Patent ID: 11912467
Assignee: ICA S.P.A.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 13:
14. A method for closing in an automated way with an automated packaging machine a package having a mouth and opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements extending from one end of the mouth of the package to another end of the mouth of the package for containing a granular product comprising the steps of:
opening the mouth of the package and the opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements;
filling the package with the granular product through the mouth and past the opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements;
placing a counteracting element outside of the package adjacent one of the opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements, wherein the counteracting element comprises a bar extending along an entire length of the opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements;
placing a pressing element outside of the package adjacent another one of the opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements, wherein the pressing element comprises a roller;
moving the counteracting element and the pressing element closer together holding the package;
moving the pressing element relative to the package from the one end of the mouth of the package to the other end of the mouth of the package over the opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements, wherein the opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements are interlocked together;
welding the mouth of the package so that the interlocked opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements are positioned between the welded mouth and the granular product contained in the package; and
moving the counteracting element and the pressing element away from each other releasing the package,
whereby the granular product is prevented from going inside the opposing complementary reversibly closeable interlocking elements during storage and transport of the package.