Packaging machine and method for packaging of products in bags

1. A packaging machine for packaging of products in bags, the packaging machine comprising;

a chamber having a lid and a chamber bottom, the chamber bottom having an opening; and

a suction device that is provided in the chamber bottom to evacuate the chamber through the opening in the chamber bottom, the suction device including a closing element that is movable from a first raised position to a second lowered position, wherein the closing element closes the opening in the chamber bottom when the closing element is in one of the raised and lowered positions, and the closing element allows access to the opening in the chamber bottom when the closing element is in the other of the raised and lowered positions;

wherein the chamber can be closed gas tight.

2. The packaging machine according to claim 1 , wherein the closing element comprises a closing element surface which forms a portion of the chamber bottom when the closing element is in the raised position.

3. The packaging machine according to claim 2 , wherein the closing element surface lies in a plane with, or above, an upper surface of the chamber bottom when the closing element is in the raised position.

4. The packaging machine according to claim 2 , wherein the closing element surface comprises a convex surface that extends above the chamber bottom when the closing element is in the raised position.

5. The packaging machine according claim 1 , further comprising a grid on the chamber bottom above the suction device.

6. The packaging machine according to claim 1 , wherein the closing element comprises a valve.

7. The packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein the closing element is positioned beneath an upper surface of the chamber bottom when the closing element is in the lowered position.

8. The packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein the suction device further comprises a stationary casing part for receiving the closing element, and a sealing member provided between the casing part and the closing element for facilitating gas tight closure of the chamber when the closing element is in the raised position.

9. The packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein the suction device further comprises a piston connected to the closing element for moving the closing element, and a casing part that receives the piston.

10. The packaging machine according to claim 9 wherein the suction device further comprises an additional casing part connected to the casing part, and a piston rod that extends through the additional casing part and connects together the piston and the closing element, and wherein the closing element has a first centering portion, and the additional casing part has a second centering portion that mates with the first centering portion when the closing element is in the lowered position to guide the piston rod.

11. The packaging machine of claim 9 wherein the casing part is configured to receive pressurized air that acts on the piston to move the piston and closing element in a first direction.

12. The packaging machine of claim 11 wherein the suction device further includes a spring member that urges the piston in a second direction opposite the first direction.

13. A method for packaging of products into bags, the method comprising:

providing a packaging machine comprising a chamber having a lid and a chamber bottom having an opening, and a suction device in the chamber bottom for evacuating the chamber through the opening, the suction device including a closing element that is movable between first and second positions, wherein the closing element closes the opening in the chamber bottom when the closing element is in the first position;

closing the chamber gas tight with the closing element in the first position;

moving the closing element to the second position to provide access to the opening: and

evacuating the chamber through the opening in the chamber bottom with the closing element in the second position;

wherein the closing element functions as a valve.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the suction device comprises a suction pipe and the evacuating step comprises evacuating gas from the chamber through the suction pipe.

15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the packaging machine further comprises a grid that is positioned above the opening and is structured and designed such that essentially only gas can enter into the suction device.

16. The method according to claim 13 wherein the closing element is positioned beneath an upper surface of the chamber bottom when the closing element is in the second position.

17. The method according to claim 13 wherein the suction device further comprises a stationary casing part for receiving the closing element, and a sealing member provided between the casing part and the closing element for facilitating gas tight closure of the chamber when the closing element is in the first position.

18. The method according to claim 13 wherein the suction device further comprises a piston connected to the closing element for moving the closing element, and a casing part that receives the piston.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the moving step comprises introducing air into or removing air from the casing part to move the piston, which moves the closing element to the second position.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the suction device further comprises an additional casing part connected to the casing part, and a piston rod that extends through the additional casing part and connects together the piston and the closing element, and wherein the closing element has a first centering portion, and the additional casing part has a second centering portion that mates with the first centering portion when the closing element is in the second position to guide the piston rod.