JP2022537627A - Packaging assembly for forming and sealing multiple packs containing injectable product, and method for forming and sealing multiple packs - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging assembly (1; 1') configured to form and seal a plurality of packs (3) containing an injectable product starting from a tube of packaging material (2) is described, packaging assembly (1; 1′) is a pair of endless tracks (6) between which the tube (2) is fed along a straight forward direction (A) and a pair of a pair of movable members (7; 7') each movably coupled to one respective track (6) and cyclically movable therealong; and each movable member (7; 7') is transversely to the direction of advancement (A) towards the tube (2) to form at least the corresponding pack portion of the respective pack (3). movably carrying one respective forming member (20; 20') linearly displaceable in the body to cyclically cooperate in contact with the continuous tube section (13), each forming member (20 ;20') comprises a movable part (21; 21') which is tiltable with respect to the direction of advancement (A) in order to sequentially control the tilting of the tube section (13) with respect to the direction of advancement (A). .

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging assembly adapted to form and seal multiple packs containing injectable products, particularly injectable food products.

The present invention also relates to a method for forming and sealing multiple packs containing injectable products, especially injectable food products.

As is commonly known, many injectable foods such as fruit juices, UHT (ultra high temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc. are sold in packages made of sterile packaging material. It is

A typical example is the parallelepiped package for injectable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic®, which is made by folding and sealing a laminated web of packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer made, for example, of paper, which is covered on both sides with a layer of heat-sealable plastics material, for example, polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages for long-term storage products such as UHT milk, the packaging material is also superimposed on a layer of heat-sealable plastic material, which is then heated to form the inner surface of the package that ultimately contacts the food. It comprises a layer of oxygen barrier material, eg aluminum foil, covered with another layer of fusible plastic material.

Such packages are typically manufactured in fully automatic packaging assemblies, in which continuous tubes are formed from webs of packaging material supplied to such packaging assemblies. The web of packaging material, once sterilization is complete, is removed from the surface of the packaging material and sterilized in the packaging assembly by applying a chemical sterilant such as, for example, a hydrogen peroxide solution, which is vaporized by heating. . The web thus sterilized is then maintained in a closed sterile environment, folded longitudinally and sealed to form a tube that is fed along the vertical direction of advancement.

To complete the forming operation, the tube is top-filled with sterilized food, sealed, and subsequently cut along equally spaced cross-sections.

This results in a pillow pack having a longitudinal sealing band, an upper transverse sealing band and a lower transverse sealing band.

It is known to use a packaging assembly comprising a plurality of carts movable independently of each other on a track and configured to form and seal the aforementioned pillow packs.

In this case, a typical packaging assembly would be
- a first track and a second track defining respectively a first endless path and a second endless path and being arranged on respective opposite sides of the tube;
- a plurality of first carts movably coupled to a first truck and configured to advance along a first path;
- two conveyors provided with a plurality of second carts movably coupled to a second track and configured to advance along a second path;

The first cart is moveable (controllable) independently from each other along the first path and the second cart is moveable (controllable) independently from each other along the second path. ).

Linear motors are typically used to achieve independent movement of the carts.

Thus, each of the first and second tracks is equipped with respective individually excitable solenoids, e.g. electric coils, while each of the first and second carts is equipped with permanent magnets. equip. The resulting linear motors are configured in known manner to independently control the advancement of the first and second carts along the first and second paths, respectively.

As is known, the first cart and the second cart are cycled in pairs with each other and with the tubes to form and seal respective tube portions of the tubes, thereby producing the aforementioned pillow packs. configured to cooperate with

Although functionally effective, known packaging assemblies still leave room for improvement. Especially when handling, i.e. forming and sealing, packs that are configured to fold to form packages with slanted (non-horizontal) top walls, such as Tetra Brik® Edge packages. , a need is felt to optimize known packaging assemblies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a packaging assembly designed to meet at least the above needs in a simple and low cost manner.

This object is achieved by a packaging assembly according to claim 1.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for forming and sealing multiple packs containing injectable products which is designed to meet at least the above needs in a simple and low cost manner. is.

This object is achieved by a method for forming and sealing multiple packs according to claim 14 .

Two preferred non-limiting embodiments of the invention are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a packaging assembly for forming a plurality of sealed packs according to the invention; FIG. Figure 2 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a portion of the packaging assembly of Figure 1; Figure 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of the cart of the packaging assembly of Figure 1; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view, with parts removed for clarity, of two mutually cooperating carts of the packaging assembly of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional side view, with parts removed for clarity, of the two mutually cooperating carts of Figure 4 in one operating state; Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional side view, with parts removed for clarity, of the two mutually cooperating carts of Figure 4 in one operating state; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of the cart of the packaging assembly according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a perspective view of a package obtained by folding a pack formed and sealed by a packaging assembly according to the invention; FIG. Figure 7B is a side view of the package of Figure 7A, with the bottom flap of the package separated from the bottom wall of the package to better show that the package includes a top sealing band that is not aligned with the bottom sealing band; is separated from the side walls of the package.

Referring to Figure 1, number 1 was generally configured to form and seal, starting from a tube 2 of packaging material, a plurality of packs 3 containing an injectable product, preferably an injectable food product. 1 shows a packaging assembly.

The packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown) and comprises layers of fibrous material, eg paper, covered on both sides with respective layers of heat-sealable plastic material, eg polyethylene.

In the case of aseptic packs 3 for long-term storage products such as UHT milk, the packaging material is also superimposed on a layer of heat-sealable plastic material, which is then the pack 3 that finally contacts the pourable product. It comprises a layer of gas and light barrier material, such as aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, covered with another layer of heat-sealable plastic material forming the inner surface.

The tube 2 is formed in a known manner by longitudinally folding and sealing a web of packaging material (not shown). The tube 2 is then filled with a product injectable from above by means of a pipe (not shown) and fed through the packaging assembly 1 along the straight advance direction A. In particular, the tube 2 extends parallel to the direction A along a straight longitudinal direction, in particular a vertical axis X.

It is possible to identify two horizontal straight directions B, C that are orthogonal to each other and orthogonal to direction A (Fig. 1).

The packaging assembly 1 is
- a pair of conveyors 4 arranged on each side of the tube 2 and spaced apart from each other along the direction B and adapted to cooperate with the tube 2;
- an exit conveyor 10 arranged below the conveyor 4 which is arranged offset with respect to the axis X along the direction B;

As shown in particular in FIG. 2, each conveyor 4:
- a box-shaped element 5 comprising an endless track 6 defined by two rails arranged on opposite sides of the box-shaped element 5 spaced apart from each other along direction C; ,
- substantially comprising a plurality of moving members, preferably carts 7, each movably coupled to one respective track 6 and cyclically movable therealong; .

In particular, each cart 7 is arranged to slide cyclically along the track 6 of the respective conveyor 4 . In light of the above, a plurality of carts 7 slide along each track 6 during use.

To this end, each cart 7 has a plurality of wheels 15 extending parallel to the direction C when coupled to the respective track 6 and configured to movably engage the respective track 6 . (Figs. 2 and 3).

In particular, the carts 7 of one conveyor 4 are movable along their respective tracks 6 independently of each other and independently of the carts 7 of the other conveyor 4 .

For this purpose each cart 7 is provided with a magnetic part, in particular a permanent magnet arrangement 11, and each conveyor 4 is provided with a plurality of electric supply magnetic field generators, preferably arranged within the box-shaped element 5 in a fixed position. comprises an electrical coil 12 . Coils 12 are configured to be magnetically coupled with permanent magnets 11 of each cart 7 to control movement of such carts 7 along respective tracks 6 .

In practice, the permanent magnet arrangement 11 and coil 12 of each conveyor 4, i.e. the cart 7 and the respective track 6, are arranged to independently control the movement of the cart 7 along the respective track 6 in a known manner. defines a linear motor configured to:

As a possible alternative, not shown, the tracks 6 of the two conveyors 4 may comprise one single rail.

Referring to FIG. 1, the two tracks 6 define respective endless paths P, Q arranged on opposite sides of the axis X of the tube 2 with respect to the direction B. More specifically, paths P and Q are
- each working branch P1, Q1, preferably straight, between which the tube 2 is fed, along which the cart 7 cooperates with the tube 2; ,
- a respective return branch P2, Q2 along which the cart 7 is separated from the tube 2;

According to this shown preferred embodiment, the paths P, Q are substantially elliptical.

In use, each cart 7 of one conveyor 4 cooperates with a corresponding cart 7 of the other conveyor 4 when sliding along the respective branch of motion P1, Q1, i.e. the carts 7 mutually cooperating, thus defining a pair of carts 7 facing each other, cooperating with each other and cooperating with the tube 2 while sliding along the working branches P1, Q1.

In particular, each pair of carts 7 periodically forms and seals a respective pillow pack 3, one at a time, and cuts the pillow packs 3 to separate the pillow packs 3 from the tubes 2, as shown in FIG. It is arranged to cooperate with the tube 2 to do so.

For this purpose, the body 14 of each cart 7 has, on one of its sides, a forming unit 18 and a sealing unit 19 arranged to cooperate with the tube 2 along the respective working branch P1, Q1. carry both.

In particular, the forming units 18 are adapted to respectively cooperate with the tube portions 13 of the tube 2 to form at least corresponding pack portions, more particularly corresponding packs 3, as will be better explained below. Configured.

To this end, each forming unit 18 is carried and preferably mounted in a movable manner by a respective cart 7, each forming member preferably exhibiting a C-shaped cross-section, a main wall 21 and a pair of half shells 20 with side flaps 22 of . In the illustrated embodiment, flap 22 is movably coupled to wall 21 .

In particular, flaps 22 project from opposite side edges of wall 21 with respect to direction C and are hinged to such side edges when the cart moves along movement branches P1, Q1.

In use, the half-shells 20 of each forming unit 18 are arranged to sequentially and periodically cooperate in contact with the tube portions 13 to form at least the pack portion of the respective pack 3 .

More precisely, each half-shell 20 is directed transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the direction A and the axis X towards the tube 2, i.e. towards the tube section 13 which the half-shell 20 has to form. can move linearly.

In particular, each cart 7 comprises a movable element 57 which carries a respective half-shell 20 and which is linearly displaceable transversely to direction A and axis X, in particular perpendicularly.

In particular, the movable element 57 is linearly movable along the direction B;

The sealing unit 19 cooperates with the tubes 2 to move the tube sections 13 transversely to the direction A in order to form on each tube section 13 successively opposite top sealing bands 3a and bottom sealing bands 3b. , which are arranged to seal at predetermined equally spaced successive cross-sections lying on a sealing plane S parallel to the direction A and centered with respect to the tube 2 . In other words, the sealing surface S axially intersects the tube 2 and includes the axis X.

Furthermore, the sealing unit 19 is arranged to cooperate with the tube 2 to cut such packs 3 in a cross-section through the top sealing band 3a and the bottom sealing band 3b in order to separate the packs 3 from each other. .

On one conveyor 4, each sealing unit 19 is positioned downstream of the corresponding forming unit 18 of the respective cart 7 along the respective path P, Q, the opposing sealing device 17 and the extractable cutting. elements, for example knives (not shown).

On the other conveyor 4, each sealing unit 19 is placed downstream of the corresponding forming unit 18 of the respective cart 7 along the respective path P, Q, and the sealing device 23 and the opposing sealing device 17. and a seat, not shown, adapted to receive a knife of a corresponding sealing device 23 configured to cooperate.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the sealing device 23 is an ultrasonic sealing device.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the sealing device 23 is an induction heating element and a corresponding opposing sealing device 17 is required to grip the tube 2 against the required pressure during the sealing operation. made of an elastomeric material that provides good mechanical support.

As shown in FIG. 1, when forming unit 18 and sealing unit 19 are advanced by respective carts 7 of each conveyor 4 along respective branches of motion P1, Q1, each half-shell 20, sealing The device 23 and the opposing sealing device 17 move back and forth along direction B,
- a closed or operating position, in which the half-shells 20, the sealing device 23 and the opposing sealing device 17 cooperate with the respective tube portions 13 to form, seal and cut the respective packs 3;
- the half-shells 20, the sealing device 23 and the opposing sealing device 17 are moved between an open or idle position in which they are separated from the tube 2 or the formed pack 3;

In particular, when both of the two half-shells 20 of the two respective forming units 18 of the pair of cooperating carts 7 are in the operative (closed) position, they define a substantially prismatic cavity. , thus controlling the volume and shape of one respective puck 3 formed.

More specifically, when the half-shells 20 are in the operative (closed) position, their walls 21 are opposite and contact the respective tube section 13 .

In this condition, the flaps 22 of each half-shell 20 rotate about their respective hinges from the position where they diverge from their respective wall 21 to the position where they are substantially perpendicular to the wall 21, and Facing the flaps of the other half-shells 20 carried by the corresponding carts 7 of the same pair, they contact the tubes 2 to completely enclose the respective tube portions 13 defined to form the respective packs 3 .

When the opposing sealing devices 17 and 23 of a pair of cooperating carts 7 are in the operative (closed) position, they are transverse to the direction A and the axis X and on the sealing surface S The tubes 2 are heat-sealed together to form a top sealing band 3 a and a bottom sealing band 3 b of the pack 3 .

Each cutting element then cuts the packs 3 between the top sealing band 3a (of one package) and the bottom sealing band 3b (of the adjacent package) and separates the formed packs 3 from each other. extracted.

Conversely, when the half-shells 20 , the opposing sealing device 17 and the sealing device 23 are in the idle (open) position, they are separated from the tube 2 .

According to the illustrated embodiment, the above cyclic movement of the half-shells 20 (walls 21 and flaps 22), the opposing sealing device 17, the sealing device 23 and the cutting elements from their idle positions to their operating positions. by cooperation between a cam assembly 24 (FIG. 2) fixed relative to conveyor 4 and track 6 and a plurality of cam followers (partially shown in FIG. 2) carried by each cart 7. (a method known per se and not described in detail) is automated.

Specifically, according to this preferred embodiment, each of wall 21, flap 22, sealing device 23, cutting element, and opposing sealing device 17 cooperates in a sliding manner with a respective cam surface of cam assembly 24. carries at least one respective cam follower configured to work.

In particular, flap 22 of each forming unit 18 carries a respective cam follower 25 configured to cooperate in a sliding manner with a corresponding cam surface of cam element 26 of cam assembly 24 .

More specifically, the cam follower 25 cooperates in a sliding manner with the respective cam element 26 transversely to the direction of advancement A as the cart 7 moves along the operating branches P1, Q1 in use. configured to move to

In this particular embodiment, for each cart 7, cam followers 25 are arranged to propel rotation of flaps 22 about their hinges in a known manner due to the interaction of cam followers 25 with cam elements 26. It is mechanically connected (coupled) to the flap 22 by a lever mechanism 27 (FIG. 3) constructed as follows.

Preferably, half-shells 20, opposing sealing device 17, sealing device 23, and cutting element are urged back toward their respective idle positions by springs (not shown) acting on respective cam followers.

The exit conveyor 10 is arranged to receive the pillow packs 3 and convey them towards a folding unit, not shown, where the packs 3 are folded into their final shape, whereby the respective packages 50 (one of which is illustrated in FIG. 7A).

Note that FIG. 7B shows a pillow pack 3 that does not correspond to any step of the forming cycle. FIG. 7B simply shows the package 50 with the flaps open and the top and bottom sealing bands 3a and 3b lifted (ie, the package 50 is not fully folded).

In particular, as seen in FIG. 7B, the pillow pack 3 has a longitudinal axis Y and is bounded at its lower end by a flat horizontal bottom wall 52 and at its upper end by an inclined top wall 53. It has a prismatic main portion 51 .

A top sealing band 3a and a bottom sealing band 3b formed by the sealing unit 19 in the manner described above project axially from the inclined top wall 53 and bottom wall 52, respectively.

More specifically, in a package 50 (FIG. 7A) having a slanted top wall 53 (eg a Tetra Brik® edge package), the bottom sealing band 3b is coaxial with respect to the axis Y and On the other hand, the upper sealing band 3a is located away from the Y axis.

More specifically, if the upper sealing band 3a protrudes vertically from the slanted upper wall 53, as can be seen in FIG. 7B, it extends a distance 55 (measured perpendicular to the axis Y ).

As explained above, the sealing unit 19 is arranged to cooperate with the tube 2 to seal the tube portion 13 with a cross-section lying on a sealing plane S centered with respect to the tube 2, the top Since the sealing band 3a is arranged on the slanted upper wall 53 of the package 50 offset with respect to the axis Y to ensure the formation of the slanted upper wall 53, a slight displacement of the tube portion 13 during the sealing operation is achieved. rotation occurs.

Such rotation is provided on the packaging material in a specific predetermined pattern (known per se and not shown) of crease lines necessary to determine the formation of a package 50 having a slanted top wall 53. ) is given during the sealing operation.

Thus, it is necessary that the forming unit 18 , particularly the half-shells 20 , sequentially follow and control (ie propel) the aforementioned rotation of the tube portions 13 during sealing and forming of the pack 3 . In fact, if it were not possible to rotate, the tube portion 13 would be damaged due to the deformation caused by the folds imparted by the fold line pattern.

For this purpose the wall 21 of each half-shell 20 is tiltable with respect to direction A in order to control the tilting of the respective tube section 13 with respect to direction A.

In particular, each half-shell 20 is tiltable with respect to the respective movable element 57 .

More specifically, the half-shells 20 are connected to the movable element 57 and movably carry the wall 21 and the flap 22 through this wall 21 and are linearly movable along the direction B towards the tube 2. a rear wall 56 which is In particular, each rear wall 56 is positioned behind a respective wall 21 with respect to direction B. As shown in FIG.

Advantageously, each wall 21 is tiltable with respect to its respective rear wall 56 which does not tilt and which moves along direction B only linearly.

More specifically, the walls 21 of each pair of half-shells 20 are arranged in the same direction with respect to direction A and the rear wall 56 (FIG. 5B) to promote inclination of the tube portions 13 with which they cooperate at an angle α. It can be tilted at an angle α.

In light of the above, both walls 21 are linearly movable along direction B and are carried by rear wall 56 and tiltable with respect to direction A at an angle α.

As can be seen in FIG. 5B, the flaps 22 are also tiltable with respect to their respective rear walls 56 as they are hinged to the wall 21 .

The walls 21 are thus arranged to incline while the cart 7 advances parallel to the direction A, in particular along the motion branches P1, Q1 of the endless paths P, Q, respectively.

In this way, the tilting of the wall 21 with an angle α, ie the tilting of the tube portion 13 with an angle α, is such that the half-shells 20 are aligned with the aforementioned rotation of the tube portion 13 caused by the unique configuration of the crease lines thereon. to track and control

Furthermore, the above arrangement ensures that the upper sealing band 3a of each package 50 is formed at a distance 55 offset with respect to the axis Y of the package 50 without compromising the structural integrity of the package 50. .

In order to achieve the aforementioned tilting, the packaging assembly 1 comprises actuator means arranged to propel the tilting movement of each wall 21 and thus each tube section 13 .

According to this preferred embodiment the actuator means comprise a cam follower 25 and a cam element 26 .

For the sake of brevity, reference will be made below to a single cart 7 configured to form and seal each tube portion 13 .

However, all features described below for such carts 7 are applicable to all carts 7 movably coupled to tracks 6 of conveyor 4 .

In particular, the cart 7 comprises a pusher mechanism 28 fitted with a cam follower 25 and configured to contact and cooperate with the half-shells 20 to propel the tilting movement of the wall 21 .

Wall 21 is thus positioned rearwardly of half-shell 20 by means of hinge 29 (FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B) configured to allow rotation of wall 21 about direction C relative to rear wall 56 . It is movably coupled to wall 56 .

The pusher mechanism 28 comprises a pusher pin 30 such that lateral movement of the pusher pin 30 toward the axis X along the direction B is associated with lateral movement of the cam follower 25 toward the axis X along the direction B. Correspondingly, it is connected to the cam follower 25, in particular fixed integrally therewith.

When the cart 7 advances along the movement branch P1 or Q1, the push pin 30 is arranged behind the rear wall 56 and the wall 21 of the half-shell 20 with respect to the direction B and pushes against the wall 21. , to propel the rotation of the wall 21 about its hinge 29 , thereby controlling the tilting movement of the wall 21 and thus of the respective tube portion 13 through the angle α.

Preferably, rear wall 56 is provided with a through hole (FIGS. 5A-5B) through which push pin 30 passes before reaching wall 21 in use.

In light of the above, the rotation of the flap 22 and the tilting of the wall 21 and thus of the tube portion 13 are driven by the same actuator means, i.e. cam follower 25 and cam element 26 .

To this end, the cart 7 stops movement of the lever mechanism 27 that controls the rotation of the flap 22, while allowing additional strokes of the pusher mechanism 28 along direction B and thus of the pin 30. and a stop member 31 configured as:

In particular, the stop members 31 are arranged to abut the abutment surface of the cart 7 as soon as the flaps 22 have reached their final position surrounding the tube portion 13 .

Thanks to this configuration of the actuator means, no dedicated actuator means arranged to drive the tilting of the wall 21 are required.

In light of the above, wall 21 and tube portion 13 are:
- a first position, in which the pin 30 is separated from the wall 21, the wall 21 is parallel to the axis X and the direction A, and the axis Y of the tube portion 13 is still parallel to the axis X and the sealing surface S (Fig. 5A). When,
the pin 30 presses against the wall 21 such that the wall 21 is inclined at an angle α, the tube portion 13 is inclined at an angle α and the upper sealing band 3a is formed aligned with the sealing plane S and the axis X; (FIG. 5B), movable to and from a second position.

Preferably, to ensure automatic return of the wall 21 from the second position to the first position, resilient means, such as a spring member 32 resiliently coupling the wall 21 to the rear wall 56, are provided. be done.

More specifically, the spring member 32 is arranged on the opposite side of the wall 21 with respect to direction A to the side on which the hinge 29 is arranged.

Advantageously, for a given two half-shells 20 cooperating with each other to form the pack 3, the positions of the hinges 29 and the spring members 32 along direction A are reversed with respect to each other. In other words, the first half-shell 20 of the two half-shells has a wall 21 hinged to the top of the respective rear wall 56 (with respect to direction A) and the two half-shells The second of the half-shells 20 has a wall 21 hinged to the lower part of the respective rear wall 56 (relative to direction A).

In this way, lateral movement of the cam follower 25 driven by the forming cam element 26 allows the upper sealing band in the package 50 to move without compromising the structural integrity of the package 50, as seen in FIG. 7A. , causes a tilting of the wall 21 with an angle α, ie a tilting of the tube section 13 with an angle α, so as to be offset with respect to the axis Y by a distance 55 .

Advantageously, each forming unit 18 is moveable along direction A towards the respective sealing unit 19 of each cart 7 in a manner known and not described in detail. Such movement allows the formation of slanted top and bottom walls 53,54.

Operation of the packaging assembly 1 begins with a pair of cooperating carts 7 sliding along respective tracks 6, following respective paths P, Q and approaching respective branches of motion P1, Q1. are described below.

In this state, each cart 7 moves along its respective branch of motion P1, Q1 and along direction A, moving half-shells 20 (walls 21 and flaps 22), opposing sealing devices 17, sealing devices 23, And the cutting elements are sequentially actuated by interaction with respective cam elements of cam follower cam assembly 24 .

At the same time, tube 2 is filled with a product that can be injected from above.

After the flaps 22 have completed their rotation and have contacted and cooperated with the respective tube portion 13 to be formed, due to the additional stroke available, the stop member 31 is pushed against the respective abutment surface. Abutment occurs and the pin 30 begins to move.

As soon as the pin 30 contacts the respective wall 21, the walls 21 each begin to rotate about the hinge 29, thereby at an angle α to follow the rotation imparted to the tube portion 13 by the sealing action. incline.

After the tube 2 has been formed, sealed and cut, thereby obtaining a pack 3, the half-shells 20, the opposing sealing device 17, the sealing device 23 and the cutting element return to their idle positions. The formed and filled packs 3 are sent to the exit conveyor 10 and conveyed to the folding unit described above for folding into finished packages 50 .

The carts 7 then slide along their respective return branches P2, Q2 until they again reach their respective working branch P1, Q1 to form another pack 3.

The entire operation is repeated cyclically for all packs 3 to be formed, sealed and cut. The entire operation is also repeated for all pairs of carts 7 present in packaging assembly 1 .

Number 7' in Figure 6 generally indicates a cart of packaging assembly 1' according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The packaging assembly 1' and the cart 7' are similar to the packaging assembly 1 and the cart 7 according to the first embodiment and the following description is limited to the differences between them and where possible identical or corresponding Use the same reference for the parts that

It is also noted that the features described below for cart 7' are applicable to all carts 7' that may be present in packaging assembly 1'.

In particular, packaging assembly 1 ′ differs from packaging assembly 1 in the type of actuator means used to propel the tilting movement of tube portion 13 .

In particular, the packaging assembly 1' comprises dedicated actuator means exclusively arranged to propel the tilting movement of the tube portion 13. As shown in FIG.

More particularly, the actuator means comprises a dedicated cam follower 33 configured to cooperate in sliding manner with a cam surface of a dedicated cam element 34 of the cam assembly 24'.

More specifically, the cart 7' has a main wall coupled to the cam follower 33 by a lever mechanism 35 arranged to convert lateral movement of the cam follower 33 into tilting movement of the wall 21' at an angle α. It comprises a forming unit 18' carrying half-shells 20' with 21'.

Specifically, according to this preferred embodiment, the entire half-shell 20' is tiltable at an angle α.

In particular, the half-shells 20' are tiltable with respect to the respective movable element 57;

This particular configuration makes it possible to have a dedicated control mechanism for tilting half-shells 20' and thus tube portion 13, avoiding the need for pusher mechanism 28, hinge 29 and spring member 32. allow

The advantages of the packaging assembly 1, 1' according to the invention will be clear from the foregoing description.

In particular, thanks to the tilting movement of the walls 21, 21', the forming units 18, 18' are tilted upward when the carts 7, 7' are endlessly movable along the endless track 6 by means of linear motors. Due to the particular configuration of the fold lines of the package 50 with the walls 53, it is possible to follow and control the rotation of the tube section 13 imparted thereto during the sealing operation.

This further makes it possible to obtain the upper sealing band 3a of each package 50 offset with respect to the axis Y of such package 50, which can be inclined without compromising the structural integrity of the package 50. Provides more space for mounting the opening device 54 on the top wall 53 .

Moreover, the configuration of the packaging assembly 1' and the cart 7' makes it possible to separate the action controlling the rotation of the flap 22 from the action controlling the tilting of the wall 21', in practice the flap 22 Even when the corresponding walls 21' and half-shells 20' are tilted, they can be controlled, impacts between components can be avoided, and the tilting movement is more precise.

Obviously, modifications may be made to the packaging assembly 1, 1' as described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims (16)

A packaging assembly (1; 1') adapted to form and seal a plurality of packs (3) containing injectable products starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, said packaging assembly (1 ; 1′) is
a pair of endless tracks (6) between which said tube (2) is fed along a straight forward direction (A);
a pair of movable members (7; 7') each movably coupled to one respective track (6) and cyclically movable therealong; ') and
Each movable member (7; 7') of said pair of movable members (7; 7') moves towards said tube (2) to form at least the corresponding pack portion of the respective pack (3). movably carrying one respective forming member (20; 20') which is linearly displaceable transversely to the direction of advancement (A) to cyclically contact successive tube sections (13); collaborate with
Each forming member (20; 20') is a movable part tiltable with respect to said direction of advancement (A) for in turn controlling the tilting of said tube section (13) with respect to said direction of advancement (A). (21; 21'). Each movable member (7; 7') is linearly movable towards said tube (2) and comprises a movable element (57) supporting a respective movable part (21), each movable part (21 ) is tiltable with respect to the respective movable element (57). each movable member (7; 7') movably carries a respective sealing member (17, 23) configured to laterally seal said tube portion (13);
3. Packaging assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each forming member (20; 20') is movable relative to the respective sealing member (17, 23) along the longitudinal direction (A). Packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable part (21; 21') is tiltable at a given angle (α) with respect to the advancing direction (A). A packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising actuator means (25, 26; 33, 34) arranged to propel the tilting movement of each movable part (21; 21'). . said actuator means being carried for each track (6) by at least one cam surface (26; 34) fixed relative to said track (6) and said respective forming member (20; 20'); 6. A packaging assembly according to claim 5, comprising a cam follower (25; 33) configured to cooperate in a sliding manner with said cam surface (26; 34). Each forming member (20) comprises a forming element (22) configured to form a respective part of said pack (3), said cam follower (25) mechanically moving said forming element (22). 7. A packaging assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein said actuator means (25, 26) are also arranged to drive said forming element (22). said cam follower (25) is configured to cooperate with said cam surface (26) for movement transverse to said advance direction (A);
Said movable members (7) are fitted with said cam followers (25) and are arranged to contact and cooperate with respective movable parts (21) to propel said tilting movement of said movable parts (21). 8. A packaging assembly (1) according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a pusher mechanism (28) that is pushed. said movable part (21) is connected to said forming member (20) by at least a hinge (29);
Said pusher mechanism (28) is integrally fixed to said cam follower (25) and presses against said respective movable part (21) to tilt said hinge (29) in order to tilt said movable part (21). 9. A packaging assembly (1) according to claim 8, comprising a push pin (30) adapted to propel the rotation of said movable part (21) about ). said cam follower (33) is configured to cooperate with said cam surface (34) for movement transverse to said advance direction (A);
Said cam follower (33) comprises a lever mechanism (35) adapted to convert lateral movement of said cam follower (33) into said tilting movement of said given angle (α) of said movable part (21′). ) to said respective forming members (20′) by
7. A packaging assembly (1') according to claim 6, wherein said actuator means (33, 34) are exclusively dedicated to propelling said tilting of said movable part (21'). A packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each movable member (7; 7') and said respective track (6) define a linear motor. comprising a plurality of pairs of movable members (7; 7') each cyclically movable along said track (6);
In use, said movable members (7; 7') moving along one track (6) of said pair of tracks (6) are independently movable with respect to each other, and in use said 12. According to any one of claims 1 to 11, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding movable member (7; 7') moving along the other track (6) of a pair of tracks (6). A packaging assembly as described. A packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said movable part (21; 21') is tiltable to allow the formation of a package (50) with slanted walls (53). assembly. A method for forming and sealing a plurality of packs (3) containing an injectable product starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, said method comprising the steps of:
i) feeding said tube (2) between two endless tracks (6) along a linear advance direction (A);
ii) cyclically advancing each pair of forming members (20; 20') along said track (6);
iii) moving said forming member (20; 20') linearly towards said tube (2) to form a continuous tube portion ( 13) periodically cooperating in contact with
iv) respective movable portions (21; 21; 21'). The linearly moving step iii) includes:
v) linearly moving the movable elements (57) of the pair of movable members (7, 7'), each movable element (57) supporting a respective movable part (21) and each movable the members (7; 7') are movably coupled to one respective track (6) and are cyclically movable therealong;
Said tilting step iv) comprises:
15. A method according to claim 14, comprising vi) tilting each movable part (21; 21') with respect to the respective movable element (57). vii) laterally sealing said tube portion (13) by a pair of sealing members (17, 23), each of said sealing members (17, 23) being one respective movable member (7; 7'), each movable member (7; 7') being movably coupled to one respective track (6) along which it is cyclically movable, each movable member (7; 7′) movably carries the respective forming member (20; 20′);
viii) moving each forming member (20; 20') relative to a respective sealing member (17, 23) along said longitudinal direction (A). .

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