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(11) | EP 3 246 153 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | APPARATUS FOR FORMING BOXES WITH LABEL JOINING SYSTEM, RELATIVE PROCESS AND BOX THUS OBTAINED |
| (57) The present invention relates to the field of the production of cardboard boxes,
such as in particular but not necessarily, stretched or microwave cardboard intended
for successive covering, and namely the object is an apparatus for forming the aforesaid
boxes in which use is made of an unseen cold joining system making use of labels.
The invention also extends to a method according to which the apparatus operates,
and to a box obtained with such process and apparatus.
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[0001] The present invention relates to the field of the production of cardboard boxes, such as in particular but not necessarily, stretched or microwave cardboard intended for successive covering, and namely the object is an apparatus for forming the aforesaid boxes in which use is made of a new joining system of the cold type. The invention also covers a method according to which the apparatus operates, and to a box obtained with such process and apparatus.
[0002] Several types of apparatuses are known for forming packaging boxes, in which the boxes themselves are formed by folding flat blanks made of paper material, thus undergoing the action of a so-called mould, which is vertically movable in a reciprocating manner and consists of a block having a shape corresponding to the box to be made.
[0003] The folding of the blank about the mould, along both transversal and longitudinal folding lines with respect to the aforesaid feeding direction, occurs by pressure with respect to underlying fixed abutment and guide means against which the blank abuts by being pushed in top-bottom direction by the mould itself.
[0004] At this point, there is a need to mutually join the open flaps of the box at the edges in a so-called corner joining step. The box is finally transported toward centring systems that take care of positioning it with respect to a sheet of covering paper, on which an adhesive substance was distributed beforehand, and a so-called covering machine wraps or envelops the cardboard box with the covering paper.
[0006] According to a first and very common traditional system, use is made of portions of heat-seal tape which are applied over the contact line between the two open flaps to be joined.
[0007] With this system, the application of the tape generates an additional layer of material (the tape itself) which in turn causes a surface irregularity; an irregularity which remains and is noted after the arrangement of the covering paper, which glossy finish may highlight the ridge that forms due to the effect of the tape portion. Also, the required application of pressure may cause deformations and subsequent irregularities which can be noticed on the finished box.
[0008] A further prerogative of the system under examination is associated with the application time of the heat-seal tape, generally of about 0.6 sec, which results in a limitation to the speed and productivity of the machines which implement this type of solution. Also the need to perform an initial heating of the machine has an unfavourable effect in terms of time consumption.
[0009] In the end, although it ensures an overall reliable operation, the traditional system with tape portions may result in significant criticalities under certain circumstances.
[0010] In a different known system, the joining of the edges occurs by applying hot glue onto the thickness of the material, again after the box forming step. However, this application has, as a consequence, the possibility of sealing only materials (cardboards) with a certain thickness. For this reason, the thickness of the material requires being increased also when this would not be necessary for the sturdiness required for the specific box being processed. The box is thus unjustifiably more expensive.
[0011] The application of the glue then requires drying times which make the system slow and therefore scarcely compatible with boxes having simple and regular shape for which productivity is a fundamental element of commercial value.
[0012] Again, the application of the glue onto the thickness generates, due to the difficulty in ensuring the accuracy required and to the overall management of the application heads, a series of glue residues on the box surfaces which compromise the quality of the finished product.
[0013] The height of the boxes made with this methodology remains necessarily high because a limited application surface of the glue limits the adhesion force of the edges with subsequent instability of the joined box and the risk of it opening during the transport or covering steps thereof. The edge adhesion between flaps may be poor also with boxes having increased height, and therefore result in rejects or deterioration in quality.
[0014] Systems have also been proposed in which the glue is applied onto the still blank in flat condition, before the forming. To give stability to the joining, these systems however provide executing oblique bevels, something which makes the technique for making the blank significantly more laborious. Moreover, the application of the glue to the motionless blank before the forming step significantly slows down the production speed. The problem mentioned above in relation to the need to heat the machine exists in general also for this and for the preceding similar system of applying the hot glue onto the thickness.
[0015] Finally, boxes are also known in which the joining is omitted precisely to avoid appearance-related problems, and the structural stabilization of the box is transferred to the covering sheet alone. The box thus obtained however has very modest features of solidity, which are inadequate for most uses.
[0016] Considering the problems detailed above, the applicant has now identified, according to the present invention, a new forming process which due to a novel joining method, achieves particularly effective results in terms of appearance and structural quality of the box obtained and also of production speed.
[0017] Such results are achieved with the forming apparatus according to the present invention, the essential features of which are defined by the first of the appended claims. A method according to the invention and in particular according to which the apparatus operates, also has the features set forth in appended claim 11.
[0018] The features and advantages of the apparatus and moulding process according to the present invention shall be apparent from the description below of embodiments thereof, made by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- figure 1 shows a side view, with parts omitted (in particular a forming mould) for illustrative clarity, of a moulding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention, and also depicts a flat blank at the inlet;
- figure 2 is an axonometric view of the apparatus in figure 1, with a label inlet and application region in the foreground;
- figures 3a, 3b and 3c respectively show the inlet region in an axonometric assembly view (figure 3a), part of such region in enlarged axonometric projection and with components not shown in the previous assembly view (figure 3b), and again part thereof, again with such components omitted, according to a longitudinal sectional view (figure 3c), in all cases with the flat blank in a first advancing step;
- figure 4 is an axonometric view from the bottom of the inlet region, with the flat blank in a second advancing step;
- figure 5 is an axonometric view from the bottom, similar to the one in figure 4, with the flat blank in a third advancing step;
- figure 6 is an axonometric view from the top of the inlet region, with the blank in a transfer step toward a moulding station;
- figures 7a and 7b show the axonometric projection, from the top and bottom respectively, of the moulding station of the apparatus with the forming mould in a first lowered position against the motionless blank still in flat arrangement;
- figures 8a and 8b show, again the axonometric view from the top and bottom respectively, of the moulding station with the mould in a second lowered position, and subsequently the blank in a first folding step;
- figures 9a and 9b show two axonometric projections from different angles, of the moulding station with the mould in a third lowered position, and subsequently the blank in a second folding step which completes the moulding in three-dimensional box configuration;
- figures 10a to 10c are again axonometric views of the moulding station (figure 10a taken from below) or enlarged parts thereof corresponding to the lateral edges of the boxes (figures 10b and 10c respectively from the top and from the bottom), with the mould still in the third lowering step and label smoothening heads in action on the edges themselves;
- figure 11 is an axonometric view of the box formed according to the invention with the steps in the preceding figures, before covering;
- figure 12 is an axonometric view of a different example of box that may be obtained according to the invention in a way substantially similar to the one of the preceding example;
- figure 13 shows an enlarged axonometric view of part of the moulding station configured according to a second embodiment of the invention; and
- figure 14 is a top view of the part shown in figure 13, thus referring again to the second embodiment, in an operating step of complete folding of the blank.
[0019] According to the invention, firstly a box flat blank is prepared having a traditional configuration, for example a typical cross-shaped configuration. The blank, indicated with S and shown with particular clarity in the starting configuration thereof in figure 2 and in figure 3a, has a central portion S1 intended to form the bottom of the box, from which four side flaps S2-S5 extend in a foldable fashion (folding lines depicted with thin line). The flaps, when raised orthogonal to the bottom, form the lateral walls of the box.
[0020] More specifically, as far as the apparatus according to the invention is concerned, and with reference in particular to figures 1 to 12 relating to a first embodiment, the apparatus is configured as a production line which extends according to a longitudinal axis X which is also the feeding/advancement linear path of the blank, in the direction noted also by the arrow overlapping the blank in certain views. Along the line, one can identify in sequence a blank inlet region 1 and a moulding station 2.
[0021] Starting from the blank inlet area 1, the apparatus provides a traditional blank feeding device adapted to push individual blanks from a feeding stack (not depicted because in itself known) over a feeding plane α which is typically horizontal. In relation to the advancement axis/path X, the blank S is oriented with two flaps S2 and S4 which advance in front and rear position (advancement axis X orthogonal to the respective folding lines) and two flaps S3 and S5 arranged laterally (advancement axis X parallel to the respective folding lines). Due to the effect of the aforesaid push, each blank S is fed into the inlet region which makes use of a conveyor system with two belts 11 which operate on the edges of the lateral flaps S3 and S5 in cooperation with elastically opposing trains of pressure rollers 12, the flaps being opposingly engaged between the belts and the rollers.
[0022] The inlet area 1 also provides for a pair of labelling devices 13 adapted to apply cold adhesion sticker labels of a given length along the lateral edges S2a, S2b, S4a, S4b of the front and rear flaps, that is the edges parallel to the advancement axis and intended to be joined with respective lateral edges of the other flaps at the moulding along the lateral corners of the box. The labelling devices, which according to one aspect of the invention are now used in a novel and surprisingly advantageous manner within the context of a moulding system, are in themselves known, given that for example, they are used for the application of sticker labels on bottles or other types of packaging, and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0023] It is sufficient to note that the devices 13 arranged under the feeding plane α are adapted to dispense, starting from feeding reels 13a and at dispensing heads 13b arranged closely to the plane α itself, labels E of various lengths in strips elongated according to the path X, to apply them along at least part of the extension of the aforesaid lateral edges S2a, S2b, S4a, S4b. The configuration and position of the devices is notably such that the aforesaid lateral edges are substantially along the longitudinal symmetry axis of the label, which is the same as saying that the heads 13b are provided so that the label dispensed is released, preferably in symmetrical manner, over the corresponding edge, with a first portion adhering to the flap, a second portion remaining with the sticky face exposed outside the flap itself.
[0024] Moreover, as shown exhaustively only in figure 3b and partly omitted in the other figures for illustrative clarity, there are provided two guide devices 14 which operate on the blank at the aforesaid lateral edges to facilitate the adhesion of the labels. Each device provides a fixed rail 141 (a support 141a of which is seen also in figure 3a) which extends parallel to the axis X to sustain the flap at the bottom, starting from a point immediately downstream of the dispensing/releasing point of the label and in the area involved by the label itself. The device further comprises an arm 142 that can be lifted, an end of which - provided with wheels 143 - acts under pressure, urged by elastic means (not shown), on the top face of the flap, again at the edge involved by the label and downstream of the dispensing/releasing point thereof. Thereby, the flap and label assembly is slightly tightened/compressed in the direction of the thickness between the guide 141 and the wheels 143 to promote the adhesion.
[0025] The labels E may already be separate elements on the consumable material (paper support tape prepared with anti-adherent surface), which is loaded onto the reels 13a, or the devices may be provided with systems for the customized cutting of a continuous adhesive tape, again according to known systems. In any case, the labels are separated from the support with the known techniques prior to the dispensing. The labels may be for example (without excluding possible alternatives), made of simple paper material (grammage indicatively comprised between 60 and 120 g/m2) and a cold adhesive substance with no particular performance (for example, a rubber-based glue with adhesion power on stainless steel of 2-4 N/cm according to the AFERA® 4001 test method) can be used as a glue.
[0026] As mentioned, downstream of the inlet region 1 according to the feeding direction is a moulding station 2 in which the blank stops and which provides traditionally a mould 21 that is movable vertically, or more in general according to a moulding direction Z orthogonal to the feeding plane α due to a drive system 22 and consisting of a block with shape corresponding to the box to be made. In known fashion, the mould can be made of two superimposing modules that can be spaced apart from each other along the movement axis, whereby if a first module (the lower one or mould, properly speaking) remains always inside the box pressing the bottom thereof, the top module or counter-mould (not shown) may be inserted in order to ensure the pressure required for an optimal smoothening of the labels, as is clarified below.
[0027] The folding of the blank about the mould 21 along the folding lines dividing the bottom S1 from the flaps S2-S5 occurs by pressure with respect to underlying fixed abutment means against which the blank abuts by being pushed in top-bottom direction by the mould itself. With particular reference to figures 7a to 10c, such means comprise in particular according to one aspect of the invention, in this first embodiment, a pair of folding elements 23 arranged on respective sides of the station parallel to the feeding path X so as to substantially be at half of the extension of the lateral flaps S3 and S5 (or first flaps of each pair forming a corner) according to the same direction, when the blank is centred on appropriate reference means. Due to a top portion with an inclined entrance edge 23a which rests on the folding line, the overturning of the lateral flaps occurs starting from a first lowering step (figures 7a and 7b) defined by the vertical alignment between lower face of the mould 21 and the upper end of the folding elements 23 with which the blank abuts. The position of the folding elements 23 both along the feeding path X and in height may be adjusted through obvious sliding guide systems, for example with the construction shape obviously comprehensible from figure 7b.
[0028] Main folding elements then comprise four folding heads 24 arranged in regions adapted to correspond with respective corners of the bottom of the blank S, so as to abut with the blank, and notably here, for example, only with the front flap S2 and with the rear flap S4, or second flaps of each pair forming the corner, to overturn them in turn against the sides of the mould. Namely, the folding heads 24 are arranged here lower than the elements 23, hence such abutment occurs starting from a second and further lowered position of the mould (figures 8a and 8b), a position in which the lateral flaps S3 and S5 are already in vertical arrangement.
[0029] With particular reference to figures 9 a to 10c, each head 24 has a member 241 which is the true folding element and which preferably is made in the shape of a plate, which is arranged parallel to the feeding path X and which on a sharp edge, defines, in the top region, an angled entrance face 241 a adapted to hit the relative flap close to the lateral edge, the one already bearing the label E.
[0030] Further below, following the entrance face 241a there is a vertical smoothening face 241 b, which plane of development is orthogonal to the path X and is adapted to be at the folding between the bottom and the flap (front or rear) in order to slide on the flap itself once folded, the position being adjusted to exert a given pressure on the flap tightening it against the corresponding wall of the mould, all at the portion affected by the label E. The width of the plate, and therefore of the face 241 b, is calibrated so as to substantially correspond to the one of the label-half adhering on the flap. Such smoothening action occurs in particular with the motion of the mould again further lowering towards a third position (figures 9a to 10c) such as to fold also the front and rear flaps in a second folding step and to cause at least a substantial part of the development in height of the aforesaid flaps (and of the relative labels) to hit the vertical face 241 b.
[0031] The mounting of the head is such as to allow an adjustment at least along the feeding path X and in a direction orthogonal thereto with systems which can vary constructively according to what is obvious for an expert in the field, and of which certain exemplifying solutions can be immediately understood from the drawings.
[0032] Each head is finally completed by a blade 242 lying on a plane orthogonal to the feeding plane α and parallel to the feeding path X, in addition to being movable on its plane again along the path X under the action of the actuator means 243 (omitted in figure 9b). The blade 242 is practically aligned with the corresponding lateral flap S3 or S5 when folded, and is movable from a rearwards displaced position behind the face 241 b, position adapted to avoid interferences with the box until the lowering of it into the third lowered position (figures 9a and 9b) is complete. The blade 242 is then adapted to take on a forwards displaced position closer to the inside of the box, a displacement which hits the portion (second portion) of the label E that has remained free and protrudes from the front or rear flap; such a forwards displacement causes the subsequent folding of this label portion over the edge of the adjacent lateral flap, thus shaping the label about the corner and finally, by dragging in contact on such lateral flap opposingly with the mould (figures 10a, 10b, 10c), exerts a given pressure (the mutual positioning of the blades and of the mould being adjusted for this purpose) which consolidates the adhesion and smoothens the label. To summarize, in the forwards displaced position, the blade protrudes from the corresponding face 241 b, thus defining a dihedral angle with edge parallel to the direction Z and width corresponding to the angle of the box about which the head works (in the example case, 90°). Obviously, the edges of the aforesaid dihedrons are at the corners of a rectangle corresponding to the bottom S1 of the box/blank.
[0033] The apparatus is obviously assisted by a control system that can be programmed with the aid of suitable sensors, and that is adapted to manage the operation according to that indicated above and further detailed below. The features of such a system are to be considered implementable in an obvious fashion and obviously are not in themselves the object of the invention.
[0034] Based on the description above, the operating behaviour of the apparatus and simultaneous forming method according to the invention are already apparent. However, summarizing and for even greater completeness, the following is to be noted.
[0035] The blank S is fed to the inlet region 1 as shown in figures 2, 3a and 3b so as to be transported on the plane α by the conveyor system comprising the belts 11 and the trains of rollers 12. When the front flap S2 passes at the heads 13b of the labelling devices, they release respective labels so as to cause them to extend at least along a part of the lateral edges S2a, S2b, in any case starting from the front/entrance end of the edge (the one which will be the end of the edge distant from the bottom after the box is formed). The opposing device 14 (figure 3b) is involved to allow the label to adhere with the minimum stability required. In particular, the release of the label occurs with a speed synchronized with the movement of the blank, and the blank and label assembly is engaged and compressed between guide 141 and wheels 143 immediately downstream of the dispensing point.
[0036] Figure 4 shows a successive advancing step, with label E applied and the head 13b which has clearly stopped the dispensing simultaneously to the passage over it of the bottom portion S1. As shown in figure 5, the dispensing resumes with the passage of the rear flap S4 and then second labels E are applied on the lateral edges S4a and S4b by respective heads 13b, all exactly as described above for the application on the front flap S2. Similarly to the previous case, the labels are to reach the end of the edge distant from the bottom (which here, is the flap rear/exit end).
[0037] At this point, the blank is provided with four labels E, each arranged over the edge as explained above, and therefore with one half adhering on the flap and one half exposed and protruding, and it reaches the moulding station 2 in this condition (figure 6). The mould 21 descends to the first position in which it comes into contact with the blank, causing it to abut on the folding elements 23 (figures 7a, 7b) which with the successive descent toward the second position (figures 8a and 8b), induce the folding and lifting of the lateral flaps S3, S5.
[0038] With the again further descent toward the third lowered position of the mould (figures 9a and 9b), there is the interference of the front and rear flaps on the plates 241 of the main folding means, which firstly, with the inclined entrance face 241 a, lift the flaps, and then with the smoothening faces 241 b, consolidate the adhesion of the label in the part already connected to the flap, adhesion which up to that moment is just sufficient enough to ensure the positioning thereof.
[0039] The labels E are however still half protruding (coplanar) from their own application flap (front or rear). The blades 242 (figures 10a to 10c) then come into action and while advancing, they push the protruding half of the label while folding it around the corner, and exerting a given pressure in direction orthogonal to path X, and therefore orthogonal to the flaps/lateral walls S3 and S5, they carry out the required function of adhesion consolidation and smoothening. The smoothening action, both by the plates 241 b and by the blades 242, occurs with the counter-pressure of the counter-mould which completely occupies the inner volume of the box.
[0040] At this point, the box is in the condition in figure 11 and the processing continues in traditional fashion according to the successive covering step (lifting of the counter-mould, continuation of the run of the mould with and toward the successive apparatuses on the line, obviously not illustrated). As mentioned, unlike the case in figure 11 which is consistent with the example of the previous figures, and as illustrated in figure 12, the box outlet from the forming/joining may also have labels E' which extend only along part of the lateral corners so long as this part, for obvious reasons of structural stability, extends starting from the top end of the corners, that is the one opposite to the end adjacent to the bottom.
[0041] With reference now to figures 13 and 14, a second embodiment of the invention differs from the previous one for different solutions implemented in the moulding station, which is indeed the only one depicted (the parts of the apparatus not specifically shown and/or described being similar to the ones in the preceding example).
[0042] Here, firstly, if the folding elements (indicated with 23') may in any case be present because they are useful as auxiliary folders and with guiding and containing function in the case of larger box sizes, the role of folding all the flaps may be (and normally is) exerted by the main folders provided all on the heads 24'. Therefore the heads provide, in addition to plates 241' similar to the ones of the previous case, puncheons 244' arranged adjacent to the plates and configured, by position and height, so as to hit the lateral flaps S3, S5 before the front and rear flaps S2, S4 impact on the plates 241', following the descent of the mould, with operating sequence conceptually similar (albeit with possibly different timing) to the ones described above for the first embodiment.
[0043] There are smoothening blades 242' on the heads 24' also in the second embodiment, which blades however here do not operate with the counter-pressure of the mould (or namely the counter-mould) but rather in cooperation with suction cups 245' adapted to enter in a gripping mode at the suitable timing on the lateral flaps in raised arrangement (in more centred position with respect to the region of influence of the blades, as shown in figure 14) so as to exert a direct force toward the outside of the box and which causes a forced adaptation between the flap itself and the corresponding contact face of the blade, which is functional to an adequate smoothening. The suction cups 245' are obviously fed by a pneumatic circuit which fittings 246' are shown in figure 13.
[0044] The advantages resulting from the apparatus and method according to the invention are apparent from the above description.
[0045] Boxes with joined corners, and therefore sturdy ones, may be provided with a cold application system (and therefore avoiding all the complications and drawbacks of hot systems) and with a surprisingly superior appearance because the reduced thickness of the labels once smoothened on the walls does not cause visible projections or irregularities once the box is finished, thus avoiding also the signs that heat and the strong pressure may generate in systems with portions of heat-seal tape. An important additional advantage results from the possibility of incorporating RFID tags in one or more of the labels. The use of these tags is increasingly common in the packaging of all kinds of products and the possibility of incorporating them directly in the box in the same construction phase thereof, furthermore so as to make them invisible, results in, thanks to the invention, new and truly advantageous scenarios.
[0046] The process may be applied in substantially similar manner also to boxes with various features, and the construction solutions selected for applying the labels and for consolidating them on the box can obviously vary, also in relation to different shapes of boxes, it being understood that the exemplifying solutions described herein as well as the object of the secondary claims appear advantageous in terms of construction and functional simplicity and of quality effectiveness. In particular, but not exclusively, the fixed smoothening faces and the relative blades may be configured and oriented spatially so as to form dihedral angles which are different from a right angle and with an edge not parallel to the axis Z in order to make boxes with non-straight edges. When blades are mentioned, the concept is extended obviously also to elements with a different shape, so long as they are provided in a similar manner with a face(s) capable of performing the folding and smoothening function described above.
1. Apparatus for forming a box by folding a flat blank (S), the apparatus comprising
an inlet region (1) and a moulding station (2) arranged in sequence along a blank
feeding linear path (X), the inlet region comprising blank conveyor means (11, 12)
for feeding the blank over a feeding plane (α) along said feeding path (X) towards
said moulding station (2), said moulding station comprising mould means (21) slidable
along a moulding direction (Z) orthogonal with sad feeding plane (α), and fixed folding
means (23, 24) against which said mould means (21) are configured to push said blank
to shape it as a box, the apparatus further comprising corner joining means adapted
to mutually join respective pairs of blank flaps that are in contact with each other
along respective corners of the formed box, and being characterized in that said corner joining means comprise: - label dispensing means (13) for dispensing
cold adhesion sticker labels, arranged in said inlet region (1) adapted to apply said
labels over the flat blank passing through the same region; and - shaping and smoothening
means (241b, 242) for shaping and smoothening the labels over the box, arranged in
said moulding station (2).
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shaping and smoothening means comprise
a plurality of fixed faces (241 b) of said folding means (241 b) that extend in an
incident fashion with respect to said feeding plane (α), and a number of label shaping
and smoothening blades (242) associated to said faces and movable in a direction parallel
with said feeding plane (α) between a rearwards displaced position flush behind said
face and forwards displaced position in which it protrudes from the face forming with
it a dihedral angle having an edge adapted to coincide with one of said corners of
the formed box.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said fixed faces (241 b) extend parallel
with said moulding direction (Z).
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said fixed faces (241 b) and said blades
(242) form respective square dihedral angles with edges parallel with said moulding
direction, at the corners of a rectangle corresponding to the bottom of an upright
parallelepiped box.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said faces (241 b) extend orthogonal with
said feeding path (X).
6. The apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein said fixed faces (241
b) are formed in folding plates (241) belonging to main folding means that, for each
pair or flaps forming a box corner are adapted to fold at least one flap of the pair
on which, in said inlet region (1), a label has been previously applied by adhesion
of a first portion thereof.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said main folding means further comprise,
in association with said plates (241) respective puncheons (244') configured to hit,
in each flap pair, and before the plates (241) hit a relative flap following to the
motion of said mould means in said moulding direction (Z), a central portion of the
other flap of the same pair.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said folding means comprise auxiliary
folding members (23) configured to hit, in each flap pair, and before the plates (241)
hit a relative flap following to the motion of said mould means in said moulding direction
(Z), a central portion of the other flap of the same pair.
9. The apparatus according to any of the previous claims, comprising in said moulding
station (2) opposing means for opposing the action of the blade, said opposing means
including suction means or counter-mould means associated with said mould means.
10. The apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein said label dispensing
means comprise at least two fixed dispensing heads (13b) adapted to dispense said
labels along said feeding path (X), the inlet region further comprising blank guide
devices (14) for guiding the blank downstream of said heads and comprising each a
fixed rail (141) extending parallel with the feeding path (X) to support the blank
for below in a corresponding label application area, and an arm (142) adapted to elastically
press with an end provided with wheels (143) a top face of the blank in the same area.
11. A method for forming a box by folding a flat blank (S), comprising the steps of feeding
said flat blank (S) over a feeding plane (α) along a feeding linear path (X) towards
a moulding step, in said moulding step make mould means (21) slide along a moulding
direction (Z) orthogonal with said feeding plane (α) pushing said blank against fixed
folding means (23, 24) to shape the blank as a box, the method further comprising
the step of mutually joining respective pairs of blank flaps that are in contact with
each other along respective corners of the formed box, and being characterized in that said joining is carried out by: - applying on the flat blank (S) a plurality of cold
adhesion sticker labels as the blank moves in said feeding step; shaping and smoothening
the labels over the formed box in said moulding step.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein each label is applied on said blank over
a corresponding edge, a first label portion being in adhesion on the relative flap,
and a second label portion projecting beyond the edge with the sticky face exposed
outside of the same flap; and wherein said moulding step firstly provides smoothening
the first label portion over said box by pressure of the relative flaps against a
plurality of fixed faces of said fixed folding means (241 b) that extend in an incident
fashion with respect to said feeding plane (α), and then folding and smoothening the
second label over the other flap forming the corner around the latter, by moving a
number of shaping and smoothening blades (242) associated with said faces.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said moulding step provides firstly folding
first flaps of the blank for receiving the adhesion of the second label portions,
and then second flaps with the first label portions already applied thereon.
14. The method according to any of the claims from 11 to 13, wherein in said moulding
step the shaping and smoothening of the labels is carried out with the assistance
of an opposing action including suction or mechanical stop.
15. The method according to any of the claims from 11 to 14, wherein said labels are applied
pursuant to a dispensing along said feeding path (X), the application further providing
for a passage through guide means (141, 142) that elastically press the assembly of
the blank and the labels in the width direction over regions in which the same labels
are located.
16. The method according to any of the claims from 11 to 15, wherein said labels comprise
one or more RFID tags.