Clipping module drive device

A drive device for reversibly linearly moving a clipping module of a clipping machine between at least four different predefined positions including a release position and a discharge position, and at least two further intermediate positions therebetween, the clipping machine having a filling tube through which a filling material is fed in a filling direction into a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing stored on the filling tube, the drive device comprising:

• a piston/cylinder assembly including:
• a first piston for being fixedly arranged relative to a framework of the clipping machine and a housing including a hollow space defining a first cylinder portion in which the first piston is accommodated, the housing is reversibly movable relative to the first piston;
• a second piston coaxially aligned to the first piston and reversibly movable in a second cylinder portion of the housing hollow space;
• a third piston coaxially aligned to the first piston and reversibly movable in a third cylinder portion of the housing hollow space, the second cylinder portion being between the first cylinder portion and the third cylinder portion;
• a piston rod having a central axis coaxially aligned to the first, second, and third cylinder portions, with the first piston fixedly mounted to the piston rod;
• and
• four variable cylinder volumes in the hollow space, a first cylinder volume between the first piston and a first end of the hollow space, a second cylinder volume between the first and the second piston, a third cylinder volume between the second and the third piston, and a fourth cylinder volume between the third piston and a second end of the hollow space;
• wherein each cylinder volume is coupled to a pressure source for being varied in order to reversibly move the clipping module coupled to the housing, between the release position and the discharge position, and the intermediate positions therebetween, wherein the clipping module and housing are coupled together such that the movement of the housing causes the movement of the clipping module.