Apparatus and method for wrapping a cardboard box

A method for wrapping a cardboard box with a wrapping blank, the wrapping blank having a base and a plurality of flaps to be applied on lateral walls of the box, the method comprising the following steps:

• receiving the box coupled to the base of the wrapping blank;
• placing the base of the wrapping blank and the box coupled thereto on a support structure movable along a vertical direction;
• folding the flaps of the wrapping blank from a horizontal position to a vertical position so that an inner portion of each flap adheres to an external surface of the lateral wall of the box and an outer portion of each flap protrudes vertically from the box;
• folding the outer portions of the flaps from the vertical position to a horizontal position;
• further folding the outer portions of the flaps of the wrapping blank towards the inside of the box, from the horizontal position to a vertical position, so that they adhere to an internal surface of the lateral wall of the box;
• providing a plurality of folding heads, wherein each folding head includes a pair of fingers movable reciprocally towards and away from each other;
• placing the fingers at least partially inside the box and moving the fingers reciprocally, in sliding contact with the wrapping blank on the internal surface of the lateral wall of the box,
• wherein the folding of the outer portion of the flaps from the vertical position to the horizontal position is carried out by horizontal blades, moving horizontally and parallel to a bottom wall-of the box with respect to a corresponding side of the box, and wherein each pair of fingers is operatively inserted inside a groove provided in a corresponding blade.

An apparatus for automatic wrapping of a wrapping blank on lateral walls of a cardboard box, wherein the wrapping blank has a base and a plurality of flaps connected thereto, and wherein the box is coupled to the base of the wrapping blank, the apparatus comprising:

• a support structure, supporting the base of the wrapping blank, so that the wrapping blank and the box coupled thereto are movable in a vertical direction;
• a plurality of folding heads, each folding head of the plurality of folding heads being operable to
• fold the respective flap of the wrapping blank from a horizontal position to a vertical position, so that an inner portion of each flap adheres to an external surface of the lateral wall of the box and an outer portion of the flap protrudes vertically from the box in a vertical position,
• fold inwardly the outer portion of the flap from the vertical position to a horizontal position, and
• fold the outer portion of the flap inside of the box towards the bottom wall of the box, from the horizontal position to a vertical position so that the flap adheres to an internal surface of the respective lateral wall of the box,
• wherein each folding head includes a pair of fingers, wherein, in one operative configuration of the machine, the fingers of the pair of fingers are arranged inside the box and are moved away from one another in sliding contact with the wrapping blank folded in adhesion to the internal surface of the lateral wall of the box,
• wherein each folding head further includes a horizontal blade connected to an actuator to move horizontally, parallel to a bottom wall of the box, and to approach and move away from a corresponding wall of the box, wherein the blade is to fold the outer portion of the flaps of the wrapping blank from the vertical position to the horizontal position, and wherein the horizontal blade includes a groove, wherein the respective pair of fingers is operatively inserted inside the groove.