WO2006064341A1

WO2006064341A1 - Apparatus for packaging a product

Info

Publication number: WO2006064341A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/003760
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Mengoli; Fabio Sassi
Original assignee: Plan.E.T. S.P.A.
Priority date: 2004-12-13
Filing date: 2005-12-06
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Also published as: ITBO20040763A1

Abstract

An apparatus for packaging a product, preferably in the form of a product in pieces, especially in the form of an edible product is described. The apparatus comprises means (110, 112) for forming the container, in which the container is configured in an erect filing condition and box- shaped container feed means (102). In the apparatus, the means (110, 112) for configuring the container in the erect filling condition are located on the container feed means.

Description

Apparatus for packaging a product

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging a product, preferably in the form of a product in pieces, especially in the form of an edible product. Moreover, said product preferably consists of comfits, sweets, chocolates, pastilles or the like.

Background Art

Apparatuses are known for packaging a product in pieces, in particular in the form of an edible product, preferably consisting of comfits, sweets or other products, in a suitable rectangular box-shaped container. These known apparatuses or machines use means which feed the boxes in the erect condition, consisting of a box-shaped body transporting seat, formed by a first element for engaging with the side wall of the box-shaped body and a second element for engaging with the opposite side wall of the box-shaped body, in which the first engagement element precedes the second engagement element in the direction of feed. These first and second side engagement elements for the box-shaped body are fixed and at a distance from one another slightly greater than the width of the container, so that there is a predetermined clearance at the side of the box-shaped body in the erect condition.

The box-shaped body is erected, before filling, at the moment when the flat box-shaped body is inserted in its seat, which feeds it along the various operating zones of the machine, due to compression against the inner surface of the first engagement element of the seat. After this engagement, the second, or subsequent engagement element makes contact with the opposite side wall of the box-shaped body, receiving the box. In practice, the box-shaped body erecting means comprise the corresponding inner surface of the first engagement element and the means for inserting the box-shaped body in the respective seat, which force the box-shaped body against the first engagement element.

Moreover, immediately downstream of the box-shaped body insertion zone, on the respective seat, there must be retaining means for the front of the box-shaped body, which prevent the box from falling forwards out of its feed seat. The retaining means are in the form of a bar, substantially extending all around the profile of the machine, following the entire path of the seat that transports the box-shaped body.

Disclosure of the Invention

Therefore, according to an advantageous aspect, an apparatus is supplied for packaging a product, preferably in the form of a product in pieces, especially in the form of an edible product; the apparatus comprises means for forming the container, in which the container is configured in an erect filling condition and box- shaped container feed means,- characterised in that the means which configure the container in the erect filling condition are present on the container feed means. In this way, the box-shaped container is easily formed.

Other advantageous aspects of the present apparatus are described in the other claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings These and other technical characteristics of the invention are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:

Figures IA to Il illustrate the various steps of the process for forming the pack;

Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the step during which the blank is picked up by the means which feed it along the various forming zones, together with the step of erecting the blank; Figure 3 is a perspective schematic view of the step during which the blank is picked up by the means which feed it along the various forming zones, together with the step of erecting the blank; Figures 4A to 4F are perspective top, bottom and side views and cross-sections of the seat for transferring and forming the fully erect pack;

Figures 5A to 5F are perspective top, bottom and side views and cross-sections of the seat for transporting and forming the fully closed pack;

Figure 6 is a perspective schematic view of the device for folding the lower tabs of the box-shaped body;

Figure 7 is a schematic front view of the device for folding the lower tabs of the box-shaped body; Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the device for folding the lower tabs of the box-shaped body.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of an apparatuses for preparing a pack for the preferred containment of a product in pieces, in particular in the form of an edible product, preferably consisting of comfits, sweets or other products.

As illustrated in Figures IA to II, said pack in particular consists of a box-shaped container, particularly a polygonal box- shaped container. As illustrated, the present pack preferably has a hexagonal shape. However, other polygonal shapes, whether they have regular or irregular sides, may be imagined. For example, the box-shaped container could have the shape of a pentagon. The present box-shaped container 10 is obtained from a flat blank (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings) , preferably made of cardboard, supplied to the present machine in the preformed or partly prepared condition. Said container is supplied to the present machine in a flat tubular condition, as illustrated in Figure IA. In practice, the flat blank, from which the present box-shaped container is obtained, is pre-glued at opposite side edges of the box-shaped body, in this case coinciding with the edges of the peripheral walls 20 and 28, as described in more detail below.

In particular, as illustrated in Figure II, the present hexagonal pack, obtained using the present apparatus, comprises a box-shaped body 12, having an upper opening 14, illustrated in Figure IB, a base wall 16 and a plurality of outer walls.

The outer or peripheral walls in turn comprise a front wall 18, a rear wall 20 and a first and a second lateral or side wall 21, 23. The lateral or side walls 21 and 23 comprise a respective front side wall 22, 26 and a respective rear side wall 24, 28.

As can be seen, in particular with reference to Figure IB, from the bottom of said side walls or panels there extend respective gluing or connecting tabs, labelled 122, 124, 126, 128, whilst from the top of the side walls or panels there extend respective gluing or connecting tabs, labelled 222, 224, 226, 228.

The numeral 118 denotes a hexagonal panel, extending from the bottom of the front wall or panel 18, whilst the numeral 120 denotes a long rectangular panel, extending from the bottom of rear wall or panel 20, the panels 118 and 120 forming, together with the triangular tabs 122, 124, 126, 128, the base 16 of the container.

The numeral 30 denotes a tab extending from the top of the front wall or panel 18 and forming a retaining tooth for snap closure of the lid on the box-shaped body. The numeral 220 denotes a panel extending from the top of the rear wall 20, in particular from an internal panel of the wall 20, having a general "V" shape, the panel 220 being connected, in particular glued, to the tabs 222, 224, 226, 228 and forming a wall providing upper reinforcement or delimiting the outlet through which the product comes out. In practice, the edge 220' forms, with the opposite edges of the front and front side walls of the box-shaped body, the passage through which the product comes out of the pack.

As illustrated, between the adjacent front and rear side walls 22, 24 and, respectively, 26, 28, an angle A is formed, preferably greater than 90°. The numeral 32 denotes a panel which extends from the top of the rear wall 20, in particular from an outer panel of the wall

20, and which forms the lid of the container. This panel 32 is connected to the rear wall 20 by a creasing line 30, forming a hinge for rotation of the lid relative to the box-shaped body.

From Figure II it may be seen how the present pack therefore comprises a box-shaped lid 32, having a flat upper wall 34 and a plurality of outer or peripheral walls. In particular, the outer walls of the lid include a front wall 38 and a first and a second side wall. In particular, they are a first and a second front side wall 42, 46, positioned, in the closed operating configuration, at the front outer walls 22 and 26 of the container 12.

The lid 32 is completed by a pair of teeth 40a, 40b, which are connected, in particular glued, inside the panel forming the front face 38 of the lid and have an upper edge for engaging with the free edge of the tab 30, so that with the latter they form retaining means - with snap opening and closure - for holding the lid of the box-shaped body closed.

The present container is obtained from a flat blank made of a bendable or semi-rigid material, preferably cardboard, which is preferably pre-glued and supplied to the machine in a flat condition, illustrated in Figure IA. In practice, opposite longitudinal panels of the blank are glued to one another, in particular an end panel is glued to the inside of the rear panel 20, forming the rear wall of the container. Following said longitudinal gluing, the containers are arranged in a flat condition, in which the outer walls of the body have their respective inner faces in contact with one another. All of this is done using methods known to experts in the field and, therefore, requires no further illustration or description.

The process of folding the box-shaped container, advantageously performed by the present apparatus is, briefly, as follows. Starting with a tubular condition, illustrated in Figure IA, the box-shaped body is erected into a tubular shape, illustrated in Figure IB, in the way described in more detail below. Next, the long lower panel 120 is folded inwards, as illustrated in Figure 1C, and the side tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 are folded onto it, as illustrated in Figure ID.

Finally, the base 16 is completed by folding the polygonal panel 118, as illustrated in Figure IE. In this way, a base panel arrangement is achieved which is particularly advantageous and rigid, allowing good adhesion between the tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 and the panel 118 on the outside of the tabs, and with the panel 120, on the inside of the tabs 122, 124, 126, 128. The glue, or adhesive, is spread on the lower face of the panel 120 and on the lower face of the tabs 122, 124, 126, 128, once they have been suitably folded.

These folds in the base of the box-shaped body are achieved in the present apparatus according to the advantageous procedure which is better described below.

As illustrated in Figure IF, as regards the upper part of the container, firstly the tabs 222, 224, 226, 228 are folded. Then, as is clearer below, the upper panel 34 is folded simultaneously with the separate lower panel 220. During this folding step, the panels forming the front side walls 42, 46 of the lid and the tabs forming the retaining teeth 40a, 40b are also folded simultaneously, as illustrated in Figure IG.

As illustrated in Figure IH, the teeth 40a and 40b are then folded on the front face of the box-shaped body wall 18, and the panel 38 forming the front wall of the lid is folded and glued on these, as illustrated in Figure II.

Spots of glue or similar means are also used on the lower parts 42a, 46a of the front side walls of the lid, so that it can be fixed to the outer face of the corresponding front side wall of the box-shaped body, 22 and respectively 26. These lower parts 42a, 46a can be separated or cut along the lines 42ab and 46ab, from the upper parts of these side walls, so as to form means for permanent closure of the lid, which can be broken the first time the pack is opened. As also shown in Figures 2 and 3, the present apparatus comprises pack forming means, in which the container is configured in an erect condition suitable for filling. The present apparatus also comprises means for filling the pack with the product to be packaged, pack closing means and filled pack unloading means. The means for filling, final closing of the box-shaped container and unloading are not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings and may be of any type known to experts in the field.

The present apparatus comprises means for feeding the pack during pack formation. These feed means preferably feed the pack with a continuous feed motion and comprise respective housing or conveyor means for the box-shaped container.

These housing means, in particular, are, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, in the form of a seat 102 for transporting a pack or container.

The lower part of the container is supported by suitable lower supporting means, preferably consisting of a supporting and sliding bar for the base of the container or pack. This lower supporting bar is not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings and extends along the pack feed path.

The endless path followed by the seats 102 during pack formation has a general elliptical shape, with two opposite and parallel straight sections, along which most of the packaging operations are performed, and two curved connecting end sections. The direction of feed is labelled T in Figure 2.

In particular, transported by continuous feed means, which rotate on suitable longitudinally spaced horizontal drive and guide wheels for the continuous feed means, there is a plurality of seats 102, aligned according to the direction of feed. Figures 2 and 3 only illustrate three of these seats 102 being fed forward. The present apparatus comprises, not illustrated, a magazine in the form of a channel for sequential feed of the blanks in the flat tubular condition, the magazine having an open pick up end, substantially positioned at the point indicated by the arrow M in Figures 2 and 3. For this purpose the present apparatus has suitable sequential pick up means which supply the blanks in the flat tubular condition to the feed line. These pick up means position the blank in a seat 102 belonging to the pack feed and forming means, as is described in more detail below.

The pick up means comprise a plurality of grip means 104, supported on suitable rotary means, in particular following an endless circular path, of the carrousel type, not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings. These grip means 104 are suitably mobile, in a radial direction, to pick up the flat blanks 10' from the feed magazine.

These grip means 104 in particular comprise retaining means, in the form of suction means or suction cups 106, and retain the tubular blank 10' between the magazine and the position in which the flat tubular blank is transferred to the seat 102, where the tubular blank is released, thanks to the fact that the suction by which the means 106 retain the blank is stopped and the blank 10' is then received by the respective feed seat.

Advantageously, during the step in which the flat tubular blank is picked up from the magazine M, the action of the pick up means is such that it partly erects the flat tubular blank 10', so that the flat tubular blank 10' is supplied to the seat 102 in this partly erect condition, facilitating its subsequent erection into a tubular shape. This partly erect condition, in which the inner faces of the outer walls are no longer in contact with one another, although remaining immediately adjacent to each other, may be seen in the top view in Figure 2. For this purpose, to facilitate this partial opening of the box-shaped body, there may be suitable surfaces which cause friction on the container as it is picked up from the magazine M by the suction cups 106. Obviously, although the present method of pre-erecting the pack is preferred, said partial erection, or guide erection, of the flat tubular pack could also be implemented in any other suitable way, for example as the blank passes from the magazine to the feed means for the container being formed, in this case consisting of the seat 102, or directly on the feed means, before proceeding with actual erection. Advantageously, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the erecting means, or the means for configuring the container body in the erect condition, bring the container body to an erect tubular condition corresponding to a final or operating condition of the box-shaped container 12, starting from a partly erected tubular condition, as already indicated.

In the present apparatus, means are advantageously provided for configuring the container in the erect filling condition, acting to erect the container after the container has been passed to the feed means 102.

According to another advantageous aspect, in conformity with the present advantageous embodiment of the apparatus, the feed means for the container being formed are container transporting means, and the means for configuring the container in the erect filling condition consist of the container transporting feed means 102.

As illustrated, according to the present apparatus, to erect the tubular body, there are also advantageously opposite means for pushing against the corresponding outer walls 21, 23 of the box- shaped container.

In particular, in the present apparatus the feed means comprise a first and a second engagement element 110, 112, which are mobile to erect the container. Advantageously, these mobile engagement elements are positioned opposite one another and are preferably aligned according to a predetermined direction of pack feed by the present apparatus.

The action of the present apparatus erecting the flat tubular blank is preferably performed thanks to the fact that the engagement elements are designed in such a way that they substantially simultaneously make contact with a corresponding side of the container.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the means for erecting the container body comprise the elements 110, 112 for engaging with the outer walls of the container, which are mobile towards one another to erect the container which is in the flat or partly erect condition.

According to another advantageous aspect, the box-shaped body feed means receive the box-shaped body in the substantially flat condition, from the means 104 which pick it up from the magazine, directly with the engagement element 112, which is positioned upstream according to the direction of feed.

When the suction means release the flat box-shaped body, the upstream engagement element 112 uses its inner surface to engage with the upstream edge of the flat box-shaped body.

During feed, the housing seat 102 engagement means form retaining means for the box-shaped container.

For this purpose, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the present means 110, 112 for engaging with the outer walls of the container are designed to make contact with the side walls of the box-shaped body. In particular, the means for engaging with the outer walls of the container are designed to make contact with the front and rear side walls of the box-shaped body 22, 26, 24, 28.

In particular, the downstream engagement means 110 comprise a front engagement surface 114, for a corresponding front side wall 22 of the container, and a rear engagement surface 116, for a rear side wall 24 of the container, set at an angle to one another. Said angle formed by the front and rear surfaces 114, 116 of the downstream engagement means corresponds to angle A between the corresponding front and rear side walls of the box-shaped body.

The downstream engagement means 110 have a front surface and a rear surface 114, 116 which extend from a respective vertical joining edge 115. As illustrated, the engagement means 112, located upstream according to the direction of feed, comprise a front surface 118, for a corresponding front side wall 26 of the container, and a rear surface 120, for a rear side wall 28 of the container, set at an angle to one another. Said angle formed by the front and rear surfaces 118, 120 of the upstream engagement means corresponds to angle A between the corresponding front and rear side walls of the box-shaped body.

In particular, the upstream engagement means 112 have a front surface and a rear surface 118, 120 which extend from a respective vertical joining edge 119.

As illustrated, the present feed and forming means for the box-shaped body 102 advantageously comprise a supporting element 122, connected in a fixed way, according to the direction of feed, to the continuous drive means and a first and a second element mobile relative to this, labelled 113, 117 in Figures 4A to 4F, which support the engagement elements 110 and 112. Each element 113, 117 is mobile between a position in which it receives the box-shaped body, illustrated for example in Figures 3 and 4A and a container tubular forming position, clearly illustrated in Figure 3.

In particular, each mobile element 113, 117 is mobile between an upstream position in which it receives the box-shaped container and a downstream box-shaped container tubular forming position.

The element 122, fixed to the continuous drive means during feed, has, as illustrated, a front surface 124, with a centring or rear supporting action for the box-shaped container when supplied or transferred to the feed seat 102.

Each mobile engagement element 113, 117 is in turn hinged, thanks to a vertical rotation pin 126, 128, to the element fixed to the drive means . There are means for keeping the mobile element 113, 117 in the open position.

These means for keeping the mobile element 117, 119 open comprise cam means, advantageously located at or close to the means 102 for transporting the pack being formed, in particular under the means 102 for transporting the pack being formed.

As illustrated in Figures 4B to 4F and 5A to 5F, the means for keeping the mobile engagement element 113, 117 open comprise slider means 130, which run on corresponding and suitable cam means, operating on both the first and the second mobile elements, keeping them simultaneously open.

As illustrated, the slider means are in the form of a roller 130 which runs on the cam means; the cam not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings.

The roller 130 which runs on the cam means extends below the means 102 for transporting the pack being formed, in particular, from the lower face of an arm 132 for actuating the mobile element 117 relative to the element fixed to the continuous drive means. The first and second mobile elements 113 and 117 comprise a respective transmission arm 134, 136, having reciprocal meshing means 136, 138, allowing simultaneous control of the mobile elements 113 and 117 by the actuator means 130. As illustrated, the arm 134 is fixed to the arm 132 which supports the roller 130.

As illustrated, there are advantageously means for pushing the mobile elements 113, 117 closed. These means for pushing the mobile engagement elements 113, 117 closed are formed, in this preferred embodiment, by the cam means. There are also means for keeping the mobile elements 113, 117 closed, in the form of elastic means operating between the first and the second mobile elements 113, 117. The elastic means consist of a helical traction spring S, which extends at the front of the rotation pins 126, 128. In conformity with the present apparatus, there are advantageously retaining means for the front of the container, during feed, located on the mobile feed means 102, and formed by corresponding engagement surfaces 114, 116 of the mobile engagement elements 110, 112 of the box-shaped container feed seats 102.

There are also retaining means for the rear of the box- shaped container during feed, formed by corresponding engagement surfaces 116, 120 of mobile engagement elements 110, 112 of the box-shaped body feed seats. According to another advantageous aspect, there are means 140 for forming the lid of the box-shaped container.

These means 140 for forming the lid of the box-shaped container are supported on the means 102 for transporting the pack being formed and, in particular, hinged, thanks to a rotation pin 142, at the top of the means for transporting the pack being formed.

In particular, the means 140 for forming the lid of the box- shaped container are mobile between a non-operating position, illustrated in Figures 2 and 4A to 4F, and a position for forming the lid, illustrated in Figures 5A to 5F.

As illustrated, the means 140 for forming the lid of the box-shaped container are mobile between a position in which they are rotated backwards, illustrated in Figures 4A to 4F, and a position in which they are rotated forwards for forming the lid, illustrated in Figures 5A to 5F, in which the side engagement elements 110, 112 are in the closed condition. As illustrated, these means 140 for forming the lid are, in particular, in the form of a main element, supporting respective means 144 for moving the forming means, which comprise a slider, in the form of a roller 144, which is mobile on respective cam means, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, these cam means have a forming rotation section which extends above the means for transporting the pack being fed forward.

As illustrated, the element for forming the lid supports the respective movement means or roller 144, at its upper face 146. The means for forming the lid comprise means for folding the upper wall of the lid, in the form of a flat lower surface 148 of the element 140 for forming the lid, constituting advantageous means for simultaneously folding the upper wall 32 of the lid and a box-shaped body reinforcing wall 220. The means 140 for forming the lid also comprise means 150, 154 for folding the side walls of the lid.

The means 140 for forming the lid comprise means 150, 154 for folding the front side walls of the lid, extending from a lower face 148 of the forming element 140 and comprising at least a first and a second projecting portion 150, 154, having a respective surface 151, 159 for engaging with the corresponding side wall of the lid. The engagement surface 151, 159 is oblique or at an angle to the axis of the rotation hinge 142 or to the direction of feed of the seat. The engagement surface 151, 159 which is oblique, or at an angle to the axis of the rotation hinge, is a surface which extends or has a component extending longitudinally or in front of the lid.

There is also at least one projecting portion 152, 156, having a surface 153, 157 engaging with a rear portion, the engagement surface being oblique or at an angle to the axis of the rotation hinge. Advantageously, on the means for forming the lid there are also means 153, 157 for centring the pack during lid folding. Said centring means are formed by the projecting portions 152, 156 having a respective surface 153, 157 for engaging with a rear portion of the box-shaped container, forming the means for centring the pack during lid folding.

The first and second rear projecting portions 152, 156 have a respective surface for engaging with a corresponding rear side wall 24, 28 of the box-shaped body 12. As illustrated, the downstream projecting portions 150, 152, according to the direction of feed, are transversally spaced from one another, in the same way that the upstream projecting portions 154, 156, according to the direction of feed, are transversally spaced from one another. As illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, on the present apparatus there are also advantageous means 170 for folding the lower tabs 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, comprising means 172 for engaging with a tab 120 to be folded, designed to pass through corresponding portions of tab extending from the side walls 121, 123 of the box- shaped body.

This allows the achievement of a particularly hermetic or rigid lower closure, without excessive complications from the structural viewpoint.

These means for engaging with a tab 120 to be folded take the form of a long element, or bar, 172, its thickness such that it passes through corresponding portions 122, 124, 126, 128, of tab, extending from the side walls 121, 123 of the box-shaped body. In practice, said thickness of the bar 172 is less than the space present between the tabs or portions 122, 124, 126, 128. As illustrated, these means 172 for folding a lower tab 120 of the box-shaped body rise upwards along the direction of feed to accompany the corresponding tab 120 towards the folded position.

There are also means for folding the lower tabs, comprising means 174 for following and folding the upstream tabs 126, 128. Said means 174 for following the upstream tabs 126, 128 have a first and a second portion transversally spaced from one another 176, 178, which as they move remain on opposite sides of the long folding means 172, which intersect between the portions or tabs 122, 124, 126, 128.

As illustrated, the means for folding a first tab 120 of the base of the box-shaped body comprise a projecting tab 118 guide rod, extending from the front wall of the box-shaped body, in particular extending longitudinally and keeping the front hexagonal tab 118 open.

There are also fixed means for folding the lower tabs downstream of the follower means, in the form of an long bar 182. As illustrated in Figure 2, these folding means are located in a zone labelled P which is downstream of the zone in which the container is received.

Upstream of these folding means 170 there are suitable means for application of an adhesive material. Downstream of the lower folding means, on the same side of the machine there are means for filling the containers, preferably of the follower type.

On the opposite side of the machine there are the remaining folding and gluing means, in particular, the means for activation of the lid forming means 140.

The invention described has evident industrial applications and can be modified and adapted without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus for packaging a product, preferably in the form of a product in pieces, especially in the form of an edible product; the apparatus comprising means for forming the container, in which the container is configured in an erect filling condition and box-shaped container feed means; characterised in that the means which configure the container in the erect filling condition are present on the container feed means (102) .

2. The apparatus according to the foregoing claim or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means for configuring the container in the erect filling condition, acting to erect the container after the container has been passed to the feed means (102) .

3. The apparatus according to either of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the means for configuring the container in the erect filling condition consist of the container feed means (102) .

4. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the feed means for the container being formed are container transporting means.

5. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the means for configuring the container in the erect filling condition consist of means for engaging with the outer walls of the container.

6. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that to erect the container body there are opposite means for pushing against the corresponding outer walls (21, 23) of the box-shaped container.

7. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means for configuring the container in the erect filling condition, starting from a flat tubular position, bring the container body to an erect tubular condition corresponding to a final or operating condition of the box-shaped container (12) .

8. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the means for configuring the container in the erect filling condition, starting from a flat tubular position, erect the container body starting from a partly erect tubular condition.

9. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises feed means for the container being formed having at least one mobile engagement portion (110, 112) designed to exert an action pushing against an opposite outer wall of the container to erect the container.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the feed means for the container being formed comprise a first and a second mobile engagement element (110, 112) acting to erect the container.

11. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the feed means for the container being formed comprise a first and a second engagement element (110, 112) set opposite one another for erecting the container.

12. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the feed means for the container being formed comprise a first and a second engagement element (110, 112) aligned with one another according to a predetermined direction of pack feed, the engagement elements (110, 112) being designed to make contact with a corresponding side wall of the container.

13. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means for configuring the container body in the erect condition, comprising the elements (110, 112) for engaging with the outer walls of the container, which are mobile towards one another to erect the container which is in the flat condition.

14. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the box-shaped body feed means receive the box-shaped body in a substantially flat condition directly with the engagement element (112), positioned upstream according to the direction of feed.

15. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means (110 and/or 112) for engaging with the outer walls of the container, being designed to make contact with the opposite side walls of the box-shaped body.

16. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means for engaging with the outer walls of the container, being designed to make contact with at least one of the front side walls and rear side walls (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) of the box-shaped body.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that it comprises means (110) for engaging with a corresponding side wall of the container which have a front engagement surface (114) , for a corresponding front side wall of the container, and a rear engagement surface (116) , for a rear side wall of the container, set at an angle to one another.

18. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 15 to 17, characterised in that it comprises means (110) for engaging with a corresponding side wall of the container which have a front engagement surface (114) , for a corresponding front side wall of the container, and a rear engagement surface (116), for a rear side wall of the container, set at an angle greater than 90° to one another.

19. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 15 to 18, characterised in that it comprises means (110) for engaging with a corresponding side wall of the container which have a front engagement surface (114) , for a corresponding front side wall of the container, and a rear engagement surface (116) , for a rear side wall of the container, extending from a respective vertical joining edge (115) .

20. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 17 to 19, characterised in that the means for engaging with the outer walls of the container comprise second means (112) for engaging with a side wall of the container, acting on the opposite side to that of the first engagement means (110) .

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterised in that it comprises second means (112) for engaging with corresponding side walls of the container comprising a front surface (118), for a corresponding front side wall of the container, and a rear surface (120) , for a rear side wall of the container, set at an angle to one another.

22. The apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, characterised in that it comprises second means (112) for engaging with corresponding side walls of the container comprising a front surface (118) , for a corresponding front side wall of the container, and a rear surface (120), for a rear side wall of the container, set at an angle greater than 90° to one another.

23. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 20 to 22, characterised in that it comprises second means (112) for engaging with corresponding side walls of the container comprising a front surface (118) , for a corresponding front side wall of the container, and a rear surface (120) , for a rear side wall of the container, extending from a respective vertical joining edge (119) .

24. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the feed and forming means for the box-shaped body comprise a supporting element (122), connected in a fixed way according to the direction of feed, to corresponding drive means and at least one element (113, 117) mobile relative to the supporting element.

25. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the feed and forming means for the box-shaped body comprise a supporting element (122), connected in a fixed way according to the direction of feed, to the drive means, and a first and a second element (113, 117) mobile relative to the supporting element.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, characterised in that the respective mobile element (113, 117) is mobile between a position in which it receives the box-shaped body and a box-shaped body tubular forming position.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, characterised in that the mobile element (113, 117) is mobile between a rear position in which it receives the box-shaped body and a front box-shaped body tubular forming position.

28. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 24 to 27, characterised in that the element (122) fixed to the drive means forms a rear supporting surface (124) for the box- shaped body.

29. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 24 to 28, characterised in that the mobile engagement element (113, 117) is hinged to the element fixed to the drive means.

30. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 24 to 29, characterised in that it comprises means for keeping the mobile element (113, 117) in the open position.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, characterised in that the means for keeping the mobile element (117, 119) in the open position comprise cam means.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterised in that the cam means for keeping the mobile element (113, 117) open are located at or close to the means (102) for transporting the pack being formed.

33. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, characterised in that the cam means for keeping the mobile element (113, 117) open are located under the means (102) for transporting the pack being formed.

34. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 30 to 33, characterised in that the means for keeping the mobile engagement element (113, 117) open comprise slider means (130) on cam means.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34, characterised in that the slider means control both the first and the second mobile elements.

36. The apparatus according to claim 34 or 35, characterised in that the slider means extend under the means (102) for transporting the pack being formed.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, characterised in that the slider which runs on the cam means extends from the lower face of an arm (132) for actuating the element (117) for engaging with the element fixed to the means for transporting the pack being formed.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, characterised in that the first and second mobile engagement elements (113, 117) comprise a respective arm (134, 136) allowing simultaneous control of the engagement elements (113, 117) by the actuator means (130) .

39. The apparatus according to claim 38, characterised in that the arms (134, 136) for simultaneously actuating the first and second engagement elements (113, 117) comprise reciprocal meshing means (138, 140) .

40. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 24 to 39, characterised in that it comprises means for pushing the mobile element into the closed condition.

41. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 24 to 40, characterised in that it comprises means for keeping the mobile engagement element (113, 117) closed, in the form of suitable elastic means (S) .

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, characterised in that the elastic means (S) designed to keep the element closed act between the first and second mobile elements (113, 117) .

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, characterised in that the elastic means (S) designed to keep the element closed act in front of the rotation pins (126, 128) of the mobile elements (113, 117) .

44. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises retaining means for the front of the box-shaped body, located on the mobile feed means (102) .

45. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises retaining means for the front of the box-shaped body, formed by corresponding engagement surfaces of the mobile engagement elements (110, 112) of the box-shaped container feed seats (102) .

46. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises retaining means for the rear of the box-shaped body, formed by corresponding engagement surfaces of the mobile engagement elements (110, 112) of the box-shaped body feed seats (102) .

47. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means (140) for forming the lid of the box-shaped container.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47, characterised in that the means (140) for forming the lid of the box-shaped container are supported on the means (102) for transporting the pack being formed.

49. The apparatus according to claim 48, characterised in that the means (140) for forming the lid of the box-shaped container are hinged at the top of the means for transporting the pack being formed.

50. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 49, characterised in that the means (140) for forming the lid of the box-shaped container are mobile between a non-operating position and a position for forming the lid.

51. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 50, characterised in that the means (140) for forming the lid of the box-shaped container are mobile between a position in which they are rotated backwards and a position in which they are rotated forwards for forming the lid.

52. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 51, characterised in that the means (140) for forming the lid are in the form of an element that supports means (144) for moving the forming means .

53. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 52, characterised in that the means for moving the lid comprise a slider (144) mobile on respective cam means.

54. The apparatus according to claim 53, characterised in that the cam means have a forming rotation section which extends above the means for transporting the pack being fed forward.

55. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 54, characterised in that the element for forming the lid supports the respective movement means at its upper face (146) .

56. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 55, characterised in that the means for forming the lid comprise means (148) for folding the upper wall of the lid.

57. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 56, characterised in that the means (140) for forming the lid comprise means (148) for simultaneously folding the upper wall of the lid and an auxiliary wall (220) of the box-shaped body.

58. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 57, characterised in that the means (140) for forming the lid comprise means (150, 154) for folding the side walls of the lid.

59. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 58, characterised in that the means (140) for forming the lid comprise means (150, 154) for folding the front side walls of the lid.

60. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 59, characterised in that the means for forming the lid extend from a lower face of the forming element (140) .

61. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 60, characterised in that the means for folding the front side walls of the lid comprise at least one projecting portion (150, 154) having a respective surface (151, 159) for engaging with the side wall of the lid, the engagement surface being oblique or at an angle to the axis of the rotation hinge (142) .

62. The apparatus according to claim 61, characterised in that the engagement surface (157, 159) which is oblique or at an angle to the axis of the rotation hinge is a front surface.

63. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 62, characterised in that it comprises at least one projecting portion (152, 156) having a respective surface (153, 157) for engaging with a rear portion of the box-shaped container, the engagement surface being oblique or at an angle to the axis of the rotation hinge.

64. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 63, characterised in that on the means for forming the lid there are means (153, 157) for centring the pack during lid folding.

65. The apparatus according to claim 64, characterised in that the projecting portion (152, 156), having a respective surface for engaging with a rear portion of the lid, forms the means for centring the pack during lid folding.

66. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 65, characterised in that a projection portion (152, 156) of the lid forming means has a surface for engaging with a rear portion which is designed to engage with a rear side wall (24, 28) of the box-shaped body (12) .

67. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 66, characterised in that said downstream projecting portions (150, 152) belonging to the lid forming means are transversally spaced from one another.

68. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims from 47 to 67, characterised in that said upstream projecting portions (154, 156) , according to the direction of feed, are transversally spaced from one another.

69. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means (170) for folding the lower tabs (120, 122, 124, 126, 128), comprising means (172) for engaging with a tab (120) to be folded, said means being designed to pass through corresponding portions of tabs extending from the side walls (121, 123) of the box-shaped body.

70. The apparatus according to claim 69, characterised in that the means for engaging with a tab (120) to be folded are in the form of a long element (172) designed to pass through corresponding portions (122, 124, 126, 128) of tab extending from the side walls (121, 123) of the box-shaped body.

71. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises means (172) for folding a lower tab of the box-shaped body, said means rising upwards along the direction of feed to accompany the tab (120) towards the folded position.

72. The apparatus according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the means for folding the lower tabs comprise upstream tab follower means (174) .

73. The apparatus according to claim 72, characterised in that the upstream tab follower manes (174) have a first and a second portion which are transversally spaced from one another (176, 178) .

74. The apparatus according to claim 72 or 73, characterised in that the first and second portions which are transversally spaced from one another (176, 178), belonging to the upstream tab follower means, as they move remain on opposite sides of the long folding means (172) which are inserted between the tab portions.