阅读说明：本技术 用于包装机的料盒单元、具有料盒单元的包装机和操作包装机的方法 (Cartridge unit for a packaging machine, packaging machine with a cartridge unit and method of operating a packaging machine ) 是由 尼古拉·马西尼 斯特凡诺·帕拉迪诺 于 2019-01-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：描述了一种用于包装机(1)的料盒单元(5)。料盒单元(5)包括被配置为可旋转地承载包装材料的卷材(4)的卷轴(6)的支撑设备(20)以及被配置为使卷轴(6)绕中心轴线(A)的旋转减速的卷轴制动设备(21)。卷轴制动设备(21)包括制动组件(29),其适于与包装材料的卷材(4)的卷轴(6)的外侧表面(27)交互,并且被配置为在包装材料的卷材(4)的卷轴(6)上选择性地施加减速力,以使卷轴(6)绕中心轴线(A)的旋转减速。卷轴制动设备(21)包括支撑轨道(31),其可移动地承载制动组件(21),以及致动器设备(32),其被配置为在使用中致动制动组件(29)沿支撑轨道(31)至少朝向外侧表面(27)的移动,以便在制动组件(29)的至少一个交互元件(30)与包装材料的卷材(4)的卷轴(6)的外侧表面(27)之间建立接触。(A magazine unit (5) for a packaging machine (1) is described. The cartridge unit (5) comprises a support device (20) configured to rotatably carry a reel (6) of the web (4) of packaging material and a reel braking device (21) configured to decelerate the rotation of the reel (6) about the central axis (a). The reel braking device (21) comprises a braking assembly (29) adapted to interact with an outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6) of the web of packaging material (4) and configured to selectively exert a retarding force on the reel (6) of the web of packaging material (4) to retard rotation of the reel (6) about the central axis (a). The reel braking device (21) comprises a support track (31) movably carrying the braking assembly (21), and an actuator device (32) configured to actuate, in use, a movement of the braking assembly (29) along the support track (31) at least towards the outer lateral surface (27) so as to establish contact between at least one interaction element (30) of the braking assembly (29) and the outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6) of the web of packaging material (4).)

1. A cartridge unit (5) for a packaging machine (1), the cartridge unit (5) comprising:

-a support device (20) configured to rotatably carry a reel (6) of web (4) of packaging material; and

-a reel braking device (21) configured to decelerate at least the rotation of the reel (6) around the central axis (a);

wherein the reel braking device (21) comprises a braking assembly (29), said braking assembly (29) being adapted to interact with an outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6) of the web of packaging material (4) and being configured to selectively exert a retarding force on the reel (6) of the web of packaging material (4) to at least retard rotation of the reel (6) about the central axis (A);

characterized in that the reel braking device (21) further comprises:

-a support rail (31) movably carrying the brake assembly (21); and

-an actuator device (32) configured to actuate, in use, a movement of the braking assembly (29) along the support track (31) at least towards the outer lateral surface (27) so as to establish a contact of at least one interaction element (30) of the braking assembly (29) with the outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6) of web of packaging material (4).

2. Cartridge unit according to claim 1, wherein the support device (20) is configured to carry the reel (6) such that the reel (6) is adapted to rotate around the central axis (a) which is parallel to an alignment axis (C) of the support device (20);

wherein the support rail (31) extends along a longitudinal axis (E) transversal to the alignment axis (C); and

wherein the actuator device (32) is configured to move the brake assembly (29) in a direction (D1) parallel to the longitudinal axis (E).

3. Cartridge unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the braking assembly (29) comprises:

-a braking wheel (30) defining said interaction element and adapted to rotate about a rotation axis (F) upon contact with said outer lateral surface (27) of said reel (6) of web of packaging material (4); and

-a brake actuator device (38) coupled to the brake wheel (30) and adapted to selectively exert a force on the brake wheel (30) so as to oppose rotation of the brake wheel (30) about the rotation axis (F).

4. Cartridge unit according to claim 3, wherein the braking assembly (29) comprises a sensor device adapted to detect contact between the braking wheel (30) and the outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6) of web of packaging material (4) in order to detect rotation of the braking wheel (30) about the rotation axis (F).

5. Cartridge unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator device (32) is a pneumatic cylinder.

6. Cartridge unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit (41), the control unit (41) being configured to repeatedly actuate the actuator device (32) according to a predetermined time interval so as to establish, in use, a momentary contact between the interaction element (30) and the outer side surface (27) of the reel (6) of web of packaging material (4).

7. A packaging machine (1) for producing sealed packages (2) of pourable products, said packaging machine (1) comprising:

-an isolation chamber (8) separating an internal environment from an external environment;

-a tube forming apparatus (9) arranged at least partially inside said insulating chamber (8) at a forming station (10) and adapted to form a tube (3) from a web (4) of packaging material;

-a sealing device (11) arranged at least partially within the insulating chamber (8) and adapted to longitudinally seal the tube (3) formed by the tube forming device (9);

-filling means (12) for filling said tube (3) with said pourable product;

-a package forming unit (13) adapted to form and transversely seal said tube (3) to form said package (2);

-conveying means (14) for advancing the web (4) of packaging material along a web advancement path (P) from the holding station (7) to the forming station (10) and for advancing the tube (3) along a tube advancement path (Q) to the package forming unit (13);

characterized by further comprising a cartridge unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the cartridge unit (5) being adapted to hold a reel (6) of web of packaging material (4) at the holding station (7).

8. Method for operating a packaging machine (1) for producing packages (2) filled with pourable product, said packaging machine (1) having a magazine unit (5), said magazine unit (5) comprising:

-a support device (20) configured to rotatably carry a reel (6) of web (4) of packaging material; and

-a reel braking device (21) configured to decelerate the rotation of the reel (6) around a central axis (a);

wherein the reel braking device (21) comprises a braking assembly (29), said braking assembly (29) being adapted to interact with an outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6) of the web of packaging material (4) and being configured to selectively exert a retarding force on the reel (6) of the web of packaging material (4) to at least retard the rotation of the reel (6) about the central axis (A);

wherein the braking assembly (29) comprises an interaction element (30) configured to engage at least momentarily with the outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6) and an actuator device (32) adapted to advance at least the interaction element (30) towards the outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6);

the method comprises at least the following steps:

-rotating the reel (6) of web (4) of packaging material to unwind the web (4) of packaging material;

-repeatedly actuating the actuator device (32) according to a predetermined time interval in order to move the interaction element (30) towards the outer lateral surface (27) and to reach the outer lateral surface (27) and to momentarily establish contact between the interaction element (30) and the outer lateral surface (27); and

-deactivating the actuator device (32) in order to interrupt further advancement of the headblock (30) after establishing contact between the headblock (30) and the outside surface (27).

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein during the step of repeated actuation the actuator device (32) advances the braking assembly (29) together with the interaction element (30) in a direction (D1) towards the outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6).

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a step of detecting and/or determining contact between the interaction element (30) and the outer lateral surface (27), the step of deactivating the actuator device (32) being performed if contact between the interaction element (30) and the outer lateral surface (27) is detected and/or determined during the step of detecting and/or determining.

11. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the interaction element is a headblock (30) adapted to rotate about a rotation axis (F);

wherein the braking wheel (30) rotates about the rotation axis (F) when in contact with the outer lateral surface (27) of the reel (6);

wherein the spool braking device (21) further comprises a brake actuator device (38), the brake actuator device (38) being configured to exert a force on the brake wheel (30) so as to oppose rotation of the brake wheel (30) about the rotation axis (F) to decelerate rotation of the spool (6) about the central axis (A);

the method further comprises the steps of: -decelerating the rotation of the reel (6) about the central axis (a) by simultaneous actuation of the actuator device (32) and the brake actuator device (38), such that the brake wheel (30) establishes and maintains contact with the outer side surface (27) of the reel (6), and a force opposes the rotation of the brake wheel (30) about the rotation axis (F).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a magazine unit for a packaging machine, in particular for producing pourable products, even more particularly for producing sealed packages of pourable food products. In particular, the invention relates to a cartridge unit comprising a reel braking device configured to decelerate a rotating reel of web of packaging material.

The present invention also relates to a packaging machine having a magazine unit comprising a reel braking device, in particular a packaging machine for producing pourable products, even more particularly sealed packages of pourable food products.

The present invention also relates to a method for operating a packaging machine, in particular for producing pourable products, even more particularly for producing sealed packages of pourable food products.

Background

Many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra high temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are known to be sold in packages made of aseptic packaging material.

A typical example is a parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products, known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding laminated strip packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, for example of paper, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, for example 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, such as aluminium foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.

Such packages are usually produced on fully automatic packaging machines which advance a web of packaging material from a magazine unit through a sterilization unit for sterilizing the web of packaging material, for example by means of chemical sterilization (for example by applying a chemical sterilization agent, for example a hydrogen peroxide solution) or physical sterilization (for example by means of an electron beam), and to an isolation chamber (closed sterile environment) in which the sterilized web of packaging material is held and advanced. During the advancement of the web of packaging material through the isolation chamber, the web of packaging material is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube having a longitudinal seam portion, which tube is further fed in a vertical advancement direction.

To complete the forming operation, the tube is filled with the sterilized or sterile-processed pourable food product, and is transversally sealed and subsequently cut along equally spaced cross sections within the packaging unit of the packaging machine, during advancement in a vertical advancement direction.

This results in pillow packs in the packaging machine, each having a longitudinal sealing band, a top transverse sealing band and a bottom transverse sealing band.

In more detail, a typical packaging machine includes:

-a magazine unit adapted to hold at least one reel of web of packaging material at a holding station (host station);

-conveying means for advancing the web of packaging material along a web advancement path from the holding station to a forming station at which, in use, the web of packaging material is formed into a tube;

-a sterilization unit for sterilizing a web of packaging material;

-a tube forming apparatus arranged within the insulating chamber and adapted to form a tube from an advancing web of packaging material;

-a sealing device for longitudinally sealing the tube;

-filling means for filling the tube with a pourable product; and

a package forming unit adapted to produce individual packages from the tube by forming, transverse sealing and transverse cutting the packages.

A typical cartridge unit comprises at least one support device adapted to rotatably carry a reel of a web of packaging material such that the reel is rotatable about a central axis to allow unwinding of the web of packaging material.

The cartridge unit further comprises a reel braking device configured to decelerate, in use, the rotation of the reel about the central axis, for example in the case of a programmed or emergency stop of the packaging machine.

A typical reel brake apparatus includes:

a support arm pivoted at a first end to a horizontal support plate of the cartridge unit and pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to a central axis of the reel, wherein the reel is carried by the support device; and

a brake assembly coupled to the support arm at a second end of the support arm opposite the first end.

The brake assembly includes a brake wheel adapted to contact an outside surface of the spool of the web of packaging material and to rotate about an axis of rotation parallel to the central axis of the spool when in contact with the outside surface of the spool of the web of packaging material and the spool rotates about the central axis.

The spool brake apparatus also includes a biasing device coupled to the support arm and configured to continuously actuate angular movement of the support arm about the pivot axis to continuously bias the brake wheel against the outboard surface of the spool. In this way, as the diameter of the spool decreases in use, continuous contact between the headblock and the outside surface of the spool is ensured. However, a disadvantage is that the continuously applied pressure of the headblock can cause the web of packaging material to unwind incorrectly.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a magazine unit for a packaging machine, in order to overcome at least one of the above drawbacks in a simple and low-cost manner.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge unit for a packaging machine having a reel braking device, allowing to reduce the risk of an incorrect unwinding of a web of packaging material.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a packaging machine with a magazine unit in order to overcome at least one of the above drawbacks in a simple and low-cost manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating a packaging machine that overcomes at least one of the above drawbacks in a simple and low-cost manner.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cartridge unit as defined in claim 1.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a packaging machine according to claim 7.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method for operating a packaging machine according to claim 8.

Preferred embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims.

Drawings

Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

fig. 1 is a schematic view of a packaging machine for packaging pourable products, wherein for clarity reasons

With some parts removed for clarity.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the packaging machine of fig. 1 with some parts removed for clarity.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the detail of FIG. 2 with some components removed for clarity; and

fig. 4-6 are side views of the portion of fig. 3 during different operating conditions with some components removed for clarity.

Detailed Description

Numeral 1 generally indicates a packaging machine for producing sealed packages 2 of pourable products, in particular pourable food products (such as pasteurized milk, fruit juice, wine, tomato sauce, etc.), from a tube 3 of a web 4 of packaging material. In particular, in use, the tube 3 extends along a longitudinal axis L, in particular along an axis L having a vertical orientation.

The web 4 of packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown). The web 4 comprises a respective layer of fibrous material, usually paper, covered on both sides with respective layers of heat-seal plastic material, for example polyethylene.

Preferably, the web 4 also comprises respective layers of gas and light barrier material, for example aluminium foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, and at least one respective first layer of heat-seal plastic material and a respective second layer of heat-seal plastic material. The respective layers of gas and light barrier material are superimposed on the respective first layer of heat-seal plastic material, which is in turn covered by a second layer of heat-seal plastic material. The second heat-seal plastic material layer forms the inner surface of the package 2 eventually contacting the filled food product.

A typical package 2 obtained by the packaging machine 1 comprises a longitudinal seam portion and a pair of transverse sealing bands, in particular a transverse top sealing band and a transverse bottom sealing band.

With particular reference to fig. 1, the packaging machine 1 comprises:

a magazine unit 5 adapted to hold at least one reel 6 of web 4 of packaging material at a holding station 7;

an isolation chamber 8 separating an internal environment, in particular an internal sterile environment, from an external environment;

a tube forming apparatus 9 extending along a longitudinal axis, in particular with a vertical orientation, and arranged at least partially, preferably completely, inside the chamber 8, in particular at the forming station 10, and adapted to form the tube 3 from the web 4 advancing in use;

a sealing device 11, which is arranged at least partially within the chamber 8 and is adapted to longitudinally seal the tube 3 formed by the tube forming device 9, thereby forming a longitudinal seam portion of the tube 3;

a filling device 12 for filling tube 3 with a pourable product;

a pack forming unit 13 adapted to form and transversely seal at least tube 3, in particular tube 3 advancing in use, to form pack 2; and

conveying means 14 for advancing in known manner the web 4 along a respective web advancement path P from the holding station 7 to the forming station 10, at which forming station 10, in use, the web 4 is formed into a tube 3; and advancing tube 3 along tube advancing path Q toward and through package forming unit 13.

In particular, the isolation chamber 8 is arranged downstream of the cartridge unit 5 along the path P.

In particular, the package forming unit 13 is arranged along path Q downstream of the isolation chamber 8 and the tube forming apparatus 9.

Preferably, the packaging machine 1 also comprises a sterilization unit (not shown and known per se) adapted to sterilize the web 4 advancing in use at a sterilization station, in particular a sterilization station arranged along the path P upstream of the forming station 10.

Preferably, the conveying means 14 are adapted to advance the tube 3 and any intermediate body of the tube 3 along the path Q in a manner known per se, in particular from the forming station 10 towards and at least partially through the package forming unit 13. In particular, the intermediate body of tube 3 refers to any configuration of web 4 before the tube structure is obtained and after the folding of web 4 by tube forming apparatus 9 is started. In other words, the intermediate body of the tube 3 is the result of progressively folding the web 4 (in particular by overlapping the respective lateral edges of the web 4 with each other) in order to obtain the tube 3.

With particular reference to fig. 2, the cartridge unit 5 comprises at least:

a support device 20 configured to rotatably carry at least one reel 6 of web material 4; and

a reel braking device 21 configured to decelerate, in particular stop, the rotation of the reel 6 about the central axis a of the reel 6.

Preferably, the cartridge unit 5 further comprises a support structure 22 carrying at least the support device 20. Even more preferably, the cartridge unit 5, in particular the support structure 22, further comprises a lid 23 delimiting an inner space 24 of the cartridge unit 5 from an outer space. In particular, the support device 20 is arranged within the interior space 24 so as to retain the reel 6 within the interior space 24 in use.

Preferably, the cartridge unit 5 further comprises height adjustment means, in particular movable foot elements 25, which are connected to the support structure 22 and are configured to locally control the height of the support structure 22.

In more detail, the reel 6 comprises a through hole suitable for housing the spindle 26, the spindle 26 extending along the longitudinal axis B so that the spindle 26 carries the reel 6. In particular, an axis a and an axis B coaxial with the main shaft 26 are provided through the through hole.

Preferably, the support device 20 is configured to indirectly carry the reel 6 by supporting the spindle 26, while the spindle 26 in turn carries the reel 6.

In particular, the reel 6, which is indirectly supported by the support device 20, is rotatable about the central axis a; the main shaft 26 carrying the reel 6 and carried by the support device 20 is therefore rotatable about the longitudinal axis B.

In more detail, reel 6 comprises an outer lateral surface 27, which in particular corresponds to a face of web 4, which outer lateral surface 27 defines an outer surface of packages 2 once respective packages 2 have been formed.

Further, the spool 6 has a radius R in the radial direction (for example, the spool 6 has the radius R). In use, during unwinding of the web 4, the radius R decreases.

In particular, in use, the reel 6 is rotated about the central axis a by the pulling force exerted on the web 4 by the conveyor 13.

In more detail, the support device 20 is configured to hold the reel 6, in particular the spindle 26, such that the central axis a, in particular the longitudinal axis B, is parallel, in particular coaxial, to an alignment axis C of the support device 20, in particular having a horizontal orientation.

Preferably, the support device 20 comprises at least two housing seats 28 (only one shown) arranged side by side and facing each other and adapted to rotatably carry the main shaft 26. In particular, the housing seat 28 defines an alignment axis C.

Even more preferably, each housing seat 28 is configured to house a respective engagement portion of the spindle 26, in particular each engagement portion corresponding to a respective end of the spindle 26.

More specifically, each housing seat 28 is mounted to a respective portion of the support structure 22.

With particular reference to fig. 1 to 6, the reel braking device 21 comprises:

a braking assembly 29 having an interaction element, in particular a braking wheel 30, the braking assembly 29 being adapted to interact with the outer lateral surface 27 (in particular by means of the braking wheel 30) and being configured to selectively apply a retarding force to the reel 6 rotating in use (in particular by means of the braking wheel 30) so as to retard, in particular stop, the rotation of the reel 6 about the central axis a.

A support rail 31 extending along a longitudinal axis E, in particular transverse, even more particularly perpendicular, to the alignment axis C; and a movably carried brake assembly 29; and

an actuator device 32, in particular of the pneumatic type, configured to actuate, in use, a movement of the braking assembly 29 along the support track 31 (in particular between the first and second extreme positions) and along a direction D1 parallel to the support track 31 (i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis E), at least towards the outer lateral surface 27, so as to bring the braking wheel 30 into contact with the outer lateral surface 27.

Preferably, reel brake device 21 also comprises a support bar 33 carrying support rail 31, in particular having a vertical extension.

More specifically, the support bar 33 and the support rail 31 are oriented transversely, in particular orthogonally, with respect to each other.

In the embodiment shown, the support bar 33 is mounted to a horizontal floor 34 (defining part of the cover 23) of the support structure 22.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the support bar 33 may be mounted to the floor of the production facility.

In more detail, the braking wheel 30 of the braking assembly 29 is adapted to rotate about a rotation axis F (in particular parallel to the alignment axis C) when in contact with the outer lateral surface 27 and the reel 6 rotates about the axis a. In particular, in use, with the brake wheel 30 contacting the outer side surface 27, rotation of the spool 6 is transmitted to the brake wheel 30.

Preferably, the headblock 30 comprises an outer contact surface for contact, in particular made of rubber or rubber-like material.

Preferably, the reel braking device 29 also comprises a brake actuator device 38, in particular of the electrical type, coupled to the braking wheel 30 and adapted to selectively exert a force on the braking wheel 30, so as to oppose the rotation of the braking wheel 30 about the rotation axis F (actuated in particular by the contact of the braking wheel 30 with the outer lateral surface 27 and the rotation of the reel 6 about the central axis a).

Preferably, the braking assembly 29 also comprises a sensor device, in particular a rotation detection sensor, adapted to determine and/or detect the contact between the headblock 30 and the outer lateral surface 27, in particular by means of detecting the rotation of the headblock 30 about the rotation axis F.

In a preferred embodiment, the brake assembly 29 further comprises:

a slide 39 movably mounted to the support rail 31, coupled to the actuator device 32, and adapted to move along the support rail 31 by actuation of the actuator device 32; and

a support plate 40 mounted to the slide 39 and carrying at least the braking wheel 30, preferably also the braking actuator device 38, and projecting sideways from the support rail 31.

In particular, in this way, when the slider 39 moves, the headblock 30 also moves.

Preferably, cartridge unit 5 further comprises a control unit 41 adapted to control spool braking device 21, in particular such that brake wheel 30 is held in use in the vicinity of outer surface 27.

Preferably, the control unit 41 is connected to the actuator device 32 and is configured to repeatedly actuate the actuator device 32 according to a predetermined time interval, for example after every 10 seconds or after every 5 seconds, in order to establish, from time to time, a brief contact between the braking wheel 30 and the outer side surface 27 of the reel 6 in use. Even more preferably, the control unit 41 is further configured to repeatedly deactivate the actuator device 32, in particular after the brake wheel 30 is in contact with the outer side surface 27 in use, in particular such that further movement of the brake wheel 30 is interrupted.

In other words, the control unit 41 is configured to activate and deactivate the actuator device 32 such that the braking wheel 30 remains in the vicinity of the reel 6, in particular the outer side surface 27, and contacts the outer side surface 27 only for a limited time. This allows to minimize the contact time of the headblock 30 with the outer side surface 27 and to ensure that the distance between the headblock 30 and the reel 6, in particular the outer side surface 27, is kept within a certain range, so that the reel braking device 21 is able to decelerate, in particular stop, the rotation of the reel 6 with the required reactivity, if required.

It must be noted that the predetermined time interval is a function of the advancing speed of the web 4 along the path P.

Preferably, the control unit 41 is also connected to the brake actuator device 38 and is configured to actuate this brake actuator device 38, in particular so that the force exerted by the brake actuator device 38 still allows the brake wheel 30 to rotate about the rotation axis F due to the interaction with the outer side surface 27 and the rotation of the reel 6 about the central axis a. In other words, preferably, the control unit 41 is configured to control the brake actuator device 38 such that the rotation of the brake wheel 30 about the rotation axis F is decelerated with respect to the rotation of the brake wheel 30 about the rotation axis F when actuated by the rotation of the spool 6.

Preferably, the control unit 41 is also configured to actuate the actuator device 32 and the brake actuator device 38 simultaneously in order to decelerate, in particular stop, the rotation of the reel 6 about the central axis a.

Preferably, the control unit 41 is also connected to the sensor device and is configured to receive data signals about the possible rotation of the headblock 30 about the rotation axis F.

Even more preferably, the control unit 41 is configured to actuate the actuator device 32 also in dependence of a possible rotation of the brake wheel 30. In particular, in use, control unit 41 is configured to actuate actuator device 32 after a predetermined time interval, so as to move headblock 30 into direction D1 and towards outside surface 27; and deactivating the actuator device 32 when the headblock 30 is in contact with the outboard surface 27 in use (which in use causes the headblock 30 to rotate about the axis of rotation F, which in use is again detected and/or determined by the sensor device).

Preferably, the actuator device 32 is also adapted to actuate the braking assembly 29, in particular the braking wheel 30, to move into the direction D2 opposite to the direction D1, to position the braking assembly 29, in particular the braking wheel 30, in an initial position, in particular in the vicinity of a first extreme position, where the braking wheel 30 is spaced from the unused reel 6 (new reel 6) held by the support device 20.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator device 32 is a pneumatic cylinder.

In use, packaging machine 1 forms packages 2 filled with pourable product.

In more detail, the conveyor 14 advances the web 4 from the magazine unit 5 along the advancement path P.

In more detail, the conveyor 14 advances the web 4 from the holding station 7 to the forming station 10, where the web 4 is formed into the tube 3. The conveyor 14 then advances the tube 3 further along the path Q to the package forming unit 13. During the advancement of tube 3, filling device 12 fills tube 3 with the pourable product.

Preferably, the web 4 is sterilized at the sterilization station during the advancement of the web 4 along the advancement path P.

The pack forming unit 13 forms and transversely seals the tube 3 and also preferably transversely cuts the tube 3 in order to obtain the packs 2.

Advantageously, the operation of the packaging machine 1 also comprises the following steps:

rotating the reel 6 of web 4 to unwind the web 4 of packaging material, in particular to advance the web 4 of packaging material along an advancement path P;

repeatedly actuating the actuator device 32 according to predetermined time intervals in order to advance at least the headblock 30, preferably the braking assembly 29, towards the outer lateral surface 27 and to reach this outer lateral surface 27, and to establish briefly (from time to time) contact between the headblock 30 and the outer lateral surface 27; and

repeatedly deactivating the actuator device 32 so as to interrupt further advancement of the headblock 30 after contact is established between the headblock 30 and the outside surface 27, in particular, each deactivation step being carried out at the end of a respective actuation step of the actuator device 32.

Preferably, the method for operating the packaging machine 1 further comprises the steps of: the rotation of the reel 6 about the central axis a is decelerated in order to decelerate, in particular stop, the rotation of the reel 6, preferably in case of an interruption of the operation of the packaging machine 1 or in case of an emergency stop of the packaging machine 1.

In more detail, during the step of rotating the reel 6, the reel 6 is rotated about the central axis a by the traction exerted by the conveyor 14 on the web 4.

In particular, the radius R decreases with time during the rotation of the reel 6 about the central axis a.

Preferably, during rotation of the reel 6 about the central axis a, the main shaft 26 also rotates about the longitudinal axis B.

In more detail, repeatedly activating and deactivating actuator device 32 allows headblock 30 to be held near lateral surface 27 and minimizes the contact time between headblock 30 and lateral surface 27.

This is shown in particular in fig. 4 to 6. With particular reference to fig. 4, after bringing headblock 30 into contact with outside surface 27, the movement of headblock 30 into direction D1 is suspended by deactivating, in particular by control unit 41, actuating device 32. As the spool 6 is further rotated about the rotation axis F to further unwind the web 4, the radius R of the spool 6 decreases, thereby forming a gap between the outer side surface 27 and the headblock 30 (see fig. 5). As the actuator device 32 is actuated after a predetermined time interval, in particular by the control unit 41, the headblock 30 is again in contact with the outer side surface 27 (see fig. 6). These steps are repeated during normal operation of the packaging machine 1.

More specifically, during the step of repeating the actuation, the control unit 41 controls the actuation of the actuator device 32 to control at least the movement of the braking wheel 30, in particular until contact is established between the braking wheel 30 and the outer side surface 27.

Even more specifically, during the step of repeated actuation, the actuator device 32 urges the braking assembly 29 together with the braking wheel 30 in the direction D1 towards the outer lateral surface 27.

In particular, during the advancement of the braking assembly 29, in particular the slide 39, advances along the support track 31.

Preferably, the current position of the headblock 30 remains unchanged during each step of deactivating the actuator device 32.

Preferably, the operation of packaging machine 1 also comprises a step of detecting and/or determining contact between headblock 30 and outside surface 27, and a step of deactivating actuator device 32 if, during the step of detecting and/or determining, contact between headblock 30 and outside surface 27 is detected and/or determined.

In particular, during the step of detecting and/or determining, the sensor device detects and/or determines the rotation of headblock 30 about rotation axis F, the latter indicating the contact between headblock 30 and outside surface 27 as the rotation of reel 6 is transferred to headblock 30.

In more detail, during the deceleration step, at least the actuator device 32 is actuated so as to establish and maintain contact between the headblock 30 and the outer lateral surface 27.

Preferably, during the deceleration step, the rotation of the reel 6 about the central axis a is decelerated, in particular stopped, by the simultaneous actuation of the actuator device 32 and of the brake actuator device 38, so that the braking wheel 30 remains in contact with the outer lateral surface 27 of the reel and opposes the rotation of the braking wheel 30 about the rotation axis F (in particular actuated by the contact between the braking wheel 30 and the outer lateral surface 27 and by the rotation of the reel 6).

Preferably, the step of decelerating is activated in the event of an interruption of the advancement of the web 4 along the advancement path P (for example because of an interruption of the operation of the packaging machine 1), or in the event of a need for an emergency stop.

The advantages of the cartridge unit 5 according to the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description.

In particular, by providing reel braking device 21, it is possible to keep in use braking wheel 30 as close as possible to reel 6, in particular outside surface 27, so as to minimize the contact time of braking wheel 30 with outside surface 27 (and consequently with web 4), and to maintain the reactivity of reel braking device 21 in the event that rotation of reel 6 must be decelerated, in particular interrupted. This in turn allows reducing the risk of misalignment of the web 4 during its advancement.

Another advantage is that the braking torque exerted by the braking wheel 30 on the reel 6 is provided by the actuator device 32 and the brake actuator device 38. The actuator device 32 presses (presses) the brake wheel 30 against the outside surface 27, and the brake actuator device 38 applies a force that opposes rotation of the brake wheel 30 about the rotation axis F (or in other words, the brake actuator device 38 opposes a rotational force applied to the brake wheel 30 by rotation of the spool 6 about the center axis a and contact between the brake wheel 30 and the outside surface 27).

Clearly, changes may be made to packaging machine 1, and in particular to cartridge unit 5 as described herein, without, however, departing from the protective scope as defined in the accompanying claims.