EP3390232A1

EP3390232A1 - Packaging machine and method for producing evacuated packagings

Info

Publication number: EP3390232A1
Application number: EP16808655.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alexander Fries
Original assignee: GEA Food Solutions Germany GmbH
Current assignee: GEA Food Solutions Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2015-12-14
Filing date: 2016-12-08
Publication date: 2018-10-24
Also published as: WO2017102541A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging machine (1), comprising a deep-drawing station which forms packaging troughs in a material web, a sealing station (15) which bonds a top material web (14) to the material web (8), the packaging trough being degassed and then optionally gassed prior to the bonded connection, and comprising a cutting unit (17, 18) which separates the packagings thus produced from the material webs. The present invention further relates to a method for producing a packaging, in which a material web (8) is transported in cycles along a packaging machine (1), and one or a plurality of packaging troughs are formed per cycle in the material web (8). The packaging trough is then filled with a product to be packaged, and a cover film (14) is sealed onto the packaging trough, wherein prior to sealing vacuum is drawn and/or a gas exchange is carried out in the packaging trough.

Description

Packaging machine and method of producing vacuumed

packagings

The present invention relates to a packaging machine with a thermoforming station that forms packaging trays in a web and with a sealing station, the one

Upper goods web fastened to the material web in a material-locking manner, the packaging cavity being degassed before the cohesive connection and then optionally fumigated and with a cutting device which separates the so-finished packages from the goods webs. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing a package in which a web transported cyclically along a packaging machine and formed per cycle one or more packaging trays in the web and then filled the packaging tray with a packaged and then a lid film is sealed to the packaging tray , wherein pulled before sealing in the packaging tray vacuum and optionally a gas exchange

is made.

To the properties of the packaged goods, preferably of food,

pharmaceutical or medical goods to influence, for example, the shelf life of a packaged food, especially a proteinaceous

To lengthen food, the packaging trays are often evacuated prior to sealing with a lidding film, i. H. the air contained therein is at least partially withdrawn and possibly replaced by a replacement gas. This replacement gas may be, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and / or oxygen or a mixture of these or other gases. On packaging machines, or on

Packaging processes capable of producing such evacuated or replacement gaskets are becoming more and more demanding today in terms of performance; H. the produced packaging per minute. Such a device or such a method is described for example in EP 266 8103.

It was therefore the object of the present invention to provide a packaging machine or a method for producing a packaging, which is improved once more compared to the prior art. The problem is solved with a packaging machine, with a sealing station with a sealing tool, which integrally fastened a top product web on a packaging tray, wherein before the cohesive connection the packaging tray is degassed and with a cutting device, which separates the thus finished packages from the web, wherein they a vacuum storage volume with which the vacuum is generated in the sealing tool and wherein the vacuum storage volume is divided into a first and a further vacuum storage volume.

The statements made on the packaging machine according to the invention apply equally to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

The present invention relates to a packaging machine. At this

The packaging machine is preferably a so-called FFS packaging machine, i. H. a so-called form-fill-seal packaging machine.

In such a packaging machine, a packaging tray in a web, usually a plastic film web, for example by deep drawing, shaped and closed after filling the packaging tray in a sealing station with a Oberwarenbahn, which is also usually a plastic film web. In this case, the top product web is cohesively, in particular by sealing, with the

Unterwarenbahn connected. However, the packaging machine according to the invention may also be a so-called tray sealer. Before the connection of

Upper goods train with the packaging tray is now the packaging tray

according to the invention, and if appropriate fumigated again with another gas, wherein the degassing a certain vacuum, d. H. a certain negative pressure in the

Packaging tray is generated. When gassing is carried out a gas exchange in the

Packaging tray, i. the atmosphere in the packaging tray is through

Replacement gas replaced at least partially. This gas exchange can be connected to a

Deaerate the degassing of the packaging tray. The replacement gas may be, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and / or oxygen or a mixture of these or other gases.

After evacuation, the negative pressure in the packaging tray and / or in the sealing tool is preferably <300 mbar, more preferably <100 mbar and even more preferably <30 mbar. After the top goods web has been cohesively arranged on the lower fabric web, the packages thus finished are then separated.

According to the invention, it is further provided that, preferably in the area of the packaging machine, i. for example within the framework of

Packaging machine, a vacuum storage volume is located. This storage volume can be, for example, a tank and / or pipes and / or volumes adapted to the desired volume, which can be obtained from the frame /

Generate frame profile / other supporting frame, such as tube-like

Cross sections of the frame profile, and / or bags and / or cross-sectional extensions act within the sealing tools.

This vacuum storage volume is connected to the gas side of the sealing tool and thereby generates the desired negative pressure in the sealing tool. According to the invention, it is now provided that the entire available vacuum storage volume is divided into a first and a further, preferably a second, vacuum storage volume. The two vacuum storage volumes may be the same or different. They are completely separable and may be evacuated together or separately from each other with a vacuum means, for example one or more vacuum pumps connected in parallel or in series. The vacuum storage volumes can in a tank, by a release agent, such as a partition plate, in two separate

Vacuum storage volumes is separated, can be provided. In this case, the release agent can be slidably provided so that the ratio of the two

Vacuum storage volume is changeable. The two vacuum storage volumes can also be made available in two separate containers. The two

Vacuum storage volumes may have the same or a different negative pressure. The vacuum storage volumes are separately and preferably at least temporarily sequentially connectable to the sealing tool. The connection can be opened, closed and / or throttled, for example, by a valve.

Preferably, the valve is controlled by a controller of the packaging machine. For this, the sealing tool preferably has a pressure sensor which is connected to the control / regulation. Once a certain negative pressure is reached, the connection is disconnected to the one vacuum storage volume and the connection to the further vacuum storage volume is opened until the desired negative pressure prevails. Then this connection will be closed. The skilled person understands that more than two vacuum storage volumes may be present. Preferably, a first Vacuum storage volume associated with the sealing tool and a particular

Underpressure, a so-called rough vacuum, which is preferably <300 mbar, more preferably <100 mbar. Thereafter, the gas-side connection is closed to this vacuum storage volume and opened the gas-side connection to the further vacuum storage volume to achieve the so-called fine vacuum, which is preferably <100 mbar, more preferably <30 mbar, most preferably <10 mbar.

As a rule, the packaging machine according to the invention has a frame on which, for example, the forming station, the sealing station and / or the separating station are preferably mounted displaceably. Preferably, the gas and / or

Vacuum storage volume provided within the frame of the packaging machine, so that the path between this volume and the sealing station, within which the vacuum is drawn usually as short as possible. Particularly preferably, the flow resistance in the line between the volume and the degassing is low. By one or more of these measures, the desired negative pressure in the packaging tray can be done very quickly.

Preferably, the machine is a cyclically operating machine. In such a cyclically operating machine is a packaging tray or a format consisting of several packaging troughs intermittently along the

Packaging machine transported from one processing station to the next. During the actual processing steps, i. H. For example, during the molding of the packaging tray in the lower fabric web, the filling of the packaging tray, the Entbzw. Fumigation of the packaging tray and / or the sealing of the upper product web on the lower fabric web, the respective packaging trays stand still. Preferably, the vacuum storage volume is now at least dimensioned in its volume so that it has the vacuum volume required for a cycle. This volume is then available for the degassing of the packaging trough very quickly, so that the degassing of the packaging trough much faster than, and at relatively the same

Vacuum storage volume lower negative pressures or, for example, smaller

Vacuum storage volume same negative pressures as in packaging machines according to the prior art can be done.

In a preferred embodiment, the packaging machine has a gassing or degassing agent. These means may be, for example, a nozzle act, with the air pulled out of the packaging troughs or the replacement gas is blown into the packaging troughs.

Preferably, the fumigant and the degassing agent constitute a structural unit.

The packaging machine according to the invention has at least one vacuum means, which, separately or together with the vacuum storage volumes can be connected and generates the desired vacuum in the respective vacuum storage volume. While a

Vacuum storage volume is connected to the sealing tool, the connection with the vacuum means is usually closed. The connection to the other

Vacuum storage volume may, however, be open in order to at least partially generate the desired negative pressure in this vacuum storage volume while adjusting the negative pressure in the sealing tool with the other vacuum storage volume. The two volumes may, however, at least temporarily also both be connected to the gas side of the vacuum means. At least one vacuum storage volume may also be connected to two or more vacuum means, with one vacuum means in particular serving to create a higher negative pressure in the respective vacuum storage volume than in the other vacuum storage volume. The vacuum means is preferably via a

Pressure measuring means in the respective vacuum storage volume controlled / regulated.

Preferably, at least two valves are provided between the vacuum storage volumes and the sealing tool.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the vacuum storage volumes is used in the mold vacuum forming station, ie, forming the packaging trays in the lower fabric web, for example, having three vacuum storage volumes, the first being for the rough vacuum, the second for the vacuum Fine vacuum and the third for the mold vacuum

are provided. However, the second vacuum storage volume can also be used so that it initially provides the rough vacuum in the sealing station and then the remaining vacuum for the mold vacuum is made available and the third vacuum storage volume is thereby eliminated. After this it is possible to operate both the sealing station and the forming station with only one vacuum agent. Another object of the present invention is a method for producing a package in which a packaging tray cyclically along a

A packaging film is transported and a lidding film is sealed onto the packaging tray, vacuum is drawn in the packaging tray prior to sealing, by connecting a sealing tool to a vacuum storage volume and providing the vacuum from two separate vacuum storage volumes and both vacuum storage volumes during one cycle Packaging machine are connected to the sealing tool.

The statements made on the method according to the invention apply equally to the device according to the invention and vice versa.

This object of the present invention relates to a method for producing a packaging with a packaging machine, in which at least one packaging tray, preferably a format of a plurality of packaging trays is cyclically transported along the packaging machine. During the individual process steps, i. For example, during the molding of the packaging tray, filling and / or sealing, the packaging trays or the film from which they are formed stand still. As soon as the respective work step is completed, the packaging tray and / or the film web is transported on by one clock.

According to the invention, the sealing tool for its or for the evacuation of

Packaging tray connected to a vacuum storage volume consisting of at least two separate vacuum storage volumes. Furthermore, according to the invention, both vacuum storage volumes are connected to the sealing tool during one cycle of the packaging machine.

Preferably, the vacuum storage volumes are successively connected to the sealing tool. With a vacuum storage volume, the so-called coarse and, with the further vacuum storage volume, the so-called fine vacuum is particularly preferably drawn in the packaging tray and preferably with another one

Vacuum storage volume deep-drawn the packaging tray in the lower fabric web. According to a preferred embodiment is with a vacuum means in a

Vacuum storage volume of the desired negative pressure generated there while the other vacuum means is connected to the gas side of the sealing tool. Further preferably, one or more vacuum storage volumes may be evacuated from the vacuum means, while the packaging troughs are transported by one clock. As soon as they rest again, the vacuum required in each case is available in all vacuum storage volumes.

In an additional preferred embodiment, the sealing tool is connected to the vacuum means. For example, first the vacuum means with the

Sealing tool connected on the gas side, then this connection separated and then the or the vacuum storage volumes connected to the sealing tool to the

to set the desired negative pressure. The switching sequence can also be reversed, so that finally the vacuum means is connected to the gas side of the sealing tool.

According to a further preferred embodiment, at least the majority of the gas and / or vacuum volume required for a cycle is provided during the sieving and / or during the transport of the material web in the storage volume.

Preferably, the amount of gas sucked out of the sealing tool and / or the negative pressure which is intended to rest in the sealing tool and / or in the packaging recess and / or in the molding tool are regulated.

Preferably, initially only one vacuum storage volume is connected to the sealing tool until a certain negative pressure is reached and / or until the negative pressure in the sealing tool is no longer increased. Thereafter, this connection is closed and another vacuum storage volume connected to the sealing tool until the desired negative pressure is reached and / or until the negative pressure does not increase further.

A further preferred object of the present invention is that when using a plurality of vacuum means, for example, a vacuum means provides the desired negative pressure in the first and third vacuum storage volume and a second vacuum means the negative pressure, for example, a vacuum suitable for fine vacuum in the second

Provides vacuum storage volume.

The inventions will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. These

Explanations are merely exemplary and limit the general

Inventive idea not one. The explanations apply equally to all articles of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the packaging machine according to the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 each show an embodiment of the invention

Vacuum storage volume.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the packaging machine 1 according to the invention, which here has a thermoforming station 2, a filling station 7 and a sealing station 19. A web 8, here a plastic film web 8, the so-called sub-web, is withdrawn from a supply roll and, preferably cyclically transported along the packaging machine according to the invention from right to left. At one bar, the

Web 8 transported by a format length. For that, the

Packaging machine two means of transport, in the present case two each

Endless chains, on, which are arranged to the right and left of the film web. Both at the beginning and at the end of the packaging machine at least one gear is provided for each chain in each case, around which the respective chain is deflected. At least one of these gears is driven. The gears in the inlet region 19 and / or in the

Outlet area can be connected to each other, preferably by a rigid axis. Each means of transport usually has a plurality of clamping means which clamp the web 8 in the inlet region and transmit the movement of the means of transport to the lower film 8. In the outlet region of the packaging machine, the clamping connection between the transport and the web 8 is released again. In the thermoforming station 2, which has an upper tool 3 and a lower tool 4, which has the shape of the packaging tray to be produced, the packaging trays 6 are formed in the film web 8. The lower tool 4 is arranged on a lifting table 5, which, as symbolized by the double arrow, is vertically adjustable. Before everyone

Film feed, the lower tool 4 is lowered and then raised again. In the further course of the packaging machine, the packaging trays are then filled in the filling station 7 with the packaged goods 16. In the adjoining

Sealing station 19, which also consists of an upper tool 12 and a vertically adjustable lower tool 1 1, a top film 14 is firmly bonded, preferably by sealing on the web 8. Also in the sealing station, the upper tool and / or the lower tool are lowered before and after each film transport or

raised. Before sealing the upper film 14 to the lower film 8, a certain negative pressure is generated in the filled packaging tray and optionally there is a gas exchange. The generation of the negative pressure or the gas exchange take place

preferably while the respective packaging tray within the sealing station is located, preferably immediately before the sealing tools 1 1, 12th

be pressed against each other. The upper film 14 may be guided in transport or be transported by transport chains, which then transport only from the sealing station and possibly downstream extend. Otherwise, the statements that have been made to the means of transport of the lower film apply. In the further course of the

Packaging machine, the finished packages are separated, which is done in the present case with the cross cutter 18 and the slitter 17. The cross cutter 18 can also be raised or lowered in the present case with a lifting device 9.

Before the respective packaging tray is closed with the cover film, air is sucked out of the packaging trays according to the invention. This is done in the present case with a degassing agent, which is arranged for example transversely to the transport direction of the film web.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the vacuum volume with which the evacuation of the packaging tray takes place. This has according to the invention a first vacuum volume 20 and another, here a second vacuum volume 21, which are completely separate from each other, here provided as two separate tanks. Both

Vacuum volumes 20, 21 can be connected separately from each other but also together with the sealing tool 1 1, 12 or with the degassing agent provided there to produce the desired negative pressure there. Both vacuum volumes can be evacuated together via a vacuum means, here a vacuum pump 23. In the present case, according to a preferred embodiment, yet another

Vacuum means 22 is provided, which is connected to a vacuum volume 21, to still generate a higher negative pressure than in the volume 20. The packaging trough is evacuated by first the volume of gas 20 is connected to the sealing gas with the sealing tool 1 1, 12 and with the provided there degassing until a certain negative pressure is reached and / or the negative pressure does not increase further. Thereafter, this connection is interrupted and opened the connection to the further vacuum volume 21 in order to increase the negative pressure in the sealing tool 1 1, 12 still further.

FIG. 3 also shows an embodiment of the vacuum volume or its periphery, reference being made essentially to the embodiments according to FIG. In the present case, only one vacuum means 22 is provided, which is alternately or together with the volumes 20 and 21 connected on the gas side. The subdivision of the vacuum volume into several sub-volumes increases the flexibility of the device and makes it possible to achieve a higher negative pressure with identical total volume and identical negative pressure in both sub-volumes compared to a single vacuum volume.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 packaging machine

2 forming station, thermoforming station

3 upper tool of the thermoforming station

4 lower tool of thermoforming station

5 lifting table, carrier of a tool of the sealing, thermoforming station and / or the cutting device

6 packaging tray

7 filling station

8 film web, bottom film web

9 lifting device

10 first valve

1 1 lower tool of the sealing station

12 upper tool of the sealing station

13 second valve

14 top film web, lid film

15 sealing station

16 packaged goods

17 slitter

18 cross cutters

19 inlet area

20 First vacuum volume

21 Further, second vacuum volume

22 First vacuum pump

23 second vacuum pump

24 Third valve

25 fourth valve

Claims

claims:

1 . Packaging machine (1), with a sealing station (19) with a sealing tool (1 1,

12), which integrally fastened a top fabric web (14) on a packaging tray, wherein before the cohesive connection, the packaging tray is degassed and a cutting device (27), which separates the thus finished packaging from the web (8, 14), wherein it a vacuum Storage volume (20, 21) with which the vacuum is generated in the sealing tool, characterized in that the vacuum storage volume (20, 21) is divided into a first and a further vacuum volume.

2. Packaging machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it operates in cycles and that in the vacuum storage volume (20, 21) at least the vacuum volume required for a cycle is provided.

3. Packaging machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that in the first and the further vacuum volume of the same or a different negative pressure is set.

4. Packaging machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the first and the further vacuum volumes can be connected separately to one another with the sealing station and / or the forming station.

5. Packaging machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that it comprises at least one vacuum means (22, 23).

6. Packaging machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that at least two valves (10, 10) are provided between the vacuum storage volumes (20, 21) and the sealing tool (11, 12) or the molding tool (3, 4).

13) are provided.

7. A method for producing a packaging in which a packaging tray

Intermittently transported along a packaging machine and a lid sheet (14) is sealed to the packaging tray, wherein before sealing in the

Vacuum packaging is drawn by a sealing tool (1 1, 12) with a vacuum storage volume (20, 21) is connected, characterized the vacuum is provided from two separate vacuum storage volumes (20, 21) and both vacuum storage volumes (20, 21) are connected to the sealing tool during one cycle.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the

Vacuum storage volumes (20, 21) are successively connected to the sealing tool (1 1, 12).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least the majority of the gas and / or vacuum volume required for a cycle during the sealing and / or during the transport of the web in the storage volume (20, 21) is provided.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas quantity and / or the negative pressure are regulated.