FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning the packaging of products, for example in liquid, powder or granular form, internally of stickpacks which are then to be inserted internally of relative boxes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Stickpacks are wrappers obtained from portions of film made of a heat- weldable material, cut from a reel, which are wound about the product to be packaged to form tubular elements, which tubular elements are subsequently heat-welded longitudinally and at two heads thereof, thus forming tubular sachets that are sealed on three sides.

The stickpacks are usually boxed internally of relative boxes.

A boxing modality of stickpacks internally of boxes includes uniting the stickpacks in a group, in which the stickpacks are arranged longitudinally flanked to one another and in a vertical configuration, which is then inserted in a relative box.

In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for arranging stickpacks in a vertical configuration.

The stickpacks are made by means of appropriate packaging machine of a vertical type, such as for example the one illustrated in figure 1A.

As can be observed in figure 1A, in vertical packaging machines (MC) of stickpacks, the strip (N) of heat-weldable material, once unwound from a reel (B), is directly vertically from above in a downwards direction and cut to form portions of film (S).

The portions of film (S) are unwound to form tubular elements (T) in such a way as to enable filling nozzles (U) to fill them with relative products in granular, powder or liquid form, and to enable heat-welding means (TS) to carry out a longitudinal heat-weld and two transversal heat-welds to close the tubular element (T), thus forming a stickpack (ST), i.e. a tubular sachet sealed on three sides.

The stickpacks (ST) are then unloaded by an unloading station (ST) situated beneath the packaging machine which arranges them in a horizontal configuration, with the relative longitudinal axes arranged parallel to on another and in a perpendicular direction to the packaging machine, as illustrated in figure 1A, mentioned in the foregoing.

Thus, at the outlet of the packaging machine, there will be a series of stickpacks (ST), parallel to one another and in a horizontal configuration, with the relative longitudinal axes arranged in a perpendicular direction to the packaging machine.

In a case where, prior to boxing thereof in a box, the stickpacks must first be united in groups in which they are to be arranged longitudinally flanked to one another and in a vertical configuration, there emerges the problem of how to carry out a rotation to arrange the stickpacks from the horizontal configuration in which they are at the outlet of the packaging machine, to a vertical configuration, in which they can be united in groups of stickpacks arranged vertically and side by side.

A known apparatus for arranging stickpacks in a vertical configuration, starting from a horizontal configuration in which they reach the outlet of a packaging machine, is illustrated in figure 1B.

Figure 1B is a plan view from above where reference (MC) illustrates, schematically, a vertical packaging machine of stickpacks, realised for example like the one described in the foregoing with reference to figure 1A.

The known apparatus (AP) comprises a series of conveying tracks (P) which are arranged parallel to one another according to a straight conveying direction (V).

The known apparatus (AP) is arranged frontally of the packaging machine (MC) in such a way that the start of the conveying tracks (P) is located at the unloading station (SC) of the packaging machine (MC), and that the conveying tracks (P) are arranged perpendicular to the packaging machine (MC) in such a way that each conveyor tract (P) can receive, internally thereof, a relative stickpack in a horizontal configuration and with the relative longitudinal axis aligned to the straight conveying direction (V) of the conveying tracks (P).

The known apparatus (AP) further comprises first pusher means (not illustrated in figure 1B), for pushing and moving the stickpacks along the conveying tracks (P) in the straight conveying direction (V).

The apparatus comprises tilting means (R) which are arranged internally of the conveying tracks (P), and which are conformed in such a way as to abut the stickpacks, during advancement thereof along the conveying tracks (P), and to rotate the stickpacks, arranging them vertically with the relative longitudinal axis remaining parallel to the straight conveying direction (V) of the conveying tracks (P).

The tilting means (R) are constituted by appropriately profiled abutments, or star-shaped elements, such as to abut the front part of the stickpacks and force them, during advancement thereof along the conveying tracks (P), to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof, arranging them vertically.

Downstream of the tilting means (R), the apparatus thus comprises conveying channels (C), consecutive and aligned to the conveying tracks (P), which are conformed in such a way as to receive internally thereof the stickpacks arranged in vertical configuration, and maintain them in that configuration.

Second pusher means (not illustrated) are also present, associated to the conveying channels (C) to push the stickpacks arranged vertically towards a grouping station (denoted schematically in its entirety by reference (SR)) comprising a series of grouping drawers, each of which is arranged in such a way as to be able to receive the stickpacks arranged vertically coming from a relative conveyor channel.

The above-described apparatus, while on the one hand enabling substantially effectively arranging the stickpacks in vertical configuration, starting from a horizontal configuration in which they reach the outlet of a packaging machine, and uniting them in groups in which the stickpacks (ST) are arranged longitudinally flanked to one another and in a vertical configuration, on the other hand requires a considerable volume and therefore a considerable set- up space.

In fact, the supply conveyor (CA) of the boxing machine (illustrated entirely schematically and denoted by reference (MA) in figure 1 B) which will have to box the groups of stickpacks internally of the relative boxes, will have to be positioned with the relative initial portion at the grouping station (SR), and thus distant from the packaging machine (MC).

Further, the conveying tracks and the conveying channels can also have a considerable length; it is therefore evident that the overall volumes required for positioning the boxing machine (MA), with respect to the position of the packaging machine (MC), will be significant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus for arranging stickpacks in a vertical configuration, starting from a horizontal configuration in they reach the outlet of a packaging machine, able to obviate the drawbacks set out in the foregoing.

In particular, an aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for arranging stickpacks in a vertical configuration which enables positioning the boxing machine substantially in line with the packaging machine, thus considerably reducing volumes.

A further aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus for arranging stickpacks in a vertical configuration able to rotate the stickpacks in a rapid and effective way.

The above aims are attained according to the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the apparatus for arranging stickpacks in a vertical configuration of the present invention will be described in the following with reference to the appended tables of drawings, in which:

- figure 1A, mentioned in the foregoing, illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, a classic type of vertical packaging machine (MC) of stickpacks; - figure 1B, also mentioned in the foregoing, illustrates, in a schematic perspective view from above, the previously-described known-type apparatus for arranging the stickpacks in a vertical configuration in outlet from the packaging machine, where the arrangement of a boxing machine (MA) is also visible, illustrated schematically, which is to receive the stickpacks arranged vertically and grouped to one another for the relative boxing operations;

- figure 2 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, the reciprocal arrangement between a boxing machine and a packaging machine of stickpacks which can be made using the apparatus of the invention, which, in the figure, has been represented entirely schematically and denoted by reference (100);

- figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus for arranging stickpacks in a vertical configuration of the present invention, in its entirety;

- figures 4A, 5A, 6A illustrate, in relative partial perspective view, particular components of the apparatus of the invention in an operating sequence for rotating the stickpacks and arranging the stickpacks in a vertical configuration;

- figures 4B, 5B, 6B illustrate the components of figures 4A, 5A and 6A in partial perspective views made from another angle;

- figures 7A, 7B and 7C illustrated, in relative schematic frontal views, an operating sequence of rotation and arrangement in vertical configuration of a stickpack;

- figure 8 is a plan view from above of the apparatus of figure 7C.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, reference number (100) denotes the apparatus for arranging stickpacks in a vertical configuration, which is the object of the present invention, in its entirety.

The apparatus (100) comprises a conveyor means (1), which is configured to be arranged laterally to a packaging machine (MC) of stickpacks (not an object of the present invention and therefore not described in detail but which is dedicated to the realising of stickpacks containing a liquid, powder or granular product starting from a film made of thermoplastic material) and so as to have a relative initial portion (11) at an outlet (U) of the packaging machine (MC) from which the stickpacks are unloaded.

The stickpacks are unloaded from the outlet while parallel to one another and in a horizontal configuration, with the relative longitudinal axes arranged in a perpendicular direction to the packaging machine.

In particular, the conveyor means (1) is predisposed to receive, resting on the relative initial portion (11), a series of stickpacks (ST) which are time by time unloaded from the exit (U) of the packaging machine (MC), arranged parallel to one another with the longitudinal axis thereof transversal to the conveyor means (1) and in a horizontal configuration (see for example figure 2).

The conveyor means (1) is predisposed to transport the stickpacks (ST) in a transport direction (T) which is tangential to the outlet (U) of the packaging machine (MC), i.e. in a transport direction (T) that is transversal and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stickpacks (ST) arranged on the initial portion (11) of the conveyor means (1), up to a dwell position (W) which is situated laterally to the packaging machine (MC).

The apparatus (100) further comprises a rotation device (2) of the stickpacks (ST) arranged laterally to the conveyor means (1) at the dwell position (W), and a pick-up and release group (3) of the stickpacks (ST), comprising pick-up and release means (31) by suction, configured to pick-up a series of stickpacks (ST) from the dwell position (W) and to release the stickpacks at the rotation device (2).

A peculiarity of the apparatus (100) of the invention consists in the fact that the rotation device (2) comprises a series of housings (20) each of which is configured and predisposed to receive a relative stickpack (ST) released by the pick-up and release means (31) (see for example figure 3).

In particular, each housing (20) comprises a fixed vertical wall (21) and a movable wall (22), the movable wall (22) being moveable between a first non operating position (I), in which it is inclined with respect to the fixed vertical wall (21) so as to enable release into the housing (20) of a stickpack (ST) by the pick-up and release means (31), and a second operating position (O) in which it is moved into a vertical position facing the fixed vertical wall (21) in order to abut the stickpack (ST) present in the housing (20) and rotate the stickpack (ST) with respect to the relative longitudinal axis, into a vertical configuration, arranging the stickpack (ST) in contact with and abutting against the fixed vertical wall (21) (see in this respect the sequence of figures from 4A to 6A and from 4B to 6B).

Lastly, the apparatus (100) comprises a grouping station (4), which is arranged alongside the rotation device (2) and configured and predisposed to receive stickpacks (ST) arranged vertically and to group the stickpacks (ST) in groups in which the stickpacks (ST) are arranged longitudinally flanked to one another and in the vertical configuration, and transfer means (5), for transferring the stickpacks (ST), once arranged vertically in the housings (20) of the rotation device (2), from the housings (20) to the grouping station (4).

Owing to the combination of the above-described characteristics, with the apparatus (100) of the present invention it is possible to transport the stickpacks (ST) unloaded from the outlet (U) of the packaging machine (MC) in a transport direction (T) which extends laterally to the packaging machine (MC) up to the dwell position (W) (figures 2 and 3).

The pick-up and release means (31) can pick up the stickpacks and release them into the housings (20) of the rotation device (2) (figure 3 and figures 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B).

The movable walls (22) can thus be moved from the first non-operating position (I) (of figures 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B) to the second operating position (O) so as to abut the stickpacks present in the housings, to rotate the stickpacks with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, and arrange them in a vertical configuration against the fixed vertical wall (21) (figures 6A, 6B).

This enables rapidly and immediately arranging all the stickpacks present in the housings in a vertical configuration.

At this point the transfer means (5) can transfer the stickpacks (ST), once arranged vertically in the housings (20) to the grouping station (4).

The apparatus of the invention is therefore able to arrange the stickpacks in a vertical configuration, and to unite them in groups, in which the stickpacks (ST) are arranged longitudinally flanked to one another and in a vertical configuration, utilising a space arranged laterally to the packaging machine.

In this way, it is possible to significantly reduce volumes and the conveyor means (CA) for supplying the boxing machine (MA), which will have to carry out the inserting operations of the groups of stickpacks internally of the relative boxes, can be positioned at the grouping station and arranged parallel to the conveyor means (1).

Substantially, therefore, as can be seen in figure 2, the boxing machine (MA) will substantially be in line with the packaging machine, being arranged laterally thereto.

Further characteristics of the apparatus of the present invention are described in the following.

Each housing (20) of the rotation device (2) preferably comprises a second fixed wall (23) inclined with respect to the fixed vertical wall (21) so as to define therewith a seat (24) for accommodating a relative stickpack (ST) released by the pick-up and release means (31) so that the stickpack (ST) is arranged longitudinally in the seat (24) and resting on the second fixed wall (23).

In particular, the second fixed wall (23) comprises a window (25) that is conformed and dimensioned so as to allow passage of the movable wall (22) when moved from the first non-operating position (I) to the second operating position (O), and vice versa (see in particular figures from 4A to 6A and from 4B to 6B).

The movable wall (22) in the non-operating position (I) is preferably positioned behind the second fixed wall (23).

According to the preferred but not exclusive embodiment illustrated in the figures (see in this respect the figures from 7A to 7C) the movable wall (22) is borne by an L-shaped body (28) which is rotatably mounted on a rotation shaft (26) arranged beneath the housing (20).

The apparatus (100) further comprises rotation driving means (6) for the rotation shaft (26) so as to rotate the L-shaped body (28) and thus move the movable wall (22) from the first non-operating position (I) to the second operating position (O) and vice versa.

In particular, the rotation driving means (6) comprise a crank mechanism (61) connected to the rotation shaft (26) and activatable by means of a relative actuator means, not illustrated.

The grouping station (4), as illustrated in figure 3, can preferably be realised in such a way as to comprise, for each housing (20) of the rotation device (2), a drawer element (41) comprising a series of movable seats (42).

Each movable seat (42) is configured to be positionable facing the housing (20) associated to the drawer element (41) and is adapted to accommodate, and keep in a vertical configuration, a relative stickpack (ST) in arrival in a vertical configuration from the housing (20).

Further, the movable seat is laterally movable in the drawer element (41) so as to enable an adjacent movable seat (42) to be positioned facing the same housing (20) in order to receive and keep in a vertical configuration a following stickpack in arrival in a vertical configuration from the same housing (20).

The above-mentioned transfer means (5), in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, in particular in figure 8, comprise, for each housing (20) and for each drawer element (41) associated thereto, a pusher element (51) mounted slidably with respect to the housing (20) and configured to push the stickpack (ST), once arranged vertically in contact with the fixed vertical wall (21) of the housing (20), into a movable seat (42) of the drawer element (41) arranged facing the same housing (20).

As mentioned in the foregoing, with the apparatus of the present invention it is possible to significantly reduce the volumes required to rotate the stickpacks, from the horizontal configuration, in which they are unloaded from the outlet of a packaging machine, to a vertical configuration and unite them in groups, in which the stickpacks are arranged longitudinally flanked to one another and in a vertical configuration.

This enables predisposing a packaging system (SF) of stickpacks having a smaller overall volume, significantly smaller than in the prior art, as represented in the layout illustrated in figure 2.

The packaging system (SF) of stickpacks comprises: a packaging machine (MC) for realising stickpacks comprising an outlet (U) for unloading stickpacks; an apparatus (100) for arranging stickpacks in a vertical configuration, as described in the foregoing, wherein the apparatus (100) is arranged, with respect to the packaging machine (MC) so that the conveyor means (1) is positioned laterally to the packaging machine (MC) and has the initial portion thereof (11) at the outlet (U) of the packaging machine (MC) in order to restingly receive a series of stickpacks (ST) unloaded from the exit (U) of the packaging machine (MC), arranged parallel to one another with the longitudinal axis thereof transversal to the conveyor means (1) and in a horizontal configuration; a boxing machine (MA) for inserting groups of stickpacks internally of relative boxes; a feeding conveyor means (CA), for feeding groups of stickpacks to the boxing machine (MA); wherein the feeding conveyor means (CA) is arranged flanked to the grouping station (4) of the apparatus (100), so as to be able to receive groups of stickpacks (ST) from the grouping station (4) in which the stickpacks (ST) are arranged longitudinally flanked to one another and in a vertical configuration, and wherein the feeding conveyor means (CA) is parallel to the conveyor means (1).