Apparatus for packaging a product in a respective preformed wrapping

Abstract

An apparatus-for packaging a product in a respective preformed or ready-formed wrapper, preferably made of a suitable film, such as plastic film, and being in particular in the form of a bag, the ready-formed wrapper having a respective open end, allowing the product to be inserted into the wrapper and the product being in particular in the form of a paper product for personal or domestic use, preferably being in the form of a group of articles, especially being in the form of packets, in particular packets of face wipes, hand towels or handkerchiefs, or rolls, preferably of toilet paper or kitchen paper, or the like; the apparatus comprises means for feeding the preformed wrappers, means for feeding the product and means for inserting the product into the ready-formed wrapper through the open end and comprises means for clamping the preformed wrapper when the product is inserted into the preformed wrapper.

1 - 112 . (canceled) 
     
     
         113 . An apparatus for packaging a product in a respective preformed or ready-formed wrapper, preferably made of a suitable film, such as plastic film, and being in particular in the form of a bag, the ready-formed or preformed wrapper having a respective open end, allowing the product to be inserted into the wrapper and the product being in particular in the form of a product for personal or domestic use, preferably made of paper or like material and preferably being in the form of a group of articles comprising one or more layers placed on top of each other, and especially being in the form of packets, in particular packets of face wipes, hand towels or handkerchiefs, or rolls, in particular rolls of paper, such as rolls of toilet paper or rolls of kitchen paper, or the like; the apparatus comprising means for feeding the preformed wrappers, means for feeding the product and means for inserting the product into the ready-formed wrapper through the open end, means for longitudinally feeding and pushing the product or respective group of articles, and which are adapted to insert the product or respective group of articles into a corresponding preformed wrapper or bag in the open condition and/or to feed the ready-formed wrapper or bag with the product inside it to and, in particular, downstream of, the end closing means, and means for closing the open end of the preformed wrapper or bag, and being wherein it comprises means for clamping or gripping the preformed wrapper when the product is inserted into the preformed wrapper. 
     
     
         114 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the means for clamping the preformed wrapper operate on the wrapper when it is in the open condition. 
     
     
         115 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the means for clamping the preformed wrapper engage the wrapper at the respective open end of it. 
     
     
         116 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the clamping means are adapted to engage opposite, inside and outside faces of a corresponding margin of the wrapper, in particular opposite, preferably transversely opposite, margins of the wrapper. 
     
     
         117 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the means for clamping the preformed wrapper comprise wrapper internal means, wherein the means for clamping the preformed wrapper comprise wrapper external means; and wherein the wrapper internal means and the wrapper external means act in conjunction to clamp a corresponding portion or margin of the wrapper. 
     
     
         118 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the means for clamping the preformed wrapper comprise first and second means for spreading open the mouth through which the product can be inserted, and operating on opposite, in particular transversely opposite, sides of the wrapper. 
     
     
         119 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein it comprises first and second external wrapper engagement means, in particular operating on opposite, preferably transversely opposite, sides of the wrapper. 
     
     
         120 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the external wrapper engagement means are located at the means for spreading open the mouth through which the product is inserted into the wrapper, in particular when these means are in the spread open condition. 
     
     
         121 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the wrapper external means operate in conjunction with the means for spreading open the open mouth of the wrapper and which internally engage the respective wrapper margin and clamp it against the external means. 
     
     
         122 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the wrapper external means are in the form of means which are fixed relative to the internal engagement and/or spreading open means which are movable in order to apply an action by which the corresponding wrapper margin is clamped against the external engagement means. 
     
     
         123 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the internal engagement and/or wrapper spreading open means push and clamp the respective wrapper margin against the corresponding means for externally engaging the wrapper. 
     
     
         124 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the external wrapper engagement means extend vertically or perpendicularly. 
     
     
         125 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the external wrapper engagement means have a respective portion for engaging the corresponding wrapper margin and which is made of an elastic material, preferably rubber. 
     
     
         126 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the external wrapper engagement means are mounted on the same carrier unit which is movable, in particular longitudinally movable, and which also carries the internal engagement and/or spreading open means. 
     
     
         127 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the clamping means are adapted to release the preformed wrapper when the wrapper is pulled away from them by the action applied to it in particular by the means for feeding and pushing the product. 
     
     
         128 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the means for clamping the preformed wrapper engage a portion of the preformed wrapper which can be eliminated, downstream of the zone for closing the open end, in particular by sealing. 
     
     
         129 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the clamping means, in particular the external means, comprise a first and a second clamping pad which are spaced from each other, in particular transversely spaced, especially by an amount such as to allow the product being inserted into the wrapper to pass through it, and are preferably adapted to engage opposite side portions of the wrapper defining the bag. 
     
     
         130 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the internal engagement and/or spreading open means, comprise on each side a first and a second jaw which are movable together between an inner, disengaged position and an outer, wrapper engaged position, in particular where they define means for engaging and clamping the corresponding margin of the wrapper. 
     
     
         131 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the external wrapper engagement means and the corresponding internal or spreading open means are mounted on common supporting means, supported by the base which is movable longitudinally in such a way that they can be shifted or adjusted transversely. 
     
     
         132 . The apparatus according to  claim 113 , wherein the external wrapper engagement means comprise means for magnetically attracting the internal engagement means towards and against the external means.