US20220177173A1 - Packaging machine for producing sealed packages - Google Patents
Packaging machine for producing sealed packages Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220177173A1 US20220177173A1 US17/438,122 US202017438122A US2022177173A1 US 20220177173 A1 US20220177173 A1 US 20220177173A1 US 202017438122 A US202017438122 A US 202017438122A US 2022177173 A1 US2022177173 A1 US 2022177173A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tube
- packs
- isolation
- packaging machine
- finalized
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 42
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 claims description 81
- 239000005022 packaging material Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 25
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 17
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 7
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000543 intermediate Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000227653 Lycopersicon Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000007688 Lycopersicon esculentum Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000003749 cleanliness Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010894 electron beam technology Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000036512 infertility Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 235000015067 sauces Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000014101 wine Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000011111 cardboard Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004320 controlled atmosphere Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004715 ethylene vinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000020191 long-life milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020200 pasteurised milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
- B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
-
- 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
- B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
- B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
- B65B55/025—Packaging in aseptic tunnels
-
- 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
- B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
- B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
- B65B55/027—Packaging in aseptic chambers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a packaging machine for producing sealed packages of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
- liquid or pourable food products such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc.
- UHT ultra-high-temperature treated milk
- wine tomato sauce
- etc. are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.
- a typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding laminated strip packaging material.
- the packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene.
- the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material (an oxygen-barrier layer), e.g. an aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
- Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging machines.
- packaging machines which advance a web of packaging material through a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material at a sterilization station and into an isolation chamber in which the sterilized web of packaging material is maintained and advanced.
- the web of packaging material is folded and sealed longitudinally at a tube forming station to form a tube having a longitudinal seam portion, the tube being further fed along an advancing (vertical) direction.
- the tube is filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, and is transversally sealed and subsequently cut along equally spaced transversal cross sections within a package forming unit of the packaging machine during advancement along the advancing direction.
- a pourable product in particular a pourable food product
- Pillow packages are so obtained within the packaging machine, each pillow package having a longitudinal sealing band, a top transversal sealing band and a bottom transversal sealing band.
- These pillow packages define sealed semi-finalized packs having a central main portion and a plurality of flaps protruding from the central main portion. In order to obtain the finalized packages, the pillow packages are further formed, and the flaps are folded and sealed onto the central main portion.
- a typical packaging machine of this type comprises:
- the known packaging machines function satisfying well, however, a desire is felt to further improve the known packaging machines.
- the desire is felt to further improve the cleanliness and sterility and/or to facilitate the cleaning and/or sterilization of these packaging machines.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a packaging machine according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the transformation of a semi-finalized pack into a finalized package, with parts removed for clarity.
- Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing sealed packages 2 of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product such as pasteurized milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, etc.
- packages 2 are produced from a tube 3 of a web 4 of packaging material.
- Web 4 of packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown), and comprises at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another.
- a layer of fibrous material such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer
- heat-seal plastic material e.g. polyethylene
- web 4 also comprises a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material.
- a layer of gas- and light-barrier material e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film
- EVOH ethylene vinyl alcohol
- web 4 also comprises a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.
- web 4 comprises a first face and a second face, in particular the first face being the face of web 4 forming the inner face of the formed package 2 eventually contacting the filled pourable food product.
- a typical package 2 extends along a longitudinal axis A and has a longitudinal seam portion 5 (extending along axis A and only partially shown) and a pair of transversal sealing bands 6 , in particular a transversal top sealing band and a transversal bottom sealing band.
- package 2 has a substantially parallelepiped structure.
- each package 2 comprises at least two transversal walls 7 (being transversal to longitudinal axis A) and being disposed at opposite sides of package 2 and a plurality of lateral walls 8 extending between transversal walls 7 .
- one transversal wall 7 defines a bottom wall and the other transversal wall 7 defines a top wall of the respective package 2 .
- the bottom wall has a support surface adapted to be placed on a (horizontal) plane, such as e.g. a shelf within a distribution point, and the top wall is opposed to the bottom wall.
- packaging machine 1 is configured to produce sealed semi-finalized packs 9 , such as e.g. pillow packs, being filled with the pourable product and to further treat and/or manipulate and/or form packs 9 for obtaining packages 2 .
- sealed semi-finalized packs 9 such as e.g. pillow packs
- first packs 9 are produced, followed by the formation of packages 2 from packs 9 .
- each pack 9 comprises at least a central main portion 10 and a plurality of flaps 11 protruding from central main portion 10 .
- each pack 9 extends along a longitudinal axis B and comprises a longitudinal sealing band 12 (extending along axis B) and two transversal sealing bands 13 disposed at opposite end portions 14 of pack 9 .
- each longitudinal sealing band 12 and the respective transversal sealing bands 13 define respectively the corresponding longitudinal seam portion 5 and the corresponding transversal sealing bands 6 of the respective package 2 (obtained from the respective pack 9 ).
- end portions 14 of each pack 9 taper from the respective central main portion 10 to the respective transversal sealing band 13 .
- each end portion 14 carries at least two flaps 11 , in particular at opposite lateral edges thereof.
- packaging machine 1 is configured to manipulate and/or form and/or process packs 9 such that flaps 11 are folded and sealed onto at least one of lateral walls 8 and/or onto one of transversal walls 7 of the respective package 2 .
- flaps 11 are sealed onto two corresponding lateral walls 8 and two flaps 11 are sealed onto one transversal wall 7 of the respective package 2 (see e.g. FIG. 2 ).
- packaging machine 1 comprises at least:
- packaging machine 1 also comprises a conveying device 24 configured to advance web 4 along a web advancement path P at least to a tube forming station 23 at which web 4 is formed, in use, into tube 3 and for advancing tube 3 along a tube advancement path Q.
- isolation housing 18 comprises at least a first isolation chamber 25 having a first inner environment 26 and a second isolation chamber 27 having a second inner environment 28 .
- second isolation chamber 27 and second inner environment 28 are arranged downstream of respectively first isolation chamber 25 and first inner environment 26 along tube advancement path Q.
- tube 3 passes from first inner environment 26 into second inner environment 28 .
- packaging machine 1 further comprises a safety chamber 29 distinct from isolation housing 18 , in particular from first isolation chamber 25 and second isolation chamber 27 , and housing at least a portion of final folding unit such that final folding unit 22 treats and/or manipulates, in use, packs 9 within safety chamber 29 for obtaining packages 2 .
- safety chamber 29 is transversally spaced apart from isolation housing 18 , in particular from second isolation chamber 27 .
- safety chamber 29 is detached from isolation housing 18 , in particular from first isolation chamber 25 and second isolation chamber 27 ; i.e. there is no direct mechanical contact between safety chamber 29 and isolation housing 18 .
- safety chamber 29 is in contact with at least second isolation chamber 27 .
- packaging machine 1 further comprises a connecting channel 30 interposed between isolation housing 18 , in particular second isolation chamber 27 , and safety chamber 29 .
- connecting channel 30 houses at least an (intermediate) portion of outlet conveying unit 20 for advancing, in use, packs 9 between isolation housing 18 , in particular second isolation chamber 27 , and safety chamber 29 within connecting channel 30 .
- connecting channel 30 encloses an advancement space 31 within which packs 9 advance, in use, between isolation housing 18 , in particular second isolation chamber 27 , and final folding unit 22 and/or safety chamber 29 .
- formation apparatus 19 is configured to form web 4 into tube 3 and to longitudinally seal tube 3 , to fill tube 3 with the pourable product and to form, transversally seal and, in particular to also transversally cut tube 3 , for obtaining and/or producing packs 9 .
- formation apparatus 19 comprises at least:
- package forming unit 34 is arranged downstream of first isolation chamber 25 and tube forming and sealing device 32 along path Q.
- tube 3 extends along a longitudinal axis, in particular having a vertical orientation.
- packaging machine 1 further comprises a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing at least a portion of web 4 at a sterilization station arranged upstream of tube forming station 23 along web advancement path P.
- the sterilization apparatus is configured to sterilize web 4 by means of physical sterilization such as a sterilization irradiation, in particular an electromagnetic irradiation, even more particular electron beam irradiation.
- physical sterilization such as a sterilization irradiation, in particular an electromagnetic irradiation, even more particular electron beam irradiation.
- the sterilization apparatus could be configured to sterilize web 4 by means of chemical sterilization, in particular by means of hydrogen peroxide.
- packaging machine 1 also comprises a magazine unit adapted to host and to provide for web 4 at a host station.
- conveying device 24 is configured to advance web 4 from the host station to tube forming station 23 and, in particular through the sterilization station.
- conveying device 24 is adapted to advance tube 3 and any intermediate of tube 3 in a manner known as such along path Q, in particular from tube forming station 23 through first inner environment 26 and towards and at least partially through second inner environment 28 .
- any configuration of web 4 is meant prior to obtaining the tube structure and after folding of web 4 by tube forming and sealing device 32 has started.
- the intermediates of tube 3 are a result of the gradual folding of web 4 so as to obtain tube 3 , in particular by overlapping opposite lateral edges of web 4 with one another.
- first isolation chamber 25 separates first inner environment 26 from an outer environment, in particular for allowing to form and to fill tube 3 within a controlled atmosphere.
- first inner environment 26 contains a sterile gas.
- packaging machine 1 also comprises an atmosphere control unit configured to control a gas atmosphere within at least a portion of isolation housing 18 , in particular first isolation chamber 25 .
- the atmosphere control unit is configured to control a positive pressure within inner environment 24 being larger than the ambient pressure, and in particular to also introduce a sterile gas into at least inner environment 24 .
- filling device 33 comprises at least a filling pipe 35 being in fluid connection or being controllable to be in fluid connection with a pourable product storage tank (not shown and known as such) and partially extending within first isolation chamber 25 , in particular first inner environment 26 .
- filling pipe 35 is partially placed within tube 3 for feeding the pourable product into the, in use, advancing tube 3 .
- tube forming and sealing device 32 comprises at least a tube forming assembly configured to form tube 3 from web 4 , in particular by overlapping the respective lateral edges of web 4 , and at least a sealing head 37 configured to longitudinally seal tube 3 , in particular along the portion of tube 3 obtained by the overlapping of the lateral edges of web 4 .
- the tube forming assembly and sealing head 37 are arranged within first isolation chamber 25 , in particular within first inner environment 26 .
- the tube forming assembly comprises at least a plurality of forming ring assemblies 38 , in the particular example shown two, being adapted to fold web 4 gradually into tube 3 .
- forming ring assemblies 38 are arranged within parallel and spaced apart planes, in particular being orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of first isolation chamber 25 , even more specifically having a substantially horizontal orientation.
- tube forming and sealing device 32 also comprises a pressuring assembly configured to exert a mechanical force on tube 3 , in particular for promoting the longitudinal sealing of tube 3 .
- the pressuring assembly is associated to the forming ring assembly 38 being arranged downstream of the other forming ring assembly 38 along web advancement path P and/or tube advancement path Q.
- package forming unit 34 comprises a plurality of pairs of at least one respective operative assembly (not shown and known as such) and at least one counter-operative assembly (not shown and known as such); and
- each operative assembly is adapted to cooperate, in use, with the respective counter-operative assembly of the respective pair for forming, transversally sealing and transversally cutting tube 3 for obtaining one respective pack 9 , in particular when, in use, advancing along a respective operative portion of the respective conveying path.
- each operative assembly and each counter-operative assembly comprises:
- first isolation chamber 25 comprises at least an outlet opening configured to allow for the passage of tube 3 from first inner environment 26 into second inner environment 28 , and in particular an inlet opening opposed to the outlet opening and configured to allow for the introduction of web 4 into first inner environment 26 .
- first isolation chamber 25 comprises a first transversal delimiting wall carrying and/or having the outlet opening and a plurality of lateral walls 40 extending from the first transversal delimiting wall 39 along a first direction, in particular first direction being an upward direction.
- second isolation chamber 27 comprises a plurality of lateral walls 41 , in particular extending from first transversal delimiting wall 39 along a second direction opposite to the first direction, in particular second direction being a downward direction.
- first transversal delimiting wall 39 separates first inner environment 26 from second inner environment 28 .
- first isolation chamber 25 and/or second isolation chamber 27 comprise(s) sealing means for sealing, in use, in collaboration with tube 3 , the outlet opening for substantially limiting and/or impeding any gas exchange between second inner environment 28 and first inner environment 26 .
- isolation housing 18 in particular second isolation chamber 27 comprises an outlet aperture 42 configured to allow for the outlet of packs 9 from isolation housing 18 , in particular from second isolation chamber 27 and/or second inner environment 28 .
- outlet conveying unit 20 extends through outlet aperture 42 and is configured to advance packs 9 out of second isolation chamber 27 through the outlet aperture 42 .
- one of lateral walls 41 comprises outlet aperture 42 .
- safety chamber 29 is in contact with one lateral wall 41 , in particular the one comprising outlet aperture 42 .
- outlet conveying unit 20 is configured to advance packs 9 along an advancement path R from a receiving station 43 , at which outlet conveying unit 20 receives, in use, packs 9 , to transfer station 21 .
- outlet conveying unit 20 comprises at least one belt conveyor being at least partially arranged within second inner environment 28 .
- outlet conveying unit 20 could also comprise conveyors of another type.
- outlet conveying unit 20 could comprise a plurality of belt conveyors being arranged in succession of one another and extending at least between receiving station 43 and transfer station 21 .
- final folding unit 22 is configured to manipulate and/or process packs 9 such so as to form and/or shape at least the respective central main portions 10 (into the desired form and/or shape of the respective package 2 ) and to control and/or determine the relative position of flaps 11 with respect to the respective central main body 10 .
- final folding unit 22 is configured to seal each flap 11 onto the respective central main body 10 such that each flap 11 is sealed to one of transversal walls 7 and/or lateral walls 8 of the respective package 2 .
- final folding unit 22 is of the known type, as e.g. described in EP-A-0887261 or EP-A-2586719 or WO-A-2008122623 or any other kind.
- final folding unit 22 comprises at least:
- the conveying assembly comprises a plurality of retaining pockets configured to retain at least one respective pack 9 during advancement of packs 2 along the final advancement path.
- final folding unit 22 comprises a plurality of treatment units each one being associated to one respective retaining pocket and/or being arranged along the final advancement path.
- packaging machine 1 forms packages 2 filled with the pourable product.
- the method of forming packages 2 comprises the main steps of:
- the method also comprises the main step of transferring packs 9 to outlet conveying unit 20 , in particular at receiving station 43 .
- the method also comprises the main step of transferring packs 9 to final folding unit 22 at transfer station.
- the main step of final folding is executed after the main step of forming packs 9 .
- the main step of forming packs 9 comprises at least the steps of:
- the main step of forming also comprises the step of sterilizing web 4 at the sterilization station.
- conveying device 24 advances web 4 along web advancement path P and, in particular from the host station to at least tube forming station 23 .
- tube forming and sealing device 32 gradually overlaps the opposite lateral edges of web 4 with one another so as to form the longitudinal seal.
- tube forming and sealing device 32 seals the longitudinal seal by directing heat onto the longitudinal seal, in particular by sealing head 37 transferring thermal energy onto the longitudinal seal.
- conveying device 24 advances tube 3 (and any intermediates of tube 3 ), in particular through first isolation chamber 25 , along path Q into and partially through second isolation chamber 27 .
- filling device 33 fills the pourable product into the longitudinally sealed tube 3 .
- the pourable product is directed into tube 3 through filling pipe 35 .
- a sterilizing irradiation in particular electromagnetic irradiation, even more particular electron beam irradiation, is directed onto at least the first face, preferentially also onto the second face, of web 4 .
- the step of sterilizing is executed prior to the step of folding.
- package forming unit 34 forms, transversally seals and transversally cuts tube 3 , in particular between successive packs 9 .
- each operative assembly and the respective counter-operative assembly advance along the respective conveying paths and form, transversally seal and transversally cut tube 3 in cooperation while advancing along the respective operative portions.
- packs 9 are transferred to outlet conveying unit 20 at receiving station 43 by means of gravity.
- packs 9 could be transferred by means of transfer elements.
- packs 9 are transferred to the conveying assembly, in particular to one respective retaining pocket.
- the respective central main portions 10 are formed and/or the respective flaps 11 are folded and sealed onto the respective central main portions 10 .
- the main step of final folding packs 9 comprises the steps of conveying packs 9 along the final advancement path (by means of the conveying assembly) and to treat packs 9 during advancement along the final advancement path for obtaining packages 2 .
- the at least one treatment unit forms and/or shapes the respective central main portions 10 and/or folds and seals the respective flaps 11 onto the respective central main portions 10 .
- packaging machine 1 According to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
- final folding unit 22 outside of isolation housing 18 , in particular outside of second inner environment 28 , the overall cleaning and/or sterilization process, as e.g. done during a cleaning-in-place and/or sterilization-in-place process, of packaging machine 1 is facilitated.
- This is e.g. possible as the dimension of second isolation chamber 27 can be reduced with respect to the state-of-the-art packaging machines and as the cleaning and/or sterilization process does not require a cleaning and/or sterilization of final folding unit 22 as currently required.
- Another advantage is seen in the possibility of cleaning second isolation chamber 27 and/or package forming unit 34 independently from safety chamber 29 and/or final folding unit 22 . Furthermore, this also allows to apply different cleaning frequencies for the cleaning of second isolation chamber 27 and/or package forming unit 34 and the cleaning of safety chamber 29 and/or final folding unit 22 .
- a further advantage resides in the possibility of facilitating the construction of final folding unit 22 as it is not required to optimize final folding unit 22 for cleaning and/or sterilization purposes.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a packaging machine for producing sealed packages of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
- As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.
- A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding laminated strip packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material (an oxygen-barrier layer), e.g. an aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
- Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging machines.
- There are known packaging machines, which advance a web of packaging material through a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material at a sterilization station and into an isolation chamber in which the sterilized web of packaging material is maintained and advanced. During advancement of the web of packaging material within the isolation chamber, the web of packaging material is folded and sealed longitudinally at a tube forming station to form a tube having a longitudinal seam portion, the tube being further fed along an advancing (vertical) direction.
- In order to complete the forming operations, the tube is filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, and is transversally sealed and subsequently cut along equally spaced transversal cross sections within a package forming unit of the packaging machine during advancement along the advancing direction.
- Pillow packages are so obtained within the packaging machine, each pillow package having a longitudinal sealing band, a top transversal sealing band and a bottom transversal sealing band.
- These pillow packages define sealed semi-finalized packs having a central main portion and a plurality of flaps protruding from the central main portion. In order to obtain the finalized packages, the pillow packages are further formed, and the flaps are folded and sealed onto the central main portion.
- A typical packaging machine of this type comprises:
-
- a conveying device for advancing the web of packaging material along a web advancement path and the tube formed from the web of packaging material along a tube advancement path;
- a sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material prior to its formation into the tube;
- a tube forming and sealing device at least partially arranged within a first isolation chamber and being configured to form the tube from the advancing web of packaging material and to longitudinally seal the tube;
- a filling device for filling the tube with the pourable product;
- a package forming unit being at least partially arranged within a second isolation chamber and being adapted to form, to transversally seal and to transversally cut the tube of packaging material for obtaining the pillow packages; and
- a final folding unit arranged within the second isolation chamber and configured to treat and/or manipulate the pillow packages for obtaining the finalized packages.
- The known packaging machines function satisfying well, however, a desire is felt to further improve the known packaging machines. In particular, the desire is felt to further improve the cleanliness and sterility and/or to facilitate the cleaning and/or sterilization of these packaging machines.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved packaging machine, in particular coming along with improved cleanliness and sterility and/or with a facilitated cleaning and/or sterilization capability.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a packaging machine according to the independent claim.
- Preferred embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims.
- A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a packaging machine according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity; and -
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the transformation of a semi-finalized pack into a finalized package, with parts removed for clarity. -
Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing sealedpackages 2 of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product such as pasteurized milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, etc. - Preferentially but not necessarily,
packages 2 are produced from atube 3 of aweb 4 of packaging material. -
Web 4 of packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown), and comprises at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another. One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material defines the inner face ofpackage 2 eventually contacting the pourable product. - Preferably but not necessarily,
web 4 also comprises a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferentially but not necessarily,web 4 also comprises a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
web 4 comprises a first face and a second face, in particular the first face being the face ofweb 4 forming the inner face of the formedpackage 2 eventually contacting the filled pourable food product. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, a
typical package 2 extends along a longitudinal axis A and has a longitudinal seam portion 5 (extending along axis A and only partially shown) and a pair oftransversal sealing bands 6, in particular a transversal top sealing band and a transversal bottom sealing band. In particular,package 2 has a substantially parallelepiped structure. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, each
package 2 comprises at least two transversal walls 7 (being transversal to longitudinal axis A) and being disposed at opposite sides ofpackage 2 and a plurality oflateral walls 8 extending betweentransversal walls 7. In particular, onetransversal wall 7 defines a bottom wall and the othertransversal wall 7 defines a top wall of therespective package 2. Even more particular, the bottom wall has a support surface adapted to be placed on a (horizontal) plane, such as e.g. a shelf within a distribution point, and the top wall is opposed to the bottom wall. - With particular reference to
FIG. 1 ,packaging machine 1 is configured to produce sealedsemi-finalized packs 9, such as e.g. pillow packs, being filled with the pourable product and to further treat and/or manipulate and/or formpacks 9 for obtainingpackages 2. In use, atfirst packs 9 are produced, followed by the formation ofpackages 2 frompacks 9. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, each
pack 9 comprises at least a centralmain portion 10 and a plurality offlaps 11 protruding from centralmain portion 10. - Preferentially but not necessarily, each
pack 9 extends along a longitudinal axis B and comprises a longitudinal sealing band 12 (extending along axis B) and twotransversal sealing bands 13 disposed atopposite end portions 14 ofpack 9. - In particular, each
longitudinal sealing band 12 and the respectivetransversal sealing bands 13 define respectively the correspondinglongitudinal seam portion 5 and the correspondingtransversal sealing bands 6 of the respective package 2 (obtained from the respective pack 9). - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
end portions 14 of eachpack 9 taper from the respective centralmain portion 10 to the respectivetransversal sealing band 13. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, each
end portion 14 carries at least twoflaps 11, in particular at opposite lateral edges thereof. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
packaging machine 1 is configured to manipulate and/or form and/orprocess packs 9 such thatflaps 11 are folded and sealed onto at least one oflateral walls 8 and/or onto one oftransversal walls 7 of therespective package 2. According to the non-limiting embodiment shown, twoflaps 11 are sealed onto two correspondinglateral walls 8 and twoflaps 11 are sealed onto onetransversal wall 7 of the respective package 2 (see e.g.FIG. 2 ). - With particular reference to
FIG. 1 ,packaging machine 1 comprises at least: -
- an
isolation housing 18; - a
formation apparatus 19 at least partially arranged withinisolation housing 18 and being configured to form and/or obtainpacks 9 of the pourable product; - an
outlet conveying unit 20 configured to receivepacks 9 withinisolation housing 18 and to advancepacks 9 out ofisolation housing 18 and to atransfer station 21; and - a
final folding unit 22 arranged attransfer station 21 and configured to receivepacks 9 fromoutlet conveying unit 20 and to treat and/or manipulatepacks 9 such to obtainpackages 2.
- an
- According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
packaging machine 1 also comprises aconveying device 24 configured to advanceweb 4 along a web advancement path P at least to atube forming station 23 at whichweb 4 is formed, in use, intotube 3 and for advancingtube 3 along a tube advancement path Q. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
isolation housing 18 comprises at least afirst isolation chamber 25 having a firstinner environment 26 and asecond isolation chamber 27 having a secondinner environment 28. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
second isolation chamber 27 and secondinner environment 28 are arranged downstream of respectivelyfirst isolation chamber 25 and firstinner environment 26 along tube advancement path Q. In particular, in use,tube 3 passes from firstinner environment 26 into secondinner environment 28. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
packaging machine 1 further comprises asafety chamber 29 distinct fromisolation housing 18, in particular fromfirst isolation chamber 25 andsecond isolation chamber 27, and housing at least a portion of final folding unit such thatfinal folding unit 22 treats and/or manipulates, in use,packs 9 withinsafety chamber 29 for obtainingpackages 2. - Preferentially but not necessarily,
safety chamber 29 is transversally spaced apart fromisolation housing 18, in particular fromsecond isolation chamber 27. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
safety chamber 29 is detached fromisolation housing 18, in particular fromfirst isolation chamber 25 andsecond isolation chamber 27; i.e. there is no direct mechanical contact betweensafety chamber 29 andisolation housing 18. - According to an alternative non-limiting embodiment,
safety chamber 29 is in contact with at leastsecond isolation chamber 27. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
packaging machine 1 further comprises a connectingchannel 30 interposed betweenisolation housing 18, in particularsecond isolation chamber 27, andsafety chamber 29. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, connecting
channel 30 houses at least an (intermediate) portion ofoutlet conveying unit 20 for advancing, in use, packs 9 betweenisolation housing 18, in particularsecond isolation chamber 27, andsafety chamber 29 within connectingchannel 30. - In particular, connecting
channel 30 encloses anadvancement space 31 within which packs 9 advance, in use, betweenisolation housing 18, in particularsecond isolation chamber 27, andfinal folding unit 22 and/orsafety chamber 29. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
formation apparatus 19 is configured to formweb 4 intotube 3 and to longitudinallyseal tube 3, to filltube 3 with the pourable product and to form, transversally seal and, in particular to also transversally cuttube 3, for obtaining and/or producingpacks 9. - With particular reference to
FIG. 1 ,formation apparatus 19 comprises at least: -
- a tube forming and sealing
device 32 at least partially arranged withinfirst isolation chamber 25 and being configured to form andlongitudinally seal tube 3 attube forming station 23, in particular within at least a portion offirst isolation chamber 25, even more particular within firstinner environment 26; - a filling
device 33 for fillingtube 3 with the pourable product; and - a
package forming unit 34 at least partially arranged withinsecond isolation chamber 27 and/or secondinner environment 28 and being adapted to (configured to) at least form andtransversally seal tube 3, preferentially to also transversally cuttube 3, in particular during advancement oftube 3 along tube advancement path Q, within secondinner environment 28 for obtaining and/or producingpacks 2.
- a tube forming and sealing
- In particular,
package forming unit 34 is arranged downstream offirst isolation chamber 25 and tube forming and sealingdevice 32 along path Q. - In particular,
tube 3 extends along a longitudinal axis, in particular having a vertical orientation. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
packaging machine 1 further comprises a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing at least a portion ofweb 4 at a sterilization station arranged upstream oftube forming station 23 along web advancement path P. - Preferentially but not necessarily, the sterilization apparatus is configured to sterilize
web 4 by means of physical sterilization such as a sterilization irradiation, in particular an electromagnetic irradiation, even more particular electron beam irradiation. - Alternatively, or in addition, the sterilization apparatus could be configured to sterilize
web 4 by means of chemical sterilization, in particular by means of hydrogen peroxide. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
packaging machine 1 also comprises a magazine unit adapted to host and to provide forweb 4 at a host station. In particular, conveyingdevice 24 is configured to advanceweb 4 from the host station totube forming station 23 and, in particular through the sterilization station. - Preferentially but not necessarily, conveying
device 24 is adapted to advancetube 3 and any intermediate oftube 3 in a manner known as such along path Q, in particular fromtube forming station 23 through firstinner environment 26 and towards and at least partially through secondinner environment 28. In particular, with intermediates oftube 3 any configuration ofweb 4 is meant prior to obtaining the tube structure and after folding ofweb 4 by tube forming and sealingdevice 32 has started. In other words, the intermediates oftube 3 are a result of the gradual folding ofweb 4 so as to obtaintube 3, in particular by overlapping opposite lateral edges ofweb 4 with one another. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
first isolation chamber 25 separates firstinner environment 26 from an outer environment, in particular for allowing to form and to filltube 3 within a controlled atmosphere. In particular, firstinner environment 26 contains a sterile gas. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
packaging machine 1 also comprises an atmosphere control unit configured to control a gas atmosphere within at least a portion ofisolation housing 18, in particularfirst isolation chamber 25. - Preferentially but not necessarily, the atmosphere control unit is configured to control a positive pressure within
inner environment 24 being larger than the ambient pressure, and in particular to also introduce a sterile gas into at leastinner environment 24. - With particular reference to
FIG. 1 , fillingdevice 33 comprises at least a fillingpipe 35 being in fluid connection or being controllable to be in fluid connection with a pourable product storage tank (not shown and known as such) and partially extending withinfirst isolation chamber 25, in particular firstinner environment 26. In particular, in use, fillingpipe 35 is partially placed withintube 3 for feeding the pourable product into the, in use, advancingtube 3. - With particular reference to
FIG. 1 , tube forming and sealingdevice 32 comprises at least a tube forming assembly configured to formtube 3 fromweb 4, in particular by overlapping the respective lateral edges ofweb 4, and at least a sealinghead 37 configured to longitudinallyseal tube 3, in particular along the portion oftube 3 obtained by the overlapping of the lateral edges ofweb 4. - Preferentially but not necessarily, the tube forming assembly and sealing
head 37 are arranged withinfirst isolation chamber 25, in particular within firstinner environment 26. - Preferentially but not necessarily, the tube forming assembly comprises at least a plurality of forming
ring assemblies 38, in the particular example shown two, being adapted to foldweb 4 gradually intotube 3. In particular, formingring assemblies 38 are arranged within parallel and spaced apart planes, in particular being orthogonal to a longitudinal axis offirst isolation chamber 25, even more specifically having a substantially horizontal orientation. - Preferentially but not necessarily, tube forming and sealing
device 32 also comprises a pressuring assembly configured to exert a mechanical force ontube 3, in particular for promoting the longitudinal sealing oftube 3. In particular, the pressuring assembly is associated to the formingring assembly 38 being arranged downstream of the other formingring assembly 38 along web advancement path P and/or tube advancement path Q. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
package forming unit 34 comprises a plurality of pairs of at least one respective operative assembly (not shown and known as such) and at least one counter-operative assembly (not shown and known as such); and -
- a conveying unit (not shown and known as such) adapted to advance the operative assemblies and the respective counter-operative assemblies along respective conveying paths.
- Preferentially but not necessarily, each operative assembly is adapted to cooperate, in use, with the respective counter-operative assembly of the respective pair for forming, transversally sealing and transversally cutting
tube 3 for obtaining onerespective pack 9, in particular when, in use, advancing along a respective operative portion of the respective conveying path. - Preferentially but not necessarily, each operative assembly and each counter-operative assembly comprises:
-
- a half-shell adapted to contact
tube 3 and to at least partially define the shape ofpacks 9 and/orpackages 2; - one of a sealing element and a counter-sealing element, adapted to
transversally seal tube 3 in a known manner, in particular betweenadjacent packs 9; and - one of a cutting element (not shown and known as such) and a counter-cutting element (not shown and known as such) for transversally cutting
tube 3 betweenadjacent packs 9 in a manner known as such.
- a half-shell adapted to contact
- According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
first isolation chamber 25 comprises at least an outlet opening configured to allow for the passage oftube 3 from firstinner environment 26 into secondinner environment 28, and in particular an inlet opening opposed to the outlet opening and configured to allow for the introduction ofweb 4 into firstinner environment 26. - Preferentially but not necessarily,
first isolation chamber 25 comprises a first transversal delimiting wall carrying and/or having the outlet opening and a plurality oflateral walls 40 extending from the firsttransversal delimiting wall 39 along a first direction, in particular first direction being an upward direction. - Preferentially but not necessarily,
second isolation chamber 27 comprises a plurality oflateral walls 41, in particular extending from firsttransversal delimiting wall 39 along a second direction opposite to the first direction, in particular second direction being a downward direction. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, first
transversal delimiting wall 39 separates firstinner environment 26 from secondinner environment 28. - Preferentially but not necessarily,
first isolation chamber 25 and/orsecond isolation chamber 27 comprise(s) sealing means for sealing, in use, in collaboration withtube 3, the outlet opening for substantially limiting and/or impeding any gas exchange between secondinner environment 28 and firstinner environment 26. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
isolation housing 18, in particularsecond isolation chamber 27 comprises anoutlet aperture 42 configured to allow for the outlet ofpacks 9 fromisolation housing 18, in particular fromsecond isolation chamber 27 and/or secondinner environment 28. In particular,outlet conveying unit 20 extends throughoutlet aperture 42 and is configured to advancepacks 9 out ofsecond isolation chamber 27 through theoutlet aperture 42. - Preferentially but not necessarily, one of
lateral walls 41 comprisesoutlet aperture 42. - Preferentially but not necessarily, according to an alternative non-limiting embodiment not shown,
safety chamber 29 is in contact with onelateral wall 41, in particular the one comprisingoutlet aperture 42. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
outlet conveying unit 20 is configured to advancepacks 9 along an advancement path R from a receivingstation 43, at whichoutlet conveying unit 20 receives, in use, packs 9, to transferstation 21. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
outlet conveying unit 20 comprises at least one belt conveyor being at least partially arranged within secondinner environment 28. - Alternatively, or in addition,
outlet conveying unit 20 could also comprise conveyors of another type. - Alternatively, or in addition,
outlet conveying unit 20 could comprise a plurality of belt conveyors being arranged in succession of one another and extending at least between receivingstation 43 andtransfer station 21. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment and with particular reference to
FIG. 2 ,final folding unit 22 is configured to manipulate and/or process packs 9 such so as to form and/or shape at least the respective central main portions 10 (into the desired form and/or shape of the respective package 2) and to control and/or determine the relative position offlaps 11 with respect to the respective centralmain body 10. - Preferentially but not necessarily,
final folding unit 22 is configured to seal eachflap 11 onto the respective centralmain body 10 such that eachflap 11 is sealed to one oftransversal walls 7 and/orlateral walls 8 of therespective package 2. - In particular,
final folding unit 22 is of the known type, as e.g. described in EP-A-0887261 or EP-A-2586719 or WO-A-2008122623 or any other kind. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment,
final folding unit 22 comprises at least: -
- a conveying assembly configured to advance
packs 9 along a final advancement path; and - at least one treatment unit configured to form and/or shape central
main portion 10 and/or for folding and sealingflaps 11 onto the respective centralmain portion 10 during the advancement ofpacks 9 along the final advancement path.
- a conveying assembly configured to advance
- According to a preferred non-limiting, the conveying assembly comprises a plurality of retaining pockets configured to retain at least one
respective pack 9 during advancement ofpacks 2 along the final advancement path. - According to a non-limiting embodiment,
final folding unit 22 comprises a plurality of treatment units each one being associated to one respective retaining pocket and/or being arranged along the final advancement path. - In use,
packaging machine 1forms packages 2 filled with the pourable product. - In particular, the method of forming
packages 2 comprises the main steps of: -
- forming
packs 9 by means offormation apparatus 19; - conveying
packs 9 tofinal folding unit 22; and -
final folding pack 9 by means offinal folding unit 22 for obtaining packages 2 (seeFIG. 2 ).
- forming
- According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the method also comprises the main step of transferring
packs 9 tooutlet conveying unit 20, in particular at receivingstation 43. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the method also comprises the main step of transferring
packs 9 tofinal folding unit 22 at transfer station. - In particular, the main step of final folding is executed after the main step of forming
packs 9. - In more detail, the main step of forming
packs 9, comprises at least the steps of: -
- advancing
web 4 along advancement path P; - folding
web 4, in particular withinfirst isolation chamber 25 and/or firstinner environment 26, intotube 3 attube forming station 23; - longitudinally sealing
tube 3, in particular withinfirst isolation chamber 25; - filling
tube 3 with the pourable product; - advancing
tube 3 along tube advancement path Q, in particular through a portion of firstinner environment 26 and/orfirst isolation chamber 25 towards and at least partially through secondinner environment 28 and/orsecond isolation chamber 27; and - obtaining
packs 9 fromtube 3 by forming, transversally sealing and transversally cuttingtube 3 within secondinner environment 28 and during advancement oftube 3 along tube advancement path Q.
- advancing
- Preferentially but not necessarily, the main step of forming also comprises the step of sterilizing
web 4 at the sterilization station. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of advancing
web 4, conveyingdevice 24 advancesweb 4 along web advancement path P and, in particular from the host station to at leasttube forming station 23. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of folding
tube 3, tube forming and sealingdevice 32 gradually overlaps the opposite lateral edges ofweb 4 with one another so as to form the longitudinal seal. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of longitudinally sealing
tube 3, tube forming and sealingdevice 32 seals the longitudinal seal by directing heat onto the longitudinal seal, in particular by sealinghead 37 transferring thermal energy onto the longitudinal seal. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of advancing
tube 3, conveyingdevice 24 advances tube 3 (and any intermediates of tube 3), in particular throughfirst isolation chamber 25, along path Q into and partially throughsecond isolation chamber 27. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of filling
tube 3, fillingdevice 33 fills the pourable product into the longitudinally sealedtube 3. In particular, the pourable product is directed intotube 3 through fillingpipe 35. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of sterilizing web 4 a sterilizing irradiation, in particular electromagnetic irradiation, even more particular electron beam irradiation, is directed onto at least the first face, preferentially also onto the second face, of
web 4. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the step of sterilizing is executed prior to the step of folding.
- According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of obtaining
packs 9,package forming unit 34 forms, transversally seals andtransversally cuts tube 3, in particular betweensuccessive packs 9. - Preferentially but not necessarily, during the step of obtaining
packs 9, each operative assembly and the respective counter-operative assembly advance along the respective conveying paths and form, transversally seal and transversally cuttube 3 in cooperation while advancing along the respective operative portions. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the main step of transferring
packs 9 tooutlet conveying unit 20, packs 9 are transferred tooutlet conveying unit 20 at receivingstation 43 by means of gravity. Alternatively, packs 9 could be transferred by means of transfer elements. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the main step of transferring
packs 9 tofinal folding unit 22, packs 9 are transferred to the conveying assembly, in particular to one respective retaining pocket. - According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment and with particular reference to
FIG. 2 , during the main step of final folding packs 9, the respective centralmain portions 10 are formed and/or therespective flaps 11 are folded and sealed onto the respective centralmain portions 10. - Preferentially but not necessarily, the main step of final folding packs 9, comprises the steps of conveying
packs 9 along the final advancement path (by means of the conveying assembly) and to treatpacks 9 during advancement along the final advancement path for obtainingpackages 2. - In particular, during the step of treating
packs 9, the at least one treatment unit forms and/or shapes the respective centralmain portions 10 and/or folds and seals therespective flaps 11 onto the respective centralmain portions 10. - The advantages of
packaging machine 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description. - In particular, by placing
final folding unit 22 outside ofisolation housing 18, in particular outside of secondinner environment 28, the overall cleaning and/or sterilization process, as e.g. done during a cleaning-in-place and/or sterilization-in-place process, ofpackaging machine 1 is facilitated. This is e.g. possible as the dimension ofsecond isolation chamber 27 can be reduced with respect to the state-of-the-art packaging machines and as the cleaning and/or sterilization process does not require a cleaning and/or sterilization offinal folding unit 22 as currently required. - Another advantage is seen in the possibility of cleaning
second isolation chamber 27 and/orpackage forming unit 34 independently fromsafety chamber 29 and/orfinal folding unit 22. Furthermore, this also allows to apply different cleaning frequencies for the cleaning ofsecond isolation chamber 27 and/orpackage forming unit 34 and the cleaning ofsafety chamber 29 and/orfinal folding unit 22. - A further advantage resides in the possibility of facilitating the construction of
final folding unit 22 as it is not required to optimizefinal folding unit 22 for cleaning and/or sterilization purposes. - Clearly, changes may be made to
packaging machine 1 as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims (12)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP19162708.2 | 2019-03-14 | ||
EP19162708 | 2019-03-14 | ||
PCT/EP2020/055568 WO2020182542A1 (en) | 2019-03-14 | 2020-03-03 | Packaging machine for producing sealed packages |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20220177173A1 true US20220177173A1 (en) | 2022-06-09 |
Family
ID=65812131
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/438,122 Abandoned US20220177173A1 (en) | 2019-03-14 | 2020-03-03 | Packaging machine for producing sealed packages |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20220177173A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3708506A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2022525158A (en) |
CN (1) | CN113474256A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020182542A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4317002A1 (en) * | 2022-08-02 | 2024-02-07 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Packaging blank for forming a package and package formed from a packaging blank |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN114537773A (en) * | 2022-04-07 | 2022-05-27 | 广州西利实业有限公司 | Full-automatic high-stability triangular bag packaging machine |
WO2023198615A1 (en) * | 2022-04-13 | 2023-10-19 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Infeed conveyor for a folding apparatus, folding apparatus having an infeed conveyor and packaging machine having a folding apparatus |
CN117735005B (en) * | 2024-02-01 | 2024-04-19 | 苏州盛曼特新材料有限公司 | Material collecting and packaging machine and method for packaging alumina powder for electronic glass production |
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US20170073103A1 (en) * | 2014-06-10 | 2017-03-16 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Feeding unit for feeding sealed packs of pourable food products |
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SE426467B (en) * | 1975-01-24 | 1983-01-24 | Int Paper Co | PLANT FOR PACKAGING A STERILE LIQUID |
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DE69734148T2 (en) | 1997-06-27 | 2006-06-29 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | High-speed folding unit for a machine for packaging flowable products |
JP4071321B2 (en) * | 1997-08-13 | 2008-04-02 | 日本テトラパック株式会社 | Packaging material processing equipment |
EP1790572B1 (en) * | 2005-11-29 | 2009-07-08 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA | Packaging material sterilizing unit for a pourable food product packaging machine |
ITTO20070243A1 (en) | 2007-04-05 | 2008-10-06 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | BENDING UNIT FOR THE CREATION OF SEALED PACKAGES CONTAINING VERSABLE FOOD PRODUCTS |
ES2400479T3 (en) * | 2008-08-24 | 2013-04-10 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Sa | Packaging and filling machine |
EP2586719B1 (en) | 2011-10-31 | 2015-02-25 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Folding unit and method for producing pourable food product packages |
EP3081497B1 (en) * | 2015-04-14 | 2018-03-14 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA | Packaging machine and method for producing packages from a packaging material |
-
2020
- 2020-03-03 WO PCT/EP2020/055568 patent/WO2020182542A1/en active Application Filing
- 2020-03-03 US US17/438,122 patent/US20220177173A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2020-03-03 EP EP20160690.2A patent/EP3708506A1/en active Pending
- 2020-03-03 CN CN202080016566.7A patent/CN113474256A/en active Pending
- 2020-03-03 JP JP2021555257A patent/JP2022525158A/en active Pending
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US3583132A (en) * | 1967-08-07 | 1971-06-08 | Louis Doyen | Sterile chamber for the packaging of various products |
US5852919A (en) * | 1996-07-15 | 1998-12-29 | Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd. | Packaging machine |
US20170073103A1 (en) * | 2014-06-10 | 2017-03-16 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Feeding unit for feeding sealed packs of pourable food products |
US20200172278A1 (en) * | 2017-08-04 | 2020-06-04 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Anvil for transversally sealing a tube of packaging material and sealing jaw having an anvil |
US20200369417A1 (en) * | 2018-02-19 | 2020-11-26 | Windmöller & Hölscher Kg | Filling Device and Method for Filling Bags with a Respective Unsealed Upper End |
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EP4317002A1 (en) * | 2022-08-02 | 2024-02-07 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Packaging blank for forming a package and package formed from a packaging blank |
WO2024027992A1 (en) * | 2022-08-02 | 2024-02-08 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Packaging blank for forming a package and package formed from a packaging blank |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2022525158A (en) | 2022-05-11 |
CN113474256A (en) | 2021-10-01 |
EP3708506A1 (en) | 2020-09-16 |
WO2020182542A1 (en) | 2020-09-17 |
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