WO2008117161A2

WO2008117161A2 - Apparatus for positioning a covering sheet on top of a product

Info

Publication number: WO2008117161A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/000700
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mauro Cere'
Original assignee: Aetna Group S.P.A.
Priority date: 2007-03-27
Filing date: 2008-03-26
Publication date: 2008-10-02
Also published as: EP2144813A2; EP2144813B1; WO2008117161A3; ITMO20070106A1

Abstract

An apparatus for positioning a covering sheet (100) of a product (200), that is mountable to the side of a movement path (F; F' ) of said product (200) through a wrapping machine (50), comprising movement means (3; 103) provided with gripping means (4; 104) for removing said sheet (100) from an initial removing position (P), in which said sheet (100) is far from said product (200) and from said movement path (F; F'), and releasing said sheet (100) in a final releasing position (R), in which it is spread on the top of said product (200), characterised in that said movement means (3; 103) comprises arm means (5) and upright means (6) that are mutually connected and arranged so as to move linearly said gripping means (4, 104), between said initial removing position (P) and said final releasing position (R), along a first movement direction (H) and a second movement direction (V) that are mutually transverse.

Description

Apparatus for positioning a covering sheet on top of a product

The invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a covering sheet on the top of a product, in particular it relates to an apparatus associable with a packaging wrapping machine, suitable for arranging a covering sheet on the top of a product or of a group of products, for example grouped on a pallet, arranged for being subsequently wrapped with a plastics film by the wrapping machine. In packaging products, which are typically palletised, it is known to use a covering sheet placed on the top of a product and subsequently fixed to the latter by wrapping with a wrapping film in order to protect the product from inclement weather, for example rain, snow, humidity, or from dust. Positioning systems for positioning a covering sheet are known, which are typically associated with rotating arm wrapping machines that are commonly known as "top-inside", in which the sheet is spread on the top of the product by a carriage that is movable above the latter. The carriage is provided with gripping pliers, configured for removing and unwinding a portion of covering film from a reel so as to spread the film on the product. Cutting means cuts a portion or sheet of film of preset length. Driving means moves the carriage linearly that is slidably fixed to an upper portion of a supporting structure of the machine, so as to be above both a maximum height that is reachable by the product and the overall dimensions of a possible rotating arm that carries a reel of film with which to wrap the product. The reel of covering film is also fixed to the upper portion of the supporting structure of the machine and is substantially adjacent to the movable carriage.

A drawback of such systems lies in the fact that when the machine has to be transported, transferred or stored, the movable carriage, the reel of covering film and the corresponding cutting and driving means have to be dismantled and reassembled with the supporting structure of the wrapping machine, due to the significant size and overall dimensions of said structure. The dismantling and assembly operations are long and complex and require skilled labour, with a consequent increase in costs. in addition to this, it is inconvenient and difficult to replace a finished reel of covering film, as it is located on the top of the wrapping machine.

Positioning systems are known in which the covering sheet is conveyed by a movable portal frame, which can be moved above the product because it slides along guides fixed to the base of the wrapping machine. In this manner, assembly and dismantling of the frame are distinct and separate from assembly and dismantling of the supporting structure of the machine. Nevertheless, it is necessary to provide in the wrapping machine, between the supporting table of the product and the inlet and outlet roller conveyers of the latter, suitable passages for the aforesaid sliding guides so as to enable the movable frame to be moved. Further to that, during the operating step, the supporting table is required to be rotated by 90° to permit the passage of the uprights of said movable frame .

Such positioning systems cannot therefore be mounted on wrapping machines - typically rotating arm wrapping machines - provided with a single roller conveyor acting as a supporting table and as a loading and unloading roller conveyor .

As the height of the movable frame has to be greater than the maximum, height of the product, in some cases it may interfere with the structure of the machine and/or with the rotating arm. Further, in the case of products with a large volume and overall dimensions, the size of the movable frame may be such as to require the movable frame to be dismantled to proceed with transporting or storing the movable frame. Positioning systems of the covering sheet are also known that are called "pass-through", comprising a portal structure that overlooks a roller conveyor on which the products are made to pass before entering the wrapping machine. On a crosspiece of the portal structure there are positioned a reel of the covering film and gripping means that removes a sheet from said reel and then releases the sheet on the product during the passage of the product on the roller conveyor. A drawback of such systems consists of the fact that the height of the portal structure, which is necessarily greater than a maximum height of the products to be wrapping, requires said structure to be dismantled for transporting and dispatching. Also in this case, the dismantling/assembly operations are relatively long and complex, and require skilled labour. Replacing the reel of covering film, accommodated on the top of the portal structure, is further very inconvenient and difficult. An apparatus is further known that is able to position a covering sheet on the top of a product by means of a pair of oscillating arms, that are parallel to one another and hinged on the base of the wrapping machine so as to rotate around a rotation axis that is substantially horizontal and parallel to a supporting or movement plane of the product. The arms slidably support a transverse or carriage element, which is movable along the entire length of the latter and is provided with gripping pliers of the sheet. In an initial operating step, the oscillating arms are arranged vertically and the carriage pliers grasp an initial flap of film, partially unwound from a reel, located horizontally and at the fulcrum of the arms, and retained by locking pliers. As the carriage slides towards the free end of the arms it unwinds from the reel the film, which is cut to size by suitable cutting means. The rotation of the oscillating arms towards the product and the suitable positioning of the carriage along the latter enables the cut portion of film to be spread above the product. In a rest configuration the oscillating arms can be folded in a substantially horizontal position to reduce the overall height dimensions of the apparatus, and facilitate the transporting and/or storing thereof . Such an apparatus has some drawbacks .

Firstly, it is not particularly suitable for wrapping products that have a significant height, which require a corresponding length of the arms that could be excessive. Excessively long arms are, in fact, heavy and difficult to move, and can make the entire apparatus unstable during moving. Further, they are very cumbersome, even in a horizontal position. Secondly, this apparatus can be easily installed only on wrapping machines of the rotary table type as in the case of rotating arm wrapping machines, especially with products of great height, the oscillating arms by rotating would knock against the supporting structure, generally a bridge or portal supporting structure, that supports the machine.

An object of the invention is to improve the apparatuses for positioning a covering sheet on the top of a product and which are associable with wrapping packaging machines. Another object is to provide an apparatus that has, in a non-operating condition, limited and compact overall dimensions so as to facilitate and simplify transporting and/or storing thereof .

A further object is to make an apparatus provided with a supporting structure that can be associated in a simple and fast manner with any type of rotating arm or rotary table wrapping machine .

Still another object is to obtain an apparatus that is able to perform operating sequences during operation of the wrapping machine associated therewith, so as to reduce the downtime of said machine that is necessary for positioning the covering sheet on the product .

A still further object is to make an apparatus having a simple and tough structure that is therefore cheap and at the same time has precise and reliable operation. In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for positioning a covering sheet of a product, that is mountable to the side of a movement path of said product through a wrapping machine, comprising movement means provided with gripping means for removing said sheet from an initial removing position, in which said sheet is far from said product and from said movement path, and releasing said sheet in a final releasing position, in which it is spread on the top of said product, characterised in that said movement means comprises arm means and upright means that are mutually connected and arranged so as to move linearly said gripping means, between said initial removing position and said final releasing position, along a first movement direction and a second movement direction that are mutually transverse . Owing to this aspect of the invention it is possible rapidly and precisely to position a covering sheet on the top of a product or a group of products intended to be wrapped by a wrapping machine, by means of an apparatus provided with movement means of said sheet having a particularly simple and compact structure. By virtue of this movement means, the apparatus can be arranged to one side of a path along which the product moves through the wrapping machine and to the side of the latter. The arm means, which is of extendible/shortenable type, enables the gripping means and thus the covering sheet inside the machine to be moved in a, first, for example horizontal, movement direction without interfering with the supporting structure of the latter. Said arm means is, in fact, able to move above a supporting plane on which the product moves along the movement path. In this manner, the apparatus, in addition to being associable with any type of rotating arm or rotary table wrapping machine, can operate simultaneously with the latter, so as to reduce and optimise the operating time necessary for applying the covering sheet. For example, the wrapping machine can start to wrap a product before the arm means has been completely retracted.

In the initial removing position, which coincides with the configuration that the apparatus assumes when it is not operational, the arm means is retracted, so as to give the movement means a configuration that is particularly compact and of reduced overall dimensions that makes the apparatus suitable for being transferred and transported. This is also made possible owing to the fact that the apparatus is provided with a supporting frame that rests on the ground and supports the movement means and a reel of covering film, without requiring the wrapping machine to be fixed to a supporting structure. The apparatus is thus completely separate from and independent of the machine and can be transported and moved separately.

In the initial removing position, the apparatus does not interfere with the operation of the wrapping machine or with the passage of the products along the movement path through the machine .

In a second aspect of the invention an apparatus is provided for positioning a covering sheet of a product that is mountable to the side of a movement path of said product through a wrapping machine, comprising movement means provided with gripping means for removing said sheet from an initial removing position, in which said sheet is far from said product and from said movement path, and releasing said sheet in a final releasing position, in which it is spread on the top of said product, characterised in that said movement means comprises upright means suitable for slidably and rotatably supporting said gripping means so that the latter is movable between said initial removing position and said final releasing position, linearly along said upright means and rotatingly around a substantially perpendicular axis substantially perpendicular to a supporting plane on which said product moves along said movement path. Owing to this aspect of the invention it is possible to obtain an apparatus that is able to position a covering sheet on the top of a product or a group of products, intended to be wrapped by a wrapping machine, by movement means having a particularly simple and. compact structure. The upright means provided with the gripping means enables the apparatus to be positioned to the side of a movement path of the product and to the side of an inlet roller conveyor for introducing the product into the machine. In the final releasing position, the gripping means is, in fact, arranged raised and in a rotated position in which the covering sheet lies substantially orthogonal to the movement path of the product and to the supporting plane . In this manner, the product, whilst it is transferred from the inlet roller conveyor to a supporting table supporting the machine, abuts on the covering sheet, which is arranged, retained by the gripping means, on the top of the product. In the initial removing position, which coincides with the configuration that the apparatus assumes when it is not operational, gripping means is adjacent to a supporting frame of the apparatus, in a lowered and folded position that gives the movement means a configuration that is compact and of reduced overall dimensions, such as to make the apparatus particularly suitable for being transferred and transported. The latter, owing to the supporting frame, which rests on the ground and supports the movement means and a reel of covering film without requiring fixing to the wrapping machine, is completely separated from and independent of said machine and can be transported and/or moved separately.

The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate some embodiments thereof by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a frontal schematic view of the apparatus of the invention associated with a wrapping machine of the rotary table type and in an operating position; Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus in Figure 1 in a final releasing position in which said sheet is released on the product; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus in Figure 1 associated with. the wrapping machine, which makes a rectilinear movement path of the product;

Figure 4 is a top view of the apparatus in Figure 1 associated with a rotary table wrapping machine that makes a movement path of the product angled by 90°;

Figure 5 is a side schematic view of a version of the apparatus associated with a rotary table wrapping machine, in the final releasing position of the sheet; Figure 6 is a top view of the apparatus and of the machine in Figure 5 ;

Figure 7 is a side schematic view of the apparatus in Figure 5 associated with a wrapping machine of the two rotating arms type and in a final releasing position in which the covering sheet is released;

Figure 8 is a top view of the apparatus and of the machine in Figure 7 ;

Figure 9 is a side view of the apparatus in Figure 7 from an initial removing position of a covering sheet; Figure 10 is a schematic top view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the invention associated with a rotary table wrapping machine, respectively in an initial removing position of the sheet, illustrated as a broken line, and in a final releasing position; Figures 11A and HB are side views of the apparatus in Figure 10 respectively in said initial position and in said final position.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4, there is illustrated an apparatus 1 that is suitable for positioning a covering sheet 100 on the top of a product 200, or of a group of products grouped on a pallet, and associated with a packaging wrapping machine 50, for example of the rotary table type, arranged for wrapping said product 200 with a cold extendible plastics film that is unwound from a reel. This wrapping machine 50, of known type, comprises a supporting table 51 of the product rotating around a vertical wrapping axis Z and a reel-holding unit 52 that is vertically movable along a supporting column 53. In operation, a plastics film 60 is unwound from a reel 54 located on the reel-holding unit 52 and is wrapped around the product 200 so as to form a series of bands or bandaged strips, owing to the combination of the movement in a vertical direction of the reel-holding unit 52 and the rotation of the product 200 on the rotary table 51 around the wrapping axis Z . The machine 50 also comprises first conveying means 61, consisting, for example, of a first roller conveyor, that enables a product 200 to be wrapped on the rotary table 51 and second conveying means 62, comprising, for example, a second roller conveyor, for unloading from the table 51 a wrapped product 200' . The table 51 also consists of a roller conveyor that enables the product 200, 200' to be loaded/unloaded easily.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the conveying means 61, 62 defines a movement path F of the product 200 through the wrapping machine 50 that is substantially rectilinear.

Alternatively, the conveying means 61, 62 can be arranged so as to define a further movement path F' of the product 200, 200' that forms an angle of 90°, as illustrated in Figure 4. In both configurations of the conveying means, the apparatus 1 is mounted next to the wrapping machine 50 and next to said movement path F, F' .

The apparatus 1 comprises a supporting frame 2 that rests stably on the ground and supports movement means 3 bearing gripping means 4 suitable for removing a covering sheet 100, from an initial removing position P, and subsequently releasing said suitably spread sheet 100 on the top of said product 200 in a final releasing position R.

In the initial removing position P the movement means 3 and the sheet 100 is far from the product 200 and from the movement path F, F' so as not to interfere with the movement of the product 200 and/or with the operation of the wrapping machine 50 .

The sheet 100 is obtained, for example, by unwinding a covering film 11 from a reel 10, for example a plastics film, a portion of a film of a length that is commensurate with the dimensions of the product 200, and then cutting the film according to the operation explained in detail below in the description.

The reel 10 is rotatably housed on the supporting frame 2 on suitable supporting rollers 12, for example two, mounted rotatably free on a lower portion of said supporting frame . Locking means 13 is provided, associated with the supporting frame 2 and arranged for retaining an end flap 11a of the film 11 on a new reel, or formed following cutting of the portion or sheet 100 by a preset length. The locking means 13 comprises, for example, one or more respective gripping pliers, of known type and which is not illustrated in detail in the Figures .

Cutting means 14 comprising, for example, a blade that is known and not illustrated that is movable transversely to the unwinding direction of the film 11 enables a sheet 100 of desired length to be cut from the latter. The blade 14 is operated manually by an operator or by suitable actuating means . The supporting frame 2 is formed, for example, of a plurality of elongated elements connected together so as to form a structure comprising a lower portion 21 and an upper portion 22. The lower portion 21, provided with supporting feet 23, that are, for example, adjustable in height, supports the reel 10 of covering film 11, the upper portion 22 supports the movement means 3, the locking means 13 and the cutting means 14. In this manner, the apparatus 1 is autonomous and disconnected from the wrapping machine 50. Nevertheless, as illustrated in Figure 2, the lower portion 21 of the supporting frame 2 can be connected removably, by threaded elements, to a base 55 of the wrapping machine 50 for reasons of stability of the entire structure. The movement means 3 comprises arm means 5 and upright means 6 connected together and configured so as to move linearly the gripping means 4 between the initial removing position P and the final releasing position R, along a first movement direction H and a second movement direction V that are mutually transverse, for example orthogonal, to one another. In particular, the first movement direction H and the second movement direction V are respectively almost parallel and orthogonal to a supporting plane B, on which the product 200 moves along the movement path F. The plane B coincides with the supporting plane of the conveying means 61, 62 and of the rotary table 51.

The arm means 5 is fixed to the supporting frame 2 and supports the upright means 6 to which the gripping means 4 is slidably fixed.

The arm means 5 is extendible and shortenable along the first movement direction H and comprises a first end 5a fixed to the upper portion 22 of the supporting frame 2 and a second end 5b that supports the upright means 6. The arm means 5 is, for example, of telescopic type and comprises two or more members, for example three, that are slidable on one another, moved by first driving means 15, between a retracted position S and an extended position T. In the retracted position S the arm means 5 has reduced overall dimensions and arranges the supporting means 6, and thus the gripping means 4, spaced away from the product 200. In the extended position T, the arm means 5 is extended so as to position the gripping means 4 at the product 200. The first driving means 15, that includes, for example, a linear, pneumatic or hydraulic or electric actuator, acts on an end terminal of the arm means, at the free second end 5b. The arm means 5 moves on a movement plane A that is substantially parallel to the supporting plane B. In an embodiment of the apparatus that is not illustrated in the Figures, the arm means 5 on the other hand has a fixed length and is slidably connected to the supporting frame 2 so as to be able to be moved linearly along the first movement direction H, between a respective retracted position and a respective extended position.

The upright means 6 comprises an elongated element of preset length, for example a closed section bar, fixed to the arm means 5 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the latter and to the supporting plane B.

In an embodiment of the apparatus that is not shown the upright means 6 is hinged on the arm means 5 by hinge means so as to be able to rotate around an axis, between an erect operating position and a reclining non-operating position, with minimum overall dimensions. The hinge means can be arranged so as to enable the upright means to rotate from the erect position to the folded position in an anticlockwise direction - with reference to the plane defined by the Figure 2 - around an axis substantially parallel to the supporting plane B and orthogonal to the movement directions H, V, or around an axis substantially parallel to the supporting plane B and to the first movement direction H. In the folded position, the vertical overall dimensions of the upright means 6 are further reduced in this manner.

The upright means 6 is provided with guiding means 16 to which the gripping means 4 is connected that is moved by second driving means 17 between a lowered position and a raised position, along the second movement direction V. The gripping means 4 includes a crosspiece 8 having an elongated shape, to which one or more pliers 7 are fixed, for example two, arranged manually spaced apart and drivable by pneumatic or electric actuators to be opened/closed. The position of the pliers 7 can be adjusted along the crosspiece 8 depending on the dimensions of the sheet 100 to be applied to the product 200. The crosspiece 8 of the gripping means 4 is mounted substantially orthogonally to the upright means 6 and to the arm means 5 and almost parallel to the supporting plane B. The second driving means 17 comprises a rotating electric motor that is able to move, by motion transmitting means, which is of known type and is not shown, the gripping means 4. The transmitting means includes, for example, a movement system of the screw-nut type.

Alternatively, the second driving means may include a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, which is directly connected to the gripping means 4. In an embodiment of the apparatus that is not illustrated in the Figures, the upright means 6 is extendible and/or shortenable, for example telescopically, so as to be able to be arranged selectively in an extended operating configuration or in a non-operating shortened configuration that is suitable for transporting the apparatus 1. The operation of the apparatus 1 provides that in the initial removing position P the arm means 5 is in the retracted position S and the gripping means 4 is in the lowered position along the upright means 6, so that the pliers 7 can grasp an end flap lla of the covering- film 11 retained by the locking means 13.

It is appropriate to note that in this initial removing position P the apparatus 1 has a configuration having very reduced overall dimensions that enables the apparatus 1 to be moved and/or transported conveniently. Once the flap lla has been grasped, the gripping means 4 is raised along the second movement direction V so as to unwind from the reel 10 a portion of film 11 of a suitable length for forming the covering sheet 100. The latter is separated from the film 11 by a transverse cut performed by the cutting means 14.

Depending on the height of the product 200 on which to deposit the sheet 100, the gripping means 4 is further raised or lowered and simultaneously, or in sequence, the arm means 5 is arranged in the elongated position T. In this manner, the sheet 100, which in an intermediate operating position in which the arm means 5 is retracted and the gripping means 4 is raised, lies substantially vertical, can be folded and spread on the top of the product 200 and then be released by the pliers 7, in the final releasing position R. Once the sheet 100 has been deposited on the product, the movement means 3 is returned to the initial removing position P to enable the wrapping machine 50 to wrap the product 200 provided with a covering sheet 100 with the film 60. Once a wrapped product 200' has been unloaded from the wrapping machine 50 a new product 200 to be wrapped can be loaded onto the table 51 and the covering sheet 100 removal and release cycle disclosed above can be repeated. The product 200 may comprise a pallet on which to deposit the covering sheet before the subsequent positioning thereupon of an object or a plurality of grouped objects. It is opportune to note that the arm means. 5 enables the first, for example horizontal, movement direction H, the gripping means 4 and thus the sheet 100 to be moved inside the machine 50 without interfering with the supporting structure of the latter. The arm means 5 : moves , in fact, linearly on the movement plane A that is placed above the supporting plane B. In this manner, the apparatus 1 is associable with any type of rotating arm or rotary table wrapping machine, and can operate simultaneously with the latter so as to reduce and optimise the operating time required to apply the covering sheet. For example, the wrapping machine 50 can start to wrap a product 200 before the arm means 5 has been completely retracted. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, there is illustrated a version of the apparatus 1 that differs from the one previously disclosed through the different arrangement of the arm means and of the upright means . In this version, the movement means 103 comprises arm means 105 bearing the gripping means 104 and supported by upright means 106 fixed to a supporting frame 102, provided with a lower portion 121 and an upper portion 122.

The arm means 105 is extendible and/or shortenable along the first movement direction H and has a first end 105a slidably connected to the upright means 106 and a second end 105b to which the gripping means 104 is fixed.

The arm means 105, for example of telescopic type, is moved by first driving means 115, comprising a pneumatic or hydraulic or electric linear actuator, between a retracted position S and an extended position T, along said first movement direction H on a movement plane Al substantially parallel to the supporting plane B.

The upright means 106 is fixed to the upper portion 122 of the supporting frame 102 of the apparatus 1 and is provided with respective guiding means 116 suitable, for supporting and guiding linearly the arm means 105 along the second movement direction V that is substantially orthogonal to said first movement direction H and to said supporting plane B. The upright means 6, which comprises an elongated element¹ of preset length, for example a closed section bar, is connected to the upper portion 122 of the supporting frame 102 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the arm means 105 and to the supporting plane B. The upright means 6 is hinged on the upper portion 122 by hinge means so as to be able to rotate around a respective axis W between an erect operating position (Figure 5) and a reclining non-operating position, with minimum overall dimensions. The hinge means is arranged, for example, so as to enable the upright means 106 to rotate from the erect position to the folded position in an anticlockwise direction - with reference to the plane defined by the Figure 5 - around the axis W, which is substantially parallel to the supporting plane B and orthogonal to the movement directions H, V. Alternatively, the axis W can be substantially parallel to the supporting plane B and to the first movement direction H. In the folded position, the vertical overall dimensions of the upright means 106 are further reduced.

Alternatively, the upright means 106 can be stiffly fixed to the upper portion 122 of the supporting frame 102. Third driving means 117 is provided for moving the arm means 105 between a lowered position and a raised position along the second movement direction V. The third driving means 117 comprises, for example, a rotating electric motor that acts on said arm means 105 through motion transmitting means, which is of known type and is not illustrated in the Figures, comprising, for example, a movement system of the screw-nut type .

Alternatively, the third driving means may comprise a linear, pneumatic or hydraulic or electric actuator. The gripping means 104 comprises a crosspiece 108 having an elongated shape, to which one or more gripping pliers 107 are fixed in a removable and adjustable manner. The crosspiece 108 is fixed to the arm means 105 substantially orthogonally to the latter and to the upright means 106 and almost parallel to the supporting plane B.

In an embodiment of the apparatus that is not illustrated. in the Figures, the arm means 105 has a fixed length and ^" is slidably connected to the upright means 106 so as to be able to be moved linearly also along the first movement direction H, between a respective retracted position and a respective extended position.

In a further embodiment of the apparatus that is not illustrated in the Figures, the upright means 106 is extendible and/or shortenable, for example telescopically, so as to be able to be arranged selectively in an extended operating configuration or in a non-operating shortened configuration that is suitable for the transporting of the apparatus 1. In still another embodiment of the apparatus, that is not shown, the upright means 106 is integrated into and coincides with the upper portion 122 of the supporting frame _±η

102, and has, for example, a portal structure with a height that is greater than a maximum height that is reachable by the product 200.

The operation of this version of the apparatus 1 is substantially identical to that of the apparatus in Figures 1 to 4, as the movement means 3, 103 differs only through the different arrangement of the arm means 105 and of the upright means 106. It is opportune to emphasise that the apparatus 1 disclosed above can be associated in both embodiments with rotary table or rotating arm wrapping machines of any type . In rotating arm machines the product remains fixed during wrapping whilst the reel-holding unit is rotated with respect to the product around the vertical wrapping axis and is moved along the latter.

Figures 7 to 9 illustrate the version of the apparatus 1 associated with a wrapping machine 50' with a dual rotating arm,^' i.e. provided with a pair of opposite arms 56 and 57 suitable for supporting respective reel-holding units 58, 59 that are movable vertically along the respective arms.

The machine 50' comprises a respective roller conveyor 66 on which the products are moved to enter and exit. The arm means 105 in the final releasing position R is inserted inside a supporting structure 65 of the portal type of the wrapping machine 50' , with which it does not interfere even in the case of products 200 having a maximum height (Figure 7) and because they are slidable above the roller conveyor 66. In the initial removing position P, wherein the arm means 105 is in the retracted position S, which also coincides with the minimum overall dimensions configuration of movement means 103, the apparatus 1 is spaced away from the machine 50' in order not to interfere with operation thereof . The apparatus 1 is completely separated from and independent of the machine 50' and can be transported and managed separately from the latter.

With reference to Figures 10, HA and HB, there is illustrated another embodiment of the apparatus 1 in which the movement means 203 comprises upright means 206 fixed to the supporting frame 202 of the apparatus 1 and suitable for slidably and rotatably supporting the gripping means 204 so that the latter is movable linearly along said upright means 206 and rotatingly around a substantially perpendicular axis X that is almost orthogonal to the supporting plane B. The upright means 206 is almost perpendicular to said supporting plane B and is therefore parallel to said axis X. Further arm means 205 of the movement means 203 is interposed between the upright means 206 and an upper portion 222 of the supporting frame 202. The movement means 203 comprises carriage means 210, slidably connected to guiding means 216 provided in the upright means 206 to enable the gripping means 204 to' be moved along a movement direction V , between a lowered position and a raised position. The movement direction V ^' is substantially parallel to the axis X.

The gripping means 204 comprises a crosspiece 208, having an elongated shape, to which one or more pliers 207 are fixed, for example two, arranged spaced away from one another and drivable to be opened/closed by respective actuators. The pliers 207 can be adjusted in position along the crosspiece 208 depending on the dimensions of the sheet 100 to be applied to the product 200.

The carriage means 210 rotatably supports the crosspiece 208, which can be rotated around the axis X between a folded position D, wherein it is substantially adjacent to the supporting frame 202 and parallel to the movement path F of the product 200 entering the wrapping machine 50, and a rotated position E, wherein said crosspiece 208 is substantially orthogonal to said movement path F. The gripping means 204 thus rotates on a respective movement plane A2 that is almost parallel to the supporting plane B, moved by respective first driving means 215, comprising, for example, a pneumatic or hydraulic or electric linear actuator .

The carriage means 210 and the gripping means 204 are moved by respective second driving means 217 in the movement direction V .

In an embodiment of the apparatus that is not shown, the upright means 206 is rotatably fixed to the supporting frame means 202 and the gripping means is directly connected to the guiding means 216, without interposition of carriage means. In this configuration the upright means 206 is rotated by respective actuating means so as to rotate the gripping means 204 between the folded position D and the rotated position E. In a further embodiment of the apparatus that is not shown, the upright means 206, which supports the gripping means -204 by the carriage means 210, is hinged on the supporting frame means 202 by hinge means so as to be able to rotate ^• around an axis, between an erect operating position and a reclining non-operating position, with minimum overall ..dimensions . The hinge means can be arranged so as to enable the upright means 206 to rotate around an axis substantially parallel to the supporting plane B and orthogonal to the movement directions H, V or around an axis substantially parallel to the supporting plane B and to the first movement direction H. In the folded position, the vertical overall dimensions of the upright means 206 are in this manner further reduced. As illustrated in Figure 10, the apparatus 1 is not in this case arranged next to the supporting table 51 of the wrapping machine, but next to the movement means 61, next to the movement path F of the product 200.

In the final releasing position R (Figures 10 and HB) , the gripping means 204 is at a end portion of the first movement means 61 that faces the supporting table 51 of the wrapping machine 50.

The operation of the apparatus 1 provides that in the initial removing position P, the gripping means 204 is in the lowered and folded position so as to enable the gripping pliers 207 to grasp an end flap 11a of the covering film 11 retained by the locking means 13. Once the flap 11a has been grasped, the gripping means 4 is raised by the further driving means 217 along the upright means 206 in the movement direction V so as to unwind from the reel 10 a portion of film 11 of a suitable length for forming the covering sheet 100. The latter is separated from the film 11 by a transverse cut performed by the cutting means 14.

Depending on the height of the product 200 on which to deposit the sheet 100, the gripping means 204 is further raised or lowered and then rotated in the rotated position E, in which the sheet 100, arranged vertically, intercepts the movement path F of the product 200 on the first conveying means 61. In this manner, the product 200, whilst it is transferred from the latter to the supporting table 51, abuts on the covering sheet 100 that is arranged, retained by the pliers 207, on the top of the product. The pliers 207 release the sheet 100 when the latter is correctly spread on the product 200. The release instant can be calculated^' in function of the position and speed of the product and dimensions of the sheet. Once the sheet 100 has been deposited, the movement means 203 is returned to the initial removing position P, so that the gripping means 204 can remove another covering sheet 100 and repeat the cycle disclosed above with a new product 200. In the initial removing position P, which coincides with the configuration that the apparatus 1 assumes when it is not operational, the gripping means 204 is adjacent to the supporting frame 202, in a lowered and folded position that gives the movement means 203 a configuration that is particularly compact and with reduced overall dimensions, which makes the apparatus 1 suitable for being transferred and transported. As the supporting frame 202 rests on the ground and supports the movement means and a reel of covering film without requiring fixing to the structure of the machine 50, the apparatus is completely separated from and independent of said machine and can be transported and moved separately.

Claims

1. Apparatus for positioning a covering sheet (100) of a product (200) , that is mountable to the side of a movement path (F; F') of said product (200) through a wrapping machine (50), comprising movement means (3;

103) provided with gripping means (4; 104) for removing said sheet (100) from an initial removing position (P) , in which said sheet (100) is far from said product

(200) and from said movement path (F; F'), and releasing said sheet (100) in a final releasing position (R) , in which it is spread on the top of said product (200) , characterised in that said movement means (3; 103) comprises arm means (5) and upright means (6) that are mutually connected and arranged so ■ as to move linearly said gripping means (4, 104), between said initial removing position (P) and said final releasing position (R) , along a first movement direction (H) and a second movement direction (V) that are mutually transverse.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising supporting frame means (2; 102) arranged for supporting said movement means (3; 103) .

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said arm means

(5) is connected to said supporting frame means (2; 102) and supports said upright means (6) to which said gripping means (4) is slidably fixed.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said arm means

(5) is extendible and/or shortenable along said first movement direction (H) and comprises a first end (5a) fixed to said supporting frame means (2) and a second end (5b) supporting said upright means (6) .

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein said arm means (5) is slidably connected to said supporting frame means (6) and is movable along said first movement direction (H) .

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, comprising first driving means (15) for moving said arm means (5) along said first movement direction (H) between a retracted condition (S) , wherein said gripping means (4) is far from said product (200) , and an extended position (T) , wherein said gripping means (4) is adjacent to said product (200) .

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said upright means (6) comprises guiding means

(16) for supporting and guiding said gripping means (4) along said second movement direction (V) .

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein said upright means (6) is extendible and/or shortenable along said second movement direction (H) and comprises an end fixed to said arm means (5) and a remaining end to which said gripping means (4) is fixed.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, comprising second actuating means (17) arranged for moving said gripping means (4) along said second movement direction (V) .

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to • 9, wherein said upright means (6) is rotatably connected to said arm means (5) so as to be rotatable around a respective axis, between an erect operating position and a reclined non-operating position.

11. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said upright means (106) is connected to said supporting frame means

(102) and slidably supports along said second movement direction (V) said arm means (105) , to which said gripping means (104) is fixed.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said upright means (106) comprises guiding means (116) suitable for supporting and guiding said arm means (105) along said second movement direction (V) .

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said upright means (106) is extendible and/or shortenable along said second movement direction (H) and comprises an end fixed to said supporting frame means (2) and a remaining end slidably connected to said arm means (105) .

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13 , wherein said arm means (105) is extendible and/or shortenable along said first movement direction (H) and comprises a first end (105a) fixed to said upright means (106) and a second end (105b) supporting said gripping means (104) .

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein said arm means (105) is slidably connected to said upright means (106) so as to be movable along said first movement direction (H) .

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, comprising first driving means (115) suitable for moving said arm means

(105) along said first movement direction (H) between a retracted condition (S) , wherein said gripping means

(104) is far from said product (200) , and an extended position (T) , wherein said gripping means (104) is adjacent to said product (200) .

17. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 16, comprising second actuating means (117) for moving said arm means (105) along said second movement direction

(V) .

18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein said upright means (106) is rotatably connected to said supporting frame means (102) so as to be rotatable around a respective axis (W) , between an erect operating position and a reclined non-operating position.

19. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 18, wherein said respective axis (W) is substantially orthogonal to said upright means (6; 106) and to said arm means (5; 105) .

20. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 14, wherein said extendible and/or shortenable arm means (5; 105) is of telescopic type.

1071519 pct-EN.doc

21. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said gripping means (4; 104) comprises crosspiece means (8; 108) having an end connected to said movement means (3; 103) and having at least a gripping pliers (7; 107) arranged for grasping and/or releasing said covering sheet (100) .

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the position of said gripping pliers (7; 107) is adjustable along said crosspiece means (6; 106) .

23. Apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said crosspiece means (8; 108) is substantially orthogonal to said arm means (5; 105) and to said upright means

(6; 106) .

24. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 23, as claim 21 is appended to any one of claims 2 to 20, wherein said supporting frame means (2; 102) comprises supporting means (12) for rotatably supporting a reel

(10) of plastics film (11) from which said covering sheet (100) is unwound.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said supporting means (12) is arranged so as to enable said reel (10) to rotate around a substantially horizontal unwinding axis (Y) .

26. Apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, comprising cutting means (14) for cutting said sheet (100) from said film (11) that is partially unwound from said gripping means (4; 104) .

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, comprising locking means (13) for retaining an end flap (lla) of said film (11) .

28. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first movement direction (H) and said second movement direction (V) are substantially orthogonal.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said first movement direction (H) and said second movement direction (V) are substantially orthogonal to a supporting plane (B) on which said product (200) moves along said movement path (F; F' ) .

30. Apparatus for positioning a covering sheet (100) of a product (200) , that is mountable to the side of a movement path (F; F' ) for moving said product (200) through a wrapping machine (50) , comprising movement means (203) provided with gripping means (204) for removing said sheet (100) from an initial removing position (P) , in which said sheet (100) is far from said product (200) and from said movement path (F) , and releasing said sheet (100) in a final releasing position (R) , in which it is spread on the top for moving said product (200) , characterised in that said movement means (203) comprises .upright means (206) suitable for slidably and rotatably supporting said gripping means (204) so that the latter is movable between said initial removing position (P) and said final releasing position (R) , linearly along said upright means (206) and rotatingly around an axis (X) that is substantially perpendicular to a supporting plane (B) on which said product (200) moves along said movement path (F) .

31. Apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said upright means (206) is substantially orthogonal to said supporting plane (B) .

32. Apparatus according to claim 30 or 31, wherein said upright means (206) comprises guiding means (216) suitable for supporting and guiding linearly said gripping means (204) .

33. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said movement means (203) comprises carriage means (210) slidably connected to said guiding means (216) and supporting said gripping means (204) rotatably around said axis

(X) .

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said gripping means (204) comprises crosspiece means (208) rotatably connected to said carriage means (210) and having at least a gripping pliers (207) arranged for grasping said covering sheet (100) .

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said crosspiece means (208) is substantially orthogonal to said upright means (206) and to said supporting plane (B) .

36. Apparatus according to claim 34 or 35, wherein position of said gripping pliers (207) is adjustable along said crosspiece means (208) .

37. Apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 36, comprising respective first driving means (215) for rotating said gripping means (204) around said axis (X) between a folded position (D) , wherein said gripping means (204) is to the side of said movement path (P) , and a rotated position (E) , wherein it is almost transverse to said movement path (F) .

38. Apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to ^'37, comprising respective second driving means (217) for moving said gripping means (204) along said upright means (206) .

39. Apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 38, wherein said upright means (206) is extendible and/or shortenable, between an extended operating configuration and a retracted rest configuration.

40. Apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 39, comprising supporting frame means (202) arranged for supporting said movement means (203) .

41. Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said upright ' means (206) is rotatably fixed to said supporting frame means (202) so as to rotate with said gripping means (204) around said axis (X) .

42. Apparatus according to claim 40 or 41, the said supporting frame means (202) of which comprises supporting means (12) for rotatably supporting a reel (10) of plastics film (11) from which said covering

1071519 pot-EN.doc sheet (100) is unwound.

43. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said supporting means (12) is arranged so as to enable said reel (10) to rotate around a substantially horizontal unwinding axis (Y) .

44. Apparatus according to claim 42 or 43 , comprising cutting means (14) for cutting said sheet (100) from said film (11) that is partially unwound from said gripping means (204) .

45. Apparatus according to claim 44, comprising locking means (13) for retaining an end flap (lla) of said film (11) .