System and method for packaging of nested products

DESCRIPTION

System and procedure for packaging embedded products

Technical sector of the invention

The present invention relates, in general, to the packaging of miscellaneous items such as bottles, cans or other products inside cardboard boxes and, in particular, to the selection and loading of groups of products embedded inside a box. of cardboard being controlled the groups of products fitted as they are loaded in the cardboard boxes and the ends of the cardboard boxes are folded and closed. In detail, the present invention relates to both a packaging system and a packaging process.

Prior art

It is normal in the case of products such as bottles, cans, bags, etc. that are selected in predefined groupings of products and that are loaded in cardboard boxes for the packaging of said products in packages or "packages" for transport and sale. For example, it is common in the case of refreshing drinks, beer and other food products or beverages contained in cans or bottles that are packaged in cardboard boxes such as in packages of 6, 12, 20 and / or 24 containers for sale to the final consumers. Usually, the bottles or cans are fed to a packaging machine where they are grouped into the desired assemblies or product packages, that is, in groups of 6, 12, 20, 24, etc., after which each Group of bottles or cans will be loaded inside or on a cardboard box. The cardboard boxes may comprise tubular cardboard elements, although cardboard boxes of the flat base piece type can also be used, being, in general, the selected product groupings pushed or otherwise moved into said tubular elements. of cardboard through an open end thereof. Next, the ends of the cardboard boxes are folded and glued at this time to create a closed container.

Traditionally, products such as soft drinks and beer are sold in packs of 6, 12 and 24 bottles or cans, thus providing consumers with a limited choice in the number of pre-packaged products available for purchase. Recently, as consumer tastes and preferences have changed, consumer demand for more variety in the sizes of available packages has increased. In response to consumer demands for offers of more and / or different product sizes, manufacturers are currently developing and offering a wider variety of individual ration size containers, such as 6, 8 or 20 bottles or cans, and / or also half-liter and one-liter sizes. As a result, there is a growing need and demand for a much wider diversity of packaging options than traditional packages of 6, 12 and 24 units.

US Patent 4756139 A discloses a machine for packaging bottles. The bottles that must be received in a cardboard box are grouped into two subgroups. A tubular cardboard element is conducted between the two subgroups of bottles such that the latter can be transferred from both sides to the interior of the tubular cardboard element through both open ends thereof.

Although consumers are looking for more options in terms of product package sizes, it is however desirable that such product packages remain as compact as possible so that they fit inside the refrigerators or on the shelves with a minimum amount of space required or encompassed by said containers. In addition, said non-traditional packages often require new non-uniform carton construction forms in size or shape that can create a variety of problems in the selection, loading and packaging of said product groups of different sizes inside. Although attempts have been made to form packages that have non-traditional product groupings, for example, groupings of 8 or 16 bottles, such systems have generally been forced to operate at slower manufacturing speeds and are not flexible in terms of sizes and configurations of the cardboard boxes in which they can be packaged, their use being usually limited to a specific package size.

Therefore, it is noted that there is a need for a system and a procedure for packaging products in a variety of different non-traditional product groups that address the above problems and other related and non-technical related problems. The present invention aims to provide an improved packaging system and method.

Summary of the Invention

The above objective is achieved by means of the packaging system defined in claim 1. Similarly, the packaging procedure defined in claim 10 achieves the above objective.

Briefly described, the present invention relates, in general, to a packaging system and an operating method of said packaging system adapted to allow the selection and grouping of embedded product groups of varying sizes and / or configurations, and for load of said groups of products or packages in a series of cardboard boxes that move along the trajectory of the boxes throughout the packaging system, after which, Cardboard boxes can be closed and sealed. The present system provides flexibility in its operation in such a way that it adapts to the selection and packaging of a variety of product groups of different sizes and / or configurations, including non-traditional packaging sizes and groups of "embedded" products or packages. or ready to tresbolillo. For example, the packaging system of the present invention can be adapted to the packaging of bottles, cans or other similar products or items in configurations ranging from conventional packages of 2x3 = 6 packages, 2x6 = 12 packages, 3x4 = 12 packages, 4x5 = 20 containers and 4x6 = 24 containers, plus more non-traditional packages such as 2x5 = 10 containers, 3x5 = 15 containers, 4x8 = 32 packages, and larger packages, as well as allows selection, grouping and packaging of groups of dispositions of products fitted or arranged to the tresbolillo, including the formation of 8, 10, 14, 18, 22 and 26 packages and other variable sizes and / or configurations of packages and / or groupings of products.

In one embodiment, the packaging system includes an entry zone above a product selection and grouping zone in which the products, for example cans or bottles, are formed into groups of products or packages of a desired size and configuration. . The products can be fed along a first route towards the zone of selection and grouping of the product by means of a conveyor of the product with a first series, or initial series, of the products that are being separated in lines or in rails by middle of a first selector, or primary selector. If necessary, the remaining products can be coupled by means of a secondary selector located after the first primary selector or selector. In order to form a configuration of packages arranged to the triplet or embedded, the first series of products, that is, 2 to 7 rows of products are selected and fed by means of the primary selector rails to a product selection conveyor to form an initial grouping of products inside a package reduction section in the selection conveyor. An additional series of products, that is, one, two, three, four or more products, can be fed by means of the rails of the secondary selector below to a position that contacts and couples the initial grouping of products to form the package of product. The formed product package is then led by the reduction section of the package to the loading area or station in which the product package is coupled from the loading side thereof by means of a loading arm of a first assembly , or primary load set.

When the load arm of the primary load assembly pushes the product package throughout its reduction section of the selection conveyor package, the product package can be coupled by means of a movable compression plate. The compression plate may be located along an upper or lower edge of the package reduction section and moves towards the opposite plate of the package reduction section to apply a compression or thrust force against the product package. This movement or compression force applied by the compression plate against the embedded product package helps reduce and narrow the separation between the products of the embedded product package, and at the same time can contribute to stabilize and guide the product package when it is inserted into the open end of the corresponding cardboard box.

As the product packages are being formed, the cardboard boxes are fed, in general, by a cardboard box feeder on a cardboard box conveyor that extends through the packaging system. The cardboard boxes will be placed inside the sections or between the tabs of the cardboard box conveyor, and they can also be coupled by means of a raised conveyor with tabs for the assembly of the cardboard boxes as tubular elements with the ends open. Then, the tubular elements of the box are displaced in a synchronized relationship with respect to the sections of the selection conveyor, associated or corresponding, to receive a product package embedded therein.

When the product packages are moved into the respective cardboard boxes from the loading side of the packaging system, a secondary or stabilizing side loading arm can be moved through the opposite open end of the cardboard box until it is engaged. with the product package, so that the product package is stably coupled and maintained between the load arms of the primary and secondary load assemblies. In the case of loading embedded product packages, the pusher in front of the loading arms can have a configuration with a substantially U or C shape, whereby the additional embedded products added to the product package by means of the Secondary selector will be kept in a stabilized alignment when the embedded product packages are introduced into the cardboard boxes. Alternatively, alternative configurations of the thrust face such as substantially cross-shaped, A-shaped designs, or other face designs can be used. Moreover, the selection wedges of the secondary selector can be changed to provide variable configurations of the selection wedge as required to select an additional series of one, two, three, four or more products for the feeding of the cardboard boxes according to it is required to form the desired size and / or configuration of the embedded product packages or other provisions to the product three-roll.

Opposite loading arms of the primary and secondary load assemblies generally move in and out of the cardboard boxes following an inclined or synchronized movement path in which the loading arms are initially moved towards each other when the embedded product is moved to a loading position inside a cardboard box and then moved with a movement, in general synchronized with the cardboard box with the embedded product package coupled between them, so that they securely and stably lead the product package to a loading position inside the associated cardboard box. When the product package is loaded or placed inside its cardboard box, the cardboard boxes are moved to an area or area of ​​folding / sealing of the packaging system in which the extreme fins of the cardboard boxes are folded and / or folded to a closed position and an adhesive is applied to seal the cardboard boxes.

When the cardboard boxes enter the folding / sealing area of ​​the packaging system, the lower parts of the fins of the end of the cardboard box along the stabilization side thereof can be coupled by means of a first mechanism , or top folding / folding mechanism, which folds the lower end fins of the cardboard boxes towards their closed positions. The load arm of the secondary load assembly can be maintained in mating contact with the product package inside the carton when the lower end flaps are folded. The front lower end flap along the upper side of the cardboard box can be coupled and pushed into its closed position by means of a series of lower guide rails mounted adjacent to the travel of the cardboard boxes. Substantially at the same time, a reinforcement between the front lower end fins can be coupled and moved to a collapsed inner position by means of a rotary folding device, while the rear reinforcement and the lower end fin can be similarly coupled and displaced. to their folded and folded positions.

When the cardboard boxes continue along the path, the loading arms of the primary and secondary load assemblies are completely removed from the cardboard boxes, after which the cardboard boxes can be coupled by folding and folding mechanisms. down on both sides of the cardboard box. The upper end flaps, from the top and / or side sides on both sides of the cardboard boxes and the lower end fins on the loading side of the cardboard boxes will be folded in this way to their closed positions with the extreme fins bottom of the cardboard boxes folded further above or below the upper end flaps. In addition, an adhesive or sizing material can be applied to seal the end flaps of the cardboard boxes in their closed positions. Likewise, the upper surfaces of the cardboard boxes can be coupled by means of a control tape adjacent to their loading ends, the tape of which can apply the desired compression force to them to help provide additional stability to the products of the product packages adjacent to the loading ends of the cardboard boxes when the loading arm of the primary assembly or the loading side is displaced out of the coupling therewith, until the extreme fins along the loading side of the cardboard box can be folded / closed.

The closed cardboard boxes can then be displaced by a compression section in which the cardboard boxes are coupled by means of compression tapes to help seal the ends of the cardboard boxes in their closed configuration. The cardboard boxes can also be coupled by means of punches or other actuating devices to activate the series of protection features of the article which can also be arranged along the lower panels of the cardboard boxes. For example, if a series of bottles must be packaged inside the cardboard boxes, fins, tongues or other projections can be formed inside the cardboard boxes as required to define the protection characteristics of the articles. , separating the bottles or other fragile items enough to reduce the magnitude of direct physical contact between them and help prevent breakage during handling and transport of cardboard boxes. Later, cardboard boxes can be removed from the packaging system to be collected for storage and / or transport.

In addition, in the case of larger product packages, such as, for example, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and / or 34/36 packages or larger packages, for which it may be desirable providing additional product protection features along the centerline thereof, the product packages can be fed to a rotating / dividing station in which the product packages can rotate, for example approximately 90 °, and / or also be divided into multiple lanes to facilitate storage of the whole. The rotating / dividing station can be mounted at the end of the packaging system to receive the cardboard boxes directly, or it can be arranged as a separate, independent system, in which the cardboard box can be fed individually as needed or wish.

As the cardboard boxes are fed to the rotating / dividing station, they can be coupled by means of a turning mechanism located above. The turning mechanism located above can include a series of rotating arms that engage the upper surface of each cardboard box. The rotating arms can generally include parts that protrude downwards or tabs to engage on the top or bottom side surfaces of the cardboard boxes, respectively, and are generally mounted on a support plate that has a cam follower attached to they. The cam followers engage and move along the cam track, causing the rotating arms to rotate, which consequently produces a rotation of the cardboard boxes of approximately 90 °. Once the cardboard boxes have rotated, they can be coupled by means of a series of punches or other actuating devices to activate the protective features of the article that extend along the central line of the cardboard boxes as precise. Then, the cardboard boxes can be rotated again and can be divided between multiple lanes or lines for collection and storage.

In addition, various features, objectives, advantages and aspects of the present invention may be defined or may be apparent to those skilled in the art when considering the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is an illustration, in perspective, of an embodiment of a packaging system for packaging embedded product packages and other variable configurations of product packages, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of the packaging system of Figure 1.

Figures 3A and 3B are views, in perspective, with the parts removed, showing the various operating assemblies of the packaging system of Figures 1 to 2B.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing exemplary embodiments of cardboard boxes that can be used with the packaging system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figures 5A to 5E show several examples of embodiments of base pieces of cardboard boxes, and / or configurations of embedded product packages, adapted to be received therein, which can be packaged by means of the packaging system herein. invention.

Figures 6A and 6B are illustrations, in perspective, of a new product selection and grouping areas of the product packaging system of Figures 1 to 3B.

Figure 7A is an illustration, in perspective, showing schematically the formation of a group of embedded products to be fed to a cardboard box, according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7B is a plan view showing the formation of an alternative group of products fitted for feeding to a cardboard box using the packaging system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figures 8A and 8B are perspective illustrations of the upper and lower sides of an embodiment of the reduction section of the selection conveyor package of the present invention according to an exemplary embodiment.

Figures 9A to 9C are perspective illustrations of the loading and folding / closing area of ​​the packaging system of Figures 1 to 3B.

Figure 10 is a plan view showing the selection and grouping of the product and the loading areas of the packaging system of Figures 1 to 3B.

Figures 11A to 11G are schematic views showing the selection and grouping of several examples of configuration of embedded product packages and their subsequent loading in a cardboard box.

Figures 12A to 12E are schematic illustrations showing the progressive folding and folding of the extreme lower wings of the stabilization side of the cardboard box by means of the folding and folding mechanism above.

Figures 13A to 13D are schematic illustrations of an exemplary embodiment of the folding and folding mechanisms of the folding / sealing area of ​​the packaging system.

Figure 14 is an illustration, in perspective, of an exemplary embodiment of a rotating / dividing station for use with the packaging system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a bottom view of the rotating / dividing station of Figure 14.

Figure 16 in a side view, in elevation, with parts removed, showing the rotation of the cardboard boxes and their coupling by means of a set of a rotary punch to activate a series of protection features of the article inside The cardboard boxes.

Figure 17 is a schematic illustration of the rotation of the cardboard boxes for coupling and activating the protective features of the article inside the rotating / dividing station of Figure 14.

It will be understood that the drawings accompanying the present description, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present description, are incorporated and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various aspects, characteristics, advantages and benefits of the present description and invention, and together with the following detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that, therefore, in practice, several features of the drawings discussed herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that the dimensions of various features and elements shown or illustrated in the drawings and / or commented on in the following detailed description, they can be enlarged, reduced, or moved to a position, with the parts removed in order to more clearly illustrate the principles and embodiments of the present invention as defined in the present description.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring below in more detail to the drawings in which equal numbers indicate equal parts in the various views, Figures 1A to 2B schematically show an exemplary embodiment of a packaging system -10- and a method of operation in accordance with the principles of the present invention for the selection and grouping of a series of products or articles -P-, arranged in product packages -11- of various sizes and / or configurations to be loaded in cardboard boxes -C- for packaging. Although the present invention is generally illustrated to be used in the packaging of bottles or cans, those skilled in the art will also understand that products or articles of different forms can be packaged by means of the packaging system and the operating procedure of The present invention. In addition, the present packaging system is flexible, so that it is able to adapt to the selection, grouping and packaging of a wide variety of product packages of different sizes and configurations. For example, the packaging system can be adapted to receive, select, group and package bottles, cans or other products -P- in various package sizes, traditional and non-traditional, or in configurations ranging from 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 24 groupings or packages, up to larger packages of 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 or more, arranged in multiple rows of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more products respectively, that is, provisions of 2x3, 2x4, 2x5, 2x6, 3x3, 3x4, 3x5, 3x6, 3x7, 4x4, 4x5, 4x6, 4x7, 4x8, 5x8, etc. products, as indicated in Figures 5A to 5E. Also, various other sizes and configurations of product packages can be used.

In addition, the present invention is specifically adapted to allow the selection, grouping and packaging of configurations of packages of products embedded or arranged on the shelf, as well as more conventional arrangements of product packages. For example, alternative configurations of packages of products embedded or arranged on the roll, such as 10 packages, 14 packages (Figure 5A), 18 packages, 22 packages, 26 packages (Figures 5B to 5D), 40 packages (Figure 5E), or other packages of greater or lesser size embedded or arranged to the tresbolillo, can be packaged using the packaging system -10- of the present invention. Said packages fitted or arranged to the triplet can be formed in a substantially rectangular or square arrangement (figure 5E) or with a configuration, generally convex (figures 5A to 5C) or concave (figure 5D). In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that the above package descriptions have been given simply as examples, and should not be taken as limiting the packaging system of the present invention only to the packaging of such configurations by way of example, but more either to a wide variety of different package sizes and / or configurations, including that packages and / or configurations of larger or smaller sizes can be packaged using the packaging system and the operation procedure thereof, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figures 4 and 5A to 5C show cardboard boxes -C- by way of example and cardboard base pieces -B- to form said boxes for packaging product packages -11- embedded in various sizes and / or configurations (figures 5A to 5E) of variable sizes and / or configurations using the packaging system and the operation procedure thereof in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Each of the cardboard base pieces -B- shown in Figures 5A to 5C includes, in general, side panels -14- and -15-, a base panel -16-, and can also include top panels -17A- / -17B- which can be folded on top and glued together to define the top or top surface -18- of each cardboard box -C-, as indicated in Figure 4. Alternatively, the cardboard boxes can be formed with substantially solid or unitary top panels or in other configurations as needed or desired. As also shown in Figures 5C and 5D, the cardboard boxes may also include a series of protection features -19- such as fins, pins, or other protrusions formed in the base panel or in the bottom panel -16- . For example, as shown in Figure 5C, a first series of protection features -19'- of the article may be arranged in a first orientation and in a position adjacent to the side panels -14 - / - 15-, while that a second series of protection features -19 "- may be formed in a second orientation arranged along a longitudinal axis or center line -20-of the cardboard boxes, whose second series of protection features of the article can be activated after loading the product package -11- therein to provide the desired separation and protection to the bottles or other fragile items of the product package inside the box of cardboard.

Each of the cardboard boxes -C- (Figures 2A to 3B and 4) also includes, in general, first and second lateral stabilizer ends -21- and -22- respectively, which define the openings -23- (Figures 2B and 7A and 7B) through which the product packages can be received after folding or assembling the boxes in the form of a tubular element with open ends. The open ends -23- of the first and second sides of the cardboard boxes -21- and -22- are, in general, defined by means of a series of extreme fins -25- (figures 5A to 5C) which generally include , upper, lower and lateral fins. In one embodiment, the cardboard boxes may be arranged with a configuration that substantially conforms to the configuration of the product package received therein. For example, Figures 5A to 5C show product packages with a prolonged or generally convex profile or configuration, around which their cardboard boxes can be formed. In said embodiment, the end flaps of the cardboard boxes can include lower end flaps -26- formed at each end of the base panel -16- of each box, and separated from the base panel by means of folding lines -26A-; lower fins -27- separated from the base panel -16- by means of folding lines -27A-, upper or upper end fins -28- separated from their respective upper panels -17A - / - 17B- by means of folding lines -28A-, lateral fins -29- (figures 5A and 5B) and -29 '- (figure 5C) generally separated from the side panels -14 - / - 15- along the folding lines -29A-. Lower reinforcements -31- can also be formed along or between the lower end fins -26-, as indicated by dashed lines -31- in Figures 5A to 5C, while additional upper reinforcements -32 - they can be formed between the upper lateral fins and / or the extreme upper fins -29- and the upper panels -17A - / - 17B-.

Additionally, it will be understood from Figures 5A to 5C, that other arrangements other than end fins, side, top and base panels, and reinforcements may also be arranged as needed to accommodate variations in the sizes and / or configurations of the product packages, including embedded product packages such as those shown, as well as to adapt to the packaging of different types of products that make up such product packages. For example, as indicated in Figure 5C, when bottles such as products -P- of the product package -11-, the side panels and the side fins -29 - / - 29'- of the cardboard boxes are used they can be provided with additional folding lines that extend through their width, indicated in lines -33-, as well as additional folding lines -34A- and -34B- between the upper side panels and the lateral or upper end fins , defining an inclined or substantially diamond-shaped support configuration shown with -36- in Figure 5C, adapted to help shape the side panels to the shape of the neck of the bottles of the product package as needed or desired. Also, as shown in Figure 5C, the extreme lateral or upper fins -29- can be substantially divided or separated along the fold line -33- as indicated in -29A - / - 29B- for further facilitate the configuration / folding of the upper end fins around the bottles at the ends of the product package -11 - fitted to help ensure tight packaging with a tight fit.

Moreover, the cardboard boxes can be formed with substantially square or rectangular configurations, without the need for reinforcements, additional and / or extreme lateral fins, or other features adapted to approximate more closely the configuration of the product package received therein, which can result in a reduction in the amount of cardboard or other materials used to form the boxes. For example, as shown in Figures 5D to 5E, in the case of embedded product packages -11- having a configuration with recesses or concave, or a generally rectangular or similar arrangement with rows in triplet or deflected, They can use cardboard boxes of substantially rectangular or square shape. Open spaces or areas with recesses between the ends of the product rows, as indicated in -37-in Figures 5D to 5E, may provide additional space at the ends of the cardboard boxes for handles or fasteners for the hands that must be formed in the cardboard boxes, and / or provide space for inserts or other features, if necessary or desired.

As shown in Figures 1A to 3B, the packaging system -10- can be arranged, in general, in a similar manner and / or incorporate the characteristics of a packaging machine such as the type of the QUlCKFLEX packaging machine ®2100 manufactured by Graphic Packaging International Inc. In this way, the packaging system -10- can be adapted to operate in a conventional manner or manner for the packaging of traditional style / configuration product packages, while providing additional flexibility and adaptability of a wide diversity of packaging sizes and / or configurations, including packaging of embedded product package configurations, or other sizes or non-traditional configurations without requiring additional equipment or substantial reconstruction of it.

As indicated in the figures, the packaging system -10- includes, in general, a frame -39- defining a first loading side -40A- and a second side -40B- for stabilizing the packaging system, and which may include a housing or protections (not shown) and in which said framework supports the various operating systems and assemblies of the packaging system -10-. In addition, the packaging system generally includes an entrance area -41- in which the cardboard boxes -C- and the products -P- (figure 1), respectively, are introduced into the packaging system, a area or zone -42- below, of selection and grouping in which the products are selected and formed in product packages, after which they pass to a loading area or area -43- to load them in the associated or corresponding boxes , an area / zone of folding / sealing -44-, and a compression zone -46- at the bottom end of the packaging system to complete the packaging of the product packages inside their associated cardboard boxes.

The entrance area or section -41- of the packaging system -10-, includes, in general, an input conveyor -50- to drive a series of cardboard boxes -C- usually arranged in a stacked series, as they are driven along the input conveyor -50-, as indicated in figure 1. The cardboard boxes are fed in series stacked to the input conveyor -50- to a loader -51- of cardboard boxes that feeds individual cardboard boxes -C- on a conveyor -52- of cardboard boxes (figures 2A, 3A and 3B, 6A and 6B). An example of said cardboard box loader and the input conveyor -50- is shown, in general, in US Patent No. 8,246,290.

The conveyor -52- of cardboard boxes generally includes a conveyor with tongues or with sections having a series of push tabs -53- (figures 2B, 3B and 6B) driven by means of belts or chains -54- between which each of the cardboard boxes is received from the charger -51- of the cardboard boxes and is conducted along a path, as indicated by the arrow -56-. As additionally indicated in Figures 2A to 3B, a section located above, or a system / assembly -57- of the conveyor with tabs for mounting the cardboard boxes -C-, such as that shown in US Pat. ° 5,809,746, is arranged along the path -56- of the cardboard boxes for a

Tubular element with open ends for loading the products therein, as indicated in Figures 7A and 7B.

As also shown in Figures 2A, 3A, 3B and 6A, the inlet or zone section -41- of the packaging system -10- further includes a product input conveyor -60- that feeds a series of products, such as bottles or cans, along an initial path in the packaging system -10- indicated by the arrow -61-. The product input conveyor -60- generally includes a substantially flat belt having an enlarged width of such a size that it houses the desired number of products therein. The product input conveyor feeds the products to the station or zone -42- of selection and grouping in which the products can be selected / separated as individualized products by means of a series of guides -62- of a primary selector -63 -. The guides -62- can be moved to the desired positions following the width of the product inlet conveyor, as required to accommodate or separate the products in the desired number of rails -64- from the product lines. For example, in figures 2A and 6B six guides -62- used in the primary selector -63- are shown, although it will be understood that a larger or smaller number of guides -62- could also be arranged, which define more or less rails -64- of product. The product lanes -64- of the primary selector -63- will separate the incoming products into independent product lines, which will be coupled by means of a series of selection wedges -65- that select and / or imprison the desired number of products between them to guide an initial series, or first series, of products towards the sections -66- of a conveyor -67- of product selection that travels along a path substantially parallel to the path -56- of the cardboard boxes that move along the conveyor of the boxes of cardboard.

As indicated in Figures 6A to 7B, a desired number of products from each of the product lines are coupled and pushed by means of the selection wedges -65- towards the associated sections -66- of the selector conveyor - 67- in order to form an initial product package, or grouping -11A-, which travels substantially parallel to the cardboard boxes to be loaded therein. As additionally shown in Figures 7A to 8A, each of the sections -66- of the section conveyor, of product selection -67-, in general can be constructed as a section of package reduction which, in one embodiment , it can include a substantially flat base plate -68- on which the packages are loaded between an upper wall -69- which can be fixed in position and a mobile wall below -71-. The bottom wall -71- can be mounted on rotating elements -72- (figures 8A and 8B) such as bearings or pivoting pins -73- (figure 8B) and thus can be displaced on the upper surface -74- of its associated base plate -68-, as indicated by the arrows -76- and -76'- with the rotation of the rotating elements -72- as indicated by the arrows -77- and -77'- in figure 8B. A roller -78- of a cam or a similar guide pin can be mounted on a lower surface of at least one of the rotating elements -72- and can be coupled to a cam or guide track -79- (figures 6A and 6B) extending along the selection conveyor, so as to produce rotation of the rotating elements when the cam roller follows its associated cam track or guide.

As a result, in general, the wall -71- of each section will be pushed to approach and move away from the product package that is being formed in its associated section when the selection conveyor is moved along its path, thus applying a compression force against the product package. This compression force has, as a result, a narrowing or a crushing of the space between the products inside the product package that is being formed when the product package is coupled between the upper and lower walls of the section, and it can also contribute to guiding and stabilizing the top and bottom rows of the products in the product package when it is loaded in a cardboard box, as indicated in Figure 7A. In addition, the shape and / or position of the cam track -79- can be modified and / or changed as required to control the crushing and / or the magnitude of compression provided to the product package. When such compression is not required, such as in the case of manufacturing more conventional or standard product packages and cardboard boxes, the cam track can be displaced and / or removed from the coupling with the cam rollers and / or removed , or it can be reconfigured in another way as required.

As also indicated in Figure 11G, in one embodiment a series of pipes or guides -81- may also be arranged to help guide the packages or product groups -11- embedded in their cardboard boxes. The pipes -81- can include top and bottom plates -82A- and -82B- which are mounted in separate series on a conveyor -83-. The pipes can be moved synchronized with the product packages -11-, and the positions or separations between their top and bottom plates can be adjusted or modified, depending on the size and / or configuration of the product packages, as specify to facilitate the movement of product packages -11-.

As also shown in Figures 6A to 7B, a secondary selector -85- is generally located adjacent to the bottom end of the selection and grouping zone -42- of the packaging system -10-, in a position to receive any remaining additional product that has not been previously selected and loaded into a section of the selection conveyor by means of the primary selector -63-. Thus, to manufacture packages of a more conventional size, the secondary selector -85- must not necessarily be used. However, for the formation of more non-traditional size packages, including embedded -11 product packages such as those shown in Figures 7A to 7B, the secondary selector can receive, select and guide additional series or product numbers -11B - in a coupling or engagement relationship with the initial package -11A- of product formed in each section of the primary selector.

As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, and 9A to 9C, the secondary selector generally includes one or more guides or rails -86- that define at least one lane or passage -87- between them and along which additional products -11B- (Figures 9A to 9C) are received and guided to the desired fitted coupling with the initial product packages -11A- formed inside the sections of the selection conveyor. As further indicated in Figures 7A and 7B, and 9A to 9C, a series of selector wedges -88- can couple the additional series of products that are fed by the secondary selector -85- to select and guide, or direct, the additional products to their relationship of fit with the initial groups of products inside the sections, as shown in figures 11A to 11C. The selection wedges -88- (Figure 7A) can be mounted on an endless moving belt or on a conveyor chain with the desired separation, so that they define guide channels or passages -89- between them and, in general, they move in a synchronized relationship with the incoming products that travel along at least one lane -87- of the secondary selector -85- to select and count the products that move along it. The products are received inside the channels -89-defined between the selection wedges that guide said products to be coupled fitted with their associated initial groups -11A- of product to form embedded product packages -11-.

The resulting product packages -11- can be formed with different numbers and arrangements of rows and products, arranged in a variety of embedded and / or triplet configurations, or others. For example, product packages may have a substantially square or rectangular arrangement with or without spaces at the ends thereof as shown in Figure 5E; an arrangement, generally convex, that has additional products at the ends of one or more central or inner rows of the products, as shown in Figures 5A to 5C and 7A; a configuration, generally concave, with additional products arranged in the outermost front and rear rows or in other product rows, as shown in Figures 5D and 7B; or other various package configurations.

As also indicated in Figures 6A, 7 and 9A at 11F, after each product package -11- has been formed in a section -66- of the selection conveyor -67-, it is moved towards the area or zone of -43- loading of the packaging system -10- to be loaded in the corresponding cardboard box -C-. When the product packages -11 - move towards the loading area, they can initially be coupled by means of a loading arm -91- of a first primary or loading assembly -92- mounted along the loading side -40A- of the packaging system. The primary load assembly -92- (Figures 9A to 10) may include, in general, two or more chains, belts or other drive conveyors that move along an elliptical path in the direction of the arrow -94- and drive a series of loading arms -91- along them. The number of loading arms -91- can be modified depending on the size and / or the separation of the sections of the selection conveyor, each arm usually moving in a synchronized relationship with one of the associated sections of the selection conveyor.

Each loading arm -91- can include, in general, an elongated body or base -96- which can also be formed as a pair of separate arms or rods -97- attached to a carriage -98- which is slidably mounted on a series of supports -99-, such as bars, rods, etc. which in turn are attached to the drive chains or belts -93- of the primary load assembly. A follower -101- of the cam (figure 9C) can be mounted on the carriage -98- of each loading arm -91- and can be coupled and mounted along a guide track -102-, the position of which it can be adjusted by means of a drive device -103-, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator or a servomotor, or other similar drive device. This causes the carriage to be pushed transversely across the width of the primary load assembly towards the corresponding product package being driven by the selection conveyor. In this way, the position of the track -102- can be modified to control the transverse movement of the loading arms -91- in the direction of the arrows -104 - / - 104'- by coupling and decoupling from the product packages as required to load the product packages in the cardboard boxes, as indicated in Figures 7A and 11A to 11F.

A second load assembly -106- or stabilization can also be mounted on the opposite stabilization side -40B- of the cardboard box conveyor of the packaging system -10- from the primary load assembly -92-. The secondary load assembly may have a construction similar to that of the primary load assembly, usually including a conveyor mechanism -107- (figures 9A and 9B) that may include one or more belts, chains, etc., and which carries a series of cars -108- in which load arms are mounted -109-. A mobile guide track -111 - can be moved laterally along the path -112- of the carriages and loading arms to control the transverse movement of the loading arms -109- of the stabilization side approaching and moving away from their cardboard boxes associated that move along the cardboard box conveyor.

An example of a loading system that can be used in the primary and / or secondary load assemblies -92- and -106- of the packaging system -10- can include a split-step drum loader such as shown and described in the publication of US Patent No. 2010/0162668 A1.

As also shown in Figures 7A and 11A to 11F, in one embodiment, the loading arms -91- and -109-each usually include a forward thrust face, or plate, indicated by -115- and -116-respectively. In one embodiment, each pusher face -115 - / - 116- of each of the loading arms -91 - / - 109- can be formed as a substantially unitary plate such as that indicated in Figures 7A and 11A to 11F, or alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, it may be formed from a pair of plates located next to each other, each attached to a separate arm or to a rod that forms its loading arm. In addition, each thrust face can usually be configured to couple various sizes or configurations of product packages -11-, including embedded product packages. By way of example, in one embodiment, such as in the case of forming a configuration or arrangement of the generally concave product package 11, as shown in Figures 7A and 11A at 11 F, the thrust plates or faces -115- and -116- can have substantially U-shaped or C-shaped configurations each with an incoming area -117- defined between a pair of projections or fingers -118- extending forward. The additional products -11B- selected by means of the secondary selector -85- can be received inside this incoming area -117- to support the additional products -11B- when they are pushed into their fitted position against the initial group of products - 11 A- when the embedded product package -11- is loaded in the cardboard box.

As also indicated in Figure 7A, the thrust faces -115- of the load arms -91- of the primary load assembly generally have a lower part or base -119- that protrudes downwards and is adapted to move above or in close proximity to the upper surface - 74- of the base plates -68- of the sections -66- of the selection conveyor when the loading arms -91- travel transversely through it in order to couple and substantially stabilize a lower or lower part of the products (for example bottles, as shown in the figures) of the product packages, when the product packages are introduced in the corresponding cardboard boxes. On the contrary, the thrust face -116- of the load arm -109- of the secondary load assembly -106- may not require a base that extends downwards or a lower part instead of generally engaging the upper part or center of the parts, as indicated in figure 7A. Even more, the thrust faces of the loading arms may be arranged as replacement parts to allow quick and easy change of said thrust faces or plates as necessary to accommodate product packages of different sizes or configurations (such as those shown in the Figure 7B) and / or for manufacturing more conventional product package arrangements that do not include a series of additional products disposed to the roll or embedded as a part of said packages of product.

As shown schematically in Figures 11A to 11F, when the product packages -11- are pushed into the corresponding cardboard boxes -C- (in the direction of the arrow -104-) by means of the arms -91- of the primary load assembly, the corresponding or associated load arms -109- of the secondary load assembly -106-, are generally moved to the interior and through the open or internal passage cavity of the boxes paperboard, as indicated by arrow -121- in figures 11A to 11C. As a result, when each product package is introduced in its corresponding cardboard box, it will be coupled to the opposite sides of the carton to help stabilize and prevent the rollover or misalignment of the products when the product packages are placed inside of their boxes. With the product packages coupled by means of both loading arms -91 - / - 109-, the movement of the loading arms -109-can be reversed so that they move in the opposite direction, as indicated by the arrow - 121 '- when the loading arms -91- continue moving forward in the direction of the arrow -104- to load the product packages in their boxes, with the product packages maintained in a stabilized arrangement during loading, as indicated in figures 11D to 11E. Then, as indicated in Figure 11F, once each product package has been fully placed inside its box, the loading arms of the primary and secondary load assemblies can be folded (as indicated using the arrows -104'- and -121'-) when the cardboard boxes move towards the folding / sealing area or area -44- below the packaging system (figures 1, 2B, 9A to 10, and 13A and 13B).

In an alternative embodiment more shown in Figures 7B and 11G, the secondary selector -85- can also be reconfigured as required to provide the selection and feeding of additional arrangements other than the products -11B- as needed to form several other settings of product packages. For example, as indicated in Figures 7B and 11G, the secondary selector can be configured to feed additional product groups -11B- in separate arrangements or to the triplet for alignment with separate rows selected from the initial product package -11A- , in such a way that it is fed to engage with the outermost rows, or from above and below, of the products. In said embodiment, as shown in Figures 7B and 11G, the thrust faces -115'- and -116'- of the load arms -91- and -109- of the primary and secondary load assemblies may be changed and / or configured with an A-, E- or substantially T- shaped configuration; having, for example, a projecting central part -122- which extends towards the product packages and is surrounded by the upper and lower side sections -123A- and -123B-. The pushing faces -115'- and -116'- can be arranged as spare parts so as to replace the pushing faces -115- and -116- of the loading arms -91- and -109-, or as Alternatively, the loading arms themselves can be replaced when required.

Therefore, while the secondary selector -85- is being shown in the illustrated embodiments as generally feeding two additional products to mate, for example, with the central rows of the initial product package, as shown in Figure 7A, or for engage with the front and back rows or the most main and most extreme of the products, as shown in Figure 7B, Those skilled in the art will understand that a greater or lesser number of products may also be fed to engage or align with several selected rows of the initial product package, so that substantially rectangular, substantially square, or generally concave product arrangements are formed. , and / or in general convex. For example, as shown in Figure 5E, three additional products such as three additional cans can be fed to engage the first row or front row of products, with the third row or center row of products, and with the fifth or last row of products to form a product package of a desired size and / or shape that can be packaged using a substantially rectangular cardboard box that does not require additional reinforcements or fins to substantially conform the cardboard box approximately in the shape of the product package, as shown in Figures 5A to 5C.

Additionally, as also shown in Figure 11G, the selection wedges of the secondary selector -85- can be replaced by additional selection wedges of various configurations, such as those indicated in -88A- and -88B-. The selection wedges may be arranged with inclined guide surfaces -90A- to -90C-, which define a guide passage -89A- inclined or redirected upwards, which may also include substantially flat guide surfaces -90D- that define a guide step down -89B-. Also, those skilled in the art will understand that other configurations other than the selection wedges -88A- and -88B- can also be used thus defining different and / or additional configurations of guide channels -89A- and -89B- ( including additional guide channels as required). In this way, the selection wedges -88A- and -88B- are coupled to the additional products that are being fed through the secondary selector, and guide the additional products towards a desired product configuration, embedded or to the triple, convex or with spaces, as shown in figures 5B, 5E, 7B and 11G.

As described above, the load arms -91- (figures 7B and 11G) of the primary load assembly couple and push the additional products along the guide channels -89A- and -89B- until coupled / aligned with the selected rows (that is, the upper and lower rows), while substantially at the same time, the bottom wall -71- of each section -66- of the package reduction can be moved towards its top wall -79- so as to crush or reduce the size of the package with a magnitude of crushing and / or compression of the package of product -11- which, in general, is controlled by the movement of the rollers -78- of the cam (figures 6A and 6B) along the track or guide -79- of the cam. In addition, as shown in Figures 7B and 11G, a conveyor duct -83- can be arranged between the sections -66- of the product selection conveyor -67- and the conveyor of the cardboard boxes to move a series of pipes or guides -81- in a synchronized movement with the product package -11 - through the sections and towards their corresponding or associated cardboard boxes. The pipes also facilitate the compression and guidance of each of the product packages -11 - in the associated cardboard boxes, as needed or desired.

When the product packages are moved by means of the load arms -91- of the primary load assembly towards their boxes, the product packages can also be coupled at the opposite or lateral end by means of the load arms -109- of the second load assembly -106- or stabilizer assembly, the thrust faces -116- of which generally have a similar configuration, so that they are coupled by fitting the product packages on the opposite side to help keep the product packages in the desired arrangements or configurations, embedded or three-way, when the product packages are fed into the openings of their boxes. As indicated above, when the product packages enter their associated cardboard boxes, the load arms -109- of the second load assembly -106- or stabilizer assembly, can be retracted since the load arms -91 - from the primary load assembly -92- continue their movement forward, thus guiding the product packages to their cardboard boxes, as previously mentioned. Then, the cardboard boxes with their product packages loaded in them, continue to follow their path to the folding and sealing area of ​​the packaging machine.

The selection and packaging of embedded product packages that have substantially concave and / or three-pin arrangements or configurations, or with spaces, such as those shown in Figures 5D, 5E, 7B, and 11G, allow the packaging of a variety of packages of product of different sizes or number of products in product packages, that is, 18, 20, 28, 32, 40, or other configurations other than package size, whose packages can also be packaged using more conventional or substantially square rectangular cardboard boxes. Such boxes may not necessarily require additional features such as reinforcements and / or additional folding fins at the ends and / or on the sides thereof in order to more closely configure the cardboard box around product packages concavely, oval or similar extended, as shown in Figures 7A and 11A to 11F. As a result, the use of said substantially rectangular or square containers can provide potential cost savings in the amount of material plates required to form the cardboard boxes, and can potentially allow an increase in production / packaging speeds.

Additionally, as indicated, the packaging system -10- (Figures 1 to 3B) and the manufacturing process thereof in accordance with the principles of the present invention also have flexibility to allow packaging of product packages and / or of cardboard boxes of a more standard or conventional size, for example, 12 packages in 2 x 6, 3 x 4 configurations, 24 packages in 4 x 6 configurations, etc. In order to manufacture said product packages and standard or more conventional cardboard boxes, the secondary selector can be decoupled and / or diverted, so that the products that are fed to the product inlet conveyor are fed only to the primary selector rails , and the faces of the pusher and / or the loading arms of the sets of the primary and stabilization load assemblies may be replaced or changed by substantially flat front thrust faces to engage the product packages and push said product packages towards its associated cardboard boxes. Furthermore, when manufacturing said product packages or cardboard boxes of a generally standard or more conventional size, if it is not necessary or does not wish to compress or reduce the size of the product packages, the cam track that guides the rollers of the cam of the -66-reduction sections of the selection conveyor package can be removed, displaced, or diverted to a position or location out of engagement with the cam rollers to prevent compression or size reduction of product packages. As an additional alternative, the secondary selector can be kept in operation and can be used to selectively feed additional products in conjunction with the primary selector. For example, if the primary selector is feeding four to six rows, such as to form a package of 12 or 24, the secondary selector may work in conjunction with the primary selector to feed an additional row or rows as needed to form packages of larger product.

As shown in Figures 11E and 11 F, with the product packages placed in their cardboard boxes, the loading arms of each of the loading assemblies can be folded or removed after the cardboard boxes and outside of coupling with product packages, after which, or at the same time, The open ends of the cardboard boxes can be closed and sealed so that the cardboard boxes continue their journey towards the support / classification area -44-. As indicated in Figure 13a, when the cardboard boxes enter the folding / sealing area -44-, they are usually coupled by means of a first upper folding mechanism -125-. The upper folding / folding mechanism -125- can be located, in general, adjacent to a bottom end of the secondary load assembly -106- so as to fit the lower end fins -26- and the lower reinforcements -31 - of the cardboard boxes -C- along the second side, or stabilization side -40B- of the packaging system to initiate the closure of the boxes along the stabilization sides thereof, while the loading arm -109- of the secondary load assembly -106- can, in general, remain in contact or in stabilization coupling with the more extreme products -P- of the product package -11-loaded therein, as indicated in figures 12A, 13A and 13B. In this way, the closure of each carton to seal its product package can be initiated while the product packages are maintained in their stabilized coupling between the load arms of the primary and secondary load assemblies.

As indicated above, the thrust plate -116- of the secondary load arm -109- can be formed or configured, in general, so as to fit the intermediate and / or upper parts of a product package of so as to allow the secondary load arm -109- to remain in its stabilization contact with the products during the folding and closing of the lower end flaps of the boxes along their secondary or stabilization sides, after which the secondary loading arm -109- can be completely removed from the cardboard box without interfering with the closing of the lower end flaps of the box. Then, once the box is closed, the end flaps of the box can provide the necessary or desired stability to the product packages contained inside its cardboard boxes when the remaining fins along both sides of the boxes cardboard are closed and sealed.

Figures 12A to 12E schematically show the operation of the upper folding / folding mechanism -125 for folding and folding the lower end flaps and the lower reinforcements of the boxes along their secondary or stabilization sides. As indicated in Figures 12A to 13B, the initial folding / folding mechanism -125- generally includes a folding wheel -126- mounted on a drive shaft -127- and including a radial projection or finger abatement -128- located along its circumference. The blasting wheel -126- generally rotates under the control of a drive motor, or being connected to the drive system of the cardboard box conveyor, or others operating elements driving the packaging system, so that it rotates to engage with the lower front reinforcement -31'- of each carton, as indicated in Figures 12A and 12b. The rotation of the folding wheel causes the front lower reinforcement to bend or fold inwards, as indicated in Figures 12B to 12E, while at the same time the front end lower flap -26'- of each case it is coupled by means of one or several guide rods -129-, as indicated in Figures 12A to 13B, to cause the movement of the lower front end flap of said cardboard box to its folded or closed position, as shown in figures 12D and 12E.

Approximately at the same time, an upper folding and folding element -131- can be coupled in a similar manner to the lower end rear flap -26 "- and the reinforcement -31" - of the cardboard box, as indicated in the figures 12C to 12E. The folding and folding element -131- is generally mounted on a drive shaft -132- which rotates the folding and folding element to engage with the bottom reinforcement or lower rear reinforcement and with the end and / or side wings of each box, and can include an elongated finger of dejection, or protrusion, -133- that helps push the lower back reinforcement inwards, and the engaged coupled upper end -134- that engages and pushes the lower rear end and / or the lateral fins to its folded configuration shown in Figure 12D. When the folding wheel -126- and the folding and folding element -131- of the upper or initial folding / folding mechanism -125- rotate out of the coupling with the reinforcements and the extreme wings of the boxes, the extreme fins of the cardboard boxes then continue along the guide rods -129- that keep the lower end flaps of the cardboard boxes in their folding / closing positions as indicated in Figure 12E. Said coupling further helps provide stability to said end of the product package inside the box.

Although the guide rods -129- provide stability and support to the end of the product packages along the stabilization side or second side -40B- of the packaging system, the cartons can also be coupled by means of a tape of control -136- along the loading side -40A- thereof, as indicated in Figures 13A, 13C and 13D, to help provide additional stability to the product packages inside the cardboard boxes when the first loading arms, or primary arms, have been fully retracted therefrom. The control tape -136- can be a foam tape or a similar padded tape formed of a non-sticky or non-spoiling material, so as to avoid damaging the cardboard boxes when said boxes are moved along. The control belt can be driven or moved at a speed appropriate to the movement of the cardboard boxes along its path, and can apply a downward compression force against the upper surfaces of the cardboard boxes. This downward compression force can help create a friction coupling between the upper surfaces of the cartons and the products of the product package contained therein to help provide additional stability to the product packages adjacent to the ends. loading the cardboard boxes until the loading ends of the boxes can be closed and sealed.

As the cardboard boxes move through the folding / sealing area -44-, as indicated in Figures 13A to 13C, the lateral fins along the ends of the cardboard boxes and the extreme fins lower along the loading sides of the boxes, they can generally be coupled by means of a folding mechanism, such as folding wheels -137- mounted on each side of the path of the cardboard boxes, as well as by a series of guide rails -138- to keep the folded side and the upper end flaps of the cardboard boxes in their folded and closed positions. Next, the cardboard boxes are usually coupled to each side thereof by means of a pair of folding / folding mechanisms -141 A- and -141B- (Figures 13C and 13D). Each of the folding / folding mechanisms -141 A- and -141B- below can include a rotary folding wheel -142- mounted on a drive shaft -143- and that rotates with the movement of the boxes by means of a drive device such as a servomotor, a stepper motor, or other similar drive -144-. A series of folding fingers -146- are extensibly mounted inside the supports -147- along the rear lateral surface of each folding wheel -142-. Each of the folding fingers is generally deflected towards a retracted position by means of a spring or a similar deviation mechanism -148-, with the lower or inner ends -149- of the folding fingers -146- generally rotating above or moving around a surface -151- of the cam mounted along the drive shaft -143-, so that it causes the folding fingers to move between the extended and retracted positions.

In their extended positions the folding fingers are coupled to the upper reinforcements of the cardboard boxes so that they push the upper reinforcements towards an inner folded position when an additional set of folding wheels -152- engages and pushes the upper end and the lateral fins towards a folded, closed position and the upper end fins are coupled by means of the folding wheels and are pushed into their closed folded position. Additionally, similarly, the lower or lower end fins of each of the cardboard boxes can be coupled and pushed into the folded and closed position by means of the lower folding / folding mechanisms -141 '-. Each lower folding / folding mechanism can have a construction similar to that of the upper folding / folding mechanisms -141A- and -141B- but will be located below the path of the cardboard boxes in a position to couple and fold the panels lower ends.

Then, as indicated in Figures 1, 2B and 3A and 3B, the cardboard boxes with their end flaps folded in a closed position, can be displaced by a series of devices -155- for applying a glue or a adhesive, apply an adhesive material to them to seal the ends of the cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxes can be sealed with their lower end fins superimposed on their upper end fins or, alternatively, with their upper end fins superimposed on the lower end fins as needed or desired, depending on the configuration of the cardboard boxes and of additional problems such as whether a handle or a band is disposed therein. The cardboard boxes are then received inside the compression section -46- of the packaging system -10- passing between the compression tapes -156- which are generally coupled and apply a compression force against the ends of the boxes to complete the closing and sealing of the boxes.

In addition, if the cardboard boxes are provided with a series of protection features -19- of the article formed integrally therein, as shown in Figure 5C, the cardboard boxes can be coupled by means of one or more devices for activating said protection features of the article when the boxes are fed along the compression section of the packaging system between the compression tapes -156-. Said drive devices may include rotary punches or similar systems, or devices such as those disclosed in US Patent Application No. 13 / 655,527.

After the product packages -11- (including embedded product packages) have been formed, loaded and sealed inside their cardboard boxes, in one embodiment the finished cardboard boxes can be unloaded for storage and / or transport . In another embodiment, as shown in Figures 14 to 17, the cardboard boxes -C- can alternatively be fed to a station -200-, rotating / dividing below. For example, in some constructions of the cardboard boxes, it may not be practical to couple and form some or all of the protection features -19 "of the article disposed therein inside the compression section of the packaging system, it is that is, in the case of large packages such as those shown in Figure 5C, It may be desirable to include a row of article protection features formed along the centerline or longitudinal axis 20 of them. Accordingly, said cardboard boxes can be fed into the rotating / dividing station -200- (figure 14) in which the cardboard boxes can be rotated in order to allow the activation of said article protection features oriented to the along its longitudinal axis or center line.

As further indicated in Figures 14 to 17, the turning-division station -200- may be mounted on the packaging system -10- as a section below or a station thereof, or alternatively, may be formed as A separate, independent station. As indicated in Figure 14, the rotating / dividing station -200- can be positioned in line with the compression tapes -156- of the compression section -46- of the packaging system -10-, so that it receives the boxes of cardboard -C- loaded and closed directly from it. The rotating / dividing system generally includes a frame or housing -201- which has a turning section -202- and a dividing section -203- defined along it. The turning section -202- may generally include a conveyor -206- which may include a pair of separate conveyor belts -207- (Figure 15) or other similar driving mechanisms that have non-adherent surfaces to facilitate rotation or rotation of the cardboard boxes thereon as indicated in figures 16 and 17.

A turning mechanism -208- located above can be mounted on the frame -201- of the turning-division station -200- supported above the conveyor -206-. The turning mechanism -208- located above can include a series of plates -209- mounted along a series of guide rods -210- that are actuated by means of conveyor belts or chains -211 - following an elliptical path for engage the cardboard boxes and move said boxes through the turning section -202- as indicated by arrows -212-. The rotating arms -213- will be mounted, in general, on the plates -209- and will be driven with them until they engage with the upper or upper surfaces -18- of the cardboard boxes -C-, as indicated in Figures 16 and 17. Each of the pivoting arms can also include, in general, protruding parts downwards or tabs -214-which can be distanced in an adjustable manner, so that they are adapted to fit the various sizes of the cardboard boxes and are coupled to the side walls above and below -15 - / - 14- of the cardboard boxes, respectively.

The rotating arms -213- can also be connected through a shaft or rotating pin -216- to a connection -217- which has a cam roller or follower -218- mounted on the distal end thereof. The cam follower -218- of each connection -217- is coupled, in general, to a track -219- of the cam formed around the raised turning mechanism when the plates -209- rotate along its path. When the cam followers of the rotating arms move along the cam track, the response movement of the connection -217- causes the rotating arms -213- to perform a rotation, whose rotational movement is transmitted accordingly to the cardboard boxes producing the rotation of the boxes to a desired orientation as indicated in Figures 16 and 17. In one embodiment, the cardboard boxes can be rotated approximately 90 °, so that they are aligned again with the longitudinal axis -20- thereof in order to position or position the cardboard boxes as needed for the coupling of the protective features of the article thereof by means of a rotary punch mechanism -221- or a similar drive device, as described above, to activate the features of protection of the article that extend along the longitudinal axes or central lines of the cardboard boxes. Other major or minor rotations may also be arranged as needed or desired.

As indicated further in Figure 17, when the cardboard boxes enter the turning-division station -200-, the boxes can be coupled on either side thereof by a series of tabs -225-driven by tapes or chains, of an initial driving mechanism -226-. The tabs -225- help to push or move the cardboard boxes -C- along their path over and along the belts -207- of the rotating section of the conveyor -206-. When the clamping arms begin to rotate or reorient the cardboard boxes, the tabs -225- can be removed from their coupling with them. After the cardboard boxes have rotated in the desired magnitude, the boxes can be additionally coupled by means of a series of bottom tabs or pushers -227- mounted along belts, chains or other driving mechanisms of a secondary conveyor -228-. The tabs below -227- of the secondary conveyor -228- engage and push the boxes along the belts -207- of the conveyor -206- of the turning section when the punch mechanism -221- is coupled to the cardboard boxes.

Although Figures 16 and 17 show the mechanism of the punch -221- as it includes, in general, a rotating wheel -231- which has a series of fingers, punches or other protrusions -232- mounted in independent series, around the circumference of the wheel -231-, it will be understood that other various mechanisms can also be used to couple the cardboard boxes and activate in them the protective characteristics of the article. Once the center line row of the protective features of the article of the cardboard boxes has been activated or formed, the boxes can be reoriented or rotated, receding to their initial orientation, or they can be turned to another orientation as needed or desired, as shown in figures 16 and 17.

Next, the cardboard boxes pass to the division section -203- of the rotating / dividing station -200- when the rotating arms of the rotating mechanism located above exit the coupling with the cardboard boxes. As shown in Figures 15 and 17, the division section -203- includes, in general, a driving mechanism -235- which can comprise a series of slats or carrier plates -236- slidably mounted along the lanes -237-, the ends of which are mounted on belts, chains or other similar driving elements, as indicated in -238-. As shown in Figure 15, the division section -203- can be separated or arranged with two or more rails -239- formed along. When the cardboard boxes are driven forward through the division section, the cardboard boxes can be divided and directed to multiple lanes as needed or desired. To divide the boxes into the rails, the groups of slats that support each of the cardboard boxes can be controlled so that they move laterally along their support rails -237-, with the result that the boxes of cardboard are separated and divided between the two or more rails -239- arranged along the division section. Next, the cardboard boxes can be collected for storage and / or transport as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is not limited to the specific methodology, devices, devices, materials, applications, etc. described herein, as these may vary. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing only specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It should be noted that as used in this description and in the appended claims, the singular expressions "a", "one" and "the" include references to the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Except as otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this description are directed to the same invention, and it will be understood that procedures and materials similar or equivalent to the methods can be used in practice or in the construction of the invention. described herein.

The above description shows and describes, in general, various methods of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made to the previous construction system without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, and it is further intended that all the topics contained in the description above or shown in the accompanying drawings are interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. In addition, it should be considered that the scope of the present invention covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc. of the embodiments described above, which are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, various elements and features of the present invention as described herein can be selectively exchanged and applied to other embodiments shown and not shown in the present invention.