WO2023180850A1

WO2023180850A1 - Method for forming containers filled with a product and sealed

Info

Publication number: WO2023180850A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/052243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Salvatore Carboni; Marco Pavesi; Antonio Vitali
Original assignee: G.D S.P.A.
Priority date: 2022-03-22
Filing date: 2023-03-09
Publication date: 2023-09-28

Abstract

Described herein is a method for forming containers filled with a product (202) and sealed, which comprises the step of producing, starting from a web (100) of packaging material, single semi-finished containers (300), sealed, filled with product (202), and separated from one another, each single semi-finished container (300) comprising a first end wall (305) and a second end wall (306) opposite to one another, and a plurality of side walls (301, 302, 303, 304) that extend one after another along a closed perimeter. The method further comprises the step of exerting, via a pair of pressure members (21, 22), a pressure on two opposed side walls (301, 303) of each semi-finished container (300) to arrange the two opposed side walls (301, 303) in respective reference planes of lie (P1, P2).

Description

“METHOD FOR FORMING CONTAINERS FIEEED WITH A PRODUCT AND SEALED”

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TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method for forming containers filled with a product and sealed, starting from a web of packaging material.

In particular, the method described herein envisages a forming and filling process for producing, starting from a web of packaging material, single semi-finished containers, sealed, filled with product, and separated from one another.

A first forming and filling process, in particular for producing containers the welds of which are performed on a side wall and on the top and bottom walls, generally includes the following steps: folding the web about a main axis parallel to a direction of advance of the web to obtain a tube; sealing along said main axis the web folded to form a tube; filling the tube with a product; providing on the tube, in succession, sealing bands transverse to the main axis that define on the tube single semi-finished containers, sealed and filled with the product; and separating via cutting the single semi-finished containers from the tube.

Another forming and filling process, in particular for producing containers the welds of which are obtained on two side walls and on just one between the bottom wall and the top wall, generally includes the following steps: folding a web of packaging material in half along a main axis parallel to a direction of advance of the web; sealing along said main axis the web folded in half; filling with the product the web folded in half and sealed; on the web folded in half, sealed and filled with the product, producing in succession transverse seals that generate, one after another, single containers filled with the liquid product and sealed; and separating the single containers from the web via cutting.

The semi-finished containers, irrespective of the forming and filling process with which they are obtained, are then subjected to further folding operations to obtain the final container having a pre-set shape.

For the above purpose, the web of packaging material has a series of predefined folding lines to facilitate the process of forming the web and ensuring obtaining of a pre-set shape in the final container, generally a parallelepipedal shape.

In the above context, the present applicant has found that the final containers obtained with the conventional methods may have shapes that substantially depart from the pre-set shape, thus jeopardizing the quality of the containers produced.

In particular, the present applicant has noted that, after the semifinished containers have been filled, welded, and separated from the tube or from the web, during the subsequent handling operations to which they are subjected to obtain the final containers, they may undergo impact or external actions that tend to get the single semi-finished container to assume bulging conformations that depart from the desired parallelepipedal conformation.

The present applicant has noted that the altered conformation thus assumed by the semi-finished containers may jeopardize the subsequent final operations of folding of the sheet to obtain the final container, leading to the production of final containers of a non-optimal quality.

In this connection, the present applicant has hence understood that it is possible to solve the aforesaid drawback by exerting an action of pressure on two opposed side walls of the semi-finished container so as to arrange said walls in respective reference planes of lie and correct the aforesaid undesired bulging, in particular before the final folding operations.

In the present description, as likewise in the claims associated thereto, some terms and expressions are to be considered, except where otherwise explicitly indicated, as having the meaning given in the ensuing definitions.

In particular, by the expression “action of pressure” is meant an action with which the surface or the element involved undergoes a thrust, irrespective of the means with which this action is performed.

The term “parallel” is meant to refer to a substantial parallelism between two elements, comprising both the ideal case, where these elements are arranged with respect to one another so as to form a zero angle, and more frequent cases, where the two elements are arranged with respect to one another so as to form a nonzero but in any case negligible angle or an angle that is not important for the purposes of operation of the present invention.

In an automatic machine for forming containers starting from a web of packaging material, generally this web advances along a work path. Consequently, a first workstation is considered “upstream” of a second workstation when the first workstation precedes the second workstation with reference to the work path of the web; instead, the second workstation is considered “downstream” of the first workstation in so far as it follows the first workstation once again with reference to the work path of the web.

According to a first aspect, the present invention regards a method for forming containers filled with a product and sealed.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of producing, for example starting from a web of packaging material, single semi-finished containers, in particular sealed, filled with product, and separated from one another.

Preferably, each single semi-finished container comprises a first end wall and a second end wall opposite to one another. Preferably, each single semi-finished container comprises a plurality of side walls, which preferably extend one after another along a closed perimeter.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of exerting an action of pressure via a pair of pressure members on two opposed side walls of said plurality of side walls of one of said single semi-finished containers, in particular to arrange said two opposed side walls in respective reference planes of lie.

Thanks to the aforesaid steps of the method, any possible undesired bulging on the two opposed side walls of the plurality of side walls of the container is solved by getting the two opposed side walls to assume a plane configuration. In this way, before the final folding operations, the semifinished containers assume the desired conformation.

According to a second aspect, the present invention regards a machine for forming containers filled with a product and sealed, for example starting from a web of packaging material.

Preferably, the machine comprises a forming and filling unit, which is preferably to produce the aforesaid single semi-finished containers, in particular sealed, filled with said product, and separated from one another.

Preferably, the machine comprises a pair of pressure members, in particular for exerting a pressure on two opposed side walls of said plurality of side walls, in particular to arrange said two side walls in respective reference planes of lie. Preferably, the pair of pressure members is set downstream of said forming and filling unit. Thanks to the presence of the pressure members in an appropriate position, the single semi-finished container at output from the forming and filling unit that presents bulging due to impact and/or external actions is brought back into the desired conformation.

According to one or more of the aforesaid aspects, the present invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

In one or more embodiments, the step of producing single semifinished containers comprises folding said web about a main axis to obtain a tube. Alternatively, the step of producing single semi-finished containers comprises folding said web in half along a main axis.

In one or more embodiments, the step of producing single semifinished containers comprises sealing along said main axis the web folded to form a tube. Alternatively, the step of producing single semi-finished containers comprises sealing along said main axis the web folded in half.

In one or more embodiments, the step of producing single semifinished containers comprises filling said tube with a product. Alternatively, the step of producing single semi-finished containers comprises filling said web, folded in half and sealed, with a product.

In one or more embodiments, the step of producing single semifinished containers comprises providing on said tube, in particular in succession, sealing bands transverse to said main axis, in particular that define on said tube single semi-finished containers, sealed and filled with said product. Alternatively, the step of producing single semi-finished containers comprises providing on said web folded in half, sealed and filled with the product, sealing bands transverse to said main axis, in particular in succession, in particular that define on said web single semi-finished containers, sealed and filled with said product.

In one or more embodiments, the step of producing single semifinished containers comprises separating via cutting said single semi-finished containers from said tube. Alternatively, the step of producing single semifinished containers comprises separating via cutting said single semi-finished containers from said web.

In one or more embodiments, the method comprises detecting at least one between a force exerted by said pressure members against said two opposed side walls and a position of said pressure members that act on said two opposed side walls.

In one or more embodiments, the method comprises stopping said action of pressure when said detected force is greater than or equal to a limit reference force.

In one or more embodiments, the method comprises stopping said action of pressure when said detected position coincides with or exceeds a limit reference position.

Thanks to the aforesaid characteristics, the pressure members can exert a controlled and effective action on the aforesaid walls of the semifinished containers, preventing said action from operating with a force greater than the limit reference force or with a travel that exceeds the limit reference position. In this way, generation of depressions on the walls of the single semi-finished container or irremediable damage thereto is avoided.

In one or more embodiments, said single semi-finished container comprises at least one flap projecting from said plurality of side walls. Preferably, the method includes, in particular after said step of exerting a pressure on said two opposed side walls, a step of folding said projecting flap, in particular to set it against one from among a side wall of said plurality of side walls, said first end wall, and said second end wall.

Thanks to the aforesaid characteristics, it is possible to guarantee that the folding step will lead to obtaining the pre-set container conformation.

In one or more embodiments, said step of folding said projecting flap includes folding said flap about a folding line that preferably delimits one of said two opposed side walls.

In one or more embodiments, said reference planes of lie are parallel to one another.

In one or more embodiments, said single semi-finished container further comprises at least one first pair of flaps that preferably project, in opposite directions, from said two opposed side walls and are located at said first end wall. In one or more embodiments, said single semi-finished container further comprises at least one second pair of flaps that preferably project, in opposite directions, from said two opposed side walls and are located at said second end wall.

In one or more embodiments, the method includes, preferably after said step of exerting a pressure on said two opposed side walls, folding said first pair of projecting flaps against said two opposed side walls, respectively.

In one or more embodiments, the method includes, preferably after said step of exerting a pressure on said two opposed side walls, folding said second pair of projecting flaps against said two opposed side walls, respectively.

In one or more embodiments, said step of folding said first pair of projecting flaps includes folding said flaps about respective transverse folding lines that preferably delimit said two opposed side walls with respect to said first end wall.

In one or more embodiments, said step of folding said second pair of projecting flaps includes folding said flaps about respective transverse folding lines that preferably delimit said two opposed side walls with respect to said second end wall.

In one or more embodiments, said machine comprises a conveyor for feeding in succession said single semi-finished containers, preferably in a direction of feed. Preferably, said conveyor is set downstream of said forming and filling unit.

In one or more embodiments, said pressure members are arranged in opposed positions with respect to said direction of feed, preferably aligned with one another in a direction transverse to said direction of advance.

Thanks to the aforesaid characteristics, the machine is able to bring the semi-finished containers back into the desired conformation in a fast and completely automatic way.

In one or more embodiments, each pressure member is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation orthogonal to said transverse direction. Preferably, said axis of rotation is orthogonal to said direction of feed. In an equally preferred way, said axis of rotation is parallel to said direction of feed.

In one or more embodiments, each pressure member comprises one end that is prearranged for engaging a corresponding wall of said two opposed side walls. Preferably, said end is equipped with a rolling contact body to prevent any sliding friction with the corresponding side wall.

It is pointed out that some steps of the method described above may be independent of the order of execution presented, except where there is expressly indicated as being necessary a sequentiality or simultaneity between two or more steps. Moreover, some steps may be optional. Furthermore, some steps may be carried out repetitively, or else may be carried out in series or in parallel with other steps of the method.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of the machine and of the method described herein;

- Figure 1A illustrates an example of a semi-finished container provided with the method described herein; and

- Figure 2 represents in detail a step of the method of Figure 1.

In the ensuing description, various specific details are illustrated aimed at enabling an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments may be provided without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components or materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that various aspects of the embodiment will not be obscured.

The references provided herein are used merely for convenience and hence do not define the sphere of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

As anticipated above, the method described herein performs the function of forming containers filled with a product and sealed, starting from a web of packaging material.

The web of packaging material - designated by the reference number 100 in Figure 1 - may, for example, be a continuous web run off a reel along a work path K. The web 100 comprises two longitudinal edges 100A, 100B opposite and substantially parallel to the work path K.

With reference to Figure 1, the method described herein comprises the steps of:

- folding the web 100 about a main axis I to obtain a tube 200;

- sealing, along the main axis I, the web 100 folded to form a tube, via a longitudinal sealing band 204 that joins the two longitudinal edges 100 A, 100B;

- providing on the tube 200, in succession, sealing bands 208 transverse to the main axis I, which define on the tube 200 single semi- finished containers 300, sealed and filled with the liquid 202; and

- separating, via cutting, the single semi-finished containers 300 from the tube 200.

The aforesaid steps are carried out by a forming and filling unit 15, which may be of a known type and consequently will not be described herein in detail so as not to overburden the present description.

It is just pointed out herein that the forming and filling unit 15 may, in a way in itself known, use two containment shells 16, opposed with respect to the main axis I, which come to gird the tube 200 to contain it laterally so that it will maintain its cylindrical conformation when the transverse sealing bands 208 are provided thereon.

With reference to Figure 1A, the single semi-finished container 300, obtained in the way referred to above, comprises a plurality of side walls 301, 302, 303, 304, which are arranged one after another along a closed perimeter of a predefined shape, and a first end wall 305 and a second end wall 306 opposite to one another. Located on the first and second end walls 305, 306 are the transverse sealing lines 208, whereas located on a side wall 302 of said plurality is a corresponding portion of the longitudinal sealing band 204 provided on the tube 200. The various walls are delimited with respect to one another by folding lines 3001 constituted by predefined weakening lines provided on the web 100 that makes up the container. In the example illustrated, the aforesaid closed perimeter is rectangular, and the semifinished container 300 has a generic parallelepipedal conformation. In any case, the semi-finished container 300 may have any conformation, for example a pyramidal shape, a tetrahedral shape, etc.

Projecting from the first and second end walls 306, 305 are respective pairs of flaps 307, which extend substantially in the same plane as that of the corresponding end wall and are oriented in opposite directions.

To obtain the final container, the flaps 307 are folded about respective transverse folding lines 308 of said folding lines 3001, so as to bring them against the opposed side walls 301, 303.

The method described herein envisages, before carrying out the operation of folding of the flaps 307, pressing, via a pair of pressure members 21, 22, on the two opposed side walls 301, 303 to arrange them in respective reference planes of lie Pl, P2. In this way, the semi-finished container 300 once again assumes the cylindrical conformation that it may have lost after being separated from the tube 200 and undergoing impact and external forces that have led it to lose said conformation. In this action performed by the two pressure members 21, 22, the folding lines 3001 facilitate recovery of the pre-set conformation.

It should be noted that, according to the pre-set shape of the semifinished container 300, the planes of lie Pl, P2 may be parallel to one another, for example in applications in which the semi-finished container 300 has a substantially rectangular parallelepipedal shape, or else inclined, for example in applications in which the semi-finished container 300 has a pyramidal shape.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated, the pressure members 21, 22 each comprise a lever 23 oscillating about an axis of rotation II and provided, at its end, with a rolling contact body 24, in particular a roller freely rotatable about an axis 12 of its own.

The two pressure members 21, 22 are positioned on the opposite sides of a conveyor 30 that feeds single semi-finished containers 300 in succession in a direction of feed KI that extends between the two pressure members 21, 22.

Each semi-finished container 300 rests with a side wall 304 of said plurality on the conveyor 30 and has its two opposed side walls 301, 303 facing two opposite outer sides of the conveyor 30.

The two pressure members 21, 22 are driven, starting from an inoperative position, in which the ends of the levers 23 carrying the rollers 24 are set at a distance from the conveyor 30, so as to be then brought into contact with the opposed side walls 301, 303 of the semi-finished container 300 and press on said opposed side walls 301, 303 to arrange them in the planes of lie Pl, P2.

Driving of the two pressure members 21, 22 can be controlled on the basis of a value of force that must be exerted on the opposed side walls 301, 303, or else on the basis of a predetermined position that must be reached by the two pressure members 21, 22.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the action of thrust on the opposed side walls 301, 303 is, instead, exerted by a jet of air under pressure, which is blown against the two walls by respective nozzles set in a position corresponding to the conveyor 30 like the two pressure members 21, 22.

Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary even significantly with respect to what has been illustrated herein purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the annexed claims.

Claims

1. A method for forming containers filled with a product (202) and sealed, comprising the steps of: producing, starting from a web (100) of packaging material, single semi-finished containers (300), sealed, filled with said product (202), and separated from one another, each single semifinished container (300) comprising a first end wall (305) and a second end wall (306) opposite to one another, and a plurality of side walls (301, 302, 303, 304) that extend one after another along a closed perimeter; and exerting an action of pressure by means of a pair of pressure members (21, 22) on two opposed side walls (301, 303) of said plurality of side walls (301, 302, 303, 304) of one of said single semi-finished containers (300) to arrange said two opposed side walls (301, 303) in respective reference planes of lie (Pl, P2).

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting at least one between a force exerted by said pressure members (21, 22) against said two opposed side walls (301, 303) and a position of said pressure members (21, 22) that act on said two opposed side walls (301, 303).

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising stopping said action of pressure when said detected force is greater than or equal to a limit reference force.

4. The method according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising stopping said action of pressure when said detected position coincides with or exceeds a limit reference position.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said single semi-finished container (300) further comprises at least one flap (307) projecting from said plurality of side walls (301, 302, 303, 304), the method including, after said step of exerting an action of pressure on said two opposed side walls (301, 303), a step of folding said projecting flap (307) to set it against one from among a side wall of said plurality of side walls (301, 302, 303, 304), said first end wall (305), and said second end wall (306).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of folding said projecting flap (307) includes folding said flap (307) about a transverse folding line (308) that delimits one of said two opposed side walls (301, 303).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said reference planes of lie (Pl, P2) are parallel to one another.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said single semi-finished container (300) further comprises at least one first pair of flaps (307), which project in opposite directions from said two opposed side walls (301, 303) at said first end wall (305), and at least one second pair of flaps (307) , which project in opposite directions from said two opposed parallel sides (301, 303) at said second end wall (306), the method including, after said step of exerting an action of pressure on said two opposed side walls (301, 303), folding said first pair of flaps (307) respectively against said two opposed side walls (301, 303), and said second pair of flaps (307) respectively against said two opposed side walls (301, 303).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said step of folding said first pair of flaps (307) includes folding said flaps (307) about respective transverse folding lines (308) that delimit said two opposed side walls (301, 303) with respect to said first end wall (305), and wherein said step of folding said second pair of flaps (307) includes folding said flaps (307) about respective transverse folding lines (308) that delimit said two opposed side walls (301, 303) with respect to said second end wall (306).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of producing, starting from a web (100) of packaging material, single semi-finished containers (300) comprises: folding said web (100) about a main axis (I) to obtain a tube (200); sealing along said main axis (I) said web (100) folded to form a tube; filling said tube (200) with a product (202); providing on said tube (200), in succession, sealing bands (208) transverse to said main axis (I), which define on said tube (200) said single semi-finished containers (300), sealed and filled with said product (202); and separating via cutting said single semi-finished containers (300) from said tube (200).

11. A machine for forming containers filled with a product (202) and sealed, starting from a web of packaging material, said machine comprising: a forming and filling unit (15) that is to produce single semi-finished containers (300), sealed, filled with said product (202), and separated from one another, each single semi-finished container (300) comprising a first end wall (305) and a second end wall (306) opposite to one another, and a plurality of side walls (301, 302, 303, 304) that extend one after another along a closed perimeter; and a pair of pressure members (21, 22), set downstream of said forming and filling unit (15), for exerting a pressure on two opposed side walls (301, 303) of said plurality of side walls (301, 302, 303, 304) to arrange said two opposed side walls (301, 303) in respective reference planes of lie (Pl, P2).

12. The machine according to claim 11, comprising a conveyor (30) set downstream of said forming and filling unit (15) for feeding in succession said single semi-finished containers (300) in a direction of feed (KI), wherein said pressure members (21, 22) are arranged in opposed positions with respect to said direction of feed (KI), preferably aligned with one another in a direction transverse to said direction of feed (KI).

13. The machine according to claim 12, wherein each pressure member (21, 22) is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (II) orthogonal to said transverse direction.

14. The machine according to claim 13, wherein said axis of rotation (II) is orthogonal to said direction of feed (KI).

15. The machine according to claim 13, wherein said axis of rotation (II) is parallel to said direction of feed (KI).

16. The machine according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein each pressure member of said pair of pressure members (21, 22) comprises one end that is prearranged for engaging a corresponding wall of said two opposed side walls (301, 303) and is provided with a rolling contact body (24) to prevent any sliding friction with said corresponding side wall.