Packaging machine for producing sealed packages

Abstract

A packaging machine comprises a conveying device for advancing a web along a web advancement path at least to a tube forming station at which the web is formed into a tube and for advancing the tube along a tube advancement path, a tube forming and sealing device configured to form and longitudinally seal the tube, a tensioning device upstream of the tube forming station and configured to control tension of the tube and a control unit configured to control operation of the packaging machine. The tensioning device comprises 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 controls the main drive motor such that an angular speed and/or angular acceleration of the main drive roller is cyclically varied to control tension of the tube.

1 . A packaging machine for producing sealed packages of a pourable product comprising at least:
 an isolation housing;   a formation apparatus at least partially arranged within the isolation housing and being configured to form and/or obtain sealed semi-finalized packs of the pourable product;   an outlet conveying unit configured to receive the sealed semi-finalized packs within the isolation housing and to advance the sealed semi-finalized packs out of the isolation housing and to a transfer station; and   a final folding unit arranged at the transfer station and configured to receive the sealed semi-finalized packs from the outlet conveying unit and to treat and/or manipulate the sealed semi-finalized packs such to obtain the packages.   
     
     
         2 . A packaging machine according to  claim 1 , and further comprising a conveying device for advancing a web of packaging material along a web advancement path at least to a tube forming station at which the web of packaging material is formed, in use, into a tube and for advancing the tube along a tube advancement path;
 wherein the isolation housing comprises at least:
 a first isolation chamber having a first inner environment; and 
 a second isolation chamber having a second inner environment; 
   wherein the formation apparatus comprises at least:
 a tube forming and sealing device being at least partially arranged within the first isolation chamber and being configured to form the tube at the tube forming station and to longitudinally seal the tube within the first inner environment; 
 a filling device for filling the tube with the pourable product; and 
 a package forming unit at least partially arranged within the second isolation chamber and being adapted to form, transversally seal and transversally cut the tube within the second inner environment so as to obtain the sealed semi-finalized packs; 
   wherein at least a portion of the outlet conveying unit is arranged within the second isolation chamber for receiving the sealed semi-finalized packs and for advancing the sealed semi-finalized packs out of the second isolation chamber and to the transfer station.   
     
     
         3 . Packaging machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the first isolation chamber comprises an outlet opening configured to allow for the passage of the tube from the first inner environment into the second inner environment. 
     
     
         4 . Packaging machine according to  claim 2 , and further comprising an atmosphere control unit configured to control a positive pressure within the first inner environment being larger than the ambient pressure. 
     
     
         5 . Packaging machine according to any one of the  claim 1 , and further comprising a safety chamber distinct from the isolation housing and housing at least a portion of the final folding unit;
 wherein the final folding unit is configured to treat and/or manipulate the sealed semi-finalized packs within the safety chamber.   
     
     
         6 . Packaging machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the safety chamber is transversally spaced apart from the isolation housing. 
     
     
         7 . Packaging machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the safety chamber is detached from the isolation housing. 
     
     
         8 . Packaging machine according to  claim 5 , and further comprising a connecting channel interposed between the isolation housing and the safety chamber and housing at least a portion of the outlet conveying unit for advancing, in use, the sealed semi-finalized packs between the isolation housing and the safety chamber within the connecting channel. 
     
     
         9 . Packaging machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the safety chamber is in contact with at least a lateral wall of the isolation housing. 
     
     
         10 . Packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein each sealed semi-finalized pack comprises a central main portion and at least one flap protruding from the respective central main portion;
 wherein the final folding unit comprises at least:
 a conveying assembly configured to advance the semi-finalized packs along a final advancement path; and 
 at least one treatment unit configured to form and/or shape each central main portion and/or for folding and sealing the respective at least one flap onto the respective central main portion during the advancement of the sealed semi-finalized packs along the final advancement path. 
   
     
     
         11 . Packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the isolation housing comprises an outlet aperture configured to allow for the outlet of the sealed semi-finalized packs out of the isolation housing. 
     
     
         12 . Packaging machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the isolation housing comprises at least one lateral wall having the outlet aperture.