EP4357253A1 - Appareil de pliage et machine d'emballage dotée d'un appareil de pliage - Google Patents

Appareil de pliage et machine d'emballage dotée d'un appareil de pliage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4357253A1
EP4357253A1 EP23203285.4A EP23203285A EP4357253A1 EP 4357253 A1 EP4357253 A1 EP 4357253A1 EP 23203285 A EP23203285 A EP 23203285A EP 4357253 A1 EP4357253 A1 EP 4357253A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
folding
finalized
semi
sealing fin
folding apparatus
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
EP23203285.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Ivan Cavicchioli
Federico ZANETTIN MISLEY
Amine AMIMI
Andrea GULINATI
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 EP4357253A1 publication Critical patent/EP4357253A1/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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65B61/24—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for shaping or reshaping completed packages
    • 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
    • B65B9/12—Subdividing filled tubes to form two or more packages by sealing or securing involving displacement of contents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a folding apparatus for folding semi-finalized packs of a pourable product, preferentially a pourable food product, into finalized packages of the pourable product, preferentially the pourable food product.
  • the present invention also relates to a packaging machine for packaging a pourable product, preferentially a pourable food product, into finalized packages and having a folding apparatus for folding semi-finalized packs into the finalized packages.
  • 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 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 carton and/or paper base layer, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene.
  • the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygenbarrier material, 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 machines.
  • packaging machines that advance a web of packaging material through a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material and into an isolation chamber in which the sterilized web of packaging material is maintained and advanced.
  • the web of packaging material is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube, the tube being further fed along an (vertical) advancing direction.
  • the tube is filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, and is transversally sealed and subsequently cut along equally spaced transversal cross sections within a pack forming unit of the packaging machine during advancement along the advancing direction. Pillow packages are so obtained.
  • These pillow packages define sealed semi-finalized packs having each a central main body, two sealing fins resulting from the transversal sealing and cutting of the tube and protruding from the respective central main body and a plurality of flaps laterally protruding from the central main body.
  • the pillow packages are further formed and the sealing fins and the flaps are folded and sealed onto the respective central main bodies.
  • a typical packaging machine of this type comprises:
  • a typical folding apparatus comprises an infeed conveyor, which is configured to receive the semi-finalized packs from the forming apparatus and to feed the semi-finalized packs to a folding unit of the folding apparatus, the folding unit being configured to fold the semi-finalized packs into the finalized packages.
  • a type of folding unit that comprises a plurality of retaining pockets configured to retain the semi-finalized packs and a conveying device configured to intermittently advance the retaining pockets along an endless path and through a receiving station at which the semi-finalized packs are fed into the retaining pockets, and a release station at which the finalized packages are released.
  • the folding unit also comprises a flap folding device arranged at a treatment station interposed between the receiving station and the release station and configured to simultaneously fold the flaps onto the respective central main body. Thereby, the flap folding device also folds the sealing fins.
  • the folding unit also comprises a thermal treatment device arranged at a thermal treatment station interposed between the treatment station and the release station and configured to thermally treat the flaps and/or portions of the respective central main bodies so as to seal the flaps onto the respective central main bodies.
  • Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing, preferentially sealed, finalized packages 2 of a pourable product, preferentially a pourable food product such as pasteurized milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, yoghurt, milk drinks, yoghurt drinks, emulsions, beverages with pulp, salt, sugar and the like.
  • a pourable food product such as pasteurized milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, yoghurt, milk drinks, yoghurt drinks, emulsions, beverages with pulp, salt, sugar and the like.
  • packages 2 may be formed from a multilayer packaging material. Even more preferentially, packages 2 may be formed from a web of packaging material 3.
  • the multilayer packaging material 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
  • the multilayer packaging material, preferentially web of packaging material 3 may also comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, preferentially being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material.
  • the multilayer packaging material, preferentially web of packaging material 3 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.
  • each finalized package 2 may extend along a longitudinal axis, and preferentially may have a longitudinal seam portion (extending along the respective longitudinal axis) and a pair of transversal sealing fins, preferentially a transversal top sealing fin and a transversal bottom sealing fin.
  • each finalized package 2 may have a substantially parallelepiped structure.
  • each finalized package 2 may comprise at least a first end portion and a second end portion arranged at opposite sides of finalized package 2 and an intermediate portion interposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.
  • each first end portion may define a bottom of the respective finalized package 2 and each second end portion may define a top of the respective finalized package 2.
  • each first end portion and each second end portion may comprise at least one respective transversal wall (being transversal to the respective longitudinal axis of the respective finalized package 2).
  • each intermediate portion may comprise and/or define a side wall, e.g. formed by a plurality of interconnected side wall portions, extending between the respective transversal walls.
  • each first end portion may define a bottom wall and the respective transversal wall of each second end portion may define a top wall.
  • the bottom wall may have a support surface adapted to be placed on a (horizontal) plane, such as e.g. a shelf within a distribution point, and the top wall may be opposite to the bottom wall.
  • each finalized package 2 may also comprise an opening device, such as a closure.
  • each opening device may be applied to the respective multilayer packaging material, preferentially web of packaging material 3, or onto semi-finalized packs 5 or onto finalized packages 2.
  • each opening device may be provided on the respective second end portion, preferentially the respective transversal wall defining the respective top wall.
  • packaging machine 1 may be configured to produce (sealed) semi-finalized packs 5, such as e.g. pillow packs, being filled with the pourable product and to further treat and/or manipulate and/or form semi-finalized packs 5 for obtaining finalized packages 2.
  • semi-finalized packs 5 such as e.g. pillow packs
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may extend along a respective longitudinal axis A, and preferentially may comprise a longitudinal sealing band 6 (extending along and/or being parallel to longitudinal axis A).
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may comprise at least one transversal sealing fin 8, preferentially transversal to longitudinal axis A, arranged at a respective end portion 7 of the respective semi-finalized pack 5.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may comprise at least two transversal sealing fins 8, preferentially transversal to longitudinal axis A, arranged at respective end portions 7 of the respective semi-finalized pack 5 opposite to one another.
  • each sealing fin 8 may define a respective transversal sealing fin of the respective finalized package 2 (obtained from the respective semi-finalized pack 5).
  • each longitudinal sealing band 6 may define a corresponding longitudinal seam portion of the respective finalized package 2 (obtained from the respective semi-finalized pack 5).
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may comprise a central main body 9 and the one or more sealing fins 8 may protrude, preferentially along a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axis A, from the respective central main body 9.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may comprise two sealing fins 8, each one protruding from one respective end portion 7 opposite to the other end portion 7.
  • each end portion 7 may taper from the respective central main body 9 to the respective sealing fin 8.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may also comprise one or more flaps 10 protruding away, preferentially protruding sideways, from the respective central main body 9.
  • each flap 10 may carry a portion of a respective sealing fin 8.
  • At least one end portion 7 may comprise two respective flaps 10 laterally extending from opposite lateral sides of the respective central main body 9. In even further detail, each end portion 7 may comprise at least two respective flaps 10.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may comprise a respective first end portion 11, a respective second end portion 12 opposite to the respective first end portion 11 and an intermediate portion 13 interposed between first end portion 11 and second end portion 12.
  • each first end portion 11, each second end portion 12 and each intermediate portion 13 form respectively the respective first end portion, the respective second end portion and the respective intermediate portion of the respective finalized package 2.
  • Each first end portion 11 and each second end portion 12 may comprise one respective sealing fin 8 and a respective pair of flaps 10.
  • each first end portion 11 and each second end portion 12 may comprise one respective end portion 7.
  • packaging machine 1 may comprise at least:
  • forming apparatus 15 may comprise:
  • each sealing fin 8 may result from the transversal sealing and cutting of tube 19.
  • the pack forming unit may be arranged downstream of isolation chamber 17 and tube forming and sealing device 20 along tube advancement path Q.
  • tube 19 may extend along a longitudinal axis, preferentially having a vertical orientation.
  • packaging machine 1 may further comprise a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing at least a portion of web of packaging material 3 at a sterilization station arranged upstream of the tube forming station along web advancement path P.
  • filling device 21 may comprise at least a filling pipe 22 being in fluid connection or being controllable to be in fluid connection with a pourable product storage tank (not shown and known as such) and being, in use, partially placed within tube 19 for feeding the pourable product into the, in use, advancing tube 19.
  • tube forming and sealing device 20 may comprise at least a tube forming assembly 23 configured to form tube 19 from web of packaging material 3, in particular by overlapping the respective opposite lateral edges of web of packaging material 3, and at least a sealing head 24 configured to longitudinally seal tube 19, in particular along the portion of tube 19 obtained by overlapping the opposite lateral edges of web of packaging material 3.
  • tube forming assembly 23 and sealing head 24 may be arranged within isolation chamber 17.
  • the pack forming unit may comprise:
  • each operative assembly may be configured to cooperate, in use, with the respective counter-operative assembly of the respective pair for forming, transversally sealing, and preferentially also transversally cutting, tube 19 for obtaining one respective semi-finalized pack 5, in particular when, in use, advancing along a respective operative portion of the respective conveying path.
  • folding apparatus 16 may comprise at least a folding unit 30 configured to obtain finalized packages 2 from the respective semi-finalized packs 5, and preferentially an infeed conveyor 31 configured to advance semi-finalized packs 5 to folding unit 30.
  • infeed conveyor 31 may be interposed between folding unit 30 and forming apparatus 15 and may be configured to receive semi-finalized packs 5 from forming apparatus 15 and to feed semi-finalized packs 5 to folding unit 30.
  • folding apparatus 16 in particular folding unit 30, may comprise:
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may be folded into the respective finalized package 2 while being retained within the respective retaining pocket 32 and during advancement of the respective retaining pocket 32 between receiving station 34 and release station 35.
  • each retaining pocket 32 may comprise a retaining space, preferentially delimited by at least two respective retaining plates 37 of the respective retaining pocket 32.
  • each retaining plate 37 may be arranged upstream of the other retaining plate 37 along endless path R.
  • each retaining pocket 32 may comprise a leading retaining plate 37 (with respect to endless path R) and a trailing retaining plate 37 (with respect to endless path R).
  • the respective retaining plates 37 of each retaining pocket 32 may be configured to execute a relative movement such that retaining plates 37 get into engagement with the respective semi-finalized pack 5 and the respective finalized package 2, e.g. for securing and/or shaping the respective semi-finalized pack 5 and the respective finalized package 2.
  • conveying device 33 may be configured to advance retaining pockets 32 through receiving station 34 at which one semi-finalized pack 5 at a time is fed into a respective retaining pocket 32.
  • conveying device 33 may also be configured to advance retaining pockets 32 through release station 35 at which finalized packages 2 formed form semi-finalized packs 5 during advancement within retaining pockets 32 are released out of retaining pockets 32.
  • conveying device 33 may also be configured to advance retaining pockets 32 through one or more treatment stations, the treatment stations being interposed between receiving station 34 and release station 35.
  • conveying device 33 may be configured to intermittently advance retaining pockets 32 along endless path R.
  • conveying device 33 may comprise a conveyor wheel 38 rotatable around a respective rotation axis B.
  • conveying device 33 may comprise an actuation unit configured to actuate rotation of conveyor wheel 38 for advancing retaining pockets 32 along endless path R.
  • each retaining pocket 32 may be carried by conveyor wheel 38.
  • retaining pockets 32 may be angularly spaced apart from one another about rotation axis B.
  • each retaining plate 37 may radially protrude from conveyor wheel 38.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 is fed to receiving station 34 by infeed conveyor 31.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 is transferred from infeed conveyor 31 to the respective retaining pocket 32.
  • each retaining pocket 32 may comprise a first terminal portion 45 and a second terminal portion 46 opposite to first terminal portion 45.
  • each second terminal portion 46 may be adjacent and/or connected to conveyor wheel 38.
  • each retaining pocket 32 may comprise an open end arranged at the respective first terminal portion 45.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may be arranged within the respective retaining pocket 32 such that the respective second end portion 12 is placed adjacent to the respective second terminal portion 46 and the respective first end portion 11 is arranged adjacent to the respective first terminal portion 45.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 may be fed into the respective retaining pocket 32 with the respective sealing fins 8 being in an unfolded position, meaning that the sealing fins 8 protrude from the respective central main body 9.
  • folding apparatus 16 in particular folding unit 30, folds each sealing fin 8 from the respective unfolded position to a respective folded position in which each sealing fin 8 is folded onto and/or towards the respective central main body 9, preferentially the respective second end portion 12.
  • each retaining pocket 32 may comprise a respective fin folding device 48 configured to fold one respective sealing fin 8 at a time from the respective unfolded position to the respective folded position.
  • each fin folding device 48 may be configured to fold the respective sealing fin 8 being placed at the respective second terminal portion 46.
  • each fin folding device 48 may be configured to fold the respective sealing fin 8 protruding from the respective second end portion 12.
  • each fin folding device 48 may be arranged at and/or may define the respective second terminal portion 46.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 is inserted, in use, into the respective retaining pocket 32 such that each fin folding device 48 may be configured to fold the respective sealing fin 8 which is placed within the respective retaining pocket 32 prior to the other sealing fin 8 of the respective semi-finalized pack 5.
  • leading sealing fin 8 for the respective sealing fin 8 entering at first the respective retaining pocket 32 and the term trailing sealing fin 8 for the respective sealing fin 8 following the leading sealing fin 8 (i.e. the trailing sealing fin 8 is the sealing fin opposite to the leading sealing 8).
  • each leading sealing fin 8 is positioned adjacent to the respective second terminal portion 46 and each trailing sealing fin 8 is positioned adjacent to the respective first terminal portion 45.
  • each fin folding device 48 may be configured to fold the respective leading sealing fins 8.
  • trailing sealing fins 8 are folded by an alternative mechanism and not by fin folding devices 48.
  • each fin folding device 48 may comprise:
  • folding apparatus 16, in particular folding unit 30, may further comprise an actuation unit 51 configured to set each folding element 50 in the respective rest position at receiving station 34 and to move each folding element 50 from the respective rest position to the respective active position during advancement of the respective retaining pocket 32 from receiving station 34 and along endless path R.
  • actuation unit 51 configured to set each folding element 50 in the respective rest position at receiving station 34 and to move each folding element 50 from the respective rest position to the respective active position during advancement of the respective retaining pocket 32 from receiving station 34 and along endless path R.
  • each folding element 50 may be configured to free the respective free space 49 when being in the respective rest position, in particular so that the respective leading sealing fin 8 can enter the respective free space 49 without interaction with any part of the respective retaining pocket 32.
  • each folding element 50 may be configured to close and/or occupy and/or fill the respective free space 49 when being in the respective active position, in particular thereby interacting with the respective leading sealing fin 8 and folding the respective leading sealing fin 8 to the respective folded position.
  • each folding element 50 may be angularly moveable about a respective rotation axis C so as to be moveable between the respective rest position and the respective active position.
  • each folding element 50 may comprise an interaction surface 52 configured to interact with the respective leading sealing fin 8, preferentially such to fold the respective leading sealing fin 8 from the unfolded position to the folded position when moving folding element 50, in use, from the rest position to the active position.
  • each folding element 50 may be configured such that during movement of folding element 50 from the respective rest position to the respective active position, folding element 50, preferentially by means of the respective interaction surface 52 engaging the respective leading sealing fin 8, folds the respective leading sealing fin 8 in an advancement direction, i.e. a direction of advancement of the respective retaining pocket 32.
  • folded sealing fin 8 would reduce the space available for the application of an opening device if folded along a direction opposite to the advancement direction.
  • each retaining pocket 32 may also comprise an abutment surface 53, preferentially arranged at and/or partially defining the respective second terminal portion 46, designed to receive and/or carry an engagement portion of the respective central main body 10, preferentially of the respective second end portion 12, of the respective semi-finalized pack 5.
  • the respective semi-finalized pack 5 may be introduced into the respective receiving pocket 32 until the respective engagement portion abuts against the respective abutment surface 53.
  • the respective sealing fin 8 may protrude from the respective engagement portion into the free space 49 with the engagement portion being engaged with the respective abutment surface 53, and the respective folding element 50 being in the respective rest position.
  • actuation unit 51 may be configured to control each folding element 50 from the respective rest position to the respective active position with the respective engagement portion abutting, in use, against the respective abutment surface 53 and the respective sealing fin 8 protruding into the free space 49.
  • actuation unit 51 moves the respective folding element 50 from the respective rest position to the respective active position.
  • each retaining pocket 32 may comprise a support structure 54, preferentially arranged at the respective second terminal portion 46, and having the respective abutment surface 53.
  • each support structure 54 may be fixed to one respective retaining plate 37, preferentially the respective trailing retaining plate 37.
  • each folding element 50 may be hinged to the respective support structure 54, whereby the respective hinge axis defines the respective rotation axis C.
  • each interaction surface 52 may be aligned and inclined with respect to the respective abutment surface 53 with the respective folding element 50 being in respectively the active position and the rest position.
  • each abutment surface 53 and the respective interaction surface 52 may substantially lie within a common plane with the respective folding element 50 being in the active position.
  • each semi-finalized pack 5 in particular the respective central main body 10, even more particular the respective second end portion 12, may abut against both the respective abutment surface 53 and the respective interaction surface 52.
  • actuation unit 51 may comprise a cam mechanism 60 moving, preferentially selectively moving, each folding element 50 between the respective rest position and the respective active position.
  • cam mechanism 60 may comprise a cam profile 61 and a plurality of cam followers 62, each cam follower 62 being coupled to one respective folding element 50.
  • cam profile 61 may be fixed with respect to advancing retaining pockets 32 and/or rotating conveying wheel 38.
  • cam followers 62 may be arranged one after the other along endless path R and cyclically move along cam profile 61, preferentially such that the respective folding elements 50 cyclically move between the respective rest position and the respective active position.
  • the angular position of cam followers 62 with respect to rotation axis B may determine the position and/or movement of folding elements 50.
  • cam mechanism 60 may also comprise a plurality of coupling structures 63, each one carrying one respective cam follower 62 and being operatively coupled to one respective folding element 50.
  • each coupling structure 63 may comprise a first arm 64 carrying the respective cam follower 62 and hinged to the respective support structure 54 and a second arm 65 hinged to the first arm 64 and carrying the respective folding element 50 in an angularly moveable manner.
  • each retaining pocket 32 may also comprise a seat 66 configured to receive an opening device of the respective semi-finalized pack 5.
  • Each seat 66 may for example be provided in the form of an aperture provided in the respective support structure 54 and the respective folding element 50.
  • folding apparatus 16 in particular folding unit 30, may also comprise a flap folding device 70 configured to fold at least one flap 10, preferentially two flaps 10 arranged at opposite sides of the respective central main body 9, onto and/or towards the respective central main body 9, in particular the respective intermediate portion 13.
  • flap folding device 70 may be configured to fold the flaps 10 of second end portion 12 and/or the flaps 10 being associated to leading sealing fin 8.
  • leading sealing fin 8 In analogy to distinguishing between leading sealing fin 8 and trailing sealing fin 8, it is also possible to distinguish between leading flaps 10 and trailing flaps 10.
  • leading flaps 10 are the flaps 10 of each semi-finalized pack 5 that are placed into the respective retaining pocket 32 earlier than the other flaps 10.
  • leading flaps 10 are the flaps 10 that are placed at the respective second terminal portion 46.
  • leading flaps 10 are associated to the respective leading sealing fin 8.
  • flap folding device 70 may be configured to fold the respective flaps 10 after folding the respective sealing fins 8.
  • flap folding device 70 may be configured to fold leading flaps 10 onto and/or towards the respective central main body 9, preferentially the respective intermediate portion 13.
  • flap folding device 70 may be arranged at a flap folding station 71 interposed between receiving station 34 and release station 35.
  • flap folding device 70 may define a treatment station of folding apparatus 16, preferentially of folding unit 30.
  • flap folding device 70 may be stationary, i.e. flap folding device 70 does not move with retaining pockets 32 and/or conveyor wheel 38.
  • folding apparatus 16 in particular folding unit 30, may comprise a single flap folding device 70.
  • Flap folding device 70 may comprise at least:
  • actuation group 73 may be configured to simultaneously move the two folding elements 72 between the respective idle position and the respective folding position.
  • folding elements 72 may be spaced apart from one another.
  • One folding element 72 is configured to fold one respective flap 10 of the respective pair of flaps 10, while the other flap folding element 72 is configured to fold the other flap 10 of the respective pair of flaps 10.
  • actuation group 73 may be configured to actuate both a linear movement and an angular movement about a respective rotation axis E on each flap folding element 72 so as to move each flap folding element 72 between the respective idle position and the respective folding position (see e.g. the sequence of Figures 9A to 9C ) .
  • actuation group 73 may be configured to actuate, when controlling flap folding element 72 from the respective idle position to the respective folding position:
  • this configuration allows to have an effective and, at the same time, rather compact flap folding device 70.
  • each flap folding element 72 allows to approach flap folding elements 72 to flaps 10 and the angular movement allows to precisely control the folding of flaps 10.
  • actuation group 73 may be configured to actuate the linear movement of folding elements 72 towards flaps 10 and to actuate the angular movement about the respective rotation axis E after actuation of the linear movement.
  • each flap folding element 72 may comprise a respective engagement surface 74 configured to engage, in use, the respective flap 10 for folding the respective flap 10 onto and/or towards the respective central main body 9, preferentially the respective intermediate portion 13.
  • a respective normal axis N of each engagement surface 74 is substantially parallel to (see e.g. Figure 9A ) and is substantially perpendicular (see e.g. Figure 9C ) to the respective longitudinal axis A of the respective semi-finalized pack 5 with the respective flap folding element 72 being respectively in the respective idle position and in the respective folding position and with the respective semi-finalized pack 5 being at folding station 71.
  • each flap folding element 72 may comprise a respective folding plate 75 having the respective engagement surface 74.
  • each folding plate 75 may have a substantially triangular shape.
  • actuation group 73 may comprise a support structure 76, preferentially a pair of support structures 76 spaced apart from one another.
  • each flap folding element 72 may be hinged to one respective support structure 76 and about the respective rotation axis E.
  • actuation group 73 may comprise at least one linear rail 77, preferentially two linear rails 77 spaced apart from one another.
  • each support structure 76 may be moveably coupled to one respective linear rail 77.
  • actuation group 73 may comprise an actuating mechanism 78 configured to linearly move each support structure 76 along the respective linear rail 77.
  • actuating mechanism 78 configured to linearly move each support structure 76 along the respective linear rail 77.
  • Each flap folding element 72 linearly moves, in use, with the respective support structure 76 linearly moving along the respective linear rail 77.
  • actuating mechanism 78 may also be configured to actuate the angular movement of each flap folding element 72 about the respective rotation axis E.
  • actuating mechanism 78 may comprise an axle 79 rotatable about a central axis F and one or more bars 80 coupled to axle 79. Each bar 80 may be coupled to one respective support structure 76.
  • each bar 80 may be connected to one respective support structure 76.
  • actuating mechanism 78 may further comprise one or more shafts 81, each one coupled to one respective flap folding element 72 and to axle 79. Moreover, in use, rotation of axle 79 about central axis F actuates movement of each shaft 81 and thereby the angular movement of the respective flap folding element 72.
  • each flap folding element 72 may be hinged to the respective support structure 76 at a first end portion 82 and each shaft 81 may be connected to the respective flap folding element 72 at a second end portion 83 opposite to the respective first end portion 82.
  • actuating mechanism 78 may further comprise a coupling lever 84 connected to and perpendicularly extending from axle 79, a coupling shaft 85 connected to and perpendicularly arranged to coupling lever 84 and at least one coupling bar 86, preferentially two coupling bars 86, coupled to and being perpendicularly arranged to coupling shaft 85.
  • each coupling bar 86 may be connected to a respective end portion of coupling shaft 85.
  • each bar 80 may be connected to a first end 88 of the respective coupling bar 86 and each shaft 81 may be connected to a second end 89 of the respective coupling bar 86 opposite to the respective first end 88.
  • actuating mechanism 78 may also comprise an actuator group 87 configured to control the angular movement of axle 79 about rotation axis F.
  • folding apparatus 16, in particular folding unit 30, may further comprise a sealing device, preferentially having a heating unit, configured to seal leading flaps 10 onto the respective central main bodies 9, preferentially the respective intermediate portions 13.
  • folding apparatus 16, in particular folding unit 30, may further comprise a pressuring device configured to press leading flaps 10 onto the respective central main bodies 9, preferentially the respective intermediate portions 13, so as to contribute to the sealing operation of leading flaps 10 onto the respective central main bodies 9, preferentially the respective intermediate portions 13.
  • folding apparatus 16 in particular folding unit 30, may also comprise an auxiliary folding group 90 configured to fold each trailing sealing fin 8 and each trailing flap 10 independently from folding of the respective leading sealing fin 8 and of the respective leading flap 10.
  • auxiliary folding group 90 may be configured to fold each trailing flap 10 onto the respective first end portion 11, in particular onto the part of the semi-finished pack 5 that will become the bottom wall of the respective finalized package 2.
  • folding apparatus 16, in particular folding unit 30, may also comprise an auxiliary sealing device for sealing each trailing flap 10 onto the respective central main body 9, preferentially the respective first end portion 11.
  • packaging machine 1 forms finalized packages 2 filled with the pourable product.
  • the method for forming packages 2 comprises the main steps of:
  • the main step of forming packs 5 comprises at least the steps of:
  • the step of forming may also comprise the step of sterilizing web of packaging material 3 at the sterilization station.
  • step of folding semi-finalized packs 5 comprises the sub-steps of:
  • semi-finalized packs 5 may be fed into respective retaining pockets 32 at receiving station 34. While being fed into retaining pockets 32, the respective leading sealing fins 8 are placed within the respective free space 49, and preferentially at the same time the respective engagement portion of the respective semi-finalized pack 5 abuts against the respective abutment surface 53.
  • retaining pockets 32 advance, preferentially intermittently advance, along endless path R.
  • the respective fin folding devices 48 fold the respective leading sealing fins 8 from the respective unfolded position to the respective folded position by moving the respective folding element 50 from the respective rest position to the respective active position.
  • control of folding elements 50 from the respective rest position to the respective active position is driven by cam mechanism 60.
  • leading flaps 10 are folded onto and/or towards the respective central main body 9, preferentially the respective intermediate portion 13, by operation of flap folding device 70.
  • flap folding device 70 moves flap folding elements 72 from the respective idle positions to the respective folding positions.
  • each folding element 72 moves linearly and angularly. Even more preferentially, at first each folding element 72 starts to linearly move and during the linear movement starts to angularly move.
  • leading flaps 10 are sealed onto the respective central main bodies 9 by the sealing device.
  • trailing sealing fin 8 and trailing flaps 10 are folded by auxiliary folding group 90.
  • auxiliary sealing device seals trailing flaps 10 onto the respective central main body 9, preferentially onto the respective first end portion 11.
  • folding apparatus 16 preferentially folding unit 30, according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
  • semi-finalized packs 5 are gently treated, in particular as leading sealing fins 8 become folded only after a soft insertion of the respective semi-finalized packs 5 into the respective retaining pockets 32.
EP23203285.4A 2022-10-18 2023-10-12 Appareil de pliage et machine d'emballage dotée d'un appareil de pliage Pending EP4357253A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT202200021399 2022-10-18

Publications (1)

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EP4357253A1 true EP4357253A1 (fr) 2024-04-24

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23203285.4A Pending EP4357253A1 (fr) 2022-10-18 2023-10-12 Appareil de pliage et machine d'emballage dotée d'un appareil de pliage

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EP (1) EP4357253A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2024083643A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0061663A2 (fr) * 1981-03-27 1982-10-06 Ab Tetra Pak Machine pour le traitement de récipients d'emballages
EP1726526A1 (fr) * 2005-05-19 2006-11-29 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Unité de pliage pour machine d'emballage de produits liquides
EP4032819A1 (fr) * 2021-01-22 2022-07-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Convoyeur d'alimentation pour un appareil de pliage, appareil de pliage doté d'un convoyeur d'alimentation et machine d'emballage comportant un appareil de pliage

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0061663A2 (fr) * 1981-03-27 1982-10-06 Ab Tetra Pak Machine pour le traitement de récipients d'emballages
EP1726526A1 (fr) * 2005-05-19 2006-11-29 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Unité de pliage pour machine d'emballage de produits liquides
EP4032819A1 (fr) * 2021-01-22 2022-07-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Convoyeur d'alimentation pour un appareil de pliage, appareil de pliage doté d'un convoyeur d'alimentation et machine d'emballage comportant un appareil de pliage

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