Packaging machine and product packaging method

Abstract

A product packaging machine with extendible film is provided with a distributing unit arranged for dispensing a portion of said continuous extendible film and a rear gripper unit arranged for cooperating with said distributing unit to spread said portion of said extendible film along an operating direction in a wrapping zone inside the packaging machine and further comprises two side gripper units that are movable towards and away from one another along a direction that is transverse to Operating direction to grasp the extendible film laterally and arrange the extendible film below a product to be wrapped, each of said side gripper units comprising a plurality of grippers, each gripper having an upper jaw and a lower jaw, in which at least either said upper jaw or said lower jaw comprises a contact surface arranged for interacting with the extendible film and having a width that is greater than 50 mm measured along the operating direction.

1 . A product packaging machine for packaging products with extendible film provided with a distributing unit arranged for dispensing a portion of said continuous extendible film and a rear gripper unit arranged for cooperating with said distributing unit to spread said portion of said extendible film along an operating direction in a wrapping zone inside said packaging machine and further comprising two side gripper units that are movable towards and away from one another along a direction that is transverse to said operating direction grasp the extendible film laterally and arrange the extendible film below a product to be wrapped, each of said side gripper units comprising a plurality of grippers, each gripper having an upper jaw and a lower jaw, wherein at least either said upper jaw or said lower jaw comprises a contact surface arranged for interacting with said extendible film having a width greater than 50 mm measured along said operating direction. 
     
     
         2 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said width is comprised between 51 mm and 60 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said contact surface is arranged in said lower jaw. 
     
     
         4 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of grippers consists of only six grippers. 
     
     
         5 . A product packaging method for packaging products with extendible film in Which a portion of said continuous extendible film is dispensed and said portion of said extendible film is spread along an operating direction in a wrapping zone inside a packaging machine and further comprising grasping the extendible film laterally and arranging the extendible film below a product to be wrapped, wherein said grasping laterally comprises gripping said film between only two side grippers for each side of the film. 
     
     
         6 . The product packaging method according to  claim 5 , wherein each of said side grippers comprises at least one contact surface arranged for interacting with said extendible film and having a width greater than 50 mm measured along said operating direction. 
     
     
         7 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said width is equal to 57 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said contact surface is arranged in said lower jaw. 
     
     
         9 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of grippers consists of only six grippers. 
     
     
         10 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of grippers consists of only six grippers. 
     
     
         11 . A product packaging machine for packaging products with extendible film, the product packaging machine comprising:
 a distributing unit arranged for dispensing a portion of said continuous extendible film;   a rear gripper unit arranged for cooperating with said distributing unit to spread said portion of said extendible film along an operating direction in a wrapping zone inside said packaging machine; and   two side gripper units that are movable towards and away from one another along a direction that is transverse to said operating direction to grasp the extendible film laterally and arrange the extendible film below a product to be wrapped, wherein   each of said side gripper units comprising a plurality of grippers, each gripper having an upper jaw and a lower jaw, and   at least either said upper jaw or said lower jaw comprises a contact surface arranged for interacting with said extendible film having a width greater than 50 mm measured along said operating direction.   
     
     
         12 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said width is comprised between 51 mm and 60 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said contact surface is arranged in said lower jaw. 
     
     
         14 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of grippers consists of only six grippers. 
     
     
         15 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said width is equal to 57 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 12 , wherein said contact surface is arranged in said lower jaw. 
     
     
         17 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of grippers consists of only six grippers. 
     
     
         18 . The product packaging machine according to  claim 13 , Therein said plurality of grippers consists of only six grippers.