EP3395696B1 - Packaging of food products - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a packaging station with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Such a packing station is out EP 1 413 518 A1 famous.

When processing food products such as, in particular, strand or loaf-shaped meat, sausage or cheese products, so-called production lines are often used, which in addition to a slicing device, in particular a so-called high-performance slicer, comprise several conveyor devices arranged one behind the other as a downstream conveyor and sorting line. These include, for example, portioning conveyors, line-up 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, by means of a deep-drawing process, uses a plastic film web to make an arrangement of packagings available, into which the products or product portions are inserted in sets of formats by means of an infeed conveyor. Such a packaging machine with a deep-drawing unit is also referred to as a "deep-drawing machine". Correspondingly, the infeed conveyor is often referred to in abbreviated form as "inlay". In order to enable reliable insertion, the insert must be positioned above the deep-drawing device, which is easily possible with a laterally cantilevered arrangement of the conveyor unit. With regard to such prior art, see, for example DE 10 2014 104 387 A1 referenced.

To insert 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 area of action, a comparatively high product throughput can be achieved. The prerequisite for this is that the robot's travel paths between the pick-up points and the delivery points are as short as possible and the height difference is as small as possible.

The aim is therefore to bring the conveyor belts for supplying the products to be packaged, to be inserted by means of a robot, as close as possible to the packagings that run in one transport direction through the packaging machine. If the products to be inserted are fed in the longitudinal direction, that is, parallel to the transport direction, this arrangement results in comparatively large ranges that a robot has to provide. This is the case, for example, when the travel path of the robot has to extend from a lateral feed area to an outer storage area on the opposite side of the packaging machine. This situation, which is perceived as unsatisfactory, has not yet been improved. Moving the feed belts for the products over the packaging trays, for example in the transport direction, is ruled out in practice, since the packaging machine generally has to be accessible over its entire upper side. Such a procedure would also require lateral feed curves and discharge curves for the feed belt so that the feed belt can be guided into the immediate area of the packaging machine and out of this area again. Such a tape guide would not be acceptable in practice for reasons of space and possible influences on the products to be inserted.

From the DE 10 2015 104 151 A1 a so-called multi-type inlay is known. In this example, the supply of the products includes short, direct routes is basically advantageous. However, the final portions or partial portions only arise in the packaging itself.

The object of the invention is to create a flexible and quick way of inserting products into packaging while requiring as little space as possible.

This object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1 directed to a packaging station.

The invention also relates to a packaging machine for food products with such a packaging station (claim 10) and a device for processing, processing and / or handling of food products with such a packaging machine (claim 11).

The packaging machine is in particular a deep-drawing packaging machine which consequently has at least one deep-drawing station, also referred to as a forming station. In such a packaging machine, shell-shaped packaging parts (which are also referred to as "trays") can be produced in a deep-drawing process in the deep-drawing station, first in the deep-drawing station, from a film web, in particular a so-called lower film a sealing station by means of a further film web, in particular a so-called upper film, sealed and thereby closed. In such a packaging machine, the lower film can be conveyed by means of two parallel, spaced endless transport chains between which the film web is clamped and which each hold the film web at an edge area.

The transport chains can each be guided in a groove that 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 run of the endless conveyor chain and for the lower run of the endless conveyor chain, which are formed on a common or two separate, vertically spaced guide profiles.

According to the invention, the path previously taken in the prior art of feeding the products parallel to the transport direction of the packaging machine is abandoned. Instead, according to the invention, the products are fed in obliquely or at least essentially perpendicularly to the transport direction. In addition, the invention is not limited to merely bringing the products as close as possible to the transfer area. According to the invention it is instead provided 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 previously pursued "side by side" of feed device and packaging machine by "one above the other" or "one inside the other". The routes for the products from the feed device into the packaging are minimized as a result. In this way, the range that a robot that may be used must have can be reduced to a minimum.

One advantage of the invention is that the overlapping or penetration of the feed device and packaging machine can be maintained permanently and unchanged, at least while the products are being placed in the packaging. According to the invention, there is no longer any need to resort to inserting products, for example by pulling back a conveyor belt or by tilting a conveyor belt. Such known practices anyway have the disadvantage that an exact alignment, but at least a correct distance setting, is always required.

The invention provides a packaging station with an integrated product supply and thus achieves a maximum degree of compactness.

The packaging station can comprise a forming or deep-drawing device or be part of a forming or deep-drawing station. Alternatively, the packaging station can be provided at a point on a packaging machine that is spaced apart in the transport direction from a forming or deep-drawing station.

In addition to the at least one packaging station, the packaging machine includes, in particular, a forming or deep-drawing station for forming the packaging from one or more foils, 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 embodiment, a transfer device is provided for transferring the products to the packaging, in particular in the form of a robot, which is effective in the transfer area and is designed to accept products from the feed device and to transfer them to the packaging.

The robot can in particular be a so-called delta robot, which is also referred to as a “picker”. Due to the inventive arrangement of the feed device and packaging machine or the inventive integration of the feed device in the packaging machine or in the packaging station, such a robot only needs to have a short range, which means that the robot works very quickly and has a high product throughput can achieve.

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

In particular, but not exclusively, for the formation of multi-type packs, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, several feed lines can be provided, each of which includes a feed device, preferably also a slicing device, and which are each assigned to a transfer area on the packaging machine, the transfer areas being longitudinal the transport direction are arranged one after the other.

According to the invention, the feed device is supported or held on a base of the packaging station. As a result, the construction effort can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional concepts.

According to a further embodiment it is provided that at the transfer area a support surface of the feed device on which the supplied products lie, and support surfaces or openings of the packaging provided for the transferred products lie in at least substantially parallel planes, the height difference of which is in a range of 3 cm to 30 cm and is preferably about 5 cm to 15 cm. The support surface is preferably designed to be adjustable in height. This means that 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 a robot and can be achieved by the overlapping or penetration according to the invention or can be achieved by integrating the feed device into the packaging machine or packaging station.

According to the invention, the feed device comprises at least one conveyor belt.

It can be provided that the conveyor belt runs with at least one strand over the transfer area or over 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 track for a packaging film and / or the conveyor belt and a transport plane in which the packagings passing through the transfer area move, penetrate one another.

It was recognized here that when a conveyor belt is used as a component of the feed device, an optimization of the transfer of products can be achieved through a cleverly designed course of the belt.

In particular, it can be provided that a lower run of the conveyor belt runs below a transport plane in which the packs passing the transfer area move, through a film conveyor, in particular one or more endless conveyor chains spaced transversely to the transport direction, for conveying a film for the packs runs, runs below a molding tool for forming the packaging, or runs through one 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 duct for a lower run of the conveyor belt. This becomes the area of the conveyor belt is shielded from the rest of the housing of the packaging machine or the packaging station. This is particularly advantageous in terms of avoiding soiling.

According to the invention it is 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 also serve as a support or abutment for a transfer device, in particular a robot, which acts on the upper run of the conveyor belt when picking up a product, e.g. with shovels of a gripper.

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

According to one embodiment, the conveyor belt can comprise a divisible link chain belt. This enables the conveyor belt to be easily removed, in particular for cleaning or replacement purposes.

One aspect of the invention, for which no protection is claimed independently of other objects disclosed herein, is directed to the idea that a feed device that feeds the products to be packaged to a transfer area at which the fed products arrive at packagings that pass through the transfer area, runs in the transfer area on at least one non-straight path around a transfer device effective 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 °, with the Transfer device is designed to take over products from the feed device and to transfer them to the packaging.
Alternatively, the path can also run over an angular range of more than 360 °.

The track can be designed as a circle, as a partial circle, as a basically arbitrarily shaped loop or as a basically arbitrarily shaped partial loop. In particular, the path runs in a single plane. Alternatively, the course can also be based on a height difference in relation to a level, in particular a horizontal plane, and for example have a spiral or helical course.

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

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

The transfer device can be designed in such a way that it can take over the products from the track at any point. The transfer device can, for example, be provided with a detection device, e.g. in the form of a camera, which 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 path.

In particular, when the feed device of a packaging machine or packaging station according to the invention comprises a conveyor belt, the lower run of the conveyor belt can run directly below the lower run of endless transport chains for a film web or between the upper run and the lower run of endless transport chains for a film web.

Further embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the drawing.

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 is described below by way of example with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

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

Figures 2, 3 and 4

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

Figures 5, 6 and 7

further embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 8

another embodiment of the invention,

Figures 9 to 12

further embodiments of the invention, and

Figures 13a to 13c

further embodiments of the invention.

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

The transport device 51 serves to feed empty packaging 19 in a transport direction T to the transfer area 17. At the transfer area 17, products 11 fed in a feed direction F by means of the feed device 15 enter the empty packaging 19. The packaging 19 filled with the products 11 then leave the transfer area 17.

The device at which this placing of products 11 in packaging 19 takes place can be a packaging station 13a, which can be a separate, exchangeable or retrofittable module of a larger packaging machine. Alternatively, the device can be a complete packaging machine which - as already mentioned in the introductory part - additionally includes a forming station or deep-drawing station for forming the packaging 19 from one or more film webs, a sealing station for sealing the packaging 19 containing the products 11, a Cutting station for separating the sealed packages 19 as well as a labeling station for the packages 19 comprise.

As an alternative to the schematic representation of the Fig. 1 For each row running perpendicular to the transport direction T or perpendicular to the feed direction F, more than just one package 19 or more than just one product 11 can be transported or fed. Multi-row format sets can also be transported or supplied in each case with a matrix-like mxn arrangement (in particular with m, n> 1) of packaging 19 or products 11.

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

During ongoing production, that is, during the ongoing transfer of products 11 to packaging 19, a respectively provided overlap or penetration state between feed device 15 and packaging machine 13 or packaging station 13a is permanent and unchangeable. In particular, it is therefore not necessary to retract or tilt, for example, the endless belt forming the feed device 15 for inserting products 11 into packaging 19.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the feed direction F runs perpendicular to the transport direction T. Alternatively, the feed device 15 can run at an angle to the transport device 51 at least in the transfer area 17, 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 consequently particularly advantageous in connection with such a transfer device which is able to not only recognize the orientation of the products 11 entering the transfer area 17 relative to the packaging 19, for example by means of a camera, but also to change it in this way that the products 11 arrive in the packaging 19 in a respectively desired target orientation. Robots equipped with appropriately movably designed grippers can therefore, according to the invention, preferably be used as transfer devices.

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

In this way, the invention can minimize the height difference to be overcome by a transfer device, in particular a robot, during the transfer.

the Fig. 2, 3 and 4th and also Fig. 8 each show an exemplary embodiment of a packaging station 13a according to the invention, in which a conveyor belt 35, which forms a feed device in the sense of the invention, is integrated. The three exemplary embodiments shown differ in the guidance of the endless belt 35. All three exemplary embodiments have in common that the conveyor belt 35, which comprises several deflection rollers 55 for the endless belt, is supported on a base 27 of the packaging station 13a provided with feet 57. Fig. 2 shows, schematically, brackets 53 provided for this purpose.

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

In order to prevent soiling of the packaging 19, covers 43 are provided between the 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 one another or slightly touch one another. Alternatively, at least the upper run 35a can slide on a cover 43 that runs between the upper run 35a and the lower run 35b and acts as a kind of parting plane.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3 the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt 35 is far below that in Fig. 3 guided by a dash-dotted line indicated transport plane 39 in which the packages 19 move. For this purpose, the packaging station 13a has a horizontal and perpendicular to the transport direction (in Fig. 3 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) through duct 41 for the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt 35. As a result, the upper run 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 prevent contamination from getting into the packaging 19, a cover 43 can again be provided, which in the exemplary embodiment of FIG Fig. 3 is arranged immediately below the upper run 35a. The cover 43 is preferably made somewhat wider than the conveyor belt 35.

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

The configurations according to Fig. 2, 3 and 4th can be provided in particular if there is any type of tool 44 below the insertion or transfer area or if this area or installation space is required in some other way, so that the lower run 35b of the conveyor belt 35 cannot run directly below the level of the packaging 19 .

In the schematic representation of the Fig. 5 who like Fig. 1 A top view of the area of the transfer of products 11 from a feed device 15 to packaging 19 shows the effective area 59 of a transfer robot 63. The arrows emanating from some of the products 11 indicate that in this variant the transfer robot can deposit the products 11 on both sides of the feed device 15 in packaging 19. As a result, the transfer area can be used optimally and the travel paths of a robot can be kept relatively short.

Fig. 6 shows schematically in a top view a multi-type plant also referred to as a mixed slicing line. This system comprises three feed lines running parallel to one another and each perpendicular to a transport device 51 for packaging 19, each of which comprises a feed device 15 and a slicing device 23, also referred to below as a slicer.

A conveyor device 25 connects to each slicer 23, on which the products 11 are produced in the form of portions from separated product slices. The conveyor devices 25 can therefore each be provided in the form of a so-called portioning unit, e.g. a portioning belt, or comprise a portioning unit with one or more downstream devices, e.g. in the form of one or more control belts.

Such a conveyor device 25, which is connected between the slicer 23 and the feed device 15 leading to the respective transfer area, can alternatively also be omitted. The formation of portions can therefore alternatively take place directly on the feed device 15, i.e. the slicer 23 can cut directly onto the feed device 15, so to speak.

The feed devices 15 can each be a conveyor belt 35 integrated into the packaging machine 13 or packaging station 13a in the sense of the exemplary embodiments of FIG Fig. 2, 3 , 4th and 8th Act. According to the concept Fig. 6 Consequently, an extremely compact, space-saving installation can be achieved in which one or more slicers 23, each arranged 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, to a certain extent, the formation of portions already takes place on a product feed belonging to the packaging machine 13 or packaging station 13a.

The pulleys or pulleys provided for the individual conveyor belts 35 are shown in FIG Fig. 6 indicated by the deflection axes 61 shown in dash-dotted lines. In the case of a direct connection of the individual feed devices 15 to the respective slicer 23, the respective strip transition between the according to FIG Fig. 6 Conveyor device 25 directly adjoining slicer 23 and feed device 15 leading to packaging machine 13 or packaging station 13a are not present.

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

However, such a use of such a multiple system is not mandatory. In the Fig. 6 The list shown can also be used for practically uninterrupted packaging of the same types of product. For example, while a slicer 23 temporarily does not deliver any products 11 due to a loading or changeover, the packaging 19 can receive products 11 that are produced by the two other slicers 23.

In Fig. 7 is based on the in Fig. 6 The list shown indicates that the number of feed lines does not have to match the number of transfer devices. The in Fig. 7 Effective area 59, shown above, 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 from two incoming feed devices 15 remove and insert into packaging 19 located between the two feed devices 15. The picker 63 arranged downstream in the transport direction T only accepts products 11 from the third feed device 15, but can do so - as shown in FIG Fig. 5 - Work on both sides of this third feed device 15.

Furthermore, it can be provided here that the feed devices 15 are designed to be adjustable relative to the transport direction T. In this way, an adaptation can be achieved on the one hand to the effective area 59 of the respective transfer device 63 and on the other hand to the respective packaging 19.

In the embodiment of Fig. 8 A particularly compact structure 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, for example, as a picker. When picking up products 11, the gripper 65 is supported on the support surface 29, that is to say on the upper run 35a, which is supported via the lower run 35b on the cover formed, for example, as a sheet metal. When products 11 are picked up, the conveyor belt 35 preferably does not move. When the conveyor belt 35 is running, the lower run 35b rubs against the sheet metal and the upper run 35a rubs against the lower run 35a, which has turned out to be uncritical.

In the Fig. 8 The feed unit shown can, for example, be adjustable about an axis, in particular can be folded up.

In the embodiments of Figures 9 to 12 the feed device in the transfer area 17 runs on a ( Fig. 9 , 10 and 11 ) or several ( Fig. 12 ) in each case straight paths 15b around a transfer device 63, in particular a robot, which is effective in the transfer area 17. The robot 63 is preferably provided with a camera in order to recognize the position of the products 11 on the path 15b, takes over the products 11 from the web 15b and places them in packaging (not shown here) which pass the transfer area 17 in the transport direction T by means of the transport device 51. The robot 63 is arranged in the center of the path 15b.

According to Fig. 9 and 10 a closed path 15b is provided for this purpose, which is shown in Fig. 9 is circular and is formed, for example, by a conveyor belt or a chain conveyor and according to FIG Fig. 10 comprises individual transport movers 69 of a conveyor system based in particular on a linear drive, as is, for example, in FIG German patent application DE-A-102014106400 and which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure. The transport movers 69 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 picking up by means of a robot gripper.

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

The path 15b according to Fig. 11 forms, so to speak, a discharge or end loop of the feed device 15. In addition, a switch can be provided in order to provide a closed track section if necessary, in particular for those transport movers 69 which, after a first cycle through the transfer area 17 a product 11 is still present and which is to be fed to the robot 63 a second time.

Like the example of Fig. 12 shows, a multiple feed (here a double feed) of products 11 to here two transfer areas 17 arranged one after the other in the transport direction T - to the extent that it corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of FIG Fig. 7 - take place. In each transfer area 17, a robot 63 is active around the one here circular path 15b according to the embodiment of FIG Fig. 9 runs around. The two feeders 15a are arranged on the inside and thus in the immediate vicinity of one another and can be supplied with products 11 either by a common slicing device or by two separate slicing devices (not shown here).

Scanning devices 67 designed as scanners can serve to recognize the incoming products 11 and the products 11 not yet accepted within the transfer area 17.

The transfer area 17 here in turn corresponds to the effective area 59 of a transfer device 63 provided, for example, in the form of a picker.

Also with the feed devices 15 according to FIG Figures 9 to 12 it 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 FIG Fig. 2, 3 , 4th and 8th Act.

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

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

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

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

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

The arrangements explained above are obviously only examples, but they show that the invention offers a high degree of flexibility.

Another advantage of the invention is that the space above the packaging machine or packaging station can be used in an advantageous manner. As in particular the arrangements according to Fig. 6 and 7th show, the invention enables parallel work with several feed devices 15 at the same time, which not only enables a high product throughput, but also increases flexibility.

The inventive integration of the product supply in the packaging machine or packaging station can in particular, such as the embodiments of Fig. 2, 3 , 4th and 13a to 13c show, can be achieved by utilizing the supporting structure of the packaging machine or packaging station. This also applies to the support structure and / or to the housing of the transfer device, which according to one embodiment of the invention can also be attached to the packaging machine or the packaging station.

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

Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to achieve comparatively compact robot work areas and relatively small height differences to be overcome by these transfer robots. This results in comparatively short travels and relatively high working speeds of the robots.

List of reference symbols

11

product

13th

Packing machine

13a

Packing station

15th

Feeding device

15a

Feeder

15b

rail

17th

Transfer area

19th

packaging

23

Slicing device

25th

Conveyor

27

Basis of the packaging machine / packaging station

29

Support surface of the feeding device

31

Support surface of the packaging

33

Opening the packaging

35

Conveyor belt

35a

Upper run of the conveyor belt

35b

Lower run of the conveyor belt

37

Track for packaging film

39

Transport level of the packaging

41

Implementation channel

43

cover

44

tool

45

portion

46

disc

51

Transport device

53

bracket

55

role

57

Stand

59

Effective range

61

Deflection axis

63

Transfer device

65

Grapple

67

Scanning device

69

Transport movers

71

Railway system, rail system

73

Film web, lower film

75

Guide profile, machine frame

77

Passage for the lower run of the conveyor belt

79a

Upper run of the film web endless transport chain

79b

Lower run of the film web endless transport chain

T

Transport direction

F.

Feed direction

M.

Conveying direction

Claims (13)

1. A packaging station for food products comprising a transport device (51);
   and at least one feed device (15) which feeds products (11) to be packaged to a transfer region (17) at which the fed products (11) reach packages which are fed to the transfer region (17) by means of the transport device (51) in a transport direction (T) and which pass through the transfer region (17) in the transport direction (T),
   wherein the feed device (15) feeds the products (11) at the transfer region (17) in a feed direction (F) which extends obliquely or at least substantially perpendicular to the transport direction (T), and
   wherein the feed device (15) comprises at least one conveyor belt (35), characterized in that
   the feed device (15) is supported or held at a base (27) of the packaging station;
   in that the conveyor belt (35) and the transport device (51) mutually overlap or penetrate one another in the transfer region (17); and
   in that a cover (43) is provided beneath the runs (35a, 35b) and/or between the runs (35a, 35b) of the conveyor belt (35), said cover (43) preventing contamination or product residues from entering the packages and being able to serve as a support or an abutment for a transfer device.
2. A packaging station in accordance with claim 1,
   wherein a support surface (29) of the feed device (15), on which the fed products (11) lie, and support surfaces (31) or openings (33) of the packages (19), which are provided for the transferred products (11), are disposed at the transfer region (17) in at least substantially parallel planes whose difference in height is in a range from 3 cm to 30 cm and preferably amounts to approximately 5 cm to 15 cm.
3. A packaging station in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2,
   wherein the conveyor belt (35) extends with at least one run (35a, 35b) across the transfer region (17) or across the transport device (51) or through the transfer region (17) or through the transport device (51).
4. A packaging station in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor belt (35) and a path (37) for a packaging film and/or the conveyor belt (35) and a transport plane (39), in which the packaging (19) passing through the transfer region (17) moves, penetrate one another.
5. A packaging station in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower run (35b) of the conveyor belt (35) extends beneath a transport plane (39), in which the packages (19) passing through the transfer region (17) move, through a film conveying device for conveying a film for the packages (19), beneath a molding tool for forming the packages (19), or through or beneath a base of the packaging station (13a) or beneath a common base (27).
6. A packaging station in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging station (13a) has a leadthrough passage (41) for a lower run (35b) of the conveyor belt (35).
7. A packaging station in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (43) is provided beneath the runs (35a, 35b), but no cover is provided between the runs (35a, 35b).
8. A packaging station in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor belt (35) comprises a link chain belt (46) which can be divided.
9. A packaging station in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the transfer region (17), the feed device (15) runs on at least one non-rectilinear path (15b) around a transfer device (63) active in the transfer region (17), in particular a robot, preferably over an angular range of at least 45° or of at least 90°, or of at least 180°, or of at least 270° or of between 330° and 360°, wherein the transfer device (63) is configured to take over products (11) from the feed device (15) and to transfer them to the packages (19).
10. A packaging machine for food products comprising at least one packaging station (13a) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
11. An apparatus for processing, machining and/or handling food products comprising a packaging machine (13) in accordance with claim 10.
12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11,
    wherein a transfer device, in particular a robot, is further provided which is active in the transfer region (17) and which is configured to take over products (11) from the feed device (15) and to transfer them to the packages (19).
13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 or claim 12,
    wherein a plurality of feed lines are provided which each comprise a feed device (15), preferably also a slicing apparatus (23), and which are associated with a transfer region (17) at the packaging machine (13), wherein the transfer regions (17) are arranged following one another along the transport direction (T).

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