Packaging machine for forming multi-compartmental packs

Abstract

A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) for forming multi-compartmental packs comprises a first feed mechanism for feeding packaging material ( 31 ) to a forming station ( 12 ) adapted to form compartments in said material ( 31 ). The packaging apparatus ( 30 ) further comprises means for loading product into the compartments. a second feed mechanism for feeding a sealing material ( 32 ) to a sealing station ( 19 ), a peripheral sealing member ( 33 ) to secure the sealing material ( 32 ) to the packaging material ( 31 ) to form a peripheral seal, and one or more compartmental sealing members for forming at least one compartmental seal. Control means control the speed, position and seal parameters of the packaging apparatus ( 30 ).

1 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) for forming multi-compartmental packs comprising: 
 a first feed mechanism for feeding packaging material ( 31 ) to a forming station ( 12 ) adapted to form compartments in said material ( 31 );    means for loading product into the compartments;    a second feed mechanism for feeding a sealing material ( 32 ) to a sealing station ( 19 );    a peripheral sealing member ( 33 ) to secure the sealing material ( 32 ) to the packaging material ( 31 ) to form a peripheral seal; and    one or more compartmental sealing members for forming at least one compartmental seal, control means for controlling the speed, position and seal parameters of the packaging apparatus ( 30 ).    
     
     
         2 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) according to  claim 1 , having a compartmental sealing member which seals in a direction which is perpendicular to the feed direction of the packaging material ( 31 ).  
     
     
         3 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) according to either of claims  1  or  2 , having a compartmental sealing member which seals in a direction which is parallel to the feed direction of the packaging material ( 31 ).  
     
     
         4 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each compartmental sealing member is moveable across the surface of the pack to produce a number of spaced seals within a pack.  
     
     
         5 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) according to any preceding claim wherein the position of the seals is controlled using the control means which control the motion of the packaging relative to the or each compartmental sealing members.  
     
     
         6 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) according to  claim 5  wherein the control means controlling the motion of the packaging is a servomechanism.  
     
     
         7 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) according to any preceding claims, wherein the or each compartmental sealing member is a bar, roller or wheel.  
     
     
         8 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each compartmental sealing member is heatable to thermally seal the sealing material to the packaaging material ( 31 ).  
     
     
         9 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises monitor means to monitor the pressure applied by the or each compartmental sealing member.  
     
     
         10 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) according to any of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a pressure control means to control the pressure applied by each sealing member.  
     
     
         11 . A process for forming multi-compartmental packs, comprising the steps of: 
 (i) presenting a first packaging material having pre-formed compartments therein, adapted to receive product, to a product loading station;    (ii) moving a second packaging material onto the pre-formed first packaging material having compartments and product contained therein such that the second packaging material overlays the first packaging material;    (iii) sealing about their periphery the second packaging material to the first packaging material to form a pack; and    (iv) applying a further sealing member to subdivide the pack into compartments.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the further sealing member subdivides the pack in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of the first and second packaging materials.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11  or  claim 12 , wherein a second further sealing member is applied to apply seals perpendicularly to those applied by the further sealing member.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to any of  claims 11  to  13 , wherein the second packaging material is heated to seal it to the first packaging material.  
     
     
         15 . A packaging apparatus ( 30 ) substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         16 . A production system for producing products sealed in high integrity packaging comprising a packaging machine as described herein.