EP4357255A1 - Appareil de pliage et machine d'emballage dotée d'un appareil de pliage - Google Patents

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

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Publication number
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
Application number
EP23203289.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Federico ZANETTIN MISLEY
Ivan Cavicchioli
Roberto De Pietri Tonelli
Amine AMIMI
Jefferson Luis ANDRADE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Original Assignee
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA filed Critical Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Publication of EP4357255A1 publication Critical patent/EP4357255A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • 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.
EP23203289.6A 2022-10-18 2023-10-12 Appareil de pliage et machine d'emballage dotée d'un appareil de pliage Pending EP4357255A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT202200021408 2022-10-18

Publications (1)

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EP4357255A1 true EP4357255A1 (fr) 2024-04-24

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EP23203289.6A Pending EP4357255A1 (fr) 2022-10-18 2023-10-12 Appareil de pliage et machine d'emballage dotée d'un appareil de pliage

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EP (1) EP4357255A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2024083646A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0061663A2 (fr) * 1981-03-27 1982-10-06 Ab Tetra Pak Machine pour le traitement de récipients d'emballages
EP2284084A1 (fr) * 2009-08-11 2011-02-16 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Unité de conditionnement pour machines de conditionnement de produits alimentaires pouvant être versés
EP4032819A1 (fr) * 2021-01-22 2022-07-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Convoyeur d'alimentation pour un appareil de pliage, appareil de pliage doté d'un convoyeur d'alimentation et machine d'emballage comportant un appareil de pliage

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0061663A2 (fr) * 1981-03-27 1982-10-06 Ab Tetra Pak Machine pour le traitement de récipients d'emballages
EP2284084A1 (fr) * 2009-08-11 2011-02-16 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Unité de conditionnement pour machines de conditionnement de produits alimentaires pouvant être versés
EP4032819A1 (fr) * 2021-01-22 2022-07-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Convoyeur d'alimentation pour un appareil de pliage, appareil de pliage doté d'un convoyeur d'alimentation et machine d'emballage comportant un appareil de pliage

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