Device for processing beverage containers

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for treating beverage containers is disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a horizontal conveying device (12) for moving the beverage containers and a transport module (18) for continuing to move the beverage containers transferred from the horizontal conveying device (12) onto the transport module (18). The transport module (18) is designed to adopt at least two different operating orientations, the transport plane (20) of the transport module (18) being horizontal in a first operating orientation and being inclined with respect to the horizontal in a second operating orientation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of article packaging and relates to an apparatus for handling beverage containers. BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to integrate and package several beverage containers, it has been proposed to first move the beverage containers from a first station to another station arranged downstream by means of a transport device. If, after a certain time of implementing a defined packaging process, the parameters of the packaging process change, so that, for example, other secondary or tertiary packaging materials need to be used, the corresponding transport device needs to be replaced or modified, whereby the device used is adapted to the packaging process to be implemented.

[0003] WO 2012 / 062549 A1 discloses, for example, an apparatus which can replace the individual components as required. This document discloses a machine for handling and / or packaging objects, having a generally horizontal transport section for conveying articles, bundles and / or packaging units. The machine comprises a first horizontal conveying device having at least one transport member for a first operating mode, which first horizontal conveying device is replaceable by another horizontal conveying device having at least one second transport member which is different from the first transport member, in order to establish at least one further operating mode.

[0004] The other horizontal conveying device is suspended above the first horizontal conveying device in the non-use case. If the other horizontal conveying device needs to be used instead of the first horizontal conveying device, the other horizontal conveying device needs to be lowered by means of a crane and inserted into the transport path for the articles. Since a lowering operation needs to be carried out in order to feed the other horizontal conveying device into the transport path in this way, the apparatus needs to have a complex structure and is often time-consuming. SUMMARY

[0005] It is therefore an object of the utility model to provide an apparatus with which a change between different operating modes can be carried out easily.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the utility model proposes an apparatus for handling beverage containers. These beverage containers can be, for example, beverage bottles or beverage cans.

[0007] A component of the apparatus is a horizontal conveying device for moving the beverage containers. The horizontal conveying device can comprise a transport belt which is driven in a loop, for moving the beverage containers.

[0008] The apparatus can also comprise a divider which forms groups of beverage containers and delivers them to the horizontal conveying device. In this way, groups of beverage containers, which each comprise or consist of several beverage containers, can be moved on the horizontal conveying device.

[0009] Furthermore, a transport module is provided, which is used to continue the movement of the beverage containers transferred from the horizontal conveying device onto the transport module. The transport module is therefore directly connected to the horizontal conveying device, so that the beverage containers are transferred from the horizontal conveying device onto the transport module.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferred that the horizontal conveying device and the transport module are connectable with a control device, which is configured and constructed in such a way that the horizontal conveying device and the transport module can be controlled by means of the control device in such a way that the beverage containers move at substantially the same transport speed. In this way, the mutual distance of successive beverage containers or of successive groups of beverage containers on the horizontal conveying device does not change as a result of the transfer from the horizontal conveying device onto the transport module.

[0011] The transport module is constructed in such a way that it can assume at least two different operating orientations, wherein the transport plane of the transport module is horizontal in a first operating orientation and is inclined relative to the horizontal or relative to a horizontally extending plane in a second operating orientation.

[0012] The transport module in the second operating orientation can be inclined relative to the horizontal or relative to a horizontally extending plane at an angle of less than 20°, preferably less than 10°. It is particularly preferred that the angle of inclination can also be less than 5°.

[0013] For different packaging processes or for different operating modes, different conveying devices connected to the transport module can be used. In a first operating mode, a conveying device is connected to the transport module, which causes the beverage containers to move at a first height level.

[0014] In another operating mode, this conveying device can be replaced and, if appropriate, replaced by another conveying device, which causes the beverage containers to move at a second height level. As a result of the inclination of the transport module in the second operating orientation relative to the horizontal, it is possible to easily overcome the different height levels.

[0015] An embodiment which has proven to be practical in practice is that a trough is formed by means of the inclination of the transport module in the second operating orientation, as will be explained hereinafter.

[0016] The transport plane of the transport module in the second operating orientation can be inclined relative to the horizontal in such a way that the transport plane rises in the conveying direction of the transport module. As an alternative, the transport plane of the transport module in the second operating orientation can be inclined relative to the horizontal in such a way that the transport plane falls in the conveying direction of the transport module.

[0017] Furthermore, it has proven to be possible for the transport plane of the transport module in the second operating orientation to be inclined in a certain way with respect to the horizontal such that a trough for the transport path of the packaging blanks into the beverage containers is formed between the transport module and the horizontal conveyor. In the case of the need to integrate several beverage containers into a bundle, a respective packaging blank can be provided for the respective several beverage containers, in the finished bundle the respective beverage containers standing on the packaging blank. This packaging blank, which is also referred to as secondary packaging material, is often also referred to as a tray or PAD.

[0018] Due to the inclination with respect to the horizontal in the second operating orientation with the formation of the trough, it is possible to easily bring the apparatus into an operating state for the creation of such bundles in which several beverage containers can be integrated in the manner of standing on a packaging blank or tray.

[0019] The apparatus can therefore comprise an input device for the feeding of the packaging blanks into the transport path of the articles through the trough in the case of the transport module being in the second operating orientation. The input device can comprise a conveying section for the packaging blanks which is at least partially located below the horizontal conveyor.

[0020] The packaging blanks which can be fed into the transport path can form a lying surface for the collective positioning of several beverage containers. The packaging blanks can be planar packaging blanks which can be made, for example, of paperboard or of composite material and are often also referred to in practice as PADs.

[0021] The apparatus can also comprise a wrapping module which is located downstream of the transport module in the conveying direction of the beverage containers and serves for the application of blanks of thermoplastic packaging material to the beverage containers. This additional packaging material can also be regarded as tertiary packaging material. According to this system, the beverage containers to be packaged are referred to as primary packaging.

[0022] In various embodiments, a shrinking tunnel can be connected to the wrapping module, the shrinking tunnel serving for shrinking the blanks of thermoplastic packaging material which are matched in size and wrapped on the group of articles onto the respective beverage containers.

[0023] Furthermore, the transport module can be designed to assume a waiting position in which the transport module is lowered completely or the transport plane of the transport module is lowered completely with respect to the first operating orientation. It has proven to be possible here for the apparatus to also comprise a folding module with several folding fingers which are able to be moved into an operating position in the case of the transport module being in the waiting position.

[0024] By this, in the case that the transport module is in the waiting position, the beverage container can be transferred from the horizontal transport device onto the folding module without the beverage container being moved on by the transport module. In this case the beverage container can be moved on by the folding module.

[0025] In the case that the transport module is moved again to move the beverage container on, the folding module can be moved out of the operating position and, in particular, the transport module is lifted by at least one actuator of the device until the transport module adopts the first operating orientation or the second operating orientation.

[0026] To move the beverage container on, the transport module can also comprise a transfer plate and a plurality of push rods which are driven in a ring-like manner such that the beverage container can be moved in a sliding motion along the transfer plate by the push rods.

[0027] Here, the transport module can comprise two continuous traction means which are constructed as chains and / or belts and are guided in a ring-like manner, wherein the respective push rods are provided on the two continuous traction means which are constructed as chains and / or belts.

[0028] It is also proven to be feasible that, to move the beverage container on, the transport module comprises a transport belt which is driven in a ring-like manner.

[0029] The device can comprise a plurality of vertical lifting shafts and / or lifting elements and at least one actuator, wherein the plurality of lifting shafts and / or lifting elements are liftable by the at least one actuator such that the transport module can be moved into the at least two operating orientations with mechanical engagement of the plurality of lifting shafts.

[0030] Furthermore, the lifting shafts and / or lifting elements can also be supported in each case in a manner movable in the longitudinal direction thereof such that a mechanical engagement and a disengagement can be established between the transport module and the lifting shafts and / or lifting elements.

[0031] The device can also comprise a locking mechanism for securing the transport module in the first operating orientation, the second operating orientation and / or the waiting position. The locking mechanism can comprise at least one pawl which is supported in a manner deflected such that the transport module is secured in the first operating orientation, the second operating orientation and / or the waiting position by means of a deflection movement of the pawl.

[0032] As an alternative or in addition to such a pawl, the locking mechanism can comprise other means, in particular a snap connection and / or a latching connection and / or a clamping connection, for securing the transport module in the first operating orientation, the second operating orientation and / or the waiting position.

[0033] A method of handling beverage containers is also described, wherein the beverage containers are moved by means of a horizontal conveying device. The features already mentioned above in connection with the different embodiments of the apparatus of the application also apply to the following embodiments of the method, which will not be described again.

[0034] The features which will be described below in connection with the embodiments of the method also apply to the embodiments of the apparatus already described above, which will not be described again. The apparatus can be constructed to carry out the following embodiments of the method. The method according to the following embodiments can also be carried out by means of the apparatus according to the above embodiments.

[0035] In the method, the beverage containers are transferred from the horizontal conveying device onto the transport module and moved on by means of the transport module. The transport module is operated in a first operating orientation for a first defined period of time and subsequently operated in a second operating orientation for a second defined period of time. In the first operating orientation, the transport plane of the transport module is horizontal. In the second operating orientation, the transport plane of the transport module is inclined with respect to the horizontal.

[0036] The transport plane of the transport module in the second operating orientation can be lowered in the direction of transport of the transport module. The transport plane of the transport module in the second operating orientation can also be raised in the direction of transport of the transport module.

[0037] In the case where the transport module is in the second operating orientation, a slot can be formed between the transport plane of the transport module and the horizontal conveying device. By means of this slot, a packaging blank can be fed into the transport path of the beverage container, wherein, upon transfer onto the transport module, the beverage container is moved onto the respective packaging blank fed into the transport path.

[0038] Furthermore, the horizontal conveying device can move the beverage containers, which are here erected on packaging blanks having a plurality of tabs. Furthermore, in this case, the beverage container together with the packaging blank on which the beverage container is erected can be transferred from the horizontal conveying device onto a folding module, which, instead of the transport module, moves the beverage container together with the packaging blank for a third defined period of time and, in this case, by means of folding fingers which bring the tabs of the packaging blank into a vertical orientation.

[0039] The slot can extend in such a way that only packaging blanks which move in the horizontal direction can pass through.

[0040] Alternatively, in the method, the transport module can be lowered into a waiting position and a folding module comprising a plurality of circumferentially moving folding fingers is moved into an operating position, wherein the horizontal conveying device moves the beverage containers, which are here erected on packaging blanks comprising a plurality of tabs.

[0041] Furthermore, the beverage container, together with the packaging blank on which the beverage container is erected, can be transferred from the horizontal conveying device onto a transport module, the folding module replacing the transport module within a third defined period of time such that the beverage container, together with the packaging blank, continues to move and, in this case, by means of its folding fingers such that the tabs of the packaging blank are brought into a vertical orientation.

[0042] According to a further method variant, the transport module comprises a transfer plate and a plurality of push rods, wherein the plurality of push rods are driven in a circular manner and the beverage container, in this case, slides along the transfer plate, or, in the method, the transport module comprises a transport belt which is driven in a circular manner and, in this case, continues to move the transferred beverage container.

[0043] Furthermore, the method can be constructed in such a way that the transport plane of the transport module in the second operating orientation is lowered in the conveying direction of the transport module. As an alternative, the transport plane of the transport module in the second operating orientation can also be raised in the conveying direction of the transport module.

[0044] Finally, according to a further method variant, a plurality of vertical lifting shafts and / or lifting elements are provided, which are mechanically engaged with the transport module and can be moved by at least one actuator, in order to switch the transport module between operating orientations, or to move from one operating orientation into a waiting position, or to move from a waiting position into one operating orientation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] In the following, embodiments of the application and their advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The size proportions of individual elements to one another in the drawings do not always correspond to the actual size proportions, since some shapes are simplified representations and others are enlarged representations in order to better illustrate them in comparison to other elements.

[0046] Figure 1A Schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the device for conveying beverage containers of the application.

[0047] Figure 1B Schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the device for conveying beverage containers of the application. Figure 1A Front view of the device shown.

[0048] Figure 2A Schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the device for conveying beverage containers of the application. Figure 1A andSchematic top view of a part of the device shown, wherein the transport module in the first operating orientation is shown here. Figure 1B

[0049] Schematic top view corresponding to Figure 2B , wherein the transport module is in the second operating orientation here. Figure 2A

[0050] Figure 3 For Figure 1A And Figure 1B schematic side view of the device shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The same reference signs are used for identical or identically acting elements of the utility model. In addition, for the sake of clarity, only the reference signs necessary for the description of the respective drawing are depicted in the individual drawings. The depicted embodiments are merely examples of how the device or method for handling beverage containers of the utility model can be designed and are not conclusive.

[0052] Figure 1A A possible embodiment of the device 10 of the utility model for handling beverage containers, which are not shown here, is shown in a schematic perspective view. This device 10 shown here can be, inter alia, a component of a more comprehensive packaging machine for the conveying and packaging of beverage containers, the aim being to form packaging units, bales or so-called secondary and / or tertiary packaging.

[0053] The device 10 of the utility model shown in Figure 1A comprises a horizontal conveying device 12 for moving beverage containers along a defined conveying direction 14. The horizontal conveying device 12 can in particular be composed of a ring-shaped endless conveyor belt comprising a first conveyor plane 16 which moves along the conveying direction 14, wherein this first conveyor plane 16 can for example be composed of a conveyor belt made of plastic or elastomer material, on which beverage containers can be conveyed in an upright manner at a defined conveying speed along the conveying direction 14.

[0054] The device 10 of the utility model shown in Figure 1A perspective view, it can be seen from the arrow direction that the conveyor device 14 points from the rear left to the front right.

[0055] Downstream of the horizontal conveying device 12 there follows a conveyor module 18 for continuing the movement of the beverage containers transferred from the horizontal conveying device 12 onto the conveyor module 18, i.e. the horizontal conveying device 12 and the conveyor module 18 are arranged in an aligned manner one behind the other. Alternatively, the conveyor module 18 can also have a ring-shaped endless conveyor belt comprising a second conveyor plane 20 which moves along the conveying direction 14.

[0056] This second conveyor plane 20 can for example also be composed of a ring-shaped conveyor belt made of suitable plastic or elastomer material, on which beverage containers can be continued to be conveyed in an upright manner at a defined conveying speed along the conveying direction 14.

[0057] However, as an alternative, the transport module 18 may also be composed of a transport plane or transfer plate with a suitable pushing device, such as a push rod that moves along the transport direction 14 for transporting beverage containers located on the second transport plane 20, but is not shown in the schematic diagram of FIG1.

[0058] Will Figure 1A schematic perspective view and Figure 1B As can be seen from the schematic front view, the transport module 18 can be sent into the waiting position. Compared to the transport module, ... Figure 1A as well as Figure 1B The normal position shown, referred to herein as the first operating orientation, allows the transport plane 20 of the transport module 18 to be fully lowered.

[0059] Once this occurs, i.e., once transport plane 18 and its second transport plane 20 are lowered, alternative transport elements can be delivered to the corresponding operating positions, such as folding modules 22 with several folding fingers (not shown here) having a circular motion. When and once transport module 18 is in the waiting position (not shown here), the folding modules 22 located on both sides of transport module 18 can move into their operating positions.

[0060] This option is illustrated by several arrows, in which the transport module 18 can be lowered from its normal operating position (in which the transport module follows the horizontal conveyor 12 in an aligned manner) into a waiting position along the descending direction 24. Once the transport module 18 has been lowered, the two-part folding module 22 can be moved into the operating position previously occupied by the transport module 18 by horizontal movement along the direction of arrow 26, particularly for transporting PADs, trays, or packaging blanks, which act as a liner for beverage containers transported thereon, wherein the folding finger, not shown here, is capable of folding a portion of the liner upwards during transport along the transport direction 14.

[0061] This means that the two halves of the split folding module 22, which are located on either side of the transport module 18 when the transport module 18 is in its operating position, can be moved along the horizontal movement direction 26, which is transverse to the transport direction 14, to the position of the transport module 18, which has previously been lowered vertically 24. Figure 1B This is particularly evident in the schematic front view. In order to return the transport module 18 to its operating position, the halves of the folding module 22 need to be separated from each other again in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow 26 shown, and then the transport module 18 can be raised in the direction opposite to the descent direction 24.

[0062] To achieve the described descent capability of the transport module 18, the transport element of the transport module 18 is specifically anchorable to a frame element 28 that can descend in the vertical descent direction 24 and rise in the opposite direction. This frame element is only...Figure 1B The frame element 28 and the transport module 18 fixed thereto can thus be anchored in a liftable manner within the machine frame 30 of the device 10 of the utility model.

[0063] Furthermore, the two halves of the folding module 22 can be anchored in a manner movable in horizontal direction within the machine frame 30, in that Figure 1B This can also be seen in the figures. Each of the two halves of the folding module 22 is anchored on a curved frame element 32, which extends to the lower crossbeam 34 of the machine frame 30 and is guided therein at the place in the carriage guide rail 36, so that it can be moved in horizontal movement direction 26 or moved back in the opposite direction, as indicated by the arrows. Figure 1B

[0064] Furthermore, in terms of the device 10 of the utility model, the transport module 18 is constructed in such a way that at least two different operating orientations are possible, wherein the transport plane 20 of the transport module 18 in the first operating orientation is horizontal. This can be said to represent the regular transport mode of the device 10, wherein the first transport plane 16 of the horizontal conveyor 12 and the second transport plane 20 of the immediately following transport module 18 are both horizontal and lie next to each other at the same height, in order to ensure smooth transport and transition of the beverage containers conveyed by means of the device 10.

[0065] Figure 2A This first operating orientation is shown in a schematic top view, wherein uninterrupted transition is possible in the process of transporting the beverage containers from the first transport plane 16 of the horizontal conveyor 12 onto the transport plane 20 of the transport module 18 at the same height. This further transport in the conveying direction 14 without transition and almost without interruption is shown by the arrow pointing from left to right, which can represent the beverage containers (not shown) conveyed there.

[0066] But there is also a second operating orientation for the transport module 18, wherein this second operating orientation is at least slightly inclined relative to the horizontal. Here, the transport plane 20 of the transport module 18 in the second operating orientation can in particular be inclined relative to the horizontal in such a way that the transport plane 20 rises in the conveying direction 14 of the transport module 18. In order to achieve this, it is sufficient if the transport module 18 is slightly inclined.

[0067] ​For different packaging processes or for different operating modes, for example, different conveying devices connected to the transport module 18 can be used. In accordance therewith, in a first operating mode, a conveying device (not shown here) that moves the beverage containers at a first height level is connected to the transport module 18. In another operating mode, this conveying device can be replaced and, as the case can be, replaced by another conveying device that moves the beverage containers at a second height level. Since the transport module 18 in the second operating orientation is inclined with respect to the horizontal, the different height levels can be easily overcome.

[0068] For such cases, the transport module 18 in the second operating orientation can be inclined, for example, with respect to the horizontal or with respect to a horizontally extending plane, at an angle that is generally less than 20°, but preferably less than 10°.

[0069] Furthermore, an embodiment that has proven to be practical in practice is that the trough 38 is formed by the inclination of the transport module in the second operating orientation, as will be explained below with reference to Figure 2B This is illustrated in a schematic top view.

[0070] In accordance therewith, the second transport plane 20 of the transport module 18 in the second operating orientation is inclined with respect to the horizontal in such a way that a trough 38 extending transversely to the conveying direction 14 is formed between the horizontal conveying device 12 and the transport module 18 following in the conveying direction 14, for feeding the packaging blanks into the transport path of the beverage containers.

[0071] In Figure 2B the packaging blanks fed upward from below the horizontal conveying device 12 through the trough 38 onto the second transport plane 20 are denoted by the reference numeral 40 and the directional arrow pointing in the conveying direction 14.

[0072] In the case where several beverage containers are to be integrated into a bundle, for the respective several beverage containers, a respective packaging blank 40 can be provided, on which the respective beverage containers stand in the finished bundle. Such packaging blanks 40, which are also referred to as secondary packaging material, are often also referred to as trays or PADs.

[0073] By virtue of the very slight inclination with respect to the horizontal in the second operating orientation, this trough 38 is already formed, so that the apparatus 10 can easily be brought into an operating state for establishing such bundles in which several beverage containers can be integrated in the manner of standing on the packaging blanks 40 or trays.

[0074] With a very small inclination of far less than 5°, the goal pursued is already achieved, namely the possibility of feeding the packaging blanks 40 or the PADs through the thus configured slot 38, so that these optionally fed packaging blanks 40 can be fed between the horizontal conveying device 12 and the transport module 18 following in the conveying direction 14, without interfering or negatively influencing the transport of the beverage containers.

[0075] Figure 3 The aforementioned components of the apparatus 10 are once again illustrated in a schematic side view, wherein the horizontal conveying device 12 as well as the transport module 18 following downstream in the conveying direction 14 are suspended within the machine frame 30. By means of lifting elements 42 provided within the machine frame 30, in particular the transport module 18 or its frame elements 28 (cf. Figure 1B ) can be lifted on the front side and / or on the back side, so that its inclination relative to the horizontal plane is changed, so that the slot 38 as shown in Figure 2B can be formed as desired.

[0076] Figure 3 The lifting elements 42 are shown on both narrow sides of the machine frame 30, namely on the upstream front region of the horizontal conveying device 12 as well as on the downstream rear region of the transport module 18. Preferably, more lifting elements 42 are provided on the central vertical frame strut 44, which serve to adjust the vertical height of the transport module 18 at its transition region to the horizontal conveying device 12 located upstream in the conveying direction 14, so that the slot 38 (cf. Figure 2B ) can be formed as desired.

[0077] In the case of the formation of the slot 38, as described above, the transport plane 20 of the transport module 18 in the second operating orientation is inclined relative to the horizontal plane in such a way that the transport plane 20 rises in the conveying direction 14 of the transport module 18.

[0078] Alternatively, the transport plane 20 of the transport module 18 in the second operating orientation can also be inclined relative to the horizontal plane in such a way that the transport plane 20 falls in the conveying direction 14 of the transport module 18, if this is possible or necessary for the specific application situation. This arrangement, which can be realized by means of the lifting elements 42, is for example suitable in the case where the pick-up height of a further conveying element provided downstream of the transport module 18 is low, so that a downward inclination of the transport element 18 or its transport plane 20 can be necessary.

[0079] According to one variant not shown in Figures 1A to 3 , in order to continue the movement of the beverage containers, the transport module 18 can also comprise a transfer plate and a plurality of push rods, wherein the plurality of push rods can in particular be driven in a ring-like manner in such a way that the beverage containers can be moved in a sliding movement along the transfer plate by means of the plurality of push rods.

[0080] The apparatus 10 can, however, as shown, have a transport module 18, wherein a transport plane 20 is provided by a loop-driven transport belt, on which the beverage containers and / or the packaging blanks 40 serving as a backing for the beverage containers are moved in the conveying direction 14.

[0081] Preferably, a suitable locking mechanism can be provided for securing the transport module 18 in the first operating orientation, the second operating orientation and / or the waiting position.

[0082] List of reference signs

[0083] 10 Apparatus for processing beverage containers

[0084] 12 Horizontal conveying device

[0085] 14 Conveying direction, conveying direction

[0086] 16 First transport plane

[0087] 18 Transport module

[0088] 20 Second transport plane

[0089] 22 Folding module

[0090] 24 Lowering direction, vertical lowering

[0091] 26 Movement direction, horizontal movement

[0092] 28 Frame element

[0093] 30 Machine frame

[0094] 32 Curved frame element

[0095] 34 Lower crosspiece

[0096] 36 Carriage rail

[0097] 38 Slot

[0098] 40 Packaging blank

[0099] 42 Lifting element

[0100] 44 Central frame strut, vertical frame strut.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for handling beverage containers, the apparatus comprising - a horizontal conveying device (12) for moving beverage containers, and - a transport module (18) for continuing the movement of beverage containers transferred from the horizontal conveying device (12) onto the transport module (18), the apparatus (10) being characterized in that - the transport module (18) is constructed to adopt at least two different operating orientations, wherein, the transport plane (20) of the transport module (18) is horizontal in a first operating orientation and is inclined with respect to the horizontal in a second operating orientation.

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein - the transport plane (20) of the transport module (18) in the second operating orientation is inclined with respect to the horizontal in such a way that the transport plane (20) rises in the conveying direction (14) of the transport module (18), or wherein - the transport plane (20) of the transport module (18) in the second operating orientation is inclined with respect to the horizontal in such a way that the transport plane (20) falls in the conveying direction (14) of the transport module (18).

3. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, wherein, The transport plane (20) of the transport module (18) in the second operating orientation is inclined with respect to the horizontal in such a way that a trough (38) for a transport path of a packaging blank (40) into a beverage container is formed between the transport module (18) and the horizontal conveying device (12).

4. The apparatus (10) of claim 2, wherein, The transport plane (20) of the transport module (18) in the second operating orientation is inclined with respect to the horizontal in such a way that a trough (38) for a transport path of a packaging blank (40) into a beverage container is formed between the transport module (18) and the horizontal conveying device (12).

5. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The transport module (18) is constructed to assume a waiting position in which the transport plane (20) of the transport module (18) is fully lowered compared to the first operating orientation.

6. The apparatus (10) of claim 5, wherein, The apparatus comprises a folding module (22) which can be moved into an operating position with the transport module (18) in the waiting position.

7. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, For continuing the movement of the beverage containers, the transport module (18) comprises a transfer plate and a plurality of push rods which are driven in a ring-like manner in such a way that the beverage containers can be moved in a sliding movement along the transfer plate by the push rods.

8. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, For continuing the movement of the beverage containers, the transport module (18) comprises a transport belt which is driven in a ring-like manner.

9. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The apparatus has a plurality of vertical lifting shafts and / or lifting elements (42) and has at least one actuator for lifting the plurality of lifting shafts and / or lifting elements (42), wherein the transport module (18) can be moved into the at least two operating orientations with mechanical engagement with the plurality of lifting shafts and / or lifting elements (42).

10. The apparatus (10) of claim 5, wherein, The apparatus comprises a locking mechanism for securing the transport module (18) in the first operating orientation, the second operating orientation and / or the waiting position.

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