Forming device for forming and sealing packaging assembly containing plurality of packages of pourable products, and packaging assembly

Abstract

Described is a forming device (8) for a packaging assembly (1) configured to form and seal a plurality of packages (2) containing pourable products starting from a tube (3) of packaging material, the forming device (8) comprising a pair of forming members (101) opposite each other and being movable towards or away from each other periodically in contact with a continuous portion of a mating tube (3), thereby imparting or transferring a predetermined profile to the tube (3); each shaped part (101) comprises a hollow body (15) configured to be in contact fit with the tube (3) externally and to define an internal cavity (16) internally, and a reinforcing internal structure (17) located in the internal cavity (16), the reinforcing internal structure (17) being surrounded by the hollow body (15) so as to reinforce the hollow body (15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a forming device for forming and sealing a packaging assembly of a plurality of packages containing pourable products, preferably pourable food products.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a packaging assembly for forming and sealing a plurality of packages containing pourable products, preferably pourable food products.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to a packaging assembly configured for filling, forming, sealing, cutting and folding a package containing a pourable product from a tube of packaging material. Background Art

[0004] As is known, many pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high temperature treated) milk, wine, ketchup etc., are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.

[0005] A typical example is the parallelogram package called Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing a laminated web of packaging material. This packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, for example made of paper, which is covered on both sides with layers of heat-sealable plastic material, for example polyethylene.

[0006] In aseptic packaging for long-term storage products (such as UHT milk), the packaging material also includes an oxygen barrier material layer, such as aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a heat-sealable plastic material layer and then covered with another heat-sealable plastic material layer to form the inner surface of the packaging that ultimately contacts the food.

[0007] Such packages are usually produced in a fully automated packaging assembly in which, starting from a web of packaging material initially wound on a reel, it is fed through a plurality of unwinding reels of the packaging assembly to form a continuous tube. The web of packaging material is sterilized in the packaging assembly, for example by applying a chemical sterilizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, and immediately after sterilization is completed, the sterilizing agent is removed from the surface of the packaging material, for example by heating and evaporating the sterilizing agent. The web thus sterilized is then stored in a closed sterile environment and longitudinally folded and sealed by a known web folding device under the advancement of the above-mentioned unwinding reels to form a tube.

[0008] The tube is continuously fed in a first direction (usually a straight vertical direction), filled with sterilized food from above, and then shaped, sealed and cut in cross sections at equal intervals in a second direction (usually a direction orthogonal to the first direction). This results in a so-called pillow package, which has a longitudinal sealing band, a top transverse sealing band and a bottom transverse sealing band. The pillow package is then cut in cross section, separated from each other, and directed to a folding device for the final folding of the packaging assembly.

[0009] To perform the forming and sealing operations, known packaging assemblies include a forming device configured to form the tube so that its external shape conforms to the desired shape for packaging, and a sealing device configured to seal the tube at equally spaced cross sections orthogonal to the advancing direction of the tube.

[0010] A packaging assembly of the above type is known from WO-A-2007114752. This packaging assembly comprises a pair of alternately movable forming and sealing jaws which can be controlled to reciprocate in a first direction and a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions to interact with the tube in a continuous portion of the tube.

[0011] In particular, the jaws are guided and driven by a pair of drive and guide rods that move parallel to the tube.

[0012] The forming device comprises at least one pair of forming members, which are usually in the form of shells (or half shells), arranged on opposite sides of the packaging material tube, facing each other and circulating around consecutive parts of the tube when in use to give or transfer a predetermined external shape to these parts in sequence.

[0013] For each clip, the sealing device is operatively arranged downstream of the forming device relative to the first direction and includes at least one pair of sealing components, generally in the form of clamps, which are arranged on opposite sides of the packaging material tube and face each other, and when in use, the sealing components periodically clamp continuous equally spaced transverse sections of the tube to seal the tube at these transverse sections, thereby forming a pillow package.

[0014] In detail, the sealing device comprises two sealing components: one is a sealing component with a heating device, and the other is a counter-sealing component defining an abutment surface against which the heating device abuts.

[0015] In more detail, each tube portion clamped between the sealing members is heat sealed by heating means which, in use, locally melt the heat-sealing plastics material in the clamping area.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the barrier material layer is defined by a sheet of conductive material (e.g., aluminum sheet), and heat sealing is achieved by induction. In this case, the heating device comprises an inductor carried by the sealing member, the inductor being supplied by a high frequency current generator and being substantially defined by a coil comprising one or more induction rods made of conductive material, the induction rods extending parallel to the second direction interacting with and inducing the current in the packaging material, thereby heating the packaging material to the desired heat sealing temperature.

[0017] In other embodiments, heat sealing is achieved by providing ultrasonic waves to locally melt the plastic material. In this case, the heating device comprises an ultrasonic probe carried by the sealing component.

[0018] The counter-sealing member comprises pressure means, preferably two pressure pads made of elastic material in the case of induction heat sealing, or pressure anvils made of metal in the case of ultrasonic sealing, the pressure means having corresponding front contact surfaces defining the above-mentioned abutment surfaces.

[0019] After the heat sealing operation is completed, a cutting element carried by one of the two sealing members (usually the counter-sealing member) is activated, thereby interacting with the packaging material tube to cut the tube along the corresponding previously established sealing band, resulting in the pillow-shaped bag being separated (cut) from the bottom end of the packaging material tube. Typically, the cutting member is removed from the groove of the counter-sealing member and engages with the corresponding groove of the sealing member.

[0020] After the cutting operation is completed, the sealing member and the counter-sealing member are moved away from each other in preparation for clamping another subsequent section of the tube.

[0021] Although the known forming devices and packaging assemblies are functionally effective, the applicant has noted that these devices and assemblies need further improvement, particularly in terms of the total number of components, total weight, maintenance, assembly and production, as well as their flexibility and adaptability to different forms of packaging (e.g., shape / size). Summary of the invention

[0022] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a forming device and a packaging assembly that meet at least one of the above needs in a straightforward and cost-effective manner.

[0023] The objects of the invention are achieved by a forming device and a packaging assembly as described in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging assembly for producing a package filled with a pourable product, with some parts removed for clarity, the packaging assembly comprising a forming device according to the invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation view, on a larger scale, of a portion of a packaging assembly with parts removed for clarity, in which a forming device is visible;

[0027] Figure 3 is a large scale perspective view of the forming components of the forming apparatus according to the present invention, with some components removed for clarity;

[0028] Figure 4 It is a larger scale cutaway perspective view, removed for clarity Figure 3 The part of the molded part;

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 a partial cross-sectional view of a molded component with some parts removed for clarity; and

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A partial cross-section of a molded component with parts removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference Figure 1 , the number 1 as a whole indicates a packaging assembly for producing a plurality of sealed packages 2 starting from a packaging material tube 3, the packages 2 containing pourable products, preferably pourable foods, such as pasteurized or UHT milk, water, juice, wine, peas, beans or the like.

[0032] In particular, the packaging assembly 1 is configured to form the tube 3 starting from a web-like sheet 4 of packaging material which is unwound from a reel 5 and fed along a forming path.

[0033] In more detail, the packaging assembly 1 is configured to, starting from the tube 3, form and seal a plurality of pillow packages 2a containing a pourable product and then fold the pillow packages 2a to obtain the above-mentioned formed, sealed and folded packages 2 containing a pourable product.

[0034] Preferably, the packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown) comprising a layer of fibrous material (eg paper) covered on both sides with respective layers of heat-sealable plastic material (eg polyethylene).

[0035] In an aseptic package 2 for long-term storage of products such as UTH milk, the packaging material further comprises a layer of air and light barrier material such as aluminium foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-sealable plastic material and in turn covers another layer of heat-sealable plastic material, the latter constituting the inner surface of the package 2 which ultimately contacts the pourable product.

[0036] Advantageously, after unwinding from the roll 5 and before forming the tube 3, the packaging material sheet 4 is sterilized, for example using a chemical sterilizing agent such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, which is then removed from the packaging material surface, for example by evaporation by heating.

[0037] Then, packaging component 1 is configured to perform the following operations in order:

[0038] - longitudinal folding of the packaging material sheet 4 by means of a folding device 6, which is known per se and will not be described in detail, to obtain the tube 3; longitudinal sealing of the tube 3 to form a longitudinal sealing band;

[0039] - filling the tube 3 (from top to bottom) with the pourable product;

[0040] - shaping the tube 3 in successive sections of the tube 3 so that these sections have or transfer a predetermined external shape;

[0041] - transverse sealing of the tube 3 at equally spaced cross sections, thereby obtaining a pillow pack 2a;

[0042] - cutting the tube 3 at the above cross section to separate the pillow packs 2a from each other; and

[0043] - Folding the pillow pack 2a to obtain a completely folded pack 2.

[0044] Advantageously, the packaging assembly 1 comprises an isolation chamber 7 which defines an internal environment, in particular an internal sterile environment containing a sterile gas and isolated from the external environment. Advantageously, the operations of longitudinally sealing the tube 3 and shaping the tube 3 are all carried out in the isolation chamber 7.

[0045] The packaging assembly 1 comprises a forming and sealing device for forming and sealing the pillow pack 2a, the device having a longitudinal axis X along which the tube 3 is fed.

[0046] That is, in use, the tube 3 is continuously fed along a first direction A parallel to the axis X, in particular a straight vertical direction.

[0047] While being fed along the X axis, the tube 3 is filled from above with a pourable product in a manner known per se and which will not be described in detail.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the forming and sealing device comprises a forming device 8 and a sealing device 10 .

[0049] The forming device 8 comprises at least one pair of forming parts 101 , preferably in the form of forming shells 11 arranged face to face on opposite sides of the axis X, ie on opposite sides of the tube 3 .

[0050] According to a known manner, but not described in detail here, the forming shells 11 are reciprocally movable towards and away from each other (and towards and away from the tube 3 ) so as to cooperate cyclically with the tube 3 so as to impart or transfer a predetermined external shape thereto.

[0051] More specifically, each molding shell 11 is defined by a half shell having a substantially C-shaped cross section, so that the molding member 101 is configured to circulate around successive portions of the tube 3 by the above-mentioned movement, thereby sequentially giving a predetermined outer shape to these portions of the tube 3.

[0052] In particular, the profile shells 11 are movable towards each other along a second direction B transverse to, in particular orthogonal to, the first direction A and the axis X.

[0053] Furthermore, the molded shell 11 can also reciprocate along the first direction A so as to follow the tube 3 along the axis X.

[0054] Advantageously, the forming and sealing means comprise two forming means 8, namely two pairs of forming shells 11, each pair being movable in the reciprocating manner described above.

[0055] More specifically, in use, the speed of each pair of forming shells 11 along the first direction A matches the advancement speed of the tube 3 along the axis X, so that each pair of forming shells 11 can surround the corresponding part and cyclically and correctly give or transfer the desired shape thereto.

[0056] Specifically, the tube 3 is fed downward along the X-axis. As a result, the forming shell 11 moves downward, following and surrounding a portion of the tube 3 .

[0057] Then, after the molding is completed, the molding shell 11 will be separated from the pipe part and moved upward, and then follow the subsequent pipe part and repeat the molding operation on the pipe part.

[0058] The two pairs of forming shells 11 perform the above-mentioned operations in an alternating manner, thereby forming a continuous portion of the tube 3 .

[0059] The sealing device 10 is configured to repeatedly seal the tube 3 at equally spaced cross sections of the tube 3 , these cross sections being orthogonal to the direction of advancement of the tube, ie to the axis X and the first direction A.

[0060] In detail, Figure 2 As shown schematically, the sealing device 10 comprises a sealing part 12 and a counter-sealing part 13, which are arranged on opposite sides of the axis X, in particular on opposite sides of the tube 3, and face each other.

[0061] According to a known method, the sealing member 12 and the counter-sealing member 13 can be reciprocally moved toward and away from each other to periodically cooperate with each other, thereby clamping the tube 3 in a gripping manner at the cross-section, for sealing the tube 3 and defining a transverse sealing band extending along a third direction C orthogonal to the first direction A and the second direction B.

[0062] Advantageously, the molding and sealing device comprises two sealing devices 10 , each of which is integrally movable along the axis X (and the first direction A) with a pair of corresponding molding shells 11 .

[0063] Specifically, for each sealing device 10 and each pair of molded shells 11 , the sealing component 12 is integral with one molded shell 11 and is preferably arranged below the molded shell 11 , while the counter-sealing component 13 is integral with the other molded shell 11 and is preferably arranged below the molded shell 11 .

[0064] To this end, the packaging assembly 1 comprises at least one, in particular two, pairs of arms 14. The arms 14 in each pair of arms 14 are arranged on opposite sides of the axis X, in particular on opposite sides of the tube 3, and carry a pair of molded shells 11 and a sealing device 10. In particular, one arm 14 in each pair of arms 14 carries a molded shell 11 and a sealing component 12 of the sealing device 10 and the other arm 14 in each pair of arms 14 carries another molded shell 11 and a counter-sealing component 13 of the sealing device 10.

[0065] For each pair of arms, arm 14 is:

[0066] - movable towards and away from each other in a direction transverse to the axis A, in particular in a second direction B; and

[0067] - can be moved reciprocatingly in a first direction A so as to follow the advancement of the tube 3 along the axis X.

[0068] Such reciprocating, alternating and cyclical movements of the arms 14 and of the profiled shell 11 , the sealing member 12 and the counter-sealing member 13 are well known and are described, for example, in WO-A-2007114752.

[0069] In this way, the arms 14 of each pair control and determine the movement of the corresponding pair of profiled shells 11 and of the corresponding sealing device 10 .

[0070] In practice, the arms 14 define alternatively movable forming and sealing clamps which can be controlled to move back and forth in a first direction A and in a second direction B so as to interact with the tube 3 at successive portions thereof.

[0071] For the sake of simplicity, reference will be made hereinafter to a single forming shell 11 . However, the functional and structural features of this forming shell 11 are equally applicable to each forming shell 11 of the forming device 8 .

[0072] According to the present invention, Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 It can be seen that the molded shell 11 includes

[0073] a hollow body 15 externally engaged with the tube 3 and defining an internal cavity 16; and

[0074] A reinforcing inner structure 17 situated in the cavity 16 , surrounded by the hollow body 15 and configured to reinforce the hollow body 15 .

[0075] More specifically, the profiled shell 11 is defined by a hollow, C-shaped half-shell 15 internally defining a cavity 16 in which the structure 17 is arranged.

[0076] According to a known embodiment, the profiled shell 11 has a main wall and two side walls protruding orthogonally from the main wall, thereby defining the aforementioned C-shape.

[0077] The reinforcing inner structure 17 comprises a lattice structure distributed in the cavity 16 .

[0078] In particular, the structure 17 comprises a macro-grid structure, ie a grid structure having a significant percentage of voids to the solid lines, in particular a percentage of voids to the solid lines that is visible to the naked eye.

[0079] Advantageously, the lattice structure has a plurality of beams 18 extending in the cavity 16 .

[0080] Specifically, the cavity 16 extends longitudinally relative to the axis X and the first direction A within the hollow body 15 , and the beam 18 extends longitudinally relative to the axis X and the first direction A within the hollow body 16 .

[0081] More specifically, the hollow body 15 comprises:

[0082] a first wall 19 having a first outer surface 19a for cooperating in contact with the tube 3 and a first inner surface 19b opposite the first outer surface 19a and partially defining the cavity 16; and

[0083] A second wall 20 having a second inner surface 20a facing the first inner surface 19b and partially defining the cavity 16, and a second outer surface 20b opposite the second inner surface 20a.

[0084] Each beam 18 extends transversely within the cavity 16 from a first inner surface 19b to a second inner surface 20a.

[0085] That is, each beam 18 extends transversely between the first inner surface 19b and the second inner surface 20a.

[0086] Due to the adoption of such a structure, the structural rigidity of the hollow body 15 is ensured while the weight of the molded shell 11 is reduced.

[0087] According to this preferred embodiment, the first wall 19 is the front wall of the profiled shell 11 and the second wall 20 is the rear wall of the profiled shell 11 relative to the X axis or the tube 3 .

[0088] Both the first wall 19 and the second wall 20 have a C-shaped profile for defining said C-shape of the profiled shell 11 .

[0089] like Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As can be seen, the beam 18 is defined by an elongated plate extending (longitudinally) within the cavity 16, thereby defining a plurality of longitudinal channels (or chambers, or cells, or voids) 21, each channel having a prismatic cross-section.

[0090] Specifically, for each channel 21 , two sides of the corresponding prismatic cross-section are defined by a pair of opposing beams 18 .

[0091] In view of the above, the beam 18 extends within the cavity 16, intersecting the first wall 19 and the second wall 20 of the hollow body 15, but not intersecting each other.

[0092] According to another embodiment not shown, beams 18 extend within cavity 16, intersecting first wall 19, second wall 20, and each other to form a web-like internal structure.

[0093] Preferably, the channels 21 are separated from each other.

[0094] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 It can be seen that the reinforcing internal structure 17 further comprises a plurality of ribs 22 which extend to the first inner surface 19 b and protrude from this surface towards the cavity 16 .

[0095] Advantageously, if Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the ribs 22 are arranged as a raised grid extending across the first inner surface 19b.

[0096] In this way, the hollow body 15 is further reinforced at the portion where the force is greatest, ie, the portion where the molded shell 11 contacts the tube 3 .

[0097] Preferably, the reinforcing inner structure 17 comprises a plurality of ribs (not shown) extending on the second inner surface 20 a and protruding from the surface toward the cavity 16 .

[0098] Advantageously, the ribs of the further ribs are also arranged to define a raised grid extending on the second inner surface 20a.

[0099] In this way, the hollow body 15 is further reinforced so as to better withstand the load applied thereto during use.

[0100] Advantageously, the density of the reinforcing internal structure 17 , including the grid structure (ie the beams 18 ) and the ribs 22 , is variable (not constant) within the cavity 16 .

[0101] For example, this density is higher where the forces are greatest and lower where they are least, thereby saving material and reducing weight while ensuring adequate mechanical properties.

[0102] According to an important aspect of the present invention, the hollow body 15 and the reinforced internal structure 17 are integrally formed without solving the continuity problem, and thus the molded shell 11 is integrally formed without solving the continuity problem.

[0103] Advantageously, the molded shell 11 is obtained by additive manufacturing.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment, the molded shell 11 is made of metal, such as titanium or stainless steel.

[0105] Advantageously, the forming device 8 comprises, for each forming shell 11, at least one cam follower 23 coupled to the respective forming shell 11 for cooperating with a cam surface (known per se, not shown) of the packaging assembly 1 to control the movement of the forming shells 11 towards and away from each other.

[0106] In particular, each profiled shell 11 carries two cam followers 23 , respectively located on a side 24 of the profiled shell extending from the hollow body 15 in a direction opposite to the third direction C.

[0107] Ideally, the molded shell 11 includes at least one, particularly two, lubrication channels 25 for delivering lubrication medium to the corresponding cam followers 23. Specifically, each lubrication channel 25 is configured to receive lubrication medium from a known source thereof and deliver the received lubrication medium to the corresponding cam follower 23.

[0108] According to one aspect of the present invention, each lubrication channel 25 is integrally formed with the hollow body 15 and there is no continuity problem.

[0109] In particular, Figure 4 As can be seen, each side portion 24 defines a lubrication channel 25 inside.

[0110] Advantageously, each side portion 24 is integrally formed with the hollow body 15 , without any continuity problems.

[0111] More specifically, the side portions 24 are integrally formed with the hollow body 15 by additive manufacturing, so that the lubrication ducts 25 are formed together with the hollow body 15 , thereby defining more internal cavities of the hollow body 15 itself, which are distinct and separate from the cavity 16 .

[0112] The operation of the packaging assembly 1 will be described below with reference to a single pair of arms 14 and starting from a state in which the arms 14 move downwardly in a first direction A to match the advancement speed of the tube 3 .

[0113] In this state, the molded shell 11 and the sealing member 12 and the counter-sealing member 13 move toward each other.

[0114] The sealing member 12 and the counter-sealing member 13 clamp the tube 3, thereby sealing it and forming a transverse sealing band along the third direction C.

[0115] Shortly thereafter, the molded shell 11 surrounds the tube 3 , giving it the desired outer shape.

[0116] After the molding and sealing are completed, the molding shell 11 and the sealing member 12 and the counter-sealing member 13 are moved away from each other.

[0117] The advantages of the forming device 8 and the packaging assembly 1 according to the present invention will be apparent from the above description.

[0118] In particular, due to the special configuration of the molded shell 1, namely hollow and internally reinforced, the weight of the molded device 8 is greatly reduced while ensuring appropriate rigidity and resistance.

[0119] Furthermore, since each molded shell 11 is now defined by a single component (including the lubrication duct 25) rather than by a large number of components and fastening elements for coupling these components together, the total number of components is greatly reduced. Therefore, maintenance, assembly and production are greatly simplified.

[0120] In addition, the flexibility and adaptability of the forming device 8 to different forms of packaging 2 are also improved, because during the production process, only the shape of the reinforced internal structure 17 (such as the shape, size and / or density of the beam 18) needs to be changed to adapt to the different load profile types of different packaging 2 being formed.

[0121] Furthermore, the density of the reinforced internal structure 17, including the density of the grid structure (i.e., beams 18) and ribs 22, may be non-constant within the cavity 16, e.g., higher where the forces are greatest and lower where the forces are least, thereby saving material and reducing weight while ensuring adequate mechanical properties.

[0122] The reduced weight also reduces stress on the servo motor used to move the arm 14 and makes its torque trend smoother.

[0123] The presence of the ribs 22 allows the first wall 19 and the second wall 20 to be thinner while ensuring that these walls have sufficient rigidity.

[0124] Obviously, modifications may be made to the forming device 8 and the packaging assembly 1 described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A forming device (8) for a packaging assembly (1), the forming device (8) being configured to form and seal a plurality of packages (2) containing pourable products starting from a tube (3) of packaging material, The forming device (8) comprises a pair of forming members (101) facing each other, wherein the forming members (101) can be moved toward or away from each other to periodically contact and fit the continuous portion of the tube (3), thereby imparting or transferring a predetermined shape to the tube (3); Each of the molding components (101) comprises: - a hollow body (15) configured to externally engage with the tube (3) and internally define an internal cavity (16); and, - A reinforcing internal structure (17) which is located inside the cavity (16) and is surrounded by the hollow body (15) so as to reinforce the hollow body (15).

2. A forming device according to claim 1, wherein each forming part (101) is defined by a hollow half-shell internally defining the cavity (16) and having a substantially C-shaped cross-section, so that the forming part (101) periodically surrounds the continuous part of the tube (3).

3. The forming device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcing internal structure (17) comprises a grid structure distributed in the cavity (16), in particular a large grid structure.

4. A forming device according to claim 3, wherein the grid structure has a plurality of beams (18) extending within the cavity (16).

5. The forming device according to claim 4, wherein the hollow body (15) comprises: - a first wall (19) having a first outer surface (19a) for contact cooperation with the tube (3) and a first inner surface (19b) opposite the first outer surface (19a) and partially defining the cavity (16); and - a second wall (20) having a second inner surface (20a) facing the first inner surface (19b) and partially defining the cavity (16), and a second outer surface (20b) opposite the second inner surface (20a); And wherein each beam (18) extends within the cavity (16) from the first inner surface (19b) to the second inner surface (20a).

6. A forming device according to claim 5, wherein the beam (18) is defined by an elongated plate extending inside the cavity (16), thereby defining a plurality of longitudinal channels (21), each of which has a prismatic cross section, And among them, For each channel (21), two sides of the respective prismatic cross-section are defined by a pair of opposing beams (18).

7. The forming device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the reinforcing internal structure (17) further comprises a plurality of ribs (22) extending at least on the first inner surface (19b) and protruding from the first inner surface (19b) toward the cavity (16).

8. A forming device according to claim 7, wherein the ribs (22) are arranged as a raised grid extending on the first inner surface (19a).

9. The forming device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the reinforcing internal structure comprises a plurality of ribs extending onto the second inner surface (20a) and protruding from the second inner surface (20a) towards the cavity (16).

10. A forming device according to claim 9, wherein the ribs of the plurality of ribs are arranged to define a grid of projections extending on the second inner surface (20a).

11. Forming device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body (15) and the reinforcing internal structure (17) are formed in one piece without continuity problems, and thus each forming part (101) is formed in one piece without continuity problems.

12. The molding device according to claim 11, wherein each molded component (101) is obtained by additive manufacturing.

13. The forming device according to claim 11 or 12, comprising, for each forming component (101), at least one cam follower (23), the cam follower (23) being adapted to cooperate with a cam surface of the packaging assembly (1) so as to control the movement of the forming components (101) towards and away from each other; Each molded component (101) comprises at least one lubrication pipeline (25), wherein the lubrication pipeline (25) is used to transport lubrication medium toward the cam follower (23); Furthermore, the lubrication pipe (25) is integrally formed with the hollow body (15) without any continuity problem.

14. The forming device according to claim 13, wherein each forming part (101) comprises at least one transverse portion (24) extending from the hollow body (15), the transverse portion (24) carrying the cam follower (23) and defining the lubrication duct (25) internally; And among them, The transverse portion (24) is integrally formed with the hollow body (15) without continuity problems.

15. A packaging assembly (1) for forming and sealing a plurality of packages (2) containing pourable products starting from a tube (3) of packaging material, The packaging component (1) comprises: - a longitudinal axis (X) along which the tube (3) is fed in use; - a sealing device (10) for sealing the tube (3) at continuous cross sections of the tube (3) and having a sealing member (12) and a counter-sealing member (13) arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis; and - A forming device (8) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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