SPECIFICATION

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure is in the technical field of apparatus for packaging of products. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus having a gripper configured to hold open an opening of a bag so that the bag receives a product into the opening as the same product is moved towards the bag.

[0002] It is known in the state of the art the use of apparatus for packaging with a gripper for holding open a bag while a product is conveyed inside it.

[0003] EP1465809 discloses a packaging apparatus having a bag opener which comprises fingers. All the fingers, in operation of the packaging apparatus, enter into a mouth of a bag and move apart to open the bag mouth. Fingers of the art may move in a lateral width-wise direction and/or in a vertical height-wise direction to open the bag to a controlled degree of opening. The degree of opening may be a function of a product size. The packaging apparatus of the prior art comprises a conveyor configured to move products towards the bag opener in a conveying direction. In the known art, once opened by the fingers, the bag is presented to the product to receive it. The bag is held in such a way to allow the passage of the product through the opening when the product is moved along the conveying direction. Then, the bagged product is caught by an exit conveyor pulling the mouth of the bag from the fingers.

[0004] It is also known a bag opener comprising pairs of fingers, each one with a movable inner finger and a fixed external finger. The inner finger, in operation, enters the mouth of a bag and moves in a vertical direction towards the external finger. In particular, the known inner finger moves to open the bag and make it contacts the external finger. When the bag is open, it is therefore interposed and clamped between each pair of fingers.

[0005] Sometimes, for example in the meat industry, products may present different shapes one to the other, asperities or they can be misaligned on the conveyor. This can cause the product to hit the bag mouth or one of the fingers while approaching the same bag. The contact between the product and one of the fingers can stop the movement of the product and consequently the operation of the packaging apparatus. Moreover, when a product contacts a portion of the mouth of the bag, it can induce a tension in the bag. Since the bag is clamped and therefore already tensioned by the fingers, the tension caused by the product can break the bag.

[0006] One drawback of the known systems is that the packaging apparatus and the packaging process are interrupted every time a product is stopped in its motion by the contact with one finger, or every time the bag is broken due to the tension induced by the product.

SUMMARY

[0007] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] Therefore, in a first aspect thereof, an apparatus for packaging products comprises: a conveyor configured to move a product in a conveying direction, a gripper comprising a plurality of gripping elements, each of the plurality of gripping elements comprising a clamping portion configured to contact and hold a respective portion at an opening of a bag, the plurality of gripping elements being configured to hold open the opening of the bag so that the bag receives the product into the opening as the product is moved in the conveying direction, a bag supplier adapted to feed the bag to the gripper before the plurality of gripping elements holds open the opening of the bag.

[0009] In a 2nd aspect in accordance with the 1st aspect, each of the plurality of gripping elements is movable at least in a plane transverse to the conveying direction.

[0010] In a 3rd aspect in accordance with the 2nd aspect, the plurality of gripping elements is held in the apparatus such that, in response to the product contacting a portion of the opening of the bag to induce tension in the opening of the bag as the product is received into the bag, at least one of the plurality of gripping elements moves in the plane transverse to the conveying direction to reduce the tension in the opening of the bag.

[0011] In a 4th aspect in accordance with the 3rd aspect, each of the plurality of gripping elements is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

[0012] In a 5th aspect in accordance with the 4th aspect, the clamping portion of each of the plurality of gripping elements is configured to contact an inner side and/or outer side of the bag in the closed configuration, while the clamping portion is configured to be spaced apart from the inner and/or outer sides of the bag in the open configuration.

[0013] In a 6th aspect in accordance with the 5th aspect, a gripping element of the plurality of gripping elements comprises a first finger and a second finger rotatably coupled to each other.

[0014] In a 7th aspect in accordance with the 6th aspect, the clamping portion is defined at least in part by the first and the second fingers.

[0015] In an 8th aspect in accordance with the 7th aspect, the first and second fingers define an interposed angle.

[0016] In a 9th aspect in accordance with the 8th aspect, the interposed angle is smaller when the gripping element is in the closed configuration than when the gripping element is in the open configuration.

[0017] In a 10th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 6th to the 9th, wherein the clamping portion comprises first and the second contact surfaces that are defined at least in part respectively by the first and second fingers of the gripping element.

[0018] In an 11st aspect according to the 10th aspect, the first and second contact surfaces are arranged to face each other.

[0019] In a 12th aspect according to the 11st aspect, when the gripping element moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the first and second contact surfaces move away from each other, and when the gripping element moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the first and second contact surfaces approach each other. [0020] In a 13th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 10th to the 12th, the first contact surface is configured to contact the inner side of the bag and the second contact surface is configured to contact the outer side of the bag.

[0021] In a 14th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, when the gripping element is in the closed configuration, the first and second contact surfaces contact respectively the inner side and the outer side of the bag.

[0022] In a 15th aspect in accordance with either the 13th aspect or the 14th aspect, when the gripping element is in the open configuration, the first and second contact surfaces are spaced apart respectively from the inner side and outer side of the bag.

[0023] In a 16th aspect in accordance with any one of aspects from the 13 rd to the 15th, the first contact surface and the second contact surface move towards the respective inner side and outer side of the bag as the gripping element moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

[0024] In a 17th aspect in accordance with any one of aspects from the 6th to the 16th, the clamping portion comprises a friction surface defined at least in part by the first finger and/or second finger.

[0025] In an 18th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the friction surface is configured to increase friction between the bag and the respective first finger and/or the second finger when the gripping element is in the closed configuration.

[0026] In a 19th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 6th to the 16th when combined with the 10th aspect, the friction surface is defined at least in part by the first contact surface of the first finger and/or at least in part by the second contact surface of the second finger.

[0027] In a 20th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 17th to the 19th, the friction surface comprises a rubber material.

[0028] In a 21st aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 17th to the 20th, the friction surface comprises a rib emerging from the first finger and/or second finger. [0029] In a 22nd aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 19th to the 21st, the friction surface comprises a rib emerging from the first contact surface of the first finger and/or a rib emerging from the second contact surface of the second finger.

[0030] In a 23rd aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 4th to the 22nd, the gripper comprises an actuator coupled to a gripping element of the plurality of gripping elements and configured to move the gripping element between the open and closed configuration.

[0031] In a 24th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 6th to the 23rd, the actuator is coupled to the first and second finger of the gripping element.

[0032] In a 25th aspect in accordance with either the 23rd aspect or the 24th aspect, the actuator comprises a pneumatic cylinder.

[0033] In a 26th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 23rd to the 25th, the gripper comprises a plurality of actuators, each of which is associated with one of the gripping elements.

[0034] In a 27th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the plurality of actuators are in signal communication with each other and are configured to move the plurality of gripping elements between the open and closed configuration substantially simultaneously.

[0035] In a 28th aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects 26th or 27th, the plurality of actuators comprises a pneumatic cylinder.

[0036] In a 29th aspect in accordance with either the 28th aspect or the 25th aspect, the pneumatic cylinder is a double-acting pneumatic cylinder.

[0037] In a 30th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the gripper comprises a frame arranged at least in part around the conveying direction,

[0038] In a 31st aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the plurality of gripping elements is fixed to the frame and spaced apart to each other around the conveying direction,

[0039] In a 32nd aspect in accordance with either the 30th aspect or the 31st aspect, the frame is configured to move in the plane transverse to the conveying direction in response to a contact between the product and at least one of the gripping elements and/or in response the product contacting a portion of the opening of the bag to induce tension in the opening of the bag as the product is received into the bag.

[0040] In a 33rd aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from the 30th to the 32nd when combined with the 2nd aspect, the gripper comprises a control mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to move the frame along the plane transverse to the conveying direction.

[0041] In a 34th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the conveyor comprises a conveying surface configured to convey the product along the conveying direction.

[0042] In a 35th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the conveying surface is configured to pass at least in part through the opening of the bag when the bag is held by the plurality of gripping elements.

[0043] In a 36th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the plurality of gripping elements comprises a lower gripping element and an upper gripping element.

[0044] In a 37th aspect in accordance with the 36th aspect when combined with the 34th or 35th, the conveying surface is interposed at least in part between the lower gripping element and the upper gripping element along a direction transverse to the conveying surface.

[0045] In a 38th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, a number of the plurality of gripping elements is in a range between 3 and 6 gripping elements.

[0046] In a 39th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the number of the plurality of gripping elements is 5 gripping elements.

[0047] In a 40th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the gripper is configured to conform the opening of the bag into a polygonal shape.

[0048] In a 41st aspect according to the preceding aspect, the polygonal shape has 3 to 10 sides.

[0049] In a 42nd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the polygonal shape has 6 to 8 sides.

[0050] In a 43rd aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the apparatus comprises a pusher coupled with the conveyor and the gripper. [0051] In a 44th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the pusher is movable along the conveying direction and configured to push the product through the opening of the bag when the bag is held by the plurality of gripping elements.

[0052] In a 45th aspect a system is provided for bagging products by using two apparatuses according to any one of the preceding aspects.

[0053] In a 46th aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the conveyor comprises an inlet zone and an outlet zone.

[0054] In a 47th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the inlet zone is located upstream of the outlet zone along the conveying direction.

[0055] In a 48th aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the gripper is interposed along the conveying direction between the inlet zone and the outlet zone of the conveyor.

[0056] In a 49th aspect in accordance with any one of aspects from the 45th to the 48th, the inlet zone is configured to receive the product and to convey the product downstream in the conveying direction,

[0057] In a 50th aspect in accordance with any one of aspects from the 45th to the 49th, the outlet zone is configured to receive the product inside the bag and to convey it downstream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0058] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0059] Fig. 1 depicts a schematic side view of an apparatus for packaging products in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0060] Figs. 2 and 3 depict side views of a detail of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 in different configurations, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0061] Fig. 4 depicts a schematic perspective view of a system for bagging products in accordance with the embodiments described herein; [0062] Fig. 5 is a schematic rear view of a further detail of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with the embodiments described herein; and

[0063] Figs. 6 and 7 each depict a schematic view of a shape of a bag opening formed by the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with the embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The present disclosure describes an apparatus 1 for packaging of products.

[0065] The apparatus 1 comprises a conveyor 2 configured to move a product P in a conveying direction A-A. In some embodiments, the conveyor 2 comprises a conveying surface 2a configured to convey the product P along the conveying direction A-A. The conveying surface 2a is configured to contact and support the product P when in use.

[0066] The apparatus 1 comprises a gripper 3 which comprises gripping elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e (collectively, gripping elements 4). Each of the gripping elements 4 comprises a clamping portion 5 configured to contact and hold a respective portion at an opening 6 of a bag 7. The gripping elements 4 are configured to hold open the opening 6 of the bag 7. In the present disclosure, number 4 refers to the gripping elements as a plurality, while references 4a-4e each refer to a single gripping element.

[0067] The apparatus 1 further comprises a bag supplier which is adapted to feed the bag 7 to the gripper 3. In detail, the bag supplier is configured to feed the bag 7 to the gripper 3 before the gripping elements 4 holds open the opening 6 of the bag 7. In some cases, the bag 7 is made of a polymer material. In detail, the polymer material may be shrinkable.

[0068] In particular, the gripping elements 4 are configured to hold open the opening 6 of the bag 7 so that the bag 7 receives the product P into the opening 6 as the product P is moved in the conveying direction A-A.

[0069] In further details, each of the gripping elements 4 is movable at least in a plane transverse to the conveying direction A-A. Each of the gripping elements 4 may also be movable along the conveying direction A-A. In particular, the apparatus 1 can be configured to move the bag 7 and the product P towards each other when in use. In detail, as the product P is moved along the conveying direction A-A also the bag 7 is moved in the same direction approaching the product P.

[0070] The gripping elements 4 are held in the apparatus 1 such that, in response to the product P contacting a portion of the opening 6 of the bag 7 to induce tension in the opening 6 of the bag 7 as the product is received into the bag 7, one of the gripping elements 4 can move in the plane transverse to the conveying direction A-A to reduce the tension in the opening 6 of the bag 7. While the following description includes the example of one of the gripping elements 4 moving, it will be understood that more than one of the gripping elements 4 can move in its respective plane traverse to the conveying direction A-A to reduce the tension in the opening 6 of the bag 7. In some embodiments, each of the gripping elements 4 can move independently of the others of the gripping elements 4.

[0071] This reduction of tension in the opening 6 of the bag 7 advantageously reduces the chances of the bag 7 breaking due to the tension induced by the product P contacting a portion of the opening 6 of the bag 7. Moreover, reducing the chances of the bag 7 breaking, the one of the gripping elements 4 that moves in the plane transverse to the conveying direction A-A reduces the downtime of the apparatus 1 and increases its reliability.

[0072] In some cases, the conveyor 2 is configured to pass through the opening 6 of the bag 7 when the bag 7 is held by the gripping elements 4. The conveyor 2 is configured to move the product P in the conveying direction A-A through the opening 6 of the bag 7. In detail, the conveying surface 2a is at least in part located inside the bag 7 when the bag 7 receives the product P.

[0073] In an embodiment, each of the gripping elements 4 is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The clamping portion 5 of each of the gripping elements 4 is configured to contact an inner side 7a and/or outer side 7b of the bag 7 in the closed configuration, while the clamping portion 5 is configured to be spaced apart from the inner and/or outer sides 7a, 7b of the bag 7 in the open configuration. In particular, the clamping portion 5 of each of the gripping elements 4 can be configured to contact either the inner side 7a or the outer side 7b of the bag 7 or both sides when the respective gripping element is in the closed configuration. [0074] In detail, the clamping portion 5 of each of the gripping elements 4 holds the respective portion at the opening 6 of the bag 7 when the respective gripping element is in the closed configuration. In more detail, the bag supplier is configured to feed the bag 7 to the gripper 3 when the gripping elements 4 are in the open configuration.

[0075] In an embodiment, a gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e of the gripping elements 4 comprises a first finger 20 and a second finger 21 rotatably coupled to each other. In some embodiments, the clamping portion 5 is defined at least in part by the first and the second fingers 20, 21. In some cases, each gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e of the gripping elements 4 comprises respective first and second fingers.

[0076] In detail, the first and second fingers 20, 21 respectively extends along the conveying direction A-A between a head portion 14, 15 and a tail portion 16, 17. In some cases, the head portion 14 of the first finger 20 and the head portion 15 of the second finger 21 define at least in part the clamping portion 5. The tail portion 17 of the second finger 21 is pivotably coupled to the tail portion 16 of the first finger 20. In particular, the tail portions 16, 17 of the first and second fingers 20, 21 are pivotably coupled through a pin.

[0077] The head portions 14, 15 and the tail portions 16, 17 of the first and second fingers 20, 21 are configured to move along the conveying direction A-A as the respective gripping element moves from the closed to the open configuration. The head portion 14 of the first finger 20 moves inwards the bag 7 as the respective gripping element moves from the closed to the open configuration. The head portion 15 of the second finger 21 moves outwards the bag 7 as the respective gripping element moves from the closed to the open configuration.

[0078] In addition, the first and second fingers 20, 21 define an interposed angle a. The interposed angle a is smaller when the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e is in the closed configuration than when the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e is in the open configuration. In particular, the interposed angle a decreases as the gripping element moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The interposed angle a increases as the gripping element moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0079] In detail, the interposed angle a is defined by the tail portions 16, 17 of the first and second fingers 20, 21. Moreover, the head portion 14 of the first finger 20 and the head portion 15 of the second finger 21 move towards each other as the interposed angle a decreases. Moreover, the head portion 14 of the first finger 20 and the head portion 15 of the second finger 21 move away from each other as the interposed angle a increases.

[0080] In an embodiment, the clamping portion 5 comprises first and the second contact surfaces 5a, 5b. The first and second contact surfaces 5a, 5b are defined at least in part respectively by the first and second fingers 20, 21 of the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e. In detail, the first contact surface 5a is defined at the head portion 14 of the first finger 20 and the second contact surface 5b is defined at the head portion 15 of the second finger 21.

[0081] More in detail, the first and second contact surfaces 5a, 5b are arranged to face each other. Particularly, when the respective gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the first and second contact surfaces 5a, 5b move away from each other. Moreover, when the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration, the first and second contact surfaces 5 a, 5b approach each other.

[0082] In detail, the first and second contact surfaces 5a, 5b move towards each other as the interposed angle a decreases, while they move away from each other as the interposed angle a increases.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first contact surface 5 a is configured to contact the inner side 7a of the bag 7 and/or the second contact surface 5b is configured to contact the outer side 7b of the bag 7. In detail, the first finger 20 is configured to enter at least in part the opening 6 of the bag 7 when the bag supplier supplies the bag 7 to the gripper 3.

[0084] When the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e is in the closed configuration, the first and second contact surfaces 5a, 5b contact respectively the inner side 7a and the outer side 7b of the bag 7. In detail, a portion at the opening 6 of the bag 7 is interposed and held between the first contact surface 5a and the second contact surface 5b when the bag 7 has been supplied and the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e is in the closed configuration.

Advantageously, having contact surfaces configured to contact both the inside and the outside of the bag allows the gripping element to have a greater grip on the bag.

[0085] When the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e is in the open configuration, the first and second contact surfaces 5a, 5b are spaced apart respectively from the inner side 7a and outer side 7b of the bag 7. When the bag 7 has been supplied to the gripper 3 and the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e is in the open configuration, the contact surfaces 5a, 5b are spaced apart from the inner and from the outer side 7b of the bag 7.

[0086] In detail, the first contact surface 5a and the second contact surface 5b move towards the respective inner side 7a and outer side 7b of the bag 7 as the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

[0087] In an embodiment, the clamping portion 5 comprises a friction surface 8 defined at least in part by the first finger 20 and/or second finger 21. The friction surface 8 is configured to increase friction between the bag 7 and the first finger 20 and/or the second finger 21 when the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e is in the closed configuration.

[0088] This further increases the grip that the gripping element has on the bag 7 and prevents undesirable slipping of the bag 7 from the gripping elements 4. In other words, the friction surface 8 decreases the possibility to have unwanted unclamping of the bag 7 from the gripper 3 caused by the product P contacting the bag 7. The reduction of unwanted unclamping of the bag 7 from the gripper 3 advantageously increases the reliability and efficiency of the apparatus 1.

[0089] In some embodiments, the friction surface 8 is at the head portion 14 of the first finger 20 and/or at the head portion 15 of the second finger 21. The friction surface 8 is defined at least in part by the first contact surface 5a of the first finger 20 and/or by the second contact surface 5b of the second finger 21.

[0090] In an embodiment, the friction surface 8 is at the head portion 15 of the second finger 21. In detail, the friction surface 8 is defined at least in part by the second contact surface 5b.

[0091] The friction surface 8 may comprise a resilient material. In some cases, the friction surface 8 comprises a rubber material. In an embodiment, the rubber material is fixed to the second finger 21 as to contact the outer side 7b of the bag 7 when the bag 7 is supplied and the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e is in the closed configuration.

[0092] In an embodiment, the friction surface 8 comprises a rib emerging from the first finger 20 and/or second finger 21. In some cases, the rib emerges from the first contact surface 5a or from the second contact surface 5b. [0093] In an embodiment, the rib emerges from the second contact surface 5b. The rib is configured to act as a stresses concentrator to further increase the clamping of the bag 7.

[0094] In addition, the gripper 3 comprises an actuator 9. The actuator 9 is coupled to a gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e of the gripping elements 4 and configured to move the gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e between the open and closed configuration.

[0095] In particular, the actuator 9 is coupled to the first and second finger 20, 21 of the gripping elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e. In some embodiments, the actuator 9 is coupled to the tail portion 16 of the first finger 20. The actuator 9 acts on the first finger 20 to cause the motion of both the first and second fingers 20, 21.

[0096] Moreover, the gripper 3 comprises a plurality of actuators 9. Each of the plurality of actuators 9 is associated with a respective one of the gripping elements 4. The actuators 9 can be in signal communication with each other. The actuators 9 can be operated individually or collectively to move the respective gripping elements 4 between the open and closed configuration. In some cases, the actuators 9 are configured to move the gripping elements 4 between the open and closed configuration substantially simultaneously.

[0097] In some embodiments, the actuator 9 or the actuators 9 comprise a pneumatic cylinder. In detail, the pneumatic cylinder can be a double-acting pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder is of the known in the art type and therefore its operation will not be described.

[0098] In an embodiment, the gripper 3 comprises a frame 10 arranged at least in part around the conveying direction A-A.

[0099] In some cases, the gripping elements 4 are fixed to the frame 10 and spaced apart to each other around the conveying direction A-A.

[0100] In particular, each of the gripping elements 4 comprises a plate 18. In detail, the first and second finger 20, 21 of each gripping element 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e are rotatably coupled to the respective plate 18.

[0101] In particular, each of the gripping elements 4 is fixed to the frame 10 through the respective plate 18. More in detail, the actuator 9 of each of the gripping elements 4 is fixed to the respective plate 18. [0102] The frame 10 is configured to move in the plane transverse to the conveying direction A-A in response to a contact between the product P and at least one of the gripping elements 4 and/or in response the product P contacting a portion of the opening 6 of the bag 7 to induce tension in the opening 6 of the bag 7 as the product is received into the bag 7. Moreover, the frame 10 can be movable along the conveying direction A-A.

[0103] In addition, the gripper 3 comprises a control mechanism coupled to the frame 10. The control mechanism is configured to move the frame 10 at least along the plane transverse to the conveying direction A-A. In particular, the control mechanism can be an active mechanism controlling the movement of the frame 10.

[0104] It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the apparatus 1 can comprise any means adapted to actively move at least one of the gripping elements 4 in the plane transverse to the conveying direction A-A.

[0105] In an embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises a driver coupled to the gripping elements 4 to move at least one of the gripping elements 4 in the plane transverse to the conveying direction A-A to reduce the tension in the opening 6 of the bag 7.

[0106] In a further embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises a control unit and sensors coupled to the conveyor 2 and/or to the gripper 3. The control unit is in signal communication with the sensors and the driver. The sensors are configured to detect and generate respective representative signals of one or more of:

[0107] presence of the product P moving along the conveying direction A-A;

[0108] positioning of the product P along the conveying direction A-A and/or in a direction transverse to the conveying direction A-A;

[0109] contact between the product P and a portion of the opening 6 of the bag 7;

[0110] contact between the product P and one of the gripping elements 4.

[oni] The control unit is configured to receive and elaborate signals from the sensors and send to the driver a control signal representative of an actuation time and/or of a displacement distance of the at least one of the gripping elements 4 in the plane transverse to the conveying direction A-A. [0112] Moreover, the gripping elements 4 comprise a lower gripping element 1 la, 1 lb and an upper gripping element 12a, 12b, 12c. The conveying surface 2a may be interposed at least in part between the lower gripping element 1 la, 1 lb and the upper gripping element 12a, 12b, 12c. In some cases, when the bag 7 is supplied to the gripper 3, a portion of the opening 6 is below the conveying surface 2a along a direction transverse to the conveying surface 2a while another portion of the opening 6 is above the conveying surface 2a along the same direction.

[0113] In some cases, the conveying surface 2a is configured to pass at least in part through the opening 6 of the bag 7 when the bag 7 is held by the gripping elements 4. This advantageously allows the bag 7 to receive the product P more easily and to increase the transfer efficiency of the product P from the conveyor 2 to the bag 7.

[0114] In detail, a number of the gripping elements 4 is in a range between three and six gripping elements 4. In some embodiments, the number of the gripping elements 4 is five gripping elements 4. This advantageously allows the gripper 3 to have a firm grip on the portion at the opening 6 of the bag 7 and thus increases the reliability of the apparatus 1.

[0115] In some embodiments, the gripping elements 4 comprise two lower gripping elements I la, 11b and three upper gripping elements 12a, 12b, 12c.

[0116] In an embodiment, the gripper 3 is configured to conform the opening 6 of the bag 7 into a polygonal shape 19. The polygonal shape 19 has three to ten sides. In some cases, the polygonal shape has six to eight sides. Advantageously, it is possible to conform the opening 6 of the bag 7 according to an outer shape or profile of the product P to be bagged. Conforming the opening 6 of the bag 7 according to the outer profile of products makes the apparatus 1 able to package products of different shapes and dimensions, thus its flexibility of use is increased.

[0117] The apparatus 1 can comprise a pusher 13. The pusher 13 is coupled with the conveyor 2 and the gripper 3. In detail, the pusher 13 is movable along the conveying direction A-A and configured to push the product P through the opening 6 of the bag 7 when the bag 7 is held by the gripping elements 4. Advantageously, the pusher 13 helps the product P to enter the bag 7 and facilitates the transfer of the product P from the conveyor 2 to the bag 7. [0118] In some embodiments, the conveyor 2 comprises an inlet zone 200 and an outlet zone 201. The inlet zone 200 and the outlet zone 201 are located along the conveying direction A- A. The inlet zone 200 is upstream of the outlet zone 201 along the conveying direction A-A. In detail, the gripper 3 is interposed along the conveying direction A-A between the inlet zone 200 and the outlet zone 201 of the conveyor 2.

[0119] In particular, the inlet zone 200 is configured to receive the product P and to convey it downstream in the conveying direction A-A. The outlet zone 201 is configured to receive the product P inside the bag 7 and convey it downstream in the conveying direction A-A. In some cases, the inlet zone 200 receives the product P from a user and/or the outlet zone conveys the bagged product to a user.

[0120] The present disclosure is also directed to a system 100 for bagging products that comprises two apparatus 1 for packaging of products as herein described. In other words, the apparatus 1 described herein can be used as a module of a system 100. Advantageously, a system with two or more apparatus as described is highly flexible and efficient. For example, it is possible to use only one apparatus of the system and switch off the other to save energy or use both apparatuses to increase the bagging rate.

[0121] The system 100 can comprise a first and a second apparatus side by side. In particular, the conveying direction of the first apparatus is parallel to the conveying direction of the second apparatus. The inlet zone and the outlet zone of the first apparatus are respectively close to the inlet zone and the outlet zone of the second apparatus.

[0122] Advantageously, the system can work with two different kinds of products. For example, the first apparatus can work with bigger bags with respect to the second apparatus in order to package larger products. This is advantageous for all the applications where different types of products need to be bagged. For example, in the meat industry, it is possible to package shoulder cuts in one apparatus and leg cuts with the other at the same time.

[0123] For purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” and the like, should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless stated otherwise, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like are used to mean within 5% of a target value. [0124] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.