FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical sector relating to the making of a blank from a cardboard for packaging, to be used, for example, in order to obtain a cardboard box to use for boxing an article.

In particular, the invention relates to a method and a machine for realising a blank from a cardboard for packaging to be used for boxing an article.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A cardboard for packaging can be used for various purposes, for example to form a cardboard box.

In this case, it is necessary first to realise fold lines, also known as score lines, which divide the cardboard for packaging into numerous portions so as to obtain a blank.

The various portions of blank can thus be easily folded about the fold lines, obtaining a cardboard box to pack articles in a simple and rapid way, preventing the formation of unappealing deformations and cracking of the cardboard for packaging during the steps of folding.

At present, a known method for realising a blank from a cardboard for packaging to be used for boxing an article comprises following steps:

infeeding a cardboard for packaging; detecting and memorising the dimensions of the upper face, of the bottom and of the lateral faces of an article to be boxed using the blank; on the basis of the values of the detected and memorised dimensional values, making, on the cardboard for packaging, a first longitudinal score line and a second longitudinal score line, parallel to one another, and a first transversal score line and a second transversal score line, parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first longitudinal score line and to the second longitudinal score line, so as to define on the cardboard for packaging:

a central sector comprised between the first longitudinal score line and the second longitudinal score line; a first lateral sector comprised between the first longitudinal score line and a first longitudinal end (lateral) of the cardboard for packaging; a second lateral sector comprised between the second longitudinal score line and a second longitudinal end (lateral) of the cardboard for packaging.

The two longitudinal score lines and the two transversal score lines respectively cross, longitudinally and transversally, the cardboard for packaging and are distanced from one another in such a way as to identify, in the central sector:

a main portion, which is comprised between the first transversal score line and the second transversal score line and which has dimensions such as to cover the bottom of the article to be boxed; a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, on opposite sides of the main portion with respect to the first transversal score line and to the second transversal score line.

Likewise, in the first lateral sector the following are identified:

a third lateral portion comprised between the first transversal score line, the second transversal score line, the first longitudinal score line and the first longitudinal end of the cardboard for packaging; a first reinforcing portion and a second reinforcing portion, on opposite sides of the third lateral portion with respect to the first transversal score line and to the second transversal score line. Likewise, in the second lateral sector the following are identified:

a fourth lateral portion comprised between the first transversal score line, the second transversal score line, the second longitudinal score line and the second longitudinal end of the cardboard; a third reinforcing portion and a fourth reinforcing portion, on opposite sides of the fourth lateral portion with respect to the first transversal score line and to the second transversal score line.

The first lateral portion, the second lateral portion, the third lateral portion and the fourth lateral portion have dimensions such as to cover the lateral faces of the article to be boxed.

Further, the known method comprises the step of making, using mechanical cutting organs, such as blades or knives:

a first incision on the first reinforcing portion starting from the point of intersection between the first longitudinal score line and the first transversal score line;

a second incision on the second reinforcing portion starting from the point of intersection between the first longitudinal score line and the second transversal score line;

a third incision on the third reinforcing portion starting from the point of intersection between the second longitudinal score line and the first transversal score line; a fourth incision on the fourth reinforcing portion starting from the point of intersection between the second longitudinal score line and the second transversal score line.

The four incisions are made in such a way as to have a smaller depth with respect to the thickness of the cardboard, i.e. without passing beyond the cardboard from side to side, thus enabling further score lines to be obtained.

In this way, each of the first reinforcing portion, the second reinforcing portion, the third reinforcing portion and the fourth reinforcing portion are subdivided into two parts; the two parts can be reciprocally folded one with respect to the other.

The blank thus-obtained can be folded to box an article, by reciprocally folding the above-described various portions to form a box that surrounds and contains the article.

For example, to box an article, with the above-described blank, it is possible to carry out the following steps: arranging an article on the main portion; folding the first lateral portion, the second lateral portion, the third lateral portion and the fourth lateral portion, with respect to the main portion, towards the article arranged on the main portion, in order to cover the lateral faces so that the two parts of each of the four reinforcing portions fold on one another, towards the inside of the box, creating relative reinforcing tabs, which will be flanked to the four lateral portions to increase the rigidity of the obtained box.

The known method, described in the foregoing, is carried out by a machine which is designed and realised to cyclically carry out the above-described steps, defining operating cycles. Each operating cycle of the machine involves infeeding a cardboard for packaging, the realising of the two longitudinal score lines and the two transversal score lines, and the realising of the first incision, the second incision, the third incision and the fourth incision.

To realise the four incisions in the four reinforcing portions, the machine comprises mechanical cutting organs, such as for example blades or knives, which are predisposed and configured always to carry out a same displacement path, from a prefixed start run position, which must correspond to the intersection points between the two longitudinal score lines and the two transversal score lines, to a prefixed end run position. In other words, in each operating cycle the mechanical cutting organs carry out the same run.

This aspect constitutes a limit, as in infeed to the machine, for each operating cycle, cardboards for packaging will have to be supplied that all have the same dimensions; otherwise the realisation of the four incisions might take place in an erroneous and imprecise manner, i.e. not in the required positions (i.e. intersection points of the two longitudinal score lines and the two transversal score lines).

Therefore, the machine makes blanks for each operating cycle of the same dimensions, and in the same way.

Consequently, the machine is used to realise blanks with which to box articles of same dimensions to one another, in the various operating cycles of the machine. Therefore, in a case where a need emerges to box articles having different dimensions, in the various operating cycles, and thus to realise blanks starting from cardboards for packaging of various dimensions and different to one another it will be necessary to demount the mechanical cutting organs, reposition them and reconfigure them according to the effective different dimensions of the cardboard for packaging, or to use a different machine for cases where it is impossible to reposition and reconfigure the mechanical cutting organs, so as to be able to correctly carry out the four incisions (i.e. exactly in the relative required positions). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the light of the above, the aim of the present invention consists in obviating the above-mentioned drawbacks.

The above aim is attained with a method and a machine for realising a blank from a cardboard for packaging to be used for boxing an article according to claim 1 and a machine for realising a blank from a cardboard for packaging to be used for boxing an article according to claim 8.

The first incision, the second incision, the third incision and the fourth incision are advantageously made using a laser beam, which laser beam is programmed to make the first incision, the second incision, the third incision and the fourth incision starting from the points defined by the intersection of the first longitudinal score line, the second longitudinal score line, the first transversal score line and the second transversal score line, also having cardboards for packaging in infeed having variable dimensions and, therefore, having made the first longitudinal score line, the second longitudinal score line, the first transversal score line and the second transversal score line in different positions in the various operating cycles. Also, with the method and the machine of the present invention, it is possible to realise, starting from cardboards for packaging of different dimensions, in the difference operating cycles, different blanks by distancing the longitudinal score lines and the transversal score lines and making the first incision, the second incision, the third incision and the fourth incision as a function of the article to be boxed with the blank, also using the same machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention will be described in the following part of the present description, according to what is set down in the claims and with the aid of the appended tables of drawings, in which:

- figurel is a perspective view of the machine for realising a blank from a cardboard for packaging to be used for boxing an article, object of the present invention;

- figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the step of infeeding the cardboard for packaging to the machine of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of the machine of figure 1 during a step of the method, also object of the present invention;

- figures 4-6 are perspective views of a same part of the machine of figure 1 during a further step of the method, in which cardboards for packaging of different dimensions are illustrated;

- figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of a same part of the machine of figure 1 during a further step of the method, in which cardboards for packaging of different dimensions are illustrated;

- figure 9 is a plan view of detail K of figure 8;

- figures 10 and 1 1 are perspective views of the machine of figure 1 which illustrate the steps of boxing the article with the blank.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made in the following to figures 1 , 2, 4-8.

In the present description, it is specified that by blank (1 ) is meant a cardboard sheet profiled by die-cutting to give it a determined shape (see figures 7 and 8). Further, in the following part of the present description, the term cardboard (2) for packaging can be taken to mean a cardboard strip for packaging (see figure 2) or a cardboard sheet for packaging.

A method for realising a blank (1 ) from a cardboard (2) for packaging in which to box an article (41 ), comprising following steps: infeeding a cardboard (2) for packaging; detecting and memorising the dimensions of the upper face (41 a), of the bottom (41 b) and of the lateral faces (41 c) of an article (41 ) to be boxed using the blank (1 ); on the basis of the values of the detected and memorised dimensional values, making on the cardboard (2) for packaging a first longitudinal score line (3) and a second longitudinal score line (4), parallel to one another, and a first transversal score line (1 1 ) and a second transversal score line (12), parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first longitudinal score line (3) and to the second longitudinal score line (4), so as to define on the cardboard (2) for packaging:

a central sector (5) comprised between the first longitudinal score line (3) and the second longitudinal score line (4); a first lateral sector (9) comprised between the first longitudinal score line (3) and a first longitudinal end (2a) of the cardboard (2) for packaging; a second lateral sector (10) comprised between the second longitudinal score line (4) and a second longitudinal end (2b) of the cardboard (2) for packaging. The two longitudinal score lines (3, 4) and the two transversal score lines (1 1 , 12) respectively cross, longitudinally and transversally, the cardboard (2) for packaging and being distanced from one another in such a way as to identify, in the central sector (5):

a main portion (6), which is comprised between the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12) and which has dimensions such as to cover the bottom (41 b) of the article (41 ) to be boxed; a first lateral portion (7) and a second lateral portion (8), on opposite sides of the main portion (6) with respect to the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and to the second transversal score line (12). In this way, in the first lateral sector (9) the following are identified:

a third lateral portion (13) comprised between the first transversal score line (1 1 ), the second transversal score line (12), the first longitudinal end (2a) of the cardboard (2) for packaging and the first longitudinal score line (3); a first reinforcing portion (14) and a second reinforcing portion (15), on opposite sides of the third lateral portion (13) with respect to the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and to the second transversal score line (12).

Likewise, in the second lateral sector (10) the following are identified:

a fourth lateral portion (16) which is comprised between the first transversal score line (1 1 ), the second transversal score line (12), the second longitudinal score line (4) and the second longitudinal end (2b) of the cardboard (2) for packaging; a third reinforcing portion (17) and a fourth reinforcing portion (18), on opposite sides of the fourth lateral portion (16) with respect to the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and to the second transversal score line (12). The first lateral portion (7), the second lateral portion (8), the third lateral portion (13) and the fourth lateral portion (16) have dimensions such as to cover the lateral faces (41 c) of the article (41 ) to be boxed.

The method further comprises the following steps: using a laser beam to make, with the laser beam:

a first incision (19) on the first reinforcing portion (14) starting from the point of intersection between the first longitudinal score line (3) and the first transversal score line (1 1 );

a second incision (20) on the second reinforcing portion (15) starting from the point of intersection between the first longitudinal score line (3) and the second transversal score line (12);

a third incision (21 ) on the third reinforcing portion (17) starting from the point of intersection between the second longitudinal score line (4) and the first transversal score line (1 1 );

a fourth incision (22) on the fourth reinforcing portion (18) starting from the point of intersection between the second longitudinal score line (4) and the second transversal score line (12).

The first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22) are realised by means of the laser beam, on the basis of the dimensional values detected and stored, so as to have a smaller depth with respect to the thickness (S) of the cardboard (2) for packaging (see figures 7, 8 and 9).

It is understood that the above-mentioned blank (1 ) from a cardboard (2) for packaging can be used to box an article (41 ) or a plurality of articles.

The cardboard (2) for packaging in supply can be in a flat configuration. The cardboard (2) for packaging can have variable dimensions in each operating cycle of the steps of the method. These dimensions can vary on the basis of the dimensions of the upper face (41 a), of the bottom (41 b) and of the lateral faces (41 c) detected and memorised.

In general terms, each operating cycle comprises the infeeding of the cardboard (2) for packaging; the realising of the two longitudinal score lines (3, 4) and the two transversal score lines (1 1 , 12), and the realising of the first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22).

The first longitudinal score line (3) and the second longitudinal score line (4) can longitudinally cross the cardboard (2) for packaging, from the first longitudinal end (2a) to the second longitudinal end (2b).

The first longitudinal end (2a) and the second longitudinal end (2b) can be the lateral ends of the cardboard (2) for packaging.

With particular reference to figures 7 and 8, the first longitudinal end (2a) is opposite the second longitudinal end (2b).

The main portion (6) can be interposed between the first lateral portion (7) and the second lateral portion (8).

The third lateral portion (13) can be interposed between the first reinforcing portion (14) and the second reinforcing portion (15).

The fourth lateral portion (16) can be interposed between the third reinforcing portion (17) and the fourth reinforcing portion (16).

The main portion (6) can be interposed between the third lateral portion (13) and the fourth lateral portion (16).

The main portion (6) can receive the article (41 ) to be boxed with the above- mentioned blank (1 ) (see figures 10 and 1 1 ). The first lateral portion (7), the second lateral portion (8), the third lateral portion (13) and the fourth lateral portion (16) can laterally contain the article (41 ) to be boxed with the above-mentioned blank (1 ), when the article (41 ) is arranged on the main portion (6) (see figures 10 and 1 1 ).

The step of detecting and memorising the dimensions of the upper face (41 a), of the bottom (41 b) and of the lateral faces (41 c) of the article (41 ) to be boxed using the blank (1 ) can be carried out by a detecting sensor (34). The laser beam can be programmed on the basis of the dimensional values detected and stored, in order to realise the first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22).

As the laser beam is programmed on the basis of the dimensional values detected and stored, even when varying the dimension of the articles (41 ) to be boxed in the various operating cycles, it is advantageously possible to make the first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22) starting from the intersection points of the two longitudinal score lines (3, 4) and the two transversal score lines (10, 11 ).

The first incision (19) can be such as to extend from the point of intersection of the first longitudinal score line (3) and the first transversal score line (1 1 ) according to an inclined trajectory with respect to the first longitudinal score line (3).

The second incision (20) can be such as to extend from the point of intersection of the first longitudinal score line (3) and the second transversal score line (12) according to an inclined trajectory with respect to the first longitudinal score line (3).

The third incision (21 ) can be such as to extend from the point of intersection of the second longitudinal score line (4) and the first transversal score line (1 1 ) according to an inclined trajectory with respect to the second longitudinal score line (4).

The fourth incision (22) can be such as to extend from the point of intersection of the second longitudinal score line (4) and the second transversal score line (12) according to an inclined trajectory with respect to the second longitudinal score line (4).

The first incision (19) can have a smaller depth with respect to the thickness (S) of the cardboard (2) for packaging so as to identify a respective fold line (190), dividing the first reinforcing portion (14) into a first part (14a) and a second part (14b), which are separated by the fold line (190) (see figures 7 and 8).

The second incision (20) can have a smaller depth with respect to the thickness (S) of the cardboard (2) for packaging so as to identify a respective fold line (200), dividing the second reinforcing portion (15) into a first part (15a) and a second part (15b), which are separated by the fold line (200) (see figures 7 and 8).

The third incision (21 ) can have a smaller depth with respect to the thickness (S) of the cardboard (2) for packaging so as to identify a respective fold line (210), dividing the third reinforcing portion (17) into a first part (17a) and a second part (17b), which are separated by the fold line (210) (see figures 7 and 8).

The fourth incision (22) can have a smaller depth with respect to the thickness (S) of the cardboard (2) for packaging so as to identify a respective fold line (220), dividing the fourth reinforcing portion (18) into a first part (18a) and a second part (18b), which are separated by the fold line (220) (see figures 7 and 8).

The method preferably comprises following steps: on the basis of the dimensional values detected and memorised, making a third transversal score line (32) which is parallel and adjacent to the second transversal score line (12) so that the following are identified:

in the central sector (5), a fifth lateral portion (23) that is adjacent to the second lateral portion (8) and which has dimensions such as to cover the upper face (41 a) of the article (41 ) to be boxed;

in the first lateral sector (9), a first flap (26) that is adjacent to the second reinforcing portion (15);

in the second lateral sector (10), a second flap (27) that is adjacent to the fourth reinforcing portion (18);

making a first cut (24) on the first lateral sector (9), which extends in a transversal direction, from the first longitudinal end (2a) of the cardboard (2) for packaging to the first longitudinal score line (3) so as to separate the first flap (26) from the second reinforcing portion (15);

making a second cut (25) on the second lateral sector (10), which extends, in a transversal direction, from the second longitudinal end (2b) of the cardboard (2) for packaging to the second longitudinal score line (4) so as to separate the second flap (27) from the fourth reinforcing portion (18) (see figures 7 and 8).

The fifth lateral portion (23) can be folded towards the second lateral portion (8) with respect to the third transversal score line (32) in order to cover the upper face (41 a) of the article (41 ) when arranged on the main portion (6) (see figures 10 and

1 1 ).

The fifth lateral portion (23) advantageously covers the article (41 ) when arranged on the main portion (6).

Further, the first flap (26) and the second flap (27) increase the rigidity of the box that is obtained with the blank (1 ), when they are superposed, respectively on the third lateral portion (13) and the fourth lateral portion (16), during the boxing operations of the article (41 ) (see figures 10 and 1 1 ).

By increasing the rigidity of the box obtained with this blank (1 ), it will be possible to superpose a larger number of boxes on one another and maximise the storage capacity of a store or a truck for transport thereof. Further, by increasing the rigidity of the box, a greater safety of the article (41 ) present inside it will be ensured, as with a stiff box, which is less affected by external actions, the possibility for the external actions to impact on the article (41 ) inside the box will be reduced.

The fifth lateral portion (23) can comprise a contact portion (40), which contact portion (40) is arranged at the free end of the fifth lateral portion (23) to contact the first lateral portion (7), when the fifth lateral portion (23) has been folded to cover the upper face (41 a) of the article (41 ) arranged on the main portion (6).

The first cut (24) and the second cut (25) have a depth that is equal to the thickness (S) of the cardboard (2) for packaging.

In this way, the first cut (24) ensures the separation of the first flap (26) from second reinforcing portion (15) and the second cut (25) ensures the separation of the second flap (27) from the fourth reinforcing portion (18).

The step of infeeding a cardboard (2) for packaging can comprise a step of infeeding a cardboard strip (2c) for packaging and the method comprises the step of cutting the cardboard strip (2c) for packaging so as to obtain a cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging (see figures 1 and 3).

The step of cutting the cardboard strip (2c) for packaging so as to obtain a cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging is realised on the basis of the dimensions of the article (41 ) to be boxed in order to reduce to a minimum the trimmings of cardboard (2) for packaging.

The cardboard strip (2c) can be wound in a reel or fanfold (see figure 2).

Alternatively, the step of infeeding a cardboard (2) for packaging can comprise a step of infeeding a cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging and the method can comprise a step of cutting the cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging if the dimensions of the cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging that are detected are greater than the dimensions of the blank (1 ) to be obtained (see figures 3-6).

The step of cutting the cardboard for packaging (2) in order to obtain a cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging is made on the basis of the dimensions of the article (41 ) to be boxed.

The method preferably comprises a step of using a laser beam for making, using the laser beam, the first longitudinal score line (3), the second longitudinal score line (4), the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12).

The laser beam advantageously enables obtaining the first longitudinal score line (3), the second longitudinal score line (4), the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12) cleanly, preventing the formation of unappealing deformations and cracking during the steps of folding the cardboard (2) for packaging.

The laser beam can be programmed on the basis of the dimensional values detected and stored, in order to make the first longitudinal score line (3), the second longitudinal score line (4), the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12).

The method preferably comprises the step of using a laser beam to make, using the laser beam, the third transversal score line (32), the first cut (24) and the second cut (25).

The laser beam advantageously enables obtaining the third transversal score line (32), the first cut (24) and the second cut (25) cleanly, preventing the formation of unappealing deformations and cracking during the steps of folding the cardboard (2) for packaging.

The laser beam can be programmed on the basis of the dimensional values detected and stored, in order to make the third transversal score line (32), the first cut (24) and the second cut (25).

Therefore the method of the present invention can comprise steps of: detecting and memorising the dimensions of the upper face (41 a), of the bottom (41 b) and of the lateral faces (41 c) of the article (41 ) to be boxed using the blank (1 ); on the basis of the dimensional values detected and stored, using a laser beam for making, using the laser beam, the first longitudinal score line (3), the second longitudinal score line (4), the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12) so as to define what is described in the foregoing on the cardboard (2) for packaging.

Owing to laser technology, the blank (1 ) that is obtained is advantageously dimensioned on the basis of the dimensions of the upper face (41 a), of the bottom (41 b) and of the lateral faces (41 c) of the article (41 ) to be boxed: in fact, the main portion (6) is dimensioned to cover the bottom (41 b) and the first, second, third and fourth lateral portion (7, 8, 13, 16) are dimensioned to cover the lateral faces (41 c) of the article (41 ) to be boxed.

Further, if in the various operating cycles it should be necessary to box articles (41 ) having different dimensions from one another, cardboards (2) for packaging will be infed having variable dimensions and the laser beam will be programmed, in each operating cycle, to make two longitudinal score lines (3, 4), the two transversal score lines (10, 1 1 ) and the first, second third and fourth incision (19, 20, 21 , 22) on the basis of the dimensions of the upper face (41 a), of the bottom (41 b) and of the lateral faces (41 c) of the article (41 ) to be boxed.

With particular reference to figure 9, the cardboard (2) for packaging can be a corrugated cardboard, comprising: a first external wall (28); a second external wall (29); an internal wall (30) which is interposed between the first external wall (28) and the second external wall (29) and which is corrugated. The first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22) can be made at an identical depth, or a depth of greater than the thickness (S1 ) of the first external wall (28) (see figure 9).

With particular reference to figures 10 and 1 1 , the following includes a description of the steps of boxing of an article (41 ) by means of the above-described blank (1 ). Initially, the article (41 ) is arranged on the main portion (6) and, subsequently, the first lateral portion (7) and the second lateral portion (8) are folded, towards the main portion (6), with respect to the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12). During this step, the first part (14a, 15a, 17a, 18a) and the second part (14b, 15b, 17b, 18b) of each reinforcing portion (14, 15, 17, 18) begin to fold one on another, with respect to the relative incisions (19, 20, 21 , 22). Thereafter, the third lateral portion (13) and the fourth lateral portion (16) are folded towards the main portion (6), with respect respectively to the first longitudinal score line (3) and the second longitudinal score line (4). During this step, the first part (14a, 15a, 17a, 18a) and the second part (14b, 15b, 17b, 18b) of each reinforcing portion (14, 15, 17, 18) continue to fold one on another, with respect to the relative incisions (19, 20, 21 , 22) up to superposing on one another when the first lateral portion (7) and the second lateral portion (8), the third lateral portion (13) and the fourth lateral portion (16) have been folded so as to be positioned in a straight position with respect to the main portion (6).

Lastly, the boxing is completed by folding the fifth lateral portion (23) towards the main portion (6) with respect to the third transversal score line (32) and superposing the contact portion (40) on the first lateral portion (7).

In the following a description is made of a machine (100) for realising a blank (1 ) from a cardboard (2) for packaging to box an article (41 ), also an object of the present invention, comprising: supply means (37) for infeeding a cardboard (2) for packaging; the cardboard (2) for packaging being flat; a control unit (42) for memorising the dimensions of the upper face (41 a), of the bottom (41 b) and of the lateral faces (41 c) of an article (41 ) to be boxed using the blank (1 ); scoring means (31 ) which are activated by the control unit (42), on the basis of the dimensional values detected and memorised, in order to make on the cardboard (2) for packaging a first longitudinal score line (3) and a second longitudinal score line (4), parallel to one another, and a first transversal score line (1 1 ) and a second transversal score line (12), parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first longitudinal score line (3) and to the second longitudinal score line (4), so as to define on the cardboard (2) for packaging:

a central sector (5) comprised between the first longitudinal score line (3) and the second longitudinal score line (4); a first lateral sector (9) comprised between the first longitudinal score line (3) and a first longitudinal end (2a) of the cardboard (2) for packaging; a second lateral sector (10) comprised between the second longitudinal score line (4) and a second longitudinal end (2b) of the cardboard (2) for packaging.

The two longitudinal score lines (3, 4) and the two transversal score lines (1 1 , 12) respectively cross, longitudinally and transversally, the cardboard for packaging and are distanced from one another in such a way as to identify in the central sector (5):

a main portion (6), which is comprised between the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12) and which has dimensions such as to cover the bottom (41 b) of the article (41 ) to be boxed; a first lateral portion (7) and a second lateral portion (8), on opposite sides of the main portion (6) with respect to the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and to the second transversal score line (12). In this way, in the first lateral sector (9) the following are identified:

a third lateral portion (13) comprised between the first transversal score line (1 1 ), the second transversal score line (12), the first longitudinal end (2a) of the cardboard (2) for packaging and the first longitudinal score line (3); a first reinforcing portion (14) and a second reinforcing portion (15), on opposite sides of the third lateral portion (13) with respect to the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and to the second transversal score line (12).

Likewise, in the second lateral sector (10) the following are identified:

a fourth lateral portion (16) which is comprised between the first transversal score line (1 1 ), the second transversal score line (12), the second longitudinal score line (4) and the second longitudinal end (2b) of the cardboard (2) for packaging; a third reinforcing portion (17) and a fourth reinforcing portion (18), on opposite sides of the fourth lateral portion (16) with respect to the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and to the second transversal score line (12). The first lateral portion (7), the second lateral portion (8), the third lateral portion (13) and the fourth lateral portion (16) have dimensions such as to cover the lateral faces (41 c) of the article (41 ) to be boxed.

The machine (100) further comprises: cutter means (33), which are of a laser type and which are activated by the control unit (42), on the basis of the dimensional values detected and memorised, in order to make, using a laser beam:

a first incision (19) on the first reinforcing portion (14) starting from the point of intersection between the first longitudinal score line (3) and the first transversal score line (1 1 );

a second incision (20) on the second reinforcing portion (15) starting from the point of intersection between the first longitudinal score line (3) and the second transversal score line (12);

a third incision (21 ) on the third reinforcing portion (17) starting from the point of intersection between the second longitudinal score line (4) and the first transversal score line (1 1 );

a fourth incision (22) on the fourth reinforcing portion (18) starting from the point of intersection between the second longitudinal score line (4) and the second transversal score line (12).

The first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22) are realised by means of the laser beam so as to have a smaller depth with respect to the thickness (S) of the cardboard (2) for packaging. The machine (100) carries out the above-described steps of the method of the present invention.

Therefore each machine operating cycle (100) comprises infeeding a cardboard (2) for packaging; the realising of the two longitudinal score lines (3, 4) and the two transversal score lines (1 1 , 12), and the realising of the first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22).

The control unit (42) can activate the scoring means (31 ) and the cutter means (33) on the basis of the dimensions of the upper face (41 a), of the bottom (41 b) and of the lateral faces (41 c) of the article (41 ) to be boxed stored in the memory. The scoring means (31 ) and the cutter means (33) can coincide.

The supply means (37) can comprise advancing rollers (38) which advance the cardboard (2) for packaging along a first advancement direction (Z) to infeed it to the scoring means (31 ) (see figure 2).

For the blank (1 ) realised with the machine (100), the above-mentioned considerations in the present description are valid.

With this machine (100), the first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22) are advantageously made using the cutter means (33), which are of the laser type and this enables realising the first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22) starting from the points defined by the intersection of the first longitudinal score line (3), of the second longitudinal score line (4), the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12), also having cardboards (2) for packaging in infeed of variable dimensions.

Therefore, with this machine (100), it is possible to correctly realise the first incision (19), the second incision (20), the third incision (21 ) and the fourth incision (22) on cardboards (2) for packaging having variable dimensions in each operating cycle.

The machine (100) preferably comprises a detecting sensor (34) for detecting the dimensions of the upper face (41 a), of the bottom (41 b) and of the lateral faces (41 c) of the article (41 ) to be boxed and wherein the control unit (42) receives and memorises the dimensions detected so as to activate the cutter means (33).

The detecting sensor (34) advantageously ensures correct performance of the first incision (19), second incision (20), third incision (21 ) and fourth incision (22) at intersection points of the first longitudinal score line (3), the second longitudinal score line (4), the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12).

The scoring means (31 ) are preferably of the laser type and are activated by the control unit (42).

The laser beam advantageously enables obtaining the first longitudinal score line (3), the second longitudinal score line (4), the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12) cleanly, preventing the formation of unappealing deformations and cracking during the steps of folding the cardboard (2) for packaging.

Further, as the scoring means (31 ) are activated by the control unit (42), it is possible to realise the first longitudinal score line (3), the second longitudinal score line (4), the first transversal score line (1 1 ) and the second transversal score line (12) on the basis of the detected dimensions.

On the basis of the dimensional values detected and memorised, the scoring means (31 ) can make a third transversal score line (32) which is parallel and adjacent to the second transversal score line (12) so that the following are identified:

in the central sector (5), a fifth lateral portion (23) that is adjacent to the second lateral portion (8) and which has dimensions such as to cover the upper face (41 a) of the article (41 ) to be boxed; in the first lateral sector (9), a first flap (26) that is adjacent to the second reinforcing portion (15);

in the second lateral sector (10), a second flap (27) that is adjacent to the fourth reinforcing portion (18).

Further, the scoring means (31 ) can realise:

making a first cut (24) on the first lateral sector (9), which extends in a transversal direction, from the first longitudinal end (2a) of the cardboard (2) for packaging to the first longitudinal score line (3) so as to separate the first flap (26) from the second reinforcing portion (15);

making a second cut (25) on the second lateral sector (10), which extends, in a transversal direction, from the second longitudinal end (2b) of the cardboard (2) for packaging to the second longitudinal score line (4) so as to separate the second flap (27) from the fourth reinforcing portion (18).

The supply means (37) can supply a cardboard strip (2c) for packaging and, in this case, the machine (100) comprises first cutting means (35) for infeeding the cardboard sheet (2c) for packaging for obtaining a cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging (see figure 3).

The first cutting means (35) can comprise a wheel provided with a blade.

The first cutting means (35) can be activated by the control unit (42).

The wheel provided with the blade is slidable along a perpendicular direction to the advancement direction (Z) in order to transversally cut the cardboard strip (2c) for packaging.

Alternatively, the supply means (37) can infeed a cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging and, in this case, the machine (100) comprises second cutting means (36) for cutting the cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging if the dimensions of the cardboard sheet (2d) for packaging detected are greater than the dimensions of the blank (1 ) to be obtained (see figures 4-6).

The second cutting means (36) can be activated by the control unit (42).

The second cutting means (36) can comprise two wheels provided with blades (36a, 36b) for longitudinally cutting the cardboard sheet (2d).

The two wheels provided with blades (36a, 36b) can be translatable in a direction (W) that is perpendicular to the advancement direction (Z) of the cardboard (2) for packaging so as to adapt to the different dimensions of the cardboard (2) for packaging in infeed in each machine operating cycle (100) (see figures 4-6).

The two wheels provided with blades (36a, 36b) can cut the cardboard sheet (2d) during the advancing of the cardboard sheet (2d) along the advancement direction (Z).

The first cutting means (35) and the second cutting means (36) can be arranged upstream of the scoring means (31 ).