Machine for making packages for dispensing a single dose of product and related method

Abstract

Described is a machine for making packages for dispensing a dose of product comprising a line (3) for feeding a first web (4) of rigid or semi-rigid material through a plurality of work stations (6, 16, 20, 21, 22) including a shaping station (6) at which there is a mould (7) and a punch (8) operating in conjunction with the mould (7) for making a blank (9) from the first web (4) having a cavity (10), a station (20) for feeding a dose of product in the cavity (10) of the blank (9) of the first web (4), a station (21) for joining a second flexible web (24) to the first web (4) for sealing the cavity (10) defining a succession of packages (2) and a station (22) for cutting the succession of packages (2) into individual units; a station (16) for scoring the first web (4) wherein there are cutting means (17) configured for cutting the blank (9) of the first web (4); with reference to the feed direction of the first web (4), the scoring station (16) is interposed between the shaping station (6) and the feeding station (20).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] MACHINE FOR MAKING PACKAGES FOR DISPENSING A SINGLE DOSE OF PRODUCT AND RELATED METHOD Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a machine for making packages for dispensing a single dose of product and related method.

[0004] The type of product has no limitation in terms of its shape, meaning for example granular, or liquid without any limitation in terms of degree of density, and in terms of the type of product, meaning for example food, pharmaceutical, non-food.

[0005] This dispenser package falls within the type of packages which can be opened with a single hand.

[0006] Typically, the thumb and forefinger of the hand grip opposite sides of the package to induce a relative "V" fold.

[0007] This folding induces the breakage of one or more pre-notches made along the folding zone so that they yield, breaking, to allow the product to escape.

[0008] Background art

[0009] Dispenser packages are known in the prior art type consisting of a support shaped in such a way as to form a pocket for containing a granular or liquid product, coupled to a flexible sheet of heat-sealable material which encloses the product in a compartment.

[0010] The shaped support is made of rigid or semi-rigid material, consequently if the pre-notch is provided on this support its breakage might not occur even following the folding of the package, since the breakage of the prenotch takes place by overcoming the strength of the rigid or semi-rigid material of the shaped support.

[0011] In addition, in order to guarantee a positive opening experience to the consumer, it is required that the package be opened in a single stroke, at the first folding of the package, without having to repeat the gesture.Aim of the invention

[0012] In order to meet these requirements, the Applicant has developed a machine for making packages for dispensing a dose of product and related method as set out in the respective independent claims.

[0013] Advantageously, the cutting of the first web of rigid material after shaping of the same guarantees the opening of the package in a single gesture, as the cut material is no longer subjected to mechanical deformations that may compromise the maintaining of the characteristics of the cut.

[0014] Brief description of the drawings

[0015] Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting, embodiment of a machine for making packages for dispensing a dose of product and related method as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] - Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a package of a machine for making packages for dispensing a dose of product according to the present invention;

[0017] - Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a mould of the machine of Figure 1 ;

[0018] - Figure 3 shows a schematic cross section of the detail of Figure 2; - Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a punch which operates in conjunction with the mould of Figure 2;

[0019] - Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a variant of the mould of the machine of Figure 1 ;

[0020] - Figure 6 shows a schematic cross section of the variant of Figure 4; - Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a punch which operates in conjunction with the mould of Figure 6;

[0021] - Figure 8 shows a scaled-up schematic perspective view of a detail of the machine of Figure 1.

[0022] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the inventionThe numeral 1 denotes a machine for making packages 2 for dispensing a dose of product.

[0023] The machine 1 comprises a line 3 for feeding a first web 4 of rigid or semirigid material through a plurality of work stations (6, 16, 20, 21, 22).

[0024] The machine 1 comprises a feeder 5 of the first web 4 to the feed line 3. The feeder 5 comprises a reel 5a for unwinding the first web 4 and a plurality of rollers 5b for driving and / or tensioning the first web 4.

[0025] Along the feed line 3, a shaping station 6 is positioned at which there is a mould 7 and a punch 8 operating in conjunction with the mould 7 for making a shaping of the first web 4.

[0026] At the inlet of the shaping station 6, the first web 4 is a flat web as unwound from the feeder 5, at the outlet of the shaping station 6 the first web 4 has a succession of blanks 9.

[0027] According to the present invention, the mould 7 has a cavity 10, shaped to match the shape of the blank 9 to be made on the first web 4, and a perimeter edge 13 of the cavity 10.

[0028] The shape of the blank 9 can be, for example, rectangular, hourglass, polygonal and other.

[0029] The punch 8 is shaped to match the cavity 10 to guide the first web 4 into the cavity 10 so that it deforms acquiring the shape of the cavity itself. The cavity 10 has a bottom surface 11 defining a depth “P1”.

[0030] The bottom surface 11 is intended to define an abutment surface of the first web 4.

[0031] The cavity 10 has a plurality of lateral surfaces 12 connecting the bottom surface 11 with the perimeter edge 13.

[0032] The lateral surfaces 12 are inclined at an angle of between 40° and 90°, in particular 70°.

[0033] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the cavity 10 comprises a channel 14 having a respective bottom surface 15 defining a depth “P2” which is greater than the depth “P1” defined by the bottom surface 11 of the remaining part of the cavity 10.The channel 14 is positioned in the centre line of the cavity 10 of the mould 7.

[0034] The cavity 10 has a main longitudinal extension and the channel 14 extends mainly along the longitudinal extension of the cavity 10.

[0035] The bottom surface 15 of the channel 14 has a rectangular shape.

[0036] The channel 14 has a plurality of lateral surfaces 29 connecting the bottom surface 15 of the channel 14 to the bottom surface 11 of the remaining part of the cavity 10.

[0037] The lateral surfaces 29 are inclined at an angle of between 10° and 60°, in particular 45°.

[0038] According to this variant embodiment, the punch 8 has a base portion 27 and a crest 28, which protrudes from the base portion 27.

[0039] As mentioned, the punch 8 is shaped to match the mould 7, consequently the base portion 27 induces the first web 4 to make contact with the bottom surface 11 of the cavity 10 defining the depth "P1" and the crest 28 to make contact with the bottom surface 15 of the channel 14 defining the depth "P2".

[0040] According to a variant embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the bottom surface 11 of the cavity 10 is positioned at the same depth "P1" for its entire extension.

[0041] According to this embodiment, the punch 8 has a single base portion 27 that induces the first web 4 to make contact with the bottom surface 11 of the cavity 10 defining the depth "P1".

[0042] As mentioned, the punch 8 is shaped to match the mould 7, consequently the base portion 27 induces the first web 4 to make contact with the bottom surface 11 of the cavity 10 defining the depth "P1" and the crest 28 to make contact with the bottom surface 15 of the channel 14 defining the depth "P2".

[0043] Downstream of the shaping station 6, the feed line 3 has a scoring station 16 for cutting the first web 4 wherein there are cutting means 17 configured for cutting the blank 9 of the first web 4 at the cavity 10.The cutting means 17 make a surface cut, not passing through, of the first web 4.

[0044] The cutting means 17 are configured to act at the centre line of the blank 9 of the first web 4 at the cavity 10.

[0045] The cutting means 17 comprise a blade 18, movable according to a vertical direction, and an anvil 19, fixed with respect to the blade 18.

[0046] The first web 4 having the succession of blanks 9 through the gap between the blade 18 and the anvil 19.

[0047] Whenever a blank 9 is positioned below the blade 18, it acts on the first web 4 to cut it in the centre line of the blank 9 at the cavity 10.

[0048] The blade 18 disengages the first web 4 once cut to allow the feeding. The cutting means 17 pass from a non-operating position to an operating position each time the centre line of the cavity 10 of the blank 9 is positioned below the blade 18.

[0049] The cutting means 17 pass from the operating position to the nonoperating position once the cut has been made by the blade 18.

[0050] Downstream of the scoring station 16, with reference to the feed direction of the first web 4, the feed line 3 has a station 20 for feeding a dose of product into the cavity 10 of the blank 9 of the first web 4.

[0051] The product can be granular, powdered, liquid or semi-liquid, without limits in its consistency.

[0052] With reference to the feed direction of the first web 4, the scoring station 16 is interposed between the shaping station 6 and the feeding station 20. The machine 1 comprises a feeder 26 of a second flexible web 24 to the feed line 3.

[0053] The feeder 26 comprises a reel 26a for unwinding the second web 24 and a plurality of rollers 26b for driving and / or tensioning the second web 24. Downstream of the scoring station 16, with reference to the feed direction of the first web 4, the feed line 3 presents a station 21 for joining the second flexible web 24 to the first web 4 made of rigid or semi-rigid material to seal the cavity 10, housing the dose of product.The joining station 21 comprises hot sealing means, such as for example heat sealers, or cold sealing means, such as for example ultrasound devices.

[0054] A succession of packages 2 feeds out of the joining station 21.

[0055] In a cutting station 22, positioned downstream of the joining station 21 with reference to the feed direction of the first web 4, the succession of packages 2 is separated into individual units.

[0056] At the cutting station 22, cutting means 23 act along the junction between the first web 4 and the second web 24.

[0057] It should be noted that the machine 1 comprises means 25 for feeding the first web 4 with an intermittent motion.

[0058] The first web 4 thus feeds into the machine 1 with a predefined spacing. At each stop, at each workstation (6, 16, 20, 21, 22), the corresponding means carry out the relative processing.

[0059] The present invention also relates to a method for making packages 2 for dispensing a dose of product comprising a step of feeding a first web 4 of rigid or semi-rigid material and during this step carrying out the steps of:

[0060] - shaping the first web 4 to make a succession of blanks 9 each having a respective cavity 10;

[0061] - feeding a dose of product in a respective cavity 10;

[0062] - joining a second flexible web 24 to the first web 4 made of rigid or semi-rigid material for sealing the dose of product in the respective cavity 10 defining a succession of packages 2;

[0063] - separating each package 2 from the succession of packages 2. The method comprises a step of cutting each blank 9 of the first web 4, after the step of shaping the first web 4 and before feeding the dose of product into the cavity 10 of the blank 9.

[0064] The step of cutting the first web 4 is performed in the centre line of the cavity 10.

[0065] The step of feeding the first web 4 occurs with intermittent motion.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A machine for making packages for dispensing a dose of product comprising a line (3) for feeding a first web (4) of rigid or semi-rigid material through a plurality of work stations (6, 16, 20, 21, 22) including a shaping station (6) at which there is a mould (7) and a punch (8) operating in conjunction with the mould (7) for making a blank (9) from the first web (4) having a cavity (10) provided with a perimeter edge (13); a station (20) for feeding a dose of product in the cavity (10) of the blank (9) of the first web (4), a station (21) for joining a second flexible web (24) to the first web (4) to seal the cavity (10) defining a succession of packages (2) and a station (22) for cutting the succession of packages (2) into individual units; characterised in that it comprises a scoring station (16) for cutting the first web (4) wherein there are cutting means (17) configured for making a surface cut, not passing through, of the first web (4) at the cavity (10) of the blank (9);with reference to the feed direction of the first web (4), the scoring station (16) is interposed between the shaping station (6) and the feeding station (20).

2. The machine according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the cutting means (17) are configured for acting at the centre line of the blank (9) of the first web (4) at the cavity (10).

3. The machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mould (7) has a cavity (10) shaped to match the shape to be made on the first web (4) and the punch (8) is shaped to match the cavity (10); the cavity (10) has a bottom surface (11) defining a depth (P1).

4. The machine according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the cavity (10) has a plurality of lateral surfaces (12) connecting the bottom surface (11) with the perimeter edge (13); the lateral surfaces (12) areinclined at an angle of between 40° and 90°, in particular 70°.

5. The machine according to the preceding claim, characterised in that for the entire extension of the cavity (10) the bottom surface (11 ) is positioned at the same depth (P1 ).

6. The machine according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the cavity (10) comprises a channel (14) having a respective bottom surface (15) defining a depth (P2) which is greater than the depth defined by the bottom surface (11) of the remaining part of the cavity (10); the channel (14) is positioned in the centre line of the cavity (10) of the mould (7).

7. The machine according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the cavity (10) has a main longitudinal extension and the channel (14) extends mainly along the longitudinal extension of the cavity (10).

8. The machine according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the bottom surface (15) of the channel (14) has a rectangular shape.

9. The machine according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the channel (14) has a plurality of lateral surfaces (29) connecting the bottom surface (15) of the channel (14) to the bottom surface (11) of the remaining part of the cavity (10).

10. The machine according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the lateral surfaces (29) of the channel (14) are inclined at an angle of between 10° and 60°, in particular 45°.

11. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises means (25) for feeding the first web (4) with intermittent motion.

12. A method for making packages for dispensing a dose of product comprising a step of feeding a first web (4) of rigid or semi-rigid material and during this step carrying out the steps of:- shaping the first web (4) to make a succession of blanks (9) each having a respective cavity (10);- feeding a dose of product in a respective cavity (10);- joining a second flexible web (24) to the first web (4) and sealing the dose of product in the respective cavity (10) defining a succession of packages;- separating each package (2) from the succession; characterised in that it comprises a step of cutting the first web (4) at the cavity (10) of a blank (9), after the step of shaping the first web (4) and before feeding the dose of product in the cavity (10);the step of cutting the first web (4) comprises making a surface cut, not passing through, of the first web (4) at the cavity (10) of a blank (9).

13. The method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the step of cutting the first web (4) is performed in the centre line of the cavity (10).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the step of feeding the first web (4) occurs with intermittent motion.

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