FIELD: construction.
SUBSTANCE: device comprises a support frame defining a operating path, a belt supply assembly connected to the support frame and configured to supply a plastic preform in the form of a plastic band, a driving assembly, carried by the support frame and configured to move at least a preform in a machine direction along the operating path, a forming section, placed on the operating path and configured to obtain the preform in the form of plastic band and form a certain number of cavities in it, further in the manufacturing process from the forming section, the preform comprises one or more longitudinal rows of adjacent tray-shaped elements, longitudinal strips, delimiting transversally each row of tray-shaped elements, transverse strips longitudinally delimiting and consecutively joining adjacent tray-shaped elements of one longitudinal row. Wherein the transverse and longitudinal strips also limit top openings of the tray-shaped elements and cross each other at a plurality of cross regions. Device also includes a film supply assembly configured to supply a plastic film, packaging assembly disposed along the operating path and configured to receive the plastic film and the preform. Wherein the packaging assembly is also configured for tightly fixing the plastic film to close the top opening of the tray-shaped elements and comprises a lower tool comprising a predetermined number of mounting locations, each of which is designed to receive at least one of the tray-shaped elements, and an upper tool facing the lower tool and configured for cooperating with the lower tool to fix the plastic film to at least one tray-shaped element disposed at said mounting location, and sealingly close the respective top opening, forming one or more closed tray-shaped elements, separation assembly disposed along the path downstream from the packaging assembly and configured for at least transversely separating the closed tray-shaped elements and form closed trays, a cutting tool, acting on the preform in accordance with a zone of the operating path, comprised between the belt supply assembly and the packaging assembly, wherein the cutting tool is configured for forming a through opening disposed in accordance with at least one element of a side wall of each of the tray-shaped elements and a plurality of cross regions of between the longitudinal and the transverse strips, and a control unit connected and configured to operate at least the driving assembly, forming section, the packaging assembly and the cutting tool. Invention is also a packaging method carried out by the above-described device.
EFFECT: group of inventions ensures the improvement of quality, productivity, cost reduction.
25 cl, 26 dwg
