Method and apparatus for packaging low melting products, in particular food products

Abstract

A method for packaging low melting products (1) comprises the steps of: - wrapping, at least partially, a wrapping film (2) of heat-sealable material around at least one of said low melting products (1), so as to partially overlap two flaps (7, 8) of the wrapping film (2) defining a sealing region (9), - interposing between the low melting product (1) and the sealing region (9) at least one thermal protection element (16) so as to thermally protect said low melting product (1), - heat sealing the sealing region (9) of the wrapping film (2) on the side opposite the thermal protection element (16) and - removing the thermal protection element (16) from the low melting product (1) wrapped in the wrapping film (2).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING LOW MELTING PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR FOOD PRODUCTS”

[0003] The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for packaging low melting products.

[0004] The present invention has a preferred, though not exclusive, application in the field of packaging food products, in particular chocolate-based confectionery products, such as chocolates and chocolate bars, a field to which reference will be made below without loss of generality.

[0005] In this technical field, it is known to package low melting products by wrapping them in a wrapping. The latter can be simply folded over the product, or, for a better guarantee of shape retention, it can be folded and joined to itself, e.g. by gluing or heat sealing.

[0006] The latter technique requires, in very general terms, that the product be wrapped in a wrapping film, comprising at least one layer of heat-sealable material, so as to present at least one region with mutually overlapping portions of film, and that this wrapping film be subsequently heat-sealed at this overlapping region.

[0007] This packaging technique has several advantages in terms of production that make it desirable in the relevant sector.

[0008] For example, heat-sealing makes it possible, on the one hand, to prevent the wrapping film from splitting and shifting during subsequent packaging operations, leaving the surface of the product uncovered and unprotected, even if only partially, and, on the other hand, to avoid the use of adhesive substances that may have problems of incompatibility with the material of the wrapping film or with the product itself.

[0009] In the present disclosure as well as in the herein enclosed claims, certain terms and expressions are deemed to have, unless otherwise explicitly indicated, the meaning expressed in the following definitions.

[0010] A product to be packaged is “low melting” when, following exposure to temperatures above a predefined threshold, it loses its physical properties (e.g. melting) or its chemical properties and, in the case of foodstuffs in particular, its organoleptic properties. This predefined temperature threshold varies from product to product and is also a function of the time the product is exposed to this temperature.In the case of chocolate-based or chocolate-covered products, this temperature threshold can be set at 45 °C, preferably 40 °C, more preferably 35 °C.

[0011] In the case of packaging of other products, however, this temperature threshold may be higher, e.g. 60 °C or 70 °C, or lower, 30 °C or 20 °C.

[0012] A low melting product is thermally “protected” against a temperature increase occurring in the vicinity of the product, e.g. a sealing process of a wrapping film wrapped over the product itself, when the temperature of the product remains below the aforementioned temperature threshold, or, at most, exceeds it for a very short time.

[0013] A product is “partially” wrapped in a wrapping film when the product is wrapped by the wrapping film on at least one side of the product, preferably at least two sides of the product and even more preferably on at least three sides of the product. Preferably, a product is partially wrapped in a wrapping film so that a first flap of the wrapping film partially overlaps a second flap of the wrapping film when the wrapping film surrounds the product in at least one section.

[0014] The “sealing region” of a wrapping film refers to a region of mutual overlapping of two portions of the wrapping film, particularly when wrapped at least partially around a low melting product.

[0015] A wrapping film is made of “heat-sealable material” when it comprises at least one layer of material that melts or softens at temperatures typical of the sealing process that can range from 80 °C up to 180 °C, also depending on the type and thickness of the material itself.

[0016] Such wrapping films are well known and widely used in the industry and include a layer of thermoplastic polymeric material, e.g. polyolefin.

[0017] An element is positioned “in proximity” to a low melting product when it is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm and even more preferably less than 1 mm away from that product.

[0018] The Applicant preliminarily noted that the packaging of a low melting product by heat sealing the wrapping film is a particularly critical step in the packaging process. In fact, the sealing necessarily takes place in the vicinity of the low melting product and generally involves contact of the wrapping film with a sealing head having a high temperature, e.g. greater than about 100 °C, which can damage the low melting product, particularly when it has a relatively low temperature threshold such as chocolate.The Applicant further noted that, in order to remedy this problem, a heat-sealing process is known in the industry, whereby the sealing region of the wrapping film is moved away from the low melting product. This solution, described for example in EP 3932655, requires that, once the wrapping film has been wrapped around the low melting product, the sealing region is lifted by suction towards a sealing head, so that the latter is always kept at a distance from the product.

[0019] The Applicant noted, however, that in such a solution the thermal protection of the low melting product is all based on its distance from the sealing head, which, in order to maintain adequate wrapping of the wrapping film on the product, cannot be excessive.

[0020] The limitation of the maximum distance between product and sealing region consequently places restrictions on the maximum temperature of the sealing head, as well as on the heat-sealable material that can be used in the wrapping film and the sealing time.

[0021] Alternatively, in order to ensure proper sealing and thus a satisfactory result of sealing the wrapping around the product, and having to use a high temperature for melting the material of the wrapping film, it is necessary to increase the distance of the sealing head from the product surface, with the consequence that the wrapping film remains poorly adhered to the product, making the coupling between the two components undesirably loose.

[0022] The Applicant therefore perceived that in order to increase flexibility and production speed, and in particular to be able to operate with higher sealing head temperatures, it was necessary to protect the low melting product more effectively.

[0023] The Applicant finally found that by interposing a thermal protection element between the low melting product and the sealing region, the sealing is substantially freed from the presence of the low melting product and can be performed at higher temperatures and on heat sealable materials more suited to production requirements.

[0024] Therefore, the present invention, in a first aspect thereof, relates to a method for packaging low melting products.

[0025] Preferably, this method comprises the step of at least partially wrapping a wrapping film around at least one of said low melting products.

[0026] Preferably, said wrapping film is made of heat-sealable material.

[0027] Preferably, said wrapping film is wrapped around said low melting product so as topartially overlap a first flap of said wrapping film onto a second flap of said wrapping film defining a sealing region of said wrapping film.

[0028] Preferably, this method comprises the step of interposing between said low melting product and said sealing region at least one thermal protection element, so as to thermally protect said low melting product.

[0029] Preferably, said method comprises the step of heating said sealing region of said wrapping film on the opposite side to said thermal protection element so as to thermally seal said first flap and said second flap at said sealing region.

[0030] Preferably, such a method comprises the step of removing said at least one thermal protection element from said product wrapped in said wrapping film.

[0031] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a packaging apparatus for low melting products.

[0032] Preferably, said apparatus comprises at least one thermal protection element.

[0033] Preferably, said at least one thermal protection element is movable to and from an operating position in which said thermal protection element is positioned in contact with or in proximity to one of said low melting products.

[0034] Preferably, said apparatus comprises a wrapping device configured to at least partially wrap a wrapping film around said low melting product.

[0035] Preferably, said wrapping device is configured to at least partially wrap said wrapping film also around said at least one thermal protection element.

[0036] Preferably, said wrapping film is made of heat-sealable material.

[0037] Preferably, said wrapping device is configured so as to partially overlap a first flap of said wrapping film onto a second flap of said wrapping film defining a sealing region of said wrapping film.

[0038] Preferably, said first flap is overlapped on said second flap at said at least one thermal protection element.

[0039] Preferably, said apparatus comprises a sealing device configured so as to heat said sealing region of said wrapping film on the opposite side to said thermal protection element so as to thermally seal said first flap and said second flap at said sealing region.Thanks to the method and apparatus described above, it is possible to seal the wrapping film wrapped around the low melting product without the temperature of the sealing operation affecting or even damaging the low melting product.

[0040] In other words, the low melting product is in this way essentially thermally separated from the elements involved in the sealing process, so that these can be selected in the most effective and appropriate way to increase productivity and / or packaging quality, while maintaining the characteristics of the low melting product.

[0041] In addition, this solution does not involve the use of components operating under vacuum, e.g. to suck the sealing region towards a sealing head, thus making a vacuum line unnecessary and simplifying the design and operation of the packaging apparatus.

[0042] A further advantage of this solution is that it results in a low melting product packaged with a wrapping film tightly wrapped around the low melting product.

[0043] The present solution, in at least one of the aforementioned aspects, may have at least one of the further preferred features set forth below.

[0044] In some embodiments, said heating step comprises bringing a sealing head into contact with said sealing region of said wrapping film on the side opposite said heat protection element.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the heating of the sealing region can take place by other means, e.g. by the use of ultrasonic sealing devices.

[0046] Preferably, said heating step comprises pressing said sealing head against said thermal protection element so as to press said first flap and said second flap at said sealing region.

[0047] In this way, the bond between the first and second flaps of the wrapping film is improved by the pressure exerted on them by the sealing head and the corresponding abutment action exerted by the thermal protection element.

[0048] In some embodiments, said interposing step comprises a step of moving said at least one thermal protection element from a non-operating position, wherein said at least one thermal protection element is distanced from said low melting product, to an operating position, wherein said at least one thermal protection element is brought close to said low melting product.

[0049] In certain embodiments, in said operating position said thermal protection element hasa distance from said low melting product of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm and more preferably less than 1 mm, or is substantially in contact with said low melting product.

[0050] In this way, the sealing region of the wrapping film can be sealed very close to the product, so that, once the thermal protection element is removed, it is substantially leaning against the low melting product.

[0051] In some embodiments, said at least one thermal protection element is moved towards said operating position along an insertion direction.

[0052] In some embodiments, said insertion direction is substantially parallel to said sealing region.

[0053] In some embodiments, said low melting product is extended along a prevailing longitudinal direction.

[0054] In particular, the low melting product can be shaped into a bar.

[0055] In some embodiments, said insertion direction is substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction of the low melting product.

[0056] In some embodiments, said sealing region is extended substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction.

[0057] In some embodiments, said at least one thermal protection element is moved to said operating position before said first flap is superimposed on said second flap to define said sealing region.

[0058] In this way, the first and second flaps of the wrapping film are overlapped on the thermal protection element on the side opposite the low melting product, thus also benefiting from the abutment action exerted by the thermal protection element in folding the first and second flaps around the same thermal protection element.

[0059] In some embodiments, in the movement towards said operating position, said at least one thermal protection element folds a portion of said wrapping film over said low melting product.

[0060] Preferably, said portion of wrapping film is lateral with respect to said first flap and said second flap.

[0061] Preferably, said portion of wrapping film is folded over an end region of said low meltingproduct.

[0062] In this way, the displacement of the thermal protection element is exploited to perform a necessary folding of the wrapping film, saving additional components of the apparatus. In other words, the thermal protection element also acts as a folding element.

[0063] In some embodiments, said wrapping step comprises the step of partially wrapping said low melting product with said wrapping film at a first station.

[0064] In some embodiments, said wrapping step comprises the step of overlapping said first flap onto said second flap of said wrapping film at a second station.

[0065] In some embodiments, said first station and said second station are separate from each other, in other embodiments, said first station coincides with said second station.

[0066] In some embodiments, said first station and said second station are separate from each other and it is provided to transport by means of a conveyor said low melting product partially wrapped in said wrapping film from said first station to said second station along a transport direction.

[0067] In this way, the step of wrapping the wrapping film around the low melting product is divided into two distinct steps that, in some embodiments, can advantageously be performed in two separate stations of the apparatus.

[0068] In some embodiments, at said first station said low melting product is wrapped in said wrapping film on at least three of its sides.

[0069] In some embodiments, said heating step is carried out at said second station.

[0070] In this way, the sealing step can take place immediately after the first flap has been overlapped onto the second flap of the wrapping film, avoiding possible displacement and decoupling of the two flaps and allowing for precise sealing.

[0071] In some embodiments, said transport direction of the low melting product from the first to the second station is essentially perpendicular to said insertion direction of at least one thermal protection element.

[0072] In some embodiments, said transport direction of the low melting product from the first to the second station is essentially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction of said low melting product.

[0073] In some embodiments, said at least one thermal protection element is mounted on saidconveyor.

[0074] In some embodiments, said at least one thermal protection element is moved to said operating position during the transport of said low melting product from said first station to said second station.

[0075] In this way, the folding action of the portion of wrapping film from the thermal protection element is carried out during the transport of the low melting product from the first to the second station.

[0076] In some embodiments, during transport from said first station to said second station, said low melting product is retained on said conveyor, at least in part, by said at least one thermal protection element.

[0077] In some embodiments, said low melting product is accommodated in said conveyor within respective seats.

[0078] In some embodiments, said seats are suitably shaped to allow the entry and exit of said product through the same opening.

[0079] Preferably, during transport from said first station to said second station, said low melting product is supported on said at least one thermal protection element when moved towards said operating position.

[0080] In this way, the thermal protection element also acts as a retaining element for the low melting product on the conveyor.

[0081] In some embodiments, two thermal protection elements are interposed between said low melting product and said sealing region.

[0082] In some embodiments, said thermal protection elements are moved to their respective operating positions along opposite insertion directions.

[0083] Preferably, when the low melting product has a predominantly longitudinal extension, said two thermal protection elements are inserted parallel to said longitudinal direction by the opposing ends of the low melting product.

[0084] In some embodiments, a low melting product is a chocolate-based or chocolate-coated food product.

[0085] In some embodiments, said wrapping, interposing and heating steps are carried out simultaneously on respective pluralities of low melting products.In some embodiments, said conveyor comprises a polygonal carousel.

[0086] In some embodiments, said sealing head is heated to a temperature of more than 80 °C, preferably comprised between 100 °C and 150 °C, and more preferably around 130 °C.

[0087] In some embodiments, said at least one thermal protection element is a plate made of metal material, e.g. stainless steel.

[0088] This makes the thermal protection element particularly suitable for use in food processing, and it also has good stiffness and mechanical strength characteristics even at low thicknesses.

[0089] In some embodiments, said at least one thermal protection element has a thickness of less than 2 mm, preferably comprised between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, more preferably around 0.5 mm.

[0090] In this way, the wrapping film can be sealed in a particularly close position to the low melting product, so as to obtain a low melting product wrapped very tightly in the wrapping film, in particular maintaining a distance between product and wrapping film of less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm.

[0091] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of packaging low melting products, comprising:

[0092] positioning at least one thermal protection element in proximity to or in contact with one of said low melting products,

[0093] wrapping at least partially a wrapping film of heat-sealable material around said low melting product and said at least one heat protection element, so as to partially overlap a first flap of said film over a second flap of said film at said at least one heat protection element, the overlap area of said first flap and said second flap defining a sealing region of said film,

[0094] heating said sealing region of said film on the side opposite said thermal protection element so as to heat seal said first flap and said second flap at said sealing region,

[0095] removing said at least one thermal protection element from said product wrapped in said film.

[0096] It should be noted that some steps of the methods described above may be independent of the order of execution reported. In addition, some steps may be optional. Furthermore, some steps of the method can be performed repetitively, or can be performed in seriesor in parallel with other steps of the method.

[0097] The features and advantages of the present solution will become clearer from the detailed description of an embodiment shown, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0098] Figure 1 is a partial schematic and perspective view of an apparatus for packaging low melting products made in accordance with the present solution;

[0099] Figure 2 is a partial schematic and perspective view of the packaging apparatus in Figure 1 in a different operating step;

[0100] Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views in a different perspective of the packaging apparatus in Figure 1 in successive operating steps;

[0101] Figures 5, 6 and 7 are schematic views of the packaging apparatus in Figure 1 in a different perspective in successive operating steps.

[0102] Referring to the enclosed Figures, number 100 denotes a packaging apparatus made in accordance with the present solution.

[0103] The packaging apparatus 100 is designed to wrap low melting products 1 (hereinafter referred to as “products” for brevity) in respective wrapping films 2.

[0104] The products 1 are, in this preferred embodiment, chocolate-coated bars, extended along a predominantly longitudinal direction A between two longitudinally opposed end regions 1a, 1b.

[0105] The packaging apparatus 100 comprises a conveyor 3 of products 1 configured to move the products 1 in groups of four units at a time towards a feeder 2a configured to continuously feed the wrapping films 2 and position them one at a time on top of the products 1 on the conveyor 3.

[0106] The conveyor 3 then moves the products 1, again in groups of four at a time, along a substantially horizontal travel direction F, towards a wrapping device collectively indicated by the number 4.

[0107] The wrapping device 4 comprises a first station 5, at which the wrapping film 2 is partially wrapped around the respective product 1 , and a second station 6, spaced apart from the first station 5, at which the wrapping film 2 is further wrapped around the respective product 1 in such a manner that a first flap 7 of the wrapping film 2 is overlapped on a second flap 8 of the wrapping film 2, so as to form a sealing region 9 in that overlapping area of the two flaps 7 and 8.The apparatus comprises a conveyor to transport the products 1 , in groups of four, from the first station 5 to the second station 6 of the wrapping device 4.

[0108] The conveyor consists of a polygonal carousel 10 that rotates with discontinuous motion, at a constant angular pitch, about an axis of rotation T, which is horizontal. The polygonal carousel 10 has an essentially hexagonal shape and comprises six faces 10a, which are essentially identical to one other.

[0109] The polygonal carousel 10 rotates with discontinuous motion with a constant angular pitch of 60° at a time, defining a transport direction Y for the products 1 between a plurality of workstations arranged around the polygonal carousel 10. The transport direction Y for each product 1 on the polygonal carousel 10 is a circumferential direction.

[0110] The first station 5 comprises a plurality of tubular guides 11 , with a vertical axis, through which the products 1 are guided once they are brought into position by the conveyor 3.

[0111] Specifically, the products are moved from the conveyor 3 to the polygonal carousel 10 through the guides 11, thanks to the action of a pair of lifting elements 12a and 12b which, respectively, push the products 1 from below and, at the same time, hold them from above (Fig. 4).

[0112] The passage of the products 1 through the guides 11 causes the wrapping film 2 to be partially wrapped around 3 sides of the product 1 and around the respective end regions, thus leaving only the side of the product 1 uncovered, identified in the following as the base 1c of the product 1 (better seen in Fig. 3).

[0113] The partially-wrapped products 1 are accommodated within respective seats 13, formed in groups of four on each side 10a of the polygonal carousel 10 and advantageously shaped so as to accommodate the product 1 while maintaining the partial wrapping in the wrapping film 2 obtained by passing between the guides 11.

[0114] Preferably, the products 1 are accommodated in the respective seats 13 in such a way that their longitudinal direction A is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation T of the polygonal carousel 10.

[0115] Each seat 13 has a main opening 13a, defined on its radially outer side and open on the face 10a, through which the products 1 are inserted and withdrawn, and, advantageously, also a secondary opening 3b, defined on its radially inner side and shaped in such a way as to allow the passage through them of lifting elements 12b, but not of products 1 (e.g. by providing one or more abutment teeth).For the same reason, the products 1 are placed on the conveyor 3 at the opposing ends 1a, 1b, (see Figures 1 and 2) so that the lifting elements 12a can pass from under the conveyor 3 to lift the products 1 through the guides 11 to the polygonal carousel 10.

[0116] The guides 11 are advantageously moved vertically to and from the polygonal carousel 10. In particular, the guides 11 are brought closer to a face 10a of the polygonal carousel 10 when it is stationary and the products are passing through the guides, so that the product 1 exiting the guide 11 is immediately inserted into the respective seat 13 of the polygonal carousel 10 (Fig. 4), and are then moved away from the polygonal carousel 10 to allow its rotation by a predetermined angle, about the axis of rotation T (Fig. 3).

[0117] Each face 10a of the polygonal carousel 10 is delimited by two axially opposing, parallel sides 14. A respective retaining device 15 is mounted on each side 14, each comprising four thermal protection elements 16 extending along a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation T and facing a centre plane M (perpendicular to the axis of rotation T and shown indicatively in hatched form in Fig. 5) of the respective face 10a on which they are mounted.

[0118] Each thermal protection element 16 comprises a metal plate, e.g. made of stainless steel, of a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm, a length of slightly more than half the length of the base 1c of the product 1 and a width substantially equal to the width of the base 1c of the product 1.

[0119] The retaining devices 15 are mounted on the sides 14 in a position radially external to the respective face 10a and are movable along an insertion direction X, substantially parallel to the axial longitudinal direction A of the product 1 and the axis of rotation T and substantially perpendicular to the transport direction Y.

[0120] In particular, each thermal protection element 16 is movable along an insertion direction X between a non-operating position, in which each thermal protection element 16 is distanced from the product 1, to an operating position, in which the thermal protection element 16 is brought closer to the product 1. In particular, when moved to its operating position, each thermal protection element 16 is located ata seat 13, substantially to close the latter, in contact with or very close to, the base 1c of the product housed in the seat 13.

[0121] When the face 10a is positioned above the guides 11 , the retaining devices 15 are moved to the non-operating position so as not to obstruct the insertion of a group of four products 1 into the respective seats 13 through the main opening 13a.When the products 1 are inside the seats 13, the two retaining devices 15 are displaced by an initial distance from the non-operating position towards the operating position, one towards the other, along the insertion direction.

[0122] This first displacement defines a retaining position, intermediate between the nonoperating position and the operating position, in which each pair of thermal protection elements 16 facing each other partially obstructs the main opening 13a of the respective seat 13 at the end regions 1a and 1b of the products 1. In this way, the products 1 are prevented from leaving the seat 13 while, at the same time, allowing the lifting elements 12a and 12b to move away from them 13.

[0123] Not only that, the movement of the thermal protection elements 16 towards the aforementioned retaining position causes an initial folding of a respective portion 17 of the wrapping film 2, laterally and interposed between the flaps 7 and 8 of the wrapping film 2, around the respective end regions 1a, 1b of the product 1.

[0124] When the polygonal carousel 10 is rotated by an angular pitch, equal to a rotation angle of 60°, the face 10a that has just received the products 1 in its seats 13 is moved to an intermediate station 18 between the first station 5 and the second station 6 of the wrapping device 4. At this intermediate station 18, the retaining devices 15 are further towards the centre line of the face 10a, so that the thermal protection elements 16 are moved along the insertion direction X to the operating position.

[0125] In this position, the entire base 1c of the product 1 is covered from the radially outer side of the face 10a by a pair of thermal protection elements 16 extending longitudinally from the end regions 1a, 1b of the product 1 towards its centre.

[0126] It will be noted that this further movement of the thermal protection elements 16 towards the operating position also results in the completion of the folding of the portions 17 around the respective end regions 1a and 1b and against the base 1c of the product 1.

[0127] When the polygonal carousel 10 is further rotated by another pitch, the face 10a is located at the second station 6 of the wrapping device 4. The second station 6 comprises, for each seat 13, a pair of folders 19a, 19b configured to fold on the thermal protection element 16 the second flap 8 and, straight after, the first flap 7 which partially overlaps the second flap 8, thus defining the sealing zone 9.

[0128] In particular, each pair of folders 19a, 19b is movable towards the face 10a and, once positioned close to it, are further movable towards the seat 13, parallel to it but at different times, so as to fold first the second flap 8 and then the first flap 7 onto it.In this way, the thermal protection elements 16 are interposed between the radially outer sealing region 9 and the base 1c of the product 1.

[0129] Also at the second station 6, the apparatus 100 comprises a sealing device 20 comprising four sealing heads 21, movable to and from the seats 13, configured to heat the sealing region opposite the thermal protection element 16 so as to thermally seal the first flap 7 and the second flap 8 at the sealing region 9.

[0130] Each sealing head 21 has a temperature sufficient to soften or partially melt the wrapping film 2 at the sealing region 9, e.g. a temperature of approximately 130°C.

[0131] As soon as the folders 19a, 19b are moved away from the seats 13 leaving the folding regions 9 uncovered, the sealing heads 21 are moved against the heat protection elements 16, pressing the sealing regions 9 of the respective products 1 against them.

[0132] The temperature and pressure action of the sealing heads 21 causes the heat-sealable material of the wrapping film 2 to be sealed along the sealing region 9, which can be either continuous or spot sealed.

[0133] The presence of the thermal protection elements 16 advantageously allows the base 1c of the product 1 to be protected from the heat emitted by the sealing head 21, thus preserving the chemical-physical and organoleptic characteristics of the product 1.

[0134] When the polygonal carousel 10 is further rotated by another angular pitch, the face 10a arrives at a release station 22 where the retaining devices 15 are moved along the insertion direction X away from the seats 13 so that the thermal protection elements 16 are removed from the sealing region 9 and moved to the non-operating position.

[0135] In this position, the face 10a is substantially horizontal with the main opening 13a of the seats 13 facing upwards, so that the products 1 remain within the seats 13 even in the absence of the retaining action of the thermal protection elements 16.

[0136] When the polygonal carousel 10 is further rotated by another angular pitch, the face 10a arrives at a pick-up station 23, where the products 1, wrapped in the wrapping film 2, are removed from their respective seats 13 by means of a special pick-up device.

[0137] This solution thus solves the technical problem identified above, while achieving additional benefits.

[0138] It goes without saying that, in order to meet specific and contingent application needs, a person skilled in the art will be able to make further modifications and variants to thesolution described above that are nevertheless within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for packaging low melting products (1) comprising:wrapping, at least partially, a wrapping film (2) of heat-sealable material around at least one of said low melting products (1), so as to partially overlap a first flap (7) of said wrapping film (2) onto a second flap (8) of said wrapping film (2) defining a sealing region (9) of said wrapping film (2),interposing between said low melting product (1) and said sealing region (9) at least one thermal protection element (16) so as to thermally protect said low melting product (1),heating said sealing region (9) of said wrapping film (2) on the side opposite said thermal protection element (16) so as to heat seal said first flap (7) and said second flap (8) at said sealing region (9),removing said at least one thermal protection element (16) from said low melting product (1) wrapped in said wrapping film (2).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said heating comprises bringing a sealing head (21) into contact with said sealing region (9) of said wrapping film (2), on the side opposite said thermal protection element (16).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said heating comprises pressing said sealing head (21) against said thermal protection element (16) so as to press said first flap (7) and said second flap (8) at said sealing region (9).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said interposing comprises moving said at least one thermal protection element (16) from a non-operating position, wherein said at least one thermal protection element (16) is distanced from said low melting product (1), to an operating position, wherein said at least one thermal protection element (16) is brought close to said low melting product (1).

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein said at least one thermal protection element (16) is moved towards said operating position along an insertion direction (X).

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein said insertion direction (X) is substantially parallel to said sealing region (9).

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said low melting product (6) isextended along a longitudinal direction (A) and said insertion direction (X) is substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction (A).

8. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said at least one thermal protection element (16) is moved to said operating position before said first flap (7) is overlapped on said second flap (8) to define said sealing region (9).

9. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein, while moving towards said operating position, said at least one thermal protection element (16) folds a portion (17) of said wrapping film (2) over said low melting product (1), said portion (17) of wrapping film being lateral with respect to said first flap (7) and said second flap (8).

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wrapping comprises partially wrapping said low melting product (1) with said wrapping film (2) at a first station (5) and overlapping said first flap (7) on said second flap (8) of said wrapping film (2) at a second station (6) and it is provided to transport by means of a conveyor (10) said low melting product (1) partially wrapped in said wrapping film (2) from said first station (5) to said second station (6) along a transport direction (Y).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein said heating is carried out at said second station (6).

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein, during the transport from said first station (5) to said second station (6), said low melting product (1) is retained on said conveyor (10), at least in part, by said at least one thermal protection element (16).

13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two thermal protection elements (16) are interposed between said low melting product (1) and said sealing region (9).

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein said thermal protection elements (16) are moved to their respective operating positions along opposite insertion directions (X).

15. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said low melting product (1) is a chocolate-based or chocolate-coated food product.

16. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wrapping, said interposing and said heating is carried out simultaneously on respective pluralities of said low melting products (1).

17. Packaging apparatus (100) for low melting products (1) comprising:at least one thermal protection element (16), which can be moved to and from an operating position wherein said thermal protection element (16) is positioned in contact with or in proximity to one of said low melting products (1),a wrapping device (4) configured to at least partially wrap a wrapping film (2) of heat-sealable material around said low melting product (1) and said at least one thermal protection element (16), so as to partially overlap a first flap (7) of said wrapping film (2) onto a second flap (8) of said wrapping film (2) at said at least one thermal protection element (16), the overlapping area of said first flap (7) and of said second flap (8) defining a sealing region (9) of said wrapping film (2),a sealing device (20) configured to heat said sealing region (9) of said wrapping film (2) on the side opposite said thermal protection element (16) so as to heat seal said first flap (7) and said second flap (8) at said sealing region (9).

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said wrapping device (4) comprises a first station (5) wherein said low melting product (1) is partially wrapped in said wrapping film (2) and a second station (6) wherein said first flap (7) of said wrapping film (2) is at least partially overlapped on a second flap (8) of said wrapping film (2) and said apparatus (100) comprises a conveyor (10) for transporting said low melting product (1) from said first station (5) to said second station (6).

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said conveyor comprises a polygonal carousel (10).

20. Apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said at least one thermal protection element (16) is mounted on said conveyor (10).

21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein said sealing device (20) is positioned at said second station (6).

22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein said at least one thermal protection element (16) is a plate of metal material with a thickness of between 0.3 and 1 mm.

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