Packaging machine and method for producing evacuated and/or gassed packagings

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging machine ( 1 ), comprising a deep-drawing station ( 2 ), which forms packaging wells in a material web ( 8 ), and a sealing station ( 19 ), which bonds a top material web to the material web, wherein before the bonded connection the packaging well is degassed and/or gassed, and a cutting unit, which separates the packagings thus produced from the material webs. The invention further relates to a method for producing a packaging, in which a material web is transported in cycles along a packaging machine, and during each cycle one or more packaging wells are formed in the material web and the packaging well is then filled with a product to be packaged, and then a cover film is sealed onto the packaging well, wherein before sealing a vacuum is drawn and/or a gas exchange is carried out in the packaging well.

1 . A packaging machine, comprising:
 a thermoforming station, which forms packaging wells in a material web, and   a sealing station, which integrally bonds an upper material web to the material web,   wherein, prior to the integral bond being made, the packaging well is degassed and gassed, and a cutting device, which separates the packagings thus produced from the material webs,   wherein the packaging machine operates cyclically,   wherein the packaging machine has a gas-storage and/or vacuum-storage volume provided in the region of the packaging machine, in which at least the vacuum volume required for one cycle is provided.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The packaging machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the packaging machine has a gassing means and/or a degassing means. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the gassing means and the degassing means are provided in one unit. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the packaging machine has a controller, which controls the fed gas and/or the vacuum. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the packaging machine has a controller, which controls the fed gas and/or the vacuum. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging machine as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the packaging machine has a controller, which controls the fed gas and/or the vacuum. 
     
     
         15 . A method for producing a packaging, in which a material web is transported cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each cycle, one or more packaging wells is/are formed in the material web and the packaging well is then filled with a product to be packaged, and a cover film is then sealed onto the packaging well,
 wherein, prior to the sealing operation, a vacuum is drawn and/or a gas exchange is carried out in the packaging well,   wherein at least the majority of the vacuum volume required for one cycle is provided in the region of the packaging machine during the sealing and/or during the transport of the material web.   
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the vacuum required for one cycle is established, at least substantially, before the packaging well is degassed. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the quantity of gas and/or the negative pressure is/are controlled. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the quantity of gas and/or the negative pressure is/are controlled. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein they are controlled in accordance with the filling capacity of the packaging well. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein they are controlled in accordance with the filling capacity of the packaging well.