EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSES FOR PACKAGING CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for packaging confectionery products, comprising a first-level station (2) for supplying confectionery products (5) consisting of an edible part attached to an inedible support, a second-level station (4) for supplying packages (6) suitable for containing confectionery products (5) and a station for picking up, placing and dropping (3) confectionery products (5) into the respective packages (6). According to the invention, the picking up, placing and dropping station (3) includes a clamping device (30) capable of moving between the position of picking up at least one confectionery product (5) from the first-level station (2), the position of placing the confectionery product (5) into the respective package (6), and the position of dropping the confectionery product (5) into the package (6). Specifically, the clamping device (30) comprises at least one pair of mechanical fingers (300) that can move relative to each other, configured to clamp, in the pick-up position, the inedible support of confectionery products (5) and to drop, in the drop-off position, confectionery products (5) into the corresponding packaging (6). The invention also relates to a process for packaging confectionery products.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging confectionery products, in particular confectionery products comprising an edible portion mounted on a non-edible support, such as lollipops or lollies.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] As is well known, for hygienic requirements, confectionery products with an edible portion mounted on a non-edible support such as a stick, are sold to the public with at least their edible portion packaged in special packets. Generally, the production systems for confectionery products therefore provide, at the end of their cycle, for the packaging of these products in packets suitable for sale to the public.

[0006] However, such devices for packaging confectionery products of the known type are not without their drawbacks, one of which is the low reliability of the packaging process with regard to the accuracy of the insertion of the products into the preformed packets. This disadvantage not only causes the confectionery product to fall outside the production line, but also damages the relative packet, thus leading to a high percentage of waste material, a decrease in the production efficiency of the system and therefore an increase in production costs.

[0007] Another drawback of such packaging equipment for confectionery products of the known type is that the opening of the packets cannot be managed properly according to the shape and size of the confectionery product and, above all, the packet is not kept open during insertion of the product, again leading to a low efficiency of the production system with a high presence of waste material.

[0008] A further drawback of such apparatus for packaging confectionery products of a known type is the difficulty of controlling the product insertion process in an automated manner by synchronising it with the progress of the respective packet in the packaging apparatus. Again, synchronisation delays lead to increased waste material and associated production costs.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In light of the above, it is the task of the present invention to provide an apparatus for packaging confectionery products that overcomes the limits of known technology by guaranteeing a high degree of precision in the insertion of confectionery products into their respective packets and optimal production efficiency.

[0011] Within the scope of this task, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for packaging confectionery products that is equipped with a packet opening mechanism that can be easily adapted according to the shape and size of the product, and that keeps the packet open during insertion of the products.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging confectionery products that ensures efficient synchronisation between the feeding of the packets, their opening and the insertion of the products into them.

[0013] A further object of the invention consists of providing an apparatus for packaging confectionery products that can offer the widest reliability and safety guarantees during use.

[0014] Yet another purpose of the invention is to provide an apparatus for packaging confectionery products that is easy to make and economically competitive compared to the prior art.

[0015] The above-mentioned task, as well as the aforementioned purposes and others that will better appear later, are achieved by an apparatus for packaging confectionery products according to claim 1 and by a process according to claim 15.

[0016] Other features are provided in the dependent claims.

[0017] LIST OF FIGURES

[0018] Further features and advantages will result from the illustrative but not limiting description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a feeding station of confectionery products of the confectionery packaging apparatus, according to the invention;

[0020] Figure la is a side view of a feeding station of confectionery products, suitable to contain the confectionery products, and a station for picking up, inserting and releasing confectionery products into the respective packets, according to the invention;

[0021] Figure lb is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the confectionery product orienting device belonging to the product feeding station illustrated in Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of the apparatus for packaging confectionery products, according to the invention, illustrating in particular the transfer of the confectionery product from the pick-up position A, to the insertion and release position B into the packet;

[0023] Figures 3 and 3a show an enlarged view, at the pick-up position A, of the grasping device with mechanical fingers, respectively open and closed on the confectionery product.

[0024] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the packet feeding station at the insertion and release position B of the confectionery product into the respective packet.

[0025] Figure 5 is a front view of the packet feeding station, at the insertion and release position B; Figure 5a shows an enlarged portion of Figure 5.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] With particular reference to Figures 1, la and lb, the apparatus for packaging confectionery products, overall referred to by reference number 1, comprises a first feeding station 2 for feeding a succession of confectionery products 5, a second feeding station 4 for feeding packets 6 suitable for containing the confectionery products 5, and a station for picking up, inserting and releasing 3 the confectionery products 5 into the respective packets 6.

[0028] The confectionery products comprise an edible portion 501 mounted on a non-edible 502 support, such as a stick.

[0029] With specific reference to Figure 1, the feeding station 2 of the succession of confectionery products 5 comprises at least one chain 12 bearing a plurality of elastic grippers 13 configured to removably grasp a part of the non-edible support 502 of the confectionery products 5. The elastic grippers 13 comprise two opposing jaws 130, maintained in mutual contact by means of an elastic band 131, configured to allow the transport and passage of confectionery products along the chain 12 of the feeding station 2.

[0030] In addition, the feeding station 2 comprises an orienting device 20, configured to orient confectionery products 5 in the desired direction. As illustrated with particular reference to Figure lb, the orienting device 20 in fact comprises a cam 202, which brings the elastic grippers 13 into rotation. In fact, the elastic grippers 13 are hinged to a support 204 dragged by the chain 12 along the direction of its linear movement, and comprise a movable slider 203 within the cam 202. The chain 12 then drags the supports 204 to which the elastic grippers 13 are hinged, which, due to the sliding of the movable slider 203 in the cam 202, change their orientation with respect to the chain 12 itself, so as to bring the confectionery product 5 into a suitable position to be picked up by a grasping device 30, as explained below.

[0031] As shown in particular in Figures la and 2, the transfer of confectionery products 5 from the first feeding station 2 to the respective packets 6 takes place at a picking-up, inserting and releasing station 3 of the confectionery products 5.

[0032] According to the invention, such a picking-up, inserting and releasing station 3 comprises a grasping device 30 movable between:

[0033] - a position A of picking-up of at least one confectionery product 5 from the first feeding station 2,

[0034] - a position of placing the confectionery product 5 in a respective packet 6,

[0035] - a position of releasing the confectionery product 5 into the respective packet 6. According to the invention, the grasping device 30 comprises at least one pair of mechanical fingers 300 movable with respect to each other, configured to grasp, in the picking- up position A, the non-edible support 502 of the confectionery product 5 and to release, in the releasing position, the confectionery product 5 into the packet 6.

[0036] Advantageously, the insertion of the product 5 into the packet 6 is made possible by the specific orientation of the product 5 itself, assumed thanks to the orientating device 20, which arranges the non-edible support 502 of the confectionery products 5 facing the grasping device 30.

[0037] With particular reference to Figure 2, the grasping device 30 preferably comprises a movable support 301 associated with at least one mechanical arm 302 bearing at its lower end at least one pair of mechanical fingers 300. Said pair of mechanical fingers 300 are movable with respect to each other, allowing with their opening, as shown in Figure 3, the correct positioning at a part of the non-edible portion 502 of the confectionery product 5, in the pickup position A, and with their closing, as shown in Figure 3a, to be able to grasp the confectionery product 5, subsequently removing it from the elastic grippers 13 of the chain 12.

[0038] The non-edible part 502 of the confectionery product 5 is thus extracted from the grippers 13 of the chain 12, in the pick-up position A, by means of the mechanical fingers 300 and transported towards the insertion and release position B by means of the movement of the movable support 301 of the grasping device 30.

[0039] This movable support 301 is configured to move in a plane according to a combined movement along two mutually perpendicular axes of movement lying on said plane. This makes it possible to move the grasping device along an arched or linear oblique trajectory from the pick-up position A to the insertion and release position B.

[0040] Preferably, the second feeding station 4 allows the feeding of the packets 6, which contain the confectionery products 5, in a direction transverse to the movement plane of the grasping device 30. This second feeding station 4 preferably comprises a first opening device 303, configured to open the upper edge of the packets 6. Preferably, such a device 303 comprises a pair of pressing means 305, for each side of the packet 6, which through pressure exerted on the side surfaces of the packet 6 itself, cause the upper edge of the packet 6 to open.

[0041] Alternatively, the packet 6 can be opened by applying an air flow, using suction cups or other edge-opening solutions.

[0042] As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 5a, in the insertion and release position B, the feeding station 4 of the packets 6 comprises at least one pair of stretching elements 304 of the open upper edge of the packet 6 and corresponding abutments 306. This pair of stretching elements 304 is actuated when the confectionery product 5 is inserted into the packet 6, engaging, from above, the upper inner edge of the packet 6 and holding it open during the insertion and release of the confectionery product 5 at the insertion and release position B.

[0043] Furthermore, the stretching elements 304 are movable relative to each other up to a maximum pre-selectable distance depending on the size of said confectionery product 5.

[0044] Co-operating with the stretching elements 304 are a pair of abutments 306, which provide an abutment to the packet 6 during the action of the stretching elements 304. Preferably, these strikers 306 are arranged vertically aligned above the pressing means 305 at the insertion and release position B.

[0045] Preferably the grasping device 30 comprises a plurality of pairs of mechanical fingers 300 and the second feeding station 4 of the packets 6 comprises a corresponding plurality of pairs of stretching elements 304. This allows the picking up, insertion and release of several confectionery products 5 at the same time.

[0046] Preferably the stretching elements 304 are movable relative to each other, up to a maximum pre-selectable distance depending on the size and shape of the confectionery product 5 and consequently the respective packet 6.

[0047] The packets 6 can consist of envelopes, sachets, paper or plastic bags. Downstream of the picking-up, inserting and releasing station 3, the apparatus 1 can further comprise a packet sealing station 6.

[0048] The confectionery product 5 is preferably a product consisting of an edible part 501 and a non-edible support 502 of the edible part, and can thus be a lollipop or lolly with a stick, made of plastic, wood or pressed cardboard, but also a packaged ice cream supported by a stick.

[0049] The present invention also relates to a process for packaging confectionery products that can be performed by means of an apparatus as described above, comprising the steps of:

[0050] - feeding, by means of the first feeding station 2, a succession of confectionery products 5 comprising an edible portion mounted on a non-edible support 502;

[0051] - feeding, via the second feeding station 4, a plurality of packets 6 each suitable to contain a respective confectionery product 5;

[0052] - picking up, inserting and releasing, by means of a picking-up, inserting and releasing station 3, said confectionery product 5 into a respective packet 6.

[0053] The operation of the apparatus for packaging confectionery products is clear and evident from what has been described. In particular, the succession of confectionery products 5 is moved from the feeding station 2 to the pick-up position A, by at least one chain 12 bearing a plurality of elastic grippers 13, removably closed on the non-edible support part 502 of these confectionery products 5.

[0054] In addition, thanks to the cam 202 of the orientating device 20 of the feeding station 2, the confectionery products 5 are oriented in a direction suitable for picking-up by the next station, in this case with the non-edible support 502 facing the grasping device 30.

[0055] Upon arrival at the pick-up area A, the confectionery products 5 are extracted from the respective elastic grippers 13 of the chain 12 by the closing of the mechanical fingers 300 of the grasping device 30 on a part of the non-edible support 502 and, subsequently, transported towards the insertion and release position B into respective packets 6, through the movement of the movable support 301 of the grasping device 30.

[0056] The arrival at the insertion and release position B of the confectionery product 5 coincides with the arrival at the same position of the corresponding packet 6 from the feeding station 4 of the packets 6. However, the packet 6 reaches the insertion and release position B open at the top by means of the pressing means 305.

[0057] Upon insertion of the confectionery product 5 into the packet 6, the pair of stretching elements 304 is actuated by engaging, from above, the upper inner edge of packet 6 and holding it open, according to the shape and size of the confectionery product 5.

[0058] While the pair of stretching elements 304 engages the upper inner edge of the packet 6 to hold it open, the abutments 306 also fulfil their function; by providing abutment to the sides of the packet 6, they allow the stretching elements 304 to act stably and effectively to hold the packet 6 itself open.

[0059] Finally, the confectionery product 5 is released into the packet 6, again at the insertion and release position B. The mechanical fingers 300 in fact release their grip on the non-edible support 502 and, moved by the movable support 301, return to pick up the subsequent confectionery products 5.

[0060] The operations described above can take place continuously, quickly and smoothly, thanks to the kinematic synchronisation between the feeding station 2 of the confectionery products, the feeding station 4 of the confectionery products 6 and the picking-up, inserting and releasing station 3 of the confectionery products 5 into the respective packets 6, possibly for several confectionery products 5 at the same time.

[0061] In practice, it has been found that the apparatus for packaging confectionery products according to the present invention fulfils the task as well as the intended purposes in that it achieves a high degree of precision when placing confectionery products in the respective packets.

[0062] Another advantage of the apparatus for packaging confectionery products, according to the invention, is that it can open and keep open the opening of the respective packets, depending on the shape and size of the product, during the insertion and release of the confectionery products into the packet.

[0063] A further advantage of the apparatus for packaging confectionery products, according to the invention, is that it performs the insertion and release of the confectionery products at the same speed as the feeding of the respective packets. The apparatus for packaging confectionery products thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations all within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0064] Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0065] In practice, any materials can be used according to requirements, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, the dimensions and the contingent shapes.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (1) for packaging confectionery products, comprising a first feeding station(2) for feeding a succession of confectionery products (5) comprising an edible portion mounted on a non-edible support, a second feeding station (4) for feeding packets (6) suitable for containing said confectionery products (5) and a station for picking-up, inserting and releasing(3) said confectionery products (5) into respective packets (6), characterised in that said picking-up, inserting and releasing station (3) comprises a grasping device (30) movable between:- a position of picking-up of at least one confectionery product (5) from said first feeding station (2);- a position of placing said confectionery product (5) in a respective packet (6), and- a position of releasing said confectionery product (5) in said packet (6), said grasping device (30) comprising at least one pair of mechanical fingers (300) movable with respect to each other, configured to grasp, in said picking-up position, said non-edible support of said confectionery product (5) and to release, in said releasing position, said confectionery product(5) into said packet (6).

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second feeding station (4) of packets(6) comprises an opening device (303) of said packets (6) configured to open the edge of said packet (6).

3. Apparatus (1), according to claim 2, wherein said opening device (303) of said packets (6) comprises a pair of pressing means (305), for each side of said packet (6), said pressing means (305) exerting pressure on the side surfaces of said packet (6) to cause the opening of the upper edge of said packet (6).

4. Apparatus (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second feeding station (4) of packets (6) comprises at least one pair of stretching elements (304) operable to engage said edge of said packet (6) and keep it open.

5. Apparatus (1), according to claim 4, wherein the stretching elements of said pair of stretching elements (304) are movable relative to each other up to a maximum distance preselectable depending on the size of said confectionery product (5).

6. Apparatus (1), according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said second feeding station (4) of packets (6) comprises at least one pair of abutments (306) cooperating with a respective pair of stretching elements (304) and capable of providing an abutment to said packet (6) during the action of said stretching elements (304).

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

8. Apparatus (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one pair of mechanical fingers (300) are movable relative to each other between an opening configuration, wherein they are positioned at a part of the non-edible portion (502) of said confectionery product (5) and a closing configuration, wherein they grasp said non-edible portion (502) of said confectionery product (5).

9. Apparatus (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first feeding station (2) comprises an orienting device (20) for orienting said confectionery products (5) so as to align said non-edible support of said confectionery products (5) with said at least one pair of mechanical fingers (300).

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

11. Apparatus (1) according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 9 wherein said orienting device (20) comprises a cam (202) configured to bring into rotation said elastic grippers (13) of said chain (12).

12. Apparatus (1), according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said elastic grippers (13) comprise two opposing jaws (130) maintained in mutual contact by means of an elastic band (131).

13. Apparatus (1), according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said grasping device (30) comprises a plurality of pairs of mechanical fingers (300) and a corresponding plurality of pairs of stretching elements (304).

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

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

Images