EP3615429B1 - Method for making a package for groups of products and machine implementing the method - Google Patents
Method for making a package for groups of products and machine implementing the method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3615429B1 EP3615429B1 EP18722738.4A EP18722738A EP3615429B1 EP 3615429 B1 EP3615429 B1 EP 3615429B1 EP 18722738 A EP18722738 A EP 18722738A EP 3615429 B1 EP3615429 B1 EP 3615429B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- products
- groups
- film
- tubular channel
- frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 22
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000002596 correlated effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006255 plastic film Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
- B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
- B65B9/213—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles the web having intermittent motion
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/14—Packaging paper or like sheets, envelopes, or newspapers, in flat, folded, or rolled form
- B65B25/145—Packaging paper or like sheets, envelopes, or newspapers, in flat, folded, or rolled form packaging folded articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/14—Packaging paper or like sheets, envelopes, or newspapers, in flat, folded, or rolled form
- B65B25/146—Packaging paper or like sheets, envelopes, or newspapers, in flat, folded, or rolled form packaging rolled-up articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
- B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
- B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
- B65B51/30—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
- B65B51/303—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes reciprocating along only one axis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B63/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged
- B65B63/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged for compressing or compacting articles or materials prior to wrapping or insertion in containers or receptacles
- B65B63/026—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged for compressing or compacting articles or materials prior to wrapping or insertion in containers or receptacles for compressing by feeding articles through a narrowing space
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
- B65B2220/16—Packaging contents into primary and secondary packaging
- B65B2220/20—Packaging contents into primary and secondary packaging the primary packaging being bags, the secondary packaging being further bags, the primary bags being either finished or formed concurrently with the secondary bags
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method for making a package for groups of products for sanitary use and relative machine implementing the method, in particular, but without restricting the scope of the invention, rolls of "tissue” products such as, for example, rolls of paper for sanitary and/or household use or unwoven products such as nappies.
- bagging machines which define, usually, an end station of machines for making the above-mentioned groups of products, bag the groups of products in tubular wrappers defined automatically by the bagging machine on the products to be wrapped.
- the machine forms the wrapper from a flat strip of film of wrapping material (fed from a reel located below a plane of movement of the groups of products) and which, by means of special folding elements (called folding ties), is progressively folded back on itself in such a way as to generate a tubular shape, supported from the inside of the wrapper being formed by suitable supporting elements or walls (so as to define a "tunnel" with a quadrangular cross section), and having longitudinal flaps positioned next to and superposed on each other along the upper surface of the tunnel.
- folding ties special folding elements
- first sealing elements located at the front of the wrapper and the folding elements, oriented transversely to the tubular shape, which then allow the wrapper to be sealed, transversally, in such a way as to form, in sequence, a closed front end and rear end.
- the process for forming the wrapping on the groups of products comprises the following steps:
- a first drawback is due to the fact that the structure of the frame defining the channel for the groups of products determines a separation between wrapping film (wound around the frame) and the products and, consequently, the package is often obtained with slack or "loose" side walls with reduced rigidity of the pack and greater difficulty in the subsequent storage.
- Another drawback is due to the fact that actual feeding of the film is accomplished through the pushing of the group of products on the sealing head and, consequently, to prevent breakage of the bottom/top of the bag it is necessary to reduce the machine cycle time to guarantee a perfect sealing of the flaps which form the bottom/top.
- One of these relates to the possibility of modifying, that is to say, reducing, the overall size of the group of products.
- the aim of this invention is to provide a method and a machine for making a package for groups of products for sanitary use which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
- the aim of this invention is to provide a method and a machine for making a package of groups of products for sanitary use which are able to modify, during the wrapping cycle step, the overall size, by reducing, the group of products.
- a further aim of this invention is to provide a method and a machine for making a package for groups of products for sanitary use with high operational flexibility without modifying the basic structure of the machine.
- the method and the machine according to the invention are used for making a package for groups of products for sanitary use, such as, but without restricting the scope of the invention, rolls of "tissue” products such as, for example, rolls of paper for sanitary and/or household use or unwoven products such as nappies.
- the machine according to the invention (and the relative method) is a bagging machine which is used for wrapping a certain number of groups of products already packaged using plastic film or for bagging of groups of products formed by batches of loose products.
- the method for making a package 1 of groups 2 of products for sanitary use comprises at least the following steps:
- the step of modifying the size of the tubular channel 8 is given by the reduction in the width L of the channel 8.
- the step of modifying the size of the tubular channel 8 is given by the reduction in the width L of the channel 8 and occurs with the groups 2 of products completely housed in the tubular channel 8 and feeding along the tubular channel 8.
- the step of reducing the width L of the channel 8 may be of the dynamic type (movement of side walls 7 of the channel 8 simultaneously with the sliding movement of the groups 2 of products): thanks to these type of steps, the machine cycle times remain substantially unaltered.
- the step of modifying the size of the tubular channel 8 is again given by the reduction in the width L and occurs with the groups 2 of products completely housed in the tubular channel 8 and stationary inside the tubular channel 8, whilst the side walls 7 move.
- the step of reducing the width L of the channel 8 may be of the static type (movement of the walls 6 of the channel 8 with groups 2 of products provisionally stationary): this type of choice might be useful if it is necessary to wait a few seconds to allow a correct adhesion in the joining of the tail flaps of the package previously obtained.
- the step of modifying the width of the tubular channel 8 occurs by a movement step, which is translational and towards each other, of at least two side walls 7 of the frame 4 forming the tubular channel 8.
- the step of modifying the width L of the tubular channel 8 also occurs by a movement step (which is translational and towards each other) of the folding elements 5 in such a way as to adapt also the extension of the film 3 around the frame 4 to the different perimeter dimension reached by the tubular channel 8.
- This invention also provides a machine, labelled 100 in its entirety, for making a package 1 of groups 2 of products for sanitary use.
- the machine 100 comprises a station 13 for feeding a continuous wrapping film 3 (for example a roll of film).
- the machine 100 also comprises a frame 4 for forming a tubular length of the continuous film 3.
- the frame 4 has folding elements 5 and a plurality of walls 6, 7 forming a tubular channel 8 for the passage of the groups 2 of products and on which the continuous film 3 is wound.
- the tubular channel 8 has a width L and a height H.
- the machine 100 also comprises a pushing unit 10 for moving a predetermined number of groups 2 of products inside the tubular channel 8 in a feed direction A.
- the machine 100 has first transversal joining elements 9 located downstream of the frame 4, relative to the feed direction A, and designed to join, respectively, the head flaps of the film 3, prior to the arrival of the groups 2 of products, and the tail flaps of the film 3 after the passage of the groups 2 of products wrapped in film 3 beyond the first transversal joining elements 9.
- the machine 100 also comprises second longitudinal joining elements 11 located close to the frame 4 (above the latter), and designed to join two longitudinal superposed flaps of the film 1 at the formation of the package 1.
- the machine 100 comprises at least two of the walls 6, 7 forming the channel 8 movable towards and away from each another by a movement device 12 connected to the frame 4, so as to allow the modification, at least temporarily, of the size of the tubular channel 8 in order to reduce the cross section of the tubular channel 8 during the passage of the groups 2 of products and to obtain a reduction in the overall size of the groups 2 of products by flattening them.
- tubular channel 8 may be formed by a set of separate walls (lower, upper and side) to form the channel 8, or by two individual C-shaped profiles facing each other (configuration not illustrated), or, also, by four corner segments which make up the bottom and top walls 6 and the side walls 7 (see Figures 4 and 5 ).
- the folding elements 5 are formed by two pairs of flaps 5a and 5b positioned on both sides of the tubular channel 8 and by a pair of intersecting plates 5c positioned above the tubular channel 8 for guiding and retaining the superposed free flaps of the film 3 before they are joined with the second longitudinal joining elements 11.
- first transversal joining elements 9 comprise two sealing bars positioned beyond the outlet of the tubular channel 8 combined with a knife (not illustrated) for the separation of the completed package 1 from the subsequent package being formed.
- the second longitudinal joining elements 11 comprise a sealing head configured to hot seal the superposed flaps of the film 3.
- the movement device 12 comprises at least a first shaft 14 with motor-driven screw and rotatably connected to a pair of vertical supporting arms 15 associated with the side walls 7 of the frame 4 (see Figures 2 to 5 ).
- the first screw shaft 14 is configured for moving, in both directions, the pair of arms 15 so as to allow a movement towards and away from each other, thereby obtaining a variation, even temporary, of the width L of the tubular channel 8.
- the first screw shaft 14 has two threads in opposite directions, separate from each other to allow, during its rotation (in either direction), the movement towards or away from each other of the arms 15.
- the device 12 comprises a second shaft 16 with a motor-driven screw positioned parallel to the first screw shaft 14 which is motor-driven and rotatably connected to vertical arms 17 supporting the folding elements 5.
- the second screw shaft 16 is configured for moving, in both directions, the vertical supporting arms 17 so as to allow a movement towards and away from each other, thereby obtaining a variation, even temporary, of the dimensions of the folding elements 5.
- the modification of the folding elements 5 is correlated with the modification of the width L of the tubular channel 8 in such a way as to adapt the superposed flaps of the film 3 to the new size.
- first 14 and the second 16 screw shaft are connected to a single drive unit M (for example by means of transmission belts).
- the two screw shafts 14 and 16 may be connected to independent drive units.
- the machine 100 comprises the sensors 18 for detecting the compressive force connected at least to the first screw shaft 14 (but they might also be connected to the second screw shaft 16) and configured to send a corresponding signal relating to the compressive force value to a control unit 19 connected to the drive unit(s) M.
- the detection sensors 18 may be of the load cell type interposed between the first arms 15 and the side walls 7 in such a way as to check the compressive force imparted by the first arms 15 on the side walls 7.
- control unit 19 is programmed for turning ON or OFF the drive unit(s) M for moving the side walls 7 and the folding elements 5 by a stroke equivalent to a compression value between a minimum and a maximum stroke range, as a function of a plurality of parameters preset in the control unit 19 and the detection signal sent by the detection sensors 18.
- control unit 19 has memory banks in which are set the predetermined minimum and maximum compression values and calculated as a function, for example, a series of parameters, starting from the type of final format of the package to be obtained:
- the activation of the motor(s) M determines the start of the compression stroke and, when the compression value recorded by the sensors 18 enters the desired threshold (ranging between the minimum and a maximum values), the unit 19 may already stop the motor(s) M. Obviously, the compression may be increased, upon the decision of the operator, but only until reaching the maximum set value.
- the machine 100 also comprises dynamic contact elements 20 associated with the folding elements 5 and positioned outside and at a predetermined distance from the two side walls 7 of the frame 4 (see Figure 5 ).
- the dynamic contact elements 20 are configured to oppose, if necessary, a deformation, towards the outside, of the side walls 7 of the frame 4.
- the dynamic contact elements 20 have the capacity, once in contact with the corresponding side wall 7, to make a counter push on the wall itself, but at the same time to avoid any block on the feed movement of the wrapping film 3.
- these contact elements 20 may consist of rollers which can turn idly and are connected (by means of supporting shafts) to the folding elements 5.
- the rollers 20 are arranged a few millimetres away from the corresponding side wall 7 and they adapt to the movement of the side walls 7 thanks to the translation of the folding elements 5.
- rollers 20 are designed to oppose this movement towards the outside, maintaining the parallelism of the walls 7 and their position in compression. Moreover, since the rollers 20 can rotate freely, they do not oppose the feed movement of the film 3 during the step of packaging the groups 2 of products.
- rollers 20 there may be motor-driven belts (not illustrated) looped on pairs of pulleys and again supported by the folding elements 5.
- the groups of products are reduced in size in terms of width in a short time and without excessively altering the machine structure.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a method for making a package for groups of products for sanitary use and relative machine implementing the method, in particular, but without restricting the scope of the invention, rolls of "tissue" products such as, for example, rolls of paper for sanitary and/or household use or unwoven products such as nappies.
- More specifically, this description focusses attention on bagging machines which are, usually, used for wrapping a certain number of groups of products already packed using plastic film, but without limiting the range of protection in question, since the groups of products can also be a plurality or batches of loose products.
- These groups of products are grouped together in accordance with formats of pre-defined batches and then fed, in succession, in a tubular wrapping of film.
- These bagging machines, which define, usually, an end station of machines for making the above-mentioned groups of products, bag the groups of products in tubular wrappers defined automatically by the bagging machine on the products to be wrapped.
- Such machines are known from the patent documents
US 4 679 379 ,US 2015/329230 andUS 2008/209866 . - In practice, the machine forms the wrapper from a flat strip of film of wrapping material (fed from a reel located below a plane of movement of the groups of products) and which, by means of special folding elements (called folding ties), is progressively folded back on itself in such a way as to generate a tubular shape, supported from the inside of the wrapper being formed by suitable supporting elements or walls (so as to define a "tunnel" with a quadrangular cross section), and having longitudinal flaps positioned next to and superposed on each other along the upper surface of the tunnel.
- There are, moreover, the first sealing elements located at the front of the wrapper and the folding elements, oriented transversely to the tubular shape, which then allow the wrapper to be sealed, transversally, in such a way as to form, in sequence, a closed front end and rear end.
- Lastly, second sealing elements, oriented longitudinally to the wrapper and facing the above-mentioned longitudinal flaps, close the tubular wrapper longitudinally in such a way as to completely close the wrapping. Basically, the process for forming the wrapping on the groups of products comprises the following steps:
- forming the wrapping with the film around the above-mentioned folding elements and the supporting elements or walls;
- first head sealing of the wrapping film;
- inserting into the channel formed by the four walls of the folders a predetermined number of groups of products, until making contact with the closed front end of the wrapper;
- further feeding of the groups of products beyond the above-mentioned transversal sealing elements, with simultaneous feeding of the film from the reel thanks to the pushing of the products, and relative forming of the wrapping, as the front closed end feeds along the machine with the products introduced;
- at the same time as forming the wrapping, longitudinal sealing of the above-mentioned superposed flaps of film occurs using the above-mentioned second sealing elements;
- further activation of the first transversal sealing elements designed to close the wrapper behind the products already bagged;
- separating cut of the bag thus obtained from the rest of the film, using cutting elements, thus starting a new and subsequent cycle for bagging the groups of products.
- However, this machine and the relative method have several drawbacks. A first drawback is due to the fact that the structure of the frame defining the channel for the groups of products determines a separation between wrapping film (wound around the frame) and the products and, consequently, the package is often obtained with slack or "loose" side walls with reduced rigidity of the pack and greater difficulty in the subsequent storage.
- Another drawback is due to the fact that actual feeding of the film is accomplished through the pushing of the group of products on the sealing head and, consequently, to prevent breakage of the bottom/top of the bag it is necessary to reduce the machine cycle time to guarantee a perfect sealing of the flaps which form the bottom/top.
- In addition, there is the fact that the market to which this machine is directed requires the further specifications that the machine structured as described above cannot meet.
- One of these relates to the possibility of modifying, that is to say, reducing, the overall size of the group of products.
- The other need is given by the reduced flexibility of the machine due to the difficult and laborious modification of the size of the tunnel during format changeover which, often, requires the complete change of the supporting walls and, in some cases, even of the folders or ties.
- The aim of this invention is to provide a method and a machine for making a package for groups of products for sanitary use which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
- More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a method and a machine for making a package of groups of products for sanitary use which are able to modify, during the wrapping cycle step, the overall size, by reducing, the group of products.
- A further aim of this invention is to provide a method and a machine for making a package for groups of products for sanitary use with high operational flexibility without modifying the basic structure of the machine. These aims are fully achieved by the method and by the machine for making a package for groups of products for sanitary use according to the invention, as characterised in the appended claims.
- Further features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 illustrates schematic perspective top view of a machine for making a package of groups of products for sanitary use, according to this invention, and implementing the method for forming the package of groups of products; -
Figure 2 illustrates a rear view, with some parts cut away, of the machine ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view, with some parts cut away, of the load-bearing frame of the machine of the previous drawings; -
Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of a diagram of the main parts of the machine of the previous drawings; -
Figure 5 illustrates a rear view of the machine of the previous drawings showing the anti-bending contrast elements. - With reference to the accompanying drawings, and in particular
Figure 1 , the method and the machine according to the invention are used for making a package for groups of products for sanitary use, such as, but without restricting the scope of the invention, rolls of "tissue" products such as, for example, rolls of paper for sanitary and/or household use or unwoven products such as nappies. - More specifically, the machine according to the invention (and the relative method) is a bagging machine which is used for wrapping a certain number of groups of products already packaged using plastic film or for bagging of groups of products formed by batches of loose products.
- The method for making a
package 1 of groups 2 of products for sanitary use comprises at least the following steps: - a forming of a length of tubular film by means of
continuous film 3 around aframe 4 comprisingelements 5 for folding thefilm 3 and a plurality ofwalls 6, 7 forming atubular channel 8 for the passage of the groups 2 of products; thetubular channel 8 has a width L and a height H; - a first join, wherein head flaps of the
film 3 are joined to form a head end, using first transversal joining elements 9 positioned close to the front end of theframe 4 relative to a feed direction A of the groups 2 of products; - inserting in the
tubular channel 8, in the feed direction A and using a pushingunit 10, a predefined number of groups 2 of products, advancing until close to the closed head end of thefilm 3 to form a first portion of thepackage 1; - further feeding of the groups 2 of products beyond the first joining elements 9, with simultaneous feeding of the
film 3 and relative forming of a further portion of thepackage 1 beyond theframe 4; - a second join, wherein the longitudinal superposed flaps of the
film 3 are joined by secondlongitudinal joining elements 11, simultaneously with the further feeding step; - a third join, wherein the tail flaps of the
film 3 are joined, using the first transversal joining elements 9, in order to close thepackage 1 at the rear of the groups 2 of products bagged. - As illustrated (see
Figures 2 to 5 ) at least between the step of introducing the groups 2 of products in thetubular channel 8 and the step of further feeding the groups 2 of products beyond the first transversal joining elements 9 there is a step of modifying (temporary) the size of thetubular channel 8 using amovement device 12 for moving theframe 4 in such a way as to reduce the cross section of thetubular channel 8 and obtain a reduction in the overall size of the groups 2 of products by flattening them. In other words, the groups 2 of products inserted in thetubular channel 8 undergo a flattening which is able (at least temporarily) to reduce their size (preferably, as described below, in terms of width). - This allows, together with an adaptation of the film 3 (as described in more detail below), the
final package 1 to be made which is extremely compact and stable, also with a saving in the quantity of film used. - Preferably, the step of modifying the size of the
tubular channel 8 is given by the reduction in the width L of thechannel 8. - Preferably, the step of modifying the size of the
tubular channel 8 is given by the reduction in the width L of thechannel 8 and occurs with the groups 2 of products completely housed in thetubular channel 8 and feeding along thetubular channel 8. - In short, the step of reducing the width L of the
channel 8 may be of the dynamic type (movement of side walls 7 of thechannel 8 simultaneously with the sliding movement of the groups 2 of products): thanks to these type of steps, the machine cycle times remain substantially unaltered. Alternatively, the step of modifying the size of thetubular channel 8 is again given by the reduction in the width L and occurs with the groups 2 of products completely housed in thetubular channel 8 and stationary inside thetubular channel 8, whilst the side walls 7 move. - In this case, the step of reducing the width L of the
channel 8 may be of the static type (movement of thewalls 6 of thechannel 8 with groups 2 of products provisionally stationary): this type of choice might be useful if it is necessary to wait a few seconds to allow a correct adhesion in the joining of the tail flaps of the package previously obtained. - Preferably, the step of modifying the width of the
tubular channel 8 occurs by a movement step, which is translational and towards each other, of at least two side walls 7 of theframe 4 forming thetubular channel 8. - In light of this, the step of modifying the width L of the
tubular channel 8 also occurs by a movement step (which is translational and towards each other) of thefolding elements 5 in such a way as to adapt also the extension of thefilm 3 around theframe 4 to the different perimeter dimension reached by thetubular channel 8. - It should be noted that, after the third step of joining the tail flaps of the
film 3 there is a step of restoring the previous size (width L) of thetubular channel 8. - In this way, the next cycle starts again with the dimensions of the
tubular channel 8 decided on the size of the groups 2 of products decided originally. - This invention, as mentioned, also provides a machine, labelled 100 in its entirety, for making a
package 1 of groups 2 of products for sanitary use. Themachine 100 comprises astation 13 for feeding a continuous wrapping film 3 (for example a roll of film). - The
machine 100 also comprises aframe 4 for forming a tubular length of thecontinuous film 3. - The
frame 4 has foldingelements 5 and a plurality ofwalls 6, 7 forming atubular channel 8 for the passage of the groups 2 of products and on which thecontinuous film 3 is wound. - The
tubular channel 8 has a width L and a height H. - The
machine 100 also comprises a pushingunit 10 for moving a predetermined number of groups 2 of products inside thetubular channel 8 in a feed direction A. - Moreover, the
machine 100 has first transversal joining elements 9 located downstream of theframe 4, relative to the feed direction A, and designed to join, respectively, the head flaps of thefilm 3, prior to the arrival of the groups 2 of products, and the tail flaps of thefilm 3 after the passage of the groups 2 of products wrapped infilm 3 beyond the first transversal joining elements 9. - The
machine 100 also comprises second longitudinal joiningelements 11 located close to the frame 4 (above the latter), and designed to join two longitudinal superposed flaps of thefilm 1 at the formation of thepackage 1. - As illustrated, the
machine 100 comprises at least two of thewalls 6, 7 forming thechannel 8 movable towards and away from each another by amovement device 12 connected to theframe 4, so as to allow the modification, at least temporarily, of the size of thetubular channel 8 in order to reduce the cross section of thetubular channel 8 during the passage of the groups 2 of products and to obtain a reduction in the overall size of the groups 2 of products by flattening them. - It should be noted that the
tubular channel 8 may be formed by a set of separate walls (lower, upper and side) to form thechannel 8, or by two individual C-shaped profiles facing each other (configuration not illustrated), or, also, by four corner segments which make up the bottom andtop walls 6 and the side walls 7 (seeFigures 4 and5 ). - The
folding elements 5 are formed by two pairs offlaps tubular channel 8 and by a pair of intersecting plates 5c positioned above thetubular channel 8 for guiding and retaining the superposed free flaps of thefilm 3 before they are joined with the second longitudinal joiningelements 11. - It should be noted that the first transversal joining elements 9 comprise two sealing bars positioned beyond the outlet of the
tubular channel 8 combined with a knife (not illustrated) for the separation of the completedpackage 1 from the subsequent package being formed. - The second longitudinal joining
elements 11 comprise a sealing head configured to hot seal the superposed flaps of thefilm 3. - Preferably, the
movement device 12 comprises at least afirst shaft 14 with motor-driven screw and rotatably connected to a pair of vertical supportingarms 15 associated with the side walls 7 of the frame 4 (seeFigures 2 to 5 ). - The
first screw shaft 14 is configured for moving, in both directions, the pair ofarms 15 so as to allow a movement towards and away from each other, thereby obtaining a variation, even temporary, of the width L of thetubular channel 8. - In light of this, the
first screw shaft 14 has two threads in opposite directions, separate from each other to allow, during its rotation (in either direction), the movement towards or away from each other of thearms 15. Preferably, thedevice 12 comprises asecond shaft 16 with a motor-driven screw positioned parallel to thefirst screw shaft 14 which is motor-driven and rotatably connected tovertical arms 17 supporting thefolding elements 5. - In light of this, the
second screw shaft 16 is configured for moving, in both directions, the vertical supportingarms 17 so as to allow a movement towards and away from each other, thereby obtaining a variation, even temporary, of the dimensions of thefolding elements 5. - The modification of the
folding elements 5 is correlated with the modification of the width L of thetubular channel 8 in such a way as to adapt the superposed flaps of thefilm 3 to the new size. - It should be noted that the first 14 and the second 16 screw shaft are connected to a single drive unit M (for example by means of transmission belts).
- Alternatively, the two
screw shafts - The
machine 100 comprises thesensors 18 for detecting the compressive force connected at least to the first screw shaft 14 (but they might also be connected to the second screw shaft 16) and configured to send a corresponding signal relating to the compressive force value to acontrol unit 19 connected to the drive unit(s) M. - According to an embodiment (see
Figure 4 ), but without limiting the scope of the invention, thedetection sensors 18 may be of the load cell type interposed between thefirst arms 15 and the side walls 7 in such a way as to check the compressive force imparted by thefirst arms 15 on the side walls 7. - In light of this, the
control unit 19 is programmed for turning ON or OFF the drive unit(s) M for moving the side walls 7 and thefolding elements 5 by a stroke equivalent to a compression value between a minimum and a maximum stroke range, as a function of a plurality of parameters preset in thecontrol unit 19 and the detection signal sent by thedetection sensors 18. - In other words, the
control unit 19 has memory banks in which are set the predetermined minimum and maximum compression values and calculated as a function, for example, a series of parameters, starting from the type of final format of the package to be obtained: - type of product (roll or nappy, for example);
- package softness defined, for example, by the density of the product (roll or nappy, for example);
- configuration of the pack or bag to be formed (in the case of groups of packages side by side or groups of loose products).
- Based on these parameters, therefore, there will be different thresholds (minimum and maximum stroke).
- The activation of the motor(s) M determines the start of the compression stroke and, when the compression value recorded by the
sensors 18 enters the desired threshold (ranging between the minimum and a maximum values), theunit 19 may already stop the motor(s) M. Obviously, the compression may be increased, upon the decision of the operator, but only until reaching the maximum set value. - The
machine 100 also comprisesdynamic contact elements 20 associated with thefolding elements 5 and positioned outside and at a predetermined distance from the two side walls 7 of the frame 4 (seeFigure 5 ). - In light of this, the
dynamic contact elements 20 are configured to oppose, if necessary, a deformation, towards the outside, of the side walls 7 of theframe 4. - The
dynamic contact elements 20 have the capacity, once in contact with the corresponding side wall 7, to make a counter push on the wall itself, but at the same time to avoid any block on the feed movement of thewrapping film 3. - As illustrated in
Figure 5 , thesecontact elements 20 may consist of rollers which can turn idly and are connected (by means of supporting shafts) to thefolding elements 5. - The
rollers 20 are arranged a few millimetres away from the corresponding side wall 7 and they adapt to the movement of the side walls 7 thanks to the translation of thefolding elements 5. - If there is a bending of the side walls 7 due to their compression, the
rollers 20 are designed to oppose this movement towards the outside, maintaining the parallelism of the walls 7 and their position in compression. Moreover, since therollers 20 can rotate freely, they do not oppose the feed movement of thefilm 3 during the step of packaging the groups 2 of products. - As an alternative to the
rollers 20 there may be motor-driven belts (not illustrated) looped on pairs of pulleys and again supported by thefolding elements 5. - Also in this case, if a branch of the belt is resting on the walls, it allows the
film 3 to feed along the side walls 7 during the step ofpackaging groups 1 of products. - Thanks to this packaging method and the respective packaging machine the preset aims are achieved.
- Thanks to the "on time" controlled compression system, the groups of products are reduced in size in terms of width in a short time and without excessively altering the machine structure.
- Together with the compression there is, simultaneously, an adaptation of the extension of film so as to make the final package extremely compact and stable, also with a saving in the quantity of film used.
Claims (12)
- A method for making a package (1) of groups (2) of products for sanitary use, the method comprising at least the following steps:- forming a length of tubular film by means of continuous film (3) around a frame (4) comprising elements (5) for folding the film (3) and a plurality of walls (6, 7) forming a tubular channel (8) for the passage of the groups (2) of products; the tubular channel (8) having at least a width (L) and a height (H);- a first join, wherein head flaps of the film (3) are joined to form a head end, using first transversal joining elements (9) positioned close to the front end of the frame (4) relative to a feed direction (A) of the groups (2) of products;- inserting in the tubular channel (8), in the feed direction (A) and using a pushing unit (10), a predefined number of groups (2) of products, advancing until close to the closed head end of the film (3) to form a first portion of the package (1);- further feeding of the groups (2) of products beyond the first joining elements (9), with simultaneous feeding of the film (3) and relative forming of a further portion of the package (1) beyond the frame (4);- a second join, wherein the longitudinal superposed flaps of the film (3) are joined by second longitudinal joining elements (11), simultaneously with the further feeding step;- a third join, wherein the tail flaps of the film (3) are joined, using the first transversal joining elements (9), in order to close the package (1) at the rear of the groups (2) of products bagged;
characterised in that it comprises, at least between the step of introducing the groups (2) of products in the tubular channel (8) and the step of further feeding the groups (2) of products beyond the first transversal joining elements (9), a step of modifying the size of the tubular channel (8) using a movement device (12) for moving the frame (4) in such a way as to reduce a cross section of the tubular channel (8) and obtain a reduction in the overall size of the groups (2) of products by flattening them. - The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of modifying the size of the tubular channel (8) is given by the reduction in the width (L) of the channel (8) and occurs with the groups (2) of products completely housed in the tubular channel (8) and feeding along the tubular channel (8).
- The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of modifying the size of the tubular channel (8) is given by the reduction in the width (L) of the channel (8) and occurs with the groups (2) of products completely housed in the tubular channel (8) and stationary inside the tubular channel (8).
- The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of modifying the size of the tubular channel (8) occurs by a movement step, which is translational and towards each other, of at least two side walls (7) of the frame (4) forming the tubular channel (8).
- The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of modifying the size of the tubular channel (8) occurs by a movement step, which is translational and towards each other, of at least two side walls (7) of the frame (4) forming the tubular channel (8) and of the folding elements (5) in such a way as to adapt also the extension of the film (3) around the frame (4) to the different perimeter dimension reached by the tubular channel (8).
- The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein after the third step of joining the tail flaps of the film (3) there is a step of restoring the previous size of the tubular channel (8).
- A machine for making a package (1) of groups (2) of products for sanitary use, comprising at least:- a station (13) for feeding a continuous wrapping film (3);- a frame (4) for forming a tubular length of the film (3); the frame (4) having folding elements (5) and a plurality of walls (6, 7) forming a tubular channel (8) for the passage of the groups (2) of products and on which the continuous film (3) is wound; the tubular channel (8) having at least a width (L) and a height (H);- a pushing unit (10) for moving a predetermined number of groups (2) of products inside the tubular channel (8) in a feed direction (A);- first transversal joining elements (9) located downstream of the frame (4), relative to the feed direction (A), and designed to join, respectively, the head flaps of the film (3), prior to the arrival of the groups (2) of products, and the tail flaps of the film (3) after the passage of the groups (2) of products wrapped in film (3) beyond the first transversal joining elements (9);- second longitudinal joining elements (11) located close to the frame (4), and designed to join two longitudinal superposed flaps of the film (3) at the formation of the package (1),- at least two of the walls (6, 7) forming the channel (8) movable towards and away from each another by a movement device (12) connected to the frame (4) so as to allow the modification, at least temporarily, of the size of the tubular channel (8) during the passage of the groups (2) of products and to obtain a reduction in the overall size of the groups (2) of products by flattening them;characterised in that it comprises:- dynamic contact elements (20) associated with the folding elements (5) and positioned outside and at a predetermined distance from the two walls (7) of the frame (4) movable towards and away from each another; the dynamic contact elements (20) being configured to oppose, if necessary, a deformation, towards the outside, of the two walls (7) of the frame (4) so as to allow the parallelism between the two walls (7) and the feeding of the wrapping film (3) to be maintained.
- The machine according to claim 7, wherein the movement device (12) comprises at least a first screw shaft (14) with motor-driven and rotatably connected to a pair of vertical supporting arms (15) associated with the side walls (7) of the frame (4); the first screw shaft (14) being configured for moving, in both directions, the pair of arms (15) so as to allow a movement towards and away from each other, thereby obtaining a variation, even temporary, of the width (L) of the tubular channel (8).
- The machine according to claim 8, wherein the movement device (12) comprises a second screw shaft (16) with a motor-driven positioned parallel to the first shaft (14) which is motor-driven and rotatably connected to vertical arms (17) supporting the folding elements (5); the second screw shaft (16) being configured for moving, in both directions, the vertical supporting arms (17) so as to allow a movement towards and away from each other, thereby obtaining a variation, even temporary, of the dimensions of the folding elements (5), correlated with the modification of the width (L) of the tubular channel (8), and in such a way as to adapt the superposed flaps of the film (3) to the new size.
- The machine according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first (14) and the second (16) screw shaft are connected to a single drive unit (M).
- The machine according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising sensors (18) for detecting the compressive force connected at least to the first screw shaft (14) and configured for sending a corresponding signal relating to a compressive force value to a control unit (19) connected to the drive unit (M).
- The machine according to claim 11, wherein the control unit (19) is programmed for turning ON or OFF the drive unit (M) for moving the side walls (7) and the folding elements (5) by a stroke equivalent to a compression value between a minimum and a maximum stroke range, as a function of a plurality of parameters preset in the control unit (19) and the detection signal sent by the detection sensors (18).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102017000046052A IT201700046052A1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2017-04-27 | METHOD FOR THE CREATION OF A PACKAGE FOR GROUPS OF PRODUCTS AND MACHINE ACTUATING THIS METHOD. |
PCT/IB2018/052891 WO2018198058A1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2018-04-26 | Method for making a package for groups of products and machine implementing the method |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3615429A1 EP3615429A1 (en) | 2020-03-04 |
EP3615429B1 true EP3615429B1 (en) | 2021-03-03 |
Family
ID=59700144
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP18722738.4A Active EP3615429B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2018-04-26 | Method for making a package for groups of products and machine implementing the method |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3615429B1 (en) |
IT (1) | IT201700046052A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018198058A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111907839A (en) * | 2020-08-25 | 2020-11-10 | 陈美华 | Clothing production is with useless cloth clout baling equipment |
CN115303584B (en) * | 2022-09-07 | 2024-03-08 | 佛山市驰力科技有限公司 | Filling equipment for automatic mattress packaging assembly line |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4679379A (en) * | 1983-09-13 | 1987-07-14 | Cassoli S.R.L. Macchine Automatiche Confezionatrici | Automatic bundling machine |
ITBO20050774A1 (en) * | 2005-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | Tissue Machinery Co Spa | METHOD FOR THE REALIZATION OF A PACKAGE FOR GROUPS OF PRODUCTS AND ITS EXACTING MACHINE SUCH A METHOD |
US10196162B2 (en) * | 2014-05-14 | 2019-02-05 | Tissue Machinery Company S.P.A. | Apparatus for packaging batches of products packed in cartons or in wrapping film |
-
2017
- 2017-04-27 IT IT102017000046052A patent/IT201700046052A1/en unknown
-
2018
- 2018-04-26 EP EP18722738.4A patent/EP3615429B1/en active Active
- 2018-04-26 WO PCT/IB2018/052891 patent/WO2018198058A1/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2018198058A1 (en) | 2018-11-01 |
EP3615429A1 (en) | 2020-03-04 |
IT201700046052A1 (en) | 2018-10-27 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP3319878B1 (en) | Wrapping machine for single or grouped and/or stacked products, in packs of thermoplastic material obtained from film unwound from a reel and related operating method | |
EP0691916B1 (en) | Packaging groups of items in a film | |
US7398630B2 (en) | Infeed assembly for a continuous motion wrapping assembly | |
US7356978B2 (en) | Method for producing a pack for groups of products and machine for implementing said method | |
US7430844B2 (en) | Duplex packaging machine | |
US7827766B2 (en) | Method and device for packaging load body | |
HU226909B1 (en) | A method and an equipment for filling bags of a coherent series | |
ITBO20120619A1 (en) | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PACKAGING PANNOLIN OR OTHER SOFT HEALTH OBJECTS FOLDED DISHES. | |
EP3615429B1 (en) | Method for making a package for groups of products and machine implementing the method | |
EP0446015A1 (en) | Packing machine | |
US7610737B2 (en) | Continuous motion wrapping method | |
US5269122A (en) | Apparatus and method for forming protective packages | |
JP5701912B2 (en) | Packing apparatus and packing method | |
US6170237B1 (en) | Process and device for packaging elongate products and packages produced thereby | |
CN206087421U (en) | Thin film packaging machine | |
WO2014091381A1 (en) | Method for packaging absorbent sanitary articles. | |
US11377239B2 (en) | Process for operating a machine for wrapping products with a thermoplastic film | |
CN219601723U (en) | Full-automatic three-dimensional transparent film packagine machine | |
JP3969783B2 (en) | Bag making filling and packaging machine | |
CZ282771B6 (en) | Method of packaging a foodstuff article and apparatus for making the same | |
EP1278676A1 (en) | Horizontal packaging machine, in particular for forming, filling and sealing bags with various products | |
TH26146B (en) | Packing machinery | |
TH26146A (en) | Packing machinery |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE |
|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20191023 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
DAV | Request for validation of the european patent (deleted) | ||
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20200922 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1366968 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20210315 Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602018013429 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG9D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210603 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210603 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210604 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20210303 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1366968 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20210303 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210703 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210705 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602018013429 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210426 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20210430 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210430 Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210430 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210503 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20211206 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210426 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210703 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20210430 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20220426 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220426 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230529 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20180426 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20230427 Year of fee payment: 6 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230427 Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20210303 |