IT202100010652A1 - METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR CLOSING THE PACKAGING OF CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Description

Description

METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR CLOSING THE PACKAGE OF

CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS

Technical field

The present invention relates to a method for closing the wrapping of confectionery products and the like in wrapping machines for said products, as well as an apparatus to implement this method.

Known art

? It is known that confectionary products, in particular candies and chocolates, are generally placed on the market in individual packages of various types according to the shape and type of product. To produce such packages, equipment is used by which the individual products are associated with a single sheet of wrapping material and fed to a wrapping head, where the sheet of wrapping material is wrapped around the product. The wrapping head ? generally constituted by a rotating member which carries peripherally suitable devices for gripping the individual products to be wrapped. The individual products are first partially wrapped in a respective sheet of wrapping and subsequently gripped by the gripping members. The wrapping head ? driven in rotation to carry the products through a series of operating stations, in correspondence of which, by means of suitable folding means, the closing of the wrapping is completed. The products are finally released at an unloading station to be transferred to subsequent operating stations.

An equipment for packaging confectionery products of this type? illustrated for example in the European patent EP 2942 291.

The products to be packaged can have different shapes, for example a truncated pyramid or parallelepiped shape or a spheroidal type, with or without a flat base. Likewise, 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. In fact, the wrapping performs the function of protecting the product from external agents that could alter its integrity. and edibility, as well as guaranteeing the necessary hygiene.

The closure of the wrapping represents an essential phase 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.

It is therefore necessary that, at the end of the wrapping operation, the sheet of wrapping is stably wrapped around the product so as to prevent it from being opened accidentally. Depending on the shape of the product ? It is possible to provide different types of closure. In particular, for products with a truncated pyramid or parallelepiped shape, which have at least one flat base, types of closure are often used which first provide for the wrapping of the sheet of wrapping on the top. of the product, then the folding of the bottom flaps of the sheet of wrapping on a surface of the products, for example in correspondence with the flat base.

The simple folding of the bottom flaps of the sheet of wrapping on the base of the product, however, does not guarantee a lasting closure of the wrapping because, if wrapping materials having an elastic deformation are used, the bottom flaps of the sheet of wrapping folded on the surface of base of the product may have a tendency to rise, while if wrapping materials having a plastic deformation are used, such as aluminum foil, the bottom flaps of the sheet of wrapping may deform during the operations of packaging and transport of the product.

To ensure a better sealing of the closure of the wrapping, ? the application of a dot of glue between the bottom edges of the sheet of wrapping is known. For the application of the glue dot ? the use of a spray gun operating at the folding members associated with the wrapping head is usually provided.

In practice, in the dedicated station, the folding members first perform the head fold of the sheet of wrapping material on the product; subsequently the folding members fold the bottom edges of the sheet of wrapping material. During the folding of the bottom flaps, the spray gun approaches the product being wrapped and sprays the glue dot on one of the same bottom flaps, before the other is folded over. To this end ? It is necessary for the folding members to have a central opening of a size such as to allow the spray gun to approach the product to spray the foreseen dose of bonding material. However, this method of applying the adhesive has several drawbacks which limit the efficiency and productivity of the product. of the car.

In particular, the fact is complained that, due to the encumbrance of the various parts, the spray gun is not? able to approach closely to the product in the wrapping phase for which the gluing material can? partly disperse beyond the of the foreseen area, that is? the gluing point on a bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping. There? can? determine fouling that require a pi? frequent maintenance of the organs involved, to avoid permanent damage to the functionality? of the car.

Another problem highlighted in the use of this wrapping method? due to the fact that it involves the overlapping of various successive operations, in the designated station, such as the folding of a bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping, the approach of the spray gun and the spray of the glue, the retraction of the spray gun and the folding of the opposing bottom flap. There? takes a relatively long time, in relation to the speed? operational requirement for this type of machine. In practice, the duration of this phase affects the speed? rotation of the wrapping head and consequently limits the productivity? of the wrapping machine.

Presentation of the invention

The task of the present invention ? that of solving the aforementioned problems, devising a method which allows to operate in an optimal manner the closing of the wrapping of confectionary products and the like in a wrapping machine of said confectionery products.

As part of this task, ? a further object of the present invention is to provide a method for closing the wrapping of confectionery products capable of operating at a speed of 100%. high, so as not to determine a reduction in productivity? request to the machine.

A further object of the present invention ? that of providing a method for closing the wrapping of confectionery products and the like capable of reducing interference between the folding means and the means for applying the point of gluing material during the operations of closing the wrapping sheet.

A further object of the present invention ? that of providing a method for closing the wrapping sheets of confectionery products capable of operating effectively on any wrapping material.

Another purpose of the invention? that of providing an apparatus for closing the wrapping sheets of confectionery products capable of implementing the aforementioned method by means of a structure of simple constructive and functional conception, equipped with certainly reliable operation, versatile use, as well as? relatively cheap cost.

The aforementioned aims are achieved, according to the present invention, by the method and by the apparatus for closing the wrapping of confectionery products according to claims 1 and 5.

The method for closing the wrapping of confectionery products includes the phases of (a). feed in orderly succession the products to be wrapped associated with a sheet of wrapping to a wrapping head operated in step rotation to bring said products to a plurality of? of operating stations;

(b). in a first operating station, winding and closing the bottom flaps of said sheet of wrapping material on a flat base of said product;

(c). operating in a second operating station, placed downstream of said first operating station, to lift a bottom edge of said sheet of wrapping wrapped on said product;

(d). operating in a suitable phase relationship the application of a dot of gluing material on the bottom of said sheet of wrapping wrapped on said product;

(And). folding said raised flap on the bottom of said sheet of wrapping bearing said dot of material of gluing material to complete the closure of the wrapping.

Said products are held by respective gripper members of said wrapping head with said flat base facing the outside of said wrapping head.

Advantageously, the method provides for lifting said bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping material in said second operating station by means of a gripping member capable of being operated with reciprocating motion between a gripping position adjacent to said flat base of the product, to hold a bottom edge of said sheet of wrapping, and a lifting position, in which the same gripping member keeps said bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping raised with respect to said flat base of the product.

Preferably, the method provides for lifting said bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping material in said second operating station by means of a gripping member presenting on a surface facing said head of wrapping material a suction mouth in continuous connection with suction means capable of maintaining in depression the same suction mouth.

Advantageously, the method provides for the application of a point of gluing material on the bottom of said sheet of wrapping by means of a spray gun adapted to be operated with alternating motion between a disengagement position and a position for applying said point of material glue close to said flat base of the product.

At the end of said step of applying a point of gluing material, the method preferably provides for the return of the bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping held by said suction mouth of the gripping member to the closing position of the wrapping.

The method in question allows you to close the wrapping of the confectionery products by means of a point of glue material at a speed of 100%. high, since the sealing of the bottom edges of the sheet of wrapping on the flat base of the product and the gluing of the bottom edges of the sheet of wrapping using the spray gun take place in two distinct operating stations. There? it evidently allows the closing of the wrapping sheet of a product in a first operating station, at the same time as the gluing of the bottom edges of the previously closed wrapping sheet of another product 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 actuated in steps to successively feed individual confectionery products wrapped in respective sheets of wrapping at a plurality of of operating stations arranged peripherally to the same wrapping head; folding means, arranged at a first operating station, suitable for winding and closing said sheet of wrapping material on said product; a gripping member, arranged at a second operating station located downstream of said first operating station, able to operate the lifting of a bottom edge of said sheet of wrapping wrapped on said product;

a spray gun able to operate in a suitable phase relationship, at said second operating station, the application of a dot of gluing material on the bottom of said sheet of wrapping wrapped on said product.

According to the present invention, said gripping member ? adapted to be operated with alternating motion between a gripping position adjacent to said flat base of the product, to hold a bottom edge of said sheet of wrapping, and a lifting position, in which the same gripping member keeps said sealing edge raised bottom of the sheet of wrapping with respect to said flat base of the product. Preferably said gripping organ ? movable between said gripping position, adjacent to the flat base of the product, and a lifting position, rotated at an angle with respect to said flat base of the product, in which the gripping member keeps the bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping raised in a position almost ? perpendicular to the flat base of the product itself.

Advantageously, said gripping member has, on a surface facing said wrapping head, a suction mouth in continuous connection with suction means adapted to keep said suction mouth under vacuum, to hold said bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping material.

Advantageously said spray gun ? adapted to be operated with alternating motion between a disengagement position and an application position of said point of gluing material close to said flat base of the product. Preferably said spray gun ? adapted to be actuated with an alternating roto-translational motion on a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said wrapping head to pass from said disengagement position to said application position of the point of gluing material.

Thanks to said reciprocating motion of rototranslation, said spray gun can be brought to a position for applying the point of gluing material having a distance from said flat base of the product in the order of 2 mm. There? it allows to guarantee the precise application of the gluing material on the bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping, avoiding soiling and the like.

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises pressure means, arranged at a third operating station located downstream of said second operating station, able to impress a controlled pressure on said flat base of the product, to guarantee a homogeneous distribution of said bonding material.

Preferably downstream of said second operating station there are further folding means suitable for accompanying the product wrapped in the sheet of wrapping material towards said third operating station, said further folding means acting on the bottom of said product to keep said bottom edges of the sheet superimposed wrapping in the closing position of the wrapping.

Brief description of the drawings

The details of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for closing the wrapping of confectionery products, illustrated by way of example in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of the wrapping head of a confectionary product wrapping machine equipped with the apparatus for closing the wrapping of said confectionery products according to the present invention;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show a detailed front view of said package closing apparatus in different operating phases.

Embodiments of the invention

With particular reference to these figures, yes? indicated in the set with 1 the apparatus for closing the wrapping of confectionery products 2 in a wrapping machine.

In the illustrated case, the confectionery products 2 have a truncated pyramid or parallelepiped shape with at least one flat base. ? however it is obviously possible to envisage the use of the apparatus in question to close the wrapping of confectionery products of different shapes.

The equipment 1 ? associated with the wrapping head 3 of the wrapping machine, per se? Note. The wrapping head 3 comprises a rotating member 4 which? adapted to be actuated in rotation according to a horizontal axis, in the direction indicated by arrow A, to receive single products 2 from a feeding line and operate their packaging by means of single sheets of wrapping. Conveniently, the rotary member 4 of the wrapping head 3 is driven in step rotation.

The wrapping head 3 ? endowed with a plurality angularly distributed gripping means 5, suitable for receiving, retaining and releasing the products 2. The gripping means 5 form, for example, respective gripper members 6, whose jaws 7 are rotatably constrained to the rotating member 4 and oscillate between one reciprocal open position, to receive a single product 2 between respective gripping portions 8 or to release it, and a closed position, to hold the same product 2 during the wrapping operations. The jaws 7 of the gripper members 6 can for example be actuated by the same actuation means adapted to control the rotational motion of the wrapping head 3 or alternatively by autonomous actuation means of 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 sheet of wrapping. In the illustrated case, the wrapping machine has six gripper members 6, operated step by step at as many operating stations. ? however it is obviously possible to provide a different number of pincer members.

In particular, the wrapping head 3 ? suitable for carrying the confectionery products 2 one by one to a station 9 in which said products are taken from the feed line to be transferred to a first station 10 in which the wrapping and closing of the sheet of wrapping takes place. The wrapping and closing of the wrapping sheet? performed by suitable folding means 11, per se? notice.

It should be noted that the products 2 are held by the gripper members 6 with the flat base facing the outside of the wrapping head 3. In the wrapping and closing station 10 of the wrapping sheet, the folding members 11 fold the edges of bottom of the sheet of wrapping on said flat base of the products 2. Downstream of the first operating station 10, ? the second operating station 12 is arranged, in which stable closure of the bottom edges of the sheet of wrapping is carried out by applying a dot of glue material. As specified below, the application of the point of adhesive material is performed using a spray gun 13.

At the second operating station 12, the apparatus has a gripping member 14 adapted to operate the lifting of a bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping, in suitable phase relationship with the actuation of the aforementioned spray gun 13. gripping organ 14 ? consisting of a parallelepiped-shaped metal bar having on the surface facing the wrapping head 3 a suction mouth, in continuous connection with suction means adapted to keep the same suction mouth under vacuum.

The gripping organ 14 ? movable between a gripping position, substantially adjacent to the flat base of the product 2, to hold a bottom edge 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 flap of the wrapping sheet raised in position almost? perpendicular to the same flat base of the product 2.

The gripping organ 14 ? connected to a lever system 15 comprising an oscillating arm 16 able to be operated according to a horizontal axis parallel to the rotation axis of the wrapping head 3 and articulated to a tie rod 17 to impart to the gripping organ 14 the alternating motion between the aforementioned positions gripping and lifting operations.

The raised bottom edge of the wrapping sheet? subsequently folded on the bottom of the sheet of wrapping, after the application of the point of adhesive material, by means of the same gripping member 14, actuated to return to the position adjacent to the bottom of the wrapping.

The spray gun 13 ? equipped with a roto-translation motion on a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of the wrapping head to pass from a disengagement position to an application position of the point of gluing material. 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 sheet of wrapping; in the application position of the point of gluing material, the gripping member 14 is placed in a substantially perpendicular position to the flat base of the product 2 and keeps the bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping raised.

For this purpose the spray gun 13 ? articulated to a double crank mechanism 18 comprising a first rocker arm 19 and a second rocker arm 20 capable of being actuated in angular rotation according to horizontal axes parallel to the rotation axis of the wrapping head 3, by means of motor members, not shown. The first rocker arm 19 and the second rocker arm 20 are arranged in sequence and at the respective ends? free? a lever 21 pivotally connected to the spray gun 13 is pivoted. Therefore, the double crank mechanism 18 allows the actuation of the spray gun 13, for the application of the point of gluing material on the bottom of the sheet of wrapping, maintaining a suitable relationship phase with respect to the alternate movement of the gripping organ 14.

Advantageously the gluing operation? made using a non-toxic glue suitable for applications in the food sector.

Downstream of the second operating station 12 there are further folding means 22 which accompany the product towards a third operating station 23 in which presser means 24 operate which are able to impress a controlled pressure on the flat base of the products 2, wrapped in the respective sheet of wrapping subjected to the gluing operation previously described. Said further folding means 22 act on the bottom of the product keeping the bottom flaps superimposed in the wrapping closing position.

In the embodiment described, the pressure means 24 are connected to an arm 25 articulated to the second rocker arm 20 by which they are actuated in an alternating oscillating movement between a disengagement position and a pressure application position. The action of the pressure means 24 ? designed to guarantee a homogeneous distribution of the gluing material for the union of the bottom edges of the wrapping sheet.

The method for closing the wrapping of confectionery products is easily understandable from the preceding description.

The confectionery products 2 to be wrapped, partially wrapped in a relative sheet of wrapping, are picked up by the gripper members 6 of the wrapping head 3, rotated step by step, and fed in succession to the operating stations of the machine.

In the first operating station 10, the folding means 11 close the bottom flaps of the sheet of wrapping material on the flat base of the product 2.

The wrapped product is then transferred to the second operating station 12, where the bottom edges of the sheet of wrapping are glued. In the second operating station 12, the flat base of the product 2 facing the outside of the wrapping head faces the suction mouth of the gripping member 14, in continuous connection with suction means capable of maintaining the same suction mouth under depression ( figure 2). The gripping member 14 therefore holds the bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping material adjacent to the suction mouth under vacuum. The aforementioned bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping is then lifted, by activating the angular rotation of the gripping member 14 from the gripping position to the lifting position of the bottom edge of the wrapping sheet held by the suction mouth of the same locking member socket 14 (FIG. 3).

In a suitable phase relationship, simultaneously with the lifting of the bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping, the rotation-translation of the spray gun 13 is actuated from the disengagement position to the application position of the point of gluing material (see again Figure 3). Having arrived in front of the bottom of product 2, the spray gun 13 applies a dot of gluing material on the bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping wrapped on product 2.

Advantageously, 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.

At the end of the gluing operation, the spray gun 13 is moved away from the bottom of the product 2 and brought back to the disengagement position, while at the same time the gripping member 14 brings back to the closed position the bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping held by the suction mouth (figure 4).

The product 2 wrapped in the glued sheet of wrapping paper is then fed from the wrapping head 3 to the next operating station 23, engaging the curved surface of the further folding means 22 with the flat base. In the third operating station 23, the pressure means 24 are actuated to to impress a controlled pressure on the flat base of the product 2. The pressure exerted by the pressure means 24 ensures a homogeneous distribution of the gluing material applied between the bottom edges of the sheet of wrapping.

The method according to the present invention achieves the object of closing the wrapping of confectionery products in an optimal manner.

In particular, the method in question makes it possible to close the wrapping of confectionery products by means of a glue dot at a speed of 100%. high, so as not to determine a reduction in productivity? request to the machine.

The purpose mentioned? achieved thanks to the distinct presence of a first operating station 10 in which ? closing of the bottom flaps of the sheet of wrapping on a flat base of the products 2 and of a second operating station 12 specifically dedicated to the operations of gluing the bottom flaps of the sheet of wrapping using the spray gun 13.

The presence of two operating stations dedicated to the various operations necessary for the type of closure of the sheet of wrapping material described also allows to reduce the interferences between the folding means and the means for applying the point of gluing material during the operations of closing the sheet of wrapping material.

Obviously, the gluing of the bottom edges of the wrapping allows to effectively close 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.

The equipment described by way of example ? susceptible to numerous modifications and variations according to different needs.

In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials used, as well as? the shape and dimensions can be any according to the needs.

Where the technical features mentioned in each claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks have been included for the sole purpose of enhancing understanding of the claims and consequently they are in no way limiting the scope of each element identified by way of reference. example by such reference marks.

Claims (10)

Claims 1) Method for closing the wrapping of confectionery products and the like, including the phases of (to). feed in orderly succession the products (2) to be wrapped associated with a sheet of wrapping to a wrapping head (3) operated in step rotation to bring said products (2) to a plurality of of operating stations; (b). in a first operating station (10) winding and closing the bottom flaps of said sheet of wrapping material on a flat base of said product (2); (c). operate in a second operating station (12), placed downstream of said first operating station (10), the lifting of a bottom edge of said sheet of wrapping wrapped on said product (2); (d). operating in a suitable phase relationship the application of a dot of gluing material on the bottom of said sheet of wrapping wrapped on said product (2); (And). folding said raised flap on the bottom of said sheet of wrapping bearing said dot of material of gluing material to complete the closure of the wrapping. 2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it involves lifting said bottom edge of the wrapping sheet in said second operating station (12) by means of a gripping member (14) able to be operated with alternating motion between a gripping position adjacent to said flat base of the product (2), to hold a bottom edge of said sheet of wrapping, and a lifting position, in which the same gripping member (14) keeps said bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping with respect to said flat base of the product (2). 3) Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it involves lifting said bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping material in said second operating station (12) by means of a gripping member (14) having on a surface facing the said wrapping head (3) a suction mouth in continuous connection with suction means able to keep the same suction mouth under vacuum. 4) Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it involves applying a dot of gluing material on the bottom of said sheet of wrapping material by means of a spray gun (13) able to be operated with alternating motion between one disengagement position and an application position of said point of gluing material close to said flat base of the product (2). 5) Equipment for closing the wrapping of confectionery and similar products, including: a wrapping head (3) able to be operated step by step to feed in succession single confectionery products (2) wrapped in respective sheets of wrapping at a plurality of? operating stations arranged peripherally to the same wrapping head (3); folding means (11), arranged at a first operating station (10), suitable for winding and closing said sheet of wrapping material on said product (2); a gripping member (14), arranged at a second operating station (12) placed downstream of said first operating station (10), suitable for lifting a bottom edge of said sheet of wrapping wrapped on said product (2); a spray gun (13) able to operate in a suitable phase relationship, at said second operating station (12), the application of a dot of gluing material on the bottom of said sheet of wrapping wrapped on said product (2) . 6) Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said gripping member (14) is adapted to be operated with alternating motion between a gripping position adjacent to said flat base of the product (2), to hold a bottom edge of said sheet of wrapping, and a lifting position, in which the same gripping member (14 ) keeps said bottom edge of the sheet of wrapping raised with respect to said flat base of the product (2). 7) Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said gripping member (14) has on a surface facing said wrapping head (3) a suction mouth in continuous connection with suction means suitable for keeping the vacuum under pressure. same suction mouth, to retain said bottom flap of the sheet of wrapping. 8) Apparatus according to one of claims from 5 to 7, characterized in that said spray gun (13) is adapted to be operated with alternating motion between a disengagement position and an application position of said point of gluing material close to said flat base of the product (2). 9) Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said spray gun (13) is adapted to be operated with an alternating roto-translation motion on a vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said wrapping head (3) to pass from said disengagement position to said application position of the point of gluing material. 10) Apparatus according to one of claims from 5 to 9, characterized in that it comprises pressure means (24), arranged at a third operating station (23) located downstream of said second operating station (12), capable of imparting a controlled pressure on said flat base of the product (2), to guarantee a homogeneous distribution of said gluing material.