U.S. patent application number 14/368631 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for packaging machine having a cutting station.
The applicant listed for this patent is GEA FOOD SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH. Invention is credited to Jorg Feisel, Andreas Steffen.
Application Number | 20150217892 14/368631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47521029 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150217892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steffen; Andreas ; et
al. |
August 6, 2015 |
PACKAGING MACHINE HAVING A CUTTING STATION
Abstract
The present invention relates to a packaging machine having a
cutting station (11) by way of which finished packaging is cut out
of at least one film web (9) by a cutting means (4) and a mating
means (7) being moved towards one another by at least one drive
(1).
Inventors: |
Steffen; Andreas;
(Hatzfeld-Holzhausen, DE) ; Feisel; Jorg;
(Biedenkopf-Weifenbach, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GEA FOOD SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH |
Biedenkopf-Wallau |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
47521029 |
Appl. No.: |
14/368631 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
January 7, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2013/050159 |
371 Date: |
October 24, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/546 ;
483/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 51/22 20130101;
B65B 9/10 20130101; B65B 39/00 20130101; B65B 61/06 20130101; Y10T
483/10 20150115; B65B 59/04 20130101; B65B 51/04 20130101; B65B
61/04 20130101; B65B 9/04 20130101; B65B 35/28 20130101; B29C
51/264 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 59/04 20060101
B65B059/04; B65B 51/04 20060101 B65B051/04; B65B 35/28 20060101
B65B035/28; B65B 9/10 20060101 B65B009/10; B65B 61/06 20060101
B65B061/06; B65B 39/00 20060101 B65B039/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 6, 2012 |
DE |
10 2012 000 127.4 |
Claims
1. A packaging machine which operates in a cylical manner
comprising: a cutting station with which completed items of
packaging are cut out from at least one film web, in that a cutting
means and a counter means and, if applicable, an ejection means are
moved toward one another by at least one drive, wherein the drive
is provided beside a format to be cut out, which consists of a
multiplicity of rows and a multiplicity of columns, so that a
change of the cutting means, of the ejection means and/or of the
counter means is possible.
2. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cutting
means and/or the counter means are/is in each case fastened on a
movable frame.
3. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least
one frame has a free cross section which substantially corresponds
to at least the format to be cut out.
4. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting
means and/or the counter means are displaceably located on a
machine frame which has a free cross section which substantially
corresponds to at least the format to be cut out.
5. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting
station has an ejection means which is arranged on the upper frame,
wherein in each case one ejection means is provided per item of
packaging that is to be simultaneously cut out.
6. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein each
ejection means has a compressed-air connector and/or vacuum
connector and that said connector is in each case connected via a
distributor plate to at least one compressed-air source and/or
vacuum source.
7. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
ejection means, as a suction means, has a venturi nozzle.
8. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein an elastic
seal which interacts in a sealing manner with the product to be
suctioned and/or to be ejected is provided on the ejection
means.
9. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a film web,
at least at times, is clamped between two clamping faces, wherein
at least one clamping face, at least in portions, is structured in
each case to have a pyramid-like structure.
10. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
structure of two clamping faces that interact in a clamping manner
is a mutually offset one.
11. A method for changing a cutting tool of a cutting station, of
claim 1, wherein the cutting means and/or the counter means and/or
the ejection means are in each case pulled, pushed and/or lifted or
lowered from a frame in or counter to and/or transversely to the
running direction of the film web.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the tool change can
take place with very simple means.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the tool change can
take place in a tool free manner.
14. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
cutting means and/or the counter means are displaceably located on
a machine frame which has a free cross section which substantially
corresponds to at least the format to be cut out.
15. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
cutting means and/or the counter means are displaceably located on
a machine frame which has a free cross section which substantially
corresponds to at least the format to be cut out.
16. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the
cutting station has an ejection means which is arranged on the
upper frame, wherein in each case one ejection means is provided
per item of packaging that is to be simultaneously cut out.
17. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein, the
cutting station has an ejection means which is arranged on the
upper frame, wherein in each case one ejection means is provided
per item of packaging that is to be simultaneously cut out.
18. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein each
ejection means has a compressed-air connector and/or vacuum
connector and that said connector is in each case connected via a
distributor plate to at least one compressed-air source and/or
vacuum source.
19. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
ejection means, as a suction means, has a venturi nozzle.
20. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein an
elastic seal which interacts in a sealing manner with the product
to be suctioned and/or to be ejected is provided on the ejection
means.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging machine having
a cutting station with which completed items of packaging can be
cut out from at least one film web, in that a cutting means and a
counter means are moved toward one another by at least one
drive.
[0002] Packaging machines of this type are well known from the
prior art and are referred to, for example, as so-called
form-fill-seal (FFS) packaging machines. By way of example, in the
case of these packaging machines a packaging tray is molded in a
lower film web, for example by vacuum forming, then filled with a
packaging content and then closed with a cover film. The item of
packaging thus completed is finally singularized in that it is cut
out from at least one film web. Preferably, here this is a
so-called profile cut, in which the entire profile of the packaging
is removed from the film web by way of one cutting means. These
packaging machines preferably operate in a cyclical manner, that is
to say that the film web/webs is/are conveyed onward in a cyclical
manner by in each case one so-called indexing length. Typically, a
multiplicity of items of packaging which are arranged in a format
which consists of a plurality of columns and/or a plurality of rows
are simultaneously produced here. The items of packaging of a
format of this type are always simultaneously processed.
[0003] Nowadays, it is a must for packaging machines to be
employable in a highly flexible manner, that is to say that a
multiplicity of different items of packaging in different formats
have to be able to be produced by said packaging machines. Since
different tools are required for the item of packaging in each case
and/or for the format in each case, said tools have to be changed
for producing different items of packaging. In order to keep the
down time of the packaging machines according to the invention as
low as possible, this tool change has to take place as fast as
possible.
[0004] It has, therefore, been the object of the present invention
to provide a packaging machine having a cutting station in which
the tool change can take place faster than in machines according to
the prior art.
[0005] The object is achieved with a packaging machine having a
cutting station with which completed items of packaging are cut out
from at least one film web, in that a cutting means and a counter
means are moved toward one another by at least one drive, wherein
the drive is preferably provided beside and/or preferably above the
film web and/or, in relation to the conveying direction of the film
web, upstream or downstream of the format to be cut out.
[0006] The present invention relates to a packaging machine having
a cutting station. A packaging machine of this type is, for
example, a so-called form-fill-seal (FFS) packaging machine in
which a packaging tray is molded in a lower film, which is filled
with a packaging content and subsequently closed with a cover film.
The item of packaging completed in this manner finally has to be
singularized, that is to say cut out, from the lower film and/or
the cover film, using the cutting station.
[0007] Preferably, packaging machines of this type operate in a
cyclical manner, that is to say that the film web in each case is
intermittently conveyed by a so-called indexing length along the
packaging machine, Typically, a multiplicity of items of packaging,
a so-called format which consists of a multiplicity of rows and/or
columns, are simultaneously produced. Each of these items of
packaging has to be singularized.
[0008] The cutting station has a cutting means, which is typically
provided with a cutting blade, and a counter means, which
preferably interacts in a scissor-like manner with the cutting
means and which typically has a means for clamping the film web
prior to and/or during cutting, or a cutting means, which is
typically provided with a serrated cutting blade and which acts in
a self-cutting manner, and a counter means, which preferably clamps
the film web. Clamping the film web prior to and/or during cutting
usually serves to at least enable and/or improve the cutting effect
of the cutting means. Here, the cutting means and the counter means
preferably have the profile of the item of packaging which is to be
cut out from the film web and/or the cutting means moves along a
predetermined profile which corresponds to the profile of the
desired item of packaging. In order to cut out the item of
packaging from the respective film web, according to the invention
the cutting means and the counter means are moved toward one
another by at least one drive, preferably a plurality of drives,
until the respective item of packaging has been cut out. According
to the invention, it is now provided that the drive is preferably
provided beside the film web. On account thereof, the region in
which the film web moves along the packaging machine is freely
accessible and can be used for a tool change, enabling the latter
to be carried out substantially faster than has been possible to
date, A person skilled in the art will appreciate that,
alternatively or additionally, the drive may also be located above
the film web and/or upstream or downstream of the format to be cut
out, for example, as long as the region in which the film web moves
along the packaging machine is freely accessible to an adequate
extent and can be used for a tool change which is substantially
faster than has been possible to date.
[0009] According to a preferred or a further subject matter of the
present invention,, the cutting means and/or the counter means
are/is in each case fastened on a movable frame. This frame-type
fastening likewise permits a very fast and simple tool change. The
tool in each ease preferably bears at least in part on a horizontal
face of the respective frame. For cutting, the frames are moved in
relation to one another.
[0010] Preferably, at least one frame has a free cross section
which substantially corresponds to at least the format to be
processed. The free cross section ox the frame is preferably
provided to foe so large that the free cross section of said frame
corresponds to the circumference of the largest format which is to
be processed on the packaging machine according to the invention.
Each frame may be exchangeably located on the cutting station. Each
frame, at least in part, is preferably manufactured from profiles,
in particular closed profiles, for example rectangular
profiles.
[0011] Furthermore preferably, the cutting means and/or the counter
means are displaceably located on a machine frame which has a free
cross section which substantially corresponds to at least the
format to he processed. The free cross section of this frame is
preferably provided to be so large that it corresponds to the
circumference of the largest format which is to be processed on the
packaging machine according to the invention. The frame may be
exchangeably located on the packaging machine. Each frame, at least
in part, is preferably manufactured from profiles, in particular
closed profiles, for example rectangular profiles.
[0012] Furthermore preferably, the cutting station has an ejection
means which ejects the in each case singularized items of packaging
from the respective film web and/or deposits the items of packing
cut out in each case onto a conveying means, for example a conveyor
belt. One ejection means is preferably provided per item of
packaging to be cut out. This ejection means is particularly
preferably located on the upper frame. Furthermore preferably, each
ejection means has a compressed-air connector and/or vacuum
connector. This compressed-air connector and/or vacuum connector is
in each case particularly preferably supplied via a distributor
plate which is connected to at least one compressed-air source
and/or vacuum source. On account thereof, connecting hoses between
the source and the respective ejection means can be dispensed with.
This distributor plate disposes of a multiplicity of clearances,
for example bores, which connect the respective source to the
respective ejection means. Valves are preferably provided in these
clearances in order to control or regulate the amount, of
compressed air and/or negative pressure in each case.
[0013] The ejection means preferably has a venturi nozzle with,
which a negative pressure can be generated. With this negative
pressure, the ejection means can be reversibly connected to the
item of packaging to be singular iced in each case, in order to
deposit the latter, after having been cut out, onto a conveying
means, for example.
[0014] Preferably, an elastic seal which interacts in a sealing
manner with the product to be suctioned and/or to be ejected is
provided on the ejection means. This seal is particularly
preferably a PUR foam, material, very particularly preferably
having closed pores.
[0015] The seal is preferably configured as a closed annular face,
wherein the ring may optionally be a circular ring.
[0016] The seal is preferably configured so that its shape, at
least in sections, follows the faces to be suctioned.
[0017] A further subject matter according to the invention or
preferred subject matter of the present invention is a packaging
machine in which a film web, at least at times, is clamped, between
two clamping faces. This clamping may foe required, for example, in
the region of the molding station in which a packaging tray is
molded in the lower film web, in the sealing station in which a
cover film is sealed onto the lower film web and/or in the cutting
station in which the items of packaging are in each case
singularized, in order to prevent the respective film web from
slipping in an undesirable manner and/or in order to clamp the film
web and to enable and/or improve the cutting effect of the cutting
station. Here, one clamping face is located above and one clamping
face is located below the respective film web, said clamping faces
being moved toward one another for clamping. According to the
invention, at least one of these clamping faces, at least in
portions, is structured; preferably, however, both these clamping
faces, at least in portions, are structured; these clamping faces
are, in particular, provided with a pyramid-like structure. On
account thereof, a particularly good clamping effect, is achieved
between the clamping faces. Preferably, the structure of the two
clamping faces that interact in a clamping manner is a mutually
offset one, in particular offset so that the tip of a pyramid of
one clamping face engages in the intermediate space between at
least two pyramids of the other clamping face.
[0018] A further subject matter of the present invention is a
method for changing a cutting tool of a cutting station, in which
the cutting means and/or the counter means and/or the ejection
means are in each case pulled, pushed and/or lifted or lowered from
a frame of a cutting station in or counter to and/or transversely
to the running direction of the film web. Movement which is
transverse to the running direction of the film web takes place
preferably vertically or horizontally.
[0019] The explanations made in respect of the packaging machine
according to the invention apply in equal measure to the method
according to the invention, and vice versa.
[0020] On account of the cutting means, the counter means and/or
the ejection means in each case being pulled, pushed, lifted or
lowered from the frame of a cutting station in or counter to and/or
transversely to the running direction of the film web, a
particularly simple, space-saving tool change is possible.
[0021] An optionally present ejection means is preferably placed
from above onto the upper frame and secured there. The tool change
preferably takes place with very simple means, preferably in a
tool-free manner.
[0022] The inventions will be explained in the following by means
of FIGS. 1-5c. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not
limit the general concept of the invention. The explanations apply
in equal measure to all subject matter of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows the cutting station according to the
invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows the tool change in the cutting station
according to the invention.
[0025] FIGS. 3a-3c show the singularization of items of packaging
from the packaging film.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows details of the clamping faces.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the ejection means.
[0028] FIG. 1 shows the cutting station 11 of the packaging machine
according to the invention. This packaging machine preferably has a
molding station in which a packaging tray is molded in a so-called
lower film web, a filling station in which the at least one
packaging content is filled into the packaging tray produced in the
lower film web, and a sealing station in which a cover film is
sealed onto the filled packaging tray. A cutting station which
singularizes the completed item of packaging from the lower film
web and/or the upper film web is situated downstream of the sealing
station. The packaging machine according to the invention
preferably operates in a cyclical manner, that is to say that in
each cycle the respective film web is conveyed onward along the
packaging machine by a specific indexing length. For processing the
respective film web, the latter is preferably stopped. At each
operating step, preferably a multiplicity of items of packaging,
preferably in a so-called format which consists of a plurality of
columns and/or a plurality of rows, are simultaneously produced, in
that the respective processing step for producing the respective
item of packaging in each case takes place simultaneously. During
the respective processing of the respective film web, the latter
preferably is stopped. The cutting station 11 has a static machine
frame which is statically mounted preferably on the right and on
the left on the machine frame of the packaging machine. On this
machine frame, a first, in this case an upper, frame 3 and/or a
second, in this case lower, frame 8 are provided, in particular in
a vertically displaceable manner. For cutting, at least one of the
two frames 3, 8 is moved in relation to the other frame 3, 8 from a
position which is spaced apart from the film web into a cutting
position. Preferably, at least one frame 3 has a means, for example
a spring means, which pretensions said frame 3 in its position
which is spaced, apart from the film. The other frame 8 is held in
its spaced apart position preferably by gravity. For moving the two
frames toward one another and/or away from one another, the cutting
station has at. least one, in this case two, drive means,
preferably a cylinder, in particular a heavy duty cylinder. As can
be seen in particular from FIG. 3a, this drive means is preferably
located to the right and to the left of the film web and,
therefore, does not block the region below or above the film web,
such that said region is available for a tool change, for example.
On the first, in this case the upper, frame 3 a cutting means 4,
which has a multiplicity of cutting edges which singularities the
respective item of packaging from the respective film web, is
located. The cutting edge may be a closed, static blade. This blade
typically has a cutting tip which preferably lies in one plane but
which may also be serrated. The cutting edge, however, may also be
a so-called profile cutter which, for cutting, moves along a
predetermined profile. On the second, in this case the lower, frame
a counter means, for example a counter knife or a cutting screen
with which the cutting operation is enabled and/or improved is
located. The counter means interacts with the cutting means during
cutting. The counter means typically also has a means for clamping
the film web, with which the cutting operation is enabled and/or
improved.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows further details of the cutting station
according to FIG. 1 and a tool change. It can be seen from FIG. 2,
in particular, that at least one frame 3, 5, 8, in this case ail
frames 3, 5, 8 have a free cross section 3.1, 5.1, 8.1 which
corresponds to at least the format to be produced in each. case,
preferably to the maximum format that can be produced. The cutting
means 4 is fastened on the upper frame in that it is in particular
horizontally inserted by a movement in or counter to the running
direction of the film web into the first, in this case the upper,
machine frame and bears on the latter and is then secured there,
preferably in a tool-free manner. The same applies to the counter
means which is likewise, in particular horizontally, pushed onto
the second, in this case the lower, machine frame in or counter to
the running direction of the film web and is then secured there,
preferably in a tool-free manner. It can be seen from the
illustration according to FIG. 2 that both the cutting means 4 as
well as the counter means 7 preferably have a multiplicity of
cutting edges or counter knives, respectively. The number and
arrangement of the cutting edges/counter knives corresponds here to
the format to be processed in each case and which in the present
case consists of two rows and four columns. If present, the
ejection means 2 typically has to be likewise exchanged in the case
of a format change. As is indicated by the double arrow, in the
case of a tool change, said ejection means 2 is preferably lifted
or lowered, in the present case in a vertical manner. A person
skilled in the art will identify that the tool change in the
cutting station of the packaging machine according to the invention
can take place with very simple means, preferably in a tool-free
manner, and in a very short time. Where applicable, the film web
does not have to be severed for a tool change,
[0030] FIGS. 3a-3c show the cutting-out of the respective item of
packaging from the film web 9, wherein in the illustration the film
web is moved through the cutting station from right to left. As can
be seen from FIG. 3a, initially both the first frame 3 as well as
the second frame 5 are situated in a position which is spaced apart
from the film web 9. In particular the first, in this case the
upper, frame 5 is held in this position by a spring means.
Thereafter, a drive means, in this case a cylinder, moves the
second frame 8 as indicated by the arrows, in this case upward,
into its cutting position (cf. FIG. 3b). The first frame 3 here
remains in its position spaced apart from the film web.
Subsequently, the drive 1 continues its movement, in particular the
cylinder is retracted and thereby pulls the first frame 3 as
indicated by the arrow, in this case downward, counter to the
spring force. Here, the cutting means 4 which is provided on the
frame 3 is likewise moved downward and interacts in a cutting
manner in each case with counter means which are located on the
first frame 8, such that the respective items of packaging are
singularized. The cut-out items of packaging are then discharged
downward through the second frame 8. This may take place by
ejection, for example by pneumatic ejection by means of compressed
air which flows out from the ejection means 2. However, the items
of packaging may also initially be reversibly connected to the
ejection means, for example by negative pressure, and then
deposited in a defined manner, for example onto a conveying means
and/or into a further packaging means. Subsequently or
simultaneously, the drive means moves in the opposite direction,
that is to say for example that a cylinder is extended again and
the first and/or the second frame 3, 8 move into the position
spaced apart from the packaging film. Said packaging film can then
be conveyed onward by one further indexing length before the next
cutting cycle commences.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows the clamping means according to the invention,
in this case using the example of the counter means. This counter
means has a clamping face 7.1 which, at least in portions, is
structured, in this case is structured in a pyramid-like manner. A
structured face 7.1 of this type is situated to the right and to
the left of a clearance 7.2, in this case a groove encircling the
entire item of packaging, into which a cutting edge of the cutting
means plunges for singularizing the respective item of packaging. A
person skilled in the art will identify that likewise at least one
clamping face which interacts in a clamping manner with the
clamping face 7.1 is present on the cutting means. Preferably, this
clamping face, at least in portions, is likewise implemented in a
structured manner, in particular in a pyramid-like manner, wherein
the pyramids of the respective clamping faces preferably are
provided so as to be mutually offset, such that the tip of one
pyramid of the one clamping face engages in the intermediate space
between at least two pyramids of the other clamping face.
[0032] A potential embodiment of the ejection means 2 is
illustrated in FIG. 5. Said ejection means 2 has a housing 14, in
this case a plate, in particular a steel plate, which is provided
with a pressure connector and/or a suction-means connector.
Moreover, a seal 12, which interacts in a sealing manner with the
product to be suctioned and/or ejected, is located on the housing.
Preferably, the seal is adapted to the product to be suctioned, in
this case a sausage. Preferably, the seal, at least in portions, is
designed to be annular, such that one or more suction chambers
and/or pressure chambers 13 are configured. Preferably, the seal is
made from foamed PUR material which is so elastic that the shape of
the seal, in the contact regions, adapts to the shape of the
product.
List of Reference Signs
[0033] 1 Drive means, heavy-duty cylinder
[0034] 2 Ejection means
[0035] 3 First, upper frame
[0036] 3.1 Open cross section of the upper frame
[0037] 4 Cutting means
[0038] 5 Machine frame, static frame
[0039] 5.1 Open cross section of the static frame
[0040] 6 Stop
[0041] 7 Counter means, counter knife, cutting screen
[0042] 7.1 Clamping face, structured face
[0043] 7.2 Clearance, groove
[0044] 8 Second, lower frame
[0045] 8.1 Open cross section of the lower frame
[0046] 9 Film web
[0047] 10 Item of packaging
[0048] 11 Cutting station
[0049] 12 Seal
[0050] 13 Vacuum chamber and/or pressure chamber
[0051] 14 Housing
[0052] 15 Suction connector and/or pressure-means connector
* * * * *