Patent ID: 7434376
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A machine for packaging articles in box-like containers, each container being obtained from a tubular blank formed by an upper sheet and a lower sheet, defining a flat folded configuration, each tubular blank having also longitudinal pre-creasing lines for facilitating folding and erection of the blank to take a substantially parallelepiped shape, as well as transversal pre-creasing lines for, in turn, facilitating folding of flaps of the container, the machine including: an in-depth storage magazine containing at least one blank stack formed by a selected number of flat folded tubular blanks, arranged horizontally; first openable support means for supporting said blank stack; a vertically movable platform situated below said in-depth storage magazine for receiving, when located at a relevant raised loading position, said blank stack released by said first openable support means, said platform being subsequently lowered, together with said blank stack, to a waiting position; picking up means, moving horizontally between two extreme positions, namely a first position defined above said blank stack resting on said platform and, in step relation with a calibrated raising of the platform, for picking up a topmost blank of said stack, followed by a platform lowering to said waiting position, and a second position define out of said platform, to deliver the topmost blank to a blank erecting station; a mobile unit moving between said erecting station and a station for vertical introduction of said articles into erected tubular blanks ( a folding member, situated near the filling station for folding a second lower flap of the blank, by a ninety degree angle, opposite to said first lower flap and situated at a front side with respect to said forwarding direction, said folding being performed in time relation with blank arrival at said filling station; a horizontal plane for supporting a tubular blank reaching said filling station and a relevant article, introduced into the blank vertically by associated manipulating means, the blank resting on said first flap and said second lower flap sliding on said horizontal plane; guiding and moving means for guiding and moving said tubular blank along said horizontal plane in a direction concurrent to said forwarding direction, from said filling station to folding means for folding lower lateral flaps, upper fore and rear flaps, and lateral flaps of said tubular blank, as well as to stations for closing bottom and cover of a so obtained box-like container, said guiding and moving means including endless conveying means, operated by actuator means in step relation with motion of said erecting and folding unit and with vertical introduction of articles into the erected blank, said conveying means facing at least one longitudinal portion of two opposite lateral walls of the blank with respect to the forwarding direction, and having also lateral protrusions for striking corresponding portions of a blank rear wall, moving the container in the forwarding direction.