Library unit and packaging device for consumables

Abstract

The utility model relates to a warehouse unit (1) for consumables (20), which comprises at least two accommodating units (2) for the consumables (20), at least one material taking position (AP) and at least one filling position (BP), and the accommodating units (2) are configured to move between the material taking position (AP) and the filling position (BP). The utility model also relates to a packaging device (15) which combines the article combination (33) by using the packaging material (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a storage unit for consumables and a packaging device for combining articles by utilizing packaging materials.

[0002] The utility model particularly relates to a library unit for storing consumables, for example, for storing a plurality of planar elements, which are used as packaging materials in a packaging device. Background Art

[0003] Such libraries for storing consumables, in particular in the form of packaging material, are known from the prior art.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2006 038 656 A1 discloses a magazine device for contacting planar elements or blanks, which are arranged in a row in an inclined vertical manner on a single magazine for retrieval. A holding device is arranged in the feed direction before the retrieval device.

[0005] German patent application DE 101 47 360 A1 further discloses a packaging device having a magazine for planar elements, which stores these in an overlapping or inclined manner in a single stack.

[0006] If consumables are supplied in overlapping stacks, replenishing the stacks during a continuous production run is difficult. Manually replenishing such stacks often requires a machine stop for safety reasons, as manual intervention should not be performed during a continuous production run. Machine- or machine-assisted replenishment also requires a certain amount of additional investment to avoid interrupting or stopping the continuous production run.

[0007] Therefore, several stacks arranged side by side are usually provided in a magazine, and the extraction from the different stacks must be controlled in a corresponding manner.

[0008] When replenishing the library, you must also be careful that the replenishment process does not conflict with the normal extraction process. Utility Model Content

[0009] The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution that allows for simple and safe replenishment of consumables in a library.

[0010] The utility model relates to a storage unit for consumables, comprising at least two accommodating units for consumables, at least one material removal position, and at least two filling positions. In this case, it is provided that the accommodating unit is configured to be movable between the material removal position and each of the filling positions.

[0011] Each accommodating unit can be provided with a special device for accommodating consumables. For example, the accommodating unit can include a frame assembly, within which the consumables are arranged, for example, in a stacked manner.

[0012] In this case, centering elements, alignment elements or the like can be provided, which enable or support precise positioning and / or alignment of the consumable material within the receiving unit.

[0013] The consumable material can be, for example, a packaging material, such as that used in the beverage industry to combine several beverage containers into a sales unit or packaging unit. This can be, for example, a so-called outer packaging made of cardboard or a so-called top-grip cardboard packaging. This refers in particular to packaging material that wraps around several grouped items or containers at least on the top side and, if appropriate, also on the sides and / or the bottom side, wherein these items or containers can initially be held in place by suitable fixing means and / or secured in the top-grip cardboard packaging, for example, by corresponding snaps.

[0014] Alternatively, the packaging material can also be formed by outer packaging in the form of cardboard outer packaging, strapping or the like, which can likewise be provided in such a magazine unit.

[0015] However, the library unit can also be used in any other situation where consumables or even formed parts must be provided. For example, such a library unit can be used to store and provide formed parts that are needed to adjust the corresponding machine assembly to the new product during a product change. If consumables are mentioned below, format parts can also be used instead.

[0016] A particularly preferred embodiment of such a magazine unit comprises two receiving units for consumables, one removal position, and two filling positions, wherein the removal position is arranged between the two filling positions. The present invention will be described below based on such a magazine unit, but the description can be transferred in a similar manner to magazine units having more receiving units and removal and filling positions.

[0017] In particular, it is provided that the receiving units are designed to be movable in each case between a removal position and one of the two filling positions.

[0018] For example, the storage unit may be in a first operating mode in which the first receiving unit is arranged in a first filling position and the second receiving unit is arranged in a withdrawal position. Furthermore, the storage unit may be in a second operating mode in which the first receiving unit is arranged in a withdrawal position and the second receiving unit is arranged in a second filling position.

[0019] Preferably, the material removal position and the two filling positions are arranged on a straight line, wherein the material removal position is arranged in the middle between the two filling positions. The two accommodating units are configured to be movable on the straight line.

[0020] Here, the two receiving units can be configured to be movable together. In particular, the two receiving units can be coupled to each other and assigned to a common drive.

[0021] For example, the two receiving units can be arranged on a carriage, in particular on a carriage guide that extends between the removal position and the two filling positions. The carriage can in this case be arranged on the carriage guide via guide elements, in particular guide wheels or the like, and can be moved in a first direction of movement and in a second direction of movement opposite to the first direction of movement.

[0022] The magazine unit can be transferred, for example, from the first operating mode to the second operating mode via a movement of the two receiving units in a first movement direction, and from the second operating mode to the first operating mode via a movement of the two receiving units in a second movement direction.

[0023] An alternative embodiment can provide that each of the storage units is independently movable. In particular, each of the storage units can be arranged on a separate carriage and have an independent drive. Both carriages can use a common rail system, or each carriage can have its own dedicated rail system. For example, the carriages can have different rail widths; in particular, one carriage can be arranged on the inner carriage rail and the other on the outer carriage rail, and so on.

[0024] Another embodiment can provide that the receiving units are each individually movable perpendicularly (or approximately perpendicularly) to the first or second direction of movement. For example, the receiving units can be additionally guided on rails on separate or a common carriage, with these rails being configured to be orthogonal to the carriage guide rails. Such additional movement components can improve accessibility of the receiving units arranged in the filling position, thereby further simplifying the filling process, which will be described in detail later.

[0025] It can be provided that each of the storage units is assigned a lifting device. This allows the consumables arranged in the storage unit to be lifted accordingly, so that the respective consumable units to be removed are always located in the same removal position, in particular at the same removal height. This simplifies the removal process by the corresponding removal device, as there is no need for a corresponding control unit to adjust the removal position of the removal device, for example by making corresponding modifications to the movement process to adapt to the consumables reserve in the storage unit.

[0026] In particular, it can be provided that the bottom plate of the storage unit, on which the consumables are arranged, is raised via the lifting device so that the uppermost consumable to be removed is always located at a defined height within the storage unit. Preferably, the removal device and the control unit of the lifting unit are in communication connection, wherein a corresponding signal is sent to the lifting device during or after each removal process, thereby triggering a corresponding height adjustment.

[0027] Preferably, the lifting device is also arranged on the carriage or carriages or other movement devices assigned to the receiving units and can therefore be moved together with its respective receiving unit in the first movement direction or the second movement direction, respectively.

[0028] The library unit can further be equipped with a protection mechanism, such as at least one protection element arranged between the accommodation units. For example, a protection wall or the like can be arranged between the accommodation units, which prevents interference from one accommodation unit to each other accommodation unit.

[0029] Furthermore, parallel to such an inner protective wall further protective walls or the like can be provided which delimit the accommodation units outwards.

[0030] The protective elements can likewise be arranged on the carriage or carriages or other movement devices assigned to the receiving units, so that they can be moved together with their respective receiving units in the first movement direction or in the second movement direction, respectively.

[0031] The protective element prevents: the removal position can be interfered with from the side of the filling position. In particular, it can be provided that the protective element significantly exceeds the receiving device holding the consumable material in its height.

[0032] One embodiment of the magazine unit provides that the filling position is freely accessible, so that the receiving unit located at the filling position can be filled with consumable material during continuous production operation.

[0033] Furthermore, it can be provided that the removal position is equipped with a protective element, by which it is protected from the outside, for example the removal position is closed by a suitable closing element, such as a door or the like. This protective element serves in particular to prevent manual intervention in the receiving unit arranged at the removal position during continuous production operation.

[0034] For example, the closure element can be equipped with corresponding safety devices that effectively prevent interference with the removal point during continuous production. For example, the closure element can be equipped with a contact switch that can be activated by physical or non-contact means. If the closure element is opened during continuous production, the machine is preferably shut down immediately.

[0035] Other protective mechanisms can be provided; for example, a light barrier can be provided that is activated only when the storage unit switches from one operating mode to another. In this case, the moving machine components pose a danger. If a user intervenes in one of the corresponding areas at this time, the light barrier can be interrupted. This interruption can trigger an immediate stop of the movement of the receiving unit within the storage unit via the correspondingly coupled control unit.

[0036] Furthermore, protective elements can be provided which close during the movement of the receiving unit in order to prevent a user from interfering with the moving components of the library unit during this movement.

[0037] In a continuous production operation, it is set to that the extraction of consumable material is always only carried out from the accommodating unit currently positioned at the pick-up position. Meanwhile, it is possible to fill consumable material again for another accommodating unit in a filling position that is positioned at two filling positions.

[0038] As soon as the consumable material from the receiving unit located in the removal position is used up, another receiving unit can be moved into the removal position via a corresponding movement in the first or second movement direction, which further receiving unit has been refilled with consumable material in the meantime.

[0039] Therefore, no downtime is required to replenish the consumables. The time for changing magazines is minimized because only minimal displacement movements are required, the distance of which is limited in particular by the width of the receiving unit and, accordingly, by the width of the consumables.

[0040] The filling of the receiving units that are respectively arranged at the filling position can be carried out manually or automatically.For automated filling, a robot with a corresponding structure can for example be provided.

[0041] Particularly preferably, automated filling can be performed by an unmanned transport system equipped with a robot and comprising a container for the consumables. The robot removes the consumables from the container of the unmanned transport system and fills them into a container located in the filling position of the storage unit. If the container of the unmanned transport system is empty, the unmanned transport system autonomously retrieves more consumables from a warehouse, which does not necessarily have to be located near the storage unit.

[0042] In principle, the control unit of the driverless transport system can be considered to be known, so a detailed description related to the present invention can be omitted.

[0043] If it makes sense to combine them from the perspective of professionals in the relevant field, some or all of the previously mentioned variants or implementation variants of the library unit for consumables of the present invention can also be selectively combined with each other in order to at least partially achieve the purposes set out above and / or in order to achieve the desired effects of the present invention.

[0044] The utility model also relates to a packaging device, which comprises a packaging module for combining articles by utilizing packaging materials, wherein the packaging materials are provided as consumables in the above-mentioned library unit.

[0045] Such a packaging device is used in particular for producing a packaging unit. A packaging unit is formed here from at least two articles which are joined together by at least one packaging material.

[0046] The items to be combined are preferably containers filled with fluid contents, such as bottles or cans, in particular beverage containers. However, bottles, cans, or similar containers may also be filled with fluid or pasty cosmetics, such as shampoo, etc. The packaging device can also be used to combine several solid items or the like into a single packaging unit via packaging material.

[0047] One embodiment of the packaging device comprises a first transport device, via which the articles are fed to the individual modules in a random mass flow or an ordered mass flow or in another suitable arrangement in a transport direction.

[0048] In a single-unit module, a combination or group of items is formed from at least two items. Each group of items contains a defined number of items, which are arranged in a defined arrangement within the group. The number and arrangement of the items within the group correspond specifically to the number and arrangement of the items within the packaging unit to be formed.

[0049] The groups of articles are fed to a packaging module via a second transport device. The packaging module is configured to place at least one packaging material on the respective groups of articles. In particular, the packaging module in the illustrated embodiment is configured to attach a top grip cardboard package to the groups of articles, thereby consolidating the articles into a single packaging unit.

[0050] In this case, at least one magazine unit is assigned to the packaging module, in which, as described in detail above, top-gripping cardboard packages are provided as consumable material.

[0051] The packaging module comprises a transport device, via which the groups of articles are transported in a transport direction through the packaging module. Preferably, it is provided that the removal position of the storage unit and the two filling positions are arranged on a straight line parallel to the transport direction, wherein the receiving units of the storage unit are designed to be movable together on this straight line.

[0052] The packaging module also includes at least one application device for packaging material. This can be, in particular, an application device configured to remove at least one upper grip cardboard package from a magazine unit assigned to the packaging module and secure it by pressing it from above against the items in the group of articles to form a packaging unit. This can occur, in particular, as the group of articles moves continuously through the packaging module. In particular, the application device removes the corresponding at least one upper grip cardboard package from an intermediate removal position of the magazine unit.

[0053] It is particularly preferred that only the packaging material in the intermediate removal position is accessible to the application device. Preferably, both filling positions are enclosed or protected by a housing or the like relative to the machine room of the packaging module. The fact that there are no open connections between the filling positions and the mobile components of the packaging module is an important safety aspect for filling the magazine cells with consumables.

[0054] The above also applies here: if it is meaningful to combine them with each other from the perspective of a professional in the relevant field, some or all of the previously mentioned variants or implementation variants of the packaging device of the present invention can also be selectively combined with each other in order to at least partially achieve the purposes set out above and / or in order to achieve the desired effect of the present invention.

[0055] In addition, the present invention also provides a method for loading consumables into the above-mentioned storage unit, or describes a method for using a storage unit loaded with consumables. In this method, it is provided that each of the storage units extracts the corresponding consumables from a storage unit arranged at a material removal position, and when filling or replenishing the storage unit, each of the storage units fills the consumables into a storage unit located at a filling position.

[0056] Specifically, the storage unit is configured to be reciprocally movable between a first operating mode and a second operating mode so as to alternately position each receiving unit in a material removal position and one of two filling positions. In the first operating mode, the first receiving unit is positioned in the first filling position and filled with packaging material, while in the second operating mode, the second receiving unit is positioned in the second filling position and filled with packaging material.

[0057] Furthermore, a method for consolidating a combination of items using packaging material that is provided as consumable material in a library unit is described.

[0058] Each extracts the packaging material for merging the article combination from the receiving unit that is arranged at the material taking position of the storage unit.In order to fill or replenish the storage unit, each is filled with packaging material in the receiving unit that is positioned at the filling position.

[0059] By using the magazine unit of the present invention, consumables are always provided at a defined position. Thus, extraction can be performed, for example, by a two-axis robot.

[0060] The lifting mechanism for each receiving unit, in particular the aforementioned lifting device, optimizes the return travel time of the base plate in the Z direction. In particular, the return travel of the base plate to the lower initial position preferably occurs without loss of time and directly after the corresponding receiving unit has been placed in the filling position. If a receiving unit cannot be completely filled, for example due to insufficient consumables or operator error, the height of the base plate of the receiving unit placed in the filling position can be adjusted in the Z direction.

[0061] In this way, when the receiving unit is transferred to the removal position, the uppermost consumable material is already at the removal position or removal height for subsequent processing, for example for removal by an application device, etc. Thus, after transferring the correspondingly only partially filled receiving unit to the removal position, the application device or the removal robot, etc., can continue working without loss of time.

[0062] Furthermore, the reduced depth of the magazine unit significantly improves accessibility from the operator side for the transport device of the processing modules equipped with the magazine unit, particularly for the aforementioned packaging modules. Despite this, or in addition, a machine equipped with a magazine unit still has sufficient space for storing other machine components, such as security elements, tool change tables, format storage, etc. For this purpose, the structural space between the respective transport device and the magazine unit can be utilized.

[0063] The footprint of such a magazine unit only slightly increases the footprint or space required for a packaging device or other device in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the items to be processed.

[0064] When transferring a magazine unit between the first operating mode and the second operating mode in order to replace a filled receiving unit with an empty receiving unit in the removal area, the time loss is very small.

[0065] Finally, it should also be pointed out here that some or all of the previously mentioned variants or implementation variants of the described method can be selectively combined with each other in order to at least partially achieve the purposes set out above and / or in order to achieve the desired effects of the present invention, as long as these variants or implementation variants can be meaningfully combined with each other from the perspective of professionals in the relevant field.

[0066] It should be clearly stated here that all aspects and implementation variants explained in conjunction with the library unit and packaging device of the present invention can also relate to or can be partial aspects of the described method. Therefore, if certain aspects and / or interrelationships and / or effects are mentioned at any point in this specification or the device of the present invention, then this also applies to the described method. The same principle applies in reverse, so that all aspects and implementation variants explained in conjunction with the described method can also relate to or can be partial aspects of the library unit and / or packaging device of the present invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and / or interrelationships and / or effects are mentioned at any point in this document when describing the described method, then this also applies to the library unit and / or packaging device of the present invention.

[0067] The subsequent embodiments summarize certain aspects that have been previously explained in different implementation variants and concretize certain aspects. However, they should not be regarded as contradicting the embodiments already given, but should be regarded as summaries and, if in doubt, as more specific implementation variants and / or modifications, where appropriate.

[0068] That is, as mentioned above, the storage unit of the present invention can constitute an important component of the above-mentioned packaging device. The storage unit can operate in different working modes. Generally, the storage unit includes at least two receiving units for consumables.

[0069] Furthermore, a single storage unit may have at least one unloading position and at least two filling positions. Preferably, if there are exactly two filling positions, the unloading position may be arranged between the two filling positions. Furthermore, it may be provided that the accommodating unit is configured to be movable between the unloading position and the two filling positions.

[0070] The receiving units can be arranged side by side on a carriage or the like, which can be arranged on a carriage guide via suitable guide elements. The carriage can thus be moved in a first direction of movement and in a second direction of movement opposite to the first direction of movement. The guide elements can be designed, for example, as guide rollers or the like, which can run on rails adapted thereto. The carriage guide extends at least to the unloading position and the two filling positions.

[0071] In this case, the removal position and the two filling positions can in particular be arranged on a straight line, wherein the receiving units can be designed to be movable together on this straight line.

[0072] In the first working mode, the first accommodating unit may be located at the first filling position, and the second accommodating unit may be arranged at the retrieving position.

[0073] By moving the carriage along the carriage rails in the first movement direction, the magazine unit is transferred to a second operating mode in which the first receiving unit is arranged in the removal position and the second receiving unit is arranged in the second filling position.

[0074] The library unit can subsequently be restored to the first operating mode via a movement of the carriage along the carriage rails in the second movement direction.

[0075] In a continuous production operation, preferably be set to, the extraction of consumable material is always only carried out from that accommodating unit that is positioned at the material taking position separately.In the meantime, can be for being positioned at another accommodating unit of a filling position in two filling positions and fill consumable material again.

[0076] As soon as the consumable material in the receiving unit at the removal position is exhausted, another receiving unit that has been filled in the meantime can be moved again into the removal position by moving the carriage in the corresponding movement direction.

[0077] In this way, no downtime is required to replenish consumables. The time required to replace a storage unit within a magazine unit is minimized because only minimal displacement is required, the distance of which is specifically limited by the width of the storage unit, which in turn is determined by the width of the consumables.

[0078] Each receiving unit may be provided with or have a dedicated receiving device for receiving consumables. For example, the receiving unit may include a frame assembly within which the consumables are arranged, for example, in a stacked arrangement. In this case, centering elements, alignment elements, or the like may be provided to enable or support precise positioning and / or alignment of the consumables within the receiving unit.

[0079] At least one protective element, for example in the form of a protective wall, can preferably be arranged between the receiving units. In addition to this so-called inner protective element, each receiving unit can also include a further outer protective element parallel to the inner protective element, which can also be designed as a protective wall or similar protective device. The protective element is also expediently arranged on the carriage and thus configured to be movable together with the receiving unit.

[0080] Furthermore, the receiving units can each be assigned a lifting device, via which the consumables arranged in the receiving unit can be correspondingly lifted, so that the respective consumable unit to be removed is always in the same removal position. In particular, each lifting device lifts a base plate on which the consumables are arranged.

[0081] The lifting device is preferably likewise arranged on the carriage and is therefore movable together with the receiving unit in the first or second movement direction, respectively.

[0082] Another embodiment can provide that the receiving units are individually movable perpendicularly to the first direction of movement. Thus, the receiving units can be guided individually on the carriage in additional tracks, which can be configured to be perpendicular to the carriage guide rails. This additional movement assembly can improve accessibility to the receiving units arranged in the filling position, thereby further simplifying the filling process.

[0083] The consumable material may be, for example, a packaging material, such as that used in the beverage industry to combine several beverage containers into a single sales unit or packaging unit. For example, this may be a top-grip cardboard packaging. Alternatively, the packaging material may be formed by an outer packaging in the form of a cardboard outer wrapper, strapping, or the like.

[0084] The filling of the storage units, each arranged at a filling position, can be performed manually or automatically. For automated filling, a correspondingly configured robot can be provided, for example. Particularly preferably, automated filling can be performed by an unmanned transport system or the like, which is equipped with a robot and includes a storage device for the consumables. The robot removes the consumables from the storage device of the unmanned transport system and fills them into the storage unit located at the filling position. If the storage device of the unmanned transport system is empty, the unmanned transport system autonomously removes more consumables from a warehouse, which does not necessarily have to be located near the storage unit.

[0085] The control unit of the unmanned transport system is well known, and thus detailed description related to the present invention is omitted.

[0086] In the library unit described here, the two receiving units can be arranged on a common carriage. Alternatively, in an alternative embodiment, it can be provided that the receiving units are designed to be individually movable. In this case, it can be provided that the receiving units are arranged on separate carriages that use a common rail system, or each carriage is assigned a separate rail system.

[0087] The packaging units formed here are in particular each formed from at least two articles, which are combined using at least one packaging material. The articles to be combined are preferably containers filled with fluid contents, such as bottles or cans, in particular beverage containers. However, bottles, cans or similar containers can also be filled with fluid or pasty cosmetics, such as shampoo, etc.

[0088] The packaging material can be, for example, a top grip cardboard package. Alternatively, the packaging material can also be formed by an outer packaging in the form of a cardboard outer packaging, a strapping tape, etc., in which the articles are correspondingly arranged.

[0089] The packaging device includes a first transport device, via which the articles are fed to the individual modules in a random mass flow, an ordered mass flow, or another suitable arrangement in a defined transport direction. Within the individual modules, an article group or set is formed from at least two articles. Each article group contains a defined number of articles, which are arranged in a defined arrangement and orientation within the article group. The number and arrangement of the articles within the article group correspond specifically to the number and arrangement of the articles within the packaging unit to be formed.

[0090] The groups of articles can be fed to the packaging module, for example, via a second transport device. The packaging module is preferably configured to place at least one packaging material on the respective group of articles. In particular, the packaging module is configured and equipped to attach a top-grip cardboard package to the group of articles, thereby consolidating the articles into a single packaging unit.

[0091] In this case, at least one magazine unit is assigned to the packaging module, in which, as already described above, top-gripping cardboard packages are provided as consumables, in particular packaging material.

[0092] As described herein, a packaging module generally includes a transport device, via which the groups of articles are transported through the packaging module in a defined transport direction. As described above, it can be provided that the removal location and the two filling locations of the storage unit are arranged on a straight line parallel to the transport device, wherein the storage unit's receiving units are designed to be movable together in the straight line.

[0093] Furthermore, the packaging module can be equipped with at least one applying device, which is designed to remove at least one upper grip cardboard package from a magazine unit assigned to the packaging module and fix it by pressing it from above onto the items of the group of articles to form a packaging unit. This can occur in particular when the group of articles is continuously moved through the packaging module.

[0094] In particular, the application device removes respectively at least one upper-gripped cardboard package from the intermediate removal position of the magazine unit.

[0095] Furthermore, it can be particularly advantageous to provide that only the packaging material in the intermediate removal position is accessible to the application device. Furthermore, the two filling positions are enclosed or protected relative to the machine room of the packaging module by a housing or the like. The fact that there are no open connections between the filling positions and the mobile components of the packaging module is an important safety aspect when filling the magazine cells with consumables.

[0096] However, it is expedient or necessary for the filling position to be freely accessible from the outside, so that during the continuous production operation of the packaging module, the receiving units located in the filling position can be filled with consumable material.

[0097] On the other hand, the unloading location is sealed from the outside by a door or other suitable closure element. The door allows access to the unloading location, for example, for maintenance purposes. Such a door typically forms a protective device designed to prevent manual intervention in the receiving units arranged at the unloading location during continuous production. For example, the door can be equipped with corresponding safety devices that prevent intervention in the unloading location during continuous production. For example, the door can be equipped with a contact switch. If the door is opened during continuous production, the machine is immediately shut down.

[0098] Other protective mechanisms can be provided, for example in the form of a light barrier that is activated only when the storage unit switches from one operating mode to the other. In this case, moving machine components within the outwardly open filling areas pose a risk. If a user intervenes in one of the filling areas at this point, the light barrier can be interrupted. This interruption can trigger an immediate stop of the movement of the receiving unit within the storage unit via a correspondingly coupled control unit of the packaging device, packaging module, or storage unit.

[0099] The protective element already described above prevents: can interfere with the material taking position from the side of filling position.In particular, it can be provided that the protective element obviously exceeds the receiving device holding the consumable material in its height.

[0100] Further protective elements may be provided which can be closed when the receiving unit is moved in order to prevent a user from intervening in the moving components of the library unit during this period. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0101] In the following, embodiments of the present invention and their advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The size ratios of the individual elements in the drawings do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged compared to other elements for better illustration.

[0102] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Each shows a side view of a library cell in a different operating mode.

[0103] Figures 3 to 6 Shown according to Figure 1 Additional illustrations of library cells.

[0104] Figure 7 The structure of the packaging device is schematically shown.

[0105] Figure 8 The packaging module is shown seen from above.

[0106] Figure 9 Shown according to Figure 8Illustration of the packaging module from the rear.

[0107] Figure 10 and Figure 11 Each shows the Figure 8 Illustration of the packaging module from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0108] Identical elements or elements having the same effect in the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals. For clarity, only reference numerals necessary for the description of the corresponding figure are depicted in individual figures. The depicted embodiments merely represent examples of how the library unit, packaging device, or method of the present invention may be implemented and are not intended to be definitive limitations.

[0109] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A side view of the library cell 1 is shown in each case in a different operating mode AM1 , AM2 . Figures 3 to 6 Shown according to Figure 1 Other illustrations of the library unit 1, in particular, Figure 3 and Figure 4 A perspective view is shown, Figure 5 Shown in the diagram from above, Figure 6 A view from the front is shown.

[0110] The library unit 1 includes at least two receiving units 2 for consumables 20 , and in particular, the library unit 1 includes two receiving units 2 - 1 and 2 - 2 .

[0111] Furthermore, the magazine unit 1 comprises at least one removal position AP and at least two filling positions BP. Preferably, the removal position AP is arranged between the two filling positions BP1 and BP2.

[0112] Furthermore, it is provided that the receiving units 2 - 1 and 2 - 2 are designed to be movable between a removal position AP and two filling positions BP1 , BP2 .

[0113] The receiving units 2-1 and 2-2 are arranged side by side on a carriage 3, which is arranged on a carriage rail 5 via a guide element 4. The carriage 3 can thus be moved in a first movement direction BR1 and in a second movement direction BR2 opposite to the first movement direction BR1. For example, the guide element 4 can be designed as a guide roller or the like.

[0114] The carriage guide rail 5 extends over a removal position AP and two filling positions BP1 , BP2 .

[0115] That is, the removal position AP and the two filling positions BP1 , BP2 are particularly arranged on a straight line, and the receiving units 2 - 1 , 2 - 2 are configured to be movable together on the straight line.

[0116] exist Figure 1 In the first operating mode AM1 shown, the first receiving unit 2 - 1 is arranged at the first filling position BP1 , and the second receiving unit 2 - 2 is arranged at the taking position AP.

[0117] The library unit 1 is transferred to the position according to the first movement direction BR1 by the movement of the carriage 3 along the carriage rail 5. Figure 2 In the second operating mode AM2, the first receiving unit 2-1 is arranged at the removal position AP and the second receiving unit 2-2 is arranged at the second filling position BP2.

[0118] The library unit 1 can then be restored to the position according to the second movement direction BR2 by means of a movement of the carriage 3 along the carriage rail 5. Figure 1 The first working mode AM1.

[0119] In a continuous production operation, it is provided that the consumable material 20 is always removed only from the receiving units 2 which are each located in the removal position AP.

[0120] At the same time, the other receiving unit 2 located at one of the two filling positions BP1 or BP2 can be refilled with consumables 20 .

[0121] Once the consumable material 20 in the receiving unit 2 at the removal position AP is exhausted, another receiving unit 2 that has been filled in the meantime can be moved back into the removal position AP by moving the carriage 3 in the corresponding movement direction BR1 or BR2.

[0122] Therefore, no downtime is required to replenish the consumables 20. The time for replacing the receiving unit 2 in the library unit 1 is minimized because only a very small displacement movement is required, the displacement distance of which is particularly limited by the width of the receiving unit 2, which in turn is determined by the width of the consumables.

[0123] In addition, Figure 1 In the illustration of FIG, a drive 6 for the carriage 3 can be seen by way of example.

[0124] Each receiving unit 2 may be provided with a dedicated receiving device 11 for receiving consumables 20. For example, the receiving unit 2 may include a frame assembly 12, within which the consumables 20 are arranged, for example, in a stacked manner. In this case, centering elements, alignment elements, or the like may be provided to enable or support precise positioning and / or alignment of the consumables 20 within the receiving unit 2.

[0125] Furthermore, it is shown that at least one protective element 7, for example a protective wall 8, is arranged between the receiving units 2. In addition to this so-called inner protective element 7, each receiving unit 2 can additionally comprise a further outer protective element 9 parallel thereto, which can also be designed as a protective wall 10.

[0126] The protective elements 7 , 9 are likewise arranged on the carriage 3 and are therefore designed to be movable together with the receiving unit 2 .

[0127] Furthermore, each of the storage units 2 can be assigned a lifting device 13, 13-1, 13-2, via which the consumables 20 arranged in the storage units 2-1, 2-2 can be correspondingly lifted, so that the respective consumable units to be removed are always located in the same removal position. In particular, each lifting device 13 lifts the bottom plate 14 on which the consumables 20 are arranged.

[0128] The lifting device 13 is likewise arranged on the carriage 3 and is therefore movable together with the receiving unit 2 in the first movement direction BR1 or the second movement direction BR2 , respectively.

[0129] Another embodiment (not shown) can provide that the receiving units 2 are individually movable perpendicularly to the first movement direction BR1. For example, the receiving units 2 can be guided individually on separate tracks on the carriage 3, which can be configured to be perpendicular to the carriage guide rails 5. Such additional movement components can improve accessibility to the receiving units 2 arranged in the filling position BP, thereby further simplifying the filling process.

[0130] The consumable material 20 may be, for example, a packaging material 21 such as is used in the beverage industry to combine several beverage containers into one sales unit or packaging unit. This may be, for example, an upper grip cardboard package 22 (see Figure 3 Alternatively, the packaging material 21 may also be formed by an outer packaging in the form of a cardboard outer packaging, a strapping tape or the like.

[0131] The filling of the receiving units 2, each arranged at a filling position BP, can be carried out manually or automatically. For automated filling, a correspondingly constructed robot can be provided, for example. Particularly preferably, the automated filling can be carried out by an unmanned transport system or the like, which is equipped with a robot and includes a receiving device for consumables. The robot extracts the consumables from the receiving device of the unmanned transport system and fills them into the receiving unit of the library unit located at the filling position. If the receiving device of the unmanned transport system is empty, the unmanned transport system autonomously takes out more consumables from the warehouse, which does not have to be arranged near the library unit. The control part of the unmanned transport system is known, so a detailed description related to the present invention is omitted.

[0132] exist Figures 1 to 6 In the illustrated library unit 1, two storage units 2 are arranged on a common carriage 3. Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown, it can be provided that the storage units 2 are designed to be individually movable. In this case, it can be provided that the storage units 2 are arranged on separate carriages that use a common rail system, or each carriage is assigned a separate rail system.

[0133] Figure 7 Schematically, the structure of a packaging device 15 is shown for producing a packaging unit 30. The packaging unit 30 is formed in particular from at least two articles 31 which are joined together by means of at least one packaging material 21.

[0134] The articles 31 to be combined are preferably containers filled with fluid contents, such as bottles or cans 32, particularly beverage containers. However, bottles or cans 32 or similar containers may also be filled with fluid or pasty cosmetics, such as shampoo etc.

[0135] The packaging material 21 may be, for example, a top grip cardboard package 22. Alternatively, the packaging material 21 may also be formed by an outer packaging in the form of a cardboard outer packaging, a strapping tape or the like, in which the articles 31 are correspondingly arranged.

[0136] The packaging device 15 comprises a first transport device 16, via which articles 31 are fed in a random mass flow or an ordered mass flow or in another suitable arrangement in a transport direction TR to a single-unit module 17. In the single-unit module 17, an article combination or article group 33 is formed from at least two articles 31. Each article group 33 contains a defined number of articles 31, which are arranged in a defined arrangement within the article group 33. The number and arrangement of the articles 31 within the article group 33 correspond in particular to the number and arrangement of the articles 31 within the packaging unit 30 to be formed.

[0137] The groups of articles 33 are fed to the packaging module 19 via the second transport device 18. The packaging module 19 is configured to place at least one packaging material 21 at the respective group of articles 33. In particular, the packaging module 19 in the illustrated embodiment is configured to attach an upper grip cardboard package 22 to the group of articles 33 and to combine the articles 31 into one packaging unit 30 in this manner.

[0138] The packaging module 19 is in this case assigned at least one library unit 1, as already mentioned in connection with Figures 1 to 6 As described, in this magazine unit 1 , top-gripping cardboard packages 22 are provided as consumable material 20 , in particular packaging material 21 .

[0139] Figure 8 A packaging module 19 with a library unit 1 is shown from above.

[0140] The packaging module 19 comprises a transport device 40 , via which (not shown) the groups of objects are transported in a transport direction TR through the packaging module 19 .

[0141] It is preferably provided that the removal position AP and the two filling positions BP1 , BP2 of the magazine unit 1 are arranged on a straight line parallel to the transport device 40 , wherein the receiving units 2 of the magazine unit 1 are designed to be movable together on this straight line.

[0142] Furthermore, the packaging module 19 comprises at least one applying device 41 which is designed to extract at least one upper grip cardboard package 22 from the magazine unit 1 assigned to the packaging module 19 and to fix it by pressing from above on the articles 31 of the group of articles 33 to form a packaging unit (not shown, see Figure 7 ). This can occur in particular when the groups of objects 33 are moved continuously through the packaging module 19.

[0143] In particular, the applying device 41 removes respectively at least one upper-grasped cardboard package 22 from the intermediate removal position AP of the magazine unit 1 .

[0144] It is particularly preferably provided that only the packaging material 21 in the intermediate removal position AP is accessible to the application device 41. According to the embodiment shown, the two filling positions BP1, BP2 are enclosed or protected by a housing 35 or the like relative to the machine room of the packaging module 19. The fact that there are no open connections between the filling positions BP1, BP2 and the mobile components of the packaging module 19 is an important safety aspect for filling the magazine unit 1 with consumable material 20.

[0145] Figure 9 shows a view of the packaging module 19 from the rear, Figure 10 and Figure 11 Each shows a front view of a packaging module 19, wherein Figure 10 The library unit 1 is in the first working mode AM1 and according to Figure 11 The library unit 1 is in the second operating mode AM2.

[0146] exist Figures 9 to 11 In each case, only the magazine unit 1 within a packaging module 19 is shown; for reasons of clarity, other machine components, such as application devices, etc., are not shown.

[0147] exist Figure 9 In the example, people see the library unit 1 through the packaging module 19, while in the example Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the figure, one sees the packaging module 19 and the library unit 1 from the front. In particular, Figure 10 shows a packaging module 19 with a library cell 1 in a first operating mode AM1, and Figure 11 The packaging module 19 is shown with the library cell 1 in the second operating mode AM2 .

[0148] The transition of the library unit 1 from the first operating mode AM1 to the second operating mode AM2 is combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 Detailed description is therefore omitted.

[0149] In the Figure 9 and Figure 10 and Figure 11 In comparison, it can be seen that the filling positions BP1 and BP2 are each separated by a housing 35 relative to the interior of the packaging module 19, in which the transport device 40 and the application device 41 are arranged (see FIG. Figure 8 ), and the receiving unit 2 containing the consumable material 20 and located at the removal position AP is a machine component of the packaging module 19, in particular accessible to the application device.

[0150] On the other hand, it is provided that the filling positions BP1, BP2 are freely accessible from the outside (see Figure 10 and Figure 11 ), so that the receiving unit 2 located in the filling position BP1 or BP2 can be filled with consumable material 20 during the continuous production operation of the packaging module 19.

[0151] On the other hand, the retrieving position AP is closed to the outside by a door 36 or another suitable closing element. The door 36 makes it possible to access the retrieving position AP, for example for maintenance purposes.

[0152] The door 36 forms in particular a protective device which is designed to prevent manual intervention in the receiving unit 2 arranged in the removal position AP during continuous production operation.

[0153] For example, the door 36 can be equipped with corresponding safety devices that prevent the removal position AP from being interfered with during continuous production operation. For example, the door 36 can be equipped with a contact switch. If the door 36 is opened during continuous production operation, the machine is immediately shut down.

[0154] Other protection mechanisms may be provided, for example, Figure 11The light barrier 37, shown by dashed lines, is activated only when the storage unit 1 switches from one operating mode AM1 or AM2 to the other. In this case, the moving machine components within the outwardly accessible filling areas BP pose a risk. If a user intervenes in one of the filling areas BP at this point, the light barrier 37 can be interrupted. This interruption can trigger an immediate stop of the movement of the receiving units 2 within the storage unit 1 via a correspondingly coupled control unit (not shown) of the packaging device 15, the packaging module 19, or the storage unit 1.

[0155] Combine Figures 1 to 6 The described protective elements 7 and 9 prevent lateral interference with the removal position AP from the filling position BP. In particular, it can be provided that the protective elements 7 , 9 significantly exceed the height of the receiving device 11 holding the consumable material 20 .

[0156] Furthermore, protective elements (not shown) can be provided, which close when the receiving unit 2 is moved, in order to prevent a user from intervening in the moving components of the library unit 1 during this period.

[0157] The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs or the following description and drawings, 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.

[0158] Although the illustrations and views in conjunction with the drawings are generally "schematic," this in no way implies that the drawings and their descriptions are secondary to the disclosure of the present invention. A person skilled in the art is fully capable of deriving sufficient information from the schematic and abstractly drawn illustrations to facilitate their understanding of the present invention, without any impairment of understanding due to, for example, the drawn and possibly not entirely to scale dimensions of the articles and / or parts of the storage units, packaging devices, or other drawn elements. Therefore, these drawings enable the reader, a person skilled in the art, to better understand the concepts of the present invention presented in a more general and / or abstract manner in the claims and the general portion of the description, based on the specifically explained functional principles of the described method and device according to the present invention.

[0159] Reference Signs List

[0160] 1 Library Cell

[0161] 2, 2-1, 2-2 accommodation units

[0162] 3 Slide

[0163] 4 Guide elements

[0164] 5 Slide rails

[0165] 6 Drivers

[0166] 7 Internal protection components

[0167] 8 Protective wall

[0168] 9 External protection components

[0169] 10 Protective wall

[0170] 11. Accommodation device

[0171] 12 Frame Components

[0172] 13, 13-1, 13-2 Lifting device

[0173] 14 bottom plate

[0174] 15 Packaging device

[0175] 16 First transport device

[0176] 17 Single Module

[0177] 18 Second transport device

[0178] 19 Packaging Module

[0179] 20 Consumables

[0180] 21 Packaging Materials

[0181] 22 Top grip cardboard packaging

[0182] 30 packaging units

[0183] 31 items

[0184] 32 jars

[0185] 33 Item Groups

[0186] 35 shell

[0187] 36 doors

[0188] 37 Grating

[0189] 40 Transport device

[0190] 41 Application device

[0191] AP Reclaim Position

[0192] AM1 first working mode

[0193] AM2 second working mode

[0194] BP, BP1, BP2 filling position

[0195] BR1 First moving direction

[0196] BR2 Second moving direction

[0197] E Extraction location

[0198] TR Transport direction.

Claims

1. A library unit (1) for consumables (20), characterized in that The library unit comprises at least two receiving units (2) for consumables (20), at least one take-off position (AP) and at least two filling positions (BP), And the accommodating unit (2) is configured to be movable between the taking position (AP) and each of the filling positions (BP).

2. The library unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The magazine unit comprises two receiving units (2) for consumables (20), a material removal position (AP) and two filling positions (BP), wherein the material removal position (AP) is arranged between the two filling positions (BP).

3. The library unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that In a first operating mode (AM1), the first accommodating unit (2) is arranged at the first filling position (BP), and the second accommodating unit (2) is arranged at the material removal position (AP), and wherein in a second operating mode (AM2), the first accommodating unit (2) is arranged at the material removal position (AP), and the second accommodating unit (2) is arranged at the second filling position (BP).

4. The library unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that The removal position (AP) and the two filling positions (BP) are arranged on a straight line, wherein the receiving unit (2) is configured to be movable together on the straight line.

5. The library unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that The two receiving units (2) are arranged on a carriage (3), which is arranged on a carriage guide rail (5) extending over the removal position (AP) and the two filling positions (BP).

6. The library unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Each accommodation unit (2) is assigned a lifting device (13).

7. The library unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At least one protective element (7) is arranged between the receiving units (2).

8. A packaging device (15), characterized in that The packaging device comprises a packaging module (19) for combining a combination of articles (33) using a packaging material (21), wherein the packaging material (21) is provided as a consumable material (20) in a storage unit (1), wherein the storage unit (1) comprises at least two receiving units (2) for the consumable material (20), at least one take-off position (AP) and at least two filling positions (BP), The receiving unit (2) is configured to be movable between the taking position (AP) and each of the filling positions (BP).

9. The packaging device (15) according to claim 8, characterized in that The library unit (1) is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The packaging device (15) according to claim 8, characterized in that The packaging module (19) comprises a transport device (40) configured to move the item combination (33) in a transport direction (TR), wherein the at least one pick-up position (AP) and the at least two filling positions (BP) are arranged on a straight line parallel to the transport device (40), and the containing unit (2) is configured to be movable on the straight line.

11. The packaging device (15) according to claim 8 or 10, characterized in that The packaging module (19) comprises a transport device (40) which is configured to move the item combination (33) in a transport direction (TR), wherein the at least one pick-up position (AP) and the at least two filling positions (BP) are arranged on a straight line parallel to the transport device (40), and wherein the accommodating units (2) are configured to be movable together on the straight line.

12. The packaging device (15) according to any one of claims 8 or 10, characterized in that At least one protective device (36) is assigned to the removal position (AP), which is designed to prevent manual intervention in the receiving unit (2) arranged at the removal position (AP) during continuous production operation.

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