Patent Description:
Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a molding apparatus for molding opening devices, in particular for molding opening devices onto a packaging material, even more particular for molding opening devices onto a multilayer packaging material.

Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a packaging machine for forming sealed packages of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, the packaging machine having a molding apparatus for molding opening devices onto a packaging material, in particular onto a multilayer packaging material.

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.

A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding a laminated packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a fibrous base layer, e.g. of paper or cardboard, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material (an oxygen-barrier layer), e.g. an aluminum foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.

Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging apparatuses, which advance and sterilize a web of packaging material, which is then formed into a tube and filled with the pourable product before its formation into individual sealed packages.

It is known that some types of packages also comprise respective opening devices, which allow to be manipulated for accessing the pourable product.

Such opening devices are typically obtained during a molding process from a molten polymer.

Some of these opening devices are post-applied, meaning that they are applied onto a filled main body of the package after formation of the main body from the packaging material.

Other kinds of opening devices are molded directly onto the packaging material, and in particular prior to the manipulation of the packaging material for obtaining the packages.

In order to mold the opening devices onto the packaging material, the automatic packaging apparatuses may comprise a molding system for molding the opening devices onto the packaging material, which in particular may be provided in the form of a web.

A typical molding system comprises a plurality of molding apparatuses each having at least one molding tool couplable to the packaging material. Each molding tool comprises a plurality of molding tool portions. The molding tool portions can be moved towards and withdrawn from one another. When being moved towards one another, the molding tool portions define a respective mold cavity of the molding tool, which in turn defines the shape of the opening device. Withdrawing the molding tool portions from one another allows demolding of the molded opening device and alignment of a new portion of the packaging material with the molding tool portions. Each molding apparatus also comprises one respective injection device coupled to the respective molding tool for injecting a molten polymer into the respective mold cavity.

<CIT> discloses an opening device with a collar having a pouring outlet, a lid covering the pouring outlet and a gripping element connected to and protruding from the lid. <CIT> discloses an opening device with a pouring spout, a lid and a pull-tab and a molding tool with a plurality of molding tool portions that define a mold cavity when in the closed position. <CIT> discloses cavity inserts with high thermal conductivity that are seated in a mould.

Mold inserts are also discussed in "<NPL> and in "<NPL>. T Even though the known molding apparatuses and molding tools work satisfyingly well, a desire is felt in the sector to further improve the known molding apparatuses and/or the known molding tools.

In particular, a desire is felt in the sector, to allow for a facilitated demolding of the molded opening device.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved molding tool.

It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide an improved molding apparatus.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging machine having a molding apparatus.

According to the present invention, there is provided a molding tool as claimed in claim <NUM>.

Preferred non-limiting embodiments of the molding tool are claimed in the respective dependent claims.

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

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

Number <NUM> indicates as a whole a packaging machine for producing (sealed) packages <NUM> of a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product such as pasteurized milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, etc., each package <NUM> having at least one respective opening device <NUM>.

In more detail, each package <NUM> may comprise a respective main body <NUM> containing the pourable product and the respective opening device <NUM> may be connected to the respective main body <NUM>.

In particular, each main body <NUM> may be formed from a packaging material, preferentially provided in the form of a web <NUM> of packaging material.

According to the specific embodiment disclosed, each opening device <NUM> may be molded onto the respective main body <NUM>. In more detail, each opening devices <NUM> may be molded onto the packaging material, in particular respective portions of the packaging material that after formation of packages <NUM> from the packaging material defines the respective main bodies <NUM>.

Alternatively, opening devices <NUM> may be molded independently from the packaging material and may be attached, e.g. by means of welding, ultrasound welding, adhesive bonding or the like, onto the respective main body <NUM>. According to such a solution, each main body <NUM> is obtained from the packaging material without the applied opening device <NUM> and only afterwards the opening device <NUM> is applied.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, packaging machine <NUM> may be configured to produce packages <NUM> from the packaging material, in particular the packaging material being provided in the form of web <NUM>.

Preferentially, each opening device <NUM> may be configured to allow to access and/or to outpour, in particular after a manipulation of opening device <NUM>, the pourable product packaged within the respective package <NUM>, in particular within the respective main body <NUM>. In particular, the manipulation of opening device <NUM> can be reversible or irreversible.

Preferentially, each opening device <NUM> may be molded in a single piece.

With particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, each opening device <NUM> may comprise:.

In particular, collar <NUM>, lid <NUM> and gripping element <NUM> may be integral to one another, i.e. collar <NUM>, lid <NUM> and gripping element <NUM> may be made as a single piece.

More specifically, each collar <NUM> may also comprise a respective inlet opening and may delimit a respective flow channel extending between the respective pouring outlet and the respective inlet opening. While the respective pouring outlet allows for the pourable product to flow out of the flow channel, the inlet opening allows the pourable product to enter from the respective main body <NUM> into the respective flow channel.

Each collar <NUM> may comprise an inner surface <NUM> delimiting and/or facing the respective flow channel and an outer surface <NUM> opposite to inner surface <NUM>.

Preferentially, each lid <NUM> may be rupturably connected to collar <NUM>, in particular at a rim of collar <NUM> delimiting the respective pouring outlet.

In this manner one guarantees that the respective pourable product of each package <NUM> is separated from an outer (hostile) environment. Moreover, it is possible to remove lid <NUM> from collar <NUM> so as to free the respective pouring outlet and so as to allow for an outpouring of the pourable product through the respective pouring outlet.

In more detail, each lid <NUM> is controllable in a closing position in which lid <NUM> covers the respective pouring outlet and an opening position in which lid <NUM> frees the respective pouring outlet.

While prior to a first control of each lid <NUM> in the respective opening position lid <NUM> seals the respective pouring outlet, it is still possible to newly place lid <NUM> in the respective closing position, without obtaining a sealing of the respective pouring outlet, indeed, lid <NUM> only closes the pouring outlet.

It should be noted that each lid <NUM> is delivered to the consumer being in the closing position and being rupturably connected to the respective collar <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, each lid <NUM> may comprise a respective first lid face <NUM> and a second lid face <NUM> opposed to first lid face <NUM>. In particular, first lid face <NUM> may face an outer environment and/or second lid face <NUM> may face the respective flow channel, in particular with lid <NUM> being in the closing position.

In more detail, each gripping element <NUM> is configured to be gripped by a user, in particular for moving lid <NUM>, even more particular for moving lid <NUM> from the respective closing position to the respective opening position and/or from the respective opening position to the respective closing position.

Preferentially, each gripping element <NUM> may comprises a first gripping face <NUM> and a second gripping face <NUM> opposed to first gripping face <NUM>. In particular, in use, a user grips gripping element <NUM> such that one finger is in contact with first gripping face <NUM> and another finger is in contact with second gripping face <NUM>.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each gripping element <NUM> may radially protrude from the respective lid <NUM>.

Each gripping element <NUM> may also comprise a plurality of ripples, in particular the ripples improve the grip of gripping element <NUM>.

In further detail and reverting back to <FIG> and <FIG>, each opening device <NUM> may also comprise a base frame <NUM> configured to couple opening device <NUM> to the respective main body <NUM>, in particular about a designated pour opening of main body <NUM>.

In particular, each collar <NUM> may be integrally connected to and may extend from the respective base frame <NUM>.

Preferentially, each opening device <NUM> may also comprise a tethering element <NUM> integrally connected to collar <NUM> and/or base frame <NUM>, in the specific example shown to collar <NUM>, and to lid <NUM>. In particular, each tethering element <NUM> tethers the respective lid <NUM> to the respective collar <NUM> and/or base frame <NUM>.

Moreover, each opening device <NUM> may also comprise a tamper-evidence element <NUM> connected to lid <NUM> and collar <NUM>. Upon the first-time control of lid <NUM> in the opening position, tamper-evidence element <NUM> may rupture.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each opening device <NUM> may also comprise a retaining element <NUM> configured to interact with tethering element <NUM> and such to retain the respective lid <NUM> in the respective opening position. Preferentially, retaining element <NUM> may protrude from the respective base frame <NUM>.

Preferentially, the packaging material may be multilayer packaging material. In other words, the packaging material may have a multilayer structure (not shown).

In more detail, the packaging material may comprise 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 an inner face of package <NUM>, in particular the respective main body <NUM>, eventually contacting the pourable product.

Preferably but not necessarily, the packaging material 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 but not necessarily, the packaging material 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.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the packaging material may comprise a first face and a second face, in particular the first face being the face of the packaging material forming the inner face of the formed package <NUM>, in particular the formed main body <NUM>, eventually contacting the filled pourable food product.

According to the example shown, the packaging material is provided in the form of web <NUM>. Preferentially, web <NUM> comprises a plurality of repeat units, in particular successively arranged (and equally spaced) with respect to one another along web <NUM>. In particular, each repeat unit forms the basis of one respective package <NUM>. In other words, packaging machine <NUM> may be configured to produce packages <NUM> from web <NUM> such that each package <NUM> results from one respective repeat unit.

Additionally, packaging machine <NUM> may be configured to apply, in particular mold, at least one respective opening device <NUM> onto each repeat unit.

In particular, each repeat unit may be defined by one respective pattern present on web <NUM>. Even more particular, the pattern may be substantially identical for all repeat units and may differ in minor details from the other ones - minor differences may e.g. be the presence of information tags indicating a production day, a production lot, personalized information or similar.

With particular reference to <FIG>, packaging machine <NUM> comprises at least a package forming apparatus <NUM> for forming packages <NUM> from the packaging material, in particular from web <NUM>.

Moreover, packaging machine <NUM> may also comprise a molding system <NUM> for molding opening devices <NUM> onto the packaging material, in particular web <NUM>.

Preferentially, package forming apparatus <NUM> may comprise at least:.

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, packaging machine <NUM> may further comprise a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing web <NUM>. In particular, the sterilization apparatus may be configured to sterilize web <NUM> by means of physical and/or chemical sterilization.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, molding system <NUM> may be arranged upstream of tube forming and sealing device <NUM>, in particular of tube forming and sealing device <NUM> and the sterilization apparatus, along web advancement path P.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, packaging machine <NUM> may also comprise a first web buffer unit <NUM> and/or a second web buffer unit <NUM>, in particular first web buffer unit <NUM> and/or second web buffer unit <NUM> being of the variable type (i.e. the buffer capacity of the respective web buffer unit can be (dynamically) varied).

Preferentially, first web buffer unit <NUM> may be arranged upstream of molding system <NUM> along web advancement path P.

Preferentially, second web buffer unit <NUM> may be arranged downstream of molding system <NUM> along web advancement path P.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, conveying device <NUM> may be configured to advance web <NUM> within molding system <NUM> intermittently. In this way, it is possible to mold a plurality opening devices <NUM> onto web <NUM> while stopping advancement of web <NUM> within molding system <NUM> and to advance a portion of web <NUM> carrying the molded opening device <NUM> out of molding system <NUM>.

In order to guarantee a continuous production of packages <NUM> (i.e. without interruption or in other words in a non-intermittent manner) first web buffer unit <NUM> and second web buffer <NUM> may be operated such that advancement of web <NUM> downstream of molding system <NUM>, in particular of molding system <NUM> and second web buffer <NUM> is continuous.

Molding system <NUM> may comprise one or more molding apparatuses, each one configured to mold one or more opening devices <NUM> (at a time) onto web <NUM>, in particular onto at least one respective repeat unit. According to some possible embodiments, each molding apparatus may be configured to mold one respective opening device <NUM> (at a time).

Preferentially, molding system <NUM> may comprise a conveyor unit (in particular, being a portion of conveying device <NUM>) configured to intermittently advance and stop web <NUM>, and in particular each molding apparatus may be configured to mold onto web <NUM> the respective opening device(s) <NUM> during a stop of web <NUM>.

Preferentially, the molding apparatuses may be arranged successively to one another, and in particular equally spaced from one another.

By having a plurality of molding apparatuses and/or by each molding apparatus being configured to mold each time a plurality of opening devices <NUM> it is possible to guarantee a continuous production of packages <NUM>.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, web <NUM> may comprise a plurality of holes and, in use, each molding apparatus may be configured to mold opening devices <NUM> onto web <NUM> and about the holes. In particular, the holes may define designated pour openings of packages <NUM>, in particular the respective main bodies <NUM>.

According to some non-limiting embodiment, each hole may be a through-hole. Alternatively, each hole could be covered by a covering layer.

In particular, each repeat unit may comprise one respective hole.

With particular reference to <FIG>, each molding apparatus may comprise:.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, one or more molding apparatuses may comprise a plurality of molding tool <NUM>, each one configured to receive the molten polymer from the respective injection device.

With particular reference to <FIG>, each molding tool <NUM> may comprise a mold cavity (occupied by the respective opening device <NUM> in <FIG>), the mold cavity defining the respective shape of opening device <NUM>, and in particular of the various portions of opening device <NUM> such as the respective lid <NUM>, the respective collar <NUM>, the respective gripping element <NUM>, and in particular also base frame <NUM>, tethering element <NUM>, tamper-evidence element <NUM> and retaining element <NUM>.

In further detail, each molding tool <NUM> may comprise a plurality of molding tool portions, in particular comprising and/or consisting of a metallic material, and may be controllable in a molding configuration in which the molding tool portions are approached towards one another thereby defining and/or delimiting the respective mold cavity and a demolding configuration in which the molding tool portions are distanced from one another thereby allowing to demold a respective molded opening device <NUM>.

In other words, when molding tool <NUM> is in the respective molding configuration, the respective mold cavity is formed and is ready to receive the molten polymer and when molding tool <NUM> is in the respective demolding configuration it is possible to remove the molded opening device <NUM> from the plurality of molding tool portions.

In even more detail, each molding tool <NUM> may comprise at least a first molding tool portion <NUM> and a second molding tool portion <NUM>. Preferentially, first molding tool portion <NUM> and second molding tool portion <NUM> may define, in particular in collaboration with one another, a portion of the respective mold cavity, which in turn defines the shape of the respective gripping element <NUM>.

Preferentially, each molding tool <NUM> may also comprise a third molding tool portion <NUM>.

Preferentially, first molding tool portion <NUM>, second molding tool portion <NUM> and third molding tool portion <NUM> may define in collaboration the respective mold cavity, in particular when molding tool <NUM> is in the molding configuration.

In further detail, first molding tool portion <NUM>, second molding tool portion <NUM> and third molding tool portion <NUM> may be configured to modify their relative positions so that molding tool <NUM> moves between the molding configuration and the demolding configuration.

In particular, first molding tool portion <NUM>, second molding tool portion <NUM> and third molding tool portion <NUM> are approached towards one another with the respective molding tool <NUM> being in the molding configuration and are withdrawn from one another with the respective molding tool <NUM> being in the demolding configuration.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each molding apparatus may comprise one or more moving devices for controlling the relative positions of first molding tool portion <NUM>, second molding tool portion <NUM> and third molding tool portion <NUM>.

According to the specific embodiment shown, second molding portion <NUM> may comprise a first section <NUM> and a second section <NUM> being configured to be subjected to a relative movement for approaching and withdrawing first section <NUM> and second section <NUM> from one another, in particular so as to allow control of the respective molding tool <NUM> between the molding configuration and the demolding configuration.

In particular, when the respective molding tool <NUM> is in the molding configuration and the demolding configuration, first section <NUM> and second section <NUM> are, respectively, approached to and withdrawn from one another.

Preferentially, the one or more moving devices may be configured to control the relative position of first section <NUM> and second section <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, each first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> may be configured such that the portion of the respective mold cavity defined by, in particular defined by collaboration of, first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> may define the shape of the respective lid <NUM>; and/or
each second molding tool portion <NUM> may define together, in particular may define in collaboration with, third molding tool portion <NUM> a further portion of the mold cavity, the further portion may define at least partially the shape of the respective collar <NUM>.

In more detail, each third molding tool portion <NUM> may define together with the respective first section <NUM> and the respective second section <NUM> the further portion of the mold cavity for defining the shape of the respective collar <NUM>.

According to some further embodiments, each second molding tool portion <NUM>, in particular the respective first section <NUM> and the respective second section <NUM>, may define together with third molding tool portion <NUM> a respective portion of the mold cavity, which in turn defines the shape of the respective base frame <NUM> of the to be molded opening device <NUM>.

Moreover, each third molding tool portion <NUM> and second molding tool portion <NUM>, in particular the respective first section <NUM> and the respective second section <NUM> are configured to interpose, in use, the packaging material between one another, in particular when the respective molding tool <NUM> is controlled in the respective molding configuration.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each second molding tool portion <NUM> may comprise:.

More specifically, each first section <NUM> and the respective second section <NUM> may each comprise a respective portion of the respective first cavity <NUM> and/or of the respective second cavity and/or of the respective third cavity <NUM> and/or of the respective fourth cavity <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, each first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> may be configured such that first molding tool portion <NUM> is, after molding of the opening device <NUM>, in contact with the respective first gripping face <NUM> and second molding tool portion <NUM> is, after molding of the respective opening device <NUM>, in contact with the respective second gripping face <NUM>.

In more detail, each first molding tool portion <NUM> may comprise a first delimiting surface <NUM> and the respective second molding tool <NUM> may comprise a second delimiting surface <NUM> being spaced apart from the respective first delimiting surface <NUM> with the respective molding tool <NUM> being in the respective molding configuration and thereby defining the respective portion of the respective mold cavity that defines the respective gripping element <NUM> of the respective opening device <NUM>. Moreover, each first delimiting surface <NUM> is, after molding of the respective opening device <NUM>, in contact with the respective first gripping face <NUM> and the respective second delimiting surface <NUM> is, after molding of the respective opening device <NUM>, in contact with the respective second gripping face <NUM>.

In particular, each gripping element <NUM> may after molding of the respective opening device <NUM> be interposed between the respective first delimiting surface <NUM> and the respective second delimiting surface <NUM>.

Additionally, a surface structure of each gripping element <NUM>, in particular of the respective first gripping face <NUM> and the respective second gripping face <NUM>, may be defined by a surface structure of respectively the respective first delimiting surface <NUM> and the respective second delimiting surface <NUM>.

The Applicant has observed that by delimiting the portion of the mold cavity that defines the gripping element <NUM> by means of first molding tool portion <NUM> and second molding tool portion <NUM>, one obtains a facilitated demolding of opening device <NUM>, in particular of the respective gripping element <NUM>. In particular, the demolding of gripping element <NUM> is easier when e.g. compared to the case of a gripping element <NUM> formed in a portion of a mold cavity that is formed as a single cavity within a molding tool portion.

The Applicant has observed that this is in particular advantageous when gripping elements <NUM> may comprise ripples for improving the gripping of gripping elements <NUM>.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> may be configured such that first molding tool portion <NUM> is, after molding of the respective opening device <NUM>, in contact with first lid face <NUM> and third molding tool portion <NUM> is, after molding of the respective opening device <NUM>, in contact with second lid face <NUM>.

In more detail, each first molding tool portion <NUM> may comprise a third delimiting surface <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> may comprise a fourth delimiting surface <NUM> being spaced apart from the respective third delimiting surface <NUM> with the respective molding tool <NUM> being in the respective molding configuration and thereby defining the respective portion of the respective mold cavity that defines the respective lid <NUM> of the respective opening device <NUM>. Moreover, each third delimiting surface <NUM> is, after molding of the respective opening device <NUM>, in contact with the respective first lid face <NUM> and the respective fourth delimiting surface <NUM> is, after molding of the respective opening device <NUM>, in contact with the respective second lid face <NUM>.

Preferentially, first delimiting surface <NUM> and third delimiting surface <NUM> may be connected to one another.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> may be configured such that during control of the molding <NUM> tool between the molding configuration and the demolding configuration, first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> execute a relative movement along a first direction D1 transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the respective first gripping face <NUM> and/or the respective second gripping face <NUM> and/or the first delimiting surface <NUM> and/or the second delimiting surface <NUM>.

In other words, the relative movement along first direction D1 may result from moving first molding tool portion <NUM> along first direction D1 only, moving second molding tool portion <NUM> along first direction D1 only or moving first molding tool portion <NUM> and second molding tool portion <NUM> along first direction D1 in opposite senses.

Preferentially, each first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> may be configured such that during control of the molding tool <NUM> between the molding configuration and the demolding configuration, first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> execute a relative movement along a direction parallel to first direction D1.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each first section <NUM> and the respective second section <NUM> may be configured such that during control of the molding tool <NUM> between the molding configuration and the demolding configuration, first section <NUM> and second section <NUM> may execute a relative movement along a second direction D2, transversal, in particular perpendicular, to first direction D1.

With particular reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the first molding tool portion <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> and a forming element <NUM>, the forming element <NUM> at least partially defining the shape of gripping element <NUM> and lid <NUM>.

In particular, each forming element <NUM> may be in contact with the respective first gripping face <NUM> and/or the first lid face <NUM> after molding of the respective opening device <NUM>.

In more detail, in particular, each forming element <NUM> may be configured to define together with the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> the portion of the respective mold cavity that defines the shape of the respective gripping element <NUM> and/or to define together with the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> the portion of the respective mold cavity that defines the shape of the respective lid <NUM>.

More specifically, forming element <NUM> may comprise the respective first delimiting surface <NUM> and/or the respective third delimiting surface <NUM>.

According to the invention, the base <NUM> has a housing seat <NUM> and the respective forming element <NUM> is placed within housing seat <NUM>. Preferentially, forming element <NUM> may be fixed within housing seat <NUM>, e.g. by means of fixing elements such as screws, pins or the like and/or by means of friction.

In even further detail, an end portion of each forming element <NUM> is placed within the respective housing seat <NUM>. In particular, the end portion is complementary to the respective housing seat <NUM>.

Moreover, each housing seat <NUM> may comprise and/or may be delimited by a wall <NUM>, in particular an annular wall <NUM>.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, each base <NUM> may comprise a first metallic material and the respective forming element <NUM> may comprise a second metallic material distinct and different from the first metallic material.

In this way, it is possible to improve and/or tune the thermal conductivity of first molding tool portion <NUM>, in particular forming element <NUM>.

Preferentially, the second metallic material may have a larger thermal conductivity than the first metallic material.

Preferentially, the first metallic material may comprise and/or may be stainless steel.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the second metallic material may comprise aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy and/or may be an aluminum alloy.

Alternatively or in addition, the second metallic material may comprise copper and/or a copper alloy and/or may be a copper alloy.

Preferentially, the second metallic material may comprise chromium and/or titanium and/or iron and/or magnesium and/or silicon and/or zinc and/or manganese. In particular, if the second metallic material comprises iron and/or silicon these may be impurities.

An example of the second metallic material may be Alumec® <NUM>, Alumec® <NUM>, Alumec® <NUM> or the like. Alternatively, the second metallic material may be Formaplast® <NUM>, Formaplast® <NUM>, Formaplast® <NUM> or the like.

According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the second metallic material may comprise at least <NUM>% in weight of aluminum or copper.

With particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, each molding tool <NUM> may comprise a plurality of cooling channels <NUM> configured to receive a cooling fluid for cooling molding tool <NUM>.

In particular, each first molding tool portion <NUM>, in particular the respective base <NUM> and the respective forming element <NUM>, may comprise one or more cooling channels <NUM>.

Additionally, each second molding tool portion <NUM> and/or each third molding tool portion <NUM> may comprise respective cooling channels <NUM>.

Preferentially, the cooling channels <NUM> may be in fluidic connection with a cooling fluid distribution device of the respective molding apparatus and/or of the respective molding system <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, each molding tool <NUM> may also comprise at least one injection channel <NUM> being in fluidic connection with the respective mold cavity with molding tool <NUM> being in the molding configuration, injection channel <NUM> being configured to allow for the introduction of the molten polymer into the respective mold cavity.

According to the specific embodiment shown, each third molding tool portion <NUM> may comprise the injection channel <NUM>.

Preferentially, each injection channel <NUM> may be in fluidic connection with the respective injection device.

In use, packaging machine <NUM> allows for the formation of packages <NUM>, each having respective opening devices <NUM>.

Opening device <NUM> are molded by operation of molding system <NUM>, in particular the one or more molding apparatuses.

Preferentially, opening devices <NUM> are molded directly onto the packaging material, in particular web <NUM>, even more preferentially prior to forming the packaging material.

Operation of each molding apparatus foresees to control each molding tool <NUM> from the demolding configuration to the molding configuration, in particular thereby clamping the packaging material, in particular web <NUM>, between the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM>.

Then, the respective injection device injects, in particular through the respective injection channel <NUM>, the molten polymer into the respective mold cavity.

Afterwards, one controls the respective molding tool <NUM> back to the demolding configuration so allowing to demold the respective molded opening device <NUM> from molding tool <NUM>.

In more detail, in order to control molding tool <NUM> from the demolding configuration to the molding configuration and from the molding configuration to the demolding configuration, one or more respective moving devices change the relative positions of the respective first molding tool portion <NUM>, the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM>. Additionally, the relative positions of the respective first section <NUM> and the respective second section <NUM> may be modified.

In particular, modification of the relative position of each first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> requires controlling a relative movement of first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> along first direction D1. Controlling molding tool <NUM> from the demolding configuration to the molding configuration requires approaching first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> towards one another and controlling molding tool <NUM> from the molding configuration to the demolding configuration requires withdrawing first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> from one another.

In particular, modification of the relative position of each first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> requires controlling a relative movement of first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> along the direction parallel to first direction D1. Controlling molding tool <NUM> from the demolding configuration to the molding configuration requires approaching first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> towards one another and controlling molding tool <NUM> from the molding configuration to the demolding configuration requires withdrawing first molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective third molding tool portion <NUM> from one another.

Preferentially, also a relative position of each third molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> may be actuated. The relative position of each third molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> may be modified along a direction parallel to first direction D1. In more detail, control in the molding configuration requires to approach third molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> towards one another and control in the demolding configuration requires to withdraw third molding tool portion <NUM> and the respective second molding tool portion <NUM> from one another.

Advantageously, when controlling molding tool <NUM> form the demolding configuration to the molding configuration or from the molding configuration to the demolding configuration a relative position of the respective first section <NUM> and the respective second section <NUM> may be controlled too.

In particular, when controlling molding tool <NUM> in the respective molding configuration, the respective first section <NUM> and the respective second section <NUM> may be approached towards one another and when controlling molding tool <NUM> in the respective demolding configuration, the respective first section <NUM> and the respective second section <NUM> may be withdrawn from one another.

The advantages of molding tool <NUM> and/or the molding apparatus and/or molding system <NUM> and/or packaging machine <NUM> according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.

In particular, molding tool <NUM> allows for a facilitated demolding of opening devices <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Molding tool (<NUM>) for molding an opening device (<NUM>) comprising a collar (<NUM>) having a pouring outlet, a lid (<NUM>) covering the pouring outlet and a gripping element (<NUM>) connected to and protruding from the lid (<NUM>);
the molding tool (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of molding tool portions (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and is controllable in a molding configuration in which the molding tool portions (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are approached towards one another thereby defining a mold cavity and a demolding configuration in which the molding tool portions (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are distanced from one another thereby allowing to demold a molded opening device (<NUM>);
wherein at least a first molding tool portion (<NUM>) and at least a second molding tool portion (<NUM>) define a portion of the mold cavity that defines a shape of the gripping element (<NUM>) of the opening device (<NUM>) to be molded;
wherein the first molding tool portion (<NUM>) and the second molding tool portion (<NUM>) are configured such that the first molding tool portion (<NUM>) is, after molding of the opening device (<NUM>), in contact with a first gripping surface (<NUM>) of the gripping element (<NUM>) and the second molding tool portion (<NUM>) is, after molding of the opening device (<NUM>), in contact with a second gripping face (<NUM>) of the gripping element (<NUM>), the second gripping face (<NUM>) being opposed to the first gripping face (<NUM>),
wherein the first molding tool portion (<NUM>) comprises a base (<NUM>) having a housing seat (<NUM>) and a forming element (<NUM>) placed within the housing seat (<NUM>);
wherein the forming element (<NUM>) partially defines the shape of the gripping element (<NUM>) and the lid (<NUM>) of the opening device (<NUM>) to be molded.