Apparatus for packaging a product in a box-shaped container

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10 ) for packaging a product, in particular for packaging a product in pieces, preferably an edible product, in a box-shaped container ( 12 ) that comprises at least one tab to be folded. The apparatus comprises means for feeding the box-shaped container and means ( 82 ) for folding a respective tab of the box-shaped container, the means that fold the tab being separate from the means that feed the box-shaped container.

1 . An apparatus for packaging a product, in particular an edible product and, preferably, a product in pieces, in a box-shaped container which comprises at least one tab to be folded; the apparatus comprising means for feeding the box-shaped container body and means for folding a respective tab, wherein the means for folding the tab are separate from the means that transport the box-shaped container body.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the box-shaped container comprises a container body and a lid.  
   
   
       3 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for feeding the box-shaped container comprise means for transporting the container and means that feed the means that transport the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the means for transporting the box-shaped container comprise a plurality of elements for transporting a respective box-shaped container.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein each transporting element presents a rear surface for supporting a respective box-shaped container.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the transporting element comprises an upper transversal portion.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein, extending from the transversal portion, there a first and a second arm that form, with their inside surfaces, means for laterally supporting the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the means for feeding the transporting means comprise at least one drive chain extending along a defined feed path.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the means for feeding the transporting means comprise a first and a second drive chain extending along a defined feed path.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the folding means fold both the side tabs of the container lid.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the folding means fold the upper panel of the container lid.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid tab folding means comprise a tab engagement element that moves between a disengaged position and a position where it engages with and folds the tabs.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the engagement and folding element comprises an arm for engaging a respective tab.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the engagement and folding element comprises a first and a second arm for engaging a respective tab.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the folding element is a portal frame shaped element.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the folding element has a surface for engaging the panel that forms the upper wall of the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the surface for engaging the panel that forms the upper wall of the box-shaped container is the underside of the folding element.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising means for moving the folding means between a disengaged position and a position where they engage with and fold the tabs.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the movement means cause the folding element to perform a translational working movement.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the movement means cause the folding element to move in a vertical direction.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the movement means cause the folding element to move from the top down.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the movement means comprise guide means.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the guide means comprise at least one slide rod mounted on supporting means connected to the feed means.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the guide means comprise a first and a second rod parallel with each other.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the first and second rods are aligned with each other in the longitudinal feed direction.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising means for driving the folding means.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the drive means consist of a cam and a roller connected to the folding element.  
   
   
       28 . The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for folding the tab comprise means for feeding the means that engage with and fold the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the feed means extend along a defined feed path.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the feed path of the folding means extends above the path of the transporting means.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the feed path of the folding means presents at least one working section running parallel with the feed path of the means that transport the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the folding means run along a path that diverges from the corresponding feed path of the container transporting means.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the path of the means for feeding the folding means is shorter than the path of the means for transporting the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for feeding the folding means comprise at least one drive chain extending along a defined feed path.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for feeding the folding means comprise a first and a second drive chain.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising means for connecting the folding means to the means that transport the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the connecting means consist of means for reciprocally coupling the folding means to the means for transporting the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the connecting means comprise first engagement means and second engagement means.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the connecting means comprise an engagement pin.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the connecting means extend from the plate of the element that supports the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the connecting means are mounted on a block protruding from the upper edge of the element that supports the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the connecting means extend towards the front.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a slot made in the crosspiece of the transporting means.  
   
   
       44 . The apparatus according to  claim 39 , wherein a slot is made under the engagement pin in order to receive the connecting means during engagement.  
   
   
       45 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the connecting means comprise a forked element that engages with the pin.  
   
   
       46 . The apparatus according to  claim 45 , wherein the forked element extends from the rear plate of the folding element.  
   
   
       47 . The apparatus according to  claim 45 , wherein the forked element extends downwardly.  
   
   
       48 . The apparatus according to  claim 39 , wherein the engagement pin provides means for guiding the vertical movement of the folding means.  
   
   
       49 . The apparatus according to  claim 39 , wherein the means for connecting the folding means to the means for transporting the box-shaped container are positioned centrally relative to the means for transporting and for folding the box-shaped container.  
   
   
       50 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the means for connecting the folding means to the means for transporting the box-shaped container are positioned behind the box-shaped container.