EP4357255A1 - Folding apparatus and packaging machine having a folding apparatus - Google Patents
Folding apparatus and packaging machine having a folding apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4357255A1 EP4357255A1 EP23203289.6A EP23203289A EP4357255A1 EP 4357255 A1 EP4357255 A1 EP 4357255A1 EP 23203289 A EP23203289 A EP 23203289A EP 4357255 A1 EP4357255 A1 EP 4357255A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- folding
- finalized
- folding element
- semi
- sealing fin
- 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
Links
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims description 17
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 102
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 claims description 30
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000005022 packaging material Substances 0.000 description 30
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 9
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 3
- 241000227653 Lycopersicon Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000007688 Lycopersicon esculentum Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 235000015067 sauces Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000007669 thermal treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000014101 wine Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011111 cardboard Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004715 ethylene vinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 235000020124 milk-based beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020200 pasteurised milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000008924 yoghurt drink Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013618 yogurt Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- 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
-
- 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 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 oxygen-barrier 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 fixed 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 disposed 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 from 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 or a lid.
- 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 a central main body 8, one or more flaps 9 protruding away, preferentially laterally protruding away, from the respective central main body 8 and one or more transversal sealing fins 10, preferentially transversal to longitudinal axis A.
- each sealing fin 10 may be 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 10, 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 10 may define a respective transversal sealing fin of the respective finalized package 2 (obtained from the respective semi-finalized pack 5).
- each sealing fin 10 may protrude from the respective central main body 8 along a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axis A.
- 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 end portion 7 may taper from the respective central main body 8 to and/or into the respective sealing fin 10.
- each flap 9 may carry a portion of a respective sealing fin 10.
- At least one end portion 7 may comprise two respective flaps 9 laterally extending from opposite lateral sides of the respective central main body 8.
- each end portion 7 may comprise at least two respective flaps 9.
- 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 10 and a respective pair of flaps 9.
- 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 10 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 (only partially shown to the extent necessary for the comprehension of the present invention) 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:
- folding apparatus 16 in particular folding unit 30, may be configured to manipulate semi-finalized packs 5 so as to form finalized packages 2 during advancement of retaining pockets 32 along the endless path.
- 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 the release station.
- each retaining pocket 32 may comprise a retaining space, preferentially delimited by at least two respective retaining plates 35 of the respective retaining pocket 32.
- each retaining plate 35 may be arranged upstream of the other retaining plate 35 along the endless path.
- each retaining pocket 32 may comprise a leading retaining plate 35 (with respect to the endless path) and a trailing retaining plate 35 (with respect to the endless path).
- the respective retaining plates 35 of each retaining pocket 32 may be configured to execute a relative movement such to allow for insertion and release of the respective semi-finalized packs 2.
- the respective retaining plates 35 of each retaining pocket 32 may be configured so as to 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.
- one retaining plate 35 of each retaining pocket 32 may be fixed (non-moveable) with respect to the conveying device 33 and the other retaining plate 35 of each retaining pocket 32, e.g. the trailing retaining plate 35, may be moveable with respect to the conveying device 33 so as to control the relative movement between the respective retaining plates 35 of each retaining pocket 32.
- 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 the release station 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 the release station.
- conveying device 33 may be configured to intermittently advance retaining pockets 32 along the endless path.
- conveying device 33 may comprise a conveyor wheel 38, which is rotatable around a respective rotation axis B.
- conveying device 33 may comprise an actuation unit configured to actuate rotation, preferentially in an intermittent manner, of conveyor wheel 38 for advancing retaining pockets 32 along the endless path.
- 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 35 may radially protrude from conveyor wheel 38.
- one retaining plate 35 of each retaining pocket 32 may be integral to conveyor wheel 38 and the other retaining plate 35 may be moveable with respect to conveyor wheel 38.
- each trailing retaining plate 35 may be integral to conveyor wheel 38 and/or each leading retaining plate 35 may be moveable with respect to conveyor wheel 38.
- each semi-finalized pack 5 may be 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 37 and a second terminal portion 36 opposite to first terminal portion 37.
- each second terminal portion 36 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 37.
- 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 36 and the respective first end portion 11 is arranged adjacent to the respective first terminal portion 37.
- each semi-finalized pack 5 may be fed into the respective retaining pocket 32 with the respective sealing fins 10 being in a respective unfolded position and the respective flaps 9 being in a non-folded position, meaning that the sealing fins 10 protrude, preferentially along a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axis A, and the respective flaps 9 protrude, preferentially laterally protrude, from the respective central main body 8.
- folding apparatus 16 in particular folding unit 30, foresees to fold each sealing fin 10 from the respective unfolded position to a respective folded position in which each sealing fin 10 is folded onto and/or towards the respective central main body 8, preferentially the respective second end portion 12, and to fold each flap 9 from the respective non-folded position to a respective bent position in which each flap 9 is folded onto and/or towards the respective central main body 8, preferentially the respective intermediate portion 13.
- each retaining pocket 32 may comprise a respective folding device 45 configured to fold one respective sealing fin 10 from the respective unfolded position to the respective folded position and to fold the respective flap(s) 9 from the respective non-folded position to the respective bent position.
- each folding device 45 may be configured to fold the respective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 being placed at the respective second terminal portion 36.
- each folding device 45 may be configured to fold the respective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 protruding from the respective second end portion 12.
- each folding device 45 may be arranged at and/or may define the respective second terminal portion 36.
- each semi-finalized pack 5 is inserted, in use, into the respective retaining pocket 32 such that each folding device 45 may be configured to fold the respective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 which are placed within the respective retaining pocket 32 prior to the other sealing fin 10 and the other flaps 9.
- leading sealing fin 10 and leading flaps 9 for respectively the respective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 entering at first the respective retaining pocket 32
- trailing sealing fin 10 and trailing flap(s) 9 for respectively the respective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 following the leading sealing fin 10 and the leading flap(s) 9 (i.e.
- each leading sealing fin 10 and each leading flap 9 is positioned adjacent to the respective second terminal portion 36 and each trailing sealing fin 10 and each trailing flap 9 is positioned adjacent to the respective first terminal portion 37.
- each folding device 45 may be configured to fold each leading sealing fin 10 and the respective leading flap(s) 9.
- trailing sealing fins 10 may be folded through an alternative mechanism and not by means of folding devices 45.
- the alternative mechanism is not associated to each single retaining pocket 32 but may be at a fixed station.
- each folding device 45 may comprise a folding element 46 moveable between a rest position (see Figures 4a and 5a ) and an active position (see Figures 4c and 5c ) for moving the respective leading sealing fin 10 from the unfolded position to the folded position and to move the respective leading flap(s) 9 from the non-folded position to the bent position.
- each folding element 46 when being in the rest position allows insertion of the respective semi-finalized packs 5 into the respective retaining pocket 32 without interacting with the respective leading sealing fins 10 and the respective leading flaps 9.
- each folding device 45 may comprise a free space 47 for receiving the respective leading sealing fin 10, preferentially the respective leading sealing fin 10, in the unfolded position at receiving station 34.
- the respective folding element 46 is impeded from interacting with the respective leading sealing fin 10 during placement of the respective semi-finalized pack 5 within the respective retaining pocket 32.
- each folding element 46 may be configured to move through the respective free space 47 while moving, in use, from the respective rest position to the respective active position.
- each folding element 46 may be designed to be positioned in the respective rest position with the respective retaining pocket 32 being at the receiving station 34 such that during insertion of the respective semi-finalized packs 5, the respective leading sealing fin 10 can enter free space 47 without being moved from the unfolded position and/or without impacting with any portions of the respective retaining pocket 32.
- folding apparatus 16, in particular folding unit 30, may further comprise an actuation unit 48 configured to set each folding element 46 in the respective rest position at receiving station 34 and to move each folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position during advancement of the respective retaining pocket 32 from receiving station 34 and along the endless path, and preferentially to the release station.
- actuation unit 48 configured to set each folding element 46 in the respective rest position at receiving station 34 and to move each folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position during advancement of the respective retaining pocket 32 from receiving station 34 and along the endless path, and preferentially to the release station.
- each folding element 46 may comprise at least a first interaction surface 49 configured to engage the respective leading sealing fin 10 and one or more second interaction surfaces 50, preferentially at least two, more preferentially exactly two, configured to engage the respective leading flap(s) 9 so as to fold respectively the respective leading sealing fin 10 into the folded position and the respective leading flap(s) 9 into the respective bent positions during movement of the folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the active position.
- one second interaction surface 50 of each folding element 46 may be configured to interact with one of the respective leading flaps 9 of the respective semi-finalized packs 5 and the other second interaction surface 50 of each folding element 46 may be configured to interact with the other respective leading flap 9.
- each first interaction surface 49 may be interposed between the two respective second interaction surfaces 50.
- each first interaction surface 49 and/or each second interaction surface 50 may have a curved portion.
- each folding element 46 may be spaced apart from one another along a main axis C of the respective folding element 46.
- At least portions of the respective two second interaction surfaces 50 of each folding element 46 may face one another.
- each folding element 46 may comprise a main bar 51 and two lateral protrusions 52 protruding from main bar 51.
- each main bar 51 may extend along the respective main axis C and the respective lateral protrusions 52 may be spaced apart from one another along the respective main axis C.
- each lateral protrusion 52 may extend from a respective end portion 53 of the respective main bar 51.
- each main bar 51 and the respective lateral protrusions 52 may be provided as a single piece.
- each lateral protrusion 52 may have one respective second interaction surface 50 of the respective folding element 46 and each main bar 51 may comprise the respective first interaction surface 49.
- each folding element 46 may be configured such that during movement of folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position at first folding element 46, preferentially due to the interaction of the respective first interaction surface 49 with the respective leading sealing fin 10, starts to move the respective leading sealing fin 10 from the respective unfolded position towards the respective folded position. After having at least partially folded the respective leading sealing fin 10, the folding element 46, preferentially due to the interaction of the respective second interaction surfaces 50 with the respective leading flaps 9, begins to move the respective leading flaps 9 from the respective non-folded position to the respective bent position. In this way, it is possible to guarantee a correct folding of the respective leading sealing fins 10 and of the respective leading flaps 9 of each semi-finalized pack 5.
- each folding element 46 may be configured such that during movement of folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position, folding element 46, preferentially by means of the respective first interaction surface 49 engaging the respective leading sealing fin 10, folds the respective leading sealing fin 10 in an advancement direction of retaining pockets 32, i.e. a direction of advancement of the respective retaining pocket 32 along the endless path. Moreover, during movement of each folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position, the respective first interaction surface 49 may move in the advancement direction. This is of particular advantage when each semi-finalized pack 5 is provided with a respective opening device. In this way, in fact, leading sealing fin 10 is folded over sealing band 6 so as to obtain a large area free from sealed portions in the top wall of finalized package 2, which may therefore receive a correspondingly large opening device.
- the respective folding element 46 may be arranged behind (downstream of) the respective leading sealing 10 long the endless path.
- each retaining pocket 32 may comprises a seat 59 for the respective folding element 46.
- each folding element 46 may be moveably arranged within the respective seat 59.
- each retaining pocket 32 may also comprise an abutment surface 61, preferentially arranged at and/or partially defining the respective second terminal portion 36, designed to receive and/or carry an engagement portion of the respective central main body 8, 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 61.
- the respective leading sealing fin 10 may protrude from the respective engagement portion into the respective free space 47 with the engagement portion being engaged with (resting on) the respective abutment surface 61, and the respective folding element 46 being in the respective rest position.
- actuation unit 48 may be configured to control each folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position with the respective engagement portion abutting, in use, against the respective abutment surface 61, and preferentially the respective leading sealing fin 10 protruding into the free space 47.
- actuation unit 48 moves the respective folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position. In this way, it is possible to guarantee a gentle treatment of semi-finalized packs 5.
- each retaining pocket 32 may comprise a support structure 62, preferentially arranged at the respective second terminal portion 36.
- each support structure 62 may comprise the respective abutment surface 61.
- each support structure 62 may comprise and/or define and or/delimit the respective seat 59.
- each support structure 62 may comprise a pair of grooves at least partially defining the respective seat 59. Moreover, a portion of each folding element 46, preferentially of the respective main bar 51, may move within the respective grooves when moving between the respective rest position and the respective active position.
- each support structure 62 may be fixed to one respective retaining plate 35, preferentially the respective trailing retaining plate 35 and/or the fixed retaining plate 35.
- actuation unit 48 may be configured to angularly move each folding element 46 for controlling the respective folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position.
- each folding element 46 moves in the advancement direction, i.e. the direction of advancement of retaining pockets 32 along the endless path.
- actuation unit 48 may comprise a cam mechanism 64 moving the folding elements 46 between the respective rest positions and the respective active positions.
- cam mechanism 64 may comprise a cam profile 65 (see Figure 6 ) and a plurality of cam followers 66 (see Figure 3b ), each cam follower 66 being coupled to one respective folding element 46.
- actuation unit 48 may further comprise a plurality of coupling structures 67, each one carrying one respective cam follower 66 and being connected to one respective folding element 46.
- each folding element 46 may be hinged to the respective coupling structure 67 and may be angularly moveable about a rotation axis E.
- each coupling structure 67 may comprise a first portion 68 hinged to conveying device 33, preferentially conveying wheel 38, and a second portion 69 hinged to the respective first portion 68.
- each folding element 46 may be hinged to the respective second portion 69.
- conveying device 33 may be also configured to move each coupling structure 67 along the endless path.
- coupling structures 67 advancement of coupling structures 67 is (substantially) simultaneous with respect to the respective retaining pockets 32.
- cam mechanism 64 may be configured such that each coupling structure 67 is subject to movements with respect to the respective retaining pockets 32 during advancement along the endless path and such to control the respective folding element 46 between the respective rest position and the respective active position.
- each first portion 68, the respective second portion 69 and the respective folding element 46 are subject to respective angular movements.
- interaction between cam followers 66 and cam profile 65 may determine the specific movement of the respective folding element 46.
- cam followers 66 may be arranged one after the other along the endless path and cyclically move along cam profile 65, preferentially such that the respective folding elements 46 cyclically move between the respective rest position and the respective active position.
- the angular position of cam followers 66 with respect to rotation axis B may determine the position and/or movement of folding elements 46.
- folding apparatus 16 may comprise a plate 70 carrying cam profile 65.
- plate 70 may be mounted to conveying device 33 in a fixed position with respect to conveying wheel 38.
- plate 70 may also carry a further cam profile 71 configured to determine the relative motion of the respective retaining plates 35 of each retaining pocket 32.
- folding apparatus 16, preferentially folding unit 30, may comprise further cam followers 72 each coupled to one respective retaining plate 35 of a respective retaining pocket 32, e.g. the respective leading retaining plate 35, and configured to run along further cam profile 71 so as to determine the relative motion.
- each retaining pocket 32 may also comprise a housing seat 75 configured to receive an opening device of the respective semi-finalized pack 5.
- Each housing seat 75 may for example be provided in the form of an aperture provided in the respective support structure 54 and the respective folding element 50.
- each folding element 46 may comprise a cut-out 76 configured such that folding element 46 avoids contact with the respective opening devices during movement of the folding element 46 from the rest position to the active position.
- folding apparatus 16, in particular folding unit 30, may further comprise a sealing device, preferentially having a heating unit, configured to heat seal leading flaps 9 onto the respective central main bodies 8, preferentially the respective intermediate portions 13.
- heating unit may be configured to heat leading flaps 9.
- folding apparatus 16, in particular folding unit 30, even more particular the sealing device may further comprise a pressuring device configured to exert a force onto leading flaps 9 so as to promote sealing of leading flaps 9 onto the respective central main bodies 8, preferentially the respective intermediate portions 13.
- each folding device 45 may be configured to exert a force onto leading flaps 9 so as to promote sealing of leading flaps 9.
- folding apparatus 16 in particular folding unit 30, may also comprise a folding group 77 configured to fold each trailing sealing fin 10 and each trailing flap 9 independently from folding of the respective leading sealing fin 10 and of the respective leading flap(s) 9.
- folding group 77 may be configured to fold each trailing flap 9 onto the respective first end portion 11, in particular onto the part of the semifinished pack 5 that will become the bottom wall of the respective finalized package 2.
- folding group 77 may be fixed with respect to retaining pockets 32, i.e. folding group 75 does not move and interacts with each semi-finalized pack 5 when being arranged and remaining in a fixed position.
- folding apparatus 16, in particular folding unit 30, may also comprise an auxiliary sealing device for sealing each trailing flap 9 onto the respective central main body 8, 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.
- the respective leading sealing fins 10 may be placed within the respective free space 47, and preferentially at the same time the respective engagement portion of the respective semi-finalized pack 5 may abut against the respective abutment surface 61.
- retaining pockets 32 advance, preferentially intermittently advance, along the endless path.
- the respective folding devices 45 fold the respective leading sealing fins 10 from the respective unfolded position to the respective folded position and fold the respective leading flap(s) 9 from the respective non-folded positions to the respective bent positions by moving the respective folding elements 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position.
- control of folding elements 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position is driven by cam mechanism 64.
- leading flaps 9 are heated by the heating unit allowing to seal the leading flaps 9 onto the respective main central body 8.
- trailing sealing fins 10 and trailing flaps 9 are folded by folding group 77.
- auxiliary sealing device may seal trailing flaps 9 onto the respective central main body 8, 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 when folding leading sealing fins 10 and leading flaps 9.
- each seat 59 may comprise a guiding surface configured to guide movement of the respective folding element 46 when moving between the respective rest position and the respective active position.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
Abstract
There is described a folding apparatus (16) for producing finalized packages (2) from semi-finalized packs (5) having a central main body (8), at least one flap (9) and at least one sealing fin. The folding apparatus (16) comprises at least a plurality of retaining pockets (32) and a conveying device (33). Each retaining pocket (32) comprises a respective folding device (45) configured to fold the respective sealing fin (10) and the respective flap (9). Each folding device (45) comprises a folding element (46) moveable between a rest position and an active position for folding the sealing fin (10) and the flap (9). The folding apparatus (16) further comprises an actuation unit (48) configured to move each folding element (46).
Description
- 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.
- Advantageously, 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.
- As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, 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. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier 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.
- There are known 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. During advancement of the web of packaging material within the isolation chamber, the web of packaging material is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube, the tube being further fed along an (vertical) advancing direction. In order to complete the forming operations, 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. In order to obtain the finalized packages, 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 forming apparatus configured to form the semi-finalized packs being filled with the pourable product; and
- a folding apparatus configured to receive the semi-finalized packs from the forming apparatus and to form the finalized packages from the semi-finalized packs.
- 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.
- There is known 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 fixed 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.
- Moreover, 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.
- Even though the known folding apparatuses, in particular the known folding units, work satisfyingly well, there is a need felt in the sector to further improve the known folding apparatuses, in particular the known folding units.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved folding apparatus.
- It is an even further object of the present invention to provide an improved packaging machine.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a folding apparatus according to the independent claim.
- Preferred embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims.
- According to the present invention, there is also provided a packaging machine according to
claim 16. - A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a packaging machine having a folding apparatus according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity; -
Figures 2 is a schematic representation of the transformation of a semi-finalized pack into a finalized package, with parts removed for clarity; -
Figures 3a and 3b are enlarged perspective views of a detail of the folding apparatus ofFigure 1 , with parts removed for clarity; -
Figures 4a to 4c are enlarged side views of a detail of the folding apparatus ofFigure 1 with a portion being in different configurations, with parts removed for clarity; -
Figures 5a to 5c are enlarged perspective views of a further detail of the folding apparatus ofFigure 1 when being in different configurations, with parts removed for clarity; and -
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further portion of the folding apparatus ofFigure 1 , with parts removed for clarity. -
Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing, preferentially sealed, finalizedpackages 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. - Preferentially,
packages 2 may be formed from a multilayer packaging material. Even more preferentially,packages 2 may be formed from a web ofpackaging material 3. - More specifically, the multilayer packaging material, preferentially web of
packaging material 3, 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. One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material may define the respective inner face of finalizedpackages 2 eventually contacting the pourable product. - According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, 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. Preferentially, the multilayer packaging material, preferentially web ofpackaging 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. - In more detail, 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. - Preferentially, each finalized
package 2 may have a substantially parallelepiped structure. - Furthermore, each finalized
package 2 may comprise at least a first end portion and a second end portion disposed at opposite sides of finalizedpackage 2 and an intermediate portion interposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. Preferentially, each first end portion may define a bottom of the respective finalizedpackage 2 and each second end portion may define a top of the respective finalizedpackage 2. - In further detail, 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).
- Preferentially, each intermediate portion may comprise and/or define a side wall, e.g. formed from a plurality of interconnected side wall portions, extending between the respective transversal walls.
- More specifically, the respective transversal wall of each first end portion may define a bottom wall and the respective transversal wall of each second end portion may define a top wall. Preferentially, 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.
- According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each finalized
package 2 may also comprise an opening device, such as a closure or a lid. - According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each opening device may be applied to the respective multilayer packaging material, preferentially web of
packaging material 3, or ontosemi-finalized packs 5 or onto finalizedpackages 2. - Preferentially, each opening device may be provided on the respective second end portion, preferentially the respective transversal wall defining the respective top wall.
- With particular reference to
Figures 1 and2 ,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 formsemi-finalized packs 5 for obtaining finalizedpackages 2. - With particular reference to
Figure 2 , eachsemi-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 a centralmain body 8, one ormore flaps 9 protruding away, preferentially laterally protruding away, from the respective centralmain body 8 and one or moretransversal sealing fins 10, preferentially transversal to longitudinal axis A. - In further detail, each sealing
fin 10 may be arranged at arespective end portion 7 of the respectivesemi-finalized pack 5. - Preferentially, each
semi-finalized pack 5 may comprise at least twotransversal sealing fins 10, preferentially transversal to longitudinal axis A, arranged atrespective end portions 7 of the respectivesemi-finalized pack 5 opposite to one another. - Moreover, each sealing
fin 10 may define a respective transversal sealing fin of the respective finalized package 2 (obtained from the respective semi-finalized pack 5). - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each sealing
fin 10 may protrude from the respective centralmain body 8 along a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axis A. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, 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). - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each
end portion 7 may taper from the respective centralmain body 8 to and/or into therespective sealing fin 10. - Preferentially, each
flap 9 may carry a portion of arespective sealing fin 10. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, at least one
end portion 7 may comprise tworespective flaps 9 laterally extending from opposite lateral sides of the respective centralmain body 8. In even further detail, eachend portion 7 may comprise at least tworespective flaps 9. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each
semi-finalized pack 5 may comprise a respectivefirst end portion 11, a respectivesecond end portion 12 opposite to the respectivefirst end portion 11 and anintermediate portion 13 interposed betweenfirst end portion 11 andsecond end portion 12. - Preferentially, each
first end portion 11, eachsecond end portion 12 and eachintermediate portion 13 form respectively the respective first end portion, the respective second end portion and the respective intermediate portion of the respective finalizedpackage 2. - Each
first end portion 11 and eachsecond end portion 12 may comprise onerespective sealing fin 10 and a respective pair offlaps 9. - Moreover, each
first end portion 11 and eachsecond end portion 12 may comprise onerespective end portion 7. - With particular reference to
Figure 1 ,packaging machine 1 may comprise at least: - a forming
apparatus 15 configured to form and/or obtainsemi-finalized packs 5 of the pourable product, preferentially from the multilayer packaging material, even more preferentially from the web ofpackaging material 3; and - a
folding apparatus 16 configured to receive thesemi-finalized packs 5 from formingapparatus 15 and to form finalizedpackages 2 of the pourable product fromsemi-finalized packs 5. - In more detail, forming
apparatus 15 may comprise: - an
isolation chamber 17 configured to separate an inner (sterile) environment from an outer (hostile) environment; - a conveying
device 18 configured to advance web ofpackaging material 3 along a web advancement path P at least to a tube forming station at which web ofpackaging material 3 is formed, in use, into a tube 19 and for advancing tube 19 along a tube advancement path Q; - a tube forming and sealing
device 20 at least partially arranged withinisolation chamber 17 and configured to form and longitudinally seal tube 19 at the tube forming station withinisolation chamber 17; - a filling
device 21 for filling tube 19 with the pourable product; and - a pack forming unit configured to at least form and transversally seal tube 19, preferentially to also transversally cut tube 19, preferentially during advancement of tube 19 along tube advancement path Q, for obtaining and/or producing
semi-finalized packs 5. - Preferentially, each sealing
fin 10 may result from the transversal sealing and cutting of tube 19. - Preferentially, the pack forming unit may be arranged downstream of
isolation chamber 17 and tube forming and sealingdevice 20 along tube advancement path Q. - Moreover, tube 19 may extend along a longitudinal axis, preferentially having a vertical orientation.
- Furthermore,
packaging machine 1 may further comprise a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing at least a portion of web ofpackaging material 3 at a sterilization station arranged upstream of the tube forming station along web advancement path P. - In more detail, filling
device 21 may comprise at least a fillingpipe 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. - More specifically, tube forming and sealing
device 20 may comprise at least atube forming assembly 23 configured to form tube 19 from web ofpackaging material 3, in particular by overlapping the respective opposite lateral edges of web ofpackaging material 3, and at least a sealinghead 24 configured to longitudinally seal tube 19, in particular along the portion of tube 19 obtained by overlapping the opposite lateral edges of web ofpackaging material 3. - Even more specifically,
tube forming assembly 23 and sealinghead 24 may be arranged withinisolation chamber 17. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the pack forming unit may comprise:
- a plurality of pairs of at least one operative assembly (not shown and known as such) and at least one respective counter-operative assembly (not shown and known as such); and
- a conveying unit (not shown and known as such) configured to advance the operative assemblies and the respective counter-operative assemblies along respective conveying paths.
- More specifically, 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. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 and3a to 6 ,folding apparatus 16 may comprise at least a folding unit 30 (only partially shown to the extent necessary for the comprehension of the present invention) configured to obtain finalizedpackages 2 from the respectivesemi-finalized packs 5, and preferentially aninfeed conveyor 31 configured to advancesemi-finalized packs 5 tofolding unit 30. - In more detail,
infeed conveyor 31 may be interposed betweenfolding unit 30 and formingapparatus 15 and may be configured to receivesemi-finalized packs 5 from formingapparatus 15 and to feedsemi-finalized packs 5 tofolding unit 30. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 and3a to 5c ,folding apparatus 16, inparticular folding unit 30, may comprise: - a plurality of retaining
pockets 32 configured to receive one respectivesemi-finalized pack 5 at a time; and - a conveying device 33 (only partially shown to the extent necessary for the comprehension of the present invention) configured to advance retaining
pockets 32 along an endless path and through a receivingstation 34 at which eachsemi-finalized pack 5 is fed into one respective retainingpocket 32, and preferentially a release station at which each finalizedpackage 2 is released from the respective retainingpocket 32. - Preferentially,
folding apparatus 16, inparticular folding unit 30, may be configured to manipulatesemi-finalized packs 5 so as to form finalizedpackages 2 during advancement of retainingpockets 32 along the endless path. - In more detail, in use, each
semi-finalized pack 5 may be folded into the respective finalizedpackage 2 while being retained within the respective retainingpocket 32 and during advancement of the respective retainingpocket 32 between receivingstation 34 and the release station. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 and3 to 4c , each retainingpocket 32 may comprise a retaining space, preferentially delimited by at least tworespective retaining plates 35 of the respective retainingpocket 32. - More specifically, one retaining
plate 35 may be arranged upstream of the other retainingplate 35 along the endless path. In other words, each retainingpocket 32 may comprise a leading retaining plate 35 (with respect to the endless path) and a trailing retaining plate 35 (with respect to the endless path). - Preferentially but not necessarily, the
respective retaining plates 35 of each retainingpocket 32 may be configured to execute a relative movement such to allow for insertion and release of the respectivesemi-finalized packs 2. In addition, therespective retaining plates 35 of each retainingpocket 32 may be configured so as to get into engagement with the respectivesemi-finalized pack 5 and the respective finalizedpackage 2, e.g. for securing and/or shaping the respectivesemi-finalized pack 5 and the respective finalizedpackage 2. - According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, one retaining
plate 35 of each retainingpocket 32, e.g. the trailing retainingplate 35, may be fixed (non-moveable) with respect to the conveyingdevice 33 and the other retainingplate 35 of each retainingpocket 32, e.g. the trailing retainingplate 35, may be moveable with respect to the conveyingdevice 33 so as to control the relative movement between therespective retaining plates 35 of each retainingpocket 32. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 and4a to 4c , conveyingdevice 33 may be configured to advance retainingpockets 32 through receivingstation 34 at which onesemi-finalized pack 5 at a time is fed into a respective retainingpocket 32. Preferentially, conveyingdevice 33 may also be configured to advance retainingpockets 32 through the release station at which finalizedpackages 2 formed formsemi-finalized packs 5 during advancement within retainingpockets 32 are released out of retaining pockets 32. - As will be explained in further detail further below, conveying
device 33 may also be configured to advance retainingpockets 32 through one or more treatment stations, the treatment stations being interposed between receivingstation 34 and the release station. - According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, conveying
device 33 may be configured to intermittently advance retainingpockets 32 along the endless path. - In more detail, conveying
device 33 may comprise aconveyor wheel 38, which is rotatable around a respective rotation axis B. - Additionally, conveying
device 33 may comprise an actuation unit configured to actuate rotation, preferentially in an intermittent manner, ofconveyor wheel 38 for advancing retainingpockets 32 along the endless path. - According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each retaining
pocket 32 may be carried byconveyor wheel 38. Preferentially, retainingpockets 32 may be angularly spaced apart from one another about rotation axis B. - In more detail, each retaining
plate 35 may radially protrude fromconveyor wheel 38. - According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, one retaining
plate 35 of each retainingpocket 32 may be integral toconveyor wheel 38 and the other retainingplate 35 may be moveable with respect toconveyor wheel 38. - More specifically, each trailing retaining
plate 35 may be integral toconveyor wheel 38 and/or each leading retainingplate 35 may be moveable with respect toconveyor wheel 38. - With particular reference to
Figure 1 , eachsemi-finalized pack 5 may be fed to receivingstation 34 byinfeed conveyor 31. At receivingstation 34 eachsemi-finalized pack 5 is transferred frominfeed conveyor 31 to the respective retainingpocket 32. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 and3 to 4c , each retainingpocket 32 may comprise a firstterminal portion 37 and a secondterminal portion 36 opposite to firstterminal portion 37. Preferentially, eachsecond terminal portion 36 may be adjacent and/or connected toconveyor wheel 38. - Moreover, each retaining
pocket 32 may comprise an open end arranged at the respective firstterminal portion 37. - According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each
semi-finalized pack 5 may be arranged within the respective retainingpocket 32 such that the respectivesecond end portion 12 is placed adjacent to the respective secondterminal portion 36 and the respectivefirst end portion 11 is arranged adjacent to the respective firstterminal portion 37. - Moreover, each
semi-finalized pack 5 may be fed into the respective retainingpocket 32 with therespective sealing fins 10 being in a respective unfolded position and therespective flaps 9 being in a non-folded position, meaning that the sealingfins 10 protrude, preferentially along a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axis A, and therespective flaps 9 protrude, preferentially laterally protrude, from the respective centralmain body 8. - Operation of
folding apparatus 16, inparticular folding unit 30, foresees to fold each sealingfin 10 from the respective unfolded position to a respective folded position in which each sealingfin 10 is folded onto and/or towards the respective centralmain body 8, preferentially the respectivesecond end portion 12, and to fold eachflap 9 from the respective non-folded position to a respective bent position in which eachflap 9 is folded onto and/or towards the respective centralmain body 8, preferentially the respectiveintermediate portion 13. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 and3 to 5c , each retainingpocket 32 may comprise arespective folding device 45 configured to fold onerespective sealing fin 10 from the respective unfolded position to the respective folded position and to fold the respective flap(s) 9 from the respective non-folded position to the respective bent position. Preferentially, eachfolding device 45 may be configured to fold therespective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 being placed at the respective secondterminal portion 36. - Moreover, each
folding device 45 may be configured to fold therespective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 protruding from the respectivesecond end portion 12. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each
folding device 45 may be arranged at and/or may define the respective secondterminal portion 36. - In particular, each
semi-finalized pack 5 is inserted, in use, into the respective retainingpocket 32 such that eachfolding device 45 may be configured to fold therespective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 which are placed within the respective retainingpocket 32 prior to the other sealingfin 10 and the other flaps 9. Thus, for the following description we rely on the term leading sealingfin 10 and leadingflaps 9 for respectively therespective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 entering at first the respective retainingpocket 32 and the term trailing sealingfin 10 and trailing flap(s) 9 for respectively therespective sealing fin 10 and the respective flap(s) 9 following the leading sealingfin 10 and the leading flap(s) 9 (i.e. the trailing sealingfin 10 is the fin opposite to the leading sealingfin 10 and the trailing flap(s) 9 is/are the flap(s) opposite to the leading flap(s) 9). Thus, each leading sealingfin 10 and eachleading flap 9 is positioned adjacent to the respective secondterminal portion 36 and each trailing sealingfin 10 and each trailingflap 9 is positioned adjacent to the respective firstterminal portion 37. - In more detail, each
folding device 45 may be configured to fold each leading sealingfin 10 and the respective leading flap(s) 9. - As will be shown further below, according to the present non-limiting embodiment, trailing sealing
fins 10 may be folded through an alternative mechanism and not by means offolding devices 45. In particular, the alternative mechanism is not associated to each single retainingpocket 32 but may be at a fixed station. - Advantageously and with particular reference to
Figures 3a to 5c , eachfolding device 45 may comprise afolding element 46 moveable between a rest position (seeFigures 4a and5a ) and an active position (seeFigures 4c and5c ) for moving the respective leading sealingfin 10 from the unfolded position to the folded position and to move the respective leading flap(s) 9 from the non-folded position to the bent position. - Preferentially, each
folding element 46 when being in the rest position allows insertion of the respectivesemi-finalized packs 5 into the respective retainingpocket 32 without interacting with the respective leading sealingfins 10 and the respective leadingflaps 9. - Preferentially, each
folding device 45 may comprise afree space 47 for receiving the respective leading sealingfin 10, preferentially the respective leading sealingfin 10, in the unfolded position at receivingstation 34. Preferentially, with therespective folding element 46 being in the respective rest position, therespective folding element 46 is impeded from interacting with the respective leading sealingfin 10 during placement of the respectivesemi-finalized pack 5 within the respective retainingpocket 32. Even more preferentially, eachfolding element 46 may be configured to move through the respectivefree space 47 while moving, in use, from the respective rest position to the respective active position. - More specifically, in use, each
folding element 46 may be designed to be positioned in the respective rest position with the respective retainingpocket 32 being at the receivingstation 34 such that during insertion of the respectivesemi-finalized packs 5, the respective leading sealingfin 10 can enterfree space 47 without being moved from the unfolded position and/or without impacting with any portions of the respective retainingpocket 32. This guarantees that during insertion of eachsemi-finalized pack 5 into the respective receivingpocket 32, the respective leading sealingfin 10 entering into the respective retaining space is not subject to any undesired mechanical impacts. Furthermore, this allows a gentle treatment ofsemi-finalized packs 5. - Advantageously,
folding apparatus 16, inparticular folding unit 30, may further comprise anactuation unit 48 configured to set eachfolding element 46 in the respective rest position at receivingstation 34 and to move eachfolding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position during advancement of the respective retainingpocket 32 from receivingstation 34 and along the endless path, and preferentially to the release station. - Thus, only once each
semi-finalized pack 5 is arranged within the respective retainingpocket 32, folding of the respective leading sealingfin 10 and the respective leading flap(s) 9 may start. Hence, it is possible to precisely control the overall folding process without unnecessarily stressingsemi-finalized pack 5. - In more detail and with particular reference to
Figures 1 and3 to 5c , eachfolding element 46 may comprise at least afirst interaction surface 49 configured to engage the respective leading sealingfin 10 and one or more second interaction surfaces 50, preferentially at least two, more preferentially exactly two, configured to engage the respective leading flap(s) 9 so as to fold respectively the respective leading sealingfin 10 into the folded position and the respective leading flap(s) 9 into the respective bent positions during movement of thefolding element 46 from the respective rest position to the active position. - Preferentially, one
second interaction surface 50 of eachfolding element 46 may be configured to interact with one of the respective leadingflaps 9 of the respectivesemi-finalized packs 5 and the othersecond interaction surface 50 of eachfolding element 46 may be configured to interact with the other respectiveleading flap 9. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, at least a portion of each
first interaction surface 49 may be interposed between the two respective second interaction surfaces 50. - Preferentially, each
first interaction surface 49 and/or eachsecond interaction surface 50 may have a curved portion. - Preferentially, the respective second interaction surfaces 50 of each
folding element 46 may be spaced apart from one another along a main axis C of therespective folding element 46. - Preferentially, at least portions of the respective two second interaction surfaces 50 of each
folding element 46 may face one another. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each
folding element 46 may comprise amain bar 51 and twolateral protrusions 52 protruding frommain bar 51. - Preferentially, each
main bar 51 may extend along the respective main axis C and the respectivelateral protrusions 52 may be spaced apart from one another along the respective main axis C. - More preferentially, each
lateral protrusion 52 may extend from arespective end portion 53 of the respectivemain bar 51. - Preferentially, each
main bar 51 and the respectivelateral protrusions 52 may be provided as a single piece. - Preferentially, each
lateral protrusion 52 may have one respectivesecond interaction surface 50 of therespective folding element 46 and eachmain bar 51 may comprise the respectivefirst interaction surface 49. - With particular reference to
Figures 3a to 4c , eachfolding element 46 may be configured such that during movement of foldingelement 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position atfirst folding element 46, preferentially due to the interaction of the respectivefirst interaction surface 49 with the respective leading sealingfin 10, starts to move the respective leading sealingfin 10 from the respective unfolded position towards the respective folded position. After having at least partially folded the respective leading sealingfin 10, thefolding element 46, preferentially due to the interaction of the respective second interaction surfaces 50 with the respective leadingflaps 9, begins to move the respective leadingflaps 9 from the respective non-folded position to the respective bent position. In this way, it is possible to guarantee a correct folding of the respective leading sealingfins 10 and of the respective leadingflaps 9 of eachsemi-finalized pack 5. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each
folding element 46 may be configured such that during movement of foldingelement 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position, foldingelement 46, preferentially by means of the respectivefirst interaction surface 49 engaging the respective leading sealingfin 10, folds the respective leading sealingfin 10 in an advancement direction of retainingpockets 32, i.e. a direction of advancement of the respective retainingpocket 32 along the endless path. Moreover, during movement of eachfolding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position, the respectivefirst interaction surface 49 may move in the advancement direction. This is of particular advantage when eachsemi-finalized pack 5 is provided with a respective opening device. In this way, in fact, leading sealingfin 10 is folded over sealingband 6 so as to obtain a large area free from sealed portions in the top wall of finalizedpackage 2, which may therefore receive a correspondingly large opening device. - Preferentially, after placement of each
semi-finalized pack 5 into the respective retainingpocket 32 therespective folding element 46, preferentially the respectivefirst interaction surface 49, may be arranged behind (downstream of) the respective leading sealing 10 long the endless path. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each retaining
pocket 32 may comprises aseat 59 for therespective folding element 46. In particular, eachfolding element 46 may be moveably arranged within therespective seat 59. - With particular reference to
Figures 3a, 3b and5a to 5c , each retainingpocket 32 may also comprise anabutment surface 61, preferentially arranged at and/or partially defining the respective secondterminal portion 36, designed to receive and/or carry an engagement portion of the respective centralmain body 8, preferentially of the respectivesecond end portion 12, of the respectivesemi-finalized pack 5. - Preferentially, in use, the respective
semi-finalized pack 5 may be introduced into the respective receivingpocket 32 until the respective engagement portion abuts against therespective abutment surface 61. - Preferentially, the respective leading sealing
fin 10 may protrude from the respective engagement portion into the respectivefree space 47 with the engagement portion being engaged with (resting on) therespective abutment surface 61, and therespective folding element 46 being in the respective rest position. - Advantageously,
actuation unit 48 may be configured to control eachfolding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position with the respective engagement portion abutting, in use, against therespective abutment surface 61, and preferentially the respective leading sealingfin 10 protruding into thefree space 47. In other words, in use, only after the respective engagement portion abuts against therespective abutment surface 61,actuation unit 48 moves therespective folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position. In this way, it is possible to guarantee a gentle treatment ofsemi-finalized packs 5. - With particular reference to
Figures 5a to 5c , each retainingpocket 32 may comprise asupport structure 62, preferentially arranged at the respective secondterminal portion 36. - Preferentially, each
support structure 62 may comprise therespective abutment surface 61. - According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each
support structure 62 may comprise and/or define and or/delimit therespective seat 59. - More specifically, each
support structure 62 may comprise a pair of grooves at least partially defining therespective seat 59. Moreover, a portion of eachfolding element 46, preferentially of the respectivemain bar 51, may move within the respective grooves when moving between the respective rest position and the respective active position. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each
support structure 62 may be fixed to onerespective retaining plate 35, preferentially the respectivetrailing retaining plate 35 and/or the fixed retainingplate 35. - With particular reference to
Figures 4a to 5c ,actuation unit 48 may be configured to angularly move eachfolding element 46 for controlling therespective folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position. - Preferentially, during movement of each
folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position, thefolding element 46 moves in the advancement direction, i.e. the direction of advancement of retainingpockets 32 along the endless path. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments and with particular reference to
Figures 3b and6 ,actuation unit 48 may comprise acam mechanism 64 moving thefolding elements 46 between the respective rest positions and the respective active positions. - Preferentially,
cam mechanism 64 may comprise a cam profile 65 (seeFigure 6 ) and a plurality of cam followers 66 (seeFigure 3b ), eachcam follower 66 being coupled to onerespective folding element 46. - Moreover,
actuation unit 48 may further comprise a plurality ofcoupling structures 67, each one carrying onerespective cam follower 66 and being connected to onerespective folding element 46. - Preferentially, each
folding element 46 may be hinged to therespective coupling structure 67 and may be angularly moveable about a rotation axis E. - In more detail, each
coupling structure 67 may comprise afirst portion 68 hinged to conveyingdevice 33, preferentially conveyingwheel 38, and asecond portion 69 hinged to the respectivefirst portion 68. Moreover, eachfolding element 46 may be hinged to the respectivesecond portion 69. - Preferentially, conveying
device 33, preferentiallyconveyor wheel 38, may be also configured to move eachcoupling structure 67 along the endless path. - In particular, advancement of
coupling structures 67 is (substantially) simultaneous with respect to the respective retaining pockets 32. More in particular,cam mechanism 64 may be configured such that eachcoupling structure 67 is subject to movements with respect to the respective retaining pockets 32 during advancement along the endless path and such to control therespective folding element 46 between the respective rest position and the respective active position. - Moreover, during advancement of each
coupling structure 67 eachfirst portion 68, the respectivesecond portion 69 and therespective folding element 46 are subject to respective angular movements. - In use, interaction between
cam followers 66 andcam profile 65 may determine the specific movement of therespective folding element 46. - In more detail, in use,
cam followers 66 may be arranged one after the other along the endless path and cyclically move alongcam profile 65, preferentially such that the respectivefolding elements 46 cyclically move between the respective rest position and the respective active position. - In further detail, in use, the angular position of
cam followers 66 with respect to rotation axis B may determine the position and/or movement offolding elements 46. - With particular reference to
Figure 6 ,folding apparatus 16, preferentially foldingunit 30, may comprise aplate 70 carryingcam profile 65. - Preferentially,
plate 70 may be mounted to conveyingdevice 33 in a fixed position with respect to conveyingwheel 38. - Moreover,
plate 70 may also carry afurther cam profile 71 configured to determine the relative motion of therespective retaining plates 35 of each retainingpocket 32. - Preferentially,
folding apparatus 16, preferentially foldingunit 30, may comprisefurther cam followers 72 each coupled to onerespective retaining plate 35 of a respective retainingpocket 32, e.g. the respective leading retainingplate 35, and configured to run alongfurther cam profile 71 so as to determine the relative motion. - With particular reference to
Figures 5a to 5c , each retainingpocket 32 may also comprise ahousing seat 75 configured to receive an opening device of the respectivesemi-finalized pack 5. Eachhousing seat 75 may for example be provided in the form of an aperture provided in the respective support structure 54 and therespective folding element 50. - Preferentially, each
folding element 46 may comprise a cut-out 76 configured such thatfolding element 46 avoids contact with the respective opening devices during movement of thefolding element 46 from the rest position to the active position. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments,
folding apparatus 16, inparticular folding unit 30, may further comprise a sealing device, preferentially having a heating unit, configured to heatseal leading flaps 9 onto the respective centralmain bodies 8, preferentially the respectiveintermediate portions 13. In particular, heating unit may be configured to heat leadingflaps 9. - Additionally,
folding apparatus 16, inparticular folding unit 30, even more particular the sealing device, may further comprise a pressuring device configured to exert a force onto leadingflaps 9 so as to promote sealing of leadingflaps 9 onto the respective centralmain bodies 8, preferentially the respectiveintermediate portions 13. - In an embodiment not-shown, additionally or alternatively, each
folding device 45, preferentially the respectivefolding elements 46, may be configured to exert a force onto leadingflaps 9 so as to promote sealing of leadingflaps 9. - With particular reference to
Figure 1 ,folding apparatus 16, inparticular folding unit 30, may also comprise afolding group 77 configured to fold each trailing sealingfin 10 and each trailingflap 9 independently from folding of the respective leading sealingfin 10 and of the respective leading flap(s) 9. - In particular,
folding group 77 may be configured to fold each trailingflap 9 onto the respectivefirst end portion 11, in particular onto the part of thesemifinished pack 5 that will become the bottom wall of the respective finalizedpackage 2. - Preferentially,
folding group 77 may be fixed with respect to retainingpockets 32, i.e.folding group 75 does not move and interacts with eachsemi-finalized pack 5 when being arranged and remaining in a fixed position. - Moreover,
folding apparatus 16, inparticular folding unit 30, may also comprise an auxiliary sealing device for sealing each trailingflap 9 onto the respective centralmain body 8, preferentially the respectivefirst end portion 11. - In use,
packaging machine 1 forms finalizedpackages 2 filled with the pourable product. - In particular, the method for forming
packages 2 comprises the main steps of: - forming
semi-finalized packs 5 by operation of formingapparatus 15; and - folding
semi-finalized packs 5 into finalizedpackages 2 by operation offolding apparatus 16. - In more detail, the main step of forming
packs 5, comprises at least the steps of: - advancing web of
packaging material 3 along advancement path P, in particular by operation of conveyingdevice 18; - folding web of
packaging material 3 into tube 19, in particular withinisolation chamber 17, by operation of tube forming and sealingdevice 20, in particulartube forming assembly 23; - longitudinally sealing tube 19, in particular within
isolation chamber 17, by operation of tube forming and sealingdevice 20, inparticular sealing head 24; - filling tube 19 with the pourable product by operation of filling
device 21, inparticular filing pipe 22; - advancing tube 19 along tube advancement path Q by operation of conveying
device 18 and/or the pack forming unit; and - obtaining
semi-finalized packs 5 from tube 19 by forming, transversally sealing and transversally cutting tube 19 by operation of the pack forming unit and during advancement of tube 19 along tube advancement path Q. - Moreover, the step of forming may also comprise the step of sterilizing web of
packaging material 3 at the sterilization station. - In more detail, the step of folding
semi-finalized packs 5 comprises the sub-steps of: - feeding
semi-finalized packs 5 tofolding unit 30 by operation ofinfeed conveyor 31; and - final folding
semi-finalized packs 5 by operation offolding unit 30. - More specifically, during the sub-step of feeding,
semi-finalized packs 5 may be fed into respective retaining pockets 32 at receivingstation 34. - Preferentially, while being fed into retaining
pockets 32, the respective leading sealingfins 10 may be placed within the respectivefree space 47, and preferentially at the same time the respective engagement portion of the respectivesemi-finalized pack 5 may abut against therespective abutment surface 61. - Moreover, during the sub-step of final folding, retaining
pockets 32 advance, preferentially intermittently advance, along the endless path. - During advancement of retaining
pockets 32 therespective folding devices 45 fold the respective leading sealingfins 10 from the respective unfolded position to the respective folded position and fold the respective leading flap(s) 9 from the respective non-folded positions to the respective bent positions by moving the respectivefolding elements 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position. - Preferentially, control of
folding elements 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position is driven bycam mechanism 64. - In one embodiment, the leading
flaps 9 are heated by the heating unit allowing to seal the leadingflaps 9 onto the respective maincentral body 8. - Additionally, during the sub-step of final folding, also trailing sealing
fins 10 and trailingflaps 9 are folded byfolding group 77. - Moreover, the auxiliary sealing device may seal trailing
flaps 9 onto the respective centralmain body 8, preferentially onto the respectivefirst end portion 11. - The advantages of
folding apparatus 16, preferentially foldingunit 30, according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description. - In particular,
semi-finalized packs 5 are gently treated when folding leading sealingfins 10 and leadingflaps 9. - Clearly, changes may be made to
folding apparatus 16 and/orpackaging machine 1 as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims. - According to some non-limiting embodiments, each
seat 59 may comprise a guiding surface configured to guide movement of therespective folding element 46 when moving between the respective rest position and the respective active position.
Claims (16)
- Folding apparatus (16) for producing finalized packages (2) from semi-finalized packs (5) filled with a pourable product, each semi-finalized pack (5) comprising a central main body (8), at least one flap (9) protruding away from the central main body (8) and at least one sealing fin (10) protruding from the central main body (8) ;the folding apparatus (16) comprises at least:- a plurality of retaining pockets (32) configured to receive respective semi-finalized packs (5); and- a conveying device (33) configured to advance the retaining pockets (32) along an endless path and through a receiving station (34) at which each semi-finalized pack (5) is fed into one respective retaining pocket (32);wherein each retaining pocket (32) comprises a respective folding device (45) configured to fold the respective sealing fin (10) from an unfolded position in which the sealing fin (10) protrudes from the respective central main body (8) to a folded position in which the sealing fin (10) is folded onto and/or towards the central main body (8) and to fold the flap (9) from a respective non-folded position in which the flap (9) protrudes away from the respective central main body (8) and a respective bent position in which the flap (9) is folded onto and/or towards the central main body (8);wherein each folding device (45) comprises a folding element (46) moveable between a rest position and an active position for moving the sealing fin (10) from the unfolded position to the folded position and to move the flap (9) from the non-folded position to the bent position;wherein the folding apparatus (16) further comprises an actuation unit (48) configured to set the folding element (46) in the rest position at the receiving station (34) and to move the folding element (46) from the rest position to the active position during advancement of the respective retaining pocket (32) from the receiving station (34) and along the endless path.
- Folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each folding element (46) comprises at least a first interaction surface (49) configured to engage the respective sealing fin (10) and a second interaction surface (50) configured to engage the respective flap (9) so as to fold respectively the respective sealing fin (10) into the folded position and the respective flap (9) into the bent position during movement of the folding element (46) from the respective rest position to the respective active position.
- Folding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each folding element (46) comprises at least a main bar (51) having the first interaction surface (49) and at least one lateral protrusion (52) extending from the main bar (51) and having the second interaction surface (50).
- Folding apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each semi-finalized pack (5) comprises two flaps (9) protruding away from opposite sides of the respective central main body (8);wherein each folding element (46) comprises two second interaction surfaces (50) spaced apart from one another;wherein one second interaction surface (50) is configured to interact with one respective flap (9) and the other second interaction surface (50) is configured to interact with the other respective flap (9).
- Folding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least portions of the respective two second interaction surfaces (50) of each folding element (46) face one another.
- Folding apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each folding element (46) comprises at least a main bar (51) having the first interaction surface (49) and two lateral protrusions (52) protruding from the main bar (51) and each lateral protrusion (52) having one respective second interaction surface (50), wherein the lateral protrusions (52) are spaced apart from one another.
- Folding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each folding element (46) is configured such that during movement of folding element (46) from the respective rest position to the respective active position at first folding element (46) starts to move the respective sealing fin (10) from the respective unfolded position towards the respective folded position and after having at least partially folded the respective sealing fin (10), the folding element (46) begins to move the respective flap (9) from the non-folded position to the bent position.
- Folding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation unit (48) is configured to angularly move each folding element (46) for controlling the respective folding element (46) from the respective rest position to the respective active position.
- Folding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation unit (48) comprises a cam mechanism (64) moving the folding elements (46) between the respective rest positions and the respective active positions.
- Folding apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cam mechanism (64) comprises a cam profile (65) and a plurality of cam followers (66), each cam follower (66) being coupled to one respective folding element (46).
- Folding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the actuation unit (48) further comprises a plurality of coupling structures (67), each coupling structure (67) carrying one respective cam follower (66) and being connected to one respective folding element (46);wherein each coupling structure (67) comprises a first portion (68) hinged to the conveying device (33) and a second portion (69) hinged to the first portion (68) ;wherein each folding element (46) is hinged to the respective second portion (68).
- Folding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each retaining pocket (32) comprises a free space (47) for receiving the sealing fin (10) in the unfolded position at the receiving station (34) ;
wherein each folding element (46) is configured to free the free space (47) when being in the rest position and to move through the free space (47) for engaging with the respective sealing fin (10) when moving to the respective active position. - Folding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each retaining pocket (32) also comprises an abutment surface (61) designed to receive and/or carry an engagement portion of the respective central main body (8) of the respective semi-finalized pack (5);
wherein the actuation unit (48) is configured to control each folding element (46) from the respective rest position to the respective active position with the respective engagement portion engaging, in use, the respective abutment surface (61) and the respective sealing fin (10) protruding into the free space (47). - Folding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each folding element (46) is configured such that during movement of the folding element (46) from the rest position to the active position, the folding element (46) folds the respective sealing fin (10) in a direction of advancement of the respective retaining pocket (32) along the endless path.
- Folding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (33) is configured to intermittently advance the retaining pockets (32) along the endless path.
- Packaging machine (1) for producing finalized packages (2) of a pourable product comprising at least:- a forming apparatus (15) configured to form semi-finalized packs (5) of the pourable product; and- a folding apparatus (16) according to any one of the preceding claims for forming the finalized packages (2) from the semi-finalized packs (5).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT202200021408 | 2022-10-18 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP4357255A1 true EP4357255A1 (en) | 2024-04-24 |
Family
ID=84569574
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP23203289.6A Pending EP4357255A1 (en) | 2022-10-18 | 2023-10-12 | Folding apparatus and packaging machine having a folding apparatus |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP4357255A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2024083646A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0061663A2 (en) * | 1981-03-27 | 1982-10-06 | Ab Tetra Pak | A machine for the processing of packing containers |
EP2284084A1 (en) * | 2009-08-11 | 2011-02-16 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA | Folding unit for pourable food product packaging machines |
EP4032819A1 (en) * | 2021-01-22 | 2022-07-27 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Infeed conveyor for a folding apparatus, folding apparatus having an infeed conveyor and packaging machine having a folding apparatus |
-
2023
- 2023-10-12 EP EP23203289.6A patent/EP4357255A1/en active Pending
- 2023-10-12 WO PCT/EP2023/078394 patent/WO2024083646A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0061663A2 (en) * | 1981-03-27 | 1982-10-06 | Ab Tetra Pak | A machine for the processing of packing containers |
EP2284084A1 (en) * | 2009-08-11 | 2011-02-16 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA | Folding unit for pourable food product packaging machines |
EP4032819A1 (en) * | 2021-01-22 | 2022-07-27 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Infeed conveyor for a folding apparatus, folding apparatus having an infeed conveyor and packaging machine having a folding apparatus |
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WO2024083646A1 (en) | 2024-04-25 |
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