초록 ▼

A method and machine for packing packets, whereby, as two packets are fed singly and successively along a path from an input station to an output station, respective sheets of packing material are folded about the two packets to form respective wrappings; the two packets, enclosed in the respective

A method and machine for packing packets, whereby, as two packets are fed singly and successively along a path from an input station to an output station, respective sheets of packing material are folded about the two packets to form respective wrappings; the two packets, enclosed in the respective wrappings, are brought into contact with each other to form a group of packets, and are again fed from the input station to the output station, while a further sheet of packing material is folded about the group of packets.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method of packing articles, comprising a first feed step to feed at least two articles (2) singly and successively along a first path (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (5); a first folding step, performed during the first feed step, to fold a respect

The invention claimed is: 1. A method of packing articles, comprising a first feed step to feed at least two articles (2) singly and successively along a first path (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (5); a first folding step, performed during the first feed step, to fold a respective sheet of packing material (7) about each article (2) to form a respective first wrapping (8) about each article (2); a group-forming step to bring the articles (2) into contact with each other to form a group (10) of articles (2); a second feed step to feed the group (10) of articles (2) along a second path (P3), which at least partly coincides with the first path (P1); a second folding step, performed during the second feed step, to fold a further sheet of packing material (11) about the group (10) of articles (2) to form a second wrapping (12) about the group (10) of articles (2); and a third feed step, which substantially follows the first feed step and substantially precedes the second feed step, and during which the articles (2) are fed along a third path (P2) from the output station (5) to the input station (4). 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second path (P1, P3) are each substantially in the form of a respective arc. 3. A machine for packing articles, comprising a first conveying device (3) for feeding at least two articles (2) singly and successively along a first path (P1) from an input station (4) to an output station (5); a folding device (6) for folding a respective sheet of packing material (7) about each article (2) to form a respective first wrapping (8) about each article (2); and a group-forming device (9) for bringing the articles (2) into contact with each other to form a group (10) of articles (2); the first conveying device (3) conveying the group (10) of articles (2) along a second path (P3) at least partly coinciding with the first path (P1); the folding device (6) folding a further sheet of packing material (11) about the group (10) of articles (2) to form a second wrapping (12) about the group (10); wherein the first conveying device (3) comprises at least two first seats (13), each for housing a respective article (2); and at least one second seat (14) for housing the group (10) of articles (2). 4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a second conveying device for conveying the articles (2), enclosed in the respective first wrappings (8), along a third path (P2) from the output station (5) to the input station (4). 5. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio between the number of first seats (13) and the number of second seats (14) substantially equals the number of articles (2) in said group (10) of articles (2). 6. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first conveying device (3) comprises a conveyor wheel (3) comprising the first seats (13) and the second seat (14). 7. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two first seats (13) are arranged side by side. 8. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side by side first seats (13) are equal in number to the articles (2) constituting a group (10) of articles (2) and housed inside the second seat (14). 9. A machine as claimed in claim 1, and comprising a number of first feed devices (17), each for feeding a respective sheet of packing material (7) to the folding device (6); the first feed devices (17) being equal in number to the articles (2) constituting a group (10) of articles (2) and housed inside the second seat (14). 10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, further comprising at least one further feed device (18) for feeding the further sheet of packing material (11) to the folding device (6). 11. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the folding device (6) comprises stabilizing means for stabilizing the first wrappings (8) about the respective articles (2), and for stabilizing the second wrapping (12) about the group (10) of articles (2). 12. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the folding device (6) comprises first folding means for folding the sheets of packing material (7) about the respective articles (2); and second folding means for folding the further sheet of packing material (11) about the group (10) of articles (2).