EP4079645B1 - Sealing station with a product protection plate - Google Patents

Sealing station with a product protection plate Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4079645B1
EP4079645B1 EP22162184.0A EP22162184A EP4079645B1 EP 4079645 B1 EP4079645 B1 EP 4079645B1 EP 22162184 A EP22162184 A EP 22162184A EP 4079645 B1 EP4079645 B1 EP 4079645B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sealing
product protection
protection plate
plate
locking unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP22162184.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4079645A1 (en
Inventor
Albert Gabler
Michael Huber
Nikolas Pekarek
Sascha Petermichl
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP4079645A1 publication Critical patent/EP4079645A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4079645B1 publication Critical patent/EP4079645B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/006—Adding fluids for preventing deformation of filled and closed containers or wrappers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
    • B65B9/04—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65B31/028—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers closed by a lid sealed to the upper rim of the container, e.g. tray-like container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/14—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by reciprocating or oscillating members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B59/00—Arrangements to enable machines to handle articles of different sizes, to produce packages of different sizes, to vary the contents of packages, to handle different types of packaging material, or to give access for cleaning or maintenance purposes
    • B65B59/04—Machines constructed with readily-detachable units or assemblies, e.g. to facilitate maintenance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/162—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by feeding web material to securing means
    • B65B7/164—Securing by heat-sealing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sealing station according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such a sealing station is from DE 10 2012 006 696 A1 and from the DE 10 2018 114 263 A1 known.
  • the product protection plates used within these sealing stations which are arranged on the underside of a sealing plate, have the function of reducing the heat emitted by the sealing plate onto the product placed in deep-drawn troughs or packaging trays.
  • product protection plates are removably attached to the sealing plate for cleaning or maintenance, so silicone applied over the screw head makes it difficult to install and remove a product protection plate.
  • this is due to the fact that the silicone first has to be laboriously scraped off in order to remove the product protection plate.
  • new silicone must be applied.
  • the associated curing time increases tool downtime, which leads to increased downtime of the packaging machine.
  • the object of the invention is to make available a sealing station with a product protection plate, with which packaging which is perfect in terms of appearance can be produced in particular.
  • the invention relates to a sealing station for a packaging machine, which is present in particular in the form of a thermoforming packaging machine or in the form of a tray sealing machine.
  • the sealing station according to the invention has a lower part of the sealing tool for accommodating deep-drawn troughs or packaging trays and an upper part of the sealing tool positioned above it with at least one heatable sealing plate.
  • the sealing plate is designed to close the deep-drawn troughs or packaging trays accommodated by the lower part of the sealing tool with an upper film, with at least one product protection plate being attached to an underside of the sealing plate. Its function is to reduce heat transfer from the sealing plate to the product to be packaged.
  • the upper part of the sealing tool has at least one fastening mechanism for the detachable fastening of the product protection plate to the underside of the sealing plate. This means that the product protection plate can be removed for service or cleaning purposes, for example.
  • the attachment mechanism between the sealing plate and the product protection plate comprises at least one magnetic locking unit for generating a magnetic holding force for attaching the product protection plate to the sealing plate, at least one hook-in locking unit for attaching opposite outer sides of the product protection plate to these facing areas of the sealing plate, or at least one gravity locking unit that is used to do so is designed to lock the product protection plate on the upper part of the sealing tool by means of a gravitational force which is exerted by the product protection plate in the installed state and points away from the sealing plate positioned above it.
  • the fastening means proposed according to the invention are formed between the sealing plate and the product protection plate, i.e. on opposite sides thereof, the underside of the product protection plate facing away from the sealing plate and facing the top film remains free of assembly means and therefore does not need to have any bores for such assembly means.
  • the underside of the product protection panel can be finished with a flat surface that will not leave marks on the top film.
  • the three above-mentioned alternatives according to the invention for fastening the product protection plate can be implemented easily and cost-effectively at the sealing station from a structural point of view. Furthermore, the respective alternatives enable the product protection plate to be quickly and easily installed and removed at the sealing station. Above all, however, it is possible to avoid imprints on the top or lid film. Furthermore, downtimes of the sealing station can be reduced using the attachment alternatives according to the invention, since the product protection plate can be installed and removed at the sealing station without great effort, in particular within a short time.
  • the magnetic locking unit preferably has at least one permanent magnet which is attached to the sealing plate or to the product protection plate.
  • the permanent magnet could be attached, for example, to an underside of the sealing plate facing the product protection plate, in particular centrally above the product protection plate.
  • Such a permanent magnet can be produced inexpensively and can be integrated as a functional component in a compact manner at the sealing station.
  • the magnetic locking unit has at least one component made of a soft magnetic material (hereinafter also referred to as "soft magnetic component”), which is attached to the sealing plate or the product protection plate. If this component is attached to the product protection plate, the permanent magnet is attached to the sealing plate and vice versa.
  • soft magnetic component a soft magnetic material
  • the permanent magnet and the component made of a soft magnetic material can be positioned opposite one another in order to generate a desired holding force for attaching the product protection plate to the sealing plate.
  • the permanent magnet has a trough-like centering recess facing the soft-magnetic component in the assembled state of the product protection plate, in which at least part of the soft-magnetic component is positively accommodated.
  • the permanent magnet and the soft-magnetic component together form a centering unit.
  • the centering depression can in particular be oval in shape.
  • the product protection plate can thus be attached to the sealing plate in a stable position.
  • the permanent magnet and/or the component made of the soft-magnetic material have at least a partial plastic sheathing. This enables the product protection plate to be installed and removed gently and with less noise at the sealing station.
  • a variant provides that the permanent magnet and the component made of the soft magnetic material are completely embedded in plastic. This full encapsulation has the advantage that manufacturing tolerances can be better compensated and it prevents mechanical stresses in the magnetic components.
  • a preferred variant provides that the permanent magnet or the component made of the soft-magnetic material is fastened within a recess formed on the sealing plate. This favors a flat assembly of the sealing plate and the product protection plate. In this way, shortened lifting cycles can be achieved during operation of the sealing station.
  • the soft-magnetic component in the mounted state is screwed to an upper side of the product protection plate facing the sealing plate, with a part of the soft-magnetic component protruding from the upper side of the product protection plate forming a negative shape for the centering recess formed in the permanent magnet.
  • Their respective shapes can be secured against twisting relative to one another. It is thus possible for the permanent magnet, together with the soft-magnetic component, to form a centering unit in order to attach the product protection plate to the sealing plate in a predetermined position and orientation.
  • the sealing plate preferably forms a receptacle on its underside that is shaped to accommodate the product protection plate. When assembled, this results in a flat, cassette-like module.
  • the hooking locking unit has at least one hooking protrusion formed on a first outer side of the product protection plate and at least one elastic locking clip arranged on a second outer side of the product protection plate opposite the first.
  • the fastening means which are shifted to opposite outer sides of the product protection plate, enable the product protection plate to be easily installed and removed at the sealing station.
  • the hooking projection can be hooked inside an indentation of the sealing plate.
  • the locking bracket can snap into a projection of the sealing plate.
  • the hooking projection is formed integrally with the product protection panel, i.e. in one piece with it.
  • the elastic locking clip can be screwed onto the product protection plate on its upper side facing the sealing plate.
  • the locking bracket preferably has a locking tongue which can snap onto the projection formed on the sealing plate in order to secure the hinged product protection plate on the sealing plate. It is conceivable that the elastic locking bracket can be released from a locked state on the sealing plate using a screwdriver, so that the product protection plate can be easily removed from the sealing station by an operator, for example for service, cleaning and/or conversion work.
  • the spacer is preferably arranged on the sealing plate within the receptacle formed thereon for receiving the product protection plate, for example screwed tight therein.
  • An advantageous variant provides for a total of four spacers, which are distributed within the mounting recess around the permanent magnet fastened therein.
  • the gravity locking unit is designed to unlock the product protection plate in the removed state of the upper part of the sealing tool when it is turned upside down by simply pressing the product protection plate in the direction of gravity.
  • a gravity locking mechanism can be in the function of a push-to-open lock, in which variant the pushing can be facilitated by the gravity of the product protection panel to bring it into an unlocked state for removal.
  • the gravity locking unit has at least two spherical locking bodies. It is conceivable that these two balls are accommodated within guide bores formed on the sealing plate, which also form part of the gravity locking unit. These guide bores can be such that the two balls tend to be moved towards one another to lock the product protection plate and tend to be moved apart to unlock the product protection plate.
  • the guide bores can have a bore cross-section that tapers towards the product protection plate.
  • the product protection plate has at least two centering bolts on its upper side and the sealing plate has two corresponding centering holes.
  • the centering bolts make it easier to install and remove the product protection plate at the sealing station.
  • the gravity locking unit has a bolt attached to the product protection plate in the form of a countersunk screw, which can be pushed headform first into a mounting opening formed on the sealing plate to attach the product protection plate to the sealing plate.
  • the head shape formed on the bolt can be secured to the gravity locking unit by means of the two balls.
  • the product protection plate preferably has an underside facing the lower part of the sealing tool in the installed state, with a surface free of bores.
  • the flat surface facing the product prevents marks from forming on the lidding film.
  • the invention also relates to a packaging machine that is in the form of a thermoforming packaging machine or in the form of a tray sealing machine (also known as a "tray sealer" in technical circles) and has a sealing station according to the invention.
  • a packaging machine that is in the form of a thermoforming packaging machine or in the form of a tray sealing machine (also known as a "tray sealer” in technical circles) and has a sealing station according to the invention.
  • a deep-drawing packaging machine deep-drawing cavities can be sealed with an optically flawless lid film.
  • the sealing station according to the invention in particular a product protection plate, is used by means of the fastening mechanism according to the invention.
  • thermoforming packaging machine 1 shows a packaging machine that is in the form of an intermittently working thermoforming packaging machine 1 .
  • This thermoforming packaging machine 1 has a forming station 2, a sealing station 3, a transverse cutting device 4 and a longitudinal cutting device 5, which are arranged in this order in a transport direction R on a machine frame 6.
  • the thermoforming packaging machine 1 has a transport chain 11, in particular two transport or clamping chains 11 arranged on both sides, which grips the lower film 8 and transports it further in the transport direction R per main work cycle.
  • the forming station 2 is designed as a deep-drawing station, in which deep-drawing depressions T are formed in the lower film 8 by deep-drawing, for example by means of compressed air and/or vacuum.
  • the forming station 2 can be designed in such a way that in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction R, a plurality of deep-drawing troughs T are formed next to one another.
  • a filling section 12 is provided in the transport direction R behind the forming station 2, in which the deep-drawn depressions T formed in the lower film 8 are filled with product.
  • the sealing station 3 has a hermetically sealable chamber 3a in which the atmosphere in the deep-drawing molds T can be evacuated before sealing with the upper film 10 released from an upper film holder 9 and/or replaced by flushing with a replacement gas or a gas mixture.
  • the cross-cutting device 4 can be designed as a punch, which cuts through the lower film 8 and the upper film 10 in a direction transverse to the transport direction R between adjacent deep-drawing troughs T.
  • the cross-cutting device 4 works in such a way that the lower film 8 is not severed over the entire width, but rather is not severed at least in an edge region. This enables controlled further transport through the transport chain 11.
  • the longitudinal cutting device 5 can be designed as a knife arrangement with which the lower film 8 and the upper film 10 are severed between adjacent thermoforming depressions T and at the lateral edge of the lower film 8 in the transport direction R, so that behind the longitudinal cutting device 5 individual packages are present.
  • the thermoforming packaging machine 1 also has a controller 19. It has the task of controlling and monitoring the processes taking place in the thermoforming packaging machine 1.
  • a display device 20 with operating elements 21 serves to visualize or influence the process sequences in the thermoforming packaging machine 1 for or by an operator.
  • FIG. 2 shows a tray sealing machine 12, which is also called a traysealer in specialist circles. Packing trays V are made available on a feed belt 13 at the tray sealing machine 12 .
  • the tray sealing machine 12 has a gripper device 14, by means of which the packaging trays V provided on the infeed belt 13 are picked up and transferred to a sealing tool lower part 15 of the sealing station 16 for a tray sealing process.
  • the lower part 15 of the sealing tool is raised against an upper part 17a of the sealing tool positioned above it in order to seal the packaging trays V with an upper film 18 guided through the sealing station 16 .
  • the sealing station 16 is opened by the lower part 15 of the sealing tool being lowered.
  • the sealed packages V can now be picked up by the gripper device 14 and transferred to a discharge belt 19 .
  • sealing tool upper part 17b in an isolated representation.
  • the upper part of the sealing tool 17b is intended for use on the in 1 shown thermoforming packaging machine 1 suitable.
  • the sealing tool upper part 17a 2 and the sealing tool upper part 17b 3 can have a comparable structure, at least as far as the present invention is concerned. In the following, however, reference is primarily made to the thermoforming packaging machine 1 .
  • the sealing tool upper part 17b 3 comprises a sealing plate 20.
  • the sealing plate 20 forms a sealing surface 21 which presses the upper film 10 against the deep-drawn troughs T during the sealing process in order to produce a sealing seam for closing the deep-drawn troughs T.
  • the product protection plate 23 has a function of protecting a product to be packaged.
  • the product protection plate 23 positioned between the sealing plate 20 and the product to be packaged functions as a heat block to reduce heat transfer from the sealing plate 20 to the product to be packaged.
  • the product protection plate 23 is fastened to the underside 22 of the sealing plate 20 by means of a magnetic locking unit 24 .
  • the magnetic locking unit 24 has a permanent magnet 25 which is arranged in a recess 26 formed on the underside 22 of the sealing plate 20 .
  • the magnetic locking unit 24 has a component 27 made of a soft magnetic material, which is attached to an upper side 29 of the product protection plate 23 .
  • the permanent magnet 25 exerts a holding force H on the component 27 positioned underneath and made of the soft magnetic material in order to fasten the product protection plate 23 to the underside 22 of the sealing plate 20 .
  • FIG 3 also shows that two spacers 31 are arranged between the sealing plate 20 and the product protection plate 23 positioned underneath.
  • the upper part 17b of the sealing tool has a heating device 28 above the sealing plate 20 .
  • Figure 12 shows the sealing plate 20 and the product protection plate 23 assembled in isolation.
  • the permanent magnet 25 is installed recessed on the underside 22 of the sealing plate 20, ie is firmly accommodated within the recess 26 formed therein.
  • the permanent magnet 25 can be embedded in plastic K, possibly even completely encased by it.
  • the plastic K can line the recess 26 completely.
  • the component 27 made from the soft magnetic material forms an integral part of the product protection plate 23 .
  • the product protection plate 23 shown has, in the assembled state, an underside 33 facing the top film 10 with a surface 34 free of bores. This means that the product protection plate 23 does not leave any visually unattractive imprints on the top film 10 when the deep-drawn molds T are sealed.
  • the magnetic locking unit 24 shown is designed as a centering unit for attaching the product protection plate 23 .
  • the permanent magnet 25 has a centering recess 30 facing the soft-magnetic component 27, which positively accommodates an upper part 32 of the soft-magnetic component 27, which is correspondingly designed as a negative mold.
  • the sealing plate 20 forms a receptacle 42 for the product protection plate 20 .
  • This receptacle 42 can be designed in such a way that, in the assembled state, the surface 34 of the product protection plate 23 and the sealing surface 21 formed on the sealing plate 20 are essentially flush.
  • Figure 4B shows the product protection plate 23 in an isolated representation.
  • the soft magnetic component 27 is screwed to the top 29 of the product protection plate 23 .
  • the product protection plate 23 has a flat structure, with the plate-like part having a height of about 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm.
  • Figure 4C shows a perspective representation of the sealing plate 20 in an isolated representation.
  • the sealing plate 20 off Figure 4C is for receiving the in Fig. Figure 4B shown product protection plate 23 is formed.
  • Four spacers 31 are arranged within the receptacle 42 . Together with the magnetic locking unit 24, these ensure that the product protection plate 23 assumes a predetermined orientation when installed on the sealing plate 20.
  • FIG. 13 shows a hooking locking unit 35 for the product protection plate 23.
  • This hooking locking unit 35 comprises two hooking projections 36 which are formed on a first outer side 37 of the product protection plate 23.
  • FIG. An elastic locking bracket 39 is arranged on a second outer side 38 of the product protection plate 23 opposite the first.
  • the elastic locking bracket 39 is designed to snap into a projection 40 formed on the sealing plate 20 in the locked state.
  • a screwdriver can be pushed into a recess 43 to unlock the elastic locking clip 39 .
  • the product protection plate 23 can easily be hooked onto the sealing plate 20 at indentations 44 formed thereon and snap into place on the opposite side by means of the locking clip 39 on the projection 40 . Because the hooking projections 36 and the elastic locking bracket 39 are formed on opposite outer sides 37, 38 of the product protection plate 23, the underside 33 of the product protection plate 23 can be completely flat, i.e. without holes, so that during operation of the thermoforming packaging machine 1 on the no optically unattractive imprints occur during the sealing process on the top film 10 guided underneath.
  • Figure 5B shows the product protection plate 23 Figure 5A in isolated representation.
  • the elastic locking bracket 39 has a hook shape and is attached to the top 29 of the product protection panel 23 in such a way that its locking tongue 45 is above the recess 43 .
  • FIG. 5C shows the sealing plate 20 in an isolated representation.
  • the sealing plate 20 has a sealing flange 46 running all around. Thereon, on opposite sides, the indentations 44 for the hooking projections 36 and the projection 40 for the locking bracket 39 are formed.
  • FIG. 17 shows the sealing tool upper part 17b with a gravity locking unit 50 for the product protection plate 23.
  • the gravity locking unit 50 has two spherical locking bodies 51 (hereinafter referred to as "balls 51") which are movable within guide bores 52.
  • the balls 51 hold a bolt 53 which is fixed to the top 29 of the product protection panel 23.
  • the gravity lock assembly 50 has a mounting hole 60 for receiving the bolt 53 .
  • the bolt 53 is designed in the form of a countersunk screw and is locked within the mounting opening 60 by means of the balls 51 on its countersunk head.
  • two centering bolts 54 are fastened to the top 29 and are inserted into centering bores 55 in the sealing plate 20 .
  • a useful mounting guide for the product protection plate 23 can thus be provided.
  • Figure 6B shows the upper part 17b of the sealing tool Figure 6A turned upside down to remove the product protection plate 23.
  • the product protection plate 23 has moved closer to the sealing plate 20 in the direction of gravity G.
  • the bolt 53 pushed further into the assembly opening 60 as a result and the guide bores 52 that increase in cross-section make it possible for the balls 51 to move past the head shape of the bolt 53 and down into the guide bores 52 .
  • Figure 6B and Figure 6C This is what they show Figure 6B and Figure 6C .
  • the product protection plate 23 can be lifted out of the sealing tool upper part 17b.
  • the product protection plate 23 can be installed in the installed state of the upper part 17b of the sealing tool at the sealing station 3 by pushing the bolt 53 upwards into the assembly opening 60 , whereby the bolt 53 is locked by means of the balls 51 .
  • Figure 7 17 shows a sealing tool upper part 17b with a plurality of product protection plates 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D fastened to it, which can be fastened by means of one of the locking mechanisms described above.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Siegelstation gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The present invention relates to a sealing station according to the preamble of claim 1.

Eine derartige Siegelstation ist aus der DE 10 2012 006 696 A1 und aus der DE 10 2018 114 263 A1 bekannt. Die innerhalb diesen Siegelstationen eingesetzten Produktschutzplatten, die an der Unterseite einer Siegelplatte angeordnet sind, haben die Funktion, die auf das in Tiefziehmulden oder Verpackungsschalen eingelegte Produkt von der Siegelplatte abgegebene Wärme zu reduzieren.Such a sealing station is from DE 10 2012 006 696 A1 and from the DE 10 2018 114 263 A1 known. The product protection plates used within these sealing stations, which are arranged on the underside of a sealing plate, have the function of reducing the heat emitted by the sealing plate onto the product placed in deep-drawn troughs or packaging trays.

Es ist bekannt, Produktschutzplatten von unten mittels Senkkopfschrauben an der darüber positionierten Siegelplatte zu befestigen. Während des Betriebs der Siegelstation können sich die an der Unterseite der Produktschutzplatte positionierten Schraubenköpfe erhitzen. Dies kann dazu führen, dass durch den Siegelvorgang auf der Oberfolie der versiegelten Verpackungen optisch unerwünschte Abdrücke entstehen. Zur Linderung dieser Problematik werden in der Praxis die der Oberfolie zugewandten Schraubenköpfe mit einem Silikon bedeckt. Das Silikon kann jedoch das Hinterlassen von Abdrücken auf der Oberfolie nicht vollständig verhindern.It is known to fasten product protection plates from below to the sealing plate positioned above them by means of countersunk screws. During operation of the sealing station, the screw heads positioned on the underside of the product protection plate can heat up. This can result in optically undesired imprints appearing on the top film of the sealed packaging as a result of the sealing process. To alleviate this problem, the screw heads facing the top film are covered with silicone in practice. However, the silicone cannot completely prevent marks being left on the top film.

Hinzu kommt, dass Produktschutzplatten zum Reinigen oder für Wartungsarbeiten abnehmbar an der Siegelplatte befestigt sind, sodass ein über den Schraubenkopf aufgetragenes Silikon den Ein- und Ausbau einer Produktschutzplatte erschwert. Dies liegt zum Einen daran, dass das Silikon für einen Ausbau der Produktschutzplatte zunächst aufwändig abgekratzt werden muss. Zum Anderen muss nach dem Wiedereinbau der Produktschutzplatte ein neues Silikon aufgetragen werden. Die damit verbundene Aushärtezeit verlängert die Ausfallzeit des Werkzeugs, was zu erhöhten Stillstandzeiten der Verpackungsmaschine führt.In addition, product protection plates are removably attached to the sealing plate for cleaning or maintenance, so silicone applied over the screw head makes it difficult to install and remove a product protection plate. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the silicone first has to be laboriously scraped off in order to remove the product protection plate. On the other hand, after reinstalling the product protection plate, new silicone must be applied. The associated curing time increases tool downtime, which leads to increased downtime of the packaging machine.

Der Einsatz von temperaturbeständigen Schrauben aus Kunststoff kann ebenfalls Abdrücke auf Oberfolien hinterlassen. Ein Verschrauben der Produktschutzplatten auf der der Oberfolie abgewandten Seite erhöht deutlich den Montage- und Serviceaufwand. Weiterhin hat sich herausgestellt, dass ein Versenken der Senkkopfschrauben in vertieften Bohrungen, die an der Unterseite der Produktschutzplatte ausgebildet sind, zwar weiterhin einen vorderseitigen Ein- und Ausbau der Produktschutzplatte ermöglicht, diese Bohrungen jedoch ebenfalls Abdrücke in den Oberfolien hinterlassen können. An solchen Bohrungen ist weiterhin problematisch, dass sich darin Produktreste ansammeln können, wodurch hygienische Standards beeinträchtigt werden.The use of temperature-resistant plastic screws can also leave imprints on the top web. Screwing the product protection plates on the side facing away from the top film significantly increases the assembly and service costs. Furthermore, it has been found that countersinking the countersunk screws in recessed holes formed on the underside of the product protection plate still allows the product protection plate to be installed and removed from the front, but these holes can also leave impressions in the top films. A further problem with such bores is that product residues can accumulate in them, as a result of which hygienic standards are impaired.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, angesichts der im Zusammenhang mit dem Stand der Technik beschriebenen Problematik eine Siegelstation mit einer Produktschutzplatte zur Verfügung zu stellen, womit sich insbesondere in optischer Hinsicht einwandfreie Verpackungen herstellen lassen.In view of the problems described in connection with the prior art, the object of the invention is to make available a sealing station with a product protection plate, with which packaging which is perfect in terms of appearance can be produced in particular.

Diese Aufgabe wird gelöst mittels einer Siegelstation gemäß Anspruch 1. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen angegeben.This object is achieved by means of a sealing station according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Siegelstation für eine Verpackungsmaschine, die insbesondere in Form einer Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine oder in Form einer Schalenverschließmaschine vorliegt. Die erfindungsgemäße Siegelstation weist ein Siegelwerkzeugunterteil zur Aufnahme von Tiefziehmulden oder Verpackungsschalen und ein darüber positioniertes Siegelwerkzeugoberteil mit wenigstens einer beheizbaren Siegelplatte auf. Die Siegelplatte ist dazu ausgebildet, die vom Siegelwerkzeugunterteil aufgenommenen Tiefziehmulden oder Verpackungsschalen mit einer Oberfolie zu verschließen, wobei an einer Unterseite der Siegelplatte mindestens eine Produktschutzplatte befestigt ist. Sie hat die Funktion, eine Wärmeübertragung von der Siegelplatte auf das zu verpackende Produkt zu reduzieren. Das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil weist mindestens einen Befestigungsmechanismus zur lösbaren Befestigung der Produktschutzplatte an der Unterseite der Siegelplatte auf. Damit kann die Produktschutzplatte beispielsweise für Service- oder Reinigungszwecke ausgebaut werden.The invention relates to a sealing station for a packaging machine, which is present in particular in the form of a thermoforming packaging machine or in the form of a tray sealing machine. The sealing station according to the invention has a lower part of the sealing tool for accommodating deep-drawn troughs or packaging trays and an upper part of the sealing tool positioned above it with at least one heatable sealing plate. The sealing plate is designed to close the deep-drawn troughs or packaging trays accommodated by the lower part of the sealing tool with an upper film, with at least one product protection plate being attached to an underside of the sealing plate. Its function is to reduce heat transfer from the sealing plate to the product to be packaged. The upper part of the sealing tool has at least one fastening mechanism for the detachable fastening of the product protection plate to the underside of the sealing plate. This means that the product protection plate can be removed for service or cleaning purposes, for example.

Erfindungsgemäß umfasst der Befestigungsmechanismus zwischen der Siegelplatte und der Produktschutzplatte mindestens eine Magnetverriegelungseinheit zum Erzeugen einer magnetischen Haltekraft zur Befestigung der Produktschutzplatte an der Siegelplatte, mindestens eine Einhak-Verriegelungseinheit zum Befestigen gegenüberliegender Außenseiten der Produktschutzplatte an diesen zugewandten Bereichen der Siegelplatte oder mindestens eine Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit, die dazu ausgebildet ist, die Produktschutzplatte mittels einer durch die Produktschutzplatte im montierten Zustand ausgeübten, von der darüber positionierten Siegelplatte fortweisenden Schwerkraft am Siegelwerkzeugoberteil zu verriegeln.According to the invention, the attachment mechanism between the sealing plate and the product protection plate comprises at least one magnetic locking unit for generating a magnetic holding force for attaching the product protection plate to the sealing plate, at least one hook-in locking unit for attaching opposite outer sides of the product protection plate to these facing areas of the sealing plate, or at least one gravity locking unit that is used to do so is designed to lock the product protection plate on the upper part of the sealing tool by means of a gravitational force which is exerted by the product protection plate in the installed state and points away from the sealing plate positioned above it.

Dadurch, dass die erfindungsgemäß vorgeschlagenen Befestigungsmittel zwischen der Siegelplatte und der Produktschutzplatte, d.h. an daran gegenüberliegenden Seiten, ausgebildet sind, bleibt die der Siegelplatte abgewandte, der Oberfolie zugewandte Unterseite der Produktschutzplatte frei von Montagemitteln und braucht damit für solche Montagemittel auch keine Bohrungen aufweisen. Demzufolge kann die Unterseite der Produktschutzplatte mit einer ebenen Oberfläche versehen werden, die keine Abdrücke auf der Oberfolie hinterlässt.Due to the fact that the fastening means proposed according to the invention are formed between the sealing plate and the product protection plate, i.e. on opposite sides thereof, the underside of the product protection plate facing away from the sealing plate and facing the top film remains free of assembly means and therefore does not need to have any bores for such assembly means. As a result, the underside of the product protection panel can be finished with a flat surface that will not leave marks on the top film.

Die drei vorangehend genannten, erfindungsgemäßen Alternativen zur Befestigung der Produktschutzplatte sind in konstruktiver Hinsicht einfach und kostengünstig an der Siegelstation umsetzbar. Des Weiteren ermöglichen die jeweiligen Alternativen einen problemlosen und zügigen Ein- und Ausbau der Produktschutzplatte an der Siegelstation. Vor Allem aber lassen sich damit Abdrücke auf der Ober- bzw. Deckelfolie vermeiden. Ferner lassen sich anhand der erfindungsgemäßen Befestigungsalternativen Stillstandzeiten der Siegelstation reduzieren, da sich die Produktschutzplatte ohne großen Aufwand, insbesondere innerhalb kurzer Zeit, an der Siegelstation ein- und ausbauen lässt.The three above-mentioned alternatives according to the invention for fastening the product protection plate can be implemented easily and cost-effectively at the sealing station from a structural point of view. Furthermore, the respective alternatives enable the product protection plate to be quickly and easily installed and removed at the sealing station. Above all, however, it is possible to avoid imprints on the top or lid film. Furthermore, downtimes of the sealing station can be reduced using the attachment alternatives according to the invention, since the product protection plate can be installed and removed at the sealing station without great effort, in particular within a short time.

Vorzugsweise weist die Magnetverriegelungseinheit mindestens einen Dauermagneten auf, der an der Siegelplatte oder an der Produktschutzplatte befestigt ist. Der Dauermagnet könnte beispielsweise an einer der Produktschutzplatte zugewandten Unterseite der Siegelplatte befestigt sein, insbesondere mittig oberhalb der Produktschutzplatte. Ein solcher Dauermagnet ist kostengünstig herstellbar und lässt sich als funktionales Bauteil in kompakter Weise an der Siegelstation integrieren.The magnetic locking unit preferably has at least one permanent magnet which is attached to the sealing plate or to the product protection plate. The permanent magnet could be attached, for example, to an underside of the sealing plate facing the product protection plate, in particular centrally above the product protection plate. Such a permanent magnet can be produced inexpensively and can be integrated as a functional component in a compact manner at the sealing station.

Vorstellbar ist es, dass mehrere Dauermagnete, insbesondere gemäß einer gleichmäßig verteilten Anordnung, an der Unterseite der Siegelplatte befestigt sind. Dies kann montagetechnische Vorteile für die Produktschutzplatte mit sich bringen.It is conceivable that several permanent magnets, in particular according to an evenly distributed arrangement, are attached to the underside of the sealing plate. This can entail technical assembly advantages for the product protection plate.

Eine vorteilhafte Variante sieht vor, dass die Magnetverriegelungseinheit mindestens eine aus einem weichmagnetischen Werkstoff hergestellte Komponente (im Folgenden auch "weichmagnetische Komponente" genannt) aufweist, die an der Siegelplatte oder der Produktschutzplatte befestigt ist. Sofern diese Komponente an der Produktschutzplatte befestigt ist, ist der Dauermagnet an der Siegelplatte befestigt und umgekehrt. Im eingebauten Zustand der Produktschutzplatte an der Siegelstation können der Dauermagnet und die aus einem weichmagnetischen Werkstoff hergestellte Komponente gegenüberliegend positioniert sein, um eine gewünschte Haltekraft zum Befestigen der Produktschutzplatte an der Siegelplatte zu erzeugen.An advantageous variant provides that the magnetic locking unit has at least one component made of a soft magnetic material (hereinafter also referred to as "soft magnetic component"), which is attached to the sealing plate or the product protection plate. If this component is attached to the product protection plate, the permanent magnet is attached to the sealing plate and vice versa. When the product protection plate is installed at the sealing station, the permanent magnet and the component made of a soft magnetic material can be positioned opposite one another in order to generate a desired holding force for attaching the product protection plate to the sealing plate.

Vorstellbar ist es, dass der Dauermagnet im montierten Zustand der Produktschutzplatte eine der weichmagnetischen Komponente zugewandte muldenartige Zentrier-Vertiefung aufweist, in welcher zumindest ein Teil der weichmagnetischen Komponente formschlüssig aufgenommen ist. Der Dauermagnet und die weichmagnetische Komponente bilden dabei zusammen eine Zentriereinheit aus. Die Zentrier-Vertiefung kann insbesondere oval geformt sein. Damit kann die Produktschutzplatte lagestabil an der Siegelplatte befestigt werden.It is conceivable that the permanent magnet has a trough-like centering recess facing the soft-magnetic component in the assembled state of the product protection plate, in which at least part of the soft-magnetic component is positively accommodated. The permanent magnet and the soft-magnetic component together form a centering unit. The centering depression can in particular be oval in shape. The product protection plate can thus be attached to the sealing plate in a stable position.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung weisen der Dauermagnet und/oder die aus dem weichmagnetischen Werkstoff hergestellte Komponente zumindest teilweise eine Kunststoffummantelung auf. Dies ermöglicht einen sanften und geräuschreduzierten Ein- und Ausbau der Produktschutzplatte an der Siegelstation.According to one embodiment of the invention, the permanent magnet and/or the component made of the soft-magnetic material have at least a partial plastic sheathing. This enables the product protection plate to be installed and removed gently and with less noise at the sealing station.

Eine Variante sieht vor, dass der Dauermagnet und die aus dem weichmagnetischen Werkstoff hergestellte Komponente vollständig in Kunststoff eingebettet sind. Diese Vollummantelung hat den Vorteil, dass Herstellungstoleranzen besser ausgeglichen werden können und verhindern mechanische Spannungen in den magnetischen Komponenten.A variant provides that the permanent magnet and the component made of the soft magnetic material are completely embedded in plastic. This full encapsulation has the advantage that manufacturing tolerances can be better compensated and it prevents mechanical stresses in the magnetic components.

Eine bevorzugte Variante sieht vor, dass der Dauermagnet oder die aus dem weichmagnetischen Werkstoff hergestellte Komponente innerhalb einer an der Siegelplatte ausgebildeten Vertiefung befestigt ist. Dies begünstigt einen flachen Zusammenbau der Siegelplatte und der Produktschutzplatte. Damit können gegebenenfalls verkürzte Hubzyklen während des Betriebs der Siegelstation erreicht werden.A preferred variant provides that the permanent magnet or the component made of the soft-magnetic material is fastened within a recess formed on the sealing plate. This favors a flat assembly of the sealing plate and the product protection plate. In this way, shortened lifting cycles can be achieved during operation of the sealing station.

Vorstellbar ist es, dass im montierten Zustand die weichmagnetische Komponente auf einer der Siegelplatte zugewandten Oberseite der Produktschutzplatte angeschraubt befestigt ist, wobei ein von der Oberseite der Produktschutzplatte vorstehender Teil der weichmagnetischen Komponente eine Negativform zu der im Dauermagneten ausgebildeten Zentrier-Vertiefung ausbildet. Deren jeweilige Formen können zueinander verdrehsicher sein. Damit ist es möglich, dass der Dauermagnet zusammen mit der weichmagnetischen Komponente eine Zentriereinheit ausbilden, um die Produktschutzplatte in einer vorbestimmten Lage und Ausrichtung an der Siegelplatte zu befestigen.It is conceivable that in the mounted state the soft-magnetic component is screwed to an upper side of the product protection plate facing the sealing plate, with a part of the soft-magnetic component protruding from the upper side of the product protection plate forming a negative shape for the centering recess formed in the permanent magnet. Their respective shapes can be secured against twisting relative to one another. It is thus possible for the permanent magnet, together with the soft-magnetic component, to form a centering unit in order to attach the product protection plate to the sealing plate in a predetermined position and orientation.

Vorzugsweise bildet die Siegelplatte an ihrer Unterseite eine zur Aufnahme der Produktschutzplatte geformte Aufnahme aus. Im zusammengebauten Zustand ergibt sich damit ein flaches, kassettenartiges Modul.The sealing plate preferably forms a receptacle on its underside that is shaped to accommodate the product protection plate. When assembled, this results in a flat, cassette-like module.

Gemäß einer vorteilhaften Variante weist die Einhak-Verriegelungseinheit mindestens einen Einhak-Vorsprung, der an einer ersten Außenseite der Produktschutzplatte ausgebildet ist, und mindestens einen elastischen Verriegelungsbügel, der an einer zweiten, der ersten gegenüberliegenden Außenseite der Produktschutzplatte angeordnet ist, auf. Die an gegenüberliegende Außenseiten der Produktschutzplatte hin verlagerten Befestigungsmittel ermöglichen einen einfachen Ein- und Ausbau der Produktschutzplatte an der Siegelstation. Der Einhak-Vorsprung kann innerhalb einer Einbuchtung der Siegelplatte eingehängt werden. Der Verriegelungsbügel kann an einem Vorsprung der Siegelplatte einrasten.According to an advantageous variant, the hooking locking unit has at least one hooking protrusion formed on a first outer side of the product protection plate and at least one elastic locking clip arranged on a second outer side of the product protection plate opposite the first. The fastening means, which are shifted to opposite outer sides of the product protection plate, enable the product protection plate to be easily installed and removed at the sealing station. The hooking projection can be hooked inside an indentation of the sealing plate. The locking bracket can snap into a projection of the sealing plate.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform ist der Einhak-Vorsprung integral an der Produktschutzplatte, d.h. mit dieser einteilig, ausgebildet. Insbesondere kann der elastische Verriegelungsbügel an der Produktschutzplatte an deren der Siegelplatte zugewandten Oberseite angeschraubt sein.According to one embodiment, the hooking projection is formed integrally with the product protection panel, i.e. in one piece with it. In particular, the elastic locking clip can be screwed onto the product protection plate on its upper side facing the sealing plate.

Der Verriegelungsbügel weist vorzugsweise eine Verriegelungszunge auf, die an dem an der Siegelplatte ausgebildeten Vorsprung einrasten kann, um die eingehängte Produktschutzplatte an der Siegelplatte zu sichern. Vorstellbar ist es, dass der elastische Verriegelungsbügel mittels eines Schraubenziehers aus einem an der Siegelplatte verriegelten Zustand gelöst werden kann, so dass sich die Produktschutzplatte problemlos von einem Bediener, beispielsweise für Service-, Reinigungs- und/oder Umbaumaßnahmen, aus der Siegelstation herausnehmen lässt.The locking bracket preferably has a locking tongue which can snap onto the projection formed on the sealing plate in order to secure the hinged product protection plate on the sealing plate. It is conceivable that the elastic locking bracket can be released from a locked state on the sealing plate using a screwdriver, so that the product protection plate can be easily removed from the sealing station by an operator, for example for service, cleaning and/or conversion work.

Bei den beiden vorangehend beschriebenen beiden Varianten des Verriegelungsmechanismus, d.h. bei der Magnetverriegelungseinheit und der Einhak-Verriegelungseinheit, wäre es möglich, dass im zusammengebauten Zustand zwischen der Siegelplatte und der Produktschutzplatte mindestens ein Abstandshalter positioniert ist. Vorzugsweise ist der Abstandshalter an der Siegelplatte innerhalb der daran zur Aufnahme der Produktschutzplatte ausgebildeten Aufnahme angeordnet, beispielsweise darin festgeschraubt. Eine vorteilhafte Variante sieht insgesamt vier Abstandshalter vor, die innerhalb der Montagevertiefung um den darin befestigten Dauermagneten herum verteilt sind.In the two variants of the locking mechanism described above, i.e. the magnetic locking unit and the hook locking unit, it would be possible for at least one spacer to be positioned between the sealing plate and the product protection plate in the assembled state. The spacer is preferably arranged on the sealing plate within the receptacle formed thereon for receiving the product protection plate, for example screwed tight therein. An advantageous variant provides for a total of four spacers, which are distributed within the mounting recess around the permanent magnet fastened therein.

Eine vorteilhafte Ausführungsform sieht vor, dass die Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit dazu ausgebildet ist, die Produktschutzplatte im ausgebauten Zustand des Siegelwerkzeugoberteils, wenn dieses auf den Kopf gestellt ist, durch bloßes Drücken der Produktschutzplatte in Schwerkraftrichtung zu entriegeln. Ein solcher Schwerkraftverriegelungsmechanismus kann in Funktion einer Push-to-open-Verriegelung vorliegen, wobei das Drücken bei dieser Variante durch die Schwerkraft der Produktschutzplatte erleichtert werden kann, um diese zur Herausnahme in einen entriegelten Zustand zu bringen.An advantageous embodiment provides that the gravity locking unit is designed to unlock the product protection plate in the removed state of the upper part of the sealing tool when it is turned upside down by simply pressing the product protection plate in the direction of gravity. Such a gravity locking mechanism can be in the function of a push-to-open lock, in which variant the pushing can be facilitated by the gravity of the product protection panel to bring it into an unlocked state for removal.

Es ist möglich, dass die Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit mindestens zwei kugelförmige Verriegelungskörper aufweist. Vorstellbar ist es, dass diese beiden Kugeln innerhalb an der Siegelplatte ausgebildeten Führungsbohrungen aufgenommen sind, die ebenfalls einen Teil der Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit ausbilden. Diese Führungsbohrungen können dergestalt sein, dass die beiden Kugeln zum Verriegeln der Produktschutzplatte tendenziell aufeinander zu und zum Entriegeln der Produktschutzplatte tendenziell auseinander bewegt sind. Dafür können die Führungsbohrungen einen sich zur Produktschutzplatte hin verjüngenden Bohrungsquerschnitt aufweisen.It is possible that the gravity locking unit has at least two spherical locking bodies. It is conceivable that these two balls are accommodated within guide bores formed on the sealing plate, which also form part of the gravity locking unit. These guide bores can be such that the two balls tend to be moved towards one another to lock the product protection plate and tend to be moved apart to unlock the product protection plate. For this purpose, the guide bores can have a bore cross-section that tapers towards the product protection plate.

Eine Variante sieht vor, dass die Produktschutzplatte an deren Oberseite mindestens zwei Zentrierbolzen und die Siegelplatte zwei dementsprechende Zentrierbohrungen aufweist. Die Zentrierbolzen erleichtern einen Ein- und Ausbau der Produktschutzplatte an der Siegelstation.One variant provides that the product protection plate has at least two centering bolts on its upper side and the sealing plate has two corresponding centering holes. The centering bolts make it easier to install and remove the product protection plate at the sealing station.

Bei einer Ausführungsform weist die Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit einen an der Produktschutzplatte befestigten Bolzen in Form einer Senkkopfschraube auf, der mit der Kopfform voraus in eine an der Siegelplatte ausgebildete Montageöffnung einschiebbar ist, um die Produktschutzplatte an der Siegelplatte zu befestigen. Die am Bolzen ausgebildete Kopfform kann mittels der beiden Kugeln an der Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit gesichert werden.In one embodiment, the gravity locking unit has a bolt attached to the product protection plate in the form of a countersunk screw, which can be pushed headform first into a mounting opening formed on the sealing plate to attach the product protection plate to the sealing plate. The head shape formed on the bolt can be secured to the gravity locking unit by means of the two balls.

Vorzugsweise weist die Produktschutzplatte eine im montierten Zustand dem Siegelwerkzeugunterteil zugewandte Unterseite mit einer bohrungsfreien Oberfläche auf. Die damit dem Produkt zugewandte, plane Oberfläche verhindert, dass auf der Deckelfolie Abdrücke entstehen.The product protection plate preferably has an underside facing the lower part of the sealing tool in the installed state, with a surface free of bores. The flat surface facing the product prevents marks from forming on the lidding film.

Die Erfindung bezieht sich ferner auf eine Verpackungsmaschine, die in Form einer Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine oder in Form einer Schalenverschließmaschine (in Fachkreisen auch "Traysealer" genannt) vorliegt und eine erfindungsgemäße Siegelstation aufweist. An einer solchen Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine können Tiefziehmulden mit einer optisch einwandfreien Deckelfolie versiegelt werden. Das Gleiche gilt für einen Traysealer, an welchem die erfindungsgemäße Siegelstation, insbesondere eine Produktschutzplatte mittels der erfindungsgemäßen Befestigungsmechanik eingesetzt wird.The invention also relates to a packaging machine that is in the form of a thermoforming packaging machine or in the form of a tray sealing machine (also known as a "tray sealer" in technical circles) and has a sealing station according to the invention. On such a deep-drawing packaging machine, deep-drawing cavities can be sealed with an optically flawless lid film. The same applies to a traysealer on which the sealing station according to the invention, in particular a product protection plate, is used by means of the fastening mechanism according to the invention.

Vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung werden im Folgenden anhand von Figuren näher erläutert. Im Einzelnen zeigen

Fig. 1
eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine,
Fig. 2
eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Schalenverschließmaschine,
Fig. 3
ein Siegelwerkzeugoberteil mit einer Magnetverriegelungseinheit für eine Produktschutzplatte,
Fig. 4A
eine Siegelplatte mit einer daran mittels einer Magnetverriegelungseinheit befestigten Produktschutzplatte,
Fig. 4B
die Produktschutzplatte aus Fig. 4A in isolierter Darstellung,
Fig. 4C
die Siegelplatte aus Fig. 4A in isolierter Darstellung,
Fig. 5A
eine Siegelplatte mit einer daran mittels einer Einhak-Verriegelungseinheit befestigten Produktschutzplatte,
Fig. 5B
die Produktschutzplatte aus Fig. 5A in isolierter Darstellung,
Fig. 5C
die Siegelplatte aus Fig. 5A in isolierter Darstellung,
Fig. 6A
ein Siegelwerkzeugoberteil mit einer Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit für eine Produktschutzplatte,
Fig. 6B
das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil aus Fig. 6A auf den Kopf gestellt, um die Produktschutzplatte auszubauen,
Fig. 6C
das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil aus Fig. 6B mit entriegelter Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit,
Fig. 6D
die Siegelplatte und die Produktschutzplatte im auseinander gebauten Zustand, und
Fig. 7
ein Siegelwerkzeugoberteil mit mehreren daran montierten Siegel-Produktschutzplatten-Paaren.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to figures. show in detail
1
a perspective view of a thermoforming packaging machine,
2
a perspective view of a tray sealing machine,
3
a sealing tool head with a magnetic locking unit for a product protection plate,
Figure 4A
a sealing plate with a product protection plate attached thereto by means of a magnetic locking unit,
Figure 4B
the product protection plate Figure 4A in isolated representation,
Figure 4C
the sealing plate Figure 4A in isolated representation,
Figure 5A
a seal plate having a product protection plate attached thereto by a hook-on latch assembly,
Figure 5B
the product protection plate Figure 5A in isolated representation,
Figure 5C
the sealing plate Figure 5A in isolated representation,
Figure 6A
a sealing tool head with a gravity lock unit for a product protection plate,
Figure 6B
the upper part of the sealing tool Figure 6A turned upside down to remove the product protection plate,
Figure 6C
the upper part of the sealing tool Figure 6B with unlocked gravity lock unit,
Figure 6D
the disassembled sealing plate and product protection plate, and
Figure 7
a sealing tool head with multiple seal product protection plate pairs mounted thereon.

Gleiche Komponenten sind in den Figuren durchgängig mit gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen.Identical components are provided with the same reference symbols throughout the figures.

Fig. 1 zeigt eine Verpackungsmaschine, die in Form einer intermittierend arbeitenden Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 vorliegt. Diese Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 weist eine Formstation 2, eine Siegelstation 3, eine Querschneideeinrichtung 4 und eine Längsschneideeinrichtung 5 auf, die in dieser Reihenfolge in einer Transportrichtung R an einem Maschinengestell 6 angeordnet sind. Eingangsseitig befindet sich an dem Maschinengestell 6 eine Zufuhrrolle 7, von der eine Unterfolie 8 abgezogen wird. Ferner weist die Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 eine Transportkette 11, insbesondere zwei beidseitig angeordnete Transport- oder Klammerketten 11, auf, die die Unterfolie 8 ergreift und diese pro Hauptarbeitstakt in Transportrichtung R weitertransportiert. 1 shows a packaging machine that is in the form of an intermittently working thermoforming packaging machine 1 . This thermoforming packaging machine 1 has a forming station 2, a sealing station 3, a transverse cutting device 4 and a longitudinal cutting device 5, which are arranged in this order in a transport direction R on a machine frame 6. On the input side there is a feed roll 7 on the machine frame 6, from which a lower film 8 is drawn off. Furthermore, the thermoforming packaging machine 1 has a transport chain 11, in particular two transport or clamping chains 11 arranged on both sides, which grips the lower film 8 and transports it further in the transport direction R per main work cycle.

In der dargestellten Ausführungsform ist die Formstation 2 als eine Tiefziehstation ausgebildet, bei der durch Tiefziehen, beispielsweise mittels Druckluft und/oder Vakuum, Tiefziehmulden T in die Unterfolie 8 geformt werden. Dabei kann die Formstation 2 derart ausgebildet sein, dass in der Richtung senkrecht zur Transportrichtung R mehrere Tiefziehmulden T nebeneinander gebildet werden. In Transportrichtung R hinter der Formstation 2 ist eine Einfüllstrecke 12 vorgesehen, in der die in der Unterfolie 8 geformten Tiefziehmulden T mit Produkt befüllt werden.In the embodiment shown, the forming station 2 is designed as a deep-drawing station, in which deep-drawing depressions T are formed in the lower film 8 by deep-drawing, for example by means of compressed air and/or vacuum. In this case, the forming station 2 can be designed in such a way that in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction R, a plurality of deep-drawing troughs T are formed next to one another. A filling section 12 is provided in the transport direction R behind the forming station 2, in which the deep-drawn depressions T formed in the lower film 8 are filled with product.

Die Siegelstation 3 verfügt über eine hermetisch verschließbare Kammer 3a, in der die Atmosphäre in den Tiefziehmulden T vor dem Versiegeln mit der von einer Oberfolienaufnahme 9 abgegebenen Oberfolie 10 evakuiert und/oder durch Gasspülen mit einem Austauschgas oder einem Gasgemisch ersetzt werden kann.The sealing station 3 has a hermetically sealable chamber 3a in which the atmosphere in the deep-drawing molds T can be evacuated before sealing with the upper film 10 released from an upper film holder 9 and/or replaced by flushing with a replacement gas or a gas mixture.

Die Querschneideeinrichtung 4 kann als Stanze ausgebildet sein, die die Unterfolie 8 und die Oberfolie 10 in einer Richtung quer zur Transportrichtung R zwischen benachbarten Tiefziehmulden T durchtrennt. Dabei arbeitet die Querschneideeinrichtung 4 derart, dass die Unterfolie 8 nicht über die gesamte Breite aufgetrennt wird, sondern zumindest in einem Randbereich nicht durchtrennt wird. Dies ermöglicht einen kontrollierten Weitertransport durch die Transportkette 11.The cross-cutting device 4 can be designed as a punch, which cuts through the lower film 8 and the upper film 10 in a direction transverse to the transport direction R between adjacent deep-drawing troughs T. The cross-cutting device 4 works in such a way that the lower film 8 is not severed over the entire width, but rather is not severed at least in an edge region. This enables controlled further transport through the transport chain 11.

Die Längsschneideeinrichtung 5 kann als eine Messeranordnung ausgebildet sein, mit der die Unterfolie 8 und die Oberfolie 10 zwischen benachbarten Tiefziehmulden T und am seitlichen Rand der Unterfolie 8 in Transportrichtung R durchtrennt werden, so dass hinter der Längsschneideeinrichtung 5 vereinzelte Verpackungen vorliegen.The longitudinal cutting device 5 can be designed as a knife arrangement with which the lower film 8 and the upper film 10 are severed between adjacent thermoforming depressions T and at the lateral edge of the lower film 8 in the transport direction R, so that behind the longitudinal cutting device 5 individual packages are present.

Die Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 verfügt ferner über eine Steuerung 19. Sie hat die Aufgabe, die in der Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 ablaufenden Prozesse zu steuern und zu überwachen. Eine Anzeigevorrichtung 20 mit Bedienelementen 21 dient zum Visualisieren bzw. Beeinflussen der Prozessabläufe in der Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 für bzw. durch einen Bediener.The thermoforming packaging machine 1 also has a controller 19. It has the task of controlling and monitoring the processes taking place in the thermoforming packaging machine 1. A display device 20 with operating elements 21 serves to visualize or influence the process sequences in the thermoforming packaging machine 1 for or by an operator.

Fig. 2 zeigt eine Schalenverschließmaschine 12, die in Fachkreisen auch Traysealer genannt wird. An der Schalenverschließmaschine 12 werden Verpackungsschalen V auf einem Zuführband 13 bereitgestellt. Die Schalenverschließmaschine 12 weist eine Greifereinrichtung 14 auf, mittels welcher die auf dem Zuführband 13 bereitgestellten Verpackungsschalen V abgeholt und für einen Schalenverschließvorgang an ein Siegelwerkzeugunterteil 15 der Siegelstation 16 übergeben werden. Beim Schalenverschließvorgang wird das Siegelwerkzeugunterteil 15 gegen ein darüber positioniertes Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17a angehoben, um die Verpackungsschalen V mit einer durch die Siegelstation 16 geführten Oberfolie 18 zu versiegeln. Nach dem Siegelvorgang wird die Siegelstation 16 geöffnet, indem das Siegelwerkzeugunterteil 15 abgesenkt wird. Jetzt können die versiegelten Verpackungen V mittels der Greifereinrichtung 14 abgeholt und an ein Abführband 19 übergeben werden. 2 shows a tray sealing machine 12, which is also called a traysealer in specialist circles. Packing trays V are made available on a feed belt 13 at the tray sealing machine 12 . The tray sealing machine 12 has a gripper device 14, by means of which the packaging trays V provided on the infeed belt 13 are picked up and transferred to a sealing tool lower part 15 of the sealing station 16 for a tray sealing process. During the tray closing process, the lower part 15 of the sealing tool is raised against an upper part 17a of the sealing tool positioned above it in order to seal the packaging trays V with an upper film 18 guided through the sealing station 16 . After the sealing process, the sealing station 16 is opened by the lower part 15 of the sealing tool being lowered. The sealed packages V can now be picked up by the gripper device 14 and transferred to a discharge belt 19 .

Fig. 3 zeigt ein Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17b in isolierter Darstellung. Das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17b ist für den Einsatz an der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 geeignet. Das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17a aus Fig. 2 und das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17b aus Fig. 3 können zumindest was die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft einen vergleichbaren Aufbau haben. Im Folgenden wird allerdings primär auf die Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 Bezug genommen. 3 shows a sealing tool upper part 17b in an isolated representation. The upper part of the sealing tool 17b is intended for use on the in 1 shown thermoforming packaging machine 1 suitable. The sealing tool upper part 17a 2 and the sealing tool upper part 17b 3 can have a comparable structure, at least as far as the present invention is concerned. In the following, however, reference is primarily made to the thermoforming packaging machine 1 .

Das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17b aus Fig. 3 umfasst eine Siegelplatte 20. Die Siegelplatte 20 bildet eine Siegelfläche 21 aus, die beim Siegelvorgang die Oberfolie 10 gegen die Tiefziehmulden T drückt, um eine Siegelnaht zum Verschließen der Tiefziehmulden T herzustellen.The sealing tool upper part 17b 3 comprises a sealing plate 20. The sealing plate 20 forms a sealing surface 21 which presses the upper film 10 against the deep-drawn troughs T during the sealing process in order to produce a sealing seam for closing the deep-drawn troughs T.

Ferner zeigt Fig. 3, dass an einer Unterseite 22 der Siegelplatte 20 eine Produktschutzplatte 23 befestigt ist. Gemäß ihrer Bezeichnung hat die Produktschutzplatte 23 die Funktion, ein zu verpackendes Produkt zu schützen. Die zwischen der Siegelplatte 20 und dem zu verpackenden Produkt positionierte Produktschutzplatte 23 funktioniert als Wärmeblockade, um eine Wärmeübertragung von der Siegelplatte 20 auf das zu verpackende Produkt zu reduzieren.Furthermore shows 3 that on an underside 22 of the sealing plate 20 a product protection plate 23 is attached. As it is called, the product protection plate 23 has a function of protecting a product to be packaged. The product protection plate 23 positioned between the sealing plate 20 and the product to be packaged functions as a heat block to reduce heat transfer from the sealing plate 20 to the product to be packaged.

In Fig. 3 ist die Produktschutzplatte 23 mittels einer Magnetverriegelungseinheit 24 an der Unterseite 22 der Siegelplatte 20 befestigt. Die Magnetverriegelungseinheit 24 verfügt über einen Dauermagneten 25, der in einer an der Unterseite 22 der Siegelplatte 20 ausgebildeten Vertiefung 26 angeordnet ist. Ferner verfügt die Magnetverriegelungseinheit 24 über eine aus einem weichmagnetischen Werkstoff hergestellte Komponente 27, die an einer Oberseite 29 der Produktschutzplatte 23 befestigt ist. Der Dauermagnet 25 übt auf die darunter positionierte, aus dem weichmagnetischen Werkstoff hergestellte Komponente 27 eine Haltekraft H aus, um die Produktschutzplatte 23 an der Unterseite 22 der Siegelplatte 20 zu befestigen.In 3 the product protection plate 23 is fastened to the underside 22 of the sealing plate 20 by means of a magnetic locking unit 24 . The magnetic locking unit 24 has a permanent magnet 25 which is arranged in a recess 26 formed on the underside 22 of the sealing plate 20 . Furthermore, the magnetic locking unit 24 has a component 27 made of a soft magnetic material, which is attached to an upper side 29 of the product protection plate 23 . The permanent magnet 25 exerts a holding force H on the component 27 positioned underneath and made of the soft magnetic material in order to fasten the product protection plate 23 to the underside 22 of the sealing plate 20 .

Fig. 3 zeigt auch, dass zwischen der Siegelplatte 20 und der darunter positionierten Produktschutzplatte 23 zwei Abstandshalter 31 angeordnet sind. Oberhalb der Siegelplatte 20 weist das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17b eine Heizeinrichtung 28 auf. 3 also shows that two spacers 31 are arranged between the sealing plate 20 and the product protection plate 23 positioned underneath. The upper part 17b of the sealing tool has a heating device 28 above the sealing plate 20 .

Fig. 4A zeigt die Siegelplatte 20 und die Produktschutzplatte 23 zusammengebaut in isolierter Darstellung. Gemäß Fig. 4A ist der Dauermagnet 25 an der Unterseite 22 der Siegelplatte 20 vertieft eingebaut, d.h. fest innerhalb der darin ausgebildeten Vertiefung 26 aufgenommen. Innerhalb der Vertiefung 26 kann der Dauermagnet 25 in Kunststoff K eingebettet, ggf. sogar vollständig von diesem umhüllt sein. Der Kunststoff K kann die Vertiefung 26 komplett auskleiden. Figure 4A Figure 12 shows the sealing plate 20 and the product protection plate 23 assembled in isolation. According to Figure 4A the permanent magnet 25 is installed recessed on the underside 22 of the sealing plate 20, ie is firmly accommodated within the recess 26 formed therein. Within the depression 26, the permanent magnet 25 can be embedded in plastic K, possibly even completely encased by it. The plastic K can line the recess 26 completely.

Die aus dem weichmagnetischen Werkstoff hergestellte Komponente 27 bildet einen integralen Bestandteil der Produktschutzplatte 23 aus. Die in Fig. 4A gezeigte Produktschutzplatte 23 weist im montierten Zustand eine der Oberfolie 10 zugewandte Unterseite 33 mit einer bohrungsfreien Oberfläche 34 auf. Damit hinterlässt die Produktschutzplatte 23 beim Versiegeln der Tiefziehmulden T keine optisch unschönen Abdrücke auf der Oberfolie 10.The component 27 made from the soft magnetic material forms an integral part of the product protection plate 23 . In the Figure 4A The product protection plate 23 shown has, in the assembled state, an underside 33 facing the top film 10 with a surface 34 free of bores. This means that the product protection plate 23 does not leave any visually unattractive imprints on the top film 10 when the deep-drawn molds T are sealed.

Die in Fig. 4A gezeigte Magnetverriegelungseinheit 24 ist als Zentriereinheit für die Befestigung der Produktschutzplatte 23 ausgebildet. Für diese Funktion weist der Dauermagnet 25 eine der weichmagnetischen Komponente 27 zugewandte Zentrier-Vertiefung 30 auf, die einen dementsprechend dazu als Negativform ausgebildeten oberen Teil 32 der weichmagnetischen Komponente 27 formschlüssig aufnimmt. Die Siegelplatte 20 bildet eine Aufnahme 42 für die Produktschutzplatte 20 aus. Diese Aufnahme 42 kann derart ausgebildet sein, dass im zusammengebauten Zustand die Oberfläche 34 der Produktschutzplatte 23 und die an der Siegelplatte 20 ausgebildete Siegelfläche 21 im Wesentlichen bündig sind.In the Figure 4A The magnetic locking unit 24 shown is designed as a centering unit for attaching the product protection plate 23 . For this function, the permanent magnet 25 has a centering recess 30 facing the soft-magnetic component 27, which positively accommodates an upper part 32 of the soft-magnetic component 27, which is correspondingly designed as a negative mold. The sealing plate 20 forms a receptacle 42 for the product protection plate 20 . This receptacle 42 can be designed in such a way that, in the assembled state, the surface 34 of the product protection plate 23 and the sealing surface 21 formed on the sealing plate 20 are essentially flush.

Fig. 4B zeigt die Produktschutzplatte 23 in isolierter Darstellung. Die weichmagnetische Komponente 27 ist an der Oberseite 29 der Produktschutzplatte 23 festgeschraubt. Die Produktschutzplatte 23 weist einen flachen Aufbau auf, wobei der plattenartige Teil eine Höhe von ca. 0,5cm bis 2,0cm hat. Figure 4B shows the product protection plate 23 in an isolated representation. The soft magnetic component 27 is screwed to the top 29 of the product protection plate 23 . The product protection plate 23 has a flat structure, with the plate-like part having a height of about 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm.

Fig. 4C zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung der Siegelplatte 20 in isolierter Darstellung. Die Siegelplatte 20 aus Fig. 4C ist zur Aufnahme der in Fig. Fig. 4B gezeigten Produktschutzplatte 23 ausgebildet. Innerhalb der Aufnahme 42 sind vier Abstandhalter 31 angeordnet. Diese stellen zusammen mit der Magnetverriegelungseinheit 24 sicher, dass die Produktschutzplatte 23 im eingebauten Zustand an der Siegelplatte 20 eine vorbestimmte Ausrichtung einnimmt. Figure 4C shows a perspective representation of the sealing plate 20 in an isolated representation. The sealing plate 20 off Figure 4C is for receiving the in Fig. Figure 4B shown product protection plate 23 is formed. Four spacers 31 are arranged within the receptacle 42 . Together with the magnetic locking unit 24, these ensure that the product protection plate 23 assumes a predetermined orientation when installed on the sealing plate 20.

Fig. 5A zeigt für die Produktschutzplatte 23 eine Einhak-Verriegelungseinheit 35. Diese Einhak-Verriegelungseinheit 35 umfasst zwei Einhak-Vorsprünge 36, die an einer ersten Außenseite 37 der Produktschutzplatte 23 ausgebildet sind. An einer zweiten, der ersten gegenüberliegenden Außenseite 38 der Produktschutzplatte 23 ist ein elastischer Verriegelungsbügel 39 angeordnet. Der elastische Verriegelungsbügel 39 ist dazu ausgebildet, im verriegelten Zustand an einem an der Siegelplatte 20 ausgebildeten Vorsprung 40 einzurasten. Zum Entriegeln des elastischen Verriegelungsbügels 39 kann ein Schraubenzieher in eine Aussparung 43 eingeschoben werden. Figure 5A FIG. 13 shows a hooking locking unit 35 for the product protection plate 23. This hooking locking unit 35 comprises two hooking projections 36 which are formed on a first outer side 37 of the product protection plate 23. FIG. An elastic locking bracket 39 is arranged on a second outer side 38 of the product protection plate 23 opposite the first. The elastic locking bracket 39 is designed to snap into a projection 40 formed on the sealing plate 20 in the locked state. A screwdriver can be pushed into a recess 43 to unlock the elastic locking clip 39 .

Mittels der in Fig. 5A gezeigten Einhak-Verriegelungseinheit 35 kann die Produktschutzplatte 23 mühelos an der Siegelplatte 20 an daran ausgebildeten Einbuchtungen 44 eingehängt werden und an der gegenüberliegenden Seite mittels des Verriegelungsbügels 39 am Vorsprung 40 einrasten. Dadurch, dass die Einhak-Vorsprünge 36 und der elastische Verriegelungsbügel 39 an gegenüberliegenden Außenseiten 37, 38 der Produktschutzplatte 23 ausgebildet sind, kann die Unterseite 33 der Produktschutzplatte 23 vollkommen eben, d. h. bohrungsfrei ausgebildet sein, so dass während des Betriebs der Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 an der darunter geführten Oberfolie 10 keine optisch unschönen Abdrücke beim Siegelvorgang entstehen.by means of the in Figure 5A With the hook-in locking unit 35 shown, the product protection plate 23 can easily be hooked onto the sealing plate 20 at indentations 44 formed thereon and snap into place on the opposite side by means of the locking clip 39 on the projection 40 . Because the hooking projections 36 and the elastic locking bracket 39 are formed on opposite outer sides 37, 38 of the product protection plate 23, the underside 33 of the product protection plate 23 can be completely flat, i.e. without holes, so that during operation of the thermoforming packaging machine 1 on the no optically unattractive imprints occur during the sealing process on the top film 10 guided underneath.

Fig. 5B zeigt die Produktschutzplatte 23 aus Fig. 5A in isolierter Darstellung. Der elastische Verriegelungsbügel 39 weist eine Hakenform auf und ist derart an der Oberseite 29 der Produktschutzplatte 23 befestigt, dass dessen Verriegelungszunge 45 oberhalb der Aussparung 43 steht. Figure 5B shows the product protection plate 23 Figure 5A in isolated representation. The elastic locking bracket 39 has a hook shape and is attached to the top 29 of the product protection panel 23 in such a way that its locking tongue 45 is above the recess 43 .

Fig. 5C zeigt die Siegelplatte 20 in isolierter Darstellung. Die Siegelpatte 20 weist einen ringsum verlaufenden Siegelflansch 46 auf. Daran, an gegenüberliegenden Seiten, sind die Einbuchtungen 44 für die Einhak-Vorsprünge 36 sowie der Vorsprung 40 für den Verriegelungsbügel 39 ausgebildet. Figure 5C shows the sealing plate 20 in an isolated representation. The sealing plate 20 has a sealing flange 46 running all around. Thereon, on opposite sides, the indentations 44 for the hooking projections 36 and the projection 40 for the locking bracket 39 are formed.

Fig. 6A zeigt das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17b mit einer Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit 50 für die Produktschutzplatte 23. Die Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit 50 verfügt über zwei kugelförmige Verriegelungskörper 51 (im Folgenden "Kugeln 51" genannt), die innerhalb Führungsbohrungen 52 bewegbar sind. Die Kugeln 51 halten einen Bolzen 53, der an der Oberseite 29 der Produktschutzplatte 23 befestigt ist. Die Schwerkraftverriegelungseinheit 50 weist zur Aufnahme des Bolzens 53 eine Montageöffnung 60 auf. Der Bolzen 53 ist in Form einer Senkkopfschraube ausgebildet und ist innerhalb der Montageöffnung 60 anhand der Kugeln 51 an seinem Senkkopf arretiert. Ferner sind an der Oberseite 29 zwei Zentrierbolzen 54 befestigt, die in Zentrierbohrungen 55 der Siegelplatte 20 eingeschoben sind. Damit kann eine nützliche Montageführung für die Produktschutzplatte 23 bereitgestellt werden. Figure 6A 17 shows the sealing tool upper part 17b with a gravity locking unit 50 for the product protection plate 23. The gravity locking unit 50 has two spherical locking bodies 51 (hereinafter referred to as "balls 51") which are movable within guide bores 52. The balls 51 hold a bolt 53 which is fixed to the top 29 of the product protection panel 23. FIG. The gravity lock assembly 50 has a mounting hole 60 for receiving the bolt 53 . The bolt 53 is designed in the form of a countersunk screw and is locked within the mounting opening 60 by means of the balls 51 on its countersunk head. Furthermore, two centering bolts 54 are fastened to the top 29 and are inserted into centering bores 55 in the sealing plate 20 . A useful mounting guide for the product protection plate 23 can thus be provided.

Fig. 6B zeigt das Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17b aus Fig. 6A auf den Kopf gestellt, um die Produktschutzplatte 23 auszubauen. Die Produktschutzplatte 23 ist in Schwerkraftrichtung G weiter an die Siegelplatte 20 herangerückt. Der dadurch weiter in die Montageöffnung 60 eingeschobene Bolzen 53 sowie die im Querschnitt größer werdenden Führungsbohrungen 52 ermöglichen es, dass sich die Kugeln 51 an der Kopfform des Bolzens 53 vorbei nach unten in die Führungsbohrungen 52 bewegen. Dies zeigen die Fig. 6B und Fig. 6C. Figure 6B shows the upper part 17b of the sealing tool Figure 6A turned upside down to remove the product protection plate 23. The product protection plate 23 has moved closer to the sealing plate 20 in the direction of gravity G. The bolt 53 pushed further into the assembly opening 60 as a result and the guide bores 52 that increase in cross-section make it possible for the balls 51 to move past the head shape of the bolt 53 and down into the guide bores 52 . This is what they show Figure 6B and Figure 6C .

Gemäß Fig. 6D kann die Produktschutzplatte 23 aus dem Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17b herausgehoben werden. Der Einbau der Produktschutzplatte 23 kann im eingebauten Zustand des Siegelwerkzeugoberteils 17b an der Siegelstation 3 durchgeführt werden, indem der Bolzen 53 von unten nach oben in die Montageöffnung 60 eingeschoben wird, wodurch der Bolzen 53 mittels den Kugeln 51 arretiert.According to Figure 6D the product protection plate 23 can be lifted out of the sealing tool upper part 17b. The product protection plate 23 can be installed in the installed state of the upper part 17b of the sealing tool at the sealing station 3 by pushing the bolt 53 upwards into the assembly opening 60 , whereby the bolt 53 is locked by means of the balls 51 .

Fig. 7 zeigt ein Siegelwerkzeugoberteil 17b mit mehreren daran befestigten Produktschutzplatten 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, die mittels eines der zuvor beschriebenen Verriegelungsmechanismen befestigbar sind. Figure 7 17 shows a sealing tool upper part 17b with a plurality of product protection plates 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D fastened to it, which can be fastened by means of one of the locking mechanisms described above.

Die vorausgehend in den Fig. 3 bis 6D beschriebenen alternativen Befestigungsmechanismen für die Produktschutzplatte 23 können sowohl an der Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine 1 als auch an der Schalenverschließmaschine 12 zum Einsatz kommen.The preceding in the Figures 3 to 6D The alternative fastening mechanisms described for the product protection plate 23 can be used both on the thermoforming packaging machine 1 and on the tray sealing machine 12 .

Claims (10)

  1. Sealing station (3) for a packaging machine, wherein the sealing station (3) comprises a sealing tool lower part (15) for receiving deep-drawing troughs (T) or packaging trays (V) and a sealing tool upper part (17a, 17b) positioned thereabove with at least one heatable sealing plate (20) which is configured to close the deep-drawing troughs (T) or packaging trays (V) received by the sealing tool lower part (15) with an upper film (10, 18), wherein at least one product protection plate (23) is fastened to a lower side (22) of the sealing plate (20), and wherein the sealing tool upper part (17a, 17b) comprises at least one fastening mechanism for releasably fastening the product protection plate (23) to the lower side (22) of the sealing plate (20), characterized in that the fastening mechanism between the sealing plate (20) and the product protection plate (23) comprises at least one magnetic locking unit (24) for generating a magnetic holding force H for fastening the product protection plate (23) to the sealing plate (20), at least one hook locking unit (35) for fastening opposite outer sides of the product protection plate (23) to regions of the sealing plate (20) facing the latter, or at least one gravity locking unit (50) which is configured to lock the product protection plate (23) to the sealing tool upper part (17a, 17b) by means of a gravitational force exerted by the product protection plate (23) in the assembled state and pointing away from the sealing plate (20) positioned above it.
  2. Sealing station according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic locking unit (24) comprises at least one permanent magnet (25) fastened to the sealing plate (20) or to the product protection plate (23).
  3. Sealing station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnetic locking unit (24) comprises at least one component (27) made of a soft magnetic material, which is fastened to the sealing plate (20) or to the product protection plate (23).
  4. Sealing station according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the permanent magnet (25) and/or the component (27) made of the soft magnetic material have at least partially a plastic coating (K).
  5. Sealing station according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the permanent magnet (25) and the component (27) made of the soft magnetic material are completely embedded in plastic.
  6. Sealing station according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the permanent magnet (25) or the component (27) made of the soft magnetic material is fastened inside a recess (26) formed on the sealing plate (20).
  7. The sealing station according to claim 1, characterized in that the hook-in locking unit (35) comprises at least one hook-in projection (36) formed on a first outer side (37) of the product protection plate (23) and at least one elastic locking bracket (39) formed on a second outer side (38) of the product protection plate (23) opposite to the first.
  8. Sealing station according to claim 1, characterized in that the gravity locking unit (41) is configured to unlock the product protection plate (23) in the dismantled closed state of the sealing tool upper part (17a, 17b), when the sealing tool upper part (17a, 17b) is turned upside down, by merely pressing the product protection plate (23) in the direction of gravity G.
  9. Sealing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product protection plate (23) has at least two centering bolts (54) and/or in that the product protection plate (23) has a lower side (33) facing the sealing tool lower part (15) in the assembled state and having a surface (34) free of bores.
  10. Packaging machine, which is provided in the form of a deep-drawing packaging machine (1) or a tray-sealing machine (12), having a sealing station (3) according to one of the preceding claims.
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DE102021110382A1 (en) 2022-10-27
US20220340318A1 (en) 2022-10-27
CN217706383U (en) 2022-11-01
EP4079645A1 (en) 2022-10-26

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