Folding device and packaging machine with folding device

Abstract

The invention describes a folding device (16) for producing a finished package (2) from a semi-finished package (5) having a central body (8), at least one cover plate (9) and at least one sealing fin. The folding device (16) comprises at least a plurality of holding pockets (32) and a transfer device (33). Each retaining pocket (32) comprises a respective folding device (45) configured to fold a respective sealing fin (10) and a respective cover plate (9). Each folding device (45) comprises a folding element (46) movable between a rest position and an active position to fold the sealing fin (10) and the cover plate (9). The folding device (16) further comprises an actuation unit (48) configured to move each folding element (46).

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 has been 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 fins protruding laterally from the central body.In order to obtain the finished product packaging, the pillow-shaped packaging is further formed, and the sealing fins and cover plate 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 fixed cover sheet folding device arranged at the processing station between the receiving station and the releasing station and configured to fold the cover sheets onto the respective central bodies simultaneously.Therefore, the cover sheet folding device also folds the sealing fins.

[0013] Furthermore, the folding unit 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 a portion of the cover plate and / or the respective central body in order to seal the fin to the respective 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 16 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] Figures 3a and 3b are Figure 1 an enlarged perspective view of a detail of a folding device of the invention, with parts removed for clarity;

[0024] Figures 4a to 4c are Figure 1 an enlarged side view of a detail of the folding device when the portion is in a different configuration, with portions removed for clarity;

[0025] Figures 5a to 5c are Figure 1 an enlarged perspective view of further details of the folding device when in different configurations, with parts removed for clarity;

[0026] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 a perspective view of another portion of the folding device of the invention, with portions removed for clarity; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the multilayer packaging material (preferably the packaging material web 3) may further comprise: a gas 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 and light barrier material layer and the fiber material layer.

[0031] 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.

[0032] Preferably, each finished package 2 may have a substantially parallelepiped structure.

[0033] 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. Preferably, 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.

[0034] 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 ).

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each finished package 2 may also include an opening device, such as a closure or a lid.

[0038] 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 .

[0039] Preferably, each opening device may be arranged on a respective second end, preferably on a respective transverse wall defining a respective top wall.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Special References Figure 2Each 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).

[0042] Each semifinished package 5 may comprise a central body 8 , one or more cover plates 9 protruding (preferably transversely) from the respective central body 8 , and one or more transverse sealing fins 10 (preferably transverse to the longitudinal axis A).

[0043] In more detail, each sealing fin 10 may be arranged at a respective end 7 of a respective semi-finished product pack 5 .

[0044] Preferably, each package 5 of the semi-finished product may comprise at least two transverse sealing fins 10 , preferably arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis A, at respective ends 7 of the respective package 5 of the semi-finished product 5 , opposite to each other.

[0045] Furthermore, each sealing fin 10 may define a respective transverse sealing fin of a respective finished package 2 obtained from a respective semi-finished package 5 .

[0046] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each sealing fin 10 may protrude from the corresponding central body 8 in a direction parallel to the corresponding longitudinal axis A.

[0047] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, 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 ).

[0048] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each end portion 7 may taper from a respective central body 8 to and / or into a respective sealing fin 10 .

[0049] Preferably, each cover plate 9 may carry a portion of a corresponding sealing fin 10 .

[0050] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, at least one end portion 7 may include two respective cover plates 9 extending laterally from opposite lateral sides of the respective central body 8. In more detail, each end portion 7 may include at least two respective cover plates 9.

[0051] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, 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 .

[0052] 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 .

[0053] Each first end portion 11 and each second end portion 12 may include a corresponding sealing fin 10 and a corresponding pair of cover plates 9 .

[0054] Furthermore, each first end 11 and each second end 12 may include a respective end 7 .

[0055] Special References Figure 1 , the packaging machine 1 may include at least:

[0056] a forming device 15 configured to form and / or obtain a semi-finished pack 5 of pourable product, preferably from a multilayer packaging material, even more preferably from a web 3 of packaging material; and

[0057] 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 .

[0058] In more detail, the forming device 15 may include:

[0059] - an isolation chamber 17, which is configured to separate the internal (sterile) environment from the external (harmful) environment;

[0060] 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;

[0061] a tube forming and sealing device 20 arranged at least partially inside the isolation chamber 17 and configured to form and longitudinally seal the tube 19 at a tube forming station inside the isolation chamber 17;

[0062] - a filling device 21 for filling the tube 19 with a pourable product; and

[0063] 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 .

[0064] Preferably, each sealing fin 10 may be produced by transverse sealing and cutting of the tube 19 .

[0065] 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 .

[0066] Furthermore, the tube 19 may extend along a longitudinal axis, preferably having a vertical orientation.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] Even more specifically, the tube forming assembly 23 and the sealing head 24 may be disposed within the isolation chamber 17 .

[0071] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the bag forming unit may include:

[0072] - 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

[0073] A conveying unit (not shown and known) configured to propel the operating assembly and the corresponding counter-operating assembly along the corresponding conveying path.

[0074] 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.

[0075] Special References Figure 1 and Figure 3a to Figure 6 The folding device 16 may include at least one folding unit 30 (shown only partially to the extent necessary for understanding the invention), which is configured to obtain the finished package 2 from the corresponding semi-finished package 5, and preferably includes a feed conveyor 31, which is configured to advance the semi-finished package 5 to the folding unit 30.

[0076] 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 .

[0077] Special References Figure 1 3a to 5c, the folding device 16, in particular the folding unit 30, may include:

[0078] - a plurality of holding pockets 32 configured to receive one respective semi-finished product package 5 at a time; and

[0079] - A conveying device 33 (shown only partially to the extent necessary for understanding the invention) which is configured to advance the holding bags 32 along a circular path 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 release station, where each finished package 2 is released from a corresponding holding bag 32.

[0080] Preferably, the folding device 16 , in particular the folding unit 30 , can be configured to manipulate the semi-finished pack 5 so as to form the finished package 2 during the advancement of the holding bag 32 along the circular path.

[0081] In more detail, in use, each semi-finished pack 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 release station.

[0082] Special References Figure 1 and 3 to 4 c , each holding pocket 32 ​​may include a holding space that is preferably delimited by at least two respective holding panels 35 of the respective holding pocket 32 ​​.

[0083] More specifically, one retaining plate 35 may be disposed along the annular path upstream of another retaining plate 35. In other words, each retaining pocket 32 ​​may include a front retaining plate 35 (relative to the annular path) and a rear retaining plate 35 (relative to the annular path).

[0084] Preferably, but not necessarily, the corresponding retaining plate 35 of each retaining bag 32 can be configured to perform relative movement to allow insertion and release of the corresponding semi-finished product package 2. In addition, the corresponding retaining plate 35 of each retaining bag 32 can be configured to engage with the corresponding semi-finished product package 5 and the corresponding finished product package 2, for example, for fixing and / or shaping the corresponding semi-finished product package 5 and the corresponding finished product package 2.

[0085] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, one retaining plate 35 (e.g., a trailing retaining plate 35) of each retaining bag 32 can be fixed (immovable) relative to the conveying device 33, and another retaining plate 35 (e.g., a trailing retaining plate 35) of each retaining bag 32 can be movable relative to the conveying device 33 to control the relative movement between the corresponding retaining plates 35 of each retaining bag 32.

[0086] Special References Figure 1 4a to 4c, 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, 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.

[0087] 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 release station.

[0088] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the conveyor device 33 may be configured to intermittently advance the holding bag 32 along a circular path.

[0089] In more detail, the transfer device 33 may include a transfer wheel 38 rotatable about a respective axis B of rotation.

[0090] Furthermore, the transfer device 33 may comprise an actuation unit configured to actuate, preferably in an intermittent manner, the rotation of the transfer wheel 38 in order to advance the holding bags 32 along the circular path.

[0091] 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.

[0092] In more detail, each retaining plate 35 may radially protrude from the transfer wheel 38 .

[0093] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, one holding plate 35 of each holding bag 32 may be integrally formed with the transfer wheel 38 , while the other holding plate 35 may be movable relative to the transfer wheel 38 .

[0094] More specifically, each trailing retention plate 35 may be integrally formed with the transfer wheel 38 and / or each leading retention plate 35 may be movable relative to the transfer wheel 38 .

[0095] Special References Figure 1 , each semi-finished product package 5 can be 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 .

[0096] Special References Figure 1 3 to 4c, each holding bag 32 may include a first terminal portion 37 and a second terminal portion 36 opposite to the first terminal portion 37. Preferably, each second terminal portion 36 may be adjacent to and / or connected to a transfer wheel 38.

[0097] Furthermore, each retaining pocket 32 ​​may include an open end disposed at a corresponding first terminal portion 37 .

[0098] 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 36 and the corresponding first end 11 is placed near the corresponding first terminal portion 37.

[0099] Furthermore, each semi-finished package 5 can be introduced into the respective retaining bag 32 with the respective sealing fin 10 in the respective unfolded position and the respective cover plate 9 in the unfolded position, which means that the sealing fin 10 protrudes, preferably in a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal axis A, and the respective cover plate 9 protrudes, preferably laterally, from the respective central body 8.

[0100] The operation of the folding device 16 (in particular, the operation of the folding unit 30) is intended to fold each sealing fin 10 from a corresponding unfolded position to a corresponding folded position, wherein each sealing fin 10 is folded onto and / or toward a corresponding central body 8 (preferably a corresponding second end 12), and to fold each cover plate 9 from a corresponding unfolded position to a corresponding bent position, in which each cover plate 9 is folded onto and / or toward a corresponding central body 8 (preferably a corresponding middle portion 13).

[0101] Special References Figure 1 3 to 5 c, each holding bag 32 may include a corresponding folding device 45, which is configured to fold a corresponding sealing fin 10 from a corresponding unfolded position to a corresponding folded position and fold a corresponding cover plate 9 from a corresponding unfolded position to a corresponding bent position. Preferably, each folding device 45 may be configured to fold a corresponding sealing fin 10 and a corresponding cover plate 9 placed at a corresponding second terminal portion 36.

[0102] Furthermore, each folding device 45 may be configured to fold a respective sealing fin 10 and a respective cover plate 9 protruding from a respective second end 12 .

[0103] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each folding device 45 may be arranged at a respective second terminal portion 36 and / or may define a respective second terminal portion 36 .

[0104] Specifically, each semi-finished product package 5 is inserted into the corresponding holding bag 32 when in use, so that each folding device 45 can be configured to fold another sealing fin 10 and another cover plate 9 placed in the corresponding holding bag 32 before the corresponding sealing fin 10 and the corresponding cover plate 9. Therefore, for the following description, we rely on the terms leading sealing fin 10 and leading cover plate 9 to respectively represent the corresponding sealing fin 10 and the corresponding cover plate 9 that first enter the corresponding holding bag 32, and rely on the terms trailing sealing fin 10 and trailing cover plate 9 to respectively represent the corresponding sealing fin 10 and the corresponding cover plate 9 after the leading sealing fin 10 and the leading cover plate 9 (that is, the trailing sealing fin 10 is the fin opposite to the leading sealing fin 10, and the trailing cover plate 9 is the cover plate opposite to the leading cover plate 9). Therefore, each leading sealing fin 10 and each leading cover plate 9 are located near the corresponding second terminal portion 36 , and each trailing sealing fin 10 and each trailing cover plate 9 are located near the corresponding first terminal portion 37 .

[0105] In more detail, each folding device 45 may be configured to fold each leading sealing fin 10 and the corresponding leading cover plate 9 .

[0106] As will be further illustrated below, according to this non-limiting embodiment, the trailing seal fin 10 may be folded by an alternative mechanism, rather than by the folding device 45. Specifically, the alternative mechanism is not associated with each individual retaining pocket 32, but may be located in a fixed position.

[0107] Advantageously and with particular reference to Figures 3a to 5c, each folding device 45 may include a folding element 46 which can be moved between a static position (see Figures 4a and 5a) and an active position (see Figures 4c and 5c) to move the corresponding front sealing fin 10 from the unfolded position to the folded position and to move the corresponding front guide cover plate 9 from the unfolded position to the bent position.

[0108] Preferably, each folding element 46 , when in the rest position, allows the insertion of the respective semi-finished product package 5 into the respective holding pocket 32 ​​without interacting with the respective leading sealing fin 10 and the respective leading cover plate 9 .

[0109] Preferably, each folding device 45 may comprise a free space 47 for receiving the respective leading sealing fin 10, preferably the respective leading sealing fin 10 in the unfolded position at the receiving station 34. Preferably, when the respective folding element 46 is in the respective rest position, the respective folding element 46 is prevented from interacting with the respective leading sealing fin 10 during placement of the respective semi-finished package 5 in the respective holding bag 32. Even more preferably, each folding element 46 may be configured to move through the respective free space 47 when moving from the respective rest position to the respective active position in use.

[0110] More specifically, in use, each folding element 46 can be designed to be positioned in a respective rest position when the respective holding bag 32 is located at the receiving station 34, so that during the insertion of the respective semi-finished package 5, the respective leading sealing fin 10 can enter the free space 47 without moving from the deployed position and / or without colliding with any part of the respective holding bag 32. This ensures that during the insertion of each semi-finished package 5 into the respective receiving bag 32, the respective leading sealing fin 10 entering the respective holding space is not subjected to any undesirable mechanical impact. In addition, this allows gentle handling of the semi-finished package 5.

[0111] Advantageously, the folding device 16 (in particular the folding unit 30) may also include an actuating unit 48, which is configured to set each folding element 46 in a corresponding static position at the receiving station 34 and to move each folding element 46 from the corresponding static position to a corresponding active position, preferably to a release station, during the movement of the corresponding holding bag 32 from the receiving station 34 and along the annular path.

[0112] Therefore, only when each semi-finished package 5 is arranged in the corresponding holding pocket 32, can the corresponding leading sealing fin 10 and the corresponding leading cover plate 9 be folded. Therefore, the entire folding process can be accurately controlled without applying pressure to the semi-finished package 5 unnecessarily.

[0113] In more detail, especially with reference to Figure 1 and 3 to 5c, each folding element 46 may include: at least one first interaction surface 49, which is configured to engage the corresponding leading sealing fin 10; and one or more second interaction surfaces 50, preferably at least two, more preferably exactly two, which are configured to engage the corresponding leading cover plate 9 so as to fold the corresponding leading sealing fin 10 to the folded position and the corresponding leading cover plate 9 to the corresponding bent position during the movement of the folding element 46 from the corresponding static position to the active position.

[0114] Preferably, one second interaction surface 50 of each folding element 46 may be configured to interact with one of the corresponding leading cover plates 9 of the corresponding semi-finished package 5 , and another second interaction surface 50 of each folding element 46 may be configured to interact with another corresponding leading cover plate 9 .

[0115] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, at least a portion of each first interaction surface 49 may be interposed between two corresponding second interaction surfaces 50 .

[0116] Preferably, each first interaction surface 49 and / or each second interaction surface 50 may have a curved portion.

[0117] Preferably, the respective second interaction surfaces 50 of each folded element 46 may be spaced apart from one another along the main axis C of the respective folded element 46 .

[0118] Preferably, at least parts of the respective two second interaction surfaces 50 of each folding element 46 may face each other.

[0119] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each folding element 46 may include a main stem 51 and two lateral protrusions 52 protruding from the main stem 51 .

[0120] Preferably, each main rod 51 may extend along a corresponding main axis C, and the corresponding lateral protrusions 52 may be spaced apart from each other along the corresponding main axis C.

[0121] More preferably, each lateral protrusion 52 may extend from a corresponding end 53 of a corresponding main rod 51 .

[0122] Preferably, each main rod 51 and the corresponding lateral protrusion 52 may be provided as a single piece.

[0123] Preferably, each lateral protrusion 52 may have a respective second interaction surface 50 of a respective folding element 46 , and each main rod 51 may include a respective first interaction surface 49 .

[0124] With particular reference to Figures 3a to 4c, each folding element 46 may be configured such that during the movement of the folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position, first the folding element 46 starts to move the respective leading sealing fin 10 from the respective unfolded position to the respective folded position, preferably due to the interaction of the respective first interaction surface 49 with the respective leading cover plate 10. After at least partially folding the respective leading sealing fin 10, the folding element 46 starts to move the respective leading cover plate 9 from the respective unfolded position to the respective bent position, preferably due to the interaction of the respective second interaction surface 50 with the respective leading cover plate 9. In this way, a correct folding of the respective leading sealing fin 10 and the respective leading cover plate 9 of each semi-finished package 5 can be ensured.

[0125] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each folding element 46 can be configured so that during the movement of the folding element 46 from the corresponding static position to the corresponding active position, the folding element 46 preferably folds the corresponding leading sealing fin 10 in the advancing direction of the holding bag 32 (i.e., the direction in which the corresponding holding bag 32 advances along the annular path) by means of the corresponding first interaction surface 49 engaged with the corresponding leading sealing fin 10. In addition, during the movement of each folding element 46 from the corresponding static position to the corresponding active position, the corresponding first interaction surface 49 can be moved in the advancing direction. This is particularly advantageous when each semi-finished package 5 is equipped with a corresponding opening device. In this way, in fact, the leading sealing fin 10 is folded on the sealing strip 6, thereby obtaining a larger area without a sealed portion in the top wall of the final package 2, and thus a correspondingly larger opening device can be received.

[0126] Preferably, after placing each semi-final package 5 in the respective holding pocket 32 ​​, the respective folding element 46 , preferably the respective first interaction surface 49 , may be arranged behind (downstream of) the respective leading seal 10 along an annular path.

[0127] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each holding pocket 32 ​​may include a seat 59 for a corresponding folding element 46. In particular, each folding element 46 may be movably disposed within a corresponding seat 59.

[0128] With particular reference to Figures 3a, 3b and 5a to 5c, each retaining bag 32 may also include an adjacent surface 61 (which is preferably arranged at the corresponding second terminal portion 36 and / or partially defines the corresponding second terminal portion 36), which is designed to receive and / or carry the joining portion of the corresponding central body 8 of the corresponding semi-finished product package 5, preferably the joining portion of the corresponding second end 12.

[0129] Preferably, in use, a respective semi-finished product package 5 can be introduced into a respective receiving pocket 32 ​​until a respective engaging portion abuts a respective abutment surface 61 .

[0130] Preferably, the respective leading sealing fin 10 may protrude from the respective engaging portion into the respective free space 47 , wherein the engaging portion engages with (rests on) the respective abutment surface 61 , and the respective folding element 46 is in the respective rest position.

[0131] Advantageously, the actuation unit 48 may be configured to control each folding element 46 from a respective rest position to a respective active position, wherein, in use, the respective engaging portion abuts against the respective abutment surface 61 and, preferably, the respective leading sealing fin 10 protrudes into the free space 47. In other words, in use, the actuation unit 48 moves the respective folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position only after the respective engaging portion abuts against the respective abutment surface 61. In this way, a very gentle handling of the semi-finished package 5 may be ensured.

[0132] With particular reference to Figures 5a to 5c, each retaining bag 32 may include a support structure 62, the support structure 62 is preferably arranged at the corresponding second terminal portion 36.

[0133] Preferably, each retaining pocket 32 ​​may include a respective abutment surface 61 .

[0134] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each support structure 62 may include and / or define and / or bound a respective seat 59 .

[0135] More specifically, each support structure 62 may include a pair of grooves that at least partially define a corresponding seat 59. In addition, a portion of each folding element 46 (preferably a portion of the corresponding main rod 51) can move within the corresponding groove when moving between the corresponding rest position and the corresponding active position.

[0136] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each support structure 62 may be fixed to a corresponding retaining plate 35 , preferably a corresponding rear retaining plate 35 and / or a fixed retaining plate 35 .

[0137] With particular reference to FIGS. 4 a to 5 c , the actuation unit 48 may be configured to angularly move each folding element 46 to control the corresponding folding element 46 from the corresponding rest position to the corresponding active position.

[0138] Preferably, during the movement of each folding element 46 from the respective rest position to the respective active position, the folding element 46 moves in the advancing direction, ie along an annular path in the direction of advancement of the holding bag 32 .

[0139] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, and with particular reference to FIGS. 3 b and 6 , the actuation unit 48 may include a cam mechanism 64 that moves the folding element 46 between a respective rest position and a respective active position.

[0140] Preferably, the cam mechanism 64 may include a cam profile 65 (see Figure 6 ) and a plurality of cam followers 66 (see FIG. 3 b ), each cam follower 66 being coupled to a corresponding folding element 46 .

[0141] Furthermore, the actuation unit 48 may also comprise a plurality of coupling structures 67 , each coupling structure 67 carrying a respective cam follower 66 and being connected to a respective folding element 46 .

[0142] Preferably, each folding element 46 can be hinged to a corresponding coupling structure 67 and can be angularly moved about the axis of rotation E.

[0143] In more detail, each coupling structure 67 may include a first portion 68 hinged to the conveying device 33 (preferably the conveying wheel 38) and a second portion 69 hinged to the corresponding first portion 68. In addition, each folding element 46 may be hinged to the corresponding second portion 69.

[0144] Preferably, the transfer device 33, preferably the transfer wheel 38, may also be configured to move each coupling structure 67 along a circular path.

[0145] In particular, the advancement of the coupling structures 67 is (substantially) simultaneous relative to the corresponding holding pockets 32. More specifically, the cam mechanism 64 can be configured to move each coupling structure 67 relative to the corresponding holding pocket 32 ​​during advancement along the annular path, thereby controlling the corresponding folding element 46 between the corresponding rest position and the corresponding active position.

[0146] Furthermore, during the advancement of each coupling structure 67 , each first portion 68 , the corresponding second portion 69 and the corresponding folding element 46 perform a corresponding angular movement.

[0147] In use, the interaction between the cam follower 66 and the cam profile 65 may determine the specific movement of the corresponding folding element 46 .

[0148] In more detail, in use, the cam followers 66 may be arranged one after another along an annular path and cyclically move along the cam profile 65 , preferably cyclically moving the respective folding element 46 between a respective rest position and a respective active position.

[0149] In more detail, in use, the angular position of the cam follower 66 relative to the axis of rotation B may determine the position and / or movement of the folding element 46 .

[0150] Special References Figure 6 The folding device 16 , preferably the folding unit 30 , may comprise a plate 70 carrying the cam profile 65 .

[0151] Preferably, the plate 70 may be mounted to the transfer device 33 in a fixed position relative to the transfer wheel 38 .

[0152] Furthermore, the plate 70 may also carry a further cam profile 71 which is configured to determine the relative movement of the respective retaining plate 35 of each retaining pocket 32 ​​.

[0153] Preferably, the folding device 16, preferably the folding unit 30, may include a further cam follower 72, each cam follower 72 being coupled to a respective retaining plate 35 of a respective retaining pocket 32, for example a respective leading retaining plate 35, and being configured to run along a further cam profile 71 to determine the relative movement.

[0154] 5a to 5c, each holding pocket 32 ​​may further comprise a receiving seat 75 configured to receive an opening device of a corresponding semi-finished package 5. For example, each receiving seat 75 may be provided in the form of a hole provided in a corresponding support structure 54 and a corresponding folding element 50.

[0155] Preferably, each folding element 46 may include a cutout 76 configured to prevent the folding element 46 from contacting a corresponding opening device during movement of the folding element 46 from the rest position to the active position.

[0156] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the folding device 16, in particular the folding unit 30, may further comprise a sealing device, preferably having a heating unit, which is configured to heat-seal the leading cover sheet 9 to the corresponding central body 8, preferably to the corresponding middle portion 13. In particular, the heating unit may be configured to heat the leading cover sheet 9.

[0157] Furthermore, the folding device 16 , in particular the folding unit 30 , and even more specifically the sealing device, may also comprise a pressurizing device configured to apply a force to the leading cover plate 9 to facilitate sealing the leading cover plate 9 to the corresponding central body 8 , preferably to the corresponding intermediate portion 13 .

[0158] In an embodiment not shown, additionally or alternatively, each folding device 45 , preferably to a respective folding element 46 , may be configured to exert a force on the leading cover sheet 9 in order to promote sealing of the leading cover sheet 9 .

[0159] Special References Figure 1 The folding device 16 , in particular the folding unit 30 , may further include a folding group 77 , which is configured to fold each trailing sealing fin 10 and each trailing cover plate 9 without regard to folding the corresponding leading sealing fin 10 and the corresponding leading cover plate 9 .

[0160] In particular, the folding group 77 may be configured to fold each trailing cover panel 9 onto the respective first end 11 , in particular onto the portion of the semi-finished pack 5 that will become the bottom wall of the respective final package 2 .

[0161] Preferably, the folding group 75 is fixed relative to the holding pocket 32 ​​, ie the folding group 75 does not move when arranged and held in a fixed position and interacts with each semi-finished package 5 .

[0162] Furthermore, the folding device 16 , in particular the folding unit 30 , may also comprise an auxiliary sealing device for sealing each trailing cover panel 9 to the corresponding central body 8 , preferably to the corresponding first end 11 .

[0163] In use, the packaging machine 1 forms finished packages 2 containing a pourable product.

[0164] Specifically, the method of forming the package 2 comprises the following main steps:

[0165] - forming the semi-finished package 5 by the operation of the forming device 15; and

[0166] The semi-finished package 5 is folded into a finished package 2 by the operation of the folding device 16 .

[0167] In more detail, the main steps of forming the package 5 include at least the following steps:

[0168] - advancing the web 3 of packaging material along the advancement path P, in particular by operation of the conveying device 18;

[0169] - 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;

[0170] - 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 ;

[0171] - filling the tube 19 with the pourable product by operation of the filling device 21 , in particular of the filling tube 22 ;

[0172] - advancing the tube 19 along the tube advancement path Q by operation of the conveying device 18 and / or the bale forming unit; and

[0173] - 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.

[0174] Furthermore, the forming step may also comprise a step of sterilizing the packaging material web 3 in a sterilization station.

[0175] In more detail, the step of folding the semi-finished product package 5 includes the following sub-steps:

[0176] - feeding the semi-finished packs 5 into the folding unit 30 by operation of the feed conveyor 31; and

[0177] The semi-finished package 5 is finally folded by the operation of the folding unit 30 .

[0178] More specifically, during the feeding sub-step, the semi-finished product packages 5 can be fed into the corresponding holding bags 32 at the receiving station 34 .

[0179] Preferably, when fed into the holding bag 32 , the respective leading sealing fin 10 is placed within the respective free space 47 and preferably simultaneously the respective engaging portion of the respective semi-finished package 5 abuts against the respective abutment surface 61 .

[0180] Furthermore, during the final folding sub-step, the retaining bag 32 is advanced along a circular path, preferably intermittently.

[0181] While the retaining bag 32 is being advanced, the corresponding folding device 45 folds the corresponding leading sealing fin 10 from the corresponding unfolded position to the corresponding folded position, and folds the corresponding leading cover plate 9 from the corresponding unfolded position to the corresponding bent position, by moving the corresponding folding element 46 from the corresponding stationary position to the corresponding active position.

[0182] Preferably, the control of the folding elements 46 from the respective rest positions to the respective active positions is driven by a cam mechanism 64 .

[0183] In one embodiment, the leading cover plate 9 is heated by a heating unit, thereby allowing the leading cover plate 9 to be sealed to the corresponding central body 8 .

[0184] Furthermore, during the sub-step of final folding, the trailing sealing fin 10 and the trailing cover plate 9 are also folded by the folding group 77 .

[0185] Furthermore, the auxiliary sealing device may seal the trailing cover plate 9 to the respective central body 8 , preferentially to the respective first end 11 .

[0186] The advantages of the folding device 16 (preferably the folding unit 30 ) according to the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description.

[0187] In particular, the semi-finished package 5 is handled gently when folding the leading sealing fin 10 and the leading cover plate 9 .

[0188] 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.

[0189] According to some non-limiting embodiments, each seat 59 may include a guide surface configured to guide movement of the corresponding folding element 46 when moving between the corresponding rest position and the corresponding active position.

Claims

1. A folding device (16) for producing a finished package (2) from semi-finished packages (5) filled with a pourable product, each semi-finished package (5) comprising a central body (8), at least one cover sheet (9) protruding from said central body (8) and at least one sealing fin (10) protruding from said central body (8); The folding device (16) at least comprises: - a plurality of holding pockets (32) configured to receive respective semi-finished product packages (5); as well as a conveying device (33) configured to advance the holding bags (32) along a circular path and through a receiving station (34) where each semi-finished package (5) is fed into a corresponding holding bag (32); Each retaining bag (32) comprises a corresponding folding device (45), wherein the folding device (45) is configured to: fold the corresponding sealing fin (10) from an unfolded position to a folded position, wherein the sealing fin (10) protrudes from the corresponding central body (8) in the unfolded position and the sealing fin (10) is folded onto the central body (8) and / or folded toward the central body (8) in the folded position; and fold the cover plate (9) from a corresponding unfolded position to a corresponding bent position, wherein the cover plate (9) protrudes from the corresponding central body (8) in the unfolded position and the cover plate (9) is folded onto the central body (8) and / or folded toward the central body (8) in the corresponding bent position; wherein each folding device (45) comprises a folding element (46) which is movable between a static position and an active position to move the sealing fin (10) from the unfolded position to the folded position and to move the cover plate (9) from the unfolded position to the bent position; The folding device (16) further comprises an actuating unit (48), which is configured to place the folding element (46) in the static position at the receiving station (34) and to move the folding element (46) from the static position to the active position while the corresponding holding bag (32) moves from the receiving station (34) and along the annular path (R).

2. The folding device according to claim 1, wherein each folding element (46) comprises: At least one first interaction surface (49) configured to engage the corresponding sealing fin (10) and at least one second interaction surface (50) configured to engage the corresponding cover plate (9) so as to fold the corresponding sealing fin (10) into the folded position and the corresponding cover plate (9) into the bent position, respectively, during movement of the folding element (46) from the corresponding static position to the corresponding active position.

3. A folding device according to claim 2, wherein each folding element (46) comprises at least one main rod (51), the main rod (51) having the first interaction surface (49) and at least one lateral protrusion (52) extending from the main rod (51) and having the second interaction surface (50).

4. Folding device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each semi-finished package (5) comprises two cover plates (9) protruding from opposite sides of the corresponding central body (8); wherein each folding element (46) comprises two second interaction surfaces (50) spaced apart from each other; One of the second interaction surfaces (50) is configured to interact with one corresponding cover plate (9), while the other second interaction surface (50) is configured to interact with the other corresponding cover plate (9).

5. Folding device according to claim 4, wherein at least parts of the two respective second interaction surfaces (50) of each folding element (46) face each other.

6. A folding device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each folding element (46) comprises at least one main rod (51) having the first interaction surface (49) and two transverse protrusions (52) protruding from the main rod (51), and each transverse protrusion (52) has a corresponding second interaction surface (50), wherein The transverse protrusions (52) are spaced apart from each other.

7. A folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each folding element (46) is configured so that during the movement of the folding element (46) from the corresponding static position to the corresponding active position, the folding element (46) first starts to move the corresponding sealing fin (10) from the corresponding unfolded position to the corresponding folded position, and after at least partially folding the corresponding sealing fin (10), the folding element (46) starts to move the corresponding cover plate (9) from the non-folded position to the bent position.

8. The folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating unit (48) is configured to angularly move each folding element (46) to control the corresponding folding element (46) to move from the corresponding static position to the corresponding active position.

9. A folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The actuating unit (48) comprises a cam mechanism (64) which moves the folding element (46) between the respective rest position and the respective active position.

10. The folding device according to claim 9, wherein: The cam mechanism (64) includes a cam profile (65) and a plurality of cam followers (66), each cam follower (66) being coupled to a respective folding element (46).

11. The folding device according to claim 10, wherein: The actuating unit (48) further comprises a plurality of coupling structures (67), each coupling structure (67) carrying a corresponding cam follower (66) and connected to a corresponding folding element (46); wherein each coupling structure (67) comprises a first portion (68) hinged to the conveying device (33) and a second portion (69) hinged to the first portion (68); Wherein each folding element (46) is hinged to a corresponding second portion (68).

12. A folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Each holding pocket (32) comprises a free space (47) for receiving said sealing fin (10) in said deployed position at said receiving station (34); Each folding element (46) is configured to release the free space (47) when in the static position and to pass through the free space (47) to engage with the corresponding sealing fin (10) when moving to the corresponding active position.

13. A folding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Each holding pocket (32) further comprises an abutment surface (61) designed to receive and / or carry an engagement portion of a respective central body (8) of a respective semi-finished product pack (5); Wherein, the actuating unit (48) is configured to control each folding element (46) from the corresponding static position to the corresponding active position when the corresponding engaging portion engages the corresponding abutting surface (61) in use and the corresponding sealing fin (10) protrudes into the free space (47).

14. A folding device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each folding element (46) is configured so that during the movement of the folding element (46) from the static position to the active position, the folding element (46) folds the corresponding sealing fin (10) along the annular path in the forward direction of the corresponding retaining bag (32).

15. Folding apparatus 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.

16. 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).

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