AN EQUIPMENT, OR UNIT, TO PACKAGE, IN PARTICULAR TO BOX, ARTICLES, IN A CORRESPONDING HOUSING PACKAGE.

Field of application of the present invention

The present invention relates to an equipment, or unit, to package, in particular to box, articles, in a corresponding housing package.

State or the art

Equipments, or units, are known to package, in particular to box, articles, in corresponding cardboard boxes, in view of the spedizione, for example supported on a corresponding transport pallet.

These already-known equipments provide, through a corresponding anthropomorphic robot, for the insertion of the entire bundle of articles in a single operation within said box, i.e. , they comprise the means for supporting articles in a grouped condition, means for supporting said boxes and means or robots for transferring said articles from the means for supporting said articles to the boxes on the means for supporting said boxes

In this manner, however, it is not possible to suitably arrange the articles inside the package, or box, being able to modulate the filling according to the articles to be packaged and the dimensions of the package, or box.

It is therefore not possible to make the best possible use of the space inside the package, or box, i.e., to use packages, or boxes, of a suitable size, thus creating a waste of material and transport space.

Furthermore, by using these already-known equipment, it is not possible to create particularly customised packages, especially in order to adhere to the requirements of each individual customer, whether he/she is an end consumer, or an office or company or other. Summary of the invention

With the present invention it is therefore intended to propose a new and alternative solution to the hitherto known solutions and in particular to obviate one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks or problems and/or to satisfy one or more of the above-mentioned requirements, and/or in any case perceived in the art, and in particular evident from what has been set forth above.

Therefore, an equipment, or unit is provided, to package, in particular to box, articles, in a corresponding housing package, preferably in the form of a corresponding box, preferentially in cardboard or other material, i.e., preferably in a corresponding foldable material; especially said articles being in the form of products and/or of packagings of respective products, which products preferably are products of the so-called tissue industry and/or are in corresponding paper material, i.e., in a thin sheet or ply of paper material, or they are products in unwoven fabric, i.e., in other material; in particular said products being preferably in the form of rolls, in particular of toilet paper, kitchen paper or wiping paper, large rolls, wipes, facial tissues, towels, small clothes, bed sheets, or other, and/or said packagings being preferably in the form of packages, packs, envelopes, bags, boxes, for example in paperboard or cardboard, i.e., in the form of another type of packaging, in particular housing one or more of said products; in particular said equipment, or unit, being used, or usable, i.e., positioned, or positionable, inside a plant for manufacturing said articles; said equipment, or unit, comprising means for supporting said packages, or boxes, and means for transferring said articles from corresponding means for supporting said articles to said means for supporting said packages, or boxes; characterized in that said means for transferring said articles are adapted to position, in sequence, a plurality of layers of articles inside the respective package, or box. In this manner, it is possible to suitably arrange the articles inside the package, or box, being able to tune the filling as a function to be packaged and the dimensions of the package, or box.

Therefore, packages customized to the needs of every single user can also be made.

Brief description of the drawings

However, this and other innovative aspects, or respective advantageous implementations, are set out in the attached claims, the specific technical characteristics of which are found, together with corresponding advantages achieved, in the following description, detailing a purely exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, and which is made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A illustrates a schematic, top plan view of a preferred implementation of a plant that uses an equipment according to the present invention;

Fig. 1 B illustrates a schematic, perspective view of a preferred implementation of a filled box through the equipment according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic, top plan view of the preferred implementation of equipment according to the present invention;

Fig. 3A illustrates a schematic, perspective view of the preferred implementation of equipment according to the present invention;

Fig. 3B illustrates a schematic, perspective view of the preferred implementation of equipment according to the present invention, taken on the opposite side than that of Fig. 3A;

Fig. 4A illustrates a schematic, elevated lateral view of the respective employed robot of the preferred implementation of equipment according to the present invention; Fig. 4B illustrates an enlarged detail of Fig. 3A, with particular illustration of the gripping means of the articles;

Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate corresponding schematic, perspective views of articles processed by the preferred implementation of equipment according to the present invention;

Figs. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11 A, 11 B, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B illustrate corresponding schematic, perspective views of articles grouped inside a corresponding package, or box, by the preferred implementation of equipment according to the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred implementations of the invention

In the attached figures, a preferred implementation of equipment, or unit, 10 to package, in particular to box, articles 11 , in a corresponding housing package, preferably in the form of a corresponding box 13, preferentially in cardboard or other material, i.e., preferably in a corresponding foldable material, is illustrated.

Especially, said articles are in the form of products 11 and/or optionally also of packagings of respective products 13, which however are not particularly illustrated in the attached figures, which products 11 preferably are products of the so-called tissue industry and/or are in corresponding paper material, i.e., in a thin sheet or ply of paper material, or they are products in unwoven fabric, i.e., also in other material, for example in plastic film, in aluminium foil, or in baking paper or other.

Anyhow, in particular, said products 11 are preferably in the form of rolls, in particular of toilet paper, kitchen paper or wiping paper, as illustrated in the attached figures, but they optionally can also be in the form of large rolls, wipes, facial tissues, towels, small clothes, bed sheets, or other, while, said packagings can preferably be in the form of packs, packages, envelopes, bags, boxes, for example in paperboard or cardboard, i.e., in the form of another type of packaging, in particular housing one or more of said products 11 , arranged according to a corresponding configuration of packaging.

Preferably, the respective article 11 comprises, as illustrated in the Figs. 5A and 5B, a peripheral surface 111 , which, preferably, when the product is a roll, comprises a single outer, preferentially cylindrical, surface, and opposite outermost surfaces 112, 113 provided at opposite sides of said peripheral surface and preferably orthogonal thereto. As illustrated, said articles or products, i.e., the rolls, 11 comprise a corresponding longitudinal central axis of symmetry 11 L.

In any case, as will be better understood from the following of the present description, said articles 11 in the respective package, or box, 13 are preferably configured in groups of articles, each group comprising one or more articles, preferentially as illustrated a plurality of articles or products 11 .

In turn, preferably, as seen for example from Figs. 1 B and 6B, the package, or box, 13 comprises a bottom wall 131 , and a peripheral, in particular quadrangular, wall, including a head wall 132, a tail wall 133, and opposite side walls 134, 135, all extending perpendicularly from said bottom wall 131 and defining on the whole a corresponding housing space 130 for one or more articles, or products, 11 , as well as a covering wall 136, which closes, in particular superiorly, said package, or box, 13 and which is parallel to said bottom wall.

As is illustrated, said covering wall 136 is defined by a first and a second opposite longitudinal panels 136a, 136b, and further optionally by opposite transversal panels 136c, 136d, which panels 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d in the open condition face upwards, or are vertically facing, and in the closed condition are folded on top of each other, in particular with the transversal panels 136c, 136d that are superimposed by said longitudinal panels 136a, 136b, which are joined to one another by a corresponding adhesive strip 138 also extending on said hear 131 and tail 132 walls of the box-shaped body 13.

Similarly, although not particularly illustrated in the attached figures, said bottom wall 131 is defined by a first and a second opposite longitudinal panels, and further optionally by opposite transversal panels, which panels are folded on top of each other, in particular the transversal panels being superimposed by said longitudinal panels, which are joined to one another by a corresponding adhesive strip 139 also extending on said head 131 and tail 132 walls of said box-shaped body 13.

In practice, before being used, the box is in a folded condition along corresponding creasing lines that separate the corresponding panels thereof, and is in a flattened condition, and then it is opened, i.e., spread out, to be arranged in the filling position, thus defining said bottom wall, and then subsequently closed again, once filled, thus defining said covering wall.

In particular, said equipment, or unit, 10 is, used, or is usable, i.e., positioned, or positionable, inside a corresponding plant 30 for manufacturing said articles 11 , as illustrated in Fig. 1A, preferably comprising one or more, preferably a plurality, for example two as illustrated in Fig. 1 A, of lines 31 , 32 for manufacturing said articles 11 , in particular each comprising a section, or apparatus, 33, 34 for manufacturing respective articles 11 , for example and preferably having a respective mitre saw machine for rolls, such as rolls of toilet paper or kitchen paper or kitchen roll, from corresponding elongated logs of the same composing material, and corresponding means 35, 36 for conveying said articles 11 , in particular comprising one or more conveyer belts for conveying respective articles, which extend from the respective equipment for manufacturing 33, 34 up to the same packaging or boxing equipment 10, which conveyer belts for conveying the respective conveying line 35, 36 preferentially extend parallel to one another.

As seen from the following figures 2 to 3B, said equipment, or unit, 10 comprises means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13, and means 16 for transferring said articles 11 from corresponding means 12 for supporting said articles 11 to said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13.

Advantageously, it is provided that said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 are adapted to position, in sequence, a plurality of layers 15 of articles 11 inside the respective package, or box, 13.

In this manner, it is possible to suitably arrange the articles inside the package, or box, 13, being able to tune the filling as a function to be packaged and the dimensions of the package, or box, 13.

Therefore, packages customized to the needs of every single user can also be made.

In particular, as illustrated, it is possible to suitably arrange the articles inside the package, or box, 13, ordered according to a first layer 15’ and a second layer 15” of respective articles, or also with a third layer of articles 15”’, i.e., also with a higher number of layers said articles, as will be in any case best seen from the following of the present description.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 are adapted to position the articles 11 , of the respective layer 15, simultaneously into the corresponding package, or box, 13.

In this manner, it is possible to operate in a particularly quick and efficient manner.

As seen from said figures, in a particularly advantageous manner, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 are adapted to withdraw the articles 11 of the respective layer 15 simultaneously from said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 .

In this manner, it is possible to operate in a particularly quick and efficient manner. With considerable advantage, as seen from said figures, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 are adapted to position said articles 11 inside the respective package, or box, 13, starting, or withdrawing them, directly from said means 12 for supporting said articles 11.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 are adapted to position said articles 11 inside the respective package, or box, 13, starting, or withdrawing them, from said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , with said articles 11 that are supported therein in an independent manner from each other, i.e., they are in a single or individual condition, or, in other words, in a not-grouped condition with other articles 11 , i.e., in such a condition as not to define on these support means 12 a corresponding group of articles.

As seen from said figures, in a considerably advantageous manner, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 are adapted to position articles 11 homogeneous or inhomogeneous to one another in the respective package, or box, 13, in particular with the articles of the respective layer 15 of said articles 11 that are homogeneous to one another and with the articles of the different layers than can be homogeneous and/or inhomogeneous to one another.

As seen from said figures, in particular, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 are adapted to position articles 11 inhomogeneous to one another, in the respective package, or box, 13, and in particular articles in accordance with a first type of articles and articles in accordance with a second type of articles, i.e., also articles in accordance with possible other types. For example, as illustrated, in an inhomogeneous manner, both toilet paper rolls with a reduced length, i.e., articles in accordance with a first type, as seen from Fig. 5A, and rolls of kitchen paper or kitchen towel with a larger length, as illustrated in Fig. 5B, i.e., articles in accordance with a second type can be positioned. In any case, the arrangement of the articles inside the package or box could take on different and varied configurations. In particular, as illustrated in the Figs. 7A and 7B, one could position in a package, or box, 13, a first layer 15’ formed by toilet paper rolls and a second layer 15” of kitchen paper or kitchen towel rolls, i.e. , as illustrated in Figs. 9A, 9B, 14A and 14B, one could position, in a package or box 13, a first and a second layers 15’, 15” of toilet paper rolls and a third layer 15’” of kitchen paper or kitchen towel rolls. Furthermore, according to another embodiment illustrated in the Figs. 8A, 8B, 11A and 11 B, one could position in a package, or box, 13, a first layer of toilet paper rolls 15’ and a second and third layers 15”, 15’” of kitchen paper or kitchen towel rolls. On the contrary, as illustrated in the Figs. 6A, 6B, 10A, 10B 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, one could position in a package, or box, 13, articles 11 that are completely homogeneous to one another, respectively of kitchen paper or kitchen towel or toilet paper, in particular according to a first and a second layers 15’, 15”, i.e., further including also a third layer 15’”. A different number, in particular more than three layers of articles, is also conceivable to be positioned in corresponding packages or boxes 13.

However, it must be understood that while it is particularly preferred that the articles of the respective layer are homogeneous to one another, i.e., that they are articles of the same type and the same size, it would also be conceivable that the same articles of the same layer are completely inhomogeneous to one another, i.e., that they are of different types and of sizes, at least in length, different to one another.

It must also be understood that, by using articles that are particularly inhomogeneous to one another, it is possible to use articles of any different type, including packaging both products and packagings of the same products, i.e., articles of any other type, in particular for the use by a corresponding family, office, or other kind of purchasers or consumers. In this manner, it is possible to make customised packages, adhering to the demands of each individual customer, whether this is an end consumer, or an office or company. In practice, it is thus possible to have the maximum operational flexibility to make the corresponding packages of any kind of products, in particular of products of the so-called tissue industry. In practice, the articles once produced could be directly shipped to the end consumer, in particular in a respective and customised package.

According to a further aspect, not particularly illustrated in the attached figures, the equipment could use different kinds of packages or boxes and provide for selecting the package or box to be filled as a function of the dimensions of the articles to be packaged, i.e. , the configuration that said articles should have within the same package or box.

With advantage, as seen from said figures, the corresponding articles 11 in the respective package, or box, 13 are arranged, or said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 arrange said same articles 11 , oriented in a concordant or discordant manner to each other, in particular oriented parallel to each other or angularly rotated by a respective angle to each other, or one to the other or others, in particular respectively oriented orthogonally or rotated by an angle of 90° relative to the other articles of the package or box. In particular, as seen from the Figs. 5A and 5B, the articles 11 have, or may have, an extension longitudinal axis, marked by the reference 11 L, which in the present case may coincide with the axis of symmetry of the article, or roll, 11.

According to the illustrated implementations, the articles 11 inside the package or box 13 are suitably arranged with said longitudinal axis oriented horizontally, i.e., parallel to the bottom wall of the package or box.

In particular, as seen from said figures 6A, 6B, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B, all the articles 11 are arranged with the respective main extension or longitudinal axes 11 L that are parallel to one another, while, as seen from Figs. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 11 A, 11 B, 14A, and 14B, the articles 11 in the package or box 13 are oriented partially parallel and partially rotated by a respective angle relative to the other ones, i.e. , as will become clearer from the following of the present description, orthogonally oriented or rotated by an angle of 90° relative to the other articles of the package or box.

In this manner, it is possible to make the most of the space inside the package or box, i.e., to use packages or boxes of a suitable size without wasting material and transport space.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures, the corresponding articles in the respective package, or box, 13 are arranged, or said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 arrange said same articles 11 , oriented parallel or orthogonal to the corresponding peripheral wall 132, 133, 134, 135 of the respective package, or box, 13.

As seen from said figures 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 11 A, 11 B, 14A and 14B, with considerable advantage, the corresponding articles in the respective package, or box, 13 are arranged, or said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 arrange said same articles 11 , oriented orthogonally, or rotated by 90°, with respect to those of the adjacent layers, or of the adjacent layer, 15.

In this manner, it is possible to make the most of the space inside the respective package or box 13.

In an advantageous manner, as seen from said figures, the corresponding articles 11 , or layers 15, which are uneven to one another in the respective package, or box, 13 are arranged, or said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 arrange said same articles 11 or layers 15 which are uneven to one another, oriented parallel, as illustrated in the Figs. 9A and 9B, or angularly spaced apart, in particular arranged orthogonal to one another, as illustrated in the Figs. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 11 A, 11 B, 14A and 14B.

Furthermore, as seen from said figures 9A and 9B, the corresponding articles 11 , in particular of corresponding layers 15 that are overlapping to one another, have the respective longitudinal axes 11 L that are not, perpendicularly or vertically, aligned, to one another, especially while being parallel to one another, i.e. , are perpendicularly or vertically offset from one another.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures, a frame 101 is provided for supporting said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13 and/or said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 and/or said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 .

As seen from said figures 2 to 3B, with advantage, said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13 comprise a station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13.

In a particularly advantageous manner, as seen in particular from said figures 2 to 3B, said station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13 is adapted to house at least one package, or box, 13, in a corresponding position 141 for filling said package, or box, 13, preferentially in a pause or stop condition of the same package, or box, 13, especially in an open condition.

Advantageously, as seen in particular from said figures 2 to 3B, said station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, is adapted to house a plurality of said packages, or boxes, 13, in particular in corresponding pluralities of positions 141 , 141 for filling said package, or box, 13, 13, preferentially in a pause or stop condition of the respective package, or box, 13, which filling positions 141 , 141 are preferably longitudinally spaced apart and/or longitudinally aligned to each other, in particular according to the advancement direction of the packages or boxes 13.

In particular, as illustrated, in the present implementation of equipment, or unit, 10 a first and a second filling positions 141 , 141 are provided for, of corresponding first and second packages or boxes 13, 13, in an open condition, i.e., with the respective panels defining the covering wall of the box that face upwards and the inner housing 130 of the package or box is freely accessible from the outside.

As seen from said figures, in an advantageous manner, means 14’ are provided for the treatment, or handling, of said packages, or boxes, 13, defining, or comprising, said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13.

In a considerably advantageous manner, as seen in particular from said figures 2 to 3B, said means 14’ for the treatment, or handling, of said packages, or boxes, 13 comprise means 142 for positioning the respective package or box at said station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13 and for distancing from the same station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13.

Advantageously, as seen in particular from said figures 2 to 3B, said means 14’ for the treatment of said packages, or boxes, 13 comprise means 142 for conveying said packages, or boxes, 13, in particular at said station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13 and for distancing from the same station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13.

As seen in particular from said figures 2 to 3B, in a particularly advantageous manner, said means 14’ for the treatment of said packages, or boxes, 13 comprise a warehouse 143 for housing said packages, or boxes, 13, in particular in a folded or flattened condition.

With considerable advantage, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, said means 14’ for the treatment of said packages, or boxes, 13 comprise means 144 for preparing said packages, or boxes, 13 in an open condition, or spreading out of the same, in particular in a filling condition, in particular provided downstream of said warehouse 143 for said packages, or boxes, 13, and upstream of said station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13, according to the forwarding flow of said packages, or boxes, 13.

Advantageously, as seen in particular from said figures 2 to 3B, said means 14’ for the treatment of said packages, or boxes, 13 comprise means 145 for closing said packages, or boxes, 13, i.e., for closing, or suitably to connect to each other, said panels 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d that define the covering wall 136 of the respective package, or box, 13 with said package, or box, 13 that contains said articles 11 , in particular with said means 145 for closing said packages, or boxes, 13 which are provided downstream of said station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13, according to the forwarding flow of said packages, or boxes, 13.

As seen in particular from said figures 2 to 3B, in a considerably advantageous manner, said means for conveying said packages, or boxes, 13 comprise a conveyer 146, in particular in the form of a roll conveyer, and/or especially defining a lower resting surface of said packages, or boxes, 13.

With advantage, as seen in particular from said figures 2 to 3B, said means 14’ for the treatment of said packages, or boxes, 13, i.e., said conveyer 146, in particular in the form of a roll conveyer, define, or defines, a lower resting and support surface 147 for the respective package, or box, 13, i.e., for the bottom wall 131 of the same package or box 13, in said station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13, and which lower resting and support surface 148 is preferably horizontal.

Advantageously, as seen in particular from said figures 2 to 3B, said means 14’ for the treatment of said packages, or boxes, 13 extend longitudinally, in particular linearly, preferably between said warehouse 143 and a discharging end 148 of said packages, or boxes, 13 in a filled condition, preferably provided on the longitudinal side opposite said warehouse 143.

As seen from said figures, with considerable advantage, said means 14’ for the treatment of said packages, or boxes, 13, in particular said means 142 for conveying said packages, or boxes, 13, are adapted to move the respective package, or box, 13 in a plurality of, in particular two, filling positions, preferably longitudinally spaced apart, in particular for receiving respective articles 11 , or layers 15 of articles 11 , homogeneous or inhomogeneous with respect to each other.

In an advantageous manner, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, supplying means 12’ of said articles 11 are provided.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, said supplying means 12’ of said articles 11 define, or comprise, said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , which define, or are part of, a station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular by said means 16 for transferring the same articles 11 .

As seen from said figures 2 to 3B, with advantage, said station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , comprise, or are defined by, at least one surface 123 for resting said articles 11 , which is in particular planar, and preferably horizontal, i.e., comprise, or are defined by, a plurality of resting surfaces 123 for respective articles 11 , which surfaces are in particular planar and preferably horizontal, preferably said resting surfaces 123, 123 for respective articles 11 being side by side to one another, in particular, as illustrated, a first and a second one of said resting surfaces 123 for respective articles 11 being provided for.

In a particularly advantageous manner, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, the respective resting surface 123 for respective articles 11 , of said station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular of said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , is adapted to support one or more, preferably a plurality of, rows of articles 11 , preferentially being supplied towards said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13, and in particular kept mutually separated by corresponding guides 125, 125 for a lateral engagement of said article.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, in said station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular on said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , the articles 11 are arranged with the respective longitudinal axis 11 L directed horizontally, i.e., directed according to the advancement direction of said articles in said support means 12 of the same articles 11 .

As seen from said figures 2 to 3B, in an advantageous manner, in said station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular on said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , the articles 11 define a respective withdrawing front 11’ of articles 11 , in particular a plurality of respective withdrawing fronts 11’, 11’ of said articles 11 , preferably arranged one next to the other, respectively.

In a considerably advantageous manner, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, in said station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular on said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , the rows of articles 11 converge in the direction of said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13, especially towards the respective withdrawing front 11’ of said articles 11 .

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, in said station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular on said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , said articles 11 are mainly in a stop, or substantially stop, condition at the withdrawing zone thereof, or of the respective front of articles 11’, and advance only after the withdrawal of respective articles 11 , from said station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular from said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 .

As seen from said figures 2 to 3B, in a particularly advantageous manner, said station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular said means 14 for supporting said packages, intersect said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , i.e., said means 142 for conveying said packages, or boxes, 13.

With considerable advantage, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, said station 120 for withdrawing the same articles 11 , in particular said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , comprise a respective, in particular terminal end, 121 , at or adjacent to said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13, i.e., to the filling station of the same packages, or boxes, 13.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, said feeding means 12’ of said articles 11 , in particular said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , comprise conveyer means, in particular conveyer belt means, in particular in the form of one or more, preferably of a plurality of, conveyers, or conveyer belts, 122, especially defining respectively a corresponding resting and support surface 123 for said articles 11 .

As seen from said figures 2 to 3B, in a considerably advantageous manner, said conveyer means, in particular said conveyer belt means, in particular in the form of one or more, preferably of a plurality of, conveyers, or conveyer belts, 124 comprise corresponding guide means 125 of the articles 11 , in particular movable on, or carried by, the respective surface 123 for resting said articles 11 thereof, in particular comprising for the respective row of articles 11 a first and a second opposite side guides 125, 125 for a lateral engagement of said articles 11 .

With advantage, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, said guide means 125 of the articles 11 comprise one or more, preferably, as illustrated, a plurality of, opposite first and second guides 125, 125 for respective articles 11 arranged on a corresponding surface 123 for resting said articles 11. In particular, as illustrated, four pairs of guides 125, 125 are provided on a corresponding conveyer belt 124, especially, to convey the toilet paper rolls, and three pairs of guides 125, 125, on a corresponding conveyer belt 124, especially to convey kitchen paper or kitchen towel rolls. The respective conveyer 124, is in the form of an endless transporting surface that is rotatable about corresponding wheels or rotatable rolls with a horizontal axis.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, said guide means 125 of the articles 11 , in particular said pairs of first and second guides 125, 125 for respective articles 11 , are, in particular in the upstream zone, convergent to one another to guide the corresponding articles 11 towards the respective withdrawing front 1 T of said articles 11 , in particular at the filling position of said corresponding package, or box, 13.

As seen from said figures 2 to 3B, with considerable advantage, said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , in particular said surface 123 for resting said articles 11 , end, or ends, at the upper surface of said packages, or boxes, 13, at the respective station, or zone, 140 for filling the packages, or boxes, 13, preferably in height in a position above said resting and support surface of said packages, or boxes, 13.

In an advantageous manner, as seen from Fig. 1A, said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , in particular said surfaces 123 for resting said articles 11 , are, or are adapted to, convey articles that are from different and/or distinct lines 35, 36, or from different and/or distinct apparatuses 33, 34 for manufacturing the same articles 11 , 11.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2 to 3B, said means for transferring said articles into said packages comprise robot means 16.

As seen from said figures 2 to 4B, with advantage, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 into said packages 13, or said robot means 16, comprise one or more devices, or one or more robots, 161 , 161 for transferring the articles 11 , preferably a plurality of devices, or a plurality of robots, 161 , 161 for transferring the articles 161 , in particular, as illustrated, a first and a second of said devices, or robots, 161 , 161 for transferring the articles 11 .

In a particularly advantageous manner, as seen from said figures 2 to 4B, the respective device, or robot, 161 for transferring the articles 11 is adapted to make at least one respective layer 15 of articles 11 inside the respective package, or box, 13, and preferably different devices, or different robots, 161 for transferring the articles 11 being adapted to make different layers 15 of said articles 11 , inside the respective package, or box, 13.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2 to 4B, said devices, or robots, 161 , 161 for transferring the articles, in particular, as illustrated, the first and second transferring devices, i.e., the first and second robots 161 , 161 , are arranged side by side to one another, preferably mutually aligned according to the extension, or longitudinal, direction of said treatment means 14’ of said packages, or boxes, 13, i.e., of said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13, i.e. , of said means 142 for conveying said packages, or boxes, 13.

As seen from said figures 2 to 4B, in an advantageous manner, the respective device, or robot, 161 , 161 for transferring the articles is adapted to move said articles 11 from said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , i.e., from the respective withdrawing front 11’ of the same articles 11 , to the corresponding package, or box, 13, on said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13, in particular to the arranged package, or box, 13 which is arranged frontally, or which is aligned, to the respective withdrawing front 11 ’ of said articles 11 .

In a considerably advantageous manner, as seen from said figures 2 to 4B, the respective device, or robot, 161 , 161 for transferring the articles is adapted to displace, in a respective single displacing action, a respective layer 15 of articles 11 , in particular with said layer 15 of articles 11 including one or more articles 11 , preferably including a plurality of articles 11 , preferentially side by side and/or parallel to one another, i.e., having the respective longitudinal axis 11 L that is oriented in the same direction.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2 to 4B, the respective device, or robot, 161 , 161 for transferring the articles is adapted to move said articles 11 perpendicularly to said treatment means 14’ of said packages, or boxes, 13, i.e., to said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13, i.e., to said means 142 for conveying said packages, or boxes, 13, and/or parallel, or along the respective longitudinal direction of said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , in particular at least of the terminal part of said feeding means 12’ of said articles 11 , i.e., of the corresponding conveyers, or conveyer belts, 124.

As seen from said figures 2 to 4B, in a particularly advantageous manner, the respective device, or robot, 161 , 161 for transferring the articles is adapted to move said articles 11 with a lifting movement, in particular perpendicular, with respect to said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 and/or according to a horizontal movement between said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 and said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13 i.e., perpendicular to said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13 and parallel to said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , and/or, therefore, with a lowering movement, in particular perpendicular, into said package, or box, 13 on said means 14 for supporting said packages 13.

With considerable advantage, as seen from said figures 2A to 4B, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 into said packages 13, or said robot means 16, in particular the respective device, or robot, 161 for transferring said articles 11 , comprise, or comprises, gripping means 165 of the respective article 11 , or the group 15 of articles 11 , preferably in the form of gripping means 165 that are adapted to treat, in particular to get, hold, and release, a plurality of articles, or rolls, 11 , arranged, in an appropriate position, i.e., closer together, or side by side, on said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 .

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2A to 4B, said gripping means 165 of the respective article 11 , or the group 15 of articles 11 , are, in a particularly preferred manner, in the form of corresponding means that engage and retain the article for the suction. However, it must be understood, however, that mechanical gripping means may also be employed, or suction means may also be employed in conjunction with mechanical gripping means; furthermore, the gripping means can be operated mechanically, pneumatically, electrically or a combination thereof.

As seen from said figures 2A to 4B, in a considerably advantageous manner, said gripping means 165 of the respective article 11 , or the group 15 of articles 11 , are rotatable with respect to a perpendicular or vertical axis, especially with an angular rotation by at least 90°, in particular to arrange the articles oriented rotated by 90° with respect to the supplying direction.

As seen from said figures 2A to 4B, in a particularly advantageous manner, said gripping means 165 of the respective article 11 , or the group 15 of articles 11 have a lower face 165’ that is so shaped as to match the configuration of the upper face of the respective article 11 , i.e. , of a plurality of said articles 11 , and in particular have a lower face having a curved, downwardly concave surface, adapted to match the upper surface of the corresponding roll 11 , i.e., have a plurality of curved, downwardly concave surfaces, preferably mutually parallel, and adapted to match the upper surface of corresponding rolls, which preferably are mutually parallel.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2A to 4B, the respective robot 161 is in the form of a parallel robot, in particular in the form of a Delta robot, preferably of the so-called two-axes type.

As seen from said figures 2A to 4B, with considerable advantage, the respective transferring device, or robot, 161 comprises an attachment base 162 from which one or more arms 163 extend, preferably a first and a second opposite arms 163, 163, each respectively including an upper arm, or crank, 166 and a lower arm, or connecting rod, 167, which arms 163 support and move a respective head 164, which, in particular, bears, or supports, said gripping means 165 of the respective article.

As seen from said figures 2 to 4B, in a considerably advantageous manner, the corresponding arm 163 of the respective transferring device, or robot, 161 is rotatable with respect to a corresponding horizontal axis 162’, which is parallel to the advancement direction of said packages, or boxes, 13, in particular the respective upper arm 166 and lower arm 167 being mutually rotatable with respect to a corresponding horizontal axis 1667 that is parallel to the advancement direction of said packages, or boxes, 13.

In this manner, it is possible to have a device with an essential structure that can operate in a particularly quick and reliable manner.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures 2 to 4B, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 into said packages 13, or said robot means 16, in particular the respective device, or robot, 161 for transferring said articles 11 , are located above said means 14 for supporting said packages, or boxes, 13, i.e., of said lower resting and support surface 147 for the respective package, or box, 13, and/or above said means 12 for supporting said articles 11 , i.e., of said surface 123 for resting said articles 11 .

As seen from said figures 2 to 4B, with advantage, said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 into said packages 13, or said robot means 16, in particular the respective device, or robot, 161 for transferring said articles 11 , are adapted to arrange said layers in succession to one another one above the other, starting from a lower layer, said layers, preferably resting directly on, or located below, the previous layer or the layer arranged below, in particular it being provided that said lower layer is superimposed or resting, in particular with a respective part of its peripheral surface, on the lower wall of said package, or box, 13, i.e., on the upper face thereof, in particular, with each layer comprising one or more articles, preferably a plurality of articles 11 , preferably coplanar, or substantially coplanar, with each other and/or parallel or substantially parallel to each other.

As seen from Fig. 4A, with considerable advantage, said head 164 for supporting said gripping means, or member, 165 of the respective article 11 , or the group 15 of articles 11 , comprises means 164r for rotating said gripping means, or member, 165 of the respective article 1 1 , or the group of articles 11 , and that are in particular adapted to rotate them by at least 90°.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures, the respective device, or robot, 161 , 161 for transferring the articles is in a hanging condition with respect to said support frame 101 , in particular to an upper section bar 102 thereof.

As seen from said figures, in an advantageous manner, means for controlling the equipment, in particular in the form of processor means, are provided, not particularly illustrated in the attached figures.

As seen from said figures, with advantage, said equipment controlling means, in particular in the form of processor means, are configured to control said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 into said packages 13, or said robot means 16, in particular the respective device, or robot, 161 for transferring said articles 11 , so as to suitably arrange said articles 11 , or said layer 15 of said articles 11 , into the corresponding package, or box, 13.

Advantageously, as seen from said figures, said equipment controlling means, in particular in the form of processor means, are configured to control said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 into said packages 13, or said robot means 16, in particular the respective device, or robot, 161 for transferring said articles 11 , so as to suitably arrange said articles 11 , or said layer 15 of said articles 11 , into the corresponding package, or box, 13, as a function of the respective configuration of the same package, or box, 13, in particular as a function of one or more dimensions of the same package, or box, 13, preferably as a function of one or more of said length I, width w and/or height h of the package, or box, 13, preferably in a general parallelepiped shape.

In this manner, a considerable flexibility in the use of the present equipment is achieved. One could pack packages, or boxes, of any configuration and filled in any desired manner, preferably in such a way as to optimise the use of the space within the same package, or box. In particular, one could sequentially feed packages, or boxes, that are different from each other and to be filled differently from each other, in particular with articles entirely different, or of different types, from each other, especially to meet the specific and personal requirements of each respective consumer.

In a particularly advantageous manner, as seen from said figures, said equipment controlling means, in particular in the form of processor means, are configured to control said means 16 for transferring said articles 11 in said packages 13, or said robot means 16, in particular the respective device, or robot, 161 for transferring said articles 11 , so as to arrange said packages, or boxes, 13 in the respective position, or in the respective filling positions, of said packages, or boxes, 13, in particular actuation the advancement, and dwelling, of the corresponding means 142 for conveying said packages, or boxes, 13.

Advantageously, it is also provided that such equipment controlling means, in particular in the form of processing means, are configured to select the articles to be packaged and/or the combination of articles of different types to be packaged, depending on the sizes, or a respective size, of the package or box.

With advantage, it is also provided that said equipment controlling means, in particular in the form of processor means, are configured to select the respective package or box as a function of the dimensions of the articles to be packaged, i.e., as a function of the configuration that said articles should have within the same package or box, preferably choosing the one most suitable for the purpose, for example the one with the smallest dimensions.

In practice, as is evident, the aforementioned technical characteristics allow, individually or in a respective combination, to achieve one or more of the following advantageous results:

- it is possible to suitably arrange the articles inside the package, or box, being able to tune the filling as a function to be packaged and the dimensions of the package, or box;

- it is possible to operate in a particularly quick and efficient manner;

- it is possible to make customised packages, adhering to the requirements of each individual customer, whether he/she is an end consumer, an office or a company or other;

- it is thus possible to have the maximum operational flexibility to make the corresponding packages of any kind of product, in particular of products from the so-called tissue industry;

- it is possible to make the best possible use of the space inside the pack or box, i.e. , to use packages or boxes of a suitable size without wasting material and transport space;

- it is possible to have a device with an essential structure that can operate in a particularly quick and reliable manner;

- a considerable flexibility in the use of the present equipment is achieved;

- it is possible to pack packages, or boxes, of any configuration and filled in any desired manner, preferably in such a way as to optimise the use of space within the same package, or box;

- packages, or boxes, different from each other and to be filled differently from each other, in particular with articles that are completely different, or of different types, from each other, especially to meet the specific and personal requirements of each respective consumer, can be fed in sequence.

The present invention is susceptible of clear industrial application. Those skilled in the art are also able to devise a number modifications and/or variations to be made to the same invention, while remaining within the scope of the inventive concept as broadly disclosed. Furthermore, those skilled in the art may devise further preferred implementations of the invention comprising one or more of the above-mentioned features of the above- mentioned preferred implementation, in particular as set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, it should also be understood that all the details of the invention can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.