Plant for packaging products.

Abstract

A plant (1) for products packaging comprising two or more final packaging machines (2, 3) fed by a supply line that transfers the products for final packaging to the machines (2, 3) along a path having a specific direction (X); the machines (2, 3) are arranged so that their respective product inlet sections are aligned on the same side, and the plant (1) comprises a supply line (4) equipped with handling means designed to allow the stable connection of the same supply line (4) to one or other of the said machines (2) and (3) by means of corresponding positions at the inlet sections of said machines (2, 3) differentiated in a direction (Y) orthogonal to that of product transfer (X).

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] Plant for packaging products.

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a plant for packaging products.

[0005] In particular, the plant in question comprises two or more packaging machines to which the products to be packaged arrive pre-packaged or unpackaged in what is known in technical jargon as the “naked” configuration, grouped together in predetermined arrangements and subjected to a further packaging operation.

[0006] A preferred field of application of the invention is the packaging of paper rolls, such as toilet paper or kitchen paper, which may be loose or initially grouped to form first packages consisting of a predetermined number of rolls, which are then inserted into “final” packages containing a plurality of such first packages or loose products.

[0007] Machines that can be supplied by this plant may include, for example, a cartoning machine, also known as “case packer” or a bagging machine, also known as “bundler”. In practice, the loose products or the first packages mentioned above are placed in cardboard boxes (in the case of case packers) or in bags (in the case of bundlers) to form the final package in which they are transported and stored.

[0008] In many cases, the final product packages may be destined for different markets, with corresponding storage and transport methods that may vary accordingly. The differentiation of the final packages is often reflected in the entire packaging procedure, which is therefore differentiated according to the final package to be obtained.

[0009] In the usual configuration of a packaging plant, each packaging machine is equipped with its own supply line. In practice, the products coming from the upstream station are transferred to the machine that performs the final packaging (e.g. a case packer or a bundler) by means of dedicated supply line, which is usually equipped with conveyor belts equipped with pairs of opposing belts that engage the groups of products laterally (or individual products) to be transported to the machines that perform the final packaging. For example, upstream, a machine can be provided that performs a first packaging by forming groups of products covered with plastic film or paper; the products packaged in this way are transferred to the case packer or bundler by means of a corresponding supply line.

[0010] A drawback of the conventional configuration of these plants is that a supply line is required for each of the packaging machines downstream. Therefore, a supply line is usually provided for each of the packaging machines downstream. This results in a relatively large footprint for the plant and a corresponding increase in costs due to the need to build and maintain a number of supply lines corresponding to the number of final packaging machines.

[0011] The aim of the present invention is to create a packaging plant in which two or more machines assigned to final packaging are supplied by a single line that transfers loose or previously pre-packaged products to form groups of a predetermined number. A further aim of the present invention is to create a packaging plant that differs from the one characterised by the prior art in order to provide an alternative technical solution.

[0012] This result has been achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by adopting the idea of creating a plant with the features indicated in claim 1. Other features of the present invention are the subject of dependent claims.

[0013] Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to create a packaging plant equipped with two or more final packaging machines and with a relatively small footprint, with lower construction and maintenance costs than those of traditional systems of the known type.; further advantages derive from the presence of a single operator interface panel, a single electrical panel and a single casing for the machines that make up the plant, with corresponding simplifications in terms of hardware and software and from a strictly structural point of view.

[0014] These and other advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by any person skilled in the art thanks to the following description and the accompanying drawings, provided by way of example but not to be considered in a limitative sense, in which:

[0015] - Figs.1-2 are two schematic perspective views of a possible example of implementation of the present invention;

[0016] - Fig. 3 is a plan view from above of the example in Fig.l and 2;

[0017] - Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the representation in Fig.2;

[0018] - Fig. 5 is a plan view of the previous example shown in another operating configuration;

[0019] - Fig. 6 is a front view of the example shown in the previous figures;

[0020] - Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are schematic perspective views of details of the non-limiting example of implementation of the previous figures relating, respectively, to a detail of the supply line translation system (Fig. 7), a detail of the conveyor belts of the supply line (Fig. 8), another detail of the supply line translation system (Fig. 9) and a further detail of the supply line translation system (Fig. 10);

[0021] - Fig. 11 is a block diagram relating to a possible example of the implementation of the plant. With reference to the example provided by the attached drawings, which constitute a form of implementation of the invention that is not limited to others, a plant (1) for packaging products comprises two final packaging machines (2, 3). The first final packaging machine is a bagging machine (2) or bundler, while the second final packaging machine is a cartoning machine (3) or case packer.

[0022] The two machines (2) and (3) are not described in detail as they are of a conventional type and therefore their structure and operation are well known.

[0023] The attached drawings of these machines show their respective fixed structures (2F, 3F) in order to schematise their position with respect to the supply line (4) described below.

[0024] The entry points for the products to be subjected to final packaging and the exit points for the processed products are arranged in such a way as to keep the machines independent and non-interfering with each other. For example, product inlet and exit sections can be provided to allow one machine to be used without causing inconvenience to the use of the other.

[0025] The plant (1) is equipped with a supply line (4) that can move perpendicularly to the direction of product advancement to be connected to the bagging machine (2) or the cartoning machine (3). In the drawings, the direction of advance of the products is indicated by the arrow (X) and the direction of translation of the supply line (4) is indicated by the double arrow (Y).

[0026] In practice, the same supply line (4) can be connected alternately to the bagging machine (2) or the cartoning machine (3) at each of their respective inlet sections, thus allowing one or the other machine to be supplied according to operational requirements. The two machines (2) and (3) are positioned so that the inlet sections are aligned on the same side. The supply line (4) comprises a frame (40) that supports the means for handling the products to be transferred to the final packaging machines (2, 3). In the attached drawings, the product handling means are of a known type and comprise a plurality of pairs of belts (5) supported by rollers (50) with a vertical axis and motorised so as to transport the products in the direction indicated by (X) in the drawings. In particular, in the drawings, the pairs of belts (5) are divided into two sections, arranged respectively upstream and downstream with respect to the direction of transfer of the products. In a known manner and therefore not described in detail, adjustments may be provided to vary the distance between the belts (5) of each pair so that the latter engage the respective sides of each product or group of products to be transferred. In practice, each pair of belts (5) is spaced so as to engage both sides of the products to be transferred in order to perform the movement from upstream to downstream in the direction indicated by (X) in the drawings. The frame (40) supporting the supply line (4) is provided, in its upstream part, i.e. in the part furthest from the final packaging machines (2, 3), with one or more wheels (41) that allow the frame (40) itself to be moved in the direction (Y), i.e. perpendicular to the direction (X) of product advance, to allow the frame (40) to be positioned in correspondence of the first (2) or second (3) final packaging machine.

[0027] The two final packaging machines (2, 3) are side by side and connected to each other upstream, i.e. on the side facing the supply line (4), by means of a guide (6) which, for example, can be made by means of a tubular element that extends in the direction (Y) for the entire corresponding dimension of the two machines (2, 3). For example, the guide (6) can be made from a tubular element with a square or rectangular cross-section, positioned downstream of the wheels (41) mentioned below.

[0028] The guide (6), by way of example shown in the drawings, is equipped with support feet (60) and is permanently connected to the machines (2, 3) by means of connecting bars (61) that are perpendicular to the guide (6) and define the distance between the guide (6) and the machines (2, 3) to which the guide (6) is fixed. In practice, the length of the connecting bars (61) is defined by the distance that must exist between the supply line (4) and each of the final packaging machines (2, 3) to allow the correct coupling between said machines (2, 3) and the supply line (4) and therefore allow the corresponding transfer of the products. The plant (1) comprises a handling system that allows the supply line (4) to be translated along the guide (6). The said handling system may comprise, for example, a toothed belt or chain (62) which is fixed to the frame (40) of the supply line (4) and which engages two or more toothed wheels or pinions (63) supported by the guide (6). The belt or chain (62) is connected to a motor (64) that allows it to move in both directions and the corresponding bidirectional translation of the frame (40) in the two directions indicated by the double arrow (Y) in the drawings. In practice, the rotation of the belt or chain (62) in one direction or the other around the toothed wheels (63) causes the supply line (4) to move from machine (2) to machine (3) and vice versa. As an alternative to the toothed belt or chain (62) and the corresponding pinions, non-toothed belts and pulleys may be used. Preferably, the axes of the toothed wheels (63) are oriented parallel to the direction ‘X’ in which products are moving and the belt (62) is parallel to the guide (6), i.e. it runs along the said ‘Y’ direction.

[0029] The stable fastening of the supply line (4) to one of the machines (2, 3) can be achieved by means of removable locking elements that prevent the frame (40) from sliding along the guide (6). Fixed locking elements (65) may also be provided, which in the shown example define the two end-stops for translation along the guide (6). The locking elements may consist of square comer elements.

[0030] The diagram in Fig. 11 shows a plan view of the plant (1) in which further possible advantages of this solution can be seen. The two final packaging machines (2, 3) and the supply line (4) are connected via a network (8) to a single control panel and / or a single electrical panel (7). The network (8) is represented by a dotted line and indicates the data connection and electrical connection provided between the final packaging machines (2, 3) and the said supply line (4), as well as with the devices placed and / or acting on the guide (6).

[0031] Advantageously, the plant (1) can be provided with a single casing (9) inside which the said final packaging machines (2, 3) and the said supply line (4) are arranged. The casing (9) is represented by a dashed line in Fig. 11.

[0032] In general terms, as is evident from the description of the examples illustrated above, the present invention consists of a plant (1) for packaging products comprising two or more final packaging machines (2, 3) fed by a supply line that transfers the products for final packaging to said machines (2, 3) along a path having a specific direction (X). The plant (1) is characterised by the fact that said machines (2, 3) are arranged so that their respective product inlet sections are aligned on the same side, in that the plant (1) comprises a supply line (4) equipped with handling means designed to allow the stable connection of the supply line (4) to one or other of said machines (2) and (3) by means of corresponding positions at the inlet sections of said machines (2, 3) differentiated in a direction (Y) orthogonal to that of product transfer (X), and in that a first packaging machine is a bagging machine (2) and a second packaging machine is a cartoning machine (3).

[0033] From the above description, it is also clear that a dispensing device in accordance with the present invention may have one or more of the following characteristics, which may also be combined:

[0034] - said supply line (4) is supported by a frame (40) equipped with wheels (41);

[0035] - the plant (1) comprises a guide (6) that extends in said direction (Y) for the corresponding size of the two machines (2, 3) at the inlet section of the machines themselves and by the fact that a handling system is provided that allows the supply line (4) to be moved along the guide (6);

[0036] - said movement system comprises a belt or toothed belt or chain (62) which is fixed to the frame (40) of the supply line (4) and which engages two or more pulleys or toothed wheels (63) supported by the guide (6), said belt or chain (62) being connected to a motor (64) that allows its bidirectional movement and the corresponding bidirectional translation of the frame (40) along said direction (Y);

[0037] - said guide (6) is provided with support feet (60) and is stably connected to the machines (2, 3) by means of connecting bars (61) orthogonal to the guide (6);

[0038] - the stable fixing of the supply line (4) to one of the machines (2, 3) is achieved by means of removable locking elements that prevent the structure (40) from sliding along the guide (6);

[0039] - fixed locking elements (65) are provided which define corresponding end stops for translation along the guide (6):

[0040] - the said final packaging machines (2, 3) and the said supply line (4) are connected to a single control panel and / or a single electrical panel (7);

[0041] - the plant (1) is equipped with a single casing (9) inside which the said final packaging machines (2, 3) and the said supply line (4) are arranged. In practice, the details of execution may vary in an equivalent manner with regard to the individual elements described and illustrated, without departing from the idea of the solution adopted and therefore remaining within the limits of the protection granted by this patent in accordance with the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Plant (1) for products packaging comprising two or more final packaging machines (2, 3) fed by a supply line that transfers the products for final packaging to said machines (2, 3) along a path having a specific direction (X), characterised in that said machines (2, 3) are arranged so that their respective product inlet sections are aligned on the same side, and in that the plant (1) comprises a supply line (4) equipped with handling means designed to allow the stable connection of the same supply line (4) to one or other of said machines (2) and (3) by means of corresponding positions at the inlet sections of said machines (2, 3) differentiated in a direction (Y) orthogonal to that of product transfer (X), and in that a first packaging machine is a bagging machine (2) and a second packaging machine is a cartoning machine (3).

2. Plant (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said supply line (4) is supported by a frame (40) equipped with wheels (41).

3. Plant (1) according to claim 1 and / or 2, characterised in that it comprises a guide (6) extending in said direction (Y) for the corresponding size of the two machines (2, 3) in correspondance of the inlet section of the machines themselves and in that a handling system is provided which allows the supply line (4) to be translated along the guide (6).

4. Plant (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that said movement system comprises a belt or toothed belt or chain (62) which is fixed to the frame (40) of the supply line (4) and which engages two or more pulleys or toothed wheels (63) supported by the guide (6), said belt or chain (62) being connected to a motor (64) that allows its bidirectional movement and the corresponding bidirectional translation of the frame (40) along said direction (Y).

5. Plant (1) according to claim 3 and / or 4, characterised in that said guide (6) is provided with support feet (60) and is stably connected to the machines (2, 3) by means of connecting bars (61) orthogonal to the guide (6).

6. Plant (1) according to claim 3 and / or 4, characterised in that the stable fixing of the supply line (4) to one of the machines (2, 3) is achieved by means of removable locking elements that prevent the frame (40) from sliding along the guide (6).

7. Plant (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that fixed locking elements (65) are provided which define corresponding end stops for translation along the guide (6).

8. Plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said final packaging machines (2, 3) and said supply line (4) are connected to a single control panel and / or a single electrical panel (7).

9. Plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is providedwith a single casing (9) inside which said final packaging machines (2, 3) and said supply line (4) are arranged.

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