Reversing unit and method for reversing open container together with flat product, and system and method for filling flat product in portions

Abstract

The invention relates to a turning unit for turning open containers (19), preferably bowl-shaped open containers, together with portions of flat products, in particular potato chips or the like, accommodated in the containers, comprising at least one turning device (15), the overturning device is configured to overturn the container by rotating the container about an axis of the container from a first orientation position of the container, in which the opening (20) of the container is oriented in a first direction, to a second orientation position of the container, in which the opening (20) of the container is oriented in a second direction, and in which the opening (20) of the container is oriented in a second direction. The opening is oriented in a second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a turning unit and a method for turning over open containers, preferably bowl-shaped open containers, with portions of flat products contained therein, in particular potato chips etc. The invention also relates to a system and a method for portioned filling of flat products, in particular potato chips etc. Background Art

[0002] Various methods for portion-filling flat products, such as potato chips or the like, are widely known in the prior art.

[0003] In the methods known from the prior art, flat products are provided in portions in the form of horizontal stacks, which are then automatically packaged in can-shaped containers, which form the package. However, such packaging is not always suitable or desirable, depending on the type of flat product, and is also relatively cost-intensive.

[0004] In addition, a method is known from the prior art in which a horizontal stack of flat products provided is first transferred into a bowl-shaped container, usually made of plastic, and the bowl-shaped container together with the stack contained in the bowl-shaped container is subsequently packaged in a packaging. In order to transfer the horizontal stack into the bowl-shaped container, it is particularly known that the bowl-shaped container is placed on the horizontal stack from above in a manner that the opening of the bowl-shaped container is vertically oriented downward. Subsequently, the bowl-shaped container together with the stack contained in the bowl-shaped container is packaged in a packaging. The packaging is usually a tubular bag. However, in this case, the method can only be carried out partially automatically, because at least the packaging of the bowl-shaped container together with the stack contained in the bowl-shaped container in the tubular bag itself and / or the bowl-shaped container together with the stack contained in the bowl-shaped container must be performed manually or by hand, and / or the bowl-shaped container together with the stack contained in the bowl-shaped container must be turned over 180°, so that the bowl-shaped container together with the stack contained in the bowl-shaped container can be automatically packaged in the tubular bag by means of a tubular bag machine.

[0005] The disadvantage of the last-mentioned method of portioned filling of flat products is therefore in particular the presence of manual or hand-operated method steps which are associated with a relatively high expenditure of time and costs. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a turning unit and a method for turning over an open container, preferably a bowl-shaped open container, together with portions of flat products contained in the container, the flat products being in particular potato chips or the like, and a system and a method for portioned filling of flat products, in particular potato chips or the like, which simplifies the portioned filling of flat products, in particular potato chips or the like, wherein an open container, preferably a bowl-shaped open container, together with portions of flat products contained in the container, the flat products being in particular potato chips or the like, are packaged in tubular bags.

[0007] This object is achieved by a turning unit and a method for turning over an open container, preferably a bowl-shaped open container, together with portions of flat products contained in the container, such as potato chips or the like, having the features of claims 1 and 20, and by a system and a method for filling flat products, such as potato chips or the like, in portions, having the features of claims 18 and 21.

[0008] According to the invention, a turning unit for turning over an open container, preferably a bowl-shaped open container, together with a portion of a flat product contained in the container, the flat product being in particular potato chips or the like, comprises at least one turning device which is configured to turn over the container by rotating the container about its axis in such a way that the container is transferred from a first orientation position of the container, in which the opening of the container is oriented in a first direction, to a second orientation position of the container, in which the opening of the container is oriented in a second direction.

[0009] The turning unit according to the invention makes it possible to automatically turn over an open container from a first orientation position or orientation of the container, in which the opening or the bottom of the container is oriented or oriented in a first direction, and in which the opening or the bottom is oriented or oriented in a second direction, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction. In particular, the turning unit according to the invention also makes it possible to turn over an open container which is placed from above on a portion of a flat product with an opening oriented vertically downwards, in such a way that it is transferred from the first orientation position to the second orientation position, so that the open container with the flat product contained in the container can subsequently be packaged in a tubular bag, in particular, after the turning over, by means of a packaging unit or a horizontal packaging machine or a tubular bag machine. Thus, the filling of portions of flat products is significantly simplified by means of the turning unit according to the invention, in which the open container with the portion of the flat product contained in the container is packaged in a tubular bag forming the package, because manual intervention or intervention by hand is no longer necessary. Thus, in particular, time expenditure and cost expenditure can be significantly reduced.

[0010] Advantageously, the rotation can be performed only around the axis of the container, for example around the longitudinal axis of the container. It can also be proposed that the container is rotated multiple times around different axes of the container. When the container is transferred to the turnover unit in the conveying direction, it can preferably be rotated around the axis of the container extending parallel to the conveying direction.

[0011] The container is an open container, i.e., it has no cover or closure, in particular during the turning or inverting process. However, the turning unit can also be used in principle for turning closed containers. Preferably, the open container is bowl-shaped or basin-shaped, i.e., is a bowl-shaped part or a basin-shaped part, wherein the term "bowl" is currently understood to mean a receiving bowl or a portioning bowl. Advantageously, the container can be made of a rigid material. The material can be, for example, a plastic material.

[0012] In addition, the geometry of the container can be adapted to the shape of the flat product. In the cross section of the container observed along a plane extending parallel to the bottom of the container, the container can have a circular, square or rectangular cross-sectional shape in particular. The container can have a bottom and one or more side walls. One side wall or multiple side walls can have an edge that can limit the opening. The opening or edge can preferably extend in a plane parallel to the bottom. So in this case, for example, in an orientation position of the container in which the opening is oriented in a vertically upward direction, the bottom is oriented in a vertically downward direction. The direction of the orientation of the opening or the bottom can be defined, for example, by the direction of the normal vector on the plane in which the opening extends or on the surface of the bottom.

[0013] The flat product is advantageously a stackable product, so that the portion of the flat product to be contained in the container can be provided or portioned in a stacked, preferably horizontally stacked form. In particular, the flat product can be a snack product suitable for consumption, such as potato chips, biscuits, chocolate bars or chocolate candies, etc.

[0014] Advantageously, the angle between the first direction and the second direction may be 180°. However, other angles are also conceivable, such as, for example, 90°.

[0015] Advantageously, in the first orientation position, the opening can be oriented vertically downward, and in the second orientation position, the opening can be oriented vertically upward and / or the bottom of the container can be oriented vertically downward. Thus, the container that is placed on the portion of the flat product with the opening positioned vertically downward can be flipped 180° from the orientation position so that the opening is oriented vertically upward after flipping or the bottom of the container is oriented vertically downward. Advantageously, the opening can then extend in a plane parallel to the bottom in this case. According to the design of the container, it can be proposed that the opening is oriented vertically downward in the first orientation position and is oriented in the second orientation position so that the bottom of the container is oriented vertically downward, wherein the opening may also not be oriented vertically upward in the second orientation position. Therefore, in this case, the opening may then also extend in a plane that does not extend parallel to the bottom.

[0016] Advantageously, the turning device can be configured so that the container can be turned over with the product remaining in the container. Thus, it is advantageously possible to avoid the product falling out of the container during the turning over.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the overturning device can have an overturning device, and the container can be detachably connected to the overturning device, wherein the overturning device can be rotatably constructed to perform the rotation of the container. Then, the overturning device can perform a rotational motion together with the container connected to the overturning device, so that the container is overturned in a manner transferred from a first orientation position to a second orientation position, wherein the overturning device can be rotated from the first orientation of the overturning device to the second orientation of the overturning device. Here, the container can be advantageously detachably connected to the overturning device or can be arranged at the overturning device. Therefore, after the overturning process, the container can be disconnected from the overturning device. The connection between the overturning device and the container is preferably a form-fitting or force-fitting connection. The container can be transferred to the overturning device by means of a conveying device of the overturning device or at least one portioning device of the portioning unit of the system filled in portions, wherein the container can be connected to the overturning device by a conveying motion. After the container is disconnected from the overturning device, the overturning device can then be rotated from the second orientation to the first orientation, so as to accommodate another container or be connected to the another container for overturning another container.

[0018] The overturning device can be constituted in the form of a hollow cylinder or a tube. Then, in order to perform the rotation, the container can be accommodated in the inner space of the hollow cylinder or the tube.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tilting device can have a first section in the form of a section of a cylinder, which can be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, wherein the container can be detachably connected to the inner side of the first section. Advantageously, the first section can be in the form of a section of a hollow cylinder.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the turning device can have a second section formed in the form of a circular piece or a disk, which can be arranged in a rotationally fixed manner at the axial end of the first section or connected thereto, so that the center point of the circular piece or the disk is at least approximately on the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, wherein the second section can have a through-portion, which can be configured to guide the container through. Therefore, the first section and the second section can be arranged in close proximity to each other, so that at least approximately, the second section can constitute the bottom surface of the cylinder, and the first section can constitute a part of the side surface of the cylinder. The second section can be rotatably supported in the housing device of the turning device. The turning unit can include a housing device with a cover, and when the turning unit is to include a plurality of turning devices, the second section of the turning device of the turning device can be supported in the cover together. When the container is transferred to the turning device by means of a conveying device, the container can be guided to the first section through the through-portion by a conveying movement, in particular for connecting the container to the first section detachably. The geometric shape of the through-portion can be matched to the shape of the container, in particular the cross-sectional shape.

[0021] Advantageously, the container can be detachably connected to the inner side, so that the opening can be at least partially, preferably completely, covered by the inner side by the orientation of the opening relative to the inner side. It is thereby possible to hold the product in the container during inversion or to prevent the product from falling out of the container. In particular, when the product accommodated in the container protrudes beyond the edge of the container, the geometry of the inner side can be adapted to the shape of the product or the shape of the part of the product protruding from the edge. When the container is arranged at the inner side, the spacing between the opening and the inner side or between the product and the inner side can advantageously be as small as possible in order to minimize the clearance of the product in the container towards the opening leaving the container.

[0022] Advantageously, the turning device can have a receptacle, which can be designed to at least partially accommodate the container, in particular to accommodate the container in a manner that at least partially surrounds the edge of the wall or side wall of the container that delimits the opening, in order to detachably connect the container to the turning device. In particular, the receptacle can be provided to accommodate or surround the edges of two opposite side walls of the container. In this case, the container can be brought into or introduced or pushed into the receptacle by the conveying movement of the conveying device. In particular, the first section or the inner side can have the receptacle.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving portion can be configured as a receiving track, in which the edge can be received and guided in a longitudinally movable manner. Advantageously, the receiving track can be configured in the form of two guide grooves that are opposite and extend on the inner side in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and the edges of the two opposite side walls can be received in the receiving track. The receiving portion or the receiving track can extend over the entire length of the first section, and extend beyond the axial end of the first section to the axial end of the second section, and the container can be guided through the through-portion from the axial end of the second section when the edge is introduced into the receiving portion or the receiving track to reach the first section. Therefore, not only the first section but also the second section can have or constitute a receiving portion or a receiving track. At the other axial end of the first section opposite to the axial end of the first section, the edge can leave the receiving portion or the receiving track after the container is flipped. It can also be proposed that only the first section has or constitutes a receiving portion or a receiving track.

[0024] The turning device can advantageously have a drive device for driving the turning device. The drive device can put the turning device into a rotational motion. Here, the drive device can be a drive motor, in particular an electric motor.

[0025] Furthermore, the tilting device can have a transmission device which is engaged with the drive device and the tilting device.

[0026] In particular, the transmission device can be a gear transmission mechanism, which can have a first gear coupled to the drive device and a second gear engaged with the first gear and coupled to the tilting device. Advantageously, the first gear and the second gear can be spur gears. The second gear can be arranged at the second section or connected to the second section. In particular, the second gear can be arranged at the circumference of a circular part or a disk. Advantageously, the gear transmission mechanism is configured as a spur gear transmission mechanism. Preferably, the radius of the second gear is greater than the radius of the first gear.

[0027] Furthermore, the tilting device can have a sensor system for monitoring the tilting process.

[0028] Advantageously, the turning device can have a sensor device, which can be configured to monitor the disengagement of the container from the turning device after the container is turned over. The sensor device can then be arranged adjacent to the turning device. Preferably, the sensor device can have a photoelectric sensor, which can be a light barrier with a transmitter and a receiver in particular. For example, a laser diode can be used as a transmitter, and a photodiode can be used as a receiver. The sensor device can detect the moment when the container completely leaves the turning device or the receiving portion, and transmit a signal describing the container leaving the turning device or the receiving portion to the control device of the turning device, so as to inform the control device that the turning device is available for another turning process. The control device can immediately control the drive device so that the drive device rotates the turning device to the following position or orientation of the turning device: in the position or orientation, the turning device can accommodate another container, so as to subsequently turn over the other container.

[0029] Advantageously, the turning device can have a transport device for transporting the container away after turning it over. Preferably, the transport device is a conveyor belt. The transport direction can extend parallel to the direction of rotation of the container or parallel to the axis of rotation of the container around it.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transport device can be arranged adjacent to the turning device, so that the bottom of the container can be engaged with the conveying mechanism of the transport device by introducing the container into the second orientation position, so that the container can be disengaged from the turning device by the force of the conveying mechanism on the bottom. To this end, the transport device can be arranged below the turning device or the first section. In particular, the container can leave the receptacle or be moved out of the receptacle by the force of the conveying mechanism, for example by the belt of a conveyor belt. In this case, the receptacle can be designed so that it provides sufficient resistance after turning in order to ensure a friction fit by the conveying mechanism or the conveyor belt.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, the turning unit can include a plurality of turning devices arranged in parallel and side by side. For example, the turning unit can include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine turning devices arranged in parallel and side by side. Advantageously, the turning devices are designed in the same manner. The turning devices can be designed as individual modules that can be connected to each other, so that the turning unit can be designed in a modularly reconfigurable manner, in particular in an expandable manner.

[0032] Advantageously, the turning unit can then have a merging device arranged downstream of the turning device, which can be configured to merge the containers turned by the turning device onto one lane, preferably in a clocked manner. The merging device can have a transport device, which can be configured, in particular in terms of width, so that the containers conveyed by the transport device of the turning device can all arrive on the common belt of the transport device arranged downstream of the transport device. In addition, the merging device can have an orientation device and a clock control device, so as to first orient the containers arriving on the transport device and separate or distribute them in a clocked manner. The orientation device can be configured in the form of side guides extending on both sides of the container in the transport direction. After distributing the containers by means of the clock control device, the containers that are first still conveyed on parallel lanes on the belt of the transport device can then be merged onto one lane by means of the preferably settable guiding device of the merging device. The guiding device can be configured in the form of side guides extending on the belt of the transport device oblique to the transport direction and deflecting the containers onto one lane. Subsequently, the container can be packaged by means of a packaging unit. The clock control frequency of the clock control device and / or the conveying speed of the transport device can advantageously be matched to the working speed of the packaging unit in particular. The packaging unit can be a tubular bag machine. By providing a merging device, only one tubular bag machine is then required. If the merging device is omitted, the packaging unit can include a plurality of packaging devices, for example a plurality of tubular bag machines, corresponding to a plurality of turning devices.

[0033] The system for filling flat products, especially potato chips, etc., in portions according to the present invention comprises: a product conveying unit for conveying products; a container conveying unit for conveying an open container, preferably a bowl-shaped open container for accommodating products; a portioning unit for transferring the conveyed product into the conveyed container in portions; and a turning unit according to the present invention. The product conveying unit or the container conveying unit can convey the product or container to the portioning unit, and the portioning unit can portion the conveyed product and transfer the product into the container in particular by putting the container on the portion. Subsequently, the container put on the portion can be conveyed to the turning unit by means of a conveying device of at least one portioning device of the portioning unit, so as to turn it over there before packaging. The container conveying unit can have a storage bin for storing containers, which can be filled manually. The product conveying unit, the container conveying unit and the portioning unit can be modularly constructed like the turning unit. The portioning unit can, for example, especially include a plurality of portioning devices corresponding to a plurality of turning devices of the turning unit, and the portioning devices can respectively have a conveying device for conveying the container put on the portion to the turning device of the turning unit. In addition, the system may include an operating unit by means of which an operator can operate the system. In addition, the system may include a control unit that can operate the product conveying unit, the container conveying unit, the portioning unit and the turning unit according to control instructions input by the operator by means of the operating unit.

[0034] In one embodiment of the system, the system can include a packaging unit for packaging the container together with portions of the flat product contained in the container. The packaging unit can be a horizontal packaging machine. In particular, the packaging unit can be a tubular bag machine. The container can be packaged in particular in a tubular bag.

[0035] In the method according to the invention for turning over an open container, preferably a bowl-shaped open container, portions of flat products, in particular potato chips or the like, are contained in the container by means of at least one turning device of a turning unit, wherein the container is turned over by rotating the container about its axis in such a way that it is transferred from a first orientation position of the container, in which the opening of the container is oriented in a first direction, to a second orientation position of the container, in which the opening is oriented in a second direction. With regard to the advantageous effects of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the advantageous description of the turning unit according to the invention.

[0036] Further advantageous embodiments of the method emerge from the characterizing features of the dependent claims which refer back to device claim 1 .

[0037] In a method according to the invention for portioning flat products, in particular potato chips or the like, by means of a system, portions of flat products are provided by means of a portioning unit of the system, and an open container, preferably a bowl-shaped open container, is placed over the portion in a manner defining a first orientation position of the container, in which the opening of the container is oriented vertically downward, for transferring the portion into the container, wherein the container together with the product contained therein is turned over by means of at least one turning device of a turning unit of the system by rotating the container about its axis, in such a manner that the container is transferred from the first orientation position of the container to a second orientation position of the container, in which the opening is oriented vertically downward, and in which the opening is oriented vertically upward and / or the bottom of the container is oriented vertically downward. With regard to the advantageous effects of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the turning unit according to the invention.

[0038] Advantageously, the container can be transferred from the portioning unit to the turnover unit in the conveying direction. For this reason, the portioning unit can have at least one portioning device with a conveyor. Alternatively, the turnover device can have a conveyor. Then, the container can be transferred to the turnover unit in a first orientation position and flipped from the first orientation position to the second orientation position there.

[0039] Advantageously, the container can be rotated during the tilting process about an axis of the container extending parallel to the conveying direction.

[0040] Advantageously, the container together with the portion of the flat product contained in the container can be packed by means of the packaging unit of the system after overturning, preferably packed in a tubular bag. Here, the container together with the portion of the flat product contained in the container can be packed in the mode in the second orientation position.

[0041] Further advantageous embodiments of the method emerge from the characterizing features of the dependent claims which refer back to device claim 1 . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] The accompanying drawings show:

[0044] Figure 1 A perspective view of a system for portioned filling of flat products is shown from one side;

[0045] Figure 2 A perspective partial view of the flip unit of the system is shown from the front;

[0046] Figure 3 A perspective front view of the flip unit is shown;

[0047] Figure 4 A perspective partial view of the turning unit is shown from above;

[0048] Figure 5 A perspective partial view of the flip unit is shown from the rear;

[0049] Figure 6 A perspective rear view showing the turning device of the turning unit before the container is turned over;

[0050] Figure 7 A perspective rear view showing the turning device after the container is turned over;

[0051] Figure 8 A perspective partial view from above showing a turning unit, in particular a joining device of the turning units;

[0052] Fig. 9 A top view showing a merging device;

[0053] Fig.10 A partial view of a system for portioned filling of flat products in another embodiment is shown from one side;

[0054] Fig.11 A perspective partial view of the system, in particular a tilting unit of the system, is shown from the rear;

[0055] Fig.12 The system, in particular the tilting unit, is shown in a perspective partial view from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Figure 1 A system 10 for portioned filling of flat products (not shown here), in particular potato chips, etc., is shown in a first embodiment, wherein the system 10 comprises a product conveying unit 11 for conveying products, a container conveying unit 12 for conveying bowl-shaped open containers (not shown here) for accommodating products, a portioning unit 13 for transferring the conveyed products to the conveyed containers in portions, and a turning unit 14 for turning the containers. The turning unit 14 comprises a plurality of turning devices 15 of the same type arranged side by side in parallel and a merging device 16 arranged downstream of the turning device 15, which is configured to bring the containers turned by means of the turning devices 15 into a lane in a clocked manner. In addition, the system 10 comprises an operating unit 17, by means of which an operator can operate the system 10. The system 10 can comprise a control unit, which can control the product conveying unit 11, the container conveying unit 12, the portioning unit 13 and the turning unit 14 according to control instructions input by the operator by means of the operating unit 17. Furthermore, the container conveying unit 12 comprises a magazine 18 for supply containers, which can be filled manually.

[0057] Figures 2 to 9 The overview of FIG. 1 shows different views of a tilting unit 14 and its components together with components that are partially hidden according to the drawings. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for components or components that are structurally identical or functionally identical. Furthermore, in the drawings, in particular against the background of identical types of tilting devices 15, substantially only one tilting device or only one of its components is provided with a corresponding reference numeral.

[0058] The turning unit 14 comprises a plurality of, in the present case five, turning devices 15 of the same type arranged side by side in parallel, wherein each turning device 15 is configured to, in particular, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the bowl-shaped open container 19 together with the portion of a flat product (not shown here) contained in the container 19, in particular potato chips or the like, is turned over by rotating the container 19 about its longitudinal axis (not shown here) so as to be transferred from a first orientation position of the container 19 into a second orientation position of the container 19 in which the opening 20 of the container 19 is oriented vertically downward ( Figure 6 ), and in the second orientation position, the opening 20 is oriented vertically upward ( Figure 7 ). Here, the container 19 is placed onto the provided portion of the flat product by means of the portioning unit 13 in such a way that the opening 20 is positioned vertically downwardly oriented, in order to transfer the portion of the flat product into the container 19, wherein the container 19 together with the flat product accommodated in the container 19 is conveyed in the opening 20 oriented vertically downwardly to the turning device 15 by means of a conveying device 21 of at least one portioning device (not shown here) of the portioning unit 13.

[0059] As from Figure 2 It can be seen that a plurality of conveying devices 21 arranged parallel to one another are provided, which can convey the containers 19 , which are placed on corresponding portions of flat products, to a plurality of turning devices 15 .

[0060] Each turning device 15 has a turning device 22, to which the container 19 can be detachably connected, wherein the turning device 22 is rotatably designed for rotating the container 19 and is rotated from a first orientation of the turning device 22 to a second orientation of the turning device 22. The turning device 22 has a first section 23, which is designed in the form of a segment of a hollow cylinder and can be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder (not shown here), wherein the container 19 can be detachably connected to the inner side 24 of the first section 23. The tilting device 22 further comprises a second section 25 in the form of a circular element or disk, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner at an axial end 26 of the first section 23, so that the center point of the circular element, not shown here, lies at least approximately on the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder, wherein the second section 25 is rotatably mounted in a common cover 27 of a housing device, not shown here, of the tilting unit 14 and comprises a through-hole 28, which is designed for guiding the container 19 through the first section 23 in order to detachably connect the container 19 to the first section 23 or to perform a rotation. In this case, the container 19 can be detachably connected to the inner side 24, so that by orienting the opening 20 relative to the inner side 24, the opening 20 can be completely covered by the inner side 24 in order to hold flat products in the container 19 during tilting. The tilting device 22 further comprises a receiving rail 29 which is designed to receive the container 19 in sections in the form of an edge 30 of two opposite side walls 31 of the container 19 which delimit the opening 20, in order to detachably connect the container 19 to the tilting device 22. The receiving rail 29 in the form of two opposite guide grooves 29 extends along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder over the entire length of the first section 23 and to the end 60 of the through-hole 28 facing the conveying device 21. Although the conveying device 21 extends only to the end 60, the container 19 can reach the first section 23 through the through-hole 28 due to the conveying movement of the conveying device 21 when the edge 30 is introduced into the receiving rail 29. The edge 30 can thus be received in the receiving rail 29 and can be guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner.

[0061] Furthermore, each tilting device 15 has a drive 32 for driving the tilting device 22 , which drive is designed as an electric motor.

[0062] Furthermore, each tilting device 15 has a transmission 33 engaged with the drive 32 and the tilting device 22, the transmission being a gear transmission having a first gear 34 coupled to the drive 32 and a second gear 35 engaged with the first gear 34 and coupled to the tilting device 22. The second gear 35 is arranged on the circumference of a circular element or disk (not shown here) and is designed to be larger than the first gear 34 in terms of radius.

[0063] Furthermore, each tilting device 15 has a sensor device 16 having a light barrier 37 with a transmitter 38 and a receiver 39, wherein the light barrier 37 is configured to monitor the removal of the container 19 from the receiving rail 29 after the container 19 has been tilted. A light beam 56 is formed between the transmitter 38 and the receiver 39.

[0064] In addition, each turning device 15 has a transporting device 40 for transporting the container 19 after the container 19 is turned over, wherein the transporting device 40 is arranged below the turning device 22 or the first section 23, so that the bottom 41 of the container 19 can be engaged with the conveying mechanism 42 of the transporting device 40 by transferring the container 19 to the second oriented position, so that the container 19 can be disengaged from the first section 23 by the force of the conveying mechanism 42 on the bottom 41 or can be led out from the accommodating rail 29 at the other axial end 43 of the first section 23.

[0065] After the turning, the container 19 is then transferred to the merge device 16 with the opening 20 oriented vertically upward or with the bottom 41 oriented vertically downward, which then contacts the conveying mechanism 42, and there arrives on the transport device 44 of the merge device 16. The containers 19 turned over by a plurality of turning devices 15 arranged parallel to one another can then be oriented and separated or distributed in a clocked manner by means of an orientation device 45 of the merge device 16 and a clock control device 46 of the merge device 16 arranged at the transport device 44, wherein the containers 19 are then merged into one lane from the initial five parallel lanes by means of a guide device 47 of the merge device 16. The orientation device 45 is designed in the form of a lateral guide 57 extending on both sides of the container 19 in the transport direction 59. Furthermore, the guide device 47 is designed in the form of a lateral guide 47 extending obliquely to the transport direction 59 on a belt 58 of the transport device 44 and deflecting the container 19 onto one lane. Subsequently, the container 19 together with the product contained therein can be packaged in the second oriented position by means of a packaging unit (not shown here), which can be a tubular bag machine, for example, into a tubular bag.

[0066] Figures 10 to 12 The overview of FIG. 4 shows a system 48 for portioned filling of flat products (not shown here), in particular potato chips, etc., in another embodiment. The system 48 comprises a product conveying unit (not shown here), a container conveying unit 49 with a storage bin 50, a portioning unit 51, and a turning unit 52 for turning containers 53, wherein the turning unit 52 has a plurality of turning devices 54 and a joining device 55 arranged parallel to each other.

Claims

1. A turning unit (14, 52) for turning over an open container (19, 53), preferably a bowl-shaped open container, together with portions of flat products contained in the container, in particular potato chips or the like, the turning unit comprising at least one turning device (15, 54) configured to turn over the container by rotating the container around its axis in such a way that the container is transferred from a first orientation position of the container to a second orientation position of the container, in which the opening (20) of the container is oriented in a first direction, and in which the opening is oriented in a second direction.

2. The turning unit according to claim 1, It is characterized in that In the first orientation position, the opening (20) is oriented vertically downwards, and in the second orientation position, the opening is oriented vertically upwards and / or the bottom (41) of the container (19, 53) is oriented vertically downwards.

3. The turning unit according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The turning device (15, 54) is designed such that the container (19, 53) can be turned while the product remains in the container.

4. A turning unit according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The turning device (15, 54) has a turning device (22) to which the container (19, 53) can be detachably connected, wherein the turning device is rotatably designed to carry out a rotation of the container.

5. The turning unit according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The tilting device (22) has a first section (23) which is designed as a section of a cylinder and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, wherein the container (19, 53) is detachably connectable to the inner side (24) of the first section.

6. The turning unit according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The tilting device (22) has a second section (25) in the form of a circular part, which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner at an axial end (26) of the first section (23) so that the center point of the circular part is at least approximately located on the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, wherein the second section has a through-hole (28) which is designed to guide the container (19, 53) therethrough.

7. The turning unit according to claim 5 or 6, It is characterized in that The container (19, 53) can be detachably connected to the inner side (24), so that the opening (20) can be at least partially, preferably completely, covered by the inner side due to the orientation of the opening relative to the inner side.

8. The turning unit according to any one of claims 4 to 7, It is characterized in that The tilting device (22) has a receptacle which is designed to accommodate the container (19, 53) at least in sections, in particular in the form of an edge (30) which at least partially surrounds a side wall (31) of the container and delimits the opening (20), in order to detachably connect the container to the tilting device.

9. The turning unit according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The receptacle is designed as a receiving rail (29) in which the edge (30) can be received and guided in a longitudinally movable manner.

10. The turning unit according to any one of claims 4 to 9, It is characterized in that The tilting device (15, 54) has a drive device (32) for driving the tilting device (22).

11. The turning unit according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The tilting device (15, 54) has a transmission device (33) engaged with the drive device (32) and the tilting device (22).

12. The turning unit according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The transmission device (33) is a gear transmission mechanism having a first gear (34) coupled to the drive device (32) and a second gear (35) meshing with the first gear and coupled to the tilting device (22).

13. The turning unit according to any one of claims 4 to 12, It is characterized in that The turning device (15, 54) has a sensor device (36) which is configured to monitor the release of the container from the turning device (22) after the container (19, 53) has been turned.

14. The turning unit according to any one of claims 4 to 13, It is characterized in that The turning device (15, 54) has a removal device (40) for removing the container (19, 53) after turning it over.

15. The turning unit according to claim 14, It is characterized in that The transport device (40) is arranged adjacent to the turning device (22) so that the bottom (41) of the container (19, 53) can be engaged with the conveying mechanism (42) of the transport device by transferring the container to the second oriented position, so that the container can be disengaged from the turning device by the force of the conveying mechanism on the bottom.

16. A turning unit according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The turning unit (14, 52) comprises a plurality of turning devices (15, 54) arranged parallel to each other.

17. The turning unit according to claim 16, It is characterized in that The turning unit (14, 52) has a merging device (16, 55) arranged downstream of the turning device (15, 54), which is configured to merge the containers (19, 53) turned by means of the turning device into one lane, preferably in a clocked manner.

18. A system (10, 48) for portioning flat products, in particular potato chips or the like, comprising: A product conveying unit (11) for conveying the product; a container conveying unit (12, 49) for conveying an open container (19, 53), preferably a bowl-shaped open container, for accommodating the product; a portioning unit (13, 51) for transferring the conveyed product in portions into the conveyed container; and a turning unit (14, 52) according to any of the above claims.

19. The system according to claim 18, It is characterized in that The system (10, 48) comprises a packaging unit for packaging the container (19, 53) together with portions of the flat product contained in the container.

20. A method for turning over an open container (19, 53), preferably a bowl-shaped open container, by means of at least one turning device (15, 54) of a turning unit (14, 52), wherein portions of flat products are contained in the container, the flat products being in particular potato chips or the like, wherein the container is turned over by rotating the container about its axis in such a way that it is transferred from a first orientation position of the container to a second orientation position of the container, in which the opening (20) of the container is oriented in a first direction, and in which the opening is oriented in a second direction.

21. A method for filling flat products, in particular potato chips, etc., in portions by means of a system (10, 48), wherein portions of flat products are provided by means of a portioning unit (13, 51) of the system, and an open container (19, 53), preferably a bowl-shaped open container, is placed on the portions in a manner defining a first orientation position of the container for transferring the portions into the container, in which the opening (20) of the container is oriented vertically downward, wherein the container together with the product contained in the container is turned over by means of at least one turning device (15, 54) of a turning unit (14, 52) of the system by rotating the container around the axis of the container in such a manner that the container is transferred from the first orientation position of the container to a second orientation position of the container, in which the opening is oriented vertically downward, and in the second orientation position, the opening is oriented vertically upward and / or the bottom (41) of the container is oriented vertically downward.

22. The method according to claim 21, It is characterized in that The containers (19, 53) are conveyed in a conveying direction from the portioning unit (13, 51) to the turning unit (14, 52).

23. The method according to claim 22, It is characterized in that During the tilting, the container (19, 53) is rotated about an axis of the container extending parallel to the conveying direction.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, It is characterized in that The container (19, 53) together with the portion of the flat product contained therein is packaged after inversion by means of a packaging unit of the system (10, 48), preferably into a tubular bag.

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