Description

Apparatus for packaging a pasty food product

Technical Field

This invention relates to an apparatus for packaging a product. In particular, present apparatus is used for packaging a pasty food product such as processed cheese, stock cubes, butter, margarine and the like, by wrapping each product preferably in a suitable wrapper.

The apparatus might, however, also be used to package semi-fluid, solid or semi-solid products, the latter being, for example, in the form of products such as mature cheese portions.

Background Art

Packaging apparatuses, in particular for pasty food products such as processed cheese portions, are known which comprise, besides a mounting frame and means for feeding the packages being formed, application means for applying the package cover sheets, said means in turn comprising means for mounting a roll of material used to make the cover sheets and which are located in hard-to-access positions making roll changing and related sanitizing procedures difficult and time-consuming tasks for personnel responsible for these procedures.

Another disadvantage of these prior art apparatuses is that the cover sheet application means are excessively complex and cumbersome, making them difficult to install and set-up in the packaging machinery.

Another drawback of prior art apparatuses for packaging pasty food products such as processed cheese is that small parts may come loose and fall into the packages being formed, leading to serious problems.

Summary of the Invention

It is provided a packaging apparatus, in particular for a food product, especially a pasty food product such as processed cheese, stock cubes, butter, margarine and the like, to be wrapped preferably in a suitable wrapper, the apparatus comprising a mounting frame, means for feeding the packages being formed and application means for applying the cover sheets to the packages, the

apparatus being characterized in that it comprises means for mounting the roll of cover sheet material which are located on the side of the feed means opposite the mounting frame.

The zone where the roll of material used to make the cover sheets is mounted can thus be accessed very easily, allowing personnel to change an old roll with a new one quickly and without problems.

Further advantageous aspects of present apparatus are described in the other claims.

The invention also provides an advantageous cover sheet application device used in association with the apparatus according to the invention.

The invention further provides an advantageous fastening member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other technical characteristics of the apparatus are clearly described in the appended claims and the corresponding advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of it provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is schematic top view showing the cover sheet cutting area and the movement of the cover sheets in the vicinity of this area in the preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

- Figures 3A and 3B are schematic top views showing the preferred embodiment of the cover sheet application device in this preferred apparatus;

- Figure 4 is a top view showing a detail of the means for supporting and moving the cover sheets away from the cutting area in this preferred embodiment;

- Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the means for supporting and moving the cover sheets away, and showing the means for turning the cover sheets in the preferred embodiment of the cover sheet application device;

- Figure 6 is a schematic side view, with some parts in cross section, showing the cover sheet turning means in the preferred embodiment of the cover sheet application device;

- Figure 7 is a schematic side view, with some parts in cross section, showing the cover sheet turning means in the preferred embodiment of the cover

sheet application device;

- Figure 8 is a schematic top view, with some parts in cross section, showing the means for driving the cover sheet turning means in this preferred embodiment; - Figure 9 is a schematic cross section view of the apparatus showing in particular the means that drive the transversal slider for positioning the cover sheets at the means for feeding the packages being formed;

- Figure 10 is a schematic cross section view of the apparatus showing in particular a second slider for feeding the cover sheets to the respective positions of the means for feeding the packages being formed;

- Figure 11 is a schematic side view, with some parts in cross section, showing the means for placing the cover sheets on the pockets that feed the packages being formed;

- Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view from above showing a preferred embodiment of the means, or device, for moving the upper flaps of the package apart at the moment the cover sheet is placed over the package;

- Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view from below showing the preferred embodiment of the means, or device, for moving the upper flaps of the package apart; - Figure 14 is a section view of a detail of the preferred embodiment of the means, or device, for moving the upper flaps of the package apart, in a non- operating condition;

- Figure 15 is a section view similar to Figure 14 but showing the means, or device, for moving the upper flaps of the package apart, in an operating condition for placing the cover sheet;

- Figure 16 is a section view of a first preferred embodiment of a fastening member for fastening together different parts or components;

- Figure 17 is a section view of a second preferred embodiment of a fastening member for fastening together different parts or components;

Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment 10 of an apparatus for packaging a product, in particular a pasty food product.

The apparatus is especially suitable for packaging processed cheese but might also be used for packaging stock cubes, butter, margarine or the like.

The apparatus might, however, also be suitably adapted for use in packaging semi-fluid, solid or semi-solid products, the latter being, for example, in the form of mature cheese portions.

The apparatus packages the product in a wrapper made from a film, in particular a plastic film or a film in the form of aluminium foil, and preferably the wrapping film is made from a foldable material, that is to say, a material that keeps the folded shape imparted to it.

The wrapper comprises a sheet obtained from the film B cut into an appropriate shape and folded, in particular into a cup shape, in such a way as to form a suitable container for the product.

Besides the sheet of plastic, aluminium foil or other material, the package may also comprise means, preferably embodied by at least one plastic tape, for tearing and opening the wrapper, and in some cases a label applied to the outside of the wrapper. It will be understood, however, that present apparatus can make packages without the tearing and opening means and/or without labels.

The finished package may be triangular, in the shape of the sector of a circle, as illustrated here, quadrangular or other desired shape.

The package also comprises a cover sheet of plastic or aluminium foil or other material, designed to close the cup-shaped container after it has been filled with the product to be packaged. In practice, the cover sheet, whose profile is substantially the same shape as the container, is placed on the product and flaps or protruding portions at the top of the container are folded over and joined to the cover sheet in order to complete the package.

As illustrated, the apparatus 10 has a mounting frame 12 and operating means designed to form the package by putting together, or assembling, the different components, said operating means being driven by respective drive means which are not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings.

The operating means of the apparatus are not described in detail and may be of the type described in international patent application no. PCT/IB 2007/002843 by the same applicant and incorporated herein by reference.

Advantageously, the mounting frame 12 defines partition means 120 which extend lengthways along the apparatus, that is to say, in the direction in which the packages being formed are fed. and which mount operating means that are separated from the respecting drive means by the partition means 120 themselves. Thus, the operating means which make the package are totally separate

from the respective drive means, with obvious advantages in terms of packaging hygiene and accessibility to machine parts, since personnel responsible for operating the machine can easily access the operating parts by working on one side of the machine, or all the parts that drive the operating means by working on the opposite side.

Thus, much time is saved because personnel attending to the machinery do not need to move from one place to another as they do with machinery made according to prior art.

The apparatus is also very easy to clean, making its sanitization a quick and easy task.

The partition means are advantageously embodied by a flat longitudinal wall 120 that extends in a straight line in front of an operator standing beside the apparatus and facing the operating means of the apparatus, as may be inferred from Figure 1. As illustrated, the frame 12 also comprises a transversal wall 121 upstream, a transversal wall 122 downstream, and a covering top wall 123. Obviously, the apparatus may be completed by doors or other panels, preferably made of a transparent material, covering the operating area where the packages are assembled. Means 124, 125, 126 are also provided for supporting the frame on the floor, which protrude trans versally from the partition means 120 and which extend under the operating means of the apparatus.

The wall 120 has holes made in it, not illustrated in detail in the drawings, through which the operating means that make the packages are connected to the respective drive means on the other side (not shown) of the longitudinal wall 120.

Shafts or other suitable transmission means for the respective drive elements extend through these holes.

Thus, as illustrated, at least one part 120 of the mounting frame 12 of the apparatus extends in height, or vertically, alongside the means 14 that feeding the packages being formed.

The feed means 14 comprise a plurality of pockets 15 arranged in transversal and longitudinal rows fed forward on an endless belt. In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus being described, each transversal row comprises four pockets 15. The operating means of the apparatus comprise, in the direction of package

feed, means 5 for assembling the components of the package, means 6 for folding the wrapper into a cup shape, means 7 for delivering the product P, and application means 16 for applying the cover sheets immediately downstream of the means for delivering the product P and immediately upstream of respective means 8 which folding the flaps that retain the respective cover sheets and which are in turn upstream of suitable means 9 for sealing the retaining flaps to the cover sheets.

As stated, it is advantageously contemplated the provision of application means 16 for applying the cover sheets and comprising means 18 for mounting a respective single roll 19 of material used to make the cover sheets.

Advantageously, the means 18 for mounting the roll 19 of material for the cover sheets are located on the longitudinal side, or flank, of the feed means 14 opposite the mounting frame 12 or partition wall 120. In particular, he means 18 for mounting the roll of material 19 are located beside the feed means 14. This facilitates access to the roll 19 of cover sheet material by personnel responsible for changing the roll with a new one when all the cover sheet material on the old one has been used up.

Preferably, the means for mounting the roll of cover sheet material comprise a rotary shaft 18 extending transversally of the longitudinal direction of motion, labelled L in Figure 1, in which the means 14 feed the packages being formed.

As illustrated, the means for mounting the roll 19 of cover sheet material extend at a level lower than the working level of the means 14 that feed the packages being formed. The roll 19 is mounted entirely below the package feed means and from the roll 19 is unwound a strip, or web, of material having a portion 19a which extends vertically upwards and which is then made to turn horizontally in such a way as to advance along a path 19b in a direction opposite and parallel to the direction in which the packages being formed are advancing. For this purpose, suitable means are provided for advancing the material 19 used to make the cover sheets, said means being designed to feed the web of material to suitable means for cutting individual cover sheets from it, as described in more detail below.

As may be inferred in particular from Figure 2, cutting means 20 are provided for cutting a plurality of cover sheets out of the material 19.

More specifically, the cutting means cut the cover sheets in pairs, where each pair is composed of cover sheets placed transversally side by side.

Advantageously, the cutting means are designed to cut a first pair of cover sheets 1 and 2 and a second pair of cover sheets 3 and 4, simultaneously, where the cover sheets of each pair are oriented in opposite directions and the longitudinally adjacent cover sheets 1, 3 and 2, 4 of the respective first and second pairs of cover sheets are also oriented in opposite directions.

Thus, as may be inferred in particular from Figure 2, a first pair of cover sheets, having a generally triangular shape and being labelled 1 and 2, have respective tips Ia, 2a directed towards the sides of the film 19, while the tips 3a,

4a of the second pair of cover sheets 3 and 4 are directed towards the central part of the film 19.

In practice, the cover sheets of the first pair 1 and 2 and the cover sheets of the second pair 3 and 4 are obtained from the entire corresponding portion of material 19, thus avoiding unwanted production of offcuts.

In this way, the packaging apparatus is provided with a good supply of cover sheets without material being wasted.

In practice, the shape cut out by the cutting means to make the cover sheets is defined by an arcuate base from the ends of which longitudinal sides converge towards a tip.

As illustrated, the cutting means cut cover sheets 1, 2 whose respective tips Ia, 2a are directed outwards, and cover sheets 3, 4 whose respective tips 3a, 4a are directed inwards.

For this purpose, the cutting means cut longitudinally consecutive cover sheets 1, 3 and 2, 4 along an oblique cutting line that separates the respective longitudinal edges of consecutive cover sheets.

Looking in more detail, as illustrated, the cover sheet cutting means 20 are located on the longitudinal side, or flank, of the feed means 14 opposite the side of the feed means that faces the mounting frame 12. As illustrated, the cutting means 20, which are designed to cut a plurality of cover sheets simultaneously out of the material 19, are located beside the feed means 14.

The cutting means 20, which are mounted on a vertically mobile element in turn mounted on a respective rod (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings) comprise blade means having respective first and second cutting edges 22a, 22b

and 24a, 24b that converge on each other and are angularly spaced by an angle greater than 90°.

In practice, the cutting means 20 comprise a first blade having a first and second cutting edge 22a, 22b, and a second blade having a first and a second respective cutting edge 24a, 24b, forming the general shape of an X, where the first cutting edge 22a of the first blade and the first cutting edge 24a of the second blade, as well as the second cutting edge 22b of the first blade and the second cutting edge 24b of the second blade, converge on each other and are angularly spaced by an angle greater than 90°. Further, the first cutting edge 22a of the first blade is parallel with the second cutting edge 24b of the second blade, and the second cutting edge 22b of the first blade is parallel with the first cutting edge 24a of the second blade.

The numeral 25 in Figure 4 denotes means, upstream of the cover sheet cutting means 20, for cutting the film 19 longitudinally and being embodied by a respective blade having a cutting edge 25a that cuts through the film 19 and divides the film 19 into two symmetrical parts, thus facilitating the separation of adjacent cover sheets 1, 2 and 3, 4. The reference label Tl in Figure 4 denotes the longitudinal cut made in the strip, or web, 19 by the blade 25.

As illustrated, the means 25 for longitudinally cutting the film 19 to make the cover sheets are longitudinally aligned with the cover sheet cutting means 20 and are located on the longitudinal side, or flank, of the feed means 14 opposite the side of the feed means that faces the mounting frame 12.

In practice, as illustrated, the means 25 for longitudinally cutting the film 19 to make the cover sheets are located beside the feed means 14. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, means 26, 28 are provided for spacing each cover sheet and moving it away from a cutting position in the cutting area to a predetermined, longitudinally spaced, transversal position coinciding with the position where the cover sheet is placed, or positioned, over a respective pocket 15 carrying a package being formed. The cover sheet movement or spacing means move the cover sheets in a direction opposite and parallel to the direction in which the feed means 14 advance the packages being formed, with significant advantages in terms of apparatus dimensions.

As illustrated, the cover sheet movement means comprise respective mobile carriages 26, 28, having respective first and second sites 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b

positioned transversally side by side and designed to support corresponding cover sheets.

The first and second mobile carriages 26, 28 move in a straight line parallel to the feed means 14 at a level above that on which the feed means 14 advance the packages.

Advantageously, as shown in Figure 4, the first and second carriages 26 and 28 also move relative to each other in such a way as to space longitudinally consecutive cover sheets from each other in view of the subsequent steps of moving and positioning the cover sheets. The first and second carriages 26 and 28 move on respective guide rails

30a, 30b, driven by transmission rods or arms 32, 34 which are vertically aligned with each other. For this purpose, the first carriage 26 has a through opening 35 for the drive rod or arm 34 of the second carriage, as illustrated in Figure 5.

In practice, the transmission rods or arms 32, 34 are driven by a single drive embodied by a rotary shaft 35a that drives respective arms 37, 39, each mounting a rack 37a, 39a for driving a respective rod 34, 32, as shown in Figure 4.

The rack 39a meshes with a toothed wheel 39c which in turn meshes with a rack 32a on the rod 32, while the rack 37a meshes directly with the rack 34a on the rod 34. The cover sheets are positioned and held in place by suction on respective faces of the 26a, 26b and 28a, 28b of the carriages 26, 28 which thus constitute means for supporting the material 19 at the cutting area.

As shown in Figures 5 to 8, means 42, 44, 46, 48 are advantageously provided for orienting the cover sheets in the feed direction L so that they can be associated with the packages being formed, in particular at a transversal position aligned with the position where the cover sheets are received by respective pockets 15.

As illustrated, the cover sheet orienting means comprise, for each cover sheet, respective pickup means 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a and mobile means 42b, 44b, 46b, 48b for mounting the pickup means.

The pickup means 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a, operate on the side of the respective cover sheet opposite the side engaged by the spacing means 26, 28, engaging the top face of the cover sheet while the underside of the cover sheet rests on the spacing carriages 26, 28, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Looking in more detail, the means 42a, 44a that pick up a first pair of cover

sheets 1 and 2, and the means 46a, 48a that pick up a second pair of cover sheets 3 and 4 are made to rotate about respective centres of rotation in such a way that the pickup means 42a, 44a and 46a, 48a of each pair of cover sheets rotate in opposite angular directions, and in such a way that the means 42a, 46a, and 44a, 48a that pick up longitudinally adjacent cover sheets 1, 3 and 2, 4 are also made to rotate in opposite angular directions, as indicated by the dashed arrows R in Figure 2.

Once again, suitable suction means are provided to hold the cover sheets against the respective faces of the pickup means 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a.

As may be inferred in particular from Figure 8, the means 42b, 44b, 46b, 48b that mount the cover sheet pickup means 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a are driven simultaneously by shared drive means which comprise a rack 50 driven by a respective linkage 52 and operating on toothed wheels 42c, 44c, 46c, 48c which are integral with the rotary mounting shafts 42b, 44b, 46b, 48b.

More specifically, the rack 50 drives the toothed wheels 42'c, 46'c, which rotationally drive the shafts 42b, 46b, as well as corresponding toothed wheels 42c, 46c for meshing with toothed wheels 44c, 48c mounted on the shafts 46b, 48b.

This causes all the shafts 42b, 44b, 46b, 48b that mount the pickup means 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a to rotate simultaneously. The means 26, 28 for moving the cover sheets away from the cutting area are designed to space the cover sheets apart longitudinally. The means 42, 44, 46, 48 for orienting the cover sheets according to the feed direction are in turn designed to space the cover sheets apart transversally.

As may be inferred in particular from Figures 3A, 3B, 9 and 10, means 54, 56 are advantageously provided for positioning the cover sheets at the means 14 that feed the packages being formed and, more specifically, at the respective sites or pockets 15 on the package feed means 14.

In particular, the means 54, 56 that move the cover sheets to the pockets 15 holding the packages being formed are designed to keep the cover sheets directed according to the orientation imparted to them previously by the positioning means 42, 44, 46, 48.

In practice, the cover sheets are moved transversally of the feed means 14 while maintaining the orientation imparted to them previously.

Advantageously, the means 54, 56 for moving the cover sheets to the feed means 14 comprise means 54a, 54b e 56a, 56b for picking up respective pairs of

cover sheets.

More specifically, the means for moving the cover sheets to the package feed means comprise means 54a, 54b e 56a, 56b for picking up the cover sheets from the rotation means 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a, and which engage each cover sheet on the side opposite that engaged by the rotation means 42a, 44a, 46a, 48a. In particular, the cover sheet pickup means 54a, 54b, 56a, 56b engage the underside of the cover sheets.

Advantageously, the means 54, 56 for moving the cover sheets to the package feed means 14 are designed to position the cover sheets in consecutive transversal rows of the feed means 14 themselves, positioning a first pair of cover sheets in respective longitudinal rows and a second pair in the longitudinal rows alongside the rows where the cover sheets of the first pair were positioned.

As illustrated, the means for moving the cover sheets to the package feed means comprise respective sliders 54, 56, that move transversally of the feed means 14 and have means 54a, 54b, 56a, 56b for picking up respective pairs of cover sheets 3, 4 and 1, 2.

More specifically, a first and a second transversal slider 54 and 56 are provided which are longitudinally aligned in the pickup condition and which have means 54a, 54b, 56a, 56b for picking up respective cover sheets. The first and second transversal sliders 54 and 56 move parallel with each other and are driven by respective drive means 58, 60 comprising toothed belts 58a, 60a trained around suitably driven pulleys 58b, 58c, 60b, 60c.

More specifically, the pulleys 58b, 58c of the first slider 54 are transversally spaced by a distance that is smaller than the distance between the pulleys 60b, 60c of the second slider 56.

The motor-driven pulley 60b of the slider 54 is driven by belt 57 which is in turn driven by a pulley 57b mounted on a shaft that is coaxial with the mounting shaft of the pulley 60b for the rear slider 56.

Each drive element 58a, 60a is mounted, together with respective means 62, 64 for the respective transversal slider 54, 56, on mounting means that extend transversally of the package feed means 14.

In particular, the means 58 for driving the transversal slider 54 are substantially aligned in a direction transversal to the cover sheet cutting area, reducing the length of the cover sheet application device which thus occupies less space.

Each transversal slider 54, 56 has a first and a second site, or surface, 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b placed side by side, for receiving the respective cover sheets which are held in place by the suction means which said sites or surfaces are provided with. The means for positioning the cover sheets at the feed means 14 are mobile from a position where they extend outwards from one side of the feed means 14, and where the first and second sliders 54, 56 are longitudinally aligned with each other, to a position where the cover sheets are placed, or positioned, on the means 14 that feed the packages being formed and where the sliders are transversally spaced from each other and are positioned above the feed means 14 and vertically aligned with the respective pockets 15 of consecutive transversal rows.

In practice, as stated above, the means 54, 56 for positioning the cover sheets on the feed means 14 place two cover sheets on a first transversal row of pockets 15 and, at the same time, another two cover sheets on a second transversal row of pockets 15, said second row being positioned, in the direction of feed, immediately upstream of the first row of pockets.

Means 66, 68 are also provided for placing the cover sheets on the packages being formed.

As shown in Figure 11, the cover sheet placing means 66, 68, like the transversal sliders 54, 56, also extend above feed means 14 and are mobile between a pickup position where they receive the cover sheets and a lowered position where they place the cover sheets in the pockets 15, in contact with the top face of the pasty product P, placing each cover sheet between the flaps of the respective wrapper in such a way that the cover sheet can be held in place. At the next station of the apparatus, the flaps are folded over the cover sheets.

The placing means 66, 68 further comprise means for receiving, or picking up, the cover sheets and which are mobile between a raised position, where the means 54, 56 that position the cover sheets at the feed means can pass freely, and a lowered or intermediate position where they pick up the cover sheets from the positioning means.

In practice, when the positioning means 54, 56 are at the pockets 15, the placing means 66, 68 are lowered to receive or pick up the cover sheets from the means 54, 56 by means of suction. Next, as the sliders 54, 56 return to the position where they pick up other cover sheets from the rotation means 42, 44, 46, 48, the placing means 66, 68 are lowered between the side walls of the wrappers in the

pockets 15, gently placing each cover sheet in contact with the top surface of the product P and releasing the cover sheet on the product P when the suction is switched off.

In practice, the cover sheet placing means 66, 68 engage the side of the cover sheets opposite the side engaged by the means 54, 56 that position the cover sheets at the means for feeding the packages being formed, and, more specifically, they engage the top face of each cover sheet.

As illustrated, the cover sheet pickup means 66a, 68a comprise respective downward facing surfaces, which engage the cover sheets and which are provided with suction holes for retaining the cover sheets, and are mounted on respective rods 66b, 68b, which are mobile vertically, driven by a single drive 69 through respective transmission means 70, 71.

The cover sheet pickup means 66a, 68a each comprise a respective pair of transversally aligned engagement surfaces, not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, for picking up, transporting and releasing the cover sheets.

The cover sheet placing means 66, 68 are positioned longitudinally offset or transversally spaced at consecutive transversal rows of the feed means 14.

Also advantageously provided is a cover sheet application device that is adapted for use in an apparatus for packaging pasty food products or the like, has a relatively simple structure allows quick and easy substitution of the roll of material used, provides a high number of cover sheets and is easy to access for cleaning, maintenance or component adjustment purposes.

As may be inferred in particular from Figures 12 to 15, the apparatus further comprises widening means 80 for keeping the upper flaps A of the wrappers I of the packages C in the wide open position.

The widening means 80 are mounted on a support 82 comprised of a plate having the general shape of an S and which, as may be inferred from Figure 7, is interposed between the cover sheet positioning means 54, 56 and the means 15 for holding and feeding the packages.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the flap widening means 80 comprise a plurality of widening devices 80 mounted in pairs side by side at longitudinally spaced areas in such a way, as may be inferred from Figure 12, that two packages in one transversal row and two packages in an adjacent transversal row can be processed simultaneously.

The widening means 80 comprise advantageous fin means 84 which are mobile between a retracted position, where the means 15 for holding and feeding the packages can pass freely, and an extended position where the flaps "A" of the packages "C" are engaged and widened when the package feed means stop. In particular, in the retracted position, the fin means 84 are in a raised, or up, position, as shown in Figure 14, while in extended position, the fin means are in a lowered, or down, position, as shown in Figure 15.

A plurality of fin means 84 are provided, to surround the opening 83 for the passage of each cover sheet pushed by a respective pusher, or element, 66, 68 for picking up the cover sheet and placing it on the package C below.

As illustrated, the plate 82 has a plurality of vertical openings 83 having the general shape of a triangle or of the sector of a circle.

In particular, there are three fins 84 surrounding each opening 83, said fins 84 being suitably shaped and located at the bottom of the plate 82, at a corresponding edge of the opening 83.

Means 86 are provided for pushing the fin means 84 to the retracted position. For each fin 84 there are first and second pushing elements transversally spaced from each other and operating on corresponding engagement means, or surfaces, described in more detail below. In particular, the pushing means 86 are in the form of preloaded elastic means embodied by linear springs.

More specifically, the spring means are in the form compression springs and are embodied, in particular, by cylindrical helical springs, labelled 88 in the drawings. The springs 88 are particularly reliable and do not risk breaking and falling into the product being packaged, thus avoiding shutdowns in production and the need to reject large amounts of product because a loose component that has fallen into the product cannot be found.

Advantageously, each spring 88 is mounted on a respective pin 90, and is coaxially positioned on the outside of the pin 90.

The pin 90 of the pushing means 86 is axially mobile, actuated by the spring 88, which tends to push it to the extended position, and by the fin 84, which tends to move it to a retracted position.

In particular, the pin 90 is axially mobile between a normal extended position where it pushes the respective fin 84 into the retracted position, and a

withdrawn position where it is pushed by the fin 84 when the latter adopts the extended position for widening the respective flap "A" of the package, as may be inferred from Figures 14 and 15.

As illustrated, the pair of pushing means 86, 86 that operate on a respective fin 84 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a corresponding engagement surface, or face, 85 situated on the fin means themselves.

More specifically, the pushing means 86 extend in a substantially horizontal direction parallel to the corresponding mounting element 82.

Advantageously, the pushing means 86 have a portion, or surface, 91a for engaging the respective means that engage the fin means 84.

The engagement portion, or surface, 91a is defined by a front surface at the engagement end 91 of the pin 90 that mounts the spring means 88.

As illustrated, the free end 91 of the pin 90 is in the form of an enlarged end that is circumferentially extended, or widened, with respect to the outer cylindrical surface 90' of the elongated pin 90, said enlarged end 91 having, on the side opposite that of the surface 91a, an annular shoulder, or transversal surface, 91b for engaging a corresponding end 88a of the spring 88.

The element 82 for mounting the means that open the package flaps A has an upper portion 82a with downwardly extending portions 82b in which elongated seats 92 are made, these being in the form of horizontal cylindrical surfaces within which a corresponding pin 90 can slide freely, as may be inferred in particular from Figures 14 and 15.

The seats 92 have a corresponding opening 94 facing the means 85 for engaging the fin 84 and are long enough to allow the axial movement of the pin 90.

As illustrated, the other end 88b of the pusher spring 88 engages a transversal surface 95 surrounding the inlet opening 94 of the elongated seat 92 in which the pin 90 is slidably accommodated.

The fin means 84 comprise a main panel 84a for engaging the corresponding flap "A" of the package, and an activation panel 84b, integral with, or connected to, the flap "A" engagement panel 84a through a respective connecting portion 84c substantially perpendicular to it.

As illustrated, the package flap engagement panel 84a and the activation portion 84b that defines the surfaces 85 for engaging the pushing means are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction along the pushing means 86.

The fin means 84 also comprise means for pivoting them to the mounting element 82, said means being in the form of corresponding portions 87a, 87b extending laterally from the activation panel 84b of the fin means 84.

The pivoting means are, in particular, in the form of a first and a second portion 87a, 87b, extending from opposite sides of the activation panel and defining respective engagement pins for rotation about the mounting element 82.

The fins 84 comprise a corresponding shaped metal sheet that is suitably bent and defines the package flap engagement and widening panel 84a, the connecting panel 84c and the outside part of the activation panel 84b. The activation panel 84b is comprised of a slat, or block, 87, preferably of plastic, around which a piece of metal sheeting 84'b is wrapped.

The metal sheet 84'b wrapped around the slat 87 of the activation panel 84b has slits 87' in it to allow the pushing means 91 to engage the surface 85 of the plastic slat 87. This reduces wear on the engagement end of the pushing element. The shaped slat, or plastic block 87, with respective end extensions 87a,

87b, constitutes the pivoting pins of the fin means 84.

As illustrated, the panel 84a that engages the package flap A has sides, labelled 84'a, 84'a, that converge towards the free end of the fin and a perpendicular end edge labelled 84"a. The mounting element 82 defines means for receiving pivoting pins 87a,

87b of the fin means 84.

In particular, the mounting element 82 is provided with protruding portions 82b, 82b defining respective seats 82'b, 82'b for receiving the pins 87a, 87b, through respective openings 82"b, 82"b, extending in a horizontal direction, or in a direction opposite to that in which the respective fin extends.

The pivoting pins 87a, 87b of the fin means are held elastically within said seats 82'b, 82'b.

The fin pushing means extend radially to the opening 83 for the passage of the cover sheet, to one side of the opening and under the top part 82a of the mounting plate 82.

Another drawback of machinery and apparatus in general and, in particular, machinery and apparatus for packaging food products, especially pasty, semifluid, semi-solid or solid food products such as processed cheese or the like, is that vibrations or other mechanical stresses can cause fastening parts such as screws to come loose and fall into the product, leading to serious problems.

The apparatus also comprises an advantageous fastening member for fastening the parts of a frame that covers the apparatus itself or the application device that applies the cover sheets on the packages, said fastening member being also suitable for use in contexts other than that of this particular apparatus. As illustrated in Figure 16, this fastening member operates between a first part 102 and a second part 104, for example of a frame that covers the cover sheet application device, and is provided with advantageous means 106 for retaining the fastening member on the first part 102 to be fastened.

The first and second parts to be fastened might, for example, be panels forming part of a frame for covering the apparatus.

In practice, thanks to these retaining means, when the first and second parts 102, 104 are disengaged from each other, a fastening element 100 of the fastening member remains connected to the first part 102 and cannot therefore fall into the food product package being prepared. As illustrated, this fastening element comprises a fastening stem 108 that is inserted into a hole 103 in the first part and into a hole 105, in particular, a threaded hole, in the second part 104.

Advantageously, the means 106 for retaining the fastening element 100 are provided at the hole 103 in the first part 102. More specifically, the means for retaining the fastening element 100 are designed to prevent the stem 108 from moving backwards relative to the first part 102, and, in particular, preventing the stem 108 from sliding out of the first part 102 through the hole 103.

The retaining means 106 are in the form of means for engaging the fastening element and, in particular, the stem 108 of the fastening element 100.

The retaining means 106 comprise an inside perimetral surface 106a constituting means for engaging the fastening element, and in particular, the outside surface of the stem 108.

As illustrated, the perimetral surface 106a of the retaining means 106 defines a part of the hole 103 through which the stem 108 passes. The inside perimetral surface of the retaining means might also constitute the entire hole through which the fastening stem passes.

The stem 108 has a front portion 110 designed to be fastened to the second part 104, said front portion having a threaded outside surface 112. The stem 108 also has a rear portion 114 having a smooth outside surface.

Advantageously, the retaining means 106 are made of a material that is less hard than the material of which the fastening element 100 is made and, in particular, are made of a plastic material that can be deformed by the threading 112 on the stem 108. The passage of the fastening element, or rather, of its threaded front portion, through the hole 106a defined by the retaining means 106 deforms the circular inside surface 106a of the hole.

The surface 106a, even when deformed, engages and retains the threaded part 112 of the stem 108. In practice, the threaded part 112 of the stem 108 is held securely in place by the surface 106a of the retaining means in the deformed condition so that it cannot spontaneously move back or slide out of the hole in the first part 102 on account of vibrations.

Advantageously, the retaining means 106 are fixed to the first part 102 and, in particular, are glued to the first part.

The retaining means are embodied by an annular member 106 having a circular, or annular, inside surface 106a affording a hole for the passage of the fastening stem 108.

Advantageously, the retaining means 106 are housed in a seat made in the first part 102, and, more specifically, in the side of the first part 102 that faces the second part 104 to be fastened. The seat is labelled 116 in Figure 13.

In practice, the seat 116 is recessed in the surface 102' of the first part 102 facing the second part 104 and has an end surface 116a, surrounding the hole 103 and a cylindrical lateral surface 116b on the outside of the end surface 116a. The seat 116 does not extend all the way through the side of the first part

102 and the retaining means are not therefore as thick as the wall of the part 102 they are attached to.

In particular, the retaining element 106 has a rear surface 106' that is fixed to the end of the seat and a lateral surface 106" that is fixed to the lateral part of the recessed seat 116.

The retaining element 106 also has an internal part that protrudes inwards beyond the edge, or cylindrical surface, 103 forming the hole in the first part 102 to be fastened.

In particular, the fastening element is embodied by a screw 100 having an enlarged head 101, which comes into contact with the transversal surface 102" of

the part 102 preventing the fastening element from advancing further, and a stem 108.

Figure 17 illustrates a second embodiment 200 of the fastening member for fastening a first part 102 to a second part 104, where the components that are the same as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and, for the sake of brevity, are not described again in detail. In the second embodiment the retaining stem 108 comprises a threaded front portion 112, an unthreaded rear portion 114 and is connected to the first part by a retaining element 106 that protrudes from the surface 102' of the first part 102 facing the second part 104 to be fastened.

The retaining element 106 is attached by its rear surface 106' to the front surface 102' of the first part. In particular, the rear surface 106' is glued to the front surface 102' around the hole 103 made in the first part 102.

In the second embodiment, the hollow discoidal element 106 is inserted into a respective widened section 105a at the inlet end of the hole 105 in the second part 104 to be fastened, and has an outside surface 106" whose diameter allows easy insertion.

Like the first embodiment, the second embodiment comprises retaining means 106 having a circular inside surface 106a, in particular cylindrical, which is smaller in diameter than the hole 103 through which the retaining stem 108 passes.

In the second embodiment, as in the first, the retaining means 106 are made of plastic that is less hard than the fastening element 102, and, as shown in Figure 17, are positioned at the hole 103 so that their own hole is coaxial with the hole 103 in the first part 102 to be fastened through which the retaining stem passes.

In both the first and the second embodiments of the fastening member, the hole 106a in the retaining means is slightly smaller in diameter than the hole 103 in the part 102 which the fastening member remains connected to.

In practice, the retaining means 106 prevent the screw from moving back and sliding out once it has been disengaged from the second part 104. The enlarged head 101 on the element 100, on the other hand, constitutes means for preventing the fastening element from falling out in the screwing in or fastening direction.

The invention described above is susceptible of industrial application and may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the

scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.