Patent Description:
It is known from practice to provide removable safety covers at packaging machines to prevent injury of operators or service personnel due to moving machine parts.

<CIT> describes a checkout counter for a shop having a conveyor belt. A cover provides surface continuity between an upper surface of the conveyor belt and a fixed plane of a cashing device. The cover is fixed by fixing means configured to give way under the effect of jamming of an object driven by the conveyor belt. Detection of cover separation may cause the conveyor belt to stop running.

<CIT> discloses a packaging machine for closing packging trays after filling in a filling station. Mechanical means for displacing the trays into the filling station comprise an endless conveyor having an upper run with a series of spaced pushers thereupon.

<CIT> describes a thermoforming packaging machine with a forming station for forming depressions for the products to be packaged in a film web. Directly downstream of the forming station, a protective cover is provided to prevent a user from reaching into a protected space below the protective cover. The protective cover is a metal sheet part supported at a cover of the forming station with a pivotable connection. The pivotable connection allows the protective cover to pivot around a horizontal pivot axis extending perpendicular to the transport direction of the packaging machine. The protective cover may be opened by pivoting the protective cover about the pivot axis to allow access to the protected space. A sensor is provided to detect whether the protective cover is in its closed position. If the protective cover is not in its closed position, operation of the packaging machine is interrupted.

<CIT> discloses a packaging machine according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, and a method according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved way of ensuring safe operation of a packaging machine.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim <NUM> or the subject matter of claim <NUM>, respectively. The dependent claims indicate advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to an aspect of the invention, a packaging machine is provided. The packaging machine comprises a controller and a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly is configured to convey packages along a production direction. The conveyor assembly comprises an endless circulation device. The endless circulation device is configured to be redirected about a return axis. The packaging machine further comprises a first protective guard. The first protective guard is movably provided in a first protection position. The first protective guard is curved around the return axis.

By being curved around the return axis, the first protective guard provides protection against a user reaching towards the return axis, which may lead to injury due to moving parts of the conveyor assembly, for example. Due to its curvature, the first protective guard may prevent a user from reaching towards the return axis from an increased angular range. Further, a dimension of the first protective guard along the production direction may be reduced as compared to systems having non-curved protective guard, while maintaining at least the same level of protection.

As the first protective guard is movably provided in the first protection position, the first protective guard may be moved out of the first protection positon, in particular to allow access to the return axis or the conveyor assembly, for example for maintenance purposes. Due to being movably provided in the first protection position, the first protective guard may move out of the first protection position, if the first protective guard is engaged by a hand of the user or by another object. This may prevent the hand of the user or the other object from being caught between the first protective guard and further parts of the packaging machine, such as parts of the conveyor assembly, for example. In particular, if a hand of a user or another object is pushed or pulled into the first protective guard by the conveyor assembly, the first protective guard may move along to prevent the hand or the other object from being caught and damaged between the first protective guard and the conveyor assembly.

The first protective guard may be movable between the first protection position and a first open position. The first protective guard may be curved around the return axis at least in the first protection position. The first protective guard may be curved around the return axis in the first protection position and in the first open position.

If an object is caught between the conveyor assembly and the first protective guard, the force provided due to operation of the conveyor assembly may be sufficient to move the first protective guard out of the first protection position.

The packaging machine may optionally comprise restoration element configured to automatically return the first protective guard into the first protection position. The restoration element may preload the first protective guard into the first protection position. The restoration element may, for example, comprise a spring.

The first protective guard is configured to be rotated. The first protective guard may be configured rotated out of the first protection position. The first protective guard may be configured to be rotated between the first protection position and the first open position. The first protective guard may be configured to be moved by rotational movement, but not by translational movement. The first protective guard may be configured to be moved by rotational movement and by translational movement. Rotating the first protective guard may take up less space along the production direction than moving the first protective guard (purely) by translational movement.

The first protective guard is configured to be rotated about the return axis, in particular out of the first protection position or between the first protection position and the first open position. Movement of the first protective guard by rotation about the return axis may only require a limited amount of space around the return axis.

The first protective guard may be fixed to the packaging machine, in particular to a machine frame of the packaging machine. The first protective guard may not be removable from the packaging machine without tools. This may reduce the likelihood of manipulation of the packaging machine by removal of safety features.

The first protective guard may extend in parallel to the return axis.

The first protective guard may extend coaxially with the return axis. The first protective guard and the return axis may be concentric.

The first protective guard may cover an angle of at least <NUM> degrees, or at least <NUM> degrees, or at least <NUM> degrees, or at least <NUM> degrees, or at least <NUM> degrees around the return axis. By covering a significant angle around the return axis, the region around the return axis may be effectively protected. The first protective guard may cover an angle of no more than <NUM> degrees, or no more than <NUM> degrees, or no more than <NUM> degrees, or no more than <NUM> degrees, or no more than <NUM> degrees around the return axis. Limiting the angle covered by the protective guard may reduce the likelihood of interference of the first protective guard with operation of the conveyor assembly.

A lateral direction of the packaging machine may be a horizontal direction perpendicular to the production direction.

A main extension direction of the first protective guard may be parallel to the lateral direction. The first protective guard may extend along the lateral direction by at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>.

The first protective guard may comprise a concave surface facing the return axis. The concave surface may be a continuously curved surface. Alternatively, the concave surface may be provided by multiple plane sub-surfaces that are arranged at an angle with respect to each other. A cross-section of the first protective guard in a sectional plane perpendicular to the lateral direction of the packaging machine may be the same for each position along the lateral direction.

The endless circulation device may comprise a first chain and a second chain. The first chain may be configured to circulate on a first lateral side of the packaging machine. The second chain may be configured to circulate on a second lateral side of the packaging machine. The first chain and the second chain may be redirected about the return axis. The first chain and the second chain may be driven by a drive unit of the conveyor assembly. The first chain and the second chain may circulate in a synchronized manner. The first chain and the second chain may circulate to convey the packages along the production direction.

The first chain and the second chain may comprise clamping elements. The clamping elements may be configured to grip a film web for conveying the film web along the production direction. The film web may be a lower film web of a thermoforming packaging machine.

The endless circulation device may comprise a plurality of lateral rods. Each lateral rod may comprise a first end fixed to the first chain and a second end fixed to the second chain. The lateral rods may be configured to be moved by synchronous circulation of the first chain and the second chain. The lateral rods may be configured to convey packages, in particular trays, along the production direction.

The packaging machine comprises a first sensor. The first sensor is configured to detect when the first protective guard moves out of the first protection position. The controller is configured to prevent operation of the conveyor assembly in response to a detection of the first protective guard moving out of the first protection position. For example, operation of the conveyor assembly may be prevented, when the first protective guard is moved out of the first protection position by an object that is caught between the first protective guard and the conveyor assembly, thus preventing damage to the object and/or the packaging machine. Operation of the conveyor assembly may be prevented when the first protective guard is not in the first protection position due to being removed from the packaging machine or due to malfunction, thus preventing operation of the conveyor assembly under unsafe conditions. The controller may also prevent operation of other parts of the packaging machine in response to a detection of the first protective guard moving out of the first protection position. The controller may, for example, be configured to prevent operation of the packaging machine in its entirety in response to a detection of the first protective guard moving out of the first protection position.

The packaging machine may further comprise a second protective guard. The second protective guard may be movably provided in a second protection position.

The second protective guard may be configured to be moved by both a translational movement and a rotational movement. Being movable by both a translational movement and a rotational movement may allow the second protective guard to move in response to objects being caught at different positions in the packaging machine. The different modes of movement that are possible for the second protective guard may allow the second protective guard to effectively move to prevent an object being caught between the second protective guard and another part of the packaging machine, in particular a moving part of the packaging machine, such as the conveyor assembly.

The second protective guard may be configured to be moved by a translational movement and a rotational movement at the same time.

The translational part of a movement of the second protective guard out of the second protection position may be a translational movement having a downward component, in particular a vertical downward component.

The rotational part of a movement of the second protective guard out of the second protection position may comprise a rotation about an axis extending in a lateral direction of the packaging machine.

The packaging machine may further comprise a holding assembly. The holding assembly may be configured to apply a holding force to the second protective guard. The holding force may be sufficient to hold the second protective guard in the second protection position during normal operation of the packaging machine. The holding force may be small enough to allow the second protective guard to be manually moved out of the second protection position. When an object has been caught between the second protective guard and another part of the packaging machine, in particular a movable part of the packaging machine, such as a conveyor assembly, the second protective guard may, against the force applied by the holding assembly, be moved out of the second protection position.

The packaging machine may further comprise a second sensor. The second sensor may be configured to detect when the second protective guard moves out of the second protection position. The controller may be configured to prevent operation of the conveyor assembly in response to a detection of the second protective guard moving out of the second protection position. The controller may be configured to prevent operation of further parts of the packaging machine, or of the packaging in its entirety, in response a detection of the second protective guard moving out of the second protection position.

The second protective guard may be provided at an infeed end or at an outfeed end of the conveyor assembly.

The second protective guard may be provided upstream of the return axis, or downstream of the return axis with respect to the production direction. A distance between the return axis and the second protective guard may be less than <NUM>, or less than <NUM>, or less than <NUM>, or less than <NUM>. The second protective guard may, in the second protection position, cover the return axis with respect to a horizontal direction along or against the production direction.

The second protective guard may extend essentially vertically in the second protection position.

The second protective guard may have a main extension direction parallel to the lateral direction.

The second protective guard may be movably supported by engagement of a support pin in a slot to enable the translational movement and the rotational movement of the second protective guard. In particular, the second protective guard may be movably supported by engagement of a first support pin in a first slot at a first lateral side of the packaging machine, and by engagement of a second support pin in a second slot at a second lateral side of the packaging machine. When the second protective guard is in the second protection position, the support pin (or the first support pin and the second support pin, respectively) may be provided in an upper position in the slot (or in the first slot or the second slot, respectively). When the second protective guard moves out of the second protection position, a position of the support pin (or the first support pin and the second support pin) may change to a downward position in the slot (or in the first slot and the second slot, respectively). This may happen by movement of the pin, or by movement of the slot.

The support pin may be provided at the second protective guard and the slot may be fixed with respect to a machine frame of the packaging machine. Alternatively, the slot may be provided at the second protective guard and the support pin may be fixed with respect to a machine frame of the packaging machine.

The packaging machine may comprise a sealing station for sealing packages. The conveyor assembly may be configured to convey the packages for sealing to the sealing station, or may be configured to convey sealed packages away from the sealing station. The conveyor assembly may be configured to convey the packages further downstream of the sealing station, or further upstream of the sealing station.

The packaging machine may be a thermoforming packaging machine. The packaging machine may be a tray sealer.

The packages conveyed by the conveyor assembly may be unsealed packages or sealed packages. The packages conveyed by the conveyor assembly may be incomplete. The packages conveyed by the conveyor assembly may be parts that will be, at a more downstream position of the packaging machine, reformed or otherwise treated and/or combined with other parts to form the final packages. The packages conveyed by the conveyor assembly may comprise unsealed trays or sealed trays. The packages conveyed by the conveyor assembly may be a lower film web of a thermoforming packaging machine.

According to a further aspect, the invention provides a method for operating a packaging machine. The method comprises conveying packages along a production direction with a conveyor assembly comprising an endless circulation device that is redirected about a return axis. Access to a protection region of the conveyor assembly is protected with a first protective guard, while the first protective guard is in a first protection position. The first protective guard is rotated out of the first protection position about the return axis. A rotation of the first protective guard out of the first protection position is detected with a first sensor. Operation of the conveyor assembly is prevented in response to the detection of the rotation of the first protective guard out of the first protection position.

By rotating out of the first protection position about the return axis, the first protective guard may move out of the way to avoid pinching of an object, such as a hand of a user that has been caught between the first protective guard and a part of the packaging machine, such as the conveyor assembly. The first protective guard may be rotated about the return axis by an object, such as a hand of a user that has been caught between the first protective guard and a movable part of the packaging machine.

The first protective guard may be rotated out of the first protection position about the return axis manually by a user to facilitate access to the return axis, for example for maintenance purposes.

The rotating motion of the first protective guard may be implemented in a space efficient manner.

The first protective guard may correspond to the first protective guard of the packaging machine according to the aspect previously described.

The first protective guard may be curved around the return axis.

The conveyor assembly may alternatingly move in a forward sense and a rearward sense. When moving in the forward sense, the conveyor assembly may convey packages along the production direction. When moving in the rearward sense, the conveyor assembly may disengage the packages.

The conveyor assembly may correspond to the conveyor assembly of the packaging machine according to the aspect previously described. For example, the conveyor assembly may comprise a plurality of lateral rods that push the packages along the production direction, when the conveyor assembly moves in a forward sense. The conveyor assembly may push packages into a sealing position inside a sealing station of the packaging machine via the lateral rods. Once the packages are in the sealing position, the lateral rods may be withdrawn by a movement of the conveyor assembly in a rearward sense to avoid that the lateral rods are in the way of the sealing process.

Access to the protection region of the conveyor assembly may be protected with a second protective guard, while the second protective guard is in a second protection position. The second protective guard may be moved out of the second protection position by a combination of a rotational movement and a translational movement. A movement of the second protective guard out of the second protection position may be detected with a second sensor. Operation of the conveyor assembly may be prevented in response to a detection of the movement of the second protective guard out of the second protection position.

The second protective guard may correspond to the second protective guard of the packaging machine according to the aspect previously described.

Features, explanations and advantages described in the context of the packaging machine or the method for operating the packaging machine may be combined with or transferred to the other one of the packaging machine and the method for operating the packaging machine. In particular, the packaging machine may be suitable for, designed for, and/or configured for carrying out the method. The method may be carried out using the packaging machine.

In the following, embodiments are described with reference to the figures, whereby.

<FIG> illustrates a packaging machine <NUM> according to an embodiment. The illustrated packaging machine <NUM> is of a type known as tray sealer. However, the invention could also be applied to packaging machines of other types, such as a thermoforming packaging machine, for example.

In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging machine <NUM> comprises a sealing station <NUM> for closing trays (packages) by sealing a top film <NUM> to the trays along a sealing seam surrounding an opening of the tray.

The packaging machine <NUM> comprises an infeed section <NUM> with a conveyor assembly <NUM> for conveying the trays along a production direction <NUM> towards the sealing station <NUM> or into the sealing station <NUM>. On the way to the sealing station <NUM>, products may be inserted into the trays, for example while the trays are conveyed along the production direction <NUM> by the conveyor assembly <NUM>.

The conveyor assembly <NUM> comprises an endless circulation device for transporting the trays. The endless circulation device comprises first and second chains <NUM> circulating at opposing lateral sides of the packaging machine <NUM>. Lateral rods <NUM> extend between the first and second chains <NUM> in parallel to a lateral direction, which is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the production direction <NUM>. The conveyor assembly <NUM> further comprises a drive unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) driving the first and second chains <NUM> in a synchronous manner. The first and second chains <NUM> and the lateral rods <NUM> are redirected about a return axis <NUM> during operation of the conveyor assembly <NUM>. The return axis <NUM> extends in parallel to the lateral direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the return axis <NUM> is provided at an upstream end of the conveyor assembly <NUM>.

The packaging machine <NUM> comprises a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to control operation of the sealing station <NUM> and operation of the conveyor assembly <NUM>. In particular, the controller <NUM> controls the conveyor assembly <NUM> to intermittently convey the trays along the production direction <NUM>. In a work cycle, the conveyor assembly <NUM> first moves in a forward sense (by circulating anti-clockwise in <FIG>) to push trays into the sealing station <NUM> by engagement with the lateral rods <NUM>. Once the trays are in place in the sealing station <NUM>, the conveyor assembly <NUM> circulates in a rearward sense (clockwise in <FIG>) to withdraw any laterals rod <NUM> from the sealing station <NUM>. Subsequently, the sealing station <NUM> operates to seal the trays.

As can best be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, a first protective guard <NUM> is curved around the return axis <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the first protective guard <NUM> is shown in a first protection position. The first protective guard <NUM> prevents a user from reaching towards the return axis <NUM> from a certain angular range around the return axis <NUM>. As indicated by arrows <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first protective guard <NUM> may be moved out of the first protection position by rotation about the return axis <NUM>. For example, the first protective guard <NUM> may be guided for rotation about the return axis <NUM> in grooves provided in opposing side parts <NUM> of the machine frame <NUM> of the packaging machine1 (see <FIG>).

A hand or another object that moves or is pushed against the first protective guard <NUM> in a direction opposite to the production direction <NUM> causes the first protective guard <NUM> to rotate about the return axis <NUM>. This may prevent the hand or other object from being caught between the first protective guard <NUM> and the moving part of the packaging machine <NUM>, in particular one of the lateral rods <NUM>.

A first sensor <NUM> schematically shown in <FIG> and <FIG> detects whether the first protective guard <NUM> is in the first protection position or not. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sensor <NUM> is a magnetic sensor detecting whether a magnet <NUM> that is attached to the first protective guard <NUM> is in a position corresponding to the first protection position of the first protective guard <NUM>. Alternatively, other types of sensors may be used, such as, for example, radar sensors or sensors based on one or more light barriers.

When the first sensor <NUM> detects the first protective guard <NUM> moving out of the first protection position (for example, by detecting that the first protective guard <NUM> is no longer in the first protection position), the controller <NUM> shuts down operation of at least the conveyor assembly <NUM>, or more preferably, operation of the entire packaging machine <NUM>, for safety reasons.

In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging machine <NUM> further comprises an optional second protective guard <NUM>. The second protective guard <NUM> may comprise a metal sheet extending along the lateral direction at a position upstream of the return axis <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a second protective guard <NUM> in a second protection position.

<FIG> shows the second protective guard <NUM> in a second open position. In the second protection position, the second protective guard <NUM> covers the return axis <NUM> with respect to the production direction <NUM>. In the second open position, a distance between the return axis <NUM> and the second protective guard <NUM> is increased as compared to the second protection position.

<FIG> shows the second protective guard <NUM> together with two brackets <NUM>. The brackets <NUM> are provided at opposing lateral sides of the second protective guard <NUM>. The brackets <NUM> are fixedly attached to the machine frame <NUM> of the packaging machine <NUM> at opposing lateral sides of the packaging machine <NUM>. The second protective guard <NUM> comprises support pins <NUM> protruding from the second protective guard <NUM> at opposing lateral ends of the second protective guard <NUM>. Each one of the brackets <NUM> comprises a vertical slot <NUM> receiving a corresponding one of the support pins <NUM>. The second protective guard <NUM> is fixed to the machine frame <NUM> of the packaging machine <NUM> via engagement of the support pins <NUM> in the slots <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the positioning of the second protective guard <NUM> with respect to the bracket <NUM> in the second protection position. In the second protection position, the second protective guard <NUM> extends essentially vertically. The support pin <NUM> is provided in an upper position in the slot <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a holding assembly <NUM> applying a holding force between the bracket <NUM> and the second protective guard <NUM> to hold the second protective guard <NUM> in the second protection position. The holding assembly <NUM> comprises a plunger. The plunger may be provided at the bracket <NUM> and may engage into a recess or opening in the second protective guard <NUM>. Alternatively, the plunger may be provided at the second protective guard <NUM> and may reach into a recess or opening in the bracket <NUM>. The holding assembly <NUM> applies a holding force sufficient to hold the second protective guard <NUM> in the second protection position during normal operation of the packaging machine <NUM>. However, when a hand or another object is pushed against the second protective guard <NUM>, the holding force applied by the holding assembly <NUM> may be overcome to move the second protective guard <NUM> to the second open position.

The second protective guard <NUM> is moved from the second protection position illustrated in <FIG> into the second open position illustrated in <FIG> by a combination of a translational motion and a rotational motion. Both the rotational motion and the translational motion are enabled by a movement of the support pins <NUM> in the slots <NUM> of the brackets <NUM>. To reach the second open position, the support pin <NUM> slides downward within the slot <NUM>. Further, the second protective guard <NUM> rotates about an axis defined by the support pin <NUM>, in particular such that an upper section of the second protective guard <NUM> rotates away from the conveyor assembly <NUM> or from the return axis <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a second sensor <NUM> is provided to detect whether the second protective guard <NUM> is in the second protection position. Preferably, the second sensor <NUM> comprises a magnetic sensor detecting whether a magnet <NUM> attached to the second protective guard <NUM> is present in a position corresponding to the second protection position of the second protective guard <NUM>. Other types of sensors may be employed.

When the second sensor <NUM> detects the second protective guard <NUM> moving out of the second protection position (for example, by detecting that the second protective guard <NUM> is no longer in the second protection position), the controller <NUM> prevents operation of at least the conveyor assembly <NUM>, or preferably operation of the packaging machine <NUM> in its entirety, for safety reasons.

Claim 1:
Packaging machine (<NUM>), comprising:
a controller (<NUM>);
a conveyor assembly (<NUM>) configured to convey packages along a production direction (<NUM>), the conveyor assembly (<NUM>) comprising an endless circulation device configured to be redirected about a return axis (<NUM>);
characterized in that the packaging machine (<NUM>) further comprises:
a first protective guard (<NUM>) that is curved around the return axis (<NUM>) and movably provided in a first protection position, wherein the first protective guard (<NUM>) is configured to be rotated about the return axis (<NUM>); and
a first sensor (<NUM>) configured to detect when the first protective guard (<NUM>) moves out of the first protection position, wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to prevent operation of the conveyor assembly (<NUM>) in response to a detection of the first protective guard (<NUM>) moving out of the first protection position.