Patent Description:
Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a folding apparatus for folding semi-finalized packs of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, into finalized packages of the pourable product, in particular the pourable food product, and having an infeed conveyor.

Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a packaging machine for packaging a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, into finalized packages and having a folding apparatus being provided with an infeed conveyor.

As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.

Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging machines.

There are known packaging machines, which advance a web of packaging material through a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material and into an isolation chamber in which the sterilized web of packaging material is maintained and advanced. During advancement of the web of packaging material within the isolation chamber, the web of packaging material is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube, the tube being further fed along an (vertical) advancing direction. In order to complete the forming operations, the tube is filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, and is transversally sealed and subsequently cut along equally spaced transversal cross sections within a pack forming unit of the packaging machine during advancement along the advancing direction. Pillow packages are so obtained. These pillow packages define sealed semi-finalized packs having each a central main body and a plurality of flaps protruding from the central main body. In order to obtain the finalized packages, the pillow packages are further formed, and the flaps are folded and sealed onto the respective central main bodies.

A typical packaging machine of this type comprises:.

A typical folding apparatus comprises an infeed conveyor, which is configured to receive the semi-finalized packs from the forming apparatus and to feed the semi-finalized packs to a folding unit of the folding apparatus.

The infeed conveyor comprises a carrier for supporting the semi-finalized packs and a belt conveyor carrying a plurality of pushing elements. The belt conveyor is configured to advance the pushing elements along an advancement path such that the pushing elements direct the semi-finalized packs on the carrier along a feeding path when advancing along an operative portion of the advancement path.

The operation of the infeed conveyor must thereby guarantee a correct feeding of the semi-finalized packs to the folding unit. In particular, an operator must setup the infeed conveyor such that the pushing elements advance in a correct manner with respect to the semi-finalized packs. This shall ensure to avoid that the pushing elements are in advance with respect to the semi-finalized packs as such a case may result in the pushing elements getting below the semi-finalized packs possibly provoking a jamming or to avoid that the pushing elements arrive too late, which again may lead to a non-correct folding of the semi-finalized packs.

All this, however, requires the need of well-trained operators and significant time efforts.

Therefore, a need is felt in the sector to further improve the known infeed conveyors.

<CIT> discloses a feeding unit for receiving sealed packs of pourable food products from a forming unit arranged to form said packs and feed said packs to a folding unit arranged to fold said packs so as to obtain folded packages, said feeding unit comprising a feeding conveyor to carry said packs towards said folding unit, and a driving arrangement interacting with said packs so as to pull said packs from said forming unit and push said packs towards said feeding conveyor.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved infeed conveyor, which allows to resolve at least one of the above-mentioned inconveniences.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved folding apparatus, which allows to resolve at least one of the above-mentioned inconveniences.

It is an even further object of the present invention to provide in a straightforward and low-cost manner an improved packaging machine, which allows to resolve at least one of the above-mentioned inconveniences.

According to the present invention, there is provided an infeed conveyor according to the independent claim.

Preferred embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a folding apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a packaging machine according to claim <NUM> or <NUM>.

Number <NUM> indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing (sealed) finalized packages <NUM> of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product such as pasteurized milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, etc..

Web <NUM> of packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown), and comprises at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another. One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material defines the inner face of finalized package <NUM> eventually contacting the pourable product.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, web <NUM> may also comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferentially, web <NUM> may also comprise a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.

In more detail, each finalized package <NUM> may extend along a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal seam portion (extending along the respective longitudinal axis) and a pair of transversal sealing bands, in particular a transversal top sealing band and a transversal bottom sealing band. In particular, each finalized package <NUM> may have a substantially parallelepiped structure.

Furthermore, each finalized package <NUM> may comprise at least two transversal walls (being transversal to the respective longitudinal axis) and being disposed at opposite sides of finalized package <NUM> and a plurality of lateral walls extending between the transversal walls.

More specifically, one respective transversal wall of each finalized package <NUM> defines a bottom wall and the other respective transversal wall defines a top wall. In particular, the bottom wall has a support surface adapted to be placed on a (horizontal) plane, such as e.g. a shelf within a distribution point, and the top wall is opposed to the bottom wall.

With particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, packaging machine <NUM> is configured to produce (sealed) semi-finalized packs <NUM>, such as e.g. pillow packs, being filled with the pourable product and to further treat and/or manipulate and/or form semi-finalized packs <NUM> for obtaining finalized packages <NUM>. In use, at first semi-finalized packs <NUM> are produced by packaging machine <NUM>, then finalized packages <NUM> are obtained from semi-finalized packs <NUM> by packaging machine <NUM>.

More specifically, each semi-finalized pack <NUM> may comprise at least a central main body <NUM> and a plurality of flaps <NUM> protruding from central main body <NUM>.

Additionally, each pack <NUM> may extend along a respective longitudinal axis A and may comprise a longitudinal sealing band <NUM> (extending along longitudinal axis A) and two transversal sealing bands <NUM> disposed at opposite end portions <NUM> of the respective semi-finalized pack <NUM>.

In particular, each longitudinal sealing band <NUM> and the respective transversal sealing bands <NUM> define respectively corresponding longitudinal seam portions and corresponding transversal sealing bands of the respective finalized package <NUM> (obtained from the respective semi-finalized pack <NUM>).

More specifically, the end portions of each semi-finalized pack <NUM> may taper from the respective central main body <NUM> to the respective transversal sealing band <NUM>.

Even more specifically, each end portion <NUM> has at least two respective flaps <NUM>, in particular at opposite lateral edges.

With particular reference to <FIG>, packaging machine <NUM> comprises at least:.

In more detail, forming apparatus <NUM> may comprise:.

In particular, the pack forming unit is arranged downstream of isolation chamber <NUM> and tube forming and sealing device <NUM> along tube advancement path Q.

Moreover, tube <NUM> may extend along a longitudinal axis, in particular having a vertical orientation.

Furthermore, packaging machine <NUM> may further comprise a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing at least a portion of web <NUM> at a sterilization station arranged upstream of the tube forming station along web advancement path P.

In more detail, filling device <NUM> may comprise at least a filling pipe <NUM> being in fluid connection or being controllable to be in fluid connection with a pourable product storage tank (not shown and known as such) and being, in use, partially placed within tube <NUM> for feeding the pourable product into the, in use, advancing tube <NUM>.

More specifically, tube forming and sealing device <NUM> may comprise at least a tube forming assembly <NUM> configured to form tube <NUM> from web <NUM>, in particular by overlapping the respective opposite lateral edges of web <NUM>, and at least a sealing head <NUM> configured to longitudinally seal tube <NUM>, in particular along the portion of tube <NUM> obtained by the overlapping of the opposite lateral edges of web <NUM>.

Even more specifically, tube forming assembly <NUM> and sealing head <NUM> are arranged within isolation chamber <NUM>.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the pack forming unit comprises a plurality of pairs of at least one operative assembly (not shown and known as such) and at least one respective counter-operative assembly (not shown and known as such); and.

More specifically, each operative assembly may be configured to cooperate, in use, with the respective counter-operative assembly of the respective pair for forming, transversally sealing, and in particular also transversally cutting, tube <NUM> for obtaining one respective semi-finalized pack <NUM>, in particular when, in use, advancing along a respective operative portion of the respective conveying path.

With particular reference to <FIG>, folding apparatus <NUM> comprises at least:.

With particular reference to <FIG>, infeed conveyor <NUM> comprises at least:.

In particular, each pushing element <NUM> is configured to abut against one respective semi-finalized pack <NUM> when advancing, in use, along operative portion R1, even more particular for feeding the respective semi-finalized pack <NUM> to transfer station <NUM>.

Additionally, infeed conveyor <NUM> also comprises a distance detection device <NUM> for measuring a distance d (see <FIG>) between pushing elements <NUM> and the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM>. In particular, distance detection device <NUM> allows to determine distance d between each pushing element <NUM> and the respective semi-finalized pack <NUM> in order to determine whether distance d lies within a determined distance range (which guarantees correct feeding of semi-finalized packs <NUM> to transfer station <NUM> and/or folding unit <NUM>).

In more detail, conveying device <NUM> may also be configured to advance pushing elements <NUM> also along a return portion R2 for directing pushing elements <NUM> back to operative portion R1.

More specifically, conveying device <NUM> is configured to repeatedly advance pushing elements <NUM> along advancement path R, in particular operation portion R1 and return portion R2. Furthermore, each pushing element <NUM> is configured to engage with one respective semi-finalized pack <NUM> when advancing along operative portion R1.

Preferentially, distance detection device <NUM> may be configured to determine distance d of each pushing element <NUM> from one respective semi-finalized pack <NUM> prior to engaging, in use, with the respective semi-finalized pack <NUM>. In other words, distance detection device <NUM> is configured to determine distance d between pushing elements <NUM> and the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM> prior to engagement of pushing elements <NUM> with the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM>.

It should be noted that distance d may be expressed as a distance between a respective engagement portion (which abuts, in use, against semi-finalized packs <NUM>) of pushing elements <NUM> and a respective trailing portion (against which the respective engagement portion abuts) of the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM>.

According to invention, distance detection device <NUM> is configured to determine distance d between pushing elements <NUM> and the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM> when, in use, the respective pushing elements <NUM> are at and/or pass a reference position <NUM>. In particular, distance detection device <NUM> is configured to determine a first time when pushing elements <NUM> are at and/or pass reference position <NUM>.

Distance detection device <NUM> is configured to determine a passage, in particular a second time associated to the passage, of semi-finalized packs <NUM> at a reference position <NUM>.

Furthermore, distance detection device <NUM> is configured to determine distance d of pushing elements <NUM> from the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM> in dependence of the first time and the second time.

Preferentially, by determining distance d it is possible to also determine the time of impact when pushing elements <NUM> engage the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM>.

According to the embodiment disclosed, reference position <NUM> is distinct from reference position <NUM>. Alternatively, reference position <NUM> and reference position <NUM> could coincide.

In more detail, distance detection device <NUM> may comprise a sensor group <NUM> (only partially shown) configured to detect pushing elements <NUM> being at and/or passing reference position <NUM> and a sensor group <NUM> configured to detect semi-finalized packs <NUM> being at and/or passing reference position <NUM>. In particular, the respective positions of sensor group <NUM> and sensor group <NUM> define, respectively, reference position <NUM> and reference position <NUM>.

More specifically, each one of sensor group <NUM> and sensor group <NUM> may comprise a respective photocell arrangement.

Even more specifically, each photocell arrangement may comprise a light-emitting element <NUM> and a light-receiving element <NUM> spaced apart from one another, in particular defining in combination a photo-electric barrier.

With particular reference to <FIG>, conveying device <NUM> may comprise a conveyor belt <NUM> carrying pushing elements <NUM>, in particular being equally spaced along conveyor belt <NUM>, and being configured to advance pushing elements <NUM> along advancement path R. In particular, pushing elements <NUM> are integral to conveyor belt <NUM>.

Moreover, conveying device <NUM> also comprises at least a pair of pulleys <NUM> and at least one actuator operatively coupled to at least one of pulleys <NUM> for controlling advancement of conveyor belt <NUM>.

Furthermore, the respective light-emitting element <NUM> and the respective light-receiving element <NUM> of sensor group are arranged adjacent to conveyor belt <NUM> and interpose a portion of conveyor belt <NUM> between one another.

In more detail, carrier <NUM> may comprise a first rail <NUM> and a second rail <NUM> spaced apparat from one another and defining an interspace <NUM> between one another. Each one of first rail <NUM> and second rail <NUM> is configured to carry a respective portion of semi-finalized packs <NUM>. In particular, pushing elements <NUM> are configured to advance within interspace <NUM> when advancing, in use, along operative portion R1.

More specifically, the respective light-emitting element <NUM> and the respective light-receiving element <NUM> of sensor group <NUM> interpose a portion of carrier <NUM> between one another.

Furthermore, one of light-emitting element <NUM> and light-receiving element <NUM> of sensor group <NUM> is arranged adjacent to second rail <NUM>, in the specific case shown light-emitting element <NUM>, and the other one of light-emitting element <NUM> and light-receiving element <NUM> of sensor group <NUM> is arranged adjacent to first rail <NUM>, in the specific case shown light-emitting element <NUM>.

In further detail, carrier <NUM> may comprise a (curved) receiving portion <NUM> for receiving semi-finalized packs <NUM> from forming apparatus <NUM>, in particular the pack forming unit, and a guiding portion <NUM> downstream of receiving portion <NUM>. In particular, semi-finalized packs <NUM> advance, in use, along (at least a portion of) guiding portion <NUM> when advancing along feeding path S.

In particular, infeed conveyor <NUM> is designed such that at first semi-finalized packs <NUM> arriving from forming apparatus <NUM>, in particular the pack forming unit, passively advance (i.e. without any actuator or conveyor, but only relying on the kinetic energy resulting from operation of forming apparatus <NUM>, in particular pack forming unit), and then actively advance due to the pushing action of pushing elements <NUM>.

Preferentially, first rail <NUM> and second rail <NUM> comprise respective sections of receiving portion <NUM> and guiding portion <NUM>. In particular, in use, semi-finalized packs <NUM> passively advance along receiving portion <NUM>.

Furthermore, infeed conveyor <NUM> may also comprise a breaking unit <NUM> configured to decelerate, in particular to gradually decelerate, the semi-finalized packs <NUM> on guiding portion <NUM>. In particular, breaking unit <NUM> is configured to (gradually) decelerate the passively advancing semi-finalized packs <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, folding unit <NUM> is configured to manipulate and/or process packs <NUM> so as to form and/or shape at least the respective central main bodies <NUM> (into the desired form and/or shape of the respective finalized package <NUM>) and to control and/or determine the relative position of flaps <NUM> with respect to the respective central main body <NUM>.

Preferentially but not necessarily, folding unit <NUM> is configured to seal each flap <NUM> onto the respective central main body <NUM>.

In more detail, folding unit <NUM> may comprise at least:.

More specifically, conveying assembly <NUM> comprises a plurality of retaining pockets <NUM> configured to retain at least one respective semi-finalized pack <NUM> during advancement of the respective semi-finalized pack <NUM> along the final advancement path.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, packaging machine <NUM> may comprise a control unit configured to control operation of folding apparatus <NUM>, infeed conveyor <NUM> and/or folding unit <NUM> in dependence of distance d.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, infeed conveyor <NUM> is controlled and/or controllable, in particular by means of the control unit, such that distance d corresponds to a (predetermined) distance and/or lies within a (predetermined) distance range.

In use, packaging machine <NUM> forms finalized packages <NUM> filled with the pourable product.

In particular, the method of forming packages <NUM> comprises the main steps of:.

In more detail, the main step of forming packs <NUM>, comprises at least the steps of:.

Moreover, the step of forming may also comprise the step of sterilizing web <NUM> at the sterilization station.

In more detail, the step of folding semi-finalized packs <NUM> comprises the sub-steps of:.

More specifically, during the sub-step of feeding conveying device <NUM> advances pushing elements <NUM> along advancement path R such that pushing elements <NUM> engage the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM> when advancing along operative portion R1 and so as to push the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM> to transfer station <NUM> and/or folding unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, during the step of feeding, also the distance d between each pushing element <NUM> and the respective semi-finalized pack <NUM> is determined by distance detection device <NUM>. In particular, the respective second time of the passage of the respective semi-finalized pack <NUM> at reference position <NUM> and the respective first time of the passage of the respective pushing element <NUM> at reference position <NUM> are determined, in particular by the respective photocell arrangement, and the distance d is determined in dependence of the respective first time and the respective second time.

Additionally, during the step of feeding, the semi-finalized packs <NUM> are received from forming apparatus <NUM>, in particular the pack forming unit. In particular, at first semi-finalized packs <NUM> passively advance along at least receiving portion <NUM> and then semi-finalized packs <NUM> are actively fed to transfer station <NUM> and/or folding unit <NUM> due to the interaction with pushing elements <NUM> and their advancement along operative portion R1.

Preferentially, during the step of feeding, breaking unit <NUM> decelerates, in particular gradually decelerates, the passively advancing semi-finalized packs <NUM> prior to being engaged by the respective pushing elements <NUM>.

In more detail, during the step of final folding, the respective central main bodies <NUM> are formed and/or the respective flaps <NUM> are folded and sealed onto the respective central main bodies <NUM> so as to form the finalized packages <NUM> from semi-finalized packs <NUM>.

More specifically, during the step of final folding, semi-finalized packs <NUM> advance along the final advancement path (by means of operation of conveying assembly <NUM>) and are treated during advancement along the final advancement path (by operation of treatment unit <NUM>) for obtaining finalized packages <NUM>. In particular, treatment unit <NUM> forms and/or shapes the respective central main bodies <NUM> and/or folds and seals the respective flaps <NUM> onto the respective central main bodies <NUM>.

Furthermore, during the step of final folding, semi-finalized packs <NUM> are inserted into retaining pockets <NUM> at transfer station <NUM>.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the operation of forming apparatus <NUM> and/or infeed conveyor <NUM> and/or folding unit <NUM> is controlled in function of the distance d.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, infeed conveyor <NUM> is controlled, in particular by means of the control unit, such that distance d corresponds to a predetermined distance and/or lies within a predetermined distance range.

The advantages of infeed conveyor <NUM> according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.

In particular, by providing for distance detection device <NUM> it is possible to control and/or monitor the distance d between pushing elements <NUM> and the respective semi-finalized packs <NUM>. In this way, it is possible to monitor whether distance d resides in a desired range. In this way, it is possible to ensure that pushing elements <NUM> correctly engage with semi-finalized packs <NUM> so as to guarantee a correct feeding of semi-finalized packs <NUM> to folding unit <NUM>. Furthermore, in this way, it is possible to avoid that semi-finalized packs <NUM> are fed to folding unit <NUM> in the wrong moment. As well, any jamming of semi-finalized packs <NUM> is avoided.

Additionally, by providing for distance detection device <NUM> the setting-up of infeed conveyor <NUM> is facilitated.

Claim 1:
Infeed conveyor (<NUM>) for a folding apparatus (<NUM>) for folding semi-finalized packs (<NUM>) containing a pourable product, the infeed conveyor (<NUM>) being configured to receive the semi-finalized packs (<NUM>) and to transfer the semi-finalized packs (<NUM>) to a folding unit (<NUM>) of the folding apparatus (<NUM>);
the infeed conveyor (<NUM>) comprises at least:
- one or more pushing elements (<NUM>);
- a conveying device (<NUM>) for advancing the pushing elements (<NUM>) along an advancement path (R); and
- a carrier (<NUM>) for the semi-finalized packs (<NUM>);
wherein each pushing element (<NUM>) is configured to engage one respective semi-finalized pack (<NUM>) and to guide the semi-finalized pack (<NUM>) on the carrier (<NUM>) along a feeding path (S) when, in use, advancing along an operative portion (R1) of the advancement path (R);
characterized in that the infeed conveyor (<NUM>) further comprises a distance detection device (<NUM>) for measuring a distance (d) between the pushing elements (<NUM>) and the respective semi-finalized packs (<NUM>);
wherein the distance detection device (<NUM>) is configured to determine the passage of the pushing elements (<NUM>) at a first reference position (<NUM>) and the passage of the semi-finalized packs (<NUM>) at a second reference position (<NUM>).