PACKING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATION

Abstract

A packing machine for filling product into bags including a bag supply, a filling module with a filling nozzle and a bag removal, wherein between the bag supply and the bag removal a transfer device is provided, which is suitable and configured to feed an empty bag from the bag supply to the filling nozzle and to feed the filled bag from the filling nozzle to the bag removal. In a method for operation, an empty bag is fed from the bag supply to the filling module by means of the transfer device and a filled bag is fed by means of the transfer device from the filling module to the bag removal. In a method for maintaining such a packing machine transfer device is moved to release at least the filling module.

Claims

1. A packing machine for filling product into bags comprising: at least one bag supply, at least one filling module with at least one filling nozzle and at least one bag removal; and between the bag supply and the bag removal at least one transfer device is provided, which is suitable and configured to feed an empty bag from the bag supply to the filling nozzle and to feed the filled bag from the filling nozzle to the bag removal.

2. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device comprises at least a first gripper device to feed empty bags from the bag supply to the filling nozzle and wherein the transfer device comprises at least a second gripper device to feed full bags from the filling nozzle to the bag removal.

3. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first gripper device for the transfer of the empty bags and the second gripper device for the transfer of the full bags are arranged on different sides of the transfer device.

4. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first gripper device for the transfer of the empty bags and the second gripper device for the transfer of the full bags are arranged offset with respect to one another between 60° and 120° on the transfer device.

5. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device at least in sections, in particular at least one base body, is provided to be rotatable and/or pivotable.

6. The packing machine according to claim 5, wherein the transfer device is rotatable between 60° and 120°.

7. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device is configured to be movable at least in sections.

8. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first gripper device for the transfer of the empty bags is configured to be displaceable.

9. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first gripper device comprises at least two gripper arms, which can be displaced relative to one another.

10. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second gripper device for the transfer of the full bags is configured to be displaceable.

11. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second gripper device comprises at least one clamping device.

12. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second gripper device is assigned at least one cleaning device.

13. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein the bag supply, the filling module, the bag removal and/or the transfer device are arranged at least in sections in at least one housing device.

14. The packing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least two filling modules are provided.

15. The packing machine according to claim 14, wherein the filling modules are arranged side by side.

16. A method for operating a packing machine according to claim 1, comprising the following steps in a suitable number, suitable series and/or combination: a) picking up an empty bag by the first gripper device; b) turning the transfer device until the first gripper device is in operative connection with the filling module; c) transferring the empty bag to the filling nozzle; d) turning the transfer device until the first gripper device is in operative connection with the bag supply; e) turning or turning back the transfer device until the second gripper device is in operative connection with the filling module or with the filled bag f) picking up the full bag by the second gripper device; g) turning the transfer device until the second gripper device with the full bag is in operative connection with the bag removal; and h) handing over the bag to the bag removal.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein steps a) and f), b) and g), c) and h) and/or d) and e) are carried out in parallel/simultaneously.

18. The method according to claim 16, where two filling modules are provided and wherein the transfer device is moved in front of the filling module which is to be used.

19. A method for maintaining a packing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer device is moved in order to release at least the filling module.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the transfer device is pulled out to release the filling module.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein two filling modules are provided and wherein the transfer device is moved laterally in front of the filling module which is not maintained.

Description

[0058] Further advantages and features of the present invention are obtained from the exemplary embodiment, which is explained hereinafter with reference to the appended figures.

[0059] In the figures:

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a further purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a next purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a view from the front;

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a view from the side of the bag removal;

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a further purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a view from the side of the bag removal;

[0066] FIG. 7 shows a next purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a view from the side of the bag removal;

[0067] FIG. 8 shows another purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a view from the side of the bag removal;

[0068] FIG. 9 shows a purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a view from the side of the bag supply;

[0069] FIG. 10 shows a purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a view from the side of the bag removal;

[0070] FIG. 11 shows a further purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a view from the side of the bag removal;

[0071] FIG. 12 shows the view according to FIG. 11 with pulled-out transfer device;

[0072] FIG. 13 shows a purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a transfer device;

[0073] FIG. 14 shows an enlargement according to FIG. 13;

[0074] FIG. 15 shows a further purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a transfer device;

[0075] FIG. 16 shows an enlargement according to FIG. 15;

[0076] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view according to the view from FIG. 15;

[0077] FIG. 18 shows an enlargement according to FIG. 17;

[0078] FIG. 19 shows a purely schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a transfer device with a cleaning device according to the invention;

[0079] FIG. 20 shows a purely schematic diagram of a cleaning device according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0080] FIG. 21 shows a further purely schematic diagram of a cleaning device according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0081] FIG. 22 shows a next purely schematic diagram of a cleaning device according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0082] FIG. 23 shows another purely schematic diagram of a cleaning device according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0083] FIG. 24 shows a further purely schematic diagram of a cleaning device according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0084] FIG. 25 shows a purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a transfer device and a bag removal in a front view;

[0085] FIG. 26 shows a further purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a transfer device and a bag removal in a front view;

[0086] FIG. 27 shows a next purely schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a transfer device and a bag removal in a front view;

[0087] FIG. 28 shows sections from FIGS. 26, 27 and 28;

[0088] FIG. 29 shows a next exemplary embodiment of a packing machine according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0089] FIG. 30 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 29 in a front view;

[0090] FIG. 31 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 29 in a rear view;

[0091] FIG. 32 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 29 in a plan view; and

[0092] FIG. 33 shows the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 29 in a side view.

[0093] FIG. 1 shows a packing machine 1 according to the invention in a perspective view. In this case, the packing machine 1 in the exemplary embodiment shown here comprises a bag supply 2, a bag removal 3 and an interposed transfer device 4. The bag supply 2, the bag removal 3 and the transfer device 4 are in this case arranged in a line 12.

[0094] A filling module 100 is provided, pulled out of line 12 and arranged in the exemplary embodiment shown here next to the transfer device 4. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, empty bags from the bag supply 2 are fed to the filling module 100 by means of the transfer device 4. The bag thus supplied to the filling module 100 is attached to the filling nozzle 101 of the filling module 100 and filled and guided by the transfer device 4 back into the line 12 and fed to the bag removal 3.

[0095] By arranging the filling module 100 next to the line or pulling out from the line, almost any filling module 100 can be used together with the modules or assemblies of the packing machine 1 arranged in the line 12. In particular, standard modules can also be used so that no special configuration of a filling module 100 must be provided for the packing machine according to the invention, preferably modules for filling open bags of any filling technology.

[0096] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the packing machine 1 is provided encapsulated, for which the individual assemblies or modules are provided in housing devices 11, 102. In this case, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, the assemblies arranged in line 12, namely the bag supply 2, the bag removal 3 and the transfer device 4 are provided in a common housing device 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the filling module 10 is provided in its own housing device 102.

[0097] By arranging the individual assemblies or modules in housing devices 11, 102, it is possible to hermetically seal off the filling process depending on the configuration so that hazardous or sensitive substances can also be filled by means of the packing machine 1. In particular, in the packing machine 1 or in the housing devices 11, 102 a vacuum can also be applied or a suction can take place so that product which escapes during filling does not escape into the environment but can be safely disposed of or even recycled.

[0098] In the exemplary embodiment shown here the bag supply 2 also comprises a bag production 13, wherein bags are produced for this purpose starting from a film supply 14 and made available to the transfer device 4.

[0099] In the exemplary embodiment shown here the bag removal 3 comprises a closing device 15, by means of which the filled and still open bags can be closed and a conveyor belt 16 for the removal of the filled and closed bags.

[0100] Since the bag supply 2, the bag removal 3 and the transfer device are arranged in a line 12 and the filling module 100 is arranged pulled out of this line 112, this results in a T-shaped arrangement of the packing machine 1 according to the invention.

[0101] As already mentioned previously, this offers many advantages. An advantage is that by juxtaposing the filling module 100 or by pulling out the filling module 100 from the line 12, almost any (standard) filling module can be used. As a result, on the one hand, existing filling modules 100 can be used. On the other hand, due to the juxtaposition a filling module can also be changed or exchanged quickly without too much effort. In known inline systems, i.e., systems in which everything is arranged in a line, for reasons of space it can be difficult to arrange the filling technology, in particular the air filling module 105 with pressure chamber 106 shown in the exemplary embodiment, in line. In addition, operability or maintainability would be more difficult.

[0102] Another advantage is that due to the T-shaped configuration or arrangement of the packing machine a particularly compact design is possible.

[0103] For better illustration of the packing machine 1, FIGS. 2 to 4 show two perspective views and a front view of the packing machine 1, wherein in the housing devices 11, 102, the housing covers 17, 103 are not shown to provide overview views of the interior of the packing machine 1 or of the various modules or assemblies.

[0104] In FIGS. 5 and 6, the view of the transfer device 4 from the side of the bag removal 3 is shown once in an overview view and once in an enlarged diagram.

[0105] In this view, it can be seen that the filling module 100 is provided or arranged next to the transfer device 4, wherein the filling nozzle 101 of the filling module 100 can also be identified in this view. Here the inlet hopper 104 of the filling module 100 can also be seen, which is connected to a silo for product to be filled, which is located thereabove but not shown.

[0106] In this case, product is fed via the inlet hopper 104 into the pressure chamber 106 inside the filling module 100 or here the air filling module 105 to the filling nozzle 101.

[0107] In this view it can be seen that the transfer device comprises a first gripper device 5 and a second gripper device 6, which are mounted on different sides 7, 8 of the transfer device 4 or on a base body 18 of the transfer device 4.

[0108] It is shown here that the base body 18 of the transfer device 4 is configured in a pillar-like manner here and is provided in a suspended manner in the exemplary embodiment shown here. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the base body 18 is suspended on rails 19, whereby the base body 19 with the gripper devices 5, 6 can be pulled out in this view to the left from the line 12. This displaceability of transfer device 4 will be shown and described in more detail later.

[0109] In addition to the displaceability of the transfer device 4 or the base body 18 of the transfer device 4, the base body 18 can also be rotated by 90° back and forth in the exemplary embodiment shown here. By turning back and forth the base body 18 of the transfer device 4 and by arranging the first gripper device 5 on one side 7 of the base body 18 and arranging the second gripper device 6 on the side 8 of the base body 18, by turning the base body 18 back and forth through 90° a bag from the bag supply 2 can be fed by means of the transfer device 4 out from line 12 to the filling module 100 or the filling nozzle 101. When the base body 18 or the transfer device 4 turns back, the second gripper device 6 comes in contact with the now filled bag at the filling nozzle 101 and can pick this up and can be guided back into the line 12 by turning forwards or re-turning the base body 18 and fed to the bag removal.

[0110] In the enlargement in FIG. 6 the first gripper device 5 and the second gripper device 6 can be identified on different sides 7, 8 of the base body 18 of the transfer device 4. One of the two gripper arms 9 of the first gripper device 5 can also be identified here.

[0111] As can be seen in more detail in the following figures, in the exemplary embodiment shown here the gripper device 5 comprises two gripper arms 9 which can be moved relative to each other so that they serve as a kind of spreader. Thus, it is possible that the gripper arms 9 of the first gripper device 5 pick up an open bag from the bag supply 2 or the bag production and attach this to the filling nozzle 101. For this purpose, the first gripper device 5 or for this purpose, the gripper arms 9 in the exemplary embodiment shown here can also be displaced forwards and pulled back again, which is shown purely schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0112] FIG. 9 shows purely schematically the view of the transfer device 4 and the filling module 100 from the direction of the bag supply 2. In this case, the base body 18 of the transfer device 4 is rotated in such a manner that the second gripper device 6 is aligned in the direction of the filling nozzle 101 of the filling module 100. In this position, the first gripper device 5 is aligned in such a manner that it can receive an empty bag from the bag supply 2.

[0113] FIG. 10 shows a purely schematic view of the transfer device 4 and the filling module 100 from the side of the bag removal 3.

[0114] Here it can be seen that the second gripper device 6 is provided to be displaceable so that the second gripper device 6 in the exemplary embodiment shown can be pivoted or displaced forwards via a parallelogram-like structure 20 in the direction of the filling nozzle 101. Thus, the clamping devices 10 of the second gripper device 6 can compress the still open bag walls of the filled bag and then displace the bag back in the direction of the base body 18.

[0115] Subsequently, the base body 18 can be rotated clockwise by 90° here so that the full bag can be displaced back into the line 12 and then fed to the bag removal. At the same time, during the removal of the full bag by the second gripper device 6, a new empty bag can be picked up by the first gripper device 5. When turning the full bag forwards into the line 12, a new empty bag is then simultaneously moved out of line 12 and fed to the filling nozzle 101.

[0116] In FIG. 10 it can also be seen that a cleaning device according to the invention 50 is provided above the second gripper device 6, which is explained in detail in the subsequent figures.

[0117] FIGS. 11 and 12 show purely schematically once again a side view of the packing machine 1 or of the transfer device 4 and the filling module 100 from the direction of the bag removal 3. When this view is compared, it can be seen that the transfer device 4 or the base body 18 together with the gripper devices 5, 6 fastened thereon is configured to be movable or extendable.

[0118] For this purpose, as already stated in the exemplary embodiment shown here, the base body 18 is suspended in an upper region and displaceable via a rail 19 or a rail system 19. Other technical components or components for displacing the base body 18 can be used analogously.

[0119] Since in the exemplary embodiment shown here, the transfer device 4 or the base body 18 of the transfer device 4 can be pulled out transversely to the line 12, for example, a sufficient space for maintenance staff is provided for maintenance of the packing machine 1.

[0120] Thus, in the extended state of the base body 18 in the exemplary embodiment shown here it is in particular possible to comfortably reach all the assemblies of the packing machine 1. In particular, the filling module 100 can be reached from the side of the filling nozzle 101. However, the bag supply 2, the bag removal and also the otherwise inaccessible side of the transfer device can be maintained and/or repaired.

[0121] FIGS. 13 and 14 show the transfer device 4 or the base body 18 of the transfer device 4 of the packing machine 1 in an overview diagram and a detailed view.

[0122] The first gripper device 5 and the second gripper device 6 are arranged in this exemplary embodiment offset by 90° on the different sides 7, 8. As a result of this arrangement a superimposed operating mode of the empty bag and the full bag transfer or transport is ensured.

[0123] A cleaning device 50 is provided above the second gripper device 6, which comprises a housing device 64, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown here a pivotable housing element 65 or a pivotable flap 66 is provided. The cleaning device 50 is explained in more detail in subsequent figures.

[0124] In addition, it can be seen that the first gripper device 5 is arranged on the side 7 of the base body 18, which, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, comprises two gripper arms 9, which can be moved here relative to each other or pivoted outwards or moved. Thus, the gripper arms act as spreaders and can pick up an empty bag from bag supply 2 or take it from this.

[0125] Furthermore, as can already be seen previously in the figures, the first gripper device 5 is provided to be pivotable so that this can be displaced forwards in the direction of the filling nozzle 101 and also in the direction of the bag supply 2. Depending on the configuration, for example, telescopic gripper arms 9 or other components of the first gripper device 5 can be provided.

[0126] In FIGS. 15 and 16, the base body of the transfer device 4 is rotated in such a manner that the first gripper device 5 is aligned in the direction of the filling nozzle 101 of the filling module 100. In this position, an open bag not shown is held on the gripper arms 9 in the exemplary embodiment shown here by spreading the two gripper arms 9, wherein the gripper device 5 is displaced forwards to attach the bag which is held open to the filling nozzle 101. In addition, the second gripper device 6 with the clamping devices 10 can be identified.

[0127] FIGS. 17 and 18 show the side view from FIGS. 15 and 16 again in a slightly perspective view from obliquely above, wherein in addition the cleaning device 50 above the second gripper device 6 is hidden in order to get a better impression of the clamping devices 10 of the second gripper device 6.

[0128] In FIGS. 19 to 24, the cleaning device 50 according to the invention provided above the second gripper device 6 in the exemplary embodiment shown here and its mode of operation is described in detail.

[0129] In this case, the cleaning device 50 according to the invention in the exemplary embodiment shown here is provided for cleaning the so-called head seam area of a bag to be closed by means of blown out air.

[0130] In addition to the application of the cleaning device 50 presented here, this can also clean any other work section, in particular in relation to the packing machine 1 described here.

[0131] FIG. 19 shows an overview view of the transfer device 4 of the packing machine 1 according to the invention purely schematically, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown here the cleaning device 50 according to the invention is arranged above the second gripper device 6.

[0132] In this exemplary embodiment, the cleaning device 50 comprises two blowing strips 51 which cannot be seen in FIG. 19. The cleaning device 50 is provided encapsulated in the exemplary embodiment shown here namely in a housing device 64. This makes it possible to achieve a hermetic sealing of the blowing strips 51 and the work section to be cleaned. In order to feed the work section to be cleaned or the bag to the cleaning device 50, the housing device 64 comprises a movable or, in this case, pivotable housing element 65 or a flap 66, which is shown in the closed state in the view shown.

[0133] FIG. 20 shows in a perspective view a cleaning device according to the invention 50, wherein the movable housing element 65 or the flap 66 is shown in the open state. Thus, the view of the two blowing strips 51 located inside the housing device 64, shown here as an example, is free.

[0134] In FIG. 21 in a perspective view, the assembly of the cleaning device 50 is shown separately in a perspective view. Here also, the flap 66 or the pivotable housing element 65 is shown in the open state, so that the two blowing strips 51 provided in the exemplary embodiment shown here can be seen.

[0135] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the blowing strips 51 each comprise a plurality of first nozzle devices 52, second nozzle devices 53 and third nozzle devices 54, which are arranged here in rows 60, 61, 62.

[0136] In this case, the three rows 60, 61, 62 of the first nozzle devices 52, the second nozzle devices 53 and the third nozzle devices 54 can be supplied differently with air so that a moving air wave is blown out over the work section to be cleaned.

[0137] This is achieved whereby the first nozzle devices 52 or the first row 60 of first nozzle devices 52 each have a first blowing-out direction 55, which differs from the blowing-out directions 56, 57 of the other nozzle devices 53, 54 or rows 61, 62 of nozzle devices 53, 54. In particular, it is preferred and also provided in this exemplary embodiment that the first nozzle devices 52, the second nozzle devices 53 and the third nozzle devices 54 each have a blowing-out direction 50, 56, 57, which each differ from one another.

[0138] Furthermore, a control device 58 not shown in more detail in the figures is provided, which is suitable and configured to control the nozzle devices 52, 53, 54 at least at times in a temporally staggered manner

[0139] For this purpose, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment shown that for the three rows 60, 61, 62 of nozzle devices 52, 53, 54 separate air supplies 59 are provided in each case within the blowing strips 51. This is provided here for both blowing strips 51 and can be identified in FIG. 22 purely schematically by hiding the left blowing strip 51. By hiding the one blowing strip 51 the separate air supplies 59a or the connections for the air supplies 59 of the blowing strip 51 located outside the blowing strip 51 can be seen.

[0140] FIGS. 23 and 24 show purely schematically that an extraction device 63 can also be provided to extract the air expelled by the blowing strips 51 or another fluid together with the swirled particles.

[0141] For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment shown here the extraction device 63 is in operative connection with the interior of the housing device 64 via an opening 67 in the housing device 64.

[0142] In the exemplary embodiment shown, a suction pipe 68 is provided, which is connected to this opening 67. Depending on the configuration, for example, a further suction pipe 68 can be provided on the left side, wherein here the opening 67 is closed on the left side by a cover 69.

[0143] In the exemplary embodiment shown, as has already been described previously, it is provided that a hermetically substantially sealed cleaning space is created by closing the movable housing element 65 or the flap 66 of the housing device 64. Depending on the application, the extraction device is then set so that at least the air volume or generally the volume which is blown into the housing 64 through the blowing strips 51 is extracted. In particular, it is preferred that at least so much is extracted that at least a small vacuum is created inside the housing device 64. This is particularly important for systems that are used in dust explosion areas. In non-critical working environments or in general, a non-hermetically closing housing device 64 or even no housing device 64 can be provided.

[0144] In FIGS. 23 and 24 it can also be seen once again that the different rows 60, 61, 62 of the first, second and third nozzle devices 52, 53, 54 are connected via different air supply lines 59a per blowing strip 51.

[0145] Thus, the different control of the individual nozzle devices 52, 53, 54 or the individual rows 60, 61, 62 of these nozzle devices 52, 53, 54 is also possible differently per blowing strip 51. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment shown, an air wave or a moving air stream can be generated over the entire length and also over the width of the work section to be cleaned, whereby in particular the outlet pattern of a pendulum nozzle is modeled without using moving parts. In this case, in the blow-out pattern of a pendulum nozzle it is achieved that when cleaning the bag section for the subsequent head seam, the bag walls to be joined subsequently are blown apart so that product located between the bag walls is removed.

[0146] In particular, by means of an oscillating air jet it is achieved that when cleaning the bag mouth edge before closing or welding the filled bag by the moving air flow, the bag walls or film layers located on top of one another are opened by the acting air jet, so that the air jet impinges upon the inner surfaces, whereby the adhering dust or dirt particles are removed here. By changing the air jet, the layers of the side folds are also separated from each other with a corresponding design of the bag, so that this area is also cleaned. The individual film layers are as it were opened one after the other by the moving or oscillating air flow and cleaned by the air flow thus penetrating.

[0147] In FIGS. 25 to 28, the transfer of a filled bag by the transfer device 4 to the bag removal 3 is shown purely schematically.

[0148] In this case, a parallelogram-like structure 20 is provided, on which the second gripper device 6 with the clamping devices 10 is provided. This structure 20 is also used to remove the full bag from the filling nozzle 101 or to bring the second gripper device 6 into contact with the filled bag.

[0149] In the basic state, the second gripper device 6 abuts relatively closely against the base body 18 of the transfer device 4. In the following FIGS. 26 and 27 it can be seen how the second gripper device 6 moves forward in the direction of the bag removal 3 by displacing the parallelogram-like structure 20.

[0150] In this case, the closure device 15 can also be seen here, which is configured as a welding station 21 in the exemplary embodiment shown here.

[0151] FIG. 28 shows purely schematically by the side-by-side representation of the individual positions of the parallelogram-like structure 20 that due to the special configuration of this parallelogram-like structure 20, the filled bag is transferred by means of gripper device 6 of the transfer device 4 approximately on a line or approximately rectilinearly to the bag removal 3.

[0152] FIGS. 29 to 33 show a further exemplary embodiment of a packing machine 1 according to the invention. In this case, the configuration of this exemplary embodiment substantially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment already described.

[0153] In particular, the bag supply 2, the transfer device 4 and the bag removal 3 are arranged in a line 12. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown previously, not just one filling module 100 is pulled out of the line 12 and arranged next to the transfer device 4 but two filling modules 100 are arranged side by side outside the line 12.

[0154] In order to select which of the two filling modules 100 is used, in the exemplary embodiment shown here the transfer device 4 is provided to be movable so that this can be arranged either in front of one or the other filling module 100. For example, a quick product change or maintenance of a filling module 100 can be carried out, for which the transfer device 4 can be pushed or moved in front of the filling module 100 to be used or not to be maintained.

[0155] At the same time as the transfer device 4 can be displaced in the line 12, depending on the configuration, a movability or a displaceability of the transfer device 4 transverse to the line 12 can also be provided as in the exemplary embodiments shown previously.

[0156] In order to ensure a reliable picking up of bags from the bag supply 2 and a reliable delivery of the filled bags by the transfer device 4 to the bag removal 3, the individual components of the transfer device 4 can accordingly be provided to be displaceable.

[0157] Depending on the configuration, however, the bag supply 2 and/or the bag removal 3 can also be co-displaced so that there are always optimal distances between the individual assemblies.

REFERENCE LIST

[0158]

TABLE-US-00001  1 Packing machine  2 Bag supply  3 Bag removal  4 Transfer device  5 First gripper device  6 Second gripper device  7 Side  8 Side  9 Gripper arm 10 Clamping device 11 Housing device 12 Line 13 Bag production 14 Film supply 15 Closure device 16 Conveyor belt 17 Housing cover 18 Base body 19 Rail 20 Parallelogram-like structure 21 Welding station 50 Cleaning apparatus 51 Blowing strip 52 First nozzle device 53 Second nozzle device 54 Third nozzle device 55 Blowing-out direction 56 Blowing-out direction 57 Blowing-out direction 58 Control device 59 Air supply  59a Air supply 60 Row 61 Row 62 Row 63 Suction device 64 Housing device 65 Housing element 66 Flap 67 Opening 68 Suction pipe 69 Cover 100  Filling module 101  Filling nozzle 102  Housing device 103  Housing cover 104  Inlet hopper 105  Air filling module 106  Pressure chamber