A wrapping machine for wrapping material around a load includes a wrapping unit to wrap a portion of the material around the load and a supplying unit to supply the material portion to the wrapping unit. The wrapping unit includes wrapping device to unwind the material portion from the supplying unit and wrap it around the load. The wrapping unit includes a supporting ring, rotating around a wrapping axis and provided with a plurality of wrapping rollers, and an unwinding arm having a first end rotatably fixed to the support ring and a second end supporting at least one unwinding roller to abut and guide the portion of material towards the load during wrapping. The unwinding arm is movable to move the unwinding roller to/from the load during wrapping.

Disclosed is a packaging device for packaging products, during which the products are conveyed along a conveying direction in order to be packaged. The batches include at least two products, arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The device includes a feeder for receiving products travelling in single file through an upstream pick-up area and conveying same to a set-down area for later packaging. The feeder includes: in the pick-up area, a transfer unit transferring products arriving in single file to the unit; and a position-controlled movable collector receiving and then moving at least one product in a controlled manner from the transfer unit to the set-down area. The device also includes a conveyor in the set-down area, on which the at least one collector deposits the at least one product that it collected from the pick-up area. Also disclosed is a machine using the device and to a corresponding method.

A system for wrapping sets of products with a stretch film has a first conveyor belt with the incoming products, a second outgoing conveyor belt with the products wrapped in the stretch film, and one or more devices for wrapping the products with a stretch film, each device being provided with a handling robot with a handling end, to which a wrapping and gripping assembly is fixed that includes a wrapping head for wrapping the stretch film and gripping elements for gripping and rotating the products while the stretch film is wrapped.

The present invention concerns a bundle (1) of containers (3), including a packaging film (2) wrapped around a set of containers (3). The film (2) defines a bottom portion (2a), at least one pair of side opposite portions (2b) extending from the bottom portion (2a) and a covering portion (2c) extending between the side portions (2b) from an opposite part with respect to the bottom portion (2a). The bundle (1) also comprises a handle (4) having a central portion (4a) arranged at the covering portion (2c) of the film (2) and a pair of opposite joining adhesive portions (4b), extending from the central portion (4a) each arranged at least at a respective side portion (2b) of the film (2). Each of the joining adhesive portions (4b) of the handle (4) has a respective end (4c) that engages the bottom portion (2a) of the film (2).

A processing section of a packaging machine includes a conveyor configured to be driven by a first drive member, and at least one additional conveyor including at least one tray folding member configured to selectively extend about and ride on the conveyor. The at least one additional conveyor is configured to be driven by a second drive member that is distinct from the first drive member.

Disclosed is a packaging device for packaging products in batches, during which the products travel along a conveying direction in order to be packaged. The batches include at least two products, arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The device includes a feeder for receiving products travelling in single file through an upstream pick-up area and conveying same to a set-down area for later packaging. The feeder includes: in the pick-up area, a transfer unit for transferring products arriving in single file to the unit; and at least one position-controlled movable collector for receiving and then moving at least one product in a controlled manner from the transfer unit to the set-down area. The device also includes a conveyor in the set-down area, on which the at least one collector deposits the at least one product that it collected from the pick-up area. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

A method of processing a plurality of articles through a processing section of a packaging machine includes guiding a plurality of articles supported on a support tray blank onto at least one additional conveyor extending about and riding on a conveyor, folding at least one of a leading edge flap and trailing edge flap of the support tray blank with at least one tray folding member provided on the at least one additional conveyor to form a portion of a support tray, and shifting the support tray along the conveyor.

A method of processing a plurality of articles through a processing section of a packaging machine includes guiding a plurality of articles supported on a support tray blank onto at least one additional conveyor extending about and riding on a conveyor, folding at least one of a leading edge flap and trailing edge flap of the support tray blank with at least one tray folding member provided on the at least one additional conveyor to form a portion of a support tray, and shifting the support tray along the conveyor.

A large container loading system and method for a packaging machine includes an infeed conveyor and a transfer flight. An array of pivotable cradle lugs is carried by the transfer flight in synchronized movement with cartons on an adjacent carton flight. Containers are moved into the cradle lugs in an upright orientation and the cradle lugs and containers are reoriented to a substantially horizontal or sideways orientation before being pushed into their cartons by an inserter assembly. A transfer block or a support conveyor may be positioned between each of the cradle lugs and an aligned open container to support a container as it moves between a cradle lug and a carton.