Machine for manufacturing packages for liquid or pasty products and associated method for manufacturing the packages

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an openable package for a liquid or pasty food product is described, comprising the steps of: providing a continuous film (1), cutting the continuous film (1) to form a plurality of single sheets (2) and forming on each single sheet (2) a crease line suitable for defining a fold line for forming a container, providing a rotating member (3) rotating about an axis of rotation (3X) and comprising a plurality of forming mandrels (4) along its circumference, coupling said single sheets (2) to the forming mandrel (4) at a first predetermined angular position of rotation of the forming mandrel (4), and folding said single sheets (2) around the forming mandrel (4) by means of a folding device (5-8) configured to wrap the single sheets (2) on the forming mandrel (4), wherein the sheets are aligned in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the forming mandrel (4), and the folding device (5-8) is adapted to fold the single sheets (2) around the forming mandrel (4), so that the sheets are aligned in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the forming mandrel (4). the steps of folding the single sheet (2) along the crease lines so as to form a bottom (2f) and front walls (2a, 2b) and side walls (2c, 2d) when folded; partially sealing the folded single sheet (2) on a forming mandrel (4) to obtain an open-ended container open only at the end face arranged opposite the closed bottom (2f) and having an access opening (2e) to an internal cavity; transferring the partially sealed open-ended container from the forming mandrel (4) to a conveying device (9); filling the cavity of the open-ended container with food through the access opening (2e); and completing the sealing of the container when filling is complete by finally sealing the access opening (2e) to produce a sealed container.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for producing prismatic packages for liquid or pasty products, in particular food-type liquid or pasty products.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a package containing the above-mentioned liquid or pasty product. [Background technology]

[0003] In this specification, liquid or pasty products refer to products that can be filled into packages by means of a nozzle either in cold or hot state, and consist, for example, of processed cheese, butter, chocolate, marmalade, etc.

[0004] Generally, this type of packaging has two blanks, one for forming the container and one for forming a lid, which after the container has been filled, is placed over the product poured into the container and the whole is then sealed.

[0005] Therefore, there are several requirements for the manufacture of packaging for pasty products: that the package can also be manufactured from paper-based materials while ensuring an optimal insulating seal and no internal voids for an acceptable shelf life; The advantages of this approach are that it has reduced overall dimensions, coupled with a high degree of flexibility which allows the machine to easily change the shape of the final package, for example to a prism with a square or triangular cross section.

[0006] There are prior art methods and machines for forming packages starting from a blank which is gradually folded to form the package.

[0007] Patent document GB 2 124 140 shows a method and a machine in which a starting blank is folded on a first set of forming mandrels arranged along a plane to form a tubular element open at both ends, which is then inserted into a second set of mandrels arranged on a wheel to form a bottom and partial seal.

[0008] Patent document WO 2010 / 044025 describes a machine in which an initial blank is folded to form a tubular element open at both ends, the tubular element being fed over two mandrel wheels, i.e. the neck is inserted in the first wheel and the bottom is formed in the second wheel. Summary of the Invention

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for producing packages for liquid or pasty products, in particular food products, which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a package containing the above-mentioned liquid or pasty food product.

[0011] In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a machine and a method for producing packages for liquid or pasty products, which make it possible to obtain packages in short running times and with reduced overall machine dimensions.

[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a machine and method for producing packages for liquid or pasty products, which makes it possible to obtain packages of regular shape starting from a single blank, whilst maintaining a high final quality of the product.

[0013] Said object is perfectly achieved by the machine and method for producing a package for liquid or pasty products according to the invention as characterized in the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] The characteristics of the solution according to the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view, with parts cut away to better illustrate, of a machine for manufacturing packages for liquid or pasty products according to the invention, which implements the method for manufacturing packages for liquid or pasty products according to the invention; [Figure 2a] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a station forming part of the machine of FIG. 1 for forming a first format flat sheet of continuous film for subsequent definition of a package; [Figure 2b] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a station forming part of the machine of FIG. 1 for forming a second format flat sheet of continuous film for subsequent definition of a package; [Diagram 3] 2b is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a rotating element comprising a forming mandrel forming part of the machine of FIG. 1 and in a first working configuration of the forming mandrel fed by the first format flat sheet of FIG. 2a; FIG. [Figure 4] 2b is a perspective view of a rotating element comprising a forming mandrel forming part of the machine of FIG. 1 and in a second working configuration of the forming mandrel fed by the flat sheet of the first format of FIG. 2a; FIG. [Figure 5a] FIG. 2b is a schematic perspective view of an arrangement for forming a package starting from a single sheet of the first format of FIG. 2a and obtained with the machine and method according to the invention; [Figure 5b] FIG. 5b is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of FIG. 5a with attention directed to the formation of the bottom of the package. [Figure 6a] FIG. 2c is a schematic perspective view of an arrangement for forming a package starting from a single sheet of the second format of FIG. 2b and obtained with the machine and method according to the invention; [Figure 6b] FIG. 2c is a schematic perspective view of an arrangement for forming a package starting from a single sheet of the second format of FIG. 2b and obtained with the machine and method according to the invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the machine of FIG. 1, showing the rotating elements and the first folding / sealing station in a first, non-operating configuration. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the machine of FIG. 1, showing the rotating elements and the first folding / sealing station in a second operating configuration. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of further details of the machine of FIG. 1, showing the rotating elements and the second folding / sealing station in an operative configuration. [Figure 10A-10E] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a further station for folding / sealing the bottom of the package in a series of steps starting from a sheet of a first format to obtain a closed and sealed bottom of the package. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of another operating zone of the machine of FIG. 1, comprising a rotating element and a unit for unloading and transporting the apertured packages formed on the mandrel. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate, a detail of FIG. 11 . [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a rotating element with a forming mandrel forming part of the machine of FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring to the accompanying drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a machine and method according to the present invention, generally labelled 100, is used for producing packages of liquid or pasty food (e.g., food such as processed cheese, butter, chocolate, jam, etc., without limiting the scope of the invention).

[0016] Figures 2a, 5a and 5b show a single sheet of a first format from which a parallelepiped package is obtained, and Figures 2b, 6a and 6b show a single sheet of a second format from which a second type of package is obtained, having a triangular prism shape, i.e. with two triangular front walls opposite and parallel to each other, two opposite rectangular side walls inclined towards a common apex, and a substantially rectangular bottom wall from whose larger opposite edges the two front walls extend and from whose two smaller opposite edges the two side walls extend. The substantially rectangular bottom wall may be slightly curved.

[0017] For ease of explanation, since most steps of the methods and machine parts are common, only the variant parts (always starting from the first format sheet) are highlighted to confirm the flexibility and effectiveness of the methods and machines according to the present invention.

[0018] As shown, a method for producing a food package includes: Supplying a continuous film 1 (FIG. 1); cutting the continuous film 1 to form a plurality of single sheets 2, each sheet 2 having a single crease line designed to form a fold line for forming a container (FIG. 2a or 2b), the crease line being formed while the sheet 2 is in a substantially flat configuration; Providing an element 3 rotating about an axis of rotation 3X and provided with a number of forming mandrels 4 along its circumference (FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0019] Each forming mandrel 4 has a radially extending prismatic shape.

[0020] The method also includes: Attaching a single sheet 2 to one of the forming mandrels 4 at a first predetermined angular position of rotation of the forming mandrel 4, the single sheet 2 being positioned so that at least one surface of the single sheet 2 is in contact with the forming mandrel 4 (see Figures 3 and 4); Folding the single sheet 2 around the forming mandrel 4 using a folding device 5-8 configured to wrap the single sheet 2 on the forming mandrel 4 and fold it along crease lines so that when the sheet 2 is joined to the forming mandrel 4, it forms a bottom 2f, two opposing front walls 2a, 2b and two opposing side walls 2c, 2d (see Fig. 5a or Fig. 6a); and partially sealing the folded single sheet 2 on the forming mandrel 4 to obtain an open container open only at the end face located opposite the closed bottom 60 and having an access opening 2e to an internal cavity closed by front walls 2a, 2b, side walls 2c, 2d and a bottom 2f (see Figure 5b or Figure 6b).

[0021] It should be noted that the base 2f is formed on the forming mandrel 4 at the distal end of the forming mandrel 4, i.e. at a distance from the axis of rotation 3X that is greater than the distance between the axis of rotation 3X and the access opening 2e.

[0022] If the container has the shape of a parallelepiped, the bottom is a rectangular wall, if the container is triangular the bottom according to the invention consists of the apex edge (see figures 6a and 6b).

[0023] According to the invention, the method also comprises the steps of: Transferring the partially sealed open container from the forming mandrel 4 to a conveying device 9 at a second angular position of rotation of the forming mandrel 4, different from the first angular position (see Figures 11 and 12), Moving the open-ended container using a conveying device 9 to a filling station 14, where the cavity of the open-ended container is filled with food product through an access opening 2e (see FIG. 1).

[0024] It should be noted that the access opening 2e is oriented upwards to allow the product to fall through and fill the open container.

[0025] As shown, the method includes the step of fully closing the container upon completion of filling by finally sealing the access opening 2e.

[0026] According to the invention, the continuous film 1 from which the single sheets 2 are obtained is made of a material suitable for food use, in particular a paper-based material, which is preferred.

[0027] More preferably, the material is formed by at least one layer of paper and a barrier layer made of a gas impermeable material.

[0028] Preferably, the step of bonding the single sheet 2 onto the mandrel 4 is performed with the single sheet 2 in a flat configuration (see FIG. 3).

[0029] As shown in particular in FIG. 5 a or 6 b , the step of folding the single sheet 2 is carried out along several rotational angular positions of the mandrel 3 .

[0030] With this in mind, therefore, all the folding steps of the single sheet 2 are carried out around the same forming mandrel 4 (except for the bottom part 2f, which is used for filling the product).

[0031] This allows for a precise, rapid sequence of steps for each package being formed, as described in more detail below, and also allows for a reduction in the overall size of the machine.

[0032] It should be noted that the step of bonding the single sheet 2 to the mandrel 4 is performed with the single sheet 2 positioned horizontally.

[0033] Preferably, the step of transferring the open container from the forming mandrel 4 to the conveying device 9 is carried out by ejecting the container from the forming mandrel 4 by pushing the bottom 2f of the container so as to slide the container over the outer surface of the forming mandrel 4 (see Figures 11 and 12).

[0034] Alternatively, the partially sealed open container may be extracted from the mandrel by an external system which extracts the container from the mandrel by suction acting on the exterior surface of at least one wall.

[0035] In both solutions the step of transferring the partially sealed open container to a carrier device 9 is performed with the container vertically positioned with the access opening 2e facing up and the bottom 2f facing down. With reference to the first embodiment shown in figures 4, 5a and 5b the folding step comprises a series of sub-steps.

[0036] The first sub-step comprises a first folding of the single sheet 2 in a first angular position of the forming mandrel 4 capable of forming a first front wall 2a and two opposing side walls 2c, 2d.

[0037] The second sub-step involves a second folding of the single sheet 2 at a subsequent angular position on the forming mandrel 4 that can form a second front wall 2b opposite the first front wall 2a and that brings the two opposing portions into contact with the forming mandrel 4 to form longitudinal fins (which can be sealed by gluing the inner surfaces of the portions) with their respective edges in contact with each other on their inner surfaces (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0038] The third sub-step involves a third folding of the single sheet 2 at a subsequent angular position of the forming mandrel 4 that allows the longitudinal fins to contact the outer surface of the second front wall 2b (see FIG. 9).

[0039] During this third fold, it is also possible to provide a step of locking the longitudinal fins to the outer surface of the second front wall 2b by means of an adhesive lacquer or a peelable hot melt.

[0040] The fourth sub-step involves a fourth folding of the single sheet 2 at a further angular position of the forming mandrel 4, at the free edge of the sheet 2 not engaged by the forming mandrel 4 which can form the closed bottom 2f of the container (see Figure 5b or Figure 6b).

[0041] During this fourth folding step there is also a step of lateral bottom sealing to the longitudinal sealing, in which the lateral edges of the second front wall 2b are glued to the lateral edges of the first front wall 2a, this bottom sealing step being preferably carried out by inner wall-to-inner wall bonding to form a laterally sealed fin (Figure 5b).

[0042] As shown, the bottom 2f is closed by a bottom fin 60 formed by stably joining two inner faces of the single sheet 2.

[0043] With this in mind, the bottom fin 60 configuration is formed in the parallelepiped package by simultaneously folding the outer edges of the first and second front walls 2a, 2b of a single sheet 2 that project perpendicularly from the two side walls 2c, 2d so as to project in the centre of the bottom and towards the outside of the container, and once the bottom fin 60 is formed it is folded onto the bottom 2f and fixed in place, for example by hot melt.

[0044] Figures 6a and 6b show the folding sequence for a triangular format, where the first three sub-steps are substantially identical to those described above, while the fourth sub-step in this case involves sealing the bottom formed by the apex edge, where the edges of the side walls are joined by joining inner wall-to-inner wall to form laterally sealed fins along the edges (see Figures 6a and 6b).

[0045] In any format of the sheet 2, the second, third and fourth folds are performed at different angular positions.

[0046] In particular, at least the second and third folds are performed while the rotating element 3 is at rest.

[0047] With reference to the parallelepiped embodiment, the step of forming the bottom fin 60 is preceded by a step of folding the sides in an accordion-like manner, where the sides are pressed inwards before forming the bottom fin 60 (see Figures 5b and 10a-10e).

[0048] It should be noted that the folding of the bottom fin 60 may be performed in the same direction as the forward movement of the rotating element.

[0049] It should be noted that between the steps of feeding the continuous film 1 and cutting the continuous film 1 into single sheets 2, it is possible to include a step of applying at least one tear strip 22 to the forwardly fed film 1. With this in mind, the tear strip 22 may be applied onto a barrier layer of gas impermeable material.

[0050] Instead of using tear strips, it is possible to form a cutting means, i.e., a predetermined break line.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, a non-permanent adhesive may be used to allow for releasability from the seal.

[0052] Furthermore, it is possible to leave unsealed zones to form suitable flaps that allow for grasping to open the package.

[0053] The invention provides a machine 100 for producing packages containing liquid or pasty food according to the method described above.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1, the machine 100 comprises a station 10 for feeding a continuous film 1 .

[0055] The machine 100 also comprises a station 11 for forming, from the continuous film 1, single sheets 2 on which are formed creases designed to form fold lines for forming containers (see FIG. 2a for the first format and FIG. 2b for the second format). It should be noted that the creases are formed while the sheet 2 is in a substantially flat configuration.

[0056] Further, the machine 100 comprises an element 3 (carousel) rotating about a rotation axis 3X, the element 3 comprising a number of forming mandrels 4 projecting radially along the circumference of the rotating element 3, the forming mandrels 4 being configured such that each forming mandrel 4 receives a single sheet 2 in a flat configuration from the forming station 11 at a first predetermined angular position (e.g., the 9 o'clock position).

[0057] Each forming mandrel 4 comprises a device 12 for folding / holding a single sheet 2 on the forming mandrel 4 configured to hold and form at least a first front wall 2a.

[0058] The machine 100 also comprises a number of folding / sealing stations 5-8, 38 arranged along the circular path along which the forming mandrels 4 move and which interact with each forming mandrel 4 of the rotating element 3 to completely encase the single sheet 2 on said forming mandrel 4 and fold the single sheet 2 along crease lines to form a pair of opposing side walls 2c, 2d and a pair of front walls 2a, 2b as well as a bottom 2f stably joined to form a container open only at one end.

[0059] The machine 100 also includes a conveying device 13 that is positioned at a second predetermined angular position of rotation of the forming mandrels 4 (e.g., the 6 o'clock position) different from the first angular position and configured to receive open containers that are open only at their end faces after they have been formed on individual forming mandrels 4 and move them towards a filling station 14.

[0060] The filling station 14 is configured to feed the product by dropping into the cavity of the open-ended container through an access opening 2e defined by an open end and then feed the open-ended container towards a station 15 for sealing the access opening 2e of the container.

[0061] In FIG. 1, supply station 10 is a roll of continuous film that is fed along a predetermined path to station 11 for forming a single sheet 2 .

[0062] The roll is unwound to advance the sheet perpendicular to the axis of rotation 3X, horizontally (as in FIG. 3) or vertically, but it is also possible to advance the sheet to be folded in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 3X, horizontally or vertically.

[0063] The machine 100 may also include at least one additional reel 27 for supplying and applying at least one tear strip 22 to the forwardly feeding film 1 .

[0064] With this in mind, tear strips 22 are applied over the barrier layer of gas impermeable material of the continuous film.

[0065] Alternatively, to facilitate opening of the container, the tear means may be formed in the single sheet, i.e., a predetermined break line is formed without compromising the seal of the single sheet, or a non-permanent adhesive may be used to allow for easy peeling.

[0066] It should be noted that each forming mandrel 4 comprises a prismatic body 4a sized to form each of the two front and side walls 2a-2d, as well as the bottom 2f, of the container.

[0067] It should be noted that each forming mandrel 4 is provided with an ejection device 16 configured to push into the cavity against the inner surface of the bottom 2f of the container and extract the container from said forming mandrel 4. With this in mind, each mandrel 4 is provided with an ejection device 16 (Figure 12) comprising an extrusion head 16a connected to (schematically shown) movement means 16b configured to move the extrusion head 16a between an inoperative position in which the head 16a is inside the forming mandrel 4 and an operative position in which the head 16a projects from the forming mandrel 4 so as to push against the bottom 2f of the container and extract the container from the prismatic body 4a (see Figures 11 and 12).

[0068] In other words, the prismatic body 4a is hollow and houses a head 16 which is connected at its inner end with cam means which interact with the rotating element 3 to allow the head 16 to slide in both directions.

[0069] Alternatively, the ejector may be external to the forming mandrel and pass through the interior of the forming mandrel only when the forming mandrel reaches a second rotational angular position, where the package is removed.

[0070] Alternatively, it is possible to use a general system (not shown) for use with the ejection device 16, which is positioned close to the second predetermined angular position and removes the container from the mandrel 4 when the mandrel 4 reaches the second angular position by suction acting on the outer surface of the container wall.

[0071] As described above, each forming mandrel 4 supports a folding / holding device 12 having a folding arm 19 connected to the corresponding forming mandrel 4, the folding arm 19 being movable between a raised, inoperative position in which the folding arm 19 is moved away from the surface of the forming mandrel 4 and an operative position in which the folding arm 19 is moved toward the surface of the forming mandrel 4 with the single sheet 2 interposed therebetween.

[0072] Folding arms 19 are configured to block and at least partially fold a single sheet 2 on a forming mandrel 4 (see FIG. 4).

[0073] The machine 100 comprises a track 17 rotating along a closed path arranged and configured to temporarily receive the open containers extracted from the forming mandrels 4 and move them to the conveying device 13 (see FIG. 11).

[0074] With this in mind, the track 17 is provided with a receiving seat 17a that is positioned equidistant (from the lower and upper open pockets) and that is configured to receive a single open container.

[0075] The container is received through an upper opening of the receiving base 17a with its opening facing upward, and is discharged through a lower opening on the opposite side of the receiving base 17a.

[0076] Above the track 17 (transverse to the rotating element 3) there is an ejection device 18 configured to work in conjunction with the receiving seat 17a so as to transfer the open container from the track 17 to the conveying device 13 following a vertical movement.

[0077] In the illustrated configuration, the ejection device 18 is capable of ejecting two open-ended containers at a time from two adjacent receiving seats 17a and transferring them to respective pockets 42 of the transport device 13, which will be described in more detail below.

[0078] Instead of using tracks, it is possible to provide other types of closed transport systems, such as a racetrack system.

[0079] As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, one of the folding / sealing stations 5 (for sheets of the first format) comprises a first pair of folding heads 20 arranged on either side with respect to the circular path of each forming mandrel 4, which are movable in both directions parallel to the axis of rotation 3X of the rotating element 3 between a retracted non-operating position (Figure 7) in which the first pair of heads 20 are away from the forming mandrel 4 moving along the circular path, and an advanced operating position (Figure 8) in which the first pair of heads 20 are close to the forming mandrel 4, so as to catch a part of the single sheet 2 in the middle and realize its folding to form a pair of mutually facing front walls 2a, 2b of the container and to form longitudinal fins made by stably joining two inner faces of the single sheet 2, in this case arranged radially with respect to the rotating element 3. In the illustrated example, the folding station 5 is in the 11 o'clock position with respect to the position of the forming mandrel 4.

[0080] Sealing means 26 (heat or ultrasonic) are housed in at least one of the folding heads 20 capable of stabilizing the bond between the two parts defining the longitudinal fins.

[0081] The joining of the two parts is carried out on the inside thereof so as to form a longitudinal sealing fin.

[0082] During sealing with the sealing means 26, the longitudinal fins are arranged perpendicular to the front walls 2a, 2b.

[0083] The other folding / sealing station 6 acts on the formed longitudinal fins (on both the first and second format sheets).

[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, the folding / sealing station 6 comprises a second folding head 21 arranged transversely to the circular path of each forming mandrel 4, which is movable in both directions parallel to the rotation axis 3X of the rotating element 3 between a retracted non-operating position (not shown) in which the second head 21 is away from the forming mandrel 4 moving along the circular path, and an advanced operating position (FIG. 9) in which the second head 21 is close to the forming mandrel 4, so as to catch in the middle the longitudinal fins arranged perpendicular to the pair of front walls 2a, 2b previously formed and to obtain their folding on the outer surface of one of the front walls 2b of the container, during the step of resting the forming mandrel 4.

[0085] The second head 21 may also be provided with sealing means 29 (thermal adhesive or ultrasonic) whereby the longitudinal fins are stably associated with the outer surface of the second front wall 2b.

[0086] According to the parallelepiped embodiment, the bottom 2 f of the open container is closed after the folding station 6 at a station 7 for sealing the bottom 2 f arranged along the circular path of each forming mandrel 4 .

[0087] The station 7 for sealing the bottom 2f comprises two opposing sealing plates 31, 32 configured to capture and simultaneously fold the outer edges of the front walls 2a, 2b of the single sheet 2 in between so as to form a bottom fin 60 protruding towards the outside of the container (see FIG. 5B).

[0088] The two plates 31 and 32 move towards and away from the edge of the vessel by means of bidirectional rotation-translation movements (see arrows in FIG. 10A).

[0089] In particular, the sealing station 7 also comprises a pair of folding blades 43, 44 arranged facing corresponding outer edges of the two side walls 2c, 2d and rotatable about associated axes transverse to the axis 3X of the rotating element 3.

[0090] The folding blades 43, 44 move between a first inoperative position away from the outer edges of the two side walls 2c, 2d (see Figure 10A) and a second operative position close to the lateral edges of the two side walls 2c, 2d (see Figures 10B, 10C) before the two plates 31, 32 are moved towards each other.

[0091] During this movement, the two blades 43, 44 catch the lateral edges in their way and fold the outer edges of the side walls 2c, 2d in an accordion-like manner towards the inside of the package space.

[0092] After folding, the two blades 43 and 44 rotate in opposite directions away from the folded side edges to leave space for the two plates 31 and 33, which form the bottom fin 60 (see Figures 10d and 10e).

[0093] Downstream of the sealing station 7, in particular in succession with respect to the direction of rotation V of the rotating element 3, there are folding and fixing stations, namely a station 8 for folding the bottom fins 60, comprising a device 34 for folding the bottom fins 60 at right angles to the bottom 2f of the container.

[0094] The folding device 34 is arranged to fold the bottom fin 60 in the same direction as the direction of rotation V of the rotating element 3 in the example shown.

[0095] The folding device 34 comprises a blade 35 associated with a lever 36 connected to the rotating element 3 .

[0096] The blade 35 is configured to fold the bottom fin 60 at a right angle relative to the bottom wall 2f.

[0097] To obtain this folding, the blade 35 performs a combination of a rotary-oscillating movement about the axis 3X and a radial movement using the lever 36 so as to enable the folding rotation of the bottom fin 60 and pressing it against the mandrel.

[0098] It should be noted that adjacent to the operating zone of the blade 35 there is a first unit 37 for distributing adhesive on the surface of the bottom 2f prior to the step of folding the bottom fins 60 so as to stabilize the bottom fins 60 against the surface of the bottom 2f of the container (see FIG. 11).

[0099] As shown again in FIG. 11, the machine also includes a folding station 38 located downstream of station 8 for folding the bottom fins 60 .

[0100] The folding station 38 includes a first chute 39 having an arcuate extension configured to capture the bottom fins 60 en route and hold them in place until a zone for releasing the container on the track 17 to secure the seal.

[0101] According to the triangular configuration, the bottom fin is folded against the side wall (see Figures 6a and 6b).

[0102] The containers formed along the rotating element 3 are placed on the above-mentioned conveyor 13 comprising a belt looped around a pair of pulleys so as to form an active working branch advancing along a horizontal direction V1, in the example perpendicular to the axis of rotation 3X.

[0103] The belt 13 is provided with pockets 42 (side-by-side pairs) for receiving corresponding containers.

[0104] Alternatively, the conveyor 13 may be made of independent carriages carrying one or more containers and moving autonomously, preferably along a closed path, preferably by means of a movement system of magnetic type.

[0105] Along the path of the active branch, the container passes through a filling station 14 (vertically discharged discharge device) for filling with a pasty product, and then to a station 15 for sealing the access opening 2e by combining multiple folding of the upper edge of the container and dispensing of adhesive.

[0106] In the illustrated example, the filling station comprises a hopper with a pair of nozzles below which a pair of pockets are arranged so that the container is upright, i.e. with the opening facing upwards, to receive a single dose of product dispensed by drop.

[0107] The final sealing station 15 comprises a heat sealer or ultrasonic sealer. Again, the seal is formed interior-to-interior, forming a transverse head fin, parallel to the bottom fin 60 in the parallelepiped container embodiment, which is then folded and secured to the head wall opposite the base.

[0108] According to a preferred embodiment, the final sealing is performed in two successive steps during the filling step, successively after filling of the container, a first sealing is performed, any air still present is evacuated and the final sealing is completed.

[0109] At the end of these operations, each container is picked up from its corresponding pocket 42.

[0110] It should be noted that the formed containers are placed in the pockets of the belt with the bottom 2f closed, the folding direction of the bottom fins 60 facing the feeding direction V1 of the belt. In this way, jamming of the sides or edges caused by the folding of the bottom is avoided even in the presence of small obstacles along the path, which ensures a high level of stability of the containers (which are very light before filling).

[0111] FIG. 13 shows a variant embodiment of the machine described above in order to verify the effectiveness of the solution described above.

[0112] According to the case shown in FIG. 13, the mandrel 4 is rotated at right angles to the position shown in the previous figures.

[0113] In this case, subsequent operations for folding and shaping the container may be similar to those described above, but the folding station (not shown) is positioned at a different position according to an orientation rotated perpendicular to the positions described above and along the path taken by the mandrel.

[0114] As mentioned above and in order to ensure flexibility in the operation of the machine, the feeding of the sheet 2 to the rotating element 3 can be carried out in various ways: according to a horizontal trajectory, i.e. perpendicular to the axis of rotation 3X (see FIG. 3), or According to a vertical trajectory perpendicular to the axis of rotation 3X (see dashed arrow in Figure 13), or It is performed in a horizontal or vertical trajectory according to a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 3X.

[0115] If the sheet 2 is fed along a vertical trajectory perpendicular to the axis of rotation 3X, a push-out element can be used configured to move the sheet 2 towards the mandrel 4 and determine the folds of the sheet to define the bottom 2f and the two front walls 2a, 2b (or the first front wall 2a and the two side walls 2c, 2d) of the package.

[0116] After this operation, it is possible to activate the holding system, which by means of suction keeps stable this first fold carried out during the deposition of the sheet 2 on the mandrel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0117] [Patent Document 1] GB 2 124 140 [Patent Document 2] WO2010 / 044025

Claims

1. 1. A method for producing a package containing a liquid or pasty food product, comprising the steps of: providing a continuous film (1); cutting the continuous film (1) to form a plurality of single sheets (2) and obtaining on each single sheet (2) creases suitable for defining fold lines for forming a container, said creases being formed while the single sheet (2) is in a substantially flat configuration; providing a rotating member (3) rotating about an axis of rotation (3X), the rotating member (3) comprising a plurality of forming mandrels (4) along its circumference, each forming mandrel (4) having a radially extending prismatic shape; coupling the single sheet (2) to one of the forming mandrels (4) at a first predetermined angular position of rotation of the rotating member (3); folding the single sheet (2) around the forming mandrel (4) by a folding device (5-8) configured to wrap the single sheet (2) on the forming mandrel (4), folding the single sheet (2) along the crease lines so as to form a bottom (2f), two opposing front walls (2a, 2b) and two opposing side walls (2c, 2d) when the sheet is joined to the forming mandrel (4); partially sealing the folded single sheet (2) on the forming mandrel (4) to obtain an open container open only at the end face located opposite the closed bottom (2f), the open container having an access opening (2e) to an internal cavity closed by the front and side walls (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and the bottom (2f), the bottom (2f) being formed on the forming mandrel (4) at a distance from the distal end of the forming mandrel (4) itself, i.e., from the axis of rotation (3X), that is greater than the distance between the axis of rotation (3X) and the location where the access opening (3e) is located; transferring the partially sealed open container from the forming mandrel (4) to a conveying device (9) at a second angular position of rotation of the forming mandrel (4), which is different from the first angular position; conveying the open-ended container to a filling station (14) by the conveying device (9) and filling the cavity of the open-ended container with the food product through the access opening (2e), the access opening (2e) being positioned upwards so as to fill the open-ended container with the food product by dropping; and when the filling is completed, and completing the sealing of said container by finally sealing said access opening (2e) to produce a sealed container.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of bonding the single sheet (2) to the mandrel (4) is performed with the single sheet (2) in a flat configuration.

3. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of folding the single sheet (2) is performed along different angular rotation positions of the forming mandrel (4).

4. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of transferring the open-ended container from the forming mandrel (4) to the conveying device (9) is performed by ejecting the open-ended container from the forming mandrel (4) by sliding the partially sealed open-ended container over the outer surface of the forming mandrel (4).

5. The folding step includes: a first folding sub-step of the single sheet (2) in the first angular position of the forming mandrel (4) capable of forming a first front wall (2a) and the two opposing side walls (2c, 2d); and a second folding sub-step of the single sheet (2) at a subsequent angular position of the forming mandrel (4) capable of forming a second front wall (2b) opposite the first front wall (2a), in which two opposing portions are brought into contact with the forming mandrel (4) so ​​that their respective edges come into contact with each other on their inner surfaces, so as to form longitudinal fins arranged radially relative to the rotating member (3).

6. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of bonding the single sheet (2) to the mandrel (4) is performed with the single sheet (2) positioned horizontally.

7. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of transferring the partially sealed open container to the conveying device (9) is performed with the container positioned vertically with the access opening (2e) facing upwards and the bottom (2f) facing downwards.

8. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom (2f) is closed by a bottom fin formed by stably joining two inner faces of the single sheet (2).

9. 1. A machine for producing packages containing liquid or pasty food, comprising: a supply station (10) for supplying a continuous film (1); a forming station (11) for forming a single sheet (2) from the continuous film (1), wherein creases suitable for defining fold lines for forming a container are formed on the single sheet (2), the creases being formed while the sheet (2) is in a substantially flat configuration; a rotating member (3) rotating about a rotation axis (3X), the rotating member (3) comprising a plurality of forming mandrels (4) projecting radially along the circumference of the rotating member (3), the forming mandrels (4) being configured such that each forming mandrel (4) receives a single sheet (2) in a flat configuration from the forming station (11) at a first predetermined angular position, and each forming mandrel (4) comprising a folding / holding device (12) configured to hold and form at least a first wall on the forming mandrel (4) starting from the single sheet (2) in a flat configuration; a plurality of folding / sealing stations (5-8) arranged along the circular path along which the forming mandrels (4) move and which interact with each forming mandrel (4) of the rotating member (3) to completely encase the single sheet (2) in the corresponding forming mandrel (4) and fold the single sheet (2) along the crease lines to form a pair of firmly joined opposing side walls (2c, 2d), a pair of front walls (2a, 2b), and a bottom (60) on each forming mandrel (4), so as to form an open-ended container on each forming mandrel (4), the open-ended container being open only at one end; a conveying device (13) arranged at a second predetermined angular position of rotation of the forming mandrels (4), different from the first angular position, and configured to receive the open containers after they have been formed on the corresponding forming mandrels (4) and move them towards a filling station (14); the filling station (14) configured to dispense a product by dropping into the cavity of the open-ended container through an access opening (2e) defined by the open end and then to feed the open-ended container towards a sealing station (15); and a sealing station (15) for sealing the access opening (2e) of the container.

10. 10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein each forming mandrel (4) comprises a prismatic body (4a) dimensioned to form the pair of side walls (2c, 2d) and the pair of front walls (2a, 2b) and the bottom (60) of the container.

11. 11. A machine according to claim 9 or 10, wherein each forming mandrel (4) comprises an ejection member (16) configured to extract the container from the forming mandrel (4) by pressing in the cavity against the inner surface of the bottom (2f) of the container.

12. 11. A machine according to claim 9 or 10, comprising a track (17) rotating about a closed path, arranged and configured to temporarily receive the open containers removed from the forming mandrels (4) and bring them to the vicinity of the conveying device (13), the track (17) comprising receiving seats (17a) arranged at equal distances and configured to receive the individual open containers.

13. 13. The machine according to claim 12, further comprising an ejection device (18) configured to cooperate with the receiving seat (17a) to transfer the open container from the track (17) to the conveying device (13) according to a vertical movement.

14. 11. A machine according to claim 9 or 10, wherein each folding / holding device (12) comprises a folding arm (19) connected to a corresponding forming mandrel (4), said folding arm (19) being movable between an inoperative raised position in which said folding arm (19) is away from the surface of said forming mandrel (4) and an operative position in which said folding arm (19) is positioned close to said surface of said forming mandrel (4) with said single sheet (2) interposed therebetween, said folding arm (19) being configured to fold said single sheet (2) and form said two opposing side walls (2c, 2d) of said container.

15. 11. The machine according to claim 9 or 10, wherein one of the folding / sealing stations comprises a first pair of bending heads (20) arranged on either side of the circular path of each forming mandrel (4), the first pair of bending heads (20) being movable in both directions parallel to the rotation axis (3X) of the rotating member (3) between a rearward inoperative position, in which the first pair of bending heads (20) are moved away from the forming mandrel (4) moving along the circular path, and a forward operative position, in which the first pair of bending heads (20) are close to each other and to the forming mandrel (4) in a stationary phase, so as to capture a portion of the single sheet (2) in its course, fold it to form the pair of opposing front walls (2 a, 2 b) of the container, and form longitudinal fins arranged radially relative to the rotating member (3).

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