Method for packaging food and machine for carrying out the method

Abstract

A method for forming a multi-flavor or mixed package food product is described. The method includes forming a plurality of pick-up containers (C A -C D ) each pick-up container (C A -C D ) is a product of multiple products (A 1-4 -D 1-4 ) and accommodates multiple products (A 1-4 -D 1-4 ) are identical to each other, but differ from the products of other pickup containers (A 1-4 -D 1-4 ) and multiple release vessels (R A -R D ) and preparing a plurality of pick-up and release units (U A -U D ) and preparing each pickup and release unit (U A -U D ) is a pickup and release unit (U A -U D ) has multiple products (A 1-4 -D 1-4 ) which are identical to each other but picked up by different pick-up and release units (A 1-4 -D 1-4 ) different products (A 1-4 -D 1-4 ) to pick up each pickup container (C A -C D ) to N A-D (N≧2) products are picked up and then multiple pick-up and release units (U A -U D ) is a first number M1 for a single corresponding release container A-D (N>M1>=1) product (A 1-4 -D 1-4 ) first release and multiple pickup and release units (U A -U D ) and multiple release vessels (R A -R D) and then a second number M2 of N-M1 products remaining from the picked up products. A-D Each pick-up and release unit (U) for releasing (N-M1>=M2>=1) products into a single corresponding release container A -U D ) and a second release using a different product (A 1-4 -D 1-4 ) with multiple release vessels (R A -R D ) to fill each pickup and release unit (U A -U D ) performs the first and second releases to different release containers, and the first and second releases are carried out by a plurality of pick-up and release units (U A -U D ) is the product (A 1-4 -D 1-4 ) configured to be performed consecutively without performing further pick-up of the

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for packaging food.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a machine for packaging food that executes the method.

Background Art

[0003] The expression "food" according to the present invention means a creamy semi-solid product such as cheese.

[0004] These products are formed into single parts (having a shape with a triangular cross-section, although not limiting the scope of the present invention) by a suitable forming machine and then packaged.

[0005] The forming machine usually forms only one type of food (i.e., only one flavor).

[0006] To make packages of different products (of different flavors), it is necessary to first manufacture products of various types (flavors) in each manufacturing cycle and then mix different types (flavors) of products to make the desired package.

[0007] In practice, the final packages to be produced must contain foods with various flavors therein (ranging from at least two different parts to at least eight different parts per package, depending on the market or manufacturing requirements and the type of final package that may have a polygonal or circular shape).

[0008] After the individual forming of the food, each group of single-flavor products is accommodated in a suitable accommodation base, and the accommodation base is moved to a storage system configured to receive a series of accommodation bases that accommodate single-flavor products to be packaged respectively.

[0009] In the next step, a series of storage bases containing groups of single - flavor products within the storage system are fed along the supply line in a generally step - by - step movement according to a predetermined sequence, i.e., each base for containing a flavor alternates with a base for containing another flavor.

[0010] Each storage base is captured at a point on the supply line by a first pick - up and release device, which is configured to pick up a group of individual single - flavor products from the storage base and then release the single - flavor products onto a conveyor belt parallel to the supply line and within an intermediate plate that is geometrically similar to the storage base.

[0011] The intermediate plate advancing along the supply direction is captured by a second pick - up and release device, which is configured to pick up a group of single - flavor food products and release them from above onto a station for separating the group of single - flavor food products and forming a plurality of groups of flavored food products.

[0012] The separation station comprises a pyramidal separation device with a plurality of chute channels (along its surface), and the plurality of chute channels are configured to direct the corresponding individual single - flavor food products towards a rotating carousel (around a vertical axis), and the rotating carousel comprises corresponding shaped containers (also geometrically similar to the storage base), and the shaped containers are configured to place the individual food products in predetermined positions within the containers.

[0013] This operating step of releasing the food products onto the pyramidal separation device is performed for each group of single - flavor food products to be provided in the final package until each shaped container rotating on the carousel is full.

[0014] Each forming container, including the group of multi-flavor foods, is captured during its rotation by a third pick-up and release device, which is configured to pick up the group of multi-flavor foods and release it into one of the receiving bases that has been emptied beforehand and then moved to a filling and closing station.

[0015] In fact, after the group of single-flavor foods has been emptied from the receiving base, the receiving base is fed beyond the separating and forming station and conveyed to the filling and closing station.

[0016] After the step of filling the receiving base, the step of closing the package with a suitable lid follows.

[0017] However, this process and the associated machinery for forming the package have several drawbacks.

[0018] In particular, due to the step of separating the individual single-flavor products obtained using a pyramidal separating device with multiple shoot channels and the need to release the individual single-flavor foods from above, the positioning of the individual products may become incomplete due to disorderly dropping into the shoot.

[0019] This disorderly dropping of the individual products, combined with the fact that the products have a consistency and the consistency is so-called "elastic" and thus easy to deform, can cause accumulation, resulting in blocks dropping along the shoot or arrival at the forming container in an inappropriate position.

[0020] These blocks or inappropriate positioning of the products cause the machine to stop frequently, resulting in operator intervention, and as a result, the productivity of the production line decreases.

[0021] The formation of other types of packages containing mixed products is known, for example, from patent documents DE 202005 019 906 U1 (bottle packaging) and DE 20 2011050807 U1 (yogurt packaging).

[0022] These documents show a plant with two product supply lines. The first line has containers filled with the same type of product (single flavor), and the second line has containers in which various types of products (multi - flavors) are formed.

[0023] Between the two lines, there is a robot unit equipped with pick - and - place heads. Each head is configured to pick up single - flavor products from containers on the first line, then group them together and drop them into the formed multi - flavor packages and supply them along the second line.

[0024] That is, there is a series of pick - up and release heads (the same number as the types of single - flavor products present), which, while moving continuously, pick up a certain amount of single - flavor products from the pick - up zone and release all of them into the formed package.

[0025] In practice, all the picked - up products are released simultaneously.

Summary of the Invention

[0026] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for packaging foodstuffs that overcomes the above - mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0027] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a machine for packaging foodstuffs that overcomes the above - mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0028] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and a machine for packaging foodstuffs that can form packages of groups of multi - flavor products very accurately and safely while maintaining appropriate productivity.

[0029] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and a machine for packaging food products, which can manage various combinations for packaging groups of food products within a package without the need to change the manufacturing steps and the stations of the machine.

[0030] Said object is fully achieved by a method and a machine for packaging groups of food products according to the invention, characterized in the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figures 6a - 6c

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0032] Referring to the accompanying drawings, in particular FIGS. 1 and 6a to 6c, the method and the machine according to the invention are intended for packaging multi-flavor or mixed food products.

[0033] Preferably, the expression "food product" according to the present invention means a creamy semi-solid product such as cheese.

[0034] According to the following description, the package is circular and each part of the food product has a triangular cross-section, but this does not limit the scope of protection to these described embodiments.

[0035] In fact, the present method and machine can be used for regular and non-regular polygon packages (square or triangular, or having multiple sides such as an octagon for example), and products having geometric shapes different from a triangle.

[0036] Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity of the description, a package of four products is referred to, but without limiting the scope of protection, the package of products can increase from a minimum of two.

[0037] As shown (Figure 1), a method for forming a multi-flavor or mixed package product, particularly a food product, comprises the step of providing a plurality of pick-up containers C A -C D at a pick-up station 1.

[0038] Each of the pick-up containers C A -C D accommodates a plurality of products A 1-4 -D 1-4 and the plurality of products A 1-4 -D 1-4 are identical to each other but different from the products of other pick-up containers forming part of the plurality of pick-up containers C A -C D The present forming method also comprises the step of providing a plurality of release containers R

[0039] to be filled at a release station 2. n The present forming method further comprises a plurality of pick-up and release units U

[0040] A ​-U D including the step of preparing.

[0041] Each pickup and release unit U A -U D is movable between a pickup station 1 for picking up the product A A -C D from the pickup container C 1-4 -D 1-4 and a release station 2 where the release container R n is present.

[0042] This molding method also includes the step of using each pickup and release unit U A -U D to pick up N A -C D (N≧2) products respectively from each pickup container C A-D at the pickup station 1.

[0043] In the illustrated example, all the products (a total of 4) are picked up from each pickup container C A -C D .

[0044] The pickup and release unit U A picks up the product A 1-4 which is identical to each other, but is different from the products B B , U C , U D picked up by other pickup and release units U 1-4 , C 1-4 , D 1-4 . It should be noted. 1-4 to pick up the product A

[0045] This molding method then continues with the pickup and release unit (U A -U Dincluding the step of moving (preferably simultaneously) towards the release station 2, and in the release station 2, the following further steps are continuously executed.

[0046] Each pick-up and release unit U A -U D is used to perform a first release to a single corresponding release container among a plurality of release containers R A-D of a first number M1 A-D of the N 1-4 -D 1-4 picked-up products (where the number of products N is greater than M1 and M1 is 1 or more) of product A n .

[0047] Relative movement is performed between the plurality of pick-up and release units U A -U D and the plurality of release containers R n .

[0048] After the above-described relative movement between the unit and the container, a second number M2 A-D of the N - M1 remaining products from the picked-up products (the number obtained by subtracting the already released M1 products from the number of products N, where M1 is greater than or equal to M2 and M2 is 1 or more) of product n is released to a single corresponding release container among the plurality of release containers R A -U D by each pick-up and release unit U

[0049] at a time different from the first release. A -U D This operation is achieved by performing the first and second releases to different release containers of the plurality of release containers R n such that each pick-up and release unit U 1-4 -D 1-4 fills different release containers R n with different products A.

[0050] The first and second release steps are carried out successively for each pick-up and release unit U D without performing a further pick-up of product A 1-4 -D 1-4 from the pick-up container.

[0051] Based on this, the first and second steps of releasing the product are carried out while the release container R n is stationary.

[0052] The step of releasing by the pick-up and release unit U A -U D is carried out for each unit U A -U D at different times into different containers R n respectively.

[0053] Furthermore, the step of releasing by the pick-up and release unit U A -U D is repeated for each pick-up and release unit U A -U D by an equal number to the number of products previously picked up in a single step until all the products are completely released for each food item.

[0054] Therefore, it should be noted that each pick-up and release unit picks up all the products present in the corresponding pick-up container, maintains the release position until all the picked-up products are used up, and without returning to pick up further products from the pick-up container, then starts to unload the further products one by one at different times into different release containers.

[0055] Therefore, each pick-up and release unit U A -U Dremains in the same position when the first and second releases are performed and when subsequent releases are performed until all the picked-up products are completely released.

[0056] Each pick-up and release unit U A -U D Note that the steps of the first release and / or the second release by -U are performed simultaneously on each corresponding release container R n It should be noted that the steps of the first release and / or the second release by -U are performed simultaneously on each corresponding release container R.

[0057] Preferably, the number of products A 1-4 -D 1-4 released in the first release is the same as the number of products A 1-4 -D 1-4 released in the second release, and is preferably equal to 1.

[0058] The step of relative movement between the plurality of pick-up and release units U A -U D and the plurality of release containers R n Note that it consists of supplying the plurality of release containers R A -U D while the plurality of pick-up and release units U remain stationary at the release station 2, in intermittent movement along the supply direction D. n It should be noted that the step of relative movement between the plurality of pick-up and release units U and the plurality of release containers R consists of supplying the plurality of release containers R while the plurality of pick-up and release units U remain stationary at the release station 2, in intermittent movement along the supply direction D.

[0059] The plurality of pick-up and release units U A -U D pick up the product A 1-4 -D 1-4 using the suction system 3 (described in more detail below).

[0060] Preferably, at the end of filling of the release container R n each product A present in each release container R n is picked up to be accommodated in each respective package C 1-4 -D 1-4 and the package C AD ​AD is then coupled to the lid 4.

[0061] In the illustrated example, package C AD corresponds to pick-up container C A -C D and is labeled with the same reference numeral.

[0062] Release container R n At the end of the filling of each release container R n the product A 1-4 -D 1-4 released to it is picked up and transferred to the respective pick-up container C A -U D emptied by the pick-up and release unit U A -C D Note that this is to be noted.

[0063] Therefore, based on this, the mixed product present in each release container R n is picked up and during the above-described step of picking up a single flavor product by the pick-up and release unit, it is pre-emptied into the corresponding package C AD and accommodated therein.

[0064] Each pick-up and release unit U A -U D simultaneously picks up each of the plurality of products A 1-4 -D 1-4 from the pick-up container C A -C D Note that this is to be noted.

[0065] Based on this, each pick-up and release unit U A -U D completely picks up (empties) each of the plurality of products A 1-4 -D 1-4 from the pick-up container C A -C D Note that this is to be noted.

[0066] Also, note that all pick-up containers C A -C D are arranged on the common surface in a single row at the pick-up station 1.

[0067] To carry out the method described above, FIG. 1 shows a machine for forming products, in particular foods, in multi-flavor or mixed packages.

[0068] (The machine, indicated as a whole by the numeral 100) comprises a pick-up station 1 with a plurality of pick-up containers C A -C D (circular in this example).

[0069] Each pick-up container C A -C D contains a plurality of products A 1-4 -D 1-4 which are identical to each other, but different from the products A A -C D in other containers for picking up the plurality of pick-up containers C 1-4 -D 1-4 A plurality of products A 1-4 -D 1-4 (In this non-limiting example, each container contains four single-flavor foods, and the four single-flavor foods are different from the single-flavor foods in other containers in this combination, i.e., C A contains four products A 1-4 C B contains four products B 1-4 C C contains four products C 1-4 C D contains four products D 1-4 ).

[0070] The pick-up station 1 comprises a conveyor 8 where the containers C A -C D are arranged continuously along the row.

[0071] The conveyor 8 (for example, an endless belt) includes a plurality of separating elements 9 interposed between each pickup container C A -C D -C.

[0072] The conveyor 8 moves at a constant interval, and for each step corresponding to the supply of the containers, after each step, the container preceding in the supply direction D moves to the position where it was before supply.

[0073] For each step, there is a lift unit 10 located below the conveyor 8 and configured to vertically lift and lower the pickup container C A -C D when the pickup container C A -C D is stationary.

[0074] The lift unit 10 is operated when the pickup container C A -C D is placed at the pickup station to facilitate the pickup of products from the pickup and release unit U A -U D -U (see FIG. 4 and described in detail below).

[0075] Actually, when the pickup container C A -C D arrives at the pickup station 1, the lift unit 10 lifts the pickup container C A -C D from the conveyor 8 while it is stopped, and each pickup and release unit U A -U D picks up all the products from their respective pickup containers (FIG. 4), and then the lift unit 10 lowers the empty pickup container C A -C D and returns them to the conveyor 8.

[0076] On the conveyor 8, a container C of a single - flavor product is supplied from a suitable storage unit 21 which is located near the conveyor 8 upstream of the pickup station 1 and is configured to supply in synchronization with the supply of the conveyor 8. A -C D is supplied.

[0077] The machine 100 comprises a release station 2 with a plurality of release containers R to be filled.

[0078] The station 2 preferably comprises a conveyor belt 11 (closed in a loop) arranged parallel and side - by - side with the conveyor 8 of the pickup container C A -C D and having the same fixed step movement as the conveyor 8 and moving alternately (intermittently) with the conveyor 8.

[0079] In the example shown, the conveyor belt 11 advances with the same fixed step movement as the conveyor 8 and moves alternately (intermittently) with the conveyor 8.

[0080] In other words, when the conveyor 8 of the pickup container C A -C D is stationary, the conveyor belt 11 advances the release container R n by one step, and vice versa, that is, when the conveyor 8 of the pickup container C A -C D advances by one step, the conveyor belt 11 is stationary.

[0081] There is a release container R A -C D geometrically similar to the pickup container C n associated with the conveyor belt 11, and preferably, in the release container R n a partition 12 is provided to form a zone for receiving the food released by the pickup unit (Figure 3).

[0082] The number and arrangement of the walls 12 depend on the number of products being processed by the machine and their geometric shape.

[0083] As an example, FIG. 3 shows a circular release container having four walls 12 forming four housings for food.

[0084] Machine 100 also includes a plurality of pickup and release units U A -U D and, in the illustrated case, they are equal to the number of products inserted into each release container R n and equal to 4 in this example.

[0085] Each pickup and release unit U A -U D is movable between a pickup station 1 that picks up product A A -D D from pickup container C A -C D and a release station 2 where release container R 1-4 -D 1-4 is located. n is present.

[0086] Each pickup and release unit U A -U D is configured to pick up N A -U D products A 1-4 -D 1-4 each from pickup container C A -U D where product A 1-4 -D 1-4 is the same as each other but different from product A 1-4 -D 1-4 picked up by other pickup and release units forming part of the plurality of pickup and release units U A -C D from pickup station 1 (FIG. 4). A-D individual products A 1-4 -D 1-4 are configured to be picked up.

[0087] Machine 100 also includes an actuating system 5 for actuating a pick-up and release unit U A -U D from and towards release station 2

[0088] The actuating system 5 is programmed to successively perform the following further steps

[0089] Each pick-up and release unit U A -U D is used to perform a first release of a first number M1 n of N A-D products picked up, out of a single corresponding release container of a plurality of release containers R A-D products A 1-4 -D 1-4 (where the number of products N is greater than M1 and M1 is at least 1)

[0090] Relative movement is performed between a plurality of pick-up and release units U A -U D and a plurality of release containers R n and then each pick-up and release unit U n performs a second release, at a time different from the first release, of a second number M2 A-D of the N - M1 remaining products out of the products picked up, into a single corresponding release container of the plurality of release containers R A -U D (where the number is the number of products N minus the M1 products already released and M1 is greater than or equal to M2 and M2 is at least 1)

[0091] This operation is such that each pick-up and release unit U A -U D releases different products A n into release container R 1-4 -D 1-4are filled at different times and with different release containers R n is achieved by performing first and second releases

[0092] The first and second release steps are performed continuously by a pickup and release unit U A -U D taking product A from a pickup container 1-4 -D 1-4 without performing a further pickup

[0093] In the case shown in the accompanying drawings, four releases are programmed in a sequence of individual product A A -U D into a release container R n by a pickup and release unit U 1-4 -D 1-4 without performing a further pickup

[0094] Preferably, a plurality of release containers R n are configured to be fed linearly along the supply direction D in a stepped movement so as to always be in a stationary position when receiving product A A -U D from a pickup and release unit U 1-4 -D 1-4 In other words, the conveyor 11 moves step - by - step in synchronism with the pickup and release unit U

[0095] such that a release container R A -U D is always moved under each of the pickup and release units U n In the same way, the pickup and release unit U A -U D moves step - by - step

[0096] As shown, each pickup and release unit U A -U DIt comprises a pick-up and release head 13 having a plurality of suction elements 14 connected to the suction system 3 described above.

[0097] The number of suction elements 14 is equal to the number of products A A -C D present in each pick-up container C 1-4 -D 1-4 and in this case is 4.

[0098] The pick-up and release head 13 is associated with a linear actuator 15 defining the drive system 5 of each pick-up and release unit U A -U D -U.

[0099] By means of this linear actuator 15, each head 13 can move along a horizontal plane above the corresponding pick-up container C A -C D and the pick-up container C A -C D thanks to the lift unit 10, can move towards the head 13 for picking up the product A 1-4 -D 1-4 -D and pick it up using the suction elements 14 (see Figure 4).

[0100] Preferably, the linear actuator 15 performs the movement of each pick-up head 13 along a direction transverse to the supply direction D.

[0101] More preferably, the linear actuator 15 performs the movement of each pick-up head 13 along a direction perpendicular to the supply direction D.

[0102] It should be noted that the movement system 5 causes the pick-up and release unit U A -U D to move only on a horizontal plane, i.e., not to perform any other movement outside the horizontal plane.

[0103] This structure of the pick-up and release head 13 movement system 5 causes product A 1-4 -D 1-4 to be released (at a limited release height) by falling towards the release container R from above. After pick-up, the actuator 15 transports the head 13 having product A n -D 1-4 -D 1-4 to the release station 2 (see Fig. 5).

[0104] The pick-up and release unit U A -U D is controlled by a control unit 16 programmed to adjust the movement, pick-up and release steps of unit U A -U D .

[0105] The pick-up and release head 14 is also provided with a moving device 17 for adjusting the relative positions of the respective suction elements 14 around the vertical axis Z of the head 14 after the corresponding food product has been picked up.

[0106] The moving device 17 separates the products picked up from the pick-up container C A -C D from each other and then releases them into the release container R n . By separating the picked-up products from each other, it is ensured that they fall more safely during release, i.e., they do not come into contact with the already released products.

[0107] The step of picking up the same flavor product is always performed at the same pick-up position using the pick-up and release unit U A -U D . Therefore, it should also be noted that the pick-up and release unit U A -U D picks up the same flavor product for each pick-up cycle and completely empties the pick-up container. For example, unit UA always picks up the same flavor product A at the same position 1-4 and at the end of the pick-up, the same position is occupied by the new container C A and the type A 1-4 products are made available to the same unit U A and the same applies to the remaining pick-up and release container C B-D and the remaining pick-up and release unit U B-C as well.

[0108] Machine 100 comprises a system 20 (e.g., optical) for checking the exact presence of multi-flavor products, which is located downstream of the pick-up and release unit with respect to the supply direction D and above the conveyor 11.

[0109] Machine 100 comprises a further independent pick-up and release unit 6 configured to pick up the products A n present in each release container R 1-4 -D 1-4 and accommodate them in the corresponding packages C AD A further independent pick-up and release unit 6 is provided which is configured to pick up the products A present in each release container R and accommodate them in the corresponding packages C.

[0110] Unit 6 is arranged downstream of the control system 20 so as to operate only if a correct filling signal is present.

[0111] The independent pick-up and release unit 6 comprises an operating head capable of picking up all the formed multi-flavor products simultaneously and arranging them in a predetermined order within the packages C AD The packages C AD are preferably the original pick-up containers and are emptied by the pick-up and release unit U A -U D and continue their path on the conveyor 8 until they reach the final position for filling with multi-flavor food.

[0112] Empty container / package C ADWhen moving forward, it is monitored by two control units 18 and 19 configured to detect its exact presence and position and the absence of products therein.

[0113] Machine 100 also comprises a closing device 7 designed to attach a lid 4 to a package C filled with multi - flavor products AD thereof.

[0114] Preferably, the closing device 7 is configured to pick up the lid 4 from the storage unit 22 and place it on the package C AD thereof.

[0115] To explain the release logic of the pick - up and release unit U A -U D An example is shown in FIGS. 6a to 6d.

[0116] In the case shown, the filling cycle is started (i.e., the empty machine is started), and while four pick - up and release units have already picked up corresponding products from four pick - up containers in the pick - up zone, four empty release containers have arrived at the release stations below each pick - up and release unit.

[0117] In this case, -U A has picked up products A1, A2, A3, A4, -U B has picked up products B1, B2, B3, B4, -U C has picked up products C1, C2, C3, C4 -U D has picked up products D1, D2, D3, D4.

[0118] FIG. 6a shows the first simultaneous release of the first products A1, B1, C1, D1 of each flavor at R1, R2, R3, R4 respectively.

[0119] The positions of the respective products are at the same angular positions as the containers, i.e., 1R1, 1R2, 1R3, 1R4, and it should be noted that the following are defined. - R1 having D1 - R2 having C1 - R3 having B1 - R4 having A1.

[0120] At this point, the release container R 1-4 advances one step along the supply direction D so as to move the container R1 to the most advanced position outside the release station (therefore, since the container R1 has a single product, it is discarded). Then, a new empty container R5 advances one step together with the remaining release containers and replaces the last container R4 in the row of containers filled with the first product (see Fig. 6b).

[0121] Subsequently, again as shown in Fig. 6b, there is a second simultaneous release of the second product of each flavor A2, B2, C2, D2 at angular positions different from the previous positions for each release container, i.e., 2R2, 2R3, 2R4, 2R5, and the following are defined. - R2 having C1 + D2 - R3 having B1 + C2 - R4 having A1 + B2 - R5 having A2.

[0122] At this point, the release container R 2-5 advances one more step along the supply direction D so as to bring the container R2 to the most advanced position outside the operating release zone (therefore, since the container R2 has only two products, it is discarded). Then, a new empty container R6 advances one step and replaces the last container R5 in the row of containers filled with the second product (see Fig. 6c).

[0123] Subsequently, as shown again in FIG. 6c, at angular positions different from the previous two angular positions for each container, i.e., at 3R3, 3R4, 3R5, 3R6, there is a third simultaneous release of the third product of each flavor A3, B3, C3, D3, which is defined as follows. - R3 having -B1 + C2 + D3, - R4 having -A1 + B2 + C3, - R5 having -A2 + B3, - R6 having -A3.

[0124] When advancing one more step along the supply direction D, the container R3 moves to the most advanced position outside the release operation zone (therefore, the container R3 is discarded as it has only three products). And a new empty container R7 replaces the last container R6 in the row of containers filled with the third product that has been advanced one step (see FIG. 6d).

[0125] Subsequently, as shown again in FIG. 6d, for each container, at angular positions different from the previous three angular positions, i.e., at 4R4, 4R5, 4R6, 4R7, there is a fourth simultaneous release of the fourth product of each flavor A4, B4, C4, D4, which is defined as follows. - R4 having -A1 + B2 + C3 + D4, - R5 having -A2 + B3 + C4, - R6 having -A3 + B4, - R7 having -A4.

[0126] At this point, the release cycle is complete, and the completed container R4 may be supplied to a further processing station.

[0127] At this point, a new empty container R8 (not shown) replaces the last container R7 in the row of containers filled with the fourth product that has been advanced one step.

[0128] At this point, it is possible to fill the release container uniformly and completely by means of a continuous filling step. In fact, the four pick-up and release units pick up the product from the four pick-up containers in the pick-up zone and resume the release of the first products A1, B1, C1, D1 so as to have the following containers. -R5 having -A2 + B3 + C4 + D1, -R6 having -A3 + B4 + C1, -R7 having -A4 + B1, -R8 having -A1.

[0129] (Subsequent to the above operations) After container R4, the filling step enables the complete and uniform filling of the release container moving forward to the release station 2.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0130]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Claims

1. A method for forming a multi-flavor or mixed package product, particularly a food product, comprising - In the pick-up station (1), a step of preparing a plurality of pick-up containers (C Ａ - C Ｄ ), wherein each pick-up container (C Ａ - C Ｄ ) houses a plurality of products (A １－４ - D １－４ ), and the plurality of products (A １－４ - D １－４ ) are identical to each other, but are different from the products (A Ａ - C Ｄ ) of other pick-up containers that form part of the plurality of pick-up containers (C １－４ - D １－４ ), the step, and - Preparing a plurality of release containers (R) filled in the release station (2) ｎ ), and - A plurality of pick-up and release units (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) which is a step of preparing, each pick-up and release unit (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) is the pick-up station (1) where the pick-up and release unit (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) picks up the plurality of products (A Ａ - C Ｄ ) from the plurality of pick-up containers (C １－４ - D １－４ ), and is movable between the release station (2) where the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ) are located, the step, - Each pickup and release unit (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) picks up the plurality of products (A １－４ - D １－４ ) which are identical to each other, but are different from the plurality of products (A Ａ - U Ｄ ) picked up by other pickup and release units (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) among the plurality of pickup and release units (U １－４ - D １－４ ). In the pickup station (1), each pickup and release unit (U １－４ - U １－４ ) is used to pick up N Ａ - U Ｄ ) products, each from a respective pickup container (C Ａ - C Ｄ ), where N Ａ－Ｄ ≥ 2), and then, - moving the plurality of pickup and release units (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) towards the release station (2), wherein in the release station (2), the following further steps are continuously executed, namely, i) In order to release the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ), a single corresponding release container (R ｎ ) is used to release the first number M1 Ａ－Ｄ of the N Ａ－Ｄ products picked up at the pickup station (1), where N > M1 >= 1 １－４ - D １－４ ), and each pickup and release unit (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) is used to perform a first release of the product. ii) performing relative movement between the plurality of pickup and release units (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) and the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ), and then iii) A second number M2 of the products of N-M1 that have already been picked up Ａ－Ｄ (where N-M1 >= M2 >= 1) are released to the corresponding release containers of the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ) in order to perform a second release of the products at a time different from the first release by using each pickup and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ), which is a step of executing a second release of the products at a time different from the first release. From different pick-up containers (C Ａ -C Ｄ ), the products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) are used to fill the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ). In order to do this, without the plurality of pick-up and release units (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) performing a pick-up step between the first and the second releases of the product, each pick-up and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) performs the steps of performing the first and the second releases of the product on individual release containers of the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ), and the steps are continuously executed. A method comprising these steps.

2. When the first and second releases are each executed on different containers at different times, each pickup and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) remains in the same position, the method according to claim 1.

3. Each pick-up and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) for said first release and / or said second release of the product is carried out simultaneously on each corresponding release container (R ｎ ), method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The number of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) released at the first release of the product is the same as the number of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) released at the second release of the product, and is preferably equal to 1. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. said plurality of pick-up and release units (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) and said plurality of release containers (R ｎ ), the step of said relative movement therebetween comprises supplying said plurality of release containers (R Ａ -U Ｄ ) along the supply direction in intermittent movement while said plurality of pick-up and release units (U ｎ ) remain stationary, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The plurality of pick-up and release units (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) pick up the plurality of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) using a suction system (3), the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. At the end of the filling of the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ), the plurality of products (A ｎ -D １－４ -D １－４ ) released into each release container (R ＡＤ ) are picked up and transferred to the corresponding package (C ＡＤ ), and the package (C ) is then coupled with a lid, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. At the end of the filling of the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ), the plurality of products (A ｎ -D １－４ ), which have been released into each release container (R １－４ ), are picked up and transferred to the corresponding pickup containers (C Ａ -C Ｄ ) after it has been emptied by the pickup and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ), a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Each picking-up and releasing unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) simultaneously picks up each of the plurality of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) from the plurality of picking-up containers (C Ａ ), the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Each pickup and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) completely picks up each of the plurality of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) from the plurality of pickup containers (C Ａ ), the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The first and second steps of releasing the product are performed while the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ) remain stationary, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. All of the plurality of pickup containers (C Ａ -C Ｄ ) are arranged on a shared surface in a single row at the pickup station (1), the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A machine for forming a multi-flavor or mixed package product, particularly a food product, comprising - A plurality of pick-up containers (C Ａ - C Ｄ ) A pick-up station (1) through which each pick-up container (C Ａ - C Ｄ ) contains a plurality of products (A １－４ - D １－４ ), and the plurality of products (A １－４ - D １－４ ) are identical to each other, but are different from the products (A Ａ - C Ｄ ) of other pick-up containers among the plurality of pick-up containers (C １－４ - D １－４ ), the pick-up station (1), and - a release station (2) through which a plurality of release containers (R) to be filled pass - Multiple pick-up and release units (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) and each pickup and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) is a pickup and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) is the plurality of pick-up containers (C Ａ -C Ｄ ) from the plurality of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) and the plurality of release containers (R ｎ and the release station (2) where each pickup and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) is the plurality of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) which are identical to each other, but Ａ -U Ｄ The plurality of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) different product (A １－４ -D １－４ ) to pick up each pickup and release unit (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) picks up each pickup container (C Ａ -C Ｄ ) to N Ａ－Ｄ (N≧2) products (A １－４ -D １－４ A plurality of pickup and release units (U) configured to pick up the Ａ -U Ｄ )and, - said plurality of pick-up and release units (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) an operating system (5) for operating from and towards said release station (2), programmed to continuously execute the following further steps, namely, i) To release the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ), for the first number M1 Ａ－Ｄ of the N Ａ－Ｄ picked-up products (where N > M1 >= 1) of the products (A １－４ - D １－４ ) into a single corresponding release container (R ｎ ), performing a first release of the product using each pick-up and release unit (U Ａ - U Ｄ ); and ii) performing relative movement between said plurality of pickup and release units (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) and said plurality of release containers (R ｎ ), and then iii) a second number M2 of the N−M1 products remaining from the picked-up products Ａ－Ｄ (where N−M1 >= M2 >= 1) are released to corresponding release containers (R ｎ ) of the plurality of release containers, each pick-up and release unit (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) is used to perform a second release of the products at a time different from the first release, the step of performing the second release of the products, different products (A １－４ - D １－４ ) are used to fill the plurality of release containers (R ｎ ), each pick-up and release unit (U Ａ - U Ｄ ) performs the first and the second releases on different release containers of the plurality of release containers, and the first and the second releases are continuously performed without the plurality of pick-up and release units (U ｎ - U Ａ - U Ｄ ) performing a further pick-up of the products (A １－４ - D １－４ ); and an operating system (5) programmed to perform the steps.

14. The plurality of release containers (R ｎ ) are operated to be supplied linearly along the supply direction (D) step by step, and the plurality of pickup and release units (U Ａ -U Ｄ ) stop when releasing the plurality of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ), the machine according to claim 13.

15. Each release container (R ｎ ) picks up the plurality of products (A １－４ -D １－４ ) and a further independent pickup and release unit (6) configured to accommodate them in corresponding packages (C ＡＤ ), and then a closing device (7) designed to couple a lid (4) to the package (C ＡＤ ). The machine according to claim 13 or 14, comprising.

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