Pressure element and sealing device for a packaging assembly having a pressure element

Abstract

A pressure element (13) for a sealing device (7) is described, the sealing device (7) having a sealing member (8) and a counter-sealing member (10) facing each other and configured to be pressed against each other to seal a tube (2) of packaging material adapted to be filled with a pourable product therebetween, the pressure element (13) comprising a fitting portion (15) configured to fit to the counter-sealing member (10) and a contact portion (17) defining a contact surface facing, in use, the sealing member (8) and configured to interact with a sealing member (11) of the sealing member (8) to press and seal the tube (2) therebetween; the pressure element (13) comprising at least one engagement element (102) configured to cooperate with a complementary engagement element (103) carried by the counter-sealing member (10) to guide the pressure element (13) according to a predetermined orientation during fitting of the pressure element (13) to the counter-sealing member (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure element for a sealing device configured to seal a tube of packaging material suitable for filling a pourable product, particularly a sealing device for a packaging assembly configured to fill, form, seal, separate, and fold a package containing a pourable product starting from the tube of packaging material.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a sealing device configured to seal a tube of packaging material suitable for filling a pourable product and including a pressure element adapted to cooperate with the tube during its sealing process, particularly a sealing device for a packaging assembly configured to fill, form, seal, separate, and fold a package containing a pourable product starting from the aforementioned packaging material tube. Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, many pourable foods, such as juice, UHT (ultra-high temperature) milk, wine, and ketchup, are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging materials.

[0004] A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped packaging for pourable foods known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing laminated webs of packaging material. The packaging material has a multi-layered structure, including a base layer (e.g., paper) covered on both sides with heat-sealable plastic material (e.g., polyethylene).

[0005] In the case of aseptic packaging for products intended for long-term storage (such as UHT milk), the packaging material also includes an oxygen barrier layer, such as aluminum foil, which is stacked on a heat-sealed plastic material layer and then covered with another heat-sealed plastic material layer, which forms the inner surface of the packaging that ultimately comes into contact with the food.

[0006] This type of packaging is typically produced in a fully automated packaging assembly, where a continuous tube is formed from a web of packaging material initially wound onto a spool and supplied to this assembly. The packaging material web is sterilized within the assembly, for example by applying a chemical sterilizing agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide solution). Once sterilization is complete, the chemical sterilizing agent is removed from the surface of the packaging material, for example by evaporation through heating. The thus sterilized web is then held in a closed, sterile environment and folded longitudinally and sealed to form a tube.

[0007] The tube is continuously fed along a first direction (typically a straight vertical direction), filling sterilized food from above, forming, sealing, and then cutting along equally spaced cross-sections extending along a second direction (typically orthogonal to the first direction). This yields a pillow-shaped package with longitudinal sealing strips, a top transverse sealing strip, and a bottom transverse sealing strip. The pillow-shaped packages are then cut and separated from each other and guided to a folding device for final folding of the packaging assembly.

[0008] To perform the forming and sealing operations, known packaging assemblies include forming devices configured to form tubes and sealing devices configured to seal tubes at equidistant cross sections orthogonal to the tube propulsion direction.

[0009] The forming apparatus includes at least one pair of forming members, typically in the form of shells, arranged on opposite transverse sides of a tube of packaging material, facing each other and circulating around continuous portions of the tube in use to sequentially form a predetermined external shape onto these portions.

[0010] The sealing device is conveniently arranged downstream of the forming device; and includes at least one pair of sealing members, typically in the form of clamps, arranged on opposite transverse sides of the tube of packaging material, facing each other and in use cyclically clamping the tube at consecutive equally spaced cross sections to sequentially seal the tube at these cross sections, thereby forming a pillow-shaped package.

[0011] In detail, the sealing device includes a sealing member that carries the heating device, and a counter sealing member that defines an adjacent abutting surface for the heating device.

[0012] More specifically, each tube section held between the jaws is heat-sealed by a heating device that locally melts the heat-sealable plastic material in the holding area during use.

[0013] Packaging materials in which the barrier material layer is defined by a sheet of conductive material (such as an aluminum sheet) are typically heat-sealed using a well-known induction heat-sealing process, in which an electric current is induced in the aluminum sheet when the tube is clamped between the sealing member and the opposing sealing member to locally heat the aluminum sheet, thereby locally melting the heat-sealing plastic material.

[0014] More specifically, in inductive heat sealing, the heating device essentially comprises an inductor carried by the sealing member, powered by a high-frequency current generator, and essentially defined by a coil comprising one or more induction rods made of a conductive material, extending parallel to a second direction, and interacting with the packaging material to induce current in the packaging material to heat the packaging material to the desired heat-sealing temperature.

[0015] In known embodiments, the inductor comprises two flat, elongated active surfaces on the front side, which extend parallel to a second direction and are on opposite sides of an intermediate plane perpendicular to the first direction (i.e., parallel to the second direction).

[0016] Specifically, the active surface is located in the corresponding front contact surface of the sealing member, extends on the opposite side of the central recess, and faces the packaging material tube and through the tube to the opposing surface of the opposing sealing member during use.

[0017] The opposing sealing member includes two pressure elements, specifically two pressure pads made of an elastomeric material, which extend on opposite sides of the intermediate plane and are parallel to the intermediate plane, and have corresponding front contact surfaces defining the aforementioned opposing surfaces.

[0018] In detail, the elastomeric pressure pad cooperates with the corresponding front contact surface of the sealing member, and thus with the corresponding active surface of the inductor, to heat-seal the corresponding portion of the tube defining the transverse sealing strip.

[0019] Once the heat-sealing operation is complete, the cutting member (usually an opposing sealing member) carried by one of the two jaws is actuated, thereby interacting with the tube of packaging material to cut along the corresponding previously created sealing strip, and thus separating (cutting) the pillow-shaped package from the bottom end of the tube of packaging material. Typically, the cutting member is withdrawn from a slot arranged between the two pressure pads to engage the central recess of the sealing member.

[0020] Once the cutting operation is complete, the sealing member and the opposing sealing member move away from each other to prepare for clamping another part of the tube.

[0021] Pressure pads with a flat front contact surface and pressure pads with a curved front contact surface are known in the art. The latter configuration is particularly used when packaging pourable food containing small solid particles, as described in EP-A-2917021 of the same applicant.

[0022] In the latter case, the pressure pad has a convex front contact surface that is symmetrically arranged with respect to the intermediate plane (i.e., with respect to the slot that accommodates the cutting member).

[0023] Although the known pressure pads and opposing seals work satisfactorily, there is still a need in the industry to further improve these pressure pads and opposing seals, especially in order to ensure effective sealing of packaging materials. Summary of the Invention

[0024] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a pressure element for sealing devices, which is designed to meet the above-mentioned needs in a simple and low-cost manner.

[0025] This objective is achieved by the pressure element as described in claim 1.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide an opposing sealing member that is designed to meet the above-mentioned needs in a simple and low-cost manner.

[0027] This objective is achieved by the opposing sealing member as described in claim 8. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a packaging assembly configured to produce a package containing a pourable product and including a sealing device with a pressure element according to the invention, wherein a portion has been removed for clarity.

[0030] Figure 2 This is an enlarged perspective view of a sealing device with two pressure elements according to the present invention, wherein some parts have been removed for clarity;

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged front view of the sealing device, with some parts removed for clarity;

[0032] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 An enlarged sectional view of line IV-IV, with a portion removed for clarity; and

[0033] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A magnified front view of the details of the sealing device. Detailed Implementation

[0034] refer to Figure 1 Mark 1 generally indicates a packaging assembly configured to form a tube 2 from a web-like sheet 4 of packaging material for producing a sealed package 3 containing a pourable product, preferably a pourable food, such as pasteurized or UHT milk, juice, wine, peas, soybeans, etc.

[0035] In detail, the packaging component 1 is configured to continuously produce the package 3 from a sheet 4 of packaging material, which is unrolled from a reel 5 and fed along a forming path.

[0036] The packaging material has a multi-layer structure (not shown) and includes a layer of fibrous material (e.g., paper) covered on both sides with corresponding heat-sealing plastic material (e.g., polyethylene) layers.

[0037] In the case of aseptic packaging 3 for long-term storage products (such as UHT milk), the packaging material also includes a gas and light barrier material layer, such as aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, which is stacked on a heat-sealed plastic material layer and covered by another heat-sealed plastic material layer, which forms the inner surface of the packaging 3 that ultimately comes into contact with the pourable product.

[0038] After being unrolled from the roll 5 and before being formed into the tube 2, the sheet 4 of the packaging material is sterilized, for example by applying a chemical sterilizing agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide solution). Once sterilization is complete, the chemical sterilizing agent is removed from the surface of the packaging material, for example by evaporation by heating.

[0039] Packaging component 1 is configured to perform the following operations in sequence:

[0040] -The sheet 4 of the packaging material is longitudinally folded by means of a folding device 6 to obtain a tube 2, the folding device 6 being known in itself and not described in detail, and the tube 2 is longitudinally sealed to form a longitudinal sealing strip;

[0041] - A tube 2 is formed at its continuous portion to give these portions a predetermined external shape;

[0042] - Seal the tube 2 laterally at equally spaced cross sections to obtain a pillow-shaped package 3a;

[0043] - Cut tube 2 at the aforementioned cross-section to separate the pillow-shaped packages 3 from each other; and

[0044] - Fold the pillow-shaped bag 3a to obtain a fully folded package 3.

[0045] Tube 2 is continuously fed along the first direction (especially the straight vertical direction) and, once longitudinally sealed, is filled with sterile, pourable product.

[0046] In order to perform the forming operation, the packaging assembly 1 includes a known forming device (not shown) that includes at least a pair of forming elements, such as shell-like members, arranged on opposite lateral sides of the tube 2, facing each other and circulating around continuous portions of the tube 2 in use to sequentially impart (give) these portions a predetermined external shape.

[0047] To perform the sealing operation, packaging component 1 includes Figure 2 and 3 The sealing device 7 is of the type shown.

[0048] In detail, the sealing device 7 is conveniently arranged downstream of the forming device and includes at least a pair of sealing devices 100 in the form of opposing clamps, which are arranged on opposite lateral sides of the tube 2, facing each other, and in use cyclically clamping the equally spaced cross sections of the tube 2 between them to seal the tube 2 in sequence at these cross sections, thereby obtaining a sealed pillow-shaped package 3a.

[0049] More specifically, the sealing device 7 (in particular the sealing device 100) includes: a sealing member 8 that carries at least one sealing element 11, in particular two sealing elements 11; and an opposing sealing member 10 that defines opposing surfaces of the sealing elements 11, the sealing member 8 and the opposing sealing member 10 facing each other, with a tube 2 inserted therebetween.

[0050] According to this non-limiting preferred embodiment, the barrier material layer of the packaging material is defined by a sheet of conductive material (e.g., an aluminum sheet). Therefore, the packaging material is heat-sealed using a known inductive heat-sealing process, wherein when the tube 2 is clamped between the sealing member 8 and the opposing sealing member 10, an electric current is induced in the aluminum sheet to locally heat the aluminum sheet, and thus locally melt the heat-sealable plastic material.

[0051] Therefore, such as Figure 4 As can be seen, the sealing member 8 includes at least one inductor, in particular a pair of inductors 101, which define the aforementioned sealing element 11 and are arranged on the respective front surface 8a of the sealing member 8 facing the opposing sealing member 10.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the inductor 101 is defined by a coil made of conductive material.

[0053] Each inductor 101 is powered in use by a high-frequency current generator (not shown) and is substantially defined by one or more induction rods made of conductive material, extending parallel to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction (i.e. the feed direction of tube 2), and interacting with the conductive material of tube 2 to induce current in the conductive material to heat the conductive material to the desired heat-sealing temperature.

[0054] More precisely, each inductor 101 defines an active surface that is parallel to the second direction and extends along the front surface 8a of the sealing member 8.

[0055] In the example shown, inductor 101 is located on the opposite side of central recess 12 along front surface 8a, which is configured to receive cut element 14 in a manner better described below.

[0056] The opposing sealing member 10 includes at least one, particularly two pressure elements, more particularly two pressure pads 13, which are made of elastomeric material and are supported on the front surface 10a of the opposing sealing member 10 facing the front surface 8a of the sealing member 8.

[0057] In particular, each pressure pad 13 has an elongated shape parallel to the second direction to face the corresponding inductor 101 of the sealing member 8.

[0058] Therefore, each pressure pad 13 is configured to interact with a corresponding inductor 101 facing the pressure pad 13 to press the tube 2 therebetween and heat the sealing tube 2 along the aforementioned cross section.

[0059] In other words, the sealing member 8 and the opposing sealing member 10 can move closer to and further away from each other, so that the inductor 101 presses against the pressure pad 13 when the tube 2 is inserted, so as to seal the tube 2 at the aforementioned cross-section.

[0060] like Figure 4 As can be seen, the opposing sealing member 10 carries the cutting element 14, which is arranged in a corresponding slot between the pressure pads 13 relative to the first direction, and can be pulled out from the slot to sequentially cut the tube 2 at the sealing cross section.

[0061] More specifically, once the heat sealing operation is complete, the cutting element 14 is withdrawn from its slot and moves toward the sealing member 8 along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, so as to cut the sealing cross section of the tube 2 and engage the recess 12.

[0062] Therefore, a sealed pillow-shaped package 3a containing the pourable product is separated from the bottom end of the tube 2.

[0063] Once the cutting operation is complete, the sealing member 8 and the opposing sealing member 10 move away from each other to prepare for clamping another part of the tube 2.

[0064] like Figure 4 As can be seen, each pressure pad 13 includes:

[0065] - Assembly portion 15, which is coupled to the opposing sealing member 10, particularly to a corresponding groove 16 in the opposing sealing member 10, the groove 16 preferably being obtained on the front surface 10a of the opposing sealing member 10; and

[0066] - Contact portion 17, which is opposite to assembly portion 15 and defines a front contact surface facing sealing member 8 and is configured to interact with corresponding inductor 101 to press and seal tube 2 therebetween.

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, each pressure pad 13 includes at least one engagement element 102 configured to cooperate with a complementary engagement element 103 carried by the opposing sealing member 10 to guide the pressure pad 13 according to a predetermined orientation during the assembly of such pressure pad 13 into the opposing sealing member 10 (in particular into the opposing groove 16 of the opposing sealing member 10).

[0068] In particular, the opposing sealing member 10 also includes a guide element 20 having a guide wall 19 defining a complementary engagement element 103.

[0069] According to the non-limiting embodiment shown, each pressure pad 13 has a shaped portion 18, which, unlike the mounting portion 15 and the contact portion 17, defines the opposing engagement element 102 and is configured to contact and cooperate with the guide wall 19 at least during the assembly of the opposing pressure pad 13 to the opposing sealing member 10.

[0070] More specifically, each molded portion 18 is configured to engage a corresponding guide wall 19 to define geometric constraints for assembling the opposing pressure pad 13 carrying such molded portion 18 to the opposing sealing member 10 according to the predetermined orientation described above, while preventing assembly according to any other orientation different from the predetermined orientation.

[0071] In the example shown, each formed portion 18 has an inclined surface 18a that is inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the second direction and is configured to contact and cooperate with a guide wall 19. This guide wall 19 is accordingly inclined to guide the opposing pressure pad 13 according to a predetermined orientation during assembly of the pressure pad 13 to the opposing sealing member 10.

[0072] Conveniently, each inclined surface 18a and a portion of the guide wall 19 (each inclined surface 18a is configured to cooperate with that portion) have the same angle of inclination relative to the aforementioned plane (i.e. they are parallel to each other).

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown, each formed portion 18 defines a free end of a corresponding pressure pad 13 relative to the second direction; therefore, each inclined surface 18a is arranged at a free end of a corresponding pressure pad 13.

[0074] Therefore, the guide wall 19 is arranged on the lateral side relative to the pressure pad 13, adjacent to the free end defined by the corresponding inclined surface 18a, such that each inclined surface 18a is parallel to a portion of the guide wall 19 (which is configured to cooperate with that portion).

[0075] like Figure 5 As can be seen, the tilt angle of the inclined surface 18a of one pressure pad 13 relative to a plane orthogonal to the second direction is different from (in particular relative to) the tilt angle of the inclined surface 18a of the other pressure pad 13.

[0076] Therefore, guide wall 19 includes:

[0077] - A first inclined wall 21, configured to contact and cooperate with an inclined surface 18a of a pressure pad 13 to guide the pressure pad 13 according to a first predetermined orientation during its assembly into the opposing sealing member 10; and

[0078] - A second inclined wall 22 is configured to contact and cooperate with the inclined surface 18a of another pressure pad 13 to guide the other pressure pad 13 according to a second predetermined orientation during its assembly into the opposing sealing member 10.

[0079] In fact, the first inclined wall 21 is parallel to the inclined surface 18a of one pressure pad 13, and the second inclined wall 22 is parallel to the inclined surface 18a of another pressure pad 13, such that each pressure pad 13 can only be assembled to the opposing sealing member 10 according to its predetermined orientation.

[0080] This configuration is particularly advantageous when the two pressure pads 13 have corresponding contact portions 17, which are, for example, curved, raised, and symmetrically arranged with respect to the slot of the cutting element 14, such as... Figure 4 As shown.

[0081] In the latter case, incorrect assembly of a pressure pad 13, such as an inverted assembly of one or both pressure pads 13, may result in non-nominal positioning of its contact portion 17. This could lead to a sealing defect, potentially causing unwanted leakage or compromising the sterility of the package 3.

[0082] like Figure 3 As can be seen, the guide element 20 is conveniently mounted on the front surface 10a of the opposing sealing member 10. Therefore, the guide wall 19 is also arranged on the front surface 10a.

[0083] This configuration further simplifies the correct assembly of the pressure pad 13 to the opposing sealing member 10, as the operator can easily verify that the inclined surface 18a of the pressure pad 13 is correctly engaged with the corresponding portions 21, 22 of the guide wall 19, so that each pressure pad 13 is installed in its predetermined orientation.

[0084] According to the non-limiting preferred embodiment shown, each pressure pad 13 includes a pair of inclined surfaces 18a arranged at the respective opposite free ends of the pressure pad 13, located on opposite sides thereof.

[0085] In detail, the two inclined surfaces 18a of each pressure pad 13 define two opposing lateral sides of a pressure pad 13, which have different inclination angles relative to the plane orthogonal to the second direction, in particular equal and opposing inclination angles.

[0086] More specifically, when the pressure pads 13 are mounted on the opposing sealing members 10, the two inclined surfaces 18a of each pressure pad 13 converge toward the other pressure pad 13.

[0087] In fact, the pressure pad 13 has a profile relative to a plane parallel to the second direction, which defines the shape of an isosceles trapezoid in which the small bases face each other.

[0088] Alternatively, the two inclined surfaces 18a of one pressure pad 13 diverge toward the other pressure pad 13.

[0089] In this case, the pressure pad 13 has a profile relative to a plane parallel to the second direction, which defines an isosceles trapezoidal shape in which the main bases face each other.

[0090] Therefore, the opposing sealing member 10 has two guide elements 20 arranged on the respective lateral sides of the pressure pad 13 and each carrying a corresponding guide wall 19 having a first inclined wall 21 and a second inclined wall 22, to guide each pressure pad 13 at its two (lateral) sides according to their respective predetermined orientations during the fitting of the pressure pad 13 into the respective groove 16 of the opposing sealing member 10.

[0091] During the assembly of the pressure pad 13 into the groove 16 of the opposing sealing member 10, the engagement element 102, i.e. the shaped portion 18, i.e. the inclined surface 18a, cooperates with the corresponding complementary engagement element 103 carried by the guide element 20, i.e., contacts and cooperates with the corresponding first wall 21 and second wall 22 of the guide wall 19.

[0092] From the foregoing description, the advantages of the pressure pad 13 and the opposing sealing member 10 according to the invention will become clear.

[0093] Specifically, each pressure pad 13 has an engagement element 102 (i.e., at least one inclined surface 18a) configured to cooperate with a complementary engagement element 103 (i.e., guide wall 19) carried by the opposing sealing member 10. This fact ensures that each pressure pad 13 is properly fitted to the opposing sealing member 10 only according to its predetermined orientation, thereby reducing or even virtually eliminating the chance of operator misfitting. In this way, a correct and effective seal of the packaging material can be ensured.

[0094] Obviously, modifications can be made to the opposing sealing member 10 and pressure pad 13 described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0095] Specifically, for each pressure pad 13, the engagement element 18 may be defined by a shaped portion that matches a corresponding groove carried by the opposing sealing member 10. For example, the engagement element 18 may be defined by a hook-shaped protrusion configured to engage a corresponding hook-shaped groove carried by the opposing sealing member 10, i.e., obtained in the guide element 20.

Claims

1. A pressure element (13) for a sealing device (7) having a sealing member (8) and opposing sealing members (10) facing each other and configured to press against each other to seal a tube (2) therebetween suitable for filling a pourable product with packaging material, the pressure element (13) including a mounting portion (15) configured to be fitted to the opposing sealing member (10) and a contact portion (17) defining a contact surface facing the sealing member (8) in use and configured to interact with the sealing element (11) of the sealing member (8) to press and seal the tube (2) therebetween; Its features are, The pressure element (13) includes at least one engagement element (102) configured to cooperate with a complementary engagement element (103) carried by the opposing sealing member (10) to guide the pressure element (13) according to a predetermined orientation during assembly of the pressure element (13) to the opposing sealing member (10). The at least one engaging element (102) includes a shaped portion (18) that is different from the assembly portion (15) and the contact portion (17), and is configured to engage with a guide wall (19) at least during the assembly of the pressure element (13) to the opposing sealing member (10), the guide wall (19) being defined by the complementary engaging element (103) carried by the opposing sealing member (10); The pressure element has an elongated shape along a first direction; The forming portion (18) has an inclined surface (18a) that is inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the first direction and is configured to contact and cooperate with a corresponding inclined wall defined by the guide wall (19) to guide the pressure element (13) according to the predetermined orientation during assembly of the pressure element (13) to the opposing sealing member (10).

2. The pressure element of claim 1, wherein the forming portion (18) is configured to engage the guide wall (19) to define geometric constraints for assembling the pressure element (13) to the opposing sealing member (10) according to the predetermined orientation.

3. The pressure element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inclined surface (18a) is disposed at the free end of the pressure element (13); The inclined wall is arranged adjacent to the free end on one side when the pressure element (13) is assembled to the opposing sealing member (10) during use.

4. The pressure element as claimed in claim 3, the pressure element comprising a pair of said inclined surfaces (18a) arranged at respective opposite free ends of the pressure element (13) located on opposite sides thereof, the two inclined surfaces (18a) being configured to contact and cooperate with respective inclined walls carried by said opposing sealing member (10) to guide the pressure element (13) at its sides according to said predetermined orientation during assembly of the pressure element (13) to the opposing sealing member (10).

5. The pressure element as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressure element is made of an elastomeric material.

6. A counter-sealing member (10) of a sealing device (7) configured to seal a tube (2) suitable for filling a pourable product with packaging material, the counter-sealing member (10) facing the sealing member (8) of the sealing device (7) in use, wherein the tube (2) is inserted and configured to press against the sealing member (8) to seal the tube (2) therebetween, the counter-sealing member (10) comprising at least one pressure element (13) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the pressure element (13) comprising a mounting portion (15) fitted into the counter-sealing member (10) at its recess (16) and a contact portion (17) opposite to the mounting portion (15), and defining a contact surface facing the sealing member (8) in use and configured to interact with the sealing element (11) of the sealing member (8) to press and seal the tube (2) therebetween; The pressure element (13) includes at least one engagement element (102) configured to cooperate with a complementary engagement element (103) carried by the opposing sealing member (10) at least during the assembly of the pressure element (13) to the opposing sealing member (10).

7. The opposing sealing member as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one engaging element (102) comprises a shaped portion (18) different from the assembly portion (15) and the contact portion (17); The opposing sealing member (10) includes at least one guide wall (19) arranged adjacent to the pressure element (13) and defining the complementary engagement element (103); And wherein the guide wall (19) is configured to contact and cooperate with the forming portion (18) to guide the pressure element (13) according to a predetermined orientation during the assembly of the pressure element (13) into the groove (16) of the opposing sealing member (10).

8. The opposing sealing member as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pressure element (13) has an elongated shape along a first direction; The formed portion (18) has an inclined surface (18a) that is inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the first direction; Furthermore, the guide wall (19) is inclined relative to the plane and is configured to contact and cooperate with the inclined surface (18a) to guide the pressure element (13) according to the predetermined orientation during the assembly of the pressure element (13) into the groove (16) of the opposing sealing member (10).

9. The opposing sealing member as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inclined surface (18a) is arranged at the free end of the pressure element (13); The guide wall (19) is arranged on the lateral side of the pressure element (13) adjacent to the free end, such that the guide wall (19) is parallel to the inclined surface (18a).

10. The opposing sealing member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the opposing sealing member comprises a first pressure element (13) and a second pressure element (13) spaced apart from each other along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; The tilt angle of the inclined surface (18a) of the first pressure element (13) is different from the tilt angle of the inclined surface (18a) of the second pressure element (13) relative to the first direction; And the guide wall (19) mentioned therein includes: - A first inclined wall (21) is configured to contact and cooperate with the inclined surface (18a) of the first pressure element (13) to guide the first pressure element (13) according to a first predetermined orientation during assembly of the first pressure element (13) to the opposing sealing member (10); as well as - A second inclined wall (22) is configured to contact and cooperate with the inclined surface (18a) of the second pressure element (13) to guide the second pressure element (13) according to a second predetermined orientation during the assembly of the second pressure element (13) to the opposing sealing member (10).

11. The opposing sealing member according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the pressure element (13) comprises a pair of inclined surfaces (18a) arranged at respective opposite free ends of the pressure element (13) located on opposite sides thereof; Furthermore, the opposing sealing member (10) includes a pair of guide walls (19), each guide wall being arranged on a corresponding lateral side of the pressure element (13) adjacent to a corresponding free end, to guide the pressure element (13) at its sides during assembly of the pressure element (13) into the groove (16) of the opposing sealing member (10).

12. A sealing device (7) configured to seal a tube (2) suitable for filling with packaging material suitable for pourable products, said sealing device (7) comprising: - A sealing member (8) that carries at least one sealing element (11); as well as - The opposing sealing member (10) as described in any one of claims 6 to 11; The sealing element (11) and the pressure element (13) face each other and are configured to press against each other to seal the tube (2) therebetween.

13. A packaging assembly (1) configured to produce a package (3) containing a pourable product from a tube (2) of packaging material, and including a sealing device (7) having: - A sealing member (8) carrying at least one sealing element (11); and - The opposing sealing member (10) as described in any one of claims 6 to 11; The sealing element and the pressure element (13) face each other and are configured to press against each other to seal the tube (2) therebetween.

Images