Holder for a packaging handling device

Abstract

A packaging handling device (1) and method for grouping packages filled with liquid food, the device comprising: a conveyor belt (2) for conveying packages (PI, P2) in a downstream direction (D); a guiding member (4) arranged on one side of the conveyor belt (2); a grouping device (3) that receives packages from the conveyor belt (2) and groups a predetermined number of packages together; and a retainer (5) arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt (2) relative to the guiding member (4). The retainer (5) has a plurality of flexible elements (6) that are angled relative to the conveyor belt (2). Each flexible element (6) is configured to: bend to enable a package (PI) to pass in the downstream direction (D), and retract from a bent position (F) after a package (P2) has passed, to prevent the package (P2) from moving in an upstream direction (U).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for grouping packages filled with liquid foodstuffs. Background Art

[0002] Processing systems for producing packages filled with liquid foodstuffs typically include a filling machine for forming the packages and filling them with liquid foodstuffs, and a package handling device or machine that receives the packages filled with liquid foodstuffs from the filling machine. The packages can be formed from cardboard or other packaging materials suitable for containing liquid foodstuffs. The liquid foodstuffs filling the packages can include beverages such as dairy products, dairy product substitutes, juices and nectars, water, tea based drinks, coffee based drinks, fruit based drinks, sports and energy drinks, and wine. Liquid foodstuffs including cheese, yogurt, fruit, soups, sauces, seasonings, and tomato products may also be suitable.

[0003] The package handling machine can include a package separator that guides the packages into a channel when the packages enter the machine; a holding device or grouping means for grouping the packages; and a film or shrink wrapping machine for shrink wrapping a predetermined number of packages to produce a multi-pack. Many package handling machines include a conveyor belt for conveying the packages in a downstream direction. When the grouping means stops, the packages standing on the conveyor belt may experience a recoil or wave motion. A drawback of conventional package handling machines is that when a recoil occurs, a recoiling package may be struck from behind by another package and fall onto the conveyor belt. The fallen package can have a negative impact on downstream processing. Typically, the fallen package must be manually placed in an upright position. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least in part one or more limitations of the prior art. Specifically, an object is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of effectively grouping packages filled with liquid foodstuffs.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a package handling device for grouping packages filled with liquid foodstuffs includes a conveyor belt configured to convey the packages in a downstream direction, a guiding member disposed on one side of the conveyor belt, a grouping means configured to receive the packages from the conveyor belt and group a predetermined number of packages together, and a retainer disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor belt relative to the guiding member. The retainer has a plurality of flexible elements angled relative to the conveyor belt, and each flexible element is configured to bend to allow the package to pass in the downstream direction and retract from the bent position after the package has passed to prevent the package from moving in the upstream direction.

[0006] Accordingly, compared to traditional packaging handling machines that do not have any type of packaging retention device, the packaging handling device described herein advantageously prevents packages from falling off the conveyor belt during stoppage of the grouping device. Each flexible element of the retainer is configured to bend to a bent position during operation of the grouping device and allow the package to pass through. After the package has passed through, the flexible element can retract from the bent position to a neutral position, as it can be formed from an elastic material. When in the neutral position, the flexible element can have a predetermined amount of stiffness to maintain its shape when subjected to the recoil force of the package, such that the flexible element prevents upstream movement of the package during stoppage of the grouping device. The retainer can also be easily integrated into an existing packaging handling machine by attaching it to a guide rail disposed along the conveyor belt of the packaging handling machine.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for grouping packages filled with liquid food includes conveying the packages in a downstream direction along a conveyor belt, guiding the packages using a guiding member disposed on one side of the conveyor belt, and grouping a predetermined number of packages together using a grouping device configured to receive the packages from the conveyor belt. Guiding the packages includes passing the packages through a retainer. The retainer is disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor belt relative to the guiding member and has a plurality of flexible elements angled relative to the conveyor belt. Each flexible element is configured to bend to allow the package to pass through in the downstream direction and retract from the bent position after the package has passed through to prevent the package from moving in the upstream direction.

[0008] The method can include the same features as the packaging handling device for grouping packages and share the same advantages.

[0009] Other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The features of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging handling device for grouping packages filled with liquid food.

[0012] Figure 2 is Figure 1 another perspective view of the device.

[0013] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a top view of the device.

[0014] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a partial top view of the device showing the retainer with flexible elements.

[0015] Figure 5 isFigure 4 Perspective view of the device.

[0016] Figure 6 is Figure 4 Partial top view of the device, showing the neutral and bent positions of the flexible element.

[0017] Figure 7 is Figure 4 Top view of the device, showing the packaging during operation of the device.

[0018] Figure 8 Schematic view of a processing system for producing packages filled with liquid food, the processing system including Figure 1 the device.

[0019] Figure 9 is Figure 1 Flow chart of a method for grouping packages filled with liquid food using a packaging handling device (such as Detailed Description

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0021] First, referring to Figure 1-3 , there is shown a packaging handling device 1 for grouping packages filled with liquid food. The packaging handling device 1 includes a conveyor belt 2 configured to convey the packages in a downstream direction D; and a grouping device 3 configured to receive the packages from the conveyor belt 2 and group a predetermined number of packages together. The packages may be formed of cardboard or other materials suitable for containing liquid food. The packages may be rectangular or cylindrical, or rectangular with rounded corners. Other shapes may also be suitable. The liquid food may include dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt or milk products, dairy product alternatives, fruit juices and nectars, water, tea beverages, coffee beverages, fruit beverages, sports and energy drinks, wine, fruits, soups, sauces, seasonings or tomato products. Other liquid foods may also be suitable.

[0022] On one side of the conveyor belt 2, a guiding member 4 is provided for guiding the packages along the conveyor belt 2. The guiding member 4 can be an elongated guide rail or bar extending parallel to the conveyor belt 2. Parallel bars 4a, 4b can form the guiding member 4 and be mounted to the track 2a supporting the conveyor belt 2. The conveyor belt 2 can include any suitable conveyor-type belt, chain, or other flexible member for conveying packages in a processing system. The guiding member 4 is fixed to the track 2a and can extend over more than half or most of the entire length of the conveyor belt 2. The length of the guiding member 4 can extend to the grouping device 3 such that the guiding member 4 guides the packages until the packages are captured by the grouping device 3 at the downstream end of the conveyor belt 2.

[0023] A retainer 5 is arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt 2 with respect to the guiding member 4. The retainer 5 has a plurality of flexible elements 6 which are angled with respect to the conveyor belt 2 and the downstream direction D to prevent the packages from moving in the upstream direction U opposite to the downstream direction D. Since the conveyor belt 2 and the downstream direction D are parallel to each other, the flexible elements 6 are also angled with respect to the downstream direction D. The retainer 5 can be removably attached to a second guiding member 7 which is arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt 2 with respect to the guiding member 4. Similar to the guiding member 4, the second guiding member 7 can be an elongated guide rail or bar and extends parallel to the conveyor belt 2. The second guiding member 7 can also be fixed to the track 2a for the conveyor belt 2. The flexible elements 6 can be fixed to a bracket 8 by fasteners 9, and the bracket 8 can be mounted to the second guiding member 7.

[0024] The length L of the retainer 5 can be less than the entire length of the second guiding member 7 and the conveyor belt 2 such that the retainer 5 only extends along a part of the conveyor belt 2. The arrangement of the flexible elements 6 can be terminated before the grouping device 3 which is arranged downstream with respect to the flexible elements 6. The grouping device 3 can be in the form of a belt brake having two rotating belts 10, 11 which rotate towards the conveyor belt 2 in opposite rotational directions relative to each other to capture packages from the conveyor belt 2. The rotational axes about which the two rotating belts 10, 11 rotate extend in the normal direction to the plane in which the conveyor belt 2 moves. The two rotating belts 10, 11 can be arranged to rotate in an upper plane parallel to the plane in which the conveyor belt 2 moves to ensure that the packages are engaged by the two rotating belts 10, 11.

[0025] A predetermined number of packages can be captured by the grouping device 3 and grouped together to allow subsequent packaging. The grouping device 3 can be configured to release the packages after a predetermined number of packages are grouped together. The packages are typically grouped in a single row and can then be grouped into a pattern having more than one row and column depending on the downstream equipment used. For example, three to ten packages can be grouped together. Other package patterns and package quantities can be suitable. The grouping device 3 can be a conventional belt-type grouping device.

[0026] Figure 4 and 5 Further details of the flexible element 6 of the retainer 5 are shown. Each flexible element 6 has a base end 12, a tip end 13, and an elongate body 14 extending from the base end 12 to the tip end 13. The base end 12 can be the portion of the flexible element 6 that is fixed to the guide member 7. The base end 12 can be fixed to a bracket 8 mounted to the guide member 7. The bracket 8 can be formed of a metallic material and has a pocket or mounting surface 15 projecting from the bracket 8. The mounting surface 15 is configured to receive or engage the base end 12 of the corresponding flexible element 6 for positioning the flexible element 6 relative to the bracket 8. The mounting surface 15 can be formed of metal and integrally formed as part of the bracket 8. The base end 12 can be adjacently engaged with the mounting surface 15. The fastener 9 can include a screw, bolt, nut, clamp, clasp, washer, or any other suitable fastening element. The flexible element 6 can include a fastener hole pattern 17 that includes a plurality of holes formed in the elongate body 14 that are configured to receive the fastener 9. Providing a plurality of possible fastener holes enables adjustment of the extended length of the flexible element 6 to ensure that the flexible element 6 can engage packages of different sizes.

[0027] As Figure 4 shown, the flexible elements 6 can have a predetermined spacing S relative to each other along a portion of the second guide member 7. The predetermined spacing S can be set by the position of the mounting surface 15 along the bracket 8 such that the mounting surfaces 15 have the same predetermined spacing S. The flexible elements 6 can be evenly spaced and any number of flexible elements 6 can be provided. The predetermined spacing S can be between 15 and 25 centimeters or even outside of this range. The predetermined spacing S can be 20 centimeters. The bracket 8 can be formed to have a predetermined spacing S between the mounting surfaces 15 and each flexible element 6 can be arranged adjacent to every other mounting surface 15 such that the spacing between the flexible elements 6 is twice the predetermined spacing S of the mounting surfaces 15. Forming the bracket 8 to have a smaller predetermined spacing S between the mounting surfaces 15 facilitates having different spacings between the flexible elements 6 when fixed to the bracket 8 to accommodate packages of different sizes.

[0028] The support 8 may include a hook or clamp 18 that engages with the second guiding member 7 to fix the support 8 to the second guiding member 7. The clamp 18 and the second guiding member 7 may have a snap fit connection. The clamp 18 may be attached to the parallel guide rails 7a, 7b forming the second guiding member 7 such that the clamp 18 snaps around each of the parallel guide rails 7a, 7b or extends over each of the parallel guide rails 7a, 7b. On the opposite side of the clamp 18 relative to the side engaging the second guiding member 7, the clamp 18 is attached to the main support 8a of the support 8. The main support 8a may be of a planar shape such that the mounting surface 15 is angled relative to the planar surface of the main support 8a. When mounted to the second guiding member 7, the main support 8a is disposed outside the second guiding member 7 relative to the conveyor belt 2 and the packages conveyed between the first and second guiding members 4, 7. The support 8 extends inwardly towards the conveyor belt 2 through the parallel guide rails 7a, 7b of the second guiding member 7.

[0029] As visible relative to the second guiding member 7, since the support 8 is mounted outside the area where the packages move, the support 8 can be easily mounted to the guiding members in an existing packaging handling machine. Another advantage of the support 8 is that a predetermined spacing between the flexible elements 6 is provided by the mounting surface 15 formed in the support 8. Another advantage of the support 8 is that all the flexible elements can be mounted uniformly relative to the second guiding member 7.

[0030] In one embodiment, each flexible element 6 may be mounted to the second guiding member 7 independently of the other flexible elements 6, so that the support may not be provided. A clamp or other suitable fastening mechanism may be used to fix the proximal end 12 of each flexible element 6 to the guiding member 7. Mounting each flexible element 6 independently and separately may be advantageous in terms of being able to adjust the spacing between the flexible elements 6. Another advantage of mounting each flexible element 6 independently and separately is that the maintenance or replacement of a single flexible element 6 can be simpler.

[0031] Figure 6Shows the operation and different positions of the flexible element 6. Each flexible element 6 is movable between a neutral position N and a bent position F. During the movement between the neutral position N and the bent position F (schematically shown as a fold line) or during the bending of the flexible element 6, the elongate body 14 of the flexible element 6 deflects relative to the base end 12 such that the tip 13 also deflects. The deflection of the elongate body 14 and the tip 13 can include the elongate body 14 being bent or curved relative to the base end 12. This deflection can also be referred to as the bending of the flexible element 6. During the bending of the flexible element 6, the base end 12 remains in a fixed position and the elongate body 14 and thus the tip 13 deflect relative to the base end 12. By fixing the base end 12 to the fixed mounting surface 15 of the bracket 8, the base end 12 remains in a fixed position.

[0032] The flexible element 6 can be formed of an elastic and flexible plastic material. The flexible element 6 is also formed of a material having a predetermined stiffness that enables the flexible element 6 to maintain its shape when subjected to a predetermined amount of force (such as the force applied by a recoil package) and to bend when subjected to a greater force (such as during the normal movement of the package in the downstream direction). The flexible element 6 can have a length that is longer than the width and thickness of the flexible element 6. The length of the flexible element 6 can be twice the width and the length can be between 15 and 25 centimeters, or even outside this range. The thickness of the flexible element 6 can be less than three millimeters.

[0033] When the flexible element 6 is not bent, i.e., when no force is applied to the flexible element 6, the flexible element 6 is in the neutral position N. When in the neutral position N, the flexible element 6 has a minimum curvature or no curvature and extends in a first extension direction E that is transverse or angled relative to the downstream direction D and the conveyor belt 2 1 upward. The angle θ between the first extension direction E 1 (i.e., the transverse extension direction) and the downstream direction D can be between 15 degrees and 30 degrees, or even outside this range. The angle θ can be approximately 22 degrees. Arranging the flexible element 6 in a direction angled relative to the conveyor belt 2 facilitates bending of the flexible element 6 and enables packages moving in the downstream direction D to pass through. The flexible element 6 can be bent more easily with a smaller angular displacement A compared to the larger angular displacement required if the flexible element were arranged directly perpendicular to the conveyor belt 2.

[0034] The mounting surface 15 of the bracket 8 can also be along the first extension direction E 1Extension. When installed on the guiding member, the bracket 8 extends parallel to the conveyor belt 2 and in the downstream direction D such that the bracket 8 can be formed with a mounting surface 15 at the same angle θ relative to the main support body 8a. The mounting surface 15 is fixed at an angle θ relative to the bracket 8 and can define the neutral position N of the flexible element 6 when the flexible element 6 is attached to the bracket 8.

[0035] When the flexible element 6 is in the neutral position N, the tip 13 extends along a first extension direction E 1 Extension. During operation, a package moving on the conveyor belt 2 in the downstream direction D engages the tip 13. The package exerts a force on the tip 13 in the downstream direction D, and the tip 13 moves outwardly away from the conveyor belt 2 to enable the package to pass through the flexible element 6. The movement of the tip 13 can be achieved by bending (such as bending or curving) of the flexible element 6 relative to the base end 12 held by the mounting surface 15 of the bracket 8. Thus, the flexible element 6 moves to a bent position where the tip 13 extends along a second extension direction E parallel to one side of the package. 2 Extension. The second extension direction E 2 can be substantially parallel to the downstream direction D and the conveyor belt 2. When in the bent position F, the flexible element 6 has a curvature R. When the flexible element 6 is in the bent position F, the mounting surface 15 will remain in a fixed position extending along the first extension direction E 1 to hold the base end 12, which will also remain in a fixed position extending along the first extension direction E 1 Extension.

[0036] When the package passes the flexible element 6 such that the rearmost surface of the package is downstream relative to the tip 13 of the flexible element 6 and the package no longer engages the tip 13 or exerts a force on the tip 13, the elasticity of the flexible element 6 enables the flexible element 6 to retract or return to the neutral position N such that the flexible element 6 will not bend and the tip 13 will again extend along the first extension direction E transverse to the downstream direction D 1 Extension.

[0037] Figure 7 Shows the operation of the packaging handling device 1 with packages P 1 、P 2 . The packages P 1 、P 2 are conveyed by the conveyor belt 2 in the downstream direction D. The package P 1 is in a position where the package is passing through the flexible element 6 (in the bent position F and having a curvature R). The force exerted by the moving package P 1 is sufficient to bend the flexible element 6. The angled orientation of the flexible element 6 towards the grouping device and the angled orientation of the package P 1 also moving in the downstream direction D towards the grouping device 3 also cause the moving package P1 The flexible element 6 can be bent. The tip 13 of the flexible element 6 or the tangent of the tip 13 is parallel to or almost parallel to the side of the package P that engages the tip 13. 1 extends. The mounting surface 15 of the bracket 8 and the proximal end of the flexible element 6 are held in a fixed position where the mounting surface 15 and the proximal end extend in the lateral extension direction E. 1 extends. Thus, the package P 1 can pass through the flexible element 6 in the downstream direction D and move towards the grouping device 3.

[0038] Package P 2 is in a position where the package has moved through the flexible element 6 and is downstream relative to the flexible element 6. The flexible element 6 is in the neutral position N and the flexible element 6 is not bent, so that the tip 13 extends in the lateral extension direction. When the grouping device stops, a recoil effect may occur in the package queue (i.e., between the packages standing on the conveyor belt 2), such that a force in the upstream direction U is applied to the package P. 2 The package queue includes a plurality of packages P 1 、P 2 arranged along the conveyor belt 2 to be captured by the grouping device 3. 2 When in the neutral position N, the tip 13 extending in the lateral extension direction can be engaged by the rear surface 19 of the package P 2 in the upstream direction U due to a slight movement of the package P 2 in the upstream direction U caused by the recoil effect. The stiffness of the flexible element 6 enables the flexible element 6 to withstand the slight force in the upstream direction U applied by the package P 2 such that the flexible element 6 substantially maintains its shape and the elongation body 14 and the tip 13 do not deflect greatly relative to the proximal end 12. Thus, the package P 1 cannot move upstream through the flexible element 6 and remains in a downstream position relative to the flexible element 6. In addition, if a recoil effect occurs when the package is adjacent to the flexible element (e.g., package P

[0039] Figure 8Shows a processing system 20 for producing packages filled with liquid food. The processing system 20 includes a conventional filling machine 21 configured to form packages and fill them with liquid food. The system 20 also includes a package handling device 1 or machine configured to receive packages from the filling machine 21. The package handling device 1 includes a conveyor belt 2 and a holding device or grouping device 3. The package handling device 1 may include additional modules, such as a package separator 22 that guides the packages into channels as they enter the machine, and a film or shrink wrapper 23 that is used to shrink-wrap a predetermined number of packages grouped by the grouping device 3. The grouping device 3 may be configured to release the packages after a predetermined number of packages have been grouped together for packaging by the shrink wrapper 23.

[0040] Now referring to Figure 9 , a method 30 for grouping packages filled with liquid food is shown. Figure 1-8 The device 1 shown in 1 can be used to perform the method 30. The method 30 includes the step 31 of conveying packages P 2 in the downstream direction D on the conveyor belt 2. The step 32 of the method 30 includes guiding the packages P 1 using a guiding member 4 arranged on one side of the conveyor belt 2. The step 33 of the method 30 includes using the grouping device 3 configured to receive the packages P 2 from the conveyor belt 2 to group a predetermined number of packages P 1 together. Step 32 may include passing the packages P 2 through a retainer 5 that is arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt 2 relative to the guiding member 4. As described, the retainer 5 has a plurality of flexible elements 6 angled relative to the conveyor belt. Each flexible element 6 is configured to bend to allow the packages P 1 to pass in the downstream direction D, and to retract from the bent position F to the neutral position N after the packages P 2 have passed to prevent the packages P 1 from moving in the upstream direction U. 2 The step 34 of the method 30 includes releasing the grouped packages P 1 after the predetermined number of packages have been grouped together for packaging by the shrink wrapper 23. 2 As described, the retainer 5 has a plurality of flexible elements 6 angled relative to the conveyor belt. Each flexible element 6 is configured to bend to allow the packages P 1 to pass in the downstream direction D, and to retract from the bent position F to the neutral position N after the packages P 2 have passed to prevent the packages P 1 from moving in the upstream direction U. 2 The step 34 of the method 30 includes releasing the grouped packages P

[0041] A packaging handling device 1 for grouping packages filled with liquid food, including a retainer 5, facilitates more efficient packaging grouping by preventing packages from falling off the conveyor belt. The retainer includes a flexible element angled with respect to the conveyor belt and the downstream direction such that the flexible element bends to enable the packages to pass and move in the downstream direction during operation of the grouping device and has elasticity to retract to a position where the stiffness of the flexible element prevents the packages from moving backward or upstream during stoppage of the grouping device.

[0042] From the above description, it can be seen that although various embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited thereto, but can also be implemented in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A packaging handling device (1) for grouping packages (P 1 , P 2 ) filled with liquid food, which Comprising: Conveyor belt (2), configured to convey said package (P 1 , P 2 ) along a downstream direction (D); A guiding member (4), which is arranged on one side of the conveyor belt (2); Grouping device (3), configured to receive said packages (P 1 , P 2 ) from said conveyor belt (2) and group a predetermined number of said packages (P 1 , P 2 ) together; Characterized in that A retainer (5), which is arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt (2) relative to the guiding member (4), the retainer (5) having a plurality of flexible elements (6) angled relative to the conveyor belt (2), each flexible element (6) being configured to: - Bend so that the package (P 1 , P 2 ) can pass along the downstream direction (D), and - Retract from the bending position (F) after the package (P 1 , P 2 ) passes through to prevent the package (P 1 , P 2 ) from moving in the upstream direction.

2. The packaging handling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein each flexible element (6) has a neutral position (N), at which the flexible element (6) does not bend, and the flexible element (6) is formed of an elastic material to retract from the bent position (F) to the neutral position (N).

3. The packaging handling device (1) according to claim 2, wherein each flexible element (6) is elongated in the extension direction (E 1 ) when the flexible element (6) is in the neutral position (N), the extension direction (E 1 ) being transverse to the downstream direction (D).

4. The packaging handling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the angle (θ) between the extension direction (E 1 ) and the downstream direction (D) is between 15 degrees and 30 degrees.

5. The packaging handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each flexible element (6) has a proximal end (12), a distal end (13) and an elongate body (14) extending between the proximal end (12) and the distal end (13), wherein during bending of the flexible element (6), the proximal end (12) is configured to remain in a fixed position and the distal end (13) is configured to deflect relative to the proximal end (12).

6. The packaging handling device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the tip (13) is configured to extend in an extension direction (E 2 ) parallel to the downstream direction (D) when the flexible element (6) is in the bent position (F).

7. The packaging handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a second guiding member (7) arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor belt (2), and the retainer (5) is attached to the second guiding member (7).

8. The packaging handling device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the retainer (5) comprises a metal bracket (8) mountable to the second guiding member (7).

9. The packaging handling device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the retainer (5) comprises a plurality of fasteners (9), the plurality of fasteners (9) being configured to fix each flexible element (6) to the metal bracket (8).

10. The packaging handling device (1) according to claim 7, wherein each flexible element (6) can be attached to the second guiding member (7) independently of the other flexible elements (6).

11. The packaging handling device (1) according to any one of claims 7 - 10, wherein the flexible elements (6) have a predetermined spacing (S) relative to each other along a part of the second guiding member (7).

12. The packaging handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible elements (6) are formed of a flexible plastic material.

13. The packaging handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grouping device (3) comprises a belt brake (3) having two rotating belts (10, 11), the two rotating belts (10, 11) being arranged to rotate in opposite rotational directions relative to each other, the belt brake (3) being configured to release the packages (P 1 , P 2 ) after grouping the predetermined number of the packages (P 1 , P 2 ).

14. A processing system (20) for producing packages (P 1 , P 2 ) filled with liquid food, the system Comprising: A filling machine (21) configured to form a package and fill the package (P 1 、P 2 ) with the liquid food, and Packaging handling device (1), configured to receive the package (P 1 , P 2 ) from the filling machine (21), the packaging handling device (1) being the packaging handling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. A method (30) for grouping packages (P 1 , P 2 ) filled with liquid food, the method Comprising: Transport (31) the package (P 1 , P 2 ) on the conveyor belt (2) in the downstream direction (D); Guiding (32) the package (P 1 , P 2 ) with a guiding member (4) arranged on one side of the conveyor belt (2); And Use a grouping device (3) configured to receive the packages (P 1 , P 2 ) from the conveyor belt (2) to group (33) a predetermined number of the packages (P 1 , P 2 ) together, wherein said guide (32) includes passing said package (P 1 , P 2 ) through a retainer (5) which is arranged on an opposite side of said conveyor belt (2) relative to said guide member (4), said retainer (5) having a plurality of flexible elements (6) angled relative to said conveyor belt (2), each flexible element (6) being configured to: - Bend so that the package (P 1 , P 2 ) can pass along the downstream direction (D), and - Retract from the bending position (F) after the said package (P 1 , P 2 ) passes through, so as to prevent the said package (P 1 , P 2 ) from moving in the upstream direction (U).

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