Sealing bar

Abstract

The invention proposes a packaging machine for packaging contents in packs, suction means being provided for extracting gas, in particular atmospheric air, from the packs, means being provided for supplying one or more gases provided for this purpose, and means being provided for sealing the packs once the gas has been supplied. The packaging machine according to the invention is intended to allow the controlled supply of gas into the packs. This is achieved according to the invention in that means are provided for closing the interior of the packs in relation to the suction means prior to the gas being supplied. The figure for the abstract is FIG. 1.

1 . A packaging machine for packaging contents in packs, suction means being provided for extracting gas, in particular atmospheric air, from the packs, means being provided for supplying one or more gases provided for this purpose, and means being provided for sealing the packs once the gas has been supplied, wherein means are provided for closing the interior of the packs ( 16 ) in relation to the suction means prior to the gas being supplied.  
   
   
       2 . The packaging machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the packs ( 16 ) are produced from at least two sheets ( 6 ,  8 ).  
   
   
       3 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the packs are produced from a top sheet ( 8 ) and a bottom sheet ( 6 ), and wherein provision is made for the air to be extracted, at least in part, between the top sheet ( 8 ) and bottom sheet ( 6 ).  
   
   
       4 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein provision is made for gas to be supplied between the top sheet ( 8 ) and bottom sheet ( 6 ).  
   
   
       5 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein a suction opening ( 17 ) is provided in the top sheet ( 8 ) and/or bottom sheet ( 6 ).  
   
   
       6 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein a gas-supply opening ( 13   a ) is provided in the top sheet ( 8 ) and/or bottom sheet ( 6 ).  
   
   
       7 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the top sheet ( 8 ) and/or bottom sheet ( 6 ) are/is of trough-like form and have/has a peripheral crosspiece ( 7 ) which contains a suction opening ( 12   a ) and/or a gas-supply opening ( 13   a ).  
   
   
       8 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means comprise a pressing element ( 10 ,  18 ) for pressing the sheets ( 6 ,  8 ) together at least in the region of the suction opening ( 12   a ).  
   
   
       9 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressing element ( 10 ,  18 ) is designed as a sealing bar.  
   
   
       10 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing element, at least in the sealing position, butts in a form-fitting manner against a gas-supply line ( 19 ).  
   
   
       11 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one suction opening ( 12   a ) in a sheet ( 6 ) can be closed by virtue of the other sheet ( 8 ) being pressed against it.  
   
   
       12 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein sealing equipment ( 15 ) can be used for sealing the packs ( 16 ) on the inner side of the sealing means ( 10 ,  18 ), this inner side being directed toward the packs ( 16 ).  
   
   
       13 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing equipment ( 15 ) can be used on the inside alongside the mouth openings of the gas-supply lines ( 13 ,  19 ).  
   
   
       14 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein sealing means which run longitudinally and transversely in relation to the advancement direction of the packs are provided.  
   
   
       15 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means comprise, in the transverse direction, the wall of a negative-pressure chamber ( 2 ).  
   
   
       16 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means comprise sealing bars in the transverse direction.  
   
   
       17 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means comprise sealing bars ( 10 ,  18 ) in the longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       18 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein an at least two-part negative-pressure chamber ( 2 ) is provided, in which case at least one part of the negative-pressure chamber ( 2 ) is movable and thus at least two sheets ( 6 ,  8 ) of the pack ( 16 ) can be pressed together between the parts of the negative-pressure chamber ( 2 ).  
   
   
       19 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein a metering unit is provided for metering the supply of gas.  
   
   
       20 . The packaging machine as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein machine control is provided and is designed for a sequence of process steps: 1. evacuating, 2. sealing, 3. supply of gas, 4. sealing in this order.  
   
   
       21 . A process for packaging contents in packs made of at least two sheets, the filled packs being evacuated, filled with a gas and then sealed, wherein, between the evacuating and gas-supply steps, the packs are sealed in relation to the suction means provided for evacuating purposes.