EP4086049A1 - Packaging machine with a device for cutting food packages along a longitudinal direction - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging machine with a device for cutting food packaging to size along a longitudinal direction, the device defining an interior space and an exterior space, with a first shaft extending in the interior space, on which at least one first cutting knife is arranged, and a second shaft extending inside the interior, on which at least one second cutting blade is arranged, which together with the first cutting blade forms a cutting unit arranged in the interior space during operation, the first cutting blade being mounted on the respective shaft in an axially displaceable manner by an axial distance and an axial distance To change the contact pressure between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade of the cutting unit, and with an adjusting mechanism, wherein the adjusting mechanism is coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting blade in order to displace the displaceable cutting blade in the axial direction. The invention also relates to a method for setting a contact pressure between a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade of a cutting unit of a packaging machine.

Description

The invention generally relates to a packaging machine with a device for cutting food packages along a longitudinal direction.

Such packaging machines with a device for cutting food packaging to size along a longitudinal direction are used in food processing lines in order to cut out food-loaded and subsequently sealed but still connected packaging in the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the product conveying direction. In other words, the food slices, e.g. sausage slices or cheese slices, cut off by a slicer, in particular a high-performance slicer, are packaged in portions by the packaging machine into connected packages and then cut apart into individual packages using the device for cutting food packages to size along their longitudinal direction. These portions can also consist of just one slice or one piece.

So-called cutting units, which are formed from upper knives and lower knives, are used to cut the food packaging to size. In order to achieve good cutting quality, it is important that a distance between the cutting blades or a contact pressure between the cutting blades of the cutting unit is set correctly. The contact pressure between the cutting knives has hitherto been adjusted by manually displacing the cutting knives along their knife shafts until a desired contact pressure is set between the upper knife and the corresponding lower knife. This way of adjusting the contact pressure has several disadvantages. On the one hand there is a risk that a careless user could be injured by contact with the cutting blade. In addition, adjusting the cutting blades to each other requires time, expertise and experience.

The German patent application describes an improvement in the adjustability of the cutting blades relative to one another DE 10 2018 128 110 A1 . Here, a floating mounting of the cutting knives serves to enable the longitudinal cutting device to be set up in a simpler and more time-efficient manner. However, there is also a residual risk with this longitudinal cutting device that a careless user could injure himself through contact with the cutting blade.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and thus to provide a packaging machine with a device for cutting food packages to size along a longitudinal direction, by means of which the device can be adjusted more securely.

The object is achieved by a packaging machine with a device for cutting food packaging to size along a longitudinal direction according to claim 1 and in particular in that an adjusting mechanism is provided, the adjusting mechanism being coupled to an axially displaceable first cutting blade in order to close the displaceable cutting blade in the axial direction move.

In other words, the displaceable cutting knife or its knife holder does not have to be moved directly by hand on the respective knife shaft, but an adjusting mechanism is provided that allows the cutting knife to be adjusted without touching the cutting knife or its knife holder. The adjusting mechanism is therefore used to the cutting knife and possibly its knife holder by a with the To adjust the cutting blade or its blade holder coupled component of the adjusting mechanism. As a result, the risk of contact between the cutting knife and the user, ie the person adjusting the device, can be significantly minimized and the risk of injury when adjusting the cutting unit can thus be minimized.

Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

Preferably, the packaging machine is part of a food processing line. The food processing line can include a slicer, in particular a high-performance slicer, a portioning belt, a sorting and conveyor line, an infeed station with a depositor or picking robot, a sealing station, a labeling station and/or a cross-cutting station, i.e. a device for cutting the food packaging crosswise.

The device defines an interior space which substantially corresponds to or encloses the working area of the cutting device. Reaching into this interior generally creates danger, since the cutting blades of the device are located in this interior. In addition, the device defines an outdoor area. In the outdoor area there is no danger of coming into contact with one of the cutting blades. A boundary between the interior and the exterior of the device can be defined in sections by an access guard. The contact protection is preferably arranged so that it can be moved between a shielding layer shielding the interior space and a release layer releasing the interior space.

A first shaft, on which at least one first cutting blade is arranged, extends in the interior space. The first cutting blade is preferably arranged on the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. In this case, the first wave can be a Represent the drive shaft for the first cutting blade. For this purpose, the drive shaft can be driven in rotation.

A second shaft, on which at least one second cutting blade is arranged, also extends in the interior space. The second cutting blade is preferably arranged on the second shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. In this case, the second shaft can represent a drive shaft for the second cutting blade. In order to transmit a torque to the second cutting blade, the drive shaft can be drivable in rotation.

The first cutting blade and the second cutting blade together form a cutting unit arranged in the interior space. In other words, the two cutting knives form a unit, by means of which the food packaging can be cut to length in the longitudinal direction. The two cutting knives preferably form a rotary shear cutting unit, i.e. two cutting knives, in particular circular knives, rotating in opposite directions and overlapping in the radial direction. All of the features disclosed with respect to the general term "cutting unit" also apply to the more specific rotary shear cutting unit.

In order to be able to adjust the cutting unit, the first cutting blade is mounted in an axially displaceable manner on the respective shaft. As a result, the axial distance and thus the axial contact pressure between the cutting blades of the cutting unit can be changed. In particular, the displaceability of the first cutting blade can be used to adjust the first cutting blade between an inactive position, in which the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade are spaced apart from one another, and an active position, in which the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade are pressed against one another. The cutting knife is preferably fixed on a knife holder and the knife holder is slidably mounted on the shaft.

According to one embodiment, the adjusting mechanism protrudes from the exterior into the interior of the device. If the adjusting mechanism can be operated by hand, i.e. manually, it is advantageous if an adjusting element to be adjusted by the user, i.e. which is used to be gripped and adjusted by the user, is located at least in sections outside the device. As an alternative to this, the actuating element can be arranged in the interior space, but at a distance from the cutting knives.

As an alternative to manual adjustability of the adjusting mechanism, the adjusting mechanism can be coupled to a mechanical, in particular a motor, drive. A mechanical drive is understood to mean a drive in which the driving force is applied by a machine, i.e. not by muscle power. Such a drive can be arranged inside the device or outside of the device.

A manual control element outside the device and a mechanical drive both have the advantage that the user can set an axial contact pressure between the cutting blades without having to reach into the vicinity of the cutting blade.

According to one embodiment, at least two axially displaceable first cutting knives are arranged on the first shaft. The adjusting mechanism is preferably coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting blades in such a way that the first cutting blades can be displaced in the axial direction at the same time. This allows the adjustment time to be minimized. The adjusting mechanism is advantageously coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting blades in such a way that the axially displaceable first cutting blades can be displaced in the axial direction at the same speed.

According to one embodiment, the two axially displaceable first cutting knives together with the second cutting knife form a cutting unit arranged in the interior during operation. In this case, the adjusting mechanism can be coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting blades in such a way that the first cutting blades can be displaced simultaneously, in particular at the same speed and/or by the same distance, in opposite axial directions. As a result, the distances or contact forces between the first cutting knives and the second cutting knife designed as a counter-knife can be set simultaneously and the set-up time can be further reduced.

A disc can be arranged between the two first cutting knives, the diameter of which is smaller than that of the cutting knives and the thickness of which is adapted to a thickness of the second cutting knife, i.e. the counter knife. As a result, packaging strips can be clamped between the disc and the second cutting knife and transported away in a guided manner.

According to one embodiment, the at least one axially displaceable first cutting blade is coupled to a cutting blade holder, which is coupled to the first shaft in an axially displaceable but rotationally fixed manner. First coupling means are preferably provided on the cutting blade holder, which interact with second coupling means of the adjusting mechanism in order to axially displace the axially movable cutting blade holder together with the at least one cutting blade. The coupling means can be designed as mechanical coupling means. The force for adjusting the cutting blades can be transmitted from the adjusting mechanism to the cutting blade holder by means of a form fit.

According to one embodiment, the first coupling means are designed as a circumferential groove on the cutting blade holder, and the second coupling means of the adjusting mechanism are designed as an axially adjustable adjusting element that engages in the groove. As an alternative to this, the first coupling means can be designed as a circumferential rib on the cutting blade holder, and the second coupling means of the adjusting mechanism can be designed as an axially adjustable adjusting element which encompasses the rib on both sides.

According to one embodiment, the adjusting mechanism comprises a drive shaft extending in the direction of the first shaft and/or the second shaft. The adjusting mechanism can include a gear in order to convert a rotary drive movement of the drive shaft into a translational movement of the at least one first cutting knife along the first shaft. The adjusting mechanism preferably comprises a plurality of gears in order to convert a rotary drive movement of the drive shaft into a translatory movement of the first cutting blade along the first shaft.

According to one embodiment, the drive shaft has, at least in sections, a non-circular, for example hexagonal, cross section. An axially secured sleeve with an inner peripheral surface adapted to the non-round cross section and an external thread on the outer peripheral surface can be arranged on the cross section that is non-circular in sections. The adjustment element or a part coupled to the adjustment element can in turn have an opening which extends in the axial direction and has an internal thread which engages in the external thread. The gearing defined by the aforesaid features is easy to manufacture and produces a precise conversion of a rotational movement of the drive shaft of the adjustment mechanism into a translational movement of the adjustment element and the cutting blade.

According to one embodiment, the adjusting element is mounted in a guided manner in the axial direction of the first shaft, in particular along a separate guide rod. This enables precise guidance of the adjustment element that is easy to produce.

In order to monitor a position of the first cutting blade, a sensor for determining a position, in particular an angular position, of the adjusting mechanism can be provided. In particular, the sensor can be designed to determine an angular position of the drive shaft of the actuating mechanism. The device can include a control device which, based on the position determined by the sensor during operation, evaluates whether the at least one first cutting blade and the at least one second cutting blade are in contact with one another with the necessary contact pressure in order to cut the food packaging to size.

In general, a determination device for determining a contact pressure between the at least one first cutting knife and its respective counter-knife can be provided. A device for cutting food packaging to size generally has a knife drive which drives the at least one first cutting knife and possibly also the at least one second cutting knife or counter-knife, ie rotates it. By measuring the required drive torque of the knife drive when idling, ie when no food packaging is being cut, it can be determined whether the at least one cutting knife is in contact with its counter-knife with the necessary contact pressure. The required drive torque can be compared with reference values that are either specified or determined during a reference operation. It is therefore advantageous if a measuring device is provided which is designed to measure the drive torque of the blade drive. In addition, the measured drive torque can be used to determine a contact pressure between the at least one cutting knife and its counter knife if the contact pressure does not correspond to a desired contact pressure. For this purpose, the measuring device can be connected to an actuator for adjusting the adjusting mechanism. The knife drive preferably comprises at least one electric motor. In this case, the motor current can be measured, for example, and a contact pressure can be calculated from this.

If the at least one cutting knife is adjusted by a motor, a contact pressure between the at least one first cutting knife and its respective counter-knife can alternatively or additionally be measured via the required power of the actuator. If the actuator is designed as an electric motor, it can be determined in a simple manner by measuring the motor current whether the at least one cutting blade is possibly being pressed too hard or too weakly against the respective counter-blade. As an alternative to this, a contact pressure between the at least one first cutting knife and its respective counter-knife can be measured using a force-measuring device, for example using a strain gauge (DMS) or another force sensor. Alternatively or additionally, it could also be determined indirectly, for example by measuring an adjustment path of the at least one cutting knife relative to its counter-knife, whether the at least one cutting knife is possibly being pressed too hard or too weakly against the respective counter-knife.

According to one embodiment, a control device is provided in order to control a contact pressure between the first cutting knife and its respective counter-knife to a target value. The adjusting mechanism is then adjusted depending on the measured contact pressure in such a way that the contact pressure between the at least one cutting knife and its respective counter-knife is as close as possible to a target value stored in the control software of the packaging machine.

According to one embodiment, the at least one first cutting blade and/or the at least one second cutting blade, which can also be referred to as a counter blade, can be mounted when the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade form a cutting unit. For example, a mounting of the cutting blade can be adjustable in such a way that a defined axis of rotation of the cutting blade can be changed with regard to its orientation. As a result, the so-called scissor angle between the first cutting knife and its counter-knife can be adjusted. In other words, an angle between an axis of rotation of the first cutting blade and an axis of rotation of the second cutting blade can be adjusted, viewed in the conveying direction. Alternatively or additionally, the axis of rotation of the first cutting blade and/or the counter blade can be adjustable in terms of its position, for example, its height can be adjusted.

• Bereitstellen einer Vorrichtung zum Zuschneiden von Lebensmittelverpackungen entlang einer Längsrichtung, wobei die Vorrichtung einen Innenraum und einen Außenbereich definiert, und wobei die Vorrichtung umfasst: eine sich in dem Innenraum erstreckende erste Welle, auf der zumindest ein erstes Schneidmesser angeordnet ist, und eine sich in dem Innenraum erstreckende zweite Welle, auf der zumindest ein zweites Schneidmesser angeordnet ist, welches gemeinsam mit dem ersten Schneidmesser im Betrieb eine in dem Innenraum angeordnete Schneideinheit, insbesondere eine Rollscherschneideinheit, bildet, wobei das erste Schneidmesser axial auf der jeweiligen Welle verschiebbar gelagert ist, um einen axialen Abstand und einen axialen Anpressdruck zwischen dem ersten Schneidmesser und dem zweiten Schneidmesser der Schneideinheit zu verändern, und
  wobei eine Stellmechanik vorgesehen ist, wobei die Stellmechanik mit dem axial verschiebbaren ersten Schneidmesser gekoppelt ist, um das verschiebbare Schneidmesser in axialer Richtung zu verschieben, und
• Verstellen eines axialen Abstandes zwischen dem ersten Schneidmesser und dem zweiten Schneidmesser der Schneideinheit zur Veränderung des axialen Anpressdrucks zwischen dem ersten Schneidmesser und dem zweiten Schneidmesser mittels der Stellmechanik.

The object is also achieved by a method for setting a contact pressure between a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade of a cutting unit of a packaging machine with the steps:

• Providing a device for cutting food packages along a longitudinal direction, the device defining an inner space and an outer area, and the device comprising: a first shaft extending in the inner space, on which at least one first cutting blade is arranged, and a first shaft located in the Interior extending second shaft, on which at least one second cutting blade is arranged, which together with the first cutting blade during operation forms a cutting unit arranged in the interior, in particular a rotary shear cutting unit, wherein the first cutting blade is mounted axially displaceably on the respective shaft in order to axial distance and an axial contact pressure to change between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade of the cutting unit, and
  wherein an adjusting mechanism is provided, wherein the adjusting mechanism is coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting blade in order to displace the displaceable cutting blade in the axial direction, and
• Adjusting an axial distance between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade of the cutting unit to change the axial contact pressure between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade by means of the adjusting mechanism.

The method is thus based on the basic idea of adjusting the axially displaceable cutting blades in such a way that the user does not have to touch either the cutting blade itself or a cutting blade mount that usually exists. Instead, to set the distance or the contact pressure between the cutting blades, the user actuates the adjusting mechanism, which is coupled to the at least one first cutting blade or its cutting blade receptacle.

According to one embodiment, the adjusting mechanism protrudes from the outside of the device into the interior and the axial distance between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade of the cutting unit is adjusted by manually actuating an actuating element or adjusting element of the adjusting mechanism arranged in the outside area, for example a lever of the Setting mechanism causes.

As an alternative to this, the axial distance between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade of the cutting unit can be adjusted by means of a mechanical drive.

To adjust the axial distance between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade, an adjustment element can be adjusted in the axial direction by rotating a drive shaft of the adjustment mechanism. In other words, the first cutting knife can be adjusted by means of a spindle drive.

In order to guide the movement of the adjustment element, the adjustment element can be adjusted along a guide rod, which is separate in particular from the first shaft, in order to adjust the axial distance between the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade.

According to one embodiment, at least two axially displaceable first cutting knives are arranged on the first shaft, which are simultaneously displaced in the axial direction during the setting of the device by means of the setting mechanism, in particular at the same speed.

The two axially displaceable first cutting blades together with the second cutting blade can form a cutting unit arranged in the interior during operation, and the first cutting blades can be displaced in opposite axial directions at the same time, in particular at the same speed, by means of the adjusting mechanism while the device is being set.

According to one embodiment, a contact pressure between the at least one axially displaceable first cutting blade and the at least one second cutting blade can be measured directly or indirectly. For example, a contact pressure between the at least one axially displaceable first cutting blade and the at least one second cutting blade or counter-blade can be measured by measuring a motor power of the blade drive or actuator. Alternatively or additionally an adjustment path of the first cutting blade relative to its counter-knife can be detected and a contact pressure force can be calculated from the detected adjustment path.

According to a further embodiment, the contact pressure or the contact pressure between the axially displaceable first cutting knife and the respective counter-knife can be regulated. For this purpose, target values dependent on the respective packaging to be cut, i.e. dependent on the film type and/or film thickness, can be determined and stored in a database. A user can then, for example, select in a menu item which type of packaging is to be processed. Depending on the packaging to be cut, the device can call up a target value for the contact pressure from the database and regulate the actuator so that the contact pressure between the axially displaceable first cutting knife and the respective counter-knife essentially corresponds to the target value retrieved from the database.

Fig. 1

eine Verpackungsmaschine mit seinen verschiedenen Stationen;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Stellmechanik für erste Schneidmesser;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Schnittdarstellung der Stellmechanik von Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine frontale Schnittansicht der Stellmechanik von Fig. 2;

Fig. 5A

die Stellmechanik von Fig. 2 in einer Ausgangsposition;

Fig. 5B

die Stellmechanik von Fig. 2 in einer Endposition;

Fig. 6A

eine Vorrichtung zum Zuschneiden von Lebensmittelverpackungen entlang einer Längsrichtung in einer Aktivposition;

Fig. 6B

eine Vorderansicht der Vorrichtung von Fig. 6A mit aufgestellter Haube;

Fig. 7A

eine Rückansicht einer Vorrichtung mit aufgestellter Haube gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Fig. 7B

eine Detailansicht von Fig. 7A;

Fig. 8A

eine Detailansicht einer Schnittstelle zwischen einer Basis und der Haube im Betrieb;

Fig. 8B

eine Detailansicht der Schnittstelle von Fig. 8A bei aufgestellter Haube;

Fig. 9A

eine Detailansicht einer Messerabdeckung in deaktiviertem Zustand; und

Fig. 9B

eine Detailansicht der Messerabdeckung von Fig. 9A in aktiviertem Zustand.

The invention is described below using purely exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1

a packaging machine with its various stations;

2

a perspective view of an adjusting mechanism for the first cutting blade;

3

a perspective sectional view of the adjusting mechanism of 2 ;

4

a front sectional view of the actuating mechanism of 2 ;

Figure 5A

the setting mechanism of 2 in a starting position;

Figure 5B

the setting mechanism of 2 in an end position;

Figure 6A

a device for cutting food packages along a longitudinal direction in an active position;

Figure 6B

a front view of the device of FIG Figure 6A with raised hood;

Figure 7A

a rear view of a device with raised hood according to another embodiment;

Figure 7B

a detailed view of Figure 7A ;

Figure 8A

a detailed view of an interface between a base and the hood in operation;

Figure 8B

a detailed view of the interface of Figure 8A with the hood raised;

Figure 9A

a detailed view of a knife cover in the deactivated state; and

Figure 9B

a detailed view of the knife cover of Figure 9A in activated state.

In the 1 The packaging machine 12 shown, working in a transport direction T, comprises a machine frame 47. A transport chain 27, shown here only schematically at the upstream end of the machine, is guided on a left-hand side frame and on a right-hand side frame of the machine frame 47. The two transport chains 27 together form conveying means for a lower film 23 drawn off a supply roll 23a.

The packaging machine 12 comprises a plurality of work stations that follow one another in the transport direction T, namely a forming station 11, also referred to as a deep drawing or thermoformer, an infeed station 13 for products 10 to be packaged, a feed station 14 for a top film 25 pulled from a supply roll 25a, a sealing station 15 for connecting the lower film 23 to the upper film 25, a labeling station 16, a transverse cutting station 17 and a longitudinal cutting station 19, ie a device 19 for cutting packages 21 along a longitudinal direction.

The products 10 to be packaged are, for example, food products, here in the form of so-called portions, each of which comprises a number of slices which have previously been cut by means of a food slicer (not shown) from a loaf or bar-shaped food such as sausage, cheese, ham or meat were separated.

A central control device 41 controls the operation of the packaging machine 12, including the work stations mentioned. In addition, the packaging machine 12 is provided with an operating device 45, which includes a touch screen, for example, on which an operator can be shown all the necessary information and the operator can make all the necessary settings before and can make during operation of the machine.

At the forming station 11 comprising an upper tool 11a and a lower tool 11b, indentations 29, also referred to as troughs, are formed in the lower film 23 in a deep-drawing process. The products or portions 10 mentioned are placed in these depressions 29 at the loading station 13 . The infeed station 13 here includes a so-called depositor, of which two endless conveyor belts 13a, 13b are shown. Alternatively or additionally, the insertion station 13 can include a robot 50, also shown here schematically, e.g. in the form of a so-called "picker", which can be designed as a delta robot with a gripper 52, which includes two shovels each holding a portion 10 together. Such robots and their use in the handling of foodstuffs, in particular when inserting portions into depressions in packaging, are known in principle to the person skilled in the art, which is why further explanations are not required here.

The lower film 23 provided with the filled depressions 29 and the upper film 25 are then fed to the sealing station 15, which comprises an upper tool 15a and a lower tool 15b. By means of these tools 15a, 15b the upper film 25 and the lower film 23 are connected to one another. As a result, the depressions 29 and thus the packaging 21 formed by the upper film 25 and lower film 23 are closed. In 1 sealing points 43 running transversely to the transport direction T and also referred to as sealing seams are indicated schematically.

After the sealing station 15, the packages 21 are still connected by the upper film 25 and the lower film 23, so they still have to be separated. The transverse cutting station 17 and the longitudinal cutting station 19 are used for this purpose.

the 2 and 3 show an upper cutting knife shaft 115 of the longitudinal cutting station 19, ie the device 19 for cutting food packaging along the longitudinal direction. Several cutting knives 117 are arranged on the cutting knife shaft 115 . These cutting blades 117 can be moved in the axial direction 127 by means of an adjusting mechanism 125 (see 3 ) adjustable. For this purpose, the adjusting mechanism 125 comprises an adjustment element 133 assigned to each first cutting knife 117. The adjustment elements 133 are each provided with corresponding cutting knife holders 129 (see 4 ) coupled, which hold the respective cutting blade 117 and are slidably mounted on the cutting blade shaft 115. The cutting blade holders 129 have first coupling means 131 in the form of a groove, into which the second coupling means 133b formed by the respective adjusting element 133 engage in the form of a rib. This creates a positive connection between the first coupling means 131 and the second coupling means 133b.

The adjusting elements 133 also have an opening with an internal thread 133a which engages with an external thread 139a associated with a drive shaft 135 . In the embodiment shown, a sleeve 139 is provided on the drive shaft 135 for each adjustment element 133 and is non-rotatable and axially fixed on the drive shaft 135. On an outer peripheral side of the sleeve 139, the male thread 139a is formed. The external thread 139a and the internal thread 133a together form a gear 137, which converts a rotational movement of the drive shaft 135 into a translational movement of the respective adjusting element 133. Thus, a translational movement of the respective first cutting blade 117 in the axial direction can be generated by a rotational movement of the drive shaft 135 .

A guide rod 141 (see Fig 2 ) along which the adjustment elements 133 are slidably mounted.

the Figures 5A and 5B show in detail how the rotational movement of the drive shaft 135 is converted into translational movements of the cutting blades 117. As can be seen in the figures, two first cutting knives 117 are arranged adjacent to one another. These cutting knives 117 arranged adjacent to one another together with a second cutting knife 121 (see Figure 6B ), which is in contact with the two first cutting knives 117 during operation, a cutting unit 123. The cutting units 123 serve to separate two food packages from one another and in the process to cut away a central strip between the food packages. Discs 118 are provided between the first cutting knives 117 of the cutting units 123 in order to ensure controlled removal of the central strips. The central strips are clamped between a peripheral surface of the disk 118 and a peripheral surface of the corresponding second cutting blade 121 and transported away in a guided manner.

When setting a distance and a contact pressure between the first cutting blades 117 and the respective second cutting blade 123, the cutting blades 117 arranged adjacent to one another towards one another and thus moved against the second cutting blade 123 arranged between the first cutting blades 123 . So that when the drive shaft 135 rotates, adjacent adjustment elements 133 move towards one another, the internal threads 133a of the adjacent adjustment elements are equipped with opposite threads. In other words, one of the internal threads 133a has a right-hand thread, and the internal thread 133a of the adjacent adjustment element 133 has a left-hand thread. So that the two adjustment elements 133 move towards one another with the same speed, the internal threads 133a of the respective adjacent adjustment elements 133 have the same thread pitches. The male threads 139a on the outer peripheral sides of adjacent sleeves 139 also have opposite threads, respectively.

In the Figures 6A and 6B it can be seen that the second cutting knives 121 are arranged on a second shaft 119 . The first shaft 115 with the first cutting blades 117 and the second shaft 119 with the second cutting blades 121 extend in an interior space 111 of the longitudinal cutting station 19, each perpendicular to the conveying direction T. The first shaft 115 and the second shaft 119 are each connected via a Knife drive 143 drivable. For this purpose, the blade drive 143 has a belt 143a which transmits a drive torque from an output shaft (not shown) of the blade drive 143 to the first shaft 115 and the second shaft 119 . In this case, the drive torque is transmitted to the first shaft 115 and the second shaft 119 in such a way that the two shafts 115, 119 rotate in opposite directions of rotation during operation.

As an alternative to the knife drive 143 with belt 143a, Figure 7A shown a variant in which the drive torque of a not shown output shaft of the blade drive 143 'via a gear pair 143a' and 143b' the first wave 115 is transmitted. This makes it easier to remove and install the first shaft 115 .

As in particular in the Figure 6B and 7A As can be seen, the first shaft 115 is part of a detachable unit, hereinafter referred to as hood 145 . In the Figures 8A and 8B An interface 147 for attaching the hood 145 to a base 149 is generally shown. The interface 147 is designed to place the hood 145 on the base 149 by means of a pivoting movement. For this purpose, the interface 147 comprises a hook-shaped section 147a on the base 149 and a section 147b that can be hung in the hook-shaped section 147a. In the present example, the hood 145 with the upper cutter shaft 115 is only fixed in place by hooking it in and its own weight.

In the Figures 9A and 9B can be seen moving a knife cover 155 between an inactive position ( Figure 9A ) and an active position ( Figure 9B ) is adjustable. The lever 151 and the actuating element 153 are used for this purpose. By adjusting the lever 151 and/or the actuating element 153, the blade cover 155 can be moved from a position that does not protrude beyond the cutting edge (see Figure 9A ) in a position that protrudes beyond the cutting edge in the radial direction (see Figure 9B ) can be adjusted. In other words, the elements forming the knife cover 155 in the active state are arranged laterally next to the cutting edge of the respective first knife 117 in such a way that a user cannot inadvertently reach for the cutting edge of the knife 117 .

In the Figures 7A and 7B further elements of the adjustment mechanism of the knife covers 155 can be seen. The blade covers 155 are connected to an adjustment shaft 157 in a rotationally fixed manner. As a result, the knife covers 155 of the first cutting knives 117 can be moved together between the active position by turning the adjustment shaft 157 (see FIG Figure 7B and 9B ) and the Release position (see Figure 9A ) pivotable. The adjusting shaft 157 is coupled to the lever 151 and the actuating element 153 in order to be able to rotate the adjusting shaft 157 manually. In principle, it would also be conceivable to provide only one lever 151 or one actuating element 153 . However, a combination of lever 151 and actuating element 153 allows the blade cover 155 to be adjusted in a particularly effortless manner. In addition, the hood 145 can be raised by means of leverage by a pivoting movement of the blade cover, for example against an intermediate plate 159.

Reference List

10

product

11

forming station

11a

upper tool

11b

lower tool

12

packaging machine

13

loading station

13a

endless conveyor belt

13b

endless conveyor belt

14

feeding station

15

sealing station

15a

upper tool

15b

lower tool

16

labeling station

17

cross cutting station

19

slitting station

21

Packaging

23

bottom film

23a

supply roll

25

top film

25a

supply roll

27

transport chain

29

deepening

41

control device

43

sealing point

45

operating device

47

machine frame

50

robot

52

gripper

111

inner space

113

outdoor area

115

first wave

117

first cutting knife

118

disc

119

second wave

121

second cutting knife

123

cutting unit

125

setting mechanism

127

axial direction

129

cutting blade holder

131

first coupling means/groove

133

adjustment element

133a

inner thread

133b

second coupling means/rib

135

drive shaft

137

transmission

139

sleeve

139a

external thread

141

guide rod

143

blade drive

145

Hood

147

interface

149

Base

151

lever

153

actuator

155

knife cover

157

adjusting shaft

159

intermediate plate

T

Longitudinal/conveying direction

Claims (15)

Packaging machine (12) with a device (19) for cutting food packages to size along a longitudinal direction, the device (19) defining an interior space (111) and an exterior space (113), with a first shaft ( 115) on which at least one first cutting knife (117) is arranged, and a second shaft (119) extending in the interior (111), on which at least one second cutting blade (121) is arranged, which together with the first cutting blade (117) has a cutting unit (123) arranged in the interior (111) , in particular a roller shear cutting unit, the first cutting blade (117) being mounted in an axially displaceable manner on the respective shaft (115) in order to change an axial distance and an axial contact pressure between the first cutting blade (117) and the second cutting blade (121) of the cutting unit (123), and with an adjusting mechanism (125), wherein the adjusting mechanism (125) is coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting blade (117) in order to displace the displaceable first cutting blade (117) in the axial direction. Packaging machine (12) according to claim 1,
the adjusting mechanism (125) protruding from the outer area (113) into the inner area (111) of the device (19). Packaging machine (12) according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the adjusting mechanism (125) is coupled to a mechanical drive. Packaging machine (12) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
at least two axially displaceable first cutting knives (117) are arranged on the first shaft (115), and wherein the adjusting mechanism (125) is coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting knives (117) in such a way that the first cutting knives (117) simultaneously, in particular are displaceable at the same speed in the axial direction (127); in particular wherein the two axially displaceable first cutting blades (117) together with the second cutting blade (121) form a cutting unit (123) arranged in the interior (111) during operation, and wherein the adjusting mechanism (125) with the axially displaceable first cutting blades (117 ) is coupled in such a way that the first cutting blades (117) can be displaced simultaneously, in particular at the same speed, in opposite axial directions (127). Packaging machine (12) according to at least one of the preceding claims,
wherein the at least one axially displaceable first cutting blade (117) is coupled to a cutting blade holder (129), which is coupled to the first shaft (115) in an axially displaceable but rotationally fixed manner, and wherein first coupling means ( 131) are provided, which interact with second, in particular mechanical, coupling means (133b) of the adjusting mechanism (125) in order to axially displace the axially movable cutting blade holder (129) together with the at least one first cutting blade (117). Packaging machine (12) according to claim 5, wherein the first coupling means are designed as a circumferential groove (131) on the cutting blade holder (129), and the second coupling means of the adjusting mechanism (125) are designed as an axially adjustable adjusting element (133) engaging in the groove, or wherein the first coupling means are designed as a circumferential rib on the cutting blade holder, and the second coupling means of the adjusting mechanism are designed as an axially adjustable adjusting element that encompasses the rib on both sides. Packaging machine (12) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting mechanism (125) comprises a drive shaft (135) extending in the direction of the first shaft (115) and/or the second shaft (119),
and wherein the adjusting mechanism (125) comprises a gear (137) in order to convert a rotary drive movement of the drive shaft (135) to a translatory movement of the at least one first cutting blade (117) along the first shaft (115). Packaging machine (12) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the drive shaft (135) has, at least in sections, a non-round, for example hexagonal, cross-section, a sleeve (139) with an inner peripheral surface adapted to the non-round cross section and an external thread (139a) on the outer peripheral surface being arranged in an axially secured manner on the partially non-circular cross section, and wherein the adjusting element (133) has an opening which extends in the axial direction (127) and has an internal thread (133a) which engages in the external thread. Packaging machine (12) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting mechanism (125) comprises at least one adjusting element (133) which is guided in the axial direction (127) of the first shaft (115), in particular along a separate guide rod (141). is. Packaging machine (12) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a sensor for determining a position, in particular angular position, of the adjusting mechanism (125) is provided, in particular wherein a control device (41) is provided which, on the basis of the position determined by the sensor in the Operation evaluates whether the at least one first cutting blade (117) and the at least one second cutting blade (121) are in contact with one another with the necessary contact pressure in order to cut the food packaging to size; and/or wherein a determination device is provided for determining a contact pressure between the first cutting knife (117) and its respective counter-knife (121); and/or wherein a control device is provided in order to control a contact pressure between the first cutting knife (117) and its respective counter-knife (121) to a target value. Method for setting a contact pressure between a first cutting blade (117) and a second cutting blade (121) of a cutting unit (123) of a packaging machine (12), with the steps: Providing an apparatus (19) for cutting food packages along a longitudinal direction (R), the apparatus (19) defining an interior space (111) and an exterior space (113), and the apparatus (19) comprising: one located in the interior space (111) extending first shaft (115) on which at least one first cutting blade (117) is arranged, and in which Interior extending second shaft (119), on which at least one second cutting blade (121) is arranged, which together with the first cutting blade (117) in operation forms a cutting unit (123) arranged in the interior, in particular a rotary shear cutting unit, the first cutting blade (117) being mounted in an axially displaceable manner on the respective shaft (115) in order to change an axial distance and an axial contact pressure between the first cutting blade (117) and the second cutting blade (121) of the cutting unit (123), an adjusting mechanism (125) being provided, the adjusting mechanism (125) being coupled to the axially displaceable first cutting blade (117) in order to displace the displaceable cutting blade (117) in the axial direction (127), and Adjusting an axial distance between the first cutting blade (117) and the second cutting blade (121) of the cutting unit (123) to change the axial contact pressure between the first cutting blade (117) and the second cutting blade (121) by means of the adjusting mechanism (125). Method according to claim 11, wherein the adjusting mechanism (125) protrudes from the outer area (113) of the device into the inner area (111) and wherein the adjustment of the axial distance between the first cutting knife (117) and the second cutting knife (121) of the cutting unit (123) by means of a manual actuation of an actuating element of the adjusting mechanism (125) arranged in the outer area (113), for example a lever of the adjusting mechanism (125 ), is effected; or the axial distance between the first cutting blade (117) and the second cutting blade (121) of the cutting unit (123) being adjusted by means of a mechanical drive. Method according to at least one of the preceding method claims, wherein to adjust the axial distance between the first cutting blade (117) and the second cutting blade (121), an adjustment element (133) is adjusted by rotating a drive shaft (135) in the axial direction (127);
and/or wherein, to adjust the axial distance between the first cutting blade (117) and the second cutting blade (121), an adjustment element (133) is adjusted along a guide rod (141), which is separate in particular from the first shaft (115). Method according to at least one of the preceding method claims, wherein at least two axially displaceable first cutting knives (117) are arranged on the first shaft (115), and the first cutting knives (117) move simultaneously, in particular at the same speed, in the axial direction by means of the adjusting mechanism (125). direction (127) are shifted; In particular, the two axially displaceable first cutting knives (117), together with the second cutting knife (121), form a cutting unit (123) arranged in the interior space, in particular a rotary shear cutting unit, and the first cutting knives (117) by means of the adjusting mechanism (125) be shifted in opposite axial directions at the same time, in particular at the same speed. Method according to at least one of the preceding method claims, wherein a contact pressure between the at least one axially displaceable first cutting blade (117) and the at least one second cutting blade (121) is determined directly or indirectly and, in particular, is regulated to a definable setpoint.

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