Apparatus for packing groups of items

Abstract

An apparatus ( 010 ) for packing a group of items, in which the items are preferably packs containing respective products, in a special wrapper formed by a plastic film includes elements for supplying groups of items, elements for feeding a wrapping film, and elements for wrapping the group of items in the wrapper. The wrapping elements include members for forming a tubular film ( 019 ) for wrapping the group of items, starting with a film being fed and members for inserting a plurality of items in the tunnel forming the tubular film ( 019 ) forming members.

1 . An apparatus for packing a group of items ( 012 ) in a special wrapper obtained from a film or sheet, in particular a film made of a plastic material, in which the items are preferably packs containing respective products; the apparatus comprising means ( 044 ) for feeding groups of items, means for feeding a film ( 019 ), means ( 010   c ) for wrapping a group of items in the film ( 019 ), said means ( 010   c ) for wrapping a group of items comprising means ( 023 ) for arranging the film ( 019 ) in a tubular configuration, and means ( 024 ) for inserting groups of items in the tubular film ( 019 ); the apparatus being characterised in that, at the means ( 023 ) which arrange the film ( 019 ) in a tubular configuration there are means for feeding the groups ( 012   a ,  012   b ,  012   c ,  012   d ) in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising means ( 078 ,  078 ) for joining, in particular sealing, corresponding transversal portions of the tubular wrapping film ( 019 ). 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising means ( 077 ,  077 ) for cutting the tubular wrapping film ( 019 ) at said transversal joined portions to form the pack containing a respective group of items ( 012 ). 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the item insertion means ( 024 ) are designed to insert in the tubular film ( 019 ) a plurality of said groups of items in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the item insertion means ( 024 ) are designed to insert in the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means ( 023 ) a plurality of said groups of items in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means ( 023 ) comprise a tubular element ( 027 ) designed to receive a plurality of said groups of items in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another, and outside which the tubular film ( 019 ) passes. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said plurality of items comprises at least a first, upstream group ( 012   a ) and a second, downstream group ( 012   b ). 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the plurality of items comprises at least a third, intermediate group of items ( 012   c ). 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , characterised in that the plurality of items comprises at least a fourth, intermediate group of items ( 012   d ). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the feed means are means for feeding the items and tubular film ( 019 ). 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for feeding the items and the tubular film ( 019 ) comprise at least an upper feed part ( 0113 ). 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for feeding the items and the tubular film ( 019 ) comprise at least a lower feed part ( 0115 ). 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for feeding the items and the tubular film ( 019 ) comprise respective pluralities of upper feed belts ( 0113 ) and lower feed belts ( 0115 ). 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the feed means are located at the end or downstream part of the forming tunnel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are means for engaging the feed means on and releasing them from the tubular film ( 019 ) and the group contained in it. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for engaging the feed means on and releasing them from the tubular film ( 019 ) and the group contained in it are in the form of means for moving towards and against the tubular film ( 019 ) and the group contained in it. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the feed means extend from the end of the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means ( 023 ), over a predetermined section suitable for engaging with a predetermined number of groups of items. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the feed means engage with the corresponding face of the tubular film ( 019 ) and of the group inserted in this longitudinal portion of the tubular film ( 019 ) arriving through an opening in the corresponding wall of the tunnel ( 027 ). 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , characterised in that the feed means engage with the upper face of the tubular film ( 019 ) and of the group inserted in this longitudinal portion of the tubular film ( 019 ) arriving through an opening ( 027   c ) in the upper wall of the inner tunnel ( 027 ). 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , characterised in that the feed means engage with the lower face of the tubular film ( 019 ) and of the group inserted in this longitudinal portion of the tubular film ( 019 ) arriving through at least a corresponding opening ( 027   d ) in the lower wall of the tunnel ( 027 ); and also being characterised in that there are means ( 027   e ) for supporting the groups of items in the disengaged condition. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , characterised in that there is a plurality of projections ( 027   e ) on which the items rest, the projections being transversally separated by the slits ( 027   d ) for the passage of the feed means. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are feed means in the form of means for feeding the items and the tubular film ( 019 ), comprising means ( 030 ) for pushing the items. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for inserting the items in the tubular film ( 019 ) are in the form of item pushing means ( 030 ). 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , characterised in that said pushing means are designed to engage with a rear face of the upstream group of a plurality of groups to be inserted. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , characterised in that the pushing means comprise a mobile element ( 030 ) designed to engage with a group of items located on a supporting surface ( 044 ). 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , characterised in that the mobile element ( 030 ) moves with an alternating motion pushing the items forward and then returning backwards. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , characterised in that the means supporting the groups to be inserted consist of a conveyor belt ( 044 ) forming feed means for the groups of items. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are means ( 044 ) for feeding the upstream group of items against the group of items immediately downstream of it in a condition in which it is at least partly inserted in the wrapping means ( 027 ,  028 ). 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for inserting the plurality of groups of items in the tubular film ( 019 ) remain outside the front of the tubular film ( 019 ) forming means. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are means ( 010   b ) for distancing the groups of items being packed from one another. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , characterised in that the means ( 010   b ) for distancing the groups of items from one another separate a group of items downstream from a group of items upstream of said downstream group. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , characterised in that the means ( 010   b ) for distancing the groups of items from one another are located close to the end of the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , characterised in that the means ( 010   b ) for distancing the groups of items from one another are located outside and downstream of the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , characterised in that the means ( 010   b ) for distancing a downstream group of items from a group of items upstream of the downstream group of items, distances said groups in such a way as to allow closing of the rear part of the downstream pack and of the front part of the pack immediately upstream of it. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , characterised in that the means ( 010   b ) for distancing the groups of items from one another are means for engaging with and feeding a part of the tubular film ( 019 ) wrapped around the downstream group of items and of the group inside it. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , characterised in that the means ( 010   b ) for distancing the groups of items from one another are means for engaging with the front part of the tubular film ( 019 ) wrapped around the downstream group of items; and also being characterised in that there are means for moving the engagement means. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that the means for moving the engagement means move the engagement means longitudinally, forward and backward. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that the engagement means consist of at least a first and a second element, set opposite one another. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that the engagement elements comprise a feed belt. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , characterised in that the means for distancing the groups of items from one another operate by accelerating a corresponding part of the tubular film ( 019 ) and the group of items contained in it. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that the means for longitudinal movement of the means engaging with the downstream group move away from the downstream end of the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means, distancing the rear face of the downstream group from the group immediately upstream of it. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 41 , characterised in that the means for longitudinal movement of the means engaging with the downstream group move away from the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means by a section or stroke suitable for creating a distance between the rear face of the downstream group and the group immediately upstream of it, allowing the downstream end of the tubular film ( 019 ) to be clamped, sealed and cut. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that the longitudinal movement means return towards the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means, before the front part of the downstream group comes out of the tubular film arrangement means. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that the longitudinal movement means return towards the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means, before the groups of items move forward. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterised in that there are means for moving the joining and/or cutting means longitudinally. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the joining and/or cutting means operate while the tubular film ( 019 ) and the groups wrapped in the tubular film ( 019 ) are stationary. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterised in that said joining and/or cutting means and said means for distancing groups from one another are supported on a single frame ( 080 ). 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , characterised in that there is a longitudinally mobile support frame ( 080 ). 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus according to  claim 48 , characterised in that there are longitudinal drive means for the mobile frame ( 080 ), consisting of a continuous element ( 082 ) which moves forward and backwards and is operatively connected to the frame, sliding along suitable guides. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 49 , characterised in that the continuous element ( 082 ) for moving the longitudinally mobile frame extends under the support means ( 084 ), located downstream of the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that there are drive means ( 087 ) for engaging and releasing the distancing means. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that there are means for driving the means which engage with and feed the engaged portion of the tubular film ( 019 ) and the group of items contained in it. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that the engagement means comprise at least one feed belt ( 072 ,  074 ). 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus according to  claim 53 , characterised in that there are means for rotationally driving the engagement belt ( 072 ,  074 ), to feed the tubular film ( 019 ) and the relative group of items. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that the engagement elements ( 072 ,  074 ) are supported by a vertically mobile support frame ( 087 ). 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , characterised in that the engagement and feed belts ( 072 ,  074 ) have a longitudinal engagement section extending horizontally. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are means ( 084 ) for moving the downstream pack away from the sealing and cutting means. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for feeding a wrapping film comprise a film support reel ( 022 ). 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are means for driving the film ( 019 ) feed means. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the film drive means release the film ( 019 ) at an almost constant speed. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are film ( 019 ) feed means downstream of the film support means. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , characterised in that the film feed means are controlled by suitable controls designed to allow a controlled supply of the film. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , characterised in that the flat film feed means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V 1 ) equal to the speed at which the groups enter the tubular film ( 019 ) forming means. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus according to  claim 61 , characterised in that the flat film feed means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V 2 ), different to the predetermined film feed speed (V 1 ) during insertion of the group of items, equal to the speed of translation of the means for distancing groups from one another. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the flat film feed means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V 3 ) equal to the speed at which the clamping means close. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the flat film drive means are designed to release the film at a predetermined speed (V 0 ), in particular equal to a stop in the release of film, during which the transversal portion separating the downstream group from the next group is sealed and cut. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are means ( 0119 ) for stopping the feed of the groups in the grouped condition into the tubular film ( 019 ). 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus according to  claim 67 , characterised in that the means for stopping feed into the tunnel extend inside the tubular film ( 019 ) and engage with the front part of the group of items ( 012   d ) which must be separated from the downstream group to be packed ( 012   b ). 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus according to  claim 67 , characterised in that the stopping means ( 0119 ) comprise a longitudinally extended element ( 0119   a ). 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus according to  claim 67 , characterised in that at the downstream end the stopping means ( 0119 ) comprise a cross member ( 0119   b ). 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus according to  claim 67 , characterised in that the stopping means ( 0119 ) pivot upstream of the longitudinal sealing means ( 029 ). 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus according to  claim 67 , characterised in that the upstream end of the stopping means ( 0119 ) is driven to allow it to engage with and to release the corresponding group ( 012   d ). 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there means for exchanging air with the inside of the tubular film ( 019 ). 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus according to  claim 73 , characterised in that the means for exchanging air with the inside of the film are located at the downstream end of the tunnel ( 027 ). 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus according to  claim 73 , characterised in that the air exchange means consist of means for emitting a flow of air inside the tubular film ( 019 ). 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus according to  claim 73 , characterised in that the means for exchanging air with the inside of the tubular film ( 019 ) comprise a small perforated tube, having a plurality of distributed openings, the tube extending along the cross member ( 0119   b ) of the means for stopping the group immediately upstream of the group to be separated ( 012   b ). 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus according to  claim 73 , characterised in that the means for exchanging air with the inside of the tubular film ( 019 ) comprise a small perforated tube, having a plurality of distributed openings, the tube extending below at the end edge ( 0127 ) of the tunnel ( 027 ). 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for feeding the groups of items comprise means for receiving the items in sequence, means for intermediate storage of the items, and means for releasing predetermined and distanced groups of said items. 
     
     
         79 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that the items are rested from above on the means for receiving the items in sequence which arrange them in a position for them to be received by the storage means. 
     
     
         80 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that the means for receiving the items in sequence are designed to push the items received before. 
     
     
         81 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that the means for receiving the items in sequence comprise at least one part ( 48 ) designed to receive an item and, simultaneously, to push the items received before forward. 
     
     
         82 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that the part ( 48 ) designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the item received before forward is a part with an upper surface for receiving items and a front surface designed to push the item received before forward. 
     
     
         83 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that there is a first part and a second part ( 48 ) designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the items received before forward, these parts alternating, one after another, receiving the items and pushing the items received by the other part forward. 
     
     
         84 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that the part ( 48 ), designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the item received before forward moves along a substantially circular path, that is to say, along a closed path. 
     
     
         85 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that the part ( 48 ) designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the item received before forward has a plurality of shaped receiving and pushing elements which are transversally distanced from one another. 
     
     
         86 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that the part ( 48 ), designed to receive an item and simultaneously push the item received before forward, is mobile on vertical guide rods which are moved longitudinally, allowing the part to follow a closed path which, at predetermined time intervals, places the part in the predetermined position for receiving the items. 
     
     
         87 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that the intermediate storage means for the items comprise a lower support and feed surface and at least one upper feed belt. 
     
     
         88 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are item compacting or side centring means. 
     
     
         89 . The apparatus according to  claim 78 , characterised in that the means for releasing ready-formed and distanced groups of items comprise means for feeding the items and means for stopping feed of the items, the items being released in such a way as to allow the release of a group consisting of a predetermined number of items. 
     
     
         90 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the means for stopping item feed comprise a plate mobile between a position in which it engages with and stops the items and a retracted position allowing the group of items to pass freely. 
     
     
         91 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that there are means suitable for arranging the items to be packed on a plurality of levels. 
     
     
         92 . A process for packing a group of items in a special wrapper obtained from a film or sheet, in particular a film made of a plastic material, in which the items are preferably packs containing respective products; the process comprising the steps of feeding groups of items, feeding a film, wrapping a group of items in the film, where, to wrap a group of items, the film is arranged in a tubular configuration, and groups of items are inserted in the tubular film; the process being characterised in that a plurality of groups of items are inserted in the tubular film in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another. 
     
     
         93 . The process for packing a group of items in a special wrapper obtained from a film or sheet, in particular a film made of a plastic material, in which the items are preferably packs containing respective products; the process comprising the steps of feeding groups of items, feeding a film, wrapping a group of items in the film, where, to wrap a group of items, the film is arranged in a tubular configuration, and groups of items are inserted in the tubular film; the process being characterised in that a plurality of groups of items are inserted in the tubular film ( 019 ) arrangement means in a condition in which they are aligned and engage with one another.