Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of systems for packaging flexible containers or bundles of adjacent objects and it particularly relates to an apparatus for applying a closing band.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for closing containers or bundles of adjacent objects using the aforementioned apparatus.

Background art

[0003] The use of containers made of flexible material, for example plastic, paper, and/or biodegradable material, having an opening for the insertion and/or removal of one or more products contained and intended to be enclosed using a lace, a band or other deformable closing element, has been long known in the packaging systems industry.

[0004] Generally, the closing element is wound around the neck of the container so as to close it in proximity of the opening side, and it may be easily removed by the user to allow the re-opening of the container and the removal of the products.

[0005] The closing element is appropriate even to bind or fasten each other, besides the containers, a bundle of adjacent items, such as for example cables, flowers, rods and similar objects.

[0006] In particular, the use of bands or laces, commonly defined as twist, generally consisting of a metal wire-like core wound in a strip made of polymeric material or the like is known.

[0007] The closing bands are generally provided as reels and then subsequently cut to size depending on the dimensions of the neck of the container or of the bundle of adjacent objects around which they are to be wound.

[0008] This closing procedure can be carried out manually by an operator or using semiautomatic or automatic apparatus.

[0009] Semiautomatic apparatuses for closing flexible containers or packaging bundles of adjacent objects having a framework on which there is present a closing seat adapted to receive the neck of a container or the bundle of objects have been known long since.

[0010] Usually, the positioning of the neck of the container or of the bundle of objects in this seat is carried out by an operator, who subsequently actuates the apparatus.

[0011] Specifically, the apparatus picks up the band from a reel by means of supply means and moves it through suitable guide means towards the closing seat.

[0012] The band passes through a device adapted to support a portion of the band while the latter is cut with appropriate dimensions to wrap around the neck of the container or the bundle of objects.

[0013] Generally, the device for supporting the band has a substantially C- shaped monolithic body provided, at the ends thereof, with through holes adapted to receive and support the portion of closing or clamping band.

[0014] Specifically, the band passes through the first hole of the support device and passing through the concave part of the C-shaped body is inserted into the second hole.

[0015] In proximity of the first hole there are present cutting means which cut the band to size with length determined by the distance between the two through holes and appropriate to clamp the neck of the container or bundle of objects.

[0016] Therefore, the neck of the container or bundle of objects is inserted into the concave part of the support device so as to deform the portion of cut band around the neck or around the objects.

[0017] Lastly, the end portions of the portion of the cut band are grasped by gripping means, which rotate wrapping around the portion of cut band around the neck of the container closing it or clamping the bundle of objects binding them together.

[0018] An example of such known apparatuses is described in US4054160A.

[0019] A first drawback of such known semiautomatic or automatic apparatuses lies in the fact that the closing band can be easily deformed and therefore it is susceptible to significantly bend during the travel from the reel to the closing seat, causing the jamming of the mechanism with ensuing blocking of the apparatus.

[0020] The blocking of the apparatus requires the intervention of an operator, who must access into the apparatus and manually straighten the band and repositioning it correctly. Besides the interruption of the closing operation of the containers, and the time required by the operator to reposition the band, there may also arise the need to cut a portion of the band so as to unbind it, with ensuing loss of material.

[0021] One of the critical points in which there most often occurs an unwanted deformation of the band is in proximity of the closing seat, in particular during the insertion of the band into the through holes of the support device.

[0022] As a matter of fact, after having been inserted into the first hole, the band is no longer appropriately supported, and it is suspended while it passes through the concave part of the C-shaped body. Due to the deformation caused by the weight thereof, it may be misaligned with respect to the second hole and it cannot close the container or wrapping the bundle of objects.

[0023] A further drawback of such apparatuses lies in the possible deformations of the band during the step of wrapping around the neck of the container or around the bundle of objects causing an inappropriate closure.

[0024] This drawback particularly occurs when the band used is made of very yieldable material, such as for example bioplastics, plastic or paper, with or without wire-like metal core.

[0025] More precisely, when the end portions of the portion of cut band are retained by the gripping means and driven in rotation during the step of twisting around the neck, they can be exposed to damage or even break, causing an inappropriate closure of the container or no and/or ineffective clamping of the bundle of objects.

[0026] Besides the waste of the band and the repetition of the entire closing procedure, this problem is particularly felt in the case of containers within which there are packaged foodstuffs or other perishable products or products sensitive to air. [0027] As a matter of fact, an inappropriate closure, if not promptly noticed and corrected, could lead to distributing a container within which the product is susceptible to deterioration or oxidation.

[0028] Therefore, there is strong need for providing apparatuses for closing flexible containers or bundles of adjacent objects by means of a deformable band which are effective and avoid the problems described above.

Technical problem

[0029] In the light of the prior art, the technical problem addressed by the present invention is how to perform the closure of flexible containers or the clamping of bundles of adjacent objects by means of a deformable band which avoids malfunctions due to the deformation of the band during the operation of the apparatus.

Summary of the invention

[0030] The object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problem by providing an apparatus for closing flexible containers or clamping bundles of adjacent objects which is highly effective and cost-effective.

[0031] A particular object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated above which prevents unwished deformations of the closing band during the operating steps.

[0032] A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated above which is simple to manufacture.

[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated above which can be used with different types of closing bands.

[0034] A particular object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated above which does not require particular skills by an operator designated to use it.

[0035] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that requires minimal maintenance.

[0036] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for closing containers or clamping bundles of objects by means of a closing band which is practical to implement. [0037] The objects mentioned above and others which will be more apparent hereinafter, are attained by an apparatus for closing flexible containers or bundles of adjacent objects, according to claim 1 .

[0038] The aforementioned apparatus comprises a support plate, feeding means for supplying a deformable closing band, cutting means adapted to cut a portion of the closing band with predetermined length, a forming seat for the insertion of the neck of a container or of a bundle of adjacent objects, winding means adapted to wind the portion of cut band and fasten it around the neck of the container or bundle of objects and an applicator device for applying the portion of band.

[0039] In an embodiment, the applicator device has a pair of engagement members with ends provided with respective through openings at least partially facing each other to allow the through passing of the portion of band.

[0040] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a movement mechanism for moving the applicator device between an initial inoperative position spaced apart from the forming seat and a final operative position proximal to the forming seat.

[0041] In an embodiment, the movement mechanism comprises an arm having an end on which there is mounted the applicator device and the opposite end pivoted to the support plate to confer to the applicator device a movement along a substantially circular trajectory.

[0042] In an embodiment, one of the engagement members is fixed and the other engagement member is movable with respect to the arm.

[0043] Suitably, the engagement members are mutually pivoted around a common axis so as to form a pivoted fork.

[0044] Thanks to this combination of characteristics, the insertion of the band through the through openings occurs when the latter are in approached position facilitating the through passing of the band in both openings of the engagement members, so as to avoid potential deformations of the band.

[0045] The invention also relates to a method for implementing such apparatus for closing flexible containers or clamping bundles of adjacent objects with a deformable band according to claim 12. [0046] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are attained according to the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0047] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an apparatus for applying a deformable band, shown by way of non-limiting example with reference to the drawings below, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are top perspective views of an apparatus for closing flexible containers or clamping bundles of objects according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are top views of an applicator device in a first embodiment;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are top views of an applicator device in a second embodiment;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are top perspective views of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 2 provided with winding means in a first embodiment;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are top perspective views of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 2 provided with winding means in a second embodiment;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 2, respectively when inserting a flexible container to be closed and a bundle of objects to be clamped;

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are respectively top views of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 2 during a method for closing flexible containers or clamping bundles of adjacent objects according to the invention.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0048] With particular reference to the figures, there is shown an apparatus, indicated in its entirety with reference numeral 2, for closing flexible containers Q or clamping bundles for of adjacent objects O.

[0049] By way of non-limiting example, the flexible containers may be made of flexible material, such as paper, plastic, and/or biodegradable material and designed to contain products of any kind, even foodstuff, without any particular limitation. [0050] The expression bundle of adjacent objects is used to indicate a group of elongated objects joined so as to be firmly bound together by means of a band, such as for example bundles of cables, bunches of flowers and other plants, stems and the like.

[0051] Suitably, the apparatus 2 comprises a support plate 17, feeding means 7 for supplying a deformable closing band N, cutting means 9 adapted to cut a portion of band N with predetermined length, a forming seat 10 for the insertion of the neck of a container Q or of a bundle of adjacent objects O, winding means 11 adapted to wind the portion of cut band N and clamp it around the neck of the container Q or bundle of objects O and an applicator device 1 for applying the portion of band N.

[0052] In a per se known manner, the deformable band N is provided by a reel W, visible in FIG. 1 , around which the band N was previously wound.

[0053] Suitably, the feeding means 7 pick up the closing band N unrolling it from the reel W and they direct it towards conveying means 8 along a direction X, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the conveying means 8 may comprise a plurality of rollers 14 with vertical axis, mounted opposite each other, preferably in pairs, of the type on brass bearings or with ball bearings, and each having a surface shaped so as to come into contact with the band N and convey it towards the fork-like applicator device 1 at the same time limiting potential deformations of the band N.

[0055] Hereinafter, the expression closing band N is used to indicate a substantially wire-like element adapted to be wound around the neck of a flexible container Q or around a bundle of adjacent objects O so as to close the container Q or firmly clamp the bundle of objects O.

[0056] Generally, the closing band N has a metal wire-like core embedded in a strip made of polymeric material or the like.

[0057] However, today there are available on the market even closing bands not provided with a metal core, but entirely made of partially deformable material, for example polymeric or biodegradable, suitably filled.

[0058] As better visible in FIGS. 4 to 7, the device 1 has a pair of engagement members 3, respectively identified with 3’, 3”, with ends provided with respective openings 4, respectively indicated with 4’, 4”, at least partially facing each other to allow the through-passing of the portion of band N.

[0059] The apparatus 2 further comprises a movement mechanism 15 for moving the applicator device 1 between an initial inoperative position (FIG. 8) spaced apart from the forming seat 10 and a final operative position (FIG. 9) proximal to the forming seat 10.

[0060] Suitably, there is provided for a removable frame 12 adapted to cover the mechanics of the apparatus 2 during the operation thereof and to allow, when removed, the possible maintenance of the various components.

[0061] In order to implement such movement, the movement mechanism 15 comprises an arm 16 having a free end on which there is mounted the applicator device 1 and the opposite end pivoted to the support plate 17, so as to confer to the applicator device 1 a movement along a substantially circular trajectory t.

[0062] Preferably, the coupling between the arm 16 and the applicator device 1 is carried out using removable coupling means such as screws, bolts and the like, so as to allow to interchange the fork-like device 1 when required.

[0063] Due to such configuration, the band N is always suitably supported and guided during the operation of the apparatus 2, therefore avoiding deformations which could lead to the stop of the apparatus 2.

[0064] This is mainly due to the peculiar conformation of the applicator device 1 and the movement thereof carried out using the arm 16.

[0065] As a matter of fact, the engagement members 3’, 3” of the applicator device 1 are mutually pivoted around a common axis Y so as to form a pivoted fork.

[0066] Suitably, one of the engagement members 3’ is fixed and the other engagement member 3” is movable with respect to the arm 16.

[0067] Preferably, the fixed engagement member 3’ is arranged facing in proximity of the arm 16. However, alternative configurations cannot be ruled out.

[0068] The pivoting point 5 therefore enables the movement around the common axis Y approaching and moving away the engagement members 3’, 3”, therefore reducing or increasing the distance between the through openings 4’, 4”.

[0069] However, applicator devices 1 comprising several pivoting points so as to have a different pivoting, but still adapted to move at least one of the engagement members 3’, 3” are not excluded.

[0070] Therefore, to a person skilled in the art, it will be clear that the band N may be inserted in a facilitated manner when the through openings 4’, 4” are approached to each other while, by moving away the through openings 4’, 4”, it will be possible to receive a neck of a flexible container Q or a bundle of adjacent objects O so as to wind a portion of band N around them.

[0071] In the initial conditions, the engagement members 3’, 3” are spaced apart from each other given that there are present spacing means 6 adapted to interact with the movable engagement member 3” to keep it normally spaced apart with respect to the fixed engagement member 3’.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the spacing means 6 are of the elastic type, for example a helical spring or a pneumatic spring.

[0073] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the spacing means 6 are inside the pivoting point 5 and act on the pivot to keep the fixed engagement member 3’ and the movable engagement member 3” spaced apart from each other

[0074] On the contrary, in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3, the spacing means 6 are outside and integrally joined with the engagement members 3’, 3” and, using a traction spring, they exert a force adapted to keep the fixed engagement member 3’ and the movable engagement member 3” spaced apart.

[0075] However, different spacing means are not excluded provided that they are adapted to keep the applicator device 1 in operative configuration.

[0076] When an external force acts on the movable engagement member 3” this will tend to approach the fixed engagement member 3’, therefore approaching the through openings 4’, 4”.

[0077] To this end there are provided approaching means 18, shown in FIG.3, adapted to interact with the movable engagement member 3” to keep the applicator device 1 temporarily in the initial inoperative position, with the through openings 4’, 4” approached to each other.

[0078] In an embodiment, the approaching means 18 comprise a stationary abutment element 19 positioned so that the interaction thereof with an end of the movable engagement member 3” causes the rotation of the latter around the common axis Y, as better visible in FIG. 8.

[0079] Therefore, a container Q or a bundle of objects O may be closed as described hereinafter.

[0080] At the beginning, as described above, the band N leaves the reel W guided by the feeding means 7 and it is subsequently supported by the conveying means 8 and by the plurality of rollers 14 towards the arm 16.

[0081] Upon exiting from the guide of the arm 16, the band N is immediately inserted into both through openings 4’, 4” of the engagement members 3’, 3” of the applicator device 1 in the initial inoperative position.

[0082] This is due to the fact that the applicator device 1 is initially in the initial inoperative position in which the movable engagement member 3” is in contact with the approaching means 18, therefore keeping the through openings 4’, 4” approached and facing each other.

[0083] In other words, the openings 4’, 4” are approached to facilitate the insertion of the band N and prevent it from being damaged during the advancement thereof with the applicator device 1 in the initial inoperative position.

[0084] Furthermore, given that the fixed engagement member 3’ is arranged in proximity of the free end of the arm 16 without any intermediary guide element, the band N does not risk being deformed under its own weight during the insertion thereof into the through openings 4’, 4”.

[0085] Therefore, it is clear that even using a band N that is partially deformed or not completely straight, this may be easily inserted into the two through openings 4’, 4”.

[0086] Once the band N is inserted into the through openings 4’, 4”, there is inserted the neck of a flexible container Q or a bundle of adjacent objects O inside the slot 13 on whose end there is found the forming seat 10.

[0087] Obviously, there may be provided apparatuses 2 of different size, at least as regards the slot 13 and the forming seat 10, depending on the size of the containers Q and/or objects O processed by a user.

[0088] When the container Q or the bundle of objects O is found in the forming seat 10, there is carried out the movement of mechanism 15 and therefore the arm 16, so as to move the applicator device 1.

[0089] Suitably, in proximity of the forming area 10 there are provided starting means 20, movable around a vertical axis thereof, which detect the position of the container Q or of the bundle of objects O in the forming area 10 and determine the starting of the closing procedure.

[0090] Therefore, the applicator device 1 will be moved away from the approaching means 18 and the loss of contact between the abutment element 19 and the end of the movable engagement member 3” will promote the distancing between the engagement members 3’, 3” due to the action of the spacing means 6, and therefore moving away between the through openings 4’, 4”.

[0091] Moving along the trajectory t, the applicator device 1 will reach the final operative position in proximity of the forming seat 10 with the through openings 4’, 4” spaced apart from each other.

[0092] In other words, the openings 4’, 4” are spaced apart to support the portion of band N in substantially extended position with the applicator device 1 in the final operative position.

[0093] The distance between the openings 4’, 4” in the final operative position is adapted to form a portion of band N with size suitable to close the container Q or bind the bundle of adjacent objects O together.

[0094] In the final operative position, the applicator device 1 pushes the band N towards the neck of the container Q or the bundle of objects O so that the band N is deformed taking a substantially U-shape around the neck of the container Q or around the bundle of objects O.

[0095] Therefore, the cutting means 9 actuate the cutting of the band N with a length that is predetermined and adapted to clamp the neck of the flexible container Q or the bundle of adjacent objects O.

[0096] The ends of the portion of ll-cut band N are grasped by the winding means 11 which actuate the twisting of the band N around the neck of the flexible container Q or the bundle of adjacent objects O.

[0097] In an embodiment, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the winding means 11 comprise a pair of jaws 21 arranged at the end of a rotating rod 22 and adapted to grip the ends of the portion of cut band N and twist them on themselves.

[0098] Specifically, the pair of jaws 21 integrally engages the ends of the portion of cut band N and subsequently the rod 22 is driven in rotation around the longitudinal rotation axis R thereof so as to promote the twisting of the portion of band N around the neck of the container Q or around the bundle of objects O.

[0099] In a per se known manner, there are provided drive means, not shown in the figures, adapted to move the rod 22 around the rotation axis R thereof.

[00100] This embodiment of the winding means 11 is adapted to act on particularly yieldable bands N, like those made of paper or without metal core. [00101] As a matter of fact, the pair of jaws 21 exerts a minimum resistance on the band N while it imparts the rotation and simultaneously prevents a sudden movement which would tear the band N therefore bringing it to an unsuitable clamping/closing.

[00102] In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the winding means 11 comprise a shaped appendage 23 arranged at the end of the rotating rod 22.

[00103] The appendage 23 is contained in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rod 22 and it is substantially S-shaped with terminal tips adapted to appropriately grasp the ends of the portion of cut band N so as to twist them on themselves.

[00104] In particular, the ends of the portion of cut band N are inserted and engaged by the curved end portions of the S-shaped appendage 23, which, during the subsequent rotation, will promote the winding of the portion of band N around the neck of the container Q or around the bundle of objects O.

[00105] In an embodiment, as visible in FIGS. 8 to 11 , depending on the shape of the winding means 11 there will be used a suitably counter-shaped applicator device 1.

[00106] In an embodiment, as better visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, the applicator device 1 has a pair of engagement members 3’, 3” conformed so as to house between them, in the final operative position, the pair of jaws 21 of the winding means 11 and allow the rotation thereof around the rotation axis R.

[00107] Preferably, the pair of jaws 21 has a substantially rectangular or square shape in plan view. However, it cannot be ruled out the use of a pair of jaws 21 different from the one shown in the figures.

[00108] On the contrary, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the applicator device 1 has an interspace suitably shaped to receive the S-shaped appendage 23 of the winding means 11 and allow the rotation thereof around the rotation axis R.

[00109] Therefore, depending on the shape of the winding means 11 used, there will be provided a suitably designed applicator device 1.

[00110] The apparatus 2 just described above may be of the semiautomatic type that is started manually by an operator designated to insert the flexible container Q or the bundle of objects O.

[00111] In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus 2 may instead be of the automatic type, in other words configured to close in series all the containers Q and/or the bundles of objects O which will be provided automatically, for example, by mechanical conveying means known in the industry.

[00112] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided for a method for closing flexible containers Q or clamping bundles of adjacent objects O through an apparatus 2, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a reel W of closing band N; b) advancing the closing band N along the direction X by means of the conveying means 8; c) inserting a portion of band N in the through openings 4’, 4” facing each other; d) positioning the neck of a container Q or a bundle of adjacent objects O in the forming seat 10; e) activating the movement mechanism 15 to move the applicator device 1 along the trajectory t; f) cutting a portion of the closing band N by means of the cutting means 9; g) interaction of the winding means 11 with the portion of cut band N; h) actuating the winding means 11 to promote the twisting of the portion of cut band N around the neck of the container Q or around the bundle of objects O; i) removing the closed container Q or the bundle of clamped objects O. [00113] The steps of the aforementioned method are shown by way of example in FIGS. 12-16.

[00114] Suitably, before the step c) of inserting the portion of band N, the movable engagement member 3” is approached to the fixed engagement member 3’ to facilitate the insertion of the band N and prevent it from being damaged during the advancement thereof, as described above.

[00115] On the contrary, after the activation step e), the movable engagement member 3” is spaced apart from the fixed engagement member 3’ to support the portion of band N in substantially extended position and interact with the neck of the flexible container Q or with the bundle of adjacent objects O.

[00116] Obviously, once the container Q is closed or the bundle of objects O is clamped, the movement mechanism 15 will return the applicator device 1 to the initial inoperative position.

[00117] The conveying means 8 will automatically provide for inserting a new portion of band N through the through openings 4’, 4” approached once again. [00118] Therefore, the apparatus 2 will be designed to receive further containers Q or bundles of objects O to be closed/clamped, continuing to operate cyclically until the exhaustion of the band N.

[00119] The automation of the re-insertion of the band N through the openings 4’, 4” of the applicator device 1 each time the latter is in the initial inoperative position eliminates, or at least consistently reduces the aforementioned technical problem of the insertion of an at least partially deformed band, on the other hand also reducing the risk of blocking the apparatus 2. [00120] Obviously, once the band N is finished, an operator will change the reel W with a new one, inserting the new band N manually.

[00121] In the light of the above it is clear that the apparatus 2 and the closing method attain the pre-established objects.

[00122] In particular, the applicator device 1 allows a facilitated insertion of the closing band N through the through openings 4’, 4” avoiding possible deformations of the band N which could lead to blocking the apparatus 2.

[00123] Furthermore, thanks to its characteristics the apparatus 2 guarantees an appropriate closing of the flexible containers Q or clamping of bundles of adjacent objects O without damaging the closing band N.

[00124] The apparatus and the closing method according to the invention are susceptible to numerous modifications and variants all falling within the inventive concept outlined in the attached claims.

[00125] Although the apparatus and the closing method have been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numerals used in the description and in the claims are meant for improving the intelligibility of the invention and do not limit the claimed scope of protection in any manner whatsoever.

[00126] Throughout the description, reference to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” or “some embodiments” indicate that a particular characteristic, structure or element described is comprised in at least one embodiment of the object of the present invention.

[00127] Furthermore, the particular characteristics, structures or elements may be combined in any appropriate fashion in one or more embodiments.

Industrial applicability

[00128] The present invention can be applied at industrial level given that it can be manufactured on industrial scale by industries belonging to the industry of systems for packaging flexible containers or bundles of adjacent objects.