WO2006011022A2

WO2006011022A2 - Apparatus for packing groups of items

Info

Publication number: WO2006011022A2
Application number: PCT/IB2005/002056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Franzaroli; Stephen William Tanner
Original assignee: Pulsar S.R.L.; Lynx Machinery International Limited
Priority date: 2004-07-22
Filing date: 2005-07-18
Publication date: 2006-02-02
Also published as: KR20070072854A; BRPI0513597A; EP1771335A2; EP1771335B1; WO2006011022A3; CA2574681A1; ES2313388T3; JP2008506605A; US20090301037A1; DE602005009708D1; ATE407877T1; RU2007102064A

Abstract

An apparatus (010) for packing a group of items, in which the items are preferably packs containing respective products, in a special wrapper formed by a plastic film comprises means for supplying groups of items, means for feeding a wrapping film, and means for wrapping the group of items in the wrapper. The wrapping means comprise means for forming a tubular film (019) for wrapping the group of items, starting with a film being fed and means for inserting a plurality of items in the tunnel forming tubular film (019) forming means.

Description

Apparatus for packing groups of items

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for packing a group of items.

Said items are preferably packs containing respective products, which are packed or bagged in a proper wrapper formed by a film made of a suitable material, in particular, preferably a plastic film.

Said products are preferably rolls, in particular rolls of toilet or kitchen paper or the like, arranged in a suitable and desired configuration in the pack.

However, the present apparatus is preferably applied in the "tissue paper" field in general.

Background Art An apparatus for packing or bagging a group of packs in a special wrapper formed by a plastic film is known. This known apparatus comprises means for supplying groups of items, and means for wrapping the group of items in the wrapper, the wrapping means comprising means for forming a tubular film for wrapping the group of items from a film fed and means which push a first and a second group of items into the tubular film in such a way that they are distanced from one another, in this known machine. The groups in the tubular film are fed forward, together with the tubular film, by conveyor belts, which engage with the outer surface of the tubular film, and the groups of packs inserted in it, along the entire length of the means which arrange the film in a tubular shape.

However, this method of feeding the groups of items and the tubular film is over-elaborate and bulky, requiring special long feed belts to be provided at the means which form the tubular film. An apparatus for packing a group of items is also known in which, to feed the tubular film and a single group of packs, inserted in the tubular film, a suitable pusher is used, which pushes the single group of items in the tubular film, thus pushing the closed downstream wall of the tubular film, consequently feeding the tubular film.

However, in a situation of this type the closed end wall of the tubular film, which is pushed by the bundle, or group of packs, is subjected to excessive stresses and there is the risk that it will break, above all at the seal just made. Normally, to avoid subjecting the film to too much stress, the operating speed of this type of machine is kept relatively low.

However, since the pusher has to enter the tubular film to insert the group and to push the film in order to feed it, the pusher must perform an excessively long outward and return stroke. This contributes to excessive slowing in the operating speed of this type of machine.

It should also be noticed that in both of the above- mentioned apparatuses, air accumulates in the tubular packing film, necessitating the use of additional and bulky means for extracting the air from inside the tubular film, otherwise the bag prepared remains inflated and is difficult to process, or the wrapper may even break due to the overpressures inside the wrapper, created due to compression of said air trapped between the wall of the group of items and the opposite pack closing wall.

Disclosure of the Invention

An apparatus is therefore provided for packing a group of items in a special wrapper obtained from a film or sheet, in particular a film made of a plastic material, in which the items are preferably packs containing respective products; the apparatus comprises means for feeding groups of items, means for feeding a film, means for wrapping a group of items in the film, said means for wrapping a group of items comprising means for arranging the film in a tubular configuration, and means for inserting groups of items in the tubular film; The apparatus is characterised in that, at the means which arrange the film in a tubular configuration there are means for feeding the groups, which are aligned and engage with one another.

In this way, an apparatus is obtained which allows a relatively high operating speed to be achieved. The present invention also relates to a process for packing a group of items in a special wrapper obtained from a film or sheet, in particular a film made of a plastic material.

Brief Description of the Drawings The technical characteristics and advantageous aspects of the invention are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:

Figure IA is a schematic side view, with some parts in cross- section, of a first preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figures IB to II are schematic side views of further operating steps of the first preferred embodiment of the apparatus;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an enlarged detail of the sealing and cutting zone, showing in particular the front zone of the tubular film being fed; - Figure 3 is a schematic rear view of the first preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective schematic view of the front part of the tunnel which forms the wrapper, or film into a tube, which can be used in the first preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 5A is a perspective schematic view a second preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 5B is a schematic side view a second preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; - Figure 6 is a schematic side view a pack supplied through the apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a perspective schematic view of the device for forming groups of items to be packed belonging to the second preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; - Figure 8 is a perspective schematic view of the downstream part of the tunnel for wrapping the groups of items to be packed belonging to the second preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective schematic view of the end separation carriage for the group to be packed belonging to the second preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figures 1OA to 1OC are schematic side views of the main operating steps of the second preferred embodiment of the apparatus.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, the accompanying drawings illustrate a first preferred embodiment 10 of an apparatus for packing groups of items 12 in a special wrapper 14 obtained from a film 16, in particular a film made of a plastic material.

The items 18 are preferably packs containing respective products, which are packed or bagged in the wrapper or bag 14. Each group of items to be packed has, overall, a rear transversal face 12'b, a front transversal face 12 'a and a plurality of longitudinal outer faces 12 'c, between the rear face

12 'b and the front face 12'a.

The wrapper or bag 14 used to pack a group of items in turn has a front section 14a for wrapping the front face of the group of items, a rear section 14b for wrapping the rear face of the group of items and an intermediate section 14c for wrapping the longitudinal outer walls of the group.

The first embodiment of the apparatus comprises means 20 for feeding groups of items in sequence, means 22 for feeding a wrapping film, and means for wrapping a group of items in the wrapping film. Downstream of the means for forming the tubular film there are also means for clamping, sealing and cutting, at transversal portions of the tubular wrapping film, to form the pack which contains a respective group of items, said means being labelled 26 as a whole.

In particular, the means for wrapping a group of items comprise means 23 for arranging the film in a tubular configuration, that is to say, tubular film forming means, and means 24 for inserting groups of items in the tubular film 19. As may be seen in particular in Figure IA, the tubular tunnel means for forming the film comprise a first inner tunnel 27, formed by a plate folded so that it has a quadrangular cross- section, extending longitudinally and open at the upstream and downstream ends 27a and 27b, respectively for item infeed and outfeed.

The film tubular forming means also comprise a second, outer tunnel 28, extending longitudinally and open at the upstream and downstream ends 28a and 28b, respectively for tubular film 19 infeed and outfeed. At the infeed end 28a, the forming tunnel 28 has surfaces for diverting and arranging the flat film into a tubular configuration, before it enters the outer tunnel 28 through the front opening 28a.

As illustrated, the film slides into the outer channel 28, whilst the means 29 longitudinally seal the overlapping ends of the film after it has been folded to form a suitable tubular film. Moreover, as illustrated in Figure IA, the downstream end 27b of the inner tunnel 27 extends beyond the downstream end 28a of the outer tunnel 28.

However, this double forming tunnel 27, 28, and the longitudinal sealing means 29 for the film are of the known and customary type for technicians in the field and, to keep this description brief, they are not described in detail. However, other methods for preparation of the tubular film may also be imagined, for example in another embodiment the double tubular film forming tunnel could be as illustrated in Figure 4, which shows how the inner tunnel 27 has an inner peripheral surface 27' and an outer peripheral surface 27", like the embodiment illustrated in Figure IA. The product wrapping film slides outside the outer surface 27" of the inner channel 27, whilst the groups to be packed are inserted in the tube 27, the groups sliding on the inner surface 27', as is the case for the embodiment illustrated in Figure IA. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 also shows how the infeed end 27a of the inner tunnel 27 extends, like in the embodiment illustrated in Figure IA, upstream, beyond the infeed end 28a of the outer tunnel 28, and how there are suitable and corresponding diverting surfaces or tabs 28', which allow easy arrangement of the flat film in a tubular configuration when it enters the outer tunnel 28 through the upstream infeed opening 28a.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect, the means 24 for inserting the items are designed to insert a plurality of groups of items in the tubular film, the groups aligned and the transversal faces of each group engaging with those of the adjacent group of items. In particular, the insertion means insert the groups of items in the inner tubular element 27 through its front opening 27a, whilst the portion of tubular film which will be used to wrap the corresponding group of items slides on the outer surface of this tubular body 27.

In particular, in the first embodiment, there is a first group 12a upstream, a second group 12b downstream, a third group and a fourth 12c and 12d, both intermediate. The means for inserting the items in the tubular film are, advantageously, item pushing means, designed to engage with a rear face 12'a of the upstream group in a plurality of items to be inserted and forming tubular film feed means. According to the present first preferred embodiment, the pushing action on the aligned plurality of groups of items causes the front face 12'b of the downstream group 12b in the plurality of groups to engage with and push the closed transversal face 14a of the tubular film. As illustrated, in particular in Figure 2. In this way the film can be fed forward with the aid of the insertion means, without subjecting the downstream transversal wall 14a of the tubular film to too much stress. Moreover, the present method for inserting groups of items in the tubular film avoids the presence of air in the tubular film, reducing the stresses operating on the downstream film closure and so reducing the consequent risks of it breaking, and other disadvantages caused by said air in the wrapper. As illustrated, the pushing means consist of a pusher 30 with alternating forward - backward motion, having an outward and feed section, in which it is in a lowered position and feeds the groups of items forward, and a section for returning to the position in which it will receive the next group of items, in which it is raised.

As illustrated, the means for pushing the plurality of groups of items into the tubular film, having reached the forward insertion position, remain in front of the outside of the tubular film arrangement means, and so must perform a rather short feed stroke, substantially equal to the length of the single group, this being advantageous in terms of the operating speed of the present apparatus.

As illustrated, upstream of the tubular film arrangement tunnel means 27, 28, there are means 32 for feeding the items to a position at which they are received by the pushing means which insert them in the tubular film arrangement tunnel.

The feed means preferably feed an upstream group of items 12a towards and against a group of items 12c immediately downstream, thus forming means for accumulation of the groups of items, creating a plurality of groups of items that are aligned and engage with one another, to be fed or pushed into the tunnel 28 by the pusher 30.

As illustrated, the feed means consist of a conveyor belt 34, on which the items fed rest. The pushing means therefore comprise a pusher, consisting of a plate 30, transversal to the pushing direction, which is supported by a vertical arm that is vertically mobile 36, in turn supported by a head 38 which slides on a longitudinal member 40, extending longitudinally above the feed belt 34. According to the advantageous preferred embodiment illustrated, the stroke for insertion of the groups in the tunnel 27 and return of the means for insertion of the groups of items in the tubular film is less than the length of the supporting surface of the feed means 32.

As illustrated, when the insertion push is complete, the insertion means leave the rear part 12"a of the upstream group of items outside the tubular film arrangement means.

The means 20 for feeding groups of items comprise means 42 for receiving the items in sequence, means 44 for intermediate storage of the items, and means 46 for releasing ready-formed and distanced groups of items. The means for receiving the items in sequence receive the items 18 from above, in contact, and arrange them in a position to be received by the next storage means 44', described in more detail below. These sequential receiving means are also designed to push the items received forward after they have been arranged in the receiving position, and for this purpose the means comprise a part 48 designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the item previously received and already positioned forward onto the belt or storage means.

The part 48, designed to receive one item and to simultaneously push the items previously received forward consists of a part with an upper surface 48a for receiving the items and a front surface 48b, extending below and starting at the front edge of the upper surface 48a, the front surface 48b being designed to push the previous item forward. As also indicated with reference to Figure 3, there are preferably a first and a second part 48, alternately receiving items in succession and pushing the items received by the other part forward.

For this purpose, the parts 48, 48 move with a substantially circular path, that is to say, according to a closed rotary path.

Each part 48 also has a plurality of shaped elements 49, in the form of a bracket, transversally distanced from one another, in particular so that the shaped receiving and pushing elements of a part 48 are designed to be inserted between corresponding projections on the storage means 44, not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings.

The brackets 49 have a trapezoidal profile and extend vertically from a transversal beam 50, which is mobile on vertical guide rods 52, 54 supported on a supporting block 56, in turn mobile on longitudinal rods 58 and 60, so that the part can cover a closed path which places the same part in the position for receiving items, at predetermined time intervals.

In particular, each beam 50 extends cantilever style from the guide and support means, located on a respective side of the machine, opposite that on which the guide and support means for the other beam 50 are located. Each part is moved along a rotary path by a respective rotary chain, to which each part is connected at a suitable point on the side opposite that on which the other part is connected to its respective chain 55, 55. The drive chains 55, 55 of the parts are in turn driven by a motor 57, only one of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

As illustrated, the intermediate storage means 44 for the items comprise a lower item supporting conveyor belt 44' and at least one item upper feed belt 62.

There are also item compacting or side centring means 64, at the storage means.

The means 46 for releasing ready-formed and distanced groups of items comprise feed means, consisting of the item feed conveyor belt 34 and means 66 for stopping item feed, so that the items are released in such a way as to allow the release of a group consisting of a predetermined number of items.

The means for stopping item feed comprise a plate 66 mobile between a lowered position, in which it engages with and stops the items, and a raised position, allowing the group of items to pass freely. There are also advantageous means for distancing or separating the groups of items being packed.

In particular, the distancing means advantageously separate a downstream group of items from a group of items immediately upstream of said downstream group, in the plurality of items inserted in the wrapping tunnel 27, 28.

As illustrated, the means for separating a downstream group of items from a group immediately upstream of said downstream group are advantageously and preferably located outside and downstream of the tubular film arrangement means and operate in such a way as to distance the downstream group from the group immediately upstream, to the extent which allows closing of the rear part of the downstream pack and, simultaneously, closing of the front part of the pack immediately upstream. However, according to another embodiment, the means for separating a downstream group of items from a group immediately upstream of said downstream group could be located at the section covered by the means which produce the tubular film, in particular, at the end of these means.

In particular, the means for distancing a downstream group of items from a group of items immediately upstream of said downstream group, separate the groups by a distance which substantially depends on the size of the bag at the bag being packed at that time.

The separating means advantageously consist of means which engage with and feed the front part of the tubular film wrapped around the downstream group of items, in particular, engaging with the front part of the tubular film wrapped around the downstream group of items.

In particular, there are means which engage with the tubular film and the upstream group and means which move the engagement means.

As illustrated, the engagement means consist of at least a first and a second conveyor belt 72 and 74, vertically opposite one another, having a longitudinal engagement section 72a, 74a, extending horizontally.

The cutting means consist of opposite blades 76, 76, inside clamping and sealing plates 78, 78, in the way substantially known to technicians in the sector.

In practice, suitable drive means bring the opposite plates and blades towards one another to seal a pack and cut it from the tubular film.

Advantageously, the cutting and sealing means and the separating or distancing means are supported on a single frame 80, which moves longitudinally forward and backward

For this purpose, there are longitudinal drive means comprising a belt 82, which moves forward and backward and is operatively connected to the frame 80, which slides along suitable longitudinal guides, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In particular, the belt 82 extends below the supporting surface 84 downstream of the tubular film arrangement means.

There are means for engagement and release of the separating means, which move the engagement means into contact with the tubular film and, respectively, move the engagement means away from the tubular film. The engagement elements are supported by a respective support frame 86, 86, vertically mobile thanks to pneumatic actuators, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are also means for moving away the pack formed downstream of the sealing and cutting means. These means for moving the pack away consist of the group of items immediately upstream, which pushes against the group already packed. Therefore, gravity causes the roller already packed to slide on the plurality of aligned rollers 85, supported on the conveyor 84, angled downwards. In short, the apparatus operates as follows.

As illustrated in Figure IA, the group of items 12a released upstream is transported by the conveyor 32 to a position at which the insertion means 24 start pushing, which preferably coincides with a condition in which the front surface of said group rests against the rear surface of the group 12c of items immediately downstream of it.

At this point the pusher 30 descends and engages with the rear surface of the upstream group, pushing the plurality of groups forward, as illustrated in Figure IA, with the rear part of the group immediately upstream 12c and the front part of the upstream group 12a entering the tunnel 28, and consequently the tubular film being fed forward. As illustrated in Figure IA, during this step the vertically opposite sealing and cutting plates 76, 78, moved by a corresponding vertical belt 73 between a position in which they are vertically close to one another for sealing and cutting and a position in which they are vertically distanced from one another, are returning towards the widened position to allow the free passage between them of a subsequent group of items.

Simultaneously, the front part of the downstream group 12b comes out of the rear end 27b of the wrapping tunnel 27, 28, whilst the engagement means 72, 74 approach, in a disengaged condition, the rear end of the tunnel, as illustrated in Figure IB, with the single supporting frame 80 substantially reaching the rear outfeed 27b of the forming tunnel 27, as illustrated in Figure 1C.

In this position, the engagement belts 72, 74 engage with the outer surface of the tubular film and the downstream group 12b contained in this longitudinal portion of tubular film, rotating to accompany the downstream group 12b out, as illustrated in Figure

ID.

The separating means operate by pulling the tubular film 19 and the downstream group of items, whilst the upstream group of items remains on the inner tubular body 27.

For this purpose, the belts 72, 74, which engage with the front part of the tubular film and the downstream group 12b, are moved longitudinally, as illustrated in Figure IE, by the forward movement of the supporting frame 80. In particular, the means for longitudinal movement of the engagement means 72, 74 move the engagement means forward, away from the end 27b, downstream of the tubular film arrangement or production means, in an attempt to distance the rear face of the downstream group 12b from the group 12d immediately upstream of it, as illustrated in Figure IF.

As illustrated in Figure IF, in this condition the pusher 30 is raised, to return backwards, in its raised condition, towards the position at which it starts pushing.

These means 80 for longitudinal movement of the engagement means for the front group move away from the tubular film arrangement means 27, 28 by a section or stroke, as illustrated in

Figure IG, which is suitable for distancing the rear face of the downstream group from the group immediately upstream of it, allowing the downstream end of the tubular film to be clamped, sealed and cut.

As illustrated in Figure IG, in this condition with the supporting frame 80 distanced, the clamping jaws, respectively upper and lower 76 and 78, which support the cutting means and are designed for sealing, start moving nearer one another. During this step, the film and the group of items 12b downstream of the sealing and cutting means 76, 78 remain stationary, stopped by the engagement means 72, 74, whilst the group immediately upstream is stationary, supported on the inner surface of the tunnel 27, at its downstream end 27b, and the film is released to form the rear face of the wrapper for the group 12b and the front, or downstream, face forming the face 14a which engages with and feeds the tubular film.

Once the jaws 76, 78 have met, as illustrated in Figure IH, the film is sealed and cut, in a zone in the middle of the transversal seal zone.

As illustrated, the cutting and sealing means operate while the tubular film and the groups inserted in it are stationary, as illustrated in Figure IH.

While sealing and cutting take place, the feed means 32 bring a new group of items upstream 12 into contact with the group stationary and partially out of the tunnel 27, as illustrated in Figure II, which shows how the sealing and cutting jaws 76, 78 return to the widened, non-operating position. Figure II shows how the pusher 30, even before the upstream group makes contact with the next group partially out of the tunnel, moves to push against the rear surface of the new upstream group 12 in the plurality of groups to be fed.

At this point the cycle continues as illustrated from the above-mentioned Figure IA.

There are means for feeding a wrapping film, comprising a film support reel 22. There are also means for making the reel rotate, comprising rollers 22a for reel rotation, driven by a motor 22b.

The means which drive the flat film comprise control means in the form of machine control means, not illustrated, designed to form means for controlled film release. Before reaching the tunnel infeed, the film 16 is returned by various return means, in particular in the form of rollers and fed by a pair of feed rollers 22e. In particular, there is a mobile return roller 22d which forms a counterweight for maintaining film tension during the various acceleration and deceleration steps of film feed. The counterweight roller 22d has a central film 16 contact and return part and ends which are mobile within respective vertical guides. This motor-driven unwinding assembly allows film unwinding from the reel, the latter releasing the film at an almost constant speed. The accelerations and decelerations to which the film is subjected are controlled by the system of rollers downstream of the reel. In particular, in a first step, the flat film feed means 22e are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (Vl) equal to the feed speed of the groups of items in the film forming means, that is to say, in the inner tubular body 27. The film released during this step forms the lateral walls of the bag, or the upper wall, the lower wall and the side walls of the bag.

In a second step, the flat film feed means 22e are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V2) greater than the predetermined feed speed (Vl) of the film, which is equal to the speed of translation of the sealing means. The film released during this step forms part of the end walls of the bag. Moreover, during this step, the quantity of film released is enough to form a desired wrapper pulling or adhering condition on the respective group of products.

In a third step, the flat film feed means 22e are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V3) equal to the closing speed of the sealing means. The film released during this step forms the remaining part of the rear end wall of the bag and provides the front wall of the bag for the following group of items. The flat film feed means 22e are also designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (VO) , in particular equal to a condition in which film release has stopped, so that the transversal portion separating the downstream group from the following group can be sealed and cut. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the bundle or group to be packed normally comprises a plurality of packs aligned and ordered in various longitudinal rows that are parallel with one another. In particular, three rows of packs are used to produce the group illustrated.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a second preferred embodiment 010 of an apparatus for packing a group of items in a special wrapper made from a film, in particular a film made of a plastic material.

The items are preferably packs containing respective products, which are packed or bagged in the wrapper or bag.

Said products are preferably rolls, in particular rolls of toilet or kitchen paper or the like.

The machine extends longitudinally and comprises a plurality of successive operating units.

In particular, the machine comprises, upstream, a unit 010a for receiving the items, which may optionally be fitted with a diverter for distributing the items in a plurality of predetermined rows.

Immediately downstream of said unit 010a for receiving the items there is a unit 010b for forming the plurality of items or group to be inserted in a wrapper or bag. However, this unit is described in more detail below.

Downstream of the unit 010b which forms or prepares the group or bundle to be bagged, there is a unit 010c for wrapping the wrapper around the group or bundle to be packed, comprising a group feed unit 010'c and an actual wrapping unit 010"c. Once the wrapper has been wrapped around the portion of items to be packed, it is joined, in particular sealed, then cut and unloaded by the downstream unit 01Od.

There may also be a unit suitable for arranging the items to be packed on a plurality of levels, in particular on at least a first level and a second level. In practice, on top of one plurality of rows of items set side by side, forming the lower level, a similar plurality of rows of items would be placed to form the upper level .

As can be seen, in particular with reference to Figure 6, which is a schematic side view, each group of items to be packed

012 consists of a plurality of aligned items 011 - arranged in two or more rows set side by side (only one row 013 is illustrated in Figure 6) - and, as a whole, has a rear or upstream transversal face 012 'b, a front or downstream transversal face 012 'a and a plurality of longitudinal peripheral faces 012 'c, between the rear face 012 'b and the front face 012 'a, comprising an upper peripheral face 0112 'c, a lower peripheral face 0212 'c and a first and a second lateral peripheral face, opposite one another (only- one, labelled 0312 'c, being illustrated in Figure 9) .

As illustrated with a dashed line in Figure 5, the wrapper or bag 014 for packing a group of items, in turn comprises a front or downstream section 014a for wrapping the front face of the group of items, a rear or upstream section 014b for wrapping the rear face of the same group of items and an intermediate peripheral section 014c for wrapping the longitudinal peripheral walls of the same group. As may be seen with reference to Figures 5A and 5B, the means for forming the group of items may optionally comprise an arm B for item feed and transversal distribution, which oscillates horizontally to distribute the items in two or more longitudinal rows on a conveyor belt forming item feed means 043. There are also additional feed means 045 for the groups of items, downstream of the means 043, in the form of a respective conveyor belt. This conveyor belt 045, together with the previous conveyor belt 043, forms intermediate storage means for the items.

There are also item lateral centring or compacting means, at the intermediate storage means 045, not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings.

As is clearly illustrated in Figure 7, the means 010b for forming the group of items to be packed comprise means 046 for releasing predetermined and distanced groups of said items operating on respective feed means 044, in the form of a conveyor belt, and upstream of these there are means 047 for retaining or stopping the rows of items set side by side.

In practice, the means 046 for releasing predetermined and distanced groups of items comprise means which engage with the front or downstream surface of the rows of items set side by side, said engagement means consisting of a transversal bar or barrier 049, mobile between a position in which it engages with the front surface of the group of items being fed forward and a position in which it allows the items to pass freely.

In practice, the engagement means 049 are supported on opposite vertical plates 051, 053 of the support frame, on whose inner faces respective guide profiles are fixed for corresponding sliding side ends of the barrier. In Figure 7 only one guide profile 055 and the relative end 057 of the barrier 049 are visible, the latter being able to slidably fit in the guide profile 055. The engagement means 049 are mobile between a lowered position which prevents item feed and a raised position.

The side guides 055, for the ends 057 of means which engage with the front of the rows of items have a linear profile, extending upwards and angled forwards, so that the barrier is raised with a longitudinal movement component, towards the front of the apparatus, so that it does not obstruct or scrape against the front surface of the items.

As may be seen in Figure 7, the item retaining means 047, located upstream of the releasing means 046, operate in such a way that they stop item feed when the means 046, or the barrier 049, are in the open position allowing the items to pass freely, so as to ensure that items which must not be part of the group of items to be packed continue to be stopped. For this purpose, the distance between the upstream retaining means 047 and the downstream releasing means 046 is suitably defined to allow a desired length of the group to be packed to be obtained.

These upstream retaining means 047 operate on the vertically opposite sides of the items and comprise lower engagement means 047a, in the form of a comb element, which extends transversally and is designed to make contact with the lower surface of the items.

The retaining means also comprise opposing means 047b, in the form of a plurality of surfaces or thin plates distanced from one another transversally, designed to make contact with the upper surface of the items.

In practice, drive means, preferably consisting of an actuator 047c, in particular in the form of a pneumatic cylinder. engage with and release the items, preventing and allowing item feed.

Specifically, the actuator 047c acts on a cross member 047c integral with one end of the comb 047a, the other longitudinal end of the comb being integral with the end of the feed means 044, lifting it, so as to push the items against the upper engagement surfaces 047b, which are supported on suitable elastic means, in particular consisting of springs 047e.

As may be seen in Figure 7, a plate 047 'a has slots in which the comb element 047a slides, suitably hinged to the machine frame.

In practice, this plate 047'a acts as an item support plate, with the teeth of the comb element below projecting and, respectively, withdrawn relative to the supporting surface of the plate 047', respectively to engage with and release the items, as required.

When the means 049 for stopping item feed are released, the conveyor belt 044 feeds a group consisting of a predetermined number of said items towards the packing zone. Relative to the means 010c for wrapping a group of items, Figures 8 and 1OA show how these means comprise means 023 for arranging the film in a tubular configuration, that is to say, tunnel means, and means 024 for inserting the groups of items in the tubular film 019. As may be seen in particular in Figure 5A, the tubular tunnel means 023 for forming the film comprise a first inner tunnel 027, formed by a plate folded so that it has a quadrangular cross-section, extending longitudinally and open at the upstream and downstream ends 027a and 027b, respectively for item infeed and outfeed.

The film tubular forming means also comprise a second, outer tunnel 028, extending longitudinally and open at the upstream and downstream ends 028a and 028b, respectively for tubular film 019 infeed and outfeed. At the infeed end 028a, the forming tunnel 028 has surfaces for diverting and arranging the flat film into a tubular configuration, before it enters the outer tunnel 028 through the front opening 028a.

As illustrated, the film slides in the outer channel 028, whilst means 029 longitudinally seal the overlapping ends of the film after it has been folded to form said tubular film. As illustrated, the downstream end 027b of the inner tunnel 027 extends beyond the downstream end 028a of the outer tunnel 028.

The front part of this double forming tunnel 027, 028, and the longitudinal sealing means 029 for the film may be of the known and usual type for technicians in the field and, to keep this description brief, they are not described in detail. Other methods for forming the tubular film may also be imagined.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the inner tunnel 027 has an inner peripheral surface 027' and an outer peripheral surface 027".

The product wrapping film 019 slides outside along the outer surface 027" of the outer tunnel 027, whilst the groups to be packed are inserted in the inner tunnel 027 and slide on its inner surface 027' . The accompanying drawings also reveal how the infeed end 027a of the inner tunnel 027 extends, upstream, beyond the infeed end 028a of the outer tunnel 028. Also, in the way customary in the sector, there are suitable and corresponding diverting surfaces or tabs, well known in the sector and not requiring detailed illustration in the accompanying drawings, which allow easy arrangement of the flat film in a tubular configuration when it enters the outer tunnel 028 through the upstream infeed opening 028a.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect, the means 024 for inserting the items are designed to insert a plurality of groups of items in the tubular film, the groups aligned and the transversal faces of each group engaging with those of the longitudinally adjacent group of items.

In particular, the insertion means insert the groups of items in the inner tubular element 027 through its front opening 027a, whilst the portion of tubular film which will be used to wrap the corresponding group of items slides on the outer surface of this tubular body 027.

In particular, in the second embodiment, there is a first group 012a upstream, a second group 012b downstream, a third group and a fourth 012c and 012d, both intermediate. In practice, there is an advantageous build up of groups in the wrapping tunnel which allows advantageous production output.

The means for inserting the items in the tubular film are, advantageously, item pushing means, designed to engage with a rear face 012 'a of the upstream group in a plurality of items to be inserted and forming tubular film feed means. According to the present second preferred embodiment, the pushing action on the aligned plurality of groups of items causes a front face 012 'b of the downstream group 012b of the plurality of groups to engage with and push the closed transversal face 014a of the tubular film, as may be seen in particular in Figure 1OA. In this way the film can be fed forward with the aid of the insertion means, without subjecting the downstream transversal wall 014a of the tubular film to too much stress. Moreover, the present method for inserting groups of items in the tubular film avoids the presence of unwanted air in the tubular film, reducing the stresses operating on the downstream film closure and so reducing the consequent risks of it breaking, and other disadvantages caused by said air in the wrapper.

As illustrated, the pushing means consist of a pusher 030 with alternating forward - backward motion, having an outward and feed section, in which it is in a lowered position and feeds the groups of items forward, and a section for returning to the position in which it will receive the next group of items, in which it is raised. As illustrated, the means 030 for pushing the plurality of groups of items into the tubular film, having reached the forward insertion position, remain in front of the outside of the tubular film arrangement means, and so must perform a rather short feed stroke, substantially equal to the length of the single group, this being advantageous in terms of the operating speed of the present apparatus. However, in an alternative embodiment, the pushing means 030 may enter the wrapping tunnel. However, the stroke, in particular, the pushing stroke end position, for the pushing means 030 may vary according to the length of the items or packs.

As illustrated, upstream of the tubular film production tunnel means 027, 028, there are means 044 for feeding the items to a position at which they are received by the pushing means which insert them in the tubular film arrangement tunnel.

The feed means preferably feed an upstream group of items 012a towards and against a group of items 012c immediately downstream, thus forming means for accumulation of the groups of items, creating a plurality of groups of items that are aligned and engage with one another, to be fed or pushed into the tunnel 028 by the pusher 030.

As illustrated, the pushing means therefore preferably comprise a pusher, consisting of a plate 030, transversal to the pushing direction, which is supported by a vertical arm 036 that is vertically mobile, in turn supported by a head 038 which slides on a longitudinal member 040, extending longitudinally above the feed belt 044. According to the advantageous second preferred embodiment illustrated, the stroke for insertion of the groups in the tunnel 027 and return of the means for insertion of the groups of items in the tubular film is less than the length of the supporting surface of the feed means 044. As indicated, advantageously and preferably, when the insertion push is complete, the insertion means leave the rear part 012"a of the upstream group of items outside the tubular film arrangement means.

In particular, the pusher 030 has a central portion 030a and two side tabs 030b and 030c. Support mechanisms 03Od and 03Oe for the tabs 030b and 030c at the central portion 030a comprise devices (not illustrated in detail and which may be of any suitable type available to technicians in the sector) , which allow the tabs 030b and 030c to be released if the thrust that they apply on the group of items reaches a predetermined limit value. In this way, in the event of jamming it is possible to prevent harmful thrusts on the products or other items. As may also be seen in Figure 8, preferably but not exclusively, at the tubular film arrangement or production means there are advantageously means 0113, 0115 for feeding the groups in the grouped condition into the tubular film. Said feed means consist of means for feeding the items and the tubular film which contains them in the area extending longitudinally to the tubular film production tunnel 027.

Said item and tubular film feed means comprise respective pluralities of upper and lower feed belts, 0113 and 0115 respectively.

These feed belts are advantageously located at the end or downstream of the forming tunnel.

There are advantageous means for rotationally driving the feed belts and means for moving the feed belts towards and away from the tubular film and the group contained in it. Said means for moving the feed belts towards and away from the film and group, with a vertical movement, are not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings.

The feed belts 0113 and 0115 extend from the downstream end of the tunnel, internally, over a predetermined section, suitable for engaging with a predetermined number of groups of items.

In particular, said plurality of upper feed belts 0113 engage with the upper face of the tubular film and of the group inserted in this longitudinal portion of the tubular film, which arrive through an opening 027c in the front or downstream part of the upper wall of the inner tunnel 027.

In particular, said plurality of lower feed belts 0115 engage with the upper face of the tubular film and of the group inserted in this longitudinal portion of the tubular film, which arrive through corresponding openings or slits 027d in the front or downstream part of the lower wall of the inner tunnel 027.

There are also means 027e for supporting the groups in the condition in which they are not engaged.

In particular there is a plurality of projections 027e, extending downstream, from an intermediate edge 027f of the base of the tunnel 027, and in which the slits 027d are made transversally. In practice, the feed belts 0115, when engaged with the tubular film and the lower surface of the group of items, extend, after engaging with corresponding longitudinal portions or strips of the tubular film - which slide below the lower surface of the projections 027e - projecting from the longitudinal openings 027d, beyond the upper surface 027g of the projections 027e, making contact with the lower face of the respective items. In contrast, when the belts 0115 are vertically retracted, releasing the lower face of the tubular film and the group of items, said belts return downwards through the slits, moving into position under the projections 027e, on whose upper surface 027g the lower surface of the group of items rests. In the latter operating condition, the lower face of the tubular film is free to slide under the projections 027e. Obviously, the groups of items are fed in the wrapping tunnel, over a first, upstream section, by the thrust applied by the upstream group of items, which is inserted by the pushing means 030, whilst, over a second section, the items are fed in the tunnel by the action of the belts 0113 and 0115. This prevents product crushing. There is no resistance to insertion by the pushing means 030.

There are also advantageous means for distancing or separating the groups of items being packed.

In particular, the distancing means advantageously separate a downstream group of items from a group of items immediately upstream of said downstream group, in the plurality of items inserted in the wrapping tunnel 027, 028.

As illustrated, the means for separating a downstream group of items from a group immediately upstream of said downstream group are advantageously located outside and downstream of the tubular film arrangement means and operate in such a way as to distance the downstream group 012b from the group immediately upstream 012d, to the extent which allows closing of the rear part of the downstream pack and, simultaneously, closing of the front part of the pack immediately upstream.

In particular, the means for distancing a downstream group of items from a group of items immediately upstream of said downstream group, separate the groups by a distance which may depend on the size of the bag being packed at that time.

As illustrated, the engagement means consist of at least a first and a second conveyor belt 072 and 074, vertically opposite one another, having a longitudinal engagement section 072a, 074a, extending horizontally. In particular, as illustrated, the engagement means consist of a plurality of first conveyor belts 072 and a plurality of second 074 conveyor belts, vertically opposite one another, each having a longitudinal engagement section 072a, 074a, extending horizontally. As may also be seen in Figures 1OB and 1OC, at the tubular film production means there are also means 0119 for stopping the feed of the groups in the grouped condition into the tubular film.

These means for stopping feed into the tunnel extend inside the tubular film 019 and engage with the front face of the group of items 012d which must be separated from the downstream group to be packed 012b.

These stopping means 0119 consist of a longitudinally extended element 0119a having, at the downstream end, a cross member 0119b, not illustrated in detail, designed to engage with the upper part of the group 012c of packs.

The longitudinal element 0119a pivots, at 0119c, upstream of the longitudinal sealing means 029, and its upstream end 0119e operates by engaging with and releasing the group 012d with corresponding drive means consisting of an actuator, in particular, a pneumatic cylinder 0119f.

In practice, the stopping means 0119 hold the group of items if activated to separate the downstream group of items for closing and cutting the respective bag.

At the downstream end of the tunnel 027 there are advantageous means for exchanging air with the inside of the tubular film. These air exchange means consist of means for emitting a flow of air inside the tubular film, designed to counter any vacuum which may be created by the downstream group of items 012b detaching from the group 012d.

These means for air exchange with the inside of the tubular film preferably consist of a small perforated tube, having a plurality of distributed openings, extending along the cross member 0119b of the means for stopping the group immediately upstream of the group to be separated 012b. A similar small perforated tube, with a plurality of distributed openings, extends below at the end edge 0127 of the tunnel 027. These small perforated tubes for air exchange with the inside of the tubular film are not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings.

The means for air exchange with the inside of the tubular film may also comprise a plurality of small perforated tubes longitudinally distanced from one another.

The cutting means consist of opposite blades 077, 077, inside clamping and sealing plates 078, 078, in the way substantially known to technicians in the sector.

Advantageously, the cutting and sealing means and the separating or distancing means are supported on a single frame 080, which moves longitudinally forward and backward For this purpose, there are longitudinal drive means comprising a belt 082, which moves forward and backward and is operatively connected to the frame 080, which slides along suitable longitudinal side guides, only one of which labelled 079 is illustrated in Figure 9. In particular, the belt 082 extends below the supporting surface 084 downstream of the tubular film arrangement means.

There are means 087 for engagement and release of the separating means, which move the engagement means into contact with the tubular film and, respectively, move the engagement means away from the tubular film.

The engagement elements are supported by a respective support frame 086, 086, vertically mobile when respective actuators, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, are activated.

There are also means for moving away the pack formed, which is downstream of the sealing and cutting means. These means for moving the pack away consist of the group of items immediately upstream, which pushes against the group already packed. Therefore, gravity causes the group already packed to slide on the plurality of aligned rollers, supported on the conveyor 084, angled downwards. In short, the apparatus operates as follows.

The group of items 012a released upstream is transported by the conveyor 044 to a position at which the insertion means 030 start pushing.

During this step the vertically opposite sealing and cutting plates 078, 078, moved between a position in which they are vertically close to one another for sealing and cutting and a position in which they are vertically distanced from one another, are returning towards the widened position, until they reach it as illustrated in Figure 10A, to allow the free passage between them of a subsequent group of items.

At this point the pusher 030 engages with the rear surface of the upstream group 012a, pushing it against the group immediately downstream 012c, as illustrated in Figure 10A, and so into the tunnel, pushing the group immediately downstream 012c forward. During this step, the feed belts in the tunnel feed the downstream groups of items 012b, 012d forward, and as soon as it arrives in the zone covered by them, also the group 012c.

Pushed by the belts 0113 and 0115, the front part of the downstream group 012b then comes out of the rear end 027b of the wrapping tunnel, whilst the engagement means 072, 074 approach, in a disengaged condition, the rear end of the tunnel, until they reach it as illustrated in Figure lOB, with the single support frame 080 substantially reaching the rear outfeed 027b of the forming tunnel 027, 028.

In this position, the engagement belts 072, 074 engage with the outer surface of the tubular film and the downstream group 012b contained in this longitudinal portion of tubular film, rotating to accompany the downstream group 012b out, as illustrated in Figure lOB.

The separating means operate by pulling the tubular film 019 and the downstream group of items, whilst the upstream group of items remains on the inner tubular body 027, with the feed belts in the tunnel in the disengaged condition which does not feed the items and the tubular film free to slide forward.

In this condition, the element 0119 for engaging with and stopping the group immediately upstream 012d is activated to provide said stopping action for the group immediately upstream. Moreover, in this condition, the air exchange means are activated to supply a suitable pressure in the film upstream of the downstream group 012b.

For this purpose, the belts 072, 074, which engage with the front part of the tubular film and the downstream group 012b, rotate and are also moved longitudinally by the forward movement of the support frame 080 along the side guides 079.

In particular, the means for longitudinal movement of the engagement means 072, 074 move the engagement means forward, away from the end 027b, downstream of the tubular film arrangement or production means, in an attempt to distance the rear face of the downstream group 012b from the group 012d immediately upstream of it, as illustrated in Figure lOB.

The closing distance between the downstream group 012b and the group immediately upstream 012d is, therefore, obtained through the combined effect of the carriage 080 translation and rotation of the belts 072, 074.

These means 080 for longitudinal movement of the engagement means for the front group move away from the tubular film arrangement means 027, 028 by a section or stroke, as illustrated in Figure 1OC, which is suitable for distancing the rear face of the downstream group from the group immediately upstream of it, allowing the downstream end of the tubular film to be clamped, sealed and cut.

As illustrated in Figure 1OC, in this condition with the support frame 080 distanced, the clamping jaws, respectively upper and lower 078 and 078, which support the cutting means and are designed for sealing, start moving nearer one another. During this step, the film and the group of items 012b downstream of the sealing and cutting means 078, 078 remain stationary, stopped by the engagement means 072, 074, whilst the group immediately upstream is stationary, supported and braked or stopped on the inner surface of the tunnel 27, at its downstream end 027b, and the film is released to form the rear face of the wrapper for the group 012b and the front, or downstream, face forming the face

014a which engages with and feeds the tubular film. Once the jaws 078 have met, as illustrated in Figure 1OC, the film is sealed and cut, in a zone in the middle of the transversal seal zone.

As illustrated, the cutting and sealing means operate while the tubular film and the groups inserted in it are stationary. While sealing and cutting take place, the feed means bring a new group of items upstream 012 into the position for delivery to the pushing means.

Therefore, while the sealing and cutting jaws 078, 078 return to the widened, non-operating position, the pushing means 030 cause a new group of items to engage against the group of items immediately downstream and inserted in the front part of the tunnel.

At this point the cycle continues as described above. As indicated, with each operating cycle of the feed means 0113, 0115 in the tubular film production tunnel, the groups are fed forward by a section equal to the length of the group of items to be packed.

There are means for feeding a wrapping film, comprising a film support reel 022. For this purpose, there could also be suitable means for rotationally driving the reel, comprising respective reel rotation rollers driven by a motor, but which are not illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The means which drive the flat film may also comprise control means in the form of machine control means, not illustrated, designed to form means for controlled film release.

Before reaching the tunnel infeed, the film 019 can be returned by various return means, in particular in the form of rollers and fed by a pair of feed rollers, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Moreover, there may be a mobile return roller which forms a counterweight for maintaining film tension during the various acceleration and deceleration steps of film feed. The counterweight roller would have a central film 019 contact and return part and ends mobile within respective vertical guides. This motor-driven unwinding assembly allows film unwinding from the reel 022, the latter releasing the film at an almost constant speed. The accelerations and decelerations to which the film is subjected are controlled by the system of rollers downstream of the reel 022.

In particular, in a first step, the flat film feed means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (Vl) equal to the feed speed of the groups of items inside the film forming means, that is to say, inside the inner tubular body. The film released during this step forms the lateral walls of the bag, or the upper wall, the lower wall and the side walls of the bag.

In a second step, the flat film feed means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V2) different to the predetermined film feed speed (Vl) , which is equal to the sum of the speed of translation of the sealing means and the speed imparted to the film 19 by the rotation of the belts 072 and 074. The film released during this step forms part of the end walls of the bag. Moreover, during this step, the quantity of film released is enough to form a desired wrapper pulling or adhering condition on the respective group of products.

In a third step, the flat film feed means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V3) equal to the closing speed of the sealing means. The film released during this step forms the remaining part of the rear end wall of the bag and provides the front wall of the bag for the following group of items. The flat film feed means are also designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (VO) , in particular equal to a condition in which film release has stopped, so that the transversal portion separating the downstream group from the following group can be sealed and cut.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the bundle or group to be packed normally comprises a plurality of packs aligned and ordered in various longitudinal rows that are parallel with one another. In particular, three rows of packs are used to produce the group illustrated.

The wrapping tunnel 027, 028 may advantageously be width and/or height adjustable, or there may be a plurality of wrapping tunnels 027, 028, each suitable for use with a respective transversal size of the group of items to be packed. In another embodiment of the invention the film feed means consist only of the pushing means 024, which, pushing the groups of items, at least for the initial step of outfeed from the tubular film forming means, or tunnel, 024, cause the front face of the downstream group to push against the closed end of the tubular film until the downstream end of both is received for forward feed by the downstream feed means or rollers 072, 074.

In practice, in the latter embodiment, the feed rollers

0113, 0115 operating in the tunnel section may be absent. The pushing or feeding action on the group of items to be packed, coming out of the tubular film forming tunnel, is imparted only by the forward stroke of the pushing means 024.

Thus, an apparatus was obtained with a relatively simple and compact structure, which allows a relatively high operating speed to be achieved, that is to say, with less stress on the wrapping film and in which the risk of product crushing is limited.

The invention may be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. The present second embodiment provides, in particular, an apparatus with a relatively simple and compact structure, which allows a relatively high operating speed to be achieved, that is to say, with less stress on the wrapping film.

Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus for packing a group of items (012) in a special wrapper obtained from a film or sheet, in particular a film made of a plastic material, in which the items are preferably packs containing respective products; the apparatus comprising means (044) for feeding groups of items, means for feeding a film (019), means (010c) for wrapping a group of items in the film (019), said means (010c) for wrapping a group of items comprising means (023) for arranging the film (019) in a tubular configuration, and means (024) for inserting groups of items in the tubular film (019) ; the apparatus being characterised in that, at the means (023) which arrange the film (019) in a tubular configuration there are means for feeding the groups (012a, 012b, 012c, 012d) in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 or according to the preamble to claim 1, comprising means (078, 078) for joining, in particular sealing, corresponding transversal portions of the tubular wrapping film (019) .

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, comprising means (077, 077) for cutting the tubular wrapping film (019) at said transversal joined portions to form the pack containing a respective group of items (012) .

4. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the item insertion means (024) are designed to insert in the tubular film (019) a plurality of said groups of items in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another.

5. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the item insertion means (024) are designed to insert in the tubular film (019) arrangement means (023) a plurality of said groups of items in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another.

6. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that tubular film (019) arrangement means (023) comprise a tubular element (027) designed to receive a plurality of said groups of items in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another, and outside which the tubular film (019) passes.

7. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that said plurality of items comprises at least a first, upstream group (012a) and a second, downstream group (012b) .

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the plurality of items comprises at least a third, intermediate group of items (012c) .

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the plurality of items comprises at least a fourth, intermediate group of items (012d) .

10. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the feed means are means for feeding the items and tubular film (019) .

11. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means for feeding the items and the tubular film (019) comprise at least an upper feed part (0113) .

12. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means for feeding the items and the tubular film (019) comprise at least a lower feed part (0115) .

13. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means for feeding the items and the tubular film (019) comprise respective pluralities of upper feed belts (0113) and lower feed belts (0115) .

14. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the feed means are located at the end or downstream part of the forming tunnel.

15. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that there are means for engaging the feed means on and releasing them from the tubular film (019) and the group contained in it.

16. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means for engaging the feed means on and releasing them from the tubular film (019) and the group contained in it are in the form of means for moving towards and against the tubular film (019) and the group contained in it.

17. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the feed means extend from the end of the tubular film (019) arrangement means (023), over a predetermined section suitable for engaging with a predetermined number of groups of items.

18. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the feed means engage with the corresponding face of the tubular film (019) and of the group inserted in this longitudinal portion of the tubular film (019) arriving through an opening in the corresponding wall of the tunnel (027) .

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterised in that the feed means engage with the upper face of the tubular film (019) and of the group inserted in this longitudinal portion of the tubular film (019) arriving through an opening (027c) in the upper wall of the inner tunnel (027) .

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, characterised in that the feed means engage with the lower face of the tubular film (019) and of the group inserted in this longitudinal portion of the tubular film (019) arriving through at least a corresponding opening (027d) in the lower wall of the tunnel (027); and also being characterised in that there are means (027e) for supporting the groups of items in the disengaged condition.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterised in that there is a plurality of projections (027e) on which the items rest, the projections being transversally separated by the slits (027d) for the passage of the feed means.

22. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are feed means in the form of means for feeding the items and the tubular film (019), comprising means (030) for pushing the items.

23. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the means for inserting the items in the tubular film (019) are in the form of item pushing means (030) .

24. The apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, characterised in that said pushing means are designed to engage with a rear face of the upstream group of a plurality of groups to be inserted.

25. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 22 to 24, characterised in that the pushing means comprise a mobile element (030) designed to engage with a group of items located on a supporting surface (044) .

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterised in that the mobile element (030) moves with an alternating motion pushing the items forward and then returning backwards.

27. The apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, characterised in that the means supporting the groups to be inserted consist of a conveyor belt (044) forming feed means for the groups of items.

28. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are means (044) for feeding the upstream group of items against the group of items immediately downstream of it in a condition in which it is at least partly inserted in the wrapping means (027, 028) .

29. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the means for inserting the plurality of groups of items in the tubular film (019) remain outside the front of the tubular film (019) forming means.

30. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are means (010b) for distancing the groups of items being packed from one another.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, characterised in that the means (010b) for distancing the groups of items from one another separate a group of items downstream from a group of items upstream of said downstream group.

32. The apparatus according to claim 30 or 31, characterised in that the means (010b) for distancing the groups of items from one another are located close to the end of the tubular film (019) arrangement means.

33. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 30 to 32, characterised in that the means (010b) for distancing the groups of items from one another are located outside and downstream of the tubular film (019) arrangement means.

34. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 30 to 33, characterised in that the means (010b) for distancing a downstream group of items from a group of items upstream of the downstream group of items, distances said groups in such a way as to allow closing of the rear part of the downstream pack and of the front part of the pack immediately upstream of it.

35. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 30 to 34, characterised in that the means (010b) for distancing the groups of items from one another are means for engaging with and feeding a part of the tubular film (019) wrapped around the downstream group of items and of the group inside it.

36. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 30 to 35, characterised in that the means (010b) for distancing the groups of items from one another are means for engaging with the front part of the tubular film (019) wrapped around the downstream group of items; and also being characterised in that there are means for moving the engagement means.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, characterised in that the means for moving the engagement means move the engagement means longitudinally, forward and backward.

38. The apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, characterised in that the engagement means consist of at least a first and a second element, set opposite one another.

39. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 38, characterised in that the engagement elements comprise a feed belt.

40. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 30 to 39, characterised in that the means for distancing the groups of items from one another operate by accelerating a corresponding part of the tubular film (019) and the group of items contained in it.

41. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 40, characterised in that the means for longitudinal movement of the means engaging with the downstream group move away from the downstream end of the tubular film (019) arrangement means, distancing the rear face of the downstream group from the group immediately upstream of it.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, characterised in that the means for longitudinal movement of the means engaging with the downstream group move away from the tubular film (019) arrangement means by a section or stroke suitable for creating a distance between the rear face of the downstream group and the group immediately upstream of it, allowing the downstream end of the tubular film (019) to be clamped, sealed and cut.

43. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 42, characterised in that the longitudinal movement means return towards the tubular film (019) arrangement means, before the front part of the downstream group comes out of the tubular film arrangement means.

44. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 43, characterised in that the longitudinal movement means return towards the tubular film (019) arrangement means, before the groups of items move forward.

45. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 44, characterised in that there are means for moving the joining and/or cutting means longitudinally.

46. The apparatus according any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 45, characterised in that the joining and/or cutting means operate while the tubular film (019) and the groups wrapped in the tubular film (019) are stationary.

47. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 46, characterised in that said joining and/or cutting means and said means for distancing groups from one another are supported on a single frame (080) .

48. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 47, characterised in that there is a longitudinally mobile support frame (080) .

49. The apparatus according to claim 48, characterised in that there are longitudinal drive means for the mobile frame (080), consisting of a continuous element (082) which moves forward and backwards and is operatively connected to the frame, sliding along suitable guides.

50. The apparatus according to claim 49, characterised in that the continuous element (082) for moving the longitudinally mobile frame extends under the support means (084), located downstream of the tubular film (019) arrangement means.

51. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 50, characterised in that there are drive means (087) for engaging and releasing the distancing means.

52. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 51, characterised in that there are means for driving the means which engage with and feed the engaged portion of the tubular film (019) and the group of items contained in it.

53. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 52, characterised in that the engagement means comprise at least one feed belt (072, 074) .

54. The apparatus according to claim 53, characterised in that there are means for rotationally driving the engagement belt (072, 074) , to feed the tubular film (019) and the relative group of items.

55. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 54, characterised in that the engagement elements (072, 074) are supported by a vertically mobile support frame (087) .

56. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 55, characterised in that the engagement and feed belts (072, 074) have a longitudinal engagement section extending horizontally.

57. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are means (084) for moving the downstream pack away from the sealing and cutting means.

58. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the means for feeding a wrapping film comprise a film support reel

(022) .

59. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are means for driving the film (019) feed means.

60. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the film drive means release the film (019) at an almost constant speed.

61. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are film (019) feed means downstream of the film support means.

62. The apparatus according to claim 61, characterised in that the film feed means are controlled by suitable controls designed to allow a controlled supply of the film.

63. The apparatus according to claim 61 or 62, characterised in that the flat film feed means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (Vl) equal to the speed at which the groups enter the tubular film (019) forming means.

64. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 61 to 63, characterised in that the flat film feed means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V2), different to the predetermined film feed speed (Vl) during insertion of the group of items, equal to the speed of translation of the means for distancing groups from one another.

65. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 61 to 64, characterised in that the flat film feed means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V3) equal to the speed at which the clamping means close.

66. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 61 to 65, characterised in that the flat film drive means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (VO) , in particular equal to a stop in the release of film, during which the transversal portion separating the downstream group from the next group is sealed and cut.

67. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are means (0119) for stopping the feed of the groups in the grouped condition into the tubular film (019) .

68. The apparatus according to claim 67, characterised in that the means for stopping feed into the tunnel extend inside the tubular film (019) and engage with the front part of the group of items (012d) which must be separated from the downstream group to be packed (012b) .

69. The apparatus according to claim 67 or 68, characterised in that the stopping means (0119) comprise a longitudinally extended element (0119a) .

70. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 67 to 69, characterised in that at the downstream end the stopping means (0119) comprise a cross member (0119b) .

71. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 67 to 70, characterised in that the stopping means (0119) pivot upstream of the longitudinal sealing means (029) .

72. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 67 to 71, characterised in that the upstream end of the stopping means (0119) is driven to allow it to engage with and to release the corresponding group (012d) .

73. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there means for exchanging air with the inside of the tubular film (019) .

74. The apparatus according to claim 73, characterised in that the means for exchanging air with the inside of the film are located at the downstream end of the tunnel (027) .

75. The apparatus according to claim 73 or 74, characterised in that the air exchange means consist of means for emitting a flow of air inside the tubular film (019) .

76. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 73 to 75, characterised in that the means for exchanging air with the inside of the tubular film (019) comprise a small perforated tube, having a plurality of distributed openings, the tube extending along the cross member (0119b) of the means for stopping the group immediately upstream of the group to be separated (012b) .

77. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 73 to 76, characterised in that the means for exchanging air with the inside of the tubular film (019) comprise a small perforated tube, having a plurality of distributed openings, the tube extending below at the end edge (0127) of the tunnel (027) .

78. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the means for feeding the groups of items comprise means for receiving the items in sequence, means for intermediate storage of the items, and means for releasing predetermined and distanced groups of said items.

79. The apparatus according to claim 78, characterised in that the items are rested from above on the means for receiving the items in sequence which arrange them in a position for them to be received by the storage means.

80. The apparatus according to claim 78 or 79, characterised in that the means for receiving the items in sequence are designed to push the items received before.

81. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 78 to 80, characterised in that the means for receiving the items in sequence comprise at least one part (48) designed to receive an item and, simultaneously, to push the items received before forward.

82. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 78 to 81, characterised in that the part (48) designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the item received before forward is a part with an upper surface for receiving items and a front surface designed to push the item received before forward.

83. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 78 to 82, characterised in that there is a first part and a second part (48) designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the items received before forward, these parts alternating, one after another, receiving the items and pushing the items received by the other part forward.

84. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 78 to 83, characterised in that the part (48), designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the item received before forward moves along a substantially circular path, that is to say, along a closed path.

85. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 78 to 84, characterised in that the part (48) designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the item received before forward has a plurality of shaped receiving and pushing elements which are transversally distanced from one another.

86. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 78 to 85, characterised in that the part (48), designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the item received before forward, is mobile on vertical guide rods which are moved longitudinally, allowing the part to follow a closed path which, at predetermined time intervals, places the part in the predetermined position for receiving the items.

87. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 78 to 86, characterised in that the intermediate storage means for the items comprise a lower support and feed surface and at least one upper feed belt.

88. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are item compacting or side centring means.

89. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 78 to 88, characterised in that the means for releasing ready- formed and distanced groups of items comprise means for feeding the items and means for stopping feed of the items, the items being released in such a way as to allow the release of a group consisting of a predetermined number of items.

90. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means for stopping item feed comprise a plate mobile between a position in which it engages with and stops the items and a retracted position allowing the group of items to pass freely.

91. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are means suitable for arranging the items to be packed on a plurality of levels.

92. A process for packing a group of items in a special wrapper obtained from a film or sheet, in particular a film made of a plastic material, in which the items are preferably packs containing respective products; the process comprising the steps of feeding groups of items, feeding a film, wrapping a group of items in the film, where, to wrap a group of items, the film is arranged in a tubular configuration, and groups of items are inserted in the tubular film; the process being characterised in that a plurality of groups of items are inserted in the tubular film in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another.

93. The process for packing a group of items in a special wrapper obtained from a film or sheet, in particular a film made of a plastic material, in which the items are preferably packs containing respective products; the process comprising the steps of feeding groups of items, feeding a film, wrapping a group of items in the film, where, to wrap a group of items, the film is arranged in a tubular configuration, and groups of items are inserted in the tubular film; the process being characterised in that a plurality of groups of items are inserted in the tubular film (019) arrangement means in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another.