EP3315423B1 - Deep draw packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

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

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

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

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

From the WO 2014/013310 A1 a filling station for filling longitudinally conveyed blister strips with tablets is known. The filling station comprises a filling belt running around the blister strip to be filled, in which openings are provided for individually receiving the tablets to be packaged. A lower run of the filling belt runs along the transport direction over the blister strip. The tablets are tilted from above onto the lower run by means of a tube and come into the openings of the filling belt with the help of suitable arrangements to lie down. In a upstream receiving area, the tablets are prevented from falling into the blister pack by a plate provided under the lower run. The plate ends in an unloading area so that the tablets can fall into the recesses underneath the blister strip. The transport level of the blister strip is raised in the area of the filling station.

From the DE 30 20 633 A1 and the DE 31 18 946 A1 Thermoforming packaging machines are known which have complete cutting stations in order to separate several packages from a film composite. The cut packaging remains on support elements and is then transported out of the complete cutting station onto a conveyor belt by means of a subsequent preference of the residual film grid, which transports the packaging out of the thermoforming packaging machine or onwards.

The disadvantage here is that the packaging is conveyed to a subsequent work process on the conveyor belt in an uncontrolled manner. In addition, due to the conveyor belt adjoining the complete cutting station, the total length of the arrangement can become relatively large, so that the arrangement cannot be used in confined spaces.

It is an object of the invention to provide a thermoforming packaging machine which has a simple design and enables efficient delivery of products to be packaged and / or efficient removal of filled and closed packages.

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

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

One focus of the invention is, in particular, to improve the accessibility for feeding products to be packaged and / or for removing finished packaging. According to the principle on which the invention is based, this can be done in a largely analogous manner with regard to the feeding and removal of elements (products to be packaged or pre-packaged products) can be reached while the thermoforming packaging machine is in operation.

In a thermoforming packaging machine according to a variant of the invention, the film transport surface between the molding station and the sealing station comprises a first area rising along the transport direction. Downstream of this first rising area with respect to the transport direction, the film transport surface between the molding station and the sealing station comprises a first falling area. The information "rising" and "falling" can be understood in the sense of the invention in comparison to a horizontal plane. An “increasing” area of the film transport surface is then to be understood as an area in which a vertical height of the film transport surface increases as it progresses along the transport direction. A "descending" area represents an area over which the vertical height of the film transport surface decreases as it progresses along the transport direction.

With the increase in the film transport area in the first rising area, it is achieved that the film transport area is increased compared to a side frame of a machine frame of the thermoforming packaging machine, which can carry the molding station and the sealing station, for example. This improves the accessibility of the film transport surface for the transfer of the products to be packaged into the troughs formed in the bottom film, since the side frame of the machine frame is no longer or at least less in the way. Because the first sloping area is arranged downstream of the first rising area along the transport direction, there can be a hill-like increase in the film transport area. In the area of the hill-like elevation, the film transport surface is particularly easily accessible from the side as well as from the front and rear (with regard to the transport direction). It is therefore easier to transfer products to be packaged into the troughs of the bottom film. In particular, products to be packaged can be implemented from several sides, in particular simultaneously, in the fully accessible high-access area in depressions in the bottom film. Due to the sloping area, the film transport surface can advantageously be brought back to the same height level at which it was located in front of the rising area. The forming station and the sealing station can then lie in a common horizontal plane in which the bottom film is fed to them. It is not necessary to raise the machine frame, for example in the area of the sealing station, in order to compensate for the increase in the bottom film in the first rising area.

As an alternative (as a further variant of the invention) or in addition to the first rising area and the first falling area of the film transport surface, the thermoforming packaging machine can be designed in such a way that the film transport surface between the sealing station and the cutting station comprises a second region rising along the transport direction and with respect to the transport direction after the cutting station includes a second sloping area.

When the film transport area is raised by the second rising area, the film transport area at the cutting station can be increased compared to a side frame of a machine frame of the thermoforming packaging machine, so that the side frame does not stand in the way of access in the area of the cutting station. Due to the second rising area and the second falling area, there can be a hill-like increase in the film transport area in the area of the cutting station, which allows particularly good access in the area of the cutting station both laterally and from the front and rear (with regard to the transport direction). As a result, the filled, closed and separated packaging can be removed and implemented particularly efficiently by the thermoforming packaging machine.

A packaging machine according to the invention can have both the first rising area and the first falling area and the second rising area and the second falling area. However, it is also conceivable that only the first rising area and the first falling area are provided and the removal area for the filled and closed packages is at least partially realized in some other way. It would also be conceivable that only the second rising area and the second falling area are provided and the supply area for the products to be packaged is at least partially realized in another way.

Both with regard to the described measures for making the supply area for products to be packaged and the described measures for making the removal area for the packaging accessible, the local accessibility of the film transport plane is improved by means of a hill-like elevation formed by a rising area and a falling area of the film transport area.

The forming station and the sealing station can be arranged in a common horizontal plane. This can mean that the bottom film of the forming station and the sealing station is fed in a common horizontal plane. The molding station and the sealing station can both be arranged on a simply shaped machine frame, for example. With regard to the film transport direction downstream of the second sloping area, a packaging discharge device can be provided parallel to the transport direction for discharging filled and closed packages. With the second sloping area, the film transport surface can be brought to a height of the packaging discharge device which is conveying parallel to the transport direction. In particular, due to the second sloping area, the packaging discharge device conveying parallel to the transport direction can be arranged essentially at a height which corresponds to the height of the film transport plane in front of the second rising area. The packaging discharge device conveying parallel to the transport direction therefore does not have to be increased due to the second rising area of the film transport surface.

The film transport surface preferably comprises a first flat area between the first rising area and the first falling area. The first flat area can include the insertion section for filling the troughs in the bottom film with products. The first flat area advantageously adjoins the first rising area along the transport direction and the first falling area adjoins the first flat area.

In an analogous manner, a second flat area of the film transport surface can be provided between the second rising area and the second falling area in the area of the cutting device. The second flat area advantageously adjoins the second rising area along the transport direction and the second falling area directly adjoins the second flat area.

The first and / or second flat area of the film transport surface enclosed by a rising and a falling area can be raised like a hill and can therefore be particularly easily accessible from all sides. This can simplify the transfer of the products to be packaged into the troughs of the lower film (first flat area) and / or the removal of the finished packaging (second flat area).

The thermoforming packaging machine can comprise a machine frame with a side frame having an upper interfering edge. The film transport surface can be guided through the first rising area and / or the second rising area to a height above the interference edge of the side frame. It is thus achieved that, after the first rising area and / or the second rising area, the film transport area is higher than the interference edge of the side frame and the accessibility of the film transport area in the relevant areas is further increased.

Concerning. In the transport direction before the first rising area and / or after the first falling area, the film transport surface can lie below the interference edge of the side frame. As a result, the lower film is protected within the side frame. In particular, movable elements of the transport device for moving the lower film along the transport direction are protected against unintentional access by the side frame.

A first and / or a second product feed device can be provided for feeding products to be packaged. It would be conceivable that the first and / or the second product feed device conveys the products parallel to the transport direction. Due to the first rising area of the film transport level, such product feed devices, particularly above the side frame of the machine frame in the area of the insertion section, could be brought particularly close to the film transport surface, as a result of which the products could be implemented particularly efficiently in the troughs in the bottom film. For some applications, on the other hand, it is particularly advantageous if the first and / or the second product feed device conveys the products transversely to the transport direction and runs at least in regions over the film transport surface. In particular, the first and / or the second product feed device can cross the film transport surface transversely to the transport direction. Product feed devices conveying transversely to the transport direction have the advantage over product feed devices conveying along the transport direction that, for example, a plurality of products can be simultaneously implemented along the entire transverse extent of the bottom film by means of a suitable gripper device. In the case of manual transfer from the product feed devices into the troughs of the bottom film, transversely conveying product feed devices have the advantage that, in contrast to longitudinally conveying product feed devices, they do not hinder the access of an operator standing to the side of the thermoforming packaging machine to the insertion section.

The first rising and the first falling area of the film transport surface allow a particularly close approach of transversely conveying product feeding devices to the film transport level in the area of the insertion section. For example, the first product feed device can cross the film transport surface in the area of the first rising area and the second product feed device can cross the film transport area in the area of the first falling area. The first product feed device can cross the film transport surface in front of the first flat region with respect to the transport direction and can be, for example, less than 5 cm or less than 10 cm in the direction of the transport direction from the first flat region. The second product feeder can Cross the film transport surface following the first flat area and be spaced, for example, less than 5 cm or less than 10 cm along the transport direction from the first flat area. Transport surfaces of the first and / or the second product feed device for receiving the products to be packaged can be at least substantially at the level of the film transport level between the first rising area and the first falling area. In particular, the transport surfaces can be at least substantially at the level of the first flat area. A vertical height difference between the transport surfaces of the first and / or the second product feed device and the film transport surface in the first flat region can be, for example, less than 1 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 3 cm or less than 5 cm. In this way, the distance to be covered when the products are moved into the troughs can be further minimized.

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

In addition or as an alternative to the packaging discharge device conveying parallel to the transport direction described above, a first and / or a second packaging discharge device conveying transversely to the transport direction can be provided for discharging filled and closed packages, each of which runs at least in regions over the film transport surface. Filled, sealed and separated packaging from the cutting station can be transferred individually or in groups manually or automatically to the cross-conveying packaging discharge devices. For example, the packaging can be transferred to the transversely conveying packaging discharge devices by means of one or more grippers. The first and / or the second packaging discharge device conveying transversely to the transport direction can cross the film transport surface. On the transversely conveying packaging discharge devices, packaging can preferably be implemented simultaneously over the entire width of the film transport surface. The packaging removal devices can be designed as packaging removal belts. However, it is also possible for the packaging removal devices to be designed differently, for example as shuttle arrangements for removing packaging.

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

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

Figur 1:

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

Figur 2:

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

Figur 3:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine gemäß einer Ausführungsform mit einem zweiten ansteigenden Bereich und einem zweiten abfallenden Bereich der Folientransportfläche.

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

Figure 1:

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

Figure 2:

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

Figure 3:

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

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

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

In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the lower film 3 is guided in such a way that the film transport surface 4 comprises a first rising region 20 along the transport direction T between the forming station 7 and the sealing station 9. In the course of the first rising region 20, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 increases along the transport direction T of the lower film 3. The vertical height of the film transport surface 4 can increase strictly monotonously or monotonously in the rising region 20. But it is also conceivable that the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 in the course of increasing Area 20 decreases in the meantime as long as the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 with respect to the transport direction T at the beginning of the rising region 20 is lower than at the end of the rising region 20. For example, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 over the first rising region 20 can be reduced by at least 5 cm, rise at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm. The first rising area 20 is adjoined by a first flat area 23, in which the film transport surface 4 extends at least substantially horizontally. The first flat area 23 comprises the insertion section 8 for filling the troughs 12 with the products 13 to be packaged. The film transport surface 4 comprises a first area 25 falling along the transport direction T following the first flat area 23 with respect to the transport direction T.

In the case shown, the height of the film transport surface 4 decreases over the first falling region 25 by the same value by which it has increased in the course of the first rising region 20. It can thereby be achieved that the film transport surface 4 is arranged in the area of the sealing station 9 downstream of the first sloping area 25 at least approximately at the same height as in the area of the molding station 7. The sealing station 9, similar to the molding station 7, can simply be attached to the machine frame 5 and finds the bottom film 3 at a height suitable for processing.

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

Fig. 2 shows the situation at a position which is arranged in relation to the transport direction T in front of the first rising region 20 of the film transport surface 4. In the embodiments shown here, the film transport surface 4 is arranged below an interference edge 30 of the side frame 28. However, this is not absolutely necessary. The film transport surface 4 could also be at the same height as the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28 or be arranged somewhat above it. It is advantageous if the film transport surface 4 is arranged slightly below the interfering edge 30 or at approximately the same height as the interfering edge 30, since in this way the lower film 3 is optimally supported by the machine frame 5 Molding station 7 can be processed without the operation of the molding station 7 being impaired by the machine frame 5.

Compared to the illustration Fig. 2 (Area in front of the first rising area 20 of the film transport surface 4) is as from Figure 1 It can be seen that the film transport surface 4 is provided at a higher position in the first flat region 23 of the film transport surface 4. In particular, in the first flat area 23, the film transport surface 4 is higher than the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28. This can be achieved, for example, by extending the L-shaped element of the chain guide 16 upwards.

In order to bring the products 13 to be packaged to the insertion section 8, product feed devices 32, 34 are provided, which in the embodiment shown are designed as product feed belts. Due to the hill-like elevation of the film transport surface 4 formed by the first rising region 20, the first flat region 23 and the first falling region 25, the film transport surface 4 is raised in the region of the insertion path 8 with respect to the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28. The product feed devices 32, 34 can therefore be positioned particularly close to the lower film 4 in the region of the insertion path 8. The products 13 to be packaged can be transferred automatically or manually, for example by means of grippers, from the product feed devices 32, 34 into the troughs 12 of the bottom film 4. In the embodiment shown, the product feed devices 32, 34 convey transversely to the transport direction T and run in regions over the film transport surface 4. A first product feed device 32 crosses the film transport surface 4 with respect to the transport direction T in front of the first flat region 23. In particular, the first product feed device 32 crosses the film transport surface 4 in the area of the first rising region 20 of the film transport surface 4. A second product feed device 34 crosses the film transport plane 4 with respect to the transport direction T after the first flat region 23 of the film transport surface 4. In particular, the second product feed device 34 crosses the film transport surface 4 in the region of the first falling region 25 of the film transport surface 4.

In the representation of Fig. 1 convey the product feed devices 32, 34 into or out of the drawing plane. As can be seen, the first rising region 20 and the first falling region 25 allow the product feed devices 32, 34 to be brought particularly close to the film transport surface 4 in the region of the insertion path 8, both horizontally and vertically. The products 13 can thus be moved in a particularly short way and thus efficiently from the product feed devices 32, 34 into the troughs 12 of the bottom film 3. For example, the product feed devices 32, 34 can be related to the direction of transport T in each case be less than 5 cm or less than 10 cm from the first flat region 23 of the film transport surface 4. Transport surfaces 36, 38 of the first and / or the second product feed device 32, 34 for receiving the products 13 to be packaged can be at least essentially at the level of the film transport plane 4 in the first flat region 23. A vertical height difference between the transport surfaces 36, 38 and the first flat region 23 of the film transport surface 4 can be, for example, less than 1 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 3 cm or less than 5 cm.

In the embodiment shown, a first and a second product feed device 32, 34 are provided. Products 13 can be simultaneously converted into the troughs 12 by both product feed devices 32, 34. However, it would also be conceivable to provide only one of the two product feed devices 32, 34.

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

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

The transport device 2 for conveying the lower film 3 can be similar to that in the embodiments of FIG Figures 1 and 2 Include chain guides 16 arranged on both sides along the transport direction T, in each of which one or more film transport chains 17 are guided for conveying the bottom film 3. According to the embodiment Fig. 3 the film transport surface 4 of the sealing station 9 subsequently has a special course with respect to the transport direction T, which allows good access to the film transport plane 4 in the area of the cutting station 10 and thus quick and efficient removal of packaged products 13.

The lower film 3 is guided in such a way that the film transport surface 4 comprises a second rising area 40 along the transport direction T between the sealing station 9 and the cutting station 10. In the course of the second rising region 40, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 increases along the transport direction T. For example, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 can increase by at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm over the second rising region 40. The second rising area 40 is adjoined by a second flat area 43, in which the film transport surface 4 extends at least substantially horizontally. The second flat region 43 lies in the region of the cutting station 10. The film transport surface 4 comprises a second region 45, which follows the second flat region 43 with respect to the transport direction T and falls downstream along the transport direction T and which is arranged downstream of the cutting station 10 with respect to the transport direction T. In the case shown, the height of the film transport surface 4 decreases over the second falling region 45 by the same value by which it has increased in the course of the second rising region 40.

In order to convey the filled packaging separated from the cutting station 10 away from the thermoforming packaging machine 1, packaging removal devices 52, 54 are provided, which in the embodiment shown are designed as packaging removal belts.

Due to the hill-like elevation of the film transport surface 4 formed by the second rising region 40, the second flat region 43 and the first falling region 45, the film transport surface 4 is raised in the region of the cutting station 10 with respect to the interference edge 30 of the side frame 28. Therefore, the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 Position particularly close to the bottom film 4 in the area of the cutting station 10. The separated packaging can be transferred automatically or manually, for example by means of grippers, from the thermoforming packaging machine 1 to the packaging discharge devices 52, 54. In the embodiment shown, the packaging removal devices 52, 54 convey transversely to the transport direction T and extend in regions over the film transport surface 4.

A first packaging discharge device 52 crosses the film transport surface 4 with respect to the transport direction T in front of the second flat region 43. In particular, the first packaging discharge device 52 crosses the film transport surface 4 in the region of the second rising region 40 of the film transport surface 4. A second packaging discharge device 54 crosses the film transport plane 4 with respect to the the transport direction T to the second flat region 43 of the film transport surface 4. In particular, the second packaging removal device 54 crosses the film transport surface 4 in the region of the second sloping region 45 of the film transport surface 4.

In the representation of Fig. 3 convey the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 into or out of the drawing plane. As can be seen, the second rising region 40 and the second falling region 45 allow the packaging removal devices 52, 54 to be brought particularly close to the film transport surface 4 in the region of the cutting station 10, both horizontally and vertically. The packaging can thus be removed in a particularly short way and thus efficiently the thermoforming packaging machine 1 to the packaging discharge devices 52, 54. For example, the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 can each be less than 5 cm or less than 10 cm from the second flat region 43 of the film transport surface 4 with respect to the transport direction T. Transport surfaces 56, 58 of the first and / or second packaging removal devices 52, 54 for receiving the packaging can lie at least substantially at the level of the film transport level 4 in the second flat region 43. A vertical height difference between the transport surfaces 56, 58 and the second flat region 43 of the film transport surface 4 can be, for example, less than 1 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 3 cm or less than 5 cm.

In the embodiment shown, first and second packaging discharge devices 52, 54 are provided. Packaging can preferably be transferred to both packaging discharge devices 52, 54 at the same time. However, it would also be conceivable to provide only one of the two packaging removal devices 52, 54.

Instead of the described packaging discharge devices 52, 54 conveying transversely to the transport direction T or additionally, a packaging discharge device 60 conveying parallel to the transport direction T can also be provided, which is arranged downstream of the second falling area 45 of the film transport surface 4 with respect to the transport direction T. Such a packaging discharge device 60, which is parallel to the transport direction T, is shown in FIG Fig. 3 exemplified in dashed lines. Packagings separated from the cutting station 10 can be manually or automatically transferred to the packaging discharge device 60 conveying parallel to the transport direction T. It would also be conceivable that the packaging discharge device 60 conveying parallel to the transport direction T is arranged in such a way that the separated packings automatically fall onto the packaging discharge device 60 conveying parallel to the transport direction T.

Regarding Fig. 1 A thermoforming packaging machine 1 has been described which allows particularly good access to the film transport surface 4 in the area of the insertion section 8. For this purpose, as described, the film transport surface 4 comprises the first rising region 20 and the first falling region 25. Following the sealing station 9, the course of the film transport surface 4 can in principle be designed as desired. After the packaging has been separated by the cutting station 10, the finished packaged products 13 can be removed from the thermoforming packaging machine 1 in any manner. For example, the packaged products 13 could be removed manually or automatically.

Regarding Fig. 3 A thermoforming packaging machine 1 has been described which allows particularly good access to the film transport surface 4 in the area of the cutting station 10. For this purpose, between the sealing station 9 and the cutting station 10, the second rising region 40 and the cutting station 10 subsequently the second falling region 45 of the film transport surface 4 are provided. With regard to the transport direction T in front of the sealing station 9, the course of the film transport surface 4 can in principle be chosen as desired. The manner in which products 13 to be packaged are fed in and the products 13 to be packaged are transferred into the troughs 12 of the bottom film 3 can also be designed as desired. For example, the products 13 can be converted into the troughs 12 manually or automatically.

It is therefore conceivable that, according to the invention, either only the first rising area 20 and the first falling area 25 are provided and the access in the area of the cutting station 10 takes place in any way. It is also conceivable that only the second rising area 40 and the second falling area 45 are provided and the access in the insertion path 8 is arbitrary.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of a thermoforming packaging machine 1, however, the special course of the film transport surface 4 between the forming station 7 and the sealing station 9 with the first rising area 20 and the first falling area 25 ( Fig. 1 ) and at the same time the special course of the film transport surface 4 of the sealing station 9 is subsequently combined with the second rising area 40 and the second falling area 45. According to such an embodiment, the course of the film transport surface 4 in the area between the forming station 7 and the sealing station 9 could, for example, be that in FIG Fig. 1 correspond to the course shown. Following the sealing station 9, the course of the film transport surface 4 could, for example, as in FIG Fig. 3 be shown.

Claims (14)

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

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

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

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

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

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

   a) the film transport surface (4) comprises between the forming station (7) and the sealing station (9) a first ascending area (20) ascending along the transport direction (T) in comparison to a horizontal plane, the rise of the first ascending area (20) achieving that the film transport surface (4) is elevated in relation to a side frame (28) of a machine rack (5) of the thermo-forming packaging machine (1), and comprises between the forming station (7) and the sealing station (9) a first descending area (25) descending along the transport direction (T) in comparison to a horizontal plane and arranged downstream of the first ascending area (20) in relation to the transport direction (T),
   and/or

   b) the film transport surface (4) comprises between the sealing station (9) and the cutting station (10) a second ascending area (40) ascending along the transport direction (T) in comparison to a horizontal plane, the rise of the second ascending area (40) achieving that the film transport surface (4) is elevated in relation to a side frame (28) of a machine rack (5) of the thermo-forming packaging machine (1), and comprises in relation to the transport direction (T) after the cutting station (10) a second descending area (45) descending along the transport direction (T) in comparison to a horizontal plane.
2. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 1, wherein the forming station (7) and the sealing station (9) are disposed in a common horizontal plane.
3. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein a packaging discharge device (60), which conveys in parallel to the transport direction (T), for leading away filled and closed packagings is provided following the second descending area (45) in relation to the transport direction (T).
4. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the film transport surface (4) has a first even area (23), which preferably comprises the inserting track (8), between the first ascending area (20) and the first descending area (25).
5. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the film transport surface (4) has a second even area (43) between the second ascending area (40) and the second descending area (45).
6. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side frame (28) of the machine rack (5) has an upper interfering edge (30), wherein the film transport surface (4) is guided through the first ascending area (20) and/or the second ascending area (40) onto a level that is located above the interfering edge (30) of the side frame (28).
7. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 6, wherein ahead of the first ascending area (20) and/or after the first descending area (25) in relation to the transport direction (T), the film transport surface (4) is located below the interfering edge (30) of the side frame (28).
8. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first and/or a second product feeding device (32, 34) for feeding of products (13), which conveys transversally to the transport direction (T), is provided and extends over the film transport surface (4) at least in certain areas.
9. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 8, wherein the first product feeding device (32) crosses the film transport surface (4) in the area of the first ascending area (20) and the second product feeding device (34) crosses the film transport surface (4) in the area of the first descending area (25).
10. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of Claims 8 or 9, wherein a transport surface (36, 38) of the first and/or second product feeding device (32, 34) for receiving the products (13) to be conveyed is located at least essentially on the same level as the film transport surface (4) between the first ascending area (20) and the first descending area (25).
11. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first and/or a second packaging discharge device (52, 54) for leading away filled and closed packagings is provided, which conveys transversally to the transport direction (T) and which extends at least in certain areas over the film transport surface (4).
12. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to Claim 11, wherein the first packaging discharge device (52), which conveys transversally to the transport direction (T), crosses the film transport surface (4) in the area of the second ascending area (40) and the second packaging discharge device (54), which conveys transversally to the transport direction (T), crosses the film transport surface (4) in the area of the second descending area (45).
13. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the Claims 11 or 12, wherein a transport surface (56, 58) of the first and/or the second packaging discharge device (52, 54) for receiving the packagings, which conveys transversally to the transport direction (T), is located at least essentially on the same level as the film transport surface (4) between the second ascending area (40) and the second descending area (45).
14. Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport device (2) has a chain guide (16) that is disposed along the transport direction (T) and in which at least one film transport chain (17) for conveying the lower film (3) is guided.

Images