Welding station and method for producing a package comprising a heat-sealed wrapping

A method for producing a wrapping comprising at least a first sheet and a second sheet that jointly define a cavity suitable for including a product, the method comprising steps of:

• a) providing a support wheel, continuously rotatable about a wheel axis, and at least one welding device housed on the support wheel, the at least one welding device comprising a welding member translatable along a radial direction of the support wheel and suitable for coming into contact with, and providing heat, until a pre-determined temperature is reached, to the first sheet of the wrapping, and an abutment assembly comprising at least one abutment member suitable for providing an abutment to the welding member;
• b) when the support wheel is in a first angular position, arranging the welding member in a retracted position with respect to the abutment assembly and configuring the abutment assembly in a first open position, then feeding the first sheet of the wrapping to the at least one welding device, arranging the first sheet in contact with the welding member;
• c) when the support wheel is in a second angular position, subsequent to the first angular position in a direction of rotation of the support wheel, feeding the second sheet of the wrapping previously shaped so as to define the cavity containing the product, so that the second sheet overlaps at least partially with the first sheet along a welding region;
• d) arranging the at least one abutment member of the abutment assembly into a closed position, preferably with a rototranslatory movement, in such a way that the at least one abutment member faces at least partially the second sheet, overlapping the welding region;
• e) when the support wheel is in a third angular position, subsequent to the second angular position in the direction of rotation of the support wheel, advancing the welding member so as to exert a predetermined pressure against the abutment assembly, and heating the welding member to a predetermined temperature, so as to mutually weld the first and second sheets;
• and
• f) when the support wheel is in a fourth angular position, subsequent to the third angular position in the direction of rotation of the support wheel, arranging the welding member into the retracted position and returning the abutment assembly to the first open position, and removing the wrapping from the at least one welding device.