RU2725840C2 - Method and machine for packaging products into stretchable film, supplied by blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.

SUBSTANCE: disclosed is a method of packing in a stretch film of units of products supplied in pairs, including ordering of two rows of articles, maintaining them in such a state and dividing into blocks, moving and supplying the rows of articles into the first stretch film circular drawing unit and winding the said articles with the first film while rotating in the first direction to produce a solid package with article blocks, then, the articles are moved to the second stretching film circular winding unit for winding by the second film during rotation in the second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation. Then, the products are delivered to the final package. At the input of the first winding unit, two continuous rows of articles are separated and reduced into units of products, separated and spaced relative to each other, after which transition to subsequent stages of processing blocks of separate spaced objects is carried out according to described method. Stage of winding of units of products in film in two units of annular winding is performed selectively and alternatively by activation of one of two winding devices, provided in each of two winding units.

EFFECT: invention ensures efficiency of packaging process.

16 cl, 17 dwg

Description

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a machine for packaging in stretch film products supplied by the blocks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, in the field of packaging products of various types, such as, for example, bottles, boxes of various shapes, etc., the most commonly used film is made of heat-shrinkable plastic material. This film is wound around a product or a block of products, then it is welded and cut to size, after which it is processed in a heat-shrink oven, giving stability to the packaging produced in this way, which firmly holds the product.

This technique involves certain costs for a plastic material having a certain thickness, which are due to the expenditure of energy spent on heat shrinkage; not to mention the factory costs associated with the need to purchase and ensure the operation of the packaging machine and the accompanying heat-shrink oven. Costs also increase due to the fact that too much time is spent on the formation of finished packages with products subjected to heat shrinkage.

Alternatively, a stretchable polymer film is used that is wound in a spiral around the product or product blocks fed horizontally. These products are divided into blocks and selectively wrapped in accordance with the settings of the winding unit. In the specified winding unit, the rotation of the reel with a stretch film around the products fed by a conveyor belt or roller is initiated; and at the end of the winding, the packaging obtained in this way is unloaded. In this packaging unit, a reel holder carriage is provided which moves along a circular guide in a plane perpendicular to the feeding direction around the products to be packaged. You can immediately notice that this technique requires constant shutdowns for the formation of each package with the solution of the problems of connecting the ends of the film with the packaged products and trimming the finished package.

Moreover, due to the described alternative movement, such a packaging process naturally takes more time. On the other hand, packaging in a film made of stretchable plastic material eliminates the need for a heat-shrinkable furnace and consumes the energy required for its operation, and also allows the use of a thinner film, which reduces costs; but at present, this method does not provide a satisfactory result due to the time required to obtain the final packaging.

Another highly sensitive problem is the replacement of the coil when the film ends in it, which involves stopping the entire machine.

WO 2015/040565 discloses equipment used for packaging bottles in a thin film made of stretchable plastic material that is spirally wound around bottles sequentially fed continuously. The specified equipment is characterized by the presence of a gripping unit containing pairs of conveyor belts, as well as a pair of disk plates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general objective of the present invention is to provide a method and a machine for packaging products in a stretch film capable of eliminating the disadvantages inherent in the above-described prior art in a highly simple, economical and functional way.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and machine for packaging products, which could operate essentially continuously without any interruptions in the packaging stage for replacing coils or cutting off the finished package.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a machine for packaging products, which through the use of stretching film also reduces the cost of packaging material.

Brief Description of the Figures

The structural and functional characteristics of the present invention and its advantages in comparison with the prior art will become even more apparent after reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying schematic drawings, which illustrate one example implementation of the claimed invention, where:

In FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a machine for packaging products in a stretch film according to the present invention in an elevated position;

In FIG. 2 is a plan view of a stretch film packaging machine according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

In FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a packaging machine according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

In FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alignment assembly that is an integral part of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

In FIG. 5 and 6 are two perspective views of the winding assembly of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

In FIG. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views corresponding to the winding unit shown in the previous FIG. 6, as well as the second winding unit of the machine in the same working position, where different patterns of the reel with a film of stretchable plastic material and a rubberized tension roller are illustrated;

In FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a connecting unit between the first and second winding units of the machine shown in FIG. 11, without products;

In FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the entire cutting assembly shown in an elevated position and being an integral part of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

In FIG. 11 and 12 are perspective views of a portion of the cutting assembly shown in FIG. 10, without products;

In FIG. 13 is a plan view of the cutting assembly shown in the previous FIGS. 10-12;

In FIG. 14 and 15 show cross-sections of a cutting unit with upper and lower knives and side knives, respectively, in the working position, acting on a film made of plastic material into which the products are wrapped;

In FIG. 16 and 17 are a side view illustrating one of the alternative embodiments of the cutting unit shown in the raised position and which is an integral part of the packaging machine; and a cross section of the cutting assembly shown in FIG. 16, with side knives in the working position, acting on the entire film made of plastic material into which the products are wrapped.

Detailed disclosure of the present invention

The figures illustrate a stretch film packaging machine for products fed forward by blocks consisting of pairs of products, such as bottles or other objects 11. In a simplified embodiment of the present invention, product blocks can be naturally reduced to a single product.

It should be noted that at the entrance of the specified machine, products, such as bottles or other objects 11, are placed in two interlocking, aligned relative to each other and continuous rows divided into separate products or product blocks, which are fed to the conveyor belt 12 for loading into the packaging machine .

The arranging unit 13 receives one after another the product blocks containing, for example, two rows of bottles 11 adjacent to each other, supplied by the conveyor belt 12, and keeps them in such an ordered and spaced position until the ring winder enters the first node 14.

The first ring winding unit 14 is followed by a second ring winding unit 15 located opposite the first ring winding unit 14, which is wound in the opposite direction to the winding direction of the first node 14, thereby forming a continuous package or bag containing products or product units separated and separated from each other by a certain distance. The second ring winding unit 15, in turn, is followed by a cutting unit 16 for cutting a continuous package with blocks of products 11 wrapped in a film of stretchable plastic material 17 in order to form the final package 18.

In the illustrated example, said alignment unit 13 comprises a frame 20 carrying two belts 21 and 21 ′ wound around the cantilever pulleys mounted on respective vertical axes 22 and 23, one of said axes 22 being provided with a timing belt 24, which is driven in the action of the gear motor 25. Belts 21 and 21 'form the teeth due to the presence of spaced butt rods 26, protruding from the surface of one belt 21 to the side of the opposite and facing another belt 21'. In this example, one belt 21 is spaced apart from the other opposing belt 21 ′ by a distance equal to at least the width of the two closable bottles or articles 11. The lower conveyor belt 27 supports the different parts of the forward-moving bottles 11. Between the axes 22 and 23 of rotation of the two belts 21 and 21 'are, for example, three pairs of bottles 11 forming each block, but this number can be changed if necessary. Each pair of bottles 11 is located between two pairs of consecutive butt rods 26 of each belt 21 and 21 ', and these butt rods 26 enter the space remaining free due to the shape of the bottles 11, performing the function of holding them in a mutual position also due to the interaction with lower conveyor belt 27. This provides the advantage that the butt rods 26 of the pair of belts 21 and 21 'can be secured to each of the belts 21 and 21' at different distances from each other depending on the size of each individual product or bottle 11 and free space between each block of products or bottles 11.

The butt rods 26 of the first belt 21 naturally interact with the butt rods 26 provided on the second opposing belt 21 ', which faces the first belt 21 and rotates synchronously with it.

At the input and output of the specified ordering node 13 are sensors 28, detecting the presence of bottles 11 and stopping the advance, if the presence of bottles is not fixed. The advancement speed varies depending on the degree of filling of the line in order to avoid interruptions as much as possible. The ordering node 13 at the inlet of the packaging machine determines the speed of all subsequent nodes, as well as the speed of the winding nodes 14 and 15, the movement of which must be synchronized.

At the output of said arranging unit 13, pairs of closing bottles 11 of each block are fed one after another to the next cantilever-fixed conveyor belt 29, extending from the frame 20 in the direction of the bottles moving. Conveyor belt 29 connects the organizing unit 13 with the subsequent first winding unit 14. Pairs of side guide rails 30, also cantilever mounted on the frame 20 and elongated in the longitudinal direction above the conveyor belt 29 on its sides, support the sequential movement of pairs of bottles 11 of the block exiting their ordering node 13, in a sealed and ordered state to the first winding node 14.

A series of holes 29 'can be provided on the surface of the conveyor belt 29 cantilevered on the frame 20, which allow air to be taken over a certain section of the upper surface to form an air cushion that facilitates slipping of the film when it comes off the conveyor belt 29 before moving forward and transition to the subsequent winding unit.

The first winding unit 14 comprises a frame 31 located on top of a series of forward-moving pairs of bottles 11 of the block, on which two ring winding devices 32, identical but located opposite each other, are supported from its two opposite sides.

Each ring winding device 32 comprises an annular or support circle 33, which rotates relative to the guide rollers 34 mounted on the frame 31. The ring 33 is located in a plane perpendicular to the direction of advancement of the bottles 11 integrated into the blocks. A gear motor 35, integrated in the frame 31, controls rotation of the ring 33 by means of the adjusting-friction roller 36.

At the same time, with each ring 33, a holder 37 of a reel 38 is assembled with a film of stretchable plastic material 17. A support 39 of a rubberized tension roller 40 and a pair of support rollers 41 for a film 17 are mated with the specified holder of the reel 37.

The tension of the unwinding film 17 can be adjusted using a brake (not shown), which acts directly on the specified rubberized tension roller 40. Thus, in the process of winding the film around the bottles 11, arranged in blocks, the rotating ring 33 rotates with a variable angular speed, consistent with the feed speed of the bottles 11, ensuring the application of the film in the required volume. As already indicated, the advantage is provided that two rings 33 are provided for each winding unit 14, moreover, in the operational phase, one of these rings rotates and the other is stationary. When the film in the reel 38 mounted on one rotating ring 33 comes to an end, rotation of the second ring 33 with the full reel 38 is initiated. The rotation of the first ring 33 is stopped, after which the empty reel 38 can be replaced without stopping the entire machine.

This ensures the continuity of the working process even when the film ends on one of the coils; there is no need to stop the winding unit to replace the coil. In essence, we can assume that when the film is used up on one of the winding rings 33, another ring begins to function, which makes it possible to replace the coil without interrupting the working process.

It should also be noted that inside the frame 31 of the winding unit for bottles 11, combined in blocks, two conveyor belts are provided in the space between two rotating rings 33, namely the lower belt 42 and the upper belt 43, each of which is equipped with a separate drive. Conveyor belts 42 and 43 are made with the possibility of capturing the bottles combined into blocks and transferring them from the first ring to the second ring 33 of the first winding unit 14 or, in any case, moving them forward with passage through the frame 31.

Moreover, the frame 31 at the output of the first winding unit in the supply direction of the bottles 11 forms a configuration identical to that provided at the output of the arranging unit 13. This configuration is provided or simply for supporting and forward partially finished packaging made by the ring winding device 32 at the inlet of this winding unit, or to support the bottles in blocks at the time of wrapping the film with a second ring winding device, which is also an integral part of this winding unit 14. In addition, in this case, a conveyor belt 29 is provided, cantilevered on the frame 31 and departing from it in the supply direction of bottles combined in blocks, which connects the first winding unit 14 to the connecting unit 44, followed by the second winding unit 15. In addition, in this case, there are pairs of side guide rails 30, also cantilevered and outgoing from frame 31 that support serial lane the room is put in blocks of pairs of bottles 11, leaving their first winding unit 14, in a compacted and ordered state.

Two pairs of side guide rails 30 and two conveyor belts are provided in the frame 49 of the connecting unit 44, namely the lower belt 45 and the upper belt 46, spaced apart from each other and located one on top of the other, each of which is equipped with a separate drive. Essentially, an upper drive and a lower drive are provided through pairs of gears 47; wherein the gears of each pair are driven by a geared motor 48. These belts 45 and 46 are adapted to capture bottle assemblies wrapped in a film in the first winding assembly 14 and carry them forward in an ordered position.

It should be noted that at the output of said connecting unit 44 in the supply direction of the bottles 11, a configuration identical to that provided for at the output of the organizing unit 13 and the first winding unit 14. Also provided is a conveyor belt 29, cantilevered and extending from the frame 49, which connects the connecting node 44 to the second winding node 15; as well as two pairs of side guide rails 30, also cantilevered and extending from the frame 49, which provide advancement of partially wrapped pairs of bottles 11 in a sealed and ordered state.

The second winding unit 15, identical to the first winding unit 14, comprises a frame 31 located on top of a series of forward-moving pairs of bottles 11 forming blocks that were wrapped with a film in the first winding unit. On the opposite sides of the second winding unit 15, two ring winding devices 32 are also provided, which in this case are selectively activated depending on whether the film in the coil approaches the end or not. It should also be noted that both rings 33 of this second winding unit 15 rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the rings provided in the first winding unit 14. Accordingly, the secondary winding of the bottles 11 is performed in blocks that are wrapped with a film over the film that was previously wound . Thus, the intersection of the film layers is achieved, which serves the purpose of increasing the stability of the finished package with superimposed film layers wound during rotation in two opposite directions.

In FIG. 8 shows the difference in the reciprocal configuration between the reel holder 37 and the reel 38 with a film of stretchable plastic material and a support 39 supporting a rubberized tension roller 40 and a pair of support rollers 41 for the film 17. It should be remembered that the film unwound from the reel 38 in this second winding unit 15, rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation in the first winding unit 14, ensuring the intersection of the film layers, as a result of which the stability of a continuous package or package containing bottle blocks 11 is ensured.

The second connection unit 44, identical to the first connection unit 44 described above, allows the second winding unit 15 to be connected to the cutting unit 16, which divides the forward continuous package or package containing bottle blocks into single final packages 18 forming the bottle block 11 and enclosed at least two layers of a film made of stretchable plastic material 17 wound during rotation in two opposite directions.

This cutting unit 16 must come into effect to divide the forward continuous packaging or bag containing the previously formed bottle blocks into final packages 18, including, as shown in this example, six adjacent bottles 11 in pairs, running in pairs .

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, said cutting unit 16 comprises a frame 50 on which it rests. In this non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the cutting unit 16 comprises a side cutting device 51 and an upper and lower cutting device 52. The cutting unit 16 essentially acts on a plastic material wound in the form of a continuous package or bag around the bottle blocks 11, cutting along four winding sections, two vertical and two horizontal, which form the perimeter of the continuous package or bag.

A carriage 53 is supported on the frame 50, freely moving back and forth along the rails 67 and bearing a side cutting device 51 and an upper and lower cutting device 52. Said carriage 53 moves forward and backward under a conveyor belt 55, the upper part of which is arranged to be wound around cantilever pulleys 54 and supports a continuous bag or various pairs of packaged bottles 11 that come in two layers wrapped with film and can intersect in a spiral when moving forward. Conveyor belt 55, respectively, moves various blocks, consisting of pairs of bottles, packed in a continuous bag or in a single package, during the cutting stage.

The side cutting device 51 includes a gantry rack 56 comprising two vertical side knives 57 mounted on horizontal rails 58 to move forward and backward. Thus, two vertical side knives 57 can approach or move away from the plastic material of the continuous packaging wound around the bundled bottles 11, allowing cutting along two vertical sections of the indicated continuous packaging from opposite sides of the indicated continuous packaging or bag near the end sections of the bottle blocks. Vertical knives 57 are functionally associated with their heating resistances, which ensures their operation in the hot cutting mode; or, in any case, cutting is carried out using alternative systems, for example, using ultrasound, etc. The portal rack 56 is located on top of a continuous package or bag with blocks of products 11, which moves forward passing through the packaging machine.

With this movement, two vertical knives 57 are driven by double-crank mechanisms 59 and 59 ', upper and lower, which are activated by one electric motor 60.

The upper and lower cutting device 52 also includes a gantry rack 61 comprising an upper horizontal knife 62 and a lower horizontal knife 62 ', which are mounted on horizontal rails 63 with the possibility of moving forward and backward in a vertical plane. Thus, two horizontal knives 62 and 62 'can approach or move away from a continuous package or bag containing bottle blocks 11 and consisting of two layers of film wound around products 11 when rotating in opposite directions, providing cutting along two horizontal sections of said continuous package on opposite sides of a solid package or bag. In addition, in this case, two horizontal knives 62 and 62 'are functionally connected with the resistances heating them, which ensures their functioning in the hot cutting mode; or, in any case, cutting is carried out using alternative systems, for example, using ultrasound, etc.

With this movement, two horizontal knives 62 and 62 'are driven by double-crank mechanisms 64 and 64', upper and lower, which are activated by one electric motor 65.

Moreover, the lower knife 62 'when moving it forward / backward and up / down moves along the horseshoe-shaped loop 66 formed in the tape 55; while the indicated horseshoe loop can move together with the carriage 53 and the device 52 of the upper and lower cutting.

In FIG. 14 and 15 show cross sections, respectively, of the upper and lower cutting device 52 of the cutting unit 16 with the upper horizontal knife 62 and the lower horizontal knife 62 'and the side cutting device 51 with the vertical side knives 57 in the working position, acting on the film made of plastic material in which the product blocks are wrapped.

The mutual distance d between the two portal struts 56 and 61 of the side cutting device 51 and the upper and lower cutting device 52 may vary; however, it is regulated at the stage of setting machine parameters depending on the size of the packaged bottles 11 and, mainly, on the number of bottles 11 in each individual block that forms the final packaging. For this, the adjustable braces / rods 68 connect the two portal posts 56 and 61 of the two cutting devices 51 and 52 so that the mutual distance can be varied and adjusted. Accordingly, with this configuration, finished packages can be obtained, each of which contains, for example, four or six bottles or bottles in a different quantity or other sizes, which were put into blocks at the entrance to the machine.

In FIG. 16 and 17 are a side view and a cross-sectional view illustrating one of the alternative embodiments of the cutting unit 16 'shown in an elevated position and which is an integral part of the packaging machine.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numbers.

Only one cutting device 51 ′ is provided, equipped with side cutting knives 57. In this example, the side knives 57 are displaced until they reach the intermediate part of the two bottles 11 adjacent to each other in the front or rear of the block and wrapped with a stretch film, performing transverse cutting of two opposite halves of the specified continuous packaging containing blocks of bottles 11.

As clearly seen in cross section, in this cutting unit 16 'shown in FIG. 16 and 17, the lateral knives 57 in the working position act on the film, passing halfway through the film of plastic material covering the product blocks to form the indicated continuous package or bag, cutting it in the transverse direction.

Thus, cutting operations can be accelerated in comparison with the cutting unit 16 described above. Said cutting assembly 16 ′ may comprise various devices 51 ′ for accelerating the packaging separation operations in order to increase productivity.

This machine according to the present invention also implements a new packaging method. Essentially, a method for packaging in a stretch film of products (11), fed forward by blocks, for example, in pairs of adjacent products. The specified method includes, in order, the stage of ordering two continuous rows of the specified closing products 11, forming a block with a given number of bottles, and maintaining them in such an ordered state. This is followed by the stage of moving and feeding previously ordered products to the first node 14 of the annular winding of the stretch film and winding the blocks of products 11 with the first film. The specified winding is carried out in the first direction of rotation to obtain a continuous package or package with blocks of products. After that, the product blocks already wound in the first winding unit with the first film are moved forward and fed into the second node 15 of the annular winding of the stretch film. The specified winding of the second film is carried out in the second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation, resulting in a continuous package or package with blocks of products from two layers of film wound during rotation in opposite directions. Then, the continuous package or bag is advanced and fed to the cutting unit 16, which moves in synchronization with the continuous package or bag. The cutting unit cuts a continuous packaging or bag with blocks of products in the transverse direction into individual packages with blocks of products 11.

This method of packaging provides the cutting of a continuous package or package with product blocks with a movable cutting unit 16 through transverse perimetric cutting.

This packaging method also includes a step of selectively and alternately wrapping the products with stretch film in two ring winding units 14 and 15 by means of one of two ring winding devices 32 provided for each of the two ring winding units 14 and 15, thereby ensuring the continuity of the winding process even in if the film is used up in at least one of the two ring winding devices 32 provided for each of the two ring winding units 14 and 15.

The principle of operation of the machine according to the present invention, intended for packaging blocks of products in a stretch film is described below.

As indicated above, bottles 11 or other containers to be packaged in a predetermined quantity into packs of a given size to form a block are supplied in sequential order in closing pairs arranged in two rows aligned and adjacent to each other. Aligned in this way, the blocks of bottles 11 enter the conveyor belt 12 for feeding into the packaging machine at the entrance to the organizing unit 13.

The exact and constant location of the bottles 11 in each block is achieved in this ordering unit 13 due to the presence of two belts 21 and 21 'with butt rods 26 protruding from the surface of one belt 21 towards the other belt 21' located opposite and facing it.

Thus, an absolutely uniform arrangement of two continuous rows of bottles in each block must be ensured before they are fed to the next machine unit.

The bottle blocks, arranged and aligned in this way, are supplied to the first ring winding unit 14, in which, for example, one of the two ring winding devices 32 is activated. The polymer film from the coil of this ring winding device 32 begins to rotate and wind a separate block of bottles 11, which advance along the conveyor belt 29 between the pairs of side guide rails 30.

Thus, a continuous package is formed with blocks consisting of pairs of bottles 11, moving forward with a certain film tension, which is provided by special means provided for this purpose and described above.

The bottle blocks 11 thus wound leave the first winding unit 14 and, moving along the next conveyor belt 29, reach the connecting unit 44 in the direction of the subsequent second winding unit 15.

When the bottle blocks pass through the first winding unit 14, the feed is carried out by two conveyor belts 42 and 43. The following conveyor belts 45 and 46 are provided in the connection unit 44, spaced apart from each other and located one on top of the other, which help to move forward a continuous package or bag with blocks pairwise bottles while keeping them in an orderly position.

Continuation of the supply provides the movement of the specified continuous packaging or package containing spaced apart from each other blocks of bottles in the direction of the second winding node 15; and at the entrance to it, for example, above the corresponding conveyor belt 29, film winding is activated by the first of two ring winding devices 32 of the second winding unit 15. In addition, in this case, the polymer film from the coil of this ring winding device 32 starts to rotate and wrap around the bottle blocks 11, already wound with the first film, as they move forward along the conveyor belt 29 between the pairs of side guide rails 30. However, it should be borne in mind that the rotation of the ring winding device 32 in this case is carried out in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the first winding unit 14, as a result, the layers of the first winding film are crossed with the layers of the film of this second winding.

Said continuous packaging or bag with bottle blocks 11 spaced apart from each other, thus formed in the form of intersecting film layers, continues to advance due to the presence of two conveyor belts 42 and 43 provided in the second winding unit 15 and subsequent conveyor belts 45 and 46, provided in the second connecting node 44, which is located in front of the entrance to the cutting node 16.

Then the continuous packaging enters the conveyor belt 55 provided in the cutting unit 16, which supports and moves the solid packaging or package containing blocks of bottles 11, during the subsequent stage of cutting.

The carriage 53, containing the side cutting device 51 and the upper and lower cutting device 52, is moved so that at the cutting point its speed is synchronized with the feed rate of the continuous package. Cutting is carried out by these two devices when the speed of movement of the carriage 53 relative to the speed of movement of the package containing blocks of bottles 11 is zero.

At the cutting stage, the vertical side knives 57 of the side cutting device 51 act on one section of the continuous packaging at the ends of the bottle blocks 11, while the upper horizontal knife 62 and the lower horizontal knife 62 'of the upper and lower cutting device 52 act on another section of the continuous packaging, also ends of bottle blocks 11.

The formation and separation of the finished packages is completed when, as the continuous packaging moves forward, the carriage 53 moves the cutting devices 51 and 52 back and reactivates in the continuous packaging supply direction, synchronizing its speed with the continuous packaging feeding speed. Essentially in this situation, the two cutting devices 51 and 52 are triggered again, respectively, performing vertical and horizontal perimetric cutting of the bag in those sections in which horizontal and vertical perimetric cuts have already been performed, which completes the perimetric cutting of a continuous package containing bottle blocks , and its division into separate packages. Such a cutting unit 16 has been described herein, but a different cutting unit of a different design can be used in the same way without the need for a machine for packaging products in a continuous stretch film different from the machine according to the present invention.

An important distinguishing feature of the machine according to the present invention is, essentially, the ability to perform continuous winding of blocks consisting of pairs of bottles or other packaged products, without interrupting this process. This is possible due to the presence of two identical ring winding devices 32 located on opposite sides of each winding unit, which act selectively and alternately depending on whether the film comes to the end in the corresponding coil or not. The ability to ensure that the winding film is always present in one or the other ring winding unit essentially prevents machine stops and allows you to replace an empty coil in one of the ring winder devices without interrupting the operation of another ring winder. This is achieved through the use of special sensors that signal that the film in the reel is coming to an end, and which provide early activation of the second ring winder before the film ends in the first ring winder.

Thus, the goal indicated in the introductory part of the present description, has been successfully achieved.

Essentially, a method and a machine for packaging continuously supplied products that do not require interruption of the process in the event of the consumption of a wrapping film and packaging are provided.

More than one cutting unit mated to winding units may also be provided, for example, to increase hourly productivity. This is possible due to the high speeds that can be achieved by the winding units, as well as the fact that the manipulation of the film supplied for winding does not require interruption of the process.

Increasing the speed of this machine is also possible due to the fact that the cutting is performed on the periphery with minimal movement of the knives, which carry out the impact within extremely limited periods of time.

It is obvious that the design options for implementing the machine and method according to the present invention, as well as materials and assembly modes, may differ from those presented in the drawings for illustrative purposes only, and which are not restrictive.

The scope of legal protection of the present invention is determined by the attached claims.

Claims (24)

1. The method of packaging in a stretch film of product blocks (11), fed forward in pairs, which includes the following stages: - ordering of two rows of products (11), maintaining them in such an ordered state and dividing these products into product blocks; - moving and feeding these rows of products, arranged in such a way and divided into blocks, into the first node (14) of the annular winding of the stretch film and wrapping these products (11) with the first film when rotating in the first direction to obtain a continuous package or bag with product blocks ( eleven); - advancing and feeding said products already wound in said first winding unit with a first film to a second ring winding unit (15) of a stretch film for winding with the second film when rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation, so as to form a continuous package or bag with products from two layers of film wound during rotation in opposite directions; and - advancing and feeding said continuous packaging or bag into a cutting unit (16) that moves synchronously with said continuous packaging or bag, and which cuts said solid packaging or bag in the transverse direction into final packages with products (11); and characterized in that: - at the entrance to the specified first node (14) of the ring winding, the two continuous rows of products are separated and reduced into product blocks (11), divided and spaced relative to each other, after which the transition to the subsequent processing steps of these blocks of separate spaced products according to the described method ; and - the indicated stage of winding the indicated product blocks into the specified film in the two indicated nodes (14) and (15) of the ring winding is performed selectively and alternately by activating one of the two ring winding devices (32) provided in each of the two said nodes (14) and (15) annular winding, thereby ensuring the continuity of the process of winding product blocks also in the event of a specified film being consumed in at least one of the two indicated annular winding devices (32) provided in each of the two said assemblies (14) and (15 ) ring winding. 2. The packaging method according to p. 1, characterized in that said movable cutting unit (16) cuts said continuous packaging or bag with articles stacked in blocks, separated and spaced apart by a certain distance, by transverse perimetric cutting of said continuous packaging or a package with the indicated product blocks (11), separated and spaced from each other by a certain distance, which are wrapped in two specified layers of the film when rotating in opposite directions; while the specified perimetric cutting is performed on two vertical and two horizontal sections of a continuous package. 3. The packaging method according to p. 1 or 2, characterized in that the movement between the specified first node (14) of the annular winding and the specified second node (15) of the annular winding is carried out by means of two conveyor belts spaced relative to each other and located one on top of the other, namely, the lower conveyor belt (45) and the upper conveyor belt (46) located in the connecting node (44); at the same time, in the frame (49) of the indicated connecting unit (44), lateral guide rails (30) are provided for receiving the two indicated spaced and separate products (11) coming in by the first film wrapped. 4. A machine for packing into a stretch film of product blocks (11) with the forward feeding of pairwise closing products (11), which includes an ordering unit (13), receiving each block of closing products (11), holding them in such an ordered state and separating them specified products on product blocks; the first ring winding unit (14) and the second ring winding unit (15), performing winding in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the first ring winding unit (14); a cutting unit (16) for cutting a continuous package formed at the previous stage, with the aim of obtaining finished product blocks (11) wrapped in a stretch film of plastic material and forming the final package; characterized in that each of the two annular winding units (14) and (15) indicated comprises a frame (31), on which two ring winding devices (32) are arranged on two opposite sides thereof, which are configured to selectively and alternately activate to form said continuous packaging containing product blocks; however, two of said ring winding devices (32) of said first winding assembly (14) rotate in the opposite direction with respect to the direction of rotation of said ring winding devices (32) of said second winding assembly (15). 5. The machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said arranging unit (13) located at the inlet of said first ring winding unit (14) comprises two belts (21) and (21 ') wound around the cantilever pulleys, mounted on the respective vertical axes (22) and (23), moreover, one axis (22) from among these axes is provided with a drive; wherein said belts (21) and (21 ') are provided with spaced butt rods (26) protruding from the surface of one belt (21) in the direction of another belt (21') opposite and facing it; however, one belt (21) is separated from the other opposing belt (21 ') by a distance equal to at least two interlocking products (11) of each block. 6. Machine according to one or more of the preceding paragraphs. 4 and 5, characterized in that between the first ring winding unit (14) and the second ring winding unit (15), a connecting unit (44) is located, in the frame (49) of which two conveyor belts are provided, the lower belt (45) and upper tape (46), spaced relative to each other and located one on top of the other, as well as side guide strips (30) for receiving two specified continuous rows of these blocks with adjacent products (11) wrapped in the first film. 7. Machine according to one or more of the preceding paragraphs. 4-6, characterized in that the said cutting unit (16) for cutting continuous packaging contains a side cutting device (51) and a device (52) for upper and lower cutting; wherein said lateral cutting device (51) and said upper and lower cutting device (52) are separated from each other by a certain distance and act on a plastic material of a continuous package wrapped around said product blocks (11), cutting along four winding sections, two vertical and two horizontal, and these four sections form the perimeter of the continuous packaging. 8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said cutting unit (16) includes a carriage (53) comprising said lateral cutting device (51) and said upper and lower cutting device (52); while the specified carriage (53) is located on the rails (67) and moves back and forth under the conveyor belt (55), on which the indicated continuous packaging or bag with product blocks (11) rests, wrapped in two layers of film that cross in a spiral when moving forward. 9. Machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said lateral cutting device (51) includes a portal stand (56) containing two vertical side knives (57) mounted on horizontal guides (58) with the possibility of moving forward / backward to / from said continuous package or bag containing two layers of film wound in opposite directions around said product blocks (11) to cut along two vertical sections of said continuous package from opposite sides of said continuous package or bag. 10. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that said two vertical knives (57) are driven by two-crank mechanisms (59) and (59 '), upper and lower, which are activated by one electric motor (60). 11. Machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the said upper and lower cutting device (52) comprises a portal rack (61) equipped with an upper horizontal knife (62) and a lower horizontal knife (62 '), which are mounted on vertical guides (63) with the ability to move forward / backward in a vertical plane to / from the specified continuous packaging or package containing blocks of products wrapped in two layers of film wound in opposite directions around these blocks of products (11) to perform cuts in two horizontal sections of said continuous packaging on opposite sides of said continuous packaging or package. 12. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that said horizontal knives (62) and (62 ') are driven by two-crank mechanisms (64) and (64'), upper and lower, which are activated by one electric motor (65). 13. Machine according to one or more of the preceding paragraphs. 4-6, characterized in that the said cutting unit (16 ') for cutting continuous packaging contains a side cutting device (51') acting on a plastic material that forms the specified continuous packaging wrapped around these product blocks (11), cutting two opposite halves of the specified continuous packaging in the transverse direction. 14. Machine according to claim 13, characterized in that said cutting unit (16 ') includes a carriage (53) comprising said side cutting device (51'); while the specified carriage (53) is located on the rails (67) and moves back and forth under the conveyor belt (55), on which the indicated continuous packaging or bag with the product blocks (11) rests, wrapped in two layers of film that cross in a spiral when moving forward. 15. Machine according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that said side cutting device (51 ') comprises a portal stand (56) containing two vertical side knives (57) located on horizontal guides (58) with the possibility of moving forward / backward to / from said continuous package or bag containing two layers of film wound in opposite directions around said product blocks (11) to cut two opposite halves of said continuous package or bag. 16. Machine according to claim 15, characterized in that said two vertical knives (57) are driven by double-crank mechanisms (59) and (59 '), upper and lower, which are activated by one electric motor (60).

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