EP3733528A1 - Sealing tool and method for sealing trays - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealing tool (10) for a tray closing machine (1), comprising an upper tool (12) and a lower tool (13) with a main body (14) which has a tray recess (19) for receiving at least part of a tray (8) to be closed , and a shell support (16), a gas channel (32) running through the shell support (16). The sealing tool (10) is characterized in that the shell carrier (16) comprises a first plate (17) with a first pressing surface (20) and a second plate (18) with a second pressing surface (21) and the first plate (17) ) has a first recess (26) which extends from the first pressing surface (20), the first recess (26) forming at least a portion (31) of the gas channel (32) when the first plate (17) and the second plate (18) on the first and second pressure surface (20, 21) are pressed against one another.

Description

The invention relates to a sealing tool according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for evacuating and / or gassing and sealing packaging trays.

Tray closing machines and corresponding sealing tools are z. B, from the DE 10 2012 005 891 A1 known. They usually include an upper tool and a lower tool. In order to be able to evacuate and / or gass packaging trays with their help by sealing a cover film, conventional sealing tools have channels that are configured for sucking off and / or introducing gas. Since in this process the cover film, which is initially a film web, is clamped between the upper tool and the lower tool, existing sealing tools have partly branched, but in any case difficult to access channels, so that both the inside of the packaging to be closed and the chamber surrounding it up to can be evacuated and / or gassed at the desired level.

From the WO 2011 092 103 A1 a tool is also known which has a so-called clamping frame. This is set up to initially clamp the cover film to the upper part of the tool. In the WO 2011 092 103 A1 channels are provided within this clamping frame, which are used for gassing the packaging tray to be closed.

Such conventional tools have the disadvantage that they are complicated to manufacture due to the channels described. In particular in the case of tray closing machines that process food, the channels make it more difficult to regularly clean the machine and the tool. Both increase the costs of purchasing and operating the tool.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a sealing tool and a method for evacuating and / or gassing and sealing packaging trays, which enables the tool to be manufactured and cleaned in a simplified manner and thus causes lower costs.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a sealing tool with the features of claim 1 or by a method with the features of claim 7.

The invention provides a sealing tool for a tray sealing machine. The sealing tool comprises an upper tool and a lower tool with a main body, the one Has shell recess for receiving at least a part of a shell to be closed, and a shell carrier, wherein a gas channel runs through the shell carrier. The sealing tool is characterized in that the tray carrier comprises a first plate with a first pressing surface and a second plate with a second pressing surface and the first plate has a first recess extending from the first pressing surface, the first recess having at least one Forms portion of the gas channel when the first plate and the second plate are pressed against one another on the first and second pressure surfaces.

By providing a first and a second plate, the shell support can be divided along a separating surface, which can be shaped as desired. The separating surface can preferably be a plane to which the closing direction of the sealing tool, in particular the direction of movement in which the upper tool and the lower tool move towards one another, runs perpendicularly.

A depth of the depression, which can be defined perpendicular to the first pressure surface, can in particular be provided to be smaller than the extent of the depression parallel to the first pressure surface. Said depth can preferably be smaller than a thickness of the first plate, wherein the thickness of the first plate can also be defined perpendicular to the pressure surface.

A section of the gas duct can be formed, for example, in that the second pressing surface covers an opening surface of the recess, which can run parallel to the first pressing surface. The configuration described above can facilitate the manufacture and, in particular, the cleaning of the tray support, since after the first plate has been separated from the second plate, the section of the gas channel, which is partially formed by the depression, is more accessible.

It is advantageous if the main body and the second plate are immovably connected to one another relative to one another during the operation of the sealing tool. In this way, both can be moved with one and the same drive, which reduces the drive and control effort. It is particularly favorable if the first plate is connected to the second plate during the operation of the sealing tool, so that the first and second plates are arranged immovably with respect to one another. This can further reduce the drive and control effort.

Toolless fastening devices can be provided for connecting the second plate to the main body and / or connecting the first plate to the second plate his. In particular, tool-free fastening devices can be provided which hold the main body, the second plate and the first plate immovable with respect to one another during the operation of the sealing tool. Toolless fastening devices can significantly reduce the assembly and disassembly effort. Cleaning can also be simplified.

In a variant, a projection can be provided on the second pressing surface, which projection is configured to extend into the depression in the pressed-on state. This makes it possible to specifically influence the flow direction of the gas in the gas channel, for example in order to give the gas flow a specific direction. It is conceivable that the depression, in the pressed-on state, forms a funnel-shaped end section of the gas channel together with the projection. The projection can be made in one piece with the second plate.

The end section, which can also be designed in any other shape than a funnel shape, can be provided, for example, as an inlet or outlet for a gas. A section which opens directly into a sealing chamber of the sealing tool can be regarded as the end section of the gas channel. A funnel-shaped shaping of the end section of the gas channel can enable a targeted collection and / or distribution of a gas flow. This allows z. B. the flow rate of the gas can be influenced.

In a further variant, the second plate can have a second depression which extends from the second pressing surface, the first and the second depression together forming a section of the gas duct in the pressed-on state. This section can be an end section or another section of the gas channel. With regard to the definition of the term “recess”, the explanations given above with reference to the first recess apply accordingly to the second recess.

The invention also relates to a method for evacuating and / or gassing and sealing packaging trays by means of a sealing tool which contains a lower tool with a main body and a tray carrier which comprises a first plate and a second plate, and an upper tool. The method comprises inserting a packaging tray into the second plate of the tray carrier, the second plate having a second pressing surface, closing the sealing tool by pressing the upper tool and the lower tool against one another, pressing the second plate of the tray carrier against the first plate so that the second pressing surface and a first pressure surface that is attached to the first plate is provided, abut against each other, whereby at least a portion of a gas channel is formed for evacuating and / or gassing the packaging tray, evacuating and / or gassing the packaging tray, and sealing the tray with a cover film. By pressing on the two plates and the associated formation of the gas duct, the use of a shell carrier can also be made possible, which is easier to manufacture and easier to clean due to the division into a first and a second plate.

In a further variant, the method can include clamping the cover film to the upper tool by means of the first plate before the sealing tool is closed. This means that the use of a separate clamping frame for clamping the cover film to the upper tool can be dispensed with, which means that the number of parts can remain constant compared to conventional sealing tools or processes with a one-piece tray carrier and clamping frame.

It is conceivable that the first plate is pressed against the second plate while the sealing tool is being closed. This makes it possible to press the first plate against the second plate and to close the sealing tool at the same time, thus saving time, which can increase the efficiency of the method or of the tray sealing machine.

In a further variant, the first plate can be pressed against the second plate before the sealing tool is closed. This can be particularly advantageous in designs in which the cover film is not intended to be clamped onto the upper tool by the first plate. It is in particular conceivable here that, as already mentioned above, the first plate is connected to the second plate in such a way that they are immovable relative to one another during operation of the sealing tool. Furthermore, it is conceivable that, in addition, the main body of the lower tool is immovably connected to the first plate and the second plate during operation.

Figur 1

zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer Verpackungsmaschine.

Figur 2

zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Siegelwerkzeugs in einem geöffneten Zustand.

Figur 3

zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Siegelwerkzeugs in einem geschlossenen Zustand.

Figur 4

zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines Schalenträgers, der eine erste und eine zweite Platte umfasst, die im aneinandergedrückten Zustand zu sehen sind.

Figur 5

zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht der ersten Platte des Schalenträgers mit Blick auf die erste Andrückfläche.

Figur 6

zeigt eine schematische Perspektivansicht der zweiten Platte des Schalenträgers mit Blick auf die zweite Andrückfläche.

Figur 7

zeigt eine schematische Schnittansicht aus der in Figur 4 mit VII-VII angedeuteten Perspektive.

The invention relates to a sealing tool and to a method of the type described above. In the following, an advantageous exemplary embodiment is explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

Figure 1

shows a schematic perspective view of a packaging machine.

Figure 2

shows a schematic perspective view of a sealing tool in an open state.

Figure 3

shows a schematic perspective view of a sealing tool in a closed state.

Figure 4

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a shell carrier comprising a first and a second plate, which can be seen in the pressed-together state.

Figure 5

shows a schematic perspective view of the first plate of the shell carrier with a view of the first pressure surface.

Figure 6

shows a schematic perspective view of the second plate of the shell carrier with a view of the second pressure surface.

Figure 7

FIG. 11 shows a schematic sectional view from FIG Figure 4 with VII-VII indicated perspective.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a packaging machine 1. This is a tray sealing machine. The packaging machine 1 can have a feed belt 7. It can also have a closing station 9. Filled but at this point in time still unclosed trays 8 can be conveyed to the closing station 9 by the feed belt 7. The trays 8 can be transferred to the closing station 9 with a gripper device 11 and closed there with a cover film 5 (film) fed in from above, for example by sealing the cover film 5. For this purpose, the closing station 9 can include a sealing tool 10, which is later will be described in more detail. The packaging completed in this way can be transferred from the closing station 9 to a discharge belt 15 via the gripper device 11.

After the cover film 5 has been sealed on, regions of the cover film 5 corresponding to the packaging or packaging assemblies can be cut out of the web of the cover film 5 in the closing station 9. A residual film grid of the cover film 5 remains, which is wound up with a device 3 for winding up the film 5.

In Figure 2 the sealing tool 10 can be seen in a perspective view. As in the exemplary embodiment shown, the sealing tool 10 can comprise an upper tool 12 and a lower tool 13. These can be moved towards one another in a closing direction S in order to close the sealing tool 10. The lower tool 13 can, as shown in the figure, contain a main body 14. This can for example be mounted on a lifting mechanism (not shown), which can be configured to move the lower tool 13 in the To move the closing direction S towards the upper tool 12. The lower tool 13 can also have a shell carrier 16 (see Figure 4 ) exhibit. As can be seen in the figure, this can be provided on that side of the main body 14 which faces the upper tool 12.

The shell support 16 can comprise a first plate 17 and a second plate 18. Even if the first plate is 17 in Figure 2 is shown closer to the upper tool 12 than to the other components of the lower tool 13, it (the first plate 17) is to be regarded as part of the lower tool 13 due to its function. A shell recess 19 can be provided in the main body 14 which can be configured to receive at least a part of the shell 8 to be closed.

The first plate 17 can have a first pressing surface 20 (see Figure 5 ) exhibit. The second plate 18 can have a second pressure surface 21. The first plate 17 and the second plate 18 can be pressed against one another with the first pressing surface 20 and the second pressing surface 21, whereby the shell carrier 16 can be formed. This is discussed below with reference to the Figures 4-6 will be explained in more detail.

In Figure 2 fastening devices 22 can be seen. As shown in the present exemplary embodiment, these can be configured to connect the second plate 18 to the main body 14 in such a way that the main body 14 and the second plate 18 are immovable with respect to one another during operation of the sealing tool 10. A person skilled in the art recognizes that in other than the embodiment shown, the fastening devices 22 can be designed to also connect the first plate 17 to the main body 14 and the second plate 18 in such a way that the first and second plates 17, 18 and the main body 14 are connected to one another in such a way that they are immovable to one another during operation of the sealing tool 10. In Figure 3 the sealing tool 10 is shown in a closed state.

In Figure 4 the shell carrier 16 is shown in perspective as a separate assembly which contains the first plate 17 and the second plate 18. The shell carrier 16 can have shell openings 23. These can, for example together with the shell recesses 19 in the main body of the lower tool, form a lower part of a sealing chamber. The shell carrier 16 can furthermore have a carrier edge 24. Such a can preferably be provided circumferentially around one of the shell openings 23. To insert the shells 8 into the shell carrier 16, a flange provided on the shell 8 can be attached to the Support edge 24 are placed. The support frame 24 can serve as a counter bearing for a sealing plate. As later with reference to Figure 7 will be explained in more detail, the shell support 16 gas and / or evacuation openings 25 (see Figure 7 ) exhibit.

In Figure 5 the first plate is shown in perspective. Compared to the representation in Figure 4 the first plate 17 is rotated by 180 ° about an axis which runs parallel to the longer side of the shell support 16. This makes the first pressing surface 20 visible. A first recess 26 can now also be seen, which can be provided in the first plate 17. In particular, it can extend from the first pressing surface 20, preferably in a direction perpendicular to the first pressing surface. In addition, a groove 27 can be provided in the first pressure surface, in which a seal can be placed.

Different types of first depressions 26 can be provided which have different shapes. As in the present exemplary embodiment, a first evacuation depression 26a can be provided, for example. In addition, a first gassing depression 26b can be provided. As the name suggests, the former can be used in the in Figure 4 The illustrated state of the shell support 16 form a section of an evacuation channel, while the latter in FIG Figure 4 The illustrated state of the shell support 16 can form a section of a gassing channel.

In Figure 6 the second plate 18 is shown. Across from Figure 4 the missing first plate 17 exposes the second pressure surface 21. As in Figure 6 As shown, a projection 28 can be provided on the second pressing surface 21. This can be configured to be in the in Figure 4 The illustrated state of the shell support 16 to extend into the first recess, in particular into the first gassing recess 26b. Furthermore, a second recess 29 can be provided, which can extend from the second pressure surface 21. It can also be seen that the second plate 18 can have evacuation holes 30. These can be set up in the in Figure 4 the state shown to connect the first recess 26 to the lower part of the sealing chamber. In particular, it can be prevented that the shell 8 received in the shell carrier 16 is undesirably deformed during evacuation.

In Figure 7 FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the tray support 16 in FIG Figure 4 shown condition. It can now be seen that the first recess 26 can form a section 31 of a gas channel 32 when the first plate 17 and the second plate 18 are pressed against one another on the first and second pressing surfaces 20, 21, respectively. As in the present exemplary embodiment, the section 31 can be an end section 31 of the gas duct 32. Through the first recess However, any section of the gas channel can also be formed. In particular, the end section 31 can be an inlet or an outlet through which gas can be introduced into the gas duct 32 or discharged from it. Even if with reference to Figure 7 the facts were represented graphically using the first gassing recess 26b, a person skilled in the art will recognize that the explanations can also be transferred to the first evacuation recess 26a.

Claims (10)

Sealing tool (10) for a tray sealing machine (1), comprising: an upper tool (12), a lower tool (13) with a main body (14) which has a shell recess (19) for receiving at least part of a shell (8) to be closed, and a shell support (16), wherein a gas channel (32 ) runs characterized in that the shell carrier (16) comprises a first plate (17) with a first pressing surface (20) and a second plate (18) with a second pressing surface (21) and the first plate (17) has a first recess (26) having, which extends from the first pressing surface (20), wherein the first recess (26) forms at least a portion (31) of the gas channel (32) when the first plate (17) and the second plate (18) on the first and second pressure surfaces (20, 21) are pressed against one another. Sealing tool according to claim 1, wherein the main body (14) and the second plate (18) are immovably connected to one another relative to one another during operation of the sealing tool (10). Sealing tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plate (17) is connected to the second plate (18) during operation of the sealing tool (10), so that the first and the second plate (17, 18) are arranged immovably with respect to one another. Sealing tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a projection (28) is provided on the second pressing surface (21) which is configured to extend into the first recess (26) in the pressed-on state. Sealing tool according to claim 4, wherein the first recess (26) in the pressed-on state together with the projection (28) forms a funnel-shaped end section (31) of the gas duct (32) Sealing tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second plate (18) has a second recess (29) which extends from the second pressing surface (21), the first and the second recess (26, 29) together in the pressed-on state form a section of the gas channel (32). Method for evacuating and / or gassing and sealing packaging trays (8) by means of a sealing tool (10), which has a lower tool (13) with a main body (14) and a tray carrier (16), which has a first plate (17) and a second Plate (18) and an upper tool (12) comprising: Inserting a packaging tray (8) into the second plate (18) of the tray carrier (16), the second plate (18) having a second pressing surface (21), Closing the sealing tool (10) by pressing the upper tool (12) and the lower tool (13) against one another, Pressing the second plate (18) of the shell carrier (16) against the first plate (17) so that the second pressing surface (21) and a first pressing surface (20) provided on the first plate (17) bear against one another, whereby at least one section (31) of a gas channel (32) for evacuating and / or gassing the packaging tray (8) is formed, Evacuating and / or gassing the packaging tray (8), Sealing the shell (8) with a cover sheet (5). The method of claim 7, further comprising clamping the cover sheet (5) to the upper tool (12) by the first plate (17) prior to closing the sealing tool (10). Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the pressing of the first plate (17) against the second plate (18) takes place during the closing of the sealing tool (10). Method according to Claim 7 or 8, the first plate (17) being pressed against the second plate (18) before the sealing tool (10) is closed.

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