Product sorting and packaging system and method

Abstract

A batch of products is sorted into respective product levels and is dispensed by a circulating conveyor into respective cushioning devices (5) of respective packaging lines (4). A plurality of packages (8) move along the damping device. The filled row in the buffer device (5) is conveyed to a row in one of the plurality of packages (8). The end of a batch of products or the end of a product order is detected. Based on detecting the end of the batch or the end of the order, the normal fill mode is switched to an end fill mode. In the end filling mode, the packaging lines (4) are closed one by one until only one of the packaging lines (4) runs. The packaging line (4) is closed when its damping device (5) is fully filled and fills the (last) row of packages or the entire package (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a product sorting and packaging system, comprising: a grading device, at least one endless conveyor track and a plurality of packaging lines. The grading device is used to grade a batch of products into respective product grades. The at least one endless conveyor track has a product rack for accommodating the sorted products from the grading device. The plurality of packaging lines are associated with the endless conveyor track, wherein each packaging line comprises a buffer device having a plurality of rows of product racks for accommodating respective products of the product racks from the endless conveyor track, and wherein each packaging line comprises a packaging conveyor for conveying packages along the buffer device, wherein the packaging line is adapted to convey the filled rows in the buffer device to the rows in the packaging. Background Art

[0002] The sorting and packaging system has a regular filling mode in which the circulating conveyor track distributes the products to the respective buffer devices using a distribution algorithm based on the product level and optimally utilizing the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the corresponding product level.

[0003] This sorting and packaging system can often be used for eggs.

[0004] Thus, the products are not provided by a circulating conveyor track in the first available packaging line, but are distributed in an optimal way to utilize the capacity of the available packaging line. In the conventional filling mode, the buffers of the packaging line only provide products to the packaging when they are completely filled. However, at a certain point in time, the batch of products ends. If the product batches cannot be mixed, the conventional filling mode will result in the buffers not being completely filled. The incompletely filled buffers are then emptied into the packaging, which can result in incompletely filled packaging, such as rows with empty positions. The number of filled rows of the buffers may also not correspond to an integral number of rows of packaging, which can result in packaging with empty rows.

[0005] Incompletely filled packages cannot be used, which means losses. Therefore, the operator of the system collects the incompletely filled packages and manually redistributes the products so that a maximum number of completely filled packages are obtained and losses are minimized. This is not an efficient process. Furthermore, the manually filled packages must be manually fed to the printing press or labeling machine and the traceability of the product is lost. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to make the filling process more efficient in an automated manner.

[0007] The object is achieved by a sorting and packaging system, which comprises: a grading device, at least one circulating conveying track, a plurality of packaging lines and a computer.

[0008] The grading device is used to grade a batch of products into respective product grades.

[0009] The at least one endless conveyor track has product supports for receiving graded products from the grading device.

[0010] The plurality of packaging lines are associated with an endless conveyor track, wherein each packaging line comprises a buffer device having a plurality of rows of product racks for accommodating respective products from product racks of the endless conveyor track, and wherein each packaging line comprises a packaging conveyor for conveying packages along the buffer device, wherein the packaging line is adapted to convey filled rows in the buffer device to rows in the package.

[0011] The computer is used to control the sorting and packaging system and is configured with an allocation algorithm. The sorting and packaging system has a normal filling mode, in which the sorting and packaging system is controlled by the computer so that the endless conveyor track distributes the products to the respective buffers using the allocation algorithm based on the product level and the optimal use of the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the corresponding product level. The sorting and packaging system has an alarm system, which is suitable for detecting the end of a batch of products or the end of a product order and is suitable for generating an alarm signal when the end of the batch of products is detected or the end of an order is detected. The sorting and packaging system has an end filling mode. The switching from the normal filling mode to the end filling mode is triggered by the alarm signal of the alarm system. In the end filling mode, the sorting and packaging system is controlled by the computer so that the packaging lines are shut down one by one until only one packaging line is left in operation, wherein each of the packaging lines is shut down when its buffer is completely filled to fill a row or a whole package in the package.

[0012] When the end of a batch is approaching or the end of an order is approaching, switching the filling mode of the pick and pack system to end-fill mode automatically avoids many partially empty packages. This means that only one packing line may end up with incompletely filled packages. This minimizes losses and avoids manual collection of products and partially empty packages.

[0013] In some applications, the products of consecutive input batches may be mixed. However, the number of packages filled with a mixture of two batches is preferably kept to a minimum. The switch from the normal filling mode to the end filling mode as described above can be used in a similar manner to minimize the packages with a mixture of products from consecutive batches. Each of the packaging lines is closed when its buffer device is completely filled to fill a row or an entire package in the package. Therefore, the products of the next batch are mixed only with the products of the previous batch in the packaging line that is not closed. After the last package is filled with a mixture of products from consecutive batches, the system can switch to the normal filling mode again. Thereby, all packaging lines are opened again and can fill packages only with products from the second batch. Therefore, the conversion between the products of the two input batches only results in one output package containing a mixture of products from the two input batches.

[0014] In one embodiment, the alarm system is adapted to generate an alarm signal when the end of a batch or end of an order is detected at a predetermined position in the supply line, preferably in a staging device. The detection for generating the alarm signal is located far enough upstream of the packaging line to enable the system to switch the filling mode in time so that all packages except one can be filled.

[0015] The alarm system comprises a computer and a detector, wherein the computer is configured to run an algorithm that generates an alarm signal based on an input signal from the detector. Preferably, the detector used for the grading process is also used to detect the end of the batch and generate an input signal for the computer. The detector may be, for example, a weight sensor that weighs the eggs and can also detect that there are no more eggs to be weighed, which is an indication that the end of the batch has passed. In addition, other sensors, such as optical sensors, may be used to detect the presence of eggs at a location.

[0016] In another embodiment, the alarm system is adapted to generate an alarm signal when it is detected that the end of the batch is a predetermined number of positions, such as 100, from the first packaging line assigned to the product class of interest. In this embodiment, the alarm system may take into account the number of packaging lines and the percentage of products in the corresponding product class in the batch. The controller contained in the computer and controlling the sorting and packaging system knows the position of each product in the sorting and packaging system and therefore knows how the end of the batch is transmitted through the sorting and packaging system. Once the end of the batch is a predetermined number of positions, such as 100 positions, from the first packaging line, the alarm system incorporated in the computer generates an alarm signal.

[0017] In one embodiment, the alarm system may be incorporated into the computer used to control the sorting and packing system.

[0018] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a product sorting and packaging system, comprising: a grading device, at least one circulating conveying track, a plurality of packaging lines and a computer.

[0019] The grading device is used to grade a batch of products into respective product grades.

[0020] The at least one endless conveyor track has product supports for receiving graded products from the grading device.

[0021] The plurality of packaging lines are associated with an endless conveyor track, wherein each packaging line comprises a buffer having a plurality of rows of product racks for receiving respective products from a product rack of the endless conveyor track, and wherein each packaging line comprises a packaging conveyor for conveying packages along the buffer, wherein the packaging line is adapted to convey filled rows in the buffer into rows in a package. The computer is used to control the sorting and packaging system and is configured with an allocation algorithm.

[0022] According to this aspect, the sorting and packaging system has a filling mode, in which the products are distributed to respective buffer devices by the circulating conveying track using the allocation algorithm, and the allocation algorithm provides the products in the product level to the packaging lines of the product level, so that the buffer rows of different packaging lines are filled continuously, so that the buffer rows can be completely filled before the products are provided to the next packaging line.

[0023] The product sorting and packaging system according to the present invention is mainly suitable for packaging with two rows of products, for example, for egg boxes with 2×6 egg boxes. In such two-row packaging, the probability that the final package in the packaging line is not completely filled is 50%. This is already an improvement over the prior art system. In the prior art system, the probability that each packaging line ends up with an incompletely filled package is quite high and may be 100%.

[0024] In another embodiment, the allocation algorithm provides the product to the packaging line so that the package can be completely filled before providing the product to the next packaging line. This is a simple solution that does not require an alarm system and also results in at most one package not being completely filled. This embodiment can also be used in applications where two consecutive batches of product may be mixed, but the number of packages containing the mix is ​​preferably minimized. With this embodiment, at most one package ends up with a mix of products from two batches.

[0025] In one embodiment of a product sorting and packing system, the computer is configured to know the location of each product in the sorting and packing system.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a product sorting and packaging method, comprising:

[0027] sorting a batch of said products into respective product grades;

[0028] The sorted products move via a circular conveyor track;

[0029] In a conventional filling mode, the circulating conveyor track distributes the products to the buffer devices of the packaging line using a distribution algorithm based on the product level and optimal use of the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the corresponding product level;

[0030] A plurality of packages are conveyed along the buffer device, wherein a filled row in the buffer device is transferred to a row in one of the plurality of packages.

[0031] Detecting the end of the batch of products or detecting the end of the product order, and based on detecting the end of the batch or the end of the order, switching the normal filling mode to the end filling mode, in which the respective packaging lines assigned to the product level are shut down one by one until only one packaging line assigned to the product level is left running, wherein the packaging line is shut down when its buffer device is completely filled and fills the (last) row of packages or the entire package.

[0032] When the end of a batch is approaching or the end of an order is approaching, switching the filling mode to end-fill mode automatically avoids many partially empty packages. This allows only one packaging line to end up with packages that are not fully filled. This minimizes losses and avoids manual collection of products and partially empty packages.

[0033] If a mixture of products from two consecutively processed batches is allowed, the method according to the invention can be used so that at most one package containing a mixture of products from two batches is finally obtained. Each of the individual packaging lines is closed when its buffer device is completely filled to fill a row of packages or an entire package. Therefore, the products from the next batch are initially only supplied to the last packaging line that is not closed. Therefore, a mixture of products from two batches can only occur in this packaging line and can only occur in one package. After the last package has been filled with a mixture of products from consecutive batches, the system can switch to normal filling mode again. Thereby, all packaging lines are opened again and packages can only be filled with products from the second batch. Therefore, the changeover between products of two input batches results in only one output package containing a mixture of products from the two input batches. .

[0034] In the method, the end of the batch or the end of the order is detected at a predetermined position in the supply line, preferably at a position where the products are sorted.

[0035] When it is detected that the end of the batch is a predetermined number of products (e.g., 100 or 200) away from the first packaging line assigned to the product class of interest, the filling mode may be switched from the normal filling mode to the end filling mode. When switching the filling mode, the number of packaging lines and the percentage of products in the corresponding product class in the batch are taken into account.

[0036] The present invention also relates to a product sorting and packaging method, comprising:

[0037] Grading a batch of products into their respective product grades;

[0038] The graded products are moved via a circulating conveyor track; and

[0039] The endless conveyor track distributes the products to the buffer devices of the packaging line based on the product class and optimally utilizing the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the corresponding product class.

[0040] The products are distributed into respective buffer devices by the endless conveyor track, whereby the buffer rows of different packaging lines are filled successively, so that a buffer row can be completely filled before products of the same product level are provided to the next packaging line.

[0041] The method is mainly suitable for filling packages with two rows of product, for example, for egg cartons with 2×6 egg boxes. In such two-row packages, the probability that the final package in the packaging line is completely filled is 50%. This is already an improvement over the prior art methods. In the prior art system, the probability that each packaging line ends up with a package that is not completely filled is quite high and may be 100%.

[0042] In this method, the product may be provided to the packaging line so that the package can be completely filled before the product is provided to the next packaging line. This is a simple solution that does not require advance viewing and alarms and ultimately only one package is not completely filled.

[0043] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a product sorting and packaging system, comprising: a grading device, at least one circulating conveying track and a plurality of packaging lines.

[0044] The grading device is used to grade a batch of products into respective product grades.

[0045] The at least one endless conveyor track has product supports for accommodating graded products from the grading device.

[0046] The plurality of packaging lines are associated with an endless conveyor track, wherein each packaging line comprises a buffer device having a plurality of rows of product racks for accommodating respective products from product racks of the endless conveyor track, and wherein each packaging line comprises a packaging conveyor for conveying packages along the buffer device, wherein the packaging line is adapted to convey filled rows in the buffer device to rows in the package.

[0047] The sorting and packaging system has a regular filling mode in which the circulating conveyor track distributes the products to respective buffer devices using a distribution algorithm based on the product level and optimally utilizing the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the corresponding product level.

[0048] The sorting and packing system has an alarm system adapted to detect the end of a batch of products or the end of an order of products and to generate an alarm signal upon detecting the end of the batch of products or upon detecting the end of the order.

[0049] The sorting and packaging system has a tail filling mode. The alarm signal of the alarm system triggers the switch from the normal filling mode to the tail filling mode.

[0050] In the end-fill mode, the packaging lines are shut down one by one until only one packaging line is left running, wherein each of the packaging lines is shut down when its buffer device is completely filled to fill a row of packages or an entire package.

[0051] The product sorting and packaging system further comprises a computer configured to execute any of the methods described above.

[0052] The above system and method are applicable to any type of product that must be sorted and packaged. In particular, eggs or fruits can be sorted and packaged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The present invention will be further elucidated in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054] Figure 1 The egg sorting and packaging system is schematically shown.

[0055] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A method according to the prior art is schematically shown, wherein the method utilizes Figure 1 systems to handle the eggs at the end of a batch,

[0056] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A method according to the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the method utilizes Figure 1systems to handle the eggs at the end of a batch,

[0057] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Another method according to the present invention is schematically shown, which utilizes Figure 1 systems to handle the eggs at the end of a batch,

[0058] Figure 5A schematically shows a package filled with successive batches of eggs using a prior art method, and

[0059] Figure 5B There is schematically shown a package being filled with successive batches of eggs using the method of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, a system 1 for sorting and packing eggs is shown. The system 1 comprises a grading device 2 for grading a batch of eggs 100 into respective product grades. The grading device 2 in the example shown comprises a scale for determining the weight of the individual eggs 100. The weight of the eggs 100 is used, for example, to determine the product grade. It is also known to grade eggs according to other parameters, such as size or color.

[0061] The product grade is registered by the control system. The control system may include a computer configured with a control algorithm. The eggs 100 are conveyed to an endless conveyor track 3 with egg racks for accommodating graded eggs 100 from the sorting device 2. Such an endless conveyor track 3 is often referred to as an egg chain in the case of eggs. The control system tracks the individual eggs 100 located on the endless conveyor track 3. The graded eggs 100 are sorted by providing the individual eggs 100 to a certain packaging line 4 of a plurality of packaging lines 4, which packages eggs 100 of a specific grade.

[0062] The system 1 comprises a plurality of packaging lines 4 associated with an endless conveyor track 3. Figure 1 In the example shown, the system has five packaging lines, which represent the group of packaging lines associated with a specific product level. There may be more packaging lines, and a system may have up to 32 packaging lines, but these packaging lines are used to package other product levels. For clarity, only five packaging lines that package the same product level are depicted as an example.

[0063] Each packaging line 4 comprises a buffer 5 having a plurality of rows 6 of product racks (e.g. 6 rows of product racks) for receiving individual eggs 100 from egg racks of an endless conveyor track 3. Each packaging line 4 comprises a packaging conveyor 7 for conveying packages 8 along the buffer 5. The packages may be recessed packages with egg compartments for receiving individual eggs, as is known from common egg trays or common egg boxes. Typically, the packages 8 will pass under the buffer 5. The packaging line 4 is used to convey the filled rows 6 of the buffer 5 to a row of egg compartments 9 in the packages 8.

[0064] The sorting and packaging system 1 has a regular filling mode in which the endless conveyor track 3 distributes the eggs 100 to the respective buffer devices 5 using a distribution algorithm based on the product class and optimal use of the capacity of the packaging line 4 allocated to the corresponding product class. The package can be, for example, an egg box with two rows of five egg compartments for accommodating eggs. The package can also be an egg tray with five rows of six egg compartments. Different packaging lines 4 can process different types of packages 8. For example, Figure 1 As shown, the first and fifth packaging lines 4 process 2×5 egg cartons, and the second to fourth packaging lines 4 process 5×6 egg trays. Other packaging with other egg grid arrays can also be used. When the buffer row 6 is filled, the eggs 100 can be transferred from this row 6 to the packaging row 9. Thus, the packages 8 are filled row by row. The eggs are not provided by the endless conveyor track 3 in the first available packaging line 4, but are distributed in a way that the available capacity of the packaging line 4 is optimally utilized based on the distribution algorithm.

[0065] Due to this allocation strategy, the buffer device 5 may have rows 6 that are not completely filled at a certain point in time. Figure 2A According to the prior art, when the end of a batch reaches a packaging line 4, the incompletely filled buffer rows 6 are emptied into packages 8, whereby each packaging line 4 associated with this level of eggs may have at least one incompletely filled package 8. Figure 2B This situation is shown in . The packages that are not completely filled cannot be used, which means losses. Therefore, the operator of the system collects the packages 8 that are not completely filled and manually redistributes the eggs so that the maximum number of completely filled packages 8 is obtained and the losses are minimized. However, this is inefficient.

[0066] According to the invention, the sorting and packing system 1 has an alarm system 10 adapted to detect the end of a batch of eggs or the end of an order of eggs. The alarm system 10 is adapted to generate an alarm signal when the end of the batch of eggs is detected or when the end of an order is detected. In a practical embodiment, the alarm system comprises an algorithm running on the same computer running the allocation algorithm. The alarm system may also comprise a sensor or other detector capable of detecting the end of a batch, which is connected to the computer and provides an input signal to the algorithm. Figure 1 In the example of , the scale used to determine the weight of individual eggs can also be used to detect the end of a batch.

[0067] The sorting and packaging system 1 of the present invention has an end-of-fill mode. The sorting and packaging system 1 can be switched from the normal filling mode to the end-of-fill mode. The switch from one mode to the other is triggered by an alarm signal of the alarm system 10. In the end-of-fill mode, the individual packaging lines 4 are shut down one by one until only one packaging line 4 is left in operation. Figure 3A This situation is shown in . Each of the individual packaging lines 4 is closed when its buffer device 5 is completely filled to fill a row 9 of packages 8 or a whole package 8 .

[0068] exist Figure 3B The result is shown in FIG. 4 , which shows that the four lines 4 seen from the left end up with completely filled packages, and only the fifth line 4 (the one on the far right) ends up with an incompletely filled package 8, because the incompletely filled last buffer device 5 (see FIG. 4 ) Figure 3A ) are emptied into the package 8. In this way, losses are minimized. It is perhaps superfluous to point out that in the end-fill mode, any packaging line 4 may end up with an incompletely filled package 8, not just the Figure 3A and Figure 3B The packaging line that is located farthest downstream as in the example of FIG.

[0069] In some applications, eggs from successive incoming batches may be mixed. However, it is preferred to keep the number of packages filled with a mixture of two batches to a minimum. The alarm system 10 described above may be used in a similar manner to minimize the number of packages containing a mixture of eggs from successive batches. Figure 5A and Figure 5B Shows this situation.

[0070] Figure 5A A situation according to the prior art is shown, in which in all packaging lines the packages 8 are mixed with eggs from two batches. Figure 5B A situation according to the invention is shown, in which a mixing of two batches of eggs ends up in only one packaging line out of a plurality of packaging lines.

[0071] As described above, the switch from the normal filling mode to the end filling mode is triggered by the alarm signal of the alarm system 10. Figure 3A As shown, in the end-filling mode, the individual packaging lines 4 are shut down one by one until only one packaging line 4 is left in operation. Each of the individual packaging lines 4 is shut down when its buffer device 5 is completely filled to fill a row 9 of the packages 8 or the entire package 8. Therefore, the next batch of eggs is only mixed with the previous batch of eggs in the unclosed packaging line, so Figure 5B In the middle is the packaging line on the right. After the last package is filled with mixed eggs, the system can switch to normal filling mode again, so that all packaging lines are opened again. The other packaging lines finally get a package 8 that is completely filled with eggs from a batch.

[0072] Another egg sorting and packaging system comprises a grading device 2, a circulating conveying track 3 and a plurality of packaging lines 4, such as Figure 1 shown and described above.

[0073] This particular sorting and packaging system has an alternative filling mode in which the eggs 100 are distributed to the respective buffers 5 by the endless conveyor track 3 using a distribution algorithm which supplies the eggs of a product level to the packaging line 4 assigned to that product level, so that the buffer rows 6 of the different packaging lines 4 are filled successively. Thus, the buffer rows 6 can be completely filled before the eggs 100 on the endless conveyor track 3 are supplied to the next packaging line 4. Figure 4A When the end of the batch is reached, the buffer 5 is emptied into the packaging 8, which is Figure 4B Shown in.

[0074] This particular filling strategy is mainly suitable for filling packages with two rows of product, for example, for egg cartons with 2×6 egg boxes. In such two-row packages, the probability that the final package in the packaging line is not completely filled is 50%. This is already an improvement over the prior art methods. In the prior art system, the probability that each packaging line will end up with an incompletely filled package is quite high and may be 100% (see Figure 2B ).

[0075] In another embodiment, the distribution algorithm provides eggs 100 to the buffer device 5 of the packaging line 4 so that the package 8 can be completely filled before the eggs 100 are provided to the next packaging line 4. This is not optimal if the capacity of the entire packaging process is considered. However, this is a simple solution that does not require a look-ahead and alarm system 10, and ultimately only one package is not completely filled.

[0076] In addition, this embodiment is applicable to the eggs of two consecutive batches.Through this embodiment, at most one package finally obtains the mixing of the products of two batches.

[0077] The present invention can be summarized as follows.

[0078] Example 1 provides a product sorting and packaging system, including a grading device, at least one circulating conveying track and a plurality of packaging lines associated with the circulating conveying track.

[0079] The grading device is used to grade a batch of products into various product grades.

[0080] The at least one endless conveyor track has product supports for receiving graded products from the grading device.

[0081] Each of the multiple packaging lines includes a buffer device, which has multiple rows of product racks for accommodating each product from the product racks of the circulating conveying track, and each packaging line includes a packaging conveyor for conveying packages along the buffer device, wherein the packaging line is suitable for conveying filled rows in the buffer device to rows in the package.

[0082] The sorting and packaging system has a regular filling mode in which the endless conveyor track distributes the products to the respective buffer devices using a distribution algorithm based on the product level and optimal use of the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the product level.

[0083] The sorting and packing system has an alarm system adapted to detect the end of a batch of products or the end of an order of products and to generate an alarm signal when the end of the batch of products or the end of an order is detected.

[0084] The sorting and packaging system has an end-of-fill mode, wherein a switch from the normal filling mode to the end-of-fill mode is triggered by the alarm signal of the alarm system.

[0085] In the end-fill mode, the individual packaging lines are shut down one by one until only one packaging line is left running, wherein each of the individual packaging lines is shut down when its buffer device is completely filled to fill a row of packages or an entire package.

[0086] Example 2. A sorting and packaging system for the product according to Example 1, wherein the alarm system is adapted to generate the alarm signal when the end of the batch or the end of the order is detected at a predetermined position in the supply line, preferably in the grading device.

[0087] Example 3, a sorting and packaging system for the products according to Example 1, wherein the alarm system is suitable for generating the alarm signal when it is detected that the end of the batch is a predetermined number (for example, 100) of products away from the first packaging line assigned to the product level of interest.

[0088] Example 4, a system for sorting and packing products according to Example 3, wherein the alarm system takes into account the number of packaging lines and the percentage of products in one product level in the batch.

[0089] Example 5, a product sorting and packaging system includes a grading device, at least one circulating conveying track and a plurality of packaging lines associated with the circulating conveying track.

[0090] The grading device is used to grade a batch of products into respective product grades.

[0091] The at least one endless conveyor track has product supports for receiving graded products from the grading device.

[0092] Each of the multiple packaging lines includes a buffer device, which has multiple rows of product racks for accommodating each product from the product racks of the circulating conveying track, and each packaging line includes a packaging conveyor for conveying packages along the buffer device, wherein the packaging line is suitable for conveying the filled rows of the buffer device to the rows in the package.

[0093] The sorting and packaging system has a filling mode, in which the circulating conveyor track distributes the products to the respective buffer devices using an allocation algorithm, and the allocation algorithm provides the products of the product level to the packaging lines allocated to the product level, so that the buffer rows of different packaging lines are filled continuously, so that the buffer rows can be completely filled before the products are provided to the next packaging line.

[0094] Example 6, a sorting and packaging system for the product of Example 5, wherein the allocation algorithm provides the product to the packaging line so that the package can be completely filled before providing the product to the next packaging line.

[0095] Example 7. A system for sorting and packaging the product of any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the system is suitable for sorting and packaging eggs.

[0096] Example 8: A method for sorting and packaging a product, comprising:

[0097] Grading a batch of products into their respective product grades;

[0098] The graded products move through a circular conveyor track;

[0099] Based on the product class and the optimal use of the capacity of the packaging line allocated to a specific product class, the circulating conveyor track distributes the products to the respective buffer devices in the packaging line and

[0100] A plurality of packages are conveyed along the buffer, wherein a filled row in the buffer is conveyed to a row in one of the plurality of packages.

[0101] Detect the end of a batch of products or detect the end of a product order.

[0102] Based on detecting the end of the batch or the end of the order, the normal filling mode is switched to the end filling mode, in which the individual packaging lines are shut down one by one until only one packaging line is left running, wherein the packaging line is shut down when its buffer device is completely filled and fills the (last) row of packages or the entire package.

[0103] Example 9. A method according to Example 8, wherein the end of the batch or the end of the order is detected at a predetermined position in the supply line, preferably at a position where the products are sorted.

[0104] Example 10, a method according to Example 9, wherein when it is detected that the end of the batch is a predetermined number (e.g., 100) of products away from the first packaging line assigned to the product level of interest, the filling mode is switched from the normal filling mode to the end filling mode.

[0105] Example 11, a method according to Example 10, wherein when switching the filling mode, the number of packaging lines and the percentage of products in one product level in the batch are considered.

[0106] Example 12, a method for sorting and packaging a product, comprising:

[0107] Sorting a batch of products into their respective product grades;

[0108] The sorted products move via a circular conveyor track;

[0109] The endless conveyor track distributes the products to respective buffer devices of the packaging line based on the product class and optimally using the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the product class; and

[0110] The products are distributed into the respective buffer devices by the endless conveyor track so that the buffer rows of different packaging lines are filled successively, so that the buffer rows can be completely filled before products of the same product level are provided to the next packaging line.

[0111] Example 13, a method according to any one of Examples 8 to 12, wherein the product being sorted and packaged is eggs.

Claims

1. A product sorting and packaging system, comprising: a grading device for grading a batch of products into respective product grades; at least one endless conveyor track having a product rack for accommodating graded products from the grading device; a plurality of packaging lines associated with said endless conveyor track, wherein each of said packaging lines comprises a buffer having a plurality of rows of product racks for accommodating respective products from said product racks of said endless conveyor track, and wherein each of said packaging lines comprises a packaging conveyor for conveying packages along said buffer, wherein said packaging lines are adapted to convey filled rows in said buffer into rows in packages; and a computer for controlling the sorting and packaging system and configured with a distribution algorithm, wherein the sorting and packaging system has a regular filling mode, in which the sorting and packaging system is controlled by the computer so that the circulating conveyor track distributes the products to the buffer devices using a distribution algorithm based on the product level and the optimal use of the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the corresponding product level, the sorting and packing system having an alarm system adapted to detect the end of a batch of products or the end of an order of products and to generate an alarm signal when the end of the batch of products or the end of an order is detected, The sorting and packaging system has an end-of-fill mode, wherein a switch from the normal filling mode to the end-of-fill mode is triggered by the alarm signal of the alarm system, and In the end-fill mode, the sorting and packaging system is controlled by the computer so that each packaging line is shut down one by one until only one packaging line is left running, wherein each of the packaging lines is shut down when its buffer device is fully filled to fill a row of packages or an entire package.

2. The product sorting and packaging system according to claim 1, wherein: The alarm system is adapted to generate the alarm signal when the end of the batch or the end of the order is detected at a predetermined position in the supply line, preferably in the staging device.

3. The product sorting and packaging system according to claim 2, wherein: The alarm system comprises a computer and a detector, wherein the computer is configured to run an algorithm that generates an alarm signal based on an input signal from the detector.

4. The product sorting and packaging system according to claim 1, wherein: The alarm system is adapted to generate the alarm signal when it is detected that the end of the batch is located a predetermined number of products, for example 100, from the first packaging line assigned to the product class concerned.

5. The product sorting and packaging system according to claim 4, wherein: The alarm system is contained in the computer for controlling the sorting and packaging system.

6. The product sorting and packaging system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The alarm system takes into account the number of packaging lines and the percentage of products of the corresponding product grade in the batch.

7. A product sorting and packaging system, comprising: Grading devices, used to grade a batch of products into their respective product grades, at least one endless conveyor track having product racks for accommodating the sorted products from the grading device, a plurality of packaging lines associated with said endless conveyor track, wherein each of said packaging lines comprises a buffer having a plurality of rows of product racks for accommodating respective products from said product racks of said endless conveyor track, and wherein each of said packaging lines comprises a packaging conveyor for conveying packages along said buffer, wherein said packaging lines are adapted to convey filled rows in said buffer into rows in packages; and a computer for controlling the sorting and packaging system and configured with a distribution algorithm, Wherein, the sorting and packaging system has a filling mode, in which the products are distributed to respective buffer devices by the circulating conveying track using the allocation algorithm, and the allocation algorithm provides the products in the product level to the packaging lines of the product level, so that the buffer rows of different packaging lines are filled continuously, thereby completely filling the buffer rows before the products are provided to the next packaging line.

8. The product sorting and packaging system according to claim 7, wherein: The distribution algorithm provides the product to the packaging line so that the packages can be completely filled before providing the product to the next packaging line.

9. A product sorting and packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The system is suitable for sorting and packaging eggs.

10. A product sorting and packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The computer is configured to be aware of the location of the respective products in the sorting and packing system.

11. A method for sorting and packaging products, wherein: Sorting a batch of products into their respective product grades, The sorted products move along the circular conveyor track. In the normal filling mode, the circulating conveyor track distributes the products to the buffer devices of the packaging line using a distribution algorithm based on the product class and optimal use of the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the corresponding product class. conveying a plurality of packages along the buffer device, wherein a filled row in the buffer device is transferred to a row in one of the plurality of packages, Detecting the end of a batch of products or detecting the end of a product order, Based on detecting the end of the batch or the end of the order, the normal filling mode is switched to the end filling mode, in which the packaging lines assigned to the corresponding product levels are shut down one by one until only one packaging line assigned to the product level is left running, wherein the packaging line is shut down when its buffer device is completely filled and fills the (last) row of packages or the entire package.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The end of the batch or the end of the order is detected at a predetermined position in the supply line, preferably at a position where the products are sorted.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The filling mode is switched from the normal filling mode to the end filling mode when it is detected that the end of the batch is a predetermined number of products away from the first packaging line assigned to the product level in question, the predetermined number being, for example, 100 pieces.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: When switching the filling mode, the number of packaging lines and the percentage of product at the product level in the batch are taken into account.

15. A method for sorting and packaging a product, comprising: Sorting a batch of products into their respective product grades; The sorted products are moved via a circulating conveyor track; as well as The endless conveyor track distributes the products to the buffers of the packaging line based on the product class and optimally utilizing the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the corresponding product class, The products are distributed to the buffer devices by the circulating conveyor track, whereby the buffer rows of different packaging lines are filled continuously, so that the buffer rows can be completely filled before the products of the same product level are provided to the next packaging line.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein: The products that are sorted and packaged are eggs.

17. A product sorting and packaging system comprising Grading devices, used to grade a batch of products into their respective product grades, at least one endless conveyor track having a product holder for receiving the graded products from the grading device, A plurality of packaging lines are associated with the circulating conveyor track, wherein: Each of the packaging lines comprises a buffer having a plurality of rows of product racks for accommodating respective products from the product racks of the endless conveyor track, and wherein each of the packaging lines comprises a packaging conveyor for conveying packages along the buffer, wherein the packaging line is adapted to convey the filled rows in the buffer to the rows in the packaging, wherein the sorting and packaging system has a regular filling mode, in which the circulating conveyor track distributes the products to the respective buffer devices using a distribution algorithm based on the product class and optimally utilizing the capacity of the packaging line allocated to the corresponding product class, wherein the sorting and packing system has an alarm system adapted to detect the end of a batch of products or the end of an order of products and to generate an alarm signal upon detecting the end of the batch of products or upon detecting the end of the order, The sorting and packaging system has a tail filling mode, and the alarm signal of the alarm system triggers the switching from the normal filling mode to the tail filling mode. wherein, in the end-fill mode, the packaging lines are shut down one by one until only one packaging line is left running, wherein each of the packaging lines is shut down when its buffer device is completely filled to fill a row of packages or a whole package, and Wherein, the product sorting and packaging system further comprises a computer, and the computer is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

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