A FORMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FORMING A PACK INTO A FINISHED PACKAGE, A FOLDING UNIT FOR FORMING SEALED PACKAGES OF POURABLE FOOD PRODUCTS, AND A PACKAGE

Abstract

The invention relates to a forming device (42) for feeding along a forming path (B) a pack (3) which has at least one portion (6) to be folded into a finished package (2). The forming device (42) comprises a first surface (46a) and a second surface (46b) opposite to each other and adapted, in use, to cooperate respectively with a front wall (15) and a rear wall (10) opposite to each other of the pack (3) to be folded. The first surface (46a) comprises an at least partially concave forming section (8) adapted, in use, to cooperate with a top portion of the front wall (15) of the pack (3), such that an inward deformation of the top portion of the front wall (15) is prevented during forming of the pack (3). The invention also relates to a folding unit (1) for forming sealed packages (2) of pourable food products, to a method for forming a pack (3) which has at least one portion (6) to be folded into a finished package, and to a package (2).

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A forming device for feeding along a forming path a pack which has at least one portion to be folded into a finished package, the forming device comprising: a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other and configured to interact respectively with a front wall of the pack to be folded and an opposing rear wall of the pack to be folded; wherein the first surface comprises: an at least partially concave forming section configured to interact with a top portion of the front wall of the pack and prevent an inward deformation of the top portion of the front wall during forming of the pack, wherein the at least partially concave forming section is further configured to allow the top portion of the front wall to expand outwardly into the at least partially concave forming section during forming of the pack without permanently deforming the pack.

17. The forming device according to claim 16, and further comprising a first body incorporating the first surface and a second body incorporating the second surface.

18. The forming device according to claim 17, wherein each of the first body and the second body has a first end zone and a second end zone opposite to the first end zone.

19. The forming device according to claim 18, wherein the first end zone of the first body is connected to a driving element for driving the forming device along a forming path and incorporates the at least partially concave forming section.

20. The forming device according to claim 16, wherein the first surface comprises a replaceable element incorporating the at least partially concave forming section.

21. The forming device according to claim 20, wherein the replaceable element incorporating the at least partially concave forming section may be replaced with another replaceable element incorporating another forming section having an extent of the concave shape different from the shape of the at least partially concave forming section.

22. A folding unit for forming sealed packages of pourable food products, comprising at least one forming device according to claim 16, the folding unit comprising: at least one folding device interacting with the pack along the forming path and adapted to fold the at least one portion.

23. The folding unit according to claim 22, and further comprising: a heating device for heating unfolded flaps of the pack, wherein the at least one folding device is arranged downstream from the heating device along the forming path.

24. A method for forming a pack which has at least one portion to be folded into a finished package, the method comprising: forming the pack by allowing a top portion of a front wall of the pack to expand outwardly into an at least partially concave forming section without permanently deforming the pack; constraining the pack between a first surface and a second surface of a forming device arranged opposite to each other and configured to interact respectively with the front wall and a rear wall of the pack to be folded, the first surface comprising the at least partially concave forming section; folding the at least one portion of the pack to form the finished package.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein after forming the pack, the top portion of the front wall of the pack is substantially planar.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the top portion of the front wall of the package is configured to receive an opening device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a forming device for feeding a pack along a forming path to form a finished package according to a first aspect of one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a side view of the forming device of FIG. 1 when holding and forming a pack into a package.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a side view of a folding unit for forming sealed packages of pourable food products according to a second aspect of one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a finished package according to a third aspect of one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a forming device 42 for feeding along a forming path B (FIG. 3) a pack which has at least one portion 6, to be folded into a finished package 2. The forming device 42 comprises a first surface 46a and a second surface 46b opposite to each other and is adapted, in use, to cooperate respectively with a front wall 15 and a rear wall 10 opposite to each other of said pack 3 to be folded. The first surface 46a comprises an at least partially concave forming section 8 adapted, in use, to cooperate with a top portion of the front wall 15 of the pack 3, such that an inward deformation of the top portion of the front wall 15 is prevented during forming of the pack 3.

[0036] The concave shape of the forming section 8 will allow the top portion of the front wall 15 to expand outwardly into the forming section 8 during forming of the pack 3 without permanently deforming the pack 3. This will result in a planar final configuration of the top portion of the front wall 15. By controlling the shape and size of the forming section 8, the top wall 17 of the pack 3 and the top portion of the front wall 15 of the pack 3 may be controlled to form a desired angle to facilitate post-application of components to these surfaces.

[0037] The forming device 42 has a driving element 20 that moves the forming device 42 in the forming path B. The pack 3 is formed into a corresponding package 2 while being advanced along the forming path B. In more detail, the forming device 42 has a first body 44a incorporating the first surface 46a and a second body 44b incorporating the second surface 46b. The forming section 8 of the first surface 46a is arranged adjacent to the portion of the first body 44a that is connected to the drive element 20 of the forming device 42.

[0038] The first surface 46a further comprises a replaceable element 9 which incorporates the forming section 8. This way, the forming section 8 can be given any suitable shape depending on the package 2 to be folded and finalized. That is, the final shape of the top portion of the front wall 15 of the pack 3 can be controlled to match any potential post-application components and filling configurations. In the present embodiment, the replaceable element 9 has been chosen to give the forming section 8 a concave shape while the shape of the second surface 46b is planar. The concave shape will allow the top portion of the front wall 15 of the pack 3 to expand outwardly into the forming section 8 during forming of the same.

[0039] The forming device 42 also comprises a first member 45a and a second member 45b. The first member 45a and the second member 45b comprise, respectively, the first surface 46a and the second surface 46b which face each other.

[0040] The first surface 46a and the second surface 46b cooperate, respectively, with the front wall 15 and the rear walls 10 of relative pack 3, so as to hold pack 3 along the forming path B.

[0041] Specifically, the first surface 46a cooperates with the front wall 15 of pack 3 intended to form the front wall 15 of the folded package 2 and the surface 46b cooperates with the rear wall 10 of pack 3 intended to form the rear wall 10 of the folded package 2.

[0042] In detail, the first surface 46a is bounded by a rectilinear radial outer edge 50 and a rectilinear radial inner edge 51 which are opposite to each other, and by a pair of edges 52 (only one of which shown in FIG. 2) which are opposite to each other and extend between the radial outer edge 50 end the radial inner edge 51.

[0043] The second surface 46b is, in the embodiment shown, planar.

[0044] In the embodiment shown, the replaceable element 9 is distinct from the first member 45a and releasably connectable to the first member 45a. In this way, a replaceable element 9 provided with a forming section 8 having a certain shape may be replaced with another replaceable element provided with a forming section having a different shape.

[0045] In another embodiment, not shown, the forming section is obtained directly in the first member 45a.

[0046] Each forming device 42 further comprises a slanted element 48 projecting from the radial inner edge 51 of the first surface 46a of the member 45a towards the second surface 46b and extending transversally to the second surface 46b.

[0047] Each element 48 comprises a surface 49 extending from the first surface 46a towards the second surface 46b. The surface 49 cooperates with each pack 3 which is moved along the forming path B by the respective forming device 42.

[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates a folding unit 1 for forming sealed packages 2 of pourable food products. The folding unit 1 comprises a rotary conveyor 40 rotating around an axis C. The rotary conveyor 40 supports at least one forming device 42 as described above. In the embodiment shown, the rotary conveyor 40 supports a plurality of forming devices 42. The folding unit 1 further comprises at least one folding device 55, 65 interacting, in use, with the pack 3 along the forming path B and being adapted to fold the at least one portion 6.

[0049] A pressure device 66 of the folding device 65 is movable back and forth along an axis G radial to axis C between a work position, in which it presses the flaps of each pack 3 onto the walls of the pack 3, and a rest position, in which it is detached from the flaps.

[0050] Pressure elements 67 are movable back and forth between a work position, in which relative surfaces press respective flaps of each pack 3 onto respective walls, and a rest position, in which they are detached from the flaps to permit travelling of pack 3 along path B.

[0051] The movement of the pressure elements 67 is synchronized in a not shown manner with the movement of the pressure device 66. When the pressure device 66 and the pressure elements 67 are in respective work positions, each pressure element 67 extends between the first surfaces 46a and the second surface 46b of the forming device 42 which is arranged at a station B5.

[0052] More specifically, the forming path B extends from a loading station B.sub.1, where the conveyor 40 receives each pack 3 from an input conveyor 80, to an unloading station B.sub.2, where the conveyor 40 unloads a relative package 2 onto an output conveyor.

[0053] From the loading station B.sub.1 to the unloading station B.sub.2, the forming path B also comprises a first portion, along which rails interact with each pack 3 to convert the pack 3 from a pillow configuration to a configuration in which the portions 6 are pressed towards each other to fold walls of portions 6, and to fold tabs onto respective walls, a station B.sub.3 where an interacting surface interacts with each pack 3 to fold the flaps about fold lines, and a second portion, along which rails interact with each pack 3.

[0054] From the second portion to the unloading station B.sub.2, the forming path B also comprises a station B.sub.4 where a heating device 60 heats the flaps of each pack 3, preparatory to heat sealing them onto respective walls, a third portion, along which rails fold the flaps of each pack 3, the station B.sub.5 where the pressure device 66 and the pressure elements 67 of the folding device 65 fold the flaps of each pack 3 onto relative walls, and a fourth portion terminating at the ounloading station B.sub.2, and along which rails keep the flaps pressed onto the walls to prevent accidental detachment of the flaps as they cool.

[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates a finished package 2 according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The package 2 has been provided with an opening device 14 after the final forming and folding of the same. In this case, the post-application consists of attaching the opening device 14 to the top wall 17 and the front wall 15 of the package 2. The opening device 14 has a frame extending along two inclined planes of the package 2, in particular a first portion 18 attached to the top wall 17 of the package 2 and a second portion 19 attached to the front wall 15 of the package 2. Here, the opening device 14 has been able to be properly attached to the package 2 since the angle between the two inclined planes, i.e. the angle between the first portion 18 and the second portion 19 matches the angle between the top wall 17 and the top portion of the front wall 15 of the package 2. This way, the potential problem of leakage will be eliminated.

[0056] It is understood that other variations in the present invention are contemplated and in some instances, some features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

[0057] For instance, the at least partially concave forming section may be an at least partially curved forming section.

[0058] The present invention can be used in connection with any suitable type of filling machine and is not limited to the type of forming device 42 or folding unit 1 described above. One example is a filling machine having a final folding unit constituted by a continuous chain device. This type of final folding unit comprises an articulated chain looped about and meshing with gears, and supporting a number of plates, for example flat rectangular plates, each of which projects from the chain and cooperates with and pushes a pack 3 to feed it along a path. Here, the concave forming section 8 could be provided in connection with the plates in order to prevent an inward deformation of the top portion of the front wall during forming of the pack 3 into a finished package 2.