Web alignment device, a packaging machine having a web alignment device and a splicing method

A method of splicing a web of packaging material in use and a new web of packaging material comprising:

• an advancement phase during which one of a first integrated web of packaging material and a second integrated web of packaging material is advanced along a web advancement path as a web in use;
• an alignment phase during which the other one of the first integrated web of packaging material and of the second integrated web of packaging material is aligned as a new web according to a defined orientation;
• a splicing phase during which a trailing portion of the web in use and a leading portion of the new web are sealed to one another;
• wherein the alignment phase comprises:
• an engagement sub-phase during which the new web is engaged onto an engagement surface;
• a displacement sub-phase during which the new web is displaced;
• at least a first control sub-phase, during which a first sensor device detects and/or determines whether a first section of the new web is in a respective desired position and sends at least a first signal to a control unit if the first section is positioned in the desired position;
• at least a second control sub-phase during which a second sensor device detects and/or determines whether a second section of the new web distinct from the first section is in a respective desired position and sends a second signal to the control unit if the second section is positioned in the desired position;
• and
• an accumulative control sub-phase, during which the control unit generates a trigger signal indicating the correct alignment of the new web if the first sensor device and the second sensor device send contemporaneously respectively the first signal and the second signal to the control unit.

Web alignment device for aligning a an integrated web within a packaging machine comprising an engagement surface for supporting the integrated web and a clamp assembly for clamping the integrated web on at least a clamp portion of the engagement surface, the integrated web including a lateral longitudinal edge extending along a length of the integrated web at one lateral edge of the integrated web, the web alignment device comprising:

• an alignment control assembly configured to determine and/or detect a correct alignment of the integrated web, the alignment control assembly comprising:
• at least a control unit for generating at least a trigger signal if the integrated web is detected or determined to be correctly aligned;
• at least a first sensor device connected to the control unit and configured to detect and/or determine at least a desired position of a first section of the lateral longitudinal edge of the integrated web and to send at least a first signal to the control unit if the at least first sensor device detects and/or determines that the first section of the lateral longitudinal edge of the integrated web is positioned in the desired position;
• and
• at least a second sensor device connected to the control unit and configured to detect and/or determine at least a desired position of a second section of the lateral longitudinal edge of the integrated web and to send at least a second signal to the control unit if the at least first second device detects and/or determines that the second section of the lateral longitudinal edge of the integrated web is positioned in the desired position, the first section of the lateral longitudinal edge of the integrated web being spaced from the second section of the lateral longitudinal edge of the integrated web;
• the at least first sensor device and the at least second sensor device being spaced apart from one another at positions on a common side of the integrated web, in use;
• the first sensor device and the second sensor device sending simultaneously, in use, respectively the first signal and the second signal to the control unit when the integrated web is correctly aligned;
• and
• the control unit being configured to generate the trigger signal indicating the correct alignment when the first sensor device and the second sensor device send simultaneously, in use, respectively the first signal and the second signal to the control unit.