Thermo-forming packaging machine

Abstract

A thermo-forming packaging machine having a transport device that is configured to convey a lower film in a film transport surface along a transport direction from a forming station for forming troughs in the lower film through an inserting track for filling the troughs with products to a sealing station for sealing the troughs with an upper film and further to a cutting station for separating the closed troughs. In one embodiment, the film transport surface comprises a first ascending area and a first descending area that is arranged downstream of the ascending area between the forming station and the sealing station. Alternatively or in addition, the film transport surface comprises between the sealing station and the cutting station a second ascending area and after the cutting station a second descending area.

Claims

1. A thermo-forming packaging machine comprising: a machine rack having a side frame that has an upper interfering edge: a forming station with a forming tool for the formation of one or more troughs in a lower film; an inserting track for filling the troughs with products; a sealing station with a sealing tool for closing the troughs with an upper film; a cutting station for separating the closed troughs into one or more packages; and a transport device that is designed to convey the lower film in a film transport surface along a transport direction from the forming station through the inserting track to the sealing station and further to the cutting station, wherein the film transport surface comprises between the forming station and the sealing station a first ascending area ascending along the transport direction and comprises between the forming station and the sealing station a first descending area descending along the transport direction and arranged downstream of the first ascending area in the transport direction, wherein the film trans ort surface is guided through the first ascending area onto a level that is located above the interfering edge of the side frame.

2. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the film transport surface comprises a second ascending area ascending along the transport direction between the sealing station and the cutting station and a second descending area downstream of the cutting station in the transport direction.

3. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 2, further comprising a packaging discharge device for leading away the one or more packages downstream of the second descending area in the transport direction, wherein the packaging discharge device conveys in parallel to the transport direction.

4. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 2, wherein the film transport surface has a second even area disposed between the second ascending area and the second descending area.

5. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the forming station and the sealing station are disposed in a common horizontal plane.

6. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the film transport surface has a first even area disposed proximate the inserting track and between the first ascending area and the first descending area.

7. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the film transport surface is located below the interfering edge of the side frame in at least one location of upstream of the first ascending area in the transport direction, or downstream of the first descending area in the transport direction.

8. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 1, further comprising a first product feeding device for feeding of products, where the first product feeding device conveys products in a direction transverse to the transport direction, and a portion of the first product feeding device extends over the film transport surface in at least one area.

9. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 8, further comprising a second product feeding device for feeding of products, wherein the first product feeding device crosses the film transport surface in the area of the first ascending area and the second product feeding device crosses the film transport surface in the area of the first descending area.

10. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 8, wherein a transport surface of first product feeding device is disposed substantially on the same level as the film transport surface between the first ascending area and the first descending area.

11. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the transport device includes a chain guide that is disposed along the transport direction and that guides at least one film transport chain for conveying the lower film.

12. A thermo-forming packaging machine comprising: a machine rack having a side frame that has an upper interfering edge; a forming station with a forming tool for the formation of one or more troughs in a lower film; an inserting track for filling the troughs with products; a sealing station with a sealing tool for closing the troughs with an upper film; a cutting station for separating the closed troughs into one or more packages; and a transport device that is designed to convey the lower film in a film transport surface along a transport direction from the forming station through the inserting track to the sealing station and further to the cutting station, wherein the film transport surface comprises an ascending area ascending along the transport direction between the sealing station and the cutting station and a descending area downstream of the cutting station in the transport direction, wherein the film transport surface is guided through the ascending area onto a level that is located above the interfering edge of the side frame.

13. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 12, wherein the film transport surface has an even area disposed between the ascending area and the descending area.

14. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 12, further comprising a first package discharge device for leading away filled and closed packages, wherein the first package discharge device conveys in a direction transverse to the transport direction and said first package discharge device extends over at least a portion of the film transport surface.

15. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 14, wherein the first packaging discharge device crosses the film transport surface in the area of the ascending area.

16. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 14 further comprising a second package discharge device that conveys in a direction transverse to the transport direction, and wherein the second package discharge device crosses the film transport surface in the area of the descending area.

17. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 16, wherein a transport surface of at least one of the first packaging discharge device or the second packaging discharge device is disposed substantially on the same level as the film transport surface between the ascending area and the descending area.

18. A thermo-forming packaging machine comprising: a forming station with a forming tool for the formation of one or more troughs in a lower film; an inserting track for filling the troughs with products; a sealing station with a sealing tool for closing the troughs with an upper film; a cutting station for separating the closed troughs into one or more packages; a transport device that is designed to convey the lower film in a film transport surface along a transport direction from the forming station through the inserting track to the sealing station and further to the cutting station; and a first product feeding device for feeding of products, wherein the film transport surface comprises between the forming station and the sealing station a first ascending area ascending along the transport direction and comprises between the forming station and the sealing station a first descending area descending along the transport direction and arranged downstream of the first ascending area in the transport direction; and wherein the first product feeding device conveys products in a direction transverse to the transport direction, and a portion of the first product feeding device extends over the film transport surface in at least one area.

19. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 18, further comprising a second product feeding device for feeding of products, wherein the first product feeding device crosses the film transport surface in the area of the first ascending area and the second product feeding device crosses the film transport surface in the area of the first descending area.

20. The thermo-forming packaging machine according to claim 18, wherein a transport surface of the first product feeding device is disposed substantially on the same level as the film transport surface between the first ascending area and the first descending area.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) In the following, an advantageous embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail making reference to a drawing, in which the individual figures show:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a thermo-forming packaging machine in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional section view of a portion of the thermo-forming packaging machine of FIG. 1 cut along the line A; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a thermo-forming packaging machine in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.

(6) The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

(7) FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a thermo-forming packaging machine 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The thermo-forming packaging machine 1 comprises a transport device 2 that is designed to convey a lower film 3 in a film transport surface 4 (areas of said film transport surface that are not visible in the side view are indicated with dashed lines) along a transport direction T. The lower film 3 can be extracted from a supply roll 6 installed on a machine rack 5 of the thermo-forming packaging machine 1. Along the transport direction T, a forming station 7, an inserting track 8, a sealing station 9 and a cutting station 10 are provided in the mentioned order. During the operation of the thermo-forming packaging machine 1, troughs 12 are formed in the lower film 3 by the forming station 7 using a forming tool, in particular using thermo-forming. For this purpose, the forming tool can comprise a forming tool upper part 11a and a forming tool lower part 11b. Along the inserting track 8, the troughs 12 are filled with products 13 to be packaged. The sealing station 9 comprises a sealing tool for sealing the troughs 12 with an upper film 15. The sealing tool can comprise a sealing tool upper part 14a and a sealing tool lower part 14b. The sealing tool and/or a part of it can be movable in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction T and be designed to seal the lower film 3 and the upper film 15 along appropriate welding seams using pressure and heat. The sealing station 9 can be designed to perform the sealing process in a protective gas atmosphere or under vacuum in order to increase the durability of the packaged products 13. The cutting station 10 that is arranged downstream of the sealing station 9 along the transport direction T is configured to separate the packages, which were formed by the troughs 12 that had been filled and sealed with the upper film 15, from one another. In particular, the cutting station 10 can be a complete cutting station.

(8) In the displayed embodiments, the transport device 2 for conveying the lower film 3 comprises chain guides 16 that are arranged on both sides along the transport direction T and in which respectively one or multiple film transport chains 17 for conveying the lower film 3 are guided. The course of the film transport surface 4 can be determined through appropriate design of the chain guides 16. Preferably, the chain guides 16 arranged on both sides extend essentially in parallel to one another so that the film transport surface 4 has essentially no inclination in relation to a transversal direction of the thermo-forming packaging machine 1.

(9) In the embodiment from FIG. 1, the lower film 3 is guided in such a way that the film transport surface 4 comprises a first ascending area 20 ascending along the transport direction T between the forming station 7 and the sealing station 9. In the course of the first ascending area 20, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 increases along the transport direction T of the lower film 3. The vertical height of the film transport surface 4 can increase strictly monotonously or monotonously in the ascending area 20. But it is also conceivable that the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 decreases intermittently during the course of the ascending area 20, as long as the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 is lower at the beginning of the ascending area 20 in relation to the transport direction T than at the end of the ascending area 20. For example, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 can increase throughout the first ascending area 20 by at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm. The first ascending area 20 is followed by a first even area 23 in which the film transport surface 4 extends at least essentially in a horizontal way. The first even area 23 comprises the inserting track 8 for filling the troughs 12 with the products 13 to be packaged. The film transport surface 4 comprises a first descending area 25 that follows the first even area 23 in relation to the transport direction T and that descends along the transport direction T.

(10) In the displayed case, the height of the transport surface 4 decreases throughout the first descending area 25 by the same value by which it has increased in the course of the first ascending area 20. It can therefore be achieved that the film transport surface 4 in the area of the sealing station 9 that is disposed downstream of the first descending area 25 is arranged at least approximately on the same level as in the area of the forming station 7. Similar to the forming station 7, the sealing station 9 can simply be installed on the machine rack 5 and finds the lower film 3 at a level that is suitable for processing.

(11) FIG. 2 shows a sectional section view through the thermo-forming packaging machine 1 displayed in FIG. 1, wherein the situation of the section plane is marked by the line A in FIG. 1 and wherein the section plane is perpendicular to the transport direction T. In the shown embodiment, the chain guide 16, in which the film transport chain 17 for conveying the lower film 3 is guided, is installed in an inner side of a side frame 28 of the machine rack 5 of the thermo-forming packaging machine 1. In the displayed embodiment, the chain guide 16 comprises an element that is L-shaped in section and at which guiding rails 29, between which the film transport chain 17 is guided, are provided.

(12) FIG. 2 illustrates the situation at a position that is disposed ahead of the first ascending area 20 of the film transport surface 4 in relation to the transport direction T. Here, in the displayed embodiments, the film transport surface 4 is disposed below an interfering edge 30 of the side frame 28. But this is not absolutely necessary. The film transport surface 4 could also be at the same level as the interfering edge 30 of the side frame 28 or be disposed slightly above said interfering edge 30. It is advantageous for the film transport surface 4 to be disposed slightly below the interfering edge 30 or approximately at the same level as the interfering edge 30 as this enables optimal processing of the lower film 3 by the forming station 7 that is carried by the machine rack 5 without the operation of the forming station 7 being impaired by the machine rack 5.

(13) Compared to the illustration from FIG. 2 (area ahead of the first ascending area 20 of the film transport surface 4), the film transport surface 4 is, as becomes evident from FIG. 1, provided at a higher position in the first even area 23 of the film transport surface 4. In particular, the film transport surface 4 is located at a higher level than the interfering edge 30 of the side frame 28 in the first even area 23. This can be achieved using prolonging the L-shaped element of the chain guide 16 in an upward direction.

(14) To put the products 13 to be packaged into the inserting track 8, product feeding devices 32, 34, which are formed as product feeding belts in the shown embodiment, are provided. Due to the hill-like elevation of the film transport surface 4 that is formed by the first ascending area 20, the first even area 23 and the first descending area 25, the film transport surface 4 is elevated in the area of the inserting track 8 in relation to the interfering edge 30 of the side frame 28. Therefore, the product feeding devices 32, 34 can be positioned in particularly close proximity to the lower film 4 in the area of the inserting track 8. The products 13 to be packaged can be put automatically or manually from the product feeding devices 32, 34 into the troughs 12 of the lower film 4, for example using grippers. In the shown embodiment, the product feeding devices 32, 34 convey transversally to the transport direction T and extend over the film transport surface 4 in specific areas. A first product feeding device 32 crosses the film transport surface 4 in relation to the transport direction T ahead of the first even area 23. In particular, the first product feeding device 32 crosses the film transport surface 4 in the area of the first ascending area 20 of the film transport surface 4. A second product feeding device 34 crosses the film transport plane 4 in relation to the transport direction T after the first even area 23 of the film transport surface 4. In particular, the second product feeding device 34 crosses the film transport surface 4 in the area of the first descending area 25 of the film transport surface 4.

(15) In FIG. 1, the product feeding devices 32, 34 convey into the drawing plane or out of it. Evidently, the first ascending area 20 and the first descending area 25 allow, both horizontally as well as vertically, the product feeding devices 32, 34 to be moved particularly closely to the film transport surface 4 in the area of the inserting track 8. Hence, the products 13 can be put from the product feeding devices 32, 34 into the troughs 12 of the lower film 3 on a particularly short path and therefore in an efficient manner. For example, the product feeding devices 32, 34 can each be less than 5 cm or less than 10 cm away from the first even area 23 of the film transport surface 4 in relation to the transport direction T. Transport surfaces 36, 38 of the first and/or the second product feeding device 32, 34 for receiving the products 13 to be packaged can be at least essentially on the same level as the film transport plane 4 in the first even area 23. A vertical height difference between the transport surfaces 36, 38 and the first even area 23 of the film transport surface 4 can for example be less than 1 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 3 cm or less than 5 cm.

(16) A first and a second product feeding device 32, 34 are provided in the displayed embodiment. Products 13 can be put into the troughs 12 from both product feeding devices 32, 34 at the same time. But it would also be conceivable to provide only one of the two product feeding devices 32, 34.

(17) After passing the sealing station 9, the lower film 3 with the troughs 12 that have been filled and closed with the upper film 15 formed therein is fed to the cutting station 10 where the filled and closed troughs 12 are separated. Subsequently, the separated, packaged product can be removed from the thermo-forming packaging machine 1. This can occur in different ways that are not shown in detail in FIG. 1. Removal of the packaging could occur for example in a simple way using manual removal after separation by the cutting station 10. It is also conceivable to transport the packages further via discharge devices, in particular discharge belts. For this purpose, the packages can be put or dropped manually or automatically onto one or multiple discharge devices.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a thermo-forming packaging machine 1 according to an embodiment that allows for a particularly good access to the film transport plane 4 in the area of the cutting station 10. Also in this embodiment, the thermo-forming packaging machine 1 comprises a transport device 2 that is designed to convey the lower film 3 in a film transport surface 4 along the transport direction T. Also here, the lower film 3 passes along the transport direction T through the forming station 7, the inserting track 8, the sealing station 9 and the cutting station 10 in the mentioned order. The forming station 7, the sealing station 9 and the cutting station 10 can be formed as in the embodiment from FIG. 1. In the display shown in FIG. 3, the film transport surface 4 extends from the forming station 7 via the inserting track 8 up to the sealing station 9 in a horizontal plane. But this is not necessary. No details regarding feeding of the products 13 to the inserting track 8 or regarding the placement of the products 13 into the troughs 12 formed by the forming station 7 in the lower film 3 are specified further. For example, the products 13 could be put into the troughs 12 manually or automatically, in particular using a picker.

(19) Similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport device 2 for conveying the lower film 3 can comprise chain guides 16 that are disposed on both sides along the transport direction T and on which respectively one or multiple film transport chains 17 for conveying the lower film 3 are guided. According to the embodiment from FIG. 3, the film transport surface 4 following the sealing station 9 in relation to the transport direction T has a specific course that enables good access to the film transport plane 4 in the area of the cutting station 10 and hence a fast and efficient removal of readily packaged products 13.

(20) The lower film 3 is guided in such a way that the film transport surface 4 comprises a second ascending area 40 along the transport direction T between the sealing station 9 and the cutting station 10. In the course of the second ascending area 40, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 increases along the transport direction T. For example, the vertical height of the film transport surface 4 can increase throughout the second ascending area 40 by at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm. A second even area 43, in which the film transport surface 4 extends at least essentially in a horizontal manner, is adjacent to the second ascending area 40. The second even area 43 is located in the area of the cutting station 10. The film transport surface 4 comprises a second descending area 45 that follows the second even area 43 in relation to the transport direction T, that descends along the transport direction T and that is arranged downstream of the cutting station 10 in relation to the transport direction T. In the displayed case, the height of the film transport surface 4 decreases throughout the second descending area 45 by the same value by which it has increased in the course of the second ascending area 40.

(21) To convey the packages, which have been filled and separated by the cutting station 10, away from the thermo-forming packaging machine 1, packaging discharge devices 52, 54, which are formed as packaging conveying belts in the displayed embodiment, are formed.

(22) Due to the hill-like elevation of the film transport surface 4 formed by the second ascending area 40, the second even area 43 and the second descending area 45, the film transport surface 4 is elevated in the area of the cutting station 10 in relation to the interfering edge 30 of the side frame 28. Therefore, the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 can be positioned in particularly close proximity to the lower film 4 in the area of the cutting station 10. The separated packages can be put from the thermo-forming packaging machine 1 onto the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 automatically or manually, for example using grippers. In the displayed embodiment, the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 convey transversally to the transport direction T and extend in certain areas above the film transport surface 4.

(23) A first packaging discharge device 52 crosses the film transport surface 4 in relation to the transport direction T ahead of the second even area 43. In particular, the first packaging discharge device 52 crosses the film transport surface 4 in the area of the second ascending area 40 of the film transport surface 4. A second packaging discharge device 54 crosses the film transport surface 4 in relation to the transport direction T after the second even area 43 of the film transport surface 4. In particular, the second packaging discharge device 54 crosses the film transport surface 4 in the area of the second descending area 45 of the film transport surface 4.

(24) In FIG. 3, the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 convey into the drawing plane or out of it. Evidently, the second ascending area 40 and the second descending area 45 allow the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 to be moved particularly closely to the film transport surface 4 in the area of the cutting station 10, both horizontally as well as vertically. Hence, the packages can be placed from the thermo-forming machine 1 onto the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 on a particularly short path and hence efficiently. For example, the packaging discharge devices 52, 54 can respectively be at a distance of less than 5 cm or less than 10 cm from the second even area 43 of the film transport surface 4 in relation to the transport direction T. Transport surfaces 56, 58 of the first and/or the second packaging discharge devices 52, 54 for the intake of the packages can be at least essentially on the same level as the film transport surface 4 in the second even area 43. A vertical height difference between the transport surfaces 56, 58 and the second even area 43 of the film transport surface 4 can for example be less than 1 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 3 cm or less than 5 cm.

(25) In the displayed embodiment, a first and a second packaging discharge device 52, 54 are provided. Preferably, packages can be placed simultaneously onto both packaging discharge devices 52, 54. But it would also be conceivable to provide only one of the two packaging discharge devices 52, 54.

(26) Instead of the described packaging discharge devices 52, 54 that convey transversally to the transport direction T, or in addition, also a packaging discharge device 60 that conveys in parallel to the transport direction T, which is arranged downstream of the second descending area 45 of the film transport surface 4 in relation to the transport direction T, can be provided. Such a packaging discharge device 60 that conveys in parallel to the transport direction T is indicated exemplarily with dashed lines in FIG. 3. Packages separated from the cutting station 10 can be put onto the packaging discharge device 60, which conveys in parallel to the transport direction T, manually or automatically. It would also be possible for the packaging discharge device 60, which conveys in parallel to the transport direction T, to be arranged in a way that the separated packages fall by themselves onto the packaging discharge device 60 that conveys in parallel to the transport direction T.

(27) A thermo-forming packaging machine 1, which allows for a particularly good access to the film transport surface 4 in the area of the inserting track 8, was described with reference to FIG. 1. As described, the film transport surface 4 comprises for this purpose the first ascending area 20 and the first descending area 25. Following the sealing station 9, the course of the film transport surface 4 can in principle be designed in any way. After separation of the packages by the cutting station 10, the readily packaged products 13 can be extracted from the thermo-forming packaging machine 1 in any way. For example, the packaged products 13 can be extracted manually or automatically.

(28) A thermo-forming packaging machine 1, which allows for a particularly good access to the film transport surface 4 in the area of the cutting station 10, was described with reference to FIG. 3. For this purpose, the second ascending area 40 is provided between the sealing station 9 and the cutting station 10 and the second descending area 45 of the film transport surface 4 is provided following the cutting station 10. In relation to the transport direction T ahead of the sealing station 9, the course of the film transport surface 4 can in principle be chosen in any way. Also the way of feeding packaged products 13 as well as placement of the products 13 to be packaged into the troughs 12 of the lower film 3 can be designed in any way. For example, the products 13 can be put into the troughs 12 manually or automatically.

(29) It is therefore conceivable that, according to the invention, either only the first ascending area 20 and the first descending area 25 are provided and that the access in the area of the cutting station 10 occurs in any way. Likewise, it is conceivable that only the second ascending area 40 and the second descending area 45 are provided and that the access in the area of the inserting track 8 occurs in any way.

(30) According to a particularly preferable embodiment of a thermo-forming packaging machine 1, however, the special course of the film transport surface 4 between the forming station 7 and the sealing station 9 is provided in a combined way with the first ascending area 20 and the first descending area 25 (FIG. 1), and so is at the same time the special course of the film transport surface 4 following the sealing station 9 with the second ascending area 40 and the second descending area 45. According to such an embodiment, the course of the film transport surface 4 in the area between the forming station 7 and the sealing station 9 could for example correspond to the course shown in FIG. 1. Following the sealing station 9, the course of the film transport surface 4 could be for example as illustrated in FIG. 3.

(31) From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.

(32) The constructions and methods described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms having and including and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of optional or may include and not as required. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.