Device for implementing at least two continuous cardboard strips of different widths for packages by continuously connecting respective plurality of cardboard sheets for packages of different widths to one another

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for implementing at least two continuous cardboard strips (N1, N2) for packaging having different widths (W1, W2) by continuously connecting at least two respective plurality of cardboard sheets (C1, C2) for packaging having different widths (W1, W2) to each other comprises: a first storage (M1) for containing a first stack (P1) of a first plurality of cardboard sheets (C1) each having a first width (W1); a second store (M2) for containing a second stack (P2) of a second plurality of cardboard sheets (C2) each having a second width (W2), where the second store (M2) is arranged upstream of the first store (M1) and has an elevated height relative to the first store (M1). The apparatus (100) further comprises a first operating station (O1) arranged above the first storage (M1) and designed to interconnect the sheets of the first stack (P1) and to implement a first continuous cardboard strip (N1) having a first width (W1); and a second operating station (O2) arranged above the second storage (M2) and designed to interconnect the sheets of the second stack (P2) and to implement a second continuous cardboard strip (N2) having a second width (W2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field concerning the packaging of articles by wrapping them with paperboard sheets for packaging.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for realizing at least two continuous cardboard strips for packaging having different widths by continuously connecting to each other a corresponding plurality of cardboard sheets of different widths for packaging. Background Art

[0003] The machine is known for packing items, it uses a continuous strip of cardboard to perform the packing operation of the items.

[0004] For example, document EP 2 890 554 describes a machine of this type.

[0005] The continuous cardboard strip is wound and stored in a reel or in a fan-folded manner, ie in a storage in which the cardboard strip is folded in the manner of a bellows.

[0006] The cardboard strip is unwound from a reel or extracted from a fan-fold and then cut based on the size of the article or group of articles to be wrapped and packaged so as to obtain a cardboard strip of suitable size for wrapping around the article or group of articles.

[0007] However, providing reels or fan-folded cardboard strips for the operation of packaging machines is particularly expensive and therefore constitutes a clear disadvantage in this respect for users of these packaging machines.

[0008] The storage for the continuous strip of cardboard is also very large, and the equipment required for extracting the continuous strip of cardboard and directing it to the machine for cutting it into cardboard sheets for packaging the relevant articles requires a lot of operating space.

[0009] Document WO201873770 describes a device for achieving a continuous cardboard strip starting from cardboard sheets all of predetermined and identical width, which are collected from relative storage and connected to each other using glue to form a continuous cardboard strip.

[0010] The continuous cardboard strip is then cut successively so as to obtain individual cardboard sheets for packages of suitable size, based on the size and shape of the items to be packaged, for packaging the items.

[0011] However, the items to be packaged may have different sizes and shapes, so it is necessary to perform various cutting operations, especially in width, in order to adapt the cardboard sheets cut from the continuous cardboard strip to the items to be packaged, resulting in significant enrichment and material waste. Summary of the invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages mentioned in the introduction.

[0013] In particular, the object of the present invention is to describe a device which enables at least two continuous cardboard strips for packaging with different widths to be realized by continuously connecting to one another a corresponding plurality of cardboard sheets of different widths for packaging, and which can therefore be used in conjunction with a packaging machine, thereby making it possible to reduce costs, since the provision of individual cardboard sheets of different widths (including as a function of the size and shape of the items to be packaged) is undoubtedly cheaper than the cost of strips stored in roll or fan-folded form, and savings in terms of waste material can be achieved.

[0014] According to the content of the claims, the object is achieved by a device for realizing at least two continuous paperboard strips for packaging having different widths by continuously connecting a corresponding plurality of paperboard sheets for packaging of different widths. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is described below with reference to the table of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] - Figure 1A The device of the invention is shown as a whole in a schematic and perspective view for realizing at least two continuous strips of cardboard for packages of different widths starting from a respective plurality of cardboard sheets of different lengths, which are respectively connected to one another to form two continuous strips of cardboard;

[0017] - Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A top plan view of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0018] - Figure 1C yes Figure 1A A schematic lateral view of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0019] - Figure 2A Schematically and according to a perspective view, two continuous paperboard strips for packages having mutually different widths obtainable by the apparatus of the invention are shown;

[0020] - Figure 2B Shown in schematic and perspective view Figure 1A a terminal part of the apparatus of the invention, in which respective individual cardboard sheets are cut from the two continuous cardboard strips for packaging obtained from the apparatus of the invention and destined for packaging articles by a packaging machine;

[0021] - FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C shows, on a larger scale and in a relatively schematic perspective, the sequence of operation of some of the important parts of the device of the invention, present in each of the two operating stations for the realisation of two consecutive strips of paperboard for the application of adhesive material to the end portions of the paperboard sheets;

[0022] - Figures 4A to 4F Shown on a larger scale and in a corresponding schematic perspective view is the operating sequence of a further component of the device of the invention, which is present in each of the two operating stations for realizing two consecutive cardboard strips, for superimposing the end portions of two cardboard sheets and for fixing them to each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] With reference to the table attached to the drawings, reference number (100) indicates a device for realizing at least two continuous paperboard strips for packages of different widths by continuously connecting to each other at least two corresponding plurality of paperboard sheets for packages of different widths, as the overall object of the present invention.

[0024] The device according to the invention is capable of connecting to one another a first series of cardboard sheets having a first width (W1) and, at the same time, of connecting to one another a second series of cardboard sheets having a second width (W2), and thereby making available simultaneously a machine for packaging articles or groups of articles, the first continuous cardboard strip (N1) having the first width (W1) and the second continuous cardboard strip (N2) having a second width (W2) different from (greater than or less than) the first width.

[0025] The machine for packaging the articles is not shown in the various figures, since it is not the object of the present invention, but it will be arranged downstream of the terminal part of the device of the present invention, in which, as shown below, corresponding cardboard sheets will be cut from the first continuous cardboard strip or the second continuous cardboard strip, which sheets have the appropriate dimensions for packaging determined articles or groups of articles.

[0026] Thus, with the device of the invention, it will be possible, depending on the effective dimensions of the articles or groups of articles to be packaged, and in particular the extension of the rest of their bases, to gradually cut from the first or second continuous strip of cardboard corresponding sheets of sufficient width for the packaging of said articles or groups of articles and, for example, to reduce the amount of waste material to a minimum.

[0027] In the accompanying drawings (see for example Figure 1A , 1B In the preferred embodiment shown in , 1C, 2A, 2B), the main features of the device (100) of the present invention are as follows.

[0028] The manufacturing method of the device (100) includes:

[0029] a first storage (M1) configured to contain a first plurality of cardboard sheets (C1) each having a first width (W1) stacked on top of one another to form a first pile (P1);

[0030] A second storage place (M2) is configured to contain a second plurality of cardboard sheets (C2), each having a width (W2) (for example smaller than the first width (W1), as shown in the figure below, but can also be larger), which are stacked on each other to form a second pile (P2), wherein the second storage place (M2) is arranged upstream of the first storage place (M1) and at an elevated height relative to the first storage place (M1) (the mutual arrangement of the two storage places can also be different, for example the second storage place (M2) is downstream of the first storage place (M1)).

[0031] The device (100) further comprises:

[0032] A first operating station (O1) is arranged above the first storage place (M1); and a second operating station (O2) is arranged above the second storage place (M2).

[0033] The first operating station (O1) is configured to cyclically collect a first sheet (F1) having a first width (W1) from the sheets of the first pile (P1), apply an adhesive material to a first transverse end (E1) of the first sheet (F1), transfer the first sheet (F1) along a first longitudinal advancement direction (L1) relative to the first storage (M1), and position the first sheet (F1) downstream of the first storage (M1), with the first transverse end (E1) of the first sheet (F1) arranged upstream, and then, sequentially collect a second sheet (F2) having a first width (W1) from the sheets of the first pile (P1), apply an adhesive material to the first transverse end (E2) of the second sheet (F2), and transfer the first sheet (F1) along a first longitudinal advancement direction (L1) relative to the first storage (M1). The second sheet (F2) is transferred in the longitudinal advancing direction (L1) and positioned downstream of the first storage place (M1) so that the second transverse end (E3) of the second sheet (F2) opposite to the first transverse end (E2) to which the adhesive material has been applied is superimposed above the first transverse end (E1) of the first sheet (F1) to which the adhesive material has been applied, and then the second transverse end (E3) of the second sheet (F2) is pushed and pressed against the first transverse end (E1) of the first sheet (F1) so that they are fixed to each other and form a first continuous paperboard strip (N1) having the same width (W1) as the first width (W1) of the sheets (C1) present in the first pile (P1) of the first storage place (M1).

[0034] The second operating station (O2) is further configured to cyclically pick up a first sheet (G1) having a second width (W2) from the sheets of the second pile (P2), apply an adhesive material to a first transverse end (E1*) of the first sheet (G1), transfer the first sheet (G1) in a second longitudinal advancement direction (L2) arranged upward along the first longitudinal advancement direction (L1) relative to the second storage (M2), and position the second sheet (G2) downstream on the second side of the second storage (M2), with the first transverse end (E1*) of the first sheet (G1) arranged upstream, and then sequentially collect second sheets (G2) having a second width (W2) from the sheets of the second pile (P2), apply an adhesive material to the first transverse end (E2*) of the second sheet (G2) The second sheet (G2) is transferred along the second longitudinal advancing direction (L2) and positioned downstream on the second side of the second storage place (M2) so that the second lateral end (E3*) of the second sheet (G2) opposite to the first lateral end (E2*) to which the adhesive material has been applied is superimposed above the first lateral end (E1*) of the first sheet (G1) to which the adhesive material has been applied, and then the second lateral end (E2*) of the second sheet (G2) is pushed and pressed against the first lateral end (E1*) of the first sheet (G1) so that they are fixed to each other and form a second continuous paperboard strip (N2) having the same width as the second width (W2) of the sheet (C2) present in the second pile (P2) of the second storage place (M2).

[0035] In this way, since the two operating stations exist simultaneously, the apparatus of the present invention can simultaneously provide both the first continuous paperboard strip and the second continuous paperboard strip having widths different from each other.

[0036] Furthermore, the device (100) of the present invention comprises:

[0037] a final cutting station (T) arranged downstream of the first storage (M1) and the second storage (M2) with respect to the first longitudinal advancement direction (L1) and the second longitudinal advancement direction (L2) and comprising a cutting device (T1) for cutting sheets of cardboard from the continuous cardboard strip;

[0038] a first guide device (D1) arranged downstream of the first storage (M1) and configured to advance the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) and switch it so that the advanced portion (N1A) of the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) is fed into and positioned at the final cutting station (T);

[0039] A second guide device (D2) is arranged downstream of the second storage (M2) and is configured to advance the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) and switch it so that the advanced portion (N2A) of the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) is fed into and positioned at the final cutting station (T) above the advanced portion (N1A) of the first continuous paperboard strip (N1).

[0040] Specifically, the device (100) further comprises:

[0041] a first advancing device (A1) arranged in the final cutting station (T) and configured to come into contact with the advancing portion (N1A) of the first continuous paperboard strip (N1);

[0042] and a second advancing device (A2) arranged in the final cutting station (T) and configured to be in contact with the advancing portion (N2A) of the second continuous paperboard strip (N2).

[0043] In this regard, the apparatus (100) of the present invention is configured such that:

[0044] The first advancing device (A1) and the second advancing device (A2) can be activated alternately so as to advance the first continuous cardboard strip (N1) or the second continuous cardboard strip (N2) to the cutting device (T1), so that the cutting device (T1) (for example, composed of a cutting blade that can be moved transversely to the cardboard strip by means of a belt) can be activated to cut the first continuous cardboard strip (N1) and obtain a first cardboard sheet for packaging having a first width (W1) for packaging a corresponding first article or a first group of articles, or cut the second continuous cardboard strip (N2) and obtain a second cardboard sheet for packaging having a second width (W2) for packaging a corresponding second article or a second group of articles.

[0045] Thus, as previously described, and depending on the effective dimensions of the articles or groups of articles to be packaged, and therefore on the basis of the effective extension of the rest of its base, the device of the invention will activate the first (A1) or second (A2) propulsion means, thereby making available the cutting means (T1), the first (N1) or second (N2) continuous cardboard strip having a width adapted to the dimensions of the articles or groups of articles to be packaged.

[0046] In this way, it is possible to successively obtain and use at the inlet of the packaging machine cardboard sheets having a width adapted to the size of the articles to be packaged and thereby to reduce as much as possible the waste of material, i.e. the size and quantity of cardboard waste to be cut from the packaging machine in order to realize packaging sheets from the cardboard sheets supplied to the device of the invention.

[0047] Further advantageous features of the device according to the invention are described below.

[0048] The first guide device (D1) includes a first push roller (D10) and a series of first guide plates (D11), which are arranged obliquely to guide a first continuous paperboard strip (N1) formed downstream of the first storage place (M1) and switch the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) from a first longitudinal push direction (L1) toward an entrance of a final cutting station (T), and the second guide device (D2) further includes a second push roller (D20) and a series of second guide plates (D21), which are arranged obliquely to guide a second continuous paperboard strip (N2) formed downstream of the second storage place (M2) and switch the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) from a second longitudinal push direction (L2) toward an entrance of a final cutting station (T).

[0049] According to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, see e.g. Figure 1A , 1C , 2A, the first advancing device (A1) comprises at least a first closed and endless winding belt (A10), which is arranged in the final cutting station (T) so as to abut and contact the advancing portion (N1A) of the first continuous paperboard strip (N1), for example.

[0050] The first closing and endless wrapping belt (A10) is activatable to advance the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) to the cutting device (T1).

[0051] Similarly, the second advancing means (A2) comprises at least a second closed and endless winding belt (A20) arranged in the final cutting station (T) so as to abut and contact upwardly the advancing portion (N2A) of the second continuous paperboard strip (N2), for example.

[0052] The second closing and endless wrapping belt (A20) is activatable in order to advance the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) to the cutting device (T1).

[0053] In a preferred aspect, the first storage (M1) is arranged above the first lifting device (S1) and the second storage (M2) is arranged above the second lifting device (S2). For example, both the first and second lifting devices can be made in such a way as to comprise respective support planes for supporting the stack of sheets which can be raised (or lowered) by means of a pantograph structure.

[0054] In particular, the first lifting device (S1) and the second lifting device (S2) are configured to lift and / or lower the first storage place (M1) and the second storage place (M2) according to the heights of the sheets of the first pile (P1) and the second pile (P2), and / or to always keep the top of the sheets of the first pile (P1) at a first height above the ground, and to always keep the top of the sheets of the second pile (P2) at a second height above the ground that is greater than the first height.

[0055] According to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment shown in the figures, the device of the invention can be implemented in such a way that a first operating station (O1) and a second operating station (O2) responsible for implementing two continuous cardboard strips starting from cardboard sheets contained in two sheet stacks located in two storage places are each manufactured in the following way.

[0056] refer to Figures 3A to 3C and Figures 4A to 4F , the first operation station (O1) and the second operation station (O2) are implemented and configured so that each includes:

[0057] a first support (1) arranged at a first upstream side of the first / second storage (M1, M2) and configured and pre-arranged to be able to stationarily receive first transverse ends (E1, E1*; E2, E2*) of cardboard sheets (F1, F2, G1, G2);

[0058] a second support member (2) arranged at a second downstream side of the first / second storage place (M1, M2), the second downstream side being opposite to the first upstream side so as to be on the opposite side of the first support member (1) relative to the first / second storage place (M1, M2), and the second support member (2) being arranged and configured to receive the cardboard sheet (F1; G1; F2; G2) at rest so that the first transverse end (E1, E2, E1*, E2*) of the first cardboard sheet (F1, G1, F2, G2) protrudes from the second support member (2) and faces the first / second storage place (M1, M2);

[0059] A third support (3) is arranged between the second support (2) and the first / second storage place (M1, M2) and is movable between a first raised configuration (S) and a second lowered configuration (A), wherein a portion (31) of the third support (3) is raised relative to the second support (2), and wherein a portion (31) of the third support (3) is lowered relative to the second support (2).

[0060] Each of the first operating station (O1) and the second operating station (O2) further comprises:

[0061] a gripping device (4) arranged and configured to pick up a first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) from the top of a first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets present in a first / second storage place (M1, M2) and to transfer the first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) to a first support (1) and to position it at the first support (1) so that a first transverse end (E1, E1*) of the first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) is placed on the first support (1);

[0062] an adhesive material applying device (5) arranged and configured to apply adhesive material to the upper end face of the first transverse end (E1, E1*) of the first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) placed on the first support (1);

[0063] a transfer device (6) arranged and configured to transfer a first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) to which adhesive material has been applied from a first / second storage location (M1, M2) along a first / second longitudinal advancement direction (L1, L2) towards a second support (2), so that the first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) is placed on the second support (2) with the first opposite transverse end (E1, E1*) to which the adhesive material has been applied, remaining protruding and facing upstream towards the first / second storage location (M1, M2),

[0064] A clamping device (7) is arranged and configured so as to be activatable between the second support (2) and the third support (3).

[0065] In more detail, each of the first operating station (O1) and the second operating station (O2) is configured so that the third support (3) can be activated so as to be positioned in the first raised configuration (S) so as to switch and raise the second transverse end (E3, E3*) of the second cardboard sheet (F2, G2), which is transferred from the first / second storage place (M1, M2) along the first / second longitudinal advancement direction (L1, L2) towards the second support (2), so that the second transverse end (E3, E3*) of the raised second sheet (F2, G2) is moved by the transfer device (6) 3*) is positioned above the first transverse end (E, E1*) of the first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) to which the adhesive material has been applied and protrudes from the second support (2), the third support (3) can then be activated so as to be positioned in a second lowered configuration (A) so as to lower the second transverse end (E3, E3*) of the second sheet (F2, G2) and position it over the first transverse end (E1, E1*) of the first sheet (F1, G1) on which the adhesive material is present, so that the two ends (E1, E1*, E3, E3*) are in contact with each other.

[0066] Conversely, once the third support (3) is positioned in the second lowered configuration (A) and the second transverse end (E3, E3*) of the second sheet (F2, G2) is superimposed and positioned on the first transverse end (E1, E1*) of the first sheet (F1, G1) protruding from the second support (2), the pressing device (7) can be activated transversely to the two sheets (F1, G1, F2, G2) between the second support (2) and the third support (3) so as to press the two superimposed ends (E1, E1*, E3, E3*) of the two sheets (F1, G1; F2, G2), fixing them to each other and forming a first / second continuous paperboard strip (N1, N2).

[0067] The particular arrangement of the first supporting element (1) (the first transverse end of the cardboard sheet for applying the adhesive material is arranged on the first upstream side of the first / second storage (M1, M2)) and the arrangement of the second supporting element (2) and the third supporting element (3) (the connection and anchoring between the two cardboard sheets occurs on the second downstream side opposite to the first side of the first / second storage (M1, M2)) makes the operation of realizing two consecutive cardboard strips fast and efficient, because the cardboard sheets to be picked up from the first / second pile of cardboard sheets present in the first / second storage (M1, M2) are moved in a linear manner along the first / second longitudinal direction (L1, L2).

[0068] In a further preferred aspect, the clamping device (4) is configured to pick up a second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) from the top of a first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets (C1, C2) present in the first / second storage place (M1, M2) when the transfer device (6) has transferred the first cardboard sheet (F1; G1) towards the second support (2), and transfer the second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) to the first support (1) and position it at the first support (1) so that a first transverse end (E2, E2*) of the second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) is placed on the first support (1).

[0069] Furthermore, once adhesive material has been applied to the first transverse end (E2, E2*) of the second sheet (F2; G2) by means of the adhesive material applying device (5), the transfer device (6) is configured to transfer the second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) towards the second support element (2) so that the second transverse end (E3, E3*) of the second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) opposite to the first transverse end (E2, E2*) to which the adhesive has been applied can first be raised by means of the third support element (3) positioned in the first raised configuration (S) and then, after positioning of the third support element (3) in the second lowered configuration (A), be positioned above and in contact with the first transverse end (E1, E1*) of the first cardboard sheet (F1; G1) protruding from the second support element (2).

[0070] Therefore, in order to obtain a continuous paperboard strip by connecting the first continuous paperboard strip and the second continuous paperboard strip together by continuously connecting two paperboard sheets once, each of the first operating station (O1) and the second operating station (O2) is such that:

[0071] The gripping device (4) is configured to be cyclically activated to pick up a continuous single cardboard sheet from the top of a pile (P) of a first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets (C1, C2) present in a first / second storage place (M1, M2), and cyclically transfer the continuous single cardboard sheet and position the continuous single cardboard sheet at the first support (1) so that a first transverse end of the continuous single cardboard sheet is placed on the first support (1), and an adhesive material application device (5) applies adhesive material to an upper surface of the first transverse end;

[0072] The transfer device (6) is configured and pre-set to cyclically transfer the continuous single cardboard sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied toward the second support (2), and the third support (3) is cyclically activated so as to first be positioned in a first raised configuration (S) so as to switch and lift the second transverse end of the continuous single sheet opposite to the first transverse end to which the adhesive material has been applied, so that the second end of the continuous single sheet is positioned above the transverse end of the previous single sheet placed on the second support (2) at the transverse end to which the adhesive material has been applied, and then can be activated so as to be positioned in a second lowered configuration (A) so as to lower the second transverse end of the continuous single sheet and position the second transverse end at the transverse end of the previous single sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied, so that the two ends are in contact with each other;

[0073] And further, once the third support (3) has been positioned in the second lowered configuration (A) and the second transverse end of the continuous single sheet is superimposed and positioned on the transverse end of the previous sheet, the pressing device (7) is cyclically activated so that the two transverse ends of the two sheets are pressed against each other and form a first / second continuous paperboard strip (N1, N2).

[0074] In order to facilitate a more rapid transfer operation of the sheets towards the second support (2), i.e., towards the area where the sheets must be joined together, the clamping device (4) is configured to collect the cardboard sheets from the top of the first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets (C1; C2) present in the first / second storage (M1; M2) by suction and transfer the cardboard sheets towards the first support (1) so that the first transverse end of the cardboard sheets is placed on the first support (1), and is configured to transfer the cardboard sheets in the direction of the second support (2) by sliding the cardboard sheets on the first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets (C1, C2) once the adhesive material is applied thereto, and then release the cardboard sheets so that the transfer device (6) can further transfer the cardboard sheets towards the second support (2).

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the clamping device (4) comprises a series of vertically movable suction clamping elements (41) carried by a first frame (42) which can be activated in translation towards the first support (1) and the second support (2) above the first / second pile (P1; P2) of sheets present in the first / second storage place (M1; M2).

[0076] Furthermore and still based on the preferred embodiment shown for each of the first and second operating stations (O1, O2), the transfer device (6) comprises a roller (61) mounted on an axle (62) activatable by rotation of a motor, the axle (62) being carried by a second frame (63) which is vertically movable so as to be able to lower the roller (61) so that the roller (61) can abut against the cardboard sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied and, when activated by rotation of the axle (62), can transfer the cardboard sheet towards the second support (2).

[0077] The second frame (63) is further movable vertically upwards so as to be able to raise the roller (61) in conjunction with the passage of the portion of the cardboard sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied, so that the roller (61) does not contact the adhesive material. In particular, the second frame (63) is pre-arranged between the third support (3) and the first / second storage (M1, M2).

[0078] The clamping device (7) of each of the first / second operating stations (O1, O2) is constructed to include two counter rollers (71, 72), the first counter roller (71) moves upward and laterally at the two overlapping lateral ends of the two sheets to be connected, and the second counter roller (72) opposite to the first counter roller moves downward and laterally at the two overlapping ends of the two sheets.

[0079] For example, Figure 4D and 4E As shown in , the two counter-rollers ( 71 , 72 ) are carried by opposing belts ( 710 , 720 ) wound endlessly and arranged transversely to the second support ( 2 ) and the third support ( 3 ).

[0080] The function of the two counter-rollers is not only to fix the superimposed portions of the two sheets together by means of the compressed adhesive material, but also to reduce the thickness of the two superimposed portions so as to obtain a continuous paperboard strip of substantially uniform thickness, including at the seams between the individual sheets forming it.

[0081] In another preferred aspect, the third support member (3) is constructed so as to include a second portion (32) inclined relative to portion (31), and so that when the third support member (3) is positioned in the second lowered configuration (A), the second portion (32) is arranged so as to support the second continuous sheet to be fixed to the previous sheet arranged on the second support member (2), and the second end of the second continuous sheet is arranged above and in contact with the end of the previous first sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied.

[0082] In addition, each of the first operating station (O1) and the second operating station (O2) includes a first abutment device (81), which is arranged above the third support (3) so as to be vertically movable so that when the third support (3) is in the first raised configuration (S), it can abut the upper part of the cardboard sheet, which is transferred toward the second support (2) at the third support (3).

[0083] The first abutment means (81) is further lowerable in order to maintain contact with the cardboard sheet when the third support (3) is brought into the second lowered configuration (A) in order to keep the cardboard sheet spread out during activation of the pressing means (7).

[0084] The presence of the first adjacent means (81) therefore serves to accompany the cardboard sheet during its lowering and to superimpose it on the previous cardboard sheet placed on the second support (2), and further in order to keep the cardboard sheet spread out during the activation of the pressing means (7).

[0085] Likewise, each of the first and second operating stations (O1, O2) further comprises a second abutment device (82) arranged above the second support (2) and vertically movable towards the cardboard sheet positioned on the second support (2) in order to keep the cardboard sheet stretched during the activation of the pressing device (7). For example, the second abutment device (82) can be formed by a series of slide-shaped elements carried by relative rods (84) connected to the piston (85).

[0086] Obviously, in the above a preferred embodiment of the first and second operating stations is described, which can also be made according to other embodiments, aiming at connecting continuous sheets to form a continuous strip, in any case falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device (100) for realizing at least two continuous paperboard strips (N1, N2) for packages with different widths (W1, W2) by continuously connecting to each other at least two corresponding plurality of paperboard sheets (C1, C2) for packages with different widths (W1, W2), the device (100) comprising: a first storage (M1) configured to contain a first plurality of cardboard sheets (C1) each having a first width (W1) stacked on top of one another to form a first pile (P1); a second storage place (M2) configured to contain a second plurality of cardboard sheets (C2) each having a second width (W2), which are stacked on top of each other to form a second pile (P2), wherein the second storage place (M2) is arranged upstream of the first storage place (M1) and at an elevated height relative to the first storage place (M1); a first operating station (O1) which is arranged above the first storage place (M1) and is configured to collect a first sheet (F1) having the first width (W1) from the sheets of the first pile (P1), apply an adhesive material to a first transverse end (E1) of the first sheet (F1), transfer the first sheet (F1) along a first longitudinal advancement direction (L1) relative to the first storage place (M1) and position it downstream of the first storage place (M1), with the first transverse end (E1) of the first sheet (F1) arranged upstream, and then, successively collect a second sheet (F2) having the first width (W1) from the sheets of the first pile (P1), apply an adhesive material to the first transverse end (E2) of the second sheet (F2), and transfer the first sheet (F1) along a first longitudinal advancement direction (L1) relative to the first storage place (M1) and position it downstream of the first storage place (M1), with the first transverse end (E1) of the first sheet (F1) being arranged upstream. transferring the second sheet (F2) in a longitudinal advancement direction (L1) and positioning it downstream of the first storage (M1) so that a second transverse end (E3) of the second sheet (F2) opposite to the first transverse end (E2) to which the adhesive material has been applied is superimposed above the first transverse end (E1) of the first sheet (F1) to which the adhesive material has been applied, and then pushing and pressing the second transverse end (E3) of the second sheet (F2) against the first transverse end (E1) of the first sheet (F1) so that they are fixed to each other and form a first continuous paperboard strip (N1) having the same width (W1) as the first width (W1) of the sheets (C1) present in the first pile (P1) of the first storage (M1), A second operating station (O2) is arranged above the second storage place (M2), and is configured to collect a first sheet (G1) having a second width (W2) from the sheets of the second pile (P2), apply an adhesive material to a first transverse end (E1*) of the first sheet (G1), transfer the first sheet (G1) in a second longitudinal advancement direction (L2) arranged upward along the first longitudinal advancement direction (L1) relative to the second storage place (M2), and position the first sheet (G1) downstream on the second side of the second storage place (M2), with the first transverse end (E1*) of the first sheet (G1) arranged upstream, and then sequentially collect a second sheet (G2) having the second width (W2) from the sheets of the second pile (P2), apply an adhesive material to the first transverse end (E2*) of the second sheet (G2), and transfer the first sheet (G1) in a second longitudinal advancement direction (L2) arranged upward along the first longitudinal advancement direction (L1) relative to the second storage place (M2). ), transferring the second sheet (G2) along the second longitudinal advancement direction (L2) and positioning the second sheet (G2) downstream of the second side of the second storage (M2) so that the second transverse end (E3*) of the second sheet (G2) opposite to the first transverse end (E2*) to which the adhesive material has been applied is superimposed above the first transverse end (E1*) of the first sheet (G1) to which the adhesive material has been applied, and then pushing and pressing the second transverse end (E2*) of the second sheet (G2) against the first transverse end (E1*) of the first sheet (G1) so that they are fixed to each other and form a second continuous paperboard strip (N2) having the same width as the second width (W2) of the sheets (C2) present in the second pile (P2) of the second storage (M2); a final cutting station (T) arranged downstream of said first storage (M1) and said second storage (M2) with respect to said first longitudinal advancement direction (L1) and said second longitudinal advancement direction (L2), comprising a cutting device (T1) for cutting cardboard sheets from a continuous cardboard sheet; a first guide device (D1) arranged downstream of the first storage (M1) and configured to advance the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) and switch it so that the advanced portion (N1A) of the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) is fed into and positioned at the final cutting station (T); a second guide device (D2) arranged downstream of the second storage place (M2) and configured to advance the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) and switch it so that the advanced portion (N2A) of the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) is fed into and positioned at the final cutting station (T) above the advanced portion (N1A) of the first continuous paperboard strip (N1); a first advancing device (A1) arranged in said final cutting station (T) and configured to come into contact with said advancing portion (N1A) of said first continuous paperboard strip (N1); a second advancing device (A2) arranged in said final cutting station (T) and configured to come into contact with said advancing portion (N2A) of said second continuous paperboard strip (N2); wherein the first pushing device (A1) and the second pushing device (A2) can be activated alternately to push the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) or the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) to the cutting device (T1), so that the cutting device (T1) can be activated to cut the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) and obtain a first paperboard sheet for packaging having the first width (W1) for packaging a corresponding first article or a first group of articles, or to cut the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) and obtain a second paperboard sheet for packaging having the second width (W2) for packaging a corresponding second article or a second group of articles.

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The first guide device (D1) includes a first push roller (D10) and a series of first guide plates (D11), the first guide plates are arranged obliquely to guide the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) formed downstream of the first storage place (M1), and switch the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) from the first longitudinal push direction (L1) toward the entrance of the final cutting station (T); and wherein the second guide device (D2) includes a second push roller (D20) and a series of second guide plates (D21), the second guide plates are arranged obliquely to guide the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) formed downstream of the second storage place (M2), and switch the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) from the second longitudinal push direction (L2) toward the entrance of the final cutting station (T).

3. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The first advancing device (A1) comprises at least a first closed and endless winding belt (A10), which is arranged in the final cutting station (T) so as to abut and contact the advancing portion (N1A) of the first continuous paperboard strip (N1), the first closed and endless winding belt (A10) being activatable to advance the first continuous paperboard strip (N1) to the cutting device (T1), and wherein the second advancing device (A2) comprises at least a second closed and endless winding belt (A20), which is arranged in the final cutting station (T) so as to abut and contact the advancing portion (N2A) of the second continuous paperboard strip (N2), the second closed and endless winding belt (A20) being activatable to advance the second continuous paperboard strip (N2) to the cutting device (T1).

4. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first storage place (M1) is arranged above a first lifting device (S1), and the second storage place (M2) is arranged above a second lifting device (S2), wherein the first lifting device (S1) and the second lifting device (S2) are configured to lift and / or lower the first storage place (M1) and the second storage place (M2) according to the heights of the sheets of the first pile (P1) and the second pile (P2), and / or keep the top of the sheets of the first pile (P1) at a first height above the ground at all times, and keep the top of the sheets of the second pile (P2) at a second height above the ground that is greater than the first height at all times.

5. The device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first operating station (O1) and the second operating station (O2) are implemented and configured in the following manner, so that each includes: a first support (1) arranged at a first upstream side of said first / second storage place (M1, M2) and configured and pre-arranged to be able to statically receive first transverse ends (E1, E1*; E2, E2*) of cardboard sheets (F1, F2, G1, G2); a second support (2) arranged at a second downstream side of the first / second storage place (M1, M2), the second downstream side being opposite to the first upstream side so as to be on the opposite side of the first support (1) relative to the first / second storage place (M1, M2), the second support (2) being arranged and configured to receive the cardboard sheet (F1; G1; F2; G2) in a stationary manner so that the first transverse end (E1, E2, E1*, E2*) of the cardboard sheet (F1, G1, F2, G2) protrudes from the second support (2) and faces the first / second storage place (M1, M2); a third support (3) arranged between the second support (2) and the first / second storage place (M1, M2) and movable between a first raised configuration (S) and a second lowered configuration (A), wherein a portion (31) of the third support (3) is raised relative to the second support (2), wherein the portion (31) of the third support (3) is lowered relative to the second support (2); a gripping device (4) arranged and configured to pick up a first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) from said top of said first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets present in said first / second storage (M1, M2) and to transfer said first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) to said first support (1) and to position said first support (1) so that a first transverse end (E1, E1*) of said first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) is placed on said first support (1); an adhesive material applying device (5) arranged and configured to apply adhesive material to the upper end face of the first transverse end (E1, E1*) of the first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) placed on the first support (1); a transfer device (6) arranged and configured to transfer the first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) to which the adhesive material has been applied from the first / second storage place (M1, M2) along the first / second longitudinal advancement direction (L1, L2) towards the second support (2), so that the first cardboard sheet (F1, G1) is placed on the second support (2) with the opposite first transverse end (E1, E1*) to which the adhesive material has been applied, remaining protruding and facing upstream towards the first / second storage place (M1, M2), a clamping device (7) arranged and configured so as to be activatable between the second support (2) and the third support (3); wherein the third support (3) is activatable so as to be positioned in the first raised configuration (S) so as to switch and raise the second transverse end (E3, E3*) of the second cardboard sheet (F2, G2), which is transferred by the transfer device (6) from the first / second storage location (M1, M2) along the first / second longitudinal advancement direction (L1, L2) towards the second support (2), so that the second transverse end (E3, E3*) of the raised second sheet (F2, G2) is positioned at the first cardboard sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied said third support (3) being activatable so as to be positioned in said second lowered configuration (A) so as to lower said second transverse end (E3, E3*) of said second sheet (F2, G2) and to position it over said first transverse end (E1, E1*) of said first sheet (F1, G1) where said adhesive material is present, so that said two ends (E1, E1*, E3, E3*) are in contact with each other, And wherein, once the third support (3) is positioned in the second lowered configuration (A) and the second transverse end (E3, E3*) of the second sheet (F2, G2) is superimposed and positioned on the first transverse end (E1, E1*) of the first sheet (F1, G1) protruding from the second support (2), the clamping device (7) can be activated laterally between the two sheets (F1, G1, F2, G2) between the second support (2) and the third support (3) so as to press the two superimposed ends (E1, E1*, E3, E3*) of the two sheets (F1, G1; F2, G2), fix them to each other and form the first / second continuous paperboard strip (N1, N2).

6. The device (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The gripping device (4) is configured to, when the transfer device (6) has transferred the first cardboard sheet (F1; G1) towards the second support (2), pick up the second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) from the top of the first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets (C1, C2) present in the first / second storage (M1, M2), transfer the second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) to the first support (1) and position it at the first support (1) so that the first transverse end (E2, E2*) of the second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) is placed on the first support (1), and wherein, once the adhesive material has been applied to the second cardboard sheet by the adhesive material application device (5), On the first transverse end (E2, E2*) of the first cardboard sheet (F2; G2), the transfer device (6) is configured to transfer the second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) towards the second support member (2) so that the second transverse end (E3, E3*) of the second cardboard sheet (F2; G2) opposite to the first transverse end (E2, E2*) to which the adhesive has been applied can first be raised with the help of the third support member (3) positioned in the first raised configuration (S) and then, after the positioning of the third support member (3) in the second lowered configuration (A), be positioned above and in contact with the first transverse end (E1, E1*) of the first cardboard sheet (F1; G1) protruding from the second support element (2).

7. The device (100) according to claim 6, wherein The gripping device (4) is configured to be cyclically activated to pick up a continuous single cardboard sheet from the top of the first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets (C1, C2) present in the first / second storage (M1, M2), and cyclically transfer the continuous single cardboard sheet and position the continuous single cardboard sheet at the first support (1) so that the first transverse end of the continuous single cardboard sheet is placed on the first support (1), and the adhesive material application device (5) applies the adhesive material to the upper surface of the first transverse end; wherein the transfer device (6) is configured and arranged to cyclically transfer the continuous single cardboard sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied toward the second support member (2), and wherein the third support member (3) is first cyclically activated so as to be positioned in the first raised configuration (S) so as to switch and raise the second transverse end of the continuous single sheet opposite to the first transverse end to which the adhesive material has been applied, so that the second end of the continuous single sheet is positioned above the transverse end of the previous single sheet placed on the second support member (2) to which the adhesive material has been applied, and then can be activated so as to be positioned in the second lowered configuration (A) so as to lower the second transverse end of the continuous single sheet and position the second transverse end at the transverse end of the previous single sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied, so that the two ends are in contact with each other; And wherein, once the third support member (3) has been positioned in the second lowered configuration (A) and the second transverse end of the continuous sheet is superimposed and positioned on the transverse end of the previous sheet, the pressing device (7) is cyclically activated so that the two transverse ends of the two sheets are pressed against each other and form the first / second continuous paperboard strip (N1, N2).

8. The device (100) according to claim 7, wherein The clamping device (4) is configured to collect cardboard sheets from the top of the first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets (C1; C2) present in the first / second storage place (M1; M2) by suction and transfer the cardboard sheets toward the first support (1) so that the first transverse end of the cardboard sheet is placed on the first support (1), and is configured to transfer the cardboard sheet in the direction of the second support (2) by sliding the cardboard sheet on the first / second pile (P1, P2) of cardboard sheets (C1, C2) once the applying device (5) of the adhesive material applies the adhesive material on the upper surface of the first transverse end of the cardboard sheet placed on the first support (1), and then release the cardboard sheet so that the transferring device (6) can further transfer the cardboard sheet along the first / second longitudinal advancement direction (L1, L2) toward the second support (2).

9. The device (100) according to claim 8, wherein The clamping device (4) comprises a series of vertically movable suction clamping elements (41) carried by a first frame (42) which can be activated in translation towards the first support (1) and the second support (2) above the first / second pile (P1; P2) of sheets present in the first / second storage place (M1; M2).

10. The device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein: The transfer device (6) comprises a roller (61) mounted on an axle (62) activatable by rotation of a motor, the axle (62) being carried by a second frame (63) which is vertically movable so as to be able to lower the roller (61) so that it abuts the cardboard sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied and, when rotationally activated by the rotation of the axle (62), transfers the cardboard sheet towards the second support (2).

11. The device (100) according to claim 10, wherein The second frame (63) is arranged between the third support (3) and the first / second storage place (M1, M2).

12. The device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein: The pressing device (7) comprises two counter rollers (71, 72).

13. The device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein: The third support member (3) is constructed so as to further include a second portion (32), which is inclined relative to the portion (31), and so that, when the third support member (3) is positioned in the second lowered configuration (A), the second portion (32) is arranged so as to support the second continuous sheet to be fixed to the previous sheet arranged on the second support member (2), and the second end portion of the second continuous sheet is arranged above and in contact with the end portion of the previous first sheet to which the adhesive material has been applied.

14. The device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein: Each of the first operating station (O1) and the second operating station (O2) comprises: a first abutting device (81), which is arranged above the third support (3) so as to be movable vertically so as to be adjacent to the upper part of the cardboard sheet, which is transferred toward the second support (2) at the third support (3), and the first abutting device (81) can be further lowered so as to maintain contact with the cardboard sheet when the third support (3) is brought into the second lowered configuration (A) so as to keep the cardboard sheet spread out during the activation of the clamping device (7); and comprises a second abutting device (82), which is arranged above the second support (2) and can be movable vertically toward the cardboard sheet positioned on the second support (2) so as to keep the cardboard sheet stretched during the activation of the clamping device (7).

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