Temperature-conditioned packaging system and method for same

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging system comprising a work station with a tool component, a loading station with a side panel component, and a thermal system conveying heatable fluid. The thermal system comprises cooling section and/or a heating section. The cooling section conveys the heatable fluid to the tool component and has an actuator configured for regulating the flow volume of the heatable fluid to the tool component. The heating section conveys the heatable fluid to the side panel component and is coupled at least in sections to the side panel component in order to heat the side panel component.

Claims

1. A packaging system comprising: a work station with a tool component, the tool component is comprised of at least one of a forming station for producing one or more package trays and a sealing station for welding a top film onto one or more package trays filled with food products; a loading station comprising one or more produced packaging trays disposed to be loaded with food products, wherein said loading station comprises a side panel component disposed adjacent to said one or more produced packaging trays; and a thermal system for conveying heatable fluid, wherein said thermal system comprises a heating section for conveying said heatable fluid to said side panel component of said loading station and being coupled at least in sections to said side panel component in order to heat said side panel component.

2. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein said heating section comprises at least one thermal element for conveying said heatable fluid along an inner side of said side panel component.

3. The packaging system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one thermal element is integrally formed with said side panel component.

4. The packaging system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one thermal element is removably attached to said side panel component.

5. The packaging system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one thermal element is configured as an extruded profile.

6. The packaging system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one thermal element comprises a carrier plate with which said at least one thermal element is arranged on said side panel component.

7. The packaging system according to claim 6, wherein said at least one thermal element comprises at least one tube for conveying said heatable fluid which is arranged on said carrier plate.

8. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein said tool component is at least one of a forming tool lower part, a forming tool upper part, a sealing tool lower part, and a sealing tool upper part of the packaging system.

9. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein said thermal system further comprises a cooling section disposed at said tool component, said thermal system operable to convey said heatable fluid to said tool component and having an actuator configured for regulating a flow volume of said heatable fluid to said tool component to cool said tool component, and said cooling section is in fluid communication with said heating section, and wherein said heatable fluid heated by cooling said tool component can be conveyed out from said cooling section into said heating section and used for heating said side panel component.

10. The packaging system according to claim 9, wherein said actuator is a proportional valve and said thermal system comprises at least one temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of said heatable fluid heated by said tool component.

11. The packaging system according to claim 10 further comprising a control unit that is operably connected to said actuator and said at least one temperature sensor and configured to control said actuator based on the temperature detected by said temperature sensor.

12. A method for temperature-conditioning a packaging system that includes a work station with a tool component, wherein the tool component is one of a forming station for producing package trays or a sealing station for welding a top film onto said plurality of package trays filled with food products; and a loading station with a side panel component, wherein a plurality of produced package trays are disposed at said loading station to be loaded with food products and said side panel component is adjacent to said plurality of produced package trays at said loading station, and a thermal system for conveying a heatable fluid, said method comprising the step of: conveying said heatable fluid through a heating section of said thermal system to heat said side panel component at said loading station.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said method further comprises the step of: conveying said heatable fluid through a cooling section of said thermal system to effectuate a cooling of said tool component by absorbing heat from said tool component, and regulating a volume flow of said heatable fluid conveyed to said tool component using an actuator of said thermal system; and conveying said heatable fluid heated by said tool component from said cooling section to said heating section of said thermal system in order to at least partially transfer energy absorbed in the form of heat during the cooling of said tool component to said side panel component.

14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising the steps of: detecting a temperature of said heatable fluid heated by said tool component using a temperature sensor; comparing said detected temperature with a preset temperature value using a control unit; and controlling said actuator with said control unit.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein said heatable fluid is conveyed in a thermal element attached to an inner side of said side panel component.

16. A method for temperature-conditioning a packaging system, the method comprising: providing a packaging machine having: a work station with a tool component, the tool component being comprised of one of a forming station for producing package trays or a sealing station for welding a top film onto package trays filled with food products, and a loading station comprising one or more produced packaging trays disposed to be loaded with food products, wherein said loading station comprises a side panel component disposed adjacent to said one or more produced packaging trays at said loading station; loading the one or more produced package trays with food products at the loading station; and conveying a heatable fluid through a heating section of a thermal system to heat said side panel component.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: conveying the heatable fluid through a cooling section of said thermal system to cool said tool component, wherein an actuator of said thermal system regulates a volume flow of said heatable fluid conveyed to said tool component.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) In the following, an advantageous embodiment of the invention is further illustrated using a drawing. Specifically:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a packaging system having a loading stretch in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a thermal element attached along the inner side of a side panel component in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of the thermal element attached along the inner side of the side panel component in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the thermal element with a carrier plate and a tube in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the thermal element with a support element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the cooling section for cooling the tool component in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a coupling of the cooling section to a heating section of the thermal system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a method for temperature-conditioning a packaging system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) 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.

(11) 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.

(12) FIG. 1 shows a packaging system 1 with a work station 2 arranged in the direction of production R and configured as a thermoforming packaging machine. A film roll-off device 3 with a film 4 and a film stretching station 5 are upstream of the thermoforming packaging machine The thermoforming packaging machine may comprise a forming station 6 for producing package trays 7. The package trays 7 can be loaded with food products P along a loading station 8, either by a product feeder 9 or manually by operating staff.

(13) The package trays 7 filled with food products P can be supplied to a sealing station 10 downstream of the loading station 8. The sealing station 10 of the thermoforming packaging machine is, by a top film roll-off device 11, supplied with a top film 12 which is welded onto the package trays 7 filled with food products P in order to enclose the food products P therein.

(14) The packaging system in FIG. 1 can further comprise a separating station 13 with a robot 14 which transfers the individual filled and sealed package trays 7 to a downstream process, for example, a sorting belt S.

(15) FIG. 1 further shows a side panel component 15 which is arranged along the loading station 8. The packaging system 1 is in particular installed in a refrigerated surrounding U so that the cooling chain of the frozen food products is not broken even during the packaging process. The respective work stations of the packaging system 1 therefore substantially assume the temperature of the surrounding U.

(16) Prior to the present invention, the side panel component 15, which is in particular made of a metallic, long-shaped profile, substantially assumes a temperature value corresponding to that of the surrounding U, so that it usually cools down to temperatures below 10? C. This, however, has the drawback that operating staff who are working along the loading station 8 and possibly leaning against the side panel component 15 for placing the products P into the trays 7 are exposed to the cold, i.e., fall sick faster and are as a result absent due to sick leave.

(17) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the side panel component 15 with a thermal element 17 disposed on an inner side 16 of the side panel component 15. The thermal element 17 may comprise a carrier plate 18 which is mounted flat on the inner side 16 of the side cover component 15. A tube 19 may be arranged on a side of the carrier plate 18 facing away from the inner side 16. The tube 19 is provided for conveying heatable fluid F (see FIG. 6), for example water, along the side panel component 15 and giving off heat to the side panel component 15.

(18) FIG. 2 further shows a plurality of support elements 20 which are arranged along the side of the carrier plate 18 facing away from the inner side 16 above the tube 19. The support elements 20 can be clamped and aligned between a beam 51 of the loading station 8 and the side cover component 15 in order to hold the thermal element 17 against the inner side 16 of the side panel component 15. The support element 20 may further comprise an opening 20a. The opening 20a is formed such that the tube 19 of the thermal element 17 can be clamped thereinto (see FIG. 5) to preferably press the thermal element 17 under preload against the inner side 16.

(19) FIG. 3 shows a detail of the side panel component 15 of FIG. 2. The side panel component 15 has an upper thick portion 15a and a lower thin portion 15b which are integrally connected to each other. The thermal element 17 can be fixed at the upper thick portion 15a for heating the side panel component 15. A bolt connection 50 may be provided between the upper thick portion 15a and the lower thin portion 15b to secure the side panel component 15 to the beam 51 extending along the loading station 8.

(20) FIG. 4 shows the thermal element 17 of the side panel component 15 from FIG. 3, now illustrated separately. The carrier plate 18 of the thermal element 17 may be integrally formed as an extruded profile. The carrier plate 18 can be formed at a predetermined angle a which corresponds substantially to an inclination of the inner side 16 of the side cover component 15 so that the carrier plate 18 can bear flat against the inner side 16. A heat-conducting element 22 is seated on the carrier plate 18 and has the tube 19 attached to it, for example, welded to it. The tube 19, however, can also be bolted directly onto the carrier plate 18 or welded to it.

(21) FIG. 5 shows a further perspective view of the side panel component 15. As is well visible, the support element 20 holds the thermal element 17 with the carrier plate 18 against the inner side 16 of the side panel component 15. The support element 20 can be configured such that it can be clamped between the beam 51 and the side panel component 15 so that it receives the thermal element 17 between itself and the inner side 16 and presses it against the inner side 16.

(22) FIG. 5 further shows that the tube 19 of the thermal element 17 is clamped in the opening 20a of the support element 20 and that the support element 20 is clamped between the beam 51 and the side cover component 15 such that it presses the thermal element 17 under preload against the inner side 16. Consequently, the carrier plate 18 of the thermal element 17 bears flat against the inner side 16, whereby optimal heat transfer is ensured.

(23) As an alternative to fastening by use of the support element 20, the thermal element 17 can be adhesively bonded to the inner side 16, for example, using thermally conductive paste.

(24) FIG. 6 schematically shows a thermal system 23 for temperature-conditioning the forming station 6 and the sealing station 10 of a thermoforming packaging machine. The forming station 6 and the sealing station 10 each comprise two tool components W, namely, a forming tool upper part and lower part 6a, 6b and a sealing tool upper part and lower part 10a, 10b. The thermal system 23 comprises a cooling section 24 in which the heatable fluid F is conveyed to the forming station 6 and to the sealing station 10 in order to cool them. According to FIG. 6, the cooling section 24 passes through the forming tool lower part 6b and the forming tool upper part 6a in order to cool them.

(25) The cooling section 24 leads from the forming station 6 to the sealing station 10 into the sealing tool upper part 10a. The sealing tool lower part 10b could optionally likewise be cooled. The cooling section 24 leads from the sealing station 10 to an optional vacuum pump 25 of the thermoforming packaging machine 2 in order to cool it as well.

(26) A temperature sensor 26 can be provided downstream of the optional vacuum pump 25 in the cooling section 24. The temperature sensor 26 may be configured to detect a temperature T.sub.ist of the fluid F heated by the upstream cooling process of the forming station 6, the sealing station 10 and the optional vacuum pump 25.

(27) The temperature sensor 26 is operably connected to a control unit 27. The control unit 27 can be configured to regulate an actuator 28 integrated downstream in the cooling section 24 on the basis of the detected temperature T.sub.ist of the heatable fluid F in order to adjust a volume flow of the heatable fluid F in the cooling section 24 to the temperature value detected. The actuator 28 is, according to FIG. 6, configured as a proportional valve P.sub.1 which is controllable by the control unit 27 to determine the volume flow of the heatable fluid F. The actuator 28 could alternatively also be a feed pump P.sub.2 which is operably connected to the control unit 27 and the capacity of which can be regulated by the control unit 27 on the basis of the detected temperature value T.sub.ist of the heatable fluid F.

(28) An optional cooling station 30 may be further provided within the cooling section 24 and configured to cool the heatable fluid to a predetermined temperature before it is conveyed on for cooling the forming station 6.

(29) FIG. 7 substantially corresponds to FIG. 6, where a heating section 29, in which the thermal element 17 is connected, is connected in series with the cooling section 24. The heatable fluid F heated within the cooling section 24 therefore flows through the thermal element 17, thereby heating the side panel component 15 on the inner side 16 of which the thermal element 17 is attached. The heatable fluid F cools down due to the heat transfer to the thermal element 17 and is returned to the cooling section 24. The heatable fluid F can on its way back to the cooling section 24 optionally be additionally cooled to a desired temperature by the cooling station 30.

(30) A method for temperature-conditioning the packaging system 1 according to FIG. 8 could be performed as follows.

(31) The heatable fluid F can be tap water and may have a temperature of 10 to 15? C. In step S1, the heatable fluid F may first pass through the forming tool lower part 6b to assist the cooling process of the formed film 4 and to shorten the time for thermoforming. Next, in step S2, the forming tool upper part 6a is cooled so that a prescribed safety/contact temperature of <50? C. is there not exceeded.

(32) Then, in step S3, the sealing tool upper part 10a is cooled to also provide contact safety protection for the operating staff In step 4, the vacuum pump 25, which is optionally arranged in the cooling circuit of the thermoforming packaging machine, can likewise be cooled.

(33) Downstream of the last tool component W or device (e.g., vacuum pump 25) to be cooled, the temperature sensor 26, in step S5, detects the temperature of the heated heatable fluid F. The control unit 27 operably integrated into the thermal system 23 then, in step S6, can regulate the volume flow of the heatable fluid F according to a target temperature T.sub.soll stored in the control unit 27 or a target temperature range stored in the control unit 27, respectively.

(34) After detecting the temperature of the heatable fluid F in step S5, the heated heatable fluid F, which may be at about 30 to 40? C., is in optional step S7 conveyed into the heating section 29. From there, the heatable fluid F may be conveyed to the thermal element 17 of the thermal system 23 connected thereto. The heatable fluid F could after step S6 alternatively also further remain in the cooling section 24 (see also FIG. 6), for example, if it is in step S5 detected that the temperature of the heatable fluid F is too cold and not sufficient for heating the side cover component 15.

(35) After heating the side panel component 15 in step S7, the heatable fluid F, now again being colder, is in step S8 conveyed into the cooling section 24 where it is further cooled down by the optional cooling station 30 in step S9 in order to then be supplied for cooling the forming station 6 and the sealing station 10.

(36) The thermal system 23, which is according to one embodiment of the present invention configured for temperature-conditioning the packaging system 1, in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, could just as well be used with other packaging machines, for example, in a tray sealer, a tubular bag packaging machine or with a vacuum chamber machine.

(37) 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.

(38) 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.