TITLE

PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING PRODUCTS

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a packaging machine and a method for packaging products , according to the preamble of independent claim 1 .

More in detail , the packaging machine which is the subj ect matter of the present invention is advantageously used in the field of manufacturing and marketing of plants and/or automatic systems for packaging and wrapping products .

In particular, the packaging machine obj ect of the present invention can advantageously be used to package products with rigid material , for example paper and/or cardboard, or with flexible material , in particular polymeric material , for example a heat-sealable polyethylene film .

In general , therefore , the invention fits into the sector of production and marketing of automatic machines , in particular packaging machines with cardboard cases and/or with flexible film, of products such as , for example , rolls of toilet paper, handkerchiefs , soaps , nappies and the like .

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known in the field of packaging, packaging equipment and systems that packaging machines are used to pack products with flexible film and/or with cardboards , e . g . a folded cardboard sheet .

In particular, with the term of film wrapping machine , called in the technical industry j argon as "wrapper" , should be understood as a machine intended for wrapping a product P with a flexible film, in particular polymeric, for example polyethylene (PE) , preferably heat sealable.

On the other hand, the term cartoning machine, called in the technical industry jargon as "cartoning machine" or "cartoner", should be understood as a machine intended to package a product P with a sheet of paper and/or cardboard, for example a sheet of cardboard folded on itself in order to create a substantially prismatic package, for example a box.

In the latter case, the products can be packaged individually (i.e. one by one) inside a box, or in a multi-pack manner, thus realising a pack of several products, e.g. previously packaged with film, and referred to in the technical industry jargon as "multipack" or "multi-pack" .

More specifically, once the products have been packaged with cardboards and/or film, further packaging processes can be carried out. These processes are typically called in the technical industry jargon by the terms "secondary packaging", "tertiary packaging" and so on, depending on the number of packaging processes carried out on a product.

Today, on the market, there are installations and/or automatic packaging systems comprising packaging machines with film and packaging machines with cardboards .

Known machines, such as those briefly mentioned above, are mechanically coupled with each other, e.g. by means of conveyor belts and/or similar, to create a multifunctional and flexible production system, i.e. a system capable of combining film and carton packaging operations together to process a wide variety of products . In this way, a so-called automatic production line is realised . The term ' production line ' is to be understood as a configuration and/or layout wherein machines ( i . e . wrappers and cartoners ) are arranged one after the other to package products according to various requirements .

Multiple configurations of systems and/or packaging lines have been developed for packaging products with film and/or with cardboards , in particular document WO2018204443 describes a machine for packaging products , optionally with cardboards and/or with flexible film, which comprises a product inlet to feed the line with products to be packaged and a product outlet port , in particular of the multipack type , arranged downstream of the inlet , along a product feed direction, and intended for unloading packaged products .

The known type line also comprises a packaging station with cardboards and a packaging station with film, both interposed between the inlet port and the outlet port and mechanically associated with each other by means of a suitable conveyor belt that puts them in communication . In particular, following the direction in which the products are fed into the line , i . e . the direction from the entry port to the exit port , the cartoner machine precedes the film wrapping machine . As the stations are arranged one after the other, this results in a packaging line that is bulky in terms of linear extension, as it requires large spaces to be assembled .

The machine of the known type , in order to make di f ferent types of packs ( i . e . packs with film and/or with cardboards ) , also compri ses a product sorting unit P arranged between the packing station with cardboards (upstream) and the packing station with film ( downstream) and mechanically associated with these stations , e . g . by means of conveyor belts .

More speci fically, the sorting unit allows products supplied at the inlet to be fed directly to the film wrapping station, e . g . bypass ing the cartoning station, depending on production requirements .

The sorting unit is belt-driven and therefore also bulky .

A hybrid production line for wrapping and cartoning one or more products is also known from document EP2991904B1 . The line comprises an inlet for feeding a stream of products , a trans fer device conf igured to receive products from said inlet and trans fer them onto a first path or a second path distinct from each other, a first cartoning machine comprising a first conveyor for transporting cardboards onto said first path, and a second plastic film wrapping machine comprising a second conveyor coupled to a wrapping machine for applying a film in film onto said second path of articles .

More in detail , the trans fer device is configured to trans fer products from the inlet , to the first or second conveyor, and load said products into cardboards on the first conveyor or place said products on the second conveyor for packaging with film, bypassing the carton wrapping machine .

In other words , a wrapping machine and a cartoning machine are coupled in parallel .

In addition, the first path and the second path are coupled to a third path, which j oins the paths so that the products from the first or second path follow the same path on a third conveyor, to which both the products at the end of the film wrapping machine and those from the cartoning machine flow.

This third path comprises a third machine for the application of a tertiary packaging and a fourth machine for the application of a further wrapping with a plastic film. Overall, therefore, the hybrid line is bulky .

The hybrid machine and the known hybrid line briefly described so far have proved in practice to be not without drawbacks.

The main drawback lies in the fact that, to carry out the two different packaging processes, i.e. cartoning and film wrapping, the space required along a linear extension is high overall.

A further drawback lies in the fact that the machine and the known-type line have a large number of conveyor belts required to connect the operating stations of the known-type lines, with a considerable increase in costs, space occupied, machine complexity and the number of mechanical components required.

In other words, all such conveyor belts must be specially selected and subsequently adjusted according to the product to be packed. This does not guarantee optimal operation. Furthermore, the position of the product on a belt is generally inaccurate, which compromises wrapping or cartoning operations as ams are possible.

A further drawback lies in the fact that known lines, i.e. cartoning machines and wrappers, are usually supplied by different manufacturers, resulting in considerable logistical and coordination difficulties in supplying the machines within the set delivery time. A further drawback lies in the fact that the well-known machines are arranged in sequence, i.e. to form a production line, resulting in a very bulky and not very compact machine .

A further drawback is that the known-type lines do not allow an operator to move easily between the various operating stations and conveyor belts, to carry out monitoring and/or maintenance operations.

A further drawback lies in the fact that known-type lines have only one unloading outlet for packaged products, so products that differ in shape, consistency and size are penalised by passing through only one outlet. In other words, there is no possibility to treat the two primary package types (i.e. film and cardboards) in a dedicated manner.

A further drawback lies in the fact that the separate management of the functions of the machines (wrapper and cartoner) , i.e. the functions of one machine to the exclusion of the other and vice versa, is complex to perform.

A further drawback lies in the fact that lines of known types can only be effectively tested by an operator when they are fully installed because each component has its own control unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic packaging machine and a method for packaging products, which can overcome and remedy, at least in part, the drawbacks present in the above-mentioned known solutions.

A further scope of the present invention is to provide an automatic packaging machine that is improved and/or different from conventional packaging lines. A further scope of the present invention is to provide an automatic packaging machine that is compact and/or space-saving ( e . g . in a plan view) .

A further scope of the present invention is to provide an automatic packaging machine that is constructively and operationally completely reliable .

A further scope of the present invention is to provide an automatic packaging machine that is flexible , i . e . capable of processing wrapped products or carton products in a single machine , without the use of long conveyor belts , and in particular without mechanically combining several packaging stations ( e . g . film and cartoning stations ) to form a packaging system or line . A further scope of the present invention is to provide an automatic packaging machine which allows an operator to perform monitoring and maintenance operations easily and conveniently on the consumable material , i . e . film reel and cardboard blanks .

A further scope of the present invention is to provide an automatic packaging machine which enables a higher production output to be achieved than with conventional production systems , i . e . a machine capable of increasing the speed of packs produced in the unit of time ( e . g . packs/hour ) compared to commercially available production lines .

A further purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic packaging machine that can be easily and quickly tested after assembly in the factory .

All of these purposes , either singly or in a combination thereof , and others which will result from the detailed description below are achieved, according to the invention, by an automatic packaging machine having the features set forth in independent claim 1 and a related method for packaging products having the features of independent claim 10 .

In particular, the purposes are achieved by means of a packaging machine , for packaging a product P with flexible material or with a cardboard along a process path, comprising an inlet of the product and configured to feed said machine with products to be packaged; a first outlet of product P arranged downstream of said inlet along the path and configured to discharge products wrapped with film from the machine ; a second product outlet arranged downstream of said inlet along the path; and configured to unload packaged products with cardboards ; said second outlet being arranged in parallel with said first outlet so that the path is bi furcated; at least a film wrapping station configured to wrap at least one product with a flexible film and arranged in sequence to said inlet ; at least one cartoning station configured to pack products in cardboards ; at least a trans fer unit arranged downstream of said film packaging station and configured to move the products ; wherein said cartoning station is arranged downstream of said film packaging station in such a way that a product P to be packed always first passes through said film wrapping station and subsequently through said cartoning station; and wherein a sorting unit is configured to move , along a direction transversal to said process direction, the film-wrapped product towards said first outlet or to send the non- f ilm-wrapped product towards said cartoning station .

The resulting machine , unlike a line , is particularly compact and has an essential ly two-dimensional layout , which is particularly versatile within a production plant .

According to a preferred form of actuation, the machine comprises an electronic control unit for synchronously controlling at least the machine axes of an actuation unit for conveying the product through the film packaging station; the transfer unit for conveying the product from the film packaging station into the carton; and the actuator for handling the cardboards in the cartoning station .

According to the invention, the same control unit controls the actuators of both packaging stations , as opposed to a hybrid line in which the at least two respective control units have to be synchronised after the machine has been assembled in the use facility . In particular, according to the invention, it is possible to synchronise the actuators and, as the various components are attached to a single frame that retains the synchronisation settings made by the manufacturer, when the machine is re-assembled in the use plant , the actuators are synchronised .

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a machine according to the foregoing is controlled so that the product P moves intermittently and the machine axes are correspondingly controlled in an ' indexed ' manner, i . e . performs timed stops of a constant and predetermined time , along the work path and, correspondingly, the machine axes have a locked relative timing and are parameteri zed so that , when the production rate of the machine needs to be varied e . g . in products per minute , the speeds and dwell times are automatically recalculated so that the correct phasing, product stops and actuator movement speeds are maintained so that the product runs intermittently along the process path . Thi s constant , predetermined phase also identi fies , by assigning the machine ' s production rate , a corresponding gap between two consecutive P products processed by the same handling actuator .

In this way, chutes /conveyors and other cumbersome devices normally used for machines or lines that process P-products continuously can be avoided . Thus , the overall dimensions can be further reduced .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is herein further illustrated in preferred embodiments thereof , shown for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, with reference to the appended drawings wherein :

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows a functional block diagram of the machine illustrated in figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a plan view from above of the machine illustrated in figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a linear conveyor for feeding a film wrapping station according to the present invention;

- Figure 5 shows a perspective detail view of a film wrapping station, with some parts removed to better highlight others , according to the present invention;

- Figure 6 shows a first perspective detail view of a trans fer unit , with some parts removed to better highlight others , according to the present invention .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the appended drawings, an automatic packaging machine according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with 10.

The automatic packaging machine according to the present invention is intended for pack products, for example toilet rolls, handkerchiefs, nappies and the like, with flexible film or with a cardboard.

The term "wrapper" is to be understood as meaning an automatic packaging machine intended for wrapping products with film, preferably a flexible film, such as for example a heat-sealable polymeric film (e.g. polyethylene PE) and/or paper treated with heat- sealable lacquers and/or paper sealed with hot or cold glue depending on the various types of product P to be wrapped. Therefore, in the following, reference will be made indistinctly to wrapped products, indicating the same type of packaging.

On the other hand, the term cartoning machine shall mean an automatic packaging machine intended for packaging products with rigid material, in particular folded material, such as paper and/or cardboard and/or similar. Hereinafter, therefore, reference will be made indistinctly to cardboard and/or carton products, indicating the same type of packaging.

Obviously, the machine in question is to be understood as being applicable to any type of packaged product, i.e. products wrapped with flexible film and products inserted in cardboard boxes (i.e. rigid packs) , without thereby going beyond the scope of protection of the present invention.

The machine according to the present invention is advantageously used in the technical field of manufacturing and marketing of automatic packaging systems and/or plants .

Advantageously, the packaging machine 10 is intended for packaging products wrapped with polymeric film, preferably flexible film, or products packed with rigid material , e . g . cardboard .

In other words , the packaging machine 10 in question allows for packaging a wrapped product P or, alternatively, a cartonised product P, but not both .

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to a single product packaging, commonly referred to in the technical j argon of the sector as "primary packaging" .

In other words , we speak of primary packaging when a product P undergoes a single packaging process within packaging machine 10 .

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 illustrates a packaging machine 10 for packaging a product P with flexible material or with a cardboard along a bi furcated process path R comprising a frame 100 .

Preferably, the frame 100 comprises a base 101 having a prevailing substantially hori zontal extension, i . e . parallel to the ground .

Preferably, the base 101 of the frame 100 comprises feet and/or brackets 102 intended to be placed in support on the ground, advantageously to enable stable positioning of the packaging machine 10 on the ground surface .

The frame 100 further comprises a central shoulder 103 having a predominantly substantially vertical extension, mechanically connected to the base 101 and configured to support groups and/or units and/or functional stations of the packaging machine 10 . Advantageously, suitable coupling housings ( e . g . holes and/or similar ) are provided on the central shoulder 103 in such a way that previously assembled groups and/or units and/or functional stations ( described in detail below) of the packaging machine 10 can be assembled, thereby obtaining a compact and space-saving packaging machine 10 .

In other words , according to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the attached figures , the frame 100 assumes a so-called cantilever shape . In this way, the machine ' s functional groups can be easily preassembled in special assembly stations and subsequently mounted on frame 100 . Their removal by an operator is quick and easy as these functional groups are each independently mounted on frame 100 , without the need to disassemble groups and then access others .

More speci fically, the frame 100 is made of a rigid material , for example metal , such as steel or similar . In particular, the frame 100 is preferably made by sheet metal laser cutting and subsequent j oining, for example by welding and/or bolting .

The packaging machine 10 further comprises an inlet 2 of the product P .

More in detail , the bi furcated process path R is the path along which the products move within the packaging machine 10 , in particular from the inlet 2 towards outlets ( described in detail below) arranged downstream of the inlet 2 . In particular , the inlet 2 is configured to feed the packaging machine 10 with products to be packaged, and preferably comprises a conveyor belt 21 . Preferably, the conveyor belt 21 comprises at least one conveyor belt 210, preferably rectilinear and configured to move the loaded products (e.g. manually or by means of automatic systems, in particular a robot and/or similar) along a direction X substantially parallel to the extension of the conveyor belt 210 and the conveyor belt 21. In this way, the products are arranged in an orderly manner, for example in sequence one after the other (i.e. in a row as illustrated in the attached figures) , and move along the direction X. The inlet 2 further comprises an infeed unit 22, arranged at the end of the conveyor belt 21 and mechanically associated therewith and constrained to the frame 100, configured to receive the products from the belt 21 and move them along an elbow path G having an end direction different from the direction X of the infeed products.

Preferably, said final direction of movement is transverse with respect to the direction X, i.e. preferably arranged at 90° and defines a first change of direction of the process path R. Preferably, according to the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the unit 22 comprises a linear transfer device 220 having a first process direction Y aligned with that of the belt 21 (i.e. X) and a diverter 221 for intercepting the product P transversely to the first process direction Y (thereby creating the elbow path) and bringing it aboard gripping means 520 (illustrated in detail below and visible in figures 4 and 5) along a direction Z.

More in detail, in accordance with an embodiment and non-limiting form illustrated in the attached Figure 4, the linear transfer device 220 is preferably arranged in a position close to the belt 21 and comprises movable elements 2200 arranged between them spaced at regular steps , configured in prominence to push the product P along the linear trans fer device 220 following a straight guide aligned with the direction Y up to a predetermined working position wherein the diverter 221 acts .

In other words , the diverter 221 pushes the products by means of a relief such as a step or a pin ( as in the figure ) instead of transporting them solely by surface friction ( e . g . as is the case in a conventional conveyor belt of a known type ) . In particular, the moving elements 2200 serve to obj ecti fy the position of a product P .

Advantageously, the position and orientation during transport of a product P is safe and reliable regardless of its shape , si ze and structural consistency ( such as nappies , handkerchiefs , wipes and the like ) .

Preferably, the linear distance between one moving element and the next is pre-set initially, e . g . manually by an operator, depending on the si ze of the product P to be packed .

Preferably, the movable elements 2200 comprise slender, long-linear elements , for example rods and/or pins and/or similar, preferably made of a metal material and movable along a slide rai l 2201 formed on the linear trans fer device 220 and aligned with the first process direction Y .

Preferably, the movable elements 2200 are driven by an actuating unit 2202 of the packaging machine 10 , for example by means of a kinematic chain comprising at least an electric motor mechanically coupled to at least a gearbox - preferably of the planetary type - in turn mechanically coupled to a rotating wheel - for example a toothed pulley or a sprocket - which rotatably drives at least a transmission mechanism with flexible means - for example a belt or a chain - configured to rotatably move at least two axes .

Obviously, each group and/or unit and/or functional station of the packaging machine 10 will be understood to be actuated by actuation means substantially similar to those briefly mentioned above .

More in detail , the diverter 221 , which is part of the actuation means 2022 as it moves the product P during the wrapping operation, comprises at least one pusher 2210 , configured to push and divert the product P entering the film wrapping station 5 , along a direction Z preferably orthogonal to the direction Y to form the elbow portion of the path R .

Advantageously, the products are moved inside the packaging machine 10 with a single trans fer device and in a compact manner, i . e . without requiring long straight paths of movement ( i . e . belts ) , since the stations of the packaging machine 10 are close to each other and directly communicating . This minimises gaps between one station and the next and ensures the continuity of product f low between the various stations of packaging machine 10 .

The packaging machine 10 further comprises at least one film wrapping station 5 configured to wrap at least one product P with a flexible film and arranged in sequence to the infeed unit 22 belonging to the inlet 2 . Preferably, the film is made of polymeric material, in particular of a heat-sealable type, for example polyethylene (PE) and/or similar.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, the film wrapping station 5 comprises an area in which the product P is wrappable by the film, e.g. a carousel 51, having a prevailing substantially axial extension along an axis V substantially parallel to the axis X, comprising a support structure 510 configured to support gripping means 520, adjusting means 530, and having the ability to rotate discretely about the axis V, for example in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow F as illustrated in the attached Figure 5. The carousel 51 is moved by a motor 52 forming part of the actuation unit 2202 for controlling the position of the product P during wrapping process.

In particular, the support structure 510 comprises a platform 5100 arranged substantially vertically, i.e. orthogonal to the axis V, and provided with a substantially circular shape, e.g. made of a metal material, preferably obtained by sheet metal laser cutting .

In other words, the platform 5100 and the carousel 51 have a structure referred to in the technical industry jargon as a 'revolver' .

In particular, the axis V is substantially horizontal, preferably transverse to the direction Z along which the product P arrives from the feeding unit 22. Preferably, the product P to be packaged, for example in the form of paper rolls or stacks of paper towels and/or similar, is introduced into at least one seat C of the carousel 51 by the pusher 2210 (direction Z) . In more detail , the gripping means 510 are mechanically connected to the carousel 51 and configured to receive the product P at the head of the row between suitable stop walls of the at least one seat C, so as to stop the product P in a correct and predetermined posit ion relative to the carousel 51 .

In this way, the product P at the head of the row can be inserted at the correct time by the pusher 2210 into the at least one seat C of the carousel 51 which is waiting to the left of the carousel 51 and which is at a suitable height to receive the product P .

I f , for example , the products P are paper rolls , these are positioned with their axes parallel to the feeding direction .

Preferably, the gripping means 520 comprise longitudinal walls 521 , 522 substantially parallel to and facing each other, and transverse walls 523 , 524 substantially parallel to and facing each other, configured to make a seat C to receive a product P in a gripping configuration ( i llustrated in more detail below) .

In more detail , the adj ustment means 530 comprise at least one slide rail 531 mechanically constrained to the structure 5100 and configured to be slidably traversed by at least one cart 532 .

In particular, the runners 531 are mechanically connected to the gripping means 520 and by moving along the runner 531 vary the linear distance between the longitudinal walls 521 and 522 .

The adj ustment means 530 further comprise manoeuvring screws 532 mechanically constrained to the structure 5100 and configured to slide along brackets 5320 mechanically connected to the transverse walls 523 , 524 .

In more detail , the film packaging station 5 further comprises at least one film reel 540 of flexible packaging material , for example a heat-sealable film having a width correlated with the length of the products P, and arranged in an elevated position relative to the carousel 51 with its axis parallel to the axis V of the carousel 51 .

In particular, the position of the reel 540 parallel to the unwind axis has its side in a fixed position and closely related to that o f an end stop or equivalent means of feeding the product P e . g . the elbow defined by the pusher 2210 and of the support structure 510 of the carousel 51 , which together constitute the " zero" reference of the packaging machine 10 .

Preferably, the station 5 further comprises at least two flexible film deflection rollers 550 mechanically connected to the frame 100 of the packaging machine 10 , arranged between the film reel 540 and the carousel 51 and configured to deflect the flexible film according to a predetermined path .

Advantageously, the film i s arranged in a desired orientation and suitable for wrapping a product P housed in a seat C of the carousel 51 .

More in detail , the film unwound from the reel 540 is conveyed by known means along a descending path between the product P at the head of the conveyor 23 and the seat C of the carousel 51 hori zontally aligned with it , in such a way that , while the product P is inserted into the seat C, the same product P is laterally wound, by 180 ° ( figure 3 ) , by a predetermined length of film, which is separated from the film upstream by known cutting means. According to this embodiment, the product P is fed to enter the film wrapping station 5 in a transverse direction to a direction in which the film is unwound from its film reel 540 and the reel is arranged posterior to the cranked portion of the process path R i.e. posterior to the pusher 2210. In more detail, as can be seen in the attached Figure 5, the seats C are each formed by a pair of longitudinal walls 521, 522 cooperating with the opposite side portions of the product P and comprising two transverse walls 523, 524 cooperating with the opposite ends of the product P.

It follows that when a product P is inserted by the pusher 2210 into the seat S aligned therewith, the front portions of the film are folded over the ends of the product P, due to the interference of the film with the cross walls 523, 524 of the seat C.

In more detail, it can be seen that the carousel 51 according to the invention is provided with four angularly equidistant seats C (i.e. arranged offset from each other by a substantially 90° angle so as to form a cross-shaped structure) and is activated by cyclic rotations of, for example, ninety degrees clockwise F, so that two seats C are cyclically in opposite horizontal positions, one in the already considered left position for loading the product P and the other in the opposite right position for unloading the product P already partially wound, as detailed below. After each rotation of ninety degrees, e.g. by means of a motor 5100 forming part of the actuator assembly 2202, a seat C passes from the left position, corresponding to nine o'clock, to the raised position, corresponding to twelve o'clock, while another seat C passes from the unloaded position, corresponding to three o ' clock, to the lower position, corresponding to six o ' clock .

Advantageously, all products pass through the packaging station with film 5 , since packaging machine 10 has only one input 2 , and therefore there is no possibility for the products to follow numerous di f ferent paths once they are loaded onto the conveyor 21 belt . In this way, the loading of the incoming products is unambiguously identi fied, simple and fast with considerable savings in terms of time and complexity of the packaging machine 10 .

The packaging machine 10 further comprises at least one cartoning station 7 configured to pack the products in boxes .

More in detail , the cartoning station 7 is arranged downstream of the film wrapping station 5 in such a way that a product P to be packaged always first passes through the film wrapping station 5 and then through the cartoning station 7 . In this respect , the proces s path R is bi furcated downstream of the area in which the product P is wrappable by a film in order to send the wrapped product P to an outlet 3 or to send the unwrapped product P to the cartoning station 7 .

Advantageously, the cartoning station 7 is connected in series with the film wrapping station 5 . In this way, there is the option of either packaging a product P with a cardboard or, once it has been wrapped with film, the product P can exit directly through outlet 3 without passing through the cartoning station 7 . On the other hand, a product P to be packaged with a cardboard pass through the film wrapping station 5 without undergoing any type of wrapping process and is then conveyed to cartoning station 7 to be cartonised . In other words , the product P first passes through the film wrapping station 5 and then, i f desired, through the cartoning station 7 .

Advantageously, a product P to be packaged can be either film-wrapped or placed in a box ( i . e . , cartoned and/or hardback) depending on the packaging requirements , but never in both packaging modes .

The packaging machine 10 further comprises at least one trans fer unit 8 arranged downstream of the film wrapping station 5 and configured to move the products towards the cartoning station 7 .

Upon exiting the film-wrapped packaging station 5 , the packaging machine 10 comprises a moving stop 6 ( Figure 2 ) configured to be movable , e . g . manually or motorised, between an open position in which the filmwrapped product P proceeds towards the outlet 3 and an intercept position, in which the product P exiting the station 5 without film is stopped to be so moved via the trans fer unit 8 .

More in detail , the trans fer unit 8 connects the film wrapping station 5 with the cartoning station 7 , moving the products from the film wrapping station 5 to the cartoning station 7 along an S-shaped path, depending on the packaging requirements , forming a first and a second elbow ( figure 6 ) .

Preferably, according to the embodiment illustrated in the appended figures , the unit 8 comprises a linear conveyor 81 , with a motor 8202 , having a first process direction H transverse to the exit products direction J from the film wrapping station 5 , a second diverter unit 82 , with a motor 8203 , for intercepting the product P transverse to the first process direction H (thereby creating an S-shaped portion of the path R) and pushing it against a compactor unit 83.

Preferably, the unit 8 further comprises a third diverter unit 84, configured to push the product P previously compacted by the compactor unit 83 inside rigid packages (i.e. boxes) suitably arranged along the movement direction S of said diverter unit 84. In particular, the boxes are opened in the direction S so that the diverter unit 84, upon actuating, brings the product P inside the opened box.

Preferably, the directions along which the product P is pushed and diverted by the groups 82, 83 and 84 are transverse to each other, i.e. preferably arranged at 90°. The motors of the linear conveyor 81 and of the assemblies 82, 83, 84 are synchronised and phased with each other via their respective machine axes in such a way as to advance intermittently, e.g. alternately, to perform the 'S' path to the inside of the casing K. It should be noted that the moving elements 8200 move in a continuous manner, e.g. they move the product P along a straight line and, at the end of the product P's travel, they lower to travel along a return branch to push a new product P.

Preferably, according to the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the linear conveyor 81, the second and third diverter assemblies 82, 84 and the movable elements 8200 are structurally and functionally substantially the same as those previously described for the belt 23 of the inlet 2 and will therefore not be further described herein.

More in detail, the compactor assembly 83 is arranged in front of the second diverter assembly 82 and configured to receive in mechanical stop, against a stop wall M, at least one side of the product P to be compacted .

In more detail , the compactor 83 comprises at least one presser 830 movable along a substantially vertical axis B between a raised configuration in which the presser 830 does not touch a surface of the product P, and a lowered configuration in which the presser 830 compresses the product P to make it accessible within a box .

Subsequently, once the product P has been compacted, a third diverter 84 , by means of a motor 8204 , pushes the product P along a direction D ( thus forming the S portion of the bi furcated path R) and inserts it inside a cardboard box positioned substantially aligned with the axis D .

More in detail , the trans fer unit 8 is configured to move , along a transverse direction H with respect to the direction J, the film-wrapped product P towards the cartoning station 7 or to send the non- f ilm-wrapped product P towards the outlet 3 ( described in detail below) .

In other words , the trans fer unit 8 moves an outgoing product P from the film wrapping station 5 , which has not been wrapped with film, to the cartoning station 7 , or alternatively allows it to be crossed by the product P in order to be discharged through the outlet 3 .

Preferably, according to an embodiment and non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the appended figures , the cartoning station 7 comprises a magazine 71 of folded cardboard blanks ( i . e . sheets ) , preferably arranged aligned with the shoulder 103 , and configured to hold the cardboard blanks and make them available to a picking mechanism 72 .

Advantageously, the magazine 71 comprises , for example , a substantially straight conveyor belt configured to feed the picking mechanism 72 , provided with a corresponding actuator . Suitably, the folded sheets of cardboard arranged on the conveyor belt of the magazine 71 move substantially parallel to the film flow direction, carried out by the film reel 540 .

In particular, the conveyor belt of unfolded cardboard sheets is mechanically separated and distinct from the incoming product flow 2 , preferably by means of the shoulder 103 of the frame 100 ( as observed in the attached Figures 1 and 2 ) .

According to an embodiment not illustrated in the attached figures , the magaz ine 71 may advantageously be obtained in a substantially elevated position relative to the carton packaging station 7 .

Preferably, the picking mechanism 72 is disposed between the magazine 71 and the cartoning station 7 and is configured to put the magazine 71 and the cartoning station 7 into communication by picking at least one cardboard blanks from the magazine 71 , wherein the blanks are in a flattened configuration, and by means of a rotation disposes said sheet in a position aligned with the products to be packaged with carton according to an open configuration in which the sheets assume a substantial ly prismatic shape ( i . e . box-shaped) . Once opened, the carton continues via a corresponding actuator in an intermittent motion to the station where it receives product P . These actuators at station 7 are synchronised with each other via the respective machine axes . After the product P has been pushed into the box, it exits via a further output 4 , arranged in parallel with output 3 configured to unload film-wrapped products exiting the packaging machine 10 .

Preferably, the outlet 3 is arranged aligned with the film wrapping station 5. In this way, a film-wrapped product P is unloaded from the packaging machine 10 quickly and without having to take any additional routes and/or pass through any additional workstations before exiting the packaging machine 10 .

The packaging machine 10 further comprises , following the bi furcation of the process path R the outlet 4 of the product P arranged downstream of said inlet 2 , and configured to unload packaged products with cardboards . More in detail , the outlet 4 is independent of the outlet 3 , in particular the outlet 4 is arranged in parallel with the outlet 3 , and preferably aligned with the cartoning station 7 . In this way, a product P in the cardboards is discharged from the packaging machine 10 quickly and without having to make any kind of additional path and/or pass through further workstations before exiting the packaging machine 10 . Furthermore , constructively, the shoulder 103 is arranged between the outlets 3 and 4 along the direction of the trans fer device 8 .

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the film reel 540 is arranged in a predetermined position ( as i llustrated in the attached Figure 1 ) relative to the product inlet 2 of the product P . Advantageously, an operator can easily access the film reel 540 ( or, for example , other functional assemblies of the packaging machine 10 ) unobstructed by conveyor belts and/or other components of the packaging machine 10 .

More in detail , the film reel 540 and the access to the cardboard blanks magazine 71 are arranged downstream of the inlet 2 o f the process path R and furthermore are both opposed to the first outlet 3 and the second outlet 4 with respect to the process path R . In particular, they are located in corresponding vacated positions of the elbows of the process path R towards the wrapping area and towards the product insertion P he cardboards K, respectively . Both of these elbows are advantageously in the same direction, as illustrated in the figures . This makes the loading of consumables , e . g . film reel and cardboard blanks , simple , quick, and easy for an operator .

Furthermore , in accordance with an embodiment and nonlimiting form illustrated in the attached figures , the packaging machine 10 according to the invention provides a single electronic control unit ( e . g . a single CPU and/or PLC or any other electronic device for acquiring, processing and sending data known to the technician in the art and therefore not further described) , which is assembled, programmed and tested for all possible configurations of product P to be packaged . Advantageously, there is no need for timeconsuming and complex synchronisation between the numerous CPUs and/or PLCs as in the previously described known type lines .

In other words , the CPU and/or PLC controls the various machine axes 10 for both the film wrapping station 5 ( i . e . the wrapper ) and the cartoning station 7 ( i . e . the cartoning machine ) . For example , the machine axes controlled by the CPU are at least those of the actuator unit 2202 for transporting the product P through the wrapping station; the transfer unit 8 for transporting the product P from the wrapping area into the cartoner; the actuator for handling the cardboards K in the cartoning station 7. Preferably, at least some of these machine axes, e.g. of the diverters defining the changes of direction e.g. 'cranking' of the product is controlled along the bifurcated process path R to have an intermittent movement e.g. reciprocating.

It should be noted that regardless of whether the control is continuous or intermittent motion, i.e. with a duty cycle that comprises an actuator dwell with a predefined time, the product P advances intermittently along the process path R i.e. at a plurality of locations along the path R the product P is in temporary dwell for a predefined time. For example, the product P is temporarily stopped at least before proceeding to the wrapping area and immediately before being inserted into the case e.g. via the diverter assembly 84. Preferably, moreover, the product P is at a standstill while against the movable stop 6 and the empty pack is at a standstill while receiving the product P. By such standstills, the packaging machine 10 is particularly compact as it is possible to avoid carousels, chutes etc. used in machines that continuously process the products P. Such standstills can also be achieved by means of actuators driven in continuous motion, suitably synchronised and phased, to move a plurality of equally spaced out thrust risers, such as the movable elements 8200. For example, each actuator has a control axis with a duty cycle and cycle speed. All axes are angularly i.e. 'indexed' to a main axis with their respective stages so that when the main axis is changed to change the production rate of the packaging machine 10 e . g . to increase or decrease the number of products P processed per minute , the speeds and phases of the actuators are recalculated to maintain the synchronisation and timing of the movements and, consequently, the stops of the product P along the process path R . In this way, the electronic equivalent of a mechanical transmission is realised whose gear ratio is constant and the output speed is calculable on the basis of the input speed .

It is also an obj ect of the present invention to provide a method for wrapping products with flexible material or with a case in at least one packaging machine 10 of the type described above and of which the same numerical references are maintained .

The method in question comprises at least the steps of :

- receiving a product P ;

- handling the product P through an area in which the product P is wrapped with a flexible film and alternatively one between;

- supplying product P wrapped in polymer film; leading the product through the wrapping cartoning station 7 and inserting the product into a blank .

From what has been described, it is clear that the packaging machine according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that :

- it is compact and space-saving;

- it allows products to be packaged with film or with a cardboard in a single machine , without requiring complex, bulky and expensive packaging lines ;

- allows appropriate product handling according to the di f ferent types of packaging; allows very di f ferent products to be handled according to their shape , si ze , and consistency;

- is functionally completely reliable ;

- is simple and/or economical to implement ;

- is simple and/or economical to test ;

- is cost-ef fective ; is industrially feasible with traditional manufacturing systems and known construction techniques ; presents an alternative and/or improved configuration, both in terms of construction and in terms of function, compared to known traditional solutions .

The present invention has been illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment , but it is understood that variations in execution may be made to it in practice , without , however, going beyond the scope of protection of the present patent for industrial invention .

For example , in the case of a manual stop 6 , a stop wall is mounted by a technician in an appropriate position to block the product P exiting the film wrapping station 5 while waiting for the arrival of the mobile element in prominence 8200 . On the other hand, when the packaging machine 10 has to run a batch of wrapped products , the stop 6 is dismounted and the trans fer unit 8 remains stationary in a position that allows the product P to reach the outlet 3 .