WO2025172848A1

WO2025172848A1 - An apparatus for packaging articles internally of respective envelopes obtained from a continuous strip of paper material

Info

Publication number: WO2025172848A1
Application number: PCT/IB2025/051452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco Ponti
Original assignee: CMC SpA
Current assignee: CMC SpA
Priority date: 2024-02-16
Filing date: 2025-02-12
Publication date: 2025-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-16

Abstract

The apparatus realises envelopes to size on the basis of the dimensions and the effective volume occupied by the articles to be packaged, starting from a continuous strip of paper material.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES INTERNALLY OF RESPECTIVE ENVELOPES OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS STRIP OF PAPER MATERIAL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning the packaging of articles internally of relative envelopes obtained from a continuous strip made of paper material, being paper, in particular a strip made of a multilayer paper material, for example a strip formed by at least a layer of paper for packaging and by a layer of embossed paper glued to the layer of paper for packaging.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A known apparatus for packaging articles by wrapping starting from a continuous strip of paper material is described in Italian patent no. 102020000012661.

In the apparatus for packaging described in this document, the articles to be packaged are advanced one following another on conveyor means while the continuous strip of paper material is unwound from a relative reel and, by feeding means, is fed to the end of the conveyor means and transversally to the advancement direction of the articles.

Relay means are present for arranging the continuous strip of paper material so that a central part of the strip is brought into contact with an aspirated conveyor belt arranged consecutively to the conveyor means of the articles, and so that lateral parts of the strip remain in lateral projection from the conveyor means.

First application means of adhesive material are present, for applying transversal strips of adhesive material on the central part of the strip destined to be in contact with, and retained by, the aspirated conveyor, wherein the portions of the central part of the strip comprised between two consecutive transversal strips of adhesive material are destined to restingly receive one or more respective articles which are to be packaged internally of a respective envelope.

In this regard, the apparatus comprises detecting means for detecting the dimensions of the articles, in particular of the base face thereof, in such a way as to determine the extension thereof, i.e. the length, in the sense of the advancement direction thereof, in such a way that the first application means of adhesive material can be activated to apply, on the strip, the transversal strips of adhesive material spaced from one another by a distance at least greater than the length of the base face of the articles which are to be packaged in a respective envelope.

The articles are advanced by the conveyor means so as to convey them above the central part of the strip, arranged on the aspirated conveyor belt, with each of the articles being arranged between two respective consecutive transversal strips of adhesive material.

The aspirated conveyor belt then moves the strip, with the articles arranged on the relative central part, retaining the central part of the strip by aspiration, thus moving both the strip and the articles arranged thereon at the same time in a transport direction.

The apparatus for packaging further comprises a structure conformed as a tunnel which is associated to the aspirated conveyor and which is dimensioned and conformed to allow passage internally thereof of the articles transported by the aspirated conveyor above the central part of the strip, and folder means which are configured and conformed to abut the lateral parts of the strip, which laterally project from the aspirated conveyor, in order to fold the lateral parts about the structure conformed as a tunnel so as to overlap the two lateral flaps of the strip to form a tube of sheet wound about the structure conformed as a tunnel.

Second application means of adhesive material are present superiorly of the structure conformed as a tunnel for applying adhesive material on one of the two flaps of the strip made of paper material before the relative overlapping thereof, and, downstream of the structure conformed as a tunnel, at an interruption in the aspirated conveyor, compression and cutting means are present, configured and activatable to clamp the tube of sheet, in front of and behind the articles present internally of the tube of sheet, at the transversal strips of adhesive material, in order to realise the closing and cutting of the tube of sheet in order to obtain single envelopes with the respective articles internally thereof.

A packaging apparatus of this type, while effective in the packaging operations of articles internally of respective envelopes, has however some drawbacks. Primarily, independently of the effective dimensions of the articles, in particular of the width thereof, i.e. the extension thereof in the transversal direction with respect to the advancement direction of the central part of the continuous strip of paper material retained by suction by the aspirated conveyor, the envelopes obtained will always and in any case have a same predetermined width, which corresponds to the width (transversal extension) of the central part of the continuous strip of paper material.

Therefore, in a case in which the articles to be packaged have a width (transversal extension with respect to the advancement direction thereof) that is smaller than the width (transversal extension) of the central part of the continuous strip of paper material, for example half, or even a third, then the envelopes obtained will be oversized with respect to the articles packaged internally thereof, which then, during the transport of the envelopes, will be free to move internally of the envelopes, with consequent impacts or bumps to the paper material constituting the envelopes, which can thus be damaged.

Further, the envelopes will more easily deteriorate and deform during the transport thereof.

Secondly, the apparatus has significant dimensions, especially in terms of length, due to the extension of the aspirated conveyor along with the continuous strip is transported during the operations of folding for the formation of the tube of sheet, and due to the presence, of the compression and cutting means, as well as, superiorly, of the glue application means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is therefore to describe a novel apparatus for packaging articles internally of respective envelopes obtained from a continuous strip made of paper material able to obviate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

In particular, an aim of the present invention is to describe a novel apparatus able to realise envelopes that are appropriately dimensioned in relation to the effective dimensions of the articles to be packaged, i.e. in relation to the effective volume occupied thereby.

A further aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus having a modest volume, easily inspectable by an operator, and wherein the various operations for realising envelopes can be directly and easily visually monitored by the operator.

The above aims are attained by an apparatus for packaging articles internally of respective envelopes obtained from a continuous strip made of paper material, in particular a multilayer paper material, according to the contents of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the apparatus for packaging articles internally of respective envelopes obtained starting from a continuous strip of paper material, in particular a multilayer paper material, are described in the following with reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, wherein:

- figure 1A illustrates, in a schematic perspective view, a first possible preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention;

- figure 1B illustrates the apparatus of figure 1A in another schematic perspective view taken from another angle; - figures from 2A to 2C illustrate, in respective perspective views, the apparatus of figure 1A with a special component thereof used for formation of the envelopes, represented in three possible positions during respective operating steps of the operation of the apparatus;

- figures from 3 to 18 illustrate, in respective partial views, an operating sequence of the operation of the apparatus for packaging articles internally of a respective envelope obtained starting from a continuous strip of paper material, these figures illustrate the various components and/or elements present in the apparatus which carry out the various operating steps destined to realise the envelope with the respective articles internally thereof (not illustrated in these figures) and in which the articles to be packaged occupy a given volume, for example a given maximum value of volume;

- figures 19A and 19B illustrate in schematic plan views from above some significant components of the apparatus in a particular moment of the operating sequence of the functioning of the apparatus in which a tube of sheet has been wound about the articles to be packaged and cut from the continuous strip of paper material;

- figures 20A and 20B illustrate other particular elements of the apparatus of the invention in different operating configurations during the functioning of the apparatus;

- figures from 21 A to 21 D illustrate, in respective partial and perspective views, the tubular structure with adjustable walls present in the apparatus of the invention for wrapping the articles internally of a tube of sheet then cut from a continuous strip of paper material, directed to the obtaining of respective envelopes appropriately dimensioned on the basis of the effective overall volume occupied by the articles that are to be packaged, in particular, in figure 21A the tubular structure with adjustable walls is illustrated in a first possible configuration having maximum dimensions and volume, in figure 21 B the tubular structure with adjustable walls is illustrated in a second possible configuration having intermediate dimensions and volume, and in figure 21 C the structure with adjustable walls is illustrated in a third possible configuration having minimum dimensions and volume, while figure 21 D illustrates the elements that constitute the tubular structure with adjustable walls;

- figures 22A and 22B illustrate, in respective partial schematic perspective views, the components that enable varying the dimensions and volume of the tubular structure with adjustable walls, so that it can pass from one to another of the possible configurations of the above figures;

- figures from 23 to 32 illustrate, in respective partial views, an operating sequence of the operation of the apparatus for packaging articles internally of a respective envelope obtained starting from a continuous strip of paper material, in which the articles to be packaged occupy a smaller volume with respect to the volume of the articles of figures from 3 to 18, for example a minimum volume, these figures illustrate the various components and/or elements present in the apparatus that carry out the various operating steps destined to realise the envelope with the respective articles internally thereof (not illustrated in these figures) occupying a value of minimum volume;

- figure 33 illustrates, in a lateral view, a further possible preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, relating to the number and arrangement of tubular structures with adjustable walls, with the operating sequence of the overall functioning of the apparatus, in figures from 3 to 18 or from 23 to 32, which remains unchanged;

- figure 34 illustrates a preferred reciprocal arrangement of the tubular structures with adjustable walls, in particular in the first operating position for loading articles and in the second operating position of wrapping the continuous strip about the tubular structure with adjustable walls.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, reference numeral (100) denotes an apparatus for packaging articles internally of respective envelopes (B) obtained from a continuous strip (N) made of paper material, object of the present invention, in its entirety.

The apparatus (100) of the invention comprises at least a tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, wherein the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is conformed in such a way as to have a quadrangular shape defining internally thereof an article containing volume (V).

The tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls comprises four corner elements (L1 , L2, L3, L4) (i.e. four L-shaped elements) which are mutually and reciprocally arranged to define, at least partially there-between, two-by-two (i.e. by mutually overlapping at least partially with the respective wings of the L), a respective wall (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls.

The four corner elements (L1 , L2, L3I L4) are configured to be reciprocally movable with respect to one another to vary and adjust the dimensions of the walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and consequently to vary and adjust the article containing volume (V).

The at least a tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is predisposed with a relative first end on a support element (10) and with a second end which is open in such a way that the article containing volume (V) is accessible from outside.

The support element (10) is activatable in rotation about a first rotation axis (01) which is horizontal to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls in distinct angular positions (A1, A2, A3, A4) with respect to the horizontal rotation axis (01) and is activatable in rotation about a second rotation axis (02) which is axial to the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and perpendicular to the support element (10) to rotate the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls by 360° about the second rotation axis (02), and by 360° about the relative vertical axis (see for example figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 20). The apparatus (100) of the invention further comprises: unwinding and feeding means (F), for unwinding a continuous strip (N) of paper material from a reel (B) and for feeding the continuous strip (N) along a feeding direction (Z); a control and adjustment system (M), for controlling the dimensions and volume of the articles that are inserted internally of the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and for the adjustment of the reciprocal position of the corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls; first cutting means (T1), for example comprising a cutting blade or cutting knife, are mounted on a relative movable frame; application means of adhesive material (C1), for example comprising at least a dispensing nozzle of adhesive material mounted on a relative movable frame or, in a case in which, for the formation of the envelopes, a continuous strip of pre-glued paper material is used, comprising for example a heating element for the activation of the adhesive material present in the paper material; second cutting means (T2), for example comprising a cutting blade or cutting knife, mounted on a relative movable frame; first closing means by gluing (C2, V1 ) ; second closing means by gluing (C3, V2); suction gripping means (S).

The control and adjustment system (M) can for example comprise viewing means, such as, for example a videocamera or optical sensors, or the like, or the control and vision of the dimensions and the volume occupied by the articles present internally of the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls can be carried out personally by an operator.

The first closing means by gluing (C2, V1 ) can for example comprise at least a nozzle for application of adhesive material and at least a pair of compression bars, reciprocally movable towards or away from one another, or, in a case in which, for the formation of the envelopes, a continuous strip of pre-glued paper material is used, the first closing means by gluing (C2, V1) can for example also comprise only one pair of compression bars, reciprocally movable towards or away from one another, of which at least one is a heating bar for the activation of the adhesive material present in the paper material.

The second closing means by gluing (C3, V2) can for example comprise at least a nozzle for application of adhesive material and at least a pair of compression bars, reciprocally movable towards or away from one another, or, in a case in which, for the formation of the envelopes, a continuous strip of pre-glued paper material is used, the second closing means by gluing (C3, V2) can for example also comprise only one pair of compression bars, reciprocally movable towards or away from one another, of which at least one is a heating bar for the activation of the adhesive material present in the paper material.

In a possible preferred embodiment, not illustrated in the figures, the apparatus (100) can be made in such a way as to comprise two tubular structures with adjustable walls, arranged on relative support elements and reciprocally arranged at 180° with respect to the first horizontal rotation axis (01).

Still more preferably, as for example illustrated in the preferred embodiment of figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, the apparatus can be made in such a way as to comprise four tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged on relative support elements and arranged by 90° with respect to one another about the first horizontal rotation axis (01).

Further, on the basis of another possible embodiment, such as for example the one illustrated in figures 33 and 34, the apparatus (100) can be made in such a way as to comprise five tubular structures (1) with adjustable walls arranged on respective support elements (10).

In this case, preferably, the five tubular structures (1) are mounted on respective support elements (10) in such a way as to be reciprocally arranged with respect to one another by an angle of 72°, with respect to the first horizontal rotation axis (01).

In the following, for simplicity and in generic terms, an operating cycle of the apparatus will be illustrated, for formation of an envelope starting from a continuous strip taking for reference a movement cycle of a single tubular structure with adjustable walls, independently of the effective number of tubular structures with adjustable walls that can be present in the apparatus, as in the various above-mentioned cases, in each case, for each tubular structure with adjustable walls, the apparatus will carry out a same operating cycle.

Therefore, in a case in which the apparatus comprises two or four or five tubular structures with adjustable walls, each of the tubular structures with adjustable walls will carry out a relative operating cycle for realising a respective envelope starting from a continuous cardboard strip as described in the following.

The apparatus (100) is configured in such a way as to cyclically carry out the operations described in the following.

The four corner elements (L1 , L2, L3, L4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls are reciprocally arranged to adjust the dimensions of the walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls with a maximum width thereof, to define an article containing volume (V) having a maximum dimension.

The support element (10) is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls in a first operating position (A1) for loading articles (see for example figure 1A and figure 2A), for enabling insertion by an operator (or possibly by a robotic organ) of one or more articles into the article containing volume (V) through the second open end of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls. For example, in a case in which there are two tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 180° with respect to one another or four tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 90° with respect to one another, then, in the first operating position (A1), the tubular structure with adjustable walls in question will be arranged horizontally.

On the other hand, in a case in which there are five tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 72° with respect to one another, then, in the first operating position (A1), the tubular structure with adjustable walls in question will preferably be arranged inclined by an angle of 5° with respect to a horizontal plane, with the second open end arranged high up with respect to the horizontal plane (00) (see for example figure 34).

This arrangement is advantageous, as the articles inserted in the article containing volume will tend to fall towards the first end of the tubular structure with adjustable walls, without the risk that they might tend to roll to outside, for example due to the conformation thereof.

Various other inclinations of the tubular structure with adjustable walls can be included when arranged in the first operating position (A1).

With the control and adjustment system (M), detection is made of the dimensions and effective volume occupied by the articles internally of the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls (see for example figure 2A).

In this way, on the basis of the control carried out on the effective volume occupied by the articles, the four corner elements (L1 , L2, L3, L4) of the tubular structure with adjustable walls can be reciprocally movable to adjust the respective parts reciprocally overlapped on one another and thus to vary the dimensions of the walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) and to adapt the article containing volume (V) to the effective volume occupied by the articles.

For example, in a case in which the effective volume occupied by the articles present internally of the article containing volume of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is such as to correspond to the maximum containment volume in which the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls has been arranged, then the corner elements of the tubular structure will remain in the reciprocal positions thereof (in this regard, figures 2B, 2C, and the sequence of figures from 3 to 18, and figures 19A, 19B for the successive functioning of the apparatus).

Differently, in a case in which the effective volume occupied by the articles present internally of the article containing volume of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is smaller than the maximum containment volume in which the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls has been arranged, then, by means of the control and adjustment system (M), the four corner elements (L1 , L2, L3, L4) of the tubular structure with adjustable walls are reciprocally movable to adjust and vary the respective parts reciprocally overlapped on one another and thus to vary the dimensions of the walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) and to adapt the article containing volume (V) to the effective volume occupied by the articles (in this regard, see for example figures 23 and 24, in which the dimensions of the walls of the tubular structure with adjustable walls are reduced and adapted to the effective volume occupied by the articles inserted internally thereof, and then the sequence of figures from 25 to 32 for the successive functioning of the apparatus).

Then, once the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls has been adapted, if necessary, to the effective volume occupied by the articles present internally thereof, the support element (10) is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) (see figure 2B) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls with the articles contained internally thereof in the article containing volume (V) in a second operating position (A2) (see figure 2C) in which the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is arranged with the relative second open end facing upwards so that the articles remain internally of the article containing volume (V).

For example, in a case in which there are two tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 180° with respect to one another or four tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 90° with respect to one another, then, in the second operating position (A2), the tubular structure with adjustable walls in question will be arranged vertically.

In a case in which, on the other hand, there are five tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 72° with respect to one another, then, and preferably, in the second operating position (A2), the tubular structure with adjustable walls in question will be arranged inclined by an angle of 13° with respect to a vertical plane (VV).

If the tubular structure with adjustable walls is positioned in the first operating position (A1) for loading articles with an angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal plane (00) different to 5°, then it will be correspondingly positioned in the second operating position (A2) with an angle of inclination with respect to the vertical plane (00) different to 13°.

The unwinding and feeding means (F) are activatable to advance the continuous strip (N) made of paper material along the horizontal feeding direction (Z) towards the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls arranged in the second operating position (A2) (see figure 20 once more).

For example, when in the second operating position (A2), the tubular structure with adjustable walls in question will be arranged vertically (a circumstance that arises for example in a case in which there are two tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 180° with respect to one another or four tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 90° with respect to one another), the unwinding and feeding means (F) are arranged and configured in such a way as to advance the continuous strip (N) along the feeding direction (Z), arranging the continuous strip (N) vertically, i.e. in a vertical plane.

Instead, when in the second operating position (A2) the structure with adjustable walls in question is arranged inclined with respect to a vertical plane, for example in a case in which there are five tubular structures with adjustable walls, such as for example illustrated in figures 33 and 34, then the unwinding and feeding means (F) are arranged and configured in such a way as to advance the continuous strip (N) along the feeding direction (Z), arranging the continuous strip in an inclined plane with respect to a vertical plane.

The first cutting means (T1), during the advancement of the continuous strip (N), and on the basis of the control carried out by the control and adjustment system (M) on the dimensions and effective volume occupied by the articles present internally of the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, are activatable to transversally and inferiorly cut the continuous strip (N) that is advancing to obtain a first portion of strip (N1) having dimensions adequate to the dimensions and effective volume occupied by the articles internally of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, separating the first portion of strip (N 1) from a discard residual strip (W) of the continuous strip (N) (see for example figure 3).

The unwinding and feeding means (F) continue to advance the first portion of strip (N1) to overlap the first portion of strip (N 1) against a part of the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, in which a gripping element (11) is present, and with an upper side of the first portion of strip (N 1 ) remaining projecting superiorly from the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, until positioning a vertical transversal edge (NA) of the first portion of strip (N1) at the gripping element (11) (see figures 4 and 25).

The gripping element (11), present on the first wall (P1 ) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, is activatable to clamp the vertical transversal edge (NA) of the first portion of strip (N1) so as to block and retain the first portion of strip (N1) against a part of the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls (see figure 4 and figure 25). The application means of adhesive material (C1) are activatable to apply or activate at least a spread of adhesive material (CM) on the first portion of strip (N1) which is resting against a part of the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls (figures 4 and 25), or, in the case of use of a preglued paper material, the application means of adhesive material will be activatable, for example for heating, for activating the adhesive material present in the paper material.

The support element (10) is then activatable in rotation about the second rotation axis (02) to rotate the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls by 360° about the second rotation axis (02), i.e. about the respective axial axis (figures 5 and 26) in such a way as to pull and wind the continuous strip (N) about and against the four walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls.

In a case in which the tubular structure with adjustable walls is arranged vertically, therefore with the second rotation axis (02), which is axial to the tubular structure with adjustable walls, arranged vertically, then the tubular structure with adjustable walls will be rotated by 360° about a vertical axis.

Differently, in a case in which the tubular structure with adjustable walls is arranged inclined with respect to the vertical plane (VV), for example inclined by an angle of 13° as shown in figure 34, therefore with the second rotation axis (02), which is axial to the tubular structure with adjustable walls, arranged in an inclined plane with respect to the vertical plane (VV), then the tubular structure with adjustable walls will be rotated by 360° about the second rotation axis (02), i.e. about an axis inclined by an angle of 13° with respect to the vertical plane (VV).

The first cutting means (T1), during the rotation of the of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, are also activatable so as to continue to transversally and inferiorly cut the continuous strip (N) which is being wound about the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls in such a way as to obtain, on completion of the 360° rotation of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, a succession of respective consecutive portions of strip (N2, N3, N4, N5) folded at an angle with respect to one another and arranged against respective walls (P2, P3, P4, P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, separating the walls from the discard residual strip (W) of the continuous strip, with an end portion of strip (N5) arranged to completely cover the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and partially overlapped on the first portion of strip (N 1) for reciprocal gluing, so as to form a tubular wrapping of strip (TN) wound about the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls (see figures 6 and 7 and figure 26).

The second cutting means (T2) are activatable to cut the tubular wrapping of strip (TN) to separate it completely from the continuous strip (N) and obtain a tube of sheet (TB) which is completely wound about the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls containing internally thereof the articles to be packaged (see figures 8 and 9 and figure 27).

The support element (10) is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) (see figures 10 and 28) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, containing the articles to be packaged internally thereof and with the tube of sheet (TB) wound there-about, in a third operating position (A3) in which the first closing means by gluing (C2, V1) are present and positioned (see figures 11 and 29).

For example, in a case in which there are two tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 180° with respect to one another or four tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 90° with respect to one another, then, in the third operating position (A3), the tubular structure with adjustable walls in question will be arranged horizontally.

On the other hand, in a case in which there are five tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 72° with respect to one another (as shown in figure 34), then, preferably, in the third operating position (A3), the tubular structure with adjustable walls in question will be arranged inclined by an angle of 59° with respect to the vertical plane (VV), with the second open end arranged high up with respect to the horizontal plane (00).

The first closing means by gluing (02, V1) are activatable to close, by gluing, the end edges of a first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) projecting from the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls.

For example, nozzles (02) for dispensing adhesive material can be present which are activatable to apply adhesive material on the internal portions of the end edges of the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) and at least a pair of compression bars (V1), movable towards one another, to grip and compress the end edges of the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) in order to close it by gluing (see figures 12 and 29).

In a case in which, for the formation of the envelopes, a continuous strip of pre-glued paper material is used, i.e. a strip already impregnated with adhesive material, then only one pair of heating bars might be used to grip and compress the end edges of the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) and at the same time activate, by heating, the adhesive material present in the paper material.

In this closing step the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB), two rodshaped elements can be used which are inserted into the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) when it is still open, in a configuration (R) moved towards one another, and then the rod-shaped elements are moved away from one another in order to abut the transversal portions of the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) so as to stretch and cause the transversal portions to move towards one another, maintaining the longitudinal portions of the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) opened and stretched, which will then be glued to one another for closing the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB).

In a case of use of the nozzles for application of adhesive material, such as for example illustrated in the figures of the drawings, the nozzles for application of adhesive material can carry out the above-described function for the rodshaped elements, in order to stretch the longitudinal portions of the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) that are to be reciprocally glued.

The support element (10) is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) (figure 13) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, containing the articles to be packaged internally thereof and with the tube of sheet (TB) wound there-about and with the first head (TB1) projecting from the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls which has been closed, in a fourth operating position (A4) in which the suction gripping means (S) are located and arranging the tube of sheet (TB) with the first head (TB1) closed and facing downwards, so that the articles contained in the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls are arranged resting against the first head (TB1) closed internally of the tube of sheet (TB) (see figures 14 and 30).

For example, in a case in which there are two tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 180° with respect to one another or four tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 90° with respect to one another, then, in the fourth operating position (A4), the tubular structure with adjustable walls in question will be arranged vertically, with the first head (TB1) closed and facing downwards and with the second head (TB2) still open facing upwards.

In a case in which, on the other hand, there are five tubular structures with adjustable walls arranged at 72° with respect to one another (as shown in figure 34), then, preferably, in the fourth operating position (A4), the tubular structure with adjustable walls in question will be arranged inclined with respect to the vertical plane (VV), with the first head (TB1) closed and facing downwards and with the second head (TB2) still open facing upwards.

The suction gripping means (S) are activatable to pick up, by suction, the tube of sheet (TB) and remove it from the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls maintaining said tube of sheet (TB) with the first head (TB1) closed and facing downwards and with the second head (TB2) open of the tube of sheet (TB) facing upwards, in such a way that the articles remain internally of the tube of sheet (TB), and to transfer the tube of sheet (TB) with the articles internal thereof to an operating station (E) in which the second closing means by gluing (C3, V2) are present and positioned (see figures 14, 17 and figures 31 and 32).

The second closing means by gluing (C3, V2) are activatable to close, by gluing, the end edges of the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB) in such a way as to obtain a closed envelope (B) having dimensions corresponding to and adequate for the dimensions and the effective volume occupied by the articles arranged and packaged internally of the envelope (B). For example, nozzles (C2) for dispensing adhesive material can be present which are activatable to apply adhesive material on the internal portions of the end edges of the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB) and at least a pair of compression bars (V2), movable towards one another, to grip and compress the end edges of the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB) in order to close it by gluing (see figures 17 and 18 and figure 32).

In a case in which, for the formation of the envelopes, a continuous strip of pre-glued paper material is used, i.e. a strip already impregnated with adhesive material, then only one pair of heating bars might be used to grip and compress the end edges of the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB) and at the same time activate, by heating, the adhesive material present in the paper material.

In this closing step the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB), two rodshaped elements are used, which are inserted in the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB) when it is still open, in a configuration (R) moved towards one another, and then the rod-shaped elements are moved away from one another in order to abut the transversal portions of the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB) so as to stretch and cause them to move towards, the longitudinal portions of the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB), which will then be glued to one another for closing the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB).

In the case of use of nozzles for application of adhesive material, as for example illustrated in the figures of the drawings, the nozzles for application of adhesive material can carry out the above-described function for the rodshaped elements, in order to stretch the longitudinal portions of the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB) which are to be reciprocally glued to one another.

The suction means (S) can comprise an aspirating plate, configured to retain, by suction, and remove the tube of sheet from the tubular structure with adjustable walls and an aspirated conveyor belt for receiving from the aspirating plate the tube of sheet with the second head, open and facing upwards and transferring the tube of sheet to the operating station (E) where the second closing means by gluing are present (C3, V2).

Then, owing to the presence of the tubular structure with adjustable walls, the dimensions and inside volume of articles containment of which can be adjusted and varied as a function of the effective volume occupied by the articles inserted internally thereof, it is possible to obtain envelopes having dimensions that are perfectly adequate and corresponding to the volume of the articles to be packaged.

Further, owing to the fact that the tubular structure with adjustable walls is rotatable about the first horizontal rotation axis, it can be arranged angularly in successive angular positions about the first horizontal rotation axis (for example rotated angularly by 90° with respect to one another, in a case in which there are two or four tubular structures, or rotated angularly by 72% with respect to one another, in a case in which there are five tubular structures), in which the various operating means are positioned (as described above) which are designed to carry out the various envelope closing operations.

This enables reducing the longitudinal extension of the apparatus, which will have a smaller volume.

Further, owing to the fact that the tubular structure with adjustable walls, once positioned in the second operating position, is activatable in rotation by 360° about the second rotation axis, which is axial to the tubular structure and perpendicular to the support element thereof, that is, it is rotatable by 360° about a vertical axis, in a case in which there are two or four tubular structures with adjustable walls, or substantially vertical, i.e. about an axis which is arranged inclined with respect to a vertical plane, for example 13° and in a case in which there are five tubular structures with adjustable walls, it is possible to wrap the continuous strip about the walls of the tubular structure, obtaining a tubular wrapping of strip, which can then be cut and separated from the continuous strip, obtaining a tube of sheet with the articles internal thereof from which a respective envelope will then be obtained with the articles packaged internally thereof.

Therefore, differently to the machine of known type, the winding of the continuous strip to form a tubular covering takes place is an extremely small and contained place, and in a vertical direction or a substantially vertical direction, instead of horizontal, further contributing to a drastic reduction of the overall volume, in a horizontal direction, of the apparatus.

Further preferred and advantageous aspects of the apparatus of the present invention are described in the following.

The tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls comprises four plates (12, 13, 14, 15) mounted perpendicularly on the support element (10) and which are arranged, two-by-two, parallel and opposite in such a way as to constitute and form a respective central part of the four walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) (see figures from 21A to 21 D in this regard).

Each of the four plates (12, 13, 14, 15) is conformed in such a way as to comprise a transversal through-channel (H), with the four corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4) which are reciprocally arranged with respect to one another and with respect to the four plates (12, 13, 14, 15), in such a way that respective wings (L1A, L1 B; L2A, L2B; L3A, L3B; L4A, L4B) of the four corner elements (L1 , L2, L3, L4), mutually adjacent, are arranged slidably internally of the transversal through-channel (H) of a respective plate (12, 13, 14, 15).

For example, inside the transversal channel (H) of a first plate (12), which is the lower plate in figures from 21 A to 21 D, there are present, and slidable, the wing (L3A) of the first corner element (L3) and the wing (L4A) of the second corner element (L4), while inside the transversal channel (H) of a second plate

(14), which is the higher plate and is parallel to the first plate (12), there are present, and slidable, the wing (L2A) of the third corner element (L2A) and the wing (L1A) of the fourth corner element (L1).

Likewise, inside the transversal through-channel (H) of a third plate (13), the one on the left in figures from 21 A to 21 D, and arranged transversally of the first (12) and second (14) plates, there are present, and slidable, the wing (L2B) of the third corner element (L2A) and the wing (L3B) of the first corner element (L3), while inside the transversal through-channel (H) of a fourth plate

(15), which is opposite and parallel to the third plate (13), there are present, and slidable, the wing (L4B) of the second corner element and the wing (L1 B) of the fourth corner element (L1).

Further, the four plates (12, 13, 14, 15) are mounted on the support element (10) slidably so that they can be, two by two, reciprocally movable towards or away from one another so as to move the wings (L1A, L1 B; L2A, L2B; L3A, L3B; L4A, L4B) of the corner elements (L1 , L2, L3, L4) internally of the transversal through-channels (H) of the other two plates (12, 13, 14, 15) to vary the reciprocal position thereof and thus to vary the dimensions of the walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls.

For example, when the first plate (12) (the lower plate in figures from 21A to 21 D) and the second plate (14) (which is the higher plate and is opposite the first plate (12) in figures from 21 A to 21 D) are moved with respect to the support element (10) so as to be mutually neared, the plates push, respectively, the wing (L3B) of the first corner element (L3) and the wing (L4B) of the second corner element (L4), and the wing (L2B) of the third corner element (L2) and the wing (L1 B) of the fourth corner element (L1) to slide respectively internally of the transversal through-channels (H) of the third plate (13) and the fourth plate (15), making them overlap on one another, and thus enable a reduction of the dimensions, in the perpendicular direction to the first plate (12) and the second plate (14), of the tubular structure (1).

Likewise, when the third plate (13) (the one on the left in figures from 21 A to 21 D) and the fourth plate (15) (which is the one on the right and opposite the third plate (13) in figures from 21A to 21 D) are moved with respect to the support element (10) so as to be mutually neared, the plates push, respectively, the wing (L3A) of the first corner element (L3) and the wing (L2A) of the third corner element (L2), and the wing (L4A) of the second corner element and the wing (L1A) of the fourth corner element (L1), to slide respectively internally of the transversal through-channels (H) of the first plate (12) and the second plate (14), making them overlap on one another, and thus enable a reduction of the dimensions, in the perpendicular direction to the third plate (14) and the fourth plate (15), of the tubular structure (1).

In this regard, in order to enable the movement of the four plates (12, 13, 14, 15) as described in the foregoing, preferably, according to the preferred but not exclusive embodiment illustrated in the figures, the four plates (12, 13, 14, 15) are coupled to respective slides (120, 130, 140, 150) mounted slidingly in respective slots (21, 22, 23, 24) realised in the support element (10) (see figures 22A and 22B).

The slides (120, 130, 140, 150) of the plates (12, 13, 14, 15), which are parallel and opposite one another, are alternatingly activatable in translation along the slots (21 , 22, 23, 24) by means of the control and adjustment system (M).

The control and adjustment system (M) comprises at least a respective linear actuator (M1, M2) for the slides (120, 130, 140, 150) of the plates (12, 13, 14, 15) which are parallel to and opposite one another.

The linear actuators (M1 , M2), for the activation in translation along the slots (21 , 22, 23, 24) of the slides (120, 130, 140, 150) of the plates (12, 13, 14, 15), which are parallel to one another and opposite, preferably comprise a screw- nut screw system (4, 5), for each pair of slides which are arranged opposite one another, which is mounted on the support element (10), on the opposite side with respect to the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, and which is activatable by a respective motor (41, 51).

The motors (41, 51) for activating the screw-nut screw systems (4, 5) are arranged to be movable and couplable with the respective screw-nut screw system (4, 5) when the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is positioned in the first operating position (A1) for loading articles, in order to adjust the reciprocal distance between the plates (12, 13,14, 15), and thus to vary the reciprocal position of the wings (L1A, L1 B; L2A, L2B; L3A, L3B; L4A, L4B) of the corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4), and in order to adapt and vary the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls to the dimensions and the effective volume of the articles inserted internally of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, detected by the viewing means (M). Once the adjusting operations have been carried out, the motors (41, 51) are movable to be decoupled from the respective screw-nut screw systems (4, 5).

The motors (41, 51) can be automatically movable and activated on the basis of data acquired from the viewing means, such as for example a videocamera, of the control and adjustment system, on in a case in which the control of the volume occupied by the articles present internally of the article containing volume of the tubular structure is carried out visually and directly by an operator, then the motors can be manually activated by the same operator, for example by means of relative activating buttons, until achieving the desired adjustment for the tubular structure with adjustable walls.

There might also be included other motors (70, 71), arranged for example at the fourth operating position (A4) in which the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is arranged with the tube of sheet (TB) wound about it and with the first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) already closed, or, in a case in which there are five tubular structures with adjustable walls, as shown in figures 33 and 34, the other motors can be arranged in a non-use position (A5) in which the tubular structure with adjustable walls is temporarily positioned before being newly repositioned in the first operating position (A1) for receiving new articles and repeating the operating cycle of realising a respective envelope.

In this way, after the suction means (S) have removed the tube of sheet (TB) from the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, the other motors (70, 71) (for example visible in figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 23) can be movable and couplable with a respective screw-nut screw system (4, 5) in such a way as to actuate the screw-nut screw system to move the plates away (if necessary) and return the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls into the maximum dimensions thereof, i.e. with the article containing volume at the maximum value thereof, before it is newly positioned in the first operating position (A1) in order to receive new articles and repeat the operating cycle of realising a respective envelope.

In a further preferred aspect, the support element (10) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is mounted on a horizontal body (20) in such a way as to be set in rotation with respect to the horizontal body (20) about the second rotation axis (02), which is axial to the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and perpendicular to the support element (10), wherein the horizontal body (20) is borne by a frame (9) and is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) to rotate the support element (10) about the first horizontal rotation axis (01).

The support element (10) inferiorly comprises a first rotoidal coupling element (81), and when the support element (1) is rotated about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls in the second operating position (A2), with the relative second open end facing upwards, the first rotoidal coupling element (81) is enmeshed by a second rotoidal coupling element (82) mounted on an end of a spindle (80) which is activatable in rotation to activate in rotation, by means of the coupling between the first rotoidal coupling element (81) and the second rotoidal coupling element (82), the support element (10) about the second rotation axis (02) (see for example figures 20A and 20B).

In a further preferred and advantageous aspect, the unwinding and feeding means (F) comprise a pulling device (FT) arranged and configured to pull the discard residual strip (W) of the continuous strip (N), which has been cut from by the first cutting means (T1) from the first portion of strip (N1) which is arranged against a part of the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls (see for example figures 1B, 9, 19A, 19B), and to transport the discard residual strip (W) to a shredding station (SF) in which the discard residual strip (W) of the continuous strip (N) is shredded.

This enables having an optimal discarding, and with a small amount, of the scrap of the continuous strip, not used for realising the envelopes.

The unwinding and feeding means (F) of the continuous strip (N) are mounted on a mobile movable structure in such a way as to near and/or move away the transversal edge of the continuous strip to/from the first wall of the tubular structure with adjustable walls, when the tubular structure with adjustable walls is positioned in the second operating position (A2). The first and second cutting means, like the application means of adhesive material, can also be mounted, slidably, on the movable structure. In a further advantageous aspect, the apparatus (100) can comprise sensor means (90) (see for example figure 3) which are arranged and configured in such a way as to be able to detect the extension, in a longitudinal direction, of the articles present internally of the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1), i.e. in the direction of the axial axis of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, when the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is positioned in the second operating position (A2), at which the articles internally thereof are arranged resting on the support element (10).

This enables having a datum of further verification and confirmation of the longitudinal dimension that the envelope is to have in order to package the articles internally thereof, and consequently, on the basis of this datum, the first cutting means (T1) can be activatable to cut, inferiorly and transversally to the continuous strip, a corresponding portion of strip that is correctly dimensioned.

Claims

1) An apparatus (100) for packaging articles internally of respective envelopes (B) obtained from a continuous strip (N) made of paper material, comprising: at least a tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, wherein the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is conformed in such a way as to have a quadrangular shape defining internally thereof an article containing volume (V), wherein the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls comprises four corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4) which are mutually and reciprocally arranged to define, by at least partially mutually overlapping two-by-two, a respective wall (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and which are configured to be reciprocally movable with respect to one another to vary and adjust the dimensions of the walls (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and consequently to vary and adjust the article containing volume (V), wherein the at least a tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is predisposed with a relative first end on a support element (10) and with a second end which is open in such a way that the article containing volume (V) is accessible from outside, wherein the support element (10) is activatable in rotation about a first rotation axis (01) which is horizontal to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls in distinct angular positions (A1, A2, A3, A4) with respect to the horizontal rotation axis (01) and is activatable in rotation about a second rotation axis (02) which is axial to the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and perpendicular to the support element (10) to rotate the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls by 360° about the second rotation axis (02); unwinding and feeding means (F), for unwinding a continuous strip (N) of paper material from a reel (B) and for feeding the continuous strip (N) along a feeding direction (Z); a control and adjustment system (M), for controlling the dimensions and volume of the articles that are inserted internally of the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and for the adjustment of the reciprocal position of the corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls; first cutting means (T 1); application means of adhesive material (C1); second cutting means (T2); first closing means by gluing (C2, V1); second closing means by gluing (C3, V2); suction gripping means (S); wherein the apparatus (100) is configured in such a way that: the four corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls are reciprocally arranged to adjust the dimensions of the walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls with a their maximum width, to define an article containing volume (V) having a maximum dimension; the support element (10) is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls in a first operating position (A1) for loading articles, for enabling insertion of one or more articles into the article containing volume (V) through the second open end of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls; the control and adjustment system (M) detects the dimensions and the effective volume occupied by the articles internally of the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, so that, on the basis of the control carried out on the effective volume occupied by the articles, the four corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4) of the tubular structure with adjustable walls can be reciprocally movable to adjust the respective parts reciprocally overlapped on one another and thus to vary the dimensions of the walls (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) and to adapt the article containing volume (V) to the effective volume occupied by the articles; the support element (10) is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls with the articles contained internally thereof in the article containing volume (V) in a second operating position (A2) in which the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is arranged with the relative second open end facing upwards so that the articles remain internally of the article containing volume (V); the unwinding and feeding means (F) are configured and activatable to advance the continuous strip (N) made of paper material along the horizontal feeding direction (Z) towards the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls arranged in the second operating position (A2); the first cutting means (T1), during the advancement of the continuous strip (N), and on the basis of the control carried out by the control and adjustment system (M) on the dimensions and effective volume occupied by the articles present internally of the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, are activatable to transversally and inferiorly cut the continuous strip (N) that is advancing to obtain a first portion of strip (N1) having dimensions adequate to the dimensions and effective volume occupied by the articles internally of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, separating the first portion of strip (N 1 ) from a discard residual strip (W) of the continuous strip (N), with the unwinding and feeding means (F) continuing to advance the first portion of strip (N1) to overlap the first portion of strip (N 1 ) against a part of the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, in which a gripping element (11) is present, and with an upper side of the first portion of strip (N1) remaining projecting superiorly from the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, until positioning a vertical transversal edge (NA) of the first portion of strip (N1) at the gripping element (11); the gripping element (11), present on the first wall (P1 ) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, is activatable to clamp the vertical transversal edge (NA) of the first portion of strip (N1) so as to block and retain the first portion of strip (N1) against a part of the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, the application means of adhesive material (C1) are activatable to apply or activate at least a strip of adhesive material (CM) on the first portion of strip (N1) which is resting against a part of the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls; the support element (10) is activatable in rotation about the second rotation axis (02) to rotate the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls by 360° about the second rotation axis (02) in such a way as to pull and wind the continuous strip (N) about and against the four walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, with the first cutting means (T1), during the rotation of the of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, being also activatable so as to continue to transversally and inferiorly cut the continuous strip (N) which is being wound about the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls in such a way as to obtain, on completion of the 360° rotation of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, a succession of respective consecutive portions of strip (N2, N3, N4, N5) folded at an angle with respect to one another and arranged against respective walls (P2, P3, P4, P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, separating the walls from the discard residual strip (W) of the continuous strip, with an end portion of strip (N5) arranged to completely cover the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and partially overlapped on the first portion of strip (N 1) for reciprocal gluing, so as to form a tubular wrapping of strip (TN) wound about the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls; the second cutting means (T2) are activatable to cut the tubular wrapping of strip (TN) to separate it completely from the continuous strip (N) and obtain a tube of sheet (TB) which is completely wound about the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls containing internally thereof the articles to be packaged; the support element (10) is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, containing the articles to be packaged internally thereof and with the tube of sheet (TB) wound there-about, in a third operating position (A3) in which the first closing means by gluing (C2, V1 ) are present and positioned; the first closing means by gluing (C2, V1) are activatable to close, by gluing, the end edges of a first head (TB1) of the tube of sheet (TB) projecting from the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls; the support element (10) is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, containing the articles to be packaged internally thereof and with the tube of sheet (TB) wound there-about and with the first head (TB1) projecting from the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls which has been closed, in a fourth operating position (A4) in which the suction gripping means (S) are located and arranging the tube of sheet (TB) with the first head (TB1) closed and facing downwards, so that the articles contained in the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls are arranged resting against the first head (TB1) closed internally of the tube of sheet (TB); the suction gripping means (S) are activatable to pick up, by suction, the tube of sheet (TB) and remove it from the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls maintaining said tube of sheet (TB) with the first head (TB1) closed and facing downwards and with the second head (TB2) open of the tube of sheet (TB) facing upwards, in such a way that the articles remain internally of the tube of sheet (TB), and to transfer the tube of sheet (TB) with the articles internal thereof to an operating station (E) in which the second closing means by gluing (C3, V2) are present and positioned; the second closing means by gluing (C3, V2) are activatable to close, by gluing, the end edges of the second head (TB2) of the tube of sheet (TB) in such a way as to obtain a closed envelope (B) having dimensions corresponding to and adequate for the dimensions and the effective volume occupied by the articles arranged and packaged internally of the envelope (B).

2) The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls comprises four plates (12, 13, 14, 15) mounted perpendicularly on the support element (10) and arranged, two-by-two, parallel and opposite in such a way as to constitute and form a respective central part of the four walls (P1 , P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, wherein each of the four plates (12, 13, 14, 15) is conformed in such a way as to comprise a transversal through-channel (H), and wherein the four corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4) are reciprocally arranged, with respect to one another, and with respect to the four plates (12, 13, 14, 15), in such a way that respective wings (L1A, L1B; L2A, L2B; L3A, L3B; L4A, L4B) of the corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4) which are mutually adjacent are arranged slidably internally of the transversal through-channel (H) of a respective plate (12, 13, 14, 15), wherein the four plates (12, 13, 14, 15) are mounted on the support element (10) slidably so that they can be, two by two, reciprocally movable towards or away so as to move the wings (L1A, L1 B; L2A, L2B; L3A, L3B; L4A, L4B) of the corner elements (L1, L2, L3, L4) internally of the transversal through-channels (H) of the other two plates (12, 13, 14, 15) to vary the reciprocal position thereof and then to vary the dimensions of the walls (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls.

3) The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the four plates (12, 13, 14, 15) are coupled to respective slides (120, 130, 140, 150) mounted slidably internally of respective slots (21 , 22, 23, 24) realised in the support element (10), wherein the slides (120, 130, 140, 150) of the plates (12, 13, 14, 15) which are parallel to and opposite one another are alternatively activatable in translation along the slots (21, 22, 23, 24) by the control and adjustment system (M) which comprises at least a respective linear actuator (M1, M2) for the slides (120, 130, 140, 150) of the plates (12, 13, 14, 15) which are parallel to and opposite one another.

4) The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the linear actuators (M1 , M2), for the activation in translation along the slots (21, 22, 23, 24) of the slides (120, 130, 140, 150) of the plates (12, 13, 14, 15) which are parallel to one another and opposite comprise a screw-nut screw system (4, 5) activatable by a respective motor (41, 51) which is movable and couplable with the screw-nut screw system (4, 5) when the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is positioned in the first operating position (A1) for loading articles, to adjust the reciprocal distance between the plates (12, 13, 14, 15) and thus vary the reciprocal position of the wings (L1A, L1 B; L2A, L2B; L3A, L3B; L4A, L4B) of the corner elements (L1 , L2, L3, L4) to adapt and vary the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls to the dimensions and effective volume of the articles inserted internally of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls.

5) The apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (10) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is mounted on a horizontal body (20) in such a way as to be set in rotation with respect to the horizontal body (20) about the second rotation axis (02), which is axial to the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls and perpendicular to the support element (10), wherein the horizontal body (20) is borne by a frame (9) and is activatable in rotation about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) to rotate the support element (10) about the first horizontal rotation axis (01).

6) The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support element (10) inferiorly comprises a first rotoidal coupling element (81), and wherein, when the support element (10) is rotated about the first horizontal rotation axis (01) to position the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls in the second operating position (A2), with the relative second open end facing upwards, the first rotoidal coupling element (81) is enmeshed by a second rotoidal coupling element (82) mounted on an end of a spindle (80) which is activatable in rotation to activate in rotation, by means of the coupling between the first rotoidal coupling element (81) and the second rotoidal coupling element (82), the support element (10) about the second rotation axis (02).

7) The apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unwinding and feeding means (F) comprise a pulling device (FT) arranged and configured to pull the discard residual strip (W) of the continuous strip (N), which has been cut from by the first cutting means (T1) from the first portion of strip (N1) which is arranged against a part of the first wall (P1) of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, and to transport the discard residual strip (W) to a shredding station (SF) in which the discard residual strip (W) of the continuous strip (N) is shredded.

8) The apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising sensor means (90) which are arranged in such a way as to be able to detect the extension, in a longitudinal direction, of the articles present internally of the article containing volume (V) of the tubular structure (1), i.e. in the direction of the axial axis of the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls, when the tubular structure (1) with adjustable walls is positioned in the second operating position (A2), and wherein the first cutting means (T1), on the basis of information acquired by the sensor means (90), are activatable to cut, inferiorly and transversally to the continuous strip, a corresponding portion of strip that is correctly dimensioned.