Machine for packaging products arranged in ordered groups

Abstract

The machine includes a packaging station and a feeding line configured and controlled for feeding ordered groups of products to the packaging station. The feeding line is movable with respect to the packaging station to form an access space between the packaging station and the feeding line.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A machine for packaging products arranged in ordered groups, comprising a packaging station and a feeding line configured and controlled for feeding ordered groups of products to said packaging station; wherein said feeding line comprises a movable unit which is movable with respect to said packaging station by an actuator, to form an access space between the packaging station and the feeding line, and wherein guides are provided to guide the movable unit with respect to the packaging station. 
     
     
         18 . The machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said feeding line comprises, arranged in sequence, an entrance conveyor for products, a synchronizing and ordering system for groups of products to be packaged, insertion members for inserting the groups of products into the packaging station; and wherein at least said insertion members are movable so as to move towards and away from the packaging station to form said access space. 
     
     
         19 . The machine according to  claim 18 , further comprising a backward moving device adapted to move back the products along said feeding line, and constructed and arranged to move back the products upwards of the synchronizing and ordering system, when said movable unit of the feeding line is distanced from the packaging station forming said access space. 
     
     
         20 . The machine according to  claim 19 , wherein said synchronizing and ordering system is arranged to move together with the insertion members, during movement towards and away from the packaging station. 
     
     
         21 . The machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said entrance conveyor has a variable length and is configured shorter when said movable unit of the feeding line is displaced with respect to the packaging station forming said access space. 
     
     
         22 . The machine according to  claim 19 , wherein said entrance conveyor has a variable length and is configured shorter when said movable unit of the feeding line is displaced with respect to the packaging station forming said access space. 
     
     
         23 . The machine according to  claim 20 , wherein said entrance conveyor has a variable length and is configured shorter when said movable unit of the feeding line is displaced with respect to the packaging station forming said access space. 
     
     
         24 . The machine according to  claim 21 , wherein said entrance conveyor comprises at least one conveyor belt with an exit end facing the packaging station, wherein said exit end is movable backwards with respect to a product feeding direction along said feeding line, so as to move away from the packaging station when said access space is formed. 
     
     
         25 . The machine according to  claim 22 , wherein said entrance conveyor comprises at least one conveyor belt with an exit end facing the packaging station, wherein said exit end is movable backwards with respect to a product feeding direction along said feeding line, so as to move away from the packaging station when said access space is formed. 
     
     
         26 . The machine according to  claim 23 , wherein said entrance conveyor comprises at least one conveyor belt with an exit end facing the packaging station, wherein said exit end is movable backwards with respect to a product feeding direction along said feeding line, so as to move away from the packaging station when said access space is formed. 
     
     
         27 . The machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said synchronizing and ordering system and said insertion members are carried by said movable unit to move towards and away from the packaging station, without altering arrangement of the groups of products or layers of products already arranged in the synchronizing and ordering system and in the insertion members. 
     
     
         28 . The machine according to  claim 18 , wherein said synchronizing and ordering system comprises one or more launchers that, in phase synchronization, insert products or groups of products in a conveying unit. 
     
     
         29 . The machine according to  claim 28 , wherein said conveying unit comprises at least one oscillating conveyor to distribute groups of products on at least two different levels in said insertion members for inserting the groups of products in the packaging station. 
     
     
         30 . The machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the insertion members are configured and controlled for registering distance of said insertion members from a reference point of the packaging station, according to dimensions of said groups of products. 
     
     
         31 . The machine according to  claim 30 , wherein in said packaging station an abutment is provided for positioning products, said abutment having an adjustable position according to the dimensions of the groups of products to be packaged. 
     
     
         32 . The machine according to  claim 31 , further comprising a first motor for adjusting the distance of said insertion members with respect to the reference point of the packaging station, and a second motor for adjusting the position of said abutment, said first motor and said second motor being controlled in a reciprocally coordinated manner to position the insertion members and the abutment in a defined position with respect to said reference point. 
     
     
         33 . The machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said packaging station comprises an elevator, onto which said ordered groups of products are deposited, said elevator transferring the groups of products towards a packaging area. 
     
     
         34 . The machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said packaging station comprises a conveyor unit to move said groups of products, the conveyor unit comprising seats for housing and translating said groups of products. 
     
     
         35 . The machine according to  claim 34 , wherein said conveyor unit has a movement direction oriented approximately perpendicular to direction of said feeding line. 
     
     
         36 . The machine according to  claim 17 , wherein said movable unit is translatable along fixed guides; and wherein movement of the movable unit from a working position to an idle position, where the movable unit is distanced from the packaging station forming said access space, is controlled by a motor.