Feed conveyor for folding device, folding device having feed conveyor, and packaging machine having folding device

Abstract

A feed conveyor (30) is described which is configured to receive semi-finished product packages (5) at a receiving station (33) and to transfer the semi-finished product packages (5) to a transfer station (31). The feed conveyor (30) comprises at least one first screw conveyor (35) having a helical first helical blade (37) extending along a first central axis (B) and a second screw conveyor (36) having a helical second helical blade (38) extending along a second central axis (C). The first helical blade (37) and the second helical blade (38) are spaced apart from each other and each helical blade extends at least from the receiving station (33) to the transmission station (31). The first helical blade (37) and the second helical blade (38) are configured to mutually cooperate to propel the semi-finished product package (5) from the receiving station (33) to the transfer station (31) during rotation of the first helical blade (37) and the second helical blade (38) about the first central axis (B) and the second central axis (C), respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a feed conveyor for a folding device for semi-finished packages of pourable products, in particular pourable food products.

[0002] Advantageously, the invention also relates to a folding device for folding semi-finished packages of pourable products, in particular pourable foods, into finished packages of pourable products, in particular pourable foods, and having an infeed conveyor.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a packaging machine for packaging pourable products, in particular pourable food products, into finished packages and having a folding device equipped with an infeed conveyor. Background Art

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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.

[0006] This type of packaging is usually produced on fully automatic packaging machines.

[0007] 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 of the packaging material coil advancing in the isolation chamber, the packaging material coil is longitudinally folded and sealed to form a tube, and the tube is further fed along the (vertical) direction of advancement. In order to complete the forming operation, the pourable product (particularly pourable food) is loaded into the tube, and in the process of advancing along the forward direction, the bag forming unit of the packaging machine is transversely sealed and subsequently cut along the equidistant transverse cross section. So pillow-shaped packaging has been obtained. These pillow-shaped packages define sealed semi-finished product bags, and each bag has a central body and a plurality of cover plates protruding from the central body. In order to obtain the finished product packaging, the pillow-shaped package is further formed, and the cover plate is folded and sealed on the corresponding central body.

[0008] Typical packaging machines of this type include:

[0009] - forming means configured to form a semi-finished bag containing a pourable product; and

[0010] - 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.

[0011] A typical folding device comprises a feed conveyor configured to receive the semi-finished packs from the forming device and to feed the semi-finished packs into a folding unit of the folding device.

[0012] The feed conveyor comprises a carrier for supporting semi-finished packages and a belt conveyor carrying a plurality of push elements. The belt conveyor is configured to advance the push elements along an advancement path so that the push elements guide the semi-finished packages on the carrier along the feed path when advancing along an operating portion of the advancement path.

[0013] Therefore, the operation of the feed conveyor must guarantee the correct feeding of the semi-finished packs into the folding unit. In particular, the operator must set the feed conveyor so that the push element advances in the correct way relative to the semi-finished packs. This should ensure that the push element is avoided to be advanced relative to the semi-finished pack, as this situation may cause the push element to arrive under the semi-finished pack, which may cause a jam, or to avoid the push element arriving too late, which in turn may cause incorrect feeding of the semi-finished packs.

[0014] All of these require, for example, well-trained operators and a lot of time and effort.

[0015] Therefore, even though the known feed conveyors work satisfactorily, there is still a need in the art for further improvements in the known feed conveyors. Summary of the invention

[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved feed conveyor.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved folding device.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved packaging machine.

[0019] According to the invention, a feed conveyor according to the independent claim is provided.

[0020] Preferred embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims.

[0021] According to the present invention, a folding device according to claim 13 is also provided.

[0022] According to the present invention, a packaging machine according to claim 14 is also provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging machine having a folding device provided with an infeed conveyor according to the invention, with parts removed for the sake of clarity;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the transformation of a semi-finished package into a finished package, with parts removed for clarity;

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the folding device of the invention, with portions removed for clarity;

[0027] Figure 4 , 5 and 6 is Figure 1 enlarged perspective views of the mid-feed conveyor during different moments of the advancement of the semi-finished packages, with parts removed for clarity;

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An enlarged, interrupted view of a portion of the feed conveyor with portions removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The number 1 denotes an integral packaging machine for producing preferably sealed finished packages 2 of pourable products, in particular pourable foods, such as pasteurized milk, juice, wine, ketchup, yogurt, milk drinks, yogurt drinks, emulsions, drinks with pulp, salt, sugar, etc.

[0030] Preferably, the package 2 is formed from a multilayer packaging material. Even more preferably, the package 2 is formed from a web 3 of packaging material.

[0031] The multilayer packaging material, preferably the packaging material web 3, may have a multilayer structure (not shown).

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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 particularly 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.

[0034] In more detail, each finished product package 2 can extend along a longitudinal axis and have a longitudinal seam portion (which extends along the corresponding longitudinal axis) and a pair of transverse sealing strips, in particular a transverse top sealing strip and a transverse bottom sealing strip. In particular, each finished product package 2 can have a substantially parallelepiped structure.

[0035] Furthermore, each finished package 2 may comprise at least two transverse walls (transverse to the respective longitudinal axis) and arranged at opposite sides of the finished package 2, and a plurality of side walls extending between the transverse walls.

[0036] More specifically, one corresponding transverse wall of each finished product package 2 may define a bottom wall, and another corresponding transverse wall may define a top wall. Preferably, the bottom wall may have a support surface suitable for being placed on a (horizontal) support, such as a shelf in a distribution point, and the top wall may be opposite to the bottom wall.

[0037] 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 further process and / or manipulate the semi-finished packages 5 and / or form the semi-finished packages 5 to obtain finished packages 2. In use, the semi-finished packages 5 are first produced by the packaging machine 1, and then the packaging machine 1 obtains the packages 2 from the semi-finished packages 5.

[0038] Special References Figure 2 Each semi-finished product package 5 may include at least one central body 6 and one or more first cover panels 7a and one or more second cover panels 7b, wherein the first cover panels 7a and the second cover panels 7b protrude from the central body 6, preferably protrude to the side.

[0039] Preferably, each semi-finished product package 5 may comprise at least a pair of cover panels, comprising a first cover panel 7a and a second cover panel 7b, extending from opposite lateral sides of the respective central body 6, preferably from the respective lateral walls.

[0040] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each semi-finished product pack 5 may extend along a respective longitudinal axis A and may comprise a longitudinal sealing band 8 (parallel to the longitudinal axis A).

[0041] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each package 5 of the semi-finished product may comprise at least one transverse sealing band 9 , preferably transverse to the longitudinal axis A, arranged at a respective end 10 of the respective package 5 of the semi-finished product.

[0042] Preferably, each semi-finished product pack 5 may comprise at least two transverse sealing strips 9 , preferably transverse to the longitudinal axis A, arranged at respective ends 10 of the respective semi-finished product pack 5 , opposite to each other.

[0043] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the respective transverse sealing band 9 of each semi-finished product pack 5 may define the transverse sealing band of the respective finished package 2 (obtained from the respective semi-finished product pack 5 ).

[0044] Preferably, each longitudinal sealing strip 8 may define a respective longitudinal seam portion of a respective finished package 2 (which is obtained from a respective semi-finished package 5 ).

[0045] More specifically, each end portion 10 may taper from the respective central body 6 to the respective transverse sealing strip 9 .

[0046] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each end 10 may have at least one, preferably exactly one, respective first cover plate 7a and at least one, preferably exactly one, respective cover plate 7b.

[0047] Preferably, each first cover plate 7 a and the corresponding second cover plate 7 b may be arranged at opposite side edges of the corresponding semi-finished product package 5 .

[0048] Special References Figure 1 , the packaging machine 1 may include at least:

[0049] - forming means 15 configured to form and / or obtain a semi-finished package 5 of pourable product; and

[0050] 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 .

[0051] In more detail, the forming device 15 may include:

[0052] - an isolation chamber 17, which is configured to separate the internal (sterile) environment from the external (harmful) environment;

[0053] 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;

[0054] 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;

[0055] - a filling device 21 for filling the tube 19 with a pourable product; and

[0056] 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 .

[0057] 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 .

[0058] Furthermore, the tube 19 may extend along a longitudinal axis, preferably having a vertical orientation.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] Even more specifically, the tube forming assembly 23 and the sealing head 24 may be disposed within the isolation chamber 17 .

[0063] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the bag forming unit may include:

[0064] - 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

[0065] A conveying unit (not shown and known) configured to propel the operating assembly and the respective counter-operating assembly along the respective conveying path.

[0066] 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.

[0067] Special References Figure 1 and 2 To 6, the folding device 16 may include at least:

[0068] a feed conveyor 30 configured to receive the semi-finished packs 5, preferably from the forming device 15, more preferably from a packaging forming unit, preferably at a receiving station 33, and to feed the semi-finished packs 5 to the transfer station 31; and

[0069] A folding unit 32 configured to receive the semi-finished packs 5 from the feed conveyor 30 at the transfer station 31 and to process and / or manipulate the semi-finished packs 5 in order to obtain finished packages 2 therefrom.

[0070] Special References Figure 1 and 3 To 6, the feed conveyor 30 is configured to receive the semi-finished package 5 from the forming device 15 (preferably from the package forming unit) at the receiving station 33, and advance the semi-finished package 5 to the transfer station 31, where the semi-finished package 5 is transferred to the folding unit 32.

[0071] The feed conveyor 30 may include a first screw conveyor 35 and a second screw conveyor 36 , which are configured to cooperate with each other to push the semi-finished product package 5 from the receiving station 33 to the transfer station 31 .

[0072] In more detail, the first screw conveyor 35 and the second screw conveyor 36 may be spaced apart from each other, preferably in the transverse direction D1 .

[0073] More specifically, the first screw conveyor 35 may have a helical first spiral blade 37 extending along the first center axis B, and the second screw conveyor 36 may have a helical second spiral blade 38 extending along the second center axis C, respectively.

[0074] Furthermore, the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 are rotatable about the first center axis B and the second center axis C, respectively.

[0075] Advantageously, the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 may be configured to cooperate with each other to propel the semi-finished package 5 from the receiving station 33 to the transfer station 31 while rotating about the first central axis B and the second central axis C, respectively.

[0076] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first helical blade 37 may have a first pitch, preferably a first constant pitch, and the second helical blade 38 may have a second pitch, preferably a second constant pitch. Preferably, the first pitch and the second pitch may be equal to each other.

[0077] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first spiral blade 37 may have a first diameter, preferably a first constant diameter, and the second spiral blade 38 may have a second diameter, preferably a second constant diameter. Preferably, the first diameter and the second diameter may be equal to each other.

[0078] In particular, the first diameter and the second diameter may be defined as the maximum transverse dimension (relative to the first center axis B and the second center axis C, respectively) of each of the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 .

[0079] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first spiral blade 37 may include a first number of turns, and the second spiral blade 38 may include a second number of turns. Preferably, the first number of turns and the second number of turns may be equal to each other.

[0080] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first helical blade 37 may have a first helical angle, preferably a first constant helical angle, and the second helical blade 38 may have a second helical angle, preferably a second constant helical angle. Preferably, the first helical angle and the second helical angle may be equal to each other.

[0081] In more detail, the first screw conveyor 35 may include a first shaft 39 extending along the first central axis B and integrally carrying the first spiral blade 37 . Preferably, the first spiral blade 35 may be coiled around the first shaft 39 .

[0082] Furthermore, the second screw conveyor 36 may include a second shaft 40 extending along the second central axis C and integrally carrying the second spiral blade 38 . Preferably, the second spiral blade 38 may be coiled around the second shaft 40 .

[0083] Special References Figures 3 to 7 The first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 are configured to interact with the corresponding first cover plate 7a and the corresponding second cover plate 7b of each semi-finished product package 5, respectively, so that the rotation of the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 causes the semi-finished product package 5 to advance.

[0084] In more detail, each semi-finished package 5 has a leading end corresponding to a corresponding end 10 and a trailing end corresponding to another corresponding end 10 when advancing from the receiving station 33 to the conveying station 31. In addition, the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 are configured to interact with the first cover plate 7a and the second cover plate 7b of the corresponding leading end of each semi-finished package 5, respectively, so as to advance the semi-finished package 5.

[0085] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, at least a portion of each leading end of the semi-finished package 5 can define a respective top wall of a respective finished package 2 .

[0086] In particular, the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 have respective spiral shapes.

[0087] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first central axis B and the second central axis C may be parallel to each other.

[0088] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first center axis B and the second center axis C, that is, the first spiral blade 37 (especially also the first axis 39) and the second spiral blade 38 (especially also the second axis 40), can be laterally spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction D1, preferably, the transverse direction D1 is perpendicular to the first center axis B and the second center axis C.

[0089] Preferably, the first and second spiral blades 37, 38, and preferably the first and second shafts 39, 40, are configured to propel and carry the semi-finished packs 5. In this way, no other elements (such as supporting walls, belts, etc.) carrying the semi-finished packs 5 are required.

[0090] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the feed conveyor 30 may also include an actuating device (not specifically shown) configured to actuate the rotation of the first spiral blade 37, and preferably the first shaft 39 around the first center axis B and the second spiral blade 38 and preferably the second shaft 40 around the second center axis C.

[0091] Preferably, the actuation device may be operably coupled to the first spiral blade 37 and preferably the first shaft 39 and the second spiral blade 38 and preferably the second shaft 40 .

[0092] More specifically, the actuation device may be directly connected to the first shaft 39 and the second shaft 40 to control rotation of the first shaft 39 and the second shaft 40 about the first center axis B and the second center axis C, respectively, thereby also controlling rotation of the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 .

[0093] Preferably, the actuation device may be configured to rotate the first spiral blade 37 and preferably the first shaft 39 about the first central axis B at a first angular velocity and to rotate the second spiral blade 38 and preferably the second shaft 40 about the second central axis C at a second angular velocity.

[0094] Even more preferably, the actuation device may be configured such that the first angular velocity and the second angular velocity are equal to each other.

[0095] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the actuation device may include a motor and a gear mechanism that operatively couples the first helical blade 37 (preferably the first shaft 39 ) and the second helical blade 38 (preferably the second shaft 40 ) to the motor.

[0096] Alternatively, the actuation device may include a first motor operably coupled to the first helical blade 37 (preferably the first shaft 39 ) and a second motor operably coupled to the second helical blade 38 (preferably the second shaft 40 ).

[0097] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the feed conveyor 30 may further include an adjustment device configured to allow control of the distance between the first screw conveyor 35 and the second screw conveyor 36 along the transverse direction D1. In other words, the adjustment device may be configured to allow adjustment of the distance between the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38.

[0098] Having an adjustment device is particularly advantageous during a format change, ie when switching from producing finished packages 2 having a certain size to producing finished packages 2 having another size.

[0099] Special References Figure 1 and 3 The feed conveyor 30 may further include an entrance chute 48 configured to guide the semi-finished product packages 5 to the receiving station 33 .

[0100] In more detail, at least part of the inlet chute 48 may be inserted between the first screw conveyor 35 and the second screw conveyor 36 and the forming device 15, preferably a package forming unit.

[0101] More specifically, the inlet chute 48 may be configured to receive the semi-finished packages 5 from the forming device 15 and guide the semi-finished packages 5 to the first screw conveyor 35 and the second screw conveyor 36 .

[0102] In use, the inlet chute 48 receives semi-finished packages 5 which fall towards the inlet chute 48 by gravity.

[0103] In more detail, the inlet chute 48 may include a plate portion 49 interposed between the first and second spiral blades 37 , 38 and the forming device 15 .

[0104] Additionally, the inlet runner 48 may include a pair of curved tracks 50 extending from the plate portion 49 toward a space formed between the first helical blade 37 and the second helical blade 38 .

[0105] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the feed conveyor 30 may further include a support plate 51, which is interposed between the first screw conveyor 35 (preferably the first screw blade 37 and / or the first shaft 39) and the second screw conveyor 36 (preferably the second screw blade 38 and / or the second shaft 40).

[0106] The support plate 51 cooperates with the first spiral conveyor 35 (preferably the first spiral blade 37 ) and the second spiral conveyor 36 (preferably the second spiral blade 38 ) to support the semi-finished product package 5 .

[0107] In some possible non-limiting embodiments, the feed conveyor 30 is not provided with a support plate 51. In this case, the semi-finished package 51 is supported only by the first screw conveyor 35 (preferably the first screw blade 37) and the second screw conveyor 36 (preferably the second screw blade 38).

[0108] Preferably, the support plate 51 extends from a first station 52 adjacent to the receiving station 33 to a second station 53 between the first station 52 and the transmission station 31 to define a free space 54 between the first screw conveyor 35 (preferably the first screw blade 37 and / or the first shaft 39) and the second screw conveyor 36 (preferably the second screw blade 37 and / or the second shaft 40). In particular, the free space 54 is not occupied by any other element.

[0109] In particular, and as will be explained in more detail below, the free space 54 allows portions of the folding unit 32 to pass through the free space 54 .

[0110] Special References Figures 1 to 3 The folding unit 32 can be configured to manipulate and / or process the semi-finished package 5 to form and / or shape at least the corresponding central body 6 (into the desired form and / or shape of the corresponding finished package 2) and seal the first cover panel 7a and the second cover panel 7b to the corresponding central body 6.

[0111] In more detail, the folding unit 32 may include at least:

[0112] a plurality of holding bags 60, each holding bag 60 being configured to carry one respective semi-finished product package 5 at a time; and

[0113] A conveying device 61 configured to advance the holding bag 60 along an advancement path, preferably a circulating advancement path, more preferably a circular circulating advancement path.

[0114] In particular, the conveying device 61 can be configured to advance the holding bag 60 through the transfer station 31, at which the semi-finished package 5 is fed one at a time into the corresponding holding bag 60. Preferably, the conveying device 61 can also be configured to advance the holding bag 60 through a release station, at which the finished package 2 formed from the semi-finished package 5 during advancement in the holding bag 60 is released from the holding bag 60.

[0115] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the conveyor device 61 may be configured to intermittently advance the holding bag 60 along an advancement path.

[0116] In more detail, the transfer device 61 may include a transfer wheel 62 rotatable about a respective rotation axis.

[0117] Furthermore, the transfer device 61 may include an actuation unit configured to actuate the transfer wheel 62 to rotate.

[0118] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the actuation unit and the actuation device may share the same electric motor.

[0119] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each holding pocket 60 may be defined by a plurality of holding plates 63 protruding from a transfer wheel 62 .

[0120] Preferably, the free space 54 allows the passage of the retaining plate 63 .

[0121] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the folding unit 32 may include one or more processing units configured to form and / or shape each central body 6 and / or to fold and seal the first cover sheet 7a and the second cover sheet 7b onto the corresponding central body 6 during the advancement of the semi-finished package 5 through the holding bag 60 (see Figure 2 ).

[0122] In use, the packaging machine 1 forms finished packages 2 containing a pourable product.

[0123] Specifically, the method of forming the package 2 comprises the following main steps:

[0124] - forming the semi-finished package 5 by the operation of the forming device 15; and

[0125] - The semi-finished package 5 is folded into the finished package 2 by the operation of the folding device 16 .

[0126] In more detail, the main steps of forming the package 5 include at least the following steps:

[0127] - advancing the roll of packaging material 3 along the advancement path P, in particular by operating the conveying device 18;

[0128] - 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;

[0129] - 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 ;

[0130] - filling the tube 19 with the pourable product by operation of the filling device 21 , in particular of the filling tube 22 ;

[0131] - advancing the tube 19 along the tube advancement path Q by operation of the conveying device 18 and / or the bale forming unit; and

[0132] - 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.

[0133] Furthermore, the forming step may also comprise a step of sterilizing the packaging material web 3 in a sterilization station.

[0134] In more detail, the step of folding the semi-finished product package 5 includes the following sub-steps:

[0135] - feeding the semi-finished packs 5 into the folding unit 31 by operation of the feed conveyor 30; and

[0136] The semi-finished package 5 is finally folded by the operation of the folding unit 32 .

[0137] More specifically, during the feeding sub-step, the rotation of the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 respectively about the first central axis B and the second central axis C allows the semi-finished package 5 to be pushed from the receiving station 33 to the transfer station 31 .

[0138] Preferably, during the feeding sub-step, the rotation of the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 is actuated by an actuating device.

[0139] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, during the feeding sub-step, the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 interact with the corresponding first cover plate 7a and the second cover plate 7b of the semi-finished package 5 (see Figures 3 to 7 ).

[0140] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the semi-finished product package 5 is transferred to the corresponding holding bag 60 at the transfer station 31. Therefore, the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 push the semi-finished product package 5 into the corresponding holding bag 60.

[0141] Furthermore, during the feeding step, the semi-finished packs 5 are received from the forming device 15, in particular the pack forming unit. Possibly, the semi-finished packs 5 can be guided to the receiving station 33 via an inlet chute 48.

[0142] In more detail, in the final folding step, the respective central body 6 is formed and / or the respective first and second cover panels 7 a , 7 b are folded and sealed onto the respective central body 6 , so as to form the finished package 2 from the semi-finished package 5 .

[0143] More specifically, in the final folding step, the semi-finished packs 5 are advanced, preferably intermittently, from the transfer station 31 to the release station within the respective holding pockets 60 .

[0144] Furthermore, in a final folding step, the semi-finished pack 5 can be processed by one or more processing units in order to obtain a finished package 2 .

[0145] The advantages of the feed conveyor 30 according to the present invention are clearly apparent from the foregoing description.

[0146] In particular, the feed conveyor 30 has a simple structure because only the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 need to be controlled.

[0147] Furthermore, the advancement of the semi-finished packs 5 does not require precise placement of the semi-finished packs 5 on the first and second spiral blades 37, 38. Due to the respective rotation of the semi-finished packs 5, they are automatically aligned in the correct manner relative to the first and second spiral blades 37, 38.

[0148] Furthermore, the operation of the first spiral blade 37 and the second spiral blade 38 is not affected by the initial speed of the semi-finished product package 5 .

[0149] Obviously, modifications may be made to the feed conveyor 30 and / or 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 feed conveyor (30) for a folding device (16) for semi-finished packages (5) containing pourable products, the feed conveyor (30) being configured to receive the semi-finished packages (5) at a receiving station (33) from a forming device for forming the semi-finished packages (5) and to transfer the semi-finished packages (5) to a transfer station (31) where the semi-finished packages (5) are transferred to a folding unit (32) of the folding device (16); The feed conveyor (30) comprises at least: - a first screw conveyor (35) having a first spiral blade (37) of a spiral shape extending along a first central axis (B); and - a second screw conveyor (36) having a second screw blade (38) in the form of a helix extending along a second central axis (C); wherein the first spiral blade (37) and the second spiral blade (38) are spaced apart from each other and each extends at least from the receiving station (33) to the transmitting station (31); Wherein, the first spiral blade (37) and the second spiral blade (38) are configured to cooperate with each other to advance the semi-finished product package (5) from the receiving station (33) to the transmission station (31) during the rotation of the first spiral blade (37) and the second spiral blade (38) around the first center axis (B) and the second center axis (C) respectively.

2. A feed conveyor according to claim 1, wherein each semi-finished product pack (5) comprises a central body (6) and at least one first cover plate (7a) and a second cover plate (7b) protruding from an end (10) of the respective central body (6); in, The first spiral blade (37) is configured to interact with the corresponding first cover plate (7a) of each semi-finished package (5), and the second spiral blade (38) is configured to interact with the corresponding second cover plate (7b) of each semi-finished package (5), so that the rotation of the first spiral blade (37) and the second spiral blade (38) causes the semi-finished package (5) to advance.

3. A feed conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first pitch and / or first diameter and / or first helix angle and / or first number of turns of the first helical blade (37) are respectively equal to the second pitch and / or second diameter and / or second helix angle and / or second number of turns of the second helical blade (38).

4. A feed conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first central axis (B) and the second central axis (C) are parallel to each other.

5. A feed conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an actuating device configured to actuate the first spiral blade (37) and the second spiral blade (38) to rotate around the first center axis (B) and the second center axis (C), respectively.

6. A feed conveyor according to claim 5, wherein the actuation device is configured to rotate the first spiral blade (37) and the second spiral blade (38) respectively around the first center axis (B) and the second center axis (C) at the same angular velocity.

7. A feed conveyor according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the actuating device comprises a motor and a gear mechanism, the gear mechanism operatively coupling the first spiral blade (37) and the second spiral blade (38) to the motor; or The actuating device includes a first motor operatively coupled to the first helical blade (37) and a second motor operatively coupled to the second helical blade (38).

8. A feed conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first screw conveyor (35) comprises a first shaft (39) extending along the first central axis (B) and integrally carrying the first screw blade (37); and The second screw conveyor (36) includes a second shaft (40) extending along the second central axis (C) and integrally carrying the second screw blade (38).

9. A feed conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an entry chute (48) configured to guide the semi-finished product packs (5) to the receiving station (33).

10. A feed conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a support plate (51) between the first screw conveyor (35) and the second screw conveyor (36).

11. A feed conveyor according to claim 10, wherein the support plate (51) extends from a first station (52) adjacent to the receiving station (33) to a second station (53) between the first station and the transfer station (31), thereby defining a free space (34) between the first screw conveyor (35) and the second screw conveyor (36).

12. A feed conveyor according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an adjustment device configured to allow the distance between the first screw conveyor (35) and the second screw conveyor (36) to be set in a direction (D1) transverse to the first center axis (B) and / or the second center axis (C).

13. A folding device (16) for folding a semi-finished package (5) filled with a pourable product into a finished package, comprising at least: - A feed conveyor (30) according to any one of the preceding claims; as well as - a folding unit (32) configured to receive the semi-finished packs (5) from the feed conveyor (30) at the transfer station (31) and to process and / or manipulate the semi-finished packs (5) in order to obtain finished packages (2) from the semi-finished packs (5).

14. 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 claim 14, for forming the finished package (2) from the semi-finished package (5).

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