VERTICAL PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD

Abstract

Vertical packaging machine for packages such as boxes, bags and similar, comprising a closed path along which gripping means arc movable to grasp and carry the packages, means for feeding products to the machine and dosing means to direct a predetermined amount of product to said packages, characterized by further comprising at least one plurality of product feeding containers. The containers are disposed above a corresponding plurality of gripping means of the packages and are movable along one or more guides to follow at least part of the path of the gripping means and packages present on the gripping means. The containers are assembled on means sliding inside said guides and they arc composed of several portions and the position of said portions can be adjusted by the machine to change the dimensions of said containers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a vertical packaging machine, with quick format change and its operating method. In particular, the invention refers to a vertical machine of the defined type as cartoning machines or case packers, wherein a die-cut product is formed into a box and wherein the vertical box is sustained by gripping means and filled on a carousel; the format (size) change of boxes packaged on the machine can be carried out rapidly, by adapting the packaging means to sizes of the box to be filled,

PRIOR ART

Packaging machines, cartoning machines or case packers are known, presenting means for the adaptation to sizes of the box to be used for packaging. In these machines a folded carton is erected to form the box body that is retained by appropriate means movable along a path, usually a carousel, along which the box is closed on the bottom side, filled with the product and then closed on the upper side and sent to a line for further processing. The product is delivered by a specific machine, for example a dosing machine or a counting machine, usually placed over the packaging machine, through fixed hoppers, arranged along the box path. Box sizes could be various and, for this reason, known machines have means for changing the box format and treating different boxes.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,738 an example of vertical packaging machine is described. In this document the box is held for the whole filling (and gluing) cycle by couples formed by two opposite elements comprising fingers that contact the transversal sides opposite to the box in order to sustain the latter; the distance between elements of each couple can be adjusted by the use of two chains allowing the fingers (and related supporting elements) to be spaced out or drawn up. In this way the distance between elements and fingers retaining the box can be adjusted. A similar type of distance adjustment between supporting elements can be found also in machine for packaging bags, such as for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,061; in these machines the relative motion is also necessary to open and close the bag mouth in the bag filling steps.

As mentioned, in known machines it is possible to change the distance in a direction, that is to say the width, between fingers or elements retaining the box; however, operations for changing format usually require machine downtime in order to be able to operate also on hoppers for unloading products and thereby they are long and laborious. This problem rises particularly for machines in which a counting machine operates and wherein counted pieces are controlled before the box is released from the packaging line. In addition, it is not possible to adjust the position of supporting fingers in depth, this limiting the box sizes usable on a particular machine arrangement.

Object of the present invention is to solve afore discussed problems and to provide an automatic packaging machine allowing a rapid format change, that is a quick adaptation to boxes of different sizes, at the same time guaranteeing the quickness of packaging operations. Further object is to provide a vertical packaging machine for cartons or bags that allows also an easy control of number of pieces fed to the box or bag in addition to the format change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are achieved by means of the present invention, concerning a vertical packaging machine according to claim 1.

Further embodiments are described in dependent claims,

Such a machine has a supporting structure for means for carrying boxes or similar packages, one or more hoppers or others similar means for feeding product to the machine and at least one plurality of containers disposed between the hoppers and boxes (or other packages) to hold temporarily the product before its feeding to the boxes; these containers being realized with several portions in order to be able to change the dimensions of the output opening to adapt the latter to the input openings of the boxes, at least in one dimension, usually the width.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention the machine comprises two series of containers: a plurality of first containers to receive the product from dosing means and holding it temporarily and a plurality of second containers to transfer the product from the first containers to the boxes or other packages, also the second containers being composed of several portions and the position of said portions being changeable by said machine to change the width and depth of said containers as a function of the box width and depth.

Machine containers comprise kinematic mechanisms to modify the reciprocal position of the portions of containers and then the dimensions thereof, or at least of their output opening; kinematic mechanisms are operated by the machine itself when a format change is necessary. More in particular the first containers, receiving the product from hoppers by means of dosing devices, are assembled on chains sliding along fixed guides, and at least two chains are movable in opposite directions to operate the kinematic mechanisms to change the container dimensions. A similar system for adjusting the distance between two elements is known for the distance adjustment between gripping fingers of boxes only.

Referring to second containers, they have kinematic mechanisms having, at their free end, rollers or similar engaging means, which are housed in corresponding guides present on the machine; such guides are movable in height and/or depth, for example by warms or other actuators, so that to convey also the end of the kinematic mechanism by its motion and to operate consequently said kinematic mechanism, which in turn, moves the portions that form the container and changes the container dimensions. In the preferred embodiment a guide and a corresponding kinematic mechanism are present to adjust the width of second containers and a further guide and kinematic mechanism to adjust the depth of second containers,

Sliding chains in fixed guides are provided in known way to carry the second containers along the path, where with the won “fixed guides” (herein and referring to first containers) is meant to comprise not-shaped sliding plates too.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second containers are slidingly assembled on a base, usually a plate, so that to change the height of the container with respect to the supporting means of the box and the box they support; in particular, the second container is then vertically movable between a position in which it is adjacent to the first container to receive the dosed (and controlled) product therefrom and a position in which the output opening of the second container is adjacent and immediately over the input opening of the box to unload the product previously received from the first container therein.

Second containers further comprise a protruding element that engages a fixed guide, said guide having a portion in which its height from the ground changes in order to carry out the container movement with respect to the base plate sustaining the container, as afore discussed, and to draw up the second container to the box below in the unloading step of product into the box.

According to another aspect of the invention, said gripping means of packages are assembled on said base plate, preferably slidingly, in order to treat different boxes. Said gripping means are integral with C-shaped elements that engage a flange-like guide assembled on the machine, said flange-like guide being movable and adjustable in height to adjust the distance between said gripping means of packages from the second container.

The said second containers comprise at least two end elements of the kinematic mechanisms which are accommodated in two corresponding movable guides. In the hereinafter shown preferred embodiment four movable guides are present, three guides being adjustable vertically, in height with respect to the ground, and a guide being adjustable horizontally. Said horizontally adjustable guide houses the end of a horizontally translating element that bears a pusher so that to generate a surface with vertical dimension mechanically based on the box format height, this surface is intended to act as a resting wall for the box and a machine box ejector.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first containers follow a path different from the path of said second containers and the path of said second containers coincide with the path of said carrying and gripping means of packages.

To control the opening of the lower container portion, the containers provide a movable wall for closing the container, a lever assembled on the container to operate said wall and means assembled on the machine to operate said lever. Said means are flanges fixed or vertically movable, assembled on the machine.

A further object of the invention is further a feeding container produced for a packaging machine, according to claim 10.

It is further an object of the present invention a method for packaging a product in packages with an afore described machine, characterized according to claim 11,

According to an aspect of the invention, the product dosed by known dosing means is fed to a plurality of first container; the dosed product in transferred by the first containers to a plurality of second containers having an output opening with dimensions and shape substantially corresponding to dimensions and shape of the input opening of packages; the product is transferred by said second containers to said packages, the product being held temporarily in containers before being transferred from the first container to the second container and from the second container to the package (box).

According to an aspect of the invention dimensions and shape of the second containers are adjusted acting on width and depth of said containers.

Preferably, the invention provides that the product amount accuracy in the first containers is checked before transferring said product into said second containers. In case of incorrect amount, the dosed product is unloaded in recycling means of the latter to dosing means.

The invention presents a number of advantages relative to the known art.

As a matter of fact, it allows to realize a format change of boxes or packages treated in very short times, also less than 1 minute. The format change is carried out by the machine itself and the only operation the operator has to do is to replace the cartons of boxes to be packaged housed in the store of carton feeder.

Moreover, the machine allows to check the correct product dosing before the product is fed to the box, said check being carried out in the first container. In this way the rejecting of packaged boxes is avoided and costs and process times are decreased.

A further advantage is given by the possibility of packaging boxes having different dimensions in depth, or thickness; this becoming a manufacturing economy, that can change from a box to another almost without stopping the packaging process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other advantages will be evident from the following description and the drawings in attachment for illustrative and not limitative purposes, where:

FIG. 1 is a plant view of a packaging machine according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a front section view of the machine of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first feeding container according to the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of the container of FIG. 3,

FIGS. 5-6 are exploded views of the container of FIG. 3,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the path of the container of FIG. 3,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second feeding container according to the present invention,

FIGS. 9-13 are exploded views of the container of FIG. 8,

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the path of the container of FIG. 8

FIG. 15 is a side view of the path of FIG. 15, where some elements have been omitted

FIG. 16 is a detail of the path of FIG. 14, where ejecting means of packages from the relative path have been emphasized

FIG. 17 is a detail of the path of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The vertical packaging machine 31, for packages 16 such as boxes, bags and similar—hereinafter named as “boxes”, comprises a closed path 32 along which gripping means 33 are moving to grasp and carry said packages, means for feeding the product to the machine and means for directing a predetermined amount of product to the boxes 16. The packaging machine 31 further comprises a plurality of first feeding containers 1 of the product, closed at the bottom and disposed over the gripping means 33; the containers 1 are movable along one or more guides 34 to follow at least part of the path 32 of said gripping means 33 and boxes 16 present on said gripping means. The first feeding containers 1 are composed of several portions 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C and the position of said portions 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C can be changed by the machine 31 in order to modify at least the width of said containers 1.

In the shown preferred embodiment, the packaging machine 31 is provided with a second plurality of feeding containers 21 to transfer the product from said first plurality of containers 1 to the boxes 16, where the second feeding containers 21 are composed of several portions 17A, 173, 18A, 18B and the position of said portions 17A, 17B, 18A, 183 can be modified by the packaging machine 31 to change the width and the thickness, that is the depth, of said containers 21.

Particularly referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the paths of different movable elements composing the machine are emphasized, and in particular the closed path 32 of the gripping means 33 and the closed path 34 of the first feeding containers 1. Among the first feeding containers 1 and the boxes 16 a second plurality of feeding containers 21 is disposed, as can be seen in FIG. 2, that follows an identical path (not shown in figures) upper than the path 32 of the gripping means 33, that is the containers 21 are always aligned over the gripping means 33,

The first feeding containers 1 are carried along the closed path 34. In the first path step the first feeding containers 1 receive the product from one or more counters 36. In particular the counters dose the product inside the first containers 1 that are closed at the bottom and then holding the product itself. More in detail, each counters 36 send the product through the feeding lines 37 to hoppers 38, visible in FIG. 2, that deliver by gravity the product inside the first feeding container 1 being underneath the hopper 38 at that moment. According to the present invention, the first feeding containers 1 are provided with means for changing at least one dimension of their own section, as better explained below, in order to better adapt to the product amount to be contained, depending on the size of the boxes 16. To hold the product until the unload thereof, the containers 1 have a shutter 9 that is usually closed and being opened as the product from the first containers has to be unloaded.

Preferably, as described below, the machine is provided with means known in themselves in the art, to adjust the speed of the closed path 32 before the curve 42 of the same path, so that to slow down the first feeding container 1 under the hopper 38 for the time necessary for the product delivery. The hopper 38 can be fixed or, preferably, is provided with a travel to follow the first feeding containers 1 for a short length, for example of about 300-400 mm, necessary to deliver the product inside said feeding container 1. In the embodiment shown in figures there are three counters 36, and then three delivery stations.

The path 34 of the machine comprises the curve 40 at which the first feeding containers 1 pass over an unload station 39. In fact the packaging machine 31 is provided with means for checking the correct product delivery operations, such as for example controlling the product dosing, by means of a control carried out by the same counters 36 or other appropriate sensors. In case wherein the packaging machine 31 detects some errors, it is able to operate on means for opening the first feeding means, in the first embodiment having the shape of a shutter 9, to operate the bottom opening of the first feeding container 1, according to procedures better explained hereinbelow, in order to evacuate the product into a unload station 39. In this way an incorrect delivery of the product to the corresponding package 16 is avoided. The unload station 39 is adapted to receive and contain the product and it is preferably composed of a hopper coupled to a container placed underneath the path of the first feeding containers 1.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the unload station 39 is connected by a return line 43 to a counter (counting machine) 36, in order to return into circulation immediately the product unloaded by the first containers.

After the curve 40 the path 34 of the first feeding containers 1 is aligned with the path of the second containers 21 (and of the boxes) and it takes a constant speed equal to the speed of said second containers 21. Once said alignment has been achieved, the packaging machine 31 operates on the shutter 9, or equivalent opening means, and it delivers the product from first to second feeding containers 21. As mentioned, the second feeding containers 21 are aligned with gripping means 33 of boxes and they follow the same path. In FIG. 2 reciprocal position of containers 1 and 21 is schematically shown on the left side, when the dosed product has to be transferred from the first to the second container; in the figure, shutter 9 of the container 1 is still closed, but the container 21 has already moved adjacent thereto with its own product input opening.

The second feeding containers 21 too are closed at the bottom by means whose opening can be operated by the packaging machine 31. In the shown embodiment the means are shaped like a shutter 29, similar in shape and operation to shutter 9 of the first containers 1,

The machine further comprises a box feeder to gripping means 33. In the shown embodiment, the feeder provides transferring means 35 which take flat carton boxes from a store, erect them to form an open box and arrange them on gripping means 33.

Usually both transferring means 35 and gripping means 33 are known in the art. For example, in the shown embodiment the transferring means 35 are composed of a continuous vacuum manipulator, able to take up flat carton-like packages 16 from a store, not shown in figures, and to arrange them correctly in the gripping means 33. In the shown embodiment, the gripping means 33 are composed by two clamp elements adapted to receive the open box. Preferably the clamps have a variable relative distance so that to adapt to different formats of boxes 16 the packaging machine is able to operate therewith. Other shapes of gripping 33 and transferring 35 means are possible, depending on type of treated packages 16, whether they are boxes, bags or similar.

The boxes 16 are held by gripping means 33, and then they follow part of the path 32 of the same gripping means and the upper path of the second containers 21. In the straight length of gripping means 33 comprised between the transferring means 35 and the curve 42, there are means (known in themselves) to implement the bottom closing of the boxes 16 by means of instruments known to one skilled of the art, such for example movable and/or opposing arms with fixed parts and gluing stations.

According to a preferred aspect, second feeding means 21 can be adjusted in height too, so that to come as closest as possible to the top edge of the boxes 16 when the product delivery to the latter has to happen.

In particular the product delivery from the second container 21 to the box below 16 starts in the area just in front of the curve 42 of the path of the gripping means 33. In FIG. 2 the position taken by the containers 1 and 21, when the product is unloaded from first to second containers, is shown in the right side. As can be seen, the height of the second containers 21 from the ground changes between the path before the curve 42, shown on the right in figure, and where the delivery starts and the path after the first curve, shown on the left.

Means for arranging the product in the boxes are provided at the curve 42, such as for example a vibrating plane schematized with a double line and indicated with the reference numeral 42A. Following the arrow F, indicating the movement direction of containers and boxes, means for closing upper limbs of the box are disposed on the straight portion, including a gluing assembly. An operative station 41 is disposed along the path 32, where boxes are separated from gripping means 33 and sent to subsequent stations by means of carrying elements, in the shown embodiment composed of a conveyor belt 45.

The packaging machine 31 is provided with sensors able to control the operations on packages 16 too. In case of processing error or absence of package 16, the corresponding second feeding container 21 does not carry out the product delivery, the product being held and reused in a successive cycle. Additional sensors are disposed upstream the reject station 44 where defective packages or packages that did not receive the product are collected, before they arrive at the station 41 and the conveyor belt 45.

A preferred embodiment of the first feeding container 1, movable along the path 34 by means of chains 2, is shown in FIGS. 3-6. The first feeding container 1 has a generically parallelepiped shape, with a top opening 3 and a bottom opening 4. The top opening 3, preferably always open, is shaped like a hopper to aid the product input into the container and the bottom opening is closed by a shutter 9. More in detail, the first feeding container 1 comprises a duct-shaped structure, formed by several portions, five portions or elements 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C in the shown embodiment; where the elements 5A and 6A are U-shaped and the remaining three elements 5B, 6B, 6C have a flat shape.

Referring to FIG. 5, the flat element 5B is constrained to the U-shaped element 5A by known methods (riveting, welding, etc.) so that the assembly of the two element 5A and 5B forms a portion dedicated to the product passage through the first feeding container. In particular, said portion for the product passage is composed of faces 5.2A, 5.3A of the U-shaped element 5A and the flat element 5B. The face 5.1A is used to adjust the width of the first feeding container 1, as will be described hereinafter.

Remaining U-shaped 6A and flat 6B and 6C elements form a second element specular to that one described above. In detail, the flat element 6C and the L-shaped element 6A are coupled so that to form an element specular to the element 5A and the flat element 6B acts as the flat element 5B. The element 6C is preferably made in transparent material in order to allow the product view in the container and it is constrained to the element 6A,

The assembly of the elements 5A and 6B is then slidingly coupled to the assembly of the elements 6A, 6B, 6C so that to form a closed element adjustable in width. In particular the flat element 6B can slide along the flat element 5B and the flat element 6C can slide along the face 5.3A of the U-shaped element 5A, in the same manner, whereby the first feeding container has a generically rectangular section with an adjustable dimension, along the direction indicated by the arrow 10 in FIG. 3. The elements 5B and 6B are called flat, also if presenting flanges perpendicular to the main body to couple with corresponding U-shaped elements 5A and 6A, as can be seen in the exploded view in FIG. 5.

The container 1 comprises a “duct” portion formed by the portions or elements 5 and 6 and a cage 7 (FIG. 6) in which the “duct” 5-6 is slidingly assembled. The face 7.1 of the cage 7, placed in front of the face of the container 1 comprising the elements 5B and 6B, usually has many openings 8A, 8B, 8C as the rows of chains 2 are, with which the first feeding container must be coupled, for reasons that will be explained later.

The adjusting cage 7 is further provided with closing and opening means of the feeding container 1. Such means comprises a shutter 9 hinged to the adjusting cage 7 in order to rotate when it is necessary to open the container for the product unload. In the shown embodiment the shutter 9 is hooked to springs 11 that keep it in an usually closed position; the springs 11 are free to extend along the guides 12 obtained in the adjusting cage 7, during the opening of the shutter. To this purpose, the shutter 9 is integral with a leverage controlling the opening and closing thereof. In a preferred embodiment shown in figures, the leverage comprises an adjusting roller 13 for example assembled by means of a bolt on a protrusion 20 integral with the control levers of the shutter 9 that extends in front of the face of the first feeding container 1 opposite to the chains 2.

To open the container it is necessary to raise the leverage 20. To this purpose the machine is provided with means, described later, to adjust the relative height of the roller 13 with respect to the adjusting case 7. When the roller 13 is in its lower position, shown in figures, the shutter 9 closes the bottom opening 4 of the container 1; when the roller 13 is raised, the shutter 9 rotates and opens the bottom opening 4 of the container 1.

As afore mentioned, the container 1 is assembled on chains 2 disposed at least on one level, with at least two chains per level and preferably at least three chains per level, in order to be conveyed along the path 34. In the preferred arrangement, the container 1 is assembled on two groups of three chain rows (FIG. 3), each group comprising a conveying chain 2A, placed on top, and two adjusting chains 2B and 2C placed centrally and on bottom, respectively.

In FIG. 3 the assembly of chains 2, 2′ is shown, on which only a first feeding container 1 is assembled for facilitating the comprehension. The container is fixed to the chain 2A with constraining means 15 for coupling the chains with a first feeding container, not shown, side by side of the first feeding container 1 represented in figures. More in detail (FIG. 3), the conveying chain 2A is provided with plates that, through the respective opening 8a of the adjusting cage 7, couple rigidly with a horizontal element, not shown in figures, integral with the first feeding container 1.

The adjusting chains 2B are provided with pins 16B adapted to be inserted into the opening 8B of the adjusting cage and to interlockingly couple with the face 5.1A of the element 5A of the container 1.

In the same way, the pins 16C of the adjusting chain 2C, through the opening 8C of the adjusting cage 7, couple to the U-shaped element 6A of the first feeding container 1, see FIG. 4 for reference, where pins 16C have been isolated. The width adjustment of the container 1 happens by changing the reciprocal position of the portions 5 and 6 inside the cage 7, that form the “duct” part of the container; this happens by sliding the chains 2B and 2C in opposite directions, each of them being fixed to different portions (5 or 6) of the container,

Similar arrangement is present on the chains 2′.

In FIG. 7, the view of part of the machine controlling the handling of the container 1 along the path 34 is shown. Along all walls of this machine part there is an element 47 having guide hollows in which the chains are slidingly housed, in particular the chains 2A, 2B and 2C are represented. A motor, known in the art and not object of the present invention, provides for the handing of the adjusting chains. This motor is coupled with the head 51 containing the device of relative displacement of the adjusting chains 2B and 2C with respect to the conveying chains 2A by means of a shaft composed of a prismatic couple 46 with a cardan joint on each end; in this way the swinging movement of such a shaft along the direction 50 is allowed, made by the reciprocating translation motion of the whole assembly that guides, conveys and adjusts the containers 1. This reciprocating translation motion allows the decoupling of the moving speeds of the chains 2A, 2B and 2C between the portion of path 34 preceding the curve 40 and the portion of path 34 following the curve 40, while guaranteeing the optimal tension of said chains 2A, 2B and 2C in every moment. As a matter of fact, as explained above, during the portion of path 34 preceding the curve 40, the feed speed of the chains 2A, 2B and 2C is subjected to fluctuations, and in particular it is slowed down during the unloading steps of product from the hoppers 38 to the first feeding containers 1. On the contrary, in the path portion 34 following the curve 40 the feed speed of chains 2A, 2B and 2C is constant, so that to maintain the speed of the first feeding containers 1 equal to the speed of the second feeding containers 21.

Also the second container 21 in the shown embodiment (FIGS. 9-13) comprises a “duct” structure formed by portions that slide one with respect to the other, assembled in a cage 27, in its turn assembled on conveying chains along the path 32. The “duct” comprises two U-shaped portions 17A, 18A and two L-shaped portions 17B and 18B.

Considering at first only the two elements 17A and 17B, they are slidingly constrained one to another so that to form a semi-portion of the second feeding container 21 shaped like a C with adjustable depth (or thickness). In particular, the portion 17B is provided with pins 19 that engage along the openings 22 obtained on sides of the portion 17A. Moreover, the pins 19 are adapted to insert into guides 23 obtained on the cage 27. In this way the two portions 17A and 17B can slide one with respect to the other and at the same time they can slide with respect to the cage 27. Similar matter goes for the portions 18A and 18B, specular to just discussed portions 17A and 17B.

As happens for the first container 1 too, the two C-shaped semi-portions, whose the first is formed by the portions 17A and 17B and the second by the portions 18A and 18B, are joined in order to slide one with respect to the other. In other words the portion 18A can slide with respect to portion 17A and the portion 18B can slide with respect to the portion 17B to change the “duct” width in which the product is housed and to adjust dimensions and shape of unload opening of the container 21 according to the input opening of the box below. As a result, the section of the second feeding container, having generically rectangular shape, can be adjusted in both dimensions, as shown by arrows 62 and 63 in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 10, coupling between the cage 27 of the container 21 and the shutter 29 is shown, similar to what happens for the cage 7 and the shutter 9 in the first container, whereby reference is made to the above description. For safety of comprehension, similar elements have been associated with similar reference numerals.

In their turn, coupled portions 17 and 18 have been slidingly assembled on a base plate 51. The plate 51 is assembled fixed on conveying chains and it is assembled on the cage 27 with rails that allow the cage to slide vertically on the plate. In particular, in shown figure the carrying plate 51 is made integral with two conveying chains (not shown) in the connection points 52. Particularly referring to FIGS. 11-13, adjusting means 25A-25D of the second feeding container 21 are now described.

In FIG. 11 the adjusting rollers 25A and 25B are shown. The adjusting roller 25A is made integral, in known ways, by means of screws, bolts or similar, to the adjusting cage 27 of the second feeding container 21. The packaging machine 31, as described later, can handle vertically an adjusting roller 25A. By changing the height of the adjusting roller 25A, heights of the second adjusting cage 27 and the second feeding container 21 change. In particular, the adjusting cage 27 is forced to slide vertically along the rails 24 made integral with the carrying plate 51. The descent of the second feeding container 21 towards the package 16 happens through the adjusting roller 25A.

The roller 25B is constrained to the carrying plate 51. The packaging machine 31 is further provided with means, as described later, adapted to handle vertically said roller 25B. Said handling of the height of the roller 25B acts on the depth of the second feeding container 21 through kinematic mechanisms (shown in schematic manner), or rather it allows the sliding of elements 17A and 18A with respect to elements 17B and 18B along the guide 22 and 23 in the direction of the arrow 62 in FIG. 8. The depth of the second feeding container 21 is then adjusted through the adjusting roller 25B based on the depth of the package 16.

In FIG. 12 the adjusting rollers 25C are shown, preferably in pairs. The pairs of adjusting rollers 25C is movable in height under the action of the packaging machine 31, better described later. Because the operation of the two adjusting rollers 25C is specular, for easiness of discussion only one adjusting roller 25C is described. Said adjusting roller 25C is integral with a lever 26 that has a fulcrum on the carrying plate 51. The arm of the leverage 26, opposite to the arm where the adjusting roller 25C is, handles an activating element 28 acting on the portion 17A of the second feeding container 21, causing the removal or approach thereof with respect to the portion 18A of the second feeding container 21, as a function of the rotation way of the lever 26. The width of the second feeding container 21 is then adjusted through the adjusting roller 25C based on the width of the package 16.

In FIG. 13 the adjusting roller 25D and the adjusting elements 25E are shown.

The adjusting roller 25D has a substantially vertical axis, contrary to the adjusting rollers 25A 25B and 25C that have a substantially horizontal axis. A better explained later, this allows the packaging machine 31 to displace the adjusting roller 25D horizontally. More in detail, the adjusting roller 25D is integral with a rail 54, being able to slide perpendicularly with respect to the carrying plate 51, in the direction shown by the arrow 53. Through the adjusting roller 25D the adjustment of the back rest happens, based on the depth of the box format 16. In addition, the back rest tray acts also as an ejector thereby allowing the box to be pushed towards the operative station 41 or the reject station 44. This tray, in order to operate correctly, provides for a rest affecting a great surface that changes with the format of the box 18 and placed on the box wall facing towards the inside of the carousel. Because of the great height variability of boxes 18, in the shown embodiment a swinging rest tray is selected, driven by a mechanical lever that takes motion from the element 25E, the latter moving vertically during height adjustment of the box format. In this way, as the box height increases, the tray 55 increases its tilt with respect to the horizontal lie it takes for the minimum format, thereby increasing with this movement the vertical extension of the rest surface of the box.

The adjusting elements 25E are C-shaped and they are inserted into appropriate means of the packaging machine 31, better defined later, able to handle them vertically. In particular, the adjusting means 25 are integral with rails 30 that could slide in parallel, according to the direction indicated by the arrow 56, with the activating element 28 and the carrying plate 51. The height adjustment of the package 16 happens through the adjusting element 25E, so that to be able to position the second feeding container 21 just over the opening of the boxes 16, in order to optimize the product transfer thereon.

In the shown embodiment, in their turn the gripping means 33, that is the two clamp elements 33A and 33B, are fixed to rails 30. The rails 30 are arranged to be integral with the width changes of the second container 21. In other words, when the L-shaped portion 17B of the second feeding container 21 is subjected to displacement with respect to the L-shaped portion 18B, through the activating elements 28 driven by the previously described adjusting roller 25B, the same displacement is transferred in sequence to rails 30 and to clamp elements 33A and 333 of the gripping means 33.

In FIGS. 14-16 the path 32 of the gripping elements 33 and the second feeding container is shown, with particular attention for the handling means of means 25A-25E adapted to change the dimension of the second feeding container 21.

In particular, the packaging machine 31 has a fixed guide 57A, shaped like a C, defining a path for the adjusting roller 57A. In particular it is noted that, at the curve 42, the fixed guide 57A has a slope 57.1A coinciding with the approach of the second feeding container 21 towards the box 16 and the product unload therein.

As the fixed guide 57A is not movable, the path of the adjusting roller 25A is always the same in every operative cycle of the packaging machine 31.

Below the fixed guide 57A, the packaging machine has the guides 57B and 57C, vertically movable and shaped like a C, adapted to handle the adjusting rollers 25B and 25C, respectively. In particular a motor assembly 59.1A handles a group of warms 58.1A on which the guides 57B screw. Whereas a further motor assembly 59.2A handles a group of warms 58.2A on which the guide 57C screws.

Below the guide 57C, the packaging machine has the guide 57D, vertically movable and shaped like a U, adapted to handle the adjusting roller 25D.

At the curve 42, the guide 57D is formed by two connecting flexible elements 57.1D and 57.2D or, as shown in figures, conveniently shaped so that to slide one with respect to the other, adapted to guarantee the path continuity of the adjusting roller 57D for all possible dimensions of the guide 57D. The guide 57D is provided with ejecting means 60 and 61 (FIG. 16) of the boxes 16 from the path 34. The ejecting means 60 and 61 are shaped to intercept the path of the adjusting roller 570, so that to handle the ejecting tray 55 towards the box 16 and to release the same box 16 from the gripping means 33. In the embodiment shown in figures the ejecting means 60 and 61 are shaped like a lever, movable around the fulcra 60A and 61A, respectively, and they are shown in their interference position with the path 32. Appropriate means, not shown, are adapted to handle the ejecting means 60 and 61, that is their rotation around the fulcra 60A and 61A, respectively, so that to interfere with the path 32 of the adjusting rollers 250 or to avoid the passage thereof. In particular, the activation of the ejecting means 60 pushes the box 16 towards the reject station 44 whereas the activation of the ejecting means 61 pushes the box 16 towards the operative station 41.

Below the guide 57D there is the slide flange 57E, adapted to handle the adjusting elements 25E. In particular the adjusting elements 25E have an opening with a shape complementary to the profile of the slide flange 57E and it fits interlockingly on the latter. The packaging machine 31 has means adapted to handle vertically the slide flange 57E. In the embodiment shown in figures, said means are composed of the motor assembly 59B and are adapted to activate the group of warms 58B. The slide flange 57E acts also as slide plane that supports the boxes 16 at the bottom. Then by handling vertically the slide flange 57E, it is possible to adjust the relative position of the bottom of the box 16 as the height of the box format changes, so that to maintain constant the elevation of the top opening of the box with respect to the height of the second feeding containers 21, that is adjusted by the path defined by the fixed guide 57A.

Electrical or pneumatic drives, not shown in figures, are used to handle the rollers 13 and to drive consequently the opening of the shutters 9, 29 so that to allow the product to pass from the feeding containers 1, 21 to the level below in points designed at the path end.

To the method embodiment herein represented by way of example only, various modifications may be made without therefore falling out from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Vertical packaging machine (31) for packages (16) such as boxes, bags and the like, comprising a closed path (32) along which gripping means (33, 33A, 33B) are movable to grasp and carry said packages (16), means (36, 37) for feeding products to the machine and dosing means (38) to direct a predetermined amount of product to said packages, characterized by further comprising at least one plurality of product feeding containers (1, 21), said containers (1, 21) being disposed above a corresponding plurality of gripping means (33) of the packages (16) and being movable along one or more guides to follow at least part of the path of said gripping means (33) and packages (16) present on said gripping means (33); where said containers (1, 21) are assembled on means sliding inside said guides and they are composed of several portions (5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B) and the position of said portions (5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B) can be adjusted by said machine (31) to change the dimensions of said containers (1, 21).

2. Packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of first containers (1) to receive the product from the dosing means (38) and a plurality of second containers (21) to transfer the product from said first containers (1) to said packages (16), the second containers (21) are composed of several portions (17A, 17B, 18A, 18B) and the position of said portions can be adjusted by said machine (31) to change the width and the thickness of said containers (21).

3. Packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein said first and second containers (1, 21) comprise kinematic mechanisms to adjust the reciprocal position of the afore said portions (5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B) of the product feeding containers, wherein said kinematic mechanisms are operated by said machine (31) to change the dimensions of said containers.

4. Packaging machine (31) according to claim 2, wherein said first containers (1) are assembled on chains (2, 2′) sliding along fixed guides, at least two (2B, 2C) of said chains (2, 2′) being movable in opposite directions to operate said kinematic mechanisms to change the container dimensions.

5. Packaging machine (31) according to claim 2, wherein said machine further comprises: one or more fixed guides (57A) in which chains for carrying said second containers are sliding; one or more movable guides (57B-57E) to accommodate the ends of said kinematic mechanisms (25A-25E) to change the dimensions of the second containers (21); and means (58, 59) to adjust the position of at least some of said guides (57B-57E) with respect to the rest of the packaging machine (31) and operate said kinematic mechanisms (25A-25E) consequently.

6. Packaging machine (31) according to claim 5, wherein said second containers (21) comprise a base (51) on which the afore said gripping means of the packages are assembled.

7. Packaging machine according to claim 5, wherein said second containers (21) comprise at least two end elements of the kinematic mechanisms (25A-25E) which are accommodated in two corresponding movable guides.

8. Packaging machine (31) according to claim 1, wherein said first containers (1) follow a path different from the path of said second containers (21) and where the path of said second containers (21) coincide with the path of said carrying and gripping means (33, 33A, 33B) of packages (16).

9. Packaging machine (31) according to claim 1, further comprising means to control the opening of the lower container portion, said means comprising a movable wall (9, 29) for closing the container; a lever (20) assembled on the container to operate said wall; means assembled on the machine to operate said lever.

10. Product feeding container (1, 21) for a packaging machine (31) according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a plurality of portions (5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B) reciprocally movable to change the dimensions of the container itself.

11. Method for packaging a product into packages (16) with a machine according to claim 1, characterized by using at least one plurality of containers (1, 21) to receive the product from product dosing means, holding temporarily the product in said containers (1, 21) and transferring the dosed product from said containers into said packages (1, 16), and by changing the position of a part of said machine to operate kinematic mechanisms for adjusting the dimensions of the output openings of said product feeding containers to adapt them to those of the input openings of the packages (16) treated in said machine, when it is necessary.

12. Method according to claim 11, comprising the following steps: the product dosed by said dosing means is fed to a plurality of first containers (1); the dosed product is transferred by the first containers (1) to a plurality of second containers (21) having an output opening with dimensions and shape substantially corresponding to dimensions and shape of the input opening of packages (16); the product is transferred by said second containers to said packages (16).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein dimensions and shape of said second containers (21) are adjusted acting on width and depth of said containers (21).

14. Method according to claim 11, wherein the product amount accuracy in the first containers (1) is checked before transferring said product into said second containers (21).