BR102018011393A2 - Product packing method, and packing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging method in which a film (200) is supplied to a vertical forming tube (1) where the film is formed into a tubular shape, the ends of the tubular shape film are longitudinally sealed to each other by applying pressure. above said ends, the product (p) to be packed is introduced into the forming tube (1) and the film formed below the forming tube (1) is transversely sealed and cut. furthermore, in the method, the ends of the film are pressed together with the force holding both ends static, the fall of the product (p) above the transverse seal is stopped or limited and by maintaining said pressure and said interruption or limitation, an air flow (a) is generated within the forming tube (1). packing machine.

Description

PRODUCT PACKING METHOD AND PACKING MACHINE

TECHNICAL FIELD [001] The present invention relates to methods and machinery for product packaging.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

[002] Certain types in wrappers of product conventional, particularly at wrappers vertical, comprise a feeder where one continuous film that stays

rolled up like a reel is provided. The film is supplied to a vertical forming tube which places said film in a tubular format. The wrapper also comprises a conductive device for guiding the tubular-shaped film in the direction of the downward motion, around the forming tube, and at least one longitudinal sealing tool joining the ends of the tubular-shaped film, thereby producing a film tube. The forming tube is open in its upper and lower parts.

[003] The packaging machine of this type also comprises a cutting tool and transverse sealer arranged below the forming tube, to produce a transverse seal and a transverse cut in the film tube. After this operation (or operations), a closed tube at one end is obtained above the cross section and a closed package at both ends below the cross section and physically separated from the film tube is obtained. During said operation (or operations), the uppermost end of the package is closed, while the lowermost closed end corresponds to the rigid end of the film tube of the previous cycle, that is, the transverse seal that closes

Petition 870180047897, of 06/05/2018, p. 7/115 one end of the film tube will be a closed end of the package connected to the next cycle.

[004] The wrapper also comprises a funnel or similar device above the forming tube, from where the product to be packaged is introduced into the forming tube, such product is placed on the transversal seal of the closed film tube at one end after descending through the formation tube. The product is introduced into the forming tube through its upper part and exits through its lower part towards the transversal sealer of the film tube. It should be kept in mind that the film tube surrounds the forming tube, so that when the product is introduced into the forming tube, it is also introduced into the film tube.

[005] The product is generally supplied in a controlled manner, a predetermined quantity corresponding to the quantity of product to be packed in each package being supplied at a time.

[006] Patent document US6116001A discloses a downward-facing air outlet nozzle provided in a packaging device between a funnel and a supply tube, with the purpose of creating an air flow to thereby make the material filler falls faster through the supply tube. It is possible through the special arrangement of the air outlet nozzle to use funnels and supply tubes common in such a device and achieve a positive acceleration of the filling material.

[007] US6179015B1 discloses a packaging machine, as well as a method for executing packaging on said machine. To accelerate the drop of the product, or to compact the product at the closed end of the film tube,

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3/29 air is injected into the film tube at certain intervals in a controlled manner by means of a control device. The control device controls the injection of air depending on the position of the product being placed in the feeder.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [008] The purpose of the invention is to provide a method and a machine for packaging product, as defined in the claims.

[009] A first aspect refers to a product packaging method, in which a continuous film is fed into a vertical forming tube, the continuous film is placed in a tubular format through the formation tube, said film around of said forming tube, the longitudinal ends of the tubular-shaped film are longitudinally sealed together by means of a longitudinal sealer which presses said ends against each other, thus producing a film tube, the product to be packaged is introduced in the forming tube from the top of said forming tube in a downward direction, and the film tube is transversely sealed and cut with a cutting tool and transverse sealer below the forming tube in a downward direction, a material tube of transversely closed film being obtained above the cross-section and a closed and physically separate package from the tube of the trans closed film material versally being obtained below the film tube.

[010] In the method, a downward air flow is generated within the formation tube for a given time for each packaging cycle. For this purpose, air is injected

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4/29 intermittent form in the formation tube, each injection of air causing the generation of an air flow associated with a product to be packaged and causing an upward negative pressure of the area of the formation tube where the air is injected. The controlled and synchronized injection of air and introduction of the associated product is such that said product is displaced through the forming tube by means of the injected air associated with it in said forming tube.

[011] During the generation of each air flow, the longitudinal ends of the continuous film are pressed against each other with a minimum force sufficient to keep both ends static with respect to each other, the longitudinal seal being protected against possible opening of the said seal due to at least the force of the air flow, and the fall of the product above the cross seal and below the forming tube is interrupted or limited in order to protect said cross seal from the sudden action of the product on it and, if necessary, of the air that reaches said transverse seal, the unwanted opening of said transverse seal thus being prevented. In order to limit the fall of the product, a protective element is moved to move towards an area of the film tube above the transverse seal that has been or will be generated and below the forming tube, so that said protective element closes the passage through the film tube, preventing the product from crossing said area.

[012] Therefore, as a result of the air flow at least an acceleration of the fall of the associated product through the forming tube and a compaction of the product in the film tube is generated, while ensuring that the

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5/29 film tube does not open longitudinally or transversely during said acceleration, preventing said acceleration and compacting of the product from negatively influencing the packaging process and / or the resulting packaging quality. This is an advantageous feature in terms of improving production times and reducing film consumption, since, with solutions of the prior art, before generating an air flow, there is a need to wait for the transverse seal and / or longitudinal seal tighten (for example, by means of a cooling time when said transverse and / or longitudinal seal is made by applying heat to the film), or to form more robust transverse and / or longitudinal seals (resulting in a transverse and longitudinal sealing surface and higher film consumption), since without the protections proposed in the method of the invention, there is a risk of opening the longitudinal and / or transverse seal due to the product's strength as it falls and / or pressure generated by the air flow inside the film tube.

[013] Additionally, the film consumption is reduced with the proposed method due to a stronger air flow that can be generated, in which the product can be compacted without any risk of damaging the packaging, resulting in a reduction in the packaging height. resulting (thus also increasing the packaging speed) and, since higher air flows can be generated, the product is also prevented from blocking the formation tube or the formation tube entrance, resulting in the ability to use the formation tube. formation with a smaller circumference, generating a narrower packaging, thus also saving the film material.

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6/29 [014] A second aspect of the invention relates to a packaging machine comprising a feeder for supplying a continuous film, a vertical forming tube for forming the supply of continuous film through the feeder in a tubular format, a sealing tool longitudinally configured to longitudinally seal the longitudinal ends of the film in tubular shape against each other, a film tube being generated after said action and the cutting tool of the longitudinal sealing tool and a cutting tool and transverse sealer arranged below the formation for sealing and transversely cutting the film tube, a transversely closed film tube being obtained on one side of the cut and a closed and physically separate package from the tube film being obtained on the other side of the cut in the downward direction.

[015] The machine also comprises a generator device configured to generate an air flow inside the formation tube and arranged in order to inject air into the formation tube.

[016] The machine also includes a protective element to prevent the product from falling directly on the cross seal that was made or will be generated by the cutting tool and cross seal, said protective element closing the passage through the film tube above said cross seal and a control device configured to cause the generation of intermittent air flow so that a negative pressure is caused above the area of the forming tube where each injection of air is performed and to maintain during each injection of air, the tool longitudinal sealer pressing the ends

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7/29 of the film I continue against each other with a minimum force sufficient to keep both ends static with respect to each other, and the protective element protecting the transverse seal during said air injection. Each air injection is associated with a product to be packaged.

[017] The protective element is configured to be moved towards an area of the film tube that is at the top of the cross seal that was or will be generated and, at the bottom of the formation tube, to close the passage through the film tube. The advantages described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention will also be obtained with the machine.

[018] These and other advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent in view of the drawings and detailed description of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [019] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a packaging machine of the invention in which an air flow is generated in the forming tube by injecting air into said tube and by applying suction to said tube .

[020] Figure 2 shows a packaging machine that is not part of the invention, in which an air flow is generated in the forming tube by applying suction to the forming tube.

[021] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a packaging machine that is not part of the invention, in which an air flow is generated in the forming tube by injecting air into said tube, and comprising an element for making a plurality of perforations distributed longitudinally

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8/29 on the film tube and a specific protective element to protect the cross seal.

[022] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a packaging machine of the invention in which an air flow is generated in the forming tube by injecting air into said tube and comprising a forming tube formed by means of an inner tube and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube and said tubes are coaxial.

[023] Figure 5 shows in greater detail a generator device suitable for injecting air into the machine forming tube according to Figure 1 or Figure 4.

[024] Figure 6 shows a driver for an embodiment of the machine of the invention, with two cavities and a plurality of suction holes in each one.

[025] Figure 7 shows a suction chamber generated to cause suction in the forming tube 1 of the machine according to Figure 1 or Figure 2.

DETAILED REVELATION OF THE INVENTION [026] A first aspect of the invention relates to a product packaging method that is suitable to be implemented in a packaging machine 100, such as that shown schematically as an example and in a simplified way in the Figures . In the method, a continuous film 200 is provided for a vertical forming tube 1, the continuous film 200 is placed in a tubular shape by means of the forming tube 1, said film surrounding said forming tube 1 and the longitudinal ends of the tubular shaped films are longitudinally sealed to each other by means of a longitudinal sealing tool 2 which presses said ends against each other, being

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9/29 a film tube 3 is generated. In order to longitudinally seal the longitudinal ends of the film, the longitudinal sealing tool 2 presses said ends against the forming tube 1, or comprises two opposite faces pressing both longitudinal ends of the film between them, for example example.

[027] In the method, for each packaging cycle, the film tube 3 is transversely sealed and cut with a cutting tool and cross sealer 4 below the forming tube 1, a closed film tube 3 is obtained above the cross section and a closed and physically separate package from the film tube 3 is obtained below the cross-section, the product P to be packed is introduced into the forming tube 1 from the top of said forming tube 1 in a downward direction by means of a funnel 110 or similar.

[028] Seals are preferably made by applying pressure and heat, or by ultrasound.

[029] In the method, a downward airflow A is generated inside the formation tube 1 for a given time for each product P to be packaged. Therefore, air flow A is generated intermittently. Airflow A forces the associated product P to fall through the forming tube 1, causing it to accelerate and compact in the film tube 3, in which, as a result of said thrust, said product P is prevented from being trapped in the tube formation 1 or at the entrance of the formation tube 1.

[030] During the generation of air flow A, with the longitudinal sealing tool 2, the ends

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10/29 longitudinal strips of continuous film 200 are pressed between them with a minimum force sufficient to keep both ends static with respect to each other, ensuring that said film remains longitudinally sealed and is not severely affected by air flow A, the longitudinal seal of the film tube 3 being protected in a simple way. Another element, instead of the longitudinal sealing tool 2, could also be used to keep the longitudinal sealed ends of the film tube 3 static with respect to each other, to protect the longitudinal seal during the generation of air flow A.

[031] In addition, during the generation of air flow A, the drop of product P above the transverse seal (or the area of the film tube 3 where the transverse seal will be made) and below the formation tube 1 is stopped or preferably limited in order to protect the transverse seal from the sudden action of the product P on it and, if necessary, from the air that can reach said transverse seal, the unwanted opening of said transverse seal being thus prevented. Therefore, with this last protection, when the product P falls, said drop is prevented from being able to cause the opening of the film tube 3 in said transversal seal (which could happen without stopping or limiting the drop of product P, particularly if the transverse seal is newly formed or the falling product P is compacted and falls at high speed), the packaging process being able to accelerate to a greater extent, since this risk does not need to be considered when establishing the necessary times and / or the amount of air desired to carry out said method.

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11/29 [032] Therefore, generation of air flow A, as they are kept stable: the longitudinal ends of it is guaranteed that during the seals of the film tube 3 pressure applied on the films prevents the difference in pressure, due to the pressure inside of the film tube 3 generated by the air flow A with respect to the pressure outside the film tube 3, to cause air to enter or exit from or in the film tube 3 through the longitudinal ends of the film, the relative movement between the said longitudinal ends of the film thus being prevented and resulting in the high quality of the longitudinal seal; additionally, the protection of the transverse seal by interrupting or limiting the fall of the product P at the top of the transverse seal of the film tube 3 and below the forming tube 1 guarantees the stability of the film tube 3 (its accidental opening due to air flow A and the impact of product P itself being prevented).

[033] In order to stop or limit the fall of product P on the transverse seal and, where appropriate, also limit the effect of air flow A on the transverse seal, a protective element is moved to move towards an area the film tube 3 below the forming tube 1 and above the transverse seal (or the area where the transverse seal will be made) so that said protective element limits or prevents the passage of product P and, where appropriate, the flow of air through said area. Therefore, product P encounters said protective element as it moves downwards, such protective element or stops the fall of product P leaving, at its height, a smaller space for the passage of said product P as it moves towards

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12/29 down through the film tube 3, or limits the fall of said product P preventing it from continuing said movement as long as said protective element is in said position (in this case, the protective element closes the passage through the tube of film 3).

[034] In some embodiments, the cutting tool and transverse sealer 4 can act as a protective element, as will be described in more detail below, while in some examples that are not part of the invention, such as the one shown in Figure 3, by For example, the protective element is a specific protective element 5 designed and incorporated in the machine 100 for this purpose. In the latter case, the protective element 5 may comprise two opposing elements with the film tube 3 arranged between them and at least one of said elements moves closer to the other, compressing the film tube 3, closing the passage through this area of the film tube 3 and slowing down or stopping product P (in this case, leaving a smaller space that causes the necessary slowing down of product P).

[035] In some embodiments, prior to the generation of air flow A, at least a partial cut is made in an area of the continuous film 200 from which the film tube 3 is formed, or in an area of the film tube 3, the air being extracted from the film tube 3 through said partial cut, at least during the generation of air flow A.

[036] In the context of the invention, the partial cut must be interpreted as any type of action on an area of the film tube 3 that allows fluid communication through it between the inside and the outside of the film tube 3, or any type of action on an area of the film

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13/29 that subsequently allows fluid communication through it between the inner and outer part of the subsequently formed film tube 3, which does not include a physical separation between two areas of the film tube 3 (i.e., not a cross section complete of the film or film tube 3). In this sense, the partial cut can be interpreted as a linear cut, a discontinuous cut, one or more perforations, etc.

[037] The partial cut allows access to the inside of the film tube 3 in a simpler, easier and more efficient way, facilitating the extraction of air from the inside of said film tube 3 through it after the generation of the air flow A , without including any risk to the integrity or continuity of the film or the film tube 3 and without the risk of product P leaving the film tube 3 through said partial cut.

[038] In some embodiments, the air flow

descendant A in formation tube 1 is generated per middle of air injection in a downward direction at the pipe in formation 1 (the case gives realization of the Figure 4) ; and in others achievements, is injection of air in an direction

descending into the forming tube 1 and also extracting the air present within the forming tube 1 by suction from below said forming tube 1 (see Figure 1, for example).

[039] The injection of air into the formation tube 1 is carried out by means of a generating device 7 represented schematically in a simplified way in Figure 5, which is configured and suitable for injecting air into the formation tube 1 intermittently and during a given time,

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14/29 each air injection being associated with a product P to be packaged. With each injection of air, a negative pressure is caused upwardly to the area of the formation tube 1 through which the corresponding injection of air into said formation tube 1 is performed. — Each injection of air and the introduction of the associated product P is, further, controlled and synchronized so that said product P is arranged over said area of formation tube 1 through which the corresponding injection of air into said formation tube 1 is carried out and, consequently and due to the negative pressure generated, said product P follows the associated injected air through the formation tube 1, the fall of said product P from it being accelerated to a greater extent and said product P also being prevented from being trapped in formation tube 1 or in the entrance of the formation tube formation 1. Therefore, the injected air (or at least part of it) precedes the associated product P in the formation tube 1.

[040] In some examples that are not part of the invention, such as that shown in Figure 3, for example, a plurality of perforations (not shown in said Figure 3), which are longitudinally distributed in the film tube 3 and above the area of the transverse seal, are made by means of a tool 104 configured for this purpose, and at least part of the air flow A leaves the film tube 3 through said perforations. This reduces the pressure inside the film tube 3 due to the air flow A which allows less pressure to be applied between the longitudinal ends of the film to keep them static with each other.

[041] In some embodiments in which air flow A is generated by injecting air alone, such as

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15/29 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, for example, the partial cut is not used to discard the injected air from the film tube 3, preferably, a specific configuration of the forming tube 1 is used for this purpose. Said configuration involves the forming tube 1 being formed by an inner tube 10 and an outer tube 11 surrounding the inner tube 10, said tubes being coaxial and demarcating an existing space between them. Air and P products are injected and introduced into the inner tube 10 and the film tube 3 surrounds the outer tube 11. The injected air exits through the bottom of the inner tube 10 and is introduced into the space between both tubes 10 and 11 , moving upward until it leaves formation tube 1. In other embodiments, air is discharged by combining the partial cut and formation tube 1 formed by the two coaxial tubes 10 and 11. The pressure inside the film tube 3, therefore , is reduced due to air flow A, which allows less pressure to be applied between the longitudinal ends of the film to keep them static to each other.

[042] In some embodiments in which suction is also used to generate air flow A (in combination with air injection), suction is generated through partial cutting through a generating device not shown in the Figures and, in addition, before the product P associated with the corresponding air flow A reaches the height of the partial cut. Therefore, this helps the fall in itself of said product P and its compacting in the film tube 3.

[043] In some embodiments in which at least a partial cut is generated and the suction is generated through said partial cut, before generating the partial cut, the area

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16/29 of the film tube 3 in which said partial cut will be made is arranged in a suction chamber 6, said suction chamber 6 surrounding said area of the film tube 3 on the external side, allowing fluid communication between the inner side of the film tube 3 above said suction chamber 6 and the inner side of the film tube 3 of the area of said film tube 3 arranged in the suction chamber 6. In other alternative embodiments in which at least a partial cut it is also generated and the suction is generated through said cut, a suction chamber 6 is closed around and on the outside of an area of the film tube 3 corresponding to the area of the film tube 3 where the partial cut made previously is arranged , fluid communication being allowed between the inner side of the film tube 3 of the arranged area in the suction chamber 6 and the inner side of the film tube 3 above said suction chamber 6. In any of these embodiments, the chamber d and suction 6 communicates with the inner part of the film tube 3 through the partial cut and the suction is caused in the suction chamber 6, said suction and communication through the partial cut resulting in the suction of air from inside the tube film 3 above the suction chamber 6.

[044] To close the suction chamber 6, for example, two opposing actuators 40 cooperate with each other (at least one of them moving towards the other, preferably both moving against each other) and hold the film tube 3 across with its contours, the suction chamber 6 being demarcated by said contours. There is at least one free area between the contours of the actuators 40 where the film tube 3 is not attached when both actuators 40 cooperate with each other to close the

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17/29 suction chamber 6, so that the area inside the film tube 3 arranged in said suction chamber 6 can be placed in fluid communication with the inside of the film tube 3 which is located outside the suction chamber 6 through the area of the film tube 3 which is located in said free area. If said free area is above the suction chamber 6, then the communication is with the interior of the film tube 3 which is located above said suction chamber 6.

[045] In some embodiments in which a suction chamber 6 is closed, when said suction chamber 6 is closed, the film tube 3 which is in the free area is attracted to the contours of the actuators 40 by means of suction, by example, so that a leak-proof space is generated inside the suction chamber 6 preventing air from entering the suction chamber 6 from outside and allowing fluidic communication between the inner part of the film tube 3 arranged above the suction chamber suction 6 and the inner part of the film tube 3 arranged within the suction chamber 6 through said free area more efficiently. This suction is in addition to the suction generated to produce the air flow A and is carried out, for example, through suction holes 49 arranged in the contours of the actuators 40 opposite the free area. The free area can be generated, for example, by means of at least one cavity 48 in the contour of at least one of the actuators 40 and the suction holes 49 would be located in this cavity 48 (see Figure 6).

[046] In embodiments comprising two actuators 40, said actuators 40 can also sometimes act as a protective element, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example. In accomplishments not comprising

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18/29 two drivers 40, the cutting tool and transverse sealer 4 can also sometimes act as a protective element, as shown in Figure 4, for example.

[047] In some embodiments, the forming tube 1 comprises at least one nozzle attached to the forming tube 1, extending downwards from the inside of said forming tube 1. The nozzle comprises at least one internal cavity communicating the interior of the forming tube 1 with the lower end of said nozzle. The lower end of said nozzle is inserted into the free area that is located between the contours of the actuators 40 when they close the suction chamber 6, so that the film tube 2 is arranged between the contour of the nozzle and the contour of the actuators 40 , preventing the entry of air from outside the suction chamber 6 and allowing fluidic communication between the inner part of the film tube 3 arranged above the suction chamber 6 and the inner part of the film tube 3 arranged inside the suction chamber 6 through the internal cavity of said nozzle (see Figure 7).

[048] The inner part of the film tube area 3 arranged in the suction chamber 6 is placed in fluid communication with the suction chamber 6 through the partial cut. The suction is generated in the suction chamber 6, said suction and fluid communication through the partial cut resulting in the suction of air from the inside of the film tube 3 both from the area that is in the suction chamber 6 and from the area of the film tube 3 which is above said suction chamber 6. The forming tube 1 is above said suction chamber 6, surrounded by film tube 3, so that air is also sucked from the suction tube training 1, being

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19/29 extracted into the tube film 3 through the bottom of the forming tube 1 and then extracted from the film tube 3 through partial cutting.

[049] In some embodiments, the partial cut and cross cut where a closed package physically separated from the film tube 3 is generated are made by the same cutting tool 41 as the cutting tool and transverse sealer 4, which allows to make the design of the 100 compact and simpler machine. The cutting tool 41 is arranged in a first position with respect to the film tube 3 to make the partial cut (in said first position, then makes contact with the film tube 3 with a first cutting profile), in a second position with respect to the film tube 3 to make the complete cut (in said second position, makes contact with the film tube 3 with a second cutting profile). The cutting tool can therefore be arranged in at least three different positions: the first, in which it does not make contact with the film tube 3; the second, in which the first cutting profile makes contact with at least one area of said film tube 3 that does not cover the entire width of the film tube 3 for making perforations or partial cuts and the third, in which the second cutting profile cut makes contact with the film tube 3 to make the complete cut.

[050] In embodiments in which the packaging processes are carried out intermittently, for example, when the advance movement of the film tube 3 is interrupted every time a cutting and sealing operation is carried out, the protective element performs movements horizontal between the first open position, allowing the passage of product P, and a second position

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20/29 closed, limiting or preventing the passage of product P. Additionally, in the realizations in which the packaging processes are carried out continuously, for example, when the cutting tool and transverse sealer 4 moves forward at the speed of the tube of film 3 in the direction of the forward movement of the film tube 3 during the cutting and cross-sealing operation, the protective element moves in the direction of the forward movement of the film tube 3 in its closed position accompanied by the film tube 3 during its movement in the direction of the forward movement while the passage of product P is limited or prevented.

[051] A second aspect of the invention relates to a packaging machine 100, such as those shown by way of example in the Figures, comprising:

[052] - a feeder 102 for providing a continuous film 200, [053] - a vertical forming tube 1 receiving continuous film 200 and in which said continuous film 200 is placed in a tubular format, [054] - a tool longitudinal sealer 2 configured to longitudinally seal the longitudinal ends of the film in tubular shape against each other, a tube of film 3 being generated after said action of the longitudinal sealer tool 2, and [055] - a cutting tool and transversal sealer 4 arranged below the forming tube 1, to cut and seal the film tube 3 transversely, a transversely closed film tube 3 being obtained from one side of the cut and a closed and physically separate package from the tube

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21/29 of film 3 being obtained on the other side of the cut in the downward direction.

[056] For longitudinally sealing the longitudinal ends of the film, for example, the longitudinal sealing tool 2 presses said ends against the forming tube 1, or comprises two opposite faces pressing both ends between them. The cutting tool and transverse sealer 4, in turn, comprises a cutting tool 41, responsible for making the transverse cut and a sealing tool 42, responsible for making the transverse seal on both sides, above and below the transverse cut.

[057] Machine 100 also comprises a protective element to stop or limit the fall of product P on the cross seal that was generated or the cross seal that will be generated by the cutting tool and sealer 4, above said cross seal and below the forming tube 1, said transverse seal being protected from the unexpected action of product P on it and, if necessary, from the air that can reach said transverse seal, as mentioned above for the packaging method.

[058] The machine 100 further comprises a generating device 7 configured to generate a downward air flow A in the forming tube 1. The film tube 3 surrounds the forming tube 1 and an area of said film tube 3 extends to below the forming tube 1, so that if an air flow A is generated in the forming tube 1, this air flow A is also found inside the film tube 3. In some embodiments, the generating device 7 is configured

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22/29 to generate air flow A by means of only the injection of air in a downward direction in the forming tube 1 and in other embodiments, the generating device 7 is configured to generate air flow A through the injection of air and to extract the air present inside the forming tube 1 by means of suction, preferably through the bottom of said forming tube 1. The machine 100 comprises a control device, not shown in the Figures, which is communicated with the device generator 7 and configured to cause the generating device 7 to produce air flow A when necessary and for the amount of time required.

[059] In particular, the control device is configured to cause the generation of airflow A, the longitudinal sealing tool 2 pressing the ends of the continuous film 200 against each other with a minimum force sufficient to keep both ends static with respect to each other and the protective element 5 protecting the transverse seal. Therefore, the seals of the tube 3 are protected during packaging, as described above for the first aspect of the invention.

[060] In order to stop or limit the fall of product P on the transverse seal and, where appropriate, also limit the effect of air flow A on the transverse seal, the protective element is moved to move towards an area of the film tube 3 below the forming tube 1 and above the transverse seal (or the area of the tube film 3 where the transverse seal will be made), so that said protective element limits or prevents the passage of product P and the air flow through said area. Therefore, product P meets said protective element

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23/29 as it moves downwards, this protective element either stops the fall of product P leaving, at its height, a smaller space for the passage of said product P as it moves downwards, or limits the fall of said product P preventing it from continuing said displacement as long as said protective element is in said position.

[061] In some examples that are not part of the invention, protective element 5 is a specific element of machine 100 for stopping or limiting product P, which is arranged above the generated cross seal and below the cutting tool and cross seal 4 and the forming tube 1. In these examples, the protective element 5 preferably comprises two opposing elements between which the film tube 3 is arranged, these elements approaching each other, compressing the film tube 3, closing the product passage P through this area of the film tube 3, or interrupting said passage (if a space is left between them, the product P can cross this space, but at a lower speed).

[062] In some embodiments, a machine element used for other functions can also act as a protective element, as will be described in detail below.

[063] In some embodiments, the machine 100 comprises a cutting tool for making a partial cut in an area of the already formed film tube 3 or in an area of the continuous film 200 before the film tube 3 is formed. In both cases, the partial cut does not cover the full transverse width of the corresponding film tube 3.

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24/29 [064] In some embodiments, the machine 100 comprises two opposing actuators 40 configured to close a suction chamber 6 around an area of the film tube 3 when cooperating with each other (when holding the film tube 3 between them ). The actuators 40 are configured to press the film tube 3 next to the respective contours that demarcate the suction chamber 6 when they press the film tube 3. The contours are configured in a way that allows fluid communication between the inside of the film tube 3 of the area of said film tube 3 arranged in the suction chamber 6 and the inner part of the film tube 3 above said suction chamber 6, at least through at least one free area that is defined between both contours. The free area is above the suction chamber 6, so that fluid communication between the inner part of the film tube 3 area which is in said suction chamber 6 and the inner part of the film tube 3 which is above the actuators 4 0 is allowed.

[065] In some embodiments, the cutting tool making the partial cut is associated with at least one of the actuators 40, so that it is configured to make the partial cut in the area of the film tube 3 that is in the suction chamber. The control device is configured to control the action of said cutting tool on the film tube 3.

[066] The generating device is configured to cause suction in the suction chamber 6, and since the suction chamber 6 is communicated through the partial cut with the inner part of the film tube 3 arranged therein and the partial cut, by turn, is communicated with the inner part of the

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25/29 film 3 arranged above the actuators 40, the suction also causes suction inside the film tube 3 and inside the forming tube 1, the air flow A being generated. The generation of a suction chamber 6 and the application of suction in this makes the task easier, since a complex connection is not necessary to connect the generating device with the inner part of the tube 3, nor are difficult ducts to be installed in the machine 100 due to the size and configuration of machine 100.

[067] In some embodiments, the actuators 40 comprise holes arranged in the contours, facing the free area, through which suction can be generated to remove the film tube 3 towards said contours, the passage through said area of the film tube 3 being opened and the inner part of the suction chamber 6 being isolated from the external atmosphere (due to being prevented from entering or leaving the suction chamber 6 between the actuators 40 and the film tube 3). For these cases, the machine 100 comprises a device for generating said suction.

[068] In some embodiments in which suction is generated in the suction chamber 6, the contour of the actuators 40, in addition, allow fluid communication between the inner part of the film tube 3 of the area of the film tube 3 arranged in the chamber suction tube 6 and the inner part of the film tube 3 below said suction chamber 6, when both actuators 40 are pressing the film tube 3 together through an additional free area. In these cases, suction also affects the internal part of the film tube part 3 arranged below the cutting and sealing tool 4, at least part of the fluid present in said film tube part

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26/29 being extracted. Said part of the film tube 3 comprises a transverse seal closing the film tube 3 and the product P which is arranged on said transverse seal and was introduced in the previous cycle and the extraction of the fluid causes the compaction of said product P and a reduction in the volume of packaging generated, thus minimizing the space required for product storage and transportation; and in some cases, for product conservation.

[069] In some embodiments in which a partial cut is made, the cutting tool that generates the partial cut is the cutting tool 41 of the cutting tool and cross seal 4 making the cross cut, and comprises at least a first profile of cut configured to make the partial cut when it makes contact with the film tube 3, and a second cut profile configured to make the complete cross section of the film tube 3 when it makes contact with the film tube 3, a single tool therefore 41 being sufficient for both operations. The cutting tool 41 can therefore be arranged in at least three different positions: the first, in which it does not make contact with the film tube 3; the second, in which the first cutting profile makes contact with the film tube 3; and the third, in which the second cutting profile makes contact with the film tube 3.

[070] In embodiments in which a suction chamber 6 is closed and in which the cutting tool 41 is responsible for both partial cutting and cross cutting, said cutting tool 41 and sealing tool 42 are secured with freedom of movement for at least one of the actuators 40. Preferably, the cutting tool 41 is

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27/29 attached with freedom of movement to one of said drivers 40, and the sealing tool 42 is formed by two opposing elements cooperating with each other to transversely seal the film tube 3, each element being attached with freedom of movement to a respective driver 40. In these embodiments, the protective element corresponds to the actuators 40 that prevent or limit the fall of the product P above the transversal seal that was or will be fixed, above the cutting tool and transversal sealer 4 and below the forming tube 1.

[071] In some embodiments, the machine 100 comprises a hollow conduit 9 attached to the inner part of the forming tube 1 and extending upwardly through the inner part of the film tube 3 to the area of said film tube 3 which is wrapped for suction chamber 6. The conduit 9 comprises at least one first hole, not shown in the Figures, for communication with the internal part of it with the suction chamber 6 through the partial cut, and a second hole above the first, not represented in the Figures for communicating the inside of said conduit 9 with the inside of the forming tube 1. The first hole of the conduit 9 is arranged inside the suction chamber 6 when the actuators 40 cooperate with each other, the conduit 9 being arranged in the area free of the suction chamber 6 and the film tube 3 being trapped between the conduit 9 and the actuators 40 of the suction chamber 6, so that the inside of the suction chamber 6 is isolated from the atmosphere external source. Therefore, the conduit 9 comprises an external shape complementary to the shape of the free area of the suction chamber 6, so that the conduit 9 is incorporated in the free area of the suction chamber 6 and the film tube 3 is secured with said conduit 9 and the

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28/29 actuators 40, leaving the inside of the suction chamber 6 isolated from the external atmosphere. The second hole of the conduit 9 is arranged at the required height in the inner part of the film tube, so that the suction can be transferred vertically to the desired point within the film tube 3 (and / or the forming tube 1).

[072] In any embodiment, the generating device 7 is configured to perform the air injection and is arranged in the machine 100 in order to inject air into the formation tube 1 intermittently, each injection of air causing a negative pressure above the area of the formation tube 1 where said injection is performed: this generates what is commonly known as the Venturi effect, thus, if a product P is subsequently introduced, said product P will be affected by said negative pressure and its fall will be accelerated. Therefore, each air injection comprises an associated product P, which is introduced into the forming tube 1 preceded by the injection of air (from at least part of said injection). In addition to accelerating the fall of the associated product P and compacting it, as its speed (and strength) increases, the risk that said product P will be trapped in the formation tube 1 or in the formation tube 1 inlet will be eliminated, or at less greatly reduced. The protective element can be the cutting tool and transverse seal 4, which is arranged above the transverse seal and below the forming tube 1.

[073] In some embodiments, the generating device is configured to perform air injection and suction as described, being able to understand a respective generating device for each operation.

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29/29 [074] In some embodiments, the machine 100 comprises a detection device, not shown in the figures, to detect whether the product P to be packaged in a package has passed through the formation tube 1, which is communicated by the detection device control. In this case, the control device is further configured to interrupt the flow of air A considering said detection (interrupting suction, air injection or both, as appropriate). For example, a given time during which the generating device 7 generates the air flow A can be pre-established, and the controlling device can be configured to stop said generation when both conditions are met: said time is over and it has been detected that all product P passed through formation tube 1.

[075] All features described in relation to the method of the first aspect of the invention are also understood to be described for the machine 100 of the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

Claims (11)

1. PRODUCT PACKAGING METHOD, in which the continuous film (200) is provided for a vertical forming tube (1), the continuous film (200) is formed in a tubular format by means of the forming tube (1), the said continuous film (200) surrounding said forming tube (1), the longitudinal ends of the tubular-shaped film are longitudinally sealed together by means of a longitudinal sealing tool (2) which presses said ends against each other, a film tube (3) being generated and, for each packaging cycle, the product (p) to be packaged is introduced into the forming tube (1) from the top of said forming tube (1) in one direction downward, and the film tube (3) is transversely sealed and cut with a cutting tool and cross sealer (4) below the forming tube (1), a film tube closed transversely (3) being obtained above the cross section and a closed and physically separate package of the film tube (3) being obtained below said cross-section, a downward flow of air (a) being generated inside the forming tube (1) for a given time for the packaging cycle, characterized by, in order to generate the air flow (A), by the air being intermittently injected into the formation tube (1), each air injection causing the generation of an air flow (A), being associated with a product (P) to be packaged and causing a negative pressure above the area of the formation tube (1) where air is injected, the injection of controlled and synchronized air and introduction of the associated product (P) being such that said product (P) is dragged by the formation tube (1) by the injected air associated to it in said Petition 870180047897, of 06/05/2018, p. 36/115 2/6 formation (1) and during the generation of each air flow (A), the longitudinal ends of the continuous film (200) are pressed against each other with a minimum force sufficient to keep both ends static with respect to each other another, the longitudinal seal being protected and the drop of the product (P) above the transverse seal and below the forming tube (1) is limited, said transverse seal being protected from the unexpected action of the product (P) on it, in order to limit the fall of the product (P), protective element (4; 40) is moved to move towards an area of the film tube (3) that is above the transverse seal that was or will be generated and below the tube formation (1), so that said protective element (4; 40) closes the passage through the film tube (3), preventing the product (P) from crossing said area. 2. METHOD according to claim 1, characterized in that, for each packaging cycle, at least a partial cut is generated in an area of continuous film (200) from which the film tube (3) is formed or in an area of the film tube (3), the air being extracted from the film tube (3) through said partial cut at least during the generation of the air flow (A). METHOD, according to claim 2, characterized by the partial cut and the cross section made in the film tube (3) to obtain a film tube (3) transversely closed above said cross section and a closed and physically closed package separated from the film tube (3) below said cross section are made by means of one and the same cutting tool as the cutting tool and cross seal (4), which is arranged in a first Petition 870180047897, of 06/05/2018, p. 37/115 3/6 position with respect to the film tube (3) to make the partial cut and in a second position with respect to said film tube (3) to make the cross cut. 4. METHOD, according to claim 2 or 3, in which the suction chamber (6) is closed around and on the outside of the tube film (3), characterized by comprising the partial cut during the generation of the flow of air (A), by means of the relative movement of the two opposing actuators (40), which demarcate between them the said suction chamber (6), towards each other, fluidic communication being allowed between the inner part of the tube area film (3) arranged in the suction chamber (6) and the inner part of the film tube (3) above said suction chamber (6), said suction chamber (6) being communicated with the inner part of the tube (3) through said partial cut, said suction and communication through the partial cut resulting in the air flow (A) in the forming tube (1) and the extraction of air from the inner part of the film tube (3). 5. METHOD, according to claim 4, characterized by the actuators (40) acting as protective elements for the transverse seal when generating the suction chamber (6), said transverse seal being made in the area of the film tube (3) that is in the suction chamber (6) and with said suction chamber (6) closed. 6. PACKING MACHINE, characterized by comprising a feeder (102) to provide a continuous film (200), a vertical forming tube (1) where the continuous film (200) provided by the feeder (102) is formed in a tubular format, a vertical sealing tool (2) configured to seal longitudinally the Petition 870180047897, of 06/05/2018, p. 38/115 longitudinal ends of the film in tubular shape to each other, a film tube (3) being generated after the said action of the longitudinal sealing tool (2) and a cutting and transverse sealing tool (4) arranged below the tube of forming (1) to seal transversely and cut the tube film (3), a transversely closed film tube (3) being obtained from one side of cut and a packing closed and physically separated of film tube (3) being obtained from other side of cut in a downward direction, the machine (100) further comprising a generating device (7) configured to generate a downward flow of air (A) within the forming tube (1), the generating device (7) being arranged to inject air into the forming tube ( 1), where the machine (100) comprises a protective element (4; 40) to prevent the product (P) from falling directly on the transverse seal that was or will be generated by the transverse cutting and sealing tool (4), the said protective element (4; 40) closing the passage through the film tube (3) above said transverse seal, and a control device configured to cause the generation of air flow (A) intermittently so that a pressure negative pressure is caused above the area of the forming tube (1) where each air injection is performed, and for maintenance, during each air injection, the longitudinal sealing tool (2) presses the ends of the continuous film (200) against each other. another with a minimum force s sufficient to keep both ends static with each other and the protective element (4; 40) protects the transverse seal, said protective element (4; 40) being configured to be moved towards an area of the film tube (3) which is above the transverse seal Petition 870180047897, of 06/05/2018, p. 39/115 5/6 that was or will be generated, and below the forming tube (1) to close the passage through the film tube (3) product (P). 7. MACHINE according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a cutting tool for making a partial cut in an area of the continuous film (200) from which the film tube (3) is formed or in an area of the said film tube (3). 8. MACHINE, according to claim 7, wherein the cutting tool that generates the partial cut is characterized by comprising a first cutting profile configured to make the partial cut when making contact with the film tube (3), and a second cutting profile configured to make the complete cross section of the film tube (3) when it makes contact with the film tube (3). 9. MACHINE according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises two opposing actuators (40) cooperating with each other to close the suction chamber (6) around an area of the film tube (3), said actuators (40) comprising the respective contours that are configured to allow fluid communication between the inner part of the film tube (3) of the area arranged in the suction chamber (6) and the inner part of the film tube (3) above said suction chamber (6) through a free area, and the generating device being configured to generate the suction that generates the air flow (A) in the suction chamber (6) through the partial cut. 10. MACHINE, according to claim 9, characterized by the cutting tool generating the partial cut being associated with at least one of the actuators (40) and being Petition 870180047897, of 06/05/2018, p. 40/115 6/6 arranged to generate a partial cut in the area of the film tube (3) arranged in the suction chamber. MACHINE according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one hollow duct (9) fixed to the inside of the forming tube (1) and extending vertically downwards to the area of said film tube (3 ) which is surrounded by the suction chamber (6), said duct (9) comprising at least one first hole to communicate the interior of this with the suction chamber (6) through the partial cut and a second hole above the first hole for communicating the interior of said conduit (9) with the inner part of the film tube (3).