JP2018506480A - Packaging group and method for packaging products, especially editorial products, with storage bands - Google Patents

Abstract

In a packaging group (10) for wrapping products (P), especially edited products with storage bands (F), the packaging group (10) defines a forward plane (201) and is associated with the following components: 200), and conveys a plurality of products (P) one after the other along the advancing plane (201) and along the advancing direction axis (D) in a spaced relation to each other. Associated with the support structure (200), each of the editing products (P) includes a bundle of books and / or sheets or sheet-like products stacked on top of each other, and the packaging groups (10) are one after the other in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of storage bands (F) placed and spaced from one another are arranged along a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the advancing axis (D) and in the advancing plane of the product (P) ( 201 Further includes a feeding device (12) for feeding along a feeding direction (A) substantially transverse or perpendicular to the storage band (F), each of the storage bands (F) having a corresponding product (P) in the forward direction axis. Each storage band (F) is obstructed by a corresponding product (P) that advances along the forward direction axis (D), including dimensions parallel to the supply direction (A) that are longer than dimensions parallel to (D). Together with the product (P) folded on the second conveyor (13), the second conveyor (13) forming a U-shaped pocket into which the corresponding product (P) is inserted. ) And have the same direction as the first conveyor (11), the second conveyor (13) is placed on the second conveyor (13) and is loaded with the corresponding product (P) On the side band and the corresponding product (P) Product (P) along the forward axis (D) with the lower band portion or upper band portion inserted beyond the corresponding product (P) and thus into the U-shaped pocket. A flap (L) extending behind the product (P) with respect to the forward direction (B) of the product, the packaging group (10) being folded to fold the flap (L) onto the upper band part or the lower band part. Further comprising a closure device (14). [Selection] Figure 2A

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging group and method for packaging products, in particular editorial products, with storage bands.

  Furthermore, the invention relates to an automatic packaging machine comprising the packaging group of the invention.

  In the publishing industry, it is known to package products with storage bands. These products generally have a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape or are defined by such a shape. These products may consist of a single product or multiple products of different types and / or sizes collected and stacked together to form a series or stack. For example, such a product may be a single book (book) or multiple sheets and / or multiple products in the form of sheets stacked on each other, such as books, flyers, depliants, brochures, newspapers, magazines, booklets, catalogs. , Postcards, tickets, envelopes and other collections.

  For example, a so-called “advertising without a destination” is constituted by a collection of various types and collections of deprians, catalogs, pamphlets, leaflets, newspapers and the like of different sizes, and generally delivered in each region and different in each region. It is enough to consider it a product.

  As used herein, the term “editing product” refers to whether it is a single (ie, a book) or many (ie, a collection or collection of different types and / or different sizes of editing products). It means the product illustrated.

  These products are generally of the type of a cover (called “jacket” in the art) or a band (called “banderol” in the art) and around the corresponding product Inserted into a stored product that is wound in a closed loop.

  Packaging machines for packaging such edited products with corresponding bands ("banderols") are well known.

  In known packaging machines, a single band is supplied in a lengthwise manner on a supply plane that is parallel to the advancing plane of the product (collection) and underneath each product, and these are connected to each other. The opposite end is folded and closed onto the corresponding product by the guide and side fold groups.

  When the format of the product to be packaged changes, it is necessary to reposition the guide and side fold groups. These latter operations require long machine downtime, which reduces productivity.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

  With this objective in mind, a specific objective of the present invention is a packaging group and packaging method for packaging products, particularly edited products, with a storage band that is simple, substantially continuous, and capable of handling each product at high speed. A packaging group and a packaging method that can be wrapped in a storage band can be provided.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging group and a packaging method capable of easily and quickly changing the format of a product to be packaged.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging group and a packaging method that can be easily realized for existing packaging / inserting machines.

  Another object of the present invention is to operate substantially continuously so that the format of the product to be packaged and the storage product (cover or band) of each edited product can be easily and quickly changed. It is to provide an automatic packaging machine.

  Another object of the invention is to make the packaging group and the packaging machine particularly simple and functional at a reasonable cost.

  These objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a packaging group for automatically packaging products as claimed in claim 1, in particular editing products, with storage bands.

  These objects of the invention are achieved by an automatic packaging machine operating substantially continuously as claimed in claim 13.

  These objects of the invention are achieved by a packaging method for packaging a product according to claim 16, in particular an edited product, substantially continuously with a storage band.

  Further features are set forth in the dependent claims.

  The features and advantages of a packaging group and packaging method for packaging products according to the invention, in particular editorial products with storage bands, and packaging machines, will become apparent from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only. Therefore, the present invention is not limited.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a possible embodiment of an automatic packaging machine with possible embodiments of the packaging group of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of the details of the packaging group of the packaging machine of FIG. 1 in successive operation steps. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of the details of the packaging group of the packaging machine of FIG. 1 in successive operation steps. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of the details of the packaging group of the packaging machine of FIG. 1 in successive operation steps. It is a schematic enlarged view of the detail of the bending and closing apparatus of the packaging group of the packaging machine of FIG. 1 is a schematic axonometric view of an embodiment of a packaging group folding and closing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows schematically the operation | movement step performed continuously one after another of the bending and closing apparatus of the packaging group of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the operation | movement step performed continuously one after another of the bending and closing apparatus of the packaging group of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the operation | movement step performed continuously one after another of the bending and closing apparatus of the packaging group of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the operation | movement step performed continuously one after another of the bending and closing apparatus of the packaging group of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the operation | movement step performed continuously one after another of the bending and closing apparatus of the packaging group of this invention. The packaging group folding and closing device of the present invention is different from folding a flap of a band having a defined length as a function of both the function of the size change of the editing product and the position of the folding line defined within the band itself. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation mode. The packaging group folding and closing device of the present invention is different from folding a flap of a band having a defined length as a function of both the function of the size change of the editing product and the position of the folding line defined within the band itself. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation mode. The packaging group folding and closing device of the present invention is different from folding a flap of a band having a defined length as a function of both the function of the size change of the editing product and the position of the folding line defined within the band itself. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation mode. The packaging group folding and closing device of the present invention is different from folding a flap of a band having a defined length as a function of both the function of the size change of the editing product and the position of the folding line defined within the band itself. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation mode. The packaging group folding and closing device of the present invention is different from folding a flap of a band having a defined length as a function of both the function of the size change of the editing product and the position of the folding line defined within the band itself. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation mode. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of an automatic packaging machine with possible embodiments of the packaging group of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of an automatic packaging machine with possible embodiments of the packaging group of the present invention. It is a figure which shows roughly one type of edited product P packaged with the band F or the cover C. FIG. It is a figure which shows schematically the edit product P of another kind packaged with the band F or the cover C. It is a figure which shows schematically the edit product P of another kind packaged with the band F or the cover C. It is a figure which shows schematically the edit product P of another kind packaged with the band F or the cover C. It is a figure which shows schematically the edit product P of another kind packaged with the band F or the cover C. It is a figure which shows schematically the edit product P of another kind packaged with the band F or the cover C.

  Referring to the figure, there is shown a packaging group 10 for packaging products P, in particular editable products P, with a storage band F. The packaging device 10 is applied to an automatic packaging machine 100 that operates substantially continuously. It's being used.

  In the present description, the product P and in particular the editable product P is for example a book, a sheet and / or a series of sheet-like products stacked in a continuous or collection form of different types and / or formats. Means a single or multiple product consisting of For example, the expression “editable product P” may refer to a single book (see FIG. 9C) or a collection, eg, a plurality of sheets stacked on top of each other to form a collection of advertising information that is not addressed. A plurality of sheet-like products (see FIGS. 9A and 9B), for example, leaflets, deprians, brochures, newspapers, magazines, booklets, catalogs, postcards, tickets, envelopes, and the like are meant.

  Sheets (ie, leaflets, postcards, tickets, etc.) or sheet products (ie, newspapers, magazines, deprians, catalogs, envelopes, etc.) that form each product P in a continuous or collection form are of different types and formats It may be. Thus, for example, in the case of books, each product P has a substantially cuboid shape as a whole, or in the case of a collection of various products, each product P is substantially defined by a cuboid shape.

  Each band F is defined to accommodate and package a corresponding product P. In the terminology of the art, band F is called “banderol”.

  The band F is composed of paper sheets, plastic films, etc., and these bands can be used to convey that they are for information or personalized signs. The band F has a length spread that is generally greater than the height of the spread, the latter being a product P (FIGS. 9A and 9B) packaged within the spread to partially or fully cover the spread. ) Of the corresponding size or substantially equal to this. As will become apparent in the following description, the band F may be pre-formed and / or formed directly in the group 10 or in the packaging machine 100, and thus its purpose is in particular the product. The object is to make it possible to quickly change the size of P.

  The packaging group 10 includes a support structure 200 that defines an advancing plane 201 and rests on the ground and may form part of or be incorporated into the packaging machine 100 support structure. The various devices forming the packaging group 10 and disclosed below are associated with the support structure 200 directly or indirectly.

  The packaging group 10 includes a first conveyor 11 that conveys a plurality of products P one after another along the advancing plane 201 and spaced apart from each other along the advancing direction schematically indicated by the track D. . Under operating conditions, the advancing plane 201 is parallel to the installation ground of the packaging machine 100, and this advancing plane is generally horizontal as well as the advancing direction axis D is horizontal. Furthermore, referring to the attached figures, the product P advances along the advance direction axis D in the advance direction extending from the left side to the right side as indicated by the arrow B.

  In the following description, “upstream side” and “downstream side”, “front side” and “rear side”, “inlet” and “outlet” are defined with respect to the forward direction B.

  In particular, the product P is advanced along the advancing plane 201 in a state in which these main directions are perpendicular to the advancing direction axis D.

  The wrapping group 10 lies along a supply plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the forward axis D with a plurality of longitudinally placed storage bands F one after the other and spaced from one another. It further includes a supply device 12 for supplying along a supply direction (indicated by track A) that is substantially transverse or perpendicular to the advancing plane 201 of the product P. Under conditions of use, the supply device 12 supplies the band F along a supply plane that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance D of the product P, and therefore with respect to the accompanying figures, the supply device 12 is substantially Similarly, the feeding direction A of the band F is substantially perpendicular to the advancing plane 201 of the product P, and therefore with reference to the attached figures, the feeding direction A is substantially perpendicular. is there. However, both the supply plane of the single band F and the supply direction A are not completely perpendicular to the advancing plane 201, if they are tilted several degrees with respect to this advancing plane. There is.

  The supply plane of the band F as described above is disposed on the downstream side of the first conveyor 11.

  The feeding device 12 feeds the bands F placed in the length direction in such a way that their length directions extend parallel to the feeding direction A. Each band F has a length that is larger than the dimension that the corresponding product P has in parallel with the forward direction axis D when viewed in parallel with the supply direction A. Each band F has a height that is generally smaller than or substantially equal to the dimension of the product P that extends parallel to the advancing plane 201 and perpendicular to the advancing direction axis D (ie, a short that is perpendicular to the corresponding length direction). Dimension).

  The band F can also be pre-shaped in various formats and can be supplied individually at the inlet of the supply device 12, or it can accommodate, for example, a continuous sheet wound on a bobbin. It may be formed in a place where it should be by cutting the part.

  A second conveyor 13 is disposed downstream of the supply device 12. The second conveyor 13 is aligned with the first conveyor 11 and has the same direction as the first conveyor.

  As will be disclosed in detail below, each band F moving forward along the feed direction A is blocked by a corresponding product P moving forward along the forward axis D and thereby folded in half. A half-bundle or U-shaped pocket containing the product P itself when the product P is being advanced along the forward direction axis D with the product P being carried by the second conveyor 13 (FIG. 2C) relative to the band F. Form.

  The band F that is bent in a U shape and the corresponding product P is inserted is placed on the second conveyor 13 and the lower band portion on which the corresponding product P is placed and the corresponding product P. And has an upper band portion.

  The lower band portion has a flap L (FIGS. 5A-5E and 6A-6E) that extends beyond and after the corresponding product P. The half bundle or pocket formed by the band F thus folded in a U shape around the corresponding product P has an open side parallel to the forward axis D.

  The wrapping group 10 further includes a folding and closing device 14 for folding and closing the flaps L of each U-folded band F on the corresponding upper band portion resting on the upper face of the corresponding product P. .

  The packaging group 10 further includes an applicator 15 for applying an adhesive or glue to the flap L or the upper band portion of each band F, which applicator is upstream of the folding / closing device 14 or the folding / closing device. 14 is arranged.

  Advantageously, the packaging group 10 further comprises a printing device 16 for printing information or individualized indicators on each band F, which printing device is at or near the feeding device 12 according to a preferred embodiment. Has been placed.

  A single device of the packaging group 10 will now be described in detail and with particular reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures.

  The first conveyor 11 has a sliding plane with which a porter-type or pusher-type continuous conveyor 17 is associated and on which a single product P is collected and loaded from one or more supply groups. Two or more supply groups are not disclosed and not described because they are known to those skilled in the art.

  A counter belt 18 is disposed at and above the output end of the first conveyor 11. The counter belt 18 can be adjusted in height so that the distance between the counter belt and the sliding plane defined by the first conveyor 11 can be changed according to the height of the product P. Associated with the support structure 200 in various ways. The counter belt 18 rotates in the opposite direction with respect to the first conveyor 11.

  A fourth continuous and belt type conveyor 20 is arranged above the first conveyor 11, in particular upstream of the counter belt 18 and parallel to the forward direction axis D.

  An already preformed single band F is arranged on the fourth conveyor 20, arranged in such a way that at least one delivery device 21 for delivering the band F extends parallel to the forward axis D. For this purpose, it is arranged at the fourth conveyor 20. The delivery device 21 may form part of either the packaging group 10 or the packaging machine 100 to which the delivery group 21 is attached. The delivery device 21 sends the band F via the fourth conveyor 20 to the supply device 12. Delivered and supplied to the inlet.

  In the embodiment shown in the attached FIGS. 1 to 7, the delivery device 21 has one or more collectors 22, each of which is disclosed, for example, in EP 526946. A stack of already preformed bands F, which are individually fed onto the fourth conveyor 20 through the disc mechanism 23 or another mechanism which is already in place. The delivery device 21 is not disclosed any further. This is because the delivery device is known to those skilled in the art, and alternative embodiments of the delivery device are not excluded.

  For example, in the possible embodiment shown in the attached FIG. 8, the delivery device 21 is of the type that forms a single band F by cutting a portion of the continuous sheet unwound from the bobbin 19. It is. A cutting mechanism 190 is disposed on the downstream side of the bobbin 19. As noted, in this embodiment, a single band is fed directly between the belts 24, 25 and the fourth conveyor 20 is not present. With this variant embodiment, the length of the band F can be adjusted as a function of the format of each single product P to be packaged.

  The printing device 16 is located above the fourth conveyor 20 and, as described above, can print the upper and / or personalized indicia on the band F.

  The feeding device 12 has a pair of belt-type continuous conveyors 24, 25 which are arranged one above the other with an adjustable length substantially equal to the thickness of the band F and in opposite directions. It is moved around. The aforementioned pair of continuous conveyor belts 24, 25 are arranged downstream of the fourth belt 20 to form an upward ramp and then substantially U-shaped toward the first conveyor 11. The curve is made. The branch of such a U-shaped curve is substantially perpendicular to the advancing plane 201 of the product P, and this branch defines the supply plane of the band F.

  Further, the supply group 12 (FIGS. 2A-2C) includes a pair of pulling or pulling rollers 27, 28 disposed above the advancing plane 201 and opposite to each other with respect to the supply plane of the band F. The axes of the two pulling rollers 27 and 28 are parallel to the advancing plane 201 and perpendicular to the advancing direction axis D. The two pulling rollers 27 and 28 are reverse rotation rollers, and these rollers constitute a calendar path for drawing each band F along the supply direction A. Also, the pair of pulling rollers 27, 28 may be associated with the support structure 200 in a height adjustable manner.

  In a preferred embodiment, the packaging group 10 has on each band F one or more fold lines LP extending in a direction substantially parallel to the advancing plane 201 and substantially perpendicular to the advancing direction axis D. It further includes a creasing device 29 for attaching (each of these fold lines substantially corresponds to an edge of the product P).

  Advantageously, the crease device 29 has a pair of reverse crease rollers 30, 31 that are related to the plane that is followed when the band F is fed to form a calendar path. These axes are arranged opposite to each other and extend such that their axes are parallel to the advancing plane of the product P and perpendicular to the advancing direction axis D. Of these two rollers, the crease roller 30 comprises at least one longitudinal and radial protrusion 32, while the crease roller 31 comprises at least one corresponding longitudinal and radial cavity 33, The protrusion 32 fits in the void 33 (see FIG. 2B).

  Advantageously, the creasing device 29 is associated with the support structure 200 in a manner that is height adjustable with respect to the advance plane of the product P so as to change the position of the fold line LP along the length spread of each band F. ing.

  In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the creasing device 29 is arranged above a pair of pulling rollers 27, 28.

  As noted, a pocket 203 is formed under the advancing plane of the product P, the pocket 203 being substantially aligned with the supply plane of the band F and at least partially in the same plane as the supply plane. Positioned, such a pocket serves as a storage / guide body for each band F.

  The second conveyor 13 is arranged on the downstream side of the supply device 12 and is folded in two in a U shape and receives each band F containing the corresponding product P.

  The second conveyor 13 is also formed by a pair of belt-type continuous conveyors 34, 35, which are arranged one above the other at an adjustable distance substantially equal to the thickness of each product P. And turn in opposite directions.

  The folding / closing device 14 is arranged on the downstream side of the second conveyor 13.

  The folding and closing device 14 is aligned with the second conveyor 13 to receive the product P inserted in the corresponding U-shaped folding band F and has a third conveyor having the same direction as the second conveyor 13. 36.

  The third conveyor 36 is also of a belt type and is spaced from the second conveyor 13 to form a passage 37 (FIG. 4) with the second conveyor 13. It has at least one part.

  The third conveyor 36 is packaged in an inlet end of a single product P, each inserted into a corresponding U-shaped folding band F, and in a corresponding band F, each completely packaged and closed on each product. The outlet end of the single product P to be produced. The entrance end of the third conveyor 36 is disposed corresponding to the passage 37.

  A holding counter belt 38 is arranged above the third conveyor 36 and close to its exit end, which holds the single product P packed in the corresponding band F to the next station. Send. Also, the counter belt 38 is associated with the support structure 200 in a manner that allows the height to be adjusted depending on the thickness of the product P wrapped in the corresponding band F.

  The folding and closing device 14 then has at least one contact element 39 that can contact the flap L of the U-shaped band F, the flap L corresponding to the passage 37 and the inlet end of the third conveyor 36. If the corresponding product P is placed on the third conveyor 36 in a state of partially or entirely protruding from the section, the corresponding product P is inserted into the U-shaped band F.

  The contact element 39 has a first position in which the contact element is located at a height position lower than the height of the advance plane defined by the third conveyor 36 (which coincides with the advance plane 201), Between the second position which is placed above the product P and rests on the corresponding band F, more precisely on the upper band part which already covers the upper face of the product P at least partly. Associated with the support structure 200 in a manner that allows it to move alternately through the passage 37 (for this, see FIG. 3 where both the first and second positions of the contact element 39 are shown. See).

  During movement from its first position to its second position, the contact element 39 already contacts at least the flap L and folds it to at least partly the upper face of the product P resting on the third conveyor 36. On top of the upper covering band, thereby closing the band F in a loop around it (see FIGS. 5A-5E).

  The adhesive or glue pre-applied on the flap L or on the upper band part wraps the band F and loops around the corresponding product P and keeps the first one on the next To do.

  In a preferred embodiment, while the contact element 39 moves from its first position to its second position, it is inserted into a U-shaped band F folded thereon and rests on the third conveyor 36. The product P being moved does not move, so the third conveyor 36 is temporarily stopped during the folding and closing of the flap L. However, the first conveyor 11, the feeding device 12 and the second conveyor 13 are in operation and, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in fact, it is sufficient to adjust and coordinate their respective speeds. It is. For this reason, the packaging group 10, the packaging machine 100 and the packaging method of the present invention, except for the stoppage of each product in a substantially continuous mode, i.e. during the folding and closing phase of the flap L of the corresponding band F. Work continuously.

  More specifically, the contact element 39 is associated with the support structure 200 in a manner that allows movement between its first and second positions by a combination of rotational and translational motion.

  The rotational movement is substantially parallel to the advancing plane defined by the third conveyor 36 (which plane coincides with the advancing plane 201) and is substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned advancing direction axis D. Occurs with respect to the axis of rotation R.

  The translational movement has at least one component parallel to the forward direction axis D.

  Advantageously, the axis of rotation R, and more appropriately the shaft defining it, in particular with respect to the advance plane defined by the third conveyor (this plane coincides with the advance plane 201), in particular the height of the product P. Associated with the support structure 200 in a height adjustable manner as a function of (thickness).

  With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the contact element 39 is constituted by a cylindrical bar, which comprises an axis parallel to the advancing plane 201 and perpendicular to the advancing direction axis D. It may be constituted by one or more rollers or wheels.

  In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, the contact element 39 is mounted at the end of the arm 40 associated with the support structure 200 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis R. The axis of rotation R is defined by a shaft 41 rotatably supported by a slider 42, which can move along a linear guide 43 perpendicular to the advance plane 201, so that the contact element 39. The height of the can be adjusted.

  The arm 40 is formed by a pair of compass levers, that is, a first lever 44 and a second lever 45 which are articulated to each other around an articulation R ′ parallel to the rotation axis R. The first lever 44 is associated with the support structure 200 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis R. The second lever 45 has an end articulated to the first lever 44 around the articulation axis R ′, and the opposite free end supports the contact element 39.

  As noted, the arm 40 and the two levers 44 and 45 forming the arm are each constituted by a pair of side walls that are parallel to each other and rigidly connected to each other by a cross beam.

  A traction elastic means 46 is provided between the first lever 44 and the second lever 45.

  The arm 40 and in particular its first lever 44 are substantially L-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped or the like.

  In possible embodiments not shown in the accompanying figures, the support structure in such a way that the slider 42 carrying the arm 40 or the corresponding shaft 41 can move in an alternating linear motion parallel to the forward axis D. Attached to a carriage associated with 200.

  Alternative embodiments of the drive mechanism of the contact element 39, for example a cam mechanism, are not excluded.

  As described above, the packaging group 10 can be used in an automatic packaging machine 100 that operates substantially continuously as shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, for example.

  The automatic packaging machine 100 has a packaging group 10, which is arranged upstream of the packaging group 10 for at least one supply group to collect the products P and supply them on the first conveyor 11.

  The group 10 or the machine 100 itself comprises at least a feeding device 12, a first conveyor 11, a second conveyor 13 and a folding / closing device 14, and a command / control unit 101 for following these automation means and adjustment means. ing.

  The packaging group 10 and the machine 100 in which the packaging group 10 is equipped are independent of each other and each product P so that the operating conditions can be changed in real time according to the format of the single product P. Components that follow the command and control unit 101 in accordance with signals emitted by a plurality of detectors 47a-47e that detect the presence and size of these (for example, the first conveyor 11, the second conveyor 13, the third Conveyor 36, fourth conveyor 20, counter belts 18, 38, a pair of belts 24, 25, a delivery device 21, devices 18, 35, 38 for adjusting the height of the counter belt, a creasing device 29, and a folding device A single movable and / or adjustable device (including closing device 14) Having a plurality of motorized or hydraulic devices. In this way, for example, in particular when the band F is formed by cutting from a bobbin or is sent in a pre-formed state to a different format by a corresponding delivery device, the format of each single product P Accordingly, it is possible to change the format of the band F and / or the formation of one or more folding lines on each band F and / or the height of the folding / closing device 14. In this way, products P and P 'having different formats can be processed one after another as shown in the accompanying drawings. The motorization or actuation devices are not shown in detail because they are known to those skilled in the art.

  Advantageously, the command and control unit 101 is not for wrapping the supply band F around the product P in a loop, but for the type of raid cover C (“jacket”) (see FIGS. 9D, 9E and 9F). Suitable for excluding the folding and closing device 14 so that the supply device 12 can be used to fold the stored product into a U-shape on the corresponding product. In this case, these covers C may consist of a single sheet or a plurality of sheets stacked on top of each other to form, for example, a deprian, pamphlet or magazine to be joined to each product P as an integral part of each product P.

  In this case, the feeding device 21 is alternately and selectively supplied with bands F or covers C as a function of the operating mode of the machine 100.

  In another and advantageous embodiment (FIG. 7), the automatic packaging machine 100 includes at least two delivery devices for the corresponding stored product “jacket” or “banderol” of product P, namely band F (“banderol”). It has the 1st sending-out apparatus 21a which sends out, and the 2nd sending-out apparatus 21b which sends out the cover C ("jacket"). In another operating condition, the first delivery device 21a and the second delivery device 21b deliver two different types and / or two different formats of already preformed bands F or two different types. And / or may be provided to deliver two different formats of cover C. In another possible variant, even if it is a single cover, especially if it consists of a single sheet, these are shown in FIG. 8, especially if they consist of a single sheet. It may be formed in-line by cutting as a part from a continuous sheet in the same manner as described above.

  In light of the above disclosure and the accompanying figure description, the function of the packaging group 10 and the machine 100 having the packaging group 10 is readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

  Briefly, a single product P is advanced along the forward plane 201 one after another and along the forward direction axis D by the first conveyor 11.

  At the same time, the preformed bands F are fed out onto the fourth continuous conveyor 20, which conveys these bands F to the inlet of the feeder 12 with the bands F one after the other and spaced from one another. In order to supply, it advances along the direction parallel to the forward direction axis D. In particular, the bands F are arranged in a lengthwise direction, i.e. arranged in such a way that their lengths (i.e. their larger dimension) extend parallel to the forward direction axis D. On the conveyor 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the band F is cut directly from the continuous sheet and fed to the inlet of the feeding device 12.

  The feeding device 12 and in particular the two conveyors 24, 25 have their respective bands F (supplied by their fourth conveyor 20 to their inlets) along a substantially vertical feed plane and an advance plane 201 (FIG. 2A). Are supplied individually along a supply direction A substantially perpendicular to

  During the downward movement along the feeding direction A, each band F intersects the expected crease device 29, which is one or two at one or more height positions on each band. A corresponding fold line LP (FIG. 2B) is attached.

  During the downward movement along the supply direction A, each band F exits the first conveyor 11 and blocks the corresponding product P in the forward state along the forward direction axis D.

  The product P that has blocked the corresponding band F advances on the second conveyor 13 while pulling the band F together with the band F, and during such movement, the band F is folded in half so that a half bundle or U A letter-shaped storage pocket (FIG. 2C) is formed. The band F folded in this way has a front end that is closed in a U-shape and a rear end that is open. The lower band portion, that is, the portion of the band F on which the product P is placed on the second conveyor 13, has a protruding flap F protruding beyond the product P itself.

  Each product P is fed onto the third conveyor 36 in a state in which it is accommodated in a corresponding band F folded onto a U-shape, and during this forward movement, the applicator 15 is one or Apply two or more adhesives or glue spots on the upper portion of flap L or band F.

  With the flap L protruding at least partly from the inlet end of the third conveyor 36 itself, the product P rests in a corresponding band F folded in a U-shape on it. When the contact element 39 is actuated between its first position and its second position.

  As clearly shown in the figures up to FIGS. 5A to 5E, during this movement, the contact element 39 contacts the flap L, lifts it onto the product P and bends it, and folds it to the corresponding upper band. Place on the part, thereby closing the band F in a loop around the product P, and the contact element causes this flap to stick to the glue spot previously applied to the band.

  6A to 6E differ from one another in the contact elements 39 for closing the same band F, ie the band F having the same length, on the product P having different formats when the fold line LP changes position. The position is shown schematically.

  The contact element 39 is then returned to its first position while the product P is moved toward the next processing station with the product P wrapped in a corresponding band F closed in a loop. It is.

  As noted above, the machine 100 can also be used to insert each product P into a cover C (“jacket”). In this case, the folding / closing device 14 and the coating device 15 are stopped, while the delivery device 21 or the delivery device 21b has a plurality of covers placed one after the other and spaced from each other on the fourth conveyor 20. Used to send out. Also in this case, as a variant, the single cover is made in-line by cutting the corresponding part from the continuous sheet.

  The insertion of each product P into the corresponding cover C is performed in a manner similar to the insertion of each product P into the corresponding band F. As shown in FIGS. 9D, 9E and 9F, the covers themselves may be of different types and may be formed of a single sheet or packet of sheets, such as a magazine, deplean, etc. Is good.

  The detectors 47a to 47e can detect in real time the presence and size of each product P present locally at each operating region of the packaging group 10 or the machine 100 in which the packaging group is installed. In accordance with the signals received from the single detectors 47a-47e, the command and control unit 101 commands a single motorization and actuation mechanism of different components to determine their position and velocity of the current product P. Adapt to format position and speed.

Generally speaking, the object of the present invention is also a method of packaging a product, in particular an edited product, with a storage band,
a) advancing a plurality of products one after another and along the advancing plane and advancing direction axis spaced apart from each other, each of the editing products being a bundle of books and / or sheets or sheets stacked on each other Including bundles of shaped products,
b) A plurality of storage bands, one after the other and spaced apart from one another, along a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the advance axis and with respect to the advance plane of the product Each of the storage bands includes a dimension parallel to the supply direction that is longer than the dimension that the corresponding product is parallel to the advancing direction axis,
c) a U-shape in which each of the storage bands is advanced along the supply direction while being obstructed by a corresponding product advancing along the forward axis, the corresponding product being inserted with the corresponding storage band; The corresponding storage band is folded in half to form a pocket, the U-shaped pocket having a lower band portion extending below the corresponding product and an upper band portion extending above the corresponding product, the lower band portion being Including a flap extending behind the product with respect to the advance direction of the product along the advance direction axis, with the product inserted beyond the corresponding product and thus inserted into the U-shaped pocket,
d) providing a method characterized in that it comprises the step of folding the flap over an upper band part at least partially covering the upper face of the product.

  The method of the present invention further comprises the step e) of defining at least one fold line in each of the storage bands parallel to the advance plane and extending in a direction perpendicular to the advance direction axis. Advantageously, step e) of defining at least one fold line takes place during step b) of supplying the storage band.

  The method of the present invention further includes the step f) of applying an adhesive or glue to the upper band portion of each band folded to form a U-shaped half bundle into which a flap or corresponding product is inserted.

  Advantageously, the application step f) takes place before the folding step d).

  Beneficially, the method of the present invention further comprises the step g) of printing information on the band.

  It should be noted that the use of adjectives such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. in the above description is for clarity only and limits the present invention. It should not be considered a thing.

  Furthermore, it should be noted that the mounting plane 201 does not necessarily have to be continuous, particularly at least in the central part at the supply plane of the band F and at the working channel 37 of the folding device 14. May be interrupted.

  Furthermore, the one or more conveyors mentioned above are of the perforated mat type and may be connected to a suction group in order to better hold the band or the product carried by the band. Is not shown or disclosed in detail because it is well known to those skilled in the art.

  Finally, as pointed out above, the packaging group 10 and / or the packaging machine 100 in which the packaging group is provided are driven by the command and control unit 101 and are not disclosed in detail. Body, control and adjustment devices, which are of a type readily understandable by those skilled in the art.

  The purpose of the packaging group of the present invention is the advantage that a plurality of products, in particular editing products, can be packaged easily and at high speed substantially continuously with corresponding bands closed on them in a loop. Have

  The packaging group of the present invention can quickly and flexibly cope with any format change of products to be packaged in corresponding bands. In particular, the packaging group of the present invention makes it easy to adjust the position of the folding and closing device and the position of the possible crease device and, obviously, a single product along the advancing line if the bands are all identical. Subsequent adjustments between the various conveyor belts allow packaging of products having different formats.

  The in-line and real-time formation of each storage band allows these sizes to be adjusted according to the format of each single product being processed.

  Furthermore, the packaging groups of the present invention can be installed in known types of packaging machines, for example by using the continuous conveyors they already have.

  The packaging machine of the present invention enables easy and quick handling of any changes during the production and production of the edited product in a band or cover. In fact, it is sufficient to use the same supply device for removing the folding and closing device and supplying a raid cover into which the product is inserted instead of the band to be wrapped around the product.

  The presence of each of two or more different delivery devices, bands and / or covers of stored products increases the versatility and versatility of using the packaging machine of the present invention.

  Many modifications and variations are possible for packaging groups and packaging machines constructed in this way, all of which are within the scope of the present invention, and that all the details are technically equivalent. Can be replaced by various elements. In fact, the materials used as well as all sizes can be anything according to the technical requirements.

Claims (19)

In a packaging group (10) for packaging a product (P), in particular an edited product in a storage band (F), the packaging group (10) defines a forward plane (201) and is associated with the following components: (200)
-A first conveyor (11) for conveying a plurality of products (P) one after the other along the advancing plane (201) and in the advancing direction axis (D), spaced apart from each other; Each of the editing products (P) includes a bundle of books and / or sheets or sheet products stacked on each other,
A plurality of storage bands (F), one after the other and spaced apart from one another, along a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to said forward axis (D) and Each of the storage bands (F) comprising a supply device (12) for supplying along a supply direction (A) substantially transverse or perpendicular to the advancing plane (201) of the product (P) Includes a dimension parallel to the supply direction (A) in which the corresponding product (P) is longer than a dimension parallel to the advance direction axis (D), and each of the storage bands (F) Intercepted by the corresponding product (P) moving forward along the axis (D) and folded in half by the product (P) on the second conveyor (13), the second conveyor (13) U-shaped pocket into which the product (P) is inserted Aligned with the first conveyor (11) and having the same direction as the first conveyor (11), the second conveyor (13) being on the second conveyor (13) A lower band portion on which the corresponding product (P) is placed and an upper band portion on the corresponding product (P), wherein the lower band portion is the corresponding product (P) And a flap extending behind the product (P) with respect to the advance direction (B) of the product (P) along the advance direction axis (D) when inserted into the U-shaped pocket. L),
-A folding and closing device (14) for folding the flap (L) on the upper band part resting on the upper face of the corresponding product (P), the folding and closing device (14) comprising:
A first line aligned with the second conveyor (13) and having the same direction as the second conveyor (13) for receiving the product (P) inserted into the corresponding storage band (F); 3 conveyors (36), the third conveyor comprising at least one portion located at a distance from the second conveyor (13), and a passage (37) being the second conveyor (13) and the third conveyor (36),
-Including at least one contact element (39) in contact with the flap (L) of the storage band (F) on which the corresponding product (P) is inserted and resting on the third conveyor (36) The contact element (39) has a first position where the contact element is located at a height lower than the height of the conveying plane defined by the third conveyor (36); A second position on the band portion of the corresponding storage band (F) that is disposed on the product (P) and at least partially covers the upper face of the product (P) Associated with the support structure (200) in a manner that can alternately move through the passage (37) between,
The at least one contact element (39) bends the flap (L) in contact with the flap (L) during its movement between the first position and the second position; Pulling the flap (L) over the upper band portion at least partially covering the upper face of the product (P), thereby looping the storage band around the corresponding product (P) Close, packaging group (10).   The packaging group includes an application device (15) for applying an adhesive to the flap or the upper or lower band portion, and the application device (15) is the folding / closing device with respect to the forward direction (B). The packaging group (10) according to claim 1, arranged upstream of (14) or at said folding and closing device (14).   The at least one contact element (39) is associated with the support structure (200) movably between the first position and the second position in a combined rotational and translational motion; Rotational motion occurs with respect to a rotational axis (R) that is substantially parallel to the forward plane defined by the third conveyor (36) and substantially perpendicular to the forward direction axis (D). Package group (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a movement has at least one component parallel to the forward direction axis (D).   The at least one contact element (39) is height-adjustable as a function of the height of the product (P) with respect to the advance plane defined by the third conveyor (36). Packaging group (10) according to any one of the above.   The at least one contact element (39) is mounted at the end of an arm (40) associated with the support structure (200) in rotation with respect to the axis of rotation (R). 4. Packaging group (10) according to 4.   The arm (40) is a pair of compass levers articulated to each other with respect to a joint connection axis (R ') parallel to the rotation axis (R), that is, the support is rotated about the rotation axis (R). The first lever (44) associated with the structure (200) and the free end has a second lever (45) supporting the at least one contact element (39), the traction elastic means (46) being The packaging group (10) according to claim 5, wherein the packaging group (10) is provided between the first lever (44) and the second lever (45).   The packaging group (10) of claim 5 or 6, wherein the arm (40) or the first lever (44) is substantially L-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped or the like.   The arm (40) is attached to a carriage associated with the support structure (200) movably in alternating linear motion parallel to the forward direction axis (D). A packaging group (10) according to claim 1.   9. The at least one contact element (39) is cylindrical and the at least one contact element comprises a cylindrical bar, at least one roller, one wheel or the like. The packaging group (10) according to one paragraph.   The packaging group has on each of the storage bands (F) at least one extending in a direction substantially parallel to the advance plane (201) and substantially perpendicular to the advance axis (D). Packaging group (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a crease device (19) for applying a fold line (LP).   The packaging group includes at least a command / control unit (101) for following the supply device (12), the first conveyor (11), the second conveyor (13) and the folding / closing device (14). The command / control unit (101) is processed by each of the supply device (12), the first conveyor (11), the second conveyor (13) and the folding / closing device. Suitable for selectively controlling each of the feeding device (12), the first conveyor (11), the second conveyor (13) and the folding and closing device according to the size of the product (P) A packaging group (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.   At least each of the supply device (12), the first conveyor (11), the second conveyor (13) and the folding and closing device (14) has its own independent motorizing and adjusting device. The packaging group (10) includes a plurality of detectors (47a-47e) for detecting the presence and dimensions of the product (P) being processed, and the command and control unit (101) includes the detection 12. A packaging group (10) according to claim 11, suitable for selectively and independently controlling each of said motorizing and regulating devices according to signals detected by a container (47a-47e).   An automatic packaging machine (100) for automatically wrapping a product (P), in particular an edited product, with a corresponding storage product of the storage band (F) or cover (C) type, said editing product (P) Each of which comprises a bundle of books and / or sheets and / or a stack of sheet-like products stacked on top of each other, wherein the automatic packaging machine is any one of claims 1-12. And at least one supply group that supplies the product (P) on the first conveyor (11) on the upstream side of the package group (10). An automatic packaging machine (100) in place.   The command / control unit (101) is suitable for stopping the folding / closing device (14), and the supply device (12) has a plurality of contained products of the type of raid cover (C) at the entrance. 14. The automatic packaging machine (100) of claim 13, wherein each of the covers (C) comprises a single sheet or a plurality of sheets stacked on top of each other.   The automatic packaging machine includes at least one first delivery device (21a) for delivering the stored product in the form of a band (F) or a cover (C) and a band (F) having a different format or type of the stored product or It has at least one second delivery device (21b) that delivers in the form of a cover (C), and the first delivery device (21a) and the second delivery device (21b) are respectively the band and the cover. 15. The automatic packaging machine (100) of claim 14, wherein the automatic packaging machine (100) is selectively operable to deliver each to a supply device (12). A method of wrapping a product, especially an edited product, with a storage band,
a) advancing a plurality of products (P) one after another along the advancing plane (201) and the advancing direction axis (D), spaced apart from each other, each of the editing products (P) comprising: A bundle of books and / or sheets or sheet products stacked on top of each other,
b) A plurality of storage bands (F), one after the other and spaced from one another, are arranged along a plane substantially transverse or perpendicular to the forward direction axis (D). And feeding along a feeding direction (A) substantially transverse or perpendicular to the advancing plane (201) of the product (P), each of the storage bands (F) correspondingly The product (P) includes a dimension parallel to the supply direction (A) that is longer than a dimension parallel to the forward direction axis (D),
c) advancing each of the storage bands (F) along the supply direction (A) in a state of being blocked by a corresponding product (P) moving forward along the advance direction axis (D); The corresponding storage band (F) is folded in two so that the corresponding product (P) forms a U-shaped pocket into which the corresponding storage band (F) is inserted, and the U-shaped pocket is A lower band portion extending below the product (P) and an upper band portion extending above the corresponding product (P), the lower band portion thus beyond the corresponding product (P) and thus A flap (L) extending behind the product (P) with respect to the forward direction (B) of the product (P) along the forward direction axis (D) when inserted into the U-shaped pocket ,
d) folding and placing the flap (L) on the upper band portion at least partially covering the upper face of the product (P).   The method includes defining at least one fold line (LP) in each of the storage bands (F) that is parallel to the advance plane (201) and extends in a direction perpendicular to the advance axis (D). 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said step e) comprising e) and defining said at least one fold line (LP) occurs during said step b) of supplying said storage band (F).   The method comprises the step f) of applying an adhesive to the flap (L), the lower band part or the upper band part, the application step f) occurring before the folding step d). Item 16. The method according to Item 16 or 17.   19. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the method comprises the step g) of printing information on the band.

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