Thermo-forming packaging machine and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermo-forming packaging machine with a controller, a first forming station for forming a tray into a base film and a second motor-adjustable forming station for forming a lid into a top film. A first detection device detects the marking of the base film for controlling a film advance step of the tray associated with this marking into the sealing station.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Thermo-forming packaging machine comprising:
 a controller;   a first forming station disposed along a direction of production for forming trays into a base film;   an adjustable second forming station for forming lids into a top film;   a sealing station for sealing said trays with said lids;   at least one conveyor chain for transporting said base film in said direction of production; and   a first detection device provided in or on said sealing station for detecting a position of a marking of said base film and transmitting position information to said controller;   wherein said controller is configured to control a film advance step of said conveyor chain during transport of said trays into said sealing station.   
     
     
         2 . Thermo-forming packaging machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second detection device provided between said first forming station and said first detection device for detecting the position of said marking of said base film and transmitting position information to said controller;   wherein said controller is configured to position said second forming station such that one of said lids and an associated said tray are sealable in said sealing station to each other in their intended position.   
     
     
         3 . Thermo-forming packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said second forming station is disposed no more than five film advance steps upstream of said sealing station. 
     
     
         4 . Thermo-forming packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said marking is a print mark on said base film, and a third detection device is provided upstream of said first forming station for detecting said marking of said base film and transmitting position information to said controller, wherein said controller is configured to position said first forming station in dependence on the position of said marking of said base film, wherein said first forming station is adjustable in a motorized manner. 
     
     
         5 . Thermo-forming packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein a stretching device is provided for said top film. 
     
     
         6 . Thermo-forming packaging machine according to  claim 5 , wherein said stretching device in disposed in a direction of transport of said top film upstream of said second forming station. 
     
     
         7 . Thermo-forming packaging machine according to  claim 5 , wherein said stretching device comprises a print mark detection device for said top film. 
     
     
         8 . Thermo-forming packaging machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fourth detection device disposed downstream of said sealing station for detecting at least one of said marking of said base film and print mark of said top film and transmitting position information to said controller;   wherein said controller is configured to position a cutting station disposed downstream of said sealing station in dependence on the position of at least one of said marking of said base film and said print mark of said top film.   
     
     
         9 . Thermo-forming packaging machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said first detection device comprises a camera. 
     
     
         10 . Thermo-forming packaging machine according to one  claim 1 , wherein said marking is provided as at least one of an identification mark creatable by a printing device on said base film, a molding into said base film created in said first forming station, and a punch introduced into said base film by use of a punching device. 
     
     
         11 . Method for operating a thermo-forming packaging machine with a controller, a first forming station, a sealing station, and a first detection device, comprising the steps of:
 forming trays into a base film in said first forming station;   performing film advance steps for transporting said base film in a direction of production;   detecting a position of a marking of said base film by use of said first detection device in or on said sealing station, and passing position information to said controller; and   using said controller to control said film advance steps in which said trays are transported into said sealing station in dependence of the position of said marking of said base film.   
     
     
         12 . Method according to  claim 11 , wherein said marking is at least one of an identification mark that is applied by a printing device on said base film, a formed feature that is introduced into said base film in said forming station, and a punch that is created in said base film by use of a punching device. 
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 11 , wherein said marking is a print mark on said base film and a third detection device detects the position of said print mark in said base film upstream of said first forming station and passes position information to said controller for positioning said first forming station according to said detected print mark, wherein said first forming station is adjustable in a motorized manner. 
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 11 , wherein a lid is formed into a top film by a second forming station. 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 11 , wherein a second detection device being disposed between said first forming station and said sealing station detects the position of said marking of said base film and passes position information to said controller. 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 14 , wherein said second forming station is positioned along a direction of transport of said top film by said controller in dependence of the position of said marking of said base film that was detected by said second detection device.