ES2354272T3 - MACHINE FOR PACKAGING VERTIBLE FOOD PRODUCTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

There is described a machine (1) for packaging pourable food products, having a feed station (4) for feeding a sheet packaging material (3) along a predetermined forming path (P), along which the packaging material (3) is transformed into a succession of sealed packages (2); the machine has impurity removing means (15) for removing any impurities on the packaging material (3), and located downstream from the feed station (4) along the forming path (P).

Description

 The present invention relates to a machine for packaging food products that can be poured or liquids.

 As is known, many food products that can be poured, such as fruit juice, pasteurized milk or UHT (treated at ultra-high temperature), wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of material sterilized packaging

 A typical example of this type of packaging is the parallelepipedic container for liquid or disposable food products, known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is manufactured by folding and sealing strip packaging material, normally stratified. . The laminated packaging material comprises layers of fibrous material, for example of paper, covered on both sides with heat-weldable plastic material, for example polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packaging, the face of the packaging material also has a layer of oxygen barrier material, for example aluminum foil, or an EVOH layer, which is in turn coated with a layer of plastic material of heat welding

 Machines for producing packages of the above type are known, in which the web of packaging material is unwound from a reel or reel along a predetermined path by rollers and guide members or the like.

 Along the path, the web of packaging material is advanced through an aseptic environment in which it is sterilized by application of a liquid sterilizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, which is then evaporated by heating and / or radiation of 20 appropriate wavelength and intensity.

 The packaging material band is then advanced through a sterile chamber, in which it is maintained in a sterile air environment and driven vertically through a number of successive forming assemblies, which interact with the packaging material to Fold it gradually from the shape of a strip to the shape of a cylinder. The forming assemblies comprise 25 respective folding members with rollers that define a certain number of mandatory passages for the packaging material, which gradually vary in section from an open C to an essentially circular section.

 The folding members interact with the web of packaging material to overlap opposite sides of the web, which are then heat welded to form a tube of packaging material.

 Previously, a strip of heat-weldable plastic material is applied to a longitudinal edge of the inner plastic layer of the packaging material, and the packaging material is heat welded along the strip to form said tube.

 The tube is then filled with sterile or sterile treated feed product, and is sealed and then cut lengthwise into equally spaced cross sections to form pillow-shaped packages, which are mechanically folded to form respective packages finished by default.

 Alternatively, the packaging material can be cut into elementary or raw parts, which are transformed into containers into forming spindles, and the containers are filled with the food product and sealed. An example of this type of packaging is the so-called "upper part in two-pitched roof" known under the trade name of Tetra Rex (registered trademark).

 Containers of the type described briefly above are normally provided with opening devices by which the package is opened and the food product can be poured. Four. Five

 A known opening device comprises a "pull tab" that is applied over a hole in the packaging material, and that can be removed to open the package.

 In a known production method, a succession of holes is formed in the strip packaging material, and, on the face eventually turned towards the inside of the container, the holes are sealed with respective "patches" defined by small sheets of plastic material heat weldable The 50 pull tabs are applied to the opposite side of the packaging material and are heat welded to the respective patches, so that respective free-grip portions protrude from the packaging material.

 The pull tab comprises an aluminum barrier layer for oxygen; and a layer of heat-welding plastic material, usually polyethylene, that is welded to the patch. Consequently, when the pull tab is pulled, the part of the patch welded to the tongue is detached with it, thus exposing the hole.

 Alternatively, the pull tabs can be applied directly to a so-called "pre-stratified" hole in the packaging material, that is, a hole formed in the layer of fibrous material, before it is covered with the other layers of material of packaging, which tightly and aseptically close the hole, while, at the same time, they are easily perforated.

 In both cases, the pull tabs are normally applied flat to the packaging material, and are then folded to superimpose them on the free grip portion in the portion welded to the packaging material. The folding operation is carried out in two stages: a first stage, in which the grip end is raised with respect to the packaging material by means of an air jet directed parallel to the plane of the material and transversely to its direction of travel ; and a second stage in which the raised tongue is mechanically folded by contact with properly formed guide surfaces.

 Although highly reliable and effective, machines of the type described still leave room for further improvement.

 In particular, the Applicant has observed that deposits of waste particles, such as polyethylene fibers and dust in the packaging material, can lead to malfunction of the downstream posts from the coil, particularly those of applying the strip of longitudinal sealing to the edge of the web of packaging material and folding the pull tabs. fifteen

 WO 2004/041697 discloses a machine for packaging food products that can be poured, as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

 It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for packaging food products that can be poured, designed to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantage.

 In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a machine for packaging food products that can be poured, as claimed in claim 1.

 A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

 Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a machine for packaging food products that can be poured in accordance with the present invention; 25

 Figure 2 shows a larger view, in perspective, of a detail of Figure 1;

 Figure 3 shows a front view of the detail of Figure 2;

 Figure 4 shows a section along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

 Figure 5 a plan view from above of the detail of Figure 2.

 Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates, as a whole, a packaging machine to continuously produce sealed packages 2 of a food product that can be poured, such as pasteurized milk or UHT, fruit juice, wine, etc., to from a band 3 of unwrapped packaging material of a coil 4 and advanced along a forming path P.

 More specifically, the band 3 is guided along the path P by guide members 5, for example rollers or the like, and is advanced successively through a number of 35 stations or workstations, of which they are shown schematically: a post 6 for applying a longitudinal sealing strip to the band 3; a post 7 for folding removable opening devices (known in themselves and not shown) applied in advance to the band 3; and a position 8 to form packages 2 from band 3.

 Positions 6, 7 and 8 are all known and are described only briefly in the following, as required for a more complete understanding of the present invention.

 More specifically, the post 6 applies a sealing strip of heat sealing or sealing plastic material (not shown) to a longitudinal edge 12 of the band 3, which is then heat welded along the sealing strip, inside of position 8, to define a vertical tube 11.

 The station 7 acts on the removable opening devices applied to the band 3 to fix them in the configuration as used, that is, in the configuration in which they can be removed by the user.

 The station 8 comprises a filling device 9 for continuously pouring the food product, sterilized or treated to be sterile, into the tube 11 of packaging material; and a forming assembly (not shown) of the jaw type, for gripping, welding and cutting the tube 11 along equally spaced cross sections to form a succession of packages 2.

 According to an important aspect of the present invention, the machine 1 also comprises a cleaning device 15 for removing any impurities from the band 3, and located along the path P, downstream of the coil 4.

 The device 15 is preferably interposed between the coil 4 and the position 6. 55

 With particular reference to Figure 2, the device 15 comprises a support bracket 18 fixed to a part 13 of a support structure (not shown as a whole) of the machine 1; and two fluid dispensing units 14, preferably air, mounted on the bracket 18 and acting on opposite sides of the band 3 - in the example shown, on the longitudinal edge 12 - to remove any impurities from the band 3.

 More specifically, the bracket 18 comprises a first part 23 essentially in the form of a rectangular plate and fixed to part 13 of the support structure of the machine 1; and a second part 17 in the configuration of a C-shaped plate, which is located in a plane essentially perpendicular to that of part 23, and which integrally supports the units 14.

 More specifically, part 17 comprises two parallel arms 20 separated to allow passage of the band 3; and a part 22 that joins the arms 20, and from whose part 23 protrudes in the form of an extension. 10

 Each unit 14 comprises a plate 19 secured to a respective arm 20 of the bracket 18; a conduit 16 formed within the plate 19 to create an air current by which any impurities are removed from the band 3; and a blower 25 that communicates for passage of fluid with the conduit 16 and to which air is supplied in a manner not shown.

 The plates 19 are essentially prismatic, are parallel to each other and are symmetrical with respect to an axis A, which, during use, is perpendicular to the path P and parallel to the plane of the band 3.

 Towards axis A, the plates 19 have respective side walls 24 that define an essentially prismatic chamber 21 through which the band 3 is advanced during use.

 More specifically, the chamber 21 communicates, along the axis A, on one side, with the outside atmosphere 20 to allow the passage of the band 3 along the path P, and, on the opposite side, with a conduit of waste 26 to collect the impurities removed from the band 3 by both sets 14.

 Each blower 25 protrudes from the respective plate 19 on the side axially opposite the band 3.

 Each duct 16 (Figure 4) is formed within a respective plate 19, is connected 25 for fluid passage to the respective blower 25 by means of a respective inlet section 38, and comprises, from the inlet section 38 to the chamber 21 , a first part 32 parallel to the A axis, a second part 33 perpendicular to the A axis, and a third part 34 having a narrower air flow section than parts 32 and 33.

 Each portion 34 is inclined with respect to the axis A towards the waste duct 26, and 30 introduces air directly into the chamber 21 to remove and direct to the waste duct 26 any impurities existing on both sides of the band 3 facing the plates 19.

 Each part 34 communicates for fluid passage with the chamber 21 by means of a respective recess 27 formed in the wall 24 of the respective plate 19 and to guide the air towards the waste duct 26. More specifically, continuing along the wall 24 of each plate 19 towards the waste duct 26, each recess 27 comprises a first edge 28 that extends out of the axis A and that defines an outlet of the part 34 into the chamber 21 and perpendicular to the part 34; and a second edge 29 perpendicular to the first edge 28 and extending towards the A axis.

 The waste duct 26 has an air outlet section 39 of the device 15 in front of the chamber 21. The inlet sections 38 of the blowers 25 and the outlet section 39 of the 40 waste duct 26 are located on the side of the device 15 opposite the band 3, and the output section 39 is interposed between the input sections 38 of the two units 14.

 Each plate 19 is secured to the bracket 18 in a direction perpendicular to the A axis and parallel to the path P.

 With reference to Figures 2 to 5, each plate 19 is fixed to the respective arm 20 of the bracket 18 by means of screws 35 that slide, perpendicularly to the A axis and in the plane of the part 17 of the bracket 18, within oval grooves 36 of part 17, to adjust the position of the device 15 relative to the band 3.

 Each plate 19 is provided with two strips 37 of suitable material for defining a sliding contact with the band 3, for example silicone or Teflon, etc., and extending within the chamber 21, 50 perpendicular to the A axis and parallel to the plate 19, to guide the band 3 to the lake of the path P.

 In actual use, the position of the plates 19, and therefore of the units 14, can be adjusted by means of the grooves 36, with respect to the band 3 and perpendicular to the axis A, so that the band 3 it is centered inside the chamber 21 and is guided along the path P by the strips 37 without unwanted friction.

 Each blower 25 supplies the respective conduit 16 with air, which, after successively circulating along the respective parts 32 and 33, is accelerated intensely in the respective part 34 of narrow section.

 By virtue of the shape of the edges 28 and 29 of each recess 27, the air is directed from the parts 34 to the waste duct 26.

 According to a known fluid-dynamic effect, the acceleration of the air in each part 34 of narrow section produces a drop in the air pressure in the part 34.

 There is thus a difference in pressures between the air in each part 34 and the air around 5 the band 3 inside the chamber 21, and in such a way that any impurities of the band 3 are released and advanced , together with the air, to the waste duct 26.

 The advantages of the machine 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the preceding description.

 In particular, the device 15 is easy to mount on the machine 1, is cheap and compact and 10 provides the effective and continuous disposal of any waste particles from the band 3, in order to avoid the malfunction of the machine 1 and that they occur of stops.

 Clearly, changes can be made to machine 1 as described and illustrated herein, however, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

 In particular, the device 15 may be designed other than that described and shown, so that it interacts with zones of the band 3 other than the longitudinal edge 12. For example, to operate directly on the area to which devices are applied separable opening - usually along the center line - the plates 19 and ducts 16 can be sized appropriately, parallel to the A axis, to allow air to circulate from the center line to the edge of the band 3 adjacent to the waste duct 26. 20

 In an alternative, not shown, as opposed to the fluid distribution units 14, the cleaning device 15 may comprise respective suction units for removing waste particles from the strip 3 of the packaging material.

Claims (8)

1. A machine (1) for packaging food products that can be discharged, comprising a feed station station (4) to advance a sheet packaging material (3) along a predetermined forming path ( P), along which said packaging material (3) is transformed into a succession of sealed packages (2), and impurity removal means (15) to remove any impurities from said packaging material (3) , and located downstream of said feeding post (4) along said forming path (P);

said means (15) comprising removal of impurities means (14) of flow generation to generate, in at least one surface (12) of said packaging material (3), a fluid flow, and at least one conduit of dispensing (16) to supply fluid at a pressure different from the pressure around said packaging material (3), so that said impurities are removed from the packaging material (3); the said means (15) for removing impurities defining a chamber (21) 15 through which said packaging material is advanced, during use, and communicating for passage of fluid with said dispensing conduit (16 ) and with a capture vessel (26) to collect said impurities; characterized in that said flow generating means comprise at least one blower (25) for supplying fluid to said dispensing conduit (16); twenty because said chamber (21) has an axis (A) perpendicular to said forming path (P) and parallel to the plane of the packaging material (3) in sheet when it passes through the chamber (21); because said dispensing conduit (16) communicates with said chamber (21) in a part (34) of narrow section so that there is an acceleration of the fluid and a pressure drop during use; Y because said part (34) of narrow section is oriented towards said capture vessel (26) and communicates for fluid passage with said chamber (21) by means of a recess (27) that is formed in a wall (24) which delimits said chamber (21), on one side of said axis (A), and is adapted to guide and direct said fluid towards said capture vessel (26) along an orthogonal direction to said forming path (P); comprising said recess (27): - a first edge (28) extending outwardly from said axis (A), defining an exit of said part of narrow section (34) towards said chamber (21) and perpendicular to part (34) of narrow section; and 35 - a second edge (29) perpendicular to said first edge (28) and extending towards said axis (A).

2. A machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an application post (6) for applying a sealing strip to a longitudinal edge (12) of said packaging material (3); and because said means (15) for removing 40 impurities are located upstream of said application post (6) to apply said sealing strip.

3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a folding post (7) for folding separable opening devices adapted to said packaging material (3); and because said impurity removal means (15) are located upstream of said folding post (7).

4. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow generating means (14) comprise at least two of said dispensing conduits (16) for dispensing fluid on opposite sides of said packaging material (3 ) with respect to the aforementioned conformation path (P). fifty

5. A machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said dispensing conduits (16) are formed in respective plates (19), whose side walls (26) define said chamber (21).

A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising adjustment means (35, 36) for adjusting the position of said impurity removal means (15) with respect to said packaging material (3) .

7. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises guide means (37) for guiding said packaging material (3) and placing it along said forming path (P), near the area of operation of said means (15) for removing impurities.

A machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said guide means (37) are supported by said impurity removal means (15).

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