WO1998022347A1

WO1998022347A1 - Method and plant for packing products or sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a package

Info

Publication number: WO1998022347A1
Application number: PCT/IB1997/001453
Authority: WO
Inventors: Davide Cagnolati
Original assignee: Robopac Sistemi S.R.L.
Priority date: 1996-11-22
Filing date: 1997-11-17
Publication date: 1998-05-28
Also published as: ITBO960604A0; ITBO960604A1; AU4791997A; IT1286785B1

Abstract

In order to protect and stabilise products (2), or sets of parts neatly gathered in a package, the invention comprises: a superficial wrapping of the products (2), or of the related sets of parts thereof, with elastically stretchable film which, unwound from a reel (21), is tensioned onto the products (2), or related sets thereof, to form a tubular envelope, which after wrapping contracts elastically onto the products (2) or onto the related sets of parts thereof; the subsequent packing of the products (2), or of the related sets thereof, coated by the film (3), in a containment casing (4), essentially box-like, which is formed directly and to measure on the product (2) and is stuctured in such a way as to present a stiffening frame (60) which comes to enclose the product (2) or the related sets of parts thereof, providing increased protection to their edges and corners against external shocks.

Description

Method and Plant for Packing Products or Sets of Parts thereof neatly gathered in a Package

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the packing of finished products, or sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a packaged and ready for the final assembly of the products, which present surfaces liable to be damaged during handling and transport. The invention can be used, advantageously, in packing manufactured articles and in particular, but not exclusively, furniture or components thereof ready for assembly, which are grouped neatly as packages to be handled as a single body, so-called "kit- forms", to which the description that follows refers, without thereby losing its general characteristic.

Furniture packing generally presents the need absolutely to prevent damages from surface sliding or shock, as a consequence thereof the furniture can be ruined irremediably, becoming of unacceptable quality and thus not sellable.

In the specific case of the sets of component parts which are gathered in a package, such needs imply the adoption of packing systems allowing to prevent individual parts placed in mutual contact from moving relative to each other in the course of loading, off-loading and transport operations with the risk of damaging each other. The aforesaid relative immobilisation, in itself difficult in general, is even more problematic in those cases wherein the "kit-form" is composed of parts with different shapes and sizes and not perfectly complementary.

Background Art

One packing method employed in many cases to solve such problems provides for the association to the "kit-forms" of styrofoam protective elements pre-moulded into appropriate shapes and profiles.

Some types of such protective elements have such shapes as to allow for their interposition between parts of the product, enabling to prevent direct contact of said parts when they are gathered as a set to form the package, or to compensate for gaps existing between the gathered parts.

Other types of said protective elements instead present shapes aimed at ensuring a high degree of protection to the corners and contours of the furniture item against external shocks, both relative to the entire furniture item, when it is constructed in a single body, and to its disassembled parts when they are neatly gathered in a single set.

In order to be effectively adaptable to the great geometric variety of the products to be packaged, the pre-moulded protective parts must however present gamuts of different shapes with very broad size ranges.

Moreover, in the specific case of the sets of component parts of furniture items gathered neatly together, to have a monolithic behaviour of the set wherein even the smallest relative displacements are prevented, additional fastening elements, such as adhesive tape, straps, or other equivalent means must be employed to hold the various parts together.

In sum, this packpackinging method implies the need to manage a high number of different pre-moulded elements, resulting in non negligible operating costs and times, is not very flexible and lastly it can be automated with extreme difficulty and anyway only to a partial extent.

Disclosure of the Invention

The object of the present invention, as it is characterised by the claims, is therefore to eliminate the drawbacks just mentioned by means of a packing method able to offer excellent guarantees of protection to the component parts of the product if these are neatly gathered in such a way as to be handled all together as a single body.

According to the invention this object is attained by means of a method comprising the following essential phases, in combination thereof: superficial wrapping of the product, or of the set of its component parts neatly gathered in a package, with film made of stretchable plastic material, which is unwound from a reel and is wrapped and tensioned onto the products, to form a tubular envelope which is placed in direct contact with the products, or with the sets of parts thereof, onto which it is tightened through the elastic contraction of the film itself;

- subsequent packaging of the products, or of the sets of parts thereof, wrapped by the film, within a containment casing, which is essentially box-like and is structured to present a stiffening frame which comes to enclose the products, or the sets of parts thereof, providing increased protection to their edges and corners against external shocks.

The packing method constituting the subject of the present invention provides numerous advantageous, the first whereof is represented by the fact that no accessory element is required for the stabilisation of the parts of the set and/or for the protection of edges and corners, to be inteφosed between the parts of the product or between the product and the plastic film envelope wrapped around it. This allows to reduce the number of packing materials and their management, since such materials are reduced solely to cardboard and to the plastic film of the envelope. Moreover, it also allows to reduce the logistical and ecological problems connected with the disposal of the packing materials as waste. Since the phase entailing the superficial wrapping of the products is performed by means of an uninterrupted succession of helical turns, an additional advantage of the method is represented by the fact that it allows to adopt a single type of film for the wrapping and protection of all formats of the product, or of the sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a package. Another advantage is represented by the fact that the absence of the aforesaid accessory packing elements allows for the total visibility of the product, through the plastic film, which may be made of transparent material. This allows, in the particular case of display for a show, the total observation of the product with no need to open or remove its tubular envelope, thus maintaining the product constantly protected against dust, against damaging by contact and against the risk of accidental loss or removal of small component parts which may have been inserted during packaging within the tubular envelope and free to move therein.

The use of the box shaped containment casing, which in particular is obtained in two parts fitting together telescopically and used as bottom and lid, and in which casing in addition the lid sets directly onto the products contained, allows for an ample chance of superimposing the casings by stacking without running the risk of collapsing the side walls of the package, which would not only give rise to aesthetic problems, but would also reduce the protective function performed by the side walls of the box casing. With respect to this latter issue, extremely important is the fact that the longitudinal walls of the lower part of the casing, which serves as a bottom, may, in particular, be folded back onto themselves so as to present a stiffening frame of double thickness, and therefore of increased resistance, enclosing the product.

In other words, in the method according to the invention, protection against shocks is provided by protective elements which are incoφorated in the box casing itself and which, upon completion of the packing process, are located outside the tubular envelope made of plastic film.

The present invention also relates to a plant for packing products, or sets of component parts thereof gathered in a package which employs the method described above and which in particular comprises:

- a line to form a superficial wrapping of the products, or of related said component sets gathered neatly in a package, with a stretchable film which is wrapped directly in contact and tensioned onto the products, or onto said sets thereof; - a line for packaging the products, or said sets thereof, wrapped in a film, positioned downstream of the forming line, and wherein a containment casing is modelled directly onto said products, or onto said sets thereof, said containment casing being essentially box like and structured in such a way as to present a stiffening frame which comes to enclose the products, or said sets thereof, providing increased protection to their edges and corners against external shocks. Due to the total lack of protective elements and accessories to be managed and/or positioned on the edges or on the contours of the products, or of the sets thereof, the plant which employs the packing method according to the invention lends itself to be fully line automated, without requiring manual interventions or phases to complement the packing process, except for feeding the materials.

The plant also comprises automatic command means and sensor means interfacing therewith, with the forming line and with the packing line which are able to drive with continuous motion the entire plant keeping in phase the speed of the forming line and of the packaging line according to the distance between products, or between related sets thereof, succeeding each other in the plant, which distance is measured by the sensor means, and it is compared with a reference value previously set on the automatic command means.

Operating continuity thus allows the plant to yield an extremely high hourly production rate due to the total absence of operating motions which are discontinuous, alternative or characterised by the alternation of phases of motion and stoppage.

The plant also comprises adjustment means interfaced with the sensor means and with the automatic command means able to allow for the mechanical adjustment of the plant in automatic and as a function of the dimensions of the products, or of the related sets, according to the three spatial dimensions set on the control means.

This allows for extremely flexible operations, enabling to perform economically and with the same plant the packing of products with a very wide range of sizes, being able to go for instance from products or sets thereof whose plan size may vary from 150 mm to 1200 mm in width, to products with lengths of up to 3000 mm and heights ranging from about 30 mm to 200 mm.

Moreover, the mechanical adjustment of all the parts of the plant as a function of the dimensions of the product occurs by progressive pursuit. Appropriate measuring devices belonging to the aforesaid sensor means and adjustment means, allow to identify the instant of depletion of a batch of products of homogeneous size, or of the related sets thereof, in the individual sections comprising the line, then allowing, as the individual section empties, the automatic mechanical adjustment for that section to begin without waiting for the complete emptying of the line or of the whole plant.

Another feature of the aforesaid adjustment means is also represented by the fact that for each dimension (width, length, height) presented by the products, the adjustment of the mechanical parts is perfoπned with respect to the linear references always positioned in correspondence with a side of the forming and packaging lines. This allows not to modify the working position of the personnel tending the plant, making operations easier for those operators who may be tasked with manually loading the products.

The present invention also relates to some apparatuses and devices inserted in the plant to perform specific functions related to carrying out the packing method according to the invention, which however can also be used separately from the plant. The additional technical characteristics of the invention can clearly be seen from the content of the claims reported below and its advantages shall be made more evident in the description that follows, made with reference to the enclosed drawings, which show an embodiment provided purely by way of non limiting example, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic general plan view of a packing plant carrying out the method according to the present invention;

- Figure 2, subdivided in the parts 2A and 2B, is a schematic view of a line for forming a plastic film envelope which wraps the products, shown with some parts removed; - Figure 3, subdivided in the parts 3 A and 3B, is a schematic plan view in enlarged scale of a packing line which is part of the plant in Figure 1, shown with some parts removed;

- Figure 4, subdivided in the parts 4A and 4B, is a schematic plan view of two lines for the preparation and feeding of packing material to the packing line, which are parallel and interconnected with the packing line in correspondence with two distinct and separate stations for the introduction of the material;

- Figure 5 is a side view of an apparatus for wrapping products with plastic film inserted in the forming line;

- Figure 6 is an overall perspective view of the wrapping apparatus as per the previous Figure 5;

- Figures 7 and 8 are respectively a side view and a front view of a detail of the wrapping apparatus as per Figure 6 shown in enlarged scale;

- Figure 9 is a top plan view of a detail of the wrapping apparatus in correspondence with which the wrapped products exit the apparatus; - Figure 10 is a view of the station for cutting plastic film with which the wrapping apparatus as per Figure 5 is equipped;

- Figure 11 is a schematic representation of a succession of phases indicated as A), B), C) and D) by means of which it is possible to construct one of the component parts - bottom and/or lid - of a box casing employed in the packing method according to the invention;

- Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a succession of phases indicated as A), B), C) and D) by means of which another part of the box casing, having in particular walls which can fold back onto themselves, is constructed;

- Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a casing according to the invention shown in its entirety;

- Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of a set of products gathered in a package, packaged according to the packing method and plant constituting the subject of the present invention;

- Figures 15 and 16 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of an apparatus for transferring the products from the forming line to the packaging line;

- Figures 17 and 18 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of the packaging line, shown with parts removed, wherein in particular a first station for the introduction of the packing material is provided for;

- Figures 19 and 20 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of a transport apparatus inserted in the packaging line of the plant, in correspondence with which, directly on the product, a first part of the containment casing is formed;

- Figures 21 and 22 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of a detail of the packaging line comprising in particular a second station for the introduction of the packing material destined to form the lid of the containment casing; - Figures 23 and 24 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of a detail of the packaging line of the plant in correspondence with which the second part of the box casing is formed onto the product and is associated to the first part of said casing;

- Figure 25 is an overall perspective view of the transfer apparatus as per the previous Figure 15;

- Figure 26 is a top plan view of some details of Figure 18 shown in enlarged scale and pertaining to the first station for the introduction of the packing material in the packaging line;

- Figures 27A and 27B are top plan views of some details of the first introduction station as per Figure 18, shown in enlarged scale;

- Figures 28 and 29 are respectively a top plan view and a side view of a detail of Figure 26 shown in enlarged scale;

- Figure 30 is a side view of an additional detail of Figure 26 shown in enlarged scale; - Figures 31 and 32 are respectively a side view and a top plan view of some means for handling the packing material operating between the material preparation and feeding line and the packaging line;

- Figure 33 is a cross section, enlarged view of the packaging line as per the previous Figures 19 and 20; - Figures 34 and 35 are respectively a top plan view and a side view of some constructive details of the packaging line as per Figure 33, shown in enlarged scale and with some parts removed the better to highlight others;

- Figures 36 and 37 represent respectively a view in cross section to the packaging line of an apparatus for the transport of the product, which is constructed in such a way as to be adjustable in height. With reference to Figure 1, the number 1 globally indicates a mechanised packing plant comprising essentially: a line 80 for the formation of a superficial envelope of products 2, or of sets of components thereof neatly gathered in a package (Figures 2A and 2B); a line 140 for packaging the aforesaid products 2, or the related sets thereof, within a containment casing 4, which line is planimetrically positioned at a right angle and in continuation with the previous one (Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B); and lastly two lines 200, 220 for the preparation and feeding of packing material to the packaging line 140.

The line 80 for the formation of the superficial envelope in turn is subdivided into ad advance line 5 along which the products 2 follow each other at set distances, and into a wrapping machine 75 positioned downstream from the advance line 5, and fed by it.

The line of advance 5 comprises a first moving belt continuous conveyor IN, driven by related motor driving means M8, BQ6 which are actuated by an electrical motor controlled by a related angular position solver consisting of an encoder. The first conveyor IN is followed by a succession of essentially similar conveyor belts, indicated as 2N, 3N, 4N, which are driven by related motor driving means represented, in this case as well, by motors M9, Ml 1, Ml 3 controlled by related encoders BQ49, BQ50, BQ51. In the example shown in Figure 1 , all conveyors 2N, 3N, 4N are separate, however in an alternative, but equivalent, embodiment, they can comprise a single belt.

All the aforesaid conveyors IN, 2N, 3N, 4N have their related driving motors correlated in phase with a reference motor Ml which is positioned in the packaging line 140, as shall be made clearer farther on, and is in turn controlled by means 150 for the automatic command of the entire packing plant 1.

The first conveyor IN is fitted, in proximity to its output end INa, with two sensors Bl, B2, specifically embodied by photoelectric cells, which are able to measure the distance between the products 2 successively transported by the first conveyor IN. The sensors Bl, B2 belong to more general sensor means of the plant 1, globally indicated as 230, which are interfaced with the automatic command means 150, with the forming line 80 and with the packaging line 140 to allow the exchange of signals necessary to enable the automatic command means 150 to drive with continuous motion the whole plant 1, controlling in particular the phasing in speed of the forming line 80 and of the packaging line 140 as a function of the distance between the products 2, or between the related sets, measured by the sensors Bl, B2 of the first belt IN and compared with a reference value previously set on the automatic command means 150.

The belt IN is also provided with a segment of a first continuous linear reference 51 which extends along the line 80 for the formation of the envelope thus also involving the subsequent belts 2N, 3N, 4N and which is borne in correspondence with a side of the forming line 80, to check the conveyed products 2 providing them with a suitable alignment longitudinally to the forming line 80 itself.

All the belts IN, 2N, 3N, 4N are fitted with their own mechanical adjustment means, belonging to more general mechanical adjustment means 170 of the plant 1, which are interfaced with the sensor means 230 and with the means 150 for automatically commanding the plant 1.

In this specific case, said mechanical adjustment means comprise motors M8, M10, M12, M14 controlled by related encoders BQ6, BQ7, BQ8, BQ9 and operating between limit stop sensors SQ11 - SQ13, SQ14 - SQ16, SQ17 - SQ19, SQ20 - SQ22 and with reference sensors SQ12, SQ15, SQ18, SQ21 able to signal the so-called zero position, in order to adjust the belts IN, 2N, 3N, 4N according to the plan size variation of the products 2, or more specifically as a function of the format variations of the furniture items, or of their components measurable in particular, in a direction transverse to the forming line 80.

On the belts 2N, 3N, 4N, in the embodiment wherein the single belt is divided in a succession of distinct belts, are also mounted additional sensors B6, B7, B8 belonging to the mechanical adjustment means 170. These are actuated in particular by photoelectric cells positioned to measure, independently from each other, the presence or absence of products 2 on the related belt. The signals coming from said photoelectric cells can be used by the means 150 for commanding the plant 1 for various puφoses. One of them, for instance, is to provide consent to the mechanical adjustment, also called re-tooling, of the individual belts IN, 2N, 3N, 4N after the depletion of a batch of products, and before beginning the transport of a subsequent batch with different format. This mechanical adjustment, which can take place progressively starting from the line 80 for the formation of the envelope and subsequently proceeding towards the packaging line 140, advantageously allows to avoid interruptions in the operation of the plant 1, with clear advantages in terms of operating times and costs. To the side of each conveyor IN, 2N, 3N, 4N, the forming line 80 comprises stations for loading the products 2 indicated respectively as INI, 2NI, 3NI, 4NI, which are opposed to the first linear reference 51 and are provided to arrange the products 2 on the line of advance 5.

Concerning the operation of the conveyors IN, 2N, 3N, 4N one can observe that the loading operator, gaining access to the first loading station INI, loads a succession of first products 2 onto the first conveyor IN setting them against the first linear reference 51. The products 2 advance individually to the output end INa. Therein, the photoelectric cells B1-B2 measure the distance between a generic product 2 in transit, which is being transferred onto the subsequent conveyor 2N and a product 2 which follows it immediately.

Concerning the functional description of the photoelectric cells B1-B2 it is necessary to state in general that the step correlation of the products 2 along the forming line 80 is managed by the means 150 for commanding the plant 1 in terms of time intervals. In this context, the management of the correct distance of the products 2 following each other on the first conveyor IN is performed by the control means 150 as a function of the measurement of the obscuration times of the photoelectric cells B1-B2, whose light signals are intercepted by the products 2 following each other.

If the time interval between two products 2 is found to be too short, i.e. if the subsequent product 2 has been moved too close to the product 2 preceding it, then the belt IN is stopped for the time required to restore the proper interval between the products 2.

If, instead, the distance between the two products 2 exceeds the pre-set value, then the product 2 that follows is late. If the latter intercepts the photoelectric cell Bl remaining within a maximum delay limit, then the first conveyor IN continues to be driven regularly. If on the contrary, the product 2 which follows has an excessive delay, then the first conveyor IN is stopped in order to leave an empty space in the sequence of the products 2 on the forming line 80; whereupon it is again set in motion when the pre-set interval between the products 2 is reached. In this context, the first photoelectric cell Bl detects the start of the product 2 in transit. The corresponding signal is processed by the control means 150 in order to stop, if necessary, the first conveyor IN before the product 2 intercepts the subsequent photoelectric cell B2. When, after the possible stop, the product 2 reaches the subsequent photoelectric cell B2, the signal coming therefrom is used to check the distance between the product 2 in transit and the product 2 which follows it. In sum, the photoelectric cell Bl is used to manage the arrest of the products 2, whereas the subsequent photoelectric cell B2 is used to manage the distance between consecutive products 2.

When the products 2 have reached the second conveyor 2N, a second operator, acting from the second loading station 2NI, places above the transiting products 2 set onto the belt of the conveyor 2N additional products, or additional component parts therefor, thus forming a stack of vertically superimposed components which grows progressively in the subsequent conveyors 3N, 4N.

It is obvious that the number of the belts 2N, 3N, 4N subsequent to the first belt IN, is related to the number of components to be gathered together in the set, and can also vary in total number and length according to the maximum number of components to be gathered.

Downstream of the line of advance 5, the line 80 for the formation of the envelope comprises, as stated, a wrapping apparatus, indicated in its entirety as 75 (Figures 5-6) by means of which the products 2, or the related neatly gathered sets coming from the line of advance 5, following each other according to a regular spacing, are wrapped with a film 3 made of plastic material, elastically stretchable.

The wrapping apparatus 75 consists in particular of a conveyor 6N introducing the products 2, or the related sets; a wrapping machine Al, a related output conveyor 7N of the products 2 arranged one after the other along the forming line 80 and lastly, a cutting station 33, 34.

The introducing conveyor 6N is of limited length and it is actuated by means of a motor-driven belt with continuous motion, similarly to the arrangement for the conveyors of the line of advance 5. The wrapping machine Al (Figure 5) essentially comprises:

- a device 19 for the support and transfer of the products 2, or of the related sets thereof, positioned downstream from the introducing conveyor 6N;

- a device 20 for wrapping the products 2 with cold-stretchable plastic film 3;

- means 50 for actuating related movements, with respect to the forming line 80, of the supporting device 19 and of the wrapping device 20.

The support and transfer device 19 is positioned along the forming line 80 and it comprises in particular (Figure 6) two continuous conveyors 24, overlaid on each other, positioned parallel and longitudinally to the forming line 80, and moving with identical speeds V2 directed parallel to the forming line 80 itself. More particularly, each conveyor 24 (Figures 7, 8 and 9) includes a belt 25 and motor-driven rollers 26, around which the belt 25 is enclosed in a loop and is movable tangentially to rollers 26.

The conveyors 24 are positioned in such a way as to touch with their active branch 44 bilaterally the products 2, so that the latter are simultaneously supported and made to advance by the active branch 44 along the forming line 80, between an input end 27 and an output end 28 of the device 19.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 9, the belt 25 of each conveyor 24 is subdivided into nine branches 29a and 29b parallel to each other, positioned longitudinally to the forming line 80. The branches 29a, 29b are so hinged at one of their ends as to be able to be individually lowered vertically and lifted horizontally. The total number of branches 29a, 29b which is lifted horizontally in the working position, or which on the contrary is lowered vertically in the rest position, is selected according to the width of the products 2 moving along the forming line 80. The embodiment of the conveyors 24 described above is particularly advantageous especially for packing sets of components gathered in packages such as to present great differences in width, as well as widely differing relative positions of the components. Moreover, the choice of a convenient number of branches 29a, 29b of the belt 25 of the conveyors 24 allows to support the products 2 in optimal fashion whatever the format of the products 2 may be, without lateral protrusions onto which the film 3 can impart localised pressures which could prevent it from tensioning correctly and uniformly.

The wrapping machine Al deposits the film 3 by means of a wrapping device 20 of a type known in the prior art which supports a reel 21 of previously stretched plastic film 3.

The wrapping device 20 (Figure 6) comprises an annular rotor 55 able to revolve coaxially with respect to the forming line 80 with constant speed V4 and supporting the reel 21 of the film 3 with its axis of rotation 22 parallel to the direction of advance of the products 2. During the rotation of the rotor 55, the film 3 is unwound from the reel 21 and, tensioning elastically, it is wrapped continuously around the products 2, rotating essentially with centre of rotation on the forming line 80.

From the composition of the entrainment, rotation and translation motions received by the film 3 derives a progressive deposition thereof onto the products 2 which, like a bandage, generates a continuous tubular envelope with helical turns wrapping the products 2 and which extends itself along the forming line 80.

Downstream of the release end 28 of the device 19, the cutting station of the film 3 comprises cutting means 33 and 34 positioned along the forming line 80 so as periodically to cut the envelope generated by the film 3 between the products 2, which follow each other continuously along the forming line 80. The cutting means (Figures 5 and 6) essentially comprise a plane frame 33 positioned transversely to the forming line 80, which frame 33 carries a pair of blades 34 alternatively movable with opposite directions and between which the products 2 advance tightly wrapped by the film 3. The frame 33 is mounted on a fixed structure in such a way as to be able to oscillate angularly around an axis 35 transverse to the forming line 80, driven by a pneumatic piston 46. Such characteristic allows to orient the frame 33 itself to be set tilted in a condition wherein the vector resulting from the operating speed of the blades 34 and of the speed V2 of the support and transfer device 19 is directed orthogonally to the line 80 for the formation of the wrap.

Such condition guarantees a uniform cut along the entire contour of the product 2 and it assures the equality and coincidence of the edges of the film 3 on the whole cutting section which allows for a correct overlap thereof.

Upon completion of the enveloping and stabilisation phase of the products 2 through the elastic stretching of the film 3, the products 2 are subsequently subjected to a packaging phase accomplished by the packaging line 140 wherein they are inserted automatically into a box shaped containment casing 4 which is modelled directly onto the products 2.

The casing 4 (Figure 14) is constructed in two parts, preferably made of cardboard, provided in such a way as to present a stiffening frame 60 encompassing the products 2 and guaranteeing the utmost protection against shocks especially on the edges and on the corners of the products 2 where contacts able to damage them can take place more frequently.

Concerning in particular the construction of the casing 4, it can be observed that it is preferably obtained in two parts of identical shape, but of different size in order to fit mutually and telescopically within each other, one of which parts serves as a bottom 16, the other one as a lid 17.

The bottom 16 of the casing 4, or in an equivalent manner its lid 17, are formed by successive folding or re-folding of the peripheral edges, which in the hypothesis of a parallelepiped casing 4, as shown for instance in Figures 11 and 12, are represented by edges 10 corresponding to the longer sides, by edges 11 corresponding to the shorter sides of the casing 4 and lastly by the tabs 15 at the ends of the aforesaid edges 10, 11.

The aforesaid folds are performed both for the bottom 16 and for the lid 17 starting from a plane sheet of cardboard, or of equivalent packing material, whose edges 7 and 7a are folded and superimposed to obtain, in the finished casing 4, trihedrals 8 having at least one face with double thickness with respect to the others.

With reference to Figure 13, one notes that by shaping the bottom 16 and the lid 17 in such a way that they can be mutually assembled in a condition wherein the faces of the trihedrals 8 of the bottom 16 presenting double thickness alternate in an orderly fashion with the corresponding faces of the trihedrals 18 of the lid 17, it is possible to obtain a frame 60 uniformly stiffened for its entire length, with significant reinforcement in correspondence with the corners.

The edge 16, in an operating embodiment of the packing, can be formed also when the products 2 are already positioned onto a plane cardboard sheet 6 and the edge 16 is carried into an output station 59 positioned downstream from the wrapping machine Al before the product 2 to be contained reaches said output station 59. The lid 17 subsequently formed may be fitted onto the bottom 16 to complete the casing 4. Considering that the wrapping machine Al operates continuously, the output station 59 shall be suitably distanced from the wrapping machine Al itself as a function at least of the time required to form the casing 4 and of the speed of advance of the products 2 along the forming line 80.

The products 2 wrapped in the manner described by the film 3 can obviously be housed even with some clearance within the box casing 4, whilst still remaining perfectly protected both as an effect of the tight wrap provided by the film 3 which prevents the possibility of relative sliding between the components of the set neatly gathered in a package, and thanks to the protection offered by the frame 60 with the related reinforcements on the corners formed, as stated, by multiple superimposed layers of the sheet 6 of packing material. Downstream, and in continuation with said conveyor 7N, the forming line 80 comprises an additional conveyor 5N, driven with a related motor Ml 5 which is controlled by an encoder BQ52 and is correlated in phase with the reference motor Ml. The motor Ml 5 and the encoder BQ52 belong to the means 150 for the automatic command of the packing plant 1 and they are functionally interconnected with sensors embodied by photoelectric cells B3, B4, and included in the more general sensor means 230 of the plant 1, which control the distance in output of the products 2, or of the related sets thereof, commanding the emergency of the plant 1 if the distance between products 2 following each other along the forming line 80 is smaller than the reference value, slowing the speed of the forming line 80 if the aforesaid distance should be found to exceed said value.

The forming line 80 and the packaging line 140 are mutually arranged at a right angle and comprise support planes 80a, 140 a (Figure 15) whereon the products 2, or the related neatly gathered sets of components thereof move, which planes are positioned on distinct vertical levels. The support plane 80a of the forming line 80 is located in particular at a higher level than that of the packaging line 140 and corresponds to the optimal ergonomic level for the operators which may be tasked with manually loading the products 2.

The transfer of the products 2 from one line to the other is performed between two stations indicated in Figure 1 as IP and 2P and by means of a transferring apparatus 90 (Figures 15, 16 and 25) positioned between the two lines 80 and 140, which comprises a vertical structure 89 provided with a station 88 for receiving the products 2 located at the level of the support plane 80a of the forming line 80 and a station 87 for off-loading the products 2, vertically underlying the receiving station 88, aligned with the packaging line 140 and positioned at a level corresponding to the related support plane 140a of the products 2.

Between the receiving station 88 and the off-loading station 87 operates a vertical conveyor 86 which transfers in continuous succession the products 2, or the neatly gathered related sets of components thereof. The vertical conveyor 86 is actuated by a toothed track 85, or in equivalent fashion by a chain, enclosed in a loop around two toothed pulleys 84 which are vertically superimposed one on the other and rotate around their horizontal axes of rotation 84a (Figure 3A).

The track 85 is fitted with a series of loading platforms 83 projecting transversely thereto, externally to the loop, and comprising a plurality of parallel linear supports 81, with rollers freely revolving around their axis of symmetry, borne in projection by the track 85 transversely to the axis 84a of the pulleys 84. The transfer apparatus 90 further comprises a conveyor belt 5 IN which is provided to accelerate the entry onto the loading platforms 83 of the products 2 of reduced size and, on the contrary, to retard the products 2 of larger size coming from the forming line 80 with high quantity of motion deriving from the larger mass.

The vertical conveyor 86 is driven with unidirectional intermittent stepped motion of the track 85 by means of a step actuator commanded by a self-braking asynchronous motor M5, with arrest positions of the track 85 signalled by sensors SQ7 and SQ8.

In use, the vertical conveyor 86 alternating stops and motions of the track 85 progressively transfers each loading platform 83 from the receiving station 88, wherein in correspondence with an arrest the products 2 or the related sets are introduced into the structure 89 between two subsequent loading platforms 83 and with movement parallel to the axis 84a of the pulleys 84, to the off-loading station

87 where instead the products 2 are laid on a support base 82 which extracts them from the structure 89 and sends them on to a position 2P of the packaging line 140 with a displacement directed transversely to the axis of rotation 84a of the pulleys 84. The support base 82 is actuated in particular by a horizontal conveyor comprising a plurality of tracks 91 parallel and driven with continuous motion which are interposes in an orderly manner between the linear supports 81 of the vertical conveyor 86 and which translate the products 2 from the transferring apparatus 90 to the forming line 140 at a speed which may vary according to the format of the products 2 and to the production rate. This technical effect is obtained, in this case as well, by providing the conveyor with a motor Ml 9 controlled by an angular position solver BQ53 and interfaced with a sensor BIO which signals the correct extraction of the product 2 from the transferring apparatus 90.

The transferring apparatus 90 further comprises (Figure 25) an element 92 for arresting the products 2, or the related component sets neatly gathered as a package, located on the receiving station 88 and preferably comprising a bar brought in a condition wherein it is oriented transversely to the forming line 80.

The arresting element 92 is movable parallel to itself along a horizontal direction parallel to the forming line 80, thus with the possibility to be displaced in a direction orthogonal to the vertical plane 94 of evolution of the linear supports 81.

Such mobility is assured by motion actuation means comprising a threaded rod

93, in particular with sphere recirculation, driven by an actuating motor M6 controlled by an angle solver BQ5, which threaded rod 93 operates between two limit stop detectors SQ1, SQ2 and with a reference detector SQ3 interposed between them. The aforesaid actuating means and sensors belong to the more general means 170 for the mechanical adjustment of the plant 1 and co-operate functionally with the automatic command means 150 in such a way as to displace the arresting element 92 in a controlled manner and in a position corresponding to the size of the products 2 parallel to the forming line 80. The activation of the motion of the threaded rod 93 allows to adjust the arresting element 92 both in the sense of meeting the positioning requirements connected with the variations in the dimensional format of the various batches of products 2, and with the need systematically to move the arresting element from the plane 94 of evolution of the linear supports 81 in order to allow the advance by one step of the track 85 without the linear elements 81, which follow the corresponding linear elements 81 engaged in supporting the products 2, intercepting the arresting element 92 itself, which is in a more advanced position with respect to them.

The transferring apparatus 90 comprises a second linear reference 96, which is oriented transversely to the forming line 80 and is borne longitudinally to the packaging line 140 in correspondence with a side thereof and in an intermediate position to the arresting element 92 and to the forming line 80 itself.

The second linear reference 96 is alternatively movable in the vertical plane upon activation of related actuating means CL 2, SQ9, SQ10 from a lowered position of free transit of the products 2, or of the related sets thereof from the forming line 80 to the receiving station 88 to a lifted position in correspondence with which the arresting element 92, which instead is horizontally movable, presses against the second linear reference 96 the product 2 inteφosed between the arresting element 92 and the second linear reference 96 itself.

The actuating means of the second linear reference 96 are preferably embodied by a pneumatic cylinder CIL 2 operating between two limit stop detectors SQ9 and

SQ10.

It should be noted that in the specific case of sets of components gathered in a package, at the end of the thrust imparted on the set by the arresting element 92, all the components of the set are perfectly aligned according to two horizontal directions orthogonal to each other: the first direction is imposed by the alignment condition against the first linear reference 51 borne by the forming line 80; the second direction instead is imposed by the alignment condition against the second linear reference 96 which establishes the reference alignment of the products 2 along the packaging line 140. In order to establish the correct timing of the motions necessary to introduce the product 2 into the receiving station 88 and to start the advance by one step of the track 85 of the vertical conveyor 86, the transferring apparatus 90 comprises: a photoelectric cell detector B5 which signals the complete crossing of the vertical plane of evolution of the second linear reference 96 by the product 2 in transit towards the receiving station 88 and enables the command to the cylinder CLL2 which activates the rise of the second linear reference 96; a positioning sensor SQ4 located in correspondence with the arresting element 92 which detects the condition of actual contact of the front part of the product 2 with the arresting element 92 itself. The detector B5 and the positioning sensor SQ4, which belong to the more general sensor means 230 of the plant 1, send to the control means 150 their consent to the activation of the vertical conveyor 86 to perform the lowering of the product 2 corresponding to a step towards the off-loading station 87.

The packaging line 140 (Figures 1, 3 A, 3B) essentially comprises an apparatus 160 to form the containment casing of the products 2, or of the related sets of components thereof, interconnected with a feeding device 180 which conveys thereon the products 2 received from the transferring apparatus 90, and with two feeding stations 6 V, 6P of plane sheets 6 of packing material respectively destined to the formation of the parts of the casing 4 serving respectively as bottom 16 and lid 17.

The feeding device 180 of the products 2 comprises a phasing station 3P consisting of two conveyors (Figure 15) positioned downstream from the conveyor which actuates the support base 82 of the transferring apparatus 90 and which comprise two flexible elements 178 positioned in succession and enclosed in a loop around respective pairs of rotating pulleys 179, one of which is motor driven.

Between the two conveyors is positioned a fixed bar element 178a by means of which the products 2 which may have positioned themselves incorrectly automatically reacquire the correct attitude for advancement.

The phasing conveyor 3P is motor driven with its own driving means comprising a motor M20 equipped with a related angular solver or encoder BQ10 which is interfaced with the means 150 for commanding the plant 1 in such a way as to translate towards the forming apparatus 160 the products 2 received supporting them on the flexible elements 178. The phasing conveyor 3P is driven with its own continuous operating speed and its phase synchronism is controlled with the speed of the entire packaging line 140 thus allowing the products 2 received to be progressively synchronised with such speed during their transport.

Downstream from the phasing conveyor 3P, (Figures 17 and 18) the feeding device 180 comprises a mechanical thrust conveyor 175 which is provided with a sliding plane 177 with freely revolving rollers, positioned in continuation with the phasing conveyor 3P and coplanar thereto with respect to the common support plane 140a of the products 2. In opposition to the sliding plane 177, the mechanical conveyor 175 comprises a plurality of thrusting bar elements 186 borne in projection by, and arranged at intervals along, a motor driven chain 187. Thruster elements 186 are associated at the rear to the products 2 received from the phasing conveyor 3P and push them in succession, arranged at orderly intervals according to a rigorously pre-set reference distance, along a section of the packaging line 140 identified by the stations 4P, 5P, 7P in Figure 1.

Below the sliding plane 177 of the mechanical conveyor 175, is positioned the first station 6V for feeding the sheets 6 of packing material provided to form the bottoms 16 of the casing 4 (Figures 1 and 17).

The first feeding station 6V is fed in turn by a first line 200 for feeding the sheets 6 positioned transversely to the packaging line 140 and shown schematically in Figure 1. Between the fist feeding station 6 V and the outlet of the mechanical conveyor

175, designated with the reference 7V (Figure 17), the plant 1 comprises feeding means 190 controlled by the automatic command means 150 in such a way as to associate in appropriate phase synchronism the sheets 6 of packing material directly with the products 2, or related said sets thereof, which are movable along the overlying section 4P, 5P, 7P of the packaging line 140 corresponding to the mechanical conveyor 175.

The mentioned feeding means 190 more particularly comprise two mechanical conveyors 181 a, 181 b positioned one in continuation to the other between an end 185 receiving the sheets 6 placed in correspondence with the first feeding station 6V and the off-loading end 7 V of the mechanical conveyor 175 of the products 2. The ends

185, 7V are vertically offset with respect to each other, so that the conveyors 181a, 181b identify in mutual combination an inclined path with respect to the overlying section 4P, 5P, 7P of the packaging line 140.

The aforesaid mechanical conveyors 181 a, 181b are of the type with a plurality of tracks 182a, 182b enclosed in a loop around motor-driven pulleys 184a, 184b, tracks which are interposed in an orderly fashion to parallel strips of metal fitted with teeth 183a, 183b arranged at constant intervals, and borne in transverse projection to the tracks 182a, 182b themselves (Figure 30).

The mechanical conveyors 181a, 181b are moved by driving means actuated by motors M53 fitted with related angular solvers BQ39 and interfaced with the means 150 for controlling the plant 1 in such a way as to be controlled and synchronised in phase with the reference motor Ml of the packaging line 140.

The teeth 183a, 183b (Figure 30) of the mechanical conveyors 181a, 181b are also adjustable with respect to a reference detector SQ127, constituted for instance of a zero microswitch, belonging to the more general mechanical adjustment means

170 of the plant 1, in a controlled manner along the development line of the track 182a, 182b and correspondingly to the variation in format of the sheets 6. More in particular, for the casing 4 of the Figures 11, 12 and 13, such size variation is constituted by the difference of the edges of the sheet 6 related to the edges 10 corresponding to the longer sides of the frame 60 of the casing 4 which they convey along the packaging line 140 oriented transversely thereto.

The feeding means 180 are correlated with means 210 for releasing the sheets 6 at the proper interval which, with reference to Figures 17, 18, 26, 27A, 27B, 29 and 30, in particular comprise a pair of guides 20 If, 201m linear, parallel and horizontal which are elongated transversely to the packaging line 140 operating between an arrest station 5V of the sheets 6, located on the feeding line 200, and a station 6V for feeding the sheets 6, located on the packaging line 140 (Figure 1).

The guides 20 If, 201m present cross sections profiled in such a way as to have a vertical opening 202 for the entry of the opposed edges 7 of the sheets 6, which opening is delimited at the bottom by a horizontal wing 203 which is movable alternatively and horizontally. Such mobility is obtained by means of an action imparted by related activating means comprising pairs of fluid-operated linear actuators, for instance pneumatic cylinders CLL20, CLL21, CLL22, CLL23, respectively associated to the aforesaid guides 20 If and 201m, interconnected with limit stop detectors SQ123, SQ124, SQ125, SQ126 belonging to the sensor means 230 and interoperating with the automatic command means 150 of the plant 1.

The guides 20 If, 201m are able to convey the sheets 6 of packing materials lying horizontally, supporting pairs of their edges 10 or 11 peripheral and opposite in a condition of support on their movable wings 203, guiding them in such a way as to make the sheets 6 arrive above the receiving end 185 of the mechanical conveyor

181a, 181b.

In correspondence with such receiving end 185, the sheets 6 are then released in free fall onto the underlying mechanical conveyor 181a, 181b following the horizontal move of the support wings 203 away from each other imposed by a corresponding activation of the pneumatic cylinders CLL20, CLL21, CLL22, CLL23.

The guides 20 If, 201m moreover are movable relatively to one another, with respect to the packaging line 140 also to vary their mutual distance in an adjustable manner according to the connected size variations of the sheets 6 of packing material; and with the size variations corresponding to the format variations of the products 2; both being set by the operator on the automatic command means 150 of the plant 1.

More specifically, for such puφoses one of the guides 20 If is borne by a threaded rod 204 which is driven by a motor M49 fitted with a related angular solver

BQ35 and which operates with limit stop detectors SQ111, SQ113 and with a reference sensor SQ112 intermediate thereto; all such elements belonging to the means 170 for adjusting the plant 1.

The aforesaid guide 20 If is movable as an effect of the rotation of the threaded rod 204 in such a way as to perform the adjustments connected with the size variations of just the edges 10 corresponding for instance to the longer sides of the casing 4.

The same is true for the other guide 201m which is movable in a manner that is wholly similar to the previous one insofar as the dimensional adjustment of the aforesaid edges 10 is concerned. For this puφose it is thus equipped with a complex of related means which are represented by a motor M50, by an angular solver BQ36 and by a threaded rod 205 interfaced with limit stop detectors SQ114, SQ116 and operating with a reference detector SQl 15 inteφosed thereto. However this second guide 201m is borne, together with the means for the adjustment of the edges 10, in a movable manner by the wing 203 which in turn is supported by a threaded rod 206 driven in the usual way by a motor M51 equipped with related angular solver BQ37, which threaded rod operates between limit stop sensors SQl 17, SQl 19 and with a reference sensor SQl 18. The activation of the threaded rod 206, which in this case presents greater length, allows to perform the dimensional adjustments of this latter guide 201m with respect to the other one 20 If also as a function of the format variations of the sheets 6 connected with the variations in size format of the products 2.

For this latter purpose, the feeding means 190 are also fitted with an alignment element 189 (Figure 26) for the lateral contact of the sheets 6 along the packaging line 140. Such alignment element 189 is associated with driving means represented by a motor M52 fitted with related angular solver BQ38 able to vary its position with respect to the packaging line 140, and in transverse direction thereto, as a function of the format variations of the sheets 6 of packing material and with reference to limit stop detectors SQ120, SQ122 and to a reference detector SQ121 inteφosed thereto.

Concerning the transfer of the sheets 6 from the arrest station 5 V of the feeding line 200 to the station 6 V of the packaging line 140, the feeding means 190 comprise a device 211 for gripping and transferring in succession the sheets 6 associated with apportioning means 210 and represented in particular in the Figures 31 and 32.

The aforesaid device 211 is obtained from a rod 209 alternatively movable horizontally and in a direction transverse to the packaging line 140, which carries at an end 208 an articulated hook-up element 207 freely revolving in the vertical plane in such a way as to oscillate angularly under the action of its own weight.

The hook-up element 207 is provided with its own operating end 207a which can be associated to the sheet 6 awaiting in the arrest station 6V so as to slide freely on a horizontal face 6p of the sheet 6 in correspondence with a stroke of the rod 209 performed in the direction away from the packaging line 140 and to be associated instead with a vertical rear face 6v of the sheet 6 in such a way as to hook it and to drag it toward the feeding station 6V in the return stroke performed by the rod 209 in the direction approaching the packaging line 140.

In the operation of the plant 1, the apportioning means 210, fed with sheets 6 coming from the first feeding line 200, thus convey the sheets 6 of packing material above the receiving end 185 of the first conveyor 182b; they then let them drop with a timed and controlled sequence onto the underlying track 182b where they are intercepted by the teeth 183a, 183b and transported in contact therewith onto the offloading end7V where they arrive in succession distanced at rigorously set intervals. In correspondence with the latter end, each of the sheets 6 is associated with a product 2, simultaneously exiting the above section 4P, 5P and 7P of the packaging line 140 and positions itself progressively in contact therewith, below it, in a pre-set condition of relative position and orientation with which the sheets 6 and the products 2 then continue, integral to each other, along the packaging line 140. In correspondence with the section of the packaging line 140 identified in

Figure 1 with the references 6p, 7p, 8p, 9p, is positioned the forming apparatus 160 destined to construct, directly on the products 2 or on the related sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a package, the lower part of the casing 4, serving as a bottom 16.

The forming apparatus 160 (Figures 19, 20, 33, 34, 35) essentially comprises: a continuous conveyor device 120 provided with seven beams 121 parallel and longitudinal with respect to the packaging line 140, which support parallel chains 123 enclosed in a loop and motor-driven to convey the products 2 set onto the sheets 6 of packing material; folding means indicated in their entirety as 130 to fold, during the transfer of the products 2 or of the related sets of parts thereof, the sheets 6 of packing material in direct contact with the products 2 themselves; and lastly fastening means provided to join together the peripheral edges 10, 11 of the sheets 6 in order to obtain the definitive and stable formation of the bottom 16 of the casing 5.

Each of the beams 121 supports a pair of chains 123, which encompass corresponding pairs of revolving pulley s 118 positioned at the ends 121a, 121 b of the beams 121. The chains 123 bear movable folding elements 131, with arms 131a, 131b mutually angled, which are articulated to the chains 123 in a manner that is rotationally oscillating in the vertical plane. As a consequence of the sliding motion of the chains 123, such folding elements 131 lift, starting from their inactive condition wherein their operating arm 131a is oriented horizontally and in correspondence with the path of an initial section of the transport branch 123a of the chains 123, setting themselves in a vertical condition which determines the progressive folding of opposite peripheral edges 10 of the sheet 6 (Figure l ib, 12c) and oriented transversely to the chains 123 until they are positioned vertically and maintained constantly pressed during transport against the product 2 associated to the sheet 6.

Operating in that sense, each product 2 comes to be engaged by the arms 131a of two movable folding devices positioned in succession on a same chain 123, whilst conventional fixed folding devices 132, of similar construction, or alternatively comprising for instance rigid walls with helical development, rigidly connected with the structure of the beams 121 in succession fold back the tabs 15 at the end of such edges 10, deposit a layer of adhesive and fold back the remaining pairs of side edges 11 (Figure 12 D) of the sheet 6, whilst the product 2 is transferred by the chains 123 from one end 121a, 121b to the other of the beams 121. The individual chains 123 of each beam 121 are independently driven by motor-driving means which, in particular, are represented by two motors Ml, M2 fitted with related angular position solvers BQ1, BQ2 and interfaced with, and controlled by, means 150 for commanding the plant 1.

Each of the motors Ml and M2 transmits motion to seven chains 123 individually belonging to distinct beams 121 by driving two distinct grooved bars

119 engaged in the pulleys 118. The motor Ml in particular constitutes the actuator serving to fold the rear edge 10, 11 of the bottom 16 of the casing 4 positioned transversely to the direction of advance of the products 2 along the packaging line 140. It also constitutes the reference actuator whereto are correlated the movements of all the movable parts of the plant 1 for the phasing required for its operation. Since the grooved bars 119 related to each motor Ml, M2 distinctly engage the pulleys 118 related to each chain 123, by appropriately programming the phasing parameters of the motor M2 with respect to the motor Ml it is possible to command the relative sliding of the chains 123 of each pair in a direction longitudinal to each beam 121 to perform the mechanical adjustments of the plant 1 which are connected with the size variations of the products 2 and of the sheets 6, and which can be measured longitudinally to the packaging line 140.

The beams 121 are supported at their own opposite ends by related motor- driven supports 122 which are slidingly and linearly engaged to be guided along the two grooved bars 119 in such a way as to allow for the displacement of the beams

121, parallel to themselves and transversely to the packaging line 140.

The supports 122 and the grooved bars 119 therefore embody guides which belong to more general selector means, indicated overall as 250, which are interconnected operatively with the automatic command means 150 of the plant 1 in such a way as to allow to select automatically the maximum number of beams 121 required to support the products 2, or the related sets of components thereof, as a function of the dimensions transverse to the packaging line 140 and during their transit through the forming apparatus 160.

The beams 121 which are not necessary are excluded from use and translated into a parking station 111 lateral to the packaging line 140.

More particularly, this is made possible by the fact that the supports 122 contain lead screw bodies 124 housed in the structure of each beam 121 which are helically coupled with a pair of parallel threaded rods 125, orthogonal to the packaging line 140, which cross through the beams 121 in correspondence with their opposite ends 121a, 121b.

The threaded rods 125 are driven by motor-driving means controlled by the means 150 for controlling the plant 1 which comprise a motor M23 interacting with seven angular solvers BQ13, BQ14, BQ15, BQ16, BQ17, BQ18, BQ19. The beams

121 are also fitted with sensor means operatively correlated with the motor-driving means 150 and comprising: a first set of sensors SQ35, SQ36, SQ37, SQ38, SQ39, SQ40, SQ41 for positional reference able to signal the so-called zero position of the beams 121, and a second set of sensors SQ23, SQ24, SQ33, SQ34, SQ75, SQ76, SQ128, able to signal the collision condition of the beams 121.

The motor M23 transmits to the two screws 125 a continuous rotation movement by means of a conventional distribution mechanism which, at the output, derives on the two threaded rods 125 the input movement received from the motor M23.

Between the lead screw bodies 124 and the threaded rods 125 are provided coupling means 110 which, in their operating condition, render the lead screw bodies 124 integral to the structure of the beams 121 bringing about, as a consequence, the translation of the beams 121 along the wheels 125. In their idle condition, the coupling means 110 leave instead the lead screw bodies 124 free to rotate with respect to the structure, integrally with the threaded rods 125, thus maintaining, in this case, the beam 121 stopped with respect to the packaging line 140. The coupling means 110, in a preferred form of their embodiment, comprise pins 127 which are operatively positioned between the structure of the beam 121 and the lead screw bodies 124, in radial sliding engagement with respect to the lead screw bodies 124 themselves. The latter comprise in particular an externally toothed wheel 129 integral to the lead screw bodies 124, with inter-teeth gaps wherein the pins 127 engage or disengage themselves depending on the case, upon activation of related actuating means 128, in turn commanded by the automatic command means 150 of the plant 1.

The actuator means 128 related to the seven beams 121 are distinct from each other, one for each beam 121, and comprise preferably a piston with opposed stems which, actuated by a working fluid, imparts through lever mechanical transmissions

109, the simultaneous motion to the two pins 127 located at the opposite ends 121a, 121b of the corresponding beam 121 simultaneously determining one or the other of the two engagement conditions.

The stroke for the adjustment and positional reference of the beams 121 in transverse direction to the packaging line 140 is signalled by limit stop sensor means actuated in particular by micromagnets SQ49, SQ50, SQ51, SQ52, SQ53, SQ54, SQ55, SQ56, SQ57, SQ58, SQ59, SQ60.

As can be observed in particular from Figure 33, the forming apparatus 160 further comprises a linear reference 249 in contrast with which the products 2 are aligned longitudinally to the packaging line 140. Such linear reference 249 is borne parallel to the packaging line 140 and along a side thereof and ii is vertically movable on command from the more general means 150 for automatically commanding the plant 1. The linear reference 249 is supported in horizontal projection above the conveyor device 120 by a load-bearing structure surrounding one side of the conveyor device 120 delimiting, in combination with this, the mentioned parking station 111 into which are translated the beams 121 not necessary to transport the products 2.

From the same Figure 33 it can also be observed that the fixed folder elements 132, provided to fold the edges 10 or 11 of the sheet 6 which are oriented parallel to the packaging line 140, are supported on one side by the structure which supports the alignment linear reference 249 and on the other side by the beam 121 of the set which is farther away from it, and which in the case in the Figure presents larger transverse dimensions than the others. Similar positioning is provided for the fastening means which serve for the mutual connection of the edges 10, 11 and which can be embodied by conventional gluing devices or alternatively by equivalent and conventional seaming devices, not shown. It is therefore clear that whereas the beam 121 farthest away from the linear reference 249 shall constantly be operating, together with at least one or two of the beams 121 adjacent thereto, the intermediate beams 121 of the set which are located in proximity to the linear reference 249 are those destined to enter or exit more frequently into and out of the parking station

111, after the lifting and subsequent lowering of the aforesaid linear reference 249.

In correspondence with a section of the packaging line 140 positioned downstream with respect to the direction of advance of the products 2 and distinguished with the references lOp, l ip the products 2, partially packaged within the bottom 17 of the casing 4, advance over a series of belts 1 15 driven by the motor M2, appropriately positioned according to the horizontal format dimensions of the products 2, and adjustable vertically according to the possible variations in the dimensions in height of the products 2. These sections lOp and 1 lp, of the packaging line 140 are mainly provided to distance the lines 200, 220 for the preparation of the sheets 6 from each other; therefore the products 2 and the bottom 17 of the casing advance along them in a condition of simple transport towards a subsequent section of the packaging line 140 distinguished with the references 12P, 13P, 14P, 15P, 16P and in which instead the formation of the upper part of the casing 4, which serves as a lid 16, is provided for. More specifically, in the sections 12P, 13P the product 2 is transported, set onto fixed belts driven by the same motor M2 and translates along the packaging line 140 below a station 6c wherein the sheets 6 destined to form the lids 17 are introduced into the packaging line 140 itself until reaching a condition wherein the sheet 6 and the product 2 meet tangentially one to the other and the sheet 6 is released to be set over, and in direct contact with, the product 2 itself.

In the subsequent sections 14P, 15P, 16P the product 2, with the sheet 6 set over it, is transferred onto a conveyor device 120' which comprises six beams 121' equipped with revolving bodies 100 free to revolve, above which are positioned seven parallel motor-driven chains 123', inteφosed to the beams 121' and equipped with movable folders 131' and fixed folders 132' wholly similar to those provided for folding the sheet 6 of the bottoms 16.

The chains 123' and the folders 131' and 132' interact with the upper part of the product 2, and fold back the edges 10, 11 of the sheet 6 in such a way as to form the lid 17 of the casing 4 and to thrust forward the product 2 in a manner wholly similar to the one described above for the formation of the bottom 16.

The chains 123' are adjustable in a transverse direction to the packaging line 140 by means of a servomotor M25 which commands two threaded rods whereon are engaged corresponding lead screw bodies commanded by coupling means. The wheels, the lead screw bodies and the coupling means are interconnected with the control means 150 with the means for adjusting the plant 1 and with sensor means 230 in a manner that is wholly similar to what is provided for the beams 121 of the conveyor device 120 serving to support the products 2 during the formation of the bottom 16. In this case as well, to the side of the forming line 140 is provided a parking station 111' wherein are confined the beams 121' in excess with respect to those strictly necessary to support the products 2.

With reference in particular to Figures 36 and 37 it can be observed that the forming apparatus 160 is also equipped with lifting means 270 which allow to lift or lower the sections 12P, 13P, 14P, 15P, 16P of the forming line 140 so as to position the top of the products 2 at a pre-set, constant level regardless of the vertical dimension of the products 2. This conveniently allows to associate together the products 2 and the related sheets 6 destined to form the lid 16 at a constant and unchangeable height, also making the packaging line 140 totally flexible to the variations in vertical format of the products 2 or of the sets of parts thereof gathered in a package. The aforesaid lifting means comprise in particular a structure constituted by four vertical bars 99 mounted to slide with respect to the fixed upper load-bearing structure of the packaging line 140. The bars 99 are movable by acting upon four threaded rods 98 actuated, through angular transmissions, by a motor M61 controlled by related encoder BQ47 which make them movable along a stroke delimited by sensors SQl 46, SQl 48 and referred to a reference sensor SQl 47 able to detect the so-called zero position.

With regard to the lines 200 and 220 for the preparation of the sheets 6 destined to form the parts of the casing 4, these are, as stated, slaved respectively to the mentioned stations 6V and 6C of the forming line 140. More in particular (Figure 1), the line 200 for the preparation of the sheets 6 of packing material provides for a horizontal conveyor 155, for instance of the type with conveying plane with rollers driven by a motor Ml 6, destined to transfer towards its off-loading end 155b a plurality of sheets 6 stacked vertically onto a pallet received, by an operator, above a loading end 155a of the conveyor 155. From the off-loading end 155b of the conveyor 155, the sheets 6 are laid onto a plane with horizontal rollers, belonging to a vertically movable elevator A2, which is able to translate the stack of sheets 6 positioning their top in correspondence with a raised station IV, located at an unchangeable, pre-set height.

Gripping means, provided for instance with a dolly with vacuum suction cups, are positioned above the vertical elevator A2.

The gripping means, upon consent by a sensor B9, move above the elevator A2 and draw the sheets 6 from the top of the stack, transfer them and lay them one at a time onto an inlet station 2 V of the preparation line 200, located to the side of the station IV. Starting from this station 2V, the sheets 6 are intercepted by jogging means which align them in contact with a longitudinal reference located to the side of the preparation line 200, whereupon a conveyor of the type known as "comb" advances them towards successive stations 3V and 4V wherein a pair of opposite edges 10;11 of the sheet 6 are folded back onto themselves and glued to be then pressed in a subsequent station 4v in order to increase their original structural resistance.

Thereupon, the sheets 6 pass through a station 5v positioned downstream which transfers them into the loading station 6v of the packaging line 140 feeding them in timed fashion, with a pre-set interval between them, correlated with the interval between the products 2 which move along the packaging line 140 itself. The station 5V comprises, more in particular, means for accumulating sheets

6, whose purpose is to provide a buffer where the sheets 6 can be accumulated if they temporarily do not have to arrive on the packaging line 140. The most frequently recurring reasons for the need to have a buffer are represented for example by emergency phases of the packaging line 140 or by the possible vacancy of some product 2 in the succession of products 2 which follow each other along the packaging line 140. An additional reason is represented by the need to constitute a reserve accumulation to allow the continuous flow of the sheets 6 along the packaging line 140 during the replacement of the exhausted pallets and the resupply with pallets provided with new sheets 6. Another reasons is lastly to be found in the possibility to evacuate in case of stoppage of the packaging line 140 the sheets 6 which are undergoing gluing.

In a preferable embodiment, the aforesaid accumulator means are provided by means of a vertically movable elevator, which is driven by step actuator moved by a motor M44 provided with an arrest sensor SQl 00 and controlled by an angular position solver BQ30. The elevator is operatively correlated with the means 150 for automatically commanding the plant 1 in order to move up or down by one or more steps with respect to a station 6V for off-loading the sheets 6 located at a constant, pre-set height from which the sheets 6 are drawn by a chain conveyor with tugging teeth which hook onto them and send them to the packaging line 140. The preparation line 200 is also provided with mechanical adjustment means able to deal with the dimensional variations of the sheets 6 corresponding with the format variations of the products 2. Such adjustments, more specifically, are three. Two of them, lateral and symmetric, are performed, on both sides of the sheet 6, to compensate for the variation of the height of the edges 10. A third, on the movable side, opposed to the fixed side which allows to compensate for the dimensional variation of the sheet 6 in terms of width.

Concerning the line 220 for the preparation of the sheets 6 destined to form the lid 17, from Figure 1 it can be observed that such line is constructed in a manner that is wholly similar to the line 200 for the preparation of the sheets 6 for the bottoms 16 with the exception of the lack of the folding-back and pressing stations since these operations are preferably provided exclusively for the bottoms 16 of the casing 4. This however does not exclude the possibility of structuring the line 220 for the preparation of the sheets for the lids 17 in a manner wholly identical to that provided for the preparation of the sheets 6 of the bottoms 16, if it is desired to obtain casings 4 of the utmost rigidity wherein the frame 60 has doubled-over edges 10, 11 both in its bottom 16 and in its lid 17, or even exclusively in the lid 17.

In use, the plant 1 in sum provides for the accomplishment of the entire packing process with a succession of phases whereby the products 2, or the sets of parts thereof neatly gathered in a package undergo a superficial wrapping with the stretchable film 3 and a subsequent packaging in a containment casing 4 which is formed exactly to measure on the dimensions of the product 2 or of the sets of parts thereof gathered in a package, and directly on the product 2 itself.

The dimensions of the product 2, or of the related set of parts, are set by the operator on means 150 for the automatic command of the set 1 which immediately proceed to:

- perform the various fonriat adjustments;

- compute the spacing of the movable folders of the chains 123, 123' longitudinally to the forming line 140 for forming the casing 4 on the product;

- select the number of beams 121, 121' necessary to support the products 2, or the related sets, sending into the parking stations 111 , 111' the beams 121, 121' which are not necessary;

- adjust the distance of the beams 121, 121' and of the chains 123, 123' in use transversely to the packaging line 140;

- pre-set the speed of the forming line 80 and of the packaging line 140 according to the hourly production rate required of the plant 1 ;

- correlate the speed phasing of all actuating means;

- adjust the lines 200 and 220 for the preparation of the sheets 6 of packing material, performing both the adjustments connected with the dimensions of the edges 10;11 and those connected with the dimensions of the products 2; - adjust in height the section of the packaging line 140 which forms the lid 17;

- manage the spacing of the products 2 on the forming line 80, upstream of the wrapping apparatus Al, slowing the forming line 80 if the spaces between a product 2, or a set, and the next one exceed a pre-set reference value.

Once such preliminary operations are completed, the operating cycle of the plant starts with the operator's laying the product 2 or the first component of the set onto the first conveyor IN of the forming line 80, onto which the product 2 is set and positioned against the longitudinal reference 51 which imposes its alignment with a first direction of space.

Subsequently, when the product 2 is transferred by the conveyors 2N, 3N, 4N, other products 2 are laid on the first thus forming the set which, in the form of a vertical stack, is transferred to the wrapping apparatus 75 by means of the conveyor

6N.

Exiting the wrapping apparatus 75, the product 2 wrapped with the plastic film

3 passes through the conveyor 7N and the conveyor 5N. Thereupon, it arrives at the station IP of the conveyor apparatus 90 wherein it is aligned against the second longitudinal reference 96. The product 2, after being oriented in an alignment position which constrains it in a second direction of space, is positioned at the height of the working plane 140a of the packaging line 140 and exits the conveyor apparatus

90 in correspondence with the station 2P thereof. Travelling along the phasing station 3P, the products 2 undergo a first speed phasing, whereupon they reach the station 4P wherein they position themselves to follow each other, according to a rigorous interval set by mechanical thruster elements.

In the station 5P the products 2 are made to advance by being thrust along the packing station 140 to the station 6P wherein they associate in contact with the sheets 6 destined to form the bottom 16 of the casing 4.

In the station 7P the forward and rear edges 10, 11 and the side tabs 15 of the sheets 6 are folded. These phases are followed in the station 8P by the spraying of the adhesive and the folding of the side edges 10, 11. Pressing for gluing is performed in station 9P. In station 10P and 1 IP the products 2 are transported upwards, whereupon a horizontal transport is performed in the station 12P, by means of which the products 2 are lifted to a height in correspondence with which the third dimension in space of the products 2 is controlled. In the station 13P, the sheets 6 destined to form the lids 16 are associated above and set onto the products 2.

In the station 14P the forward and rear edges 10, 11 and the side tabs 15 are folded, to be followed in the station 15P by the spraying of the adhesive and the folding of the side edges 10, 11 of the lid 17. In the station 16P, after pressing for gluing, the products 2, or the sets of parts thereof, definitively packaged are transferred towards an output and storage section 300.

From what is stated above it is evident that the invention described fully reaches its set puφoses allowing to obtain packing sets which are more economical and versatile with respect to the ever more pressing and widespread requirements for automation and flexibility shown by modern industries as a consequence of the fact that the batches of products 2 to be packaged of homogeneous size tend to be less and less numerous as time goes on.

Claims

1. Method for packing products (2), or sets of components thereof neatly gathered, characterised in that it comprises: a superficial wrapping of the products (2), or of said sets of components thereof, with a stretchable film (3), which is unwound from a reel (21 ), is wrapped onto the products (2), or onto the related sets, and is tightened by elastic contraction to form a tubular envelope directly adhering to the products (2), or to said sets; - a subsequent packing of the products (2), or of sets of components thereof, wrapped by the film (3) within a containment casing (4) which is essentially box-like and is structured to present a stiffening frame (60), which comes to enclose the products

(2), or the related sets, providing increased protection to their edges and corners against external shocks.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that it provides for a translation of the products (2), or of the sets of components thereof, along an essentially horizontal forming line (80) and a revolution of the reel (21) of film (3) around a centre of rotation essentially positioned along the forming line (80), said translation of the products (2) and said revolution of the reel (21) being mutually correlated to generate on the products (2), or on the related sets, a succession of helical coils which make up said envelope.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the translation of the products (2) and the revolution of the reel (21) are continuous and in that the tubular envelope, formed in the course of the wrapping phase, is cut, which cut is performed between two products (2), or between two successive sets of components which translate along the forming line (80) to obtain the separation of the wrapped products (2), from the products (2) which follow and which are still undergoing wrapping.

4. Method according to claim 1 , characterised in that the packing comprises the formation of a bottom (16) and of a lid (17) able to be mutually assembled, to constitute said casing (4), in which formation at least one of the elements composing the casing (4) is obtained starting from a plane sheet (6) of packing material such as cardboard or the like, having peripheral edges (10, 11) which are folded back and overlaid at least once to obtain, in the lid (16) or in the lid (17) formed, a frame (60) having trihedrals (8) provided with at least one face whose thickness is double that of the others.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that said packing comprises the formation of the bottom (16) and of the lid (17), starting from a plane sheet (6) of packing material, having peripheral edges (10, 11) which are folded back and overlaid at least once to obtain, in the bottom (16) and in the lid (17) formed, a frame (60) having trihedrals (8) provided with at least one face whose thickness is double that of the others.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the bottom (16) and the lid (17) are shaped in such a way as to have said trihedrals alternate in the assembly phase and along the frame (60), to obtain an overall casing (4) which is stiffened by said frame (60) and which presents reinforcements localised in correspondence with the corners.

7. Plant for packing products (2), or sets of neatly gathered components thereof, characterised in that it comprises:

- a line (80) for the formation of a superficial envelope of the products (2), or of related said sets, with a stretchable film (3) which is wrapped directly in contact on the products (2), or on the sets of neatly gathered components;

- a line (140) for packing the products (2), or sets of components thereof neatly gathered in a package, wrapped in a film (3) positioned downstream of the forming line (80) and wherein a containment casing (4) is modelled directly onto said products (2), or sets of neatly gathered components thereof, said containment casing (4) being essentially box-like and structured in such a way as to present a stiffening frame (60) which comes to encompass said products (2) providing increased protection to their edges and corners against external shocks.

8. Plant according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises: - means (150) for automatically commanding the plant (1) and

- sensor means (230) interfaced with the latter, with the forming line (80) and with the packaging line (140) in a way suited to allow the means of automatic command (150) to drive the entire plant (1) with continuous motion controlling the speed phasing of the forming line (80) and of the packaging line (140) according to the distance between products (2), or between related said sets, which follow each other in the plant (1) and which, measured by the sensor means (230), is compared with a reference value pre-set on the automatic command means (150).

9. Plant according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises mechanical adjustment means (170) interfaced with said sensor means (230) and with said automatic command means (150) in a way suited to allow the adjustment of the plant (1) according to the dimensions of the products (2) or of the related said sets, according to the three dimensions in space set on the control means.

10. Plant according to claim 9, characterised in that said mechanical adjustment means (170) are independent and are interfaced with the control means (150) in such a way as be actuated in progression starting from the forming line (80) and proceeding towards the packaging line (140).

1 1. Plant according to claim 7, characterised in that said forming line (80) comprises:

- an apparatus (75) for wrapping products (2), or sets of neatly gathered components, motor-driven at continuous speed;

- a conveyor (6N) of products (2), or of sets of neatly gathered components thereof, positioned upstream of the wrapping apparatus (75) and motor-driven in such a way as to convey with continuous motion at variable speed the products (2), or the related said sets, towards the wrapping apparatus (75);

- means (33, 34) for cutting the film (3) positioned on the forming line (80) and interacting with the means (150) for the automatic command of the plant (1) to cut the tubular envelope between two products (2), or between two successive sets of products, while these are movable with continuity along the wrapping apparatus (75) to obtain the separation of the wrapped products (2), from the products (2) still undergoing wrapping which follow them.

12. Plant according to claim 8, characterised in that the line of advance (5) comprises:

- a first continuous conveyor (IN) positioned along the line of advance (5);

- a first fixed linear reference (51) borne parallel to the line of advance (5), against which the products (2), or at least the first component of said set, are loaded in succession on the first conveyor (IN) which then transfers them towards its outlet end (lNa);

- at least a second continuous conveyor (2N) positioned between the first conveyor (IN) and the wrapping apparatus (75);

- two sensors (Bl, B2) for detecting the presence of said products (2), belonging to said sensor means, which are positioned on the outlet end ( 1 Na) of the first conveyor

(IN) in a way suited to measure the distance existing between the products (2) or between first components of distinct said sets of neatly gathered components, which are arranged in succession on said conveyor (IN) and to signal to the control means (150) the possible need to vary the speed (VI) of the first conveyor (IN) to correct said distance or to arrest it for re-phasing in case of insufficient distance.

13. Plant according to claim 12, characterised in that said second continuous conveyor (2N) of the line of advance (5) comprises a loading station (2NI) located to a side of the second conveyor (2N) and opposed to the first linear reference (51) which is instead located on the opposite side, through said loading station (2NI) some components of said products (2) being stacked in succession above the first components of said sets which the second conveyor (2N) has received from the first conveyor (IN).

14. Plant according to claim 12, characterised in that said second continuous conveyor of the line of advance (5) is realised by a plurality of conveyors (2N, 3N, 4N) arranged in series and in a number corresponding to the maximum number of components neatly gathered in said sets of products (2).

15. Plant according to claim 12, characterised in that the forming line (30) comprises a continuous conveyor (5N) positioned downstream of the wrapping apparatus (75) having driving means (Ml 5) controlled by the command means (150), which conveyor (5N) is equipped with presence detectors (B3, B4) able to control the distance of the products (2), or of said sets of components thereof, which exit the wrapping apparatus (75), signalling the emergency of the plant (1) if the distance between successive products (2) or said sets is smaller than said reference value, or to slow the speed of the packaging line (140) if the distance measured exceeds said reference value.

16. Plant according to claim 11, wherein the wrapping apparatus (75) comprises: a conveyor device (19) located along the forming line (80) to support and transport the products (2) or said sets of components thereof along the forming line (80) itself; a wrapping machine (Al) supporting at least one reel (21) of elastically deformable film (3) with its axis (22) of rotation parallel to the line of advance (5), and able to impart to the reel (21 ) a revolution motion around the forming line (80); means (50) for actuating relative movements of the conveyor device (19) and of the wrapping machine (Al) provided to unwind the film (3) from the reel (21), make it rotate along a centre of rotation essentially positioned along the forming line (80) in a way able to envelop the products (2), or the related said sets, elastically tensioning thereon and forming a tubular envelope with helical turns which, contracting, retains said products (2), or the related said sets, characterised in that the conveyor device (19) is actuated by a movable conveyor belt (25), enclosed in a loop, which is subdivided into at least two elongated branches (29) positioned parallel to the forming line (80), said branches (29) being movable with respect to the forming line (80) in relation with the transverse dimensions of the products (2) or of the related said sets of components thereof.

17. Plant according to claim 16, characterised in that the movable conveyor belt (25) is subdivided into a plurality of said parallel branches (29a, 29b), said branches (29a, 29b) being hinged at an end in such a way as to be vertically movable to align themselves with the forming line (80) in their operating condition, being instead vertically lowerable in their resting condition.

18. Plant according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the mechanical adjustment means (170) include actuating means (42, 43) provided to raise in operating position, or to lower in rest position the branches (29a, 29b) of the ribbon (25) according to the dimension of the products (2) or of the related sets of components thereof, measurable transversely to the forming line (80).

19. Plant according to claim 11 , characterised in that said cutting means comprise a pair of elongated blades (34) and a frame (33) which supports them transversely and bilaterally to the line of advance (5), allowing the alternative motion, in opposed directions, of said blades (34) with respect to the forming line (80), said frame (33) being so shaped as to be able to be crossed by the products (2), or by the related sets, wrapped by the film (3) centrally to the blades (34), being moreover able to oscillate angularly around an axis (35) transverse to the line of advance (5) in such a way that it can be oriented in a position inclined with respect to the forming line (80) in correspondence with which the resultant of the vector composition of the speed of the blades (34) and of the speed (VI) of the products (2), or of the set of neatly gathered components thereof, is directed orthogonally to the forming line (80).

20. Plant according to claim 7, characterised in that the forming line (80) and the packaging line (140) are mutually set at a right angle and provide for respective platforms (80a, 140a) supporting the products (2), or neatly gathered sets of components thereof, located on distinct vertical levels, said plant (1) further comprising a transferring apparatus (90) positioned between the forming line (80) and the packaging line (140) and able to receive in succession the products (2), or the related said sets, from the forming line (80) and to transfer them to the packaging line (140).

21. Plant according to claim 20, characterised in that said transferring apparatus

(90) comprises:

- a vertical structure (89) provided with a station (88) for receiving, and a station (87) for off-loading the products (2), or the related said sets, vertically superimposed on top of each other and aligned respectively with the forming line (80) and with the packaging line (140);

- a vertical conveyor (86) provided with a track (85) enclosed in a loop around two pulleys (84) which are vertically superimposed and revolving around horizontal axes of rotation (84a), which track (85) is provided with a series of loading platfonns (83) which protrude transversely outside the loop, said vertical conveyor (86) being driven with unidirectional stepped intermittent motion in order progressively to transfer each loading platform (83) from the receiving station (88) wherein, in correspondence with an arrest of the vertical conveyor (86), the products (2) or the related said sets are introduced into the structure (89), and between two successive loading platforms (83), with motion parallel to the axis of rotation (84a) of the pulleys (84), to the off-loading station (87) wherein said products (2) are laid from the loading platform (83) to a support base (82) from which they are then drawn and extracted from the structure (89) with a displacement directed transversely to the axis of rotation (84a) of the pulleys (84).

22. Plant according to claim 21, characterised in that the transferring apparatus (90) presents loading platforms (83) defined by at least two linear supports (81) parallel to each other, which are borne by the track (85) transversely to the axis (84a) of the pulleys (84), said transferring apparatus (90) comprising a conveyor belt (5 IN) which is provided to accelerate said products (2) of reduced size as they enter on the loading platforms (83) and, on the contrary, to retard said products (2) when they have large dimensions.

23. Plant according to claim 21, characterised in that said support base (82) is actuated by a horizontal conveyor comprising a plurality of parallel tracks (91), positioned between the linear supports (81 ) of the vertical conveyor (86) and motor- driven so as to translate the products (2), or the related said sets of components, from the transferring apparatus (90) to the packaging line (140).

24. Plant according to claim 21, characterised in that the transferring apparatus (90) comprises an element (92) for arresting the products (2), or the related said sets, located on the receiving station (88) and oriented transversely to the forming line (80), said arresting element (92) being movable parallel to said forming line (80) to move from the plane of evolution (94) of the linear supports (81) during the activation of the vertical conveyor (86).

25. Plant according to claim 24, characterised in that said arresting element (92) is movable, upon activation of related motion-actuating means (M6, BQ5, 93), belonging to said adjustment means and with respect to two limit stop detectors (SQl, SQ2) and to a reference detector (SQ3) inteφosed between them, which belong to said sensor means, and are able to allow the adjustment of the transferring apparatus (90) controlled by said automatic command means (150) of the plant (1), in relation with the size of the product (2), or of the related said sets, measured parallel to the forming line (80).

26. Plant according to claim 25, characterised in that said actuating means comprise a motor (M6) controlled by an angular position solver (BQ5) which drives a threaded rod (93) of the arresting element (92).

27. Plant according to claim 25, characterised in that it comprises a second linear reference (96), oriented transversely to the forming line (80) between the arresting element (92) and the forming line (80) itself, which second linear reference (96) is alternatively movable in the vertical plane upon activation of related actuating means (CLL2, SQ9, SQ10) to allow the transit of said products (2), or of related said sets, from the forming line (80) to the receiving station (88) of the transferring apparatus (90), said arresting element (92) being movable horizontally and parallel to the forming line (80), moving towards or away from the second linear reference (96), in a way suited to allow for alignment of the products (2), or of the related said sets, which were received from the receiving station (88) against second linear reference (96).

28. Plant according to claim 27, characterised in that the transferring apparatus (90) comprises a detector (B5) to detect the passage of a said product (2), or of a related said set, from the forming line (80) to the receiving station (88) and a positioning sensor (SQ4) of the product (2), or of a related said set, with respect to the arresting element (92), said detector (B5) and said positioning sensor (SQ4) belonging to said sensor means of the plant (1) and enabling the activation of the vertical conveyor (86) by the command means of the plant (1) which transfers the product (2) or the related said set, from the receiving station (88) to the underlying loading station (87).

29. Plant according to claim 28, characterised in that said linear reference (96) is positioned to the side of the packaging line (140).

30. Plant, according to claim 7, characterised in that the packaging line (140) comprises: - an apparatus (160) for forming the containment casing (4) of the products (2), or of said sets of components thereof;

- a feeding device (180) interconnected with the forming apparatus (160) in such a way as to convey thereon the products (2) oriented in an orderly manner, feeding them in succession, spaced according to a pre-set reference distance;

- a first station (6V) for feeding plane sheets (6) of packing material, which are destined to form the bottoms (16) of the casing (4);

- a second station (6C) for feeding plane sheets (6) of packing materials destined to form the lids (17) of the casing (4), said first and said second feeding station (6V, 6C) being provided with feeding means (190) controlled in such a way as to associate, in phase synchronism, the sheets (6) of packing material with the products (2), or the related said sets, which are movable along the packaging line (140).

31. Plant according to claim 30, characterised in that the feeding device ( 180) of the packaging line (140) comprises a phasing conveyor (3P) realised by two consecutive conveyors having rotating pulleys (179), around which flexible elements (178) are enclosed in a loop, said phasing conveyor (3P) being driven by its own motor-driving means (M20, BQ10) interfaced with the means (150) for the command of the plant (1) so as to translate, in support and towards the forming apparatus (160), the products (2) or the related said sets, received synchronising them progressively with the speed of the packaging line (140).

32. Plant, according to claim 30, characterised in that said feeding means (190) comprise: - at least one mechanical conveyor (181a, 181b) of the sheets (6) actuated by at least one track (182a; 182b) provided with teeth (183a; 183b) enclosed in a loop around pulleys (184a; 184b) and movable between an end (185) for receiving the sheets (6) and an off-loading end (7V) on the packaging line (140), said receiving and offloading ends (185, 7V) being vertically offset one from the other defining a transport path of the sheets (6) tilted with respect to a section (4P, 5P, 6P) of the packaging line (140) along which the products (2), or the related said sets, advance spaced by a controlled distance under the thrust imparted by thruster elements ( 186) protruding from a motor-driven annular conveying track (187), set above said section (4P, 5P, 6P) of the packaging line (140); - apportioning means (210) which convey the sheets (6) above the receiving end

(185) of the mechanical conveyor (181a, 181b) setting down thereon with timed and controlled sequence the sheets (6), which are intercepted by the teeth (183a, 183b) and transported by the track (182a, 182b) on the off-loading end (7V) where the sheets (6) intercept the products (2), or the related said sets, which are movable along said section (4P, 5P, 6P) of the packaging line (140) associating themselves progressively in contact therewith in a predetermined condition of relative position and orientation.

33. Plant according to claim 32, characterised in that said mechanical conveyor (181a, 181b) is driven by motor-driving means (M53, BQ39) interfaced with said means (150) for the command of the plant (1) in such a way as to be controlled and synchronised in phase with the packaging line (140).

34. Plant according to claim 31, characterised in that said phasing station (3P) comprises, between the two said conveyors, a fixed bar element (178a) by means of which the products (2) or the related said sets thereof which may have arranged themselves improperly automatically reacquire the correct advancement attitude.

35. Plant according to claim 34, characterised in that the teeth (183) of said mechanical conveyor (181) are adjustable with respect to a reference detector

(SQ127) belonging to said adjustment means (170) in controlled fashion along the line of development of the track (182a, 182b) and correspondingly to the variations assumed by the corresponding size of the sheets (6).

36. Plant according to claim 33, characterised in that the apportioning means (210) comprise a pair of linear guides (20 If, 201m), parallel and having cross sections profiled so as to present a vertical inlet opening (202) delimited at the bottom by a wing (203) which is movable alternatively and horizontally upon the action imparted by related actuating means (CLL20, CIL21, CIL22, CIL23), said guides (201 f, 201m) being able to convey the sheets (6) of packing material lying horizontally, supporting pairs of their edges (10; 1 1) peripheral and opposed setting on the movable wings (203), until making them arrive above the receiving end (185) of the mechanical conveyor (181), onto which the sheets (6) are then let fall following the horizontal motion away of the wings (203) supporting the guides (20 If, 201m).

37. Plant according to claim 36, characterised in that said actuating means (CLL20, CIL21, CLL22, CIL23) comprise linear fluid-driven actuators interfaced with said means for the automatic command of the plant.

38. Plant according to claim 35, characterised in that said actuating means (CLL20,

CIL21, CLL22, CLL23) are operatively interconnected with limit stop detectors (SQ123, SQ124, SQ15, SQ126) belonging to said sensor means (230).

39. Plant according to claim 36, characterised in that said guides (201f, 201m) are movable relative to one another, with respect to the packaging line ( 140) to vary their mutual distance according to the dimensional variations of the sheets (6) of packing material set on the automatic command means (150) of the plant.

40. Plant according to claim 39, characterised in that at least one of said guides (20 If) is provided with adjustment actuating means (M49, BQ35, 204) interfaced with limit stop detectors (SQl 11, SQl 13) and with a reference sensor (SQl 12), belonging to said adjustment means (170), which are put into action according to the size variations of the sheets (6) connected with the dimensional variations of the edges (10; 11) of said casings (4).

41. Plant according to claim 40, characterised in that at least one of said guides (201m) is provided with actuator means (M51, BQ37) interoperating with the command means (150) of the plant (1) to perform the relative adjustment of the guides (20 If, 201m) with respect to the limit stop detectors (SQl 17, SQl 19) and to a reference detector (SQl 18) belonging to said adjustment means (170) of the plant

(1) according to the dimensional variations of the sheets (6) connected with the variations in format of the products (2).

42. Plant according to claim 33, characterised in that said feeding means (190) comprise a movable alignment element (189) for the lateral contact of the sheets (6) along the packaging line (140), said alignment element (189) being associated to actuating means (M52, BQ38) able to vary its position with respect to the packaging line (140), and in a transverse direction thereto, according to the variations in format of the sheets (6) of packing material.

43. Plant according to claim 42, characterised in that said actuating means (M52, BQ38) are functionally interoperating with limit stop detectors (SQ120, SQ122) and with a reference detector (SQ121) belonging to said means (170) for adjusting the plant which are interfaced with the command means (150) in such a way as to vary the position of the alignment element ( 189) according to the format of the sheets (6) of packing material.

44. Plant according to claim 33, characterised in that said feeding means (190) comprise a device (211) for gripping and transferring in sequence the sheets (6) from a waiting station (5V) to a feeding station (6V) associated to the means (210) for apportioning the sheets (6), said device (211) comprising an alternatively movable rod (209), which bears at one end (208) a hooking element (207), the latter being articulated to the rod (209) in such a way as to be able to revolve freely in the vertical plane, oscillating angularly under the action of its own weight, said hooking element (207) being provided with its own operating end (207a) which can be associated to a sheet (6) awaiting in the waiting station (6V) so as to be freely movable with respect to a horizontal face (6P) of the sheet (6) in correspondence with a stroke of the rod (209) performed in the direction away from the packaging line (140) and to hook up instead a rear face (6 V) of the sheet (6) in order to drag it towards the feeding station (6V) in the return stroke performed by the rod (209) in the direction approaching the packaging line (140).

45. Plant according to claim 31 , characterised in that the forming apparatus ( 160) comprises: - at least one continuous conveyor device (120; 120') provided with a plurality of parallel beams (121; 121'), supported by related end supports (122, 122'), which beams (121, 121') support corresponding motor-driven chains (123; 123') enclosed in a loop which comprise branches (123a; 123a¹) for transporting the products (2) or the related sets thereof, said products (2) being in direct contact with the sheets (6) of packing material, and being movable together with the chains (123; 123') which transfer them from one end (121; 121a') to the other (121; 121b') of the beams (121; 121');

- motor-driving means (Ml, M2, BQ1, BQ2) for driving the chains (123, 123');

- folder means (130; 130') to fold, during the transfer of the products (2) or of the related said sets of parts thereof, the sheets (6) of packing material against said products (2) themselves;

- fastening means provided to join together the folded back parts of the sheets (6) in order to form at least one part of the casing (4) for the containment of the products

(2).

46. Plant according to claim 45, characterised in that said forming apparatus ( 160) comprises means (240) for adjusting the relative distance of the beams (121; 121') of said plurality, which are operatively interconnected with the means for the automatic command of the plant (1), and are able to set the beams (121 ; 121') in mutual positions in relation with the dimensions of the products (2) or of said related sets, transversely to the packaging line (140).

47. Plant according to claim 45, characterised in that said forming apparatus ( 160) comprises selector means (250) operatively interconnected with the automatic command means of the plant (1 ) which are able to select in said plurality of beams (121; 121') of the conveyor device (120; 120') the maximum number of beams (121; 121') necessary to support said products (2) or the related said sets of parts thereof, the remaining beams (121 ; 121') of said plurality being translated in an inoperative condition in a parking station (11 1; 111') lateral to the packaging line (140).

48. Plant according to claim 46, or 47 characterised in that said adj ustment means and said selector means (240, 250) provide, identically to each other, for the supports (122, 122') of the beams (121, 121') to be linearly movable transversely to the packaging line (140), upon actuation by related motor-driving means (M23, BQ13, BQ14, BQ15, BQ16, BQ17, BQ18, BQ19) controlled by means of the automatic command of the plant (1).

49. Plant according to claim 48, characterised in that the adjustment means and the selector means (240, 250) comprise lead screw bodies (124, 124') housed in the structure of each beam (121; 121') and rotationally and translatingly coupled with a pair of threaded rods (125, 125') driven by said motor-driving means (M23, BQ13, BQ14, BQ15, BQ16, BQ17, BQ18, BQ19); and coupling means (1 10; 110') which in their operating condition make the lead screw bodies (124; 124') integral with the respective beams (121; 121') determining the consequent translation of the beams (121; 121') parallel to the threaded rods (125; 125'), said coupling means (110; 110'), in their idle condition, let the lead screw bodies (124; 124') rotate freely with respect to the beams (121; 121'), and integrally with respect to the threaded rods (125; 125') in a way suited correspondingly to allow the beams (121, 121') to remain stopped with respect to the packaging line (140).

50. Plant according to claim 49, characterised in that said coupling means (110; 1 10') comprise pins (127; 127') which are operatively positioned between the lead screw bodies (124; 124') and the related beam (121; 121') which supports them, and means (128; 128') for actuating the motion of said pins (127; 127') which are operative between a condition wherein the lead screw bodies (124; 124') and the beams (121; 121') are made integral to each other, and a condition wherein instead the lead screw bodies (124; 124') are free to rotate with respect to said beam (121; 121') , and vice versa.

51. Plant according to claim 49, characterised in that said coupling means (110;

110') comprise a wheel (129; 129'), externally toothed, integral with said lead screw bodies (124; 124'), and having intertooth gaps able to receive said pins (127; 127').

52. Plant according to claim 49, characterised in that said coupling means (110; 110') comprise a distinct actuator means (128; 128') for each said beam (121; 121') and mechanical transmissions (109; 109') positioned between said actuator means (128; 128') and between the lead screw bodies (124; 124') ofa same beam (121; 121') to activate and de-activate said coupling means (110; 110').

53. Plant according to claim 52, characterised in that said coupling means (110;

110') are in operative correlation with sensor means (SQ49, SQ50, SQ51, SQ52, SQ53, SQ54, SQ55, SQ56, SQ57, SQ58, SQ59, SQ60) provided for the positional reference of the beams (121; 121') in transverse direction to the packaging line (140).

54. Plant according to claim 48, characterised in that said adjustment and selection means (240, 250) comprise first sensors (SQ35, SQ36, SQ37, SQ38, SQ39, SQ40, SQ41) for the positional reference of the beams (121) and second sensors (SQ23, SQ24, SQ33, SQ34, SQ75, SQ76, SQ128), able to signal the collision between the beams (121; 121'), said first and second sensors belonging to said sensor means (230) of the plant (1).

55. Plant according to claim 47, characterised in that said forming apparatus ( 160) comprises a linear reference (249; 249') for the alignment of the products (2) borne parallel to the forming line (160), with respect to which said selector means (250) perform the separation between the active beams ( 121 ; 121 ') and the inactive beams (121; 121') of said plurality.

56. Plant according to claim 54, characterised in that said linear reference (249) is vertically movable upon command of the automatic command means of the plant

(!)•

57. Plant according to claim 45, characterised in that said folder means (130) are articulated in a way that is rotationally oscillating in the vertical plane as a consequence of the sliding motion of the chains (123; 123') determining, starting from their inactive condition, possessed in correspondence with the path of an initial section of the transport branch (123a; 123a') of the chains (123; 123'), the lifting of a peripheral edge (10; 11) of the sheet (6) oriented transversely to the chains (123; 123') and the subsequent folding back of said edge (10; 11) against the product (2), as well as the maintenance of said edge (10; 11) in contact against the product (2) for the remaining section of the transport branch (123a; 123a').

58. Plant according to claim 45, characterised in that said conveyor device (120; 120') comprises seven said beams (121; 121') movable engaged on two guides (119; 119', 122; 122') transverse to the packaging line (140) and common to all beams

(121; 121').

59. Plant according to claim 45, characterised in that said motor-driving means (Ml, M2, BQ1, BQ2) independently drive the chains (123, 123') of each beam (121, 121') allowing the means (170) for the adjustment of the plant (1) to command the relative sliding of one chain (123, 123') with respect to the other to perform the controlled adjustment of the conveyor device (120, 120') according to the dimensions of the products (2) parallel to said packaging line (140).

60. Fonning plant according to claim 45, characterised in that said conveyor device (120') is provided with means (270) for lifting the beams (121') provided to lift vertically the products (2) or the related said sets of parts thereof until arriving in contact with a said second station (6C) above, wherein a sheet (6) destined to forming a part of the casing (4) serving as lid (17) is released above the product (2) or the related said set of parts.

61. Plant according to claim 31 , characterised in that said first station (6V) and said second station (6C) for feeding the sheets are connected to respective lines (200, 220) for automatic feeding of the sheets (6) which interoperate with the packaging line (140) in phase synchronism under the control of said means (150) for automatically commanding the plant (1).

62. Plant according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises at least one line (200, 220) for preparing the sheets (6) destined to form the casing (4), line destined to transfer in succession the sheets (6) to the packaging line (140), said at least one preparation line (200, 220) comprising means for the accumulation of sheets (6) able to provide a buffer where said sheets (6) can be accumulated in case they temporarily do not have to reach the packaging line (140).

63. Apparatus (75) for wrapping the products (2), or neatly gathered sets of components, comprising: a conveyor device (19) to support and convey the products (2) or sets of components thereof along a line of advance (5); a wrapping machine

(20) supporting at least one reel (21) of elastically deformable film (3) with its axis (22) of rotation parallel to the line of advance (5), and able to impart to the reel (21) a revolution motion around the line of advance (5); means (50) for actuating relative motions of the conveyor device (19) and of the wrapping machine (20) provided to unwind the film (3) from the reel (21), make it rotate around a centre of rotation essentially positioned along the line of advance (5) in a way able to envelop the products (2), or the related said sets, tensioning elastically thereon and forming a tubular envelope with helical turns which, contracting, retains said products (2), or related said sets, characterised in that the conveyor device (19) is realised by a movable belt conveyor (25), enclosed in a loop, which is subdivided into at least two elongated branches (29a, 29b) positioned parallel to the line of advance (5), said branches (29a, 29b) being movable with respect to the line of advance (5) from an operating position on the line of advance (5) to an idle position in relation with the transverse dimensions of the products (2) or of the related said sets of components thereof.

64. Apparatus according to claim 63, characterised in that the movable belt conveyor (25) is subdivided into a plurality of parallel branches (29a, 29b), said branches (29a, 29b) being hinged at one end in such a way as to be movable vertically to be aligned with the forming line (80) in their operating condition, being instead vertically lowerable in their resting condition, idle with respect to said forming line (80).

65. Apparatus according to claim 63, characterised in that it comprises actuator means (42, 43) provided to lift into operating position, or to lower into idle position the branches (29a, 29b) of the belt (25) according to the size of the products (2) or of the related sets of components thereof, detectable transversely to the forming line (80).

66. Apparatus according to claim 63, characterised in that the conveyor device ( 19) and the wrapping machine (20) are motor-driven at continuous speed and in that it comprises cutting means which include a pair of elongated blades (34) and a frame (33) which supports them transversely and bilaterally to the line of advance (5), allowing the alternative movement in opposite directions of said blades (34) with respect to the line of advance (5), said frame (33) being shaped in a way enabling it to be crossed by the products (2), or by the related sets, wrapped by the film (3) centrally to the blades (34), being moreover able to oscillate angularly around an axis (35) transverse to the line of advance (5) to be able to be oriented in a lying condition tilted with respect to the line of advance (5) in correspondence whereof the resultant of the vector composition of the speed of the blades (34) and of the speed (VI) of the products (2), or of the set of neatly gathered components thereof, is directed orthogonally to the line of advance (5).

67. Device for gripping and transferring in succession sheets (6) from a waiting station (6V) to a feeding station (6V) characterised in that it comprises a rod (209) alternatively movable between said stations (6V, 6V), which bears at an end (208) a hooking element (207) articulated to the rod (209) in such a way as to be free to rotate in the vertical plane under the action of its own weight until placing its operating end (207a) against a face (6p) of the sheet (6), said hooking element (207), in correspondence with a stroke of the rod (209) from the feeding station (6V) to the waiting station (6 V), sliding freely on the face (6p) of the sheet (6) until reaching a limit-stop position wherein, said hooking element no longer in contact with said face

(6p) is associated to a side (6f) of the sheet, dragging it from the waiting station (6V) to the feeding station (6 V) in correspondence with the return stroke of the rod (209).