WO2024132445A1

WO2024132445A1 - Work station for a packaging machine and method for removing a lower tool from a work station of a packaging machine

Info

Publication number: WO2024132445A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/083773
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephan Clössner; Jan Michel GRAU; Carl Felix MOLL
Original assignee: Weber Food Technology Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-12-23
Filing date: 2023-11-30
Publication date: 2024-06-27

Abstract

The invention relates to a work station for a packaging machine, comprising: a frame which defines a work space; a work unit which includes an upper tool and a lower tool; a lifting device which is arranged in the work space of the frame and on which the lower tool is supported in a working position and which is designed to raise and lower the supported lower tool relative to the frame for executing a working stroke; and a removal device which is designed to pivot the lower tool out of the work space of the frame into a removal position.

Description

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

The invention relates to a work station for a packaging machine, in particular a forming station or a sealing station, in particular for a thermoforming packaging machine. The work station comprises a frame which defines a working space, a working unit which comprises an upper tool and a lower tool, and a lifting device arranged in the working space of the frame, on which the lower tool is supported in a working position. The lifting device is designed to raise and lower the supported lower tool relative to the frame in order to carry out a working stroke.

A packaging machine can, for example, be provided to provide packaging stations for portions of food products, which can be brought from an upstream device to the packaging stations 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 be cut into slices, for example by a slicing device, and portions can be formed from the separated slices, in order to then transport the portions to the packaging machine by means of a transport device and hand them over to the packaging machine for packaging. Such a processing line can thus enable complete processing of food products into portions packaged ready for sale, which comprise one or more of the separated slices.

In order to be able to package food portions - or other objects to be packaged - and to produce the required packaging, packaging machines can comprise one or more work stations that are designed to carry out at least one step in the production of the packaging. For example, a packaging machine can comprise an unwinding device from which a material web, in particular a film and/or paper web, is pulled off, which can then be processed by various work stations in order to produce a complete packaging. In such work stations, the material web can be processed in particular by a work unit which comprises a lower tool and an upper tool, wherein the upper tool and the lower tool can be moved relative to one another during processing by raising and lowering the lower tool relative to a fixed frame of the work station by means of a lifting device.

For example, a packaging machine can have a forming station by means of which troughs can be drawn into the material web by thermoforming in order to then make these troughs available as packaging stations and, for example, to place portions of food products to be packaged into the troughs. For this purpose, for example, a lower tool can first be raised in order to come into contact with the material web and then lowered again in order to draw the trough into the material web.

Furthermore, a packaging machine can comprise, for example, a sealing station at which a trough or other packaging location is closed by a material web fed from above, by sealing the upper material web at the edges of the packaging location. For this purpose, too, a lower tool of the sealing station can be raised during processing and pressed against an upper tool in order to press the troughs and the material web fed from above together and connect them to one another, for which purpose the material webs can be heated, in particular to produce a sealing seam.

Since relatively high forces usually have to be generated between the lower tool and the upper tool during such processing steps, the working unit and in particular the lower tool must be very stable. In order to achieve this stability, the lower tools of such work stations are therefore usually relatively heavy.

However, it may be necessary to move the lower tool out of the work area and detach it from the lifting device in order to be able to position another lower tool in the work area and support it on the lifting device, for example if different types of packaging are to be produced and the work station has to be converted accordingly. In addition, the lower tool arranged below the upper tool during operation of the packaging machine is often difficult to access for any maintenance or cleaning work, so that it may also be necessary or desirable for such work to move the lower tool out of the work area and to make access to the lower tool easier. Basically, there are various state-of-the-art options for changing tools on such workstations:

With regard to changing a lower tool or upper tool, EP 2 539 125 B1 and EP 2 982 487 B1 describe raising 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 state of the art, a tool to be changed must therefore 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 in order to then be able to be lowered.

In addition, the above-mentioned prior art explains how to pivot a supporting upper part of an upper tool from a horizontal to a vertical position using a pivoting mechanism in order to be able to provide access to an area above the tool. The pivoting mechanism can be detached from the supporting upper part.

EP 2 384 980 B1 further 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 axis and about a second pivot axis. The first pivot axis runs parallel to a transport direction of the packaging machine and the upper tool part is connected to the first pivot axis via two pivot arms, so that the upper tool part can be brought into an oblique orientation and raised by pivoting about the first pivot axis. The second pivot axis is aligned parallel to the first pivot axis and by pivoting the raised upper tool part about the second pivot axis, the upper tool part can be brought into either a vertical or horizontal position after being raised.

WO 2017/174667 A1 also describes rotating an upper tool of a work station from a horizontal use position into a vertical inspection position.

It is also known from WO 2014/082991 A1 to provide a quick-release fastener between a deep-drawing die and its drive in a forming station of a packaging machine, wherein the quick-release fastener can be opened by a relative movement between the die and the drive. DE 10 201 1 101 053 B4 explains how to couple a lower tool and an upper tool together by means of a detachable coupling in a position in which the tools are at the smallest distance from each other, in order to then be able to lift the tools together upwards out of the packaging machine.

EP 2 522 486 B1 discloses a tool changing device of a thermoforming packaging machine which enables the tools to be removed from the side. For this purpose, a chain guide for guiding a film is positioned vertically before the tools are removed in such a way that the chain guide does not represent an interference contour with a lateral movement of tool inserts. This makes it possible to pull the tools out of the packaging machine laterally using the tool inserts after the chain guide has been positioned accordingly.

EP 2 819 831 B1 describes a work station of a packaging machine which has an upper part with a tool, wherein the tool can first be inserted into the upper part in a horizontal direction, for example over a surface of a chain guide, in order to then be raised by a guide. Conversely, this makes it possible to first lower the tool for removal from the upper part and then move it out of the upper part in a horizontal direction.

DE 10 2010 056 319 B4 describes a packaging machine with a tool that can be raised and lowered, which has a first lifting mechanism for operating the tool and a second lifting mechanism by means of which a tool guide can be moved in a vertical direction. The tool can be placed on the tool guide in a raised position of the tool guide in order to then be able to be pulled out of the packaging machine from the side via the tool guide.

EP 2 149 501 B1 also describes a mechanism for locking one 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 released and the lockable tool half can be brought into contact with the movable tool half in order to then be able to lower and remove both tool halves together.

Furthermore, EP 2 907 762 A1 discloses a tool changing carriage for packaging machines, by means of which a tool can be transferred from a first packaging machine to a second packaging machine. The tool changing carriage has a first receiving side, on which the tool can be taken from the first packaging machine, and a second receiving 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 lower tool can be transferred to the tool change carriage.

DE 10 2011 112 658 B4 also describes a docking device for docking a tool changing carriage to a packaging machine.

In this respect, although options for changing tools from workstations of packaging machines and in particular also from lower tools of such workstations are known, moving the lower tool out of the work area with these solutions is usually relatively laborious and time-consuming, so that any conversion of a lower tool of a forming station and/or a sealing station is often accompanied by unreasonably long interruptions in operation. In particular, solutions in which a lower tool has to be lifted vertically above the workstation or pulled over a surface require an undesirably high level of force in view of the usually high weight of such lower tools. In addition, solutions known from the prior art for removing an upper tool cannot simply be transferred to removing a lower tool because - unlike with an upper tool - access to the lower tool from above is blocked by components of the workstation arranged above the lower tool.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a work station for a packaging machine, which has an upper tool and a lower tool for carrying out a working stroke in a work area and which offers a possibility for simple and quick movement of the lower tool out of the work area in order to be able to carry out, for example, conversion and/or maintenance work.

This object is achieved by a workstation having the features of claim 1.

The work station comprises a removal device which is designed to move the lower tool out of the working area of the frame into a removal position. The removal device is designed to pivot the lower tool from the working position into the removal position. By having a removal device in the work station, a device is immediately provided for conveniently moving the lower tool out of the work area and into the removal position so that the lower tool can be changed, converted and/or serviced, for example. The removal position can therefore be located completely or at least partially outside the work area.

The removal device can also be designed in particular to move the lower tool partially or completely out of the work area, so that the lower tool in the removal position can be located partially or completely outside the work area defined by the frame. In particular, the work area can be defined by external boundaries of the frame, wherein the lifting device can be arranged, for example, in a work area delimited by a frame in order to raise and lower the lower tool to carry out the work stroke. In the removal position, the lower tool can also be located partially or completely outside the frame or an external machine panel of the work station, i.e. a boundary of the work station that is located furthest outward on the side during operation of the work station.

In particular, the frame can have a frame which delimits the working space. In addition, the lifting device can be supported on the frame, so that the lower tool supported on the lifting device can also be supported on the frame via the lifting device. The lower tool can be supported on the lifting device in particular during operation, whereas the lower tool can be supported on the removal device and/or detached from the lifting device in the removal position. The frame can also be designed to absorb forces acting between the lower tool and the upper tool during the execution of a working stroke. For this purpose, such forces can be directed, for example, via columns supporting the upper tool to a frame supporting the lifting device.

In the context of the present disclosure, such columns are to be understood in particular as elements which enable a force transmission between the lower tool and the upper tool of the work station and which connect the lower tool and the upper tool to one another. The columns can therefore generally be elongated connecting elements via which forces acting between the lower tool and the upper tool can be diverted, whereby the exact shape of the columns is, however, irrelevant. For example, the columns for transmitting forces between the lower tool and the upper tool can be circular, rectangular, square or polygonal in cross-section. be square. In addition, the columns can be made in one piece or from several parts, as long as the columns allow force transmission during operation of the work station and/or support of the upper tool. Such columns can also be referred to as rods or posts, for example.

The frame of the work device can also be supported on the ground, for example, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the frame can be placed directly on the ground and/or placed on the ground during operation of the packaging machine, although in some embodiments the frame can also be supported on the ground, for example, via a frame of the packaging machine. For example, in such embodiments, a lower frame of the frame of the work station can be supported on two beams of a frame of the packaging machine and/or can be arranged between two beams of the frame of the packaging machine and/or can be arranged during operation of the packaging machine.

By designing the removal device to pivot the lower tool from the working position into the removal position, it can be achieved in particular that, in some embodiments, the lower tool does not have to be pulled down from the lifting device by a linear movement in order to move into the removal position, which requires large frictional forces between the lower tool and the lifting device to be overcome. Rather, the pivoting movement can make it possible, for example, to remove the lower tool by engaging a section of the removal device that is spaced apart from a pivot axis around which the pivoting movement takes place and thereby using a lever in order to be able to move the usually heavy lower tool easily into the removal position.

The removal device can be designed in particular to pivot the lower tool in a horizontal plane from the working position into the removal position. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the removal device can be designed to pivot the lower tool about a vertical pivot axis. Such a movement makes it possible to move the usually heavy lower tool out of the work area without requiring a movement component in the vertical direction and in particular lifting of the lower tool, so that the movement of the lower tool into the removal position can be carried out in the simplest possible manner. Furthermore, moving the lower tool sideways out of the packaging machine can make it possible to avoid having to cut the material web guided between the lower tool and the upper tool in order to move the lower tool out of the working position - unlike when removing the lower tool upwards. This can also result in significant time savings and reduce material costs compared to conventional solutions.

The removal device can also be operated manually and/or without tools. In this respect, it can be provided, for example, that the lower tool can first be transferred to the removal device in order to then be manually pivoted out of the work area. In some embodiments, it can therefore be provided that the lifting device is designed to transfer the lower tool to the removal device, as will be explained in more detail below. The removal device can also be designed to hold the lower tool vertically spaced from the lifting device while the lower tool is in the work area. Holding the lower tool at a distance in this way can in particular make it possible to then pivot the lower tool out of the work area into the removal position without having to overcome frictional forces between the lifting device and the lower tool. This can both enable the lower tool to be pivoted smoothly and protect any seals between the lifting device and the lower tool from damage during removal, as will also be explained in more detail below.

Further embodiments can be found in the claims, the description and the drawings.

In some embodiments, the lower tool can be raised and lowered relative to the upper tool by the lifting device, for example to clamp and process a web of material passed between the upper tool and the lower tool by lifting it. In some embodiments, the lifting device can also be designed to raise and lower the upper tool, so that in some embodiments both the lower tool and the upper tool can be moved during the working stroke. During the working stroke, the lower tool and/or the upper tool can be moved relative to one another, initially towards one another and then away from one another. In some embodiments, the lifting device can be designed as described in DE 10 2017 123 805 A1, the disclosure content of which is explicitly included in the content of the present application.

In some embodiments, the lower tool can weigh at least 100 kg, in particular at least 150 kg and/or at least 200 kg. The removal device can therefore be designed to transfer such a heavy lower tool from the working position to the removal position by pivoting.

In some embodiments, the removal device can have a closure which is designed to selectively lock the removal device against pivoting of the lower tool from the working position into the removal position or to release it for pivoting the lower tool into the removal position.

In particular, such a closure can ensure that movable components of the removal device are reliably secured and remain stationary during operation of the work station for producing packaging and in particular during the execution of a working stroke in order to be able to prevent any impairment of operation and/or damage to the work station and/or the packaging machine due to an unintentional movement of components of the removal device during operation. Furthermore, the closure can in particular be manually operable, so that in particular no tool and/or key is required to release the removal device. However, in some embodiments the closure can be secured in a locking position in which the closure blocks the removal device against the pivoting of the lower tool. For this purpose, the closure can for example have a pre-tensioned pin which must first be removed, in particular manually, from an associated recess in order to be able to move the closure out of the locking position. The actuation of the lock to lock or release the removal device can in particular comprise a rotating movement, a pivoting movement, a pushing movement and/or a pulling movement.

In some embodiments, the closure can also be designed in such a way that an outer panel of the packaging machine and/or the work station can only be closed when the removal device is secured against pivoting relative to the frame by the closure. For example, the closure can protrude outwards from the frame in an unlocked position in which the removal device is released for pivoting of the lower tool, so that closing the outer panel The outer casing can be blocked by the protruding lock and the lock must first be moved into a locking position in which the lock blocks the removal device before the casing can be closed. This ensures that the packaging machine does not start operating until the removal device is reliably locked.

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

In some embodiments, the upper tool can be supported on the frame via at least one release column, which can be removed from the frame. With regard to the release column, as already mentioned, different shapes are also conceivable, so that the release column can be circular, rectangular, square or polygonal in cross section.

In particular, the upper tool can be supported on the frame via the release column during operation and/or during the execution of a working stroke, wherein in some embodiments the upper tool can be connected to the release column via a working frame on which the upper tool rests. In addition, the release column can also be designed and provided in particular to absorb tensile forces that occur during a working stroke and to divert them to the frame, which are generated by the lower tool and the upper tool moving against each other. In particular, the upper tool can be supported on the frame below the lifting device via the release column, so that forces transmitted from the lifting device to the lower tool can be directed via the upper tool and the release column to the part of the frame located below the lifting device, for example a frame supporting the lifting device.

In some embodiments, such tensile forces can also be absorbed in particular via the release column and one or more columns or rods fixed to the frame. In particular, a frame of the packaging machine - in the case of the frame of the work station being supported by such a frame - can be released due to the release of the In addition to tensile forces acting on the workstation frame, it can therefore only absorb the weight of the workstation and not the forces acting between the lower tool and the upper tool during the execution of the working stroke.

The release column and/or the fixed columns mentioned can also generally be referred to as rods or posts. Furthermore, the columns can in particular have an elongated shape in order to be connectable to the upper tool and to be able to support the upper tool below the lifting device on the frame of the work station and in particular on a frame supporting the lifting device. In addition, the release column can form a positive connection at its ends with respective elements supporting the lower tool or the upper tool, in particular in an operating position in which the release column is located during operation and/or when the lower tool is in the working position.

Since the work station can have such a release column that can be removed from the frame, this column, which is required to support the upper tool and/or to absorb tensile forces, can be removed from the frame before or when the lower tool is moved into the removal position, so that the lower tool does not have to be moved past the release column to be led out of the work area. Since in a case in which the lower tool is to be brought into the removal position and consequently no working stroke is to be carried out, only the weight of the upper tool needs to be held and no tensile forces need to be absorbed, it was recognized that supporting the upper tool by the release column is unnecessary in such situations and can be adequately ensured, for example, by the additional columns mentioned.

For example, it can be provided that the release column can be removed from the frame and/or completely detached from the work station. In such embodiments, the release column can first be released from the frame and removed in order to remove the lower tool in order to create space for the pivoting movement to transfer the lower tool into the removal position, whereupon the lower tool can be brought into the removal position by the removal device. Conversely, after the lower tool has been introduced into the work area, the release column can be reattached to the frame in order to support the upper tool during a subsequent work stroke and/or to absorb forces acting between the upper tool and the lower tool. In particular, however, in some embodiments the release column can be moved together with the lower tool. In some embodiments the release column can be designed as a pivotable column and pivotable together with the lower tool. In such embodiments the release column can be pivoted together with the lower tool, whereas during operation of the work station the release column can be arranged at the intended location for supporting the upper tool and/or for absorbing tensile forces in order to fulfil the conventional function. In comparison to moving the lower tool past a fixed column, this can in particular achieve a gain in space for moving the lower tool from the working position to the removal position, whereby the pivoting movement, which takes up more space than a purely translational movement, can be facilitated, by means of which the lower tool can be moved from the removal device to the removal position. In such embodiments, the release column is thus no longer understood as a fixed support of the upper tool, but as a support that can be optionally coupled for the operation of the work station, but which can be easily removed by pivoting together with the lower tool in order to move the lower tool out of the work area, without a separate step being required.

In some embodiments, the release column can thus be pivoted together with the lower tool.

In some embodiments, the release column can also be coupled to the lower tool during pivoting. In such embodiments, the release column can thus inevitably be moved along with the lower tool when the lower tool is moved by the removal device from the working position to the removal position. Therefore, in such embodiments, in particular, no separate steps need to be taken to remove the release column from the frame and create the space for the pivoting movement of the lower tool.

In some embodiments, the upper tool can be supported on the frame via at least four columns and at least one of the at least four columns, in particular exactly one column, can be pivotable together with the lower tool and form the release column. In particular, the upper tool can be supported on the frame at respective corner sections and one of the columns supporting the upper tool (in particular during operation) can be pivotable together with the lower tool. In particular, the pivotable release column can be attached to a pivot axis about which the lower tool can be pivoted by the removal device, be arranged opposite end section of the removal device, so that the pivotable release column can, for example, form an engagement point for carrying out the pivoting movement. By pivoting a column out in a corner section in this way, the additional space required for the pivoting movement can be made available, for example in the case of a rectangular lower tool, compared to a translatory extraction, so that, for example, a corner of the lower tool diagonally opposite the pivot axis can also be pivoted out of the work area and/or the frame.

The release column can therefore generally and in particular when designed as a pivotable column be arranged at a corner section of the upper tool and/or the working area.

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

In embodiments with six columns, for example, four columns can be arranged at respective corner sections of the upper tool and two columns on a long side between two columns positioned at corner sections. In such embodiments, in particular, both a column arranged in a corner section and an adjacent column which is arranged between two corner sections can be pivoted together with the lower tool and in this respect form a respective release column. In embodiments with eight columns, for example, four columns can also be arranged at respective corner sections and two columns each between columns arranged at corner sections, wherein in such embodiments, for example, a column arranged at a corner section and two columns which are positioned between the column pivotably arranged at the corner section and the column arranged at an adjacent corner section can be pivoted.

In addition, in some embodiments, one or more columns for supporting the upper tool and/or for absorbing tensile forces may be positioned outside a pivoting range through which the lower tool can be pivoted during movement out of the working position into the removal position. Such columns positioned outside the pivoting range can therefore remain fixed to the frame in particular and cannot be pivoted together with the lower tool. For example, in embodiments with six columns, a column arranged in a first corner section can be fixed to the frame, whereas a column arranged at a second end section opposite the first corner section can be pivoted, wherein the first end section and the second end section can be arranged on a common long side of the work station. A column arranged between the two corner sections can also be fixed to the frame in such embodiments and cannot be pivoted.

In some embodiments, one of the fixed columns can also form a pivot axis about which the lower tool can be pivoted by the removal device. In particular, however, in some embodiments, in addition to the columns for supporting the upper tool, a pivot axis can be formed, which can only be intended for pivoting the lower tool, but not for supporting the upper tool. Such a separate pivot axis can also be arranged offset outwards, in particular from the frame of the work station, in order to be able to pivot the lower tool completely out of the frame of the work station and position it in the removal position so that it is freely accessible for further handling. The pivot axis can basically be formed by a column and/or rod about which the lower tool can be pivoted by the removal device.

In some embodiments, the release column can be connected by a support section of the removal device, via which the lower tool can be supported on the removal device, to a pivot axis about which the lower tool can be pivoted by the removal device.

In such embodiments, the support section can be designed in the manner of a door that can be pivoted about the pivot axis in order to connect the release column to the pivot axis. In particular, the support section can be designed to completely support the lower tool during movement from the working position to the removal position, so that the lower tool can no longer be supported on the lifting device during movement to the removal position. In such embodiments, no frictional forces between the lifting device and the lower tool have to be overcome in order to move the lower tool out of the working area. For example, the release column can be arranged on an edge section of the support section opposite the pivot axis.

When the lower tool is in the working position, the release column can be locked against removal from the frame, in particular against pivoting relative to the frame, by moving a lock into a locking position, in particular by means of a positive locking. In addition, in some embodiments, the release column can be released by moving the lock into an unlocking position for removal from the frame, in particular for pivoting relative to the frame. In particular, this lock can be the lock already mentioned above, by means of which the removal device can be secured against pivoting of the lower tool.

Because the release column can be locked against removal from the frame by the lock, it can be ensured in particular that the release column does not move relative to the frame during operation and/or during the execution of a working stroke, but rather reliably supports the upper tool and/or absorbs tensile forces generated between the lower tool and the upper tool. Furthermore, as already mentioned, in some embodiments the release column can be coupled to the lower tool with regard to the pivoting of the lower tool, so that the pivoting of the lower tool can require a joint pivoting of the release column. By locking the release column, the removal device as a whole can therefore be secured against pivoting of the lower tool, but by unlocking the release column it can be released for pivoting the lower tool into the removal position.

In particular, the closure can be manually movable between the locking position and the unlocking position, so that no tool is required to unlock the release column. However, in some embodiments, the closure can be secured in the locking position by a safety device, for example by a pre-tensioned pin, so that such a safety device can first be released before the closure can be moved to the unlocking position. The safety device can also be released, in particular, manually.

In some embodiments, the work station can have at least one coupling section fixed relative to the frame and the release column can be secured against removal from the frame, in particular against pivoting, by moving the lock into the locking position on the coupling section. In particular, in the case of When the closure is in the locking position, a force can be transmitted to the coupling section and the frame via the blocking section, which counteracts a pivoting movement of a release column designed as a column that can be pivoted together with the lower tool during the movement of the lower tool into the removal position, in order to thereby prevent a relative movement between the release column and the frame.

In some embodiments, the upper tool can be supported on the frame via the coupling section and the release column. In particular, the upper tool can be supported on the frame via the coupling section and the release column during operation.

In such embodiments, it can be provided in particular that the release column can be positioned vertically below and/or vertically above the coupling section, so that a weight force exerted by the upper tool can be transmitted to the frame in a vertical direction via the coupling section and the release column. In such embodiments, the coupling section can thus both secure the release column against removal from the frame and in particular enable a pivoting movement relative to the frame, as well as couple the release column into a force transmission path from the upper tool to the frame. Such coupling can in particular comprise the production of a positive connection between the release column and the coupling section.

In some embodiments, two coupling sections fixed to the frame can also be provided, on which the release column can be secured against removal from the frame and in particular against pivoting relative to the frame. In particular, in such embodiments, a first coupling section can be arranged vertically below the release column, while a second coupling section can be arranged vertically above the release column. The release column can therefore be arranged between the two coupling sections in such embodiments if the release column is not removed from the frame, but is coupled into a force transmission path from the upper tool to the frame to support the upper tool and/or to absorb tensile forces.

In some embodiments, the release column can have a blocking section which is designed to engage behind the coupling section when the lock is in the locking position and thereby secure the release column against movement relative to the frame. For example, the coupling section can have a Have an extension that can be gripped behind the blocking section, wherein a force that points in the direction of the pivoting movement for moving the lower tool from the working position to the removal position can be transmitted via the blocking section to the extension of the coupling section and thus to the frame when the lock is in the locking position. In this way, in particular a release column that can be pivoted together with the lower tool can be secured against removal from the frame.

In some embodiments, the release column may be rotatable by moving the lock into the unlocking position and the engagement of the coupling portion may be releasable by rotating the release column.

In particular, in such embodiments, the release column can also be rotated into the locking position by moving the closure in order to be able to engage the contact section behind the blocking section, for example after the lower tool has been moved from the removal position into the working position. In some embodiments, the closure can thus be coupled to the release column in a rotationally fixed manner in order to be able to secure the release column to the frame or to release it for removal from the frame and/or pivoting relative to the frame by appropriately positioning the blocking section. In order to enable such a rotational movement of the release column, the release column can, for example, be attached in a rotatable manner to the support section already mentioned, via which the release column can be connected to a pivot axis about which the lower tool can be pivoted by the removal device. In addition, the closure can comprise, for example, a pivot lever in order to be able to transmit a torque to the release column. The release column can also be rotatable, in particular by the closure, about a rotation axis which extends along a longitudinal axis of the release column and/or in the vertical direction.

In some embodiments, the release column can have a receptacle with an entrance and the blocking section can form a boundary of the receptacle. In such embodiments, the coupling section can be guided into the receptacle through the entrance and/or out of the receptacle when the lock is in the unlocked position.

In particular, the receptacle - apart from the entrance - can be closed all around, for example to provide the largest possible contact surface for force transmission from the contact section to the release column for absorbing the weight of the upper tool Furthermore, in particular the aforementioned extension of the contact section can be guided into the receptacle through the entrance and/or out of the receptacle when the lock is in the unlocking position. In particular, this introduction or removal can take place during a pivoting movement which the release column can carry out together with the lower tool when the lower tool is moved from the removal position to the working position or vice versa.

Since the release column can be rotated by the lock, the entrance can be rotated by moving the lock into the locking position and can optionally be brought into an orientation in which the entrance is not aligned opposite to a direction of movement for initiating the pivoting movement for moving the lower tool into the removal position, so that this pivoting movement can be blocked by the blocking section adjoining the entrance. On the other hand, by moving the lock into the unlocking position and correspondingly rotating the receptacle, the entrance can be brought into an orientation in which the entrance is aligned opposite to the direction of movement of the pivoting movement, so that the coupling section can be guided out of the receptacle through the entrance - viewed relative to the release column - when a release column designed as a column that can be pivoted together with the lower tool is pivoted. Likewise, the coupling section can be inserted into the receptacle through the entrance when the lower tool is subsequently pivoted into the working position when the lock is in the unlocking position and the entrance is aligned accordingly.

In some embodiments, the release column, in particular the receptacle, can have a radially inward-facing holding portion which engages behind a radially outward-facing connecting portion of the coupling portion when the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle.

In particular, the radially inwardly pointing holding section can overlap a radially outwardly pointing connecting section of a coupling section arranged above the holder and can engage under a radially outwardly pointing connecting section of a coupling section arranged below the holder. By engaging behind a connecting section in this way, the release column and the coupling section can be axially connected to one another in order to enable a transfer of tensile forces from the release column to the coupling section and thus the frame when such tensile loads are generated during the execution of the working stroke by the pressing of the lower tool and the upper tool against one another. In order to be able to provide such a connecting section, the coupling section can, in some embodiments, have a mushroom-head-like extension which can be inserted into the receptacle.

The holding section can be formed, for example, on a boundary that delimits the receptacle, which can be formed in particular continuously apart from the entrance. In this respect, the holding section can be formed at least partially on the blocking section already mentioned, which can engage behind the coupling section to secure the release column against pivoting relative to the frame.

In some embodiments, the release column can have a respective receptacle at a lower end and at an upper end, which cooperate with a respective coupling section. In this respect, in some embodiments, the release column can be secured at the lower end and at the upper end against removal from and/or pivoting relative to the frame and/or can be coupled to respective coupling sections in such a way that tensile forces can be transmitted between the coupling sections and the release column and diverted to the frame.

In embodiments with two coupling sections, the coupling sections can basically have one feature or several features of the features mentioned above in connection with the coupling section. Furthermore, the release column can be designed with one or more of the features explained above at an upper end for interaction with a coupling section arranged above the release column and at a lower end for interaction with a coupling section arranged below the release column and can have, for example, a respective blocking section and/or a respective receptacle.

In particular, it can also be provided that a release column that can be completely detached from the frame can be selectively coupled into a force transmission path between the upper tool and the lower tool in this way - by coupling it to one or more coupling sections of the frame.

In some embodiments, the closure can be pivoted between the locking position and the unlocking position and in particular can have a pivoting lever. Furthermore, the closure can in particular be pivoted by 90° between the locking position and the unlocking position. In addition, the lock can have respective stops which define the locking position and the unlocking position.

Since the closure can be rotationally coupled to the release column in some embodiments, the release column can also be rotated in particular by 90° when the closure is moved from the unlocking position to the locking position, or vice versa. In particular, the closure can be pivotable about the release column and/or a pivot axis defined by the release column. A direction of movement of the pivoting movement of the closure during a movement from the unlocking position to the locking position can also be opposite to a direction of movement during a pivoting movement of the closure from the locking position to the unlocking position.

In some embodiments, the lower tool can be pivoted by the removal device about a pivot axis arranged offset outwards from the frame.

Pivoting about such an offset pivot axis can in particular enable the lower tool to be pivoted completely out of the working space and even - at least largely - out of a boundary space of the packaging machine, wherein the lower tool can be guided completely out of the working space and transferred into the removal position, in particular by a pivoting movement of 90°.

The pivot axis can be formed, for example, by a column and/or a rod.

As an alternative to an arrangement of the pivot axis offset outwards from the frame, in some embodiments it can also be provided that the pivot axis is arranged inside the frame or directly on the frame, but is connected to the lower tool via a connecting section, for example a connecting strut. Such a connecting section can also make it possible, for example, to position the lower tool completely outside the frame after pivoting by the removal device, in particular by pivoting by 180°, in order to be able to change the lower tool, for example. In such embodiments, the pivot axis can also be formed, for example, by one of the columns already mentioned, by which the upper tool is supported on the frame, whereby the column forming the pivot axis cannot, however, be pivotable relative to the frame. Such a The column forming the pivot axis can be arranged in particular at a corner section of the frame.

However, it is also possible for the lower tool to be only partially movable out of the working space, for example to enable components of the lower tool to be changed. In such embodiments, it can therefore be provided, for example, that the pivot axis is arranged within the frame or directly on the frame and/or the lower tool is attached directly to the pivot axis, so that an edge section of the lower tool can still be arranged within the working space after pivoting, for example by 90°.

In some embodiments, the pivot axis can be supported on the frame. A pivot axis that is offset outwards from the frame can be connected to the frame, for example, via a connecting element and supported on the frame in order to be able to create a distance from the frame. In embodiments in which the pivot axis is offset outwards from the frame, the pivot axis in particular cannot be provided for supporting the upper tool on the frame.

In addition, the pivot axis can be aligned vertically in some embodiments. In this respect, the pivoting out of the lower tool can take place in a horizontal plane, so that when the lower tool is moved out or pivoted out of the work area, in particular no vertical movement takes place and the weight of the lower tool has to be overcome.

The invention further relates to a work station for a packaging machine, in particular a forming station or a sealing station, in particular a work station for a thermoforming packaging machine, wherein the work station can be designed in particular according to one of the embodiments explained above. The work station according to this aspect of the invention comprises a frame which defines a work space, a work unit which comprises an upper tool and a lower tool, a lifting device arranged in a work space of the frame, on which the lower tool is supported in a working position and which is designed to raise and lower the supported lower tool relative to the frame to carry out a working stroke, and a removal device for moving the lower tool out of the work space.

The lifting device is designed to carry out the working stroke between a lower working position and an upper working position and also to a position below the lower working position lying release position. Furthermore, the lower tool can be brought into engagement with the removal device by moving the lifting device into the release position.

In particular, the lower tool can be decoupled from the lifting device and brought into engagement with the removal device by moving the lifting device into the release position.

In addition to the working positions to be assumed during the execution of the working stroke, the lower working position and the upper working position, the lifting device can thus also be lowered below the lower working position into a release position in order to transfer the lower tool to the removal device by moving it into the release position. The release position can thus enable the lower tool to be transferred to the removal device without, however, being required for the execution of the working stroke or being assumed during the execution of the working stroke. In order to move the lower tool out of the work area, it can be provided to first move the lifting device into the release position and thus out of an area within which the lifting device is moved during operation of the work station to carry out a processing step in order to bring the lower tool into engagement with the removal device.

Then, in some embodiments, the above-explained pivoting of the lower tool by the removal device can take place in order to move the lower tool out of the work area into a removal position. In principle, however, after the lower tool has been transferred to the removal device, other possibilities for moving the lower tool out of the work area are also conceivable, such as pulling out a removal device designed like a drawer, on which the lower tool can be supported as the lifting device moves into the release position.

In some embodiments, the lower tool can be released from the lifting device by moving the lifting device into the release position.

In such embodiments, the lower tool can therefore already come into engagement with the removal device before the lifting device reaches the release position and in particular can be supported exclusively on the removal device, but in any case no longer on the lifting device, when the lifting device assumes the release position. The lower tool can therefore no longer come into contact with the lifting device when the lifting device has been moved into the release position, but is held exclusively by the removal device. This can in particular ensure that when the lower tool is subsequently moved out of the work area, no frictional forces between the usually heavy lower tool and the lifting device have to be overcome, so that by transferring the lower tool to the removal device in this way before the lower tool is actually moved out of the work area, an opportunity for the lower tool to be moved smoothly can be created. As already explained, the removal device can in particular be designed to pivot the lower tool out of the work area, so that in particular during such a pivoting movement by previously transferring the lower tool to the removal device, no frictional forces between the lifting device and the lower tool have to be overcome. However, it is also possible to make it possible to pull out a drawer-type removal device easily, for example, by not having to overcome frictional forces between the lower tool and the lifting device during a pulling movement to pull out the lower tool, but rather by making the pulling movement easier, for example, using rollers on the removal device. In addition to protecting the component surfaces, unintentional and possibly uncontrolled horizontal forces on the entire mechanical system in the work area, which is actually only designed for vertical stress, can also be avoided.

In some embodiments, the lower tool can be supported on the removal device in the release position of the lifting device and can be spaced apart from the lifting device. As already explained, a lower tool released from the lifting device in this way can be moved out of the work area in particular without having to overcome frictional forces between the lifting device and the lower tool. This can both enable the lower tool to be easily removed and prevent any damage to the lower tool and/or the lifting device caused by frictional forces that have to be overcome.

In some embodiments, the lifting device can have at least one operating medium connection that can be inserted into a connection recess of the lower tool, wherein the operating medium connection can be completely released from the operating medium receptacle in the release position of the lifting device.

In particular, the equipment connection can point from the lifting device in the direction of the lower tool and/or on a lower side of the lower tool into an associated The operating medium connection can therefore extend at least essentially in a vertical direction. For example, such operating medium connections can be used to provide any operating medium required during the processing of a material web by the lower tool, such as coolants, gases and/or compressed air. The operating medium connections can be designed as plug connections, for example.

Since the equipment connection can be completely released from the equipment holder in the release position of the lifting device, the lower tool can be moved out of the work area by the removal device, in particular by a movement in a horizontal plane, for example a pivoting movement or a pulling movement, without the equipment connection blocking such a movement. In particular, the lifting device can be spaced from an underside of the lower tool in the release position by a distance which exceeds the extension of the equipment connections in the direction of the lower tool.

In addition, the connection recess and/or the operating medium connection can have a seal, in particular a radial seal, in some embodiments. Since the operating medium connection can be completely released from the connection recess by moving the lifting device into the release position, such a seal can also be released first by moving the lifting device into the release position before the lower tool is moved, in particular pivoted or pulled, out of the work area. In comparison to a translatory pulling of the lower tool via the lifting device to remove the lower tool from the work area, in which 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 lower tool is moved. In particular, all operating medium connections formed on the lifting device can therefore be released from the respective associated connection recesses on the underside of the lower tool by moving the lifting device into the release position.

In some embodiments, the lower tool can have a removal section and the removal device can have a support section with a stop for the removal section. In such embodiments, the removal section can be brought into contact with the stop by moving the lifting device into the release position. In particular, the support section can be the support section already mentioned, via which a release column designed as a pivotable column can be connected to a pivot axis, about which the lower tool can be pivoted from the working position into a removal position by the removal device in some embodiments.

In particular, the stop of the support section can be positioned in such a way that the removal section comes into contact with the stop during a movement of the lifting device from the lower working position to the release position before the lifting device reaches the release position. In this respect, by bringing the removal section into contact with the stop, the lower tool can be transferred to the removal device in a way, in order to be able to release the lifting device from the lower tool by the subsequent further movement into the release position and to be able to release the lower tool for movement out of the work area. 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 stop, so that the removal device does not interact with the lower tool during the execution of the working stroke, but the working stroke can take place without intervention by the removal device.

In some embodiments, the removal section can protrude outwards in the direction of the removal device. The removal device and in particular the support section can be arranged at a distance from the frame to the lifting device, wherein this distance can be bridged by a removal section protruding outwards in the direction of the removal device in order to be able to transfer the lower tool to the removal device.

In some embodiments, the stop can have at least one centering projection, which is designed to engage in a centering recess formed on the removal section, or vice versa. Such interaction between a centering projection and a centering recess can in particular achieve exact positioning of the lower tool on the removal device and in particular the support section. In addition, a centering section engaging in a centering recess can transmit a torque from the lower tool, which can in particular protrude from the removal section into the working space of the frame, to the support section and thus the removal device, in order to secure the lower tool against tipping. In some embodiments, the stop can be formed in a removal receptacle of the support section, into which the removal section can be inserted when the lifting device is lowered into the release position. In particular, in such embodiments, the removal receptacle can encompass the removal section on three sides and/or the removal section can, apart from any tolerances, be inserted precisely into the removal receptacle, so that this also allows centering and exact positioning of the lower tool on the removal device.

In some embodiments, the lower tool can comprise a carrier element on which a working element of the lower tool can be detachably placed, wherein the carrier element can have the removal section. In such embodiments, it can thus be provided that the working element of the lower tool can be supported on the lifting device via the carrier element, but both the carrier element and the working element can be transferred to the removal device and/or moved 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 shapes for forming troughs in a material web and/or for receiving such troughs and forming a sealing seam on the edges of the troughs. In addition, the working element can, for example, have a frame within which such shapes can be received. The working element can thus in particular comprise the components required for carrying out the respective processing step to be carried out by the work station and/or which come into contact with a material web, whereas the carrier element can primarily be provided for the stable support of the working element on the lifting device.

In other embodiments, however, the lower tool can also be formed in one piece and, to a certain extent, exclusively comprise a working element, wherein in such embodiments the removal section can be formed on the lower tool and thus on the working element.

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

In particular, such torque supports can extend downwards and outwards from a section of the lower tool located within the working space to the support section in order to absorb torques that arise due to the weight of the starting from the removal section, extending away from the support section, to the support section and thus to be able to secure the lower tool against tipping. In particular, the lower tool can have two torque supports in order to be able to stabilize the lower tool on two sides. In addition, the at least one torque support can be designed in particular on the carrier element already mentioned, provided that the lower tool is designed with such a carrier element and a working element that can be placed on the carrier element.

As an alternative to designing the lower tool with at least one torque support, in some embodiments it can also be provided that at least one torque support is formed on the support section of the removal device, onto which a lower side of the lower tool and in particular of a carrier element of the lower tool can be placed by moving the lifting device into the release position. In particular in some embodiments, such torque supports can also have centering pins extending in the direction of the lower tool in order to engage in associated centering recesses on the underside of the lower tool and thereby be able to further stabilize the lower tool and/or secure it against tipping over from the torque supports. It can also be provided that the lower tool is designed with centering pins on the underside that extend in the direction of the torque supports and engage in centering recesses formed on the torque supports.

The invention also relates to a packaging machine, in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, which comprises at least one work station of the type disclosed herein. For example, such a packaging machine can have a forming station designed according to the type disclosed herein and/or a sealing station designed according to the type disclosed herein. In addition, the packaging machine can have, for example, a frame on which the frame of the work station is supported and/or by means of which the work station is supported on the floor. The frame can in particular be supported on two beams of a frame of the packaging machine and can be arranged between the beams. In particular, the packaging machine can have several work stations of the type disclosed herein. The packaging machine can also be designed to provide a material web to be processed by the work station and in particular to move it from one work station to a subsequent work station, in particular a film and/or paper web.

The invention also relates to a method for removing a lower tool from a work station of a packaging machine, in particular a work station of the type disclosed herein. type, wherein the lower tool is supported on a lifting device during operation of the work station, which can be moved between a lower working position and an upper working position to carry out a working stroke. In this method, the lower tool is released from the lifting device by lowering the lifting device into a release position below the lower working position and is transferred to a removal device.

As already explained above, by transferring the lower tool to the removal device in this way, the lower tool, which is usually heavy, can first be released from the lifting device so that no frictional forces between the lifting device and the lower tool have to be overcome when the lower tool is subsequently moved out of a work area in which the lifting device is located. In addition, when the lower tool is moved out of the work area, it does not have to be pulled over any seals or matching fitting or support surfaces between the lifting device and the lower tool, so that such seals can also be protected from damage by previously releasing the lower tool from the lifting device and transferring the lower tool to the removal device.

In particular, the lifting device can be spaced apart from the lower tool by lowering it into the release position. In this respect, after the lifting device has been lowered into the release position, the lower tool can be completely released from the lifting device and held exclusively by the removal device.

In some embodiments, the lower tool can be supported on the removal device by lowering the lifting device into the release position. In particular, the lower tool can be supported exclusively on the removal device by lowering the lifting device into the release position.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the lower tool can strike the removal device as a result of the lifting device being moved into the release position. In particular, the lower tool can strike the removal device before the lifting device reaches the release position, so that the lifting device can be spaced apart from the lower tool by the further movement into the release position and the lower tool can be completely transferred to the removal device. In some embodiments, at least one operating device connection of the lifting device can be completely removed from an associated connection recess of the lower tool by lowering the lifting device into the release position. In particular, all operating device connections of the lifting device can be completely removed from respective associated connection recesses of the lower tool by lowering the lifting device into the release position. In this respect, in some embodiments, the lifting device can be spaced so far from the lower tool by lowering it into the release position that operating device connections of the lifting device that protrude in the direction of the lower tool are completely out of contact with the lower tool.

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

As already explained, by pivoting the lower tool, it is possible to achieve easy removal of the usually heavy lower tool, in particular by using a lever effect to move the lower tool and by not having to pull the lower tool down from the lifting device by overcoming frictional forces, particularly during a previous transfer to the removal device.

The pivoting can take place in particular in a horizontal plane and/or around a vertical pivot axis.

In some embodiments, a lock can be released before the lower tool is pivoted into the removal position, which blocks movement of the removal device. In this respect, the lower tool and/or the removal device can first be unlocked in some embodiments, in particular by moving the lock. Locking mechanism from a locking position to an unlocking position before the lower tool is pivoted out of the working area. The lock can be pivoted in particular to unlock the lower tool and/or the removal device.

In some embodiments, at least one column, via which an upper tool of the work station is supported on the frame, can be pivoted together with the lower tool. In this respect, the column provided and/or required for supporting the upper tool and in particular also for absorbing tensile forces that are transmitted between the lower tool and the upper tool during the execution of the working stroke, can be pivoted together with the lower tool in some embodiments, so that the lower tool does not have to be moved past this column in order to be able to get out of the work area.

In some embodiments, the lower tool can be moved completely out of the working area by pivoting.

In the methods explained, one or more of the steps already mentioned above in connection with the workstation can also be carried out.

The invention is explained below purely by way of example with reference to the drawings using an embodiment.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a packaging machine,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a packaging machine with a work station comprising a working unit with a lower tool and an upper tool and a lifting device for raising and lowering the lower tool,

Fig. 3A to 3C show 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 below the lower working position, in which the lower tool is transferred to a removal device, Fig. 4A and 4B show a respective perspective view of a carrier element of the lower tool to illustrate the transfer of the lower tool to the removal device by lowering the lifting device into the release position,

Fig. 5A to 5D show a respective schematic representation of the work station to illustrate a movement of the lower tool from a working position into a removal position located outside a frame of the work station by pivoting the lower tool by means of the removal device,

Fig. 6A to 6C are respective schematic illustrations of sections of the removal device to illustrate a closure for securing the removal device against pivoting of the lower tool and its mode of operation,

Fig. 7A to 7C are respective perspective views of a system and its components, the system comprising a coupling element for releasing a working element of the lower tool from the carrier element of the lower tool,

Fig. 8A and 8B show a respective schematic bottom view of the lower tool to illustrate an interaction of the coupling element with a blocking element attached to the working element of the lower tool, which can be moved by coupling the coupling element to the lower tool 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 partially shown for better illustration,

Fig. 9A and 9B are a respective schematic side view of the lower tool to further illustrate the functioning of the blocking element, the working element being only partially shown, and

Fig. 10 shows a representation of the blocking element. Fig. 1 shows schematically a packaging machine M operating in a transport direction T, which comprises a machine frame 247. A transport chain 227, shown here only schematically at the upstream end of the machine, is guided on a left side frame and on a right side frame of the machine frame 247. The two transport chains 227 together form a transport device for a lower material web 223 pulled off a supply roll 223a.

The packaging machine M comprises a plurality of work stations following one another in the transport direction T, namely a forming station 211, also referred to as a deep-drawer or thermoformer, an insertion station 213 for products 210 to be packaged, a feed station 214 for an upper material web 225 pulled off a supply roll 25a, a labeling and/or printing station 216, a transverse cutting station 217 and a longitudinal cutting station 219.

The products 210 to be packaged are, for example, food products, here in the form of so-called portions, each of which comprises several slices that were previously separated from a loaf or bar-shaped food such as sausage, cheese, ham or meat using a food slicer (not shown). The slicer and the packaging machine M can form a continuous production line.

The operation of the packaging machine M including the mentioned work stations is controlled by a central control device 241. This can also control the slicer or be connected to a control device of the slicer. In addition, the packaging machine M is provided with an operating device 245 which, for example, comprises a touchscreen on which all the necessary information can be displayed to an operator and the operator can make all the necessary settings before and during operation of the packaging machine M.

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

However, it should be noted that, for example, the forming station 211 has an upper tool 211a and a lower tool 211b, by means of which depressions 229, also referred to as troughs, are formed in the lower material web 223 in a deep-drawing process. The portions 210 mentioned are inserted into these depressions 229 at the insertion station 213. The insertion station 213 here comprises a so-called inserter, of which two endless conveyor belts 213a, 213b are shown. Alternatively or additionally, the insertion The delivery station 213 may comprise a robot 250, also shown schematically here, e.g. in the form of a so-called "picker", which may be designed as a delta robot with a gripper that comprises two scoops that each hold a portion 210 together. Such robots and their use in handling foodstuffs, in particular when placing portions in recesses 229 of packaging, are generally known to those skilled in the art, which is why further explanations are not required here.

The lower material web 223 provided with the filled depressions 229 and the upper material web 225 are then fed to the sealing station 215, which comprises an upper tool 215a and a lower tool 215b. The material webs 223 and 225 are connected to one another by means of these tools 215a, 215b. This closes the depressions 229 and thus the packaging 221 formed by the material webs. Sealing points 243 running transversely to the transport direction T, also referred to as sealing seams, are schematically indicated in Fig. 1.

Following the sealing station 215, the packages 221 are still connected and therefore still need to be separated. In the embodiment shown here, the packages 221 are provided with labels and/or printed at the labeling and/or printing station 216 before being separated. The labeling and printing can also be carried out in separate stations.

Downstream of the separation stations 217, 219, further conveyor belts and/or work stations can be provided, for example a scale for checking the weight of the packages 21.

Applications can differ from one another, for example, in terms of the type of products 210 to be packaged, the size/shape of the recesses 229 in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction, or in terms of a format set. A format set here generally refers to a group of items, in particular both portions 210 and recesses 229 or packages 221, which are handled as a whole - i.e. in format sets - and differ from one another in particular in terms of the number and spacing of items in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

For example, per work cycle of the packaging machine, a packaging format or format set of 3 x 4 (3 in the transverse direction and 4 in the longitudinal direction) recesses 229 or other types of product receptacles can be formed in the forming station 211, at the insertion station 213 a format set of 3 x 4 correspondingly arranged products 210 can be placed in a respective format set of recesses 221 are introduced, and a respective format set of 3 x 4 recesses 229 filled with products 210 are sealed at the sealing station 215. The same applies to the labeling and/or printing station 216.

In principle, an arbitrarily dimensioned N x M format set can be created, with N > 2 and M >= 1 .

Fig. 2 further shows a section of a packaging machine 13, which has a frame 29 on which a frame 15 of a work station 11 is supported.

Such a packaging machine 13 can, for example - similar to the packaging machine M illustrated in Fig. 1 - have further work stations 11, not shown in Figures 2 to 10, in order to be able to process a material web guided along an extension direction of the frame 29, also not shown in the figures, at several successive work stations 11 and to be able to package supplied products, in particular portions of food products. For example, a packaging machine 13 intended for packaging food products, such as the packaging machine M (see Fig. 1), can be designed as a thermoforming packaging machine, which can have a forming station as a work station, at which troughs are drawn into a supplied material web in order to be able to insert products or portions to be packaged into the troughs. Such a forming station can be followed, for example, by a transfer station, where the products to be packaged are placed in the troughs, whereupon the troughs with the products or portions placed in them can be fed to a sealing station, for example, where the troughs can be closed by an upper web of material fed in from above, by sealing the upper web of material at the edges of the troughs. After the sealing station, the closed troughs can be led to a separation station, for example, in order to separate packages transported next to one another and/or one behind the other and ultimately to be able to provide individually packaged products and/or portions.

As an alternative to such a thermoforming packaging machine, it can also be provided that portions of food products or other products to be packaged are placed directly on defined packaging locations on a material web, into which no troughs have previously been drawn. However, products positioned in this way can then be guided to a sealing station by moving the material web and covered there by a material web fed from above in order to form a closed package by connecting the material web carrying the products and the material web fed from above. ne packaging. In addition, packaging machines operated in this way can also be designed to separate the packaging.

In order to be able to carry out the processing steps mentioned, for example the drawing of troughs into a material web or the sealing of packaging, the work station 11 shown in Figs. 2 to 5D has a work unit 19 with an upper tool 21 and a lower tool 23, wherein the lower tool 23 can be raised and lowered relative to the frame 15 by a lifting device 25 arranged in a working space 17 defined by the frame 15 in order to carry out a working stroke. In the embodiment shown, the frame 15 is formed by a lower frame 16 which surrounds and supports the lifting device 25 and which in turn is placed on beams 28 of the frame 29 of the packaging machine 13, so that the work station 11 is arranged between the beams 28. The upper tool 21 is supported on the frame 15 and the frame 16 via a plurality of columns 37 and a release column 35, the release column 35 being designed as a column that can be pivoted together with the lower tool 23. The weight of the upper tool 21 is therefore transferred via the columns 37 and 35 to the frame 15 and from there to the frame 29 of the packaging machine 13. In addition, the columns 35 and 37 serve to absorb tensile forces generated between the lower tool 23 and the upper tool 21 during the execution of a working stroke and to divert them to the frame 15, so that the frame 29 is only loaded by the weight of the work station 11, but not by such tensile forces.

The lower tool 23 can be moved by the lifting device 25, in particular also relative to the upper tool 21, and/or a distance between the lower tool 23 and the upper tool 21 can be changed by appropriately controlling the lifting device 25, so that a material web guided between the lower tool 23 and the upper tool 21 can be clamped between the lower tool 23 and the upper tool 21, for example, in order to be able to be processed by the work unit 19. For example, the lower tool 23 of a forming station can first be raised by the lifting device 25 and brought into contact with a material web guided between the lower tool 23 and the upper tool 21, in order to be able to draw troughs into the material web by subsequently lowering the lifting device 25. At a sealing station, the material web can then be brought into contact with an upper material web guided from above and also between the upper tool 21 and the lower tool 23, for example by lifting the lower tool 23, and pressed against the upper material web in order to close the troughs by connecting the material webs and creating a sealing seam at the edges of the troughs. The execution of such a working stroke is illustrated using Fig. 3A and 3B. Fig. 3A shows the lifting device 25, on which the lower tool 23 is supported, in a lower working position S1, in which the lower tool 23 is spaced from the upper tool 21. As Fig. 3B shows, the lower tool 23 can be raised by pressing a toggle lever 83 and the lifting device 25 can be transferred to an upper working position S2, in which the lower tool 23 and the upper tool 21 come into contact with one another, so that a material web (not shown) that can be passed between the lower tool 23 and the upper tool 21 can be processed by the interaction of the upper tool 21 and the lower tool 23. The lifting device 25 can be designed in particular according to the lifting mechanism described in DE 10 2017 123 805 A1, so that the lifting device 25 can in particular also be designed to control the upper tool 21 to carry out an upper stroke and to lower and raise it relative to the frame 15.

In order to be able to process a material web, the lower tool 23 is thus supported on the lifting device 25 and arranged within the working space 17 defined by the frame 15 of the work station 11 in a working position A, in which the lower tool 23 can be raised and lowered by the lifting device 25. However, in order to be able to produce different types of packaging adapted to a particular product to be packaged, it may be necessary, for example, to change the lower tool 23 in order to be able to draw a different number of troughs and/or differently shaped troughs into a material web at a forming station and/or to be able to seal troughs that have been changed in this way at a sealing station. It may therefore be necessary to move the lower tool 23 out of the working space 17 for such a change, but also for repair and/or maintenance work if necessary.

However, the lower tools 23 of such work stations 11 are usually heavy objects with a weight of up to 200 kg, for example, so that moving the lower tool 23 out of the work area 17 is usually undesirably complicated. However, in order to enable the lower tool 23 to be moved out of the work area 17 as easily and quickly as possible, the lower tool 23 in the work station 11 described here can be transferred to a removal device 27 of the work station 11 and pivoted by the removal device 27 from the working position A to a removal position E, in which the lower tool 23 is moved out of the work area 17. This is explained in more detail below. As Fig. 3C shows, the lifting device 25 can first be moved to a release position F located below the lower working position S1 in order to transfer the lower tool 23 to the removal device 27, whereby the lower tool 23 can be brought into engagement with the removal device 27. As can also be seen from Fig. 3C, the lower tool 23 is released from the lifting device 25 in the release position F and is arranged at a distance from the lifting device 25, so that the lower tool 23 is completely supported on the removal device 27.

The transfer of the lower tool 23 to the removal device 27 is illustrated in more detail with reference to Figs. 4A and 4B.

In Fig. 4A and 4B, only a part of a carrier element 75 of the lower tool 23 is shown, on which a working element 77 of the lower 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 Fig. 4A and 4B, the carrier element 75 also comprises in particular a carrier plate 76 on which the working element 77 can be placed directly (see also Fig. 2 to 5D, 7A and 7C).

In Fig. 4A, the lower tool 23 or the part of its carrier element 75 is shown in a position that the lower 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 lower tool 23 is therefore vertically spaced from a support section 39 of the removal device 27 arranged laterally on the frame 15, so that the lower tool 23 does not come into contact with the support section 39 and the removal device 27 during the execution of the working stroke and the movement of the lifting device 25 between the lower working position S1 and the upper working position S2.

In contrast, the lower tool 23 or its carrier element 75 is shown in Fig. 4B in a position that the lower tool 23 assumes when the lifting device 25, which is also not shown in Fig. 4B, is lowered into the release position F located below the lower working position S1 (see also Fig. 3C). As can be seen from the combination of Figs. 4A and 4B, by transferring the lifting device 25 into the release position F, a removal section 65 of the lower tool 23 comes into contact with the support section 39, so that the lower tool 23 is supported on the support section 39 and is released from the lifting device 25. In particular, the lower tool 23 supported on the support section 39 of the removal device 27 is also spaced apart from the lifting device 25 located in the release position, so that the lower tool 23 can be lowered into the release position by lowering the lifting device 25. Release position F can be released from the lifting device 25 and transferred to the removal device 27 (see also Fig. 3C).

In order to be able to bring the lower tool 23 into engagement with the removal device 27 arranged on the side of the frame 15 and in particular the support section 39, the removal section 65 protrudes outwards from the work space 17 in the direction of the support section 39. The support section 39 extends like a door between a pivot axis 41 and a release column 35, wherein in a middle section of the support section 39 between the pivot axis 41 and the column 35 a stop 67 for the removal section 65 is formed, against which the removal section 65 strikes when the lifting device 25 is lowered into the release position F. The stop 67 is formed by an underside of a removal receptacle 73, into which the removal section 65 can be inserted by lowering the lifting device 25 into the release position F and which encloses the removal section 65 on three sides in the release position 1 1 of the lifting device 25 and thereby stabilizes it.

Furthermore, a centering projection 69 extending in the direction of the lower tool 23 is formed on the stop 67, which engages in a centering recess 71 formed on the removal section 65 when the lifting device 25 is lowered into the release position F. This makes it possible to center the removal section 65 in the removal receptacle 73, but also allows any torques due to the protrusion of the lower tool 23 from the support section 39 in the direction of the work space 17 to be transferred to the support section 39. In this respect, the interaction between the centering projection 69 and the centering recess 71 can ensure a secure transfer to the removal device 27.

In order to further counteract any tipping of the lower tool 23 out of the removal receptacle 73 and to stabilize the lower tool 23 on the support section 39, two torque supports 79 projecting downwards in the direction of the support section 39 are formed on the lower tool 23, in particular on the carrier element 75, which are supported on the support section 39 when the lifting device 25 is transferred to the release position F and secure the lower tool 23 against tipping. In addition, two plates 81 are formed on the support section 39, 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 on the support section 39. By transferring the lifting device 25 into the release position F, the lower tool 23 can thus first be transferred to the removal device 27 and released from the lifting device 25. As can also be seen in particular from Fig. 3C, by moving the lifting device 25 into the release position F, the lower tool 23 can be spaced apart from the lifting device 25 in such a way that operating medium connections 61 extending from the lifting device 25 in the direction of the lower tool 23 move completely out of associated connection recesses 63 formed on the lower tool 23, so that the lower tool 23 is completely released for movement in a horizontal plane out of the working space 17 (see also Fig. 4A and 4B). Such operating medium connections 61 can, for example, be provided to supply compressed air or gases, which can be used when processing a material web for producing packaging.

After the lower tool 23 has been transferred to the removal device 27 by moving the lifting device 25 into the release position F as described above, the lower tool 23 can be moved by the removal device 27 out of the working space 17 into the removal position E by a pivoting movement about the pivot axis 41. This is illustrated below in particular with reference to Figs. 5A to 5D.

Fig. 5A first shows the working unit 11 again with the lifting device 25 moved into the release position F, in which the removal section 65 of the lower tool 23 is introduced into the removal receptacle 73 of the removal device 27 and the lower tool 23 is transferred to the removal device 27. In order to then be able to move the lower tool 23 out of the working space 17, a lock 31 must first be released and moved from a locking position V shown in Fig. 5A to an unlocking position R shown in Fig. 5B by pivoting a pivot lever 57 through 90°.

This release or unlocking of the removal device 27 is illustrated in particular with reference to Figs. 6A to 6C.

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

As can be seen from the combination of Fig. 6A and 6B, the closure 31 is rotationally connected to the release column 35 mentioned above, so that the release column 35 is rotated by 90° by pivoting the pivot lever 57. The release column 35 is connected via the support section 39 to the pivot axis 41, about which the lower tool 23 can be pivoted into the removal position E, and has a respective receptacle 47 at an upper end and at a lower end, via which the release column 35 can be connected to a respective coupling section 43 fixed to the frame 15 (cf. in particular Fig. 5C, 5D and 6C).

As Fig. 6C illustrates, the coupling sections 43 have a respective extension 56 which can be inserted through an inlet 49 into the receptacle 47 formed on the release column 35. As the combination of Figs. 6C and 6A also makes clear, a blocking section 45 formed by a boundary 51 of the receptacle engages behind the extension 56 of the coupling section 43 when the lock 31 is in the locking position V, so that the release column 35 is secured to the frame 15 via the coupling section 43 against pivoting about the pivot axis 41. However, if the closure 31 is then moved into the unlocking position R and the release column 35 is rotated by 90°, the inlet 49 of the receptacle 47 is aligned such that the extension 56 can be guided out of the receptacle through the inlet 49 when the lower tool 23 is pivoted relative to the release column 35, so that the release column 35 is released for a pivoting movement relative to the frame 15 and can be removed from the frame 15. In order to ensure that the closure 31 is moved correctly into the unlocking position R or the locking position V, two stops 32 and 34 are formed on the pivot lever 57, with which the pivot lever 57 strikes a stop element 36 in the unlocking position R or the locking position V.

Fig. 6C also shows that a radially inwardly projecting holding section 53 is formed on the boundary 51 of the receptacle 47, which overlaps a radially outwardly projecting connecting section 55 of the mushroom-head-shaped extension 56 of the coupling section 43 when the release column 35 is not pivoted outward relative to the frame 15. As a result of this overlap, the release column 35 and the coupling section 43 are axially coupled to one another, so that tensile forces generated during the working stroke between the lower tool 23 and the upper tool 21 can be transmitted via the release column 35 and the coupling section 43 and thus to the frame 15. For example, it can be seen from Fig. 2D that the coupling section 43 arranged below the release column 35 also has such a mushroom-head-like extension 56 in order to be inserted into a receptacle 47 formed at the lower end of the release column 35 and to enable a transmission of tensile forces. After the removal device 27 has been released by moving the lock 31 into the unlocking position E, the lower tool 23 and the release column 35 coupled to it via the support section 39 can, as shown in Fig. 5C, be pivoted out of the working space 17 into the removal position E, wherein the pivot lever 57 and/or the release column 35 can in particular form a point of engagement for initiating and executing the pivoting movement. In particular, the release column 35 can thus be removed from the frame 15 immediately during the movement of the lower tool 23 in order to create sufficient space for the pivoting movement of the lower tool 23. As an alternative to such a pivotable release column 35, however, it can also be provided that the release column 35 is completely detachable from the frame 15, so that the release column 35 can first be removed from the frame 15 in order to then pivot the lower tool 23 into the removal position. However, even with such a removable release column 35, a lock can be provided, for example, in particular the lock 31 explained above, in order to be able to secure the release column 35 against removal from the frame 15 during the execution of a working stroke. Since the pivot axis 41 is also arranged offset outwards from the frame 15 via a connecting element 59, the lower tool 23 can be moved completely out of the work space 17 by the pivoting movement and arranged completely outside the frame 15 in the removal position E in order to be able to provide convenient access to the lower tool 23.

The work station 11 thus makes it possible in a simple manner to move the lower tool 23 out of the work area 17, for example to replace the lower tool 23 and in particular its working element 77, wherein this movement out can in particular be carried out without tools. Since the lower tool 23 can first be released from the lifting device 25 and transferred to the removal device 27, in particular no frictional forces between the lifting device 25 and the lower tool 23 have to be overcome in order to move the lower tool 23 out of the work area 17, but the lower tool 23 can be transferred to the removal position E by a smooth pivoting movement using a lever effect. In addition, by completely releasing the operating medium connections 61 from the connection recesses 63 prior to pivoting, it is possible to initially separate seals between the operating medium connections 61 and the connection recesses 63 and to avoid having to pull the lower tool 23 over such seals, so that any damage to the operating medium connections 61 during the movement of the lower tool 23 out of the working space 17 can be avoided. In addition, the lower tool 23 or a replaced lower tool 23 and/or working element 77 can then be reinserted into the working space 17 in a simple manner by pivoting the lower tool 23 into the working space 17 again by the removal device 27. While the lock 31 for introducing the lower tool 23 is to be held in the unlocking position R in order to enable the coupling sections 43 to be inserted into the respective receptacles 47 of the release column 35, the lock 31 can be brought back into the locking position V after the lower tool 23 has been arranged in the working position A and the removal device 27 can be secured. The lifting device 25 can then be raised, in particular into the lower working position S1, in order to take over the lower tool 23 from the removal device 27.

As already explained, the lower tool 23 can, however, be changed after being moved out into the removal position E, for example, for which purpose the working element 77 can first be detached from the carrier element 75 and then, for example, a modified working element 77 can be placed on the carrier element 75. While on the one hand a reliable fixation of the working element 77 to the carrier element 75 is therefore required, particularly during operation and the execution of a working stroke, on the other hand a convenient possibility may be desired to release such a fixation in order to be able to remove and in particular lift off the working element from the carrier element 75.

In order to meet these two requirements - the secure fixing of the working element 77 to the carrier element 75 during operation and the easy release of the working element 77 from the carrier element 75 for replacing the working element 77 - a system 85 is provided, which is illustrated with reference to Figs. 7A to 9 and which comprises the lower tool 23 and two coupling elements 87 and 88 which can be coupled to the working element 77 for releasing the working element 77 from the carrier element 75.

As shown in particular in Fig. 7C, the coupling elements 87 and 88 can be coupled to the lower tool 23 and in particular to the working element 77 on opposite outer sides 95 and 96 of the lower tool 23 in order to subsequently enable the working element 77 to be lifted off the carrier element 75. The coupling elements 87 and 88 have in particular respective actuating sections 147, which can be inserted into a respective recess 145 formed on 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 grip the working element 77 on 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. working element 97 up to an upper side 93 of the working element 77 and have two respective connections 97 for a crane in order to enable the working element 77, which in particular weighs at least 100 kg, to be lifted off the carrier element 75. In addition, respective handles 99 are formed on the coupling elements 87 and 88 on the outer sides 95 and 96, so that the working element 77 could optionally be detached from the carrier element 75 by two people together. The coupling elements 87 and 88 are also designed identically to one another, so that the coupling element 87 could also be coupled to the working element 77 on the outer side 96 and the coupling element 88 on the outer side 95.

Furthermore, it is particularly evident from Fig. 7A that the working element 77 has a plurality of sharp-edged elements 101 on the upper side 93, which are designed in particular as upwardly pointing knife elements 103. Such knife elements 103 can be provided, for example, to pierce openings in a fed material web during the working stroke, through which openings, for example, gases can be guided into an interior of a retracted trough in a later processing step.

In order to avoid possible injuries caused 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 which covers the sharp-edged elements 101 when the coupling elements 87 and 88 are coupled to the working element 77 (see in particular Fig. 7C). The protective sections 105 extend in particular in a substantially horizontal direction above the sharp-edged elements 101.

In order to secure the coupling elements 87 and 88 to the working element 77 and to prevent the coupling elements 87 and 88 from becoming detached from the working element 77 when the working element 77 is lifted off the carrier element 75, the coupling elements 87 and 88 have respective first engagement sections 111 which interact with fastening sections 113 formed on the underside 91 of the working element 77. In addition, respective second engagement sections 115 are formed on the coupling elements 87 and 88 which interact with further fastening sections 117 formed on the outer sides 95 and 96 of the working element 77, so that the coupling elements 87 and 88 are secured against tilting on the working element 77. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 9A, the further fastening sections 117 of the working element 77 in the embodiment shown are formed by the knife elements 103, which are supported by the engagement sections 115 of the coupling elements projecting inward from the outer sides 95 and 96 of the lower tool 23. elements 87 and 88 when the coupling elements 87 and 88 are coupled to the working element 77.

However, in order to be able to secure the working element 77 to the carrier element 75, in particular during operation of the work station 11, a blocking element 89 is arranged on the underside 91 of the working element 77 and in particular in the already mentioned recess 145, which is illustrated in particular in Fig. 10.

The blocking element 89 has a total of four elongated holes 139, so that the blocking element 89 can be held on the underside 91 of the working element 77 by fastening elements 141 that pass through the elongated holes 139 and overlap the elongated holes 139 (see also Fig. 8A and 8B). The fastening elements 141 are in particular elongated and designed, for example, as screws, wherein the blocking element 89 can be held on the working element 77, for example, by screw heads and/or washers that overlap the elongated holes 139. This holding of the blocking element 89 on the elongated holes 139 enables a reliable axial connection between the blocking element 89 and the working element 77, wherein the blocking element 89 is, however, displaceable relative to the working element 77, as will be explained below.

Furthermore, two locking openings 123 are formed on the blocking element 89, which 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 design of the locking 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 by moving the blocking element 89 into an opening position O for detachment from the carrier element 75. In particular, the blocking element 89 is moved into the opening position O directly by coupling the coupling elements 87 or 88, as explained below.

Fig. 8A and 8B show a bottom view of the lower tool 23, but in order to illustrate the function of the blocking element 89, a part of the carrier element 75, the carrier plate 76, is not shown. Fig. 9A and 9B, on the other hand, show the lower tool 23 obliquely from above, with the carrier plate 76, which is arranged below the recess 145 and delimits the slot 143, being shown, while the element of the working element 77 forming the recess 145 is not shown. As shown in Figs. 8A to 9B, the carrier element 75 has a locking elevation 121 extending through the locking opening 123 of the blocking element 89. The locking elevation 121 is fixed to the carrier element 75 and engages in a centering recess 119 formed on the working element 77, so that the working element 77 can be centered relative to the carrier element 75 by this engagement. The locking elevation 121 is therefore basically movable relative to the working element 77, but not relative to the carrier element 75.

8A and 9A show the blocking element 89 in the blocking position B, in which the blocking element 89 is located in particular when the coupling element 87 (or the coupling element 88) has been brought to the working element 77 on 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, the locking elevation 151 of the carrier element 75 extends in the blocking position B of the blocking element 89 through the first section 129 of the locking opening 123 with the first, smaller opening width 133. In the blocking position B, a limitation 127 of the locking opening 123 therefore overlaps a stop surface 125 of the locking elevation 121 pointing in the direction of the carrier element 75, so that any force developed during the lifting of the working element 77 from the carrier element 75 is transmitted via the limitation 127 of the locking opening 123 to the stop surface 125 of the locking elevation 121 and via that to the carrier element 75, so that the working element 77 cannot be released from the carrier element 75.

However, as can be seen from Fig. 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 actuating section 147 of the coupling element 187 and is displaced into the open position O. As a result, the blocking element 89 is displaced relative to the carrier element 75 and in particular relative to the locking elevation 121, so that the locking elevation 121 penetrates the second section 131 with the larger opening width 135 of the locking opening 123 in the open position O. In the opening position O, the limitation 127 of the locking opening 123 is arranged out of alignment with the locking elevation 121, so that the working element 77 can be moved in the axial direction with respect to the extension of the locking elevation 21 relative to the locking elevation 121 and the working element 77 can be released from the carrier element 75.

As is also illustrated in particular in Fig. 8B, the engagement section 11 1 of the coupling element 87 comes into engagement with the fastening section 113 arranged on the underside 91 of the working element 77 by the sliding movement in order to thereby securing it to the working element 77. In addition, the plurality of second engagement sections 115 of the coupling element 87 engage 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 both on the underside 91 and the associated outer side 95 or 96. The working element 77 can then be secured, for example, by connecting

Crane hooks at the connections 97 can be lifted from the support element 75.

In order to also 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 pre-tensioned in the direction of the blocking position B by a spring element 107, which is fastened to a fastening 109 on the working element 77 and in particular in the recess 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 limit 127 again overlaps the stop surface 125 of the locking elevation 121 and thereby secures the working element 77 to the carrier element 75. In addition, the pre-tensioning of the blocking element 89 can also prevent the blocking element 89 from being accidentally moved, for example during the execution of a working stroke.

Bezu a szeichenliste

11 Workstation

13 Packaging machine

15 Frame

16 frames

17 Workspace

19 Work unit

21 Upper tool

23 Lower tool

25 Lifting device

27 Removal device

28 Beam

29 frames

31 Closure

32 stop

33 pen

34 stop

35 Release column

36 Stop element

37 Pillar

39 Support section

41 Swivel axis

43 coupling section

45 Blocking section

47 Recording

49 Entrance

51 Limitation

53 Holding section

55 Connecting section

56 Extension

57 Swivel lever

59 Connecting element

61 Equipment connection

63 Connection recess

65 Withdrawal section

67 stop

69 Centering survey

71 Centering recess

73 Withdrawal recording

75 Support element

76 Carrier plate

77 Work element

79 Torque support

81 Plate

83 Knee lever

85 Systems

87 Coupling element

88 Coupling element

89 Blocking element

91 Subpage

93 Top

95 Outside

96 Outside

97 Connection

99 Handle 101 sharp-edged element

103 Knife element

105 Protection Section

107 Spring element

109 Fastening

111 first intervention section

113 Mounting section

115 second intervention section

117 further fastening section

119 Centering recess

121 Blocking collection

123 Locking opening

125 Stop surface

127 Limitation

129 first section

131 second section

133 first opening width

135 second opening width

137 Keyhole shape

139 Long hole

141 Fastener

143 Slot

145 recess

147 Operating section

210 Product

211 Forming station

211a Upper tool of the forming station

211b Lower tool of the forming station

213 Feeding station

213a Conveyor belt

213b Conveyor belt

214 Feed station

215 Sealing station

215a Upper part of the sealing station

215b Lower part of the sealing station

216 Labeling station

217 Separation station (transverse direction)

219 Separation station (longitudinal direction)

221 Pack

223 Bottom film

223a Supply roll

225 Top foil

225a supply roll

227 Transport device (transport chain for bottom film)

229 Deepening

241 Control device

243 Sealing seam

245 Control unit

247 Machine frame

250 robots

A Working position

B Blocking position

F Release position

E Removal position M packaging machine

O Opening position

R Unlocking position

S1 lower working position S2 upper working position

T Transport direction

V locking position

Claims

Expectations

1. Work station (11) for a packaging machine (13), in particular a forming station or sealing station, in particular for a thermoforming packaging machine, comprising: a frame (15) which defines a working space (17), a working unit (19) which comprises an upper tool (21) and a lower tool (23), a lifting device (25) arranged in the working space (17) of the frame (15), on which the lower tool (23) is supported in a working position (A) and which is designed to raise and lower the supported lower tool (23) relative to the frame (15) in order to carry out a working stroke, and a removal device (27) which is designed to move the lower tool (23) out of the working space (17) of the frame (15) into a removal position (E), wherein the removal device (27) is designed to move the lower tool (23) from the working position (A) into the removal position (E).

2. Work station (11) according to claim 1, wherein the removal device (27) is designed to pivot the lower tool (23) in a horizontal plane and/or about a vertical pivot axis (41) from the working position (A) into the removal position (E).

3. Work station (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the removal device (27) has a closure (31) which is designed to selectively lock the removal device (27) against pivoting of the lower tool (23) from the working position (A) into the removal position (E) or to release it for pivoting the lower tool (23) into the removal position (E).

4. Work station (11) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper tool (21) can be supported on the frame (15) via at least one release column (35), wherein the release column (35) is removable from the frame (15).

5. Work station (11) according to claim 4, wherein the release column (35) is pivotable together with the lower tool (23).

6. Work station (11) according to claim 5, wherein the release column (35) is connected by a support section (39) of the removal device (27), via which the lower tool (23) can be supported on the removal device (27), to a pivot axis (41) about which the lower tool (23) can be pivoted by the removal device (27).

7. Work station (11) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the release column (35) can be locked against removal from the frame (15), in particular against pivoting relative to the frame (15), when the lower tool (23) is in the working position (A), by moving a lock (31) into a locking position (V), and wherein the release column (35) can be released for removal from the frame (15), in particular pivoting relative to the frame (15), by moving the lock (31) into an unlocking position (R).

8. Workstation (11) according to claim 7, wherein the workstation (11) has at least one coupling section (43) fixed relative to the frame (15), wherein the release column (35) can be secured against removal from the frame (15), in particular pivoting relative to the frame (15), by moving the closure (31) into the locking position (V) on the coupling section (43).

9. Work station (11) according to claim 8, wherein the upper tool (21) can be supported on the frame (15) via the coupling section (43) and the release column (35).

10. Workstation (11) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the release column (35) has a blocking section (45) which is designed to engage behind the coupling section (43) when the closure (31) is in the locking position (V) and thereby secure the release column (35) against movement relative to the frame (15).

11 . Workstation (11) according to claim 10, wherein the release column (35) is rotatable by moving the lock (31) into the unlocking position (R), wherein the engagement of the coupling portion (43) is releasable by rotating the release column (35).

12. Workstation (11) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the release column (35) has a receptacle (47) with an inlet (49) and wherein the blocking section (45) forms a boundary (51) of the receptacle (47), wherein the coupling section (43) can be guided into the receptacle (47) through the inlet (49) and/or out of the receptacle (47) when the lock (31) is in the unlocking position (R).

13. Work station (11) according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the release column (35) has a radially inwardly pointing holding portion (53) which engages behind a radially outwardly pointing connecting portion (55) of the coupling portion (43) when the coupling portion (43) is inserted into the receptacle (47).

14. Work station (11) according to one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the closure (31) is pivotable between the locking position (V) and the unlocking position (R), in particular wherein the closure (31) has a pivoting lever (57).

15. Work station (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower tool (23) can be pivoted by the removal device (27) about a pivot axis (41) arranged offset outwards from the frame (15).

16. Workstation (11) according to claim 15, wherein the pivot axis (41) is supported on the frame (15).

17. Work station (11) for a packaging machine (13), in particular a forming station or sealing station, in particular for a thermoforming packaging machine, in particular a work station (11) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a frame (15) defining a working space (17), a working unit (19) comprising an upper tool (21) and a lower tool (23), a lifting device (25) arranged in a working space (17) of the frame (15), on which the lower tool (23) is supported in a working position (A) and which is designed to raise and lower the supported lower tool (23) relative to the frame (15) in order to carry out a working stroke, and a removal device (27) for moving the lower tool (23) out of the working space (17), wherein the lifting device (25) is movable between a lower working position (S1) and an upper working position (S2) in order to carry out the working stroke, wherein the lifting device (25) is further movable into a release position (F) located below the lower working position (S1), and wherein the lower tool (23) can be brought into engagement with the removal device (27) by moving the lifting device (25) into the release position (F).

18. Work station (11) according to claim 17, wherein the lower tool (23) can be released from the lifting device (25) by moving the lifting device (25) into the release position (F).

19. Work station (11) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the lower tool (23) is supported on the removal device (27) in the release position (F) of the lifting device (25) and is spaced from the lifting device (25).

20. Work station (11) according to one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the lifting device (25) has at least one operating means connection (61) which can be inserted into a connection recess (63) of the lower tool (23), wherein the operating means connection (61) is completely released from the operating means receptacle (61) in the release position (F) of the lifting device (25).

21. Work station (11) according to one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the lower tool (23) has a removal section (65) and wherein the removal device (27) has a support section (39) with a stop (67) for the removal section (65), wherein the removal section (65) can be brought into contact with the stop (67) by moving the lifting device (25) into the release position (F).

22. Work station (11) according to claim 21, wherein the removal section (65) projects outwardly in the direction of the removal device (27).

23. Work station (11) according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the stop (67) has at least one centering elevation (69) which is designed to engage in a centering recess (71) formed on the removal section (65), or vice versa.

24. Work station (11) according to one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the stop (67) is formed in a removal receptacle (73) of the support section (39), into which the removal section (65) can be inserted when the lifting device (25) is lowered into the release position (F).

25. Work station (11) according to one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the lower tool (23) comprises a carrier element (75) on which a working element (77) of the lower tool (23) can be detachably placed, wherein the carrier element (75) has the removal section (65).

26. Work station (11) according to one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the lower tool (23) comprises at least one torque support (79), via which the lower tool (23) can be supported on the support section (39) when the lifting device (25) is in the release position (F).

27. Packaging machine (13), in particular a thermoforming packaging machine, comprising at least one work station (11) according to one of the preceding claims.

28. Method for removing a lower tool (23) from a work station (11) of a packaging machine (13), in particular a work station (11) according to one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the lower tool (23) is supported on a lifting device (25) during operation of the work station (11), which is movable between a lower working position (S1) and an upper working position (S2) to carry out a working stroke, in which the lower tool (23) is released from the lifting device (25) and transferred to a removal device (27) by lowering the lifting device (25) into a release position (F) located below the lower working position (S1).

29. Method according to claim 28, wherein the lower tool (23) is supported on the removal device (27) by lowering the lifting device (25) into the release position (F).

30. Method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein at least one operating medium connection (61) of the lifting device (25) is completely removed from an associated connection recess (63) of the lower tool (23) by lowering the lifting device (25) into the release position (F).

31. Method for removing a lower tool (23) from a work station (11) of a packaging machine (13), in particular a work station (11) according to one of claims 1 to 26, in particular method according to one of claims 28 to 30, in which the lower tool (23) is brought into a removal position (E) by pivoting a removal device (27) out of a working space (17) defined by a frame (15) of the work station (11), in particular by horizontal pivoting and/or pivoting about a vertical pivot axis (41).

32. Method according to claim 31, wherein before pivoting the lower tool (23) into the removal position (E), a closure (31) is released which blocks a movement of the removal device (27).

33. Method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein at least one column, via which an upper tool (21) of the work station (11) is supported on the frame (15), is wasted together with the lower tool (23).