Apparatus and method for producing tubular packages

Apparatus (10) for producing tubular packages includes a packaging material dispenser (12) and a forming section (20). The forming section (20) comprises a progressive folding region (26a, Fig 8) having a plurality of discrete elongate external guide surfaces (50, 52, 54, 56) extending generally in the machine direction (A). The elongate external guide surfaces are spaced apart from one another and configured for contact with an outer surface of the packaging material so as to progressively guide and fold the packaging material about a longitudinal axis from a planar configuration into a tubular structure. The elongate guide surfaces may be arcuate and may be provided by means of guide rods. The apparatus may be a horizontal or vertical form, fill seal type apparatus. The packaging material (14) may be a semi-rigid packaging material such as paperboard, cartonboard, or semi-rigid plastics. 一种用于生产管状包装体的设备(10)包括包装材料分配器(12)和成形区段(20)。该成形区段(20)包括渐进式折叠区域(26a，图8)，该渐进式折叠区域具有大体沿机器方向(A)延伸的多个离散的细长外引导表面(50,52,54,56)。该细长外