ITBO950140A1 - MACHINE FOR THE AUTOMATIC PACKAGING OF ARTICLES IN CONTAINERS OBTAINED FROM TUBULAR DIE CUTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine comprises a device 1 for picking up and opening tubular blanks 2 equipped with first gripping means 6 movable on a longitudinal vertical plane and suitable for transferring individual tubular blanks 2 from a picking station 4 to a line transport 8, at an opening station 9, and second gripping means 26 adapted to cooperate with said first gripping means 6, for the formation of a container 20. A device 30 for the formation of ordered groups 110 of articles 11 is equipped with further gripping means 34, movable on a vertical plane transversal to the transport line 8 and adapted to operate the transfer of rows of articles 11 from a supply line 10 to a station 12 for forming an ordered group 110 of said articles 11. Pusher means 48 act at the station 12 for introducing the group 110 into a relative container 20. Downstream of the opening station 9, the A said closing device 55 of the container 20 is arranged on said conveyor line 8.

Description

"MACHINE FOR THE AUTOMATIC PACKAGING OF ARTICLES IN CONTAINERS OBTAINED FROM TUBULAR BLANK".

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is part of the technical sector concerning the packaging of articles in cardboard containers, obtained starting from tubular blanks.

These blanks have suitable creasing lines which define the side walls and the wings of the bottom and of the lid of the corresponding containers. Ultimately, each blank is constituted by a sheet closed in tubular form and folded in two overlapping portions, in correspondence with relative creasing lines; each of these portions is affected, along an intermediate line, by a further creasing parallel to the previous ones.

So-called cartoning machines are known which operate automatically: the opening or defoliation of the aforementioned tubular blanks in order to define corresponding containers; the formation of ordered groups of articles intended to be introduced into the aforementioned containers; the introduction of such groups of articles into the aforesaid containers and finally the closure of the same containers.

In a known solution, the blanks are picked up individually from a stack arranged in a warehouse and transferred to an opening or forming station, provided with fixed suction cups which block one wall of the blank; the opposite wall is gripped by mobile suction cups, carried by a rotating flag frame which causes the blank to open. Simultaneously with the opening, suitable folders fold the opposite wings of the bottom of the container at right angles.

This solution involves constructional complications, since in particular the aforementioned rotating flag frame is constituted by a combination of mutually articulated arms and levers to be able to achieve an optimal opening of the blanks and to adapt to the different dimensions of the blanks themselves.

Another known solution, described in US patent no.

4,414,789, provides first suction gripping means for picking up and opening the blanks, suitable for hooking the base blank of a stack; in cooperation firstly with second gripping means, subsequently with an abutment arm and finally with third gripping means, the aforementioned first gripping means then open the blank. For this purpose, the blank is transported from a pick-up station to a forming station, in which the blank itself is stabilized by the simultaneous gripping of said first and third means on two side walls which are kept orthogonal.

A further solution, described in the Italian patent no. 1.221.531, provides for the removal of the blank from the bottom of a stack by means of first gripping means with suction cups carried by a rotating flag frame; with said first gripping means second gripping means, carried by a second rotating flag frame, cooperate and open the blank. Said first and second gripping means grip two side walls of the container which are kept orthogonal.

For the formation of the ordered groups of articles to be introduced into the containers thus obtained, a known solution provides for the formation of this group of articles by successive stratifications from top to bottom on a horizontal plate movable vertically downstream of an article feed line.

A device operating in this way is described in US patent no. 4,551,052 which comprises a station equipped with two rollers affected by a longitudinal flattening in correspondence with which a relative edge is blocked; in the rest position, the two sides define a channel for receiving the objects, within which means for detecting the formation of a layer of juxtaposed articles are provided. When a layer is formed, the aforementioned rollers make a complete revolution in counter-rotating directions and transfer the layer onto the underlying plate or onto the upper layer of the stack being formed on the same plate. Another known solution for forming the aforementioned ordered groups of articles, described in US patent no. 5.116.195, provides for the translation from top to bottom of the articles coming in succession from a horizontal feeding line, on a support plane of a stack of articles formed by this vertical translation. This stack is then moved horizontally by suitable transfer means equipped with a frame that can perform a series of short-length strokes, so as to bring together a certain number of stacks, and subsequently a longer stroke, for the transfer. of the group of batteries thus formed. This group is then moved in a transverse direction by suitable boxing means.

A further solution provides for the formation of a group of articles from the bottom upwards, starting from a feeding station in which a row of articles is formed; this row is subsequently intercepted by an underlying lifting member which raises the row itself and places it on suitable supports. The next raised row intercepts the previous one, which is in turn raised. A stack of articles is then formed on said supports by successive layering. Once the stack is completed, a pusher member transfers it to a fixed platform, - the subsequent stack transferred to said platform moves the previous one and those that may already be resting on the platform itself. Upon reaching a predetermined number of stacks, side by side, the group is moved inside the container, suitably positioned at the side of the platform.

A device of this type is illustrated for example in the Italian patent IT-208.806.

The machines using the aforementioned solutions generally have a considerable constructive and functional complexity and a very large bulk.

This is due in particular to the fact that the various operating phases often take place in as many distinct stations, which entails a considerable bulk and a limited operating speed.

A considerable drawback presented during the formation phase of the groups of articles to be introduced into the aforementioned containers is due to the poor stability of the groups themselves. This can cause difficulties in the subsequent step of introducing the articles into the container.

A particular problem is also constituted by the fact that currently the aforementioned blanks are preferably made of recycled cardboard which has poor qualities of elasticity and therefore requires adequate precautions when opening.

The object of the present invention is that of realizing a machine which allows to carry out in a very simple way the automatic packaging of articles in containers obtained starting from tubular blanks, with a structure with limited overall dimensions and able to operate at high speed.

The cited object is achieved in accordance with what is reported in the claims.

The characteristics of the invention are highlighted below, with particular reference to the accompanying drawing tables, in which:

- fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of the machine for packaging articles in containers obtained starting from tubular blanks;

- figs. 2 and 3 show the same side view of the machine in question, in successive operating phases of the device for picking up and opening the tubular blanks;

- fig.4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the machine along the line IV-IV in fig.3;

- figs 5 and 6 show the same cross-sectional view of the machine in question, in successive operating steps of the device for forming ordered groups of articles;

- fig.7 shows a plan view of the machine, in the operating phase of fig.3;

- fig. 8 illustrates the aforementioned side view of the machine in a further operating phase;

- figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate the aforementioned plan view of the machine, in successive operating phases of the closing device.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, 1 indicates as a whole the device for picking up and opening the tubular blanks 2, in a case packer 3.

The tubular blanks 2 to be picked up and opened are fed in a stack to a pick up station 4 by means of conveyor means 5, which are operated intermittently when the stack is exhausted; the aforementioned stack of blanks is indicated with 2a.

The device 1 provides for a first gripping member 6 equipped with suction means 7 of the type of suction cups, intended to remove single tubular blanks 2 from the top of the aforementioned stack 2a and transfer the blanks picked up to a transport line 8, at an opening station 9 of the same blanks.

The transport line 8 is longitudinally aligned with the conveyor means 5 for feeding the tubular blanks 2 and is parallel to a line 10 for feeding the articles 11 to be introduced into the containers 20 obtained from the aforementioned blanks 2. The articles 11 are transported to a station 12 for forming groups of said articles 11 and introducing the same groups into relative containers, described below; this station 12 is adjacent to the station 9 for opening the blanks 2.

The conveyor line 8 consists of two pairs of parallel belts 13 and 14, upper and lower, arranged on side-by-side vertical planes. The belts 13, 14 wind at their ends onto relative pulleys 15, 16 and have respective teeth 17, 18 fixed, projecting perpendicularly to the same belts, on the respective lying planes.

It should be noted that the pairs of upper 13 and lower 14 belts are operated simultaneously, and intermittently, so that the corresponding lower 13a and upper 14a branches translate in equiverse directions H (Fig. 1).

The gripping member 6 is subjected to a robotic unit 19 which controls its movement according to two orthogonal axes, on a vertical plane longitudinal to the conveyor line 8. The robotic unit 19 provides a vertical rod 21 which carries a plate below. 22 supporting the suction cups 7; in practice, the suction cups 7 are arranged, facing downwards, at the vertices of the plate 22, having for example a square shape.

The rod 21 is mounted slidingly through an annular-shaped slide 23, having a groove for coupling to a guide 24, for example dovetail, which extends along a bar 25 (see in particular Figures 4 and 7) ; this bar 25 is arranged longitudinally above the conveyor line 8.

The device 1 also provides, at the opening station 9, a second gripping member 26 with suction cups 27, arranged astride the lower belts 14 of the transport line 8. The suction cups 27 are carried by a plate 28 which is movable according to a vertical axis controlled by actuator members 29; in practice, the suckers 27 are arranged, facing upwards, at the vertices of the plate 28, having for example a square shape.

The reference number 30 indicates as a whole the device for forming ordered groups of the aforementioned articles 11, fed one after the other to a pickup station 31 by means of conveyor means 32 of the aforementioned line 10, for example a conveyor belt ; the articles 11 transported on the belt 32 stop against a fixed shoulder 33 positioned in a suitable way, as shown below.

The device 30 provides a relative gripping member 34 equipped with suction means 35 of the type of suction cups, intended to take a row of articles 11 from the conveyor belt 32 and transfer the articles picked up in correspondence with a plate 36 arranged horizontally in the aforementioned station 12 for forming an ordered group of articles 11 and for introducing the same group of articles into a relative container 20.

The plate 36 is arranged practically coplanar with the lower wall of the container 20 arranged in the opening station 9.

The gripping member 34 is subjected to a second robotic unit 37 which controls its movement along two orthogonal axes, on a vertical plane transversal to the conveyor belt 32. The robotic unit 37 has a vertical rod 38 which carries a plate below. 39 supporting the suction cups 35; in practice, the suction cups 35 are arranged in pairs, facing downwards, along the plate 39 so as to engage a succession of articles 11 aligned in a row on the conveyor belt 32.

The rod 38 is mounted slidingly through a slide 40 coupled to a grooved guide 41 which extends transversely to the conveyor belt 32, on a horizontal plane overlying the belt 32 itself.

The device 30 provides, at the aforementioned station 12, above the plate 36, a hopper 42 intended to facilitate the introduction of the group of articles formed inside the container 20. The hopper 42 is open at the top, for transfer to the inside it of the rows of articles 11, as well as on the side opposite to that facing the container 20 to be filled arranged in the station 9.

In particular, the hopper 42 has a pair of side walls 42a and is equipped, on the side facing the container 20, with slightly converging transverse walls 42b, so as to act as a mouth for the container 20 itself.

The internal side wall 42a of the hopper is aligned with the abutment surface 33a identified by the fixed shoulder 33 (fig. 7).

The hopper 42 is supported slidably on the plate 36, in a horizontal direction transverse to the conveyor line 8, and is adapted to be operated by means of an alternative device 43 comprising an oscillating arm 44 articulated to a carriage 45 sliding within a guide 46 in the aforementioned transverse direction ; the trolley 45 is integral with a rod 47 fixed to the hopper 42.

The hopper 42 is movable in practice between a position for forming the group of articles 11, above the plate 36, and a position for introducing the same group into a relative container 20, advanced in the direction of the same container.

The device 30 also provides a pusher member 48 substantially constituted by a vertical plate which is adapted to act as a wall for the hopper 42, on the side opposite to that facing the container 20, in the aforementioned position for forming the group of articles 11.

The pusher 48 is movable in turn in the aforementioned horizontal direction transverse to the conveyor line 8, upon actuation of an alternative device 49 comprising an oscillating arm 50 articulated to a carriage 51 sliding within a guide 52; the carriage 51 is integral with a rod 53 constrained to the pusher 48.

Conveniently, the plate 36 is supported by an alternative actuation device 54, adapted to control its displacement in the vertical direction. This actuation device 54 allows to adjust the vertical position of the plate 36, in particular when changing the format of the containers 20.

It is also possible to use the actuation device 54 to control the vertical displacement of the plate 36 in phase with the formation of the group of articles 11 inside the hopper 42. In this way the plate 36, starting from a position of maximum lifting, it can be lowered step by step with the insertion inside the hopper of the successive layers of articles 11.

Downstream of the station 9, along the conveyor line 8, the machine provides a closing device for the container 20 filled with the articles 11, indicated as a whole with 55.

This closing device 55 provides movable folding means 56 consisting of a pair of pallets 57 hinged, on vertical axis pins 58, on opposite sides of the conveyor line 8 and made specularly movable by means of known type not shown.

Downstream of the mobile folders 56, on opposite sides of the transport line 8, first fixed folding means 59 are arranged, acting on a horizontal plane substantially median to the belts 13, 14; and second fixed folding means 60a, 60b with a curved profile and converging according to the direction of advancement of the line.

Downstream of the aforesaid folders, there is also provided a taping member 61 with rollers, of the traditional type in the sector in question.

The operation of the device is now described starting from the step of withdrawing a tubular blank 2 from the stack 2a present in the withdrawal station 4, resting on the conveyor means 5 (Fig. 1). During this pick-up phase, the gripping member 6 is located above the aforementioned stack of blanks.

To carry out the withdrawal, the gripping member 6 is lowered so as to bring the suction cups 7 into contact with the upper blank of the stack 2a, in the position indicated by the dashed line 6a in fig. The subsequent lifting of the gripping member 6 determines the corresponding lifting of the aforementioned blank. The lowering and lifting of the gripping member 6 are determined by the vertical sliding of the rod 21 of the robotic unit 19.

The subsequent translation of the slide 23 of the robotic unit 19 along the guide 24 brings the gripping member 6 to the opening station 9, as illustrated by the dashed line 6b in fig. 2 where 2b indicates the blank taken from the same member of grip. The gripping member 6 is then lowered again so as to bring the blank 2 picked up in contact with the second gripping member 26, the suckers 27 of which are moved, in this phase, above the plane defined by the upper branch of the belts 14 , upon command of the actuator members 29 (fig. 2).

It should be noted that the second gripping member 26 holds the blank 2 to be opened at a lower portion intended to form a wall of the container opposite to that defined by the upper portion on which the first gripping member 6 acts.

Therefore, by lifting and at the same time translating the gripping member 6, as shown with the dashed line 6c m fig.3, the progressive opening or deformation of the blank is caused, as shown with the corresponding dashed line 2c.

At the end of this phase of lifting and translation of the gripping member 6, the blank assumes the parallelepiped shape of the container 20.

This container 20 has the wings of the bottom and of the lid open and is predisposed for the insertion of the groups of articles 11 formed in the station 12 (see also Figures 4 and 7).

The articles 11 are picked up from the conveyor belt 32 by the gripping member 34 which, during the picking step, is located above the row of articles 11 present in the picking station 31 (fig. 1).

To carry out the withdrawal, the gripping member 34 is lowered so as to bring the suction cups 35 into contact with the articles 11, as can be seen in fig. 4. The subsequent lifting of the gripping member 34 determines the corresponding lifting of the aforementioned articles.

The lowering and lifting of the gripping member 34 are determined by the vertical sliding of the rod 38 of the robotic unit 37.

The subsequent translation of the slide 40 of the robotic unit 37 along the guide 41 brings the gripping member 34 to the station 12 for forming an ordered group of articles 11, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 7.

The gripping member 34 is then lowered again so as to bring the articles 11 picked up inside the hopper 42, as illustrated in fig. 4, where the position assumed by the member in this phase is indicated by the dashed line 34a. grip 34.

In practice, the row of articles 11 is deposited inside the compartment delimited by the side walls 42a of the hopper 42 and by the pusher 48 adjacent thereto. Similarly, one proceeds to transfer successive rows of articles 11 into the hopper 42, which are progressively arranged side by side and superimposed in layers.

This successive stratification of the rows of articles 11 determines the formation of an ordered group, indicated by 110 for greater clarity (fig. 5).

It should be noted that the unit 110 is guided, during the formation phase, on three consecutive sides, defined by the side walls 42a of the hopper 42 and by the pusher 48 adjacent thereto.

Once the formation of the group 110 of articles is completed, the simultaneous translation of the hopper 42 and of the pusher 48 in the direction of the container 20 stopped at the station 9 of the conveyor line 8 is activated; this translation is activated by the angular rotation of the relative oscillating arms 44, 50 which control the movement of the carriages 45, 51 along the guides 46, 52 (fig.5).

In this way the hopper 42 is brought to feed the container 20 arranged for the insertion of the group 110 of articles 11.

Obviously the translation of the hopper 42 and of the pusher 48 determines the orderly movement of the group 110 of articles 11 formed inside the hopper itself.

When the hopper 42 reaches the advanced position for introducing the unit 110, the same hopper 42 stops while the pusher 48 continues its advancement stroke, causing the translation of the unit 110 with respect to the aforementioned hopper (Fig. 6). The unit 110 is then pushed into the container 20.

Once the container 20 has been filled with the articles 11 (figs. 6 and 8), the hopper 42 and the pusher 48 are returned to the aforementioned formation position of the unit 110.

It should be noted that during the introduction phase of the articles 11, the members 6 and 26 maintain the grip of the opposite upper and lower walls of the container 20.

In practice, the blank is positively retained by the aforementioned gripping members 6, 26 during the steps of opening or de-molding the container 20 and introducing the articles 11, avoiding folding of the container even if the blank itself is made of recycled cardboard and similar.

It should also be noted that the distance between the belts 13 and 14 of the conveyor line 8 is suitably greater than the height of the container 20, so as not to interfere with the opening and filling of the container itself.

After filling the container 20 with the articles 11, the opposite walls of the container 20 are released by the gripping members 6 and 26. The container 20 filled with the articles 11 is advanced by the simultaneous movement of the belts 13, 14 of the conveyor line 8, operated in opposite directions, as indicated by the dashed line 20a in fig.8; the belts 13, 14 engage the container 20 by means of the transverse teeth 17, 18.

The advancement of the container determines the engagement of the closing device 55, arranged downstream of the opening station 9 according to the direction of movement of the conveyor line 8. This closing device 55 is equipped with folding means 56, 59 and 60a, 60b which close the opposite wings of the bottom and lid of the container 20.

More precisely, the pallets 57 of the movable folders 56 operate, in a first phase of oscillation in the opposite direction to that of the advancement of the line, the folding of the front vertical wings 201 of the container 20, at the inlet of the closing device 55 (fig. 9). The folding of the wings 201 is completed by the first fixed folding means 59, acting on a horizontal plane, while at the same time the second fixed folding means 60a, 60b with converging profile begin the folding of the horizontal wings 202 (Fig. 10).

The return stroke of the pallets 57 causes the initial folding of the rear vertical wings 203, folding which is completed by the aforementioned first fixed folders 59, as the container 20 advances along the transport line 8 as shown by the dashed line 20b in fig. ; the second fixed folders 60a, 60b complete the folding of the horizontal wings 202 in turn.

The taping member 61 finally closes the container 20 by means of a suitable adhesive tape, as indicated schematically by the dashed line 20c (Fig. 11).

It should be pointed out that only one container is transported along the conveyor line 8 at a time. At the exit of this container from the line, a subsequent blank is arranged in the opening station 9.

Ultimately, the proposed machine allows to carry out in a very simple way the removal of the blanks from a stack and the opening of the blanks themselves to obtain relative containers, the formation of ordered groups of articles and subsequently the introduction of these groups of articles in relative containers, and finally the closure of the containers themselves.

The operations of picking up and opening the blanks and forming the groups of articles to be packaged are in fact carried out by gripping means operated by means acting with a combination of rectilinear movements, with high productivity. This allows, among other things, to facilitate the adjustment of the machine according to the different dimensions of the containers to be filled.

The machine has a significant reduction in the operating stations that are distinct from each other and a rationalization of their mutual location, thereby obtaining a smaller footprint and a greater operating speed, as well as greater constructive and functional simplicity.

An important prerogative of the machine is to ensure the stability of the groups of articles during the different operating phases. The groups of articles are in fact formed, by successive stratifications, inside the same hopper which then provides for their introduction into the relative containers, without intermediate transfers. By means of this hopper and a relative pusher member, these groups are also guided on three sides both during the formation phase of the ordered group of items and during the transfer phase of the same group inside the container.

In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the robotic unit 19 moves the gripping members 6 along two orthogonal axes, more precisely on a longitudinal vertical plane parallel to the conveyor means 5 and to the transport line 8; this is made possible since the latter conveyor means 5 and the conveyor line 8 are longitudinally aligned.

It is understood that this constitutes an advantageous simplification, not a limitation, since there is nothing to prevent the robotized unit 19 being moved also along a transverse axis perpendicular to both the preceding axes.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the robotic unit 37 moves the gripping members 34 along two orthogonal axes, more precisely on a vertical plane transversal to the conveyor means 5; this is made possible since the abutment surface 33a being aligned with the internal side wall 42a of the hopper does not require longitudinal displacements, ie according to the direction identified by the conveyor means 10.

It is understood that this constitutes an advantageous simplification, not a limitation, since there is nothing to prevent the robotized unit 37 from being also moved along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to both the previous axes.

In place of the suction cups 35, alternatively, gripper means can be used which laterally clamp the row of articles 11; obviously these gripper means must not alter the mutual positioning of the articles.

Furthermore, with the suction cup means 35, or alternatively with the gripper means, it is possible to pick up two or more adjacent rows of articles or two or more superimposed rows of the articles themselves.

It is understood that what above has been described by way of non-limiting example, therefore any constructional variants are intended to fall within the protective scope of the present technical solution, as described above and claimed hereinafter.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS 1) Machine for the automatic packaging of articles in containers obtained starting from tubular blanks 2, each of said blanks 2 being made up of a closed sheet in tubular form and equipped with creasing lines designed to define the side walls and the bottom wings and of the lid of a corresponding container 20, characterized in that it comprises a device 1 for picking up and opening said tubular blanks 2 equipped with first gripping means 6 movable on a longitudinal vertical plane and suitable for transferring individual tubular blanks 2 flattened from a pick-up station 4 to a transport line 8, at a station 9 for opening the blanks 2, and second gripping means 26 arranged in said opening station 9 and able to cooperate with said first gripping means 6, for forming a container 20; a device 30 for forming ordered groups 110 of articles 11 equipped with further gripping means 34 movable on a vertical plane transversal to said conveyor line 8 and suitable for transferring rows of articles 11 from a line 10 for feeding said articles 11 to a station 12 for forming an ordered group 110 of said articles 11, arranged alongside said opening station 9; pushing means 48 acting at said station 12 for forming an ordered group 110 of articles for the introduction of the same group 110 inside a relative container 20; a closing device 55 of said container 20, arranged downstream of said opening station 9 along said transport line 8. 2) Machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said device 1 for picking up and opening said tubular blanks 2 has first gripping means 6 suitable for picking up single tubular blanks 2 flattened from the top of a stack 2a of said blanks 2, at said pick-up station 4; a robotic unit 19 adapted to control the movement of said first gripping means 6 along two orthogonal axes, on a longitudinal vertical plane, for the transfer of the blank 2 taken from said stack 2a to said transport line 8, at said station opening 9 of the same blanks 2; second gripping means 26 arranged below in said opening station 9 and adapted to retain a lower wall of said blank 2 during a lifting step of the opposite wall by said first gripping means 6, for the formation of said container 20. 3) Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said second gripping means 26 provide vertically movable suction means 27, on actuation of actuator means 29, between a lowered disengagement position and a gripping position of said raised blank 2 above the plane defined by conveyor means 14 of said conveyor line 8. 4) Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said first gripping means 6 provide suction means 7 carried below a rod 21 of a robotic unit 19, sliding vertically on a slide 23 which is in turn movable on a guide 24 which extends longitudinally above said conveyor line 8, for the alternative translation of the same gripping means 6 between said pick-up station 4 and said opening station 9. 5) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said lifting phase of the wall of said blank 2 opposite to that held by said second gripping means 26, for the formation of said container 20, is obtained by a combined movement of vertical sliding and longitudinal translation of said first gripping means 6. 6) Device according to rev. 1, characterized by the fact that said transport line 8 consists of at least two pairs of parallel belts 13,14, upper and lower, moved intermittently in synchrony in opposite directions, with the belts 14 relating to the lower pair arranged bilaterally with respect to the aforementioned station opening 9 of the blanks 2, respective transverse teeth 17,18 being fixed to the aforesaid belts 13,14, protruding perpendicularly from the belts themselves on the respective planes of the latter, said teeth being provided to engage the aforementioned opening station 9 in said opening station 9 container 20 already filled with the aforementioned relative groups of articles 11 in order to transfer it to folding means 30, associated with said pairs of belts 13, 14, closing the opposite wings of the bottom and of the lid of the container itself. 7) Device according to rev. 5, characterized in that the distance between the lower branch of the upper pair of belts 13 and the upper branch 14a of the lower pair of belts 14 is greater than the height of the aforementioned container 20. 8) Machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said device 30 for forming ordered groups 110 of articles 11 provides for further gripping means 34 suitable for picking up a row of articles 11 fed onto conveyor means 32 of said feeding line 10, in correspondence with a pick-up station 31; a robotic unit 37 able to control the movement of said gripping means 34 along two orthogonal axes, on a vertical plane transversal to said conveyor means 32, for the transfer of the row of articles 11 picked up to a hopper 42, at said station 12 forming said ordered group 110 of articles 11; pusher means 48 cooperating with said hopper 42 to delimit a compartment suitable for receiving said ordered group 110 being formed, by successive layering of rows of said articles 11, and for introducing the same group 110 of articles 11 inside a relative container 20. 9) Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said gripping means 34 provide suction means 35 carried underneath a rod 38 of said robotic unit 37, sliding vertically on a slide 40 which is in turn movable on a guide 41 which extends transversely to said conveyor means 32, for the alternative translation of the same gripping means 34 between said pick-up station 31 and said station 12 for forming an ordered group 110. 10) Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said hopper 42 is open at the top, for the transfer inside it of the said rows of articles 11, as well as from the side opposite to that facing the container 20 to be filled, in correspondence with said side, said thrusting means 48 being arranged. 11) Machine according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said closing device 55 provides mobile folding means 56 consisting of a pair of pallets 57 hinged, on pins 58 with vertical axis, on opposite sides of said transport line 8 and oscillating so as to alternately fold the front 201 and rear 203 vertical wings of said container 20. 12} Device according to rev. 1, characterized in that in said station 12 for forming an ordered group 110 of said articles 11, a plate 9 is provided which defines the base of said hopper 42 and the support for said group 110. 13) Device according to rev. 4, characterized by the fact that said plate 42 is made movable vertically between a raised position, inside the hopper, to a lowered position in which it defines the base of the hopper, with said lowering, starting from the raised position, carried out step by step with the insertion inside the hopper 42 of the successive layers of articles 11. 14) Machine according to rev. 1, characterized in that said further gripping means 34 are adapted to transfer at least two rows of articles 11 side by side from said feed line 10 to said station 12. 15) Machine according to rev. 1, characterized in that said further gripping means 34 are adapted to transfer at least two superimposed rows of articles 11 from said feed line 10 to said station 12.