US 2018/0001574 A1 · FORMING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR FORMING A PLURALITY OF SEALED PACKS FOR POURABLE FOOD PRODUCTS STARTING FROM A TUBE OF PACKAGING MATERIAL

Abstract

There is described a forming assembly (10b) for forming a plurality of sealed packs (3) starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, comprising first conveying means (15b) movable along a first path (Q) comprising: a first operative branch (Q1), which has a main elongation direction parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the tube (2); and a first return branch (Q2) comprising an initial portion (35b) which is arranged immediately downstream of the operative branch (Q1) and extends transversally to the advancing direction (A); first conveying means (14b, 15b, 14b′) comprise one of a sealing element (22b) or a counter-sealing element (22a); and a first half-shell (21b), which is movable along the operative branch (Q1) between: a first rest position, in which it is detached from the tube (2) or the formed pack (3); and a first operative position, in which it grips the tube (2) or the formed pack (3); the first half-shell (21b) is arranged in the first operative position along a first portion (34b) of the first operative branch (Q1); the first half-shell (21b) is kept in the first operative position along an initial portion (35b), so as to grip and convey the pack (3) in a staggered position with respect to the advancing direction (A); and moves, from the first operative position to the rest position at an end (36b) of the initial portion (35b) opposite to the first portion (34b), so as to discharge the pack (3) in a staggered position with respect to the advancing direction (A).

Claims15

Dependent claims

A forming assembly for forming a plurality of sealed packs starting from a tube of packaging material, comprising:

a first conveyor movable along first path;
wherein said first path is configured to proceed according to an advancing direction of the first conveyor:
a first operative branch, which has a main elongation direction parallel to an advancing direction of said tube;
and
a first return branch comprising, in turn, an initial portion which is arranged immediately downstream of said operative branch and extends transversally to said advancing direction;
wherein said first conveyor further comprises:
one of a sealing element or a counter-sealing element configured to seal said pack along said first operative branch;
and
a first half-shell, which is movable along said operative branch between:
a first rest position, in which it is detached, in use, from said tube or said formed pack;
and
a first operative position, in which it grips said tube or said formed pack;
said first half-shell being arranged in said first operative position along a first portion of said first operative branch;
wherein said first half-shell is kept, in use, in said first operative position along said initial portion, so as to grip and convey said pack in a staggered position with respect to said advancing direction;
and moves, in use, from said first operative position to said rest position at an end of said initial portion opposite to said first portion, so as to discharge said pack in a staggered position with respect to said advancing direction.

12 more elements

A method for forming a plurality of sealed packs starting from a tube of packaging material, comprising the steps of:

i) advancing said tube along an advancing direction;
and
ii) moving a first conveyor along an endless first path, which is formed by:
a first operative branch, which has a main elongation direction parallel to said advancing direction;
and
a first return branch comprising, in turn, an initial portion which is arranged immediately downstream of said first operative branch and extends transversally to said advancing direction;
wherein said first conveyor comprising, in further comprises:
one of a sealing element or a counter-sealing element configured to seal said pack along said operative branch;
and
a first half-shell;
wherein said step ii) further comprises the steps of:
iii) moving said first half-shell along said first operative branch between:
a first rest position, in which it is detached from said tube or said formed pack;
and
a first operative position, in which it grips said tube or said formed pack;
and
iv) arranging said first half-shell in said first operative position along a first portion of said first operative branch;
v) keeping said first half-shell in said first operative position along an initial portion of said first return branch, so as to grip and convey said pack in a staggered position with respect to said advancing direction;
and
vi) moving said first half-shell from said first operative position to said rest position at an end of said initial portion, so as to discharge said pack in a staggered position with respect to said advancing direction.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Forming assembly and method for forming a plurality of sealed packs for pourable food products starting from a tube of packaging material

Life of this patent

Forming assembly and method for forming a plurality of sealed packs for pourable food products starting from a tube of packaging material

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15