Apparatus for closing a folded package without using gluing means and related method for closing a folded package

Abstract

Apparatus (80) for closing a folded package (4) without using gluing means, comprising: means for retaining (84) the package (4) in a folded configuration, the package (4) comprising at least one rear flap (8) and at least one front flap (12), overlapping the rear flap (8), on the side opposite to a containment volume (16) delimited by the package (4); the retaining means (84) comprising at least one stop element (88) which interfaces with the package (4), allowing it to stop in abutment and at least one locking device (76) of said rear flap (8) passing through an opening (72) obtained on said front flap (12), so as to keep said front (12) and rear (8) flaps locked in a mutual contact position, at least one pusher (192) having an operating stroke adapted to move a front closing tab (44) obtained from a front window (48) of the front flap (12), hinged along a front closing line (52), towards the rear flap (8) so as to interlock said front closing tab (44) in a rear window (40) on the rear flap (8). The pusher (192) comprises a slider (194) and a head (196), the slider (194) being operated according to an operating stroke along a longitudinal extension axis (L-L) and the head (196) comprising a first end (296) constrained to said slider (194) and a second free end (396) adapted to interface with said package (4). The longitudinal extension axis (L-L) is inclined by an angle a comprised between 30° and 80° with respect to an abutment surface (S) of said pusher (192) lying parallel to that of the front (12) and rear (8) flaps in a folded configuration.

Description

"APPARATUS FOR CLOSING A FOLDED PACKAGE WITHOUT USING GLUING MEANS AND RELATED METHOD FOR CLOSING A FOLDED PACKAGE "DESCRIPTION FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for closing a folded package without using gluing means and a related method for closing a folded package .BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the background art, there are automatic machines for packaging products (primary packaging) inside cartons (secondary packaging - wrap-around and RSC) which may use two carton closing systems, i . e . , a closing system with hot-melt glue and / or adhesive tape .

[0003] Both technologies result in the plant having high production and maintenance costs for operating these two systems .

[0004] Further, the use of glue and / or adhesive tape makes the cardboard package partially recyclable . In fact, before the carton can be sent to the recycling process, a step of removing the glue or adhesive tape is necessary.

[0005] Currently, there are wrap-around type cardboard packages with interlocking closing systems, free of glue and / or tape, designed to be closed only by means of a manual closing process, the automation of which mayinvolve complicated closing systems which are, in their own right, very costly and which do not ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and repeatability under all conditions of use fundamental for an industrial process .

[0006] Such solutions further fail to ensure the integrity of the closure over time, or in any case do not ensure the same closure performance achievable with the aid of glue and / or adhesive tape .

[0007] In other words, the known solutions of packages which are folded and closed without the aid of glue and / or adhesive tape are difficult to automate on production lines, and must be closed manually: this limitation entails considerable increases in production times and costs . Furthermore, the known solutions free of glue and / or adhesive tape do not guarantee the same closing performance as the solutions which instead make use thereof .

[0008] Therefore, the technical constraint to overcome in this case is that of finding a closure embodiment which is automatable and as resistant as a closure with glue or adhesive tape, a method and a system which enable an effective and efficient automation thereof, and which are simultaneously simple and low-cost .

[0009] Another aspect to be taken into consideration is linked to the fact that, with interlocking closingsystems, the operator who manually interlocks the components with one another is capable of making sure to fold and insert the components in the correct manner, thereby imparting the correct folds with the correct force so as to prevent the package from reopening once folded .

[0010] To automate a process of closing a package, it is therefore also necessary to provide such a process with systems which mimic the manual closure, not only in the modes, but also in the selection of the force and of the correct folding to reproduce .PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Therefore, the need is felt to solve the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art .

[0012] In other words, the need is felt to provide a package, for example a wrap-around type carton, with closures which do not use hot-melt glue or adhesive tape, which can be automated in the package forming and closing process . The closed package must further have the same opening resistance features as the conventional systems with hot-melt glue or adhesive tape .

[0013] Furthermore, the need is felt to provide an automatable apparatus capable of automatically forming and closing a wrap-around carton with a speciallydesigned closing system of the interlocking type . The process of forming and closing the package must further ensure the same speed, efficiency, and resistance performance as the known hot-melt glue or tape closing systems .

[0014] Such a need is satisfied by an apparatus for closing a folded package according to claim 1 and by a method for closing a folded package according to claim 12.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more comprehensible from the following description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 depicts a partial perspective view of a closed package in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figures 2-8 depict perspective views from different angles or views at least partially in section of a closing apparatus in accordance with the present invention, according to a possible closing sequence of a package ;

[0018] Figure 9 depicts a perspective view, from different angles, of a pusher in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, in an inactive state ;

[0019] Figure 10 depicts a perspective view, from different angles, of a pusher in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, in a first advancement step;

[0020] Figure 11 depicts a top plan view of the pusher of Figure 10;

[0021] Figure 12a depicts a perspective view of the head of a pusher in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 12b depicts a perspective view of the head of a pusher in accordance with a possible alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 13a depicts a schematic top plan view of a pusher during the advancement step in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 13b depicts a schematic top plan view of a pusher during the advancement step in accordance with a possible alternative embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] The elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described below will be indicated by the same reference numerals .DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] With reference to the aforesaid figures, reference numeral 4 globally indicates an overall schematic view of a package in accordance with the present invention.

[0027] For the purposes of the present invention, the size or the shape of the package to be closed is not relevant .

[0028] Furthermore, for the purposes of the present invention the material of the package is not relevant . In other words, the invention may be applied to packages obtained from suitably shaped blanks which are folded starting from cardboard sheets, but also sheets made of other materials, such as, for example, plastic or metallic materials .

[0029] The package 4 comprises at least one rear flap 8 and at least one front flap 12, foldable onto the rear flap 8 so that, in a folded configuration, it overlaps the rear flap 8, on the side opposite to a containment volume 16 delimited by the package 4.

[0030] The rear flap 8 comprises at least one rear closing tab 56, cut out from a rear window 40 and hinged with respect to a rear closing line 62.

[0031] The front flap 12 instead comprises at least one front closing tab 44, cut out from a front window 48 and hinged with respect to a front closing line 52.

[0032] The front window 48 is at least partially aligned with and overlapping the rear window 40 in the folded configuration so that the front closing line 52 faces the free end of the rear closing tab 56, and the rear closing line 62 faces the free end of the front closing tab 44.

[0033] In order to obtain a stable closure of the package, the front closing tab 44 is inserted in the rear window 40 .

[0034] In turn, the front closing tab 44 influences the rear closing tab 56 in the closing position of the rear window 40.

[0035] In fact, the rear closing tab 56 may entirely close the rear window 40 itself or, alternatively interfere with the front closing tab 44 and not entirely close the rear window 40.

[0036] Such a solution makes it possible to obtain a closure of the package which is secure and difficult to reopen .

[0037] In accordance with a possible embodiment, the front flap 12 comprises at least one front opening 72, which is through, so as to allow access to a portion of the underlying rear flap 8 in a folded configuration, to insert a locking device 76 (better described below) , for example from the side of the front flap 12 and selectively lock the rear flap 8 in abutment against the front flap 12, during the closing step of the package 4 through the front closing tab 44.

[0038] Preferably, but not necessarily, said front opening 72 is arranged close to the front window 48, so as not to intercept the rear window 40, in the foldedconfiguration .

[0039] An apparatus 80 for closing a folded package 4 without the use of gluing means will now be described.

[0040] In particular, the apparatus 80 comprises retaining means 84 for the package 4 in a folded configuration, i . e . having at least one rear flap 8 and at least one front flap 12, overlapping the rear flap 8, on the side opposite to the containment volume 16 delimited by the package itself .

[0041] The retaining means 84 comprise at least one stop element 88 which interfaces with the package 4, allowing it to stop in abutment, and at least one locking device 76 of the rear flap 8, so as to keep the front flap 12 and rear flap 8 locked in a mutual contact position.

[0042] In accordance with a possible embodiment, the locking device 76 of said rear flap comprises at least one suction cup, which abuts against a portion of the rear flap 8 .

[0043] The apparatus 80 further comprises at least one pusher 192. The pusher 192 has an operating stroke capable of moving the closing tab 44, obtained from a front window 48 of the front flap 12 and hinged along a front closing line 52, toward the rear flap 8 so as to interlock the front closing tab 44 in the rear window 40 of the rear flap 8.

[0044] Preferably, the pusher 192 comprises a slider 194, operated according to an operating stroke along a longitudinal extension axis L-L, and a head 196, which comprises a first end 296 constrained to the slider 194 and a second free end 396 adapted to interface with the package 4 .

[0045] According to an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal extension axis L-L is inclined by an angle a comprised between 50° and 80° with respect to an abutment surface S of the pusher 192 . Such a surface S lies parallel to the front flap 12 and the rear flap 8 in the folded configuration.

[0046] In other words, the pusher 192 , in the operating step, comes into contact first with the front closing tab 44 and further with the rear closing tab 56, when the package is in the folded configuration, at an angle comprised between 50° and 80° .

[0047] Preferably, the angle a assumes a value around 65° .

[0048] The fact that the operating stroke of the pusher is inclined as described above allows obtaining a yielding of the front closing tab 44 about the front closing line 52 toward the inner volume 16, ensuring the maintenance of the fold and, at the same time, avoiding breakage of the front closing tab 44 itself .

[0049] At the same time such an inclination prevents theyielding of the rear closing tab 56 around the rear closing line 62 and therefore ensures the rear closing tab 56 has sufficient elasticity so as to be able to close easily in front of the front closing tab and obtain the non-return interlocking.

[0050] In addition, the selection of the inclination angle depends on the specific geometry of the closing tabs and on the thickness of the package, also taking into account the possible use of plastic and metallic materials .

[0051] In accordance with a possible embodiment, the head 196 of the pusher 192 has a quadrangular section, with respect to a plane parallel to the longitudinal extension axis L-L and perpendicular to the abutment surface S .

[0052] Preferably, the head 196 has chamfered free edges 401, 403, where the free edges 401, 403 comprise a free edge 401, intended to come into contact with the rear tab 56, and a free edge 403, intended to come into contact with the front closing tab 44.

[0053] Further advantageously, the head 196 is made with a material having a friction coefficient less than or equal to 0.5 so as to ensure the sliding of the head 196 on the front closing tab 44 of the package . Such material is further highly polished or treated.

[0054] The edges are advantageously chamfered so that the package (in particular the tabs) is not cut and thereforedamaged by the head of the pusher . Thereby, the package remains intact even after the folding avoiding, for example, instilling in the user the doubt of possible tampering .

[0055] Advantageously, the free edge 403 - namely, the edge intended to be in contact with said front closing tab 44 - has a chamfer with a chamfer radius greater than the chamfer radius of the chamfer of the free edge 401 -namely, the edge intended to be in contact with the rear tab 56.

[0056] In other words, the advantage of having the free edge 403, used for opening the front closing tab 44 , more chamfered allows the head 196 to slide on the tab gradually during the opening thereof .

[0057] A further advantage of this solution is linked to the fact that the contact point between the head 196 of the pusher 192 and the front closing tab 44 determines, with the center of rotation of the tab itself, a greater lever arm with respect to a solution which includes a non-chamf ered or minimally chamfered edge .

[0058] In fact, a shorter lever arm results in a lower torque transfer at the fold, which implies the need to apply a greater force to yield and bring down the front closing tab 44 .

[0059] Such a condition may, in extreme cases, result indamage to the package, specifically buckling or dents, at the contact point .

[0060] In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the head 196 of the pusher 192 has a substantially spherical shape .

[0061] In accordance with a further alternative embodiment, the head 196 of the pusher 192 has a substantially elliptical shape .

[0062] In accordance with a further alternative embodiment, the head 196 of the pusher 192 has a wedge shape with chamfered edges .

[0063] These alternative solutions also allow the integrity of the package to be preserved during the folding step .

[0064] The operation of a closing apparatus and the corresponding closing method in accordance with the present invention will now be described.

[0065] In particular, the closing method firstly includes, in an initial step or step 0, the arrival of a carton or package 4 already preformed at the closing apparatus 80, to be subj ected to the closing step of the interlock (see Figure 2 ) .

[0066] In particular, in such an initial step, the front flap 12 and the rear flap 8 are folded and overlapping each other, so as to at least partially align the front window 48 and the rear window 40 with each other .

[0067] In the subsequent step 1 (Figure 3) the carton thus folded arrives at the closing station; then in step 2 (Figure 4 ) the closing apparatus 80 advances in a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction of the package 4 until coming in contact with the carton.

[0068] In step 3 (Figure 4 ) the stop element 88 holds the package 4 stationary in position and the locking device 76, such as, for example, suction cups, comes into contact with the rear flap 8 (by means of the front opening 72 present in the front flap 12 ) to keep it under tension and prevent it from closing inwards during the subsequent process of closing the interlock.

[0069] In particular, in the subsequent step 4 (Figures 5-6) , the closing apparatus 80 drives the pushers 192.

[0070] Preferably said pushers 192 advance longitudinally along the respective longitudinal extension axes L-L inclined by an angle a comprised between 50° and 80° and simultaneously at least partially push the front closing window 44 and the rear closing window 56 toward the containment volume 16 of the package 4.

[0071] In other words, in step 4, the slider 194 is moved during the push so as to make the front closing tab 44 yield toward the containment volume 16 of the package 4.

[0072] Then the closing tab 44 completely enters inside the volume 16 of the package and is interlocked in the rearwindow 40 of the rear flap 8.

[0073] Such a position persists also following the retraction of the head 196 (step 5 - Figures 7-8 ) ; it should be specified that the closing tab 44 remains in an internal position also by virtue of the containment action of the rear closing tab 56, partially closed.

[0074] In particular, in the subsequent step 6 (Figures 7-8 ) , the pusher 192 retracts and the rear closing tab 56 returns back to the initial starting position.

[0075] During the retraction movement of the pusher 192, the rear window 40 closes by virtue of the elastic return of the rear closing tab 56 of the rear flap 8, and the front closing tab 44 present in the front flap 12 remains interlocked therein. Thereby the package is sealed in the same points where hot-melt adhesive would have been applied. At this point, the stop element 88 releases the package 4, and the locking device 76 ceases to operate .

[0076] The carriage containing the apparatus 80 for locking the package and for closing the front closing tab 44 retracts, allowing the package 4 to advance in the process so as to make room for a new package 4 ready to be closed with the same method.

[0077] Preferably, the operating stroke of the pusher 192 is inclined by an angle a which assumes a value around 65° with respect to an abutment surface S of the pusher192, lying parallel to the front flap 12 and the rear flap 8 in the folded configuration of the package .

[0078] As can be appreciated from the above description, the present invention allows overcoming the drawbacks introduced in the prior art .

[0079] In particular, the present invention, with respect to current solutions with tape or hot-melt closure, provides a plurality of technical-economic advantages, which are listed below.

[0080] Firstly, there is a lesser plant production cost, since there is no plant module dedicated to applying the glue and / or the adhesive tape, together with all the associated maintenance problems .

[0081] Further, a considerable saving is obtained on the cost of purchasing the glue and / or adhesive tape .

[0082] Further, there are annual savings on the cost of energy required to operate and heat the glue to be applied .

[0083] Further, greater plant efficiency is obtained by virtue of the elimination of stops due to malfunctions of the glue and / or tape application apparatus .

[0084] For the same reason, there are lower maintenance costs, since the inspections and maintenance of the glue and / or tape application plant are eliminated. Obviously, the glue and / or tape supply shipments are alsoeliminated .

[0085] Advantageously, it is possible to obtain 100% recycling of the package without contaminating elements, since the package is entirely free of glue and / or tape .

[0086] At the same time, the performance ensured by the present invention in terms of closure, long-term sealing, and reliability of the closure itself is entirely comparable, if not superior, to that obtainable from known solutions which include the use of glue and / or adhesive tape, but also with respect to manual closures .

[0087] Advantageously, the described pusher is capable of penetrating inside the containment volume of the package without risking damaging the items contained therein and without damaging the package itself during the closing operations .

[0088] In order to meet contingent, specific needs, those skilled in the art may make several changes and variations to the solutions described above .

[0089] The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the following claims .LIST OF REFERENCES :4 : package8 : rear flap12 : front flap16 : containment volume40 : rear window44 : front closing tab48 : front window52 : front closing line56 : rear closing tab62 : rear closing line72 : front opening76 : locking device80 : apparatus84 : retaining means88 : stop element192 : pusher194 : slider196 : head296 : constrained end396 : free end401 , 403 : chamfered edgesL-L : longitudinal extension axis of the pusher 192 S : abutment surfacea : angle

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Apparatus ( 80 ) for closing a folded package ( 4 ) without using gluing means , comprising :- means for retaining ( 84 ) the package ( 4 ) in a folded configuration, the package ( 4 ) comprising at least one rear flap ( 8 ) and at least one front flap ( 12 ) , overlapping the rear flap ( 8 ) , on the side opposite to a containment volume ( 16 ) delimited by the package ( 4 ) , - the retaining means ( 84 ) comprising at least one stop element ( 88 ) which interfaces with the package ( 4 ) , allowing it to stop in abutment and at least one locking device ( 76 ) of said rear flap ( 8 ) passing through an opening ( 72 ) obtained on said front flap ( 12 ) , so as to keep said front ( 12 ) and rear ( 8 ) flaps locked in a mutual contact position,- at least one pusher ( 192 ) having an operating stroke adapted to move a front closing tab ( 44 ) obtained from a front window ( 48 ) of the front f lap ( 12 ) , hinged along a front closing line ( 52 ) , towards the rear flap ( 8 ) so as to interlock said front closing tab ( 44 ) in a rear window ( 40 ) on the rear flap ( 8 ) ,- wherein the pusher ( 192 ) comprises a slider ( 194 ) and a head ( 196 ) , the slider ( 194 ) being operated according to an operating stroke along a longitudinal extension axis ( L-L ) and the head ( 196 ) comprising a first end ( 296 )constrained to said slider ( 194 ) and a second free end (396) adapted to interface with said package (4 ) , wherein said longitudinal extension axis (L-L) is inclined by an angle a comprised between 50° and 80° with respect to an abutment surface (S) of said pusher ( 192 ) lying parallel to that of the front ( 12 ) and rear ( 8 ) flaps in a folded configuration.

2. Apparatus ( 80) according to claim 1, wherein said angle a assumes a value around 65° .

3. Apparatus ( 80) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein said head ( 196) of said pusher ( 192 ) has a quadrangular section, with respect to a plane parallel to the longitudinal extension axis (L-L) and perpendicular to the abutment surface (S) , with chamfered free edges (401, 403) , said free edges (401, 403) comprising a free edge (401 ) intended to come into contact with the rear tab (56) and a free edge (403) intended to come into contact with said front closing tab ( 44) .

4. Apparatus ( 80) according to claim 3, wherein said free edge (403) intended to come into contact with said front closing tab (44 ) has a chamfer with a greater chamfering radius with respect to the chamfering radius of the chamfer of the free edge (401 ) intended to come into contact with the rear tab (56) .

5. Apparatus ( 80) according to any one of the precedingclaims 1-2 , wherein said head ( 196 ) of said pusher ( 192 ) has a substantially spherical shape .

6. Apparatus ( 80 ) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-2 , wherein said head ( 196 ) of said pusher ( 192 ) has a substantially elliptical shape .7 . Apparatus ( 80 ) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-2 , wherein said head ( 196 ) of said pusher ( 192 ) has a wedge shape with chamfered edges .8 . Apparatus ( 80 ) according to any one of claims 1-7 , wherein the head ( 196 ) is made of a material having a friction coef ficient less than or equal to 0 . 5 .

9. Apparatus ( 80 ) according to any one of claims 1- 8 , wherein the locking device ( 76 ) of said rear flap ( 8 ) comprises at least one suction cup which abuts against a portion of the rear flap ( 8 ) .10 . Apparatus ( 80 ) according to claim 9 , wherein said suction cup is arranged near said pusher ( 192 ) .11 . Method for closing a folded package ( 4 ) without using gluing means , comprising the steps of :- providing a closing apparatus ( 80 ) according to claim 1 ,- folding and overlapping the front flap ( 12 ) and the rear flap ( 8 ) with each other, so as to at least partially align the front window ( 48 ) and the rear window ( 40 ) with each other,- keeping said front ( 12 ) and rear flaps ( 8 ) in a folded configuration, and locking the rear f lap ( 8 ) in position, simultaneously at least partially pushing the front closing window ( 44 ) and the rear closing window ( 56 ) towards the containment volume ( 16 ) of the package ( 4 ) by means of said pusher ( 192 ) in a longitudinal advancement stroke inclined by an angle a comprised between 50 ° and 80 ° ,- moving the slider ( 194 ) during pushing so as to deform the front closing tab ( 44 ) towards the containment volume ( 16 ) of the package ( 4 ) and, when the pushing is no longer applied, the front closing tab ( 44 ) influences the rear closing tab ( 56 ) to at least partially close the rear window ( 40 ) of the rear flap ( 8 ) .12 . Method for closing a folded package ( 4 ) without using gluing means according to claim 11 , wherein the angle a assumes a value around 65 ° .

13. Method for closing a folded package ( 4 ) without using gluing means according to any one of claims 11- 12 , wherein during the step of pushing the front closing tab ( 44 ) towards the containment volume ( 16 ) of the package ( 4 ) by means of said pusher ( 192 ) , the step is included of locking the rear flap ( 8 ) against the front f lap ( 12 ) by means of a suction cup locking device ( 76 ) passing through an opening ( 72 ) obtained on said front flap ( 12 )and acting on each rear flap ( 8 ) .

14. Method for closing a folded package (4 ) without using gluing means according to any one of claims 11-13, comprising the step of providing a closing apparatus ( 80) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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