Separating unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a separating unit for a packaging machine for packaging food products. The separating unit is designed to machine a material web being moved in the packaging machine along a transport direction by means of a plurality of separating elements of the same type or different types. The separating unit comprises a plurality of separate assemblies arranged one over the other in the working direction, namely a base part, in particular a cover-like base part; a support frame that is secured to the base part and has a face facing away from the base part on which the separating plane lies; at least one holding plate between the support frame and the base part, said holding plate being movably mounted on or in the support frame in the working direction and having a face facing away from the base part on which at least one separating element, preferably a plurality of separating elements, protruding in the working direction is / are attached, wherein the support frame is provided with openings for the separating elements; and at least one pressure plate, which functions as a drive for the holding plate and which can be supplied with compressed air that can be connected to the separating unit, between the holding plate and the base part, said pressure plate being designed to adjust the holding plate between a passive position, in which the separating elements are retracted into the openings of the support frame, and an active position, in which the separating elements are extended out of the openings and through the separating plane.

Description

[0001] Separation unit

[0002] The invention relates to a separating unit for a packaging machine for packaging food products, in particular for arrangement in a forming station, in a heating station or in a combined heating and forming station of the packaging machine, wherein the separating unit is designed to process a material web moved in the packaging machine along a transport direction by means of a plurality of separating elements of the same or different type, in particular for producing perforations and / or peel corner cuts in the material web.

[0003] The invention also relates to a station for a packaging machine for packaging food products, comprising at least one separating unit as disclosed herein and a counter-unit arranged, during operation, on the other side of the material web to be processed, opposite the separating unit. This station can be a forming station, a heating station, or a combined heating and forming station.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a packaging machine for packaging food products with at least one station as disclosed herein.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a separating unit, a station or a packaging machine, each as disclosed herein, wherein the material web comprises at least one fibrous material layer which consists of fibrous material or comprises fibrous material.

[0006] The invention also relates to a method for operating a packaging machine for food products for producing packages from at least a lower material web and an upper material web, which enclose at least one product region of a respective package, wherein the lower material web passes through a forming station as disclosed herein of the packaging machine, wherein in the forming station recesses of the product regions are formed in the lower material web, and wherein after the introduction of food products into the recesses, the material webs are connected to one another in order to close the product regions.

[0007] Devices for cutting flat workpieces are generally known. Reference is made, for example, to DE 39 35 625 A1.

[0008] One possible application in packaging machines for packaging food products is to create holes in the edge areas of the lower material web, which are then used in a downstream sealing station to evacuate and gasse the product areas before sealing. This type of perforation of a lower material web in a packaging machine is generally known. Another, equally well-known application is the introduction of so-called peel corner cuts into the lower material web. This involves cutting slits into the lower material web, each one in the corner of a respective recess. After the packs have been separated, they are each provided with a peel corner, which makes it easier for the consumer to open the pack and can also help the consumer to separate individual layers of the material web from one another more easily, e.g. to more easily separate a plastic layer, also known as a liner, from a paper layer.In practice, such separation processes can be performed mechanically using knives or blades, with circular cutting edges being used for the perforations and straight cutting edges for the peeling corners. Conventional separation units are relatively large, complex in design, and often designed as separate devices. Consequently, they require a relatively large amount of space and thus increase the size of the packaging machine. Furthermore, conventional separation units are difficult to maintain and clean, and conversion for different packaging machine applications is often impossible or involves considerable effort.

[0009] The object of the invention is to improve the necessary processing of the material webs by means of separating elements as well as the handling of devices provided for this purpose in the field of packaging machines for packaging food products.

[0010] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims.

[0011] The separating unit according to the invention is characterized, among other things, in that it defines a separating plane that is parallel to the material web during operation, a working direction that is perpendicular to the separating plane, and a working width that is parallel to the separating plane and perpendicular to the transport direction and corresponds to the width of a respective material web, wherein the separating unit comprises a plurality of separate assemblies that are arranged one above the other in the working direction and that can be assembled in particular without tools, namely a base part, in particular a cover-like base part, a support frame that is fastened to the base part, on the side of which the separating plane is located that faces away from the base part, between the support frame and the base part at least one holding plate that is movably mounted on or in the support frame in the working direction, on the side of which plate that faces away from the base part at least one and preferably several separating elements that project in the working direction are attached, wherein the support frame is provided with openings for the separating elements,and between the holding plate and the base part at least one pressure plate acting as a drive for the holding plate, which can be pressurised with compressed air connectable to the separating unit and is designed to adjust the holding plate between a passive position with the separating elements retracted into the openings of the support frame and an active position with the separating elements extended out of the openings and through the separating plane.

[0012] Despite the stacked arrangement of the individual components, the separation unit has a low overall height. The separation unit can be integrated into a forming station, a heating station, or a combined heating and forming station of the packaging machine without significantly increasing the overall height of the respective station.

[0013] The separation unit can have an at least partially integrated design with respect to the working direction. In particular, the total height of the separation unit can be smaller than the sum of the heights of all or a subset of the components. This can be achieved by a nested arrangement of the individual components of the separation unit with respect to the working direction when assembled.

[0014] The separation stroke, i.e., the movement required to adjust the separation elements, i.e., the movement required to adjust the holding plate equipped with the separation elements, is integrated into the separation unit. This means that the separation unit as a whole does not need to be moved for the separation process. It is therefore possible, although not mandatory, to integrate the separation unit into a stationary part of a respective station that does not move when the station is opened and closed.

[0015] If, however, the separation unit is moved as a whole, for example, if it is integrated into a non-stationary part of a respective station that is moved when the station is opened and closed, then one or more separation elements can be attached to the support frame or integrated into the support frame. Furthermore, attachment or integration of at least one separation element on or into the support frame is also possible if the separation unit is stationary. In this case, a drive is provided for the separation element, which is designed to adjust the separation element relative to the support frame.

[0016] Another advantage is that the separating unit is easy and safe for the user to handle, as the separating elements are in the retracted passive position. Therefore, there is no risk of injury.

[0017] Because the components of the separation unit are separate, particularly modular, assemblies, they can be easily replaced. This is particularly advantageous when retrofitting the separation unit. The holding plate with the separation elements can be exchanged for a different holding plate with different separation elements, or with separation elements positioned differently on the holding plate, in order to perform different separation functions on a particular material web. The support frame itself can also be replaced, for example, to allow the use of other holding plates that do not fit every support frame. Furthermore, it can be provided that the separation elements can be completely removed.

[0018] The use of compressed air to drive the pressure plate makes the operation of the separation unit simple and reliable. Compressed air is usually available on packaging machines anyway. Furthermore, compressed air can be used advantageously for additional purposes, as explained in more detail elsewhere.

[0019] The integration of the separating unit into a forming station or into the forming section of a combined heating and forming station is particularly advantageous. In particular, the separating unit can form a component of a forming station, particularly the upper part of a forming station. As a component of a forming station, the separating station can be designed to form depressions in the material web by reshaping it. A forming pressure is generated in the separating unit using compressed air, which forces the material web into negative molds of a lower forming tool, also referred to as a counter unit. This will be discussed in more detail below.

[0020] However, this integration of the separating unit into a forming station or the formation of part of a forming station by the separating unit according to the invention is not mandatory. It is also possible to provide the separating unit at another station of the packaging machine, for example, at a heating station upstream of a forming station, which serves to heat the lower material web before the forming process. It is also possible to provide the separating unit at a combined heating and forming station of a respective packaging machine, in which case the separating unit can then be arranged either at a heating section or at a forming section, as explained above, of this combined heating and forming station.Furthermore, the cutting unit can be used to process material webs used in the production of so-called skin packs, i.e., material webs in which no recesses are formed, and for which no forming station is used. The cutting unit can then be used, for example, to create peel corner cuts in the material web, which is also advantageous for skin packs.

[0021] If the separating unit according to the invention is a component of a forming station, the integrated drive for the holding plate in the form of the pressure plate that can be pressurized with compressed air has the advantage that the process of processing the material web by means of the separating elements, i.e. the actual separating process by adjusting the holding plate, can be adapted in terms of time to the sequence of the forming process in a manner that is optimal for the respective application.

[0022] For example, the separation process can be performed when sufficient forming pressure has still been built up towards the end of the forming process, or when sufficient pressure has already been built up at the beginning of the forming process, to use the pressure to clean the separation points in the material web created by the separation elements by blowing them out. Furthermore, the separation process can be performed at a time when the previously heated material web has already cooled down, thus avoiding undesirable effects such as deformation of the material web or adhesion of web material in the area of ​​the separation elements.

[0023] Further possible embodiments of the separation unit according to the invention are explained below.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the separating unit can be connected to a compressed air supply, wherein a forming pressure can be built up in a pressure chamber defined by the base part and the support frame by means of supplied compressed air when, during operation, the support frame rests against the material web with its side facing away from the base part in order to form depressions in the material web by deforming the material web by means of the forming pressure. In this embodiment, the separating unit can be integrated into a forming station of a packaging machine or form a component of a forming station. The pressure chamber can be sealed off from the environment by a seal arranged between the base part and the support frame. In particular, it can be provided that the seal runs around a depression in the support frame which serves to accommodate the holding plate.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the pressure plate and the holding plate can be arranged within the pressure chamber. This enables a particularly compact design in the working direction and thus results in a relatively low overall height.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be provided that several separate holding plates, each with at least one and preferably several separating elements, are movably mounted on or in the support frame. It is possible, but not mandatory, for at least two separate holding plates to be provided with separating elements of a different type. In this way, the separating unit can be adapted to a specific application by providing appropriately designed holding plates and can be easily converted when the application changes.

[0027] The holding plates can be assembled to form a complete plate and can be movably mounted together on or in the supporting frame.

[0028] The holding plates can be adjusted together using the pressure plate.

[0029] Furthermore, according to some embodiments, it can be provided that at least one holding plate has one or more separating elements of a first type and at least one further holding plate has one or more separating elements of a second type. The first type and the second type can be the same or different.

[0030] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one retaining plate is designed as a holder for at least one further retaining plate. In particular, it can be provided that one retaining plate can be used without the further retaining plate, but not vice versa.

[0031] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that one retaining plate fills the support frame in a plane parallel to the parting plane and is provided with a receptacle for the additional retaining plate. This represents a particularly easy-to-handle option for assembling several retaining plates into a single plate, movably mounting them together on or in the support frame, and adjusting them together using the pressure plate.

[0032] If a holding plate has a receptacle for one or more additional plates, then this additional plate can—as explained above—also be a holding plate for one or more separating elements. If, in a particular application, no further separating elements are required in addition to the separating elements of the holding plate provided with the receptacle, then a blanking plate can be provided for this receptacle. This means that this blanking plate merely closes the receptacle but does not itself contribute to the processing of the material web using separating elements, i.e., does not itself have any separating elements.

[0033] This concept of one or more blind panels can also be used in conjunction with holding plates, each of which has no receptacle for one or more further panels and does not fill the supporting frame, but which are each arranged side by side with the at least one further panel on or in the supporting frame in order to form an overall panel.

[0034] Furthermore, it can be provided that the base part, the support frame, the holding plate and the pressure plate each extend over the working width and preferably each have a low overall height in the working direction compared to the working width.

[0035] The base part can have an end plate with two side walls spaced apart in the direction of the working width and projecting toward the parting plane in the working direction. The side of the end plate facing the parting plane and the side walls define a receiving space for the support frame. The support frame can be inserted into the receiving space of the base part. This allows for particularly simple and quick removal of the support frame, especially together with the retaining plate mounted on it, thus simplifying maintenance and, if necessary, conversion.

[0036] The end plate of the base part can have a recess on its side facing the parting plane to accommodate the pressure plate.

[0037] Furthermore, it can be provided that the support frame has a recess on its side facing the base part for receiving the holding plate and a cover plate in which the openings for the separating elements of the holding plate are formed. Furthermore, it can be provided that openings corresponding to negative molds of a counter unit are also formed in the cover plate.

[0038] In some embodiments, it can be provided that the total height of the separation unit in the assembled state is smaller than the sum of the individual heights of the base unit and the support frame.

[0039] The holding plate and / or the support frame can be provided with one or more spring assemblies, against the restoring force of which the holding plate can be adjusted into the active position by means of the pressure plate and by which the holding plate is pretensioned into the passive position. In the passive position of the holding plate, the separating elements are retracted into the openings in the support frame. The spring assembly consequently ensures that the assembly comprising the support frame and holding plate assumes a safe state in that there is no risk of injury to a user from the separating elements when handling this assembly. Furthermore, it can be provided that the pressure plate and / or the base part is provided with one or more spring assemblies, against the restoring force of which the pressure plate can be moved away from the base part when compressed air is applied to adjust the holding plate to its active position.This spring arrangement supports or causes the adjustment of the retaining plate back to the passive position as soon as the compressed air supply is stopped.

[0040] Instead of or in addition to spring arrangements, other devices enabling resetting due to elastic deformation or active resetting may also be provided, for example pneumatic cylinders.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the pressure plate can be provided on its side facing the base part with at least one flexible hollow body that can be connected to a compressed air supply and inflated by applying compressed air. The drive for the holding plate can thus be implemented in a particularly simple manner. Such a drive is particularly advantageous if compressed air is already available at the packaging machine or if the separating unit is operated with compressed air to carry out shaping processes for forming depressions in the material web.

[0042] According to further possible embodiments, a set of different support frames that can be interchanged on a base part and / or a set of different retaining plates that can be interchanged on a support frame or used with different support frames can be provided. This allows the separation unit to be converted for different applications on a packaging machine in a particularly simple and time-saving manner. Another advantage is that significantly less weight has to be handled with the interchangeable individual parts than when removing or replacing a separation unit as a whole, regardless of its specific design.The station according to the invention, regardless of whether it is a forming station, a heating station, or a combined heating and forming station, is characterized in that the cutting unit and the counter unit are movable relative to each other perpendicular to the cutting plane to execute working strokes for closing and opening the station, and in that the adjustment movements of the holding plate of the cutting unit, which can be effected by means of the pressure plate, can be performed in addition to the working strokes. Another advantage is that the adjustment movements can generally be performed at any time—with the material web stationary, i.e., not moving in the transport direction.

[0043] Preferably, the station is designed such that the processing of the material web by means of the separating elements, in particular the production of perforations and / or peel corner cuts in the material web, takes place at a time when the material web is held between the separating unit and the counter unit, in particular clamped between the separating unit and the counter unit. In this case, the material web is therefore not only held by laterally acting transport devices such as the clamp chains typically used in packaging machines, but also by the mutually facing surfaces of the separating unit and the counter unit. It has been shown that particularly good processing results can be achieved in this way, particularly with very thick or very thin material webs. In particular, this makes it possible to produce a better cutting pattern than in the prior art.

[0044] This procedure, i.e., processing the material web when it is held, in particular clamped, between the separating unit and the counter-unit, also represents a preferred development of the method according to the invention disclosed herein. In principle, it is possible for the working strokes for closing and opening the station to be positively coupled to the adjustment movements of the holding plate, i.e., to the separating processes. However, the station is preferably designed such that the working strokes and the separating processes are at least partially decoupled from one another and, in particular, independent of one another.In particular, the station or the packaging machine comprising the station is provided with a control device which is designed to control the operation of the station as a function of the operation of the packaging machine as a whole in a respectively desired manner, wherein this control includes in particular that the opening and closing of the station can be controlled independently of the separating processes, i.e. of the adjustment of the holding plate.

[0045] In particular, it can be provided that the station can be controlled in such a way that a respective separation process takes place during a respective working stroke, at the end of a respective working stroke or following a respective working stroke.

[0046] As already mentioned, it is fundamentally possible for the separation unit to be arranged below the separation plane, with the counter unit being arranged above the separation plane. However, an arrangement such that the counter unit is arranged below the separation plane and the separation unit is located above the separation plane is preferred. The relative mobility of the separation unit and counter unit can be realized in such a way that the separation unit is stationary with regard to the working direction, i.e. is not raised or lowered to close and open the station, with only the counter unit carrying out the working stroke, which is also referred to as the lower stroke. In principle, however, it is also possible to provide an additional upper stroke for the separation unit.Whether an upper stroke is provided for the separation unit can depend on the structural conditions of the respective packaging machine and which application the packaging machine is to be used for.According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the station is a forming station or a combined heating and forming station which is designed to form depressions in the material web by reshaping it, wherein the counter unit comprises a plurality of negative molds and the support frame comprises openings corresponding to the negative molds, wherein when the station is closed in the separating unit on the side of the separating plane facing the base part, a forming pressure can be built up by means of compressed air in order to drive the material web into the negative molds and thus form the depressions, and wherein during or after completion of the build-up of the forming pressure, the holding plate of the separating unit can be adjusted into the active position in order to process the material web by means of the separating elements.

[0047] A respective separation process can, for example, take place during or after the build-up of the forming pressure. In particular, the separation process can be carried out with the recesses already at least partially formed. This has the advantage, among other things, that any material web that may have been heated prior to the forming process has already cooled down again by the time the separation elements come into contact with the material web.

[0048] As already mentioned elsewhere, it is not mandatory for the separating unit to be part of a forming station. The station can also be a heating station or a combined heating and forming station, with the counter unit being a heating unit designed to heat the material web.

[0049] Regardless of the specific design of the station, some embodiments may provide for the counter unit to be provided with recesses that correspond to the separating elements of the separating unit and are designed to accommodate the extended separating elements. At least some of these recesses may be provided with escape and / or suction openings through which compressed air can escape after the material web has been processed and / or through which negative pressure can be applied.

[0050] Contaminations resulting from the cutting process, in particular so-called cutting dust, which can occur when cutting fiber material, can be removed in this way, whereby such contaminants are particularly reliably prevented from entering the product areas.

[0051] Furthermore, it can be provided that the counter unit is supported directly or via a lower part on a lifting device which is designed to raise and lower the counter unit in order to carry out sub-strokes and thus to close and open the station or to contribute to these working strokes.

[0052] As mentioned elsewhere, an overhead lift can be provided for the separation unit. The lifting device can then be designed to also perform this overhead lift. Particularly advantageous is the use of lifting devices that can be easily converted to operate either with or without an overhead lift.

[0053] If the station is a combined heating and forming station, a common lower part can be provided to which the lifting device acts and which, for example, carries one or more heating units of an upstream heating station and a lower part of a forming station.

[0054] As already mentioned elsewhere, the invention also relates to a packaging machine for packaging food products, having at least one station as disclosed herein, wherein this station comprises at least one separating unit as disclosed herein. According to some embodiments of this packaging machine, it can be provided that the support frame, together with the holding plate, can be removed from the separating unit while the base part remains on the packaging machine. This removal can occur, in particular, by pulling the support frame out of the base part parallel to the transport direction of the packaging machine.

[0055] According to some developments, the support frame can be supported on the packaging machine. This can be achieved via one or more sliding or rolling elements, which are attached in particular to the support frame.

[0056] This allows the support frame to slide or roll along the packaging machine when removed from the separating unit. The packaging machine can be equipped with specially designed rails or strips or other parts extending in the direction of the support frame's removal.

[0057] This creates a convenient and quick way to remove the support frame, for example, for maintenance or cleaning purposes, or for retooling by changing the support frame and / or one or more retaining plates. Therefore, to change a retaining plate, a user only needs to handle the weight of the retaining plate, as the support frame is supported on the packaging machine. The weight of a retaining plate is not a problem for a user, so this concept reduces the strain on the user.

[0058] The invention further relates to a separating unit for a packaging machine for packaging food products, in particular for arrangement in a forming station, in a heating station or in a combined heating and forming station of the packaging machine, wherein the separating unit is designed to process a material web moved in the packaging machine along a transport direction by means of a plurality of separating elements of the same or different type, in particular for producing perforations and / or peel corner cuts in the material web.

[0059] The separating unit can define a separating plane parallel to the material web during operation, a working direction perpendicular to the separating plane and a working width parallel to the separating plane and perpendicular to the transport direction, corresponding to the width of a respective material web.

[0060] In some embodiments, the separating unit may comprise a base on or in which the separating elements are mounted so as to be movable relative to the base in a working direction. In particular, the separating elements can be adjusted by means of a drive between a passive position, in particular with the separating elements retracted into openings in the base, and an active position, in particular with the separating elements extended out of openings in the base and through a separating plane.

[0061] In some embodiments, it can be provided that the separating elements are arranged individually or in groups or all together in a replaceable manner on the base.

[0062] In some embodiments, the base may comprise a base part, in particular a lid-like base part, and a support, in particular a support frame, attached to the base part, on the side of which, facing away from the base part, a separating plane is located, in particular wherein the support can be inserted into a receiving space of the base part. According to some embodiments, the separating elements can be attached to at least one holding unit, in particular at least one holding plate, which is adjustable by means of a drive.

[0063] Such a holding unit can, for example, have one or more holding plates and be arranged as shown in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2 to 9. Alternatively, the holding unit can also be arranged on the underside of the separating unit, regardless of its specific design. This is particularly advantageous if the separating unit or an upper part of a forming station comprising the separating unit can be moved into a maintenance position, e.g. by pivoting upwards about an axis that preferably runs parallel to the transport direction of the packaging machine in question, so that the underside of the separating unit is easily accessible for a user and a holding unit arranged there can be removed and replaced particularly easily. The upper part of a forming station is also referred to as the upper tool or upper forming tool.

[0064] The holding unit can be arranged on the side of the carrier facing the base part or on the side facing away from the base part.

[0065] According to some embodiments, the holding unit can be mounted on the base, in particular on a support of the base, so as to be movable in a working direction.

[0066] In some embodiments, it may be provided that the holding unit can be received in a recess of the base, in particular a support of the base.

[0067] Furthermore, it can be provided that the holding unit can be inserted into the base. In some embodiments, it can be provided that the holding unit is arranged on a side of the base facing the material web to be processed during operation, in particular on the underside of the base when the cutting unit is located above the material web during operation.

[0068] The holding unit can be a separate, in particular modular, assembly which is arranged on the base in an interchangeable manner and can be mounted in particular without tools.

[0069] Furthermore, it can be provided that the base part, the carrier and the holding unit form a plurality of separate, in particular modular, assemblies arranged one above the other in the working direction and in particular mountable without tools.

[0070] According to some embodiments, one or more individual drives, in particular one or more compressed air cylinders or one or more electric motors, preferably one or more servomotors, can be provided as the drive for adjusting the separating elements or a holding unit to which the separating elements are attached. Alternatively, a pressure unit, in particular a pressure plate, can be provided as the drive for adjusting the separating elements or a holding unit to which the separating elements are attached. This pressure unit can be supplied with compressed air that can be connected to the separating unit and is designed to adjust the separating elements or the holding unit between the passive position and the active position.

[0071] The invention further relates to a forming station or an upper part of a forming station or a lower part of a forming station for a packaging machine for packaging food products, comprising a separating unit as disclosed herein. In particular, the station is a forming station or a combined heating and forming station designed to form recesses in the material web by forming it, in particular wherein the station is designed for forming without the application of heat or for forming by thermoforming.

[0072] Such forming stations and methods for forming material webs on packaging machines are generally known to those skilled in the art. Thermoforming refers to the forming of a respective semi-finished product—here, the lower material web—at elevated temperatures. Thermoforming is also referred to as hot forming or deep drawing, which is why the forming station is also referred to as a deep-drawing station. Aspects of the invention that relate to or include forming of the material web are not limited to forming at elevated temperatures, i.e., forming with the application of heat. The forming of the lower material web can also be carried out without the application of heat, i.e., not by thermoforming. Unless otherwise stated below, general terms such as "forming" and "forming station" refer to both variants, i.e., both thermoforming and forming without the application of heat.Forming without the application of heat can be achieved, for example, by compressed air forming, vacuum forming, combined compressed air and vacuum forming, or die forming. Even with thermoforming, the forming of the material web can be achieved by compressed air forming, vacuum forming, combined compressed air and vacuum forming, or die forming, but only on a previously heated material web.

[0073] Against this background, it can be provided that the station is designed to carry out the forming of the material web by compressed air forming, by vacuum forming, by combined compressed air and vacuum forming, or by die forming. Furthermore, it can be provided that the cutting unit is a component of an upper part or a lower part of the forming station, or that the cutting unit forms the upper part or the lower part of the forming station. In this case, the cutting unit can be designed as a tool or as a part of an overall tool for forming the material web, preferably interacting with a counter unit arranged during operation on the other side of the material web to be processed opposite the cutting unit, in particular for forming the material web by compressed air forming, by vacuum forming, by combined compressed air and vacuum forming, or by die forming.

[0074] The invention further relates to a packaging machine for packaging food products with at least one station as disclosed above.

[0075] As already mentioned elsewhere, the material web to be processed can comprise at least one fibrous material layer consisting of or comprising fibrous material. In this case, according to some developments of the invention, the packaging machine can be provided with a pretreatment device designed to subject the material web to a pretreatment in which the moisture content of the fibrous material layer is changed, in particular increased.

[0076] In connection with a method according to the invention for operating a packaging machine, it can be provided in particular that the packaging machine is operated in a cycled manner, wherein work cycles alternate with advance cycles serving to pull the material webs forward. This is generally known to those skilled in the art. During a work cycle, for example, depressions are formed in the lower material web at the forming station, products are inserted into the depressions at a downstream insertion station, for example by means of a conveyor belt (also referred to as an inserter) or by means of a robot, and the material webs are connected to one another at a further downstream sealing station in order to seal the product areas with the food products contained therein. In practice, a packaging machine usually has additional work stations, which need not be discussed in detail here.A possible embodiment of a packaging machine is described in more detail elsewhere.

[0077] In the method according to the invention, it can be provided in particular that the counter unit cooperating with the separating unit according to the invention comprises a plurality of negative molds and the support frame of the separating unit comprises openings corresponding to the negative molds, wherein in a respective work cycle with the station closed in the separating unit on the side of the separating plane facing the base part, a forming pressure is built up by means of compressed air in order to drive the lower material web into the negative molds and thus form the depressions, wherein the holding plate of the separating unit is adjusted to the active position in order to process the lower material web by means of the separating elements.

[0078] Furthermore, according to some embodiments of the method, it can be provided that the areas in which the lower material web is processed by means of the separating elements are freed from processing residues by blowing out and / or suctioning, by subjecting at least these areas to compressed air and / or negative pressure.

[0079] In particular, it can be provided that an air flow is generated by means of compressed air and / or negative pressure through openings in the lower material web created during processing by means of the separating elements.

[0080] As already mentioned at the beginning, the lower material web is processed using the separating elements, particularly for the purpose of perforating the side areas of the material web. Alternatively or additionally, the processing can be performed to create a peel corner cut, particularly in the area of ​​a corner of a respective recess in the material web. The separating elements thus create holes or cuts in the lower material web. These openings can be used to remove processing residues arising during its production.

[0081] For such cleaning, a molding pressure used to produce the recesses by forming can be used. In particular, the method according to the invention can provide for the holding plate to be adjusted to the active position at a time when a molding pressure above the ambient pressure has been built up. This can occur, for example, in an initial phase of a molding process when the molding pressure has already been partially built up and is above the ambient pressure. Alternatively, the separation process can occur in a final phase of a respective molding process when the molding pressure has already been partially reduced, i.e. no longer has a maximum value, but is still above the ambient pressure. Optionally, this cleaning can be supported by applying a negative pressure.

[0082] The forming pressure can be released, for example, by opening the forming station. In such a case, the holding plate can be moved to the active position before the forming station is opened. At least part of the forming pressure can then escape through the openings created in the lower material web by the separating elements, thus removing processing residues.

[0083] As already mentioned elsewhere, it may be advantageous to bring the separating elements into contact with the material web only after it has already at least partially cooled down in the case of prior heating. In this context, the method according to the invention can provide for the holding plate to be moved into the active position at a time when the recesses have already been at least partially formed. The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawing. In the drawings:

[0084] Fig. 1 shows schematically in a side view a packaging machine according to the prior art,

[0085] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a combined heating and forming station according to the invention with a separating unit according to the invention, and

[0086] Fig. 3 to 9 different views of the separation unit according to the invention from Fig. 2.

[0087] The prior art packaging machine described below with reference to Fig. 1 can be equipped, instead of a conventional forming station (designated with reference numeral 11 in Fig. 1), with a station according to the invention comprising a separating unit according to the invention, for example with a combined heating and forming station 12 and a separating unit 51, as described with reference to Figs. 2 to 9. Such a packaging machine can then be operated according to the method according to the invention.

[0088] The packaging machine V shown in Fig. 1 and operating in a transport direction T comprises a machine frame 47. A transport chain 27, shown here only schematically at the upstream end of the machine, is guided on a left-hand side frame and a right-hand side frame of the machine frame 47. The two transport chains 27 together form a transport device for a bottom web drawn from a supply roll 23a. The machine comprises a plurality of work stations following one another in the transport direction T, namely a forming station 11, also referred to as a deep-drawer or thermoformer, an insertion station 13 for products 10 to be packaged, a feed station 14 for a top web 25 drawn from a supply roll 25a, a labeling and / or printing station 16, a transverse cutting station 17 and a longitudinal cutting station 19.

[0089] The products 10 to be packaged are, for example, food products, here in the form of so-called portions, each comprising several slices that were previously separated from a loaf- or bar-shaped food product, such as sausage, cheese, ham, or meat, using a food slicer (not shown). The slicer and the packaging machine can form a continuous production line.

[0090] The operation of the packaging machine V, including the aforementioned workstations, is controlled by a central control device 41. This can also control the slicer or be connected to a control device of the slicer. Furthermore, the packaging machine V is preferably provided with an operating device 45, which includes, for example, a touchscreen, on which all necessary information can be displayed to an operator and the operator can make all necessary settings before and during operation of the machine.

[0091] The structure and functionality of the workstations mentioned are generally known to the expert, so they will not be discussed in detail here.

[0092] At the forming station 11, which comprises an upper tool 11a and a lower part 11b, depressions 29, also referred to as troughs, are formed in the lower web 23 during a deep-drawing process. These depressions each form part of a product area 20 of the respective finished package 21, whereby a finished package 21 can also comprise several product areas. The aforementioned portions 10 are inserted into these depressions 29 at the insertion station 13. The insertion station 13 here comprises a so-called inserter, of which two endless conveyor belts 13a, 13b are shown. Alternatively or additionally, the insertion station 13 can comprise a robot 50, also shown schematically here, e.g. in the form of a so-called "picker," which can be designed as a delta robot with a gripper comprising two scoops, each of which jointly holds a portion 10.Such robots and their use in handling food, in particular in placing portions into recesses in packages, are generally known to the person skilled in the art, which is why further explanations are not necessary here.

[0093] Subsequently, the bottom web 23, provided with the filled recesses 29, and the top web 25 are fed to the sealing station 15, which comprises an upper part 15a and a lower part 15b. The top web 25 and the bottom web 23 are connected to one another by means of these parts 15a, 15b. This seals the recesses 29 and thus the packages 21 formed by the top web 25 and the bottom web 23, each comprising a product area 20. Sealing points 43, also referred to as sealing seams, running transversely to the transport direction T, are schematically indicated in Fig. 1.

[0094] Following the sealing station 15, the packs 21 are still connected by the upper web 25 and the lower web 23, and therefore still need to be separated. In the embodiment shown here, the packs 21 are labeled and / or printed at the labeling and / or printing station 16 before being separated. Labeling and printing can also be performed in separate stations.

[0095] Downstream of the separation stations 17, 19, further conveyor belts and / or workstations can be provided, for example, a scale for checking the weight of the packages 21. Applications can differ from one another, for example, with regard to the type of products 10 to be packaged, the size / shape of the recesses 29 in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction, or with regard to a format set. A format set here generally refers to a group of items, in particular both portions 10 and recesses 29 or packages 21, which are handled as a whole—i.e., in format sets—and which differ from one another in particular with regard to the number and spacing of items in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0096] For example, per work cycle of the packaging machine, a packaging format or format set of 3 x 4 (3 in the transverse direction and 4 in the longitudinal direction) recesses 29 or other type of product receptacles can be formed in the forming station 11, at the insertion station 13 a format set of 3 x 4 correspondingly arranged products 10 can be introduced into a respective format set of recesses 21, and at the sealing station 15 a respective format set of 3 x 4 recesses 29 filled with products 10 can be closed. The same applies to the labeling and / or printing station 16. In principle, an N x M format set of any dimension can be formed, with N >= 1 and M >= 1.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 2, the combined heating and forming station 12 comprises a common lower part 101 which, when installed in the packaging machine V, is supported on a lifting device (not shown here) which is designed to raise and lower the lower part 101 in order to carry out respective working strokes during operation of the packaging machine V in order to move the components carried by the lower part 101, which are explained in more detail below, relative to a separating unit 51 according to the invention and an upper part 107.

[0098] The lower part 101 carries a lower forming tool 85, which is also referred to here as the counter unit to the upper separating unit 51, as well as two heating units 105, which are arranged upstream of the forming tool 85 as seen in the transport direction T of the packaging machine V.

[0099] During operation of the packaging machine V, the lower material web 23 is located in a plane between the lower assemblies 85, 105 and the upper assemblies 51, 107. The heating units 105 serve to heat the material web 23 prior to the forming process, which is carried out with the separating unit 51, also referred to as the upper tool, and the lower forming tool 85, in order to form depressions 29 in the material web 23, as described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0100] Such a procedure is generally known to those skilled in the art. New features include the separating unit 51, which forms a component of the combined heating and forming station 12, and the associated operation of the packaging machine V for a user. The structure and function of the separating unit 51, as well as its interaction with the counter unit 85, are described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 3 to 9.

[0101] The material webs used, i.e., the bottom web 23 and the top web 25 (see Fig. 1), can be conventional film webs, which often comprise several layers of different plastic materials. In such a case, one simply refers to the bottom film 23 and the top film 25. To produce more environmentally friendly packaging, it is already known to use material webs with a paper component. For example, it is possible to use a comparatively thick paper layer as a support for stability and one or more comparatively thin plastic layers as a support for food products.

[0102] Against this background, the invention can also provide for the lower material web 23 to comprise at least one fibrous material layer that consists of or comprises fibrous material. The lower material web 23 can be single-layered, i.e., consist of exactly one layer, namely the fibrous material layer. Alternatively, the lower material web can be multi-layered, i.e., comprise several material layers that are already bonded to one another during production of the material web. Each of the multiple layers can be a fibrous material layer, so that the lower material web is a fibrous web without a film web, i.e., without a plastic layer. Depending on the nature of the fibrous layers in question and the properties of the food products to be packaged, a fibrous material layer can be suitable - at least after passing through the forming station - to serve as a support for the food products.Alternatively, in a multi-layer bottom material web, an upper layer can comprise one or more plastic film layers, and a lower layer can comprise one or more fiber layers. The upper side of the plastic layer or the uppermost plastic layer then serves as the support surface for the food products to be packaged, while the underside of the fiber layer or the lowest fiber layer forms the outer side of the lower material web and thus the lower outer side of each finished package.

[0103] Not the subject of the present invention, but worth mentioning in connection with the present invention is the fact that packages made of fiber or with a fiber content have a high dimensional stability even after a long time and even after comparatively more robust handling during transport and storage, if the material web in question is subjected to a pretreatment before the forming process, during which the moisture content of the fiber layer is influenced. The pretreatment can be drying in order to reduce an initial moisture content of the fiber layer. In most cases, however, the lower material web will be in an initial state in which the fiber layer has a moisture content whose increase results in an improvement in dimensional stability after the forming process, i.e. after the formation of the depressions.Therefore, in preferred applications, the pretreatment can increase the moisture content of the fibrous material layer compared to an initial state. Accordingly, a packaging machine according to the invention can have a pretreatment device located upstream of the respective forming station or at least partially integrated into the forming station, which is designed to subject the lower material web to a pretreatment in which the moisture content of the fibrous material layer is changed, in particular increased.

[0104] This concept is important in the context of the present invention in that the separating unit according to the invention and a forming station comprising this separating unit can also be designed to process the material webs described above, which comprise at least one fibrous material layer. This processing includes both processing with the separating elements of the separating unit, in particular the production of perforations and / or peel corner cuts in the material web, as well as the forming process for forming the recesses in the material web.

[0105] Fig. 3 shows the separating unit 51 and the counter unit 85. The underside of the separating unit 51 defines a separating plane S in which the bottom web 23 to be processed is located when the station is closed, i.e. when the distance between the separating unit 51 and the counter unit 85 in the working direction W is at its smallest.

[0106] On the upper side of the counter unit 85, depressions 83 are formed, which are also referred to as negative molds. The separating unit 51, or more precisely a support frame 59 including holding plates 61 (not shown), which will be discussed in more detail below, and the counter unit 85 are designed here for an application in which eight depressions are formed in the material web per work cycle. In one work cycle, an array of 2 x 4 depressions is therefore formed, namely four depressions in the direction of the working width B and two depressions in the transport direction T. The counter unit 85 is provided with cutouts 97 on its upper side for separating elements of the separating unit 51, which are described in more detail below. Rows of cutouts 97 provided in the lateral edge regions and extending in the transport direction correspond to separating elements of the separating unit 51, which are provided for producing perforations in the material web.In addition, in the area of ​​a corner of each recess 83, a slot-shaped recess 97 extending obliquely to the transport direction T is provided, which serves to receive a separating element of the separating unit 51, which carries out a peel corner cut in the material web.

[0107] For the recesses 97 in the lateral edge regions of the counter unit 85, escape or suction openings 99 are formed which open to the side and are connected to a respective recess 97, so that compressed air with which the recesses 97 are acted upon can escape through the openings 99 or the recesses 97 can be subjected to negative pressure via the openings 99.

[0108] In addition to the aforementioned support frame 59, the separation unit 51 comprises a base part 57, which is designed as a cover plate of the separation unit 51 and comprises an end plate 73 with side walls 75. The end plate 73 and the side walls 75 define a receiving space 77 (see Fig. 4) for the support frame 59, which can be inserted into this receiving space 77.

[0109] In the inserted state as shown in Fig. 3, fixing screws 109 serve to fix the support frame 59 to the base part 57. For this purpose, the support frame 59 is provided with threaded openings into which threaded rods of the fixing screws 109 can be screwed. The fixing screws 109 are designed for manual operation. Fig. 4 again shows the counter unit 85 and the separating unit 51, the latter being shown with the support frame 59 removed from the base part 57.

[0110] The base part 57 shows the receiving space 77 which is open downwards towards the counter unit 85 and is delimited by the underside of the end plate 73 and the two side walls 75.

[0111] The support frame 59 is provided on each side with two rollers 103, which, however, do not interact with the base part 57, but in the assembled state with the packaging machine V, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0112] On its upper side facing the base part 57 in the assembled state, the support frame 59 is provided with a recess 71 (cf. Fig. 5), in which, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, three holding plates 61 are arranged. A large, flat holding plate 61 fills the recess and serves as a support for two smaller, narrow, elongated, i.e. strip-shaped holding plates 61. These holding plates 61 are described in more detail below. The holding plates 61 are flush with one another on their upper side in order to be jointly subjected to pressure by a pressure plate 63 (cf. Figs. 8 and 9) arranged on the base part 57, not shown in Fig. 4. As a result of this pressure, the holding plates 61 are pressed downwards within the support frame 59, as a result of which separating elements attached to the undersides of the holding plates 61 are moved downwards out of the support frame 59 and through the mentioned separating plane, into the position described in connection with Fig.3 described recesses 97 on the top side of the counter unit 85.

[0113] The aforementioned separating elements are shown in Fig. 5, in which the holding plates 61 are shown removed from the recess 71 of the support frame 59. The large, flat holding plate 61 is provided with two holders 111 at the edge regions, which are detachably connected to the holding plate 61. The holders 111 carry the separating elements 53, each of which has a circular cross-section and is beveled at its free end, where it serves as a cutting edge. These perforating blades 53 serve to create perforations in the edge regions of the material web 23.

[0114] The cutting elements 55 designed as knives with slightly beveled cutting edges are used for the aforementioned peeling corner cuts, which are each attached to the two small, narrow holding plates 61 via a holder 111.

[0115] Replacing the knives 53, 55 is possible by either removing a respective knife 53, 55 from its holder 11 1 or by dismantling the respective holder 11 1 together with the knives 53, 55 from the respective holding plate 61.

[0116] The large holding plate 61 is provided with receptacles 62 for the small holding plates 61, into which these can be inserted, so that (cf. Fig. 4) the holding plates 61 in the assembled state form an overall plate which has a continuous flat surface and is completely received within the recess 71 of the support frame 59.

[0117] The recess 71 of the support frame 59 and the large holding plate 61 are geometrically coordinated with one another such that the holding plate 61 is received precisely in the support frame 59 such that the knives 53 attached to the large holding plate 61 and also the knives 55 of the small plates 61 inserted into the large plate 61 are aligned with openings 53a and 55a (see Fig. 7) formed in a lower end plate 81 of the support frame 57. This end plate 81 delimits the recess 71 at the bottom. The end plate 81 is provided not only with the aforementioned openings 53a, 55a for the knives 53, 55, but also with openings 87 which, in the assembled state of the station 12 (cf. Fig. 2), correspond to the negative molds 83 of the counter unit 85.

[0118] The end plate 81 of the support frame 59 thus comprises a plurality of webs that define the openings 87. Mounted on these webs are upwardly projecting spring assemblies 89, each comprising a compression spring. The large retaining plate 61 rests on these spring assemblies when inserted into the support frame 59 (see Fig. 4). Against the restoring force of these spring assemblies 89, the retaining plates 61 can be pressed downward together, i.e., toward the end plate 81 of the support frame 59.

[0119] On the upper side of the support frame 59, a groove 67 is formed surrounding the recess 71, in which a seal 69, only partially and schematically indicated in Fig. 5, is inserted. This seal seals a pressure chamber 65 (see Fig. 7) from the environment when the support frame 59 is inserted into the base part 57 (see Fig. 3). This will be discussed in more detail elsewhere.

[0120] Fig. 6 shows the large holding plate 61 of Fig. 5 in an enlarged view. In particular, it can be seen here that two knives 53 on each knife holder 111 are designed differently than the remaining five knives 53. This illustrates that the knife holders 111 and thus the holding plate 61 as a whole can be equipped with different knife configurations depending on the respective application.

[0121] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the underside of the separating unit 51 with the support frame 59 inserted into the base part 57. The underside of the support frame 59 facing away from the base part 57 defines the aforementioned separating plane S, in which the material web 23 runs when the station is closed. The material web 23 then lies between the openings 87 of the support frame 59 and the negative molds of the counter unit 85 (see Fig. 3). Consequently, in this state, the pressure chamber 65 between the separating plane S and the base part 67 is closed and also sealed from the environment by means of the aforementioned seal 69 (see Fig. 5).

[0122] During operation of the packaging machine, the separating unit 51 is connected to a compressed air source so that the pressure chamber 65 can be pressurized to drive the material web 23 into the negative molds 83 of the counter unit 85 and thus form the desired recesses 29 (cf. Fig. 1 ) in the material web 23.

[0123] In this way, the separating unit 51 according to the invention contributes to the forming process for forming recesses 29 in the material web 23. For the further function of the separating unit 51, namely processing the material web 23 with the knives 53, 55 to produce the perforations and peel corner cuts in the material web 23, a drive for the holding plates 61, which are provided with the knives 53, 55 and are movably mounted in the support frame 59 in the manner described above, is integrated into the base part 87. This drive comprises a pressure plate 63 (cf. Figs. 8 and 9), which, in the passive state according to Fig. 8, is located in a recess 79 formed on the inside of the end plate 73 of the base part 57. The pressure plate 63 is thus located above the receiving space 77 for the support frame 59 (not shown in Fig. 8).

[0124] Also shown in Fig. 8 and 9 are proximity switches 113, which can be attached to the base part 57 or to the pressure plate 63. The proximity switches 113 are connected to the central control device 41 of the packaging machine (see Fig. 1) and are designed to detect whether the support frame 59 has been pushed into the receiving space 77 or not, in order to provide a corresponding signal for the control device 41. In this way, the control device 41 can be used to ensure, for example, that the packaging machine can only be put into operation when a properly designed support frame 59 has been pushed into the base part 57, i.e. when the separating unit 51 is completed and ready for use.

[0125] As shown in the right-hand illustration in Fig. 9, the pressure plate 63 is provided with a flexible hollow body 93, here in the form of a hose, on its upper side facing the inside of the end plate 73 of the base part 57. The hollow body 93 is fastened to the upper side of the pressure plate 63 at both its end regions by means of holders 117. In the middle, the hollow body 93 is connected to a compressed air connection 115, via which the hollow body 93 can be pressurized with compressed air and thus inflated in order to move the pressure plate 63 in the working direction W (cf. Fig. 3) and thus the holding plates 61 relative to the support frame 59 firmly connected to the base part 57.

[0126] Activating the pressure plate 63 by inflating the hollow body 93 thus triggers a separating process, which consists in extending the knives 53, 55 attached to the holding plate 61 from the openings 53a, 55a (see Fig. 7) of the support frame 59 by applying pressure to the holding plate 61. During the extension, the knives 53, 55 pierce the separating plane S and thus the material web 23 running there, so that with this separating process, the perforations in the material web 23 are carried out by means of the circular knives 53 and the peel corner cuts are carried out by means of the straight knives 55.

[0127] The pressure plate 63 is attached via spring assemblies 91 to the inside of the end plate 73 of the base part 57 in such a way that the downward movement of the pressure plate 63 when the hollow body 93 is inflated occurs against the restoring force of compression springs of the spring assemblies 91. When the application of compressed air to the hollow body 93 stops, the spring assemblies 91 consequently ensure the return movement of the pressure plate 63 back to the passive starting position within the recess 79 in the end plate 73 according to Fig. 8. For a return of the pressure plate 63, it is therefore not necessary to apply a negative pressure to the hollow body 93.

[0128] The retaining plates 61 also undergo a return movement due to the spring arrangements 89 between the end plate 81 of the support frame 59 and the retaining plates 61, explained above with reference to Fig. 5. When compressed air is applied to the hollow body 93 of the pressure plate 63, the return forces of both the spring arrangements 89 and the spring arrangements 91 are counteracted.

[0129] Consequently, with the separating unit 51 according to the invention, two functions can be carried out independently of one another in time, namely the forming of the material web 23 to form the recesses 29 (cf. Fig. 1 ) on the one hand and the production of perforations and peel corner cuts, i.e. generally the processing of the material web by means of separating elements, on the other hand.

[0130] Both functions can be accomplished using compressed air. Depending on the application, the time at which the separation process occurs can be selected independently of the time at which station 12 closes and independently of the timing of the forming process.

[0131] As already mentioned in the introduction, the cutting process takes place as late as possible so that the material web 23, previously heated by the heating units 105 of station 12 (see Fig. 2), has already cooled down again. The contact of the material web 23 with the underside of the support frame 59 of the cutting unit 51 and the upper side of the counter unit 85 forming the lower forming tool, brings about this cooling. On the other hand, the cutting process takes place at a time when forming pressure is still being built up within the aforementioned pressure chamber 65 (see Fig. 7) of the cutting unit 51, so that contaminants can be blown out in the manner explained above. This is particularly important when the material web has one or more fiber layers, since so-called cutting dust can be generated when processing such material webs using the knives 53, 55, which should not reach the product areas 20 of the packages 21 to be produced.

[0132] An advantage of the separating unit 51 according to the invention, particularly with regard to the function of forming the material web 23, is that a comparatively high pressure can be built up within the pressure chamber 65. For example, an overpressure above atmospheric pressure can be built up, which amounts to up to 5 bar and is, for example, between 2 bar and 3 bar. Depending on the respective application, such a forming pressure enables the forming process to be carried out without additional application of negative pressure. This saves design effort and energy and has the further advantage that when using material webs with one or more fiber layers that are pretreated by increasing the moisture content, no undesired vacuum drying of the fiber material occurs.

[0133] As mentioned elsewhere, vacuum can be applied to remove processing residues, particularly cutting dust. This extraction can be timed so that it only occurs once station 12 has reopened, thus preventing unwanted vacuum drying of the fiber material.

[0134] With a view to particularly easy removal of the support frame 59 and thus of the holding plates 61 when the support unit 51 is installed on the packaging machine, the support unit 51 is designed such that, on the one hand, the support frame 59 is firmly connected to the base part 57 and the pressure chamber 65 delimited by the support frame and base part 57 is sealed off from the environment by means of the seal 69, and that, on the other hand, the support frame 59 rests on the packaging machine V via the rollers 103, in particular on guide rails of the packaging machine V provided for this purpose and extending in the transport direction T. The user therefore only needs to loosen the fixing screws 109 by hand and then pull the support frame 59 out of the base part 57 of the separating unit like a drawer, with the support frame 59 rolling on the guide rails. The support frame 59 together with the holding plates 61 or one or more of the holding plates 61 can then, for example,removed for cleaning purposes or replaced, for example, to convert the separation unit 51 to another application.

[0135] List of reference symbols

[0136] 10 product

[0137] 11 Forming station

[0138] 11 a Upper part of the forming station

[0139] 11 b Lower part of the forming station

[0140] 12 combined heating and forming stations

[0141] 13 Feeding station

[0142] 13a Conveyor belt

[0143] 13b Conveyor belt

[0144] 14 Feed station

[0145] 15 Sealing station

[0146] 15a Upper part of the sealing station

[0147] 15b Lower part of the sealing station

[0148] 16 labeling stations

[0149] 17 Separation station (transverse direction)

[0150] 19 Separation station (longitudinal direction)

[0151] 20 Product area

[0152] 21 pack

[0153] 23 Underground

[0154] 23a Supply roll

[0155] 25 upper track

[0156] 25a supply roll

[0157] 27 Transport device (transport chain for lower track)

[0158] 29 Deepening

[0159] 41 Control device

[0160] 43 Sealing seam

[0161] 45 Control unit

[0162] 47 Machine frame

[0163] 50 robots

[0164] 51 Separation unit

[0165] 53 Separating element, knife

[0166] 55 Separating element, knife

[0167] 53a breakthrough

[0168] 55a breakthrough

[0169] 57 Base part

[0170] 59 supporting frames

[0171] 61 Holding plate

[0172] 62 recording

[0173] 63 printing plate

[0174] 65 printing room

[0175] 67 Groove for seal

[0176] 69 Seal

[0177] 71 Recess of the support frame 73 End plate of the base part

[0178] 75 Side wall of the base part

[0179] 77 Receiving space of the base part

[0180] 79 Recess of the end plate

[0181] 81 End plate of the supporting frame

[0182] 83 Negative form of the counter-unity

[0183] 85 Counter unit, lower forming tool

[0184] 87 Opening of the supporting frame

[0185] 89 Spring arrangement of the support frame

[0186] 91 Spring arrangement of the pressure plate

[0187] 93 inflatable hollow body

[0188] 97 Recess in the counter unit

[0189] 99 Escape and / or suction opening

[0190] 101 Lower part

[0191] 103 rolling organ

[0192] 105 Heating unit

[0193] 107 Top

[0194] 109 fixing screws

[0195] 111 holders

[0196] 113 Proximity switches

[0197] 115 Compressed air connection

[0198] 117 Bracket

[0199] V packaging machine

[0200] T Transport direction

[0201] S dividing plane

[0202] W Working direction

[0203] B Working width

Claims

Claims: Separating unit (51) for a packaging machine (V) for packaging food products (10), in particular for arrangement in a forming station, in a heating station or in a combined heating and forming station (12) of the packaging machine (V), wherein the separating unit (51) is configured to process a material web (23) moving along a transport direction (T) in the packaging machine (V) by means of a plurality of separating elements (53, 55) of the same or different types, in particular for producing perforations and / or peel corner cuts in the material web (23), wherein the separating unit (51) defines a separating plane (S) parallel to the material web (23) during operation, a working direction (W) perpendicular to the separating plane (S) and a working width (B) parallel to the separating plane (S) and perpendicular to the transport direction (T), corresponding to the width of a respective material web (23), and wherein the separating unit (51) comprises a plurality of separate,in particular modularly designed assemblies arranged one above the other in the working direction (W) and in particular able to be assembled without tools, namely a base part (57) in a lid-like form, a support frame (59) attached to the base part (57), on the side of which facing away from the base part (57) the separating plane (S) is located, between the support frame (59) and the base part (57) at least one retaining plate (61) movably mounted on or in the support frame (59) in the working direction (W), on the side of which facing away from the base part (57) at least one and preferably several separating elements (53, 55) projecting in the working direction (W) are attached, wherein the support frame (59) has openings (53a, 55a) is provided for the separating elements, and between the retaining plate (61) and the base part (57) at least one pressure plate (63) acting as a drive for the retaining plate (61), which can be acted upon with compressed air connectable to the separating unit (51) and is designed to adjust the retaining plate (61) between a passive position with separating elements (53, 55) retracted into the openings (53a, 55a) of the support frame (59) and an active position with separating elements (53, 55) extended out of the openings (53a, 53b) and through the separating plane (S).

2. Separation unit according to claim 1, wherein the separation unit (51) can be connected to a compressed air supply and a forming pressure can be built up in a pressure chamber (65) limited by the base part (57) and the support frame (59) by means of supplied compressed air, when in operation the support frame (59) with its side facing away from the base part (57) rests against the material web (23) in order to form depressions (29) in the material web (23) by means of the forming pressure.

3. Separation unit according to claim 2, wherein the pressure chamber (65) is sealed against the environment by a seal (69) arranged between the base part (57) and the support frame (59), in particular by a seal (69) circumferential around a recess (71) of the support frame (59) serving to receive the retaining plate (61).

4. Separation unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pressure plate (63) and the retaining plate (61) are arranged within the pressure chamber (65).

5. Separation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several separate retaining plates (61) are movably mounted on or in the support frame (59), each with at least one and preferably several separating elements (53, 55).

6. Separation unit according to claim 5, wherein the retaining plates (61 ) can be assembled to form a complete plate and are movably mounted together on or in the support frame (59).

7. Separating unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the retaining plates (61) are jointly adjustable by means of the pressure plate (63).

8. Separation unit according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein at least one retaining plate (61) has one or more separating elements (53) of a first type and at least one further retaining plate (61) has one or more separating elements (55) of a second type, wherein the first type and the second type are the same or different.

9. Separation unit according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein at least one retaining plate (61 ) is designed as a holder for at least one further retaining plate (61 ), in particular wherein the one retaining plate (61 ) can be used without the further retaining plate (61 ), but not vice versa.

10. Separation unit according to claim 9, wherein one retaining plate (61 ) fills the support frame (59) in a plane parallel to the separation plane (S) and is provided with a receptacle (62) for the further retaining plate (61 ). 1 1. Separation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base part (57), the support frame (59), the retaining plate (61) and the pressure plate (63) each extend over the working width (B) and preferably each have a low overall height in the working direction (W) compared to the working width (B).

12. Separation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base part (57) has a cover plate (73) with two side walls (75) spaced apart from each other in the direction of the working width (B) and projecting towards the separation plane (S) in the working direction (W), wherein the side of the cover plate (73) facing the separation plane (S) and the side walls (75) define a receiving space (77) for the support frame (59).

13. Separation unit according to claim 12, wherein the support frame (59) can be inserted into the receiving space (77) of the base part (57).

14. Separation unit according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the end plate (73) of the base part (57) has a recess (79) on its side facing the separation plane (S) for receiving the pressure plate (63).

15. Separating unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support frame (59) has on its side facing the base part (57) a recess (71) for receiving the retaining plate (61) and an end plate (81) in which the openings (53a, 55a) for the separating elements (53, 55) of the retaining plate (61) are formed, in particular wherein openings (87) corresponding to negative forms (83) of a counter unit (85) are also formed in the end plate (81). Separating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overall height of the separating unit (81) in the assembled state is less than the sum of the individual heights of the base part (57) and the support frame (59). Separating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining plate (61) and / or the support frame (59) is provided with one or more spring assemblies (89) against whose restoring force the retaining plate (61) can be adjusted into the active position by means of the pressure plate (63) and by which the retaining plate (61) is biased into the passive position. Separating unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure plate (63) and / or the base part (57) is provided with one or more spring assemblies (91) against whose restoring force the pressure plate (63) can be moved away from the base part (57) when compressed air is applied to adjust the retaining plate (61) into its active position.Separation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure plate (63) is provided on its side facing the base part (57) with at least one flexible hollow body (93) which can be connected to a compressed air supply and inflated by pressurizing with compressed air. Separation unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a set of different support frames (59) interchangeable with one another on a base part (61) and / or a set of different support frames (59) interchangeable with one another on a support frame (59) or with sub-. different support frames (59) are provided with retaining plates (61) usable. Station (12) for a packaging machine (V) for packaging food products (10), in particular a forming station, heating station or combined heating and forming station, with at least one cutting unit (51) according to one of the preceding claims and with a counter unit (85) which, during operation, is arranged on the other side of the material web (23) to be processed opposite the cutting unit (51), wherein the cutting unit (51) and the counter unit (85) are movable relative to each other perpendicular to the cutting plane (S) for performing working strokes to close and open the station (12), and the adjustment movements of the retaining plate (61) of the cutting unit (51) which can be effected by means of the pressure plate (63) can be carried out in addition to the working strokes, in particular during a respective working stroke, at the end of a respective working stroke or following a respective working stroke.in particular wherein, in operation, the separating unit (51) is arranged above the separating plane (S) and the counter unit (85) is arranged below the separating plane (S). Station according to claim 21, wherein the station is a forming station or a combined heating and forming station (12) configured to form recesses (29) in the material web (23) by forming it, wherein the counter unit (85) comprises a plurality of negative molds (83) and the support frame (59) has openings (87) corresponding to the negative molds (83), wherein, when the station (12) is closed, a forming pressure can be built up in the separating unit (51) on the side of the separating plane (S) facing the base part (57) by means of compressed air in order to drive the material web (23) into the negative molds (83) and thus form the recesses (29), and wherein during or after cutting, At the end of the build-up of the form pressure, especially when at least partial depressions (29) have already been formed, the retaining plate (61) of the separating unit (51) can be adjusted into the active position in order to process the material web (23) by means of the separating elements (53, 55).

23. Station according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the station is a heating station or a combined heating and forming station (12), wherein the counter unit (85) is a heating unit configured to heat the material web (23).

24. Station according to one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the counter unit (85) is provided with recesses (97) which correspond to the separating elements (53, 55) of the separating unit (51) and are designed to receive the extended separating elements (53, 55), in particular wherein at least some recesses (97) are provided with escape and / or extraction openings (99) through which compressed air can escape after processing of the material web (23) and / or which can be subjected to negative pressure.

25. Station according to one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the counter unit (85) is supported directly or via a lower part (101) on a lifting device which is designed to raise and lower the counter unit (85) to perform lower strokes and thus close and open the station (12) or contribute to these working strokes.

26. Packaging machine (V) for packaging food products (10) with at least one station (12) according to one of claims 21 to 25 or according to one of claims 50 to 54.

27. Packaging machine according to claim 26, wherein the support frame (59) together with the retaining plate (61) can be removed from the separation unit (51) while the base part (57) remains on the packaging machine (V), in particular by pulling it out of the base part (57) parallel to the transport direction (T) of the packaging machine (V).

28. Packaging machine according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the support frame (59) is supported on the packaging machine (V), in particular by means of one or more sliding or rolling elements (103), in particular wherein the support frame (59) slides or rolls along the packaging machine (V) when being removed from the separation unit (51).

29. Separation unit (51), station (12) or packaging machine (V) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material web (23) comprises at least one fibrous layer consisting of or comprising fibrous material, in particular wherein the packaging machine (V) has a pretreatment device configured to subject the material web (23) to a pretreatment in which the moisture content of the fibrous layer is changed, in particular increased.

30. Method for operating a packaging machine (V) for food products (10) for producing packages (21) consisting of at least a lower material web (23) and an upper material web (25) enclosing at least one product area (20) of a respective package (21), wherein the lower material web (23) passes through a station (12) according to one of claims 21 to 25 or according to one of claims 50 to 54 of the packaging machine (V), in which recesses (29) of the product areas (20) are formed in the lower material web (23), and wherein according to Upon insertion of food products (10) into the recesses (29), the material webs (23) are joined together to close the product areas (20), wherein the packaging machine (V) is operated in a clocked manner and work cycles alternate with pre-drawing cycles serving to advance the material webs (23), in particular wherein the counter unit (85) comprises a plurality of negative molds (83) and the support frame (59) of the separating unit (51) comprises openings (87) corresponding to the negative molds (83), wherein in each work cycle, with the station (12) closed, a forming pressure is built up in the separating unit (51) on the side of the separating plane (S) facing the base part (57) by means of compressed air in order to drive the lower material web (23) into the negative molds (83) and thus form the recesses (29), and wherein the holding plate (61) of the separating unit (51) is moved into the active position is to separate the lower material web (23) by means of the separating elements (53,55). Method according to claim 30, wherein the areas where the lower material web (23) is processed by means of the separating elements (53, 55) are freed from processing residues by blowing and / or vacuuming, by applying compressed air and / or negative pressure to at least these areas, in particular by generating an airflow through openings, in particular holes and / or cuts, in the lower material web (23) created during processing by means of compressed air and / or negative pressure.

32. Method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the retaining plate (61) is moved into the active position at a time when a forming pressure above the ambient pressure has been built up.

33. Method according to one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the retaining plate (61 ) is moved into the active position before the station (12) is opened.

34. Method according to one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the retaining plate (61 ) is moved into the active position at a time when the recesses (29) have already been at least partially formed.

35. Separation unit (51) for a packaging machine (V) for packaging food products (10), in particular for arrangement in a forming station, in a heating station or in a combined heating and forming station (12) of the packaging machine (V), wherein the separation unit (51) is designed to process a material web (23) moved in the packaging machine (V) along a transport direction (T) by means of a plurality of separation elements (53, 55) of the same or different type, in particular for producing perforations and / or peel corner cuts in the material web (23).

36. Separation unit (51) according to claim 35, wherein the separation unit (51) defines a separation plane (S) parallel to the material web (23) during operation, a working direction (W) perpendicular to the separation plane (S) and a working width (B) parallel to the separation plane (S) and perpendicular to the transport direction (T), corresponding to the width of a respective material web (23). Separation unit (51) according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the separation unit comprises a base (57, 59) on or in which the separation elements (53, 55) are movably mounted relative to the base (57, 59) in a working direction (W), in particular wherein the separation elements (53, 55) can be adjusted by means of a drive (63) between a passive position, in particular with separation elements (53, 55) retracted into openings (53a, 55a) of the base (57, 59), and an active position, in particular with separation elements (53, 55) extended out of openings (53a, 53b) of the base (57, 59) and through a separation plane (S). Separating unit (51) according to one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the separating elements (53, 55) are arranged individually or in groups or all together in a replaceable manner on the base (57, 59).Separation unit (51) according to any one of claims 35 to 38, wherein the base (57, 59) comprises a base part (57), in particular a lid-like base part, and a support (59), in particular a support frame (59), attached to the base part (57), on the side of which facing away from the base part (57) a separation plane (S) is located, in particular wherein the support (59) is slidable into a receiving space (77) of the base part (57). Separation unit (51) according to any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein the separation elements (53, 55) are attached to at least one holding unit (61), in particular at least one holding plate (61), which is adjustable by means of a drive (63).

41. Separating unit (51) according to claim 40, wherein the holding unit (61) is arranged on the side facing the base part (57) or on the side of the carrier (59) facing away from the base part (57).

42. Separating unit (51) according to claim 40 or 41, wherein the holding unit (61) is movably mounted on the base (57, 59), in particular on a support (59) of the base (57, 59) in a working direction (W).

43. Separating unit (51) according to one of claims 40 to 42, wherein the holding unit (61) is receptible into a recess (71) of the base (57, 59), in particular of a support (59) of the base (57, 59).

44. Separating unit (51) according to one of claims 40 to 43, wherein the holding unit (61) can be inserted into the base (57, 59).

45. Separation unit (51) according to one of claims 40 to 44, wherein the holding unit (61) is arranged on a side of the base (57, 59) facing the material web (23) to be processed during operation, in particular in the case of a separation unit (51) located above the material web (23) during operation, on the underside of the base (57, 59).

46. ​​Separating unit (51) according to one of claims 40 to 45, wherein the holding unit (61) is a separate, in particular modular, assembly which is arranged interchangeably on the base (57, 59) and is in particular tool-free mountable. Separating unit (51) according to one of claims 40 to 46, wherein the base part (57), the carrier (59) and the holding unit (61) form a plurality of separate, in particular modular, assemblies arranged one above the other in the working direction (W) and in particular can be assembled without tools.Separating unit (51) according to one of claims 35 to 47, wherein one or more individual drives, in particular one or more pneumatic cylinders or one or more electric motors, preferably one or more servo motors, are provided as a drive for adjusting the separating elements (53, 55) or a holding unit (61) to which the separating elements (53, 55) are attached, or wherein a pressure unit (63), in particular a pressure plate (63), is provided as a drive for adjusting the separating elements (53, 55) or a holding unit (61) to which the separating elements (53, 55) are attached, which can be actuated with compressed air connectable to the separating unit (51) and is designed to adjust the separating elements (53, 55) or the holding unit (61) between the passive position and the active position. Separation unit (51) according to one of claims 35 to 48, wherein the separation unit (51) further comprises the features of at least one of claims 2 to 20.Forming station or upper part of a forming station or lower part of a forming station for a packaging machine (V) for packaging food products (10), comprising a separation unit according to one of claims 1 to 20 or according to one of claims 35 to 49. Forming station according to claim 50, wherein the station is a forming station or a combined heating and forming station (12) configured to form recesses (29) in the material web (23) by forming it, in particular wherein the station is configured for forming without heat or for forming by thermoforming. Forming station according to claim 50 or 51, wherein the station is configured to perform the forming of the material web (23) by compressed air forming, by vacuum forming, by combined compressed air and vacuum forming, or by die forming.Forming station according to one of claims 50 to 52, wherein the separating unit (51) is a component of an upper part or a lower part of the forming station (12), or wherein the separating unit (51) forms the upper part or the lower part of the forming station (12), in particular wherein the separating unit (51) is designed as a tool or as a part of a complete tool for forming the material web (23), preferably cooperating with a counter unit (85) arranged on the other side of the material web (23) opposite the separating unit (51) during operation, in particular for forming the material web (23) by compressed air forming, by vacuum forming, by combined compressed air and vacuum forming or by die forming. Forming station according to one of claims 50 to 53, wherein the separating unit (51) forming a component of an upper part or a lower part of the forming station (12) or the separating unit (51) forming the upper part or the lower part of the forming station (12) comprises a base (57, 59) that is stationary in operation with respect to a working direction (W) and the separating elements (53, 55) are adjustable relative to the base (57, 59) between a passive position and an active position in order to process the material web (23).

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