NZ736502B2 - Apparatus and process for packaging products - Google Patents
Apparatus and process for packaging products Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ736502B2 NZ736502B2 NZ736502A NZ73650216A NZ736502B2 NZ 736502 B2 NZ736502 B2 NZ 736502B2 NZ 736502 A NZ736502 A NZ 736502A NZ 73650216 A NZ73650216 A NZ 73650216A NZ 736502 B2 NZ736502 B2 NZ 736502B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- station
- packaging
- forming
- precursor body
- forming station
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 324
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- OZAIFHULBGXAKX-UHFFFAOYSA-N precursor Substances N#CC(C)(C)N=NC(C)(C)C#N OZAIFHULBGXAKX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 184
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 87
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000015654 memory Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000000903 blocking Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 20
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 20
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 20
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 20
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 19
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 18
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 description 15
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 14
- -1 poly(ethylene terephthalate) Polymers 0.000 description 13
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 12
- 238000004320 controlled atmosphere Methods 0.000 description 11
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 10
- 229920001038 ethylene copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 9
- 239000011528 polyamide (building material) Substances 0.000 description 9
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 8
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000004711 α-olefin Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229920000089 Cyclic olefin copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 229920000219 Ethylene vinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000004715 ethylene vinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 6
- 210000003491 Skin Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 5
- MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxygen Chemical compound O=O MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920001328 Polyvinylidene chloride Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004132 cross linking Methods 0.000 description 4
- 150000002148 esters Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 4
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229920000554 ionomer Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920001684 low density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000004702 low-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000005033 polyvinylidene chloride Substances 0.000 description 4
- 125000004805 propylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 4
- 239000004698 Polyethylene (PE) Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 3
- 150000001298 alcohols Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 125000004432 carbon atoms Chemical group C* 0.000 description 3
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004014 plasticizer Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001200 poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920001897 terpolymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- ZNAMMSOYKPMPGC-HTOAHKCRSA-N (2R,3R,4S,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(2-phenylethylsulfanyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol Chemical compound O[C@@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@H]1SCCC1=CC=CC=C1 ZNAMMSOYKPMPGC-HTOAHKCRSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VREFGVBLTWBCJP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Alprazolam Chemical compound C12=CC(Cl)=CC=C2N2C(C)=NN=C2CN=C1C1=CC=CC=C1 VREFGVBLTWBCJP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Diethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCO MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920002292 Nylon 6 Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002302 Nylon 6,6 Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C=C NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive Effects 0.000 description 2
- 150000001991 dicarboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 125000000816 ethylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 2
- 230000002452 interceptive Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004707 linear low-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000003287 optical Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005644 polyethylene terephthalate glycol copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001360 synchronised Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001862 ultra low molecular weight polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000007666 vacuum forming Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229940117958 vinyl acetate Drugs 0.000 description 2
- LGXVIGDEPROXKC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1-Dichloroethene Chemical compound ClC(Cl)=C LGXVIGDEPROXKC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- PDKAXHLOFWCWIH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1-dichlorobuta-1,3-diene Chemical compound ClC(Cl)=CC=C PDKAXHLOFWCWIH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LIKMAJRDDDTEIG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-Hexene Chemical compound CCCCC=C LIKMAJRDDDTEIG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- KWKAKUADMBZCLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-Octene Chemical compound CCCCCCC=C KWKAKUADMBZCLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VXNZUUAINFGPBY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-butene Chemical compound CCC=C VXNZUUAINFGPBY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JTXMVXSTHSMVQF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-acetyloxyethyl acetate Chemical compound CC(=O)OCCOC(C)=O JTXMVXSTHSMVQF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JMMZCWZIJXAGKW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methylpent-2-ene Chemical compound CCC=C(C)C JMMZCWZIJXAGKW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001634 Copolyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 102100017978 MNT Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 101700073680 MNT Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 229920000571 Nylon 11 Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000299 Nylon 12 Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000572 Nylon 6/12 Polymers 0.000 description 1
- YWAKXRMUMFPDSH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Pentene Chemical compound CCCC=C YWAKXRMUMFPDSH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 102000014961 Protein Precursors Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108010078762 Protein Precursors Proteins 0.000 description 1
- KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Terephthalic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C1=CC=C(C(O)=O)C=C1 KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940035295 Ting Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000004708 Very-low-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001567 Vinyl ester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000004220 aggregation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000007933 aliphatic carboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000001931 aliphatic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 150000001336 alkenes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000005250 alkyl acrylate group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 125000005907 alkyl ester group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000111 anti-oxidant Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003963 antioxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002216 antistatic agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000003899 bactericide agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- WXCZUWHSJWOTRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N but-1-ene;ethene Chemical compound C=C.CCC=C WXCZUWHSJWOTRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N butane Chemical compound CCCC IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000001273 butane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000891 common polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003623 enhancer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001747 exhibiting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001903 high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004700 high-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001678 irradiating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000092 linear low density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001179 medium density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004701 medium-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002734 metacrylic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-M methacrylate Chemical compound CC(=C)C([O-])=O CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-N methacrylic acid Chemical compound CC(=C)C(O)=O CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000005395 methacrylic acid group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000009448 modified atmosphere packaging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002762 monocarboxylic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000010422 painting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000049 pigment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006068 polycondensation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007127 saponification reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- KEAYESYHFKHZAL-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium Chemical compound [Na] KEAYESYHFKHZAL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- KISFEBPWFCGRGN-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)ethyl sulfate Chemical compound [Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)OCCOC1=CC=C(Cl)C=C1Cl KISFEBPWFCGRGN-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000454 talc Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052623 talc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003856 thermoforming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920005992 thermoplastic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001866 very low density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- XTXRWKRVRITETP-UHFFFAOYSA-N vinyl acetate Chemical compound CC(=O)OC=C XTXRWKRVRITETP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N vinyl chloride Chemical compound ClC=C BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000000391 vinyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])=C([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001993 wax Substances 0.000 description 1
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65B31/022—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas the chambers moving in an endless path
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B41/00—Supplying or feeding container-forming sheets or wrapping material
- B65B41/12—Feeding webs from rolls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/02—Machines characterised by incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/04—Packaging single articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
- B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/162—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by feeding web material to securing means
- B65B7/164—Securing by heat-sealing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
- B65B9/04—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
Abstract
is described an apparatus (1) for packaging a product (P) comprising: a forming station (2) configured for receiving a base film (3) and for forming with it a precursor body (4) having a plurality of tray-shaped elements (5) adjacent to each other, and a packaging station (8) configured for receiving said precursor body (4) and a closing film (9), the packaging station (8) being configured for attaching the closing film (9) to the precursor body (4) at least at an upper opening (5a) of a predetermined number of said tray-shaped elements (5) for forming packages (C) flanked to each other. A movement device (13) is configured for moving at least one of said forming (2) and packaging stations (8), for conferring to the precursor body (4) a step-by-step discontinuous movement along a predetermined advancement path (T). The apparatus is configured so that, at least to the longitudinal portion of the precursor body, the movement along the predetermined advancement path is exclusively applied by the forming station and packaging station themselves during a respective forward stroke. It is also described a packaging process using the apparatus (1). ving said precursor body (4) and a closing film (9), the packaging station (8) being configured for attaching the closing film (9) to the precursor body (4) at least at an upper opening (5a) of a predetermined number of said tray-shaped elements (5) for forming packages (C) flanked to each other. A movement device (13) is configured for moving at least one of said forming (2) and packaging stations (8), for conferring to the precursor body (4) a step-by-step discontinuous movement along a predetermined advancement path (T). The apparatus is configured so that, at least to the longitudinal portion of the precursor body, the movement along the predetermined advancement path is exclusively applied by the forming station and packaging station themselves during a respective forward stroke. It is also described a packaging process using the apparatus (1).
Description
CRY1P74WO
TITLE: “APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR ING PRODUCTS”
D E S C R I P T I O N
Technical field
The present invention refers to an apparatus and
process for packaging a product. Particularly, the
s and tus, object of the ion, provide
a forming station by which trays are in-line formed from
a film material. According to some aspects of the
invention, the invention can provide an apparatus and
process for packaging a product in a controlled
atmosphere.
State of the art
Packages comprising a tray on the top of which a
closing film is attached, are used for packaging foods
and a great variety of other articles. The known type
containers can be for example made of plastics, metal,
or combinations thereof, while the lids typically
consist of plastic films attached to the tray by
sealing. The c film can be cut after
attaching it to the tray, in other words is precut and
then attached to the upper flange of the tray.
A type of apparatuses and of associated packaging
processes comprises to in-line thermoform the trays. In
other words, a base plastic film destined to form the
CRY1P74WO 2
trays, is advanced s a forming station, n
such base film is thermoformed for ng one or more
consecutive trays which, once suitably filled with
respective products, are advanced towards a ing
station. A further closing film is moved s the
packaging station and is attached on the trays. At the
packaging station, a vacuum can be provided and/or a
controlled atmosphere can be generated inside the tray.
The base films and thermoformed trays can be for
example moved by using systems of chains and pliers
active on the two longitudinal sides of the tus,
as illustrated in patents US 4069645 and US 4033092. The
chains-pliers system provides to engage the longitudinal
edges of the base film and of the continuous artifact
exiting the forming station: the pliers elements require
a minimum area of the edge for pulling the forming
artifact. The longitudinal edges on which the pliers act
are then removed from the completed pack, so that it is
required a further processing step, further determining
a substantial quantity of scrapped material.
On the contrary, according to what is disclosed in
patent US 4726173, pulling the base film in which the
trays were thermoformed, is performed by a combined
movement of pliers active on the longitudinal edges of
the artifact, and a movement system active on the
CRY1P74WO 3
g station, cutting station, tray sealing n.
The combined operation of the pliers pulling system and
movement system of the ns substantially ensures a
continuous and smooth movement of the base film.
However, it is to be noted that the above described
apparatus requires also to pinch the longitudinal edges
of the film which, therefore, should be removed from the
finished product which in turn s the same above
described disadvantages. er, the complexity of the
mechanisms implies a heavy structure and consequently
not negligible manufacturing costs. Lastly, the
mechanical complexity and the scarce flexibility of the
discussed apparatus, make difficult, or impossible, to
adapt the apparatus for forming and therefore conveying
trays of ent shapes and size.
Lastly, nt WO2015011076 shows a packaging
apparatus wherein a base film is thermoformed for
defining adjacent trays, then on or more products are
introduced in the trays themselves and lastly a closing
film is applied on the trays. By this approach, the
forming and packaging stations are stationary, instead
suitable advancing means active on the forming films are
provided which comprise movable plates grippingly acting
on the base film and/or closed trays, always at the
areas of the films distinct from the ones wherein the
CRY1P74WO 4
trays are present in order to apply a step-by-step
movement to the films. However, this solution while
being the latest, shows the inconvenience of determining
deformations, often uncontrolled, on the films which in
turn makes difficult to promote an accurate advancement
and, at the same time, causes unacceptable damages on
the films themselves. Moreover, the ity of
centering the trays in the ing station entails
many problems in the automatization of the process and
in the flexibility of the apparatus.
Object of the invention
ore, it is an object of the invention
- to devise a packaging process and tus
capable of in-line forming trays used for packaging
and capable of ng to efficiently form and
move the same by keeping at a minimum the quantity
of wasted material;
- to provide a packaging apparatus and
process enabling to in-line form trays from a base
plastic film and enabling to accurately move the
base plastic film along the cturing line;
- to provide a packaging process and
apparatus which are well adapted to any type of
packaging process, for example of the vacuum type,
or by the generation of a controlled atmosphere;
CRY1P74WO 5
- to provide a process and apparatus easily
enabling to adapt themselves to the cturing
of different size trays;
- to provide a process and apparatus
configured for adapting themselves to possible
deformations of the base c film used for inline
forming trays during a packaging process;
- to offer a process and apparatus capable of
using films having different widths without
performing difficult operations for removing the
lateral pulling means but by simply changing the
g and/or ing stations;
- to do away with the pulling means active on
the side edges of the films, such as chains and
therefore by improving the access to the apparatus
and therefore the maintainability of the same and
by reducing, optionally ating, the waste of
the used plastic material, and/or
- to at least provide the public with a
useful choice.
SUMMARY
In a first aspect, the invention provides an apparatus
(1) for packaging a product (P) comprising:
- a forming station (2) configured for receiving a
base film (3) and forming from it a precursor body (4)
CRY1P74WO 6
having a plurality of tray-shaped elements (5) adjacent
to each other, wherein the forming station (2)
comprises:
at least one upper portion (6), and
at least one lower portion (7),
the upper portion and lower portion being coupled to
be movable with respect to each other n an open
position of the forming station (2), wherein the upper
portion (6) and lower portion (7) are spaced from each
other and enable a longitudinal t (3a) of the base
film (3) to enter the forming station (2), and a closed
position of the forming station (2), wherein the upper
portion (6) and lower n (7) are approached to each
other for blocking said longitudinal segment (3a) of the
base film (3) with respect to the forming station (2)
and forming in such longitudinal segment (3a) one or
more of said tray-shaped elements (5),
- a packaging station (8) configured for ing
said precursor body (4) and a closing film (9), the
packaging station (8) being configured for fixing the
closing film (9) to the precursor body (4) at least at
an upper opening (5a) of a predetermined number of said
haped elements (5) for forming packages (C)
d to each other, the packaging station (8),
comprising in turn:
CRY1P74WO 7
a lower tool (10) comprising a
predetermined number of seats (11) each configured for
receiving at least one of said tray-shaped elements (5),
an upper tool (12) facing the lower tool
(10) and configured for ating with the lower tool
(10) for fixing at least a portion of said closing film
(9) to one or more tray-shaped elements (5) placed in
said seats (11), wherein the upper tool (12) and lower
tool (10) are movable with respect to each other between
an open condition of the packaging
station (8), wherein the upper tool (12) and lower tool
(10) are spaced from each other and enable to place one
or more haped elements (5) in said seats (11) and
to place said closing film (9) portion above one or more
respective tray-shaped elements (5), and
a closed condition of the packaging
n (8), wherein the upper tool (12) and lower tool
(10) are approached to each other for blocking the one
or more tray-shaped elements (5) in said seats (11) with
respect to the packaging station (8) and fixing said
closing film portion (9) to such one or more respective
haped elements (5) present in said seats(11),
- at least one movement device (13) active both on the
forming station (2) and the packaging station (8), said
CRY1P74WO 8
movement device being configured for moving, along a
ermined advancement path (T) of said precursor
body (4), both said g station (2) and said
packaging station (8),
- a control unit (14) active on said forming station
(2) and packaging station (8) and also on the nt
device (13), and configured for:
commanding a movement of the forming
station (2) between the respective open position and the
respective closed position,
commanding a movement of the packaging
station (8) between the tive open condition and
the respective closed condition,
commanding the movement device (13) to
perform the following:
a displacement of the forming station (2)
along said predetermined advancement path (T) at least
when the forming station (2) is in said closed position,
a displacement of the packaging station
(8) along said predetermined advancement path (T) at
least when the packaging station (8) is in said closed
condition,
n the control unit (14) is further configured
for coordinating the nt of the forming station (2)
between the respective open position and the respective
CRY1P74WO 9
closed position, with the movement of the ing
station (8) between the respective open condition and
the respective closed condition, and with said
displacements performed by the movement device (13) for
ring – to at least one udinal n of the
precursor body (4) – a discontinuous step-by-step
movement along said predetermined advancement path (T),
and wherein that the apparatus is configured so that,
at least to the udinal portion of the precursor
body (4), the movement along said predetermined
advancement path (T) is exclusively applied by the
forming station and packaging station themselves during
a respective forward stroke.
In a second aspect, the invention es a packaging
process using the apparatus (1) according to the first
aspect, said process comprising the following steps:
- forming, in the forming station (2), a predetermined
number of tray-shaped elements (5) at a longitudinal
length of a base film (3), by making a uous
precursor body provided with tray-shaped elements (5)
adjacent to each other,
- placing one or more products to be packaged in said
tray-shaped elements (5),
- fixing in the packaging station (8) a longitudinal
length of a closing film (9) to a predetermined number
CRY1P74WO 10
of tray-shaped elements (5) of the sor body (4)
present in the packaging station (8),
- conferring at least to the base film (3) and
precursor body (4) a step-by-step movement along a
predetermined advancement path (T),
wherein the step of conferring to the base film (3)
and precursor body (4) a step-by-step movement es
move said forming station (2) along the
advancement path (T) with a forward stroke from a
starting point in order to reach an arrival point,
during said step of moving the forming station (2) along
the forward , such station remaining in the
respective closed position and forming in the base film
(3) the predetermined number of tray-shaped elements
(5), and/or
move the packaging station (8) along the
advancement path (T) with a forward stroke from a
starting point in order to reach an arrival point,
during said step of moving the ing station (8)
along the d stroke, such station remaining in the
respective closed ion and fixing said longitudinal
segment of the closing film (9) to the predetermined
number of tray-shaped elements (5) present in the
packaging station (8),
CRY1P74WO 11
and wherein the step of conferring to the base film
(3) and the precursor body (4) a step-by-step movement
r provides to:
move said forming station (2) in a return
stroke in order to return to the respective starting
point, during said step of moving the forming n
(2) in the return stroke such n remaining in the
respective open position, and/or
move the packaging station (8) in a return
stroke in order to return to the respective starting
point or to a new starting point, during said step of
moving the packaging station (8) in the return stroke
such station remaining in the respective closed
condition.
Embodiments are described in the following.
Described herein is an apparatus (1) for packaging a
product (P) comprising:
- a forming n (2) configured for receiving a
base film (3) and g by it a precursor body (4)
having a plurality of tray-shaped elements (5) adjacent
to each other, wherein the forming station (2)
comprises:
o at least one upper portion (6), and
o at least one lower portion (7),
the upper portion and lower portion being coupled to
CRY1P74WO 12
be movable with t to each other between an open
position of the forming n (2), n the upper
portion (6) and lower portion (7) are spaced from each
other and enable a longitudinal segment (3a) of the
base film (3) to enter the forming station (2), and a
closed position of the forming station (2), wherein
the upper portion (6) and lower portion (7) are
approached to each other for ng said
longitudinal segment (3a) of the base film (3) with
reference to the forming station (2) and forming in
such longitudinal segment (3a) one or more of said
tray-shaped elements (5),
- a packaging station (8) configured for receiving
said sor body (4) and a closing film (9), the
packaging station (8) being configured for fixing the
closing film (9) to the precursor body (4) at least at
an upper g (5a) of a predetermined number of said
tray-shaped elements (5) for forming packages (C)
flanked to each other, the packaging station (8),
comprising in turn:
o a lower tool (10) comprising a predetermined number
of seats (11), each configured for receiving at least
one of said tray-shaped elements (5), and
o an upper tool (12) facing the lower tool (10) and
configured for cooperating with the lower tool (10)
CRY1P74WO 13
for fixing at least a n of said closing film (9)
to one or more tray-shaped elements (5) placed in said
seats (11), wherein the upper tool (12) and lower tool
(10) are movable with respect to each other between an
open condition of the packaging station (8), wherein
the upper tool (12) and lower tool (10) are spaced
from each other and enable to place one or more trayshaped
elements (5) in said seats (11) and to place
said portion of the closing film (9) above one or more
respective haped elements (5), and a closed
condition of the ing station (8), wherein the
upper tool (12) and lower tool (10) are approached to
each other for blocking the one or more tray-shaped
elements (5) present in said seats (11) with respect
to the packaging station (8) and fixing said closing
film portion (9) to such one or more tive trayshaped
elements (5) present in said seats (11).
As described , the apparatus comprises at least
one movement device (13) configured for moving, along a
predetermined advancement path (T) of said precursor
body (4), at least one of said forming (2) and packaging
stations (8).
As bed herein, the apparatus comprises a control
unit (14) active on said forming (2) and packaging
stations (8) and also on the movement device (13), and
4WO 14
configured for:
o commanding a movement of the forming station (2)
between the tive open position and the
tive closed position,
o commanding a movement of the packaging station (8)
between the respective open condition and the
respective closed condition.
As described herein, the control unit is also
configured for commanding the movement device (13) to
apply a displacement to the forming station (2) along
said predetermined advancement path (T) at least when
the forming station (2) is in said closed position.
As described herein, the control unit is also
ured for commanding the movement device (13) to
apply a displacement to the packaging station (8) along
said predetermined advancement path (T) at least when
the ing station (8) is in said closed condition.
As described herein, the control unit is also
configured for coordinating the movement of the forming
station (2) between the tive open position and the
respective closed position, with the movement of the
packaging station (8) between the respective open
condition and the respective closed condition, and with
said at least one displacement performed by the movement
device (13) for conferring to the precursor body (4) or
CRY1P74WO 15
to at least one longitudinal portion of the precursor
body, a step-by-step discontinuous nt along said
predetermined advancement path (T).
As described herein, the movement device (13) is
active both on the forming station (2) and the packaging
station (8) and is configured for moving along said
predetermined advancement path (T) said sor body
(4), both said forming (2) and packaging stations (8),
and wherein the control unit (14) is configured for:
o ding the nt device (13) to apply a
displacement of the forming station (2) along said
ermined advancement path (T) at least when the
forming station (2) is in said closed position,
o commanding the movement device (13) to apply a
displacement of the packaging station (8) along said
predetermined ement path (T) at least when the
packaging station (8) is in said closed condition.
As described herein, said movement device (13) active
on the forming station (2) is ured for:
- moving the forming station (2) from a respective
starting position, along a forward stroke along said
predetermined advancement path (T), until it reaches a
respective arrival position, and
- moving the forming station (2) from the respective
arrival position, for a return stroke opposite to the
CRY1P74WO 16
forward stroke, until it reaches a new starting
position.
As described , the control unit (14) is also
configured for:
o commanding the forming station (2) to be placed in
said tive closed position and forming said trayshaped
elements (5) during said forward stroke,
o commanding the forming station (2) to be placed in
said open position during said return stroke.
As described herein, said movement device (13) active
on the packaging station (8), is configured for:
- moving the packaging station (8) from a respective
starting on, along a forward stroke along said
predetermined advancement path (T), until it reaches a
respective arrival position, and
- moving the packaging station (8) from the respective
arrival position, for a return stroke te to the
forward stroke, until it returns to a new starting
position.
As described herein, the control unit (14) is also
configured for commanding the packaging n (8) to
be placed in said respective closed condition, and
fixing said g film (9) portion to one or more
respective tray-shaped elements (5) present in said
seats (11), during said forward stroke, and commanding
CRY1P74WO 17
the packaging station (8) to be placed in said open
position during said return stroke.
As described herein, the tus is configured so
that the precursor body or at least a longitudinal
portion of the precursor body (4) is conferred a
movement along said predetermined advancement path (T)
ively by an action of the g and packaging
stations themselves during the respective forward
strokes (at which the g and packaging stations
grippingly act on the base film and on the precursor
body, and move along the predetermined advancement path
(T)).
For example, the longitudinal portion of the precursor
body (4) – to which the movement along said
predetermined advancement path (T) is conferred
exclusively by the forming station and ing
stations themselves during the respective forward
strokes – extends between the forming station and
packaging station when the forming station and packaging
station are going to start the respective forward
strokes along said predetermined advancement path (T).
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is also
configured so that the movement of the base film up to
the forming station is exclusively red by the
forming n and packaging station themselves during
CRY1P74WO 18
the respective d strokes.
As described herein, said movement device (13)
comprises:
- a first actuator member (15) active on the forming
station (2), and configured for reciprocally moving the
g station (2) along said forward and return
strokes of the forming station (2), and
- a second actuator member (16), independent from the
first actuator member (15), active on the packaging
station (8) and ured for reciprocally moving the
packaging station (8) along said forward and return
strokes of the packaging station (8).
As described herein, said movement device (13)
comprises a slide (17) arranged for supporting the
forming station (2) and packaging station (8), a first
actuator member (15) active on the slide (17) and
configured for reciprocally moving such slide (17) and
therefore the forming station (2) and packaging n
(8) along a same common forward stroke and a same common
return stroke, and a second or member (16),
supported by said slide (17) and active on at least one
of said forming n (2) and packaging station (8),
said second actuator member (16) being configured for
changing a relative distance between the stations
themselves.
CRY1P74WO 19
As described herein, the control unit (14) is
connected to said first and second actuator members (15,
16,) and is configured for applying to the forward
stroke of the forming station (2) a first displacement
value and for imposing to the forward stroke of the
packaging station (8) a second displacement value
different from the first displacement value.
As described herein, the first and second displacement
values are both preset values.
As described , the first displacement value is
preset, while the second displacement value is
calculated by the control unit (14) as a function of the
first cement value.
As described herein, the first displacement value is
preset, while the second displacement value is
calculated by the control unit (14) as a function of the
first displacement value, and a ation information
regarding a longitudinal deformation of the precursor
body (4) n the forming station (2) and packaging
station (8).
As described herein, the l unit (14) is
connected to said first and second or members (15,
16) and is configured for imposing to the return stroke
of the forming station 2, a third displacement value,
and imposing to the return stroke of the packaging
CRY1P74WO 20
station (8), a fourth displacement value equal to or
different from the third displacement value.
As described herein, said third and fourth
displacement values are both preset values.
As described herein, said third and fourth
displacement values are preset and respectively equal to
the first and second displacement values.
As described herein, the third displacement value is
preset, and preferably equal to the first displacement
value, while the fourth displacement value is calculated
by the l unit (14) as a function of the first
displacement value or third cement value.
As described herein, the third displacement value is
preset, and preferably equal to the first displacement
value, while the fourth displacement value is calculated
by the control unit (14) as a function of the first
displacement value or third displacement value, and a
deformation information regarding a longitudinal
deformation of the precursor body (4) between the
g station (2) and ing station (8).
As described herein, the control unit (14) is
ured for synchronizing the/a forward stroke of the
forming station (2) with the/a forward stroke of the
packaging station (8), and for synchronizing the/a
return stroke of the forming station (2) with the/a
CRY1P74WO 21
return stroke of the ing station (8).
As described herein, the apparatus has a sensor member
(18) active in detection on said precursor body (4) and
capable of detecting at least one between (or both):
- one or more references (19) made on said precursor
body (4),
- one or more of said tray-shaped elements (5) present
in said precursor body (4).
As described herein, said sensor member (18) is
configured for emitting and delivering to the control
unit (14) an activation signal upon detecting one or
more of said references (19) or one or more of said
tray-shaped elements (5), respectively.
As described herein, the control unit (14) is
connected to the sensor member (18) and is configured
for:
- receiving said activation signal,
- determining from said activation signal, a on
of the tray-shaped elements (5) to be closed,
- moving the packaging station (8) from the respective
arrival on, for a return stroke opposite to the
forward , until it returns to the new starting
position wherein the packaging station is centered with
t to the determined position of the tray-shaped
elements (5) to be closed.
CRY1P74WO 22
As described herein, the apparatus comprises at least
one stop group (21) configured for acting on said base
film (3).
As described herein , the tus comprises at least
one stop group (21) configured for acting on the
precursor body (4) formed by the forming station (2).
As described herein, the apparatus ses at least
one stop group (21) configured for acting on said
packages formed by the packaging station (8).
As described herein, each stop group (21) is further
configured for being placed between at least one release
condition, wherein it enables the precursor body (4) or
said packages respectively to move along the advancement
path (T), and a gripping condition, wherein the stop
group (21) acts on the precursor body (4) or on said
packages respectively, for preventing a movement along
the advancement path (T).
As bed herein, said control unit (14) is
configured for commanding the stop group (21) to be
placed and remain in said closed condition when said
g station (2) is in said open position and/or when
said ing station (8) is in said open condition.
As described herein, said/each stop group (21)
comprises:
- a first stop group (21a) active on said precursor
CRY1P74WO 23
body (4) and operating in an area comprised between said
forming station (2) and said packaging station (8), or
active on said base film (3) and operating upstream said
forming station (2), and
- a second stop group (21b) active on said precursor
body (4) and operating in an area comprised between said
forming n (2) and said packaging n (8), or
active on said packages downstream the packaging station
(8),
said control unit (14) being configured for ding
the first and second stop groups (21a, 21b) to be placed
substantially simultaneously and to remain both in said
gripping condition when said forming station (2) is in
said open position and/or when said packaging station
(8) is in said open condition.
As described herein, the apparatus comprises a marking
member (22) capable of making on the base film (3) or
precursor body (4) at least one reference notch,
optionally wherein said marking member (22) comprises a
punch or knife which is configured for acting on the
base film (3) or sor body (4) by making said
nce notch.
As described herein, the apparatus comprises a cutting
unit (23) configured for ersally and/or
longitudinally separating said packages (C) into units
4WO 24
distinct from each other, each comprising one or more
tray elements (5), wherein the cutting unit (23) is
configured for cuttingly acting on the precursor body
and/or the g film applied to it.
As bed herein, the apparatus comprises a
piercing unit (40) provided with a piercing tool (41)
capable of moving from a rest condition, in which is
away from the precursor body and to an operative
condition wherein the piercing tool acts on said
precursor body by making at least one through opening
(42) on a wall, optionally on a lateral wall of a
respective tray-shaped element.
As described herein, the first stop group (21a)
comprises the piercing unit which, under the ng
condition of the stop group (21a), is ured for
acting on the precursor body (4) by making said at least
one of said through gs.
As described herein, the first stop group (21a)
comprises the marking member (22) which, under the
gripping condition of the first stop group (21a), is
configured for acting on the base film (3) or precursor
body (4) by making said reference notch.
As described herein, the second stop group (21b)
comprises the cutting unit (23) configured for cuttingly
acting on the precursor body (4) and/or closing film (9)
CRY1P74WO 25
applied to it, when the second stop group (21b) is in
said gripping condition.
As described herein, said forming station (2), said
packaging n (8) and said movement group (13) are
supported by a fixed frame (24) on which the advancement
path (T) of the base film (3) and precursor body (4) is
defined.
As described , the apparatus (1) further
comprises at least one supplying station (25),
optionally comprising a supplying roll of said base film
(3), which exhibits a width (L1) having an extension
equal to or different for no more than 1 cm with respect
to a width (L2) of the processing area (27) of the
forming station (2); the above mentioned widths are
measured parallelly to each other and normal to the
advancement ion (A) of the base film (3) along the
predetermined advancement path (T).
As described herein, the packaging station (8)
comprises at least one g rod arranged to heat fix
the closing film (9) to said one or more tray-shaped
elements of the precursor body (4), and wherein the
g rod exhibits a maximum width substantially equal
to or slightly different - ally from 1 to 5 mm
greater or from 1 to 5 mm smaller – from the maximum
transversal width of the precursor body (4) and closing
CRY1P74WO 26
film (9); the above mentioned widths are all measured
parallelly to each other and normal to the advancement
ion (A) of the base film (4) along the
predetermined advancement path (T).
As described herein, said sensor member (18) is
ally supported by the fixed frame (24) of
packaging station (8).
As described herein, at least one memory (28) is
connected to the control unit (14) and is arranged to
store a ity of length values to be imposed to the
forward and return strokes of the forming station (2).
As described herein, at least one memory (28) is
connected to the control unit (14) and is ed for
storing a plurality of length values to be applied to
the forward and return strokes of the packaging station
(8).
As described herein, the control unit (14) is arranged
- receive an information regarding the type of trayshaped
elements (5) formable by the forming station (2),
- select by said memory (28), based on said
information, the value to impose to one, two, three,
four, five or all of the following:
o the d stroke of the forming station (2),
CRY1P74WO 27
o the return stroke of the g station (2),
o the forward and return s of the forming
station (2),
o the forward stroke of the packaging station (8),
o the return stroke of the packaging station (8),
o the forward and return strokes of the packaging
station (8).
As described herein, said ation is received by
an input signal from a user interface connected to the
control unit (14), or from a sensor active on the
forming station (2) and capable of identifying the type
of tray-shaped elements (5) formable by the forming
station (2), or from a sensor active on the precursor
body (4) and capable of identifying the type of the
tray-shaped elements (5) formed by the forming station
(2).
As described herein, said packaging n (8) is
placed at a predetermined distance from the forming
station (2), said forward stroke of said forming (2)
and/or packaging stations (8) having a length which is a
submultiple of said predetermined distance.
As described herein, said ing station (8) is
placed at a predetermined distance from the g
station (2), said forward stroke of said forming (2) and
packaging station (8) having a length which is a
CRY1P74WO 28
submultiple of said predetermined distance.
As described herein, said control unit (14) is
configured for commanding said first and/or said second
actuator members (15, 16) and for varying said
predetermined distance as a function of the d
stroke to be imposed to said forming (2) and packaging
stations (8).
A further ment refers to a packaging process
using the apparatus (1) of any one of the preceding
embodiments.
As described herein, the process comprising the
following steps:
- forming, in the forming station (2), a ermined
number of tray-shaped elements (5) at a longitudinal
length of a base film (3), by making a continuous
precursor body (4) provided with tray-shaped elements
(5) adjacent to each other,
- placing one or more products to be packaged in said
tray-shaped elements (5),
- fixing, in the packaging n (8), a longitudinal
length of a g film (9) to a predetermined number
of tray-shaped elements (5) of the precursor body (4)
t in the packaging station (8),
- conferring at least to the base film (3) and
precursor body (4) a step-by-step movement along a
CRY1P74WO 29
predetermined advancement path (T).
As described herein, the step of conferring to the
base film (3) and precursor body (4) a step-by-step
movement provides to:
- move said forming station (2) along the ement
path (T) along a forward stroke from a starting point
until it reaches an arrival point, during said step of
moving the g station (2) along the forward stroke,
such station remaining in the respective closed position
and forming in the base film (3) the predetermined
number of tray-shaped elements (5).
As described herein, the step of conferring to the
base film (3) and precursor body (4) a step-by-step
movement provides to:
- move the packaging station (8) along the advancement
path (T) along a forward stroke from a starting point
until it reaches an arrival point, during said step of
moving the ing station (8) along the forward
, such station remaining in the respective closed
condition and fixing said udinal segment of the
closing film (9) to the pred etermined number of trayshaped
elements (5) t in the packaging station
(8).
As described herein, the step of conferring to the
base film (3) and the precursor body (4) a step-by-step
CRY1P74WO 30
movement provides to:
- move said forming n (2) along a return stroke
until it reaches a tive starting point, during
said step of moving the forming station (2) along the
return stroke such n remaining in the respective
open on.
As described herein, the step of conferring to the
base film (3) and the precursor body (4) a step-by-step
movement provides to:
- move the packaging station (8) along a return stroke
until it reaches a respective starting point or a new
arrival point, during said step of moving the packaging
station (8) along the return stroke, such station
remaining in the respective closed condition.
As described herein, the step of conferring to the
base film (3) and the precursor body (4) a step-by-step
movement further comprises a step of stopping the
precursor body (4) and/or the base film (3) obtained by
holding the base film (3) and/or precursor body (4) by a
stop group (21) active on the base film and/or precursor
body during said return strokes of the forming station
and packaging station (8).
As described herein, the step of conferring to the
base film (3) and the sor body (4) a step-by-step
movement further provides a step of stopping the
CRY1P74WO 31
precursor body (4) and base film (3) obtained by holding
the base film (3) and precursor body (4) by a stop group
(21) active on t he base film and precursor body during
said return strokes of the g station and packaging
n (8).
As bed herein, during the step of forming the
tray-shaped elements (5), the forming station (2) is in
a closed position, in order to block a longitudinal
t of the base film (3) with t to the forming
station.
As described herein, during the step of fixing said
longitudinal segment of the closing film (9) to the
predetermined number of the tray-shaped elements (5),
the packaging station (8) is in a closed condition in
order to block a segment of the precursor body (4) and
closing film (9) with respect to the packaging station
(8).
As described herein, the precursor body (4) or at
least one longitudinal portion of the same is moved
along the advancement path (T) exclusively by the
movement applied to it by the forming station (2) and
packaging station (8).
The longitudinal portion of the precursor body (4) is
moved along said predetermined advancement path (T)
exclusively by the forming station and packaging station
4WO 32
during respective forward strokes of the stations
themselves. The longitudinal portion of the precursor
body (4) – to which the movement along said predetermine
advancement path (T) is exclusively applied by the
forming and packaging stations themselves during the
respective forward strokes – extends at least between
the forming station and ing station when the
forming station and packaging station are going to start
the respective forward strokes along said predetermined
ement path (T).
In a further variant, the movement of the base film up
to the forming n is applied exclusively by the
forming station and packaging station themselves during
the respective forward strokes.
As described , the packaging apparatus and
process do not provide the use of advancement means –
except for the forming n and packaging station –
which are active on the longitudinal edges of the
precursor body.
As described herein, the forming n defines a
closing perimeter of an area wherein said base film (3)
is processed, and wherein the base film (3) is supplied
to the forming station (2) by a supplying station (25)
and exhibits a width such it does not project for no
more than 10 mm from the g perimeter of the
CRY1P74WO 33
forming station (2).
As described herein, wherein said g film (9),
for example from a respective film supplying roll,
exhibits a width which does not differ for no more than
mm from a width of the same precursor body (4).
As described herein, it is provided to ine the
forward stroke to be applied to said forming station (2)
and/or said packaging station (8) based on the type of
tray-shaped elements (5) to be formed.
As bed herein, it is provided to determine the
forward stroke to be applied to said forming n (2)
and said ing station (8) based on the type of
tray-shaped elements (5) to be formed.
As described herein, it is provided a step of
adjusting the distance between the g n (2)
and packaging station (8) as a multiple of said forward
stroke of said forming station (2).
As described herein, it is provided a step of
adjusting the distance between the forming station (2)
and packaging station (8) as a multiple of said forward
stroke of the packaging station (8).
As described herein, the process provides, during the
forward stroke thereof (besides sealing the closing film
to the tray), that the packaging station provides to
form a vacuum (or a low pressure condition having a
CRY1P74WO 34
predetermined level) inside the packaging chamber so
that the closing film is attached to the sor body
and, particularly, to each respective tray-shaped
element by sealing the flange of each tray and by
closely conforming to the outline of the product and
possibly to the tray inner part not occupied by a
product.
As described herein, the process provides that the
ing station, during the forward stroke (besides
sealing the closing film to the tray) forms a controlled
atmosphere inside the packaging chamber and therefore
inside each tray.
As described herein, the piercing unit (40) operates
in the packaging n and is controlled by the
control unit in order to pierce the lateral wall of the
tray or trays during the forward .
As described herein, the piercing tool of the unit
(40) is tubular and connected to the vacuum group and/or
controlled atmosphere forming group and is used – always
under the l exerted by the control unit – for
ning air (by defining a vacuum in the packaging
chamber) or for blowing air under lled atmosphere.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention
will be described in the following with reference to the
CRY1P74WO 35
attached drawings given only in an indicative and
therefore non ng way, wherein:
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment
of an apparatus according to the present invention;
- Figure 1A is a schematic view of a second embodiment
of an apparatus according to the present invention;
- s from 2 to 7 are schematic views of the
apparatus in Figure 1 according to the present
invention, arranged in different operative conditions;
- Figures 8 and 9 are detailed perspective views of
the tus according to the present invention;
- Figure 10 is a top view of a portion of the
apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a
forming station is visible;
- Figure 11 is a schematic cross-section view of the
forming n;
- Figure 12 is a top view of a portion of the
apparatus according to the present invention wherein a
packaging station is visible;
- Figure 13 is a schematic section view of the
packaging station.
MATERIALS AND DEFINITIONS
The figures could illustrate the object of the
invention by not-to-scale views; ore, parts and
components illustrated in the s regarding the
CRY1P74WO 36
object of the invention could refer only to schematic
views.
In the following description and , the terms
upstream and downstream refer to an advancement
direction of the base film and precursor body formed by
such base film along an advancement path ing from
a base film supplying station, through the forming
station, to the ing station and therefore to the
station discharging the packaged trays.
With Tray it is intended both rigid and semi-rigid
trays, obtainable by forming, for e thermoforming.
The trays can comprise a support, for example
substantially flat, or a structure comprising a base, a
lateral wall perimetrally emerging from said base, and a
flange radially emerging from the top of the l
wall.
It is observed that when the envelope or envelopes
comprise a tray, the trays are made of mono-layer and
multi-layer thermoplastic materials. Prefe rably, the
tray is provided with a gas barrier property. Such term,
as herein used, refers to a film or sheet of a material
having an oxygen transmission rate less than 200 cm3/m2-
day-bar, less than 150 cm3/m2-day-bar, less than 100
-day-bar when measured according to the standard
ASTM D-3985 at 23°C and 0% of relative humidity.
CRY1P74WO 37
Instead, the term “product” means an article or a
compound of articles of any type. For example, the
product can be a food type product and can be at a
solid, liquid or gel state, in other words as two or
more of the preferred aggregation states.
a) Materials adapted for the tray
Materials adapted for gas barrier mono-layer
thermoplastic containers are for example polyesters,
ides and the like. ably, the tray is made of
a multi-layer material sing at least one gas
barrier layer and at least one heat sealable layer for
enabling to seal the covering film to the tray surface.
The gas barrier polymers which can be used for the gas
barrier layer are PVDC, EVOH, polyamides, polyesters,
and mixtures f. PVDC is any vinylidene chloride
copolymer wherein any main amount of the copolymer
comprises vinylidene chloride and a minor amount of the
copolymer comprises one or more unsaturated monomers copolymerizable
with it, typically vinyl chloride and
alkyl acrylates or methacrylates (for example
methylacrilate or methacrylate) and mixtures thereof
with different tions. lly, a barrier layer
made of PVDC will contain plasticizers and/or
stabilizers as it is known in the art.
CRY1P74WO 38
The term EVOH, as herein used, includes saponified or
hydrolyzed ethylene-vinylacetate copolymers and refers
to ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers having a contents
of co-monomers preferably consisting of a percentage
between about 28 and about 48% mole, preferably between
about 32 and about 44% mole of ethylene, and still more
preferably, and a saponification value of at least 85%,
preferably at least 90%.
The term polyamides means omo- and co- or terpolymers.
This term particularly comprises polyamides or
aliphatic co-polyamides, for example ide 6,
polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 66, polyamide 69,
polyamide 610, polyamide 612, yamide 6/9, copolyamide
6/10, co-polyamide 6/12, co-polyamide 6/66,
co-polyamide 6/69, aromatic and partially aromatic
polyamides or co-polyamides, such as polyamide 61,
polyamide 6I/6T, polyamide MXD6, polyamide XDI,
and mixtures thereof.
The term ters refers to polymers obtained by a
poly-condensation reaction of dicarboxylic acids with
dihydroxylic alcohols. Suitable dicarboxylic acids are,
for example, terephtalic acid, isophtalic acid,
oxylic 2,6-naphtelene acid and the like. le
dihydroxylic alcohols are for example ethylene glycol,
diethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediole, 1,4-
CRY1P74WO 39
cyclohexanedimethanole and the like. Examples of useful
polyesters comprise poly(ethylene terephthalate) and copolyesters
obtained by the reaction of one or more
ylic acids with one or more dihydroxylic alcohols.
The thickness of the gas barrier layer is set in order
to provide the tray with an oxygen transmission rate at
23°C and 0% of relative humidity, less than 50,
preferably less than 10 cm3/m2.day.atm when measured
according to the rd ASTM D-3985.
Generally, the heat sealable layer will be selected
among polyolefins, such as ethylene omo- or co-polymers,
propylene omo- or co-polymers, ethylene/vinylacetate copolymers
, ionomers, and omo- or co-polyesters, for
example PETG, a glycol modified polyethylene
terephthalate. The term co-polymer, as herein used,
indicates a polymer ed by two or more kinds of
rs and includes terpolymers. The ethylene omopolymers
include high density hylene (HDPE) and
low density polyethylene (LDPE). Ethylene co-polymers
comprise ethylene/alpha-olefins copolymers and
unsaturated ethylene/ester copolymers. The
ne/alpha-olefin copolymers generally comprise
ethylene mers and one or more co-monomers selected
among alpha-olefins having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms,
such as 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 4-
CRY1P74WO 40
methylpentene and the like.
The olefin/ethylene copolymers generally have a
density in the range between about 0.86 and about 0.94
g/cm3. Generally, the term “linear low density
polyethylene (LLDPE)” comprises a group of
ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers falling in the y
range between about 0.915 and about 0.94 g/cm3, and
particularly between about 0.915 and about 0.925 g/cm3.
mes, the linear polyethylene in the density range
between about 0.926 and about 0.94 g/cm3 is known as
linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE). The
ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers of lower density are
known as very low y polyethylene (VLDPE) and
ultra-low density polyethylene (ULDPE). The
ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers can be ed by
heterogeneous or homogeneous polymerization processes.
Another useful ethylene copolymer is an unsaturated
ethylene/ester copolymer, which is ethylene copolymer
and one or more unsaturated ester monomers. Useful
unsaturated esters comprise vinyl esters of aliphatic
carboxylic acids, wherein the esters have from 4 to 12
carbon atoms, such as vinyl acetate, and alkyl esters of
acrylic or methacrylic acid, n the esters have
from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.
The ionomers are copolymers of an ethylene and an
CRY1P74WO 41
unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid, the ylic acid
being neutralized by a metal ion, such as zinc or,
preferably, sodium.
Useful propylene copolymers comprise
propylene/ethylene copolymers which are propylene and
ethylene copolymers, the majority of the weight
percentage contents thereof being propylene and
propylene/ethylene/butane terpolymers, which are
ene, ethylene and 1-butene copolymers.
onal layers, such as adhesive layers for better
adhering the gas r layer to the nt layers,
can be t in the gas barrier material for the tray,
and are preferably present based particularly on
specific resins used for the gas barrier layer.
For a multilayer structure, a portion of it can be
formed as a foam. For example, the multi-layer used for
forming the tray can comprise (from the outer layer to
the inner layer in contact with food) one or more
structural layers, typically of a material as foamed
polystyrene, foamed polyester or foamed polypropylene or
a cast sheet for example of polypropylene, polystyrene,
poly(vinyl chloride), polyester or paperboard; a gas
barrier layer and a heat sealable layer. An easilyopenable
frangible layer can be placed adjacent the heat
sealable layer for making easier to open the final
CRY1P74WO 42
package. Mixtures of low cohesive resistance polymers
which can be used as a frangible layer are for example
described in document 4398. The total thickness of
the tray will be typically, but non in a limiting way,
up to 5.00 mm, preferably will be comprised between 0.04
and 3.00 mm, and more preferably between 0.05 and 1.50
mm, still more preferably between 0.15 and 1.00 mm).
b) Films useable for making a vacuum envelope or
package
To the trays a film is applied in order to make a
package fluid-tightly housing the product. For making a
vacuum package, the film applied to the tray is
typically a flexible multi-layer material comprising at
least one first outer heat sealable layer capable to be
sealed to the inner surface of the tray, ally a
gas barrier layer and a second heat ant outer
layer. The polymers used in said layer material
should be easily formable since the film must be tight
and softened by the contact with the heating plate
before being placed on the product and tray. The film
must also be placed on the product by ing the
shape thereof and the inner shape of the tray.
The heat sealable outer layer can comprise any polymer
capable to be sealed to the inner surface of the tray.
CRY1P74WO 43
Polymers suitable for the heat sealable layer can be
ne omo- and ymers, such as LDPE,
ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers, ethylene
copolymers/acrylic acid, ethylene copolymers/methacrylic
acids or ethylene copolymers/vinyl acetate, ionomers,
and co-polyesters, for example PETG. The preferred
materials to be used as heat sealable layer are LDPE,
ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers, for example LLDPE,
rs, ethylene copolymers/vinyl acetate and es
thereof.
Based on the product to be packaged, the film can
comprise a gas barrier layer. The gas barrier layer
typically comprises oxygen barrier resins such as PVDC,
EVOH, polyamides and mixtures of EVOH and polyamides.
Typically, the thickness of the gas barrier layer is set
in order to provide the film with an oxygen transmission
rate at 23 °C and 0% relative humidity less than 10
cm3/m2.day.atm, preferably less than 5 cm3/m2.day.atm when
measured according to the standard ASTM D-3985.
Common polymers for the heat resistant outer layer are
for example ethylene omo- or co-polymers,
ne/cyclic olefin mers, such as
ethylene/norbomene copolymers, propylene omo- or copolymers
, ionomers, polyesters, polyamides. Moreover,
the film can comprise other layers such as adhesive
4WO 44
layers, filling layers and the like for providing a
thickness necessary to the film and for improving the
mechanical properties thereof, such as the puncture
resistance, abuse resistance, formability and the like.
The film is obtained by any adapted co-extrusion
process, by means of a flat or circular port extrusion
head, preferably by co-extrusion or by heat-blowing.
By using a packaging s called “skin-pack” or
“VSP”, called also vacuum process, the film is
substantially non-oriented. Typically, the film or only
one or more of the layers thereof is cross-linked for
improving, for example, the film strength and/or heat
resistance when the film is brought in t with the
heating plate during the vacuum skin-pack packaging
process. The cross-linking can be obtained by using
chemical ves or subjecting the film layers to an
energy radiation ent, such as a high energy
electronic beam treatment, for promoting the crosslinking
among the molecules of the irradiated material.
Films adapted for this application have a thickness in
the range from 50 to 200 micrometers, between 70 and 150
micrometers. Films suitable for being used as a film in
a vacuum skin-pack packaging process are for example the
films sold by Cryovac® under the trademarks ,
TH300®, 250, VSTTM0280.
CRY1P74WO 45
c) Films useable for making an envelope or package
wherein the film is d as a lid of a tray (tray
lidding) inside which a controlled atmosphere or air can
prevail
In other ations, the film applied to the tray
makes a package wherein the film substantially acts as a
lid with respect to the tray top opening inside which a
normal or modified atmosphere can prevail.
When the film is in fact used for forming a lid on a
tray, the film material can be obtained by co-extrusion
or lamination processes. The films for forming lids can
have an asymmetrical or symmetrical structure and can be
mono-layer or multilayer.
The multilayer films have at least 2, more frequently
at least 5, more frequently at least 7 layers.
The overall thickness of the film can often vary from
3 to 100 micron, particularly from 5 to 50 micron, still
more often from 10 to 30 micron.
Optionally, the films can be cross-linked. The crosslinking
can be obtained by irradiating high energy
electrons at a dosing level as it is known in the art.
The above described lid films can be of thermoshrinkable
resins or non thermoshrinkable resins. The
shrinkable films lly have a free thermo-
CRY1P74WO 46
shrink value at 120°C measured according to the standard
ASTM D2732 in the range from 2 to 80%, more often from 5
to 60%, still more often from 10 to 40% both in the
longitudinal and transversal directions.
The non thermoshrinkable resin films usually have free
thermoshrink values at 120°C measured according to the
standard ASTM D2732 less, both in the longitudinal and
transversal ions, than the above given values of
the thermoshrinkable films.
The lid films usually comprise at least one heat
sealable layer and a skin outer layer, which generally
consists of heat resistant polymers or polyolefins.
lly, the sealable layers comprise a heat
sealable polyolefin in turn comprising a single
polyolefin or a mixture of two or more polyolefins such
as polyethylene or polypropylene or a e of such
polyolefins. The sealable layer can be further provided
with ing ties by incorporating one or more
defogging agents in the composition thereof or by
covering or spraying one or more defogging additives on
the surface of the sealable layer by means known in the
art. The sealable layer can r comprise one or more
plasticizers. The outer skin layer can comprise
polyesters, polyamides or polyolefins. In some
structures, a mixture of polyamides and polyesters can
CRY1P74WO 47
be advantageously used for making the outer skin layer.
In some cases, the lid films comprise a r layer.
The barrier property films have typically an OTR
(evaluated at 23°C and 0% of relative humidity according
to the standard ASTM D-3985) less than 100
cm3/(m2·day·atm) and more often less than 80
cm3/(m2·day·atm). Generally, the r layer consists
of a thermoplastic resin selected among a hydrolyzed or
saponified product of vinyl ethylene-acetate copolymers
(EVOH), an amorphous polyamide and a vinyl-vinylidene
chloride and es thereof. Some materials comprise a
barrier layer EVOH, between two polyamide . The
outer skin layer typically comprises polyesters,
polyamides or polyolefins.
In some packaging applications, the lid films do not
comprise any r layer. Such films usually comprise
one or more polyolefins which are herein defined. Nonbarrier
films have typically an OTR (evaluated at 23°C
and 0% of relative humidity (RH) according to the
standard ASTM D-3985) from 100 cm3/(m2·day·atm) to 10,000
cm3/(m2·day·atm), mote typically to 6,000
2·day·atm).
The lid films can be mono-layer. The standard
composition of ayer films comprises polyesters as
herein defined and the mixtures thereof of polyolefins
CRY1P74WO 48
are herein defined and mixtures thereof.
In all the film layers herein described, the polymeric
components can contain suitable amounts of additives.
Some of these additives are preferably included in the
outer layers or in one of the outer layers, while other
additives are preferably added only to the inner layers.
These additives comprise anti-slip agents and ocking
agents (such as talc, waxes, silica, and the
like), antioxidants, stabilizing agents, plasticizers,
fillers, pigments, and dyes, linking tors,
cross-linking enhancers, ultraviolet absorbers, odor
absorbers, oxygen scavengers, bactericides, antistatic
agent, or defogging compositions, and other possible
additives known to the s skilled in the film
packaging technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Apparatus for packaging a product
Reference 1 generally indicates an apparatus for
packaging a product P. As it is for e visible in
Figures from 1 to 7, the apparatus 1 comprises a fixed
frame 24 ured for ng to abut on the ground
the apparatus 1 and for engaging different components of
the same, which will be better described in the
following. De facto, the fixed frame 24 stably supports
CRY1P74WO 49
all the ents of the apparatus 1 and enables to
define a predetermined advancement path T of the
ts P.
As it is visible in Figures from 1 to 7, the apparatus
1 comprises at least one supplying n 25 of at
least one base film 3; the film 3 exhibits a sheet
structure having a first and second prevalent
development surfaces defining a length and width of the
film and delimiting the ess of the same.
The ed figures illustrate a non limiting
embodiment of the invention wherein the supplying
station 25 comprises a roll 25a of a base film 3; the
roll 25a is configured for longitudinal unwinding the
base film 3 along an advancement direction A and along
the predetermined path T (Figure 10).
As it is visible in the attached figures, the
apparatus 1 comprises a forming station 2 supported by
the fixed frame 24 and placed downstream the supplying
station 25 with respect to the ement direction A;
specifically, the forming station 2 is placed
immediately downstream the supplying station 25: the
film exiting the station 25 directly enters the forming
station 2. The forming station 2 is configured for
receiving the base film 3 from the ing station 25
and forming by it a precursor body 4 having one or more
CRY1P74WO 50
tray-shaped elements 5 adjacent to each other. The
attached figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, an
embodiment of the station 2 configured for ng, at
each g cycle, a plurality of shaped elements 5 (a
number of elements comprised n 2 and 8, for
example). r, it is not excluded the possibility of
using a forming station 2 configured for ng, at
each forming cycle, a single tray element 5, for
generating in this way a precursor body 4 with shaped
elements 5 aligned on a single line. In the same way, it
is possible to provide a forming station e of
forming a number of shaped elements greater than 8 at
each g cycle. The forming station 2 is
substantially formed by at least one upper station 6 and
at least one lower station 7 coupled to and relatively
movable from each other between an open position
(Figures 5 and 6) and a closed position (Figures from 1
to 4 and 7). In the open position, the upper portion 6
and lower portion 7 are spaced from each other and
enable a longitudinal segment 3a of the base film 3 to
enter the forming station 2; in the closed position of
the forming station 2, the apparatus 6 and lower portion
7 are approached to each other for blocking the
longitudinal segment 3a of the base film 3 with respect
to the forming station 2 and for forming in such
CRY1P74WO 51
longitudinal segment 3a, one or more of said tray-shaped
elements 5.
The forming station 2 can, for example, comprise a
vacuum g mould wherein the lower portion 7
ses one or more recesses 32 having the shape of
elements 5. The upper portion 6 of forming station 2 is
configured for cooperating with the lower portion 7 for
defining a tightly closed mould; in this case, the shape
of elements 5 is only defined on the lower portion 7.
ing again to the case wherein the forming station
operates for vacuum forming, the lower portion 7
comprises one or more channels configured for having a
fluid ication between the forming recesses 32 and
one or more vacuum pumps 31: actuating the pump 31
enables to adhere the base film 3 to the es 32 and
therefore to form said precursor body with one or more
shaped elements 5. Using the same mould configuration
(the lower n 7 supports one or more recesses 32
while the upper portion 6 defines only a closing
element), it is possible to provide the upper portion 6
with a thrusting pump enabling to adhere the base film 3
to the shape of the lower portion 7 (this arrangement is
not illustrated in the attached figures).
In a further embodiment of the forming station 2
illustrated in Figure 11, the same can comprise a die-
CRY1P74WO 52
punch mould; in this case, the die is provided with one
or more cavities 32 adapted to receive an outer surface
of the precursor body, while the punch exhibits one or
more projections countershaped to the recesses 32 of the
die, adapted to thrust and deform the base film 3 inside
the die in order to shape the precursor body 4 with one
or more tray-shaped elements 5 (the number of the shaped
elements depends on the number of recesses and
projections of the .
As a further alternative, the forming station 2 can
combine the kinds of the above described mould;
ularly, the forming station 2 can comprise a diepunch
mould comprising also a pump for forming the
vacuum and/or a thrusting pump.
As it is visible for example in Figures from 1 to 7,
the forming station 2 comprises an actuating system 33
configured for arranging the lower and upper portions in
the open and closed positions. In a non ng way,
the ing system 33 can comprise an actuator, for
e a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, configured
for engaging both the portions 6, 7 and moving them for
ching and distancing them from each other for
defining the closed position and open position,
respectively. The attached figures illustrate, in a non
limiting way, an arrangement wherein the actuating
CRY1P74WO 53
system 33 comprises two ndent actuators acting
respectively on the lower portion 7 and upper portion 6;
in such arrangement, the independent actuators are
engaged, from one side, to the frame 24, while, from the
other side, are engaged to the respective portion 6, 7.
Each n 6, 7 is therefore movable with respect to
the fixed frame 24 in order to help the longitudinal
segment 3a of the base film 3 enter the forming station
As it is visible in Figures 10 and 11, for example,
the base film 3 exhibits a maximum width L1 equal or
almost equal to a width L2 of the forming station 2:
both said widths being measured parallelly to each other
and normal to an advancement direction A of the base
film along the predetermined advancement path T.
Specifically, the forming n 2 comprises a closing
perimeter 26 delimiting a processing area 27 of the base
film 3, inside which this latter is formed for
exhibiting said tray-shaped ts 5: the processing
area defines the area of the forming station in contact
with the film and adapted to form the lateral wall, the
bottom and flange of each tray element. By the
invention, and particularly by the pulling action
applied by the forming n, the sing area 27
exhibits – according to an optional embodiment – a width
CRY1P74WO 54
L2 equal to or slightly different r or smaller)
from the one (in other words L1) of the base film. In
other words, the closing perimeter 26 delimiting the
processing area exhibits a maximum transversal width L2,
measured normal to the advancement direction A of the
base film 3 along the predetermined advancement path T,
substantially equal to the width L1 of the base film
(the difference between L1 and L2 can be from 0 mm to 1
cm, for example); in the example illustrated in Figure
, the width L2 is even slightly greater than the
maximum width L1 of said base film 3, in other words the
m width L1 of the base film 3 is not greater than
the maximum width of the sing area 27 of the
forming station 2. The above cited widths are all
measured parallelly to each other and normal to the
advancement direction A of the base film 3 along the
predetermined advancement path T. Due to what has been
described, it is possible to minimize the material
necessary for forming the sor body.
As it is again visible in Figures from 1 to 7, the
apparatus 1 comprises a station supplying the products
P, preferably engaged with (supported by) the fixed
frame 24, placed downstream the forming station 2 with
respect to the advancement direction A of the base film.
De facto, the ing station 30 is configured for
4WO 55
inserting into the tray-shaped elements 5 one or more
products P. Alternatively, the products can be manually
loaded t any supplying ns.
The apparatus 1, downstream the supplying station 30
with respect to the advancement direction A of the base
film 3, comprises a packaging station 8 configured for
ing the precursor body 4 and a closing film 9, for
example from a source, such as a roll of said closing
film 9; particularly, the supplying station 30 is
interposed between the forming station 2 and packaging
station 8 which, therefore, are placed at a
predetermined minimum distance from each other along the
advancement direction A of the precursor body 4; such
distance is also dependent on and a multiple of the
longitudinal extension, ed along the ement
direction A, of the processing area 27 of the forming
station 2, in other words the distance longitudinally
measured between a tray element and the following one
(still referring to the advancement direction A).
The packaging n 8 is configured for fixing the
closing film 9 to the precursor body 4 at least at an
upper opening 5a of a predetermined number of trayshaped
elements 5 in order to form packages C approached
to each other. De facto, the packaging station 8 is
mainly dedicated to stably attach the film 9 (both as a
CRY1P74WO 56
continuous film or single sheets ted from each
other) to the precursor body 4 and particularly to the
tray-shaped element 5. To this end, the packaging
station 8 provides a lower tool 10 defining a
predetermined number of seats 11 each destined to
receive at least one tray-shaped element 5. The
packaging station 8 provides also an upper tool 11
facing the lower tool 10 and configured for cooperating
with this latter in order to define a packaging chamber.
The lower tool 12 ably ses a welding
structure arranged to act on a band of the film 9
overlapping the flange of the respective element 5. The
welding structure, for example comprising one or more
welding bars 36, es perimetrally to an insert 37
(see Figure 13, for example) and is actuated and moved
with respect to the lower tool 10 so that, when the
packaging station 8 is in a closed ion, the
heating surface of the welding structure acts on the
film portion 9 overlapping an upper flange of the trayshaped
element 5 for thermosealing the film 9 to the
flange. Optionally, the insert 37 of insulating material
and/or at a suitably controlled temperature, exhibits a
respective lower surface ured during the use to be
placed above the film 9 and possibly contacting the film
9 itself when there is the requirement of applying to
CRY1P74WO 57
this latter (or better to a portion of this latter
radially inside with respect to the surface of the
g structure) a determined heat level. As the case
requires, the insert 37 can also operate as a body
retaining the film 9 (in case the film is provided to
the packaging station as single precut films, for
example) and in this case, is provided with gripping
means comprising, for example, a plurality of holes
present on the lower surface of the insert and connected
to a suctioning system for example managed by a control
unit 14 which will be better bed in the following.
In any case, by the ation of the lower tool 10
and upper tool 12, the portion of the film 9 is held
just on the respective element 5 for therefore enabling
to heat-couple each film sheet or film portion to the
flange of the tray-shaped elements 5.
Moreover, as per se known, the packaging station 8 can
be connected to a suctioning group 34 atically
illustrated in Figure from 1 to 7) capable of generating
an at least partial vacuum condition in the packaging
r and/or to a controlled atmosphere generating
group (not illustrated in the attached s), capable
of injecting into the packaging chamber a gas or a
mixture of gas having a controlled composition and
different from the atmosphere.
CRY1P74WO 58
Still more particularly, the upper tool 12 and lower
tool 10 are relatively movable with respect to each
other n and open ion and a closed condition.
In the open condition of the packaging station 8, the
upper tool 12 and lower tool 10 are spaced from each
other and enable to position one or more tray-shaped
elements 5 in the seats 11 and position said portion of
the closing film 9 above one or more respective trayshaped
elements 5 (this condition is illustrated in
Figures 5 and 6). In the closed condition of the
packaging station, the upper tool 12 and lower tool 10
are approached to each other for ng or stably
positioning the one or more tray-shaped elements 5
present in said seats 11 with respect to the packaging
station 8 and for fixing the closing film 9 to such one
or more respective tray-shaped elements 5 t in
said seats 11.
As it is for example visible in Figures from 1 to 7,
the packaging station 8 comprises also a respective
ing system 35 ured for placing the lower 10
and upper tools 12 in the open and closed conditions. In
a non limiting way, the actuating system 35 can comprise
an actuator, for example a hydraulic or pneumatic
actuator, configured for engaging both the tools and
moving them by approaching and distancing them from each
CRY1P74WO 59
other in order to respectively define the closed and
open ions. The ed figures illustrate, in a
non limiting way, an arrangement wherein the actuating
system 35 comprises two independent actuators
respectively acting on the lower tool 10 and upper tool
12; in such arrangement, the independent actuators are
engaged, from one side, to the frame 24 and, from the
other side, act on the respective tool 10, 12.
Therefore, each tool is movable with respect to the
fixed frame 24 in order to help the precursor body 4 and
g film 9 enter the packaging station 8.
As it is visible in Figures 12 and 13 for example, the
precursor body 4 exhibits a maximum width L3 equal to or
not very different (for example greater than) from a
maximum width of the packaging station 8: both said
widths are measured parallelly to each other and normal
to an advancement direction A of the base film 3 and
therefore of the sor body 4 along the
predetermined advancement path T. Specifically, the
welding rods 36 of the packaging station 8 exhibit a
m width substantially equal to or slightly
different (for e 1-5 mm greater or 1-5 mm smaller)
from the maximum transversal width of the precursor body
4 and closing film 9. Advantageously, the closing film 9
exhibits a maximum transversal width L4 substantially
CRY1P74WO 60
equal to or slightly different (for e 1-5 mm
greater or 1-5 lower) from the maximum transversal width
of the precursor body 4. Figure 13 shows a non limiting
example wherein the maximum transversal width of the
closing film 9 is equal to the maximum transversal width
of the welding rods 36 of the packaging station 8. The
above cited widths are all measured parallelly to each
other and normal to the advancement direction A of the
base film 3 – therefore the ement direction of the
precursors body 4 – along the predetermined advancement
path T.
As hereinbefore briefly stated, the apparatus 1 can
comprise a control unit 14; such unit 14 is
advantageously ted to the actuating s 33 and
of the g 2 and packaging stations for managing
respectively the open/closed positions and the
open/closed conditions. Specifically, the control unit
14 is connected to the ors of the actuating
systems 33, 35 for ding to open and close the
stations 2 and 8. Advantageously, the control unit 14 is
configured for synchronizing the actuating systems so
that the open position of the forming station 2 is
defined simultaneously or substantially simultaneously
with the open condition of the packaging station, while
the closing position of the forming station is defined
CRY1P74WO 61
simultaneously with the closed ion of the
packaging station. More particularly, the apparatus 1
according to the invention uses at least one control
unit 14 which can comprise a respective digital
processor (CPU) with the memory (or memories) 28, an
analog-type circuit, or a combination of one or more
digital processing units with one or more analog-type
circuits. The description and claims disclose that the
control unit 14 can be “configured” or “programmed” for
performing some steps: these can be executed
substantially with any means enabling to configure or
program the control unit 14. For e, in case of a
control unit 14 comprising one or more CPUs and one or
more memories, one or more ms can be stored in
le memory banks 28 connected to the CPU or CPUs;
the program or programs contain instructions which, when
executed by the CUP or CPUs, program or configure the
control unit 14 for executing the described operations
(see the above detailed description and summary or the
ed claims) with reference to the l unit 14.
Alternatively, if the control unit 14 is or comprises an
analog-type circuitry, then the control unit 14 circuit
can be designed for ing a circuitry configured,
during the use, for processing electric signals in order
to perform the steps regarding the above described
CRY1P74WO 62
control unit 14 or claimed in the following.
As it is visible in the attached figures, the
apparatus 1 can comprise at least one stop group 21
configured for acting on at least one selected in the
group of: the base film 3, the precursor body 4 formed
by the forming station 2, the packages C formed by the
packaging station 8. The stop group 21 is ured for
being displaced between at least one released condition,
wherein it enables to move respectively the precursor
body 4 or said packages C along the advancement path T,
and a gripping ion, wherein the stop group 21
respectively acts on the precursor body 4 or on said
packages C, for preventing a movement along the
advancement path T.
From the structural point of view, the stop group 21
can comprise a kind of opening-closing vice having
substantially a lower portion and upper portion movable
between the e condition and the gripping one. The
lower portion is ured for acting on at least one
lower portion of the following elements: the base film
3, precursor body 4, packages C. On the contrary, the
upper portion is configured for acting on at least one
upper portion of the following elements: base film 3,
precursor body 4, es C.
As it is e in Figures from 1 to 7, for example,
CRY1P74WO 63
the stop group 21 comprises also a respective actuating
system configured for placing the lower and upper
portions in the release and ng conditions. In a
non limiting way, the actuating system of the stop group
21 can comprise an actuator, for example a hydraulic or
pneumatic actuator, configured for engaging both the
ns and moving them by approaching and distancing
them from each other for respectively defining the
release and gripping conditions. The ed figures
illustrate, in a non limiting way, an arrangement
wherein the actuating system of the stop group 21
comprises two ndent actuators respectively acting
on the lower and upper portions. More particularly, each
portion is movable with respect to the fixed frame 24;
in such ement, each independent actuator is
engaged, from one side, to the frame 24 and, from the
other side, to the respective lower and upper portions.
Advantageously, also the conditions of the stop group
21 can be controlled by a control unit (see Figures from
1 to 7); de facto, the control unit 14 is configured for
commanding the stop group 21 to move and remain in said
gripping condition when the forming n 2 is in the
open position and/or when the packaging station 8 is in
the open condition. Particularly, the control unit 14 is
ted to the actuators of the actuating system of
CRY1P74WO 64
the group 21 for commanding to open and close the same.
Advantageously, the control unit 14 is ured for
synchronizing the actuating systems of the stations 2
and 8 with the actuating systems of the stop group 21.
Specifically, the control unit 14 is active on the
actuators of the respective systems so that the position
and, respectively, the open condition of the stations 2
and 8 are defined during the gripping ion of the
stop group 21 while the position and, respectively, the
closed condition of the stations 2 and 8 are defined
during the release condition of the stop group 21. De
facto, the control unit 14 enables to grippingly arrange
the stop group 21 when the precursor body is
ntially free from the stations 2 and 8 so that the
same base film precursor body and/or packages can be
closed and stabilized in a ermined and fixed
longitudinal position for a ined time interval
substantially equal to the time required to the forming
and packaging stations 2 and 8 for performing the return
stroke thereof during which such stations remain in an
open position and, respectively, in an open condition or
any case not in a closed position/condition for
preventing a mechanical interference with the precursor
body or base film during the return stroke.
The attached figures illustrate an arrangement wherein
CRY1P74WO 65
a plurality of stop groups 21 are present in a non
limiting way. Specifically, the illustrated apparatus 1
can comprise a first stop group 21a active on said
precursor body 4 and operating in an area comprised
between said forming station 2 and said packaging
station 8 (illustrated condition), or active on said
base film 3 and operating upstream the forming n
2. Moreover, the apparatus 1 can comprise a second stop
group 21b active on said precursor body 4 and operating
in an area comprised between said forming station 2 and
said packaging station 8, or active on said packages C
downstream the packaging n 8. The control unit 14
is configured for commanding the first and second stop
groups 21a, 21b to move substantially simultaneously and
remain both in said gripping condition when said forming
n 2 is in said open position and/or when said
packaging n 8 is in said open ion (for
releasing the precursor body and packages and returning
to the starting on, respectively).
The attached figures illustrate a further arrangement
of the apparatus 1 wherein three stop groups 21 are
substantially present: a first group 21a ately
downstream the forming station along the advancement
direction A, and a second stop group immediately
downstream the packaging station 8 along the advancement
CRY1P74WO 66
direction A. In the illustrated arrangement, it is
further present a third stop group 21c interposed
n the first group 21a and packaging station 8,
particularly the third stop group 21c is interposed
between the supplying station 30 and packaging station
The apparatus 1 can also comprise a piercing unit 40
(see Figure 8) provided with a piercing tool 41 capable
of being moved from a rest condition, n is away
from the precursor body, and an operative condition
wherein the piercing tool acts on said precursor body by
making at least one through opening 42 (a hole or notch
for example) on said lateral wall of a respective preshaped
element. The through opening – preferably formed
by ng and forming one or more reclosable flaps –
enables – once the precursor body has reached the
packaging station – to t and introduce efficiently
a gas from and towards the or of each tray-shaped
element. For example, plural piercing tools ured
for performing an array of through openings on each
haped element can be provided. The piercing unit
40 can act and be housed at the packaging station, as
illustrated for example in the PCT patent application
WO2014060507; in this case, the piercing unit can
comprise a tubular tool 41 and therefore can be
CRY1P74WO 67
connected to the at least partial vacuum forming group
in the packaging r and/or to the controlled
atmosphere forming group (not illustrated in the
attached figures) capable of injecting, in the packaging
chamber, a gas or a mixture of gas having a controlled
composition and different from the here.
atively, the piercing unit 40 can be placed
upstream the packaging station, as it is also
illustrated in Figure 8, and form a distinct unit or can
be integrated in one of the herein described stop groups
by piercingly acting when the stop group is grippingly
placed on the precursor body.
As it is visible in the attached s, the
apparatus 1 can further comprise a marking member 22
also stably supported by the fixed frame 24 and capable
of making on the base film 3 or precursor body 4, during
an operative condition of the same member 22, at least
one reference, particularly a reference notch. The
marking member 22 is placed upstream the packaging
n 8 with the respect to the advancement direction
A of the base film 3 and, particularly, upstream the
supplying n 30. The attached figures illustrate,
in a non limiting way, an arrangement of the apparatus
n the marking member 22 is interposed between the
first stop group 21a and forming station 22. The marking
CRY1P74WO 68
member 22 can comprise, for example, a punch or knife
configured for acting on the base film 3 or precursor
body 4 for making said reference 19, particularly said
reference notch, readable by a detecting device of an
l or ic or mechanical type. The l unit
14 is also connected to the marking member 22;
particularly, the control unit 14 is ured for
defining the activation condition of the marking member
22 and synchronizing such condition with the gripping
condition of the stop group 21, and particularly during
the open positions and condition of the stations 2 and
8. Alternatively, the marking member can be configured
for applying a mark, for e by painting or a laser
radiation or heat, so that is “visible” by a suitable
optical or acoustic sensor.
As it is visible in the attached figures, the
apparatus 1 can further comprise at least one sensor
member 18 integrally supported by the fixed frame 24 or
packaging station 8. The sensor member 18 is detectingly
active on said precursor body 4 and is capable to detect
at least one of:
- one or more references 19 made on said precursor
body 4;
- one or more of said tray-shaped elements 5 present
in said precursor body 4.
CRY1P74WO 69
The sensor member 18 is ured for emitting and
supplying to the control unit 14 an activation signal
when one or more of said references 19 are detected or,
respectively, one or more of said tray-shaped elements 5
are detected. The sensor member 18 can comprise, for
example, a feeler, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor
or any type of sensor e of detecting the reference
created by the marking member or the passage of a
predetermined point of each tray-shaped element (for
example the beginning of a recess). By means of the
reference 19 and member 19, the control unit 14 can
accurately ine the displacement of the precursor
body 4 along the ement path T.
As it is visible in the attached figures, the
tus 1 can further comprise at least one cutting
unit 23 supported by the frame 24 and placed downstream
the packaging station 8 with respect to the advancement
direction A of the film 3; the cutting unit 23 is
configured for separating transversally and/or
longitudinally the packages C into units distinct from
each other sing each one or more tray elements 5.
The cutting unit 23 is configured for cuttingly acting
on the precursor body and/or closing film applied to it.
The attached figures illustrate a preferred but non
limiting embodiment of the ion wherein the cutting
CRY1P74WO 70
unit 23 is integrated with the second stop group 21b.
Further, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one
movement device 13 engaged to the fixed frame 24 and
configured for moving, along the predetermined
advancement path T, at least one of said forming 2 and
packaging stations 8.
Specifically, the movement device 13 is active on the
forming station 2 and is configured for moving this
latter from a respective starting position, along a
forward stroke along said predetermined advancement path
T, until it reaches a respective arrival position. De
facto, during the movement of the forming n 2, for
the forward stroke, such station moves along the
advancement direction A by approaching to the supplying
station 30. Further, the device 13 is configured for
moving the station from the arrival position, for a
return stroke along said ermined advancement path
T te to the forward stroke, until it reaches a
respective starting position. De facto, during the
nt of the g station 2, along the return
stroke, such station moves along the advancement
direction A away from the supplying station 30. Still in
other words, the g n 2 moves along the
return stroke oppositely to the advancement direction A
of the base film 3 and therefore of the precursor body
CRY1P74WO 71
Moreover, the movement device 13 is active on the
packaging station 8 and is configured for moving this
latter from a respective starting on along a
forward stroke along said predetermined advancement path
T, until it reaches a respective arrival position. De
facto, during the movement of the packaging station 8,
for the forward stroke, such station 8 moves along the
advancement direction A away from the supplying station
. Further, the device 13 is configured for moving the
packaging station 8 from the arrival position, for a
return stroke along said predetermined advancement path
T opposite to the forward stroke, until it reaches a
respective starting position. De facto, during the
movement of the packaging station 8 along the return
stroke, such n 8 moves along the advancement
direction A by ching to the supplying station 30.
Still in other words, the packaging station 8 along the
return stroke moves in a ion opposite to the
advancement direction A of the base film 3 and therefore
of the precursor body 4. In the embodiment illustrated
in the attached figures, the movement device 13 is
active both on the forming n 2 and ing
n 8 and is configured for moving, along said
predetermined advancement path T, said precursor body 4,
CRY1P74WO 72
both said forming 2 and packaging stations 8 along the
respective forward and return s. The d
strokes (respectively the return strokes) of said
forming 2 and packaging stations 8 exhibit a minimum
length measured along the advancement path T, which
generally is at least equal to or a multiple of the oncenter
between two longitudinally consecutive trayshaped
elements. The forward strokes are substantially
equal to each other and particularly are generally a
submultiple of the predetermined distance between
ns 2 and 8, which preferably remains substantially
unaltered during the process except for slight
compensations destined to account for a possible
longitudinal deformation of the base film and/or
precursor body.
By specifically studying now the structure of the
moving device 13, it is possible to observe – Figures 1,
from 2 to 7 – that the same in a first ment
comprises at least one first actuator member 15 active
on the forming station 2 and ured for reciprocally
moving the n itself along the respective forward
stroke and return stroke. Still in this embodiment, the
movement device 13 comprises at least one second
actuator member 16 independent from the first actuator
member 15, active on the ing station 8 and
4WO 73
configured for reciprocally moving the packaging station
8 along the respective forward stroke and return stroke
of the packaging station 8. De facto, in such
arrangement, the reciprocal movements along the
advancement path of the stations 2 and 8 are
independently managed by the actuators 15, 16. In a
red embodiment, the movement device 13 is
connected to the control unit 14 which is ured for
ng the first and second actuators 15, 16;
particularly, the control unit 14 is configured for
synchronizing the movement of the forming station 2 and
packaging n 8 both along the respective forward
strokes (which therefore start in the same instant and
last substantially for the same time al) both
along the respective return strokes (which therefore
start in the same instant and substantially last for the
same time interval). In such embodiment (the actuators
and 16 are independent), the control unit 14 is
configured for commanding the first and/or second
actuators 15, 16 to be able to slightly change the
ermined distance as a function of the forward
stroke given to said forming 2 and packaging stations 8.
De facto, the control unit 14, besides moving the
stations 2 and 8 along the forward and return strokes,
can manage the distance between the two stations 2, 8 so
CRY1P74WO 74
that the same can always operate with a suitable
relative position. In a preferred embodiment, this type
of control (relative position) is performed by using the
sensor members 18; particularly, the control unit 14 is
connected to the sensor member 18 and is configured for:
receiving the activation signal, determining by said
activation signal a position of the tray-shaped elements
to be closed, moving the ing station 8 from the
respective arrival position, for a return stroke
opposite to the forward stroke, until it s to the
new starting position wherein the packaging station 8 is
centered with respect to the ined position of the
tray-shaped elements 5 to be closed.
In a second embodiment of the apparatus 1, visible in
Figure 1A, the movement device 13 comprises a slide 17
engaged with the frame 24 and arranged to support the
forming 2 and ing station 8: the stations 2 and 8
are connected by the slide 17 so that the same are
constrained to have their main movement. Also in the
embodiment in Figure 1A, the device 13 ses a first
actuator member 15 active on the slide 17 and configured
for reciprocally moving such slide 17 and then the
forming station 2 and packaging station 8 along a same
common forward stroke and a same common return .
De facto, the first actuator 15 is configured for moving
CRY1P74WO 75
the whole slide 17 and therefore the ns 2 and 8
simultaneously along the respective forward and return
strokes. However, also the embodiment in Figure 1A
provides to adjust the relative position between the
stations 2 and 8 by a second actuator member 16 of the
device 13 which is supported by said slide 17 and is
active on at least one of said forming station 2 and
packaging station 8: the second actuator member 16 is
configured for changing the relative distance between
the same stations 2 and 8.
De facto, in both the described embodiments, the
movement device 13 is ageously managed by the
control unit 14 which is active both on the forming 2
and packaging stations 8, and the actuating systems 33
and 35 of the ns 2 and 8 (systems for closing and
opening the stations). As hereinbefore described, the
control unit 14 is configured for commanding the forming
station 2 to move between the respective open position
and respective closed position and r ding
the packaging n 8 to move between the respective
open condition and respective closed condition. The
control unit 14, active on the device 13, is configured
for commanding this latter by synchronizing the
nts of the actuating systems 33 and 35;
particularly, the control unit 14 is configured for
CRY1P74WO 76
commanding at least one of the following displacements:
- a displacement of the forming station 2 along the
ermined ement path T at least when the
forming station 2 is in said closed position;
- a movement of the packaging station 8 along the
predetermined advancement path T at least when the
packaging station 8 is in said closed condition.
Therefore, the control unit 14 is configured for
coordinating the movement of the forming station 2
between the respective open position and the respective
closed position, with the movement of the packaging
station 8 between the respective open condition and
respective closed condition, and with said at least one
displacement applied by the movement device 13 for
conferring to the precursor body 4 a step-by-step
tinuous movement along said predetermined
advancement path T. Specifically, the control unit 14 is
configured for synchronizing the forward stroke of the
forming station 2 with the forward stroke of the
packaging station 8, and for synchronizing the return
stroke of the g n 2 with the return stroke
of the packaging n 8.
More specifically, the control unit 14 is configured
for ding the movement device 13 to apply a
movement to the forming station 2 along said
CRY1P74WO 77
predetermined advancement path T when the forming
n 2 is in the closed position. er, the
control unit 14 is configured for commanding the
movement device 13 to apply a movement to the packaging
station 8 along said ermined advancement path T at
least when the packaging station 8 is in said closed
condition.
The movement applied by the device 13 is when the
forming station 2 and packaging station 8 are
tively in the closed position and in the closed
condition and enables the same stations to
simultaneously move the base film 3, precursor body 4,
and packages C along the advancement path and
particularly in the advancement direction A,
particularly from the supplying station 25 exiting the
packaging station 8.
Advantageously, the control unit 14 is also configured
for commanding the forming station 2 to be placed in
respective closed position and g said tray-shaped
elements 5 during said forward stroke (particularly, the
forming n is in a closed position before ng
the forward stroke). Moreover, the control unit 14 can
be advantageously configured for commanding the forming
station 2 to be placed in said open position during said
return stroke. In this way, the control unit 14 can
CRY1P74WO 78
minimize the times required for forming the elements 5
and moving the precursor body 4.
Analogously, the control unit 14 can be configured for
commanding the packaging station 8 to be placed in said
respective closed condition, and fixing said portion of
the closing film 9 to one or more respective haped
elements 5 present in said seats 11, during said forward
stroke (particularly the packaging station is in the
closed condition before starting the forward stroke).
Moreover, the control unit 14 can d the ing
station 8 to be placed in said open on during said
return stroke.
More particularly, the control unit 14 is connected to
said first and second ors 15, 16 and is configured
for applying to the forward stroke of the forming
station 2 a first displacement value for applying to the
forward stroke of the packaging station 8 a second
displacement value different from the first displacement
value, optionally wherein:
- or the first and the second displacement values are
both predetermined,
- or the first displacement value is predetermined,
while the second displacement value is ated by the
control unit 14 as a function of the first displacement
value,
CRY1P74WO 79
- or the first displacement value is predetermined,
while the second displacement value is calculated by the
l unit 14 as a function of the first displacement
value, and as a on of a ation regarding a
longitudinal strain of the precursor body 4 between the
forming station 2 and the packaging n 8.
Advantageously but non in a ng way, the control
unit 14 is connected to said first and second actuators
, 16, and is configured for applying to the return
stroke of the forming station 2 a third displacement
value, and for applying to the return stroke of the
packaging station 8 a fourth displacement value equal to
or different from the third displacement value.
The third and fourth displacement values are one of
the following:
- the third and fourth displacement values are both
predetermined values,
- the third and fourth displacement values are
predetermined and respectively equal to the first and
second displacement values,
- the third displacement value is predetermined, and
preferably equal to the first displacement value, while
the fourth displacement value is calculated by the
control unit 14 as a function of the first displacement
value or of the third displacement value,
4WO 80
- the third displacement value is predetermined, and
ably equal to the first displacement value, while
the fourth cement value is calculated by the
control unit 14 as a function of the first displacement
value or of the third displacement value, and as a
function of a deformation regarding a longitudinal
deformation of the precursor body 4 between the forming
station 2 and the packaging station 8. The value of the
return stroke of the packaging station can also, as an
alternative, be determined by the control unit based on
the information received from the sensor 18.
As hereinbefore described, the displacement value of
the d strokes (and also of the return strokes)
between the two stations 2 and 8 are small with respect
to the overall length of the stroke: the ences are
substantially tied to the expected or detected
longitudinal deformations exhibited by the base film
and/or precursor body.
er, the control unit 14 can be arranged for
storing, in a memory forming part of the unit itself or
connected to this latter, a plurality of lengths values
to be applied to the forward and return strokes of the
forming station 2, and/or a plurality of length values
to be applied to the forward and return strokes of the
packaging station 8. Moreover, the control unit 14 is
CRY1P74WO 81
configured for:
- receiving an information regarding the type of trayshaped
elements 5 formable by means the forming station
2, and
- selecting from said memory 28, based on said
information, the value to be applied to one or more of:
a forward stroke of the forming station 2,
a return stroke of the forming station 2,
a forward and return strokes of the forming n 2,
a forward stroke of the packaging station 8,
a return stroke of the packaging station 8,
a d and return strokes of the packaging station
In other words, as a function of the type and
therefore of the size of the tray elements, the control
unit is configured for correspondingly selecting the
forward and/or return strokes of the forming station,
and also the forward and/return s of the packaging
station. Once again it is observed that the stroke of
the packaging station can be slightly adapted in order
to account for le longitudinal deformations of the
base film or precursor body, in particular.
The information about the type of tray-shaped elements
can be for example received by the control unit 14
through an input signal from a user ace connected
CRY1P74WO 82
to the control unit itself, or from a sensor active on
the forming n 2 and capable of identifying the
type of tray-shaped elements 5 formable by means of the
forming station 2, or from a sensor active on the
precursor body 4 and capable of identifying the type of
tray-shaped elements 5 formed by the forming station 2.
Process for packaging products
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention a
process for packaging products C using the apparatus 1
according to the above given ption and according
to any one of the ed claims.
The process comprises the step of unwinding the base
film 3 from the supplying station 25 by ing it
towards the forming station: specifically, as it will be
described in the following, the forming station moves
and abuts, at each cycle, against a longitudinal
ing segment of the film which therefore is
advanced and processed for forming the tray-shaped
elements 5. Downstream the supplying station, ,
the base film enters the forming station 2 which
provides to form in the film itself a ermined
number of tray-shaped elements 5. Particularly, the
tray-shaped elements are defined – at each cycle – in
correspondence of a longitudinal segment of the base
CRY1P74WO 83
film 3, by progressively forming in this way a
uous precursor body 4 provided with tray-shaped
ts 5 adjacent to each other which then enter the
packaging station 8.
Between the forming and the packaging stations, there
is the supplying station which provides to place one or
more products to be packaged into the tray-shaped
elements 5, before entering the packaging station.
Alternatively, trained personnel can load the products
and in this case the supplying station can be al.
The ing station receives a longitudinal segment of
a closing film 9 from a respective roll and applies such
closing film to a predetermined number of tray-shaped
elements 5 of the precursor body 4 present in the
packaging station 8. During the steps of forming the
haped elements, the forming station is in a closed
position and moves from the starting position along the
respective forward stroke; ntially during the same
time interval, the packaging station 8 is in a closed
condition and moves along its forward . The
forming station and packaging station, once they have
traversed the respective forward strokes, return to the
tive starting positions: in other words, the
forming station, once it has traversed its forward
stroke, moves to an open position, releases the
CRY1P74WO 84
sor body and s to the starting position
wherein it will start a new cycle of forming and
orting the base film 34. In turn, the packaging
station, once it has traversed, its forward stroke,
moves to the open condition, releases the precursor body
and/or the packaged trays and returns towards its own
starting position n it will start a new cycle of
transporting the precursor body and fixing the g
film. Due to their motion as hereinbefore described, the
stations 2 and 8 apply at least to the base film 3 and
precursor body 4 a step-by-step movement along a
predetermined advancement path T.
More precisely, in the embodiment illustrated in the
attached figures, the step-by-step movement applied to
the base film and precursor body comprises:
- moving the forming station 2 along the advancement
path T along a forward stroke from a starting point
until it reaches an arrival point: during the step of
moving the forming station 2 along the d stroke,
such station remains in the respective closed position
and forms the predetermined number of tray-shaped
elements 5 in the base film 3,
- moving the packaging station 8 along the advancement
path T along a forward stroke from a starting point
until it reaches an arrival point; the step of moving
CRY1P74WO 85
the packaging n 8 along the forward stroke is
substantially synchronous with the forward stroke of the
forward station; during such step, the packaging n
remains in the respective closed condition and attached
a longitudinal segment of the closing film 9 to a
predetermined number of haped elements 5 present
in the packaging station 8,
- after, the forming station and packaging station
have traversed the respective forward strokes, the
forming station 2 is moved along a return stroke to
return to the respective starting point: during the step
of moving the forming n 2 along the return stroke,
such station remains in the respective open on for
not interfering with the precursor body and/or base
film,
- moving the packaging station 8 along a return stroke
until it s to the previous or a new respective
starting point: the said step of moving the packaging
station 8 along the return stroke is substantially
synchronous with the return stroke of the forming
station; during said step of moving the packaging
station 8 along the return stroke, such station remains
in the respective open condition for not interfering
with the precursor body.
The above described steps are cyclically repeated so
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that at each cycle the precursor body, base film and
packaged trays exiting the packaging station, advance by
a step while a new segment of the base film is formed
and while a new segment of the precursor body is sealed
to a respective segment of the closing film.
As it was previously described, the apparatus 1
comprises one or more stop groups acting when (or
immediately before) the forming station and packaging
station respectively move to an open position and open
condition for blocking the base film and/or precursor
body and , as said, to apply the step-by-step
movement to the base film 3 of the precursor body 4.
ically, the stop group or groups perform a step of
stopping the precursor body 4 and/or base film 3
ed by holding the base film 3 and/or precursor
body 4 by operating the stop group/groups on the base
film and/or precursor body during said return strokes of
the g station and packaging station 8.
In other words, therefore, during the step of forming
the tray-shaped elements 5, the g station 2 is in
a closed position, blocking a longitudinal segment of
the base film 3 with respect to the forming station, and
during the step of fixing said udinal segment of
the closing film 9 to the predetermined number of trayshaped
elements 5, the packaging station 8 is in said
CRY1P74WO 87
closing condition so that it blocks a segment of the
precursor body 4 and closing film 9 with respect to the
packaging station 8, so that the precursor body 4 is
moved along the advancement path exclusively by the
movement applied to it by the forming station 2 and
packaging station 8. As soon as the stations 2 and 8
release the precursor body and/or trays, the stop
group/groups act for longitudinally ng the
advancement of the base film and/or precursor body, so
that the stations 2 and 8 can return to the respective
starting positions without moving neither the sor
body nor the base film.
The packaging station, during its forward stroke
(besides sealing the closing film to the tray) can
comprise a step of forming a vacuum (or a low-pressure
state having a ermined level) inside the packaging
r so that the closing film is attached to the
precursor body, and ularly to each respective
tray-shaped element only after forming the desired level
of vacuum inside this latter. Therefore, the closing
film is sealed to the flange of each tray and follows
the outline of the t and of the inner portion of
the tray which is not occupied by the t.
Alternatively, the packaging station during the forward
stroke (besides sealing the closing film to the tray)
CRY1P74WO 88
can form a controlled atmosphere inside the packaging
station and therefore inside each tray. Obviously, the
packaging n, during the forward stroke, can be
alternatively controlled for not g neither a
vacuum nor a lled atmosphere, but by simply
sealing the closing film to each tray-shaped element. It
should be kept in mind that due to the invention, the
steps of packaging and possibly forming the vacuum (skin
package) or a controlled atmosphere (modified atmosphere
packaging, MAP), are performed during the forward stroke
of the packaging station, and also the step of forming
the tray-shaped elements is med during the forward
stroke of the forming station, so that the whole process
is therefore provided with a great efficiency. According
to a variant, the piercing unit 40 can operate in the
packaging station and can be controlled by the control
unit in order to pierce the lateral wall of the tray of
trays during the forward stroke: r, as previously
cited, the piercing tool 41 can be tubular and be
connected to the vacuum group and/or lled
atmosphere forming group. By this arrangement, the
piercing tool 41 can be used – always by the control of
the control unit, for suctioning air (by forming a
vacuum in the packaging chamber) or for blowing as at a
controlled atmosphere.
CRY1P74WO 89
As described herein, the base film 3 is supplied to
the supplying station 25 and exhibits a width equal to
or less than the width of the forming station;
specifically, the base film enters the processing area
of the g station and exhibits a maximum width less
than the maximum width of the closing perimeter
ting the processing area: in other words, the
segment of the base film inside the processing station
does not have longitudinal edges laterally projecting
from the working n itself but, on the contrary,
ts a width which is strictly necessary for forming
the tray ts 5. As hereinbefore said, it is noted
that the above given maximum transversal widths must be
measured parallelly to each other and normal to the
advancement direction A. Further, the closing film 9
exhibits a width equal to or less than the width of the
precursor body in order to cover the recess of each
tray-shaped element and in order to be stably attached
to the flanges of the tray elements, preferably without
radially projecting with respect to the precursor body
4. Due to this provisions, since the base film and
precursor body are moved by means of the stations 2 and
8, it is le to maximize the saving of plastic
material necessary for the ing process.
As described herein, it is possible to determine, for
CRY1P74WO 90
example automatically by the control unit, the forward
stroke to be applied to said forming station 2 and/or
packaging station 8 based on the type of tray-shaped
elements 5 to be formed, and therefore to provide a step
of adjusting the distance between the forming station 2
and packaging station 8 as a multiple of said forward
stroke of the forming station 2 and/or packaging station
8, in other words as a le of the step applied to
the precursor body at each forming/packaging cycle.
As stated with reference to the description ing
the apparatus, a marking member 22 can make on the base
film or precursor body 4 at least one reference notch:
for e the marking member can comprise a punch or
knife which, during the return stroke of the forming and
ing stations, can act on the still base film 3 or
precursor body 4, by making one or more reference
notches which can be used for controlling the movement
of the sor body or for guiding the return stroke
of the packaging station, as hereinbefore described.
Moreover, the tus 1 comprises a g unit 23
configured for separating transversally and/or
longitudinally the packages C made by the packaging
station by forming units distinct from each other
comprising each one or more tray elements 5. The cutting
unit cuttingly acts on the precursor body and/or closing
CRY1P74WO 91
film applied to it: the cutting unit can be incorporated
in one of the stop groups and therefore can act when the
stop group blocks the precursor body or the formed trays
(for example, it can act as a die and te from each
other the haped elements). Alternatively, the
cutting unit can be made as an independent unit ,
for example, downstream the packaging station; it can be
commanded for operating during the return stroke of the
stations 2 and 8 or during the forward stroke of such
stations at areas wherein there is no undesired
interference with the movement of the stations (in order
to act during the forward stroke, it should be
longitudinally moved as the forming and cutting
stations).
In this specification where reference has been made to
patent specifications, other external documents, or
other sources of information, this is generally for the
purpose of providing a context for discussing the
features of the invention. Unless specifically stated
otherwise, reference to such al documents is not
to be construed as an admission that such documents, or
such sources of information, in any iction, are
prior art, or form part of the common general dge
in the art.
In the description in this specification reference may
CRY1P74WO 92
be made to subject matter which is not within the scope
of the claims of the current application. That subject
matter should be readily identifiable by a person
d in the art and may assist in putting into
practice the invention as defined in the claims of this
application.
The term “comprising” as used in this specification
and claims means “consisting at least in part of”. When
interpreting statements in this specification and claims
which include the term “comprising”, other es
besides the es prefaced by this term in each
statement can also be present. Related terms such as
“comprise” and “comprised” are to be interpreted in
similar manner.
CRY1P74WO 93
Claims (30)
1. Apparatus (1) for packaging a product (P) comprising: - a forming station (2) configured for receiving a base film (3) and forming from it a sor body (4) having a plurality of tray-shaped elements (5) adjacent to each other, wherein the forming station (2) comprises: at least one upper portion (6), and at least one lower portion (7), the upper n and lower portion being coupled to be movable with respect to each other between an open position of the forming station (2), wherein the upper n (6) and lower portion (7) are spaced from each other and enable a longitudinal segment (3a) of the base film (3) to enter the forming n (2), and a closed position of the forming station (2), wherein the upper portion (6) and lower portion (7) are approached to each other for blocking said longitudinal segment (3a) of the base film (3) with t to the forming station (2) and forming in such longitudinal segment (3a) one or more of said tray-shaped elements (5), - a packaging station (8) ured for receiving said precursor body (4) and a closing film (9), the packaging station (8) being configured for fixing the closing film (9) to the precursor body (4) at least at an upper opening (5a) of a predetermined number of said tray- CRY1P74WO 94 shaped elements (5) for forming packages (C) flanked to each other, the packaging station (8), comprising in turn: a lower tool (10) comprising a predetermined number of seats (11) each configured for receiving at least one of said tray-shaped elements (5), and an upper tool (12) facing the lower tool (10) and ured for cooperating with the lower tool (10) for fixing at least a portion of said closing film (9) to one or more tray-shaped elements (5) placed in said seats (11), wherein the upper tool (12) and lower tool (10) are movable with respect to each other between an open condition of the packaging station (8), wherein the upper tool (12) and lower tool (10) are spaced from each other and enable to place one or more tray-shaped ts (5) in said seats (11) and to place said closing film (9) n above one or more respective tray-shaped elements (5), and a closed condition of the packaging station (8), wherein the upper tool (12) and lower tool (10) are approached to each other for blocking the one or more tray-shaped elements (5) in said seats (11) with respect to the packaging station (8) and fixing said closing film n (9) to such one or more respective tray-shaped elements (5) present in said seats(11), CRY1P74WO 95 - at least one movement device (13) active both on the forming n (2) and the packaging station (8), said movement device being configured for moving, along a predetermined advancement path (T) of said precursor body (4), both said forming station (2) and said packaging station (8), and - a control unit (14) active on said forming station (2) and packaging station (8) and also on the movement device (13), and ured for: commanding a movement of the forming station (2) between the respective open position and the respective closed position, commanding a movement of the packaging station (8) between the respective open ion and the respective closed condition, commanding the movement device (13) to perform the following: a displacement of the forming station (2) along said predetermined ement path (T) at least when the forming n (2) is in said closed position, a displacement of the packaging station (8) along said predetermined advancement path (T) at least when the ing station (8) is in said closed condition, wherein the control unit (14) is further configured for 4WO 96 nating the movement of the forming station (2) between the respective open position and the respective closed position, with the movement of the ing station (8) between the respective open condition and the respective closed condition, and with said displacements performed by the movement device (13) for conferring – to at least one longitudinal portion of the precursor body (4) – a discontinuous step-by-step movement along said predetermined advancement path (T), and wherein the tus is configured so that, at least to the longitudinal portion of the precursor body (4), the movement along said predetermined advancement path (T) is exclusively applied by the forming station and packaging station themselves during a respective forward stroke.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said movement device (13) active on the forming station (2) is configured for: - moving the forming station (2) from a respective starting position, along a forward stroke along said predetermined advancement path (T), until it reaches a respective arrival on, and - moving the forming station (2) from the respective arrival position, for a return stroke opposite to the CRY1P74WO 97 forward stroke, until it returns to a new respective starting on, and wherein the control unit (14) is also configured for: - commanding the forming station (2) to be placed in said respective closed position and to form said trayshaped ts (5) during said forward stroke, - commanding the forming station (2) to be placed in said open position during said return stroke.
3. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding , wherein said movement device (13) active on the packaging station (8) is configured for: - moving the ing station (8) from a respective starting position, along a forward stroke along said predetermined advancement path (T), until it reaches a respective l position, and - moving the packaging n (8) from the respective arrival position, for a return stroke opposite to the forward stroke, until it returns to a new starting position, and wherein the control unit (14) is also configured for: - commanding the packaging station (8) to be placed in said respective closed condition, and fixing said CRY1P74WO 98 closing film (9) portion to one or more respective aped elements (5) present in said seats (11), during said forward stroke, - commanding the packaging station (8) to be placed in said open position during said return stroke.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said udinal portion of the precursor body (4) – to which the movement along said predetermined advancement path (T) is exclusively applied by the forming station and packaging station themselves during the tive forward strokes – extends between the forming station and packaging station when the forming station and packaging station are starting the respective forward strokes along said predetermined advancement path (T).
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding , wherein the apparatus is configured so that the nt of the precursor body along the operative path at least between said forming station and said packaging station is ively applied by the g station and packaging station themselves during the respective forward strokes.
6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding CRY1P74WO 99 claims, wherein the apparatus is configured so that the movement of the base film up to the forming station be exclusively applied by the forming station and packaging station themselves during the tive forward strokes.
7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said movement device (13) comprises: - a first actuator member (15) active on the forming station (2) and configured for ocally moving the forming station (2) along said forward stroke and return stroke of the forming station (2), and - a second actuator member (16), independent from the first actuator (15), active on the packaging n (8) and configured for reciprocally moving the packaging station (8) along said d stroke and return stroke of the packaging station (8); or wherein the movement device (13) comprises: - a slide (17) arranged for supporting the forming station (2) and the packaging station (8), - a first or member (15) active on the slide (17) and configured for reciprocally moving such slide (17) and therefore the forming station (2) and the packaging n (8) along a same common forward stroke and same common return stroke, and CRY1P74WO 100 - a second actuator member (16), carried by said slide (17) and active on at least one of said forming station (2) and packaging station (8), said second actuator member (16) being configured for varying a distance with respect to the stations themselves; and wherein the control unit (14) is connected to said first and second actuator s (15, 16) and is configured for imposing to the forward stroke of the forming station (2) a first displacement value and for imposing to the forward stroke of the packaging station (8) a second displacement value different from the first displacement value.
8. tus of the ing claim, wherein: - either the first and the second displacement values are both preset, - or the first displacement value is preset, while the second cement value is calculated by the control unit (14) as a function of the first displacement value, - or the first displacement value is preset, while the second displacement value is calculated by the control unit (14) as a on of the first displacement value, and of a deformation information regarding a longitudinal deformation of the sor body (4) between the forming station (2) and the packaging CRY1P74WO 101 station (8).
9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control unit (14) is ted to said first and second actuators (15, 16) and is configured for imposing to the return stroke of the forming station (2) a third displacement value and for imposing to the return stroke of the packaging station (8) a fourth displacement value equal to or different from the third displacement value; further wherein said third and fourth displacement values are one of the following: - the third and fourth displacement values are both preset values, - the third and fourth displacement values are preset and respectively equal to the first and second displacement values, - the third displacement value is preset, while the fourth cement value is calculated by the control unit (4) as a function of the first cement value or of the third cement value, - the third displacement value is preset, while the fourth displacement value is calculated by the control unit (14) as a function of the first displacement value or of the third displacement value, and of a deformation information regarding one longitudinal deformation of CRY1P74WO 102 the precursor body between the forming station (2) and the packaging station (8).
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 9, n the control unit (14) is configured for synchronizing the forward stroke of the forming station (2) with a forward stroke of the packaging n (8) and for synchronizing the return stroke of the forming station (2) with the return stroke of the packaging station (8).
11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one sensor member (18) active in detection on said precursor body (4) and capable of detecting at least one among: - one or more references (19) made on said precursor body (4), and - one or more of said tray-shaped elements (5) t in said precursor body (4), n said sensor member (18) is ured for emitting and supplying to the control unit (4) an activation signal upon the detection of one or more of said references (19) or, respectively, of one or more of said tray-shaped elements (5); and wherein the control unit (14) is connected to the CRY1P74WO 103 sensor member (18) and is configured for: - receiving said tion signal, - determining from said activation signal a position of the tray-shaped elements (5) to be closed, and - moving the packaging station (8) from the respective arrival position, for a return stroke opposite to the forward stroke, until it returns to the new starting on wherein the packaging n is centered with respect to the determined position of the haped elements (5) to be closed.
12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one stop group (21) configured for acting on at least one of: - said base film (3), - the sor body (4) formed by the forming station (2), - said packages formed by the packaging station (8), the stop group (21) being further ured for being placed between at least one release condition, wherein it enables to move the precursor body (4) or, respectively, said packages along the advancement path (T), and a gripping condition, wherein the stop group (21) acts on the precursor body (4) or, respectively, on said packages, by preventing them a movement along the 4WO 104 advancement path (T); said control unit (14) being configured for commanding the stop group (21) to be placed and remain in said closed condition when said forming station (2) is in said open position and/or when said packaging station (8) is in said open condition.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said stop group (21) comprises: - a first stop group (21a) active on said precursor body (4) and operating in an area comprised n said forming station (2) and said packaging station (8), or active on said base film (3) and operating upstream the forming station (2), and - a second stop group (21b) active on said precursor body (4) and operating in an area comprised between said forming station (2) and said packaging station (8), or active on said packages downstream the ing station (8), said control unit (14) being configured for commanding the first and second stop groups (21a, 21b) to be ntially simultaneously placed and remain both in said gripping condition when said g station (2) is in said open position and/or when said packaging station (8) is in said open condition. CRY1P74WO 105
14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a marking member (22) capable of making on said base film (3) or on the precursor body (4) at least one reference notch, optionally wherein said marking member (22) comprises a punch or knife which is ured for acting on the base film (3) or precursor body (4) by making said reference notch, and/or - a cutting unit (23) configured for transversally and/or longitudinally separating said packages (C) in units distinct from each other, each comprising one or more tray elements (5), wherein the cutting unit (23) is configured for cuttingly acting on the precursor body and/or the closing film applied to it, and/or - a piercing unit (40) provided with a ng tool (41) e of displacing from a rest condition, in which it is spaced from the sor body, and an operative condition wherein the piercing tool acts on said precursor body by performing at least one through opening (42) on a wall, optionally a lateral wall, of a respective tray-shaped element.
15. Apparatus according to claims 13 or 14, wherein the first stop group (21a) comprises the piercing unit CRY1P74WO 106 which, at the gripping condition of the first stop group (21a), is configured for acting on the precursor body (4) by making said at least one of said h openings, or wherein the first stop group (21a) comprises the g member (22) which, at the gripping ion of the first stop group (21a) is configured for acting on the base film (3) or on the sor body (4) by making said reference notch, and/or wherein the second stop group (21b) comprises the cutting unit (23) ured for cuttingly acting on the precursor body (4) and/or on the closing film (9) applied to it when the second stop group (21b) is in said gripping condition.
16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said forming station (2), said packaging station (8) and said moving group (13) are carried by a fixed frame (24) on which the advancement path (T) of the base film (3) and precursor body (4) is defined, and wherein the apparatus (1) further comprises at least one supplying station (25), optionally comprising a supplying roll, of said base film (3) which exhibits a width (L1) having an extension equal or different for no more than 1 cm with respect to a width (L2) of the CRY1P74WO 107 processing area (27) of the forming station (2); the above mentioned widths are ed parallelly to each other and normal to the advancement direction (A) of the base film (3) along the predetermined advancement path (T).
17. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging station (8) comprises at least one welding rod arranged to heat fix the closing film (9) to said one or more tray-shaped elements of the precursor body (4), and wherein the welding rod exhibits a maximum width substantially equal to or slightly different – optionally from 1 to 5 mm greater or from 1 to 5 mm smaller – from the maximum transversal width of the precursor body (4) and of the closing film (9); the above mentioned widths are all measured parallelly to each other and normal to the advancement direction (A) of the base film (3) along the predetermined ement path (T).
18. Apparatus according to any one of claims from 3 to 17, comprising at least one memory (28) connected to the control unit (4) and arranged to store: - a plurality of length values to be d to the d and return s of the forming station (2), CRY1P74WO 108 and/or - a plurality of length values to be imposed to the forward and return strokes of the packaging station (8), n the control unit (14) is ed to: - receive an information ing the type of trayshaped elements (5) formable by the forming station (2), - select from said memory (28), based on said ation, the value to be impose to one or more of: the forward stroke of the forming station (2), the return stroke of the forming station (2), the forward and return strokes of the forming station (2), the forward stroke of the packaging station (8), the return stroke of the packaging station (8), and the forward and return strokes of the ing station (8).
19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said information is received by an input signal from an user interface connected to the control unit (14), or from a sensor active on the forming station (2) and capable of identifying the type of tray-shaped elements (5) formable by the forming station (2) or by the sensor CRY1P74WO 109 active on the precursor body (4) and capable of identifying the type of tray-shaped elements (5) formed by the g station (2).
20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 19, wherein said packaging station (8) is placed at a predetermined distance from the g station (2), said forward stroke of said forming station (3) and/or packaging stations (8) having a length which is a submultiple of said predetermined distance, optionally wherein said control unit (14) is configured for commanding said first and/or second ors (15, 16) and for varying said predetermined distance as a function of the forward stroke to be impose to said forming station (2) and packaging stations (8).
21. Packaging process using the apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding , said process comprising the following steps: - forming, in the forming station (2), a ermined number of tray-shaped elements (5) at a longitudinal length of a base film (3), by making a continuous precursor body ed with tray-shaped elements (5) adjacent to each other, - placing one or more products to be packaged in said CRY1P74WO 110 tray-shaped elements (5), - fixing in the packaging station (8) a longitudinal length of a closing film (9) to a predetermined number of tray-shaped elements (5) of the precursor body (4) t in the packaging station (8), and - conferring at least to the base film (3) and precursor body (4) a step-by-step movement along a predetermined advancement path (T), n the step of conferring to the base film (3) and precursor body (4) a step-by-step movement provides to: move said forming n (2) along the advancement path (T) with a forward stroke from a starting point in order to reach an arrival point, during said step of moving the g station (2) along the forward stroke, such station remaining in the respective closed position and forming in the base film (3) the predetermined number of tray-shaped elements (5), and/or move the packaging station (8) along the advancement path (T) with a forward stroke from a starting point in order to reach an arrival point, during said step of moving the packaging n (8) along the forward stroke, such station remaining in the respective closed condition and fixing said udinal segment of the closing film (9) to the predetermined number of tray-shaped elements (5) present in the CRY1P74WO 111 packaging station (8), and wherein the step of conferring to the base film (3) and the precursor body (4) a step-by-step movement further es to: move said forming station (2) in a return stroke in order to return to the respective starting point, during said step of moving the forming station (2) in the return stroke such station remaining in the respective open position, and/or move the packaging station (8) in a return stroke in order to return to the tive starting point or to a new starting point, during said step of moving the packaging station (8) in the return stroke such n remaining in the respective closed condition.
22. Process according to claim 21, wherein the step of conferring a y-step movement to the base film (3) and the precursor body (4) further comprises a step of stopping the precursor body (4) and/or the base film (3) by g the base film (3) and/or precursor body (4) by a stop group (21) active on the base film and/or the precursor body during said return strokes of the forming station and packaging station (8).
23. Process according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein CRY1P74WO 112 during the step of forming the tray-shaped elements (5), the forming station (2) is in a closed position, in order to block a udinal segment of the base film (3) with respect to the forming station, wherein, during the step of fixing said longitudinal segment of the g film (9) to the ermined number of the tray-shaped elements (5), the packaging station (8) is in said closed condition in order to block a segment of the precursor body (4) and the closing film (9) with respect to the packaging station (8).
24. Process according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein at least one longitudinal portion of the precursor body (4) is moved along the advancement path (T) exclusively by the movement conferred to it by the forming station (2) and the packaging station (8).
25. Process according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein said longitudinal portion of the precursor body (4) is moved along said ermined advancement path (T) exclusively by the forming n and packaging station during the respective forward s of the stations themselves. CRY1P74WO 113
26. Process according to claim 25, wherein said longitudinal portion of the precursor body (4) – to which the movement along said predetermined advancement path (T) is exclusively conferred by the g station and the packaging station themselves during the respective forward strokes – extends between the forming station and the packaging station when the forming and packaging station are ng the respective d strokes along said predetermined advancement path (T).
27. Process according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the movement of the base film (3) up to the forming station is exclusively conferred by the forming station and the packaging station themselves during the respective forward strokes.
28. Process according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein it is provided to determine the forward stroke to be impose to said forming station (2) and/or said packaging station (8) based on the type of the trayshaped elements (5) to be , and a step of ing the distance between the forming station (2) and packaging station (8) as a multiple of said d stroke of said g station (2) and/or packaging station (8). CRY1P74WO 114
29. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20 ntially as herein described with reference to any example thereof, with or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying figures.
30. Process according to any one of claims 21 to 28 substantially as herein described with nce to any example thereof, with or without reference to any one of more of the accompanying figures.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102015000021960 | 2015-06-09 | ||
ITUB20150989 | 2015-06-09 | ||
PCT/IB2016/053388 WO2016199050A1 (en) | 2015-06-09 | 2016-06-09 | Apparatus and process for packaging products |
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