Infeed conveyor for folding device, folding device having infeed conveyor, and packaging machine having folding device

Abstract

The infeed conveyor (30) is configured to receive semi-finished packs (5) at a receiving station (33) and transfer the semi-finished packs (5) to a transfer station (31). The infeed conveyor (30) includes at least a first screw conveyor (35) having a first helical screw blade (37) extending along a first central axis (B) and a second screw conveyor (36) having a second helical screw blade (38) extending along a second central axis (C). The first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) are spaced apart from each other and each extend at least from the receiving station (33) to the transfer station (31). The first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) are configured to cooperate with each other to advance the semi-finished pack (5) from the receiving station (33) to the transfer station (31) during rotation of the first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) about the first central axis (B) and the second central axis (C), respectively.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an infeed conveyor for a folding device for pourable products, in particular semi-finished packs of pourable food products.

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

[0003] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a packaging machine for packaging pourable products, in particular pourable food products, into final packages, the packaging machine comprising a folding device with an infeed conveyor. [Background technology]

[0004] As is well known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high temperature processed) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made from sterilized packaging material.

[0005] A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped pourable food package known as Tetra Brik Aseptic®, which is made by sealing and folding a laminate packaging material. This packaging has a multi-layer structure consisting of a base layer of carton and / or paper, covered on both sides with a layer of heat-sealable plastic material, such as polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packaging for long-life products, the packaging material includes a layer of oxygen barrier material, such as aluminum foil, which is laminated with a layer of heat-sealable plastic material and covered with another layer of heat-sealable plastic material, ultimately forming the inner surface of the package that comes into contact with the food.

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

[0007] Packaging machines are known that advance a web of packaging material through a sterilization device for sterilizing the web of packaging material and into an isolation chamber in which the sterilized web of packaging material is maintained and advanced. During the advancement of the packaging material web in the isolation chamber, the packaging material web is folded longitudinally and sealed to form a tube, which is then fed further along the (vertical) advance direction. To complete the forming operation, the tube is filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, sealed transversely, and then cut along equally spaced transverse cross sections in a pack-forming unit of the packaging machine while advancing along the advance direction. Pillow packages are thus obtained. These pillow packages each define a sealed semi-finished pack having a central body and a plurality of flaps projecting from the central body. To obtain the final package, the pillow packages are further formed, and the flaps are folded and sealed to the central body.

[0008] Typical packaging machines of this type include: - a forming device configured to form semi-finished packs filled with pourable product; - a folding device configured to receive the semi-finished packs from the forming device and form a final package from the semi-finished packs; Equipped with.

[0009] A typical folding apparatus comprises an infeed conveyor configured to receive the semi-finished packs from the forming apparatus and to feed the semi-finished packs to a folding unit of the folding apparatus.

[0010] The in-feed conveyor comprises a carrier for supporting the semi-finished packs and a belt conveyor carrying a plurality of push elements configured to advance the push elements along an advance path such that, as the belt conveyor advances along a working portion of the advance path, the push elements guide the semi-finished packs on the carrier along the feed path.

[0011] The operation of the infeed conveyor must thereby ensure the correct feeding of the semi-finished packs to the folding unit. In particular, the operator must set up the infeed conveyor so that the pressing elements advance in the correct way relative to the semi-finished packs. In such a case, it must be avoided that the pressing elements advance relative to the semi-finished packs, because they might get under the semi-finished packs and cause a jam, or because they might arrive too late and the semi-finished packs would not be fed correctly.

[0012] This requires, for example, a well-trained operator and takes a lot of time.

[0013] Thus, although known infeed conveyors have performed satisfactorily, there is a felt need in the art for further improvements to known infeed conveyors. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved in-feed conveyor.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved folding device.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved packaging machine.

[0017] According to the present invention there is provided an infeed conveyor according to the independent claims.

[0018] Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0019] According to the invention there is also provided a folding device as claimed in claim 13.

[0020] According to the present invention there is also provided a packaging machine as set forth in claim 14. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view, with parts removed for clarity, of a packaging machine having a folding device with an infeed conveyor according to the invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of the transformation of a semi-finished pack into a final package, with parts removed for clarity. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the folding device of FIG. 1 with parts removed for clarity; [Figure 4] 2A-2C are enlarged perspective views of the infeed conveyor of FIG. 1 at different times in the advancement of the semi-finished packs, with parts removed for clarity; [Figure 5] 2A-2C are enlarged perspective views of the infeed conveyor of FIG. 1 at different times in the advancement of the semi-finished packs, with parts removed for clarity; [Figure 6] 2A-2C are enlarged perspective views of the infeed conveyor of FIG. 1 at different times in the advancement of the semi-finished packs, with parts removed for clarity; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the infeed conveyor of FIG. 1 with parts removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing preferably sealed final packages 2 for pourable products, in particular pourable food products, such as pasteurized milk, fruit juices, wine, tomato sauce, yogurt, dairy drinks, yogurt drinks, emulsified drinks, pulpy drinks, salt, sugar, and other pourable products.

[0024] Preferably, the package 2 is formed from a multi-layer packaging material. More preferably, the package 2 is formed from a web of packaging material 3.

[0025] The multi-layer packaging material, preferably the web of packaging material 3, may have a multi-layer structure (not shown).

[0026] More specifically, the multi-layer packaging material, preferably the web of packaging material 3, may comprise at least one layer of fibrous material, such as a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-sealable plastic material, such as polyethylene, sandwiching the layers of fibrous material between them. One of the two layers of heat-sealable plastic material may define the inner surface of each of the final packaging bodies 2 that will ultimately contact the pourable product.

[0027] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the multilayer packaging material, preferably the web of packaging material 3, may comprise a layer of gas-barrier and light-barrier material, such as aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular arranged between one of the layers of heat-sealable plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferably, the multilayer packaging material, preferably the web of packaging material 3, may comprise a further layer of heat-sealable plastic material interposed between the layer of gas-barrier and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.

[0028] More specifically, each final package body 2 may extend along a longitudinal axis and have a longitudinal seam portion (extending along the respective longitudinal axis) and a pair of lateral sealing bands, preferably a lateral upper sealing band and a lateral lower sealing band. In particular, each final package 2 may have a substantially parallelepiped structure.

[0029] Further, each final package 2 may have at least two lateral walls disposed on opposite sides of the final package 2 (transverse to the respective longitudinal axes) and a plurality of lateral walls extending between the lateral walls.

[0030] More specifically, each lateral wall of each first end may define a bottom wall, and each other lateral wall may define a top wall. Preferably, the bottom wall has a support surface adapted to be placed on a (horizontal) support, such as a shelf within the dispensing point, and the top wall may be opposite the bottom wall.

[0031] 1 and 2, packaging machine 1 may be configured to produce semi-finished packs 5 filled (sealed) with a pourable product, such as pillow packs, and to further process and / or manipulate and / or shape the semi-finished packs 5 to obtain final packages 2. In use, first semi-finished packs 5 are produced by packaging machine 1, which then obtains packages 2 from the semi-finished packs 5.

[0032] With particular reference to Figure 2, each semi-finished pack 5 may comprise at least a central body 6 and one or more first flaps 7a and one or more second flaps 7b projecting away from the central body 6, preferably laterally.

[0033] Preferably, each semi-finished pack 5 may comprise at least a pair of flaps, comprising one first flap 7a and one second flap 7b extending from opposite lateral sides of the respective central body 6, preferably extending from each lateral wall.

[0034] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each semi-finished pack 5 may extend along a respective longitudinal axis A and may be provided with a longitudinal sealing band 8 (parallel to the longitudinal axis A).

[0035] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each semi-finished pack 5 may comprise at least one transverse sealing band 9, preferably transverse to the longitudinal axis A, arranged at each end 10 of the respective semi-finished pack 5.

[0036] Preferably, each semi-finished pack 5 may comprise at least two transverse sealing bands 9 arranged at respective opposite ends 10 of each semi-finished pack 5, preferably transverse to the longitudinal axis A.

[0037] According to some preferred, non-limiting embodiments, the respective transverse seal bands 9 of each semi-finished pack 5 may define the transverse seal bands of the final package 2 (obtained from the respective semi-finished pack 5).

[0038] Preferably, each longitudinal seal band 8 may define a corresponding longitudinal seam portion of each final package 2 (obtained from each semi-finished pack 5).

[0039] More specifically, each end 10 may taper from the respective central body 6 towards the respective lateral sealing band 9 .

[0040] According to some preferred, non-limiting embodiments, each end 10 may comprise at least one, preferably exactly one, first flap 7a and at least one, preferably exactly one, second flap 7b.

[0041] Preferably, each first flap 7 a and each second flap 7 b may be arranged on opposite side edges of the respective semi-finished pack 5 .

[0042] With particular reference to FIG. 1, the packaging machine 1 comprises at least: - a forming device 15 configured to form and / or obtain semi-finished packs 5 of pourable products; and - a folding device 16 configured to receive the semi-finished packs 5 from the forming device 15 and to form the semi-finished packs 5 into final packages 2 for the pourable product; It may comprise:

[0043] More specifically, the molding device 15 includes: - Isolation chambers 17 configured to separate the inner (sterile) environment from the outer (hostile) environment; - a conveying device 18 configured to advance the web of packaging material 3 along a web advancement path P and to advance the tube 19 along a tube advancement path Q at least to a tube forming station where, in use, the web of packaging material 3 is formed into a tube 19; - a tube forming and sealing device 20 disposed at least partially within the isolated chamber 17 and configured to form and longitudinally seal the tube 19 at a tube forming station within the isolated chamber 17; - a filling device 21 for filling the tubes 19 with a pourable product; and a pack-forming unit adapted to form and transversely seal at least the tube 19 and preferably to transversely cut the tube 19 while advancing it along the tube advance path Q in order to obtain and / or produce the semi-finished packs 5; It may comprise:

[0044] Preferably, the pack forming unit may be located downstream of the isolation chamber 17 and the tube forming and sealing device 20 along the tube advance path Q.

[0045] Furthermore, the tube 19 may extend along a longitudinal axis, which preferably has a vertical direction.

[0046] Furthermore, the packaging machine 1 may further comprise a sterilisation device for sterilising at least a portion of the web of packaging material 3 at a sterilisation station arranged along the web advancement path P upstream of the tube forming station.

[0047] More particularly, the filling device 21 may comprise at least a filling pipe 22 which is in fluid communication with, or controllable to be in fluid communication with, a storage tank for the pourable product (not shown as it is well known) and which is partially positioned within the tube 19 to supply the pourable product to the advancing tube 19 in use.

[0048] More specifically, the tube forming and sealing apparatus 20 may comprise at least a tube forming assembly 23 configured to form a tube 19 from the web of packaging material 3, particularly by overlapping respective opposing lateral edges of the web of packaging material 3, and at least a sealing head 24 configured to seal the tube 19 longitudinally, particularly along the portion of the tube 19 obtained by overlapping the opposing lateral edges of the web of packaging material 3.

[0049] More specifically, a tube forming assembly 23 and a sealing head 24 may be disposed within the isolated chamber 17 .

[0050] According to some preferred, non-limiting embodiments, the pack-forming unit comprises: - a plurality of pairs of at least one manipulation assembly (not shown, as it is well known) and at least one counter-manipulation assembly (not shown, as it is well known); and a transport unit (not shown, as it is well known) configured to advance the manipulation assembly and each counter-manipulation assembly along a respective transport path; It may comprise:

[0051] More specifically, each manipulating assembly may be configured to cooperate with a respective counter-manipulating assembly of a respective set to form, transversely seal and preferably also transversely cut a tube 19 to obtain one respective semi-finished pack 5, in use, in particular as it advances along a respective manipulating portion of a respective conveying path.

[0052] With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 to 6, the folding device 16 includes: an infeed conveyor 30 adapted to receive the semi-finished packs 5, preferably from the forming device 15, more preferably from the pack forming unit, preferably at a receiving station 33, and to feed the semi-finished packs 5 to a transfer station 31; and a folding unit 32 configured to receive the semi-finished packs 5 from the infeed conveyor 30 at the transfer station 31 and to process and / or manipulate the semi-finished packs 5 so as to obtain finished packs 2 from the semi-finished packs 5; It may at least comprise:

[0053] With particular reference to Figures 1 and 3 to 6, the infeed conveyor 30 is configured to receive the semi-finished packs 5 from the forming apparatus 15, preferably a pack forming unit, at a receiving station 33 and advance the semi-finished packs 5 to a transfer station 31 where the semi-finished packs 5 are delivered to a folding unit 32.

[0054] The infeed conveyor 30 may comprise a first screw conveyor 35 and a second screw conveyor 36 configured to cooperate with each other to advance the semi-finished packs 5 from the receiving station 33 to the transfer station 31 .

[0055] More specifically, the first screw conveyor 35 and the second screw conveyor 36 may be spaced apart from each other, preferably along the transverse direction D1.

[0056] More specifically, the first screw conveyor 35 may have a first helical screw blade 37 extending along a first central axis B, and the second screw conveyor 36 may have a second helical screw blade 38 extending along a second central axis C.

[0057] Furthermore, the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 may be rotatable about a first central axis B and a second central axis C, respectively.

[0058] Advantageously, the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 may be configured to cooperate with each other to advance the semi-finished pack 5 from the receiving station 33 to the transfer station 31 while rotating about the first central axis B and the second central axis C, respectively.

[0059] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first screw blade 37 may have a first pitch, preferably a first constant pitch, and the second screw blade 38 may have a second pitch, preferably a second constant pitch. Preferably, the first pitch and the second pitch may be equal to each other.

[0060] According to certain preferred, non-limiting embodiments, the first screw blade 37 may have a first diameter, preferably a first constant diameter, and the second screw blade 38 may have a second diameter, preferably a second constant diameter. Preferably, the first diameter and the second diameter may be equal to each other.

[0061] In particular, the first diameter and the second diameter may be defined as the respective maximum lateral dimensions (relative to the first central axis B and the second central axis C) of the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38, respectively.

[0062] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first screw blade 37 may have a first rotational speed and the second screw blade 38 may have a second rotational speed. Preferably, the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed may be equal to each other.

[0063] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first screw blade 37 may have a first helical angle, preferably a first constant helical angle, and the second screw blade 38 may have a second helical angle, preferably a second constant helical angle. Preferably, the first and second helical angles may be equal to each other.

[0064] More specifically, the first screw conveyor 35 may include a first shaft 39 extending along a first central axis B and integrally carrying a first screw blade 37. Preferably, the first screw blade 35 may be wound around the first shaft 39.

[0065] Additionally, the second screw conveyor 36 may include a second shaft 40 extending along a second central axis C and integrally carrying a second screw blade 38. Preferably, the second screw blade 38 may be wound around the second shaft 40.

[0066] With particular reference to Figures 3 to 7, the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 are configured to interact with the respective first flap 7a and the respective second flap 7b of each semi-finished pack 5 so that rotation of the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 results in advancement of the semi-finished pack 5.

[0067] More specifically, when advancing from the receiving station 33 to the transfer station 31, each semi-finished pack 5 has a leading end corresponding to a respective end 10 and a trailing end corresponding to another respective end 10. Furthermore, the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 are configured to interact with the first flap 7a and the second flap 7b, respectively, of each leading end of the semi-finished pack 5 to advance the semi-finished pack 5.

[0068] According to some preferred, non-limiting embodiments, at least a portion of each tip of the semi-finished pack 5 may define a respective top wall of a respective final package 2 .

[0069] In particular, the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 each have a helical shape.

[0070] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first central axis B and the second central axis C may be parallel to each other.

[0071] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the first central axis B and the second central axis C, i.e., the first screw blade 37 (and in particular the first shaft 39) and the second screw blade 38 (and in particular the second shaft 40), may be laterally spaced apart from each other along a lateral direction D1, which is preferably perpendicular to the first central axis B and the second central axis C.

[0072] Preferably, the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38, and preferably the first shaft 39 and the second shaft 40, are configured to advance and convey the semi-finished packs 5. In this way, no further elements (support walls, belts, etc.) are required to convey the semi-finished packs 5.

[0073] According to some preferred, non-limiting embodiments, the infeed conveyor 30 may include an actuator (not specifically shown) configured to rotate a first screw blade 37, and preferably a first shaft 39, about a first central axis B, and a second screw blade 38, and preferably a second shaft 40, about a second central axis C.

[0074] Preferably, the actuator may be operably coupled to a first screw blade 37 , and preferably a first shaft 39 , and a second screw blade 38 , and preferably a second shaft 40 .

[0075] More specifically, the actuator may be directly connected to the first shaft 39 and the second shaft 40 so as to control the rotation of the first shaft 39 and the second shaft 40 about the first central axis B and the second central axis C, thereby also controlling the rotation of the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38.

[0076] Preferably, the actuator may be configured to rotate the first screw blade 37, and preferably the first shaft 39, at a first angular velocity about a first central axis B, and the second screw blade 38, and preferably the second shaft 40, at a second angular velocity about a second central axis C.

[0077] More preferably, the actuator may be configured such that the first angular velocity and the second angular velocity are equal to each other.

[0078] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the actuator may consist of an electric motor and a gear mechanism operatively coupling a first screw blade 37, and preferably a first shaft 39, and a second screw blade 38, and preferably a second shaft 40, to the electric motor.

[0079] Alternatively, the actuator may comprise a first screw blade 37 and preferably a first electric motor operably coupled to a first shaft 39, and a second screw blade 38 and preferably a second electric motor operably coupled to a second shaft 40.

[0080] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the in-feed conveyor 30 may include an adjusting device configured to control the distance between the first screw conveyor 35 and the second screw conveyor 36 along the transverse direction D1. In other words, the adjusting device may be configured to adjust the distance between the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38.

[0081] Having an adjustment device is particularly advantageous when changing formats, ie when switching from producing final packages 2 having one size to producing final packages 2 having another size.

[0082] With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the infeed conveyor 30 may further include an entrance slide 48 configured to guide the semi-finished packs 5 into the receiving station 33 .

[0083] More particularly, at least a portion of the entrance slide 48 may be interposed between the first and second screw conveyors 35, 36 and the forming apparatus 15, preferably a pack forming unit.

[0084] More specifically, the inlet slide 48 may be configured to receive the semi-finished packs 5 from the molding apparatus 15 and guide the semi-finished packs 5 onto the first screw conveyor 35 and the second screw conveyor 36 .

[0085] In use, the entrance slide 48 receives the semi-finished packs 5 which fall towards the entrance slide 48 by gravity.

[0086] More specifically, the inlet slide 48 may include a plate portion 49 that is interposed between the first and second screw blades 37 and 38 and the molding device 15 .

[0087] Additionally, the inlet slide 48 may include a pair of curved tracks 50 extending from the plate portion 49 toward the space formed between the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 .

[0088] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the infeed conveyor 30 may include a support plate 51 interposed between a first screw conveyor 35, preferably a first screw blade 37 and / or a first shaft 39, and a second screw conveyor 36, preferably a second screw blade 38 and / or a second shaft 40.

[0089] The support plate 51 cooperates with the first screw conveyor 35 , preferably with the first screw blade 37 , and the second screw conveyor 36 , preferably with the second screw blade 38 , to support the semi-finished packs 5 .

[0090] In some possible non-limiting embodiments, the infeed conveyor 30 does not include a support plate 51. In this case, the semi-finished packs 51 are supported only by the first screw conveyor 35, preferably the first screw blade 37, and the second screw conveyor 36, preferably the second screw blade 38.

[0091] Preferably, the support plate 51 extends from a first station 52 adjacent to the receiving station 33 to a second station 53 interposed between the first station 52 and the transfer station 31 so as to define a free space 54 between the first screw conveyor 35, preferably the first screw blade 37 and / or the first shaft 39, and the second screw conveyor 36, preferably the second screw blade 37 and / or the second shaft 40. In particular, the free space 54 is not occupied by other elements.

[0092] In particular, the free space 54 allows passage of a portion of the folding unit 32 therethrough, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0093] With particular reference to Figures 1 to 3, the folding unit 32 may be configured to manipulate and / or process the semi-finished packs 5 to at least shape and / or form each central body 6 (into the desired form and / or shape of each final package 2) and seal the first and second flaps 7a, 7b to each central body 6.

[0094] More specifically, the folding unit 32 includes: a plurality of holding pockets 60, each holding pocket 60 configured to carry one respective semi-stationary pack 5 at a time; and a conveying device 61 configured to advance the holding pocket 60 along an advancement path, preferably an endless path, more preferably a circular endless path; It may at least comprise:

[0095] In particular, the conveying device 61 may be configured to advance the holding pockets 60 past a receiving station 31 where one semi-finished pack 5 at a time is fed into each holding pocket 60. Preferably, the conveying device 61 may be configured to advance the holding pockets 60 through a discharging station where the final packaging bodies 2 forming the semi-finished packs 5 are discharged from the holding pockets 60 while advancing within the holding pockets 60.

[0096] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the transport device 61 may be configured to intermittently advance the holding pockets 60 along an endless path.

[0097] More particularly, the transport device 61 may comprise conveyor wheels 62 rotatable about respective axes of rotation.

[0098] Furthermore, the transport device 61 may comprise an actuation unit configured to actuate the rotation of the conveyor wheel 62 .

[0099] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the actuation unit and the actuator may share the same electric motor.

[0100] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each retention pocket 60 may be bounded by a plurality of retention plates 63 protruding from the conveyor wheel 62 .

[0101] Preferably, the free space 54 allows the passage of the retaining plate 63 .

[0102] According to some preferred, non-limiting embodiments, the folding unit 32 may consist of one or more processing units configured to form and / or shape each central body 6 and / or to fold and seal the first and second flaps 7a, 7b onto the respective central body 6 (see FIG. 2 ) during advancement of the semi-immobilized pack 5 through the advancement of the holding pocket 60.

[0103] In use, the packaging machine 1 forms a final package 2 filled with a pourable product.

[0104] In particular, the method for forming the package 2 comprises the following main steps: - forming the semi-finished pack 5 by operating the forming device 15; and - folding the semi-finished packs 5 into the final packages 2 by operating the folding device 16;

[0105] More specifically, the main steps of forming the pack 5 comprise at least the following steps: - advancing the web of packaging material 3 along the advance path P, in particular by actuation of the conveying device 18; - folding the web of packaging material 3 into a tube 19, in particular within the isolation chamber 17, by operation of the tube forming and sealing device 20, in particular the tube forming assembly 23; - longitudinal sealing of the tube 19, in particular in the isolation chamber 17, by actuation of the tube forming and sealing device 20, in particular the sealing head 24; - filling the tube 19 with pourable product by operating the filling device 21, in particular the filling pipe 22; - the tube 19 is advanced along the tube advance path Q by actuation of the conveying device 18 and / or the pack forming unit; and The pack forming unit operates to form, transversely seal and transversely cut the tube 19 while advancing the tube 19 along the tube advance path Q, thereby obtaining semi-finished packs 5 from the tube 19.

[0106] Additionally, the forming step may comprise sterilizing the web of packaging material 3 in a sterilization station.

[0107] More specifically, the step of folding the semi-finished pack 5 comprises the following sub-steps: - feeding the semi-finished packs 5 to the folding unit 32 by operating the infeed conveyor 30; and - The folding unit 32 is operated to finally fold the semi-finished pack 5.

[0108] More specifically, during the supply sub-step, the semi-finished pack 5 can be advanced from the receiving station 33 to the transfer station 31 by rotation of the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 around the first central axis B and the second central axis C.

[0109] Preferably, during the feeding sub-step, the rotation of the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 is actuated by an actuating device.

[0110] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, during the feeding substep, the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 interact with the first flap 7a and the second flap 7b, respectively, of the semi-finished pack 5 (see Figures 3 to 7).

[0111] According to certain preferred, non-limiting embodiments, the semi-finished packs 5 are fed to respective holding pockets 60 at the transfer station 31. Accordingly, the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 advance the semi-finished packs 5 into the respective holding pockets 60.

[0112] Furthermore, during the feeding step, the semi-finished packs 5 are received from the forming device 15, in particular from the pack forming unit. Optionally, the semi-finished packs 5 can be guided to the receiving station 33 by an entrance slide 48.

[0113] More specifically, during the final folding step, the respective central bodies 6 are formed and / or the respective first flaps 7a and second flaps 7b are folded and sealed onto the respective central bodies 6 to form the final packages 2 from the semi-finished packs 5.

[0114] More specifically, during the final folding step, the semi-finished packs 5 advance, preferably intermittently, in their respective holding pockets 60 from the transfer station 31 to the discharge station.

[0115] Furthermore, during the final folding step, the semi-finished pack 5 may be processed in one or more processing units to obtain the final package 2.

[0116] The advantages of the infeed conveyor 30 according to the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description.

[0117] In particular, the in-feed conveyor 30 has a simple structure because it is only necessary to control the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38.

[0118] Furthermore, the advancement of the semi-finished pack 5 does not require the semi-finished pack 5 to be accurately positioned on the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38. The semi-finished pack 5 is automatically positioned in the correct way relative to the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 by the rotation of the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38, respectively.

[0119] Furthermore, the movement of the first screw blade 37 and the second screw blade 38 is not affected by the initial speed of the semi-finished pack 5 .

[0120] However, it will be apparent that changes may be made to the infeed conveyor 30 and / or the folding device 16 and / or the packaging machine 1 described herein without departing from the protective envelope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An infeed conveyor (30) for a folding device (16) for semi-finished packs (5) containing pourable products, comprising: the in-feed conveyor (30) is configured to receive the semi-finished packs (5) at a receiving station (33) from a forming device that forms the semi-finished packs (5), to transfer the semi-finished packs (5) to a transfer station (31), and to deliver the semi-finished packs (5) at the transfer station to a folding unit (32) of the folding device (16); The infeed conveyor (30) a first screw conveyor (35) having a first helical screw blade (37) extending along a first central axis (B); a second screw conveyor (36) having a second helical screw blade (38) extending along a second central axis (C); At least the first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) are spaced apart from each other and each extend at least from the receiving station (33) to the transfer station (31); the first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) cooperate with each other to advance the semi-finished packs (5) from the receiving station (33) to the transfer station (31) while the first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) rotate about the first central axis (B) and the second central axis (C), respectively; Infeed conveyor (30).

2. Each semi-finished pack (5) comprises a central body (6) and at least a first flap (7a) and a second flap (7b) projecting from an end (10) of said central body (6), the first screw blade (37) is configured to interact with the first flap (7a) of the semi-finished pack (5) and the second screw blade (38) is configured to interact with the second flap (7b) of the semi-finished pack (5) such that rotation of the first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) results in advancement of the semi-finished pack (5); 2. The infeed conveyor of claim 1.

3. a first pitch and / or a first diameter and / or a first helix angle and / or a first number of revolutions of the first screw blade (37) is equal to a second pitch and / or a second diameter and / or a second helix angle and / or a second number of revolutions of the second screw blade (38); 3. An in-feed conveyor according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first central axis (B) and the second central axis (C) are parallel to each other. An in-feed conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. and further comprising an actuation device configured to actuate the rotation of the first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) about the first central axis (B) and the second central axis (C), respectively. An in-feed conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the actuator is configured to rotate the first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) at the same angular velocity about the first central axis (B) and the second central axis (C), respectively.

6. The infeed conveyor according to claim 5.

7. the actuation device comprises an electric motor and a gear mechanism operatively coupling the first screw blade (37) and the second screw blade (38) to the electric motor; The actuator comprises a first electric motor operably coupled to the first screw blade (37) and a second electric motor operably coupled to the second screw blade (38).

7. An in-feed conveyor according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The first screw conveyor (35) includes a first shaft (39) extending along the first central axis (B) and integrally carrying the first screw blade (37); The second screw conveyor (36) includes a second shaft (40) extending along the second central axis (C) and integrally carrying the second screw blade (38). An in-feed conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. further comprising an entrance slide (48) configured to guide said semi-finished packs (5) into said receiving station (33); An in-feed conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The conveyor further includes a support plate (51) interposed between the first screw conveyor (35) and the second screw conveyor (36). An in-feed conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The support plate (51) extends from a first station (52) adjacent to the receiving station (33) to a second station (53) interposed between the first station and the transfer station (31), and defines a free space (34) between the first screw conveyor (35) and the second screw conveyor (36).

11. The infeed conveyor of claim 10.

12. an adjusting device configured to set the distance between the first screw conveyor (35) and the second screw conveyor (36) along a direction (D1) transverse to the first central axis (B) and / or the second central axis (C), An in-feed conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A folding device (16) for folding final packages (2) from semi-finished packs (5) filled with a pourable product, comprising: An infeed conveyor (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, a folding unit (32) configured to receive the semi-finished packs (5) from the infeed conveyor (30) at a transfer station (31) and to process and / or manipulate the semi-finished packs (5) so as to obtain the final packages (2) from the semi-finished packs (5); A folding device (16) comprising at least:

14. A packaging machine for producing final packages (2) of pourable products, comprising: a forming device (15) adapted to form said pourable product semi-finished pack (5); A folding device (16) according to claim 14 for forming the final package (2) from the semi-finished pack (5); A packaging machine comprising at least:

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