Unit and method for forming/advancing a pack or a portion of a pack

A packaging unit for advancing at least one pack portion, comprising:

• a stationary frame;
• a carriage movable along a path comprising at least one vertical portion, wherein the carriage is configured to convey the at least one pack portion;
• a stopping unit coupled to the stationary frame and configured to:
• allow the carriage to advance along the vertical portion when the carriage receives power from a power source;
• and
• stop the carriage from advancing along the vertical portion when the power source is deactivated,
• wherein the carriage has a first stop element having an appendix that protrudes from the carriage and wherein the first stop element is configured to engage with a second stop element of the stopping unit, and
• wherein the stopping unit is selectively movable between:
• (1) a release configuration in which the first stop element and second stop element are decoupled;
• and (2) a stop configuration, in which the first stop element and second stop element block one another, wherein the stopping unit comprises:
• a first wall and a second wall that together define a slot through which the appendix is movable when the carriage moves along the vertical portion;
• the second wall defining the second stop element and being selectively movable between:
• (1) a closed position in which the second wall cooperates with the first wall to thereby block the appendix inside the slot, and (2) an open position in which the second wall is detached from the first wall to thereby allow the appendix to move in the slot.

A method for advancing at least one portion of a pack, comprising:

• selectively actuating a power source;
• coupling at least one carriage with the power source;
• moving the carriage along a path comprising a vertical portion;
• conveying the at least one pack portion along the path by the carriage;
• leaving the carriage free to advance along the vertical portion when the power source is activated;
• stopping the carriage along the vertical portion when the power source is deactivated
• selectively moving a stopping unit between:
• (1) a release configuration in which a first stop element and a second stop element are decoupled, wherein the first stop element is an appendix protruding from the carriage, and (2) a stop configuration in which the first stop element and second stop element block one another, wherein the carriage comprises the first stop element and the stopping unit comprises the second stop element,
• wherein:
• the stopping unit comprises a first wall and a second wall that define a slot through which the appendix is movable when the carriage moves along the vertical portion,
• the second wall defines the second stop element;
• selectively moving the second wall between:
• (1) an open position in which the second wall cooperates with the first wall to block the appendix in the slot, and (2) a closed position in which it is detached from the first wall to thereby allow the appendix to move in the slot.