Machine for sealing containers and method for sealing a plurality of containers

A machine (1) for sealing containers (91) using a film (95), comprising:

• a supporting framework (10);
• a first jaw member (21) comprising a plurality of seats (20) for respective containers (91) to be sealed;
• a second jaw member (22) facing towards the seats (20) of the first jaw member (21), the first jaw member (21) and the second jaw member (22) being movable one relative to the other between a first condition, in which the two jaw members (21, 22) are separated from each other by an interspace (23) suitable for receiving a film (95), and a second condition, in which the two jaw members (21, 22) are clamped together and, in use, press the film (95) against the containers (91) in the seats (20);
• a film feeding device (3);
• a positioning apparatus capable of positioning the film (95) in the interspace (23) between the first jaw member (21) and the second jaw member (22);
• a sealing system which is associated with the first jaw member (21) or with the second jaw member (22) and is capable of sealing the film (95) on the containers (91) in the seats (20) when the two jaw members (21, 22) are in the second condition, obtaining sealed containers;
• and
• a film cutting system;
• the seats (20) of said plurality being side by side one after another along a longitudinal line (200) extending between a first side (231) and a second side (232) of the interspace (23);
• the film feeding device (3) facing towards the first side (231) of the interspace (23);
• the film cutting system being capable of cutting the film (95) at least along a cutting line positioned between the film feeding device (3) and the seat (20) closest to the first side (231) of the interspace (23);
• the positioning apparatus comprising a first gripping device (4), which is positioned at the second side (232) of the interspace (23), and a second gripping device (5), that is movable parallel to the longitudinal line (200) between a first position close to the film feeding device (3) and a second position close to the first gripping device (4);
• the second gripping device (5) in the first position being capable of gripping one edge of the film (95) which projects from the film feeding device (3);
• the second gripping device (5) being capable of pulling the gripped film (95) with a movement towards the second position, thereby positioning the film (95) in the interspace (23) at said plurality of seats (20);
• the first gripping device (4) being capable of gripping the edge of the positioned film (95), when the second gripping device (5) is in the second position, the second gripping device (5) being capable of releasing the film (95) and returning to the first position.