A forming device and method for forming a pack into a finished package, a folding unit for forming sealed packages of pourable food products, and a package

Abstract

The invention relates to a forming device (42) for feeding along a forming path (B) a pack (3) which has at least one portion (6) to be folded into a finished package (2). The forming device (42) comprises a first surface (46a) and a second surface (46b) opposite to each other and adapted, in use, to cooperate respectively with a front wall (15) and a rear wall (10) opposite to each other of the pack (3) to be folded. The first surface (46a) comprises an at least partially concave forming section (8) adapted, in use, to cooperate with a top portion of the front wall (15) of the pack (3), such that an inward deformation of the top portion of the front wall (15) is prevented during forming of the pack (3). The invention also relates to a folding unit (1) for forming sealed packages (2) of pourable food products, to a method for forming a pack (3) which has at least one portion (6) to be folded into a finished package, and to a package (2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The invention relates to a forming device and method for forming a pack into a finished package. The invention also relates to a folding unit for forming sealed packages of pourable food products, and to a package.BACKGROUND ART[0002]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.[0003]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 folding and sealing laminated strip packaging material.[0004]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-barrie...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a forming device for folding a pack that has a portion to be folded into a finished package. The forming device has a surface that allows for the pack to be folded without permanently deforming it. This results in a planar final configuration of the pack, allowing for proper application of components to its surfaces. The forming device can be adjusted to control the angle between the top wall of the pack and the front wall of the pack to match the angle between the top wall and the front wall of the package, eliminating potential leakage after opening the package. The concave shape of the forming section can be adjusted to control the angle between the top wall and the front wall of the package.

Problems solved by technology

One problem that frequently occurs in known filling machine relates to the final forming and folding of the pack into a package.

Such an undesired shape is likely to complicate post-application of components, such as an opening device, to the top portion of the front wall.

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