Automatic packaging machine for continuously packaging products each wrapped in a single envelope and method for continuously packaging products each wrapped in a single envelope

Abstract

Automatic packaging machine ( 10 ) for continuously packaging products (P) each wrapped in a single envelope (B), comprising a conveyor ( 12 ) that defines a conveying plane (PT) for conveying a continuous sheet (F) of packaging material, in particular paper, along a conveying direction (DT), said conveying plane (PT) comprises an entrance end ( 12 a ) of the continuous sheet (F) and an exit end of a plurality of envelopes, each containing a product (P), in which the entrance end ( 12 a ) is associable with a feeding unit of a plurality of products (P) in succession one after the other and at a distance one from another on the continuous sheet (F) fed on the conveying plane (PT), a feeding unit ( 18 ) of the continuous sheet (F) on the conveying plane (PT) and that feeds the continuous sheet (F) along a feeding plane (PA) that extends below the conveying plane (PT), is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction (DT) and is defined at the entrance end ( 12 a ) of the conveying plane (PT), wherein the continuous sheet (F) is fed along the feeding plane (PA) according to a feeding direction (DA) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the conveying plane (PT) and is deviated by a right angle or substantially a right angle in the passage from the feeding plane (PA) to the conveying plane (PT), a creasing unit ( 26 ) of the continuous sheet (F) to define a pair of longitudinal creases (C1, C2) in it for respectively folding a first longitudinal leaf (F1) that defines the back (B2) of the envelopes (B) and a second longitudinal leaf (F2) that defines the closing flap (B3) of the envelopes (B), in which the first longitudinal leaf (F1) and the second longitudinal leaf (F2) define a longitudinal central portion (F3) of the continuous sheet that defines the front (B1) of each envelope (B) and on which the products (P) are fed arranged in succession one after another and at a distance one from another, in which the packaging machine (10) comprises at least one die-cutting unit (27) for die-cutting at least one of the first longitudinal leaf (F1), or in any case the longitudinal portion of the continuous sheet that defines it, and the second longitudinal leaf (F2), or in any case the longitudinal portion of the continuous sheet that defines it, to respectively die-cut in it the back (B2) and/or the profile of the back (B2) and the closing flap (B3) and/or the profile of the closing flap (B2) of each envelope (B), in which the die-cutting unit (27) is arranged between the entrance end and the exit end of the conveying plane (PT) to act on the continuous sheet (F) fed on the conveying plane (PT).

1 : An automatic packaging machine for continuously packaging products each wrapped in a single envelope, comprising:
 a conveyor that defines a conveying plane for conveying a continuous sheet of packaging material along a conveying direction, said conveying plane comprising an entrance end of said continuous sheet and an exit end of a plurality of envelopes, each containing one of said products, wherein said entrance end of said conveyor can be associated with a feeding unit of a plurality of products in succession one after another and at a distance one from another on the continuous sheet fed on said conveying plane,   a feeding unit for feeding said continuous sheet on said conveying plane and that feeds said continuous sheet along a feeding plane that extends below said conveying plane, is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to said conveying direction and is defined at said entrance end of said conveying plane, wherein said continuous sheet is fed along said feeding plane according to a feeding direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to said conveying plane and is deviated by a right angle or substantially a right angle in the passage from said feeding plane to said conveying plane,   a creasing unit of said continuous sheet to define a pair of longitudinal creases in it for respectively folding a first longitudinal leaf that defines the back of said envelopes and a second longitudinal leaf that defines the closing flap of said envelopes, wherein said first longitudinal leaf and said second longitudinal leaf define a longitudinal central portion of said continuous sheet that defines the front of each of said envelopes and on which said products are fed arranged in succession one after another and at a distance one from another, wherein said packaging machine comprises:   at least one die-cutting unit for die-cutting at least one of said first longitudinal leaf, or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said first longitudinal leaf, and said second longitudinal leaf, or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said second longitudinal leaf, to die-cut in it the back and/or the profile of the back and the closing flap and/or the profile of the closing flap of each of said envelopes, respectively, wherein said die-cutting unit is arranged between said entrance end and said exit end of said conveying plane to act on said continuous sheet fed on said conveying plane.   
     
     
         2 : A packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one die-cutting unit is designed to die-cut said second longitudinal leaf (F2), or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said second longitudinal leaf, to die-cut in it said closing flap of each of said envelopes and/or define in it the profile of said closing flap of each of said envelopes. 
     
     
         3 : The packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said creasing unit is arranged at said entrance end of said conveying plane and in that said at least one die-cutting unit is arranged downstream, with respect to the sense of forward motion of said continuous sheet along said conveying direction, of said creasing unit to act on said continuous sheet fed on said conveying plane. 
     
     
         4 : The packaging machine according to  claim 3 , wherein it comprises, downstream, with respect to the sense of forward motion of said continuous sheet along said conveying direction, of said creasing unit and also in a different succession, at least the following operative units:
 a first folding unit for folding said first longitudinal leaf on said longitudinal central portion of said continuous sheet so as to at least partially cover said products, forming the back of said envelopes and obtaining a continuous wrapping, or for folding the portion of said first longitudinal leaf of each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective envelope on the respective portion of said longitudinal central portion so as to at least partially cover the respective product forming the back of the respective envelope,   a pressing unit for exerting a pressure on said first longitudinal leaf folded on said longitudinal central portion or in any case on the portion of said first longitudinal leaf of each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective envelope folded on the respective portion of said longitudinal central portion at at least one transversal strip of adhesive or glue present or in any case applied on said continuous sheet or on each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective said envelope at at least one segment of at least one of the two transversal sides of each said longitudinal section that defines a corresponding envelope,   a transversal cutting unit for the transversal cutting of said continuous wrapping or in any case of said continuous sheet between two successive products so as to obtain a plurality of longitudinal sections of said continuous wrapping or of continuous sheet that are separate from each other and each defining a respective envelope.   
     
     
         5 : The packaging machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one die-cutting unit is a separate and distinct unit from each of said operative units and arranged between said entrance end and said exit end of said conveying plane. 
     
     
         6 : The packaging machine according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one die-cutting unit is arranged upstream, with respect to the sense of forward motion of said continuous sheet along said conveying direction, with respect to said cutting unit. 
     
     
         7 : The packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one die-cutting unit comprises a drum-type or drum sector or segment-type die-cutter that is rotatably supported above said conveying plane with its own longitudinal axis parallel to said conveying plane and transversal to said conveying direction and that is associable with motor means for making it rotate and a contrast element of said die-cutter arranged with its contrast surface substantially at the level of said conveying plane. 
     
     
         8 : The packaging machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one die-cutting unit is integrated or in any case incorporated in said pressing unit or in said transversal cutting unit. 
     
     
         9 : The packaging machine according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least one die-cutting unit is integrated or in any case incorporated in said pressing unit and in that said pressing unit comprises a shaft that is rotatably supported above said conveying plane with its longitudinal axis parallel to said conveying plane and transversal to said conveying direction and that is associable with motor means for making it rotate about its own axis and a pressing element that is mounted on said shaft, wherein said at least one die-cutting unit comprises a drum-type or drum sector or segment-type die-cutter that is mounted on said shaft coaxial to it beside an end of said pressing element. 
     
     
         10 : The packaging machine according to  claim 4 , wherein it comprises a second folding unit arranged downstream, with respect to the sense of forward motion of said continuous sheet along said conveying direction, of said first folding unit and of said at least one die-cutting unit for folding said second longitudinal leaf on said first longitudinal leaf that has already been folded or for folding the portion of said second longitudinal leaf of each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective envelope on the corresponding portion of said first longitudinal leaf that has already been folded. 
     
     
         11 : The packaging machine according to  claim 4 , wherein it comprises a glue application unit arranged downstream, with respect to the sense of forward motion of said continuous sheet along said conveying direction, of said at least one die-cutting unit for applying at least one strip of glue parallel to said conveying direction on said second longitudinal leaf or on the portion of said second longitudinal leaf of each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective envelope. 
     
     
         12 : The packaging machine according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one die-cutting unit is designed to die-cut, in said second longitudinal leaf or in any case in the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said second longitudinal leaf, a plurality of transversal notches, each of which comprises a first flank and a second flank that are angled to one another and convergent towards the respective longitudinal folding crease and that define the profile at an end of the closing flap of two consecutive envelopes. 
     
     
         13 : The packaging machine according to  claim 12 , wherein said first flank and said second flank of each of said transversal notches intersect one another in a “V” with the vertex of the “V” substantially at said longitudinal folding crease of said second longitudinal leaf. 
     
     
         14 : The packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one die-cutting unit is designed to die-cut, in said first longitudinal leaf or in any case in the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said first longitudinal leaf and/or in said second longitudinal leaf or in any case in the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said second longitudinal leaf, a plurality of perforations, incisions, toothings or similar, in particular for tamper-proofing. 
     
     
         15 : The packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises at least one auxiliary die-cutting unit that is integrated in said feeding unit and is designed to die-cut at least one of said first longitudinal leaf, or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said first longitudinal leaf, and said longitudinal central portion of said continuous sheet, or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said longitudinal central portion, to respectively define in it the profile of the edge that defines the back of each of said envelopes and a window at the front of each of said envelopes and/or perforations, holes, incisions, toothings or similar, in particular for tamper-proofing. 
     
     
         16 : A method for continuously packaging products, each wrapped in a single envelope, comprising the steps of:
 feeding a continuous sheet of packaging material, in particular paper, on a conveying plane, wherein said conveying plane is movable to transport said continuous sheet along a conveying direction in a sense of forward motion between an entrance end of said continuous sheet and an exit end of a plurality of envelopes each containing a respective product, wherein said feeding comprises making said continuous sheet advance along a feeding plane that extends below said conveying plane, is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to said conveying direction and is defined at said entrance end of said conveying plane, wherein said continuous sheet is fed along said feeding plane according to a feeding direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to said conveying plane and is deviated by a right angle or substantially a right angle in the passage from said feeding plane to said conveying plane;   feeding on said continuous sheet moving forward along said conveying direction a plurality of products arranged in succession one after another and at a distance from one another;   defining in said continuous sheet being fed on said conveying plane or moving forward along said conveying direction a pair of longitudinal creases for folding a respective longitudinal leaf, a first longitudinal leaf that defines the back of said envelopes and a second longitudinal leaf that defines the closing flap of said envelopes, respectively, wherein said first longitudinal leaf and said second longitudinal leaf define a longitudinal central portion of said continuous sheet that defines the front of said envelopes and on which said products are fed arranged in succession one after another and at a distance from one another; wherein after said feeding of said continuous sheet on said conveying plane and before the exit of said envelopes from said exit end of said conveying plane there is at least one step of   die-cutting at least one of said first longitudinal leaf, or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said first longitudinal leaf, and said second longitudinal leaf, or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said second longitudinal leaf, to respectively die-cut in it the back and/or the profile of the back and the closing flap and/or the profile of the closing flap of each of said envelopes.   
     
     
         17 : The packaging method according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one die-cutting step is provided for die-cutting said second longitudinal leaf, or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said second longitudinal leaf, to die-cut in it the closing flap and/or the profile of the closing flap of each of said envelopes. 
     
     
         18 : The packaging method according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one die-cutting step follows said step of defining in said continuous sheet said pair of longitudinal folding creases. 
     
     
         19 : The packaging method according to  claim 18 , also comprising, after said step of defining in said continuous sheet said pair of longitudinal folding creases, also in a different succession to one another, at least the operative steps of:
 folding said first longitudinal leaf on said longitudinal central portion of said continuous sheet so as to at least partially cover said products, forming the back of said envelopes and obtaining a continuous wrapping, or folding the portion of said first longitudinal leaf of each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective envelope on the respective portion of said longitudinal central portion so as to at least partially cover the respective product forming the back of the respective envelope,   pressing said first longitudinal leaf folded on said longitudinal central portion or the portion of said first longitudinal leaf of each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective envelope folded on the respective portion of said longitudinal central portion, exerting a pressure at at least one transversal strip of adhesive or glue present or in any case applied on said continuous sheet or on each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective said envelope at at least one segment of at least one of the two transversal sides of each said longitudinal section that defines a corresponding envelope,   transversally cutting said continuous wrapping or said continuous sheet between two successive products so as to obtain a plurality of longitudinal sections of said continuous wrapping or of said continuous sheet that are separate from one another and each defining a respective envelope.   
     
     
         20 : The packaging method according to  claim 19 , wherein said at least one die-cutting step takes place at least in part simultaneously with said pressing step or with said transversal cutting step. 
     
     
         21 : The packaging method according to  claim 19 , wherein said at least one die-cutting step is separate and distinct from each of said operative steps and preferably takes place before said pressing step and/or before said transversal cutting step. 
     
     
         22 : The packaging method according to  claim 19 , comprising, after said at least one die-cutting step and after said step of folding said first longitudinal leaf or the portion of said first longitudinal leaf of each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective envelope, a step of folding said second longitudinal leaf on said first longitudinal leaf that has already been folded or the portion of said second longitudinal leaf of each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective envelope on the corresponding portion of said first longitudinal leaf that has already been folded. 
     
     
         23 : A method according to  claim 19 , also comprising, after said at least one die-cutting step, a step of applying, on said second longitudinal leaf or on the portion of said second longitudinal leaf of each longitudinal section of said continuous sheet that defines a respective envelope, a strip of glue parallel to said conveying direction. 
     
     
         24 : The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said die-cutting step consists of die-cutting, in said second longitudinal leaf or in any case in the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said second longitudinal leaf, a plurality of transversal notches, each of which comprises a first flank and a second flank that are angled to one another and convergent towards the respective longitudinal folding crease and that define the profile of an end of the closing flap of two consecutive envelopes. 
     
     
         25 : The method according to  claim 24 , wherein said first flank and said second flank of each of said transversal notches intersect in a “V” with the vertex of the “V” substantially at the longitudinal folding crease of said second longitudinal leaf. 
     
     
         26 : The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said die-cutting step consists of die-cutting, in said first longitudinal leaf or in any case in the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said first longitudinal leaf and/or in said second longitudinal leaf or in any case in the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said second longitudinal leaf, a plurality of perforations, incisions, toothings or similar, in particular for tamper-proofing. 
     
     
         27 : The method according to  claim 16 , also comprising at least one further die-cutting step carried out during said feeding step to die-cut at least one of said first longitudinal leaf, or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said first longitudinal leaf, and said longitudinal central portion of said continuous sheet, or in any case the longitudinal portion of said continuous sheet that defines said longitudinal central portion, to respectively define in it the profile of the edge that defines the back of each of said envelopes and a window at the front of each of said envelopes and/or perforations, holes, incisions, toothings or similar, in particular for tamper-proofing.