Packaging assembly for forming and sealing plurality of packages containing pourable products

Abstract

Described is a packaging assembly (1) for forming and sealing a plurality of packages (2) containing pourable products starting from a tube (3) of packaging material, the packaging assembly (1) comprising: a longitudinal axis (A) along which the tube (3) advances; -a sealing device (7) configured to cyclically seal the tube (3) at a continuous cross-section of the tube (3) and having a sealing member (70) and a reverse sealing member (72) arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis (A); and-a dispensing device (8) configured to provide a fluid flow (80) cyclically impinging on the sealing member (70).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a packaging assembly configured to fill, form, seal, cut and fold packages containing pourable products starting from a tube of packaging material. BACKGROUND

[0003] It is known that many pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.

[0004] A typical example is the parallelepiped package for pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing a web of laminated packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, for example made of paper, which is covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, for example polyethylene.

[0005] In the case of aseptic packaging of products for long-term storage, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material, for example an aluminium foil, which is superimposed on the layer of heat-seal plastic material, which is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material, which forms the inner face of the package which ultimately comes into contact with the food product.

[0006] This package is usually produced in fully automatic packaging assemblies, in which a continuous tube is formed starting from a web of packaging material. A packaging assembly of the above-mentioned type is known from WO-A-2007114752.

[0007] In particular, the web can be sterilized by means of a hydrogen peroxide bath. Downstream of the sterilization device, the web can be folded into a tubular shape, filled with the pourable food product and sealed by means of a sealing device comprising a sealing member and a counter-sealing member which cooperate to effect a transversal seal of the tube of packaging material.

[0008] Although the known packaging assemblies are functionally effective, the Applicant has noticed that they can be further improved. In particular, there is a need to prolong the life of the components in the sealing device, in particular the sealing member comprising the heating elements.

[0009] There is a need for a packaging assembly in order to facilitate the amount of maintenance of the components, for example the components in the sealing device. SUMMARY

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a packaging assembly which can conveniently achieve one or more of the above requirements in a simple and low-cost manner.This object is achieved by a packaging assembly having the features set out in the appended claims.

[0011] Such a packaging component can achieve one or more advantages, such as:

[0012] - can achieve the reduction of corrosion of sealing components,

[0013] - prolonging the life of the components of the sealing member (particularly the sealing surface),

[0014] - Reduced maintenance of components in the packaging assembly (e.g., seals). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging assembly for producing a package filled with a pourable product according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;

[0017] - Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a forming and sealing apparatus for a packaging assembly according to one or more embodiments, with parts removed for clarity;

[0018] - Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a side elevation view on a larger scale of details of the apparatus according to the invention in various operating conditions;

[0019] - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a sealing member of the apparatus according to the present invention;

[0020] - Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of the apparatus according to the invention, with parts removed for clarity; and

[0021] - Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a detail of the apparatus according to the invention, with parts removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] refer to Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 generally designates a packaging assembly for producing, starting from a tube 3 of packaging material, a plurality of sealed packages 2 containing a pourable product, preferably a pourable food, such as pasteurized or UHT milk, water, juice, wine, peas, beans or the like.

[0023] In detail, the packaging assembly 1 is configured to form the tube 3 starting from a web-like sheet 4 of packaging material, which is unwound from a reel 5 and fed along a forming path.

[0024] The packaging assembly 1 is configured to form and seal a plurality of pillow-shaped packs 2a containing a pourable product starting from a tube 3 and then fold the pillow-shaped packs 2a to obtain the aforementioned formed, sealed and folded packages 2 containing a pourable product.

[0025] After being unwound from the reel 5 and before being formed into the tube 3, the sheet 4 of packaging material is sterilized, for example by applying a chemical sterilant (such as a hydrogen peroxide solution), which is removed from the surface of the packaging material (for example by evaporation by heating) once sterilization is complete.

[0026] Then, the packaging component 1 is configured to perform the following operations in sequence:

[0027] - longitudinally folding the sheet 4 of packaging material to obtain the tube 3 by means of folding means 6 known per se and not described in detail, and longitudinally sealing the tube 3 to form a longitudinal sealing band; and

[0028] - Filling the tube 3 with the pourable product (from above).

[0029] The packaging assembly 1 includes forming and sealing equipment configured to perform one or more of the following:

[0030] - forming the tube 3 at its successive portions so as to impart (give) these portions a predetermined outer shape;

[0031] - transverse sealing of the tube 3 at equally spaced cross sections, thereby obtaining a pillow-shaped package 2a;

[0032] - cutting the tube 3 at the aforementioned cross section to separate the pillow packs 2a from each other; and

[0033] - Folding the pillow-shaped package 2a to obtain a completely folded package 2.

[0034] As shown, a packaging assembly 1 for forming and sealing a plurality of packages 2 comprises:

[0035] - a longitudinal axis A, along which the tube 3 is advanced, i.e. the direction of advancement of the tube 3 is parallel to the longitudinal axis A;

[0036] a sealing device 7 configured for cyclically sealing the pipe 3 at successive cross sections thereof and comprising a sealing member 70 and a counter-sealing member 72 arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis A; and

[0037] - a dispensing device 8 configured to provide a fluid flow 80 (eg a liquid flow) cyclically impinging on (at least a part of) the sealing member 70 during operation of the packaging assembly 1 .

[0038] Fluid flow 80 may cyclically flush at least a portion of seal member 70 by impinging seal member 70. As described herein, flushing includes the act of cleaning by flushing with a liquid (eg, water) (eg, to remove corrosive elements from seal member 70).

[0039] In particular, the dispensing device 8 is a static (non-moving) component during operation of the packaging assembly 1, i.e., the dispensing device 8 is a fixed component of the packaging assembly 1 (e.g., fixed to a support structure) during operation of the packaging assembly 1. The dispensing device 8 may be fixed relative to the longitudinal axis A. This may be contrasted with the sealing member 70 and the counter-sealing member 72, which are cyclically movable relative to the longitudinal axis A.

[0040] Similarly, the fluid flow 80 may follow a stationary (unchanging) and / or constant flow direction F. That is, the fluid flow 80 is maintained along a (fixed) flow direction F during operation.

[0041] Advantageously, the fluid flow 80 can be directed to a certain area of ​​the packaging assembly 1 and the sealing member 70 can pass through the fluid flow 80 at a predetermined moment in its cycle, see for example Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 , which illustrates a partial cycle of the sealing member 70 according to the present invention.

[0042] Advantageously, flushing the sealing member 70 during operation may increase the life of the sealing member 70 .

[0043] As previously anticipated, the sealing member 70 and the counter-sealing member 72 are configured to move cyclically during operation of the packaging assembly 1 .

[0044] In a known manner, the tube 3 can be advanced along a longitudinal axis parallel to the first direction Z. The sealing member 70 and the counter-sealing member 72 can be repeatedly moved towards and away from each other, for example along a second direction X orthogonal to the first direction Z, so as to cyclically cooperate with each other and thus clamp the tube 3 in a jaw-like manner at said cross section for sealing the tube 3 and defining a transverse sealing band extending along a third direction Y orthogonal to both the first direction Z and the second direction X.

[0045] In particular, if Figure 3 As shown, the sealing member 70 and the counter-sealing member 72 (not shown) can be moved toward the tube 3. Figure 4 As shown, a sealing member 70 and a counter-sealing member 72 (not shown) may contact the tube on opposite sides of the tube. Figure 5 As shown, the sealing member 70 and the counter-sealing member 72 (not shown) can be released from the tube 3 and moved away from the tube 3.

[0046] Figure 6 Illustrated is a sealing member 70 that may be present in the packaging assembly 1. The sealing member 70 includes a sealing surface 74 configured to touch (or contact) the outer surface of the tube 3 at a sealing region R.

[0047] In particular, the fluid flow 80 may impact (flush or flush) the sealing surface 74 before and / or after the sealing surface 74 contacts the pipe 3. The sealing member 70 may pass through the fluid flow 80 before or after it passes through the sealing region R.

[0048] Advantageously, the sealing member 70 , and in particular the sealing surface 74 , may be flushed or washed before and / or after contact with the tube 3 , thereby minimizing or eliminating any possible residual corrosive agents received from the outer surface of the tube 3 .

[0049] The sealing member 70 can include a recess 76. In particular, the fluid flow 80 can impact (flush or flush) the recess 76.

[0050] The recess 76 may be configured to receive a cap (not shown) attached to the tube 3 , and the fluid flow 80 may impact the recess 76 before the recess 76 receives the cap or after the cap leaves the recess 76 .

[0051] Advantageously, the sealing member 70, and in particular the recess 76, may be flushed or rinsed before and / or after interaction with the cover, thereby minimizing or eliminating any possible residual corrosive agents received from the cover.

[0052] For example, during sterilization, the cap can be flushed with hydrogen peroxide. After the bath, a small amount of hydrogen peroxide may remain on the outer surface of the tube (i.e., where the cap is located), and hydrogen peroxide may fall onto the sealing member 70 during operation, especially in the recess 76. Advantageously, by flushing the recess 76, any residual agent in the recess 76 that may corrode the sealing member 70 can be diluted or eliminated.

[0053] The reverse seal member 72 may similarly include a reverse seal surface configured to touch (or contact) the outer surface of the tube 3 at the sealing region R on the opposite side of the tube 3 relative to the sealing surface 74 .

[0054] According to the present invention, the dispensing device 8 is configured to release a fluid, such as a liquid, preferably water. The fluid flow 80 can cyclically flush the sealing member 70. In other words, the fluid flow 80 can rinse the sealing member 70.

[0055] In particular, the provided fluid may include an anti-corrosion fluid, preferably an anti-corrosion liquid such as water. The anti-corrosion fluid may be used to reduce or prevent corrosion of exposed surfaces of the sealing member 70 (eg, the sealing surface 74).

[0056] Therefore, the provided fluid may comprise water, preferably cold water. Advantageously, the cold water can cool the sealing member 70 in addition to preventing the sealing member 70 from corroding.

[0057] The provided fluid may include process water. Advantageously, using process water can reduce waste of water or similar products.

[0058] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Further details of the dispensing device 8 are shown according to one or more embodiments.

[0059] In particular, the distribution device 8 may be arranged on the same side of the sealing member 70 relative to the longitudinal axis A (and the tube 3 ).

[0060] The sealing member 70 may be directly impacted by the fluid stream 80. The fluid provided by the dispensing device 8 may not contact other surfaces before impacting the sealing member 70.

[0061] Advantageously, in this way, the packaging material tube is protected from being impacted by the fluid stream 80 and the sealing member 70 is protected from being indirectly impacted by the fluid stream 80 rebounding from the tube 3. Thus, any possible residues that may be present on the packaging material forming the tube 3 are prevented from being transported from the tube 3 to the sealing member 70 by the fluid stream 80.

[0062] like Figure 7 As shown, the distribution device 8 can be positioned upstream of the sealing device 7 relative to the advancement direction of the tube 3, for example parallel to the longitudinal axis A. In particular, the fluid flow 80 can be directed vertically downwards.

[0063] The dispensing device 8 may comprise a nozzle 82 for ejecting a fluid stream 80. The orifice of the nozzle may face the sealing device 7, in particular the sealing member 70.

[0064] The packaging assembly 1 may further comprise a component positioned immediately upstream of the sealing device 7 relative to the advancement direction of the tube 3, to which the dispensing device 8 may be fixed. During operation of the packaging assembly 1, this component may be static (ie not moving).

[0065] The component may comprise a support structure, such as a support ring, configured to support the advancing tube 3 during advancement.

[0066] Figure 8 An example of a dispensing device 8 is shown. The dispensing device 8 may include an inlet conduit 84 configured to receive a fluid. The dispensing device 8 may then be configured to redirect the fluid toward a nozzle 82 through a second conduit 86 to dispense a fluid flow 80.

[0067] The dispensing device 8 may comprise further connectors 87 (only one connector is shown in the figures) which are configured to provide a further fluid flow to (only) the impingement tube 3 during operation of the packaging assembly 1 . This flow can be used to minimize friction between the tube 3 and the components of the packaging assembly 1. A further connector 87 can receive fluid from another conduit 88 that receives fluid and can direct the fluid through another nozzle (not shown).

[0068] In particular, the fluid exiting the nozzle 82 and the further nozzle may be the same. Additionally, the fluid flow 80 and the further fluid flow may be synchronized.

[0069] As shown, the fluid stream 80 can form a flat spray, particularly a non-conical shape. The fluid stream 80 can extend substantially along a (e.g., single) direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A (e.g., a direction parallel to the second axis Y). In other words, the fluid stream 80 can resemble a sheet or a blade. In particular, the stream 80 can extend in the same direction as the sealing surface 74.

[0070] Optionally, the dispensing device 8 may be configured to impinge (flush or flush) at least the entire width of the sealing surface 74 , preferably at least the entire width of the sealing member 70 .

[0071] According to the present invention, the dispensing device 8 can be configured to continuously provide the fluid flow 80 during operation. That is, the fluid flow 80 can be a continuous flow.

[0072] The flow direction F of the fluid stream 80 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis A or the first direction Z, such as Figure 2 Advantageously, this minimizes the likelihood of the tube being impacted by the fluid stream 80.

[0073] The flow direction F may be inclined, ie neither parallel nor perpendicular, with respect to the longitudinal axis A. The flow direction F may be inclined towards the tube 3 and the fluid flow 80 may directly impact the sealing member 70 .

[0074] It will be appreciated that even in the case of oblique flow, the sealing member 70 can be impacted by the fluid flow without the fluid flow rebounding from the tube 3 .

[0075] Advantageously, this may facilitate flushing of the sealing member 70 (eg, the sealing surface 74 ) after the sealing member passes through the sealing region R.

[0076] Typically, the distribution device 8 can be configured to keep the fluid flow 80 at a distance from the tube 3. In other words, the fluid flow 80 can be kept away from the tube 3. In this way, the fluid flow 80 can avoid collecting residual elements from the outer surface of the tube 3 that are corrosive to the sealing member 70 (particularly the sealing element 74).

[0077] The fluid flow 80 may impact (flush or flush) the sealing member 70 away from the sealing region R, eg, away from the pipe 3 .

Claims

1. A packaging assembly (1) for forming and sealing a plurality of packages (2) containing a pourable product starting from a tube (3) of packaging material, said packaging assembly (1) comprising: - a longitudinal axis (A) along which the tube (3) is advanced; - a sealing device (7) configured to cyclically seal the tube (3) at successive cross sections of the tube (3) and comprising a sealing member (70) and a counter-sealing member (72) arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis (A); and - a distribution device (8) configured to provide a fluid flow (80) cyclically impinging on said sealing member (70).

2. The packaging assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device (8) is a static component during operation of the packaging assembly (1).

3. The packaging assembly (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dispensing device (8) is arranged on the same side of the sealing member (70) relative to the longitudinal axis (A).

4. The packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing member (70) is directly impacted by the fluid flow (80).

5. Packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing device (8) is positioned upstream of the sealing device (7) with respect to the advancement direction of the tube (3).

6. Packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a component positioned upstream of the sealing device (7) with respect to the advancement direction of the tube (3), wherein the dispensing device (8) is fixed to the component.

7. The packaging assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the component is a support structure configured to support the tube (3).

8. The packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the provided fluid is an anti-corrosion fluid, preferably an anti-corrosion liquid such as water.

9. A packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing member (70) comprises a sealing surface (74) configured to cyclically contact the tube (3), wherein the fluid flow (80) impacts the sealing surface (74) before and / or after the sealing surface (74) contacts the tube (3).

10. The packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing member (70) comprises a recess (76), wherein the fluid flow (80) is further configured to flush the recess (76).

11. A packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid stream (80) forms a flat spray, preferably, the fluid stream (80) extends in a direction (Y) orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and even more preferably, the fluid stream (80) extends in the same direction as the sealing surface (74) of the sealing member (70).

12. The packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing device (8) is configured to provide the fluid flow (80) continuously.

13. The packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the direction (F) of the fluid flow (80) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (A), or the direction (F) of the fluid flow (80) is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (A).

14. The packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing device (8) is configured to keep the fluid flow (80) at a distance from the tube (3).

15. The packaging assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid flow (80) impacts the sealing member (70) away from the sealing region (R).

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