EP0710605B1 - Method and device for maximising the unit rate of a vacuum packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to vacuum packaging technology and especially the cycle speed or cycle speed of a vacuum packaging machine to maximize.

Vacuum packaging brings the application of vacuum inside an airtight container with a product is filled with itself. The use of vacuum packaging technology has increased significantly in recent years especially in the food packaging industry.

A typical vacuum packaging machine uses a modular one System with the following work stations: a container forming station; a product filling station; a sealing station; and a Container separation station. A lower film web is in operation fed to the container forming station, where it is divided into a unit of Containers is molded. The containers are transported by a conveyor transported to the product filling station, where the Product is added. The containers filled with the product are then transported to the sealing station, where negative pressure or vacuum and heat are applied to seal one upper film web with the container unit. The sealed Containers are then transported to the separation station, where the separate container from the unit or cut off become.

As with any production system, it is important that the vacuum packaging system work at the highest possible speed, thus increasing the yield and therefore the profitability becomes. According to conventional knowledge one would order the production rate of a modular system, simply maximize that Operating speed of the stations constituting the system increase. However, since it is essential, sufficient Time for the evacuation phase of the vacuum packaging system grant, it is not possible only the total speed of transport through the packaging plant to increase one to effect maximum production.

Most often, and especially with food products, can Air bubbles are loaded with the product or between Pieces of the product are enclosed in the container. An accelerated evacuation of air is removed from the container this trapped air is not adequate. Improper accelerated evacuation has at least three problems: first, the residual air inside the container causes the product expands during evacuation. If those Expansion is not limited, the product can spread and overflow into the sealing areas of the container, which causes sealing errors. Seal errors can be a Product contamination that may result is harmful to the consumer. The second result is Failure to remove this residual air in an elevated Moisture inside the container. The increased moisture promotes a cooling effect during evacuation and inhibits the hermetic sealing of the container, which also leads to Sealing errors contributes. Third, the presence increases of trapped air in the product is the probability contamination of the product due to the presence of floating bacteria and germ carriers in the ambient air. To ensure that within the product trapped air does not occur, it is critical that the evacuation phase of the vacuum packaging system gradually is carried out over a relatively considerable period of time.

Thus, there is a dilemma in the vacuum packaging industry between maximizing the cycle speed of the vacuum packaging system on the one hand and ensuring adequate Evacuation and proper vacuum sealing on the other hand. The present invention addresses this dilemma and solve it.

A vacuum packaging machine is described in EP 0 232 931 A2 the preamble of claims 1 and 19 and a method according to the preamble of claim 11 known.

In the known machine there are two in each work station successive packs processed in the feed direction.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, a packaging machine and a method to provide vacuum packaging of a product at which the profitability is improved in profitability and in particular maximized at or at the cycle speed without correct evacuation and sealing of the container to endanger. A vacuum packaging machine is also to be provided, that can work at an increased speed without that the likelihood of contamination of the product within of the container is increased.

Furthermore, a method and an apparatus for increasing the Operating speed of a vacuum packaging machine provided be without a proportional increase in the Operating costs occur.

The object is achieved by a method according to claim 11 and by a device according to claim 1 and 19 respectively.

In the preferred embodiment, the film is from the bottom Film web feed in the container forming station or deep drawing station, which has a plurality of shapes or advanced. The lower film web is then with brought into contact with the molds, using vacuum or vacuum is used to form a unit of product containers after each setting mark or after each feed of the conveyor. The unit of containers is then placed in the product loading station advanced where the product is either by hand or mechanically into the unit of containers after each feed step the conveyor is loaded. The container unit, which contains the product is then in the Sealing station transported, which a press ram or Lower stamp with a capacity to seal at least has two container units simultaneously. In the sealing station are at least two container units, which the Product included, sealed to the top sheet, where Heat and vacuum after every second setting mark or every second feed step of the conveyor can be used. The sealed container unit is then transferred to a separation station lined up or advanced where they are separated into individual containers becomes.

Further features and advantages of the invention result itself from the description of exemplary embodiments on the basis of the Characters. The same reference numerals are used to identify the same Parts have been used in different views.

Fig. 1 eine seitliche Vertikalschnittansicht der Vakuumverpakungsmaschine der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2 eine vergrößerte Teilansicht der Behälterformstation, welche durch die mit dem Bezugszeichen 2 in Fig. 1 gekennzeichnete gestrichelte Linie umschrieben ist und die die Unterfolienbahn zeigt, welches mit einem Heizelement vor dem Formen in Kontakt gebracht wird;

Fig. 3 eine vergrößerte Teilansicht der Formstation in Fig. 2, welche die untere Folienbahn zeigt, die durch die Vakuumeinrichtung in die Behälterform gezogen wird;

Fig. 4 eine vergrößerte perspektivische Teilansicht einer Einheit mit zwei Behältern mit einer Seite an Seite angrenzenden Anordnung vor der Einführung des Produktes;

Fig. 5 eine vergrößerte vertikale Teilschnittansicht der Produktfüll- bzw. Ladestation, welche durch die gestrichelte Linie 5 in Fig. 1 eingegrenzt ist und welche Quader bzw. Stäbe eines Produktes zeigt, die mechanisch in einen der Behälter der Behältereinheit in der Füllstation eingebracht werden;

Fig. 6 eine vergrößerte seitliche Vertikalansicht der Siegelstation, die durch die gestrichelte Linie 6 in Fig. 1 umschrieben ist und die den Siegelstempel zeigt, der zwei nebeneinander liegende Behältereinheiten in der Siegelstation einschließt und die ebenso die Luft zeigt, die von dem geschlossenen Stempel durch die Evakuierungsdurchführungen evakuiert wird;

Fig. 7 eine seitliche vertikale Teilschnittansicht der Siegelstation von Fig. 6 und welche das Thermosiegelelement zeigt, das mit der oberen Folienbahn über die zwei Behältereinheiten in der Siegelstation in Kontakt gebracht worden ist, wobei die obere Folienbahn mit den Rändern des Behälters versiegelt werden;

Fig. 8 eine seitliche vertikale Teilschnittansicht der Siegelstation von Fig. 6, die das Thermosiegelelement zeigt, wie es von den zwei Behältereinheiten angehoben wird;

Fig. 9 eine vergrößerte perspektivische Teilansicht von zwei versiegelten Behältern, wobei die obere Folienbahn des ersten Behälters weggebrochen ist, um das Produkt innerhalb des Behälters zu zeigen;

Fig. 10 eine seitliche vertikale Teilschnittansicht einer alternativen Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung, welche eine Zufuhr von vorgeformten Produktbehältern zeigt, die in einem aufrechten Magazin anstelle einer Produktformstation gehalten sind; und

Fig. 11 ein schematisches Diagramm der Steuerschaltung der vorliegenden Erfindung, welche den Betrieb der Stationen der Vakuumverpackungsmaschine koordiniert.

From the figures show:

1 is a side vertical sectional view of the vacuum packaging machine of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the container forming station, which is circumscribed by the dashed line denoted by the reference number 2 in Fig. 1, and which shows the bottom film web, which is brought into contact with a heating element before molding;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial view of the forming station in Fig. 2, showing the lower sheet of film being drawn into the container form by the vacuum device;

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a unit with two containers with a side-by-side arrangement prior to the introduction of the product;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical partial sectional view of the product filling or loading station, which is delimited by the dashed line 5 in FIG. 1 and which shows cuboids or rods of a product which are mechanically introduced into one of the containers of the container unit in the filling station;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side vertical view of the sealing station, which is circumscribed by the dashed line 6 in Fig. 1, and which shows the sealing stamp, which includes two juxtaposed container units in the sealing station and which also shows the air passing through from the closed stamp the evacuation operations are evacuated;

Fig. 7 is a partial vertical side sectional view of the sealing station of Fig. 6 and showing the thermal sealing element which has been brought into contact with the upper film web via the two container units in the sealing station, the upper film web being sealed to the edges of the container;

Fig. 8 is a partial vertical sectional side view of the sealing station of Fig. 6, showing the thermal seal member being lifted from the two container units;

Figure 9 is an enlarged partial perspective view of two sealed containers with the top sheet of the first container broken away to show the product within the container;

Figure 10 is a partial vertical sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a supply of preformed product containers held in an upright magazine rather than a product forming station; and

11 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit of the present invention that coordinates the operation of the stations of the vacuum packaging machine.

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG Vacuum packaging machine of the present invention in general marked with the reference number 10. The machine 10 has a container forming station 12, a product loading station or filling station 14, a sealing station 16, a separation station 18 and a conveyor device 20 or transport device.

The conveyor 20 moves gradually in spaced Intervals or at intervals with a certain distance along the length of the machine 10. Preferably, the Conveyor 20 a track with compartments 22 with one dimension to take up the bottom surface of the container and one electric motor 24 or other prime mover to move of compartments 22 along their feed path. It's clear, that other transport devices prove to be applicable can to guide the containers through the stations and therefore fall within the scope of the invention.

The machine 10 has a feed roller 26 for the lower film web which is arranged at one end of the machine 10 is. The lower film web 28, which is output from the roll 26 has a thermoformable and heat-sealable packaging material which is well known to those skilled in the art. The Roller 26 is preferably rotatably mounted on an axis 30, which is arranged in a horizontal plane.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the container forming station 12 will now be described in more detail. The station 12 has a plurality of molds 32, which generally correspond to the shape of the product containers to have. A heating element 34 is positioned over the molds 32 and lies above the upper film web 28, which by the Conveying device 20 advanced into the forming station 12 or is transported. The form 32 is inside of the container forming stamp or the lower chamber part 36 defined lies under the heating element 34 and the lower film web 28. A Feedthrough 38 is arranged within the die 36 and connects the form 32 to a vacuum system 40. The vacuum system 40 is intended for generating negative pressure, where it removes air from the mold 32 and creates excess pressure, filling mold 32 with compressed air. Station 12 forms a unit 42 which has a plurality of containers 44 having. The unit 42 normally has two containers 44 on, but can also have more than two containers. As in 4, the container 44 has side walls 46, one Bottom 48 and a flat, outwardly projecting rim 50 on. However, the present invention can take any form a container 44 can be used.

The product 52 is placed in the containers in the product filling station 14 44 introduced. The product 52 can be made by mechanical means, as shown in Fig. 5, or manually, depending on how the properties of product 52 require it. It is sufficient that any filling device that is suitable is to introduce the product 52 into the container 44 is considered by the present invention.

The containers 44 containing the product 52 are in the Sealing station 16 vacuum sealed. The sealing station 16 is like this designed to have at least two units 42 of containers 44 can seal at the same time. The units of containers lie one behind the other in the feed direction. The sealing station 16 has a sealing stamp or a lower chamber part 54 which lies under a thermal sealing element 56 and an upper film feed roller 58, which holds the upper film web 59. The Stamp 54 has at least one evacuation duct 60, those with the vacuum system 40 or alternatively with a separate one Vacuum system (not shown) is connected.

The sealed containers 44 of the unit 42 are in the Separation station or cutting station 18 separated into individual containers. In the separation station, the unit 42 is divided into individual containers 44 by a mechanical knife (not shown) or separated another suitable separating device.

The control circuit of machine 10 is more schematic in FIG. 11 Shown form and identified by reference numeral 62. In its simplest form, the control circuit 62 has one Start / stop switch 64, a controller or a control device 66 and appropriate lines 68 between the controller 66 and the conveyor motor 24 and the start / stop switch 64 on. Control lines 68 also extend from the controller 66 to the container forming station 12, the product filling station 14, the vacuum system 40, the sealing station 16 and the separation station 18. Controller 66 can be a hardwired logic Circuit, a microprocessor or other equivalent Setup to enable and disable the above described stations. Preferably, the controller 66 a microprocessor to feed the conveyor 20 along the spaced intervals and for activation and disabling the various stations at predetermined ones Times is pre-programmed.

In operation, the conveyor 20 is operated by the controller 66 activated, the lower film web 28 when you put it in Fig. 1 considered, advancing or transported from right to left. When the web 28 passes the container forming station 12, controller 66 holds conveyor 20 for a moment on. The container form stamp 36 is then placed under the heating element 34 raised with a seal between the heating element 34, the lower web 28 and the stamp 36 is generated. Compressed air or another gas is in the stamp 36 through the Bushing 38 let in through the vacuum system 40, which causes that the lower film web 28 with the heating element 34 in Is brought into contact. When the bottom film web 28 heats up has been that it is sufficiently malleable, vacuum is applied to the Stamp 36 created through bushing 38, which causes the web 28 is drawn into the product container molds 32, then the web 28 is adapted to the shape of the molds 32. The stamp 36 then lowers from the heating element 34 and the molded unit 42 of containers 44 is carried by the conveyor 20 advanced into the product filling station 14.

In the product filling station 14, the product is divided into the individual Container 44 of unit 42 by mechanical or manual means introduced after each feed step of the conveyor 20. When filled, the unit 42 becomes containers 44 advanced by the conveyor 20 into the sealing station 16.

Activated after every second feed step of the conveyor device 20 the controller 66 the sealing station 14. However, it is so that when the seal stamp 54 is designed so that it vacuum seal more than two units 42 of containers 44 can, the controller 66, the sealing station 14 only after the corresponding Number of feed steps activated. For example, if the punch 54 is designed to be four units 42 of containers 44 can be vacuum sealed, activates the Controller the sealing station 16 after every fourth feed step the conveyor 20.

Upon activation, the stamp 44 becomes the thermal sealing element 56 raised, creating an airtight seal between the sealing stamp 54 of the upper film web 59 and the thermal sealing element 56 is generated. In closed Position an evacuation chamber 50 through the seal stamp 54 formed. The vacuum system 40 is activated to Evacuate air from chamber 50 through the evacuation duct 60, creating a vacuum in chamber 50 becomes. When the desired level of evacuation is reached the thermal sealing element 56 is placed on the upper film web 59 lowered, the web 59 on the edges 50 of the container 44 is pressed. The thermal sealing member 56 seals the sheet 59 hermetically to the edges 50. When the Sealing is finished, the thermal sealing element 56 raised from the sealed containers 44 and the seal stamp 54 is ventilated through the evacuation duct 60. The sealing stamp 54 is then lowered. The controller 66 then causes the sealed containers to be transported further 44 through the conveyor 20 into the separation station 18, where the units 42 are separated into individual containers 44.

If circumstances require, inert gas can be used during the sealing phase be backwashed into chamber 50. More accurate Said, a modified atmosphere can be introduced into chamber 50 after it has been evacuated, but before the thermal sealing member 56 is applied to the upper sheet 59 has been. The effect of backwashing is with the container 44 to fill a gas that does not have the problems of pollution and the committee, which is linked to the ambient air are. Backwashing is also beneficial to prevent that the container 44 breaks a sensitive product or compress it when the seal stamp 54 is ventilated becomes.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 10 and identified by reference numeral 110. In this embodiment, the machine uses 110 a different shape of the container forming station 112. The containers 144 of machine 110 are preformed and preferably in an upright magazine 170 above the conveyor 120 saved. The preformed containers 144 are either individually or in multi-container units on the conveyor 120 output in response to controller 66. When dispensed onto conveyor 120, are the containers 144 filled with the product, vacuum sealed and separated in essentially the same way as it does in connection has been described with the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides a simple and profound one Progress in vacuum packaging technology increased cycle speed and efficiency of the present Invention is probably best by comparing theirs Cycle speed at the speed of known vacuum packaging machines illustrated. The ones discussed below Times are representative and are for comparison purposes only thought. In addition, for practical reasons only individual container packaging times compared. However, it is so that multi-container units, as in the preferred embodiment was shown to increase production proportionally.

The minimum is in existing vacuum packaging machines Time to open and close the container shape and the Seal stamp is required, along with the feed of the Conveyor approximately 1.5 seconds per cycle. The Container shape phase requires at least approximately 2.25 seconds per cycle. The product filling requires approximately 2.25 Seconds. The minimum time for adequate vacuum sealing the container is approximately 7 seconds. The separation the container from each other takes approximately 1 second. There the stations of the existing machines work simultaneously, the cycle speed is calculated as stamp and Conveyor movement time (1.5 seconds) plus vacuum sealing time (7 seconds), which is 8.5 seconds per cycle or 7 corresponds to individual containers that are packed per minute.

However, the present invention stretches the time consuming Sealing phase over at least two feeds of the conveyor. In other words, there are two units at the same time are sealed, the vacuum sealing time is essentially reduced by half. The present invention would the movement time in the system by adding an additional one Cycle every second station and the associated one Double funding time. The cycle speed of the present Invention can be calculated as follows: first movement time (1.5 seconds) plus simultaneous form, fill and cutting time (2.25 seconds) plus second movement time (1.5 Seconds) plus sealing time (7 seconds). The resulting one Operating speed of the present invention would two complete cycles in 12.25 seconds or 9.79 individual Containers that are sealed per minute. The invention creates almost three additional individual containers per minute compared to the existing machines of the prior art, which means an increase in production of over 28 percent.

The increased cycle speed of the present invention does not affect the sealing integrity of the packaging disadvantageously, it still increases the likelihood of contamination or the product committee. In addition, the present achieved Invention this significantly improved efficiency without significant increase in machine costs. Indeed the only one additional output associated with the machine on the larger seal stamp and the larger thermal sealing element. So the leap in efficiency goes through the present invention does not have a proportional increase in operating costs for the user.

In a further embodiment, the packaging machine has a frame, a transport device for the passage of packaging containers from an input side of the packaging machine to the output side with a plurality of work stations with at least one filling station and a sealing station, as viewed from the input side to the output side. A control is provided for the cycle time t ₁ in which the work stations are operated, wherein t _{1 is} at least equal to the time which corresponds to the longest work time of all work stations.

The control is designed so that after each cycle time t ₁ at least one cycle time t ₂ comes before the next cycle time t ₁ , where t _{2 is} less than t ₁ .

The work station, which corresponds to the cycle time t ₁ , is designed such that at least two packs can be processed simultaneously in the work station when viewed in the feed direction. The number of packs is equal to the number of consecutive cycle times t ₂ .

As described in the previous exemplary embodiments, the named work station is the sealing station.

However, it should be understood that the work station to which the cycle time t ₁ corresponds can also be any other work station of the packaging machine, for example the container forming station.

From what has been said, it seems that the invention is good is capable of all the goals and tasks outlined above along with other advantages that are obvious and are based in the system, achieved or solved.

It is to be understood that certain characteristics and sub-combinations are useful and without reference to other features and Sub-combinations can be applied. This is through takes into account the claims and is within the scope of protection of claims.

As many possible embodiments are made from the invention can be without leaving their protected area to understand that everything that has been presented here and shown in the accompanying drawings, for illustration only and not interpreted in a restrictive sense shall be.

Claims (20)

1. Packaging machine for vacuum-sealing a product in a plurality of containers which are arranged in units of containers located one beside the other, having:

   a station (12, 112) for providing individual units (42) of containers (44), which are intended for receiving a product;

   a feeding arrangement (58) for feeding a top-sheet web (59);

   a product-filling station (14) in which the product is introduced into one of the container units;

   a sealing station (16) in which at least two units (42) of containers can be sealed at the same time, the top-sheet web (59) being positioned against the units of containers, which contain the product;

   a conveying arrangement (20, 120) for advancing the units of containers through the stations; and

   a controller (66) for coordinating the operation of the vacuum-packaging machine (10, 110),

   characterized in that the controller has an arrangement for selectively activating the conveying arrangement (20, 120) for the stepwise advancement of the units at spaced-apart intervals through the stations, an arrangement for activating the product-filling station following each advancement step of the conveying arrangement, while the conveying arrangement is stopped, and an arrangement for activating the sealing station following at least two advancement steps of the conveying arrangement, while the conveying arrangement is stopped, wherein the period of time for which the conveying arrangement is stopped when the sealing station is activated is longer than the period of time for which the conveying arrangement is stopped when the product-filling station is activated.
2. Packaging machine according to Claim 1, characterized by a separating station (18) in which the units of containers are separated into individual containers.
3. Packaging machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container station has a container-moulding station (12) with a plurality of moulds (32) and a feeding arrangement (26) for a bottom-sheet web (28), wherein the bottom-sheet web is brought into contact with the moulds (32) for the purpose of moulding one of the units of containers, which are intended for receiving the product.
4. Packaging machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a magazine arrangement (170) which is intended for discharging the pre-moulded containers (144) onto the conveying arrangement (120) in response to the controller (66).
5. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sealing station (16) has a bottom part (54) which can be moved selectively from a closed position, in which at least two of the units (42) of containers are enclosed within a chamber which is sealed in an essentially air-tight manner and is formed in part by the bottom part (54), and an open position, in which the units of containers can be moved without obstruction along the conveying arrangement into the sealing station and out of the same.
6. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sealing station (16) has an evacuating arrangement (60) for the purpose of removing air from the chamber when the bottom part is in the closed position.
7. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sealing station (16) has a flushing-back arrangement for the purpose of introducing a modified atmosphere into the chamber while the bottom part (54) is in the closed position, once the air has been removed by the evacuating arrangement, with the result that subsequently sealed units (42) of containers contain the modified atmosphere.
8. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sealing station (16) has a heating arrangement (56) for the purpose of sealing the top-sheet web (59) with the units (42) of containers (44) within the die while the bottom part is located in the closed position.
9. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the product-filling station (14) has a charging arrangement for the purpose of filling the unit of containers with a product.
10. Packaging machine according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the controller (66) has an arrangement for activating the container-moulding station (12) following each advancement step of the conveying arrangement, while the conveying arrangement is stopped.
11. Process for vacuum-packing a product in a system which has a container station (12, 112), wherein the containers are intended for receiving a product and are arranged in units of containers located one beside the other, and also has a sheet-web-feeding arrangement (58), a product-filling station (14), a sealing station (16) with a bottom part (54) for simultaneously sealing at least two units of containers and with a heating arrangement (56) and an evacuating arrangement, and additionally has a conveying arrangement (20, 120), having the following steps:

    advancement of the unit (42) of containers (44, 144) by the conveying arrangement (20, 120) into the filling station (14);

    introduction of the product into the unit of containers following each advancement step of the conveying arrangement, during a period t₂;

    advancement of the unit of containers, which contain the product, into the sealing station;

    sealing of at least two of the units of containers, which contain the product, with the sheet web (59) and use of vacuum and heat following at least two advancement steps of the conveying arrangement, during a period t₁, wherein t₂ is shorter than t₁.
12. Process according to Claim 11, characterized in that provided in the system are a feeding arrangement (26) for a bottom-sheet web (28) and a feeding arrangement (58) for a top-sheet web (59) as well as a container-moulding station (12) with a plurality of moulds (32) located one beside the other and with a vacuum arrangement (40),

    wherein the bottom-sheet web (28) is advanced at spaced-apart intervals by the conveying arrangement (20) into the container-moulding station (12); and

    the bottom-sheet web (28) is moulded into a unit (42) of product containers, using the vacuum arrangement and the moulds, following each advancement step of the conveying arrangement, while the conveying arrangement is stopped, and at least two of the units of containers, which contain the product, are sealed simultaneously with the top-sheet web, using the heating arrangement and the evacuating arrangement, following at least two advancement steps of the conveying arrangement, while the conveying arrangement is stopped.
13. Process according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the sealing step has a closing step for the bottom part (54), wherein at least two of the units of containers are enclosed in an air-tight chamber which is formed in part by the bottom part.
14. Process according to Claim 13, characterized in that the sealing step includes the use of the evacuating arrangement for the purpose of removing air from the closed chamber.
15. Process according to Claim 14, characterized in that the sealing step includes a step for introducing a modified atmosphere into the closed chamber in which essentially no more air is present.
16. Process according to one of Claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the sealing step also has a step for heating the sheet web (59) with the heating arrangement (56) and for bringing the heated sheet web into contact with the units of containers for the purpose of sealing the units with the sheet web.
17. Process according to one of Claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the sealing step has a step for opening the bottom part for the purpose of allowing unobstructed movement of the units of containers along the conveying arrangement into the sealing station and out of the same.
18. Process according to one of Claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the containers are separated following the sealing of the container units.
19. Packaging machine for producing sealed packs, having a frame, having an arrangement for guiding pack containers from an inlet side of the packaging machine to the outlet side, having a plurality of operating stations, as seen from the inlet side to the outlet side, with at least one filling station and one sealing station and a controller for the cycle time at which the operating stations are operated, wherein a cycle time t₁ is at least equal to the time which corresponds to the longest operating time of all of the operating stations, wherein the operating station to which the cycle time t₁ corresponds is designed such that, as seen in the advancement direction, at least two packs can be processed simultaneously in the operating station, wherein the number of packs is equal to the number of successive cycle times t₂,
    characterized in that the controller is designed such that, following each cycle time t₁, at least one cycle time t₂ comes before the next cycle time t₁, wherein t₂ is shorter than t₁.
20. Packaging machine according to Claim 19, characterized in that said operating station is the sealing station.

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