Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
  • B65B11/06—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths
  • B65B11/28—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a curved path, e.g. on rotary tables or turrets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
  • B65B11/54—Wrapping by causing the wrapper to embrace one end and all sides of the contents, and closing the wrapper onto the opposite end by forming regular or irregular pleats
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
  • B65B25/005—Packaging other articles presenting special problems packaging of confectionery
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B49/00—Devices for folding or bending wrappers around contents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
  • B65B51/02—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids
  • B65B51/023—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids using applicator nozzles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
  • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
  • B65B51/14—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by reciprocating or oscillating members
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
  • B65B65/02—Driving gear

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for closing the wrapper of confectionery products and the like in wrapping machines for said products, as well as an apparatus for implementing this method.
• confectionery products in particular sweets and chocolates
• apparatuses are used whereby the individual products are associated with a single sheet of wrapping material and fed into a wrapping head, where the wrapping sheet is wrapped around the product.
• the wrapping head is generally made up of a rotating member which peripherally has suitable gripping members for the individual products to be wrapped.
• the individual products are at first partially wrapped in a respective wrapping sheet and then grasped by the gripping members.
• the wrapping head is rotated to carry the products through a series of operating stations, at which the wrapping is completed by folding means.
• the products are finally released at an unloading station so as to be transferred to the following operating stations.
• the products to be packaged can have a different shape, for example a truncated pyramid or parallelepiped or a spheroid-like shape, with or without a flat base.
• different types of wrapping are known, such as those called for example single bow, double bow, bunch, fantasy and others.
• Each type of wrapping requires the use of a suitable wrapping material.
• the wrapping performs the function of protecting the product from external agents that could alter its integrity and edibility, as well as ensuring the necessary hygiene.
• closure of the wrapping is essential step of the product packaging process, as an incorrect closure can cause deterioration of the product, both during storage and during the "shelf-life" of the product itself.
• the folding members first fold the head of the wrapping sheet on the product; then the folding members fold the bottom flaps of the wrapping sheet.
• the spray gun approaches the product being wrapped and sprays the dab of glue on one of the same bottom flaps, before the other is folded over.
• the folding members provide a central opening of a size such that the spray gun may move close the product to spray the required amount of gluing material.
• Patent application WOOO/61436 in turn discloses a known method of closing the wrapping. Disclosure
• the method for closing the wrapping of confectionery products includes the steps of
• the method provides for lifting said bottom edge of the wrapping sheet in said second operating station by a gripping member adapted to be operated with reciprocating motion between a gripping position adjacent to said flat base of the product, to retain a bottom flap of said wrapping sheet, and a lifting position, in which the same gripping member holds said bottom flap of the wrapping sheet raised with respect to said flat base of the product.
• the method provides for lifting said bottom edge of the wrapping sheet in said second operating station by a gripping member having on a surface facing the wrapping head a suction mouth which is in continuous connection with suction means suitable for maintaining in depression the same suction mouth.
• the method provides for applying a dab of gluing material to the bottom of said wrapping sheet by means of a spray gun capable of being operated with an alternating motion between a disengagement position and a position for applying said dab of gluing material close to said flat base of the product.
• the method provides for operating, at the end of said step of applying a dab of gluing material, the return of the bottom flap of the wrapping sheet held by the said suction mouth of the gripping member in the position of closing the wrapper.
• the method permits to close the wrapping of confectionery products by means of a dab of glue material at a high speed, since the closing of the bottom flaps of the wrapping sheet on the flat base of the product and the gluing of the flaps of bottom of the wrapping sheet by the spray gun take place in two distinct operating stations. This obviously makes it possible to close the wrapping sheet of a product in a first operating station, at the same time as the bottom flaps of the previously closed wrapping sheet of another product are glued in a subsequent second operating station.
• the present invention also relates to an apparatus for closing the wrapping of confectionery products and the like, comprising: a wrapping head adapted to be operated stepwise to feed in succession individual confectionery products wrapped in respective wrapping sheets at a plurality of operating stations arranged peripherally to the same wrapping head; folding means, arranged at a first operating station, suitable for wrapping and closing said wrapping sheet on said product; a gripping member, arranged at a second operating station placed downstream of said first operating station, capable of lifting a bottom edge of said wrapping sheet wound on said product; a spray gun capable of applying in a suitable phase relationship, at said second operating station, a dab of gluing material on the bottom of said wrapping sheet wrapped on said product.
• said gripping member is adapted to be operated with reciprocating motion between a gripping position adjacent to said flat base of the product, to retain a bottom flap of said wrapping sheet, and a lifting position, in which the same gripping member holds said bottom edge of the wrapping sheet raised with respect to said flat base of the product.
• said gripping member is movable between said gripping position, adjacent to the flat base of the product, and a lifting position, rotated angularly with respect to said flat base of the product, in which the bottom flap of the wrapping sheet is held raised by the gripping element in almost perpendicular position with respect to the same flat base of the product.
• said gripping member has on a surface facing said wrapping head a suction mouth in continuous connection with suction means adapted to keep the suction mouth in depression, to retain said bottom edge of the wrapping sheet.
• said spray gun is adapted to be operated with an alternating motion between a disengagement position and a position of applying said dab of gluing material close to said flat base of the product.
• said spray gun is adapted to be operated with an alternating roto-translation motion on a vertical plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of said wrapping head to pass from said disengagement position to said position for applying the dab of gluing material.
• said spray gun can be brought into a position for applying the dab of gluing material having a distance from said flat base of the product of the order of 2 mm. This permits to guarantee the precise application of the gluing material on the bottom flap of the wrapping sheet, avoiding soiling and the like.
• the apparatus comprises pressure means, arranged at a third operating station located downstream of said second operating station, suitable for imparting a controlled pressure on said flat base of the product, to ensure a homogeneous distribution of said gluing material.
• Figure 1 is a front view of the wrapping head of a wrapping machine for confectionery products equipped with the apparatus for closing the wrapping of said confectionery products according to the present invention
• Figures 2, 3 and 4 are a detail front view of said apparatus for closing the wrapper in different operating steps.
• the numeral 1 indicates the apparatus for closing the wrapper of confectionery products 2 in a wrapping machine.
• the confectionery products 2 have a truncated pyramidal or parallelepiped shape with at least one flat base.
• the apparatus for closing the wrapper of confectionery products of different shapes it is obviously possible to provide for the use of the apparatus for closing the wrapper of confectionery products of different shapes.
• the apparatus 1 is associated with the wrapping head 3 of the wrapping machine, known per se.
• the wrapping head 3 comprises a rotating member 4 which is able to be rotated along a horizontal axis, in the direction indicated by the arrow A, to receive single products 2 from a feed line and pack them by means of single wrapping sheets.
• the rotating member 4 of the wrapping head 3 is operated in stepwise rotation.
• the wrapping head 3 is equipped with a plurality of angularly distributed gripping means 5, suitable for receiving, holding and releasing the products 2.
• the gripping means 5 shapes, for example, respective gripper members 6, the claws 7 of which are rotatably constrained to the rotating member 4 and are oscillating between a reciprocal opening position, for receiving a single product 2 between respective gripping portions 8 or for releasing it, and a closing position, for holding the same product 2 during wrapping operations.
• the claws 7 of the gripper members 6 for example may be operated by the same operation means suitable for controlling the rotation motion of the wrapping head 3 or alternatively by autonomous means for operating the gripping means.
• the gripper members 6 of the wrapping head 3 are adapted to be rotated by the rotating member 4 through a series of operating stations to operate the wrapping and closing of the products 2 with a respective wrapping sheet.
• the wrapping machine has six gripper members 6, operated stepwise at the same number of operating stations. However, it is obviously possible to provide a different number of gripper members.
• the wrapping head 3 is adapted to carry stepwise the confectionery products 2 at a station 9 in which said products are taken up from the feeding line to be transferred to a first station 10 in which the wrapping and the closure of the wrapping sheet are performed.
• the wrapping and closing of the wrapping sheet are performed by suitable folding means 11 , known per se.
• the products 2 are held by the gripper members 6 with the flat base facing the outside of the wrapping head 3.
• the folding members 11 fold the bottom flaps of the wrapping sheet onto said flat base of the products 2.
• the second operating station 12 Downstream of the first operating station 10, the second operating station 12 is arranged, in which the stable closure of the bottom flaps of the wrapping sheet is carried out by applying a dab of glue material. As specified below, the dab of glue material is applied using a spray gun 13.
• the apparatus has a gripping member 14 suitable for lifting a bottom flap of the wrapping sheet, in a suitable phase relationship with the actuation of the aforementioned spray gun 13.
• the gripping member 14 consists of a parallelepiped-shaped metal bar having a suction mouth on the surface facing the wrapping head 3, in continuous connection with suction means adapted to maintain the suction mouth itself in depression.
• the gripping member 14 is movable between a gripping position, substantially adjacent to the flat base of the product 2, to retain a bottom flap of the wrapping sheet, and a lifting position, rotated angularly with respect to the flat base of the product 2, in which the gripping member 14 keeps the bottom edge of the wrapping sheet raised in a position almost perpendicular to the same flat base of the product 2.
• the gripping member 14 is connected to a lever system 15 comprising an oscillating arm 16 adapted to be operated along a horizontal axis parallel to the rotation axis of the wrapping head 3 and articulated to a tie rod 17 to impart the gripping member 14 the reciprocating motion between the aforementioned gripping and lifting operating positions.
• the raised bottom flap of the wrapping sheet is subsequently folded on the bottom of the wrapping sheet, after applying the dab of glue material, by the same gripping member 14, operated to return to the position adjacent to the bottom of the wrapping.
• the spray gun 13 is movable with a roto-translational motion on a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of the wrapping head to move from a disengagement position to a position for applying the dab of gluing material.
• the gripping member 14 In the disengagement position of the spray gun 13, the gripping member 14 is placed in the gripping position adjacent to the flat base of the product 2, to withdraw by suction or close the bottom flap of the wrapping sheet; in the position for applying the dab of gluing material, the gripping member 14 is placed in the position substantially perpendicular to the flat base of the product 2 and keeps the bottom flap of the wrapping sheet raised.
• the spray gun 13 is articulated to a double crank mechanism 18 comprising a first rocker arm 19 and a second rocker arm 20 adapted to be operated in angular rotation according to horizontal axes parallel to the rotation axis of the wrapping head 3, by motor members, not shown.
• the first rocker arm 19 and the second rocker arm 20 are arranged in sequence and a lever 21 pivotally connected to the spray gun 13 is pivoted to the respective free ends. Therefore, the double crank mechanism 18 allows the spray gun 13 to be operated, for applying the dab of gluing material to the bottom of the wrapping sheet, maintaining an appropriate phase relationship with respect to the alternate movement of the gripping member 14.
• the gluing operation is carried out using a non-toxic glue suitable for applications in the food sector.
• the pressing means 24 is connected to an arm 25 articulated to the second rocker arm 20 which causes its reciprocating oscillating motion between a disengagement position and a position of applying the pressure.
• the action of the pressing means 24 is able to ensure a homogeneous distribution of the gluing material for joining the bottom flaps of the wrapping sheet.
• confectionery products 2 to be wrapped, partially wrapped in a relative wrapping sheet are taken up by the gripper members 6 of the wrapping head 3, rotated stepwise, and fed in succession to the operating stations of the machine.
• the folding means 11 closes the bottom flaps of the wrapping sheet on the flat base of the product 2.
• the wrapped product is then transferred to the second operating station 12, where the bottom flaps of the wrapping sheet are glued.
• the flat base of the product 2 facing the outside of the wrapping head faces the suction mouth of the gripping member 14, which is in continuous connection with suction means suitable for keeping the same suction mouth in depression ( Figure 2).
• the gripping member 14 therefore holds the bottom flap of the wrapping sheet adjacent to the suction mouth in depression.
• the roto-translation of the spray gun 13 is made from the disengagement position to the position of applying the dab of gluing material (see again Figure 3). Arriving in front of the bottom of product 2, the spray gun 13 applies a dab of glue material on the bottom flap of the wrapping sheet wrapped on product 2.
• the spray gun can be brought to a very small distance from the bottom of the product, for example of the order of 2 mm.
• the product 2 wrapped by the glued wrapping sheet is then fed from the wrapping head 3 into the subsequent operating station 23 engaging with the flat base the curved surface of the further folding means 22.
• the pressing means 24 is operated to impart a controlled pressure on the flat base of the product 2. The pressure exerted by the pressing means 24 ensures a homogeneous distribution of the gluing material applied between the bottom flaps of the wrapping sheet.
• the method according to the present invention achieves the purpose of optimally closing the wrapper of confectionery products.
• the above method permits to close the wrapper of confectionery products by a dab of glue at high speed, so as not to cause a reduction in the productivity required of the machine.
• the gluing of the bottom flaps of the wrapping allows an effective closure of the wrapping of confectionery products with any wrapping material, both with wrapping materials having an elastic deformation and with wrapping materials having a plastic deformation.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
• Confectionery (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=76921194

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2021
  • 2021-04-27 IT IT102021000010652A patent/IT202100010652A1/it unknown
• 2022
  • 2022-04-26 WO PCT/IT2022/050109 patent/WO2022229997A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2022-04-26 EP EP22726195.5A patent/EP4330140A1/de active Pending
  • 2022-04-26 CN CN202280022701.8A patent/CN117015503A/zh active Pending

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