Folding unit for producing packages from sealed packs and method for producing packages form sealed packs

A folding unit for producing packages from sealed packs, the folding unit comprising:

• an endless chain conveyor carrying a first plurality of paddles configured to move the packs along an advancement direction and to fold the packs into the produced packages, each paddle of the first plurality of paddles having a first surface configured to interact with a first pack to form a portion of a corresponding first package and a second surface configured to interact with a second pack to form a portion of a corresponding second package, wherein the chain conveyor further includes:
• a plurality of connected links, each link carrying a corresponding paddle of the first plurality of paddles, wherein each paddle of the first plurality of paddles comprises a seat, and wherein each link comprises:
• a plate;
• and
• a body projecting from the plate and configured to be received in the seat;
• a releasable connecting element corresponding to each paddle of the first plurality of paddles and configured to releasably connect the corresponding paddle of the first plurality of paddles to the corresponding link of the chain conveyor, wherein each releasable connecting element comprises:
• a screw having an elongated body,
• a head, and
• a threaded portion;
• and
• a second plurality of paddles for replacing the first plurality of paddles, each of the second paddles having:
• a further first surface, and
• a further second surface,
• wherein each paddle of the first plurality of paddles comprises a first end surface that abuts the plate of the corresponding link when the paddle is connected to the body of the corresponding link by the corresponding releasable connecting element,
• wherein the head of each releasable connecting element abuts a second end surface of the corresponding paddle of the first plurality of paddles, the second end surface of the corresponding paddle of the first plurality of paddles being opposite to the first end surface of the corresponding paddle of the first plurality of paddles, and
• wherein at least one of the further first surface and further second surface of the second plurality of paddles is different from the corresponding first surface and second surface of the first plurality of paddles, such that the first plurality of paddles is configured to produce a first type of packages having a first package shape and the second plurality of paddles is configured to produce a second type of packages having a second package shape, wherein the first package shape is different than the second package shape.