Work station for a packaging machine and method for removing a bottom tool of a work station of a packaging machine

Abstract

A work station for a packaging machine comprises a rack that defines a working space; a working unit that comprises an upper tool and a bottom tool; a lifting device which is arranged in the working space of the rack and on which the bottom tool is supported in a working position, said lifting device being configured to raise and lower the supported bottom tool relative to the rack in order to execute a working stroke; and a removing device that is configured to move the bottom tool out of the working space of the rack into a removing position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT / EP2023 / 083773, filed 30 Nov. 2023, which claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2022 134 705.2, filed 23 Dec. 2022 and German Patent Application No. 10 2023 109 540.4, filed 17 Apr. 2023. The above-referenced applications are incorporated by reference.SUMMARY

[0002] The invention relates to a work station for a packaging machine, in particular a molding station or a sealing station, in particular for a deep-draw packaging machine. The work station comprises a rack that defines a working space; a working unit that comprises an upper tool and a bottom tool; and a lifting device which is arranged in the working space of the rack and on which the bottom tool is supported in a working position. The lifting device is configured to raise and lower the supported bottom tool relative to the rack in order to execute a working stroke.

[0003] A packaging machine can, for example, be provided to provide packaging spaces for portions of food products that can be brought onto the packaging spaces by a device arranged upstream in order to then be packaged by the packaging machine. In particular, packaging machines can therefore be used as part of a processing line for processing food products, in which food products can, for example, be cut into slices by a slicing apparatus and portions can be formed from the cut-off slices in order to then transport the portions to the packaging machine by means of a transport device and to transfer them to the packaging machine for packaging. Such a processing line can thus enable a complete processing of food products into ready-to-sell packaged portions that comprise one or more of the cut-off slices.

[0004] To be able to package food portions-or other objects to be packaged-and to be able to produce the required packaging, packaging machines can comprise one or more work stations that are configured to carry out at least one step in the production of the packaging. For example, a packaging machine can comprise an unrolling device from which a material web, in particular a film web and / or a paper web, is removed and can then be processed by different work stations to produce a complete package.

[0005] In such work stations, the material web can in particular be processed by a working unit that comprises a bottom tool and an upper tool, wherein the upper tool and the bottom tool can be moved relative to one another during the processing by raising and lowering the bottom tool relative to a fixed rack of the work station by means of a lifting device.

[0006] For example, a packaging machine can have a molding station by means of which depressions can be formed in the material web by deep-drawing in order to then provide these depressions as packaging spaces and, for instance, to insert portions of food products to be packaged into the depressions. For this purpose, a bottom tool can, for example, first be raised to come into contact with the material web and can then be lowered again to form the depression in the material web.

[0007] Furthermore, a packaging machine can, for example, comprise a sealing station at which a depression or another packaging space is closed by a material web fed from above by sealing the upper material web at margins of the packaging space. For this purpose, a bottom tool of the sealing station can, for example, also be raised during the processing and can be pressed against an upper tool in order to press the depressions and the material web fed from above against one another and to join them together, for which purpose the material webs can be heated, in particular to produce a sealing seam.

[0008] Since relatively high forces usually have to be generated between the bottom tool and the upper tool during such processing steps, a high stability of the working unit and in particular of the bottom tool is required. To be able to achieve this stability, bottom tools of such work stations therefore usually have a relatively high weight.

[0009] However, it may possibly be necessary to move the bottom tool out of the working space and to detach it from the lifting device, for example, to be able to position another bottom tool in the working space and to support it on the lifting device if, for instance, different types of packaging are to be produced and the work station has to be retrofitted accordingly. Furthermore, the bottom tool arranged below the upper tool during the operation of the packaging machine is also often only accessible with difficulty for any maintenance or cleaning work so that it may also be necessary or desirable for such work to move the bottom tool out of the working space and to facilitate access to the bottom tool.

[0010] In principle, different possibilities are known from the prior art to change tools of such work stations:

[0011] With respect to the changing of a bottom tool or an upper tool, it is described in EP 2 539 125 B1 and EP 2 982 487 B1 to raise the respective tool from a lifting device over an interfering edge of the packaging machine in order to then transfer new tools to the packaging machine above the interfering edge. In this prior art, a tool to be changed must thus be raised to a height at which the tool is accessible to an operator or robot and a new tool must also be transferred to the packaging machine at this height to then be able to be lowered.

[0012] Furthermore, it is explained in the above-mentioned prior art to pivot a supporting upper part of an upper tool from a horizontal position into a vertical position by means of a pivot mechanism to be able to provide grant access to a region above the tool. The pivot mechanism can be released from the supporting upper part.

[0013] EP 2 384 980 B1 furthermore describes a work station in which an upper tool part can be pivoted relative to a base body of the work station about a first pivot axle and about a second pivot axle. The first pivot axle extends parallel to a transport direction of the packaging machine and the upper tool part is connected to the first pivot axle via two pivot arms so that the upper tool part can be brought into a slanted orientation and raised by pivoting about the first pivot axle. The second pivot axle is aligned in parallel with the first pivot axle and, by pivoting the raised upper tool part about the second pivot axle, the upper tool part can be selectively brought into a vertical or horizontal position after the raising.

[0014] In WO 2017 / 174667 A1, it is also described how to rotate an upper tool of a work station from a horizontal position of use into a vertical inspection position.

[0015] It is further known from WO 2014 / 082991 A1 to provide, in a molding station of a packaging machine, a quick-release fastener between a deep-drawing die and its drive, wherein the quick-release fastener can be opened by a relative movement between the die and the drive.

[0016] In DE 10 2011 101 053 B4, it is explained how to couple a bottom tool and an upper tool to one another by a releasable coupling in a position in which the tools have the smallest spacing from one another to then be able to jointly raise the tools upwardly out of the packaging machine.

[0017] EP 2 522 486 B1 discloses a tool changing device of a deep-draw packaging machine that enables a lateral removal of the tools. For this purpose, it is provided to vertically position a chain guide for guiding a film before a removal of the tools such that the chain guide does not represent an interfering contour in relation to a lateral movement of tool inserts. This makes it possible to pull the tools laterally out of the packaging machine by means of the tool inserts after a corresponding positioning of the chain guide.

[0018] EP 2 819 831 B1 describes a work station of a packaging machine that has an upper part having a tool, wherein the tool can first be introduced into the upper part in a horizontal direction, for example via a surface of a chain guide, in order to be subsequently raised by a guide. Conversely, this makes it possible to first lower the tool to remove it from the upper part and to then move the tool out of the upper part in a horizontal direction.

[0019] In DE 10 2010 056 319 B4, a packaging machine is described comprising a tool that can be raised and lowered and that has a first lifting mechanism for actuating the tool and a second lifting mechanism by means of which a tool guide can be moved in the vertical direction. The tool can be set down on the tool guide in a raised position of the tool guide to then be able to be pulled laterally out of the packaging machine via the tool guide.

[0020] In EP 2 149 501 B1, a mechanism is furthermore described to lock a tool half of a tool to a machine frame relative to which a second tool half can be moved by means of a lifting device. However, this locking can be canceled and the lockable tool half can be brought into contact with the movable tool half to then be able to lower and remove both tool halves together.

[0021] Furthermore, EP 2 907 762 A1 discloses a tool changing carriage for packaging machines, by means of which tool changing carriage a tool can be transferred from a first packaging machine to a second packaging machine. The tool changing carriage has a first pick-up side at which the tool can be taken over from the first packaging machine and a second pick-up side via which the tool can be transferred to the second packaging machine. However, it is not explained in more detail how the tool and in particular a bottom tool can be transferred to the tool changing carriage.

[0022] DE 10 2011 112 658 B4 furthermore describes a docking apparatus to be able to dock a tool changing carriage at a packaging machine.

[0023] In this regard, possibilities for changing tools of work stations of packaging machines and in particular also bottom tools of such work stations are indeed known, but a moving of the bottom tool out of the working space with these solutions is usually relatively force-consuming and time-consuming so that any retrofitting of a bottom tool of a molding station and / or of a sealing station is often accompanied by unreasonably long operating interruptions. In particular, solutions in which a bottom tool has to be raised vertically over the work station or pulled over a surface require an undesirably high application of force due to the usually high weight of such bottom tools. Moreover, solutions known from the prior art for removing an upper tool cannot be easily transferred to the removal of a bottom tool since—unlike with an upper tool —access to the bottom tool from above is blocked by components of the work station arranged above the bottom tool.

[0024] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a work station for a packaging machine, said work station having an upper tool and a bottom tool for executing a working stroke in a working space and offering a possibility for a simple and rapid movement of the bottom tool out of the working space, for example, to be able to carry out retrofitting and / or maintenance work.

[0025] This object is satisfied by a work station as described herein.

[0026] The work station comprises a removing device that is configured to move the bottom tool out of the working space of the rack into a removing position. The removing device is in this respect configured to pivot the bottom tool from the working position into the removing position.

[0027] Since the work station has a removing device, a device is immediately provided to be able to conveniently move the bottom tool out of the working space and to be able to transfer it into the removing position so that the bottom tool can, for example, be changed, retrofitted and / or serviced. Therefore, the removing position can in particular be completely or at least partly located outside the working space.

[0028] The removing device can further in particular be configured to move the bottom tool partly or completely out of the working space so that, in the removing position, the bottom tool can be located partly or completely outside the working space defined by the rack. In particular, the working space can be defined by outer boundaries of the rack, wherein the lifting device can, for example, be arranged in a working space bounded by a frame to raise and lower the bottom tool in order to execute the working stroke. In the removing position, the bottom tool can moreover also be located partly or completely outside the rack or an outer machine cladding of the work station, i.e. a boundary of the work station disposed laterally the furthest outwardly during the operation of the work station.

[0029] In particular, the rack can have a frame that bounds the working space. Furthermore, the lifting device can be supported at the rack so that the bottom tool supported at the lifting device can also be supported at the rack via the lifting device. The bottom tool can in particular be supported at the lifting device during operation, whereas the bottom tool can be supported at the removing device and / or released from the lifting device in the removing position. The rack can furthermore be configured to absorb forces acting between the bottom tool and the upper tool during the carrying out of a working stroke. For this purpose, such forces can be conducted to a frame, which supports the lifting device, via posts supporting the upper tool, for example.

[0030] Within the framework of the present disclosure, such posts are in particular to be understood as elements that enable a force transmission between the bottom tool and the upper tool of the work station and that connect the bottom tool and the upper tool to one another. The posts can therefore generally be elongate connection elements via which forces acting between the bottom tool and the upper tool can be led off, wherein the exact shape of the posts is irrelevant, however. For example, the posts for transmitting forces between the bottom tool and the upper tool can be circular, rectangular, square or polygonal in cross-section. Furthermore, the posts can be in one piece or composed of a plurality of parts, as long as the posts enable a force transmission during the operation of the work station and / or a support of the upper tool. Such posts can also be referred to as rods or poles, for example.

[0031] In some embodiments, the rack of the working device can further be supported on the floor, for example. In some embodiments, the rack can be placeable directly on the floor and / or can be placed on the floor during the operation of the packaging machine, wherein, in some embodiments, the rack can, however, also be supported on the floor via a frame of the packaging machine, for example. In such embodiments, a lower frame of the rack of the work station can, for example, be supported at two posts of a frame of the packaging machine and / or can be able to be arranged between two posts of the frame of the packaging machine and / or can be arranged during the operation of the packaging machine.

[0032] Since the removing device is configured to pivot the bottom tool from the working position into the removing position, it can in particular be achieved that, in some embodiments, in order to move into the removing position, the bottom tool does not have to be pulled down from the lifting device by a linear movement during which large frictional forces between the bottom tool and the lifting device have to be overcome. Rather, in order to remove the upper tool, the pivot movement can, for example, make it possible to engage at a section of the removing device, which section is spaced apart from a pivot axle about which the pivot movement takes place, and thus using a lever, to be able to move the usually heavy bottom tool smoothly into the removing position.

[0033] The removing device can in particular be configured to pivot the bottom tool in a horizontal plane from the working position into the removing position. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the removing device can be configured to pivot the bottom tool about a vertical pivot axle. Such a movement makes it possible to move the usually heavy bottom tool out of the working space without a movement component in the vertical direction, and in particular a raising of the bottom tool, being necessary so that the movement of the bottom tool into the removing position can be carried out as easily as possible.

[0034] Furthermore, the movement of the bottom tool laterally out of the packaging machine can make it possible to not have to cut through the material web guided between the bottom tool and the upper tool—unlike during an upward removal of the bottom tool—in order to move the bottom tool out of the working position. A high time saving can hereby also be achieved compared to conventional solutions and material costs can be reduced.

[0035] The removing device can further in particular be actuable manually and / or without tools. In this regard, it can, for example, be provided that the bottom tool can first be transferred to the removing device to then be manually pivoted out of the working space. In some embodiments, it can therefore be provided that the lifting device is configured to transfer the bottom tool to the removing device, as explained in more detail below. The removing device can also be configured to hold the bottom tool vertically spaced apart from the lifting device while the bottom tool is in the working space. Such a spaced-apart holding of the bottom tool can in particular make it possible to pivot the bottom tool out of the working space into the removing position without having to overcome frictional forces between the lifting device and the bottom tool in so doing. This can both enable a smooth pivoting of the bottom tool and protect possible seals between the lifting device and the bottom tool from damage during the removal, as is also explained in more detail below.

[0036] Further embodiments can be seen from the description and from the drawings.

[0037] In some embodiments, the bottom tool can be raised and lowered relative to the upper tool by the lifting device in order, for example through the raising, to clamp and process a material web, which is guided between the upper tool and the bottom tool, between the upper tool and the bottom tool. In some embodiments, the lifting device can furthermore be configured to raise and lower the upper tool so that, in some embodiments, both the bottom tool and the upper tool can be movable during the working stroke. During the working stroke, the bottom tool and / or the upper tool can, in particular relative to one another, first be movable towards one another and then away from one another.

[0038] In some embodiments, the lifting device can be configured as described in DE 10 2017 123 805 A1, which is incorporated by reference into the present application.

[0039] In some embodiments, the bottom tool can weigh at least 100 kg, in particular at least 150 kg and / or at least 200 kg. In this regard, the removing device can be configured to transfer such a heavy bottom tool from the working position into the removing position by pivoting.

[0040] In some embodiments, the removing device can have a closure that is configured to selectively block the removing device against a pivoting of the bottom tool from the working position into the removing position or to release the removing device for the pivoting of the bottom tool into the removing position.

[0041] In particular, due to such a closure, it can be achieved that movable components of the removing device are reliably secured and remain motionless during the operation of the work station for producing packaging, and in particular during the carrying out of a working stroke, to be able to prevent any impairments of the operation and / or damage to the work station and / or the packaging machine due to an unintentional movement of components of the removing device during the operation. Furthermore, the closure can in particular be manually actuable so that no tool and / or no key has to be required to release the removing device. However, in some embodiments, the closure can be securable in a locking position in which the closure blocks the removing device against the pivoting of the bottom tool. For this purpose, the closure can, for example, have a preloaded pin that first has to be removed, in particular manually, from an associated recess to be able to move the closure out of the locking position. The actuation of the closure to block or release the removing device can in particular comprise a rotational movement, a pivot movement, a pushing movement and / or a pulling movement.

[0042] In some embodiments, the closure can furthermore be configured such that an outer casing of the packaging machine and / or of the work station can only be closed when the removing device is secured against a pivoting relative to the rack by the closure. For example, the closure can for this purpose project outwardly from the rack in an unlocking position, in which the removing device is released for a pivoting of the bottom tool, so that a closing of the outer casing can be blocked by the protruding closure and the closure must first be transferred into a locking position in which the closure blocks the removing device before the casing can be closed. It can hereby be ensured that an operation of the packaging machine is only started when the removing device is reliably locked.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, at least one sensor can be provided that is configured to detect a correct locking and / or positioning of the removing device in order to avoid collisions in the packaging machine. In such embodiments, a control device of the work station and / or of the packaging machine can in particular be configured to start an operation of the work station only when the at least one sensor detects a correct locking and / or positioning of the removing device.

[0044] In some embodiments, the upper tool can be supported at the rack via at least one release post that can be removed from the rack. As already mentioned, different shapes are generally also conceivable with respect to the release post so that the release post can, for instance, be circular, rectangular, square or polygonal in cross-section.

[0045] In particular, the upper tool can be supported at the rack via the release post during the operation and / or during the carrying out of a working stroke, wherein, in some embodiments, the upper tool can be connected to the release post via a working frame on which the upper tool rests. Furthermore, the release post can in particular also be configured and provided to absorb tensile forces occurring during a working stroke and to transfer them to the rack, which tensile forces are generated by the bottom tool and the upper tool moving towards one another. In particular, the upper tool can be supported at the rack below the lifting device via the release post so that forces transmitted from the lifting device to the bottom tool can be transferred via the upper tool and the release post to the part of the rack disposed below the lifting device, for instance, to a frame supporting the lifting device.

[0046] In some embodiments, such tensile forces can furthermore in particular be absorbable via the release post and one or more posts or rods fixed to the rack. In particular, a frame of the packaging machine-in the case of a support of the rack of the work station via such a frame-can therefore, due to the transfer of tensile forces to the rack of the work station, only absorb the weight force of the work station, but not forces acting between the bottom tool and the upper tool during the execution of the working stroke.

[0047] The release post and / or the fixed posts mentioned can generally also be referred to as rods or poles. Furthermore, the posts can in particular have an elongate shape to be connectable to the upper tool and to be able to support the upper tool below the lifting device at the rack of the work station and in particular at a frame supporting the lifting device. In addition, in particular in an operating position, in which the release post is located during operation and / or when the bottom tool is in the working position, the release post can, at its ends, enter into a form-fitting connection with respective elements supporting the bottom tool or the upper tool.

[0048] Since the work station can have such a release post that can be removed from the rack, this post, which is required to support the upper tool and / or to absorb tensile forces, can be removed from the rack before or during the movement of the bottom tool into the removing position so that the bottom tool in particular does not have to be moved past the release post in order to be moved out of the working space. Since, in a case in which the bottom tool is to be brought into the removing position and consequently no working stroke is to be carried out, only the weight force of the upper tool must be maintained in any case, but possible tensile forces do not have to be absorbed, it was recognized that a support of the upper tool by the release post is dispensable in such situations and can, for example, be sufficiently ensured by the further posts mentioned.

[0049] For example, it can be provided that the release post is releasable from the rack and / or completely releasable from the work station. In such embodiments, in order to remove the bottom tool, the release post can thus first be released and removed from the rack in order to create the space for the pivot movement for transferring the bottom tool into the removing position, whereupon the bottom tool can be brought into the removing position by the removing device. Conversely, the release post can be reattached to the rack after an insertion of the bottom tool into the working space in order to support the upper tool during a subsequent working stroke and / or to absorb forces acting between the upper tool and the bottom tool.

[0050] In some embodiments, however, the release post can in particular be movable together with the bottom tool. In some embodiments, the release post can for this purpose be configured as a pivotable post and can be pivotable together with the bottom tool. In such embodiments, the release post can be pivoted together with the bottom tool, whereas, during the operation of the work station, the release post can be arranged at the provided location for supporting the upper tool and / or for absorbing tensile forces in order to fulfill the conventional function. Compared to a moving past of the bottom tool at a stationary post, in particular space savings for the movement of the bottom tool from the working position into the removing position can hereby be achieved, whereby the pivot movement can be facilitated which takes up more space compared to a purely translatory movement and by which the bottom tool can be moved into the removing position by the removing device. Thus, in such embodiments, the release post is so-to-say no longer understood as a fixed support of the upper tool, but rather as a support that can be selectively coupled in for the operation of the work station, but that can be easily removed by a joint pivoting with the bottom tool in order to move the bottom tool out of the working space without a separate step being required for this purpose.

[0051] In some embodiments, the release post can thus be pivotable together with the bottom tool.

[0052] In some embodiments, the release post can further be coupled to the bottom tool during the pivoting. In such embodiments, the release post can thus inevitably be moved along with the bottom tool if the bottom tool is moved from the working position into the removing position by the removing device. Therefore, in such embodiments, in particular no separate steps need to be taken to remove the release post from the rack and to provide the space for the pivot movement of the bottom tool.

[0053] In some embodiments, the upper tool can be supported at the rack via at least four posts and at least one of the at least four posts, in particular exactly one post, can be pivotable together with the bottom tool and can form the release post. In particular, the upper tool can be supported at respective corner sections at the rack and one of the posts supporting the upper tool (in particular during the operation) can be pivotable together with the bottom tool. In particular, the pivotable release post can be arranged at an end section of the removing device, which end section is opposite a pivot axle about which the bottom tool can be pivoted by the removing device, so that the pivotable release post can, for example, form an engagement point for carrying out the pivot movement. Due to such a pivoting out of a post in a corner section, the additional space that required for the pivot movement compared to a translational pulling out can thus be made available, for example, in the case of a rectangular bottom tool so that, for example, a corner of the bottom tool that is diagonally opposite the pivot axle can also be pivoted out of the working space and / or the rack.

[0054] Therefore, the release post can in general, and in particular in a configuration as a pivotable post, be arranged at a corner section of the upper tool and / or of the working space.

[0055] However, in some embodiments, it can, for example, also be provided that the work station has more than four posts for supporting the upper tool, for example six posts or eight posts. The number of necessary posts can in particular depend on the extent of the working unit, the weight of the upper tool and / or the forces developed during a working stroke in order to achieve a stable support of the upper tool and / or an absorption of the resulting tensile forces.

[0056] In embodiments with six posts, for example, four posts can be arranged at respective corner sections of the upper tool and two posts can be arranged at a longitudinal side between two posts positioned at corner sections. In such embodiments, in particular both a post arranged in a corner section and an adjacent post, which is arranged between two corner sections, can be pivotable together with the bottom tool and can form a respective release post in this regard. In embodiments with eight posts, for example, four posts can likewise be arranged at respective corner sections and two posts each can be arranged between posts arranged at corner sections, wherein, in such embodiments, for example, one post arranged at a corner section and two posts can be pivotable that are positioned between the post pivotably arranged at the corner section and the post arranged at an adjacent corner section.

[0057] Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more posts for supporting the upper tool and / or for absorbing tensile forces can be positioned outside a pivot region through which the bottom tool can be moved during the movement out of the working position into the removing position. Such posts positioned outside the pivot region can therefore in particular remain fixed to the rack and cannot be pivoted together with the bottom tool. For example, in embodiments with six posts, a post arranged in a first corner section can, for instance, be fixed to the frame, whereas a post arranged at a second end section opposite the first corner section can be pivotable, wherein the first end section and the second end section can be arranged at a common longitudinal side of the work station. In such embodiments, a post arranged between the two corner sections can in particular also be fixed to the rack and cannot be pivotable.

[0058] In some embodiments, one of the fixed posts can furthermore form a pivot axle about which the bottom tool can be pivoted by the removing device. However, in some embodiments, in addition to the posts for supporting the upper tool, a pivot axle can in particular be formed that can only be provided for pivoting the bottom tool, but not for supporting the upper tool. Such a separate pivot axle can further in particular be arranged outwardly offset from the rack of the work station to be able to pivot the bottom tool completely out of the rack of the work station and to be able to position the bottom tool in the removing position in a freely accessible manner for the further handling. The pivot axle can generally be formed by a post and / or a rod about which the bottom tool can be pivoted by the removing device.

[0059] In some embodiments, the release post can be connected by a support section of the removing device, via which support section the bottom tool can be supported at the removing device, to a pivot axle about which the bottom tool can be pivoted by the removing device.

[0060] In such embodiments, the support section can so-to-say be configured in the manner of a door pivotable about the pivot axle in order to connect the release post to the pivot axle. In particular, the support section can be configured to fully support the bottom tool during the movement from the working position into the removing position so that the bottom tool can no longer be supported on the lifting device during the movement into the removing position. Consequently, in such embodiments, no frictional forces need to be overcome between the lifting device and the bottom tool to be able to move the bottom tool out of the working space. For example, the release post can be arranged at a marginal section of the support section that is opposite the pivot axle.

[0061] When the bottom tool is in the working position, the release post can be lockable against a removal from the rack, in particular against a pivoting relative to the rack, by moving a closure into a locking position, in particular by means of a form fit. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the release post can be releasable for a removal from the rack, in particular for a pivoting relative to the rack, by moving the closure into an unlocking position. In particular, this closure can be the closure already mentioned above by means of which the removing device can be securable against a pivoting of the bottom tool.

[0062] Since the release post can be lockable against a removal from the rack by the closure, it can in particular be ensured that the release post does not move relative to the rack during the operation and / or during the execution of a working stroke, but reliably supports the upper tool and / or absorbs tensile forces generated between the bottom tool and the upper tool. Furthermore, as already mentioned, in some embodiments, the release post can be coupled to the bottom tool with respect to the pivoting of the bottom tool so that the pivoting of the bottom tool can require a joint pivoting of the release post. By locking the release post, the removing device as a whole can therefore be securable against a pivoting of the bottom tool, but can be releasable for a pivoting of the bottom tool into the removing position by unlocking the release post.

[0063] In particular, the closure can be manually movable between the locking position and the unlocking position so that a tool does not have to be necessary for unlocking the release post. However, in some embodiments, the closure can be securable in the locking position by a securing device, for example by a preloaded pin, so that such a securing device can first be releasable before the closure can be transferred into the unlocking position. The securing device can also in particular be manually releasable.

[0064] In some embodiments, the work station can have at least one coupling section fixed relative to the rack and the release post can be securable at the coupling section against a removal from the rack, in particular against a pivoting, by moving the closure into the locking position. In particular, when the closure is in the locking position, a force can be transmittable to the coupling section and to the rack via the blocking section, which force counteracts a pivot movement of a release post, which is configured as a post pivotable together with the bottom tool, during the movement of the bottom tool into the removing position in order, as a result, to prevent a relative movement between the release post and the rack.

[0065] In some embodiments, the upper tool can be supportable at the rack via the coupling section and the release post. In particular, the upper tool can be supported at the rack during operation via the coupling section and the release post.

[0066] In such embodiments, it can in particular be provided that the release post can be positioned vertically below and / or vertically above the coupling section so that a weight force exerted by the upper tool can be transmittable in the vertical direction to the rack via the coupling section and the release post. In such embodiments, the coupling section can thus enable both a securing of the release post against a removal from the rack, and in particular a pivot movement relative to the rack, and a coupling of the release post into a force transmission path from the upper tool to the rack. Such a coupling in can in particular comprise establishing a form-fitting connection between the release post and the coupling section.

[0067] In some embodiments, two coupling sections fixed to the rack can furthermore be provided, at which coupling sections the release post can be securable against a removal from the rack and in particular against a pivoting relative to the rack. In particular, in such embodiments, a first coupling section can be arranged vertically below the release post, while a second coupling section can be arranged vertically above the release post. In such embodiments, the release post can therefore be arranged between the two coupling sections if the release post is not removed from the rack, but is coupled into a force transmission path from the upper tool to the rack in order to support the upper tool and / or to absorb tensile forces.

[0068] In some embodiments, the release post can have a blocking section that is configured to engage behind the coupling section when the closure is in the locking position and, as a result, to secure the release post against a movement relative to the rack. For example, the coupling section can for this purpose have a prolongation that can be engaged behind by the blocking section, wherein a force that points in the direction of the pivot movement for moving the bottom tool from the working position into the removing position can be transmittable via the blocking section to the prolongation of the coupling section, and thus to the rack, when the closure is in the locking position. A release post that can be pivoted together with the bottom tool can hereby in particular be secured against a removal from the rack.

[0069] In some embodiments, the release post can be rotatable by moving the closure into the unlocking position and the engagement behind of the coupling section can be releasable by rotating the release post.

[0070] In particular, in such embodiments, the release post can also be rotatable into the locking position by moving the closure in order to be able to establish the engagement behind of the contact section by the blocking section, for example after moving the bottom tool from the removing position into the working position. In some embodiments, the closure can thus be rotationally fixedly coupled to the release post in order, by positioning the blocking section accordingly, to be able to selectively secure the release post at the rack or to release it for a removal from the rack and / or a pivoting relative to the rack. To enable such a rotational movement of the release post, the release post can, for example, be fastened in a rotatably supported manner to the aforementioned support section via which the release post can be connected to a pivot axle about which the bottom tool can be pivoted by the removing device. Furthermore, the closure can, for example, comprise a pivot lever to be able to transmit a torque to the release post. The release post can furthermore be rotatable, in particular by the closure, about an axis of rotation that extends along a longitudinal axis of the release post and / or in the vertical direction.

[0071] In some embodiments, the release post can have a receiver having an inlet and the blocking section can form a boundary of the receiver. In such embodiments, when the closure is in the unlocking position, the coupling section can be guidable through the inlet into the receiver and / or can be guidable out of the receiver.

[0072] In particular, the receiver—apart from the inlet—can be circumferentially closed, for example, to form the largest possible contact surface for a force transmission from the contact section to the release post to be able to absorb the weight force of the upper tool. Furthermore, in particular the aforementioned prolongation of the contact section can be guidable through the inlet into the receiver and / or can be guidable out of the receiver when the closure is in the unlocking position. In particular, this introduction or guiding out can take place in the course of a pivot movement which the release post can perform together with the bottom tool when the bottom tool is moved from the removing position into the working position, or vice versa.

[0073] Since the release post can be rotatable by the closure, the inlet can be rotatable by moving the closure into the locking position and can selectively be movable into an orientation in which the inlet is not oriented opposite to a direction of movement for initiating the pivot movement for moving the bottom tool into the removing position so that this pivot movement can be blockable by the blocking section adjoining the inlet. On the other hand, by moving the closure into the unlocking position and by rotating the receiver accordingly, the inlet can be movable into an orientation in which the inlet is oriented opposite to the direction of movement of the pivot movement so that the coupling section can be guided through the inlet-viewed relative to the release post-out of the receiver when a release post configured as a post pivotable together with the bottom tool is pivoted. Equally, on a subsequent pivoting of the bottom tool into the working position, the coupling section can be introducible through the inlet into the receiver if the closure is in the unlocking position and the inlet is oriented accordingly.

[0074] In some embodiments, the release post, in particular the receiver, can have a radially inwardly facing holding section that engages behind a radially outwardly facing connection section of the coupling section when the coupling section is introduced into the receiver.

[0075] In particular, the radially inwardly facing holding section can engage over a radially outwardly facing connection section of a coupling section arranged above the receiver and can engage under a radially outwardly facing connection section of a coupling section arranged below the receiver. Due to such an engagement behind a connection section, the release post and the coupling section can be axially connected to one another to enable a transmission of tensile forces from the release post to the coupling section, and thus to the rack, if such tensile loads are generated during the execution of the working stroke by pressing the bottom tool and the upper tool against one another.

[0076] To be able to provide such a connection section, the coupling section can, in some embodiments, have a mushroom-head-like prolongation that can be introduced into the receiver.

[0077] The holding section can, for example, be formed at a boundary that bounds the receiver and that, apart from the inlet, can in particular be formed continuously. In this regard, the holding section can be at least partly formed at the aforementioned blocking section that can engage behind the coupling section to secure the release post against a pivoting relative to the rack.

[0078] In some embodiments, the release post can have a respective receiver at a lower end and at an upper end, which respective receivers cooperate with a respective coupling section. In this regard, in some embodiments, the release post can be securable at the lower end and at the upper end against a removal from and / or a pivoting relative to the rack and / or can be couplable to respective coupling sections such that tensile forces can be transmitted between the coupling sections and the release post and can be led off to the frame.

[0079] In embodiments with two coupling sections, the coupling sections can in principle have one feature or a plurality of features of the features mentioned above in connection with the coupling section. Furthermore, the release post can be formed at an upper end to cooperate with a coupling section arranged above the release post and at a lower end to cooperate with a coupling section, having one or more of the features explained above, arranged below the release post and said release post can, for example, have a respective blocking section and / or a respective receiver.

[0080] In particular, it can also be provided to selectively couple a release post that is completely releasable from the rack into a force transmission path between the upper tool and the bottom tool in this manner—by a coupling to one or more coupling sections of the rack.

[0081] In some embodiments, the closure can be pivotable between the locking position and the unlocking position and can in particular have a pivot lever. Furthermore, the closure can in particular be pivotable by 90° between the locking position and the unlocking position. In addition, the closure can have respective abutments that define the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0082] Since the closure can be rotationally fixedly coupled to the release post in some embodiments, the release post can also be rotatable, in particular by 90°, when the closure is moved from the unlocking position into the locking position, or vice versa. In particular, the closure can be pivotable about the release post and / or a pivot axle defined by the release post. A direction of movement of the pivot movement of the closure during a movement from the unlocking position into the locking position can further be opposite to a direction of movement during a pivot movement of the closure from the locking position into the unlocking position.

[0083] In some embodiments, the bottom tool can be pivotable by the removing device about a pivot axle that is arranged offset outwardly from the rack.

[0084] A pivoting about such a pivot axle arranged in an offset manner can in particular enable a complete pivoting of the bottom tool out of the working space and even—at least largely—out of a boundary space of the packaging machine, wherein the bottom tool can in particular be guidable completely out of the working space by a pivot movement by 90° and transferrable into the removing position.

[0085] The pivot axle can be formed by a post and / or a rod, for example.

[0086] As an alternative to an arrangement of the pivot axle offset outwardly relative to the rack, in some embodiments, it can also be provided that the pivot axle is arranged within the rack or directly at the rack, but is connected to the bottom tool via a connection section, for example a connection strut. Due to such a connection section, it can, for example, also be made possible to position the bottom tool completely outside the rack after a pivoting by the removing device, in particular by a pivoting by 180°, to be able to change the bottom tool, for example. In such embodiments, the pivot axle can furthermore, for example, be formed by one of the posts already mentioned by which the upper tool is supported at the rack, wherein the post forming the pivot axle cannot be pivotable relative to the rack. Such a post forming the pivot axle can in particular be arranged at a corner section of the rack.

[0087] Furthermore, it is, however, possible that the bottom tool can only be partly moved out of the working space, for example, to enable a change of components of the bottom tool. In such embodiments, it can therefore, for example, be provided that the pivot axle is arranged within the rack or directly at the rack and / or the bottom tool is fastened directly to the pivot axle so that, for instance, a marginal section of the bottom tool can still be arranged within the working space after a pivoting, for example by 90°.

[0088] In some embodiments, the pivot axle can be supported at the rack. A pivot axle that is arranged offset outwardly from the rack can, for example, be connected to the rack via a connection element and can be supported at the rack to be able to create a distance from the rack. In embodiments in which the pivot axle is arranged offset outwardly from the rack, the pivot axle can in particular not be provided for supporting the upper tool at the rack.

[0089] Furthermore, the pivot axle can be vertically oriented in some embodiments. In this regard, the pivoting out of the bottom tool can take place in a horizontal plane so that, during the movement or pivoting out of the bottom tool from the working space, in particular no vertical movement has to take place and the weight force of the bottom tool has to be overcome.

[0090] The invention further relates to a work station for a packaging machine, in particular a molding station or a sealing station, in particular a work station for a deep-draw packaging machine, wherein the work station can in particular be configured according to one of the embodiments explained above. The work station according to this aspect of the invention comprises a rack that defines a working space; a working unit that comprises an upper tool and a bottom tool; a lifting device which is arranged in a working space of the rack and on which the bottom tool is supported in a working position, said lifting device being configured to raise and lower the supported bottom tool relative to the rack in order to execute a working stroke; and a removing device for moving the bottom tool out of the working space.

[0091] To carry out the working stroke, the lifting device can be moved between a lower working position and an upper working position and furthermore into a release position disposed below the lower working position. Furthermore, the bottom tool can be brought into engagement with the removing device by moving the lifting device into the release position.

[0092] In particular, the bottom tool can be decouplable from the lifting device and movable into engagement with the removing device by moving the lifting device into the release position.

[0093] Thus, in addition to the working positions to be assumed during the carrying out of the working stroke, the lower working position and the upper working position, the lifting device can also be lowerable below the lower working position into a release position in order to transfer the bottom tool to the removing device by a movement into the release position, so to speak. The release position can thus enable a transfer of the bottom tool to the removing device, however, without being required for the execution of the working stroke or being assumed during the execution of the working stroke. Therefore, to move the bottom tool out of the working space, it can be provided to first move the lifting device into the release position, and thus out of a region within which the lifting device is moved during the operation of the work station to perform a processing step, in order, as a result, to bring the bottom tool into engagement with the removing device.

[0094] Then, in some embodiments, in particular the above-explained pivoting of the bottom tool by the removing device can take place in order to move the bottom tool out of the working space into a removing position. In principle, however, other possibilities for moving the bottom tool out of the working space are also conceivable after the transfer of the bottom tool to the removing device, for instance, a pulling out of a removing device which is formed in the manner of a drawer and at which the bottom tool can be supported during the movement of the lifting device into the release position.

[0095] In some embodiments, the bottom tool can be releasable from the lifting device by moving the lifting device into the release position.

[0096] In such embodiments, the bottom tool can therefore already enter into engagement with the removing device before the lifting device reaches the release position and can in particular be supported solely at the removing device, but in any case no longer at the lifting device, when the lifting device assumes the release position. In such embodiments, the bottom tool can thus no longer be in contact with the lifting device when the lifting device has been moved into the release position, but can be held solely by the removing device. It can hereby in particular be achieved that, on a subsequent movement of the bottom tool out of the working space, no frictional forces have to be overcome between the usually heavy bottom tool and the lifting device so that a possibility for a smooth movement of the bottom tool can be provided by such a transfer of the bottom tool to the removing device before the actual movement of the bottom tool out of the working space. As already explained, the removing device can in particular be configured to pivot the bottom tool out of the working space so that no frictional forces between the lifting device and the bottom tool have to be overcome, in particular during such a pivot movement due to the transfer of the bottom tool to the removing device that took place previously. Equally, a smooth pulling out of a removing device formed in the manner of a drawer can, however, also be made possible in that no frictional forces between the bottom tool and the lifting device have to be overcome during a pulling movement to pull out the bottom tool, but the pulling movement can rather be facilitated, for example, via rollers of the removing device. Furthermore, in addition to sparing the component surfaces, unintentional and possibly uncontrolled horizontal forces on the entire mechanical system in the working space, which is per se only designed for vertical loads, can also be avoided.

[0097] In some embodiments, in the release position of the lifting device, the bottom tool can be supported at the removing device and can be spaced apart from the lifting device. As already explained, a bottom tool released from the lifting device in this way can in particular be movable out of the working space without having to overcome frictional forces between the lifting device and the bottom tool. This can both enable an easy removal of the bottom tool and can prevent any damage to the bottom tool and / or the lifting device due to frictional forces that have to be overcome.

[0098] In some embodiments, the lifting device can have at least one operating medium connection that can be introduced into a connection recess of the bottom tool, wherein the operating medium connection can be completely released from the operating medium receiver in the release position of the lifting device.

[0099] In particular, the operating medium connection can, from the lifting device, face in the direction of the bottom tool and / or can be introducible into an associated connection recess at a lower side of the bottom tool. Therefore, the operating medium connection can at least substantially extend in the vertical direction. For example, due to such operating medium connections, possible operating mediums required during the processing of a material web by the bottom tool, such as coolant, gases and / or compressed air, can be provided. The operating medium connections, can, for example, be configured as plug-in connections.

[0100] Since the operating medium connection can be completely released from the operating medium receiver in the release position of the lifting device, the bottom tool can be movable out of the working space by the removing device, in particular by a movement taking place in a horizontal plane, for example a pivot movement or a pulling movement, without the operating medium connection blocking such a movement. In particular, the lifting device in the release position can for this purpose be spaced apart from a lower side of the bottom tool in the release position by a distance that exceeds the extent of the operating medium connections in the direction of the bottom tool.

[0101] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the connection recess and / or the operating medium connection can have a seal, in particular a radial seal. Since the operating medium connection can be completely releasable from the connection recess by moving the lifting device into the release position, due to the movement of the lifting device into the release position, such a sealing can also first be released before the bottom tool is moved, in particular pivoted or pulled, out of the working space. In comparison to a translational pulling of the bottom tool via the lifting device to remove the bottom tool from the working space, in which, for instance, axial seals are often subjected to the frictional forces acting in the process, such seals can thus be protected from damage by releasing the operating medium connection from the connection recesses before the movement of the bottom tool. In particular, all the operating medium connections formed at the lifting device can therefore be releasable from respective associated connection recesses at the lower side of the bottom tool by moving the lifting device into the release position.

[0102] In some embodiments, the bottom tool can have a removal section and the removing device can have a support section having an abutment for the removal section. In such embodiments, the removal section can be able to be brought into contact with the abutment by moving the lifting device into the release position.

[0103] In particular, the support section can be the aforementioned support section via which a release post configured as a pivotable post can be connected to a pivot axle about which the bottom tool can be pivotable from the working position into a removing position by the removing device in some embodiments.

[0104] In particular, the abutment of the support section can be positioned such that the removal section comes into contact with the abutment during a movement of the lifting device from the lower working position into the release position before the lifting device reaches the release position. In this regard, by this bringing of the removal section into contact with the abutment, the bottom tool can so-to-say be transferred to the removing device to be able to release the lifting device from the bottom tool by the subsequent further movement into the release position and to be able to release the bottom tool for a movement out of the working space. On the other hand, when the lifting device is positioned in the lower working position, the removal section can be positioned above and thus out of contact with the abutment so that the removing device does not interact with the bottom tool during the carrying out of the working stroke, but the working stroke can take place without intervention by the removing device.

[0105] In some embodiments, the removal section can project outwardly in the direction of the removing device. The removing device and in particular the support section can be arranged spaced apart outwardly from the rack relative to the lifting device, wherein this spacing can be bridged by a removal section projecting outwardly in the direction of the removing device to be able to transfer the bottom tool to the removing device.

[0106] In some embodiments, the abutment can have at least one centering elevation that is configured to engage into a centering recess formed at the removal section, or vice versa. Due to such a cooperation between a centering elevation and a centering recess, an exact positioning of the bottom tool at the removing device, and in particular at the support section, can in particular be achieved. Furthermore, due to a centering section engaging into a centering recess, a transmission of a torque from the bottom tool, which can in particular project starting from the removal section into the working space of the rack, to the support section, and thus to the removing device, can take place in order, as a result, to secure the bottom tool against a tilting.

[0107] In some embodiments, the abutment can be formed in a removal receiver of the support section, into which removal receiver the removal section can be introduced on a lowering of the lifting device into the release position. In particular, in such embodiments, the removal receiver can engage around the removal section at three sides and / or the removal section can, apart from any tolerances, be introducible into the removal receiver with a precise fit so that a centering and an exact positioning of the bottom tool at the removing device can hereby also take place.

[0108] In some embodiments, the bottom tool can comprise a carrier element on which a working element of the bottom tool can be releasably placed, wherein the carrier element can have the removal section. In such embodiments, it can thus be provided that the working element of the bottom tool can be supported at the lifting device via the carrier element, wherein both the carrier element and the working element can, however, be transferable to the removing device and / or can be movable out of the working space. For example, the carrier element can comprise a carrier plate onto which the working element can be placed. The working element can, for example, have one or more molds for forming depressions in a material web and / or for receiving such depressions and forming a sealing seam at the margins of the depressions. In addition, the working element can, for example, have a frame within which such molds can be receivable. The working element can thus in particular have the components required for carrying out the respective processing step to be performed by the work station and / or can have components coming into contact with a material web, whereas the carrier element can be provided primarily for the stable support of the working element at the lifting device.

[0109] In other embodiments, the bottom tool can, however, also be formed in one part and can so-to-say exclusively comprise a working element, wherein, in such embodiments, the removal section can be formed at the bottom tool and thus at the working element.

[0110] In some embodiments, the bottom tool can have at least one torque support via which the bottom tool can be supported at the support section when the lifting device is in the release position.

[0111] In particular, such torque supports can, starting from a section of the bottom tool disposed within the working space, extend downwardly and outwardly to the support section to be able to lead off torques, which result due to the weight force of the bottom tool extending, starting from the removal section, away from the support section, to the support section and, as a result, to be able to secure the bottom tool against a tilting. In particular, the bottom tool can have two torque supports to be able to stabilize the bottom tool at two sides. Furthermore, the at least one torque support can in particular be formed at the aforementioned carrier element, provided that the bottom tool is formed with such a carrier element and with a working element that can be placed on the carrier element.

[0112] As an alternative to a configuration of the bottom tool with at least one torque support, in some embodiments, it can also be provided that at least one torque support is formed at the support section of the removing device, onto which torque support a lower side of the bottom tool, and in particular of a carrier element of the bottom tool, can be placeable by moving the lifting device into the release position. In particular in some embodiments, such torque supports can furthermore have centering pins extending in the direction of the bottom tool to be able to engage into associated centering recesses at the lower side of the bottom tool and, as a result, to be able to further stabilize the bottom tool and / or secure it against a tilting from the torque supports. A configuration of the bottom tool with centering pins that project at the lower side in the direction of the torque supports and that engage into centering recesses formed at the torque supports can also be provided.

[0113] The invention also relates to a packaging machine, in particular a deep-draw packaging machine, that comprises at least one work station of the kind disclosed herein. For example, such a packaging machine can comprise a molding station configured in accordance with the manner disclosed herein and / or a sealing station configured in accordance with the manner disclosed herein. Furthermore, the packaging machine can, for example, have a frame at which the rack of the work station is supported and / or via which the work station is supported on the floor. The rack can in particular be supportable at two posts of a frame of the packaging machine and can be able to be arranged between the posts. In particular, the packaging machine can have a plurality of work stations of the kind disclosed herein. The packaging machine can furthermore be configured to provide a material web to be processed by the work station and in particular to move said material web from one work station to a subsequent work station, in particular a film web and / or paper web.

[0114] The invention furthermore relates to a method for removing a bottom tool of a work station of a packaging machine, in particular a work station of the kind disclosed herein, wherein, during an operation of the work station, the bottom tool is supported at a lifting device that can be moved between a lower working position and an upper working position in order to execute a working stroke. In this method, the bottom tool is released from the lifting device by lowering the lifting device into a release position disposed below the lower working position and is transferred to a removing device.

[0115] As already explained above, due to such a transfer of the bottom tool to the removing device, it can first be achieved that the usually heavy bottom tool is released from the lifting device in order not to have to overcome any frictional forces between the lifting device and the bottom tool on a subsequent movement of the bottom tool out of a working space in which the lifting device is located. Furthermore, on a movement out of the working space, the bottom tool does not have to be pulled over any seals or mutually assigned fitting or supporting surfaces between the lifting device and the bottom tool so that such seals can also be protected from damage by the previous release of the bottom tool from the lifting device and the transfer of the bottom tool to the removing device.

[0116] In particular, the lifting device can be spaced apart from the bottom tool by the lowering into the release position. In this regard, the bottom tool can be completely released from the lifting device after the lowering of the lifting device into the release position and can be held solely by the removing device.

[0117] In some embodiments, the bottom tool can be supported at the removing device by lowering the lifting device into the release position. In particular, the bottom tool can be supported solely at the removing device by lowering the lifting device into the release position.

[0118] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the bottom tool can abut the removing device as a result of the movement of the lifting device into the release position. In particular, the bottom tool can abut the removing device before the lifting device reaches the release position so that the lifting device can be spaced apart from the bottom tool by the continued movement into the release position and the bottom tool can be completely transferred to the removing device.

[0119] In some embodiments, at least one operating medium connection of the lifting device can be completely removed from an associated connection recess of the bottom tool by lowering the lifting device into the release position. In particular, all the operating medium connections of the lifting device can be completely removed from respective assigned connection recesses of the bottom tool by lowering the lifting device into the release position. In this regard, in some embodiments, the lifting device can be spaced apart so far away from the bottom tool by the lowering into the release position that operating medium connections of the lifting device projecting in the direction of the bottom tool are brought completely out of contact with the bottom tool.

[0120] The invention further relates to a method for removing a bottom tool of a work station of a packaging machine, in particular a work station of the kind disclosed herein, wherein, in this method, the bottom tool is brought into a removing position by pivoting a removing device out of a working space defined by a rack of the work station. In particular, this method can be carried out as a method which follows the above-explained method for removing a bottom tool and in which the bottom tool is transferred to a removing device by moving a lifting device into a release position. The invention therefore also relates to a method for removing a bottom tool of a work station of a packaging machine, in which the bottom tool is first transferred to a removing device by moving a lifting device into a release position and is then brought into a removing position by pivoting a removing device out of a working space defined by a rack of the work station.

[0121] As already explained, due to a pivoting of the bottom tool, in particular an easy removal of the usually heavy bottom tool can be achieved in that a lever effect is used for the movement of the bottom tool and, in particular during a previous transfer to the removing device, the bottom tool does not have to be pulled down from the lifting device while overcoming frictional forces.

[0122] The pivoting can in particular take place in a horizontal plane and / or around a vertical pivot axle.

[0123] In some embodiments, a closure, which blocks a movement of the removing device, can be released before the pivoting of the bottom tool into the removing position. In this regard, the bottom tool and / or the removing device can first be unlocked in some embodiments, in particular by moving the closure from a locking position into an unlocking position, before the bottom tool is pivoted out of the working space. The closure can in particular be pivoted to unlock the bottom tool and / or the removing device.

[0124] In some embodiments, at least one post, via which an upper tool of the work station is supported at the rack, can be pivoted together with the bottom tool. In this regard, the post that is provided and / or required for supporting the upper tool, and in particular also for absorbing tensile forces that are transmitted between the bottom tool and the upper tool during the execution of the working stroke can be pivoted together with the bottom tool in some embodiments so that the bottom tool does not have to be moved past this post to be able to move out of the working space.

[0125] In some embodiments, the bottom tool can be moved completely out of the working space by the pivoting.

[0126] In the methods explained, one or more of the steps already mentioned above in connection with the work station can also be carried out.

[0127] The invention will be described in the following purely by way of example with reference to the drawings and to an embodiment example.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0128] There are shown:

[0129] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a packaging machine;

[0130] FIG. 2 a perspective view of a section of a packaging machine having a work station that comprises a working unit, which has a bottom tool and an upper tool, and a lifting device for raising and lowering the bottom tool;

[0131] FIGS. 3A to 3C a respective perspective view of the work station with the lifting device in a lower working position, with the lifting device in an upper working position or with the lifting device in a release position which is disposed below the lower working position and in which the bottom tool is transferred to a removing device;

[0132] FIGS. 4A and 4B a respective perspective view of a carrier element of the bottom tool to illustrate the transfer of the bottom tool to the removing device by lowering the lifting device into the release position;

[0133] FIGS. 5A to 5D a respective schematic representation of the work station to illustrate a movement of the bottom tool out of a working position into a removing position disposed outside a rack of the work station by pivoting the bottom tool by means of the removing device;

[0134] FIGS. 6A to 6C respective schematic illustrations of sections of the removing device to illustrate a closure for securing the removing device against a pivoting of the bottom tool and the mode of operation of said closure;

[0135] FIGS. 7A to 7C respective perspective views of a system and its components, wherein the system comprises a coupling element for releasing a working element of the bottom tool from the carrier element of the bottom tool;

[0136] FIGS. 8A and 8B a respective schematic bottom view of the bottom tool to illustrate a cooperation of the coupling element with a blocking element that is attached to the working element of the bottom tool and that, by coupling the coupling element to the bottom tool, can be moved from a blocking position into an opening position, in which the working element can be released from the carrier element, wherein the carrier element is only partly shown for better illustration;

[0137] FIGS. 9A and 9B a respective schematic side view of the bottom tool to further illustrate the mode of operation of the blocking element, wherein the working element is only partly shown; and

[0138] FIG. 10 a representation of the blocking element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0139] FIG. 1 schematically shows a packaging machine M operating in a transport direction T and comprising a machine rack 247. A transport chain 227, which is only schematically shown here at the end of the machine that is disposed upstream, is guided at a left side frame and at a right side frame of the machine frame 247 in each case. The two transport chains 227 together form a transport device for a lower material web 223 drawn from a supply roll 223a.

[0140] The packaging machine M comprises a plurality of work stations following one another in the transport direction T, namely a molding station 211 also called a deep-drawing machine or a thermoforming machine, an inserting station 213 for products 210 to be packaged, a feeding station 214 for an upper material web 225 drawn from a supply roll 25a, a labeling and / or printing station 216, a transverse separating station 217 and a longitudinal separating station 219.

[0141] The products 210 to be packaged are, for example, food products, here in the form of so-called portions, that each comprise a plurality of slices that were previously cut off from a loaf-shaped or bar-shaped food, such as sausage, cheese, ham or meat, by means of a food slicer (not shown). The slicer and the packaging machine M can form a continuous production line.

[0142] A central control device 241 controls the operation of the packaging machine M, including the work stations mentioned. It can also control the slicer or be connected to a control device of the slicer. Furthermore, the packaging machine M is provided with an operating device 245 that e.g. comprises a touch screen at which all the necessary information can be displayed to an operator and the operator can make all the necessary settings before and during the operation of the packaging machine M.

[0143] The design and mode of operation of said work stations are generally known to the skilled person so that this will not be discussed in detail here.

[0144] However, it should be pointed out that, for example, the molding station 211 has an upper tool 211a and a bottom tool 211b by means of which recesses 229, also referred to as depressions, can be formed in a deep-drawing process in the lower material web 223 in each case. The portions 210 mentioned are inserted into these recesses 229 at the inserting station 213. The inserting station 213 here comprises a so-called feeder of which two endless conveyor belts 213a, 213b are shown. Alternatively or additionally, the inserting station 213 can comprise a robot 250, e.g. in the form of a so-called “picker”, that is likewise schematically shown here and that can be configured as a delta robot having a gripper 52 that comprises two claws jointly holding a respective portion 210. Such robots and their use in the handling of foods, in particular when inserting portions into recesses 229 of packages, are generally known to the skilled person so that further statements are not necessary here.

[0145] The lower material web 223 provided with the filled recesses 229 and the upper material web 225 are subsequently fed to the sealing station 215 that comprises an upper tool 215a and a bottom tool 215b. The material webs 223 and 225 are connected to one another by means of these tools 215a, 215b. The recesses 229 and thus the packages 221 formed by the material webs are hereby closed. Sealing points 243, also called sealing seams, extending transversely to the transport direction T are schematically indicated in FIG. 1.

[0146] Subsequent to the sealing station 215, the packages 221 are still connected and therefore still have to be separated. In the embodiment example shown here, the packages 221 are provided with labels 54 and / or printed at the labeling and / or printing station 216 before the separation. The labeling and the printing can also take place in separate stations.

[0147] Further conveyor belts and / or work stations, for example a scale for checking the weight of the packages 21, can be provided downstream of the separating stations 217, 219.

[0148] Applications can e.g. differ from one another with respect to the kind of products 210 to be packaged, the size / shape of the recesses 229 in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction or with respect to a format set. A format set here generally refers to a group of items, here in particular both of portions 210 and recesses 229 or packages 221, that are handled as a whole—i.e. format set-wise—and that in particular differ from one another by the number and spacing of items in the longitudinal direction and transverse direction.

[0149] Thus, e.g. per work cycle of the packaging machine, a packaging format or format set of 3×4 (3 in the transverse direction and 4 in the longitudinal direction) recesses 229 or product receivers of other kinds can be formed in the molding station 211, a format set of 3×4 correspondingly arranged products 210 can be inserted into a respective format set of recesses 221 at the inserting station 213, and a respective format set of 3×4 recesses 229 filled with products 210 can be sealed at the sealing station 215. The same analogously applies to the labeling and / or printing station 216.

[0150] An arbitrarily dimensioned N×M format set can generally be formed, where N>2 and M>=1.

[0151] FIG. 2 further shows a section of a packaging machine 13 that has a frame 29 at which a rack 15 of a work station 11 is supported.

[0152] Such a packaging machine 13 can, for example—similarly to the packaging machine M illustrated in FIG. 1—have even further work stations 11, not shown in FIGS. 2 to 10, to be able to process a material web, which is likewise not shown in the Figures and which is guided along a direction of extent of the frame 29, at a plurality of consecutive work stations 11 and to be able to package fed products, in particular portions of food products. For example, a packaging machine 13 provided for packaging food products, such as the packaging machine M (see FIG. 1), can be configured as a deep-draw packaging machine that can have a molding station as a work station, at which molding station depressions are formed in a fed material web to be able to insert products or portions to be packaged into the depressions. Such a molding station can, for example, be followed by a transfer station at which the products to be packaged are inserted into the depressions, whereupon the depressions with the inserted products or portions can, for example, be fed to a sealing station at which the depressions can be sealed by an upper material web fed from above by sealing the upper material web at margins of the depressions. After the sealing station, the sealed depressions can, for example, be conveyed to a separating station in order, for instance, to separate packages transported next to one another and / or behind one another from one another and, ultimately, to be able to provide individually packaged products and / or portions.

[0153] As an alternative to such a deep-draw packaging machine, it can, for example, also be provided that portions of food products or other products to be packaged are, for example, placed directly onto defined packaging spaces of a material web into which no depressions were previously formed. However, products positioned in this way can then, by moving the material web, also be guided to a sealing station and can be covered there by a material web fed from above to be able to produce closed packages by connecting the material web carrying the products and the material web fed from above. Furthermore, a separation of the packages can also be provided in packaging machines operated in this way.

[0154] To be able to carry out the processing steps mentioned, for example the forming of depressions in a material web or the sealing of packages, the work station 11 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5D has a working unit 19 having an upper tool 21 and a bottom tool 23, wherein the bottom tool 23 can be raised and lowered relative to the rack 15 by a lifting device 25 arranged in a working space 17 defined by the rack 15 in order to carry out a working stroke. In the embodiment shown, the rack 15 is formed by a lower frame 16 which surrounds and supports the lifting device 25 and which is in turn placed onto posts 28 of the frame 29 of the packaging machine 13 so that the work station 11 is arranged between the posts 28. The upper tool 21 is supported at the rack 15 and the frame 16 via a plurality of posts 37 and a release post 35, wherein the release post 35 is configured as a post that can be pivoted together with the bottom tool 23. The weight force of the upper tool 21 is therefore transmitted via the posts 37 and 35 to the rack 15 and via the latter to the frame 29 of the packaging machine 13. Furthermore, the posts 35 and 37 serve to absorb tensile forces generated during the carrying out of a working stroke between the bottom tool 23 and the upper tool 21 and to lead off said tensile forces to the rack 15 so that the frame 29 is only loaded by the weight force of the work station 11, but not by such tensile forces.

[0155] The bottom tool 23 can in particular also be movable relative to the upper tool 21 by the lifting device 25 and / or a distance between the bottom tool 23 and the upper tool 21 can be changeable by a corresponding control of the lifting device 25 so that a material web guided between the bottom tool 23 and the upper tool 21 can, for instance, be clamped between the bottom tool 23 and the upper tool 21 to be able to be processed by the working unit 19. For example, the bottom tool 23 of a molding station can first be raised by the lifting device 25 and brought into contact with a material web guided between the bottom tool 23 and the upper tool to be able to form depressions in the material web by subsequently lowering the lifting device 25. At a sealing station, the material web can then, for example by raising the bottom tool 23, be brought into contact with an upper material web, which is guided from above and also between the upper tool 21 and the bottom tool 23, and can be pressed against the upper material web in order to seal the depressions by joining the material webs and by creating a sealing seam at margins of the depressions.

[0156] The execution of such a working stroke is illustrated by means of FIGS. 3A to 3B. FIG. 3A shows the lifting device 25, on which the bottom tool 23 is supported, in a lower working position S1 in which the bottom tool 23 is spaced apart from the upper tool 21. As FIG. 3B shows, the bottom tool 23 can be raised by pressing through a knee lever 83 and the lifting device 25 can be transferred into an upper working position S2, in which the bottom tool 23 and the upper tool 21 come into contact with one another, so that a material web, not shown, that can be guided between the bottom tool 23 and the upper tool 21 can be processed by a cooperation of the upper tool 21 and the bottom tool 23. The lifting device 25 can in particular be configured in accordance with the lifting mechanism described in DE 10 2017 123 805 A1 so that the lifting device 25 can in particular also be configured to control the upper tool 21 to execute an upper stroke and to lower and raise said upper tool 21 relative to the rack 15.

[0157] To be able to process a material web, the bottom tool 23 is thus supported on the lifting device 25 and is arranged within the working space 17, which is defined by the rack 15 of the work station 11, in a working position A in which the bottom tool 23 can be raised and lowered by the lifting device 25. However, to be able to produce different types of packaging adapted to a respective product to be packaged, it may, for example, be necessary to change the bottom tool 23 in order, for instance at a molding station, to be able to form a different number of depressions and / or differently shaped depressions in a material web and / or to be able to seal depressions modified in this way at a sealing station again. Therefore, it may be necessary to move the bottom tool 23 out of the working space 17 for such a change, but possibly also for repair and / or maintenance work.

[0158] However, the bottom tools 23 of such work stations 11 are usually heavy objects with a weight of, for example, up to 200 kg so that moving the bottom tool 23 out of the working space 17 is usually undesirably laborious. However, in order to enable as quick and easy as possible a movement of the bottom tool 23 out of the working space 17, the bottom tool 23 in the work station 11 described here can be transferred to a removing device 27 of the work station 11 and can be pivoted by the removing device 27 from the working position A into a removing position E in which the bottom tool 23 is moved out of the working space 17. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0159] As FIG. 3C shows, the lifting device 25 can first be moved into a release position F disposed below the lower working position S1 in order to transfer the bottom tool 23 to the removing device 27, whereby the bottom tool 23 can be brought into engagement with the removing device 27. As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 3C, the bottom tool 23 is released from the lifting device 25 in the release position F and is arranged spaced apart from the lifting device 25 so that the bottom tool 23 is fully supported at the removing device 27.

[0160] The transfer of the bottom tool 23 to the removing device 27 is illustrated in more detail in particular with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0161] In FIGS. 4A and 4B, only a part of a carrier element 75 of the bottom tool 23 is shown on which a working element 77 of the bottom tool can be positioned and via which the working element 77 can be supported on the lifting device 25. In addition to the part of the carrier element 75 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the carrier element 75 in particular also comprises a carrier plate 76 on which the working element 77 can be directly placed (cf. also FIGS. 2 to 5D, 7A and 7C).

[0162] In FIG. 4A, the bottom tool 23 or the part of its carrier element 75 is shown in a position which the bottom tool 23 or the carrier element 75 assumes when the lifting device 25, not shown in FIG. 4A, is positioned in the lower working position S1. In the lower working position S1, the bottom tool 23 is therefore vertically spaced apart from a support section 39 of the removing device 27, which support section 39 is laterally arranged at the rack 15, so that the bottom tool 23 does not come into contact with the support section 39 and the removing device 27 during the carrying out of the working stroke and the movement of the lifting device 25 between the lower working position S1 and the upper working position S2.

[0163] On the other hand, the bottom tool 23 or its carrier element 75 is shown in FIG. 4B in a position which the bottom tool 23 assumes when the lifting device 25, which is not shown in FIG. 4B either, is lowered into the release position F disposed below the lower working position S1 (cf. also FIG. 3C). As can be seen from the combined view of FIGS. 4A and 4B, due to this transfer of the lifting device 25 into the release position F, a removal section 65 of the bottom tool 23 enters into contact with the support section 39 so that the bottom tool 23 is supported at the support section 39 and is released from the lifting device 25. In particular, the bottom tool 23 supported at the support section 39 of the removing device 27 is furthermore spaced apart from the lifting device 25, which is in the release position, so that the bottom tool 23 can be released from the lifting device 25 by lowering the lifting device 25 into the release position F and can be transferred to the removing device 27 (cf. also FIG. 3C in this respect).

[0164] To be able to bring the bottom tool 23 into engagement with the removing device 27 laterally arranged at the rack 15, and in particular with the support section 39, the removal section 65 projects outwardly from the working space 17 in the direction of the support section 39. The support section 39 extends in the manner of a door between a pivot axle 41 and a release post 35, wherein an abutment 67 for the removal section 65, which the removal section 65 abuts in the course of the lowering of the lifting device 25 into the release position F, is formed in a central section of the support section 39 between the pivot axle 41 and the post 35. The abutment 67 is formed by a lower side of a removal receiver 73, into which the removal section 65 can be introduced by lowering the lifting device 25 into the release position F and which encloses the removal section 65 at three sides in the release position 11 of the lifting device 25 and thereby stabilizes the removal section.

[0165] Furthermore, a centering elevation 69 extending in the direction of the bottom tool 23 is formed at the abutment 67 and engages into a centering recess 71 formed at the removal section 65 in the course of the lowering of the lifting device 25 into the release position F. A centering of the removal section 65 in the removal receiver 73 can hereby be achieved, on the one hand, wherein any torques can, however, furthermore be transmitted to the support section 39 due to the projection of the bottom tool 23 from the support section 39 in the direction of the working space 17. In this regard, due to the cooperation between the centering elevation 69 and the centering recess 71, a secure transfer to the removing device 27 can be achieved.

[0166] In order to counteract any tilting of the bottom tool 23 out of the removal receiver 73 even further and to stabilize the bottom tool 23 at the support section 39, two torque supports 79 are formed at the bottom tool 23, in particular at the carrier element 75, that project downwardly in the direction of the support section 39 and that, when the lifting device 25 is transferred into the release position F, are supported at the support section 39 and secure the bottom tool 23 against a tilting. Furthermore, at the support section 39, two plates 81 are formed into which the torque supports 79 engage when the intended position is reached in order to secure the torque supports 79 against any transverse movements at the support section 39.

[0167] By transferring the lifting device 25 into the release position F, the bottom tool 23 can thus first be transferred to the removing device 27 and released from the lifting device 25. Furthermore, as can in particular be seen from FIG. 3C, the bottom tool 23 can, by moving the lifting device 25 into the release position F, in particular be spaced apart from the lifting device 25 such that operating medium connections 61 extending from the lifting device 25 in the direction of the bottom tool 23 move completely out of associated connection recesses 63 formed at the bottom tool 23 so that the bottom tool 23 is completely released for a movement out of the working space 17 taking place in a horizontal plane (cf. also FIGS. 4A and 4B). Such operating medium connections 61 can, for example, be provided to supply compressed air or gases that can be used during the processing of a material web to produce packaging.

[0168] After the bottom tool 23, as described above, has been transferred to the removing device 27 by moving the lifting device 25 into the release position F, the bottom tool 23 can be moved out of the working space 17 into the removing position E by the removing device 27 by a pivot movement about the pivot axle 41. This is in particular illustrated by means of FIGS. 5A and 5B in the following.

[0169] FIG. 5A first once more shows the working unit 11 with the lifting device 25 transferred into the release position F in which the removal section 65 of the bottom tool 23 is introduced into the removal receiver 73 of the removing device 27 and the bottom tool 23 is transferred to the removing device 27. To then be able to move the bottom tool 23 out of the working space 17, a closure 31 must first be released and moved from a locking position V shown in FIG. 5A into an unlocking position R shown in FIG. 5B by pivoting a pivot lever 57 by 90°.

[0170] This release or unlocking of the removing device 27 is in particular illustrated by means of FIGS. 6A to 6C.

[0171] FIG. 6A shows the closure 31 in the locking position V in which the closure 31 is in particular held by a pin 33. The pin 33 can in particular be manually released to then be able to pivot the pivot lever 57 by 90° and to be able to transfer the closure 31 into the unlocking position R.

[0172] As can be seen from the combined view of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the closure 31 is rotationally effectively connected to the aforementioned release post35 so that the release post 35 is also rotated by 90° by the pivoting of the pivot lever 57. The release post 35 is connected via the support section 39 to the pivot axle 41, about which the bottom tool 23 can be pivoted into the removing position E, and has a respective receiver 47 at an upper end and at a lower end, via which respective receiver 47 the release post 35 can be connected to a respective coupling section 43 fixed to the rack 15 (cf. in particular FIGS. 5C, 5D and 6C).

[0173] As FIG. 6C illustrates, the coupling sections 43 have a respective prolongation 56 that can be introduced through an inlet 49 into the receiver 47 formed at the release post 35. As the combined view of FIGS. 6C and 6A further illustrates, a blocking section 45 formed by a boundary 51 of the receiver engages behind the prolongation 56 of the coupling section 43 when the closure 31 is in the locking position V so that the release post 35 is secured at the rack 15 against a pivoting about the pivot axle 41 via the coupling section 43. However, if the closure 31 is then transferred into the unlocking position R and the release post 35 is rotated by 90°, the inlet 49 of the receiver 47 is oriented such that the prolongation 56 can be guided through the inlet 49 out of the receiver on a pivoting of the bottom tool 23 relative to the release post 35 so that the release post 35 is released for a pivot movement relative to the rack 15 and can be removed from the rack 15. In order to ensure a correct movement of the closure 31 into the unlocking position R or the locking position V, at the pivot lever57, two abutments 32 and 34 are formed with which the pivot lever 57 abuts an abutment element 36 in the unlocking position R or the locking position V.

[0174] FIG. 6C furthermore shows that a radially inwardly projecting holding section 53 is formed at the boundary 51 of the receiver 47 and engages over a radially outwardly projecting connection section 55 of the mushroom-head-like prolongation 56 of the coupling section 43 when the release post 35 is not outwardly pivoted relative to the rack 15. Due to this engaging over, the release post 35 and the coupling section 43 are axially coupled to one another so that tensile forces generated during the working stroke between the bottom tool 23 and the upper tool 21 can be transmitted via the release post 35 and the coupling section 43 and thus to the rack 15. For example, it can be seen from FIG. 2D that the coupling section 43 arranged below the release post 35 also has such a mushroom-head-like prolongation 56 in order to be introduced into a receiver 47 formed at the lower end of the release post 35 and to enable a transmission of tensile forces.

[0175] After the removing device 27 has been unlocked by transferring the closure 31 into the unlocking position E, the bottom tool 23 and the release post 35 coupled thereto via the support section 39 can be pivoted out of the working space 17 into the removing position E, as FIG. 5C shows, wherein the pivot lever 57 and / or the release post 35 can in particular form an engagement point for initiating and executing the pivot movement. In particular, the release post 35 can thus be removed from the rack 15 directly during the movement of the bottom tool 23 in order to provide a sufficient free space for the pivot movement of the bottom tool 23. As an alternative to such a pivotable release post 35, it can, however, also be provided that the release post 35 is completely released from the rack 15 so that the release post 35 can first be removed from the rack 15 in order to then pivot the bottom tool 23 into the removing position. Even with such a removable release post 35, a closure can, however, for example, be provided, in particular the closure 31 explained above, to be able to secure the release post 35 against a removal from the rack 15 during the execution of a working stroke. Since the pivot axle 41 is furthermore arranged offset outwardly relative to the rack 15 via a connection element 59, the bottom tool 23 can be moved completely out of the working space 17 by the pivot movement and can be arranged completely outside the rack 15 in the removing position E to be able to provide convenient access to the bottom tool 23.

[0176] Thus, the work station 11 makes it possible in a simple manner to move the bottom tool 23 out of the working space 17, for example to replace the bottom tool 23 and in particular its working element 77, wherein this moving out can in particular take place without tools. Since the bottom tool 23 can first be released from the lifting device 25 and transferred to the removing device 27, in particular no frictional forces between the lifting device 25 and the bottom tool 23 have to be overcome in order to move the bottom tool 23 out of the working space 17, but the bottom tool 23 can be transferred into the removing position E by a smooth pivot movement using a lever effect. Furthermore, due to the complete release of the operating medium connections 61 from the connection recesses 63 taking place prior to the pivoting, it can be achieved that seals between the operating medium connections 61 and the connection recesses 63 can first be separated and the bottom tool 23 does not have to be pulled over such seals so that any damage to the operating medium connections 61 in the course of the movement of the bottom tool 23 out of the working space 17 can be avoided.

[0177] Furthermore, the bottom tool 23 or a replaced bottom tool 23 and / or working element 77 can then be easily reintroduced into the working space 17, so to speak, in that the bottom tool 23 is pivoted into the working space 17 again by the removing device 27. While the closure 31 for inserting the bottom tool 23 is to be held in the unlocking position R in order to enable an introduction of the coupling sections 43 into the respective receivers 47 of the release post 35, the closure 31 can be brought back into the locking position V, and the removing device 27 can be secured, after the arrangement of the bottom tool 23 in the working position A. The lifting device 25 can then be raised, in particular into the lower working position S1, in order to take over the bottom tool 23 from the removing device 27.

[0178] However, as already explained, the bottom tool 23 can, for example, be changed after the moving out into the removing position E, for which purpose in particular the working element 77 can first be released from the carrier element 75 and a modified working element 77 can then, for example, be placed on the carrier element 75. Thus, while, on the one hand, a reliable fixing of the working element 77 to the carrier element 75 is required, in particular during the operation and the execution of a working stroke, a convenient possibility of releasing such a fixing can be desired, on the other hand, to be able to remove the working element from the carrier element 75 and in particular to be able to raise the working element.

[0179] In order to meet these two requirements—the secure fixing of the working element 77 to the carrier element 75 during operation and the simple release of the working element 77 from the carrier element 75 for replacing the working element 77—a system 85 is provided that is illustrated by means of FIGS. 7A to 9 and that comprises the bottom tool 23 and two coupling elements 87 and 88 that can be coupled to the working element 77 for releasing the working element 77 from the carrier element 75.

[0180] As in particular FIG. 7C shows, the coupling elements 87 and 88 can be coupled at opposite outer sides 95 and 96 of the bottom tool 23 to the bottom tool 23 and in particular to the working element 77 in order to subsequently enable a raising of the working element 77 from the carrier element 75. For this purpose, the coupling elements 87 and 88 in particular have respective actuation sections 147 that can be introduced into a respective cut-out 145 formed at a lower side 91 of the working element 77 or into a slot 143 formed between the carrier element 75 and the working element 77 in order to engage under the working element 77 at the lower side 91. Starting from the lower side 91, the coupling elements 87 and 88 extend along the outer sides 95 and 96 of the working element 77 up to an upper side 93 of the working element 77 and have two respective connections 97 for a crane in order to enable a raising of the working element 77, which in particular weighs at least 100 kg, from the carrier element 75. Furthermore, at the outer sides 95 and 96, respective handles 99 are formed at the coupling elements 87 and 88 so that the working element 77 could selectively, for instance, also be released from the carrier element 75 by two persons together. The coupling elements 87 and 88 are furthermore identical to one another so that the coupling element 87 could, for instance, also be coupled to the working element 77 at the outer side 96 and the coupling element 88 at the outer side 95.

[0181] Furthermore, it can in particular be seen from FIG. 7A that the working element 77 has a plurality of sharp-edged elements 101 at the upper side 93 that are in particular configured as upwardly facing blade elements 103. Such blade elements 103 can, for example, be provided to pierce openings into a fed material web during the working stroke, through which openings gases can be guided into an inner space of a formed depression in a later processing step, for example.

[0182] To avoid possible injuries by these sharp-edged elements 101 during the removal of the working element 77, the coupling elements 87 and 88 have a respective protective section 105 that covers the sharp-edged elements 101 when the coupling elements 87 and 88 are coupled to the working element 77 (cf. in particular FIG. 7C). For this purpose, the protective sections 105 in particular extend in a substantially horizontal direction above the sharp-edged elements 101.

[0183] To secure the coupling elements 87 and 88 to the working element 77 and to prevent a release of the coupling elements 87 and 88 from the working element 77 during a raising of the working element 77 from the carrier element 75, the coupling elements 87 and 88 have respective first engagement sections 111 that cooperate with fastening sections 113 formed at the lower side 91 of the working element 77. Furthermore, respective second engagement sections 115 are formed at the coupling elements 87 and 88 and cooperate with further fastening sections 117 formed at the outer sides 95 and 96 of the working element 77 so that the coupling elements 87 and 88 are secured against a tilting at the working element 77. As can in particular be seen from FIG. 9A, the further fastening sections 117 of the working element 77 in the embodiment shown are formed by the blade elements 103 that are engaged behind by the engagement sections 115 of the coupling elements 87 and 88, which engagement sections project inwardly from the outer sides 95 and 96 of the bottom tool 23, when the coupling elements 87 and 88 are coupled to the working element 77.

[0184] However, to be able to secure the working element 77 to the carrier element 75, in particular during an operation of the work station 11, a blocking element 89 is arranged at the working element 77 at the lower side 91 of the working element 77, and in particular in the aforementioned cut-out 145, and is in particular illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0185] The blocking element 89 has a total of four elongate holes 139 so that the blocking element 89 can be held at the lower side 91 of the working element 77 by fastening elements 141 guided through the elongate holes 139 and engaging over the elongate holes 139 (cf. also FIGS. 8A and 8B). The fastening elements 141 are in particular elongate and are, for example, configured in the form of screws, wherein the blocking element 89 can be held at the working element 77, for example by screw heads and / or washers engaging over the elongate holes 139. This holding of the blocking element 89 at the elongate holes 139 enables a reliable axial connection between the blocking element 89 and the working element 77, wherein the blocking element 89 can, however, be displaced relative to the working element 77, as will be explained below.

[0186] Furthermore, at the blocking element 89, two blocking openings 123 are formed that have a keyhole shape 137 and a first section 129 and a second section 131, wherein an opening width 133 of the first section 129 is smaller than an opening width 135 of the second section 131. This configuration of the blocking openings 123 makes it possible to fix the working element 77 to the carrier element 75 by the blocking element 89 when the blocking element 89 is arranged in a blocking position B and to release the working element 77 for a detachment from the carrier element 75 by displacing the blocking element 89 into an opening position O. In particular, the movement of the blocking element 89 into the opening position O in this respect takes place directly by coupling the coupling elements 87 or 88, as explained below.

[0187] FIGS. 8A and 8B show a lower view of the bottom tool 23, wherein, however, to illustrate the function of the blocking element 89, a part of the carrier element 75, the carrier plate 76, is not shown. FIGS. 9A and 9B, on the other hand, show the bottom tool 23 obliquely from above, wherein the carrier plate 76, which is arranged below the cut-out 145 and bounds the slot 143, is shown, while the element of the working element 77 forming the cut-out 145 is not shown.

[0188] As FIGS. 8A to 9B show, the carrier element 75 has a blocking elevation 121 extending through the blocking opening 123 of the blocking element 89. The blocking elevation 121 is fixed to the carrier element 75 and engages into a centering recess 119 formed at the working element 77 so that the working element 77 can be centered relative to the carrier element 75 by this engagement. The blocking elevation 121 is therefore generally movable relative to the working element 77, but not relative to the carrier element 75.

[0189] FIGS. 8A and 9A show the blocking element 89 in the blocking position B, in which the blocking element 89 is in particular located when the coupling element 87 (or the coupling element 88) has been brought to the working element 77 at the respective outer side 95 or 96 of the working element 77, but is not yet coupled to the working element 77. As can be seen from FIGS. 8A and 9A, in the blocking position B of the blocking element 89, the blocking elevation 151 of the carrier element 75 extends through the first section 129 of the blocking opening 123 with the first, smaller opening width 133. In the blocking position B, a boundary 127 of the blocking opening 123 therefore engages over an abutment surface 125 of the blocking elevation 121, said abutment surface facing in the direction of the carrier element 75, so that any force developed in the course of a raising of the working element 77 from the carrier element 75 is transmitted via the boundary 127 of the blocking opening 123 to the abutment surface 125 of the blocking elevation 121 and via the latter to the carrier element 75 so that the working element 77 cannot be released from the carrier element 75.

[0190] However, as can be seen from FIGS. 8B and 9B, the coupling element 87 (and also the coupling element 88) can be coupled to the working element 77 by a sliding movement starting from the position illustrated in FIG. 8A, wherein, in the course of this sliding movement, the blocking element 89 is contacted by the actuation section 147 of the coupling element 187 and is displaced into the opening position O. As a result, the blocking element 89 is displaced relative to the carrier element 75 and in particular relative to the blocking elevation 121 so that, in the opening position O, the blocking elevation 121 penetrates the second section 131 with the larger opening width 135 of the blocking opening 123. In the opening position O, the boundary 127 of the blocking opening 123 is arranged out of alignment with the blocking elevation 121 so that the working element 77 can be moved in an axial direction with respect to the extent of the blocking elevation 21 relative to the blocking elevation 121 and the working element 77 can be released from the carrier element 75.

[0191] As furthermore in particular FIG. 8B illustrates, due to the sliding movement, the engagement section 111 of the coupling element 87 enters into engagement with the fastening section 113 arranged at the lower side 91 of the working element 77 in order to thereby secure the coupling element 87 to the working element 77. Furthermore, the plurality of second engagement sections 115 of the coupling element 87 enter into engagement with the further fastening sections 177 formed by the blade elements 103 so that the coupling element 87 is secured to the working element 77 at both the lower side 91 and the associated outer side 95 or 96. Then, the working element 77 can, for example, be raised from the carrier element 75 by connecting crane hooks to the connections 97.

[0192] Furthermore, to ensure that a working element 77 connected to the carrier element 75 is always secured to the carrier element 75, the blocking element 89 is preloaded in the direction of the blocking position B by a spring element 107 that is fastened at a fastening 109 to the working element 77 and in particular in the cut-out 145. If the coupling element 87 (or the coupling element 88) is therefore released from the working element 77, the blocking element 89 immediately moves into the blocking position B so that the boundary 127 again engages over the abutment surface 125 of the blocking elevation 121 and thereby secures the working element 77 to the carrier element 75. Furthermore, due to the preload of the blocking element 89, an unwanted displacement of the blocking element 89, for instance during the carrying out of a working stroke, can also be prevented.REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST11 work station

[0194] 13 packaging machine

[0195] 15 rack

[0196] 16 frame

[0197] 17 working space

[0198] 19 working unit

[0199] 21 upper tool

[0200] 23 bottom tool

[0201] 25 lifting device

[0202] 27 removing device

[0203] 28 post

[0204] 29 frame

[0205] 31 closure

[0206] 32 abutment

[0207] 33 pin

[0208] 34 abutment

[0209] 35 release post

[0210] 36 abutment element

[0211] 37 post

[0212] 39 support section

[0213] 41 pivot axle

[0214] 43 coupling section

[0215] 45 blocking section

[0216] 47 receiver

[0217] 49 inlet

[0218] 51 boundary

[0219] 53 holding section

[0220] 55 connection section

[0221] 56 prolongation

[0222] 57 pivot lever

[0223] 59 connection element

[0224] 61 operating medium connection

[0225] 63 connection recess

[0226] 65 removal section

[0227] 67 abutment

[0228] 69 centering elevation

[0229] 71 centering recess

[0230] 73 removal receiver

[0231] 75 carrier element

[0232] 76 carrier plate

[0233] 77 working element

[0234] 79 torque support

[0235] 81 plate

[0236] 83 knee lever

[0237] 85 system

[0238] 87 coupling element

[0239] 88 coupling element

[0240] 89 blocking element

[0241] 91 lower side

[0242] 93 upper side

[0243] 95 outer side

[0244] 96 outer side

[0245] 97 connection

[0246] 99 handle

[0247] 101 sharp-edged element

[0248] 103 blade element

[0249] 105 protective section

[0250] 107 spring element

[0251] 109 fastening

[0252] 111 first engagement section

[0253] 113 fastening section

[0254] 115 second engagement section

[0255] 117 further fastening section

[0256] 119 centering recess

[0257] 121 blocking elevation

[0258] 123 blocking opening

[0259] 125 abutment surface

[0260] 127 boundary

[0261] 129 first section

[0262] 131 second section

[0263] 133 first opening width

[0264] 135 second opening width

[0265] 137 keyhole shape

[0266] 139 elongate hole

[0267] 141 fastening element

[0268] 143 slot

[0269] 145 cut-out

[0270] 147 actuation section

[0271] 210 product

[0272] 211 molding station

[0273] 211a upper tool of the molding station

[0274] 211b bottom tool of the molding station

[0275] 213 inserting station

[0276] 213a conveyor belt

[0277] 213b conveyor belt

[0278] 214 feeding station

[0279] 215 sealing station

[0280] 215a upper part of the sealing station

[0281] 215b lower part of the sealing station

[0282] 216 labeling station

[0283] 217 separating station (transverse direction)

[0284] 219 separating station (longitudinal direction)

[0285] 221 package

[0286] 223 bottom film

[0287] 223a supply roll

[0288] 225 top film

[0289] 225a supply roll

[0290] 227 transport device (transport chain for bottom film)

[0291] 229 recess

[0292] 241 control device

[0293] 243 sealing seam

[0294] 245 operating unit

[0295] 247 machine rack

[0296] 250 robot

[0297] A working position

[0298] B blocking position

[0299] F release position

[0300] E removing position

[0301] M packaging machine

[0302] O opening position

[0303] R unlocking position

[0304] S1 lower working position

[0305] S2 upper working position

[0306] T transport direction

[0307] V locking position

Claims

1-33. (canceled)34. A packaging machine comprising a work station,the work station comprising:a rack defining a working space;a working unit that comprises an upper tool and a bottom tool;a lifting device that is arranged in the working space of the rack and on which the bottom tool is supported in a working position, the lifting device being configured to raise and lower the bottom tool relative to the rack in order to execute a working stroke; anda removing device that is configured to move the bottom tool out of the working space of the rack into a removing position,wherein the removing device is configured to pivot the bottom tool from the working position into the removing position.

35. The packaging machine of claim 34, wherein the removing device is configured to pivot the bottom tool at least one of in a horizontal plane or about a vertical pivot axle from the working position into the removing position.

36. The packaging machine of claim 34, wherein the removing device has a closure that is configured to selectively block the removing device against a pivoting of the bottom tool from the working position into the removing position or to release the removing device for the pivoting of the bottom tool into the removing position.

37. The packaging machine of claim 34, wherein the upper tool is supportable at the rack via at least one release post, wherein the at least one release post is removable from the rack, wherein the at least one release post is pivotable together with the bottom tool.

38. The packaging machine of claim 37,wherein, when the bottom tool is in the working position, the at least one release post can be locked against a removal from the rack by moving a closure into a locking position, andwherein the at least one release post can be released for the removal from the rack by moving the closure into an unlocking position.

39. The packaging machine of claim 38, wherein the work station has at least one coupling section fixed relative to the rack, and wherein the at least one release post can be secured at the at least one coupling section against the removal from the rack by moving the closure into the locking position.

40. The packaging machine of claim 39, wherein the at least one release post has a blocking section that is configured to engage behind the at least one coupling section when the closure is in the locking position and, as a result, to secure the at least one release post against a movement relative to the rack.

41. The packaging machine of claim 40,wherein the at least one release post is configured to be rotated by moving the closure into the unlocking position, andwherein the blocking section that is configured to engage behind the at least one coupling section is configured to be released by rotating the at least one release post.

42. The packaging machine of claim 34, wherein the bottom tool is pivotable by the removing device about a pivot axle that is arranged offset outwardly from the rack.

43. The packaging machine of claim 34,wherein the upper tool is supportable at the rack via at least one release post,wherein the work station has at least one coupling section fixed relative to the rack, andwherein the at least one release post and the at least one coupling section are axially coupled.

44. A packaging machine comprising a work station,the work station comprising:a rack defining a working space;a working unit that comprises an upper tool and a bottom tool;a lifting device that is arranged in the working space of the rack and on which the bottom tool is supported in a working position, said lifting device being configured to raise and lower the bottom tool relative to the rack in order to execute a working stroke; anda removing device for moving the bottom tool out of the working space,wherein the lifting device can be moved between a lower working position and an upper working position to carry out the working stroke,wherein the lifting device can further be moved into a release position disposed below the lower working position, andwherein the bottom tool is configured to be brought into engagement with the removing device by moving the lifting device into the release position.

45. The packaging machine of claim 44, wherein the bottom tool is at least one of:releasable from the lifting device by moving the lifting device into the release position, orsupported at the removing device and spaced apart from the lifting device when the lifting device is in the release position.

46. The packaging machine of claim 44,wherein the lifting device has at least one operating medium connection that is introducible into a connection recess of the bottom tool, andwherein the at least one operating medium connection is completely released from the connection recess in the release position of the lifting device.

47. The packaging machine of claim 44,wherein the bottom tool has a removal section,wherein the removing device has a support section having an abutment for the removal section, andwherein the removal section can be brought into contact with the abutment by moving the lifting device into the release position.

48. The packaging machine of claim 47, wherein the removal section projects outwardly in a direction of the removing device.

49. The packaging machine of claim 44,wherein the upper tool is supportable at the rack via at least one release post,wherein the work station has at least one coupling section fixed relative to the rack, andwherein the at least one release post and the at least one coupling section are axially coupled.

50. A method for removing a bottom tool of a work station of a packaging machine,wherein, during an operation of the work station, the bottom tool is supported at a lifting device that is movable between a lower working position and an upper working position in order to execute a working stroke,lowering the lifting device into a release position disposed below the lower working position to release the bottom tool from the lifting device and transfer the bottom tool to a removing device.

51. The method of claim 50,wherein the bottom tool is supported at the removing device by lowering the lifting device into the release position.

52. A method for removing a bottom tool of a work station of a packaging machine,pivoting a removing device to bring the bottom tool out of a working space,wherein the working space is defined by a rack of the work station.

53. The method of claim 52,wherein at least one post, via which an upper tool of the work station is supported at the rack, is pivoted together with the bottom tool.

Images