Machine and improved packaging process of a disposable dispenser with integrated straw

Automatic machine for packaging a disposable bag with integrated straw;

• said machine comprising:
• a central frame;
• a support rotatably connected to said central frame;
• a plurality of carriages supported by said support, each carriage comprising at least two grippers suitable for vertically supporting a bag with an open mouth;
• a loading unit disposed at a loading station to load a bag on the carriage;
• a spreading unit disposed at a spreading station to spread out the bag supported by the carriage;
• a filling unit disposed at a filling station, to fill the bag supported by the carriage with a product to be introduced in the bag;
• a first heat-sealing unit disposed at a first heat-sealing station to make a first heat-sealing of the bag, closing a mouth of the bag;
• and
• a second heat-sealing unit disposed at a second heat-sealing station to make a second heat-sealing of the bag at an upper edge of the bag;
• an insertion unit disposed at said first-heat sealing station and configured to load a straw into the bag that is supported by the grippers of the carriage;
• said insertion unit comprising:
• a tubular filiform element wound on a reel;
• cutting means for cutting said tubular filiform element in order to obtain a straw;
• a tip configured in such a way as to be inserted into the straw with interference to pick the straw;
• handling means to move the tip in such a way as to pick said straw near the cutting means and position said straw inside the bag, under an upper edge of the bag supported by the grippers of the carriage that is stationed in the first heat-sealing station;
• wherein said handling means are configured to cyclically dispose the tip cyclically in four positions:
• a first position wherein the tip is at the cutting means in a retracted position and is not inserted in the tubular filiform element;
• a second position wherein the tip is moved forward and is disposed at the cutting means, so as to be inserted into the tubular filiform element that will be cut by the cutting means to obtain the straw on the tip;
• a third position wherein the tip is rotated in order to transport the straw that is disposed vertically and above the bag supported by the carriage which is temporarily stationed in the first heat-sealing station;
• and
• a fourth position wherein the tip is moved forward, descending downwards and positioning the straw inside the bag supported by the carriage that is temporarily stationed in the first heat-sealing station.