Thermoform packaging machine with 2-axis robot

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10689141-B2
Application number	US-201615097088-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 12, 2016
Priority date	Apr 29, 2015
Publication date	Jun 23, 2020
Grant date	Jun 23, 2020

Abstract

A thermoform packaging machine comprising a forming station for thermoforming troughs in a bottom film web adapted to be conveyed in the thermoform packaging machine in a conveying direction, as well as a closing station for closing the troughs with a cover film. The machine further comprises a machine frame that includes a plurality of interconnected vertical members, longitudinal members, cross members, and machine feet. At least one substantially U-shaped or O-shaped portal is rigidly integrated in the machine frame, the portal comprising two columns and a crossbar extending between the two columns and above a conveying plane of the bottom film web transversely to the conveying direction, wherein the portal has a 2-axis robot mounted thereon.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A thermoform packaging machine comprising:
a forming station for thermoforming troughs in a bottom film web adapted to be conveyed in the thermoform packaging machine in a conveying direction in a conveying plane;
a closing station for closing the troughs with a cover film;
a machine frame carrying the forming station and the closing station and including a plurality of interconnected vertical members, longitudinal members and cross members;
at least one substantially U-shaped or O-shaped portal disposed on the machine frame in a fixed position relative to the machine frame, wherein the at least one portal includes two columns and a crossbar extending from one of the two columns to the other column and above the conveying plane transversely to the conveying direction; and
a 2-axis robot provided on the at least one portal.

2. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 1 further comprising machine feet, wherein one of the machine feet is arranged directly on, directly below or directly beside at least one of the columns of the at least one portal.

3. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 1 , wherein each of the columns comprises a first section extending above the conveying plane and a second section extending below the conveying plane.

4. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 1 , wherein the columns and crossbar contain stainless steel.

5. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 1 , wherein the columns and crossbar have one of an H-shaped, a U-shaped and a closed cross-section.

6. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one portal has attached thereto at least one of a film dispenser for dispensing the cover film, a film winder for winding up a residual film grid and a labeler.

7. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of portals are provided, each portal being disposed on the machine frame in a fixed position relative to the machine frame and having a 2-axis robot provided thereon.

8. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 1 , wherein the 2-axis robot comprises a robot head movable relative to the at least one portal in a first degree of freedom transversely to the conveying direction and a second degree of freedom in a vertical direction.

9. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 8 further comprising a tool mounted on the robot head.

10. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 9 , wherein the tool is at least one of a gripping tool and a suction-type tool.

11. The thermoform packaging machine according to claim 8 , wherein the tool is supported on the robot head such that it is rotatable relative thereto.

12. A thermoform packaging machine comprising:
a forming station for thermoforming troughs in a bottom film web adapted to be conveyed in the thermoform packaging machine in a conveying direction in a conveying plane;
a closing station for closing the troughs with a cover film;
a machine frame carrying the forming station and the closing station and including a plurality of interconnected vertical members, longitudinal members and cross members;
at least one substantially U-shaped or O-shaped portal being coupled to the machine frame at a fixed position thereon, wherein the at least one portal includes two columns, and a crossbar extending from one of the two columns to the other column and above the conveying plane transversely to the conveying direction; and
a 2-axis robot provided on the at least one portal, wherein the 2-axis robot comprises a robot head movable relative to the fixed at least one portal in a first degree of freedom that is a vertical direction relative to a substantially horizontal conveying direction, and a second degree of freedom that is transverse to both the first degree of freedom and the substantially horizontal conveying direction.

Assignees

• Multivac Haggenmueller Kg

Inventors

• Mühlschlegel Johannes
• Drechsler Martin
• Ehrmann Elmar

Classifications

• B65B61/28

  for discharging completed packages from machines · CPC title

• B65B7/164

  Securing by heat-sealing · CPC title

• B65B2220/18

  the primary packaging being bags the subsequent secondary packaging being rigid containers, e.g. cardboard box · CPC title

• B65B9/045

  for single articles, e.g. tablets · CPC title

• B65B35/18 Primary

  by suction-operated grippers · CPC title