Method for the connection and stabilization of a first stack of articles with a second stack of articles, positioned on two respective pallets

Abstract

A method is described for connecting and stabilizing a first stack of articles (A1), with a second stack of articles (A2), or with at least a second stack of articles (A2), positioned respectively on an upper support surface of a first pallet (P1) and an upper support surface of a second pallet (P2) independent of the first pallet (P1). The first stack of articles (A1) has a vertical height (h1) from the respective supporting surface and the second stack of articles has a vertical height (h2) from the respective supporting surface, optionally equal to the vertical height (h1) . The first stack of articles and the second stack of articles are individually wrapped, independently of each other, respectively in at least a first containment band (F1) and a second containment band (F2) which each form at least a ring around, and optionally in direct contact with, the respective stack (A1,A2) extending vertically to at least half the vertical height (h1,h2) of the respective stack, or wherein the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles each comprise a plurality of connection elements which connect the vertically stacked articles of each stack of articles to each other, preventing relative movement between said stacked articles at least in the horizontal direction. The first stack of articles and the second stack of articles lie horizontally next to each other. Said method comprising the step of wrapping together the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles with an adhesive tape (70), wrapped to form a ring (L) which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles in a portion of said stacks having a vertical height greater than half the respective vertical height.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention concerns an apparatus and a method for connecting and stabilizing two stacks of articles placed on two respective pallets which are positioned next to each other.

[0002] Although in the following we will mainly refer to pallets of the DEMI-pallet format, this does not exclude that the method and apparatus can be applied to pallets of any size.KNOWN TECHNIQUE

[0003] The pallets are mostly made in the "EUR" and "EPAL" standard, with plan dimensions of 1,200mm by 800mm, but recently the pallet in the "demi-pallet" or "Dusseldorf pallet" standard which has dimensions 600mm by 800mm.

[0004] The reason for using this type of pallet is linked to the possibility of bringing the goods directly into the sales points without taking up excessive spaces with a single product, while avoiding the intermediate operation of unloading the goods and repositioning them in the shelves.

[0005] However, a problem connected to the use of demi-pallets is linked to its dimensions. In fact, since demi-pallets have a reduced base, they have lower stability than EPAL or EUR pallets.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to make available a method and an apparatus for stabilizing two pallets, for example of small dimensions as in the case of demi-pallets, in order to make them more stable, for example in the case of demi-pallets in so as to make them as stable as a "EUR" pallet.

[0007] In particular, the invention makes available a method for connecting and stabilizing a first stack of articles, with a second stack of articles, or only with a second stack of articles, or with at least a second stack of articles, positioned respectively on an upper support surface of a first pallet and an upper support surface of a second pallet independent of the first pallet, wherein the first stack of articles has a vertical height from the respective bearing surface and the second stack of articles has a vertical height from the respective bearing surface, comparable to the vertical height of the first stack of articles, optionally equal to the height vertical of the first stack of articles, wherein the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles are individually wrapped, independently of each other, respectively in a first containment band and a second containment band which each form at least one ring around, and optionally in direct contact, to the respective stack extending vertically to at least half the vertical height of the respective stack or wherein the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles each include a plurality of connecting elements which connect the vertically stacked articles together of each stack of articles preventing relative movement between said stacked articles at least in a horizontal direction, in which the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles are located horizontally next to each other, said method comprising the step of wrapping together the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles with an adhesive tape, wrapped to form a ring, for example closed, which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles and is positioned with a minimum vertical height greater than half the vertical height of the stack of articles, and for example by gluing said adhesive tape to at least a portion of the first containment band and a portion of the second containment band.

[0008] Thanks to this solution, a method has been made available that allows two pallets to be made stable with short processing times, low costs and which also allows those who have to remove the packaging in the points of sale not having to spend more time than that already necessary to remove the containment bands for each stack, which are still necessary for each individual stack of articles to be stable.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the starting adhesive tape can be wound on itself in the form of a reel, and the phase of wrapping with the adhesive tape can include the following sub-phases: unwind a portion of the tape wound on the reel and press a free initial end of said unwrapped portion, fixing it to the first or second containment band, move the reel along a ring path, for example a closed ring, around the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles, allowing the reel to unwind during said movement, or unwinding it during the movement, so that the unwound tape comes into contact of the containment bands, and / or rotate the first pallet and the second pallet by at least one round angle with respect to the same vertical rotation axis, simultaneously allowing the reel to unwind or unwind it, so that the unwound tape comes into contact with the containment bands, stop the movement of the reel or the rotation of the pallets, press and adhere against the first band or the second band a section of tape, which can be indicable as a tail section, which is found in an intermediate portion of the adhesive tape which, following the interruption of movement or rotation, is found interposed between a portion of adhesive tape wound on the reel and a portion of adhesive tape in contact with the first containment band and the second containment band, cut the tape between the tail section and the portion of tape wound on the reel.

[0010] This specific type of method execution allows the method to be particularly efficient and rapid.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the step of winding the adhesive tape involves winding the adhesive tape only along a single substantially horizontal closed annular path.

[0012] This specific type of method execution allows the method to be particularly efficient and rapid.

[0013] The invention also makes available an apparatus for connecting and stabilizing a first stack of articles wrapped with a first containment band, with at least, or solely with, a second stack of articles wrapped with a second containment band, positioned respectively on an upper support surface of a first pallet and an upper support surface of a second pallet, independent from the first pallet, said apparatus comprising: a work area configured to accommodate stacks of articles on top of their respective pallets, a main frame equipped with a base and a vertical portion that rises from the base and is located alongside at least one side of the work area, a reel holder device, rotatably connected to the main frame with respect to a vertical rotation axis and to which a reel of adhesive tape is rotatably associated, and a working head connected to the main frame, wherein the work head comprises a gripping device configured to selectively hold or release a portion of the adhesive tape, a pushing device configured to push a portion of the adhesive tape proximal to the portion holdable by the holding device towards said internal portion of the work zone gripper, and a cutting device configured to cut the adhesive tape in proximity to the gripper.

[0014] Thanks to this solution, an apparatus is made available that allows two pallets to be stabilized quickly and at low cost.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the pusher device can comprise a body rotating with respect to a vertical rotation axis and a pusher body, optionally at least partially made of a material elastically deformable at working loads sufficient to fix an adhesive tape to a surface, fixed to the rotating body in an eccentric position with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the gripping device can comprise a first jaw and a second jaw equipped with respective gripping surfaces and hinged to each other with respect to a hinge axis lying on a substantially horizontal plane, in wherein the jaws are movable in rotation with respect to said hinge axis between a gripping position, in which the gripping surfaces are proximal to each other, and a disengagement position, in which the gripping surfaces are distal to each other, one from the other.

[0017] With this particular gripping device it is possible to disengage the belt and grab it without having to vertically raise and lower the second support frame.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, the device in which each jaw comprises an idle cylindrical body which makes the respective gripping surface available.

[0019] This helps reduce the natural tendency of the tape to twist once an edge is cut.

[0020] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the cutting device can comprise a horizontally movable blade.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the invention, the jaws of the gripping device can be placed horizontally between the cutting device and the pushing device

[0022] The invention also makes available an apparatus for connecting and stabilizing a first stack of articles wrapped with a first containment band, with a second stack of articles wrapped with a second containment band, positioned respectively on an upper support surface of a first pallet and an upper support surface of a second pallet independent from the first pallet, said apparatus comprising: a work area configured to accommodate stacks of articles on top of their respective pallets, a main frame equipped with a base and a vertical portion that rises from the base and is located alongside at least one side of the work area, a reel holder device connected to the vertical portion of the main frame and to which a reel of adhesive tape is rotatably associated, a rotating platform on which the first pallet and the second pallet rest within the work area and which is rotatable with respect to the supporting frame with respect to a vertical rotation axis, a working head connected to the main frame, wherein the work head comprises a gripping device configured to selectively hold or release a portion of the adhesive tape, a pushing device configured to push a portion of the adhesive tape proximal to the portion holdable by the holding device towards said internal portion of the work zone gripper, and a cutting device configured to cut the adhesive tape in proximity to the gripper.

[0023] This variant of the apparatus described above essentially presents the same basic concept, with the difference that in this case it is not the reel holder frame that rotates, but the pallets themselves rotate allowing the winding of the adhesive tape, therefore the advantages are same even if the first described version of the apparatus remains preferred.

[0024] The invention also makes available a system for packaging a first stack of articles resting on a first pallet and a second stack of articles resting on a second pallet, said system comprising: a stack of articles wrapping apparatus configured to wrap a stack of articles resting on a pallet with a containment band, and a connection and stabilization apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9 or according to claim 10, downstream of the wrapping apparatus with respect to a direction of movement of the stacks of articles inside the plant.

[0025] The invention also makes available a method for connecting and / or stabilizing a first stack of articles, with a second stack of articles, or only with a second stack of articles, or with at least a second stack of articles, positioned respectively on an upper bearing surface of a first pallet and an upper bearing surface of a second pallet independent of the first pallet, wherein the first stack of articles has a vertical height from the respective bearing surface and the second stack of articles has a vertical height from the respective bearing surface comparable to the vertical height of the first stack of articles, optionally equal to the vertical height of the first stack of articles wherein the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles are individually wrapped, independently of each other, respectively in at least one first containment band, and a second containment band, wrapped to form at least one ring around the respective stack and extending vertically at least half the vertical height of the respective stack, or wherein the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles include a plurality of connecting elements that connect the vertically stacked articles of each stack together of articles preventing relative movement between said stacked articles at least in a horizontal direction, said method including the phases of: place the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles side by side horizontally, wrapping the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles together with an adhesive tape, wrapped to form a ring, for example closed, which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles in a portion of said stacks having a vertical height greater than half of the respective vertical height.

[0026] The invention also makes available a method for packaging a first stack of articles, with a second stack of articles, or only with a second stack of articles, or with at least a second stack of articles, positioned respectively on an upper supporting surface of a first pallet and an upper supporting surface of a second pallet independent of the first pallet, wherein the first stack of articles has a vertical height from the respective bearing surface and the second stack of articles has a vertical height from the respective bearing surface, said method including the phases of: wrap at least half of the vertical extension of the first stack of articles in a first containment band forming at least a closed ring or vertically stack groups of articles of the first stack of articles mutually connecting the groups of stacked articles so that the groups of articles of the second stack are held horizontally to each other by one or more connecting elements placed between two groups of proximal articles, wrap at least half of the vertical extension of the second stack of articles in a second containment band forming at least a closed loop or vertically stack groups of articles of the second stack of articles by mutually connecting the groups of stacked articles so that the groups of articles of the second stack are held horizontally to each other by one or more connecting elements placed between two groups of proximal articles, place the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles side by side horizontally wrapping the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles together with an adhesive tape, wrapped to form a ring, for example closed, which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles in a portion of said stacks having a vertical height greater than half of the respective vertical height. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram representative of a system according to the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bandaging apparatus of the implant of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front perspective view of a connection and stabilization apparatus according to the invention for two stacks of articles, wrapped in respective containment bands and positioned on two respective pallets, configured to wrap together the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles with an adhesive tape wrapped to form a ring, which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles in a portion of said stacks having a vertical height greater than half the respective vertical height of the stack of articles, and gluing said adhesive tape to at least a portion of the first containment band and a portion of the second containment band which are located in an upper half of the vertical height of the stack of articles. In figure 3 the apparatus is illustrated in a situation in which a pair of stacks of articles to which the ring of adhesive tape has been applied moves away from a work area of the apparatus and a pair of stacks of articles to which it must be applied the ring of adhesive tape is brought into the work area. Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of figure 3, in which protective barriers and a pallet handling device have been removed. Furthermore, in Figure 4 the apparatus is illustrated in a condition before the start of the application of the adhesive tape to the stacks of articles, or to the respective containment bands. Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the apparatus as illustrated in Figure 4. Figure 6 is an enlargement of the detail VI of Figure 4. Figure 7 is an enlargement of detail VII of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of the previous figures, with relative enlargement, illustrated in a condition where the ring of adhesive tape is starting to be applied. In particular, in figure 8 the apparatus has just applied a free end of the adhesive tape to the containment band of one of the two stacks of articles. Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of the previous figures, with relative enlargement, illustrated in a condition in which a working head of the apparatus disengages so as to allow the free rotation of a bobbin holder device of the apparatus. Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of the previous figures, illustrated in a condition in which the reel holder device has begun, compared to how it was illustrated in the previous figures, its rotation around the stacks of articles found in the work area. Figure 11 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of the previous figures, with relative enlargement, illustrated in a condition in which the reel holder device has finished its rotation around the stacks of articles and the working head is still in the position of disengagement. Figure 12 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of the previous figures, with relative enlargement, illustrated in a condition in which the working head has re -grasped the adhesive tape (after having released it before the reel holder device began its rotation) and prepares to press a section of it against the containment band in front of it and to cut a section of it in order to close the ring of adhesive tape and allow the apparatus to prepare for a new pair of stacks of articles. Figure 13 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, illustrated in a condition in which a rotating platform on which the pallets with the relative stacks of articles are placed has finished its rotation for have the tape wrapped around the stacks of articles and the work head is still in the disengaged position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The present invention will now be described, by way of illustration, but not by way of limitation, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the attached figures.

[0029] In particular, the reference number 1,1' indicates a system, or portion of a system, for the packaging of a first stack of articles A1 which rests on a first pallet P1 and a second stack of articles A2 which it rests on a second P2 pallet.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment the articles are bottles, in particular plastic bottles for containing water or drinks.

[0031] The stacks of articles A1,A2 respectively have vertical (maximum) heights, for example measured from the top surface of the pallet, h1 and h2, which in practice can correspond to 1.5 m - 2.5 m, preferably around 2.2 m. For example, the vertical height of the stacks of articles is comparable, i.e. a possible difference between the two heights is no greater than 5%, preferably the heights are substantially the same, for example with a tolerance of 1%-2%.

[0032] The stack of articles A1,A2 can include at least two groups of articles, superimposed vertically, i.e. stacked one on top of the other, where each group of articles comprises at least two articles placed horizontally next to each other.

[0033] In the embodiment illustrated, the groups of articles are cases of bottles, for example formed by 4 or 6 bottles held together by an external plastic film.

[0034] With particular reference to figures 2 and 3, the pallets P1, P2 for example have a rectangular shape in plan, with an external perimeter in plan which therefore has two major sides L1 and two minor sides L2. Preferably the pallets are the same, for example both of the demi-pallet type with measurements of 600 mm for the L2 sides and 800 mm for the L1 sides, but this does not mean that the pallets according to the invention can also be larger or smaller than these.

[0035] Since the pallets are rectangular, the products on top of the pallets can be arranged to form a parallelepiped with a rectangular base, consequently with four vertical faces, substantially planar and two by two parallel to each other.

[0036] Returning to the system 1,1', or portion of the system, it can be found for example downstream of machinery (not shown) configured to stack a plurality of articles above an upper support surface of a pallet P1,P2 , or it can include said machinery for stacking the articles and therefore be downstream of machinery (not shown) configured to group the articles into ordered groups .

[0037] In detail, in the first case, the system 1,1', or portion of the system, includes an (automated) wrapping apparatus 10 for the stacks of articles A1, A2 configured to wrap, or wrap laterally, a stack of articles A1, A2 resting on a pallet P1,P2 with a containment band F1,F2 which holds the articles of the stack of articles at least in a horizontal direction (in particular along any horizontal direction, i.e. 360°). For example, the containment band is substantially wrapped all around a vertical tubular outer lateral surface of the stack of articles, in particular around the four vertical faces of the stack of articles.

[0038] The containment band F1,F2 can extend for at least half the vertical height h1 or h2 of the respective stack, preferably it extends for at least 90% of the vertical height of the respective stack and optionally can also wrap a portion of the pallet P1, P2 on which the stack of articles A1,A2 is located.

[0039] The containment band can comprise a polymer film, such as cellophane or bubble wrap, or it can comprise a sheet or blank of cardboard F1,F2 folded around the stack of articles. In the case of the polymer film, it is non-adhesive, in the sense that it does not include an adhesive layer, i.e. it does not include a glue layer. Furthermore, the polymer film in the wrapping apparatus can be found wrapped in a reel having a thickness (measured in a direction parallel to a winding axis of the reel) of at least 50 cm and a reel-holder frame of the wrapping apparatus can be configured to move vertically as it rotates around the stack of articles or as the stack of articles rotates in order to wrap the stack of articles at least half of the respective vertical height h1, h2 or substantially the entire vertical height, as explained above.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the wrapping apparatus 10 wraps with a sheet or blank of cardboard F1,F2 and the apparatus includes a main frame to which a cardboard feeding device 15 is connected. For example, the wrapping apparatus it can include a rotating platform 20 on which the stack of articles A1,A2 placed above the pallet P1,P2 rotates while it is wrapped. Furthermore, the apparatus can include a handling device 25 configured to move the pallets P1, P2 from an entry zone to an exit zone of the apparatus 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the handling device 25 includes a plurality of motorized rollers which define a support surface for the pallets.

[0041] In the event that the plant 1,1', or portion of the plant, includes said machinery (not shown) for stacking the articles, such machinery is configured to, while stacking groups of articles, mutually connect the groups of articles stacked in so that the groups of articles of a single stack are held horizontally to each other by means of one or more connecting elements interposed between two groups of proximal articles, which connecting elements can for example be trays shaped so as to accommodate a bottom and / or a top of the articles in special seats that hold them horizontally.

[0042] Regardless of whether the plant 1,1', or portion of the plant, includes the apparatus for stacking the articles described above and / or the wrapping apparatus, said plant 1,1', or portion of the plant, comprises a 30,30' (automated) apparatus for the connection and stabilization of the first stack of articles A1 wrapped with the first containment band F1, with at least, or solely with, the second stack of articles A2 wrapped with the second containment band F2, said stacks being placed on the respective pallets P1 and P2.

[0043] In particular, although in the illustrated embodiment the apparatus 30,30' connects and stabilizes only two stacks of articles wrapped and resting each on a respective pallet, it cannot be ruled out that in a non-illustrated embodiment the apparatus can connect and stabilize multiple stacks of articles together each on a respective pallet, for example three stacks of articles each on a respective pallet.

[0044] The apparatus 30,30' is configured to wrap, in particular to wrap by adhering together the first stack of articles A1 and the second stack of articles A2, i.e. the respective bands F1 and F2, with an adhesive tape wrapped to form a ring L, for example closed, which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles and is positioned with a minimum vertical height greater than half the vertical height of the stack of articles. The ring may comprise one or more overlapping layers of adhesive tape.

[0045] In further detail, the ring L of adhesive tape simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles in a portion of said stacks of articles, or of said containment bands, which is located at a minimum vertical height (from the same point from which it is measured at the bottom the vertical height of a stack of articles) greater than half the respective vertical height h1,h2 of the stack of articles, and for example by gluing said adhesive tape to at least a portion of the first containment band and a portion of the second containment band containment, which portions of the containment bands then lie within an upper half of the vertical height of the stack of articles, preferably which are within one third of the vertical height from the top of the stacks of articles, i.e. above an imaginary dividing line of two-thirds of the vertical height, even more preferably lying within one-fifth of the vertical height from the top of the stacks of articles, i.e. above an imaginary dividing line of four therefore of the vertical height.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the ring L of adhesive tape has a minimum vertical height from the upper support surface of no less than 70%, preferably no less than 80% of the vertical height of the stacks of articles.

[0047] In other words, the portions of said stacks of articles, or of said containment bands F1, F2, around which the adhesive tape is wrapped, and on which the adhesive tape directly faces, are between 70% and 100 %, preferably between 80% and 100%, of the respective vertical height h1 or h2 starting from the support surface of the pallet (in other words the tape is applied to an upper portion, or top, of the stack of articles, or of the containment bands, which is no more than 30%, preferably no more than 20%, of the respective vertical height h1 or h2 from the exact top).

[0048] The apparatus 30,30' includes a work area 35, configured to house at least, for example only, the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles on the respective pallets and arranged horizontally next to each other (on the same support surface) . In particular, a major side L1 of the first pallet P1 is arranged parallel, horizontally aligned and adjacent / proximal / in contact with a major side L1 of the second pallet P2 for the entire length of the major sides L1 themselves.

[0049] For example, the work area 35 can be shaped as an empty space equipped with a support surface for the pallets, for example horizontal and planar, with an entry access opening and an exit access opening, through which pallets can be inserted and extracted from the work area.

[0050] Furthermore, the work area 35 can be configured, or sized, in such a way that the pallets are transported into and out of the work area with the respective longest sides of the pallets substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the pallets which crosses the work area itself. In further detail, the work area can be shaped as an empty space substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0051] The pallets are moved to, from and through the work area by means of handling devices which can be part of the apparatus 30,30' or can be part of the system 1,1'. For example, forklifts or plant cranes could be used, or the apparatus could include the handling device 25 in the form of a motorized transport surface, for example defined by a conveyor belt or motorized rollers.

[0052] The apparatus 30,30' includes a main frame equipped in particular with a base portion 45 and a vertical portion 50 which rises from the base 45, for example like a column, and is located alongside, for example touching, the work area 35.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the main frame is shaped like a portal and includes two base portions 45 placed on diametrically opposite sides of the work area 35 and from which two respective vertical portions 50 emerge, for example each shaped like a column, joined at of their upper portions by means of a crosspiece 55, which is located above the work area 35.

[0054] Even if it were not shaped like a portal, it cannot be excluded that the main frame could include the crosspiece 55, which in this case would protrude as a cantilever from an upper portion of the vertical portion 50.

[0055] The apparatus 30,30' includes a reel-holder device 60,60', in particular only a reel-holder device 60,60', connected to the main frame and to which it is rotatably associated, in particular with respect to an axis of rotation vertical Preferably said adhesive tape is equipped with a single adhesive side, optionally polymeric. The adhesive tape could be adhesive along the entire adhesive face or could have adhesive portions of predetermined length spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

[0056] Where it has been stated that there is only one reel holder, it means a single element capable of carrying, and possibly moving, a reel that is at least partially unwound and ready for the adhesive tape to be applied. This does not exclude that in alternative embodiments not illustrated there may be a support for a spare spool, possibly forming part of an automated mechanism for replacing an exhausted spool of the spool holder device 60,60'.

[0057] The adhesive tape can have a width, i.e. the reel 65 can have a thickness (measured in a direction parallel to a winding axis of the reel), less than 1 / 5 of the vertical height h1,h2, for example less than 1 / 10 of the vertical height h1,h2, preferably less than 1 / 13 of the vertical height h1,h2.

[0058] Regardless of the proportions, the adhesive tape can have a width, i.e. the roll can have a thickness, lower than the width of the roll of the containment band, i.e. lower than the width of the containment band, for example between 2 cm and 15 cm.

[0059] The reel holder device 60,60' can include one or more elements for guiding and tensioning a portion of the adhesive tape 70 unwound from the reel 65, such as for example a tensioning roller. Regardless of the number and complexity of the guide and tension elements of the adhesive tape, a last guide element of said plurality of guide elements (last going from the wound tape of the reel towards a free unrolled end of the tape) comprises a sliding surface of the belt, for example made available by an idle roller, which extends substantially vertically. In the case of the idle roller, this is rotatable with respect to a vertical rotation axis. In this way, at the exit, the adhesive tape will be arranged with its width arranged substantially vertically, so as to facilitate the adhesion of the tape to vertical surfaces such as the external vertical tubular lateral surface of the stack of articles, or of the band F1,F2 which wraps the stack of articles.

[0060] With particular reference to figure 7, in the illustrated embodiment the reel holder device includes an idle support which defines the rotation axis illustrated the support can be motorized so as to actively control the unwinding of the adhesive tape.

[0061] The reel-holder device 60,60' can include a support frame 80 with respect to which the reel can be rotated with respect to the rotation axis X and which in turn is connected to the carrying frame.

[0062] In the embodiment of the apparatus 30 , the support frame 80 is rotatably associated with the main frame with respect to a vertical rotation axis Z, which in particular passes through a central zone, or crosses a central point, of the work zone 35. By central zone and central point we can mean a zone or point resulting from the intersection of two vertical midline planes of the work zone which are perpendicular to each other. Alternatively, or in addition to this definition, the central zone or central point is located at a midpoint of the long side L1 of the pallet P1 which is adjacent and parallel to the long side L1 of the pallet P2 which is located together with the pallet P1 in the work area. That is, the pallets must be positioned in the work area so that the center point of the L1 long side of the P1 pallet which is adjacent and parallel to the L1 long side of the P2 pallet, which is located together with the P1 pallet in the work area , is located in correspondence with the central point or central zone, or is located in correspondence with the Z rotation axis.

[0063] For example, since there are two vertical columns of the main frame, the Z axis is horizontally equidistant from said columns and preferably also aligned with them.

[0064] In the embodiment identified with the number 30, the apparatus includes an arm 85 equipped with a first longitudinal end and an opposite second longitudinal end, where the first longitudinal end is hinged to the crosspiece 55 with respect to the rotation axis Z and to the second longitudinal end is connected to the support frame 80, integral with the arm 85 rotating around the Z axis. In particular, the second longitudinal end is connected to the support frame 80 by means of a vertically elongated body 90 which maintains the support frame and the coil 65 at a lower vertical height than arm 85.

[0065] The movement of the arm around the Z axis occurs via a motor of the apparatus, for example an electric motor or a pneumatic motor.

[0066] The arm 85 is obviously located entirely at a lower vertical height from the ground than the crosspiece 55.

[0067] The reel holder device 60 can be configured to not allow its own variation in vertical height, i.e. a variation in the height of the adhesive tape, during the application of the adhesive tape. For example, any means for regulating the vertical height of the reel holder device 60 are configured to be operable only when the apparatus 30,30' is not in operation, or when it is not applying the adhesive tape to the stacks of articles. For example, the reel holder device 60 can be associated with the main frame only according to two degrees of freedom, one of which is the rotation around the Z axis to be able to apply the adhesive tape and the other is a movement along a vertical axis to allow said adjustment of the vertical height. The rotation around the Z axis is complete, i.e. at least one full angle, the translation allowed along a vertical axis is limited to an adjustment of the vertical height of the coil, for example this adjustment translation can be a maximum of 100 cm, optionally a maximum 50 cm, in particular a maximum of 30 cm.

[0068] To adjust the vertical height of the reel holder device, screw-nut type adjusters could be used with a knob fixed to one end of the screw or nut to make it accessible to an operator. In particular, the elongated vertical body 90 can be telescopic so as to allow said adjustment of the vertical height. In the event that an electro-actuated actuator was used to adjust the vertical height of the reel-holder device, an electronic control and command unit connected to said actuator to control it would be configured to prevent its operation when the holder device coil rotates around the Z axis.

[0069] In the embodiment of the apparatus indicated with the reference number 30', the support frame 80 is not rotatably associated with the main frame, on the contrary it can be fixed to the main frame, in particular to one of the vertical columns, without degrees of freedom residues or in any case without rotational degrees of freedom that allow it to wrap the tape around the stacks of articles.

[0070] For example, the support frame can be connected to the main frame with a single residual degree of freedom in vertical translation, in order solely to allow vertical adjustment of the position of the support frame 80, in a similar way to what happens between the arm 85 and the support frame in the embodiment of the apparatus 30 (therefore with a maximum vertical excursion of a maximum of 100 cm, optionally a maximum of 50 cm, in particular a maximum of 30 cm).

[0071] Since the reel holder device does not rotate around the Z axis, the apparatus 30' is equipped with a rotating platform 100 rotatable with respect to a vertical rotation axis Z' and configured to support the stacks of articles A1 on it, A2 placed side by side and placed on the respective pallets P1, P2, in order to rotate them together around the Z' axis. For example, the rotating platform 100 includes a horizontal and planar upper bearing surface. The pallets P1 and P2 must be positioned on the turntable 100 so that the center point of the long side L1 of the pallet P1 which is adjacent and parallel to the long side L2 of the pallet P2 , which second pallet P2 is located together with the pallet P1 in the work zone 35, are located in correspondence with the central point or the central zone, or are located in correspondence with the rotation axis Z'.

[0072] For example, since there are two vertical columns of the main frame, the Z 'axis is horizontally equidistant from said columns and preferably also aligned with them.

[0073] The apparatus 30' can include a motor (not shown), for example electric, configured to rotate the platform 100 around the rotation axis Z'.

[0074] It cannot be excluded that in an embodiment not illustrated, the apparatus could include both the rotating arm 85 and the rotating platform 100, in order to reduce the times for wrapping the tape around the stacks of articles, if more turns are therefore required of adhesive tape for the L ring.

[0075] Both the apparatus 30 and the apparatus 30' include a working head 95 connected to the main frame and configured to grasp an unwound portion of adhesive tape 70, press a portion of said unwound portion, close to a portion of said unwound portion grasped, against a portion of one, for example only one, of the two stacks of articles A1, A2, or a portion of one, for example only one, of the two bands F1, F2, and cut the adhesive tape near the stretch grabbed.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the working head 95 is configured to press against the second stack of articles A2, or against the second containment band F2.

[0077] The working head 95 can be mobile in horizontal translation, or horizontal roto-translation, between a working position, in which the distance of the working head from an internal portion of the work area is minimum, and a disengagement position, in which it is maximum the distance of the working head from said internal portion of the working area, and / or it can be vertically movable between a working position, in which the working head is at a predetermined vertical height from the base, to a disengagement position, in which the working head is at a different vertical height, for example lower than the working position.

[0078] In, or at least in, the working position, the vertical dimension is substantially the same as that of the reel of adhesive tape or of a portion of unwound adhesive tape that immediately exits the reel-holder device or of the last guide element of the reel-holder device , while in the disengaged position it can be at a vertical height such as not to hinder the rotation of the reel holder device following the rotation of the arm 85.

[0079] Again as an alternative or in addition to the other two movement possibilities, the working head can also be mobile along a horizontal direction and perpendicular to the horizontal translation described above, between a working position, in which the distance of the working head from the work area, and a disengagement position, in which the distance of the work head from the work area is maximum.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, the working head can be mounted on a support frame 105 of the apparatus 30,30', which is associated, for example in a movable way, with the main frame, or with its vertical portion 50, for example to the column of the vertical portion. For example, the support frame has a first end associated with the main frame and an opposite second end at which the working head is mounted.

[0081] The support frame 105 of the work head can cantilever out from the vertical portion 50 of the main frame, or from the column of said main frame, and can be associated with it according to at least one residual degree of freedom and / or can be equipped with at least two portions slidingly associated with each other, for example with respect to a horizontal sliding axis, so that the work head can disengage the work area 35 when the arm 85 rotates or when the rotating platform 100 rotates.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 105 is hinged at its first end with respect to a vertical hinge axis and includes two portions slidingly associated with each other along a horizontal sliding direction, of which the first portion makes the first end is available and the second portion makes the second end available. By means of a transducer, in particular electro-actuated, for example a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, it is possible to operate the support frame between a position of minimum extension, in which the space between the first end and the second end of the support frame is minimal 105, and a position of maximum extension, in which the space between the first end and the second end of the support frame 105 is maximum.

[0083] Given the same position assumed by the portions of the support frame 105, the entire support frame 105 is rotatable around the vertical hinge axis between a working position, in which the distance of the working head from an internal portion of the work area, and a retracted position, in which the distance of the work head from said internal portion of the work area is maximum.

[0084] For example, in the working position the sliding axis between the two portions of the support frame 105 is oriented substantially perpendicular to a direction of advancement of the pallets through the apparatus 30,30' itself, i.e. it is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the crosspiece 55, or again it is parallel to the L1 side of the P1 or P2 pallet proximal to the work head. In the disengagement portion said sliding axis is inclined, preferably by at least 45°, for example perpendicular to the sliding axis itself when the support frame 105 is in the working position.

[0085] The support frame 105 can be operated between the working position and the disengagement position by means of a transducer, in particular electro-actuated, for example a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

[0086] As can be understood from what has been described above, instead of a hinged connection, the support frame 105 could be connected to the main frame by means of guides defining horizontal and / or vertical sliding axes.

[0087] The work head comprises a gripping device, in particular electro-actuated, configured to selectively hold or release a section of the adhesive tape 70, in detail a section of the adhesive tape of a portion of adhesive tape unwound from the reel.

[0088] The gripping device can comprise a first jaw 110 and a second jaw 115 hinged to each other with respect to a hinge axis, for example lying on a substantially horizontal plane, equipped with respective gripping surfaces configured to directly contact the tape by grasping it between them.

[0089] Said gripping surfaces can develop, for example, along respective longitudinal directions which are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis, or which lie on planes perpendicular to the hinge axis.

[0090] The gripping surfaces can be made available by a first idle roller 120 of the first jaw and a second idle roller 125 of the second jaw, which are for example made of non-stick materials, such as for example Teflon, or coated in non-stick materials, for example for example through a Teflon or plasma coating process, and / or are surface processed to reduce adhesion, for example through a knurling process.

[0091] In detail, the first jaw comprises a support body, for example C-shaped, to which the first idle roller 120 is rotatably associated with respect to a hinge axis, preferably housed at least partially between two opposite ends of the C-shaped body, and the second jaw comprises a support body, for example C-shaped, to which the second idle roller 125 is rotatably associated with respect to a hinge axis, preferably housed at least partially between two opposite ends of the C-shaped body of the second jaw. Said support bodies are hinged to each other with respect to the hinge axis of the jaws.

[0092] The idler rollers 120 and 125 can for example be cylindrical.

[0093] The jaws 110,115 can be movable in rotation with respect to said hinge axis between a gripping position, in which the gripping surfaces are proximal to each other, at a mutual distance of zero or in any case useful for holding a section of tape adhesive, and a disengaged position, in which the gripping surfaces are distal to each other .

[0094] In the gripping position the jaws 110,115 can rise substantially vertically above the hinge axis and can be placed horizontally next to each other. In particular, in the gripping position the first idle roller and the second idle roller are arranged with their respective rotation axes substantially vertical, preferably also parallel to each other.

[0095] In the disengaged position the jaws are arranged substantially horizontally, i.e. they develop mainly horizontally. In particular, in the disengaged position the first idle roller and the second idle roller are arranged with their respective rotation axes substantially horizontal, preferably also parallel and aligned with each other.

[0096] The movement between the disengagement position and the gripping position can be controlled by a linear transducer acting on the jaws, for example electric or pneumatic.

[0097] Regardless of the exact conformation of the jaws, in, in particular only in the gripping position, the gripping surfaces of the jaws are at a vertical height which is substantially the same as the reel of adhesive tape or a portion of unwound adhesive tape which is immediately exiting the bobbin holder device or the last guide element of the bobbin holder device.

[0098] In the disengaged position, in particular only in the disengagement position, the gripping surfaces of the jaws are at a different vertical height, for example lower, compared to the vertical height of the reel of adhesive tape or of a portion of unwound adhesive tape which immediately exits from the bobbin holder device or the last guide element of the bobbin holder device. In this way the adhesive tape can be gripped without the need for vertical movements of the entire working head.

[0099] The gripping head 95 also includes a pushing device, for example electro-actuated, configured to push towards said internal portion of the work area, therefore against a portion of the first band or the second band, for example against a portion of the second band F2, a portion of the unwound portion of adhesive tape, proximal to the portion that can be held / gripped by the gripping device.

[0100] This thrust can occur following a movement of the entire working head, and as a consequence of the passage of the support frame 105 from the retracted position to the extended position, or following a specific activation of the pushing device and independent of the movement of the working head. Work.

[0101] In the illustrated embodiment, the pusher is operated with a motion transducer independent of the passage of the support frame from the retracted position to the extended position.

[0102] The pusher device can comprise a pusher body 130, optionally at least partially made, or coated, in a material elastically deformable at working loads sufficient to fix an adhesive tape to a surface, i.e. to a surface of a packaging and / or container (therefore metal or concrete surfaces are excluded) without breaking the adhesive tape. In the illustrated embodiment, the roller is made, or at least covered, in a spongy and elastic material.

[0103] Having to push on the belt near the section held by the gripping device, it is implicit that the pushing body 130 is at a vertical height, i.e. a range of heights between a maximum vertical height and a minimum vertical height of the pushing body 130, which is substantially the same as the reel of adhesive tape or a portion of unwound adhesive tape which immediately exits the reel-holder device or the last guide element of the reel-holder device. In other words, the thrust body 130 is substantially at the same vertical height as the jaws when the latter are in the gripping position.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, the thrust body 130 is shaped like an idle roller, in particular cylindrical, arranged with a substantially vertical rotation axis. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the pushing device includes a rotating body 135 rotatably associated with the support frame 105, in particular with its second portion, with respect to a substantially vertical rotation axis Y, and to which it is fixed, i.e. neutrally hinged, in an eccentric position with respect to said Y axis, the thrust body 130. In particular, the thrust body 130 is positioned on the rotating body so as to protrude at least partially, from a plan point of view, with respect to an external perimeter of the body 135 observable from a plan point of view (and in particular to protrude in plan also with respect to an entire external perimeter of the gripping head and the support frame 105, at least in a portion of the rotation of the rotating body 135 around the Y axis) .

[0105] The rotating body 135 is operable in rotation with respect to the rotation axis Y, for example by means of an electric or pneumatic motion transducer, between a working position, in which the thrust body 130 projects, from a plan view, in addition to a free end 131, distal from the main frame, of the working head or of the support frame, extending from said free end towards an internal portion of the working zone 35 when the gripping head is in the working position, and a rest position, in which the pushing body is closer to the first end of the support frame 105 than in the working position.

[0106] In further detail, in the working position the thrust body 130 is intersected by a horizontal longitudinal axis of the support frame 105 which intersects the rotation axis Y, preferably said longitudinal axis intersects the rotation axis of the roller of the thrust body 130. In the rest position the thrust body 130 is displaced laterally with respect to said horizontal longitudinal axis and there is no intersection between the two.

[0107] The pusher may also comprise another pusher body 140, accordingly the pusher can comprise a first pusher body 130, as described above, and a second pusher body 140.

[0108] Similarly to the first thrust body 130, the second thrust body 140 can be at least partially made, or covered, in a material elastically deformable at working loads sufficient to fix an adhesive tape to a surface, or to a surface of a packaging and / or container (therefore metal or concrete surfaces are excluded) without breaking the adhesive tape. In the illustrated embodiment, the roller is made, or at least covered, in a spongy and elastic material.

[0109] The second thrust body 140 is also located in proximity to the gripping device, and in particular it is configured to push a section of adhesive tape in proximity to the portion retained by the gripping device, closer to the reel 65 than the portion retained by the gripping device. gripped and closer to the reel 65 than the portion pushed by the first pushing body 130. In other words further away, with respect to the gripping device and the first pushing body 130, than from a free end of the adhesive tape 70.

[0110] In further detail, the section of belt on which the gripping device acts is interposed between the sections of belt on which the first and second pushing devices act. Even more in detail, the gripping device can be interposed, or its jaws can be interposed, at least or only in the gripping position, between the first thrust body 130 and the second thrust body 140.

[0111] For example, the gripping device, or its jaws, at least or only in the gripping position, is horizontally aligned, or are horizontally aligned, with the first thrust body and the second thrust body.

[0112] The second thrust body 140 is at a vertical height which is substantially the same as the first thrust body 130.

[0113] In the illustrated embodiment, the second thrust body 140 is shaped like an idle roller, in particular cylindrical, arranged with a substantially vertical rotation axis, in particular also like the first one fixed, i.e. idle hinged, in an eccentric position with respect to called Y axis to the rotating body 135.

[0114] For example, the second thrust body 140 is positioned on the rotating body 135, or is rotatably associated with it, in a portion of the rotating body 135 diametrically opposite to the portion in which the first thrust body 130 is connected.

[0115] The second thrust body 140 is positioned on the rotating body so as to protrude at least partially, from a plan point of view, with respect to an external perimeter of the body 135 observable from a plan point of view (and in particular to protrude in plan also with respect to an entire external perimeter of the gripping head and the support frame 105, at least in a portion of the rotation of the rotating body 135 around the Y axis).

[0116] As a further detail, in the working position the second thrust body 140 can be intersected by a horizontal longitudinal axis of the support frame 105 which intersects the Y rotation axis, preferably said longitudinal axis also intersects the rotation axis of the roller second thrust body 140. In the rest position the second thrust body 140 is displaced laterally with respect to said horizontal longitudinal axis and there is no intersection between the two.

[0117] When the second thrust body 140 is present, the rotating body 135 can be operated in rotation with respect to the rotation axis Y, for example by means of an electric or pneumatic motion transducer, between a first working position, in which the first thrust body thrust 130 protrudes, from a plan view, beyond a free end, distal from the main frame, of the work head or support frame, extending from said free end towards an internal portion of the work area 35 when the head gripper is in the working position, a second working position, in which the second thrust body 140 protrudes, from a plan view, in addition to a free end, distal from the main frame, of the working head or the support frame, extending from said free end towards an internal portion of the working area 35 when the gripping head is in the working position, and a rest position, in which the first and second thrust bodies are closer at the first end of the support frame 105 with respect to the working position.

[0118] To pass from the rest position to the first working position, the rotating body 135 is rotated around the rotation axis Y in a first direction of rotation, for example making an angle of approximately 60°-110°, preferably an angle of 85°-95°, and to pass from the rest position to the second working position the rotating body 135 is rotated around the rotation axis Y in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first, for example making an angle of approximately 60°-110°, preferably an angle of 85°-95°.

[0119] With reference to the attached tables, the first direction of rotation is, from a plan view, anti-clockwise, and the second direction of rotation is instead clockwise.

[0120] In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping device is connected to the rotating body 135 and integral with it in rotation around the rotation axis Y. In particular, the gripping device is positioned on the rotating body 135 in a central portion thereof, closest to the Y axis with respect to the thrust body 130. In further detail, the Y axis is substantially interposed horizontally between the gripping surfaces of the jaws 115 and 110.

[0121] The rotating body 135 can be shaped as an elongated body along a horizontal direction and perpendicular to the rotation axis Y and the thrust body 130 can be connected to said elongated body at one of its longitudinal ends. As a further detail, if the first thrust body and the second thrust body are present, these are fixed at opposite longitudinal ends of said elongated body.

[0122] The working head includes a cutting device, which is configured to cut the adhesive tape in proximity to the gripping device, or in proximity to the section held by the gripping device. In particular, the cutting device includes a blade 150, for example metallic, operable between a working position and a disengagement position along a plane, for example vertical, placed between the gripping device, i.e. its jaws, and the body of thrust, or the first thrust body, 130.

[0123] In the illustrated embodiment the blade 150 is driven along a horizontal cutting direction, for example by an electro-actuated transducer, preferably in the form of an electric or pneumatic cylinder.

[0124] The cutting device can include a casing 155 to which the blade 150 is slidably associated along the cutting direction, and said casing can be integral in rotation with the rotating body 135 with respect to the rotation axis Y.

[0125] The gripper head or the second portion of the support frame can be equipped with a web guide element, for example an idler roller 145, which from a plan view is located to the side of the second pusher element 140, from an opposite side of the second pushing element with respect to one side of the second pushing element proximal to the gripping device, and has a minimum distance from the work area 35 greater than the second pushing element 140, so that the adhesive tape, in the configurations such as for example in Figure 12, rests and slides on the idle roller 145 and also on the second thrust body 140. In other words, with respect to a vertical plane passing through the rotation axes of the first and second thrust bodies, the roller idle 145 is located at least more than half on one side of said plane facing in the opposite direction with respect to the work area 35.

[0126] The support frame 105, or the transducer that controls the movement of its two portions, can be equipped with a limit switch sensor, for example in the form of a pressure or load sensor, configured to send a predetermined stop signal when detects a force or pressure along the horizontal sliding direction of the portions of the support frame 105 itself exceeding a predetermined volume. In this way it is possible to extend the support frame 105 until a free end of the same support frame or of the working head is brought into contact with the containment band F1 or F2 which is located in front of the working head.

[0127] The apparatus 30,30' can include an electronic control and command unit configured to control the actuators / transducers in order to connect and stabilize together the two stacks of articles A1 and A2.

[0128] In particular, in the case in which the apparatus 30,30' includes the device for moving the pallets P1 and P2, the electronic control and command unit can be configured to activate said movement device to advance the pallet P1 in the area of work 35 until a midpoint of one of its sides L1 or L2, preferably L1, is brought into correspondence with or close to the rotation axis Z. Subsequently, keeping a portion of the handling device still which would allow the movement of the second pallet P1, the electronic control and command unit activates the handling device to bring the second pallet P2 into the work area and to bring the second pallet P2 close to the first pallet P2, in particular so that the respective sides L1 or L2, preferably L1, of pallets P1 and P2 are placed side by side along their entire length.

[0129] If the system instead requires pallets P1 and P2 to be placed side by side upstream of the work area, the electronic control and command unit can be configured to activate said movement device to advance the pallets P1 and P2 together in the work area 35 until the central points of the respective sides L1 or L2, preferably L1, adjacent to each other are located in correspondence with the rotation axis Z.

[0130] For example, in order to operate the handling device until the correct positioning of the P1 and P2 pallets with respect to the Z rotation axis, the electronic control and command unit can be operationally connected to sensors, such as photocells or optical sensors , configured to determine the correct positioning of pallets P1 and P2 with respect to the Z axis. Alternatively, the electronic control and command unit could be connected to a remote control device that can be operated by a user to manually advance the pallets.

[0131] Once the pallets P1 and P2 have been positioned in the work area, we start from a condition (visible in Figures 4-7) in which a section of the adhesive tape 70 is held by the gripping device, in particular the jaws 110,115 are in the gripping position , and preferably the support frame 105 is in the working position, and is orthogonal to one of the two article stacks, in particular the second article stack. Furthermore, the reel holder device 60,60' is located at the side of the working head 95, in a definable starting position, in which the adhesive tape has not yet been wrapped around the containment bands F1 and F2 and a length of unwrapped portion of tape is minimal.

[0132] In detail, before arriving at the arrangement of the elements of Figure 8, the electronic control and command unit has previously activated, being configured to do so, the transducer of the support frame 105 to bring it into the extended position, for example it has activated the transducer of the support frame to the extended position until it has received the predetermined stop signal from the limit switch sensor.

[0133] Furthermore, before arriving at the arrangement of the elements of Figure 8, the electronic control and command unit has previously activated, being configured to do so, the transducer of the rotating body 135 to bring said rotating body 135 into the second working position. Following this rotation, the second thrust body 140 pushes forward towards the band containing the stack of articles in front of it, for example in the figures the second band F2, the adhesive tape 70. In particular, it is pushed against the band of containment of the stack of articles which has in front of it a stretch of adhesive tape between the stretch gripped by the gripping device and the stretch of adhesive tape wound on the reel, preferably a few centimeters from the stretch gripped by the gripping device (for example between 1 cm and 20 cm).

[0134] At that point the electronic control and command unit can be configured to actuate the support frame transducer 105 to bring it into the extended position, for example by operating the support frame transducer towards the extended position until it has received the predetermined stop signal from the limit switch sensor. As a consequence of this movement, the section of adhesive tape which is pushed forward by the second pushing body while said adhesive tape is held at one of its free ends by the gripping device, is pressed and applied to the containment band of one of the two pallets.

[0135] It cannot be excluded that in an alternative embodiment, the electronic control and command unit could be configured to first operate the transducer which regulates the extension of the support frame 105 and then the transducer which rotates in the second position of I work the rotating body 135.

[0136] Once the free end of the belt has been fixed to the containment band, the electronic control and command unit is configured to activate the transducer of the rotating body 135 in order to bring it to the disengagement / rest position and to activate, before or after or simultaneously, the gripping device, to release the adhesive tape, in particular to operate the jaws in the gripping position to the rest / disengagement position.

[0137] When the jaws are in the rest / disengaged position, they do not interfere with the adhesive tape as they move to a lower vertical level than it, consequently once this position has been reached the electronic control and command unit can be configured to activate the frame transducer support 105 to bring it into the retracted position. The condition achieved is illustrated in Figure 8, in which the free or initial end of the adhesive tape has been fixed to one of the two containment bands, the working head has released the adhesive tape and is preparing to be brought to the disengagement position.

[0138] Subsequently or simultaneously with retracting the support frame, the electronic control and command unit can be configured to operate the transducer which governs the position of the support frame 105 with respect to the main frame to bring the support frame 105 from the working position to the disengagement position, as illustrated in Figure 9.

[0139] At this point the configuration of the control unit is divided between the 30 and 30' apparatus.

[0140] As regards the apparatus 30, since there is no longer the bulk of the working head, the electronic control and command unit can be configured to operate the motor of the arm 85 and rotate the reel holder device 60 around the axis Z by making it complete at least one full angle around the containment bands F1 and F2, possibly even more than one full angle. In Figure 10 you can see the beginning of the winding of the containment bands F1 and F2 following the rotation of the reel-holder device around the Z axis. The reel 65, dragged around the Z axis, unwinds and the tape unwinds It is gradually glued to the containment bands F1 and F2, forming a ring L of adhesive tape 70.

[0141] After N, preferably at least two, revolutions around the Z axis starting from the start / start position of the reel holder device, where N is an internal number, the electronic control and command unit is configured to operate the arm motor 85 in order to stop its rotation, thus arriving at the condition of Figure 11.

[0142] Subsequently, the electronic control and command unit can be configured to operate the transducer which governs the position of the support frame 105 with respect to the main frame to bring the support frame 105 from the disengagement position to the working position, and to subsequently or simultaneously, operate the support frame transducer 105 to the extended position, for example by operating the support frame transducer to the extended position until it has received the predetermined stop signal from the limit switch sensor

[0143] Once this position has been reached, in which the adhesive tape is in contact with the idle roller 145 and the second thrust body 140, the electronic control and command unit is configured to activate the gripping device to grip the adhesive tape, in particular it is configured activate the transducer of the jaws to bring them from the rest / disengagement position to the gripping position, reaching the condition illustrated in Figure 12.

[0144] At this point the electronic control and command unit can be configured to operate the transducer of the rotating body 135 to bring it into the first working position. Following this movement, the first thrust body 130 presses a section of the adhesive tape against the containment band F1 or F2 which is located in front of it, for example the band F2. Subsequently, the electronic control and command unit can be configured to operate the cutting device to cut the adhesive tape, thus closing the adhesive tape loop. In particular, the electronic control and command unit can be configured to operate the transducer of the blade 150 to bring it to the working position and then immediately afterwards to the rest / disengagement position.

[0145] At this point the electronic control and command unit can be configured to operate the transducer of the support frame 105 to bring it into the retracted position and to subsequently or simultaneously operate the transducer which governs the position of the support frame 105 with respect to the main frame for bring the support frame 105 from the working position to the disengagement position.

[0146] Subsequently, the electronic control and command unit can be configured to operate the drive device and release the connected and stabilized stacks of articles A1 and A2 outside the work area 35.

[0147] In the case of the apparatus 30', there is a different configuration with regards to the rotation drive around the Z axis of the bobbin holder device, since in the electronic control and command unit of the apparatus 30' this configuration of the the electronic control and command unit is replaced by the fact that it can be configured to operate the motor of the platform 100 and rotate the stacks of articles A1, A2 around the Z' axis, making it complete at least one turn, possibly even more than a round corner. The adhesive tape is dragged during rotation, sticking to the containment bands F1 and F2 to form a ring of tape, while at the same time the reel unwinds.

[0148] After N revolutions, for example at least two revolutions, around the Z' axis starting from an initial position of the platform 100, where N is an internal number, the electronic control and command unit is configured to operate the motor of the platform 100 in order to stop its rotation.

[0149] The apparatus and system described above are substantially designed and operated so as to implement the following methods, which the electronic control and command unit can therefore be configured to implement.

[0150] A first method, at the plant level, concerns the entire process from the moment the stacks of articles are wrapped to the connection of the pairs of stacks of articles.

[0151] In particular, this more general first method is a method for packaging the first stack of articles A1, with the second stack of articles A2 positioned respectively on an upper support surface of the first pallet P1 and an upper support surface of the second pallet P2, independent of the first pallet (the A1 stacks are also independent of each other, i.e. they are not connected to each other at the beginning of the method). Said method includes first of all the step of wrapping the first stack of articles in a first containment band F1, forming at least a ring, for example closed, around the first stack of articles, preferably a ring having a vertical extension of at least half, preferably at least '80%, i.e. at least 95%, of the vertical extent h1. The method involves simultaneously or subsequently the step of wrapping the second stack of articles in a second containment band F2, forming at least a ring, for example closed, around the second stack of articles, preferably a ring having a vertical extension of at least half, preferably at least 80%, for example at least 95%, of the vertical extension h2. As an alternative to wrapping, the method can provide for vertically stacking groups of articles of the first stack of articles by mutually connecting the groups of stacked articles so that the groups of articles of the second stack are held horizontally to each other by means of one or more elements of connection interposed between two groups of proximal articles.

[0152] Once the articles of each single stack have been stabilized horizontally, the method may involve positioning the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles horizontally next to each other, and for example resting on the same horizontal and substantially planar surface. In particular, this phase can involve positioning the first and second pallets in the work area 35 with respective long sides L1 of the pallets parallel and adjacent to each other for the entire length of the sides themselves and so that a point of center line of the long side L1 of the pallet P1 which is adjacent and parallel to the long side L1 of the pallet P2, is located in correspondence with a central point or a central area of the work area, or is located in correspondence with an axis of rotation Z.

[0153] Once the pallets have been correctly positioned in the work area, the method can include the wrapping phase, in particular wrapping by adhering the adhesive tape to the containment bands F1 and F2 along the entire length of the ring, together with the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles with an adhesive tape, in particular with a single strip of adhesive tape, wrapped to form a, in particular a single, ring L, for example closed, which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles, or both containment bands inside which there are the respective stacks of articles, and which is glued to at least one of the first band and the second phase, preferably which is glued to at least a portion of both bands (depending on whether the tape is entirely adhesive in one of his faces or just in some places).

[0154] In the illustrated embodiment, the ring L is glued to the bands along its entire length, with the exception of any points of lack of contact due to irregularities in the containment bands and / or the stacks of articles.

[0155] This ring can be made up of one or more layers of adhesive tape superimposed horizontally on each other (for example, depending on the resistance of the tape used, several turns of tape can be applied one on top of the other, or just one).

[0156] To create a ring made of substantially a single layer (a single layer to be understood with the exception of a joining portion of the ring where at an initial stretch of the adhesive tape initially fixed to a containment band of the two on which it overlaps horizontally a final section of the adhesive tape to close the ring) the wrapping of the adhesive tape occurs at a round angle to which a short overlapping section of the tape is added, for example 10 cm or 30 cm. To create the ring made of several layers, the adhesive tape is wound for N corners around the set of the first stack and the second stack, or around the set of the respective ones.

[0157] The wrapping phase involves wrapping said stacks of articles, or said bands inside which the respective stacks of articles are located, positioning the adhesive tape with a minimum vertical height from the support surface of the pallets greater than half the vertical height of the stack of articles, in particular greater than two-thirds of the vertical height of the stack of articles, i.e. the heights of the stack of articles.

[0158] For example, the method involves positioning the adhesive tape at a minimum vertical height of no less than 70% from the upper support surface of the pallets, preferably no less than 80% of the vertical height of the stacks of articles.

[0159] In further detail, the wrapping phase involves wrapping said stacks of articles in a portion of said stacks, or of said containment bands, which is located at a vertical height greater than half the respective vertical height h1 or h2 (for example the vertical height is approximately the same net of the tolerances for the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles, therefore h1 can be equal to h2), and by gluing said adhesive tape to at least a portion of the first containment band and a portion of the second containment band.

[0160] For example, the portions of said stacks, or of said containment bands, around which the adhesive tape is wrapped are located above an imaginary horizontal line that demarcates 2 / 3 of the vertical height h1 or h2 starting from the bottom (in other words the tape is applied to the upper third, or top, of the stack of articles, or the containment bands).

[0161] In the illustrated embodiment , the portions of said stacks, or of said containment bands, around which the adhesive tape is wrapped are between 70% and 100%, preferably between 80% and 100%, of the respective vertical height h1 or h2 starting from the upper surfaces of the pallets (in other words the tape is applied to an upper, or top, portion of the stack of articles, or containment bands, which is no more than 30% away from the exact top , preferably no more than 20% of the respective vertical height h1 or h2).

[0162] The winding of the adhesive tape occurs by rotating it, or by rotating a reel 65 of adhesive tape, around a central portion of the work area, or around the Z axis , in particular along a path, for example a single, annular path , for example annular and closed, substantially horizontal, i.e. lying on a horizontal plane (with tolerance + / - 5% due to tolerances).

[0163] The wrapping phase with adhesive tape can include the following sub-phases: unwind a portion of the adhesive tape 70 wound on the reel 65, press a free initial end of said unwound portion, fixing it to the first or second containment band, in particular in the portion at the vertical level discussed above, and subsequently move the reel for at least one turn along the closed ring path, in particular around the Z axis, around the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles, or around the set of the respective containment bands F1 and F2, allowing the reel to unwind during said movement, or unwinding it during movement, so that the unwound tape comes into contact with the containment bands, and / or rotate, in particular around the Z' axis, at least by a full angle, the first pallet and the second pallet with respect to the same vertical rotation axis, simultaneously allowing the reel to unwind or unwind it, so that the unwound tape goes in contact with the containment bands, stop the movement of the reel or the rotation of the pallets, press and adhere against the first containment band F1 or the second containment band F2 a section of tape, which can be indicated as a tail section, which is located in an intermediate portion of the adhesive tape which, following the interruption of movement or rotation, is placed between a portion of adhesive tape wound on the reel and a portion of adhesive tape in contact, in particular glued, of the first containment band and the second containment band, cut the adhesive tape, for example using a blade, between the tail section and the portion of tape wound on the reel, in particular cut immediately downstream, compared to the portion of adhesive tape wrapped on the containment bands (which is considered upstream in this case), of the tail section pressed against the containment band, preferably cut while keeping the tail section pressed against the first or second band.

[0164] The step of pressing the initial free end of said unwrapped portion of adhesive tape, fixing it to the first or second containment band, can include the sub-steps of gripping, for example by means of jaws or other gripping devices, a section of tape in corresponding to the initial free end and press, for example by means of a pushing device, preferably an elastically deformable pushing body, the adhesive tape in a section between the one gripped and the one still wrapped in the reel, and immediately alongside the gripped section, against the first or second containment band.

[0165] When this sub-phase occurs, before moving the reel or rotating the pallets, the gripped portion of tape must be released.

[0166] It should be noted that in this discussion when an element is defined as "rigid", it means that it cannot be significantly deformed under the normal work-loads to which it is subjected. In particular, unlike an element defined as "elastic", a rigid body does not carry out its function mainly on the basis of its own deformation.

[0167] In the foregoing, the preferred embodiments have been described and variations of the present invention have been suggested, but it is to be understood that those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and changes without thereby departing from the relevant scope of protection, as defined by the claims. attached.

Claims

1. Method for connecting and stabilizing a first stack of articles (A1), with a second stack of articles (A2), or with at least a second stack of articles (A2), positioned respectively on an upper supporting surface of a first pallet (P1) and an upper support surface of a second pallet (P2) which is independent from the first pallet (P1), wherein the first stack of articles (A1) has a vertical height (h1) from the respective bearing surface and the second stack of articles has a vertical height (h2) from the respective bearing surface comparable to the vertical height of the first stack of articles, optionally equal to the vertical height of the first stack of articles, wherein the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles are individually wrapped, independently of each other, respectively in a first containment band (F1) and a second containment band (F2) which each form at least a ring around, and optionally in direct contact with, the respective stack (A1,A2), extending vertically to at least half the vertical height (h1,h2) of the respective stack, or wherein the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles each comprise a plurality of connection elements which connect the vertically stacked articles of each stack of articles to each other, preventing relative movement between said stacked articles at least in the horizontal direction, in which the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles are positioned horizontally next to each other, said method comprising the step of wrapping together the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles with an adhesive tape (70), wrapped to form a ring (L) which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles and is positioned with a minimum vertical height greater than half the vertical height (h1,h2) of the stack of articles.

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the adhesive tape (70) is initially wound on itself in the form of a reel (65), and in which the phase of wrapping with the adhesive tape includes the following sub-phases: - unwind a portion of the tape wound on the reel and press a free initial end of said unwrapped portion, fixing it to the first containment band (F1) or to the second containment band (F2), - move the reel (70) along a closed loop path, around the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles, allowing the reel to unwind during said movement, or unwinding it during the movement, so that the unwound tape comes into contact with the containment bands (F1,F2), and / or rotate the first pallet (P1) and the second pallet (P2) by at least one round angle with respect to a same vertical rotation axis, simultaneously allowing the reel to unwind or unwind it, so that the unwound tape comes into contact with the containment bands, - stop the movement of the reel or the rotation of the pallets, - press and adhere against the first band or the second band a section of adhesive tape (70), indicable as a tail section, which is located in an intermediate portion of the adhesive tape which after the interruption of the movement or of the rotation is located between a portion of adhesive tape wound on the reel and a portion of adhesive tape in contact with the first containment band and / or the second containment band, - cut the tape between the tail section and the portion of tape wound on the reel.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of winding the adhesive tape (70) involves wrapping the adhesive tape only along a single annular path, which is closed and substantially horizontal.

4. Method for connecting and / or stabilizing a first stack of articles (A1), with a second stack of articles (A2), or with at least a second stack of articles (A2), respectively positioned on a top supporting surface of a first pallet (P1) and an upper support surface of a second pallet (P2) independent of the first pallet (P1), wherein the first stack of articles (A1) has a vertical height (h1) from the respective supporting surface and the second stack of articles has a vertical height (h2) from the respective supporting surface, comparable to the vertical height of the first stack of articles, optionally equal to the vertical height of the first stack of articles, wherein the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles are individually wrapped, independently of each other, respectively in at least a first containment band (F1) and a second containment band (F2) which form each at least one ring around, and optionally in direct contact with, the respective stack (A1,A2) extending vertically for at least half the vertical height (h1,h2) of the respective stack, or in which the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles each comprise a plurality of connection elements which connect the vertically stacked articles of each stack of articles to each other, preventing relative movement between said stacked articles at least in the horizontal direction, said method including the phases of: - place the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles side by side horizontally, - wrap the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles together with an adhesive tape (70), wrapped to form a ring (L) which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles and is positioned with a minimum vertical height greater than half of the vertical height (h1,h2) of the stack of articles.

5. Method for packing a first stack of articles (A1), with a second stack of articles (A2), or with at least a second stack of articles (A2), respectively positioned on an upper supporting surface of a first pallet (P1) and an upper support surface of a second pallet (P2) independent of the first pallet (P1), wherein the first stack of articles (A1) has a vertical height (h1) from the respective supporting surface and the second stack of articles has a vertical height (h2) from the respective supporting surface, comparable to the vertical height of the first stack of articles, optionally equal to the vertical height of the first stack of articles, said method including the phases of: - wrap at least half of the vertical extension (h1) of the first stack of articles in a first containment band (F1) forming at least a ring, or vertically stack groups of articles of the first stack of articles by mutually connecting the groups of stacked articles so that the groups of articles of the second stack are held horizontally to each other by one or more connecting elements placed between two groups of proximal articles, - wrap at least half of the vertical extension (h2) of the second stack of articles in a second containment band (F2) forming at least a ring, or vertically stack groups of articles of the second stack of articles by mutually connecting the groups of stacked articles so that the groups of articles of the second stack are held horizontally to each other by one or more connecting elements placed between two groups of proximal articles, - place the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles, wrapped with the respective containment bands, horizontally next to each other, - wrap the first stack of articles and the second stack of articles together with an adhesive tape (70), wrapped to form a ring (L) which simultaneously embraces both stacks of articles and is positioned with a minimum vertical height greater than half of the vertical height (h1,h2) of the stack of articles.

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