EP4332008A1 - Machine d'emballage et procédé de formation d'emballages - Google Patents

Machine d'emballage et procédé de formation d'emballages Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4332008A1
EP4332008A1 EP23193887.9A EP23193887A EP4332008A1 EP 4332008 A1 EP4332008 A1 EP 4332008A1 EP 23193887 A EP23193887 A EP 23193887A EP 4332008 A1 EP4332008 A1 EP 4332008A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
web
packaging material
sterilization
advancement
flow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23193887.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Paolo SANIBONDI
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Original Assignee
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA filed Critical Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Publication of EP4332008A1 publication Critical patent/EP4332008A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/022—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages of flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/04—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging
    • B65B55/08—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging by irradiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
    • B65B61/186—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating rigid fittings, e.g. discharge spouts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
    • B65B61/184—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying tabs over discharge openings, e.g. over discharge openings defined by tear or score lines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packaging machine for forming packages of a pourable food product from a web of packaging material, in particular a web of packaging material having a multilayer structure.
  • the packaging machine comprises a molding apparatus for molding molded portions, in particular opening devices, onto the web of packaging material.
  • liquid or pourable food products such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc.
  • UHT ultra-high-temperature treated milk
  • wine tomato sauce
  • etc. are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.
  • a typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding a laminated packaging material.
  • the packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper or cardboard, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene.
  • the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material (an oxygen-barrier layer), e.g. an aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
  • Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging apparatuses, which advance and sterilize a web of packaging material, which is then formed into a tube and filled with the pourable pre/sterilized product under aseptic conditions before its formation into individual sealed packages.
  • some automatic packaging apparatuses also comprise a molding apparatus for molding the opening devices onto the web of packaging material prior to the formation of the packages.
  • the automatic packaging apparatus may comprise an isolation chamber within which the web of packaging material is formed and filled with the pourable product. As the web of packaging material gets into contact with the pourable product one needs to guarantee the cleanliness and/or commercial sterility of the isolation chamber and of the web of packaging material.
  • the typical automatic packaging apparatuses also comprise a sterilization apparatus arranged downstream of the molding apparatus and upstream of the isolation chamber so as to sterilize the packaging material.
  • sterilization apparatuses can be configured to sterilize the web of packaging material by means of chemical sterilization or by physical sterilization.
  • the Applicant has successfully established the use of the electron beam technology so as to sterilize the web of packaging material. While the sterilization of the flat web of packaging material by means of the electron beam technology is relatively easy, the situation becomes more challenging in the case of the presence of opening devices, which have been applied onto the web of packaging material. When sterilizing the web of packaging material being equipped with the opening devices, one may need to operate with rather high powers so as to obtain the desired sterility.
  • Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing (sealed) packages 2 of a pourable food product such as pasteurized milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, emulsions, beverages with pulp etc.
  • a pourable food product such as pasteurized milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, emulsions, beverages with pulp etc.
  • Each packaging 2 may comprise a main body 3 and a molded portion 4, in particular an opening device, molded onto main body 3.
  • packaging machine 1 may produce packages 2, in particular the respective main bodies 3, from a web of packaging material 5.
  • web of packaging material 5 may have a multilayer structure and may comprise at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another.
  • a layer of fibrous material such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer
  • heat-seal plastic material e.g. polyethylene
  • web of packaging material 5 may also comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material.
  • gas- and light-barrier material e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film
  • web of packaging material 5 may also comprise a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.
  • Web of packaging material 5 may comprise a first face and a second face, in particular the first face being the face of web of packaging material 5 defining the inner face of the formed package 2 eventually contacting the filled pourable food product.
  • web of packaging material 5 may comprise a plurality of repeat units, in particular successively arranged (and equally spaced) with respect to one another along web of packaging material 5.
  • each repeat unit may form the basis of one respective package 2.
  • packaging machine 1 may be configured to produce packages 2 from web of packaging material 5 such that each package 2 results from one respective repeat unit.
  • each repeat unit may be defined by one respective pattern present on web of packaging material 5.
  • the pattern is substantially identical for all repeat units and may also differ in minor details from the other ones - minor differences may e.g. be the presence of information tags indicating a production day, a production lot, personalized information or similar.
  • packaging machine 1 comprises:
  • molded portions 4 are clean and commercially sterile as a consequence of a number of factors including the high temperatures of plastic processing conditions needed during the molding process itself. Therefore, the Applicant wants to preserve (partially or in full) the cleanliness and/or sterility of molded portions 4 during advancement of web of packaging material 5 from molding station 8 to sterilization station 10.
  • packaging machine 1 also comprises a preserving device 22 configured to preserve the cleanliness and/or sterility of molded portions 4, in particular opening devices, in particular after molding.
  • preserving device 22 is configured to preserve the cleanliness and/or sterility of molded portions 4, in particular opening devices, during advancement of web of packaging material 5 between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10.
  • molding apparatus 7 molds at least one respective molded portion 4, in particular one respective opening device, onto each repeat unit of web of packaging material 3.
  • molding apparatus 7 is configured to mold molded portions 4 from a molten polymer.
  • molding apparatus 7 molds opening devices onto web of packaging material 5.
  • each opening device may be configured to allow to access and/or to outpour, in particular after a manipulation of the opening device, the pourable food product packaged within the respective package 2.
  • the manipulation of the opening device can be reversible or irreversible.
  • an opening device is a lid-spout assembly, which comprises a spout and a lid, which is configured to selectively close and open a pouring outlet of the spout.
  • a lid-spout assembly which comprises a spout and a lid, which is configured to selectively close and open a pouring outlet of the spout.
  • removal of the lid is required, which typically is reversible, meaning that the lid can be newly coupled to the spout.
  • an opening device is a strip, which can be removed from the respective package 2 for creating an outlet hole and/or for allowing to at least partially separating two portions of the respective package 2 from one another.
  • molding apparatus 7 may comprise one or more molding units 11 each one configured to mold one or more molded portions 4, in particular one or more opening devices (at a time) onto web of packaging material 5, in particular onto at least one respective repeat unit.
  • molding apparatus 7 may comprise one or more punching units configured to punch holes in web of packaging material 5, in particular prior to the operation of the one or more molding units 11.
  • the punching unit may be arranged upstream of molding apparatuses 20 along web advancement path P.
  • the one or more molding units 11 may be configured to mold the molded portions 4, in particular the opening devices, onto web of packaging material 5 at the holes.
  • conveying device 6 may also be configured to advance tube 18 along a tube advancement path Q towards and at least partially through package forming apparatus 21.
  • conveying device 6 may also be configured to advance tube 18 and any intermediate of tube 18 along tube advancement path Q.
  • any configuration of web of packaging material 5 is meant prior to obtaining the tube structure and after folding of web of packaging material 5 has been started.
  • the intermediates of tube 18 are a result of a gradual folding of web of packaging material 5 so as to obtain tube 18, in particular by overlapping opposite lateral edges of web of packaging material 5 with one another.
  • conveying device 6 may also be configured to advance web of packaging material 5 at and/or within molding apparatus 7 intermittently.
  • conveying device 6 may be configured to intermittently advance and stop web of packaging material 5, and in particular each molding unit 11 may be configured to mold the respective molded portions 4 during a stop of web of packaging material 5.
  • conveying device 6 may be configured to intermittently advance web of packaging material 5 along a molding portion P1 of path P.
  • packaging machine 1 may also comprise a first buffer unit and a second buffer unit 24 arranged respectively upstream and downstream of molding station 8 along web advancement path P.
  • the buffer capacity of the first buffer unit and second buffer unit 24 can be (dynamically) varied.
  • conveying device 6 may be configured to advance web of packaging material 5 to first buffer unit and withdraw web of packaging material 5 from second buffer unit 24 in a continuous manner.
  • isolation chamber 15 may be configured to protect inner environment 16 from an (hostile) outer environment.
  • isolation chamber 15 may be configured to allow for forming, longitudinally sealing and filling tube 18 in a sterile inner environment 16.
  • packaging machine 1 may also comprise a conditioning unit configured to define and control the atmosphere and conditions within inner environment 16.
  • the conditioning unit may be configured to maintain and control sterility of inner environment 16.
  • the conditioning unit may also be configured to control temperature and/or humidity and/or pressure.
  • the conditioning unit may also be configured to maintain sterility within inner environment 16.
  • inner environment 16 is subjected to a sterilization process, in particular a chemical and/or physical sterilization process, so as to establish sterility of inner environment 16.
  • a sterilization-in-place SIP
  • SIP sterilization-in-place
  • sterilization apparatus 9 may comprise an irradiation device 30 configured to direct a sterilizing irradiation, in particular electromagnetic irradiation, even more particular electron beam irradiation, onto the, in use, advancing web of packaging material 5.
  • irradiation device 30 may be configured to direct the sterilizing irradiation onto the first face and the second face of web of packaging material 5.
  • irradiation device 30 may comprise one or more e-beam emitters for emitting electron beam irradiation onto the, in use, advancing web of packaging material 5, in particular onto the first face and the second face.
  • irradiation device 30 may comprise a pair of e-beam emitters, in particular a first e-beam emitter 31 and a second e-beam emitter 32. Moreover, first e-beam emitter 31 and second e-beam emitter 32 are spaced apparat from one another such that, in use, the advancing web of packaging material 5 advances between first e-beam emitter 31 and second e-beam emitter 32. In particular, first e-beam emitter 31 and second e-beam emitter 32 are arranged such to direct the electron beam irradiation onto respectively the first face and the second face.
  • sterilization apparatus 9 could be configured to sterilize web of packaging material 5 by chemical sterilization.
  • sterilization apparatus 9 may comprise a housing 33 having an inlet opening 34 for receiving web of packaging material 5 to be sterilized and an outlet opening for allowing feeding out of the sterilized web of packaging material 5, preferentially into isolation chamber 15.
  • outlet opening may be adjacent to an inlet aperture of the isolation chamber 15 such that, in use, web of packaging material 5 exits, in use, sterilization apparatus 9 through the outlet opening and enters, in use, web of packaging material 5 through the inlet aperture.
  • sterilization apparatus 9 may comprise:
  • sterilization apparatus 9 may be configured to sterilize web of packaging material 5 during advancement of web of packaging material 5 through sterilization chamber 36.
  • irradiation device 30 in particular first e-beam emitter 31 and second e-beam emitter 32, may be placed within sterilization chamber 36.
  • sterilization apparatus 9, preferentially housing 33 may also comprise a sterilization channel 38 arranged within sterilization chamber 36.
  • sterilization apparatus 9, preferentially irradiation device 30, may sterilize web of packaging material 5.
  • sterilization channel 38 may be in fluidic connection with inlet chamber 35 and outlet chamber 37.
  • sterilization channel 38 may be interposed between first e-beam emitter 31 and second e-beam emitter 32.
  • inlet chamber 35 and sterilization chamber 36 may be connected to one another.
  • outlet chamber 37 may be connected to sterilization chamber 36.
  • web of packaging material 5 advances from inlet chamber 35 into sterilization chamber 36, and preferentially from sterilization chamber 36 into outlet chamber 37.
  • inlet chamber 35 may comprise inlet opening 34.
  • outlet chamber 37 may comprise the outlet opening.
  • packaging machine 1 may comprise a further housing delimiting an inner space within which molding apparatus 7 is arranged and within which web of packaging material 5 advances, in use, between at least molding station 8 and sterilization station 10.
  • packaging machine 1 may comprise at least one advancement channel 41 within, which in use, web of packaging material 5 may advance.
  • advancement channel 41 may be arranged upstream of (with respect to web advancement path P) and may be connected to sterilization apparatus 9, preferentially inlet chamber 35.
  • advancement channel 41 may be arranged downstream (with respect to web advancement path P) of molding apparatus 7.
  • advancement channel 41 may extend between molding apparatus 7 and sterilization apparatus 9.
  • web of packaging material 5 advances, in use, through advancement channel 41 after molding of molded portions 4.
  • web of packaging material 5 may advance from molding apparatus 7 to sterilization apparatus 9 through advancement channel 41.
  • advancement channel 41 may delimit a portion of the inner space.
  • preserving device 22 comprises at least one at air flow generator 39, e.g. having and/or being defined by a blowing unit, configured to generate a first flow F1 of a sterile fluid, in particular of a sterile gas such as sterile air, and direct the flow of sterile fluid against at least a portion of web of packaging material 5 while web of packaging material 5 advances between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10.
  • a sterile gas such as sterile air
  • the portion of web of packaging material 5 which receives the first flow F1 of sterile fluid is intended with regard to the relative position between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10.
  • the inner space is not a sterile space; i.e. the inner space is not part of inner environment 16.
  • preserving device 22 may comprise more than one at least one air flow generator 39, each one configured to generate a respective first flow F1 of a sterile fluid, in particular of a sterile gas such as sterile air, against at least a portion of web of packaging material 5 while advancing along a respective portion of web advancement path P and between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10.
  • a sterile gas such as sterile air
  • each at least one air flow generator 39 may be configured to introduce the respective first flow F1 of sterile fluid into advancement channel 41.
  • each at least one air flow generator 39 may be positioned at a respective position different from the position of the other at least one air flow generators 39 so as to direct the respective flow of sterile fluid onto different portions of web of packaging material 5.
  • each at least one air flow generator 39 may be arranged at respective positions along web advancement path P between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10, in particular such that one or more at least one air flow generators 39 may be placed at upstream positions between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10 and with regard to web advancement path P and one or more other at least one air flow generators 39 may be positioned at downstream positions between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10 and with regard to web advancement path P (i.e. one or more at least one air flow generators 39 may be arranged upstream of one or more other at least one air flow generators 39).
  • the at least one first flow F1 of sterile fluid and/or the plurality of first flows F1 of sterile fluid may be directed onto the first face and the second face of web of packaging material 5. This allows to preserve the cleanliness and/or sterility of the respective zones of molded portions 4 which are assessable from the first face and the second face, respectively.
  • each at least one air flow generator 39 may also be configured to generate two respective first flows F1 of sterile fluid. Thereby, a first first flow F1 of sterile fluid and a second first flow F1 of sterile fluid may be directed towards the first face and the second face, respectively.
  • each at least one air flow generator 39 may be configured to generate a first flow F1 of sterile fluid in a direction D1 transversal to and/or opposite to an advancement direction D2 of web of packaging material 5.
  • each advancement direction D2 is the respective direction of advancement of web of packaging material 5 at the respective portion onto which the respective first flow F1 of sterile fluid is directed onto.
  • advancement direction D2 may locally vary and accordingly, the respective directions D1 of at least one air flow generators 39 may differ from one another in dependence of the local advancement direction D2.
  • each at least one air flow generator 39 may be configured to generate the first flow F1 of sterile fluid such that the respective direction D1 is opposite to advancement direction D2.
  • an angle defined between directions D1 and the respective advancement directions D2 may vary.
  • at least one air flow generators 39 may be configured such that at least one or more at least one air flow generators 39 may generate the respective first flow F1 of sterile fluid such that the angle defined with the respective advancement directions D2 may vary with regard to the respective angles defined by the respective first flows F1 of sterile fluid and the respective advancement directions D2 of other at least one air flow generators 39.
  • At least one of the at least one air flow generators 39 may be configured to also generate a second flow F2 of sterile fluid into a second direction D3 opposite to the respective first flow F1 of sterile fluid and/or opposite to the respective first direction D1 and/or substantially parallel and/or parallel to advancement direction D2.
  • the at least one at least one air flow generator 39 is configured such that the second flow F2 of sterile fluid is directed into the sterilization apparatus 9, preferentially into inlet chamber 35.
  • substantially parallel means that second direction D3 may deviate from advancement direction D2, but still both web of packaging material 5 and the second flow F2 of sterile fluid are directed towards and into sterilization apparatus 9, preferentially inlet chamber 35.
  • the at least one at least one air flow generator 39 may be configured to introduce the respective first flow F1 of sterile fluid and the respective second flow F2 of sterile fluid into advancement channel 41, preferentially at an inlet station 42.
  • the respective second flow F2 of sterile fluid may be from advancement channel 41, preferentially inlet station 42, into sterilization apparatus 9, preferentially inlet chamber 35.
  • inlet station 42 may be adjacent to sterilization apparatus 9, in particular inlet chamber 35. Preferentially, meaning that inlet station 42 is closer to sterilization apparatus 9, in particular inlet chamber 35, than to molding apparatus 7 and such that the respective second flow F2 of sterile fluid can reach and enter sterilization apparatus 9, in particular inlet chamber 35.
  • the preserving device 22 may also be configured to control:
  • preserving device 22 may be configured to control first pressure p1 to be larger than second pressure p2.
  • preserving device 22 may be configured to control a first pressure difference between first pressure p1 and second pressure p2 to be larger than 0 Pa.
  • preserving device 22 may be configured to control the first pressure difference to be smaller than 3 Pa, preferentially smaller than 2 Pa, even more preferentially equal to 1 Pa.
  • preserving device 22 may be configured to control the first pressure difference to equal or to be larger than 1 Pa.
  • preserving device 22 may be configured to control first pressure p1 to range between 15 Pa to 25 Pa, preferentially 18 Pa to 22 Pa, even more preferentially 19 Pa to 21 Pa, above ambient pressure.
  • the preserving device may be configured to control third pressure p3 to be larger than first pressure p1; i.e. a second pressure difference between third pressure p3 and first pressure p1 may be larger than 0 Pa.
  • preserving device 22 may be configured to control the second pressure difference to be larger than 3 Pa, preferentially larger than 4 Pa, even more preferentially larger than 5 Pa.
  • the second pressure difference may equal 5 Pa.
  • the conditioning unit may be configured to control a fourth pressure p4 within isolation chamber 15.
  • operation of the conditioning unit and of preserving device 22 may be executed in a coordinated manner and/or a complementary manner.
  • preserving device 22 and conditioning unit may define a conditioning apparatus configured to control first pressure p1 and/or second pressure p2 and/or third pressure p3 and/or fourth pressure p4 and/or conditions within inlet chamber 35 and/or sterilization chamber 36 and/or outlet chamber 37 and/or isolation chamber 15.
  • fourth pressure p4 may be larger than third pressure p3 and/or first pressure p1.
  • a third pressure difference between fourth pressure p4 and first pressure p1 may be larger than 150 Pa, preferentially larger than 180 Pa, even more preferentially may equal or may be larger than 200 Pa.
  • advancement channel 41 and/or inlet chamber 35 may comprise one or more outlets 43 configured to allow for an outflow of fluids (e.g. gases) from respectively advancement channel 41 and inlet chamber 35.
  • fluids e.g. gases
  • preserving device 22 may also comprise one or more disinfection units for disinfecting at least portions, in particular the molded portions 4, of web of packaging material 5 while advancing between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10.
  • Disinfection unit may comprise one or more UV-light emitters.
  • tube forming and sealing device 17 may comprise at least two forming ring assemblies 45, in particular arranged within inner environment 16, being configured to gradually fold in cooperation with one another web of packaging material 5 into tube 18, in particular by overlapping the edges of web of packaging material 5 with one another.
  • tube forming and sealing device 17 may comprise a sealing head 46, in particular arranged within inner environment 16 and, configured to longitudinally seal tube 18.
  • filling device 20 may comprise a filling pipe 47 being configured to direct, in use, the pourable product into tube 18.
  • filling pipe 47 may, in use, be at least partially placed within tube 18 for feeding, in use, the pourable product into tube 18.
  • package forming apparatus 21 may comprise:
  • package forming apparatus 12 may be configured to control the forming and sealing assemblies and the conveying unit such to transversally seal and cut tube 18 along equally spaced transversal cross sections.
  • packaging machine 1 produces packages 2 of a pourable food product.
  • packaging machine 1 forms tube 18 from web of packaging material 5, longitudinally seals tube 18, fills tube 18 with the pourable product and forms, transversally seals and transversally cuts tube 18 so as to obtain packages 2.
  • molding apparatus 7 molds molded portions 4, in particular the opening devices, onto web of packaging material 5, in particular the respective repeat units.
  • operation of packaging machine 1 comprises the following steps:
  • operation of packaging machine 1 may also comprise the step of conveying tube 18 along tube advancement path Q.
  • operation of packaging machine 1 may also comprise a first step of buffering, executed by first buffer unit and a second step of buffering executed by second buffer unit 24.
  • the first flow F1 of sterile fluid is directed against at least a portion, in particular at least against the molded portions 4, of web of packaging material 5 while web of packaging material 5 advances between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10.
  • the first flow F1 of sterile fluid may be generated by the at least one at least one air flow generator 39.
  • each at least one air flow generator 39 generates one respective first flow F1 of sterile fluid.
  • each first flow F1 of sterile fluid in particular as generated by the respective at least one air flow generators 39, may be directed against a respective portion distinct from the other portions of web of packaging material 5 while web of packaging material 5 advances along a respective portion of web advancement path P and while web of packaging material 5 advances between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10.
  • each first flow F1 of sterile fluid is such that the respective directions D1 are transversal to and/or opposite to the respective advancement direction D2 of the web of packaging material 5 (in particular at the specific location).
  • each first flow F1 of sterile air may be directed onto one of the first face and the second face or onto both the first face and the second face.
  • the overall first flow F1s of sterile air are such that at least one first flow F1 of sterile air is directed onto the first face and at least one first flow F1 of sterile air is directed onto the second face.
  • the one or more first flow(s) F1 of sterile fluid is/are directed into advancement channel 41.
  • a sub-step of disinfecting may be executed during which at least portions, in particular molded portions 4, of web of packaging material 5 are disinfected while web of packaging material 5 advances between molding station 8 and sterilization station 10.
  • a UV-irradiation is directed onto web of packaging material 5, in particular onto the first face and/or the second face.
  • operation of packaging machine 1 may also comprise the step of generating the second flow F2 of a sterile fluid, preferentially by one respective at least one air flow generator 39.
  • the second flow F2 of sterile fluid is in second direction D3 opposite to first direction D1 and/or substantially parallel to advancement direction D2.
  • the second flow F2 of sterile fluid is into the sterilization apparatus 9, preferentially inlet chamber 35.
  • the step of generating and the step of preserving may be executed simultaneously.
  • the respective first flow F1 of sterile fluid and the respective second flow F2 of sterile fluid may be introduced into advancement channel 41, preferentially at inlet station 42.
  • the second flow F2 of sterile fluid may be from advancement channel 41 into sterilization apparatus 9, preferentially inlet chamber 35.
  • operation of packaging machine 1 may also comprise the steps of:
  • the steps of controlling first pressure p1 and/or controlling second pressure p2 and/or controlling third pressure p3 may be executed by means of the preserving device.
  • the step of controlling fourth pressure p4 may be executed by means of the conditioning unit.
  • web of packaging material 5 is intermittently advanced at molding station 8 and/or within molding apparatus 7.
  • web of packaging material 5 is intermittently advanced between first buffer unit and second buffer unit 24.
  • web of packaging material 5 is advanced along web advancement path P.
  • molding apparatus 7 molds molded portion 4, in particular the opening devices, onto web of packaging material 3.
  • the sterilizing irradiation in particular the electromagnetic irradiation, even more particular the electron beam irradiation, is directed onto web of packaging material 5, in particular onto the first face and the second face.
  • web of packaging material 5 advances through sterilization apparatus 9, in particular through sterilization chamber 36, even more particular through sterilization channel 38.
  • web of packaging material 5 advances through inlet chamber 35 and into sterilization chamber 36. Even more preferentially, web of packaging material 5 advances from sterilization chamber 36 to outlet chamber 37. Finally, web of packaging material 5 may advance out of outlet chamber 37 and into isolation chamber 15.
  • packaging machine 1 and/or the method according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
  • Such a solution is of particular advantage in the case when sterilization apparatus 9 relies on sterilization by means of a sterilizing irradiation. This allows to operate at lower energies, which means a longer lifetime and lower energy consumption.
  • Another advantage resides in that the sterilization of molded portions 4 having a more complex geometry than a flat shape is rendered more efficient and/or easier.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
EP23193887.9A 2022-09-01 2023-08-29 Machine d'emballage et procédé de formation d'emballages Pending EP4332008A1 (fr)

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IT202200017994 2022-09-01

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EP (1) EP4332008A1 (fr)
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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20190300219A1 (en) * 2016-09-27 2019-10-03 Orihiro Engineering Co., Ltd. Aseptic filling and packaging apparatus, and method of aseptically filling plastic film package bag with material
US11383869B2 (en) * 2018-04-03 2022-07-12 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Packaging machine and method for producing sealed packages

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20190300219A1 (en) * 2016-09-27 2019-10-03 Orihiro Engineering Co., Ltd. Aseptic filling and packaging apparatus, and method of aseptically filling plastic film package bag with material
US11383869B2 (en) * 2018-04-03 2022-07-12 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Packaging machine and method for producing sealed packages

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WO2024047023A3 (fr) 2024-04-11
WO2024047023A2 (fr) 2024-03-07

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