TECHNICAL FIELD
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The present invention relates to a packaging machine for forming packages of a pourable product, preferentially a pourable food product.
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The present invention also relates to a method of sterilizing a packaging machine for forming packages filled with a pourable product, preferentially a pourable food product.
BACKGROUND ART
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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.
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A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding laminated web of packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material (an oxygen-barrier layer), e.g. an aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
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Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging machines, which advance a web of packaging material through a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material at a sterilization station and to an isolation chamber (a closed and sterile environment) in which the sterilized web of packaging material is maintained and advanced. During advancement of the web of packaging material through the isolation chamber, the web of packaging material is folded and sealed longitudinally at a tube forming station to form a tube having a longitudinal seam portion, the tube being further fed along a vertical advancing direction.
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For completing 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 package forming apparatus of the packaging machine during advancement along the vertical advancing direction.
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Pillow packages are so obtained, each pillow package having a longitudinal sealing band, a top transversal sealing band and a bottom transversal sealing band.
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A typical packaging machine comprises a conveying device for advancing the web of packaging material along a web advancement path and the tube formed from the web of packaging material along a tube advancement path, the sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material prior to its formation into the tube, a tube forming and sealing device at least partially arranged within the isolation chamber and being configured to form the tube from the advancing web of packaging material and to longitudinally seal the tube, a filling device for filling the tube with the pourable product and the package forming apparatus adapted to form, transversally seal and cut individual packages from the tube of packaging material.
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The filling device comprises a filling pipe and a product circuit fluidically connected to the filling pipe and to a product delivery system.
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An example packaging machine is disclosed in the patent document
EP3456638B1 in the name of the Applicant. The packaging machine comprises a gas feeding device configured to direct, in use, a flow of sterile gas into the tube for obtaining a gas pressure within the tube providing a correct forming pressure. In such a way, the required hydrostatic pressure provided by the product column is reduced.
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It is known that from time to time it is required to execute sterilization operations so as to guarantee the required hygienic conditions.
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Even though the known packaging machines work satisfyingly a need is felt in the sector to further improve the known packaging machines and/or their methods of sterilizing.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
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It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved packaging machine for the formation of packages filled with a pourable product, preferentially a pourable food product.
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Advantageously, it is a further aim of the present invention to provide an improved method of sterilizing.
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According to the present invention, there is provided a packaging machine as claimed in claim 1.
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Preferred non-limiting embodiments of the packaging machine are claimed in the claims being directly and indirectly dependent on claim 1.
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According to the present invention there is also provided a method according to claim 15.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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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 according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;
- Figure 2 is a schematic view of a detail of the packaging machine of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity;
- Figure 3 is another schematic view showing some details of the packaging machine of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
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Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing packages 2, more specifically sealed packages 2, of a pourable food product, more specifically a pourable food product, such as milk, milk drinks, yoghurt, yoghurt drinks, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, emulsions, beverages containing pulp, salt, sugar, etc.
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Packaging machine 1 is configured to form packages 2 from a tube 3 folded from a web 4 of packaging material. More specifically, in use, tube 3 extends along a longitudinal axis, even more specifically having a vertical orientation.
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Web 4 of packaging material has a multilayer structure, more specifically having heat-seal properties (i.e. portions of the multilayer packaging material can be sealed to one another).
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In further detail, the multilayer packaging material may comprise at least one layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. paper or cardboard, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another. Preferentially, one of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material may define the inner face of packages 2 contacting the pourable product.
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Moreover, the multilayer packaging material 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 heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material.
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Preferentially, the packaging material 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.
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With particular reference to Figure 1, packaging machine 1 comprises a conveying device 5 configured to advance (in a known manner) web 4 along a web advancement path P, more specifically from a delivery station to a tube forming station, at which, in use, web 4 is formed into tube 3. Conveying device 5 may also be configured to advance tube 3 along a tube advancement path Q.
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Packaging machine 1 also comprises an isolation chamber 7 having an inner environment 8, more specifically an inner sterile environment 8, more specifically containing a sterile gas such as sterile air.
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Moreover, isolation chamber 7 may separate inner environment 8 from an (hostile) outer environment 9.
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Packaging machine 1 further comprises a tube forming and sealing device 10 configured to form tube 3, more specifically to fold tube 3 from web 4, and to longitudinally seal tube 3.
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In more detail, tube forming and sealing device 10 is at least partially arranged within inner environment 8 and is configured to form and longitudinally seal tube 3 within inner environment 8.
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In further detail, tube forming and sealing device 10 is configured to gradually fold web 4 into tube 3, preferentially by overlapping a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge of web 4 with one another for forming a longitudinal seam portion of tube 3. Preferentially, tube forming and sealing device 10 may be configured to longitudinally seal the longitudinal seam portion.
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Additionally, conveying device 5 may be configured to advance tube 3 and any intermediate of tube 3 along tube advancement path Q. In particular, with the wording intermediates of tube 3 any configuration of web 4 is meant prior to obtaining the tube structure and after folding of web 4 by tube forming and sealing device 10 has started. In other words, the intermediates of tube 3 are a result of the gradual folding of web 4 so as to obtain tube 3, preferentially by overlapping with one another the first lateral edge of web 4 and the second lateral edge of web 4.
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Packaging machine 1 may comprise a control unit 11 configured to control operation of packaging machine 1.
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In more detail, control unit 11 may be configured to control packaging machine 1 into:
- a production configuration in which packaging machine 1 is configured to form packages 2 filled with the pourable product;
- a sterilization configuration in which packaging machine 1 is set to be at least partially sterilized (i.e. at least portions of packaging machine 1 are sterilized or all of packaging machine 1 is sterilized); and/or
- a cleaning configuration in which packaging machine 1 is set to be at least partially cleaned (i.e. at least portions of packaging machine 1 are cleaned or all of packaging machine 1 is cleaned).
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In more detail, control unit 11 is configured to control packaging machine 1 into the cleaning configuration after control of packaging machine 1 into the production configuration (and after termination of a production cycle). Control unit 11 is configured to control packaging machine 1 into the sterilization configuration after control of packaging machine 1 into the cleaning configuration (and after termination of a cleaning cycle).
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In other words, after production, at first the portions of packaging machine 1 are cleaned and then sterilized.
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With particular reference to Figures 1 to 3, packaging machine 1 comprises a filling device 13 configured to fill tube 3 with the pourable product, in particular when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the production configuration.
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Moreover, filling device 13 may be controllable and/or is controlled into fluidic connection with a product delivery system. In particular, the product delivery system may be configured to deliver the pourable product to be filled to filling device 13. Additionally, the product delivery system may be configured to condition the pourable product to be filled into packages 2.
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In more detail, filling device 13 may be configured to fill, more specifically to continuously fill, tube 3 with the pourable product, and in particular, packaging machine 1 may manipulate tube 3 for obtaining packages 2 filled with the pourable product.
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Preferentially but not necessarily and with packaging machine 1 being controlled into the production configuration, inner environment 8 may comprise (i.e. may contain) the sterile gas, more specifically the sterile air, at a given pressure. Preferentially, the given pressure may be (slightly) above ambient pressure for reducing the risk of any contaminants entering inner environment 8. E.g., the given pressure may be about 100 Pa to 500 Pa (0,001 bar to 0,005 bar) above ambient pressure.
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With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, packaging machine 1 comprises a gas feeding device 14 configured to direct, more specifically to continuously direct, in use, a flow of sterile gas, more specifically a flow of sterile air, into tube 3, in particular when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the production configuration.
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Additionally, packaging machine 1 may also comprise a delimiting element 15 placed, in use and with packaging machine 1 being controlled into the production configuration, within tube 3 and designed to divide tube 3, in use, into a first space 16 and a second space 17.
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In more detail, first space 16 may be delimited by tube 3, preferentially the walls of tube 3, and delimiting element 15. Furthermore, first space 16 may open up into inner environment 8. More preferentially, delimiting element 15 may delimit first space 16 at a downstream portion, in particular a bottom portion, of first space 16 itself.
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In more detail, second space 17 may be delimited, in use, by tube 3, in particular the walls of tube 3, delimiting element 15 and a transversal seal portion provided at an axial end of tube 3.
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Advantageously, gas feeding device 14 may be configured to direct the flow of sterile gas into second space 17, even more specifically for obtaining a gas pressure within second space 17 being higher than the gas pressure within first space 16.
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In further detail, first space 16 is arranged upstream of second space 17 along tube advancement path Q. Preferentially, first space 16 is arranged upstream of delimiting element 15 along tube advancement path Q. In the specific example shown, second space 17 is placed below first space 16.
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Preferentially, second space 17 defines a high-pressure zone within tube 3 and first space 16 defines a low-pressure zone within tube 3.
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In the context of the present application, high-pressure zone (i.e. second space 17) is to be understood such that the internal pressure lies in a range of about 5kPa to 40kPa (0,05 bar to 0,4 bar), in particular of about 10kPa to 30 kPa (0,10 bar to 0,30 bar) above ambient pressure (i.e. the pressure within second space 17 lies in a range of about 5kPa to 40kPa (0,05 bar to 0,4 bar), in particular of about 10kPa to 30 kPa (0,10 bar to 0,30 bar) above ambient pressure). In other words, second space 17 is overpressurized.
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Low-pressure zone (i.e. first space 16) is to be understood such that the pressure is slightly higher than the ambient pressure. In particular, slightly higher than the ambient pressure means that the pressure lies in a range between 100 Pa to 500 Pa (0,001 bar to 0,005 bar) above ambient pressure.
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In further detail, first space 16 may be in (direct) fluidic connection with inner environment 8. Thus, sterile gas present in first space 16 can flow to inner environment 8.
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Preferentially, tube 3 (and its intermediates) lie at least partially within isolation chamber 7 (in particular, within inner environment 8).
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Preferentially, the pressure inside first space 16 (substantially) equals the given pressure present in isolation chamber 7, preferentially in inner environment 8. Preferentially, the pressure inside first space 16 ranges between 100 Pa to 500 Pa (0,001 bar to 0,005 bar) above ambient pressure.
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Filling device 13 may be configured to direct the pourable product into second space 17. Thus, in use, second space 17 may contain the pourable product and the pressurized sterile gas. The pressurized sterile gas may provide for the required hydrostatic force needed for a correct forming of packages 2.
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Advantageously, delimiting element 15 may be designed to provide, in use, for at least one fluidic channel, more specifically having an annular shape, for fluidically connecting second space 17 with first space 16 allowing for, in use, a leakage flow of sterile gas from second space 17 into first space 16.
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Preferentially, gas feeding device 14 is configured to provide for a variable flow of sterile gas of about 10 to 200 Nm3/h, in particular of 20 to 180 Nm3/h, even more particular of about 25 to 150 Nm3/h.
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Preferentially, gas feeding device 14 is configured to vary the flow of sterile gas in dependence of the sterile gas flowing from second space 17 to first space 16.
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More specifically, gas feeding device 14 may be configured to control the gas pressure within second space 17 to range between 5 kPa to 40 kPa (0,05 bar to 0,40 bar), in particular between 10 kPa to 30 kPa (0,1 bar to 0,3 bar), above ambient pressure.
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Packaging machine 1 also comprises a package forming apparatus 18 configured to manipulate, preferentially to at least partially shape and/or transversally seal and/or transversally cut, tube 3 for obtaining packages 2 from tube 3.
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In more detail, package forming apparatus 18 may be arranged downstream from isolation chamber 7 along tube advancement path Q.
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Moreover, package forming apparatus 18 may carry isolation chamber 7.
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Preferentially but not necessarily, control unit 11 may be configured to actuate and control of operation of conveying device 5, tube forming and sealing device 10, filling device 13, gas feeding device 14 and package forming apparatus 18 when controlling packaging machine 1 into the production configuration.
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Additionally, control unit 11 may be configured to inactivate operation of conveying device 5, tube forming and sealing device 10, filling device 13, gas feeding device 14 and package forming apparatus 18 when controlling packaging machine 1 into the cleaning configuration.
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With particular reference to Figure 3, packaging machine 1 further comprises a sterilization apparatus 19 for sterilizing web 4. Advantageously, control unit 11 may be configured to actuate and control operation of sterilization apparatus 19 when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the production configuration. Moreover, control unit 11 may be configured to inactivate sterilization apparatus 19 when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the cleaning configuration or the sterilization configuration.
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In more detail, sterilization apparatus 19 comprises an inner space 20 being in fluidic connection with inner environment 8. In particular, in use, web 4 is sterilized within inner space 20.
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In further detail, sterilization apparatus 19 may comprise a sterilization unit arranged within inner space 8 and being configured to sterilize web 4. Moreover, the sterilization unit may be configured to sterilize web 4 by means of physical sterilization such as sterilization by means of an ionizing radiation (e.g. electron beam) or chemical sterilization such as using hydrogen peroxide.
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Additionally, sterilization apparatus 19 may comprise a housing 21 delimiting inner space 20.
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With particular reference to Figure 3, packaging machine 1 may comprise a sterilization device 22 configured to inject a chemical sterilization agent into portions of packaging machine 1, in particular with packaging machine 1 being controlled into the sterilization configuration.
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In more detail, sterilization device 22 is configured to inject a chemical sterilization agent such as hydrogen peroxide, more specifically vaporized hydrogen peroxide.
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More specifically, sterilization device 22 comprises an injector 23 configured to inject the sterilizing agent.
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With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, gas feeding device 14 is configured to withdraw sterile gas from inner environment 8, more specifically to pressurize (to compress) the sterile gas, and to direct sterile gas, preferentially the pressurized (compressed) sterile gas, into second space 17.
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In more detail, gas feeding device 14 comprises:
- a gas delivery circuit 25 configured to direct, in use (i.e. when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the production configuration), the flow of gas into tube 3, more specifically second space 17; and
- a gas delivery source 26 configured to condition the gas, more specifically the sterile gas, and/or to feed the gas, more specifically the sterile gas to gas delivery circuit 25.
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According to some further detail, gas delivery circuit 25 may comprise a gas feeding pipe 27 configured to direct, in use, the flow of gas into tube 3, more specifically second space 17, and an inlet pipe assembly 28 for receiving the gas from gas delivery source 26.
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Moreover, inlet pipe assembly 28 may be configured to direct the flow of gas into inner environment 8 and gas feeding pipe 27 may be configured to aspire the gas from inner environment 8.
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Accordingly, gas feeding device 14 may not only be configured to direct the flow of gas into tube 3, but to also introduce gas, more specifically sterile gas, into inner environment 8.
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According to the example shown, gas feeding pipe 27 may comprise portions being arranged outside from inner environment 8 and other portions being positioned within inner environment 8.
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According to the example shown, inlet pipe assembly 28 comprises portions being arranged outside from inner environment 8 and other portions being positioned within inner environment 8.
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With particular reference to Figure 3, inlet pipe assembly 28 may comprise one or more branches 29, each configured to direct the sterile gas into inner environment 8, in particular so that the sterile gas is injected into inner environment 8 at different positions.
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E.g. one branch 29 may direct the sterile gas to a position adjacent to the position from which gas feeding pipe 27 extracts the sterile gas from inner environment 8.
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Additionally, one branch 29 may be configured to indirectly direct the sterile gas into inner environment 8 by feeding the sterile gas to a sealing device 30 of tube forming and sealing device 10, sealing device 30 being configured to longitudinally seal tube 3 by means of a heated sterile gas.
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With particular reference to Figure, inlet pipe assembly 28, in particular one respective branch 29, may have an outlet opening configured to direct the gas into inner environment 8 (when packaging machine 1 is in the production configuration or the sterilization configuration). According to the example shown, the outlet opening is arranged within inner environment 8.
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Moreover, gas feeding pipe 27 may comprise an inlet opening configured to receive the gas from inner environment 8 (when packaging machine 1 is in the production configuration or the sterilization configuration). In other words, there is no mechanical connection between inlet pipe assembly 28 and gas feeding pipe 27 (when packaging machine 1 is in the production configuration or the sterilization configuration). According to the example shown, the inlet opening is arranged within inner environment 8.
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Advantageously, the inlet opening is adjacent to the outlet opening.
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With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, gas delivery circuit 25 comprises an aspiration device 31, such as a compressor, configured to generate aspiration forces so as to withdraw the sterile gas from inner environment 8, and more specifically to also pressurize (to compress) the sterile gas, and to direct the pressurized sterile gas, more specifically through gas feeding pipe 27, into tube 3, more specifically second space 17.
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More specifically, aspiration device 31 may be configured to generate the aspiration forces with packaging machine 1 being set into the production configuration or the sterilization configuration.
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Advantageously, aspiration device 31 may be included into and/or comprised by gas delivery circuit 25, more specifically gas feeding pipe 27.
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Additionally, aspiration device 31 may be interposed between a first portion and a second portion of gas feeding pipe 27.
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With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, gas feeding pipe 27 may comprise a final portion extending within inner environment 8 and, in use while packaging machine 1 is controlled into the production configuration, within tube 3. More specifically final portion may have a (substantially) linear shape.
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Additionally, final portion may carry delimiting element 15.
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With particular reference to Figure 3, gas delivery circuit 25 comprises one or more control valves 32, each one moveable between a closed position and an open position, in particular a fully open position.
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More specifically, each control valve 32 is configured to control a respective flow of the sterile gas to be fed into inner environment 8. Even more specifically, each control valve 32 may be configured to close and open a fluidic connection to inner environment 8. Advantageously, each control valve 32 may be configured to move to intermediate positions between the closed position and the fully open position so as to modulate the respective flow of the sterile gas.
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In more detail, each control valve 32 is included into inlet pipe assembly 28, in particular into one respective branch 29.
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With particular reference to Figure 3, gas delivery source 26 is configured to provide the sterile gas at a determined temperature and to feed the sterile gas to gas delivery circuit 25.
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More specifically, gas delivery source 26 is configured to receive a gas and to condition the gas so as to provide the sterile gas to at least gas delivery circuit 25.
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Advantageously, gas delivery source 26 is fluidically connected to inner environment 8 such that at least a portion of the gas to be conditioned originates from inner environment 8.
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More specifically, gas delivery source 26 is fluidically connected to inner space 20.
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Moreover, gas delivery source 26 is configured to receive a flow of gas from inner environment 8 and through inner space 8.
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Advantageously, gas delivery source 26 comprises a connection duct 36 connected to housing 21 and an auxiliary aspiration device 37 configured to generate an aspiration force so as to generate the flow of the gas from inner environment 8 through inner space 20.
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Moreover, gas delivery source 26 also comprises a delivery duct 35 configured to feed the sterile gas to gas delivery circuit 25.
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Additionally, gas delivery source 26 comprises a heating device 38 configured to heat the gas to the determined temperature, e.g. also for sterilization purposes of the gas itself, but as will be shown further below also for conditioning parts of packaging machine 1 when sterilizing parts of packaging machine 1.
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With particular reference to Figure3, filling device 13 comprises a product circuit 39 fluidically connected and/or connectable to the product delivery system and being configured to direct the pourable product into tube 3.
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Additionally, packaging machine 1, more specifically filling device 13, may comprise an operation valve 40 configured to control a fluidic connection between gas delivery source 26 and product circuit 39.
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Advantageously, operation valve 40 is controllable between a closed position and an open position, in particular a fully open position, at which the fluidic connection between product circuit 39 and gas delivery source 26 is, respectively, closed and open.
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Preferentially, operation valve 40 is in the closed position when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the production configuration.
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With reference to Figure 3, filling device 13 also comprises a main valve 41 configured to control the fluidic connection between product circuit 39 and the product delivery system.
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Advantageously, operation valve 40 and main valve 41 have a common housing 42.
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Moreover, product circuit 39 comprises a filling pipe 43, in use, being arranged within tube 3 and being configured to direct the pourable product into tube 3, in particular into second space 17.
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Advantageously, packaging machine 1 may comprise a cleaning device configured to clean at least portions of packaging machine 1, e.g. portions of gas feeding device 14 and/or portions of filling device 13, in particular with packaging machine 1 being controlled into the cleaning configuration. More specifically, cleaning device is configured to clean portions of packaging machine 1 with a cleaning agent, in particular a liquid cleaning agent.
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With reference to Figure 2, package forming apparatus 18 may comprise a plurality of operative assemblies 44 (only one shown) and a plurality of counter-operative assemblies 45 (only one shown) configured to manipulate tube 3, more specifically the portions of tube 3 filled with the pourable product, for forming packages 2.
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More specifically, each operative assemblies 42 may be configured to cooperate with one respective counter-operative assembly 43 for manipulating, more specifically to at least partially shape and/or transversally seal and/or transversally cut, tube 3 for forming packages 2.
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Additionally, package forming apparatus 18 may comprise a conveying unit configured to advance operative assemblies 44 and counter-operative assemblies 45 along respective advancement paths.
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In more detail, in use, each of operative assembly 44 and each counter-operative assembly 45 cyclically advances along the respective advancement path.
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Furthermore, each operative assembly 44 and each counter-operative assembly 45 may comprise:
- a half-shell 46 configured to contact tube 3 and to at least partially define the shape of packages 2; and/or
- one of a sealing element 47 or a counter-sealing element 48, configured to transversally seal tube 3 between adjacent packages 2; and/or
- one of a cutting element or a counter-cutting element for transversally cutting tube 3 between adjacent packages 2.
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Preferentially but not necessarily, package forming apparatus 18 may be of the type described in any of patent documents
EP3254980A1 ,
EP3476751A1 in the name of the present Applicant. It is expressly understood that all the functional and structural features of the forming assembly of patent documents
EP3254980A1 ,
EP3476751A1 can be applied to package forming apparatus 18 described herein.
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Preferentially but not necessarily, packaging machine 1 may be configured to transfer packages 2 to a downstream equipment.
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Preferentially but not necessarily, a packaging line may be provided, the packaging line comprising packaging machine 1 and at least one downstream equipment and/or the product delivery source.
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The downstream equipment may be configured to receive packages 2 and to operate further actions on packages 2.
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The downstream equipment may include one or more chosen from the group of a cardboard packer configured to group and pack a plurality of formed and sealed packages 2 into a carton, an accumulator configured to store a plurality of packages 2, a cap applicator configured to apply a cap or lid onto each package 2.
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Advantageously, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration, control unit 11 controls packaging machine 1, in particular sterilization device 22, gas delivery circuit 25 and gas delivery source 26, such to sterilize at least gas delivery circuit 25 and product circuit 39.
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More specifically, control unit 11 is configured to control the execution of:
- a step of conditioning, during which gas delivery circuit 25 and product circuit 39 are conditioned, in particular heated to a determined temperature;
- a step of injecting, during which the sterilizing agent is injected into gas delivery circuit 25 and product circuit 39; and
- a step of drying, during which the sterilizing agent dries of.
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In particular, during the execution of the step of conditioning, the step of injecting and the step of drying, tube 3 is formed, but is not further advanced.
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In more detail, wherein when the packaging machine is controlled into the sterilization configuration, and in particular during the execution of the step of conditioning, the step of injecting and the step of drying, control unit 11 is configured to modulate operation of aspiration device 31, e.g. a rotation speed of the compressor, so as to control a flow of a fluid within gas delivery circuit 35 and product circuit 39.
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In further detail, packaging machine 1 comprises a temperature sensor positioned adjacent, in particular at, operation valve 40.
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Moreover, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the step of conditioning, control unit 11 is configured to modulate operation of aspiration device 31, e.g. a rotation speed of the compressor, in dependence of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, in particular such that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor corresponds to a desired temperature.
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In particular, the desired temperature is set such that all portions of gas delivery circuit 35 and product circuit 39 reach predetermined temperatures, e.g. above 70°C, which allow an efficient sterilization during the step of injecting.
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Moreover, during the step of heating, control unit 11 is configured to control gas delivery source 26, in particular heating device 40, such that the sterile gas is fed into gas delivery circuit 35 and product circuit 39 at a determined initial temperature.
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Additionally, control unit 11 is configured to modulate the flow of gas within gas delivery circuit 35 and/or product circuit 39 by modulating operation of aspiration device 31.
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Advantageously, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the step of conditioning, control unit 11 sets one or more of control valves 32 into a respective intermediate position. E.g. all control valves 32 are controlled into a respective intermediate position.
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Moreover, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the step of conditioning, control unit 11 is configured to control main valve 41 in the open position, in particular the fully open position.
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Control unit 11 is configured to execute the following sub-steps, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the step of injecting, control unit 11 is configured to control execution of a first sub-step of injecting and a second sub-step of injecting during which the sterilization agent is introduced into delivery duct 35 by means of the sterilization device, in particular injector 23.
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Preferentially, control unit 11 is configured to control execution of the first sub-step of injecting before execution of the second sub-step of injecting.
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Advantageously, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the step of injecting, control unit 11 is configured to control is also configured to control execution of a first sub-step of pausing and a second sub-step of pausing are executed during which injection of the sterilizing agent is paused (i.e. no sterilizing agent is added into delivery duct 35). Preferentially, the first sub-step of pausing is executed between the first sub-step of injecting and the second sub-step of injecting and the second sub-step of pausing is executed after the second sub-step of injecting.
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Advantageously, control unit 11 is configured to open operation valve 40 (i.e. in the open position) and close (i.e. in the closed position) during, respectively, the first sub-step of injecting and the second sub-step of injecting.
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Preferentially but not necessarily, control unit 11 is configured to control operation valve 40 in the closed position during the first sub-step of pausing and the second sub-step of pausing.
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In particular, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the step of injecting, control unit 11 is configured to control operation valve 40 in the open position only during the first sub-step of injecting.
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Opening of operation valve 40 permits the sterilizing agent to distribute within product circuit 39.
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Furthermore, control unit 11 is configured to control aspiration device 31 so as to interrupt the aspiration during the first sub-step of injecting, and more specifically also during the first sub-step of pausing, and to active aspiration device 31 during the second sub-step of injecting, and more specifically also during the second sub-step of pausing.
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Moreover, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the first step of injecting the control unit 11 sets at least one of the control valves 32, in particular the one being included in the respective branch 29 having the outlet opening adjacent to the inlet opening of gas feeding pipe 27, into the respective closed position. Preferentially but not necessarily, control unit 11 sets the other control valves 32 into an intermediate position.
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Additionally, control unit 11 sets the control valve 32 being during the first sub-step of injecting in the closed position into an intermediate position or into the fully open position during the first sub-step of injecting, preferentially but not necessarily also during the first sub-step of pausing and the second sub-step of pausing.
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Advantageously, after the first sub-step control unit 11 sets the control valves 32 being during the first sub-step of injecting in the respective intermediate position in another intermediate position and such to increase the respective fluid flow through the respective control valve 32.
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Additionally, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during execution of the step of drying, operation valve 40 is controlled by control unit 11 into the open position. Moreover, control unit 11 set control valves 32 into respective intermediate positions or open positions.
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The present disclosure also provides a method for forming a plurality of packages 2 filled with the pourable product. Preferably, the method is carried out by packaging machine 1.
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The present disclosure also provides for a method of sterilizing at least portions of packaging machine 1.
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The method of sterilizing foresees to set the packaging machine 1 into the sterilization configuration.
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Prior to the execution of the method of sterilizing, packaging machine 1 is set into the cleaning configuration and portions of packaging machine 1 are cleaned.
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Afterwards termination of the sterilization, packaging machine 1 is set again into the production configuration.
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Preferentially but not necessarily, packaging machine 1 may be repeatedly controlled into the production configuration, the cleaning configuration and the sterilization configuration.
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Moreover, while packaging machine 1 is controlled into:
- the production configuration, packaging machine 1 forms packages 2; and/or
- the cleaning configuration, at least gas delivery circuit 25 is cleaned; and/or
- the sterilization configuration, for sterilizing at least some portions of packaging machine 1.
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Advantageously, each time after stop of production, packaging machine 1 is controlled into the cleaning configuration and afterwards packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration.
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With packaging machine 1 being controlled in the production configuration, the method includes:
- a step of advancing web 4 along a web advancement path P, by means of conveying device 5;
- a step of forming tube 3 from the advancing web 4, through tube forming and sealing device 10;
- a step of longitudinally sealing tube 3 through tube forming and sealing device 10;
- a step of advancing the tube 3 along tube advancement path Q;
- a step of filling tube 3 with a pourable product, through filling device 13;
- a step of directing, during which gas feeding device 14 directs the flow of gas into tube 3, more specifically into second space 17; and
- a step of forming and transversally sealing (and cutting) packages 2 from the advancing tube 3, through package forming apparatus 16.
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With packaging machine 1 being controlled into the production configuration, the step of directing foresees that gas feeding device 14 withdraws the sterile gas from inner environment 8. In more detail, gas feeding pipe 27 directs the flow of sterile gas into tube 3. Additionally, aspiration device 31 aspires the sterile gas from inner environment 8 and directs it through gas feeding pipe 27. Additionally, sterile gas is directed into inner environment 8 through inlet pipe assembly 28.
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With packaging machine 1 being controlled into the sterilization configuration, at least gas delivery circuit 25 and product circuit 39 are sterilized
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In more detail, the method of sterilizing foresees a step of setting, during which packaging machine 1 is set into the sterilization configuration.
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In particular, the method of sterilizing is executed with the presence of tube 3 (but with deactivation of conveying device 5).
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Advantageously, during the step of sterilizing, operation of aspiration device 31 is modulated so as to control the flow of the fluid within gas delivery circuit 25 and product circuit 39.
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Moreover, during the step of sterilizing the step of conditioning, than the step of injecting and finally the step of drying are executed.
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Moreover, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the step of conditioning, operation of aspiration device 31 is modulated in dependence of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor, in particular such that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor corresponds to a desired temperature.
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Advantageously, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the step of conditioning, one or more of control valves 32 are set into the respective intermediate positions.
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Moreover, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration at least the first step of injecting and the second step of injecting are executed during which a sterilization agent is introduced into delivery duct 35. Operation valve 40 is open and closed during, respectively, the first step of injecting and the second step of injecting.
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Advantageously, aspiration device 31 is controlled such to interrupt the aspiration during the first step of injecting and to activate the aspiration during the second step of injecting.
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Preferentially but not necessarily, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during the first step of injecting at least one of control valves 32 is set into the closed position.
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Additionally, one control valve 32 is set into the respective closed position during the first step of injecting and into a respective intermediate position during the second step of injecting. Moreover, this control valve 32 is set into the open position during the first step of pausing.
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In particular, one or more control valves 32 are positioned into the respective intermediate positions during the first step of injecting and the second step of injecting.
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Preferentially but not necessarily, when packaging machine 1 is controlled into the sterilization configuration and during execution of a step of drying, operation valve 40 is controlled into the fully open position.
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The advantages of packaging machine 1 and/or the method according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
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In particular, packaging machine 1 can be effectively sterilized in particular by balancing the flow of fluids within gas delivery circuit 25 and product circuit 39 by modulating operation of aspiration device 31.
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Additionally, by conveniently setting operation valve 40 and control valve(s) 32 into and/or between the respective closed positions and open positions, it is possible to precisely control the sterilization process.
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Clearly, changes may be made to packaging machine 1 and/or the method as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.