Abstract: A packaging machine, comprising a control unit, at least one measurement device and a plurality of work units for different processes. One of the work units is designed as a sealing station which comprises at least one moisture sensor designed as the measurement device which is functionally connected to the control unit and is designed to detect moisture within the sealing station as a time-dependent measured variable during a program sequence of the sealing station. The program sequence may comprise an evacuation process, wherein the control unit is designed to calculate a rate of change in the moisture during the evacuation process of the sealing station. The control unit may abort the evacuation process performed on the sealing station, based on the rate of change, before reaching a target vacuum pressure within the sealing station, immediately or after a specified delay time elapses.

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 via 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 sealed troughs. The film transport surface may include an area that ascends along the transport direction, either between the forming station and the sealing station or following the sealing station. The ascending areas may be followed in the transport direction by an even area. As a result, one of a product feeding device for feeding of products or a packaging discharge device for leading away packages may be positioned particularly close to the lower film.

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 said 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.

Abstract: A deep-drawing machine having a forming station configured for forming containers into a first sheet-shaped material, and a cutting station disposed downstream of the forming station in a working direction. The cutting station is configured to cut or to perforate an area of the sheet-shaped materials disposed between the containers. The cutting station may include a rotation cutting device that comprises a cutting cylinder and an opposing cylinder. A method for operating a deep-drawing machine that comprises the following steps: forming containers into a first sheet-shaped material by a forming station, and cutting or perforating of the sheet-shaped materials in an area between the containers after forming of the containers using the rotation cutting device.

Abstract: A thermoform packaging machine comprising a forming station for producing troughs in a bottom film, a sealing station for sealing troughs that contain a product, and at least one cutting station arranged on a machine frame. The thermoform packaging machine may include at least two clamp chains for holding and conveying the bottom film in a production direction through the packaging machine. The clamp chains may be guided by chain guides that extend at least from the forming station along an infeed line to the sealing station. Each chain guide may include an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface between which a respective one of the clamp chains is guided. In one embodiment, the chain guides are oriented horizontally at and along both the forming station and the sealing station and the chain guide ascends from the forming station to the sealing station along the infeed line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deep-drawing packaging machine with a lifting gear for a forming station, sealing station or cutting station, wherein the lifting gear provides guides and lifting spindles which are arranged outside a collision region of a movable tool.

Abstract: A folding device and a method for folding over limbs of L-boards at the folding device located upstream of the sealing station in the production direction of a deep-drawing packaging machine. The folding device may include at least one folding member for folding over the limb in a production direction and a hold down device for holding down the folded over limbs. In one embodiment, the hold down device can be activated by a pneumatic cylinder. In another embodiment, the folding device may be moved by a servo motor or pneumatic cylinder. The method includes moving the thermo-formed troughs of a packaging film, placing the product and the L-boards in the trough, folding the limbs of the L-boards, and holding down the limbs once folded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a line converger comprising a label dispenser and to a method for converging a row of at least three packages into a single lane and for applying a label to each package before the packages leave the line converger.

Abstract: A thermo-forming packaging machine has a machine frame and a cutting station including a complete cutting tool. The thermo-forming packaging machine includes the complete cutting tool being extractable from the machine frame in a direction of production of the packaging machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deep-drawing packaging machine and to a method of operating such a deep-drawing packaging machine, comprising a lifting device for a workstation, wherein a lower tool part connected to a stand and an upper tool part connected to a frame are coupled to each other and driven by a motor such that both tools may at least partially move together towards a film web.

Abstract: A tool changing device of a work station in a thermoform packaging machine allows a tool insert to be removed from the work station laterally relative to a working direction of material conveyed through the work station. A position of the tool insert is moveable to a position above a chain guide on at least one side to allow the tool insert to be removed from the work station above the chain guide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermo-forming packaging machine comprising a forming station, a loading station, a sealing station, a cutting station, and a film transport device with at least one clamp chain for transporting a lower film web in a direction of production. Unformed portions of the lower film web are movable in a horizontal film plane along the stations. A first chain guide device of an upper chain run of the clamp chain is provided in an upper chain guide plane in the region of the forming station, the sealing station, and the cutting station. A second chain guide device of the upper chain run of the clamp chain is provided in a lower chain guide plane in the region of the loading station. The lower chain guide plane is disposed lower than the upper chain guide plane.

Abstract: The thermo-forming packaging machine according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a sealing station, a first forming station for forming trays into a lower film web that is in a first forming plane clamped in the first forming station, and a second forming station for forming lids into an upper film web that is in a second forming plane clamped in the second forming station. The sealing station can be configured to create a sealing seam in a sealing plane. The thermo-forming packaging machine may be characterized in that the first forming plane is provided at least 200 mm below the second forming plane, wherein the first and the second forming planes are at least approximately parallel to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoform packaging machine, comprising a controller and a film punch, which includes a lever mechanism, a tool, upper part and a tool lower part. At least one of the tool upper part and the tool lower part are movable by means of the lever mechanism such that the tool upper part and the tool lower part approach each other.

Abstract: A thermoform packaging machine comprising a forming station for thermoforming troughs in a bottom film web adapted to be conveyed in the thermoform packaging machine in a conveying direction, as well as a closing station for closing the troughs with a cover film. The machine further comprises a machine frame that includes a plurality of interconnected vertical members, longitudinal members, cross members, and machine feet. At least one substantially U-shaped or O-shaped portal is rigidly integrated in the machine frame, the portal comprising two columns and a crossbar extending between the two columns and above a conveying plane of the bottom film web transversely to the conveying direction, wherein the portal has a 2-axis robot mounted thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoform packaging machine comprising a film punch unit that includes a stroke drive for moving a die and a punch. The die and punch are movable, by means of the stroke drive, towards and away from each other orthogonally to a film conveying plane. The stroke drive is arranged above the film conveying plane.

Abstract: A cutting unit for a packaging machine comprises a cutting knife which is movably guided in a linear guide, and a drive for driving the movement of the cutting knife. The cutting unit further includes a curved push rod that is provided between the drive and the cutting knife.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging machine comprising at least one work station with a lifting drive including a pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder includes a cylinder body, a piston rod, a piston, at least one sensor, and a fastening tray for the sensor. The sensor is provided outside of the cylinder body and is adapted for detecting a position of the piston relative to the cylinder body in a contactless manner. The fastening tray is provided in an outer surface of the cylinder body and can be produced separately and installed in the cylinder body.

Abstract: A thermo-forming packaging machine having a machine frame and a film advance device for gripping one side of a film web and for transporting the film web through one or more workstations in the thermo-forming packaging machine. The film advance device may be provided only on one side of the machine frame allowing the present packaging machine to utilize packaging film webs of different widths. The thermo-forming packaging machine may also include an alignment device to align an edge of the packaging film with the film advance device. The thermo-forming packaging machine may also include one or more counter supports to prevent the film from being displaced by a forming tool lower part of the forming station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a work station for a packaging machine, comprising an upper tool and a lower tool arranged below the upper tool. These tools are configured for acting on a packaging web. A lifting unit is able to move the upper tool and/or the lower tool such that, at a specific position, the two tools abut on one another or are only spaced apart at a small distance. According to the present invention, the two tools are adapted to be coupled to one another by a releasable coupling at this position so that they can be removed from the work station in common. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for removing a lower tool from a work station, e.g. for the purpose of tool exchange.