WO2023067433A1

WO2023067433A1 - Automatic packaging machine

Info

Publication number: WO2023067433A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/059673
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco Maurizi
Original assignee: Mad Automation Srl
Priority date: 2021-10-18
Filing date: 2022-10-10
Publication date: 2023-04-27

Abstract

A packaging machine (100) comprises: a feed conveyor (3) suitable for feeding capsules (1 ) to be packaged, a first dispensing device (32) to dispense the capsules (1 ) in a first guide channel (33a) and in a second guide channel (33b), a turn-over device (4) to turn over the capsules in upside-down position, a second dispensing device (35) to dispense the capsules in upright position in at least two rows, a positioning device (6) to position the capsules (1 ) in upright position on a work surface (36), a chain conveyor (5) to pick the capsules (1 ) in upside-down position and bring them to a position that is adjacent to the work surface (36), a box conveyor (200) to transport boxes (S) to a position that is adjacent to the work surface (36), a picking head (7) to pick a bundle of capsules and place said bundle inside a box (S) so as to form a package (P).

Description

AUTOMATIC PACKAGING MACHINE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an automatic packaging machine, specifically a machine used for realizing a package of capsules wherein some of the capsules are disposed in upside-down position in the package.

As it is well known, many products, such as food products, for example coffee powder, are contained in containers shaped like a capsule with a major base that defines a collar that protrudes from a body.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a capsule (1 ) having a truncated-conical body (10) with a minor base (13) and a major base (11 ) of a discoidal shape that generates a collar (12) that protrudes from the body (10). The major base (11 ) is shaped like a discoidal plate and can be rested on a vertical plane in order to firmly hold the capsule in upright position.

When the capsule (1 ) has the major base (1 1) directed downward, as shown in Fig. 11 , the capsule is in a stable upright position. When the capsule (1 ) has the major base (1 1 ) directed upward, as shown in Fig. 12, the capsule is in an upside-down position that may be unstable, as the minor base (13) may be rounded or otherwise smaller than the major base.

During the packaging process of the capsules (1), the main purpose is to occupy the minimum space and obtain a package that contains as many capsules as possible.

Referring to Fig. 13, the capsules (1 ) are arranged in upright position in two parallel rows, with the edges of the major bases (11 ) in contact with each other. Since the major bases (1 1) of the capsules have a larger diameter than the body (10), a gap (I) is created between four adjacent capsules suitable for accommodating a capsule (1) in upside-down position with the collar (12) abutting the minor bases (13) of the four adjacent capsules. Fig. 14 illustrates a bundle (F) of capsules ready to be packaged, wherein three capsules in upside-down position are arranged in the three gaps (I) formed between eight capsules in upright position.

Fig. 15 illustrates a package (P) obtained from a cardboard blank (2) that has been developed to form a box (S) wherein eight capsules are arranged in upright position, in two rows of four capsules each, and three capsules are arranged in upside-down position in the three gaps (I) formed between the capsules in upright position. With such a system, it is possible to obtain a package (P) of eleven capsules (1 ) with the smallest volume possible.

At present, the market does not offer an automatic packaging machine capable of automatically obtaining such a package from a cardboard blank, in which the capsules arranged in the box are partly in upright position and partly in upside-down position in order to have a minimum volume of the capsule and therefore a maximum capacity of the package.

It is the purpose of the present invention to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an automatic packaging machine which is capable of automatically creating packages of capsules arranged partly in upright position and partly in upside-down position so as to have a minimum volume of the capsules and a maximum capacity of the package.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide such an automatic packaging machine that is versatile and capable of packaging different types of capsule-shaped products having a major base that defines a collar protruding from a body.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide such an automatic packaging machine that is reliable and at the same time efficient and suitable for packaging a large number of capsules in a short time.

These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention with the features of the appended independent claim 1. Advantageous achievements of the invention appear from the dependent claims.

Further features of the invention will appear clearer from the following detailed description, which refers to a purely illustrative and therefore nonlimiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the appended drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, illustrating an automatic packaging machine according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view, illustrating the flow of products in the machine of Fig. 1 to realize a package;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, illustrating a feed conveyor of the machine according to the invention in which the capsules to be packaged are fed;

Fig. 3A is an enlargement of a detail of Fig. 3, illustrating a dispensing device;

Fig. 3B is an enlargement of a detail of Fig. 3, illustrating a positioning device;

Fig. 3B is an enlargement of a detail from Fig. 3, illustrating a turn-over device;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, illustrating the turn-over device and a chain conveyor for the transportation of the capsules in upside-down position;

Fig. 4A is an enlargement of a detail of Fig. 4, illustrating a seat of the chain conveyor for the transportation of the capsules in upside-down position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, illustrating a work surface on which the capsules arrive in upright position and a picking head for picking up the capsules in upside-down position from the chain conveyor and for bringing them onto the work surface;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, illustrating a magazine of cardboard blanks and a magazine of cardboard interleaves;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view, illustrating a forming device for forming a box from a cardboard blank; Fig. 8 is a perspective view, illustrating the forming device of Fig. 7 from a different angle;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view, illustrating the forming device above a conveyor of cardboard boxes;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view, illustrating the picking head ready to pick up the bundle of capsules on the work surface and the arrangement of the bundle in a box transported by the box conveyor;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view, illustrating a capsule in a upright position;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view, illustrating an arrangement of eight capsules in a upright position;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view, illustrating a bundle of capsules comprising eight capsules in upright position and three capsules in upsidedown position;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view, illustrating a package of eleven capsules;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a cardboard blank that is stretched out to form a box;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an open box obtained from the blank of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 17, filled with a bundle of capsules in upright position and in upside-down position; and

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 18, closed in such a way to form a closed package.

With the aid of the Figures, a packaging machine is described according to the invention, which is generally indicated with the reference numeral 100.

Now referring to Figs. 1 , 2 and 3, the packaging machine (100) comprises a feed conveyor (3) in which capsules (1 ) to be packaged are fed.

The feed conveyor (3) comprises an inclined slide (30) and a conveyor belt (31 ) on which the capsules (1 ) are conveyed in upright position, that is to say with the major base (11 ) of the capsules resting onto the conveyor belt (31 ).

A dispensing device (32) dispenses the capsules (1 ) into a first guide channel (33a) and a second guide channel (33b).

As shown in Fig. 3A, the dispensing device (32) comprises a plate having two slots (32a, 32b) communicating with the first guide channel (33a) and with the second guide channel (33b), respectively. In such a way, the body (10) of the capsules enters the slots (32a, 32b) of the dispensing device and the capsules are aligned one by one.

The capsules in the first guide channel (33a) are intended to remain in upright position. The capsules in the second guide channel (33b) are intended to be in upside-down position.

Since the package (P) to be obtained has a smaller number of capsules in upside-down position than in upright position (see Fig. 15), the feed conveyor (3) comprises a counter-selector device (34) arranged upstream the dispensing device (32) in order to count the capsules to be sent into the first guide channel (33a) and into the second guide channel (33b), respectively, and convey a preset number of capsules into the first guide channel (33a) and into the second guide channel (33b).

By way of example, if a package (P) of eleven capsules such as the one shown in Fig. 15 is to be obtained, the counter-selector device (34) is configured in such a way that, after counting eleven capsules that are to form the package, eight capsules are sent into the first guide channel (33a) and three capsules are sent into the second guide channel (33b).

The first guide channel (33a) leads to a second dispensing device (35) suitable for dispensing the capsules in upright position in at least two rows.

The second dispensing device (35) comprises a plate having a number of slots (35a, 35b) parallel to each other based on the number of rows of capsules to be obtained in a package. The slots (35a, 35b) of the second dispensing device are communicating with the first guide channel (33a).

The figures show a dispensing device with two slots. In such a way, the body of the capsules penetrates the slots (35a, 35b) of the second dispensing device and the capsules are aligned one by one in two parallel rows.

A selector device (38) is arranged upstream the second dispensing device (35) in order to select the capsules to be sent into the first slot (35a) or into the second slot (35b) of the dispensing device.

A positioning device (6) is arranged at the outlet of the second dispensing device (35). The positioning device (6) is configured to position a number of capsules equal to the number of capsules in upright position to be packed in a package. The positioning device (6) places the capsules in upright position on a work surface (36) in an arrangement in which the capsules in upright position are to be packed.

Referring to Fig. 3B, the positioning device (6) comprises a first comb plate (60) and a second comb plate (61 ) having a number of seats (62) equal to the number of capsules in upright position in a package. The seats (62) of each comb plate have a U-shape suitable for receiving the body of a capsule. The seats (62) of the comb plates are facing each other. In this way, two parallel rows of capsules in upright position are formed.

In the example of Fig. 3B, each comb plate (60, 61 ) has four seats (62), so the positioning device (6) places an arrangement of capsules in upright position like the one shown in Fig. 13 on the work surface (36).

The comb plates (60) are slidingly mounted in the transverse direction on slides (63) so that they can be moved closer and farther. The slides (63) are slidingly mounted on side edges (37) on either side of the work surface (36). An actuator (64) moves the slides (63) in translation. In such a way, the positioning device (6) is alternately moved forward and backward, picking up the capsules at the outlet of the second dispensing device (35) and placing them in an ordered way on the work surface (36).

Returning to Fig. 3, the second guide channel (32b) leads to a turn-over device (4) suitable for turning the capsules fed into the second guide channel (33b) upside-down.

Referring to Fig. 3C, the turn-over device (4) comprises a plate (40) arranged vertically and orthogonal to the forward traveling direction of the capsules in the second guide channel. The plate (40) has a slot (41) shaped like an arc of a circle with an inlet (42) communicating with the second guide channel (33b) and an outlet (43) arranged inferiorly to the inlet (42). The slot (41 ) has a width slightly greater than the length of a capsule, so that one capsule at a time can slide inside the slot. The slot (41 ) is defined by a convex surface (44), whereon the major base (11 ) of the capsule slides, and by a concave surface (45), whereon the minor base (13) of the capsule slides.

As shown in Fig. 3C, the capsules in upright position enter the inlet (42) of the slot (41 ), slide by gravity into the slot (41) and are turned upside down. Therefore capsules in upside-down position exit from the outlet (43) of the slot (41 ).

With reference to Fig. 4, the turn-over device (4) is arranged above a chain conveyor (5) suitable for transporting the capsules in upside-down position. Since the minor base (13) of the capsules does not allow the capsules to rest firmly on a surface in upside-down position, a simple conveyor belt cannot be used and a chain conveyor must be used.

The chain conveyor (5) comprises a plurality of seats (50) mounted on a chain (51 ) that is closed in a loop and is moved in rotation by an electric motor (52).

Referring to Fig. 4A, each seat (50) comprises a base plate (53) and a fork (54) mounted on the base plate. The fork (54) defines a U-shaped opening (55) having a width that is larger than the diameter of the body (10) of a capsule and smaller than the diameter of the major base (11 ) of a capsule. In such a way, the capsule (1 ) can be supported in the seat (50) in upsidedown position because the body (10) of the capsule enters the U-shaped opening (55) of the seat and the collar (12) of the capsule abuts the fork (54) of the seat.

Returning to Fig. 4, it should be noted that the chain (51 ) has a first side (51 a) facing the outside of the machine and a second side (51 b) facing the machine, that is to say facing the work surface (36). The first side (51a) of the chain slides under the outlet (43) of the turn-over device. The first side (51 a) of the chain is raised by a distance (d) relative to a horizontal plane at the outlet (43) of the turn-over device.

Then, at the outlet of the turn-over device, the chain conveyor (5) is tilted in a transverse direction by an angle proportional to the distance (d). As a result, when a seat (50) reaches the outlet (43) of the turn-over device, the fork (54) of the seat is inclined from the top towards the bottom, going from the first side (51 a) of the chain to the second side (51 b) of the chain, so as to favor the sliding of the capsule into the U-shaped opening (55) of the seat.

With reference to Fig. 5, the packaging machine (100) comprises a picking head (7) suitable for picking up the capsules in upside-down position on the chain conveyor (5) and placing them on the capsules in upright position arranged on the work surface (36), so as to form a bundle (F) of capsules ready to be packaged, such as the bundle (F) shown in Fig. 14.

The capsules in upright position on the feed conveyor (3) are moved toward the work surface (65) along a forward traveling direction (X1 ) in a longitudinal direction of the machine.

The capsules in upside-down position on the chain conveyor (5) are moved along a forward traveling direction (X2) parallel to the forward traveling direction (X1) of the capsules in upright position. The chain conveyor (5) is arranged parallel to and essentially at the same height as the work surface (36).

The picking head (7) is mounted on a telescopic arm (70) that can translate vertically in the direction of a vertical axis (Z). The telescopic arm (70) is slidingly mounted on a crosspiece (71 ) that extends transversely above the work surface (36) and the chain conveyor (5). In this way, the telescopic arm (70) can translate on the crosspiece (71 ), in the direction of a horizontal axis (Y) transverse to the forward traveling directions (X1 , X2) of the capsules in upright position and in upside-down position.

The picking head (7) comprises a plate (72) from which picking means (73) protrude inferiorly, being suitable for picking up both the capsules in upside-down position traveling on the chain conveyor and the capsules in upright position disposed on the work surface (36). The picking means (73) may comprise vacuum suction cups (74) suitable for adhering to the minor base (13) of the capsules in upright position and to the major base (11 ) of the capsules in upside-down position.

In order to create and pick up the bundle (F) shown in Fig. 14, the picking head (7) comprises a set of three central suction cups for picking up three capsules in upside-down position, and two sets of four lateral suction cups for picking up eight capsules in upright position.

The picking head (7) performs the following functions:

- it picks up the capsules in upside-down position from the chain conveyor (5) and places them on the capsules in upright position on the work surface (36), forming the bundle (F) of capsules to be packed, and

- it picks up all the capsules in the bundle (F), maintaining their arrangement, in order to place them in a box and realize a package.

Referring to Fig. 6, the packaging machine comprises a blank magazine (8) and an interleaf magazine (85). Cardboard blanks (2) are stacked in the blank magazine (8) and are suitable for forming boxes used to pack the capsules.

Referring to Fig. 16, the blank (2) comprises a rectangular portion (20) with four transverse fold lines (21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d) that define a first long lateral panel (22a), a bottom panel (22b), a second long lateral panel (22c), a top panel (22d), and a lateral closure panel (22e), respectively. The first long lateral panel (22a) is provided with a slot (28) suitable for being engaged by a closing flap (29) of the lateral closure panel.

The bottom panel (22b) is connected to a first short lateral panel (23a) and to a second short lateral panel (23b) by means of respective fold lines (24a, 24b).

Each short lateral panel (23a, 23b) is connected to two lateral flaps (25) by means of respective fold lines (25') and to a longitudinal flap (26) by means of a fold line (26').

As shown in Fig. 17, in order to develop the blank (2), firstly the short lateral panels (23a, 23b) are folded along the fold lines (24a, 24b), and then the long lateral panels (22a, 22c) are folded along the fold lines (21 a, 21 b), so that the lateral flaps (25) of the short lateral panels are folded along the fold lines (26') and are arranged inwardly with respect to the long lateral panels (22a, 22c). In this way, an open box is obtained.

Referring to Fig. 6, the blank magazine (8) comprises a loader (80) wherein the blanks (2) are stacked in stretched out configuration. The loader (80) feeds one blank at a time onto a conveyor belt (81 ) that transports the blanks to a forming device (9) suitable for forming an open box (S) from the stretched out blank, like the one shown in Fig. 17. Glue applicators are arranged above the conveyor belt (81) to apply glue to an upper side of the flaps (25) of the blank in order to form the box.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the forming device (9) comprises a shaft (90) slidingly mounted in vertical direction along an axis (Z1 ) in a support (91 ) mounted in a crosspiece (9r). The shaft (90) is moved by an electric motor (95).

The shaft (90) supports a forming head (92) in the shape of a parallelepiped block, having the same dimensions as the dimensions of the bottom panel (22b) of the blank.

The forming head (92) is arranged above a rectangular opening (93) having the same dimensions as the bottom panel (22b) of the blank. When the blank (2) in stretched out configuration transported by the conveyor belt (81 ) reaches the rectangular opening (93), the forming head (92) is lowered, pushing the bottom panel (22b) of the blank into the rectangular opening, the walls of the rectangular opening (93) cause the folding of the short lateral panels (23a, 23b) along the fold lines (24a, 24b), then the folding of the long lateral panels (22a, 22c) along the fold lines (21 a, 21 b) in such a way to form the open box (S), as shown in Fig. 17.

Referring to Fig. 9, the open box (S) formed by the forming device (9) falls onto a conveyor (200) that transports the open boxes to an area close to the work surface (36). The conveyor (200) of the boxes comprises a chain conveyor or a conveyor belt (202) with loop configuration, whereon a plurality of pushers (203) is arranged. A gap is formed between two adjacent pushers (203) suitable for accommodating a box arranged in longitudinal direction.

Referring to Fig. 10, the boxes (S) are moved on the conveyor (200) in a forward traveling direction (X2) parallel to the forward traveling direction (X) of the capsules in upright position on the feed conveyor (3) and to the forward traveling direction (X1 ) of the capsules in upside-down position on the chain conveyor (5). The work surface (36) is located between the chain conveyor (5) and the conveyor (200) of the boxes.

When the open box (S) reaches the work surface (36) whereon the bundle (F) comprising capsules in upright position and capsule in upside-down position is arranged, the picking head (7) picks up the bundle (F) and places it inside the box (S), forming a package as shown in Fig. 18.

Returning to Fig. 6, the interleaf magazine (85) comprises a loader (86) wherein interleaves (A) consisting of a cardboard sheet are loaded (see Fig. 2). A positioning device (87) picks up the interleaves (A) from the loader (86) and places them inside the box (S) when multiple layers of capsules (1 ) are to be packaged. By way of example, if the package is to include two layers of capsules, after the first layer of capsules has been placed by the picking head (7), the positioning device (87) picks up an interleaf (A) from the loader (86) and places it on the first layer of capsules. Successively, the picking head (7) places the second layer of capsules on the interleaf (A).

Referring to Fig. 9, a closing device (300) is in charge of closing the boxes (S) filled with the bundle (F) of capsules that travel on the conveyor (200) of the boxes.

The closing device (300) comprises a gun (303) to spray glue on a lower face of the lateral closure panel (22a) of the blank and a plate (301 ) that is pivoted to a side of the machine, near the conveyor (200) of the boxes. The plate (301 ) of the closing device is rotated so as to push down the upper panel (22d) of the blank.

A folding device (302) is mounted on the plate (301 ) of the closing device, which is suitable for folding the lateral closure panel (22e) of the blank. The closing flap (29) is glued to the long lateral wall (22a) of the blank. In fact, in the formation of the package (P), the closing flap (29) does not fit into the slot (28). The slot (28) is used by the consumer to close the package once it is opened. In such a way, a closed package (P) is obtained, which is fed by the conveyor (200) to an outlet of the machine.

Different types of packages can be obtained with the packaging machine (100) according to the invention, using the counter-selector device (34) to control the number of capsules to be sent to the first guide channel (33a) or to the second guide channel (33b). For example, all capsules (1 ) can be arranged in the package in upright position or in upside-down position.

Different types of packages can be obtained, using the selector device (38) to control the number of capsules to be sent to the slots (35a, 35b) of the second dispensing device. For example, the capsules (1 ) can be arranged in the package in a single row or in two parallel rows or in more than two parallel rows if the second dispensing device has more than two slots.

Finally, different types of packages with one or more layers can be obtained by setting the synchronization time of the picking head (7) and of the conveyor (200) of the boxes,

Equivalent variations and modifications may be made to the present embodiment of the invention, within the reach of a person skilled in the art, but still within the scope of the invention as expressed by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A packaging machine (100) comprising:

- a feed conveyor (3) suitable for feeding capsules (1 ) to be packaged in upright position, with a major base (11 ) of the capsule directed downwards and a minor base (13) of the capsule directed upwards,

- a first dispensing device (32) to dispense the capsules (1 ) in upright position fed by the feed conveyor (3) in a first guide channel (33a) and in a second guide channel (33b),

- a turn-over device (4) disposed in the second guide channel (33) and configured to turn over the capsules in upside-down position, with the major base (11 ) of the capsule directed upwards and the minor base (13) of the capsule directed downwards,

- a second dispensing device (35) disposed in the first guide channel (33a) to dispense the capsules in upright position in at least two rows,

- a positioning device (6) disposed downstream the second dispensing device (35) to position the capsules (1 ) in upright position on a work surface (36) in a packaging position,

- a chain conveyor (5) disposed at an outlet of the turn-over device (4) to pick the capsules (1 ) in upside-down position and bring them to a position that is adjacent to the work surface (36),

- a box conveyor (200) suitable for transporting boxes (S) to a position that is adjacent to the work surface (36),

- a picking head (7) suitable for picking the capsules in upside-down position on the chain conveyor (5) and position them on the capsules in upright position on the work surface (36) so as to form a bundle of capsules (F) that is picked by the picking head (7) and is positioned inside a box (S) on the box conveyor so as to form a package (P), and

- closing means (300) disposed in proximity to the box conveyor (200) to close the boxes filled with the bundle of capsules.

2. The packaging machine (100) according to claim 1 , further comprising:

- a forming device (9) suitable for forming an open box (S) from a blank (2) in horizontal position and feeding said open box (S) to said box conveyor (200), and

- a blank magazine (8) wherein blanks (2) are loaded and fed one at a time towards said forming device (9).

3. The packaging machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feed conveyor (3) comprises a counter-selector device (34) disposed upstream the first dispensing device (32) in order to count the capsules to be sent into the first guide channel (33a) and into the second guide channel (33b), respectively, and convey a preset number of capsules into the first guide channel (33a) and into the second guide channel (33b).

4. The packaging machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second dispensing device (35) comprises a plate having at least two slots (35a, 35b) in parallel position based on the number of rows of capsules to be obtained in a package, and the packaging machine (100) further comprises a selector device (38) disposed upstream the second dispensing device (35) for selecting the capsules to be sent into the slots (35a; 35b) of the dispensing device.

5. The packaging machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said turn-over device (4) comprises a plate (40) disposed vertically and orthogonal to the forward traveling direction of the capsules in the second guide channel (33b); said plate (40) having a slot (41 ) shaped like an arc of a circle with an inlet (42) in communication with the second guide channel (33b) and an outlet (43) disposed inferiorly with respect to the inlet (42); the width of the slot (41 ) being slightly higher than a length of a capsule, so that one capsule at a time can slide inside the slot; the slot (41 ) being defined by a convex surface (44) whereon the major base (11 ) of the capsule slides and a concave surface (45) whereon the minor base (13) of the capsule slides.

6. The packaging machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain conveyor (5) comprises a plurality of seats (50) mounted on a chain (51 ) in closed loop configuration and driven in rotation by means of an electric motor (52); wherein each seat (50) of the chain conveyor comprises a base plate (53) and a fork (54) mounted on the base plate; the fork (54) defines a U-shaped opening (55) having a higher width than a diameter of a body (10) of a capsule and a lower width than a diameter of the major base (11 ) of a capsule, in such a way the capsule (1 ) can be supported in the seat (50) in upside-down position because the body (10) of the capsule penetrates the U-shaped opening (55) of the seat and a collar (12) of the capsule abuts the fork (54) of the seat.

7. The packaging machine (100) according to claim 6, wherein the chain (51 ) of the chain conveyor has a first side (51 a) directed towards the outside of the machine and a second side (51 b) directed towards the machine; the first side (51a) of the chain runs under an outlet (43) of the turn-over device; the first side (51a) of the chain is raised by a distance (d) with respect to a horizontal plane in correspondence with the outlet (43) of the turn-over device, in such a way that the chain conveyor (5) is inclined in a transverse direction by an angle proportional to the distance (d) at the outlet of the turnover device.

8. The packaging machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the picking head (7) is mounted on a telescopic arm (70) that translates vertically in the direction of a vertical axis (Z); the telescopic arm (70) is slidingly mounted on a crosspiece (71 ) that extends transversely above the work surface (36) and the chain conveyor (5); the picking head (7) comprises a plate (72) with picking means (73) that project in lower position for picking the capsules in upside-down position that travel on the chain conveyor (5) and the capsules in upright position disposed on the work surface (36); the picking means (73) comprise vacuum suction cups (74) suitable for adhering to the minor base (13) of the capsules in upright position and to the major base (11 ) of the capsules in upside-down position.

9. The packaging machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the forming device (9) comprises:

- a shaft (90) suitably mounted to slide vertically along an axis (Z1 ) in a support (91 ) mounted in a crosspiece (91 '),

- an electric motor (95) that actuates the shaft (90),

- a forming head (92) supported by the shaft and having a parallelepiped block shape with the same dimensions as a bottom panel (22b) of the blank, and

- a rectangular opening (93) disposed below the forming head (92) and having the same dimensions as the bottom panel (22b) of the blank.

10. The packaging machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an interleaf magazine (85) comprising:

- a loader (86) wherein interleaves (A) composed of cardboard sheets are loaded; and

- an interleaf positioning device (87) that picks the interleaves (A) from the loader (86) and positions them on a layer of capsules inside the box (S), when multiple layers of capsules (1 ) are to be packaged.

11 . Packaging process of a package (P) of capsules (1 ) having a major base (11 ) and a minor base (13), said process comprising the following steps:

- feeding of capsules (1) to be packaged in upright position on a feed conveyor (3), with the major base (11 ) of the capsule directed downwards and the minor base (13) of the capsule directed upwards, - dispensing of capsules in upright position disposed on the feed conveyor by means of a first dispensing device (32) in a first guide channel (33a) and in a second guide channel (33b),

- turning over of the capsules in the second guide channel (33) in upside-down position by means of a turn-over device (4), with the major base (11 ) of the capsule directed upwards and the minor base (13) of the capsule directed downwards.

- positioning of the capsules in upright position on a work surface (36) in a packaging position, by means of a positioning device (6) disposed downstream the second dispensing device (35),

- transportation of the capsules in upside-down position in proximity to the work surface (36) by means of a chain conveyor (5) disposed at an outlet of the turn-over device (4),

- transportation of boxes (S) to a position that is adjacent to the work surface (36) by means of a box conveyor (200),

- picking of the capsules in upside-down position on the chain conveyor (5) by means of a picking head (7) and positioning of the capsules in upsidedown position on the capsules in upright position disposed on the work surface (36) so as to form a bundle (F) of capsules,

- picking of the bundle (F) disposed on the work surface by means of the picking head (7) and positioning of the bundle inside a box (S) on the box conveyor, so as to form a package (P), and

- closing of the boxes filled with the bundle of capsules by means of closing means (300) disposed in proximity to the box conveyor (200).