The present invention relates to a packaging assembly, particularly indicated for the secondary packaging of substantially flat products, in particular chocolate tablets or bars, snacks, chocolates, candy, biscuits, wafers and the like.

The packaging of this type of products is generally constituted by a primary, wrapping layer (in direct contact with the surfaces of the product) and a secondary, covering layer (generally, but not exclusively, made of paper or cardboard).

In many cases the secondary packaging is performed on a separate machine with respect to the machine that performs the primary packaging.

This is a relevant drawback since it implies greater overall space occupation of the entire plant.

Even if machines are adopted that perform both types of packaging, it is normally necessary to have a machine architecture (or layout) with two lines at right angles (one line along which the primary packaging occurs, from which the wrapped product is then fed to a second line, perpendicular to the first, along which the secondary packaging occurs).

This particular shape structure of conventional machines imposes considerable constraints in terms of space occupation and in terms of placing similar machines side by side (a considerable space occupation is required overall, and it is not always possible to arrange the machines so that the exit points of the completely packaged products are close together).

Furthermore, the secondary packaging operations entail juxtaposing a contoured sheet (generally of cardboard or card or paper) against the product which has already been previously covered by the primary packaging.

During such operations the product must always be supported by specific machine elements in order to prevent it from being damaged, but this is in direct conflict with the need to juxtapose the contoured sheet against all the faces of the wrapped product. The use of forming hoppers (as it passes through these, the product encounters the sheet and is partially covered by it) requires the product to be elevated in order to pass through the hoppers. However, the product assumes an unstable configuration with respect to the covering sheet, which means that additional elements need are necessary to hold the sheet against the product.

The overall end result is a very complex structure, which requires several operations and substitutions of parts in the event of a change of format.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing a packaging assembly that can be installed in machines for performing primary and secondary packaging with reduced space occupation.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a packaging assembly that can be installed in machines for performing primary and secondary packaging that are adapted to operate side by side with other, identical machines with minimum space requirement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packaging assembly that can be installed in machines for performing primary and secondary packaging that are adapted to be installed with the respective exit points of the completely packaged products close together.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packaging assembly in which the product, even during the juxtaposition of the covering sheet against its faces, always has an arrangement of maximum stability.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packaging assembly that requires simple and rapid operations for changing format.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging assembly that is of low cost, easily and practically implemented, and safe in use.

This aim and these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a packaging assembly according to claim 1.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the packaging assembly, which is illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of a packaging assembly according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a supply station of the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a first part of the supply station of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a second part of the supply station of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an additional part of the supply station of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a part of a covering station of the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the covering station of the assembly of Figure 1 in a first configuration;

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the covering station of the assembly of Figure 1 in a second configuration;

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the covering station of the assembly of Figure 1 in a third configuration;

Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of the covering station of the assembly of Figure 1 in a fourth configuration;

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of the first part of the diagram of folding a covering sheet performed in the station of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of the second part of the diagram of folding a covering sheet performed in the station of Figure 1.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a packaging assembly according to the invention.

The assembly 1 according to the invention comprises at least one supplying station 2 for contoured sheets A and at least one covering station 3 for a product P with at least one of the sheets A.

The at least one supplying station 2 for supplying contoured sheets A comprises, in turn, at least one magazine 4 for the stacked sheets A, at least one sheet feeder 5 configured for the extraction of at least one sheet A at a time from the magazine 4 and for its delivery to a conveyance line 6.

The at least one covering station 3 comprises a folding hopper 7, arranged at a lower elevation with respect to a first plane, which contains a supply line 8 of the products P and with respect to a second plane, which contains the delivery line 9 of the supplying station 2 for supplying the sheets A and, at the intersection of such two lines 8 and 9 at least one supporting panel 10 that can move according to a vertical stroke within the hopper 7 from the elevation of the first plane to a third plane which is arranged at a lower elevation where the delivery of the product P at least partially covered by the sheet A occurs.

At least one lateral folding unit 11, 12, 13 is arranged substantially at such third plane and is configured for the juxtaposition of at least one flap B, C, D of the sheet A against a respective face of the product P (the face directed upward in the concerned operating configuration).

It should be noted that the at least one sheet feeder 5 configured for the extraction of at least one sheet A at a time from the magazine 4 comprises advantageously at least one grip element 14 which can move between a first configuration of alignment with the surface of the sheet A arranged in the magazine 4 at a respective pickup opening 4a, and a second configuration of alignment with the surface of the conveyance line 6.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying figures, the at least one grip element 14 can profitably comprise at least one sucker configured for abutment against and temporary adhesion to the surface of the sheet A, with consequent pickup of that sheet A from the pickup opening 4a of the magazine 4 and its delivery to the conveyance line 6.

To ensure that the sheets A are arranged correctly in the magazine 4, in particular the sheet A that is at the opening 4a, the sheet feeder apparatus 5 can conveniently comprise a hollow bar 15 which has holes directed toward the opening 4a of the magazine 4 and is connected to a suction apparatus: in this manner the surface of the sheet A, while the grip means retrieve it from the magazine 4, will remain constantly adjacent to the bar 15, therefore maintaining an ideal arrangement for its transfer to the conveyance line 6.

It should be noted that the conveyance line 6 comprises at least one transfer element 16, 17 of the type chosen among belts, toothed belts, chains, conveyor belts, and at least one containment lamina 18, 19, which faces and is proximate to the plane that contains the at least one transfer element 16, 17.

It should be noted that if the at least one transfer element 16, 17 is constituted by belts, then the possibility exists of connecting the belts to a suction assembly so that, through respective distributed holes, they keep the surface of the sheet A perfectly juxtaposed against them and therefore resting on the plane that contains them.

It should be noted that the containment lamina 18, 19 can profitably comprise a plurality of rolling elements 20, 21 of the type of balls, rollers, wheels and the like, which are configured to facilitate the translation of the sheet along at least one predefined direction, which corresponds to the operating direction of the at least one transfer element 16, 17.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying figures, the magazine 4 can be inclined with respect to the plane that contains the conveyance line 6, so as to limit the bulk (both vertical and longitudinal) and facilitate the engagement by the at least one grip element 14 of the last sheet A held in the magazine (through the opening 4a).

The first transfer element 16 (arranged immediately downstream of the magazine 4 and of the grip element 14) transfers the sheets A along a path parallel to the path of the products P along the plant that comprises the assembly 1. The first transfer element 16 guides the sheets A in an arrangement perfectly parallel to that of their resting surface by virtue of the presence of the containment lamina 18: the sliding will be facilitated by the presence of rolling elements 20 (rollers, in the case shown in the figures).

The first transfer element 16 delivers the sheets to the second transfer element 17, which follows a conveyance direction that is perpendicular to that of the first element 16.

In a first part thereof, the second transfer element lies below a containment lamina 19, which is also provided with rolling elements 21 (rollers, in the case shown in the figures) in order to allow the translation of the sheet only in one preferred direction.

The transfer element 17 is constituted by suction belts that ensure a fixed positioning of each sheet B on them.

In the accompanying Figure 5 it is possible to see the flow of the contoured sheets A along the corresponding supplying station 2.

With particular reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the folding hopper 7 comprises an opening of dimensions approximating to and greater than the space occupation dimensions of the product P (the shape of the hopper 7 will be larger than the shape of the product P at least by a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the sheet A overlaid on all the faces of the product).

Along the upper edge of the opening of the hopper 7 there are diverging bands 7a which facilitate the conveyance of the product P and the folding of the sheet A, which is interposed between the movable supporting panel and the product P, along the lateral walls of the product P. The sheet A, when passing through the hopper 7, will be subjected to the folding of all its flaps B, C, D, E perpendicularly to its central portion which will be resting on the bottom face of the product P (with particular reference to the configuration assumed when passing through the hopper 7).

The product P and the sheet A will enter the hopper 7 from its top (so that the diverging bands 7a can begin the folding of the flaps B, C, D, E) and will exit from its bottom opening, at a lower elevation.

It should be noted that the at least one covering station 3 for covering the product P with the sheet A comprises a contrast pusher 22, which is arranged opposite to the at least one supporting panel (designed to accommodate the central portion of the sheet A and the bottom face of the product P lying on that portion). The contrast pusher 22 can move at least along a stroke defined between an elevation that is proximate to and greater than that of the first plane (i.e. the elevation at which the product originating from the respective line 8 is located) and an elevation that is proximate to and greater than that of the third plane where the delivery of the product P at least partially covered by the sheet A occurs.

The contrast pusher 22 and the supporting panel clamp the sheet A and the product P, mutually coupling them during the respective passage through the hopper 7.

With particular reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the contrast pusher 22 can conveniently comprise at least one central plate 23 and at least one tab 24 which is perimetric with respect to the plate 23. The plate 23 and the tab 24 are associated with respective independent actuators which are configured for the combined or separate approach/spacing apart of the plate 23 and/or of the tab 24 with respect to the product P.

In particular it happens that, after the product P and the sheet A have passed through the hopper 7 and are therefore arranged on the third plane which contains the delivery line, the perimetric tab 24 of the contrast pusher 22 is subjected to a movement by the respective actuator until it is raised and proximate with respect to the third plane. Upon the lifting of the perimetric tab 24, at least one lateral folding unit 11, 12, 13, which will be translatable on a plane facing and proximate to the top face of the product A, will advance, overlapping the product P and a respective flap B, C, D of the sheet A in order to fold the at least one respective lateral flap B, C, D on the top face of the product P.

The covering station 3 comprises, at the lower elevation for the delivery of the product P at least partially covered by the sheet A (which substantially corresponds to the third plane), respective movement means for the extraction of the covered product P from the assembly 1.

Downstream of the bottom opening of the hopper 7, the station 3 comprises a fixed folding bar, which is parallel and proximate to one of the lower edges of the hopper; during the extraction of the product P at least partially covered by the sheet A via the action of the movement means, at least one flap E of the sheet will abut against the fixed folding bar with consequent folding of such band E onto the top face of the product P (in so doing determining the closure of the package).

It must be noted that the conveyance line 9 can profitably comprise at least one dispenser of adhesive substances (for example glue, hot glue, adhesive tape and the like) which is configured to release a predefined quantity of an adhesive substance onto at least one portion of each sheet A. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the dispenser will release the predefined quantity of adhesive substance onto the flap E of the sheet A, so that, when the fixed bar juxtaposes it against the other flaps B, C, D placed on the top face (i.e. so that it is directed toward the other flap in that configuration in the assembly 1) of the product P, the flap E will be glued to them, so ensuring the stable closure of the package.

The assembly 1 according to the invention presents a compact shape and bulk (a compact layout) which is in line with the plant from which the product P originates (i.e. the product P enters and exits along this plant, always moving in the same direction).

The assembly 1 furthermore makes it possible to use a single dispenser of adhesive substances: the predefined quantities of adhesive substance are released onto the sheet during its travel along the conveyance line 9.

It should be noted that the dispensing of adhesive substance occurs conveniently downward from above (and therefore using gravity): this makes it possible to implement such technical aspect in a simpler and more efficient manner with respect to what is offered in the known art.

In terms of logistics, also, the assembly 1 according to the invention has the advantage that it allows a “right” plant and a “left” plant to be placed side by side, thus greatly reducing the space necessary for maintenance between the two plants in a factory. The terms "right" and "left" plant mean a plant in which the flow of the product P, for an observer standing in front of the plant, occurs by moving respectively to the right and to the left; the “left” version is a mirror-symmetrical version of the “righty version (shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures).

The assembly 1 according to the invention, differently from the solutions used to date, according to which the product P and the sheet A pass through the hopper upward, makes it possible to keep the product P supported (with the supporting panel) during all the steps of folding without ever abandoning it to make way for the folding units (a step that absolutely must occur in traditional packaging apparatuses in which the product and sheet are drawn upward through the hopper).

The assembly 1 according to the invention furthermore makes it possible to keep the product P and the outer wrapping constituted by the sheet A in a controlled position during the steps of folding the lateral flaps B, C, D, E by virtue of the split contrast pusher 22 (having the central plate 23 always resting on the top face of the product while the perimetric tab 24 is raised, thus allowing the at least one lateral folding unit 11, 12, 13 to intervene). The central plate 23 is lifted only when the product P, partially wrapped in the sheet A, is pushed toward the fixed folding bar for its exit from the assembly 1 (and for the final folding of the flap E of the sheet A onto the other flaps B, C, D which are already folded).

By virtue of the assembly 1 according to the invention, it is possible to take advantage of the entire area of the base of the product P (the area directed upward and on which the contrast pusher 22 abuts), for a compression that is better distributed over the entire product P and, as a consequence, achieve greater speed inside the hopper 7, decreasing the risks of breaking the product P during the packaging. This characteristic is particularly advantageous for very thin products P.

The assembly 1 according to the invention furthermore makes it possible to differentiate the compression on the base of the product P (the one directed upward and on which the contrast pusher 22 abuts) when working on non-flat geometries, in order to reduce the risk of breakage during the drawing.

Since the product P exits from the hopper upside-down (with the base facing upward), laser marking can be carried out in greater safety because the laser is directed downward (instead of upward, as in the traditional system).

Advantageously the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, by providing a packaging assembly 1 that can be installed in machines for performing primary and secondary packaging of predefined products P with reduced space occupation.

Conveniently the assemblies 1 according to the invention can be installed in machines for performing primary and secondary packaging that are adapted to operate side by side with other, identical machines with minimum space requirement (by having two mirror-symmetrical machines side-by-side).

Advantageously the assembly 1 according to the invention can be installed in machines for performing primary and secondary packaging that are adapted to be installed with the respective exit points of the completely packaged products close together: in this way it is possible to have one common pickup line for the packaged products.

Profitably the assembly 1 according to the invention ensures that the product P, even during the juxtapositioning of the covering sheet A against its faces, is always in an arrangement of maximum stability (held between the supporting panel and the split contrast pusher 22).

Usefully the assembly 1 according to the invention requires simple and rapid operations to change format because all its components that will need to be changed are easily accessible to operators.

Positively the assembly 1 according to the invention is relatively easily and practically implemented and is of low cost: such characteristics make the assembly 1 according to the invention an innovation that is safe in use.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000016467 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.