MX2008009397A - Modular unit for applying opening devices to packages of pourable food products - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular unit (1, 1') for applying opening devices(2, 2') to packages (3) of pourable food products. The unit (1, 1') has first conveying means (8, 8') for feeding the opening devices (2, 2') successively along a first path (P1, P1');second conveying means (9) for feeding the packages (3) successively along a second path (P2);transfer means (10) for transferring the opening devices (2, 2') along a third path (P3) from a pickup station (11) located along the first path (P1, P1'), to an application station (12) for applying the opening devices (2, 2') to respective packages (3) and located along the second path (P2);and processing means (41, 90) for performing specific operations on the opening devices (2, 2') prior to application of the opening devices (2, 2') to the respective packages (3). The transfer means (10) define a base module (M1) of the unit (1, 1'), and the processing means include different types of processing devices (41, 90) forming part of different auxiliary modules (M2, M4) selectively connectable to the base module (M1) to define different units (1, 1') for applying the opening devices (2, 2') to respective packages (3).

Description

MODULAR UNIT FOR APPLYING OPENING DEVICES TO CONTAINERS OF SPILLED FOOD PRODUCTS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a modular unit for applying opening devices to packages of pourable food products.

Background of the Invention As is known, many pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT milk (treated at ultra high temperature), wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in sealed packages made of sterilized packaging material. A typical example of this type of packaging is the parallelepiped shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing laminated strip packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure that substantially comprises a base layer for rigidity and strength, which may comprise a layer of fibrous material, eg, paper, or polypropylene material filled with mineral; and a number of layers of heat sealable plastic material, for example film Ref. 193201 polyethylene, covering both sides of the base layer. In the case of aseptic packages for long storage products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of gas or light barrier material, for example aluminum sheet or ethylene vinyl alcohol film (EVOH), which is superimposed on a layer of heat-sealable plastic material forming the inner face of the container that eventually makes contact with the food product. As is known, containers of this type are produced in fully automatic packaging machines, in which a continuous tube of the mesh-fed packaging material is formed; the mesh of packaging material is sterilized in the packaging machine, for example by applying a chemical sterilizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, which, once the sterilization is complete, is removed from the surfaces of the material of packaging, for example evaporated by heating; and the mesh of packaging material thus sterilized is maintained in a closed sterile environment, and is bent and sealed longitudinally to form a vertical tube. The tube is filled with the sterile or sterilized processed food product, and is sealed and subsequently cut along cross sections equally spaced to form pad packs, which are then mechanically bent to form respective finished packs, for example substantially parallelepiped. Alternatively, the packaging material can be cut into preforms, which are formed into packages in forming spindles, and the packages are filled with the food product and sealed. An example of this type of container is the so-called "top cap" container known by the trademark Tetra Rex (registered trademark). Once formed, the above packages may undergo additional processing, such as the application of an opening device that can be reclosed. Currently, the most commonly sold aperture devices comprise a frame defining a pour opening and fitted around a hole or a pierceable or removable portion of a top wall of the container; and a lid hinged or threaded to the frame, and that is removable to open the container. Alternatively, other types of opening, for example sliding opening devices, are also known to be used. The pierceable portion of the container can be defined, for example, by a so-called "pre-rolled" hole, ie a hole formed in the base layer of the packaging material before covering the base layer with the layer of material barrier, which is therefore complete and closes the hole to ensure aseptic sealing, air-tight, while still easily perforable. In the case of aseptic packaging machines, the described opening devices, once formed, are normally applied directly to the containers by in-line application units located downstream of the packaging machine. The application of the opening devices, for example heat sealing or gluing, involves several preliminary operations both on the containers and the opening devices themselves. More specifically, when the opening devices are applied by heat sealing, both the heat-sealable outer layer of the packaging material around the perforations or perforable portions of the containers and the opening devices are partially fused or locally softened by pre-heating. Once applied to the respective containers, the opening devices must be firmly fixed in the containers long enough for the contact materials to cool and allow adhesion. Similarly, when the opening devices are glued, one or both of the gluing parts must be coated with adhesive, and the parts must be firmly held in contact with each other for sufficient time to allow adhesion Application units are known which substantially comprise two conveyors, for example chain, to successively feed the opening devices and the containers respectively along separate continuous paths having respective adjacent parallel portions, along which each device of opening is attached to the respective container. Alternatively, the application units are known, for example as described in Patent EP-A-1462370, which comprise a first linear stage conveyor for feeding a succession of packages along a first, preferably straight, path; a second linear stage conveyor for feeding a succession of opening devices along a second straight extended path parallel and in the direction opposite to the first path; and a step-operated carousel conveyor for feeding the opening devices of a pick-up station, coincident with one of the stop stations on the second conveyor, to an application station, where the opening devices are applied to the respective containers , and which coincides with one of the stop stations on the first conveyor. More specifically, the carousel conveyor it feeds the opening devices along a circular path, with a vertical axis, through a number of intermediate work stations, where the opening devices are stopped and subjected to several preliminary operations before being applied to the containers respective. In both cases, the versatility of the known application units is clearly poor because of being unable to operate with different types of adhesive or heating application processes or different types of opening devices. For example, simply by changing the way in which the adhesive is applied (by guns traveling along a predetermined path to coat each opening device with adhesive, or by simply sliding the opening devices onto coating rollers) and / or changing from screw-type to articulated opening devices, usually involves restructuring the entire unit. Another important factor limiting the versatility of the known units is the speed of feeding of opening device to the units necessarily has to equal the feeding speed of the container. Which means that the speed of the application units is dictated by the longest operation performed in both the opening devices and the containers.

In addition, both known types of unit are extremely bulky, and have several parts that are accessible only with difficulty by the operator.

Brief Description of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a modular unit for applying opening devices to pourable food product packages, designed to provide a low cost solution, direct to at least one of the disadvantages typically associated with the units. known. According to the present invention, there is provided a modular unit for applying opening devices to pouches of pourable food products, comprising: - first conveying means for feeding the opening devices successively along a first path; - second means of transportation to feed the containers successively along a second path; transfer means for transferring the opening devices along a third path of a collection station located along the first path, to an application station for applying the opening devices to the respective containers and located along the second path; and - processing means for performing specific operations on the opening devices prior to the application of the opening devices to the respective containers; Characterized in that the transfer means define a base module of the unit, and in that the processing means comprise different types of processing devices that are part of different auxiliary modules selectively connectable to the base module to define different units to apply the opening devices to the respective containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Two preferred non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a modular unit in accordance with the present invention for applying opening devices for packaging of pourable food products; Figure 2 shows a front view on a larger scale of a central core of the unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a first view in perspective larger scale of a grasping member of the unit of figure 1 and 2 for feeding a respective opening device to the application area to a respective container; Figure 4 shows a second perspective view of the grasping member of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a perspective view on a smaller scale of an actuation mechanism for operating the grasping member of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 shows a side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a portion of the unit of Figure 1 and 2; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a pressure device of the unit of Figure 1 and 2 for pressing the opening devices in the respective containers until complete adhesion; Figure 8 shows a side view of a pressure member of the device of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows the same view as in Figure 1, of an alternative embodiment of the modular unit according to the present invention; Figure 10 shows the same view as in Figure 2, of a central core of the unit of Figure 9; Figure 11 shows a perspective view on a larger scale of a grasping member of the unit of the 9 and 10 to feed a respective opening device to the application area to a respective container; Figure 12 shows a side view, with parts removed for clarity, of a portion of the unit of Figure 9 and 10; Figure 13 shows a side view of an actuation mechanism for operating the grasping member of Figure 11.

Detailed Description of the Invention Numbers 1 and 1 'in Figures 1 and 9 respectively indicate two possible configurations of a modulating unit to apply two different types of devices 2 and 2' to respective sealed packages 3 of pourable food products. The packages 3 are produced upstream of the unit 1, 1 'as previously described, of sheet packaging material comprising a base layer, for example of fibrous material such as cardboard, or of polypropylene material filled with mineral; and a number of layers of heat-sealable plastic material, for example polyethylene film, covering both sides of the base layer. In the case of aseptic packages 3 for long storage products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of gas barrier material and light, for example aluminum sheet or ethyl vinyl alcohol film (EVOH), which is superimposed on a layer of heat-sealable plastic material, and in turn is covered with another layer of heat-sealable plastic material forming the inner face of the package 3 that makes contact with the food product in the long run. Each package 3, which is substantially parallelepiped in the example shown, has, on an end wall 4, an aperture or a pierceable or removable portion (not shown), which is externally covered by a respective aperture device 2. , 2 'applied to container 3 by the relative unit 1, 1'. More specifically, the opening devices 2 in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 are threaded types made of plastic material, and each comprises in a known manner an externally threaded annular frame 5, which is fixed to the wall 4 of a respective container 3 and defines a through opening 6 through which the food product is poured; and an internally threaded cap 7 threaded to the frame 5 to close the opening 6. The opening devices 2 may also comprise, in a known manner, means (not shown) for piercing the pierceable portion or removing the removable portion of the container 3 when it is opened the container. The opening devices 2 'in FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12, on the other hand, are flat, substantially rectangular, and articulated. Each opening device 2 'is made of plastic material and comprises in a known manner a surrounding box 5' (only partially shown) which is fixed to the wall 4 of a respective container 3 and defines a through opening (not shown) by the which is poured the food product; and a cover 7 'hinged to the frame 5' to close the opening. In the following paragraphs, the modular unit according to the invention will first be described in detail with reference to configuration 1 only; configuration 1 'will then be described only as far as it differs from configuration 1, and using the same reference numbers for identical parts or corresponding to parts already described. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, unit 1 substantially comprises a support structure 15; a first linear conveyor 8, known and only schematically shown, for feeding a succession of opening devices 2 along a straight horizontal path P]; a second linear conveyor 9, also known and only schematically shown, for feeding a succession of containers 3 along a straight horizontal path P2 parallel and in the direction opposite to the path P-, in the example shown; and a transfer conveyor wheel 10 for feeding devices opening 2 of a collection station 11 located along the path Pi to an application station 12 located along path P2 and to apply opening devices 2 to respective containers 3. The support structure 15 comprises a body central substantially parallelepiped 16 defined by a number of parallel uprights 17 (only one shown in Figure 1) to which are fixed respectively a lower beam system 31 and an upper beam system 32. The conveyor 8 is mounted on a support beam system 22 in turn fixed to the upper beam system 32 of the central body 16, and defines, at least close to the collection station 11, a horizontal transportation surface 13, in which the opening devices 2 are positioned with the covers 7 facing down the conveyor wheel 10. The support beam system 22 is also equipped on the upper part with a sliding device. adhesive distribution 41 - in the example shown, for thermosetting glue - which acts on the opening devices 2 as they travel along the conveyor 8. More specifically, the dispensing device 41 comprises a number of - in the example shown, three - distribution pistols 42 aligned parallel to the path Pi, and each has a respective nozzle 42a facing the transport surface 13 for feeding adhesive onto a respective aperture device 2. When traveling along the path Plf the aperture devices 2 are coated with adhesive on the facing side upwards, that is to say the opposite side facing the conveyor wheel 10. More specifically, each dispensing gun 42 travels along a predetermined path to distribute adhesive on the respective opening device 2. The conveyor 9 is located below the conveyor 8 and central body 16 of support structure 15, and defines, at least close to application station 12, a horizontal transportation surface 14, in which containers 3 remain with respective walls 4, to which opening devices 2 are applied in the long run, positioned horizontally in the upper part, facing the conveyor wheel 10. In the example shown, the spacing Di of opening devices 2 along the conveyor 8 is different from, and more specifically less than, the spacing of D2 of packages 3 along the conveyor 9; the term "spacing" is used in the sense of the distance between the corresponding points of two opening devices adjacent 2 or two adjacent containers 3. By means of a respective support beam system 49, the conveyor wheel 10 is fixed and projects from the front of the central body 16 of the support struct15, and is therefore interposed between the conveyors 8 and 9. The conveyor wheel 10 continuously rotates about a horizontal axis A perpendicular to the trajectories P (and P2, and feeds the opening devices 2 along a curved path P3 of the collection station 11 to application station 12. The conveyor wheel 10 and central body 16 of support struct15 together define a base module Mi from unit 1; the support beam system 22, conveyor 8, and distribution device 41 together define an additional module M2 of the unit 1 which can be connected to the module MT as shown in fig1; and the conveyor 9 defines a separate module M that can be connected to the module i. With particular reference to Fig2, the conveyor wheel 10 comprises a wheel 18 of axis A; and a number of grip members 19 equally spaced about axis A and adjusted to and radially projected from wheel 18. Unit 1 also comprises a number of assemblies of connection 20 for connecting the gripping members 19 respective movably to the wheel 18; and cam guide means 21 for altering the position of each hold member 19 with respect to the wheel 18 when the wheel 18 rotates. The spacing of the opening devices 2 along the path P3 can therefore be adjusted as required to adapt it to the requirements of the specific operations performed on the opening devices 2 (as explained in detail below), and making it equal to the spacing D2 of packages 3 at the application station 12. With reference to Fig 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, the connection assemblies 20 comprise a number of guide members 23 radially extended about the axis A and fixed to and projected from an end surface 24 of the wheel 18; and a number of sliding members 25 slidably adjusted to the respective guide members 23, and each supporting a respective grasping member 19. More specifically, the wheel 18 has a central disc-shaped portion 18a, from which it projects peripherally a number of radial projections 18b, each equipped with a respective guide member 23. Each grasping member 19 fits a plate 26, which is hinged to the respective sliding member 25, on the side opposite the respective guide member. 23, and about a respective axis B parallel to the axis A and perpendicular to the plate 26. Each holding member 19 can therefore be moved with respect to the wheel 18 in a given radial direction with respect to the axis A, and can oscillate with respect to the wheel 18 about a respective axis B perpendicular to and incident with the radial direction. As shown in Fig2, the guide means 21 comprise two curved fixed cams 27, 28 seamlessly extended about the axis A and cooperatives with the respective idle cam followers 29, 30 fitted to the slide member 25 and plate 26 , respectively, of the connection assembly 20 of each holding member 19. More specifically, the cams 27, 28 are defined by the respective profiled grooves formed in a fixed vertical wall 33 located behind the wheel 18 with reference to fig 1 and 2, more specifically, positioned facing an end surface of the wheel 18 opposite the end surface 24. All parts of the cam 28 are located radially outwardly of the cam 27. The cam 27 controls the radial position of the members of hold 19 with respect to the axis A when the wheel 18 rotates, while the cam 28 controls the orientation of the grasping members 19, and therefore of the opening devices 2, with respect to the radius of the wheel 18 to which they are fixed. As shown in Figure 2, the grasping members 19, and thus the opening devices 2, change the position with respect to the wheel 18 when the wheel 18 rotates, thus altering its peripheral speed. The change in position between the pick-up station 11 and application station 12 provides the adaptation of the spacing of the opening devices 2 to that (D2) of the containers 3. With reference to figures 2, 3, 4 and 6, each holding member 19 is fixed to the respective plate 26 by a supporting frame 34 projected from the plate 26 on the side opposite the respective sliding member 25. More specifically, each frame 34 comprises a main body 35 which is substantially L-shaped in a plane perpendicular to the respective plate 26, and is defined by a first plate portion 36 fixed parallel and against the plate 26, and by a second plate portion 37 projecting perpendicularly from the plate portion 36, on the side opposite the respective slide member 25. Each frame 34 also comprises two pins 38 extended from a free end of relative plate portion 37 in a direction parallel to and facing the plate portion. relative 36; and a fastening body 39 which is integrally fixed with the relative grip member 19, is slidably secured to the pins 38, and is resiliently insulated; by coil springs 40 coaxial with the respective pins 38, in a first extraction operation position, ie at a minimum radial distance of the axis A with reference to the specific radial position occupied by the relative sliding member 25 along the limb member. relative guide 23. More specifically, the clamping body 39 of each frame 34 comprises a portion of main plate 43 extended parallel to the relative plate 26 and to the plate portion 36 of the relative main body 35, and from which the hold member relative 19 is projected on the opposite side to that adjacent to the relative plate portion 37; and an attachment 44 which extends perpendicularly from the end of the main portion 43 adjacent the plate portion 37, and defines two through holes slidably engaged by the respective pins 38. As shown in figures 3 and 4, the pins 38 of each frame 34 extend through the relative fixture 44, and have respective projected portions 46 of the fixture 44 and face the relative main portion 43. Each portion 46 is wound externally with a respective spring 40 interposed between the relative fixture 44 and a annular end shoulder 47 of the portion 46. A cam follower roll 48 is fixed and projecting from the attachment 44 of each frame 34, on the side opposite the relative main portion 43, and cooperates in a rotatable manner with two fixed cams 50 ( shown in Figures 3 and 6) located respectively in stations 11 and 12. With reference to Figures 3 and 6, the cams 50 are located on the opposite side of the wheel 18 to the vertical wall 33 that supports the cams 28, 29, and each one comprises an upper portion 53 projecting radially outwardly with respect to the axis A, and from which respective opposite inclined ramp portions 54, 55 extend. With reference to the direction of rotation of the wheel 18, the ramp portion 54 of each cam 50 is inclined upward towards the relative upper portion 53, and the ramp portion 55 slopes downwardly from the upper portion 53. When each cam follower roller 48 is wound along each cam 50, relative grip member 19 first moves from the first extraction operation position to a second forward operating position, reached in upper portion 53 of the cam 50, and then it rotates to its original position. In the second forward operating position, each hold member 19 is located at a maximum radial distance from the axis A with reference to the occupied radial position by the relative sliding member 25 along the relative guide member 23. The pickup and release of the opening devices 2 by the grasping members 19 are respectively carried out in the second operating position. With particular reference to Figures 3 and 4, each grasping member 19 comprises a support body 56 fixed and projected from the end of the main portion 43 of the relative clamping body 39 opposite the end of which the relative fitting 44 extends; and three jaws 57, 58, 59 projecting from the radially outermost side of the support body 56 with respect to the axis A, and for gripping a relative opening device 2. One of the jaws (57) is fixed to the support body 56, while the other two (58, 59) oscillate around the respective axes C perpendicular to the axis A and the plate portion 37 of the relative frame 34. As shown in figure 4, when they grip the relative opening device 2, the jaws 57, 58, 59 of each hold member 19 are equally angularly spaced around the opening device 2. More specifically, the jaws 58, 59 of each hold member 19 are elastically loaded in a closed position that retains the opening device relative 2 between them and against the fixed jaw 57, and are selectively movable, in stations 11 and 12, in an open position in which they are set apart to allow engagement and release of the opening device 2. The movements of the jaws 58, 59 of each hold member 19 are controlled by a lever and cam actuation mechanism 60 shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5. The actuating mechanism 60 comprises two pins 61a, 61b fixed in an axially fixed and rotatable manner through the respective through holes in the supporting body 56 of the relative grip member 19, and the opposite ends of which, projected from support body 56, are respectively fixed with respective respective jaws 58, 59 and respective meshed sectors 62, 63 meshing with each other. One of the interlocking sectors (62) defines an end portion of a respective lever 64, the other end portion of which is fixed with an idle cam follower roller 65 which cooperatively rotates with two fixed cams 66 (shown in figures 4 and 6) located respectively in stations 11 and 12. The cams 06 are located on the opposite side of the wheel 18 to the vertical wall 33 that supports the cams 28, 29, and each one comprises an upper portion 67 projected towards the wheel 18 and from which respective opposite inclined ramp portions 68, 69 extend. With reference to the direction of rotation of the wheel 18, the ramp portion 68 of each cam 66 is tilted upward toward the relative upper portion 67, and the ramp portion 69 slopes downwardly from the upper portion 67. When each follower roller 665 cam is wound around each cam 66, the relative lever 64 is first rotated about the axis of the relative pin 61a, thus moving the jaws 58, 59 simultaneously in the open position, reached in the upper portion 67, and then rotates in the opposite direction to restore the jaws 58, 59 to their closed position. With reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the unit 1 also comprises a pressure device 70 which acts on the opening devices 2, as of the application station 12 and along a portion of the path P, for hold them firmly in the respective containers 3 until full adhesion. In the example shown, the pressure device 70 forms part of the module of the unit 1 and is fixed to the lower beam system 31 of the central body 16 of the support structure 15. Alternatively, the pressure device 70 can define an independent module that can be connected to the M3 module. The pressure device 70 comprises a known conveyor 71 (only partially shown) to feed a number of pressure members 72 along a straight path P4 parallel to and facing the trajectory P2 and interposed between the trajectory P2 and the trajectory P. The pressure members 72 are spaced at the same spacing as the spacing D2 of the containers 3, and exert pressure on the respective opening devices 2 as long as they are applied to the containers 3. Each pressure member 72 substantially comprises a pin 73. integral with conveyor 71; and two rocker arms 74, 75 hinged to the pin 73 and comprising respective pairs of arms 76, 77 and 78, 79 arranged in the form of an X around the pin 73. More specifically, with reference to the travel direction of the pressure members 72 along the path P, the arms 76, 78, located upstream of the relative pin 73, of the levers 74, 75 of each pressure member 72 define, respectively, a pressure finger 80 acting in the relative opening device 2, and a cam follower roller 81 cooperating in a rotatable manner with a relative fixed cam 82; while the free ends of the arms 77, 79, located downstream of the relative pin 73, of the levers 74, 75 define respective seating surfaces for a coil spring 83 to maintain the relative cam follower roller 81 in contact with the cam 82 As shown in Figure 7, the cam 82 comprises an extended main portion 84 of the application station 12, which is straight and parallel to the trajectories P2 and P, and is located at such a distance from the opening devices 2. , applied to the respective containers 3, for putting the pressing fingers 80 in contact with the opening devices 2. The cam 82 also comprises, upstream of the application station 12, a ramp portion 82 sloping down towards the containers 3 to move the pressing fingers 80 of the pressing members 72 from a completely separate position from the containers 3, to the position that makes contact with the opening devices 2 applied to the containers 3. The operation of the unit 1, the which is already partially obvious from the above description, will now be described with reference to an opening device 2, and of the current one in which the opening device 2, already coated with adhesive, travels through the a pick-up station 11. The hold member 19 for receiving the opening device 2 is adjusted to the best pick-up position by the cam follower rollers 29, 30 which interact with the respective cams 27, 28, and is also adjusted by the cam 27 to the desired radial position, with respect to the axis A, corresponding to a specific peripheral speed. The peripheral speed of the members of hold 19 in the pick-up station 11 is preferably larger than the travel speed of the opening devices 2, to minimize the impact between the hold members 19 and the opening devices 2. In the reach of the pick-up station 11, the grasping member 19 moves towards the path Pi of the opening devices 2 in the second forward operating position by its own cam follower roll 48 which interacts with the relative cam 50, and the jaws 58, 59 are rotated in the position opened by the cam follower roller 65 of the lever 64 which interacts with the relative cam 66. Then, the jaws 58, 59 of the grasping member 19 are closed around the relative opening device 2, and the grasping member 19 is removed from the Pi path again in the first extraction operation position. The position and speed of travel. grip member 19 along path P3 are determined by cam follower rollers 28, 29 interacting with cams 27, 28, and, along path P3, the spacing of aperture devices 2 is does equal to the spacing D2 of the containers 3. Near the application station 12, the roller cam follower 48 of grasping member 19 interacts with relative cam 50 to move grip member 19 back in the second forward operating position; and, at the same time, the cam follower roller 65 of the lever 64 interacts with the relative cam 66 to rotate the jaws 58, 59 in the open position to release the opening device 2 once it is deposited in the respective container 3 A relative pressure member 72 is moved, by its cam follower roller 81 which interacts with the cam 82, in the position in which the pressing finger 80 is brought into contact with the opening device 2 to hold it in the container. respective 3 until adhesion. By means of a few direct alterations described below, unit 1 can be converted to unit l1 (figures 9-13) designed to operate with opening devices 2 '. The opening devices 2 'are fed to the unit 1' along a path Pi 'having a straight upstream portion P? A', and a curved downstream portion P] 'of the axis E parallel to the axis A. The opening devices 2 'are fed along the path PT' by a rotary conveyor 8 'which comprises an energized band 8a', or similar device, defining the upstream portion P? A 'of the path P' of the opening devices 2 ', - and at least one drum rotary 8b 'of the axis E - operated in stages in the example shown - which peripherally supports the opening devices 2' for supplying the pick-up station 11, and which defines the downstream portion P? b 'of the path Pi'. More specifically, the opening devices 2 'are spaced on the drum 8b' with a spacing Di 'different from the spacing D2 of the containers 3, and, to be glued to the containers 3, they require a relatively small amount of adhesive when compared with that of the opening devices 2, and therefore can be easily coated with adhesive using a direct coating roller 90 as opposed to the dispensing guns 42 of the dispensing device 41. By virtue of the peripheral speed of the devices 2 'opening in the wheel 18 which is controllable by the cams 27, 28, a path portion P3 can be formed along which the opening devices 2' travel at an appropriate constant speed making it possible for the devices 2 'opening are coated with adhesive by sliding on the coating roller 90. As shown in Figure 9, the coating roller 90 is fixed to the lower beam system 31 of the central body 16 of support structure 15, at the side of the conveyor wheel 10 and immediately upstream of the application station 12. The conveyor 8 'is fixed to a supporting beam system 22' in turn fixable to the upper beam system 32 of the central body 16 of supporting structure 15 , instead of the support beam system 22 and conveyor 8. The coating roller 90 and generally defined by the support beam system 22 'and conveyor 8' therefore define respective M4 and M5 modules which can be connected to the module M-,, instead of module M2, to define unit 1 '. The unit 1 is therefore substantially converted to the unit 1 'by replacing the conveyor 8' with the conveyor 8, installing the coating roller 90 along the path P3, instead of the dispensing device 41 along the length of the trajectory Pi, replacing the hold members 19 with the hold members 19 'designed to interact with the opening devices 2', and replacing the actuation mechanisms 60 with the appropriate actuation mechanisms 60 '. As shown in Figures 10-13, each grasping member 19 'substantially differs from the relative grasping member 19 comprising two movable jaws 91, 92 for gripping opposite sides of the grasping device. relative opening 2 '. More specifically, the grasping member 19 'comprises a substantially parallelepiped-shaped support body 93 which, like the support body 56, is fixed and projecting from the main portion 43 of the relative clamping body 39, on the opposite side to that of which the relative accessory 44 is projected. The jaws 91, 92 are defined by elongate bodies extending along opposite sides of the support body 93, and comprising first end portions 94 adjacent to the relative fitting 44 and hinged to the support body 93 about the respective axes D parallel to the plate portion 37 of the relative frame 34 and perpendicular to the axis A; and opposite the second end portions 95 further located radially outwardly with respect to the axis A, and substantially in the form of curved tips with their opposite concavities for grasping and retaining a relative opening device 2 '. As shown in particular in Figure 13, the jaws 91, 92 are elastically loaded towards each other, to define a closed position, by a cylindrical helical spring 96 extended through the support body 93 in a direction parallel to the axis A. The end portions 94 of the jaws 91, 92 define respective meshed sectors which mesh with each other, and one of which (the defined by the jaw 91) is integrally connected to an extended lever arm 97 of the relative axis D, in the opposite direction to the relative jaw 91, and equipped with a cam follower roller 98 which cooperatively rotates with two fixed cams 66 ', identical with the cams 66, to produce, in the respective stations 11 and 12, a rotational movement of division of the jaws 91, 92 about the respective axes D in an open position that enables the coupling and release of the device of relative opening 2 '. The unit 1 'operates in exactly the same way as unit 1, the only difference being that the opening devices 2' slide over, and are coated with adhesive by, the coating roller 90 upstream of the application station 12 The advantages of the units 1, 1 'according to the present invention will be clear from the above description. In particular, the units 1, 1 'are highly versatile and, with only minor alterations, can operate with different methods of applying adhesive to the opening devices (2, 2') and / or with different types of opening devices ( 2, 2 '). In fact, the units 1, 1 'are characterized because they comprise a common base module (Mi) to which different auxiliary modules can be connected.

(M2, M3, M, M5) designed for different types of opening devices 2, 2 ', and / or to perform different types of preliminary operations in opening devices 2, 2' prior to application to respective containers 3. In addition , given the possibility of adjusting the speed of the grasping members 19, 19 'when the wheel 18 rotates, the spacing Di and D2 with which the opening devices 2 and containers 3 are fed to the wheel conveyor 10 are in no way dependent, and any of the necessary additional operations can be performed when the opening devices 2, 2 'are transported on the conveyor wheel 10. The non-dependence of the spaced DT and D2 with which the opening devices 2, 2' and packages 3 are fed to the conveyor wheel 10, together with the continuous operation of the conveyor wheel 10, makes it possible to achieve high output speeds. In addition, the control of the trajectory and velocity of the grasping members 19, 19 'by means of the cams 27, 28 minimizes the impact between the opening devices 2, 2' and the relative grasping members 19, 19 'in the catchment station 11; for this purpose, the peripheral speed of the grasping members 19, 19 'in the station 11 is preferably greater than the speed at which the opening devices 2, 2' are fed to the station 11. Finally, positioning the wheel 18 vertically, ie with the axis A placed horizontally, minimizes the space occupied by the unit 1, 1 'in general, and makes it easier for the operator to access all the component parts of the unit eleven ' . Clearly, changes can be made to units 1, 1 'as described and illustrated herein, however, without departing from the protective scope defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, the opening devices 2, 2 'can be heat-sealed to the respective containers 3, in this case, the adhesive coating operations could be replaced by heating operations carried out, for example, upstream of the wheel 18 or at along the trajectory P3 produced jointly by rotation of the wheel 18 and the guiding action of the cams 27, 28. For example, by simply altering the shape of the cams 27, 28, so that the speed of travel and orientation of the holding members 19, 19 'allow local heating of the opening devices 2, 2', a heating module can be easily connected to the base module Mi to form, with only minor alterations, a heat-sealing unit for heat-sealing opening devices 2, 2 'to respective containers 3.

More generally speaking, by simply substituting other modules appropriately designed for the modules M2 or M4 and M5, the unit according to the invention can operate with any combination of preparatory operations for applying the opening devices to the respective containers, and / or with any type of opening device. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (19)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the contents of the following claims are claimed as property:

1. Modular unit for applying opening devices to pouches of pourable food products, comprising: - first means of transportation for feeding the opening devices successively along a first path; - second means of transportation to feed the containers successively along a second path; - transfer means for transferring the opening devices along a third path of a collection station located along the first path to an application station for applying the opening devices to the respective containers and located throughout of the second trajectory; Y - processing means for performing specific operations on the opening devices prior to the application of the opening devices to the respective containers; characterized because the transfer medium defines a base module of the unit, and the processing means comprises different types of processing devices forming part of different auxiliary modules that can be selectively connected to the base module to define different units for applying the opening devices to the respective containers.

Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the auxiliary modules comprises the respective processing device and the first transportation means.

Unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the processing devices comprise respective distribution members for coating each opening device with adhesive.

Unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the distribution member of one of the auxiliary members comprises at least one dispensing gun located along the first path and which travels along a predetermined path to distribute adhesive in each opening device.

Unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the distribution member of another of the auxiliary modules comprises a coating roller covered with the adhesive, located along the third path, and cooperating in a rotating manner with the opening devices.

Unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first means of transport defines different auxiliary modules for operating with different types of opening devices and that can be selectively connected to the base module.

Unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base module comprises a wheel that rotates around an axis; and at least one hold member fixed to the wheel and to receive an opening device at a time from the first transportation means and transfer it to the second path when the wheel rotates.

Unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the base module also comprises connecting means for connecting the grip member movably to the wheel; and guide means for altering the position of the grasping member with respect to the wheel when the wheel rotates.

Unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting means comprises guide and sliding means interposed between the wheel and the grasping member.

Unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide and slide means comprise at least one guide member fixed to the wheel radially with respect to the axis; and at least one sliding member fixed slidably to the guide member.

Unit according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting means comprises articulation means between the grasping member and the sliding member to allow oscillation of the grasping member around an incident hinged shaft and through the radial direction of movement of the sliding member.

12. Unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the guide means comprises cam means for controlling, when the wheel rotates, the movements of the grasping member radially with respect to the axis of the wheel, and about the articulated axis.

Unit according to any of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the grasping member is selectable from at least two types of grip members designed to operate with two different types of opening devices.

14. Unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises pressure medium that exerts contact pressure between the opening devices and the containers of the application station and along at least a portion of the second path.

15. Unit according to claim 14, characterized in that the pressure medium forms part of the base module.

16. Unit according to any of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the base module comprises a number of grip members connected by the respective articulation means to the respective sliding means, which in turn are slidably connected to the respective sliding means. the respective guide means fixed to the wheel radially about the axis.

17. Unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the collection station, the travel speed of the hold members is greater than the speed at which the opening devices are fed to the pick-up station.

18. Unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis of the wheel is horizontal.

19. Unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wheel is continuously operated.