Abstract:
A sleeve-type half package is closed by applying two beads of glue on each of two flaps on each end of the sleeve, folding those flaps inwardly by engagement with a nonglued strip between the beads and then folding the other two flaps at each end inwardly to engage a bead of glue on each of the two first-folded flaps at each end. The folding is done by thrust members as the half package is displaced linearly along a transport path.

Description:
DESCRIPTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method and a system for closure, in succession, of the flaps of the two end sides of a half-package in the form of a sleeve. 
     More particularly, the present invention is incorporated in the field of boxing and/or packaging machines, in order to close, in individual succession, with continuous motion, the open flaps of the two end sides of half-packages in the form of a sleeve, which, for example, are obtained by means of boxing machines of the so-called “wrap-around” and/or “casing” machine type, and/or with other packaging systems. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     At present, in order to close the flaps of the end sides of half-packages in the form of a sleeve, systems are provided with intermittent and/or continuous motion, which have rotary and/or fixed folders, which fold the flaps of the end sides, see for example patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,654 and GB-2,233,954. 
     These systems have a series of disadvantages. 
     A first disadvantage is caused by the fact that the use of rotary and/or fixed folders does not permit the use of high operative speeds, resulting in a low production capacity. 
     A further disadvantage is owing to the fact that the use of rotary and/or fixed folders does not make it possible to close flaps which have particular forms, such as flaps which consist of two or more sub-edges, wherein each sub-flap must be folded correctly in relation to the remaining structure of the package. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-described disadvantages. 
     The invention, which is characterised by the claims, solves the problem of creating a method for closing in succession the closure flaps of the two end sides of half-packages in the form of a sleeve, wherein each half-package comprises a first front flap, a first rear flap, a second front flap, a second rear flap, a third front flap, a third rear flap, a fourth front flap and a fourth rear flap, in which said method is characterised in that the said half-packages are translated in succession along a translation closure line with a front end side facing downstream and a rear end side facing upstream, and in that, for closure of the flaps of each half-package, the following operations are carried out: a)-application of glue onto the outer surface of the second front flap, which is disposed with an open configuration, and application of glue onto the outer surface of the fourth front flap, which is disposed with an open configuration; b)-folding towards the interior of the second front flap, and folding towards the interior of the fourth front flap; c)-folding towards the interior of the third front flap, and folding towards the interior of the first front flap; d)-application of glue on the outer surface of the second rear flap, which is disposed with an open configuration, and application of glue on the outer surface of the fourth rear flap, which is disposed with an open configuration; e)-folding towards the interior of the second rear flap, and folding towards the interior of the fourth rear flap; and f)-folding towards the interior of the third rear flap, and folding towards the interior of the first rear flap. 
     The same invention, which is characterised by the claims, also solves the problem of creating a system to close in succession the closure flaps of the two end sides of half-packages in the form of a sleeve, wherein each half-package comprises a first front flap, a first rear flap, a second front flap, a second rear flap, a third front flap, a third rear flap, a fourth front flap and a fourth rear flap, in which said system is characterised in that it comprises: &gt;-first thrust means, in order to supply the half-packages in individual succession within a translation-closure line; &gt;-first gluing means, which are disposed upstream from the said translation-closure line, and in the vicinity of the area of translation of the second front flaps and of the second rear flaps, in order to apply glue on the outer surfaces of the second front flaps and on the outer surfaces of the second rear flaps, whilst the half-packages are moved from upstream in the downstream direction in succession; &gt;-second gluing means, which are disposed upstream from the said translation-closure line and in the vicinity of the area of translation of the fourth front flaps and of the fourth rear flaps, in order to apply glue on the outer surfaces of the fourth front flaps and on the outer surfaces of the fourth rear flaps, whilst the half-packages are moved from upstream in the downstream direction in succession; &gt;-first thrust-folder means, comprising first thrust-folder posts, which move longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the second front flaps and of the second rear flaps, in order to fold towards the interior the said second front flaps and the said second rear flaps, during translation of the half-packages in the downstream direction; &gt;-second thrust-folder means, comprising second thrust-folder posts, which move longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the fourth front flaps and of the fourth rear flaps, in order to fold towards the interior the fourth front flaps and the fourth rear flaps, during translation of the half-packages in the downstream direction; &gt;-third thrust-folder means, comprising third thrust-folder posts, which move longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the third front flaps and of the third rear flaps, in order to fold towards the interior the third front flaps and the third rear flaps, during translation of the half-packages in the downstream direction; &gt;-fourth thrust-folder means, comprising fourth thrust-folder posts, which move longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the first front flaps and of the first rear flaps, in order to fold towards the interior the first front flaps and the first rear flaps, during translation of the half-packages in the downstream direction; and &gt;-support means, which extend longitudinally, in order to support the half-packages during translation in the downstream direction. 
     The advantages obtained by means of the present invention consist mainly in the fact of increasing the production capacities, and in that flaps with various forms can be closed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred practical embodiment, provided here purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the figures of the attached drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective view the method for closure of the closure flaps of the end sides, which is the subject of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1A illustrates in enlarged perspective view the package in the form of a sleeve, with the closure flaps of the end sides open; 
     FIG. 1B is a view in cross-section along the plane  1 B— 1 B in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic perspective view the method and the system which are the subject of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2, in which the half-packages in the form of a sleeve and other parts have been removed, in order better to show the operative elements; 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate respectively in schematic lateral and plan view, the method and the system which are the subject of the present invention, in which there are defined two consecutive portions, indicated respectively as  3 A- 3 B and  4 A- 4 B; 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate in enlarged form respectively the portions indicated as  3 A and  3 B shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate in enlarged form respectively the portions indicated as  4 A and  4 B shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIGS. 5-5A,  6 - 6 A,  7 - 7 A,  8 - 8 A,  9 - 9 A and  10 - 10 A illustrate six operative steps schematically in lateral and plan view, and in succession; 
     FIG. 6C is a schematic view according to the line  6 C— 6 C in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9C is a schematic view according to the line  9 C— 9 C in FIG. 9; and 
     FIG. 11 is a view in cross-section according to the line  11 — 11  in FIG.  3 B. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF THE HALF-PACKAGE WITH OPEN END SIDES 
     In the following description, in order to assist understanding, some elements are indicated by an Arab numeral followed by the letter “a” or “b” in order to indicate the position, respectively to the left or to the right, relative to the central longitudinal axis of flow of the machine, with reference to a person located on this axis, with his shoulders facing upstream. 
     In addition, other elements, such as the half-packages, disposed in succession, are indicated by a capital letter, which in some cases is followed by an arab numeral, wherein the latter is designed to indicate the position in comparison with similar elements, relative to the direction of flow of the machine. 
     Description of the Half-Packages in the Form of a Sleeve 
     With reference to FIG. 1, half-packages in the form of a sleeve, S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , etc., are translated in individual succession along a translation-closure line Y 1 , which extends longitudinally, straight, and preferably horizontally, from upstream in the downstream direction with reference to the arrow F 1 , and are oriented such as to have a front end side facing downstream, with corresponding open front flaps, and a rear end side facing upstream, with corresponding open rear flaps. 
     With reference also to FIG. 1A, which illustrates in enlarged form the half-package S 5  in the form of a sleeve, with the flaps of the end sides open, shown in FIG. 1, each half-package S 5  substantially extends longitudinally along its own central axis Y 2 , and comprises: a first panel  1 , which has a first front flap  5 I- 5 II and a first rear flap  6 I- 6 II; a second panel  2  which has a second front flap  7  and a second rear flap  8 ; a third panel  3  which has a third front flap  9 I- 9 II and a third rear flap  10 I- 10 II; a fourth panel which has a fourth front flap  11  and a fourth rear flap  12 . 
     In addition, in the embodiment illustrated, the first front flap  5 I- 5 II comprises a first intermediate front sub-flap  5 I, and a first end front sub-flap  5 II, which are defined by means of creases  13 I and  13 II, the first rear flap  6 I- 6 II comprises a first intermediate rear sub-flap  6 I and a second end rear sub-flap  6 II, defined by means of creases  14 I and  14 II, the second front flap  7  is defined by means of a crease  15 , the second rear flap  8  is defined by means of a crease  16 , the third front flap  9 I- 9 II comprises a third intermediate front sub-flap  9 I and a third end front sub-flap  9 II which are defined by means of creases  17 I and  17 II, the third rear flap  10 I- 10 II comprises a third intermediate rear sub-flap  10 II, and a third end rear sub-flap  10 II, which are defined by means of creases  18 I and  18 II, the fourth front flap  11  is defined by means of a crease  19 , the fourth rear flap  12  is defined by means of a crease  20 , wherein the said creases extend perpendicularly relative to the axis Y 2  of longitudinal extension of the half-package S 5 . 
     Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Method 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A, the half-packages, in the configuration with the flaps open, see the half-package S 5 , are translated in individual succession, from upstream in the downstream direction, along the line of translation-closure Y 1 , oriented such to have a front end side facing downstream and a rear end side facing upstream, i.e. with the axis of longitudinal extension Y 2  of the said half-packages aligned relative to the said line of translation-closure Y 1 . 
     During this translation in succession, for each half-package which is being translated, see the half-package S 4 , glue is applied to the outer surface of the second front flap  7 , which is disposed in the open configuration, by applying two longitudinal beads of glue,  21   a  and  21   b,  which are spaced transversely, in order to configure between them a longitudinal strip  22  which is free from glue, as well as by applying glue on the outer surface of the fourth front flap  11 , disposed in the open configuration, by applying two longitudinal beads of glue  23   a  and  23   b,  which are spaced transversely, in order to configure between them a longitudinal strip  24  which is free from glue. 
     Then, with the half-packages still advancing in a downstream direction, see the half-package S 3 , the third front flap  7  is folded towards the interior, and the fourth front flap  11  is folded towards the interior, and glue is applied to the outer surface of the second rear flap  8 , disposed in the open configuration, by applying two longitudinal beads of glue  25   a  and  25   b,  which are spaced transversely, in order to configure between them a longitudinal strip  26  which is free from glue, as well as by applying glue on the outer surface of the fourth rear flap  12 , disposed in the open configuration, by applying two longitudinal beads of glue  27   a  and  27   b,  spaced transversely, in order to configure between them a longitudinal strip  28  which is free from glue. 
     When the half-packages are advanced further in the downstream direction, see the half-package S 2 , the first front flap  5 I- 5 II is folded towards the interior, and the third front flap  9 I- 9 II is folded towards the interior, until they are closed onto the second front flap  7  and the fourth front flap  11 , see also FIG. 1B, in order to obtain mutual adhesion, obtained by means of the glue  21   a - 21   b  and  23   a - 23   b,  wherein, in this particular embodiment, only the end front half flaps  5 II and  9 II meet respectively the beads of glue  21   b - 23   b  and  21   a - 23   a  of the flaps  7  and  11 . In the rear area of the package, again see the half-package S 2 , the second rear flap  8  is folded towards the interior, and the fourth rear flap  12  is folded towards the interior. 
     Finally, when the half-packages are advanced further in the downstream direction, see the half-package S 1 , the first rear flap  6 I-II is folded towards the interior, and the third rear flap  10 II— 10 II is folded towards the interior, until they are closed onto the second rear flap  8  and the fourth rear flap  12 , again see FIG. 1B, in order to obtain mutual adhesion, by means of the glue  25   a - 25   b  and  27   a - 27   b,  wherein, in this particular embodiment, only the end rear half flaps  6 II and  10 II meet respectively the beads of glue  25   b - 27   b  and  25   a - 27   a  of the flaps  8  and  12 , thus obtaining the package S 1 , with all the flaps of the end sides closed. 
     Structural Description of the Embodiment of the System 
     With reference to FIGS. 2A,  3 A- 3 B and  4 A- 4 B, the system which is the subject of the present invention comprises a translation-closure line, which extends longitudinally and straight, from upstream in the downstream direction, along which the half-packages S are translated in individual succession from upstream in the downstream direction with reference to the arrow F 1 . 
     The said translation-closure line, from upstream in the downstream direction, comprises two longitudinal support rails  30   a  and  30   b,  a lower thrust conveyor  40  and an upper thrust conveyor  50 , lower gluing means  120   a - 120   b  and upper gluing means  100   a - 100   b,  downstream from which there are disposed a lower thrust-folder conveyor  60  and an upper thrust-folder conveyor  70 , which are disposed specularly relative to one another, and two lateral thrust-folder conveyors  100   a  and  100   b,  which are disposed respectively along a first left side and along a second right side of the support rails  30   a - 30   b  of the translation-closure line. 
     In the case illustrated, the arrangement of the said last four thrust-folder conveyors  60 ,  70 ,  100   a  and  100   b,  configure a cross “+” which extends longitudinally, in the centre of which there is disposed the translation-closure line, as will be better understood hereinafter. 
     The guide supports  30   a  and  30   b  are transversely spaced, in order to configure between one another a longitudinal slot  31 , for the reasons which will become more apparent hereinafter. In addition, in the vicinity of their upstream portion, the said two support rails  30   a  and  30   b  also have two lateral guides  32   a  and  32   b,  which are designed to channel the half-packages in the correct orientation, see S 10 , during the translation in the downstream direction. 
     The lower thrust conveyor  40  has a chain  41 , which is wound in a closed path around a wheel upstream, not illustrated, and around a wheel downstream  43 , wherein the said chain  41  has a plurality of thrust posts  44 , in the shape of a “U”, with tines  44   a  and  44   b,  which are moved in an orbit which lies on a vertical-longitudinal plane, wherein the said orbit has an operative branch which extends longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the fourth front flaps  11  and rear flaps  12 , which in this case can be defined as the upper branch, wherein the said thrust posts  44  move along the longitudinal slot  31  defined by the said support rails  30   a  and  30   b.    
     The upper thrust conveyor  50  has a chain  51 , which is wound in a closed path around a wheel upstream, not illustrated, and around a wheel downstream  53 , wherein the said chain  51  has a plurality of thrust posts  54 , in the shape of a “U”, with tines  54   a  and  54   b,  which are moved in an orbit which lies on a vertical-longitudinal plane, wherein the said orbit has an operative branch which extends longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the second front flaps  7  and rear flaps  8 , which in this case can be defined as the lower branch. 
     The lower thrust-folder conveyor  60  has a chain  61 , which is wound in a closed path around a wheel upstream  62  and around a chain guide  63  downstream, illustrated schematically, wherein the said chain  61  has a plurality of thrust-folder posts  61 I  64 II, and, more particularly, front thrust-folder posts  64 I and rear posts  64 II, which are moved in an orbit which lies on a vertical-longitudinal plane, wherein the said orbit has an operative branch which extends longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the fourth front flaps  11  and rear flaps  12 , which in this case can be defined as the upper branch, wherein the said thrust-folder posts  64 I and  64 II move along the longitudinal slot  31  defined between the said support rails  30   a  and  30   b.    
     The upper conveyor  70  has a chain  71 , which is wound in a closed path around a wheel upstream  72  and around a chain guide  73  downstream, illustrated schematically, wherein the said chain  71  has a plurality of thrust-folder posts  74 I  74 II, and, more particularly, front thrust-folder posts  74 I and rear posts  74 II, which are moved in an orbit which lies on a vertical-longitudinal plane, wherein the said orbit has an operative branch which extends longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the second front flaps  7  and rear flaps  8 , which in this case can be defined as the lower branch. 
     On the left hand side of the said machine, at a level contained between the upper branch of the lower conveyor  60  and the lower branch of the upper conveyor  70 , there is disposed the conveyor  100   a,  which has its upstream portion designed to operate within the operative context of the said lower  60  and upper  70  conveyors. 
     In this particular embodiment, the left-hand conveyor  100   a  comprises two conveyors, an upper conveyor  80   a  and a lower conveyor  90   a,  but it can comprises a single chain-conveyor. The upper conveyor  80   a  comprises an upper chain  81   a,  which is wound in a closed path around an upper upstream wheel  82   a,  and around an upper downstream wheel  83   a,  wherein the said chain  81   a  has a plurality of respective upper thrust-folder posts  84   a,  which are moved in an orbit which lies on a horizontal-longitudinal plane, wherein the said orbit has an operative branch which extends longitudinally in the vicinity of the said area of translation of the third front flaps  9 I- 9 II and rear flaps  10 I- 10 II, wherein, more particularly, but not necessarily, see also FIG. 11, the said upper posts  84   a  have an operative surface with a shaped profile comprising an inclined segment  84   a   1  and a transverse segment  84   a   2 . The lower conveyor  90   a  comprises a lower chain  91   a,  which is wound in a closed path around a lower upstream wheel  92   a  and around a lower downstream wheel  93   a,  wherein the said chain  91   a  has a plurality of respective lower thrust-folder posts  94   a,  which are moved in an orbit which lies on a horizontal-longitudinal plane, wherein the said orbit has an operative branch which extends longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the third front flaps  9 I- 9 II and rear flaps  10 I- 10 II, wherein, more particularly, but not necessarily, see also FIG. 11, the said lower posts  94   a  have an operative surface with a shaped profile comprising an inclined segment  94   a   1  and a transverse segment  94   a   2 . 
     In this particular embodiment, the left-hand conveyor  100   a  comprises two conveyors, an upper conveyor  80   a  and a lower conveyor  90   a,  The upper conveyor  80   a  comprises an upper chain  81   a,  which is wound in a closed path. 
     In this particular embodiment, the right-hand thrust-folder conveyor  100   b  comprises two conveyors, an upper conveyor  80   b  and a lower conveyor  90   b,  but it can comprises a single chain-conveyor. The upper conveyor  80   b  comprises an upper chain  81   b,  which is wound in a closed path around an upper upstream wheel  82   b,  and around an upper downstream wheel  83   b,  wherein the said chain  81   b  has a plurality of respective upper thrust-folder posts  84   b,  which are moved in an orbit which lies on a horizontal-longitudinal plane, where in the said orbit has an operative branch which extends longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the first front flaps  5 I- 5 II and rear flaps  6 I- 6 II, wherein, more particularly, but not necessarily, see also FIG. 11, the said upper posts  84   b  have an operative surface with a shaped profile comprising an inclined segment  84   b   1  and a transverse segment  84   b   2 . The lower conveyor  90   b  comprises a lower chain  91   b,  which is wound in a closed path around a lower upstream wheel  92   b  and around a lower downstream wheel  93   b,  wherein the said chain  91   b  has a plurality of respective lower thrust-folder posts  94   b,  which are moved in an orbit which lies on a horizontal-longitudinal plane, wherein the said orbit has an operative branch which extends longitudinally in the vicinity of the area of translation of the third front flaps  5 I- 5 II and rear flaps  6 I- 6 II, wherein, more particularly, but not necessarily, see also FIG. 11, the said lower posts  94   b  have an operative surface with a shaped profile comprising an inclined segment  94   b   1  and a transverse segment  94   b   2 . 
     In addition, the two upper gluing devices  110   a  and  100   b  are disposed upstream from the upper conveyor  70 , and the two lower gluing devices  120   a  and  120   b  are disposed upstream from the lower conveyor  60 . 
     The system is also provided with mechanical and/or electrical and/or electronic and/or computerised devices to synchronise the various operative elements with one another. 
     Functional Description of the Embodiment of the System 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 A- 3 B, the half-packages, see the half-package S 10  in FIGS.  2  and  3 A- 4 A, with the flaps of the end sides open, are thrust in the downstream direction by means of the lower thrust posts  44 , and more particularly  44   a - 44   b,  of the lower thrust conveyor  40 , and by means of the thrust posts  54 , and more particularly  54   a - 54   b,  of the upper conveyor  50 , which, respectively, press on the rear edges of the fourth rear flap  12  and of the second rear flap  8 . 
     With the half-packages advancing in the downstream direction, see also FIGS. 5-5 a,  the upper gluing devices  110   a - 110   b,  which are actuated in phase ratio, apply to the outer surface of the second front flap  7  two longitudinal beads of glue  21   a  and  21   b,  between which there is disposed a longitudinal strip  22  without glue, and, similarly, by means of the lower gluing devices  120   a - 120   b,  which are also actuated in phase ratio, see also the half-package S 4  in FIG. 1, apply to the outer surface of the fourth front flap  11  two longitudinal beads of glue  23   a  and  23   b,  between which there is disposed a longitudinal strip  24  without glue, thus producing the half-package S 4  illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     When the half-packages are advanced further downstream, see FIGS. 6,  6 A and  6 C, at the top, a thrust-folder post  74 I, which is actuated in phase ratio, and moves from the top downwards, meets the second front flap  7 , in the vicinity of its median transverse point, in which the longitudinal strip  22  without glue is disposed, see in particular FIG. 6C, and the said second front flap  7  is then folded towards the interior, without touching the two beads of glue  21   a  and  21   b.  Similarly, at the base, a first thrust-folder post  64 I, which is actuated in phase ratio, and moves from the base upwards, meets the fourth front flap  11 , in the vicinity of its median transverse point, in which the longitudinal strip  24  without glue is disposed, again see in particular FIG. 6C, and then folds the said fourth front flap  11  towards the interior, without touching the two beads of glue  23   a  and  23   b.    
     Immediately afterwards, again see FIGS. 6 and 6A, a front folder post  84   a  of the conveyor  80   a,  which is driven in phase ratio, begins to fold towards the interior the third front flap  9 I- 9 II, and, on the other side, a front upper thrust-folder post  84   b  of the conveyor  80   b,  which is driven in phase ratio, begins to fold the first front flap  5 I- 5 II towards the interior. 
     As the half-packages are advanced further in the downstream direction, when the front flaps  9 I- 9 II and  5 I- 5 II are partially closed, in order to prevent re-opening of the front flaps  7  and  11 , the upper thrust-folder post  74 I is deflected upwards, by being moved along the chain guide  73 , and the lower trust-folder post  74 I is deflected downwards, by being moved along the chain guide  83 , and, thus, see also FIGS.  7  and  7 A, the thrust-folder post  84   a  of the conveyor  80   a  and the thrust-folder post  84   b  of the conveyor  80   b,  fold definitively towards the interior the third front flap  9 I- 9 II and the first front flap  5 I- 5 II. 
     Subsequently, during execution of the said operations, the upper gluing devices  100   a - 100   b,  which are actuated in phase ratio, have applied to the outer surface of the second rear flap  8  two longitudinal beads of glue  25   a  and  25   b,  between which there is disposed a longitudinal strip  26  without glue, and, similarly, the lower gluing devices  120   a - 120   b,  which are also actuated in phase ratio, see also the half-package S 3  in FIG. 1, have applied to the outer surface of the fourth rear flap  12  two longitudinal beads of glue  27   a  and  27   b,  between which there is disposed a longitudinal strip  29  without glue. 
     The half-package thus obtained, with the front end side closed, see FIGS. 8 and 8 a,  is advanced further in the downstream direction, again thrust by the upper thrust posts  54   a - 54   b  and lower posts  44   a - 44   b  (see also the package S 20  in FIG.  2 ), and, when the rear portion of the said half-package reaches the vicinity of the conveyors  70  and  60 , the second thrust-folder posts  74 II, which move from the top downwards, and pass through the tines  54   a - 54   b,  meet the second rear flap  8 , in the vicinity of its median transverse point, in which the longitudinal strip  26  without glue is disposed, and then, see FIGS.  9 - 9 A- 9 C, fold the said second rear flap  8  towards the interior, without touching the two beads of glue  25   a  and  25   b,  and, similarly, at the base, the second thrust-folder posts  64 II, which are actuated in phase ratio, move from the base upwards, meet the fourth rear flap  12 , in the vicinity of its median transverse point, in which the longitudinal strip  28  without glue is disposed, and then fold the said fourth rear flap  12  towards the interior, without touching the two beads of glue  27   a  and  27   b.    
     Immediately afterwards, again see FIGS. 9,  9 A and  9 C, the rear folder posts  94   a  of the conveyor  90   a  begin to fold the third rear flap  10 I- 10 II towards the interior, and, on the other side, the rear thrust-folder posts  94   b  of the conveyor  90   b  begin to fold the first rear flap  6 I- 6 II towards the interior. 
     As the half-packages are advanced further in the downstream direction, see FIGS. 10 and 10 a,  when the rear flaps  10 I- 10 II and  6 I- 6 II are partially closed, in order to prevent re-opening of the rear flaps  8  and  12 , the upper trust-folder post  74 II is deflected upwards, by being moved along the guide chain  73 , and the lower trust-folder post  64 II is deflected downwards, by being moved along the guide chain  63 , and, thus, the thrust-folder post  94   a  of the conveyor  90   a  and the thrust-folder post  94   b  of the conveyor  90   b  fold definitively towards the interior the third rear flap  10 I- 10 II and the first rear flap  6 I- 6 II, thus obtaining the half-package S 1  illustrated in FIG. 1, corresponding to the package S 30  illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     With reference to FIG. 11, the particular profiles,  84   a   1 - 84   a   2  and  84   b   1 - 84   b   2  of the front posts  84   a  and  84   b,  which are designed to close the flaps of the front end side of the half-package, are shaped in relation to the dimensioning of the sub-flaps  9 I,  9 II and  5 I,  5 II, such as to fold the respective intermediate sub-flaps  9 I and  5 I in a bevelled manner, with the required angle, and to fold the end flaps  9 II and  5 II with the required angle against the flaps  7  and  11 , thus obtaining mutual adhesion between the said four latter, owing to the glue which has previously been applied to the said flaps  7  and  11 , and then maintain the said folding also during the subsequent advance, in order to allow the glue to adhere fully. 
     Similarly, again with reference to FIG. 11, the particular profiles  94   a   1 - 94   a   2  and  94   b   1 - 94   b   2  of the rear posts  94   a  and  94   b,  which are designed to close the rear end side of the half-package, are shaped in relation to the dimensioning of the sub-flaps  10 I,  10 II and  6 I,  6 II, such as to fold the respective intermediate sub-flaps  10 I and  6 I, in a bevelled manner, with the required angle, and to fold the end flaps  10 II and  6 II with the required angle, against the flaps  8  and  12 , thus obtaining mutual adhesion between the said four latter, owing to the glue which has previously been applied to the said flaps  8  and  12 , and then to maintain the said folding during subsequent advance, in order to allow the glue to adhere fully. 
     The description of the above-described method and packaging machine are provided purely by way of non-limiting example, and thus, all modifications and variations suggested by practice and use, and within the context of the scope of the following claims, can be made to the said method and the said machine.