A packaging assembly for forming and sealing multiple packs containing an injectable product, and a method for forming and sealing multiple packs.

Abstract

A packaging assembly (1; 1') is described that is configured to form and seal a plurality of packs (3) containing a pourable product starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, the packaging assembly (1; 1') comprising a pair of endless tracks (6) between which the tube (2) is fed along a straight forward direction (A), and a pair of movable members (7; 7') each movably coupled to one respective track (6) and cyclically movable therealong. ;7'), each movable member (7;7') movably carrying one respective forming member (20;20') movable in a linear direction transverse to the advance direction (A) towards the tube (2) to form at least a corresponding pack portion of a respective pack (3) and cooperating cyclically in contact with successive tube portions (13), each forming member (20;20') comprising a movable part (21;21') tiltable relative to the advance direction (A) to sequentially control the tilt of the tube portions (13) relative to the advance direction (A).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging assembly configured to form and seal a plurality of packs containing injectable products, particularly injectable foods.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for forming and sealing a plurality of packs containing injectable products, particularly injectable foods.

Background Art

[0003] As is generally known, many injectable foods such as fruit juices, UHT (ultra-high temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc. are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging materials.

[0004] A typical example is a parallelepiped package for injectable foods known as Tetra - Brick - Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing a laminated web of packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer made of, for example, paper, which is covered on both sides with layers of heat - sealable plastic material, for example, polyethylene. In the case of a sterile package for long - term storage products such as UHT milk, the packaging material is also covered with a layer of oxygen - barrier material, for example, aluminum foil, which is laid on top of a layer of heat - sealable plastic material and then covered with another layer of heat - sealable plastic material that forms the inner surface of the package that finally contacts the food.

[0005] Such packages are usually manufactured in a fully automated packaging assembly, and a continuous tube is formed from a web of packaging material supplied to such a packaging assembly. The web of packaging material is sterilized in the packaging assembly by applying a chemical sterilizing agent, for example, a hydrogen peroxide solution, which is removed from the surface of the packaging material when sterilization is complete and evaporates, for example, by heating. Then, the thus - sterilized web is maintained in a closed sterile environment and is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube that is supplied along a vertical forward direction.

[0006] To complete the forming process, the tube is filled and sealed from above with sterile food, and then cut along equally spaced cross-sections.

[0007] This results in a pillow pack having a longitudinal sealing band, a transverse sealing band at the top, and a transverse sealing band at the bottom.

[0008] The use of a packaging assembly is known that comprises multiple carts, which are movable independently of each other on a truck and configured to form and seal the aforementioned pillow packs.

[0009] In this case, a typical packaging assembly is: - Define a first endless path and a second endless path, respectively, and have the first track and the second track located on opposite sides of the tube, - Multiple first carts, which are movably coupled to a first track and configured to move forward along a first path, - Multiple second carts that are movably coupled to a second track and configured to move forward along a second path and It is equipped with two conveyors.

[0010] The first cart is movable (controllable) independently of each other along the first path, and the second cart is movable (controllable) independently of each other along the second path.

[0011] Linear motors are typically used to enable the cart to move independently.

[0012] Therefore, each of the first track and the second track is equipped with its own individually excitable solenoid, such as an electric coil, while each of the first cart and the second cart is equipped with a permanent magnet. The resulting linear motor is configured in known ways to independently control the forward movement of the first cart and the second cart along the first and second paths, respectively.

[0013] As is known, the first cart and the second cart are configured to work in pairs with each other and with the tube periodically to form and seal the respective tubular portions of the tube, thereby manufacturing the above-mentioned pillow pack.

[0014] While functionally effective, known packaging assemblies still have room for improvement. In particular, the need to optimize known packaging assemblies is felt when handling packs configured to fold to form packages with sloping (non-horizontal) top walls, such as the TetraBrick® edge package, i.e., when forming and sealing them. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a packaging assembly designed to satisfy at least the above-mentioned needs in a simple and low-cost manner.

[0016] This objective is achieved by the packaging assembly described in claim 1.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming and sealing multiple packs containing an injectable product, which is designed to satisfy at least the above-mentioned needs in a simple and low-cost manner.

[0018] This objective is achieved by the method for forming and sealing multiple packs as described in claim 14.

[0019] Two preferred non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a schematic front view in which parts are removed for clarity of a packaging assembly for forming a plurality of sealed packs according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view in which parts are removed for clarity of a part of the packaging assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is an enlarged exploded perspective view in which parts are removed for clarity of the cart of the packaging assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view in which parts are removed for clarity of two cooperating carts of the packaging assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 5A] It is an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional side view in which parts are removed for clarity of two cooperating carts of FIG. 4 in one operating state. [Figure 5B] It is an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional side view in which parts are removed for clarity of two cooperating carts of FIG. 4 in one operating state. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged perspective view in which parts are removed for clarity of the cart of the packaging assembly according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] It is a perspective view of a package obtained by folding a pack formed and sealed by a packaging assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 7B] It is a side view of the package of FIG. 7A, in which the bottom flap of the package is separated from the bottom wall of the package and the upper flap of the package is separated from the side wall of the package to better show that the package has an upper sealing band that is not aligned with the bottom sealing band.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, numeral 1 generally indicates a packaging assembly configured to form and seal a plurality of packs 3 starting from a tube 2 of packaging material and containing an injectable product, preferably an injectable food product.

[0022] The packaging material has a multi-layer structure (not shown) and comprises a layer of fibrous material, such as paper, which is covered on both sides by respective layers of a heat-sealable plastic material, such as polyethylene.

[0023] In the case of a sterile pack 3 for a long-term storage product such as UHT milk, the packaging material is also covered by a layer of gas and light barrier material, such as an aluminum foil or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, which is laid on top of a layer of heat-sealable plastic material and then covered by another layer of heat-sealable plastic material forming the inner face of the pack 3 which finally contacts the injectable product.

[0024] The tube 2 is formed in a known manner by longitudinally folding and sealing a web of packaging material (not shown). The tube 2 is then filled with an injectable product from above by means of a pipe (not shown) and is fed through the packaging assembly 1 along a straight forward direction A. Specifically, the tube 2 extends parallel to the direction A along a straight longitudinal direction, particularly along a vertical axis X.

[0025] It is possible to identify two horizontal straight directions B, C which are perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the direction A (FIG. 1).

[0026] The packaging assembly 1 comprises - a pair of conveyors 4 which are arranged on respective sides of the tube 2, are spaced apart from each other along the direction B and are configured to cooperate with the tube 2, and - an outlet conveyor 10 which is arranged below the conveyor 4 and is offset along the direction B with respect to the axis X and.

[0027] In particular, as shown in Figure 2, each conveyor 4 is - A box-shaped element 5, comprising an endless track 6 defined by two rails positioned on opposite sides of the box-shaped element 5, spaced apart from each other along direction C, - A plurality of moving members, preferably carts 7, each movably coupled to one of each track 6 and periodically movable along therefor It essentially provides this.

[0028] In particular, each cart 7 is configured to slide periodically along the track 6 of its respective conveyor 4. In light of the above, multiple carts 7 slide along each track 6 during use.

[0029] For this purpose, each cart 7 substantially comprises a movable body 14 having a plurality of wheels 15 that extend parallel to direction C when coupled to their respective tracks 6 and are configured to movably engage with their respective tracks 6 (Figures 2 and 3).

[0030] In particular, the carts 7 on one conveyor 4 can move along their respective tracks 6 independently of each other and independently of the carts 7 on the other conveyor 4.

[0031] For this purpose, each cart 7 is provided with a magnetic component, in particular a permanent magnet configuration 11, and each conveyor 4 is provided with a plurality of power supply magnetic field generators, preferably electric coils 12, which are located in a fixed position within a box-shaped element 5. The coils 12 are configured to be magnetically coupled to the permanent magnets 11 of each cart 7 in order to control the movement of such carts 7 along each track 6.

[0032] In practice, the permanent magnet configuration 11 and coil 12 of each conveyor 4, i.e., the cart 7 and each track 6, define linear motors configured to independently control the movement of the cart 7 along each track 6 in a known manner.

[0033] As a possible alternative not shown, the tracks 6 of the two conveyors 4 may include a single rail.

[0034] Referring to Figure 1, the two tracks 6 define their respective endless paths P and Q, which are located on either side of axis X of tube 2 with respect to direction B. More specifically, paths P and Q are, - Preferably, each operating branch P1, Q1 is linear, with a tube 2 supplied between them, and a cart 7 cooperates with the tube 2 along each operating branch P1, Q1, - Each of the return branches P2, Q2, and along them the cart 7 is separated from tube 2, each of the return branches P2, Q2 and It is equipped with.

[0035] According to this preferred embodiment, the paths P and Q are substantially elliptical.

[0036] During use, when sliding along their respective operating branches P1 and Q1, each cart 7 on one conveyor 4 cooperates with the corresponding cart 7 on the other conveyor 4; that is, the carts 7 cooperate in pairs with each other. Thus, it is defined that a pair of carts 7 face each other, cooperate with each other, and cooperate with the tube 2 while sliding along the operating branches P1 and Q1.

[0037] In particular, each pair of carts 7 is configured to cooperate with the tube 2 to periodically form and seal one pillow pack 3 at a time, as shown in Figure 1, and to cut the pillow pack 3 to separate it from the tube 2.

[0038] For this purpose, the body 14 of each cart 7 carries both a forming unit 18 and a sealing unit 19 on one of its sides, which are configured to cooperate with the tubes 2 along their respective operating branches P1 and Q1.

[0039] In particular, as will be better described below, the forming unit 18 is configured to cooperate with the tubular portion 13 of the tube 2 to form at least the corresponding pack portion, more specifically the corresponding pack 3.

[0040] For this purpose, each forming unit 18 is supported and preferably mounted by its respective cart 7 in a movable manner and comprises a forming member, preferably a half-shell 20 having a C-shaped cross-section, a main wall 21 and a pair of side flaps 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the flaps 22 are movably coupled to the wall 21.

[0041] In detail, the flaps 22 protrude from the side edges of the wall 21 in direction C as the cart moves along the operating branches P1, Q1, and are hinged to these side edges.

[0042] During use, the half-shells 20 of each forming unit 18 are configured to contact and cooperate sequentially and periodically with the tubular portion 13 to form at least the pack portion of each pack 3.

[0043] More specifically, each half-shell 20 is linearly movable toward the tube 2, i.e., toward the tube portion 13 that the half-shell 20 must form, in a direction lateral to direction A and axis X, and particularly perpendicular to it.

[0044] In particular, each cart 7 is equipped with a movable element 57 that supports its respective half-shell 20 and is capable of moving linearly, especially perpendicular to direction A and axis X.

[0045] In particular, the movable element 57 is capable of moving linearly along direction B.

[0046] The sealing unit 19 is configured to cooperate with the tube 2 to sequentially form an opposite upper sealing band 3a and a bottom sealing band 3b on each tube portion 13, thereby sealing the tube portion 13 in predetermined equally spaced continuous cross-sections located on a sealing surface S that is lateral to direction A, parallel to direction A, and centered relative to the tube 2. In other words, the sealing surface S intersects the tube 2 axially and includes axis X.

[0047] Furthermore, the sealing unit 19 is configured to cooperate with the tube 2 to cut such packs 3 in a cross-section passing through the upper sealing band 3a and the bottom sealing band 3b in order to separate the packs 3 from one another.

[0048] On one conveyor 4, each sealing unit 19 is positioned downstream of the corresponding forming unit 18 of each cart 7 along their respective paths P and Q, and comprises an opposing sealing device 17 and an extractable cutting element, such as a knife (not shown).

[0049] On the other conveyor 4, each sealing unit 19 is positioned downstream of the corresponding forming unit 18 of each cart 7 along their respective paths P, Q, and comprises a sealing device 23 and a seat (not shown) of the corresponding sealing device 23 configured to cooperate with the opposing sealing device 17, which is adapted to receive a knife.

[0050] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the sealing device 23 is an ultrasonic sealing device.

[0051] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the sealing device 23 is an induction heating element, and the corresponding opposing sealing device 17 is made of an elastomer material that provides the necessary mechanical support to grip the tube 2 against the required pressure during the sealing operation.

[0052] As shown in Figure 1, when the forming unit 18 and the sealing unit 19 move forward along their respective operating branches P1 and Q1 by their respective carts 7 of each conveyor 4, the respective half shells 20, sealing devices 23, and opposing sealing devices 17 move back and forth along direction B. - The half-shell 20, the sealing device 23, and the opposing sealing device 17 cooperate with their respective tube sections 13 to form, seal, and cut their respective packs 3, in a closed or operating position. - The half shell 20, the sealing device 23, and the opposing sealing device 17 are separated from the tube 2 or the formed pack 3 in an open or idle position. Move between these two points.

[0053] In particular, when both of the two half-shells 20 of the two respective forming units 18 of the pair of cooperating carts 7 are in the operating (closed) position, they define a substantially prismatic cavity and thus control the volume and shape of each of the packs 3 that are formed.

[0054] More specifically, when the half-shell 20 is in the operating (closed) position, their walls 21 are located on the opposite side of each tube section 13 and are in contact with each tube section 13.

[0055] In this state, the flaps 22 of each half-shell 20 rotate around their respective hinges from the position where they branch off from their respective walls 21 to the position where they are substantially perpendicular to the walls 21, facing the flaps of other half-shells 20 supported by the same pair of corresponding carts 7, and contacting the tube 2 to completely enclose their respective tube sections 13 which are determined to form their respective packs 3.

[0056] When the opposing sealing devices 17 and 23 of the pair of cooperating carts 7 are in the operating (closed) position, they cooperate with each other to heat-seal the tube 2 to form the upper sealing band 3a and the bottom sealing band 3b of the pack 3, which are oriented laterally with respect to direction A and axis X and are on the sealing surface S.

[0057] Then, the pack 3 is cut between the top sealing band 3a (of one package) and the bottom sealing band 3b (of an adjacent package), and each cut element is extracted to separate the resulting packs 3 from one another.

[0058] Conversely, when the half-shell 20, the opposing sealing device 17, and the sealing device 23 are in the idle (open) position, they are separated from the tube 2.

[0059] According to the illustrated embodiment, the above-mentioned periodic movement of the half-shell 20 (wall 21 and flap 22), the opposing sealing device 17, sealing device 23, and cutting element from their idle position to their operating position is automated (by a known method and not described in detail) by the cooperation between a cam assembly 24 (Figure 2) fixed to the conveyor 4 and track 6 and a plurality of cam followers (partially illustrated in Figure 2) carried by each cart 7.

[0060] More specifically, according to this preferred embodiment, each of the wall 21, flap 22, sealing device 23, cutting element, and opposing sealing device 17 carries at least one respective cam follower configured to cooperate in a sliding manner with the respective cam surface of the cam assembly 24.

[0061] In particular, the flaps 22 of each forming unit 18 carry their respective cam followers 25, which are configured to cooperate in a manner that slides against the corresponding cam surfaces of the cam elements 26 of the cam assembly 24.

[0062] More specifically, the cam follower 25 is configured to move laterally relative to the forward direction A in cooperation with the respective cam elements 26 in a sliding manner as the cart 7 moves along the operating branches P1, Q1 while in use.

[0063] In this particular embodiment, for each cart 7, the cam follower 25 is mechanically connected (coupled) to the flap 22 by a lever mechanism 27 (Figure 3) configured to propel the rotation of the flap 22 around its hinge in a known manner due to its interaction with the cam element 26 of the cam follower 25.

[0064] Preferably, the half shell 20, the opposing sealing device 17, the sealing device 23, and the cutting element are pushed back toward their respective idle positions by springs (not shown) acting on their respective cam followers.

[0065] The exit conveyor 10 is configured to receive the pillow packs 3 and transport them toward a folding unit (not shown), where the packs 3 are folded into their final shapes, thereby obtaining each package 50 (one of which is shown in Figure 7A).

[0066] Note that Figure 7B shows the pillow pack 3 in a state not corresponding to any step of the formation cycle. Figure 7B simply shows the package 50 with the flap open and the top sealing band 3a and bottom sealing band 3b lifted (i.e., the package 50 is not fully folded).

[0067] In particular, as can be seen in Figure 7B, the pillow pack 3 has a longitudinal axis Y and comprises a substantially prismatic main portion 51 that is separated at its lower end by a flat horizontal bottom wall 52 and at its upper end by an inclined upper wall 53.

[0068] The upper sealing band 3a and the lower sealing band 3b, formed by the sealing unit 19 in the manner described above, protrude axially from the inclined upper wall 53 and the lower wall 52, respectively.

[0069] More specifically, in a package 50 (Figure 7A) having an inclined upper wall 53 (e.g., TetraBrick® edge package), the bottom sealing band 3b is coaxial with respect to axis Y, while the upper sealing band 3a is located away from axis Y.

[0070] More specifically, as can be seen in Figure 7B, if the upper sealing band 3a protrudes vertically from the inclined upper wall 53, it is positioned offset by a distance 55 (measured perpendicular to the axis Y) with respect to the axis Y.

[0071] As described above, the sealing unit 19 is configured to cooperate with the tube 2 to seal the tube portion 13 at a cross section located on the sealing surface S central to the tube 2, and the upper sealing band 3a is offset with respect to axis Y and positioned on the inclined upper wall 53 of the package 50 to ensure the formation of the inclined upper wall 53, so that a slight rotation of the tube portion 13 occurs during the sealing operation.

[0072] Such rotation is given during the sealing operation due to a specific predetermined pattern of fold lines (which are known in themselves and not shown) that are provided on the packaging material and are necessary to determine the formation of a package 50 having an inclined upper wall 53.

[0073] Thus, the forming unit 18, particularly the half-shell 20, needs to sequentially follow and control (i.e., propel) the rotation of the aforementioned tube portion 13 during the sealing and formation of the pack 3. In fact, if rotation is not possible, the tube portion 13 will be damaged due to deformation caused by the bending given by the fold line pattern.

[0074] For this purpose, the walls 21 of each half-shell 20 are tiltable with respect to direction A in order to control the inclination of each tube portion 13 with respect to direction A.

[0075] In particular, each half-shell 20 is tiltable relative to its respective movable element 57.

[0076] More specifically, the half-shell 20 is connected to a movable element 57 and comprises a rear wall 56 that is movable linearly toward the tube 2 along direction B and movably supports a wall 21 and a flap 22 through the wall 21. In particular, each rear wall 56 is positioned behind its respective wall 21 with respect to direction B.

[0077] Conveniently, each wall 21 is tiltable relative to each rear wall 56, which does not tilt but moves only linearly along direction B.

[0078] More specifically, each pair of walls 21 of the half shell 20 can be tilted at the same angle α with respect to direction A and the rear wall 56 (Figure 5B) in order to promote the tilt of the tube portion 13 in which they cooperate at an angle α.

[0079] In light of the above, both walls 21 are linearly movable along direction B, supported by the rear wall 56, and can be tilted at an angle α with respect to direction A.

[0080] As can be seen in Figure 5B, since the flap 22 is fixed to the wall 21 with a hinge, the flap 22 can also be tilted relative to each of the rear walls 56.

[0081] Therefore, the wall 21 is configured to tilt as the cart 7 moves forward parallel to direction A, and more specifically along the operational branches P1 and Q1 of the endless path P and Q, respectively.

[0082] In this way, the inclination of the wall 21 at angle α, that is, the inclination of the tube portion 13 at angle α, ensures that the half shell 20 follows and controls the rotation of the aforementioned tube portion 13 caused by the specific configuration of the fold lines on it.

[0083] Furthermore, the above configuration ensures that the upper sealing band 3a of each package 50 is formed with an offset of a distance 55 with respect to the axis Y of the package 50, without compromising the structural integrity of the package 50.

[0084] To achieve the aforementioned inclination, the packaging assembly 1 includes actuator means configured to propel the inclination motion of each wall 21, and therefore each tube portion 13.

[0085] According to this preferred embodiment, the actuator means comprises a cam follower 25 and a cam element 26.

[0086] For the sake of brevity, the following refers to a single cart 7 configured to form and seal each of the tubular sections 13.

[0087] However, all the features of such cart 7 described below are applicable to all carts 7 that are movably coupled to track 6 of conveyor 4.

[0088] More specifically, the cart 7 includes a pusher mechanism 28 to which a cam follower 25 is attached and configured to contact and cooperate with the half shell 20 to propel the inclined motion of the wall 21.

[0089] Therefore, the wall 21 is movably coupled to the rear wall 56 of the half shell 20 by a hinge 29 (Figures 4, 5A, and 5B) configured to allow the wall 21 to rotate about direction C relative to the rear wall 56.

[0090] The pusher mechanism 28 includes a pressing pin 30, which is coupled to the cam follower 25 and, in particular, integrally fixed to the cam follower 25, such that the lateral movement of the pressing pin 30 toward axis X along direction B corresponds to the lateral movement of the cam follower 25 toward axis X along direction B.

[0091] When the cart 7 moves forward along the operating branch P1 or Q1, the pressing pin 30 is positioned behind the rear wall 56 and wall 21 of the half shell 20 with respect to direction B, and is configured to press against the wall 21 to propel the rotation of the wall 21 around its hinge 29, thereby controlling the tilting motion of the wall 21, and thus the respective tube sections 13, by angle α.

[0092] Preferably, the rear wall 56 is provided with a through hole (Figures 5A to 5B) through which the pressing pin 30 passes before reaching the wall 21 during use.

[0093] In light of the above, the rotation of the flap 22 and the inclination of the wall 21, and therefore the inclination of the tube portion 13, are driven by the same actuator means, namely the cam follower 25 and the cam element 26.

[0094] For this purpose, the cart 7 includes a stop member 31 configured to stop the movement of a lever mechanism 27 that controls the rotation of the flap 22, while allowing an additional stroke of a pusher mechanism 28, and thus the pin 30, along direction B.

[0095] In detail, the stopping member 31 is configured to contact the contact surface of the cart 7 as soon as the flaps 22 reach their final positions surrounding the tube portion 13.

[0096] Thanks to this configuration of the actuator means, a dedicated actuator means configured to propel the inclination of the wall 21 is not required.

[0097] In light of the above, the wall 21 and the tube portion 13 are, -The first position is when pin 30 is separated from wall 21, wall 21 is parallel to axis X and direction A, and axis Y of tube portion 13 is still parallel to axis X and sealing surface S (Figure 5A), - The pin 30 presses the wall 21 so that the wall 21 is inclined at an angle α, the tube portion 13 is inclined at an angle α, and the upper sealing band 3a is formed in alignment with the sealing surface S and axis X (Figure 5B), second position and It is possible to move between these locations.

[0098] Preferably, to ensure the automatic return of the wall 21 from the second position to the first position, an elastic means is provided, such as a spring member 32 that elastically connects the wall 21 to the rear wall 56.

[0099] More specifically, the spring member 32 is positioned on the opposite side of the wall 21 from the side where the hinge 29 is located, with respect to direction A.

[0100] Conveniently, for two given half-shells 20 cooperating to form pack 3, the positions of the hinges 29 and spring members 32 are reversed relative to each other along direction A. In other words, the first half-shell 20 of the two half-shells has a wall 21 that is hinged to the upper part of its respective rear wall 56 (relative to direction A), and the second half-shell 20 of the two half-shells has a wall 21 that is hinged to the lower part of its respective rear wall 56 (relative to direction A).

[0101] In this way, the lateral movement of the cam follower 25 driven by the forming cam element 26 causes an inclination of angle α of the wall 21, i.e., an inclination of angle α of the tube portion 13, such that the upper sealing band in the package 50 is offset by a distance 55 with respect to axis Y without compromising the structural integrity of the package 50, as shown in Figure 7A.

[0102] Conveniently, each forming unit 18 is movable along direction A toward each sealing unit 19 of each cart 7 in a known and not described in detail. Such movement allows for the formation of the inclined upper wall 53 and bottom wall 54.

[0103] The operation of the packaging assembly 1 is described below, starting from a state in which a pair of cooperating carts 7 slide along their respective tracks 6, following their respective paths P and Q, and approaching their respective operational branches P1 and Q1.

[0104] In this state, each cart 7 moves along its respective operating branch P1, Q1 and along direction A, and the half shell 20 (wall 21 and flap 22), the opposing sealing device 17, sealing device 23, and cutting element are acted sequentially by interaction with the respective cam elements of the cam follower's cam assembly 24.

[0105] At the same time, tube 2 is filled with a product that can be injected from above.

[0106] After the flaps 22 complete their rotation and cooperate in contact with the respective tube sections 13 that are formed, the stop members 31 come into contact with their respective contact surfaces due to the available additional stroke, and the pins 30 begin to move.

[0107] As soon as the pins 30 make contact with each wall 21, the walls 21 each begin to rotate around the hinges 29, thereby tilting at an angle α to follow the rotation imparted to the tube portion 13 by the sealing action.

[0108] After the formation, sealing, and cutting of tube 2 is complete, a pack 3 is obtained, and the half shell 20, the opposing sealing device 17, the sealing device 23, and the cutting element return to their idle positions. The formed and filled pack 3 is sent to the exit conveyor 10 and transported to the folding unit described above to be folded into the finished package 50.

[0109] Then, the carts 7 slide along their respective return branches P2, Q2 until they reach their respective operating branches P1, Q1 again to form another pack 3.

[0110] The entire operation is repeated periodically for all packs 3 that are formed, sealed, and cut. The entire operation is also repeated for all pairs of carts 7 present in the packaging assembly 1.

[0111] Number 7' in Figure 6 shows the cart of packaging assembly 1' according to a second embodiment of the present invention as a whole.

[0112] Packaging Assembly 1' and Cart 7' are similar to Packaging Assembly 1 and Cart 7 according to the first embodiment, and the following description is limited to the differences between them, and the same references are used for identical or corresponding parts where possible.

[0113] It is also noted that the features of cart 7' described below are applicable to all carts 7' that may be present in packaging assembly 1'.

[0114] In particular, packaging assembly 1' differs from packaging assembly 1 in the type of actuator means used to propel the tilting motion of the tube portion 13.

[0115] In detail, the packaging assembly 1' includes a dedicated actuator means configured exclusively to propel the tilting motion of the tube portion 13.

[0116] More specifically, the actuator means includes a dedicated cam follower 33 configured to cooperate in a manner that slides with the cam surface of a dedicated cam element 34 of the cam assembly 24'.

[0117] More specifically, the cart 7' includes a forming unit 18' that supports a half shell 20' having a main wall 21' coupled to a cam follower 33 by a lever mechanism 35 configured to convert the lateral movement of the cam follower 33 into an inclined motion of the wall 21' at an angle α.

[0118] More specifically, according to this preferred embodiment, the entire half-shell 20' is tiltable at an angle α.

[0119] In particular, the half-shell 20' is tiltable relative to each of the movable elements 57.

[0120] This particular configuration allows for a half-shell 20', and therefore a dedicated control mechanism for tilting the tube portion 13, thereby avoiding the need for a pusher mechanism 28, a hinge 29, and a spring member 32.

[0121] The advantages of the packaging assemblies 1 and 1' according to the present invention should be clear from the above description.

[0122] In particular, thanks to the tilting motion of the walls 21, 21', the forming units 18, 18' are able to follow and control the rotation of the tubular portion 13 given to it during the sealing operation, due to a specific form of fold line of the package 50 having the tilted upper wall 53, when the carts 7, 7' are able to move endlessly along the endless track 6 by a linear motor.

[0123] This further allows for obtaining an upper sealing band 3a of each package 50 that is offset with respect to the axis Y of such package 50, which provides more space for mounting an opening device 54 on the inclined upper wall 53 without compromising the structural integrity of the package 50.

[0124] Furthermore, the configuration of the packaging assembly 1' and cart 7' allows the operation controlling the rotation of the flap 22 to be separated from the operation controlling the tilt of the wall 21', so that the flap 22 can be controlled even when the corresponding wall 21' and half shell 20' are tilted, impacts between components can be avoided, and the tilting motion is more precise.

[0125] Clearly, modifications may be made to the packaging assemblies 1, 1' as described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A packaging assembly (1;1') configured to form and seal a plurality of packs (3) containing an injectable product, starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, wherein the packaging assembly (1;1') is A pair of endless tracks (6) between which the tube (2) is supplied along a straight forward direction (A), A pair of movable members (7; 7'), each of which is movably connected to one of each endless tracks (6) and is periodically movable along therefor, Each of the pair of movable members (7;7') movably carries a forming member (20;20') that is linearly movable laterally with respect to the forward direction (A) toward the tube (2) in order to form at least a corresponding pack portion of each pack (3), and periodically cooperates in contact with the continuous tube portion (13), Each forming member (20; 20') is provided with a movable part (21; 21'), Each of the aforementioned movable members (7; 7') is linearly movable toward the tube (2) and is provided with a movable element (57) that supports each of the movable parts (21; 21'), In order to promote the tilting motion of the tube portion (13) with respect to the forward direction (A), Each of the aforementioned movable parts (21; 21') can be tilted with respect to its respective movable element (57) at a given angle (α) with respect to the forward direction (A), The system further comprises actuator means (25, 26; 33, 34) configured to propel the tilting motion of each movable part (21; 21'), and thus the tilting motion of each tube section (13), The actuator means comprises, for each endless track (6), at least one cam surface (26; 34) fixed to the endless track (6), and a cam follower (25; 33) supported by the respective forming members (20; 20') and configured to cooperate with the cam surface (26; 34) in a sliding manner. Packaging assembly.

2. The forming member (20; 20') has a C-shaped cross-section and comprises a wall (21) defining the movable portion (21) and a pair of side flaps (22) movably connected to the wall (21). The packaging assembly according to claim 1.

3. The forming member (20; 20') is connected to the movable element (57) and movably supports the wall (21) and the side flap (22) via the wall (21), and includes a rear wall (56) that is linearly movable toward the tube (2) along direction (B), The wall (21) is tiltable with respect to the rear wall (56) which moves only in a straight line along the direction (B). The packaging assembly according to claim 2.

4. Each movable member (7; 7') movably carries its respective sealing member (17, 23), which is configured to seal the tube portion (13) in the lateral direction. The packaging assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each forming member (20; 20') is movable relative to the respective sealing members (17, 23) along the forward direction (A).

5. The packaging assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein each forming member (20) comprises a forming element (22) configured to form a portion of the respective pack (3), the cam follower (25) is mechanically connected to the forming element (22), and the actuator means (25, 26) is also configured to drive the forming element (22).

6. The cam follower (25) is configured to cooperate with the cam surface (26) in order to move laterally with respect to the forward direction (A), The packaging assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movable member (7) is equipped with a pusher mechanism (28) to which the cam follower (25) is attached and configured to contact and cooperate with each of the movable parts (21) in order to propel the tilting motion of the movable parts (21).

7. The movable portion (21) is connected to the forming member (20) by at least a hinge (29), The packaging assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the pusher mechanism (28) is integrally fixed to the cam follower (25) and comprises a pressing pin (30) configured to press against each of the movable parts (21) to tilt the movable parts (21) and to propel the rotation of the movable parts (21) around the hinge (29).

8. The cam follower (33) is configured to cooperate with the cam surface (34) in order to move laterally with respect to the forward direction (A), The cam follower (33) is coupled to each of the forming members (20') by a lever mechanism (35) configured to convert the lateral movement of the cam follower (33) into the tilting motion of the movable portion (21') at a given angle (α). The packaging assembly (1') according to claim 1.

9. The packaging assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each movable member (7; 7') and each of the endless tracks (6) define a linear motor.

10. The endless track (6) comprises pairs of multiple movable members (7; 7') that are each periodically movable along the endless track (6), The packaging assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, during use, the movable members (7; 7') that move along one of the pair of endless tracks (6) are independently movable relative to each other and are configured to cooperate with the corresponding movable members (7; 7') that move along the other of the pair of endless tracks (6) during use.

11. The packaging assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the movable portion (21; 21') is tiltable to enable the formation of a package (50) having an inclined wall (53).

12. A method for forming and sealing a plurality of packs (3) containing an injectable product, starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, wherein the method is: i) The step of supplying the tube (2) between two endless tracks (6) along a linear forward direction (A), ii) A step of periodically advancing a pair of movable members (7;7') that carry a pair of forming members (20;20') along the endless track (6), wherein each of the forming members (20;20') comprises a movable portion (21;21'), and each movable member (7;7') is linearly movable toward the tube (2) and comprises a movable element (57) that supports each movable portion (21;21'), iii) To form at least corresponding pack portions of each pack (3), the forming members (20; 20') are moved linearly toward the tube (2) and periodically cooperate in contact with the continuous tube portions (13), iv) To facilitate the tilting motion of the tube portion (13) in the forward direction (A), the steps of tilting each movable portion (21; 21') of the forming member (20; 20') with respect to the forward direction (A) at a given angle (α) with respect to the forward direction (A) with respect to the respective movable element (57); Includes, The system further comprises actuator means (25, 26; 33, 34) configured to propel the tilting motion of each movable part (21; 21'), and thus the tilting motion of each tube section (13), The actuator means comprises, for each endless track (6), at least one cam surface (26; 34) fixed to the endless track (6), and a cam follower (25; 33) supported by the respective forming members (20; 20') and configured to cooperate with the cam surface (26; 34) in a sliding manner. method.

13. The aforementioned step iii) of moving in a straight line is, v) A step of linearly moving the movable elements (57) of a pair of movable members (7, 7'), wherein each movable element (57) supports its respective movable part (21), and each movable member (7; 7') is movably connected to one respective endless track (6) and is periodically movable along it. Includes, The aforementioned inclination step iv) vi) A step of tilting each movable part (21; 21') with respect to each movable element (57) The method according to claim 12, including the method described in claim 12.

14. vii) A step of sealing the tube portion (13) laterally with a pair of sealing members (17, 23), wherein each of the sealing members (17, 23) is supported by a respective movable member (7; 7'), each movable member (7; 7') is movably coupled to a respective endless track (6) and is periodically movable along it, and each movable member (7; 7') movably supports a respective forming member (20; 20'), viiii) A step of moving each forming member (20; 20') with respect to each sealing member (17, 23) along the forward direction (A) The method according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising:

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