CN110577021B

CN110577021B - Skin package, and method and sealing station for manufacturing a skin package

Info

Publication number: CN110577021B
Application number: CN201910502305.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·洛夫勒; H·格尔克
Original assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-06-11
Filing date: 2019-06-11
Publication date: 2022-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-11
Also published as: ES2912663T3; CN110577021A; EP3581516A1; US20190375566A1; EP3581516B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a skin package and a method and a sealing station for manufacturing a skin package. The skin package (1) comprises a base (3) and a top film (7), wherein the top film (7) is a skin film and the base (3) and the top film (7) are sealed together in an airtight manner along a circumferential sealing area (9). The base (3) and the top film (7) extend in one or more edge regions (11) outside the sealing region (9), in particular in the form of tear corners (11), and are not sealed together in one or more edge regions (11) outside the sealing region (9).

Description

Skin package, and method and sealing station for manufacturing a skin package

Technical Field

The invention relates to a skin package (skin pack) with tear-open corners (tear-open corner) and a method and a sealing station for manufacturing such a skin package.

Background

Vacuum packaging (i.e., packaging in which a large amount of air is evacuated from the interior) is commonly used to package food products to extend their shelf life. A further development is the so-called skin-pack, in which an elastic top film (skin film) is placed onto a base and a product on the base in a tension-free and tight-fitting manner. The base may also take the form of a tray (tray) into which the product is inserted. After the packaging process, the base and the top film are connected to each other hermetically, sealed in a circumferential sealing area. Skin packaging has properties that allow particularly advantageous product presentation. This secures the product located in the tray and prevents product separation or liquid from escaping from the product into the tray space. Due to the stable connection of the base and the top film in the sealing area, the product is securely fixed during transport and unintentional automatic opening of the skin package is prevented. However, the secure connection between the base and the top film also makes it difficult for the consumer to open the package to remove the product.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved opening option for skin packaging.

The invention relates to a skin package comprising a base part and a top film, wherein the top film is a skin film and the base part and the top film are sealed together in a gastight manner along a circumferential sealing region, wherein the base part and the top film extend in one or more edge regions outside the sealing region and are not sealed together in one or more edge regions outside the sealing region, in particular the base part and the top film extend in the form of tear corners in the one or more edge regions outside the sealing region. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a skin package, comprising: arranging a base part below the sealing tool, and placing a product on the base part; supplying a top film over the product and the base, wherein the top film is a decal film; closing the sealing tool chamber by pressing together a first frame of an upper part of the sealing tool and a second frame of a lower part of the sealing tool, wherein the top film and the base part are circumferentially sandwiched between the first frame and the second frame, the sealing tool chamber being hermetically closed by pressing together the first frame of the upper part of the sealing tool and the second frame of the lower part of the sealing tool, whereby an inner part of the top film and an inner part of the base part are located inside the sealing tool chamber and an outer part of the top film and an outer part of the base part are located outside the sealing tool chamber; drawing an inner portion of the top film into the dome sealing the upper portion of the tool by creating a vacuum in the area between the dome and the top film; heating an inner portion of the top film; forming a vacuum in the space between the top film and the base; establishing atmospheric pressure between the dome and the top film or between the upper part of the sealing tool and the top film, whereby the top film rests on the base and the product located on the base, wherein the method further comprises: when the sealing tool compartment is closed, the top film and the base part are clamped between a first frame on the upper part of the sealing tool and a second frame on the lower part of the sealing tool in an edge region of the skin package outside the sealing region, so that the base part and this edge region of the top film are neither deformed by the pressure difference nor heated, and thus no sealing of the top film to the base part takes place in this edge region. The invention also relates to a sealing station for manufacturing a skin package, wherein the sealing station comprises a sealing tool upper part having a first frame and a concave dome comprising an air passage, the sealing station comprises a sealing tool lower part having a second frame and a base holder, the sealing tool upper part and/or the sealing tool lower part being height-adjustably mounted close to each other and in contact with each other on the first frame of the sealing tool upper part and the second frame of the sealing tool lower part, thereby forming an air-tight sealing tool chamber, and the sealing station is configured to connect the base to the top film as the adhesive film in an airtight manner by forming a sealing area, the sealing station being characterized in that a first frame on an upper portion of the sealing tool and a second frame on a lower portion of the sealing tool are configured to clamp a portion of the base and a portion of the top film such that the portion of the base and the portion of the top film are not heated and deformed during the sealing process.

Preferably, the sealing area comprises a sealing seam.

Preferably, the base portion has a bias in the edge region across which the top film is passed to facilitate gripping of the top film to open the skin package by pulling off the top film.

Preferably, the base is designed as a tray, in particular as a thermoformed carrier film.

Preferably, the sealed region has discrete horns adjacent the tear corner.

Preferably, the base is provided in the form of a tray into which the products are inserted.

Preferably, the sealing plate presses down on the edge support and the top film and base on the edge support of the lower part of the sealing tool and forms a sealing seam.

Preferably, the venting and supplying of air takes place above the top film via air channels in a dome in the upper part of the sealing tool.

Preferably, the sealing station comprises a height-adjustable sealing plate comprising a sealing surface adapted to connect the base to the top film in a gas-tight manner by forming a sealing seam.

Preferably, the first frame of the upper part of the sealing tool and/or the second frame of the lower part of the sealing tool are at least partially formed from a plastic and/or ceramic material.

Preferably, the first frame of the upper part of the sealing tool and/or the second frame of the lower part of the sealing tool are cooled by channels extending in the first frame and/or the second frame, in particular the first frame of the upper part of the sealing tool and/or the second frame of the lower part of the sealing tool are water cooled by channels extending in the first frame and/or the second frame.

Preferably, the frame of the lower part of the sealing tool has a recess designed to accommodate the offset of the base part, so as not to deform the offset when the base part and the top membrane are clamped between the two frames.

Preferably, the sealing tool lower part is at least partly exchangeable for receiving differently shaped bases, in particular in the form of a tray.

The skin package according to the invention comprises a base and a top film, wherein the top film is a skin film and the base and the top film are sealed together in an airtight manner along a circumferential sealing area. The base and the top film extend in one or more edge regions outside the sealed region, in particular in the form of tear corners, and are not sealed together in one or more edge regions outside the sealed region. If the sealing area extends to the outermost edge of the skin package, i.e. to the cut edge of the skin package, it will be difficult for the consumer to separate the top film from the base portion over a short section (in a small section), to grasp the top film and remove it from the base portion to open the package. However, if the top film and the base are loosely superposed on each other only in the edge portion adjacent to the sealing area, the consumer can easily grasp the top film and pull it off the base. Thus, the consumer does not have to use any additional tools.

In an advantageous variant, the sealing region comprises a sealing seam. The sealing seam is also a circumferential region, usually relatively narrow and extending in the edge region. In addition to the skin-on process described below, the top film and the base part are connected to one another in a particularly stable manner by means of pressure and heat. The sealing seam is therefore even stronger than the rest of the sealing area, which reliably prevents unintentional opening of the skin package even if the package is particularly heavy or large products or the package is subjected to particularly high mechanical loads during transport and sale.

In a particularly advantageous variant, the base is provided with an offset (offset) in the edge region, the top film spanning the offset (span) to facilitate gripping of the top film and thus opening of the skin package by pulling off the top film. The bias, which can take the form of, for example, a downwardly directed step or slope, allows the top film to be gripped directly without first being unrolled away from the base by bending or pressing the edge of the package against the edge. The bias may also take the form of an upwardly directed projection or web, such that the top film is pressed and projects upwardly in the unsealed edge region. All variants make opening the skin package particularly easy.

The base is preferably designed as a tray, in particular as a thermoformed carrier film. The tray provides advantages when inserting the product, such as preventing liquid loss and providing additional product protection through the side edges when the package is closed. This also provides greater torsional rigidity than in the case of a flat base.

In a general variant, the sealing zones adjacent to the tear corners have discrete horns. If the top film is pulled from the tear corner onto the corner of the horn or the sealed area, the force is particularly advantageously concentrated at one point on the corner or horn and then evenly distributed on both sides of the horn. This makes the top film particularly easy to pull off, especially if the top film and the base are joined by a sealed seam.

The sealing station according to the invention for manufacturing a skin package comprises a sealing tool upper part with a first frame and a concave dome comprising an air channel, the sealing station comprising a sealing tool lower part with a second frame and a base holder. The sealing tool upper part and/or the sealing tool lower part are height-adjustably mounted close to each other and in contact with each other on a first frame of the sealing tool upper part and a second frame of the sealing tool lower part, thereby forming a hermetically sealed tool chamber. The sealing station is further configured to connect the base to the top film as an adhesive film in an airtight manner by forming a sealing area. The first frame of the upper part of the sealing tool and the second frame of the lower part of the sealing tool are configured to clamp a portion of the base and a portion of the top film such that the portion of the base and the portion of the top film are not heated and deformed during the sealing process. In this way, the necessary pressure and temperature required for the sealing process (i.e. the connection of the top film to the base) can be established within the sealing tool chamber. At the same time, the clamped parts of the top film and the base part are not affected, which prevents the formation of a sealing area at this location, i.e. prevents a connection between the top film and the base part. These parts can also extend further outwards and project beyond the frame so that no sealing process takes place.

The sealing station preferably comprises a height-adjustable sealing plate having a sealing surface adapted to connect the base to the top film in a gas-tight manner by forming a sealing seam. The movable sealing plate presses the sealing surface against the top film and the base, thereby supporting the top film and the base on the bearing surface so that the desired contact pressure can be applied. This establishes a particularly stable connection between the top film and the base. In addition, the sealing surface can be heated to additionally support the formation of a sealed seam.

Typically, the first frame sealing the upper part of the tool and the second frame sealing the lower part of the tool are made of materials approved for use in the food industry. The same applies to the dome and the sealing plate in the upper part of the sealing tool. Significantly, the material or materials from which the first and second frames are made have a lower thermal conductivity than the material of the dome and sealing plate so as to be able to heat the dome and sealing plate energetically efficient, but minimize heat transfer to the frames. For example, the frame may be made of stainless steel and the dome and seal plate may be made of aluminum.

In a suitable variant, the first frame of the upper part of the sealing tool and/or the second frame of the lower part of the sealing tool are at least partially formed from a plastic and/or ceramic material. For example, the portion sandwiching the top film may have a particularly low thermal conductivity, which means that no heat is transferred to the top film. The use of such materials is therefore particularly useful in the region of the tear corners, for example to prevent heat transfer from the heated dome or sealing surface to the top film and base.

In a general variant, the first frame of the upper part of the sealing tool and/or the second frame of the lower part of the sealing tool is cooled by means of channels extending in the first frame and/or the second frame, in particular the first frame of the upper part of the sealing tool and/or the second frame of the lower part of the sealing tool is water-cooled by means of channels extending in the first frame and/or the second frame. In this way, unwanted heat transferred into the frame can also be dissipated. This not only helps to form unsealed opening aids or tear corners, but also protects the operator of the sealing station or packaging machine from heat related injuries when touching the frame.

The frame of the lower part of the sealing tool preferably has a recess designed to accommodate the downwardly projecting offset of the base part so as not to deform the offset when the base part and the top membrane are clamped between the two frames. The frame of the upper part of the sealing tool can thus also have a recess to accommodate the offset projecting upwards from the flat base surface of the bottom film. Thus, a distance is established between the base and the top film so that the offset portion of the top film can be gripped in an improved manner into the recess, so that the offset portion retains its shape and thus its function even when the frames are pressed together.

Ideally, the sealing tool lower part is at least partially exchangeable for receiving differently shaped bases, in particular in the form of a tray. In this way, the same sealing station can seal different packages as required. One way to achieve this is to use a suitable insert inserted into the lower part of the sealing tool. The base can then be placed in or on these inserts.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below using the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a skin package having a product and a flat base, the flat base having a downwardly oriented offset in the form of a step,

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a skin package having a product and a flat base, the flat base having a downwardly oriented offset in the form of an inclined portion,

fig. 1C is a cross-sectional view of a skin package having a product and a flat base, the flat base having an upwardly oriented bias in the form of a protrusion,

figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a skin package with a base in the form of a product and a tray,

fig. 3 is a perspective side view of a sealing station, comprising an upper sealing tool part and a lower sealing tool part and four base parts arranged in groups,

figure 4 is a bottom view of the upper part of the sealing tool from below,

FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of the upper part of the sealing tool seen obliquely from below, an

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing station.

Detailed Description

Parts corresponding to each other are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

Figure 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a skin package 1 having a substantially flat base 3, a product 5 being placed on the base 3 and sealed by a top film 7, the top film 7 being a skin film. In the circumferential sealing area 9, the base 3 and the top film 7 are sealed together in a gastight manner. An unsealed edge area 11 is formed on the left side of the skin package 1, the base 3 and the top film 7 not being sealed together in the edge area 11. In addition, an optional offset 13 in the form of a step is formed in the base 3, so that the base 3 and the top film 7 are spaced apart, thus making it easier to grasp the top film 7 in order to pull it away from the base 3 in order to open the skin package 1.

Fig. 1B corresponds to the skin package 1 as shown in fig. 1A, but the offset 13 takes the form of an inclined portion.

Figure 1C shows another variant of the skin package 1 in which the offset 13 is formed as an upstanding protrusion. As shown, the projections may be pointed. In the same way, the protrusions may also be substantially circular and/or hollow, upwardly pressed, punctiform portions (punctiform sections) of the base 3. However, the protrusions may also be a web in the base 3 which has a certain longitudinal extension in the unsealed edge area 11.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a skin package 1 with a base 3 in the form of a tray. The film 7 surrounds the products 5 inserted in the tray 3, fixing the products 5 and resting against the inside of the tray 3 without a gap (without play). The tray 3 has a raised peripheral edge and a horizontal edge 15, the top film 7 together with the base 3 forming a peripheral sealed region 9 on the horizontal edge 15 and an unsealed edge region 11 in the subsequent portion. One or more offsets 13 can also optionally be formed in the unsealed edge region 11.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective side view of the sealing station 17, the sealing station 17 comprising a sealing tool upper part 19 and a sealing tool lower part 21. The sealing tool upper part 19 comprises a first frame 23 and the sealing tool lower part 21 comprises a second frame 25. For the sake of clarity, the components for raising and lowering the first frame 23 and/or the second frame 25 or the components of the conveying section are not shown. The

frames

23, 25 are designed to seal four skin packages 1 in each work cycle. For this purpose, four generally interconnected bases 3 (here in the form of trays) are inserted into the second frame 25. In this case, in the second frame 25, a base holder 27 for the tray 3 itself and a recess 29 for the biasing portion 13 are formed. The unsealed edge region 11, for example in the form of a tear corner, is expediently oriented towards an edge parallel to the transport direction T, i.e. towards the transport chain guiding the top film 7. The figures show a peripheral sealed region 9 and an unsealed edge region 11, the unsealed edge region 11 taking the form of a tear corner with reference to the base 3. At the tear-off corner 11, the sealing region 9 has discrete horns (discrete angles) 31, which improve the opening behaviour when the top film 7 is pulled off.

At the side, a hole 33 is provided in the second lower frame 25, the hole 33 serving to vent the skin package 1.

Fig. 4 shows the sealing tool upper part 19 seen from below. Inside the first frame 23 there are four domes 35 concavely curved upwards. The space between the domes 35 and the top film 7 can be vented via air channels 37 in the domes 35, so that the top film 7 rests on the respective dome 35 and can be heated by the dome. The first frame 23 has a suitable shape to create a sealed area 9 in the area inside the first and

second frames

23, 25 as shown in fig. 3 and an unsealed edge area 11 of the skin package 1 adjacent to the sealed area 9. Further, a recess 39 is formed in the first frame 23 so as to allow venting of the area between the top film 7 and the base 3, i.e. venting of the interior of the skin package 1, by using the hole 33.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective sectional view of the sealing tool upper part 19 seen obliquely from below. The first frame 23 has a shape defining a sealed area 9 and an unsealed area 11 of the skin package 1 (refer to fig. 3). The two domes 35 in this embodiment are formed as part of the seal plate 41. The sealing plate 41 is configured to be movable relative to the first frame 23. This allows the sealing plate 41 to be moved downwards with the sealing tool compartment already closed and the sealing surface 43 to be pressed against the top film 7 and the base 3 in order to connect the sealing surface 43 with the top film 7 and the base 3 in a particularly stable manner. The necessary counter pressure is generated by the edge support of the lower part 21 of the sealing tool, on which the top membrane 7 and the corresponding part of the base 3 rest. The recess 39 allows for venting of the skin package 1 by using the hole 33 arranged in the second frame 25.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a sealing station 17 for the skin package 1. The base 3 is stored in the second lower frame 25. The first frame 23 is lowered onto the second frame 25 whereby the base 3 and a portion of the top film 7 are sandwiched between the first frame 23 and the second frame 25 to form a hermetically sealed tool chamber 45. An optional sealing plate 41 is shown inside the first frame 23, the sealing plate 41 being in an upper position and being movable to push a sealing surface 43 of the sealing plate 41 downwards to form a sealing seam 44. The edge support 47 serves as a reaction element to create the desired pressure. The top film 7 is still straight, with the inside portion 49 of the top film 7 and the inside portion 50 of the base 3 inside the closed sealing tool chamber 45, and the outside portion 51 of the top film 7 and the outside portion 52 of the base 3 outside the closed sealing tool chamber 45. A portion of the

outer side portions

51, 52 is sandwiched between the first and

second frames

23, 25. The water-cooling frames 23, 25 can be guided through channels 53 in the

frames

23, 25.

The function of the sealing station 17 for manufacturing the skin package 1 is explained in more detail below using the figures. The base 3 is provided in the sealing tool lower part 21, the product 5 is placed on the base 3, and then the top film 7 is supplied over the product 5 and the base 3, the top film 7 being a sticker film. Then, the sealing tool chamber 45 is closed by pressing the first frame 23 of the sealing tool upper portion 19 and the second frame 25 of the sealing tool lower portion 21 together, whereby the top film 7 and the base portion 3 are circumferentially sandwiched between the first frame 23 and the second frame 25, and the sealing tool chamber 45 is hermetically closed by pressing together. Thus, the top film 7 and the

inner portions

49, 50 of the base 3 are located inside the sealing tool chamber 45, and the

outer portions

51, 52 are located outside the sealing tool chamber 45.

The inner portion 49 of the top film 7 is now sucked into the dome 35 sealing the upper part 19 of the tool by creating a vacuum in the area between the dome 35 and the top film 7. The inside portion 49 of the top film is heated.

When the sealing tool compartment 45 is closed, the top film 7 and the base 3 are sandwiched between the first frame 23 of the sealing tool upper portion 19 and the second frame 25 of the sealing tool lower portion 21 in the edge region 11 of the skin package 1 located outside the sealing region 9, so that the top film 7 and the edge region 11 of the base 3 are neither deformed by the pressure difference nor heated, and thus sealing of the top film 7 and the base 3 does not occur in the edge region 11.

A vacuum is then established in the space between the top film 7 and the base 3. The top film 7 is placed on the base 3 and the product 5 by establishing atmospheric pressure between the dome 35 or the sealing tool upper part 19 and the top film 7, wherein the product 5 is located on the base 3.

In a general variant, a base 3 is provided in the form of a tray into which the products 5 are inserted.

Preferably, the sealing plate 41 presses down on the edge support 47 of the sealing tool lower part 21 and the top film 7 and the base part 3 on the edge support 47, thus forming the sealing seam 44.

Air is typically vented and supplied above the top film 7 via air passages 37 in the dome 35 of the upper part 19 of the sealing tool.

Many variations are possible on the basis of the above-described embodiment of the skin package 1 and the sealing station 17. For example, the sealing station 17 can be configured to seal more than two rows of skin packages 1 simultaneously. If a flat base 3 is used, the base 3 may also have ribs or other embossings, which increase the rigidity of the base 3. In addition to the variants shown here, the offset 13 can also have any other shape suitable for spacing the base 3 from the top membrane 7.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a skin package (1), comprising:

-providing a base (3) in the lower part (21) of the sealing tool, placing a product (5) on said base (3);

-feeding a top film (7) over the product (5) and the base (3), wherein the top film (7) is a sticker film;

closing a sealing tool chamber (45) by pressing together a first frame (23) of a sealing tool upper part (19) and a second frame (25) of a sealing tool lower part (21), wherein the top film (7) and the base part (3) are circumferentially sandwiched between the first frame (23) and the second frame (25), the sealing tool chamber (45) being hermetically closed by pressing together the first frame (23) of the sealing tool upper part (19) and the second frame (25) of the sealing tool lower part (21), whereby an inner part (49) of the top film (7) and an inner part (50) of the base part (3) are located inside the sealing tool chamber (45), an outer part (51) of the top film (7) and an outer part (52) of the base part (3) are located outside the sealing tool chamber (45);

drawing an inner portion (49) of the top film (7) into a dome (35) of the sealing tool upper portion (19) by creating a vacuum in the area between the dome (35) and the top film (7);

heating an inner portion (49) of the top film (7);

-creating a vacuum in the space between the top film (7) and the base part (3);

establishing atmospheric pressure between a dome (35) and a top film (7) or between a sealing tool upper part (19) and a top film (7), whereby said top film (7) rests on said base (3) and said product (5) on said base (3),

characterized in that the method further comprises:

when the sealing tool compartment (45) is closed, the top film (7) and the base part (3) are clamped between a first frame (23) of the sealing tool upper part (19) and a second frame (25) of the sealing tool lower part (21) in an edge region (11) of the skin package (1) outside a sealing region (9), so that the base (3) and the edge region (11) of the top film (7) are neither deformed by the pressure difference nor heated, whereby sealing of the top film (7) to the base part (3) does not take place in this edge region (11), wherein the base (3) and the top film (7) extend in the form of tear corners in one or more edge regions (11) outside the sealing region (9), the sealing region (9) has discrete horns (31) adjacent the tear corner (11).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (3) is provided in the form of a tray, into which the products (5) are inserted.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a sealing plate (41) is pressed down against an edge support (47) of the sealing tool lower part (21) and the top film (7) and the base part (3) on the edge support (47) and forms a sealing seam (44).

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the degassing and supply of air takes place above the top film (7) via air channels (37) in a dome (35) of the sealing tool upper part (19).

5. A sealing station (17) for manufacturing a skin package (1), wherein the sealing station (17) comprises a sealing tool upper part (19) having a first frame (23) and a concave dome (35) comprising an air channel (37), the sealing station (17) comprises a sealing tool lower part (21) having a second frame (25) and a base holder (27), the sealing tool upper part (19) and/or the sealing tool lower part (21) are height-adjustably mounted close to each other and in contact with each other on the first frame (23) of the sealing tool upper part and the second frame (25) of the sealing tool lower part, thereby forming an air-tight sealing tool chamber (45), and the sealing station (17) is configured to connect the base (3) to a top film (7) being a skin film in an air-tight manner by forming a sealing area (9), the sealing station (17) is characterized in that a first frame (23) of the sealing tool upper part (19) and a second frame (25) of the sealing tool lower part (21) are configured to clamp a portion (52) of the base and a portion (51) of the top film (7) such that the portion (52) of the base and the portion (51) of the top film (7) are not heated and deformed during sealing, wherein the base (3) and the top film (7) extend in one or more edge regions (11) outside the sealing region (9) in the form of a tear corner and are not sealed together in one or more edge regions (11) outside the sealing region (9), wherein the sealing region (9) has a discrete horn (31) adjacent to the tear corner.

6. Sealing station according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a height-adjustable sealing plate (41), said sealing plate (41) comprising a sealing surface (43), said sealing surface (43) being adapted to connect the base (3) to the top film (7) in a gastight manner by forming a sealing seam (44).

7. Sealing station according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the first frame (23) of the sealing tool upper part (19) and/or the second frame (25) of the sealing tool lower part (21) are at least partly formed of a plastic and/or ceramic material.

8. Sealing station according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the first frame (23) of the sealing tool upper part (19) and/or the second frame (25) of the sealing tool lower part (21) are cooled by means of a channel (53) extending in the first frame (23) and/or the second frame (25).

9. Sealing station according to claim 8, characterized in that the first frame (23) of the sealing tool upper part (19) and/or the second frame (25) of the sealing tool lower part (21) are water-cooled by means of channels (53) extending in the first frame (23) and/or the second frame (25).

10. Sealing station according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the frame (25) of the lower sealing tool part (21) has a recess (29), said recess (29) being designed to accommodate the offset (13) of the base (3) so as not to deform said offset (13) when the base (3) and the top film (7) are clamped between the first frame (23) and the second frame (25).

11. Sealing station according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the sealing tool lower part (21) is at least partially exchangeable for receiving differently shaped bases (3).

12. The sealing station according to claim 11, characterized in that the sealing tool lower part (21) is at least partly exchangeable for receiving a base (3) in the form of a tray.