CN209795905U

CN209795905U - Thermoforming packaging machine

Info

Publication number: CN209795905U
Application number: CN201920324929.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·索特
Original assignee: West Puhagen And Le Modi Vic Shares And & Co KG GmbH
Current assignee: West Puhagen And Le Modi Vic Shares And & Co KG GmbH; Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-03-16
Filing date: 2019-03-14
Publication date: 2019-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-14
Also published as: DE102018204042A1

Abstract

The thermoforming packaging machine comprises a film holder for receiving a lower film supply roll, a forming station, an insertion rail, a sealing station and a conveying device which transports the lower film strip through the forming station to the insertion rail and further to the sealing station. The thermoforming packaging machine further comprises a deflection device having a first deflection unit and a second deflection unit. The first deflection unit deflects the lower film strip at a first angle relative to the first vertical axis between the film holder and the forming station, and the second deflection unit deflects the lower film strip at a second angle relative to the second vertical axis between the film holder and the forming station, such that a transport direction of the lower film strip is changed from a first transport direction to a second transport direction by the deflection at the first angle and the deflection at the second angle, wherein the lower film strip leaves the film holder in the first transport direction and the second transport direction is offset substantially parallel or substantially anti-parallel relative to the first transport direction.

Description

Thermoforming packaging machine

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a thermoforming packagine machine's field. In particular, the present invention relates to a thermoforming packaging machine for packaging food products.

Background

There are known thermoforming packaging machines in which the lower film strip is withdrawn from a supply roll at an unwinding device and fed by conveying means to a forming station, an insertion rail and a sealing station, one after the other. The unwinding device, the forming station, the insertion rail and the sealing station are arranged linearly one after the other in the production direction. A depression is formed in the lower film strip using a forming station. Afterwards, the recess is filled with the product to be packaged in the insertion rail. In the sealing station, the filled recess is closed with an upper film.

EP 3202671 a1 describes a particular configuration of a thermoforming packaging machine of the type described above. It is worth noting that in thermoforming packaging machines, the conveyor means for transporting the lower film strip in the region rising along the production direction raise the lower film strip in the region of the insertion rail with respect to the vertical direction. The products to be packaged are fed by means of a product insertion conveyor which extends in the production direction above the forming station to an insertion rail. The product insertion conveyor is designed as a shrink conveyor which inserts the product to be packaged in the recesses formed in the lower film strip in the rising area.

For feeding the products to be packaged to the product insertion conveyor, a feed conveyor can be provided upstream of the product insertion conveyor with respect to the production direction, the products to be packaged being provided, for example, by a slicer for food products arranged upstream of the forming station with respect to the production direction. The feed conveyor must pass through the unwinding device for the lower film feed roll.

In principle, it is desirable to use a feed roller for the lower film with a particularly large diameter to avoid frequent replacement of the feed roller. However, this results in that the feed conveyor must be particularly long in order to be able to bridge the feed rollers. Overall, the arrangement will be relatively long in the production direction and will thus have a large space requirement. Furthermore, when the unwinding device is not freely accessible, for example due to a feeding conveyor or slicer, it is laborious to replace the lower film feeding roller.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoforming packaging machine which is improved in effective use of space and desirably allows replacement of the supply roller for the lower film web in a simple manner.

the utility model relates to a thermoforming packagine machine, it has: a film holder for receiving the lower film supply roller; a forming station having forming tools for forming depressions in the lower film strip by thermoforming; an insert rail (insertiontrack) for filling the recess with the product; a sealing station having a sealing tool for sealing the recess with the upper film; and a conveying device configured to convey the lower film strip through the forming station to the insertion rail and further to the sealing station, wherein the thermoforming packaging machine further comprises a deflection device having a first deflection unit configured to deflect the lower film strip at a first angle relative to the first vertical axis between the film holder and the forming station and a second deflection unit configured to deflect the lower film strip at a second angle relative to the second vertical axis between the film holder and the forming station such that a conveying direction of the lower film strip is changed from a first conveying direction to a second conveying direction by deflection at the first angle and deflection at the second angle, wherein the lower film strip leaves the film holder in the first conveying direction and the second conveying direction is offset substantially parallel or substantially anti-parallel relative to the first conveying direction.

Preferably, the lower film strip runs at least substantially horizontally between the film holder and the forming station.

Preferably, the forming station, the insertion rail and the optional sealing station are arranged one after the other in the second transport direction.

Preferably, the thermoforming packaging machine comprises a frame, the forming station and the sealing station being arranged one behind the other on the frame, the film holder being arranged laterally adjacent to the frame with respect to the second direction of transport.

Preferably, the thermoforming packaging machine further comprises a feed conveyor for feeding the products to be packaged to the insertion rail, the feed conveyor running at least partially above the forming station.

Preferably, the conveying means are configured to feed the lower film strip to the sealing station in a higher level than the level at which the lower film strip is fed to the forming station.

Preferably, the conveyor is configured to lift the lower film strip between the forming station and the sealing station.

Preferably, the first deflection unit and/or the second deflection unit comprise a deflection edge for deflecting the lower film strip.

Preferably, the deflection edge is formed by a deflection roller.

Preferably, the second transport direction extends parallel or anti-parallel to the first transport direction, and furthermore the second transport direction can also be rotated by 0 ° to 10 ° about the second vertical axis relative to the first transport direction.

preferably, the first angle and/or the second angle are adjustable.

Preferably, the first angle and/or the second angle is between 60 ° and 120 °.

Preferably, the first angle and/or the second angle is between 80 ° and 100 °.

The thermoforming packaging machine according to the invention comprises a film holder for receiving a lower film supply roll to be unwound. The thermoforming packaging machine further includes a forming station, an insertion rail, a sealing station, and a conveying device configured to convey the lower film strip through the forming station to the insertion rail and further to the sealing station. The forming station includes a forming tool for forming depressions in the lower film strip by thermoforming. The forming tool can in particular comprise a forming tool upper part and a forming tool lower part which is movable relative to the forming tool upper part, the lower film strip being thermoformed between the forming tool upper part and the forming tool lower part. In the insertion rail, the depressions formed in the lower film web by the forming station are filled with the product to be packaged. This can be done manually or automatically. The sealing station comprises a sealing tool for sealing the recess with the upper film. In particular, the sealing tool can comprise a sealing tool upper part and a sealing tool lower part which is movable relative to the sealing tool upper part. The upper film can be sealed to the lower film, for example, by ultrasonic welding, by thermal welding, or the like.

The thermoforming packaging machine further comprises a deflection device having a first deflection unit and a second deflection unit. The first deflection unit is configured to deflect the lower film strip at a first angle relative to the first vertical axis between the film holder and the forming station. The second deflection unit is configured to deflect the lower film strip at a second angle relative to the second vertical axis between the film holder and the forming station. In particular, the second deflection unit can be arranged downstream of the first deflection unit. The first deflection unit and the second deflection unit are configured to deflect a transport direction of the lower film strip from a first transport direction, in which the lower film strip leaves the film holder, to a second transport direction, which is offset at least approximately parallel or at least approximately anti-parallel with respect to the first transport direction, by deflecting at a first angle and by deflecting at a second angle.

in a sense, the deflection means allow to arrange the lower film feeding roller outside or laterally offset with respect to the production direction of the thermoforming packaging machine. In this way, even if the lower film supply roller having a particularly large diameter is used, the space required in the production direction can be kept relatively small. Moreover, the supply of products to be packaged is facilitated, since each pre-treatment device or supply device for the products can be positioned closer to the forming station with respect to the production direction.

another advantage is that the film holder is more easily accessible for replacing the lower film feed roller. A new feed roller can easily be transported to and inserted into the film holder against or in the first transport direction. The machine elements arranged along the second conveying direction do not have to be changed or dismantled for this purpose. It is also not necessary to rotate a new feed roller after the conveyance.

Preferably, the lower film strip runs substantially horizontally between the film holder and the forming station. This is not meant to exclude the case where the lower film strip is raised or tilted relative to the vertical between the film holder and the forming station. This means that the lower membrane strip does not twist in itself. Two points located opposite each other on opposite lateral ends of the lower film strip should each lie in a common horizontal plane. By this arrangement, the lower membrane strip can be deflected in a particularly trouble-free and reproducible manner. And by doing so facilitates the introduction of the lower film strip into the production process of the thermoforming packaging machine.

Preferably, the forming station and the insertion rail are arranged one behind the other in the second transport direction. The transport device can be configured to transport the lower film strip from the forming station to the insertion rail along the second transport direction. The lower film strip can then be introduced directly into the production process of the thermoforming packaging machine after deflection by the deflection device. Preferably, the forming station, the insertion rail and the sealing station are arranged one behind the other in the second transport direction. The transport device can be configured to transport the lower film strip in the second transport direction through the forming station to the insertion rail and further to the sealing station.

The forming station and the sealing station can be arranged one behind the other on the frame of the thermoforming packaging machine, in particular can be arranged one behind the other with respect to the second conveying direction. The film holder can be arranged laterally adjacent to the rack with respect to the second transport direction. Thereby, the film holder can be particularly easily accessed for replacing the lower film feeding roller.

In particular, the film holder can be arranged laterally adjacent to the forming station to keep the distance traversed by the lower film as short as possible. However, it would also be possible for the film holder to be arranged laterally adjacent to the pretreatment device or the supply device for the product to be packaged, for example laterally adjacent to a slicer for food products. This also allows for easy access to the membrane holder.

Preferably, the thermoforming packaging machine further comprises a feed conveyor for feeding the products to be packaged to the insertion rail, the feed conveyor running at least partially above the forming station. In particular, the feed conveyor can run parallel to the second conveying direction above the forming station. In combination with this way of feeding the products to be packaged, it is particularly advantageous to arrange the film holders in an offset manner, since it is not necessary to pass the feed conveyor through the entire length of the feed roller.

According to a preferred embodiment, the conveying means are configured to feed the lower film strip to the sealing station in a higher level than the level at which the lower film strip is fed to the forming station.

The conveyor can be configured to raise the lower film strip between the forming station and the sealing station. In particular, the lower film strip can be raised in the region of the insertion rail. When the forming station is lower than the sealing station, it is particularly advantageous to arrange the film holders in an offset manner compared to arranging them directly in front of the forming station in the production direction, since the diameter of the feed rollers that can be used is not limited by the lower elements of the frame.

The first deflection unit and/or the second deflection unit can each comprise a deflection edge for deflecting the lower film strip. The deflecting edges can be positioned obliquely with respect to the first transport direction and the second transport direction, respectively. In particular, the deflecting edges can be uniformly arranged in a horizontal plane. By providing a deflecting edge, the angle and direction of deflection can be clearly defined.

According to an embodiment, the deflection edge can be formed by a deflection roller. This allows to facilitate the guiding of the lower membrane strip.

according to a preferred embodiment, the first deflection unit and/or the second deflection unit comprise an air cushion device configured to space the lower film strip from the deflection edge by forming an air cushion between the deflection edge and the lower film strip when deflected. This enables frictionless or friction-reduced deflection. Thus, the deflection is more accurate and less prone to failure.

Preferably, the second transport direction is parallel or antiparallel to the first transport direction, and furthermore the second transport direction can also be rotated by 0 ° to 10 ° about the second vertical axis relative to the first transport direction. The membrane holder can thus be configured with a certain tolerance in a laterally offset manner. It is also conceivable for the second transport direction to extend parallel or antiparallel to the first transport direction with a certain tolerance, for example for the second transport direction to be rotated by 0 ° to 5 ° about a second vertical axis relative to the first transport direction.

Preferably, the first angle and/or the second angle are adjustable. Thereby, the deflection device can be adjusted to the respective mounting state of the thermoforming packaging machine.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first angle and the second angle are each substantially 90 °. This means that the lower film strip is deflected by approximately 90 ° by the first deflection unit and by the second deflection unit, respectively. The total deflection can be equally divided between the two deflection units. However, it is also possible to distribute the deflection unequally between the two deflection units, for example in order to meet specific installation conditions or space requirements. For example, the first angle and/or the second angle may be between 60 ° and 120 °. It is also conceivable that the first angle and/or the second angle is between 80 ° and 100 °.

Drawings

The invention will be further explained below with the aid of embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a thermoforming packaging machine according to an embodiment with a film holder laterally adjacent to the forming station, seen from above;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view from above of a thermoformed packaging machine according to another embodiment with a film holder laterally adjacent to the slicer;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the thermoform packaging machine of FIG. 1 or 2; and

Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a deflection unit of the thermoforming packaging machine according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show views from above of different embodiments of a thermoforming packaging machine 1 according to the invention. The thermoforming packaging machine 1 comprises a frame 3, at which frame 3 a forming station 5, an insertion rail 7, a sealing station 9 and a cutting station 11 are arranged one behind the other in the production direction P. A conveying device 13 is provided in each case, which is configured to transport the lower film strip 15 in the production direction P through the forming station 5 to the insertion rail 7 further to the sealing station 9 and finally to the cutting station 11.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the thermoforming packaging machine 11 in a viewing direction a (with reference to fig. 1 and 2) applied to the two embodiments of fig. 1 and 2. In the illustrated construction, the conveying device 13 comprises clamping chains 17 at both sides of the lower film strip 15, the clamping chains 17 clamping the lower film strip 17 from both sides with clamping elements 19. The lower film strip 15 can be transported in the production direction P by means of a drive 21 for the gripper chain 17. The clamping chain 17 is guided on both sides between an upper rail 23 and a lower rail 25 of the machine frame 3.

The forming station 5 comprises a forming tool 27 for forming recesses 29 in the lower film strip 15 by thermoforming. The forming tool 27 can in particular comprise a forming tool upper part and a forming tool lower part which can be moved relative to each other with respect to the vertical direction. In the insertion rail 7, the recess 29 can be filled with a product 31 to be packaged. In the embodiment shown, a feed conveyor 33 is provided which conveys the products 31 to be packaged to the insertion rail 7. The feed conveyor 33 receives the products to be packaged 31 (in this case cut food products) from a cutting device (in this case a slicer 35), the slicer 35 being arranged upstream of the forming station 5 with respect to the production direction P. The feed conveyor 33 runs parallel to the production direction P to the insertion rail 7 above the forming station 5. In the embodiment shown, the forward movement of the lower film strip 15 and the feed conveyor 33 are aligned relative to each other so that the products 31 are inserted directly into the recesses 29 in the insertion rail 7. For this purpose, the transport device 13 lifts the lower film strip 15 in the region of the insertion rail 7. The product 31 is inserted into the recess 29 in the following areas: in which the lower film strip 15 rises in the production direction P.

subsequently, the lower film tape 15 with the filled depressions 29 is fed to the sealing station 9. This occurs at a higher level than the feeding of the lower film strip 15 to the forming station 5. The sealing station 9 comprises a sealing tool 35 for closing the recess 29 with an upper film 37. Preferably, the sealing tool 35 comprises a sealing tool upper part and a sealing tool lower part, which are movable in a vertical direction relative to each other.

The lower film web 15 with the closed recesses 29 is fed after sealing to a cutting station 11, which cutting station 11 separates the recesses 29 from the consecutive lower film web 15. In the version shown, the cutting device 11 comprises a transverse cutting device 37 and a longitudinal cutting device 39. Subsequently, the separated finished packages 41 are conveyed away by a removal conveyor 43.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the film holder 45 for receiving the lower film feeding roller 47 is arranged laterally offset with respect to the production direction P. The lower film tape 15 is unwound from a lower film supply roller 47 received in the film holder 45. Since the film holder 45 is laterally offset with respect to the production direction P, the film holder 45 can be reached particularly easily and well in the case where the lower film feed roller 47 has to be replaced. A new feed roller 47 can be brought to the film holder 45 in or against the first transport direction L and can then be inserted into the film holder 45 without rotating.

Although the replacement of the lower film feed roller 47 is facilitated due to the positioning of the film holder 45, it is preferable to use the lower film feed roller 47 having a large amount of material and a large diameter in order to replace the lower film feed roller 47 as little as possible. Since such a lower film feed roller 47 has a large extension in the longitudinal direction, which can be even larger than the extension of the lower film feed roller 47 in the transverse direction, the provision of the film holders 45 sideways compared to the provision of the film holders 45 in the production direction enables a significant shortening of the thermoforming packaging machine 1, which facilitates the use of the thermoforming packaging machine 1 in some places.

The thermoforming packaging machine 1 comprises a deflection device 49 having a first deflection unit 51 and a second deflection unit 53. The first deflection unit 51 is configured to deflect the lower film strip 15 between the film holder 45 and the forming station 5 at a first angle a relative to a first vertical axis V (directed to the plane of the drawing in fig. 1). The second deflection unit 53 is configured to deflect the lower film strip 15 downstream of the first deflection unit 51 at a second angle b relative to the second vertical axis W (directed to the plane of the drawing in fig. 1) between the film holder 45 and the forming station 5. By means of the deflection at the first angle a and the deflection at the second angle b, the transport direction of the lower film strip 15 is deflected from a first transport direction L, in which the lower film strip 15 leaves the film holder 45, to a second transport direction, which in the embodiment shown corresponds to the production direction P.

in the embodiment according to fig. 1, the first transport direction L and the second transport direction P are offset anti-parallel with respect to one another, and the film holder 45 is arranged adjacent to the forming station 5. In the embodiment according to fig. 2, the first transport direction L and the second transport direction P are offset parallel with respect to one another, and the film holder 45 is arranged adjacent to the slicer 35. In both cases, there may be some tolerance. In particular, the second transport direction P may extend parallel or anti-parallel with respect to the first transport direction L, and the second transport direction P may also be rotated about the second vertical axis W by 0 ° to 5 ° or 0 ° to 10 ° with respect to the first transport direction L.

within the meaning of the present description, the first conveying direction L and the second conveying direction P are defined in projection of the thermoforming packaging machine 1 in a view from above. This means that the first transport direction L and/or the second transport direction P may have different inclinations or inclination angles with respect to the vertical direction, as long as the first transport direction L and the second transport direction P are substantially parallel or anti-parallel with respect to the transverse direction.

As shown in fig. 1, in the case of an antiparallel offset of the lower film strips 15, the first angle a and the second angle b together can be at least approximately 180 °. As shown in fig. 2, in the case of a parallel offset of the lower film strips 15, the first angle a and the second angle b may have at least approximately the same value.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first angle a and the second angle b are both substantially 90 °. The lower film strip 15 is thus deflected by approximately 90 ° by the first deflection unit 51 and the second deflection unit 53, respectively, so that the total deflection is equally distributed between the two deflection units 51, 53. However, it is also possible for the deflection to be distributed unequally between the two deflection units 51, 53, for example in order to meet specific installation conditions or space requirements. For example, the first angle a and/or the second angle b may be between 60 ° and 120 °. It is also conceivable that the first angle a and/or the second angle b is between 80 ° and 100 °.

The first and second deflection units 51, 53 each comprise a deflection edge 55, 57 for deflecting the lower film strip 15. The deflecting edges 55, 57 each extend in a horizontal plane and are arranged at a suitable angle with respect to the first transport direction L or the second transport direction P, respectively. The first angle a and the second angle b can be adjusted by appropriately turning the deflecting edges 55, 57.

Fig. 4 shows a possible embodiment of the deflecting edges 55, 57 as a hollow cylinder 59 in a schematic perspective view, wherein the hollow cylinder 59 has pressure air openings 61. The lower membrane strip 15 is folded around the hollow cylinder 59. During deflection, pressure air is blown out of the pressure air openings 61, so that an air cushion is created between the hollow cylinder 59 and the lower membrane strip 15. By this, the lower film strip 15 can be deflected in an at least substantially frictionless manner. The hollow cylinder 59 can be arranged in a rotationally fixed manner or in such a manner that it can rotate about its own axis.

In the illustrated embodiment, only one film holder 45 for receiving the lower film feeding roller 47 is provided, respectively. However, it is also conceivable to provide two or more membrane holders 45. In this case, if the feed roller 47 received in the first film holder 45 is empty, the lower film strip 15 can be simply taken out from the feed roller 47 provided in the other film holder. By doing so, it is possible to reduce interruption in the work due to replacement of the lower film supply roller 47. For example, an additional membrane holder 45 may be provided behind the membrane holder 45 as shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2, respectively, for replacement work. It is also conceivable to combine the embodiments shown in fig. 1 and 2, with the result that two membrane holders 45 are provided simultaneously for selective use. In this case, two deflection devices 49 (one for each film holder 45) or switchable deflection devices 49 may be provided.

Claims

1. A thermoforming packaging machine (1) having:

A film holder (45) for receiving a lower film feed roller (47);

A forming station (5) having a forming tool (27) for forming a depression (29) in the lower film strip (15) by thermoforming;

An insert rail (7) for filling the recess (29) with a product (31);

A sealing station (9) having a sealing tool (35) for sealing the recess (29) with an upper film (37); and

A conveying device (13) configured to transport the lower film strip (15) through the forming station (5) to the insertion rail (7) and further to the sealing station (9),

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

The thermoforming packaging machine further comprising a deflection device (49), the deflection device (49) having a first deflection unit (51) and a second deflection unit (53), the first deflection unit (51) being configured to deflect the lower film strip (15) at a first angle (a) relative to a first vertical axis (V) between the film holder (45) and the forming station (5), the second deflection unit (53) being configured to deflect the lower film strip (15) at a second angle (b) relative to a second vertical axis (W) between the film holder (45) and the forming station (5) such that a transport direction of the lower film strip (15) is changed from a first transport direction (L) to a second transport direction (P) by a deflection at the first angle (a) and a deflection at the second angle (b), wherein the lower film strip (15) leaves the film holder (45) in the first transport direction (L), the second transport direction (P) is offset substantially parallel or substantially anti-parallel with respect to the first transport direction (L).

2. A thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the lower film strip (15) runs at least substantially horizontally between the film holder (45) and the forming station (5).

3. thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said forming station (5), said insertion rail (7) and optionally said sealing station (9) are arranged one after the other along said second transfer direction (P).

4. Thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the thermoforming packaging machine (1) comprises a frame (3), the forming station (5) and the sealing station (9) being configured one after the other on the frame (3), the film holder (45) being arranged laterally adjacent to the frame (3) with respect to the second conveying direction (P).

5. A thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises a feeding conveyor (33), the feeding conveyor (33) being for feeding the products to be packaged (31) to the insertion rail (7), the feeding conveyor (33) running at least partially above the forming station (5).

6. A thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means (13) are configured to feed the lower film strip (15) to the sealing station (9) at a level higher than the level at which the lower film strip (15) is fed to the forming station (5).

7. A thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the conveying means (13) are configured to lift the lower film strip (15) between the forming station (5) and the sealing station (9).

8. Thermoforming packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first deflection unit (51) and/or the second deflection unit (53) comprise deflection edges (55, 57) for deflecting the lower film strip (15).

9. Thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the deflection rim (55, 57) is formed by a deflection roller.

10. thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second conveying direction (P) extends parallel or anti-parallel to the first conveying direction (L), in addition to which the second conveying direction (P) can also be rotated by 0 ° to 10 ° about the second vertical axis (W) with respect to the first conveying direction (L).

11. A thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first angle (a) and/or the second angle (b) are adjustable.

12. A thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first angle (a) and/or the second angle (b) is between 60 ° and 120 °.

13. A thermoforming packaging machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the first angle (a) and/or the second angle (b) is between 80 ° and 100 °.