Tray sealing machine

Abstract

A tray sealing machine comprising an upper tool which can be laterally moved out of the tray sealing machine from a working position into a second position for maintenance and cleaning purposes, wherein the upper tool may be pivotable in the second position so as to improve accessibility to a bottom of the tool for maintenance and cleaning. The tray sealing machine may also include a lower tool that can be laterally moved out of the tray sealing machine from a working position into a second position for maintenance and cleaning purposes, wherein the lower tool is additionally pivotable in the second position so as to improve the accessibility during cleaning.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tray sealing machine comprising: a sealing tool having an upper tool and a lower tool configured to seal a conveyed tray with a cover film, wherein the upper tool is moveable from an upper working position into an upper second position, and wherein the upper tool is pivotable while at the upper second position. 
     
     
         2 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper second position is laterally outside of the tray sealing machine. 
     
     
         3 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 1  further comprising at least two rails, the rails being operably connected to the tray sealing machine, and wherein the upper tool is moveable to engage at least two rails. 
     
     
         4 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 3  wherein the rails are laterally extendable to convey the upper tool from the upper working position to the upper second position. 
     
     
         5 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 1  wherein the upper tool is pivotable in a range of at least forty five (45) degrees in the upper second position. 
     
     
         6 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 5  wherein the upper tool is pivotable in a range of about ninety (90) degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 1  further including at least one pivot arm operably connected to the upper tool and the tray sealing machine, wherein the upper tool pivots on the at least one pivot arm from the upper working position to the upper second position. 
     
     
         8 . Tray sealing machine according  claim 7  wherein the pivot arms are operably connected to a machine frame of the tray sealing machine. 
     
     
         9 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 1  wherein the lower tool is moveable from a lower working position into a lower second position, wherein the lower second position of the lower tool is located laterally outside of the tray sealing machine, and wherein the lower tool is pivotable while at the lower second position. 
     
     
         10 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 9  wherein the lower tool is pivotable in a range of at least ninety (90) degrees in the lower second position. 
     
     
         11 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 10  wherein the lower tool is pivotable in a range of about one hundred eighty (180) degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 9  further comprising at least two rails, the rails being operably connected to the tray sealing machine and wherein at least one of the upper tool and the lower tool are moveable to engage the at least two rails. 
     
     
         13 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 12  wherein at the least two rails are detachable from the tray sealing machine. 
     
     
         14 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 12  wherein the rails are laterally extendable outside of the tray sealing machine. 
     
     
         15 . Tray sealing machine according to  claim 12  wherein the rails include a clamping device at one end wherein the clamping device is operable to lock the at least one of the upper tool and the lower tool in a pivoted position. 
     
     
         16 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 9  wherein the at least one of the upper tool and the lower tool is pivotally conveyed from the working position to the second position. 
     
     
         17 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 16  further including at least two pivot arms operably connected to the tray sealing machine and operably connected to the at least one of the upper tool and the lower tool. 
     
     
         18 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 17  wherein the pivot arms are operably connected to a machine frame of the tray sealing machine 
     
     
         19 . The tray sealing machine according to  claim 9  wherein the at least one of the upper tool and the lower tool can be removed in the second position.