Cartoning machine

A cartoning machine, comprising:

• a store unit configured for storing a stack of flat cardboard or blanks;
• a station for dispensing the blanks individually, located downstream of the store unit;
• an unfolding station, in which the blanks are shaped into an open box substantially parallelepiped defined by an upper base, a lower base, two lateral bases, an anterior base and a posterior base, wherein the anterior base and the posterior base are open but intended to be closed by side flaps consisting of appendages of the upper and lower bases and appendages of the lateral bases:
• said lateral, upper and lower bases being defined by respective portions of the blanks;
• a product feeding station, into which the products destined to be packaged in the boxes obtained from the blanks are fed;
• an insertion station, in which the products are inserted into the open boxes by means of a pusher which introduces the said products through said anterior base;
• an exit station for the completed packages, wherein
• between the insertion station and the exit station there is a conveyor device that moves the boxes containing the products towards the exit station;
• wherein
• in the insertion station there are at least two guide blades and a folding device configured to fold said side flaps towards the inside of the box;
• and wherein said blades are connected to respective movement means which control their positioning in an opening position, in which the blades define guiding surfaces for the products during their insertion into the boxes by engaging the internal faces of two of said side flaps of each box, and respectively in a closed position for disengagement of the internal faces of said flaps;
• said movement means for moving the blades control the positioning of the blades such that, after the products have been inserted into the box, the blades are arranged in the closed position and subsequently, while the box is moved towards the exit station, the blades are again arranged in the open position for a predetermined time thus forming a surface which maintains a side flap folded towards the inside of the box, the movement means comprising a motor unit, motorized vertical shafts driven by the motor unit, and a transmission unit connecting the motor unit with the motorized vertical shafts, and the blades are mounted to respective vertical shafts.