Abstract: A packaging assembly and a method of operating such a packaging assembly, the packaging assembly comprises at least one of a thermoform packaging machine, a separation robot, a conveyor and a checkweigher. The separation robot is operable to adjust a distance between packages of a group of packages formed by the packaging machine. The conveyor and the separation robot may be operated together to provide a flow of packages that is supplied to the checkweigher, wherein the flow of packages may include substantially constant distances between the individual packages.

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: The disclosure relates to a packaging machine with a sealing station for sealing trays with a top film, where said sealing station comprises a sealing tool upper part and a tray carrier for lifting at least one tray to said sealing tool upper part. Said packaging machine according to the disclosure is characterized in that a transport means defines a transport plane for the tray bottom to be transported and is provided within an opening for said tray in said tray carrier in order to transport said tray in the transport plane along said tray carrier. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for operating a packaging machine.

Abstract: A complete cutting station for separatingly cutting out packaging units from a film composite, the cutting station having a movable complete cutting tool configured for severing the film composite. The complete cutting station further comprises a conveying system having a plurality of conveyor elements for conveying a respective separated packaging unit, wherein each conveyor element in turn comprises a head portion for engaging with a respective packaging unit. The head portions of the conveyor elements may be movable between a first position in which the gripped packaging units are at a first distance relative to each other, and a second position in which the packaging units are at a second, smaller distance from each other or at least partially overlap in at least one spatial direction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tool arrangement, comprising a tool holder, a tool, and at least one locking device for detachably locking the tool with the tool holder, wherein a counter-tool is provided and the tool holder includes a compressed-air duct. The locking device is designed such that it unlocks as soon as a given pressure has been reached in the compressed-air duct. The disclosure is distinguished by a vent hole which is in fluid connection with the compressed-air duct and is arranged in such a manner that it is not closed until the tool rests upon the counter-tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sealing at least a packaging unit by means of a sealing tool lower part carrying the packaging unit, a sealing tool upper part, and a sealing plate. The sealing tool lower part is configured to perform a lifting movement by means of a drive. The invention is characterized in that the lifting movement is performed in a uniform, continuous motion from a lowered position, via an intermediate position in which a packaging unit is clamped, to a final position. The invention further relates to a sealing station for a packaging machine in which the sealing plate is suspended via a damping unit at the sealing tool upper part.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging machine comprising a liftable and lowerable tool, wherein a first lift drive, implemented as a spindle drive with a spindle and a spindle nut, and a second lift drive are provided for moving the tool in a vertical direction. The disclosure is characterized in that, by means of the second lift drive, a tool guide is movable in a vertical direction, and that, at a raised position of the tool guide, the tool can be put down on the tool guide by means of the spindle drive.

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.

Abstract: A method for producing a package with the following steps is described. Forming of a container (13) in a web of a first web material (7); subsequent sealing of a cover (14) onto the container produced within an outer contour of the package to be produced; and thereafter cutting of the container (13) out of the first web material (7) along the outer contour of the package to be produced and outside of an outer contour of the cover (14) sealed thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting device for a work station of a packaging machine, the lifting device comprising two drive shafts, which are arranged in parallel and which each have arranged thereon at least two toggle levers for vertically moving in common a tool lower part. The drive shafts each have a servomotor as a drive unit and the servomotors are synchronized with each other.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermoform packaging machine for stretching a film web as well as to a method of operating a thermoform packaging machine, in the case of which a stretching station with a heating unit is provided, and the film web is actively cooled by means of a film cooling device after stretching of the film web.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a thermoforming packaging machine (1) for producing upright standing packagings (21) with an undercut (26) formed into the packaging. The machine comprises a forming station (2) with a lower forming tool (30) and/or a sealing station (3) with a lower sealing tool (40). The disclosure is characterized by the lower forming tool (30) and/or the lower sealing tool (40) comprising a movable forming wall section (32) or a movable sealing seam support section (41a), respectively, in the area of the undercut (26). The disclosure is also related to a corresponding method for producing packagings (21).

Abstract: A race track conveyor having at least two conveyor belts. Each conveyor belt includes a separate drive allowing each conveyor belt to independently transport a group of products from a first end to a second end of the race track conveyor. Each conveyor belt may include two belts, each belt being driven by the respective drive of the conveyor belt. The present race track conveyor may include three conveyor belts. The present race track conveyor may be configured to process different formats when loading and unloading product onto the race track conveyor allowing the race track conveyor to move product machines that have different work cycles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging machine and to a method of forming a vacuum package. A first evacuable chamber is used for accommodating therein a product-accommodating section of a package, whereas a second evacuable chamber is used for accommodating therein an opening section of the package. Pressure gauges measure the pressure in both chambers, and a supply air valve serves to supply air into the first chamber. The disclosure is characterized in that the supply air valve is a control valve and is adapted to be controlled in dependence upon the difference between the pressures which prevail in the first and second chambers and which are measured by means of the two pressure gauges. The disclosure also relates to the fact that a gap is provided in a partition between the two chambers and that an adjuster is provided for varying and adjusting the cross-sectional area of said gap.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for cutting a cover film as well as to a sealing station of a tray sealing machine, whereby a blade is arranged on a sealing frame or on a tool lower part and the sealing frame executes a relative movement with respect to the sealing tool lower part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container for the accommodation of products during a high pressure treatment of the products, whereby the container comprises an outer wall and a cavity situated within the outer wall for the accommodation of the products. With the container according to the invention at least one section of the outer wall is formed by a large number of mutually coupled chain links, which are arranged in the form of at least one multi-dimensional chain link matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying unit for guiding and conveying a material web in a thermoform packaging machine, comprising, on either longitudinal side of a machine frame, a conveyor chain, a chain wheel and a guide device. A chain link of the conveyor chain and a clamp guide can be implemented together and in one piece as a shaped part.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a winder for winding film trims for packaging machines. The winder comprises a drive, a winding mandrel and at least two winding rolls. The disclosure is characterized by an adjustment device for adjusting a torque threshold above which slip occurs between the respective winding rolls and the winding mandrel and/or between the individual winding rolls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging plant for packing sausages or other objects, comprising a manufacturing device, a buffer device, a feeding device, an insertion device, and a packaging machine, the buffer device comprising a length-variable transport section, and a method for operating a packaging plant according to the invention.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging machine for packaging products, in particular food, wherein the packaging machine comprises at least one packaging station for producing packagings that accommodate products, and at least one high-pressure treatment station for high-pressure treatment of the products contained in the packagings. The disclosure is characterized in that a central control system for the packaging station and the high-pressure treatment station are provided. The disclosure moreover also relates to a method for operating such a packaging machine.