Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Patente

A computer-implemented method (800) for identifying defects in a package (102a,b) is disclosed. The method (800) comprises placing (802) the package in an apparatus for delaminating the package (102a,b), attaching (804) the first side (302a) to a first clamping device (402a) of the apparatus (400) and the second side (302b) to a second clamping device (402b) of the apparatus (400), tearing (806) apart the weld (104a,b,106a,b) by moving the first clamping device (402a) and second clamping device (402b) away from each other, obtaining (808) a first image (600b), depicting the weld (104a,b, 106a,b), at a first point of time (t1), obtaining (810) a second image (600c), depicting the weld (104a,b,106a,b), at a second point of time (t2), wherein the second point of time (t2) is subsequent to the first point of time (t1), processing (812) the first image (600b) by identifying a sealing line (404)at the first point of time, processing (814) the second image (600c) by identifying the sealing line (404) between the first and second side (302a,b) of the laminate at the second point of time, wherein the first and second image (600b,600c) input to the machine learning model (414) comprise the sealing line (404) identified, applying (816) a machine learning model (414), wherein the machine learning model receives as inputs the first and second image (600b,c), and outputs a prediction of the defects, wherein the machine learning model (414) has been trained by means of reference first and second reference images indicative of the defects for reference packages associated with the first and second reference images.

An arrangement (100) for processing a food product (P) comprises a heat treatment unit (10), a processing unit (20), a valve system (30) configured to fluidly connect the processing unit (20) to the heat treatment unit (10). The valve system (30) includes a non-aseptic inlet (32), a non-aseptic outlet (34), an aseptic inlet (36), an aseptic outlet (38), a processing outlet (22), and a processing inlet (24). A control unit (40) is configured to control the valve system (30) to operate in a first operational mode (O1), in which the product (P) is passed through the heat treatment unit (10) prior to being passed to the processing unit (20), and a second operational mode (O2), in which the product (P) is passed through the processing unit (20) prior to being passed to the heat treatment unit (10).

An arrangement (100) for folding an ice cream wrapping material (10), comprising a main body (30) having a first end (32) and a second end (34) extending from the first end (32) along a first direction (D1), an edge (39) arranged at the first end (32) to receive the wrapping material (10) moving along a second direction (D2), for forming the wrapping material (10) over the edge (39), the second direction (D2) having an angle (A) to the first direction (D1), a support surface (30') extending from the edge (39) to the second end (34) and configured to receive the wrapping material (10) thereon, and a biasing element (50, 50') arranged at the first end (32) to face the support surface (30') for creating a space (S) through which the wrapping material (10) may pass and configured to apply a force (F) in a direction towards the support surface (30') onto the wrapping material (10).

System (1) of fault prediction for a packaging line (2) including a planar motor system (3); the planar motor system (3) comprises planar base element (10) as well as independently movable carriers (4) configured to manipulate packaging containers (5) and movable over the planar base element (10). The system (1) comprises: a sensory system (6) configured to output data relative to physical quantities associated with operation of the independently movable carriers (4); and electronic processing resources (7) in communication the sensory system (6). The electronic processing resources (7) and configured to: receive the data outputted by the sensory system (6); and process the data outputted by the sensory system (6) to determine the occurrence of a possible anomaly in the operation of the independently movable carriers (4).

The present invention relates to a quality control apparatus for quality control of packages. The quality control apparatus comprising: a memory storing a machine learning model being trained to identify defects in 3D representations of packages; and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to execute: an image obtaining function configured to, from an image capturing device, obtain a plurality of images depicting a package from a plurality of view angles; a 3D rendering function configured to render a 3D representation of the package having as input the plurality of images; and a quality control function configured to perform quality control of the package by inputting the rendered 3D representation of the package into the machine learning model. A method of generating a training dataset for a machine learning model is also presented.

An ejection arrangement (1) for removing misaligned carton sheets (2) from a conveyor (10) transporting sheets in a specified direction (D). The arrangement includes an ejection opening (11) positioned below the conveying surface and comprises a sensor (30) that generates signals (S1) indicating the presence of carton sheets (2). An air expulsion unit (40), mounted above the ejection opening (11), is configured to direct air bursts (42) onto the sheets. A control unit (50) receives signals (S1), determines sheet misalignment by analyzing rotation or overlap, and activates the air expulsion unit (40) to divert misaligned sheets (2d, 2e) into the ejection opening (11). This arrangement efficiently removes misaligned sheets to ensure smooth conveyor operations.

A support device (20) for use with a membrane filtration apparatus that includes an elongate membrane housing (11). The device facilitates loading and/or unloading of a membrane element (12) through an opening (11C) in an end portion (11A) of the housing (11). It comprises an end flange portion (28) abutting the end portion (11A) and a platform portion (22) projecting from the end flange portion (28) to support the membrane element (12). The device further includes an engagement portion (21) with a first clamp part (26) fixedly connected to the end flange portion (28) and a second clamp part (29) that clamps against a lower side (11H) of the membrane housing (11). The first clamp part (26) includes an adjustment element (37) configured to adjust the vertical position of a support surface (24) relative to the opening (11C) in the membrane housing (11).

There is described a packaging blank (2, 2', 2", 2‴) comprising an intermediate section having an intermediate crease pattern (47) interposed between a top crease pattern (44) and a bottom crease pattern (46) and being configured to define at least a side wall (5) of a package (1, 1', 1", 1‴). The intermediate crease pattern (47) comprises two pairs of front crease lines (52), each pair delimiting a respective front edge panel (53) and two pairs of back crease lines (54), each pair delimiting a respective back edge panel (55). Each pair of front crease lines (52) and/or their imaginary extensions intersect at a first front intersection point (58) and a second front intersection point (59) and each pair of back crease lines (54) and/or their imaginary extensions intersect at a first back intersection point (60) and a second back intersection point (61). The first front intersection points (58) define a first imaginary linear line (L1) and the first back intersection points (60) define a second imaginary linear line (L2). The first imaginary linear line (L1) is interposed between the second imaginary linear line (L2) and the top crease pattern (44).

Screw cap (200), loading piston (300), method for aligning the screw cap (200) and the loading piston (300) in relation to each other and a method for screwing a screw cap (200) onto a threaded neck portion of a packaging container. The screw cap (200) comprises a base portion (210) comprising a top (212) and a bottom surface (214);- an annular portion (220) raised from the base portion (210), the annular portion having an inner (222) and an outer surface (224);- at least one first threaded portion (252) arranged on the inner surface (222) of the annular portion, whereinthe base portion (210) comprises engagement means (240), such that the screw cap (200) is configured to engage a tool (300) with at least one complementary engagement means in a process of screwing the cap onto the container with the complementary threaded neck portion.

A method (S100) for operating an actuator (102) in a packaging machine (100) producing food-filled packages is disclosed. The actuator moves a package precursor (106) along a motion axis (M-A) based on a movement profile (200). The method involves: obtaining (S102) package-specific data (400), including package status (402), from a connected database (112); obtaining (S104) a start position (300a-306a, 702a) on the motion axis; determining (S106) an end position (300b-306b, 702b) based on package status (402); defining (S108) a package precursor-adjusted movement profile by scaling (S110) the movement profile according to the start and end positions; and initiating (S112) actuator movement from start to end along the motion axis according to the adjusted movement profile.

There is described a sealing device (14) for sealing a tube of packaging material (3) containing a pourable product to obtain sealed packs (2a) filled with the pourable product, the sealing device (14) including a sealing member (14a) and a counter-sealing member (14b) configured to interact with the tube (3) for sealing a transversal section of the tube (3), thereby defining a transversal sealing band on the tube (3), the sealing device (14) comprising: a support frame (12) for supporting the sealing member (14a); a power transfer system (15) for powering the sealing member (14a) and comprising a conductive member (16) connected to the sealing member (14a) and configured to feed electrical energy to the sealing member (14a); a stop member (17) carried by the support frame (12) and arranged to cooperate with the conductive member (16) for at least limiting a movement of the conductive member (16).

The present invention relates to a fluid bed device (100) with a vessel (102) for fluidizing particulate food material (150). The device (100) includes a temperature sensor arrangement (120) with spatially distributed temperature sensing elements (122) that monitor the spatial temperature distribution (TD1-TD7, TD1'-TD7') of the material (150). A processing device (130) acquires a time series (TS, TS') of these temperature distributions, analyzing each sensing element's (122) temporal variation (SV, SV') in temperature readings. If any temporal variation (SV, SV') exceeds a defined threshold (T), the device (100) generates a signal indicating an abnormal condition within the vessel (102). A method (300) of monitoring a fluid bed device (100) is also disclosed.

A piston membrane pump (100) for pumping a liquid, comprising: housing (101) with a chamber (106) having an inlet (107) and outlet (108); a piston (102) in the housing, reciprocating along a longitudinal axis (111) to pump liquid by changing the chamber's volume; a membrane element (103a) sealing the piston (102) to the housing (101); and an actuator (104) driving the piston (102) between a rear (R1) and front end position (F1); and a control unit (105) configured to: control the actuator to drive the reciprocating motion of the piston by using, at different points in time, each of multiple, different sets of end positions (R1,F1; R2,F2; Rn,Fn) for the piston along the longitudinal axis, wherein each set of end positions comprises a rear end position (R1-Rn) and a front end position (F1-Fn) where the distance (L) between the rear end position and the front end position of each set corresponds to a predetermined, full stroke length (L) of the piston.

A method of adjusting an alignment of an injection molding module in relation to a web of packaging material is presented. The injection molding module being configured to injection mold opening devices onto the web of packaging material. The method comprises: capturing an image of an already injection molded opening device on the web of packaging material; determining an offset of a center position of the already injection molded opening device on the web of packaging material in relation to positions of features in the web of packaging material by analyzing the captured image; and adjusting the alignment of the injection molding module in relation to the web of packaging material based on the determined offset, thereby adjusting a position of a future injection molded opening device in relation to the web of packaging material. An injection molding system for injection molding opening devices onto a web of packaging material having the above alignment functionality as well as a packaging machine comprising such injection molding system are also presented.

The present invention relates to a method for sterilization of packaging material within a packaging machine configured to fill packages with a food product. The method comprising: subjecting, at a UV-light irradiation station, a surface of the packaging material for UV-light irradiation; and subjecting, at an electron beam irradiation station, the surface of the packaging material for electron beam irradiation. A sterilization arrangement comprising a UV-light irradiation station and an electron beam irradiation station is also presented. Moreover, a packaging machine configured to fill packages with a food product, the packaging machine comprising the sterilization arrangement, is also presented.

The present invention relates to a heat sealable laminated packaging material (20) for packaging of oxygen-sensitive food products, comprising a high-quality, barrier-coated cellulose-based substrate (23;10) with long-term oxygen barrier packaging capability. The invention further relates packaging containers made from the laminated packaging material.

The present invention relates to a method for, within a packaging machine configured to fill packages with a food product, sterilization of a web of packaging material comprising 3D structures. The method comprising: subjecting, at a first UV-light irradiation station, the 3D structures in the web for UV-light irradiation; and subjecting, at an electron beam irradiation station, both the 3D structures in the web and a surface of the web of packaging material for electron beam irradiation. A sterilization arrangement comprising a UV-light irradiation station and an electron beam irradiation station is also presented. Moreover, a packaging machine configured to fill packages with a food product, the packaging machine comprising the sterilization arrangement, is also presented.

The present invention relates to a laminated packaging material (20) for heat-sealable packaging of oxygen-sensitive products, comprising a high-quality, barrier-coated cellulose-based substrate (23;10). The invention further relates to packaging containers made from the laminated packaging material.

A package (100) comprising a main body (104) for holding a food product (FP), and an electronics arrangement (106) configured to determine remaining shelf life of the food product (FP) based on thermal history is provided. The electronics arrangement (106) comprises a power source (410) arranged to power the arrangement (106), a timing circuit (408) arranged to provide clock signals, a counter (402) arranged to hold a counter number correlating to the remaining shelf life, wherein the counter number is changed over time based on the clock signals provided by the timing circuit (408), wherein the timing circuit (408) is arranged such that a frequency with which the clock signals are provided depends on temperature.

There is described a sealing anvil device (28) comprising a main structure (35) having an engagement surface (36) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and being configured to engage a tube (4) filled with a pourable product for compressing the tube (4) along a transversal portion, the sealing anvil device (28) further comprising a carrier device (37) carrying the main structure (35). A center portion (38) of the main structure (35) is angularly moveably coupled to a coupling group (39) of the carrier device (37) such that the main structure (35) is angularly moveable about a rotation axis (B). The rotation axis (B) is transversal to the longitudinal axis (A).

A packaging material is provided, comprising a core layer (104) and one or more layers of a heat sealable material (106, 108, 110) laminated thereto, and at least one carbon-based layer (112) being configured to form a workpiece (60) of an associated sealing system (30).

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a gasbarrier coated substrate material (10a; 10b), coated with a layer of reduced graphene oxide.The invention further relates to laminated packaging materials (20a; 20b) comprising the barrier-coated substrate material (10a; 10b), in particular intended for liquid carton food packaging, and to liquid carton packaging containers comprising the laminated packaging material.

There is described an inductor device (21) for inducing a current in a web (3) of packaging material with an electrically conductive layer having a number of coils (23) configured to induce a current in the electrically conductive layer, a first electrical coupling element (25) for receiving electrical power from a connector device (22), and a first mechanical coupling element (26) which is mechanically connectable to the connector device (22) and is structurally distinct from the first electrical coupling element (25). There is also described a connector device (22) configured for inductively inducing a current in the web (3) of packaging material having a second electrical coupling element (34) configured for transmitting electrical power to the inductor device (21) and a second mechanical coupling element (35) configured for mechanically connecting with the inductor device (21) and structurally distinct from the second electrical coupling element (34).

A packaging machine (1) for producing sealed packages from a web (4) of packaging material comprises :- a tube forming and sealing device (4) for folding said web (3) into a tube (5) and longitudinally sealing it, the forming and sealing device (4) comprising a heating element (40);- an isolation chamber (8), within which the heating element (40) is positioned;- a profile measurement sensor (12) facing the heating element (40) and configured to generate a sensor signal (S); and- a control unit (13) configured to detect a portion (40") of the heating element (40) as a function of the sensor signal (S).

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A method (400) of classifying a package (102) based on stiffness of the package (102), wherein the package (102) comprises carton and is filled with food product, said method comprises applying (402) a force (F1) on the package (102), retrieving (404) a sample value by measuring (414) a deformation of the package (102) caused by the force (F1), determining (406) a difference (408) between the sample value and a reference value, and classifying (408) the package (102) as belonging to a first category if the difference is within a threshold interval, otherwise classifying (410) the package (102) as belonging to a second category.

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A filtration system (100) comprising a membrane arrangement (102) comprising membrane housings (104) extending in a first direction (A) and having openings (106) that are located in a common plane (109) and face a common area (108), and membranes (110) arranged inside the membrane housings (104) and configured to be replaced via the openings (106), and a lifting arrangement (112) comprising a support frame (114) having a beam (116) that extends along the common plane (109) and is provided vertically above the common area (108), and a gripper unit (118) slidably attached to the beam (116) and arranged to grip the membranes (110) and transport the membranes (106) in a direction (B) along the common plane (109).

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