Apparatus And Method For Automated Forming Of Sleeves For Sliced Products

Abstract

A forming apparatus is provided for forming a film into a sleeve around a filling tube. The forming apparatus has contact surface geometry that is contacted by the film as it travels thereacross configured to ensure smooth forming of the film into the sleeve. Smooth forming of the film into the sleeve is achieved, in part, by reducing longitudinal tensile forces in the film, by selecting the contact surface geometry to minimize transverse variations in tensile forces in the film, and by having contact edges of the contact surfaces shaped to reduce unnecessary stresses in the film.

1 . A method of forming a film into a sleeve disposed around a filling tube, the method comprising: feeding the film in a film feed direction through a folding tunnel disposed around the filling tube, the folding tunnel and filling tube each being operatively connected to a common support member; folding a first longitudinal side portion of the film at least partially around the filling tunnel as the film moves in the film feed direction; folding a second longitudinal side portion of the film, disposed opposite the first longitudinal side portion of the film, at least partially around the filling tunnel and overlapping at least a portion of the first longitudinal side portion of the film as the film moves in the film feed direction to form the sleeve; and the common support member constraining the folding tunnel and filling tube against significant displacement relative to one another. 
     
     
         2 . A method of forming a film into a sleeve disposed around a filling tube in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the common support member is pivotally connected by a pivot relative to a support bracket effective to allow selective rotation of the forming tube and filling tunnel relative to the support bracket. 
     
     
         3 . A method of forming a film into a sleeve disposed around a filling tube in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein a second folding tunnel is disposed around a second filling tube is disposed adjacent the folding tunnel and folding tube and operably attached relative to the support bracket, the common support member being pivotable about the pivot to provide access to the second folding tunnel and second filling tube. 
     
     
         4 . A method of forming a film into a sleeve disposed around a filling tube in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising the step of stabilizing the forming tunnel relative to the filling tube using the common support member effective to permit spacing between outer surfaces of the filling tube and adjacent inner surfaces of the forming tunnel to be minimized. 
     
     
         5 . A method of forming a film into a sleeve disposed around a filling tube, the method comprising: feeding the film in a film feed direction through a folding tunnel disposed around the filling tube, the folding tunnel having a first longitudinal portion and a second longitudinal portion selectively separable relative to the second longitudinal portion; folding a first longitudinal side portion of the film at least partially around the filling tunnel as the film moves in the film feed direction using a first folding wing attached to the first longitudinal portion of the forming tunnel; folding a second longitudinal side portion of the film, disposed opposite the first longitudinal side portion of the film, at least partially around the filling tunnel and overlapping at least a portion of the first longitudinal side portion of the film as the film moves in the film feed direction using a second folding wing attached to the second longitudinal portion of the forming tunnel to form the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . A method of forming a film into a sleeve disposed around a filling tube in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein a first mounting bracket is attached to the first longitudinal portion of the forming tunnel and a second mounting bracket is attached to the second longitudinal portion of the forming tunnel, the first and second mounting brackets having a connection mechanism therebetween permitting selective separation of the first and second mounting brackets and the first and second longitudinal side portions effective to permit access to the interior of the forming tunnel.