EP4183693B1 - Buffer unit for a packaging apparatus, packaging apparatus and method for producing sealed packages - Google Patents
Buffer unit for a packaging apparatus, packaging apparatus and method for producing sealed packages Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4183693B1 EP4183693B1 EP22203486.0A EP22203486A EP4183693B1 EP 4183693 B1 EP4183693 B1 EP 4183693B1 EP 22203486 A EP22203486 A EP 22203486A EP 4183693 B1 EP4183693 B1 EP 4183693B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- web
- buffer unit
- packaging material
- accumulation
- configuration
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims description 41
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title description 5
- 239000005022 packaging material Substances 0.000 claims description 176
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 claims description 58
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 230000003139 buffering effect Effects 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000543 intermediate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011111 cardboard Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004715 ethylene vinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 235000014101 wine Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000007688 Lycopersicon esculentum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000003768 Solanum lycopersicum Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006071 cream Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004093 laser heating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000020191 long-life milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000012858 packaging process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000015067 sauces Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
- B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B41/00—Supplying or feeding container-forming sheets or wrapping material
- B65B41/12—Feeding webs from rolls
- B65B41/16—Feeding webs from rolls by rollers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H20/00—Advancing webs
- B65H20/30—Arrangements for accumulating surplus web
- B65H20/32—Arrangements for accumulating surplus web by making loops
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
- B65H2701/1944—Wrapping or packing material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/81—Packaging machines
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a buffer unit for a packaging apparatus for producing sealed packages from a web of packaging material and being filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
- the present invention also relates to a packaging apparatus for producing sealed packages from a web of packaging material and being filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
- the present invention also relates to a method for producing sealed packages from a web of packaging material and being filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
- 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 multilayer packaging material.
- the multilayer packaging material 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.
- the multilayer packaging material also comprises 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.
- gas- and light-barrier material e.g. aluminum foil, or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film
- the multilayer packaging material also comprises 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.
- the multilayer packaging material is provided in the form of a web of packaging material, in particular having a succession of repeated patterns, each pattern defining the pattern of one respective single package obtained at the end of the packaging process.
- Packages of this sort are normally produced on a fully automatic packaging apparatus, which comprises a conveying device for advancing the web of packaging material along an advancement path, a sterilization unit for sterilizing the packaging material, a tube forming and sealing device arranged within an isolation chamber and configured to form a tube from the advancing packaging material and to longitudinally seal the tube, a filling device for directing the pourable product into the tube and a package forming unit configured to form and to transversally seal and cut the tube for obtaining the single packages.
- a fully automatic packaging apparatus which comprises a conveying device for advancing the web of packaging material along an advancement path, a sterilization unit for sterilizing the packaging material, a tube forming and sealing device arranged within an isolation chamber and configured to form a tube from the advancing packaging material and to longitudinally seal the tube, a filling device for directing the pourable product into the tube and a package forming unit configured to form and to transversally seal and cut the tube for obtaining the single packages.
- a typical packaging apparatus typically comprises a splicing unit for splicing a new web of packaging material to the web of packaging material in use. This, however, requires the portion of the web of packaging material in use, which will be spliced together with the new web of packaging material, to be in a fixed and initially non-moving position.
- a typical packaging apparatus also comprises a buffer unit arranged upstream of the tube forming and sealing device and configured to buffer the web of packaging material.
- the quantity of the web of packaging material present within the buffer unit e.g. measured in meters and/or in seconds of the web of packaging material present within the buffer unit
- the portions of the web of packaging material being arranged upstream of the buffer unit do not advance, while the portions of the web of packaging material arranged downstream of the buffer unit advance as being feed by the buffer unit.
- the known buffer units comprise an infeed roller device, an outfeed roller device and a first group of rollers and a second group of rollers.
- the distance between the second group of rollers and the first group of rollers is variable so as to control the quantity of the web of packaging material being present within the buffer unit.
- the relative distance between the first group of rollers and the second group of rollers is kept substantially constant.
- EP3725689A1 discloses a tensioning device comprising at least one tensioning assembly having at least a first drive roller, a second drive roller, a first drive motor connected to the first drive roller and configured to actuate rotation of the first drive roller and a second drive motor connected to the second drive roller and configured to actuate rotation of the second drive roller around the second rotation axis.
- a control unit is configured to control the first drive motor and the second drive motor such that a free loop of a web of packaging material expands and/or advances, in use, between the first drive roller and the second drive roller.
- EP3725692A1 discloses tensioning device comprising a main drive roller rotatable around a main rotation axis and a main drive motor configured to actuate rotation of the main drive roller around the main rotation axis.
- the control unit is configured to control the main drive motor such that an angular speed and/or angular acceleration of the main drive roller is cyclically varied such to control the tension of a tube.
- Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging apparatus, in particular an automatic packaging apparatus, for (continuously) producing packages 2 filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, such as milk, fruit juice, wine, water, salt, sugar, and similar.
- Packaging apparatus 1 is configured to produce packages 2 from a web of packaging material 3, in particular by forming, filling and sealing the web of packaging material 3.
- web of packaging material 3 may have a multilayer structure (not shown) and may comprise at least one 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.
- fibrous material such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer
- heat-seal plastic material e.g. polyethylene
- web of packaging material 3 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.
- web of packaging material 3 may also comprises 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.
- web of packaging material 3 comprises a succession of patterns, in particular each pattern being associated to one respective package 2 once the respective package 2 has been formed.
- packaging apparatus 1 comprises at least:
- operation of buffer unit 5 may be controlled in dependence of operation of conveying device 4.
- tube forming and sealing device 6 may be arranged downstream of buffer unit 5 along web advancement path P.
- conveying device 4 may also be configured to advance tube 7 along a tube advancement path Q.
- conveying device 4 may be configured to advance tube 7 and any intermediate of tube 7, in a manner known as such, along tube advancement path Q.
- any configuration of web of packaging material 3 is meant prior to obtaining the tube structure and after folding of web of packaging material 3 by tube forming and sealing device 6 has started.
- the intermediates of tube 7 are a result of a gradual folding of web of packaging material 3 so as to obtain tube 7, in particular by overlapping lateral edges of web of packaging material 3 with one another.
- packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise a control unit configured to control operation of packaging apparatus 1.
- packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise an isolation chamber (not shown and known as such) having an inner environment, in particular a sterile inner environment.
- the isolation chamber separates the inner environment from an (hostile) outer environment.
- the isolation chamber may have a vertical orientation.
- tube forming and sealing device 6 may be at least partially arranged within the isolation chamber and/or the inner environment and configured to form and longitudinally seal tube 7 within inner environment.
- packaging apparatus 2 may also comprise a splicing unit (not shown and known as such) configured to splice a new web of packaging material to web of packaging material 3 in use.
- a splicing unit (not shown and known as such) configured to splice a new web of packaging material to web of packaging material 3 in use.
- the splicing unit may be arranged upstream of buffer unit 5 along web advancement path P.
- packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise a magazine unit 9 having at least a first support for carrying a reel 10 of web of packaging material 3. Even more preferentially, magazine unit 9 may also comprise a second support for carrying another reel 10 of web of packaging material 3.
- one of the first support and the second support may provide for web of packaging material 3 in use and the other one of the first support and the second support may provide for the new web of packaging material 3.
- the roles of the first support and the second support alternate. For example, at first the first support carries reel 10 of web of packaging material 3 in use, while the second support carries reel 10 of the new of packaging material 3. After the splicing, the second support carries reel 10 of web of packaging material 3 in use, while the first support carries another reel 10 of the new of packaging material 3.
- packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise a sterilizing unit (not shown and known as such) configured to sterilize, in particular by means of chemical and/or physical sterilization, the, in use, advancing web of packaging material 3.
- a sterilizing unit (not shown and known as such) configured to sterilize, in particular by means of chemical and/or physical sterilization, the, in use, advancing web of packaging material 3.
- the sterilization station may be arranged upstream of tube forming and sealing device 6 and downstream of buffer unit 5 along web advancement path P.
- the package forming unit may be configured to shape and transversally seal and in particular cut, in use, tube 7 during advancement of tube 7 along at least a portion of tube advancement path Q.
- tube forming and sealing device 6 may comprise a tube forming unit 13 at least partially, preferentially fully, arranged within the isolation chamber, in particular within the inner environment, and configured to gradually fold, in use, web of packaging material 3 into tube 7, in particular by (gradually) overlapping the lateral edges of web of packaging material 3 with one another.
- tube forming unit 13 may extend along a longitudinal axis, in particular having a vertical orientation.
- tube forming and sealing device 6 may also comprise a sealing unit being at least partially arranged within the isolation chamber and/or the inner environment and configured to longitudinally seal tube 7.
- the sealing unit may comprise a sealing head (not shown) arranged within the isolation chamber and being configured to transfer thermal energy to tube 7 for longitudinally sealing tube 7.
- the sealing head can be of any type, e.g. of the kind operating by means of induction heating and/or by a stream of a heated gas and/or by means of ultrasound and/or by laser heating and/or by any other means.
- the sealing unit may also comprise a pressing assembly adapted to exert a mechanical force on tube 7 so as to ensure the longitudinal sealing of tube 7.
- filling device 8 may comprise a filling pipe 14 for directing the pourable product, in use, into tube 7.
- filling pipe 14 may be in fluid connection or is controllable to be in fluid connection with a pourable product storage tank (not shown and known as such), which is adapted to store/provide for the pourable product, in particular the pourable food product, to be packaged.
- filling pipe 14 may, in use, be at least partially placed within tube 7.
- the package forming unit may comprise a plurality of pairs of at least one respective operative assembly (known as such and not shown) and at least one counter-operative assembly (known as such and not shown); and
- each operative assembly may be configured to cooperate, in use, with the respective counter-operative assembly of the respective pair for forming one respective package 2 from tube 7.
- each operative assembly and the respective counter-operative assembly may be configured to shape, to transversally seal and, preferably also to transversally cut, tube 7 for forming packages 2.
- each operative assembly and the respective counter-operative assembly may be configured to cooperate with one another for forming a respective package 2 from tube 7 when advancing along a respective operative portion of the respective conveying path.
- each operative assembly and the respective counter-operative assembly may advance parallel to and in the same direction as tube 7.
- buffer unit 5 comprises:
- the portion of web of packaging material 3 being present within buffer unit 5 may extend between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21.
- buffer unit 5 may lack any further roller devices interposed between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21 along web advancement path P. In other words, there are no further roller devices interposed between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21 along web advancement path P.
- web of packaging material 3 does not interact with any other kind of roller devices, and respective rollers, in addition to infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21 when being within buffer unit 5.
- the loading of buffer unit 5 can be measured as the quantity of web of packaging material 3 extending between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21.
- the quantity of web of packaging material 3 within buffer unit 5 can be expressed in terms of meters and/or seconds.
- the quantities of web of packaging material 3 within in meters one intends the meters of web of packaging material 3 extending between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21, and along a longitudinal axis of web of packaging material 3.
- buffer unit 5 is controllable in:
- buffer unit 5 is controlled, in use, in particular by means of the control unit, in the buffering configuration during a normal production of packaging apparatus 1 for forming packages 2.
- buffer unit 5 is controlled, in use, in particular by means of the control unit, in the accumulation configuration.
- buffer unit 5 is controlled, in use, in particular by means of the control unit, in the decumulation configuration.
- buffer unit 5 is controlled, in particular by the control unit, in the buffering configuration again.
- buffer unit 5 also comprises an accumulation housing 22 having an accumulation space 23 configured to randomly receive (see Figures 4 and 5 ) web of packaging material 3 while buffer unit 5 is controlled, in use, in the accumulation configuration.
- accumulation housing 22 may delimit accumulation space 23.
- buffer unit 5, in particular accumulation housing 22 may be configured such that while buffer unit 5 is controlled in the accumulation configuration, web of packaging material 3 being present within buffer unit 5 randomly, in particular freely and randomly, falls into accumulation housing 22, i.e. web of packaging material 3 being present within buffer unit 5 may only interact with infeed roller device 20, outfeed roller device 21 and accumulation housing 22 and web of packaging material 3 does not take a defined and ordered position.
- the shape of web of packaging material 3 continuously changes while buffer unit 5 is operated in the accumulation configuration.
- web of packaging material 3 present within accumulation housing 22, in particular accumulation space 23 may take a form as the one shown in Figures 4 and 5 , but not necessarily.
- web of packaging material 3 takes the form as the one shown in Figures 4 or 5 , such a specific configuration would typically persist only for a short time as new web of packaging material 3 enters into accumulation space 23.
- web of packaging material 3 randomly, in particular randomly and freely, extends between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21 while buffer unit 5 is controlled in the accumulation configuration.
- buffer unit 5 lacks any further roller device and/or roller between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21
- web of packaging material 3 present within buffer unit 5 is freely connected between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21.
- buffer unit 5 is controlled in the accumulation configuration, the quantity of web of packaging material 3 present within buffer unit 5 can be modified, in particular until accumulation space 23 is fully occupied and/or a maximum load is obtained.
- buffer unit 5 is configured such that web of packaging material 3 is arranged in a free loop 24 within buffer unit 5, in particular between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21, while buffer unit 5 is controlled in the buffering configuration.
- buffer unit 5 is configured such that while, in use, buffer unit 5 is controlled in the buffering configuration free loop 24 present within buffer unit 5 fluctuates around an average shape, e.g. measured in meters and/or in dependence of the position of an apex 25 of free loop 24.
- free loop 24 may develop as there are no further elements (such as, for example, rollers), which may define the shape of web of packaging material 3 extending within buffer unit 5, in particular between infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21, and in particular also because of the acting gravitational force.
- rollers such as, for example, rollers
- buffer unit 5 may be configured such that while buffer unit 5 is controlled in the decumulation configuration, the randomly, in particular the freely and randomly, arranged web of packaging material 3 is decumulated out of accumulation space 23, and in particular out of buffer unit 5.
- buffer unit 5 is controlled back from the decumulation configuration to the buffering configuration once web of packaging material 3 present within buffer unit 5 takes the form of a free loop 24 again, and in particular having the desired quantity of web of packaging material 3.
- accumulation housing 22 may comprise a main wall 26, a plurality of lateral delimiting walls 27 transversal, in particular perpendicular, to main wall 26 and a main opening 28 through which web of packaging material 3 enters into accumulation space 23.
- main wall 26 may be opposite to main opening 28.
- main wall 26 may define a bottom wall of accumulation housing 22.
- main opening 28 may be delimited by respective lateral delimiting walls 27.
- main opening 28 may be arranged at an upper portion of accumulation housing 22.
- infeed roller device 20 may comprise a drive roller 32 and one or more counter rollers 33, in the specific case shown two, in particular for interposing web of packaging material 3 between drive roller 32 and the one or more counter rollers 33.
- the step of accumulating the infeed speed of web of packaging material 3 into buffer unit 5 may be larger than the outfeed speed of web of packaging material 3 out of buffer unit 5.
- the infeed speed of web of packaging material 3 into buffer unit 5 may be smaller than the outfeed speed of web of packaging material 3 out of buffer unit 5. This may include the possibility of keeping the infeed speed of web of packaging material 3 at least for some time at 0 m/s.
- the infeed speed of web of packaging material 3 into buffer unit 5 may substantially correspond to the outfeed speed of web of packaging material 3 out of buffer unit 5.
- the step of accumulating may be executed prior to the step of splicing.
- step of decumulating may be executed during the step of splicing.
- the step of accumulating may be executed after the step of normal buffering. After termination of the step of accumulating, the step of decumulating is executed and then the step of normal buffering is executed again.
- buffer unit 5 and/or packaging apparatus 1 The advantages of buffer unit 5 and/or packaging apparatus 1 and the method according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
- buffer unit 5 comes along with a simple design. This because there is neither a first group of rollers nor a second group of rollers as in the prior art buffer units. Accordingly, one also avoids relying on means for varying the relative distance between the first group of rollers and the second group of rollers.
- a further advantage resides in that web of packaging material 3 when passing through buffer unit 5 is not in contact with any roller besides the ones of infeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21. This also reduces the stresses acting on web of packaging material 3.
- buffer unit 5 and/or packaging apparatus 1 may be made to buffer unit 5 and/or packaging apparatus 1 and/or the method as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
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Description
- The present invention relates to a buffer unit for a packaging apparatus for producing sealed packages from a web of packaging material and being filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
- Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a packaging apparatus for producing sealed packages from a web of packaging material and being filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
- Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a method for producing sealed packages from a web of packaging material and being filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
- As is known, many liquid or pourable products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, cream, water, wine, tomato sauce, salt, sugar, etc., are sold in packages made of a sterilized multilayer 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 multilayer packaging material. The multilayer packaging material 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.
- In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, such as UHT milk, the multilayer packaging material also comprises 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.
- Typically, the multilayer packaging material also comprises 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.
- Often the multilayer packaging material is provided in the form of a web of packaging material, in particular having a succession of repeated patterns, each pattern defining the pattern of one respective single package obtained at the end of the packaging process.
- Packages of this sort are normally produced on a fully automatic packaging apparatus, which comprises a conveying device for advancing the web of packaging material along an advancement path, a sterilization unit for sterilizing the packaging material, a tube forming and sealing device arranged within an isolation chamber and configured to form a tube from the advancing packaging material and to longitudinally seal the tube, a filling device for directing the pourable product into the tube and a package forming unit configured to form and to transversally seal and cut the tube for obtaining the single packages.
- Typically the web of packaging material is provided in the form of a reel, which at some point of the operation of the packaging apparatus is about to exhaust. In order to avoid the need to interrupt the production, a typical packaging apparatus typically comprises a splicing unit for splicing a new web of packaging material to the web of packaging material in use. This, however, requires the portion of the web of packaging material in use, which will be spliced together with the new web of packaging material, to be in a fixed and initially non-moving position.
- Therefore, a typical packaging apparatus also comprises a buffer unit arranged upstream of the tube forming and sealing device and configured to buffer the web of packaging material. Thus, prior to the need of splicing the new web of packaging material to the web of packaging material in use, the quantity of the web of packaging material present within the buffer unit (e.g. measured in meters and/or in seconds of the web of packaging material present within the buffer unit) is increased such that during the activation of the splicing unit, the portions of the web of packaging material being arranged upstream of the buffer unit do not advance, while the portions of the web of packaging material arranged downstream of the buffer unit advance as being feed by the buffer unit.
- The known buffer units comprise an infeed roller device, an outfeed roller device and a first group of rollers and a second group of rollers. Thereby, the distance between the second group of rollers and the first group of rollers is variable so as to control the quantity of the web of packaging material being present within the buffer unit. When there is the need to increase the quantity of the web of packaging material, one increases the infeed speed with respect to the outfeed speed and increases the relative distance between the first group of rollers and the second group of rollers, while when there is the need to reduce the quantity of the web of packaging material within the buffer unit, one reduces the infeed speed with respect to the outfeed speed and reduces the relative distance between the first group of rollers and the second group of rollers.
- During a normal operation condition, the relative distance between the first group of rollers and the second group of rollers is kept substantially constant.
- Even though such buffer units operate satisfyingly well, a desire is felt in the sector to further improve the known packaging apparatuses.
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EP3725689A1 discloses a tensioning device comprising at least one tensioning assembly having at least a first drive roller, a second drive roller, a first drive motor connected to the first drive roller and configured to actuate rotation of the first drive roller and a second drive motor connected to the second drive roller and configured to actuate rotation of the second drive roller around the second rotation axis. A control unit is configured to control the first drive motor and the second drive motor such that a free loop of a web of packaging material expands and/or advances, in use, between the first drive roller and the second drive roller. -
EP3725692A1 discloses tensioning device comprising a main drive roller rotatable around a main rotation axis and a main drive motor configured to actuate rotation of the main drive roller around the main rotation axis. The control unit is configured to control the main drive motor such that an angular speed and/or angular acceleration of the main drive roller is cyclically varied such to control the tension of a tube. - It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved buffer unit for a packaging apparatus for producing packages formed from a web of packaging material and being filled with a pourable product.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved packaging apparatus for producing packages formed from a web of packaging material and being filled with a pourable product.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method for producing packages formed from a web of packaging material and being filled with a pourable product.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a buffer unit as claimed in
claim 1. - Further advantageous embodiments of the buffer unit according to the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.
- Advantageously and according to the present invention, there is provided a packaging apparatus according to
claim 10. - Further advantageous embodiments of the packaging apparatus according to the invention are specified in the claims being directly or indirectly dependent on
claim 10. - Advantageously and according to the present invention, there is provided a method according to claim 12.
- Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are specified in the claims being directly or indirectly dependent on claim 12.
- A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a packaging apparatus having a buffer unit according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity; -
Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic and perspective view of details of the packaging apparatus ofFigure 1 , with parts removed for clarity; -
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of further details of the packaging apparatus ofFigure 1 and with the buffer unit being in a first configuration, with parts removed for clarity; -
Figure 4 is a schematic side view of further details of the packaging apparatus ofFigure 1 and with the buffer unit being in a second configuration and having a first load level, with parts removed for clarity; and -
Figure 5 is a schematic side view of further details of the packaging apparatus ofFigure 1 and with the buffer unit being in the second configuration and having a second load level, with parts removed for clarity. -
Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging apparatus, in particular an automatic packaging apparatus, for (continuously) producingpackages 2 filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, such as milk, fruit juice, wine, water, salt, sugar, and similar.Packaging apparatus 1 is configured to producepackages 2 from a web ofpackaging material 3, in particular by forming, filling and sealing the web ofpackaging material 3. - In more detail, web of
packaging material 3 may have a multilayer structure (not shown) and may comprise at least one 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 may define an inner face ofpackage 2 eventually contacting the pourable product. - Preferably, web of
packaging material 3 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 ofpackaging material 3 may also comprises 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 the embodiment disclosed, web of
packaging material 3 comprises a succession of patterns, in particular each pattern being associated to onerespective package 2 once therespective package 2 has been formed. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 and2 ,packaging apparatus 1 comprises at least: - a
conveying device 4 configured to advance web ofpackaging material 3 along a web advancement path P; - a
buffer unit 5 configured to buffer web ofpackaging material 3; - a tube forming and sealing device 6 configured to form a
tube 7 from the, in use, advancing web ofpackaging material 3 and to longitudinallyseal tube 7; - a
filling device 8 configured to filltube 7 with the pourable product; and - a package forming unit (not shown and known as such) configured to form, to transversally seal and, preferably to transversally cut,
tube 7, for formingpackages 2. - Preferentially, operation of
buffer unit 5 may be controlled in dependence of operation ofconveying device 4. - In more detail, tube forming and sealing device 6 may be arranged downstream of
buffer unit 5 along web advancement path P. - Preferentially, conveying
device 4 may also be configured to advancetube 7 along a tube advancement path Q. In more detail, conveyingdevice 4 may be configured to advancetube 7 and any intermediate oftube 7, in a manner known as such, along tube advancement path Q. In particular, with the wording intermediates oftube 7 any configuration of web ofpackaging material 3 is meant prior to obtaining the tube structure and after folding of web ofpackaging material 3 by tube forming and sealing device 6 has started. In other words, the intermediates oftube 7 are a result of a gradual folding of web ofpackaging material 3 so as to obtaintube 7, in particular by overlapping lateral edges of web ofpackaging material 3 with one another. - Preferentially,
packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise a control unit configured to control operation ofpackaging apparatus 1. - Advantageously,
packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise an isolation chamber (not shown and known as such) having an inner environment, in particular a sterile inner environment. In particular, the isolation chamber separates the inner environment from an (hostile) outer environment. - Preferentially, the isolation chamber may have a vertical orientation.
- Preferentially, tube forming and sealing device 6 may be at least partially arranged within the isolation chamber and/or the inner environment and configured to form and
longitudinally seal tube 7 within inner environment. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments,
packaging apparatus 2 may also comprise a splicing unit (not shown and known as such) configured to splice a new web of packaging material to web ofpackaging material 3 in use. - In particular, the splicing unit may be arranged upstream of
buffer unit 5 along web advancement path P. - Preferentially,
packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise a magazine unit 9 having at least a first support for carrying areel 10 of web ofpackaging material 3. Even more preferentially, magazine unit 9 may also comprise a second support for carrying anotherreel 10 of web ofpackaging material 3. - More specifically, one of the first support and the second support may provide for web of
packaging material 3 in use and the other one of the first support and the second support may provide for the new web ofpackaging material 3. In use, the roles of the first support and the second support alternate. For example, at first the first support carriesreel 10 of web ofpackaging material 3 in use, while the second support carriesreel 10 of the new ofpackaging material 3. After the splicing, the second support carriesreel 10 of web ofpackaging material 3 in use, while the first support carries anotherreel 10 of the new ofpackaging material 3. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments,
packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise a sterilizing unit (not shown and known as such) configured to sterilize, in particular by means of chemical and/or physical sterilization, the, in use, advancing web ofpackaging material 3. Preferentially, the sterilization station may be arranged upstream of tube forming and sealing device 6 and downstream ofbuffer unit 5 along web advancement path P. - Preferentially, the package forming unit may be configured to shape and transversally seal and in particular cut, in use,
tube 7 during advancement oftube 7 along at least a portion of tube advancement path Q. - With particular reference to
Figure 1 , tube forming and sealing device 6 may comprise atube forming unit 13 at least partially, preferentially fully, arranged within the isolation chamber, in particular within the inner environment, and configured to gradually fold, in use, web ofpackaging material 3 intotube 7, in particular by (gradually) overlapping the lateral edges of web ofpackaging material 3 with one another. Preferentially,tube forming unit 13 may extend along a longitudinal axis, in particular having a vertical orientation. - Preferentially, tube forming and sealing device 6 may also comprise a sealing unit being at least partially arranged within the isolation chamber and/or the inner environment and configured to longitudinally
seal tube 7. - Furthermore, the sealing unit may comprise a sealing head (not shown) arranged within the isolation chamber and being configured to transfer thermal energy to
tube 7 for longitudinally sealingtube 7. In particular, the sealing head can be of any type, e.g. of the kind operating by means of induction heating and/or by a stream of a heated gas and/or by means of ultrasound and/or by laser heating and/or by any other means. - Preferentially, the sealing unit may also comprise a pressing assembly adapted to exert a mechanical force on
tube 7 so as to ensure the longitudinal sealing oftube 7. - With particular reference to
Figure 1 , fillingdevice 8 may comprise a fillingpipe 14 for directing the pourable product, in use, intotube 7. In particular, fillingpipe 14 may be in fluid connection or is controllable to be in fluid connection with a pourable product storage tank (not shown and known as such), which is adapted to store/provide for the pourable product, in particular the pourable food product, to be packaged. - Preferentially, filling
pipe 14 may, in use, be at least partially placed withintube 7. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the package forming unit may comprise a plurality of pairs of at least one respective operative assembly (known as such and not shown) and at least one counter-operative assembly (known as such and not shown); and
- a conveying unit (known as such and not shown) adapted to advance the respective operative assemblies and the respective counter-operative assemblies of the pairs along respective conveying paths.
- In more detail, each operative assembly may be configured to cooperate, in use, with the respective counter-operative assembly of the respective pair for forming one
respective package 2 fromtube 7. In particular, each operative assembly and the respective counter-operative assembly may be configured to shape, to transversally seal and, preferably also to transversally cut,tube 7 for formingpackages 2. - In further detail, each operative assembly and the respective counter-operative assembly may be configured to cooperate with one another for forming a
respective package 2 fromtube 7 when advancing along a respective operative portion of the respective conveying path. In particular, during advancement along the respective operative portion each operative assembly and the respective counter-operative assembly may advance parallel to and in the same direction astube 7. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 to 5 ,buffer unit 5 comprises: - an
infeed roller device 20 configured to feed web ofpackaging material 3 intobuffer unit 5; and - an
outfeed roller device 21 configured to direct web ofpackaging material 3 out ofbuffer unit 5. - In particular, the portion of web of
packaging material 3 being present withinbuffer unit 5 may extend betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21. - In particular,
buffer unit 5 may lack any further roller devices interposed betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21 along web advancement path P. In other words, there are no further roller devices interposed betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21 along web advancement path P. - Preferentially, web of
packaging material 3 does not interact with any other kind of roller devices, and respective rollers, in addition toinfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21 when being withinbuffer unit 5. - Moreover, the loading of
buffer unit 5 can be measured as the quantity of web ofpackaging material 3 extending betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21. Thereby, the quantity of web ofpackaging material 3 withinbuffer unit 5 can be expressed in terms of meters and/or seconds. In more detail, when expressing the quantity of web ofpackaging material 3 within in meters, one intends the meters of web ofpackaging material 3 extending betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21, and along a longitudinal axis of web ofpackaging material 3. In addition or alternatively, when expressing the quantity in seconds, one indicates the quantity of web ofpackaging material 3 extending betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21 and the time it is possible to feed web ofpackaging material 3 out ofbuffering unit 5 without the need to introduce new web ofpackaging material 3 intobuffer unit 5. - Preferentially,
buffer unit 5 is controllable in: - an accumulation configuration, in which web of
packaging material 3 is accumulated withinbuffer unit 5, in particular betweeninfeed roller device 20 and outfeed roller device 21 (i.e. the quantity of web ofpackaging material 3 withinbuffer unit 5 is increased); - a buffering configuration, in which the quantity of web of
packaging material 3 present withinbuffer unit 5, in particular betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21, is kept substantially constant (i.e. the quantity of web ofpackaging material 3 withinbuffer unit 5 fluctuates around an average quantity); and - a decumulation configuration, in which web of
packaging material 3 present withinbuffer unit 5, in particular betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21, is decumulated (i.e. the quantity of web ofpackaging material 3 withinbuffer unit 5 is reduced). - Preferentially,
buffer unit 5 is controlled, in use, in particular by means of the control unit, in the buffering configuration during a normal production ofpackaging apparatus 1 for formingpackages 2. When it becomes necessary (e.g. because one needs to prepare for activation of the splicing unit) to buffer web ofpackaging material 3 withinbuffer unit 5, in particular betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21,buffer unit 5 is controlled, in use, in particular by means of the control unit, in the accumulation configuration. Afterwards (e.g. after completion of a splicing of web ofpackaging material 3 in use with the new web of packaging material 3),buffer unit 5 is controlled, in use, in particular by means of the control unit, in the decumulation configuration. Then,buffer unit 5 is controlled, in particular by the control unit, in the buffering configuration again. - Moreover,
buffer unit 5 also comprises anaccumulation housing 22 having anaccumulation space 23 configured to randomly receive (seeFigures 4 and5 ) web ofpackaging material 3 whilebuffer unit 5 is controlled, in use, in the accumulation configuration. - In particular,
accumulation housing 22 may delimitaccumulation space 23. - More specifically and with particular reference to
Figures 4 and5 ,buffer unit 5, inparticular accumulation housing 22, may be configured such that whilebuffer unit 5 is controlled in the accumulation configuration, web ofpackaging material 3 being present withinbuffer unit 5 randomly, in particular freely and randomly, falls intoaccumulation housing 22, i.e. web ofpackaging material 3 being present withinbuffer unit 5 may only interact withinfeed roller device 20,outfeed roller device 21 andaccumulation housing 22 and web ofpackaging material 3 does not take a defined and ordered position. - Additionally, in use, in dependence of the loading of buffer unit 5 (i.e. the quantity of web of
packaging material 3 present withinaccumulation housing 22 or, in other words, the meters of web ofpackaging material 3 present within accumulation space 23) the shape of web ofpackaging material 3 continuously changes whilebuffer unit 5 is operated in the accumulation configuration. For example, web ofpackaging material 3 present withinaccumulation housing 22, inparticular accumulation space 23, may take a form as the one shown inFigures 4 and5 , but not necessarily. For example, if web ofpackaging material 3 takes the form as the one shown inFigures 4 or5 , such a specific configuration would typically persist only for a short time as new web ofpackaging material 3 enters intoaccumulation space 23. - It should be noted that preferentially the term "randomly" indicates that the shape of web of
packaging material 3 is not determined and may vary. - In further detail, web of
packaging material 3 randomly, in particular randomly and freely, extends betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21 whilebuffer unit 5 is controlled in the accumulation configuration. - In particular, as
buffer unit 5 lacks any further roller device and/or roller betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21, web ofpackaging material 3 present withinbuffer unit 5 is freely connected betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21. - Moreover, while
buffer unit 5 is controlled in the accumulation configuration, the quantity of web ofpackaging material 3 present withinbuffer unit 5 can be modified, in particular untilaccumulation space 23 is fully occupied and/or a maximum load is obtained. - In more detail and with particular reference to
Figure 3 ,buffer unit 5 is configured such that web ofpackaging material 3 is arranged in afree loop 24 withinbuffer unit 5, in particular betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21, whilebuffer unit 5 is controlled in the buffering configuration. - In even more detail,
buffer unit 5 is configured such that while, in use,buffer unit 5 is controlled in the buffering configurationfree loop 24 present withinbuffer unit 5 fluctuates around an average shape, e.g. measured in meters and/or in dependence of the position of an apex 25 offree loop 24. - It should be noted that
free loop 24 may develop as there are no further elements (such as, for example, rollers), which may define the shape of web ofpackaging material 3 extending withinbuffer unit 5, in particular betweeninfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21, and in particular also because of the acting gravitational force. - Advantageously,
buffer unit 5 may be configured such that whilebuffer unit 5 is controlled in the decumulation configuration, the randomly, in particular the freely and randomly, arranged web ofpackaging material 3 is decumulated out ofaccumulation space 23, and in particular out ofbuffer unit 5. Preferentially,buffer unit 5 is controlled back from the decumulation configuration to the buffering configuration once web ofpackaging material 3 present withinbuffer unit 5 takes the form of afree loop 24 again, and in particular having the desired quantity of web ofpackaging material 3. - With particular reference to
Figures 2 to 5 ,accumulation housing 22 may comprise amain wall 26, a plurality oflateral delimiting walls 27 transversal, in particular perpendicular, tomain wall 26 and amain opening 28 through which web ofpackaging material 3 enters intoaccumulation space 23. - In particular,
main wall 26 may be opposite tomain opening 28. - More specifically,
main wall 26 may define a bottom wall ofaccumulation housing 22. - Preferentially,
main opening 28 may be delimited by respectivelateral delimiting walls 27. - In particular,
main opening 28 may be arranged at an upper portion ofaccumulation housing 22. - In use, when
buffer unit 5 is controlled in the accumulation configuration, web ofpackaging material 3 has a shape of a free loop until web ofpackaging material 3 starts to contactmain wall 26. Then, web ofpackaging material 3 becomes randomly distributed withinaccumulation housing 22, inparticular accumulation space 23. - With particular reference to
Figures 1 to 5 ,infeed roller device 20 may comprise adrive roller 32 and one ormore counter rollers 33, in the specific case shown two, in particular for interposing web ofpackaging material 3 betweendrive roller 32 and the one ormore counter rollers 33. - Moreover,
infeed roller device 20 may also comprise anactuator 34, in particular a motor, even more particular an electrical motor, configured to actuate a rotation ofdrive roller 32. In particular,actuator 34 may be configured to control an angular speed ofdrive roller 32 such to at least partially control an infeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3 intoaccumulation housing 22, inparticular accumulation space 23. - Reverting again to
Figures 1 to 5 ,outfeed roller device 21 may also comprise amain roller 35 and one ormore counter rollers 36, in the specific case shown two, in particular so as to interpose, in use, web ofpackaging material 3 betweenmain roller 35 and the one ormore counter rollers 36. - Preferentially,
outfeed roller device 21 may also comprise abrake 37 configured to deceleratemain roller 35, in particular so as to control the tension of web ofpackaging material 3, in particular downstream ofoutfeed roller device 21 along web advancement path P. - In particular, web of
packaging material 3 may freely extend betweendrive roller 32 andmain roller 35. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments,
buffer unit 5 and/or conveyingdevice 4 may be configured such that: - an infeed speed of web of
packaging material 3 intobuffer unit 5 substantially corresponds to an outfeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3 out ofbuffer unit 5, whenbuffer unit 5 is controlled in the buffering configuration; and/or - the infeed speed of web of
packaging material 3 intobuffer unit 5 is larger than the outfeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3 out ofbuffer unit 5, whenbuffer unit 5 is controlled in the accumulation configuration; and/or - the infeed speed of web of
packaging material 3 intobuffer unit 5 is smaller than the outfeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3, in particular this may include the possibility of keeping the infeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3 at 0 m/s, out ofbuffer unit 5, whenbuffer unit 5 is controlled in the decumulation configuration. - In more detail,
infeed roller device 20, inparticular drive roller 32, is configured such to at least partially control the infeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3 intobuffer unit 5 such that: - the infeed speed is larger than the outfeed speed while the
buffer unit 5 is, in use, controlled in the accumulation configuration; and/or - the infeed speed is smaller than the outfeed speed, in particular including also the possibility of keeping the infeed speed at 0 m/s, while the
buffer unit 5 is, in use, controlled in the decumulation configuration; and/or - the infeed speed substantially corresponds to the outfeed speed while the
buffer unit 5 is, in use, controlled in the buffering configuration. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, conveying
device 4 may comprise aroller 38 arranged upstream ofinfeed roller device 20 along web advancement path P. In particular,roller 38 may be arranged such that web ofpackaging material 3 has an auxiliaryfree loop 39 betweenroller 38 andinfeed roller device 20. - In use,
packaging apparatus 1forms packages 2 filled with the pourable product. In particular,packaging apparatus 1forms packages 2 fromtube 7 formed from web ofpackaging material 3,tube 7 being continuously filled with the pourable product. - In more detail, operation of packaging apparatus 1 (in other words, the formation of packages 2) comprises at least the steps of:
- advancing web of
packaging material 3 along web advancement path P, in particular by conveyingdevice 4; - forming
tube 7, during which web ofpackaging material 3 is formed intotube 7, in particular by tube forming and sealing device 6, even more particular bytube forming unit 13; - longitudinally sealing
tube 7, during whichtube 7 is longitudinally sealed, in particular by tube forming and sealing device 6, even more particular by the sealing unit; - filling
tube 7, during which the pourable product is filled intotube 7, in particular by fillingdevice 8, even more particular by fillingpipe 14. - Preferentially, the formation of
packages 2 also comprises a further step of advancing, during whichtube 7 is advanced, in particular by conveyingdevice 4, along tube advancement path Q. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the formation of
packages 2 also comprises a step of forming, during which packages 2 are formed fromtube 7, in particular by shaping, transversally sealing and in particulartransversally cutting tube 7. Preferentially, during the step of forming,packages 2 are formed by operation of the package forming unit. - Preferentially, operation of
packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise the step of sterilizing, during which web ofpackaging material 3 is sterilized by the sterilization unit. - According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, operation of
packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise a step of splicing, during which a web ofpackaging material 3 in use is spliced with a new web ofpackaging material 3. - Operation of
packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise a step of controlling during which thebuffer unit 5 is controlled in one of the accumulation configuration, the buffering configuration and the decumulation configuration. - In more detail, a step of accumulating is executed while the
buffer unit 5 is controlled in the accumulation configuration and during which web ofpackaging material 3 is randomly accumulated withinbuffer unit 5, in particular withinaccumulation space 23 ofaccumulation housing 22. - Moreover, a step of normal buffering is executed while the
buffer unit 5 is controlled in the buffering configuration and during whichfree loop 24 of web of packaging material 3) is maintained withinbuffer unit 5, in particular betweeninlet roller device 20 andoutlet roller device 21. - Additionally, a decumulation step is executed when the
buffer unit 5 is controlled in the decumulation configuration and during which web ofpackaging material 3 is decumulated frombuffer unit 5, in particular fromaccumulation space 23 ofaccumulation housing 22. - In even more detail, during the step of accumulating the infeed speed of web of
packaging material 3 intobuffer unit 5 may be larger than the outfeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3 out ofbuffer unit 5. - Moreover, during the step of decumulating, the infeed speed of web of
packaging material 3 intobuffer unit 5 may be smaller than the outfeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3 out ofbuffer unit 5. This may include the possibility of keeping the infeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3 at least for some time at 0 m/s. - Additionally, during the step of normal buffering, the infeed speed of web of
packaging material 3 intobuffer unit 5 may substantially correspond to the outfeed speed of web ofpackaging material 3 out ofbuffer unit 5. - Preferentially, the step of accumulating may be executed prior to the step of splicing.
- Moreover the step of decumulating may be executed during the step of splicing.
- In further detail, the step of accumulating may be executed after the step of normal buffering. After termination of the step of accumulating, the step of decumulating is executed and then the step of normal buffering is executed again.
- The advantages of
buffer unit 5 and/orpackaging apparatus 1 and the method according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description. - In particular,
buffer unit 5 comes along with a simple design. This because there is neither a first group of rollers nor a second group of rollers as in the prior art buffer units. Accordingly, one also avoids relying on means for varying the relative distance between the first group of rollers and the second group of rollers. - A further advantage resides in that web of
packaging material 3 when passing throughbuffer unit 5 is not in contact with any roller besides the ones ofinfeed roller device 20 andoutfeed roller device 21. This also reduces the stresses acting on web ofpackaging material 3. - Clearly, changes may be made to buffer
unit 5 and/orpackaging apparatus 1 and/or the method as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims (14)
- A buffer unit (5) for a packaging apparatus (1) for forming packages (2) from a web of packaging material (3) and being filled with a pourable product;the buffer unit (5) being configured to buffer the web of packaging material (3) and comprises:- an infeed roller device (20) configured to feed the web of packaging material (3) into the buffer unit (5);- an outfeed roller device (21) configured to direct the web of packaging material (3) out of the buffer unit (5) ;characterized in that the buffer unit (5) further comprises:- an accumulation housing (22) having an accumulation space (23) configured to randomly receive the web of packaging material (3);wherein the buffer unit (5) is controllable in an accumulation configuration, in which the web of packaging material (3) is randomly accumulated within the buffer unit (5) ;wherein the accumulation housing (22) comprises a main wall (26), a plurality of lateral delimiting walls (27) transversal to the main wall (26) and a main opening (28) through which the web of packaging material (3) enters into the accumulation space (23);wherein when, in use, the buffer unit (5) is controlled in the accumulation configuration the web of packaging material (3) has a shape of a free loop until the web of packaging material (3) starts to contact the main wall (26), then the web of packaging material (3) becomes randomly distributed within the accumulation housing (22).
- Buffer unit according to claim 1, and also being controllable in a buffering configuration;
wherein the buffer unit (5) is configured such that the web of packaging material (3) is arranged in a free loop (24) between the infeed roller device (20) and the outfeed roller device (21) while the buffer unit (5) is controlled in the buffering configuration. - Buffer unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the buffer unit (5) is also controllable in a decumulation configuration;
wherein the buffer unit (5) is configured such that while the buffer unit (5) is controlled in the decumulation configuration the randomly arranged web of packaging material (3) is decumulated out of the accumulation space (23) . - Buffer unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the web of packaging material (3) freely and randomly extends between the infeed roller device (20) and the outfeed roller device (21) while the buffer unit (5) is controlled in the accumulation configuration.
- Buffer unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main wall (26) is opposite to the main opening (28).
- Buffer unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infeed roller device (20) comprises a drive roller (32) and at least one counter roller (33).
- Buffer unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outfeed roller device (21) comprises a main roller (35) and at least one counter roller (36).
- Buffer unit according to claim 6 and 7, wherein the web of packaging material (3) freely extends between the drive roller (32) and the main roller (35).
- Buffer unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the infeed roller device (20) is configured such to keep an infeed speed of the web of packaging material (3) into the buffer unit (5) to be larger than an outfeed speed of the web of packaging material (3) from the buffer unit (5) while the buffer unit (5) is, in use, controlled in the accumulation configuration.
- A packaging apparatus (1) for forming packages (2) from a web of packaging material (3) and being filled with a pourable product;
the packaging apparatus (1) comprises:- a conveying device (4) for advancing the web of packaging material (3) along a web advancement path (P);- a buffer unit (5) according to any one of the preceding claims;- a tube forming and sealing device (6) configured to form and longitudinally seal a tube (7) from the web of packaging material (3) and being arranged upstream of the buffer unit (5) along the web advancement path (P);- a filling device (8) configured to direct, in use, the pourable product into the tube (7); and- a package forming unit configured to at least form and to transversally seal the, in use, advancing tube (7) for forming the packages (2). - Packaging apparatus according to claim 10, and further comprising a splicing unit configured to splice a new web of packaging material (3) to the web of packaging material (3) in use;
wherein the buffer unit (5) is configured to be controlled in the accumulation configuration prior to an activation of the splicing unit. - Method for forming packages (2) from a web of packaging material (3) and being filled with a pourable product comprising at least the steps of:- advancing the web of packaging material (3) along a web advancement path (P);- forming a tube (7) from the web of packaging material (3) ;- longitudinally sealing the tube (7);- filling the tube (7) with the pourable product; and- accumulating the web of packaging material (3), during which a buffer unit (5) accumulates the web of packaging material (3);wherein the buffer unit (5) comprises:- an infeed roller device (20) configured to feed the web of packaging material (3) into the buffer unit (5);- an outfeed roller device (21) configured to direct the web of packaging material (3) out of the buffer unit (5) ;characterized in that the buffer unit (5) further comprises:- an accumulation housing (22) having an accumulation space (23) configured to randomly receive the web of packaging material (3);wherein, during the step of accumulating, the buffer unit (5) randomly accumulates the web of packaging material (3) within the accumulation space (23);wherein the accumulation housing (22) comprises a main wall (26), a plurality of lateral delimiting walls (27) transversal to the main wall (26) and a main opening (28) through which the web of packaging material (3) enters into the accumulation space (23);wherein in use, when the buffer unit (5) is controlled in the accumulation configuration the web of packaging material (3) has a shape of a free loop until the web of packaging material (3) starts to contact the main wall (26), then the web of packaging material (3) becomes randomly distributed within the accumulation housing (22).
- Method according to claim 12, and further comprising a step of controlling the buffer unit (5) in one of:- an accumulation configuration for accumulating the web of packaging material (3) within the buffer unit (5);- a buffering configuration at which the buffer unit (5) keeps the quantity of the web of packaging material (3) within the buffer unit (5) substantially constant; and- a decumulation configuration during which the web of packaging material (3) present within the buffer unit (5) is decumulated;wherein the step of accumulating is executed while the buffer unit (5) is controlled in the accumulation configuration and during which the web of packaging material (3) is accumulated within the buffer unit (5);wherein a step of normal buffering is executed when the buffer unit (5) is controlled in the buffering configuration and during which a free loop (24) of the web of packaging material (3) is maintained within the buffer unit (5); andwherein a decumulation step is executed when the buffer unit (5) is controlled in the decumulation configuration and during which the web of packaging material (3) is decumulated from the buffer unit (5).
- Method according to claim 12 or 13, and further comprising a step of splicing, during which a web of packaging material (3) in use is spliced with a new web of packaging material (3);
wherein the step of accumulating is executed prior to the step of splicing.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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EP21206631 | 2021-11-05 |
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EP (1) | EP4183693B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN118339079A (en) |
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US12060191B2 (en) * | 2019-04-19 | 2024-08-13 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Packaging machine and method for producing sealed packages |
EP3725692B1 (en) * | 2019-04-19 | 2021-10-27 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Packaging machine and method for producing sealed packages |
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2022
- 2022-10-25 EP EP22203486.0A patent/EP4183693B1/en active Active
- 2022-10-25 CN CN202280073029.5A patent/CN118339079A/en active Pending
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