Product wrapping machine and operating method for a product wrapping machine

Abstract

A product wrapping machine with a plurality of counter-jaws homogenously distributed in a forward movement direction (X), a plurality of jaws moving perpendicular to the forward movement direction (X) from an open position to a closed position against the counter-jaws for sealing together the films wrapping the product to one another and cutting them. The machine also includes a jaw actuator for each jaw causing the corresponding jaw to move in the closing direction. The jaws move together simultaneously in the forward movement direction (X) and move independently from one another in the closing direction. The machine further includes a tensioner suitable for collecting part of the film wrapping the product when a jaw leaves the closed position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims the benefit and priority to Spanish Patent Application No. 201331069, filed Jul. 12, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to product wrapping machines.

BACKGROUND

Product wrapping machines are known. Some wrapping machines comprise a plurality of transverse counter-jaws that are homogenously distributed in a forward movement direction of the products to be wrapped and are separated from one another by a specific separation distance, and two parallel supports between every two counter-jaws on which a product to be wrapped is supported arranged.

The machine comprises transport means for causing the counter-jaws to move in the forward movement direction, the counter-jaws and the supports being attached to said transport means. Therefore, as the transport means is moved in the forward movement direction, the counter-jaws, the supports and the products arranged on the supports are also moved in the forward movement direction. The transport means is in continuous movement.

The machine further comprises a lower unwinder where a first reel of film is arranged, an upper unwinder where a second reel of film is arranged, and an actuator which is suitable for acting on the supports, causing the film from the first reel to be unwound and arranged on the counter-jaws and the supports, and causing the film from the second reel to be unwound and arranged on the product to be wrapped. The products are arranged on the corresponding supports once the film from the first reel has been arranged on said supports and before the products are covered by the film from the second reel. This operation can be done manually or automatically.

The machine also comprises a transverse jaw which is suitable for being moved from an open position to a closed position in a closing direction perpendicular to the forward movement direction for sealing the films to one another and cutting them. In the open position, the jaw is separated from the counter-jaw, whereas in the closed position the jaw acts against the counter-jaw. Since the transport means is in continuous movement and minimum time is needed for the jaw to act against the counter-jaw in order to correctly seal and cut the films, the jaw is moved in the forward movement direction following the counter-jaw to return to its initial position once sealing and cutting have been correctly performed. This movement is cyclically repeated. Some machines comprise two jaws that are distributed in the forward movement direction and separated from one another by the same separation distance between every two counter-jaws, such that the two counter-jaws act simultaneously against two contiguous counter-jaws, machine productivity being increased by performing two operations simultaneously.

Due to the sealing process performed by the jaws, the wrapping in which a product is wrapped often adheres to the counter-jaws, and this can involve the wrapping tearing when causing the separation or peeling off thereof, can prevent product transport and can cause the formation of creases or poor finishes in a subsequent shrink wrapping process, for example, which can entail having to dispose of the wrapped product at hand, increasing costs associated with film consumption and disposed product reprocessing.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to some implementations a product wrapping machine is provided that comprises a plurality of transverse counter-jaws that are homogenously distributed in a forward movement direction and are separated from one another by a specific separation distance suitable for housing a product, a lower unwinder for a first reel of film, an upper unwinder for a second reel of film, an actuator which is suitable for acting on the upper and lower supports, causing the film from the first reel to be unwound and arranged on the counter-jaws and the supports and the film from the second reel to be unwound and arranged on the products to be wrapped, and a plurality of transverse jaws that are homogenously distributed in the forward movement direction separated from one another by a separation distance equal to the separation distance existing between the counter-jaws. The jaws are suitable for moving in a closing direction perpendicular to the forward movement direction, from an open position to a closed position, against the counter-jaws for sealing the films to one another and cutting them. Two films are thus sealed to one another and the films are cut in an intermediate area, thus separating two adjacent products.

The machine further comprises a positioning device which moves all the jaws integrally in the forward movement direction and a jaw actuator for each jaw which causes the corresponding jaw to move in the closing direction, such that the jaws are suitable for moving simultaneously in the forward movement direction and for moving independently from one another in the closing direction.

The machine further comprises a tensioner or rocker arm suitable for collecting part of the film wrapping the product when a jaw leaves the closed position. When a jaw acts against its corresponding counter-jaw, the jaw is responsible for sealing a second end of the wrapping of a previously wrapped product and a first end of the wrapping of a product that is being wrapped, cutting the films in an intermediate area of the sealing area for separating both products from one another.

The tensioner is suitable for causing the film wrapping the corresponding product to be collected when the jaw is separated from the corresponding counter-jaw, such that it is separated or disengaged from the counter-jaw in the second sealing area. As a result, the risk of the film adhering to the corresponding counter-jaw due to the sealing processes, which can result in the wrapping tearing when the wrapped product has to leave the machine, is reduced. All this provides advantages with respect to the solution of the state of the art where jaws are moved simultaneously in the closing direction, such as, for example, the advantage of providing wrapped products with a smaller amount of film (which entails savings) and an improved outer appearance, and the film is separated from a counter-jaw, preventing it from adhering to same.

The operating method is also suitable for elongated product wrapping machines.

The operating method is designed for being implemented in a product wrapping machine such as the one mentioned above. The method comprises a sealing and cutting step in which the jaws are moved in the closing direction from an open position to a closed position against the counter-jaws for sealing the films to one another and cutting them, and in which the jaws then return to their open position once the sealing and cutting are performed, said sealing and cutting step being cyclically repeated.

The sealing and cutting step is performed independently for each jaw, the jaws being moved independently from one another to change from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. The method further comprises a collecting step after each sealing and cutting step of a jaw and before the following sealing and cutting step of the following jaw starts, in which part of the film wrapping a product the wrapping of which has been sealed at one end by the jaw which has previously performed a sealing and cutting step, is collected. One end of the wrapping is thus detached from its respective counter-jaw and savings in film are obtained by recovering part of the wrapping film of each product.

These and other advantages and features will become evident in view of the drawings and the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the product wrapping machine, without showing at least the transport means and the supports.

FIGS. 2a-2e show the perspective view of a detail of the machine of FIG. 1, an operating sequence of the jaws of the machine of FIG. 1 being depicted.

FIGS. 3a-3j schematically show the action of the jaws of the machine of FIG. 1 on products, an operating sequence of said jaws on said products being depicted.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the action of the separating means on the counter-jaws and the products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first aspect relates to a product wrapping machine 100 such as that shown by way of example in FIG. 1. The machine 100 comprises a plurality of transverse counter-jaws 1 that are homogenously distributed in a forward movement direction X of the products P to be wrapped and are separated from one another by a specific separation distance D suitable for housing a product P between every two counter-jaws 1, and at least one support 2 supporting a product P between every two counter-jaws 1. As shown in FIGS. 2a-2e, the support 2 can be formed by two transverse rods arranged between every two counter-jaws 1, but it may also be a conveyor belt, a mesh or an equivalent device arranged under the counter-jaws 1, for example. As a result of the support 2, the product P is arranged between two counter-jaws 1 without coming out of that position during the forward movement thereof. Hereinafter, for the sake of clarity in view of the drawings, in the description the support 2 is formed by two transverse rods, although the support 2 may be different, as discussed above.

The machine 100 comprises transport means for causing the counter-jaws 1 to move in the forward movement direction X at a substantially constant forward movement speed, the counter-jaws 1 and the supports 2 being attached at the ends thereof to said transport means. Speeds other than a substantially constant forward movement speed are also contemplated. As the transport means moves in the forward movement direction X, the counter-jaws 1, the supports 2 and the products P arranged on the supports 2 are also moved in the forward movement direction X. The transport means may be a chain, belt or equivalent element on each side of the counter-jaws 1 (or supports 2) which causes the counter-jaws 1 (and supports 2) to move in a manner similar to a conveyor belt, so they comprise a plurality of guides guiding their movement. Hereinafter, when discussing the movement of the transport means, said movement must be interpreted as the movement of the area of the transport means where the products P to be wrapped and the already wrapped products P will move.

The machine 100 further comprises a lower unwinder 4 where a first reel 41 of film is arranged, an upper unwinder 5 where a second reel 51 of film is arranged, an actuator 8 for acting on each unwinder 4 and 5, causing the film from the first reel 41 to be unwound and arranged on the counter-jaws 1 and the supports 2, and the film from the second reel 51 to be unwound and arranged on the product P to be wrapped as said product P moves forward. The products P are arranged on the corresponding supports 2 once the film from the first reel 41 has been arranged on said supports and before the products are covered by the film from the second reel 51. This operation can be done manually or automatically. To facilitate the correct arrangement of the products P, the upper unwinder 5 may be arranged in the position furthest ahead in the forward movement direction with respect to the lower unwinder 41, thus enabling a loading area for the products P.

The machine 100 also comprises a plurality of transverse jaws 6, such as, for example three in number, that are homogenously distributed in the forward movement direction X with a separation distance D between them that is equal to the separation distance existing between the counter-jaws 1. The jaws 6 are designed for sealing and cutting the films wrapping the products P by means of acting against the counter-jaws 1 (each jaw 6 acting against a counter-jaw 1). Therefore, the jaws 6 can be arranged in an open position P1 where they do not act against the counter-jaws 1, and in a closed position P2 where they act against the counter-jaws 1. To change from the open position P1 to the closed position P2 or vice versa, the jaws 6 are moved in a closing direction Y perpendicular to the forward movement direction X. The jaw 6 is suitable for sealing two films to one another and for cutting the sealed films in an intermediate area of the seal. As shown in the sequence of FIGS. 3a-3j, in the closed position P2 a jaw 6 comprises one product P on each side, seals the upper and lower films to one another, closing one end of the wrapper of the product P which is the position lagging furthest behind in the forward movement direction X, and at the same time it also closes the wrapper of the product P which is the position furthest ahead in the forward movement direction X (the other end of said wrapping has already been previously closed in a sealing and cutting operation performed by the preceding jaw 6). After cutting is performed, two adjacent wrapped products P are separated from one another, thereby obtaining individually wrapped products P.

Since the counter-jaws 1 and the products P may move continuously due to the action of the transport means and since minimum time is needed for a jaw 6 to act against its corresponding counter-jaw 1 for a correct sealing and cutting operation, the jaws 6 are moved in the forward movement direction X following the counter-jaws 1 and the products P to then return to their initial position once the corresponding sealing and cutting of said products P are performed. These steps are performed cyclically. The machine 100 comprises a positioning device 10 to provide movement of the jaws 6 in the forward movement direction X (and the return thereof).

Based on the foregoing it can be seen that when there is more than one jaw 6, a product P is wrapped by the action of two adjacent jaws 6: one jaw 6 forms the seal or closure of one side of the wrapper wrapping the product P, i.e., first closure, whereas the other jaw 6 forms the seal or closure of the other side of the wrapper wrapping said product P, i.e., second closure. For example, the jaw 6 furthest ahead in the forward movement direction X forms the first closure, sealing the films to one another and cutting them on one side of the product P, and the contiguous jaw 6 forms the second closure, sealing the films to one another and cutting them on the other side of the product P. On the other hand, each jaw 6 intervenes in the wrapper of two contiguous products P: when one jaw 6 forms the first closure for the wrapper of a product P, the same action causes the second closure for the wrapper of a preceding product to be formed. In other words, the action of one jaw forming the second closure in the wrapper of a product P entails forming the first closure in the wrapper of the product P that is going to be wrapped next in addition to cutting the films, causing said products P to separate from one another.

The machine 100 further comprises a jaw actuator 9 for each jaw 6 causing the corresponding jaw 6 to move in the closing direction Y. Therefore, with the machine 100 the jaws 6 are suitable for moving simultaneously in the forward movement direction X as a result of the positioning device 10 and for moving independently from one another in the closing direction Y as a result of the different jaw actuators 9.

The machine further comprises a tensioner 7 or rocker arm suitable for collecting part of the film wrapping the product P when a jaw 6 leaves the closed position P2. When this occurs, the film is no longer locked between the jaws 6 and the counter-jaws 1, and as a result of the action of the tensioner 7, which always tries to keep the corresponding film slightly taut, the film arranged on the corresponding sealing area is collected and separated from said sealing area, preventing it from adhering to the corresponding counter-jaw 1.

The tensioner 7 is associated with the upper unwinder 5 and is suitable for acting on the film from the second reel 51 which is arranged in said upper unwinder 5, such that when said film is collected, it does so by returning the film to the second reel 51. When no jaw 6 is in the closed position 6, the films wrapping the last product P on which the jaw 6 has acted are only sealed at the end furthest ahead in the forward movement direction. Said end has been closed as a result of the seal joining the films of the reels 41 and 51, whereas the other end reaches reel 51 (over the product P) on one hand and reel 41 (under the product P) on the other hand. The tensioner 7 collects the film partially wrapping said product by the end reaching the reel 51.

In addition to the mentioned advantage relating to the separation of the already sealed film from the counter-jaws 1, the machine 100 uses a smaller amount of film when wrapping a product P, which entails a considerable production cost reduction. This does not occur in the state of the art, not even by using a tensioner such as that of the machine 100 since if there is a plurality of jaws acting simultaneously against corresponding counter-jaws, the films are cut without there being any chance to collect part of the film, there being no possibility of film savings in all the wrapped products unlike what occurs in the machine 100. Since the jaws 6 can be actuated independently from one another as a result of the jaw actuators 9, the machine 100 enables the jaws 6 to act on corresponding counter-jaws 1 one at a time, such that every time a jaw 6 stops acting against its corresponding counter-jaw 1, film collection can carried out before causing the following jaw 6 to act against its corresponding counter-jaw 1. Therefore, the advantage of film savings is obtained while at the same time productivity increases as a result of using a plurality of jaws 6. The film savings can exceed 30% compared to the wrapping film used for the same product P in a machine of the state of the art.

The machine 100 further comprises control means, not depicted in the drawings, which are responsible for controlling the movement of the jaws 6. The control means is responsible for causing the positioning device 10 and the jaw actuators 9 to be actuated and the jaws 6 to move sequentially against the corresponding counter-jaws 6 to obtain the aforementioned advantages. The control means corresponds with a controller, processor or another device capable of performing that task.

When the films are sealed, if they are heat-sealed they may adhere to the counter-jaw 1 on which sealing is performed, and as mentioned before, as a result of the jaws 6 being able to move individually in a sequential manner, and as a result of the tensioner 7, one end of the wrapping of the product P is separated from the counter-jaws 1 (one end of the wrapping of the product P which is arranged lagging further behind the corresponding counter-jaw 6 in the forward movement direction X) and wrapping film consumption is reduced.

To separate or peel off the other end of the wrapping, the machine 100 comprises separating means acting on the film wrapping a product P once the product P is already wrapped. The separating means cause the distance between a wrapped product P and the counter-jaws 1 between which it is arranged to increase. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the separating means do this by causing the transport means to become misaligned at a point where the products P are already individually wrapped, i.e., at a point after where the jaws 6 act against the counter-jaws 1, where the films forming the wrapping are still hot and can more readily peel off (the adhesion problem intensifies once said films have cooled, which makes peeling them off the counter-jaws 1 without damaging the wrapping difficult or impossible). In another embodiment, this could be done by means of an upward thrust on the product P which would separate it from the support 2 and therefore the counter-jaws 1, by means of an actuator specific for such purpose (the actuation thereof would be controlled with control means). Therefore, the part of the wrapping of the product P which may be on at least one of the counter-jaws 1 would be separated.

In the embodiment of the machine 100 shown in the drawings, the separating means comprise at least three rollers 91, 92 and 93 distributed in the forward movement direction X, and the machine 100 comprises two parallel separating means between which the counter-jaws 1 are located. The first roller 91 and the last roller 93 are aligned with one another. The intermediate roller 92 is responsible for misaligning the transport means and is arranged such that it is misaligned with respect to the other two rollers 91 and 93. In said embodiment, the intermediate roller 92 is arranged at a height less than the height at which the other two rollers 91 and 93 are arranged, and the transport means passes under the first roller 91 and the last roller 93 and over the intermediate roller 92.

The intermediate roller 92 is sized such that two contiguous counter-jaws 1 are inclined in opposite directions when they are located on said intermediate roller 92, following a curved path with respect to an axis of rotation of the intermediate roller 92, whereas the product P arranged between said counter-jaws 1 is kept centered on the support 2. In that situation, since the product P is kept in place, the end of the wrapping of the product P that may be adhered to a counter-jaw 1 is separated from or peeled off said counter-jaw 1, because the distance between a product P and the counter-jaws 1 between which it is arranged increases, and therefore the part of the wrapping of the product P that may be on a counter-jaw 1 is detached from it. The effect of the separating means is schematically depicted in FIG. 4, where it is seen that the distance between the product P referenced in said FIG. 4 and the two counter-jaws 1 (also referenced in said FIG. 4) between which it is arranged increases.

The machine 100 further comprises a shrink wrapping oven 200 where the already wrapped products P are introduced after passing through the separating means so that the film wrapping the products is shrink-wrapped and fitted thereon. The oven 200 may not be part of the machine 100.

A second aspect relates to an operating method for being implemented in a wrapping machine such as that discussed above. According to one implementation the operating method comprises a sealing and cutting step in which the jaws 6 are moved in the closing direction Y from their open position P1 to their closed position P2 against the counter-jaws 1 for sealing the films to one another and cutting them, and in which the jaws 6 then return to their open position P1 once sealing and cutting are performed, said sealing and cutting step being cyclically repeated. The sealing and cutting step is performed independently for each jaw 6, the jaws 6 being moved independently from one another to change from the open position P1 to the closed position P2 and vice versa. The method further comprises a collecting step after each sealing and cutting step of a jaw 6 and before the following sealing and cutting step of the following jaw 6 starts, in which part of the film wrapping a product P the wrapping of which has been sealed at one end by the jaw 6 that has previously performed a sealing and cutting step is collected. The advantages discussed above when explaining the first aspect can thus be obtained.

The jaws 6 are moved from the open position P1 to the closed position P2 in a sequential manner, as shown in FIGS. 2a-2e, starting with jaw 6 which is furthest ahead in the forward movement direction X, for example. In FIG. 2a, all the jaws are in the open position P1; in FIG. 2b the first jaw 6 is in the closed position P2 and the rest in the open position P1. In FIG. 2c the second jaw 6 is in the closed position P2 and the rest in the open position P1. In FIG. 2d the third jaw 6 is in the closed position P2 and the rest in the open position P1. In FIG. 2e all the jaws are in the open position P1 right before returning to their initial position (FIG. 2a). As shown in said drawings, where a guide rail 11 for moving in the forward movement direction X of the jaws 6 is further depicted, said jaws 6 have been moved forward in the forward movement direction X as the operations for sealing and cutting the respective products P were performed, and once the process ended, the positioning device 10 causes the jaws 6 to move backwards to their initial position, and the cycle is repeated with new products P to be wrapped.

Therefore, before one jaw 6 acts against its corresponding counter-jaw 1, since no other jaw 6 is acting against a counter-jaw 1, the film can be slightly taut in the direction of the reel 51 as a result of the tensioner 7 of the machine 100, part of said film being collected, such that one end of the wrapping of the product P is separated from its corresponding counter-jaw 1 and the amount of film existing between said jaw 6 and the preceding jaw 6 is reduced, which means there is less film for wrapping the product P arranged between the counter-jaw 1 corresponding to said jaw 6 and the counter-jaw 1 corresponding to the preceding jaw 6. Furthermore, possible creases in the film that would negatively affect the outer appearance of a wrapped product P are reduced or eliminated since the film is slightly taut.

The movement sequence of the jaws 6 is continuous, one jaw 6 performing the sealing and cutting step when its adjacent jaw 6 in the forward movement direction X has concluded the sealing and cutting step and after the collecting step, except when the sealing and cutting step of the jaw 6 arranged in the position lagging furthest behind in the forward movement direction X is performed, in which case, after the corresponding collecting step, the following sealing and cutting step is performed by the jaw 6 arranged in the position furthest ahead in the forward movement direction X, once it has returned to its initial position.

The process is explained below in reference to FIGS. 3a-3j, depicting same for the embodiment of the mentioned machine 100 comprising three jaws 6. If a machine 100 had more jaws 6, the process would be equivalent.

FIG. 3a shows all the jaws 6 in the open position P1 and in their position lagging furthest behind in the forward movement direction X which corresponds with the initial position.

FIG. 3b shows the actuation of the first jaw 6 with respect to its corresponding counter-jaw 1 in its closed position P2, whereas the other jaws 6 remain in the open position P1. The jaw 6 seals one end of the product P referenced in FIG. 3b (the other end had already been previously sealed) and another end of the product P arranged to the right.

FIG. 3c shows the same situation as FIG. 3b but it can be seen that the jaws 6 followed the counter-jaws 1 in the forward movement direction X since sealing requires a minimum time of actuation between the jaw 6 and its corresponding counter-jaw 1.

FIG. 3d shows that the first jaw 6 has returned to an open position P1 while the other jaws 6 remain in the open position P1. FIG. 3d shows how the referenced product P has been separated from the following product P (product P to the right of the first jaw 6), and the film wrapping said following product P has been collected in direction R, such that said film is no longer in contact with the counter-jaw 1 corresponding to the first jaw 6 and the space S shown in FIG. 3c has been eliminated, entailing a reduced amount of film used for wrapping said following product P and reducing or eliminating the risk of creases occurring in said wrapper.

FIGS. 3e-3g show the same development but in reference to the second jaw 6, and FIGS. 3h-3j show the same development but in reference to the third jaw 6. After the sealing and cutting step of the third jaw 6 ends, the jaws 6 would return to their initial position in the forward movement direction X.

The method further comprises a separating step which causes the distance between a wrapped product P and the counter-jaws 1 between which it is arranged to increase, such that the part of the wrapping of the product P arranged on a counter-jaw 1 is detached from said counter-jaw 1. In one embodiment of the method, the distance between a wrapped product P and the counter-jaws 1 between which it is arranged is increased by separating the counter-jaws 1 from one another, and said separation is done by causing the counter-jaws 1 to rotate in opposite directions. This process and the advantages it entails have been discussed above in the explanation referring to the first aspect, in relation to the separating means, which are responsible for performing the separating step.

In another embodiment of the method, the distance between a wrapped product P and the counter-jaws 1 between which it is arranged is increased by causing an upward thrust on the product P, the product P thus being separated. The product P thus moves away from the counter-jaws 1, and the part of the wrapper that may adhere to one of the counter-jaws 1 is detached from same.

Claims

1. A method for wrapping a product in a film by use of a machine comprising at least first and second spaced-apart transverse counter-jaws and at least first and second spaced-apart transverse jaws, each of the first and second transverse jaws moveable independently with respect to the first and second transverse counter-jaws, respectively, between an open position wherein the first and second transverse jaws are spaced apart from the respective first and second transverse counter-jaws and a closed position wherein the first and second transverse jaws interact with the respective first and second transverse counter-jaws, the method comprising:

arranging a first film on or adjacent the first and second transverse counter-jaws,

positioning the product in a space between the first and second transverse counter-jaws so that a lower portion of the product is in contact with the first film,

moving the product with the first and second transverse counter-jaws in a forward movement direction during which a second film is arranged on an upper portion of the product, each of the first and second transverse jaws being moved together in the forward movement direction so as to be aligned with the first and second transverse counter-jaws, respectively,

moving the first transverse jaw from the open position to a closed position to join and then cut the joined first and second films adjacent a first side of the product while maintaining the second transverse jaw in the open position,

moving the first transverse jaw from the closed position to the open position,

while the first and second transverse jaws are open, applying a tension to the second film in a direction having a directional component opposite the forward movement direction to collect a part of the second film; and

subsequent to applying the tension to the second film, moving the second transverse jaw from the open position to a closed position to join and then cut the joined first and second films adjacent a second side of the product while maintaining the first transverse jaw in the open position.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein sufficient tension is applied to the second film to remove the wrapped film from the first transverse counter-jaw.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of moving the first transverse jaw from the open position to the closed position to join and then cut the joined first and second films adjacent the first side of the product results in a space being formed between at least a portion of the joined first and second films and the first side of the product, the tension being applied to the second film in a manner sufficient to reduce or remove the space.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein subsequent to moving the second transverse jaw from the open position to the closed position to join and then cut the joined first and second films adjacent the second side of the product the product is moved away from an upper portion of the second transverse counter-jaw to detach the wrapped film from the second transverse counter-jaw.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein an actuator acts on the lower portion of the product to cause the product to be moved away from the second transverse counter-jaw.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the product and upper portion of the second transverse counter-jaw is increased by increasing the separation distance between the upper portions of the first and second transverse counter-jaws.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein increasing the separation distance of the first and second transverse counter-jaws is done by causing the first and second transverse counter-jaws to rotate in opposite directions.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the product is continuously moved in the forward movement direction.

9. A machine for wrapping a product in a film, the machine comprising:

at least first and second spaced-apart transverse counter-jaws that form a part of a transporter that is configured to move the product in a forward movement direction, a space being provided between the first and second spaced-apart transverse counter-jaws sufficient to house the product,

at least first and second spaced-apart transverse jaws. each of the first and second transverse jaws moveable independently with respect to the first and second transverse counter-jaws, respectively, between an open position wherein the first and second transverse jaws are spaced apart from the respective first and second transverse counter-jaws and a closed position wherein the first and second transverse jaws interact with the respective first and second transverse counter-jaws,

a lower unwinder for a first reel of film that is configured to cause the film from the first reel to be arranged on the first and second transverse counter-jaws and below a lower portion of the product,

an upper unwinder for a second reel of film that is configured to cause the film from the second reel to be arranged on an upper portion of the product;

the transporter configured to move the product with the first and second transverse counter-jaws in a forward movement direction during the process of applying the film to the product,

a first actuator that is configured to move the first and second spaced-apart transverse jaws together in the forward movement direction and to maintain the first and second transverse jaws respectively in alignment with the first and second transverse counter-jaws as the transporter moves the product in the forward movement direction,

a second actuator configured to independently act on the first transverse jaw to move the first transverse jaw between the open and closed positions,

a third actuator configured to independently act on the second transverse jaw to move the second transverse jaw between the open and closed positions;

a tensioner configured to apply a tension to the film supplied by the second reel in a direction having a directional component opposite the forward movement direction; and

a controller configured to (i) act on the second actuator to cause the first transverse jaw to move from the open position to the closed position to join and then cut the joined films received from the first and second reels adjacent a first side of the product and to act on the third actuator to cause the second transverse jaw to assume or maintain the open position, (ii) subsequent to the cutting of the joined films in step (i), act on the second actuator to cause the first transverse jaw to assume the open position to permit the tensioner to apply tension to the film received from the second reel to collect a part of the film received from the second reel, and (iii) subsequent to the tension being supplied to the film received from the second reel, act on the third actuator to cause the second transverse jaw to move from the open position to a closed position to join and then cut the joined films adjacent a second side of the product.

10. A machine according to claim 9, comprising separating means for peeling the film off the second transverse counter-jaw once the second transverse jaw has stopped interacting with the second transverse counter-jaw, the separating means configured to cause the distance between the product and the second transverse counter-jaw to increase.

11. A machine according to claim 10, wherein to increase the distance between the product and the second transverse counter-jaw, the separating means is configured to cause the transporter to become misaligned along a length thereof that houses the product already wrapped.

12. A machine according to claim 11, wherein the separating means comprises a forward roller, an intermediate roller and a rear roller distributed in the forward movement direction, the forward roller and the rear roller being longitudinally aligned with one another and the intermediate roller being arranged such that it is misaligned with respect to the longitudinal alignment of the forward and rear rollers.

13. A machine according to claim 12, wherein the intermediate roller is arranged at a height less than the height at which the forward and rear rollers are arranged, the transporter configured to pass under the forward roller and the rear roller and over the intermediate roller.

14. A machine according to claim 13, wherein the intermediate roller is sized such that the first and second transverse counter-jaws are inclined in opposite directions when they are located on the intermediate roller, following a curved path with respect to an axis of rotation of the intermediate roller.

15. A machine according to claim 10, comprising a fourth actuator configured to act on the lower portion of the product to separate it from the second transverse counter-jaw.

16. A machine according to claim 9, wherein the tensioner is associated with the upper unwinder and is suitable for acting on the film from the second reel arranged in said upper unwinder.

17. A method for wrapping first and second products in a film by use of a machine comprising at least first, second and third spaced-apart transverse counter-jaws and at least first, second and third spaced-apart transverse jaws, each of the first, second and third transverse jaws moveable independently with respect to the first, second and third transverse counter-jaws, respectively, between an open position wherein the first, second and third transverse jaws are spaced apart from the respective first, second and third transverse counter-jaws and a closed position wherein the first, second and third transverse jaws interact with the respective first, second and third transverse counter-jaws, the method comprising:

arranging a first film on or adjacent the first, second and third transverse counter-jaws,

positioning the first product in a space between the first and second transverse counter-jaws so that a lower portion of the first product is in contact with the first film,

positioning the second product in a space between the second and third transverse counter-jaws so that a lower portion of the second product is in contact with the first film,

moving the first and second products with the first, second and third transverse counter-jaws in a forward movement direction during which a second film is arranged on an upper portion of the first and second products, each of the first, second and third transverse jaws being moved together in the forward movement direction so as to be aligned with the first, second and third transverse counter-jaws, respectively,

moving the first transverse jaw from the open position to a closed position to join and then cut the joined first and second films adjacent a first side of the product while maintaining the second and third transverse jaws in the open position,

moving the first transverse jaw from the closed position to the open position,

while the first, second and third transverse jaws are open, applying a tension to the second film in a direction having a directional component opposite the forward movement direction to collect a part of the second film,

subsequent to applying the tension to the second film, moving the second transverse jaw from the open position to a closed position to join and then cut the joined first and second films adjacent a second side of the first product and a first side of the second product while maintaining the first and third transverse jaws in the open position,

moving the second transverse jaw from the closed position to the open position; and

while the second and third transverse jaws are open, applying a tension to the second film in a direction having a directional component opposite the forward movement direction to collect a part of the second film.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein sufficient tension is applied to the second film to remove the wrapped film from the first and second transverse counter-jaws.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of moving the first transverse jaw from the open position to the closed position to join and then cut the joined first and second films adjacent a first side of the product results in a first space being formed between at least a portion of the joined first and second films and the first side of the first product, and wherein the step of moving the second transverse jaw from the open position to the closed position to join and then cut the joined first and second films adjacent a first side of the second product results in a second space being formed between at least a portion of the joined first and second films and the first side of the second product, the tension being applied to the second film in a manner sufficient to reduce or remove the first and second spaces.