Tray sealer with two-lane conveyor arrangement and conveying method

A method for conveying packaging trays along a conveying direction by way of a conveyor device of a tray sealer, the method comprising:

• conveying a first line of packaging trays along the conveying direction with a first conveyor device;
• conveying a second line of packaging trays along the conveying direction with a second conveyor device which runs laterally alongside the first conveyor device and is separated from the first conveyor device by a center guide extending along the conveying direction between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device;
• and
• jointly driving the first conveyor device and a third conveyor device with a common first drive arrangement, wherein the third conveyor device in terms of the conveying direction adjoins the second conveyor device and extends laterally alongside the first conveyor device along the conveying direction.

A tray sealer comprising:

• a sealing station for sealing packaging trays;
• and
• a conveyor arrangement for conveying packaging trays away from the sealing station along a conveying direction, the conveyor arrangement comprising:
• a first conveyor device for conveying a first line of packaging trays along the conveying direction;
• a second conveyor device running laterally alongside the first conveyor device for conveying a second line of packaging trays along the conveying direction;
• a center guide which is arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device and extends along the conveying direction;
• and
• a third conveyor device for conveying packaging trays along the conveying direction, wherein the third conveyor device extends adjoining the second conveyor device in terms of the conveying direction laterally alongside the first conveyor device, and the third conveyor device has a greater width than the second conveyor device.