EP2007628B1

EP2007628B1 - Method and apparatus for wrapping confectionary products

Info

Publication number: EP2007628B1
Application number: EP07735316A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario Caselli
Original assignee: Mc Automations Srl
Current assignee: Mc Automations Srl
Priority date: 2006-04-06
Filing date: 2007-03-29
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-29
Also published as: DE602007002392D1; ITBO20060251A1; ATE442299T1; EP2007628A2; WO2007113752A3; WO2007113752A2

Abstract

The method for wrapping confectionary products provides for interposing between the protruding edges (21) of a wrapping sheet (20), partially wrapped around a product (2), engaging means (12) suitable to cooperate with folding means (9) at a basically median longitudinal plane (B) of the said product (2). The engaging means (12) are removed in suitable phase relation at the completion of the folding of the edges (21), in order to allow the contact between sealing areas (22) of the folded edges (21). The protruding edges (21) are then joined through the junction of the said respective sealing areas (22) and folded close against the product (2).

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for wrapping confectionary products, and it further relates to the wrap itself thus obtained.

Background Art

It is known that confectionary products, in particular sweets and chocolates, are put on the market in individual packages of various types according to the shape and typology of the product. To realize such packages some apparatuses are used, through which the individual products are associated to an individual sheet of wrapping material and fed to a wrapping head. The wrapping head generally consists of a member rotating around a horizontal axis, peripherally carrying suitable gripping tools of the fed individual products. At first, the individual products are wrapped in a respective wrapping sheet and then grasped by the same gripping tools. The wrapping head is suited to be operated in step to bring the products in rotation through a series of operational stations, wherein, through suitable folding means, the closure of the wrap is completed. The products are finally released by a discharge station to be transferred to the subsequent operational stations.
In particular, a wrap is known for particular types of products having for instance a frustum-pyramidal shape with a quadrangular base or similar, through packages socalled 'fantail twist', which have a couple of lateral bows obtained twisting the respective edges of the wrap. To realize this type of wrap various apparatuses have been suggested, which use specific folding methods of the edges of the wrap.
More specifically, in order to realize this type of package the use of a wrapping sheet is known, generally obtained from a band, having on one side cold-sealing areas suitable to be brought in contact one with the other, on folding of the wrapping sheet around the product, in order to realize a tight closure close to the product itself. A package realized with this method is illustrated for instance in the European patent EP0929457 . This method provides, in particular, for arranging the products onto the wrapping head partially wrapped in a respective wrapping sheet, in order to leave a couple of opposite protruding edges. These edges are then folded one towards the other, in order to realize a tight closure at the cited cold-sealing areas.
Another method to obtain this type of wrapping is illustrated in the European patent EP0816229 . This method provides for folding in sequence the protruding edges of the product. Practically, operating the first folding, a transversal cold-sealing area located on the interested edge adheres to a corresponding cold-sealing area located on the opposite edge not yet folded. The subsequent folding of this last edge, operated in the opposite direction with respect to the previous one, implies the compression of the two edges joined in order to realize a tight closure close to the product itself. The method finally provides for completing the wrap, operating the closure of the edges that protrude transversally, realizing a bow-type closure at the cold-sealing areas there arranged.
Nevertheless, the cited methods are not always able to realize the desired wrap in a completely satisfactory way. In particular, it is reported that, on folding of the two protruding edges, the cold-sealing areas of these edges can join irregularly, forming creases or other imperfections that compromise the look of the package and, at times, the same tight closure of the package.
In the specified field, anyway, the need is felt to realize, in a simple and effective way, the wrap of the confectionary products through packages of the type previously described or other similar ones.

Disclosure

The aim of the present invention is to devise a method which enables to optimally carry out the tight wrap of confectionary products, in particular in packages of 'fantail twist' type or similar.
Within this aim, it is an object of the claimed invention to devise a method that allows to simplify the wrap realization phases and to rationalize the use of the wrapping material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the wrapping of confectionary products able to operate the above-mentioned method through a structure of simple conception, of certainly reliable operation, of reduced size and of versatile use in relation to the different products to wrap.
The cited aims are achieved, according to the claimed invention, by the method for wrapping confectionary products including the phases of:
(a) arranging a wrapping sheet equipped with sealing areas at a loading station of a wrapping head;
(b) feeding a product at the said loading station;
(c) partially wrapping the said wrapping sheet around the said product so that the opposite longitudinal edges of the said wrapping sheet are protruding from the said product;
(d) transferring the said product together with the said wrapping sheet to gripping means of the said wrapping head;
Which is characterized in that it comprises the further subsequent phases of:
(e) simultaneously folding the said protruding edges of the said wrapping sheet through folding means operating from opposite sides with respect to the said product;
(f) interposing between the said edges in folding phase some engaging means suited to cooperate with the said folding means by a basically median longitudinal plane of the said product;
(g) removing the said engaging means in suitable phase relation with the completion of the folding of the said edges, in order to allow the contact between the said sealing areas of the said folded edges;
(h) joining the said protruding edges at the said basically median longitudinal plane, through the junction of the said respective sealing areas of the said edges;
(i) folding up the said edges tight sealed close to the said product;
(l) closing the remaining open edges of the said product, in order to complete the closure of the wrap.

Description of Drawings

Description details of the invention will be further evident in the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for the wrap of confectionary products, illustrated in the guideline drawings attached, wherein:
fig. from 1 to 5 illustrate the respective front views of a product to wrap in subsequent embodiment phases of the claimed method;
fig. 6 illustrates a front view of an individual wrapping sheet in flat configuration, intended to be used in the claimed apparatus;
fig. 7 illustrates a front view of a wrapping head of this apparatus;
fig. 8 illustrates a portion of a band of wrapping material before being subdivided in the individual wrapping sheets of respective products.

Best Mode

With reference to such figures, the wrapping head of an apparatus intended to operate the method according to the invention is generally designated with the reference numeral 1. The wrapping head 1 is suited to be operated in step rotation around a horizontal axis 10, in order to receive the individual products 2 from a feeding line and to operate their packing through individual wrapping sheets 20. In the case illustrated by way of example, the product 2 forms a polyhedron with trapezoidal section, in which the base 2a and the upper part 2b are rectangular, but other geometrical shapes can clearly be provided, for instance frustum-pyramidal or parallelepiped or spheroid type, with or without a flat base.
The wrapping sheet 20 has a preferably quadrangular shape, for instance square, and a size large enough to completely wrap the product 2 to form the wrap (fig. 6). The wrapping sheet 20 comprises cold-sealing areas 22 at a couple of opposite edges. The sealing areas 22, illustrated by way of example as rectangular stripes, extend basically as much as the longitudinal dimension of the wrapping sheet 20, leaving, in case, free respective portions of the final part to realize, for instance, bow closures. Between the sealing areas 22 there is a central area 24 for the direct contact with the product 2.
On the edge of the sealing areas 22 there are some cuts 23 arranged side by side, for instance in couple, in order to facilitate the following ring pull of the wrapping. The cuts 23 are preferably realized onto the band of wrapping material 25 before the subdivision of the individual wrapping sheets 20. Basically, when the band of wrapping material 25 is unwind by a respective reel, with only one cutting operation it is possible to realize some cuts 23, in order to extend them onto the edges arranged alongside of two subsequent wrapping sheets 20. On the opposite side with respect to the side on which the sealing areas 22 are realized, some demarcation signs 26 can likewise be included. These should be detectable by visual detection means, so that the corresponding cutting means can be activated during the phase of unwinding of the band of wrapping material 25, to subdivide it in the correct way (fig. 8).
The wrapping head 1 includes a plurality of gripping means 3 angularly distributed, suited to receive, hold and release the products 2. The gripping means 3 form, for instance, respective grippers, whose jaws 4 are constrained rotatably to the structure of the wrapping head 1, oscillating between a position of reciprocal opening to receive an individual product 2 between the respective gripping portions 30 or to release it, and a closure position to hold the same product 2 during the wrapping operations. The jaws 4 can, for instance, be operated by the same operation means suited to control the rotational motion of the wrapping head 1. Clearly, different activation means of the gripping means 3 can be provided.
In the embodiment illustrated by way of example, the wrapping head 1 includes four grippers 3 arranged at angular distances of 90° and suited to be brought in rotation through as many operational stations.
Feeding means of the wrapping sheet 20 and elevator means 15 of the product 2 operate at a loading station 5. These are known and therefore not illustrated in detail, and are suited to transfer the product 2 to the gripper 3 there arranged. The wrapping sheet 20 is suited to be fed from the top on the upper part of the product 2, so that during the transfer operated by the cited elevator members, perpendicularly to the base 2a, the wrapping sheet 20 partially wraps the product 2 (fig. 1, 7). In the gripping configuration operated by the grippers 3, the product is grasped at opposite lateral faces, while the wrapping sheet 20 protrudes from the lower part of the product 2 through respective opposite edges 21, which have the sealing areas 22 facing each other.
Downstream of the loading station 5 a first folding station 6 operates and, subsequently, a second folding station 7 for the completion of the wrap. In the final station 8 the product 2 is destined to be discharged from the wrapping head I by previous opening of the jaws 4.
Folding means 9 operate at the first folding station 6. These are suited to operate the reciprocal junction of the edges 21 of the wrapping sheet 20 bearing the sealing areas 22. The folding means 9 preferably consist of a couple of movable members bearing respective operational engaging surfaces 11, having longitudinal dimension basically comparable to the longitudinal dimension of the edges 21 to fold. The operational surfaces 11 are arranged mutually facing, fitted in the lower part in a way basically perpendicular to the base 2a of the product 2 to wrap. The folding means 9 are movable along a transversal direction, alternatively from a far, opening position, wherein the operative surfaces 11 are beyond the respective opposite edges of the base 2a, and a close, folding position wherein the operative surfaces 11 are suited to fold the edges 21, reconnecting on a basically median longitudinal plane of the product 2, whose trace is indicated with a dashed line B in the illustrations.
Movable engaging means 12, arranged on the cited median longitudinal plane underneath the product 2, operate in combination with the folding means 9. The engaging means 12 preferably consist of a laminar item with longitudinal dimension comparable to the longitudinal dimension of the operational surfaces 11. The laminar item 12 is suited to translate in a direction C orthogonal to the base 2a of the product 2, in suitable phase relation to the alternative motion of the folding means 9. The laminar item 12 is suitable to be operated alternatively between a position far from the base 2a of the product 2 to wrap and a close engaging position wherein it is arranged basically in contact against the base 2a through its upper edge. Basically, the laminar item 12 is suitable to be approached to the product 2 when the folding means 9 are in opening configuration, beyond the edges bearing the sealing areas 22, protruding from the product 2. The laminar item 12 is suitable to pause in this configuration until the folding means 9, activated in close folding position, are suited to push the edges 22 against them, to operate their folding by the cited basically median longitudinal plane. The laminar item 12 is suitable to be moved away again while the folding means 9 are in folding configuration, to bring in reciprocal contact the edges 21, producing the reciprocal sealing of the sealing areas 22. The laminar item 12 is realized in antiadherent material, preferably in Teflon or with a Teflon surfacing, to prevent the edges 21 from adhering to it.
Downstream to the folding means 9, there are some closure means 13, suitable to fold, close to the base 2a, the edges 21 sealed by the folding means 9. The closure means 13 that, in the case illustrated, are arranged between the first folding station 6 and the second folding station 7, form a flat folding surface 14 suited to laterally intercept the sealed edges 21, to operate the refolding towards the opposite side in consequence of the relative motion activated between the product 2 and the same closure means 13. In the illustrated case the closure means are fixed, so that the folding of the edges 21 happens because of the rotation motion of the wrapping head 1, bearing the product 2 from the first station 6 to the second folding station 7 (fig. 7). Clearly, it is possible to provide, in alternative, that the closure means 13 operate movably while the product 2 is still, or that the closure of the sealed edges 21 is operated by the same folding means 9.
Finally, folding members operate in the second folding station 7, in order to close the opposite ends of the wrapping sheet 20 longitudinally protruding from the product 2, for instance twisting members suited to realize in a known way the respective bow closures or otherwise other folding means in case it is provided for a different type of closure of the package.
The method for wrapping confectionary products is described as follows.
In an initial phase, the product 2 is fed at the wrapping head 1 at the feeding station 5. At the same time an individual wrapping sheet 20 is arranged in front of the product 2 with respect to the feeding direction to the wrapping head 1 through suitable feeding means. The grippers 3 are in opening configuration to receive the product 2.
Subsequently, the elevation means 15 cause the insertion of the product 2 between the gripping portions 30 of the gripping means 3. The interposed sheet 20 is thus partially wrapped around the product 2, having the edges 21 protruding from the lower part of the product 2. The product 2 wrapped in the wrapping sheet 20 is grasped by the gripping means 3 (fig. 1).
The wrapping head 1 advances in step in the rotation direction A around the rotation axis 10 until it brings the product to the first folding station 6 (fig. 7). The folding means 9 are, in this phase, in far configuration, like the laminar item 12.
The laminar item 12 is then approached to the base 2a by the median longitudinal plane B. Subsequently the folding means 9 are operated in order to approach from the opposite sides to the laminar item 12. The edges 21 are in this way simultaneously folded against the laminar item 12, which is interposed between them.
The laminar item 12 is removed in suitable phase relation with the completion of the folding of the edges 21, in order to bring in reciprocal contact the same edges 21 pressed by the folding means 9. In this way, the junction of the two sealing areas 22 of the same edges 21 is produced.
Subsequently the folding means 9 are moved laterally, leaving the sealed edges 21 orthogonally protruding from the base 2a.
The wrapping device 1 is further rotated in step in the direction A. In consequence of the relative motion between the closing means 13 arranged between the first and the second folding station and the product 2 brought by the gripping means 3, the edges 21 are folded close to the base 2a. At this point the wrapping sheet has a tubular shape, with a longitudinal fold on the same plane of the base 2a.
At the end of the cited in-step rotation of the wrapping device 1 the product 2 reaches the second folding station 7, wherein the closure of the remaining open edges that longitudinally protrude is operated. In particular, these edges are adequately grasped and twisted by the cited twisting members, in order to realize respective bow knots, or otherwise closed by suitable folding members, according to the type of package required.
Finally the wrapping head 1 is rotated in step again in the direction A, to bring the product 2 to the discharge station 8, where the gripping means 3 are operated in opening configuration to release the wrapped product 2.
The method performed by the claimed wrapping device achieves therefore the aim to optimally carry out the packaging of confectionary products. In particular, the claimed method allows to effectively package confectionary products through the simultaneous operation of folding means 9 that operate the folding of the edges 21 of the wrapping sheet 20 at the base 2a of the product, against the laminar item 12.
The method allows to operate the packaging in a simple and fast way since, providing for the folding of the edges 21 at the basically median longitudinal plane B of the product 2, it is possible to operate the sealing of the edges 21 at the sealing areas 22 in a single passage of the folding means 9, simplifying the working phases of the wrap.
Furthermore, the claimed method allows optimizing the use of wrapping material limiting the overlapping of the wrap to the only areas in which the sealing between the two scaling areas 22 takes place.
It has to be pointed out that, thanks to the use of the laminar item 12 suitable to serve as engaging means for the folding means 9, the folding of the edges 21 can be operated in a safe and reliable way. In fact, at the end of the reciprocal narrowing motion of the folding means 9, the edges 21 can perfectly stretch against the laminar item 12, avoiding the formation of folds that can compromise the quality of the wrap.
The wrapping method and device according to the claimed invention can be used in a very versatile way, for the packaging of confectionary products 2 of any shape and size.
Finally it has to be pointed out that the wrapping device according to the claimed invention is composed of a limited number of components of simple structure and of easy assembly. For instance, it is cited that the folding means 9, the laminar item 12 and the closure means 13 are of very simple conception. It is possible to provide for using the folding means 9 instead of the closure means 13 to operate the folding of the edges 2 onto the product 2, further reducing the number of components of the device 1.
Materials adopted for the actual realization of the invention, as well as their shapes and sizes, can be various, depending on the requirements.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

Method for wrapping confectionary products, comprising the phases of:
(a) arranging a wrapping sheet (20) equipped with sealing areas (22) at a loading station (5) of a wrapping head (1);

(b) feeding a product (2) at the said loading station (5);

(c) partially wrapping the said wrapping sheet (20) around the said product (2) so that the opposite longitudinal edges (21) of the said wrapping sheet (20) are protruding from the said product (2);

(d) transferring the product (2) together with the said wrapping sheet (20) to feeding means (3) of the said wrapping head (1);
characterized in that it comprises the further following phases of:

(e) simultaneously folding the said protruding edges (21) of the said wrapping sheet (20) through folding means (9) operating from opposite sides with respect to the said product (2);

(f) interposing between the said edges (21) in folding phase engaging means (12) suited to cooperate with the said folding means (9) at a median longitudinal plane (B) of the said product (2);

(g) removing the said engaging means (12) in suitable phase relation with the completion of the folding of the said edges (21), in order to allow the contact between the said sealing areas (22) of the said folded edges (21);

(h) joining the said protruding edges (21) at the said median longitudinal plane (B), through the junction of the said respective sealing areas (22) of the said edges (21);

(i) folding the said edges (21) sealed close against the said product (2);

(l) closing the remaining open edges of the said product (2), in order to complete the closure of the wrap.
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that after the said phase (e) of simultaneously folding the said edges (21) it further comprises the phase of:
(e1) bringing the terminal portions of the said edges (21) directly against the said engaging means (12).
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it requires to translate the said engaging means (12) in a direction orthogonal to the said product (2) with alternative motion operated in suitable phase relation with the operation of the said folding means (9).
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the said phase (i) of folding the said sealed edges (21) comprises the further phase of:
(i1) pressing the outer part of the said edges (21) against the said product (2).
Method according to claim 4, characterized in that it provides for intercepting the said edges (21) sealed by the said median longitudinal plane (B) through closure means (13) in relative motion with respect to the said product (2), in order to fold the said sealed edges (21) on one side.
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides for operating onto a strip of wrapping material (25) a plurality of cuts (23) at the opposite edges of the said wrapping sheets (20) to separate in a subsequent phase, in order to arrange an area suitable to facilitate the pull opening of the wrap.
Apparatus for wrapping confectionary products, of the type comprising a wrapping head (1) bearing a plurality of gripping means (3) angularly distributed around a horizontal rotation axis (10), suitable to receive, hold and release products (2) to wrap through individual wrapping sheets (20), through following operational stations (5, 6, 7, 8), characterized in that it comprises, at a respective folding station (6, 7) folding means (9) suited to be operated in a close folding configuration to simultaneously operate the folding of opposite edges (21) of the said wrapping sheet (20), protruding from a said product (2) hold by the said gripping means (3), at a median longitudinal plane (B) of the said product (2), and engaging means (12) with laminar shape suitable to interpose between the said edges (21) protruding at the said median longitudinal plane (B) in folding phase.
Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises closure means (13) suitable to operate in relative motion with respect to the said product (2), to laterally intercept the said folded edges (21), folding them close against the said product (2), basically at the said median plane (B) on a corresponding side of the said product (2).