Folding device and packaging machine with folding device

Abstract

Folding means (16) for producing finished packages (2) from semi-finished product packs (5), each semi-finished product pack (5) comprising a central body (9) and at least one cover plate (10) projecting from the central body (9), the folding means (16) comprising a plurality of holding pockets (32) configured to receive a respective semi-finished product pack (5); the device comprises a central body (9), a conveying device (33) configured to advance the holding bag (32) along an annular path (R), and a cover plate folding device (70) configured to fold at least one cover plate (10) onto and / or towards the central body (9), where the cover plate folding device (70) comprises a cover plate folding element (72) configured to fold the at least one cover plate (10) onto and / or towards the central body (9). A folding mechanism movable between an idle position and a folded position and configured to fold the cover panel (10) onto the central body (9); an actuation group (73) configured to control the flap folding element (72) between the idle position and the folded position, where the actuation group (73) is configured to drive the flap folding element (72) in linear movement and in angular movement about the axis of rotation (E) to move the flap folding element (72) between the idle position and the folded position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a folding device for folding a semi-finished package of a pourable product (preferably a pourable food) into a finished package of the pourable product (preferably a pourable food).

[0002] Advantageously, the invention also relates to a packaging machine for packaging pourable products, preferably pourable food products, into finished packages and having a folding device for folding the semi-finished packages into finished packages. Background Art

[0003] As is known to all, many liquid or pourable foods, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high temperature treated) milk, wine, ketchup, etc., are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging materials.

[0004] A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped pourable food package known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding a laminated packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure, including a cardboard and / or paper base layer, which is covered on both sides with a heat-seal plastic layer, such as a polyethylene layer. For aseptic packaging for long-term storage of products, the packaging material also includes an oxygen barrier material layer, such as an aluminum foil, which is superimposed on the heat-seal plastic layer and is in turn covered by another layer of heat-seal plastic forming the inner surface of the package that ultimately contacts the food.

[0005] This type of packaging is usually produced on fully automatic packaging machines.

[0006] Known packaging machine, it advances the packaging material coil through the sterilizing device for sterilizing the packaging material coil, and advances into the isolation chamber, preserves and advances the sterilized packaging material coil in the isolation chamber.In the process that the packaging material coil advances in the isolation chamber, the packaging material coil is longitudinally folded and sealed to form a tube, and the tube is further fed along (vertical) advancement direction.In order to complete the forming operation, the pourable product (particularly pourable food) is loaded into the tube, and in the process that advances along the advancing direction, the bag forming unit of the packaging machine is transversely sealed and subsequently cut along equidistant transverse cross sections.So pillow-shaped packaging is obtained.These pillow-shaped packagings define the semi-finished product bags of sealing, and each bag has a central body, two sealing fins produced by transverse sealing and cutting tube and protruding from the corresponding central body, and a plurality of cover plates protruding laterally from the central body.In order to obtain the finished product packaging, pillow-shaped packaging is further formed, and the sealing fins and cover plates are folded and sealed on the corresponding central body.

[0007] Typical packaging machines of this type include:

[0008] - forming means configured to form a semi-finished bag containing a pourable product; and

[0009] - A folding device configured to receive the semi-finished pack from the forming device and to form a finished package from the semi-finished pack.

[0010] A typical folding device comprises a feed conveyor configured to receive the semi-finished packages from the forming device and to feed the semi-finished packages into a folding unit of the folding device, which is configured to fold the semi-finished packages into finished packages.

[0011] A folding unit is known which comprises a plurality of holding bags configured to hold semi-finished packages and a conveying device configured to intermittently advance the holding bags along a circular path and through a receiving station and a releasing station, wherein the semi-finished packages are fed into the holding bags and wherein the finished packages are released.

[0012] The folding unit further comprises a cover sheet folding device arranged at a processing station between the receiving station and the releasing station and configured to fold the cover sheets onto the corresponding central bodies simultaneously.Therefore, the cover sheet folding device also folds the sealing fins.

[0013] Furthermore, the folding unit further comprises a heat treatment device which is arranged at the heat treatment station between the treatment station and the release station and is configured to heat treat portions of the cover sheet and / or the corresponding central body in order to seal the cover sheet to the corresponding central body.

[0014] Although the known folding devices, in particular the known folding units, work satisfactorily, there is still a need in the art for further improvements in the known folding devices, in particular the known folding units. Summary of the invention

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved folding device.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved packaging machine.

[0017] According to the invention, a folding device according to the independent claim is provided.

[0018] Preferred embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims.

[0019] According to the present invention, a packaging machine according to claim 15 is also provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging machine having a folding device according to the invention, with parts removed for the sake of clarity;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the transformation of a semi-finished package into a finished package, with parts removed for clarity;

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the folding device of the invention, with portions removed for clarity;

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 an enlarged side view of a detail of the folding device of the invention, with portions removed for clarity;

[0025] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 an enlarged perspective view of further details of the folding device of the invention, with parts removed for clarity;

[0026] Figures 6a and 6b are Figure 1 side views of a portion of the folding device at two different moments of operation, with parts removed for clarity;

[0027] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 an enlarged perspective view of another portion of the folding device of the invention, with portions removed for clarity;

[0028] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of a cover folding device of a folding device, wherein parts are removed for clarity;

[0029] Figures 9A to 9C yes Figure 8 enlarged views of details of the cover folding device in different operating states, with parts removed for clarity; and

[0030] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 Another enlarged perspective view of a cover folding device of a folding device with parts removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Number 1 denotes an integral packaging machine for producing preferably sealed finished packages 2 of pourable products, preferably pourable foods, such as pasteurized milk, juice, wine, ketchup, yogurt, milk drinks, yogurt drinks, emulsions, drinks with pulp, salt, sugar, etc.

[0032] Preferably, the package 2 may be formed from a multilayer packaging material. Even more preferably, the package 2 may be formed from a web 3 of packaging material.

[0033] More specifically, the multilayer packaging material, preferably the packaging material web 3, may comprise at least one fibrous material layer, such as a paper or paperboard layer, and at least two heat-sealable plastic material layers, such as polyethylene layers, with the fibrous material layers interposed therebetween. One of the two heat-sealable plastic material layers may define a corresponding inner surface of the finished package 2 that is ultimately in contact with the pourable product.

[0034] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the multilayer packaging material (preferably the packaging material web 3) may further comprise: a gas barrier and light barrier material layer, such as an aluminum foil or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, which is preferably arranged between one of the heat-sealable plastic material layers and the fiber material layer. Preferably, the multilayer packaging material (preferably the packaging material web 3) may further comprise another heat-sealable plastic material layer, which is between the gas barrier and light barrier material layer and the fiber material layer.

[0035] In more detail, each finished package 2 may extend along a longitudinal axis and may preferably have a longitudinal seam portion extending along the respective longitudinal axis and a pair of transverse sealing fins, preferably a transverse top sealing fin and a transverse bottom sealing fin.

[0036] Specifically, each finished package 2 may have a substantially parallelepiped structure.

[0037] In addition, each finished package 2 may include at least a first end and a second end arranged on opposite sides of the finished package 2 and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end. Specifically, each first end may define the bottom of the corresponding finished package 2, and each second end may define the top of the corresponding finished package 2.

[0038] In more detail, each first end portion and each second end portion may comprise at least one respective transverse wall (which is transverse to the respective longitudinal axis of the respective finished package 2 ).

[0039] Preferably, each intermediate portion may comprise and / or define a side wall extending between the respective transverse walls, the side wall being formed, for example, by a plurality of interconnected side wall portions.

[0040] More specifically, the respective transverse wall of each first end may define a bottom wall, and the respective transverse wall of each second end may define a top wall. Preferably, the bottom wall may have a support surface suitable for placement on a (horizontal) plane, such as a shelf within a dispensing point, and the top wall may be opposite the bottom wall.

[0041] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each finished package 2 may also include an opening device, such as a closure.

[0042] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each opening device can be applied to a respective multilayer packaging material, preferably a packaging material web 3 , or to a semi-finished package 5 or a finished package 2 .

[0043] Preferably, each opening device may be arranged on a respective second end, preferably on a respective transverse wall defining a respective top wall.

[0044] Special References Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the packaging machine 1 can be configured to produce (sealed) semi-finished packages 5, such as pillow-shaped packages, which are filled with a pourable product, and to further process and / or manipulate the semi-finished packages 5 and / or shape the semi-finished packages 5 to obtain finished packages 2.

[0045] Special References Figure 2 Each semi-finished product pack 5 may extend along a respective longitudinal axis A and may preferably comprise a longitudinal sealing band 6 (which extends along the longitudinal axis A and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis A).

[0046] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each package 5 of the semi-finished product may comprise at least one transverse sealing fin 8 , preferably transverse to the longitudinal axis A, arranged at the respective end 7 of the respective package 5 of the semi-finished product.

[0047] Preferably, each package 5 of the semi-finished product may comprise at least two transverse sealing fins 8 , preferably transverse to the longitudinal axis A, arranged at respective ends 7 of the respective package 5 of the semi-finished product 5 , opposite to each other.

[0048] Furthermore, each sealing fin 8 may define a respective transverse sealing fin of a respective finished package 2 obtained from a respective semi-finished package 5 .

[0049] Preferably, each longitudinal sealing band 6 may define a respective longitudinal seam portion of a respective finished package 2 (which is obtained from a respective semi-finished package 5 ).

[0050] Furthermore, each semi-finished product pack 5 may comprise a central body 9 , and one or more sealing fins 8 may protrude from the respective central body 9 , preferably in a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axis A.

[0051] In the particular case shown, each semifinished package 5 may comprise two sealing fins 8 , each sealing fin 8 protruding from one respective end 7 opposite the other end 7 .

[0052] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each end portion 7 may taper from a respective central body 9 to a respective sealing fin 8 .

[0053] Furthermore, each semi-finished product pack 5 may also comprise one or more cover panels 10 protruding from the corresponding central body 9 , preferably from the sides.

[0054] In particular, each cover plate 10 may carry a portion of a corresponding sealing fin 8 .

[0055] In more detail, at least one end portion 7 may comprise two respective cover plates 10 extending laterally from opposite lateral sides of the respective central body 9. In more detail, each end portion 7 may comprise at least two respective cover plates 10.

[0056] In more detail, each semi-finished product package 5 may include a corresponding first end 11 , a corresponding second end 12 opposite to the corresponding first end 11 , and a middle portion 13 between the first end 11 and the second end 12 .

[0057] Preferably, each first end portion 11 , each second end portion 12 and each middle portion 13 respectively form a corresponding first end portion, a corresponding second end portion and a corresponding middle portion of a corresponding finished package 2 .

[0058] Each first end portion 11 and each second end portion 12 may include a corresponding sealing fin 8 and a corresponding pair of cover plates 10 .

[0059] Furthermore, each first end 11 and each second end 12 may include a respective end 7 .

[0060] Special References Figure 1 , the packaging machine 1 may include at least:

[0061] - forming means 15 configured to form and / or obtain a semi-finished package 5 of pourable product; and

[0062] A folding device 16 configured to receive the semi-finished pack 5 from the forming device 15 and to form a finished package 2 for a pourable product from the semi-finished pack 5 .

[0063] In more detail, the forming device 15 may include:

[0064] - an isolation chamber 17, which is configured to separate the internal (sterile) environment from the external (harmful) environment;

[0065] a conveying device 18 configured to advance the packaging material web 3 along a web advancement path P at least to a tube forming station where the packaging material web 3 is formed into a tube 19 in use, and for advancing the tube 19 along a tube advancement path Q;

[0066] a tube forming and sealing device 20 arranged at least partially within the isolation chamber 17 and configured to form and longitudinally seal the tube 19 at a tube forming station within the isolation chamber 17;

[0067] - a filling device 21 for filling the tube 19 with a pourable product; and

[0068] a bale forming unit configured to at least form and transversely seal the tube 19 , preferably also to transversely cut the tube 19 , preferably during its advancement along the tube advancement path Q, to obtain and / or produce a semi-finished bale 5 .

[0069] In particular, each sealing fin 8 may be produced by transverse sealing and cutting of the tube 19 .

[0070] Preferably, the bale forming unit may be arranged along the tube advancement path Q downstream of the isolation chamber 17 and the tube forming and sealing device 20 .

[0071] Furthermore, the tube 19 may extend along a longitudinal axis, preferably having a vertical orientation.

[0072] Furthermore, the packaging machine 1 may also comprise sterilizing means for sterilizing at least a portion of the packaging material web 3 at a sterilizing station arranged along the web advancement path P upstream of the tube forming station.

[0073] In more detail, the filling device 21 may include at least one filling tube 22, which is fluidically connected or controllably fluidically connected to a pourable product storage tank (not shown and known) and is partially placed inside the tube 19 during use to deliver the pourable product into the advancing tube 19.

[0074] More specifically, the tube forming and sealing device 20 may include: at least one tube forming component 23, which is configured to form a tube 19 from a packaging material roll 3, in particular by overlapping the corresponding opposite side edges of the packaging material roll 3; and at least one sealing head 24, which is configured to longitudinally seal the tube 19, in particular along the portion of the tube 19 obtained by overlapping the opposite side edges of the packaging material roll 3.

[0075] Even more specifically, the tube forming assembly 23 and the sealing head 24 may be disposed within the isolation chamber 17 .

[0076] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the bag forming unit may include:

[0077] - a plurality of pairs of at least one operating component (not shown and known) and at least one corresponding counter-operating component (not shown and known); and

[0078] A conveying unit (not shown and known) configured to propel the operating assembly and the respective counter-operating assembly along the respective conveying path.

[0079] More specifically, each operating assembly can be configured to cooperate with a corresponding counter-operating assembly in a corresponding pair in use to form, transversely seal and preferably also transversely cut the tube 19 to obtain a corresponding semi-finished product package 5, in particular when advancing along the corresponding operating part of the corresponding conveying path in use.

[0080] Special References Figure 1 and Figure 3 The folding device 16 may include at least one folding unit 30 configured to obtain the finished packages 2 from the corresponding semi-finished packages 5 , and preferably includes a feed conveyor 31 configured to push the semi-finished packages 5 to the folding unit 30 .

[0081] In more detail, the feed conveyor 31 may be interposed between the folding unit 30 and the forming device 15 , and may be configured to receive the semi-finished package 5 from the forming device 15 and supply the semi-finished package 5 to the folding unit 30 .

[0082] Special References Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 7 The folding device 16, in particular the folding unit 30, may include:

[0083] - a plurality of holding pockets 32 configured to receive one respective semi-finished product package 5 at a time; and

[0084] - A conveying device 33, which is configured to advance the holding bags 32 along a circular path R and pass through a receiving station 34, where each semi-finished package 5 is fed into a corresponding holding bag 32, and preferably through a releasing station 35, where each finished package 2 is released from a corresponding holding bag 32.

[0085] In more detail, in use, each semi-finished package 5 can be folded into a respective finished package 2 while being held in the respective holding bag 32 and during the advancement of the respective holding bag 32 between the receiving station 34 and the releasing station 35 .

[0086] Special References Figure 1 and 3 7 , each holding pocket 32 ​​may include a holding space which is preferably delimited by at least two respective holding panels 37 of the respective holding pocket 32 ​​.

[0087] More specifically, one retaining plate 37 may be disposed upstream of another retaining plate 37 along the annular path R. In other words, each retaining pocket 32 ​​may include a front retaining plate 37 (relative to the annular path R) and a rear retaining plate 37 (relative to the annular path R).

[0088] Preferably but not necessarily, the corresponding retaining plate 37 of each retaining bag 32 can be configured to perform relative movement so that the retaining plate 37 engages with the corresponding semi-finished package 5 and the corresponding finished package 2, for example, for fixing and / or forming the corresponding semi-finished package 5 and the corresponding finished package 2.

[0089] Special References Figure 1 and 3 , the conveying device 33 can be configured to advance the holding bag 32 through a receiving station 34, where one semi-finished package 5 is fed into the corresponding holding bag 32 at a time. Preferably, the conveying device 33 can also be configured to advance the holding bag 32 through a releasing station 35, where the finished package 2 formed by the semi-finished package 5 during advancement in the holding bag 32 is released from the holding bag 32.

[0090] As will be explained in greater detail below, the conveyor device 33 may also be configured to advance the holding bag 32 through one or more processing stations between the receiving station 34 and the releasing station 35 .

[0091] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the conveyor device 33 may be configured to intermittently advance the holding bag 32 along the circular path R.

[0092] In more detail, the transfer device 33 may include a transfer wheel 38 rotatable about a respective axis B of rotation.

[0093] In addition, the transfer device 33 may include an actuation unit configured to actuate the rotation of the transfer wheel 38 to advance the holding bag 32 along the circular path R.

[0094] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each holding pocket 32 ​​may be carried by a transfer wheel 38. Preferably, the holding pockets 32 may be angularly spaced apart from each other about the axis of rotation B.

[0095] In more detail, each retaining plate 37 may radially protrude from the transfer wheel 38 .

[0096] Special References Figure 1 , each semi-finished product package 5 is fed to a receiving station 34 by a feed conveyor 31. At the receiving station 34, each semi-finished product package 5 is transferred from the feed conveyor 31 to a corresponding holding bag 32.

[0097] Special References Figure 1 and 3 7 , each holding bag 32 may include a first terminal portion 45 and a second terminal portion 46 opposite to the first terminal portion 45. Preferably, each second terminal portion 46 may be adjacent to and / or connected to the transfer wheel 38.

[0098] Furthermore, each retaining pocket 32 ​​may include an open end disposed at a corresponding first terminal portion 45 .

[0099] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each semi-finished product package 5 can be arranged in the corresponding holding bag 32 so that the corresponding second end 12 is placed near the corresponding second terminal portion 46 and the corresponding first end 11 is placed near the corresponding first terminal portion 45.

[0100] Furthermore, each semi-finished product package 5 can be introduced into the respective holding bag 32 with the respective sealing fin 8 in the deployed position, which means that the sealing fin 8 protrudes from the respective central body 9 .

[0101] During operation, the folding device 16, in particular the folding unit 30, folds each sealing fin 8 from a corresponding unfolded position to a corresponding folded position, wherein each sealing fin 8 is folded onto the corresponding central body 9 (preferably the corresponding second end 12) and / or toward the corresponding central body 9 (preferably the corresponding second end 12).

[0102] Special References Figures 3 to 7 Each holding bag 32 may include a corresponding fin folding device 48, which is configured to fold one corresponding sealing fin 8 from a corresponding unfolded position to a corresponding folded position at a time. Preferably, each fin folding device 48 may be configured to fold the corresponding sealing fin 8 placed at the corresponding second terminal portion 46.

[0103] Furthermore, each fin folding device 48 may be configured to fold a respective sealing fin 8 protruding from a respective second end 12 .

[0104] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each fin folding device 48 may be arranged at a respective second terminal portion 46 and / or may define a respective second terminal portion 46 .

[0105] Specifically, each semi-finished package 5 is inserted into the corresponding holding bag 32 when in use, so that each fin folding device 48 can be configured to fold another sealing fin 8 placed in the corresponding holding bag 32 before the corresponding sealing fin 8 of the corresponding semi-finished package 5. Therefore, for the following description, we rely on the term leading sealing fin 8 to represent the corresponding sealing fin 8 that first enters the corresponding holding bag 32, and rely on the term trailing sealing fin 8 to represent the corresponding sealing fin 8 after the leading sealing fin 8 (that is, the trailing sealing fin 8 is the sealing fin opposite to the leading sealing fin 8). Therefore, each leading sealing fin 8 is located near the corresponding second terminal portion 46, and each trailing sealing fin 8 is located near the corresponding first terminal portion 45.

[0106] Furthermore, each fin folding device 48 may be configured to fold a corresponding leading sealing fin 8 .

[0107] As will be further shown below, according to the present non-limiting embodiment, the trailing sealing fin 8 is folded by an alternative mechanism rather than the fin folding device 48 .

[0108] Advantageously, each fin folding device 48 may comprise:

[0109] a free space 49 for receiving, at the receiving station 34 , the respective leading sealing fin 8 in the deployed position; and

[0110] - a folding element 50 which can be in a rest position (see e.g. Fig. 6A ) and active locations (see e.g. Figure 6B ), in the static position, the folding element 50 releases the free space 49, in particular so that the corresponding leading sealing fin 8 can enter the free space 49 without moving from the unfolded position and / or without colliding with any part of the corresponding retaining bag 32, and in the active position, the folding element 50 interacts with the corresponding leading sealing fin 8 to move the corresponding leading sealing fin 8 to the corresponding folded position.

[0111] This ensures that the respective leading sealing fin 8 entering the respective holding space is not subjected to any undesirable mechanical impact during the insertion of each semi-finished product package 5 into the respective receiving pocket 32. In addition, this allows the semi-finished product package 5 to be handled gently.

[0112] In addition, the folding device 16, in particular the folding unit 30, may also include an actuating unit 51, which is configured to set each folding element 50 in a corresponding static position at the receiving station 34, and to move each folding element 50 from the corresponding static position to the corresponding active position during the movement of the corresponding holding bag 32 from the receiving station 34 and along the annular path R.

[0113] Therefore, only when each semi-finished product package 5 is arranged in the respective holding pocket 32 ​​can any mechanical interaction with the respective leading sealing fin 8 begin.

[0114] In more detail, each folding element 50 may be configured to release the respective free space 49 when in the respective rest position, in particular so that the respective leading sealing fin 8 may enter the respective free space 49 without interacting with any part of the respective retaining pocket 32 ​​.

[0115] Furthermore, each folding element 50 may be configured to close and / or occupy and / or fill the respective free space 49 when in the respective active position, in particular thereby to interact with the respective leading sealing fin 8 and to fold the respective leading sealing fin 8 into the respective folded position.

[0116] In more detail, each folding element 50 is angularly movable about a respective axis of rotation C and is thus movable between a respective rest position and a respective active position.

[0117] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each folding element 50 may include an interaction surface 52, which is configured to interact with the corresponding leading sealing fin 8, preferably to fold the corresponding leading sealing fin 8 from the unfolded position to the folded position when the folding element 50 is moved from the static position to the active position during use.

[0118] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each folding element 50 can be configured such that, during the movement of the folding element 50 from the corresponding static position to the corresponding active position, the folding element 50 preferably folds the corresponding leading sealing fin 8 in the forward direction (i.e., the forward direction of the corresponding retaining bag 32) through the corresponding interaction surface 52 engaged with the corresponding leading sealing fin 8.

[0119] This is particularly advantageous when the semi-finished product pack 5 is provided with an opening device. In fact, if folded in the direction opposite to the advancing direction, the folded sealing fin 8 will reduce the space available for applying the opening device.

[0120] Special References Figure 3 and 5 Each retaining bag 32 may also include an abutment surface 53 (which is preferably arranged at the corresponding second terminal portion 46 and / or partially defines the corresponding second terminal portion 46), which is designed to receive and / or carry the joining portion of the corresponding central body 10 of the corresponding semi-finished product package 5, preferably the joining portion of the corresponding second end 12.

[0121] In particular, in use, the respective semi-finished product package 5 may be introduced into the respective receiving pocket 32 ​​until the respective engaging portion abuts the respective abutment surface 53 .

[0122] Preferably, the respective sealing fin 8 may protrude from the respective engagement portion into the free space 49 , wherein the engagement portion engages with the respective abutment surface 53 and the respective folded element 50 is in the respective rest position.

[0123] Advantageously, the actuation unit 51 may be configured to control each folding element 50 from a respective rest position to a respective active position, wherein, in use, the respective engagement portion abuts against the respective abutment surface 53 and the respective sealing fin 8 protrudes into the free space 49. In other words, in use, the actuation unit 51 moves the respective folding element 50 from the respective rest position to the respective active position only after the respective engagement portion abuts against the respective abutment surface 53.

[0124] In this way, a very gentle handling of the semi-finished package 5 can be ensured.

[0125] In more detail, each holding pocket 32 ​​may include a support structure 54 , which is preferably arranged at the respective second terminal portion 46 and has a respective abutment surface 53 .

[0126] More specifically, each support structure 54 may be secured to a respective retention plate 37 , preferably a respective trailing retention plate 37 .

[0127] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each folding element 50 may be hinged to a respective support structure 54 , whereby a respective hinge axis defines a respective axis of rotation C.

[0128] When I return again Figures 3 to 7 When illustratively illustrating the embodiment of the present invention, it should be noted that each interaction surface 52 can be aligned and tilted relative to the corresponding abutment surface 53, wherein the corresponding folding element 50 is in the active position and the rest position, respectively.

[0129] More specifically, each abutment surface 53 and the corresponding interaction surface 52 may lie substantially in a common plane when the corresponding folding element 50 is in the active position.

[0130] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, in use, and after controlling the corresponding folding element 50 from the corresponding static position to the corresponding active position, each semi-finished product package 5, in particular the corresponding central body 10, and even more specifically the corresponding second end 12, can abut against the corresponding abutment surface 53 and the corresponding interaction surface 52.

[0131] Special References Figures 3 to 6B The actuation unit 51 may comprise a cam mechanism 60 which moves (preferably selectively) each folding element 50 between a respective rest position and a respective active position.

[0132] Preferably, the cam mechanism 60 may include a cam profile 61 and a plurality of cam followers 62 , each cam follower 62 being coupled to a corresponding folding element 50 .

[0133] Preferably, the cam profile 61 may be fixed relative to the advancing holding pocket 32 ​​and / or the rotating transfer wheel 38 .

[0134] Furthermore, in use, the cam followers 62 may be arranged one after another along the annular path R and cyclically move along the cam profile 61 , preferably causing the corresponding folding element 50 to cyclically move between a corresponding rest position and a corresponding active position.

[0135] In more detail, in use, the angular position of the cam follower 62 relative to the axis of rotation B may determine the position and / or movement of the folding element 50 .

[0136] In more detail, the cam mechanism 60 may further include a plurality of coupling structures 63 , each coupling structure 63 carrying a corresponding cam follower 62 and operably coupled to a corresponding folding element 50 .

[0137] In more detail, each coupling structure 63 may include a first arm 64 carrying the corresponding cam follower 62 and being hinged to the corresponding support structure 54, and a second arm 65 hinged to the first arm 64 and carrying the corresponding folding element 50 in an angularly movable manner.

[0138] Special References Figure 5 Each holding pocket 32 ​​may also include a seat 66 configured to receive an opening device of a corresponding semi-finished product package 5. For example, each seat 66 may be provided in the form of a hole provided in a corresponding support structure 54 and a corresponding folding element 50.

[0139] Special References Figure 1 , 3 and 8 to 10, the folding device 16, in particular the folding unit 30, may further include a cover folding device 70, which is configured to fold at least one cover 10, preferably two cover panels 10, on opposite sides of the corresponding central body 9 (in particular the corresponding middle portion 13) and / or towards opposite sides of the corresponding central body 9 (in particular the corresponding middle portion 13).

[0140] In particular, the cover sheet folding device 70 may be configured to fold the cover sheet 10 of the second end portion 12 and / or the cover sheet 10 associated with the leading sealing fin 8 .

[0141] Similar to the distinction between the leading sealing fin 8 and the trailing sealing fin 8 , the leading cover plate 10 and the trailing cover plate 10 may also be distinguished.

[0142] Specifically, the leading cover sheet 10 is the cover sheet 10 of each semi-finished package 5, which is put into the corresponding holding bag 32 earlier than other cover sheets 10. In other words, the leading cover sheet 10 is the cover sheet 10 placed at the corresponding second terminal portion 46.

[0143] Even more specifically, the leading cover plates 10 are associated with respective leading sealing fins 8 .

[0144] Preferably, the cover panel folding device 70 may be configured to fold the corresponding cover panel 10 after folding the corresponding sealing fin 8 .

[0145] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the cover folding device 70 can be configured to fold the leading cover 10 onto and / or toward the corresponding central body 9 (preferably the corresponding middle portion 13).

[0146] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the flap folding device 70 may be arranged at a flap folding station 71 between the receiving station 34 and the releasing station 35. In other words, the flap folding device 70 may define a processing station of the folding device 16, preferably of the folding unit 30.

[0147] Preferably, the flap folding device 70 may be stationary, ie, the flap folding device 70 does not move with the holding bag 32 and / or the transfer wheel 38 .

[0148] Preferably, the folding device 16 , in particular the folding unit 30 , may comprise a single flap folding device 70 .

[0149] The cover folding device 70 may include at least:

[0150] - one (preferably two) folding elements 72, each folding element being movable between an idle position and a folded position and being configured to fold the respective cover panel 10 onto and / or towards the respective central body 9 (preferably the respective middle portion 13); and

[0151] An actuation group 73 configured to control the movement of each flap-folding element 72 between a respective idle position and a respective folded position.

[0152] Preferably, the actuation group 73 may be configured to simultaneously move the two folding elements 72 between a respective idle position and a respective folded position.

[0153] In more detail, the folding elements 72 may be spaced apart from each other. One folding element 72 is configured to fold one of the corresponding pair of cover panels 10 , while the other cover panel folding element 72 is configured to fold the other cover panel 10 of the corresponding pair of cover panels 10 .

[0154] Advantageously, the actuation group 73 can be configured to actuate linear and angular movements on each cover folding element 72 about the corresponding rotation axis E, thereby moving each cover folding element 72 between a corresponding idle position and a corresponding folded position (see, for example, Figures 9A to 9C order).

[0155] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the actuation group 73 can be configured to: when controlling the cover folding element 72 from a corresponding idle position to a corresponding folded position:

[0156] - firstly actuating the linear movement of each cover folding element 72; and

[0157] - Then, after the start of the linear movement, but preferably before the termination of the linear movement, an angular movement of each flap-folding element 72 about the respective axis of rotation E is actuated.

[0158] In this way, a gentle folding of the cover plate 10 is ensured.

[0159] Furthermore, this configuration allows to have an efficient and at the same time rather compact flap folding device 70 .

[0160] The linear movement of each cover panel folding element 72 allows the cover panel folding element 72 to approach the cover panel 10 , and the angular movement allows precise control of the folding of the cover panel 10 .

[0161] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the actuation group 73 can be configured to actuate a linear movement of the folding element 72 towards the cover plate 10 and, after actuating the linear movement, to actuate an angular movement about a corresponding axis of rotation E.

[0162] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each cover panel folding element 72 may include a corresponding engaging surface 74, which is configured to engage the corresponding cover panel 10 during use to fold the corresponding cover panel 10 onto the corresponding central body 9 (preferably fold the corresponding middle portion 13) and / or toward the corresponding central body 9 (preferably fold the corresponding middle portion 13).

[0163] Preferably, the corresponding normal axis N of each engagement surface 74 (ie, the axis perpendicular to the engagement surface 74) is substantially parallel to (see, e.g. Fig.9A ) and is substantially perpendicular to (see e.g. Fig. 9C ) the corresponding longitudinal axis A of the corresponding semi-finished product package 5, wherein the corresponding cover folding elements 72 are respectively in the corresponding idle position and the corresponding folded position, and the corresponding semi-finished product package 5 is located at the folding station 71.

[0164] In more detail, each cover panel folding element 72 may include a respective folding panel 75 having a respective engagement surface 74 .

[0165] According to a particular embodiment, each folding panel 75 may have a substantially triangular shape.

[0166] Special References Figures 8 to 10 The actuation group 73 may include a support structure 76, preferably a pair of support structures 76 spaced apart from each other.

[0167] Preferably, each cover folding element 72 can be hinged to a corresponding support structure 76 and can be rotated about a corresponding rotation axis E.

[0168] In more detail, the actuation group 73 may include at least one linear rail 77 , preferably two linear rails 77 spaced apart from each other.

[0169] Furthermore, each support structure 76 may be movably connected to a corresponding linear track 77 .

[0170] In addition, the actuation group 73 may include an actuation mechanism 78 configured to linearly move each support structure 76 along a corresponding linear track 77. Each cover folding element 72 moves linearly in use, and the corresponding support structure 76 moves linearly along the corresponding linear track 77.

[0171] Furthermore, the actuation mechanism 78 may also be configured to actuate angular movement of each flap folding element 72 about a corresponding axis of rotation E.

[0172] In more detail, the actuation mechanism 78 may include a shaft 79 that rotates about a central axis F and one or more rods 80 coupled to the shaft 79. Each rod 80 may be coupled to a respective support structure 76.

[0173] Preferably, each rod 80 may be connected to a respective support structure 76 .

[0174] Preferably, in use, rotation of the shaft 79 about the central axis F actuates movement of each rod 80 , thereby actuating a corresponding linear movement of each support structure 76 .

[0175] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the actuation mechanism 78 may further include one or more shafts 81, each shaft 81 coupled to a corresponding cover folding element 72 and the shaft 79. In addition, in use, the rotation of the shaft 79 around the central axis F actuates the movement of each shaft 81, thereby actuating the angular movement of the corresponding cover folding element 72.

[0176] In more detail, each cover folding element 72 may be hinged to the corresponding support structure 76 at a first end 82 , and each shaft 81 may be connected to the corresponding cover folding element 72 at a second end 83 opposite to the corresponding first end 82 .

[0177] In more detail, the actuating mechanism 78 may further include a coupling rod 84 connected to and extending vertically from the shaft 79, a coupling shaft 85 connected to and arranged vertically to the coupling rod 84, and at least one coupling rod 86, preferably two coupling rods 86, coupled to the coupling shaft 85 and arranged vertically. Preferably, each coupling rod 86 may be connected to a corresponding end of the coupling shaft 85.

[0178] Preferably, each rod 80 may be connected to a first end 88 of a corresponding coupling rod 86 , and each shaft 81 may be connected to a second end 89 of the corresponding coupling rod 86 opposite to the corresponding first end 88 .

[0179] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the actuation mechanism 78 may further include an actuator assembly 87 configured to control angular movement of the shaft 79 about the axis of rotation F.

[0180] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the folding device 16 (in particular the folding unit 30) may also include a sealing device, which preferably has a heating unit and is configured to seal the leading cover plate 10 to the corresponding central body 9, preferably to the corresponding middle part 13.

[0181] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the folding device 16 (especially the folding unit 30) may also include a pressurizing device, which is configured to press the leading cover plate 10 onto the corresponding central body 9, preferably sealed to the corresponding middle part 13, thereby helping to seal the leading cover plate 10 to the corresponding central body 9, preferably sealed to the corresponding middle part 13.

[0182] Special References Figure 1 and Figure 3 The folding device 16 (particularly the folding unit 30 ) may further include an auxiliary folding group 90 configured to fold each trailing sealing fin 8 and each trailing cover plate 10 independently of the folding of the corresponding leading sealing fin 8 and the corresponding leading cover plate 10 .

[0183] Specifically, the auxiliary folding group 90 may be configured to fold each trailing cover panel 10 onto the corresponding first end portion 11 , in particular onto a portion of the semi-finished pack 5 that will become the bottom wall of the corresponding finished package 2 .

[0184] Furthermore, the folding device 16 (in particular the folding unit 30 ) may also comprise an auxiliary sealing device for sealing each trailing cover panel 10 to the corresponding central body 9 , preferably to the corresponding first end 11 .

[0185] In use, the packaging machine 1 forms finished packages 2 containing a pourable product.

[0186] Specifically, the method of forming the package 2 comprises the following main steps:

[0187] - forming the semi-finished package 5 by the operation of the forming device 15; and

[0188] The semi-finished package 5 is folded into a finished package 2 by the operation of the folding device 16 .

[0189] In more detail, the main steps of forming the package 5 include at least the following steps:

[0190] - advancing the roll of packaging material 3 along the advancement path P, in particular by operating the conveying device 18;

[0191] - folding of the packaging material web 3 into a tube 19 by operation of the tube forming and sealing device 20, in particular of the tube forming assembly 23, in particular in the isolation chamber 17;

[0192] - longitudinal sealing of the tube 19 , in particular in the isolation chamber 17 , by operation of the tube forming and sealing device 20 , in particular of the sealing head 24 ;

[0193] - filling the tube 19 with the pourable product by operation of the filling device 21 , in particular of the filling tube 22 ;

[0194] - advancing the tube 19 along the tube advancement path Q by operation of the conveying device 18 and / or the bale forming unit; and

[0195] - Obtaining the semi-finished pack 5 from the tube 19 by operating the pack forming unit and forming, transversely sealing and transversely cutting the tube 19 during its advancement along the tube advancement path Q.

[0196] Furthermore, the forming step may also comprise a step of sterilizing the packaging material web 3 in a sterilization station.

[0197] In more detail, the step of folding the semi-finished product package 5 includes the following sub-steps:

[0198] - feeding the semi-finished packs 5 into the folding unit 30 by operation of the feed conveyor 31; and

[0199] The semi-finished package 5 is finally folded by the operation of the folding unit 30 .

[0200] More specifically, during the feeding sub-step, the semi-finished pack 5 can be fed into the corresponding holding bag 32 at the receiving station 34. When feeding into the holding bag 32, the corresponding leading sealing fin 8 is placed in the corresponding free space 49, and preferably at the same time the corresponding engaging portion of the corresponding semi-finished pack 5 abuts against the corresponding abutment surface 53.

[0201] Furthermore, during the final folding sub-step, the holding bag 32 is advanced along an annular path R, preferably intermittently.

[0202] During the advancement of the holding bag 32, the respective fin folding device 48 folds the respective leading sealing fin 8 from the respective deployed position to the respective folded position by moving the respective folding element 50 from the respective rest position to the respective active position.

[0203] Preferably, the control of the folding elements 50 from the respective rest positions to the respective active positions is driven by a cam mechanism 60 .

[0204] Afterwards, when the corresponding semi-finished package 5 arrives at the cover folding station 71, the leading cover 10 is folded onto the corresponding central body 9 (preferably the corresponding middle part 13) and / or folded toward the corresponding central body 9 (preferably the corresponding middle part 13) through the operation of the cover folding device 70.

[0205] In more detail, the cover folding device 70 moves the cover folding elements 72 from respective idle positions to respective folded positions. Preferably, each folding element 72 moves linearly and angularly. Even more preferably, first, each folding element 72 starts to move linearly and starts to move angularly during the linear movement.

[0206] In one embodiment, the leading cover plate 10 is sealed to the corresponding central body 9 by a sealing device.

[0207] Furthermore, in the final folding sub-step, the trailing sealing fin 8 and the trailing cover plate 10 are also folded by the auxiliary folding group 90 .

[0208] Furthermore, the auxiliary sealing device seals the trailing cover plate 10 to the respective central body 9 , preferably to the respective first end 11 .

[0209] The advantages of the folding device 16 (preferably the folding unit 30 ) according to the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description.

[0210] In particular, the flap folding device 70 enables gentle and precise folding of the flap 10 .

[0211] Obviously, modifications may be made to the folding device 16 and / or to the packaging machine 1 described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A folding device (16) for producing finished packages (2) from semi-finished packages (5) containing a pourable product, each semi-finished package (5) comprising a central body (9) and at least one cover panel (10) protruding from said central body (9); The folding device (16) at least comprises: - a plurality of holding pockets (32) configured to receive a respective semi-finished product package (5); - a conveying device (33) configured to advance the holding bag (32) along a circular path (R); as well as - a cover folding device (70) configured to fold the at least one cover panel (10) onto the central body (9) and / or towards the central body (9); Wherein, the cover folding device (70) comprises at least: - a cover folding element (72) movable between an idle position and a folded position and configured to fold the cover (10) onto and / or towards the central body (9); - an actuation group (73) configured to control the cover folding element (72) between the idle position and the folded position; Wherein, the actuation group (73) is configured to actuate the linear movement of the cover folding element (72) and the angular movement of the cover folding element (72) around the rotation axis (E), thereby moving the cover folding element (72) between the idle position and the folded position.

2. The folding device according to claim 1, wherein: The conveying device (33) is configured to advance the holding bags (32) through a receiving station (34) at which each semi-finished package (5) is fed into a corresponding holding bag (32) and a releasing station (35) at which each finished package (2) is released from the corresponding holding bag (32); Wherein, the cover folding device (70) is arranged at a cover folding station (71) located between the receiving station (34) and the releasing station (35).

3. The folding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cover folding element (72) has an engagement surface (74); Wherein, when the folding element (72) is in the idle position and the folded position, the normal axis N perpendicular to the engaging surface (74) is respectively substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the corresponding semi-finished package (5) and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the corresponding semi-finished package (5).

4. A folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuation group (73) is configured to actuate the linear movement of the folding element (72) toward the cover plate (10), and to actuate the angular movement of the folding element (72) around the rotation axis (E) after the actuation of the linear movement begins.

5. A folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cover plate folding element (72) includes a folding plate (75) having an engagement surface (74) configured to engage the cover plate (10) to fold the cover plate (10) onto and / or toward the central body (9).

6. The folding device according to claim 5, wherein: The folded plate (75) has a generally triangular shape.

7. A folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The actuation group (73) includes a support structure (76); Therein, the cover folding element (72) is hinged to the support structure (76) about the rotation axis (E).

8. The folding device according to claim 7, wherein the actuation group (73) comprises a linear track (77); wherein the support structure (76) is movably coupled to the linear track (77); The actuation group (73) further comprises an actuation mechanism (78), wherein the actuation mechanism (78) is configured to linearly move the support structure (76) along the linear track (77); Wherein, in use, when the support structure (76) moves linearly along the linear track (77), the cover folding element (72) moves linearly.

9. The folding device according to claim 8, wherein: The actuation mechanism (78) includes a shaft (79) rotatable about a central axis (F) and at least one rod (80) coupled to the shaft (79) and to the support structure (76); wherein angular movement of the shaft (79) about the central axis (F) actuates movement of the at least one rod (80), thereby actuating the linear movement of the support structure (76).

10. The folding device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the actuating mechanism (78) further comprises a shaft (81) coupled to the cover folding element (72) and the shaft (79); The angular movement of the shaft (79) about the central axis (F) actuates the movement of the shaft (81), thereby actuating the angular movement of the cover folding element (72) about the rotation axis (E).

11. The folding device according to claim 10, wherein the cover folding element (72) is hinged to the support structure (76) at a first end (82); and The shaft (81) is connected to the cover folding element (72) at a second end (83) opposite to the first end (82).

12. The folding device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the actuating mechanism (78) further comprises a coupling rod (84) connected to the shaft rod (79) and extending perpendicularly from the shaft rod (79), a coupling shaft (85) connected to the coupling rod (84) and arranged perpendicularly to the coupling rod (84), and a coupling rod (84) coupled to the coupling shaft (85) and arranged perpendicularly to the coupling shaft (85); in, The rod (80) is connected to a first end of the coupling rod (86), and the shaft (81) is connected to a second end of the coupling rod (86) opposite to the first end.

13. A folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The conveying device (33) is configured to intermittently advance the holding bag (32) along the circular path (R).

14. Folding device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transfer device (33) comprises a transfer wheel (38) which carries the holding bag (32) and is rotatable about a respective rotation axis (B).

15. A packaging machine (1) for producing finished packages (2) of pourable products, comprising at least: - forming means (15) configured to form a semi-finished package (5) of said pourable product; as well as - A folding device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, for forming the finished package (2) from the semi-finished package (5).

Images