Packaging machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging machine with a sealing and cutting assembly, said sealing and cutting assembly comprising: two lateral frames (7.1, 7.2) facing each other; a first rotating assembly (1) having an axis of rotation (1.0) and an actuating tool (1.1) arranged between the lateral frames (7.1, 7.2) so as to be rotatable; a second rotating assembly (2) having an axis of rotation (2.0) and an actuating tool (2.1) arranged between the lateral frames (7.1, 7.2) so as to be rotatable; and a respective adjustment assembly (9) associated with each of the lateral frames (7.1, 7.2). Each adjustment assembly (9) comprises a side plate (9.0) associated with a lateral frame (7.1, 7.2) by means of a plate rotation axis (9.00), said side plate being rotatable relative to said plate rotation axis. The second axis of rotation (2.0) is associated with the side plate (9.0) at a point that does not coincide with the plate axis of rotation (9.00).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] In product packaging, different types of packaging machines are known for packaging products. One type of packaging machine packages products in a continuous film which is given a tubular shape by longitudinal seals of its longitudinal ends. Since the products are inside the film tube, the film tube is acted upon by means of a sealing and cutting assembly which makes a transverse cut in the film tube, dividing it in two, and makes a transverse seal on each side of the cut. The transverse seal on one side of the cut closes one end of the film tube and the other seal closes the second end of the package which is separated from the film tube by the transverse cut. The other end of the package has already been closed in a previous operation of the sealing and cutting assembly and corresponds to the end of the film tube which has been sealed in that previous operation.

[0003] EP0469819B1 discloses a packaging machine having an apparatus for sealing a film with a so-called long seal sealing assembly. The apparatus comprises two heater assemblies which are moved relative to each other in order to perform the sealing operation during the normal operation of the machine. Each heater assembly comprises a sealing surface and the two sealing surfaces cooperate to seal the film. The heater assemblies describe a determined path and said path defines a straight portion in which the two heater assemblies cooperate for sealing to obtain a longer sealing time compared to that obtained with a rotary sealing assembly. Moreover, along the complete displacement of the heater assemblies, the two sealing surfaces face each other.

[0004] In some cases, the sealing and cutting assembly comprises two rotary assemblies between which the film tube moves. As is known in the art of packaging machines, a rotary assembly for sealing a film is an assembly which describes a complete circular path during its rotation, therefore the actuation means of the two rotary assemblies which cooperate to perform the sealing face each other only when they cooperate for said sealing and only in an angular range of the rotation. Each rotary assembly comprises a rotation axis and actuation means which rotate with respect to the rotation axis. The actuation means are configured so that in the rotation position they cooperate with each other to perform the sealing and cutting operation described previously on said film tube and for this purpose the rotation axes are parallel to each other and are spaced apart by a given distance, preferably in the vertical direction, depending on the material which the rotary assemblies must act upon when they cooperate with each other.

[0005] Therefore, it is often necessary to adjust the position of at least one of the two rotating assemblies, which trace a complete circular path during their rotation when changing material, in particular the position of their rotation axis relative to the rotation axis of the other rotating assembly, so that the two rotation axes are not only at a corresponding determined distance from each other, but also parallel.

[0006] US3641857A discloses a packaging machine with a sealing and cutting assembly comprising a first rotating assembly with a first rotation axis and a first actuation means, a second rotating assembly with a second rotation axis and a second actuation means, an actuator associated with the first rotating assembly for rotating said first rotating assembly relative to the first rotation axis, and a transmission assembly for transmitting said rotation to the second rotating assembly, the second actuation means rotating relative to the second rotation axis. The two rotation axes are spaced apart in the vertical direction. SUMMARY

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging machine as defined in the claims.

[0008] The machine comprises a sealing and cutting assembly comprising a first lateral frame and a second lateral frame facing each other; a first rotating assembly comprising a first rotation axis and at least a first actuation means attached to both lateral frames so as to be able to rotate relative to the first rotation axis and so that the first actuation means is arranged between the two lateral frames; a second rotating assembly comprising a second rotation axis and at least a second actuation means arranged between the two lateral frames, able to rotate relative to the second rotation axis, and the second rotation axis being distanced from the first rotation axis, preferably spaced apart in the vertical direction; and a respective adjustment assembly attached to each lateral frame. The actuation means are configured so that they cooperate with each other in the position of the angular range during the rotation of the rotating assemblies.

[0009] The two adjustment assemblies are configured to be able to act independently or simultaneously and to adjust the position of the second rotation axis with said actuation. Each adjustment assembly comprises a side plate attached to the corresponding lateral frame, able to rotate relative to a plate rotation axis, and the second actuation means of the second rotating assembly is attached to the side plate, able to rotate relative to a connection axis distanced from the plate rotation axis. The plate rotation axis and the connection axis are both associated with a respective determined point of the side plate. Therefore, since the plate rotation axis and the connection axis do not coincide, i.e. they are associated with different points of the side plate, when the side plate is rotated relative to the lateral frame (relative to the plate rotation axis), the point associated with the connection axis changes its position, thus displacing the connection axis. The connection axis corresponds to the second rotation axis of the second rotating assembly, so that this displacement causes an adjustment of the position of the second rotation axis and therefore a change in the relative position between the rotation axes of the two rotating assemblies.

[0010] Each adjustment group further comprises an adjustment drive configured to rotate the side plate with respect to the corresponding lateral frame by rotating with respect to the plate rotation axis. The adjustment drive comprises a movable element and is configured such that, when said adjustment drive is actuated, the movable element is displaced with respect to the plate rotation axis, preferably in a direction comprising a horizontal component. The movable element is associated with the side plate such that its displacement causes the side plate to rotate with respect to the lateral frame.

[0011] The relative position between the rotation axes of the two rotation groups can be easily adjusted thanks to the adjustment groups and to the possibility for the side plates to rotate with respect to the lateral frames to which they are attached. This position adjustment makes it possible to move the two rotation axes away from each other or towards each other, which is important at least when replacing the first used film with another film of different material and / or different characteristics, since the two films can have for example different thicknesses and therefore contribute to change the reference to be packaged.

[0012] In addition, if the same adjustment is made on both adjustment groups, the displacement of the second rotation axis is maintained, while the orientation of the rotation axis is maintained (and therefore parallel to the first rotation axis if this is the starting point), but if necessary, an inclination of the rotation axis can also be induced by adjusting only one of the adjustment groups or by adjusting the two adjustment groups differently, for example, this can happen when the two rotation axes are no longer parallel for some reason.

[0013] These and other advantages and features of the application will become apparent from the drawings and detailed description of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 An embodiment of a packaging machine according to the application is shown.

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sealing and cutting group of the packaging machine of Figure 1

[0016] Figure 3 The relationship between the actuation means of the two rotation groups of the sealing and cutting group of Figure 2

[0017] Figure 4 A perspective setting group of the machine of Figure 1

[0018] Figure 5 is a side view of the adjustment group of the machine of Figure 4

[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an adjustment group of another embodiment of a packaging machine according to the application.​​​​

[0020] Figure 7 is a side view of the adjustment assembly of a further embodiment of a packaging machine according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] By way of example, as shown in Figure 1 the packaging machine 1000 comprises a sealing and cutting assembly 100.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2 the sealing and cutting assembly 100 comprises a first lateral frame 7.1 and a second lateral frame 7.2 facing each other; a first rotary assembly 1 having a first rotation axis 1.0 and at least a first actuation tool 1.1 rotating with respect to the first rotation axis 1.0, the first actuation tool 1.1 being arranged between the two lateral frames 7.1 and 7.2 and being connected to the two lateral frames 7.1 and 7.2 and being engaged to the first rotation axis 1.0 so as to be able to rotate with respect to said first rotation axis 1.0; a second rotary assembly 2 having a second rotation axis 2.0 and at least a second actuation tool 2.1 rotating with respect to the second rotation axis 2.0, the second actuation tool 2.1 being arranged between the two lateral frames 7.1 and 7.2 and being engaged to the second rotation axis 2.0 so as to be able to rotate with respect to said second rotation axis 2.0 and the second rotation axis 2.0 being preferably distanced from the first rotation axis 1.0 in the vertical direction; and a respective adjustment assembly 9 attached to each lateral frame 7.1 and 7.2 so that the sealing and cutting assembly 100 comprises two adjustment assemblies 9, the two adjustment assemblies 9 being associated with the second rotary assembly 2.

[0023] The first rotary assembly 1 and the second rotary assembly 2 are configured to describe a complete circular path around the respective rotation axes 1.0 and 2.0. Therefore, when the machine 100 is operating, the first rotary assembly 1 continuously rotates along the corresponding circular path with respect to the first rotation axis 1.0 in a first rotation direction, and the second rotary assembly 2 continuously rotates along the corresponding circular path with respect to the second rotation axis 2.0 in a second rotation direction, preferably opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0024] The two adjustment assemblies 9 are configured to be able to act independently or simultaneously as required. This allows at least the following two adjustments of the position of the second rotation axis 2.0: - when the two adjustment assemblies 9 are operated simultaneously and in the same way, the second rotation axis 2.0 does not change its orientation and the distance between the two rotation axes 1.0 and 2.0 is modified. This makes it possible to work with films or materials of different thicknesses.

[0025] - the fact that the two adjustment assemblies 9 can be operated independently allows to adjust the alignment or parallelism of the second rotation axis 2.0 with respect to the first rotation axis 1.0, so that the two rotation axes 1.0 and 2.0 can be arranged parallel if required.

[0026] The sealing and cutting assembly 100 further comprises an actuator 3 associated with the first rotation assembly 1 for rotating the first actuation tool 1.1 with respect to the first rotation axis 1.0, and a transmission system, not shown in the figures, for transmitting said rotation to the second rotation axis 2.0 and to the second actuation tool 2.1. In this way, the two rotation assemblies 1 and 2 rotate simultaneously.

[0027] The actuation tools 1.1 and 2.1 are configured so that they can cooperate with each other during the rotation of the rotation assemblies 1 and 2 in the angular range of positions of the actuation tools 1.1 and 2.2 (see Figure 3 ).

[0028] In the packaging machine 1000 with two rotation assemblies 1 and 2 as described above, the film tube 300, inside which there are the products to be packaged, passes between the two rotation assemblies 1 and 2 (the products are not shown in the figures) and, when the actuation tools 1.1 and 2.1 of the rotation assemblies 1 and 2 cooperate with each other, they transversely cut the film tube 300 and transversely seal the film tube 300 on both sides of the transverse cut. This results in individual closed packages downstream of the transverse cut and a film tube 300 closed at one end upstream of the transverse cut.

[0029] The two adjustment assemblies 9 are configured to be able to act independently or simultaneously and to adjust the position of the second rotation axis 2.0 with said actuation. As Figure 4 to Figure 7 shown, each adjustment assembly 9 comprises a side plate 9.0 attached to the corresponding lateral frame 7.1 and 7.2, which can rotate with respect to a plate rotation axis 9.00 corresponding to a first determined point of said side plate 9.0. The second actuation tool 2.1 of the second rotation assembly 2 is attached to the side plate 9.0 in a manner that can rotate with respect to a connection axis 9.02. The connection axis 9.02 of each side plate 9.0 corresponds to the second rotation axis 2.0 of the second rotation assembly 2 and also to a second determined point of said side plate 9.0 which does not coincide with the first point, said connection axis 9.02 thus being distanced from the plate rotation axis 9.00.

[0030] Each adjustment assembly 9 further comprises an adjustment drive 9.1 configured to rotate the side plate 9.0 with respect to the respective lateral frame 7.1 and 7.2, thereby rotating said side plate 9.0 with respect to the plate rotation axis 9.00. The adjustment drive 9.1 comprises a movable element 9.11. The adjustment drive 9.1 is configured such that when said adjustment drive 9.1 is actuated, the movable element 9.11 moves with respect to the rotation axis 9.00, the distance separating the movable element 9.11 from the plate rotation axis 9.00 varying. The movable element 9.11 is associated with the side plate 9.0 such that its displacement causes the side plate 9.0 to rotate with respect to the plate rotation axis 9.00.

[0031] Preferably, each movable element 9.11 is in contact, either indirectly through an intermediate element 9.9 arranged between said movable element 9.11 and said side plate 9.0 or directly, with a support area 9.01 of the corresponding side plate 9.0. Said movable element 9.11 is configured to displace in a first direction 1D defining a determined path, and the support area 9.01 of the side plate 9.0 extends in a second direction 2D defining a path different from the determined path defined by the first direction 1D. The difference between the two directions 1D and 2D participates in the rotation of the side plate 9.0.

[0032] The support area 9.01 of each side plate 9.0 is spaced apart from the plate rotation axis 9.00 such that the displacement of the corresponding movable element 9.11 causes said side plate 9.0 to rotate with respect to the corresponding plate rotation axis 9.00.

[0033] The first direction 1D and the second direction 2D are linear directions, one of said directions 1D and 2D being inclined with respect to the other direction by a determined angle a greater than 0° and preferably less than 5°.

[0034] In some embodiments, each lateral frame 7.1 and 7.2 comprises a sliding element 7.3 having a support surface 7.30 extending along the first direction 1D. The movable element 9.11 is supported on the support surface 7.30 (see Figure 6 ), such that said support surface 7.30 guides the displacement of the movable element 9.11. The movable element 9.11 is attached to the side plate 9.0 such that the displacement of the movable element 9.11 on the support surface 7.30 causes the rotation of the side plate 9.0.

[0035] In some embodiments, the movable element 9.11 and the side plate 9.0 are mechanically connected such that the movement of the movable element 9.11 causes the rotation of the side plate 9.0.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7In the embodiments depicted in the figures, the adjustment assembly 9 comprises an actuator 9.3 configured to cause actuation of a corresponding adjustment drive 9.1 and a control unit 6 configured to cause controlled actuation of the actuator 9.3 of the adjustment assembly 9. In this way, no manual actuation by a user is required to perform such adjustment, thereby facilitating such adjustment. The control unit 6 is preferably configured to arrange the second rotation axis 2.0 of the second rotation assembly 2 in a predetermined vertical position relative to the first rotation axis 1.0 of the first rotation assembly 1 as required. In these embodiments, a user can indicate the type of film or material to be used for the packaging, for example by means of a display, and the control unit 6 can automatically make the adjustment based on this information. In other embodiments, the adjustment drive 9.1 can be manually actuated, as is the case in the embodiments shown in Figure 4 to Figure 6 which the adjustment drive 9.1 comprises a handle 9.19 that rotates upon actuation, but in some embodiments such actuation can be automatic.

[0037] The adjustment drive 9.1 can comprise a rod 9.10 having a longitudinal axis 9.100 that is configured to rotate relative to its longitudinal axis 9.100 when the adjustment drive 9.1 is actuated. A movable element 9.11 is associated with the rod 9.10 such that said rotation causes the movable element 9.11 to move relative to the plate rotation axis 9.00. Preferably, the rod 9.10 of the adjustment drive 9.1 is a threaded rod and the movable element 9.11 is configured to cooperate with said thread of the rod 9.10.

[0038] In some embodiments, as in the embodiments depicted in Figure 4 and Figure 5 the side plate 9.0 of each adjustment assembly 9 comprises a support region 9.01 that is preferably distanced from the plate rotation axis 9.00 in a direction comprising a horizontal component. The adjustment assembly 9 is configured such that the support region 9.01 is in contact with the movable element 9.11, which in these embodiments is associated with the side plate 9.0 by this contact. Because said contact is always present, displacement of the movable element 9.11 causes rotation of said side plate 9.0, either because said support region 9.01 is pushed by said movable element 9.11 or because said support region 9.01 is supported by said movable element 9.11 and maintains its support, depending on the direction of displacement of said movable element 9.11. In these embodiments, the adjustment drive 9.1 can be attached to the corresponding lateral frame 7.1 and 7.2.

[0039] Preferably, the support region 9.01 of each side plate 9.0 includes a straight surface extending at a defined angle α relative to the longitudinal axis 9.100 of the corresponding adjusting actuator 9.1 rod 9.10, although it may include another shape instead of a straight surface (e.g., it may be a curved surface). In the case of a straight surface, the defined angle α value affects the accuracy of adjustment, whereby angle α is preferably less than 5°. In the case of the threaded rod 9.10, the linear displacement of the threaded rod 9.10 also depends on the thread pitch, whereby the accuracy of the fit depends on both angle α and the pitch. Preferably, the pitch is configured such that with each revolution of the threaded rod 9.10, the threaded rod 9.10 (and therefore the movable element 9.11) linearly displaces less than 2 mm.

[0040] Preferably, each adjustment component 9 may include a guide 9.2 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 9.100 of the rod 9.10 and attached to the corresponding lateral frames 7.1 and 7.2, and the corresponding movable element 9.11 is configured to cooperate with the guide 9.2 during its displacement.

[0041] In other embodiments, such as in Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiments, the corresponding lateral frames 7.1 and 7.2 include a sliding element 7.3 (as previously described) that cooperates with the movable element 9.11 and defines a path different from the path of the longitudinal axis 9.100 of the piston rod 9.10. The piston rod 9.10 is connected to the side plate 9.0 in such a way that the movable element 9.11, moving relative to the sliding element 7.3, is always in contact with the sliding element 7.3 and actuated with the side plate 9.0 such that the movable element 9.11 follows the path of the sliding element 7.3 during movement, and this movement causes the side plate 9.0 to rotate relative to the plate rotation axis 9.00. In these embodiments, an adjustment actuator 9.1 may be attached to the side plate 9.0, in which the movable element 9.11 is associated with the side plate 9.0 via the adjustment actuator 9.1.

[0042] The sliding element 7.3 may include a support surface 7.30, which is linear and extends at an angle α defined relative to the longitudinal axis 9.100 of the lever 9.10 of the corresponding adjustment actuator 9.1, said angle α preferably being less than 5° to obtain greater accuracy, as previously described with respect to other embodiments.

[0043] In these embodiments, each adjustment assembly 9 includes a frame 9.9 attached to a side plate 9.0, the frame facing and contacting a movable element 9.11 and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 9.100 of the rod 9.10, the movable element 9.11 being disposed between the frame and the sliding element 7.3. In another alternative embodiment, to avoid using the sliding element 7.3, the side plate 9.0 includes a surface facing and contacting the movable element 9.11 and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 9.100 of the piston rod 9.10, the movable element 9.11 being disposed between the surface of the side plate 9.0 and the sliding element 7.3.

[0044] The packaging machine 1000 may also include a pressure actuator 11 associated with each side plate 9.0 for pressing the corresponding side plate 9.0 in a downward direction to apply pressure to the second actuating tool 2.1 toward the first actuating tool 1.1. This pressure represents the pressure applied to the film or material to be sealed when the first actuating tool 1.1 and the second actuating tool 1.2 cooperate with each other. The pressure actuators 11 are preferably controlled by means of a fluid (preferably pressurized air) so that the pressure they apply to the side plates 9.0 can be easily adjusted, and are preferably in communication with each other so that they apply equal pressure to the corresponding side plates 9.0.

[0045] The second actuating tool 2.1 includes a sealing tool 2.11 having two sealing surfaces 2.111 and 2.112, and a cutting tool 2.12, such as a blade, disposed between the two sealing surfaces 2.111 and 2.112. Therefore, when the actuating tools 1.1 and 2.1 seal and cut the corresponding membrane or material, the two sealing surfaces 2.111 and 2.112 provide a lateral seal on each side of the cut.

[0046] The cutting tool 2.12 is configured to move between an active and inactive position relative to the sealing tool 2.11. In the active position, the cutting tool protrudes from the sealing surfaces 2.111 and 2.112 of the sealing tool 2.11, and in the inactive position, the cutting tool 2.12 retracts relative to the sealing surfaces 2.111 and 2.112. Therefore, controlling when the cutting tool 2.12 must be actuated helps increase its service life. Furthermore, by controlling the actuation of the cutting tool 2.12, the extent to which it protrudes from the sealing surfaces 2.111 and 2.112 in the active position can also be controlled, which can be adapted to different materials to be cut. This also eliminates the need for a support member that the cutting tool 2.12 must strike to make a cut, as the proposed solution allows it to protrude further if necessary, further increasing its service life because it suffers less wear with each actuation.

[0047] The second actuating tool 2.1 includes at least one actuating actuator 2.13 configured to act by means of fluid action and, upon actuation, move the cutting tool 2.12 from at least an inactive position to an active position. The fluid is preferably pressurized air, and the actuating actuator 2.13 is a pneumatic actuator in this case.

[0048] Preferably, the second actuating tool 2.1 includes at least two actuation drivers 2.13, one on each side of the cutting tool 2.12 relative to the rotation axis 2.0, with both actuation drivers 2.13 operating simultaneously. In this way, the size of the actuation driver 2.13 can be reduced by the force required for segmentation compared to using a single actuation driver 2.13, and proper actuation of the cutting tool 2.12 is ensured by simultaneously actuating the cutting tool 2.12 from both sides.

[0049] The sealing and cutting assembly 100 may include an actuation control unit, which may be a control unit 6 or a different control unit, configured to actuate the actuation driver 2.13 of the second actuation tool 2.1 when the second actuation tool 2.1 is in an angular position cooperating with the first actuation tool 1.1 to seal and cut a membrane or material disposed between the two actuation tools 1.1 and 2.1.

[0050] In embodiments where the sealing and cutting assembly 100 includes a pressure actuator 11 and an actuator driver 2.13, the pressure actuator 11 and the actuator driver 2.13 may be connected to the same fluid source, preferably pressurized air, wherein they are automatically controlled. The sealing and cutting assembly 100 may include: a controllable electronic valve or similar device connected between the fluid source and each of the pressure actuator 11 and the actuator driver 2.13, and an actuation control unit configured to control the opening and closing of the pressure actuator 11 and the actuator driver 2.13, such that the pressure applied by the pressure actuator 11 and the force and momentum of the tool 2.12 are controlled. The pressure unit may be a control unit 6 or different control units.

[0051] Preferably, the same control unit 6 is configured to control all controllable drives and actuators of the sealing and cutting assembly 100.

[0052] The control unit of the packaging machine 1000 (such as control unit 6 and any additional control units) may include a microprocessor, controller, FPGA or any other computing device.

Claims

1. A packaging machine, the packaging machine comprising: A sealing and cutting assembly (100) having a first lateral frame (7.1) and a second lateral frame (7.2) facing each other; a first rotating assembly (1) having a first rotation axis (1.0) and at least a first actuating tool (1.1) arranged between and attached to the two lateral frames (7.1, 7.2) to be rotatable relative to the first rotation axis (1.0); and a second rotating assembly (2) including a second rotation axis (2.0) and arranged between the two lateral frames. (7.1, 7.2) and thus rotatable relative to the second rotation axis (2.0), the second rotation axis (2.0) being away from the first rotation axis (1.0), preferably in the vertical direction away from the first rotation axis (1.0); and corresponding adjustment components (9) attached to each lateral frame (7.1, 7.2), both adjustment components (9) being associated with the second rotation assembly (2), and the actuating tools (1.1, 2.1) being configured such that they are within an angular range (1, 2) during rotation of the rotation assemblies (1, 2). The two adjustment components (9) are configured to operate independently to adjust the alignment or parallelism of the second rotation axis (2.0) relative to the first rotation axis (1.0), and simultaneously and in the same manner modify the distance between the second rotation axis (2.0) and the first rotation axis (1.0). Each adjustment component (9) includes: a side plate (9.0) attached to a corresponding lateral frame (7.1, 7.2) so as to be rotatable relative to the plate rotation axis (9.00); a second actuation tool (2.1) of the second rotation component (2) attached to the side plate (9.0) so as to be rotatable relative to a connecting axis (9.02) spaced apart from the plate rotation axis (9.00). 02) The second rotation axis (2.0) corresponding to the second rotating assembly (2); and an adjustment driver (9.1) configured to rotate the side plate (9.0) relative to the lateral frame (7.1, 7.2), correspondingly rotating the side plate (9.0) relative to the plate rotation axis (9.00), the adjustment driver (9.1) including a movable element (9.11), and the adjustment driver (9.1) configured such that when the adjustment driver (9.1) is actuated, the movable element (9.11) is displaced relative to the plate rotation axis (9.00), the movable element (9.11) being associated with the side plate (9.0), such that the displacement of the movable element causes the side plate (9.0) to rotate relative to the plate rotation axis (9.00).

2. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein, Each movable element (9.11) is indirectly or directly in contact with the support area (9.01) of the corresponding side plate (9.0) via an intermediate element (9.9) disposed between the movable element (9.11) and the side plate (9.0). The movable element (9.11) is configured to shift in a first direction (1D) defining a defined path, and the support area (9.01) of the side plate (9.0) extends in a second direction (2D) defining a path different from the defined path defined by the first direction (1D).

3. The packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein, The support area (9.01) of each side plate (9.0) is spaced apart from the plate rotation axis (9.00) such that displacement of the corresponding movable element (9.11) causes the side plate (9.0) to rotate relative to the corresponding plate rotation axis (9.00).

4. The packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein, The first direction (1D) and the second direction (2D) are linear directions, and one of the directions (1D, 2D) is tilted relative to the other direction by a certain angle (α), the certain angle (α) being greater than 0° and preferably less than 5°.

5. The packaging machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, Each lateral frame (7.1, 7.2) includes a sliding element (7.3) having a support surface (7.30) extending along the first direction (1D), the movable element (9.11) being supported on the support surface (7.30) such that the support surface (7.30) guides the displacement of the movable element (9.11), the movable element (9.11) being attached to the side plate (9.0) such that the displacement of the movable element (9.11) on the support surface (7.30) causes rotation of the side plate (9.0).

6. The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The movable element (9.11) and the side plate (9.0) are mechanically connected.

7. The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The movable element (9.11) is configured to shift linearly.

8. The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The adjustment actuator (9.1) includes a rod (9.10) having a longitudinal axis (9.100), the rod (9.10) being configured to rotate relative to its longitudinal axis (9.100) when the adjustment actuator (9.1) is actuated, and a movable element (9.11) is associated with the rod (9.10) such that the rotation causes the movable element (9.11) to move relative to the plate rotation axis (9.00).

9. The packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein, The rod (9.10) of the adjustment actuator (9.1) is a threaded rod, and the movable element (9.11) is configured to engage with the threaded rod (9.10) such that the movable element (9.11) moves when the rod (9.10) is rotated along the longitudinal axis (9.100) of the rod (9.10).

10. The packaging machine according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, Each adjustment assembly (9) includes a guide (9.2) that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (9.100) of the rod (9.10) and is attached to a corresponding lateral frame (7.1, 7.2), and the movable element (9.11) of the adjustment assembly (9) is configured to engage with the guide (9.2) during displacement of the movable element.

11. The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The adjustment actuator (9.1) is attached to the corresponding lateral frame (7.1, 7.2).

12. The packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein, Each lateral frame (7.1, 7.2) includes a sliding element (7.3) whose extension defines a trajectory different from that of the longitudinal axis (9.100) of the rod (9.10), which is attached to the side plate (9.0), and the adjustment assembly (9) is configured such that the movable element (9.11) is always in contact with the sliding element (7.3), such that the movable element (9.11) follows the trajectory of the sliding element (7.3) during its displacement, and the displacement causes the side plate (9.0) to rotate relative to the plate rotation axis (9.00).

13. The packaging machine according to claim 12, wherein, Each sliding element (7.3) includes a support surface (7.30) that is linear and extends at an angle (α) preferably less than 5° relative to the longitudinal axis (9.100) of the rod (9.10) of the corresponding adjustment actuator (9.1).

14. The packaging machine according to claim 13, wherein, Each adjustment assembly (9) includes a frame attached to the side plate (9.0), facing and contacting the movable element (9.11) and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (9.100) of the rod (9.10), the movable element (9.11) being arranged between the frame and the sliding element (7.3), or wherein the side plate (9.0) includes a surface facing and contacting the movable element (9.11) and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (9.100) of the piston rod (9.10), the movable element (9.11) being arranged between the surface of the side plate (9.0) and the sliding element (7.3).

15. The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, Each regulating component (9) includes an actuator (9.3) and a control unit (6), the actuator being configured to cause actuation of a corresponding regulating driver (9.1), and the control unit (6) being configured to cause controlled actuation of the actuator (9.3).

16. The packaging machine according to claim 15, wherein, The control unit (6) is configured to actuate the actuator (9.3) of the adjustment assembly (9) to arrange the second rotation axis (2.0) of the second rotation assembly (2) at a given vertical distance from the first rotation axis (1.0) of the first rotation assembly (1).

17. The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the packaging machine comprising a corresponding pressure actuator (11) for each side plate (9.0), the pressure actuator (11) being configured to press the corresponding side plate (9.0) in a downward direction.

18. The packaging machine according to claim 17, wherein, The pressure actuator (11) is configured to be fluid-actuated, and the two pressure actuators (11) are connected to the same fluid source.

19. The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein, The second actuation tool (2.1) of the second rotating assembly (2) includes: a sealing tool (2.11) having two sealing surfaces (2.111, 2.112); a cutting tool (2.12) disposed between the two sealing surfaces (2.111, 2.112) and configured to move relative to the sealing tool (2.11) between an active position and an inactive position, wherein in the active position the cutting tool protrudes from the sealing surfaces (2.111, 2.112) and in the inactive position the cutting tool (2.12) retracts relative to the sealing surfaces (2.111, 2.112); and an actuation actuator (2.13) configured to be actuated by the action of a fluid, and the actuation of the actuation actuator causes the cutting tool (2.12) to move from at least the inactive position to the active position.

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