Assembly for opening packages

Abstract

An assembly (1) for opening packages (C) to be filled with a product (P), for example coffee, is described, comprising: spreading elements (6, 7) and a pressing element (8); first driving means (13) suitable to move the spreading elements (6, 7) and the pressing element (8) jointly along a first direction (Z); second driving means (14) suitable to spread and close the spreading elements (6, 7); third driving means (15) suitable to further move the pressing element (8) along the first direction (Z) independently of the spreading elements (6, 7). Moreover, a packaging machine, a method of opening packages, a method of filling packages and a method of refurbishing a packaging machine are described.

Description

[0001] ASSEMBLY FOR OPENING PACKAGES

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of packaging machines. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of machines for packaging flexible material packages. More specifically, the present invention relates to an assembly for opening packages that can be added, for example, to an existing packaging machine in order to supply suitably opened packages to the filling station of the packaging machine itself.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] Various types of packaging machines for packaging flexible material packages containing various types of products, such as food products like instant coffee, powdered or ground coffee, cookies, or similar products, are known from the prior art.

[0005] Such flexible material packages comprise two parallel side walls, two side gussets and a bottom surface. The side walls, the gussets and the bottom surface form the containment volume and the filling mouth of the package, with the filling mouth being opposite the bottom surface. Examples of such packages and methods for producing them can be found in European patent applications EP 3 395 709 A1 , EP 3 790 809 A1 , and EP 3 790 733 A1 .

[0006] In order to fill such packages well, without waste, it is necessary to open them in an appropriate manner so that they can be filled properly.

[0007] For example, if the package to be filled is made of a particularly rigid material, for example due to the nature of the material itself and / or its thickness, and the product to be placed in the package is, on the other hand, light, such as powdered coffee or cocoa, it may be difficult to fill the package properly if it is not opened properly beforehand, due to possible folding of the side gussets and / or the bottom of the package. The product to be inserted into the package may not be able to completely flatten the bottom of the package and / or its side gussets, thereby failing to open it completely. The bottom of the package and / or the side gussets may therefore remain partially folded, which can result in insufficient filling of the package and a failure to fully utilize its capacity. Moreover, properly opening the package before filling is also preferable for aesthetic reasons and to facilitate the closing and / or storage operations of the filled packages.

[0008] It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to solve this technical problem by providing a solution for appropriately open even rigid packages, which are to be filled, for example, with light products such as coffee or cocoa powder. Summary

[0009] The present invention is based on the idea of operating both on the side walls and on the bottom of the packages to be filled in order to open them adequately so that their entire capacity can be used for their filling.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an assembly for opening packages is provided for packages to be filled with a product, for example coffee, comprising: spreading elements and a pressing element; first driving means for moving the spreading elements and the pressing element jointly along a first direction; second driving means for spreading and closing the spreading elements; third driving means for further moving the pressing element along the first direction, independently of the spreading elements.

[0011] An assembly for opening packages structured in this way allows any package to be opened, even if the package is made of a rigid and / or thick material. In fact, the spreading elements move the side parts of the package away, while the pressing element completely flattens the bottom of the package, thus ensuring that the filling volume of the package is as large as possible, depending on the size of the package itself. Examples of particularly rigid materials that can be used to form packages with side gussets include multilayer materials, such as PET12 / AL7 / PE60, PET12 / AL7 / PE70, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE60, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE70, CARTA80 / PE70, or CARTA90 / PE70 (the numbers indicate the thickness in microns of the layers of the various materials, for example, PET12AL7PE60 indicates a multilayer sheet with a 12-micron layer of PET, a 7-micron layer of aluminum, and a 60-micron layer of PE). The assembly according to the present invention is particularly advantageous for conveniently opening packages made from these materials.

[0012] The use of an assembly according to the present invention in a packaging machine comprising means for filling a package with a product may therefore be indispensable in cases where it is desired to fill a rigid and / or thick package with a light product, such as coffee or cocoa powder. In fact, the weight of the product to be inserted into the package alone would not be sufficient to open it completely, so as to make full use of its capacity. It is therefore necessary to open the package completely with the device according to the present invention, so that the filling volume of the package reaches the maximum possible value before the product is inserted. In this way, the total capacity of the package can be fully utilized.

[0013] The number of spreading elements of the assembly according to the present invention may be two or more. The spreading elements may be, for example, four. In this case, the spreading elements are parallel to each other in pairs and parallel to the pairs of side walls and the two side gussets of the package to be opened. The number of spreading elements may increase according to the particular geometry of the package to be opened. There may, for example, be six, eight or ten spreading elements.

[0014] According to the present invention, the first driving means are adapted to move the spreading elements and the pressing element in a manner integral with each other along a first direction, for example a vertical direction. The movement of the spreading elements and the pressing element controlled by the first driving means allows both the spreading elements and the pressing element to be inserted into the package to be opened and to be extracted from it after the opening operations have been carried out.

[0015] According to the present invention, the second driving means are designed to spread and close the spreading elements. The movement of the spreading elements controlled by the second driving means allows, for example, the parallel side walls of the package to be moved apart from each other, at least partially, so as to unfold at least partially and / or completely the side gussets and / or the bottom surface of the package.

[0016] According to the present invention, the third driving means are suitable for further moving the pressing element along the first direction, independently of the spreading elements. In particular, the third driving means allow the pressing element to be moved along the first direction within the package to be opened independently of the spreading elements. Both the pressing element and the spreading elements can therefore be found within the package to be opened, and the third driving means allow the pressing element to be moved further along the first direction while keeping it within the package and without moving the spreading elements along the same direction. The movement of the pressing element along the first direction controlled by the third driving means advantageously allows the bottom surface of the package to be pushed so as to flatten it.

[0017] The operations of the various driving means can be, for example, regulated and controlled by a suitably programmed control unit, for example the control unit of the machine in which the opening assembly is implemented.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the spreading elements comprises a rectangular blade having a maximum width. The rectangular blade shape of the spreading elements is particularly suitable for moving the two side walls of a package away from each other, but any other suitable shape may be used. For example, the spreading elements could be trapezoidal or hairpin-shaped. However, it is important that the shape of the spreading elements, as explained in more detail below, is such that the spreading elements and the pressing element occupy as little space as possible when the spreading elements are in the non-spread position and the pressing element is in the retracted position. This facilitates the entry of the assembly into the package for its opening.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, one end of the pressing element is in the shape of an X, the center point of which is replaced by a segment.

[0020] The X shape, whose center point is replaced by a segment, is a particularly suitable shape for ensuring that the pressing element completely flattens the bottom surface of the package to be opened and for ensuring that the spreading elements and the pressing element occupy as little space as possible when the spreading elements are in the non-spread position and the pressing element is in the retracted position. In fact, the spreading elements can be advantageously designed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular bladedle so that they rest on the segment of the X-shaped element. However, any other suitable shape can be used. For example, the end of the pressing element may have the shape of two square brackets or two opposing Cs joined by a central segment.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the segment has a length equal to or greater than the maximum width of the spreading elements, so that the spreading elements can close onto the pressing element.

[0022] In this way, the spreading elements and the pressing element occupy as little space as possible when the spreading elements are in the unspread position and the pressing element is in the retracted position. The spreading elements can rest on the segment of the X-shaped element. This facilitates the insertion of the assembly into the package to be opened.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the assembly for opening packages further comprises a support surface suitable to counteract the pressing element.

[0024] The presence of a support surface, which counteracts the pressing element when it flattens the bottom surface of the package, is useful for preventing possible damage to the package. The support surface, in fact, supports the bottom surface ensuring that the flattening takes place safely. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the assembly for opening packages further comprises fourth driving means suitable for moving the support surface along the first direction in the opposite direction with respect to the pressing element.

[0025] The movement of the support surface is ensured by driving means that can be activated before or at the same time as the third driving means.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the third driving means move synchronously with the fourth driving means.

[0027] In this way, the support surface can move before or together with the pressing element and after the package has been opened. The movement of the support surface can be simultaneous with or preceding the further movement of the pressing element for flattening the bottom surface of the package. In this way, the bottom surface of the package can rest on the support surface when the pressing element flattens it.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a packaging machine is provided comprising an assembly for opening packages according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0029] The packaging machine according to the present invention is particularly advantageous if the package to be filled is made of a rigid and / or thick material and if the product with which the package has to be filled is light. The assembly according to the present invention allows the packaging machine to completely open rigid and / or thick packages, allowing the capacity of the package to be fully utilized.

[0030] The packaging machine may, for example, comprise a carousel structure, one of the stations of which is the unit according to any of the embodiments of the present invention. The package to be filled can advantageously pass from one station to another of the carousel packaging machine, rotating, for example, clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the packaging machine further comprises gripping means for supplying the packages to the assembly for opening packages.

[0032] For example, the packages can be taken from a stack of packages and the filling mouth of the package can be at least partially opened to allow the opening assembly to enter within the package. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the gripping means comprise a gripping element suitable for taking the packages from a stack of closed packages.

[0033] The gripping element may comprise, for example, vacuum suction cups which adhere to the package, picking it up, for example from a stack of closed packages, and transporting it to the assembly for opening packages.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the gripping means comprise one or more pairs of grip arms for conveying the packages to the assembly, wherein the grip arms of each pair are preferably movable so as to open, at least partially, the filling mouth of the packages.

[0035] The grip arms pick up the packages and transport them to the assembly for opening packages. The grip arms may comprise suction cups with which the arms adhere to the two parallel side surfaces of the packages. Further, the arms open and close, at least partially opening the filling mouth of the package. By opening the filling mouth of the package, they ensure that the opening assembly can be inserted into the packages and that the packages are then ready to be completely opened by the opening assembly according to the present invention.

[0036] The grip arms can be configured to retain the package during the passages to the various stations of the packaging machine.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the packaging machine further comprises filling means for inserting the product into the package after it has been opened by the assembly for opening packages.

[0038] Once the package has been completely opened by the assembly for opening packages according to the present invention, so that its filling volume has reached the maximum possible value, depending on the size of the package, it can be filled with the product, for example coffee or cocoa powder or beans. Since the package is completely open, the filling product can be any product with which the package has to be filled, even a light powder, since the capacity of the package can, in any case, be fully utilized, avoiding any possible waste.

[0039] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the packaging machine further comprises sealing means for sealing the package after it has been filled by the filling means. Once the package is full, it can be hermetically closed, for example by sealing it. This completes the packaging process. The package, completely filled with product, is sealed and ready for the next steps, such as transport and / or sale.

[0040] The present invention is further based on the idea of providing a method of opening packages in which the packages comprise two parallel side walls, two side gussets and a bottom surface, wherein the side walls, the gussets and the bottom surface form the containment volume and the filling mouth of the package, wherein the filling mouth is opposite the bottom surface; the method comprising the following steps in the order in which they are listed: a) at least partially opening the filling mouth so as to at least partially open the package; b) moving the two parallel side walls of the package at least partially away from each other so as to at least partially unfold the side gussets and the bottom surface; c) pushing the bottom surface of the package so as to flatten it.

[0041] The method according to the present invention allows any package to be opened completely, even if the package is made of a rigid material, for example due to the nature of the material itself and / or its thickness. Examples of such materials are PET12 / AL7 / PE60, PET12 / AL7 / PE70, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE60, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE70, PAPER80 / PE70, or PAPER90 / PE70. In fact, the separation of the sides of the package from each other and the complete flattening of the bottom of the package ensure that the filling volume of the package is the maximum possible, depending on the size of the package itself. Under these conditions, even a package made of rigid and / or thick material can be completely filled with product, even if the product is light and cannot flatten the bottom surface of the package on its own.

[0042] If the package to be filled is made of rigid and / or thick material that adequately protects the product it contains, even during transport and movement of the package itself, and the product with which it has to be filled is light, for example a powdered product such as coffee or cocoa, then it would not be possible to use the entire filling volume of the package if it was not adequately opened before being filled.

[0043] The method according to the present invention can be implemented by using an assembly according to the present invention.

[0044] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, in fact, the method carried out with the assembly according to one of the embodiments listed above is such that step b) comprises: b1 ) inserting the assembly into the containment volume through the filling mouth opened in step a), by means of the first driving means, along a direction parallel to the two side walls of the package, so that the assembly does not touch the bottom surface of the package; b2) moving away from each other, at least partially, the two parallel side walls of the package, by spreading the spreading elements, within the containment volume, by means of the second driving means, so as to at least partially unfold the gussets and the bottom surface; and such that step c) comprises: pushing the bottom surface of the package by inserting the pressing element, by means of the third driving means, along the direction parallel to the two side walls of the package, within the containment volume, so as to flatten the bottom surface (F); and such as to further comprise: d) closing the spreading elements by means of the second driving means and withdrawing the pressing element by means of the third driving means to the height of the spreading elements; e) lifting the assembly for opening packages by means of the first driving means so as to extract it from the containment volume of the package.

[0045] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the method of opening packages is such that step c) further comprises: c2) lifting the support surface, by means of fourth driving means, along the direction parallel to the two side walls of the package, and opposite to the pressing element, and externally to the package, by the bottom surface of the package, so that the bottom surface lays on the support surface, when the pressing element flattens it.

[0046] Lifting a support surface, which opposes the pressing element when it flattens the bottom surface of the package, is useful for preventing possible damage to the package. The support surface supports the bottom surface, ensuring that flattening takes place safely.

[0047] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the method is implemented with packages made of particularly rigid material, for example PET12 / AL7 / PE60, PET12 / AL7 / PE70, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE60, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE70, CARTA80 / PE70, or CARTA90 / PE70.

[0048] According to further embodiments, the method is implemented with packages made of a material having a thickness of at least 70 pm, preferably at least 80 pm, more preferably at least 90 pm, even more preferably at least 100 pm, even more preferably at least 150 pm, even more preferably at least 160 pm.

[0049] Such a thickness of the package makes it particularly rigid. It is therefore difficult to fill such a package with a product, especially if this product is light. In fact, it is easy for such a rigid package to remain partially closed because the weight of the product with which it is filled is not able to open it completely. The assembly according to the present invention allows even a package with these characteristics to be opened completely. The present invention is further based on the idea of providing a method of filling a package, comprising: opening the package according to one of the methods according to the embodiments described above; and filling the package with a product, for example a powdered or granular product, such as coffee beans or ground coffee.

[0050] The filling of the package, after it has been opened with the device according to the present invention, is safe and without the possibility of waste due to failure to use the entire filling volume of the package itself.

[0051] The present invention is further based on the idea of providing a method of modernizing an existing packaging machine, in which an assembly for opening packages according to one of the embodiments of the present invention is added to the machine. The assembly can be advantageously implemented upstream of the filling station of the machine.

[0052] Any packaging machine comprising filling means for filling a package with a product may require the addition of an assembly according to the present invention. This may be necessary, in particular, if the package to be filled is made of a rigid and / or thick material and if the product with which the package has to be filled is light. The unit according to the present invention allows any packaging machine to completely open rigid and / or thick packages, allowing the capacity of the package to be fully exploited.

[0053] The use of an assembly according to the present invention in a pre-existing packaging machine comprising means for filling a package with a product is particularly advantageous in the case where a rigid and / or thick package has to be filled with a light product, for example coffee or cocoa powder. In fact, the weight of the product to be inserted into the package alone would not be sufficient to open it completely, thus making it impossible to exploit its capacity to the full. It is therefore advantageous to open the package completely with the assembly according to the present invention, so that the filling volume of the package reaches the maximum possible value, depending on the size of the package itself, before the product is inserted. In this way, the total capacity of the package can be fully utilized.

[0054] Brief description of the figures

[0055] The present invention will be described with reference to the attached figures, in which the same reference numbers and / or signs indicate the same and / or similar and / or corresponding parts of the machine. Fig. 1 shows a 3D view of a package and an assembly according to the present invention in an operating phase.

[0056] Fig. 2 shows a 3D view of the package and assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase.

[0057] Fig. 3 shows a 3D view of the package and assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase.

[0058] Fig. 3bis shows a front view of the package and assembly shown in Fig. 3.

[0059] Fig. 4 shows a 3D view of the package and assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase.

[0060] Fig. 4bis shows a front view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 4.

[0061] Fig. 5 shows a 3D view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase.

[0062] Fig. 5bis shows a front view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 5.

[0063] Fig. 6 shows a 3D view of packages and the assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase.

[0064] Fig. 7 shows a 3D view of a carousel structure of a possible packaging machine, comprising an assembly according to the present invention.

[0065] Detailed description

[0066] In the following, the present invention is described with reference to particular embodiments, as shown in the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the individual embodiments described in the following detailed description and shown in the figures, as the embodiments described merely exemplify different aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the attached claims.

[0067] Fig. 1 shows a 3D view of a package and an assembly according to the present invention in an operating phase.

[0068] The assembly 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises spreading elements 6, 7, a pressing element 8 and a support surface 9. Fig. 1 further shows pairs of grip arms BT and a package C to be filled with a product P. The packaging machine M, not shown in the figures, in which an assembly according to the present invention can be inserted, may comprise gripping means for picking up the package C and preparing it for the assembly for opening packages 1. More specifically, the gripping means may comprise gripping elements for picking up the packages C one by one from a stack of closed packages C. The gripping elements may comprise, for example, vacuum suction cups.

[0069] To describe the assembly according to the present invention more easily, a Cartesian orthogonal coordinate system XYZ is defined, where Z is the vertical direction, parallel to the movement of the spreading elements 6, 7 and the pressing element 8, X is the direction parallel to the surfaces of the package C, as will be better explained below, and Y is the direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions.

[0070] The package C comprises two parallel side walls p1 , p3, two side gussets p2, p4 and a bottom surface F, parallel to the XY plane, in which the side walls p1 , p3, the gussets p2, p4 and the bottom surface F form the containment volume V and the filling mouth E of the package C, in which the filling mouth E is opposite the bottom surface F. The package C has a length Zc along the vertical direction Z.

[0071] The spreading elements 6, 7, preferably two, may each comprise a rectangular bladedle whose long side is parallel to the vertical direction Z. The spreading elements have a maximum width, along the X direction, equal to a value x1 .

[0072] The pressing element 8 comprises two elements: a vertical rod, parallel to the Z direction, and an X-shaped element, lying on the XY plane, whose center point is replaced by a segment 8A, parallel to the X direction and having a length x2. The vertical rod of the pressing element 8 may be shorter than the spreading elements 6, 7. The maximum width x1 of the spreading elements 6, 7 is less than the length x2 of the segment 8A of the X-shaped element of the pressing element 8. In this way, the spreading elements 6, 7 can close completely around the pressing element 8 inserted between the spreading elements 6, 7.

[0073] The support surface 9 comprises a plate parallel to the XY plane. The support surface 9 is at least equal to or larger than the bottom surface F of the package C, so that the bottom surface F of the package C can rest on the support surface 9 when the pressing element 8 opens it, as better explained with reference to Figs. 4 and 4bis.

[0074] First driving means 13 are designed to move the assembly 1 , in particular the spreading elements

[0075] 6, 7 and the pressing element 8 in a solid manner along the Z direction. The first driving means may comprise, for example, a linear motor. The driving means allow the spreading elements 6, 7 and the pressing element 8 to move up and down along the vertical direction Z, so as to enter and exit the containment volume of the package C.

[0076] Second driving means 14 are designed to spread and close the spreading elements 6, 7. The second driving means 14 could comprise, for example, a pneumatic cylinder. As better shown in Figs. 3 and 3bis, the second driving means 14 cause the spreading elements 6, 7 to move on the YZ plane with an angular movement.

[0077] Third driving means 15 are designed to further move the pressing element 8 along the Z direction, independently of the spreading elements 6, 7. The third driving means may comprise, for example, a linear motor. The third driving means allow the pressing element 8 to move up and down along the vertical Z direction, so as to push the bottom surface F of the package C, as will be better explained with reference to Figs. 4 and 4bis.

[0078] Fourth driving means 16 are designed to move the support surface 9 along the vertical Z direction, in the opposite direction to the pressing element 8, so as to support the bottom surface F of the package C when the pressing element 8 pushes the bottom surface F of the package C, as will be better explained with reference to figs. 4 and 4bis.

[0079] Fig. 1 further shows pairs of grip arms BT. The grip arms BT are part of the gripping means of the packaging machine M in which the assembly 1 can be mounted. The grip arms BT are designed to transport the package C towards the assembly 1 and are preferably movable so as to open, at least partially, the filling mouth E of the package C. The grip arms BT may comprise suction cups which, when placed on the package C, create a vacuum and suck in the parallel side walls p1 , p3, gripping them. Then, the grip arms BT detach from each other, causing the filling mouth E to open at least partially.

[0080] Assembly 1 shown in figure 1 is in a waiting phase. The spreading elements 6, 7 and the pressing element 8 are in the highest possible position along the Z direction, and the support surface 9 is in the lowest possible position along the Z direction. In this way, the two grip arms BT that have just gripped the package C to be filled can bring it to assembly 1 so that the package can be opened.

[0081] Fig. 2 shows a 3D view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase. The grip arms BT have transported package C to assembly 1 . The spreading elements 6, 7 and the pressing element 8 are in the highest possible position in the Z direction, and the support surface 9 is in the lowest possible position in the Z direction. The two grip arms BT have moved away from each other so as to open, at least partially, the filling mouth E of package C, allowing the spreading elements 6, 7 and the pressing element 8 to be inserted into the containment volume V of package C.

[0082] Fig. 3 shows a 3D view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase.

[0083] The two grip arms BT remain separated from each other. The support surface 9 is in the lowest possible position along the Z direction. The first driving means 13 have moved the spreading elements 6, 7 and the pressing element 8 within the containment volume V of the package C. The spreading elements 6, 7 and the pressing element 8 have been brought into the containment volume V of the package C so that the spreading elements 6, 7 do not rest on the bottom surface F of the package C. This prevents the spreading elements 6, 7 from damaging the package C. The second driving means 14 spread the spreading elements 6, 7 apart. The spreading elements 6, 7, as they spread apart, push the parallel side walls p1 , p3 of the package C in opposite directions, with the result that the two side gussets p2, p4 and the bottom surface F of the package C are partially unfolded.

[0084] Fig. 3bis shows a front view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 3.

[0085] Fig. 3bis shows Fig. 3 viewed from the front, along the YZ plane, so that the interior of the containment volume V of package C can be seen.

[0086] It can be clearly seen how the spreading elements 6, 7, by spreading apart, have moved the parallel side walls p1 , p3 of the package C away from each other and how the bottom surface F of the package C has only partially unfolded.

[0087] Fig. 4 shows a 3D view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase.

[0088] The two grip arms BT remain separated from each other. The two spreading elements 6, 7 remain spread apart. The third driving means 15 have moved the pressing element 8 further along the vertical direction Z independently of the spreading elements 6, 7. In this way, the X-shaped element of the pressing element 8 has completely flattened the bottom surface F of the package C. At the same time, the forth driving means 16 have moved the support surface 9 along the vertical direction Z, in the opposite direction to the pressing element 8. In this way, when the pressing element 8 flattens the bottom surface F of the package C, the support surface 9 supports it, preventing it from being damaged during the process.

[0089] At this point, package C is completely open and its containment volume V has reached the maximum possible value given the dimensions of package C. Under these conditions, even a package made of rigid and thick material can be completely filled with product P, even if that product is light and would not have been able to flatten the bottom surface F of package C with its weight alone.

[0090] Fig. 4bis shows a front view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 4.

[0091] Fig. 4bis shows Fig. 4 viewed from the front, along the YZ plane, so that the within of the containment volume V of package C can be seen.

[0092] It can be clearly seen that the pressing element 8 has flattened the bottom surface F of package C, which rests on the support surface 9. The containment volume V of package C has reached its maximum possible value.

[0093] Fig. 5 shows a 3D view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase.

[0094] The two grip arms BT remain separated from each other. The support surface 9 remains raised to support the bottom surface F of package C.

[0095] At this point, the third driving means 15 have lifted the pressing element 8 to the position it was before the bottom surface F of the package C was flattened, and the second driving means 14 have closed the spreading elements 6, 7 around the pressing element 8. Then, the first driving means 14 lift the spreading elements 6, 7 and the pressing element 8 so that they exit the containment volume V of the package.

[0096] Fig. 5bis shows a front view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 5.

[0097] Fig. 5bis shows fig. 5 viewed from the front, along the YZ plane, so that the within of the containment volume V of package C can be seen. It can be clearly seen that the spreading elements 6, 7 and the pressing element are now outside the containment volume V of package C.

[0098] Fig. 6 shows a 3D view of the package and the assembly shown in Fig. 1 in a further operating phase.

[0099] At this point, the grip arms BT have moved the completely opened package C to a subsequent station of the packaging machine M not shown in the figure. A new package C has been transported by subsequent grip arms BT so that it can be opened by the assembly 1 according to the procedure described above.

[0100] The packaging machine M, not shown in the figures, in which the unit according to the present invention can be inserted, may comprise filling means for filling the containment volume V of the packages C with the product P. The packaging machine M may further comprise closing blades suitable for folding the gussets p2, p4 of the package, while the grip arms BT close the filling mouth E thereof. At this point, the filled and closed package C can be sealed, for example by means of additional sealing means that completely seal the filling mouth E of the package C. The completely filled package C is ready for any possible subsequent phase, such as storage or transport.

[0101] Fig. 7 shows a 3D view of a carousel structure of a possible packaging machine, comprising an assembly according to the present invention.

[0102] Fig. 7 shows a carousel structure on which the various machine elements of a carousel-type packaging machine M can be mounted. The figure clearly shows the assembly 1 and the pairs of grip arms BT. A package C to be opened with the assembly 1 and filled with a product P can pass through the various stations of the carousel, rotating, for example, counterclockwise.

[0103] The present invention further relates to a method for opening packages C, for example packages made of a particularly rigid material, such as PET12 / AL7 / PE60, PET12 / AL7 / PE70, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE60, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE70, PAPER80 / PE70, or PAPER90 / PE70. According to further embodiments, the method is implemented with packages made of a material having a thickness of at least 70 pm, preferably at least 80 pm, more preferably at least 90 pm, even more preferably at least 100 pm, and most preferably at least 150 pm.

[0104] After the package to be filled has been removed from a stack of closed packages C, the method comprises the following steps: a) at least partially opening the filling mouth E so as to at least partially open the package C; b) moving the two parallel side walls p1 , p3 of the package C at least partially away from each other so as to at least partially unfold the side gussets p2, p4 and the bottom surface F; c) pushing the bottom surface F of the package C so as to flatten it.

[0105] This ensures that the entire containment volume V of the package can be filled.

[0106] The method can be carried out using assembly 1 according to one of the embodiments described above, in which: step b) comprises: b1 ) insertion of assembly 1 into the containment volume V through the filling mouth E opened in said phase a), by means of the first driving means 13, along a direction Z parallel to the two side walls p1 , p3 of the package (C), so that assembly 1 does not touch the bottom surface F of package C; b2) moving at least partially, the two parallel side walls p1 , p3 of the package C, by spreading the spreading elements 6, 7, within the containment volume V, by means of the second driving means 14, so as to unfold at least partially the gussets p2, p4 and the bottom surface F; and phase c) comprises: c1 ) pushing the bottom surface F of package C by inserting the pressing element 8, by means of the third driving means 15, along the Z direction parallel to the two side walls p1 , p3 of package C, within the containment volume V, so as to flatten the bottom surface F; c2) lifting of a support surface 9, by means of fourth driving means 16, along the Z direction parallel to the two side walls p1 , p3 of the package C, in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the pressing element 8, and externally to the package C, in correspondence with the bottom surface F of the package C, so that the bottom surface F rests on the support surface 9 when the pressing element 8 flattens it.

[0107] The method further comprises: d) closing the spreading elements 6, 7, by means of the second driving means 14 and withdrawing the pressing element 8, by means of the third driving means 15 at the height of the spreading elements 6, 7; e) lifting of the assembly for opening packages 1 , by means of the first driving means 13, so as to make it exit from the containment volume V of the package C.

[0108] Finally, the method provides for filling package C with a product P, for example a powdered or granular product, such as coffee beans or ground coffee, and fully sealing the filling mouth E of package C.

[0109] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments described above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention can be made in light of the above teaching and within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the subject matter and scope of protection of the invention.

[0110] For example, the end of the pressing element 8 may have the shape of two square brackets or two Cs facing each other and joined by a central segment.

[0111] Further, although two rectangular spreading elements have been shown, the number and shape of the spreading elements may vary.

[0112] Further, although the implementation of the assembly according to the present invention has been shown in a carousel-type machine, the assembly according to the present invention can also be implemented in linear-type machines.

[0113] Finally, those areas which are considered to be known to those skilled in the art have not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention described.

[0114] Consequently, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is only limited by the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0115] Reference numbers

[0116] 1 assembly for opening packages

[0117] 6, 7 spreading elements x1 maximum width of spreading elements

[0118] 8 pressing element

[0119] 8A segment x2 segment length

[0120] 9 support surface

[0121] 13, 14, 15, 16 first, second, third and fourth driving means

[0122] BT grip arms

[0123] Z movement direction of the first, third and fourth driving means

[0124] C package p1 , p3 parallel side walls p2, p4 side gussets

[0125] E filling mouth

[0126] F bottom surface

[0127] V containment volume

[0128] Zc length of the package along the Z direction.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Assembly (1) for opening packages (C) to be filled with a product (P), for example coffee, comprising: spreading elements (6, 7) and a pressing element (8); first driving means (13) suitable to move said spreading elements (6, 7) and said pressing element (8) jointly along a first direction (Z); second driving means (14) suitable to spread and close said spreading elements (6, 7); third driving means (15) suitable to further move said pressing element (8) along said first direction (Z) independently of said spreading elements (6, 7).2 Assembly (1) for opening packages (C) according to claim 1 , wherein each of said spreading elements (6, 7) comprises a rectangular blade having a maximum width (x1 ).3 Assembly (1 ) for opening packages (C) according to any of the previous claims, wherein one end of said pressing element (8) is in the form of an X, the central point of which is replaced by a segment (8A).4 Assembly (1 ) for opening packages (C) according to claim 3, wherein said segment (8A) has a length equal to or greater than the maximum width (x1 ) of said spreading elements (6,7), so that said spreading elements (6,7) can close onto said pressing element (8).5 Assembly (1 ) for the opening of packages (C) according to any of the previous claims, further comprising a support surface (9) suitable to contrast said pressing element (8).6 Assembly (1 ) for opening packages (C) according to claim 5, further comprising fourth driving means (16) suitable to move said support surface (9) along said first direction (Z) opposite to the moving direction of said pressing element (8).7 Assembly (1 ) for opening packages (C) according to claim 6, wherein said third driving means (15) move synchronously with respect to said fourth driving means (16).8 Packaging machine (M) comprising an assembly (1 ) for opening packages (C) according to any of claims 1 to 7.

9. Packing machine (M) according to claim 8, further comprising gripping means (2) suitable to supply said packages (C) to said assembly (1 ) for opening packages (C).

10. Packaging machine (M) according to claim 9, wherein said gripping means (2) comprise a gripping element (2A) suitable to take said packages (C) from a stack of closed packages (C).1 1. Packaging machine (M) according to any of claims 9 or 10, wherein said gripping means (2) comprise one or more pairs of grip arms (BT), suitable to convey said packages (C) to said assembly (1 ), and wherein the grip arms (BT) of each pair are preferably movable so as to open, at least partially, said filling mouth (E) of said packages (C).

12. Packaging machine (M), according to any of claims 8 to 1 1 , further comprising filling means (10), suitable to inserting said product (P) into said package (C), after it has been opened by said assembly (1 ) for opening packages (C).

13. Packaging machine (M), according to claim 12, further comprising sealing means (11 , 12) for sealing said package (C) after said package (C) has been filled by said filling means (10).

14. Method for opening packages (C), wherein said packages (C) comprise two side walls parallel to each other (p1 , p3), two side gussets (p2, p4) and a bottom surface (F), wherein said side walls (p1 , p3), said side gussets (p2, p4) and said bottom surface (F) form the containment volume (V) and the filling mouth (E) of said package (C), wherein the filling mouth (E) is opposed to said bottom surface (F), said method comprising the following steps carried out in the listed order:(a) opening, at least partially, said filling mouth (E) to open at least partially said package (C);(b) moving said two parallel side walls (p1 , p3) of said package (C) away from each other, at least partially, to unfold, at least partially, said side gussets (p2, p4) and said bottom surface (F);(c) pushing said bottom surface (F) of said package (C) so as to flatten it.

15. Method according to claim 14, carried out with the assembly (1 ) according to any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein: said step (b) comprises: b1 ) inserting said assembly (1 ) within said containment volume (V) through said filling mouth (E) opened in said step (a), by means of said first driving means (13), along said direction (Z) parallel to said two side walls (p1 , p3) of said package (C), so that said assembly (1 ) does not touch said bottom surface (F) of said package (C); b2) moving away from each other, at least partially, said two parallel side walls (p1 , p3) of said package (C), by spreading said spreading elements (6, 7), within said containment volume (V), by means of said second driving means (14), so as to unfold at least partially said side gussets (p2, p4) and said bottom surface (F); and said step (c) comprises: c1 ) pushing said bottom surface (F) of said package (C) inserting said pressing element (8), by means of said third driving means (15), along said direction (Z) parallel to said two side walls (p1 , p3) of said package (C), within said containment volume (V), so as to flatten said bottom surface (F); said method further comprising: d) closing said spreading elements (6, 7), by means of said second driving means (14) and withdrawing said pressing element (8) to the height of said spreading elements (6, 7), by means of said third driving means (15); e) lifting said assembly (1 ) for the opening of packages (C), by means of said first driving means (13), to extract same from said containment volume (V) of said package (C).

16. Method for opening packages (C), according to claim 15, wherein said step (c) further comprises: c2) lifting the support surface (9), by means of fourth driving means (16), along said direction (Z) parallel to said two side walls (p1 , p3) of said package (C), and opposite to said pressing element (8), and externally to said package (C), by said bottom surface (F) of said package (C), so that said bottom surface (F) lays on said support surface (9), when said pressing element (8) flattens it.

17. Method according to any of the claims 14 to 16, wherein said packages (C) are made of a material having a thickness of at least 70 pm, preferably at least 80 pm, still more preferably at least 90 pm, still more preferably at least 100 pm, still more preferably at least 150 pm, still more preferably at least 160 pm, for example PET12 / AL7 / PE60, PET12 / AL7 / PE70, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE60, PET12 / PETMET12 / PE70, PAPER80 / PE70, or PAPER90 / PE70.

18. Method of filling a package (C), comprising:- opening said package (C) according to any of the methods of claims 14 to 17; and- filling said package (C) with a product (P), for example, a powdered or granular product, for example, coffee beans or ground coffee.

19. Method of refurbishing a packaging machine, comprising adding to the machine an assembly (1 ) for opening packages (C) according to any one of the claims 1 to 7.

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