Packaging process and related working station

Abstract

A packaging process includes the steps of receiving distinct clusters of products, orienting layered groups, moving the groups closer together, and inserting the bundle within a respective package. With the receiving step, the sum of the products of the clusters is equal to the number of products that can be accommodated in a layer of the final package. The products are mutually stacked so as to constitute respective layered groups that constitute a bundle. The layered groups that constitute a bundle are oriented according to the correct alignment required for its entry into the final package. The layered groups that constitute a bundle are moved closer to mutually contact the last product of one group with the first product of the contiguous group. Finally, the bundle constituted by the compacted layered groups, is inserted within a respective package.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A packaging process, comprising the steps of
 receiving distinct clusters of products, a sum of the products of said clusters being equal to a number of products that can be accommodated in a layer of a final package, and mutually stacking the products so as to constitute respective layered groups that constitute a bundle;   orienting the layered groups that constitute a bundle according to a correct alignment required for its entry into the final package;   moving mutually closer the layered groups that constitute a bundle such that the last product of one group mutually contacts the first product of the contiguous group; and   inserting the bundle constituted by the compacted layered groups within a respective package.   
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the first step of receiving distinct clusters of products provides for the products to be wrapped individually and oriented uniformly. 
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the clusters of products are two in number, a first cluster constituted by at least two products and a second cluster constituted by at least three products. 
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 15 , wherein the first cluster is constituted by three products and the second cluster is constituted by four products. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein each layered group comprises at least two layers of clusters of stacked products. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the second step of orienting the layered groups provides for turning the groups over with a total rotation of 180°. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the third step of moving mutually closer, compaction of layered groups that constitute a bundle entails a succession of consecutive transfers on different conveyance means provided with contiguous receptacles separated by a progressively thinner wall. 
     
     
         20 . A working station for stacking products of, the working station comprising:
 at least one supply line for supplying products, and   at least one exit channel for stacked products,   wherein said at least one supply line comprises a plurality of receptacles for clusters of products arranged mutually side by side, and   said at least one exit channel comprises a plurality of containment recesses for groups of products that are arranged mutually side by side and stacked, at least one pusher facing the lateral edge of said supply line, the end of said pusher being movable from a passive configuration for alignment with said lateral edge of said supply line to an active configuration for alignment with the lateral edge of said exit channel for the transfer of the products accommodated in the receptacles of said supply line to the recesses of said exit channel according to stacked successive layers.   
     
     
         21 . The working station according to  claim 20  further comprising contrast means functionally associated with a respective actuator, contrast means constituting a translating movable base for said recesses. 
     
     
         22 . The working station according to  claim 20 , wherein said channel comprises a plurality of consecutive carriages provided with recesses delimited by side walls and mutually divided by at least one separation partition, said side walls and said partition having at least the same height as the groups of products that are layered and stacked and configured to be accommodated in said recesses. 
     
     
         23 . The working station according to  claim 21 , wherein said carriages comprise contoured delimiting plates, each plate comprising respective teeth that constitute said side walls and respective columns that constitute said partition, said contrast means being able to translate between said contoured delimiting plates by way of the action of a respective actuator. 
     
     
         24 . The working station according to  claim 21 , wherein said contrast means comprise bands that are parallel to the bottom of said carriages, at least one band being interposed between said plates and at least one band being external thereto, said bands being integral with respective stems associated with an actuator for varying the height of said bands, between a configuration of substantial coplanarity with the bottom of said carriages and a configuration that is raised by a height that is substantially similar to the thickness of said groups of superimposed products.