Packaging machine and corresponding method for packging articles

Abstract

A machine (10) and a method for packaging articles (100) into box-shaped containers (110) comprise a plurality of operating stations (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9) and a conveying and processing path (B) along which the box-shaped containers (110) are advanced from an inlet station (SI) to an outlet station (SO) passing through the plurality of stations (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9).

Description

[0001] “PACKAGING MACHINE AND CORRESPONDING METHOD FOR

[0002] PACKGING ARTICLES”

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention concerns an automatic packaging machine for packaging articles into containers, in particular for packaging stackable articles such as blisters, sachets or envelopes into box-shaped containers, as well as the corresponding method for packaging articles.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Automatic machines or automated packaging lines are known, comprising a filling machine arranged upstream, configured to fill articles with a certain product, and a packaging machine arranged downstream, configured to insert the articles in an orderly manner into suitable containers.

[0007] Generally, the machine arranged upstream can be a machine that packages the product, in fluid, solid, paste or powder form, into articles such as envelopes, bottles, flasks, blisters, etc. which constitute the “primary” packaging, while the machine arranged downstream can be a so-called “cartoning” machine, which inserts the articles, typically arranged according to an orderly arrangement, into box-shaped containers, which constitute the “secondary” packaging.

[0008] In known packaging lines, the cartoning machine is usually provided with a processing path, along which the box-shaped containers are filled with the articles and subsequently closed, for example by folding and subsequent gluing of extremal flaps. This processing path is usually linear, or substantially linear, and develops on a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane. The box-shaped containers are advanced by suitable mobile carriages along a closed-loop path, a section of which coincides with the processing path of the box-shaped containers.

[0009] During their advance, the box-shaped containers are oriented with an open end thereof oriented toward the articles, which are inserted therein in a direction horizontal and transverse to the processing path. These articles are fed out of the machine upstream along a horizontal feeding direction, often parallel to the processing path.

[0010] A disadvantage of known packaging lines stems from the overall plan dimensions of the cartoner, which are all the greater the higher the number of operating stations for processing the box-shaped containers.

[0011] For example, document US-A1-2023 / 226792 discloses a box forming apparatus comprising a box conveying path equipped with two distinct segments placed facing each other on a same vertical plane, but along two horizontal directions, so that the overall lateral dimensions are still present.

[0012] A machine is also known from CN-A-112644791 for packaging products into boxes which comprises a box feeding path consisting of two distinct segments facing each other. The feeding path lies on a horizontal plane, and therefore has considerable overall lateral dimensions. The boxes are fed to it oriented vertically, so that the products can be inserted into them through their open upper end.

[0013] Document CN-A-109398848 instead discloses a machine of a known type for packaging tea leaves. Boxes are conveyed along a first horizontal segment, then arranged in a vertical transfer device that conveys them along a vertical direction, along which they meet a tea leaf feeding device. Subsequently, the boxes filled with tea are introduced into a second horizontal segment that takes them outside the machine. In this machine, the different feeding segments do not face each other.

[0014] Another disadvantage of known packaging lines is that, if the articles are oriented longitudinally with respect to the horizontal feeding direction, they have to be rotated in order to align them with the open box-shaped containers in the processing path. This manipulation of the articles can be problematic, particularly in the case of articles made of a smooth and externally slippery material, and if the arrangement of the articles provides to arrange them overlapping in stacks. The rotation of the group of articles could cause a lateral offset of the stacked articles, or even one or more of them to fall from the stack.

[0015] There is therefore the need to perfect a machine for packaging articles that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0016] To do this, it is necessary to resolve the technical problem of providing a machine for packaging articles whose overall plan dimensions can be reduced compared to known machines or in any case can be adapted to the space available with great versatility.

[0017] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and to perfect a method for packaging articles that has a flexible configuration, which can be adapted based on requirements. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine for packaging articles that has reduced overall plan dimensions.

[0018] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and to perfect a method for packaging articles that allows to directly insert articles into the boxshaped containers, arranged longitudinally with respect to their horizontal feeding direction, without having to change their orientation before inserting them into the box-shaped packages.

[0019] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0020] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0022] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a machine according to the present invention for packaging articles into box-shaped containers comprises a plurality of operating stations and a conveyor, preferably closed-loop, configured to convey the box-shaped containers along a conveying and processing path along which the box-shaped containers are advanced from an inlet station to an outlet station, passing through the plurality of stations.

[0023] The conveying and processing path comprises at least a first segment and a second segment, distinct from each other and arranged in succession one after the other.

[0024] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the conveying and processing path lies on a vertical or substantially vertical plane. The first segment extends along a vertical direction to convey the box-shaped containers upward, and the second segment extends along a vertical direction to convey the box-shaped containers downward.

[0025] According to a preferred aspect, the inlet station is configured to feed the boxshaped containers in a fold flat state and is arranged along the first segment, and the outlet station is configured to eject the box-shaped containers filled with the articles out from the conveyor and is arranged along the second segment.

[0026] Doing so achieves the advantage of being able to configure the machine in a flexible manner, arranging the operating stations across the first and the second segment as desired, providing they are in the correct order to process the boxshaped containers. By processing we mean the operations of folding the extremal flaps so as to close the ends, as well as printing or embossing operations, and operations of gluing the flaps so as to complete the closure. The operations to be performed are of a type known in the packaging machines sector, especially cartoning machines.

[0027] Furthermore, this also allows to convey the box-shaped containers in a manner that is suitable to insert the articles, fed longitudinally, without having to manipulate them, for example rotate them. This saves an operation on the stacks of articles to be inserted, and guarantees that the orderly arrangement of the stack of articles remains unchanged while it is fed.

[0028] In particular, the first and second segment are rectilinear. They are mutually connected by a connection segment that is preferably curved, for example shaped as an arc of a circle. This connection segment is obviously included in the conveying and processing path. In a preferred manner, the first rectilinear segment and the second rectilinear segment are parallel to each other, in particular they face each other, so as to optimize the machine’s overall plan dimensions.

[0029] With the presence of two rectilinear segments, it is possible to design the machine in such a way as to optimize its overall dimensions and adapt it, for example, to a space that is available for its installation. There is no longer the need to provide all the operating stations along a single rectilinear segment of greater length, as in the machines of the state of the art.

[0030] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the operating stations each comprise their own processing members and are distributed along the conveying and processing path. The processing members, or the operating stations, are distributed between the first rectilinear segment and the second rectilinear segment and, possibly, also in the connection segment. The processing members can be of a type known in the sector of automatic packaging of articles into boxshaped packages.

[0031] According to one aspect, the outlet station is arranged at a lower end of the second rectilinear segment. Advantageously, the outlet station is equipped with a pusher device and a corresponding actuator configured to command it so as to operate the push of compliant box-shaped containers toward a subsequent conveyor line, and to leave the pusher device in an inactive position and thus allow non-compliant box-shaped containers to fall toward a waste station.

[0032] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for packaging articles into box-shaped containers provides a conveyor, preferably closed-loop, to convey the box-shaped containers along a conveying and processing path from an inlet station to an outlet station, passing through a plurality of operating stations, wherein the conveying and processing path comprises at least a first segment and a second segment, distinct from each other and arranged in succession one after the other.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the conveying and processing path lies on a vertical or substantially vertical plane. The first segment and the second segment both extend along a respective vertical direction. The box-shaped containers are conveyed upward along the first segment and downward along the second segment.

[0034] Preferably, the inlet station is arranged on the first segment and the outlet station is arranged on the second segment.

[0035] In particular, the first and second segment are mutually connected by a curved connection segment, for example shaped as an arc of a circle. In a preferred manner, the first rectilinear segment and the second rectilinear segment are parallel to each other, in particular they face each other, so as to optimize the machine’s overall plan dimensions.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, at the outlet station it is provided to divert the travel of compliant box-shaped containers toward a subsequent conveyor line and let any non-compliant box-shaped containers fall toward a waste zone below.

[0037] Preferably, the method is implemented by the machine as disclosed above.

[0038] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-restr ictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: - fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a packaging machine in accordance with the present invention;

[0040] - fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of a group of articles to be packaged, organized in a stack;

[0041] - fig. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a box-shaped container into which the articles of fig. 2 are to be packaged;

[0042] - fig. 4 is a front view of the machine of fig. 1 ;

[0043] - fig. 5 is a first lateral view of the machine of fig. 1;

[0044] - fig. 6 is a rear three-dimensional view of the machine; and

[0045] - fig. 7 is a second lateral view of the machine of fig. 1, seen from the other side with respect to fig. 5.

[0046] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0047] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

[0048] DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0049] With reference to fig. 1, a machine 10 according to the present invention is configured to package articles 100 into box-shaped containers 110.

[0050] In particular, the articles 100 can be conformed as flexible packages, or “pouches”, made with sheets of plastic material, whose surfaces are smooth. These articles 100 preferably have an elongated shape, along a longitudinal axis LI (fig. 2). The articles 100 are fed to the machine 10 in orderly stacks 102 slightly offset laterally with respect to each other, so as to enter the box-shaped containers 110 and occupy their internal space as homogeneously as possible. The machine 10 can, in general, also operate with envelopes of other shapes or with regular-shaped objects.

[0051] The box-shaped containers 110 are fed in a fold flat configuration and then inserted into the machine 10 in an upright and open form, shown in fig. 3. Each box-shaped container 110 has a front wall 111, two lateral walls 112, 113 and a rear wall 114 which delimit an internal space 115 open at its ends 110a, 110b. The box-shaped containers 110 have their own longitudinal axis L2 (fig. 3).

[0052] At their ends, the lateral walls 112, 113 are equipped with respective lateral flaps 116a, 116b, 117a, 117b whose sizes are substantially equal to the cross-sectional sizes of the internal space 115. The front wall 111 is equipped with two front flaps 118a, 118b whose length is substantially equal to the width of the front wall 111, while their width is smaller than the corresponding size of the internal space 115 (fig- 3).

[0053] Similarly, the rear wall 114 comprises, at its ends, rear flaps of which a first 119a has sizes substantially equal to those of the corresponding front flap 118a, while the sizes of the second (not visible in the drawings) are for example larger than the first 119a, but in any case, smaller than the internal space 115.

[0054] The articles 100 are fed in stacks 102 along a first feeding unit 201, from the rear side of the machine 10, along a first feeding direction Al (fig. 1). In particular, the stacks 102 are oriented with the longitudinal axes LI of the articles 100 parallel to the first feeding direction Al.

[0055] The box-shaped containers 110 are fed, in fold flat form, along a second feeding unit 202 located laterally with respect to the machine 10 (fig. 1). The box-shaped containers 110 are fed with their longitudinal axis L2 perpendicular to the second feeding direction A2, and thus parallel to the first feeding direction Al. The first and second feeding units 201, 202 may not be comprised in the machine 10, but be part of the packaging line with which the machine 10 is associated.

[0056] At outlet from the second feeding unit 202 there is provided a transfer and opening device 11 configured to pick up the box-shaped containers 110 one by one, from the second feeding unit 202, and transfer them to an inlet station SI of the machine 10. The inlet station SI is configured to feed the box-shaped containers in fold flat form. During the transfer movement, the transfer and opening device 11 operates, in a known manner, the opening of the box-shaped container 110, so as to bring it from its fold flat form to its open form, visible in fig. 3. In fig. 4, the transfer and opening device 11 is shown in an intermediate position between the outlet of the second feeding unit 202 and the inlet station SI, with the box-shaped container 110 in the process of being opened. Starting from the inlet station SI, the machine 10 defines a conveying and processing path B to an outlet station SO, along which several operating stations of the machine are arranged, which will be detailed below.

[0057] The conveying and processing path B consists of a first rectilinear segment B 1 and a second rectilinear segment B2 which are connected by a connection segment B3 in the shape of an arc of a circle. In particular, the connection segment B3 has a semi-circle shape and the rectilinear segments B 1 , B2 are located parallel and facing each other, so that the conveying and processing path B is substantially LJ- shaped (figs. 1, 4 and 6). For this purpose, the first and second segment Bl, B2 are oriented toward a respective vertical direction.

[0058] In particular, the conveying and processing path B lies on a substantially vertical plane P, defining an inverted “U”, with the inlet station SI at the base of the first rectilinear segment B 1 and the outlet station SO at the base of the second rectilinear segment B2 (figs. 4 and 6). It can be concluded that the first segment B 1 is provided for the upward transport of the box-shaped containers 110, while the second segment B2 is provided for the downward transport of the box-shaped containers 110.

[0059] In the example shown, the machine’s operating stations are of a known type, and we have briefly described an example of the placement of these operating stations below. This is obviously a mere example, and the number, nature and arrangement of the operating stations may change depending on requirements. In this example, the plurality of operating stations comprises at least one folding unit arranged at least along the first segment B 1 and configured to open and shape the box-shaped containers 110 starting from respective fold flat boxes.

[0060] We must clarify that when the box-shaped containers 110 are inserted in the conveying and processing path B, at the inlet station SI, they are oriented with their longitudinal axis L2 perpendicular to the plane P and the front wall 11 oriented upward. The first end 110a is oriented toward the front part of the machine 10, while the second end 110b is oriented toward the rear part of the machine 10.

[0061] Directly downstream of the inlet station SI there is provided a first station SI for folding the front 118a and rear 119a flaps of a first end 110a of the box-shaped container 110, in which first and second folding members 12, 13, located on the front side of the machine 10, act on the front flap 118a and on the rear flap 119a, respectively (fig. 5).

[0062] We must clarify that the first station SI is also the station in which the articles 100 are inserted into the box-shaped container 110 (figs. 5 and 6), the insertion being allowed by the fact that the front 118a and rear 119a flaps are closed and can therefore block the travel of the articles 100 that are fed from the rear side, and therefore inserted from the end 110b of the box-shaped containers 110, this end still being open. To reiterate, the articles 100 are fed along the first feeding line 201 with their longitudinal axis LI perpendicular to the plane P, and therefore aligned with the longitudinal axis L2 of the box-shaped containers 110. They can be transferred into the box-shaped containers 110 by a simple push, without further manipulation that could cause the stack 102 to destabilize. It can therefore be concluded that the first feeding unit 201 is arranged along the conveying and processing path B.

[0063] The first folding station SI is immediately followed by a second folding station S2, at which a first lateral flap 116a, 117a is folded, in this case the lateral flap 116a on the left side of the box-shaped container 110, here oriented outward with respect to the U-shape of the conveying and processing path B. This folding is carried out by a third folding member 14, configured as a fixed inclined edge on the external side of the conveying and processing path B (fig. 4).

[0064] Immediately downstream of the second station S2 there is provided a third folding station S3 equipped with a fourth and a fifth folding member 15, 16, similar to the first and second, so as to fold the front 118b and rear 119b flaps at the other end 110b of the box-shaped container 110 (fig. 5). As can be concluded from the drawings, the three folding stations SI, S2, S3 are advantageously located along the first segment Bl of the conveying and processing path B.

[0065] Downstream of the third folding station S3 there is provided a fourth folding station S4 configured to fold the external, relative to the conveying and processing path B, lateral flap 116b of the second end 110b of the box-shaped container 110. The fourth station S4 is equipped with a sixth folding member 17 similar to the third folding member 14 located in the second folding station S2 (fig. 6).

[0066] The fourth station S4 is immediately followed by the connection segment B3, in which no operations are performed on the box-shaped container 110 but retaining members 18 are provided, in this case semi-circular shaped plates on both sides, front and rear, so as to keep the lateral flaps 116a, 116b folded during transit to the second rectilinear segment B2 (figs. 1 and 4-6).

[0067] Subsequently, at the beginning of the second rectilinear segment B2, a fifth marking station S5 is provided to perform an embossing or printing on at least one of the lateral flaps 117a, 117b not yet folded, so as to indicate on this lateral flap a motif or information such as, for example, production and / or expiry date of the articles contained in the box-shaped container 110, or suchlike. The fifth marking station S5 is equipped with a marking device 19 configured to act from both sides of the machine 10, so as to perform markings on the flaps of the two ends 110a, 110b of the box-shaped container 110 (fig. 1).

[0068] The fifth marking station S5 is followed by a sixth folding station S6 in which the other lateral flaps 117a, 117b are folded overlapping with the other previously folded lateral flaps 116a, 116b. The sixth folding station S6 is provided with a seventh folding member 20 and an eighth folding member 21, mirroring the seventh folding member 20 with respect to the plane P (figs. 4 and 6). In this way, it is possible to simultaneously fold the lateral flaps 117a, 117b of both ends 110a, 110b of the box-shaped container 110.

[0069] Subsequently, a seventh station S7 is provided for closing the box-shaped container 110. This seventh closing station S7 is configured to join the lateral flaps 117a, 117b together, for example by gluing, so as to stably close the box-shaped container 1 10. In this station, the gluing is carried out in a known manner, for example by dispensing an adhesive material through a fixed distributing member configured to dispense such material in the form of a strip or at a plurality of distinct gluing points. The seventh closing station S7 is followed by an eighth control station S8 equipped with a control device 22, for example of a visual type, configured to check the compliance of the newly closed box-shaped container 110.

[0070] Immediately downstream of the seventh station S7 is the outlet station SO, at which the newly formed box-shaped container 110 exits the conveying and processing path B. The outlet can lead the box-shaped containers 110 toward a third outfeed conveyor line 203, which conveys the box-shaped containers 110 out of the machine 10, toward another processing machine, and which extends horizontally and laterally from the outlet station SO (figs. 1, 4 and 7), or toward a waste collector S9 located below the outlet station SO. It can be concluded that the discarded containers are left to fall from the conveying and processing path B.

[0071] In order to be able to transfer the box-shaped containers 110 toward the conveyor line 203, a pusher device 23 is provided commanded by an actuator 24 (fig. 4) which is configured to command it to push the box-shaped container 1 10 when it is detected, in the eighth control station S8, that the box-shaped container 110 is compliant. The actuator 24 is also configured to command the pusher device 23 to remain in an inactive position when it is detected, always in the eighth control station S8, that the box-shaped container 110 is non-compliant. By remaining in the inactive position, the pusher device 23 allows the box-shaped containers 1 10 to fall toward the waste collector S9.

[0072] In order to move the box-shaped containers 110 along the conveying and processing path B, the machine 10 is provided with a conveyor 30 of the closed- loop type extending along a vertical axis and arranged on the plane P. The conveyor 30 is equipped with a plurality of holding members 31, configured to hold the box-shaped containers 110 carried along the conveying and processing path B. The holding members 31 can be configured as pairs of teeth 31, of a type known in the art. The conveyor 30 consists of a pair of closed-loop chains 30a, 30b placed symmetrically with respect to the plane P, and it is provided with a step- wise drivable drive member 32 so as to have, with each drive, a pair of teeth 31 at the inlet station SI in order to receive a new box-shaped container 110 to be filled and closed.

[0073] We must clarify that the first feeding unit 201 is configured to feed the articles 100 into the box-shaped containers 110 while they are conveyed by the conveyor 30, in particular while the conveyor 30 is stationary.

[0074] The operation of the machine 10 for packaging articles 100 described heretofore, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

[0075] The box-shaped containers 110 are first fed, in a fold flat conformation, along the second feeding unit 202 until its end, where they are picked up individually by the transfer and opening device 11 which inserts them, one at a time, into the inlet station SI of the conveying and processing path B. Thereafter, arriving at the inlet station SI, each box-shaped container 110 is in an open configuration, that is, with the front 11 1, lateral 1 12, 113 and rear 114 walls erect so as to form a quadrangular section, thus delimiting the internal space 115. The lateral 116a, 116b, 117a, 117b, front 118a, 118b and rear 119a, 119b flaps are all aligned with the respective walls, so that the ends 110a, 110b of the container 110 are open. By means of the conveyor 30, the newly inserted box-shaped container 110 is moved, stepwise, along the first rectilinear segment Bl of the conveying and processing path B, subsequently passing through the first folding station S 1 , at which the articles are inserted into the internal space 115 by the first feeding unit 201 , the second folding station S2, the third folding station S3 and the fourth folding station S4. It can be deduced that the box-shaped container is conveyed upward along the first segment Bl .

[0076] As regards the feed of the articles 100 into the box-shaped container 110, this therefore occurs by means of the feeding unit 201 and while the box-shaped container 110 is conveyed along the conveying and processing path B by the conveyor 30. In particular, it can be provided that the articles 100 are fed while the conveyor 30 is stationary, that is, not moving. After being filled with the articles, the box-shaped container 110 is closed by the closing station that is arranged along the conveying and processing path B, in particular along the second segment B2. The box-shaped container 110, which at this point only has the lateral flaps 117a, 117b not folded, then passes into the connection segment B3, along which the retaining members 18 hold the other flaps in a folded position, to reach the second rectilinear segment B2.

[0077] Subsequently, the box-shaped container 110 is moved along the second rectilinear segment B2, always stepwise, and passes in sequence through the fifth marking station S5, the sixth folding station S6, the seventh closing station S7 and the eighth control station S8, and then reaches the outlet station SO. It can be concluded that the box-shaped container 110 is conveyed downward along the second segment B2. Depending on the outcome of the compliance check of the box-shaped container 110, carried out in the eighth control station S8, the boxshaped container 110 is pushed, by the pusher device 23, toward the outfeed conveyor line 203, or left to fall toward the waste collector S9 below by keeping the pusher device 23 in its inactive position.

[0078] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the machine 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0079] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of packaging machine and corresponding method for packaging articles, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0080] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Machine (10) for packaging articles (100) into box-shaped containers (110), said machine comprising a plurality of operating stations (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9) and a conveyor (30), preferably closed-loop, configured to convey said box-shaped containers (110) along a conveying and processing path (B) along which said box-shaped containers (110) are advanced from an inlet station (SI) to an outlet station (SO) passing through said plurality of operating stations (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9), said conveying and processing path (B) comprising at least a first segment (B l) and a second segment (B2), distinct from each other and arranged in succession one after the other, characterized in that said conveying and processing path (B) lies on a vertical plane (P) with said first segment (Bl) extending along a vertical direction to convey said box-shaped containers (110) upward, and with said second segment (B2) extending along a vertical direction to convey said box-shaped containers (110) downward.

2. Machine (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said inlet station (SI) is configured to feed box-shaped containers (110) in a fold flat state and is arranged along said first segment (Bl), and said outlet station (SO) is configured to eject said box-shaped containers (110) filled with the articles (100) out from the conveyor (30) and is arranged along said second segment (B2).

3. Machine (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first and second segment (B 1 , B2) are parallel and face each other, and are connected to each other by a connection segment (B3), preferably curved.

4. Machine (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said plurality of operating stations (S I, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9) comprises at least one folding unit (SI, S2, S3, S4, S6) arranged at least along said first segment (Bl) and configured to open and form the box-shaped containers (110) starting from respective fold flat boxes.

5. Machine (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized by further comprising a feeding unit (201) arranged along said conveying and processing path (B), preferably along said first segment (B l), and configured to feed the articles (100) into the box-shaped containers (110) while they are conveyed by said conveyor along said conveying and processing path (B), the articles (100) being preferably fed while the conveyor (30) is stationary.

6. Machine (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized by further comprising a closing station (S7) arranged along said conveying and processing path (B), preferably along said second segment (B2), and configured to close the box-shaped containers (110) after they have been filled with the articles (100).

7. Machine (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said outlet station (SO) comprises a pusher device (23) commanded by an actuator (24) configured to command said pusher device (23) to push said box-shaped containers (110) filled with the articles (100) toward an outfeed conveyor line (203).

8. Machine (10) as in claim 7, characterized in that said actuator (24) is further configured to command said pusher device (23) to keep said pusher device (23) in an inactive position allowing said box-shaped containers (110) to fall toward a waste collector (S9) if they are not compliant.

9. Machine (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said conveyor (30) comprises a plurality of holding elements (31) configured to hold the boxshaped containers (110) carried along said conveying and processing path (B).

10. Method for packaging articles (100) into box-shaped containers (110), said method comprising providing a conveyor (30), preferably closed-loop, to convey said box-shaped containers (110) along a conveying and processing path (B) from an inlet station (SI) to an outlet station (SO) passing through a plurality of operating stations (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9), said conveying and processing path (B) comprising at least a first segment (B l) and a second segment (B2), distinct from each other and arranged in succession one after the other, characterized in that said conveying and processing path (B) lies on a vertical plane (P) with said first (Bl) and second (B2) segments extending along a respective vertical direction, and in that said box-shaped containers (110) are conveyed upward along said first segment (Bl) and downward along said second segment (B2).

11. Method as in claim 10, characterized in that said box-shaped containers (110) are fed toward the conveyor (30) in a fold flat state at said inlet station (SI), and are ejected from the conveyor (30) filled with the articles (100) at said outlet station (SO), wherein said inlet station (SI) is arranged on said first segment (Bl) and said outlet station (SO) is arranged on said second segment (B2).

12. Method as in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said first and second segment (B 1 , B2) are parallel and face each other, and are connected to each otherby a connection segment (B3), preferably curved.

13. Method as in any claim from 10 to 12, characterized in that said box-shaped containers (110) are formed starting from respective fold flat boxes by at least one folding unit (SI, S2, S3, S4, S6) of said plurality of operating stations (S I, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9).

14. Method as in any claim from 10 to 13, characterized in that the articles (100) are fed into the box-shaped containers (110) by a feeding unit (201) arranged along said conveying and processing path (B), while they are conveyed by said conveyor (30) along said conveying and processing path (B), wherein the articles (100) are preferably fed while the conveyor (30) is stationary.

15. Method as in any claim from 10 to 14, characterized in that said box-shaped containers (110) are closed after they have been filled with the articles (100) by a closing station (S7) arranged along said conveying and processing path (B), preferably along said second segment (B2).

16. Method as in any claim from 10 to 15, characterized in that said box-shaped containers (110) are pushed toward an outfeed conveyor line (203) by a pusher device (23) of said outlet station (SO).

17. Method as in claim 16, characterized in that said box-shaped containers (110) are allowed to fall toward a waste collector (S9) if they are not compliant by keeping said pusher device (23) in an inactive position.

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