A method for forming a packing cartons in accordance with dimensions of an article to be packed and for wrapping or enclosing the article in the packing carton, comprising:
- arranging, on a conveyor, the article to be packed;
- acquiring by a television camera dimensions of the article;
- unwinding a cardboard band from a reel;
- feeding the cardboard band along an advancement direction;
- making a first longitudinal score line and a second longitudinal score line on the cardboard band, such that the first longitudinal score line and the second longitudinal score line are parallel to the advancement direction and the following are identified:
- a central sector comprised between the first longitudinal score line and the second longitudinal score line;
- a first lateral sector comprised between the first longitudinal score line and a first lateral end of the cardboard band;
- and a second lateral sector comprised between the second longitudinal score line and a second lateral end of the cardboard band which is opposite the first lateral end, wherein the position and distance between the first longitudinal score line and the second longitudinal score line are chosen according to the acquired dimensions of the article to be packed so that the article to be packed can be placed resting on the central sector between the first longitudinal score line and the second longitudinal score line and so that the first longitudinal score line and second longitudinal score line are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cardboard band, with the first lateral sector and the second lateral sector being identical;
- making in the cardboard band a first transverse cut, a second transverse cut, a third transverse cut and a fourth transverse cut such that:
- the first transverse cut and the second transverse cut are made in the first lateral sector and extend up to the first longitudinal score line, such that a first closing wing, a first reinforcing wing and a second reinforcing wing are defined in the first lateral sector, the first closing wing being interposed between the first reinforcing wing and the second reinforcing wing;
- the third transverse cut and the fourth transverse cut are made in the second lateral sector and extend up to the second longitudinal score line, such that a second closing wing, a third reinforcing wing and a fourth reinforcing wing are defined on the second lateral sector, the second closing wing being interposed between the third reinforcing wing and the fourth reinforcing wing;
- the first closing wing is opposite the second closing wing, the first reinforcing ring is opposite the third reinforcing wing, the second reinforcing wing is opposite the fourth reinforcing wing;
- cutting the cardboard band transversely such as to separate and obtain a packing carton for packing the article;
- taking the article from the conveyor and placing the article resting on the central sector between the first closing wing and the second closing wing;
- folding the first closing wing towards the central sector by rotating the first closing wing with respect to the first longitudinal score line to wrap or cover a first flank of the article;
- folding the second closing wing towards the central sector by rotating the second closing wing with respect to the second longitudinal score line to wrap or cover a second flank of the article opposite to the first flank;
- folding the first reinforcing wing and folding the third reinforcing wing towards a first portion of the central sector, the first reinforcing wing, the third reinforcing wing and the first portion of the central sector, on which the first reinforcing wing and third reinforcing wing are folded, forming a first superposing group, and folding the first superposing group to wrap or cover a third flank of the article between the first flank and the second flank;
- folding the second reinforcing wing and the fourth reinforcing wing towards a second portion of the central sector, the second reinforcing wing, the fourth reinforcing wing and the second portion of the central sector, on which the second reinforcing wing and the fourth reinforcing wing are folded, forming a second superposing group, and folding the second superposing group to wrap or cover a fourth flank of the article opposite to the third flank.