Device for producing two-layer or multi-layer vacuum film packagings and / or two-layer or multi-layer film packagings to which shielding gas has been applied, for foodstuffs

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing two-layer or multi-layer vacuum film packagings and / or two-layer or multi-layer film packagings to which shielding gas has been applied, for foodstuffs, in particular in the form of cold cuts, comprising a treatment chamber (3) having a hood-shaped upper part (1) and a lower part (2), wherein the upper part (1) and the lower part (2) are movable relative to one another between an open loading position and a closed operating position, as well as a welding apparatus located in the chamber (3) for welding the individual film layers together. The device is designed to process single-sheet films that have been previously cut to packaging size, and therefore a feeder-conveyor unit (4) is provided and located laterally adjacently to the lower part (2), and a further conveyor unit (5) is provided inside the lower part (2), which further conveyor unit can be synchronously driven together with the feeder-conveyor unit (4) preferably by means of a shared drive (6) in order to convey prepared packagings made of multi-layer single-sheet films and comprising foodstuffs located between the film layers completely into the chamber (3) for treatment purposes and to convey same out of the chamber.

Description

DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TWO- OR MULTI-LAYER VACUUMED AND / OR PROTECTIVE GAS FACING FILM PACKAGING FOR FOODSTUFFS Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing two- or multi-layer vacuum-packed and / or inert gas-filled film packages for foodstuffs, in particular in the form of cold cuts, comprising a treatment chamber having a hood-shaped upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper and lower parts are movable relative to one another between an open loading position and a closed operating position, and a welding device arranged in the chamber for welding the individual film layers together. State of the art

[0002] The applicant's previous slicing and packaging systems often produce fresh sliced ​​meats, such as sausage and / or cheese, at fresh food counters directly in the customer area and package them in two- or multi-layer transparent film packaging made of welded-together single-sheet film sections. A lower single-sheet film is applied as the first layer, the sliced ​​product is then placed on top, and at least a second layer in the form of another single-sheet film is placed on top, before the two layers are welded together. It is also possible to provide additional intermediate layers made of further single-sheet film to separate individual types or portions of cold cuts from one another, with all layers then being welded together during the welding process. Production directly in the customer area ensures that the freshness of the products is visible, and the packages can be produced on-site and sold the same day.However, the simple sealing process also allows oxygen to enter the packaging, which means the product is less durable than conventional self-service goods, which are packaged in a protective atmosphere. Furthermore, the oxygen exposure causes the product to quickly turn gray within a few hours. Such unsightly packaging then becomes impossible to sell. Therefore, completely sealed packages packaged in a modified atmosphere are increasingly preferred. So-called "modified atmosphere packaging" (MAP) packages can be sold for a longer period than the current 1-3 days without the product becoming gray or fading.

[0003] The machines currently available on the market for producing such MAP packs are currently only used in large centralized production facilities and in industry, and involve a high investment volume. Even in industry, three devices are required to implement the process: a slicer, which slices the goods; if necessary, a connecting device that transports the sliced ​​goods to the packaging device and forwards them; and a packaging device that packages the goods in a protective atmosphere. Because these systems are very cost-intensive, the goods are often manually placed from the slicer into the packaging device. In addition to the high costs, the devices for centralized production are also significantly larger and louder, which is why they cannot be used in customer service areas.State-of-the-art devices operate only with taut film rolls, from which the finished packages are first punched during the gassing and sealing process. An industrial system of this kind, which operates with continuous film webs, is disclosed, for example, in EP1772384A. The gassing chambers must be able to withstand high pressure during vacuuming and gassing, which is why pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders are usually used for opening and closing. These cylinders are correspondingly large, expensive, and noisy, making their use near the customer area impossible. The use of film webs from which the packages are only cut after the gassing and sealing process also leads to increased film waste, which is why these devices are not very sustainable in terms of plastic waste generation.

[0004] There is no device that can be used directly in supermarkets and that can produce multi-layer packs packaged in a protective atmosphere. Therefore, they are dependent on the central supply of standard self-service goods, which are cut in central warehouses. This makes it impossible to accommodate individual requests or, for example, to vary the cutting thickness according to customer requirements. This also makes it difficult to sell self-service goods from local, regional producers, often in small quantities. Description of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to create contemporary packaging for sausage and cheese in the food retail industry by implementing a novel, compact, fully automatic packaging device that can also be used in supermarkets and integrated into existing systems with slicing machines in the customer service area. It should be possible to produce multi-layer MAP packages of, for example, sausage or cheese, in a minimum of space, even according to customer requirements. In addition to its compact design, the device should also be cost-effective to purchase and quiet in operation. Unnecessary packaging waste should be avoided, and the device should be easy to operate and simple to clean.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the device is designed for processing single-sheet films pre-cut to package size and therefore provides a feed conveyor unit which is arranged laterally next to the lower part, and a further conveyor unit is provided within the lower part which can be driven synchronously with the feed conveyor unit, preferably via a common drive, in order to convey prepared packages made of multi-layer single-sheet films with foodstuffs located between the film layers completely into the chamber for treatment and back out again. In all devices known in the prior art, film webs are always used which are guided stretched from a dispenser roll to a waste roll, whereby these film webs are led through the gassing chamber and a punch.If multi-layer packages are to be produced, additional stretched film webs with corresponding dispenser rolls and waste rolls must be woven into the system, which significantly lengthens the production line. The product must then be fed in at different points, which complicates the entire process. The gassing chamber usually consists of an upper and lower section, between which the at least two film webs with the product in between are clamped, vacuumed, and gassed. The advantage of the present invention is that an individually designed two- or multi-layer package, including the product, can be produced on the applicant's already known slicing machines and then fed into the device according to the invention.The prepared package consists of individual sheet films, pre-cut to the package size, with the product stored between them. These are transported together via the feed conveyor unit over the edge of the lower section of the treatment chamber. There, the synchronously running conveyor unit located in the lower section of the treatment chamber takes over the complete package and transports it to the center of the chamber, where the vacuuming, gassing, and sealing processes take place. The finished MAP package is then transported out of the treatment chamber by the conveyor unit. In the outlet area, either another discharge conveyor unit or, for example, a chute can be arranged, via which the finished MAP packages are transported further.

[0007] A further advantageous feature is that the hood-shaped upper part can be lowered or raised along guides aligned perpendicularly to the lower part, whereby in the lowered operating position a continuous sealing surface is formed between the upper edges of the lower part and the lower edges of the upper part. This represents a particularly advantageous, space-saving, and easy-to-clean design. For example, three or four guide rods can be provided for the hood-shaped upper part, along which the upper part can be placed onto the lower part or lifted off it. The sealing surface can be formed, for example, by a circumferential elastic sealing strip arranged on the upper or lower part.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the upper part is movable between the loading position and the operating position by means of an electric drive with the aid of a toggle lever device. The toggle lever device allows the necessary pressure to be built up for the chamber without the need for expensive, structurally larger, and, above all, noisy pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. The toggle lever device can be driven via a spindle using an electric drive and, in the operating position, builds up the pressure between the upper and lower parts required for gassing.

[0009] It is a further preferred feature that the welding device has a heatable welding frame which is movably mounted in the upper part and can be moved via a drive between an initial position and a welding position essentially parallel to the direction of movement of the upper part, wherein a counter frame for the welding frame is arranged in the lower part so that the film layers are pressed together around the entire packaging in the welding position between the welding frame and the counter frame. The welding frame can be adjusted, for example, via an electric drive in the same direction as the hood-shaped upper part. The drive is preferably arranged outside the hood-shaped upper part and connected to the welding frame via guide rods through the upper part, wherein the guide rods are movable relative to the upper part.

[0010] A further preferred feature of a possible embodiment is that the lower part has a bottom surface and four side walls to form the upper edges for the sealing surface with the upper part, wherein the conveyor unit, together with the counterframe, can be fixed to the bottom surface in the lower part, preferably with the aid of magnetic connections. This allows the counterframe, together with the conveyor unit, to be completely removed from the lower part, allowing the lower part to be easily cleaned.

[0011] A further advantageous feature is that the transport level of the packaging on the feed conveyor unit and the conveyor unit is higher than the upper edges of the side walls of the lower section. In order for the prepared packaging made up of cut material and single-sheet films to be transported into the treatment chamber, it must be transported over the edge of the lower section. Therefore, at least the last roller of the feed conveyor unit in the conveying direction and the first and last rollers of the conveyor unit located in the lower section must be designed so that the actual transport level of the packaging is above the upper edge of the side walls of the lower section. It is also useful if guide ramps are arranged in sections in the transfer area to additionally prevent the edges of the single-sheet films from getting caught on the side walls.

[0012] According to a further preferred feature, it is provided that the conveyor unit has a holding frame for supporting at least four conveyor rollers and for the counter frame, wherein two conveyor rollers are arranged outside the counter frame and two conveyor rollers are arranged inside the counter frame and are coupled to one another via conveyor belts and / or drive belts, and wherein one of the outer conveyor rollers can be connected by means of a detachable coupling to a drive shaft projecting outwards through the lower part, whereby all conveyor rollers can be driven in the same direction via the one drive shaft. In this way, a conveyor unit with a counter frame can be created very easily, which, as a compact component, can be easily removed for cleaning.Because the conveyor device only needs to be connected to the drive shaft at one point, the entire interior of the lower part can be designed to be essentially flat, which facilitates easy cleaning.

[0013] Finally, a further advantageous feature is that the lower part can be pushed out of the device or removed like a drawer in a maintenance position, wherein the drive shaft protruding from the lower part can be coupled or uncoupled to a common drive for the feed conveyor unit, preferably via at least one gear. This allows easy access for maintenance and cleaning of the lower part and the conveyor unit. The gear for coupling to the common drive, like the gear of the drive with which it can be engaged, can have chamfered teeth facing one another, so that the teeth of the two gears center themselves automatically and are guided into one another when pushed sideways together during the coupling process. This easily prevents misalignments during the coupling process. Short description of the drawings

[0014] The invention will now be described in greater detail using exemplary embodiments and with the aid of the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a possible embodiment of a device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the lower part of another possible embodiment of a device according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic side sectional view through the device from Fig. 1 in the open loading position; Fig. 4 shows a schematic side sectional view through the device from Fig. 1 in the closed operating position; Fig. 5 shows a schematic side sectional view through the device from Fig. 1 in the closed operating position during the welding process; and Fig. 6 shows a schematic exploded view of a possible embodiment of the lower part with conveyor unit. Way(s) of carrying out the invention

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a first possible embodiment of a device according to the invention. The treatment chamber 3 (see Figs. 3 to 5) is formed by a hood-shaped upper part 1 and a lower part 2. Gas lines (not shown) lead into this treatment chamber 3 and serve to vacuum the chamber 3 and to introduce protective gas. Fig. 1 shows the device in the open loading position. In this position, a prepared food package consisting of two or more layers of single-sheet film with sliced ​​items of, for example, sausage and / or cheese sandwiched between them can be transported via the feed conveyor unit 4 in the direction of the lower part 2. The prepared package is pushed by the feed conveyor unit 4 over the upper edge 8 of the lower part into the chamber 3 and is taken over in the chamber 3 by the conveyor unit 5, which moves synchronously with the feed conveyor unit 4.This is achieved in a simple manner by driving both the feed conveyor unit 4 and the conveyor unit 5 via a common drive 6 via several gears. After treatment, the conveyor unit 5 also serves to transport the finished vacuumed and / or gassed and sealed MAP package out of the chamber 3 opposite the feed conveyor unit 4, where the finished MAP package can slide down a chute 27.

[0016] The hood-shaped upper part 1 is movable along guides 7 aligned perpendicularly to the lower part 2 via a toggle lever device 11. The toggle lever device 11 is actuated by a drive 10, which drives a spindle, for example, and thus ensures that the hood-shaped upper part 1 is lowered or raised.

[0017] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the lower part of another possible embodiment of a device according to the invention. The hood-shaped upper part 1, which is movable along the guides 7, is not shown in this view, as is the welding frame 12 (see Figures 3 to 5) and the respective drives 10, 13.

[0018] In this device, in addition to the feed conveyor unit 4 and the conveyor unit 5 for the further transport of the packages, a further discharge conveyor unit 28 is provided. The conveyor unit 5 is arranged in the lower part 2 together with a counter frame 14 for the sealing frame 12. The counter frame 14 and the sealing frame 12 can have several cross braces to enable the device to produce different package sizes. The entire lower part 2 can be pulled out of the device like a drawer using the handle 30 and removed for maintenance and cleaning.

[0019] 3 to 5 show schematic sectional views of the individual positions of the device. In Fig. 3, as in Fig. 1, the device is shown in the open loading position. A schematically drawn housing 31 is provided to protect the entire upper part from user access and, above all, to cover the entry and exit areas of the packs before the upper part is lowered during operation in order to prevent injuries. The prepared packs made of multi-layer single-sheet films, which come, for example, from a slicing machine with a film dispenser, are fed to the lower part 2 on the feed conveyor unit 4 at the transport level 18. The upper edges 8 of the lower part 2 are lower than the transport level 18, so that the prepared pack can be transported over them without any problem and taken over by the conveyor unit 5.The conveyor unit 5 transports the prepared package to the center of the treatment chamber 3 and stops there.

[0020] The hood-shaped upper part 1 is then lowered via the drive 10 of the toggle lever device 11 until the position shown in Fig. 4 is reached. In this position, the lower edges 9 of the upper part 1 meet the upper edges 8 of the lower part 2 and form a circumferential sealing surface, whereby the treatment chamber 3 is now sealed. A vacuum can now be created in the chamber 3 via the gas lines and then a protective gas can be introduced via the same or additional gas lines. Especially during gassing, an overpressure builds up in the treatment chamber 3, which is why a corresponding counterpressure must be maintained so that the chamber 3 remains sealed for the entire process. In the prior art, this is mainly achieved using correspondingly large pneumatic cylinders that are noisy and expensive during operation.By using the toggle lever device 11, this counterpressure can also be maintained in a simpler manner, whereby a more cost-effective and quieter electric drive 10 can be used to adjust the toggle lever device.

[0021] After vacuuming and / or gassing, the edges of the individual sheet films are welded together. Fig. 5 shows the position with the welding frame 12 lowered. The welding frame 12 is moved between an initial position and a welding position by a drive 13 located above the hood-shaped upper part 1. The welding frame 12 is connected to the welding frame 12 via guide rods 29. The guide rods 29 pass through the upper part 1 and are movable relative to it. In the welding position, the welding frame 12 is pressed onto the counter frame 14 in the lower part 2 and heated, whereby the films are welded together. The welding frame 12 is then raised again by the drive 13 and the hood-shaped upper part 1 is moved back into the loading position according to Fig. 3. The finished MAP pack can now be moved out of the treatment chamber 3 via the conveyor unit 5 and delivered to the chute 27.

[0022] Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the tray-shaped lower part 2 and the conveyor unit 5. The tray-shaped lower part 2 has a substantially flat base surface 15 and circumferential side walls 16. The lower part 2 can be pushed into or removed from the device using a handle 30. The counter frame 14 is also fixed in a holding frame 19 in the conveyor unit 5. The holding frame 19 also contains two conveyor rollers 20 arranged outside the counter frame 14 and two conveyor rollers 21 arranged inside the counter frame. One of the outer conveyor rollers 20 can be connected to a drive shaft 25 in the lower part 2 via a coupling 24. The holding frame 19 is also releasably held in position in the lower part 2 via magnetic connections 17 arranged in the base surface 15. The outer conveyor roller 20, which can be connected to the coupling 24, is connected to the nearest inner conveyor roller 21 via a drive belt 23.The two inner conveyor rollers 21 are connected to each other by conveyor belts 22, and the second inner conveyor roller 21 is connected to the second outer conveyor roller 20 via a drive belt 23. Thus, all conveyor rollers 20, 21 can be driven synchronously via the drive shaft 25. The entire conveyor unit 5 can be easily removed from the lower part 2, and both the conveyor unit 5 and the lower part 2 can be easily maintained and cleaned.

[0023] The drive shaft 25 in the lower part is connected via a gear to another gear 26, which serves to couple it to the drive 6 of the device. In the embodiment shown, the gear 26 establishes the coupling between the conveyor unit 5 and the drive 6, as well as between the feed conveyor unit 4 and the drive 6, upon insertion, whereby both can be operated via a common drive 6. To ensure smooth coupling in any gear position, the teeth of the gear 26 and the teeth on the gears on the drive 6 and on the feed conveyor unit 4 are laterally chamfered in the relevant coupling areas, causing them to self-center and slide into one another.

[0024] List of reference symbols:

[0025] 1 hood-shaped upper part 2 lower part 3 treatment chamber 4 feed conveyor unit 5 conveyor unit 6 drive (feed conveyor unit and conveyor unit) 7 guides 8 upper edges of lower part 9 lower edges of upper part 10 drive (toggle lever device) 11 toggle lever device 12 welding frame 13 drive (welding frame) 14 counter frame 15 floor surface 16 side walls 17 magnetic connections 18 transport plane 19 holding frame 20 outer conveyor rollers 21 inner conveyor rollers 22 conveyor belt 23 drive belt 24 coupling 25 drive shaft 26 gear 27 chute 28 discharge conveyor unit 29 guide rods 30 handle 31 housing

Claims

Device for producing two- or multi-layer vacuum-sealed and / or gas-treated film packaging for food, in particular in the form of sliced ​​meats, comprising a treatment chamber (3) having a hood-shaped upper part (1) and a lower part (2), wherein the upper part (1) and lower part (2) are movable relative to each other between an open loading position and a closed operating position, and a welding device arranged in the chamber (3) for welding the individual film layers together, characterized in that the device is designed for processing single-sheet films pre-cut to packaging size and therefore a feed conveying unit (4) is provided, which is arranged laterally next to the lower part (2), and a further conveying unit (5) is provided inside the lower part (2), which can preferably be driven synchronously with the feed conveying unit (4) via a common drive (6).to completely transfer prepared packages made of multi-layer single-sheet films with foodstuffs located between the film layers into the chamber (3) for treatment and back out again. Device for producing multi-layer vacuum-sealed and / or gas-treated film packaging for foodstuffs according to claim 1, characterized in that the hood-shaped upper part (1) can be lowered or raised along guides (7) oriented normal to the lower part (2), wherein in the lowered operating position a continuous sealing surface is formed between the upper edges (8) of the lower part (2) and the lower edges (9) of the upper part (1). Device for producing multi-layer vacuum-sealed and / or gas-treated film packaging for foodstuffs according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper part (1) can be moved between the loading position and the operating position by means of an electric drive (10) using a toggle lever device (11). Device for producing multi-layer vacuum-sealed and / or gas-treated film packaging for foodstuffs according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the welding device has a heatable welding frame (12) which is movably mounted in the upper part (1) and can be moved via a drive (13) between a starting position and a welding position substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the upper part (1), wherein a counter frame (14) for the welding frame (12) is arranged in the lower part (2), so that the film layers are pressed together around the entire packaging in the welding position between the welding frame (12) and the counter frame (14). Device for producing multi-layer vacuum-sealed and / or gas-treated film packaging for foodstuffs according to claim 4, characterized in that the lower part (2) has a base surface (15) and four side walls (16) to form the upper edges (8) for the sealing surface to the upper part (1), wherein the conveying unit (5) together with the counter frame (14) can be fixed on the base surface (15) in the lower part (2) preferably by means of magnetic connections (17). Device for producing multi-layer vacuum-sealed and / or gas-treated film packaging for foodstuffs according to claim 5, characterized in that the transport level (18) of the packagings on the feed conveying unit (4) and the conveying unit (5) is higher than the upper edges (8) of the side walls (16) of the lower part (2). Device for producing multi-layer vacuum-sealed and / or gas-treated film packaging for foodstuffs according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the conveying unit (5) has a retaining frame (19) for the storage of at least four conveying rollers (20, 21) and for the counter frame (14), wherein two conveying rollers (20) are arranged outside the counter frame (14) and two conveying rollers (21) are arranged inside the counter frame (14) and are coupled to each other via conveying belts (22) and / or drive belts (23), and wherein one of the outer conveying rollers (20) can be connected by means of a detachable coupling (24) to a drive shaft (25) projecting outwards through the lower part (2), whereby all conveying rollers (20, 21) can be driven in the same direction via the one drive shaft (25). Device for producing multi-layer vacuum-sealed and / or gas-treated film packaging for food according to claim 7, characterized in that the lower part (2) can be slid out of the device or removed in a maintenance position in a drawer-like manner, wherein the drive shaft (25) projecting from the lower part (2) can preferably be coupled or uncoupled via at least one gear (26) with a common drive (6) for the feed conveying unit (4).

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