Patent ID: 6112498
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B65B

Abstract:
A packaging unit for continuously producing aseptic sealed packages, containing a pourable food product, from a tube made of heat-seal packaging material in sheet form, fed along a vertical supply path, and filled with said food product, said tube of packaging material including a succession of identical, equally spaced designs located on the portions eventually forming the outer surface of said packages, said unit comprising:a first chain conveyor having a number of jaws and defining an endless first path along which said jaws are fed;a second chain conveyor having a number of counter-jaws and defining an endless second path along which said counter-jaws are fed;said first Xth and said second path comprising respective work portions adjacent to said supply path, extending substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of said supply path so that said jaws cooperate with respective counter-jaws to grip and heat-seal respective equally spaced transverse bands of said tube;wherein said jaws comprise drawing means movable with respect to said jaws for interacting with said tube of packaging material to correctly feed said tube along said tube supply path, and control means for controlling said drawing means in response to signals related to the location of said designs along said supply path;wherein said drawing means comprises, for each jaw, a pair of movable elements for cooperating on opposite sides with said tube of packaging material, said movable elements connected to each jaw and spaced-apart from each other, and an actuating mechanism for activating said movable elements positioned intermediate said movable elements.