A machine that starts with a sheet made of paper material and packs items inside each package.
The machine adjusts adhesive application and cutting based on item dimensions to create appropriately sized packages, addressing issues of item movement and material damage in existing packaging machines.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CMC SRL
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing packaging machines using paper sheets result in packages with uniform width, leading to issues such as items moving freely, material deterioration, and deformation during transport, especially when the items' width is smaller than the sheet's width.
A machine that adjusts adhesive application and cutting based on item dimensions, allowing for packages to be sized appropriately, using multilayer paper material and incorporating detection means to determine item width and adjust adhesive spacing and cutting to match the item's dimensions.
Ensures packages are sized correctly, preventing item movement and material damage, while maintaining productivity and accommodating items of varying dimensions.
Smart Images
Figure 2026518044000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of packing an article inside each package starting from a sheet made of paper material. Specifically, it starts from a sheet made of a multi-layer paper material, for example by at least one layer of paper for packing and by a layer of paper gathers adhered to the layer of paper for packing.
[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a machine for packing an article in a package after winding a sheet of multi-layer paper material around the article proceeding along the advancing direction, and a machine for forming a closed package containing a single article.
Background Art
[0003] A known machine for packing an article inside each package starting from a sheet made of paper material is described in the Italian Patent No. 102020000012661.
[0004] In the machine for packing described in this document, the articles to be packed are successively advanced by conveying means, while a sheet made of paper material is unwound from the associated reel and supplied to the end of the conveying means via feeding means and in a transverse direction with respect to the advancing direction of the articles.
[0005] There are relay means for arranging the sheet made of paper material such that the central part of the sheet made of paper material contacts the suction conveying belt continuously arranged on the conveying means of the article, and the side parts of the sheet made of paper material remain on the side protrusions from the conveying belt.
[0006] The first adhesive application means exists for applying a transverse strip of adhesive to the central part of the sheet made of paper material that will be held in contact with the suction conveying belt. Thus, the parts of the central part of the sheet made of paper material formed between two consecutive transverse strips of adhesive will receive, statically, each of the articles packed inside each package.
[0007] In this regard, the machine is equipped with a detection means for detecting the dimensions of an article, more specifically the dimensions of the bottom surface of the article, in a manner that determines the length of the extended portion of the article, i.e., the length in the forward direction. It is configured such that the first adhesive application means can be operated to apply transverse strips of adhesive, separated from each other by a distance at least longer than the length of the bottom surface of the articles to be packed in each package.
[0008] The articles are carried by a conveying mechanism so that they are transported on the central part of a sheet made of paper material, which is placed on a suction conveying belt. Each article is positioned between two consecutive transverse adhesive strips.
[0009] Next, the suction conveying belt moves a sheet made of paper material, accompanied by an item placed on the central part of the related structure. The sheet made of paper material is held by suction, thereby moving both the sheet made of paper material and the item placed on it in the direction of movement.
[0010] The packaging machine further comprises a structure adapted as a tunnel. This structure is associated with a suction conveyor belt and is sized and adapted to allow articles moved by the conveyor belt over the central part of a sheet made of paper material to pass inward. The packaging machine further comprises a folding mechanism. This folding mechanism is configured and adapted to fold the paper material around the tunnel-adapted structure so as to contact the lateral portions of the sheet made of paper material that protrude laterally from the suction conveyor belt, and so as to overlap the two lateral folded portions of the sheet made of paper material with each other to form a tube of sheet material wound around the tunnel-adapted structure.
[0011] A second adhesive application means is located above the structure adapted as a tunnel to apply adhesive to one of the two folded portions of a sheet made of paper material before the folded portions are overlapped. Downstream of the structure adapted as a tunnel, there is a compression and cutting means, which is located in the middle of the suction conveyor belt and is configured and operated to tighten the sheet tube at the front and end of each single article present inside the sheet tube, at the transverse stripping positions of the adhesive, in order to achieve closing and cutting of the sheet tube to obtain a single package with each single article inside.
[0012] While this type of packaging machine is effective in wrapping a single item inside each package, it also has drawbacks.
[0013] In fact, regardless of the effective dimensions of the articles being packaged, specifically their width, that is, regardless of the transverse extension of the articles relative to the direction of travel of the central part of the paper sheet positioned and held by the suction of the suction conveyor belt, the package obtained in any given event always has the same predetermined width corresponding to the width (transverse extension) of the central part of the paper sheet.
[0014] Therefore, if the items to be packaged have a width (extension in the transverse direction relative to the direction of travel) smaller than the width (extension in the transverse direction) of the central part of the paper sheet, for example, half or even one-third the width, the resulting package will be too large for the items it contains, and these items may move freely inside the package while it is being moved. As a result, the paper material constituting the package may be subjected to impact or bulging, which may damage the package.
[0015] Furthermore, packaging materials can easily deteriorate and deform during transport. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0016] [Patent Document 1] Italian Patent No. 102020000012661 Specification [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0017] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a new winding machine for packing articles inside each package obtained starting from a sheet made of paper material, which can prevent the aforementioned drawbacks.
[0018] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to describe a novel machine that can realize a package that is appropriately sized in relation to effective dimensions, in terms of the width of the article to be packaged. [Means for solving the problem]
[0019] The above objectives are achieved by a machine for packaging articles inside each package, starting with a sheet made of paper material, particularly a multilayer paper material as described in the claims.
[0020] A preferred embodiment of a machine for packaging articles inside each package, starting from a sheet made of paper material, particularly multilayer paper material, is described below with reference to the attached diagrams. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0021] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of the machine according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the step of wrapping a sheet made of paper material around an article to obtain a package containing a single article, as performed by the machine of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged view of detail K in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of some key components of the machine. [Figure 5]It is a schematic perspective view of the first step of wrapping a sheet made of paper around a moving article. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram of some components of a machine that plays the role of applying an adhesive on the folding parts of a sheet made of paper. These folding parts are overlapped with each other to form a tube of the sheet. [Figure 7] It is a schematic partial perspective view of other special components in the machine of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a schematic partial perspective view of other details in the machine of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a schematic perspective view of a component in the machine of the present invention that plays the role of cutting the tube of the sheet to form a single package containing a single article respectively. [Figure 10] It is a partial perspective view of a component of a machine that plays the role of applying an adhesive to the central part of a sheet made of paper, which is stationary on the suction conveying belt and will be held by the suction of the suction conveying belt. [Figure 11] It is a diagram schematically showing the step of cutting the tube of the sheet to obtain a first package having a first width and containing each article respectively. [Figure 12] It is a diagram schematically showing the step of cutting the tube of the sheet to obtain a first package having a first width and containing each article respectively. [Figure 13] It is a diagram schematically showing the step of cutting the tube of the sheet to obtain a second package having a second width and containing each article respectively. [Figure 14] It is a diagram schematically showing the step of cutting the tube of the sheet to obtain a second package having a second width and containing each article respectively. [Figure 15] It is a diagram schematically showing the step of cutting the tube of the sheet to obtain a third package having a third width and containing each article respectively. [Figure 16]This diagram schematically illustrates the step of cutting a sheet tube in order to obtain a third package that encloses each of the articles and has a third width. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0022] Referring to the attached diagram, the reference symbol (M) represents a machine (M) for wrapping a sheet (P) made of paper material, more specifically a sheet (P) made of multilayer paper material, around an article (A) to form a single article-containing package (B) as proposed by the present invention.
[0023] Machine (M) is: A conveying means (1) is configured to receive and convey an article (A) wrapped around a sheet (P) made of paper material, according to the conveying direction (D); A suction conveying belt (2) is continuously arranged on the conveying means (1); A supply station (3) for sheets (P) made of paper material (P), comprising: a reel (30) on which sheets (P) made of paper material are wound; and a supply and relay means (31) that transverses the transport direction (D) of an article (A) for supplying sheets (P) made of paper material between a transport means (1) and a transport belt (2), and for placing sheets (P) made of paper material with associated central parts (PC) on the transport belt (2), with the lateral parts (PL1, PL2) protruding laterally from the transport belt (2) relative to the central parts (PC), thereby enabling the article (A) transported by the transport means (1) to be placed on a suction transport belt (2), with the sheets (P) made of paper material with the article (A) placed on the central part (PC) positioned above the central part (PC), and the supply station (3) to be held by the suction of the suction transport belt (2) and moved forward in the direction of movement (E); and A folding means (4) is positioned and configured relative to the suction conveying belt (2) so as to contact and fold the lateral portions (PL1, PL2) of a sheet (P) made of paper material that protrude laterally from the suction conveying belt (2). It is equipped with.
[0024] Machine (M) is: A structure (5) associated with a suction conveying belt (2), adapted to define a tunnel (T) for the passage of an article (A) moved by the suction conveying belt (2) above the central portion (PC) of a sheet (P) made of paper material, and a folding means (4) positioned with respect to the conveying belt (2) and the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), and adapted and configured to fold the lateral portions (PL1, PL2) of the sheet (P) made of paper material so as it moves forward that it contacts the lateral portions (PL1, PL2) of the sheet (P) made of paper material that protrude laterally from the suction conveying belt (2), and to fold the lateral portions (PL1, PL2) around the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), by overlapping the two lateral flaps (L1, L2) of the sheet (P) made of paper material to form a tube (TB) of the sheet wound around the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), To further prepare.
[0025] In detail, the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) is constructed to define a passage space for articles (A) of a certain height to pass through the conveyor belt (2), and it is possible to transport articles (A) of various dimensions and heights within the passage space, such as individual magazines, books, stacks of related magazines, or boxes containing products.
[0026] Thus, using a single frame and a single winding machine (M) (a structure adapted as a tunnel, a folding mechanism), it is possible to wind a sheet (P) made of paper material around articles of various heights as they advance along a conveyor belt.
[0027] The winding machine (M) is: A first adhesive application means (20) is positioned in the region between the conveying means (1) and the suction conveying belt (2), and is configured to apply a transverse strip (S) of adhesive to a portion of a sheet (P) made of paper material, so that the sheet (P) made of paper material is positioned above the suction conveying belt (2) to form a central portion (PC) of the sheet (P) made of paper material, and the sheet (P) made of paper material is held by the suction of the suction belt (2) (see, for example, Figure 10), the first adhesive application means (20), To further prepare.
[0028] More specifically, the first adhesive application means (20) can be used to apply transverse strips (S) of adhesive, which are complementaryly spaced apart from each other, in the longitudinal direction of the central portion (PC) of the sheet (P), i.e., in the direction of movement (E) of the item being packaged, based on the length of the article (A).
[0029] For example, the first adhesive application means (20) may include a plurality of adhesive dispensing heads or nozzles arranged laterally to one another and transversely to the direction of movement (E) of the sheet (P) made of paper material.
[0030] The machine further comprises a second adhesive application means (6), which is positioned above the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) and configured to apply adhesive to at least one of two folded portions (L1, L2) in a sheet (P) made of paper material before overlapping to form a sheet tube (TB); The machine further comprises compression and cutting means (7), which are positioned downstream of a structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) at an intermediate section of a suction conveying belt (2), and are operable to compress the sheet tube (TB) transversely, first forward and then backward, relative to the position of the article (A) in the sheet tube (TB), with the article (A) positioned between the two transverse strips (S) of adhesive, thereby closing and cutting the sheet tube (P) and obtaining a package (B) containing the article (A) inside.
[0031] The machine (M) has a detection station (80), which is positioned along the transport means (1).
[0032] The detection station (80) is equipped with detection means (85) which are arranged and configured to detect the dimensions of an article (A) passing through the detection station (80), more specifically the width of the article, i.e., its transverse extension with respect to the conveying direction (D) of the article (A) toward the suction conveying belt (2).
[0033] Therefore, the machine (M) is configured such that a first adhesive application means (20) can also be used based on data provided by the detection means (85) regarding the detected width of the article (A) moving forward along the conveying direction (D) toward the suction conveying belt (2). The detected width for a given article is preferably smaller than a predetermined width corresponding to the maximum width of the article being packaged, and substantially equal to the width of the central part (PC) of a sheet (P) made of paper material: It is applied to each of two transverse strips (S) of adhesive, which are spaced apart from each other by a distance at least equal to the length of the article to be packaged, and which have extensions starting from a first edge (PC1) in the central part (PC) of a sheet (P) of paper material, at least equal to the distance detected for a given article, and In order to apply at least one longitudinal strip (L) of adhesive material to a portion of the central part (PC) of the paper sheet (P) in the longitudinal direction, and to a distance from the first edge (PC1) in the central part (PC) of the sheet (P) that is at least equal to the width detected for the article to be packaged, transversely to each of the two transverse strips (S) of adhesive, That is the case.
[0034] Thus, in the central part (PC) of the paper sheet (P), the two transverse strips (S) and longitudinal strips (L) of adhesive form a kind of U-shaped boundary of the adhesive, defining an area within it for positioning the packaged items.
[0035] In this regard, referring to Figure 10, for example, the first article (A1) is shown positioned above the central part (PC) of a sheet (P) made of paper material, having a width substantially equal to or slightly smaller than a predetermined width, and therefore substantially corresponding to the width of the central part (PC) of the sheet (P) made of paper material, and is positioned and held by suction by the suction conveying belt (2).
[0036] In this case, the first adhesive application means (20) will be operated to apply the adhesive only to the two transverse strips (S) of adhesive in the central part (PC) of the paper sheet (P), at a distance from each other equal to the extension of the first article (A1) in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the direction of movement (E), relative to the central part (PC).
[0037] On the other hand, referring again to Figure 10, a second article (A2) is also shown, which has a width smaller than a given width. In this case, the first adhesive application means (20) is operable to apply adhesive transverse strips (S) spaced apart from each other at a distance equal to at least the length of the second article (A2), and also to at least longitudinal strips (L) of adhesive in the longitudinal direction and between each transverse strip (S) of adhesive to a portion of the central part (PC) of a sheet made of paper material (P). Here, the longitudinal strips (L) of adhesive are applied to the central part (PC) at a distance from a reference first edge (PC1) in the central part (PC) that is at least equal to the width of the second article (A2) detected by the detection means (85).
[0038] Thus, the transverse strips (S) and longitudinal strips (L) of adhesive applied to the central part (PC) of the sheet (P) will surround the second article (A2) in order to wrap it around the inside of the sheet's tube (TB) once the second article (A2) is moved onto the central part (PC) of the sheet (P).
[0039] Furthermore, the machine (M) is constructed such that the compression and cutting means (7) comprises at least one supplementary compression and cutting unit (71). The supplementary compression and cutting unit (71) is configured to apply at least the longitudinal strip of adhesive (L) continuously to a portion of the central part (PC) of a sheet (P) made of paper material, in order to enable the detection means (85) to compress the sheet tube (TB) longitudinally at the position of the longitudinal strip of adhesive (L) when the detection means (85) detects that the article (A) has a width smaller than a predetermined width, and to cut the sheet tube (TB) longitudinally, which is parallel to the longitudinal strip of adhesive (L), in order to obtain packages (B1, B2, B3) having a width substantially corresponding to the article packed inside, and to eliminate strips (SR) of the sheet tube (TB) that exceed the width of the article.
[0040] Referring to Figures 11-16, three different situations are shown, and the three resulting packages (B1, B2, B3) have different widths equal to the width of the articles packed inside.
[0041] For example, Figures 11 and 12 show the case of packaging an article having a width substantially corresponding to the width of the central part (PC) of the paper sheet (P). Therefore, the supplementary compression and cutting unit (71) does not operate because the detection means (85) will detect the width of the packaged article which is substantially corresponding to a predetermined width; the package (B1) will be obtained after the compression and cutting means (7) cuts the tube (TB) of the sheet once transversely.
[0042] On the other hand, Figures 13 and 14, and Figures 15 and 16 each show two cases in which the articles to be packaged have a relative width smaller than a given width, thereby a supplementary compression and cutting unit (71) is operated and acted upon to carry out cutting along the longitudinal direction of the sheet tube (TB), thereby obtaining two separate packages (B2, B3) having different widths equal to the width of the articles packaged inside.
[0043] Thus, the above-described features of the machine of the present invention make it possible to obtain a perfectly dimensioned packaging member that is equal to the effective dimensions of the packaged article, and more specifically, a packaging member having a width substantially corresponding to the width of the article. This prevents the drawbacks that appear in the aforementioned known types of wrapping machines.
[0044] Other advantageous features and aspects of machine (M) are presented below.
[0045] In each transverse strip (S) of the adhesive, a compression and cutting means (7) for the purpose of tightening the sheet tube (TB) transversely and cutting the sheet tube to obtain a packaging material comprises at least one pair of bars (70). The bars (70) are positioned transversely to the sheet tube (TB) and on both sides, and are provided with cutting blades.
[0046] The bar (70) can act on the position of the article (A) within the sheet tube (TB) at two adhesive transverse strips (S), first forward and then backward, in a manner that tightens the sheet tube (TB) toward and away from each other. The article (A) is positioned between each of the two adhesive transverse strips (S) such that the position of the sheet tube where the adhesive is present is compressed, thereby achieving closure of the article (A) by common adhesion, and then the sheet tube (TB) is simultaneously cut using a cutting blade to obtain a packaging member (B) containing the article (A) inside.
[0047] The aforementioned supplemental compression and cutting unit (71) comprises at least one movable unit (72) which is slidably mounted along the first guide unit (730). The movable unit (72) is positioned above and transversely to the sheet tube (TB) and is also movable vertically downward and therefore relative to the sheet tube (TB).
[0048] The movable unit (72) comprises at least one first compression element (73) (e.g., a rubber wheel) and one first cutting element (74) (e.g., a pneumatic reciprocating blade). They are arranged and configured such that, once the movable unit (72) is moved downward relative to the sheet tube (TB), the sheet tube (TB) is compressed and then cut longitudinally, and then the sheet tube (TB) is advanced by the suction conveying belt (4).
[0049] More specifically, the movable unit (72) is moved along the first guide unit (730) based on the width of the article detected by the detection means (85) so that the longitudinal strip (L) of adhesive is positioned relative to the sheet tube (TB) at a location corresponding to the position where the sheet of paper material (P) is applied to the central portion (PC) of the sheet.
[0050] Thus, when the sheet tube (TB) containing the article (A) reaches the movable unit (72), the movable unit (72) is movable vertically downward to compress the sheet tube (TB) at the position of the longitudinal strip (L) of adhesive by a first compression element (73), and to longitudinally cut the sheet tube (TB) parallel to the longitudinal strip (L) of adhesive by a first cutting element (74) as the sheet tube (TB) advances, and to obtain packaging members (B1, B2, B3) having a width substantially corresponding to the article packed inside, and to remove the strip (SR) of the sheet tube (TB) that exceeds the width of the article.
[0051] A supplemental compression and cutting unit (71) further comprises a first contact element (75) (for example, also constructed of a wheel), which is positioned below the tube of the sheet and is positioned and configured to be movable transversely to the tube of the sheet and vertically upward to the tube of the sheet.
[0052] More specifically, the first contact element (75) is moved transversely to the sheet tube (TB) so that, as the sheet tube (TB) advances, it is positioned opposite the first compression element (73) based on the position assumed by the movable unit (72) and the first compression element (73) so that the sheet tube (TB) is compressed between the first compression element (73) and the first contact element (75) at the position of the longitudinal strip (L) of adhesive, then moved upward to tighten the sheet tube (TB) between the first contact element (75) and the first compression element (73), and subsequently moved vertically downward to the sheet tube (TB).
[0053] The machine (M) further comprises a moving unit (76) having at least one loop-shaped conveyor belt (77). The moving unit (76) is located downstream of a supplementary compression and cutting unit (71) and is configured to receive excess strips (SR) of the sheet tube, which are cut from the packaging (B) and moved toward a disposal station.
[0054] The machine (M) can be advantageously configured such that a supplementary compression and cutting unit (71) further comprises a second movable unit (82) which is mounted slidably above and transversely to the sheet tube (TB) and along the second guide unit (830) which is parallel to the first guide unit (730). The second movable unit (82) is further movable vertically downward and therefore also relative to the sheet tube (TB).
[0055] The second movable unit (82) comprises at least one second compression element (83) (e.g., a rubber wheel) and one second cutting element (84) (e.g., a pneumatic reciprocating blade). They are arranged and configured such that, once the second movable unit (82) is moved downward relative to the sheet tube (TB), the sheet tube (TB) is compressed and cut longitudinally, and then the sheet tube (TB) is advanced by the suction conveying belt (4).
[0056] More specifically, the second movable unit (82) can be moved along the second guide unit (83) based on the width of the article detected by the detection means (85) so that the longitudinal strip (L) of adhesive is positioned relative to the sheet tube (TB) at a location corresponding to the position where the sheet of paper material (P) is applied to the central portion (PC) of the sheet.
[0057] In this case, a second contact element (85) is included (for example, also constructed as a wheel) and is positioned below the tube of the seat. The second contact element (85) is positioned and configured to be movable transversely to the tube of the seat and vertically upward to the tube of the seat in order to allow the tube of the seat to be compressed between the second contact element (85) and the second compression element.
[0058] Therefore, in this case, the two movable units can be used alternately between them to compress and cut the sheet tube longitudinally according to the width of the article, enabling the sheet tube to advance at a sustained speed, thereby increasing productivity, i.e., the number of packages that can be obtained per unit time (e.g., per minute) (see, for example, Figures 13 and 14 and Figures 15 and 16).
[0059] The structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) comprises side walls (51, 52) positioned along the side of the conveyor belt (2) and at least one upper wall (53, 54) between the side walls (51, 52). Meanwhile, the folding means (4) is configured to fold the side portions (PL1, PL2) of the paper sheet (P) around the side walls (51, 52) and upper walls (53, 54) of the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) so that the two side folded portions (L1, L2) of the film (P) overlap each other to form a tube (TB) of the sheet wound around the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T).
[0060] The side walls (51, 52) of the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) can be advantageously realized to include fixed lower parts (510, 511) and movable upper parts (520, 521) that are movably attached to the lower parts (510, 511) and support the upper walls (53, 54).
[0061] In this way, the position of the upper parts (520, 521) of the side walls (51, 52) relative to the lower parts (510, 511) can be adjusted and changed to change the distance of the upper wall (53, 54) relative to the conveyor belt (2). This allows the height of the tunnel (T) to be changed, effectively accommodating various heights of various items that are packaged in sheets made of paper material.
[0062] Another advantageous aspect of the winding machine of the present invention is that it comprises means (9) for creating an air cushion between a sheet tube (TB) and a structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T).
[0063] This specification makes it possible to prevent drag, and therefore friction, between the sheet (P), more specifically the tube (TB) of the sheet being formed, and the wall of the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel.
[0064] In the specific embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8, the means (9) for creating an air cushion may include a pipe (91). The pipe (91) is connected to a compressed air source and is provided with a series of holes (92) for air passage.
[0065] The pipe (91) is positioned to direct the air jet exiting the hole (92) toward the portion of the sheet (P) folded into the structure (5) which is adapted as a tunnel (T).
[0066] For example, the pipe (91) can be positioned along at least part of the two side walls (51, 52) of the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T).
[0067] Furthermore, the means (9) for creating an air cushion may include a suction mat (93). It is rolled up in a closed loop and positioned above a structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), such that it holds by suction the portion of the sheet (P) folded above the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), and is operable to allow the sheet (P) to move in sync with the forward movement of the sheet (P) via a conveyor belt (2).
[0068] In another advantageous embodiment, the machine (M) includes a photographic detection means (96) positioned along the tunnel (T) to detect articles (A) passing through the tunnel (T) and to detect the distance between articles (A). The photographic detection means (96) may be configured such that if it detects that the distance between two consecutive articles is less than a predetermined minimum distance, the compression and cutting means (7) is kept inoperable.
[0069] This prevents damage to articles that are too close to each other to have sufficient space for the compression and cutting means (7) to operate.
[0070] In the preferred embodiment shown, the second adhesive application means (6) comprises at least an adhesive dispenser (61), fixed contact elements (62, 63) pre-disposed downstream of the dispenser (61) with respect to the direction of movement (E) of the sheet (P) to preferentially contact the overlapping folded portions (L1, L2) of the sheet (P) to promote their adhesion to each other, and at least one movable contact element (64) that is operable when stopping the conveyor belt (2) to position it above the two overlapping folded portions (L1, L2) of the sheet (P) and to keep the folded portions (L1, L2) overlapping each other, thereby keeping the tube (TB) of the sheet closed.
[0071] The article loading station (8) can be positioned at the beginning of the transport means (1). The article loading station (8) can be equipped with an identification means (81) configured to detect and identify an identification code applied to an article (A).
[0072] Finally, another advantageous aspect relates to the fact that the detection means (85) is also configured to detect the height of the article (A), thereby allowing the transport means (1) to stop when the detection means (85) detects the passage of an article that is taller than the height of the tunnel (T).
Claims
1. A machine (M) for wrapping a sheet (P) made of paper material around an article (A) in order to form a package (B) containing the article (A), A conveying means (1) is configured to receive and convey an article (A) that is wrapped around a sheet (P) made of paper material, according to the conveying direction (D). A suction conveying belt (2) is continuously arranged on the conveying means (1). A supply station (3) for paper sheets (P), comprising a supply and relay means (31) for supplying the paper sheets (P) between the transport means (1) and the transport belt (2) which is transverse to the transport direction (D) of the article (A), and for positioning the paper sheets (P) by placing the associated central part (PC) on the suction transport belt (2) and allowing the associated lateral parts (PL1, PL2) to protrude laterally from the suction transport belt (2), wherein the article (A) transported by the transport means (1) is positioned on top of the central part (PC) of the paper sheet (P) positioned on the suction transport belt (2), and the paper sheet (P) accompanied by the article (A) positioned on the associated central part (PC) can be held by the suction of the suction transport belt (2) and can be advanced in the direction of movement (E), A folding means (4) is positioned and configured relative to the suction conveying belt (2) so as to contact and fold the lateral portions (PL1, PL2) of the sheet (P) made of paper material, which protrude laterally from the suction conveying belt (2). A structure (5) associated with the suction conveying belt (2), wherein the structure (5) is adapted to define a tunnel (T) for the passage of an article (A) moved by the suction conveying belt (2) above the central portion (PC) of a sheet (P) made of paper material, and the folding means (4) is adapted and configured to fold the side portions (PL1, PL2) of the sheet (P) made of paper material so as it moves forward that it contacts the side portions (PL1, PL2) of the sheet (P) made of paper material that protrude laterally from the suction conveying belt (2), and to fold the side portions (PL1, PL2) around the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), such that the two side portions (L1, L2) of the sheet (P) made of paper material overlap to form a tube (TB) of the sheet that is wound around the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), A first adhesive application means (20) is positioned in the region between the conveying means (1) and the suction conveying belt (2), and is configured to apply transverse strips (S) of adhesive to a portion of the sheet (P) made of paper material, and is positioned above the suction conveying belt (2) to form the central portion (PC) of the sheet (P) made of paper material, and the sheet (P) made of paper material is held by the suction of the suction belt (2), and the transverse strips (S) of adhesive are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the direction of movement (E), of the central portion (PC) of the sheet (P), based on the length of the article (A) to be packaged, the first adhesive application means (20), A second adhesive application means (6) is positioned above the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) and configured to apply adhesive to at least one of two folded portions (L1, L2) in the sheet (P) made of paper material before overlapping to form a tube (TB) of the sheets, and Compression and cutting means (7), positioned downstream of the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) at an intermediate portion of the suction conveying belt (2), and operable to compress the sheet tube (TB) transversely, first forward and then backward with respect to the position of the article (A) in the sheet tube (TB), so that the article (A) is positioned between the two transverse strips (S) of adhesive, thereby closing and cutting the sheet tube (P) and obtaining a package (B) containing the article (A) inside, Equipped with, Here, the machine (M) is The system includes a detection station (80), the detection station (80) being positioned along the transport means (1), and comprising a detection means (85) positioned and configured to detect the width of the article (A) in a transverse direction with respect to the transport direction (D) toward the suction transport belt (2). The machine (M) is also configured such that the first adhesive application means (20) becomes operational based on data provided by the detection means (85) regarding the detected width of the article (A) as it moves forward toward the suction conveyor belt (2) along the conveying direction (D), wherein the detected width for a given article is less than a predetermined width corresponding to the maximum width of the article to be packaged, and is preferably substantially equal to the width of the central portion (PC) of the paper sheet (P), which is spaced apart from each other by a distance at least equal to the length of the article to be packaged, and is less than the detected width of a given article. To apply two transverse strips (S) of adhesive, each having an extension starting from the first edge (PC1) of the central portion (PC) of the sheet (P) of the paper material, and to apply at least one longitudinal strip (L) of adhesive to a portion of the central portion (PC) of the sheet (P) of the paper material, transversely to each of the two transverse strips (S), at a distance from the first edge (PC1) of the central portion (PC) of the sheet (P) that is at least equal to the width detected for the article to be packaged. The compression and cutting means (7) comprises at least one supplementary compression and cutting unit (71), the supplementary compression and cutting unit (71) is configured to cut the tube (TB) of the sheet parallel to the longitudinal strip (L) of the adhesive to obtain packages (B1, B2, B3) having a width substantially corresponding to the packaged article, and to remove strips (SR) of the tube (TB) of the sheet that exceed the width of the article, when the detection means (85) detects that the article (A) is smaller than a predetermined width, and as a result of applying at least one longitudinal strip (L) of adhesive to a portion of the central part (PC) of the sheet (P) of the paper material, the tube (TB) of the sheet is compressed longitudinally at the position of the longitudinal strip (L) of adhesive, A machine (M) characterized by the following.
2. The supplemental compression and cutting unit (71) comprises at least one movable unit (72), the movable unit (72) being mounted so as to be slidable vertically along a first guide portion (730) positioned above and transversely to the tube (TB) of the sheet, and being movable vertically downward and therefore relative to the tube (TB) of the sheet. The movable unit (72) comprises at least one first compression element (73) and a first cutting element (74), which are arranged and configured to compress the sheet (TB) and to cut the tube (TB) of the sheet in the longitudinal direction. The movable unit (72) is movable along the first guide section (730) to position the longitudinal strip (L) of the adhesive relative to the sheet tube (TB) corresponding to the position where the central portion (PC) of the paper sheet (P) is applied, based on the width of the article detected by the detection means (85), and when the sheet tube (TB) carrying the article (A) inside reaches the movable unit (72), the movable unit (72) is moved by the first compression element (73), The first cutting element (74) is movable vertically downward to obtain packages (B1, B2, B3) having a width substantially corresponding to the articles packed inside, so as the sheet tube (TB) advances, the sheet tube (TB) is cut longitudinally by the first cutting element (74) parallel to the longitudinal strip (L) of the adhesive, so as the sheet tube (TB) advances The machine (M) according to claim 1.
3. The supplemental compression and cutting unit (71) further comprises a first contact element (75), the first contact element (75) being positioned below the sheet tube (TB) and configured to be movable transversely to the sheet tube (TB) and vertically upward to the sheet tube (TB). The first contact element (75) is moved transversely to the sheet tube (TB) so that, as the sheet tube (TB) advances, the sheet tube (TB) is positioned opposite the first compression element (73) at the position of the longitudinal strip (L) of the adhesive, based on the position assumed by the movable unit (72) and the first compression element (73), the sheet tube (TB) is compressed between the first compression element (73) and the first contact element (75), and is then moved upward to tighten the sheet tube (TB) between the first contact element (75) and the first compression element (73), and subsequently moved vertically downward to the sheet tube (TB). The machine (M) according to claim 2.
4. The machine (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a moving unit (76) having at least one loop-shaped conveyor belt (77), wherein the moving unit (76) is located downstream of the supplementary compression and cutting unit (71) and is configured to receive excess strips (SR) of the sheet tube (TB) that have been cut from the package (B), and to move the strips (SR) toward a disposal station.
5. The structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) comprises side walls (51, 52) arranged along the side of the suction conveying belt (2), and at least one upper wall (53, 54) between the side walls (51, 52), The folding means (4) is configured to fold the lateral portions (PL1, PL2) of the sheet (P), which is made of paper material, around the side walls (51, 52) and top walls (53, 54) of the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), so that the two lateral folded portions (L1, L2) of the sheet (P) overlap each other to form a tube (TB) of the sheet that is wound around the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T). The machine (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The machine (M) according to claim 5, wherein the side walls (51, 52) of the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) comprises fixed lower parts (510, 511) and movable upper parts (520, 521), the movable upper parts (510, 511) being mounted to move freely on the lower parts (510, 511) and supporting at least one upper wall (53, 54), thereby adjusting and changing the position of the upper parts (520, 521) relative to the lower parts (510, 511), thereby changing the distance of the upper wall (53, 54) relative to the suction conveying belt (2), and thereby changing the length of the tunnel (T).
7. The machine (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising means (9) for creating an air cushion between the tube (TB) of the sheet and the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T).
8. The machine (M) according to claim 7, wherein the means (9) for creating an air cushion comprises a pipe (91), the pipe (91) is connected to a compressed air source and has a series of holes (92) for the passage of air, and the pipe (91) is arranged to direct the air jet exiting the holes (92) toward a portion of a sheet (P) folded toward the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T).
9. The means (9) for creating an air cushion comprises a suction mat (93), the suction mat (93) being rolled into a closed loop and positioned above the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), such that it holds by suction a portion of the sheet (P) folded over the structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T), and is operable to allow the sheet (P) to be accompanied by the suction conveying belt (2) in synchronization with the forward movement of the sheet (P), the machine (M) according to claim 7 or 8.
10. The machine (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a photographic detection means (96) positioned along a structure (5) adapted as a tunnel (T) and configured to detect the passage of articles (A) inside the tunnel (T) and to detect the distance between articles (A), wherein the compression and cutting means (7) is disabled if the photographic detection means (96) detects that the distance between two consecutive articles is less than a predetermined minimum distance.
11. The second adhesive application means (6) is, At least one adhesive dispenser (61) and Fixed contact elements (62, 63) are pre-disposed downstream of the distributor (61) with respect to the direction of movement (E) of the sheet (P), so as to preferentially contact the overlapping folded portions (L1, L2) of the sheet (P) and promote their adhesion to each other. To position the suction conveying belt (2) above the two overlapping folded portions (L1, L2) in the sheet (P), there is at least one movable contact element (64) that is operable when the suction conveying belt (2) is stopped, and maintains the closure of the tube (TB) of the sheet by keeping the two overlapping folded portions (L1, L2) overlapping each other, A machine (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising:
12. The machine (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising an article loading station (8) positioned at the starting portion of the transporting means (1) and provided with an identification means (81) configured to detect and identify an identification code applied to the article (A).