Device for folding a packaging strip of a batch of containers

A machine for affixing a packaging strip to a batch of containers, comprising:

• an unwinder for unwinding a reel of said material of said strip;
• a module for depositing said strip in contact with said batch, wherein the module is downstream of said unwinder;
• means for cutting said strip to a given length;
• and
• a folding device between the unwinder and the depositing module, the folding device comprising:
• an inlet and an outlet, and a path along which said strip unwinds, extending from the inlet to said outlet in a longitudinal direction of unwinding from upstream to downstream, and along said path;
• means for folding at least one longitudinal edge of said strip;
• at least one deflection roller upstream of said folding means, wherein said folding means comprises:
• an unwinding surface on which the lower face of said strip unwinds;
• and
• at least on one side of said unwinding surface, at least one shoe for folding the corresponding longitudinal edge of said strip unwound on said surface.
• wherein said shoe comprises a profiled element partially overlapping said surface and inclined convergently in said longitudinal direction of unwinding, in such a way as to fold said corresponding longitudinal edge of said strip overlapping the upper face, forming a fold line, and
• wherein said folding device comprises at least one press roller downstream of said folding means and along said path, the press roller mounted in alignment with said at least one shoe and freely rotatable, bearing against said unwinding surface at the top.

A method for folding a strip for packaging a batch of containers, said strip being made of a material based on plant fibers and comprising a lower face and an upper face, the method comprising at least the following steps:

• unwinding said strip from a reel of said material, along a path in a longitudinal direction from upstream to downstream;
• keeping said strip under tension as the strip is unwound along said path;
• and
• folding at least one longitudinal edge of said strip overlapping said upper face, forming a fold line, by passing along at least one shoe overlapping said path with an inclined profile converging in said longitudinal direction and oriented toward the inside of said path,
• downstream, applying pressure by bearing against said fold line.