Stacking device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a stacking device (20). The stacking device aims at a single cargo layer (31). The stacking device (20) comprises a grouping station (11), a loading station (22) and a stacking site (23). The grouping station is configured to form a stackable single-piece cargo layer (31) from a plurality of single-piece cargo. The grouping station (11) comprises a transport device (21) having a transport surface for the single piece of goods. The loading station (22) is designed to receive the complete single-piece cargo layer (31) from the grouping station (11) and to stack the complete single-piece cargo layer (31) on a stacking location (25) located on the stacking location (23). The grouping station (11) is designed to be height-adjustable at least in some regions, in particular the transport device (21) of the grouping station (11) is designed to be height-adjustable at least in some regions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a palletizing device. Background Art

[0002] For storage and / or transportation or for sale, a plurality of identical or identically shaped articles (such as beverage containers in particular) are often combined and consolidated into a bundle using an outer packaging. For example, heat shrink films, strapping tapes made of plastic, paper, composite materials or the like, cardboard outer packaging, etc. can be used as outer packaging. Subsequently, several such bundles or packaging units can be arranged in the form of stackable layers and the stackable layers thus formed can be stacked one above the other on a pallet.

[0003] Typically, the palletizable layers are centered before being stacked on top of each other, thereby achieving a precise arrangement and / or alignment on the pallet, thereby producing a stable pallet stack.

[0004] In order to stack or palletize bundles, individual loads or packages, loading devices such as shutter grippers or so-called plate grippers or the like can be used. DE 10 2010 048 524 A1 discloses such grippers that can be used as loading devices, for example. In this case, complete layers are usually picked up successively from a conveyor line or a defined transfer point by means of a loading device and then stacked on a predetermined stacking location (e.g. a pallet or the like).

[0005] Patent application publication DE 10 2013 108 231 A1 describes a method and a device for stacking and / or palletizing layers of bales or individual loads, wherein complete layers are successively picked up from a conveyor line and / or a transfer station by means of a loading device, pre-centered by means of a lateral feed and / or push movement, and subsequently stacked on a predetermined depositing location. After the bale or individual load layer has been deposited, a re-centering is performed by a new lateral feed and / or push movement by means of a push element provided inside the loading device, so that one or more complete layers stacked one above the other on the depositing location are moved relative to one another or re-centered, brought into a defined position on the depositing location, and / or positioned relative to the previously stacked bale or individual load layer.

[0006] In any case, the loading device equipped with the single-piece cargo layer needs to be sent to the corresponding height so that the single-piece cargo layer can be arranged on the pallet or on the top single-piece cargo layer of the stack of single-piece cargo layers on the pallet at the corresponding stacking height. Utility Model Content

[0007] The utility model aims at optimizing the stacking of single-piece cargo layers.

[0008] The utility model provides a solution for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, which is a palletizing device.

[0009] The utility model relates to a palletizing device for palletizable layers or single-piece cargo layers. The palletizing device comprises a grouping station, a loading device and a stacking location.

[0010] The grouping station is designed to form a stackable layer of individual items from a plurality of individual items and comprises a transport device which comprises a transport surface for the individual items. In a section of the transport surface of the grouping station, preferably in the end region of the transport surface, a complete layer of individual items can be transported. For the sake of simplicity, only individual items will be mentioned below with respect to the grouping station, even when the layer of individual items has already been formed.

[0011] The loading device is designed to receive a complete layer of individual pieces from the grouping station and to deposit the complete layer of individual pieces at a deposit location on the deposit location. Viewed in the transport direction, the loading device is in particular arranged between the transport device of the grouping station and the deposit location for the individual pieces to be stacked.

[0012] According to the present invention, the grouping station is at least partially configured to be height-adjustable. Particularly preferably, the transport device of the grouping station can be at least partially configured to be height-adjustable.

[0013] In order to create a layer of individual items, the grouping station can include at least one suitable manipulator, which grips the individual items conveyed in at least one row or in a continuous stream individually and / or in groups and brings them to specific positions according to the layer concept set for the layer of individual items. In this case, the individual items can be lifted and / or moved and / or twisted. Depending on the desired layer concept, it may happen that some individual items forming part of a layer only pass through the grouping station and, in this case in particular, are not gripped and manipulated.

[0014] In this case, the individual pieces are moved at a higher speed than the speed of the transport device of the grouping station. When the individual pieces are moved, they can be aligned with the direction of introduction or transport of the individual pieces into the grouping station. In addition, in this case, the individual pieces can also be moved laterally with respect to the direction of introduction or transport.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the loading device is configured to receive a complete single-piece cargo layer from a pick-up position of the grouping station and to stack the complete single-piece cargo layer at a stacking position located at the stacking location. For example, the loading device is configured to receive a complete single-piece cargo layer from a pick-up position on a transport device located at the grouping station.

[0016] As an alternative, the pick-up position can also be arranged downstream of the conveying device of the grouping station, for example, by moving or pushing the single-piece cargo layer into (or delivering it into) the loading device by means of the conveying device of the grouping station. In particular, the single-piece cargo layer can be moved or pushed into (or delivering it into) the conveying device or conveying unit of the loading device by means of the conveying device of the grouping station.

[0017] Generally speaking, the pick-up position can be arranged in the end region of the grouping station.

[0018] According to certain embodiments, it may happen that only a partial layer is received by the loading device. This may be because the grouping station also produces only a partial layer and in particular compacts it, or the grouping station is able to produce a complete layer and the loading station can only receive a part of the individual goods from the complete layer during each working cycle or removal operation.

[0019] According to one embodiment, another transfer station may be provided between the transport device of the grouping station and the loading device, the transfer station being configured to receive a complete single-piece cargo layer from the transport device, transport it, and transfer the picked-up single-piece cargo layer to the loading device. The single-piece cargo layer picked up by the loading device is then stacked at a stacking position located at the stacking location by means of the loading device.

[0020] The loading device can be, for example, a loading column, which includes a loading head that can be moved multi-axially on the loading column, which loading head is also generally referred to as a transfer unit below. The loading device comprises, for example, a lifting column and a height-adjustable crossbar arranged on the lifting column. The transfer unit is arranged on the crossbar, wherein the transfer unit is particularly arranged in a movable manner on a horizontally oriented crossbar.

[0021] The transfer unit of the loading device picks up the palletizable layers or individual pieces from the grouping station and moves them to the stacking position. In this case, the transfer unit can be moved on the crossbar towards the stacking position. A height adjustment of the crossbar on the lifting column can also be superimposed on this linear movement, so that the correct height of the stacking position on the stacking site is reached.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, the transfer unit can be arranged on a lifting column in such a way that it can only be displaced in one axis.

[0023] The optional transfer station may also be provided with one of the above-mentioned embodiments of the transfer unit, preferably without a stacking function, but with a push function for the transfer unit of the loading device. or transfer function.

[0024] In a first embodiment, the conveying unit can have a support surface on which the layer of individual pieces of goods lies during transport to the stack.

[0025] In this embodiment, the transfer unit may include at least one transport member for moving the individual layers of cargo relative to the carrier of the transfer unit. The transport member may include, for example, a slide block and / or a conveyor belt. In the case of a conveyor belt, the support surface is equivalent to the transport member or a component thereof.

[0026] In a first embodiment of the transfer unit, the transfer unit can be positioned substantially flush behind the grouping station in the transport direction, in particular flush with a corresponding support surface or transport surface, in order to pick up the piece layer. For example, a clamp of the transfer unit can be positioned behind the piece layer and "pulled" into the transfer unit horizontally, or a slide provided on the grouping station pushes the piece layer horizontally into the transfer station, or the piece layer is accelerated by a conveyor of the grouping station in such a way that it stops again in the transfer unit.

[0027] Therefore, generally speaking, the picking position may also be adjacent to or arranged in the vicinity of the first partition of the grouping station described below.

[0028] As an alternative, in a first embodiment of the transfer unit, the transfer unit can have a roll-up gripper. This roll-up gripper can be positioned at the grouping station and lift the layer of individual pieces upwards. To this end, the individual pieces are gradually pressed onto small rollers at the edge of the support surface and are lifted by the rollers to the level of the support surface.

[0029] In the first embodiment, the support surface can be designed in two parts, for example in order to stack chimney layers.

[0030] In a second embodiment, the transport unit can have a gripper.

[0031] The gripper can, for example, clamp the piece layer from at least two sides, preferably from four sides, by means of a substantially horizontal feed movement and lift it in a force-locking manner. Alternatively, the gripper can engage in a positive-locking manner in a recess or under the bottom side of the piece and lift it, for example in the case of piece loads designed as boxes.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the palletizable layers or individual layers can be arranged on a pallet provided at the stacking location. In particular, a plurality of individual layers are stacked one above the other on the pallet provided at the stacking location. In this case, a stacking position is generated based on the number of palletizable layers or individual layers arranged or stacked one above the other at the stacking location. The stacking position changes as the stack height increases, i.e., the height at which the individual layers need to be removed changes.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the utility model, the grouping station can include a compacting area, wherein at least the compacting area is designed to be height-adjustable. Preferably, the compacting area is formed by an area of ​​the transport device. However, the compacting area can also be formed by a separate conveying area, which is connected flush to the transport device of the grouping station.

[0034] In the compacting region, the gaps still present before palletizing between the individual pieces, which form a palletizable layer or piece layer, can be removed. The compacting region is particularly designed to bring the individual pieces that form a complete piece layer together and / or compact them in the transport direction and / or perpendicularly to the transport direction.

[0035] The compacting region comprises, for example, a first stop bar which extends above the transport device transversely to the transport direction. The individual pieces forming the stackable layer or layer of individual pieces are moved against this first stop bar, thereby compacting the layer of individual pieces in the transport direction. After compaction has been carried out, the stop bar can be moved out of the transport path of the finished layer of individual pieces by being swiveled out or lowered or raised upwards or the like.

[0036] A second push rod may also be provided, which also extends transversely to the transport direction and abuts against the rear row of individual pieces of the stackable layer or layer of individual pieces, thereby assisting the gathering of the individual pieces in the transport direction. After compaction has been carried out, the push rod can be moved out of the transport path of another subsequently transported layer of individual pieces by being swiveled out or lowered or raised upwards or the like.

[0037] According to one embodiment, individual pieces of cargo can be moved against a stop or a stop bar in the compaction area, and the push rod pushes the individual pieces of cargo individually, in rows or layer by layer in a subsequent transport direction that is generally perpendicular to the previous transport direction, in particular in a manner parallel to the stop or the stop bar.

[0038] Furthermore, in the compacting region, compacting elements that can be fed laterally can be provided, which are aligned and arranged parallel to the transport direction. By the feed movement of the side compacting elements toward each other, the individual pieces of goods are gathered together in the individual piece layer in a manner orthogonal to the transport direction.

[0039] In at least partial height adjustment within the grouping station, the height of the height-adjustable region is adjusted depending on the height of the stacking location at the stacking site, so that the lift of the transfer device is reduced or minimized. In particular, the height of the pick-up location of the individual layers is adjusted depending on the height of the stacking location.

[0040] Preferably, the palletizing device comprises a control device for this purpose, which contains information about the formation of the stack with the palletizable individual layers. Furthermore, the control device is preferably designed to control at least one adjusting device for adjusting the height of the height-adjustable region of the grouping station as a function of the information stored in the control device.

[0041] As an alternative or in addition, the palletizing device can include at least one sensor, which is designed to detect information about the height of the stack of individual layers of goods produced at the stacking location and transmit it to the control device. In this case, the control device is designed to control at least one adjusting device for adjusting the height of the height-adjustable area of ​​the grouping station based on the data determined by the sensor.

[0042] In this case, the adjustment can be carried out according to a program provided in the control device.

[0043] For this purpose, the control device controls a suitable adjusting device, which can include a drive, wherein the drive is formed, for example, by one or several hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or by one or several motor-adjustable elements, for example by a threaded spindle or the like.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the utility model, the transport device of the grouping station has at least two adjustable partitions, in particular, a first partition and a second partition having a compensating effect, wherein the first partition includes a height-adjustable area of ​​the grouping station.

[0045] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first subregion comprises a height-adjustable compacting area of ​​the grouping station.

[0046] Preferably, the height adjustment is performed in the first subarea in such a way that the transport surface for the piece goods forms a horizontal plane after the adjustment, while the height adjustment is performed in the second subarea in such a way that the transport surface for the piece goods forms a plane inclined relative to the horizontal plane. In at least one working position, the second compensating subarea can be arranged in particular in such a way that it is inclined relative to the horizontal plane.

[0047] However, at least one working position can also be provided in which the second compensating subarea also forms a horizontal plane. In the inclined state, the transport plane can form an angle between 1° and 89° with the horizontal plane. The angle is preferably in the range of 5° to 30°. The angle data refer to the "absolute value" of the acute angle formed by each other, i.e. both for the case where the first subarea is lower than the beginning of the second subarea and for the case where the first subarea wall is higher than the beginning of the second subarea.

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment of the palletizing device of the utility model, the transport device of the grouping station includes a first height-adjustable partition, a second partition and a third partition, wherein the first partition includes a pick-up position and / or a compaction area. The second partition is constructed to compensate for the height difference between the third partition and the first partition. The second partition is particularly inclined in a certain manner to compensate for the height difference between the first partition and the third partition located upstream of the second partition in the transport direction. The second partition that plays a compensating role particularly forms a transport surface for a single piece of cargo, which has a positive slope or a negative slope in the transport direction.

[0049] It can be proposed here that in order to compensate for the height difference between the first height-adjustable partition and the third partition, the second partition can be moved into a working position in which a conveying plane is formed, which forms an angle between 1° and 89°, in particular between 5° and 30°, with the horizontal plane, thereby being able to compensate for the height difference between the third partition and the first height-adjusted partition.

[0050] The height adjustment of the first subarea and the compensating adjustment in the second subarea can be performed, for example, by drives corresponding to the first subarea and the second subarea, such as electric motors, hydraulic cylinders or pneumatic cylinders.

[0051] In particular, the third subregion can be arranged continuously close to the ground.

[0052] In particular, a manipulator for rotating and / or moving individual items can be arranged close to the ground.

[0053] The advantage of this is that faults (e.g. the tipping over of a piece of cargo) can be corrected quickly, since the operator can quickly notice the fault and quickly intervene. Here, close to the ground means that the transport surface is arranged below 170 cm in the third section and / or under or near the manipulator, preferably below 140 cm above the ground.

[0054] By adjusting the height of the first subarea from which the palletizable layers or individual pieces are taken by the loading unit or the like, the lifting stroke of the loading device required for bringing the palletizable layers or individual pieces taken from the grouping station into the stacking position can be reduced. This is necessary when the stack of palletizable layers or individual pieces has reached a certain height and is therefore brought in from the bottom.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the first section of the transport device including the pick-up location can be adjusted approximately to the center of the final height of the stack of palletizable layers or individual layers to be formed, thereby minimizing the movement time of the loading device by minimizing the necessary lifting distance.

[0056] In the case of the aforementioned transport device including three partitions, at least the first partition and the second partition may be connected via at least one joint. In addition, the partitions of the transport device may correspond to rollers or wheels. Based on the adjustment of the height of the first partition and the adjustment of the inclination of the second partition, the horizontal distance between the transport device and the loading device of the grouping station can be changed.

[0057] The distance is greater if the first subarea is lowered or raised relative to the third subarea than if the transport plane of the first subarea and the transport plane of the third subarea are at the same height.

[0058] For example, this change in distance can be compensated by a loading device, wherein the loading device picks up the individual piece layer in a correspondingly changed pick-up position in the grouping station.

[0059] In other words, the loading device is not only able to receive individual layers of cargo from different take-off positions at height, but also from different take-off positions in the horizontal direction.

[0060] According to an alternative embodiment, the distance change can be compensated by the transport device itself in that the pick-up position is moved relative to the conveyor belt of the transport device. This means in particular that the conveyor belt of the transport device is stopped only when the palletizable layer or the layer of individual goods is closer to the loading device than the first section. According to another alternative embodiment, the conveyor or conveyor belt of the first, second and / or third section is designed to be telescopic, for example by means of a telescopically extendable bracket and / or a conveyor surface of the upper run with adjustable length.

[0061] Furthermore, the support frame of the conveyor can be mounted on rollers in the first section and / or in the second section, thereby enabling the conveyor to be moved relative to the ground.

[0062] Furthermore, the grouping station can include a third subarea arranged at a fixed height, and a continuous transport surface can be provided from the third subarea up to the pick-up position and / or up to the compaction area. That is, preferably before and after the height adjustment, the individual pieces of goods can be transported through all subareas of the grouping station to the removal position, preferably also during the height adjustment.

[0063] The concept of continuous transport surface used here also covers those transport surfaces with smaller gaps that are common at the transition of conveyor belts. In particular, it is related to gaps whose size is less than half the diameter of the object.

[0064] The continuous transport surface may also have bends and arcs. That is, the transport direction of the article does not have to be linear, but may have a varying directional component.

[0065] Furthermore, the grouping station can comprise a third subregion arranged at a fixed height, and a continuous transport surface can be provided continuously starting from the third subregion and including the compacting region.

[0066] Preferably, the individual pieces of goods are transported before and after the height adjustment, in particular also during the height adjustment, in such a way that they pass through all three subareas of the grouping station.

[0067] A method for stacking and / or palletizing palletizable individual layers is also described. The individual layers are combined in a grouping station. The individual layers combined in the grouping station are gripped by a loading device. The loading device can directly grip the individual layers, or a transfer station can be provided between the grouping station and the loading device. The individual layers are unloaded by the loading device to a stacking position located at a stacking location.

[0068] With regard to the method, it is proposed that the grouping station can be height-adjusted at least partially, wherein the height of the picking position of the single-piece layer is adjusted according to the height of the stacking position at the stacking location, or wherein the height of the height-adjustable area of ​​the grouping station is adjusted according to the height of the stacking position at the stacking location.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the height of the height-adjustable area of ​​the grouping station can be adjusted during continuous operation, so that the height of the corresponding pick-up position is relatively adjusted according to the height of the stacking position. The expression "during continuous operation" means that the height of the pick-up position is changed at least once for each pallet to be stacked, preferably once for each layer to be stacked.

[0070] In particular, it is possible to provide that in continuous operation the height of the height-adjustable region of the grouping station is readjusted for at least two individual layers of the same stack, in particular for each individual layer.

[0071] Additionally or alternatively, the height of the height-adjustable area of ​​the grouping station can be adjusted between two production runs, wherein the height of the pallet stack in the first run is lower or higher than in the second run. According to this alternative embodiment, the adjustment or resetting can only be carried out between two production runs.

[0072] According to another embodiment, only the first zone of the transport device of the grouping station is designed to be height-adjustable, from which the finished individual piece layer is picked up by the loading device or for the loading device. In this case, the height adjustment of the first zone is carried out in a continuous operation, wherein a height difference is formed between the first zone and the following second zone in several of the working positions. In this case, during this period, the first zone is repeatedly brought to the height of the second zone in order to transfer the palletizable layer or individual piece layer fed through the second zone to the first zone and then to the pick-up position for the loading device or for the intermediate transfer station.

[0073] According to a further preferred embodiment, in a working position, the transport surface of the first partition can be tilted relative to the horizontal at an angle of between 1° and 89°, preferably between 5° and 30°. Furthermore, adjacent partitions can optionally be tilted. In this case, depending on the transfer method for transferring the individual layers of cargo to the loading device, it may be necessary during reception for the conveying unit or its supporting surface to be at the same angle to the horizontal. This is particularly the case when gripping the individual layers of cargo upwards. For this purpose, the conveying unit or its supporting surface or its gripper can be arranged on the loading station in a rotatable or pivotable manner. The conveying unit can in particular be arranged on an articulated robot for adjusting such angles, rather than on the above-mentioned lifting column.

[0074] In the case of a transfer method in which the transfer unit is positioned flush behind the first sub-region for receiving the layer, the support surface of the transfer unit can alternatively also remain horizontal. Depending on the circumstances, a shorter arcuate transition surface can be positioned between the first sub-region and the transfer unit, or a shorter arcuate transition surface can form part of the support surface of the first sub-region and / or the transfer unit.

[0075] In the embodiment with the second compensating subarea, it can be provided that the height of the first subarea increases continuously during continuous production operation as the stacking height at the stacking location increases, while the inclination of the second compensating subarea also increases continuously at the same time. In this case, it is not necessary to lower the height of the first subarea again during this period.

[0076] A particular advantage of the locally height-adjustable grouping stations is that the necessary lifting stroke of the loading device and thus the movement time of the loading device are reduced, which helps to increase the throughput of the palletizing device.

[0077] Another advantage is that maintenance of the partially height-adjustable transport device of the grouping stations is simplified. For repair and / or maintenance work, at least the height-adjustable region of the transport device, in particular the section of the transport device including the pick-up location, can be moved into a lower position at a lower height, so that the necessary repair and / or maintenance work can be carried out at a comfortable working height for the operator.

[0078] For example, in the event of a malfunction during production operation (e.g. due to the tipping over of a piece item within a palletizable layer or a piece item layer), it is also easier for the operator to intervene in the transport device that has been moved into the lower position in order to re-erect the tipped-over piece item, remove the defective palletizable layer or piece item layer, or the like.

[0079] The palletizer of the present invention can preferably be a component of a beverage packaging machine. The beverage packaging machine comprises, for example, a wet section, which comprises a filling module and a closing module and, if applicable, a labeling module. Subsequently, the beverages filled into bottles or cans are integrated into packaging units.

[0080] For example, a bottle assembly is formed in or before the packaging module and is encapsulated with a heat shrink film in a film encapsulation module. The bottle assembly encapsulated with the heat shrink film is guided through a shrinking channel of a shrinking module. The heat shrink film is shrunk onto the bottle and a finished packaging unit in the form of a shrink bundle is produced.

[0081] The shrink-wrapped bundles are combined into individual layers in the grouping station of the palletizing unit and subsequently stacked on pallets.

[0082] In the beverage packaging plant, the bottles are conveyed from one module to the next by means of suitable transport systems, optionally equipped with suitable buffer systems.

[0083] The components of a beverage packaging plant are only used as examples. Depending on the situation, several cans can be combined directly into palletizable layers or individual pieces instead of being combined into a sales unit by means of packaging material.

[0084] It is also possible to use packaging materials other than heat shrink film, in which case the film wrapping module and the shrinking module are replaced by other suitable packaging modules, for example by a gluing bundle making device which directly connects the bottles or cans via adhesive points.

[0085] At this point, it should be explicitly mentioned that all aspects and implementation variants related to the device of the present invention are equally related to or may be partial aspects of the described method. Therefore, if certain aspects and / or connections and / or effects are mentioned at a certain point in the description of the device of the present invention, the same applies to the described method. In the opposite way, the same applies, so all aspects and implementation variants related to the described method are equally related to or may be partial aspects of the device according to the present invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and / or interrelationships and / or effects are mentioned at any point in the description of the method, this also applies to the device of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086] In the following, embodiments of the present invention and their advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The size ratios of the individual elements in the drawings do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some shapes are simplified and other shapes are enlarged compared to other elements for better illustration.

[0087] Figure 1 An embodiment of a beverage packaging machine including the palletizing device of the present invention is shown.

[0088] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A first embodiment of the palletizing device of the present invention is shown.

[0089] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A second embodiment of the palletizing device of the present invention is shown.

[0090] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A third embodiment of the palletizing device of the present invention is shown.

[0091] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the palletizing device of the present invention is shown.

[0092] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the palletizing device of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] The same reference numerals are used for the same or the same effect elements of the present invention. In addition, for the sake of clarity, only the reference numerals necessary for the description of the corresponding figures are depicted in a single figure. The embodiments shown are merely examples of the design solutions of the present invention and do not represent conclusive limitations.

[0094] The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, as well as the following description of the figures and the figures, including their various views or corresponding individual features, can be used independently of each other or in any combination. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment apply to all embodiments, unless these features are contradictory.

[0095] Figure 1 A schematic top view shows an embodiment variant of a beverage packaging plant 1 comprising a palletizing device 20 according to the invention.

[0096] The beverage packaging device 1 shown here exemplarily may include a wet section 2, which includes a can and / or bottle ejector 60, a filling module 3, a closing module corresponding to the filling module 3, and optionally a labeling module 6. A pasteurizer 5 may be provided between the filling module 3 and the labeling module 6.

[0097] Subsequently, the beverage filled into the can or bottle is assembled into a packaging unit. For example, a composition is formed in the diverter module 7 and wrapped with a heat shrink film in the film wrapping module 8. The composition wrapped with the heat shrink film is guided through the shrinking channel 9 of the shrinking module 10. There, the heat shrink film is shrunk onto the bottle and a finished packaging unit in the form of a shrink bundle is produced.

[0098] The shrink bundles are then combined into individual layers and palletized in the palletizing device 20 of the invention. In the beverage packaging plant 1, the bottles are transported from one module to the next by a suitable transport system, optionally equipped with a suitable buffer system.

[0099] The palletizing device 20 of the present invention comprises a grouping station 11 , a loading device 22 and a stacking location 23 , wherein the grouping station comprises a transport device 21 .

[0100] In the grouping station 11 , individual pieces, such as shrink-wraps, are combined into palletizable layers or layers of individual pieces by means of a suitable gantry robot 12 , a tripod, an articulated robot or another suitable manipulator.

[0101] The loading device 22 is arranged in particular between the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11 and a depositing location 23 for the individual layers to be stacked. The loading device 22 is designed to deposit a complete individual layer on a depositing position 25 located on the depositing location 23.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the loading device 22 is configured to receive a complete single-piece cargo layer from the grouping station 11 and stack the complete single-piece cargo layer on a stacking position 25 located on the stacking location 23. For example, the loading device 22 is configured to receive a complete single-piece cargo layer from the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11.

[0103] According to an alternative embodiment, a transfer station (not shown) may be provided between the grouping station 11 and the loading device 22, wherein the transfer station is configured to receive a complete single-piece cargo layer from the transport device 21, to transport and transfer the received single-piece cargo layer to the loading device 22, and to stack the single-piece cargo layer on a stacking position 25 located on the stacking location 23 through the loading device 22.

[0104] The loading device 22 is preferably a loading column that can move in multiple axes, which will be described below in conjunction with FIGS. Figure 5 Describe it in detail.

[0105] In the case of the palletizing device 20 of the present invention, it is proposed that the grouping station 11 is at least partially designed to be height-adjustable, in particular that the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11 is at least partially designed to be height-adjustable.

[0106] The palletizing device 20 is particularly designed to adjust the height of the pick-up position 24 of the unit layer 30 in the grouping station 11 according to the height of the stacking position 25 on the stacking location 23 .

[0107] The components of the beverage packaging device 1 are only used as examples. The palletizing device 20 of the utility model can also be applied to beverage packaging devices 1 for filling beverages into PET bottles. Depending on the situation, it is not necessary to integrate several cans into a sales unit through packaging materials, but to directly combine the cans into a stackable layer or a single piece of cargo layer.

[0108] Packaging materials other than heat shrink film, such as cardboard or the like, can also be used. In this case, the film wrapping module 8 and the shrinking module 10 are replaced by other suitable packaging modules, such as a Top-Clip coating device, that is, a coating device for coating a packaging section including the items in the combination from top to bottom.

[0109] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A first embodiment of a palletizing device 20 of the present invention is shown in a schematic side view.

[0110] In the grouping station 11 of the palletizing device 20 , palletizable layers 30 or individual layers 31 are combined by at least one manipulator of the grouping station 11 and moved in the transport direction TR to the loading device 22 by the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11 .

[0111] Before palletizing, it may be necessary to remove any gaps still present between the palletizable layers 30 or layers 31 of individual goods by bringing the individual goods together in the compacting region 15 .

[0112] The compacting area 15 is in particular a subarea of ​​the grouping station 11, wherein the compacting area 15 can be formed by a region of the transport device. As an alternative or in addition, the compacting area 15 preferably forms the height-adjustable region of the grouping station 11. However, the compacting area can also be formed by a separate conveying area, which is flush connected to the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11.

[0113] The compacting region 15 comprises, for example, a first stop bar (not shown) which extends transversely to the transport direction TR above the transport device 21. The individual pieces 32 forming the palletizable layer 30 or the layer 31 of individual pieces are moved against this first stop bar, thereby compacting the layer 31 of individual pieces in the transport direction TR. After compaction has been carried out, the stop bar can be moved out of the transport path of the finished layer 31 of individual pieces by being swiveled out or lowered or raised upwards or the like.

[0114] A second push rod (not shown) may also be provided, which also extends transversely to the transport direction TR and abuts against the rear row of individual pieces 32 of the stackable layer 30 or the layer 31 of individual pieces, thereby assisting the gathering of the individual pieces 32 in the transport direction TR. After compaction has been performed, the push rod may be moved out of the transport path of another layer 31 of individual pieces to be transported subsequently, by being swiveled out or lowered or raised upwards or the like.

[0115] Furthermore, laterally advanceable compacting elements (not shown) can be provided in the compacting region 15, which are aligned and arranged parallel to the transport direction TR. By the advance movement of the compacting elements toward one another, the individual pieces 32 are brought together orthogonally to the transport direction TR.

[0116] In another embodiment, the individual pieces 32 can be gathered at the picking position 24, in particular during the process of receiving the stackable layer 30 or the individual piece layer 31 by the loading device 22, or during the process of delivering the stackable layer 30 or the individual piece layer 31 to the stacking position 25 by the loading device 22.

[0117] According to one embodiment, the compaction area 15 and the pick-up location 24 may coincide.

[0118] The stacking location 25 is generated based on the number of palletizable layers 30 or piece layers 31 that have been arranged or stacked one above the other on the stacking location 23. According to a preferred embodiment, the palletizable layers 30 or piece layers 31 can be arranged and, in particular, stacked one above the other on a pallet 29 provided on the stacking location 23.

[0119] In this embodiment, for the sake of clarity, the storage location 23 is shown somewhat further to the right than necessary in Figures 3 and 4. The transport unit 26 does not have to be unloaded to the right in an air-free state.

[0120] In the illustrated embodiment of the palletizing device 20, the transport device 21 comprises a first height-adjustable partition 21-1 containing the pick-up position 24, a second compensating partition 21-2, and a third partition 21-3. The second compensating partition 21-2 is particularly effective for the height difference H (see FIG. 1 ) between the third partition 21-3 of the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11 and the first partition 21-1 of the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11. Figure 2B ) for compensation.

[0121] In particular, it is proposed that in order to compensate for Figure 2B With the height difference H shown, the second subregion 21 - 2 can be brought into a working position in which a conveying plane is formed which is inclined at an angle between 0° and 50° with respect to the horizontal.

[0122] In such Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the first embodiment shown, the height adjustment is performed, for example, by means of a hydraulic cylinder 35 or a pneumatic cylinder 36 .

[0123] In the embodiment shown, the loading device 22 comprises a lifting column 28 and a horizontally oriented, height-adjustable crossbar 27. A transfer unit 26 is arranged on the crossbar 27, which is in particular movably arranged on the crossbar 27. Preferably, the transfer unit 26 is designed to be movable in a horizontal plane.

[0124] At the pick-up position 24, a palletizable layer 30 or a single piece layer 31 is picked up by the transfer unit 26 of the loading device 22 and brought to the depositing position 25. In this case, the transfer unit 26 is moved on the crossbar 27 towards the depositing position 25. A height adjustment of the crossbar 27 on the lifting column 28 can also be superimposed on this linear movement in order to reach the depositing position 25.

[0125] contrast Figure 2A and Figure 2B It can be clearly seen that by adjusting the height H24 of the first partition 21-1, the lifting stroke of the cross bar 27 required to transport the stackable layer 30 or the single piece layer 31 from the picking position 24 formed in the first partition 21-1 and / or from the compacting area 15 formed in the first partition 21-1 to the stacking position 25 via the conveying unit 26 is reduced.

[0126] exist Figure 2A In the embodiment of the present invention, the stacking position 25 is at a height H25-1, which is higher than Figure 2B The stacking position 25 is shown. Therefore, it is reasonable to adjust the height H24 of the picking position 24 accordingly.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the first partition 21-1 of the transport device 21, including the pick-up position 24, can be adjusted approximately to the center of the final height of the stack of stackable layers 30 or single-piece layers 31 to be formed, so as to minimize the movement time of the loading device 22, in particular to minimize the horizontal movement and vertical lift of the conveying unit 26.

[0128] According to another embodiment, the transport device 21 can be adjusted during the continuous operation so that the height H24 of the pick-up position 24 is relatively adjusted according to the height H25 of the depositing position 25 .

[0129] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A second embodiment of a palletizing device 20 of the present invention is shown in a schematic side view.

[0130] In particular, the discussion here is about Figure 2A and Figure 2B For the differences of the illustrated embodiments, reference is made to their description. For the sake of simplicity, the third section 21 - 3 of the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11 is not shown.

[0131] In this case, the sections 21 - 1 , 21 - 2 of the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11 are adjusted by means of a motor via a threaded spindle 38 , in particular by means of an electric motor 37 or the like.

[0132] In addition, if Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the two sections 21-1 and 21-2 are connected by at least one joint 39. In addition, the sections 21-1, 21-2 of the transport device 21 correspond to rollers or wheels 40. The distance A between the transport device 21 and the loading device 22 changes due to the height adjustment. Figure 3B In the case of the lowering shown, the distance A2 is particularly greater than the distance A1 when the first subarea 21 - 1 is not lowered.

[0133] This change in distance A is compensated, for example, by the loading device 22 , wherein the transfer unit 26 is moved into a position further to the left, corresponding to the pick-up position 24 .

[0134] According to an alternative embodiment, the distance A can be compensated by the transport device 21 itself in that the pick-up position 24 is moved to the right relative to the conveyor belt of the transport device 21. This means in particular that Figure 3A Compared to the embodiment of the transport device 21 shown in FIG. 1 , the stackable layer 30 or the single-piece layer 31 is located further to the right relative to the first partition 21 - 1 . Figure 3BThe conveyor belt of the conveyor device 21 is shown stopped. The palletizable layer 30 or the individual layers 31 can now be picked up in the conventional manner by the transfer unit 26 of the loading device 22 without the movement profile of the transport unit 26 having to be adjusted accordingly.

[0135] The adjustment of the distance change between the transport device 21 and the loading device 22 described here is similar to Figure 2A and Figure 2B The implementation is similar to and applicable to the following description Figure 4A and Figure 4B .

[0136] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A third embodiment of a palletizing device 20 of the present invention is shown in a schematic side view.

[0137] In particular, the discussion here is about Figure 2A and Figure 2B or Figure 3A and Figure 3B For the differences between the illustrated embodiments, reference is made here to their description.

[0138] In this embodiment, only the first section 21-1 of the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11 is height-adjusted, for example, by adjusting the motor of the threaded spindle 38, or similarly Figure 2A and Figure 2B The embodiment is realized by a hydraulic cylinder 35 or a pneumatic cylinder 36.

[0139] In this case, regulation is carried out in particular in continuous operation, during which the first partition 21 - 1 is repeatedly brought to the height of the second partition 21 - 2 in order to transfer the palletizable layer 30 or the single piece layer 31 fed through the second partition 21 - 2 to the first partition 21 - 1 and thus to the pick-up position 24 or the compacting area 15 .

[0140] In all the embodiments described, the height H24 of the pick-up location 24 for the palletizable layer 30 or the layer 31 of individual loads can therefore be adjusted depending on the height H25 of the depositing location 25 .

[0141] A particular advantage is that the required lifting stroke of the transfer unit 26 of the loading device 22 and the movement time of the transfer unit 26 are reduced, which increases the throughput of the palletizing device 20 .

[0142] Another advantage is that maintenance of the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11 is simplified. For repair and / or maintenance work, at least the section of the transport device 21 including the pick-up position 24 can be moved into a lower position with a lower height H24, so that the necessary repair and / or maintenance work can be carried out at a comfortable working height for the operator.

[0143] For example, in the event of a malfunction during production operation (e.g. due to the tipping over of a piece of goods within a palletizable layer 30 or a piece of goods layer 31), it is also easier for the operator to intervene in the transport device 21 moved into the lower position in order to re-erect the tipped-over piece of goods, remove the defective palletizable layer 30 or piece of goods layer 31, or the like.

[0144] In such Figure 1 In all embodiments up to and including FIG. 4 , the transfer unit 26 can be arranged flush behind the grouping station 11 for receiving the individual layers of goods, i.e. approximately at the height of the transport device 21 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3 and approximately at the position of the loading device 22 or the lifting column 28 as viewed in the horizontal direction. In particular, the transfer unit 26 can be arranged at a minimum below the height of the transport device 21 in order to improve the transition.

[0145] Figure 5 A further embodiment of a palletizing device 20 according to the invention is shown in a perspective side view, comprising a grouping station 11 , which includes a transport device 21 and a height-adjustable compacting area 15 , a loading device 22 and a depositing location 23 .

[0146] With regard to unmentioned reference numerals, reference is made to the description of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4 .

[0147] The grouping station 11 comprises two manipulators 13 arranged one after the other in the transport direction TR, for example gantry robots or tripods 14 or the like. The manipulators 13 are designed to pick up the individual pieces individually or in groups and to bring them to a specific position according to a layer scheme set for the individual piece layers. In this case, the individual pieces can be lifted and / or moved and / or twisted.

[0148] In this case, the individual pieces are moved, in particular, at a higher speed than the speed of the transport device 21 of the grouping station 11. When the individual pieces are moved, they can be aligned with the inlet direction or transport direction TR of the individual pieces into the grouping station 11. Furthermore, in this case, the individual pieces can also be additionally moved laterally relative to the inlet direction or transport direction.

[0149] In particular, the following solution can be adopted: the two manipulators 13 cooperate together to form a single piece of goods layer. As an alternative, the two manipulators 13 can grab single pieces of goods from different feed rows, and each manipulator 13 creates its own single piece of goods layer.

[0150] In this embodiment, the grouping station 11 includes a compacting area 15, which is designed as an independent conveying area. Figure 4A and Figure 4B The implementation described in is similar.

[0151] The height of the compacting region 15 can be adjusted, for example, by means of a suitable control device 45. In this case, the adjustment can be carried out according to a program provided in the control device 45.

[0152] The control device 45 can be constructed as a control device 46 corresponding only to the palletizing device 20. As an alternative, the control can be performed by an equipment control system 47, which controls the entire beverage packaging device 1 (see Figure 1 ) or at least control components of the beverage packaging equipment 1.

[0153] Furthermore, the palletizing device 20 can include at least one sensor 50 which detects the height H25 (see FIG. 2 ) of the stack of palletizable layers 30 or individual layers 31 at the stacking location 25 and transmits this information to the control device 45 which then sets the appropriate height H24 (see FIG. 2 ) of the compacting area 15 .

[0154] To this end, the control device 45 controls a suitable adjustment device 52 corresponding to the compaction area 15, which is composed of, for example, the aforementioned hydraulic cylinder or pneumatic cylinder (see Figure 2A and Figure 2B ) or by motor adjustment via a threaded spindle (see Figure 3A and Figure 3B as well as Figure 4A as well as Figure 4B )constitute.

[0155] The loading or conveying device 22 is equipped, for example, with a shutter-type gripper 16, which is used to grip the individual layers in the compacting area 15 and to deposit the individual layers on a depositing location 25 located on the depositing location 23. In addition, an intermediate layer gripper 17 is assigned to the depositing location 23. This intermediate layer gripper is designed to take a flat intermediate layer from a reserve (not shown) and, after depositing the individual layers in the depositing location 25, to arrange the intermediate layer on the individual layers, so that the individual layers stacked one above the other are separated from one another by the intermediate layer which serves a protective and / or stabilizing function.

[0156] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the palletizing device 20 of the present invention is shown in a schematic side view. Figure 5 For the differences between the illustrated embodiments, reference is made here to their description.

[0157] Here, the palletizable piece layer 31 is pushed from the first section 21-1 into the transfer unit 26 of the loading device 22. That is, the pick-up position 24 for the piece layer 31 is not located in the first section 21-1, but is arranged flush downstream of the first section 21-1 in the transport direction TR.

[0158] Generally speaking, the pick-up position 24 is located in the region of the first partition 21-1 or in the vicinity of the first partition 21-1. Figure 5 implementation method.

[0159] The transfer unit 26 can, for example, have a support surface on which the piece layer 31 lies during transport to the stack.

[0160] In this embodiment, the transfer unit 26 may include at least one transport member for moving the single cargo layer 31 relative to the carrier of the transfer unit 26. The transport member may include, for example, a slider and / or a conveyor belt. In the case of a conveyor belt, the support surface is equivalent to the transport member or a component thereof.

[0161] For example, the clamp of the conveying unit 26 can be positioned behind the single-piece cargo layer 31, and the single-piece cargo layer 31 can be horizontally "pulled into" the conveying unit, or a slider arranged on the grouping station 11 can push the single-piece cargo layer 31 horizontally into the conveying station 26, or the single-piece cargo layer 31 can be accelerated in a certain way by the conveyor of the grouping station 11 so that it stops again in the conveying unit 26.

[0162] At this point, a final indication is given regarding the description of the implementation variants of the utility model, wherein these description paragraphs refer to the attached drawings, respectively. When "schematic" figures and views are generally mentioned in the context of the figures and their descriptions, this does not mean that the illustrations and their descriptions are considered subordinate in the disclosure of the utility model. A person skilled in the art is fully capable of obtaining sufficient information from the schematic and abstractly drawn illustrations to simplify his understanding of the utility model without being affected in any way in the understanding, for example, because of the dimensional relationships drawn and possibly not completely to scale. Therefore, these drawings enable a person skilled in the art as a reader to better understand the idea of ​​the utility model presented in a more general and / or more abstract manner in the general part of the description with the help of the described method and the functional principle of the specific explanation of the device according to the utility model.

[0163] List of reference numbers

[0164] 1 Beverage packaging equipment

[0165] 2 wet part

[0166] 3 Stretch Blow Molding Module

[0167] 4 Filling module

[0168] 5. Pasteurizer

[0169] 6 Labeling module

[0170] 7 Shunt Module

[0171] 8 Thin film encapsulation module

[0172] 9 Contraction Channel

[0173] 10 Shrink module

[0174] 11 Group workstations

[0175] 12-door robot

[0176] 15 Compacted Area

[0177] 16 Shutter Type Grab Head

[0178] 17 Intermediate layer gripper

[0179] 20 Palletizing device

[0180] 21 Transport device

[0181] 21-1 First Division

[0182] 21-2 Second Division

[0183] 21-3 Third Division

[0184] 22 Loading device

[0185] 23 Stacking location

[0186] 24 Pickup location

[0187] 25 Stacking position

[0188] 26 Transmission Unit

[0189] 27 Crossbar

[0190] 28 Lifting Columns

[0191] 29 Pallets

[0192] 30 palletizable layers

[0193] 31 Single cargo layer

[0194] 32 Single piece of cargo

[0195] 35 Hydraulic Cylinder

[0196] 36 Cylinders

[0197] 37 Electric Motor

[0198] 38 threaded spindle

[0199] 39 Connectors

[0200] 40 Rollers / Wheels

[0201] 45 Control Device

[0202] 46 Control device corresponding to the palletizing device

[0203] 47 Equipment control system

[0204] 50 Sensors

[0205] 52 Adjustment device

[0206] 60 Can and / or bottle ejectors

[0207] A Distance between transport unit and loading unit

[0208] A1 Distance of the first zone without descending

[0209] A2 Distance of the first division when descending

[0210] H Height difference

[0211] H24, H24-1, H24-2 Height of the pick-up position

[0212] H25, H25-1, H25-2 Height of stacking position.

Claims

1. A palletizing device (20) for a single cargo layer (31), comprising a grouping station (11), a loading station (22) and a stacking location (23), -in, The grouping station (11) is configured to form a stackable single-piece cargo layer (31) with a plurality of single-piece cargoes, and -in, The grouping station (11) comprises a transport device (21) having a transport surface for the individual pieces of cargo (32). - wherein the loading station (22) is configured to receive a complete single-piece layer (31) from the grouping station (11) and to stack the complete single-piece layer (31) on a stacking position (25) located on the stacking location (23), and - wherein the grouping station (11) is at least partially designed to be height-adjustable.

2. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 1, wherein: The transport device (21) of the grouping station (11) is at least partially designed to be height-adjustable.

3. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 1, wherein: The grouping station (11) comprises a compacting area (15), wherein at least the compacting area (15) is designed to be height-adjustable.

4. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 3, wherein: The compacting region (15) is designed to bring together and / or compact the individual pieces (32) combined to form a complete individual piece layer (31) against each other in the transport direction (TR) and / or perpendicularly to the transport direction (TR).

5. The palletizing device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The height (H24) of the height-adjustable area of ​​the grouping station (11) is adjustable according to the height (H25) of the stacking position (25) on the stacking location (23).

6. The palletizing device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a control device, The control device includes information about the formation of a stack with stackable individual layers (31), and The control device is configured to control at least one adjusting device according to information stored in the control device, the adjusting device being used to adjust the height of the height-adjustable area of ​​the grouping station (11), or in, The palletizing device (20) comprises at least one sensor, which is designed to detect data about the height of the stack of individual layers (31) of goods produced at the stacking location (23) and transmit them to the control device, wherein the control device is designed to control at least one adjusting device based on the data determined by the sensor, and the adjusting device is used to adjust the height of the height-adjustable area of ​​the grouping station (11).

7. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 6, wherein: The at least one adjusting device is designed as a hydraulic cylinder (35), as a pneumatic cylinder (36), or as a motor-driven threaded spindle (38).

8. The palletizing device (20) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein: The transport device (21) of the grouping station (11) has at least two adjustable partitions (21-1, 21-2).

9. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 6, wherein: The transport device (21) of the grouping station (11) has at least two adjustable partitions (21-1, 21-2).

10. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 8, wherein: The transport device (21) of the grouping station (11) comprises a first partition (21-1) and a second partition (21-2) which plays a compensating role, wherein the first partition comprises a height-adjustable area of ​​the grouping station (11).

11. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 8, wherein: The transport device (21) of the grouping station (11) has a first partition (21-1) and a second partition (21-2) that plays a compensating role, wherein the first partition includes the height-adjustable compacting area (15).

12. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 8, wherein: The compensating second subarea (21-2) is arranged in at least one working position at an angle greater than 1° and less than 89° relative to the horizontal plane.

13. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 12, wherein: The compensating second subarea (21-2) forms a transport surface for the piece of goods (32) and / or the piece of goods layer (31), which has a positive or negative slope in the transport direction (TR).

14. The palletizing device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The grouping station (11) comprises a third subarea (21-3) arranged at a fixed height, wherein a continuous transport surface is continuously provided from the third subarea to a pick-up position (24).

15. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 6, wherein: The grouping station (11) comprises a third subarea (21-3) arranged at a fixed height, wherein a continuous transport surface is continuously provided from the third subarea to a pick-up position (24).

16. The palletizing device (20) according to claim 8, wherein: The grouping station (11) comprises a third subarea (21-3) arranged at a fixed height, wherein a continuous transport surface is continuously provided from the third subarea to a pick-up position (24).

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