Patent Publication Number: US-2022227009-A1

Title: Equipment for packaging products, and in particular for re-packaging products that have already been previously packaged

Description:
FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THIS INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an equipment for packaging products, and in particular for re-packaging products that have already been previously packaged, in view of promoting or to promote, a corresponding use of said products. 
     Said products are in particular pharmaceutical or medical products, or the like, for example said products are in the form of a blister, in particular containing respective pharmaceutical forms, i.e. in the form of packages, such as boxes, containing a respective article or a drug, i.e. in the form of other articles, by way of example vials, syringes for injections or other, possibly inserted in corresponding container pouch. 
     The present products are preferably usable, preferably in a re-packaged form, by corresponding entities, such as hospitals or the like, for the therapeutic treatment, especially of people. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Equipments for re-packaging pharmaceutical or medical products, or the like, preferably usable, in a re-packaged form, by corresponding entities, such as hospitals or the like, for the therapeutic treatment, especially of people, are known, which equipment comprises as a whole, means for loading the products in the equipment, means for discharging the same products packaged by the equipment, and means for controlling the equipment, in particular in the form of corresponding electronic processing means. 
     In said already known equipments, however, the products must be supplied to the equipment in an orderly configuration, and which in particular is manually prepared directly by the operators in charge, therefore with considerable waste of time for the same staff. 
     Moreover, in said already known equipment, it is not possible to use intact products that would not need to be separated from the primary packaging, or previous packaging, to be repackaged by the equipment and also, to treat products of different configuration, it is necessary to provide frequent changes of the product gripping tool, with consequent operational complications and consequent loss of working times. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With the present invention it is wished to propose a new solution and/or an alternative to the solutions so far known and in particular it is proposed to overcome one or more of the drawbacks or problems referred to above, and/or to satisfy one or more requirements referred to above and/or in any case experienced in the art, and in particular that can be deduced from the above. 
     An equipment for packaging products, and in particular for re-packaging products that have already been previously packaged, in view of promoting, or to promote, a corresponding use of said products is therefore provided, said products being in particular products for pharmaceutical or medical use, or the like, for example, said products being in the form of a blister, in particular containing respective pharmaceutical forms, i.e., in the form of packages, such as boxes, containing a respective article or a drug, i.e., in the form of other articles, by way of example vials, syringes for injections or other, possibly inserted in corresponding containers, especially in the form of pouches, and being preferably usable, preferably in a re-packaged form, by corresponding entities, such as hospitals or the like, for the therapeutic treatment, especially of people; the equipment comprising means for loading the products in the equipment, means for discharging the same products packaged by the equipment, and means for controlling the equipment, in particular in the form of corresponding electronic processing means, and being characterized in that said loading means are adapted to receive said products to be packaged in a random loading configuration. 
     In this way, it is possible to carry out an easy loading of the products to be packaged by the staff in charge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This and other innovative aspects, or respective advantageous embodiments, are, however, set forth in the appended claims, the respective technical characteristics of which can be found, together with corresponding advantages achieved, in the following description, illustrating a purely non-limiting example of the embodiment of the invention, which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a detail of the zone for loading the products of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention, view of the exterior of the equipment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a detail of the product loading zone of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic view of a screen for displaying the products on the resting plane of the means for loading the products of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a detail of the means for gripping the products of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cutting and overturning plane of the products of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a further schematic perspective view of the cutting and overturning plane of the products of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a schematic perspective view of only the overturning plane of the products of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a schematic perspective view of the step of application of a glue to a product to be packaged intact by the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a schematic plan view from above, with a particular illustration of the packaging means of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11A  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a first work station of the packaging means of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11B  illustrates a schematic enlarged perspective view of the first work station of the packaging means of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a second work station of the packaging means of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates a further schematic perspective view of the second work station of the packaging means of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention, with a particular illustration of the means for detecting an image of the packaging member, or pouch; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a third and fourth work stations of the packaging means of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention, in which the product is applied or inserted in the packaging member, or pouch respectively and packaging member, or pouch is closed superiorly; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a fifth work station of the packaging means of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention, in which an upper portion of the packaging member, or pouch is punched and die-cut; 
         FIG. 15A  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a sixth work station of the packaging means of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention, in which the packaging member, or pouch is punched and checked and discharged; 
         FIG. 15B  illustrates a schematic perspective view of the sixth work station of the packaging means of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention, seen from a different angle of  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a schematic perspective view of the gathering device of the group of packaging members or pouches; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a schematic perspective view of the means for mutually attaching the packaging members or pouches defining a respective group of the preferred embodiment of equipment according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 18A  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a group of members or pouches containing the product made through the present equipment; 
         FIG. 18B  illustrates a schematic perspective view of a member carrying the product fixed outside and made through the present equipment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The accompanying figures illustrate a preferred embodiment 10 of an equipment for packaging products, and in particular for re-packaging products that have already been previously packaged, in view of promoting or to promote, a corresponding use of said products. 
     Said products treated by the equipment are in particular products for pharmaceutical or medical use, or the like, for example, said products being in the form of a blister, in particular containing respective pharmaceutical forms, i.e., in the form of packages, such as boxes, containing a respective article or a drug, for example one or more blisters or the like, i.e., in the form of other articles, by way of example vials, syringes for injections or other, possibly inserted in corresponding containers, especially in the form of pouches. 
     The present products treated by the equipment are preferably usable, preferably in a re-packaged form, by corresponding entities, such as hospitals or the like, for the therapeutic treatment, especially of people. 
     As illustrated, the equipment  10 , which is mainly contained in a protective cover  10 ′, comprises means  12  for loading the products in the equipment, means  14  for packaging said products, means  16  for discharging the same products packaged by the equipment, and means  18  for controlling the equipment, in particular in the form of corresponding electronic processing means, for example in the form of a PLC, an industrial PC, or other, and operating in the form of the control of a corresponding program software. 
     Advantageously, said loading means  12  are adapted to receive said products to be packaged in a random loading configuration. 
     In this way, it is possible to carry out an easy loading of the products to be packaged by the staff in charge. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, means  13  for transferring the products from said means  12  for loading products to said means  14  for packaging said products are also provided for in the equipment. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, said means  13  for transferring the products from said means  12  for loading the products to said means  14  for packaging said products comprise, or are composed of, a respective robot  13 , in particular in the form of a, anthropomorphic robot, which is configured to withdraw the products from said means  12  for loading the products and for transferring them to said means  14  for packaging the same products. 
     With advantage, as can be seen from the figures and in particular from  FIG. 3 , said means  12  for loading the products to be packaged comprise means  120  for supporting the products, at a respective withdrawal zone of the same products by the same transferring means  13 , in particular on which the products  11  are arranged according to a random configuration. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures and in particular from  FIG. 3 , said means  120  for supporting the products, at a respective withdrawal zone of the same products by the same transferring means  13 , comprise a respective plane  120   p  for resting said products, in particular surrounded by respective side walls  120   l  for containing the products at the same resting plane  120   p.    
     With particular advantage, as can be seen from the figures and in particular from  FIG. 3 , in the equipment means for handling the products on said means  120  for supporting the products, are provided for at a respective withdrawal zone of the same products by the same transferring means  13 , in particular said means for handling the products are defined by the same plane  120   p  for resting said products, which is suitably movable, preferably in a sussultatory manner, or in a vibrating manner, such as to change the position of the same products  11  that are rested on the same resting plane  120   p.    
     In this way, it is possible to arrange the products in the best condition for withdrawing and/or viewing them, as will be better understood from the following description. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures and in particular from  FIG. 3 , said means  12  for loading the products to be packaged comprise respective means  121  for receiving the products in a corresponding random configuration, in particular which are adapted to pass said products to said means  120  for supporting the products, at the respective withdrawal zone of the same products by the same transferring means  13 , in particular, the means  121  for receiving the products comprise a respective plane  121   p  for receiving said products, in particular surrounded by respective side walls  121   l  for containing the products at the same resting plane  121   p  and having a respective end, or chute,  121   u  for passing the products in a random configuration on said means, or plane,  121  for receiving the products. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, means  20  for detecting the products on said means  12  for loading said products  11 , in particular at said means  120  for supporting the same products  11  are provided for in the equipment, especially comprising, or composed of, corresponding camera means, which are adapted to detect one or more images  21  of said means, or plane,  120  for supporting the same products  11  with the products  11  supported thereon. In particular, as illustrated, the camera means are defined by a corresponding single camera  20  supported by, in particular hung on the frame, or cover,  10 ′ to support the equipment and/or arranged above the same means, or plane,  120  supporting the same products  11 . 
     With advantage, said means  20  for detecting the products on said means  12  for loading said products  11  are in connection with said means  18  for controlling the equipment, which are configured to identify the respective random position of the respective products  11  and for driving said means  13  for transferring the products so that the latter ones withdraw said products, randomly located, from said means  12  for loading the products in the equipment, i.e., from the respective supporting plane  120   p  thereof. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, said means  13  for transferring the products comprise means  131 ,  132  for gripping the products, in particular carried by said means  13  for transferring the products. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, pliers means  131  for gripping the products are provided for, in particular carried by said transferring means  13 , preferably comprising a first and a second jaws  131   a ,  131   b  movable relatively to one another, moving closer together, to clamp and hold a corresponding product  11  and moving away from each other, to release said same product  11 . 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, said gripping or pliers means  131  comprise said first jaw  131   a  is stationary, and in particular carries an outermost lip  131   aa  for engaging the respective product, and said second jaw  131   b  is movable towards, and from, said first jaw  131   a , as can be seen from the arrow F in said  FIG. 5 , and preferably comprises a respective outermost lip  131   bb  cooperating in gripping the product with said lip  131   aa  of said first jaw  131   a.    
     In this way, it is also possible to take different types of products to be packaged. 
     With advantage, as can be seen in particular from said  FIG. 5 , said means  13  for gripping the product comprise means  132  for suctioning and retaining a corresponding product, in particular in the form of a respective suction cup carried by a corresponding support shaft, which is preferably configured to withdraw various types of products and avoid frequent changes of the product gripping tool, as it was instead necessary according to the prior art. 
     Said means  132  for suctioning and retaining a corresponding product are preferably carried on a respective body  130  which carries said first and second gripping jaws  131   a ,  131   b  and extending from said body  130  on the side thereof which is opposite the one where said first and second gripping jaws  131   a ,  131   b  are located. 
     In particular, the suction cup  132  is preferably used to withdraw the product from the respective support plane  120   p , while the plier  131  is used to hold the product at the cutting means and, if necessary, to turn the same product or blister to arrange it with the correct orientation under said cutting means, as will be better understood in any case from the continuation of the present description. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, said means, or robot,  13  for transferring the products are adapted to transfer the same products, in particular starting from said means  12  for loading the products in the equipment, i.e., from the corresponding said means, or surface,  120   p  for supporting the products, in a plurality of respective operative positions  15 . 
     In this way, it is also possible to package products that are completely different from one another. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from  FIGS. 6 to 8 , said means, or robot,  13  for transferring the products are adapted to transfer the same products, in particular starting from said means  12  for loading the products in the equipment, i.e., from the corresponding said means, or surface,  120   p  for supporting the products, in a respective position  15  for cutting and separating respective portions of product from the remaining part of the same product, said cutting or separation position  15  being preferably at respective means  17  for conveying the produced towards said packaging means  14 , which are especially in the form of a respective conveying channel  17  underlying the cutting, conveying zone and preferably in the form of a corresponding tubular body preferably with a vertical axis. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, means for cutting or separating corresponding product portions, a small plane  15 ′ for resting the product having a respective hole  150  and a cutter  151  that is movable between a spaced-apart or lifted position and a moved-closer or lowered position with respect to said small plane are provided for, in which it is provided to separate a corresponding portion, in particular comprising at least one respective portion or form  11 ′ from the remaining part of the product, or body of the blister  11 ″, so as to allow this portion to fall through said hole  150  into the small resting plane  15 ′, which plane  15 ′ defines corresponding contrast means for the corresponding cutting edge of the cutter  151 . 
     In practice, said transferring means  13  withdraw the product located on the respective resting surface  120   p , thanks to their own gripping means, i.e. to said suctioning or suction cup means,  132  and bring it at a resting surface, especially the projecting small plane nineteen, located in particular near or at the cutting zone, and they release the product therein to take it again subsequently through the respective pliers means  131 , which provide for holding the product during the cutting step thereof. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from  FIGS. 6 to 8 , said means, or robot,  13  for transferring the products are adapted to transfer the same products, in particular starting from said means  12  for loading the products in the equipment, i.e., from the corresponding said means, or surface,  120  for supporting the products, in a respective position  19  for turning the product over, in particular before carrying out the cut or separation of the respective portion or form  11 ′ from the remaining part of the product or blister  11 ″. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from  FIGS. 6 to 8 , said position for turning the product over is defined by a small plane  190  having a respective slit  19 , which is preferably vertical and/or open at an end to promote the insertion of the gripping means  132  i.e., of the shaft of the suctioning means  132 , which, after gripping the product in an improper position, rotate it by 180° and locate, or rest it, on the small plane  190 . 
     In this way, said means, or robots,  13  for transferring the products define advantageous means for turning the product over. 
     With advantage, as can be seen from  FIGS. 6 to 8 , said overturning slit  19  is in the form of a through slit obtained in a small plane  190 , preferably projecting from or on the extension of said small cutting plane  15 ′, which slit  19  is preferably open in  191 , at an end of said plane  190 , to promote, as mentioned above, the insertion of the gripping means  132 , i.e., of the shaft of the suctioning means  132 , into the same slit  19 . 
     With particular advantage, as can be seen from  FIG. 6 , said means, or robot,  13  for transferring the products are adapted to transfer the same products, in particular starting from said means  12  for loading the products in the equipment, i.e., from the corresponding means, or surface,  120   p  for supporting the products, in a respective position  155  for directly inserting into said packaging means  14 , in particular into corresponding means for conveying the product into the support, or pouch, for the housing thereof, defined in detail from a corresponding cup  155 ′ for gathering the product and then transferring and handing over the product, thanks to the opening of its bottom portion, to the package. Preferably, as illustrated, said direct insertion position is next to the cutting station  15 . 
     Advantageously, said means, or robot,  13  for transferring the products are adapted to transfer the same products, in particular starting from said means  12  for loading the products in the equipment, i.e., from the corresponding said means, or surface,  120   p  for supporting the products in an application or activation respective position  23 , illustrated in  FIG. 9 , of corresponding adhesive means  231  and/or in a, preferably subsequent, adhesion position of the product to the respective housing support, or pouch, as will be better understood from the following description. 
     In this way, it is also possible to use intact products that would not need to be separated from the primary or previous packaging to be repackaged by the equipment. 
     With advantage, as can be seen from the following figures, said means  14  for packaging said products comprise a rotatable carousel  140 , in particular moving forward by steps, comprising a plurality of packaging stations, in which, during the respective stop during the forward movement of the carousel  140 , a respective packaging operation is provided. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, means  22 , which are adapted to define a packaging member, or pouch  25  are provided for, especially for providing support or housing said product  11 , in particular said means  22 , which are adapted to define a packaging member, or pouch  25 , are in the form of a form of means that are adapted to separate a corresponding portion  25  of film defining a respective member, or pouch  25 , from a corresponding film  250 , in particular in the form of a form of a tubular film, preferably with side bellows, and supplied by a corresponding coil  251 . 
     Advantageously, either packaging pouch  25 , preferably at a respective station  141  of said packaging means, or carousel  14 , on which said packaging member, or pouch  25  is held through corresponding side pliers  14   a ,  14   b  integral with the rotatable carousel  140 . 
     Furthermore, means  24  are provided for, which apply a corresponding label  27  to said packaging member, or pouch  25 , in particular by printing  240  said label  27  and preferably removing it from a corresponding film  270  for supporting corresponding labels, which is carried by a corresponding supplying coil  271 , applying said packaging member, or pouch  25 , through a corresponding pusher  241  that is movable forwards and backwards towards and against said packaging member, or pouch  25 , preferentially at a respective station  141  of said packaging means, or carousel  14 . 
     With advantage, as can be seen from the said  FIGS. 10A and 10B , said means  22  which are adapted to define a packaging member, or pouch  25  and said means that apply said label  27  operate at the same station  141  as said means that apply a corresponding label  27 . 
     With advantage, as can be seen from the figures and in particular from  FIG. 12A , means  26  are provided for which close the bottom, in particular through a welding or bond of corresponding opposite flaps, of the corresponding packaging member, or pouch  25 , in particular at a respective and subsequent station  142  of said packaging means, or carousel,  14 . 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, means  240  for printing the label  27  are provided for, which provide on said same label  27  at least one corresponding barcode and corresponding alphanumeric writings, immediately readable by the user. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, means  28  for checking the label  27 , in particular the label  27  applied onto the packaging member, or pouch  25  are provided for. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, said label checking means comprise means, in particular a camera,  28  for reading the barcode and for reading the alphanumeric writings to be read by the product user, and means are provided for, in particular defined by said equipment control means  18 , which are configured to compare the alphanumeric writings and the barcode provided for on the same label  27  with each other, in particular so that, if these turn out to be not compliant with one another, they drive the rejection of the same packaging member, or pouch  25  bearing the same non-compliant label. 
     Advantageously, said means, in particular defined by said equipment control means  18 , which are configured to compare the reading of the alphanumeric writings, comprise means for the OCR conversion of the alphanumeric writings in the label into an alphanumeric text. 
     With advantage, as can be seen from the figures and in particular from  FIG. 12B , means  26  that close the bottom of the corresponding packaging member, or pouch  25  and said means, in particular a camera,  28  for reading the barcode and the alphanumeric writings of the label  27 , in particular said packaging member, or pouch  25 , are provided for at the same station  142  as said packaging means, or carousel,  14 . 
     With particular advantage, as can be seen from  FIG. 14 , means for loading the product  11  on said packaging member, or pouch  25  are provided for, in particular comprising means  30 ,  30  and  30 ,  30  for opening said packaging member, or pouch  25 , in view of the filling thereof with a respective product  11 , in particular in the form of corresponding suction means for moving away opposite flaps of said packaging member, or pouch  25 , i.e. defined by said means, or robot,  13  for transferring the products that apply the same product to said packaging member, or pouch  25 , in particular at the same station  143  at which said means  30 ,  30 ,  30 ,  30  for opening said packaging member, or pouch  25  are provided for. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the following  FIG. 14 , means  32  for closing said packaging member, or pouch  25  on the side opposite the bottom one are provided for, in particular through a corresponding welding or bond of corresponding opposite flaps, of the corresponding packaging member, or pouch  25 , in particular at a respective and subsequent station  144  of said packaging means, or carousel  14 . 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the following  FIG. 15 , means  34  for punching and die cutting an upper portion of said packaging member, or pouch  25 , through corresponding cutting means are provided for, in particular provided at a respective and subsequent station  145  of said packaging means, or carousel,  14 . 
     With advantage, as can be seen from  FIG. 15  below, means  36  for checking the geometric profile of said packaging member, or pouch  25 , are provided for, in particular defined by corresponding optical fibre sensors, i.e., by a camera, in particular provided at a respective and subsequent station  146  of said packaging means, or carousel  14 , preferably at which station  146  the discharge of the same packaging member, or pouch  25  from said packaging means, or carousel  14  is provided. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, means for rejecting uncompliant supports, or pouches, not particularly illustrated in the attached figures, are provided for. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen in particular from said  FIG. 15 , means  40  for manufacturing a group of packaging members, or pouches  25  are provided for, in particular comprising a respective rotatable shaft  401  supporting a helical screw for handling said members, or pouches,  25  towards a position of mutual moving closer. 
     With particular advantage, as can be seen in particular from said  FIG. 16 , said helical screw shaft for gathering together  401  is carried by a corresponding rotatable device  400 , which allows transferring the products to corresponding gathering means  42  in particular comprising a respective pin  421  for the insertion in a corresponding hole  31  provided for in the members, or pouches,  25  of the respective group, and a surface  422  for engaging in a gathered, or moved closer, condition of the same members, or pouches, of the group, and adapted to translate towards a transversally spaced-apart station for joining the members, or pouches  25 , of the respective group. 
     In practice, the pin  421  for the insertion of the group of members or pouches is carried by a corresponding equipment  423 , which, in turn, translates towards a position for joining or mutual attaching the members or pouches which constitute the respective group. 
     Advantageously, as can be seen in particular from  FIG. 17 , means  44  for joining the group of packaging members, or pouches  25  are provided for, which joining means comprise corresponding means for applying a corresponding joining clip  29 , in particular in the form of a clip preferably made of metal, and which are especially in the form of a first and a second clamps  441 ,  442  between which said gathering means locate the respective group of members, or pouches  25 , and which mutually move closer to one another to apply said clip to the group of packaging members, or pouches  25  at a respective outermost or upper die-cut portion thereof. 
     Said means  44  are not provided for on the rotatable carousel  120 , but in a position that is lateral thereto. 
     With advantage, means are provided downstream of said joining means  44 , in particular in the form of a respective chute  16 , for discharging the respective group of members, or pouches,  25  from the equipment. 
     Advantageously, the surface  120   p  for resting the products is provided for with a dark shade, so as to facilitate the identification thereof by the corresponding control means  18 . 
     Equally advantageously, it is provided for using lighting means, in particular diffused lighting, to allow easy detection of the products, especially on said plane or surface  120   p  for resting the same products. 
     In practice, with the present equipment  10  a group  25 ′ can be obtained which is composed of one or more members containing the product  11  and possibly a member  125  bearing the label of the group of members or pouches  25 , such as the one illustrated in the  FIG. 18A , i.e. also a corresponding group in which the respective member has the product  11  that is fixed outside the support member, as illustrated in  FIG. 18B . 
     In practice, as is evident, the technical characteristics illustrated above allow, individually or in a respective combination, achieving one or more of the following advantageous results:
         it is possible to carry out an easy loading of the products to be packaged by the staff in charge;   it is possible to arrange the products in the best condition for withdrawing and/or viewing them, as will be understood from the following description;   it is possible to take different types of products to be packaged.   it is also possible to package products that are completely different from one another;   said means, or robots, for transferring the products define advantageous means for turning the product over;   it is also possible to use intact products that would not need to be separated from the primary or previous packaging to be repackaged by the equipment;   frequent changes of the aforesaid gripping tool which were instead necessary according to the previously known technique must not be carried out.       

     The present invention is susceptible to evident industrial application. The person skilled in the art will also be able to imagine numerous modifications and/or variations to be made to the same invention, while remaining within the scope of the inventive concept, as extensively explained. Moreover, the person skilled in the art will be able to imagine further preferred embodiments of the invention which include one or more of the above illustrated characteristics of the preferred embodiment. Moreover, it must also be understood that all the details of the invention can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.