Transportation path and system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a transportation path (14) which is provided with at least two transportation parts (16 and 18) adjacent to each other in the transportation direction (12). The transport sections (16, 18) each provide a support plane (22, 24) for a single piece of goods (10) that moves in the transport direction (12). The support planes (22, 24) are adjacent to each other at least in the vicinity of the connection between the transport sections (16, 18), forming an obtuse angle greater than 180 DEG. The utility model further discloses a system with the transportation path (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a transport path having at least two transport sections adjacent to each other in the transport direction, each providing a support plane for the movement of a single item along the transport direction. Furthermore, this invention relates to a system comprising such a transport path and other adjacent components. Background Technology

[0002] In the processing and handling of packaging units or bundles, especially packaging units or bundles that may contain several combined articles, they are conveyed through different transport sections. To create defined gaps between individual packaging units in a continuously conveying bundle flow, for example when a packaging unit is to be moved from a horizontal conveyor to a sliding plane for pushing the conveyor by means of pushers, it is known to convey the packaging units onto a conveyor belt, which applies different conveying speeds to the packaging units.

[0003] To create a gap between two bundles or packaging units, such as in a continuous bundle flow, two continuous conveyor belts can be used. The first conveyor belt can be considered a stop belt, on which the bundles or packaging units are conveyed at a continuous speed. The bundles are transferred from the stop belt to an adjacent acceleration belt, which operates at a faster conveying speed than the stop belt.

[0004] Once the friction between the bundle to be conveyed and the accelerator belt exceeds the friction between the bundle and the stop belt, the bundle is pulled and accelerated by the accelerator belt. Due to the higher conveying speed of the accelerator belt, gaps are created between the corresponding bundle pulled by the accelerator belt in each case and the subsequent bundle flow in each case. These gaps are ideal so that the bundles can be engaged, for example, by push rods or push fingers, and the bundles can be further conveyed by pushing.

[0005] However, the precise dimensions of the gaps created in this way between bundles or packaging units in continuous transport are affected by the frictional conditions between the bundles and the conveyor belt. Since these frictional conditions can vary, for example due to moisture on the belt, the gaps cannot typically be set as precisely as required in individual cases.

[0006] The wear effects and wear phenomena in conveyor belts can also change the friction conditions.

[0007] The unavoidable slippage that occurs during these transitions from the stop belt to the acceleration belt leads to increased wear. Rubber conveyor belts, in particular, wear out much faster and must be replaced.

[0008] In the worst-case scenario, the push bar or push finger that engages the bundle from the rear should not strike the gap between the bundles, but may instead collide with the bundles. Utility Model Content

[0009] The main objective of this invention can be considered as creating a defined gap between individual goods transported one after another in the transportation of single goods, which should be achieved through a transportation path designed and equipped accordingly.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, this invention proposes a transport path having at least two transport sections adjacent to each other in the transport direction, each providing a support plane for a single piece of goods to move along the transport direction. The support planes are adjacent to each other at least in the vicinity of the connection between the transport sections, forming an obtuse angle greater than 180°.

[0011] In the transport path, the first support plane of the first transport section may have a slope relative to the horizontal plane, wherein the slope means that the first support plane rises at least slightly in the transport direction.

[0012] Alternatively, the transport path can also be configured in a manner that is generally horizontally oriented with respect to the first support plane of the first transport section.

[0013] Furthermore, in the conveying path, the second support plane of the second conveying section adjacent to the first conveying section in the conveying direction may have a gradient relative to the horizontal plane.

[0014] The angle of inclination between continuous support planes can be, for example, 181° or slightly greater than 181°. For example, a suitable angle could also be between 181° and approximately 185°.

[0015] Furthermore, this invention also includes a first transport path with a first supporting plane having a slight slope, while the adjacent second transport path with a second supporting plane has no slope or gradient, i.e., it is horizontally guided. The third transport path adjacent to the third supporting plane can also preferably be horizontally oriented. In this case, the aforementioned obtuse angle β (>180°) is also formed between the first and second transport paths, while there is a right angle of approximately 180° between the corresponding supporting planes of the second and third transport paths, since no angle adjustment is provided there.

[0016] Furthermore, in the transport path, a first support plane of the first transport section can preferably be provided to move along the transport direction at a first transport speed, and a second support plane of the second transport section can move along the transport direction at a second transport speed. The second transport speed is greater than the first transport speed.

[0017] The amount of the second conveying speed can be specifically about 105% to 120% of the amount of the first conveying speed. Preferably, the second conveying speed can have a value of about 110% of the first conveying speed.

[0018] Depending on the desired or required level of acceleration of a single item by means of the second transport section used as an acceleration path, the second transport speed of the second support plane of the second transport section can therefore be at least 10% greater than the first transport speed, wherein an increase of about 20% or slightly more is also meaningful and feasible in practice.

[0019] Because of the described configuration of transport sections inclined at obtuse angles to each other and different transport speeds, individual goods transported on the transport path can be effectively and precisely spaced apart from each other, and after being spaced apart, preferably further transported in the transport direction at a defined distance relative to each other. If the individual goods are already spaced apart from each other and transported at a certain distance on the first transport section, the transport path according to the present invention allows the distance between the individual goods to increase, and these increased distances are predetermined and maintained as precisely as possible.

[0020] The support plane for the corresponding transport section can be formed and provided, for example, by an annular circumferential pad conveyor, which is typically guided on two deflecting rollers in each case, and can be driven by an electric motor or optionally also by a hydraulically driven motor or otherwise. Alternatively, the circumferential support plane can also be an annular circumferential chain. Alternatively, the circumferential support plane can also be formed by a sufficiently wide rubber or fabric belt, etc. In particular, support planes covered with rubber or elastic materials provide a relatively high static friction value, allowing for precise transport of individual items, and especially for acceleration in a precise and precisely controlled manner when transferring to a faster-running second transport section.

[0021] In this configuration, the upper traction strand of each transport section provides a corresponding support plane for transporting a single piece of cargo in the transport or delivery direction in each case, while the lower empty strand of the corresponding transport section returns in the opposite direction.

[0022] In the transport path according to this invention, a single piece of cargo first moves along the transport direction on a first support plane of a first transport section, and then transfers to an adjacent second support plane of a second transport section. When the single piece of cargo is transferred from the first transport section to the second transport section, it undergoes a pitching motion, i.e., a tilting motion about the corresponding lateral axis of the relevant single piece of cargo. In this way, at different transport speeds in the continuous transport sections, the single piece of cargo can move particularly gently from the first support plane to the second support plane, and largely avoids undesirable and difficult-to-control and reproduce friction and / or slippage effects.

[0023] These pitching movements can be achieved by the two supporting planes not being exactly in the common horizontal plane, but rather by their obtuse angle adjoining each other, which forces the passing single cargo to tilt.

[0024] A particular advantage of the forced pitching motion of a single item from the first transport section to the second transport section is that it avoids slippage if the second transport section is intended to be used as an acceleration path. By means of the second transport section, constructed as an acceleration path, the single item is conveyed further faster than it would be conveyed forward by means of the first transport section. Therefore, the first transport section, which preferably operates slower than the second transport section, can also be considered a deceleration path, at least relative to the acceleration path of the immediately adjacent second transport section.

[0025] This feature of the acceleration path can be specifically used to increase the existing gaps between individual goods being transported continuously on the first support plane of the transport path.

[0026] However, in particular, the function of the acceleration path implemented by the second transport section can be used to provide a defined gap for individual goods being transported without gaps on the first support plane of the transport path, so that the individual goods can be engaged between each other, for example by a push rod or other suitable pushing element, and these individual goods can be further transported, for example on a non-driven sliding plane, with the rear of the push rod or pushing element adjacent to it.

[0027] In addition, the transportation path can be provided with a sliding element located between the first transportation section and the second transportation section, so that a single piece of goods can slide through the sliding element when the sliding element transitions from the first transportation section to the second transportation section.

[0028] In an advantageous design of the transport path according to this invention, the sliding element can be specifically formed of a rotatable roller. This roller is preferably not driven, but can rotate about a rotation axis with as little friction as possible, the rotation axis being transverse to the transport direction and located below the first and / or second support planes at a distance approximately equal to the roller radius. Therefore, when a single item moves from the first support plane to the second support plane, it can slide on the roller without derailing.

[0029] The rollers or sliding elements allow individual items moving from the first transport section to the second transport section in each case to roll on them. As a result, when moving to the second support plane of the second transport section 18, the corresponding pitching and tilting processes can be carried out with virtually no interference and no braking friction effect.

[0030] If a single item is located at the center of the sliding element or roller and is in the process of tilting because its lower side has already left the first support plane but has not yet reached the second support plane, the single item can initially maintain the speed of the first support plane. If the roller can rotate with low resistance or essentially no resistance, the transfer of the single item from the first support plane to the second support plane can occur without interference and is uniform for all single items, wherein when the single item contacts the second support plane, i.e., when the tilting process is completed and the lower side of the item rests on the second support plane, it can be immediately accelerated to an increased second conveying speed.

[0031] The acceleration paths used to date, in which individual cargoes are accelerated horizontally without pitching, cannot guarantee such precise positioning because the friction conditions between the underside of the traction and acceleration cargo and the supporting plane of the acceleration path may not be the same each time a cargo passes by, resulting in differences in the gaps or distances between the cargoes.

[0032] Furthermore, this horizontally extended acceleration path is typically subject to increased wear because individual items remain partially on the slower-moving upstream conveyor belt as they pass through the acceleration path, which inevitably means slippage, potentially leading to increased wear and belt wear after prolonged operation.

[0033] Conversely, in the transport path according to this invention, each individual item performs the described pitching motion upon transitioning to the second transport section. Due to the different slopes of the first and second support planes adjacent to each other in the transport direction, this pitching motion causes the corresponding individual item to separate from the first support plane once its center of gravity is above the gap between the angled support planes and above the sliding element or roller. Because of the pitching motion, i.e., the tilting motion about the lateral axis of the corresponding individual item as described above, the lower side of the individual item does not contact the second support plane until it has already disengaged from the first support plane.

[0034] If the roller is used as a sliding element, it can optionally rotate freely, preferably with the lowest possible resistance, or, if necessary, be driven, wherein a reasonable rotational speed of the driven roller matches, and preferably coincides with, the first conveying speed of the first transport section. Otherwise, the speed difference there must be compensated, which in turn leads to slippage. On the other hand, if the roller can rotate with largely no resistance, its rotational speed fluctuates immediately with the acceleration of the individual item after it tilts onto the second support plane, thus allowing for repeated adaptation to the varying conveying speed of the individual item contacting and rolling on the roller in each case.

[0035] Instead of such rollers, a suitable sliding surface can be provided to bridge the gap between adjacent support planes, on which a single item slides about its lateral axis while performing the pitching motion to move from the first support plane to the second support plane, in which the single item is further conveyed to each other at an increased conveying speed and with increased gap in the second transport section.

[0036] Optionally, in the transport path according to this invention, a third transport section having a third support plane for further transporting individual items can be adjacent to the second transport section in the transport direction. The third support plane of the third transport section can be specifically oriented horizontally. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the third support plane moves in the transport direction at a third transport speed that substantially corresponds to the second transport speed.

[0037] Therefore, the third conveying speed of the third support plane of the third transport section can appropriately correspond to the second conveying speed, because when individual goods are transferred from the second transport section to the third transport section, speed changes are generally not required, since the precise distance between individual goods is achieved by the second transport section, which serves as an acceleration path, but preferably not by utilizing the repeated speed difference in the third transport section.

[0038] In addition, a fourth transport section may be provided, either adjacent to or combined with the third transport section. This fourth transport section may be specifically equipped with a pusher element for propelling and conveying individual items, preferably for further horizontal conveying of individual items.

[0039] The gaps formed between individual items typically allow the actuating elements to engage the individual items from the rear, for example, in the area of ​​the third transport section, emerging from the area below the support plane, and in each case, engage one of the individual items from the rear so that it can be pushed across, for example, a horizontal transport plane after passing through the third transport section. These actuating elements may optionally be distributed with third and / or fourth transport sections.

[0040] For example, a pusher element configured as a push finger or beam can be specifically anchored on a pusher chain of annular circumference, which can ensure that the pusher element advances continuously parallel to the support plane of the third transport section and / or, in addition, parallel to the horizontal transport plane of the fourth transport section (if present), wherein, in each case, at the beginning of the third conveyor belt, the pusher element configured as a push finger moves upward from its recessed position outside the transport plane and is brought to an approximately vertical position most favorable for its backward movement of pushing individual goods.

[0041] The transport plane of the third and / or fourth transport section may, for example, lead to a handling device that can ensure that the packaged units transported there are received by a clamping device and used for stacking, palletizing or otherwise transferring to different stacking and / or packaging states.

[0042] From the perspective of someone skilled in the art, some or all of these foregoing changes or implementations may optionally be combined with each other in order to at least partially achieve the above-mentioned objectives and / or the desired effects of the present invention.

[0043] In addition to the transport paths described in various implementation variations, a method for transporting a single item by means of at least two transport sections that are adjacent to each other in the transport direction is also described.

[0044] In each case, the individual item is conveyed on a support plane that moves along the conveying direction. Furthermore, the individual item moves with a pitch motion from the first transport section over the second transport section, which forms an obtuse angle.

[0045] In this method, a single item may optionally be transported on a rising first support plane of a first transport section and then to a descending second support plane of a second transport section.

[0046] In an alternative variation of the method, a single item may be transported on a first support plane that extends horizontally over the first transport section before reaching the descending second support plane of the second transport section.

[0047] In this method, a single piece of cargo may also be provided to move in the conveying direction at a lower conveying speed on a first support plane of the first transport section than on a second support plane of the second transport section.

[0048] Therefore, in particular, a second conveying speed of the second support plane can be provided that corresponds to approximately 105% to 120% of the first conveying speed of the first support plane, wherein the second conveying speed can in particular have a value of approximately 110% of the first conveying speed.

[0049] Furthermore, in this method, a single item moves via a sliding element during the transfer from the first transport section to the second transport section, and the single item can slide via the sliding element during the transfer from the first transport section to the second transport section.

[0050] The sliding element can be formed from a rotatable roller, which is preferably passively rotatable, i.e. not driven by a motor.

[0051] Furthermore, the method can provide that, after passing through the second transport section, the individual item moves to a third transport section having a third support plane, on which the individual item is further transported. The third support plane of the third transport section can, in particular, be horizontally oriented.

[0052] The third support plane can move at a third conveying speed, which can roughly correspond to the second conveying speed. Optionally, after passing through the third transport section, the individual item can move to a fourth transport section, where it can be conveyed by means of a pushing element.

[0053] As long as they can be reasonably combined with each other from the perspective of a person skilled in the art, some or all of these foregoing variations or implementations of the described methods may also be optionally combined with each other in order to at least partially achieve the above-mentioned objectives and / or achieve the desired effects of the present invention.

[0054] In addition to the transport path according to this invention and the method described for transporting a single item by means of at least two transport sections adjacent to each other in the transport direction, this invention also includes an entire system that includes such a transport path, and further includes at least one packing machine and / or at least one grouping system and / or at least one palletizer.

[0055] This can specifically mean that, in a system configured in this way, the last transport path of the transport path according to the present invention can be connected to a packing machine, wherein a single item can be equipped with three- or four-level packaging, and in particular several single items can be combined and packaged in such three- or four-level packaging.

[0056] This can also optionally mean that, in such a system, the grouping system can be connected to the last transport path of the transport path according to the present invention, wherein individual goods can be picked up, moved and / or rotated so as to be brought, for example, into a modified arrangement for subsequent packaging and / or palletizing processes, particularly into a palletizable layer arrangement.

[0057] Finally, this could also mean that in such a system, the last transport path of the transport path according to this invention can be connected to a palletizer, through which multiple single-item cargo layers can be deposited and stacked one on top of another.

[0058] As described above, at least one packing machine and at least one grouping system can also be part of the system according to this invention. Optionally, at least one packing machine and at least one palletizer can also be part of the system according to this invention. Furthermore, optionally, at least one grouping system and at least one palletizer can also be components of the system according to this invention. Finally, at least one packing machine, at least one grouping system, and at least one palletizer can all be components of the system according to this invention.

[0059] A system defined in this way is particularly suitable for performing a method according to one of the above-described variations, wherein, after passing through the third transport section or a subsequent transport section, the transported single item can be further transported to a packing machine and / or a grouping system and / or a palletizer. Attached Figure Description

[0060] In the following sections, embodiments of the present invention and their advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensional proportions of individual elements in the drawings do not always correspond to actual dimensional proportions, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged for better illustration compared to other elements.

[0061] Figure 1A A schematic side view shows some of the cooperating components of a first embodiment of the transport path according to the present invention.

[0062] Figure 1B A schematic side view shows some of the cooperating components of a second embodiment of the transport path according to the present invention.

[0063] Figure 1C It shows that according to Figure 1A The first implementation of the transportation route is an angle alignment of the continuous transportation section.

[0064] Figure 1D It shows that according to Figure 1B The angle of the second implementation variant of the transportation route is aligned with the continuous transportation section.

[0065] Figures 2A to 2G A schematic side view shows the method according to Figure 1A and Figure 1C The transportation route is a continuous processing stage for transporting single items.

[0066] Figure 3 It shows that according to Figure 1A , 1C as well as Figures 2A to 2G A schematic side view of an embodiment of a transport path for conveying packaging units.

[0067] Figure 4A schematic top view of an implementation variant of a complete beverage filling and packaging equipment with its cooperating modules is shown, wherein the equipment may be equipped with a transport path according to one of Figures 1 to 3. Detailed Implementation

[0068] For elements of the same or equivalent function in this invention, the same reference numerals are generally used in the following description of the figures. Furthermore, for clarity, in many cases, only the reference numerals necessary for describing the respective figures are used in the various figures. The embodiments shown are merely examples of how to design a transport route or described method according to this invention and do not represent final limitations. Moreover, the features described below should not be construed as closely related to other features of the corresponding embodiments in each case, but may be provided or used in a general manner in each case for this purpose.

[0069] Figures 1A to 1D The schematic side view is intended to first illustrate the basic principles of a method for conveying a single item, which is indicated here and in the following paragraphs by reference numeral 100. In each case, two implementation variations are shown, which can be understood as examples and alternatives, but are essentially the same in their conveying principle. The first variation is... Figure 1A and 1C As shown, the second variant is... Figure 1B and 1D As shown.

[0070] The method 100 described herein is primarily used for conveying single items 10, which may be formed, for example, by packaging units, packages, bundles, or other secondary or tertiary packaging. The single item 10 is conveyed in the transport direction or from left to right 12 (see...). Figure 1A and 1B Arrow 12) typically has a flat underside, for example in the case of cardboard packaging in the form of a pallet, which contains beverage containers or other items.

[0071] Alternatively, a single item 10 may also be formed from a beverage box, etc.

[0072] An important task of the conveying method 100 is to space the individual goods 10 apart from each other, and after spacing, to further convey them together at a defined distance in the conveying direction 12. If the individual goods 10 are already spaced apart from each other, the main task of the conveying method 100 is to increase the distance between the individual goods 10 and to predetermine and maintain these increased distances as accurately as possible.

[0073] The conveying method 100 is performed using a conveying path 14, wherein a plurality of conveying sections 16, 18, and 20 are adjacent to each other in the conveying direction 12. Each of the conveying sections 16, 18, and 20 shown herein is arranged aligned with each other in the conveying or transporting direction 12, and in each case has supporting planes 22, 24, and 26, wherein the first conveying section 16 has a first supporting plane 22. The second conveying section 18 adjacent to the first conveying section 16 in the conveying direction 12 has a second supporting plane 24. The third conveying section 20 adjacent to the second conveying section 18 in the conveying direction 12 has a third supporting plane 26.

[0074] like Figure 1A and 1B As schematically shown, each of the support planes 22, 24 and 26 is used for conveying a single item 10 in the conveying direction 12.

[0075] The support planes 22, 24 and / or 26 of the corresponding transport sections 16, 18 or 20 may be formed and provided specifically by annular circumferential pad conveyors, each pad conveyor being guided on two deflecting rollers (not shown here) and may be driven by an electric motor or optionally also by a hydraulically driven motor.

[0076] Optionally, the circumferential support planes 22, 24 and / or 26 may also be annular circumferential chains. Optionally, the circumferential support planes 22, 24 and / or 26 may also be formed from sufficiently wide rubber or fabric strips, etc.

[0077] In this configuration, the upper traction strands of each transport section 16, 18, and 20 provide corresponding support planes 22, 24, and 26 for transporting a single piece of cargo 10 in the transport or delivery direction 12, while the lower empty strands of the corresponding transport sections 16, 18, and 20 return in the opposite direction.

[0078] The circular motion of the support planes 22, 24, and 26, and the resulting conveying motion of the individual cargo 10 moving along the conveying direction 12 on the support planes 22, 24, and 26, are each indicated by directional arrows, i.e., the schematically shown front end of the individual cargo 10 moving within the respective transport sections 16, 18, and 20 and on the support planes 22, 24, and 26. The directional arrows used in the transport sections 16, 18, and 20 are intended to show the circular motion of the three support planes 22, 24, and 26, their respective upper traction strands and returning lower empty strands.

[0079] However, it should be emphasized that this invention relates to the first two transport sections 16 and 18 and their associated support planes 22 and 24, while the third transport section 20 and its third support plane 26 are not directly related to the transport path 14 and the transport method 100 according to this invention, even if the third transport section 20 is useful or necessary for performing the desired transport task of the transport path 14, regardless of its specific design.

[0080] The following reference Figure 3 The schematic diagram illustrates possible designs for the third transport section 20. However, since the most important aspects of this invention can be viewed in conjunction with the first and second transport sections 16 and 18 and their arrangement relative to each other, therefore... Figure 1A and 1B In the diagram, the single item 10 being transported on the third support plane 26 of the third transport section 20, and the directional arrow drawn on its front side, are shown in dashed lines. This is because further transport and handling in the transport direction 12 are not intended to be discussed further at this point.

[0081] like Figure 1A and 1B As shown, a single item 10 first moves along the conveying direction 12 on a first support plane 22 of a first transport section 16, and then transfers to an adjacent second support plane 24 of a second transport section 18. Method 100 provides that, as the single item 10 is transferred from the first transport section 16 to the second transport section 18, the single item 10 performs a pitching motion, i.e., a tilting motion about the corresponding lateral axis of the relevant single item 10.

[0082] In this way, at different conveying speeds in the continuous transport sections 16 and 18, a single piece of cargo 10 can move particularly gently from the first support plane 22 to the second support plane 24, and largely avoids undesirable and difficult-to-control and reproduce friction and / or slippage effects.

[0083] These pitch movements can be achieved by the two support planes 22 and 24 not being exactly in the common horizontal plane, but rather by passing through them at an obtuse angle α (see...). Figure 1C ) or β (see Figure 1D The goods are placed adjacent to each other, which forces the passing single goods 10 to tilt.

[0084] Figure 1C It shows that according to Figure 1A The transport path 14 shows the obtuse angle α formed between the respective support planes 22 and 24 of the first and second transport sections 16, 18. In this case, the first transport section 16 is arranged in a slightly sloping manner, which is achieved by setting a forward deflection at a position higher than the rear deflection, such that the first support plane 22 also describes the same slope.

[0085] Furthermore, the second transport section 18 is provided with a slight gradient, which is achieved by setting a forward deflection at a position lower than the rear deflection, so that the second support plane 24 also describes the same gradient. Viewed from the transport direction 12, the forward deflection of the first transport section 16 can preferably be located at the same height level as the rear deflection of the second transport section 18.

[0086] Figure 1D It shows that according to Figure 1B The transport path 14, based on an alternative design, also shows an obtuse angle β formed between the corresponding support planes 22 and 24 of the first and second transport sections 16, 18. However, Figure 1D The obtuse angle β shown is slightly smaller than Figure 1C The obtuse angle α shown.

[0087] According to Figure 1D In the variant, the first transport section 16 is horizontally oriented, while the second transport section 18 adjacent to it in the transport direction 12 is provided with a slight gradient, which is achieved by setting a forward deflection at a position lower than the rear deflection, so that the second support plane 24 also describes the same gradient.

[0088] Viewed in the transport direction 12, the forward deflection of the first transport section 16 can again be at the same height level as the rear deflection of the second transport section 18.

[0089] In both variations, such as Figures 1A to 1D As schematically shown, the third transport section 20 provides a horizontal third support plane 26 in each case; however, this should not be construed as an indispensable feature. The third transport section 20 is used for further transporting individual goods 10 that have moved to each other by a defined distance. This third transport section 20 is adjacent to the second transport section 18 without steps, allowing the individual goods 10 to pass through the second transport section 18 without disturbance or vibration, while maintaining the previously applied distance between them, and can be further transported at the same transport speed on the third support plane 26.

[0090] although Figure 1C and 1D The support planes 22 and 24 are shown in an explicit manner at an angle relative to each other; however, purely as a precaution, it should be clear that in each case, the obtuse angle α between the first support plane 22 and the second support plane 24 (see [reference]). Figure 1C ) and obtuse angle β (see Figure 1D All of these can be drawn and read in a vertical (hypothetical, not shown) plane, which is parallel to the transport direction 12 and can be arranged, for example, perpendicular to the central axis of the support planes 22 and 24 that are aligned with each other.

[0091] A particular advantage of the forced pitching motion of the single item 10 from the first transport section 16 to the second transport section 18 is that when the second transport section 18 is used as an acceleration path, a slippage effect is avoided. By means of the second transport section 18, constructed as an acceleration path, the single item 10 is transported forward faster than by means of the first transport section 16. Therefore, the first transport section 16, which preferably operates slower than the second transport section 18, can also be considered a deceleration section, at least relative to the acceleration section of the immediately adjacent second transport section 18.

[0092] This feature of the acceleration path can be specifically used to increase the existing gaps between individual goods 10 that are continuously transported on the first support plane 22 of the transport path 16.

[0093] However, in particular, the acceleration path function implemented by the second transport section 18 can be used to provide a defined gap for the single item 10 being transported without gap on the first support plane 22 of the transport path 16, so that the single item 10 can be engaged, for example, between push rods or other suitable pushing elements, and further transported, for example, on a non-driven sliding plane, with the rear of the push rod or pushing element adjacent to it.

[0094] The following description Figures 2A to 2G In and further described below Figure 3 This variation is shown, in which a single shipment 10 is transported substantially without gaps through the first transport section 16 and has defined gaps between each other during the transition to the second transport section 18.

[0095] However, the push rod or actuating element (see in this regard) Figure 3 The main task can be regarded as precisely presetting the position of the individual goods 10 in the conveying direction 12. For example, it can be used to perform further handling or processing steps at the precisely preset position using a handling device or gripper provided for this purpose. For example, if it is continuously conveyed on a conveyor belt of a correspondingly long design, this can only be achieved at an increased cost, if necessary, by means of an optical sensor device for determining the position of the individual goods 10.

[0096] In order to space out individual cargoes 10 from one another during the transition from the first transport section 16 to the second transport section 18, or to increase the existing gaps between individual cargoes 10 transported on the first transport section 16, the second conveying speed v2 of the second support plane 24 of the second transport section 18 must be greater than the first conveying speed v1 of the first support plane 22 of the first transport section 16 (see in this regard). Figure 1C and 1D ).

[0097] Depending on the degree of acceleration of a single item by means of the second transport section 18, which serves as an acceleration path, as expected or required in a particular application, the second transport speed v2 of the second support plane 24 of the second transport section 18 may, for example, be at least 10% greater than the first transport speed v1, wherein an increase in speed of about 20% or slightly more is also meaningful and feasible in practice.

[0098] The third conveying speed v3 of the third support plane 26 of the third transport section 20 can advantageously correspond to the second conveying speed v2, since speed changes are generally not required during the transition of individual goods 10 from the second transport section 18 to the third transport section 20, because the precise distance between individual goods 10 is achieved by the second transport section 18, which serves as an acceleration path, but preferably not by utilizing the speed difference in the third transport section 20.

[0099] exist Figure 1C and 1D In the diagram, these different conveying or propulsion speeds v1, v2, and v3 are shown above the corresponding support planes 22, 24, and 26 of the transport sections 16, 18, and 20, respectively. Furthermore, in each case, an obtuse angle δ is drawn between the second support plane 24 and the third support plane 26, which must be slightly less than 180° due to the small gradient between the second support plane 24 and the horizontally oriented third support plane 26.

[0100] On the contrary, according to Figure 1A and 1C In the first implementation variant, the obtuse angle α is slightly greater than 180°, just as in the case of... Figure 1B and 1D The obtuse angle β is the same as in the second embodiment. However, angle β is slightly smaller than angle α because, in the second embodiment, instead of providing a slope for the first transport section 16, a horizontally extending first support plane 22 is provided. In fact, it may be meaningful for angle α or β to be only slightly higher than 180°, as this would already achieve the intended purpose.

[0101] Therefore, angles α and β can be, for example, 181° or slightly greater than 181°. For example, reasonable angles α and β could also be between 181° and approximately 185°.

[0102] Figures 1A to 1D Roller 28 is also shown, which can fill the gap 30 between the first transport section 16 and the second transport section 18, such that in each case, a single item 10 moving from the first transport section 16 to the second transport section 18 can roll on it, resulting in that the pitching and tilting process can be substantially uninterrupted and without braking friction effect when moving to the second support plane 24 of the second transport section 18.

[0103] Figure 1A and 1B The image shows a single item 10 located at the center of the roller 28, currently in the process of tilting, as its lower side has disengaged from the first support plane 22 but has not yet reached the second support plane 24. As long as the roller 28 can rotate easily with low or virtually no resistance, the transition of the single item 10 from the first support plane 22 to the second support plane 24 can occur very precisely and uniformly for all single items 10. Simultaneously, once the tilting operation is complete and the lower side of the single item 10 rests on the second support plane 24, it can be accelerated to an increased second conveying speed v1.

[0104] A particular advantage of the transport path 14 designed according to this utility model is that it can ensure that a single piece of cargo 10 is accelerated to a second transport speed v2 on the second support plane 24 under reproducible conditions. However, such an acceleration path, in which the single piece of cargo 10 is accelerated in the horizontal direction without pitching motion, cannot ensure precise positioning because the friction conditions between the underside of the pulled and accelerated single piece of cargo 10 and the support plane 24 of the acceleration path may not be the same each time the single piece of cargo 10 passes by, which may cause differences in the gaps or distances generated between the single pieces of cargo 10.

[0105] Furthermore, this acceleration path suffers from increased wear because during its passage through the acceleration path, the individual item 10 remains partially on the slower-moving upstream conveyor belt, which inevitably means slippage, potentially leading to increased wear and belt wear after prolonged operation.

[0106] Conversely, during transit to the second transport section 18, each individual cargo 10 performs the described pitching motion, which, due to the different slopes of the first and second support planes 22 and 24 adjacent to each other in the transport direction 12, results in a change in the center of gravity 32 of the corresponding individual cargo 10 (see [link to transport section 18]). Figure 1A and 1B Located above the gap 30 and above the roller 28, the corresponding single item 10 separates from the first support plane 22. Due to the pitch motion, i.e., the tilting motion about the lateral axis of the corresponding single item 10 as described above, the lower side of the single item 10 does not contact the second support plane 24 until it has already separated from the first support plane 22.

[0107] Roller 28 can optionally rotate freely, preferably with the lowest possible resistance, or, if necessary, can be driven. The appropriate rotational speed of roller 28 is matched to, and preferably consistent with, the first conveying speed v1 of the first transport section 16. Otherwise, the speed difference there must be compensated, which in turn leads to slippage. On the other hand, if roller 28 can rotate substantially without resistance, its rotational speed fluctuates immediately with the acceleration of the single item 10 after it tilts onto the second support plane 24, thus allowing for repeated adaptation to the varying conveying speed at which the single item 10 contacts and rolls on roller 28 in each case.

[0108] Instead of this roller 28, a suitable sliding surface (not shown here) can be provided to bridge the gap 30, through which the single item 10 slides about its lateral axis while performing the pitch motion to move from the first support plane 22 to the second support plane 24, in which it is further conveyed to each other at an increased conveying speed v2 and an increased gap of the second transport section 18.

[0109] Figures 2A to 2G The sequential method steps of performing the above-described conveying method 100 are illustrated in a total of seven schematic side views, wherein the conveying path 14 has according to Figure 1A and 1C The structure has a rising first support plane 22 and a subsequently falling second support plane 24.

[0110] For clarity, the following description Figures 2A to 2G In this document, only the reference numerals in the individual figures are used, and these reference numerals can also be found in the following descriptive text of the respective figures.

[0111] therefore, Figure 2A The illustrated method phase can be considered the first phase, in which consecutive, almost seamless, single-item shipments 10 are supplied to the transport path 14 and conveyed in the transport direction 12 by means of a first transport section 16. Typically, along the transport direction 12 on the first support plane 22 of the first transport section 16 (in... Figure 2A Subsequently, from left to right, individual items are conveyed at a first conveying speed v1 at a smaller positive slope than shown in the attached figure, as indicated by the corresponding markings of the directional arrows associated with the first conveyed individual item 10.

[0112] Figures 2A to 2G The illustration shows the start of the corresponding single-item shipment. Figure 2AIn this context, a continuous line of individual cargoes is conveyed on the first transport section 16, while no individual cargoes 10 are yet on the subsequent second and third transport sections 18 and 20. However, the principle of individual cargo conveying and its acceleration by the faster-running second transport section 18, as shown and described herein, applies to any desired stage of conveying where the individual cargoes 10 are located on all the illustrated transport sections 16, 18, and 20.

[0113] according to Figure 2B In a row of individual goods 10 being conveyed continuously and substantially without gaps, the foremost individual goods 10 reaches the end of the first transport section 16 such that it is shortly before transitioning to the rotatable roller 28 located in the gap 30 between the first transport section 16 and the second transport section 18.

[0114] Figure 2C The next stage is shown, in which the foremost conveyed single item 10 in the row has been transferred onto roller 28. The foremost single item 10 has completed part of its pitching motion and is now in a horizontal position, still moving at a first conveying speed v1 on the first support plane 22. In this case, the center of mass 32 of the foremost single item 10 in the row can be located on a roughly vertical line above the axis of rotation of roller 28, and therefore roughly at the center above the gap 30.

[0115] Even if the lower side of the foremost single item 10 has detached from the first support plane 22, and... Figure 2C In the stage shown, the item is supported only by roller 28, which can rotate at a suitable speed so as not to decelerate or accelerate the individual item 10, nor to cause acceleration through the second support plane 24, which runs faster at v2. This is impossible in the stage shown because the underside of the foremost item 10 has not yet completed its pitching motion and therefore has not yet contacted the second support plane 24.

[0116] It is also impossible to decelerate the first single item 10, because in the arrangement of single items 10 shown, which are conveyed one after another with virtually no gap, dynamic pressure is generated by the following single items 10 since the first support plane 22 usually moves forward at a constant first conveying speed v1 without deceleration or acceleration.

[0117] exist Figure 2D In the subsequent processing stage shown, the single item 10 moving at the front of the row is accelerated to a higher second conveying speed v2 of the second transport section 18 because it has completed its pitching motion, in which its center of mass 32 has left the roller 28, even though the rear of the lower side of the single item 10 may still be on the rotating roller 28.

[0118] Because the second conveying speed v2 of the second support plane 24 is higher than the first conveying speed v1, the single item 10 is accelerated while being spaced out from subsequent single items 10. During this processing phase, the roller 28 rotates briefly faster, and its rotational speed is adapted to the conveying speed v2, which is applied to the single item 10 through its contact with the second support plane 22 on its underside.

[0119] Between the first conveyed unit 10 and the next unit 10, the unit 10 has at least partially moved to the second support plane 22 of the second transport section 18, which has a gradient and moves there at a higher second transport speed v2. Due to the acceleration of the preceding unit 10, in subsequent transport phases, this gap 34 allows for engagement by a pusher beam entering the transport path from above or by a pusher finger appearing from below in the transport plane (see [link]). Figure 3 ).

[0120] Figure 2E The method is illustrated in a phase where the foremost moving single item 10 is positioned on a second transport section 18, which descends relative to the first transport section 16 and moves there at a second transport speed v2, thus spacing it apart from subsequent single items 10 with an increasing gap 34. Although the subsequent second single item 10 in this row has reached the roller 28, it is only at the beginning of its pitching motion, during which time its lower rear region has not yet disengaged from the first support plane 22, and therefore it continues to move steadily at the first transport speed v1. This again gives the preceding single item 10 the opportunity to gradually increase the gap 34.

[0121] Figure 2F A more advanced stage of the process is shown, in which the first moving single item 10 moves further along the transport direction 12 on a second transport section 18 that descends relative to the first transport section 16.

[0122] The second individual item 10 in this row has passed the roller 28 with its center of gravity 32, thus completing its pitching motion. Because its lower front region has been pulled by the second support plane 24, it moves at a higher second conveying speed v2. From this stage onwards, the distance between the individual items 10 located on the second support plane 24 and moving there there at the same second conveying speed v2 remains constant. Figure 2F China through and Figure 2E The stage shown is compared to the enlarged gap 34.

[0123] Figure 2GThe above-described continuous processing phases are continued, and the defined gap 34 between the consecutive individual goods 10 in the row is shown. All individual goods 10 are first transported on a slightly raised first transport section 16, then on a slightly lowered second transport section 18, and finally on a horizontal third transport section 20.

[0124] In this configuration, the single item 10 is first conveyed at a first conveying speed v1 on the first transport section 16, then at an increased second conveying speed v2 starting from the second transport section 18, and finally at a third conveying speed v3 that remains constant compared to the second conveying speed v2 on the third transport section 20. This is indicated by the corresponding arrows on the end face of the single item 10.

[0125] This point should be emphasized again. Figures 2A to 2G The conveyor assembly shown, with its three consecutively arranged transport sections 16, 18, and 20, can also be used in... Figure 1B and 1D The configuration shown comprises horizontal first and third transport sections 16 and 20 and a second transport section 18 disposed therebetween, the second transport section 18 being constructed in a gradient manner such that the aforementioned upper obtuse angle β is formed between the first and second transport sections 16 and 18 (see [reference]). Figure 1D ), while the obtuse angle δ lies between the second and third transport sections 18 and 20.

[0126] Figure 3 A possible application of the method 100, explained in detail above, is illustrated in a schematic side view. This method 100 is applicable, for example, to the use of the aforementioned principle of spacing initially seamlessly transported packaging units 36 by means of conveyor belt sections meeting at an obtuse angle α (see [reference]). Figure 1C The above uses a diagram as an example ( Figures 1A to 1D and Figures 2A to 2G The transport sections 16, 18 and 20 explained herein are formed by a first transport belt 38, the supporting plane of which moves at a slightly increasing inclination at a first transport speed v1, followed by a second transport belt 40, the supporting plane of which moves at a slightly decreasing inclination than the first transport speed v2.

[0127] The first transport belt 38 was formed based on Figures 1A to 2G The first transport section 16. The second transport belt 40 is formed according to... Figures 1A to 2G The second transport section 18. The second conveying speed v2 of the slightly descending second conveyor belt 40 is higher than the first conveying speed v1 of the slightly ascending first conveyor belt 38. The speed difference must be selected such that, according to Figure 3 Draw gaps 34 of the desired length between packaging units 36.

[0128] Following the second conveyor belt 40 is a third conveyor belt 42, which preferably provides a horizontal support plane for the packaging unit 36, which moves in the conveying direction 12 at a third conveying speed v3. The third conveyor belt 42 is formed according to... Figures 1A to 2G The third transport section 20. The third transport speed v3 advantageously corresponds to the second transport speed v2, because the gap 34 generated by the second transport belt 40 generally does not need to be changed during further transport.

[0129] Under the influence of the coordinated conveying speeds v1, v2, and v3, the size of the gap 34 is typically determined in such a way that the pushing element 44 can engage at the rear of the packaging unit 36, for example, with... Figure 3 The packaging unit 36 ​​appears in the area below the support plane in the area of ​​the third conveyor belt 42, and in each case, it engages at the rear so that it can be pushed across the horizontal conveyor plane 46 after passing through the third conveyor belt 42.

[0130] The directional arrow at the beginning of the third conveyor belt 42 indicates the presence of the push element 44 located there. This push element 44 continues to be added to the conveying motion of the third conveyor belt 42 during its conveying motion and ensures further conveying of the pushed packaging unit 36 ​​on the sliding plane of the conveying plane 46 after transitioning to the horizontal conveying plane 46 adjacent to the third conveyor belt 42.

[0131] For example, the pusher element 44 configured as a push finger can be specifically anchored to a push chain (not shown here) on an annular circumference, which ensures that the pusher element 44 advances continuously parallel to the support plane of the third conveyor belt 42 and, in addition, parallel to the horizontal conveying plane 46. In each case, at the beginning of the third conveyor belt 42, the pusher element 44 configured as a push finger moves upward from its recessed position outside the conveying plane and is brought to a near-vertical position, which is most conducive to its rearward movement of pushing the packaging unit 36.

[0132] The length of the push chain can be matched with the transport length of the horizontal conveyor plane 46. For example, the conveyor plane 46 can lead to a handling device that can receive the packaged units 36 transported there via clamping devices and use them for stacking, palletizing, or otherwise transferring to different stacking and / or packaging states, however, this is not shown in more detail here.

[0133] like Figure 3As schematically shown, packaging unit 36 ​​may be formed, for example, by secondary and / or tertiary packaging for grouping beverage containers 48. Cardboard outer packaging 50 may, for example, receive a large number of upright beverage containers 48 in a rectangular arrangement, wherein the tray-shaped cardboard outer packaging 50 may resemble a tray, with its raised sides providing stable accommodation of the beverage containers 48 within the cardboard outer packaging 50.

[0134] Packaging units 36, transported almost seamlessly to the first conveyor belt 38 in the conveying direction 12, can be supplied, for example, from a portion of a packaging machine 52 having suitable packaging modules 54, however, not to be described or illustrated in more detail here. These packaging modules 54 of the portion of the packaging machine 52 (not shown here) can be designed and configured in such a way that they can, for example, ensure the manufacture of packaging units 36 in the corresponding desired configuration.

[0135] This configuration can, for example, provide a combination of grouped beverage containers 48—which can be considered primary packaging—by means of secondary packaging equipment, which can be formed, for example, by straps horizontally tensioned around multiple grouped beverage containers 48. In this way, for example, six or eight beverage containers 48 can be combined into a rectangular arrangement by the straps used as secondary packaging.

[0136] Subsequently, multiple such secondary packages can be combined with the aforementioned cardboard outer packaging 50 in a suitable additional packaging module 54 of a properly equipped and configured packaging machine 52, so that the cardboard outer packaging 50 can be regarded as a tertiary packaging device.

[0137] Packaging unit 36, configured in this manner for three-level packaging, is a portion of the upstream packaging machine 52 configured in this manner (see also in this regard). Figure 4 The packaging units 36 are conveyed in a substantially seamless sequence to the transport section 14, passing through the transport section 14 in the manner described, forming gaps 34 between the continuously conveyed packaging units 36, and then transferred to the downstream handling device 56 (not shown or described in more detail here) after passing through the transport plane 46, which is responsible for receiving the packaging units 36 that have been conveyed there.

[0138] As described above, the handling device 56 may include, for example, clamping devices or the same tools used for stacking, palletizing or otherwise transferring the packaging units 36 to bring multiple packaging units 36 into a changed stacking and / or packaging state, however, not shown in more detail here.

[0139] On this point, it should be emphasized again that Figure 3 The conveyor assembly shown, with three continuously arranged conveyor belts 38, 40, and 42, can also be used as follows: Figure 1B and 1DThe configuration shown comprises horizontal first and third conveyor belts 38 and 42 and a second conveyor belt 40 disposed therebetween, the second conveyor belt 40 being constructed in a gradient manner such that an upper obtuse angle β (>180°; see also) is formed between the first and second conveyor belts 38 and 40. Figure 1D ), while an obtuse angle δ (<180°; see below) is formed between the second and third conveyor belts 40 and 42. Figure 1D ).

[0140] Furthermore, it should be emphasized that, Figure 3 The conveyor assembly shown, with three continuously arranged conveyor belts 38, 40, and 42, can also be used with... Figure 1B and 1D The approach shown is slightly different. Therefore, the first conveyor belt 38 can also be designed with a slight slope, and the adjacent second conveyor belt 40 can be designed without slope or gradient, i.e., with a horizontal orientation. The adjacent third conveyor belt 42 can again preferably be horizontally oriented. Similarly, in this case, the aforementioned obtuse angle β (>180°; similar to...) is formed between the first and second conveyor belts 38 and 40. Figure 1D There is an angle of approximately 180° between the second and third conveyor belts 40 and 42, because no angle adjustment is provided there.

[0141] Figure 4 A schematic top view illustrates a complete beverage filling and packaging equipment 60 and its cooperating modules, wherein the equipment 60 may be specifically equipped with, according to Figures 1A to 2G One of or according to Figure 3 The transport path 14. The following will explain several reasonable positioning possibilities for the transport path 14 within the beverage filling and packaging equipment 60.

[0142] Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment of the beverage filling and packaging equipment 60 includes multiple modules interconnected in terms of conveying technology, wherein the entire equipment 60 includes at least one so-called wet section 62 (in... Figure 4 (at the top) and a packaging machine 52 (in Figure 4 The bottom; see also the bottom. Figure 3 Using this beverage filling and packaging equipment 60, containers can be filled with liquid beverages, which can then be packaged and assembled into packaging units 36 or bundles, and in particular, they can also be assembled into... Figure 3 The packaging unit 36 ​​is shown as an example.

[0143] Figure 4A useful sequence of modules is shown for manufacturing, filling, and further handling beverage containers made of plastic, mineral glass, or organic cellulose materials. Thus, a practical, relevant implementation variation of a complete beverage filling and packaging apparatus 60 and its cooperating modules is shown, wherein the lower part of the entire apparatus 60 is formed by a packaging machine 52, followed by other handling elements arranged after the packaging machine 52 for palletizing or otherwise completing packaging units 36 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 3 The packaging machine 52 shown in the lower right portion of the beverage filling and packaging equipment 60 can be, for example, a so-called wrap-around packaging machine, a pallet packaging machine, etc. In order to form such... Figure 3 The packaging unit 36 ​​shown, and the packaging machine 52, can also be a machine for inserting groups of containers into the cardboard outer packaging 50 provided for this purpose (see [link]). Figure 3 ).

[0144] The schematic diagram of the beverage filling and packaging equipment 60 shows the modules arranged from the so-called wet section 62 (top left), where the beverage is filled into containers prepared for this purpose. These containers can be formed from the beverage containers 48 described above, such as cans or bottles (see [link]). Figure 3 ), from the wet section 62 via the continuous conveying section 64 ( Figure 4 (top right corner) and 66 ( Figure 4 The liquid or beverage containers 48, cans, or bottles, typically conveyed in a row, are fed to an optional label module 68 located in the center of the lower third of the figure. In the optional label module 68, the liquid or beverage containers 48, cans, or bottles, which are typically conveyed in a row, can each be individually labeled.

[0145] Instead of this label module 68, a direct printing module may optionally be provided within the conveying path of the beverage filling and packaging equipment 60 for printing ink directly onto the outer sheath surface of the container. This labeling or printing on the container can also be omitted, which may be useful for color-coated or custom-designed containers or containers packaged in other ways.

[0146] The container manufacturing module 70 can be located at the beginning of the illustrated conveyor path, provided that the beverage containers 48 being processed are made of plastic or, for example, a suitable organic cellulose material. When metal cans or mineral glass bottles are used as beverage containers, the equipment 60 does not require this container manufacturing module 70; instead, it requires an empty container feeding area. If the beverage filling and packaging equipment 60 only uses, processes, fills, and packages beverage containers made of mineral glass, then the container manufacturing module 70 is not needed because such containers require different manufacturing processes and are generally not suitable for manufacturing in the upstream production stage of such equipment 60. In this case, the module 70 can be configured, for example, as a conveyor module for washing, cleaning, and inspecting beverage bottles. This is typically suitable for metal cans used as beverage containers.

[0147] If the beverage container 48 manufactured in the container manufacturing module 70, for example by blow molding or other suitable processes, requires further processing steps because it must be coated, for example, internally, this can be done in the coating module 72 located downstream of the container manufacturing module 70. However, this coating module 72 should be understood as optional, as well as an optional drying module that can be used to dry the container.

[0148] Downstream of the optional coating and / or drying module 72 is typically a filler 74, through which a pre-manufactured and optionally additionally dried and / or internally coated plastic or cellulose container is filled with liquid, particularly beverages.

[0149] Adjacent to the filler 74, the beverage filling and packaging equipment 60 shown may optionally be equipped with another module 76 for manufacturing suitable closures or container caps. These closures or container caps may optionally be made of metal, plastic, or a suitable cellulose material, for example, of the same material that can also be used for containers or bottles, as long as they are not glass bottles.

[0150] Therefore, module 76 can be in particular a closed manufacturing module 76, which can be connected to a suitable transport module that can use a container cap manufactured in module 76 to ensure the closure of the container filled by filler 74.

[0151] In the transport direction, downstream of the second conveying section 66 and (optionally) the labeling module 68, is a packaging and handling module for the previously completed containers 48, which are conveyed to the packaging machine 52 in conveying sections 64 and 66 and preferably grouped along the transport path. At this point, depending on the desired packaging variant, an outer packaging module 78 may be present for forming packaging units 36 or bundles, which can be used to equip the previously formed container groups with suitable secondary packaging.

[0152] The outer packaging module 78 can be specifically used for... Figure 3 The shown container groups are inserted into the cardboard outer packaging 50 provided for this purpose, so as to form the packaging unit 36 ​​shown therein, which in turn is formed according to... Figures 1A to 3 A single piece of cargo 10 transported on transport route 14.

[0153] The secondary packaging, packaging unit 36, or bundle formed in this manner within the outer packaging module 78 can optionally be... Figure 3 The cardboard outer packaging 50 shown is formed, but it can also optionally be formed from film packaging or the like, which can wrap a limited number of grouped containers. Alternatively, the secondary packaging, packaging unit 36, or bundle can also be formed from plastic beverage cardboard or beverage cartons, into which a limited number of grouped containers can be inserted.

[0154] Instead of the outer packaging module 78 mentioned here only as an example, or as a component of the outer packaging module 78, a packaging module for wrapping the container group with secondary packaging of paper or film may also be optionally provided. Similarly, the outer packaging module 78 may be formed by a strapping station for equipping the container group with prestressed strapping of plastic or paper.

[0155] Alternatively, instead of the outer packaging module 78, another packaging module, or a strapping station, an application station can be provided for assembling containers into groups with packaging blanks, which can be considered secondary packaging.

[0156] In addition, instead of the outer packaging module 78, another wrapping module, or a strapping station, an application station can be provided for providing adhesive connections for grouping containers, thereby forming an adhesive container with multiple containers bonded to each other. In principle, this adhesive connection can also be considered a variation of secondary packaging.

[0157] Alternatively, in addition to the outer packaging module 78, another wrapping module, adhesive module, or strapping station, an application station for equipping container groups or packaging units 36 with packaging blanks may be provided, in which case the packaging blanks may be considered as tertiary packaging.

[0158] It should be noted in this respect that Figure 4 The equipment shown is to be understood as exemplary only and in no way limiting. In practice, it has proven useful to implement the equipment portion referred to herein as outer packaging module 78 through several highly efficient handling and packaging lines that process and repackage large quantities of single items 10 or packaging units 36 that can be handled simultaneously by several robots in parallel handling. These handling robots (not shown for illustrative purposes) may also have multiple packaging heads or gripping heads in each case, such as up to six or more, which can grip a corresponding number of item groups, convert them, and insert them into the prepared outer packaging.

[0159] An outer packaging module 78, optionally equipped with multiple powerful robots for parallel processing and / or optionally provided packaging or processing modules, can be followed downstream by another processing module 80, which can be used for post-processing of the previously manufactured packaging unit 36 ​​(see [link]). Figure 3 This allows for the installation of additional equipment, such as printing or attaching labels. However, another processing module 80 can also be a so-called shrink tunnel for heat-treating container groups previously wrapped with a film that can shrink under heat, and all film-wrapped container groups pass through this shrink tunnel for further processing into shrink film bundles.

[0160] After passing through the optional further processing module 80, the packaging unit 36 ​​is further conveyed via a conveyor 82 adjacent to module 80. In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor 82, configured as a horizontal conveyor, can also be considered here as a third conveying section 82, which describes a 180° deflection and continues in a straight conveying section 84.

[0161] Specifically, according to the transportation route 14 of this utility model (see...) Figures 1A to 3 The area may be located in the third conveying section 82 and / or the adjacent linear conveying section 84, and the area of ​​the linear conveying section 84 is further indicated by reference numeral 14.

[0162] Following the 180° deflection of the conveyor 82 and the linear conveying section 84—preferably including the transport path 14 according to the present invention—is another handling module 86, which may be formed, for example, by a layer forming station 88. In this other handling module 86 or layer forming station 88, particularly by means of a suitable robotic arm 90 or handling device, i.e., by means of a gripping robot, the packaging unit 36 ​​(see [link to product description]) transported for the purpose of layer forming can be realized. Figure 3 ) or 10 single items (see Figures 1A to 3 Positioning, displacement and / or rotation of ( ).

[0163] Since these robotic arms 90 or gripping robots rely on precisely knowing the position of the transported individual goods 10 or packaging units 36 in the area of ​​the module or layer forming station 40, it is advantageous to use the transport path 14 according to the present invention to space the initially transported individual goods 10 or packaging units 36 apart from each other in the manner described above. If the individual goods 10 or packaging units 36 are initially transported in the first transport section 16 (see...) Figures 1A to 2G ) or first transport belt 38 (see Figure 3 If the goods are transported at smaller intervals, it may be advantageous to increase the distance between individual items 10 or packaging units 36 in a manner that facilitates the generation of layer images by the robot arm 90.

[0164] exist Figure 4 The schematic diagram only shows the robotic arm 90, which may preferably be equipped with suitable gripping heads, however, it is not shown in more detail here. Such gripping heads may, for example, be suspended on a gantry robot, a parallel motion robot, or a multi-axis movable gripping arm robot, or a so-called articulated arm robot that forms the robotic arm 90, to grip packaging units 36 or single goods 10 individually, in pairs, or in larger groups to form four or more packaging units 36 or single goods 10 pushed together for transfer to prepared tertiary packaging or to be carried into a layered arrangement for subsequent stacking and palletizing.

[0165] If another handling module 86 is formed by a layer forming station 88, the layers pushed together with container groups, packaging units 36, or individual goods 10 can then be transferred to a palletizing device or palletizing station 92 after passing through the layer forming station 88 and being processed there by a robot 90 including a gripper head. In each case, a larger pallet unit or pallet stack can be formed by stacking the previously formed layers one on top of another, however, this is not shown in more detail here.

[0166] Therefore, according to Figure 4 The selected system, in Figure 3 The conveying device 56, which is only schematically shown and not described in more detail in the relevant description, may be formed by another conveying module 86, a layer forming station 88, a robot 90, and optionally additionally by a palletizing station 92.

[0167] and Figure 4 Conversely, as illustrated in the diagram, the palletizing device or palletizing station 92 can optionally be considered as part of the packaging equipment or packaging machine 52, but can also optionally be considered as a separate module connected to the packaging equipment or packaging machine 52. Depending on the system chosen, the layer forming station 88, together with its assigned robot 90 or handling device, can be considered as a component of the palletizing device or palletizing station 92, since grouping containers, assembling individual goods 10 or packaging units 36 into stackable bundles is directly related to stacking, i.e., directly related to the palletizing of these bundles.

[0168] In addition, the pallet transport module 94 may be equipped with a palletizing device or a palletizing station 92, which is used to transport the appropriate pallet in each case so that pallet layers for forming pallet stacks can be placed on it.

[0169] Another optional module that can be connected to the palletizing device or palletizing station 92 is an intermediate layer inserter 96 for handling and positioning between continuously deposited pallet layers. Figure 4 The elements shown are schematic.

[0170] Optionally, it is possible to Figure 4 The device 60 exemplarily illustrated provides parallel processing of multiple modules with the same function in many locations, which is useful for high-performance devices in many locations to enable the desired high throughput of a single item or container to be processed. These options and variations are not shown or mentioned in detail, but should generally be included in the above embodiments when observed.

[0171] Each collaborative module of the beverage filling and packaging equipment 60 must be equipped with its own control module in each case; however, this is not shown in the accompanying drawings. Additionally, a central control unit may be provided; however, this, too, is not shown in the drawings. The control modules of each equipment module and the central control unit can exchange different sensor signals or process them as input variables in each case to generate control signals for the various equipment modules.

[0172] List of reference numerals

[0173] 10 individual items

[0174] 12. Conveying direction, transport direction

[0175] 14 Transportation Routes

[0176] 16 First Transportation Section

[0177] 18 Second Transport Section

[0178] 20 Third Transport Section

[0179] 22 First Support Plane

[0180] 24 Second Support Plane

[0181] 26 Third Support Plane

[0182] 28 rolls

[0183] 30 gap

[0184] 32, center of gravity, mass center of gravity

[0185] 34 gap

[0186] 36 packaging units

[0187] 38 First transport belt

[0188] 40 Second transport belt

[0189] 42 Third transport belt

[0190] 44 driving elements

[0191] 46. ​​Conveying plane, horizontal conveying plane

[0192] 48 Beverage Containers

[0193] 50 cardboard outer packaging

[0194] 52 Packaging Machine, Packaging Machine Parts

[0195] 54 Packaging Modules

[0196] 56. Transport device

[0197] 60 Complete equipment, beverage filling and packaging equipment

[0198] 62 wet part

[0199] 64 Conveying section, first conveying section

[0200] 66 Conveying section, second conveying section

[0201] 68 Tag Module

[0202] 70 Container Manufacturing Module

[0203] 72 Coating Module

[0204] 74 Filler

[0205] 76 Another module, the closed manufacturing module

[0206] 78 outer packaging modules

[0207] 80 processing module, another processing module

[0208] 82 Conveying device, third conveying section

[0209] 84 Conveying section, linear conveying section

[0210] 86 transport module, another transport module

[0211] 88-story building

[0212] 90 robotic arm

[0213] 92 Palletizing Station

[0214] 94 Palletizing and Transport Module

[0215] 96 Intermediate Layer Insertor

[0216] Method 100, a method for transporting single items.

[0217] v1 First conveying speed

[0218] v2 Second Conveying Speed

[0219] v3 third delivery speed.

Claims

1. A transport path (14), characterized in that The transport path has at least two transport sections adjacent to each other in the conveying direction (12), comprising a first transport section (16) and a second transport section (18), which provide a first support plane (22) and a second support plane (24) for the individual piece goods (10) moving along the conveying direction (12), respectively, which are adjacent to each other at least in the vicinity of the connection between the first transport section (16) and the second transport section (18), forming an obtuse angle (a, b) of more than 180°.

2. The transport path (14) according to claim 1, wherein the first support plane (22) of the first transport section (16) has a slope with respect to the horizontal.

3. The transport path (14) according to claim 1, wherein the first support plane (22) of the first transport section (16) is oriented substantially horizontally.

4. The transport path (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second support plane (24) of the second transport section (18) adjoining the first transport section (16) in the conveying direction (12) has a gradient with respect to the horizontal.

5. The transport path (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first support plane (22) of the first transport section (16) is moved along the conveying direction (12) with a first conveying speed (vi), and wherein the second support plane (24) of the second transport section (18) is moved along the conveying direction (12) with a second conveying speed (v2), wherein, The second conveying speed (v2) is greater than the first conveying speed (vi).

6. The transport path (14) according to claim 5, wherein the second conveying speed (v2) has an amount of about 105% to 120% of the amount of the first conveying speed (vi).

7. The transport path (14) according to claim 6, wherein the second conveying speed (v2) has a value of about 110% of the first conveying speed (vi).

8. The transport path (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a sliding element is located between the first transport section (16) and the second transport section (18), through which the individual piece goods (10) can slide when transitioning from the first transport section (16) to the second transport section (18), respectively.

9. The transport path (14) according to claim 8, wherein the sliding element is formed by a rotatable roller (28).

10. The transport path (14) according to claim 5, wherein the second transport section (18) adjoins a third transport section (20) in the conveying direction (12), which has a third support plane (26) for conveying the individual piece goods (10).

11. The transport path (14) according to claim 10, wherein the third support plane (26) of the third transport section (20) is oriented horizontally.

12. The transport path (14) according to claim 10, wherein the third support plane (26) moves with a third conveying speed (v3), which substantially corresponds to the second conveying speed (v2).

13. A system, characterized by The system has a transport path (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the system further comprising at least one packing machine and / or at least one grouping system and / or at least one palletizer.

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