EP3395696A1 - Packaging of food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for processing, processing and / or handling of food products with a packaging machine and at least one feeding device, which supplies the packaging machine to be packaged products to a transfer area at which the supplied products arrive at packages that pass the transfer area in a transport direction wherein the feeder feeds the products at the transfer area in a feed direction that is oblique or at least substantially perpendicular to the transport direction, and wherein the feeder and the packaging machine overlap or intersect each other in the transfer area.

Description

In the processing of food products such as in particular strand or loaf meat, sausage or cheese products are often called production lines are used, which in addition to a slicing, in particular a so-called Hochleistungsslicer, several successively arranged conveyors include downstream conveyor and sorting. These include, for example, portioning conveyors, stacking conveyors, spreading conveyors, distribution conveyors, buffer conveyors and infeed conveyors.

At the end of such a production line there is usually a packaging machine which, from a provided plastic film web by means of a deep drawing process, provides an arrangement of packages in which the products or product portions are inserted in formats by means of an infeed conveyor. Such a packaging machine with thermoforming unit is also referred to as "thermoformer". Accordingly, the loading conveyor is often referred to as "insert" shortened. In order to enable reliable insertion, the insert must be positioned above the thermoformer, which is easily possible with a laterally projecting arrangement of the conveyor unit. With respect to such a prior art, for example DE 10 2014 104 387 A1 directed.

For inserting products into packaging, robots are also used instead of inserts, in particular so-called delta robots, which are also referred to as "pickers". With such robots, which can work quickly and reliably within a limited range of action, a relatively high product throughput can be achieved. The prerequisite for this is that between the receiving points and the delivery points, the travel distances of the robot are as short as possible and the height difference is as small as possible.

Therefore, it is endeavored to bring the conveyor belts for feeding the packaged by a robot products as close as possible to the packaging, which run in a direction of transport through the packaging machine. If the products to be introduced are supplied in the longitudinal direction, ie parallel to the transport direction, this arrangement results in comparatively long ranges which a robot must apply. This is the case, for example, when the travel path of the robot must extend from a lateral feed area to an outer storage area on the opposite side of the packaging machine. This felt unsatisfactory situation could not be improved so far. For example, transporting the feed belts for the products over the packaging troughs in the transport direction is ruled out in practice since the packaging machine generally has to be accessible over its entire upper side. Such an approach would also require lateral feed curves and discharge curves for the feed belt to allow the feed belt to be fed into and out of the immediate area of the packaging machine. Such a tape guide would not be acceptable in practice for reasons of space and because of possible influences on einzulegende products.

From the DE 10 2015 104 151 A1 is a so-called multi-sort inserter known. The delivery of the products in this example comprises short, direct routes, which is basically advantageous. However, the final portions or partial portions only arise in the packaging itself.

The object of the invention is to provide a flexible and fast way to insert products in packaging with minimum space requirements.

The solution of this object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.

A device according to the invention for processing, processing and / or handling food products comprises a packaging machine and at least one feed device which feeds products to be packaged to the packaging machine to a transfer area at which the supplied products pass to packages which pass the transfer area in a transport direction the feeding device feeds the products at the transfer region in a feed direction that is oblique or at least substantially perpendicular to the transport direction, and wherein the feed device and the packaging machine overlap or intersect each other in the transfer region.

The packaging machine is, in particular, a thermoforming packaging machine, which consequently has at least one thermoforming station, also referred to as a forming station. In such a packaging machine, initially in the thermoforming station from a film web, in particular a so-called lower film, in a thermoforming process cup-shaped packaging parts (which are also referred to as "trays") can be produced, into which subsequently food products are introduced and which subsequently a sealing station by means of a further film web, in particular a so-called top film, sealed and thereby sealed. In such a packaging machine, the lower film can be conveyed by means of two endless transport chains running parallel to one another, between which the film web is clamped and which respectively hold the film web at an edge region.

The transport chains can each be guided in a groove which is formed in an elongated guide profile of the machine and, for example has the shape of a lying "T" in cross-section. The guide profile can form part of the machine frame of the packaging machine or be attached to the machine frame. In particular, vertically spaced guide grooves can be provided for the upper strand of the endless transport chain and for the lower strand of the endless transport chain, which are formed on a common or two separate, vertically spaced guide profiles.

According to the invention, the path taken so far in the prior art of feeding the products is left parallel to the transport direction of the packaging machine. Instead, according to the invention, the products are fed obliquely or at least substantially perpendicular to the transport direction. Moreover, the invention is not limited to merely bringing the products as close as possible to the transfer area. Instead, it is provided according to the invention that in the transfer area the feed device and the packaging machine overlap one another or penetrate one another.

The invention is thus based on the idea of replacing the hitherto pursued "juxtaposition" of feeder and packaging machine by a "superimposed" or a "meshed". The paths for the products from the feeder to the packaging are thereby minimized. In this way, the range that an optionally used robot must have, can be reduced to a minimum.

An advantage of the invention is that the overlap or penetration of feeder and packaging machine can be maintained permanently and unchanged at least during the insertion of the products into the packages. On an insertion of products, for example by retraction of a conveyor belt or by tilting a conveyor belt, according to the invention no longer needs to be resorted to. Such known procedures anyway have the disadvantage that always an exact alignment, but at least a correct distance adjustment is required.

The object on which the invention is based is also achieved by a packaging station for food products, which comprises at least one feed device which supplies products to be packaged to a transfer area, at which the supplied products arrive at packages which pass through the transfer area in a transport direction. According to the invention, the feeding device is supported or held on a base of the packaging station, wherein the feeding device feeds the products at the transfer area in a feed direction which runs obliquely or at least substantially perpendicular to the transport direction.

As a result, the invention provides a packaging station with integrated product supply and thus achieves the highest degree of compactness.

The packaging station may comprise a forming or deep-drawing device or be part of a forming or thermoforming station. Alternatively, the packaging station may be provided at a location of a packaging machine spaced apart in the transport direction from a forming or thermoforming station.

It is preferably provided that the feed device and the packaging station in the transfer area overlap each other or penetrate each other.

The invention also relates to a packaging machine for food products with at least one such packaging station.

In particular, the packaging machine additionally comprises a forming or deep-drawing station for forming the packages from one or more films, and / or a sealing station for sealing the packaging containing the products, and / or a cutting station for separating the sealed packaging, and / or a labeling station for the packaging.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a transfer device is provided for transferring the products to the packages, in particular in the form of a robot, which is effective in the transfer area and designed to take over products from the feeder and transfer them to the packages.

The robot may in particular be a so-called delta robot, which is also referred to as a "picker". Due to the inventive arrangement of feeder and packaging machine or due to the inventive integration of the feeder in the packaging machine or in the packaging station such a robot needs to have only a small range, which is synonymous with the fact that the robot work very fast and high product throughput can achieve.

A complete production line is created if, according to a further embodiment, a slicing device for slicing food products and forming portions comprising at least one slice is additionally provided. In this case, the feed device of the slicing device either indirectly via one or more conveyors or - for portioning on the feeder - be immediately downstream.

In particular, but not exclusively, for the formation of multi-grade packages, according to a further embodiment of the invention, a plurality of feed lines may be provided, each comprising a feeder, preferably also a slicer, and each associated with a transfer area on the packaging machine, the transfer areas being longitudinal the transport direction are arranged successively.

As mentioned above in connection with the packaging station according to the invention, the feed device can be supported or held on a base of the packaging machine. As a result, the construction cost over the conventional concepts can be significantly reduced.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that at the transfer area a support surface of the feeder, on which the supplied products are located, and for the transferred products provided bearing surfaces or openings of the packaging in at least substantially parallel planes whose height difference in a range of 3 cm to 30 cm and preferably about 5 cm to 15 cm. Preferably, the support surface is made adjustable in height. Thus, the height difference can be kept low and adapted to local conditions.

Such a height difference is particularly advantageous for a product transfer by means of robots and can be achieved by the overlapping or penetration of the invention or by the integration of the feed device into the packaging machine or packaging station.

The feeder may comprise at least one conveyor belt.

It can be provided that the conveyor belt extends at least with a strand across the transfer area or across the packaging machine or packaging station or through the transfer area or through the packaging machine or packaging station.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the conveyor belt and a web for a packaging film and / or the conveyor belt and a transport plane, in which the packaging passing the transfer area move, penetrate each other.

It was recognized that when using a conveyor belt as part of the feeder by a cleverly applied course of the belt, an optimization of the transfer of products can be achieved.

In particular, it can be provided that a lower strand of the conveyor belt extends below a transport plane in which the packages passing the transfer area move through a film conveyor, in particular through one or more endless transport chains spaced transversely to the transport direction, for conveying a film for the packages runs, runs below a mold to form the packages, or passes through or below a base of the packaging machine or packaging station or below a common base.

The packaging machine or the packaging station can have a feedthrough channel for a lower run of the conveyor belt. Thus, the area of the conveyor belt is shielded from the remaining housing of the packaging machine or the packaging station. This is particularly advantageous with regard to avoiding soiling.

According to a further embodiment it can be provided that a cover is provided below the strands and / or between the strands of the conveyor belt. This prevents dirt or product residues from getting into the packaging.

The cover can simultaneously serve as a support or abutment for a transfer device, in particular a robot, the upper run of the conveyor belt when picking up a product acted upon, for example with blades of a gripper.

In one embodiment, a cover may be provided below the strands, with no cover provided between the strands.

The conveyor belt may comprise a divisible link chain strap according to one embodiment. This allows easy removal of the conveyor belt, especially for cleaning or replacement purposes.

An aspect of the invention for which protection is also claimed independently of other objects disclosed herein is directed to the idea that a feeder which feeds products to be packaged to a transfer area at which the supplied products pass to packages passing the transfer area, in the transfer area on at least one non-linear path around an effective handover in the transfer area, in particular a robot, preferably over an angular range of at least 45 ° or at least 90 ° or at least 180 ° or at least 270 ° or between 330 ° and 360 °, wherein the transfer device is adapted to take over products from the feeder and transfer to the packaging.

The web can alternatively also extend over an angular range of more than 360 °.

The web can be embodied as a circle, as a pitch circle, as a basically arbitrarily shaped loop, or as a basically arbitrarily shaped part loop.

In particular, the web runs in a single plane. Alternatively, the path in its course may also have a height difference with respect to a plane, in particular a horizontal plane, extend and, for example, have a spiral or helical shape.

In particular, the web can serve as a buffer for the products.

The web can be closed and receive products from a feeder. Alternatively, the web can lead into the transfer area and also out of the transfer area.

The transfer device can be designed such that it can take over the products at any point from the web. The transfer device may e.g. with a recognition device e.g. be provided in the form of a camera that can detect the presence of a product and / or the position or orientation of a product.

The transfer device is preferably arranged at least approximately in a center of the web.

In particular, when the feeder of a packaging machine or packaging station according to the invention comprises a conveyor belt, the lower run of the conveyor belt can run immediately below the Untertrume of endless transport chains for a film web or between the upper runs and the Untertrumen of endless transport chains for a film web.

Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine Relativanordnung von Zuführeinrichtung und Verpackungsmaschine in einem Übergabebereich gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 2, 3 und 4

verschiedene erfindungsgemäße Möglichkeiten zur Integration einer Zuführeinrichtung in eine Verpackungsstation,

Fig. 5, 6 und 7

weitere Ausführungsformen der Erfindung,

Fig. 8

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 9 bis 12

weitere Ausführungsformen der Erfindung, und

Fig. 13a bis 13c

weitere Ausführungsformen der Erfindung.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

schematically a relative arrangement of feeder and packaging machine in a transfer area according to the invention,

Fig. 2, 3 and 4

various possibilities according to the invention for integrating a feed device into a packaging station,

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7

further embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 8

a further embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 9 to 12

further embodiments of the invention, and

Fig. 13a to 13c

further embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 schematically shows the concept according to the invention, according to which in a transfer area 17, which can simultaneously represent the effective area 59 of a provided for example in the form of a robot transfer device 63, for example, formed as an endless conveyor belt feeder 15 and a transport device 51 of a packaging machine 13 and a packaging station 13a overlap each other or penetrate each other.

The transport device 51 serves to supply empty packages 19 to the transfer area 17 in a transport direction T. At the transfer area 17, products 11 fed into a feed direction F arrive in the empty packages 19 by means of the feed device 15. The above-mentioned robot, for example, may be provided in the form of a so-called 2D picker or a 2-axis gantry robot. The transfer area 17 then leave the packages 19 filled with the products 11.

The apparatus in which this loading of products 11 into packages 19 takes place may be a packing station 13a, which may be a separate, replaceable or retrofittable module of a larger packaging machine. Alternatively, the device may be a complete packaging machine which, as already mentioned in the introductory part, additionally comprises a forming station or thermoforming station for forming the packages 19 from one or more film webs, a sealing station for sealing the packages 19 containing the products 11 Cutting station for separating the sealed packaging 19 and a labeling station for the packaging 19 include.

Alternatively to the schematic representation of Fig. 1 For example, more than just one package 19 or more than one product 11 can be transported or supplied per row perpendicular to the transport direction T or perpendicular to the feed direction F. Also multi-row format sets each with a matrix-like mx n arrangement (in particular with m, n> 1) of packaging 19 or products 11 are transported or supplied.

The products 11 are, in particular, portions 45, each of which comprises a plurality of discs 46, which are made of extruded or loaf-shaped food products, such as, for example, sausage, meat or cheese by means of a slicing device (also referred to as slicer) Fig. 1 not shown) have been separated. The portions 45 may comprise discs 46 of a single type of product or may be formed by discs 46 of different product types. Furthermore, it can be provided that a plurality of portions 45 are inserted into a package 19. In this case, the supplied portions 45 are also referred to as partial portions, wherein the final portion is formed in a package 19 of several partial portions.

During ongoing production, ie during the ongoing transfer of products 11 to packaging 19, a respectively provided overlapping or permeation state between feed device 15 and packaging machine 13 or packaging station 13a is given permanently and unchangeably. It is therefore in particular not necessary to withdraw or tilt the endless belt forming the feed device 15 for inserting products 11 into packages 19, for example.

The feed direction F runs in the illustrated embodiment perpendicular to the transport direction T. Alternatively, the feed device 15 at least in the transfer area 17 extend obliquely to the transport device 51, so that the feed direction F and the transport direction T enclose an angle between 0 ° and 90 °.

The arrangement according to the invention is therefore particularly advantageous in connection with such a transfer device which is capable of not only detecting the orientation of the products 11 entering the transfer area 17 relative to the packages 19, for example by means of a camera, but also so in that the products 11 arrive in the packages 19 in a respectively desired nominal orientation. Robots equipped with correspondingly moveable grippers can therefore preferably be used as transfer devices according to the invention.

The concept according to the invention makes it possible to bring the bearing surface 29 provided by the feed device 15, for example the upper run of an endless conveyor belt, into the immediate vicinity of the packs 19 and in particular directly above a respectively relevant height level. In particular, this reference level is formed either by a bearing surface of the packs 19 for the products 11, in particular, the bottom of, for example, a trough-shaped depression of the pack 19, or by the opening of the pack 19.

As a result, the invention can minimize the height difference to be overcome by a transfer device, in particular a robot, during the transfer.

The Fig. 2, 3rd and 4 and also Fig. 8 each show an embodiment of a packaging station 13a according to the invention, in which a conveyor belt 35 forming a feed device in the context of the invention is integrated. The three embodiments shown differ by the guidance of the endless belt 35. All three embodiments have in common that the conveyor belt 35, which comprises a plurality of guide rollers 55 for the endless belt, is supported on a base 27 provided with feet 57 of the packing station 13a. Fig. 2 shows schematically provided for this purpose mounts 53rd

In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the conveyor belt 35 is arranged such that both the upper run 35a and the lower run 35b extend above the height level of the packages 19. In order to minimize the height difference between the support surface 29 of the upper run 35a and the packages 19, the diameter of the in Fig. 2 left guide roller 55 comparatively small.

In order to prevent soiling of the packages 19, covers 43 are provided between upper run 35a and lower run 35b and below the lower run 35b. The upper run 35a and the lower run 35b can slide on each other or touch each other easily. Alternatively, at least the upper run 35a can slide on a cover 43 running between the upper run 35a and the lower run 35b, acting to some extent as a parting plane.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3 the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt 35 will be far below that in FIG Fig. 3 indicated by a dash-dotted line transport plane 39, in which move the packaging 19. For this purpose, the packaging station 13a has a horizontal and perpendicular to the transport direction (in Fig. 3 perpendicular to the plane) running through channel 41 for the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt 35 on. In this way, the upper strand 35a of the conveyor belt 35 and consequently the support surface 29 of the supplied products can be brought even closer to the relevant reference level, either to the bottom of the packaging 19 forming the support surface 31 for the products or to the opening 33 of the packaging 19.

In order to avoid that contaminants enter the packaging 19, in turn, a cover 43 may be provided, which in the embodiment of the Fig. 3 is arranged directly below the upper run 35a. Preferably, the cover 43 is made slightly wider than the conveyor belt 35th

In the variant according to Fig. 4 the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt 35 passes under the base 27 of the packaging station 13a, which is formed, for example, by a frame or a frame.

The embodiments according to the Fig. 2, 3rd and 4 may be provided, in particular, if there is a tool 44 of whatever kind below the loading or transfer area, or if this area or installation space is needed otherwise, so that the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt 35 can not run directly below the level of the packages 19 ,

In the schematic representation of Fig. 5 that like Fig. 1 1 shows a plan view of the area of transfer of products 11 from a feeder 15 to packages 19, the area of action 59 of a transfer robot 63 is shown. By outgoing of some of the products 11 arrows is indicated that in this variant of the transfer robot can store the products 11 to both sides of the feeder 15 in packaging 19. As a result, the transfer area can be used optimally and the travel distances of a robot can be kept relatively short.

Fig. 6 shows schematically in a plan view also referred to as Mischaufschnittlinie multi-variety plant. This installation comprises three feed lines running parallel to one another and in each case perpendicular to a transport device 51 for packages 19, each of which comprises a feed device 15 and a slicing device 23, also referred to below as a slicer.

Each slicer 23 is followed by a conveyor 25, on which the products 11 are formed in the form of portions of separated product slices. The conveying devices 25 can thus each be in the form of a so-called portioning unit, e.g. a portioning belt, or a portioning unit with one or more downstream devices, e.g. in the form of one or more tax bands.

Such a conveying device 25, which is connected between the slicers 23 and the feed device 15 leading to the respective transfer region, can alternatively also be omitted in each case. The portion formation can thus take place alternatively directly on the feeder 15, i. the slicer 23 can, so to speak, cut directly onto the feeder 15.

The feeding devices 15 can each be a conveyor belt 35 integrated in the packaging machine 13 or packaging station 13a in the sense of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS Fig. 2, 3rd . 4 and 8th act. By the concept according to Fig. 6 Consequently, an extremely compact, space-saving installation can be achieved, in which one or more slicers 23 arranged respectively in the immediate vicinity of the packaging machine 13 or packaging station 13a cut directly onto a conveyor belt integrated in the packaging machine 13a or packaging station 13a. In this case, as it were, the portion formation already takes place on a product feed belonging to the packaging machine 13 or packaging station 13a.

The provided for the individual conveyor belts 35 guide rollers or guide rollers are in Fig. 6 indicated by the dash-dotted lines 61 shown. In the case of a direct connection of the individual feeders 15 to the respective slicer 23 is consequently the respective band transition between the according to Fig. 6 directly to the slicer 23 subsequent conveyor 25 and leading to the packaging machine 13 and packaging station 13a feeder 15 is not present.

In the multi-variety plant according to Fig. 6 are cut by the three slicers 23 different product types. The respective partial portions reach by means of the associated feeder 15 in a transfer area at the packaging machine 13 or packing station 13a. Each package 19 receives at each transfer area a partial portion 11, so that after passing through the last transfer area in each package 19 is a mixed portion of three different partial portions.

However, such use of such a multiple system is not mandatory. In the Fig. 6 The set-up shown can also be used for virtually uninterrupted packaging of the same product types. For example, while a slicer 23 temporarily fails to deliver products 11 due to loading or conversion, the packages 19 may receive products 11 generated by the other two slicers 23.

In Fig. 7 is based on the in Fig. 6 indicated that the number of feed lines does not have to match the number of transfer devices. The in Fig. 7 The above-indicated range of action 59 of a first transfer device 63, for example a "picker", extends over two transfer areas. The "picker" 63 arranged in this area can consequently supply products 11 brought up by two incoming feeders 15 remove and place in located between the two feeders 15 19 packaging. The picker 63 located downstream in the direction of transport T accepts products 11 only from the third feeder 15, but can - as shown in FIG Fig. 5 - To work on both sides of this third feeder 15.

Furthermore, it can be provided here that the feed devices 15 are made adjustable relative to the transport direction T. As a result, an adaptation on the one hand to the effective region 59 of the respective transfer device 63 and on the other hand to the respective packaging 19 can be achieved.

In the embodiment of Fig. 8 a particularly compact construction is provided, which has a cover 43 below the two strands 35a, 35b, which at the same time serves as a support or abutment for a gripper 65 of a transfer device designed eg as a picker. When picking up products 11, the gripper 65 is supported on the support surface 29, ie on the upper run 35a, which is supported on the lower run 35b on the cover, which is designed as a sheet, for example. When receiving products 11, the conveyor belt 35 preferably does not move. When the conveyor belt 35 is running, the lower run 35b on the plate and the upper run 35a on the lower run 35a, which has been found to be uncritical, drag.

In the Fig. 8 shown feeding unit can be adjusted, for example, about an axis, in particular folded up.

In the embodiments of the Fig. 9 to 12 the feeding device runs in the transfer region 17 on a ( Fig. 9 . 10 and 11 ) or several ( Fig. 12 ) each rectilinear tracks 15b to an effective in the transfer area 17 transfer device 63, in particular a robot around. The robot 63 is preferably provided with a camera to detect the position of the products 11 on the web 15b, accepts the products 11 of the web 15b and puts them in here each packaging, not shown, which pass through the transfer device 51, the transfer area 17 in the transport direction T. The robot 63 is disposed in the center of the web 15b, respectively.

According to Fig. 9 and 10 For this purpose, a closed track 15b is provided in each case Fig. 9 is circular and is formed for example by a conveyor belt or a chain conveyor and according to Fig. 10 individual Transportmover 69 includes a particular based on a linear drive conveyor system, as for example in the German patent application DE-A-102014106400 and which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure. The transport movers 69 thereby move along a track or rail system 71 which forms the track 15b and comprises straight track sections connected by 90 ° curves. In contrast to the upper run of a conveyor belt, such transport movers 69 can provide a stable support surface for the products 11, which is advantageous for receiving by means of a robot gripper.

Such a conveyor system is also according to Fig. 11 provided there, where the web 15b is not closed, but in the feed direction F leads into the transfer area 17 and leads out in a conveying direction M from the transfer area 17. According to Fig. 10 the web 15b is closed and receives products 11 from an endless conveyor belt feeder 15a of the feeder.

The web 15b according to Fig. 11 In a sense, it forms a dispensing or end loop of the feeder 15. It may additionally be provided a switch to provide a closed track section, if necessary, in particular for such Transportmover 69, in which after a first round through the transfer area 17 is still a product 11 is present and the robot 63 to be fed again.

Like the example of Fig. 12 also shows a multiple feed (here a double feed) of products 11 to here two in the transport direction T successively arranged transfer areas 17 - in this respect according to the embodiment of Fig. 7 - respectively. In each transfer area 17, a robot 63 is effective to the one here circular path 15 b according to the embodiment of Fig. 9 runs around. The two feeders 15a are arranged inside and thus in the immediate vicinity of one another and can be supplied with products 11 either by a common or by two separate slicing devices (not shown here).

Scanners 67 designed as scanners can serve to detect the incoming products 11 and the products 11 not yet taken over within the transfer area 17.

The transfer region 17 here again corresponds in each case to the effective region 59 of a, e.g. provided in the form of a picker transfer device 63rd

Also with the feeders 15 according to Fig. 9 to 12 each may be a conveyor belt 35 integrated in the packaging machine 13 or packaging station 13a in the sense of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS Fig. 2, 3rd . 4 and 8th act.

In the embodiments according to the Fig. 13b and 13c is in each case - as in the embodiment of Fig. 3 - The lower run 35b of the conveyor belt below the again indicated by a dash-dotted line transport plane 39, in which the packages move 19. Each as an overview for the Fig. 13b and 13c serving Fig. 13a shows two in the transport direction extending lateral guide profiles 75. These form part of the machine frame The packaging machine and each serve to guide an endless conveyor chain whose upper run 79a (see. Fig. 13b and 13c ) holds an edge region of the film web 73, in which previously in a thermoforming station, the packages have been formed.

In the embodiment of Fig. 13b runs the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt immediately below the guide sections 75 and thus immediately below the lower run 79b of the transport chain. Below the guide profiles 75, consequently, the base or the machine frame is provided with a passage 77 for the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt.

In the embodiment of Fig. 13c the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt runs in each case between upper run 79a and lower run 79b of the transport chain. The guide profiles 75 are therefore each provided with a passage 77 for the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt. Alternatively, separate guide profiles 75 can be provided for the upper strand 79a and the lower strand 79b of the transport chain, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction.

The Fig. 13b and 13c show only the area of the in Fig. 13a left guide profile 75. In the area of in Fig. 13a right guide profile 75 is provided in each case a corresponding arrangement.

An embodiment as in the Fig. 13a to 13c is particularly possible if - unlike the example of Fig. 2, 3rd and 4 - There is no tool below this transfer or insertion area. As a result, the film plane or the transport plane 39 of the packages 19 can be "converted" very tightly by means of the conveyor belt 35.

The arrangements explained above are only examples, but show that the invention offers maximum flexibility.

Another advantage of the invention is that the space above the packaging machine or packaging station can be used advantageously. As in particular the arrangements according to Fig. 6 and 7 show, the invention enables a parallel operation with multiple feeders 15 at the same time, which not only allows a high product throughput, but also increases the flexibility.

The integration according to the invention of the product feed into the packaging machine or packaging station can in particular, such as the embodiments of the Fig. 2, 3rd . 4 and 13a to 13c show achieved by exploiting the support structure of the packaging machine or packaging station. This also applies to the support structure and / or for the enclosure of the transfer device, which may also be attached to the packaging machine or the packaging station according to an embodiment of the invention.

Overall, this results in a comparatively small space requirement for the overall arrangement of slicing and packaging system.

Furthermore, comparatively compact robot work areas and relatively small height differences to be overcome by these transfer robots can be achieved by the invention. This results in comparatively short travel distances and relatively high operating speeds of the robots.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

11

product

13

packaging machine

13a

packing station

15

feeding

15a

feeder

15b

train

17

Transfer area

19

packaging

23

slicing

25

Conveyor

27

Basis of the packaging machine / packing station

29

Support surface of the feeder

31

Bearing surface of the packaging

33

Opening the packaging

35

conveyor belt

35a

Upper strand of the conveyor belt

35b

Lower strand of the conveyor belt

37

Web for packaging film

39

Transport level of the packaging

41

Through channel

43

cover

44

Tool

45

portion

46

disc

51

transport means

53

bracket

55

role

57

stand

59

area of influence

61

deflection axis

63

Transfer device

65

grab

67

scanning

69

transport Mover

71

Railway system, rail system

73

Film web, bottom film

75

Guide profile, machine frame

77

Passage for lower run of the conveyor belt

79a

Upper strand of the film web endless transport chain

79b

Untertrum the film web endless transport chain

T

transport direction

F

feed

M

conveying direction

Claims (15)

Device for processing, processing and / or handling food products with a packaging machine (13) and at least one feed device (15) which feeds the packaging machine (13) products to be packaged (11) to a transfer area (17) to which the supplied products (11) arrive at packages (19) which pass through the transfer area (17) in a transport direction (T),
wherein the feeding device (15) feeds the products (11) at the transfer area (17) in a feed direction (F) which runs obliquely or at least substantially perpendicularly to the transport direction (T), and
wherein the feed device (15) and the packaging machine (13) in the transfer area (17) overlap each other or penetrate each other. Device according to claim 1,
wherein furthermore a transfer device is provided, in particular a robot which is effective in the transfer region (17) and designed to take over products (11) from the supply device (15) and transfer them to the packages (19). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein a plurality of feed lines are provided, each comprising a feed device (15), preferably also a slicing device (23), and associated with a transfer area (17) on the packaging machine (13), wherein the transfer areas (17) along the transport direction (T) arranged consecutively. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the feeder (15) is supported or held on a base (27) of the packaging machine (13). Packaging station for food products with at least one feed device (15) which supplies products (11) to be packaged to a transfer area (17) at which the supplied products (11) arrive at packages which pass the transfer area (17) in a transport direction (T) .
wherein the feeder (15) is supported or held on a base (27) of the packaging station, and
wherein the feed device (15) feeds the products (11) at the transfer area (17) in a feed direction (F) which runs obliquely or at least substantially perpendicular to the transport direction (T). Packaging machine for food products with at least one packaging station (13a) according to claim 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein at the transfer area (17) a support surface (29) of the feed device (15) on which the supplied products (11) lie, and provided for the transferred products (11) bearing surfaces (31) or openings (33) of the packages (19) lie in at least substantially parallel planes whose height difference is in a range of 3 cm to 30 cm and preferably about 5 cm to 15 cm. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the feeding device (15) comprises at least one conveyor belt (35). Device according to claim 8,
wherein the conveyor belt (35) at least with a strand (35a, 35b) over the transfer area (17) or via the packaging machine (13) or packaging station (13a) or through the transfer area (17) or by the packaging machine (13) or Packing station (13 a) passes therethrough. Device according to claim 8 or 9,
wherein the conveyor belt (35) and a web (37) for a packaging film and / or the conveyor belt (35) and a transport plane (39), in which the package (19) passing through the transfer region (17), penetrate each other. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10,
wherein a lower run (35b) of the conveyor belt (35) below a transport plane (39) in which the transfer region (17) passing packages (19) move, by a film conveyor for conveying a film for the packages (19), below a Forming tool for forming the packaging (19) or by a or below a base of the packaging machine (13) or packaging station (13a) or below a common base (27) extends. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11,
wherein the packaging machine (13) or the packaging station (13a) has a feed channel (41) for a lower run (35b) of the conveyor belt (35). Device according to one of claims 8 to 12,
wherein below the strands (35a, 35b) and / or between the strands (35a, 35b) of the conveyor belt (35) a cover (43) is provided, in particular a cover (43) below the strands (35a, 35b) and between the dreams (35a, 35b) is provided no cover. Device according to one of claims 8 to 13,
wherein the conveyor belt (35) comprises a divisible link chain belt. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the feed device (15) in the transfer region (17) on at least one non-linear path (15b) around an in the transfer area (17) effective transfer device (63), in particular a robot, around, preferably over an angular range of at least 45 ° or from at least 90 ° or at least 180 ° or at least 270 ° or between 330 ° and 360 °, wherein the transfer device (63) is adapted to take products (11) from the feeder (15) and to the packages (19) to hand over.

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