WRAPPING MACHINE FOR A CONTAINER FILLED WITH LOOSE PRODUCTS AND METHOD FOR WRAPPING A CONTAINER

Abstract

 A wrapping machine (10) for a container (200) filled with loose products comprises a first wrapping path (WP1) extending between a respective loading station (CS1) and a respective extraction station (ES1), a first wrapping equipment (16) movable along the first wrapping path (WP1), a loader (52) of wrapping sheets (100) configured to sequentially place wrapping sheets (100) at the loading station (CS1), a pusher (33) configured to push a container into the first wrapping equipment (16) and against the back wall (22) while intercepting a wrapping sheet (100), a second wrapping path (WP2) extending between a respective loading station (CS2) and a respective extraction station (ES2), wherein the loading station (CS2) of the second wrapping path (WP2) is facing the extraction station (ES1) of the first wrapping path (WP1), a second wrapping equipment (20) movable along the second wrapping path (WP2), an additional pusher (33a) configured to push the container (200) out of the first wrapping equipment (16) and to push it against a back wall (35) into the second wrapping equipment (20). An insertion opening (34) of the second wrapping equipment (20), when in the loading station (CS2), faces the insertion opening (21) of the first wrapping equipment (16) when placed in the extraction station (ES1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a wrapping machine for a container filled with loose products and a method for wrapping a container.

[0002] The present invention is used in the manufacturing sector to wrap with an outer wrap a container previously made and filled with products, such as food products like chocolates, candies, sugared almonds and the like. This outer wrap can for example be a sheet of paper or more preferably a sheet of material creating a barrier against water vapour and oxygen.

[0003] In cases where the container has a product dispensing opening that can be opened and closed by a lid, the outer wrap helps to prevent the lid from being accidentally opened and needs to be removed in order to gain access to the lid and thus to the dispensing opening.

[0004] In the Applicant's experience, in order to enable containers to be wrapped quickly and repeatably, it is important to have automated devices capable of wrapping outer wraps around containers in sheet form.

[0005] In accordance with the Applicant's experience, automated wrapping devices comprise a plurality of stations for folding a wrapping sheet (which will form the outer wrap) arranged along a wrapping path that is followed by the container.

[0006] In particular, in accordance with the Applicant's experience, such automated devices usually comprise a rotating conveyor equipped with a plurality of outwardly open, movable wrapping seats along an advancement path between an insertion station and an extraction station. The container to be wrapped is inserted into a respective wrapping seat at the insertion station by placing the wrapping sheet between the container and the wrapping seat in such a way that inserting the container into the wrapping seat pulls the wrapping sheet into the wrapping station by wrapping in a U-shape over the container. The container is inserted into the wrapping seat through one of its side walls in such a way that the wrapping sheet is wrapped around three side walls of the container in a U-shape.

[0007] A movable folding flap, placed along the advancement path, folds the first of the two free edges of the U-shaped wrap at right angles to make it adhere to the fourth side wall of the container. The wrapping seat is moved along the advancement path, rotating the conveyor, to get below a contrast element which, by intercepting the second free edge, bends the second free edge in partial overlap with the first free edge, producing a tubular wrap. A first pair of folding devices acts, along the advancement path, on a first pair of free flaps placed at one end of the U-shaped wrap and folds these flaps at right angles against a base wall of the container. Similarly, a second pair of folding devices acts, along the advancement path, on a first pair of free flaps placed at a second end of the U-shaped wrap and folds these flaps at right angles against a top wall of the container. A third pair of folding devices acts, along the advancement path, on a second pair of free flaps placed at the first end of the U-shaped wrap and folds these flaps in partial overlap with the first pair of flaps to complete the wrapping of the base wall of the container. Similarly, a fourth pair of folding devices acts, along the advancement path, on a second pair of free flaps placed at the second end of the U-shaped wrap and folds these flaps in partial overlap with the first pair of flaps to complete the wrapping of the top wall of the container. The resulting outer wrap adheres to the walls of the container, completely overlapping it. The container, thus wrapped, is ejected from the wrapping seat when the wrapping seat reaches an extraction station located along the advancement path.

[0008] The Applicant has perceived that during the container wrapping operations, the lid of the container must remain in the closed position without being able to move or shift, both to prevent products contained in the container from accidentally spilling out and to ensure that the wrapping adheres perfectly to the walls of the container.

[0009] However, the Applicant has noted that during the handling of the container along the advancement path, the products contained in the container can move inside the container and can hit the walls of the container.

[0010] The Applicant has perceived that such shocks could actually cause the lid to accidentally shift or move relative to the dispensing opening before the wrap completely envelops the container.

[0011] The Applicant therefore perceived the need for a device for wrapping a container and a method of wrapping a container that would prevent possible displacement or movement of the lid of the container with respect to the dispensing opening during the wrapping of the container.

[0012] The Applicant perceived that the orientation of the container during wrapping operations could be controlled in such a way that the products contained in the container would not be able to exert significant pressure against the lid or, alternatively or in combination, in such a way that the lid would be held in the closed position if the products were able to exert significant pressure against the lid.

[0013] The Applicant has found that by introducing the container to be wrapped into a first wrapping equipment with a first wall of the container on which the lid is provided oriented in such a way that the weight force acting on the products contained in the container is directed along a direction that does not pass through the first wall of the container, it is possible to perform at least some of the container wrapping operations without the movement of the container causing movements of the products that may exert significant pressure against the lid. By subsequently transferring the container to a second wrapping equipment in such a way that the first wall of the container is met by a wall of the second equipment, it is possible to complete the remaining container wrapping operations regardless of the pressure the products may exert on the lid.

[0014] The present invention therefore concerns, in a first aspect thereof, a device for wrapping a container.

[0015] Preferably, an initial wrapping path is provided which extends between a respective loading station and a respective extraction station.

[0016] Preferably, a first movable wrapping equipment is provided along the first wrapping path, comprising an insertion opening and a back wall opposite the insertion opening.

[0017] Preferably, there is a wrapping sheet loader configured to sequentially place wrapping sheets at the loading station.

[0018] Preferably, a pusher is placed at the loading station and configured to push a container into the first wrapping equipment and against the back wall intercepting a wrapping sheet.

[0019] Preferably, there is a second wrapping path, separate from the first wrapping path, which extends between a respective loading station and a respective extraction station, said loading station of the second wrapping path facing the extraction station of the first wrapping path.

[0020] Preferably, a second movable wrapping equipment is provided along the second wrapping path, comprising an insertion opening and a back wall opposite the insertion opening.

[0021] Preferably, there is an additional pusher configured to push the container out of the first wrapping equipment and push it against the back wall in the second wrapping equipment.

[0022] Preferably, the insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment, when in the loading station, faces the insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment when placed in the extraction station.

[0023] The present invention relates, in a second aspect thereof, to a method for wrapping a container.

[0024] Preferably, it is provided providing a container with a back wall and a top opening, opposite the back wall, closed by a lid.

[0025] Preferably, it is provided providing a first wrapping equipment and inserting the container into an insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment, at a loading station, with the back wall facing a back wall of the first wrapping equipment and with a wrapping sheet inserted between the back wall of the container and the back wall of the first wrapping equipment.

[0026] Preferably, it is provided partially wrapping the container with the wrapping sheet.

[0027] Preferably, it is provided transferring the first wrapping equipment to an extraction station and extracting the container from the first equipment.

[0028] Preferably, it is provided providing a second wrapping equipment and inserting the container into an insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment with the lid facing a back wall of the second equipment.

[0029] Preferably, it is provided completing the wrapping of the container with the wrapping sheet.

[0030] Preferably, the above actions are performed one after the other.

[0031] The Applicant has verified that the container can be inserted into the first wrapping equipment with its back wall facing a back wall of the first equipment and with the lid above the back wall of the container and facing the insertion opening. In this way, the products in the container cannot reach the lid and, in any case, are not able to exert significant pressure on the lid.

[0032] The Applicant has verified that the container can then begin to be wrapped with the wrapping sheet without the lid being able to move or shift relative to the rest of the container as a result of the movement of the products inside the container.

[0033] The Applicant has found that when one part of the container has been wrapped, the container can be transferred to the second wrapping equipment and follow the second wrapping path to complete the wrapping of the container with the wrapping sheet.

[0034] The Applicant has verified that by arranging the insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment with its own insertion opening facing the insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment and arranging the additional pusher to push the container out of the first wrapping equipment and against the back wall in the second wrapping equipment, the container lid can be brought up against the back wall of the second wrapping equipment. In this way, wrapping operations can be completed while the lid of the container is found and held in the closed position and thus without the possibility that the pressure exerted by the products on the lid can shift or move the lid with respect to the container.

[0035] The expression "above" is understood in this description and subsequent claims to mean an indication of the relative position of one element with respect to another along a direction parallel and concordant to the force of gravity. For example, when a first element is placed above a second element, the second element is placed between a support surface (such as the floor of a factory) and the first element.

[0036] The expression "below" is understood in this description and subsequent claims to mean an indication of the relative position of one element with respect to another along a direction parallel and concordant to the force of gravity. For example, when a first element is placed below a second element, the first element is placed between a support surface (such as the floor of a factory) and the second element.

[0037] The term "horizontal" is understood in this description and subsequent claims to mean a direction perpendicular to the force of gravity. As an example, a horizontal plane is a plane parallel to the floor of a factory in which the wrapping machine is placed.

[0038] The present invention can have at least one of the preferred features described below. These features may be present individually or in combination, unless expressly stated otherwise, either in the device for wrapping a container or in the method for wrapping a container of the present invention.

[0039] Preferably, it is provided arranging the container with a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall running between the back wall and the lid.

[0040] Preferably, the first side wall is opposite the second side wall and the third side wall is opposite the fourth side wall, the third side wall and the fourth side wall run between the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0041] Preferably, the first wrapping equipment moves between the loading station and the extraction station along a first wrapping path.

[0042] Preferably, it is provided a first carousel rotatable around a horizontal axis of rotation.

[0043] Preferably, the first wrapping equipment is integral with said first carousel.

[0044] Preferably, said first carousel comprises a central portion traversed by a rotation shaft rotating about said horizontal axis of rotation.

[0045] Preferably, said first carousel comprises a peripheral portion connected to said central portion.

[0046] Preferably, said first wrapping equipment is placed at said peripheral portion.

[0047] Preferably, the first wrapping equipment rotates with said first carousel along a first circular path.

[0048] Preferably, said first wrapping path runs along an arc of said first circular path between the loading station and the extraction station.

[0049] Preferably, said insertion opening is at least partially located above the back wall of the first wrapping equipment during the rotation of the first wrapping equipment between the loading station and the extraction station.

[0050] Preferably, said insertion opening is at least partially located above the back wall of the first wrapping equipment when the first wrapping equipment is in the loading station.

[0051] Preferably, said insertion opening is located above the back wall of the first wrapping equipment when the first wrapping equipment is in the loading station.

[0052] Preferably, inserting the container into an insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment is performed with the container oriented with at least a portion of the lid above the back wall of the container.

[0053] Preferably, inserting the container into an opening of the first wrapping equipment is performed with the container lid placed above the back wall of the container.

[0054] Preferably, the loading station of the first wrapping path is traversed by a reference plane passing through said horizontal axis of rotation.

[0055] Preferably, the loading station of the first wrapping path is placed, along said first circular path, above a reference plane passing through said horizontal axis of rotation.

[0056] Preferably, the loading station of the first wrapping path is traversed by a plane perpendicular to said reference plane and containing said horizontal axis of rotation.

[0057] Preferably, said reference plane is a horizontal plane containing said horizontal axis of rotation.

[0058] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment is in the loading station of the first wrapping path, the back wall of the first equipment is substantially parallel to said reference plane.

[0059] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment is in the loading station of the first wrapping path, the lid of the container is substantially parallel to said reference plane.

[0060] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment is in the loading station of the first wrapping path, the back wall of the container is substantially parallel to said reference plane.

[0061] Preferably, inserting the container into an insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment comprises pushing the container into the first wrapping equipment by placing a wrapping sheet between the container and the first wrapping equipment.

[0062] Preferably, pushing the container into the first wrapping equipment is performed with the container oriented with at least a portion of the lid above the back wall of the container.

[0063] Preferably, pushing the container into the first wrapping equipment is performed with the container lid placed above the back wall of the container.

[0064] Preferably, pushing the container into the first wrapping equipment is performed by exerting a thrust force on the container lid.

[0065] Preferably, no folding device active on the wrapping sheet is interposed between the wrapping sheet loader and the insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment.

[0066] Preferably, partially wrapping the container with the wrapping sheet is performed between the loading station and the extraction station of the first wrapping path.

[0067] Preferably, partially wrapping the container with the wrapping sheet comprises placing the wrapping sheet to at least partially cover the first side wall, cover the back wall and at least partially cover the second side wall of the container.

[0068] Preferably, placing the wrapping sheet to at least partially cover the first side wall, cover the back wall and at least partially cover the second side wall of the container is performed with the first wrapping equipment at the loading station of the first wrapping path.

[0069] Preferably, first folding devices are placed along the first wrapping path and configured to fold the wrapping sheet onto the container walls.

[0070] Preferably, the first folding devices comprise a pair of folding walls of the first wrapping equipment.

[0071] Preferably, the pair of folding walls comprises a first folding wall and a second folding wall facing each other.

[0072] Preferably, the first folding wall and the second folding wall are placed between the back wall and the insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment and are configured to fold the wrapping sheet in at least partial coverage of the side walls of the container.

[0073] Preferably, placing a wrapping sheet to at least partially cover the first side wall, cover the back wall and at least partially cover the second side wall of the container comprises respectively placing the container in the first wrapping equipment with the wrapping sheet in contact with the back wall, the second folding wall and the first folding wall of the first wrapping equipment.

[0074] Preferably, the first folding wall extends for the entire length, between the back wall and the lid, of a respective side wall of the container.

[0075] Preferably, the second folding wall extends only partially along the extension, between the back wall and the lid, of a respective side wall of the container.

[0076] Preferably, partially wrapping the container with the wrapping sheet also includes placing the wrapping sheet to at least partially cover the third side wall and at least partially cover the fourth side wall of the container.

[0077] Preferably, the first folding devices also comprise folding appendages facing each other.

[0078] Preferably, folding appendages are placed between the pair of folding walls and between the back wall and the insertion opening and are configured to fold the wrapping sheet in at least partial coverage of additional container side walls.

[0079] Preferably, arranging the wrapping sheet to at least partially cover the third side wall and at least partially cover the fourth side wall of the container comprises placing the container in the first wrapping equipment with the wrapping sheet in contact with the folding appendages.

[0080] Preferably, placing the wrapping sheet to at least partially cover the third side wall and at least partially cover the fourth side wall of the container is performed with the first wrapping equipment at the loading station of the first wrapping path.

[0081] Preferably, partially wrapping the container with the wrapping sheet comprises arranging the wrapping sheet to completely cover the lid.

[0082] Preferably, placing the wrapping sheet to completely cover the lid is performed with the container oriented with at least a portion of the lid above the back wall of the container.

[0083] Preferably, arranging the wrapping sheet to completely cover the lid is performed during transferring the first wrapping equipment from the loading station to the extraction station of the first wrapping path.

[0084] Preferably, arranging the wrapping sheet to completely cover the lid is performed during the rotation of the first wrapping equipment from the loading station to the extraction station of the first wrapping path.

[0085] Preferably, placing the wrapping sheet to completely cover the lid comprises folding the wrapping sheet over the lid of the container.

[0086] Preferably, the first folding devices comprise a folding surface arranged along the first wrapping path and active at the insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment.

[0087] Preferably, the folding surface is active in the direction between the first folding wall and the second folding wall and is configured to fold the wrapping sheet to cover the container lid.

[0088] Preferably, the folding surface extends between the loading station and the extraction station of the first wrapping path.

[0089] Preferably, the folding surface extends along an arc of a circle having a centre traversed by the horizontal axis of rotation of the first carousel.

[0090] Preferably, the folding surface extends parallel to said arc of a circle of the first circular path of the first wrapping path.

[0091] Preferably, the folding surface is tangent to a free end of the first folding wall facing the insertion opening.

[0092] Preferably, said free end of the first folding wall is kept tangent to the folding surface during the rotation of the first carousel.

[0093] Preferably, the folding surface is not active on the insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment when the first wrapping equipment is in the loading station.

[0094] Preferably, the folding surface is not active on the insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment when the first wrapping equipment is in the extraction station.

[0095] Preferably, the folding surface is active on the insertion opening of the first wrapping equipment when the first wrapping equipment is between the loading station and the extraction station.

[0096] Preferably, the wrapping sheet is folded to cover the container lid also on the first side wall of the container.

[0097] Preferably, folding the wrapping sheet also on the first side wall of the container is performed with the container oriented with at least a portion of the lid above the back wall of the container.

[0098] Preferably, folding the wrapping sheet also on the first side wall of the container comprises overlapping a portion of the wrapping sheet on the portion of the wrapping sheet placed to partially cover the first side wall of the container.

[0099] Preferably, the first folding devices further comprise a folding insert movable between an inactive and an active position.

[0100] Preferably, said folding insert, when in the active position, operates in said first wrapping equipment at the second folding wall and is configured to fold said wrapping sheet.

[0101] Preferably, said folding insert is placed between the loading station and the extraction station of the first wrapping path.

[0102] Preferably, said folding insert, when in the active position, is inserted into said wrapping equipment through the insertion opening.

[0103] Preferably, said folding insert, when in the active position, is inserted into said wrapping equipment until it reaches the free end of the second folding wall facing the insertion opening.

[0104] Alternatively, said folding insert, when in the active position, is inserted into said wrapping equipment and does not reach the free end of the second folding wall facing the insertion opening.

[0105] Alternatively, said folding insert, when in the active position, is inserted into said wrapping equipment and goes beyond the free end of the second folding wall facing the insertion opening.

[0106] Preferably, said folding surface comprises a through opening; said folding insert passes through said through opening in the transition between the inactive and active positions.

[0107] Preferably, the portion of the wrapping sheet overlapped on the portion of the wrapping sheet to partially cover the second side wall of the container and the portion of the wrapping sheet to partially cover the second side wall of the container are to be welded together.

[0108] Preferably, welding together the portion of the wrapping sheet overlapping the portion of the wrapping sheet placed to partially cover the second side wall of the container and the portion of the wrapping sheet placed to partially cover the second side wall of the container is performed with the container oriented with at least a portion of the lid above the back wall of the container.

[0109] Preferably, there is a first welder of the first wrapping path placed between the loading station and the extraction station.

[0110] Preferably, the first welder is movable between an inactive and an active position.

[0111] Preferably, said first welder, when in the active position, operates in said wrapping equipment at the second folding wall and is configured to weld overlapping portions of said wrapping sheet.

[0112] Preferably, transferring the first wrapping equipment to the extraction station of the first wrapping path is performed by rotating the first wrapping equipment around said horizontal axis of rotation in a first angular direction.

[0113] Preferably, transferring the first wrapping equipment to an extraction station is performed, at least in part, with the container oriented with at least a portion of the lid placed above the back wall of the container.

[0114] Preferably, transferring the first wrapping equipment to an extraction station comprises bringing the first equipment from the loading station to an intermediate position, along the first wrapping path, that precedes the extraction station with the container oriented with at least a portion of the lid always placed above the back wall of the container.

[0115] Preferably, transferring the first wrapping equipment to an extraction station comprises bringing the first equipment from the intermediate position to the extraction station.

[0116] Preferably, said intermediate position is closer to the extraction station than to the loading station.

[0117] Preferably, in this intermediate position the folding surface is only partially active on the first wrapping equipment.

[0118] Preferably, the extraction station of the first wrapping path is placed, along said first circular path, at said reference plane.

[0119] Preferably, the extraction station of the first wrapping path is traversed by said reference plane.

[0120] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment is in the extraction station of the first wrapping path, the back wall of the first equipment is substantially perpendicular to said reference plane.

[0121] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment is in the extraction station of the first wrapping path, the lid of the container is substantially perpendicular to said reference plane.

[0122] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment is in the extraction station of the first wrapping path, the back wall of the container is substantially perpendicular to said reference plane.

[0123] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment reaches the extraction station of the first wrapping path, the container is only partially wrapped with the wrapping sheet.

[0124] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment reaches the extraction station of the first wrapping path, the lid of the container is wrapped with the wrapping sheet.

[0125] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment reaches the extraction station of the first wrapping path, the container is transferred to the second wrapping equipment located in a loading station of a second wrapping path.

[0126] Preferably, providing a second wrapping equipment and inserting the container into a second wrapping equipment insertion opening is performed with said loading station of the second wrapping equipment facing the extraction station of the first wrapping equipment.

[0127] Preferably, providing a second wrapping equipment and inserting the container into an insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment is performed with the container only partially wrapped with the wrapping sheet.

[0128] Preferably, extracting the container from the first wrapping equipment comprises pushing the back wall of the container away from the first wrapping equipment.

[0129] Preferably, the back wall of the first wrapping equipment forms said additional pusher and is movable between a receiving position and an ejecting position.

[0130] Preferably, in the ejecting position, the back wall reaches the insertion opening.

[0131] Preferably, in the ejecting position, the back wall of the first wrapping equipment goes beyond the insertion opening and reaches the insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment.

[0132] Preferably, said back wall is placed in the ejecting position when the first wrapping equipment is in said extraction station in order to transfer the container to the second wrapping equipment.

[0133] Preferably, a second carousel is provided rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation.

[0134] Preferably, the second wrapping equipment is integral with said second carousel.

[0135] Preferably, said second carousel comprises a central portion traversed by a rotating shaft rotating about said horizontal axis of rotation.

[0136] Preferably, said second carousel comprises a peripheral portion connected to said central portion.

[0137] Preferably, said second wrapping equipment is placed at said peripheral portion.

[0138] Preferably, the second wrapping equipment rotates with said second carousel along a second circular path.

[0139] Preferably, said second wrapping path extends along an arc of said second circular path between the loading station and the extraction station.

[0140] Preferably, the first carousel and the second carousel rotate in respective angular directions concordant to each other.

[0141] Preferably, the axis of rotation of the first carousel and the axis of rotation of the second carousel lie on a common reference plane.

[0142] Preferably, said common reference plane coincides with said horizontal reference plane.

[0143] Preferably, the loading station of the second wrapping path is placed along said second circular path at said reference plane.

[0144] Preferably, the loading station of the second wrapping path is traversed by said reference plane.

[0145] Preferably, when the second wrapping equipment is in the loading station of the second wrapping path, the back wall of the second equipment is substantially perpendicular to said reference plane.

[0146] Preferably, when the second wrapping equipment is in the loading station of the second wrapping path and the first wrapping equipment is in the extraction station of the first wrapping path, the back wall of the second equipment and the back wall of the first wrapping equipment are parallel.

[0147] Preferably, when the second wrapping equipment is in the loading station of the second wrapping path, the container lid is substantially perpendicular to said reference plane.

[0148] Preferably, when the second wrapping equipment is in the loading station of the second wrapping path, the back wall of the container is substantially perpendicular to said reference plane.

[0149] Preferably, when the first wrapping equipment reaches the extraction station of the first wrapping path, the lid of the container is wrapped with the wrapping sheet.

[0150] Preferably, inserting the container into an insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment comprises bringing the lid of the container to rest against the back wall of the second wrapping equipment.

[0151] Preferably, inserting the container into an insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment comprises placing the back wall of the container at the insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment.

[0152] Preferably, inserting the container into an insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment comprises retaining the container with the lid against the back wall of the second wrapping equipment.

[0153] Preferably, retaining the container with the lid against the back wall of the second wrapping equipment comprises retaining the back wall of the container with a retaining tooth.

[0154] Preferably, completing the wrapping of the container with the wrapping sheet is performed along the second wrapping path.

[0155] Preferably, completing the wrapping of the container with the wrapping sheet is performed with the container lid resting against the back wall of the second wrapping equipment.

[0156] Preferably, completing the wrapping of the container with the wrapping sheet is performed by abutting the back wall of the container with the retaining tooth.

[0157] Preferably, completing the wrapping of the container with the wrapping sheet comprises arranging the wrapping sheet to completely cover the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0158] Preferably, placing the wrapping sheet to completely cover the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container comprises turning up the wrapping sheet to cover the lid on the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0159] Preferably, there are second folding devices placed along the second wrapping path and configured to fold the wrapping sheet onto the walls of the container.

[0160] Preferably, the second folding devices comprise mutually facing folding appendages of the second wrapping equipment.

[0161] Preferably, the second wrapping equipment comprises a pair of containment walls comprising a first containment wall and a second containment wall facing each other and placed between the back wall and the insertion opening.

[0162] Preferably, the folding appendages of the second wrapping equipment are placed between the pair of containment walls and between the back wall and the insertion opening, and are configured to fold the wrapping sheet to cover said additional side walls of the container.

[0163] Preferably, turning up the wrapping sheet to cover the lid onto the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container comprises placing the container in the second wrapping equipment with the wrapping sheet to cover the lid in contact with the folding appendages.

[0164] Preferably, placing the container in the second wrapping equipment with the wrapping sheet to cover the lid in contact with the folding appendages is performed with the second wrapping equipment in the loading station of the second wrapping path.

[0165] Preferably, placing the wrapping sheet to completely cover the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container also comprises turning up the wrapping sheet to cover the first side wall of the container onto the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0166] Preferably, turning up the wrapping sheet to cover the first side wall of the container onto the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container is subsequently implemented to turn up the wrapping sheet to cover the lid onto the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0167] Preferably, the second folding devices also comprise a first pair of active folding surfaces on the second wrapping equipment in the direction directed between the first containment wall and the second containment wall.

[0168] Preferably, said first pair of folding surfaces is placed at the loading station of the second wrapping path.

[0169] Preferably, said first pair of folding surfaces is configured to turn up the wrapping sheet to cover the first side wall of the container onto the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0170] Preferably, said first pair of folding surfaces is movable between an inactive position, in which it is moved away from the second wrapping equipment when arranged in the loading station of the second wrapping path, and an active position in which it is inserted into the second wrapping equipment when arranged in the loading station of the second wrapping path.

[0171] Preferably, the first pair of folding surfaces is placed in the active position after the container is inserted into the second wrapping equipment.

[0172] Preferably, the first pair of folding surfaces is placed in the active position after the second containment wall is placed in the active position.

[0173] Preferably, a first folding surface of the first pair of folding surfaces extends between the back wall and the insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment.

[0174] Preferably, a second folding surface of the first pair of folding surfaces extends between the back wall and the insertion opening of the second wrapping equipment.

[0175] Preferably, placing the wrapping sheet to completely cover the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container also comprises turning up the wrapping sheet to cover the second side wall of the container onto the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0176] Preferably, turning up the wrapping sheet to cover the second side wall on the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container is subsequently implemented by turning up the wrapping sheet to cover the first side wall on the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0177] Preferably, the second folding devices further comprise a second pair of folding surfaces active on the second wrapping equipment in the direction directed between the second containment wall and the first containment wall.

[0178] Preferably, said second pair of folding surfaces is placed between the loading station and the extraction station of the second wrapping path.

[0179] Preferably, said second pair of folding surfaces is not active on the second wrapping equipment when the second wrapping equipment is in the loading station.

[0180] Preferably, said second pair of folding surfaces is not active on the second wrapping equipment when the second wrapping equipment is in the extraction station.

[0181] Preferably, said second pair of folding surfaces is configured to fold the wrapping sheet to cover the second side wall onto the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0182] Preferably, portions of the wrapping sheet are welded together to completely cover the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0183] Preferably, a first welder is placed along said second wrapping path and configured to weld together portions of wrapping sheet folded onto the container walls.

[0184] Preferably, the first welder is active on the third side wall and the fourth side wall of the container.

[0185] Preferably, the side walls of the container wrapped with the wrapping sheet are heated in order to stretch the wrapping sheet onto the container.

[0186] Preferably, heating the side walls of the container is implemented at a temperature below the welding temperature of the wrapping sheet.

[0187] Preferably, heating the side walls of the container is implemented after welding the first surplus and the second surplus of wrapping sheet together.

[0188] Preferably, heating the side walls of the container comprises heating the third and fourth side walls of the container.

[0189] Preferably, a stretching device is provided that heats the wrapping sheet already wrapped onto the container.

[0190] Preferably, the stretching device comprises a heater active on the second pair of folding surfaces.

[0191] Preferably, the second pair of folding surfaces is heated by said heater.

[0192] Preferably, said heater is active on a portion of the second pair of folding surfaces arranged between the second pair of welders and the extraction station of the second wrapping path.

[0193] Preferably, it is provided extracting the container from the second wrapping equipment at the extraction station of the second wrapping path.

[0194] Preferably, extracting the container from the second wrapping equipment is performed with the container oriented with at least a portion of the lid above the back wall of the container.

[0195] Preferably, extracting the container from the second wrapping equipment is performed with the container lid placed above the back wall of the container.

[0196] Preferably, the extraction station of the second wrapping path is placed, along said second circular path, below said reference plane.

[0197] Preferably, the extraction station of the second wrapping path is traversed by a plane perpendicular to said reference plane and containing said horizontal axis of rotation of the second carousel.

[0198] Preferably, when the second wrapping equipment is in the extraction station of the second wrapping path, the back wall of the second equipment is substantially parallel to said reference plane.

[0199] Preferably, when the second wrapping equipment is in the extraction station of the second wrapping path, the back wall is placed above the insertion opening of the second equipment.

[0200] Preferably, when the second wrapping equipment is in the extraction station of the second wrapping path, the lid of the container is substantially parallel to said reference plane.

[0201] Preferably, when the second wrapping equipment is in the extraction station of the second wrapping path, the back wall of the container is substantially parallel to said reference plane.

[0202] Preferably, extracting the container from the second wrapping equipment comprises bringing an extractor closer to the container contained in the second wrapping equipment.

[0203] Preferably, bringing an extractor closer to the container comprises leaning an extractor against the back wall of the container.

[0204] Preferably, extracting the container from the second wrapping equipment comprises removing the retaining tooth from the back wall of the container.

[0205] Preferably, bringing an extractor closer to the container contained in the second wrapping equipment is performed when the second wrapping equipment is in the extraction station.

[0206] Preferably, a plurality of first wrapping equipments are spaced out along the first wrapping path.

[0207] Preferably, a plurality of second wrapping equipments are spaced out along the second wrapping path.

[0208] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the appended drawings and provided by way of indicative and nonlimiting example, in which:

• figure 1 is a schematic front view of a wrapping machine for a container filled with loose products in accordance with the present invention;
• figures 2 and 3 are schematic perspective views of a first detail of the wrapping machine in figure 1 in two different operating conditions;
• figures 4 and 5 are schematic front views of a second detail of the wrapping machine in figure 1 in two different operating conditions;
• figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the detail in figures 4 and 5 in a further operating condition;
• figures 7 and 8 are schematic front views of a third detail of the wrapping machine in figure 1 in two different operating conditions;
• figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a container filled with loose items without outer wrap; and
• figures 10 to 14 are schematic perspective views of the container in figure 9 during different wrapping sequences.

[0209] A wrapping machine for a container filled with loose products in accordance with the present invention is shown in figure 1 by reference number 10.

[0210] The wrapping machine 10 is configured to wrap a container 200 containing loose items with a wrap 100.

[0211] The wrap 100 may for example be a barrier material with barrier properties against the passage of water vapour and oxygen so as to preserve the properties of the loose items contained in the container 200. The barrier material may, for example, be a barrier paper with a thickness of a few microns, e.g. comprised between 40 and 70 microns, made in the form of a sheet that is wrapped around the container 200.

[0212] As shown in Figure 9, the container 200 to be wrapped comprises a back wall 201 and lid 202 opposite the back wall 201. The lid 202 for the container 200 closes a top opening (not shown) configured for the insertion and extraction of loose items from the container 200.

[0213] The container 200 further comprises a first side wall 203, a second side wall 204, a third side wall 205 and a fourth side wall 206 which extend between the back wall 201 and the lid 202.

[0214] The first side wall 203 is opposite the second side wall 204 and the third side wall 205 is opposite the fourth side wall 206.

[0215] The side walls 203, 204, 205, 206 are not perfectly flat but comprise a convexity between the back wall 201 and the lid 202.

[0216] Between the side walls 203, 204, 205, 206 there are chamfered edges, i.e. the side walls 203, 204, 205, 206 are not connected to each other by sharp edges but by chamfers.

[0217] In the illustrated embodiment of the container 200, the back wall 201 has a smaller extension than the lid 202.

[0218] The container 200 is filled with loose items preferably food products, such as candies, sweets, chewing gum in tablet form, chocolates and the like, and is closed by the lid 202.

[0219] With reference to figure 1, the wrapping machine 10 comprises a first carousel 11 and a second carousel 12.

[0220] The first carousel 11 is rotatable along a first angular direction A about a horizontal axis of rotation X1.

[0221] The second carousel 12 is rotatable along a second angular direction B about a horizontal axis of rotation X2.

[0222] The axis of rotation X1 of the first carousel 11 and the axis of rotation X2 of the second carousel 12 are parallel to each other and lie on the same horizontal reference plane R1. The first angular direction A and the second angular direction B are mutually concordant.

[0223] The first carousel 11 comprises a central portion 13 traversed by a shaft (not shown) which defines the axis of rotation X1 and which is set in rotation by a motor (not shown). The first carousel 11 also includes a peripheral portion 14 connected to the central portion 13. The peripheral portion 14 comprises a plurality of arms 15 connected at a first end to the central portion 13 and at a second end, opposite the first end, to a respective first wrapping equipment 16.

[0224] Similarly, the second carousel 12 comprises a central portion 17 traversed by a shaft (not shown) which defines the axis of rotation X2 and which is set in rotation by a motor (not shown). The second carousel 12 further comprises a peripheral portion 18 connected to the central portion 17. The peripheral portion 18 comprises a plurality of arms 19 connected at a first end to the central portion 17 and at a second end, opposite the first end, to a respective second wrapping equipment 20.

[0225] Each first wrapping equipment 16 rotates about the axis of rotation X1 of the first carousel 11 along a first circular path. In particular, each first wrapping equipment 16 rotates between a loading station CS1 and an extraction ES1 station of a first wrapping path WP1. Each first wrapping equipment 16 further rotates, beyond the first wrapping path WP1, between the extraction station ES1 and the loading station CS1, completing the circular path. The first wrapping path WP1 extends along an arc of the first circular path.

[0226] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first wrapping path WP1 is comprised between 45° and 180°, more preferably between 90° and 180°, preferably about 90°.

[0227] As shown schematically in figure 1, the loading station CS1 of the first wrapping path WP1 is traversed by a plane R2 (the trace of which is shown in figure 1) perpendicular to the reference plane R1 and containing the axis of rotation X1. The loading station CS1 of the first wrapping path WP1 is located above the reference plane R1.

[0228] The extraction station ES1 of the first wrapping path WP1 is located at the reference plane R1 and traversed by said reference plane R1.

[0229] Each second wrapping equipment 20 rotates about the axis of rotation X2 of the second carousel 12 along a second circular path. In particular, each second wrapping equipment 20 rotates between a loading station CS2 and an extraction station ES2 of a second wrapping path WP2. Each second wrapping equipment 20 also rotates, beyond the second wrapping path WP2, between the extraction station ES2 and the loading station CS2, completing the circular path. The second wrapping path WP2 extends along an arc of the first circular path.

[0230] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the second wrapping path WP2 is comprised between 90° and 270°, more preferably comprised between 180° and 270°, preferably about 270°.

[0231] As shown schematically in figure 1, the loading station CS2 of the second wrapping path WP2 is located at the reference plane R1 and traversed by said reference plane R1.

[0232] The extraction station ES2 of the second wrapping path WP2 is traversed by a plane R3 (the trace of which is shown in figure 1) perpendicular to the reference plane R1 and containing the axis of rotation X2. The extraction station ES2 of the second wrapping path WP2 is located below the reference plane R1.

[0233] The first wrapping equipments 16 are identical to each other. What will be described below in relation to a first wrapping equipment 16 is valid for all the first wrapping equipments 16.

[0234] As better illustrated in figure 2, the first wrapping equipment 16 comprises an insertion opening 21 through which a container 200 is inserted. Opposite the insertion opening 21 a back wall 22 is provided for the first wrapping equipment 16.

[0235] A first folding wall 23 and a second folding wall 24 extend laterally to the back wall 22 in the direction of the insertion opening 21. The first folding wall 23 faces the second folding wall 24 along the first angular direction A and is separated from the second folding wall 24 by the back wall 22. The first folding wall 23 extends along the full distance which separates the back wall 22 from the insertion opening 21. The first folding wall 23 is counter-shaped to the first side wall 203 of container 200. The second folding wall 24 extends from the back wall 22 towards the insertion opening 21 without, however, reaching it. The second folding wall 24 is counter-shaped to a single portion of the second side wall 204 of the container 200. The first folding wall 23 precedes the second folding wall 24 along the first wrapping path WP1. The first folding wall 23 and the second folding wall 24 are integral with the central portion 13 of the first carousel 11 and are not movable with respect to the central portion 13 of the first carousel 11.

[0236] The first wrapping equipment 16 also comprises folding appendages 25 facing each other in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation X1 of the first carousel 11. The folding appendages 25 comprise, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a first folding appendage 25a and a second folding appendage 25b. The folding appendages 25 are placed between the back wall 22 and the insertion opening 21 and extend between the first folding wall 23 and the second folding wall 24. The folding appendages 25 extend from the back wall 22 towards the insertion opening 21 without reaching it. The folding appendages 25 are countershaped to a single portion of the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200, respectively. The folding appendages 25 are integral with the back wall 22 and are connected to the back wall 22.

[0237] The first folding wall 23, the second folding wall 24, and the folding appendages 25 comprise respective free ends 23a, 24a, 25c facing the insertion opening 21. The free ends 23a, 24a of the first folding wall 23 and the second folding wall 24 are closer to the insertion opening 21 than the free ends 25c of the folding appendages 25. The free end 24a of the second folding wall 24 is further away from the insertion opening 21 than the free end 23a of the first folding wall 23.

[0238] The folding appendages 25 are spaced, along the first angular direction A, from the first folding wall 23 and the second folding wall 24 in such a way as to define respective passage openings 26, 27 for the first wrapping equipment 16. In particular, two passage openings 26 are defined between the folding appendages 25 and the first folding wall 23, and two passage openings 27 are defined between the folding appendages 25 and the second folding wall 24.

[0239] The back wall 22 of the first wrapping equipment 16 is movable with respect to the central portion 13 of the first carousel 11 between a receiving position and an ejecting position. In the receiving position, the back wall 22 is placed inside the first wrapping equipment 16 (as illustrated in figure 2). In the ejecting position (as illustrated in figure 5), the back wall 22 reaches and passes beyond, following a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation X1, the insertion opening 21. The folding appendages 25 move together with the back wall 22 between the receiving and ejecting positions.

[0240] An additional pusher 33a is configured to push the container out of the first wrapping equipment 16. The additional pusher 33a is movable between an inactive and an active position. The further pusher 33a is formed by the back wall 22 of the first wrapping equipment 16, the inactive position of the further pusher 33a coincides with the receiving position of the back wall 22 and the active position of the further pusher 33a coincides with the ejecting position of the back wall 22.

[0241] The wrapping machine 10 comprises, along the first WP1 wrapping path, first folding devices 50.

[0242] The first folding devices 50 comprise a folding surface 28. The folding surface 28 extends, along the first wrapping path WP1, following the loading station CS1 and prior to the extraction station ES1. The folding surface 28 does not extend at the loading station CS1 and at the extraction station ES1. The folding surface 28 extends along an arched direction and is tangent to the free end 24a of the first folding wall 24 during the rotation of the first wrapping equipment 16 between the loading station CS1 and the extraction station ES1.

[0243] The first folding devices 50 further comprise, along the first wrapping path WP1, a folding insert 29 which can be inserted into the first wrapping equipment 16 between the second folding wall 24 and the first folding wall 23. The folding insert 29 can be inserted into the first wrapping equipment 16 in substantial alignment with the second folding wall 24 between the free end 24a of the second folding wall 24 and the insertion opening 21. The folding insert 29 is movable between an inactive position, away from the first wrapping equipment 16 (figure 1) and an active position, inserted into the first wrapping equipment 16 (figure 2). The folding insert 29 is placed between the loading station CS1 and the extraction station ES1 of the first wrapping path WP1. To allow the folding insert 29 to be inserted into the first wrapping equipment 16, the folding surface 28 comprises a through opening 30 (figure 3) sized to allow the folding insert 29 to pass beyond the folding surface 28 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation X1.

[0244] The wrapping machine 10 further comprises, along the first wrapping path WP1, a first welder 31 (figure 3) which can be inserted into the first wrapping equipment 16 between the second folding wall 24 and the first folding wall 23. The first welder 31 can be inserted into the first wrapping equipment 16 in substantial alignment with the second folding wall 24 between the free end 24a of the second folding wall 24 and the insertion opening 21. The first welder 31 is movable between an inactive position, removed from the first wrapping equipment 16 (figure 1) and an active position, inserted into the first wrapping equipment 16. The first welder 31 is placed between the loading station CS1 and the extraction station ES1 of the first wrapping path WP1 at the folding insert 29. The first welder 31 is contained in the folding insert 29 and traverses the folding surface 28 via the through opening 30. The first welder 31 moves integral with the folding insert 29 and is placed in the active position when the folding insert 29 is in the active position and in the inactive position when the folding insert 29 is in the inactive position.

[0245] The wrapping machine 10 also comprises, along the first wrapping path WP1, a second welder 32 (figure 2). The second welder 32 can be provided as an alternative or in combination with the first welder 31. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the second welder 32 is provided in combination with the first welder 31. The second welder 32 is mounted directly on the first wrapping equipment 16 at the second folding wall 24. The second welder 32 is movable between an inactive position in which it is moved in the opposite direction to the first angular direction A from the second folding wall 24 and an active position in which it is placed between the free end 24a of the second folding wall 24 and the insertion opening 21. The second welder 32 is placed in the active position during the rotation of the first wrapping equipment 16 between the folding insert 29 and the extraction station ES1.

[0246] The wrapping machine 10 also comprises, along the first wrapping path WP1, a pusher 33 placed above the loading station CS1. The function of the pusher 33 is to push, accompanying it, a container 200 into a first wrapping equipment 16 when the latter is in the loading station CS1.

[0247] Between the pusher 33 and a first wrapping equipment 16 located in the loading station CS1 there is a wrapping sheet loader 52 (depicted in figure 2) configured to place a wrapping sheet 100 above the insertion opening 21 of the first wrapping equipment 16.

[0248] Between the wrapping sheet loader 52 and the insertion opening 21 of the first wrapping equipment 16 there is no folding device active on the wrapping sheet 100.

[0249] The wrapping sheet 100 is folded directly as a result of a contrasting action on the wrapping sheet 100 exerted by the first wrapping equipment 16.

[0250] The second wrapping equipments 20 are identical. What follows in relation to a second wrapping equipment 20 applies to all the second wrapping equipments 20.

[0251] As better illustrated in figures 4 to 6, the second wrapping equipment 20 includes an insertion opening 34 through which a container 200 is inserted. A back wall 35 is provided on the opposite side with respect to the insertion opening 34.

[0252] Lateral to the back wall 35, a first containment wall 36 and a second containment wall 37 extend in the direction of the insertion opening 34. The first containment wall 36 faces the second containment wall 37 along the second angular direction B and is separated from the second containment wall 37 by the back wall 35. The second containment wall 37 extends along the entire that separates the back wall 35 from the insertion opening 34. The second containment wall 37 is countershaped to the first side wall 203 of the container 200. The first containment wall 36 extends from the back wall 35 towards the insertion opening 34 without, however, reaching it. The first containment wall 36 is countershaped to a single portion of the second side wall 204 of the container 200. The second containment wall 37 follows the first containment wall 36 along the second wrapping path WP2. The first containment wall 36 is integral with the central portion 17 of the second carousel 12 and is not movable with respect to the central portion 17 of the second carousel 12. The second containment wall 37 comprises a retaining tooth 38. The second containment wall 37 is movable with respect to the first containment wall 36. In particular, the second containment wall 37 is movable between an inactive position, illustrated in figure 5, in which the retaining tooth 38 is moved away from the insertion opening 34 and an active position (figure 6) in which the retaining tooth 38 is placed at the insertion opening 34.

[0253] The second wrapping equipment 20 also comprises folding appendages 39 facing each other in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation X2 of the second carousel 12. The folding appendages 25 comprise, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a first folding appendage 39a and a second folding appendage (not illustrated in the accompanying figures). The folding appendages 39 are placed between the back wall 35 and the insertion opening 34 and extend between the first containment wall 36 and the second containment wall 37. The folding appendages 39 extend from the back wall 35 towards the insertion opening 34 without, however, reaching it. The folding appendages 39 are countershaped to a single portion of the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200, respectively. The folding appendages 39 are integral with the back wall 35 and are connected to the back wall 35.

[0254] The first containment wall 36, and folding appendages 39 comprise respective free ends 36a, 39c (figure 4) facing the insertion opening 34. The free end 36a of the first containment wall 36 is closer to the insertion opening 34 than the free ends 39c of the folding appendages 39. The second containment wall 37 extends with the retaining tooth 38 beyond the insertion opening 34.

[0255] The back wall 35 of the second wrapping equipment 20 may, in some embodiments, be movable with respect to the central portion 17 of the second carousel 12 between a receiving position and an ejecting position. In the receiving position, the back wall 35 is placed inside the second wrapping equipment 20. In the ejecting position, the back wall 35 reaches and passes beyond, following a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation X2, the insertion opening 34. The folding appendages 39 move, when the back wall 35 is movable, together with the back wall 35 between the receiving position and the ejecting position.

[0256] The wrapping machine 10 comprises, along the second wrapping path WP2, second folding devices 51.

[0257] The second folding devices 51 comprise a first pair of folding surfaces 40. The first pair of folding surfaces 40 is placed at the loading station CS2 of the second wrapping path WP2 and precedes, along the second angular direction B, the second wrapping equipment 20 when in the loading station CS2. The first pair of folding surfaces 40 extends between the back wall 35 and the insertion opening 34 of the second wrapping equipment 20. The first pair of folding surfaces 40 is movable between an inactive position (figure 5) and an active position (figure 6). In the inactive position, the first pair of folding surfaces 40 is moved away from the second wrapping equipment 20 and in the active position the first pair of folding surfaces 40 is inserted into the second wrapping equipment 20. When the first pair of folding surfaces 40 is inserted into the second wrapping equipment 20, the first pair of folding surfaces 40 is arranged between the second containment wall 37 and the first containment wall 36. The transition between the inactive and active position takes place with the first pair of folding surfaces 40 progressively entering the second wrapping equipment 20 from the second containment wall 37 towards the first containment wall 36. The extension in the direction from the second containment wall 37 towards the first containment wall 36 of the first pair of folding surfaces 40 is at least equal to half the distance separating the second containment wall 37 from the first containment wall 36. In the active position, the first pair of folding surfaces 40 can at least partially overlap the folding appendages 39 (figure 6). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a first folding surface of the first pair of folding surfaces 40 is countershaped to the third side wall 205 of the container 200. A second folding surface of the first pair of folding surfaces 40 is countershaped to the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200.

[0258] The second folding devices 51 comprise a second pair of folding surfaces 41 along the second wrapping path WP2. The second pair of folding surfaces 41 extends, along the second wrapping path WP2, following the loading station CS2 and prior to the extraction station ES2. The second pair of folding surfaces 41 does not extend at the loading station CS2 and at the extraction station ES2. The second pair of folding surfaces 41 extends along an arched direction along the second wrapping path WP2. The second pair of folding surfaces 41 extends perpendicular to the second containment wall 37 and to the first containment wall 36. The second pair of folding surfaces 41 extends parallel to the folding appendages 39. The distance in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation X2 separating the folding surfaces of the second pair of folding surfaces 41 is at least equal to, preferably slightly greater than, the distance in the same direction separating the folding appendages 39 from each other.

[0259] The wrapping machine 10 also comprises, along the second wrapping path WP2, a first pair of welders 42. The first pair of welders 42 is placed between the loading station CS2 and the extraction station ES2. The first pair of welders 42 is movable between an active and an inactive position. The first pair of welders 42 is, in the active position, essentially coplanar to the second pair of folding surfaces 41. The first pair of welders 42 is, in the active position, placed in the openings of the second pair of folding surfaces 41 so that it can reach and act on the second wrapping equipment 20. In the inactive position, the first pair of welders 42 does not obstruct access to the openings of the second pair of folding surfaces 41.

[0260] The first pair of welders 42, in the active position, acts on the second wrapping equipment 20 on opposite sides facing the folding appendages 39. The first pair of welders 42, in the active position, is parallel to the folding appendages 39. The first pair of welders 42, in the active position, acts on the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200.

[0261] The wrapping machine 10 also comprises, along the second wrapping path WP2, a second pair of welders 43 (illustrated in figure 1). The second pair of welders 43 is placed between the loading station CS2 and the extraction station ES2. The second pair of welders 43 is placed between the first pair of welders 42 and the extraction station ES2. The second pair of welders 43 is movable between an active and an inactive position. The second pair of welders 43, in the active position, is essentially coplanar to the second pair of folding surfaces 41. The second pair of welders 43, in the active position, is placed in the openings of the second pair of folding surfaces 41 so that it can reach and act on the second wrapping equipment 20. In the inactive position, the second pair of welders 43 does not obstruct access to the openings of the second pair of folding surfaces 41.

[0262] The second pair of welders 43, in the active position, acts on the second wrapping equipment 20 on opposite sides facing the folding appendages 39. The second pair of welders 43, in the active position, is parallel to the folding appendages 39.

[0263] The second pair of welders 43, in the active position, acts on the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200. The second pair of welders 43 is essentially identical to the first pair of welders 42.

[0264] The wrapping machine 10 further comprises, along the second wrapping path WP2, a stretching device 46. The stretching device 46 is placed between the second pair of welders 43 and the extraction station ES2. The stretching device 46 is preferably integrated into the second pair of folding surfaces 41. The stretching device 46 is preferably integrated into the second pair of folding surfaces 41 in a portion of the second pair of folding surfaces 41 extending between the second pair of welders 43 and the extraction station ES2. The stretching device 46 includes a heater 47, preferably of the electric type. The second pair of folding surfaces 41 is connected to the heater 47 to increase the surface temperature thereof. This surface temperature is comprised between 40°C and 100 °C, preferably comprised between 40°C and 80°C. Figure 1 only schematically shows the stretching device 46 and the heater 47.

[0265] The wrapping machine 10 comprises, at the extraction station ES2, an extractor 44 (better illustrated in figures 7 and 8). The extractor 44 is movable towards (figure 7) and away (figure 8) from the second wrapping equipment 29 when the latter is in the extraction station ES2. The extractor 44 includes a base wall 45 configured to support the back wall 201 of the container 200.

[0266] The wrapping machine 10 can be used in a method for wrapping a container containing loose products.

[0267] This method involves feeding a sequence of containers 200 at the pusher 33 and feeding a wrapping sheet 100 below the pusher 33. As illustrated in figure 1, the wrapping sheet 100 is placed substantially perpendicular to an actuating direction of the pusher 33.

[0268] The pusher 33 contacts the lid 202 of a container 200 and pushes the container 200, through the insertion opening 21, into a first wrapping equipment 16 arranged in the loading station CS1 of the first wrapping path WP1.

[0269] The container 200, entering the first wrapping equipment 16, intercepts with the back wall 201 the wrapping sheet 100 and drags it inside the first wrapping equipment 16, as illustrated in figure 2.

[0270] During the insertion of the container 200 into the first wrapping equipment 16, the first folding wall 23 and the second folding wall 24 of the first wrapping equipment 16 intercept and fold the wrapping sheet 100 such that the wrapping sheet 100 is arranged to overlap and thus cover the back wall 201 and the first side wall 203 of the container 200 and partially cover the second side wall 204 of the container 200.

[0271] In the loading station CS1 of the first wrapping equipment WP1, the insertion opening 21 is located above the back wall 22 of the first wrapping equipment 16.

[0272] The container 200, during insertion into the first wrapping equipment 16 is oriented with the lid 202 placed above the back wall 201.

[0273] The lid 202 and the back wall 201 of the container 200 are arranged parallel to the reference plane R1.

[0274] When the back wall 202 of the container 200 reaches the back wall 22 of the first wrapping equipment 16, the folding appendages 25 intercept the wrapping sheet 100 and fold it, placing it to partially cover the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200 (figure 3).

[0275] Figure 10 illustrates how the wrapping sheet 100 partially wraps around the container 200 when the container 200 is inserted into the first wrapping equipment 16 and when the latter is in the loading station CS1 of the first wrapping path WP1.

[0276] As can be seen in figure 10, the wrapping sheet 100 covering the first side wall 203 of the container 200 is arranged with a first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet extending beyond the first side wall 203. Said first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet comprises a first portion 101a protruding beyond the first side wall 203 in a first direction extending away from the third side wall 205 and in a second direction extending away from the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200. In the example illustrated, the first portion 101a of the first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet is substantially perpendicular to the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200. The first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet comprises a second portion 101b extending beyond the first side wall 203 in the first direction away from the lid 202 of the container 200. In the example shown, the second portion 101b of the third surplus 101 of wrapping sheet is essentially perpendicular to the lid 202 of the container 200.

[0277] The wrapping sheet 100 partially covering the second side wall 204 of the container 200 is arranged with a second surplus 102 of wrapping sheet extending beyond the second side wall 204 in a first direction extending away from the third side wall 205 and in a second direction extending away from the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200. In the example illustrated, the second surplus 102 of wrapping sheet is essentially perpendicular to the third side wall 205 and to the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200.

[0278] The first surplus 101 and the second surplus 102 of wrapping sheet pass through the passage openings 26, 27 of the first wrapping equipment 16.

[0279] After the container 200 is inserted in the first wrapping equipment 16, the first equipment 16 is moved along the first wrapping path WP1 towards the extraction station ES1.

[0280] This is implemented by rotating the first carousel 11 about the axis of rotation X1. Such a rotation is preferably implemented step-by-step, i.e. it is not a rotation that occurs with continuity of displacement over time but one that occurs with continuous rotations of displacement interspersed with stops in the rotation.

[0281] The rotation of the first carousel 11 brings the first wrapping equipment 16 at the folding surface 28. The folding surface 28 intercepts the second portion 101b of the first surplus 101 and folds it to cover the lid 202 of the container 200, producing a third surplus 103 of wrapping sheet that extends beyond the lid 202 away from the second side wall 204 of the container 200, arranging the wrapping sheet 100 around the container as illustrated in figure 11. In the example illustrated, the third surplus 103 of the wrapping sheet is essentially perpendicular to the second side wall 204 of the container 200.

[0282] The rotation of the first carousel 11 subsequently brings the first wrapping equipment 16 to the folding insert 29 (which is in the inactive position). The rotation of the first carousel 11 is interrupted. The folding insert 29 is moved to the active position. The third surplus 103 of wrapping sheet is intercepted by the folding insert 29 and folded onto the second side wall 204 of the container. The third surplus 103 of wrapping sheet is arranged overlapping the portion of the wrapping sheet placed to partially cover the second side wall 204 of the container 200.

[0283] In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, when the first carousel 11 brings the first wrapping equipment 16 at the folding insert 29, one end of the portion of the wrapping sheet placed to partially cover the second side wall 204 of the container 200 is raised and is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second side wall 204 of the container. In this embodiment, when the folding insert 29 is brought into the active position and the third surplus 103 of wrapping sheet is folded over the second side wall 204 of the container, one end of the third surplus 103 of wrapping sheet is raised and arranged substantially perpendicular to the second side wall 204 of the container. The raised end of the portion of the wrapping sheet placed partially covering the second side wall 204 and the raised end of the third surplus 103 are placed in mutual contact.

[0284] In such an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the lifting of the end of the portion of the wrapping sheet placed to partially cover the second side wall 204 of the container 200 can, for example, be implemented by the folding insert 29 when it reaches the active position. In this position, the folding insert 29 intercepts the end of the portion of the wrapping sheet placed partially covering the second side wall 204 of the container 200 and pushes it towards the base wall 22 of the first wrapping equipment 16. The end of the portion of the wrapping sheet placed to partially cover the second side wall 204 and pushed by the folding insert 29 is folded by the free end 24a of the second folding wall 24. The folding insert 29 also overlaps the end of the third surplus 103 with the end of the portion of the wrapping sheet placed to partially cover the second side wall 204. When the folding insert 29 returns to the inactive position, the two overlapping ends of wrapping sheet are arranged (due to springback) overlapping each other and substantially perpendicular to the second side wall 204 of the container 200. Figure 12 illustrates, in the preferred embodiment, the wrapping sheet 100 as arranged around the container 200 following the folding of the third surplus 103 of wrapping sheet.

[0285] Figure 12 illustrates, in the preferred embodiment, the wrapping sheet 100 as arranged around the container 200 following the folding of the third surplus 103 of wrapping sheet.

[0286] During the operations described above, the lid 202 of the container 200 always remains at least partially above the back wall 201 of the container 200.

[0287] Thereafter, and with the first wrapping equipment 16 in the position reached, the first welder 31 welds together the third surplus 103 of wrapping sheet overlapping with the portion of wrapping sheet partially covering the second side wall 204 of the container 200 and the portion of wrapping sheet partially covering the second side wall 202 of the container 200.

[0288] Alternatively or in combination, the second welder 32 is brought into the active position by also welding together the third surplus 103 of wrapping sheet overlapping the portion of wrapping sheet partially covering the second side wall 204 of the container 200 and the portion of wrapping sheet partially covering the second side wall 202 of the container 200.

[0289] Following welding, the wrapping sheet 100 completely surrounds the back wall 201, the first side wall 203, the second side wall 204 and the lid 202 of the container 200 and is welded to itself, minimising or eliminating any accidental movement of the lid 202.

[0290] Subsequently, the first wrapping equipment 16 is again set in motion to reach the extraction station ES1 of the first wrapping path WP1.

[0291] The second welder 32, when provided, can remain in the active position during the movement of the first wrapping equipment 16 towards the extraction station ES1.

[0292] When the first wrapping equipment 16 reaches the extraction station ES1, the rotation of the first carousel 11 is stopped. The second carousel 12 is also in a standstill condition with a second wrapping equipment 20 at the loading station CS2 of the second wrapping path WP2, as illustrated in figure 4.

[0293] In this condition, the container 200 is transferred from the first wrapping equipment 16 to the second wrapping equipment 20.

[0294] The container 200 is extracted from the first wrapping equipment 16 by the additional pusher 33a. The container 200 is removed from the first wrapping equipment 16 by bringing the back wall 22 of the first wrapping equipment 16 to the ejecting position as shown in figure 5.

[0295] The container 200 is inserted into the second wrapping equipment 20 with the lid 202 (wrapped by the wrapping sheet 100) resting against the back wall 35 of the second wrapping equipment 20. When inserting the container 200 into the second wrapping equipment 20, the second containment wall 37 is in the inactive position so that the retaining tooth 38 does not obstruct the passage of the container 200 through the insertion opening 34 of the second wrapping equipment 20 (figure 5).

[0296] During insertion of the container 200 into the second wrapping equipment 20, the folding appendages 39 intercept the second portion 101b of the first surplus 101 of the wrapping sheet and fold it by arranging it to at least partially cover the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200.

[0297] In certain embodiments of the invention, the second portion 101b of the first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet folded by the folding appendages 39 are arranged partially overlapping the portions of wrapping sheet already arranged to partially cover (by the folding appendages 25 of the first wrapping equipment 16) the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200.

[0298] Figure 13 illustrates how the wrapping sheet 100 is partially wrapped around the container 200 when the container 200 is inserted into the second wrapping equipment 20 and when the latter is in the loading station CS2 of the second wrapping path WP2.

[0299] Following the insertion of the container 200 into the second wrapping equipment 20, the second containment wall 37 is placed in the active position by clamping the retaining tooth 38 in abutment on the back wall 201 of the container 200. This operation is carried out with the second carousel 12 stopped. The container 200 thus remains stably contained in the second wrapping equipment 20 with the lid 202 abutting against the back wall 35 of the second wrapping equipment 20 and prevented from moving relative to the rest of the container 200 regardless of the orientation of the lid 202 relative to the back wall 201 of the container 200.

[0300] Subsequently, or at the same time as placing the second containment wall 37 in the active position, the first pair of folding surfaces 40 is switched between the inactive and the active position, as illustrated in figure 6. The first pair of folding walls 40 folds the first portion 101a of the first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet onto the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200. The first portion 101a of the first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet folded onto the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200 overlaps at least partially with the second portion 101b of the first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet folded by the folding appendages 39 of the second wrapping equipment 20 and the portion of wrapping sheet folded by the folding appendages 25 of the first wrapping equipment 16.

[0301] This operation is carried out with the second carousel 12 stopped.

[0302] In the event that it is detected (e.g. by non-illustrated sensors) that the container 200 reaching the extraction station ES1 of the first wrapping path WP1 has defects, inaccuracies or is otherwise deemed to be incorrectly partially wrapped, the container 200 is not transferred from the first wrapping equipment 16 to the second wrapping equipment 20. The first wrapping equipment 20 remains in the extraction station ES1, leaving the back wall 22 of the first wrapping equipment 16 in the receiving position.

[0303] The rotation of the first carousel 11, previously stopped, is reactivated by bringing the first wrapping equipment 16 and with it the container 200 beyond the extraction station ES1 of the first wrapping path WP1. When the rotation of the first carousel 11 takes the first wrapping equipment past the extraction station ES1, the container 200 exits by gravity from the first wrapping equipment 16 and is ejected from the wrapping machine 10.

[0304] When the container 200 is transferred to the second wrapping equipment 20, the second wrapping equipment 20 with the container 200 inserted is moved along the second wrapping path WP2 towards the extraction station ES2.

[0305] At the same time, the first wrapping equipment 16 is brought towards the loading station CS1 of the first wrapping path WP1.

[0306] The rotation of the second carousel 12 brings the second wrapping equipment 20 to the second pair of folding surfaces 41. The second pair of folding surfaces 41 intercepts the second surplus 102 (and with it the third surplus 103 already welded to the second surplus 102) and folds it to cover the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200, arranging the wrapping sheet 100 to completely cover the container 200 as illustrated in figure 14. The second surplus 102 of folded wrapping sheet on the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200 overlaps at least partially with the first portion 101a of the first surplus 101 of folded wrapping sheet on the third side wall 205 and the fourth side wall 206 of the container 200.

[0307] Next, the second wrapping equipment 20 reaches the first pair of welders 42 which weld together the first portion 101a of the first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet over the second surplus 102 of wrapping sheet.

[0308] Subsequently, the second wrapping equipment 20 reaches the second pair of sealers 43, which completes the sealing (if not fully completed by the first pair of sealers 42) therebetween of the first portion 101a of the first surplus 101 of wrapping sheet overlapping the second surplus 102 of wrapping sheet.

[0309] Subsequently, the second wrapping equipment 20 reaches the stretching device 46 which heats the already wrapped wrapping sheet 100 to a temperature lower than the temperature required to weld portions of the wrapping sheet 100 together. The stretching device 46, by heating the wrapping sheet 100 already wrapped on the container 200, eliminates any small creases by stretching the wrapping sheet 100. This stretching effect is preferably implemented by the surfaces of the second pair of folding surfaces 41 heated by the heater 47 and in sliding contact against the side walls of the container 200.

[0310] The second wrapping equipment 20 is then moved along the second wrapping path WP2 to the extraction station ES2 by rotating the second carousel 12.

[0311] When the second wrapping equipment 20 reaches the extraction station ES2, the rotation of the second carousel 12 is stopped. In this condition, the lid 202 of the container 200 is placed above the back wall 201 of the container 200.

[0312] The extractor 44 is then brought closer to the second wrapping equipment 20 until the base wall 45 of the extractor contacts the back wall 202 of the container 200, as illustrated in figure 7. At this point, the second containment wall 37 is placed in the inactive position to release the back wall 202 of the container 200 from its constraint with the retaining tooth 38.

[0313] The container 200, by gravity, is supported by the ejector 44 alone, which, moving away from the second wrapping equipment 20, extracts the container 200 from the insertion opening 34 (figure 8).

[0314] The fully wrapped container 200 can then be transferred away from the wrapping machine 10.

[0315] The second carousel 12 is rotated again, bringing the second wrapping equipment 12 back to the loading station CS2 of the second transport path WP2.

[0316] In the event that it is detected (e.g. by sensors not illustrated) that the container reaching the extraction station ES2 has defects, inaccuracies or is otherwise deemed to be incorrectly wrapped, the extractor 44 is not activated. The second wrapping equipment 20 remains in the extraction station ES2 without any operations being carried out on the container 200 housed therein.

[0317] The rotation of the second carousel 12, previously stopped, is reactivated, bringing the second wrapping equipment 20 and with it the container 200 beyond the extraction station ES2. When the rotation of the second carousel 12 is stopped again, the container 200 is ejected from the second wrapping equipment 20. In this regard, the second containment wall 37 is placed in the inactive position to release the back wall 202 of the container 200 from its constraint with the retaining tooth 38. The container 200 exits by gravity from the second wrapping equipment 20 and is moved away from the wrapping machine 10.

[0318] The rotation of the first carousel 11 and the second carousel 12 are synchronised with each other in such a way that when the first carousel 11 is set in rotation, the second carousel 12 is also set in rotation at the same angular speed and in such a way that when the first carousel 11 is stopped, the second carousel 12 is also stopped.

[0319] In particular, when a first wrapping equipment 16 is in the loading station CS1 of the first wrapping path WP1, a further first wrapping equipment 16 is in the extraction station ES1 of the first wrapping path WP1. Between the first wrapping equipment 16 in the loading station CS1 and the further first wrapping equipment 16 in the extraction station ES1, a first wrapping equipment 16 placed along the first carousel 11 and along the first wrapping path WP1 is arranged at the further folding insert 29.

[0320] When a first wrapping equipment 16 is in the loading station CS1 of the first wrapping path WP1, a second wrapping equipment 20 is in the loading station CS2 of the second wrapping path WP2. When a second wrapping equipment 20 is in the loading station CS2 of the second wrapping path WP2, a further second wrapping equipment 20 is in the extraction station ES2 of the second wrapping path WP2. Between the second wrapping equipment 20 in the loading station CS2 and the further second wrapping equipment 20 in the extraction station ES2, five further second wrapping equipments 20 are arranged along the second carousel 12 and along the second wrapping path WP2.

[0321] Two first wrapping equipments 16 placed on the first carousel 11 and consecutive to each other are equidistant from each other by an angular distance equal to the angular distance dividing two second equipments 20 of the second carousel 12 from each other.

[0322] Two first wrapping equipments 16 placed on the first carousel 11 and consecutive to each other are equidistant from each other by an angular distance comprised between 5° and 45°, preferably comprised between 11.25° and 22.5°.

Claims

1. Wrapping machine (10) for a container (200) filled with loose products comprising:

a first wrapping path (WP1) extending between a respective loading station (CS1) and a respective extraction station (ES1);

a first wrapping equipment (16) movable along the first wrapping path (WP1), comprising an insertion opening (21) and a back wall (22) opposite the insertion opening (21);

a loader (52) of wrapping sheets (100) configured to place, in sequence, wrapping sheets (100) at the loading station (CS1);

a pusher (33) placed at the loading station (CS1) and configured to push a container into the first wrapping equipment (16) and against the back wall (22) while intercepting a wrapping sheet (100);

a second wrapping path (WP2), which is distinct from the first wrapping path (WP1) and extending between a respective loading station (CS2) and a respective extraction station (ES2), wherein said loading station (CS2) of the second wrapping path (WP2) is facing the extraction station (ES1) of the first wrapping path (WP1);

a second wrapping equipment (20) movable along the second wrapping path (WP2), comprising an insertion opening (34) and a back wall (35) opposite the insertion opening (34);

an additional pusher (33a) configured to push the container (200) out of the first wrapping equipment (16) and to push the container (200) against the back wall (35) into the second wrapping equipment (20);

wherein the insertion opening (34) of the second wrapping equipment (20), when in the loading station (CS2), faces the insertion opening (21) of the first wrapping equipment (16) when placed in the extraction station (ES1).

2. Wrapping machine (10) according to claim 1, comprising first folding devices (50) located along the first wrapping path (WP1) and configured to fold the wrapping sheet (100) onto walls of the container (200), and second folding devices (51) located along the second wrapping path (WP2) and configured to fold the wrapping sheet (100) onto walls of the container (200).

3. Wrapping machine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a first carousel (11) rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation (X1); said first wrapping equipment (15) being integral with said first carousel (11) and rotating with said first carousel (11) along a first circular path; said first wrapping path (WP1) running along an arc of said first circular path.

4. Wrapping machine (10) according to claim 3, wherein the loading station (CS1) of the first wrapping path (WP1) is placed, along said first circular path, above a reference plane (R1) passing through said horizontal axis of rotation (X1).

5. Wrapping machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a second carousel (12) rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation (X2); said second wrapping equipment (20) being integral with said second carousel (12) and rotating with said second carousel (12) along a second circular path; said second wrapping equipment (WP2) extending along an arc of said second circular path.

6. Wrapping machine (10) according to claims 3 and 5, wherein the first carousel (11) and the second carousel (12) rotate in respective angular directions (A, B) with respect to each other and wherein the axis of rotation (X1) of the first carousel (11) and the axis of rotation (X2) of the second carousel (12) lie on a common reference plane.

7. Wrapping machine (10) according to claim 6, wherein the extraction station (ES1) of the first wrapping path (WP1) is placed, along said first circular path, at said reference plane (R1), and wherein the loading station (CS2) of the second wrapping path (WP2) is placed, along said second circular path, at said reference plane (R1).

8. Wrapping machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said back wall (22) of the first wrapping equipment (16) defines said further pusher (33a) and is movable between a receiving position and an ejecting position in which the back wall (22) reaches the insertion opening (21), said back wall (22) being placed in the ejecting position when said first wrapping equipment (16) is in said extraction station (ES1).

9. Wrapping machine (10) according to claim 5, wherein said extraction station (ES2) of said second wrapping path (WP2) is placed, along said second circular path, below said reference plane (R1).

10. Wrapping machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein no folding device active on the wrapping sheet (100) is interposed between the wrapping sheets loader (52) and the insertion opening (21) of the first wrapping equipment (16).

11. Method of wrapping a container (200), comprising:

providing a container (200) containing loose products with a back wall (201) and a top opening, opposite the back wall (22), closed by a lid (202);

providing a first wrapping equipment (16) and inserting the container (200) into an insertion opening (21) of the first wrapping equipment (16), at a loading station (CS1), with the back wall (201) facing a back wall (22) of the first wrapping equipment (16) and with a wrapping sheet (100) inserted between the back wall (201) of the container (200) and the back wall (22) of the first wrapping equipment (16);

partially wrapping the container (200) with the wrapping sheet (100);

transferring the first wrapping equipment (16) to an extraction station (ES1) and extracting the container (200) from the first wrapping equipment (16);

providing a second wrapping equipment (20) and inserting the container (200) into an insertion opening (34) of the second wrapping equipment (20) with the lid (202) facing a back wall (35) of the second wrapping equipment (20);

completing the wrapping of the container (200) with the wrapping sheet (100).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein inserting the container (200) into an insertion opening (21) of the first wrapping equipment (16) occurs with the container (200) oriented with at least a portion of the lid (202) above the back wall (201) of the container (200).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein transferring the first wrapping equipment (16) to an extraction station (ES1) occurs, at least in part, with the container (200) oriented with at least a portion of the lid (202) arranged above the back wall (201) of the container (200).

14. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein completing the wrapping of the container (200) with the wrapping sheet (100) comprises transferring the second wrapping equipment (20) to an extraction station (ES2) and extracting the container (200) from the second wrapping equipment (20).

15. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein arranging a second wrapping equipment (20) and inserting the container (200) into an insertion opening (34) of the second wrapping equipment (20) is performed with the container (200) only partially wrapped with the wrapping sheet (100).

Drawing