Method for packaging a lot of products

Abstract

A method of fashioning a packaging for a tray capable of forming a display, and two U-shaped parts positioned inside the tray to secure a lot of products. The method includes transferring the lot from a preparation station to a prepackaging station; applying, onto two opposite side surfaces of said lot, the U-shaped parts; and fashioning the blanks on the lot and forming a prepackaging. The method also includes transferring the prepackaging to a packaging line to group the prepackaging and a cutout constituting the tray; and fashioning the packaging into the shape of a box on the packaging line. The facility for the method includes a preparation station for the lots; a prepackaging station with a store for the U-shaped parts; a packaging line with a station that is outfitted so that the prepackaging can be grouped together with the cutout constituting the tray.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for fashioning a packaging comprising at least one tray-shaped part and two U-shaped parts positioned in said tray-shaped part to girdle a lot of products, said products arriving in single file at a preparation station where said products are grouped to form said lot which is then transferred to a packaging line, said method comprising, between a preparation operation for said lot and a finishing operation for the packaging, firstly:
 transferring said lot from said preparation station to a prepackaging station,   applying, onto two opposite sides of said lot of products, a set of cardboard blanks constituting said U-shaped parts, and   fashioning said blanks onto said lot so that said lot is completely or partially surrounded, forming a sort of prepackaging, then secondly,   transferring said prepackaging to said packaging line, and   grouping together said prepackaging and a cutout constituting said tray-shaped part, and   fashioning the packaging into a box on said packaging line.   
     
     
         12 . The method for fashioning a packaging according to  claim 11 , said method comprising, at said prepackaging station, taking cutouts constituting said blanks from at least one magazine situated close to said prepackaging station, then transferring and applying said blanks onto two opposite sides of said lot of products, by appropriate means. 
     
     
         13 . The method for fashioning a packaging according to  claim 12 , said method comprising transferring said lot of products, between said preparation station and a table of said prepackaging station, by a direct and level path along a line which is perpendicular to an axis of said packaging line. 
     
     
         14 . The method for fashioning a packaging according to  claim 12 , said method comprising transferring said lot of products, between said preparation station and a table of said prepackaging station, by a level path which allows introducing said lot across from said magazine, along a line which is parallel to an axis of said packaging line. 
     
     
         15 . The method for fashioning a packaging according to  claim 12 , said method comprising transferring said lot of products, between said preparation station and the table of said prepackaging station, by a path which allows introducing said lot from underneath said table, said lot being raised to the level of said table by means of a lifting device. 
     
     
         16 . The method for fashioning a packaging according to  claim 12 , said method comprising applying said blanks onto two opposite sides of said lot, in a direction which is perpendicular to an axis of said packaging line. 
     
     
         17 . The method for fashioning a packaging according to  claim 12 , said method comprising applying said blanks onto two opposite sides of said lot, in a direction which is parallel to an axis of said packaging line. 
     
     
         18 . The method for fashioning a packaging according to  claim 12 , said method comprising placing on said prepackaging a cutout fashioned into a lid in order to obtain a closed box. 
     
     
         19 . A facility for fashioning a packaging comprising at least one tray-shaped part and two U-shaped parts positioned in said tray-shaped part to girdle a lot of products, said products arriving in single file at a preparation station where said products are grouped to form said lot which is then transferred to a packaging line, in order to implement the method comprising, between a preparation operation for said lot and a finishing operation for the packaging, firstly:
 transferring said lot from said preparation station to a prepackaging station,   applying, onto two opposite sides of said lot of products, a set of cardboard blanks constituting said U-shaped parts, and   fashioning said blanks onto said lot so that said lot is completely or partially surrounded, forming a sort of prepackaging, then secondly,   transferring said prepackaging to said packaging line, and   grouping together said prepackaging and a cutout constituting said tray-shaped part, and   fashioning the packaging into a box on said packaging line,   said facility comprising:   a conveyor to convey said products to said preparation station for preparing said lots of products to be packaged,   said packaging line for packaging each lot of products extending from a first magazine in which cutouts that constitute said tray-shaped part are stored, to a downstream end of a conveying device, passing through a station for assembling said cutouts into their shape,   said prepackaging station between said preparation station and said packaging line comprising a second magazine of cardboard blanks and a means for extracting said blanks and applying said blanks onto two opposite vertical walls of said lot of products in order to form a prepackaging,   on said packaging line, a grouping station which groups said prepackaging with one of said cutout which constitutes a tray-shaped part,   a means for transferring said lot of products prepared at said preparation station to said prepackaging station,   a means for transferring said prepackaging between said prepackaging station and said packaging line and positioning said prepackaging at said grouping station on said cutout which constitutes said tray-shaped part, with the possibility of assembling said cutout around said prepackaging.   
     
     
         20 . The facility for fashioning a packaging according to  claim 19 , said facility comprising a further station situated in a downstream portion of said conveying device, said further station being arranged to allow placement of an additional cutout able to form a lid which gives said packaging the appearance of a closed box.