The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for packaging products, in which the products to be packaged are placed inside a box according to a predefined ordered configuration.

The present invention preferably applies, though not exclusively, to the sector of preparing and packaging products for food use or not, an example of which is represented by capsules for brewing beverages, such as coffee, a product to which reference will be made hereinafter without losing generality.

In particular, in this technical sector, packaging apparatuses are known in which a plurality of empty capsules are individually filled with the product to be packaged, such as coffee powder, and then, after being closed by an appropriate membrane, are sent to the final steps of packing into boxes and packaging. In particular, the packing step often provides placing the capsules inside the boxes according to a predefined ordered configuration, so as to optimise the space occupied by the capsules inside the boxes, as well as to give the final package a neat and tidy appearance which is generally appreciated by customers.

In the present description as well as in the claims enclosed thereto, certain terms and expressions are deemed to have, unless otherwise expressly indicated, the meaning set forth in the following definitions.

The term “product” means any object within an industrial production line that can be picked up, moved and deposited in a box.

The products are preferably equal to each other, but may also differ in some characteristics such as form, composition or colour.

Products can be, for example, food or sweets already packaged in individual containers or wrappers, such as coffee capsules or other brewing beverages, bottles and cartons of beverages, yoghurt pots, individual chocolates (wrapped or naked), candies, small boxes, pouches containing solid, liquid or semi-solid food products; also, ceramic industry products, sanitary napkins, products of the tobacco industry, cosmetic industry products, pharmaceutical industry products, personal & home care industry products.

The term “box” means any container suitable for containing products, in particular any container suitable for packaging products to be subsequently marketed. Preferably the box is intended to contain a plurality of products in an ordered configuration. The box is preferably made of cardboard and is provided with a closable lid, however other configurations and materials can be provided. “Configuration” of a plurality of products means the arrangement of the products in space, referring in particular to their mutual positioning and orientation in space.

A configuration is said to be “ordered” when the products, in a certain position of the packaging apparatus, maintain a predefined spatial arrangement, preferably constant over time.

In a plurality of products moved within the packaging apparatus along an advance direction, one or more “columns” of products and/or one or more “rows” of products may be identified, where a “column” of products is defined as a plurality of products aligned with each other substantially parallel to the advance direction, and a “row” of products is defined as a plurality of products aligned with each other substantially perpendicular to the advance direction.

The advance direction may be essentially rectilinear or curved.

In a column or a row, products may be spaced apart from, or in contact with each other. A “guide” is a mechanical device arranged to allow the products therein to slide between an inlet section and an outlet section along an essentially linear path, which, in turn, may be rectilinear or curved and may extend in a plane or in space. Preferably, the guide extends in a prevailing longitudinal direction, which allows to define a longitudinal axis of the guide and defines the linear path of the articles between the starting and finishing sections.

Preferably, the guide is a static mechanical member.

Preferably, the guide is configured to accommodate and guide therein a single row of products and to maintain the products in a spatial orientation which is fixed with respect to the guide, as they move along the linear path.

Preferably, the products slide along the guide by the force of gravity, however it is also provided that such sliding is caused or favoured by other external forces such as air jets or drive belts.

A guide (or a tract thereof) may be rotated about its longitudinal axis in a substantially progressive manner. In other words, in the guide or tract thereof, the orientation of the cross-section of the guide varies as the position along its longitudinal axis changes, so that each cross-section is angularly offset from the sections immediately preceding or following it.

The rotation of the guide about its own longitudinal axis may be constant along its longitudinal axis, i.e. the angular offset between cross-sections remains constant with the same distance along the longitudinal axis, or it may be variable. In particular, the rotation of the guide may also change direction or, for small portions of the guide, be zero.

The overall rotation of the guide around its longitudinal axis between the inlet section and outlet section is quantified by a “rotation angle”, which is preferably expressed in minimum terms between 0° and 360°. In other words, the rotation angle is expressed without taking into account any full 360° rotations, which in fact have no effect on the orientation of the products, so that, for example, a rotation angle of 60° also corresponds to a generic rotation angle of 60° + n* 360° (with n being an integer).

The Applicant firstly observed that products often have to be deposited inside a box in an ordered configuration which is different from the one in which they are discharged from a production line.

In particular, the Applicant has also ascertained that the maximum compaction requirements, often inspiring the ordered configuration of the products inside a box, hardly combines with the requirements related to the production steps.

In particular, the Applicant observed that, in the production step, an ordered configuration of the products, wherein the latter are suitably spaced and uniformly oriented, is preferred, whereas in the packing step, an ordered configuration, wherein the products are placed next to each other and sometimes also oriented differently, is preferred so as to minimise their overall encumbrance, and consequently, also the size of the box in which they are packaged.

The Applicant also noted that this event is particularly frequent in case of products with a highly asymmetrical form, where re-orienting adjacent products may allow to save significant space.

For example, the Applicant noted that coffee capsules have a tapered form from the head towards the base (typically truncated-conical shape) which can be easily compacted inside a box by inclining the capsules with respect to each other. On the other hand, in the production step, it is advisable that the capsules are all oriented in the same way: for example, in a particularly widespread production plant, it is provided that the capsules are moved between the various workstations on multi track conveyors where the capsules are arranged in parallel rows, spaced out from each other, and are all oriented with their heads upwards so as to facilitate the step of filling them with coffee powder and subsequently positioning and sealing the closing membrane of the capsule .

The Applicant has therefore found that changing the configuration of the products can be particularly critical and expensive in terms of equipment. In fact, in order to arrange the products being discharged from the production line in the predefined ordered configuration required for packing them, it is often necessary to pick up and handle the capsules one by one, using robotic gripping members capable of complex and precise movements.

This inevitably leads to high production, management and maintenance costs.

The Applicant therefore felt the need to simplify the operation of preparing the products to be packed in order to significantly reduce the resources and costs associated with this operation.

In order to meet this requirement, the Applicant perceived that the configuration of a plurality of products could be modified by sliding the individual products of that plurality along respective suitably formed guides.

In particular, the Applicant has realised that a guide arranged to accommodate therein a product adapted to slide can accurately determine not only the discharge position of that product but also its orientation in space.

The Applicant has finally found that, by sliding a plurality of products between a supply station and a discharge station within respective guides, each configured to lead such products along its longitudinal axis and to rotate them at the same time about its longitudinal axis through a suitable rotation angle, it is possible to obtain a very wide range of configurations of products being discharged from the guides without any need to rely on complex and expensive handling members.

Thus, the present invention, in a first aspect thereof, relates to an apparatus for packaging products comprising a supply station on which said products are arranged and a discharge station placed downstream of said supply station and arranged to receive said products from said supply station.

Preferably, said apparatus for packaging products is arranged to package said products inside boxes.

Preferably, said packaging apparatus comprises at least a first guide which extends along a longitudinal axis thereof between said supply station and said discharge station.

Preferably, said at least one first guide is configured to lead a single column of said products along said longitudinal axis from said supply station to said discharge station. Preferably, said at least one first guide is configured to rotate, at the same time, said products about said longitudinal axis through a first rotation angle different from 0°.

Preferably, said packaging apparatus comprises at least a second guide which extends along a longitudinal axis thereof between said supply station and said discharge station.

Preferably, said at least one second guide is configured to lead a further single column of said products along said longitudinal axis from said supply station to said discharge station.

Preferably, said at least one second guide is configured to rotate, at the same time, said products about said longitudinal axis through a first rotation angle different from 0° and different from said first rotation angle.

The present invention, in a second aspect thereof, relates to a method for packaging products in boxes.

Preferably, said method comprises the step of arranging a plurality of said products in a first configuration in a supply station.

Preferably, said method comprises the step of sliding said products from said supply station to a discharge station along at least a first and a second guide. Preferably, said at least one first guide is configured to lead a single column of said products along a longitudinal axis thereof and to rotate said products about said longitudinal axis through a first rotation angle different from 0°.

Preferably, said at least one second guide is configured to lead an additional single column of said products along a longitudinal axis thereof and to rotate said products about the longitudinal axis through a second rotation angle which is different from 0° and different from the first rotation angle. Preferably, said products being discharged from said at least one first and one second guides are arranged in said discharge station in a second configuration, different from said first configuration.

Thanks to the characteristics of the apparatus and method of the invention, it is therefore possible to modify the initial configuration of a plurality of products, in particular being discharged from a production line, into a final configuration which is particularly suitable to allow packing them effectively, without relying on complex robotic handling members but rather exploiting the abilities of the mechanical guides to modify, substantially as desired, the orientation of the products as they slide inside thereof.

It will also be appreciated that the guides are static mechanical parts, which are absolutely cost-effective and easy to manufacture.

In addition, their dimensioning flexibility allows to widely diversify the possible configurations of products being discharged from the guides, so much so that with an appropriate design of the guides, basically any configuration of products suitable for packing can be obtained.

A further advantage of this invention derives from the fact that, thanks to the very low manufacturing cost, it is possible to have several sets of guides, interchangeable with each other, so that the guides can be quickly replaced in the event of any changes in the packing configuration or adapted to any changes in products.

Last but not least, the guides may be used effectively even by simply using the force of gravity, with no need to supply energy from outside for moving and re orienting the products.

The present invention, in a third aspect thereof, relates to an apparatus for packaging products in boxes, comprising a supply station and a discharge station placed downstream of said supply station.

Preferably, in said supply station said products are moved along an advance direction and are arranged relative to each other according to a first configuration. Preferably, said packaging apparatus comprises a plurality of guides interposed between said supply station and said discharge station.

Preferably, each of said guides extends along a respective longitudinal axis and is configured to lead a single column of products from said supply station along said longitudinal axis.

Preferably, each of said guides is configured to possibly rotate the products of said single column about said longitudinal axis in such a way that, in said discharge station, said products being discharged from said guides are arranged relative to each other in a second configuration, different from the first configuration. Preferably, said packaging apparatus comprises a gripping device arranged in said discharge station to take said products and place them in one of said boxes while keeping them in said second configuration.

The present invention, in a fourth aspect thereof, relates to a method of packaging products in boxes comprising a step of defining a final configuration of said products in said box, wherein at least one row of products having a desired mutual positioning is identified. Preferably, said method comprises the step of arranging in a supply station a plurality of said products in a first configuration, different from said final configuration.

Preferably, said method comprises the step of providing a plurality of guides equal to the number of products of said at least one row. Preferably, each guide is configured to lead a single column of said products from said supply station to a discharge station along a longitudinal axis of said guide. Preferably, each guide is configured to rotate said products about said longitudinal axis.

Preferably, said products being discharged from said guides are arranged relative to each other in a second configuration corresponding to said at least one row of products having said desired mutual positioning.

Preferably, said method comprises the step of taking said at least one row of products from said discharge station.

Preferably, said method comprises the step of depositing said at least one row of products into said box while maintaining said second configuration. In at least one of the aforesaid aspects, the present invention may also have at least one of the preferred features set forth hereinafter.

In some embodiments, at said discharge station, the distance between the respective longitudinal axes of said first guide and said second guide is lower than the distance between said respective longitudinal axes at said supply station.

Thanks to this feature, the products are not only suitably oriented but also brought closer together, so as to fully exploit a greater compaction thereof which can be achieved by changing their orientation. Thereby, the products are ready to be deposited into a box.

Preferably, said at least one first guide and said at least one second guide have their respective inlets placed side by side.

In this way, the products can be handled on a single support plane of the supply station, which simplifies its construction and management. In alternative embodiments, the supply station may comprise staggered shelves, so that products from different points of the packaging apparatus flow into a single discharge station.

Preferably, said at least one first guide and said at least one second guide have respective outlets placed side by side. In this way, the products being discharged from the guides already form a row of products, ready to be deposited inside a box.

In some embodiments, said at least one first and said at least one second guide are placed side by side along their entire longitudinal extent.

In this way, the overall encumbrance of the guides is optimised.

In an embodiment, said at least one first guide and said at least one second guide comprise a respective tract rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Preferably, said tract of said first guide and, respectively, of said second guide, is rotated progressively about said longitudinal axis until it reaches a total rotation angle equal to said first rotation angle and, respectively, said second rotation angle. More preferably, said tract of said first guide and, respectively, of said second guide, is rotated progressively about said longitudinal axis with a substantially constant angular variation per linear unit of measurement.

In this way, the friction between the products and the guide is minimised, as well as the risk of the products stopping while sliding within their respective guides. In some embodiments, said first rotation angle is between 0° and 90°, preferably it is between 40° and 80°, more preferably it is between 60° and 70°.

In some embodiments, said second rotation angle is between 90° and 180°, preferably it is between 100° and 140°, more preferably it is between 110° and 120°. In some embodiments, said first rotation angle and said second rotation angle are substantially supplementary relative to each other.

In an embodiment, said first guide and, respectively, said second guide comprise retaining walls substantially parallel to said respective longitudinal axis, adapted to retain said products within said guide. In this way, the products are maintained within the guide while sliding even in tracts where the guide is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Preferably, said retaining walls have a clearance with said products of the order of a few millimetres, for example between 0.5 and 5 mm.

In an embodiment, these retaining walls are arranged on opposite sides of said products. In a preferred embodiment, a respective groove is obtained in each of said retaining walls, which can slidably engage a portion of said products.

In this way, the products slide within the guides minimising friction with the guide, which can therefore be made without providing a bottom. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of guides comprising at least said first guide and said second guide extend between said supply station and said discharge station.

Preferably, in said plurality of guides there is identified at least one sub-group of guides which is repeated at least two times within the plurality of guides, more preferably said sub-group comprises at least said first and said second guide.

In an embodiment, said plurality of guides is formed by the successive repetition in said sub-group of guides.

In an embodiment, said sub-group of guides consists of said first and said second guide. In some embodiments, said first guide and said second guide are inclined downwards in such a way that said products slide from said supply station to said discharge station by gravity.

In this way, the handling and orientation of the products occurs simply and cost- effectively, without any external energy input. In an alternative embodiment, handling devices arranged to push the products along the guides may be provided on said first guide and/or said second guide.

For example, said handling devices may comprise a plurality of nozzles connected to a pneumatic circuit and arranged along said first and/or second guide to deliver a jet of air towards said products.

In some embodiments, said products are arranged relative to each other in said supply station according to a first configuration.

In some embodiments, in said discharge station, said products being discharged from said plurality of guides are arranged relative to each other in a second configuration, different from said first configuration. Preferably, said first configuration is an ordered configuration.

Preferably, said second configuration is an ordered configuration.

In some embodiments, said discharge station comprises a gripping device arranged to take said products being discharged from said plurality of guides and deposit them in one of said boxes while keeping them in said second configuration. In this way the products are transferred inside the box in the configuration obtained from the specific form of the guides, without further handling the individual products. In addition, in this way the form of individual guides can be designed precisely by directly following the specific arrangement that the products must have inside the box, with no need to develop intermediate configurations. In some embodiments, in said supply station said products are all oriented in the same way and are, preferably, coplanar.

Preferably, said supply station comprises a plurality of channels within which said products are moved in individual columns towards said guides.

Preferably, in said first configuration said products form successive rows entering said guides, more preferably each entering row is formed by equally spaced and equally oriented products.

In some embodiments, in said second configuration said products form a row in which each product is inclined with respect to the products adjacent thereto. Preferably, in this second configuration said products form a row in which each product is in contact with the products adjacent thereto. In some embodiments, at least one of the guides of said plurality, and preferably each guide of said plurality, is configured to rotate the guided products therein about said longitudinal axis through a rotation angle different from zero.

In an embodiment, each guide of said plurality is configured to rotate the guided products therein about said longitudinal axis through a rotation angle different from the rotation angle of a guide adjacent thereto.

In an alternative embodiment, said guides are configured to rotate the guided products therein about said longitudinal axis through a same rotation angle different from zero. In one embodiment, said products are capsules for brewing beverages.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of an embodiment shown, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings wherein: - Figure 1 is a side perspective schematic view of an apparatus for packaging products in boxes made according to the present invention;

- Figures 2 to 4 are side perspective schematic and partial views of the apparatus of Figure 1 in successive operating configurations,

- Figure 5 is an enlarged scale view of a detail of the packaging apparatus of Figure 1;

- Figure 6 is a top view of the products in a first example of a desired packing configuration,

- Figure 7 is a side perspective schematic representation of the products as they slide inside the guides provided in the packaging apparatus of Figure 1, in order to obtain the configuration of Figure 6, - Figure 8 is a perspective view from below of the schematic representation of Figure 7,

- Figure 9 is a top view of the products in a second example of a desired packing configuration, and - Figures 10 and 11 are Figures similar to Figures 7 and 8, showing the products as they slide inside guides provided in the packaging apparatus of Figure 1, in order to obtain the configuration of Figure 9.

With reference to the enclosed figures, 1 globally denotes an apparatus for packaging products 2 in boxes 3, made according to the present invention.

In the embodiment herein described, the packaging apparatus 1 is placed immediately downstream of a production line 4 of capsules for brewing beverages, in particular coffee, which therefore constitute the products 2 to be packaged. Referring to Figure 5, the capsules 2 are substantially identical to each other and comprise a semi-rigid container, e.g. made of plastic material, suitable for containing coffee powder. In this embodiment, the container has a truncated-cone shape with a support base 2a from which a side wall 2b is erected which is flared towards an upper opening, which, in turn, is perimetrically delimited by a protruding edge 2c and is closed by a membrane coupled to such edge. The membrane and protruding edge 2c define a head 2d of the capsule 2, which is axially opposed and substantially parallel to the support base 2a.

Of course, the capsules 2 may be made from different materials and in different forms, depending on their specific use.

The production line 4 comprises a conveyor 5 arranged to move the capsules 2 between different workstations (not represented in detail and conventional per se) in which the containers of the capsules 2 are firstly filled with coffee powder and then closed with a membrane which is coupled, for example by welding, at the respective protruding edge.

In particular, the conveyor 5 is of the multi-track type and comprises a plurality of seats 6 arranged in successive rows which are substantially perpendicular to the advance direction F of the conveyor in which each container is individually positioned.

At the end of the conveyor 5, the capsules 2 are ready to be packed in the packaging apparatus 1.

The latter, in its main components, comprises an orientation unit 10, a box forming and filling unit 20 and a transporter 30 that transports the filled and packed boxes to any subsequent stations responsible for their final packaging prior to dispatch.

The orientation unit 10, in turn, comprises a pick-up device 7, arranged to take the capsules 2 from the conveyor 5 and deposit them in a supply station 11, a plurality of guides 12, placed downstream of the supply station 11, as well as a discharge station 13, arranged to receive the capsules 2 being discharged from the guides 12. In particular, the pick-up device 7 comprises a gripping head 8 on which a plurality of gripping elements 8a is mounted, for example of the suction cup type, arranged to engage and hold, by coupling, the individual capsules 2 transported by the conveyor 5 at the respective heads 2d. The gripping head 8 is mounted at the end of an arm 9 and is able to move vertically and horizontally as well as to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

The supply station 11 includes a plate 14, on which a support plane for the capsules 2 deposited by the gripping head 8 is defined, and handling means for moving the capsules present on the plate 14 along an advance direction X, substantially rectilinear and parallel to the support plane.

The handling means, not shown in the enclosed figures, may be of any type suitable for moving the capsules 2 along the advance direction X, such as belt conveyors or air-jet conveyors.

Some channels 15 are also obtained on the plate 14, substantially parallel to the advance direction X and equally spaced from each other, within which the capsules 2 are accommodated and guided in their movement towards the guides 12.

The movement of the capsules 2 within the channels 15 of the plate 14, defines a plurality of columns of capsules 2, substantially rectilinear and parallel to the advance direction X, and schematically indicated by B in Figure 1, as well as a plurality of rows of capsules 2, substantially rectilinear and perpendicular to the advance direction X, and schematically indicated by A in Figure 1.

In this arrangement, the rows and columns of capsules 2 form a first ordered configuration of capsules 2, of the matrix type, with all the capsules oriented with the head 2d facing the same side (upwards from plate 14).

The guides 12, which in Figures 1 to 4 are hidden to better highlight the action of re-orienting the capsules 2 and in Figure 7 just outlined in hatching in their initial part, extend between the supply station 11 and the discharge station 13 and are arranged as mutually placed side by side to receive the columns B of capsules 2 moved in the respective channels 15 along the advance direction X.

In particular, each guide 12 has its inlet at the end of a channel 15, so as to accommodate therein a single column of capsules 2 and to slidably guide it along its longitudinal axis.

Each guide 12 is advantageously inclined downwards so that the capsules 2 may slide therein by gravity alone.

In particular, each guide 12 comprises a pair of retaining walls 18, arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide 12 at opposite sides of the capsules 2. In addition, on each retaining wall 18, a groove 19 is advantageously obtained which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide, and adapted to engage the capsules 2 at the respective protruding edge 2c. In this way, the capsules 2 are effectively retained within the respective guide 12 regardless of their orientation in space, in particular even when inverted. The guides 12 are configured in such a way as to reorient and reposition the capsules 2 as they slide therein so as to move them from the first ordered configuration to a second ordered configuration which is particularly suitable for packing them.

In the example herein described, the second ordered configuration, represented in Figure 6, provides for the capsules 2 to form a row of capsules adjacent and in contact with each other, in which each capsule is inclined with respect to the capsules adjacent thereto.

In particular, in the second ordered configuration, each row of capsules 2 being discharged from the guides 12 may be subdivided into sub-groups G of capsules (indicated in hatching in Figure 6), repeated in succession. In the present example, each row of capsules consists of 5 sub-groups of 2 capsules each, making a total of 10 capsules per row.

In each sub-group G, one capsule 2 is inclined, with respect to a reference plane indicated by P in Figure 6, by a first angle R between 60° and 70°, while the other capsule 2 is inclined by a second angle S between 110° and 120°.

To achieve this configuration, the guides 12 are suitably subdivided into respective first and second guides 12a and 12b, arranged alternately with each other, each of which is progressively rotated about its longitudinal axis through an overall rotation angle, measured between the inlet end and the outlet end of the guide, equal to the above-mentioned inclination angles. Thus, each first guide 12a is rotated about its longitudinal axis through a first rotation angle R between 60° and 70°, and each second guide 12b is rotated about its longitudinal axis through a second rotation angle S between 110° and 120°.

In particular, each guide 12 is rotated about its longitudinal axis in a progressive and substantially constant manner for an extension involving a prevailing longitudinal tract of the guide.

The guides 12 have respective inlets placed side by side, so as to simultaneously receive a row A of capsules 2 from the supply station 11 and, in addition, they also have the respective outlets placed side by side, so as to deliver a row A’ of aligned capsules to the discharge station. Advantageously, the plurality of guides 12 therefore has, on the whole, a trend converging towards a median plane M, so as to keep the capsules 2 being discharged in a condition of close proximity, substantially in contact.

At the outlet of the guides 12, there is provided a stop mechanism (not shown in the figures) which is selectively operable to retain the capsules 2 within the respective guide 12, preventing them from being discharged, or to release the capsules so that they can reach the discharge station 13.

In particular, the stop mechanism is configured to let a single capsule 2 be discharged from each guide 12 simultaneously, so that, in each stop mechanism opening cycle, a row A’ of capsules arranged in the second ordered configuration is discharged from the guides 12.

The discharge station 13 comprises a plurality of gripping devices 16, radially placed on a carousel 17 rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis.

Each gripping device 16 is arranged to receive the row of capsules 2 being discharged from the guides 12 and to deposit them, while keeping them in the second ordered configuration defined by the guides, in a box 3.

For this purpose, each gripping device 16 may comprise a pair of grippers intended to laterally engage the row of capsules 2 being discharged from the guides 12, at the protruding edges 2c. Each gripping device 16 is also advantageously provided with a radial movement, thus making it easier to either properly receive the capsules 2 being discharged from the guides 12 and deposit them into the box 3. The unit for forming and filling the boxes 20 comprises a carousel 21, having a horizontal rotation axis, provided with a plurality of equipment 22, radially extended from the carousel 21 and arranged to form, in cooperation with one or more members external to the carousel 21, a box 3 from a cardboard sheet 3 a, suitably shaped and creased (called blank) supplied individually to an equipment 22 by a feeder 23.

Such operation of forming the box 3, providing for example folding subsequently the blank and gluing together respective panels at predefined points, is in itself well-known in the packaging machine sector and will therefore not be explained in further detail. The carousel 21 is synchronously associated with the carousel 17 of the discharge station 13, such that each row of capsules 2 taken from a gripping device 16 is deposited into a box 3, formed but not yet closed, brought at the gripping device 16 by a respective equipment 22 of the carousel 21.

The box forming and filling unit 20 also comprises a box closing station (not shown) which provides to close the box 3 after the capsules 2 have been inserted. The packaging apparatus 1 operates according to the following modes.

The pick-up device 7 takes a plurality of capsules 2 from the conveyor 5 after they have been appropriately filled with coffee powder and closed with a membrane

(Fig- 1).

The gripping head 8 is then raised by the arm 9 until it is at the height of the supply station 11 (Fig. 2), rotated through 90° so as to align the gripping elements 8a with the channels 15 (Fig. 3), moved over the plate 14 and finally lowered to deposit the capsule 2 into the channels 15 of the plate 14 (Fig. 4).

The capsules 2 are then moved along the advance direction X in respective columns B to the inlet of the guides 12 where they are engaged at the protruding edges 2c in the grooves 19 of the side retaining walls 18.

The capsules 2 then slide by gravity along their respective guides 12 and, during this sliding movement, are also rotated relative to the longitudinal axis of the guide in which they are accommodated through the first or second rotation angle.

The effect of the capsules 2 sliding within the guides 12 is well represented in Figures 7 and 8, where the repositioning and re-orientation movement to which each single column of capsules 2 is subjected within the respective guide 12 is highlighted.

The capsules being discharged from the guides 12 then assume the second configuration described above, which is equal to the desired configuration for packing them as shown in Figure 6.

Each row of capsules being discharged from the guides 12 is then taken by one of the gripping devices 16 and carried by the carousel 17 to a box 3, formed and opened, retained by an equipment 22 of the carousel 21, within which it is deposited. The box 3, containing the capsules arranged in the desired configuration, is then closed at the following box closing station and deposited on the transporter 30, which provides to bring it to the following stations.

The packaging apparatus 1 therefore allows to arrange the products being discharged from a production line according to a variety of configurations in a simple and cost-effective manner.

It will be noted that the configuration of the capsules being discharged from the guides can easily be varied by changing the form of the individual guides, depending on the specific arrangement required for packing the capsules 2.

For example, if the capsules 2 are required to assume a configuration with a constant inclination between adjacent capsules, it is sufficient to form the guides so that they rotate about their own longitudinal axis through a same rotation angle. Figures 9 to 11 show this second embodiment. Figure 9 shows the desired packing configuration of the capsules 2, in which the capsules are all inclined by an angle T equal to 90° with respect to the reference plane P, while Figures 10 and 11 show the repositioning and re-orientation movement to which each individual column of capsules 2 is subjected within the respective guide 12. In this way, each row A of capsules being discharged from the supply station is reconfigured into a row A” corresponding to the desired packing configuration shown in Figure 9.