Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to a forming device and method for forming a pack into a finished
package. The invention also relates to a folding unit for forming sealed packages
of pourable food products.
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 folding
and sealing laminated strip packaging material.
[0004] 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, 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.
[0005] Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging machines,
on which a continuous tube is formed from the web-fed packaging material. The web
of packaging material is sterilized on the packaging machine, e.g. by applying a chemical
sterilizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, which, once sterilization
is completed, is removed from the surfaces of the packaging material, e.g. evaporated
by heating. The web so sterilized is then maintained in a closed, sterile environment,
and is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube, which is fed vertically.
[0006] In order to complete the forming operations, the tube is filled with the sterilized
or sterile-processed food product, and is sealed and subsequently cut along equally
spaced cross sections.
[0007] More precisely, the tube is sealed longitudinally and transversally to its own axis.
[0008] Pillow packs are so obtained, which have a longitudinal seal, a top transversal seal
and a bottom transversal seal.
[0009] More specifically, the pillow packs comprise a parallelepiped-shaped main portion,
a top end portion and a bottom end portion. The top end portion and the bottom end
portion taper from the main portion towards the top transversal seal and the bottom
transversal seal, respectively. Each one of the top end portion and the bottom end
portion has substantially triangular flaps projecting from opposite sides of the main
portion and a rectangular tab projecting from a relative sealing line.
[0010] Packaging machines of the above type are known, on which the pillow packs are turned
into folded packages by automatic folding units.
[0011] Folding units are known, for example from the International Application No.
WO2008122623 in the name of the same Applicant, which substantially comprise a rotary conveyor
that receives pillow packs to be folded at an inlet station, conveys the pillow packs
to be folded along an arc-shaped folding path, and outputs folded packages at an output
station. The folding units comprises a first folding unit which interacts with portions
of the packs travelling along the folding path to perform a folding operation onto
the packs, a heating device for heating the flaps of the packs travelling along the
folding path, and a second folding device for pressing the flaps of each pack travelling
along the forming path onto respective walls, as flaps cool.
[0012] In greater detail, the rotary conveyor comprises a plurality of angular-spaced forming
devices, which grip the packs at the inlet station, and feeds the packs along the
forming path to the output station.
[0013] Each forming device comprises two flat surfaces which face each other and cooperate,
in use, respectively with a front wall and a rear wall of the main portion of the
relative pack to be folded.
[0014] One problem that frequently occurs in known filling machine relates to the final
forming and folding of the pack into a package. For various reasons, the top portion
of the front wall of the package tends to bend inwardly, i.e. towards the inside of
the package, and therefore to create a concave surface in the front wall of the finished
package. Such an undesired shape is likely to complicate post-application of components,
such as an opening device, to the top portion of the front wall.
[0015] EP2468641 discloses a folding unit for forming sealed packages of pourable food products, comprising:
at least one conveying device for feeding along a forming path a relative pack which
have at least one portion to be folded to form a finished package; at least one folding
device interacting, in use, with pack along said forming path and adapted to fold
said at least one portion; conveying device comprises a first and a second surface
opposite to another and adapted, in use, to cooperate respectively with a front and
a rear wall opposite to each other of relative pack to be folded; first surface is
at least partially concave.
Summary of the invention
[0016] It is an object of the present invention to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one
or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or
in any combination and solve at least the above mentioned problem.
[0017] According to a first aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved
in full, or at least in part, by a forming device for feeding along a forming path
a pack according to claim 1. The forming device has at least one portion to be folded
into a finished package. The forming device comprises a first surface and a second
surface opposite to each other and adapted, in use, to cooperate respectively with
a front wall and a rear wall opposite to each other of the pack to be folded. The
first surface comprises an at least partially concave forming section adapted, in
use, to cooperate with a top portion of the front wall of said pack, such that an
inward deformation of the top portion of the front wall is prevented during forming
of the pack.
[0018] In other words, the forming section is configured to allow the top portion of the
front wall to expand outwardly into the forming section during forming of the pack
without permanently deforming the pack. This will result in a planar final configuration
of the top portion of the front wall. The top wall of the pack and a top portion of
the front wall of the pack may thus be controlled to form a desired angle between
each other to facilitate post-application of components to these surfaces. The post-application
normally consists of attaching an opening device having a frame extending on two inclined
planes to the package. Now, the opening device can be properly applied to the package
since the angle between the above-mentioned planes will match the angle between the
top wall and the front wall, particularly the top portion of the front wall, of the
package. This way, the potential problem of leakage after first opening of the opening
device will be eliminated.
[0019] By giving the forming section a suitable shape, depending on the circumstances, the
final shape of the top portion of the front wall of the package can be controlled
to match any potential post-application components and filling configurations. In
order to be able to adapt the forming section to different types of packages and post-application
components, the first surface may comprise a replaceable element incorporating the
forming section.
[0020] Furthermore, the extent of the concave shape of the forming section may be varied
by replacing one replaceable element with another. By changing the extent of the concave
shape of the forming section, the angle between the top wall and the front wall of
the package may be controlled. An increased extent of the concave shape will result
in a larger angle between the top wall and front wall of the package, and the other
way around.
[0021] In one embodiment which is not covered by the appended claims, the replaceable element
incorporating the forming section may be replaced with a replaceable element having
a planar surface. In this case, the forming section will accordingly be planar, which
is a suitable solution for some packages.
[0022] The forming device may further comprise a first body incorporating the first surface
and a second body incorporating the second surface, wherein the first body and the
second body, respectively, has a first end zone and a second end zone opposite to
the first end zone. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the first end zone
may be connected to a driving element and incorporate the forming section.
[0023] According to a second aspect of the invention, the objects are achieved in full,
or at least in part, by a folding unit for forming sealed packages of pourable food
products according to claim 8. The folding unit comprises at least one forming device
as described above, and at least one folding device interacting, in use, with the
pack along the forming path and adapted to fold the at least one portion.
[0024] The folding unit may further comprise a heating device for heating, in use, unfolded
flaps of said pack. The folding device is arranged downstream from the heating device
along the path and comprises pressure devices, for example a pair of pressure devices.
The pressure devices are movable between an operative position in which pressing surfaces
press the flaps of the pack onto relative walls of the pack to be folded, and a rest
position in which the relative pressing surfaces are detached from the pack.
[0025] According to a third aspect of the invention, the objects are achieved in full, or
at least in part, by a method for forming a pack which has at least one portion to
be folded into a finished package according to claim 10. The method comprises the
step of constraining the pack between a first surface and a second surface of a forming
device arranged opposite to each other and adapted, in use, to cooperate respectively
with a front wall and a rear wall of the pack to be folded. The first surface comprises
an at least partially concave forming section. The method further comprises the step
of forming the pack by allowing a top portion of the front wall of the pack to expand
outwardly into the forming section without permanently deforming the pack, and the
step of folding the at least one portion of the pack into the finished package.
[0026] The top portion of the front wall of the pack, after the step of forming, is substantially
planar.
[0027] The top portion of the front wall of the package may be adapted to receive an opening
device.
[0028] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their
ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein.
All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to
be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device,
component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Brief description of the drawings
[0029] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the
present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative
and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention,
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a forming device for feeding a pack along a forming
path to form a finished package according to a first aspect of one exemplary embodiment
of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the forming device of Fig. 1 when holding and forming a pack
into a package.
Fig. 3 is a side view of a folding unit for forming sealed packages of pourable food
products according to a second aspect of one exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a finished package.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention
[0030] Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate a forming device 42 for feeding along a forming path B (Fig.
3) a pack which has at least one portion 6, to be folded into a finished package 2.
The forming device 42 comprises a first surface 46a and a second surface 46b opposite
to each other and is adapted, in use, to cooperate respectively with a front wall
15 and a rear wall 10 opposite to each other of said pack 3 to be folded. The first
surface 46a comprises an at least partially concave forming section 8 adapted, in
use, to cooperate with a top portion of the front wall 15 of the pack 3, such that
an inward deformation of the top portion of the front wall 15 is prevented during
forming of the pack 3.
[0031] The concave shape of the forming section 8 will allow the top portion of the front
wall 15 to expand outwardly into the forming section 8 during forming of the pack
3 without permanently deforming the pack 3. This will result in a planar final configuration
of the top portion of the front wall 15. By controlling the shape and size of the
forming section 8, the top wall 17 of the pack 3 and the top portion of the front
wall 15 of the pack 3 may be controlled to form a desired angle to facilitate post-application
of components to these surfaces.
[0032] The forming device 42 has a driving element 20 that moves the forming device 42 in
the forming path B. The pack 3 is formed into a corresponding package 2 while being
advanced along the forming path B. In more detail, the forming device 42 has a first
body 44a incorporating the first surface 46a and a second body 44b incorporating the
second surface 46b. The forming section 8 of the first surface 46a is arranged adjacent
to the portion of the first body 44a that is connected to the drive element 20 of
the forming device 42.
[0033] The first surface 46a further comprises a replaceable element 9 which incorporates
the forming section 8. This way, the forming section 8 can be given any suitable shape
depending on the package 2 to be folded and finalized. That is, the final shape of
the top portion of the front wall 15 of the pack 3 can be controlled to match any
potential post-application components and filling configurations. In the present embodiment,
the replaceable element 9 has been chosen to give the forming section 8 a concave
shape while the shape of the second surface 46b is planar. The concave shape will
allow the top portion of the front wall 15 of the pack 3 to expand outwardly into
the forming section 8 during forming of the same.
[0034] The forming device 42 also comprises a first member 45a and a second member 45b.
The first member 45a and the second member 45b comprise, respectively, the first surface
46a and the second surface 46b which face each other.
[0035] The first surface 46a and the second surface 46b cooperate, respectively, with the
front wall 15 and the rear wall 10 of relative pack 3, so as to hold pack 3 along
the forming path B.
[0036] Specifically, the first surface 46a cooperates with the front wall 15 of pack 3 intended
to form the front wall 15 of the folded package 2 and the surface 46b cooperates with
the rear wall 10 of pack 3 intended to form the rear wall 10 of the folded package
2.
[0037] In detail, the first surface 46a is bounded by a rectilinear radial outer edge 50
and a rectilinear radial inner edge 51 which are opposite to each other, and by a
pair of edges 52 (only one of which shown in Fig. 2) which are opposite to each other
and extend between the radial outer edge 50 end the radial inner edge 51.
[0038] The second surface 46b is, in the embodiment shown, planar.
[0039] In the embodiment shown, the replaceable element 9 is distinct from the first member
45a and releasably connectable to the first member 45a. In this way, a replaceable
element 9 provided with a forming section 8 having a certain shape may be replaced
with another replaceable element provided with a forming section having a different
shape.
[0040] In another embodiment, not shown, the forming section is obtained directly in the
first member 45a.
[0041] Each forming device 42 further comprises a slanted element 48 projecting from the
radial inner edge 51 of the first surface 46a of the member 45a towards the second
surface 46b and extending transversally to the second surface 46b.
[0042] Each element 48 comprises a surface 49 extending from the first surface 46a towards
the second surface 46b. The surface 49 cooperates with each pack 3 which is moved
along the forming path B by the respective forming device 42.
[0043] Fig. 3 illustrates a folding unit 1 for forming sealed packages 2 of pourable food
products. The folding unit 1 comprises a rotary conveyor 40 rotating around an axis
C. The rotary conveyor 40 supports at least one forming device 42 as described above.
In the embodiment shown, the rotary conveyor 40 supports a plurality of forming devices
42. The folding unit 1 further comprises at least one folding device 55, 65 interacting,
in use, with the pack 3 along the forming path B and being adapted to fold the at
least one portion 6.
[0044] A pressure device 66 of the folding device 65 is movable back and forth along an
axis G radial to axis C between a work position, in which it presses the flaps of
each pack 3 onto the walls of the pack 3, and a rest position, in which it is detached
from the flaps.
[0045] Pressure elements 67 are movable back and forth between a work position, in which
relative surfaces press respective flaps of each pack 3 onto respective walls, and
a rest position, in which they are detached from the flaps to permit travelling of
pack 3 along path B.
[0046] The movement of the pressure elements 67 is synchronized in a not shown manner with
the movement of the pressure device 66. When the pressure device 66 and the pressure
elements 67 are in respective work positions, each pressure element 67 extends between
the first surfaces 46a and the second surface 46b of the forming device 42 which is
arranged at a station B5.
[0047] More specifically, the forming path B extends from a loading station B
1, where the conveyor 40 receives each pack 3 from an input conveyor 80, to an unloading
station B
2, where the conveyor 40 unloads a relative package 2 onto an output conveyor.
[0048] From the loading station B
1 to the unloading station B
2, the forming path B also comprises a first portion, along which rails interact with
each pack 3 to convert the pack 3 from a pillow configuration to a configuration in
which the portions 6 are pressed towards each other to fold walls of portions 6, and
to fold tabs onto respective walls, a station B
3 where an interacting surface interacts with each pack 3 to fold the flaps about fold
lines, and a second portion, along which rails interact with each pack 3.
[0049] From the second portion to the unloading station B
2, the forming path B also comprises a station B
4 where a heating device 60 heats the flaps of each pack 3, preparatory to heat sealing
them onto respective walls, a third portion, along which rails fold the flaps of each
pack 3, the station B
5 where the pressure device 66 and the pressure elements 67 of the folding device 65
fold the flaps of each pack 3 onto relative walls, and a fourth portion terminating
at the ounloading station B
2, and along which rails keep the flaps pressed onto the walls to prevent accidental
detachment of the flaps as they cool.
[0050] Fig. 4 illustrates a finished package 2 according to one exemplary embodiment of
the invention. The package 2 has been provided with an opening device 14 after the
final forming and folding of the same. In this case, the post-application consists
of attaching the opening device 14 to the top wall 17 and the front wall 15 of the
package 2. The opening device 14 has a frame extending along two inclined planes of
the package 2, in particular a first portion 18 attached to the top wall 17 of the
package 2 and a second portion 19 attached to the front wall 15 of the package 2.
Here, the opening device 14 has been able to be properly attached to the package 2
since the angle between the two inclined planes, i.e. the angle between the first
portion 18 and the second portion 19 matches the angle between the top wall 17 and
the top portion of the front wall 15 of the package 2. This way, the potential problem
of leakage will be eliminated.
[0051] It is understood that other variations in the present invention are contemplated
and in some instances, some features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding
use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be
construed broadly in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
[0052] For instance, the at least partially concave forming section may be an at least partially
curved forming section.
[0053] The present invention can be used in connection with any suitable type of filling
machine and is not limited to the type of forming device 42 or folding unit 1 described
above. One example is a filling machine having a final folding unit constituted by
a continuous chain device. This type of final folding unit comprises an articulated
chain looped about and meshing with gears, and supporting a number of plates, for
example flat rectangular plates, each of which projects from the chain and cooperates
with and pushes a pack 3 to feed it along a path. Here, the concave forming section
8 could be provided in connection with the plates in order to prevent an inward deformation
of the top portion of the front wall during forming of the pack 3 into a finished
package 2.
1. A forming device (42) for feeding along a forming path (B) a pack (3) which has at
least one portion (6) to be folded into a finished package (2), said forming device
(42) comprising
a first surface (46a) and a second surface (46b) opposite to each other and adapted,
in use, to cooperate respectively with a front wall (15) and a rear wall (10) opposite
to each other of said pack (3) to be folded,
wherein said first surface (46a) comprises an at least partially concave forming section
(8) adapted, in use, to cooperate with a top portion of said front wall (15) of said
pack (3), such that an inward deformation of said top portion of said front wall (15)
is prevented during forming of the pack (3), characterized in that
said at least partially concave forming section (8) is configured to allow said top
portion of said front wall (15) to expand outwardly into said at least partially concave
forming section (8) during forming of said pack (3) without permanently deforming
said pack (3).
2. The forming device (42) according to claim 1, and further comprising a first body
(44a) incorporating the first surface (46a) and a second body (44b) incorporating
the second surface (46b).
3. The forming device (42) according to claim 2, wherein each of said first body (44a)
and said second body (44b) has a first end zone and a second end zone opposite to
said first end zone.
4. The forming device (42) according to claim 3, wherein said first end zone of said
first body (44a) is connected to a driving element (20) for driving said forming device
(42) along a forming path (B) and incorporates said at least partially concave forming
section (8).
5. The forming device (42) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
first surface (46a) comprises a replaceable element (9) incorporating said at least
partially concave forming section (8).
6. The forming device (42) according to claim 5, wherein said replaceable element (9)
incorporating said at least partially concave forming section (8) may be replaced
with another replaceable element incorporating another forming section having an extent
of the concave shape different from the shape of said at least partially concave forming
section (8).
7. A folding unit (1) for forming sealed packages (2) of pourable food products, comprising:
at least one forming device (42) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, and at
least one folding device (55, 65) interacting, in use, with said pack (3) along said
forming path (B) and adapted to fold said at least one portion (6).
8. The folding unit according to claim 7, and further comprising a heating device (60)
for heating, in use, unfolded flaps of said pack (3), wherein said at least one folding
device (65) is arranged downstream from said heating device (60) along said forming
path (B).
9. A method for forming a pack (3) which has at least one portion (6) to be folded into
a finished package (2), comprising the steps of constraining said pack (3) between
a first surface (46a) and a second surface (46b) of a forming device (42) arranged
opposite to each other and adapted, in use, to cooperate respectively with a front
wall (15) and a rear wall (10) of said pack (3) to be folded, said first surface (46a)
comprising an at least partially concave forming section (8), folding said at least
one portion (6) of said pack (3) to form said finished package (2).
characterized in that the method further comprises the step of forming said pack (3) by allowing a top
portion of said front wall (15) of said pack (3) to expand outwardly into said at
least partially concave forming section (8) without permanently deforming said pack
(3).
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said top portion of said front wall (15)
of said pack (3), after the step of forming, is substantially planar.
11. The method according to claim 9, or 10, wherein said top portion of said front wall
(15) of said package (2) is adapted to receive an opening device.
1. Formungsvorrichtung (42) zum Transportieren einer Packung (3), die wenigstens einen
Teil (6), der in eine Fertigpackung (2) zu falten ist, entlang einem Formungsweg (B),
wobei die Formungsvorrichtung (42) Folgendes umfasst:
eine erste Fläche (46a) und eine zweite Fläche (46b), die sich gegenüberliegen und
im Gebrauch geeignet sind, mit einer vorderen Wand (15) beziehungsweise einer hinteren
Wand (10) der zu faltenden Packung (3), die sich gegenüberliegen, zusammenzuwirken,
wobei die erste Fläche (46a) einen wenigstens zum Teil konkaven Formungsabschnitt
(8) umfasst, der geeignet ist, im Gebrauch mit einem oberen Teil der vorderen Wand
(15) der Packung (3) auf eine solche Weise zusammenzuwirken, dass eine nach innen
gerichtete Verformung des oberen Teils der vorderen Wand (15) während der Formung
der Packung (3) verhindert wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der wenigstens zum Teil konkave Formungsabschnitt (8) dazu ausgelegt ist, zu ermöglichen,
dass sich der obere Teil der vorderen Wand (15) während der Formung der Packung (3)
nach außen in den wenigstens zum Teil konkaven Formungsabschnitt (8) erweitert, ohne
die Packung (3) dauerhaft zu verformen.
2. Formungsvorrichtung (42) nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend einen die erste Fläche
(46a) enthaltenden ersten Körper (44a) und einen die zweite Fläche (46b) enthaltenden
zweiten Körper (44b).
3. Formungsvorrichtung (42) nach Anspruch 2, wobei der erste Körper (44a) und der zweite
Körper (44b) jeweils einen ersten Endbereich und einen dem ersten Endbereich gegenüberliegenden
zweiten Endbereich aufweisen.
4. Formungsvorrichtung (42) nach Anspruch 3, wobei der erste Endbereich des ersten Körpers
(44a) mit einem Antriebselement (20) zum Antreiben der Formungsvorrichtung (42) entlang
einem Formungsweg (B) verbunden ist und den wenigstens zum Teil konkaven Formungsabschnitt
(8) enthält.
5. Formungsvorrichtung (42) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die erste
Fläche (46a) ein austauschbares Element (9) umfasst, das den wenigstens zum Teil konkaven
Formungsabschnitt (8) enthält.
6. Formungsvorrichtung (42) nach Anspruch 5, wobei das austauschbare Element (9), das
den wenigstens zum Teil konkaven Formungsabschnitt (8) enthält, durch ein weiteres
austauschbares Element ersetzt werden kann, das einen weiteren Formungsabschnitt enthält,
der ein Ausmaß der konkaven Form aufweist, das sich von der Form des wenigstens zum
Teil konkaven Formungsabschnitts (8) unterscheidet.
7. Falteinheit (1) zur Formung versiegelter Verpackungen (2) für gießbare Lebensmittelprodukte,
umfassend:
wenigstens eine Formungsvorrichtung (42) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
und wenigstens eine Faltvorrichtung (55, 65), die im Gebrauch mit der Packung (3)
entlang dem Formungsweg (B) zusammenwirkt und geeignet ist, den wenigstens einen Teil
(6) zu falten.
8. Falteinheit nach Anspruch 7, ferner umfassend eine Heizvorrichtung (60), um im Gebrauch
ungefaltete Klappen der Packung (3) zu erwärmen, wobei die wenigstens eine Faltvorrichtung
(65) stromabwärts von der Heizvorrichtung (60) entlang dem Formungsweg (B) angeordnet
ist.
9. Verfahren zur Formung einer Packung (3), die wenigstens einen Teil (6) aufweist, der
in eine Fertigpackung (2) zu falten ist, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:
Einschließen der Packung (3) zwischen einer ersten Fläche (46a) und einer zweiten
Fläche (46b) einer Formungsvorrichtung (42), die sich gegenüber angeordnet und geeignet
sind, im Gebrauch mit einer vorderen Wand (15) beziehungsweise einer hinteren Wand
(10) der zu faltenden Packung (3) zusammenzuwirken, wobei die erste Fläche (46a) einen
wenigstens zum Teil konkaven Formungsabschnitt (8) umfasst,
Falten des wenigstens einen Teils (6) der Packung (3), um die Fertigpackung (2) zu
formen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Verfahren ferner folgende Schritte umfasst:
Formen der Packung (3), indem ermöglicht wird, dass sich ein oberer Teil der vorderen
Wand (15) der Packung (3) nach außen in den wenigstens zum Teil konkaven Formungsabschnitt
(8) erweitert, ohne die Packung (3) dauerhaft zu verformen.
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei der obere Teil der vorderen Wand (15) der Packung
(3) nach dem Schritt des Formens im Wesentlichen ebenflächig ist.
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, wobei der obere Teil der vorderen Wand (15) der
Packung (2) geeignet ist, eine Öffnungsvorrichtung aufzunehmen.
1. Dispositif de formage (42) destiné à alimenter, le long d'un trajet de formage (B),
un emballage (3) comportant au moins une partie (6) à plier dans un emballage fini
(2), ledit dispositif de formage (42) comprenant :
une première surface (46a) et une seconde surface (46b) opposées l'une par rapport
à l'autre, et conçues, lors de l'utilisation, pour coopérer respectivement avec une
paroi avant (15) et une paroi arrière (10) opposée l'une par rapport à l'autre dudit
emballage (3) à plier,
ladite première surface (46a) comprenant une section de formage au moins en partie
concave (8) conçue, lors de l'utilisation, pour coopérer avec une partie supérieure
de ladite paroi avant (15) dudit emballage (3), de manière à empêcher une déformation
vers l'intérieur de ladite partie supérieure de ladite paroi avant (15) pendant le
formage de l'emballage (3),
le dispositif de formage étant caractérisé en ce que :
ladite section de formage au moins en partie concave (8) est configurée pour permettre
à ladite partie supérieure de ladite paroi avant (15) de s'étendre vers l'extérieur
dans ladite section de formage au moins en partie concave (8) pendant le formage dudit
emballage (3) sans déformer de façon permanente ledit emballage (3).
2. Dispositif de formage (42) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un premier
corps (44a) intégrant la première surface (46a), et un second corps (44b) intégrant
la seconde surface (46b).
3. Dispositif de formage (42) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel ledit premier corps
(44a) et ledit second corps (44b) ont chacun une première zone extrême et une seconde
zone extrême opposée à ladite première zone extrême.
4. Dispositif de formage (42) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel ladite première zone
extrême dudit premier corps (44a) est connectée à un élément d'entraînement (20) pour
entraîner ledit dispositif de formage (42) le long d'un trajet de formage (B), et
intègre ladite section de formage au moins en partie concave (8).
5. Dispositif de formage (42) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel ladite première surface (46a) comprend un élément remplaçable (9) intégrant
ladite section de formage au moins en partie concave (8).
6. Dispositif de formage (42) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel ledit élément remplaçable
(9) intégrant ladite partie de formage au moins en partie concave (8) peut être remplacé
par un autre élément remplaçable intégrant une autre section de formage ayant une
étendue de la forme concave différente de la forme de ladite section de formage au
moins en partie concave (8).
7. Unité de pliage (1) destinée à former des emballages scellés (2) de produits alimentaires
versables, comprenant :
au moins un dispositif de formage (42) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 6, et
au moins un dispositif de pliage (55, 65) interagissant, lors de l'utilisation, avec
ledit emballage (3) le long dudit trajet de formage (B) et conçu pour plier ladite
au moins une partie (6).
8. Unité de pliage selon la revendication 7, comprenant en outre un dispositif de chauffage
(60) pour chauffer, lors de l'utilisation, des rabats non pliés dudit emballage (3),
ledit au moins un dispositif de pliage (65) étant disposé en aval dudit dispositif
de chauffage (60) le long dudit trajet de formage (B).
9. Procédé de formage d'un emballage (3) comportant au moins une partie (6) à plier dans
un emballage fini (2), comprenant les étapes consistant à :
contraindre ledit emballage (3) entre une première surface (46a) et une seconde surface
(46b) d'un dispositif de formage (42), disposées à l'opposé l'une de l'autre et conçues,
lors de l'utilisation, pour coopérer respectivement avec une paroi avant (15) et une
paroi arrière (10) dudit emballage (3) à plier, ladite première surface (46a) comprenant
une section de formage au moins en partie concave (8) ;
plier ladite au moins une partie (6) dudit emballage (3) pour former ledit emballage
fini (2) ;
le procédé étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre l'étape consistant à :
former ledit emballage (3) en permettant à une partie supérieure de ladite paroi avant
(15) dudit emballage (3) de s'étendre vers l'extérieur dans ladite section de formage
au moins en partie concave (8) sans déformer de façon permanente ledit emballage (3).
10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel ladite partie supérieure de ladite paroi
avant (15) dudit emballage (3), après l'étape de formage, est sensiblement plane.
11. Procédé selon la revendication 9 ou 10, dans lequel ladite partie supérieure de ladite
paroi avant (15) dudit emballage (2) est conçue pour recevoir un dispositif d'ouverture.