Feeding unit for feeding semi-finished product packages to folding unit

Abstract

Described herein is a feeding unit (7) for feeding semi-finished sealed packages (2) containing pourable products to a folding unit (6) configured to fold the packages (2) to obtain folded packages (2a), the feeding unit (7) comprising: a conveying device (8), the folding unit (6) is provided with an input station (I) for receiving the packages (2) and an output station (O) for releasing the packages (2) to the folding unit (6); a plurality of carrier members (10) mounted on the conveying device (8) for being periodically carried through the input station (I) and the output station (O), the carrier members (10) being configured to be in contact fit with the packages (2) to sequentially advance the packages (2) from the input station (I) to the output station (O); the plurality of carrier members (10) comprises pairs (10a, 10b) of carrier members (10), each pair (10a, 10b) of carrier members (10) being configured to interact at a time with at least one respective package (2) to receive the package (2) at an input station (I) and to advance the package (2) towards an output station (O).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a feeding unit for feeding semi-finished product packages containing pourable products (preferably pourable food) to a folding unit.

[0002] In particular, without loss of generality, the present invention relates to a supply unit configured to receive sealed pillow-shaped semi-finished packages containing pourable products from a forming unit of a packaging machine, and to supply these pillow-shaped packages to a folding unit for folding the pillow-shaped packages to obtain fully folded finished packages. Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, many pourable foods, such as fruit juice, UHT milk, wine, and ketchup, are sold in packaging made of sterilized packaging materials.

[0004] A typical example is parallelepiped-shaped packaging for pourable foods, such as Tetra BrikAseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing laminated packaging material rolls. This packaging material has a multi-layered structure, including a base layer (e.g., made of paper) covered on both sides by heat-sealable plastic material layers (e.g., polyethylene).

[0005] For aseptic packaging of products intended for long-term storage (such as UHT milk), the packaging material also includes an oxygen barrier layer (such as aluminum foil) that is stacked on top of a heat-sealable plastic material layer and covered by another heat-sealable plastic material layer to form the inner surface of the packaging that ultimately comes into contact with the food.

[0006] This type of packaging is typically produced on fully automated packaging machines, which start with multi-layer rolls of packaging material and then form and fill the packaging.

[0007] Specifically, in this packaging machine, a continuous tube is formed from a roll of packaging material initially wound on a spool and fed through multiple unfolding rollers. The packaging material roll is sterilized within the packaging machine, for example by applying a chemical sterilizing agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide solution). After sterilization, the sterilizing agent is removed from the surface of the packaging material, for example by heating and evaporation. The sterilized roll is stored in a sealed, sterile environment and fed through the aforementioned unfolding rollers, then longitudinally folded and sealed by a known roll folding unit to form a tube.

[0008] The tube is continuously supplied along a first direction (usually a straight vertical direction), filled from above with sterilized food, and formed, sealed, and subsequently cut in equidistant cross-sections extending along a second direction (usually orthogonal to the first direction).

[0009] To perform the forming and sealing operations, known packaging machines include a forming unit comprising forming equipment configured to form a tube, thereby imprinting an external shape on the tube corresponding to the shape of a precursor to be packaged in the finished product. The forming unit also includes a sealing device configured to seal the tube at equally spaced cross sections orthogonal to the tube's direction of propulsion.

[0010] Typically, the above-mentioned type of packaging machine includes a pair of alternating moving forming and sealing grippers that carry forming and sealing devices and are controllably reciprocated in a first direction and a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions to interact with continuous portions of the tube.

[0011] This results in a so-called pillow-shaped package, which has a longitudinal sealing strip, a top transverse sealing strip at the top of the package, and a bottom transverse sealing strip at the bottom of the package. The pillow-shaped package is then cut at its cross-section to separate it from the rest of the package.

[0012] Each pillow-shaped package includes, at its top and bottom portions: a slender, generally rectangular stand-up fin formed by a corresponding transverse sealing strip; and a pair of generally triangular flaps that project laterally from opposite sides of the respective end portions and are defined by corresponding trapezoidal walls.

[0013] After the cutting operation is completed, the forming and sealing jaws will move into place, ready to clamp the subsequent part of the tube.

[0014] The packaging machines of the above types typically also include an automatic folding unit, which is located operatively downstream of the forming unit.

[0015] After the pillow-shaped package is cut at its transverse sealing strip, it is guided to the folding unit for final folding, thus obtaining a fully folded finished package.

[0016] A typical folding unit of the above type includes a conveyor for advancing the pillow-shaped package along a folding path, and multiple folding devices that are positioned in fixed positions relative to the folding path and configured to periodically engage with the pillow-shaped package to perform corresponding folding operations, which are well known and will not be described further here.

[0017] Properly transferring and feeding the pillow-shaped package from the forming unit to the folding unit is crucial for the proper functioning of the folding unit.

[0018] For this purpose, known packaging machines also include a supply unit inserted between the forming unit and the folding unit, the unit being configured to receive pillow-shaped packages from the forming unit and supply and direct the pillow-shaped packages to the folding unit.

[0019] In the forming unit, the pillow-shaped package is typically formed and sealed with its respective axes arranged vertically. The newly formed pillow-shaped package is then cut off from the tube and slides down (by gravity) along a curved profile chute located below the forming unit, thus moving from a vertical position to a generally horizontal position, where it is received by the feeding unit.

[0020] In fact, the supply unit is located immediately downstream of the chute, and the folding unit is located immediately upstream.

[0021] Typically, the supply unit includes two support rails that extend between the input station and the output station. The input station receives pillow-shaped packages from the chute, and the output station transfers the pillow-shaped packages to the folding unit.

[0022] The supply unit also includes an endless conveyor belt and multiple carriers or actuating components, which are installed at equal intervals along the conveyor belt. By moving the belt, the carriers are conveyed along a closed-loop path.

[0023] Each carrier protrudes outward from the conveyor belt and is configured to contact and engage with the corresponding pillow-shaped package. The pillow-shaped package is propelled from the input station to the output station by the movement of the belt, while the pillow-shaped package is supported by the support rails below.

[0024] In practice, each carrier is configured to push the corresponding pillow-shaped package from the rear (i.e., the bottom part of the pillow-shaped package) so that it is driven along the guide rail.

[0025] The endless belt is conveniently wound onto the pulley system and driven by a known actuator. Therefore, the closed-loop path includes a working section and a return section. Carriers transported along the working section push the corresponding pillow-shaped package toward and until it advances towards the folding unit; carriers transported along the return section return from the output station to the input station, where they are ready to interact with new, corresponding pillow-shaped packages.

[0026] As is well known, it is necessary to properly synchronize the advance of the pillow-shaped package on the supply unit and the folding unit. More specifically, the pillow-shaped package must be supplied to the folding unit at a specific and predetermined rate to avoid blockages, malfunctions, and damage. To this end, the folding unit is synchronized with the carrier; ideally, the carrier must remain in contact with the bottom portion of the pillow-shaped package throughout the entire advance to the output station in order to deliver the package correctly in a synchronized manner.

[0027] It has been observed that the pushing action of each carrier on the corresponding pillow package causes the pillow package to bounce forward along the working section of the closed-loop path, especially when the packaging machine is running at extremely high speeds, and due to the inertia of the tiltable product inside the pillow package.

[0028] To address this, known supply units are equipped with braking / deceleration devices to limit this forward bounce.

[0029] For example, spring-driven plate members are known to be positioned along the working section, above a support guide rail. Each plate member is biased downwards (in the direction the carrier propels the pillow-shaped package) to engage with the wall of the pillow-shaped package. The interaction with the plate members decelerates the pillow-shaped package, thereby limiting the forward movement caused by the aforementioned bouncing.

[0030] In this way, as the pillow-shaped package moves toward the output station, the distance between each carrier and the corresponding pillow-shaped package is kept as small as possible. Therefore, the synchronization between the pillow-shaped package and the folding unit is maintained at an optimal level.

[0031] Although the known supply units are effective in both structure and function, there is still room for further improvement, particularly in terms of the synchronization between the supply unit and the folding unit, the service life of the supply unit components, the flexibility of the supply unit, and the overall reliability of the supply unit. Summary of the Invention

[0032] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a supply unit for supplying semi-finished packaging to a folding unit, the supply unit being designed to meet at least one of the above requirements in a simple and low-cost manner.

[0033] This objective is achieved by the supply unit as described in claim 1. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a packaging machine including a supply unit according to the present invention, with some parts removed for clarity; Figure 2 is a side view of the supply unit according to the present invention. For clarity, some parts have been removed. Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged perspective views of a portion of the supply unit shown in Figure 2 in two consecutive different operating states. For clarity, some parts have been removed. Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a part of the supply unit shown in Figure 2. Viewed from the rear, some parts have been removed for clarity. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the semi-finished product packaging to be processed by the supply unit according to the present invention.

[0035] Detailed Implementation Plan Referring to Figure 1, number 1 indicates a non-limiting example of a packaging machine for producing multiple packages 2a containing pourable products, preferably pourable foods such as pasteurized or UHT milk, water, juice, wine, peas, beans, etc.

[0036] Specifically, the packaging machine 1 is configured to form, seal and fold the package 2a starting from the packaging material tube 3.

[0037] Preferably, the packaging material has a multi-layer structure (not shown) and includes a fibrous material layer (e.g., paper) with heat-sealable plastic material layers (e.g., polyethylene) covering both sides.

[0038] For aseptic packaging 2a for products intended for long-term storage (e.g., UHT milk), the packaging material further includes a gas barrier and light barrier material layer (e.g., aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film) which is superimposed on a heat-sealing plastic material layer and covered by another heat-sealing plastic material layer, which forms the inner surface of the packaging 2a and ultimately comes into contact with the pourable product.

[0039] Preferably, the packaging material is initially provided in the form of roll 4.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, packaging machine 1 includes: Tube folding device 5, which is used to progressively fold roll 4 into tube 3 in a known manner (not described in detail here); Sealing element 40, which is used to provide a longitudinal seal for pipe 3; A filling device (not shown) is used to fill the pourable product into the tube 3; A forming and sealing unit (known in itself and not shown) is used to form and seal the tube 3, thereby obtaining a plurality of pillow-shaped packages 2 in a known manner (not described in detail here); and Folding unit 6 (shown schematically only) is used to fold the pillow-shaped package 2 in a known manner (not described in detail here) to obtain package 2a.

[0041] Therefore, the packaging machine 1 is configured to start from the roll 4 and the tube 3, form and seal a plurality of pillow-shaped packages 2 containing pourable products, and then fold the pillow-shaped packages 2 to obtain the aforementioned formed, sealed and folded package 2a containing pourable products.

[0042] Referring to Figure 6, a non-limiting embodiment of a pillow-shaped package 2 is shown, the package having a longitudinal sealing strip 30 formed from a roll of packaging material folded into a cylindrical shape to create a tube 3, extending along one side of the package 2. The opposite distal ends of the package 2 are closed by a first transverse sealing strip 31 and a second transverse sealing strip 32, both of which are perpendicular to and connected to the longitudinal sealing strip 30.

[0043] Each package 2 has an axis B and includes: a body portion 33 extending along axis B and defining a body; a first end portion 34 (particularly a top end portion); and a second end portion 35 (particularly a bottom end portion), the first end portion 34 and the second end portion 35 protruding from opposite axial sides of the body portion 33 toward a first sealing strip 31 and a second sealing strip 32 and gradually tapering.

[0044] The first end portion 34 includes: a generally elongated end seal 36 formed by a first transverse sealing strip 31 and protruding along axis B; and two generally triangular flaps (top flaps 37) that protrude laterally from opposite sides of the main body portion 33.

[0045] Similarly, the second end portion 35 includes: a generally elongated end seal 38 formed by a second transverse sealing strip 32 and protruding along axis B; and two generally triangular flaps (bottom flaps 39) that protrude laterally from opposite sides of the main body portion 33.

[0046] The packaging machine 1 also includes at least one supply unit 7, which is operatively inserted between the forming and sealing unit and the folding unit 6.

[0047] Specifically, the supply unit 7 is configured to receive packages 2 from the forming and sealing unit and supply these packages 2 to the folding unit 6.

[0048] Folding unit 6 is of a known type and will not be described in detail here. In short, folding unit 6 includes an inlet region IR in which it receives package 2 from supply unit 7. Folding unit 6 may include a conveying device 6a, particularly a rotary conveyor, configured to advance package 2 through a folding path (not shown), along which package 2 is folded by known folding devices. In the illustrated embodiment, conveying device 6a includes: a rotating wheel for advancing package 2 along the aforementioned folding path; and a plurality of folding devices positioned in fixed positions relative to the folding path and configured to periodically cooperate with package 2 to perform corresponding folding operations on package 2, which are well-known and will not be described in detail here.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the supply unit 7 includes: Conveying device 8, having an input station I for sequentially receiving package 2 and an output station O for releasing package 2 into folding unit 6; and Multiple carrier components 10 are mounted on conveying equipment 7 for cyclic conveying through input station I and output station O.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the conveying device 8 includes a flexible, endless belt element 11 wound around a plurality of pulleys 12, at least one of which is rotatably driven to move the belt element 11 along a closed-loop path P.

[0051] The carrier component 10, fixed to the belt element 11, is thus supplied along the closed-loop path P. Therefore, by moving the belt element 11, the carrier component 10 is conveyed along the closed-loop path P.

[0052] Each carrier component 10 protrudes outward from the belt element 11.

[0053] The carrier component 10 is configured to contact and engage with the package 2, thereby sequentially advancing the package 2 from the input station I to the output station O.

[0054] Preferably, the supply unit 7 further includes a chute member 13, which is inserted between the forming and sealing unit and the conveying member 8 and is configured to receive the formed and sealed packages 2 from the forming and sealing unit and supply these packages 2 to the input station I of the conveying device 8.

[0055] Specifically, in use, the chute 13 feeds a series of packages 2 into the conveyor 8 by gravity. Therefore, the packages 2 cut from the pipe 3 slide along the chute 13 and arrive at the input station I of the conveyor 8.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the conveying device 8 also includes a pair of support rails 14 for supporting the packages 2 supplied from the chute 13 and propelled by the carrier member 10, and guiding these packages 2 from the input station I to the output station O.

[0057] Specifically, the support rail 14 includes a pair of substantially parallel guide rails extending at least from the input station I to the output station O, and the packages 2 are configured to slide on them while being propelled by the conveying member 10. In practice, the support rail 14 receives the packages 2 from the chute 13 and supports them as they move toward the exit station O.

[0058] According to the embodiment shown, the support rail 14 is configured to support the package 2 below the package 2.

[0059] In fact, during the process of moving from input station I to output station O, the package 2 is supported by the support rail 14 in a sliding manner (i.e., rest on the support rail 14) without contacting the belt element 11. At the same time, the carrier component 10 contacts and cooperates with the package 2, and pushes the package 2 forward by thrust.

[0060] In view of the above, the closed-loop path P includes a working section W and a return section R. The working section W extends from the input station I to the output station O, and the package 2 is transported along this section. The return section R extends from the output station O to the input station I, and the carrier component 10 returns to the input station I along this section after releasing the corresponding package 2 into the folding unit 6.

[0061] According to one aspect of the invention, a plurality of carrier members 10 include pairs of carrier members 10, each pair of carrier members 10 being configured to periodically interact (i.e., contact) with at least one corresponding package 2, preferably interacting with one package 2 at a time, to receive the package 2 at the input station I and advance the package 2 toward the output station O.

[0062] For the sake of brevity, only the individual package 2 and individual carrier member 10 pairs transferred from the forming and sealing unit (i.e., from the chute 13) to the folding unit 6 will be mentioned below. However, the structural and functional features described below apply to each package 2 and each carrier member 10 pair.

[0063] The carrier components, in 10 pairs, include: A lead carrier 10a is configured to contact and engage with the package 2 to restrict movement of the package 2 toward the output station O; and The carrier 10b is then configured to contact and engage with the package 2 to push the package 2 toward the output station O.

[0064] Specifically, the leading carrier 10a and the following carrier 10b define a (longitudinal) space between them for receiving and advancing the package 2.

[0065] Specifically, the leading carrier 10a is configured to contact and engage with the first end portion 34 (i.e., the top portion 34), and the following carrier 10b is configured to contact and engage with the second end portion 35 (i.e., the bottom portion).

[0066] Therefore, the follower carrier 10b driven by the belt element 11 is configured to push the package 2 from the rear until the package 2 is released to the folding unit 6 at the output station O.

[0067] Therefore, the lead carrier 10a defines an abutment member for interacting with the top portion 34 of the received package 2 at the input station I, and then the carrier 10b defines a push member for interacting with the bottom portion of the package 2 between the input station I and the output station O.

[0068] Therefore, the lead carrier 10a is configured to stop the supply of the corresponding package 2 from the chute component 13 at the input station I.

[0069] More specifically, the lead carrier 10a is configured to interact with the top portion 34 of each package 2 to prevent these packages 2 from moving along the support rail 14 (i.e., along the working section W, i.e. toward the output station O).

[0070] In other words, during use, the package 2 slides on the chute member 13 and slides down onto the support rail 14, and is received within the space defined by the corresponding carrier member 10 pair, which just passes through the input station I.

[0071] It is worth mentioning that the pulley 12 is controllable (e.g., by a known control unit) so that the movement of the belt element 11 is synchronized with the action of forming and sealing the unit, thereby enabling the package 2 to be correctly received at the input station I into the space between the leading carrier 10a and the following carrier 10b.

[0072] Due to gravity and the energy gained during the fall, package 2 slides along support rail 14 until it abuts against the leading carrier 10a, which is simultaneously propelled along the working section W by belt element 11. Typically, the relative velocity of the falling package 2 is greater than the velocity of the carrier component 10 along the closed-loop path P.

[0073] This caused package 2 to temporarily stop along the working section W.

[0074] Then, the advancing follower carrier 10b reaches the stopped package 2 and pushes it to the output station O, where the package 2 is released into the folding unit 6.

[0075] Then, the carrier component 10 is transported along the return section R and arrives at the input station I again, repeating the cycle.

[0076] Since each package 2 to be transported is provided with a pair of carrier members 10, especially due to the presence of the leading carrier 10a, the distance that the package 2 travels along the support rail 14 (and thus along the working section W) when supplied from the chute member 13 at the input station I can be minimized.

[0077] This helps to further limit the forward bouncing phenomenon described above in this specification. In fact, when the follower carrier 10b reaches the package 2 that was previously stopped by the leading carrier 10a, the distance traveled by the follower carrier 10b is significantly less than the distance it would have traveled if the leading carrier 10a were not present and the package 2 had not stopped along the working section W.

[0078] The smaller the distance, the smaller the impact force of the carrier 10b on the bottom part 34 of the package 2, and therefore the smaller the forward bounce of the package 2.

[0079] Ultimately, this improves the synchronization of package 2 with conveyor 6a in the inlet area IR.

[0080] Conveniently, the space between the leading carrier 10a and the following carrier 10b is adjustable to accommodate various types of packages 2. This allows for faster format switching, thereby increasing the flexibility of the supply unit 7 and the packaging machine 1.

[0081] According to another aspect of the invention, the conveying device 8 includes a braking device 15 configured to engage with the package 2 to decelerate the package 2 along a braking path Q extending along a portion of the working section W.

[0082] As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the braking device 15 includes a pair of track members 16 extending along the braking path Q.

[0083] Preferably, the track member 16 is configured to engage with the top flap 37 and bottom flap 39 of the package 2 (as shown in FIG. 5) to decelerate the package 2 along the braking path Q.

[0084] Specifically, the track component 16 is configured to decelerate the package 2 along the braking path Q by means of friction between the package 2 and the package 2.

[0085] According to an advantageous implementation, the track components 16 converge on each other in the direction toward the output station O.

[0086] Specifically, the track component 16 moves closer and closer to the braking path Q relative to the direction of extension from the input station I to the output station O.

[0087] This converging effect of the track component 16 causes the package 2, which is propelled along the braking path Q, to experience increasing frictional forces during use, thereby decelerating the package 2 more precisely through friction.

[0088] The above configuration can reduce wear and tear and lower the risk of scratches or damage to package 2.

[0089] During use, when the follower carrier 10b pushes the package 2 along the working section W, the flaps 37 and 39 of the package 2 slide into contact with the braking device 15.

[0090] The converging effect of the track component 16 makes the channel through which the package 2 passes narrower and narrower, thereby increasing the friction of the package 2 and slowing it down.

[0091] The braking device 15 according to the present invention can further reduce forward bouncing, ensuring that the package 2 is as close as possible to the following carrier 10b, and in particular ensuring that the package 2 remains in contact with the following carrier 10b for as long as possible, ultimately further improving synchronization with the folding unit 6. At the same time, the braking device 15 according to the present invention has low wear, high reliability, is easy to install, and is highly flexible.

[0092] In view of the above, both the track component 16 and the support rail 14 extend along at least a portion of the working section W.

[0093] According to the embodiment shown, the track component 16 is positioned above the support rail 14 (Figure 5).

[0094] Specifically, the support rail 14 supports the package 2 from below, while the track member 16 interacts with the package 2 from the side and above.

[0095] Advantageously, referring to FIG5, the track members 16 are arranged relative to the support rails 14 such that each track member 16 and each support rail 14 together define an elongated slot, passage, or channel adapted to receive and engage the flaps 37, 39 during the process of advancing the package 2 from the input station I to the output station O, thereby causing the flaps 37, 39 to be slidably supported on the support rails 14, and the track members 16 at least partially covering the flaps 37, 39.

[0096] Specifically, each track component 16 and the corresponding support rail 14 disposed below it together define a corresponding elongated groove 17.

[0097] Therefore, the track member 16 and the support rail 14 define two slots 17 extending along the braking path Q.

[0098] In fact, when package 2 is advanced by the following carrier 10b along the braking path Q, its flaps 37 and 39 (one on each side) can be slidably engaged with the groove 17.

[0099] More precisely, flaps 37 and 39 are slidably accommodated within slots 17.

[0100] This special construction prevents the package 2 from jittering and suddenly moving upward when it is engaged and / or released by the carrier 10b, because the track member 16 prevents the package 2 from moving upward by accommodating flaps 37, 39.

[0101] In one embodiment, each track component 16 advantageously comprises (Figures 3 and 4): Part 16a extends from input station I or from a location between input station I and output station O to output station O; and The second part 16b is located downstream of the output station O relative to the extension direction from the supply unit 7 toward the folding unit 6, and is located in the entrance region IR of the folding unit 6.

[0102] The second part 16b is located in the inlet area IR, which allows the package 2 to prevent the aforementioned tremors and sudden upward movement when it is released from the output station O.

[0103] The restriction (preferably complete prevention) of upward movement further helps to improve the synchronization between the supply unit 7 and the folding unit 6.

[0104] Conveniently, the second part 16b is separated from the first part 16a by a non-zero distance.

[0105] Specifically, the first portion 16a and the second portion 16b are separated by an opening 18, which is configured to engage with a flap (i.e., bottom flap 39) near the second end portion.

[0106] Once the package 2 is fully positioned in the inlet area IR, the bottom flaps 39 are configured to pass through the corresponding openings 18, thereby allowing the folding unit 6 to remove the corresponding package 2 from the supply unit 7.

[0107] In use, when package 2 is released at the entrance area IR, package 2 is taken away by conveyor 6a. Opening 18 allows bottom flap 39 to pass through easily, thereby preventing unnecessary obstruction of package 2 at the entrance area IR, which could lead to jamming or malfunction, while also achieving the aforementioned obstruction of package 2 moving upward at the entrance area IR.

[0108] As described above, each support rail 14 includes a rail track and is specifically defined by the rail track.

[0109] Conveniently, each guide rail has an inclined surface 14a, which is configured to support flaps 37, 39 in a sliding manner, and this surface is inclined toward the other guide rail (Fig. 5).

[0110] Similarly, each track member 16 may also have an inclined surface configured to support flaps 37, 39 in a sliding manner, and the surface is inclined toward the other track member 16.

[0111] This configuration can reduce friction on package 2, thus reducing wear and damage to package 2.

[0112] Advantageously, the support rail 14 can extend beyond the output station O to the inlet area IR.

[0113] This is particularly evident in Figure 3.

[0114] In this way, each package 2 can be supported outside the output station O all the way to the entrance area IR. This avoids the sudden "jump" of the package 2 from the output station O to the entrance area IR, thereby enabling the package 2 to be better positioned in the conveying device 6a and ultimately achieving better folding of the package 2.

[0115] The operation of the supply unit 7 will now be described with reference to the initial state in which the package 2 slides along the chute 13 and is received by the carrier member 10 at the input station I.

[0116] In this state, package 2 slides on the support rail 14 until it reaches the leading carrier 10a, which advances along the working section W at a speed less than the falling speed of package 2. Package 2 then abuts against the leading carrier 10a and comes to a temporary stop until it is caught up by the following carrier 10b.

[0117] At this point, the follower carrier 10b engages with the package 2 and propels the package 2 along the working section W to the output station O. During this propulsion process, the flaps 37 and 39 of the package 2 engage with the slot 17 and interact with the track member 16 of the braking device 15. As a result, the package 2 decelerates along the braking path Q, thereby ensuring a sustained and stable contact between the package 2 and the follower carrier 10b.

[0118] Then, the package 2 is released from the output station O toward the inlet area IR by the carrier 10b, where the package 2 is received by the conveying device 6a of the folding unit 6.

[0119] Then, the following carrier 10b and the leading carrier 10a are propelled by the belt element 11 along the return section R until they reach the input station I, at which point the cycle repeats.

[0120] The advantages of the supply unit 7 according to the present invention can be clearly seen from the above description.

[0121] In particular, the supply unit 7 according to the invention can be precisely synchronized with the folding unit 6, and its components have a significant service life, especially the service life of the braking device 15.

[0122] More specifically, since each package 2 to be transported is provided with a pair of carrier members 10, and particularly due to the presence of the leading carrier 10a, the travel distance of the package 2 along the support rail 14 (and therefore the working area W) can be minimized when supplied from the chute member 13 of the input station I. This allows for further limitation of the forward bouncing phenomenon described above. Ultimately, this improves the synchronization of the package 2 with the conveying device 6a of the entrance area IR.

[0123] Furthermore, the braking device 15 according to the invention allows for further reduction of forward bounce, ensuring that the package 2 remains in contact with the following carrier member 10b for as long as possible, ultimately further improving synchronization with the folding unit 6. At the same time, the braking device 15 according to the invention exhibits low wear, high reliability, ease of installation, and high flexibility.

[0124] Obviously, modifications can be made to the supply unit 7 described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A feeding unit (7) for feeding semi-finished sealed packages (2) containing pourable products to a folding unit (6) configured to fold said packages (2) to obtain folded packages (2a), said feeding unit (7) comprising: - a conveying device (8) having an input station (I) for receiving said packages (2) and an output station (O) for releasing packages (2) to said folding unit (6); - a plurality of carrier members (10) mounted on said conveying device (8) for being cyclically conveyed through said input station (I) and said output station (O), said carrier members (10) being configured to contactingly cooperate with said packages (2) to sequentially advance said packages (2) from said input station (I) to said output station (O); wherein said plurality of carrier members (10) comprises pairs of carrier members (10a, 10b), each pair of carrier members (10a, 10b) being configured to interact with at least one respective package (2) at a time to receive it at said input station (I) and advance it towards said output station (O).

2. The supply unit of claim 1, wherein, Each pair of carrier members (10) comprises a leading carrier (10a) configured to contactingly cooperate with said respective package (2) to limit the movement of said respective package (2) towards said output station (O) and a trailing carrier (10b) configured to contactingly cooperate with said respective package (2) to push it towards said output station (O), said leading carrier (10a) and said trailing carrier (10b) defining a space therebetween for receiving and advancing the respective package (2).

3. The supply unit of claim 2, wherein, Each package (2) has a main portion (33), a first end portion (34) extending from said main portion (33) and a second end portion (35) extending from said main portion (33) opposite said first end portion (34); wherein, for each pair of carrier members (10), said leading carrier (10a) is configured to contactingly cooperate with said first end portion (34) and said trailing carrier (10b) is configured to contactingly cooperate with said second end portion (35).

4. The supply unit of claim 3, wherein, For each pair of carrier members (10): - the leading carrier (10a) defines a stop member for interacting with said first end portion (34) of the respective package (2) received at said input station (I); - the trailing carrier (10b) defines a push member for interacting with said second end portion (35) of said respective package (2) between said input station (I) and said output station (O).

5. The feeding unit according to claim 4, further comprising a chute member (13) configured to receive formed and sealed packages (2) from a forming and sealing unit and to feed said formed and sealed packages (2) to said conveying device (8) at said input station (I). wherein Each leading carrier (10a) is configured to stop the respective package (2) fed from the chute member (13) at the input station (I).

6. The supply unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The conveying device (8) defines a conveying path (W) extending from the input station (I) to the output station (O), wherein the conveying device (8) comprises a braking device (15) configured to cooperate in contact with the packages (2) to decelerate the packages (2) along a braking path (Q) extending along a portion of the conveying path (W), wherein the braking device (15) comprises a pair of track members (16) extending along the braking path (Q) and configured to cooperate in contact with the packages (2).

7. The supply unit of claim 6, wherein, The track members (16) converge towards each other in the direction of the output station (O), thereby generating an increasingly greater friction force against the packages (2) advancing along the braking path (Q), thereby decelerating the packages (2).

8. The feeding unit according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each package (2) has a main body portion (33), a first end portion (34) extending from the main body portion (33), a second end portion (35) opposite the first end portion (34) extending from the main body portion (33), and a flap (37, 39) extending from the first end portion (34) and from the second end portion (35), respectively, the flap (37, 39) being adapted to be folded by the folding unit (6); wherein The track members (16) are configured to cooperate in contact with the flaps (37, 39) to decelerate the respective packages (2) along the braking path (Q).

9. The supply unit of claim 8, wherein, The conveying device (8) comprises a pair of support rails (14) extending along the conveying path (W) for supporting the packages (2) advanced by the carrier members (10) and guiding these packages (2) from the input station (I) to the output station (O); wherein each track member (16) and each support rail (14) jointly define an elongated slot (17) adapted to receive and engage the flap (37, 39) during the advancement of the respective package (2) from the input station (I) to the output station (O), so that the flap (37, 39) is slidingly supported on the support rail (14) and the track member (16) at least partially covers the flap (37, 39).

10. The supply unit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein Each track member (16) comprises: a first portion (16a) extending from the input station (I) or from a position between the input station (I) and the output station (O) to the output station (O); and a second portion (16b) located downstream of the output station (O) with respect to the direction of extension from the feeding unit (7) towards the folding unit (6) and positioned at the inlet region (IR) of the folding unit (6).

11. The supply unit of claim 10, wherein, The first portion (16a) and the second portion (16b) are separated by an opening (18) configured to engage with the flap (39) proximate to the second end portion (35), which is configured to pass through the opening (18) to allow the folding unit (6) to extract the respective package (2).

12. The supply unit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein The conveying device (8) comprises a pair of support rails (14) for supporting the packages (2) advanced by the carrier members (10) and guiding them from the input station (I) to the output station (O); and (3) The leading carrier (10a) is configured to interact with the first end portion (34) of the received package (2) to prevent it from moving along the support rails (14).

13. The feeding unit according to claim 12, wherein each package (2) has flaps (37, 39) extending from the first end portion (34) and the second end portion (35), respectively, and adapted to be folded by the folding unit (6). wherein Each support rail (14) comprises a rail member having an inclined surface (14a) configured to support the flaps (37, 39) in a sliding manner and inclined towards the other rail member.

14. The feeding unit according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the support rails (14) extend beyond the output station (O) and to an inlet region (IR) of the folding unit (6), which is arranged downstream of the output station (O) with respect to the direction of extension of the carrier members (10) from the feeding unit (7) towards the folding unit (6).

15. The feeding unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (8) comprises an endless belt element (11) for conveying pairs of carrier members (10) along a closed loop path (P).

16. A packaging machine (1) comprising: a forming and sealing unit for forming a plurality of semi-finished sealed packages (2) containing a pourable product; a folding unit (6) for folding the sealed packages (2) to obtain finished folded packages (2a); and a feeding unit (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to receive the packages (2) from the forming and sealing unit and to feed them to the folding unit (6).

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