Tray disassembly and assembly station for outer package and packaging system

Abstract

A tray disassembly station (1) for an outer package and a packaging system are disclosed. The pallet station (1) forms a physically defined hazardous area (6) and comprises at least one robot (15) arranged in the physically defined hazardous area (6) and at least one horizontal conveying device (20) entering the physically defined hazardous area (6) in sections. According to the invention, at least one manipulator (15) is formed on a portion (26) of the at least one horizontal conveying device (20) that enters the hazardous area (6) for removing the outer packages from the trays (5) and positioning the outer packages removed from the trays (5), in addition, the hazardous area (6) is physically defined such that at least two trays (5) on which the outer packages are stacked can be positioned together in the hazardous area (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a tray splitting station for outer packaging and a packaging system with the tray splitting station. Background Art

[0002] For the processing, assembly, grouping and packaging of items such as beverage containers, there are various different packaging types. For example, the PET containers currently used as beverage containers have relatively low wall thickness and are not completely stable in shape even in the filled state. Therefore, in order to better deal with logistics problems, the most diverse packaging is used as individual packaging. For example, the containers can be placed in a grouped arrangement on a cardboard arch with the edges folded upwards. This is also called a pallet. In addition, known embodiments include, for example, containers placed in a grouped arrangement on a cardboard arch, which forms a flat upright area for each container and has no edges that must or can be folded upwards. These cardboard arches or packaging are called pads.

[0003] There are also known packages which are cardboard boxes that can be closed on all sides to receive several transport items. In order to be able to arrange a specific package, called an outer package, on a specific container as quickly as possible, devices are known which can place the specific container on the package or on a mat or pallet, or can combine the specific package with the specific item in another way.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2014 112 341 A1 discloses such a device. The packaging device disclosed herein has a horizontal conveying device on which the container groups are formed. In addition, the packaging device comprises a carton feeder for providing carton packages. The carton packages are provided by the carton feeder so that a group of containers can be moved on the corresponding carton packages and then stand upright on the corresponding carton packages.

[0005] The various cardboard box packages supplied to such an apparatus are in fact first arranged in a stack on a respective pallet, from which they can be removed by a pallet splitter and then transported by a horizontal conveyor device to a packaging device, where they are used to package the articles in the manner described. When all outer packages have been removed from a respective pallet by the pallet splitter, the respective pallet is removed from the pallet splitter and replaced by a new pallet on which other outer packages are stacked. This is done manually in practice and requires a corresponding amount of time, during which no outer packages can be removed from the pallet. In order to ensure that the packaging device has an adequate supply of outer packages, the packaging device already has a buffer system, which requires greater space, which is usually not available. Utility Model Content

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a possibility to ensure that the required number of outer packagings of a group of packaging objects is continuously provided to a packaging device even under small space conditions.

[0007] The utility model relates to a pallet splitting station for outer packaging. The outer packaging can be a folded cardboard box. For example, the outer packaging can also be a folded blank of a packaging material, which has a joint for vertical transfer, called a pallet. The outer packaging can also be formed by a flat packaging blank without a joint, which forms a flat upright surface for each plurality of articles. Another example of such an outer packaging is a so-called packaging box. Such a cardboard box outer packaging can be unfolded or pre-folded.

[0008] The pallet unpacking station forms a physically defined danger zone and comprises at least one manipulator arranged in the physically defined danger zone. For example, in this case, the pallet unpacking station may have several walls that physically define the danger zone and define a safe space. Here, in various embodiments, the safe space may have a passage that can only be opened under predetermined conditions. For example, the passage may be a safety door equipped with one of the walls of the aforementioned pallet unpacking station that physically define the danger zone and define the safe space.

[0009] Embodiments have demonstrated that the pallet unbundling station comprises a robot precisely arranged in a physically defined danger zone. However, it is also conceivable that the pallet unbundling station comprises more than one robot, and for example, exactly two robots or exactly three robots, which are arranged in a physically defined danger zone.

[0010] Furthermore, the pallet deconsolidation station comprises at least one horizontal conveying device which enters the physically defined danger zone in sections. In this case, it can be that one of the walls of the pallet deconsolidation station already mentioned above for physically defining the danger zone and defining the safety space comprises an opening through which at least one horizontal conveying device enters the physically defined danger zone or the safety space. Thus, one part of at least one horizontal conveying device can be located inside the physically defined danger zone or in the safety space, while another part of at least one horizontal conveying device can be located outside the danger zone or outside the safety space.

[0011] At least one or exactly one or exactly two or exactly three manipulators are provided for removing outer packaging from a pallet and positioning the outer packaging removed from a pallet on a portion of at least one horizontal conveying device that enters a hazardous area or a safe space. The pallet splitter may include a control device, which is connected to the at least one manipulator and by which the at least one manipulator or exactly one manipulator or exactly two or exactly three manipulators can be controlled for removing outer packaging from a pallet and positioning the outer packaging removed from a pallet on a portion of at least one horizontal conveying device that enters a hazardous area or a safe space.

[0012] At the pallet depalletizing station, the danger zone is physically defined so that at least two pallets with outer packaging stacked thereon can be positioned together in the danger zone. Thus, it can be that the plurality of walls already mentioned above define such a safety space so that at least two pallets with outer packaging stacked thereon can be positioned together in the safety space.

[0013] If a pallet is involved in this patent application, it can be a Euro pallet, which preferably has a length of about 1200 mm, a width of about 800 mm, and a height of about 144 mm. Alternatively, the concept of a pallet can be understood as an industrial pallet, which preferably has a length of 1000 mm, a width of 1200 mm, and a height of 144 mm.

[0014] However, the term pallet is used in this context in a comprehensive and wide sense and should therefore include all carriers used for stacking of outer packaging. If only the stack of outer packaging is transported without the associated carrier, i.e. no carrier is added to the outer packaging, then the bottom outer packaging can be considered as a pallet. In this case, this bottom outer packaging does not need to be transported and the transporter of the (timber) pallet can therefore be omitted.

[0015] By positioning at least two pallets with outer packaging stacked thereon together in the danger zone, it is possible to quickly and simply switch to one of the two pallets and to remove outer packaging from one pallet when the outer packaging stock of the pallet is exhausted. It is not necessary to first remove the corresponding empty pallet from the danger zone and replace it with a new pallet with outer packaging stacked thereon. It can thus be ensured that the packaging device is always able to provide sufficient outer packaging even if the outer packaging stock of a pallet should be exhausted at a certain time. Buffer routes, which usually require a lot of space, can be completely abandoned or buffer routes with reduced dimensions can be designed.

[0016] Another advantage is that when switching from one overpack format to another, fewer (now no longer required) overpacks need to be put back on the pallet if this is necessary due to the start and subsequent interruption of the transport process.

[0017] Preferably, the manipulator or its controller is configured so that different outer packaging formats can be grabbed, picked up or transported by the manipulator. In this way, fast conversion is guaranteed, so that, for example, after grabbing an outer packaging of one format, an outer packaging of another format can be picked up immediately.

[0018] Then, another advantage might be that when conversion to a different format is required, there are fewer or no buffering routes to consider or provide.

[0019] It is also conceivable that two pure-product pallets of different formats are arranged simultaneously in the danger zone.

[0020] In various embodiments, at least one robot can be configured and arranged so that all outer packaging can be removed from one of at least two pallets positioned in the hazardous area by the at least one robot, and all outer packaging can be removed from another of the at least two pallets positioned in the hazardous area by the at least one robot without interruption.

[0021] The pallet unpacking station may include at least one sensor device and a control device, wherein at least one robot and at least one sensor device are connected to the control device. The control device may be configured to detect whether the outer packaging inventory of the corresponding pallet is exhausted through the at least one sensor device. In addition, the control device may be configured to automatically control at least one robot to remove the outer packaging from the pallet on which the outer packaging is stacked, until the at least one robot removes the outer packaging therein, when the outer packaging inventory of the pallet is exhausted is detected through the at least one sensor device.

[0022] The at least one manipulator may be at least one portal system having at least one gripping head configured to grip a plurality of outer packagings, respectively, the gripping head configured to move back and forth between at least two pallets positioned in the hazardous area. The gripping head may be configured to grip a plurality of outer packagings at a time. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one gripping head may be configured to be liftable toward at least two pallets positioned in the hazardous area.

[0023] In this context, when a manipulator is mentioned, it usually refers to a robot, or it can also be the gripping and moving part of a robot. For example, such a robot can be an articulated arm robot with articulated arms that can move relative to each other in multiple axes. For example, the robot can be a gantry robot with a manipulator suspended in three directions, or it can be a parallel kinematic robot.

[0024] Furthermore, the pallet depalletizing station may comprise at least one further horizontal conveying device extending through the danger zone and forming a first section, a second section and a third section, wherein the second section is connected to the first section in the transport direction of the at least one further horizontal conveying device, and wherein the third section is connected to the second section in the transport direction of the at least one further horizontal conveying device. The transport direction of the at least one further horizontal conveying device and the transport direction of the at least one horizontal conveying device may extend perpendicularly to each other, the horizontal conveying devices entering the physically defined danger zone already mentioned above in sections.

[0025] For at least one further horizontal conveyor, a first portion may be located outside the physically defined danger zone and have the capability to receive at least one pallet with outer packaging stacked thereon. In addition, a second portion may be located within the danger zone and have the capability to receive at least two pallets with outer packaging stacked thereon. In addition, a third portion may be located outside the danger zone and configured to remove an empty pallet from the danger zone, wherein all outer packaging is removed from the empty pallet by at least one robot.

[0026] Furthermore, embodiments have proven that in the region of the first part, in the region of the second part and / or in the region of the third part, at least one further horizontal conveying device is designed as a roller conveyor. For example, in the region of the first part, in the region of the second part and / or in the region of the third part, at least one further horizontal conveying device can include a continuously driven conveyor belt.

[0027] Furthermore, embodiments have also been demonstrated in which the at least one further horizontal conveying device is configured to rotate the pallet around a vertically oriented axis at a rotation angle of 90° or a multiple of 90°. If the at least one further horizontal conveying device according to the above-described embodiments comprises a first part, a second part and a third part, the at least one further horizontal conveying device can be formed in the region of the first part for rotating the pallet around a vertically oriented axis at a rotation angle of 90° or a multiple of 90°.

[0028] In addition, the pallet decommissioning station may include at least one driverless transport vehicle configured to transport the pallet with the outer packaging stacked thereon to the first portion of at least one further horizontal conveying device. In these embodiments, the pallet decommissioning station may include at least one ramp that allows at least one driverless transport vehicle to enter the first portion of at least one further horizontal conveying device to transfer the pallet with the outer packaging stacked thereon.

[0029] In various embodiments, the pallet depalletizing station may include at least one driverless transport vehicle for transporting pallets with outer packaging stacked thereon, wherein the physically defined danger zone has a passage. In addition, at least one control device and at least one sensor device may be provided, by means of which at least one sensor device the at least one driverless transport vehicle can be identified from the control device, wherein the control device for responding to the identification of at least one driverless transport vehicle is configured to open a passage for the at least one driverless transport vehicle by means of the at least one sensor device.

[0030] In particular, according to the disclosure of EP 3 467 601 A2, an unmanned transport vehicle can be identified and the passage opened, the disclosure of which is included in the present application so that protection can be sought for the features disclosed in EP 3 467 601 A2. This applies both to the embodiment of the pallet depalletizing station described above and to the embodiment of the packaging system described below.

[0031] The utility model also relates to a packaging system, which comprises a pallet splitting station according to the above-mentioned embodiment. The packaging system also comprises a packaging device for packaging a plurality of articles with corresponding outer packaging, wherein the packaging device can provide the outer packaging through at least one horizontal conveying device of the pallet splitting station.

[0032] The packaging device may comprise a feed device, through which the outer packaging can be introduced into the transport path of the objects, so that a plurality of objects arrives at a corresponding outer packaging each time.

[0033] The packaging system may further comprise a filling device for the containers to be packaged.

[0034] Furthermore, the packaging system can comprise a tray stacker for the packages or packaging units produced and provided by the packaging device.

[0035] The utility model also relates to a system for providing outer packaging, which comprises at least one horizontal conveying device and at least one unmanned transport vehicle. The at least one unmanned transport vehicle is configured to receive at least one outer packaging stack. A part of the system also includes a ramp, which is configured so that the at least one unmanned transport vehicle can drive through the ramp to a defined height level, and the defined height level is adjusted to transfer the received outer packaging stack to the at least one horizontal conveying device.

[0036] At least one driverless transport vehicle may include a slide that is movable to transfer the received outer packaging stack to at least one horizontal conveyor. Alternatively or additionally, at least one driverless transport vehicle may include a flap that forms an upright area for the respective outer packaging stack and can be pivoted about a horizontally oriented axis.

[0037] A method for handling outer packs is further described, wherein outer packs are picked up by a robot, removed from a tray and conveyed to a feed device of a packaging device, wherein, in the case of a format change, at least one outer pack conveyed to the feed device is picked up again and placed on the tray.

[0038] The robot preferably releases the outer package when it is conveyed to the infeed device.

[0039] The concept of conveying usually refers to placing on or into the feed device, respectively.

[0040] Preferably, the sensor device is arranged to detect the number of containers to be packaged. By means of the number of gripped containers, the controller can calculate how many outer packagings are still needed and calculate the remaining amount on the feed device determined thereby.

[0041] Preferably, the feeding device can transport the outer packaging back to the robot. That is to say, it can operate in both directions.

[0042] In particular, the robot can transfer the outer packaging back onto the pallet or onto the stack which is still on the pallet.

[0043] A pallet unpacking station can also be a pallet stacking station.

[0044] In particular, the horizontal conveying device and / or the robot are arranged so that the robot can grab the outer packaging from the horizontal conveying device.

[0045] For this purpose, for example, the horizontal conveyor can have one or more gaps, through which the robot can pass gripping fingers in order to be able to grip the outer packaging from the bottom. The horizontal conveyor can include a roller conveyor with rotatable but fixedly arranged rollers, between which the robot can grip. Alternatively, the horizontal conveyor can convey the outer packaging to its end, at which a part of the outer packaging protrudes.

[0046] This is particularly the case in the case of format changeovers, for example where containers are packaged at least intermittently between two production stages in outer packaging of a different size or type, the outer packaging being returned to the pallet.

[0047] The return and pallet stacking of the separated outer packaging can also be an independent utility model, which can be described as follows:

[0048] A pallet stacking and pallet splitting station for splitting outer packaging, comprising a robot with a gripping area and at least one horizontal conveying device that enters the gripping area in sections, wherein at least one robot is configured to remove outer packaging from a pallet and position the outer packaging removed from the pallet on a portion of at least one horizontal conveying device that enters the gripping area, and is characterized in that the robot intermittently stacks the outer packaging and intermittently splits the outer packaging.

[0049] The gripping area corresponds to the area in which the manipulator can manipulate objects. In particular, the manipulator is arranged in a fixed manner. In particular, the manipulator is a robot, in particular a robot that can pivot its tool about one or more axes and move it linearly. Alternatively, it can also be a bending arm robot or a tripod, for example. In particular, the pallet stacking of the outer packaging takes place simultaneously or shortly after the return of the outer packaging.

[0050] As an alternative to a blank, the outer packaging can also be a film roll for producing a shrink film or stretch film binding.

[0051] The method may be performed on the device shown.

[0052] A format change does not necessarily mean a change in the goods to be packaged (preferably beverage containers); it is also possible for only the quantity of goods to be packaged to be changed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] 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.

[0054] Figure 1 Schematic diagrams showing an embodiment of a tray decomposing station according to the present invention and an embodiment of a packaging system according to the present invention.

[0055] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a tray decomposing station according to the present invention and an embodiment of a packaging system according to the present invention is shown.

[0056] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Various aspects are shown which may be provided in various embodiments of a tray depalletizing station according to the invention and in various embodiments of a packaging system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] 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 figure are depicted in a single figure. The embodiments shown are merely examples of the design scheme of the present invention and do not represent conclusive limitations.

[0058] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a pallet splitting station 1 according to the present invention and an embodiment of a packaging system 10 according to the present invention is shown. The pallet splitting station 1 is part of the packaging system 10 and comprises a physically defined danger zone 6, in which a manipulator 15 is arranged, and the manipulator 15 is a portal system 17. The physical definition of the danger zone 6 is formed by a plurality of walls 8 of the pallet splitting station 1, which together form a safety space 18, and the danger zone 6 is located in the safety space 18.

[0059] In order to be able to exclude injuries to persons during the operation of the pallet deconsolidation station 1, a danger zone 6 is physically defined in the pallet deconsolidation station 1, so that a user cannot come into contact with moving parts when the pallet deconsolidation station 1 is in operation. Thus, when the pallet deconsolidation station 1 is in operation, the safety space 15 is closed and can only be entered under defined conditions, for example when the manipulator 15 has stopped operating. In order to be able to enter the safety space 15, the safety space 15 has a safety door formed by one of the walls 8 and is not shown in the present invention.

[0060] In the hazardous area 6 there is a removal area 7 in which exactly two pallets 5 are placed, on each of which an outer packaging stack 3 is placed. The working area of ​​the robot 15 extends over the entire receiving area 7, so that the robot 15 can access the two outer packaging stacks 3 located in the receiving area 7, which are located on the two pallets 5 located in the receiving area 7. The robot 15 therefore removes the outer packaging from the corresponding pallets 5 and then positions these outer packaging on the part 26 of the horizontal conveying device 20, which is a roller conveyor 24, that enters the hazardous area 6 or the safety space 18.

[0061] In order to remove the entire outer packaging stack 3 from the corresponding pallet 5, the robot 15 gradually removes a corresponding proportion of outer packaging from the corresponding outer packaging stack 3, and then transports the removed outer packaging to the part 26 of the horizontal conveying device 20 that enters the safe space 18 until all outer packaging are removed from the corresponding pallet 5.

[0062] The transport direction of the horizontal conveyor 20 or the roller conveyor 24 is as follows: Figure 1From the horizontal conveying device 20, the outer packages arrive at a separation station 25, which separates the still overlapping outer packages and conveys them individually to a packaging device 30. The packaging device 30 comprises a transport route for the objects. In addition, the packaging device 30 comprises a feed device for the outer packages. The feed device is configured so that the outer packages enter the transport route for the objects from a position below the transport level provided for moving the objects, wherein several objects on each transport route travel toward the outer packages and then stand upright on the corresponding outer packages.

[0063] For example, the outer packaging may be a tray having a plurality of tabs which fold upwards during further movement of the articles.

[0064] Alternatively, the separation station 25 can also be arranged below the packaging device.

[0065] In order to be able to package the articles as uninterruptedly as possible by the packaging device 30, it is necessary to provide a sufficient number of outer packagings to the packaging device 30 at any time. This function can be achieved by the tray deconsolidation station 1.

[0066] In order to be able to provide the packaging device with sufficient outer packaging at any time, the pallet unpacking station 1 comprises a robot 15 which is connected to a control device S. The control device S can control the robot 15 to remove the outer packaging from the pallets 5. When the pallet unpacking station 1 is operated, the robot 15 is operated by the control device S so that the robot 15 first removes the outer packaging from one of the two pallets 5 until there are no more outer packagings on this pallet 5 or until the entire stack of outer packaging 3 has been removed from this pallet 5. Immediately thereafter, the robot 15 is operated by the control device S so that the robot 15 removes the outer packaging from the other pallet 5, which still has a stack of outer packaging 3, and transfers the outer packaging to a section 26 of the horizontal conveyor 20, which enters the danger zone 16.

[0067] Depending on the corresponding safety measures of the safety space 18, the empty pallet 5 can be replaced very quickly, with the robot 15 only stopping operation briefly, or even during operation of the robot 15, if the replacement of the empty pallet 5 for a new pallet 5 with a stack of outer packaging 3 is automatic.

[0068] For the robot 15, since two pallets 5 each with one stack of outer packaging 3 can be positioned in the danger zone 16 at the pallet unloading station 1, it is possible to remove the outer packaging from the pallet 5 uninterruptedly or at least substantially uninterruptedly and separate the outer packaging on the section 26 of the horizontal conveyor 20, which then moves the outer packaging further to the separation station 25 and the packaging device 30. As a result, the packaging device 30 can be continuously supplied with the corresponding number of outer packagings it needs in the uninterrupted article packaging process. Therefore, a buffer route with extensive dimensions is not required for an adequate supply of outer packaging to the packaging device 1.

[0069] like Figure 1 As shown, the danger zone 6 physically defined above the wall 8 has suitable dimensions, wherein in the danger zone 6, two pallets 5 each with a stack 5 thereon can be placed on the outer packaging 3. In a further embodiment, the danger zone 6 physically defined above the wall 8 can also have suitable dimensions, wherein more than two pallets 5 can be arranged in the danger zone 6 or the receiving area 7.

[0070] Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows another embodiment of a tray splitting station 1 according to the present invention and a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a packaging system 10 according to the present invention. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the tray unpacking station 1 is also configured as part of the packaging system 10. Figure 1 The embodiments described in Figure 2 The pallet depalletizing station 1 of the embodiment further comprises a robot 15 which is configured as a portal system 17 .

[0071] Furthermore, the horizontal conveyor 20 continues to protrude into the danger zone 6 through the section 26, wherein the robot 15 positions the outer package on the section 26 of the horizontal conveyor 20, and then the horizontal conveyor 20 further moves the outer package to the separation station 25. Figure 2 In the embodiment, another horizontal conveying device 12 of the pallet depalletizing station 1 is configured as a receiving area 7 in which a robot 15 takes the outer packaging from the corresponding pallet 5. The other horizontal conveying device 12 is also a roller conveyor 14.

[0072] like Figure 2 As shown, another horizontal conveying device 12 extends through the danger zone 6 and includes a first portion 46, a second portion 47 and a third portion 48. The second portion 47 is located between the first portion 46 and the third portion 48. In addition, the second portion 47 is located in the danger zone 6, while the first portion 46 and the third portion 48 are located outside the danger zone 6.

[0073] The robot 15 can continue to Figure 2The receiving area 7, which is formed by the second part 47 of the further horizontal conveyor 12 in the embodiment shown, receives the outer packs. Here, the respective stack of outer packs 3 is received by the respective pallet 5 located in the receiving area 7. In addition, the receiving area 7 or the second part 47 of the further horizontal conveyor 12 has such dimensions that two pallets 5 can be arranged together in the receiving area 7.

[0074] The robot 15 removes outer packaging from one of the two pallets 5 until the outer packaging stock of this pallet 5 is exhausted. The robot 15 then switches to the other pallet 5, which also has a stack of outer packaging 3, and removes outer packaging from this other pallet 5. The other horizontal conveyor 12 is then driven briefly, so that the two empty pallets 5 leave the danger zone 6, and the other two pallets 5, each with a new stack of outer packaging 3, enter the danger zone 6 together. Therefore, it is not necessary to enter the danger zone 6, so that the robot 15 can always be provided with a pallet 5 with a stack of outer packaging 3, respectively.

[0075] By first enabling the robot 15 to completely empty two pallets 5 until the robot 15 needs a new pallet with a new outer pack stack 3, the robot 15 or the pallet unpacking station 1 can respectively provide very long outer packs until a short interruption is required. Since there are already new pallets 5 with outer pack stacks 3 respectively on them in the first part 46 of the further horizontal conveyor 12, which are moved to the danger zone 6 by a short drive of the further horizontal conveyor 12, the interruption only takes a short time.

[0076] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the packaging device 30 can also be continuously supplied with a corresponding number of outer packages required for the continuous operation of the packaging device 30. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, no buffer path of large dimensions is required to ensure uninterrupted operation of the packaging device 30 either.

[0077] For example, a new tray 5 with a stack of outer packages 3 can be supplied to the first part 46 of the other horizontal conveyor 12 by the user positioning the corresponding new tray 5 with the stack of outer packages 3 on the first part 46 of the other horizontal conveyor 12. In addition, as described below, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As described in the above, new pallets 5 with outer packaging stacks 3 respectively mounted thereon can be supplied to the first part 46 of another horizontal conveying device 12 by an unmanned transport vehicle 40, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0078] The horizontal conveyor 20 may be a roller conveyor, at least in the end section 26, from which, as described, the robot 15 can grab the outer packages and stack them back on the pallet 5. In this embodiment not shown, no machine protection or wall 8 may be used. Then, for example, the robot 15 may be a Cobot.

[0079] also, Figure 3 and Figure 4 Various aspects are shown which may be provided in various embodiments of a tray depalletizing station 1 according to the invention and in various embodiments of a packaging system 10 according to the invention.

[0080] The pallet deconsolidation station 1 and the packaging system 10 can each have an unmanned transport vehicle 40 or FTS, which is a ground transport device with its own travel drive with automatic control and non-contact guidance. For example, an inductive guide line along which the unmanned transport vehicle 40 moves can be provided.

[0081] Figure 3 The driverless transport vehicle 40 shown takes a pallet 5 with a stack of outer packaging 3 respectively placed thereon from a warehouse and then moves together with the pallet 5 and the stack of outer packaging 3 placed thereon to a first part 46 of another horizontal conveying device 12. For the sake of clarity, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The tray 5 is not shown in each of the figures. A ramp 42 is provided in the region of the first part 46 of the other horizontal conveying device 12 (see Figure 2 The driverless transport vehicle 40 moves onto the ramp 42 and thus reaches a height level HN which is suitable for transferring the pallets 5 , each of which has a stack of outer packaging 3 , to a first part 46 of a further horizontal conveying device 12 .

[0082] Part of the automated transport vehicle 40 is a stopper 41. After the automated transport vehicle 40 has reached the height level HN via the ramp 42, the stopper 41 moves in the horizontal direction, thereby pushing the pallet 5 together with the stack of outer packaging 3 to the first section 46 of the further horizontal conveyor 12. When the pallet 5 together with the stack of outer packaging 3 is transferred from the automated transport vehicle 40 to the first section 46, the automated transport vehicle 40 drives into the warehouse and takes out a new pallet 5 with another stack of outer packaging 3 thereon from the warehouse.

[0083] Figure 4 Various aspects that may be provided in various embodiments of the tray depalletizing station 1 according to the present invention and in various embodiments of the packaging system 10 according to the present invention are shown. Figure 4 In the figure, it can also be seen that an unmanned transport vehicle 40 carries an outer packaging stack 3 and drives onto a ramp 42 to transfer the outer packaging stack 3. Figure 3As described above, the driverless transport vehicle 40 thus reaches a height level HN which is suitable for transferring the pallets 5 , each of which has a stack of outer packaging 3 , to the first part 46 of the further horizontal conveying device 12 .

[0084] Figure 4 The driverless transport vehicle 40 in the embodiment comprises a flap 43 on which the pallet 5 and the stack of outer packaging 3 arranged thereon are positioned. In order to transfer the pallet 5 and the stack of outer packaging 3 arranged thereon to the first section 46 of the further horizontal conveyor 12, the driverless transport vehicle 40 moves downward along the ramp 42. At the same time, the flap 43 performs a pivoting movement. Thus, the pallet 5 with the stack of outer packaging 3 arranged thereon respectively remains at its previous height level HN until the pallet 5 with the stack of outer packaging 3 arranged thereon respectively is completely or at least approximately completely transferred to the first section 46 of the further horizontal conveyor 12.

[0085] List of reference numbers

[0086] 1 Pallet unpacking station

[0087] 3. Outer packaging stacking

[0088] 5 Pallets

[0089] 6 Danger Zone

[0090] 7 Receiving area

[0091] 8 walls

[0092] 10 Packaging system

[0093] 12 Another horizontal conveying device

[0094] 14 Roller conveyor

[0095] 15. Robot

[0096] 17 Door System

[0097] 18 Safe Space

[0098] 20 Horizontal conveyor

[0099] 24 Roller Conveyor

[0100] 25 Separation Station

[0101] 26 Part of the horizontal conveying device 20

[0102] 30 Packaging device

[0103] 40 Unmanned transport vehicles, FTS

[0104] 41 Stopper

[0105] 42 Ramp

[0106] 43 flaps

[0107] 46 Part 1

[0108] 47 Part 2

[0109] 48 Part 3

[0110] HN Height Level

[0111] S Controls

[0112] TR Transport direction.

Claims

1. A pallet unpacking station (1) for outer packaging, the pallet unpacking station forming a physically defined danger zone (6) and comprising at least one manipulator (15) arranged in the physically defined danger zone and at least one horizontal conveying device (20) entering the physically defined danger zone (6) in sections, wherein: The at least one robot (15) is formed on the part (26) of the at least one horizontal conveying device (20) entering the dangerous area (6), and is used to remove outer packaging from the pallet (5) and position the outer packaging removed from the pallet (5), characterized in that the dangerous area (6) is physically defined so that at least two pallets (5) with outer packaging stacked thereon can be positioned together in the dangerous area (6).

2. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one robot (15) is configured and arranged so that all outer packages can be removed from one of the at least two pallets (5) positioned in the hazardous area (6) by the at least one robot (15), and all outer packages can be removed from another of the at least two pallets (5) positioned in the hazardous area (6) without interruption by the at least one robot (15).

3. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one manipulator (15) is at least one portal system (17) having at least one gripping head formed for gripping a plurality of outer packagings respectively, the gripping head being formed to move back and forth between the at least two pallets (5) positioned in the hazardous area (6).

4. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The at least one manipulator (15) is at least one portal system (17) having at least one gripping head formed for gripping a plurality of outer packagings respectively, the gripping head being formed to move back and forth between the at least two pallets (5) positioned in the hazardous area (6).

5. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The pallet depalletizing station comprises at least one further horizontal conveying device (12) extending through the danger zone (6) and forming a first section (46), a second section (47) and a third section (48), wherein the second section (47) is connected to the first section (46) in the transport direction of the at least one further horizontal conveying device (12), and wherein the third section (48) is connected to the second section (47) in the transport direction of the at least one further horizontal conveying device (12), and wherein - said first portion (46) is located outside said physically defined danger zone (6) and has the capacity to receive at least one pallet (5) with outer packaging stacked thereon, and wherein, - the second part (47) is located within the hazardous area (6) and has the capacity to receive at least two pallets (5) with outer packaging stacked thereon, and wherein, The third section (48) is located outside the danger zone (6) and is configured to remove empty pallets (5) from the danger zone (6), wherein all outer packaging is removed from the empty pallets (5) by the at least one robot (15).

6. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: In the region of the first section (46), in the region of the second section (47) and / or in the region of the third section (48), the at least one further horizontal conveying device (12) is designed as a roller conveyor (14).

7. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The at least one further horizontal transport device (12) is designed to rotate the pallet (5) about a vertically oriented axis through a rotation angle of 90° or a multiple of 90°.

8. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The at least one further horizontal transport device (12) is designed to rotate the pallet (5) about a vertically oriented axis through a rotation angle of 90° or a multiple of 90°.

9. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pallet depalletizing station comprises at least one unmanned transport vehicle (40) which is configured to transport the pallet (5) with the outer packaging stacked thereon to the first part (46) of the at least one further horizontal conveying device (12).

10. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The pallet depalletizing station comprises at least one unmanned transport vehicle (40) which is configured to transport the pallet (5) with the outer packaging stacked thereon to the first part (46) of the at least one further horizontal conveying device (12).

11. The pallet depalletizing station (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The pallet depalletizing station comprises at least one unmanned transport vehicle (40) which is configured to transport the pallet (5) with the outer packaging stacked thereon to the first part (46) of the at least one further horizontal conveying device (12).

12. The pallet decomposition station according to claim 9, characterized in that: The pallet depalletizing station has at least one ramp (42) which enables the at least one driverless transport vehicle (40) to drive into the first part (46) of the at least one further horizontal conveying device (12) to transfer the pallet (5) on which the outer packaging is stacked.

13. The pallet depalletizing station according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The pallet unpacking station has at least one unmanned transport vehicle (40) for transporting pallets (5) with outer packaging stacked thereon, wherein the physically defined dangerous area (6) has a passage and is provided with at least one control device (S) and at least one sensor device, through which the at least one unmanned transport vehicle (40) can be identified from the control device (S), wherein the control device (S) for responding to the identification of the at least one unmanned transport vehicle (40) is configured to open the passage of the at least one unmanned transport vehicle (40) through the at least one sensor device.

14. A packaging system (10), characterized in that: The packaging system comprises - at least one pallet depalletizing station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and - at least one packaging device (30) for packaging a plurality of articles in corresponding outer packaging, wherein the packaging device (30) can provide the outer packaging via the at least one horizontal conveying device (20) of the pallet depalletizing station (1).

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