Protective slide for a work machine

Abstract

Protective slide (150) for a machine (100) for processing packaging material (130), the protective slide (150) comprising a mounting element (260) for connecting the protective slide (150) to a machine (100), a protective element (251) movably arranged relative to the mounting element, a first sensor element (252) and a second sensor element (253) fixedly arranged on the mounting element (260), wherein the protective element (251) can be moved relative to the mounting element (260) between a release position and a protective position, and wherein the first sensor element (252) and the second sensor element (253) are configured to make contact in the protective position of the protective element (251) and to output a signal indicative of contact, wherein the first sensor element (252) is arranged such thatthat it can be moved along with the protective element (251) and that a movement amplitude of the first sensor element (252) is greater than a movement amplitude of the protective element (251).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective slide for a machine in the packaging industry according to claim 1, as well as a machine for processing packaging material in the packaging industry according to claim 7 and a method for processing packaging material with a machine in the packaging industry according to claim 10. State of the art

[0002] The packaging industry employs a wide variety of machinery. This includes, for example, machines that process packaging materials (such as plastic). For instance, a thermoforming machine can create packaging cavities in a film web or, more generally, a film body. A filling machine then places the product (such as sausage or cheese) into these cavities, and a sealing station seals the filled cavities with a top film.

[0003] Common packaging machines include not only transport devices for the packaging material being processed, but also frequently components (such as the upper and lower tools of a sealing station) that can be moved towards and away from each other to process the packaging material placed between them. Such components and their movement relative to each other pose a potential risk of injury to an operator if the operator can reach into the working area of ​​the machine where the packaging material is being processed.

[0004] Various methods are known from the state of the art to avoid or prevent the operator's access to the work area as far as possible.

[0005] For example, DE 10 2021 104 083 A1 and DE 39 25 796 A1 disclose devices that can block an opening in the machine, through which packaging material can be fed into or removed from the work area, preventing intervention by an operator. These devices are designed as protective slides and are typically positioned in front of the openings of the machine in such a way that intervention by an operator into the work area is prevented during a work operation. It is also known to use suitable sensors to determine whether the protective slide is in the desired position before the work operation is carried out.

[0006] To meet safety requirements, it must be ensured that an operator cannot accidentally enter the work area even when the safety gate is in the protective position. This requires reliable detection of this protective position and even slight deviations of the actual position of the safety gate from this position, which necessitates complex sensor units. Consequently, the overall required installation space for the safety gate is large, which can impact the required installation space for a packaging system. Task

[0007] Based on the known state of the art, the technical problem to be solved is therefore to specify a protective slide for a machine in the packaging industry and a method for processing packaging material with a machine in the packaging industry, which ensure reliable protection of an operator against accidental access to a working area of ​​a machine and at the same time achieve a reduced size. Solution

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by the protective slide for a machine in the packaging industry according to independent claim 1, the machine in the packaging industry according to independent claim 7, and the method for processing packaging material with a machine in the packaging industry according to independent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0009] The protective slide according to the invention for a machine for processing packaging material comprises a mounting element for connecting the protective slide to a machine, a protective element movably arranged relative to the mounting element, a first sensor element and a second sensor element fixedly arranged on the mounting element, wherein the protective element can be moved relative to the mounting element between a release position and a protective position, and wherein the first sensor element and the second sensor element are configured to make contact in the protective position of the protective element and to output a signal indicative of contact, wherein the first sensor element is arranged so that it can be moved with the protective element and a movement amplitude of the first sensor element is greater than a movement amplitude of the protective element.

[0010] The contact can be either a physical contact between the first and second sensor elements or a contact mediated by forces, such as electromagnetic forces. For example, if a threshold value of a magnetic force exerted on the second sensor element by the first sensor element is exceeded, the second sensor element can detect contact with the first sensor element and output a corresponding signal indicative of this contact.

[0011] The term "amplitude of movement" refers to the distance traveled between a first point and a second point. The fact that the amplitude of movement of the first sensor element is greater than the amplitude of movement of the protective element is not limited to the total distance traveled by the first sensor element during the movement of the protective element from the first position to the second position being greater than the distance traveled by the protective element between the first and second positions. According to the invention, it is sufficient if the amplitude of movement of the first sensor element is greater, at least between a first point occupied by the protective element and a second point coinciding with the protective position, than the distance traveled by the protective element between the first and second points.This translates a comparatively small stroke or, more generally, distance traveled by the protective element into a larger distance traveled by the first sensor element.

[0012] This means that even small changes in the position of the protective element, compared to its protective position, have a comparatively large effect on the position of the first sensor element. Therefore, the accuracy with which it is determined whether the protective element is in the protective position can be precisely ascertained by whether or not contact is made. This increases operator protection while simultaneously reducing the required installation space and the complexity of the sensors.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first and second sensor elements together form a magnetic circuit, optionally comprising an actuated magnetic switch and the first sensor element a magnet for actuating the magnetic switch. Thus, the first and second sensor elements together implement the circuit, with one sensor element comprising the actuated magnetic switch and the other the magnet. Magnetic circuits can be reliably actuated even over many operating cycles, ensuring operator protection even over extended periods of operation.

[0014] It can be provided that the movement amplitude of the first sensor element in a first movement segment, which includes the release position, is less than or equal to the movement amplitude of the guard element in the first movement segment, and that the movement amplitude of the first sensor element in a second movement segment, which includes the guard position, is greater than the movement amplitude of the guard element in the second movement segment. In the first movement segment, the first sensor element can, in particular, move along with the guard element such that the distance of any point of the first sensor element to any point of the guard element remains constant during the movement. In the second movement segment, the first sensor element is moved with a movement amplitude greater than that of the guard element, so that at least parts of the first sensor element experience movement relative to the guard element.Since the advantageous increase in the movement amplitude of the first sensor element for the protective effect is only relevant in the area of ​​the protective position of the protective element in order to determine this correctly (by actuating the second sensor element), this embodiment achieves a constructive simplification, in particular a reduced space requirement for the movement of the first sensor element.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first sensor element is arranged on a lever rotatably mounted about an axis, the axis dividing the lever into a first lever arm and a second lever arm. The second lever arm is shorter than the first lever arm, and the first sensor element is located on the first lever arm. The protective slide includes a stop against which the second lever arm can abut when the protective element moves toward the protective position, so that by rotating the lever about the axis, the first sensor element can be moved toward the second sensor element. This mechanical design for realizing the different movement amplitudes of the first sensor element and the protective element is reliable and exhibits low wear, thus ensuring reliable determination of the protective position of the protective element even during extended periods of operation.

[0016] It is possible for the first lever arm to have a greater mass than the second lever arm. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the protective element is lower in the release position than in the protected position, but is not limited to this. Due to the different masses of the first and second lever arms, the first sensor element can be reliably brought into a desired initial position by the torque acting on the lever, so that contact with the second sensor element can preferably only be effected by moving the protective element into the protected position, which increases the reliability of detecting that the protective element has assumed the protected position.

[0017] In one embodiment, the protective slide includes a reset element arranged such that, when the protective element moves from the protective position to the release position, the reset element moves the first sensor element away from the second sensor element. This prevents the first sensor element from unintentionally remaining close to or in contact with the second sensor element.

[0018] In one embodiment, the protective element and its range of motion define a region, and the mounting element, first sensor element, and second sensor element are arranged outside this region. The region here is understood as the total space occupied by the protective element during its range of motion and can, for example, be represented as the resulting space obtained when a surface completely surrounding the protective element moves along the range of motion. In this embodiment, the first and second sensor elements are therefore not arranged within a region traversed by the protective element, which allows for a more compact design and, for example, enables the first and second sensor elements to be arranged below this region (e.g., when the protective element is moved vertically).This reduces the space required for the protective slide.

[0019] The machine according to the invention for processing packaging material comprises a feed opening for feeding packaging material, a working chamber for processing packaging material, a discharge opening for removing processed packaging material from the working chamber, and a protective slide, for example according to one of the preceding embodiments, in the area of ​​the feed opening and / or in the area of ​​the discharge opening, wherein the protective slide is arranged such that the protective element, in the protective position, blocks access to the feed opening and / or the discharge opening by an operator. This machine enables the safe processing of packaging material.

[0020] The protective element can be designed so that, in its protective position, it allows the transport of packaging material into the feed opening and / or the transport of processed packaging material out of the discharge opening. The packaging material could be, for example, a film web, film blanks, or connected or separate packaging trays. While the packaging material can still be fed into the protective position, access to the work area by an operator is prevented. This allows the throughput of the machine to be increased while maintaining the same level of operator safety.

[0021] The machine can include a sealing station, a thermoforming machine, an insertion machine, an inspection device, and / or a disinfection device. The use of a protective slide is advantageous for these machines due to the continuous feed of packaging material.

[0022] According to the invention, a method for processing packaging material with a machine is provided, wherein the machine comprises a feed opening for feeding packaging material, a working chamber, a discharge opening for removing processed packaging material from the working chamber, and a protective slide, wherein the protective slide is connected to the machine via a mounting element of the protective slide and comprises a protective element movably arranged relative to the mounting element, a first sensor element, and a second sensor element fixedly arranged on the mounting element, wherein the protective element can be moved relative to the mounting element between a release position and a protective position, and wherein the first sensor element and the second sensor element come into contact in the protective position of the protective element and output a signal indicative of contact, wherein the first sensor element is arranged such thatthat it moves along with the protective element and the movement amplitude of the first sensor element is greater than the movement amplitude of the protective element, wherein the method includes releasing a work step of the machine by a control unit of the machine based on receiving the signal indicative of contact. This method allows for the safe processing of packaging material even in the presence of an operator.

[0023] It can be provided that the movement amplitude of the first sensor element in a first movement section, which includes the release position, is less than or equal to the movement amplitude of the protective element in the first movement section, and that the movement amplitude of the first sensor element in a second movement section, which includes the protective position, is greater than the movement amplitude of the protective element in the second movement section. This allows for a compact design of the working machine and, in particular, of the protective slide, thus reducing the required space.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first sensor element is arranged on a lever rotatably mounted about an axis, the axis dividing the lever into a first lever arm and a second lever arm, the second lever arm being shorter than the first lever arm, and the first sensor element being arranged on the first lever arm. The protective slide includes a stop against which the second lever arm abuts when the protective element moves toward the protective position, and the first sensor element is moved toward the second sensor element by rotating the lever about the axis. This mechanical design allows for reliable determination of the protective element's position in the protective position.

[0025] It is possible for the first lever arm to have a greater mass than the second lever arm. This ensures reliable resetting of the first sensor element, as the lever is forced into a starting position by the acting torques.

[0026] In one embodiment, the protective slide includes a reset element, and when the protective element moves from the protected position to the released position, the reset element moves the first sensor element away from the second sensor element. This ensures reliable detection of movement of the protective element out of the protected position.

[0027] The protective element and its range of motion can define a zone, and the mounting element, first sensor element, and second sensor element can be located outside this zone. This design allows for a compact construction.

[0028] It can be provided that the first and second sensor elements together form a magnetic circuit, with the second sensor element optionally comprising an actuating magnetic switch and the first sensor element a magnet for actuating the magnetic switch. This embodiment also allows for prolonged operation while maintaining the same level of operator protection against injury.

[0029] Each of the preceding embodiments can be combined with each of the further described embodiments within the meaning of the present disclosure. Brief description of the characters Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a working machine with a protective slide according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 shows a feed opening with a protective slide according to one embodiment. Fig. Figures 3 to 5 show a movement sequence of the protective element and the first sensor element according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a return element. Detailed description

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a processing machine 100 as part of a packaging machine 10. The processing machine is designed to process packaging material 130, which may be in the form of one or more continuous film webs or connected or individual packaging trays (already filled or unfilled). The invention is not limited in this respect or with regard to the design of the processing machine. In the embodiment shown here, the processing machine 100 is configured as an exemplary sealing station.

[0031] Sealing stations are generally known from the prior art and typically comprise an upper tool 101, a lower tool 102, and an intermediate working chamber 103 in which the processing of product-filled packaging trays 130 takes place. The upper tool 101 and the lower tool 102 can be moved towards each other as indicated by the double arrow, so that the filled packaging trays and a sealing film applied to the packaging trays in the sealing station can be brought into contact with each other and bonded together by the application of heat to seal the packaging.

[0032] The machine 100 typically comprises a feed opening 144 and a discharge opening 143, which, as shown here, can be arranged on opposite sides of the machine, with the feed opening 154 being located in the transport direction T of the packaging material 130 in front of the discharge opening 143, and the feed opening 144 and the discharge opening 143 being able to delimit the working space 103. The feed opening and the discharge opening 144 and 143 can, for example, be formed as openings in a protective wall or a casing of the machine 100.

[0033] The machine is shown here as an example of a transport device 141, which can feed packaging material 130 to the machine 100, and a transport device 142, which can remove processed packaging material from the machine 100. The design of the transport devices 141 and 142 is not restricted. They can, for example, be conveyor belts and / or grippers, and the transport devices 141 and 142 can be designed according to suitability and, in particular, do not have to be identical.

[0034] While Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a machine 100 in the form of a sealing station, but other embodiments of the machine are also possible. In particular, the machine can be configured as a sealing station, a thermoforming machine, an insertion machine, an inspection device, or a disinfection device. A packaging system comprising one or more of these machines, for example, arranged in series in the direction of transport of packaging material, is also conceivable.

[0035] The feed opening 144 and the discharge opening 143, as openings into the working chamber 103, inherently pose a risk of injury, since an operator of the machine could reach into the working chamber 103 while the machine is in operation. At the same time, the feed opening and the discharge opening must be large enough to allow for any necessary repairs or the removal of packaging material in the event of a malfunction of the machine.

[0036] To minimize the risk of injury to an operator during operation of the machine 100, the invention provides, at least in front of the feed opening 144 and / or the discharge opening 143, a protective slide 150, shown schematically here, which is arranged and designed to reduce or close the feed opening and / or the discharge opening to such an extent that an operator cannot reach into the working area 103 during operation of the machine 100. In the case of a machine operating in cycles, this can include ensuring that the work step of the machine (using the example of the Fig. 1 for example, the movement of the upper tool 101 and the lower tool 102 towards each other can only be carried out if the protective slide or a protective element of the protective slide has been moved into a protective position that avoids as much as possible an operator's access to the working space 103 by making the remaining opening so small that, for example, no finger or arm can be extended through it into the working space 103.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a protective slide according to one embodiment in relation to the working machine 100. In the Fig. Figure 2 shows the machine again as an example, specifically as a sealing station with an upper tool 101 and a lower tool 102, which are arranged to be movable relative to each other. In this embodiment, the protective slide 250 comprises a mounting element 260, which can be connected via one or more suitable connecting elements, for example, screws 261, to the stationary lower tool 102 or another preferably stationary part (for example, a housing in which the feed opening 144 or the discharge opening 143 is formed) of the machine 100. In this sense, the mounting element 260 functions as a stationary frame relative to which the protective slide 251 is arranged to be moved in the direction of the double arrow shown and to close or open the feed opening 144 (or the discharge opening 143).When the following refers to the position of the protective slide 251 in the area of ​​the feed opening 144, it is understood that all embodiments of the protective slide and each of its parts as well as their function are also applicable to a positioning of the protective slide in front of the discharge opening 143 or for one protective slide in front of each of these openings.

[0038] In the embodiment shown here, moving the protective slide 251 upwards reduces the size of the feed opening 144. Moving it downwards enlarges the feed opening. Positioning the protective slide in front of the feed opening 144 in such a way that an operator can no longer access the working area is referred to as the protective position. Positioning the protective slide in front of the feed opening in a way that allows an operator to access it is referred to as the release position.

[0039] It may be planned that packaging material will be supplied (in the Fig. (2 not shown) into the working chamber 103 of the machine is possible both in the release position of the protective slide 251, in which the working chamber 103 is accessible through the feed opening 144, and in the protective position, in which the working chamber 103 is not accessible to the operator through the feed opening 144. This is particularly advantageous with a continuous feed of packaging material. In alternative embodiments, in which, for example, separate pieces of packaging material are fed into the working chamber 103 during intermittent operation of the machine, it can be provided that no further packaging material is fed into the working chamber 103 through the feed opening during a work step. In this embodiment, the protective slide 251 can be provided to completely close the feed opening, so that no further supply of packaging material (or, analogously, no discharge of packaging material from the discharge opening) is possible.

[0040] To move the protective element 251 relative to the mounting element 260 and relative to the feed opening 144, a drive element 270, for example in the form of a pneumatic cylinder, can be provided, which is operatively connected to the protective element 251 and can set it in motion. Instead of a pneumatic cylinder, a servo drive or an actuator can also be used, for example.

[0041] According to the invention, the protective slide further comprises a first sensor element 252, which is connected to the protective element 251 in such a way that it can be moved at least partially with the protective element 251. For this purpose, for example, a connecting element 254, such as a suspension for the first sensor element 252, can be provided, on which the first sensor element 252 is arranged and which is rigidly connected to the protective element 251, so that the connecting element 254 follows the movement of the protective element 251.

[0042] Furthermore, the protective slide 250 includes a second sensor element 253. The second sensor element 253 is arranged in a fixed position relative to the mounting element 260, and can in particular be attached to the mounting element 260.

[0043] According to the invention, the first sensor element and the second sensor element can interact in such a way that they output a signal indicative of (for example, touching or physical) contact. The arrangement of the first sensor element 252 relative to the protective element 251 around the arrangement of the second sensor element 253 is designed such that the first sensor element and the second sensor element are in touching contact with each other when the protective element 251 is in the protective position, but in all other positions of the protective element, the first sensor element and the second sensor element do not have (touching or physical) contact.

[0044] When the first and second sensor elements are in physical contact, they can output a signal indicating the contact, which can be transmitted to a control unit 280, shown schematically here. The control unit 280 could, for example, be a computer with memory and a processor unit, which has suitable programming to receive and, if necessary, process the signal indicating the contact.

[0045] Preferably, the control unit 280 can enable or disable the operation of the working machine and, in particular, the execution of a work step of the working machine (for example, sealing packaging or moving the upper tool 101 and the lower tool 102 towards each other) based on the received signal.

[0046] Preferably, the control unit only enables the operation step when the signal indicating contact is received, as the protective element 251 is then in the protective position, thus preventing operator intervention in the work area. If such a signal is not received, the control unit can block or disable the operation step, thereby minimizing the risk of operator injury.

[0047] Since the protective element 251 is typically moved back and forth between the protective and release positions during continuous operation of the machine, the first and / or second sensor elements can be designed to output a signal at regular intervals (e.g., every 2 ms to 50 ms, preferably every 2 ms to 5 ms) indicating whether or not contact has occurred between the first and second sensor elements. After evaluating this signal, the control unit can then determine (almost) in real time and essentially continuously whether a work step can be released or remains blocked.It can be provided that if the control unit receives a signal indicating that there is no contact between the first sensor element and the second sensor element, the control unit blocks the operation and only releases it again when the control unit receives a signal indicating that there is contact between the first sensor element and the second sensor element.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first sensor element 252 and the second sensor element 253 together form a magnetic circuit. One of the sensor elements comprises a magnet, and the other sensor element comprises a magnetic switch that can be actuated by the magnet, thus generating a signal indicating that the magnetic switch has been actuated by the magnet. Preferably, the magnetic switch is implemented as or as part of the second sensor element 253, and the magnet is or is part of the first sensor element 252. Since the magnetic switch requires a power supply and, optionally, a physical data connection to the control unit 280, this embodiment has the advantage that the cable routing to and / or from the magnetic switch does not need to be moved during operation of the machine, which reduces the potential for errors.

[0049] According to the invention, the movement amplitude of the first sensor element 252 is greater than the movement amplitude of the protective element 251. This means that when the protective element 251 moves from a first point to a second point, it covers a distance of length L. The first sensor element 252, which essentially follows the movement of the protective element 251 via the connecting element 254, covers a greater distance. This need not apply to the entire movement of the first sensor element 252 as it follows the movement of the protective element 251 from the release position to the protected position, but rather, according to the invention, this applies at least to a portion of the overall movement of the protective element from the release position to the protected position.

[0050] The movement of the protective element 251 from the release position to the protected position can be divided into a first movement section and a second movement section. The first movement section comprises the release position itself and another point on the path of the protective element 251 from the release position to the protected position, whereby the other point does not correspond to the protected position of the protective element 251. In this movement section, the movement amplitude of the protective element 251 can be identical to the movement amplitude of the first sensor element 252, or the movement amplitude of the first sensor element 252 can be smaller than the movement amplitude of the protective element 251 in this first movement section.

[0051] The second movement phase can extend from this point to the protective position. In this movement phase, the total distance traveled by the first sensor element 252 (i.e., its movement amplitude) is greater than the movement amplitude of the protective element. This means that a comparatively small change in the position of the protective element 251 around the protective position is translated into a large change in the position of the first sensor element 252, resulting in a greater change in the distance to the second sensor element 253 compared to the change in the position of the protective element 251. This increases the sensitivity of the sensor formed by the first and second sensor elements to the position of the protective element 251, since contact is determined by the movement of the first sensor element relative to the second sensor element and thus by their distance from each other.

[0052] In one embodiment, this different movement amplitude of the first sensor element 252 and the protective element 251 is achieved by the mounting element comprising a stop 255 against which the sensor element 252, or an element on which the first sensor element 252 is arranged, can move and relative to which the first sensor element 252 can be rotated. As in the embodiments of the Fig. 3 and Fig. As described in section 5, a comparatively small change in the position of the protective element 251 can be transformed into a comparatively large change in the position of the first sensor element 252 relative to the second sensor element 253.

[0053] To illustrate this, the Fig. 3 to 5 the sequence of movements when the protective element moves from the release position ( Fig. 3) into the protective position ( Fig. 5).

[0054] In Fig. 3 is the protective element 251 in the release position. A sensor is not strictly necessary to detect the position of the protective element 251 in the release position, since the essential factor in protecting the operator from injury is that the protective element 251 can be reliably detected in the protective position. However, it may be provided that a contact sensor 395 is arranged, for example, on the mounting element 260, which comes into contact with the protective element 251 when the protective element is positioned in the release position. This sensor can send a signal to the control unit 280 (see Fig. 2) transmitting, which thus additionally receives the information that the protective element is in the release position. This can be used, for example, to signal to the operator that they can intervene in the working area of ​​the machine. However, this is only optional.

[0055] In the embodiment shown here, the first sensor element 252 is located at a distance h from the stop 255. In this embodiment, the first sensor element 252 is arranged on a lever rotatably mounted about a rotational axis R. The enlarged schematic view in the Fig. Figure 3 shows that the lever 390 is arranged on the axis of rotation R such that the axis of rotation R divides the lever into a first lever arm 391 and a second lever arm 392. The first sensor element is arranged on the first lever arm 391, and the length L1 of the first lever arm 391 is greater than the length L2 of the second lever arm. Preferably, the mass of the first lever arm 391 may also be greater than the mass of the second lever arm 392. Without further physical contact, for example with the stop 255, the torque exerted on the lever by the different masses of the lever arms causes the lever to be arranged in the initial position shown here, without contact with the stop 255. The movement of the first lever arm 391 with the first sensor element in a direction of rotation away from the protective element 251, i.e., in the illustration of the Fig. The downward movement of lever arm 3 can also be limited by a stop (not shown here). Without such a stop, the lever will move in response to the torque in such a way that the first lever arm 391 points vertically downwards, as this represents the energy minimum.

[0056] In Fig. Figure 4 depicts a situation in which the protective element 251 (not shown here) is extended by the height h1, which is measured at a distance h from the Fig. 3 is identical, having been moved from the release position towards the protection position. During this movement, the first sensor element 252, from position 491 (shown here with dashed lines), follows the position of the protection element, and the shorter lever arm 392 comes into contact with the stop 255 at the end of the movement from the original position 491. This movement segment is chosen such that the lever 490, on which the first sensor element 252 is located, has not yet rotated about the axis of rotation R. Accordingly, the movement amplitude of the first sensor element 252 during this movement segment is identical to the movement amplitude of the protection element 251 (both cover the distance h).

[0057] In the situation depicted here, the protective element has not yet been moved into the protective position, but must still be moved further in that direction. For example, the length h1 can correspond to 90% of the total distance traveled by the protective element from the release position to the protective position.

[0058] As the protective element moves further, the lever arm 392 no longer moves beyond the stop 255 due to the fixed position of the stop 255. Instead, the lever is rotated about the axis of rotation R, as shown in Fig. 5 is shown.

[0059] The protective element 251 is now moved a distance Δ towards the protective position, reaching the protective position after traveling a distance of length Δ. The protective element has therefore traveled a total distance of h + Δ.

[0060] As in the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, during this movement of the protective element by the distance Δ, the lever 590 now rotates from the position shown in Figure 5. Fig. The position 589, shown in dashed lines, moves out by an angle α. This is linked to a movement of the first sensor element 552 by a distance h2. If the angle α is expressed in fractions of 2π, the movement amplitude of the first sensor element corresponds to... 252α2πL1, where L1 is the distance of the first sensor element 552 from the axis of rotation R along the lever 590, which for the purpose of explanation is the length of the first lever arm (see Fig. 2) was equated. The distance traveled by the shorter lever arm corresponds to the distance Δ traveled by the first protective element and can be approximated as follows: α2πL2 (with L2 being the length of the lever arm measured from the axis of rotation R).

[0061] Thus, the ratio of the movement amplitude of the first sensor element to the movement amplitude Δ of the protective element 251 is approximately L1 / L2 and therefore greater than 1, so that the first sensor element 552 experiences a larger movement amplitude compared to the movement amplitude Δ.

[0062] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the first sensor element is in contact with the second sensor element at the end of this movement, so that an indicative signal for this contact can be output.

[0063] The sensor formed by the first sensor element 552 and the second sensor element 553 can have a tolerance that leads to the output of a corresponding signal indicative of contact even if this contact has not yet been established. However, due to the ratio of the movement amplitude of the protective element and the movement amplitude of the first sensor element, this corresponds to an even smaller movement of the protective element out of the protective position. This improves the accuracy with which the positioning of the protective element in the protective position can be determined.

[0064] Furthermore, a position of the protective element slightly outside the protective position results in a comparatively large distance between the first sensor element and the second sensor element, so that even with a slight deviation of the position of the protective element from the protective position no contact is made between the first sensor element and the second sensor element, so that the control unit can reliably block the work step of the machine.

[0065] Accuracy and sensitivity can be increased by increasing the ratio of L1 to L2. For example, the length L1 of the first lever arm, on which the first sensor element 552 is arranged, can be at least three times, preferably five times, and most preferably seven times as long as the length L2 of the shorter lever arm. In the latter case, a deviation of 1 mm in the position of the protective element from the protective position can be translated into an approximate distance of 7 mm between the first and second sensor elements. This allows for the highly accurate detection of deviations in the position of the protective element 251 from the protective position, thus ensuring the safe operation of the machine.

[0066] Fig. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment in which the protective slide also includes a return element 695. In this embodiment, the return element is fixed relative to the mounting element 260 and can, in particular, be rigidly connected to it (for example, by means of screws). The return element 695 is preferably arranged such that the lever arm 392 moves towards the protective position when the protective element is moved (see Figure 6). Fig. 3 to 5) can be guided past the return element at a distance D in the direction of the stop 255. As with reference to the Fig. As described in 3 to 5, when the stop 255 is reached, the lever arm 392 of the lever 490 is rotated around the axis of rotation R and the lever arm 391 is rotated in the direction of the second sensor element 253, so that the first sensor element 252 and the second sensor element 253 can come into contact when the protective element reaches the protective position.

[0067] In this position, the second lever arm 392 extends over a distance P in one direction over the restoring element 695, as shown here.

[0068] When the protective slide is moved from the protective position back towards the release position, this movement causes the second lever arm 392 to rotate about the axis of rotation R. This rotation is effected by the stationary return element 695, since the second lever arm 392, in the protective position of the protective element, extends at least partially over the return element 695. The return element 695 thus ensures that the first sensor element 252 is moved away from the second sensor element 253 when the protective element is moved from the protective position to the release position. This embodiment ensures that the lever arm 392, and consequently also the first lever arm 391 and the first sensor element 252, are reliably moved away from the second sensor element 253 when the protective element is moved from the protective position to the release position.

[0069] The reset element may comprise a support surface 698 pointing towards the stop 255 and / or a side surface 697 that slopes downwards from the stop 255 and is at least partially curved. The second lever arm 392 can rest on the support surface when the protective element is in the protective position. This allows the second lever arm 392 to be positioned between the stop 255, which extends above the second lever arm 392, and the support surface 698. This prevents the second lever arm 392 from being unintentionally moved outwards, thus maintaining contact between the first sensor element 252 and the second sensor element 253 as long as the protective element is in the protective position.

[0070] The curved side surface can advantageously ensure that the second lever arm 392 can be moved out of the position it occupies when the protective element is in the protective position, without jamming, when the protective element is moved from the protective position to the release position.

[0071] Preferably, the second lever arm 392 can comprise a receiving area 696 limited by the material of the second lever arm in the direction of the stop 255, into which the return element 695 can engage when the second lever arm 392 is rotated.

[0072] In addition to enabling and disabling a work step of the machine based on the position of the safety slide, the machine may also include a film detection mechanism, which is located, for example, in the work area and / or in the feed opening and / or the discharge opening and is designed to detect the presence and / or absence of packaging material, at least in the work area. Regardless of the position of the safety slide, the work step or a function of the machine may also be disabled if the film detection mechanism determines that no packaging material is present in the work area.

Claims

[1] Protective slide (150) for a machine (100) for processing packaging material (130), the protective slide (150) comprising a mounting element (260) for connecting the protective slide (150) to a machine (100), a protective element (251) movably arranged relative to the mounting element, a first sensor element (252) and a second sensor element (253) fixedly arranged on the mounting element (260), wherein the protective element (251) can be moved relative to the mounting element (260) between a release position and a protective position, and wherein the first sensor element (252) and the second sensor element (253) are configured to make contact in the protective position of the protective element (251) and to output a signal indicative of contact, wherein the first sensor element (252) is arranged such thatthat it can be moved along with the protective element (251) and that a movement amplitude of the first sensor element (252) is greater than a movement amplitude of the protective element (251). [2] Protective slide (150) according to claim 1, wherein the first sensor element (252) and the second sensor element (253) together form a magnetic circuit, wherein optionally the second sensor element (253) comprises an actuable magnetic switch and the first sensor element (252) comprises a magnet for actuating the magnetic switch. [3] Protective slide (150) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement amplitude of the first sensor element (252) in a first movement section comprising the release position is less than or equal to the movement amplitude of the protective element (251) in the first movement section and wherein the movement amplitude of the first sensor element (252) in a second movement section comprising the guard position is greater than the movement amplitude of the protective element (251) in the second movement section. [4] Protective slide (150) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first sensor element (252) is arranged on a lever (390) rotatably mounted about an axis (R), wherein the axis divides the lever (390) into a first lever arm (391) and a second lever arm (392), wherein the second lever arm (392) is shorter than the first lever arm (391) and the first sensor element (252) is arranged on the first lever arm, wherein the protective slide (150) comprises a stop (255) against which the second lever arm (392) can abut when the protective element (251) is moved in the direction of the protective position, so that by rotating the lever (390) about the axis (R) the first sensor element (252) can be moved in the direction of the second sensor element (253), wherein optionally the first lever arm (391) has a larger mass than the second lever arm (392). [5] Protective slide (150) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protective slide comprises a return element (695) arranged such that the return element (695) moves the first sensor element (252) away from the second sensor element (253) when the protective element (251) is moved from the protective position to the release position. [6] Protective slide (150) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protective element (251) and the movement amplitude of the protective element define a region and the mounting element (260), the first sensor element (252) and the second sensor element (253) are arranged outside the region. [7] Processing machine (100) for processing packaging material (130), the processing machine comprising a feed opening (144) for feeding packaging material, a working chamber (103) for processing packaging material, a discharge opening (143) for discharging processed packaging material from the working chamber (103) and a protective slide (150) according to one of claims 1 to 6 in the area of ​​the feed opening (144) and / or in the area of ​​the discharge opening (143), wherein the protective slide (150) is arranged such that the protective element (251) in the protective position blocks access to the feed opening (144) and / or the discharge opening (143) by an operator. [8] Working machine (100) according to claim 7, wherein the protective element (251) in the protective position enables the transport of packaging material into the feed opening (144) and / or the transport of processed packaging material out of the discharge opening (143). [9] Working machine (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the working machine (100) comprises a sealing station, a thermoforming machine, an insertion machine, an inspection device and / or a disinfection device. [10] Method for processing packaging material (130) with a machine (100), wherein the machine comprises a feed opening (144) for feeding packaging material, a working chamber (103), a discharge opening (143) for discharging processed packaging material from the working chamber (103) and a protective slide (150), wherein the protective slide (150) is connected to the machine (100) via a mounting element (260) of the protective slide (150) and comprises a protective element (251) movably arranged relative to the mounting element (260), a first sensor element (252) and a second sensor element (253) fixedly arranged on the mounting element,wherein the protective element (251) can be moved relative to the mounting element (260) between a release position and a protective position, and wherein the first sensor element (252) and the second sensor element (253) come into contact in the protective position of the protective element (251) and output a signal indicative of contact, wherein the first sensor element (252) is arranged such that it moves with the protective element (251) and a movement amplitude of the first sensor element (252) is greater than a movement amplitude of the protective element (251), wherein the method comprises releasing a work step of the working machine (100) by a control unit (280) of the working machine (100) based on receiving the signal indicative of contact. [11] Method according to claim 10, wherein the movement amplitude of the first sensor element (252) in a first movement section comprising the release position is less than or equal to the movement amplitude of the protective element (251) in the first movement section and wherein the movement amplitude of the first sensor element (252) in a second movement section comprising the protection position is greater than the movement amplitude of the protective element (251) in the second movement section. [12] Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first sensor element (252) is arranged on a lever (390) rotatably mounted about an axis (R), wherein the axis divides the lever into a first lever arm (391) and a second lever arm (392), wherein the second lever arm (392) is shorter than the first lever arm (391) and the first sensor element (252) is arranged on the first lever arm, wherein the protective slide (150) comprises a stop (255) against which the second lever arm (392) abuts when the protective element (251) is moved in the direction of the protective position and the first sensor element (252) is moved in the direction of the second sensor element (253) by a rotation of the lever (390) about the axis, wherein optionally the first lever arm (391) has a larger mass than the second lever arm (392). [13] Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the protective slider comprises a reset element (695) and wherein the first sensor element is moved away from the second sensor element (253) by the reset element (695) when the protective element (251) is moved from the protective position to the release position. [14] Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the protective element (251) and the movement amplitude of the protective element define a region and the mounting element (260), the first sensor element (252) and the second sensor element (253) are arranged outside the region. [15] Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the first sensor element (252) and the second sensor element (253) together form a magnetic circuit, wherein optionally the second sensor element (253) comprises an actuable magnetic switch and the first sensor element (252) comprises a magnet for actuating the magnetic switch.

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