The characteristics and advantages of an automatic machine and a method for packaging according to the present invention will appear more evident from the following illustrative and non-limiting description, referring to the enclosed schematic drawings, in which:
With reference to the figures, these schematically show a packaging machine, indicated as a whole with 10, on which a method is embodied for the packaging of a series of products, comprising at least one editorial product 11 and at least a second product 11′, in a plastic film 12 for producing a relative packaging 100 (
The first page of the cover, which in
The packaging 100 envisages the presence of two bags 101 for the products 11 and 11′, which are closed and separate from each other.
In a preferred embodiment of the packaging 100, object of the present invention, two further containment areas 102 for labels 103 are situated at an upper end of the bags 101. An overlapping band of the packaging is therefore formed, on which, for example, information necessary for identifying the product and inserts, as also the sales price as a promotional offer or the like, can be visualized.
Each of the containment areas 102 for labels 103, in addition to the bags 101 for the editorial products 11 and/or gadgets 11′ are closed on all sides by means of weldings 104 or a folding 105 of the film.
The packaging 100 according to the present invention can be folded, at the end of the packaging process in the machine, along the intermediate longitudinal welding line 104 to create a conformation with a limited encumbrance.
The automatic packaging machine 10 comprises a first feeder 13 which longitudinally transfers the first product 11 onto a main pusher conveyor 14 according to the advance direction schematized with the arrow F. In the illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of the packaging machine, object of the present invention, shown and described, said first product 11 is fed with its cover facing downwards and forms the most visible product at the end of the packaging.
The main conveyor 14 is flanked in a first section by at least one transversal feeder 15 for the feeding of other products, such as inserts, magazines, newspapers, leaflets or a series of these, in a stacked position with respect to the first product. Each of the transversal feeders 15 feeds a different product 11 onto the first conveyor, providing the possibility of packaging a series of products 11 in a first bag 101.
In a subsequent section, the main conveyor 14 is flanked by a further pusher conveyor 16 for transporting a third and possibly fourth product 11′ towards a packaging station 20. Feeding means 17, such as automatic feeders for graphic editorial products or robotized feeders for gadgets, audio disks and videos, or other items are arranged to the side of the second pusher conveyor 16.
Both conveyors comprise lateral guides 18, which can be adjusted on the basis of the dimensions of the products transported thereon.
Furthermore, the second conveyor 16 also has its own interaxis 19 which can be moved sideways to flank the second conveyor 16 alongside the first conveyor 14.
Furthermore, the phase of the pusher of the second conveyor 16 can be modified as desired with respect to the phase of the pusher of the main conveyor 14, as specific autonomous motors, not shown, are provided, which operate in correlation with the motor of the main conveyor 14.
The subsequent packaging station 20 comprises a continuous unwinding bobbin for the feeding of the plastic film 12 and a mechanical conformer 21 which unwinds the film 12 and redirects it in a longitudinal direction F, as schematically illustrated in
In
Alternatively, the labels 103 can all be the same and fed from a roll, not shown.
As an alternative, it is also possible to apply a single label 103 to the film, rather than a pair of labels, suitably positioned between the products.
A perforator, of the known type and not shown in the figure, can also be assembled on the machine 10, which acts on the film 12 in correspondence with the label 103 applied, creating a hole suitable for hanging the production of packages 100.
The labels 103, which can be made of various materials, such as paper, film or other materials, are suitable for making the area of the display band stronger and more rigid, for sustaining the weight of the products 11 and 11′ when the packaging 100 is hung and avoiding the formation of folds of the film 12.
The mechanical conformer 21 winds the film around the products 11, which are fed from the two conveyors to the packaging station 20.
A longitudinal closing device 23 of the known type and schematically shown in
If the plastic film 12 is folded over the flanked products 11 and 11′along their two opposite edges, creating a superimposed area in a substantially central position, the longitudinal welding 104 also forms the welding of the film 12 (
The film 12 can also be indifferently folded only along one edge of the editorial products 11′, as shown in
In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the longitudinal closing device 23 can also be set up for effecting a longitudinal cut, if the machine is to be converted for the production of single packagings, for example as an emergency line in the case of damage to the other lines for single packaging. By feeding the same products on both conveyors 14 and 16, and subsequently longitudinally separating the film in an intermediate position with respect to the two products, it is in fact possible to obtain pairs of single packagings, i.e. double the productivity.
In a subsequent transversal welding station 25, double welding bars 26, also of the known type and only shown schematically in the detail of
An overturning device 27, which allows the superimposition of the two bags 101, comprises a base belt which effects a torsion suitable for overturning the product 11′ which is alongside the main product 11 on top of the latter thus reducing the encumbrance of the packaging machine, as schematically shown in the detail of
The automatic machine 10 for the packaging of a series of editorial products in plastic film according to the present invention, can also comprise further known devices, such as an accumulator, a manipulator, a conveyor towards subsequent packaging machines, or other devices.
The packaging of a series of editorial products, produced with the machine and method, object of the present invention, has the advantage of giving the inserts greater visibility and consequently a consistent value added advertising.
The automatic packaging machine, object of the present invention can also be advantageously used for the packaging of single products with a high productivity.
The automatic machine, the method for the packaging of a series of editorial products in plastic film and the relative packaging thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variants, all included in the invention; furthermore all the details can be substituted by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as also the dimensions, can vary according to technical requirements.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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MI2006A000909 | May 2006 | IT | national |