Machine for forming a package made of flexible material

Abstract

Described is a machine for forming a package made of flexible material comprising a pouch (1) provided with a spout (2), the machine (100) comprising a conveyor line (L) configured for conveying, in a row, pouches (1) in a hanging condition along a conveyor path (P); a positioning and anchoring station (4) configured for positioning and temporarily securing a spout (2) to a respective pouch (1); a sealing station (5) configured for sealing the spout (2) in a sealed fashion to each pouch 1; an exit station (8) configured for transferring the pouches (1) with the sealed spouts (2) again on the conveyor line (L), the sealing station comprises a sealing carousel (5) configured for rotating about a first axis (Z5) of vertical rotation, and having a plurality of first gripping members (6) positioned in a spoke-like fashion and configured for picking up individually the pouches (1) from the conveyor line (L) and retaining the pouches (1) in hanging spoke-like mode; a plurality of sealing members (7) distributed circumferentially on the carousel (5) configured for permanently sealing the spout (2) in a sealed fashion to the corresponding pouch (1).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION MACHINE FOR FORMING A PACKAGE MADE OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL

[0002] Technical field

[0003] This invention relates to a machine for forming a package made of flexible material containing a liquid, semi-liquid, granular, powdered product and the like.

[0004] Background art

[0005] This type of package comprises a pouch made of flexible heat-sealable material filled with a dose of loose product and associated with a respective dispensing spout made of rigid (or semi-rigid) material used by a user to extract the product from the pouch, for its consumption.

[0006] It should be noted that the term “loose product” is used to mean a product with low cohesion, and therefore without its own shape, such as, for example, a liquid, semi-liquid, grated or powdered product and the like.

[0007] To obtain this type of package there are various types of prior art machines illustrated, for example, in patent documents US 2016 / 297553, EP 361 1 101 , US 2009 / 233778, US 2003 / 233812.

[0008] Therefore, an example of a machine may comprise:

[0009] - a station for forming pouches having a reel for feeding film and a unit for folding and cutting the film to form individual pouches having a bottom side (closed and folded in an upturned "V" shape) and an open top side;

[0010] - a line for feeding pouches formed and retained, each, by pairs of grippers;

[0011] - a station for feeding and joining the spouts with relative cap, to a corner of the top side of each pouch positioned on the line for feeding pouches;

[0012] - a station for sealing in a sealed fashion each spout on the respective pouch;

[0013] - a station for filling the pouches with the product through the open portion of the top side of the pouches held by a respective pair of grippers along a conveyor line;

[0014] - a sealing station positioned downstream of the filling station, along the conveyor line, and configured for sealing the upper edges of the top side of each pouch.

[0015] The packaging line has a station for unloading the formed pouch at a subsequent line or carousel for evacuating the pouches.

[0016] Currently, one of the variables present for this type of pouch is represented by the type of material used for the pouch and the spout.

[0017] Until recently, the product used was represented by multi-layer and multimaterial plastic film, whilst a product now widely used both for the pouch and for the spout is a single material, possibly recycled (for example PE - polyethylene).

[0018] For the latter material the time necessary for the reliable sealing of the spout on the film is greater than that of sealing with multi-layer multi-material film, which has different physical / mechanical properties.

[0019] The machine described above must therefore operate at a reduced speed. In effect, for this type of machine there is a limitation due to the sealing time and the need for sealing repeated several times in the same area which, due to the delicacy of the material, tend to damage the material.

[0020] Disclosure of the Invention

[0021] The aim of the invention is to provide a machine for making a package made of flexible material containing a liquid, semi-liquid, granular, powder and similar product which overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0022] In particular, the aim of this invention is to provide a machine for forming a package made of flexible material containing a liquid, semi-liquid, granular, powdered product and the like which is able to optimise the formation of the individual pouches with reduced dimensions of the components of the machine.

[0023] A further aim of this invention is to provide a machine for forming a package made of flexible material containing a liquid, semi-liquid, granular, powdered product and the like which is able to make the operation of joining the cap and the pouch always secure, precise irrespective of the type of material used, and with optimised sealing times (that is, high) even in the presence of high speed and productivity of the machine.

[0024] These aims are fully achieved by the machine for forming a package made of flexible material containing a liquid, semi-liquid granular product in powder form and the like according to this invention as characterised in the appended claims.

[0025] Brief description of the drawings

[0026] The features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of it, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] - Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a machine for forming a package made of flexible material containing a product according to this invention;

[0028] - Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the machine of Figure 1 , that is to say, a carousel for sealing the spout and a carousel for cooling the sealing;

[0029] - Figures 3a to 3h are schematic side views of respective diagrams of the operating stations of the machine of Figures 1 and 2;

[0030] - Figure 4 is a scaled-up side view of a spout applicable to the pouches in the machine of the preceding drawings.

[0031] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0032] With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular Figures 1 and 2, the machine according to the invention, labelled 100 in its entirety, is used for forming a package made of flexible material containing a product of the liquid, semi-liquid, granular, powdered type and the like.

[0033] As also shown in Figures 3a to 3h, the package comprises a pouch 1 provided with a spout 2 intended for dispensing the product when the package is completed.

[0034] Figure 4 shows in more detail the dispensing spout 2 used for forming the package in the machine 100.

[0035] The spout 2 is formed by a flange 2a configured to be joined to a portion of the pouch 1 , a rigid dispensing cannula 2b protruding from the flange 2a and a cap 2c for closing the free end of the cannula 2b.

[0036] As illustrated, the machine 100 comprises a conveyor line L configured for conveying, in a row, pouches 1 in a hanging condition.

[0037] As illustrated, the conveyor line L comprises a plurality of pairs of grippers 3.

[0038] Each pair of grippers 3 is configured for retaining a respective pouch 1 in a hanging condition.

[0039] As also shown in Figures 1 and 2, the conveyor line L conveys the pouches along a conveyor path P.

[0040] In the case illustrated, by way of a non-limiting example of this invention, the path P is preferably closed (illustrated as a loop circuit in Figure 1 ), but the solution is also valid for paths, for example, which are rectilinear, made by the pairs of grippers 3 of the conveyor line L.

[0041] Again as illustrated in Figure 1 , the pouch 1 , before entering the conveyor line L and being picked up by the respective pair of grippers 3 in its shape, is formed in a series of stations positioned in succession and illustrated with a series of blocks in Figure 1 :

[0042] - a feed station 20 having a roll (not illustrated) from which a film is unwound;

[0043] - a folding and separating station 21 having a suitable folding device (not illustrated) configured for folding the film arriving from the reel in a U-shape and so as to form two vertical sides, a top side and a bottom side suitably folded in an inverted "V" shape and a subsequent cutting unit (not illustrated) and configured for separating the individual pouches from the continuous film;

[0044] - a sealing station 22 where the folded pouch is sealed on the two vertical sides by sealing members (not illustrated), keeping the top side open. Lastly, a cutting station 23 having a suitable cutting unit (not illustrated) is configured to cut a corner of the top side (open) of the pouch 1 to form the seat where the spout 2 will be applied (see also Figure 3a).

[0045] At this point, each pouch 1 is picked up by a respective pair of grippers 3 of the conveyor line L.

[0046] As illustrated, the machine 100 comprises a positioning and anchoring station 4 configured for temporarily positioning (not in a sealed fashion) a spout 2 for dispensing to a respective pouch 1 .

[0047] The positioning and anchoring station 4 operates in a first position L1 along the conveyor line L;

[0048] According to a first embodiment of this invention, the positioning and fixing of the dispensing spout 2 occurs whilst the pouch 1 is retained by the pair of grippers 3 of the conveyor line L, in an infeed zone (of the path), see also Figure 3b.

[0049] The machine 100 also comprises a sealing station 5 configured for sealing the spout 2 in a sealed fashion to each pouch 1 .

[0050] The machine 100 also comprises an exit station 8 configured for transferring the pouches 1 with the spouts 2 sealed again on the conveyor line L to a fourth position L4 different from the first position L1 .

[0051] As illustrated, the sealing station comprises a sealing carousel 5 configured to rotate about a first axis Z5 of vertical rotation.

[0052] The sealing carousel 5 is configured to rotate about a first vertical axis Z5 of rotation.

[0053] The sealing carousel 5 comprises a plurality of first gripping members 6 positioned in a spoke-like fashion and configured for picking up the pouches 1 from the conveyor line L in a second position L2 different from the fourth position L4 and for retaining the pouches 1 in hanging spoke-like mode (see Figure 3c), and

[0054] - a plurality of sealing elements 7 positioned circumferentially and configured for permanently sealing the spout 2 in a sealed fashion to the corresponding pouch 1 (see Figure 3d). According to the first embodiment, the pouches 1 are picked up by the grippers 3 with the dispensing spout 1 already positioned.

[0055] According to a second embodiment, not illustrated in the drawings, the positioning and fixing of the dispensing spout 2 occurs whilst the pouch 1 is retained by a corresponding first gripping member 6 of the sealing carousel 5, so in this case, the pouches 1 are picked up by the grippers 3 without the dispensing spout 1 .

[0056] The sealing carousel 5 is configured for moving the pouches 1 , retained by the first gripping member 6, along a first curved operating path of a first circumferential path equal preferably to an angle of 180°, rotating about the first axis of rotation Z5.

[0057] As illustrated, the conveyor line L (that is, the plurality of pairs of grippers 3) passes through the sealing carousel 5 inside the first circumferential path, without interfering with the first gripping members 6.

[0058] As illustrated in more detail in Figure 2, the conveyor path P followed by each of the pairs of grippers 3 passes through the sealing carousel 5 (under the carousel 5).

[0059] In other words, and as described in more detail below, the transit of the pairs of grippers is never interrupted even in the presence of the sealing carousel which has a longer curved path in order to have a more precise, effective and reliable sealing of the spout on the pouch (as a function of the materials used by these components) and in such a way that a respective pair of grippers returns to the pouch with spout and then, if necessary, continue the path.

[0060] In effect, it should be noted that the sealing carousel 5 is moved with intermittent motion according to a predetermined step.

[0061] The intermittent motion is coordinated with a feeding motion of the conveyor line L along the conveyor path P in such a way that the first gripping members 6 are configured to pick up the pouch 1 from the conveyor line L in substantial synchrony with the transfer of the pouches 1 , with the sealed spouts 2, on the conveyor line L from the exit station 8. As illustrated (see also Figure 3b), the positioning and anchoring station 4 comprises a heating device 9 configured for heating the spout 2 positioned on the pouch 1 , in such a way as to stabilise the spout 2 relative to the pouch.

[0062] In light of this, the heating device 9 preferably comprises a pair of heating grippers 10 (illustrated as a block) shaped to come into contact with the spout 2 on two opposite sides with a portion of film of the pouch 1 interposed between the pair of heating grippers 10 and the spout 2.

[0063] More specifically, the machine 100 comprises, close to the positioning and anchoring station 4, a pre-heating station 17 comprising a heating element 18 configured for pre-heating the spout 2 before its anchoring (see the block drawn with a dashed line in Figure 3b).

[0064] In light of this, the positioning and anchoring station 4 comprises a pickup arm 19 configured for picking up one dispensing spout 2 at a time from the pre-heating station 17 and transferring it to a respective pouch 1 in the first position L1 . The operation may be performed whilst the pouch 1 is held by the grippers 3 or whilst it is held by the first gripping member 6 of the sealing carousel 5.

[0065] In other words, the individual spouts 2 are each time brought into the preheating station 17 and then picked up by the arm 19 (provided with suitable grippers) which, through a rotation downwards, carries the spout 3 on the bevelled zone of the top side of the pouch 1 where the pair of heating grippers 10 associate, not in a sealed fashion, the flange 2a of the spout 2 to the pouch 1 .

[0066] As illustrated in Figure 2, the above-mentioned first axis of rotation Z5 of the sealing carousel 5 is located at a predetermined distance D1 , preferably between 10 and 100 mm, relative to the conveyor line L, that is to say, from the pairs of grippers 3. In this way, there is no interference in the transit of the pairs of grippers 3 along their path.

[0067] It should be noted that the sealing means 7 of the sealing carousel 5 can be activated independently by the first gripping members 6 consisting of pairs of grippers (see also Figures 3c and 3d).

[0068] Each pair of grippers forming the first gripping members 6 extend radially on the sealing carousel 5 but eccentrically, that is, not concentric, relative to the axis Z5 of the sealing carousel 5.

[0069] This geometrical configuration allows the pairs of grippers of the first gripping members 6, positioned at a height different from the gripping height of the respective pair of grippers 3, to pick up the pouch 1 from the pair of grippers 3 immediately translating the pouch 1 relative to the path P of the pair of grippers 3.

[0070] It should be noted that the sealing means 7 (pairs of heated grippers for each pouch 1 retained by the respective first gripping members 6) are configured for sealing the spout 2 on the pouch 1 during the rotation along the first curved operating path (in a time period equal to or less than an angle of rotation of 180° of the sealing carousel 5).

[0071] In other words, based on the type of material of the spout 2 and of the pouch 1 , the sealing time can be varied as a function of the operating requirements, so it is possible to use all or partly the arc-shaped operating path of the sealing carousel 5, maintaining, in any case, the operating times unaltered in the various passages in the successive stations.

[0072] Again as illustrated, the exit station 8 comprises a cooling carousel 1 1 configured to rotate about a second axis Z11 of vertical rotation.

[0073] The cooling carousel 1 1 comprises a plurality of second gripping members 12 positioned in a spoke-like fashion and configured to retain a respective pouch 1 in a hanging spoke-like mode.

[0074] The cooling carousel 11 is configured for moving the pouches 1 , held by the second gripping members 12 (comprising pairs of grippers, see Figure 3e), along a second curved operating path of a second circumferential path equal preferably to an angle of 180°, rotating about the second axis Z1 1 of rotation.

[0075] It should be noted that the conveyor line L passes through the cooling carousel 1 1 inside the second circumferential path, without interfering with the second gripping members 12.

[0076] In light of this, the conveyor path followed by each of the pairs of grippers 3 passes through the cooling carousel 1 1 (see Figure 2).

[0077] The cooling carousel 11 is also moved with intermittent motion according to a predetermined step.

[0078] The intermittent motion is coordinated with a feed motion of the conveyor line L, in such a way that the second gripping members 12 are configured to receive the pouch 1 , with the spouts 2 sealed, from the sealing carousel 5 in substantial synchrony with the transfer of the pouches 1 , with the cooled spouts 2, again on the conveyor line L.

[0079] Thanks to this geometry and as mentioned above, the transit of the pairs of grippers is never interrupted even in the presence of the cooling carousel which has a curved path in order to have a greater effectiveness in cooling the spout on the pouch and in such a way that a respective pair of grippers returns to the pouch with spout and if necessary continues the path.

[0080] It should be noted that the second axis of rotation Z1 1 of the cooling carousel 1 1 is located at a predetermined distance D2, preferably between 10 and 100 mm.

[0081] Preferably, the first Z5 and the second Z11 axis of rotation lie in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the conveyor line L.

[0082] Each pair of grippers forming the second gripping members 12 extend radially on the second cooling carousel 1 1 but eccentrically, that is, not concentric, relative to the axis Z1 1 of the cooling carousel 5.

[0083] The cooling carousel 1 1 comprises a cooling unit 13, positioned preferably centrally, and configured to accelerate the cooling of the sealed spouts 2 of the pouches 1 by means of a jet of air or in contact, whilst the pouches 1 are moved by the cooling carousel 1 1 .

[0084] The cooling unit 13 may comprise a star wheel, movable with the carousel 1 1 , having a series of partitions or recesses provided with holes for the passage of air in which the part of the pouch 1 with the spout 2 is positioned (see Figure 2 and Figure 3e) The machine 100 also comprises an extractor 14 configured for extracting the pouches 1 from the first gripping members 6 of the sealing carousel 5 and transferring them to the second gripping members 12 of the cooling carousel 1 1 ;

[0085] It should be noted that the extractor 14 operates in a third position L3 between the second position L2 and the fourth position L4. The extractor 14 is configured to move with alternating motion, parallel to and spaced from the conveyor line L. (see also Figures 3d and 3e)

[0086] As shown in Figures 3d and 3e, the extractor 14 may comprise a gripper 14a and 14b positioned at an operating height different from the operating height of the first and second gripping members 6 and 12.

[0087] One of the claws of the gripper, the 14a is positioned fixed in contact with a surface of the pouch 1 , whilst the second claw 14b can rotate about its own axis for gripping the pouch 1 .

[0088] The gripper 14a, 14b is associated with a linear actuator 14c for moving alternately from the first sealing carousel 5 to the second cooling carousel 1 1 and vice versa for moving the pouches 1 .

[0089] Subsequently, each pair of second members 12 for gripping the cooling carousel 1 1 , after completing the second operating curved path, is in a position coinciding with the path P of the pairs of grippers 3, where a respective pair of grippers 3 picks up the pouch 1 with the sealing spout 2 (see Figure 3f).

[0090] At this point each pair of grippers 3 with pouch 1 continues along the path towards further packaging stations (see Figures 3g and 3h).

[0091] In effect, there is a filling line for filling a pouch 1 made of flexible material with a product selected from a group consisting of liquids, semi-liquid, granules, powders or the like.

[0092] This filling line comprises the machine 100 described above, and a filling station 15 positioned downstream of the outfeed zone along the conveyor path P (see Figures 1 and 3g).

[0093] The filling station 15 is configured for dispensing a product in the pouches 1 arranged in a row and retained by the respective pair of grippers 3 along the conveyor line (and leaving the cooling station).

[0094] The filling line also comprises a sealing station 16 positioned downstream of the filling station 15 and configured for sealing the upper sides of each pouch 1 (see Figure 1 and Figure 3h).

[0095] The machine 100 also comprises an outfeed station 24 for the pouches 1 obtained in this way, positioned downstream of the sealing station 16.

[0096] This invention provides a method for forming a package made of flexible material containing a product of the liquid, semi-liquid, granular, powdered type and the like, where the package comprises a pouch 1 provided with a spout 2.

[0097] The method comprises the steps of:

[0098] - conveying in a row the pouches 1 in a hanging configuration on a conveyor line L feeding along a conveyor path P, preferably closed;

[0099] - positioning and temporarily securing a dispensing spout 2 to a respective pouch 1 in a first position (L1 ) and in a positioning and anchoring station 4;

[0100] - picking up each pouch 1 from the conveyor line L in a second position L2 using respective first gripping members 6;

[0101] - retaining in hanging mode each pouch 1 with the first gripping members 6 and sealing the corresponding spout 2 in a sealed fashion to the pouch 1 using respective sealing members 7, wherein the plurality of first gripping members 6 are positioned in a spoke-like fashion on a sealing carousel 5 and the respective sealing members 7 are positioned circumferentially on the sealing carousel 5;

[0102] - rotating the sealing carousel 5 along a first arc-shaped operating path of a first circumferential path, preferably equal to an angle of 180°;

[0103] - passing the conveyor line L through the sealing carousel 5 inside the first circumferential path without interfering with the first gripping members 6.

[0104] The step of positioning and fixing the dispensing spout 2 to a respective pouch 1 in the positioning and anchoring station 4 may occur whilst the pouch 1 is retained by a respective pair of grippers 3 of the conveyor line or whilst the pouch 1 is retained by a corresponding first gripping member 6 of the sealing carousel 5.

[0105] The method also comprises, in the exit station 8, the steps of:

[0106] - retaining the pouches 1 in hanging mode by means of a plurality of second gripping members 12 positioned in a spoke-like fashion on a cooling carousel 1 1 ; and

[0107] - rotating said cooling carousel 1 1 along a second operating curved path of a second circumferential path, preferably equal to an angle of 180°, and wherein the conveyor line L passes through the cooling carousel 1 1 inside the second circumferential path without interfering with the second gripping members 12.

[0108] The method also comprises the step of extracting the pouches 1 from the first gripping members 6 of the sealing carousel 5 using an extractor 14 and transferring them to the second gripping members 12 of the cooling carousel 1 1 , in a third position (L3) between the second position (L2) and the fourth position (L4).

[0109] The extracting step is performed by moving, with alternating motion, the extractor 14 in a direction parallel to / and spaced from the conveyor line L in such a way that there is no interference between the pairs of grippers 3 and the extractor 14.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Machine for forming a package made of flexible material, said package comprising a pouch (1 ) with a dispensing spout (2), said machine (100) comprising:- a conveyor line (L) configured to convey pouches (1 ) arranged in a row in a hanging condition along a conveyor path (P), the conveyor path (P) preferably being a closed loop;- a positioning and anchoring station (4) configured to position and temporarily secure a spout (2) to a respective pouch (1 ), said positioning and anchoring station (4) operating at a first (L1 ) position;- a sealing station configured to seal the spout (2) to each pouch (1 ); and- an exit station (8) configured to transfer the pouches (1 ) with the spouts (2) sealed thereto back onto the conveyor line at a fourth (L4) position different from the first (L1 ) position , characterised in that the sealing station comprises a sealing carousel (5) configured to rotate about a first vertical rotation axis (Z5), the sealing carousel (5) comprising:- a plurality of first gripping members (6) arranged radially, each first gripping member (6) being configured to individually pick up a pouch (1 ) from the conveyor line (L) at a second position different from the fourth (L4) position and to hold the pouch (1 ) in a radial hanging condition, and- a plurality of sealing members (7) circumferentially distributed on the sealing carousel (5), each sealing member (7) being configured to permanently seal the spout (2) to the corresponding pouch (1 ); wherein the sealing carousel (5) is configured to move the pouches (1 ), held by the first gripping members (6), along a first operative arcuate path of a first circumferential path, preferably extending through an angle of approximately 180°, by rotation about the first vertical rotation axis (Z5) ; and in that the conveyor (L) line passes through the sealing carousel (5) within the first circumferential path, without interfering with the first grippingmembers (6).

2. Machine according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing carousel (5) is driven in an intermittent motion with a predefined pitch, the intermittent motion being coordinated with a forward movement of the conveyor (L) line along the conveyor path (P), such that the first gripping members (6) are configured to pick up the pouch (1 ) from the conveyor (L) line in a substantial synchronization with the transfer of the pouches (1 ), with the spouts (2) sealed thereto, back onto the conveyor (L) line by the exit station (8).

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning and anchoring station (4) comprises a heating device (9) configured to heat the spout (2) positioned on the pouch (1 ) to stabilize the spout (2) relative to the pouch (1 ), said heating device (9) preferably comprising a pair of heating grippers (10) conformed to contact the spout (2) on two opposing sides, with a portion of film of the pouch (1 ) interposed between the heating grippers (10) and the spout (2).

4. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first rotation axis (Z5) of the sealing carousel (5) is positioned at a predetermined distance from said conveyor (L) line, the distance preferably being between 10 and 100 mm.

5. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exit station (8) comprises a cooling carousel (1 1 ) configured to rotate about a second vertical rotation axis (Z1 1 ), the cooling carousel (11 ) comprising a plurality of second gripping members (12) arranged radially and configured to hold a respective pouch (1 ) in a radial hanging condition; wherein the cooling carousel (11 ) is configured to move the pouches (1 ), held by the second gripping members (12), along a second operative arcuate path of a second circumferential path, preferably extending through an angle ofapproximately 180°, by rotation about said second rotation axis (Z11 ); and wherein the conveyor (L) line passes through the cooling carousel (1 1 ) within the second circumferential path, without interfering with the second gripping members (12).

6. Machine according to claim 5, wherein the cooling carousel (1 1 ) is driven in an intermittent motion with a predefined pitch, the intermittent motion being coordinated with a forward movement of the conveyor line (L), such that the second gripping members (6) are configured to receive the pouch (1 ), with the spouts (2) sealed thereto, from the sealing carousel (5) in a substantial synchronization with the transfer of the pouches (1 ), with the cooled spouts (2), back onto the conveyor (L) line.

7. Machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said second rotation axis (Z1 1 ) of the cooling carousel (1 1 ) is placed at a predefined distance from the conveyor (L) line, the distance preferably being between 10 and 100 mm.

8. Machine according to any one of the claims 5 - 7, wherein the cooling carousel (11 ) comprises a cooling unit (13), preferably centrally arranged, configured to accelerate cooling of the sealed spouts (2) of the pouches (1 ) by applying an air jet or by contact while the pouches (1 ) are being moved by the cooling carousel (1 1 ).

9. Machine according to any one of the claims 5 - 8, further comprising an extractor (14) configured to extract the pouches (1 ) from said first gripping members (6) of the sealing carousel (5) and transfer them to said second gripping members (12) of the cooling carousel (1 1 ), the extractor (14) operating at a third (L3) position between the second (L2) and fourth (L4) positions and being configured to move, in a reciprocating motion, parallel to and spaced from the conveyor (L) line.

10. Machine according to any one of the claims 5 - 9, wherein said first (Z5) and second (Z11 ) rotation axis lie in a vertical plane substantially parallel to said conveyor line (L).11 . Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing members (7) of the sealing carousel (5) are independently operable from the first gripping members (6), and wherein said sealing members (7) are configured to seal the spout (2) to the pouch (1 ) during rotation along the first operative arcuate path.

12. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor line (L) comprises a plurality of grippers (3), each pair of grippers (3) being configured to hold a respective pouch (1 ).

13. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a preheating station (17) comprising a heating member (18) configured to preheat the spout (2), wherein said positioning and anchoring station (4) comprises a pick-up arm (19) configured to pick up one spout (2) at a time from the preheating station (17) and transfer it to a respective pouch (1 ) at the first (L1 ) position.

14. Filling line for filling a pouch made of flexible material with a product selected from the group consisting of liquid, semi-liquid, granular, powder, or similar types, the filling line comprising a machine according to any one of the preceding claims, a filling station (15) configured to dispense a product into the pouches (1 ) arranged in a row on the conveyor line (L), and a secondary sealing station (16) arranged downstream of the filling station (15) and configured to seal upper sides of each pouch (1 ).

15. Method for forming a package made of flexible material, saidpackage comprising a pouch (1 ) having a spout (2), said method comprising the steps of:- conveying pouches (1 ) in a hanging condition, arranged in a row on a conveyor line (L) advancing along a conveyor path (P), the conveyor path (P) preferably being a closed loop;- positioning and temporarily securing a spout (2) to each respective pouch (1 ) at a first (L1 ) position in a positioning and anchoring station (4);- picking up each pouch (1 ) from the conveyor line (L) at a second (L2) position using respective first gripping members (6) of a plurality of first gripping members (6);- holding each pouch (1 ) in a hanging condition by said first gripping members (6) and sealing the corresponding spout (2) to the pouch (1 ) using respective sealing members (7), wherein said plurality of first gripping members (6) are radially arranged on a sealing carousel (5) and said sealing members (7) are circumferentially arranged on said sealing carousel (5);- rotating said sealing carousel (5) along a first operative arcuate path of a first circumferential path, preferably extending through an angle of approximately 180°;- passing the conveyor line (L) through the sealing carousel (5) within the first circumferential path without interfering with the first gripping members (6); and- transferring the pouches (1 ) with the spout (2) sealed thereto back onto the conveyor line (L) at a fourth (L4) position different from the first (L1 ) and second (L2) positions.

16. Method according to claim 15, further comprising, at the exit station (8), the steps of:- holding said pouches (1 ) in a hanging condition by a plurality of second gripping members (12) radially arranged on a cooling carousel (1 1 ); and- rotating said cooling carousel (1 1 ) along a second operative arcuate path of a second circumferential path, preferably extending through an angle ofapproximately 180°; wherein the conveyor line (L) passes through the cooling carousel (1 1 ) within the second circumferential path, without interfering with the second gripping members (12).

17. Method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of extracting said pouches (1 ) from said first gripping members (6) of the sealing carousel (5) using an extractor (14), and transferring them to said second gripping members (12) of the cooling carousel (1 1 ), in a third (L3) position between the second (L2) and the fourth (L4) positions, wherein said extracting step is performed by moving the extractor (14), in a reciprocating motion, in a direction parallel to and spaced from the conveyor line (L).

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