Packaging line of a packaging apparatus and method for operating such packaging line

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a packaging line of a packaging apparatus, wherein the packaging line comprises at least one packaging machine with an infeed conveyor, wherein the packaging line further comprises at least one transport belt arranged upstream of the infeed conveyor, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: i) defining and / or determining a current machine performance of the at least one packaging machine; ii) determining an output request for the at least one transport belt; and iii) defining and setting a transport speed of the at least one transport belt, wherein the transport speed is defined as a function of the determined output request.

Description

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a packaging assembly line of a packaging apparatus and a method for operating such a packaging assembly line.

[0002] As used in this article, the term "packaging production line" generally refers to packaging machines connected in series and working together. Packaging machines perform tasks such as carton folding and unfolding, carton filling, and final processing.

[0003] Therefore, the type of packaging line considered in this article typically includes different packaging units or packaging machines, for example, for further processing of filled packages (also referred to as “products” in this article) by assembling filled packages / products into units or providing straws, labels, etc.

[0004] Since the packaging machines within a packaging line are typically arranged sequentially one after another, and the processing times of each step usually differ, coordination between the processing steps of each packaging machine is essential for a smooth packaging process. To achieve uninterrupted operation, preventing blockages of products / packages on the various conveyor belts or transport belts of the packaging line is particularly necessary, as this can lead to damage to the packaged items / products, especially in the case of flexible packaging.

[0005] However, in order to ensure that the packaging process runs smoothly and without damaging the packaging, it is necessary not only to properly align the workflows of the packaging machines with each other, but also to properly coordinate the processes within each packaging machine.

[0006] A packaging line or packaging apparatus of the aforementioned type is known from document EP3313737B1 (SIG Technology AG), which can achieve gentle, precise and flexible packaging of the filled packages.

[0007] To address this, document EP3313737B1 proposes a packaging apparatus comprising at least two packaging devices or packaging machines, each of which includes an infeed belt and an outfeed belt, wherein the infeed belt of the packaging device / machine conveys packaged items or products, and the outfeed belt receives products processed by the packaging apparatus. A conveyor belt is arranged between the outfeed belt of the first packaging device and the infeed belt of the second packaging device.

[0008] To achieve both lightweight, precise, and flexible packaging of the filled packages / products, document EP3313737B1 specifically proposes providing a central control system that determines the actual speeds of the feed belt, discharge belt, and conveyor belt of the packaging machine. Furthermore, the central control system determines the actual packaging density of the feed belt, discharge belt, and conveyor belt of the packaging machine. The central control system determines the target speeds of the feed belt, discharge belt, and conveyor belt of the packaging machine as a function of the actual packaging density and the actual speed.

[0009] Although the central control system proposed in document EP3313737B1 can coordinate the various packaging machines, the solutions known from the prior art still have certain drawbacks. In particular, the packaging devices or packaging lines known from this prior art cannot adapt particularly quickly or can only adapt to changes that may occur during operation through considerable effort. Furthermore, due to the central control system, a relatively complex communication network is required between the various devices in the packaging line.

[0010] On the other hand, a packaging system, particularly a packaging system for packaging food, is known from document EP2075660A1 (TETRA LAVAL Holdings & Finance SA). The packaging system known from this prior art has a packaging line comprising multiple packaging stations / machines, such as filling units, straw applicator units, cartoning units, etc.

[0011] In addition, a packaging line monitoring system was used to centrally and stably control the packaging equipment, thereby allowing the packaging equipment to be configured more flexibly without requiring specific software for operating the packaging equipment.

[0012] The packaging system known from this prior art has the same disadvantages as those described in conjunction with EP3313737B1.

[0013] EP2075660A1 also failed to consider the damage to individual products / packages, especially the damage caused by poor coordination between packaging machines.

[0014] Therefore, a potential objective of the present invention is to provide a packaging line for a packaging apparatus and a corresponding method for operating such a packaging line, which is capable of gently packaging products, such as filled packages, with minimal effort, thereby enabling the packaging line to adapt quickly to changes that may occur during operation. This intention is particularly aimed at minimizing resource waste, increasing the productivity of the packaging line, and improving overall flow efficiency.

[0015] Therefore, the present invention particularly relates to a packaging line of a packaging apparatus, wherein the packaging line includes at least one packaging machine having a feed conveyor belt, and wherein the packaging line further includes at least one conveyor belt arranged upstream of the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine in the transport direction of the packaging line, and connected in series with the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine.

[0016] According to another aspect, the present invention particularly relates to a packaging line of a packaging apparatus, wherein the packaging line comprises at least two packaging machines connected in series and operating together, and each packaging machine comprises an infeed conveyor belt and an outfeed conveyor belt, wherein the packaging line further comprises at least one conveyor belt arranged in series with the packaging machines between the outfeed conveyor belt of the packaging machine upstream in the transport direction of the packaging line and the infeed conveyor belt of the packaging machine downstream in the transport direction of the packaging line.

[0017] This type of packaging line is characterized by multiple packaging machines (packaging stations / packaging equipment) that further process the package or product in their respective working steps. In a beverage carton filling system, for example, a straw applicator is used first after the filling machine, followed by a film tightening applicator. In the film tightening applicator, multiple packages / products are combined into one package.

[0018] When designing packaging lines or packaging equipment, the focus is increasingly on processing speed, that is, the number of packages or products processed per unit of time. The higher the processing speed of a packaging line, the more efficient the line is.

[0019] Therefore, to improve the overall processing speed of the packaging line, it is fundamentally necessary to optimize the processing speed of the individual packaging machines. When operating a packaging line, the goal is to operate the slowest packaging machine at its maximum processing speed to maximize the product throughput of the packaging line.

[0020] On the other hand, interruptions are often unavoidable during the operation of a packaging line as products are processed on individual packaging machines. In order to maintain an ideal uninterrupted production process and / or compensate for fluctuations in the processing rate of the packaging machines in the packaging line, it is common practice to arrange storage equipment between two packaging machines, such as in the form of storage platforms or (additional) conveyor belts. In the case of (additional) conveyor belts, the corresponding filling rate of the (additional) conveyor belt is variable and adjustable, so that the (additional) conveyor belt can be used as a buffer storage.

[0021] If a downstream interruption occurs on the conveyor belt in the packaging line, and the product / package can no longer be processed downstream, the (additional) conveyor belt picks up the package. Once the downstream interruption is corrected, the product temporarily stored on the (additional) conveyor belt can be retrieved from the (additional) conveyor belt and processed further.

[0022] Therefore, the (additional) conveyor belt enables the packaging machine or other machine upstream of the conveyor belt to continue operating for a certain period of time, at least until the filling rate of the additional conveyor belt is full, that is, the receiving capacity of the additional conveyor belt is used up.

[0023] To improve the process efficiency of the packaging line according to the invention, and particularly to quickly adapt the packaging line to changes that may occur during operation, the invention specifically proposes that the packaging line include a belt control system (production line controller), which is specifically constructed and configured according to the principle of a pull system, particularly when needed, to transfer output requests and / or information or production line-related data from the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine to the at least one conveyor belt and from the at least one conveyor belt to the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine, opposite to the transport direction of the packaging line.

[0024] The transmission of this distributed belt control system, which is specifically constructed according to the principle of a pull system, is preferably operated via a suitable bus system, particularly a process fieldbus (Profibus) system.

[0025] A decentralized belt control system is provided, configured to transmit output requests and / or information in the opposite direction of transport on the packaging line when needed, enabling the implementation of lean packaging principles that form a workflow in which the individual conveyor belts and / or transport belts of the packaging line are activated only when actually needed. Embodiments of this belt control system according to the invention are particularly used to activate upstream packaging machines or components of a packaging unit based on actual demand from downstream packaging equipment.

[0026] Therefore, each packaging machine or conveyor belt on the packaging line focuses on the component immediately downstream from the transport direction of the packaging line. This approach allows the components of the packaging line to quickly adapt to changes that may occur during operation, minimizing resource waste, increasing productivity, and improving overall flow efficiency.

[0027] Regarding the method of operating the packaging line of the packaging apparatus according to the invention, it is particularly proposed to define and / or determine the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine of the packaging line, wherein the current machine performance defines the number of products to be processed by the downstream packaging machine per unit time.

[0028] In the operating method according to the invention, it is further proposed to determine an output request for at least one conveyor belt of the packaging line, the conveyor belt being arranged in series with the packaging machine of the packaging line. The output request for the at least one conveyor belt defines the quantity of products to be conveyed per unit time via the at least one conveyor belt to the feed conveyor belt of the packaging machine downstream in the transport direction of the packaging line.

[0029] A further feature of the operating method according to the invention is that the transport speed of the at least one conveyor belt is preferably automatically defined and set, whereby the transport speed is defined as a function of the determined output request.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the method is further proposed to include a method step of determining the current filling level of the feed conveyor of the at least one packaging machine, wherein the transport speed of the at least one conveyor is defined as a function of the determined filling level of the feed conveyor.

[0031] Regarding the transport speed of the at least one conveyor belt, it is specifically proposed that the speed be calculated according to the following formula:

[0032] in: V =Transportation speed R ne =Output request from the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine Fl next =The filling level of the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine, wherein 0≤ Fl next ≤1 l = Product length The conveying speed of the at least one conveyor belt is specifically defined such that when the product is transferred from the at least one conveyor belt to the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine, the product is prevented from being pushed on the feed conveyor belt.

[0033] Regarding the method according to the invention, it is conceivable in principle that when determining the output request for at least one conveyor belt of the packaging production line, the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine as defined and / or determined, as well as the current fill level of the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine, should be taken into account.

[0034] The current machine performance of the packaging machine is defined as the number of products processed by the packaging machine per unit time. The current machine performance is typically lower than the so-called possible machine performance of the packaging machine, where the possible machine performance is the theoretical number of products processed by the packaging machine per unit time.

[0035] The current machine performance of the packaging machine in the packaging production line is calculated / defined as a function of the possible machine performance of all the packaging machines in the packaging production line and a function of the current possible output of the conveyor belt between the packaging machines. To do this, the possible machine performance of all the packaging machines in the packaging production line is queried, and then the current machine performance of the packaging machine is set to the minimum queried value among the possible machine performances.

[0036] The current machine performance, defined by the belt control system, is specifically used as the output target for all the packaging machines on the packaging line. Consequently, the downstream packaging machines on the packaging line are specifically configured to request calculated output from the at least one upstream conveyor belt based on this output target. This output request to the upstream conveyor belt includes the output target of the further downstream packaging machine and the fill level of the feed conveyor belt of that packaging machine.

[0037] The output request for the at least one conveyor belt is specifically determined such that the number of products to be conveyed by the at least one conveyor belt to the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine per unit time corresponds to the number of products to be conveyed per unit time to be processed by the downstream packaging machine according to the current machine performance, and this is necessary to achieve a previously defined or definable fill level of the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine.

[0038] According to a further improvement of the operating method according to the present invention, this includes a method step of determining an output request for the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine, wherein the output request defines the quantity of products to be conveyed to the at least one conveyor belt via the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine per unit time.

[0039] Specifically, when determining the output request for the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine, the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine, the current fill level of the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine, and the current fill level of the at least one conveyor belt, as defined and / or determined, are taken into account.

[0040] In this context, it is particularly conceivable that the output request for the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine is determined such that the number of products to be conveyed by the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine to the at least one conveyor belt per unit time corresponds to the number of products to be conveyed per unit time to be processed by the downstream packaging machine according to the current machine performance, and this is necessary to achieve a previously defined or definable fill level for the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine and a previously defined or definable fill level for the at least one conveyor belt.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method further includes method steps of determining the current filling level of the discharge conveyor belt of the upstream packaging machine, the current filling level of the at least one conveyor belt, and the current filling level of the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment of the solution based on the invention, when a product is to be conveyed from the at least one conveyor belt to the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine or another downstream adjacent conveyor belt, the conveying speed of at least one conveyor belt (particularly the upstream adjacent conveyor belt of the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine) is set, whereby the conveying speed is calculated as a function of the filling level of the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine or the filling level of the downstream adjacent conveyor belt.

[0043] The transport speed of the conveyor belt is preferably calculated according to the following formula:

[0044] in: V = Transport speed R ne = Output request from the downstream conveyor belt or transmission belt Fl next = The filling level of the downstream conveyor belt or conveyor belt l = Product length Regarding the packaging production line according to the invention, a belt control system as previously mentioned is proposed for implementing the operating method according to the invention. The belt control system is specifically constructed and configured based on the principle of a pull system, particularly to transmit output requests and / or information or production line-related data from the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine to the at least one conveyor belt and from the at least one conveyor belt to the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine, preferably via a bus system, particularly a Profibus system, in the opposite direction of transport of the packaging production line, when necessary.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the belt control system, the belt control system is configured to issue a first output request from the downstream packaging machine to the feed conveyor belt allocated to the downstream packaging machine, whereby the first output request defines the quantity of products to be conveyed to the downstream packaging machine via the feed conveyor belt per unit time.

[0046] The belt control system is preferably further configured to issue a second output request from the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine to the upstream adjacent transport belt, whereby the second output request defines the quantity of products to be transported to the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine per unit time via the upstream adjacent transport belt.

[0047] The belt control system is further configured to issue a third output request from the upstream adjacent conveyor belt of the feed conveyor belt to another upstream adjacent conveyor belt or to the discharge conveyor belt of the upstream packaging machine, wherein the third output request defines the quantity of products to be conveyed per unit time to the upstream adjacent conveyor belt of the feed conveyor belt via the other conveyor belt or via the discharge conveyor belt of the upstream packaging machine.

[0048] The first output request is preferably determined by the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine, whereby, as already mentioned, the current machine performance defines the number of products to be processed by the downstream packaging machine per unit time.

[0049] The second output request is preferably determined by the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine and the current fill level of the feed conveyor assigned to the downstream packaging machine.

[0050] The third output request is preferably determined by the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine, the current fill level of the feed conveyor assigned to the downstream packaging machine, and the current fill level of the transport belt immediately upstream of the feed conveyor.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the packaging production line based on the present invention, the feed conveyor belt of the upstream packaging machine, the at least one transport belt, and the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine are each associated with a system for detecting the current fill level of their respective conveyor belt or transport belt.

[0052] The belt control system is preferably configured to set the transport speed of the at least one conveyor belt as a function of the current fill level of a downstream conveyor belt or transmission belt, viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line. The downstream conveyor belt or transmission belt is particularly the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine. The current fill level of the downstream conveyor belt or transmission belt is particularly the current fill level of the downstream conveyor belt or transmission belt at the time of an output request from the downstream conveyor belt or transmission belt.

[0053] The system for detecting the current fill level of a corresponding conveyor belt or transport belt may each include a light-blocking system having a light block at the beginning of the belt and a light block at the end of the belt. The light blocks at the respective beginnings of the belts are preferably installed and / or configured such that when the light block is occupied by a product, it is released again when the corresponding conveyor belt or transport belt moves. Conversely, the light blocks at the respective ends of the belts are preferably installed and / or configured such that when the light block is occupied by a product, it is not released again when the corresponding downstream conveyor belt or transport belt moves.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the belt control system is configured to also set the transport speed of the at least one transport belt as a function of the output request of the transport belt and / or conveyor belt immediately downstream of the at least one transport belt, viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line. Thus, in particular, the higher the transport speed, the greater the quantity of products to be transported per unit time as defined by the output request, and the lower the fill level of the transport belt or conveyor belt immediately downstream of the at least one transport belt, viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the packaging production line of the present invention, multiple conveyor belts working together are arranged in series between the at least two packaging machines connected in series and working together.

[0056] The functional principle of the packaging assembly line according to the present invention and the method for operating the packaging assembly line according to the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and based on illustrative design examples.

[0057] The attached diagram shows: Figure 1 An overall view schematically illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a packaging production line according to the present invention is shown; Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates three conveyor belts connected in series and working together according to an exemplary embodiment of a packaging assembly line based on the present invention; and Figure 3 The diagram schematically illustrates three conveyor belts connected in series and working together in an exemplary embodiment of a packaging production line according to the invention, to demonstrate the detection of fill levels.

[0058] The types of packaging lines considered in this article include packaging machines connected in series and working together. They perform tasks such as carton folding and unfolding, carton filling, and finishing. Packaging lines can be expanded in a modular way, for example, using case packers.

[0059] exist Figure 1 In the schematically illustrated packaging production line, for example, different packaging equipment or machines are provided one after another (downstream), specifically having different nominal outputs and set outputs. The nominal output determines the number of products / packages that can be output by the respective packaging machine per unit time, and can also be referred to as the nominal capacity. The set output determines the actual number of packages / products output per unit time, and can also be referred to as the current capacity. The number of packages / products that the packaging machine can hold per unit time can also be referred to as the receiving capacity. This is generally the same as the set output, especially when the number of products introduced into the packaging machine is equal to the number of products output; this is the rule.

[0060] Because packaging machines arranged one after another in a packaging production line have different nominal outputs and set outputs, the receiving capacity of different packaging machines is usually also different.

[0061] like Figure 1 As schematically shown, conveyor belts or transport belts are provided before and after each individual packaging machine (i.e., upstream and downstream from the transport direction of the packaging line), which are specifically part of the respective packaging machine. An inlet conveyor belt is provided at the inlet of each packaging machine, and an outlet conveyor belt is provided at the outlet of the packaging machine.

[0062] Since packaging machines are arranged sequentially one after another in the packaging production line, continuous operation is necessary to prevent products from getting stuck on their respective conveyor belts or transport belts.

[0063] By providing clamps or stops in the area of ​​the feed conveyor, product accumulation at the packaging machine inlet can be prevented, thus preventing further transport of products to the inlet. Subsequent products then travel onto the products stopped by the stops and stack up. However, this process is problematic for flexible packaging, as products may be damaged upon contact with each other.

[0064] Therefore, the solution according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings proposes a belt control system (production line controller) that centrally manages production line-related data from individual packaging machines and other components of the packaging production line (e.g., particularly conveyor belts or transport belts in the packaging production line). The basic control function of the belt control system is that each individual packaging machine and each individual conveyor belt or transport belt of the packaging production line sends its possible outputs to the belt control system.

[0065] The control system then limits the output of all packaging machines in the packaging line to the reported slowest machine performance and the current possible output provided by at least one conveyor belt between the packaging machines and used as "storage". This generates an output target for all packaging machines. Based on this output target, each packaging machine requests a calculated output from the feed conveyor belt or transport belt.

[0066] exist Figure 1 In the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral L and the corresponding arrow indicate the respective output requests of components from the packaging line that are transported in the opposite direction to the packaging line.

[0067] Output requests for a conveyor belt or transport belt are based on subsequent belt output requests and the current fill level of that conveyor belt itself.

[0068] Figure 3 The diagram schematically illustrates the determination of the corresponding fill level for the conveyor belt or transport belt in a packaging production line. Figure 3 In the schematic design example shown, the filling level of each conveyor belt or transport belt is determined by two light blocks.

[0069] More specifically, such as Figure 3 As schematically shown, a first light blocker is provided at the beginning of the respective conveyor belt or transmission belt, and another light blocker is provided at the end of the respective conveyor belt or transmission belt.

[0070] The light blocker at the beginning of the belt is preferably installed such that when the light blocker is occupied by a product, it is released again when the corresponding conveyor belt or transport belt moves, and the upstream conveyor belt or transport belt is stationary or moving slowly when viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line. On the other hand, the light blocker at the end of the belt is preferably installed such that when the light blocker is occupied by a product, it is not released again when the downstream conveyor belt moves.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment of the packaging line shown in the accompanying drawings, each conveyor belt is correspondingly proposed to determine its own current fill level. This is calculated specifically by means of a light block at the beginning of the belt, the speed of the conveyor belt, and the length of the conveyor belt. The target fill level is an adjustable variable and can be set by the operator of the packaging line via an interface (e.g., on a panel).

[0072] The belt control system is constructed based on the principle of a pull system. This generates an information flow that is opposite to the transport direction of the packaging line. Therefore, the output request (the number of products per unit time) must always be submitted by the subsequent belt or even the packaging machine. Conversely, this output request must also be passed on to the upstream belt.

[0073] For example, in Figure 2 In the system illustrated schematically, if the downstream belt requests 120 products per minute and the current fill level of the downstream belt corresponds to a previously defined or definable target fill level, then the request for 120 products per minute is also submitted to the upstream belt.

[0074] On the other hand, if the downstream band requests 0 products per minute and the current fill level corresponds to a previously defined or definable target fill level (i.e., the fill level has been reached), then the request for 0 products per minute is also submitted to the upstream band and the upstream band immediately stops.

[0075] However, if the downstream conveyor belt requests 0 products per minute, and its current fill level does not correspond to the target fill level (i.e., it has not yet reached the target fill level), the request is submitted to the upstream conveyor belt until the downstream conveyor belt's current fill level corresponds to a previously defined or definable target fill level. Then the upstream conveyor belt stops.

[0076] exist Figure 1In the exemplary embodiment of the packaging production line according to the invention shown, for example, each packaging machine is provided to transfer the required quantity of products to an upstream conveyor belt or conveyor. This product request or output request consists of the packaging machine's current cycle number (i.e., current machine performance) plus an offset. This offset can be positive or negative and guides the packaging machine to its respective output target.

[0077] The packaging machine should register the fill level of the feed area (i.e., the fill level of the feed conveyor). As mentioned earlier, this can be done by determining the fill level on the feed conveyor, or it can be done by evaluating the buffer behind the distributor. The maximum number of cycles for the packaging machine is limited by the output target determined by the belt control system.

[0078] In order to quickly transport products to the next packaging machine when the conveyor belt is empty, in an embodiment of the packaging line according to the invention, schematically shown in the accompanying drawings, the speed of the conveyor belt is calculated as a function of the fill level of the downstream conveyor belt. The conveyor speed is specifically calculated to prevent products from being pushed at transport positions.

[0079] exist Figure 2 In the design example shown, for instance, the downstream conveyor belt requests the required quantity of products from the preceding conveyor belt. The conveyor speed is calculated from this request and the fill level of the downstream conveyor belt, as shown in the following formula:

[0080] in: V = Transport speed R ne = Output request from downstream conveyor belt or transport belt Fl next = Fill level of downstream conveyor belts or transport belts l = Product length Networking of the packaging production line is preferably achieved using Process Fieldbus-Distributed Peripherals (Profibus-DP). This means that all production-related data is transmitted via Profibus-DP between the control system and multiple packaging tracks.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the design examples shown in the accompanying drawings, but is the result of considering all the features disclosed herein together.

Claims

1. A method for operating a packaging assembly line, wherein, The packaging production line includes at least one packaging machine having a feed conveyor belt, wherein the packaging production line further includes at least one conveyor belt, the at least one conveyor belt being arranged upstream of the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine and connected in series with the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine, as viewed from the transport direction of the packaging production line, wherein the method includes the following method steps: i) Determine the current machine performance of the at least one packaging machine, wherein the current machine performance defines the number of products to be processed by the at least one packaging machine per unit time; ii) Determine an output request for the at least one conveyor belt, wherein the output request defines the number of products to be conveyed to the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine per unit time; iii) Determine the current fill level of the feed conveyor using two light blocks or using a light block at the beginning of the feed conveyor, the conveyor speed, and the conveyor length; iv) Set the transport speed of the at least one conveyor belt, wherein the transport speed is defined as a function of the determined output request. The packaging line includes a distributed belt control system based on a pull system. This distributed belt control system transmits output requests via a bus system from the feed conveyor to at least one conveyor belt and from the at least one conveyor belt to the discharge conveyor belt of the upstream packaging machine, in the opposite direction of the transport of the packaging line. The distributed belt control system is configured to transmit the output request R... ne The product is conveyed from the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine to an upstream conveyor belt adjacent to the feed conveyor belt, wherein the output request defines the quantity of product to be supplied to the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine per unit time via the adjacent upstream conveyor belt, and wherein the conveying speed of the at least one conveyor belt is calculated according to the following formula: ， in: V = Transport speed R ne = Output request from the feed conveyor of the at least one packaging machine Fl next = The filling level of the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine, wherein 0≤ Fl next ≤1 l = Product length, If the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine requests 0 products per minute and the current fill level of the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine has not reached the previously defined target fill level, the request is submitted to the upstream conveyor until the current fill level of the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine corresponds to the target fill level, and then the upstream conveyor stops.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The conveying speed of the at least one conveyor belt is defined such that when the product is transferred from the at least one conveyor belt to the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine, the product is prevented from being pushed on the feed conveyor belt.

3. The method according to claim 1, in, The packaging production line comprises a total of n packaging machines connected in series, where n is a natural number greater than zero, and the current machine performance of at least one of the packaging machines is defined and / or determined as a function of the theoretical machine performance of each of the total n packaging machines.

4. The method according to claim 3, in, The current machine performance of the at least one packaging machine is further defined and / or determined as a function of the current theoretical output of the at least one conveyor belt.

5. The method according to claim 1, in, The packaging production line includes at least two packaging machines connected in series and operating together. Each packaging machine includes an infeed conveyor belt and an outfeed conveyor belt. At least one conveyor belt is arranged in series with the packaging machine between the outfeed conveyor belt of the packaging machine upstream in the transport direction of the packaging production line and the infeed conveyor belt of the packaging machine downstream in the transport direction of the packaging production line. The method includes the following steps: i) Define and / or determine the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine, wherein the current machine performance defines the number of products to be processed by the downstream packaging machine per unit time; and ii) Determine an output request for the at least one conveyor belt, wherein the output request defines the quantity of products to be conveyed to the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine per unit time via the at least one conveyor belt. When determining the output request for the at least one conveyor belt, the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine as defined and / or determined and / or the current fill level of the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine are taken into account.

6. The method according to claim 5, in, The output request for the at least one conveyor belt is determined such that the number of products to be conveyed by the at least one conveyor belt to the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine per unit time corresponds to the number of products to be conveyed per unit time to be processed by the downstream packaging machine according to the current machine performance, and this is necessary to achieve a previously defined or definable fill level of the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, in, The method further includes the following method steps: iii) Determine an output request for the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine, wherein the output request defines the quantity of products to be conveyed to the at least one conveyor belt via the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine per unit time. Specifically, when determining the output request for the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine, the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine and the current fill level of the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine, as defined and / or determined, are taken into account, and / or the current fill level of the at least one conveyor belt is taken into account.

8. The method according to claim 7, in, The output request for the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine is determined such that the number of products to be conveyed by the discharge conveyor of the upstream packaging machine to the at least one conveyor belt per unit time corresponds to the number of products to be conveyed per unit time to be processed by the downstream packaging machine according to the current machine performance, and this is necessary to achieve a previously defined or definable fill level for the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine and a previously defined or definable fill level for the at least one conveyor belt.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The bus system is a process fieldbus system.

10. A packaging assembly line for a packaging device, wherein the packaging assembly line comprises at least one packaging machine having an infeed conveyor belt or at least two packaging machines, the at least two packaging machines being connected in series and working together, and each of the packaging machines comprising an infeed conveyor belt and an outfeed conveyor belt; At least one conveyor belt is arranged upstream of the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine and connected in series with the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine when viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line, or the conveyor belt is arranged in series with the packaging machine between the discharge conveyor belt of the packaging machine upstream when viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line and the feed conveyor belt of the packaging machine downstream when viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line. as well as A distributed belt control system, which is constructed based on the principle of a pull system and configured to perform the method according to claims 1-9.

11. The packaging production line according to claim 10, in, The distributed belt control system is configured to issue a first output request from the downstream packaging machine to the feed conveyor belt allocated to the downstream packaging machine, wherein the first output request defines the quantity of products to be conveyed to the downstream packaging machine via the feed conveyor belt per unit time. The distributed belt control system is further configured to issue a second output request from the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine to the upstream adjacent conveyor belt, wherein the second output request defines the quantity of products to be transported to the feed conveyor of the downstream packaging machine via the upstream adjacent conveyor belt per unit time. The distributed belt control system is further configured to issue a third output request from the upstream adjacent conveyor belt of the feed conveyor belt to another upstream adjacent conveyor belt or to the discharge conveyor belt of the upstream packaging machine, wherein the third output request defines the quantity of products to be conveyed to the upstream adjacent conveyor belt of the feed conveyor belt per unit time via the other conveyor belt or via the discharge conveyor belt of the upstream packaging machine.

12. The packaging assembly line according to claim 11, in, The first output request is determined by the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine, wherein the current machine performance defines the number of products to be processed by the downstream packaging machine per unit time; and / or Wherein, the second output request is determined by the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine and by the current fill level of the feed conveyor assigned to the downstream packaging machine; and / or The third output request is determined by the current machine performance of the downstream packaging machine, the current fill level of the feed conveyor allocated to the downstream packaging machine, and the current fill level of the transport belt immediately upstream of the feed conveyor.

13. The packaging assembly line according to claim 10, in, The at least one conveyor belt and the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine and the discharge conveyor belt of the upstream packaging machine are each assigned a system for detecting the current fill level of the corresponding conveyor belt or transport belt, and wherein the decentralized belt control system is configured to set the transport speed of the at least one conveyor belt as a function of the current fill level of the transport belt or transport belt immediately adjacent to the downstream of the at least one conveyor belt, as viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line, wherein the downstream transport belt or transport belt is the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine, and wherein the current fill level of the downstream transport belt or transport belt is determined upon an output request from the downstream transport belt or transport belt.

14. The packaging assembly line according to claim 13, in, Each system for detecting the current fill level of a corresponding conveyor belt or transport belt has a light blocking system comprising a light blocking device at the starting end of the conveyor belt or transport belt and a light blocking device at the ending end of the conveyor belt or transport belt, wherein the light blocking device at the respective starting end of the conveyor belt or transport belt is installed and / or configured such that when the light blocking device is occupied by a product, the light blocking device is released again when the corresponding conveyor belt or transport belt moves, and wherein the light blocking device at the respective ending end of the conveyor belt or transport belt is installed and / or configured such that when the light blocking device is occupied by a product, the light blocking device is not released again when the corresponding downstream conveyor belt moves; and / or The distributed belt control system is configured to further set the transport speed of the at least one transport belt as a function of the output request of the transport belt and / or conveyor belt immediately downstream of the at least one transport belt, viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line. The higher the transport speed, the greater the quantity of products to be transported per unit time as defined by the output request, and the lower the fill level of the transport belt or conveyor belt immediately downstream of the at least one transport belt, viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line.

15. The packaging production line according to claim 10, wherein, The bus system is a process fieldbus system.

16. A packaging assembly line for a packaging device, wherein the packaging assembly line comprises: At least one packaging machine with a feed conveyor belt or at least two packaging machines connected in series and working together, and each of the packaging machines includes a feed conveyor belt and a discharge conveyor belt; At least one conveyor belt is arranged upstream of the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine and connected in series with the feed conveyor belt of the at least one packaging machine, as viewed from the transport direction of the packaging line; or the conveyor belt is arranged in series with the packaging machine between the discharge conveyor belt of the upstream packaging machine and the feed conveyor belt of the downstream packaging machine. as well as A distributed belt control system, which is constructed based on the principle of a pull system and configured to perform the method according to claims 1-9.

17. The packaging production line according to claim 16, wherein, The bus system is a process fieldbus system.

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