EP3315420B1 - Deep draw packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of packaging machines. In particular, the invention relates to a thermoforming packaging machine which can be designed, for example, for packaging food products.

In known thermoforming packaging machines, troughs are formed in a bottom film web by means of a forming station. The troughs are filled in an insertion section with products to be packed. The filled troughs are sealed with a top film in a sealing station. The resulting packaging can be evacuated or filled with protective gas to increase the shelf life of the packaged products. At a cutting station, the filled and closed troughs present in the lower film web are separated from one another in order to obtain individual packagings or connected groups of packagings. During the packaging process, the bottom film web is conveyed along a transport direction by means of a transport device. The forming station, the insertion section, the sealing station and the cutting station are expediently arranged in the order mentioned along the transport direction. The forming station, the sealing station and the cutting station can be arranged on a machine frame of the thermoforming packaging machine. It is known to bring the products to be packaged via one or more feed belts to the thermoforming packaging machine in the area of the insertion section, where the products are transferred, for example, by means of a picker or manually into the troughs of the bottom film web. Since the distance between the feed belt and the troughs to be filled must be overcome each time the products are transferred from the feed belt to the troughs, the cycle or cycle time depends, among other things, on this distance. The minimum distance that can be achieved between the feed belt and the bottom film web with the recesses formed therein is limited, among other things, by the space requirement of the machine frame and the side panels on both sides of the thermoforming packaging machine.

From the EP 2 778 079 A1 a thermoforming packaging machine according to a specialized design is known. This comprises a side profile, on the inside of which a chain guide for a film clip chain for transporting the bottom film web is attached. The side profile, which is arranged along the insertion path, is at the same time part of the product feed for conveying the products to be packaged to the insertion path. According to this specialized design, the product feed is thus formed integrally with the side profile of the thermoforming packaging machine in order to reduce the distance between the products supplied and the troughs to be filled, and thus the ways to implement them shorten the products in the troughs. A disadvantage of integrating the product feed into the side profile of the thermoforming packaging machine is that the thermoforming packaging machine cannot simply be combined with different product feed systems depending on the conditions of use. In addition, such a specialized packaging machine is difficult to adapt to the spatial conditions of the place of use.

Another way of feeding products to be packaged to an insertion section of a thermoforming packaging machine is from US Pat DE 20 2016 000 757 U1 known. The deep-drawing packaging machine disclosed there comprises clamp chains held in chain guides for holding and transporting the bottom film on both sides along the transport direction. The chain guides are aligned horizontally along the forming station and along the sealing station. The chain guides have an increasing orientation along an insertion section lying between the forming station and the sealing station. The chain guides along the insertion path are preferably inclined at an angle of 10 ° to 30 ° to the horizontal. In the inclined insertion section, products to be packaged are inserted directly into the troughs of the bottom film via a product insert belt, which is designed as a retraction belt and extends above the film transport plane parallel to the transport direction. Since the product insert tape must extend above the film transport level for this purpose, care must be taken when designing the thermoforming packaging machine that moving upper parts of the forming station do not come into conflict with the product insert tape during operation. The direct insertion of products into troughs running along an ascending area by means of a retraction belt can be unsuitable for certain products and trough shapes and requires a precise coordination of the operation of the individual components of the packaging machine.

The EP 2 412 632 B1 shows a thermoforming packaging machine in which the bottom film is not transported in a constant transport level through the various workstations of the packaging machine, but is transported in a transition area from a first transport level to a different second transport level. According to one embodiment, the bottom film passes through the deep-drawing station in the first, horizontal transport plane. Downstream of the thermoforming station, the bottom film comprising the packaging troughs is steered upward at an angle of approximately 50 °, whereupon it merges into a horizontal, second transport level, which is higher than the first transport level. Products to be packaged are fed via a horizontal conveyor, which extends directly above the bottom film web in the film transport direction. The packaging troughs are filled in the transition area, in which the packaging troughs are conveyed from the first transport level to the second transport level, which facilitates the direct loading of the products by means of the horizontal conveyor.

From the DE 30 20 633 A1 and the DE 31 18 946 A1 Thermoforming packaging machines are known which have complete cutting stations in order to separate several packages from a film composite. The cut packaging remains on support elements and is then transported out of the complete cutting station onto a conveyor belt by means of a subsequent preference of the residual film grid, which transports the packaging out of the thermoforming packaging machine or onwards. The disadvantage here is that the packaging is conveyed to a subsequent work process on the conveyor belt in an uncontrolled manner. In addition, due to the conveyor belt adjoining the complete cutting station, the total length of the arrangement can become relatively large, so that the arrangement cannot be used in confined spaces.

It is an object of the invention to provide a thermoforming packaging machine which, with a high work cycle and a high degree of accuracy, enables products to be packaged to be supplied and / or filled and sealed packages to be removed.

This object is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. The dependent claims indicate advantageous embodiments of the invention.

A thermoforming packaging machine according to the invention comprises a molding station, an insertion section, a sealing station and a cutting station. A transport device of the thermoforming packaging machine is designed to convey a lower film in a film transport surface along a transport direction from the forming station via the insertion path to the sealing station and further to the cutting station. The molding station comprises a molding tool for forming troughs in the bottom film, in particular by deep drawing the bottom film. In the insertion path following the forming station along the transport direction, the troughs formed in the bottom film are filled with products to be packaged, in particular with food. This can be done, for example, using a robot device, such as. B. a picker, or done manually. The sealing station comprises a sealing tool for closing the troughs with an upper film. Sealing can take place under a protective gas atmosphere or vacuum to make the packaged products particularly durable. For example, the top film can be sealed in the sealing station by means of pressure and heat and / or by ultrasonic welding to close the troughs on the bottom film. The cutting station arranged downstream along the transport direction of the sealing station is designed, in particular, to automatically separate the closed troughs, so that the packaged products are released from the composite of the bottom film. The cutting station can be designed, for example, as a complete cutting station.

A particular focus of the invention is on how products to be packaged are fed to the thermoforming packaging machine and / or finished packaging can be discharged from the thermoforming packaging machine. According to the principle on which the invention is based, the feeding and removal of elements (products to be packaged or finished packaged products) can be improved in a largely analogous manner during the operation of the thermoforming packaging machine.

In a thermoforming packaging machine according to a variant of the invention, the film transport surface between the molding station and the sealing station comprises a first along the Transport direction increasing area. This first ascending area is adjoined by a first flat area encompassing the insertion section along the transport direction. The information “increasing” and “level” can be understood in the sense of the invention in comparison to a horizontal level. An “increasing” area of the film transport surface is then to be understood as an area in which a vertical height of the film transport surface increases as it progresses along the transport direction. A "flat" area represents an area over which the vertical height of the film transport surface remains at least substantially constant as it progresses along the transport direction.

According to the variant of the invention with the first rising area and the first flat area of the film transport surface, a product feed device for conveying products to be packaged that extends parallel to the transport direction extends in the transport direction at least along the insertion path and in a top view of the thermoforming packaging machine next to the insertion path. It is sufficient here if the product feed device extends in the area of the insertion path parallel to the transport direction of the bottom film. It is not excluded that the product feed device also does not convey parallel to the transport direction in some areas. For example, the product feed device can extend onto the insertion path at an angle to the transport direction. Products fed from the product feed device can be manually or automatically transferred from the product feed device into the troughs of the bottom film along the insertion path, for example by a picker.

With the increase in the film transport area towards the first flat area comprising the insertion section, the result is that the film transport area on the insert section is increased compared to a side frame of a machine frame of the thermoforming packaging machine, which can carry the sealing station, for example. The product feed device can be brought along the insertion section particularly close to the bottom film with the recesses formed therein, since the side frame of the machine frame is not in the way. As a result, a shorter transfer path for the products between the product feed device and the troughs of the bottom film can be achieved, and the work cycle of the thermoforming packaging machine can thus be increased.

Alternatively (as a further variant of the invention) or in addition to the first rising area, the first flat area and the associated product feed device, the thermoforming packaging machine can be designed in such a way that the film transport surface between the sealing station and the cutting station comprises a second area rising along the transport direction. The second rising area includes the cutting station second flat area of the film transport surface. A packaging discharge device that conveys parallel to the transport direction for discharging filled and closed packages extends in the transport direction at least along the second flat area and in a top view of the thermoforming packaging machine next to the second flat area. After they have been separated by the cutting station, the filled and sealed packages can be transferred laterally manually or automatically to the packaging discharge device for guiding them away from the thermoforming packaging machine, for example by means of a picker. When the film transport area is raised by the second rising area, the film transport area in the second flat area at the cutting station is increased compared to a side frame of a machine frame of the thermoforming packaging machine. As a result, the machine frame, which in particular can carry the sealing station, preferably does not prevent the packaging discharge device from being brought particularly close to the film transport surface. In addition, the transport route is reduced when the packaging is transferred to the packaging discharge device and the finished packaging can be removed more quickly.

A packaging machine according to the invention can have both the first rising area, the first flat area and the correspondingly arranged product feed device and also the second rising area, the second flat area and the correspondingly designed packaging removal device. However, it is also conceivable that only the first rising area, the first flat area and the associated product feed device are provided and the removal of the filled and closed packages is at least partially realized in some other way. It would also be conceivable that only the second rising area, the second flat area and the corresponding packaging discharge device are provided and the supply of products to be packaged is at least partially implemented differently.

With regard to the described measures for feeding the products as well as with regard to the described measures for removing the packaging, a level area of the film transport surface increased by a rising area means that a corresponding transport device can be brought as close as possible to the side of the film transport surface and thus a corresponding one Implementation path is reduced.

The thermoforming packaging machine can comprise a machine frame with a side frame arranged along the transport direction of the lower film with an upper interfering edge. The machine frame can carry the forming station and / or the sealing station. Alternatively or additionally, the machine frame can also carry the cutting station. By lifting the film transport surface in the first and / or second rising area, the film transport surface can be guided over the upper interfering edge of the side frame in the area relevant for feeding the products and / or removing the finished packaging.

The transport device for the lower film can have a chain guide arranged along the transport direction, in which at least one film transport chain is guided for conveying the lower film. In particular, the chain guide can have guide elements arranged on both sides along the transport direction for guiding film transport chains. An exemplary chain guide is from the EP 1 816 075 A1 known. By means of a suitable design of the chain guide, the desired course of the film transport surface, in particular the first and / or the second rising area, can be implemented in a structurally simple manner.

Preferably, the chain guide is attached to the side frame. It is particularly preferred if the chain guide lies on the inside with respect to the side frame. As a result, the chain guide is compactly integrated into the thermoforming packaging machine and is at least partially imperceptible to the outside. It also prevents accidental access, which could lead to injuries.

With respect to the transport direction, the film transport surface can lie before the first and / or second rising area of the film transport surface under the interference edge of the side frame. This can e.g. B. can be realized by a suitable design of the chain guide. However, it would also be conceivable, for example, that the film transport surface lies in relation to the film transport direction in front of the first and / or second rising area at approximately the same level as the interference edge of the side frame or, for example, slightly above the interference edge of the side frame. In order to simplify processing by the molding station and / or sealing station, which is preferably carried by the machine frame, it is advantageous if the film transport surface in the area of the molding station and / or the sealing station is approximately at the level of the interference edge of the side frame of the machine frame.

In its first and / or second flat area, the film transport surface can be higher than the interference edge of the side frame. In particular, the film transport surface in the the first and / or the second flat area are at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm above the interference edge of the side frame. This ensures that the side frame does not stand in the way of bringing a product feed device or a packaging discharge device close to the bottom film.

The product feed device can be designed as a product feed belt. However, it is also possible that the product feed device is designed differently. For example, the product feed device could be designed as a shuttle arrangement for feeding products. Exemplary shuttle arrangements are from the DE 10 2014 119 351 A1 and the DE 10 2014 106 400 A1 known. Such shuttle arrangements include a rail system and transport shuttles, which are movably mounted therein along a conveying direction and have a surface for receiving products to be transported. The transport shuttle can be moved through the rail system, for example, by means of variable magnetic fields that can be generated by the rail system.

The packaging discharge device can be designed as a packaging discharge belt. However, it is also possible for the packaging removal device to be designed differently, for example as a shuttle arrangement for removing packaging.

A conveying surface of the product feed device can be arranged at least in regions, in particular laterally next to the first flat region of the film transport surface, above the side frame of the machine frame. Similarly, additionally or alternatively, a conveying surface of the packaging discharge device can be arranged at least in regions, in particular laterally next to the second flat region of the film transport surface, above the side frame of the machine frame. As a result, the product feed device or the packaging discharge device is brought very close to the side of the bottom film.

A distance between the first flat area of the film transport surface and the product feed device and / or a distance between the second flat area of the film transport surface and the packaging discharge device can be less than 5 cm, less than 10 cm or less than 15 cm.

The first flat area of the film transport surface can be at least at the same height as the conveying surface of the product feed device. Analogously, in addition or as an alternative, the second flat region of the film transport surface can be at least at the same height as the conveying surface of the packaging discharge device. It may be advantageous if the first flat region of the film transport surface is at approximately the same height as the conveying surface of the product feed device and / or if the second flat region of the film transport surface is at approximately the same height as the conveying surface of the Packaging discharge device is. In this case, the distance to be covered when moving products to be packaged or packaged is also minimized in the vertical direction. For example, a distance of the corresponding surfaces from one another along a vertical axis can be at most 1 cm, at most 2 cm or at most 5 cm.

The product feed device can extend essentially to the sealing station. In this way, a particularly long insertion path can be realized, as a result of which a larger number of products are simultaneously placed along the insertion path in the troughs formed in the bottom film and the machine throughput can thus be increased.

The course of the film transport surface can be adapted according to a preferred arrangement of the forming station, the sealing station and the cutting station. For example, the film transport surface can comprise a region that follows the first flat region and falls along the transport direction. In particular, the vertical height of the film transport surface can decrease over the falling area by the amount by which it has been raised over the first rising area. This makes it possible to arrange the molding station and the sealing station in a common horizontal plane without great design effort. As a result, the molding station and the sealing station can be attached to the machine frame in a particularly simple manner. However, it would also be conceivable, for example, that the first flat area is not provided with a sloping area of the film transport surface. In this case, the sealing station could, for example, be arranged higher than the forming station. For this purpose, the machine frame in the area of the sealing station can be raised.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine gemäß einer Ausführungsform mit einem ersten ansteigenden Bereich und einem ersten ebenen Bereich der Folientransportfläche;

Figur 2:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform, ebenfalls mit einem ersten ansteigenden Bereich und einem ersten ebenen Bereich der Folientransportfläche;

Figur 3A:

eine schematische ausschnittsweise Schnittansicht durch die Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine der Fig. 1 oder 2 mit einer senkrecht zur Transportrichtung der Unterfolie stehenden Schnittebene, deren Lage in den Fig. 1 und 2 mit A gekennzeichnet ist;

Figur 3B:

eine schematische ausschnittsweise Schnittansicht durch die Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine der Fig. 1 oder 2 mit einer senkrecht zur Transportrichtung der Unterfolie stehenden Schnittebene, deren Lage in den Fig. 1 und 2 mit B gekennzeichnet ist;

Figur 4:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine gemäß einer Ausführungsform mit einem zweiten ansteigenden Bereich und einem zweiten ebenen Bereich der Folientransportfläche;

Figur 5A:

eine schematische ausschnittsweise Schnittansicht durch die Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine der Fig. 4 mit einer senkrecht zur Transportrichtung der Unterfolie stehenden Schnittebene, deren Lage in Fig. 4 mit A' gekennzeichnet ist; und

Figur 5B:

eine schematische ausschnittsweise Schnittansicht durch die Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine der Fig. 4 mit einer senkrecht zur Transportrichtung der Unterfolie stehenden Schnittebene, deren Lage in Fig. 4 mit B' gekennzeichnet ist.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of embodiments with reference to the figures. Show:

Figure 1:

is a schematic side view of a thermoforming packaging machine according to an embodiment with a first rising area and a first flat area of the film transport surface;

Figure 2:

is a schematic side view of a thermoforming packaging machine according to another embodiment, also with a first rising area and a first flat area of the film transport surface;

Figure 3A:

is a schematic partial sectional view through the thermoforming packaging machine of the 1 or 2 with a perpendicular to the Direction of transport of the lower film standing cutting plane, its position in the 1 and 2 is marked with A;

Figure 3B:

is a schematic partial sectional view through the thermoforming packaging machine of the 1 or 2 with a cutting plane perpendicular to the transport direction of the bottom film, the position of which in the 1 and 2 is marked with B;

Figure 4:

is a schematic side view of a thermoforming packaging machine according to an embodiment with a second rising area and a second flat area of the film transport surface;

Figure 5A:

is a schematic partial sectional view through the thermoforming packaging machine of the Fig. 4 with a cutting plane perpendicular to the direction of transport of the bottom film, the position of which in Fig. 4 is marked with A '; and

Figure 5B:

is a schematic partial sectional view through the thermoforming packaging machine of the Fig. 4 with a cutting plane perpendicular to the direction of transport of the bottom film, the position of which in Fig. 4 is marked with B '.

In Fig. 1 a thermoforming packaging machine 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in side view. Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a thermoforming packaging machine 1 according to a further embodiment, which in some aspects corresponds to that in FIG Fig. 1 shown embodiment matches.

In both cases, the thermoforming packaging machine 1 comprises a transport device 2, which is designed to convey a lower film 3 in a film transport surface 4 (areas hidden in the side view thereof are shown in dashed lines) along a transport direction T. The bottom film 3 can be removed, for example, from a supply roll 6 attached to a machine frame 5 of the thermoforming packaging machine 1. Along the transport direction T, a forming station 7, an insertion section 8, a sealing station 9 and a cutting station 10 are provided in the order mentioned. In the operation of the thermoforming packaging machine 1, troughs 12 are formed in the bottom film 3 by the molding station 7 by means of a molding tool, in particular by deep drawing. For this purpose, the molding tool can comprise an upper mold part 11a and a lower mold part 11b. The troughs 12 are filled with products 13 to be packed along the insertion path 8. The sealing station 9 comprises a sealing tool for closing the troughs 12 with an upper film 15. The sealing tool can comprise an upper sealing tool part 14a and a lower sealing tool part 14b. For this purpose, the sealing tool or a part thereof can be moved perpendicular to the direction of transport T and can be designed to cover the lower film 3 and the upper film 15 along corresponding weld seams 16 (cf. 5A and 5B ) sealed with pressure and heat. The sealing station 9 can be designed to carry out the sealing process under a protective gas atmosphere or under vacuum in order to increase the shelf life of the packaged products 13. The cutting station 10 downstream of the sealing station 9 along the transport direction T is designed to separate the packages formed by the filled and closed with the upper film 15 troughs 12. In particular, the cutting station 10 can be a complete cutting station.

In order to bring the products 13 to be packaged to the insertion section 8, a product feed device 20 is provided, which in the embodiment shown is designed as a product feed belt. This conveys the products 13 at least in regions parallel to the transport direction T of the bottom film 3. The product feed device 20 extends at least along the insertion path 8. In a plan view of the thermoforming packaging machine 1, the product feed device 20 extends next to the insertion path 8, that is to say next to the bottom film 3 in the region of the insertion section 8. A product feed device 20 can be provided on both sides in order to be able to feed products 13 to be packaged on both sides of the bottom film 3. However, it is sufficient if a product feed device 20 is provided on one side of the insertion section 8. The products 13 to be packaged can be laterally converted by the product feed device 20 into the troughs 12 of the lower film 3 by means of a picker 21. It is also conceivable to transfer the products 13 automatically or manually from the product feed device 20 into the troughs 12.

In the illustrated embodiments, the transport device 2 for conveying the lower film 3 comprises chain guides 16 arranged on both sides along the transport direction T, in each of which one or more film transport chains 17 are guided for conveying the lower film 3. The course of the film transport surface 4 can be determined by suitably laying out the chain guides 16. The chain guides 16 arranged on both sides preferably run essentially parallel to one another, so that the film transport surface 4 has essentially no inclination with respect to a transverse direction of the thermoforming packaging machine 1.

In the embodiments of the 1 and 2 the lower film 3 is guided in such a way that the film transport surface 4 comprises a first rising region 23 along the transport direction T between the forming station 7 and the sealing station 9. In the course of the first rising region 23, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 increases along the transport direction T of the lower film 3. The vertical height of the film transport surface 4 can increase strictly monotonously or monotonously in the rising region 23. However, it is also conceivable that the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 temporarily decreases in the course of the rising region 23, as long as the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 with respect to the transport direction T is lower at the beginning of the rising region 23 than at the end of the rising region 23. For example The vertical height of the film transport surface 4 can increase by at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm over the first rising region 23. The first rising area 23 is adjoined by a first flat area 25, in which the film transport surface 4 extends at least substantially horizontally. The first flat region 25 comprises the insertion section 8 for filling the troughs 12 with the products 13 to be packaged.

Figure 3A shows sections of a sectional view through the in the 1 and 2 Thermoforming packaging machines 1 shown, the position of the cutting plane in the 1 and 2 is marked by line A and the cutting plane is perpendicular to the transport direction T. In the embodiment shown, the chain guide 16, in which the film transport chain 17 is guided for conveying the bottom film 3, is attached to an inside of a side frame 28 of the machine frame 5 of the thermoforming packaging machine 1. In the embodiment shown, the chain guide 16 comprises an element with an L-shaped section, on which guide rails 29 are provided, between which the film transport chain 17 is guided.

Figure 3A shows the situation at a position which is arranged in relation to the transport direction T in front of the first rising area 23 of the film transport surface 4. In the embodiments shown here, the film transport surface 4 is arranged below an interference edge 30 of the side frame 28. However, this is not absolutely necessary. The film transport surface 4 could also be at the same height as the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28 or be arranged somewhat above it. It is advantageous if the film transport surface 4 is arranged slightly below the interfering edge 30 or at approximately the same height as the interfering edge 30, since in this way the lower film 3 can be optimally processed by the forming station 7 carried by the machine frame 5 without the operation of the forming station 7 is affected by the machine frame 5.

In the embodiment shown, the product feed device 20 is already arranged in front of the first rising area 23 above the side frame 28 of the machine frame 5. However, this is not necessary. It would also be conceivable that the product feed device 20 is guided obliquely from a laterally further position onto the thermoforming packaging machine 1 and only runs parallel to the transport direction T in the area of the insertion path 8. For example, it could be ensured that the product feed device 20 does not hinder the operation of the molding station 7.

Figure 3B shows sections of a sectional view through the in the 1 and 2 Thermoforming packaging machines 1 shown, the position of the cutting plane perpendicular to the transport direction T in the 1 and 2 is indicated by line B. Figure 3B shows a section in the area of the first flat area 25 of the film transport surface 4.

Compared to the illustration Figure 3A (Area in front of the first rising area 23 of the film transport surface 4) is in Figure 3B (first flat region 25 of the film transport surface 4) the film transport surface 4 is provided at a higher position. In particular, in the first flat area 25, the film transport surface 4 is higher than the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28 Figure 3B it can be seen that this allows the product feed device 20 to be brought particularly close to the insertion path 8, in particular to the lower film 3 in the region of the insertion path 8. Due to the increased film transport surface 4, the product feed device 20 can run over the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28 of the machine frame 5 and at the same time a conveying surface 32 of the product feed device 20 can be essentially at the same height as the film transport surface 4. In this way, the distance to be covered when moving the products 13 from the conveying surface 32 of the product feed device 20 into the troughs 12 transversely to the transport direction T can be minimized, and thus the work cycle of the thermoforming packaging machine 1 can be increased. For example, it is conceivable that a lateral distance d11 between the conveying surface 32 of the product feed device 20 and the first flat region 25 of the film transport surface 4 is less than 5 cm, less than 10 cm or less than 15 cm. A vertical distance d1v between the conveying surface 32 of the product feed device 20 and the first flat region 25 of the film transport surface 4 can be, for example, less than 1 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 5 cm or less than 10 cm.

Like from the 1 and 2 can be seen, the product feed device 20 can extend essentially to the sealing station 9. This can mean that a distance between the sealing station 9 and the product feed device 20 measured along the transport direction T is less than 50 cm, less than 30 cm, less than 20 cm or is less than 10 cm. With such a configuration, the insertion section 8 can be made particularly long.

According to the in Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the film transport surface 4 comprises a region 33 following the first flat region 25 with respect to the transport direction T and falling along the transport direction T. In the case shown, the height of the film transport surface 4 decreases over the falling region 33 by the same amount that it is has increased in the course of the first rising region 23. It can thereby be achieved that the film transport surface 4 is arranged in the area of the sealing station 9 downstream of the sloping area 33 at approximately the same height as in the area of the forming station 7. Similar to the forming station 7, the sealing station 9 can simply be attached to the machine frame 5 and finds the bottom film 3 at a height suitable for processing.

According to the in Fig. 2 In the embodiment shown, no sloping region of the film transport surface 4 is provided after the first flat region 25. On the other hand, after the insertion area 8, the side frame 28 of the machine frame 5 is made higher with respect to the transport direction T than in the first flat area 25 and further ahead with respect to the transport direction T. The sealing station 9 attached to the machine frame 5 is thus arranged higher than the forming station 7. As a result, the bottom film 3 can be fed to the sealing station 9 attached to the machine frame 5 at a suitable height even without the provision of a falling region of the film transport surface 4. It would also be conceivable to arrange the sealing station 9 at any other height if the film transport surface 4 is suitably adapted.

The bottom film 3 with the troughs 12 formed therein, filled and closed with the top film 15 is fed to the cutting station 10 after the sealing station 9, where the filled and closed troughs 12 are separated. The separated, packaged products 13 can then be removed from the thermoforming packaging machine 1. This can be done in different ways, which are detailed in the 1 and 2 are not shown. For example, the separated packaging could be removed in a simple manner by manual removal after the separation by the cutting station 10. It is also conceivable to further transport the packaging via discharge devices, in particular discharge belts. For this purpose, the packaging can be moved manually or automatically onto one or more discharge devices or dropped.

In Fig. 4 a deep-drawing packaging machine 1 according to an embodiment is shown in a schematic side view, which allows the separated finished packagings to be removed particularly quickly. In this embodiment too, the thermoforming packaging machine 1 comprises a transport device 2, which is designed to convey the lower film 3 in a film transport surface 4 along the transport direction T. Here too, the lower film 3 runs along the transport direction T through the forming station 7, the insertion section 8, the sealing station 9 and the cutting station 10 in the order mentioned. The forming station 7, the sealing station 9 and the cutting station 10 can, as in the embodiments of FIGS 1 to 3 be executed. In the in Fig. 4 As shown, the film transport surface 4 extends from the forming station 7 via the insertion path 8 to the sealing station 9 in a horizontal plane. But this is not necessary. Details regarding the feeding of the products 13 to the insertion section 8 or the transfer of the products 13 into the troughs 12 formed by the forming station 7 in the bottom film 3 will not be discussed in more detail. For example, the products 13 could be inserted into the troughs 12 manually or automatically, in particular by means of a picker 21.

The transport device 2 for conveying the lower film 3 can be similar to that in the embodiments of FIG Figures 1 to 3 Include chain guides 16 arranged on both sides along the transport direction T, in each of which one or more film transport chains 17 are guided for conveying the bottom film 3. According to the embodiment Fig. 4 the film transport surface 4 of the sealing station 9 subsequently has a special course with respect to the transport direction T, which enables quick and efficient removal of packaged products 13. The lower film 3 is guided in such a way that the film transport surface 4 comprises a second rising region 43 along the transport direction T between the sealing station 9 and the cutting station 10. In the course of the second rising region 43, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 increases along the transport direction T of the lower film 3. For example, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 can increase by at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm over the second rising region 43. The second rising region 43 is followed by a second flat region 45 at the cutting station 10, in which the film transport surface 4 extends at least substantially horizontally.

In order to bring the packaged products 13 away from the deep-drawing packaging machine 1 after they have been separated by the cutting station 10, a packaging removal device 50 is provided, which in the embodiment shown is designed as a packaging removal belt. This extends at least along the second flat area 45. In a plan view of the deep-drawing packaging machine 1, the packaging removal device 50 extends alongside the second flat area 45 of the lower film 3. A packaging removal device 50 can be provided on both sides in order to be able to discharge finished packaging 3 on both sides of the lower film. However, it is sufficient if a packaging removal device 50 is provided on one side of the film transport surface 4. The packaged products 13 can be transferred laterally to the packaging discharge device 50 by means of a picker 21. It is also conceivable to otherwise place the packaged products 13 automatically or manually on the packaging discharge device 50.

Alternatively, it would be conceivable that the packaging removal device 50 does not extend next to but under the cutting station 10, for example approximately at the level of the film transport surface 4 in front of the rising area 43, so that the packaging separated at the cutting station 10 falls onto the packaging removal device 50.

Figure 5A shows a section of a sectional view through the in Fig. 4 Thermoforming packaging machine 1 shown, the position of the cutting plane in Fig. 4 is marked by the line A 'and the cutting plane is perpendicular to the transport direction T. As in the embodiments of FIG 1 to 3 the chain guide 16, in which the film transport chain 17 is guided for conveying the bottom film 3, is attached to an inside of a side frame 28 of the machine frame 5 of the thermoforming packaging machine 1. The chain guide 16 comprises an L-shaped element on which guide rails 29 are provided, between which the film transport chain 17 is guided.

Figure 5A shows the situation at a position which lies in front of the second rising region 43 of the film transport surface 4 with respect to the transport direction T. In the embodiment shown here, the film transport surface 4 is arranged below an interference edge 30 of the side frame 28. However, this is not absolutely necessary. The film transport surface 4 could also be at the same height as the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28 or be arranged somewhat above it. It is advantageous if the film transport surface 4 is arranged slightly below the interfering edge 30 or at approximately the same height as the interfering edge 30, since the troughs 12 formed in the lower film 3 can be optimally closed by the sealing station 9 carried by the machine frame 5 without the operation of the sealing station 9 is impaired by the machine frame 5.

Figure 5B shows a section of a sectional view through the in Fig. 4 Thermoforming packaging machine 1 shown, the position of the cutting plane perpendicular to the transport direction T in Fig. 4 is indicated by line B '. Figure 5B shows a section in the area of the second flat area 45 of the film transport surface 4.

Compared to the illustration Figure 5A (Area in front of the second rising area 43 of the film transport surface 4) is in Figure 5B (second flat region 45 of the film transport surface 4), the film transport surface 4 is provided at a higher position. In particular, in the second flat area 45, the film transport surface 4 is higher than the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28 Figure 5B it can be seen that this allows the packaging removal device 50 to be brought particularly close to the second flat region 45 of the lower film 3. Due to the increased film transport surface 4, the packaging removal device 50 can run over the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28 of the machine frame 5 and at the same time a conveying surface 52 of the packaging removal device 50 can lie essentially at the same height as the film transport surface 4. In this way, the distance to be covered when moving the packaging onto the conveying surface 52 of the packaging discharge device 50 can be minimized and the work cycle of the thermoforming packaging machine 1 can thus be increased. For example, it is conceivable that a lateral distance d2l between the conveying surface 52 of the packaging removal device 50 and the second flat region 45 of the film transport surface 4 is less than 5 cm, less than 10 cm or less than 15 cm. A vertical distance d1v between the conveying surface 52 of the packaging discharge device 50 and the second flat region 45 of the film transport surface 4 can be, for example, less than 1 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 5 cm or less than 10 cm.

With regard to the 1 to 3 Thermoforming packaging machines 1 have been described which allow products 13 to be packaged to be brought particularly quickly into the troughs 12 formed in the bottom film 3 in the region of the insertion section 8. For this purpose, as described, the film transport surface 4 comprises the first rising area 23 and the first flat area 25 comprising the insertion path 8. In addition, the product feed device 20 for feeding products 13 extends in the transport direction T at least along the insertion path 8 and in plan view next to the insertion path 8 Following the sealing station 9, the course of the film transport surface 4 can in principle be designed as desired. After the packaging has been separated by the cutting station 10, the finished packaged products 13 can be removed from the thermoforming packaging machine 1 in any manner. For example, the packaged products 13 could be removed manually or automatically.

With regard to the Figures 4, 5A and 5B A thermoforming packaging machine 1 has been described which allows the packaged and separated products 13 to be removed from the thermoforming packaging machine 1 in a particularly efficient manner. For this purpose, the sealing station 9 is followed by the second rising area 43 and the second flat area 45 of the film transport surface 4 intended. In addition, the packaging removal device 50 for discharging filled and closed packages extends with respect to the transport direction T at least along the second flat area 45 and in plan view next to the second flat area 45 of the film transport surface 4. With respect to the transport direction T in front of the sealing station 9, the course of the film transport surface can 4 can in principle be chosen arbitrarily. The manner in which products 13 to be packaged are fed in and the products 13 to be packaged are transferred into the troughs 12 of the bottom film 3 can also be designed as desired. For example, the products 13 can be converted into the troughs 12 manually or automatically.

It is therefore conceivable that, according to the invention, either only the first rising area 23, the first flat area 25 and the product feed device 20 are provided and the finished packaging is removed in any manner. It is also conceivable that only the second rising area 43, the second flat area 45 and the packaging removal device 50 are provided and the feeding of the products 13 to the insertion section 8 and the transfer of the products 13 into the troughs 12 formed in the bottom film 3 as desired he follows.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of a thermoforming packaging machine 1, however, the specially designed product feed ( 1 to 3 ) with the first rising area 23, the first flat area 25 and the product feed device 20 and, at the same time, the described packaging removal combined with the second rising area 43, the second flat area 45 and the packaging removal device 50. As a result, the work cycle of the thermoforming packaging machine 1 can be increased particularly strongly, since both the product supply and the removal of the finished packaging take place particularly quickly and efficiently. According to such an embodiment, the course of the film transport surface 4 in the area between the molding station 7 and the sealing station 9 could, for example, be that in FIGS 1 or 2 correspond to the course shown. Following the sealing station 9, the course of the film transport surface 4 could, for example, as in FIG Fig. 4 be shown.

Claims (15)

1. Thermo-forming packaging machine (1), comprising:

   a forming station (7) with a forming tool for forming troughs (12) in a lower film (3);

   an inserting track (8) for filling the troughs (12) with products (13);

   a sealing station (9) with a sealing tool for sealing the troughs (12) with an upper film (15);

   a cutting station (10) for separating the sealed troughs (12); and

   a transport device (2) that is configured to convey the lower film (3) in a film transport surface (4) along a transport direction (T) from the forming station (7) via the inserting track (8) to the sealing station (9) and further to the cutting station (10), wherein

   a) the film transport surface (4) comprises between the forming station (7) and the sealing station (9) a first ascending area (23) ascending along the transport direction (T) in comparison to a horizontal plane, the ascension of the first ascending area (23) achieving that the film transport surface (4) is at the inserting track (8) elevated as compated to a side frame (28) of a machine rack (5) of the thermo-forming packaging machine (1), the first ascending area (23) being followed by a first even area (25) in which the film transport surface (4) essentially extends horizontally and that comprises the inserting track (8), and a product feeding device (20) for feeding products (13), which conveys in parallel to the transport direction (T), extends in the transport direction (T) at least along the inserting track (8) and in a top view next to the inserting track (8),
   and/or

   b) the film transport surface (4) comprises between the sealing station (9) and the cutting station (10) a second ascending area (43) ascending along the transport direction (T) in comparison to a horizontal plane, the ascension of the second ascending area (43) achieving that the film transport surface (4) is at the cutting station (10) elevated as compated to a side frame (28) of a machine rack (5) of the thermo-forming packaging machine (1), the second ascending area (43) being followed at the cutting station (10) by a second even area (45) in which the film transport surface (4) essentially extends horizontally, and a packaging discharge device (50) for leading away filled and sealed packagings, which conveys in parallel to the transport direction (T), extends in the transport direction (T) at least along the second even area (45) and in a top view next to the second even area (45).
2. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 1, wherein the transport device (2) has a chain guiding (16) that is arranged along the transport direction (T) and in which at least one film transport chain (17) for conveying the lower film (3) is guided.
3. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 2, wherein the side frame (28) of the machine rack (5) of the thermo-forming packaging machine (1) is arranged along the transport direction (T), wherein the side frame (28) has an upper interfering edge (30).
4. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 3, wherein the chain guiding (16) is fastened on the side frame (28).
5. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the film transport surface (4) is guided to a level above the interfering edge (30) of the side frame (28) through its first and/or second ascending area (23, 43).
6. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein in the first and/or second even area (25, 45) the film transport surface (4) is located at a higher level than the interfering edge (30) of the side frame (28).
7. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein in relation to the transport direction (T) ahead of the first and/or second ascending area (23, 43), the film transport surface (4) is located below the interfering edge (30) of the side frame (28).
8. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of Claims 3 to 7, wherein a conveyor surface (32, 52) of the product feeding device (20) or of the packaging discharge device (50) is arranged at least in certain areas above the side frame (28) of the machine rack (5) or above an upper side of the forming station (7).
9. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lateral distance (d11) of the first even area (25) of the film transport surface (4) to the product feeding device (20) is less than 5 cm, less than 10 cm or less than 15 cm.
10. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lateral distance (d2l) of the second even area (45) of the film transport surface (4) to the packaging discharge device (50) is less than 5 cm, less than 10 cm or less than 15 cm.
11. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first even area (25) of the film transport surface (4) is at least on the same level as a conveying surface (32) of the product feeding device (20).
12. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second even area (45) of the film transport surface (4) is at least on the same level as a conveying surface (52) of the packaging discharge device (50).
13. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the product feeding device (20) extends at least essentially up to the sealing station (9).
14. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the film transport surface (4) comprises an area (33) that follows the first and/or second even area (25, 45) and that descends along the transport direction (T).
15. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the forming station (7) and the sealing station (9) are arranged in a common horizontal plane.

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