Tray sealer and method for operating the same

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a tray sealer comprising an endless conveyor and a sealing station for sealing a tray with a cover film, said sealing station including a sealing-tool upper part and a tray support provided with an edge support for accommodating a tray edge. The disclosure is characterized in that the edge support comprises at least two edge support sections which are movable relative to one another. The disclosure also relates to a suitable method for operating a tray sealer.

1 . A tray sealer comprising an endless conveyor and a sealing station for sealing a tray with a cover film, said sealing station including a sealing-tool upper part and a tray support provided with an edge support for accommodating a tray edge, wherein the edge support comprises at least two edge support sections which are movable relative to one another. 
     
     
         2 . A tray sealer according to  claim 1 , wherein the endless conveyor is permanently provided within the sealing station and below the sealing-tool upper part. 
     
     
         3 . A tray sealer according to  claim 1 , wherein there is provided one drive which is used for a closing movement of the edge support sections towards one another as well as for lifting the tray by means of the tray support. 
     
     
         4 . A tray sealer according to  claim 1 , wherein the edge support sections are each provided with a seal. 
     
     
         5 . A tray sealer according to  claim 1 , wherein a chamber lower part is provided, said chamber lower part comprising two chamber parts which are movable relative to one another. 
     
     
         6 . A tray sealer according to  claim 5 , wherein the two chamber parts are provided below the sealing-tool upper part and laterally of and/or above the endless conveyor. 
     
     
         7 . A tray sealer according to  claim 5 , wherein a seal is provided for hermetically sealing the chamber parts against one another. 
     
     
         8 . A tray sealer according to  claim 7 , wherein the chamber lower part is connectable to the sealing-tool upper part so as to form a hermetically sealed and evacuable chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A tray sealer according to  claim 5 , wherein, in relation to a plane extending parallel to a conveying direction and orthogonally to a conveying plane of the endless conveyor, the respective chamber parts and/or the respective edge support sections are substantially symmetrical to one another. 
     
     
         10 . A tray sealer according to  claim 5 , wherein the edge support sections and the chamber parts are adapted to be connected via a common mechanism by means of levers and spring elements. 
     
     
         11 . A tray sealer according to  claim 10 , wherein the mechanism which is provided for the edge support sections and the chamber parts in common has a respective horizontal and a respective vertical movement component. 
     
     
         12 . A tray sealer according to  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of parts which are movable relative to one another, such as the edge support sections and the chamber parts, have a drive in common. 
     
     
         13 . A tray sealer according to  claim 5 , wherein the edge support sections and/or the chamber parts are movable relative to one another by means of guides which are oriented parallel to the conveying plane of the endless conveyor. 
     
     
         14 . A tray sealer comprising an endless conveyor and a sealing station for sealing a tray with a cover film, said sealing station including a sealing-tool upper part and a tray support provided with an edge support for accommodating a tray edge, wherein the endless conveyor is permanently provided within the sealing station and below the sealing-tool upper part. 
     
     
         15 . A tray sealer according to  claim 14 , wherein the edge support comprises at least two edge support sections which are movable relative to one another. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a tray sealer which comprises an endless conveyor and a sealing station, including the steps of conveying a tray on the conveyor into the sealing station to a position between a sealing-tool upper part and a tray support, providing the tray support with an edge support including at least two edge support sections, moving the edge support sections into contact with the tray from two sides, the edge support sections being thus united so as to form the tray support, locating a cover film between the tray and the sealing-tool upper part, and sealing the cover film to the tray. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , further including the step of lifting the edge support sections to thereby lift the tray upward to the sealing-tool upper part. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , further including the step of moving the edge support sections orthogonally in relation to the conveying direction of the endless conveyor towards one another and towards the tray. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein after having been united, the edge support sections provide the tray support, and the tray support accommodates the tray. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 16 , including the step of closing the movement of the edge support sections before the tray is lifted. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 16 , further including the step of providing a chamber lower part comprising two chamber parts, and moving the two chamber parts below the sealing-tool upper part and above the endless conveyor towards one another in such a way that the two chamber parts define the chamber lower part. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , further including the steps of moving the chamber lower part against the sealing-tool upper part, and connecting the chamber lower part to the sealing-tool upper part so as to form a hermetically sealed and evacuable chamber. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the movements of the edge support sections and of the chamber parts takes place simultaneously. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the movements of a plurality of parts which are movable relative to one another are carried out by means of only one drive.