DEVICE AND METHOD FOR WRAPPING A PACKAGE

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention refers to the field of the packaging machines and in particular it refers to a machine for wrapping a package, in particular for wrapping a plastic film around all the faces of a package made of one or more boxes, containers, objects and packages in general, and placed over a base support for transport and storage of the pallet type.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] There are known machine controlled by an operator or of the automatic or semiautomatic type fit to wrap a film, generally transparent, sometimes black, around the side faces of a package placed onto a pallet, for instance a standard pallet, generally made of a set of boxes. The possible top covering is made manually by an operator.

[0003] Very often the operators fix the end of the film to wrap to the support pallet of the package or they joint it between the package and the pallet or they cause that the film wrap, besides the package, also the pallet sides in order to reduce the sliding risks between the sliding surfaces in contact with the latter and the boxes.

[0004] A drawback of said known machines and of the packages obtained thereby consists in that the lower portion of the package, that is the portion made by the lower faces of the boxes in contact with the pallet, is not protected by the film. This may cause damages to the contents for instance in the case of products sensible to the humidity, products which must be guaranteed from any contaminations or for which a carriage or an outer deposit is provided.

[0005] Another drawback of said known machines consists in that the operator must waste a lot of time for preparing the possible top covering.

[0006] Another drawback consists in that after the wrapping of the film made by the known machines or manually, is very difficult or impossible the substitution of the pallet which supports the package made by the package wrapped in the tape.

[0007] In addiction the two main types of known machines, with a rotating platform and with a mobile truck rotating around the package, do not allow to move the support pallet of the package before or after the tape wrapping.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to propose a machine for wrapping a film around all the faces of a package, also made by a set of boxes containers and/or objects, supported by a pallet

[0009] Another object is to propose a very fast, automatic machine fit to minimize the operator interventions.

[0010] A further object is to propose a machine fit to carry out the package wrapping in such a way that the pallet is easy to be substituted.

[0011] Another object is to propose a method for wrapping a package covering all the sides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The characteristics of the invention are highlighted in the following with particular reference to the attached figures in which:

• figures 1-4 show axonometric views of the machine for wrapping a package onto a pallet, object of the present invention, in a sequence of operative conditions and in which, for better highlighting said machine, the package and the respective pallet are not shown;
• figure 5 show a side view of the machine of figure 1;
• figure 6 show a back view of the machine of figure 1;
• figure 7 shows a top view of the machine of figure 1.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] In figures 1-7 the numeral 1 indicates the machine, object of the present invention for wrapping a package made by a set of boxes, objects, containers and/or similar, supported by a pallet, for instance of the standard type.

[0014] The machine 1 comprises also a base means 2, for instance having a shape of a prismatic tubular frame with possible closing and protective panels, provided with a set of lower wheels 14 whose at least one is motorized and/or steering for leaning or sliding onto a floor defining a base plane almost horizontal.

[0015] The machine 1 comprises also first rotation means 3, having a first portion fixed to the base means 2, or preferably made of an element of the base means 2, and a second rotating portion, in respect to the first, around a first axis R1, parallel to the base plane and defined by one, or preferably two, rotating pins of the first rotation means 3.

[0016] Said second portion is constituted by a shelf means 32 whose ends are connected in a rotating way to the two rotating pins of the first rotation means 3.

[0017] The shelf means is driven for rotating around the first axis R1 by a respective linear actuator 31, for instance of the electric or hydraulic type, of the first rotation means 3 whose fixed and mobile ends are respectively connected to the base means and to the shelf means.

[0018] The shelf means 31, which constitutes the second portion of the first two rotation means 3, is fixed to a support means 5 by means of second rotation means 4.

[0019] Said second rotating means 4 have a first member rigidly fixed to the shelf means 31. The second member of the rotating means 4 is rotating in respect to the first one, around a second rotation axis R2 perpendicular to the first rotation axis, and is rigidly fixed to said support means 5.

[0020] Preferably the second rotation means 4 are constituted by a motorized fifth wheel means 40 interposed between the shelf means 32 and the support means 5 and defining the second rotation axis.

[0021] The second member of the second rotation means 4 is activated by respective rotating motorized means, as an example consisting in an electric gearmotor or a hydraulic motor.

[0022] The support means 5 supports a grabbing means 6 for the pallet, laying onto a plane almost parallel to the first rotation axis R1 and it comprises a pair of forks for pallets, each one provided with an oscillating arm for retaining the pallet when it is moved away from the package.

[0023] The support means 5 supports also the first rotating platform 7 for the support and the rotation of the package around a first wrapping axis almost perpendicular to the base plane.

[0024] Said first rotating platform means 7 is fixed to the support means perpendicularly to the first rotation axis R1 and to the plane defined by the grabbing means 6 which it is faced thereto.

[0025] The first 7 and second 8 rotating platform means thus lay onto respective orthogonal planes and are provided with respective rotation motor means, for instance electric or hydraulic, for obtaining the wrapping of the film around the package.

[0026] The support means 5 is also provided with clamping means 10 for the mutual approaching and moving away of the grabbing means 6 and of the second rotating platform means 8.

[0027] Said clamping means 10 comprise guiding means and sliding trick and actuator means for translating, for instance of the electric or hydraulic linear actuator type, for the clamping means 6 and for the second rotating platform means 8.

[0028] The clamping means 10, allowing to clamp the pallet to the package, prevents the falling of the boxes and/or containers of the package during the rotations around horizontal or tilted axes.

[0029] The machine is also provided with an unrolling means 9 for a web of film or tape for wrapping the package.

[0030] The unrolling means 9 comprises a support 11 for a roll of the wrapping tape or film, supported by orientation means 12 fit to allow the rotation of the support 11 between the two extreme conditions, respectively parallel to the rotation axes of the rotating platform means 7, 8.

[0031] The orientation means 12 are fixed to the support means 5 by a connection means 13 shaped as an.elongated arm.

[0032] The machine comprises also control means, for instance of the electro-mechanic type or digital microprocessor type for the coordinated and programmed activation or, in the second case, reprogrammable, of the motorized elements, of the motor means and of the actuators.

[0033] The control means may be also provided with inputs for sensors and position, rotation detectors also for the pressure exerted by the clamping means 10 onto the package.

[0034] The operation of the machine provides that, in the condition of figure 1, it is carried near the pallet supporting the package, for instance approximately shaped like a parallelepiped, in order to grab the pallet with the grabbing means.

[0035] Successively the control means drive the members of the machine for wrapping the package first, in the condition of figure 2, corresponding to the base which was in contact with the pallet, of the opposite top portion and of the two side faces and successively, in the condition of figure 4 reached through the one of figure 3, corresponding to all the side faces, including there also the two ones which were left uncovered by the first wrapping.

[0036] Taking the machine back in the condition of figure 1 it is possible to replace the package, completely wrapped, onto the same initial pallet or onto a different pallet and moving away the machine from said package.

[0037] A simple variant of the machine, whose understanding does not require specific figures, provides that the base means 2 is without wheels and is fixed to a base structure.

[0038] In said case the support means 5 may be laterally staggered in respect to the base means 2 in order to carry out rotation of 180° around the first rotation axis R1. In this variant the machine 1 may be without second rotation means 4.

[0039] The method for wrapping a package made of a set of boxes, objects containers and similar, supported by a pallet provides:

• to carry out a first rotation of the package with the pallet of about 90° in respect to a horizontal axis;
• to move the pallet away from the package;
• to put the package in wrapping rotation around an axis almost vertical wrapping it in a film or tape;
• to carry out a second rotation of the package and of the pallet of about 90° in respect to a horizontal axis;
• to put the package in wrapping rotation around an axis almost vertical wrapping said package in a film or tape and covering thus also the sides left uncovered by the first wrapping;
• to approach package and pallet placing again the package with all the sides wrapped onto said pallet

[0040] The method further provides to carry out the first and the second rotation of 90° onto a same plane and in opposite directions; to carry out, immediately before of the second rotation, a third rotation of about 180° around a vertical axis and, after the reapproaching of the package to the pallet, a fourth rotation of about 180° around a horizontal axis in order to place the package completely wrapped onto the pallet

[0041] It is important to observe that said method may be actuated with the machine of the invention or by means of other apparatuses and that the machine may operate with operations different from the operations relating the method.

[0042] In fact the machine admits many different possibilities of working which may be realized by means of proper programming of the control means, in order to obtain wrappings with different rain resistance characteristics and in order to carry out wrappings of packages having different shapes, regular or irregular ones.

[0043] An advantage of the present invention is to provide a machine for wrapping a film around all the faces of a package, also made by a set of boxes containers and/or objects, supported by a pallet.

[0044] Another advantage is to provide a very far, automatic machine fit to minimize the operator interventions.

[0045] A further advantage is to provide a machine fit to carry out the package wrapping in such a way that the pallet is easy to be substituted.

[0046] Another advantage is to provide a method for wrapping a package covering all the sides.

Claims

1. Machine for wrapping a package made of a set of boxes, objects, containers and similar, supported by a pallet, said machine (1) being characterized in that it comprises at least:

- a base means (2), fit to match with a fixed structure or with a floor defining a base plane;

- first rotation means (3) having a first portion fixed to the base means (2) and a second rotating portion, in respect to the first one, around a first axis (R1) parallel to the base plane, said second portion being driven by respective rotating motor means of the first rotation means (3);

- a support means (5) connected to the second portion of the first rotation means(3);

- a grabbing means (6) for the pallet, laying onto a plane almost parallel to the first rotation axis and connected to the support means (5);

- a first rotating platform means (7) for the support or the rotation of the package around a first wrapping axis almost perpendicular to the base plane and fixed to the support means (5) perpendicularly to the first rotation axis and to the plane defined by the grabbing means (6) and adjacent to this latter;

- a second rotating platform means (8) for the support and the rotation around a second wrapping axis almost perpendicular to the base plane and fixed to the support means (5) parallel to the first rotation axis and to the plane defined by the grabbing means (6);

- an unrolling means (9) for a web of film and/or tape for the package wrapping.

2. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the support means (5) is connected to the second portion of the first rotation means (3) by second rotation means (4) having a first member rigidly fixed to the second rotating portion of the first rotating means (3) and a second member, rotating in respect to the first one, around a second rotation axis (R2) perpendicular to the first rotation axis, rigidly fixed to said support means (5); said second member being driven by respective rotating motor means.

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the support means (5) is provided with clamping means (10) for the mutual approaching and moving away of the grabbing means (6) and of the second rotating platform means (8).

4. Machine according to claim 3 characterized in that the clamping means (10) comprises guiding means and sliding truck and translation actuator means for the grabbing means (6) and for the second rotating platform means (8).

5. Machine according to claim 2 characterized in that the unrolling means (9) comprises a support (11) for a roll of wrapping film or tape supported by orientation means (12) fit to allow the rotation of the support between two extreme conditions parallel to the rotation axes of the rotating platform means (7, 8).

6. Machine according to claim 5 characterized in that the orientation means (12) are fixed to the support means (5) by a connection means (13).

7. Machine according to any of the previous claims characterized in that the base means (2) is mobile.

8. Machine according to claim 7 characterized in that the base means (2) is provided with a set of wheels (14).

9. Machine according to claim 8 characterized in that the at least a wheel (14) is motorized and/or steering.

10. Machine according to any of the previous claims characterized in that the rotation means (3) comprises at least a horizontal rotation pin (30), defining the first rotation axis (R1), and an actuator (31), preferably of linear type, interposed between the base means (5) and a shelf means (32)

11. Machine according to claim 2 and 10 characterized in that the second rotation means (4) comprises a motorized fifth wheel means (40) interposed between the shelf means (32) and the support means (5) and defining the second rotation axis.

12. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the grabbing means (6) comprises a pair of forks of the kind for pallets, each one provided with an oscillating arm for retaining the pallet when it is moved away from the package.

13. Machine according to any of the previous claims characterized in that the first (7) and second (8) rotating platform means are provided with respective rotation motor means.

14. Machine according to any of the previous claims characterized in that the motorized means, the motor means and the actuators are of the electric and/or hydraulic type.

15. Machine according to any of the previous claims characterized in that it comprises control means for the coordinated and programmed type of the motorized elements, of the motor means and of the actuators.

16. Method for wrapping a package made of a set of boxes, objects, containers and similar, supported by a pallet characterized in:

- carrying out a first rotation of the package with the pallet of about 90° in respect to a horizontal axis;

- moving the pallet away from the package;

- putting the package in wrapping rotation around an axis almost vertical, wrapping said package in a film or tape;

- carrying out a second rotation of the package and of the pallet of about 90° in respect to a horizontal axis;

- putting the package in wrapping rotation around an axis almost vertical wrapping said package in a film or tape and thus covering also the sides left uncovered by the first wrapping;

- approaching package and pallet placing again the package having all the sides wrapped onto said pallet

17. Method according to claim 16 characterized in carrying out the first and the second rotation of 90° onto a same plane and in opposite directions; carrying out, immediately before of the second rotation, a third rotation of about 180° around a vertical axis and, after the reapproaching of the package to the pallet, a fourth rotation of about 180° around a horizontal axis in order to place the package completely wrapped onto the pallet.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zum Einpacken einer Packung, die aus einem Satz von Schachteln, Gegenständen, Behältern und dergleichen besteht, die auf einer Palette gehalten werden, wobei die Vorrichtung (1) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist dass sie mindestens umfasst:

• ein Basismittel (2), dazu angepasst, auf eine feste Struktur oder einen Boden zu passen, der eine Basisebene definiert;

• erste Rotationsmittel (3) mit einem ersten, an dem Basismittel (2) befestigten Teil und einem zweiten, in Bezug auf den ersten um eine erste, zu der Basisebene parallele Achse (R1) rotierenden Teil, wobei der zweite Teil durch entsprechende Umdrehungsmotormittel der ersten Rotationsmittel (3) angetrieben wird;

• ein Tragmittel (5), verbunden mit dem zweiten Teil der ersten Rotationsmittel (3);

• ein Greifmittel (6) für die Palette, welches auf einer Ebene beinahe parallel zu der ersten Rotationsachse liegt und mit dem Tragmittel (5) verbunden ist;

• ein erstes rotierendes Plattformmittel (7) für das Tragen oder die Rotation der Packung um eine erste, zu der Basisebene beinahe senkrechte Einpackachse, die senkrecht zu der ersten Rotationsachse und zu der durch das Greifmittel (6) definierten Ebene und an dieses angrenzend an dem Tragmittel (5) befestigt ist;

• ein zweites rotierendes Plattformmittel (8) für das Tragen oder die Rotation der Packung um eine zweite, zu der Basisebene beinahe senkrechte Einpackachse, die parallel zu der ersten Rotationsachse und zu der durch das Greifmittel (6) definierten Ebene an dem Tragmittel (5) befestigt ist;

• ein Abwickelmittel (9) für eine Warenbahn aus Folie und/oder Band für das Einpacken der Packung.

2. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das Tragmittel (5) mit dem zweiten Teil des ersten Rotationsmittels (3) durch zweite Rotationsmittel (4) verbunden ist, welche ein erstes, starr an dem zweiten rotierenden Teil des ersten Rotationsmittels (3) befestigtes Element und ein zweites Element aufweisen, welches in Bezug auf das erste um eine zweite Rotationsachse (R2) senkrecht zu der ersten Rotationsachse rotiert, die starr an dem Tragmittel (5) befestigt ist; wobei das zweite Element durch entsprechende Umdrehungsmotormittel angetrieben wird.

3. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das Tragmittel (5) mit Klemmitteln (10) für das wechselseitige Annähern und Wegbewegen des Greifmittels (6) und des zweiten rotierenden Plattformmittels (8) versehen ist.

4. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das Klemmmittel (10) Führungsmittel und gleitende Stellmittel für Heben und Verschieben für das Greifmittel (6) und für das zweite rotierende Plattformmittel (8) umfasst.

5. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das Abwickelmittel (9) einen Träger (11) für eine Rolle von Einpackfolie und/oder -Band umfasst, welcher durch Orientierungsmittel (12) getragen wird, die dazu geeignet sind, die Rotation des Trägers zwischen zwei extremen Zuständen parallel zu den Rotationsachsen der rotierenden Plattformmittel (7,8) zu ermöglichen.

6. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass die Orientierungsmittel (12) durch ein Verbindungsmittel (13) an dem Tragmittel (5) befestigt sind.

7. Vorrichtung gemäß irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das Basismittel (2) beweglich ist.

8. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das Basismittel (2) mit einem Satz von Rädern versehen ist.

9. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das mindestens eine Rad (14) motorisiert und/oder lenkend ist.

10. Vorrichtung gemäß irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das Rotationsmittel (3) mindestens einen die erste Rotationsachse (R1) definierenden horizontalen Rotationszapfen (30) umfasst, sowie ein Stellorgan (31), vorzugsweise vom Lineartyp, das zwischen dem Basismittel (5) und einem Regalmittel (32) eingeschaltet ist.

11. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 2 und 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das zweite Rotationsmittel (4) ein motorisiertes Drehschemelmittel (40) umfasst, welches zwischen dem Regalmittel (32) und dem Tragmittel (5) eingeschaltet ist und die zweite Rotationsachse definiert.

12. Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das Greifmittel (6) ein Paar von Gabeln der Art für Paletten umfasst, deren jede mit einem sich hin und her bewegenden Arm zum Festhalten der Palette, wenn sie von der Packung fort bewegt wird, versehen ist.

13. Vorrichtung gemäß irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass das erste (7) und das zweite (8) rotierende Plattformmittel mit entsprechenden Rotationsmotormitteln versehen sind.

14. Vorrichtung gemäß irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass die motorisierten Mittel, die Motormittel und die Stellorgane vom elektrischen und/oder hydraulischen Typ sind.

15. Vorrichtung gemäß irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass sie Steuermittel für den koordinierten und programmierten Typ der motorisierten Elemente der Motormittel und der Stellorgane umfasst.

16. Verfahren zum Einpacken einer Packung, die aus einem Satz von Schachteln, Gegenständen, Behältern und dergleichen besteht, die auf einer Palette gehalten werden, gekennzeichnet durch:

• Durchführen einer ersten Rotation der Packung samt der Palette von etwa 90° in Bezug auf eine horizontale Achse;

• Fortbewegen der Palette von der Packung;

• Versetzen der Packung in Einwicklungsrotation um eine beinahe vertikale Achse, wodurch die Packung in einer Folie oder einem Band eingepackt wird;

• Durchführen einer zweiten Rotation der Packung und der Palette von etwa 90o in Bezug auf eine horizontale Achse;

• Versetzen der Packung in Einwicklungsrotation um eine beinahe vertikale Achse, wodurch die Packung in einer Folie oder einem Band eingewickelt wird und auf diese Weise auch die durch das erste Einwickeln unbedeckt verbliebenen Seiten bedeckt werden;

• Annähern der Packung und Palette, wodurch die auf allen Seiten eingewickelte Packung wieder auf die Palette gesetzt wird.

17. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 16, gekennzeichnet durch das Durchführen der ersten und der zweiten Rotation von 90° auf einer gleichen Ebene und in entgegen gesetzten Richtungen; Durchführen einer dritten Rotation von etwa 180° um eine senkrechte Achse unmittelbar vor der zweiten Rotation und, nach der Wiederannäherung der Packung an die Palette, einer vierten Rotation von etwa 180° um eine horizontale Achse, um die Packung vollständig eingepackt auf die Palette zu setzen.

Revendications

1. Machine pour emballer un paquet constitué d'un ensemble de boîtes, d'objets, de conteneurs et similaires, supporté par une palette, ladite machine (1) étant caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend au moins :

- un moyen de base (2) ajusté pour s'adapter à une structure fixe ou à un plancher définissant un plan de base ;

- des premiers moyens de rotation (3) ayant une première portion fixée au moyen de base (2) et une seconde portion rotative tournant par rapport à la première autour d'un premier axe (R1) parallèle au plan de base, ladite second portion étant entraînée par des moyens moteurs rotatifs respectifs des premiers moyens de rotation (3) ;

- un moyen de support (5) raccordé à la seconde portion des premiers moyens de rotation (3) ;

- un moyen preneur (6) pour la palette reposant sur un plan presque parallèle au premier axe de rotation et raccordé au moyen de support (5) ;

- un premier moyen à plaze-forme rotative (7) pour le support ou la rotation du paquet autour d'en premier axe d'emballage presque perpendiculaire au plan de base et fixé au moyen de support (5) perpendiculairement au premier axe de rotation et au plan défini par le moyen preneur (6) et adjacent à ce dernier ;

- un second moyen à plateforme rotative (8) pour le support ou la rotation du paquet autour d'un second axe d'emballage presque perpendiculaire au plan de base et fixé au moyen de support (5) parallèlement au premier axe de rotation et au plan défini par le moyen preneur (6) ; et

- un moyen de déroulement (9) pour une bande de film et/ou de ruban pour l'emballage du paquet.

2. Machine selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le moyen de support (5) est raccordé à la seconde portion des premiers moyens de rotation (3) par des seconds moyens de rotation (4) ayant un premier élément fixé de manière rigide à la seconde portion rotative des premiers moyens de rotation (3) et un second élément, tournant par rapport au premier autour d'un second axe de rotation (R2) perpendiculairement au premier axe de rotation, fixé de manière rigide audit moyen de support (5) ; ledit second élément étant entraîné par des moyens moteurs de rotation respectifs.

3. Machine selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que le moyen de support (5) est pourvu d'un moyen de serrage (10) pour le rapprochement et l'écartement mutuel du moyen preneur (6) et du second moyen à plateforme rotative (8).

4. Machine selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que le moyen de serrage (10) comprend des moyens de guidage et de coulissement de chariots et il présente des moyens d'actionnement pour la translation du moyen preneur (6) et du second moyen à plateforme rotative (8).

5. Machine selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que le moyen de déroulement (9) comprend un support (11) pour un rouleau de film ou de ruban d'emballage supporté par des moyens d'orientation (12) ajustés pour permettre la rotation du support entre deux conditions extrêmes parallèlement aux axes de rotation des moyens à plateforme rotative (7, 8).

6. Machine selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de rotation (12) sont fixés au moyen de support (5) par un moyen de raccordement (13).

7. Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le moyen de base (2) est mobile.

8. Machine selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que le moyen de base (2) est pourvu de roues (14).

9. Machine selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que la au moins une roue (14) est motorisée et/ou directrice.

10. Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de rotation (3) comprennent au moins une broche de rotation horizontale (30) définissant le premier axe de rotation (R1) et un actionneur (31), de préférence de type linaire, intercalé entre le moyen de base (5) et un moyen à plateau (32).

11. Machine selon les revendications 2 et 10, caractérisée en ce que les seconds moyens de rotation (4) comprennent un cinquième moyen à roue motorisé (40) intercalé entre le moyen à plateau (32) et le moyen de support (5) et définissant le second axe de rotation.

12. Machine selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le moyen preneur (6) comprend une paire de fourches du type pour palettes, chacun d'entre elles étant pourvue d'un bras oscillant pour retenir la palette lorsqu'elle est écartée du paquet.

13. Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les premier (7) et second (8) moyens à plateforme rotative sont pourvus de moyens moteurs à rotation respectifs.

14. Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les moyens motorisés, les moyens moteurs et les actionneurs sont du type électrique et/ou hydraulique.

15. Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'il comprend des moyens de commande pour le type coordonné et programmé des éléments motorisés, des moyens moteurs et des actionneurs.

16. Procédé d'emballage d'un paquet constitué d'un ensemble de boîtes, d'objets, de conteneurs et similaires, supporté par une palette, caractérisé en ce qu'ils comprend les étapes consistant à :

- effectuer une première rotation du paquet avec la palette sur environ 90° par rapport à un axe horizontal ;

- écarter la palette du paquet ;

- entraîner le paquet en rotation d'emballage autour d'un axe presque vertical pour emballer ledit paquet dans un film ou un ruban ;

- effectuer une deuxième rotation du paquet et de la palette sur environ 90 ° par rapport à un axe horizontal :

- entraîner le paquet en rotation d'emballage autour d'un axe presque vertical pour emballer ledit paquet dans un film ou un ruban, recouvrant de la sorte également les côtés laissés découverts par le premier emballage ; et

- rapprocher le paquet et la palette en plaçant à nouveau le paquet, dont tous les côtés sont emballés, sur ladite palette.

17. Procédé selon la revendication 16, caractérisé par les étapes consistant à effectuer la première et la deuxième rotation de 90 ° sur un même plan et dans des sens opposés : effectuer, immédiatement avant la deuxième rotation, une troisième rotation d'environ 180 ° autour d'un axe vertical et, après le rapprochement du paquet de la palette, effectuer une quatrième rotation d'environ 180 ° autour d'un axe horizontal afin de placer le paquet complètement emballé sur la palette.

Drawing