Device and method for assisting in the filling and closing operation of a package and station for filling and closing a package in a packaging machine which comprises said device

A device for assisting in a filling operation and a closing operation of a package, comprising:

• two drive units arranged opposite one another and adapted for receiving an empty package between the two drive units, each drive unit comprises an arm and an actuator group configured to move the arm in a first direction of movement from a first position above a top opening of the package to a second position in which a distal end of the arm is introduced into an interior of the package through the top opening of the package and expands the package by pushing from the interior of the package a corresponding wall of the package outwards to expand the package in order to facilitate the filling operation, such that, with the package positioned below the distal end of the arm, said first direction of movement of the arm causes the distal end of the arm to be repositioned from a first height above the top opening of the package to a lower height at the second position interior of the package;
• wherein a distal end of each arm is associated with a gripping tool adapted to pass through the corresponding wall of the package;
• wherein each arm is equipped with a clamp for retaining the corresponding wall of the package and that is configured to be moved between a release position distanced from the gripping tool and a captive position cooperating with the gripping tool so as to capture a respective portion of the corresponding wall of the package attached to the gripping tool, the corresponding actuator group configured to move the arm in a second direction of movement inverse to the first direction, such that the clamp in the captive position allows the captured portion of the package to be pulled towards an interior part of the package in order to form respective lateral folds that facilitate correct closure of the package.