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(11) | EP 1 256 442 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Plant, method and apparatus for manufacturing containers |
| (57) Plant for manufacturing containers for housing products. The containers are, in particular,
in the form of rigid baskets, made of plastic material, destined to house or contain
fruit and vegetable product, wherein a sheet (15) made of soft material is provided,
preferably in the form of a portion, made of plastic material, having swollen cavities
(19), able to define means for dampening the contact of said produce. The plant comprises,
among the means for forming the containers and the separating means, an apparatus
(10) for readying said lining portion inside said containers (1). |
[0002] The containers are, in particular, in the form of rigid baskets made of plastic material, for instance of polyethylene, destined to house products, preferably produce.
[0003] Currently, the application to the baskets of an internal lining sheet, in particular made of plastic material with dampening cavities, is already provided in the industry; said lining allows to soften the contact between the produce, for instance strawberries, with the bottom wall of the plastic container, thereby avoiding damages to the product to be packaged.
[0004] In the present industry, such an operation of associating the lining sheet has so far been performed in semi-automatic fashion, whereby assigned personnel, starting from stacks of baskets - provided with pre-constituted glue points - and from pre-cut sheets, apply and secure a respective dampening sheet to each basket.
[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a plant is thus provided for manufacturing containers for housing products, said containers being in particular baskets made of plastic material destined to house produce; said plant for manufacturing said containers comprises means that make a continuous belt of pre-formed containers and, downstream thereof, means able to separate said containers from the remaining part of said continuous belt of containers; the plant is characterised in that it comprises, between said means for forming the containers and said means for separating said containers from the remaining part of the continuous belt of containers, an apparatus for readying, in said containers, at least a respective internal lining portion.
[0006] The provision of said apparatus for automatically arranging at least a lining portion into the respective containers - in such a way to provide that arranging of the lining before providing for the separation of the individual containers from the container belt, i.e., according to the present embodiment, from the scrap portion of the container belt that allows to hold mutually joined said pre-formed containers - allows to perform an operation of associating the lining elements to the respective containers that is particularly easy and quick, thereby achieving a high degree of operative productivity.
[0007] The present invention further relates to a method and an apparatus for readying, in said containers, at least a respective internal lining portion.
[0009] The invention in its technical characteristics and in its different advantageous aspects shall become more readily apparent from the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show an embodiment provided purely by way of limiting example, in which:
- Figure 1 shows a perspective, partially cut-off view of a basket as can be obtained with the present plant and apparatus;
- Figure 2 shows a lateral schematic view of a preferred embodiment of apparatus for readying and inserting the lining sheet into the baskets;
- Figure 3A shows a schematic top view, relating to the plane of conveyance of the baskets, of said preferred embodiment of apparatus for readying and inserting the lining sheet into the baskets;
- Figure 3B shows a top schematic view of the area for cutting and inserting the lining sheets;
- Figure 4 shows a schematic cross section view, relating to the readying and insertion area, of said preferred embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention;
- Figure 5 shows a lateral schematic view, relating to the readying and insertion area of said preferred embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention;
- Figures 6 through 9 shows different operative conditions of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention.
[0010] As Figures 1 shows, the containers 12 to be manufactured have at least a bottom wall 12a wherefrom extend respective lateral walls 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e defining a seat 13 for housing the products which is delimited by the inner surface 12'a, 12'b, 12'c, 12'd, 12'e of said walls of the container.
[0011] The inner lining is, in particular, in the form of a shaped sheet 15 of soft material, preferably in the form of a portion of plastic material having swollen cavities 19, defining means for dampening the contact of the produce or the like with the corresponding wall of the container.
[0012] Obviously, the use of other lining means instead of the aforementioned lining sheet is also imaginable.
[0013] According to the present embodiment, the lining sheet 15 is laid on the upper interior surface of the bottom 12a of the container. Obviously, however, other dispositions and shapes of the present lining means can be imagined.
[0014] To manufacture such a basket made of plastic material, a production plant is used that comprises suitable thermoforming means, essentially known to the person versed in the art, which it is therefore not necessary to described in detail, which produce a continuous carpet or belt of pre-formed containers, in which the individual containers made of rigid plastic material are shaped, by thermoforming.
[0015] As can be observed from Figures 2, 3A and 4, the thermoformed belt 14 is composed by a plurality of baskets, individually indicated with the numeric reference 12, which are ordered according to respective longitudinal and transverse rows and which are held together by non-shaped portions 14' of said continuous belt made of plastic material, which extend intermediate to the aforementioned baskets 12 and which define scrap portions to be eliminated.
[0016] The plant further comprises, downstream of the thermoforming section, appropriate means, essentially known to the person versed in the art and which it is therefore not necessary to described in detail herein, which provide for separating said containers 12 from the intermediate scrap portion 14' of said pre-formed carpet or belt of containers 14.
[0017] According to an aspect of the present invention, the plant for manufacturing said containers comprises, among said means for forming the containers and said separating means, an appropriate apparatus for readying a respective lining portion 15 inside each of said containers 12.
[0018] The provision for arranging the lining elements, before providing for separating the scrap portions, allows for an easy and quick association of the coating elements to the respective containers, thereby achieving a considerable productivity in the manufacture of containers provided with additional lining elements.
[0019] As shown in Figures 2 through 5, a preferred embodiment 10 of apparatus for readying an internal lining portion in the containers 12 comprises a support frame 11 that develops longitudinally between a rear end 10a, for the entry of the container belt 14 coming from the thermoforming area, and a front end 10b, for the egress towards the means for separating the containers 12 from the scrap portions 14' of said container belt 14.
[0020] As the aforementioned Figure 2 clearly shows, the support frame defines, in particular, a plane 11a of lower support and sliding for said container belt 14, which has a main segment 11'a for conveying the containers, located at a raised level.
[0021] The present embodiment of apparatus then comprises means 16 for advancing said containers, in the form of a continuous belt 14 having a multiplicity of said containers 12 arranged, in particular, on six longitudinal and parallel rows.
[0022] As shown, the containers 12 in the container belt 14 are kept mutually linked, thanks to the aforementioned scrap portion 14' of said belt, which is not shaped and extends between each container and the adjacent container, connecting the upper lips or edges 15' (shown in Figures 4 and 5) of the lateral walls of said containers 12.
[0023] Preferably, the means 16 advance said containers with an alternating advancing motion, with advancing phases alternating with motionless phases.
[0024] In particular, the aforesaid advancement means 16 are in the form of means acting with thrusting action on said pre-formed container belt 14 and comprise means 16a for engaging said pre-formed belt and means 17 for actuating said engaging means 16.
[0025] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the means 17 for actuating said engaging means 16 actuate them according to an alternating forward and backward motion. It is therefore provided for the aforesaid engaging means 16a to be such that, during the advance, they drive the pre-formed belt 14 forward, whilst, during the backwards return phases, they leave the belt 14 in the stopped condition.
[0026] Said engaging means are advantageously in the form of rod means 16a having a respective end 16'a for engaging and thrusting the pre-formed belt of containers 14.
[0027] The rod means 16a, by effect of gravity, are kept in contact with the upper surface of said pre-formed belt 14, thereby engaging it in forward driving action, during the phases of forward motion of the rod means 16a.
[0028] Conversely, during the phases of backward motion of said rod means 16, said engaging means 16'a of the rod means 16a slides freely on the upper face of the container belt 14, which remains in the stopped condition.
[0029] As shown in Figures 3A and 5, said rod means comprise, in particular, a first and a second rod 16a, 16a having a respective pointed end 16'a for engaging with a respective edge 15' of a corresponding container 12 projecting superiorly from the plane defined by said connecting portion 14' of the container belt 14.
[0030] As shown in the aforesaid Figure 3a, said means 17 for actuating said engaging means 16 comprise cursor means 17a, movable longitudinally on respective longitudinal guides 17b, 17b positioned laterally and supported by the frame of the apparatus.
[0031] The cursor 17a defines support means, whereto said rod means 16a are connected in swivelling fashion, as shown in Figure 5, and it is in the form of a transverse element that is positioned superiorly to the container belt 14.
[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the rod means 16a are pivotally engaged, in 16"a, to a respective bracket 17'a extending superiorly to said transverse body 17a of the cursor.
[0033] The means for actuating the blade means comprise a connecting rod 16c having the ends connected respectively to said cursor means 17a and to a corresponding rotating crank 16d, actuated in rotation by suitable actuating means, better described hereafter. As shown in Figure 3A, a connecting rod 16c and a respective crank 16d are provided at both sides of the cursor 17a.
[0034] The present apparatus further comprises means for providing an internal lining element in said containers. Advantageously, said providing means 18 are able to insert said lining element, in particular during a corresponding motionless phase in the advance of the containers 12.
[0035] As shown, the providing means, globally indicated with the numeric references 18, comprise means 20 for introducing said sheet 15 into the respective container 12, which means 20 for introducing the lining element 17 in turn comprise means 22 for engaging the lining element 15 and means for actuating said engaging means 22.
[0036] Said engaging means comprise a plate element 22 which, as shown in Figure 3b, has a profile substantially shaped like the peripheral profile of said lining sheet 15. In particular, a plurality of plates 22 is provided, in the same number as the number of containers 12 present in a transverse row of said container belt 14.
[0037] The means for actuating said engaging means 22 comprise a respective stem 24 for supporting said plate element 22, a block 26 whereto the stems 24 are fastened and means able axially to move said support block 26.
[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the means that axially move said block 26 comprise a kinematic mechanism having at least a crank 27 and a corresponding connecting rod 29, which is connected between said crank 27 and said block 26.
[0039] As shown in Figure 4, a first and a second said kinematic mechanisms for actuating the block 26 are preferably provided, positioned at the opposite sides of said block 26 to provide a particularly balanced motion of said support 26.
[0040] As shown in particular in Figure 4, each crank 27 is set in rotation through a respective shaft 33, which extends transverse to said support frame of the apparatus and is actuated by means of a single electric motor 34 (well shown in Figure 2).
[0041] As shown in Figure 4, said single motor 34 actuates, through appropriate transmission means 34', two opposite actuating shafts 33, 33. Said transmission means comprise a series of gears, housed in a box 34', which are able to cause said first and second shaft 33, 33 to turn in the same direction, which shafts extend from said box 34' in opposite directions to actuate respective kinematic mechanisms of said block 26.
[0042] As Figures 3A, 4 and 5 clearly show, means are provided for guiding the vertical motion of said block 26 in the form of a first 28, 28 and a second 30, 30 pair of lateral columns. Said first and second pair of columns are connected in correspondence with the upper end of the columns by means of a cross member 32.
[0043] In the present apparatus, the means for reading the lining element or sheet 15 comprise means for feeding a continuous belt 35 of material for said lining element and means for cutting the sheets 15 from said continuous belt 35.
[0044] The cutting means comprise, in turn, a cutting blade 36, shaped according to the peripheral profile of said sheet, and means 38 for supporting the cutting blade which are in the form of a respective support block 38 extending transversely to said apparatus.
[0045] Advantageously, as shown in the figures, said second block or cursor 38 is guided by said first 28, 28 and second 30, 30 pairs of lateral columns and is situated below the first block or cursor 26 for the thruster means 22 for introducing the lining sheets 15 in the respective containers 12.
[0046] The cutting means are provided with appropriate retaining means 40 for said continuous belt 35, which act in correspondence with the area in which the continuous belt 35 is cut.
[0047] As the subsequent Figure 6 clearly shows, said retaining means comprise first retaining means 40a, 40b and opposite second retaining means 40c, 40d, between which is positioned the belt 35 for the manufacture of the lining elements.
[0048] The first retaining means 40a, 40b and the second retaining means 40c, 40d are movable relative to each other from an approached position contacting and retaining the belt 35 and a mutually distanced position of free advancement for said belt 35. In particular, according to the present embodiment said first retaining means 40a, 40b are supported movable and said second retaining means 40c, 40d are fastened to the support frame.
[0049] As Figure 6 clearly shows, the first retaining means 40a, 40b are supported by said movable means for supporting the blade 36, whilst the second retaining means 40c, 40d are supported on a base 40' below the sheet belt 35.
[0050] The first retaining means 40a, 40b are connected capable of axially sliding relative to said second support block 38. To this end suitable elastic means 43, 43' are provided which are able to maintain said first retaining elements 40a, 40b in an extended position, which allows to prolong their lower surface, which is able to contact said belt 35, downstream of the cutting end of the cutting blade 36.
[0051] When the first retaining elements 40a, 40b engage against the second retaining means 40c, 40d, the recess thereof relative to the block 38 by effect of the contraction of the springs 43 allows to obtain a recessed position of said first retaining means, whereupon the cutting end of the cutting blade 36 prolongs downstream of the contact surface thereof and is able to provide for cutting the lining sheet 15 from the belt 35, as shown in Figure 8.
[0052] As shown, respective stems 41, 41' are provided for supporting the first retaining means 40a, 40b, which are able to slide inside respective seats (not shown in the figures) of the support 38 and about which are wound respective helical thrusting springs 43, 43' acting between said retaining means 40a, 40b and said second support block 38.
[0053] As Figure 8 clearly shows, the first retaining means and the second retaining means contact said belt 35, in such a way as to define a circumferential space 36' of free axial or vertical motion for the cutting blade 36.
[0054] Said first retaining means comprise, in particular, an internal annular shaped portion 40a, which is able to cooperate in retaining action with an opposite portion 40c of said second retaining means.
[0055] Moreover, the aforesaid first retaining means comprise an external annulus shaped portion 40b which is able to cooperate with a corresponding external portion 40d of said second retaining means.
[0056] The external portion 40b is coaxially positioned relative to said internal portion 40a and is radially distanced therefrom, in such a way as to define, as shown in Figure 6, an annular space for said cutting blade 36. Similarly, the external portion 40d of said second means is peripherally positioned around the internal part 40c of said second means and radially distanced therefrom, to define the lower part of said annular space 36' for said blade 36 in cutting action.
[0057] Means are provided for actuating said cutting blade 36 and said retaining means 40, which comprise cam means having a circumferential cam 42, which is actuated in rotation by means of a transverse shaft 50 commanded, through suitable transmission means 52, 54, 56, by the same actuating motor 34 of said insertion means. In this case it is possible to obtain, in particularly easy fashion, an in-phase operation of the two systems for cutting and inserting the sheets 15.
[0058] The cam 42 has a shaped cam profile 44 for a cam-following roller, or the like, 46, which commands through a connecting rod 48, the vertical motion of the second block or cursor 38, which carries said cutting means.
[0059] As Figure 5 shows, said single actuating motor 34 is connected to said cutting means through a transmission chain 52 which connects a respective gear 54 - on the rotation shaft 50 of the cam 42 - to a respective gear 56, on the rotation shaft 33 of the crank 27 of the means for actuating the thrusters 22. Also provided is a chain tensioning sprocket indicated with the numeric reference 58 in Figure 5.
[0060] The single actuating motor 34 is also connected to said means for advancing the container belt 14 through a respective second transmission chain 60, which connects a respective gear 62 on the rotation shaft 33 of the crank 16c of the kinematic mechanism actuating the means for advancing the container belt 14 to a respective gear 64 on the rotation shaft 17' of the crank 16c of the means for advancing the container belt 14. In this case, too, a sprocket 66 is provided, able to tension said second transmission chain 60.
[0061] The first retaining means 40a and said shaped blade 36 are so shaped as to allow the passage of the plate of the thrusters 22.
[0062] For this purpose, as shown in particular in Figure 3B, the blocking means 40a have, in correspondence with opposite edges, a horizontal attachment portion 40'a of the support stems 41. As shown in said Figure 3B, said thrusting plate 22 therefore has a profile which is provided with recesses in correspondence with said edges projecting horizontally from said first retaining elements 40a.
[0064] As shown in Figure 2, said feeding means comprise means 68 for supplying said belt 35, which have sustaining means for reel 70 of material in a belt 35 and means for replacing a depleted reel 72 with a loaded reel 70.
[0065] The means for replacing a depleted reel with a loaded reel comprise a carrousel 74, which is supported free to rotate by said frame 11 and which defines support means for at least a first 70 and a second reel 72.
[0066] Said carrousel 74 is constituted by a main plate 74', which is vertically supported able in rotary fashion by said frame 11, whereto it is connected through a transverse axis 75, in turn supported by a pair of uprights 75', only one being shown in Figure 2.
[0067] Suitable means are provided for actuating in rotation said reel-bearing carousel 74, in such a way that the latter has, in correspondence with the supply position, a loaded reel 70 and in such a way as to place, simultaneously, the other depleted reel 72, in correspondence with a position suitable for its replacement.
[0068] As shown in Figure 2, the aforesaid carrousel 74 is suitable for supporting a third and a fourth reel. In Figure 2, only the third loading reel is shown, indicated with the numeric reference 76. As shown in said Figure 2, the reels are supported in positioned equidistant by an angular segment of 90° relative to each other. For this purpose, a series of transverse axes 70', 72', 74', 73' are provided, positioned peripherally to the plate 74' of the carrousel for rotary support relative to the plate of respective loading reels.
[0069] Further provided are appropriate means for attaching the free end of the new loaded reel to the extreme terminal end of the belt 35, which was unloaded from a previous reel.
[0070] Said attachment means have sealing means 77, preferably ultrasound sealing, and means for approaching the free end to the extreme end. The numeric references 77a and 77b indicate electric motors of the system for attaching the sheet belt 35.
[0071] The general reference 78 in Figure 2 indicates a buffer for the definition of a stock of belt 35 to be supplied when replacing the reel.
[0072] Said buffer means comprise a plurality of rollers 80, 82 for the sliding of the belt 35 arranged in zigzag fashion and able to define an elongated path for said belt 35. In particular, the first plurality of rollers 80 is, as shown in Figure 2, supported on a fixed longitudinal supported 81, whereto the rollers 80 are connected in freely rotating fashion. An additional support 83, movable relative to the first support 81, bears the second plurality of said rollers 82 of the buffer 78.
[0073] An electric motor 85'a actuates, through a respective actuation and transmission system 85', the vertical motion of the longitudinal support 83 on the respective perpendicular stems, indicated with the numeric reference 87 in Figure 2.
[0074] As shown, said buffer means 78 are, advantageously, positioned above the area 10c anterior to the area of insertion of the lining sheet 15. The height extension of the apparatus can thereby be limited.
[0075] Also provided are means for advancing said belt 35, which comprise first rollers 84, 84 for gripping and driving said sheet belt 35, which are positioned downstream of the area 10c of insertion of the sheets 15 into the respective containers 14, and second rollers 86, 86 for gripping and driving said sheet belt 35, which are positioned upstream of said buffer means 78. Third rollers 88, 88 for gripping and driving said sheet belt 35, are in turn positioned downstream of said buffer means 78.
[0076] Said pairs of opposite driving rollers are, as shown, provided with respective actuating motors, indicated with the respective numeric references 85, 87, 89 in Figure 2.
[0077] In particular, said second driving rollers 86, 86 are actuated by means of a stepper motor that allows to supply, to the area 10c of insertion of the lining sheet, a sheet belt having a step-by-step advancement, which exhibits advancement phases alternating with stopped phases, in coincidence with which the sheets 15 are separated from the belt 35 and subsequently inserted into the respective container. Said stepper motor thus defines means for the step-by-step advancement of the sheet belt 35 in correspondence with the insertion area 10c.
[0078] Means for collecting the scrap belt are provided, comprising a collecting reel 90, supported able to rotate by said frame downstream of the insertion area 10c, in overlying position to the sliding plane 11a of the container belt 14.
[0079] As the aforementioned Figures 2 and 5 show, means 92, 94 are further provided for positioning the belt 35 in correspondence with the position for cutting the lining sheet 15 and inserting them into the respective containers 12.
[0080] Said positioning means comprise a first transmission roller 92, positioned upstream of the insertion area 10c, and a second transmission roller 94, positioned downstream of the insertion area.
[0081] Said first and second positioning rollers 92, 94 are supported at the same height level by part of said frame of the apparatus. Said positioning rollers 92, 94 extend transversely and are supported free to rotate on corresponding upward extension arms 92', 94' of a base 95 of said frame which bears said second fixed retaining means 40c, 40d.
[0082] As shown, said positioning rollers 92, 94 are such as to retain downwards said belt 35 for the lining sheets in contact with the lower retaining means 40c, 40d.
[0083] As shown in Figure 2, means 95 are provided for applying to respective container 12 an adhesive for attaching said lining element or sheet 15 to said container 14, which means are positioned upstream of said insertion area 10c.
[0084] The means 95 for applying the adhesive are supported in a position overlying the plane 11a supporting the container belt 14 and comprise a plurality of glue dispensers transversely equidistant, so as to provide the stream of glue on the bottom wall of the respective container 12.
[0085] Said plane 11a for the sliding of the container belt 14 has at least an upwardly sloped segment 11"a from a lowered sliding level 11'''a to an upper level 11'a, in which said insertion of the lining sheet 15 into the respective containers 12 is carried out.
[0086] As shown, the revolving carrousel 74 for supplying the reels of belts for lining sheets 35 is positioned upstream of the raised level area of said sliding plane 11"a for the container belt 14. A greater compactness is thereby obtained in terms of the length of the present apparatus.
[0087] With the aid of Figures 6 through 9, one can observe that the preferred operating method of the present apparatus is, briefly, as follows. The synchronised operation of the present apparatus therefore provides that, as shown in Figure 6, with the means for cutting and inserting the lining sheet 15 in the raised position, the rod driving means advance the container belt by a predefined step corresponding to the distance between the longitudinal distance between the centres or similar points of the subsequent containers.
[0088] Once the container belt 14 has been advanced by said predefined step, the advancing means 16 move back for a segment equal to the length of said step, until reaching the rear dead centre where the forward thrust for the container belt 14 starts; in this return phase, the container belt 14 is motionless on its support plane 11a.
[0089] Simultaneously, starting from the respective upper dead centre, the block or cursor 38 that carries the retaining means and the shaped cutting blade is made to descend, until the first retaining means 40a, 40b contact the sheet belt 35, as shown in Figure 7.
[0090] In these conditions, the block 38 carrying cutting means continues its descent and compresses the springs 43, 43' of said first retaining means 40a, 40b, in such a way that they strongly clamp the sheet belt 35, which is motionless on the second retaining means 40c, 40d.
[0091] The part that bears the first retaining means recesses relative to the main part of the block 38, which bears the cutting blade 36, until reaching the position of Figure 8, in which the cutting blade 36 engages and cuts the respective shaped lining sheet 15 from the sheet belt 35.
[0092] After the completion of this operation, the block 26 that bears the thrusters 22, descending downwards, engages the thrusting pistons 22 against the sheets 15 detached from the respective belt and introduces them, as Figure 9 shows, in the respective container 12, after the retaining means 40a, 40b release said sheet belt 35, by effect of the upward motion of the second block 38. The sheet 15 is thereby inserted in the respective container 12, in contact with the upper surface of the bottom wall thereof, where, due to the presence of the glue, already sprayed previously, they remain firmly secured.
[0093] Once these phases are completed, the thruster-bearing block or cursor 26 starts returning upwards, whilst the rod advancing means advance the container belt forward by another longitudinal step. Thereupon, said operations are repeated for a successive transverse row of containers 12 of the container belt 14.
1. Plant for manufacturing containers (12) for housing products, said containers being
in particular rigid baskets (12) made of plastic material destined to house produce;
said plant for manufacturing said containers (12) comprises means (14) that make a
continuous belt of pre-formed containers (12) and, downstream thereof, means able
to separate said containers (12) from the remaining part (14') of said continuous
belt of containers (14'); the plant being characterised in that it comprises, between said means for forming the containers (12) and said means for
separating said containers (12) from the remaining part (14') of the continuous belt
of containers (14), an apparatus (10) for readying, in said containers (12), at least
a respective internal lining portion (15).
2. Plant as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said apparatus comprises a support frame (11), means (16) for advancing said containers
(12) and means (18) for supplying an internal lining element (15) in said containers.
3. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that said means (16) for advancing the containers advance them with alternating advancing
motion, having advancing phases and stopped phases.
4. Plant as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said means of advancement comprise means (16a) for engaging said pre-formed belt
and means (17) for actuating said engagement means (16) according to an alternating
motion, forward and backward, such that, during the advancement, said engaging means
(16a) drive the pre-formed belt (14) forward, and in that during the phases in which said engaging means (16a) return backward, said belt (14)
remains in motionless condition.
5. Plant as claimed in either of the previous claims 3 or 4, characterised in that said means of advancement (16) are in the form of means acting to thrust on said
pre-formed belt (14) of containers.
6. Plant as claimed in either of the previous claims 4 or 5, characterised in that said engaging means are in the form of rod means (16a) having a respective end (16'a)
for engaging and driving the pre-formed belt (14) of containers, which rod means (16a),
by effect of gravity, are kept in contact with the upper surface of said pre-formed
belt (14), engaging in forward driving action the pre-formed belt (14), during the
forward motion phases of the rod means (16a), with the free sliding of said engagement
end (16'a) on the stopped belt (14), during the backward moving phases of said rod
means (16a).
7. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims 4 through 6, characterised in that said means (17) for actuating said engagement means (16) comprise support cursor
means (17a) movable longitudinally on respective longitudinal guides (17b, 17b).
8. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims 2 through 7, characterised in that said supply means (18) comprise means (20) for introducing said lining element (15)
into the respective container during the stopped phase in the advancement of the containers
(12).
9. Plant as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that said means (20) for introducing the lining element (17) comprise means (22) for engaging
the lining element (15) and means for actuating said engagement means.
10. Plant as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said engagement means are in the form of a plate element (22) exhibiting a profile
shaped substantially like the profile of the respective lining element (15).
11. Plant as claimed in either of the previous claims 9 or 10, characterised in that said means for actuating said engagement means comprise a block (26) for supporting
the thruster means (22) and means for axially moving said support block (26).
12. Plant as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that said means for axially moving said block (26) comprise at least a kinematic mechanism
having at least a crank (27) and a corresponding connecting rod (29) connected between
said crank (27) and said block (26).
13. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims 10 through 12, characterised in that means (28, 28, 30, 30) are provided for guiding the vertical motion of said block
(26).
14. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that said means for readying the lining elements (15) comprise means for feeding a continuous
belt (35) of material for said lining element (15) and means for cutting said sheet
from said continuous belt (35).
15. Plant as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that said cutting means comprise at least a cutting blade (36) shaped according to the
profile of said lining element (15), means (38) for supporting at least said cutting
blade, means (40) for retaining said continuous belt (35) for the lining elements,
which act in correspondence with the area where the continuous belt (35) is cut, and
means for actuating said cutting blade (36) and said retaining means (40).
16. Plant as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that said means for supporting the cutting means are in the form of a respective supporting
block (38), are provided with means (28, 28, 30, 30) for guiding said block (38) for
supporting the cutting means.
17. Plant as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that said second block (38) for supporting the cutting means (36) is guided by the same
guiding means (28, 30, 30) of said first block (26) for the thruster means (22) for
introducing the lining elements (15) into the respective containers (12).
18. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims 15 through 17, characterised in that said retaining means comprise first retaining means (40a, 40b) and opposite second
retaining means (40c, 40d) between which is positioned the belt for the manufacture
of the lining elements, said first (40a, 40b) and second (40c, 40c) retaining means
being movable relative to each other between an approached position contacting and
retaining the belt (35) and a mutually distanced position for the free advancement
of said belt (35).
19. Plant as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that said first retaining means (40a, 40b) are supported by said movable means for supporting
the blade (36) that cuts the lining elements.
20. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims 18 and 19, characterised in that said first retaining means are connected able axially to slide relative to said second
support block (38), elastic means (43) being provided to maintain said retaining elements
(40a, 40b) in an extended position that allows to prolong the contact surface thereof
downstream of the cutting end of the cutting blade (36) and in a recessed position,
whereupon the cutting end of the cutting blade (36) prolongs downstream of the contact
surface thereof and is able to cut the lining sheet from the belt (35).
21. Plant as claimed in either for the previous claims 19 or 20, characterised in that said first retaining means and said second retaining means contact said belt (35)
in such a way as to define a space of free axial or vertical motion for the cutting
blade (36).
22. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims 15 through 21, characterised in that said actuating means comprise cam means (42) which are able to move said cutting
means, which are commanded by the same motor (34) for actuating said insertion means
(22) in such a way as to obtain an in-phase operation of the aforesaid cutting and
insertion means.
23. Plant as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that said single actuating motor (34) is also connected to said means for advancing the
container belt (14) in such a way as to obtain an advancement in phase with the operation
of the two cutting systems for cutting and inserting the lining elements (15).
24. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that said first retaining means (40a) and said shaped blade (36) are shaped in such a
way as to allow the passage of the respective thruster (22).
25. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that the first blocking means (40a) have in correspondence with opposite edges a horizontal
attachment portion for corresponding support stems (41).
26. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that means are provided for feeding the belt (35) for said lining sheets, which comprise
means (68) for supplying said belt (35), and means for advancing said belt (35).
27. Plant as claimed in claim 26, characterised in that means are provided for replacing a depleted reel (72) with a loaded reel (70); said
means for replacing a depleted reel with a loaded reel comprise a carrousel (74) supported
able to rotate by said frame (11) and defining supporting means for at least a first
(70) and a second reel (72).
28. Plant as claimed in either of the previous claims 26 or 27, characterised in that buffer means (78) are provided for defining a reserve supply of belt (35) to be fed
when replacing the loading reel.
29. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims 26 through 28, characterised in that said means for advancing said lining element belt (35) comprise means for the step
by step advancement of the sheet belt (35).
30. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims 26 through 29, characterised in that means (92, 94) are provided for positioning the belt (35) in correspondence with
the position of cutting of the lining sheets (15) and of the insertion thereof into
the respective containers (14).
31. Plant as claimed in claim 30, characterised in that said positioning means comprise a first transmission roller (92) positioned upstream
of the insertion area (10c) and a second transmission roller (94) positioned downstream
of the transmission area, said first and second positioning roller (92, 94) being
fastened free to rotate to said frame of the apparatus; said positioning rollers (92,
94) being such as to retain downward said belt (35) for the lining sheets in contact
with the lower retaining means (40c, 40d).
32. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that means (95) are provided for applying to the respective container (12) an adhesive
for attaching said lining element or sheet (15) to said container (14), which are
positioned upstream from said insertion area (10c).
33. Plant as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a plane (11a) for the sliding of the container belt (14) that has at
least an upwardly sloping segment (11"a) from a lowered sliding level (11'''a) to
a higher level (11'a), in which said operation of insertion of the lining sheet (15)
into the respective containers (12) is performed; said carrousel (14) for the supply
of the reel of belt for lining sheets (35) being situated upstream of the raised level
area of sliding said plane (11"a) for the container belt (14), above the area (11"')
at lowered level for the passage of said container belt.
34. Method of operation of the apparatus for placing the lining elements in corresponding
containers, in which said lining elements (15) are cut from a respective continuous
belt (35) and said lining elements (15) are inserted into respective containers (12),
characterised in that it provides for executing a retaining operation on said container belt at least in
the cutting area, and in that means are provided for inserting the lining elements in the respective containers,
which engage the respective lining element (15) already cut, only after retaining
means have released said lining element.
35. Apparatus (10) for placing an internal lining portion into containers (12) as claimed
in any of the previous claims.