Apparatus for packaging confectionery products

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for packaging confectionery products, comprising a first feed station (2), a second feed station (4) and a pick-up, insertion and release station (3); the first feeding station is used for feeding a series of confectionery products (5), and the confectionery products comprise edible parts mounted on non-edible supports; a second feeding station for feeding a package (6) suitable for containing a confectionery product (5); a pick-up, insertion and release station is used to pick up confectionery products (5) and insert and release them into respective packages (6). According to the invention, the pick-up, insertion and release station (3) comprises gripping means (30) which are movable between: a position in which at least one confectionery product (5) is picked up from the first feed station (2); placing the confectionery product (5) in a position in the respective package (6); and releasing the confectionery product (5) into a release position in the package (6). Specifically, the gripping device (30) comprises at least one pair of mechanical fingers (300) movable relative to each other, the mechanical fingers being configured to grip an inedible support of the confectionery product (5) at the pick-up position and to release the confectionery product (5) into an associated package (6) at the release position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product, in particular to an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product having an edible portion mounted on a non-edible support, such as a lollipop. BACKGROUND

[0002] As is known, for hygiene requirements, confectionery products having an edible portion mounted on a non-edible support, such as a stick, when sold to the public, need to be packaged at least in the edible portion in special packaging. Therefore, at the end of the production cycle, the production system of the confectionery products usually packages these products in packaging suitable for sale to the public.

[0003] However, this known type of apparatus for packaging confectionery products is not free from drawbacks, one of which is the low reliability of the packaging process in terms of accuracy in inserting the products into the preformed packaging. This drawback not only causes the confectionery products to fall out of the production line, but also damages the respective packaging, thus generating a large amount of waste, reducing the production efficiency of the system and, consequently, increasing the production costs.

[0004] Another drawback of this known type of apparatus for packaging confectionery products is the inability to properly manage the opening of the packaging according to the shape and size of the confectionery product and, above all, to keep the packaging in the open condition during the product insertion process, which further causes the production system to be inefficient, generating a large amount of waste.

[0005] Yet another drawback of this known type of apparatus for packaging confectionery products is the difficulty of controlling the product insertion process in an automated manner by synchronizing it with the advancement of the respective packaging in the packaging apparatus. The synchronization delay further causes an increase in waste and related production costs. SUMMARY

[0006] In view of the above, the task of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product that overcomes the limitations of the prior art by guaranteeing high precision in inserting the confectionery product into its respective packaging and optimal production efficiency.

[0007] Within the scope of this task, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product equipped with a packaging opening mechanism that can be easily adjusted according to the shape and size of the product and that keeps the packaging in the open condition during the product insertion process.

[0008] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product that ensures effective synchronization between the feeding of the packaging, the opening of the packaging and the process of inserting the product into the packaging.

[0009] It is a further object of the present application to provide an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product which provides the highest degree of reliability and safety during use.

[0010] It is a further object of the present application to provide an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product which is easy to manufacture and more economical compared to the prior art.

[0011] The above mentioned tasks, as well as the objects and other features, which will become clear from the following description, are achieved by an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 15.

[0012] Further features are defined in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Further features and advantages will become clear from the exemplary and non-limiting description of preferred embodiments of the present application, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a confectionery product feeding station of an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product according to the present application;

[0015] Figure 1a is a side view of a confectionery product feeding station suitable for containing a confectionery product according to the present application and of a picking, inserting and releasing station for picking a confectionery product and inserting and releasing it into a corresponding package;

[0016] Figure 1b is a perspective view of a part of an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product according to the present application, showing in particular the passage of a confectionery product from a picking position A to an inserting and releasing position B into a package; Figure 1

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of an apparatus for packaging a confectionery product according to the present application, showing in particular the passage of a confectionery product from a picking position A to an inserting and releasing position B into a package;

[0018] Figure 3 and Figure 3a shows an enlarged view of the gripping device at the picking position A, in which the mechanical fingers are respectively in an open condition and in a closed condition clamping the confectionery product;

[0019] Figure 4 is a perspective view, in cross section, of the packaging feeding station at the inserting and releasing position B of the confectionery product into a corresponding package;

[0020] Figure 5 is a front view of the packaging feeding station at the inserting and releasing position B of the confectionery product;

[0021] Figure 5a shows an enlarged portion of Figure 5. ​Detailed Implementation

[0022] For details, please refer to the following: Figure 1 , Figure 1a and Figure 1b The equipment for packaging confectionery products, generally indicated by reference numeral 1 in the attached drawings, includes: a first feed station 2 for feeding a series of confectionery products 5; a second feed station 4 for feeding a package 6 suitable for containing the confectionery products 5; and a pick-up, insertion, and release station 3 for picking up the confectionery products 5 and inserting and releasing the confectionery products 5 into the corresponding package 6.

[0023] The confectionery product includes an edible portion 501 mounted on an inedible support 502 (e.g., a stick).

[0024] For details, please refer to the following: Figure 1 The feed station 2 for a series of candy products 5 includes at least one chain 12 carrying a plurality of resilient clamps 13 configured to releasably clamp a portion of the inedible support 502 of the candy product 5. Each resilient clamp 13 includes two opposing jaws 130 held in contact by means of an elastic band 131 configured to allow the candy product to be conveyed and passed along the chain 12 of the feed station 2.

[0025] Furthermore, the feed station 2 includes a orientation device 20, which is configured to orient the candy product 5 in a desired direction. (See also...) Figure 1b As shown, the orientation device 20 actually includes a cam 202 that rotates the elastic clamp 13. In fact, the elastic clamp 13 is hinged to a support member 204, which is dragged by the chain 12 in its linear direction of motion, and the elastic clamp 13 includes a movable slider 203 within the cam 202. The chain 12 then drags the support member 204, to which the elastic clamp 13 is hinged, and as the movable slider 203 slides within the cam 202, the elastic clamp 13 changes its orientation relative to the chain 12 itself, thereby positioning the candy product 5 in a suitable position for pickup by the gripping device 30 described below.

[0026] For example, especially in Figure 1a and Figure 2 As shown, the transfer of candy product 5 from the first feed station 2 to the corresponding package 6 is carried out at the pick-up, insertion and release station 3 of candy product 5.

[0027] According to the present invention, the pick-up, insertion and release station 3 includes a gripping device 30, which is movable between the following positions:

[0028] - Picking position A from the first feed station 2 to pick up at least one candy product 5

[0029] - a placing position of the confectionery product 5 in the respective package 6,

[0030] - a releasing position of the confectionery product 5 into the respective package 6.

[0031] According to the present application, the gripping device 30 comprises at least one pair of mechanical fingers 300 movable with respect to each other, configured to grip the inedible support 502 of the confectionery product 5 at the picking position A and to release the confectionery product 5 into the package 6 at the insertion and release position B.

[0032] Advantageously, the confectionery product 5 is able to be inserted into the package 6 thanks to a specific orientation of the confectionery product 5 itself, achieved by means of the orientation device 20 which arranges the inedible support 502 of the confectionery product 5 facing the gripping device 30.

[0033] With particular reference to Figure 2 , the gripping device 30 preferably comprises a movable support 301 associated with at least one mechanical arm 302 which carries, at its lower end, at least one pair of mechanical fingers 300. Said pair of mechanical fingers 300 is movable with respect to each other, as shown in the open condition thereof which allows to be correctly positioned on a portion of the inedible portion 502 of the confectionery product 5 at the picking position A, and as shown in the closed condition thereof which is able to grip the confectionery product 5, subsequently extracting it from the elastic clamp 13 of the chain 12. Figure 3 Figure 3a Thus, the inedible portion 502 of the confectionery product 5 is extracted from the elastic clamp 13 of the chain 12 at the picking position A by means of the mechanical fingers 300 and is transmitted towards the insertion and release position B by means of the movement of the movable support 301 of the gripping device 30.

[0034] This movable support 301 is configured to move within a plane in a combined movement along two mutually perpendicular axes of movement on said plane. This makes the gripping device able to move along an arcuate or diagonal trajectory from the picking position A to the insertion and release position B.

[0035] Preferably, the second feeding station 4 allows the packages 6 for containing the confectionery products 5 to be fed in a direction transverse to the plane of movement of the gripping device 30. This second feeding station 4 preferably comprises first opening means 303 configured to open the upper edge of the package 6. Preferably, this first opening means 303 comprises a pair of pressing means 305 for pressing the two sides of the package 6 which open the upper edge of the package 6 by exerting pressure on the lateral surfaces of the package 6 itself.

[0036] Preferably, the second feeding station 4 allows the packages 6 for containing the confectionery products 5 to be fed in a direction transverse to the plane of movement of the gripping device 30. This second feeding station 4 preferably comprises first opening means 303 configured to open the upper edge of the package 6. Preferably, this first opening means 303 comprises a pair of pressing means 305 for pressing the two sides of the package 6 which open the upper edge of the package 6 by exerting pressure on the lateral surfaces of the package 6 itself.

[0037] ​Alternatively, the package 6 can be opened by applying an air flow, using suction cups or other edge opening solutions.

[0038] As Figure 4 As shown in Figures 5 and 5a, in the insertion and release position B, the feed station 4 of the package 6 comprises at least one pair of pulling elements 304 for pulling the open upper edge of the package 6 and respective abutments 306.

[0039] The pair of pulling elements 304 is actuated when the confectionery product 5 is inserted into the package 6, engages the inner upper edge of the package 6 from above and keeps the package 6 in the open condition during the insertion and release of the confectionery product 5 in the insertion and release position B.

[0040] Furthermore, the pulling elements 304 are movable with respect to each other, the maximum distance of the movement being pre-selectable according to the size of the confectionery product 5.

[0041] Cooperating with the pulling elements 304 are a pair of abutments 306 which provide an abutment for the package 6 during the action of the pulling elements 304. Preferably, these abutments 306 are arranged vertically aligned above the pressing means 305 in the insertion and release position B.

[0042] Preferably, the gripping means 30 comprise a plurality of pairs of mechanical fingers 300 and the second feed station 4 of the package 6 comprises a respective plurality of pairs of pulling elements 304. This allows the simultaneous picking up, insertion and release of a plurality of confectionery products 5.

[0043] Preferably, the pulling elements 304 are movable with respect to each other, the maximum distance of the movement being pre-selectable according to the size and shape of the confectionery product 5 and the respective package 6.

[0044] The package 6 can be an envelope, a sachet, a paper or plastic bag. Downstream of the picking up, insertion and release station 3, the apparatus 1 can further comprise a package sealing station 6.

[0045] The confectionery product 5 is preferably a product consisting of an edible portion 501 and an inedible support 502 of the edible portion, and can therefore be a lollipop with a stick made of plastic, wood or pressed cardboard, or a packaged ice cream supported by a stick.

[0046] The present application also relates to a method for packaging a confectionery product, which can be performed by means of the apparatus described above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0047] - feeding a succession of confectionery products 5 by means of the first feed station 2, the confectionery products 5 comprising an edible portion mounted on an inedible support 502;

[0048] - feeding a plurality of packages 6, each suitable for containing a respective confectionery product 5, through a second feeding station 4;

[0049] - picking up the confectionery products 5 and inserting and releasing them into the respective packages 6 through a picking, inserting and releasing station 3.

[0050] The operation of the apparatus for packaging confectionery products becomes apparent from the above description.

[0051] In particular, the succession of confectionery products 5 is moved from the feeding station 2 to the picking position A by at least one chain 12 carrying a plurality of elastic clips 13, which releasably close on the inedible support 502 of the confectionery products 5.

[0052] Moreover, thanks to the cam 202 of the orientation device 20 of the feeding station 2, the confectionery products 5 are oriented in a direction suitable for being picked up by the next station, in this case with the inedible support 502 facing the gripping device 30.

[0053] Upon reaching the picking position A, the mechanical fingers 300 of the gripping device 30 close on a portion of the inedible support 502, extracting the confectionery product 5 from the respective elastic clip 13 of the chain 12, which is then transported towards the insertion and release position B into the respective package 6 by the movement of the movable support 301 of the gripping device 30.

[0054] The arrival of the confectionery product 5 at the insertion and release position B coincides with the arrival of the respective package 6 from the feeding station 4 of the packages 6 in the same position. However, the package 6, upon reaching the insertion and release position B, is kept in the open condition by the pressing device 305.

[0055] Upon insertion of the confectionery product 5 into the package 6, a pair of pulling elements 304 is actuated, which engage the upper internal edge of the package 6 from above and keep the package 6 in the open condition according to the shape and size of the confectionery product 5.

[0056] The pair of pulling elements 304 also performs its function when it engages the upper internal edge of the package 6 to keep it open; by providing an abutment for the sides of the package 6, the abutment elements 306 allow the pulling elements 304 to work stably and effectively to keep the package 6 itself in the open condition.

[0057] Finally, the confectionery product 5 is released into the package 6 at the insertion and release position B. In fact, the mechanical fingers 300 release their grip on the inedible support 502 and, under the drive of the movable support 301, return to pick up the subsequent confectionery product 5.

[0058] The above operations can be carried out continuously, quickly and smoothly, thanks to the kinematic synchronization between the feeding station 2 of the confectionery products, the feeding station 4 of the packages 6 and the movement of the confectionery products 5 into the corresponding packages 6, between the pick-up, insertion and release stations 3, which can simultaneously process a plurality of confectionery products 5.

[0059] In practice it has been found that the device for packaging confectionery products according to the present application achieves the intended aim and objects since it achieves high precision in placing the confectionery products into the corresponding packages.

[0060] A further advantage of the device for packaging confectionery products according to the present application is that, during the insertion and release of the confectionery products into the packages, it can open and keep open the opening of the corresponding package according to the shape and size of the product.

[0061] Yet another advantage of the device for packaging confectionery products according to the present application is that it performs the insertion and release of the confectionery products at the same speed as the feeding speed of the corresponding packages.

[0062] The device for packaging confectionery products thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0063] Furthermore, all details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0064] In practice, any materials can be used according to the requirements, provided that they are compatible with the specific use, the dimensions and the shape of the particular product to which they are applied.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for packaging a confectionery product, the apparatus (1) comprising a first feed station (2), a second feed station (4) and a pick-up, insertion and release station (3); said first feed station (2) being for feeding a succession of confectionery products (5) comprising an edible portion mounted on a non-edible support; said second feed station (4) being for feeding a package (6) suitable for containing said confectionery product (5); said pick-up, insertion and release station (3) being for picking up said confectionery product (5) and inserting and releasing said confectionery product (5) into a respective package (6), characterized in that, The pick-up, insertion and release station (3) comprises a gripping device (30) movable between: - a pick-up position from the first feed station (2) of at least one confectionery product (5); - a deposit position for depositing the confectionery product (5) in a respective package (6); and - a release position for releasing the confectionery product (5) into the package (6), the gripping device (30) comprising at least one pair of mechanical fingers (300) movable with respect to each other, configured to grip the inedible support of the confectionery product (5) at the pick-up position and to release the confectionery product (5) into the package (6) at the release position.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The second feed station (4) of the package (6) comprises opening means (303) of the package (6) configured to open the edge of the package (6).

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The opening means (303) of the package (6) comprise a pair of pressing means (305) for pressing the two sides of the package (6), which exert a pressure on the lateral surface of the package (6) to cause the opening of the upper edge of the package (6).

4. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The second feed station (4) of the package (6) comprises at least one pair of pulling elements (304) operable to engage the edge of the package (6) and keep it open.

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, Each pulling element of the pair of pulling elements (304) is movable with respect to each other, the maximum distance of movement being pre-selectable according to the size of the confectionery product (5).

6. The apparatus (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein The second feed station (4) of the package (6) comprises at least one pair of abutment elements (306) cooperating with a respective pair of pulling elements (304) and able to provide an abutment for the package (6) during the action of the pulling elements (304).

7. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The gripping device (30) comprises a movable support (301) associated with at least one mechanical arm (302) carrying the at least one pair of mechanical fingers (300).

8. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The at least one pair of mechanical fingers (300) is movable with respect to each other between an open configuration, in which the mechanical fingers are positioned at a portion of the inedible portion (502) of the confectionery product (5), and a closed configuration, in which the mechanical fingers grip the inedible portion (502) of the confectionery product (5).

9. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, The first feed station (2) comprises orientation means (20) for orienting the confectionery product (5) so as to align the inedible support of the confectionery product (5) with the at least one pair of mechanical fingers (300).

10. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, Said first feeding station (2) comprises at least one chain (12) comprising a plurality of elastic grippers (13) configured to releasably grasp said non-edible support (502) of said confectionery product (5).

11. The device (1) according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 9, wherein Said orientation device (20) comprises a cam (202) configured to rotate said elastic grippers (13) of said chain (12).

12. The apparatus (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, Said elastic grippers (13) comprise two opposite jaws (130) kept in mutual contact by means of an elastic band (131).

13. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, Said gripping device (30) comprises a plurality of pairs of mechanical fingers (300) and a corresponding plurality of pairs of pulling elements (304).

14. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, Said gripping device (30) is configured to move in a plane in a combined movement along two mutually perpendicular axes of movement in said plane.

15. A method of packaging confectionery products by means of an apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - feeding a succession of confectionery products (5) comprising an edible portion mounted on a non-edible support by means of a first feeding station (2); - feeding a plurality of packages (6) each suitable for containing a respective confectionery product (5) by means of a second feeding station (4); - picking up said confectionery products (5) and inserting and releasing them into the respective packages (6) by means of a picking-up, insertion and release station (3).

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