Abstract: The disclosure relates to a deep-drawing packaging machine with a forming station for deep-drawing trays into a film, a loading stretch for filling products into the trays, and a sealing station for sealing the trays. The deep-drawing packaging machine further comprises at least one vacuum cooling station which is disposed in a direction of transport upstream of the sealing station and which is formed for vacuum cooling the products placed into the trays along the loading stretch. The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for vacuum cooling products.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprising a machine frame, at least one work station attached to the machine frame, and a transport device with a transfer unit for feeding trays to the work station, wherein the transfer unit comprises a suction plate for transporting trays in a predetermined transport plane. The suction plate may comprises at least one reception mold which is formed at least in part having the shape of an inner contour of an upper opening region of a tray facing it, provided to the reception mold for reception and transport, so that the reception mold during transport in the transport plane of the tray is arranged in a positive-fit manner in its upper opening region and aligns the tray in the transport plane in a predetermined position on the suction plate. The invention also relates to a method for supplying trays to a work station of a packaging machine.

Abstract: Packaging machine for packaging products in plastic packaging having at least one sealing station for receiving a plastic packaging to be sealed in a reception region within the sealing station. The packaging machine includes a supply line capable to supply a gas to the reception region, a discharge line capable to discharge a gas from the reception region. A valve may be disposed in the discharge line. Further, a vacuum pump may be connected to the discharge line to pump gas out of the reception region through the discharge line valve. A measuring line may be connected to the reception region at a connection point and may be connected to the discharge line in a region between the valve and the vacuum pump via a connecting line. A first shut-off valve may disposed in the connecting line and a second shut-off valve may be disposed in the measuring line.

Abstract: The work station for a packaging machine comprises an upper tool, a lower tool, and a lifting mechanism. The lower tool is guided for a closing motion directed along a vertical direction towards the upper tool. The lifting mechanism comprises a toggle lever mechanism which connects the lower tool to a support structure. The lifting mechanism comprises a first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly. The first actuator assembly is configured to apply a first force for raising the lower tool. The second actuator assembly is configured to apply a second force for raising the lower tool. The first actuator assembly acts upon the lower tool while bypassing the toggle lever mechanism. The second actuator assembly acts upon the toggle lever mechanism.

Abstract: A thermoform packaging machine comprising a forming station. The forming station comprises at least one forming tool lower part, the forming tool lower part may be movable transversely to an operating direction of the thermoform packaging machine. The forming tool lower part may comprise at least one reception unit with one or a plurality of troughs for receiving cardboard elements. At a forming position the forming tool lower parts are in contact with the forming tool upper parts such that the first film web may be formed-in into the forming tool lower parts. Further, the first film web may be formed-in into the cardboard elements during the forming process and, in the case of a skin film, an adhering or an adhesive connection may be established between the skin film and the inner surfaces of the cardboard elements.

Abstract: A packaging machine, comprising a control unit, a plurality of measuring devices and a plurality of working units for different processes. The control unit is functionally connected to the working units and the measuring devices. A work cycle at the packaging machine comprises at least a first functional process and a second functional process at one or at different working units, the second functional process starting later than the first functional process. The control unit may execute an early start for the second functional process of a working unit, when an actual process value of the preceding first functional process of the program sequence of one of the working units has not yet reached the respective target process value. The control unit may control the early start of the second functional process based on an approximation method for predetermining the temporal end of the first functional process.

Abstract: A packaging machine having several work stations, a transport chain and a chain deflection pulley on which the transport chain is mounted. The transport chain comprises chain clips, each chain clip having an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part and/or the lower part may be moveable relative to each other to move the chain clips between an open position and a closed position. The material blank may be introduced into the open chain clips and secured in the closed chain clips to transport the material blank in a direction of transport using the transport chain. A chain opening mechanism may be actively and operably changed between an opening state and a closing state in order to open and close at least one chain clip disposed on a planar oriented section of the transport chain and/or to maintain an already opened chain clip in an open state.

Abstract: A packaging machine having at least one working component that is mounted in an adjustable manner relative to a machine frame between a first and a second position, and that incorporates at least one pneumatic unit. A coupling member may be mounted in a tiltable manner relative to an axis, and in one embodiment, the coupling member may connect the pneumatic unit to the working component. The coupling member may be arranged at least in part within a piston of the pneumatic unit and may be mounted in a linearly adjustable manner along the axis.

Abstract: An endless conveyor device comprises a conveyor unit having at least one endless conveyor, which is configured to convey items; a drive roller assembly, which is drivable by a drive belt and configured to drive the endless conveyor and has a support element; a deflecting roller assembly and an intermediate body, disposed between the drive roller assembly and the deflecting roller assembly, as well as between a conveying strand and a return strand of the endless conveyor. The endless conveyor device further comprises a drive unit comprising the drive belt, a motor and a support device, which is configured to engage with the support element. The drive belt is relaxable by pivoting the conveyor unit relative to the drive unit about a rotation axis of the drive roller assembly in a first direction. A method for removing a conveyor unit from an endless conveyor device is also provided.

Abstract: A thermoform packaging machine comprising, as work stations, a forming station for thermoforming troughs in a packaging film, at least one sealing station for sealing the troughs with a cover film, and a cutting station as well as a feeding device for causing a feed of the packaging film. A method for using such a thermoform packaging machine wherein a controller determines for two or more work stations, prior to a process step, which required feed length each of these work stations has, the required feed length indicating the distance by which the packaging film will have to be conveyed for the next process step of the respective work station, before a feed length specification is ascertained from the required feed lengths determined and the feeding device is controlled accordingly.

Abstract: A tool cart having a frame, a lifting device for lifting the frame, a locking device to lock the tool cart horizontally relative to a work station or a packaging machine (collectively referred to below as the “packaging machine”), and a stop element that may engage with an underside of the packaging machine when lifted. The lifting device and locking device operate independently. A method for transferring a tool component including one or more of the steps of: aligning the tool cart relative to the packaging machine; locking the tool cart in position relative to the packaging machine; lifting a frame of the tool cart by way of a lifting device until the stop element engages an underside of the packaging machine; and transferring the tool component between the tool cart and the packaging machine may be included.

Abstract: A method for operating a tray conveying apparatus, wherein a tray edge of a tray to be destacked is guided in contact with and along a support until the tray has been deposited on a conveying unit positioned therebelow. An apparatus for destacking and further conveying trays that may comprise a destacker for destacking trays, wherein the destacker may also comprise a frame for accommodating at least one tray stack and a plurality of destacking screws configured to be operated in a respective direction of rotation. Each destacking screw may comprise a helically configured spiral or groove with a support. A conveying unit may be positioned below the destacker and used for receiving and transporting the destacked trays from the destacker.

Abstract: A method for operating a packaging machine including one or more of the method steps advancing a transport chain along a chain deflection pulley, wherein chain clips are arranged on the transport chain and moved during the advancing motion of the transport chain along a run-on contour, to open at least one of the chain clips; introducing a flat material blank into the at least one open chain clip using a feed device or by entraining the flat material blank using a connection to a second material blank preceding the flat material blank, wherein the material blank enters the open chain clip during an advancing motion of the transport chain; closing the chain clip by leaving the run-on contour, to grip and secure the material blank in the chain clip; and transporting the material blank to a work station using the transport chain.

Abstract: A forming station for a thermoform packaging machine comprising a forming tool upper part with a die lid and a tool lower part. The forming tool upper part may comprises a male die part holding plate that has at least one male die part fixed thereto and which is displaceable along at least one rail provided on or in the die lid. The forming station may comprise a male die part drive drivingly connected to the male die part holding plate for generating a stroke movement of the male die part holding plate relative to the die lid. A guide element may be provided on the male die part holding plate, the guide element being movable relative to the male die part holding plate between an engagement position for engagement with an associated rail and a retracted position in which the guide element is disengaged from the rail.

Abstract: A packaging assembly including a sealing station for sealing a product with at least one film web, wherein a printer is provided upstream of the sealing station and configured to print information, in particular a product weight and an associated retail price, onto the film web or onto a label, which may already be present on the film web, wherein, upstream of the sealing station, a forward weighing device is provided and configured to detect a weight value of a product and forward it to a control unit. The packaging assembly is characterized in that the control unit controls the printer for printing-on the information depending on the detected weight value, and that, downstream of the sealing station, at least a first inspection device is provided to read the information on the imprint. A method for making the packaging assembly is also included.

Abstract: A tray sealer comprises a conveyor arrangement for conveying packaging trays along a conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement comprises a first conveyor device for conveying a first line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, a second conveyor device running laterally alongside the first conveyor device for conveying a second line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, and a center guide which is arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device and extends along the conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement further comprises a third conveyor device for conveying packaging trays along the conveying direction. The third conveyor device extends adjoining the second conveyor device in terms of the conveying direction laterally alongside the first conveyor device.

Abstract: A tray sealer including a sealing station comprising a tool upper part, a clamping frame and a tool lower part. The tool upper part may surround a dome-shaped die used for deforming a skinnable top film. First and second channels in the dome-shaped die and in the tool upper part, respectively, are connectable to one another. The tool upper part or the dome-shaped die may comprise at least a third channel communicating with a vacuum generator so as to generate a thermal air convection from the first channel to the third channel along a side of the top film facing the dome-shaped die.

Abstract: A packaging machine having a plurality of working stations for processing a film, at least one of the working stations being a cutting station. The working stations are disposed successively along a working direction and the film is conveyed in the working direction from a first one of the working stations to a second one of the working stations. The cutting station is configured to sever the film in a cutting direction, which is oriented transverse, preferably orthogonal, with respect to the working direction. The cutting station has a knife and counter pressure device, both being pressable against one another in a pressing direction. The disclosure is characterized in that the counter pressure device has a curved surface, which is curved around a curvature axis, and the counter pressure device is configured to roll on a cutting edge of the knife about a rolling axis with the curved surface.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprising a machine frame, an area of protection and a protective cover. The protective cover, when disposed at a protective position, shields the area of protection at least partially against access from outside the packaging machine. The protective cover may be fully removable from the machine frame as well as lockable on the latter at an access position. The protective cover, when occupying its access position, allows access to the area of protection of the packaging machine. The machine frame may have a locking lever arranged thereon, wherein the locking lever is configured for retaining the protective cover at the access position. The locking lever may extend through an opening in a wall of the protective cover when the protective cover is disposed at its access position.

Abstract: The sealing device for packages that includes a control unit, a sealing station, an unwinder for a film web, a cutting device provided upstream of the sealing station and used for producing film sections of the film web, a film feed device for feeding the film sections to the sealing station, a conveying device for conveying packages into the sealing station. Preferrably, the packages include food packed in a gas-tight manner. Further, the sealing station may comprise upper and lower sealing elements that are configured for clamping the package and the film section in common between the lower and upper sealing elements and for sealing the film section onto the package. The sealing device may also include the sealing elements being adapted to be synchronously moved along with the continuously moving package during the sealing process.