will be allowed to enter apparatus 300 are brought together and welded, in order to form said top flap 3100. Each top flap 3100 of bags 2 is substantially two-dimensional and , therefore, it can be represented by a plane P. Said welding operation, together with the cutting operations, is carried out by means of a welding and cutting assembly (not shown in the figures) arranged upstream of the apparatus 300 in the packing.

The bag 2 is carried to the folding apparatus 300 by the chain conveyor 700 capable of transporting a sequence of bag advance 2 oriented with the P plane of each top flap 3100 parallel to said direction of movement X (Figure 3c) along of a direction of movement along the X axis (or direction of movement X).

The apparatus 300 is configured to fold a part, or a free end 3103, of the previously welded top flap 3100 of bag 2 over the top flap part 3100 not subject to folding, thereby forming an angle smaller than 45 ° Between the parts. In particular, apparatus 300 comprises a folding sheet 304 and a "U" shaped element 313, and a moving means 350 capable of causing said "U" shaped element 313 to engage with the folding sheet 304 for folding the 3100 previously welded top flap of bag 2.

The folding apparatus 300 also comprises a guide plate 303 parallel to said folding sheet 304, both defining a space capable of receiving, through an entry slot 302, the upper flap 3100 of a bag 2 at a time of said bag feed sequence 2, said bags 2 being oriented with the plane P of the upper flaps 3100 parallel to said guide plate 303 as said folding sheet 304.

Said space between guide plate 303 and folding plate 304 is configured to house at least the top flap 3100 of a bag 2 at a time inserted through the inlet slot 302 (Figures 2c, 4c). Therefore, the longitudinal measurement of the guide plate 303 and the folding plate 304 is greater than or equal to the longitudinal measurement of the top flap 3100. Advantageously, the ends of the guide plate 303 and the folding plate 304 they have an extension 306 in the inlet slot 302 capable of promoting the introduction of the top flap 3100 of the bags 2 into the apparatus 300 (Figure 1c).

Chain conveyor 700 is arranged at a lower height than apparatus 300 (FIG. 1c), such that only the top flap 3100 of bags 2 is inserted into apparatus 300, and such that such an end clearance 3103 of the top flap 3100 itself exceeds the height of the folding sheet 304 (FIG. 10c). Apparatus 300 comprises a rear support plate 307 (Figure 4c) constituting an anchor support for the various elements of which apparatus 300 is formed. Fold sheet 304 is attached to a pair of first plates 304, each in turn attached by a front guide bracket 347 to a corresponding support angle bar 309, which is anchored to the rear support plate 307. The guide plate 303 is directly attached in place to said support angle bars 309 ( Figures 1c, 2c).

Said movement means 350 comprise a cam 310, which rotates about a first axis of rotation O parallel to the direction of movement X of the bags 2 (Figures 1c, 2c), by virtue of a support shaft 348, to which sets cam 310, free to rotate inside bracket 349 anchored to rear support plate 307.

The cam 310 is able to move by means of first articulations 311 at least one folding lever 312 with said "U" -shaped elements capable of folding the upper flap 3100 of the bags 2, transversely to the plane P of the upper flaps 3100 and on said folding sheet 304.

In particular, said U-shaped elements 313 (Figure 6c) is capable of folding the free end 3103 of the top flap 3100 that exceeds the folding sheet 304 in height, pushing it and bringing it into contact with an outer surface of the folding blade 304. The "U" -shaped element 313 is shaped in order to have a cavity 314 substantially complementary to the profile of the folding sheet 304, such that the hook-shaped end is capable of overlapping on top, interlacing the folding sheet The folding lever 312 is fixed by first pins 315 (figure 5c) to both angled support bars 309 and which can partially rotate around a second axis of rotation O ', also parallel to the direction of movement X of the bags 2 , between an opening position, in which it is raised (figure 10c), and a folding position, in which it is in contact with the upper flap 3100 of the bag 2 given on the folding sheet 304 (figure 11c). As will be better explained below, the top flap 3100 of a bag 2 is inserted during the open position, while the top flap 3100 itself folds during the closed position. The cam 310 is driven by a motor 316 with the reducer 317 (Figures 7c, 8c) positioned on an axis with respect to the cam 310, the drive shaft 316 coinciding with the first axis of rotation O of the cam 310. The motor 316 is also attached to the rear support plate 307 by a reducer support plate 318 and an assembly support plate 319 (Figures 5c, 9c).

Cam 310 comprises an eccentric first groove 320 (figure 6c), present on a first side 321 of its surface, which acts as a sliding rail for a first bearing 322 connected to said first joint 311 (figure 7c)

In particular, the first linkages 311 (Figure 6c) comprise a first lever 323 to which the first bearing 322 is centrally hinged; a second plate 325, which is attached to the rear support plate 307 of the apparatus 300, and a connecting rod 326, which is hinged to the folding lever 312 by a second pin 327, are connected to the ends of said first lever 323.

The cam 310 is also capable of moving a holding flap 329 for folding the upper flap 3100 of a bag 2 by means of second linkages 328 (FIG. 4C), said second linkages 328 being actuated by cam 310 substantially alternately with respect to said first hinges 311. Holding bundle 329 can keep the top flap 3100 folded over the folding sheet 304. In particular, holding bundle 329 is made of a substantially triangle-shaped sheet (Figures 1c, 2c), with the plane of the sheet parallel to the direction of movement X of the bags 2; the base of the triangle is curved approximately 90 ° and forms the head of the deck. Holding bundle 329 is capable of holding, by the bundle head, the free end 3103 of top flap 3100 in contact with the outer surface of fold sheet 304.

Furthermore, cam 310 comprises a second groove 330 eccentrically (different in shape with respect to said first groove 320) present on a second side 331 of its surface, which acts as a sliding rail for a second bearing 332 (figure 8c) connected to said second joints 328. In particular, the second joints 328 comprise a carriage 333, at one end of which the maintenance harness 329 is attached. Said second bearing 332 is hinged to said carriage 333 in a central position, said sliding being able to slide carriage 333 transversely with respect to the direction of movement X of the bags 2 between an opening position, in which the maintenance bundle 329 is spaced from the folding sheet 304 (figure 10c), and a maintenance position, in the that holding bundle 329 is placed in contact with the folded top flap 3100 against the fold sheet 304 (FIG. 12c). As shown in greater detail below, during the open position, the top flap 3100 of a bag 2 is folded by the folding lever 312, while in the closed position the top flap 3100 itself is held pressed against the foil folding 304 by maintenance deck 329.

Carriage 333 comprises an upper pair and a lower pair of slides 334, 335 (Figures 1c, 7c) attached to a surface of carriage 333, each comprising a cylindrical opening capable of accommodating an upper tubular guide 336 and a lower tubular guide 337, orthogonally respectively fixed between the rear support plate 307 and an additional support plate 338. Said additional support plate 338 is, in turn, fixed between said angle support bars 9 and by means of a wedge 339 to the rear support plate 307 (figure 1c). The upper and lower pair sliders 334, 335 are capable of sliding on the respective upper and lower tubular guides 336, 337 to allow the movement of the carriage 333 transversely with respect to the direction of movement X of the bags 2.

Advantageously, the maintenance bundle 329 is fixed to the carriage 33 by one or more wedges, which define the distance of the maintenance bundle (and therefore from the hammer head) from the folding sheet 304.

Finally, the apparatus 300 comprises a pressing assembly 340 (Figures 1c, 2c) arranged downstream of the space defined between the guide sheet 303 and the folding sheet 304, in the direction of movement X of the bags 2. Said set of pressing 340 is able to firmly fix the flap of the top flap 3100 of the bags 2.

In particular, the pressing assembly 340 comprising an insulating element 341 transversely mobile with respect to the direction of movement X of the bags 2 and capable of contacting the upper flap 3100 folded against a hot mallet 342 (heated by a cartridge resistance). The pressing assembly 340 is positioned at substantially the same height as the guide plate 303 and the folding plate 304 and is capable of receiving one bag 2 at a time with the top flap 3100 of the bag 2 folded in such a way that it is in a space between the insulation element 341 and the hot harness 342, said pressing assembly 340 being capable of fixing the folding of the top flap 3100. For this purpose, the longitudinal measurement of the insulation element 341 and the harness must be, or well greater than or equal to that of the top flap 3100.

The hot harness 342 is fixed and is fixed, by a front cylinder connection 343, to a support 344, which in turn is fixed to said support plate of the assembly 319 and, therefore, to the rear support plate 307 Conversely, the insulation element 341 is movable and is moved by a pneumatic cylinder 345, attached to the rear support plate 307 by an additional support angle bar 346 (Figure 2c).

During operation, the folding apparatus 300 operates in the following steps.

In a first stage (Figure 10c), a bag 2 from the bag feed sequence 2 is taken by the chain conveyor 700 to the folding apparatus 1 through the inlet slot 302 between the guide sheet 303 and the sheet folding 304, along the direction of movement X. Said bag 2 is thus advanced by the chain conveyor 700 until the upper flap 3100 of bag 2 is completely inside the space between the guide 303 and folding plate 304. In said first stage, the flap folding lever 304 is in the open position, that is to say, raised, and the maintenance harness 329 is also in the open position and, therefore, Therefore, distanced from the folding sheet 304.

In a second step (FIG. 11c), cam 310 moves flap folding lever 312 through the first linkages 311. Flap folding lever 312 partially rotates about the second axis of rotation O 'and goes from said opening position to said folding position. The U-shaped element 313 of the folding lever 312 pushes, transversely with respect to the direction of movement X of the bags 2, the free end 3103 of the upper flap 3100 that exceeds the height of the folding sheet 4 , such that said free end 3103 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the folding sheet 304 and the "U" -shaped element 313 of the folding lever 312 overlaps, whereby it interlocks with the sheet folding 304. In said second stage of operation, the cam 310, by means of the second joints 328, maintains the maintenance bundle 329 in the open position.

In a third step (FIG. 12c), cam 310 is moved, by second linkages 328, to holding harness 329, which is moved from the open position to the hold position. At this stage, the folding lever 312 is still in the folding position, such that the top flap 3100 folds over the folding sheet 304 and, specifically, the free end 3103 is in contact with the outer surface of the folding sheet 304. The mallet head is thus brought into contact with the free end 3103 of the top flap 3100 against the folding sheet 304, maintaining the folding of the top flap 3100.

In a fourth step (FIG. 13c), cam 310 is moved, by the first linkages 311, to folding lever 312, which is again moving from the folding position to the open position. In said fourth stage of operation, the cam 310, by means of the second joints 328, maintains the maintenance bundle 329 in the maintenance position.

In a fifth stage (FIG. 14c), cam 310 is moved, by second linkages 328, to holding harness 329, which is moved from the hold position to the open position. Meanwhile, the bag 2 with the folded top flap 3100 is taken, again by the chain conveyor 700, along the direction of movement X towards the pressing assembly 340 arranged downstream of the space defined between the guide sheet 303 and the folding sheet 304. The movable insulation element 341 is spaced from the hot harness 342, such that in said fifth stage the folded top flap 3100 is brought into the space between the insulation element 341 and the hot harness 342.

In a sixth stage (FIG. 15c), the insulation element 341 moves transversely (via the pneumatic cylinder 345) with respect to the direction of movement X of the bags 2 and contacts the top flap 3100 folded against the mallet 342, whereby the folding of the upper flap 3100 of the bag 2 is firmly fixed, which can be carried to the successive manufacturing steps.

In particular, the compartment 800 capable of folding the top flap 3100 is present inside the packaging machine after the third station 300; Compartment 800, as is known, has a vertical inlet and a horizontal outlet connected to each other by a slot, which progressively moves down and rotates 90 °. When it reaches the compartment entrance, the top flaps of each bag 2 filled with the short paste are reciprocally brought together and welded in order to form a vertical top flap 3100, the top of which is also folded. The purpose of the flap folding compartment is to receive at the entrance the top flap 3100 of the vertical input slot and by virtue of the gradual angular variation of the slot rotate the top flap 3100 90 ° and take it out in a substantially horizontal position, forming thus a flap 502. Figures 1d-9d describe the fourth station 500, that is, the pressing apparatus 500 for pressing the food bags 2; pressing apparatus 500 is configured to make the shape of the bags square by hot pressing (FIG. 6d).

The pressing apparatus 500 is capable of conferring a square shape on the previously filled bag 2, by compression, in order to improve the quality of the shape. The pressing apparatus 500 is capable of receiving the bags 2 with an upper flap 502 folded over the bag in a substantially horizontal position from said compartment 800; the bags 2 which are taken up by the pressing apparatus 500 by a chain conveyor 700 are capable of conveying an advance sequence of the bags 2 along a direction of movement X.

The pressing apparatus comprises at least first and second heating plates 505, 505 (Figure 5d), which are reciprocally adjacent along the direction of movement X of the bags 2 and are arranged above with respect to the chain conveyor 700 at a given height D, which is greater than the height of the bags 2 (figure 2d). Each of said first and second heating plates 504, 505 comprises a heating plate 506 made of a heat conducting material (Figure 1d).

The heating plate 506 comprises a first face 507 (Figure 4d) capable of contacting at the top with one of the bags 2 of the advance sequence, a second face 508 opposite to the first 507 with a recessed part 509 and the side faces 510 of which at least two reciprocally opposed centrally comprise a pair of pins 511, arranged along an axis of oscillation 500P of the heating plate 504, 505 perpendicular to the direction of movement X of the bags (figure 1d) and parallel to the Y axis.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1d, the heating plate 506 has a square (or rectangular) shape, with four side faces 510. A serpentine-shaped conductor 512, through which the electric current flows, is housed in said recessed portion 509 of said heating plate 506, said conductor 512 being in contact with said heating plate 506 and being capable of transferring the heat generated by the Joule effect produced by the electric current passing through conductor 512 to the heating plate 506 Each heating plate 504, 505 comprises an upper closure cover 533 fixed on top of said heating plate 506.

The first and second heating plates 504, 505 are connected to each other in an adjacent position by first and second bars 513, 514, which are reciprocally parallel and symmetrical, each of said first and second bars 513, 514 being (figure 3d ) oriented parallel to the direction of movement X of the bags 2 and comprising at least a first transverse hole 515 and a second transverse hole 516 at the end of the bar 513, 514 (Figure 2d). Each of said first and second heating plates 504, 505 are hinged between the first and second bars 513, 514 by said pair of pins 511 with which they are provided, which are inserted between a symmetrical pair of said first transverse holes 515, in the case of the first heating plate 504, and a symmetrical pair of said second transverse holes 516, in the case of the second heating plate 505.

The pins 511 are free to rotate the transverse holes 515, 516 inside so that each heating plate 504, 505 can at least partially oscillate on the oscillation axis 500P. This is in part because the first and second heating plates 504, 505 comprise a pair of stop pins 517 (FIG. 1d), again on the side surfaces of the heating plates, these pins 517 being able to be inserted within a pair respective of other transverse holes 518 equally distant from said first transverse holes 515 and said second transverse holes 516, such that the oscillation of the respective heating plates 504, 505 is partial and limited to the movement of the pins 517 within of the additional holes 518 (figure 2d). The space of the additional holes 518 is in fact greater than that occupied by the pins 517 inserted inside.

The spacing of the additional holes 518 can be modified by screws 531 capable of being inserted into each additional hole 518 after having crossed a tablet 532; By means of said screws 531, even the oscillatory movement of the respective heating plate 504, 505 can be blocked.

Furthermore, the pressing apparatus 500 comprises vertical movement means 519 of said first and second heating plates 505 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement X. For each of the bags 2 of the advance sequence, said movement means 519 are configured to press said first heating plate 504 onto bag 2 in a first time interval and also to press said second heating plate 505 onto container 2 in a second time interval, after the first interval of weather.

In particular, the movement means 519 can move said first and second heating plates 504, 505 vertically between a rest position, in which they are at said height D with respect to the chain conveyor 700 (figure 6d), and a position working, in which bag 2 is pressed against chain conveyor 700 by either of the first or second heating plates (Fig. 7d shows the simplified case related to the manufacture of a single bag 2) and in which the top flap 502 is pressed against body 9003 of bag 2. Each bag 2 of the succession is pressed twice, a first time by the first plate of heating 504 and a second time by the second heating plate 505.

The movement means 519 comprise a pneumatic actuator 520 with a cylinder 521 and at least one piston 522 (figure 3d). Said cylinder 521 is fixed by an upper plate 523, and a pair of lateral support plates 524 which are in turn anchored to a support 525 capable of fixing the entire pressing apparatus 500 to a frame wall of the packaging machine ( not shown in the figures). Said at least one piston 522 is fixed to a lower block 526 to which a passage guide 527 of bag 2, at substantially the same height D as said first and second heating plates 505. Guide 527 (Figure 5d) is a sheet shaped to have a substantially "U" shaped section with two vertical parts attached to two sides of said lower block 526 and a base 528 having a certain inclination capable of being vertically compressed, if the flap can be raised again, the upper flap 502 of each bag 2 on the bag 2 itself in the passage from said first heating plate 504 to said second heating plate 505.

Said first and second bars 513, 514 are both connected in a central part thereof to said lower block 526.

Finally, said pressing apparatus 500 comprises a casing 529 shaped to cover said pressing apparatus 500 at the top, said casing 529 being attached by spacers 530 to said pair of supporting side plates 524 (Figure 3d).

In operation, the pressing apparatus 500 operates in accordance with the following operating steps.

By the chain conveyor 700, an advance sequence of said bags is taken in said pressing apparatus 500. As mentioned, each of the bags 2 reaching the heating plates has its upper flap 502 folded over the bag 2 in a substantially horizontal position. However, for the sake of simplicity of description, hereinafter a single bag 2 isolated from the feed sequence will be considered.

Both heating plates 504, 505 are in a rest position at said height D which, as mentioned, is higher than the height of bag 2, until bag 2, carried by chain conveyor 700, is underneath the first heating plate 504 (Figure 6d).

When the bag 2 is under the first heating plate 504, the moving means 519 moves the heating plates down until the first face 507 of the heating plate 506 of the first plate 504 is in contact with the top flap 502 and the upper part of bag 2 (working position) (figure 7d). The pins 511 with which the first heating plate 504 is provided guarantee that during the hot pressing stage the heating plate 504 itself can oscillate slightly, adapting to the initial conformation of the bag 2, which is not perfectly square. The oscillation is limited by virtue of the pins 517 inside the additional holes 518. Such a first pressing stage lasts for said first time interval, during which the heating plate 506 is kept in contact covering the upper flap 502 and the bag 2.

After said first time interval, the moving means 519 moves both heating plates 504, 505 upwards from the rest position back to the working position, at said height D (figure 8d). At this point, the first bag 2, transported again by the chain conveyor 700, is taken by passing under the guide 527 which, by virtue of its inclined shape, descends in height in the direction of movement X, maintains the upper flap 502 of the bag 2 folded in the passage from said first to said second plate, avoiding that the upper flap 502 (which has not yet been fixed to the upper part of the part of the bag 2) can be lifted and interlocked in the parts of the apparatus folding 500.

When the bag 2 is under the second heating plate 505, the moving means 519 moves both heating plates 504, 505 down again until the first face 507 of the heating plate 506 of the second plate 505 is in contact with the top flap 502 and the top of the bag (working position) (figure 9d). Such a successive pressing step lasts for a second time interval, during which the heating plate 506 is kept in contact on the top flap 502 and the bag 2.

Once the successive pressing step is finished and, therefore, after said second time interval, the moving means 519 moves both heaters 504, 505 again from the working position to the rest position (Figure 6d). At this point, bag 2 has a well-squared shape by virtue of the two successive pressing stages that transmit a substantially parallelepiped shape to bag 2.

In practice, if the bags 2 of the feed sequence are manufactured, the heating plates 504, 505 operate at the same time, thus making it possible for the first time to press a given bag 2, by the first heating plate 504, when at the same time the second heating plate 505 presses the previous bag 2 a second time. Manufacturing times are optimized in this way.

By virtue of the pressing apparatus 500 it is possible to manufacture a bag 2 with a square shape. The double pressure process of bag 2 makes it possible to use low working temperatures of the heating plates, in order not to damage the bags 2. However, despite the low temperature of the heating plates, it is possible to accelerate the movement of the pressing apparatus 500 and the chain conveyor 700, optimizing the quality of performance.

Figures 1e-11e show a conveyor or chain conveyor 700, of a forward sequence of bags 2 to be packaged containing food, for example, a food paste.

The bag 2 to be packaged can be a variable size bag 2 made of plastic material or a cardboard box with the bag 2 made of plastic material inside.

Transport apparatus 700 (Figure 2e) comprises at least one closed-loop chain 703 that meshes a chain between a drive ring gear 704 and an idle ring gear 705, thereby defining a closed path comprising two rectilinear positions 706 and two curved parts 707, which are reciprocally opposite; the drive ring gear is controlled by the controlled unit 1000. At least one of the two rectilinear positions 706, 707, defines in particular a direction of movement X of the bags 2. The axes of rotation of both ring gears 704, 705 are reciprocally parallel and furthermore vertical and perpendicular to the direction of movement X of the bags 2. The drive ring gear 704 is driven by a brushless motor 708.

For example, said at least one closed-loop chain 703 comprises a succession of pins connected to each other by tablets with a given possibility of relative movement, forming a plurality of gears that provide a stage and internal width of the link (Galle chain) , and said drive ring gear 704 and said idler ring gear 705 having a shape and size such as to mesh with said at least one closed-loop chain 703. Transport apparatus 700 may provide means for adjusting the distance between the drive ring gear 704 and idler ring gear 705, in order to properly tension the chain.

Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment, the transport apparatus 1 comprises a double closed-loop chain 703 and, consequently, respective drive ring gears 704 and double idler ring gear 705.

The transport apparatus 700 comprises a plurality of retaining elements 709 of the bags 2 associated with an outer side of said at least one closed loop chain 703 such that a bag 2 of said plurality of bags 2 is retained by a single retaining element 709 of said plurality of retaining elements 709. Preferably, each retaining element 709 can be attached to the chain 703 in a removable manner such that the retaining members 709 are reciprocally independent, and can be attached to and removed from said chain 703.

Each retaining element 709 (Figure 6e) houses bag 2 within 710 and comprises a fastening element 713 capable of accommodating it in closed loop chain 703. Preferably, the retaining element is "C" shaped and comprises a rear wall 711 from which two side walls 712 exit provided with recesses 753; the bag 2 is arranged between the side walls 712 and the fixing element forms part of the rear wall 711. The side walls 712 and the rear wall 711 are vertically oriented.

The fixing element 713 is provided with a plurality of first holes 714 at the rear arranged symmetrically around a locking pin 715 (for example, there are four first holes 714). Locking pin 715 (Figure 7e) comprises a cylindrical element 716 provided with a substantially pointed end 717, said cylindrical element 716 also comprising an intermediate profile 718 with a smaller section relative to cylindrical element 716.

In particular, the fixing element 713 is fixed to the chain 703 by a slide 719 (figure 8e) provided with a connecting plate 720 that is connected to the slide 719 itself by a plurality of wedges capable of being inserted into the corresponding second holes with those provided in slide 719. Link plate 720 also comprises, on one side engaging containment block 709, a plurality of pins 721 (eg, four pins 721) capable of insertion into said plurality of first holes 714, with which the first support element 713 is provided to center the retaining element 709 on the tie plate 720, and a central hole 722 capable of inserting the locking pin 715.

The slide 719 is substantially shaped as a parallelepiped and comprises at least one rear slot 749 capable of accommodating a section of said at least one chain 703 and being fixed to the latter by an angle plate. In said preferred embodiment, in which there is a double chain 703, the casing is shaped to offer accommodation to both chains and the latter are fixed by respective angle plates. In addition, the slide 719 comprises an additional central hole 750 (Figures 9e, 10e) capable of also accommodating said locking pin 715, as well as the slot for its sliding accommodation, in the transverse direction with respect to the direction for inserting the locking pin 715, a locking lever 723 interposed between the slide 719 and the connecting plate 720 (Figure 8e).

Locking lever 723 comprises at least a third hole 724 (Figures 9e, 10e) with a larger first part 725 capable of inserting locking pin 715, and a smaller second part 726, capable of accommodating intermediate portion 718 only of locking pin 715. Locking lever 723 connects to a side wall of tie plate 720 by a pair of springs 727 and is shaped to move transversely to the direction of insertion of the locking pin 715 between a rest position (Figure 9e), in which the second part 726 of the third hole 724 is aligned with the locking pin 715 (and also with the additional central hole 750 of the slide 719 ) and springs 727 are distended, and a pull position (FIG. 10e), in which the first portion 725 of the third hole 724 is aligned with the locking pin 715 and the springs 727 are compressed.

To fit the retaining element 709 to the slide 719 (and therefore to the chain 703), it is sufficient to press the retaining block 709 against the connecting plate 720 of the slide 719 in such a way that, by virtue of the insertion of the pointed end 717, the locking lever 723 is pushed transversely until the intermediate part 718 of the locking pin 715 enters the third hole 724 and the locking lever 723 is pushed by the springs 727 back to the rest position; the intermediate part 718 is the only one that has a section such that it can be inserted into the second part 726 of the third hole 724. To remove the retaining element 709, the locking lever 723 must be held, pushing it against the push of the springs 727 with in order to return the third hole 724 with the first part 725 coinciding with the central hole 722 of the connecting plate 720, so that the retaining element 709 can be removed; once the retaining element 709 has been removed, the springs 727 will return the locking lever 723 to the rest position.

By virtue of the specific shape of the retainer 709, the transportation and manufacture of cartons that are substantially parallelepiped-shaped and that fit the retainer 709, which rest on the rear surface 711 and are retained, are also permitted. by the two lateral surfaces 712. In order to handle the cardboard boxes (but also other types of bags 2) of different sizes, said retaining elements 709 can have different sizes.

The transport apparatus 700 then comprises an upper rail 728 and a lower rail 729 capable of engaging the complementary grooves 752 with which the slide 719 is provided; similar to chain path 703, said top and bottom rails 728, 729 replicate chain path 703, which comprises a pair of rectilinear parts joined together by a pair of curved parts. The upper and lower rails 728, 729 have the purpose of stabilizing the retention elements 709 during their movement, avoiding the oscillation phenomenon.

Preferably, the transport apparatus 700 comprises a sliding base 730, which also follows the path of the chain 703 and, therefore, also has a shape that provides two rectilinear parts connected to each other by two curved parts; said sliding base 730 can support the bags 2 and facilitate sliding on the bottom of each of the bags 2.

As an alternative to using the sliding base 730, each retention element 709 is provided with a bottom wall to support the bag 2.

Furthermore, the transport apparatus 700 comprises an adjustable guide 731 (Figures 1e, 3e, 4e) arranged in order to externally surround at least a section of said chain 703, said guide 731 being able to keep each container 2 inside of the retaining element 709 in which it is contained. In particular, the adjustable guide 731 comprises at least one rectilinear bar 732 and at least one elastically deformable curved section 733 that extends as an extension of the rectilinear bar 732 and hinges it. The rectilinear bar 732 is placed in one of the two rectilinear positions 706 near the containment blocks 709, while said curved section 733 is placed near one of the curved parts 707. Furthermore, the rectilinear bar 732 has a shape and a size to be inserted inside said recesses 753 on the lateral surfaces 710 of the retaining elements 709, although they do not come into contact with them, thus defining a closed perimeter in which one of the bags 2 is obtained (figure 5e ).

The guide 731 also comprises adjusting means 734 (Figure 11e) capable of moving said at least one rectilinear bar 732 in order to move it closer or to distance it laterally with respect to the chain 703. In this way, the correct distance can be determined for each bag type 2.

In particular, the adjusting means 734 (Figure 11e) comprise a steering wheel 735 capable of moving a Cardan shaft 736 connected to a pair of additional orthogonal shafts 737 by means of a first angular transmission 738, each of said additional orthogonal shafts 737 being connected to a threaded shaft 739 by second angle drives 740. The first angle drive 738 and the second angle drives 740 are part of a central support sheet 741 and two side support sheets 742, respectively, said support sheets 741 being , 742 fixed to the straight bar 732 of the guide 731; furthermore, respective pairs of guide shafts 743 protrude orthogonally towards one of the rectilinear parts 706, 707 of the chain 703 by means of the lateral support sheets 742.

Furthermore, the adjusting means 734 comprise a pair of fixing brackets 744 for a frame of the packaging machine each comprising a slide 745 through which one of said guide shafts 743 passes, and a pair of nuts 746, each one forming part of one of the fixing supports 744, capable of coupling with one of the threaded shafts 739.

Adjusting means 734 are configured to cause guide shafts 743 to slide through slides 745, thereby approaching or distancing themselves from straight bar 732 with respect to straight line 706, 707 of chain 703 by rotating the steering wheel 735 and the consequent transmission of the two threaded shafts 739 that move the nuts 746 respectively backwards or forwards. The adjustment of the curved section 733 is produced by modifying the angle with respect to the rectilinear bar 732 and deforming the curve by means of additional adjustment means 751.

Finally, the transport apparatus 1 comprises an upper plate 747 and a lower plate 748 capable of closing the chain 703 inside and offering support to said upper and lower rails 728, 729.

By virtue of the transport apparatus, each bag 2 can be stably placed inside a closed-loop chain retention element 709, allowing the packaging machine to manufacture bags 2 of different types at the same time.

Along the chain conveyor, in the path that carries the bag 2 towards the outlet 900, a photocell is placed that must detect if the upper flap 3100, 502 has closed properly or for whatever reason such flap is open. In such a case, the open section of the sliding plane of the bag is closed again (by a pneumatically moved knife) and the defective container does not advance towards the outlet assembly 900, it advances along the chain conveyor 700 and is then rejected in a collection container.

Figures 1f-7f show a taping station 600, that is, an apparatus for cutting and applying a part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 on a bag 2 containing food.

Adhesive tape 602 is a plastic or paper tape on one side of which an adhesive substance is applied, while the opposite side is not adhesive.

The apparatus 600 is capable of receiving the bags 2 with an upper flap 502 folded over the bag 2 in a substantially horizontal position coming from the compartment 800 or from the pressing station 500; bags 2 are taken up by transport means 500 capable of transporting a sequence of feed of bags 2 along a direction of movement X to apparatus 600.

The apparatus 600 for applying the portion 601 of the adhesive tape 602 comprises at least one reel 603 of said adhesive tape 602 disposed on an idler wheel 604 positioned in a tape carrier clamp 605, said tape carrier clamp 605 being hinged at a rear support plate 606, in order to be able to change its orientation. As shown in Figure 1f, reel 603 of adhesive tape 602 is placed on top of apparatus 600.

Furthermore, apparatus 600 comprises at least one motorized roller 607 for unwinding adhesive tape 602 from said reel 603. Said at least one motorized roller 607 comprises at least one rough surface capable of feeding adhesive tape 602 to allow it to be unwound from said reel Adhesive tape 602 603. In particular, apparatus 600 comprises a motor 608 capable of moving at least one pulley 610 that is part of said motorized roller 607 by a tape 609. Motor 608 is supported by a motor carrier plate 611 , which is attached to the rear support plate 606 by a movable clamp 612. The motorized roller 607 is placed in a lower part of the apparatus 600.

Arranged below said idler wheel 604 on which adhesive tape reel 603 602 is disposed, there is a first idler roller 613 on which adhesive tape 602 is wound; said first idler roll 613 is also placed in said tape carrier clamp 605.

Apparatus 600 comprises at least one pair of pivoting idler rollers 614, 615 attached to the end of plate 651 elastically hinged on rear support plate 606 and capable of holding adhesive tape 602 taut between idler wheel 604 and said motorized roller 607 , said pair of pivoting idler rollers 614, 615 being arranged at a lower height than the first idler roller 613. Specifically, plate 651 is attached to a pin 616 inserted into a specific hole made in rear support plate 606, a spring 617 that is inserted in said pin 616 and that has a first end coupled to a first socket head screw that is part of pin 616 and a second end coupled to rear support plate 606.

A roller 614 of said pair of pivoting idler rollers 614, 615 is capable of receiving adhesive tape 602 from said first idler roll 613, said adhesive tape 602 being wound as an "S" between the rollers of the pair of pivoting idler rollers 614, 615, such that the elastic force of spring 617 opposes the unwinding of adhesive tape 602 caused by the traction of the motorized roller 607. The adhesive tape 602 is wound under the second idler roller 614 which receives the adhesive tape 602 from said first idler roller 613, while it is wound on top of the other roller 615 of the pair that provides it to the motorized roller 607.

A second idler roll 620, disposed at a lower height relative to the pair of pivoting idler rollers 614, 615, is capable of receiving adhesive tape 602 from said roller 615 of the pair, with adhesive tape 602 being wound below said second roller idler 620 and sending it through at least one idler roller 621, 622 towards said motorized roller 607. In particular, a third idler roller 621 is configured to receive the adhesive tape 602, roll it on top and send it to a fourth idler roller 622 (positioned at substantially the same height as motorized roller 607) which, after having wound it underneath, sends it to said motorized roller 607. Said third and fourth idler rollers 621, 622 are vertically aligned with each other.

The motorized roller 607 is capable of taking, by means of a fifth idler roller 623, the adhesive tape 602 interposed by a roller with a central groove 624 and with a central embossed roller 625 in a complementary way with respect to that of the central groove and cooperating with each other so that the central relief is inserted at least partially into the central groove.

Adhesive tape 602 is wound on top of motorized roller 607, near the fifth motorized roller 623 and between the roller with the central groove 624 and the central embossed roller 625. The central embossed roller 625 is pressed onto said roller with central groove 624 and both are configured to deform adhesive tape 602 in order to longitudinally harden the structure. The central embossed roller 625 is supported by a pair of reciprocally orthogonal levers 626, 627, of which one (lever 626) is coupled with a plate hinged to said rear support plate 606, in order to be able to lift 625 center embossed roller to replace 602 tape.

Motor 608, by means of said belt 609, also drives an additional pulley 628 that is part of at least said roller with a central groove 624, which is therefore also motorized and synchronized with said motorized roller 607 (Figures 2f, 4f).

The apparatus 600 comprises movement means 629 of an applicator 630 provided with a cutting knife 631, said applicator 630 being configured to slide with the cutting knife 631 on a counter knife 640 to cut said part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 and the simultaneous pressing of said part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 cut on the bag 2. The part 601 is placed in order to be applied in part on said upper horizontal flap 502, folded over the bag 2, and in part on at least one surface of bag 2 (eg, top and side surface) to ensure that top flap 502 remains folded.

In particular, movement means 629 is configured to move applicator 630 between a rest position and a cut-and-apply position, as will be described in greater detail below. The movement means 629 comprise a pneumatic cylinder 632 connected to said applicator 630. The pneumatic cylinder 632 is fixed to said rear support plate 606 by means of an angle plate 633 connected between one side 634 and the rear support plate 606 itself.

The applicator 630 is a solid "L" shaped element, connected to said pneumatic cylinder 632 by a gasket 618, said "L" shaped element comprising a vertical face and a horizontal face 635. The cutting blade 631 is fixed to the vertical face of the "L" shaped element with the sharp edge underneath, while the horizontal face 635, ie the lower face, acts as a contact surface with the non-adhesive side of part 601 of the adhesive tape 602.

Advantageously, applicator 630 comprises an air suction port 636 capable of allowing portion 601 of adhesive tape 602 to adhere to applicator 630 once it has been precisely cut and positioned on top flap 502 and bag 2. In particular, said suction hole 636 is manufactured on said horizontal face 635 of the "L" shaped element.

The counter knife 640 comprises a plate provided with an opening 637 through which the adhesive tape 602 is inserted, said counter knife 640 being fixed to a support 638 which is in turn hinged to the rear support plate 606 in order to be able adjusting position based on bag type 2. Opening 637 has a sharp base 652, such as cutting blade 631, the shape of which may be, for example, straight or slightly curved or "V" shaped. The deformed adhesive tape 602, which comes from said center grooved roller 624 and from central embossed roller 625, after being interposed reciprocally, is inserted into said opening 637 of counter blade 640; the free end of the adhesive tape 602 that crosses the opening 637 of the counter blade 640 is the part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 that will be applied on the bag 2.

An appropriately shaped and height adjustable protection sheet 639 is capable of holding the tape in the horizontal position along its entire path of advance.

The counter blade 640 is provided with a felt layer 641, on said opening 637, capable of lubricating the cutting blade 631 by means of a lubricant received from a lubricator 619 through a lubrication duct arranged behind the counter blade 640. The cutting blade Cutter 631 and counter blade 640 are lubricated by sliding cutter blade 631 on the felt layer 641 moistened by the lubricant.

Apparatus 600 also comprises additional movement means 642 of a brush element 643 capable of pressing one end of said portion 601 of adhesive tape 602 onto at least one surface of bag 2. In particular, brush element 643 is it slides on said upper part intended to come into contact with a surface of bag 2 to attach it to said at least one surface of bag 2. Said additional movement means 642 are configured to move brush element 643 between a position of resting, in which it is not in contact with the part 601 of the adhesive tape 602, and a working position, in which there is contact with the end of the part 601, sliding by pressing on the bag 2.

The additional movement means 642 comprise an additional pneumatic cylinder 644 to which the said brush element 643 is connected, which in turn comprises a brush 645 that moves away from a connecting plate 646. Said additional pneumatic cylinder 644 is fixed to the plate rear support 606 by means of adjustment means 647 capable of varying the position of the brush 645. The adjustment means 647 comprise a block 648 fixed to the rear support plate 606 provided with a pair of elongated holes (height adjustment), at through which an orientation plate 649 is fixed by means of a screw; the pneumatic cylinder 632 is fixed to said orientation plate 649 by supporting the angle bar 650 partially hinged (angular position) to said orientation plate 649. Finally, the apparatus 600 comprises at the bottom a guide 653 represented by a plate arranged to along the direction of movement X of the bags 2, capable of bringing the bag 2 close to an opening in which the guide 653 itself is provided to the applicator 30.

In operation, apparatus 600 for applying a portion 601 of adhesive tape 602 operates in accordance with the following steps.

The motorized roller 607 feeds the adhesive tape 602, unwinding it from said reel 603. The adhesive tape 602 is always properly stretched by virtue of the action of the pair of pivoting idler rollers 614, 615 through which the adhesive tape 602 is wrapped.

In a first stage (Figures 8f, 9f), the adhesive tape 602 that comes out of said central groove roller 624 and the central embossed roller 625, after having been reciprocally interposed, is arranged inside the opening 637 of the counter blade 640. As mentioned, the free end of the adhesive tape 602 that crosses the opening 637 of the counter knife 640 is the part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 that will be applied in the bag 2. The applicator 630 is in the rest position. that is, disposed on and without contact with the free end of the adhesive tape 602 that crosses the opening 637 of the counter knife 640. The brush element 643 is also in the rest position, and therefore the brush 645 is not in contact with adhesive tape 602.

In a second step (FIG. 10f), applicator 630 is moved downward by movement means 629 and is moved to the cut position. The cutting blade 631, sliding on the counter blade 640, cuts the free end of the adhesive tape 602 that crosses the opening 637 of the counter blade 640; specifically, the lower sharp flap of the cutting blade 631 and the sharp base 652 of the opening 637 of the counter blade 640 function as scissors and cut the part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 to be applied on the bag 2. Said part 601 is sucks against the horizontal face 635 of the applicator 630 through the air suction port 636, thereby remaining firmly in contact with the applicator 630 with the non-adhesive side of part 601. The brush element 643 remains in the position of rest (figure 11f).

In a third step (FIG. 12f), the applicator 630 is further moved downward by the movement means 629 and brought into the application position. The horizontal face 635 of the "L" shaped element is placed in contact with the bag 2 and the part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 is placed in order to be applied on said upper flap 502 folded over the bag 2 in a substantially part horizontal and partly intended to come into contact with a surface of the bag 2. The brush element 643 is moved down by the additional movement means 642 and is brought into the working position near the part 601 (figure 13f) .

In a fourth stage (Figure 14f), the brush element 643 is in the working position and the blade 645 runs over said part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 destined to contact a surface of the bag 2 to attach it to the top and side surface of bag 2. Applicator 630 is moved upward by movement means 629 and is moved to the cut position.

In a fifth step (FIG. 15f), the applicator 630 is in the home position, like the brush element 643. The part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 is applied to the bag 2 and the apparatus 600 is ready to manufacture a bag successive 2 of the advance sequence.

By virtue of the apparatus 600, according to the present invention, the cutting and simulation application of a part 601 of the adhesive tape 602 on a bag 2 is allowed, which makes it possible to speed up the manufacture.

A labeling station may be able to apply preprinted labels to the top of bag 2 being present in place of the wrapping station 600; the labeling station follows the same operating principle as the wrapping station.

As shown in Figure 17, the wiring, that is, the electrical means capable of electrically supplying and controlling the machine, is grouped into box-shaped elements 31 placed on top of the machine. Advantageously, the maintenance of said electrical means is facilitated because they are on the modules 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800.

Said box-shaped elements 31 are on a load-bearing frame 35 to house the transport apparatus 700 and the modules 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800.

Fig. 18 shows the machine with a bag transport module 32 2 when it comes to pillow bags. Said transport module 32 comprises a transporter 34 that is used to avoid modules 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800 that are not capable of handling a pillow bag.

Pillow bags do not have a base capable of holding the bag upright. They are delimited by a linear flap obtained by welding on both the top and the bottom.

Accordingly, the transport module 32 makes it possible to avoid the transport apparatus 700 and therefore the modules 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800.

Claims (9)

1. Machine for packaging a plurality of bags (2) for food, said machine comprising means (901, 902) for producing plastic bags (2) containing food and an apparatus for transporting (700) the bags (2) that must be packed or have been packed, said transport apparatus (700) comprising a closed loop chain (703) meshed between a drive ring gear (704) and an idle ring gear (705), both with their own vertical axis of rotation, and a plurality of elements of retention (709) of the bags to be packaged or that have been packed, each retention element (709) being of the plurality of retention elements (709) associated with said chain (703), a single bag (2) being retained , which must be packaged or has been packaged from said plurality of bags (2) to be packaged or which have been packaged, by a retention element (709) of said plurality of retention elements (709), said bags (2) being to pack plastic bags and said production means being capable of manufacturing bags (2) from a plastic film in such a way that the head (1) of said bags (2) is partially closed, said machine comprising a plurality of modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800) capable of acting on the bags (2) to package them, said plurality of modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800) comprising a first module (200) configured to form the head (1) of the food bag (2), a second module (400) capable of welding said head (1) of the bag (2) in order to form a single flap (3100), said transport apparatus being configured to carry said bags (2) to all the modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600 , 800), characterized by that the second module (400) is capable of cutting the upper part (401) of the head (1), said plurality of modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800) comprises a third module (300) configured to fold and press the flaps (3100) of the bags (2) that come out of the second module (400), Said machine also comprises box-shaped elements (31) capable of containing the machine's wiring means, said box-shaped elements (31) being located on a load-bearing frame (35) that houses the transport (700) and said modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800). 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said first module comprises a press (220) to deflate the head (1) of the bag (2) and a pair of harpoons (211) to form the head (1) of the bag (2), a first electric motor (222) to move the press and a second electric motor (212) to move said pair of harpoons (211) to form the head (1) of the bag (2). Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said second module (400) comprises - a pair of first (412) and second (411) welding elements, - means (413-416) capable of arranging said first (412) and second (411) welding elements in a rest position (A1), in which said first (412) and second (411) welding elements are in an open position, and in a working position (A2), in which said first (412) and second (411) welding elements are in a closed position in the flaps (3) of the head (1) of the bag (2) for welding said flaps (3), - cutting means (420) capable of cutting the upper part (401) of the head (1) of the bag (2) in the working position (A2) of said first (412) and second (411) welding elements , said upper part (401) being located on the previously welded part (423) of the head (1) of the bag (2), - suction means (430) capable of sucking said previously cut upper part (401) of the head (1) of the bag (2), - clamping means (440) capable of clamping said previously cut upper part (401) of the head (1) of the bag (2) in the working position of said first (412) and second (411) welding elements and arranging it on said first welding element (412) in the rest position of said first (412) and second (411) welding elements for the suction operation of said suction means (430). Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said third module (300) is configured to fold a part (3103) of the previously welded top flap (3100) of the bag (2) in the top flap part. (3100) which is not subject to folding, thus forming an angle of less than 45 ° between the two parts, said third module (300) comprising a folding plate (304) and a "U" -shaped element (313 ), and movement means (350) capable of combining said "U" -shaped element (313) with the folding sheet (304) to fold the previously welded top flap (3100) of the bag (2). Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an additional module (500) capable of acting on the bags (2) after the operation of a compartment (800) capable of rotating the flaps (3100) of the bags (2) leaving the third module (300) in order to put them in the horizontal position, said additional module (500) being able to press said flaps (502) of the bags (2) on the body (9003) of the bag (2), said additional module (500) comprising: - at least first and second heating plates (504, 505), which are reciprocally adjacent to each other along a direction of movement (L) of the bags (2) and are arranged above with respect to said chain (503) at a given height (D) that is greater than the height of the bag (2), and - vertical movement means (519) of said first and second heating plates (504, 505) in a direction perpendicular to said direction of movement (L), configured to press said first heating plate (504) onto the bag (2 ) in a first time interval and also to press said second heating plate (505) on the bag (2) in a second time interval, consecutive to the first time interval. Machine according to claims 1 or 5, characterized in that it comprises another module (600) for cutting and applying a part (601) of adhesive tape (602) on the bag (2) containing food to fix the upper flap. (3100, 502) of the bag (2), said bag (2) leaving the third module (300) or a compartment (800) capable of rotating the flaps (3100) of the bags (2) that come out of the third module (300) in order to place them in the horizontal position of said additional module (500), said other module (600) comprising at least one reel (603) of said adhesive tape (602) arranged in an idler wheel (604) and at least one motorized roller (607) for unwinding the adhesive tape (602) from said reel (603), means of movement (629) of an applicator (630) provided with a cutting blade (631), said applicator ( 630) configured to cut said part (601) of the adhesive tape (602) by means of said cutting blade (631) and apply simultaneously Place said cutting part (601) on said upper flap (502) of the bag (2). Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each retention element (709) of said plurality of retention elements (709) of the bags (2) of the transport apparatus (700) is removably attached to said chain (703). Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that each retention element (709) of said plurality of retention elements (709) of the bags (2) of the transport apparatus (700) has a "C" shape, each retaining element (709) comprising a rear wall (711) from which two side walls (12) exit, said rear wall being removably attached to the chain (3) and the bag (2) being arranged between said walls lateral (12). 9. Machine according to claims 1 or 5, characterized in that it comprises a bag transport module (32) when the bags (2) are pillow bags, said module (32) comprising a conveyor (34) capable of avoiding the transport apparatus (700) and, consequently, the modules (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800).