Abstract: The invention relates to a gripping device for picking up and transporting a product. An elastic belt that is provided on the gripping device lies against a surface section of the product when said product is picked up by the gripping device. The elastic belt can thereby be pressed against the surface section of the product by at least one spring element in order to hold the product securely in the gripping device during the transport.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor lane divider for dividing trays that are received in one lane from an infeed conveyor and are passed on to a two-lane production unit. The conveyor lane divider has a line motion control system that can be automatically initialized when starting.

Abstract: A complete-cut station for separating several packages from a coherent film. The complete-cut station may comprise several cutting tools, each cutting tool having cutting knives for separating one or more packages from the coherent film. At least one of the cutting tools may be adjustable with respect to its position relative to another cutting tool. In addition, a common lifting gear for all cutting tools may be provided to lift the coherent film to engage the cutting tools. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for separating packages from a coherent film using the complete-cut station of the present invention.

Abstract: A tray sealing machine comprising an upper tool which can be laterally moved out of the tray sealing machine from a working position into a second position for maintenance and cleaning purposes, wherein the upper tool may be pivotable in the second position so as to improve accessibility to a bottom of the tool for maintenance and cleaning. The tray sealing machine may also include a lower tool that can be laterally moved out of the tray sealing machine from a working position into a second position for maintenance and cleaning purposes, wherein the lower tool is additionally pivotable in the second position so as to improve the accessibility during cleaning.

Abstract: A sealing station for a packaging machine for sealing a foil on to a packaging tray is provided. The sealing station comprises a sealing tool whereby the sealing tool is configured to apply a sealing force for sealing on to the foil and the packaging tray. The sealing tool includes an upper tray holding fixture and a lower tray holding fixture that are arranged at different heights, whereby each is configured for holding at least one packaging tray.

Abstract: A method for producing a package using a traysealer is provided, wherein the package includes a container, at least two sealing films and a plurality of products, of which a first product is located in the container and a second product between two sealing films. The first product is moved into the container upstream of a sealing station, the second product is moved onto a first sealing film before the container, the sealing film and the products are supplied together with a second sealing film, which is located above the first sealing film, to the sealing station. The first sealing film moves above and spaced apart from the container and the first product until the sealing station is reached. In the sealing station the container, the first sealing film and the second sealing film are subsequently sealed to one another.

Abstract: A gripper system for improving the picking up of a product, in particular of an elastic article. The gripper system having a gripper, wherein the gripper comprises an endless transport belt and a lever system. The lever system includes a rotatably supported lever, a support and an entrainer configured to entrain the transport belt, wherein the lever is connected to the support such that, in response to a linear movement of the support, the lever will be rotated about a center of rotation. The lever is additionally connected to the entrainer such that the transport belt moves in response to the rotational movement of the lever.

Abstract: A multi-track tray sealer comprising a lateral tray-contact element which includes a lateral contact surface oriented relative to trays and which is configured such that it is movable in the direction of transport so as to support transport of the trays from a supply conveyor into a sealing tool.

Abstract: A method is provided for cutting packages out of a composite film in a thermoform packaging machine by previously detecting the position of the sealed seams and by suitably adapting the position of a cutting pattern. Additionally, a thermoform packaging machine is provided for executing the above-mentioned method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a vacuum pump embedded in a technical system. Water is provided for the cleaning, and a rotational speed of the vacuum pump is adjusted to a value in a cleaning rotational speed range. A defined amount of cold water and/or warm water is supplied to the vacuum pump and the vacuum pump is rinsed with the water during a predetermined time period. After letting the water escape from the vacuum pump, the vacuum pump is dried by aeration with gas or a gas mixture. The invention also relates to a cleaning system for cleaning the vacuum pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple compartment folding package that comprises two folding lines, so that the multiple compartment folding package comprises a base area located between the two folding lines and a first and a second partial areas, each partial area comprising one or more compartments.

Abstract: A device for welding a plurality of foils to one another by means of a laser, for use in a packaging machine, comprises a clamping unit configured for applying pressure to a plurality of foils in a predetermined area as well as for conducting the laser radiation used for the purpose of welding to this area. A method for welding a plurality of foils to one another by means of a laser in a sealing station comprises welding the foils to one another along a sealing seam by means of the radiation of the laser while pressing them together in the area of the sealing seam.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a method for contact-free heating a thermoformable film prior to deforming the thermoformable film. Heating is carried out by at least one heater having at least one porous surface which faces the film and through which air flows. An air film is formed between the porous surface and the thermoformable film due to the flow of air through the porous surface. The invention also relates to a heating unit for contact-free heating a thermoformable film as well as to a packaging machine that includes such a heating unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tray sealer comprising conveyor belts that can be displaced in a direction transversely to the conveying direction.

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 invention is related to a packaging arrangement, comprising a transport device for transporting products in a first position oriented in a production direction, and for selectively rotating the products into a different position relative to the production direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complete cutting station for separatingly cutting out packaging units from a film composite by means of 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 invention is characterized in that the head portions of the conveyor elements are movable between a first position in which packaging units that they gripped are at a first distance to each other defined by the film composite, 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 invention relates to a method for automatically teaching parameters to a tray sealer, for example, position values, acceleration values and/or distances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool changing device of a work station in a thermoform packaging machine, used for allowing a work insert to be pushed out of the work station laterally relative to the production direction, a chain guide be movable vertically to the tool insert.

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.