CN108602576A - It is used to form the building mortion for being packaged as finished product packing box and method, the folding unit for the sealing packaging box for being used to form pourable food and a kind of packing box - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kind of building mortion (42), for feeding packaging (3), the packaging (3) at least part (6) with finished product packing box (2) to be folded to form along forming path (В).Building mortion (42) includes each other relative first surface (46a) and second surface (46b), and the antetheca (15) and rear wall (10) relative to each other that first surface (46a) and second surface (46b) are suitable in use respectively with packaging (3) to be folded matches.First surface (46a) includes the shaped portion (8) being at least partially recessed into, it is suitable for coordinating with the top of the antetheca (15) of packaging (3) in use, to prevent the top of the antetheca (15) in the forming process of packaging (3) to be deformed inward.The invention further relates to a kind of methods that folding unit (1) for the sealing packaging box (2) being used to form pourable food, one kind being used to form packaging (3), the packaging (3) has at least one portion (6) of finished product packing box to be folded to form, and is related to a kind of packing box (2).

Description

Forming apparatus and method for forming a package into a finished package, for forming a Folding unit for a sealed packaging box for pouring food and a packaging box

technical field

The present invention relates to a forming apparatus and method for forming a package into a finished pack. The invention also relates to a folding unit for forming a sealed package of pourable food products, and to a package.

Background technique

It is well known that many liquid or pourable food products (such as fruit juices, UHT (Ultra High Temperature Treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc.) are sold in boxes made of aseptic packaging materials.

A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped packaging box for liquid or pourable food products, called TetraBrik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing laminated strip packaging material.

The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer (eg paper) covered on both sides with layers of heat-sealable plastic material (eg polyethylene). In the case of aseptic packaging for long-term storage products (such as UHT milk), the packaging material also includes a layer of oxygen barrier material (for example, aluminum foil) superimposed on the layer of heat-sealable plastic material, which is in turn sealed. This is covered by another layer of heat-sealable plastic material which forms the inner surface of the package which ultimately comes into contact with the food product.

Such packs are usually produced on fully automatic packaging machines on which a continuous tube is formed from a roll of packaging material. The web of packaging material is sterilized on the packaging machine, for example by applying a chemical sterilant, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, which is removed from the surface of the packaging material (eg, by evaporation by heating) once the sterilization is complete. The web thus sterilized is then kept in a closed sterile environment and folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube which is fed upright.

To complete the shaping operation, the tube is filled with sterile or aseptically processed food product, sealed and subsequently cut in equally spaced cross-sections.

More precisely, the shaft seals the tube longitudinally and transversely to the tube itself.

The pillow pack thus obtained has a longitudinal seal, a top transverse seal and a bottom transverse seal.

More specifically, the pillow-shaped bag comprises a parallelepiped-shaped main part, a top part and a bottom part. The top end portion and the bottom end portion taper from the main portion towards the top transverse seal and the bottom transverse seal, respectively. Each of the top end portion and the bottom end portion has generally triangular-shaped tabs projecting from opposite sides of the main portion and rectangular tabs projecting from opposite seal lines.

Packaging machines of the above-mentioned type are known, on which pillow-shaped packs are transformed into folded boxes by means of automatic folding units.

Folding units are known, for example from International Application No. WO2008122623 in the name of the same applicant, which basically consist of a rotary conveyor that receives pillow-shaped bales to be folded at an entry station, conveying them along an arcuate folding path Pillow packs to be folded and output in folded boxes at the output station. The folding unit comprises: a first folding unit interacting with a portion of the package traveling along the folding path to perform a folding operation on the package; a heating device for heating the flaps of the package traveling along the folding path; and a second folding means, second folding means for pressing the flaps of each package traveling along the forming path against the respective walls as the flaps cool.

In more detail, the rotary conveyor includes a plurality of angularly spaced forming devices that grasp the packages at the input station and feed the packages along the forming path to the output station.

Each forming means comprises two planar surfaces facing each other and in use cooperates respectively with the front and rear walls of the main part of the associated package to be folded.

A problem that frequently occurs in known filling machines relates to the final forming and folding of the packs into cartons. For various reasons, the top of the front wall of the pack tends to bow inwards, ie towards the inside of the pack, and thus form a concavity in the front wall of the finished pack. This undesired shape may complicate post-application of components such as opening means to the top portion of the front wall.

Contents of the invention

An object of the invention is to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above mentioned deficiencies and disadvantages in the art singly or in any combination and to solve at least the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, these and other objects are fully or at least partially achieved by a forming device for feeding a package along a forming path, the package having at least one portion to be folded into a finished package. The forming means comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite each other and adapted, in use, to cooperate with respectively opposite front and rear walls of the package to be folded. The first surface comprises an at least partially concave shaped portion adapted in use to engage the top of the front wall of the package so as to prevent the front wall from forming during formation of the package. The top deforms inwards.

In other words, the shaped portion is configured to allow the top of the front wall to expand outwardly into the shaped portion during formation of the package without permanently deforming the package. This will result in a flat final configuration of the top of the front wall. Thus, the top wall of the package and the top of the front wall of the package can be controlled to form a desired angle with respect to each other to facilitate post application of the components to these surfaces. Post-application typically involves attaching an opening device with a frame extending in two inclined planes to the pack. Now, the opening means can be properly applied to the pack since the angle between the above mentioned planes will match the angle between the top wall and the front wall (in particular the top of the front wall) of the pack. In this way, potential leakage problems after opening the opening device for the first time will be eliminated.

By giving the shaped portion a suitable shape, the final shape of the top of the front wall of the pack can be controlled to match any potential post-apply components and filling configurations, as the case may be. In order to be able to adapt the shaped portion to different types of packs and post-apply parts, the first surface may comprise a replaceable element with the shaped portion.

Furthermore, the degree of concavity of the shaped portion can be changed by exchanging one replaceable element for another. By varying the degree of concavity of the shaped portion, the angle between the top and front walls of the pack can be controlled. The increased degree of concavity will result in a greater angle between the top and front walls of the box and vice versa.

In one embodiment, a replaceable element with a shaped portion can be replaced with a replaceable element with a flat surface. In this case the shaped part will accordingly be flat, which is a suitable solution for some packages.

The forming device may also include a first body having a first surface and a second body having a second surface, wherein the first body and the second body each have a first end region and a second end region opposite the first end region. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first end region can be connected to the drive element and contains a shaped portion.

According to a second aspect of the invention, said object is achieved entirely or at least in part by a folding unit for forming a sealed package of pourable food products. The folding unit comprises at least one forming device as described above, and at least one folding device which, in use, interacts with the package along the forming path and is adapted to fold said at least one portion.

The folding unit may also comprise heating means for heating, in use, the unfolded flaps of the package. The folding means is arranged downstream of the heating means along the path and comprises pressure means, eg a pair of pressure means. The pressing device is movable between an operative position, in which the pressing surfaces press the flaps of the package against the corresponding walls of the package to be folded, and a rest position, in which the opposing pressing surfaces are separated from said package.

According to a third aspect of the invention, said object is achieved entirely or at least in part by a package for containing food products, said package being formed by a forming device as described above and/or folded by a folding unit as described above.

The top of the front wall of the pack may be adapted to receive the opening means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved in whole or at least in part by a method for forming a package having at least one portion to be folded into a finished package. The method comprises the step of constraining the package between first and second surfaces of the forming device disposed opposite each other and adapted, in use, to cooperate respectively with the front and rear walls of the package to be folded. The first surface includes an at least partially concave shaped portion. The method also includes the steps of forming a package by allowing the top of the front wall of the package to expand outward into the forming portion without permanently deforming the package, and folding at least a portion of the package into a finished package.

After the forming step, the top of the front wall of the package is substantially planar.

The top of the front wall of the package may be adapted to receive an opening device.

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, means, part, device, step, etc.]" should be construed publicly to refer to at least one instance of that element, device, part, device, step, etc., unless otherwise There are clear instructions.

Description of drawings

The above objects, as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully understood by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a forming apparatus for feeding packages along a forming path to form a finished package according to a first aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the forming apparatus of Figure 1 holding a package and forming a pack.

Fig. 3 is a side view of a folding unit for forming a sealed package of a pourable food product according to a second aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a finished package according to a third aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Detailed ways

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a forming device 42 for feeding a pack having at least one portion 6 along a forming path B ( FIG. 3 ) to be folded into a finished pack 2 . The forming means 42 comprise a first surface 46a and a second surface 46b facing each other and are adapted in use to cooperate with respectively the front wall 15 and the rear wall 10 facing each other of said package 3 to be folded. The first surface 46a comprises an at least partially concave shaped portion 8 adapted in use to cooperate with the top of the front wall 15 of the package 3 so as to prevent inward deformation of the top of the front wall 15 during formation of the package 3 .

The concave shape of the forming portion 8 will allow the top of the front wall 15 to expand outwards into the forming portion 8 during formation of the package 3 without permanently deforming the package 3 . This will result in a planar final configuration of the top of the front wall 15 . By controlling the shape and size of the shaped portion 8, the tops of the top wall 17 of the package 3 and the front wall 15 of the package 3 can be controlled to form the desired angles for post application of the components to these surfaces.

The forming device 42 has a drive element 20 which moves the forming device 42 in the forming path B. As shown in FIG. The packages 3 are formed into corresponding boxes 2 while advancing along the forming path B. As shown in FIG. In more detail, the forming device 42 has a first body 44a comprising a first surface 46a and a second body 44b comprising a second surface 46b. The shaping portion 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 shaping device 42 .

The first surface 46 a also includes a replaceable element 9 comprising a shaped portion 8 . In this way, the forming portion 8 may be given any suitable shape according to the package 2 to be folded and finally formed. That is, the final shape of the top of the front wall 15 of the package 3 can be controlled to match any potential post-apply components and filling configurations. In this embodiment, the replaceable element 9 is chosen such that the shaped portion 8 has a concave shape, while the shape of the second surface 46b is a planar shape. The concave shape will allow the top of the front wall 15 of the package 3 to expand outwards into the forming portion 8 during its formation.

The shaping device 42 also includes a first member 45a and a second member 45b. The first member 45a and the second member 45b respectively include a first surface 46a and a second surface 46b facing each other.

The first surface 46a and the second surface 46b cooperate respectively with the front wall 15 and the rear wall 10 of the associated package 3 in order to hold the package 3 along the forming path B.

Specifically, the first surface 46a cooperates with the front wall 15 of the package 3 for forming the front wall 15 of the folded package 2, and the surface 46b cooperates with the package 3 for forming the rear wall 10 of the folded package 2. The rear wall 10 fits.

In detail, the first surface 46a is defined by a straight radially outer edge 50 and a straight radially inner edge 51 facing each other, and by a pair of edges 52 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2 ), which are opposed to each other and It extends between a radially outer edge 50 and a radially inner edge 51 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the second surface 46b is planar.

In the embodiment shown, the replaceable element 9 is distinct from and releasably connectable to the first member 45a. In this way, a replaceable element 9 provided with a shaped portion 8 of a certain shape can be replaced by another replaceable element provided with a shaped portion of a different shape.

In another embodiment not shown, the shaped portion is obtained directly in the first member 45a.

Each shaping device 42 also comprises an inclined element 48 protruding from a radially inner edge 51 of the first surface 46a of the member 45a towards the second surface 46b and extending transversely to the second surface 46b.

Each element 48 includes a surface 49 extending from the first surface 46a towards the second surface 46b. The surface 49 cooperates with each package 3 which is moved along the forming path B by the corresponding forming device 42 .

Figure 3 shows a folding unit 1 for forming a sealed package 2 of pourable food products. The folding unit 1 comprises a carousel 40 rotating about an axis C. As shown in FIG. The rotary conveyor 40 supports at least one forming device 42 as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, a carousel 40 supports a plurality of forming devices 42 . The folding unit 1 also comprises at least one folding device 55 , 65 which in use interacts with the package 3 along the forming path B and which is adapted to be folded at at least one portion 6 .

The pressing device 66 of the folding device 65 is movable back and forth along the axis G radially to the axis C between an operative position in which it presses the flap of each package 3 against said package. 3, the pressure means 66 are detached from the fins in the rest position.

The pressure element 67 is movable back and forth between an operating position, in which the relevant surface presses the corresponding flap of each package 3 against the corresponding wall, and a rest position, in which the pressure element 67 is detached from said flap to allow package 3 to travel along path B.

The movement of the pressure element 67 is synchronized with the movement of the pressure device 66 in a manner not shown. Each pressure element 67 extends between the first surface 46a and the second surface 46b of the forming device 42 arranged at station B5 when the pressure device 66 and the pressure element 67 are in the respective working position.

More specifically, forming path B extends from loading station B ₁ to unloading station B ₂ , wherein at loading station B ₁ , conveyor 40 receives each package 3 from input conveyor 80 , and at unloading station B ₂ , conveyor 40 places The associated box 2 is unloaded onto the output conveyor.

From loading station B ₁ to unloading station B ₂ , the forming path B also includes: a first portion along which the track interacts with each package 3 to transform the package 3 from a pillow-shaped configuration into one in which the portions 6 are pressed towards each other to the construction of folding the walls of part 6 and folding the label onto the corresponding walls; station _B3 , wherein the interacting surface interacts with each package 3 to fold the flaps around the fold line; and a second part, the track along which The second part interacts with each package 3 .

From the second section to unloading station _B2 , the forming path B also includes: station _B4 , in which the heating device 60 heats the flaps of each package 3 in preparation for their heat sealing to the corresponding wall; the third section, the track along With this third part, the flaps of each package 3 are folded; station _B5 , in which the pressure means 66 and the pressure element 67 of the folding device 65 fold the flaps of each package 3 onto the relevant wall; and the fourth part, This fourth section terminates at unloading station _B2 , and tracks along this fourth section keep the fins pressed against the wall to prevent accidental detachment of the fins as they cool.

Figure 4 shows a finished package 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. After final shaping and folding, the pack 2 has been provided with opening means 14 . Post application in this case consists of attaching the opening device 14 to the top wall 17 and the front wall 15 of the pack 2 . The opening device 14 has a frame extending along two inclined planes of the pack 2, in particular a first part 18 attached to the top wall 17 of the pack 2; and a second part 19 which 19 is attached to the front wall 15 of the packaging box 2 . Here, the opening device 14 can be correctly attached to the pack 2 because the angle between the two inclined planes (ie the angle between the first part 18 and the second part 19 ) is compatible with the top wall 17 and the front of the pack 2 . The angles between the tops of the walls 15 are matched. In this way, potential leakage problems will be eliminated.

It is to be understood that other variations of the invention are contemplated and that, in some cases, some of the features of the invention may be employed without the corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be interpreted broadly in a manner consistent with the scope of the present invention.

For example, the at least partially concave shaped portion may be an at least partially curved shaped portion.

The invention may be used with any suitable type of filling machine and is not limited to forming devices 42 or folding units 1 of the type described above. An example is a filling machine with a final folding unit consisting of a continuous chain arrangement. This type of final folding unit consists of a hinged chain that encircles and meshes with gears and supports a plurality of plates (eg flat rectangular plates) each protruding from said chain and cooperating with and pushing the package 3 Supply along the path. Here, a concave shaped portion 8 may be provided in connection with the plate to prevent inward deformation of the top of the front wall during the formation of the package 3 into the finished package 2 .

Claims (15)

1. a kind of building mortion (42) is used to feed packaging (3) along forming path (В), the packaging (3), which has, waits rolling over At least one portion (6) of finished product packing box (2) is built up, the building mortion (42) includes：

First surface (46a) and second surface (46b), the first surface (46a) and second surface (46b) opposite to each other and It is suitable for the antetheca (15) and rear wall (10) cooperation relative to each other respectively with the packaging (3) to be folded in use,

The wherein described first surface (46a) includes the shaped portion (8) being at least partially recessed into, and the shaped portion (8) is using In be suitable for it is described packaging (3) the antetheca (15) top coordinate, to prevent during the formation of packaging (3) it is described before The top of wall (15) is deformed inward.

2. building mortion (42) according to claim 1, wherein the shaped portion (8) is configured in the packaging (3) The top of the antetheca (15) is allowed to extend outwardly in the shaped portion (8) during formation, without making the packet Fill (3) permanent deformation.

3. building mortion (42) according to claim 1 or 2 further includes first with the first surface (46a) Main body (44a) and second main body (44b) with the second surface (46b).

4. building mortion (42) according to claim 3, wherein first main body (44a) and second main body Each in (44b) is with first petiolarea and the second petiolarea opposite with the first petiolarea.

5. building mortion (42) according to claim 4, wherein the first petiolarea connection of first main body (44a) For driving the building mortion (42) along forming path (B), and include the shaped portion (8) to driving element (20).

6. building mortion (42) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first surface (46a) includes tool There are the interchangeable elements (9) of the shaped portion (8).

7. building mortion (42) as claimed in claim 6 comprising the shaped portion (8) the interchangeable elements (9) can with another include another shaped portion interchangeable elements replace, the shape of another shaped portion and The shape of the shaped portion (8) is different.

8. building mortion (42) according to claim 7, wherein another described shaped portion is flat surfaces.

9. a kind of folding unit (1) for the sealing packaging box (2) being used to form pourable food, the folding unit (1) include：

At least one building mortion (42) according to any one of claim 1 to 8 and at least one folding device (55,65), the folding device interact and are suitable for the packaging (3) along the forming path (B) in use Fold described at least one portion (6).

10. folding unit according to claim 9 further includes heating device (60), which is used for The fin that the expansion of the packaging (3) is heated in use, wherein at least one folding device (65) is along the formation road Diameter (B) is disposed in the downstream of the heating device (60).

11. a kind of packing box (2) for accommodating food, by according to any one of claim 1 to 8 at shape dress It sets to be formed, and/or is folded by folding unit according to claim 9 or 10.

12. packing box (2) according to claim 11, wherein the top of the antetheca (15) of the packing box (2) Portion is suitable for accommodating shedding motion.

13. the method that one kind being used to form packaging (3), the packaging (3) has at least one portion (6), described at least one Partly (6) are folded into finished product packing box (2), the described method comprises the following steps：

The packaging (3) is constrained in the first surface (46a) being arranged opposite to each other and second surface of building mortion (42) Between (46a), and the first surface (46a) and second surface (46a) be suitable in use respectively with it is to be folded described in Antetheca (15) and rear wall (10) cooperation of (3) are packed, the first surface (46a) includes the shaped portion being at least partially recessed into (8),

It is extended outwardly in the shaped portion (8) at the top of the antetheca (15) by allowing the packaging (3) without making The packaging (3) is permanently deformed to form the packaging (3), and

Described at least one portion (6) of the packaging (3) is folded to form the finished product packing box (2).

14. method as claimed in claim 13, wherein after the forming step, the antetheca (15) of the packaging (3) The top is substantially plane.

15. the method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the top of the antetheca (15) of the packing box (2) Portion is suitable for receiving opening device.