TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS TO STACK A PRE-SET NUMBER OF OBJECTS

Field of the art

The present invention concerns the packaging processes and the devices to actuate them, and in particular it concerns the stacking of generally flat objects, such as sealed bags containing pads for infusion, or bags containing sweets or other granular products, or biscuits or other similarly flat products. As International Classification of reference, the classes B65 b and B 65 d are indicated. State of the art

It is known that several products of generally flat shape, such as biscuits, sweets or pads for infusions, besides being packaged loosely in rigid or flexible containers, they can be individually sealed inside an hermetic bag, under vacuum or under controlled atmosphere.

The present invention has the goal to stack a preset amount of flat objects, and insert such stack of objects inside the forming tube of a vertical packaging machine, that introduces such stack inside a flexible bag, simultaneously packaged starting from films of thermo-sealed film. The resulting package also presents an optimal outlook and it is very affordable, while the devices to realize it are very simple and trustworthy. Description

The present invention is now disclosed with reference to the figures of the drawings that have been attached as unrestricting example.

Figure 1 shows schematically a preferred structural combination of the main actuating devices of the technological process proposed for the stacking of flat objects such as hermetic bags containing pads for infusions, continuously fed by an horizontal conveyer

belt. One should observe the combined presence of said horizontal belt N, in continuous transit over intermitting and especially synchronized vertical transporting belt V. The intermittent movement of said vertical belt is represented in the following figures 2, 3 and 4 with small black arrows highlighted on the ascending arm of the vertical intermittent belt.

Figure 2 shows the fact that the flat objects such as the bags B are loaded on the scoops P of the ascending arm G of the vertical intermittent transporter V, especially synchronized with the continuous horizontal belt N.

Figure 3 highlights the fact that a preset number of bags B, by the descending part R of the transporter V, is caught by a synchronized catching carriage C set-up to perform horizontal translations. It should be pointed out that said synchronized translations of the catching carriage C happen rapidly in the stop break of the intermitting movement of the vertical transporter T. One should also note the presence of vertical sides in the C carriage that hold the pile of bags during the horizontal transfer. The closing maneuvers of said sides are indicated by small curved black arrows.

Figure 4 shows the horizontal translation of said catching carriage C, that has already caught the preset amount of pre-stacked piled bags on the scoops P of the vertical intermitting transporter V. It should be noticed the presence of the piling device H, which during the translation optimizes the stance of the moving pile.

Figure 5 shows schematically the presence of a vertical set-up equipment D, that will take the pile of pads coming into the catching carriage C, especially translated. It should be noticed that said equipment D is coaxial and morphologically congruent with the lower forming tube F of a vertical packaging machine.

Figure 6 shows the positioning of the carriage C coaxial to the forming tube F of a packaging machine.

Figure 7 shows the position of the pile of bags B inside the loading device C, already inserted inside the downward mover D, and the presence of the ejecting stem S that will intervene sliding inside the descending element D, in the following phase, to vertically lower the pile of bags downwards, inside the vertical forming tube F.

Figure 8 shows a particular horizontally sliding device to allow thee loading of the pile of bags inside the lowering device D.

Figure 9 shows the stabilizing action of the contrasting spring M that intervenes by compacting the pile of bags to optimize the following operation of vertical transfer inside the forming tube F.

Figure 10 shows the beginning of the descent of the device D inside the vertical forming tube F.

Figure 11 shows frontally the descent of the device D. It should be noticed that the spring M is still free and holds the pile of bags inside the device D.

Figure 12 shows the completing of the descent phase up to the stop ensured by the stop A inside the forming tube F.

Figure 13 shows the filling the bag E with the simultaneous advancement of the towing track T and of the stem S through the device D. It should be noticed that the device D has halted against the stop A.

Figure 14 shows the circumstance that the device D and the stem S have climbed back to return to the starting position. The following operations of transversal sealing and of cut Z of the packaged and sealed bag E can be noticed.

Figure 15 shows a packaged bag E, containing a pile of bags B.

Figure 16 shows a packaged bag E with transversal sealing fin folded.

Figure 17 shows an open bag containing a pad for infusions.

Figure 18 shows a sealed bag containing a pad for infusions.

Figure 19 shows an open bag containing a flat product, such as a piece of chocolate.

Figure 20 shows a sealed bag containing a flat product such as a chocolate candy or any other sweet product.

Figure 21 sows an open bag containing a flat product, such a rectangular biscuit.

Figure 22 shows a closed bag containing a biscuit or another similar product.

Figure 23 shows an open envelope containing a granular product such as rice or other kinds of loose granular products.

Figure 24 shows a flattened sealed bad containing loose granular products.

Figure 25 shows rectangular shaped cookie 3.

Figure 26 shows a pile of cookies 3 introduce inside a flexible bag E.

Figure 27 shows a pile of rectangular pieces of chocolate 2, introduced inside a flexible bag E.

Figure 28 indicates a pile of products of circular shape introduced inside a bag E.

Figure 29 shows the starting phase of the application of the adhesive tape I during the introduction of the pile inside the bag E in the packaging phase.

Figure 30 shows the intermediate introduction phase of the pile of bags inside the bag E under packaging.

Figure 31 shows the final phase of the introduction of the pile of bags inside the bag E under packaging. It should be noticed that the stretch of adhesive tape that fully wraps the pile of bags is attached to the bottom of the pile.

Figure 32 and 32 bis shows a bag E packaged having inside a pile of bags B wrapped on both sides and at the bottom with the application of the adhesive tape I.

Figure 33 shows the beginning of the application of a stretch of adhesive tape F on a single side of the pile of bags B.

Figure 34 shows the terminal phase of the operation of application of a single stretch of adhesive tape F coming from the roll O.

Figure 35 shows the cutting operations Z' of the stretch of adhesive tape I' attached on a single side of the pile of bags B.

Figure 36 shows the initial phase of the operation of insertion of the pile of bags inside the forming tube F.

Figure 37 represents a pile of bags, with an adhesive tape F attached on its side, introduced inside of a bag E.

Figure 38 shows the details of a practical variations of the lowering device D'.

Figure 39 shows the descent of the lowering device D' that introduces the pile of bags B inside the forming tube F. It should be noticed that the pile of bags rests on the plugs providing the hinges W.

Figure 40 shows the stop the pile of bags against the apposite stop A especially preset at the end of bottom of forming tube F. It can noticed that the contrast spring M maintains the pile of bags B especially compacted inside the moving device D'.

Figure 41 highlights the introduction phase of the pile of bags B inside the bag simultaneously packaged by the vertical forming tube packaging machine. It can be noticed that the hinges Y equipped with the plugs W have opened to allow the descent of the pile of bags inside the bag E.

In all figures each single detail is marked as follows:

A indicates end-track stop by the lower edge of the forming tube.

B indicates the bags containing the pads.

C indicates the loading carriage with horizontal translation.

D indicates the vertical device that lowers the pile of pads.

D' indicates a lowering device at whose lower edge are attached hinges Y equipped with plugs W.

E is the film of flexible thermo-sealable material to be wrapped around the forming tube to package bags.

F indicates the forming tube of a vertical packing machine.

G indicates the ascending side of the vertical transporter.

H indicates a piling device of the translating piles.

K indicates a centralized computer equipment.

I indicates a stretch of adhesive tape that completely wraps the pile, being it attached onto its two sides on the its bottom.

I' indicates a stretch of adhesive tape attached on a side of the pile.

L indicates a linear engine for the vertical excursions of the stem S.

M indicates the recall spring.

N indicates the horizontal transporting belt.

O indicates a roll of adhesive tape.

P indicates the transporting scoops of the bags onto the intermitting tape.

Q indicates the intermitting engine of the vertical transporting belt.

R indicates the descending arm of the vertical transporting belt.

S indicates the stem of the lowering equipment.

T indicates the towing tracks of the flexible tape.

V indicates the vertical intermitting transporting belt. W indicates the plugs equipping the hinges Y.

Y indicates the side hinges equipped with the specific plugs W. Z indicates the cutting device of the bottom of the bag E.

Z' indicates the cutting device of the stretch of adhesive tape F.

1 is a pad for infusions inserted in a bag B.

2 indicates a generally flat prismatic product. T indicates a flat product with circular shape.

3 indicates a rectangular biscuit.

4 indicates a granular product such as rice or other similar product

It should be pointed out that the drawings are just example of realization and it should be clear that the invention allows for several variations of practical realization, both for the dimensioning and structural proportioning of various components, as well as for the technological choices for their realization and practical combination.

All the technological processes and the devices that will allow the realize the piling of a pre-set number of generally flat objects, and that could be inferred from the disclosed

inventive combinations as basically described and showed, will be considered as being part of the protection sphere of the present invention.

It is clear that a technician skilled in the specific technological field will be able to realize, without any inventive effort, but only by means of simple logical deductions, equipment that will realize the technological goals of the present invention, by reproducing the inventive features as basically exposed in the description and the drawings, and as hereinafter claimed.