Machine and method for the automated production of straws

Machine (10) to produce straws (11), preferably made of paper, comprising a feed unit (16) configured to feed a plurality of tubular elements, preferably made of paper, to different working units (17, 19, 20, 21) configured to automatically carry out different workings on the tubular elements (12), including at least one cut to make a pointed end (13), or an end cut obliquely, a deformation to make a bellows (14), a bend in correspondence with the bellows (14) and the packaging of each straw (11).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Phase Entry of PCT International Application No. PCT/IT2021/050182, which was filed on Jun. 10, 2021, which claims priority to Italian patent application No. 102020000013822, filed Jun. 10, 2020, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to a machine and a method for the automated production of straws, preferably made of paper, for example to be used to drink a liquid, or semi-liquid. In particular, the machine and the method according to the present invention are capable of producing special straws for the food sector of beverage containers, such as fruit juices, or other, hermetically sealed, usually small, with a capacity around 100-200 ml, and are provided with a perforable area. Each of such straws can preferably be provided with a pointed, or obliquely cut, end to facilitate its insertion into the aforementioned perforable area, as well as optionally a flexible area, which allows it to be bent, repeatably, for packaging without damaging it.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of straws for drinking dates back thousands of years, although their diffusion has become massive starting in the last century, due to the use of straw material and the industrialization of their production.

Before the advent and enormous use of plastic materials, with which drinking straws are still produced, there was a period during which straws were produced with paper, although the production with the latter material created problems of cost, consistency, rigidity, creasing or collapse of the straws.

In an attempt to reduce environmental pollution, many countries aim to limit, if not even eliminate, where possible, the use of plastic materials, so there is now a strong need to return to producing straws, including drinking straws, using paper as the raw material.

A particular sector of drinking straws is that of small straws to be associated individually with hermetically sealed beverage containers, such as fruit juices or the like, also known as boxes, normally small in size, with a capacity around 100-200 ml, provided with a perforable area to facilitate the insertion of the straw.

Each of such straws is normally provided with a pointed end, for example with an oblique cut with respect to its longitudinal axis, to facilitate its insertion into the aforementioned perforable area of the closed container.

Such special straws are normally provided with a flexible area, for example bellows, which allows the cartridge itself to be folded in two, even repeatably, without damaging it. Examples of such straws are described in international patent application WO 2020/178873 filed by the Applicant.

Furthermore, for food hygiene and safety, each of such drinking straws is normally placed in its own sealed casing, as described for example in patent application GB 2,249,017 A.

Machines and methods for the automated production of tubular products folded and packaged inside a plastic casing are for example described in CN 2,403,682 Y.

Machines and methods for the automated production of tubular products using paper as a raw material, from which to obtain drinking straws, are also known.

The known machines and the related methods to produce the particular paper straws for drinking, which are also provided with a pointed, or obliquely cut, end and a flexible area, however, all have the drawback of being very expensive and bulky, so much so that sometimes they are a few tens of meters long, because the various working steps are carried out separately.

Moreover, they have the drawback of having a relatively low hourly production capacity, for which the single piece produced is quite expensive.

An object of the present invention is to make a machine and to develop a method for the automated production of straws, preferably made of paper, such that they can automatically make a flexible area on each straw, for example in an intermediate part between the two ends, and in which the machine is simple, compact, reliable, inexpensive, which can work continuously and requires little maintenance, and in which all the working steps are simple and reliable and allow to obtain a high hourly productivity, around over 1,000 straws per minute.

Another object of the present invention is to make a machine and to develop a method for the automated production of straws, preferably made of paper, such that they can automatically make, on each straw, an oblique cut at one end thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to make a machine and to develop a method for the automated production of straws, preferably made of paper, such that they can automatically make, on each straw, a bending, up to 180°, in correspondence with the aforementioned flexible area, to reduce the overall length of the straw itself.

A further object of the present invention is to make a machine and to develop a method for the automated production of straws, preferably made of paper, which are also able to automatically and hermetically wrap each straw on its own protective casing, after the straw itself has been shaped and made flexible in an intermediate area thereof, and/or bent up to 180° to reduce its dimension in length.

The Applicant has studied, tested and realized the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to obtain these and further objects and advantages.

EXPOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is expressed and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims show other features of the present invention or variants of the main solution idea.

In accordance with the aforementioned objects, a machine for the automated production of straws, preferably made of paper, according to the present invention comprises at least one feed unit configured to automatically feed a plurality of tubular elements, preferably made of paper, to a plurality of working units configured to carry out corresponding workings on each of the tubular elements, to make the straws.

In accordance with a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the plurality of working units comprises:(i) a deformation unit, configured to make at least one bellows on each of said tubular elements so that said bellows is present in each straw;(ii) a bending unit, configured to carry out at least one bend on each of said tubular elements, preferably in correspondence with said bellows, so as to reduce the overall length of each straw;(iii) a packaging unit, configured to package each straw in a material suitable for each straw to be hermetically sealed for hygienic protection before its use.

In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned deformation unit, the aforementioned bending unit and the aforementioned packaging unit are disposed in sequence and preferably without a break in continuity with respect to an advancement direction of the tubular elements, so that the packaging of the folded straws occurs without interruption after the deformation unit has made the bellows and the bending unit has carried out the bend in correspondence with the aforementioned bellows.

In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the deformation unit, the bending unit, and the packaging unit each comprise a cylindrical member. The cylindrical members are each rotating around a respective axis of rotation, all at the same peripheral speed. The aforementioned working units are disposed such that the cylindrical members are tangent to each other. Each cylindrical member has a peripheral surface provided with straw retaining means suitable to support and temporarily retain the straws being formed, disposed parallel to the axis of rotation, and angularly equidistant, from the adjacent straw, by a determinate pitch.

In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, between the aforementioned feed unit and the aforementioned one or more working units there is a distancing unit configured to distance the aforementioned tubular elements from each other and bring them to a determinate constant pitch each one from the other.

In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned one feed unit comprises feed means configured to convey the aforementioned plurality of tubular elements, also initially disposed haphazardly, toward a first cylindrical member rotating around a first axis of rotation thereof and provided with one or more peripheral seatings parallel to the aforementioned first axis of rotation, each of which is configured to temporarily receive and retain one of the aforementioned tubular elements. It should be noted that in the following description and in the claims, cylindrical member means a mechanical member, even complex, which as a whole has substantially the shape of a cylinder.

In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned feed means comprise at least one conveyor belt having a terminal portion disposed in the proximity of a distributor member configured to vertically stack one on the other the aforementioned tubular elements coming from the aforementioned conveyor belt to then exit, one at a time, toward the aforementioned first rotating cylindrical member.

In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, a cutting unit is provided, configured to cut each of the aforementioned tubular elements so as to make a pointed, or obliquely cut, end on each straw. In accordance with a possible embodiment, the cutting unit is associated with the aforementioned first cylindrical member rotating around the first axis of rotation, which receives the tubular elements from the feed unit and temporarily retains them in the seatings obtained thereon. It is to be understood that in other embodiments, which will be completely apparent to the person skilled in the art, the cutting unit can also be operatively associated with another working unit of the machine, such as to one or the other of the distancing, deformation, bending, or packaging units. In the case where the cutting unit is operatively associated with the packaging unit, it is evident that the cutting is carried out before the packaging of the straws.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the aforementioned cutting unit comprises a circular blade rotating around an axis of rotation thereof and configured to obliquely cut the aforementioned tubular elements; furthermore, the aforementioned axis of rotation of the aforementioned circular blade and the aforementioned axis of rotation of the aforementioned first cylindrical member form a determinate angle between them, preferably between 30° and 60°, even more preferably of 45°.

In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned packaging unit comprises another cylindrical member rotating around an axis of rotation thereof; furthermore, a first thin film of the aforementioned suitable material is configured to be partially wrapped on the aforementioned further cylindrical member; the aforementioned first thin film partially wrapped on the aforementioned further cylindrical member is configured to receive the straws; a second thin film of the aforementioned suitable material is configured to be disposed on the straws, so that the latter are sandwiched between the aforementioned two thin films.

In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned packaging unit further comprises first heat-welding means, configured to weld together the aforementioned two thin films in a direction transverse to their advance toward a support member disposed downstream of the aforementioned another cylindrical member, and second heat-welding means, configured to weld the aforementioned two thin films together in a longitudinal direction, i.e., parallel to their advance toward the aforementioned support member.

In accordance with a further characteristic aspect of the present invention, a method to produce straws, preferably made of paper, comprises a feed step in which a plurality of tubular elements, preferably made of paper, are fed to a plurality of working units configured to carry out corresponding workings on each of the aforementioned tubular elements, to make the straws, in which the aforementioned plurality of working units allow to carry out, in sequence, and without a break in continuity, the following working steps:(i) a deformation step, during which at least one bellows is made on each of said tubular elements so that the aforementioned bellows is present in each straw;(ii) a bending step, during which at least one bend is carried out on each of said tubular elements, preferably in correspondence with said bellows, so as to reduce the overall length of each straw;(iii) a packaging step, during which each straw is packaged in a suitable material so that each straw is hermetically sealed to be hygienically protected before its use.

Such deformation, bending and packaging steps occur one after the other without interruption while the tubular elements advance along an advancement direction.

In accordance with a further characteristic aspect of the present invention, in the aforementioned method said deformation step, said bending step and said packaging step occur in sequence and preferably without a break in continuity.

In accordance with a further characteristic aspect of the present invention, between the aforementioned feed step and the aforementioned at least one working step there is optionally a distancing step to distance the aforementioned tubular elements from each other and bring them to a determinate constant pitch each one from the other.

In accordance with a further characteristic aspect of the present invention, during the deformation step, the bending step and the packaging step, the straws in the forming step are retained by retaining means suitable to support and temporarily retain the straws, angularly equidistant from one another with respect to the adjacent one by the aforementioned determinate pitch.

In accordance with a further characteristic aspect of the present invention, between the aforementioned feed step and the aforementioned at least one working step a cutting step is provided, during which each of the aforementioned tubular elements is cut to create a pointed, or obliquely cut, end on each straw. The cutting step can occur before or after the deformation step, or before or after the bending step, or before the packaging step.

It should be noted that in the present description and in the claims, the terms vertical, horizontal, lower, upper, right, left, high, low, front and rear, with their variations, have the sole function of better illustrating the present invention with reference to the figures of the drawings and must not be used in any way to limit the scope of the invention itself, or the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. For example, the term vertical is meant to indicate an axis, or a plane, which can be either perpendicular to the horizon line or inclined, even by several degrees, for example up to 20°, with respect to such a perpendicular position.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain dimensions, or features, in the figures may have been enlarged, deformed, or shown in an unconventional, or non-proportional manner to provide a version of the present invention which is easier to understand. When dimensions and/or values are specified in the following description, the dimensions and/or values are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention, unless such dimensions and/or values are present in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An example of embodiments of the invention is now described, which refer to the accompanying figures. Such embodiment examples are provided as an illustration of the invention and are not intended as a limitation thereof. It is understood that the scope of protection of the present invention will be inclusive of any modifications and variations. Furthermore, it is clarified that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for only descriptive purposes and should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

FIG.1depicts a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a machine10for the automated production of straws11(FIGS.5and6), preferably made of paper, according to the present invention, which occurs starting from tubular elements12(FIG.2) already made, for example using a known machine, or which will be developed in the future.

Merely by way of illustration and in order to better frame one of the possible fields of application of the present invention, each tubular element12can have an external diameter between about 2 mm and about 20 mm, preferably between about 4 mm and about 10 mm, a thickness of the tubular wall between about 0.2 mm and about 0.5 mm, and a length L1between about 50 mm and about 200 mm.

To make the straws11, each tubular element12is first cut to make at least one pointed or obliquely cut end13(FIGS.2to5) and then shaped to form at least one bellows14thereon (FIG.4), preferably in the proximity of one terminal end thereof.

Each straw11is then folded in correspondence with the bellows14thereof (FIG.5), for example by about 180°, to reduce the overall length thereof, and at the end it is individually packaged, each in its own sealed casing15(FIG.6).

In the embodiments disclosed herein, the machine10(FIGS.1and7) comprises, in summary and sequence, the following working units, each of which is configured to automatically carry out a corresponding working step, as will be described in detail below: a feed unit16, a cutting unit17, a distancing unit18, a deformation unit19, a bending unit20, and a packaging unit21.

In a simplified version of the machine10, not depicted herein, but easily understood by those skilled in the art, the distancing unit18could be eliminated, as will be explained further below.

All five working units16,17,18,19,20and21are mounted on a support structure22, which is configured to be supported on a horizontal plane23, for example consisting of a floor, by means of the support feet24thereof.

All five working units16,17,18,19,20and21are controlled by a central control unit29(FIG.7) contained in a control panel30disposed at the top of the support structure22, so as to be easily accessible by an operator.

In detail, the feed unit16(on the left inFIGS.1and7), comprises a substantially horizontal conveyor belt33; a chute35is positioned in correspondence with a terminal portion34thereof. The rotation of the conveyor belt33in a first rotation direction S1, for example clockwise if viewed from the front of the machine10, is controlled by a motor element of a known type, or which will be developed in the future, for example an electric motor, not depicted in the drawings, which is controlled by the central control unit29.

The conveyor belt33is configured to feed a plurality of tubular elements12(FIG.2), disposed thereon also haphazardly, or randomly, toward a distributor member37(FIGS.1and7) disposed near the chute35.

The distributor member37is configured to vertically stack one on top of the other the tubular elements12coming from the conveyor belt33so that they then exit, one at a time, from a lower end38thereof toward an underlying conveyor belt39, inclined downwards and rotatable, on corresponding pulleys, in a second rotation direction S2, opposite the first rotation direction S1, by a motor member of a known type, or which will be developed in the future, for example an electric motor, not depicted in the drawings, which is also controlled by the central control unit29.

The conveyor belt39has a lower terminal part thereof close to a peripheral surface41of a first cylindrical member42, also rotatable in the second rotation direction S2, around a first axis of rotation X1, substantially horizontal.

The first cylindrical member42is rotated by a motor member of a known type, or which will be developed in the future, for example an electric motor, not depicted in the drawings, which is also controlled by the central control unit29so that the first cylindrical member42has a determinate first peripheral speed V1, which is chosen as a function of the productivity of the machine10to be obtained, understood as the number of straws11produced in the time unit, which, indicatively, in the machine10of the present embodiment, is over 1,000 per minute.

In particular, in the example provided herein, the peripheral surface41of the first cylindrical member42is provided with a plurality of semicylindrical seatings45, open outwardly, parallel to the first axis of rotation X1and uniformly angularly distanced by a determinate first pitch P1(FIG.2), which for example is slightly larger than the external diameter of each tubular element12.

The semicylindrical seatings45are configured to temporarily and individually receive the tubular elements12coming from the conveyor belt39, while the first cylindrical member42is rotating. The tubular elements12can each be retained within a respective retaining seating45in any mode well known to the person skilled in the art, for example simply by mechanical interference between the tubular elements12and the retaining seatings45. It should be understood that in other embodiments, different retaining modes can be provided, for example mechanical, by means of the presence of gripping members actuated to alternatively grasp or release the tubular elements, or pneumatic, by means of a pneumatic circuit which retains the tubular elements12by suction within the retaining seatings45.

The cutting unit17is disposed near the first cylindrical member42and is configured to carry out an oblique cut, with respect to the longitudinal axis of each tubular element12, in correspondence with one end of the latter (FIG.2) to make the obliquely cut pointed end13on each straw11in the forming step.

The cutting unit17comprises a circular blade60(FIG.7), having an axis of rotation thereof which is inclined at a certain angle with respect to the fourth axis of rotation X4, preferably between 30° and 60°, still more preferably 45°, and rotatable by an electric motor61, also controlled by the central control unit29. The position in space of the cutting profile of the circular blade60is such as to interfere with the tubular elements12retained in the semicylindrical seatings45made on the peripheral surface41(FIGS.1and7) of the first cylindrical member42. The cutting unit17, for example, is disposed substantially on the opposite side with respect to the distributor member37.

The rotation of the first cylindrical member42causes each tubular element12to be brought under the sharp profile of the circular blade60, which makes a precise and oblique cut with respect to the longitudinal axis of the same tubular element12.

The distancing unit18is placed immediately downstream of the feed unit16and comprises a second cylindrical member47rotatable in the first rotation direction S1, i.e., opposite that of the first cylindrical member42, around a second axis of rotation X2, also substantially horizontal and rotated by a motor member of a known type, or which will be developed in the future, for example an electric motor, not depicted in the drawings, which is also controlled by the central control unit29(FIG.7).

The second cylindrical member47(FIGS.1and7) has a peripheral surface49substantially tangent to the surface41of the first cylindrical member42and provided with a plurality of semicylindrical seatings50, parallel to the second axis of rotation X2and in particular equal to the semicylindrical seatings45of the first cylindrical member42, but angularly distanced from each other by a determinate second pitch P2(FIG.3) which is approximately 1.5 to 2 times greater than the first pitch P1. Each semicylindrical seating50(FIGS.1and7) is configured to temporarily house a tubular element12coming from the first cylindrical member42, while the second cylindrical member47is rotating. Furthermore, a guide member46(FIG.7), fixed to the support structure22, is partly disposed around the second cylindrical member47, with the function of preventing the tubular elements12temporarily positioned in the semicylindrical seatings50from exiting the latter except when each tubular element12, brought in rotation of the second cylindrical member47, comes as close as possible to the deformation unit19(FIGS.1and7), to be transferred on the latter.

The distancing unit18only has the function of distancing the tubular elements12more angularly from each other, for an easier workability thereof in the other downstream working units, i.e., in the deformation unit19, the bending unit20and the packaging unit21, where the angular distance between the tubular elements12/straws11, remains the same (second pitch P2), as will be described in detail below.

The greater angular distancing of the tubular elements12is obtained by commanding the second cylindrical member47to rotate at a second peripheral speed V2which is higher than the first peripheral speed V1of the first cylindrical member, in the ratio V2:V1=P2:P1.

The deformation unit19is placed immediately downstream of the distancing unit18and is configured to make, by deformation means known per se, or which will be developed in the future, at least one bellows14(FIG.4) on each tubular element12. The aforementioned deformation means are not described herein, because they fall outside the scope of the present invention.

Briefly, the deformation unit19comprises a third cylindrical member51rotatable in the second rotation direction S2around a third axis of rotation X3, also substantially horizontal.

The third cylindrical member51has a larger external diameter than that of the second cylindrical member47, for example in a ratio of about 1.5:1, and is rotated so that the peripheral speed V2of the two cylindrical members47and51is the same.

The third cylindrical member51(FIG.1) has a peripheral surface56substantially tangent to the peripheral surface49of the second cylindrical member47and suitable to support and temporarily retain the tubular elements12, parallel to the third axis of rotation X3and angularly equidistant from each other by the second pitch P2. To this end, the peripheral surface56can be provided with a plurality of retaining seatings, not depicted but structurally and functionally similar to the aforementioned retaining seatings45,50, or with any suitable gripping means suitable to selectively grasp or release the tubular elements12.

Therefore, since the circumferential extension of the peripheral surface56is greater than that of the peripheral surface49, on the peripheral surface56there are a greater number of seatings, not depicted in the drawings, to house the tubular elements12, angularly distanced from each other by the second pitch P2.

The bending unit20(FIGS.1and7) is configured to make, by means of bending means known per se, or which will be developed in the future, at least one bend, for example at about 180°, of each straw11in the forming step, in correspondence with the bellows14thereof (FIG.5). The aforementioned bending means are not described herein, because they fall outside the scope of the present invention.

Briefly, the bending unit20comprises a fourth cylindrical member76(FIG.1), substantially tangent to the third cylindrical member51, having substantially the same external diameter as the latter and rotating in the first rotation direction S1, around a fourth axis of rotation X4, substantially horizontal. To reduce the overall dimensions of the machine10, the fourth cylindrical member76is positioned above the third cylindrical member51.

The fourth cylindrical member76is rotated so that it has the same peripheral speed V2as the two cylindrical members47and51.

The fourth cylindrical member76(FIG.1) has a peripheral surface79substantially tangent to the peripheral surface56of the third cylindrical member51and suitable to support and temporarily retain the straws11in the forming step, parallel to the fourth axis of rotation X4and angularly equidistant, from the adjacent straw, by the second pitch P2(FIG.5). To this end, the peripheral surface79can be provided with a plurality of retaining seatings, not depicted but structurally and functionally similar to the aforementioned retaining seatings45,50, or with any suitable gripping means suitable to selectively grasp or release the tubular elements12.

The packaging unit21(FIGS.1and7) is positioned immediately downstream of the bending unit20and is configured to package each straw11already bent and arriving from the bending unit20, enclosing it between a first thin film80(FIGS.6and7) and a second thin film81, both of suitable material, for example of the transparent food type, preferably biodegradable, and coming from two corresponding rolls82and83(FIG.7), first and second, rotatably mounted on corresponding horizontal support shafts85and86pivoted on the fixed structure22.

The packaging unit21further comprises a fifth cylindrical member87(FIGS.1and7) substantially tangent to the fourth cylindrical member76, having a slightly smaller external diameter than the latter and rotating in the second rotation direction S2, around a fifth axis of rotation X5, substantially horizontal.

In the first embodiment, shown inFIG.1, the fifth cylindrical member87is positioned above the fourth cylindrical member76in order to reduce the lateral dimension of the machine10.

In the second embodiment, shown inFIG.7, the fifth cylindrical member87is instead positioned laterally with respect to the fourth cylindrical member76, on the opposite side with respect to the feed unit16.

In both embodiments, also the fifth cylindrical member87is rotated at the same peripheral speed V2as the three cylindrical members47,51, and76(FIG.1).

In both the first and second embodiments, the fifth cylindrical member87has a peripheral surface90substantially tangent to the peripheral surface79of the fourth cylindrical member76and suitable to support and temporarily retain the finished straws11, parallel to the fifth axis of rotation X5and angularly equidistant, from the adjacent straw, during the packaging thereof.

With particular reference to the second embodiment illustrated inFIG.7, on the peripheral surface90of the fifth cylindrical member87is positioned the first thin film80coming from the first roll82and guided by first return rollers91; then on the first thin film80are able to be deposited the straws11(FIG.6) coming from the fourth cylindrical member76(FIG.7) of the bending unit20and then the second thin film81coming from the second roll83(FIG.7) and guided by second return rollers92is able to be deposited on the straws11(FIG.7).

A drawing roller93(FIGS.1and7) is positioned in correspondence with the peripheral surface90of the fifth cylindrical member87to draw the first thin film80so that the latter is shaped to receive each straw11coming from the fourth cylindrical member76of the bending unit20immediately after.

The packaging unit21further comprises both first heat-welding means94, configured to weld the two thin films80and81together transversely with respect to the advancement direction A, and second heat-welding means97, configured to weld the two thin films80and81together in a longitudinal direction, i.e., parallel with respect to the advancement direction A (FIGS.1and7). In correspondence with the second heat-welding means97, a rotating support roller95is provided, configured to keep the films80,81in contact with the second heat-welding means97.

Immediately downstream of the packaging unit21, for example in a rear compartment of the machine10, one or more collection containers of a known type are positioned, or which will be developed in the future, and not depicted in the drawings, where the finished and individually packaged straws11can be automatically deposited.

The machine10can comprise, at least in the front part thereof, a protective cover, not depicted in the drawings, suitable to protect all the working units16,17,18,19,20and21from pollutants, or contaminants, so that each relative working step can occur in a protected and safe place.

The machine10can comprise one or more suitable detection means, not depicted, configured to verify the presence of the tubular elements12in each retaining seating of the various working units, and/or the correct performance of one or more workings, such as the formation of the bellows14by the deformation unit19, or the correct bending of the straw11by the bending unit20. By way of non-limiting example, the aforementioned detection means can be configured as optical devices, such as cameras or video cameras, or as presence sensors, photocells or other devices still commonly used in the industrial automation sector. In possible embodiments, the detection means are fixed to the support structure22in the proximity of one of the cylindrical members42,47,51,76,87, oriented such that their field of view comprises at least one portion of the respective peripheral surfaces41,49,56,79,90.

The operation of the machine10described heretofore, which also corresponds to the method for the automated production of straws11, preferably made of paper, according to the present invention, occurs entirely in an automated manner under the control of the central control unit29(FIG.7), which suitably controls all the aforementioned motor parts and the electric motor61.

Briefly, the aforementioned method first comprises a starting step, in which all the aforementioned motor members and the electric motor61are actuated, so that the conveyor belt33, the conveyor belt39, all five cylindrical members42,47,51,76and87, the circular blade60and the support roller95are brought into rotation simultaneously.

Then follows a feed step, in which a plurality of tubular elements12(FIG.2) is inserted into the machine10, by means of the conveyor belt33(FIGS.1and7), with the tubular elements12disposed on the latter also haphazardly, or randomly. The tubular elements12can be disposed on top of the conveyor belt33either manually, or in an automated manner, using any known technique, or which will be developed in the future.

The feed unit16automatically arranges in an orderly manner each tubular element12in a corresponding semicylindrical seating45of the first cylindrical member42, distancing it by the first pitch P1(FIG.2) of the adjacent tubular element12. This occurs by means of the distributor member37(FIGS.1and7), which vertically stacks, one above the other, the various tubular elements12coming from the conveyor belt33, and the conveyor belt29which conveys the tubular elements12toward the first cylindrical member42. Here each tubular element12is received in a respective semicylindrical seating45made on the peripheral surface41of the first cylindrical member42. The rotation of the latter in the first rotation direction S1, around the first axis of rotation X1, causes the tubular elements12to be brought in sequence, one after another, to interact with the circular blade60of the cutting unit17. Due to the inclined disposition of the circular blade60, disposed to contact an end of the tubular elements12, the cutting unit17forms the pointed, or obliquely cut, end13on each tubular element12.

The feed step ends with the automatic transfer of the tubular element12provided with the pointed end13from the feed unit16to the distancing unit18. Such a transfer occurs with a distancing step in which the tubular element12automatically passes from a semicylindrical seating45of the first cylindrical member42to a semicylindrical seating50(FIG.1) of the second cylindrical member47, so that the tubular element12is distanced from the adjacent tubular element12by the second pitch P2>P1.

Should the semicylindrical seatings45of the first cylindrical member42already have a certain pitch P2, the distancing unit18would not be necessary and therefore there would be no corresponding distancing step.

The possible distancing step is followed by a deformation step, which begins with the automatic transfer of the tubular element12into the third cylindrical member51of the deformation unit19, where at least one bellows14, preferably near the end of the tubular element12which is opposite the pointed end13, is automatically formed in the element12.

The deformation step occurs in any manner known, or to be developed in the future, and is therefore not described herein.

The deformation step is followed by a bending step, in which each tubular element12, on which both the obliquely cut end13and the bellows14have already been made, is automatically transferred to the fourth cylindrical member76of the bending unit20, where a bending step of each tubular element12occurs in correspondence with the bellows14thereof, at the end of which folded straws11are obtained.

The bending step occurs in any manner known, or to be developed in the future, and is therefore not described herein.

At the end of the bending step the straws11have an overall length L2(FIG.5) which is less than the length L1of the tubular element12from which they were obtained.

The bending step is followed by a packaging step, which begins with the automatic transfer of the straws11into the packaging unit21(FIG.7). In particular, the straws11automatically pass into the fifth cylindrical member87, on which is already located the first thin film80coming from the first roll82drawn by the drawing roller93.

With the rotation of the fifth cylindrical member87the straws11are also brought into contact with the lower part of the second thin film81, coming from the second roll83. Thus, the straws11are sandwiched between the two thin films80and81. The latter, together with the straws11, continue toward the support roller95passing first under the first heat-welding means94and then under the second heat-welding means97. Each straw11is thus individually hermetically packaged, thus it is protected before the use thereof.

The straws11, finished and packaged, are then detached and sent automatically to the two aforementioned collection containers.

From the foregoing description it is clear that the machine10described thus far is very compact and that all the working steps, from the feeding of the tubular elements12, also haphazardly, to the collection of the finished and packaged straws11, inserted into the films80and81, which hygienically protect the same straws11until their use, occur in total safety and automatically under the control of the central control unit29, which can be programmed in any known manner, or which will be developed in the future.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps can be made to the machine10and to the relative method for the automated production of straws, preferably made of paper, described thus far, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

It is further clear that although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific example of how the present invention can be realized, those skilled in the art will certainly be able to produce many other equivalent forms of machines and methods, having the features expressed in the claims and therefore all of which falling within the scope of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the reference numbers and symbols in parentheses have the sole purpose of facilitating the reading thereof and must not be considered as limiting factors as regards the scope of protection defined thereby.