An automated method and system for packaging a stack of flexible articles (200) are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: loading, by a pair of end effectors (1a, 1b), the stack of flexible articles (200) into an erected box (100) having a first open end (101) and a second open end (102), wherein each open end (101, 102) has at least one flap (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) that is movable between an open configuration where the flap (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) is not covering an opening of the open end (101, 102) and a closed configuration where the flap (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) covers the opening of the open end (101, 102), whereby the stack of flexible articles (200) is loaded in an offset position away from the first open end (101), leaving a first gap therebetween; moving, by a first flap closing mechanism (4), the flap (103, 104, 105) of the first open end (101) from the open configuration to the closed configuration; pushing, by a pushing mechanism (16), the stack of flexible articles (200) towards the first gap, thereby forming a second gap between the second open end (102) and the stack of flexible articles (200); and moving, by a second flap closing mechanism (6), the flap (106, 107, 108) of the second open end (102) from the open configuration to the closed configuration, wherein the first and second gaps are configured to prevent the flaps (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) from being obstructed by the stack of flexible articles (200) while closing the flaps (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108).

The present invention relates to a method for forming a batch of products on a conveying line, upstream of a packaging station of said batch, said batch containing products of at least two different types, specifically type A and type B, said conveying line including a conveyor arranged in the longitudinal direction, and designed to move the products in parallel rows towards the packaging station, and at least one accumulation surface arranged adjacent to and flush with said conveyor. This method includes formation of at least one row of A products on the conveyor and transverse cyclical transfer by lots of B products from said accumulation surface to the conveyor. The present invention also relates to a specially designed device for implement a method according to the invention.

A packaging system for the selection, grouping and loading of varying size and/or configuration product packs into cartons as provided. The packaging system includes a selection area having a primary selector for forming an initial product pack configuration, and a secondary selector adapted to select and direct an additional grouping of products into a nested arrangement against the initial product pack so as to form a nested product pack. The nested product packs thereafter can be engaged by loader arms of a pair of opposed loading assemblies, which move the nested product packs into a series of cartons moving through the packaging machine. Thereafter, the ends of the cartons can be closed and sealed to complete the packaging of the product packs therein.

Disclosed is a device for packaging products, having a packaging module in which the products are packaged in batches, notably by shrink-wrapping or case packing, and also a belt extending in a conveying direction in order to supply the module with batches of products; the device further includes a supply unit which delivers the products on the belt from a station upstream of the packaging device, the supply unit being based on a linear motor principle and extending at least partially through at least one lateral zone belonging to the packaging device, next to the belt. Also disclosed is a corresponding process.

A stack of products such as pouches are formed in a product bucket, pushed into a stack guide bucket and from there into a carton. A stack tamp descends over the stack, engages and confines it downwardly during stack pushing from product bucket and through stack guide bucket into a carton. Multiple product buckets, stack guide buckets and cartons move downstream during cartoning, and are respectively aligned in a cartoning station. Reciprocal containment blades hold the stack in respective cartons prior to flap closing.

A packaging machine includes a series of stations or assemblies, including a carton feeding system and a product conveyor that receives a series of articles or products at a first, upstream or intake end of the packaging machine. The products generally can be grouped into a series of products, such as for forming six-packs, four-packs or other package configurations, and will be wrapped by or loaded into a series of carton blanks, after which the loaded cartons will be moved through a discharge station. The discharge station meters the loaded cartons or packages for discharge from the packaging machine.

A packaging system for the selection, grouping and loading of varying size and/or configuration product packs into cartons as provided. The packaging system includes a selection area having a primary selector for forming an initial product pack configuration, and a secondary selector adapted to select and direct an additional grouping of products into a nested arrangement against the initial product pack so as to form a nested product pack. The nested product packs thereafter can be engaged by loader arms of a pair of opposed loading assemblies, which move the nested product packs into a series of cartons moving through the packaging machine. Thereafter, the ends of the cartons can be closed and sealed to complete the packaging of the product packs therein.

The object of the invention is to realize an apparatus for automatically and precisely filling single containers in succession with a pre-defined amount of products; each container is filled with two distinct loads of products, wherein the first load is determined according to its weight roughly measured, and the second load is determined numerically based on the difference between said first load and a pre-defined conventional weight; the apparatus comprises a first conveyor, a second conveyor loaded automatically with the products transported by the first conveyor, a third conveyor which is loaded with the agricultural products transported by the second conveyor and that transfers the products poured and present onto it inside a succession of single containers, weighing means able of weighing the total weight of the products on the whole present on the second conveyor, wherein the third conveyor is able of transferring the products poured and present on it in a succession of single containers; there is arranged a fourth conveying means preferably V-shaped and able of pouring a numerically controlled quantity of similar products onto the third conveying means, which, in the end, pours it onto a container below with a motion of going on and partial rotation.

A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.

Apparatus includes a conveyor and pusher elements, mounted on carriages predisposed slidably on support rods fixed transversely to belts of the conveyor to displace the articles transversely to an advancement direction thereof. Idler rollers are below the carriages. First and second sliding pathways, alternating in sliding the rollers, are of such a shape that when the rollers pass along the first sliding pathway, the carriages maintain a stationary position on the support rods and when the rollers pass along the second sliding pathway, the carriages translate along the support rods so that the pusher elements translate transversely to displace and push the articles transversely. A switching device abuts the rollers and deviates them so that the rollers can be inserted and slide in either the first or the second sliding pathway.