EP3617076A1 - Packaging machine with suction plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging machine (1) comprising a machine frame (6), at least one work station (A) attached to the machine frame (6) and a transport device (12) with a transfer unit (14) for feeding trays (17, 17 ') to the work station (A), the transfer unit (14) comprising a suction plate (19) for transporting trays (17, 17') in a predetermined transport plane (E), characterized in that the suction plate (19) has at least one Receiving mold (25), which is at least partially designed in the form of an inner contour (27) of an upper opening region (26) facing it, of a tray (17, 17 ') provided for receiving and transporting the receiving mold (25), so that the receiving mold ( 25) during transport of the tray (17, 17 ') in the transport plane (E) is arranged in a form-fitting manner in its upper opening area (26) and the tray (17, 17') in the transport plane (E) in a predetermined position (X) at the suction aligns latte (19). The invention also relates to a method for feeding trays (17, 17 ') at a work station (A) of a packaging machine (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging machine with a suction plate according to claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for feeding trays at a work station of a packaging machine using a suction plate according to independent method claim 16.

In the case of known machine types which are used in the technical field of the invention, a major challenge is to precisely pick up the shell parts fed to the machine for further processing, in practice also called trays, in a predetermined format, to transport them further and finally to a work station , for example to transfer a thermoforming station to the packaging machine.

A precise handover to a deep-drawing station means that the deep-drawn packaging troughs produced on it can also be precisely brought together with trays provided for this purpose and connected to one another in order to form a lower packaging part composed of different packaging materials for receiving a product, for example a food product provided along the subsequent working route, such as e.g. Sausage, meat or cheese.

In this way, multilayered packaging lower parts can be produced along a packaging machine from materially different shell parts, which can have special packaging characteristics due to the use of different materials.

The WO 2013/004837 A1 discloses a packaging machine according to the above intended use, a transfer drum being used as a transfer element between a transport means and a film web in order to pick up structural elements from the transport means and to place them under the film web. The surface of the transfer drum comprises a plurality of indentations, each of which can at least partially accommodate a structural element. The disadvantage of this is that the transfer drum takes up a lot of space and the transfer of the trays is difficult to synchronize with the manufacturing process of the packaging machine.

The WO 2017/001114 A1 also discloses a packaging machine corresponding to the purpose of the invention. A suction unit is used for the transfer of structural elements on the packaging machine. The suction unit sucks the structural elements made available to it on the inside of a floor. The disadvantage of this is that for the transport of deeply formed structural elements, the suction unit is also deep down to the inside of the floor Structural element must be designed to suck the structural element on the inside of the floor. As a result, the suction unit itself takes up a lot of space, in particular for the transport of various tray formats, and furthermore requires further expensive construction work on the packaging machine, in particular on other units which are functionally connected to the suction unit. For example, the work station designed to receive and further process the structural elements must have a large opening width, for which expensive lifting mechanisms are required. Furthermore, there is the risk that the structural elements still provided in a certain format of the suction unit will slip slightly from their predetermined position during the intake on the suction unit due to the suction, which can cause undesirable manufacturing inaccuracies in a subsequent processing process. For suction on the packaging base, the latter must also have a certain flat surface suitable for suction, as a result of which it is restricted to certain packaging formats.

The object of the invention is to provide a packaging machine and a method for providing trays, with which overall a compact manufacturing process can be implemented precisely and in a versatile manner. Furthermore, the invention is to be distinguished in comparison to the prior art by an increased cost-saving potential.

This object is achieved by means of a packaging machine according to claim 1. In addition, the object is achieved by means of a method according to independent claim 16.

Improved developments of the invention are specified in the respective subclaims.

The packaging machine according to the invention, which is preferably configured in the form of a deep-drawing packaging machine, comprises a machine frame, at least one work station attached to the machine frame, for example a molding station for producing packaging trays from a film material, and a transport device with a transfer unit for feeding trays to the work station.

The trays fed to the packaging machine have any shaped shell body and are in particular made of a paper-like fiber material, for example of cardboard, of a metallic material, for example of aluminum, of a foamed material, for example of styrofoam, a two-component material and / or of another material , which comes into question in order to form a lower packaging part in combination with a film material. However, the transported trays are preferably cardboard trays.

According to the invention, the transfer unit comprises a suction plate for transporting trays in a predetermined transport plane. The suction plate is extremely compact and can thus be integrated into the machine frame of the packaging machine to save space.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the suction plate has at least one receptacle shape, which is at least partially in the form of an inner contour of an upper opening area facing it of one of the receptacle forms for receptacle and transport, so that the receptacle form at least partially form-fitting in the transport plane during transport of the tray Upper opening area is arranged and aligns the tray in the transport plane in a predetermined position on the suction plate.

It is thus possible to grip the provided trays only in their upper opening area, so that the suction plate can be made compact overall. It is conceivable that the receptacle used as a gripping means is detachably attached to the suction plate as an interchangeable component, so that the suction plate can be easily converted with regard to different tray shapes.

In the invention, the receiving shape of the suction plate is preferably designed as a negative vacuum shape with regard to the upper opening area of the respective trays. In this way, the receptacle form can be immersed in a form-fitting manner in the upper opening area of a tray provided in a complementary manner, so that the tray can be precisely positioned on the suction plate, transported further in a compact manner and precisely delivered to the work station. Due to the form-fitting and compact tray holder, great accelerations are possible for the suction plate, so that the packaging process as a whole can run in a time-optimized manner.

In particular, the suction plate according to the invention also benefits the work station provided for further processing of the tray, because the suction plate, as a plate-shaped body, can be brought together with the work station in such a way that short lifting distances are possible on it. This offers the possibility of a compact, cost-reducing construction of the packaging machine. Comparable advantages also result for the transport units that are used to prepare the trays for mounting on the suction plate. Overall, the suction plate is therefore ideal as a plate-shaped transfer medium within a compact machine room for transport between other functional units provided therein.

The trays transported by means of the suction plate can preferably be sucked into the predetermined position on the suction plate by means of a vacuum applied to the suction plate. For this In a variant, the receptacle shape can be designed to suck the tray onto at least two, preferably opposite, inner sides of the side walls formed therein. In one variant, several receptacle forms are formed on the vacuum plate, for example in a 2x2, 2x3 or 3x3 format, in order to transport several trays in this format per conveying cycle using the vacuum plate. Depending on a current transport format, the trays can preferably be connected automatically and / or manually to the vacuum from the holding molds formed on the suction plate and / or manually.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the receptacle has at least one hole which, when the tray is positively placed in the transport plane, lies against an inner wall surface of the upper opening area, so that a vacuum applied to the suction plate via the hole in the receptacle by means of the tray a predetermined holding force to secure the tray in the predetermined position.

It would be conceivable that the vacuum applied to the suction plate can be varied to apply holding forces of different sizes. In this context, a preferred variant could provide that the vacuum and thus the holding force thus generated can be automated and / or adjusted manually on the packaging machine with regard to the weight of the tray to be transported.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the receptacle has a plurality of bores which are formed on at least two opposite side walls of the receptacle for sucking up corresponding inner sides of the tray. This allows the suction surface to be increased overall, which enables the tray to be held in a precise position. This can also result in advantages for other work cuts and / or test steps taking place on the suction plate, which are explained in more detail below.

A preferred variant provides that at least one bore is formed on all the side walls of the receiving mold, so that the tray can be sucked in by means of the receiving mold on all inner sides of the side walls formed thereon. This has proven to be particularly advantageous for the transport of larger trays, which are used, for example, for packaging larger food products, for example heavy portions of cheese or meat.

For the variants described above, different bore cross sections can be considered for the respective intake bores. The bore can have, for example, a circular, slot-like, undulating and / or zigzag-like suction surface around which the tray is attached Suction interior wall area. It would even be conceivable for the bore to be designed as a suction opening that runs around the circumference of the receptacle in order to suck the inside of the tray all around in its upper opening area.

The receiving form is preferably designed as a centering body with respect to the upper opening area of the tray. This means that the receiving shape at least partially forms a geometrically tapering negative shape that fits into the upper opening area of the tray and can be inserted into the trays fed to it in such a way that the tray can be centered thereon, i.e. a slight lateral offset of the tray relative to the Admission form is compensable. In particular, high process speeds can also be achieved with this, because the receiving form designed as a centering body can be positioned at least partially in a self-locking manner in the upper opening area of the tray, so that there is an optimal positive connection for further transport.

Preferably, at least two opposite side walls of the receiving mold at least partially comprise an inclined side wall surface. When the receptacle is moved into the upper opening area of the tray provided for the receptacle, the tray can thus be precisely centered on the receptacle, while a slight lateral offset can be compensated for if necessary.

In order to reduce weight, the receiving form can be configured as a hollow body. It would be conceivable that the suction plate is configured to carry out a working step on the received tray via a cavity created on the receiving mold, for example pretreating the volume formed by the tray and connected to the cavity with a fluid.

The suction plate preferably comprises a kinking device, which is designed to form a sealing flange along a preferably pre-perforated border of the upper opening area in a tray arranged on the receiving mold. This can happen in particular during the transport of the tray to the work station, so that the suction plate is available both as a transport and as a forming module. The trays can thus be supplied as semi-finished parts to the suction plate and further shaped thereon. The buckling process can be done without additional time, i.e. during the transport of the trays using the suction plate.

The receiving form is preferably designed as part of the folding device. The recording form thus fulfills a multiple function on the suction plate according to the invention. Preferably, the Can be used as an abutment for the buckling process, so that a precise sealing flange can be produced along the edge of the tray.

In particular, the suction plate can have an abutment edge, along which the sealing flange can be bent. Here, the abutment edge can be formed on the suction plate in such a way that it is aligned for the folding process for the pre-perforated border of the tray, that is to say it rests against the tray, so that a precise kink is created for the sealing flange.

A variant of the invention provides that the buckling device has a forming plate on which the receiving shape is adjustably mounted. The forming plate is primarily placed above the receiving mold. The shaping plate and the receiving mold can be moved relative to one another by means of a lifting movement in such a way that they enable the sealing flange to be produced on the tray of the receiving mold placed on it. The receiving form can in particular be movably mounted on the forming plate between a position extended for receiving the tray and a position retracted for performing the kinking process.

The buckling device can preferably be designed as an interchangeable module which is fastened interchangeably to the suction plate. According to one embodiment, the interchangeable module comprises four mounting forms which are fastened to the forming plate in a 2x2 format.

An advantageous embodiment consists in the receiving shape being at least partially retractable into the forming plate. For this purpose, the shaping plate can comprise a receptacle into which the receptacle can at least partially move for the buckling process.

For an improved buckling process, the shaping plate can have a shaping groove on the circumferential side of the receiving mold, into which sections of the border formed on the tray for producing the sealing flange are guided during the buckling process, so that the buckling process can be precisely controlled.

One variant provides that the receiving form is spring-loaded on the forming plate. At least one spring element is preferably provided between the shaping plate and the receiving mold in order to prestress the receiving mold into the extended position.

The buckling device preferably has a movable lifting mechanism integrated in the suction plate. The lifting mechanism preferably comprises a controllable pressure element in order to move the receptacle for the buckling process onto the forming plate arranged above it. The tray placed on the receiving mold can thus be pressed against the forming plate in order to produce the sealing flange. The pressure element is an integral part formed of the suction plate and can be integrated therein, for example as a controllable pressure membrane, in order to coordinate the lifting movement of the receiving mold relative to the forming plate.

The lifting mechanism preferably has at least one lifting element which is adjustably mounted within the suction plate with the aid of the pressure element. According to the embodiment, the lifting element is firmly coupled to one another with the receiving shape. The forming plate itself can be positioned as a rigid part of the suction plate between the receiving mold arranged underneath and the lifting element arranged above it, the pressure element in the pressure-loaded state lifting the lifting element arranged above it away from the latter, so that the lifting element facing away from the pressure element Side of the forming plate positioned receptacle is adjusted to perform a kinking towards the forming plate.

The lifting mechanism of the buckling device is preferably designed as a frame module which is movably mounted on the suction plate relative to the forming plate positioned therebetween in order to carry out the buckling process.

The suction plate can be equipped with at least one dynamic pressure test unit. This makes it possible to check whether a tray is properly placed on the receiving mold and / or whether a sealing flange has been properly formed on the tray. The dynamic pressure test unit is preferably at least partially formed on the forming plate in order to control the contact of the tray, in particular its sealing flange.

According to one variant, the receptacle form can be designed to be actively temperature-controllable, so that trays placed thereon are at least partially heat-treated in order to be able to be better connected to another shell material, for example a packaging film, in a subsequent process. It would be conceivable to carry out the temperature control by means of electromagnetic heating on the recording form.

The suction plate preferably has a maximum overall height of 50 cm, preferably 30 cm, more preferably 10 cm. In such a compact plate-like design, it can be excellently accommodated and moved within the machine frame of the packaging machine.

The suction plate is preferably by means of a linear drive in or against a working direction of the packaging machine between a receiving position in which the suction plate Trays transferable, and adjustably mounted in a transfer position in which trays transported by the suction plate can be transferred to the work station. The linear drive is designed in particular for horizontal adjustment of the suction plate along the machine frame.

The linear drive preferably comprises a guide which is oriented on the machine frame in the working direction of the packaging machine and a slide which is mounted thereon and on which the suction plate is fastened. This allows the suction plate to be precisely moved back and forth at a predetermined height. The suction plate, as a gripper positioned within the machine frame, can thus ensure that the tray is provided at the work station.

Viewed in the working direction, the suction plate can be positioned in front of, behind or to the side of the work station to be supplied with trays.

The invention further relates to a method for providing trays on a packaging machine, which is in particular in the form of a thermoforming packaging machine.

The method according to the invention for feeding trays at a work station of the packaging machine is characterized in that a suction plate is formed by means of an accommodating mold arranged thereon, which is at least partially in the form of an inner contour of an upper opening area of the accommodating mold facing it for accommodating and transporting it, when transporting a tray handed over to the receiving form in the transport plane at least partially engages in its upper opening area and aligns the tray in the transport plane in a predetermined position on the suction plate.

In the method according to the invention, the receptacle formed on the suction plate can be designed as a form-fitting negative form with respect to the upper opening area of the provided tray in order to immerse it in a complementary manner.

Preferably, when the tray is transported by means of the suction plate, a vacuum applied to the suction plate sucks the tray at the upper opening area on the inner wall surface thereof by means of a predetermined holding force via at least one bore of the receiving form in order to secure the tray in the predetermined position.

One variant provides that a sealing flange is bent over along a preferably pre-perforated border of the upper opening area by means of an adjustable folding device of the suction plate in a tray positioned on the receiving mold. Since this is preferably done during the transport of the tray, a separate forming process can be dispensed with, so that the manufacturing process as a whole can run in a time-optimized manner.

The folding process for producing the sealing flange on the suction plate is preferably controlled by means of a lifting mechanism of the folding device which can be pressurized and integrated on the suction lath.

The checking of the presence of a tray on the receiving form and / or the proper production of a sealing flange on the tray can be checked by means of at least one dynamic pressure test unit provided on the suction plate. It can be determined by the presence of a predetermined dynamic pressure applied to the tray that the tray is received in the predetermined position on the suction plate for transport and / or that the sealing flange produced by means of the buckling device was shaped in accordance with the tolerance.

The suction plate is preferably used as a suction gripper, with which trays are cyclically transported in or against a working direction of the packaging machine from a receiving position in which the trays are transferred to the transfer plate to a transfer position in which the trays are transferred from the suction plate to the work station.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Verpackungsmaschine,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts der erfindungsgemäßen Verpackungsmaschine, einschließlich der für den Transport von Trays eingesetzten Saugplatte,

Fig. 3

eine Saugplatte gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung in isolierter Darstellung,

Fig. 4

die ausführungsgemäße Saugplatte aus Figur 3 mit daran positionierten Trays,

Fig. 5

eine Saugplatte gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung in isolierter Darstellung,

Fig. 6

eine Transparentdarstellung der Saugplatte aus Figur 5 mit daran positionierten Trays,

Fig. 7

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Saugplatte mit einer Knickeinrichtung sowie daran positionierten Trays mit ungeknicktem Randbereich in isolierter Darstellung sowie

Fig. 8

die Saugplatte aus Figur 7 mit daran positionierten Trays mit geknicktem Rand.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the figures. Show:

Fig. 1

a packaging machine according to the invention,

Fig. 2

3 shows a perspective illustration of a section of the packaging machine according to the invention, including the suction plate used for the transport of trays,

Fig. 3

a suction plate according to a first embodiment of the invention in an isolated representation,

Fig. 4

the suction plate according to the design Figure 3 with trays positioned on it,

Fig. 5

a suction plate according to a further embodiment of the invention in an isolated representation,

Fig. 6

a transparent representation of the suction plate Figure 5 with trays positioned on it,

Fig. 7

a further embodiment of the suction plate with a kinking device and trays positioned thereon with an unkinked edge area in an isolated representation and

Fig. 8

the suction plate Figure 7 with trays positioned on it with a folded edge.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a packaging machine 1, which is designed in the form of a thermoforming packaging machine T. The packaging machine 1 has a work station A designed as a molding station 2, a sealing station 3, a cross cutting device 4 and a longitudinal cutting device 5. These are arranged in this order in a working direction R on a machine frame 6.

On the machine frame 6 of the packaging machine 1, a feed roller 7 is fastened on the input side, from which a lower film U as the lower packaging material 8 is pulled off. The lower film U is transported into the forming station 2 by means of a feed device, not shown. By means of a deep-drawing process taking place there, packaging troughs M are formed into the bottom film U by means of the forming station 2. The packaging troughs M can be transported further to an insertion section 15, where they can be filled with a product 16 manually or automatically. Following the insertion section 15, the packaging troughs M filled with the products 16 are transported further to a sealing station 3. By means of the sealing station 3, the packaging troughs M can be sealed with an upper film O, which forms an upper packaging material 10, so that by sealing the upper film O onto the packaging troughs M, closed packages V are produced, which are separated by means of the cross-cutting device 4 and the longitudinal cutting device 5 and can be removed by means of a discharge device 13.

Furthermore, the in Figure 1 shown packaging machine 1 via an operator terminal 9, on which process parameters can be set for the respective work stations provided on the packaging machine 1. The operating terminal 9 comprises a control unit 11, which is only shown schematically. The control unit 11 is configured to carry out arithmetic operations, in particular in real time during the manufacturing process, in order to control the packaging machine 1 on a process-based basis, that is to say, if necessary, process-related adaptation of the respective process parameters of the packaging machine 1 to cause.

In the Figure 1 The packaging machine 1 shown also has a transport device 12 assigned to the work station A with a transfer unit 14, with which trays supplied from outside the packaging machine 1 are received within the machine frame 6, transported further and to the ones in the image plane of FIG Figure 1 Have the molding station 2 positioned upstream next to it handed over. The transport device 12 could alternatively also be positioned in the working direction R, in particular in front of the molding station 2. The transport device 12 is configured to continuously process the trays of the To feed molding station 2, which are connected to the packaging troughs M produced thereon to produce a (composite) packaging part VU.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the transport device 12 integrated in the machine frame 6 of the packaging machine 1 Figure 2 a plurality of trays 17 in a predetermined format F, here in a 2x2 format, are transferred to the transport device 12 from outside the machine frame 6 of the packaging machine 1 by means of a feed device 15. The trays 17 are in Figure 2 formed as cardboard trays K, but can also be made of another material.

The trays 17 are according to Figure 2 Transfer in the predetermined format F to a vertically adjustable lifting mechanism 18 of the transport device 12 arranged inside the machine frame 6. The lifting mechanism 18 is designed to lift the trays 17 positioned thereon in order to transfer the trays 17 to the transfer unit 14 positioned above them in a receiving position P1. In the Figure 2 The illustrated transfer unit 14 is adjustably mounted in or against the working direction R of the packaging machine 1 between the receiving position P1, in which the trays 17 can be transferred, and a transfer position P2 along a transport plane E, in which trays 17 transported by the transfer unit 14 to the forming station 2 are transferable.

According to Figure 2 the transfer unit 14 is designed as a suction plate 19. The suction plate 19 is adjustable by means of a linear drive 20 in or against the working direction R of the packaging machine 1 between the receiving position P1 and the transfer position P2. The linear drive 20 is equipped with a guide 21 aligned in the working direction R of the packaging machine 1 on the machine frame 6 and a slide 22 mounted thereon, to which the suction plate 19 is attached. Furthermore, an electric motor 60, for example a servo motor, which is preferably attached to the machine frame 6, is designed to control an adjustment movement of the suction plate 19. The operation of the electric motor 60 can be coordinated by means of the control unit 11 of the packaging machine 1.

The in Figure 2 The structure shown shows that the suction plate 19 as such is only moved back and forth horizontally in the transport plane E in the working direction R in order to continuously feed the trays 17 received thereon to the forming station 2 for further processing with the packaging trays M formed thereon.

Figure 3 shows the suction plate 19 according to a variant in an isolated representation. In the Figure 3 The suction plate 19 shown has a plate-shaped upper part 23, by means of which the suction plate 19 on the slide 22 (see Figure 2 ) can be attached. Furthermore, the suction plate 19 comprises a plate-shaped central part 24 which is connected to the upper part 23. On a side facing away from the upper part 23, a plurality of receptacle forms 25 extend from the middle part 24. The receptacle forms 25 are shaped such that, with respect to the trays 17 made available to them for transport, they are at least partially as a negative form in their upper opening area 26 (see Figure 4 ) can fit positively.

The receptacle forms 25 can each be available individually or coupled to the central part 24 as a replacement or retrofit attachment W for the suction plate 19 in order to be able to convert the suction plate 19 for flexible use with regard to different tray geometries. In the Figure 3 The receptacle forms 25 shown are each designed as a hollow body H, in particular for reducing the weight of the suction plate 19.

Figure 4 shows the suction plate 19 Figure 3 with trays 17 attached to it in a predetermined position X. According to Figure 4 the received trays 17 each have a bowl-shaped trough shape MF with an upper opening area 26, into which the respective receiving forms 25 are positively immersed.

The upper opening areas 26 formed on the respective trays 17 have an inner contour 27 which is at least essentially the formation of respective side walls 28 (see Figure 3 ) corresponds to the recording forms 25. According to Figure 3 are the respective to the side of the machine frame 6 (see Figure 2 ) aligned side walls 28 of the receptacle forms 25 inclined so that they have an inclined suction surface 29. The recording forms 25 are in accordance with Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 configured in particular as a centering body Z, in order, if necessary, to compensate for a slight offset of the trays 17 provided when they are received on the suction plate 19. In particular, the receiving forms 25 designed as centering bodies Z have the purpose that the trays 17 placed thereon can be precisely positioned on the suction plate 19, so that on the suction plate 19, in addition to the actual transport purpose, further work steps, for example one in connection with the Fig. 7 and the Fig. 8 described buckling process K, favored.

Show further Figure 3 and Figure 4 that 25 bores 30 are formed along the respective side walls 28 of the receiving molds. The respective bores 30 lie in sections on the inner wall surface 31 of the upper opening area 26 during the transport of the trays 17 which are positively attached to the receptacle forms 25, so that a vacuum VK applied to the suction plate 19 via the bores 30 of the respective receptacle form 25 is placed thereon Tray 17 sucks by means of a predetermined holding force P in order to align the trays 17 in a predetermined position X on the suction plate 19, ie to transport them in a predetermined format F and to transfer them to the forming station 2.

Figure 4 also shows that the respective trays 17 are received by the suction plate 19 both by means of a form fit and by means of a force fit. The form fit is achieved with the aid of the receptacle forms 25 produced as negative vacuum forms. The non-positive connection for the transport of the trays 17 is provided by the vacuum VK applied to the respective inner wall surface 31 of the trays 17.

Figure 5 shows the suction plate 19 according to another variant in order to transport a different format F on trays 17 'than is shown by means of the suction plate 19 described in connection with the previous figures.

According to Figure 5 A total of nine wedge-shaped trays 17 'can be accommodated on the suction plate 19, which can be used, for example, for packing three-corner cuts. Here the trays 17 'are transported in a 3x3 format by means of the suction plate 19.

The technical principle according to which the trays 17 'can be fixed to the suction plate 19 both by means of a positive fit at their upper opening area 26 and by means of a force fit on the basis of the vacuum present in this region Figure 5 in front.

In the suction plate 19 Figure 5 A large number of bores 30 are formed both in a plate part 32 and on the respective receiving molds 25 in order to evenly distribute the vacuum VK applied to the suction plate 19 for fixing the trays 17 ′.

Figure 6 shows several connecting channels 33, which are formed in the plate part 32 of the suction plate 19, and respective connections 61, which conduct the vacuum VK generated on the suction plate 19 to the bores 30 formed on the side walls 28 of the receiving molds 25. The vacuum VK applied via the respective connection channels 33 and / or the connections 61 can be supplied and blocked in a targeted manner to certain receptacle forms 25 by means of suitable valve control.

Figure 7 shows the suction plate 19 with a kink device 34 integrally formed thereon. The kink device 34 comprises an adjustable lifting mechanism 70 integrated in the suction plate 19. The lifting mechanism 70 comprises a lifting element 42, for example in the form of a plate which is located within the frame shown in FIG Figure 7 shown, partially hollow upper part 23 is arranged movably, and a pressure element 34 arranged underneath, which is present in particular in the form of an inflatable membrane 46.

The lifting element 42 is connected to the receiving molds 25 by means of connector pins 47. The connector pins 47 extend through a for a buckling process K (see Figure 8 ) formed forming plate 37 of the buckling device 34. The lifting element 42, which is positioned above the forming plate 37, and the receptacle forms 25, which are attached to the lifting element 42 by means of the connector pins 47 and are positioned on a side of the forming plate 37 facing away from one another, form a functionally connected module of the folding device 34.

In the pressure-loaded state, the membrane 46 lifts the lifting element 42 upwards, away from the forming plate 37. As a result, the receptacle forms 25 coupled thereto for the buckling process K are also lifted in order to have a sealing flange 36 on the trays 17 attached thereto (see Figure 8 ) to manufacture. In the depressurized state, the lifting element 42 lies on an upper side 50 of the shaping plate 37. The receiving molds 25 are accordingly in a corresponding manner Figure 7 Extended position 38 shown. In this position 38, the receiving molds 25 are positioned spring-loaded by means of respective spring elements 49. The cooperating spring rate of the respective spring elements 49 can be matched to the pressure-loaded operation of the membrane 46 in such a way that an in Figure 8 indicated predetermined articulation stroke KH comes about.

According to Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the case of the respective trays 17 arranged on the holding molds 25, the sealing flange 36 is formed along a border 35 of the respective upper opening area 26 formed thereon.

For the manufacture of the respective sealing flanges 36, the receptacle forms 25 can at least partially be inserted into the receptacles 48 formed thereon on the forming plate 37 arranged above, in order to pull the trays 17 arranged thereon onto the forming plate 37.

Figure 8 shows that the trays 17 arranged on the receiving molds 25 are deformed along the edge 35 thereof by the articulation stroke KH, as a result of which the sealing flange 36 is formed on the respective trays 17.

The in the Figure 7 The suction plate 19 shown holds the receiving molds 25 arranged thereon spring-loaded in the extended position 38, in which the trays 17 are transferred to the suction plate 19 without a sealing flange 36 formed thereon. Figure 8 shows the respective receptacle forms 25 in a retracted position 39, in which now against the spring preload pressurized lifting mechanism 70, the receiving molds 25 are drawn into the corresponding receptacles 48 of the forming plate 37 positioned above them. By immersing the respective receptacle forms 25 in the receptacles 48 provided for this purpose in the forming plate 37, the in Figure 7 Shown not bent edge 35 deformed such that the respective in Figure 8 shown sealing flanges 36 are produced on the trays 17.

According to the Figure 7 and the Figure 8 are formed on the forming plate 37 in addition to the respective receptacles 48 bending grooves 45 which support the buckling process K of the sealing flanges 36. A circumferential abutment edge 44 formed on the respective receptacles 48 also has a positive effect in the production of a precise sealing flange 36.

Furthermore, the Figures 7 and 8th that the suction plate 19 shown therein also has a dynamic pressure test unit 41. The dynamic pressure test unit 41 is formed on the forming plate 37 in such a way that it can in particular be checked whether a tray 17 is properly positioned on the suction plate 19 for a transfer process to the work station A. Likewise, it can be checked by means of the dynamic pressure test unit 41 whether the sealing flange 36 has been bent in accordance with the tolerance.

The transport device 12 used in the invention, including the suction plate 19 used in accordance with the invention, can be used at different points along the packaging machine 1, in order to respectively carry out trays 17 fed to the packaging machine 1 from outside for a further processing process carried out there, for example for connecting to the forming station 2 deep-drawn packaging troughs M to feed. In particular, the transport device 12 can be in the working direction R of the packaging machine 1 Figure 1 viewed in front of or behind the forming station 2 configured as work station A, in order to produce trays 17 corresponding to the packaging troughs M produced thereon for producing packaging lower parts VU made from the trays 17 and the packaging troughs M (see Figure 1 ) to manufacture. The respective lower packaging parts VU produced in the molding station 2 are then transported, so to speak, as a shell composite to the insertion section 15.

The transport device 12 used in the invention is not for use on a thermoforming packaging machine T according to Figure 1 limited, but can also be used in an advantageous manner on other machine types, for example on traysealers.

Claims (15)

Packaging machine (1) comprising a machine frame (6), at least one work station (A) attached to the machine frame (6) and a transport device (12) with a transfer unit (14) for feeding trays (17, 17 ') to the work station ( A), the transfer unit (14) comprising a suction plate (19) for transporting trays (17, 17 ') in a predetermined transport plane (E), characterized in that the suction plate (19) comprises at least one receiving form (25), which is at least partially designed in the form of an inner contour (27) of an upper opening area (26) facing it, of one of the receiving molds (25) for receiving and transporting trays (17, 17 '), so that the receiving mold (25) during transport of the tray (17, 17 ') is arranged in the transport plane (E) in a form-fitting manner in its upper opening area (26) and the tray (17, 17') in the transport plane (E) in a predetermined position (X) on the suction plate (19) aligns. Packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving form (25) is designed to suck the tray (17, 17 ') on at least two, preferably opposite, inner sides (52) of side walls (28) formed thereon. Packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving mold (25) has at least one bore (30) which, during the transport of the tray (17, 17 ') positively placed in the transport plane (E) in the transport plane (E) Inner wall surface (31) of the upper opening area (26) abuts so that a vacuum (VK) applied to the suction plate (19) via the bore (30) of the receiving mold (25) the tray (17, 17 ') by means of a predetermined holding force (P ) to secure the tray in the predetermined position (X). Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (25) has a plurality of bores (30) on opposite side walls (28) of the receptacle (25) for sucking up corresponding inner sides (42) of the tray (17, 17 ') and / or at least one hole (30) is formed on all side walls (28) of the receiving mold (25), so that the tray (17, 17 ') on all inner sides (42) of side walls (28) formed thereon by means of the receiving mold (25) can be sucked in. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving form (25) is designed as a centering body (Z) with respect to the upper opening area (26) of the tray (17, 17 ') and / or at least two opposite side walls (28) of the receiving form (25) at least partially form an inclined suction surface (29). Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction plate (19) comprises a kinking device (34) which is designed, in the case of a tray (17, 17 ') arranged on the receiving mold (25), along a preferably pre-perforated border ( 35) of the upper opening area (26) to form a sealing flange (36). Packaging machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the receiving mold (25) is designed as part of the kinking device (34) and / or the kinking device (34) has a shaping plate (37) on which the receiving mold (25) is adjustably mounted. Packaging machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the receiving mold (25) is at least partially retractable into the forming plate (37) and / or the suction plate (19) comprises a pressure element (43) in order to fold the receiving mold (25) for a buckling process (K ) to move to the forming plate (37). Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction plate (19) has a dynamic pressure test unit (41). Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction plate (19) by means of a linear drive (20) in or against a working direction (R) of the packaging machine (1) between a receiving position (P1) in which the suction plate (19) trays (17, 17 ') can be transferred, and a transfer position (P2) is adjustably mounted, in which trays (17, 17') transported by the suction plate (19) can be transferred to the work station (A). Packaging machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the linear drive (20) has a guide (21) oriented in the working direction (R) of the packaging machine (1) on the machine frame (6) and a slide (22) slidably mounted thereon, to which the suction plate is attached is. Method for feeding trays (17, 17 ') at a work station (A) of a packaging machine (1), characterized in that a suction plate (19) by means of an accommodating mold (25) arranged thereon, which is at least partially in the form of an inner contour (27 ) of an upper opening region (26) facing it, one of the trays (17, 17 ') provided for the receiving mold (25) for receiving and transport is formed, during the transport of a tray (17, 17') transferred to the receiving mold (25) in the transport plane ( E) engages positively in its upper opening area (26) and aligns the tray (17, 17 ') in the transport plane (E) in a predetermined position (X) on the suction plate (19). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that when the tray (17, 17 ') is being transported by means of the suction plate (19), a vacuum (VK) applied to the suction plate (19) via at least one bore (30) of the receiving mold (25) Tray (17, 17 ') at the upper opening area (26) on its inner wall surface (31) by means of a predetermined holding force (P) to secure the tray (17, 17') in the predetermined position (X). Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that by means of a kinking device (34) of the suction plate (19) in a tray (17, 17 ') positioned aligned on the receiving mold (25) along a preferably pre-perforated border (35) of the upper opening area (26) a sealing flange (36) is bent over and / or a dynamic pressure applied to the tray (17, 17 ') is checked by means of a dynamic pressure test unit (41) provided on the suction plate (19). Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the suction plate (19) is used as a suction gripper, with which trays (17, 17 ') are intermittently in or against a working direction (R) of the packaging machine (1) from a receiving position (P1 ), in which the trays (17, 17 ') are transferred to the suction plate (19), are transported to a transfer position (P2) in which the trays (17, 17') are transferred from the suction plate (19) to the work station (A ) be handed over.

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