Package, method and apparatus for manufacturing such package, and product feeder suitable, for instance, for use with such apparatus

Abstract

A package, as well as a method an apparatus for manufacturing such a package and a product feeder which, for example, can be utilized for feeding the products to such a package. In normal circumstances, the method and apparatus work continuously, which considerably increases the capacity with respect to the known method and apparatus. Moreover, with the method and apparatus packages of different inner space dimensions can be manufactured. Not only the length of the inner space of the package can be varied, but also the height and the width thereof. Variation can take place without or with minimal resetting time.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a package filled with at least one product.

[0002] The invention also relates to a product feeder which is suitable, for instance, for use with the apparatus and method mentioned.

[0003] The invention also relates to a package which is manufactured from a main blank and two pad blanks, while, by folding and gluing, the pad blanks are formed into tubular pads and, by gluing, are connected to the main blank, the main blank being provided with at least four parallel folding lines over which folding lines the main blank is folded together and is held in a closed position by adhesive for forming a substantially tubular box structure, wherein the ends of the tubular box structure are closed off by the pads extending substantially transversely to the folding lines.

[0004] With the known packages, the pads are always provided at the ends of the tubular box structure formed by the main blank, and the pads always have a rectangular cross section.

[0005] Presently, a great many books, CDs, DVDs, electronics parts and such fragile products are sent by mail. The particularly large numbers that are sent daily by some senders require an automated packaging process which can produce the packaged products at a high speed. It is of great interest then that the automated packaging process can produce packages of different sizes without long re-setting times for switching over to a different size of packages. Preferably, the aim is to eliminate the re-setting time altogether, so that, alternately, packages of different sizes can be manufactured at a high speed. High speed should be understood to involve a capacity of approximately 5,000-6,000 packages per hour.

[0006] To this end, the invention provides a method according to claim 1 and an apparatus according to claim 10.

[0007] Although with the method and apparatus packages of a type known per se can be produced, it has heretofore not yet been realized to manufacture such packages in a packaging line in which the main blank has an uninterrupted traveling speed. The apparatus and method used heretofore worked in a discontinuous manner. The main conveyor of the known apparatus was an intermittently moving conveyor. Placing the pads onto the main blank took place while the main blank was stationary. Placing the product onto the main blank too took place during standstill of the main blank. With the present method and apparatus, the main blank is moved uninterruptedly, that is, continuously, and during movement, the pads are placed onto the main blank and connected thereto with adhesive. Placing the product takes place during movement of the main blank. As a result of this continuous advancement of the main blank, a much higher capacity can be realized. With the known apparatus and method, a capacity of approximately 2,000 packages per hour was realized whereas with the method and apparatus according to the invention a capacity of 5,000-6,000 packages per hour is possible.

[0008] In order to further increase this capacity, it is preferred that the method is characterized by the features of claim 2. With such a mode of carrying out the method, not only the capacity is increased, but also the risk of damage to the products is limited to a minimum as there are no differences in speed between the product to be placed and the main blank with the pads attached thereto. Moreover, thus, a high degree of positioning accuracy can be achieved, which means that the distance between the pads can be fittingly geared to the dimensions of the product to be placed.

[0009] When, moreover, the method is characterized by the features of claims 3 and 4, it is effected that the connection between the pads and the main blank, after release of the pads is secure in that, for some time, the pads are pressed down on the main blank. This can be realized, for instance, with gripper mechanisms as described in claim 20.

[0010] According to a further elaboration of the invention, it is further preferred when the distance between the pads when being attached to the main blank can be varied. This can be effected, for instance, by varying the starting moment of the movement patterns traversed by the grippers that place the pads onto the main blank, as described, for instance, in claim 21. It will be clear that as a result of the continuous movement of the main blanks, the timing of the placing of the pads is determinative of the position of the pads on the main blanks. Thus, by varying the timing, per package to be produced, the length of the inner space defined by the package can be varied and be tailored to the product to be packaged. Therefore, the invention also provides a package of the type described hereinabove which is characterized in that the pads are not placed on the ends of the main blank but closer together for forming a package with an inner space of a lesser length.

[0011] Optionally, by compressing the pads after placing these pads onto the main blank, the height of these pads, and hence the height of the package, can be varied. A mechanism suitable therefor is described in claim(s) 26 and/or 27. Therefore, the invention also provides a package characterized by the features of claim 35 or claim 36.

[0012] An application filed simultaneously with the present application, which application is directed to an apparatus for providing folding lines, perforations or cuts in a substrate, describes an automatic adjustment of the processing means for providing the folding lines, perforations and/or cuts. When this apparatus is used in the present apparatus and with the present method, the height and width of the packages can be varied automatically and with a minimal re-setting time. The subject matter of the application of the same applicant filed on the same day is understood to be incorporated herein.

[0013] In this manner, therefore, a continuously functioning packaging line is obtained with the aid of which packages can be produced, the length of the inner space of which can be varied automatically and with a minimal resetting time.

[0014] It is preferred that the apparatus is provided with a control in which the dimensions of the product to be packaged are entered, for instance by an operator or by a measuring device which automatically determines the dimensions. Then, automatically, on the basis of the dimensions entered the control can give the main dimensions of the pad blanks and the main blanks, so that an operator can place these blanks in feeders located before the creasing stations. The setting of the creasing knives and the timing of the placing of the pads on the main blanks can then be automatically adjusted by the control, such that a package fitting accurately around the product is obtained.

[0015] The invention also relates to a package according to claim 37.

[0016] The invention also provides a product feeder which is suitable, for example but not exclusively so, for use with an apparatus and a method as described hereinabove. According to the invention, this product feeder has the features of claim 29. As the clamping conveyors are controllably drivable, positioning the product onto a main conveyor can be accurately controlled. Moreover, rigid products, such as books, can be processed in that the clamping conveyors extend in the same plane as the transport plane defined by the bottom conveyor.

[0017] It is preferred that the product feeder has the features of claim 30, so that a very accurate positioning of the products onto a main conveyor is possible. When the product feeder also has the features of claim 31, it is furthermore effected that, at least in horizontal direction, the product to be fed has the same speed as the conveyor of the main packaging line, so that damage to the products during placing is minimal. Moreover, when the product feeder is used with an apparatus and method as described hereinabove, positioning the pads onto the main blank can be very accurately adjusted to the dimensions of the product to be packaged because hardly any clearance is required because of the high positioning accuracy of the product feeder.

[0018] Further, it is preferred that the product feeder is characterized by the features of claims 32 and 33. As a result of the combination of these features, not only thick, inflexible products can be processed, to which end the ejector, optionally together with the bottom conveyor, enters into operation, but also single sheets. For processing single sheets, only the bottom conveyor provided with a vacuum chamber needs to enter into operation, and the ejector can remain inoperative. Such a hybrid product feeder was not heretofore available yet and offers a high degree of application flexibility.

[0019] The method, apparatus, product feeder and packages will be farther elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows in perspective an overview of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus;

[0021] FIGS. 2-12 show similar perspective views of parts of the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 13 shows two gripper mechanisms for placing the pads;

[0023] FIGS. 14 a -14f show a gripper in different positions while picking up and placing a pad;

[0024] FIGS. 15-17 show different manners for deforming the pads while they are being placed;

[0025] FIGS. 18 a -18h show, in perspective and in cross section, different packages to be manufactured with the apparatus;

[0026] FIG. 19 shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a product feeder according to the invention; and

[0027] FIG. 20 shows a top plan view of the product feeder shown in FIG. 19.

[0028] The exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 1 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1-12 is provided with a pad manufacturing line 2 and a main packaging line 3 and at least one product feeder 4, in the present exemplary embodiment two product feeders and an address carrier feeder of the same type. The pad manufacturing line 2 and the main packaging line 3 are each provided with a creasing station 5, 6, respectively, and a conveyor 7, 8, respectively, positioned behind them. In normal use, the conveyor 8 of the main packaging line realizes an interrupted transport. It is true that the conveyor 7 of the pad manufacturing line 2 transports uninterruptedly during manufacture of the pads E, however, if, during a particular period no pads are required, the conveyor 7 is stopped for some time. The transport of the conveyor 7 of the pad manufacturing line 2 therefore depends on the demand for pads E.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a loader 9 for a pad blank feeder 10. In the pad blank feeder 10, a stack of pad blanks can be received. The pad blank feeder 10 is arranged for feeding the pad blanks in succession to the creasing station 5 In the creasing station 5, four of more folding lines are provided in the pad blank. The upper creasing knives 11 are clearly visible. Preferably, the conveyor 7, represented in more detail in FIG. 3, is a gripper conveyor. Such a conveyor comprises a gripper chain extending below a transport surface. The grippers of the chain reach through a longitudinal slot 19 in the transport surface and each pull along a pad blank EP. Along the transport path, first guides 12 are disposed for folding up pad blank parts serving as side walls. Further, a number of second guides 13, 14 disposed along the transport path are provided for folding down the pad blank parts serving as upper wall. Also, glue application means in the form of a glue gun 15 are visible in FIG. 3 for connecting two pad blank parts to each other for forming a tubular pad E. In addition to the guides 12, 13, 14 for folding over the pad blank parts, also longitudinal guides 16 are represented for holding the upwardly folded pad blank parts serving as side walls in an upward position. These longitudinal guides 16 also bear the glue gun mentioned and the second guides 13, 14. The longitudinal guides 16 are connected to the conveyor 7 with a height adjustment 17. This height adjustment is provided for enabling the manufacture of pads E of different heights. FIG. 3 further shows a control panel 18 for operating the pad manufacturing line 2.

[0030] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a transfer assembly for transferring pads E from the pad manufacturing line 2 to the main packaging line 3 and for placing the pads E on main blanks MP present in the main packaging line 3 The transfer assembly comprises at least two parallel rails 21, 22 extending substantially perpendicularly to the main line transport direction, for placing pads E therein in alternation. Each rail is provided with an endless conveyor 25, 26, designed for moving the pads E against a stop 23, 24 (see FIG. 5). The transfer assembly comprises a pad transfer element 27 (see FIG. 4) disposed at the downstream end of the pad manufacturing line 2, and which is arranged for rotating pads E, manufactured in the pad manufacturing line 2 and supplied in the same orientation one behind the other, alternately through 90 degrees in a first direction about a vertical central axis and placing them in a first rails 21, and for rotating the following pad through 90 degrees in an opposite direction around the vertical central axis mentioned and placing it in a second rails 22. The pad transfer element 27 of the present exemplary embodiment is particularly simple and therefore reliable and comprises two pick-up heads 28 provided with suction cups, which are each connected via a rigid connecting part 29 to a vertical shaft 30 which is rotatable about the vertical central axis mentioned. In FIG. 4, the pick up head 28 (not visible) bears a pad E.

[0031] FIG. 5 further shows that the transfer assembly comprises two gripper mechanisms 31, 32. These gripper mechanisms 31, 32 will be further discussed with reference to FIGS. 14-17.

[0032] FIG. 5 additionally shows a loader 33 for loading the magazine 34 of a main blank feeder. Directly downstream of the main blank feeder a creasing station 6 is disposed, the upper creasing knives 35 of which are clearly visible. Optionally, the outer creasing knives 35′ can be replaced with creasing knives that provide a large number of parallel folding lines. Such a multiple crease makes it possible to manufacture packages having different heights using the same main blank MP. Downstream of the creasing station 6, the above-mentioned conveyor 8 is located. In the present exemplary embodiment, a conveyor 8 is utilized with two cam chains, while the transport surface 38 is provided with two transverse slots 36, 37 through which the cams of the cam chains reach upwards.

[0033] Downstream of the above-mentioned gripper mechanisms in the present exemplary embodiment, there are two product feeders 4 for successively placing a first and a second product P1, P2, respectively. These product feeders 4 are clearly represented in FIGS. 6, 7, 19 and 20 and will be discussed hereinafter in more detail. FIG. 8 shows a part of the main packaging line conveyor 8 along which, optionally, more product feeders 4 can be arranged. FIG. 8 clearly shows the main blanks MP with the products P1 and P2 placed therein.

[0034] FIG. 9 shows a number of third guides 39 arranged along the transport path for folding up the main blank parts serving as side walls and a member of fourth guides 40, 41, respectively, arranged along the conveying path for folding down the main blank parts serving as the upper wall. FIG. 9 also clearly shows glue application means 42 for connecting a main blank part serving as upper wall to the pads E and glue application means 43 for connecting a main blank part serving as upper wall to the main blank part already folded down, for forming a closed package. Further, a further longitudinal guide 44 is visible for holding the main blank parts serving as side walls in an upright position during gluing of the main blank parts serving as upper wall.

[0035] The longitudinal guide 44, which is also connected to the third and fourth guide 40, 41, respectively, and to the glue application means 43, is height-adjustable for forming packages of different heights.

[0036] FIG. 10 shows the last part of the fourth guide 41 and the longitudinal guide 44. Further, in FIG. 10, a glue gun 46 is represented with the aid of which glue is sprayed or applied onto the package for attaching an address carrier. These address carriers are dispensed by a third product feeder 4 which is represented in FIG. 11. This product feeder is of the same type as represented in FIGS. 5 and 6 and places address carriers L on the ready packages V. FIG. 11 also shows an ejector 47 with the aid of which the packages V can be discharged in lateral direction. FIG. 12 shows a discharge conveyor 48 with the aid of which ready packages V can be discharged.

[0037] The gripper mechanisms 31, 32 are shown in more detail in FIGS. 13-17. The gripper mechanisms 31, 32 each traverse a fixed, repetitive movement pattern T for picking up pads E from a pick-up position and for placing the pads E on the main blank MP. This movement pattern is represented in FIG. 13 by loop-shaped broken lines T. It is preferred that the pick-up position is located perpendicularly above the main packaging line. Under those conditions, the movement pattern T can be realized in a simple manner with, for example, cam discs 49, 50 driving a link system, designed such that the grippers 48, which pick up the pads E, each time maintain a horizontal position.

[0038] The different gripper mechanisms 31, 32 of the transfer assembly are provided with a control arranged for varying the starting moment of the fixed movement patterns, such that the mutual distance between the pads on the main blank is controllable. In that manner, the length of the package inner space can be varied per package V.

[0039] The movement of a gripper 48 of a gripper mechanism 31, 32 is further clarified in FIGS. 14a-14f. These Figures clearly show the grippers 48 of the gripper mechanisms 31, 32 Preferably, the grippers 48 have independently drivable gripper arms 51, 52. FIGS. 14a-14f show a pad E in the pick-up position, which is located before the stops 23, 24 in the rails 21, 22. It is clear that the pads E are not entirely right-angled and that through the independent excitation of the gripper arms 51, 52 the pads E are forced into a right-angled position. Then the pads are picked up and pressed onto the main blank and pressed down thereon for a particular time, and hence over a particular path, for forming a solid glue connection between the main blank MP and the pad E. As represented in FIGS. 15 and 16, the gripper arms 51, 52 can also press the pads E askew. Thus, it is effected that the height of the inside space of a package can be varied during the process. FIG. 17 shows yet another variant of a gripper 48 wherein the gripper arms 53, 54 are designed such that the pads are deformed along two additional creases E1 and E2 for forming a pad of a variable height. When such a gripper 48 is utilized, the creasing station 5 of the pad manufacturing line 2 should have two additional pairs of creasing knives 11.

[0040] Notably when the pads E are pressed askew or compressed, as represented in FIGS. 15-17, it is preferred that downstream of the gripper mechanism 31, 32, a trailing downholder is arranged, designed for compressing the pads E in downward direction until a main blank part serving as upper wall has been folded down over the pads E. The trailing downholder can for instance be mounted on a mechanism similar to the gripper mechanisms 31, 32. Also other mechanisms for causing a downholder to travel along fall within the scope of the invention.

[0041] FIGS. 18 a and 18e show a partly closed package V with the pads E placed at the extreme ends of the main blank MP and having a rectangular cross section. Such a package is known per se.

[0042] FIGS. 18 b and 18f show a partly closed package V with the pads E placed slightly inwards for forming a smaller inside space for confining products P present therein.

[0043] FIGS. 18 c and 18g show a partly closed package V with the pads E pressed slightly askew with the aid of a gripper 48 according to FIGS. 15 and 16, so as to obtain a package with an inside space whose height is smaller and in which two products of different length can be fixedly confined.

[0044] FIGS. 18 d and 18h show a partly closed package V with the pads E compressed along additional folding lines E1 and E2 with the aid of a gripper according to FIG. 17, for forming a pad which can be compressed in height, such that the height of the packages to be successively produced can be varied in each case.

[0045] The exemplary embodiment of the product feeder 4 will presently be clarified with reference to FIGS. 6, 19 and 20. The product feeder 4 is provided with a loading space 55 whose bottom, which, viewed from a rear side to a front side of the product feeder, is disposed at a slight downward inclination, is provided with an endless conveyor 56, which, in the present exemplary embodiment, comprises three conveyor belts 56 guided around return pulleys 57. In the present exemplary embodiment, the loading space 55 is bounded at its corners by substantially upstanding product guides 58. With clamps 62, these product guides 58 are clamped on guides 64. The hindmost guide 64 can be shifted in that it is connected by a clamp 62 to a guide 63. Thus, in a simple manner, products of different sizes can be processed. The middle clamp 62 of the foremost three clamps bears a stop 69 for detaining the products lying on top of the lowest product. This stop 69 bounds an opening 59 at the front of the loading space 55 adjacent its bottom for forward discharge of a lowest product P of a stack of products P present in the loading space 55. Downstream of the opening 59 at least one upper and at least one lower endless clamping conveyor 60, 61, respectively, are arranged, between which, in use, the product P to be discharged is clamped. The clamping conveyors 60, 61 are controllably drivable in order to be able to discharge the products in a timed manner and at the correct speed. The transport path defined by the clamping conveyors 60, 61 extends in the same plane as the transport path defined the bottom conveyors 56. As is clear from FIG. 20, at a downstream end of the clamping conveyors, a sensor 65 is disposed, arranged for observing the front side of a product P clamped between the clamping conveyors. The product feeder is provided with a control, provided with an input which is connectable to a control of a main packaging line. The feeder control is arranged for causing a product P lying ready between the clamping conveyors 60, 61 adjacent the sensor 65, to be discharged at the moment when the main packaging line control delivers a signal to that effect to the product feeder control. When the main packaging line is provided with a main packaging line conveyor, it is preferred that the product feeder control is arranged for operatively regulating the speed of the clamping conveyors 60, 61, such that a product P, when being discharged by the clamping conveyors 60, 61, has a horizontal velocity component corresponding to the velocity of the main packaging line, which last velocity is each time communicated by the main packaging line control to the feeder control.

[0046] In the present exemplary embodiment, adjacent the rear side of the feeder just above the bottom mentioned, an energized ejector 66 is located for ejecting a lowest product P of a particular thickness from the loading space 55 as far as between the clamping conveyors 60, 61. In the present exemplary embodiment, the ejector 66 is designed as a plate 66 which is connected via a connecting plate 67 to an energized piston-rodless pneumatic piston/cylinder assembly 68.

[0047] Optionally, the at least one bottom conveyor 56 can be provided with openings, while under the upper part of the at least one bottom conveyor 56 a vacuum chamber is disposed, provided with an at least partly open upper side over which the upper part extends. Thus, a high friction between the lowest product and the bottom conveyor is realized, which is favorable to a reliable operation of the product feeder.

[0048] It is clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described, but that various modifications within the framework of the invention as defined by the claims are possible. For instance, also three pads can be placed on the main blank.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a package and for placing a product therein, wherein in a pad manufacturing line pad blanks from cardboard are advanced and, during this transport, are provided with parallel extending folding lines, whereupon, during the transport, the pad blank parts bounded by the folding lines are folded over by guides and wherein at least one of the pad blank parts is provided with an adhesive such that tubular pads are manufactured, wherein, in a main packaging line, in normal use, main blanks are uninterruptedly advanced in a main line transport direction and, during this transport, provided with parallel extending folding lines, wherein, subsequently, at least two tubular pads are placed on the main blank and are connected thereto with adhesive, whereupon, then, at least one product to be packaged is placed between the pads on the main blank, whereupon during advancement, a number of main blank parts bounded by the folding lines of the main blank are folded over by guides and wherein at least one of the main blank parts and/or pads is provided with adhesive such that a closed package is manufactured.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein placing the products takes place from above and wherein during the placing of the products, these products have a forward velocity, the horizontal velocity component of which substantially corresponds to the traveling speed of the main blank.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein placing the pads onto the main blank takes places from above and wherein during the placing of the pads these pads have a forward velocity substantially corresponding to the traveling speed of the main blank.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the pads, for some time and hence over a particular transport path, are pressed onto the main blank.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pads after manufacture in the first packaging line are placed alternately in two or more parallel rails extending substantially perpendicularly to the main line conveying direction and wherein, each time, two or more pads are then picked up from these rails by a corresponding number of gripper mechanisms each following a fixed, repetitive movement pattern and are placed on the main blank, while the mutual distance between the pads on the main blank is controllable in that the starting moment of the movement patterns of the various gripper mechanisms can be varied with respect to each other or with respect to the position of the main blank.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein during placing of the pads, these pads, which are supplied in the same orientation by the pad manufacturing line, are alternately rotated through 90 degrees in a first direction about a vertical central axis and placed in a first said rail, and the next is rotated about a vertical central axis through 90 degrees in an opposite direction and placed in a second said rails.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mutual distance between the folding lines in the pad blanks can be varied for forming pads of different heights.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mutual distance between the folding lines in the main blanks can be varied for forming packages of different width and/or height.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the pad manufacturing line the number of folding lines to be provided in the pad blanks is such that the pads to be formed therefrom in the blank parts extending upwards contain a folding line, such that the pads are compressible in vertical height, while the pads, after having been attached to the main blank and after the at least one product is placed, are pressed down to the desired height before the outermost flaps of the main flaps are folded down on these pads and attached.

10. An apparatus for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises a pad manufacturing line and a main packaging line and at least one product feeder, wherein the pad manufacturing line and the main packaging line each are provided with a creasing station and a conveyor disposed behind it, wherein at least the conveyor of the main packaging line, in normal use, is designed for interrupted transport.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pad manufacturing line is provided with a number of first guides arranged along the transport path for folding up pad blank parts serving as side walls and a number of second guides arranged along the transport path for folding down the pad blank parts serving as upper wall, and with glue application means for connecting to each other two pad blank parts for forming a pad.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the main packaging line is provided with a number of third guides arranged along the transport path for folding up main blank parts serving as side walls and a number of fourth guides arranged along the transport path for folding down the main blank parts serving as upper wall, and with glue application means for connecting the main blank parts serving as upper wall for forming a closed package.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the product feeder is arranged upstream of the third guides.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the fourth guides are height-adjustable for forming packages of different heights.

15. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10-14, wherein a transfer assembly is provided for transferring pads from the pad manufacturing line to the main packaging line and for placing pads on main blanks present in the main packaging line.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the transfer assembly is provided with at least two parallel rails extending substantially perpendicularly to the main line transport direction for alternately placing the pads therein.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each rail is provided with an endless conveyor, arranged for moving the pads against a stop.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the transfer assembly, adjacent the downstream end of the pad manufacturing line, comprises a pad transfer element which is designed for rotating pads, manufactured in the pad manufacturing line and which are supplied behind each other in the same orientation, alternately through 90 degrees in a first direction about a vertical central axis and placing them in a first said rails, and for rotating the following pad through 90 degrees in an opposite direction about the said vertical central axis and placing it in a second said rails.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the pad transfer element comprises two pick-up heads provided with suction cups, which are each connected via a rigid connecting part to a vertical shaft which is rotatable about said vertical central axis.

20. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15-19, wherein the transfer assembly comprises at least two gripper mechanisms which each follow a fixed, repetitive movement pattern for picking up pads from a pick-up position and for placing the pads on the main blank.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the different gripper mechanisms of the transfer assembly are provided with a control which is designed to vary the starting moment of said fixed movement patterns, such that the mutual distance between the pads on the main blank is controllable.

22. An apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the gripper mechanisms are each provided with two grippers which are provided with controllable gripper arms, which gripper arms close around a pad such that the pad is pressed into the desired shape.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the gripper arms are provided with a bent or curved contour for pressing the pads in a desired bent or curved contour when picking up of the pads.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20-23, wherein said pick-up position is the position before the stop mentioned in claim 17 in a respective rail, this pick-up position being located perpendicularly above the main packaging line.

25. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20-24, wherein said at least one product feeder is disposed downstream of said gripper mechanisms.

26. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20-25, wherein downstream of the gripper mechanisms a trailing downholder is disposed which is designed for compressing the pads in a downward direction, until a main blank part serving as upper wall has been folded down over the pads.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the trailing downholder is fitted on a mechanism similar to the gripper mechanisms.

28. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10-27, wherein downstream of the fourth guides, an address carrier feeder is disposed for application of an address on the now closed package.

29. A product feeder which is for example destined for an apparatus according to any one of claims 10-28, wherein the product feeder is provided with a loading space whose bottom, which, viewed from a rear side to a front side of the product feeder, is disposed at a slight downward inclination, is provided with at least one endless conveyor, wherein the loading space, at a front side adjacent the bottom, is provided with an opening for forward discharge of a lowest product of a stack of products present in the loading space, wherein downstream of the opening at least one upper and at least one lower endless clamping conveyor is disposed between which, in use, the product to be discharged is clamped, wherein the clamping conveyors are controllably drivable, wherein the transport path defined by the clamping conveyors extends in the same plane as the transport path defined by the at least one bottom conveyor.

30. A product feeder according to claim 29, wherein at a downstream end of the clamping conveyors a sensor is disposed which is arranged for observing the front side of a product clamped between the clamping conveyors, wherein the product feeder is provided with a control, provided with an input connectible to a control of a main packaging line, wherein the feeder control is arranged for causing a product lying ready between the clamping conveyors at said sensor, to be discharged at the moment when the main packaging line control gives a signal to this end to the product feeder control.

31. A product feeder according to claim 30, wherein the main packaging line is provided with a main packaging line conveyor, wherein the product feeder control is arranged for controlling, in use, the speed of the clamping conveyors, such that a product, when discharged by the clamping conveyors has a horizontal velocity component which substantially corresponds to the velocity of the main packaging line, which latter velocity is each time communicated by the main packaging line control to the feeder control.

32. A product feeder according to any one of claims 29-31, wherein adjacent the rear side of the feeder just above said bottom an energized ejector is located for ejecting the lowest product of a particular thickness from the loading space as far as between the clamping conveyors.

33. A product feeder according to any one of claims 29-32, wherein the at least one bottom conveyor is provided with openings, while under the upper part of the bottom conveyor a vacuum chamber is disposed which is provided with an at least partly open upper side over which the upper part extends.

34. A package manufactured from a main blank and two pad blanks, wherein, by folding and gluing, the pad blanks are formed into tubular pads and, by gluing, are connected to the main blank, wherein the main blank is provided with at least four parallel folding lines over which folding lines the main blank is folded together and is held in a closed position by adhesive for forming a substantially tubular box structure, wherein the ends of the tubular box structure are closed off by the pads extending substantially transverse to the folding lines, characterized in that the pads are not placed on the ends of the main blank but closer together for forming a package having an inner space of a lesser length.

35. A package manufactured from a main blank and two pad blanks, wherein, by folding and gluing, the pad blanks are formed into tubular pads and, by gluing, are connected to the main blank, wherein the main blank is provided with at least four parallel folding lines over which folding lines the main blank is folded together and is held in a closed position by adhesive for forming a substantially tubular box structure, wherein the ends of the tubular box structure are closed off by the pads extending substantially transverse to the folding lines, characterized in that the pads have a cross section in the form of a parallelogram.

36. A package manufactured from a main blank and two pad blanks, wherein the pad blanks, by folding and gluing, are formed into tubular pads and, by gluing, are connected to the main blank, wherein the main blank is provided with at least four parallel folding lines over which folding lines the main blank is folded together and is held in a closed condition by adhesive for forming a substantially tubular box structure, wherein the ends of the tubular box structure are closed off by the pads extending substantially transverse to the folding lines, characterized in that upstanding walls of the pads are provided with additional folding lines, while the upstanding wall parts of the pads located above and under the additional folding lines mutually include an angle such that the pads, at least during manufacture of the package, are compressible.

37. A package obtained with the method according to any one of claims 1-9, utilizing an apparatus according to any one of claims 10-28.