PACKAGING MACHINE WITH FORMING TUBE

Abstract: Packaging machine with forming tube (1) around which a ribbon of flexible material (2) is wrapped, in order to shape a continuous sleeve (7), longitudinally sealed (3) to obtain, with subsequent transversal sealings (8, 9), filled and sealed packages, characterized by the fact that it is equipped with a shaping device (14) that produces on said sleeve, along the part between two transversal subsequent sealings, a gusset (14) that is able to constitute the bottom structure of the package, that will have, when turned and placed over a horizontal ground, the necessary base to stand up steadily in vertical position.

Description: PACKAGING MACHINE WITH FORMING TUBE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of packaging machines generally included in the international classification B65 d. STATE OF THE ART There are several kinds of packaging machines with forming tube around which a ribbon of flexible material is wrapped, in order to shape a continuous sleeve. This sleeve is longitudinally sealed to obtain, with subsequent transversal sealings, filled and sealed packages; it is already known that the envelopes, if placed on a horizontal ground, can only lie flat. The market trend of the packaging field requires at present packages that are able to stand up steadily when placed on a horizontal ground, in order to have a better presentation in display or sale points. The problem to be solved is to obtain, with a machine for envelope production, packages that are able to stand up steadily on a horizontal ground. The present invention is an optimal solution to the problem for the simplicity and the inexpensiveness of the realization and for the great reliability and versatility of employment in the packaging process with forming tube. DESCRIPTION The invention is now disclosed in detail referring to the figures of the attached drawings, as a not limitative example. Figure 1 is an axonometric view that schematizes a packaging process with forming tube around which a ribbon of flexible material is wrapped, in order to shape a continuous sleeve. Said sleeve is longitudinally sealed to obtain, with subsequent transversal sealings, filled and sealed packages. It can be noticed that the ribbon of flexible material comes out from a roll and the product to be packaged is fed by gravity through the forming tube. Figure 2 shows with more details the performance of the transversal sealings and the action of the device that makes on the sleeve a gusset that constitutes the bottom structure ofthe resulting packages. Figure 3 shows the advancement of the sleeve during the phase in which the transversal sealing device are open. It can be noticed that the shaping device can act also when the sleeve in moving forward. Figure 4 shows in detail the operation of longitudinal sealing obtained by thermosealing together the two opposite facing ends of the internal side of the sleeve. Figure 5 shows the shaping device set on the side opposite to the one where the longitudinal sealing of the sleeve is carried out. It can be noticed that the forming tube is appropriately profiled in corrispondence with the shaping device that forms the gusset. Figure 6 shows the characteristic structure of the bottom that allows the package, when turned and placed on an horizontal plane, to stand-up steadily in a vertical position. Figure 7 shows a device to ease the opening ofthe packages, it is clear that said device is set by the longitudinal sealing ofthe sleeve. Figure 8 shows the application, by the longitudinal sealing ofthe sleeve, ofa device for pouring and hermetically reclosing the package. Figure 9 shows the application ofa ribbon for the tear-off opening ofthe package. Figure 10 shows the device that, in corrispondence with the longitudinal sealing, can obtain shaped slots. Figure 11 shows a package equipped with a zip fastener for reclosing. Figure 12 shows the application, by the longitudinal sealings, of zip fasteners coming from a roll. In the figures ofthe attached drawings each single detail is marked as follows: 1 is the forming tube through which the product to be packaged is fed. 2 is the ribbon of flexible material that is wrapped around the forming tube 3 is the longitudinal thermosealing made by compressing the two facing ends ofthe internal side ofthe sleeve against each other. 3' is the device that performs the longitudinal thermosealing. 4 is a hopper to put the product to be packaged in the forming tube. 5 is the device with drive belt to make the tubular sleeve move forward. 6 is the station where subsequent sealings, transversal to the sleeve, are performed in order to seal the package. 7 is the tubular sleeve 8 and 9 are two subsequent sealing transversal to the sleeve. 10 and 12 are the two ends ofthe flexible ribbon. 11 is the internal side ofthe sleeve 13 is the bottom ofthe package 14 is the gusset made on the sleeve 14' indicates schematically the shaping device that creates the gusset on the sleeve longitudinally sealed on the opposite side. 15 is the schematization ofa device for the tear-off opening ofthe package. 16 is the pouring and reclosing device applied in the package inside the longitudinal sealing ofthe sleeve. 17 is the ribbon for the tear-off opening ofthe package. 18 indicates a profile ofthe forming tube by the shaping device. 19 indicates the roll ofthe ribbon for the tear-off opening ofthe package. It can be noticed that the ribbon is applied continuously during the unrolling of the flexible material roll. 20 is a slot punched on the longitudinal sealing. 21 is a zip fastener, coming from a continuous roll, inserted in line during the longitudinal sealing. The clearness ofthe figures enlightens the simplicity ofthe operation ofthe devices object of the present invention. It is here disclosed that said devices can be used also for machines without a vertical forming tube, but presenting an inclined or horizontal structure also with forced feeding. The invention is obviously susceptible to several usage variations for what concerns the overall dimension, the structural proportioning and the technological choices. All those packages machines with forming tube, realized according the characteristics substantially described, shown and hereinafter claimed will be therefore included in the context ofthe present industrial invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1) Packaging machine with forming tube around which a ribbon of flexible material is wrapped , in order to shape a continuous sleeve, longitudinally sealed to obtain, with subsequent transversal sealings, filled and sealed packages, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it is equipped with a shaping device that produces on said sleeve, along the part between two transversal subsequent sealings, a gusset that is able to constitute the bottom structure of the package, that will have, when turned and placed over a horizontal ground, the necessary base to stand-up steadily in vertical position. 2) Packaging machine with forming tube around which a ribbon of flexible material is wrapped , in order to shape a continuous sleeve, longitudinally sealed to obtain, with subsequent transversal sealings, filled and sealed packages, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the shaping device is set on the side ofthe forming tube opposite to the one where the longitudinal sealing of the sleeve is performed. 3) Packaging machine with forming tube around which a ribbon of flexible material is wrapped , in order to shape a continuous sleeve, longitudinally sealed to obtain, with subsequent transversal sealings, filled and sealed packages, according to claims 1 and 2, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the longitudinal sealing of the sleeve is obtained by thermosealing together the two opposite ends ofthe internal side ofthe sleeve. 4) Packaging machine with forming tube around which is wrapped a ribbon of flexible material, in order to shape a continuous sleeve, longitudinally sealed to obtain, with subsequent transversal sealings, filled and sealed packages, according to previous claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT in line with the longitudinal sealing it is possible to obtain shaped slots and to apply devices for opening, pouring and reclosing. 5) Packaging machine with forming tube around which a ribbon of flexible material is wrapped , in order to shape a continuous sleeve, longitudinally sealed to obtain, with subsequent transversal sealings, filled and sealed packages, according to previous claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the tear-off ribbon is applied longitudinally and continuously during the unrolling of the ribbon of flexible material. 6) Packaging machine with forming tube around which a ribbon of flexible material is wrapped , in order to shape a continuous sleeve, longitudinally sealed to obtain, with subsequent transversal sealings, filled and sealed packages, according to previous claims, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT, correspondingly to the shaping device, the forming tube is profiled for making the gusset on the sleeve of flexible material. 7) Packaging machine CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it is equipped for inserting continuously, in line with the longitudinal sealing, a zip fastener (21) that will constitute a device for the quick reclosing ofthe package.

Inventors: RAPPARINI GINO, RAPPARINI, GINO
Applicants: ICA SPA, RAPPARINI GINO, ICA S.P.A., RAPPARINI, GINO
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65B9
IPC codes: B65B9