Multi-row sealing station

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing station for sealing a cover film onto packaging trays, wherein the sealing station comprises a sealing tool and a bar chain and the sealing tool includes a tool upper part and a tool lower part. The bar chain is configured for conveying the packaging trays into the sealing tool and out of the sealing tool. The invention is characterized in that a tool lower part accommodates the packaging trays in at least a first and a second row, and that the tool lower part includes at least one lowerable supporting disc for lowering at least one of the first and second rows of packaging trays.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sealing station for sealing a cover film onto packaging trays, the sealing station comprising:
 a sealing tool including a tool upper part and a tool lower part, the lower tool part being configured for accommodating the packaging trays in at least a first row and a second row, the lower tool part including at least one lowerable supporting disc for lowering at least one of the first and second rows of packaging trays; and   a bar chain configured for conveying the packaging trays into the sealing tool and out of the sealing tool.   
     
     
         2 . A sealing station according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool lower part additionally includes at least one stationary supporting disc. 
     
     
         3 . A sealing station according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lowerable supporting disc is lowered from a first plane, in which the packaging trays are conveyed into the sealing tool, to a second plane extending on a lower level, and wherein the bar chain is movable through the sealing tool in said first plane. 
     
     
         4 . A sealing station according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lowerable supporting disc carries the bottom of the packaging trays. 
     
     
         5 . A sealing station according to  claim 1 , wherein the bar chain is adapted to be passed between the tool upper part and the tool lower part while the at least one row of packaging trays is in the lowered condition. 
     
     
         6 . A sealing station according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of lowerable supporting discs are provided for lowering at least one of the first and second rows of packaging trays, and wherein the plurality of lowerable supporting discs is connected to a common bar carrying the supporting discs. 
     
     
         7 . A sealing station according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one electrically or pneumatically operable actuator is provided for lowering the at least one lowerable supporting disc. 
     
     
         8 . A sealing station according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing tool is configured for receiving therein and sealing three or more rows of packaging trays simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . A sealing station according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing station is configured for use with a packaging plant. 
     
     
         10 . A method of operating a sealing station, said method comprising the following steps:
 conveying a first row of packaging trays in a first plane by means of a bar chain into a sealing tool;   accommodating the first row of packaging trays on at least one lowerable supporting disc;   lowering the first row of packaging trays from the first plane to a second plane extending on a lower level by lowering the at least one lowerable supporting disc;   conveying a second row of packaging trays into the sealing tool, said second row being accommodated on a further supporting disc;   lifting the first row of packaging trays from the second plane to the first plane; and   sealing the first row and second rows of packaging trays with a cover film.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the bar chain is moved temporarily in a direction opposite to a conveying direction of the packaging trays so as to allow lowering of the lowerable supporting disc. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the bar chain is moved temporarily in a direction opposite to a conveying direction of the packaging trays so as to allow closing of the sealing tool. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the bar chain is moved through the sealing tool above the first plane while the lowerable supporting disc is located in the second plane. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the sealing of the packaging trays with a cover film additionally comprises at least one of evacuating and gas flushing.