A device for packaging elongated items such as firewood pieces is described herein. The device includes: an elevated structure having an upper platform for receiving the elongated items from a separate conveyor; a diverter located on or above the platform for changing the direction of movement of the elongated items; and one or more elevator shafts having open bottoms. The elevator shafts are located adjacent to the platform and configured for receiving the elongated items after contact with the diverter and for holding the elongated items on support structures while a stack of elongated items is formed. The release of the stack of elongated items from the elevator shafts occurs via the open bottoms of the elevator shafts.

The invention relates to a method and to a device for feeding products (2) from a first process to a second process in a packaging plant, wherein a buffer device (3) is provided between the first process and the second process, wherein the buffer device (3) has a closed conveying section (32) having a receiving position (30) for receiving products (2) from the first process, and having a transfer position (31) for transferring products (2) to the second process, and a plurality of conveying units (33) which at least in portions along the conveying section (32) can be driven in a mutually independent manner, and wherein the products (2) from the first process are in each case provided in groups with a variable first placing pattern, the method comprising the following steps: a) detecting the first placing pattern of a group (21, 23) of products (2) to be relocated, b) providing a number of conveying units (33), disposed in the detected first placing pattern, at the receiving position (30) of the buffer device (3), and c) collectively relocating the group (21, 23) of products with the detected placing pattern into the conveying units (33) of the buffer device (3) that are provided at the receiving position (30).

The invention relates to a method and to a device for feeding products (2) from a first process to a second process in a packaging plant, wherein a buffer device (3) is provided between the first process and the second process, wherein the buffer device (3) has a closed conveying section (32) having a receiving position (30) for receiving products (2) from the first process, and having a transfer position (31) for transferring products (2) to the second process, and a plurality of conveying units (33) which at least in portions along the conveying section (32) can be driven in a mutually independent manner, and wherein the products (2) from the first process are in each case provided in groups with a variable first placing pattern, the method comprising the following steps: a) detecting the first placing pattern of a group (21, 23) of products (2) to be relocated, b) providing a number of conveying units (33), disposed in the detected first placing pattern, at the receiving position (30) of the buffer device (3), and c) collectively relocating the group (21, 23) of products with the detected placing pattern into the conveying units (33) of the buffer device (3) that are provided at the receiving position (30).

A system for end-folding a wrapping onto a stack of bags includes a folding machine having a first folding station and a second folding station. The first folding station configured to receive the stack of bags with the wrapping partially covering the stack of bags and defining wrapping flaps, and is further configured to end-fold one or more of the wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags while leaving other flaps unfolded. The second folding station is downstream from the first folding station is configured to receive the stack of bags from the first folding station and further end-fold unfolded wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags.

A system for end-folding a wrapping onto a stack of bags includes a folding machine having a first folding station and a second folding station. The first folding station configured to receive the stack of bags with the wrapping partially covering the stack of bags and defining wrapping flaps, and is further configured to end-fold one or more of the wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags while leaving other flaps unfolded. The second folding station is downstream from the first folding station is configured to receive the stack of bags from the first folding station and further end-fold unfolded wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags.

Described is an apparatus for automatically boxing products on stick including: a closed transport line, a plurality of units, each movable independently, along the transport line in a feed direction, each including a retaining system for retaining a product on stick, an unloading unit configured for picking up a predetermined number of products on stick from the units and boxing said predetermined number of products on stick, a control and return unit, positioned upstream relative to the unloading unit relative to the feed direction along the transport line, configured for controlling the presence of products on stick in the units moving along the forward guide, for selectively interrupting the movement of the units in the feed direction.

Described is an apparatus for automatically boxing products on stick including: a closed transport line, a plurality of units, each movable independently, along the transport line in a feed direction, each including a retaining system for retaining a product on stick, an unloading unit configured for picking up a predetermined number of products on stick from the units and boxing said predetermined number of products on stick, a control and return unit, positioned upstream relative to the unloading unit relative to the feed direction along the transport line, configured for controlling the presence of products on stick in the units moving along the forward guide, for selectively interrupting the movement of the units in the feed direction.

An operating unit adapted to perform a rapid packing of containers such as bottles produces a safe, simple and transportable pack obtained with three straps, of which a first one is applied on the lower half of the body of the bottles, a second one is applied at the neck of the bottles, both the first and the second straps being arranged on planes perpendicular to the vertical axes of the bottles, and a third one, applied loosely and perpendicularly to the other two straps, lies on a vertical plane passing by the center of gravity of the pack, along a plane disposed between two adjacent rows of bottles in contact with each other.

An operating unit adapted to perform a rapid packing of containers such as bottles produces a safe, simple and transportable pack obtained with three straps, of which a first one is applied on the lower half of the body of the bottles, a second one is applied at the neck of the bottles, both the first and the second straps being arranged on planes perpendicular to the vertical axes of the bottles, and a third one, applied loosely and perpendicularly to the other two straps, lies on a vertical plane passing by the center of gravity of the pack, along a plane disposed between two adjacent rows of bottles in contact with each other.

A packaging machine may include a grouping device comprising a spreading area with a spreading table having a base body and a plurality of support bars adjustable in their transverse spacing, each having at least one row of seats extending in a longitudinal direction, each for one product. The grouping device may also include at least one transverse drive for adjusting the transverse spacing, for producing a single-layer group having an even or uneven number of rows of products, and for inserting the group into an outer package. The plurality of support bars include a plurality of double-row support bars which cannot be moved relative to one another in the transverse direction, and at least two single-row support bars that are movable relative to one another in the transverse direction positioned between two of the double-row support bars.