TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging machine for producing sealed packages
of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature
treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging
material.
[0003] A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food
products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing
and folding laminated strip packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer
structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper, covered on both sides with layers
of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages
for long-storage products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises
a layer of oxygen-barrier material (an oxygen-barrier layer), e.g. an aluminum foil,
which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered
with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package
eventually contacting the food product.
[0004] Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging machines.
[0005] There are known packaging machines, which advance a web of packaging material through
a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material at a sterilization
station and into an isolation chamber in which the sterilized web of packaging material
is maintained and advanced. During advancement of the web of packaging material within
the isolation chamber, the web of packaging material is folded and sealed longitudinally
at a tube forming station to form a tube having a longitudinal seam portion, the tube
being further fed along an advancing (vertical) direction.
[0006] In order to complete the forming operations, the tube is filled with a pourable product,
in particular a pourable food product, and is transversally sealed and subsequently
cut along equally spaced transversal cross sections within a package forming unit
of the packaging machine during advancement along the advancing direction.
[0007] Pillow packages are so obtained within the packaging machine, each pillow package
having a longitudinal sealing band, a top transversal sealing band and a bottom transversal
sealing band.
[0008] These pillow packages define sealed semi-finalized packs having a central main portion
and a plurality of flaps protruding from the central main portion. In order to obtain
the finalized packages, the pillow packages are further formed, and the flaps are
folded and sealed onto the central main portion.
[0009] A typical packaging machine of this type comprises:
- a conveying device for advancing the web of packaging material along a web advancement
path and the tube formed from the web of packaging material along a tube advancement
path;
- a sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material prior to its
formation into the tube;
- a tube forming and sealing device at least partially arranged within a first isolation
chamber and being configured to form the tube from the advancing web of packaging
material and to longitudinally seal the tube;
- a filling device for filling the tube with the pourable product;
- a package forming unit being at least partially arranged within a second isolation
chamber and being adapted to form, to transversally seal and to transversally cut
the tube of packaging material for obtaining the pillow packages; and
- a final folding unit arranged within the second isolation chamber and configured to
treat and/or manipulate the pillow packages for obtaining the finalized packages.
[0010] The known packaging machines function satisfying well, however, a desire is felt
to further improve the known packaging machines. In particular, the desire is felt
to further improve the cleanliness and sterility and/or to facilitate the cleaning
and/or sterilization of these packaging machines.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved packaging
machine, in particular coming along with improved cleanliness and sterility and/or
with a facilitated cleaning and/or sterilization capability.
[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided a packaging machine according
to the independent claim.
[0013] Preferred embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a packaging machine according to the present invention,
with parts removed for clarity; and
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the transformation of a semi-finalized pack
into a finalized package, with parts removed for clarity.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0015] Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing sealed packages 2
of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product such as pasteurized milk,
fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, etc.
[0016] Preferentially but not necessarily, packages 2 are produced from a tube 3 of a web
4 of packaging material.
[0017] Web 4 of packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown), and comprises
at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and
at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing
the layer of fibrous material in between one another. One of these two layers of heat-seal
plastic material defines the inner face of package 2 eventually contacting the pourable
product.
[0018] Preferably but not necessarily, web 4 also comprises a layer of gas- and light-barrier
material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular
being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the
layer of fibrous material. Preferentially but not necessarily, web 4 also comprises
a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of
gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.
[0019] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, web 4 comprises a first face and
a second face, in particular the first face being the face of web 4 forming the inner
face of the formed package 2 eventually contacting the filled pourable food product.
[0020] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, a typical package 2 extends along
a longitudinal axis A and has a longitudinal seam portion 5 (extending along axis
A and only partially shown) and a pair of transversal sealing bands 6, in particular
a transversal top sealing band and a transversal bottom sealing band. In particular,
package 2 has a substantially parallelepiped structure.
[0021] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, each package 2 comprises at least
two transversal walls 7 (being transversal to longitudinal axis A) and being disposed
at opposite sides of package 2 and a plurality of lateral walls 8 extending between
transversal walls 7. In particular, one transversal wall 7 defines a bottom wall and
the other transversal wall 7 defines a top wall of the respective package 2. Even
more particular, the bottom wall has a support surface adapted to be placed on a (horizontal)
plane, such as e.g. a shelf within a distribution point, and the top wall is opposed
to the bottom wall.
[0022] With particular reference to Figure 1, packaging machine 1 is configured to produce
sealed semi-finalized packs 9, such as e.g. pillow packs, being filled with the pourable
product and to further treat and/or manipulate and/or form packs 9 for obtaining packages
2. In use, at first packs 9 are produced, followed by the formation of packages 2
from packs 9.
[0023] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, each pack 9 comprises at least
a central main portion 10 and a plurality of flaps 11 protruding from central main
portion 10.
[0024] Preferentially but not necessarily, each pack 9 extends along a longitudinal axis
B and comprises a longitudinal sealing band 12 (extending along axis B) and two transversal
sealing bands 13 disposed at opposite end portions 14 of pack 9.
[0025] In particular, each longitudinal sealing band 12 and the respective transversal sealing
bands 13 define respectively the corresponding longitudinal seam portion 5 and the
corresponding transversal sealing bands 6 of the respective package 2 (obtained from
the respective pack 9).
[0026] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, end portions 14 of each pack 9
taper from the respective central main portion 10 to the respective transversal sealing
band 13.
[0027] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, each end portion 14 carries at
least two flaps 11, in particular at opposite lateral edges thereof.
[0028] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, packaging machine 1 is configured
to manipulate and/or form and/or process packs 9 such that flaps 11 are folded and
sealed onto at least one of lateral walls 8 and/or onto one of transversal walls 7
of the respective package 2. According to the non-limiting embodiment shown, two flaps
11 are sealed onto two corresponding lateral walls 8 and two flaps 11 are sealed onto
one transversal wall 7 of the respective package 2 (see e.g. Figure 2).
[0029] With particular reference to Figure 1, packaging machine 1 comprises at least:
- an isolation housing 18;
- a formation apparatus 19 at least partially arranged within isolation housing 18 and
being configured to form and/or obtain packs 9 of the pourable product;
- an outlet conveying unit 20 configured to receive packs 9 within isolation housing
18 and to advance packs 9 out of isolation housing 18 and to a transfer station 21;
and
- a final folding unit 22 arranged at transfer station 21 and configured to receive
packs 9 from outlet conveying unit 20 and to treat and/or manipulate packs 9 such
to obtain packages 2.
[0030] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, packaging machine 1 also comprises
a conveying device 24 configured to advance web 4 along a web advancement path P at
least to a tube forming station 23 at which web 4 is formed, in use, into tube 3 and
for advancing tube 3 along a tube advancement path Q.
[0031] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, isolation housing 18 comprises
at least a first isolation chamber 25 having a first inner environment 26 and a second
isolation chamber 27 having a second inner environment 28.
[0032] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, second isolation chamber 27 and
second inner environment 28 are arranged downstream of respectively first isolation
chamber 25 and first inner environment 26 along tube advancement path Q. In particular,
in use, tube 3 passes from first inner environment 26 into second inner environment
28.
[0033] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, packaging machine 1 further comprises
a safety chamber 29 distinct from isolation housing 18, in particular from first isolation
chamber 25 and second isolation chamber 27, and housing at least a portion of final
folding unit 22 such that final folding unit 22 treats and/or manipulates, in use,
packs 9 within safety chamber 29 for obtaining packages 2.
[0034] Preferentially but not necessarily, safety chamber 29 is transversally spaced apart
from isolation housing 18, in particular from second isolation chamber 27.
[0035] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, safety chamber 29 is detached from
isolation housing 18, in particular from first isolation chamber 25 and second isolation
chamber 27; i.e. there is no direct mechanical contact between safety chamber 29 and
isolation housing 18.
[0036] According to an alternative non-limiting embodiment, safety chamber 29 is in contact
with at least second isolation chamber 27.
[0037] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, packaging machine 1 further comprises
a connecting channel 30 interposed between isolation housing 18, in particular second
isolation chamber 27, and safety chamber 29.
[0038] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, connecting channel 30 houses at
least an (intermediate) portion of outlet conveying unit 20 for advancing, in use,
packs 9 between isolation housing 18, in particular second isolation chamber 27, and
safety chamber 29 within connecting channel 30.
[0039] In particular, connecting channel 30 encloses an advancement space 31 within which
packs 9 advance, in use, between isolation housing 18, in particular second isolation
chamber 27, and final folding unit 22 and/or safety chamber 29.
[0040] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, formation apparatus 19 is configured
to form web 4 into tube 3 and to longitudinally seal tube 3, to fill tube 3 with the
pourable product and to form, transversally seal and, in particular to also transversally
cut tube 3, for obtaining and/or producing packs 9.
[0041] With particular reference to Figure 1, formation apparatus 19 comprises at least:
- a tube forming and sealing device 32 at least partially arranged within first isolation
chamber 25 and being configured to form and longitudinally seal tube 3 at tube forming
station 23, in particular within at least a portion of first isolation chamber 25,
even more particular within first inner environment 26;
- a filling device 33 for filling tube 3 with the pourable product; and
- a package forming unit 34 at least partially arranged within second isolation chamber
27 and/or second inner environment 28 and being adapted to (configured to) at least
form and transversally seal tube 3, preferentially to also transversally cut tube
3, in particular during advancement of tube 3 along tube advancement path Q, within
second inner environment 28 for obtaining and/or producing packs 2.
[0042] In particular, package forming unit 34 is arranged downstream of first isolation
chamber 25 and tube forming and sealing device 32 along path Q.
[0043] In particular, tube 3 extends along a longitudinal axis, in particular having a vertical
orientation.
[0044] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, packaging machine 1 further comprises
a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing at least a portion of web 4 at a sterilization
station arranged upstream of tube forming station 23 along web advancement path P.
[0045] Preferentially but not necessarily, the sterilization apparatus is configured to
sterilize web 4 by means of physical sterilization such as a sterilization irradiation,
in particular an electromagnetic irradiation, even more particular electron beam irradiation.
[0046] Alternatively, or in addition, the sterilization apparatus could be configured to
sterilize web 4 by means of chemical sterilization, in particular by means of hydrogen
peroxide.
[0047] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, packaging machine 1 also comprises
a magazine unit adapted to host and to provide for web 4 at a host station. In particular,
conveying device 24 is configured to advance web 4 from the host station to tube forming
station 23 and, in particular through the sterilization station.
[0048] Preferentially but not necessarily, conveying device 24 is adapted to advance tube
3 and any intermediate of tube 3 in a manner known as such along path Q, in particular
from tube forming station 23 through first inner environment 26 and towards and at
least partially through second inner environment 28. In particular, with intermediates
of tube 3 any configuration of web 4 is meant prior to obtaining the tube structure
and after folding of web 4 by tube forming and sealing device 32 has started. In other
words, the intermediates of tube 3 are a result of the gradual folding of web 4 so
as to obtain tube 3, in particular by overlapping opposite lateral edges of web 4
with one another.
[0049] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, first isolation chamber 25 separates
first inner environment 26 from an outer environment, in particular for allowing to
form and to fill tube 3 within a controlled atmosphere. In particular, first inner
environment 26 contains a sterile gas.
[0050] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, packaging machine 1 also comprises
an atmosphere control unit configured to control a gas atmosphere within at least
a portion of isolation housing 18, in particular first isolation chamber 25.
[0051] Preferentially but not necessarily, the atmosphere control unit is configured to
control a positive pressure within inner environment 24 being larger than the ambient
pressure, and in particular to also introduce a sterile gas into at least inner environment
24.
[0052] With particular reference to Figure 1, filling device 33 comprises at least a filling
pipe 35 being in fluid connection or being controllable to be in fluid connection
with a pourable product storage tank (not shown and known as such) and partially extending
within first isolation chamber 25, in particular first inner environment 26. In particular,
in use, filling pipe 35 is partially placed within tube 3 for feeding the pourable
product into the, in use, advancing tube 3.
[0053] With particular reference to Figure 1, tube forming and sealing device 32 comprises
at least a tube forming assembly configured to form tube 3 from web 4, in particular
by overlapping the respective lateral edges of web 4, and at least a sealing head
37 configured to longitudinally seal tube 3, in particular along the portion of tube
3 obtained by the overlapping of the lateral edges of web 4.
[0054] Preferentially but not necessarily, the tube forming assembly and sealing head 37
are arranged within first isolation chamber 25, in particular within first inner environment
26.
[0055] Preferentially but not necessarily, the tube forming assembly comprises at least
a plurality of forming ring assemblies 38, in the particular example shown two, being
adapted to fold web 4 gradually into tube 3. In particular, forming ring assemblies
38 are arranged within parallel and spaced apart planes, in particular being orthogonal
to a longitudinal axis of first isolation chamber 25, even more specifically having
a substantially horizontal orientation.
[0056] Preferentially but not necessarily, tube forming and sealing device 32 also comprises
a pressuring assembly configured to exert a mechanical force on tube 3, in particular
for promoting the longitudinal sealing of tube 3. In particular, the pressuring assembly
is associated to the forming ring assembly 38 being arranged downstream of the other
forming ring assembly 38 along web advancement path P and/or tube advancement path
Q.
[0057] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, package forming unit 34 comprises
a plurality of pairs of at least one respective operative assembly (not shown and
known as such) and at least one counter-operative assembly (not shown and known as
such); and
- a conveying unit (not shown and known as such) adapted to advance the operative assemblies
and the respective counter-operative assemblies along respective conveying paths.
[0058] Preferentially but not necessarily, each operative assembly is adapted to cooperate,
in use, with the respective counter-operative assembly of the respective pair for
forming, transversally sealing and transversally cutting tube 3 for obtaining one
respective pack 9, in particular when, in use, advancing along a respective operative
portion of the respective conveying path.
[0059] Preferentially but not necessarily, each operative assembly and each counter-operative
assembly comprises:
- a half-shell adapted to contact tube 3 and to at least partially define the shape
of packs 9 and/or packages 2;
- one of a sealing element and a counter-sealing element, adapted to transversally seal
tube 3 in a known manner, in particular between adjacent packs 9; and
- one of a cutting element (not shown and known as such) and a counter-cutting element
(not shown and known as such) for transversally cutting tube 3 between adjacent packs
9 in a manner known as such.
[0060] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, first isolation chamber 25 comprises
at least an outlet opening configured to allow for the passage of tube 3 from first
inner environment 26 into second inner environment 28, and in particular an inlet
opening opposed to the outlet opening and configured to allow for the introduction
of web 4 into first inner environment 26.
[0061] Preferentially but not necessarily, first isolation chamber 25 comprises a first
transversal delimiting wall 39 carrying and/or having the outlet opening and a plurality
of lateral walls 40 extending from the first transversal delimiting wall 39 along
a first direction, in particular first direction being an upward direction.
[0062] Preferentially but not necessarily, second isolation chamber 27 comprises a plurality
of lateral walls 41, in particular extending from first transversal delimiting wall
39 along a second direction opposite to the first direction, in particular second
direction being a downward direction.
[0063] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, first transversal delimiting wall
39 separates first inner environment 26 from second inner environment 28.
[0064] Preferentially but not necessarily, first isolation chamber 25 and/or second isolation
chamber 27 comprise(s) sealing means for sealing, in use, in collaboration with tube
3, the outlet opening for substantially limiting and/or impeding any gas exchange
between second inner environment 28 and first inner environment 26.
[0065] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, isolation housing 18, in particular
second isolation chamber 27 comprises an outlet aperture 42 configured to allow for
the outlet of packs 9 from isolation housing 18, in particular from second isolation
chamber 27 and/or second inner environment 28. In particular, outlet conveying unit
20 extends through outlet aperture 42 and is configured to advance packs 9 out of
second isolation chamber 27 through the outlet aperture 42.
[0066] Preferentially but not necessarily, one of lateral walls 41 comprises outlet aperture
42.
[0067] Preferentially but not necessarily, according to an alternative non-limiting embodiment
not shown, safety chamber 29 is in contact with one lateral wall 41, in particular
the one comprising outlet aperture 42.
[0068] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, outlet conveying unit 20 is configured
to advance packs 9 along an advancement path R from a receiving station 43, at which
outlet conveying unit 20 receives, in use, packs 9, to transfer station 21.
[0069] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, outlet conveying unit 20 comprises
at least one belt conveyor being at least partially arranged within second inner environment
28.
[0070] Alternatively, or in addition, outlet conveying unit 20 could also comprise conveyors
of another type.
[0071] Alternatively, or in addition, outlet conveying unit 20 could comprise a plurality
of belt conveyors being arranged in succession of one another and extending at least
between receiving station 43 and transfer station 21.
[0072] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment and with particular reference to
Figure 2, final folding unit 22 is configured to manipulate and/or process packs 9
such so as to form and/or shape at least the respective central main portions 10 (into
the desired form and/or shape of the respective package 2) and to control and/or determine
the relative position of flaps 11 with respect to the respective central main body
10.
[0073] Preferentially but not necessarily, final folding unit 22 is configured to seal each
flap 11 onto the respective central main body 10 such that each flap 11 is sealed
to one of transversal walls 7 and/or lateral walls 8 of the respective package 2.
[0075] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, final folding unit 22 comprises
at least:
- a conveying assembly configured to advance packs 9 along a final advancement path;
and
- at least one treatment unit configured to form and/or shape central main portion 10
and/or for folding and sealing flaps 11 onto the respective central main portion 10
during the advancement of packs 9 along the final advancement path.
[0076] According to a preferred non-limiting, the conveying assembly comprises a plurality
of retaining pockets configured to retain at least one respective pack 9 during advancement
of packs 2 along the final advancement path.
[0077] According to a non-limiting embodiment, final folding unit 22 comprises a plurality
of treatment units each one being associated to one respective retaining pocket and/or
being arranged along the final advancement path.
[0078] In use, packaging machine 1 forms packages 2 filled with the pourable product.
[0079] In particular, the method of forming packages 2 comprises the main steps of:
- forming packs 9 by means of formation apparatus 19;
- conveying packs 9 to final folding unit 22; and
- final folding pack 9 by means of final folding unit 22 for obtaining packages 2 (see
Figure 2).
[0080] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the method also comprises the main
step of transferring packs 9 to outlet conveying unit 20, in particular at receiving
station 43.
[0081] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the method also comprises the main
step of transferring packs 9 to final folding unit 22 at transfer station.
[0082] In particular, the main step of final folding is executed after the main step of
forming packs 9.
[0083] In more detail, the main step of forming packs 9, comprises at least the steps of:
- advancing web 4 along advancement path P;
- folding web 4, in particular within first isolation chamber 25 and/or first inner
environment 26, into tube 3 at tube forming station 23;
- longitudinally sealing tube 3, in particular within first isolation chamber 25;
- filling tube 3 with the pourable product;
- advancing tube 3 along tube advancement path Q, in particular through a portion of
first inner environment 26 and/or first isolation chamber 25 towards and at least
partially through second inner environment 28 and/or second isolation chamber 27;
and
- obtaining packs 9 from tube 3 by forming, transversally sealing and transversally
cutting tube 3 within second inner environment 28 and during advancement of tube 3
along tube advancement path Q.
[0084] Preferentially but not necessarily, the main step of forming also comprises the step
of sterilizing web 4 at the sterilization station.
[0085] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of advancing web
4, conveying device 24 advances web 4 along web advancement path P and, in particular
from the host station to at least tube forming station 23.
[0086] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of folding tube
3, tube forming and sealing device 32 gradually overlaps the opposite lateral edges
of web 4 with one another so as to form the longitudinal seal.
[0087] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of longitudinally
sealing tube 3, tube forming and sealing device 32 seals the longitudinal seal by
directing heat onto the longitudinal seal, in particular by sealing head 37 transferring
thermal energy onto the longitudinal seal.
[0088] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of advancing tube
3, conveying device 24 advances tube 3 (and any intermediates of tube 3), in particular
through first isolation chamber 25, along path Q into and partially through second
isolation chamber 27.
[0089] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of filling tube
3, filling device 33 fills the pourable product into the longitudinally sealed tube
3. In particular, the pourable product is directed into tube 3 through filling pipe
35.
[0090] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of sterilizing
web 4 a sterilizing irradiation, in particular electromagnetic irradiation, even more
particular electron beam irradiation, is directed onto at least the first face, preferentially
also onto the second face, of web 4.
[0091] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the step of sterilizing is executed
prior to the step of folding.
[0092] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of obtaining packs
9, package forming unit 34 forms, transversally seals and transversally cuts tube
3, in particular between successive packs 9.
[0093] Preferentially but not necessarily, during the step of obtaining packs 9, each operative
assembly and the respective counter-operative assembly advance along the respective
conveying paths and form, transversally seal and transversally cut tube 3 in cooperation
while advancing along the respective operative portions.
[0094] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the main step of transferring
packs 9 to outlet conveying unit 20, packs 9 are transferred to outlet conveying unit
20 at receiving station 43 by means of gravity. Alternatively, packs 9 could be transferred
by means of transfer elements.
[0095] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the main step of transferring
packs 9 to final folding unit 22, packs 9 are transferred to the conveying assembly,
in particular to one respective retaining pocket.
[0096] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment and with particular reference to
Figure 2, during the main step of final folding packs 9, the respective central main
portions 10 are formed and/or the respective flaps 11 are folded and sealed onto the
respective central main portions 10.
[0097] Preferentially but not necessarily, the main step of final folding packs 9, comprises
the steps of conveying packs 9 along the final advancement path (by means of the conveying
assembly) and to treat packs 9 during advancement along the final advancement path
for obtaining packages 2.
[0098] In particular, during the step of treating packs 9, the at least one treatment unit
forms and/or shapes the respective central main portions 10 and/or folds and seals
the respective flaps 11 onto the respective central main portions 10.
[0099] The advantages of packaging machine 1 according to the present invention will be
clear from the foregoing description.
[0100] In particular, by placing final folding unit 22 outside of isolation housing 18,
in particular outside of second inner environment 28, the overall cleaning and/or
sterilization process, as e.g. done during a cleaning-in-place and/or sterilization-in-place
process, of packaging machine 1 is facilitated. This is e.g. possible as the dimension
of second isolation chamber 27 can be reduced with respect to the state-of-the-art
packaging machines and as the cleaning and/or sterilization process does not require
a cleaning and/or sterilization of final folding unit 22 as currently required.
[0101] Another advantage is seen in the possibility of cleaning second isolation chamber
27 and/or package forming unit 34 independently from safety chamber 29 and/or final
folding unit 22. Furthermore, this also allows to apply different cleaning frequencies
for the cleaning of second isolation chamber 27 and/or package forming unit 34 and
the cleaning of safety chamber 29 and/or final folding unit 22.
[0102] A further advantage resides in the possibility of facilitating the construction of
final folding unit 22 as it is not required to optimize final folding unit 22 for
cleaning and/or sterilization purposes.
[0103] Clearly, changes may be made to packaging machine 1 as described herein without,
however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.
1. A packaging machine (1) for producing sealed packages (2) of a pourable product comprising
at least:
- an isolation housing (18);
- a formation apparatus (19) at least partially arranged within the isolation housing
(18) and being configured to form and/or obtain sealed semi-finalized packs (9) of
the pourable product;
- an outlet conveying unit (20) configured to receive the sealed semi-finalized packs
(9) within the isolation housing (18) and to advance the sealed semi-finalized packs
(9) out of the isolation housing (18) and to a transfer station (21); and
- a final folding unit (22) arranged at the transfer station (21) and configured to
receive the sealed semi-finalized packs (9) from the outlet conveying unit (20) and
to treat and/or manipulate the sealed semi-finalized packs (9) such to obtain the
packages (2).
2. A packaging machine according to claim 1, and further comprising a conveying device
(22) for advancing a web (4) of packaging material along a web advancement path (P)
at least to a tube forming station (23) at which the web (4) of packaging material
is formed, in use, into a tube (3) and for advancing the tube (3) along a tube advancement
path (Q);
wherein the isolation housing (18) comprises at least:
- a first isolation chamber (25) having a first inner environment (26); and
- a second isolation chamber (27) having a second inner environment (28);
wherein the formation apparatus (19) comprises at least:
- a tube forming and sealing device (32) being at least partially arranged within
the first isolation chamber (25) and being configured to form the tube (3) at the
tube forming station (23) and to longitudinally seal the tube (3) within the first
inner environment (26);
- a filling device (33) for filling the tube (3) with the pourable product; and
- a package forming unit (34) at least partially arranged within the second isolation
chamber (27) and being adapted to form, transversally seal and transversally cut the
tube (3) within the second inner environment (28) so as to obtain the sealed semi-finalized
packs (9);
wherein at least a portion of the outlet conveying unit (20) is arranged within the
second isolation chamber (27) for receiving the sealed semi-finalized packs (9) and
for advancing the sealed semi-finalized packs (9) out of the second isolation chamber
(27) and to the transfer station (21).
3. Packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein the first isolation chamber (25) comprises
an outlet opening configured to allow for the passage of the tube (3) from the first
inner environment (26) into the second inner environment (28).
4. Packaging machine according to claim 2 or 3, and further comprising an atmosphere
control unit configured to control a positive pressure within the first inner environment
(26) being larger than the ambient pressure.
5. Packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising
a safety chamber (29) distinct from the isolation housing (18) and housing at least
a portion of the final folding unit (22);
wherein the final folding unit (22) is configured to treat and/or manipulate the sealed
semi-finalized packs (9) within the safety chamber (29).
6. Packaging machine according to claim 6, wherein the safety chamber (29) is transversally
spaced apart from the isolation housing (18).
7. Packaging machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the safety chamber (29) is detached
from the isolation housing (18).
8. Packaging machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, and further comprising a
connecting channel (30) interposed between the isolation housing (18) and the safety
chamber (29) and housing at least a portion of the outlet conveying unit (20) for
advancing, in use, the sealed semi-finalized packs (9) between the isolation housing
(18) and the safety chamber (29) within the connecting channel (30).
9. Packaging machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the safety chamber (29) is in
contact with at least a lateral wall (41) of the isolation housing (18).
10. Packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each sealed
semi-finalized pack (9) comprises a central main portion (10) and at least one flap
(11) protruding from the respective central main portion (10);
wherein the final folding unit (22) comprises at least:
- a conveying assembly configured to advance the semi-finalized packs (9) along a
final advancement path; and
- at least one treatment unit configured to form and/or shape each central main portion
(10) and/or for folding and sealing the respective at least one flap (11) onto the
respective central main portion (10) during the advancement of the sealed semi-finalized
packs (9) along the final advancement path.
11. Packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the isolation
housing (18) comprises an outlet aperture configured to allow for the outlet of the
sealed semi-finalized packs (9) out of the isolation housing (10).
12. Packaging machine according to claim 11, wherein the isolation housing (18) comprises
at least one lateral wall (41) having the outlet aperture.