A packaging machine for packing groups of products in packaging boxes formed starting from flat tubular die-cut blanks made of card or cardboard and destined to be inserted into a cardboard packing case

Abstract

The packaging machine (100) comprises a conveying line (L) for receiving and conveying products, such as boxes (P), along a conveying direction (L1) and, flanked to the conveying line (L): a store (M) of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) made of card or cardboard; a collecting and opening out station (SP) of the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) and formation of packaging boxes (S); a transport system (D) for the packaging boxes (S); a carton boxes pickup and grouping station (G), for grouping the carton boxes (P) conveyed along the conveying line (L) and for insertion thereof in the packaging boxes (S); a transfer station (E), for receiving, from the transport system (D), the packaging boxes (S) having internally thereof the groups of carton boxes and being closed at the respective two heads, and to move them onto the conveying line (L), in such a way that the conveying line (L) can convey the packaging boxes (S) to the relative outlet from which the packaging boxes (S) can be transferred to the inlet (MC) of a boxing machine for insertion thereof in a packing case.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the particular technical sector concerning the packaging of products internally of the corrugated cardboard packing cases, and in particular the packaging of products constituted by carton boxes containing, for example, pharmaceutical or cosmetic products.

[0002] Usually, in this technical sector, the carton boxes contain pharmaceutical products, such as for example blister packs, in outlet from the carton boxing machine which has realised the packaging, are infed to a boxing machine which is designed to insert and pack the carton boxes in a packing case made of corrugated cardboard.

[0003] In this regard, the outlet of the carton boxing machine and the inlet of the boxing machine are directly connected to one another by means of a transport line of the carton boxes.

[0004] In accordance with the special needs for packaging that might arise, a preliminary grouping and packaging of carton boxes internally of packaging boxes is often required, for example made of card, which are then inserted into a same packing case.

[0005] In these circumstances, at present special transfer lines are used, which extend laterally and transversally to the transport line of the carton boxes from the carton boxing machine to the boxing machine and which are designed to collect the carton boxes from the transport line, and to transport them to packaging apparatus.

[0006] These packaging apparatus are configured to realise the grouping and inserting of the carton boxes into respective packaging boxes which are then transported and returned to the transport line for the conveying thereof to the boxing machine.

[0007] This undoubtedly constitutes a drawback, both in terms of dimensions, and in terms of complexity as regards the design and the realisation of the lay-out of the whole production line.

[0008] A known packaging machine for packaging groups of products in packaging boxes is known, for example, from EP 0 734 948 A1.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a packaging machine for packing groups of products in packaging boxes formed starting from flat tubular die-cut blanks made of card or cardboard, and destined to be inserted into a packing case made of corrugated cardboard, which is configured in such a way as to be easily interposed, and to function as a direct connection, between the outlet of a carton boxing machine and the inlet of a boxing machine, and therefore able to obviate the drawbacks present in the prior-art as evidenced.

[0010] In particular, an aim of the present invention is to provide an extremely versatile packaging machine, able to adapt to the packaging of groups of products having differing shapes and dimensions internally of respective packaging boxes obtained from flat tubular die-cut blanks having different shapes and dimensions, and to realise the closure of the packaging boxes once filled, in ways that are adequate for the type of material of which they have been made, for example card or cardboard.

[0011] A further aim of the invention is to describe a packaging machine that is compact and has modest dimensions, which can then be easily interposed between a carton boxing machine and a boxing machine and configured to enable transport of the carton boxes in outlet from the carton boxing machine directly to the inlet of the boxing machine, and also realise a prior packaging of groups of carton boxes internally of a packaging box then to be sent to the boxing machine for insertion thereof into a packing case made of corrugated cardboard.

[0012] The above-mentioned advantages are obtained according to the contents of the claims.

[0013] Further characteristics of the invention will emerge from the following description of some preferred, though not exclusive, embodiments of the packaging machine for packaging groups of products in a packaging box formed starting from flat tubular die-cut blanks made of card or cardboard, and destined to be inserted internally of a corrugated cardboard packing case, carried out with reference to the accompanying tables of drawings in which: figure 1 illustrates, according to a schematic perspective view, the packaging machine of the invention in a possible preferred embodiment inasmuch as it concerns the modes of storage and provision of the flat tubular die-cut blanks made of card or cardboard to be used for the formation of the packaging boxes of the groups of products; figure 2 illustrates, schematically and according to a perspective view taken from a different angle, the packaging machine of figure 2, showing a formation step of a group of products to be inserted in a packaging box which has been formed starting from flat tubular die-cut blanks made of card or cardboard; figure 3 Illustrates the packaging machine of figure 1, in a lateral view, which shows a collecting step of a group of a flat tubular die-cut blank which will be then formed and opened-out with the purpose of receiving internally thereof a group of products; figure 4 illustrates, according to the same perspective view, the packaging machine of figure 1, in which the flat tubular die-cut blank has been collected and brought into a position in which it will be formed and opened-out; figure 5 is a lateral view of figure 4; figure 6 illustrates, in a perspective view according to the same angle as in figure 2, the packaging machine in a completion step of a group of products; figure 7 illustrates, in a perspective view according to figure 6, the packaging machine in an insertion step of the group of products in a packaging box; figure 8 illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, and in larger scale, some significant components of the packaging machine designed to transport the packaging boxes once formed and opened-out and to the formation of groups of products and inserting thereof into a packaging box once opened out; figure 9 illustrates, with a lateral view and in larger scale, some other special components of the packaging machine designed to pick up a flat tubular die-cut blank from a relative store and perform the opening out thereof to form a cardboard box; figure 10 illustrates, according to a schematic perspective view, the packaging machine, configured in another possible embodiment concerning the modes of storage and supply of the flat tubular die-cut blanks made of card or cardboard to be used for the formation of the packaging boxes of the groups of products; figure 11 illustrates the packaging machine of figure 10 according to a perspective view from a different angle; figure 12 is a plan view from above of the packaging machine of figure 10; figure 13 illustrates, in a perspective view, some significant components of the packaging machines designed to transport the packaging boxes once formed and opened-out to successive positions in which the boxes are filled with groups of products and then closed; figure 14 illustrates, according to a schematic perspective view, a special operating station of the packaging machine, in a possible variant of embodiment concerning the modes of closure of the packaging boxes; figure 15 is a plan view from above of figure 14.

[0014] With reference to the accompanying tables of drawings reference number (100) denotes a packaging machine for packing groups of products, such as carton boxes (P) containing pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic articles, internally of packaging boxes (S) formed starting from flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) made of card or cardboard, and destined to be inserted internally of a cardboard packing case, object of the present invention, in its entirety.

[0015] The packaging machine (100) comprises a conveying line (L) which has an inlet (IN) and an outlet (OUT) and which is activatable according to a main conveying direction (L1) from the inlet (IN) to the outlet (OUT).

[0016] The conveying line (100) is configured and positionable internally of the work environment in a position such as to receive, at the inlet (IN), the cartons (P) coming from an outlet line (MA) of a carton boxing machine (not illustrated in the figures, as not being an object of the present invention, and therefore denoted only by reference (MA)) and to convey the cartons according to the main conveying direction (L1) towards the outlet (OUT).

[0017] The conveying line (L) is positionable in such a way that the relative outlet (OUT) is located at, and thus can infeed, the inlet (MC) of a boxing machine (also not illustrated as not pertinent to the invention and therefore denoted generically only by reference (MC)).

[0018] The packaging machine (100) is configured and made in such a way as also to comprise, by a side of the conveying line (L): a store (M) of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) made of card or cardboard; a collecting and opening out station (SP) of the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) and for the formation of packaging boxes (S); a transport system (D) for the opened-out packaging boxes (S) when opened-out starting from the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T); a carton boxes pickup and grouping station (G), for grouping the boxes (P) conveyed along the conveying line (L) and for insertion thereof in the packaging boxes (S); a transfer station (E), arranged downstream of the transport system (D), for receiving, from the transport system (D), the closed packaging boxes (S), having internally thereof the groups of cartons, and for moving the groups onto the conveying line (L), in such a way that the conveying line (L) can convey the packaging boxes (S) to the relative outlet (OUT) from which the packaging boxes (S) can be transferred to the inlet (MC) of a boxing machine for insertion thereof in a corrugated cardboard packing case.

[0019] The following contains a detailed description of the characteristics of the packaging machine of the invention, which enables, rapidly and effectively, packaging groups of carton boxes in packaging boxes destined to be inserted in packing cases made of cardboard, and which, owing to the compact structure thereof, and to the presence of the conveying line, and to the arrangement of the various stations flanked to the conveying line, can easily be positioned between the outlet of a carton boxing machine and the inlet of a boxing machine.

[0020] The store (M) of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) made of card or cardboard, is configured to be able to receive and store internally thereof the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) in a stack, one above the others, and is arranged flanked to the conveying line (L) in a first position (P1) downstream of the inlet (IN) thereof with respect to the main conveying direction (L1).

[0021] Each flat tubular die-cut blank (T) is made in a classical way comprises an upper sheet(T1) and a lower sheet (T2), hinged to one another by respective score lines, wherein the upper sheet (T1) comprises a first face and a second face hinged to one another by means of a first fold line, and the lower sheet (T2) comprises a third face and a fourth face hinged to one another by means of a second fold line, the faces comprising, at the respective two transversal ends, respective closing flaps (A1, A2; A3, A4).

[0022] The collecting and opening out station (SP) of the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T), configured to pick up the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) from the store (M) and to open-out the tubular die-cut blanks with the first, second, third and fourth faces arranged at right angles to one another in such a way as to form the four lateral walls (S1, S2, S3, S4) of the packaging boxes (S) with the relative open transversal heads and with the closing flaps (A1, A2, A3, A4) remaining projecting from the opposite ends of the four lateral walls (S1, S2, S3, S4) at the open transversal heads.

[0023] The transport system (D) is arranged flanked and parallel to the main conveying line (L) and consecutively to the store (M), and comprises a lower transport line (D1) and an upper transport line (D2) facing one another and activatable in respective transport directions that are parallel to one another and parallel to the main conveying direction (L1) of the conveying line (L).

[0024] In particular, the collecting and opening out station (SP) of the die-cut blanks (T) and the transport system (D) are configured and reciprocally arranged in such a way that the packaging boxes (S) are opened-out in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the packaging boxes (S) is arranged transversal and perpendicular to the conveying line (L) and in such a way that the packaging boxes (S) are inserted and arranged between the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2), with a first lateral wall (S1) resting on the lower transport line (D1), with a second lateral wall (S2), facing and parallel to the first lateral wall (S2), in contact against the upper transport line (D2), and with a third leading lateral wall (S3) and a fourth trailing lateral wall (S4) and facing one another at right angles with the first (S1) and the second (S2) lateral wall, and with a first open transversal head projecting from a first side of the transport system (D) and facing towards the conveying line (L) and with a second open transversal head projecting from a second side of the transport system (D), on the opposite side with respect to the conveying line (L).

[0025] The carton boxes pickup and grouping station (G) is arranged in a position downstream with respect to the collecting and opening out station (SP) of the die-cut blanks, and comprises an accumulating plane (G1), which is arranged between the conveying line (L) and the transport system (D).

[0026] When the need arises to have to priorly package the boxes in arrival from the carton boxing machine (MA) and which, in normal conditions, are conveyed by the conveying line (L) directly to the inlet of the boxing machine (MC), internally of the packaging boxes to be inserted and then into cardboard packing cases, the pickup and grouping station (G) is specially configured, when activated, to stop the boxes (P) in advancement along the conveying line (L) to the accumulating plane (G1).

[0027] In this case, the pickup and grouping station (G) is configured to pick up the carton boxes (P) from the conveying line (L) and to position the carton boxes (P) on the accumulating plane (G1) forming groups of articles having a height and width suitable for being inserted in the opened-out packaging boxes (S).

[0028] Further, the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D) are activatable to transport the packaging boxes (S) in succession: to first folding means (F1), which are arranged flanked to the transport system (D) on an opposite side with respect to the conveying line (L), and which are configured to abut and fold the closing flaps (A3, A4) hinged to the edges of third (S3) and fourth (S4) lateral wall of the packaging boxes (S) so as to partly close the second transversal head of the packaging boxes (S), to the accumulating plane (G1) of the pickup and grouping station (G) of the cartons boxes (P), so that the pickup and grouping station (G) of the carton boxes is further configured to transfer the groups of cartons boxes formed on the accumulating plane (G1) internally of the packaging boxes (S) through the first open transversal head of the packaging boxes (S); to second folding means (F2), which are arranged flanked to the transport system (D) on an opposite side with respect to the conveying line (L), and which are configured to abut and fold, in succession, the closing flap (A2) hinged to the second lateral wall (S2) and then the closing flap (A1) hinged to the first lateral wall (S1) of the second head of the packaging boxes (S), so as to completely close the second head of the packaging boxes (S), to third folding means (F3), which are arranged between the conveying line (L) and the transport system (D), and which are configured to abut and fold the closing flaps (A3, A4) hinged to the third (S3) and fourth (S4) lateral wall of the packaging boxes (S) at the first head so as to partially close the first head of the packaging boxes (S); to fourth folding means (F4), which are arranged between the conveying line (L) and the transport system (D) consecutively to the third folding means (F3), and which are configured so as to abut and fold the closing flaps (A1, A2) hinged to the first (S1) and the second (S2) lateral wall of the packaging boxes (S) at the first head so as to completely close the first head; and lastly to the transfer station (E), in such a way that the packaging boxes (S), with the groups of carton boxes inside them, can be transferred onto the conveying line (L) in such a way that the conveying line (L) can convey the packaging boxes (S) to the relative outlet (OUT) from which the packaging boxes (S) can be transferred to the inlet (MC) of a boxing machine for insertion thereof in a corrugated cardboard packing case.

[0029] Thus, from the above description it is clear that the packaging machine of the invention is very efficient and versatile, as in normal conditions, in which the insertion and packing of the boxes directly internally of the cardboard packing cases takes place, the carton boxes coming from the boxing machine can move along the whole conveying line (L) up to inlet into the carton boxing machine, while, when prior packaging of groups of carton boxes internally of packaging boxes is required, then to be inserted into packing cases, the grouping station (G) can be activated to block the advancement of the boxes to form relative groups, and the packaging machine can operate in the ways described in the foregoing.

[0030] Further, the packaging machine of the invention is compact as the various work stations set up for the forming, filling and closing of the packaging boxes are arranged directly flanked to the conveying line of the boxes, on which conveying line the packaging boxes are placed once completed.

[0031] Further and other advantageous aspects of the apparatus of the packaging machine of the invention are described in the following.

[0032] The lower transport line (D1) of the transport system (D), as illustrated in detail by way of example in figure 13, comprises a first conveyor belt (1) closed loop-wound on relative pulleys (10), at least one of which is a drive pulley, and a second conveyor belt (2) closed loop-wound on relative pulleys (20), at least one of which is a drive pulley.

[0033] The first conveyor belt (1) and the second conveyor belt (2) are arranged flanked and parallel to one another, and parallel to the conveying line (L) and being activatable in such a way that the relative upper branches are activated in synchrony and according to a first same transport direction (V1) that is parallel and concordant to the main conveying direction (L1) of the conveying line (L).

[0034] The upper branches of the first conveyor belt (1) and second conveyor belt (2) are destined to restingly receive the first lateral wall (S1) of the opened-out packaging boxes (S) (see for example figures 1-11).

[0035] The second transport line (D2) of the transport system (D) comprises (see for example figure 13 once more) a third conveyor belt (3) closed loop-wound on relative pulleys (30), at least one of which is a drive pulley, and a fourth conveyor belt (4) closed loop-wound on relative pulleys (40), at least one of which is a drive pulley.

[0036] The third conveyor belt (3) and the fourth conveyor belt (4) are arranged flanked and parallel to one another, and parallel to the conveying line (L), and arranged superiorly, respectively to the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt, and are activatable in such a way that the relative lower branches are activated in synchrony and according to a second same transport direction (V2) that is parallel and concordant to the main conveying direction (L1) of the conveying line and with the first transport direction (V1) of the upper branches of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt.

[0037] In particular, the lower branches of the third conveyor belt (3) and fourth conveyor belt (4) are destined to abut the second lateral wall (S2), facing and parallel to the first lateral wall (S1), of the opened-out packaging boxes (S) (see again figures from 1 to 11).

[0038] In further advantageous and preferred aspects, the first conveyor belt (1) and the second conveyor belt (2) comprise respective teeth (11) and (21) which are arranged in such a way as to be flanked and aligned to one another, and in turn the third conveyor belt (3) and the fourth conveyor belt (4) comprise respective teeth (31) and (41) which are arranged in such a way as to be flanked and aligned to one another.

[0039] In particular, the first conveyor belt (1), the second conveyor belt (2), the third conveyor belt (3) and the fourth conveyor belt (4) are reciprocally arranged and configured in such a way that the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt are staggered with respect to the teeth (31, 41) of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt in such a way that a seat is defined between them for the inserting and positioning of the opened-out packaging boxes (S), with the teeth (31, 41) of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt being arranged to abut the fourth trailing lateral wall (S4) of the packaging boxes (S) so as to exert a pushing action on the packaging boxes (S), and with the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt being arranged to abut the third leading lateral wall (S3) of the packaging boxes (S) during the transport thereof, in such a way as to maintain opened-out, i.e. at right angles, the packaging boxes (S) during the transport and transfer thereof along the transport line (D) before being filled with the groups of carton boxes.

[0040] Further, the first conveyor belt (1), the second conveyor belt (2), the third conveyor belt (3) and the fourth conveyor belt (4) are configured in such a way that the reciprocal position between the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt and the teeth (31, 41) of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt is adjustable and variable in such a way as to adapt the reciprocal distance thereof as a function of the width of the opened-out packaging boxes (S); in this regard it is sufficient to vary the relative step between the pulleys of the various belts.

[0041] A further preferred and special aspect consists in the fact that the lower transport line (D1) of the transport system (D) further comprises a fifth conveyor belt (5) closed loop-wound on respective pulleys (50), of which at least one is a drive pulley, which is arranged interposed between the first conveyor belt (1) and the second conveyor belt (2), and has a smaller extension with respect thereto.

[0042] In particular, the fifth conveyor belt (5) comprises respective teeth (51), and is configured and arranged with respect to the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt in such a way that the respective upper branch is activated in synchrony and according to a third transport direction (V3) (see for example figure 3) parallel and concordant with the first transport direction (V1) of the upper branches of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt.

[0043] The teeth (51) of the fifth conveyor belt (5) are staggered with respect to the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt in such a way that the teeth (51) of the fifth conveyor belt (5) abut the fourth trailing lateral wall (S4) of the opened-out packaging boxes (S) after the packaging boxes (S) have been filled with groups of cartons boxes (SP) at the accumulating plane (G1) of the pickup and grouping station (G), so as to exert on the packaging boxes (S) a further pushing action additional to the action exerted by the teeth (31, 41) of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt (see for example figures 6 and 8).

[0044] This is particularly advantageous as the packaging boxes, after having been filled with the groups of cartons, are heavier and the transfer and transport thereof by only the teeth (31, 41) of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt might be difficult; the additional pushing action provided by the teeth (51) of the fifth conveyor belt (5) thus enables an easier transfer of the packaging boxes, once filled, along the transport line (D).

[0045] Further, the first conveyor belt (1), the second conveyor belt (2) and the fifth conveyor belt (5) are configured in such a way that the reciprocal position between the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt and the teeth (51) of the fifth conveyor belt (5) is adjustable and variable in such a way as to adapt the reciprocal distance thereof in accordance with the width of the packaging boxes (S) to be opened-out; in this regard it is sufficient to vary the step between the relative pulleys.

[0046] Further, the position of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt of the upper transport line (D2) is adjustable and variable with respect to the position of the first (1), second (2) and fifth (5) conveyor belt of the lower transport line (D1), in such a way as to adjust and vary the reciprocal distance according to the height of the packaging boxes (S) to be opened-out.

[0047] The store (M) of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) made of card or cardboard comprises a pit (4) for the positioning of a stack of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T), and an infeeding system (40) for infeeding successive stacks of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) into the pit (4).

[0048] For example, in a second possible embodiment, such as for example illustrated in figures 1 and 4, the infeeding system (40) can comprise a drawer (41), or a carriage (41) with a support plane for a stack of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) insertable in and extractable from the pit (4).

[0049] In another possible embodiment, such as for example illustrated in figures 10, 11, 12, the infeeding system (40) can comprise a conveying belt (42) arranged to restingly receive, in succession to one another, a series of stacks of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) and activatable to infeed and position a stack at a time in the pit (4).

[0050] An auxiliary store (6) can also be present, which is arranged above the conveying belt (42) and having a series of movable planes for the support of respective stacks of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T), wherein the movable planes are activatable vertically to bring the respective stacks of tubular die-cut blanks (T) above the conveying belt (42).

[0051] In any case, in the cases of both possible embodiments an elevator (46) is present in the pit (4) to lift the stack of tubular die-cut blanks (T) positioned in the pit (4) progressively as the stacks of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) are collected and extracted from the store (M), in such a way that the uppermost flat tubular die-cut blank of the stack of die-cut blanks remaining in the store (M) is always positioned at a same height.

[0052] The collecting and opening out station (SP) of the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) comprises: a first anthropomorphic robot (7), mounted on a fixed support (70) positioned in proximity of the store (M), for movement of a first pickup suction head (71); a pickup arm (72) provided with suction cups, movable between a lowered position and a raised position with respect to the lower transport line (D1) of the transport system (D), and a paddle (73) that is activatable in rotation with respect to a horizontal axis (see for example figures 3, 4, 5, 9, 10).

[0053] In greater detail, the first pickup suction head (71) is moved by the first anthropomorphic robot (7) so as to pick up by suction a flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) from the store (M) acting on the upper sheet (T1) and to bring the flat tubular die-cut blank (T) into a position between the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D), while the pickup arm (72) provided with aspirating suction cups is activatable from the lowered position to the raised position so as to abut and retain, by suction, a face of the lower sheet (T2) of the flat tubular die-cut blank (T) and so as to be newly brought into the lowered position in order to move the lower sheet (T2) away from the upper sheet (T1) causing the detachment between the two sheets (T1, T2) and a partial opening of the die-cut blank.

[0054] In turn, the paddle (73) is activatable in rotation about the horizontal rotation axis in such a way as to abut a trailing face of the lower sheet (T2) not retained by the suction cups of the pickup arm (72) and to fold the trailing face in such a way as to open-out the die-cut blank, forming a packaging box (S) inserted and interposed between the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D).

[0055] A particular and advantageous aspect concerns the fact that the first pickup suction head (71) is conformed and dimensioned to be directly insertable in the space existing between the third conveyor belt (3) and the fourth conveyor belt (4) of the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D), this enabling opening-out the packaging boxes directly between the two conveyor lines.

[0056] The pickup and grouping station (G) comprises a blocking wall (45), which is activatable transversally to the conveying line (L) in such a way as to block the advancement of the carton boxes (P) towards the outlet (OUT) of the conveying line (L), and a second anthropomorphic robot (8) mounted on a fixed frame (81) positioned flanked to the conveying line (L), on an opposite side with respect to the accumulating plane (G1), for the movement of a second pickup suction head (82).

[0057] The second anthropomorphic robot (8) is activatable to move the second pickup head (82) in order to collect the carton boxes (P) that have reached abutment against the blocking wall (45) and in order to transfer the cartons boxes to rest on the accumulating plane (G1) until forming a group of cartons boxes (P) suitable for being inserted in an opened-out packaging box (S) and transported between the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D) to the accumulating plane (G1) (see for example figures 2, 6, 8).

[0058] Therefore the second anthropomorphic robot (8) is also activatable to move the second pickup head (82) in such a way that the second pickup head (82), by means of a pusher wall (83) mounted thereon, can push and translate the group of carton boxes formed on the storage plane (G1) internally of the packaging box (S) positioned by the transport system (D) on the accumulating plane (G1), through the second open head of the packaging box (S) facing towards the conveying line (L) (see for example figure 7).

[0059] In particular, the accumulating plane (G1) comprises two opposite containing walls (84, 85), defining there-between a storing space for formation of the groups of carton boxes, and wherein the accumulating plane (G1) is translatable towards the transport system (D) and configured to partially insert into the second open head of the packaging box (S) so as to accompany the inserting of the group of carton boxes into the packaging box (S).

[0060] The packaging machine (100) is also made in such a way as further to comprise a labelling station (SL) positioned between the transport system (D) and the transfer station (E) and comprising a device for applying labels (DL), movably mounted on a respective support frame (TL), and configured to apply, on the closed packaging boxes (S) in outlet from the transport system (S), and internally containing groups of cartons, at least a label containing identifying information of the groups of carton boxes packed in the packaging boxes (S).

[0061] A further preferred aspect of the packaging machine (100) concerns the fact that the transfer station (E) comprises a weighing plate (W), for weighing the closed packaging boxes (S) with groups of carton boxes inside, and for verifying whether the weight of the packaging boxes (S) corresponds to a prefixed weight on the basis of the number and groups of cartons boxes inserted therein.

[0062] In this regard, the transfer station (E) further comprises an unloading conveyor (H) to which the packaging boxes (S) having a non-compliant weight with respect to the prefixed weight value are transferred.

[0063] The packaging machine (100) also has first glue application means which are arranged and configured to apply glue on the closing flap (A2) hinged to the second lateral wall (S2) and / or on the closing flap (A1) hinged to the first lateral wall (S1) of the second head of the packaging boxes (S) before the second folding means (F2) fold the two closing flaps (A1, A2) for the closing of the second head of the packaging boxes (S), and second glue application means which are arranged and configured to apply glue on the closing flap (A2) hinged to the second lateral wall (S2) and / or on the closing flap (A1) hinged to the first lateral wall (S1) of the first head of the packaging boxes (S) before the fourth folding means (F4) fold the flaps (A1, A2) for the closing of the first head of the packaging boxes (S).

[0064] The above-described solution is especially recommended and utilisable when the tubular die-cut blanks, from which the packaging boxes are made, are made of card.

[0065] Instead, in a case in which the tubular die-cut blanks are made of cardboard, i.e. of a slightly thicker and less flexible material, in another possible installation mode, as for example illustrated in figures 14 and 15, the packaging machine (100) can comprise, bilaterally of the transport line (D), first means (91) of application of adhesive tape, arranged downstream of the second folding means (F2), for applying an adhesive sealing tape at least on the second closed head of the packaging boxes (S), and second means of application (92) of adhesive tape, arranged downstream of the fourth folding means (F4), for applying an adhesive sealing tape at least on the first closed head of the packaging boxes (S).

[0066] The preceding description has been made with reference to boxes containing pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic articles: it is specified that the packaging machine of the invention can also carry out the insertion of other types of products internally of packaging boxes destined then to be packed internally of packing cases in a boxing machine.

Claims

1. A packaging machine (100) for packing groups of products, such as carton boxes (P) containing pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic articles, internally of packaging boxes (S) formed starting from flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) made of card or cardboard and destined to be inserted into a cardboard packing case, comprising: a conveying line (L) having an inlet (IN) and an outlet (OUT) and activatable according to a main conveying direction (L1) from the inlet (IN) to the outlet (OUT) and configured to receive, at the inlet (IN), the carton boxes (P) coming from an outlet line (MA) of a boxing machine and to convey the carton boxes (P) according to the main conveying direction (L1) towards the outlet (OUT), a store (M) of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) made of card or cardboard, internally of which the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) are arranged in a stack one on another, wherein the store (M) is arranged flanked to the conveying line (L) in a first position (P1) downstream of the inlet (IN) thereof, with each flat tubular die-cut blank (T) comprising an upper sheet (T1) and a lower sheet (T2), hinged to one another by respective score lines, wherein the upper sheet (T1) comprises a first face and a second face hinged to one another by means of a first fold line, and the lower sheet (T2) comprises a third face and a fourth face hinged to one another by means of a second fold line, the faces comprising, at the respective two transversal ends, respective closing flaps (A1, A2; A3', A4'); a collecting and opening out station (SP) of the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T), configured to pick up the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) from the store (M) and to open-out the tubular die-cut blanks with the first, second, third and fourth faces arranged at right angles to one another in such a way as to form the four lateral walls (S1, S2, S3, S4) of the packaging boxes (S) with the relative open transversal heads and with the closing flaps (A1, A2, A3, A4) remaining projecting from the opposite ends of the four lateral walls (S1, S2, S3, S4) at the open transversal heads; a transport system (D), arranged flanked and parallel to the main conveying line (L) and consecutively to the store (M), and comprising a lower transport line (D1) and an upper transport line (D2) facing one another and activatable in respective transport directions that are parallel to one another and parallel to the main conveying direction (L1) of the conveying line (L), wherein the collecting and opening out station (SP) of the die-cut blanks (T) and the transport system (D) are configured and reciprocally arranged in such a way that the packaging boxes (S) are opened-out in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the packaging boxes (S) is arranged transversal and perpendicular to the conveying line (L) and in such a way that the packaging boxes (S) are inserted and arranged between the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2), with a first lateral wall (S1) resting on the lower transport line (D1), with a second lateral wall (S2), facing and parallel to the first lateral wall (S1), in contact against the upper transport line (D2), and with a third leading lateral wall (S3) and a fourth trailing lateral wall (S4) and facing one another at right angles with the first (S1) and the second (S2) lateral wall, and with a first open transversal head projecting from a first side of the transport system (D) and facing towards the conveying line (L) and with a second open transversal head projecting from a second side of the transport system (D), on the opposite side with respect to the conveying line (L), a carton boxes pickup and grouping station (G), arranged in a position downstream with respect to the collecting and opening out station (SP) of the die-cut blanks, and comprising an accumulating plane (G1), arranged between the conveying line (L) and the transport system (D), the pickup and grouping station (G) being configured, when activated, to halt the carton boxes (P) in advancement along the conveying line (L) at the accumulating plane (G1), to pick up the carton boxes (P) from the conveying line (L) and to position the carton boxes (P) on the accumulating plane (G1) forming groups of articles having a height and width suitable for being inserted in the opened-out packaging boxes (S), characterised in that the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D) are activatable to transport the packaging boxes (S) in succession to: first folding means (F1), arranged flanked to the transport system (D) on an opposite side with respect to the conveying line (L), and which are configured to abut and fold the closing flaps (A3, A4) hinged to the edges of third (S3) and fourth (S4) lateral wall of the packaging boxes (S) so as to partly close the second transversal head of the packaging boxes (S), to the accumulating plane (G1) of the pickup and grouping station (G) of the carton boxes (P), wherein the pickup and grouping station (G) of the carton boxes is further configured to transfer the groups of carton boxes formed on the accumulating plane (G1) internally of the packaging boxes (S) through the first open transversal head of the packaging boxes (S); to second folding means (F2), arranged flanked to the transport system (D) on an opposite side with respect to the conveying line (L), and which are configured to abut and fold, in succession, the closing flap (A2) hinged to the second lateral wall (S2) and then the closing flap (A1) hinged to the first lateral wall (S1) of the second head of the packaging boxes (S), so as to completely close the second head of the packaging boxes (S), to third folding means (F3), arranged between the conveying line (L) and the transport system (D), configured to abut and fold the closing flaps (A3, A4) hinged to the third (S3) and fourth (S4) lateral wall of the packaging boxes (S) at the first head so as to partially close the first head of the packaging boxes (S); to fourth folding means (F4), arranged between the conveying line (L) and the transport system (D) consecutively to the third folding means (F3), configured so as to abut and fold the closing flaps (A1, A2) hinged to the first (S1) and the second (S2) lateral wall of the packaging boxes (S) at the first head so as to completely close the first head; to a transfer station (E), arranged downstream of the transport system (D), configured so as to receive, from the transport system (D), the packaging boxes (S) having internally thereof the groups of carton boxes and being closed at the respective two heads, and to move them onto the conveying line (L), in such a way that the conveying line (L) can convey the packaging boxes (S) to the relative outlet (OUT) from which the packaging boxes (S) can be transferred to the inlet (MC) of a boxing machine for insertion thereof in a packing case.

2. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower transport line (D1) of the transport system (D) comprises a first conveyor belt (1) closed loop-wound on relative pulleys (10), of which at least one is a drive pulley, and a second conveyor belt (2) closed loop-wound on relative pulleys (20), of which at least one is a drive pulley, the first conveyor belt (1) and the second conveyor belt (2) being arranged flanked and parallel to one another, and parallel to the conveying line (L) and being activatable in such a way that the relative upper branches are activated in synchrony and according to a first same transport direction (V1) that is parallel and concordant to the main conveying direction (L1) of the conveying line, wherein the upper branches of the first conveyor belt (1) and second conveyor belt (2) are destined to restingly receive the first lateral wall (S1) of the opened-out packaging boxes (S), wherein the second transport line (D2) of the transport system (D) comprises a third conveyor belt (3) closed loop-wound on relative pulleys (30), at least one of which is a drive pulley, and a fourth conveyor belt (4) closed loop-wound on relative pulleys (40), at least one of which is a drive pulley, the third conveyor belt (3) and the fourth conveyor belt (4) being arranged flanked and parallel to one another, and parallel to the conveying line (L), and arranged superiorly, respectively to the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt, and being activatable in such a way that the relative lower branches are activated in synchrony and according to a second same transport direction (V2) that is parallel and concordant to the main conveying direction (L1) of the conveying line and with the first transport direction (V1) of the upper branches of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt, wherein the lower branches of the third conveyor belt (3) and fourth conveyor belt (4) are destined to abut the second lateral wall (S2), facing and parallel to the first lateral wall (S1), of the opened-out packaging boxes (S).

3. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first conveyor belt (1) and the second conveyor belt (2) comprise respective teeth (11) and (21) which are arranged in such a way as to be flanked and aligned to one another, and wherein the third conveyor belt (3) and the fourth conveyor belt (4) comprise respective teeth (31) and (41) which are arranged in such a way as to be flanked and aligned to one another, with the first belt (1), the second belt (2), the third belt (3) and the fourth belt (4) which are reciprocally configured in such a way that the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt are staggered with respect to the teeth (31, 41) of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt in such a way that a seat is defined between them for the inserting and positioning of the opened-out packaging boxes (S), with the teeth (31, 41) of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt which are arranged to abut the fourth trailing lateral wall (S4) of the packaging boxes (S) so as to exert a pushing action on the packaging boxes (S), and with the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt being arranged to abut the third leading lateral wall (S3) of the packaging boxes (S) during the transport thereof, in such a way as to maintain opened-out, i.e. at right angles, the packaging boxes (S) during the transport and transfer thereof along the transport line (D) before being filled with the groups of carton boxes (P).

4. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first conveyor belt (1), the second conveyor belt (2), the third conveyor belt (3) and the fourth conveyor belt (4) are configured in such a way that the reciprocal position between the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt and the teeth (31, 41) of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt is adjustable and variable in such a way as to adapt the reciprocal distance thereof as a function of the width of the opened-out packaging boxes (S).

5. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 2 to 4, wherein the lower transport line (D1) of the transport system (D) further comprises a fifth conveyor belt (5) closed loop-wound on respective pulleys (50), of which at least one is a drive pulley, which is arranged interposed between the first conveyor belt (1) and the second conveyor belt (2), and has a smaller extension with respect thereto, wherein the fifth conveyor belt (5) comprises respective teeth (51), with the fifth conveyor belt (5) being configured and arranged with respect to the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt in such a way that the respective upper branch is activated in synchrony and according to a third transport direction (V3) that is parallel and concordant with the first transport direction (V1) of the upper branches of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt, with the teeth (51) of the fifth conveyor belt (5) being staggered with respect to the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt in such a way that the teeth (51) of the fifth conveyor belt (5) abut the fourth trailing lateral wall (S4) of the opened-out packaging boxes (S) after the packaging boxes (S) have been filled with groups of carton boxes (P) at the accumulating plane (G1) of the pickup and grouping station (G), so as to exert on the packaging boxes (S) a further pushing action additional to the action exerted by the teeth (31, 41) of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt.

6. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first conveyor belt (1), the second conveyor belt (2) and the fifth conveyor belt (5) are configured in such a way that the reciprocal position between the teeth (11, 21) of the first (1) and second (2) conveyor belt and the teeth (51) of the fifth conveyor belt (5) is adjustable and variable in such a way as to adapt the reciprocal distance thereof in accordance with the width of the packaging boxes (S) to be opened-out.

7. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the position of the third (3) and fourth (4) conveyor belt is adjustable and variable with respect to the position of the first (1), second (2) and fifth (5) conveyor belt in such a way as to adjust and vary the reciprocal distance according to the height of the packaging boxes (S) to be opened-out.

8. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the store (M) of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) made of card or cardboard comprises a pit (4) for positioning of a stack of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T), and an infeeding system (40) for infeeding successive stacks of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) into the pit (4).

9. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the infeeding system (40) comprises a carriage (41) with a support plane for a stack of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) insertable in and extractable from the pit (4).

10. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the infeeding system (40) comprises a conveying belt (42) arranged to restingly receive, in succession to one another, a series of stacks of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) and activatable to infeed and position a stack at a time in the pit (4).

11. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in claim 10, comprising an auxiliary store (6) arranged above the conveying belt (42) and having a series of movable planes for the support of respective stacks of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T), wherein the movable planes are activatable vertically to bring the respective stacks of tubular die-cut blanks (T) above the conveying belt (42).

12. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 8 to 11, wherein an elevator (46) is present in the pit (4) to lift the stack of tubular die-cut blanks (T) positioned in the pit (4) progressively as the stacks of flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) are collected and extracted from the store (M), in such a way that the uppermost flat tubular die-cut blank of the stack of die-cut blanks remaining in the store (M) is always positioned at a same height.

13. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 2 to 12, wherein the collecting and opening out station (SP) of the flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) comprises: a first anthropomorphic robot (7), mounted on a fixed support (70) positioned in proximity of the store (M), for movement of a first pickup suction head (71); a pickup arm (72) provided with suction cups, movable between a lowered position and a raised position with respect to the lower transport line (D1) of the transport system (D), and a paddle (73) that is activatable in rotation with respect to a horizontal axis, wherein the first pickup suction head (71) is moved by the first anthropomorphic robot (7) so as to pick up by suction a flat tubular die-cut blanks (T) from the store (M) acting on the upper sheet (T1) and to bring the flat tubular die-cut blank (T) into a position between the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D), and wherein the pickup arm (72) provided with suction cups is activatable from the lowered position to the raised position so as to abut and retain, by suction, a face of the lower sheet (T2) of the flat tubular die-cut blank (T) and so as to be newly brought into the lowered position in order to move the lower sheet (T2) away from the upper sheet (T1) causing the detachment between the two sheets (T1, T2) and a partial opening of the die-cut blank, and wherein the paddle (73) is activatable in rotation about the horizontal rotation axis in such a way as to abut a trailing face of the lower sheet (T2) not retained by the suction cups of the pickup arm (72) and to fold the trailing face in such a way as to open-out the die-cut blank, forming a packaging box (S) inserted and interposed between the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D).

14. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first pickup suction head (71) is conformed and dimensioned to be insertable between the third conveyor belt (3) and the fourth conveyor belt (4) of the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D).

15. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pickup and grouping station (G) comprises a blocking wall (45), activatable transversally to the conveying line (L) in such a way as to block the advancement of the carton boxes (P) towards the outlet (OUT) of the conveying line (L), and a second anthropomorphic robot (8) mounted on a fixed frame (81) positioned flanked to the conveying line (L), on an opposite side with respect to the accumulating plane (G1), for the movement of a second pickup suction head (82), wherein the second anthropomorphic robot (8) is activatable to move the second pickup head (82) in order to collect the carton boxes (P) that have reached abutment against the blocking wall (45) and in order to transfer the carton boxes to rest on the accumulating plane (G1) until forming a group of carton boxes (P) suitable for being inserted in an opened-out packaging box (S) and transported between the lower transport line (D1) and the upper transport line (D2) of the transport system (D) to the accumulating plane (G1), and wherein the second anthropomorphic robot (8) is also activatable to move the second pickup head (82) in such a way that the second pickup head (82), by means of a pusher wall (83) mounted thereon, can push and translate the group of carton boxes formed on the storage plane (G1) internally of the packaging box (S) positioned by the transport system (D) on the accumulating plane (G1), through the second open head of the packaging box (S) facing towards the conveying line (L).

16. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the accumulating plane (G1) comprises two opposite containing walls (84, 85), defining there-between a storing space for formation of the groups of carton boxes, and wherein the accumulating plane (G1) is translatable towards the transport system (D) and configured to partially insert into the second open head of the packaging box (S) so as to accompany the inserting of the group of carton boxes into the packaging box (S).

17. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a labelling station (SL) positioned between the transport system (D) and the transfer station (E) and comprising a device for applying labels (DL), movably mounted on a respective support frame (TL), and configured to apply, on the closed packaging boxes (S) in outlet from the transport system (S), and internally containing groups of carton boxes, at least a label containing identifying information of the groups of carton boxes packed in the packaging boxes (S).

18. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer station (E) comprises a weighing plate (W), for weighing the closed packaging boxes (S) with groups of carton boxes inside, and for verifying whether the weight of the packaging boxes (S) corresponds to a prefixed weight on the basis of the number and groups of carton boxes inserted therein, wherein the transfer station (E) further comprises an unloading conveyor (H) to which the packaging boxes (S) having a non-compliant weight with respect to the prefixed weight value are transferred.

19. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising first glue application means which are arranged and configured to apply glue on the closing flap (A2) hinged to the second lateral wall (S2) and / or on the closing flap (A1) hinged to the first lateral wall (S1) of the second head of the packaging boxes (S) before the second folding means (F2) fold the two closing flaps (A1, A2) for the closing of the second head of the packaging boxes (S), and second glue application means which are arranged and configured to apply glue on the closing flap (A2) hinged to the second lateral wall (S2) and / or on the closing flap (A1) hinged to the first lateral wall (S1) of the first head of the packaging boxes (S) before the fourth folding means (F4) fold the flaps (A1, A2) for the closing of the first head of the packaging boxes (S).

20. The packaging machine (100) as claimed in any one of claims from 1 to 18, comprising, bilaterally of the transport line (D), first means (91) of application of adhesive tape, arranged downstream of the second folding means (F2), for applying an adhesive sealing tape at least on the second closed head of the packaging boxes (S), and second means of application (92) of adhesive tape, arranged downstream of the fourth folding means (F4), for applying an adhesive sealing tape at least on the first closed head of the packaging boxes (S).

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