Machine for forming packages containing pasty product

Abstract

Described is a machine for forming packages containing pasty product comprising a feeding station (1) for supplying a wrapping sheet (2); a forming station (3) for forming folds on the wrapping sheet (2) and in such a way as to form a cup-shaped container (2T); a body (5) rotating about a first axis (5X) of rotation along a circular processing path (P) and having at least one transport seat (6) for conveying the cup-shaped container (2T); a dosing station (7) for dosing a pasty product inside the cup-shaped container (2T); a closing station (9) for closing the cup-shaped container (2T) containing the pasty product, a discharge station (11) for receiving the closed package; the first axis (5X) of rotation of the rotating body (5) is oriented horizontally and the circular working path (P) is on a substantially vertical plane, each transport seat (6) comprises a hollow body (13) having side walls positioned radially relative to the rotating body (5) and an extractor member (14) having a support surface (14a) slidably mounted inside the hollow body (13) in such a way as to form a bottom wall of the transport seat (6), the extractor member (14) is movable along a radial direction relative to the rotting body (5), between a retracted position closer to the first axis (5X) of rotation and a position farther from the first axis (5X) of rotation so as to eject the closed package from the transport seat (6).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] MACHINE FOR FORMING PACKAGES CONTAINING PASTY PRODUCT

[0003] Technical field

[0004] This invention relates to a machine for forming packages containing pasty product.

[0005] Background art

[0006] The term “pasty product” means semi-liquid food products such as, for example, soft cheese, butter, yeast, stock cubes in paste and the like, packaged with a sheet of wrapping material.

[0007] An example of a machine for packaging products of this kind is described in patent document WO2024 / 110917. The machine comprises:

[0008] - a feeding station provided with a reel for feeding wrapping film provided with a cutting unit for forming single wrapping sheets;

[0009] - a forming station comprising a plurality of folding dies for shaping each single wrapping sheet formed and coming from the feeding station, in the shape of a cup-shaped container;

[0010] - a drum rotating (usually movable with intermittent motion) about a first vertical axis of rotation along a circular processing path; the rotary drum comprises, in a horizontal plane defined by its upper base surface, a plurality of transport cells dimensioned to receive the respective cupshaped container formed in the forming station in a predetermined angular position of the circular path.

[0011] The machine comprises a series of stations located along the circular path followed by the drum and above the horizontal plane.

[0012] In particular, there are: a dosing station provided with nozzles for dosing the pasty product inside the single cup-shaped containers housed in the respective transport cell, a closing station for closing the cup-shaped containers positioned in the respective transport cells and filled with the pasty product, in such a way as to define a closed package and a receiving station for receiving the closed packages using structured receiving means for receiving the closed package from the drum.

[0013] This type of machine has a good operational reliability but has several drawbacks.

[0014] A first drawback is due to the large overall dimensions of the machine since the structure of the drum with a vertical axis, that is to say, with a horizontal operating plane, and the respective stations positioned around the drum, determine a high extension both in width and height of the machine as a whole.

[0015] A second drawback is again relative to the geometrical structure of the drum (vertical axis of rotation and horizontal operating surface) which limits the accessibility to the various stations: all the operating units are positioned around the drum / wheel with a vertical axis, limiting the accessibility by the operator.

[0016] Disclosure of the Invention

[0017] The aim of this invention is to provide a machine for forming packages containing pasty product which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. in particular, the aim of this invention is to provide a machine for forming packages containing pasty product which is able to reduce the overall dimensions of the structure of the machine whilst maintaining a high productivity and quality of the finished product.

[0018] A further aim of this invention is to provide a machine for forming packages containing pasty product which is able to increase the operating flexibility of the product formats with a greater simplification of the operating steps and a compaction of the stations present.

[0019] Said aims are fully achieved by the machine for forming packages containing pasty product according to the invention as characterised in the appended claims. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The features of the machine according to 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:

[0021] - Figure 1 is a front view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of a machine for forming packages containing pasty product according to this invention;

[0022] - Figure 2 is a front view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of a series of operating stations of the machine shown in Figure 1 ;

[0023] - Figure 3 is a perspective view, with some parts cut away, of a part of the machine showing a circular path followed by transport seats towards operating stations;

[0024] - Figure 4 is a front cross section view of a feeding station and a station for forming a sheet of wrapping material of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0025] - Figure 5 is a schematic front view, with some parts in cross section, of a part of the dosing station of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0026] - Figures 6 to 10 are schematic perspective views of a series of steps for closing the package of product obtained in the closing station of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0027] - Figure 11 is a perspective view from above of a pressing station of the machine;

[0028] - Figure 12 is an enlarged detail of Figure 11 ;

[0029] - Figure 13 is a perspective view of a rear part of a rotor of the machine;

[0030] - Figure 14 is a perspective view, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of a part of the machine relative to a cam unit and a unit for moving the cams which the operating elements housed in the rotor are subjected to;

[0031] Figure 15 is a schematic side view, with some parts cut away in order to better illustrate others, of the part of the machine of Figure 14;

[0032] - Figure 16 is an enlarged detail of Figure 15.

[0033] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0034] 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 packages containing pasty product.

[0035] The term “pasty product” means semi-liquid food products such as, for example, soft cheese, butter, yeast, stock cubes in paste and the like, packaged with a sheet of wrapping material (the package may be, for example, cubic or parallelepiped in shape).

[0036] As illustrated, the machine 100 comprises a feeding station 1 configured to supply a wrapping sheet 2 (see also Figure 4).

[0037] The machine 100 also comprises a forming station 3 configured for forming folds on the wrapping sheet 2 received from the feeding station 2, in such a way as to form a cup-shaped container 2T (see Figures 4 and 6). Again as illustrated, the machine 100 comprises a rotating body 5 (in the form of a drum) configured to rotate with intermittent motion about a first axis 5X of rotation along a circular processing path P (here with a clockwise direction).

[0038] In light of this, the rotating body 5 comprises at least one transport seat 6 dimensioned to receive the cup-shaped container 2T (formed in the forming station 3).

[0039] The forming station 3 operates when the transport seat 6 is in a first angular position of the rotating body 5 (position at nine o'clock with reference to the direction of rotation of the rotating element, see Figure 3). It should be noted that in this description, for simplicity of description, reference will be made to a single transport seat and consequently the operating components present in the various stations of the machine are also described as a single operating configuration.

[0040] In the accompanying drawings, only by way of an example, there are several groups of seats positioned along the circumference of the rotating element and where each group of transport seats is formed by four seats, alongside each other along a plane parallel to the first axis 5X of rotation; therefore, the operating components of the stations are also configured to operate on the four transport seats.

[0041] As illustrated, the machine 100 comprises a dosing station 7 configured for dosing a pasty product inside the cup-shaped container 2T positioned in the transport seat 6.

[0042] In light of this, the dosing station 7 comprises at least one dosing nozzle 8 designed to operate when the transport seat 6 is in a second angular position of the rotating body 5 (position at twelve o’clock with reference to the direction of rotation of the rotating element).

[0043] As illustrated in Figure 5, the dosing station 7 comprises, above the nozzle 8, a pair of screw feeders 31 and 32 for feeding the product (arriving from a product feed hopper 39 shown with a dashed line in Figure 5).

[0044] The two screw feeders 31 and 32 rotate about respective axes 31 X and 32X parallel to the first axis 5X of rotation of the rotating body 5.

[0045] The two screw feeders 31 and 32 are housed in a product containment channel 40 connected to the hopper 39.

[0046] The pair of screw feeders 31 and 32 supply, under pressure, a dosing body 33 leading below into a rotating valve 34, with two chambers, for distributing the product.

[0047] The valve 34 is connected to two dosing syringes 35, 36 which are positioned opposite each other (that is to say, radially and on both sides of the valve 34) so as to allow, alternatively, a suction of the product from the valve seat 34 to one of the syringes 35 and 36 and a supply of the product towards the nozzle 8 to the other of the two syringes 35 and 36.

[0048] In the case illustrated, as already mentioned, there are, on the rotating body 5, a plurality of lines formed by four transport seats 6 alongside each other and along a plane parallel to the first axis 5X of rotation.

[0049] Therefore, for this structure there are four dosing nozzles 8 alongside each other and supplied by a respective pair of opposite syringes 35 and 36 for a total of four pairs of syringes 35 and 36 alongside each other.

[0050] Thanks to this geometrical structure, the dosing station 7 has the supply axes 31 X and 32X of the screw feeders parallel to the first axis 5X of rotation of the rotating body 5 and at the same time are positioned at right angles to the supply direction of the transport seats 6 of the cup-shaped container 2T along the path P.

[0051] The structure of the screw feeders and of the hopper allows a fast and safe movement of the part of the dosing station 7, away from and towards the rotating body 5 for maintenance, cleaning or product change.

[0052] The machine 100 also comprises a closing station 9 for closing the cupshaped container 2T filled with the pasty product so as to form a closed package.

[0053] The closing station 9 operates with the transport seat 6 in a third angular position of the rotating body 5.

[0054] It should be noted that the closing station 9 comprises folding members 10 configured for folding wings of the cup-shaped container 2T and is positioned in the third angular position of the transport seat 6 (position at one o’clock with reference to the direction of rotation of the rotating element).

[0055] In light of this, Figures 6 to 10 schematically illustrate the steps of folding on the wings of the cup-shaped container 2T housed in the transport seat 6.

[0056] Figure 6 shows the cup-shaped container 2T filled with product arriving at the closing station 9 and with the free wings 2a-2d partly outside the transport seat 6 (not illustrated).

[0057] Figures 7 and 8 show the first and second step of folding the wings 2a and 2b through a pair of folders 10a (visible in Figure 3) configured to intercept in sequence the wing 2a and, subsequently, the wing 2b in such a way as to close the latter wing 2b partly superposed on the wing 2a.

[0058] Figure 9 shows the third step of folding the wing 2c above the two wings 2a and 2b already folded through a third folding device 10b configured to move in a direction at right angles to the first folding device 10a.

[0059] Figure 10 shows the fourth step of folding the wing 2d by a combination of the movement of the transport seat 6 along the relative operating path and the presence of a fixed abutting element 10c with an arched profile configured to fold the wing 2d and keep the folded wings in this configuration.

[0060] The machine also comprises a discharge station 11 configured to receive the closed package ejected from the transport seat 6.

[0061] The discharge station 11 operates when the transport seat 6 is in a fourth angular position of the rotating body 5.

[0062] The discharge station 11 comprises at least one receiving member 12 configured to receive the closed package from the rotating body 5 freeing the transport seat 6.

[0063] The receiving member 12 is positioned in the fourth angular position of the transport seat 6 (position at four o’clock with reference to the direction of rotation of the rotating element).

[0064] As illustrated, the first axis 5X of rotation of the rotating body 5 is oriented substantially horizontally whilst the circular processing path P is on a substantially vertical plane.

[0065] Again as illustrated, each transport seat 6 comprises a hollow body 13 having side walls which extend radially relative to the rotating body 5.

[0066] Again as illustrated, each transport seat 6 comprises an extractor member 14 having a support surface 14a.

[0067] The extractor member 14 is slidably mounted in the hollow body 13 in such a way that the surface 14a forms a movable bottom wall of the transport seat 6 (so as to obtain a transport cell).

[0068] The extractor member 14 is configured to move along a radial direction relative to the rotating body 5 substantially perpendicular to the axis 5X of rotation, between a retracted position closer to the first axis 5X of rotation (see Figure 4) and a position farther from the first axis 5X of rotation in such a way as to eject the closed package from the transport seat 6.

[0069] It should be noted that the rotating body 5 is mounted in a cantilever fashion on a frame 5T.

[0070] The frame 5T lies in a vertical plane perpendicular to the first axis 5X of rotation.

[0071] In light of this, the extractor member 14 comprises a retaining device 15, preferably a vacuum suction system (see Figure 4 which shows a suction channel leading into at least one hole made on the extractor member 14 and connected to a source of generation of a negative pressure).

[0072] The retaining device 15 is configured to hold the cup-shaped container 2T inside the hollow body 13 whilst the transport seat 6 moves at least from the first to the third angular position.

[0073] The retaining device 15 is, preferably, active from the first to the fourth position for obtaining a stability of the cup-shaped container 2T during the entire path P.

[0074] As illustrated in Figure 4, the forming station 3 comprises a plunger 16, preferably provided with a vacuum suction system, acting in conjunction with a folding die 4 (with a tubular cross-section) in such a way as to form the folds inside it and insert the folded wrapping sheet 2 in the transport seat 6 with the wrapping sheet 2 folded to form the cup-shaped container 2T.

[0075] It should be noted that the plunger 16 is configured to be actuated with alternating movement along a substantially horizontal direction and perpendicular to the first axis 5X of rotation.

[0076] As illustrated in Figure 4, the feeding station 1 is configured for positioning the wrapping sheet 2 along a vertical plane perpendicular to the vertical plane wherein the circular processing path P is located, preferably, comprising an unwinder 27 (only partly illustrated) configured for supplying a continuous web 2N and a cutting element 17 configured for cutting the wrapping sheet 2 from the continuous web 2N.

[0077] After cutting the sheet 2, the sheet 2 is supported by a pair of retaining means 28 positioned on both sides of the sheet 2 so as to allow the plunger 16 to intercept the sheet 2 and insert it in the die 4.

[0078] As also shown in Figure 13, the rotating body 5 or drum is surrounded by a cylindrical surface through which the transport seat 6 protrudes radially.

[0079] In particular, the hollow body 13 and the extractor member 14 comprise two separate supports 13a and 14b with respective guide shafts which can be seen in Figure 14.

[0080] In light of this and as described in more detail below, the supports 13a and 14b are connected to a kinematic movement unit connected to respective cam follower rollers 37 and 38 engaged on cam tracks which will be described in more detail below.

[0081] The machine 100 also comprises a pressing station 19, located downstream of the closing station 9 (position at three o'clock with reference to the direction of rotation of the rotating element).

[0082] The pressing station 19 comprises a flattening element 20 (a piston) configured to press the pasty product inside the closed package (Figures 3 and 6).

[0083] In light of this, the pressing station 19 comprises abutting elements 21 positioned in such a way as to make contact with a support body 22 of the extractor member 14 (obtained on its support 14b) during the pressing of the pasty product by the flattening element 20.

[0084] The abutting elements 21 are positioned between the rotating body 5 and the support surface 14a of the extractor member 14.

[0085] Thanks to this feature, the forces can be discharged on a body outside the rotating element so as to allow a reduced dimensioning of the rotating element and with the advantage of keeping low the inertias present on the rotating element.

[0086] It should be noted that the dosing station 7 is positioned in such a way as to dose the pasty product when the transport seat 6 is on the highest point of the processing path.

[0087] In light of this, the hollow body 13 of the transport seat 6 is configured to be moved radially, together with the extractor member 14, when the transport seat 6 is in said second angular position during the dosing of the pasty product (see for example Figure 2) by the dosing station 7.

[0088] It should be noted that each dispensing nozzle 8 of the dosing station 7 is set up for dispensing the pasty product in the cup-shaped container 2T along a direction radial to the rotating body 5 and perpendicular to the first axis 5X of rotation.

[0089] In particular, the machine 100 comprises a cam system 18 configured to allow the coordinated radial movement both of the extractor member 14 and of the hollow body 13 of the transport seat 6 at least at the dosing station 7 for moving each cup-shaped container 2T relative to the respective dispensing nozzle 8, and / or to allow the radial movement of the extractor member 14 at the closing station 9 (see Figure 5).

[0090] In order to obtain the necessary radial movements of the hollow body 13 and of the extractor member 14 (as already mentioned), the hollow body 13 of the transport seat 6 is guided along a first cam track R1 positioned close to the rotating body 5 and the extractor member 14 is guided along a second cam track P2 positioned close to the rotating body 5.

[0091] As shown in Figures 13 to 16, the above-mentioned supports 13a and 14b of the hollow body 13 and the extractor member 4 have respective cam follower rollers 37 and 38 guided by the respective first and second cam tracks R1 and P2 in such a way as to define the cam system 18.

[0092] The first and second cam tracks P1 and P2 comprise a first sector 18a adjustable (radially) at the above-mentioned second angular position, in such a way as to be able to vary the stroke, respectively, of the hollow body 13 and of the extractor member 14 so that they move towards each other simultaneously with the dosing nozzle 8.

[0093] Moreover, the second cam track P2 comprises a second 18b and a third 18c sector adjustable (again radially) at, respectively, the third and fourth angular positions (closed position and receiving position), in such a way as to vary the stroke of only the extractor member 14. In other words, the three sectors 18a, 18b and 18c move with an adjustable stroke, in a substantially radial direction between a home position with the respective track sectors coinciding with the remaining part of the tracks P1 and P2 and an advanced operating position wherein the track sectors are both translated radially relative to the remaining part of the tracks P1 and P2 (with regard to the stretch 18a) and only the sector of the track P2 with regard to the sectors 18b and 18c.

[0094] The radial movement of the sectors 18a, 18b and 18c occurs at the passage of the cam follower rollers 37 and 38, and must always be correctly in their rest position during the passage of the rollers from the fixed track P1 and P2 to the respective mobile cam sector 18a, 18b, 18c.

[0095] As described, it is necessary that each of these radial movements can occur with an adjustable stroke between a fixed lower point and an upper point (variable).

[0096] This type of adjustment can preferably be performed with machine in operation.

[0097] In light of this, the first 18a, the second 18b and the third 18c sectors are moved and regulated by respective movement and adjustment means 24 and 26 acting on the respective sectors 18a, 18b and 18c.

[0098] Described and illustrated below in Figures 15 and 16 are one of the possible solutions for moving the cam sectors, but it may be done in other ways (described briefly below).

[0099] These means 24 and 26 are composed, for each sector 18a, 18b, 18c, of:

[0100] - a cam profile 41 rotating continuously about the first axis 5X (in this case the profile has a track with a three-lobed shape);

[0101] - a movement lever 42 having a cam follower roller 43 engaged in the track of the cam profile 41 in such a way that the lever 42 can oscillate (with fixed stroke) about a relative fixed axis 42X;

[0102] - a control lever 24 is articulated to the respective cam sector 18a, 18b, 18c and has a motion oscillating about a fixed axis 24X; the lever 24 is controlled in the relative oscillating motion by means of a double- quadrilateral kinematic unit 53 consisting of connecting rods 53a and 53b (the latter in turn articulated to the lever 42) and by a lever 44 oscillating about an axis 44X, the position of which can be adjusted along a guide 45 by means of a first servomotor 26a connected to a lead nut and screw system 25 (defining, in its entirety, the adjusting means 26).

[0103] Varying the position of the axis 44X varies the transmission ratio of the kinematic unit 43 and, consequently, varies the stroke of the control lever 24 with the same stroke as the lever 42.

[0104] It should be noted that the trajectory of variation of the axis 44X along the guide 45 is configured for modifying the stroke of the control lever 24 keeping constant the fixed lower point of the cam sector 18a, 18b and 18c to guarantee the continuity of the tracks P1 and P2 between the three mobile sectors 18a, 18b and 18c and the remaining part of the tracks P1 and P2.

[0105] As mentioned, the kinematic system 26 is controlled, in the case illustrated, by a servomotor 26a, 26b and 26c for moving the respective cam sector.

[0106] The adjustment units 26 have respective servomotors 26a, 26b and 26c with respective lead nut and screw units 25.

[0107] Figures 15 and 16 indicate:

[0108] - with reference numeral 26a the first servomotor configured for adjusting the raised position of the first sector 18a and therefore the hollow body 13 and the extractor member 14 in the second angular position of rotation for dosing the pasty product (in this case the relative movement between the extractor member and the hollow body is zero during the dosing);

[0109] - with reference numeral 26b the second servomotor configured for adjusting the raised position of the second cam sector 18b and therefore moving just the extractor member 14 to the closing station 9 to allow a part of the wrapping sheet 2 to come out from the hollow body 13 to allow the folding elements 10 to close the package; here, in effect, the second cam sector 18b has a stepped profile for maintaining, during the movement towards the pressing station, a same position of the extractor member 14 along the track P2 (in the first lowered position of the second cam sector 18b);

[0110] - with reference numeral 26c the third servomotor configured for adjusting the raised position of the third cam sector 18c and just the extractor member 14 at the receiving station 11 to allow the discharging of the package formed in the receiving member 12.

[0111] The unit described above is one of the possible solutions for moving / adju sting the three cam sectors, but it may be done in other ways, such as, for example:

[0112] - by directly applying on the control lever 24 a drive unit at the axis 24X, or

[0113] - using a system similar to that described above, that is, through the use of a mechanical cam but interposing a transmission which is adjustable manually to vary the stroke.

[0114] The above-mentioned receiving member 12 is positioned radially on a drum 23 of the discharge station 11 and is configured to rotate, when necessary, about an axis of rotation X12 positioned radially and in such a way as to rotate, preferably by 90°, the package after having received it from the rotating body 5.

[0115] In light of this, the receiving member 12 comprises a radial shaft 12a housed in the cylinder 23 and with the possibility of rotating about the relative axis X12.

[0116] The shaft 12a supports a receiving cell formed, for example, by four vertical wings 12b joined to a lower base associated with the shaft 12a.

[0117] It should be noted that the radial shaft 12a is provided with a unit for engaging / disengaging the connection of the shaft 12a with the axis of rotation of the cylinder 23 and that it can be activated, for example, by an external knob 12c, in such a way as to make the mode of rotation of the shaft 12a selective only if necessary for the type of package at that moment in production.

[0118] The receiving member 12, after receiving the package from the transport seat 6, are rotated (anticlockwise) by the cylinder 23 until reaching an unloading position on a conveyor belt 29, provided with respective cleats 30 for moving the package towards the outfeed of the machine 100.

[0119] It should be noted that the first, second and third angular positions of the rotating body 5 are spaced apart from each other along the circular processing path (P), in such a way that each position is distinct and separate from the others.

[0120] This invention also provides a method for forming packages containing pasty product.

[0121] The method comprises the steps of:

[0122] - supplying a wrapping sheet 2 to a forming station 3;

[0123] - forming a cup-shaped container 2T by forming folds on the wrapping sheet 2 in the forming station 3;

[0124] - providing a rotating body 5 configured to rotate with intermittent motion about a first axis 5X of rotation along a circular processing path P, and where the rotating body 5 comprises at least one transport seat 6;

[0125] - introducing the cup-shaped container 2T into the at least one transport seat 6 when the transport seat 6 is in a first angular position of the rotating body 5;

[0126] - dosing a pasty product inside the cup-shaped container 2T positioned in the transport seat 6 in a dosing station 7 wherein the dosing station 7 operates at least one dosing nozzle 8 when the conveying seat 6 is in a second angular position;

[0127] - closing the cup-shaped container 2T supplied with the pasty product in a closing station 9 to form a closed package; wherein the closing station 9 operates in a third angular position of the rotating body 5; and

[0128] - receiving the closed package ejected from the transport seat 6 in a discharge station 11 in a fourth angular position of the rotating body 5, According to the method, the first axis 5X of rotation is oriented horizontally, and the circular processing path P is on a substantially vertical plane. Each transport seat 6 comprises a hollow body 13 having side walls which extend radially relative to the rotating body 5.

[0129] Each transport seat 6 also comprises an extractor member 14 having a support surface 14a, which is slidably mounted in the hollow body 13 in such a way that the support surface 14a forms a movable bottom wall of the transport seat 6, and where the extractor member 14 is movable along a radial direction relative to the rotating body 5 and substantially perpendicular to the first axis 5X of rotation, between a retracted position closer to the first axis 5X of rotation and a position farther from the first axis 5X of rotation to eject the closed package from the transport seat 6.

[0130] It should be noted that in the forming station 3 the wrapping sheet 2 is positioned perpendicular to the vertical plane belonging to the circular processing path P, and the wrapping sheet 2 is pushed in the die 4 to form the folds on the wrapping sheet 2.

[0131] According to the method, the cup-shaped container 2T (formed in the forming station 4) is introduced inside the transport seat 6 by a movement along a direction substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the first axis 5X of rotation.

[0132] Moreover, according to the method, the cup-shaped container 2T is held inside the hollow body 13 of the transport seat 6 by a retaining device 15 (preferably a vacuum suction system) associated with the extractor member 14, and where the retaining of the cup-shaped container 2T is performed when the transport seat 6 moves at least from the first to the third angular position. The method also comprises, after the step of closing the cup-shaped container 2T, a step of pressing the pasty product inside the closed package.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Machine for forming packages containing pasty product, said machine (100) comprising:- a feeding station (1 ) configured to supply a wrapping sheet (2);- a forming station (3) configured to form folds in the wrapping sheet (2) received from the feeding station (1 ) to define a cup-shaped container (2T);- a rotating body (5) configured to rotate with intermittent motion about a first axis (5X) of rotation along a circular processing path (P), the rotating body (5) comprising at least one transport seat (6) dimensioned to receive the cup-shaped container (2T) , wherein the forming station (3) operates when the transport seat (6) is in a first angular position of the rotating body (5);- a dosing station (7) configured to dispense a pasty product into the cupshaped container (2T) positioned in the transport seat (6), the dosing station (7) comprising at least one dispensing nozzle (8) arranged to operate when the transport seat (6) is in a second angular position of the rotating body (5);- a closing station (9) configured to close the cup-shaped container (2T) filled with the pasty product to define a closed package, said closing station (9) operating when the transport seat (6) is in a third angular position of the rotating body (5); and- a discharge station (11 ) configured to receive the closed package ejected from the transport seat (6), said discharge station (11 ) operating when the transport seat (6) is in a fourth angular position of the rotating body (5), said apparatus (100) being characterised in that the first axis (5X) of rotation of the rotating body (5) is oriented substantially horizontally, and the circular processing path (P) lies in a substantially vertical plane, each transport seat (6) comprises a hollow body (13) having side wallsextending radially relative to said rotating body (5), each transport seat (6) further comprises an extractor member (14) having a support surface (14a), the extractor member (14) being slidingly mounted within the hollow body (13) such that the support surface (14a) defines a movable bottom wall of the transport seat (6), and in that the extractor member (14) is configured to move along a radial direction relative to the rotating body (5) and substantially perpendicular to the first axis (5X) of rotation, between a retracted position, closer to the first axis (5X) of rotation, and an extended position, farther from the first axis (5X) of rotation, so as to eject the closed package from the transport seat (6).

2. Machine according to claim 1 , wherein said extractor member (14) comprises a retaining arrangement (15), preferably a vacuum suction system, configured to retain the cup-shaped container (2T)within the hollow body (13) of the transport seat (6) at least while the transport seat (6) moves from the first to the third angular position.

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said forming station (3) comprises a plunger (16), preferably provided with a vacuum suction system, cooperating with a folding die (4) and movable to push the wrapping sheet (2) through the folding die (4) so as to form the folds therein and to insert the folded wrapping sheet (2) into the transport seat (6).

4. Machine according to claim 3, wherein said plunger (16) is configured to be actuated with reciprocating movement along a substantially horizontal direction and perpendicular to said first axis (5X) of rotation.

5. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said rotating body (5) is encircled by a cylindrical surface through which said at least one transport seat (6) protrude radially.

6. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said hollow body (13) of said transport seat (6) is configured to be radially displaceable by the same magnitude as the extractor member (14), when said transport seat (6) is in said second angular position and the dosing station (7) operates.

7. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said feeding station (1 ) is configured to position said wrapping sheet (2) along a vertical plane perpendicular to the vertical plane where the circular processing path (P) lies, said feeding station (1 ) preferably comprising an unwinding roller configured to feed a continuous web (2N) and a cutting member (17) configured to cut the wrapping sheet (2) from the continuous web (2N).

8. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a cam system (18) configured to allow coordinated radial displacement of both the extractor member (14) and the hollow body (13) of the transport seat (6) at the dosing station (7) to move each cup-shaped container (2T) relative to the respective dispensing nozzle (8), and / or to allow radial displacement of the extractor member (14) at the closing station (9).

9. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pressing station (19) arranged downstream of the closing station (9) and comprising a pressing member (20) configured to press the pasty product within the closed package.

10. Machine according to claim 9, wherein said pressing station (19) comprises abutting elements (21 ) arranged to be engaged by a support body (22) integral with the extractor member (14) during the pressing of the pasty product by the pressing member (20), said abutting elements (21 ) being positioned between the rotating body (5) and the supportsurface (14a) of the extractor member (14).

11. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said discharge station (11 ) comprises at least one receiving member (12), each receiving member (12) being radially arranged on a drum (23) of said discharge station (11 ), and is configured to rotate about a respective axis (X12) of rotation radially arranged relative to the drum (23), so as to rotate, preferably by 90°, the closed package after receiving it from the rotating body (5).

12. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said hollow body (13) of said transport seat (6) is guided along a first cam track (P1), and the said extractor member (14) is guided along a second cam track (P2), the first (P1 ) and second (P2) cam tracks comprising a first sector (18a) adjustable in correspondence to said second angular position, to adjust displacement between said hollow body (13) and said extractor member (14), and wherein the second cam track (P2) comprises a second (18b) and a third (18c) sectors adjustable in correspondence to said third and fourth angular position respectively, to adjust the displacement of said extractor member (14).

13. Machine according to claim 12, wherein said first (18a), second (18b) and third (18c) sectors are adjusted by means of respective actuating members (24, 26).

14. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each dispensing nozzle (8) of said dosing station (7) is arranged to dispense the pasty product into the cup-shaped container (2T) along a radial direction with respect to the rotating body (5) and perpendicular to the first axis (5X) of rotation.

15. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotating body (5) is mounted cantilevered from a frame (5T), said frame (5T) lying in a vertical plane perpendicular to the first axis (5X) of rotation.

16. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first, second, and third angular positions of the rotating body (5) are spaced apart from each other along the circular processing path (P) such that each position is distinct and separate from the others.

17. A method for forming packages containing pasty product, said method comprising the steps of:- supplying a wrapping sheet (2) to a forming station (3);- forming a cup-shaped container (2T) by forming folds in the wrapping sheet (2) at the forming station;- providing a rotating body (5) configured to rotate with intermittent motion about a first axis (5X) of rotation along a circular processing path (P), said rotating body (5) comprising at least one transport seat (6);- introducing the cup-shaped container (2T) into the at least one transport seat (6) when the transport seat (6) is in a first angular position of the rotating body (5);- dispensing a pasty product into said cup-shaped container (2T) positioned in said transport seat (6) at a dosing station (7), said dosing station (7) operating at least one dispensing nozzle (8) when the transport seat (6) is in a second angular position of the rotating body (5);- closing said cup-shaped container (2T) filled with the pasty product in a closing station to form a closed package,, said closing station (9) operating when the transport seat (6) is in a third angular position of the rotating body (5); and- receiving the closed package ejected from the transport seat (6) at a discharge station (11 ), said discharge station (11 ) operating when the transport seat (6) is in a fourth angular position of the rotating body (5),said method being characterised in that the first axis (5X) of rotation is oriented substantially horizontally, and the circular processing path (P) lies in a substantially vertical plane, each transport seat (6) comprises a hollow body (13) having side walls extending radially relative to the rotating body (5), each transport seat (6) further comprises an extractor member (14) having a support surface (14a), the extractor member (14) being slidingly mounted within the hollow body (13) such that the support surface (14a)defines a movable bottom wall of the transport seat (6), and in that the extractor member (14) is movable along a radial direction relative to the rotating body (5) and substantially perpendicular to the first axis (5X) of rotation, between a retracted position, closer to the first axis (5X) of rotation, and an extended position, farther from the first axis (5X) of rotation, to eject the closed package from the transport seat (6).

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein at the forming station (3), said wrapping sheet (2) is positioned along a vertical plane perpendicular to the vertical plane in which the circular processing path (P) lies, and wherein said wrapping sheet (2) is pushed into a die (4) to form the folds in the wrapping sheet (2).

19. Method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said cup-shaped container (2T) is introduced into the transport seat (6) by movement along a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to said first axis (5X) of rotation.

20. Method according to any of claims 17 - 19, wherein said cup-shaped container (2T) is retained within the hollow body (13) of said transport seat (6) by a retaining arrangement (15) associated with said extractor member (14), the retaining arrangement preferably comprising a vacuum suction system, wherein retention occurs at least while said transport seat (6)moves from the first to the third angular position.21 . Method according to any of claims 17 - 20, further comprising, after the step of closing said cup-shaped container (2T), a step of pressing the pasty product within the closed package.

Images