Machine and method for secondary packaging of articles

A side loading machine for packaging articles in containers, the side loading machine comprising:

• a containers forming section from die-cuttings, the containers forming section including at least one feeding device;
• a loading section suitable for loading the articles into the containers;
• a closing section of the containers;
• wherein the containers forming, loading, and closing sections are substantially aligned along a longitudinal direction of the side loading machine;
• a conveyor that extends continuously on a single closed two-way path between the containers forming section and the closing section, the conveyor includes a linear slider system including a plurality of sliders actuated by linear motors on a defined track, the linear motors including at least one coil incorporated therein;
• a plurality of transportation members running on the single closed path of the conveyor, each of the transportation members being configured to carry at least one of the containers, each of the plurality of transportation members comprises at least one magnet and the conveyor further including a propulsion system arranged to selectively propel each of the plurality of transportation members independently from each other along the single closed two-way path;
• wherein:
• the at least one feeding device of the containers forming section is controlled to operate with a continuous motion and with a constant rate over time effective to form a continuous formation of containers;
• the propulsion system is controlled to impart to the transportation members a continuous advance motion while traveling through the containers forming section to receive the containers from the at least one feeding device;
• the propulsion system is controlled to keep the transportation members stationary in the loading section during the loading of articles into the containers while the propulsion system continuous advances the transportation members in the containers forming section;
• the magnetic track of the conveyor imparts traction to the plurality of transportation members;
• and
• the at least one magnet and the at least one coil are configured to advance each of the plurality of transportation members responsive to energizing the at least one coil;
• and
• a control system controlling:
• the at least one feeding device of the containers forming section to operate with the continuous motion and with the constant rate of the time effective to form the continuous formation of container;
• the propulsion system to impart to the transportation members the continuous advance motion while the transportation members travel through the containers forming section and keep the transportation members stationary in the loading section.