Method and device for transferring article layers between adjacent modules

Abstract

Method for the horizontal displacement of an article group or article layer (10) between at least two adjacent modules (12, 14), of which a first module (12) is formed by a grouping table (32) and a second module (14) by a lift (34) and / or by a louvre gripper head (46), and wherein the displacement from a first layer of the first module (12) is carried out by means of at least one guide rail (16) which is arranged on the module (12) in relation to the conveying or picking device, while largely maintaining the relative positions of a plurality of articles (16) forming the article group or layer (10).The feed movement (38) of the first push bar (18) engaging the articles (16) located to the rear of the article group or article layer (10) takes place into a second rest position on the second module (14), wherein a support bar (26) assigned at least temporarily to the articles (16) located at the front in the conveying direction (38) of the article group or layer (10) runs ahead of the front articles (16) at least shortly before or upon reaching the rest position with a small distance to the front articles (16) or rests against them.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for horizontally displacing a group of articles by means of at least one push bar having the features of independent claim 1. The invention also relates to a corresponding device having the features of independent claim 7.

[0002] If groups of articles are shifted horizontally into a defined position using push beams or other suitable transfer devices or even with movable support levels, there is a certain risk, depending on the speed of the shifting movement, that the articles within the group will move relative to one another when the end position is reached. Under unfavourable circumstances, particularly in the event of a significant deceleration at the end of the transfer movement, individual articles may even fall over. As a rule, the articles at the front in the transfer direction are at the greatest risk of falling over or slipping, meaning that the previously existing layer pattern cannot be maintained as desired. For this reason, the achievable transfer speeds are limited. In particular, before the desired end position is reached, the speed may need to be reduced.moderately to avoid sudden deceleration, which could result in the loss of the layer pattern. When transferring via a frame surrounding the articles, other conveying or handling elements, such as lifting gear, must wait until the frame has retracted. As a result, the positive transfer cannot be used to increase the overall performance of a palletizer or similar system.

[0003] DE 603 ​​07 332 T2 discloses a device for transporting and boxing a group of objects, which are held in a predetermined position during conveyance by means of a holding device, so that the objects can be transported stably as a group. The objects are thereby prevented, in particular, from falling over during their conveyance and transfer to a further packaging unit.

[0004] A method for forming, holding, separating, and transporting stacks behind a stacking device is also known from DE 41 17 434 A1. Several stack supports ensure the stability of the stacks and, for this purpose, follow the movement paths of the stacks.

[0005] DE 44 35 981 A1 discloses a device for feeding objects to be packaged to a packaging machine. The objects are conveyed along a conveyor line and transferred into the packaging machine by means of pusher devices.

[0006] One aim of the present invention is to provide a method for transporting and transferring groups of articles in a predetermined formation that can be used universally and for different types of articles to be transported. This method can be carried out at high transfer speeds without impairing the article formation. A further aim of the invention is to provide a corresponding conveyor device that is particularly suitable for palletizing and / or depalletizing groups of articles in a predetermined formation.

[0007] The stated objectives are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the subclaims. To achieve the first-mentioned objective, a method is proposed for the horizontal displacement of a group of articles from a first position and / or from a conveying movement into a second rest position by means of at least one push bar. This push bar, which is responsible for the displacement of the group of articles at least in sections, acts on the articles located to the rear of the group of articles with respect to the conveying or feed movement and thereby displaces the entire group of articles, which is expediently guided laterally in this conveying section. Due to the rearward action of the push bar and the lateral guides, the relative positions of a plurality of articles forming the group of articles relative to one another can largely be maintained; i.e.the layer pattern of the displaced article group is largely maintained. The method according to the invention also provides that a support beam, which is at least temporarily assigned to the articles located at the front in the conveying direction, leads the article group at a short distance from the foremost articles or rests against them, at least shortly before or upon reaching the rest position. This inventive control of the support beam as a function of the conveying movement of the article group comprises both a movement control in which the support beam leads the article group at a short distance and a movement control in which the support beam rests against the article group at least shortly before or upon reaching the rest position and thus contacts and stabilizes it at least during the last phase of the braking process.Furthermore, the invention comprises a further variant of the movement control, in which the support beam initially stabilizes the article group during its deceleration process, but moves away from the article group again immediately before it reaches a standstill. This may be due to the fact that the deceleration of the article group does not occur evenly, but gradually becomes gentler shortly before it reaches the rest position in order to avoid a sudden, jerky stop of the article group. With such a gentle stopping process, which may be preceded by a deceleration phase with greater deceleration from a higher conveyor speed, contact between the article group and the support beam immediately before the standstill is no longer necessary, so that the support beam can be moved away from the article group again in an accelerated movement.

[0008] In the manner described, it is possible to prevent the articles at the front of the displaced article group from being displaced or tipping over when the article group is decelerated or comes to a standstill, in particular when the article group reaches a target position. In principle, the individual articles of the conveyed article group can be destabilized not only when the transfer speed is reduced. In general, however, when accelerating or when transferring from one conveyor unit of the module to the conveyor unit of the subsequent module, high transfer speeds or the transitions between the two conveyors can cause individual articles to slip or tip over, which is to be prevented by the inventive movement control of the support beam leading the article group and / or resting there.

[0009] Since the push bar typically moves the article group relative to a support plane on which the moved articles slide, there is permanent sliding friction between the support surfaces of the articles and the support plane, which creates frictional resistance between the sliding surfaces. For this reason, a strong deceleration of the article group can lead to individual articles tipping over or to them shifting relative to neighboring articles. This can be reliably prevented by the support beam attached to the front of the article group. Optionally, the modules between which the articles are moved can have their own drives and driven support surfaces, e.g. so-called mat conveyors or similar, so that the transfer movements of the articles are supported. In the case of driveless modules - these can be so-called transfer systems or transfer tables or similar.If the conveyor and / or lifting elements are used, it is advisable to design the support surfaces on which the items are moved to be as friction-free as possible. For example, wooden or plastic panels can be used for these support surfaces, which may have longitudinal profiles in the form of webs, ribs, or grooves.

[0010] The method according to the invention enables rapid deceleration in particular through such an almost form-fitting transfer of a layer of articles or a formatted group of articles from one station to a subsequent station, but can also stabilize the article layer during the other phases of a transfer movement, since a retaining beam or moving stop moving with the advance movements of the article layer can secure the position. A layer of articles, bundles or containers can be transferred without the risk of bundles or containers falling over. The time required for a transfer can be significantly reduced as a result. After the transfer, other axes (e.g. lifting gear) do not have to wait until, for example, a frame is moved back again in order to release the other axes (e.g. lifting gear or the like).Another disadvantage of using a frame that can be mentioned here is that such a frame must in turn include further additional structures to enable its adaptation to different layer sizes of article layers.

[0011] The second push bar, which acts at least in phases simultaneously with the push bar acting at the rear, in particular at the end of the transfer movement at the front (in relation to the transfer or conveying direction of the articles), which can be understood as a brake bar or contact bar, can optionally be placed at the front of the article group or at a short distance from the front, so that it precedes the article group in touching contact or at a short distance and thus allows a high transfer speed and a strong deceleration of the article group, without there being a risk of the article formation being dissolved by individual articles tipping over or slipping.In principle, it may be sufficient if the second push bar or support bar is only brought into contact with the articles conveyed at the front at the end of the transfer movement, particularly during the deceleration of the article group to a standstill, since essentially only during this phase does the front row of articles tend to tip over in the conveying direction, while the phases of the transfer movement with an almost constant transfer speed do not cause any problems. As already mentioned above, this applies at least to phases with a constant transfer speed. However, if the article position is subject to pronounced accelerations and decelerations during the transfer movements, the support bar may be necessary even during the transfer movement to stabilize the article group, particularly during phases of greater deceleration.Since such deceleration phases in the transfer movement immediately precede the deceleration of the article group to a standstill, individual articles can slip or tip over during these phases. This can be reliably prevented by the support beam resting on the articles in the front of the article group (or advancing at a short distance). In such movement sequences, it may also be sufficient to use the support beam only during these phases of greater deceleration, so that it can already move away from the articles during a gentle deceleration in the final phase.

[0012] Approximately synchronous movements of the two beams, at least during the deceleration of the article group, can ensure that the stability of the article formation can be maintained with the desired reliability. In principle, the method according to the invention can be used for any conveying movements of article groups or article layers, or the like, for example, for palletizing such article layers or groups of articles or for depalletizing them, whereby the previously existing article formation or the existing layer pattern is maintained to the greatest extent possible.

[0013] The transfer of articles can, in principle, take place between all conceivable types and variants of adjacent modules within handling and / or packaging machines, conveyor units, etc. Thus, entire layer patterns or article layers can be transferred from a conveyor device, such as a horizontally conveying mat conveyor or the like, to a lifting and / or transferring device, such as a louvre gripper head, which can stack the article layers in several layers on top of one another, for palletizing, for example. Optionally, the method according to the invention can also be used to transfer articles from such a lifting and / or transferring device, such as a louvre gripper head or the like, to a horizontal conveyor device as part of a depalletizing process.

[0014] The transfer can also take place in multiple phases, for example from a first to a second module and from there to a third module, whereby the same transfer principles can be used in each case with the push beams pushing from the rear and the support or brake beams possibly supporting from the front. Such a variant can, for example, provide for a transfer from a horizontal conveyor to a lifting and / or transfer device, which can, for example, comprise a lift, a lifting device or even a pivoting and / or raising and lowering arm. An adjoining third module can, for example, be a stacking station for the complete article layers to be deposited one on top of the other. The second module can ensure the correct height adjustment depending on the stack height reached on the third module, thus enabling a horizontal transfer of the entire article layer from the second to the third module.

[0015] In principle, the invention enables almost any combination and arrangement of two, three or more consecutive modules, if necessary with the integration of a subsequent stacking station or a depalletizing station. For example, a first module can be formed by a so-called layer forming belt, from which the article layers are transferred to a second module with the formation of the articles as unchanged as possible. Such a second module can, for example, comprise a lifting mechanism that enables height compensation. A third module, into which the article layer is subsequently transferred, can, for example, be formed by a blind loading station or the like, which, like the second module, can be height-variable or spatially variable, for example by being designed with a robot arm that can move in different spatial directions. An alternative arrangement variant could essentially comprise two modules, in which, for example,A first module would be formed by the aforementioned layer-forming belt, and a second module by a blind loading station. The second or third module—depending on the configuration, for example, the blind loading station—could then be followed by a stacking station, to which the article layers can be transferred and preferably stacked one on top of the other.

[0016] The at least two pusher beams, which are movable parallel to the conveying direction of the article groups or article layers, can move as required within defined movement spaces, which can optionally extend across interfaces between adjacent modules. Thus, according to an advantageous embodiment, the pusher beam pushing the articles can, if necessary, move at least a short distance into a conveying path in the module into which the article layer is pushed. This can, for example, be the aforementioned lifting and / or transferring device or the louvre gripper head or the like. This transport module must be accordingly prepared to accommodate the pusher beam at least briefly, until the transferred article layer has come to a standstill and no more articles are delayed and can therefore tip over or slip. In order to enable this movement range for the pusher beam, this orIts guide elements can optionally be part of the second module, i.e., the lifting and / or transfer device or the blind gripper head. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the guide elements responsible for driving and controlling the movement of the push bar to extend into this second module, at least during the transfer process, which can be achieved, for example, by a suitable rod or linear drive or similar.

[0017] A corresponding motion control is not required for the support beam that brakes the article layer or article group from the front, since this beam can move as the article layer is transferred from one module to a neighboring module up to the interface between the two adjacent modules, while the further support of the articles is provided by the support beam of the module into which the article layer is being pushed. Optionally, however, this support beam can also extend at least a short distance beyond this interface into the second module before being moved back again to receive the next article layer or article group.

[0018] The push beams can be driven and suspended in different ways. For example, they can rotate largely synchronously on revolving chains and, during their forward movement, are moved at the level of the articles to be moved or supported, while during their return movement they can be moved above or below the conveying level of the conveyed article layers in the opposite direction to their conveying direction. Preferably, each transport and / or lifting module comprises a separate drive or circulation system for the push beams. However, other drive and movement variants can also be used to engage or disengage the push beams with the article layers. For example, the push beams can be pushed into or pulled out of the conveying path of the article layers perpendicular to their feed direction, optionally from above, below, or from the side.Combinations of the mentioned motion guides and / or controls are also possible.

[0019] The method described in the present invention, in which layers of articles are transferred from one station to another station or from one module to another module - possibly overcoming a height difference, e.g. when transferring into or out of a lifting device or using double lifting devices or the like - is fundamentally suitable for any transfer of an article layer between two predetermined positions, wherein the article layer is not only pushed but is stabilized in its article formation by means of an additional support element in the form of a stop, a retaining bar or a combination of retaining bar and slider, in that the support element or the retaining bar counteracts the tipping of articles, bundles or containers. The method can be used, for example, for pushing layers consisting of bundles or containers into a palletizing system.It can also be used to push layers off in a depalletizing or depalletizing system.

[0020] When we refer to articles or layers of articles in this context, we can generally refer to a wide variety of packaged goods, such as individual cartons, beverage containers such as bottles, cans, or beverage cartons, piece goods, etc., which can be palletized, stacked, or depalletized in predetermined arrangements. Packages, such as film containers, strapped packages, or similar, can also be considered articles.

[0021] The present invention further comprises a device for the horizontal displacement of an article group or article layer between at least two adjacent modules while largely maintaining the relative positions of a plurality of articles forming the article group or layer relative to one another. The device comprises at least one push bar acting on the articles for horizontally displacing the article layer onto an adjacent module, as well as at least one support bar acting on the front of the article layer, which is at least temporarily coupled to the push bar in its movement in the transfer direction. In this device according to the invention, the first module is a grouping table, while the second module is formed by a lift or the like and / or a blind gripper head. The third module can, for example,be formed by a further handling station, which can be used to transfer the article layers to the stacking area, where several article layers can be placed on top of each other.

[0022] Optionally, the first module can also be formed by a conveyor belt, a so-called layer formation belt, from which the article layers are transferred to the second module with the article formation as unchanged as possible. The second module can, for example, be a lifting mechanism that enables height compensation. When height compensation is mentioned in the context of the present invention, this means in particular a stacking option when transferring the article layers to one of the modules. Since the article layers are usually stacked in several layers on top of one another during palletizing, at least one of the modules must be height adjustable. This height adjustability includes both the ability to lower the article layers downwards to transfer the article layers at a lower level and the ability to raise the article layers above the level of the first and / or second module in order to be able to place the article layers on top of previously stacked article layers.The same applies to depalletizing, since a stack to be depalletized with several layers of articles gradually becomes smaller depending on the progress of the removal and requires an adjustment of the height of the receiving module.

[0023] A third module, into which the article layer is subsequently transferred, can be formed, for example, by a blind loading station or the like, which can optionally be arranged on a robot arm that enables spatial movement in different directions. The stacking station can be connected to this third module. An alternative arrangement variant could essentially comprise two modules, in which, for example, the first module could be formed by the aforementioned layer forming belt and the second module by a blind loading station. In this embodiment variant, it would also be conceivable for the first module, the aforementioned layer forming belt, to additionally comprise a lifting mechanism for height compensation. The stacking station is generally not to be referred to as a separate module within the meaning of the present invention. The stacking station can be located vertically aligned below the blind loading station module.Alternatively, the stacking area can also be located in an area directly next to the blind loading station module.

[0024] Optionally, at least one of the push beams and / or at least one of the support beams can be coupled to a continuously rotating traction drive to generate the pushing movements. However, other drives for the push beams and support beams are also possible, such as linear drives.

[0025] In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The relative sizes of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged relative to other elements for better illustration. Fig. 1 shows two schematic views of a beginning transfer movement of an article layer from one module to an adjacent second module. Fig. 2 shows in two views the transfer movement according to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows two schematic views of a transfer movement according to the invention of an article layer from one module to an adjacent second module. Fig. 4 shows the transfer movement according to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 to Fig. 15 show in various successive schematic views a transfer of an article layer between three adjacent modules. Fig. 16 shows a schematic view of a variant of two adjacent modules. Fig. 17 shows a variant of a lifting module in the form of a blind gripper head in a schematic representation. Fig. 18 to Fig. 22 show schematic views of successive process steps when transferring an article layer between three adjacent modules.

[0026] Identical reference numerals are used for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the device or method according to the invention can be configured and do not represent a definitive limitation.

[0027] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view ( Fig. 1a) and in a schematic side view, a horizontal displacement of an article group or article layer 10 from a first layer of a first module 12, e.g., from a grouping table, which may be part of a grouping system, into a second layer of a second module 14, which may, for example, be a lifting module or loading station or the like. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the article layer 10 comprises a regular arrangement of a plurality of articles 16 that are arranged in a rectangular configuration and are to be pushed from the first module 12 to the second module 14 by means of a push bar 18 without changing the layer pattern. The articles 16 can, for example, be boxes, bundles with several individual articles or containers, or even individual containers that are arranged next to one another in a regular arrangement.Typically, the height of the 16 items is greater than one side edge of their base, so they may be prone to tipping during strong accelerations or decelerations. Even if this is not the case, i.e., for 16 items with a relatively low height, the transitions could cause the containers or 16 items to drift apart or slip during high accelerations, high transfer speeds, and strong decelerations when transferring the layer from one module to the next.

[0028] The push bar 18 responsible for shifting the article group or article layer 10 engages the articles 16 located to the rear of the article group 10 with respect to the conveying or feed movement 20 and thereby shifts the entire article group or article layer 10, which may be guided laterally to maintain the layer pattern. The optional lateral guides are included in the Fig. 1a and in the Fig. 2a, designated by reference numeral 17. Due to the rearward action of the push bar 18 and the lateral guides 17 arranged on both sides of the transfer path, the relative positions of the plurality of articles 16 forming the article group 10 can be largely maintained relative to one another; ie, the layer pattern of the displaced article group 10 is largely maintained along the feed movement 20.

[0029] In the following figures, the lateral guides 17 have been omitted for reasons of clarity, but this does not mean that the guides are not present there.

[0030] As the two schematic representations of the Fig. 2 with the top view of the Fig. 2a and the side view of the Fig. 2b, the feed movement 20 does not occur at a constant speed, since the pushing movement 22 of the push bar 18 gradually slows down, at least shortly before the target position of the article layer 10 on the second module 14 is reached, so that it does not come to a sudden standstill. Nevertheless, there is a risk that individual articles 16 located at the front in the displaced article layer 10 may slip or tip over if the article layer 10 is decelerated more sharply or comes to a sudden standstill, particularly upon reaching the target position of the article layer 10. Since the push bar 18 typically displaces the article layer 10 relative to a support plane 24 of the first and / or second module 12, 14, on which the displaced articles 16 slide, there is permanent sliding friction between the bottom surfaces of the articles 16 and the support plane 24, which ensures frictional resistance between the sliding surfaces.For this reason, a strong deceleration of the article layer 10 can lead to individual articles 16 tipping over or to their displacement relative to the adjacent articles 16, which is to be prevented by the present invention.

[0031] This is how the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 in schematic plan views ( Fig. 3a and Fig. 4a) and in schematic side views ( Fig. 3b and Fig. 4b) an essential aspect of the method according to the invention, in which it is provided that a support beam 26 of the article layer 10, which is at least temporarily assigned to the articles 16 located at the front in the conveying direction, leads or rests against the foremost articles 16 of the article layer 10 at least shortly before or upon reaching the rest position on the second module 14 at a short distance from the frontmost articles 16 of the article layer 10. Optionally, the support beam 26 can be moved between two end positions in the region of the second module 14 parallel to the feed movement 20 in such a way that the pushing movement 28 of the support beam 26 occurs at least temporarily parallel and in the same direction as the feed movement 20 of the article layer 10 and the pushing movement 22 of the push beam 18.To prevent the foremost articles 16 of the shifted article layer 10 from being shifted or tipping over relative to the remaining articles 16 or the intended layer pattern, this pushing movement 28 of the support beam 26 must occur approximately synchronously with the pushing movement 22 of the push beam 18, at least during phases of strong deceleration of the article layer 10 and / or during the final phase of the transfer movement, particularly during a braking or deceleration phase of the article layer 10 when it is decelerated and comes to a standstill. As already mentioned, depending on the movement path of the feed movement 20 of the article layer 10, the support beam 26 can also be prematurely removed from the article layer 10 in the direction of arrow 28 and thereby accelerated before the article layer 10 comes to a standstill.With such a motion control, the support beam 26 initially stabilizes the article group 10 during its deceleration process, but can move away from the article group or layer 10 again immediately before reaching a standstill. This may be due to the fact that the deceleration of the article layer 10 does not occur evenly, but gradually becomes gentler shortly before reaching the rest position in order to avoid a sudden, jerky stop of the article layer 10. With such a gentle stopping process, which may be preceded by a deceleration phase with greater deceleration from a higher conveyor speed, contact between the article layer 10 and the support beam 26 is no longer necessary immediately before the standstill, so that the support beam can be moved away from the article layer 10 again in an accelerated movement 28.

[0032] As the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 illustrate schematically, the method according to the invention enables very fast transfer and feed movements 20 and subsequent relatively strong decelerations due to the illustrated approximately form-fitting transfer of a layer 10 of articles 16 from one station (module 12) to an adjacent station (module 14), since the retaining or support beam 26, which moves along with the feed movements 20 of the article layer 10, secures and stabilizes the layer 10. Here, too, lateral guides for the article layer 10 are useful, even if they are not shown in the figures. In principle, it may be sufficient if the second push beam or support beam 26 is brought into contact with the articles 16 conveyed first only at the end of the transfer movement, in particular during the deceleration of the article layer 10 to a standstill (cf. Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b), since essentially only in this phase does the front row of articles 16 tend to tip over in the direction of conveyance.

[0033] As the Fig. 5 to 15 using an exemplary embodiment, the transfer can also take place in several phases, namely from a first module 12 to a second module 14 and from there to a third module 30 (cf. Fig. 10 to 15), whereby the same transfer principles can be used in each case with the push beams 18 pushing from the rear and the support, braking or contact beams 26 possibly supporting from the front. In such a variant, for example, the first module 12 can be formed by a grouping table 32 or a so-called layer forming belt or the like, from which a transfer of article layers 10 to a lifting and / or transfer device forming the second module 14 can be provided, which can be formed, for example, by a lift 34, a lifting device or a pivotable and / or raising and lowering arm of a loading device or the like (not shown in detail here). The adjoining third module 30 can, for example, be a blind loading station or the like (cf. Fig. 17) or optionally also a stacking station 36, a loading station or a pallet loading station or the like for the stacking of the complete article layers 10, wherein the second module 14 or the elevator 34 can ensure the correct height adjustment of the article layer 10 depending on the stack height reached on the third module 30 or the stacking station 36, so that a horizontal transfer of the entire article layer 10 from the second module 14 or the elevator 34 to the third module 30 or the stacking station 36 is possible. Optionally, all modules 12, 14 and 30 can each have a track drive in the form of a suitable horizontal conveyor system. These track drives can each be controlled separately, whereby the drive speed must be coordinated with the feed speed of the push and support beams 18 and 26. Normally, the conveyor speed of the belt is less than or equal to the transfer speed.In most cases, however, the belt speed is lower than the transfer speeds, since such belts are generally not designed for the high speeds that are desirable for transfer operations.

[0034] If modules 12, 14, and / or 30 are used without their own track drives, it is advisable to design the support levels on which the article layers 10 are moved with as little friction as possible. For example, wooden or plastic panels can be used for these support levels, which may have longitudinal profiles in the form of webs, ribs, or grooves.

[0035] It should be mentioned at this point that it is not crucial for the fundamental success of the present invention and for the inventive interaction of the push and support beams whether the third module is loaded by a movable station such as a blind loading station or the like or by a non-movable stacking station (as in the Fig. 3 ff. illustrated by way of example). The terms for the first, second, and third modules are therefore primarily to be understood as placeholders for various handling stations between which the closed article layers 10 are moved by means of the transfer movements shown, without individual articles slipping, tipping over, or otherwise leaving the article formation.

[0036] In the following described Fig. 5 to 15 show the upper views ( Fig. 5a, Fig. 6a etc.) show schematic top views of the article layer 10 transferred between the modules, while the lower views ( Fig. 5b, Fig. 6b etc.) each show schematic side views of the same process phase.

[0037] The Fig. 5 shows in two views the beginning of a transfer movement of the article layer 10 from the grouping table 32 onto the elevator 34. The push bar 18 assigned to the grouping table 32 is located to the left behind the article layer 10, so that it can be pushed to the right in the feed direction 38 onto the elevator 34. The counterholding or contact bar 26 is located on the left edge of the support surface of the elevator 34, ready for the contact with the article layer 10 after its initial transfer onto the elevator 34, which is shown in the two views of Fig. 6. The push bar 18 assigned to the grouping table 32 pushes the article layer 10 onto the elevator 34, which is at the same height, while the support bar 26 assigned to it moves in contact with or at a short distance from the article layer 10. The feed movements of the two bars 18 and 26 are largely synchronous.

[0038] According to the two views of the Fig. 7, the article layer 10 has been pushed completely onto the elevator 34, with the support beam 26 forming a counter-holder in front of the layer 10 and securing it against falling containers or articles 16 during the necessary deceleration of the transfer movement. The push beam 18 of the first module 12 or the grouping table 32 has reached its end position and is stopped, while the support beam 26 is moved to its end position at the front edge of the support surface of the elevator 34 (cf. Fig. 8). The lifting mechanism of the elevator 34 can now be Fig. 8 can be lowered or raised to adjust to the level of the third module 30 or the stacking station 36. The push bar 18 moves back to its initial position against the conveying direction 38 of the article layer 10, while the support bar 26 initially remains at rest, having fulfilled its function of stabilizing the braked articles 16.

[0039] As the two schematic views of the Fig. 9, the return movement of the push bar 18 is continued, while the support bar 26 is also returned to its starting position opposite to the feed direction 38. Since the article layer 10 is still on the lift 34 which has been lowered in the meantime, the support bar 26 cannot be returned to the same level, but can, for example, be moved according to Fig. 9b and returned in the direction of the arrow above the article layer 10. Alternatively, it could also be lowered and returned below the elevator 10 or moved laterally out of the engagement area with the articles 16 and moved in a suitable manner against the feed direction 38. This return movement of the support beam 26 serves to position it in the following transfer movement according to Fig. 10 as a push bar 27. The article layer 10 can now be pushed onto the third module 30 or the stacking station 36, where a further support bar 40 ensures the positioning and stabilization of the front articles 16 of the article layer 10 during their pushing movement, which in the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. The pusher beam 27 of the elevator 34, which previously acted as a support beam 26, pushes the article layer 10 from behind in the feed direction 38 ( Fig. 10, Fig. 11), while the attachment beam 40 of the stacking area 36 serves as the front attachment ( Fig. 11). The two beams 27 and 40 move synchronously in the feed direction 38, at least in phases, together with the shifted article layer 10. In the Fig. 11 to 14, the first module or the grouping table 32 is no longer shown, since it is no longer involved in the further transfer movement of the article layer 10 to the stacking location 36.

[0040] As soon as Fig. 13 the end position for the push bar 27 of the elevator 34 is reached and the article layer 10 has been almost completely pushed onto the stacking location 36, the elevator 34 can be raised again or - depending on the phase of the stacking process and the number of article layers 10 stacked on top of each other - also lowered in order to be adjusted back to the level of the grouping table 32. According to Fig. 14, the push bar 27 can also be moved back against the feed direction 38 in order to then function again as a support bar 26 for the next article layer 10 pushed over by the first module 12 or grouping table 12. The representation of the Fig. 14 also shows an additional push bar 42, which is assigned to the third module 30 or the stacking location 36 and ensures the final positioning by positioning the article layer 10 a short distance in the feed direction 38 on the stacking location 36. While the lifting mechanism of the elevator 34 can now be raised again (cf. Fig. 14b), this additional push bar 42 of the stacking station must be brought into its position behind the article layer 10 in order to be able to push it a short distance (cf. Fig. 15).

[0041] The two beams 40 and 42 can move synchronously and finally stop when the end position of the article layer 10 required for stacking has been reached. Since the elevator 34 no longer has a function for positioning the article layer 10 in this view, it has been removed from the illustration of the Fig. 15 is omitted. However, the two beams 40 and 42 do not necessarily have to move synchronously. Alternatively, their movements can also be controlled in such a way that the brake beam 40 is initially moved synchronously with the push beam 27 and maintains a certain distance from the front row of the article layer 10. Then, shortly before reaching the end position for the brake beam 40, its speed can be reduced until it finally comes to a standstill in the end position of the article layer 10. During this deceleration phase, the distance to the front row of articles in the article layer 10 is gradually reduced so that the article layer rests against the brake beam 40 at the end position (cf. Fig. 13 and Fig. 14).

[0042] The drive of the respective push and support beams can be carried out in different ways, for example via linear drives or according to Fig. 16 by means of revolving traction drive mechanisms 44. Preferably, one or more beams are arranged on such a chain or belt circuit, enabling rapid transport of the article layer between the respective modules. The individual modules 12, 14, and 30 can optionally have support levels movable in the feed direction 38 or oppositely movable and drivable via their own belt drives or the like, which preferably move synchronously with the movable push and support beams, thus optimally supporting the article conveyance. The schematic side view of the Fig. 16 shows such a variant in which the push and support beams 18 and 26 of successive modules 12, 14 are each moved via endlessly rotating traction drive mechanisms 44, the rotational speeds of which should be variable as desired in order to be able to control the movements of the push beams 18 and support beams 26 in such a way that the article layer 10 can be moved according to its intended movement path in the feed direction 38 between the modules 12 and 14. As in Fig. 16, for example, two push bars 18 or two support bars 26 can be moved on each of the movement paths of the feed drives 44 rotating in the direction of the arrow, whereby the transfer of the article layer 10 between the successive modules 12 and 14 can be controlled in the desired manner.

[0043] The schematic representation of the Fig. 17 shows a further embodiment of a second module 14, which is designed here as a so-called louvre gripper head 46 or the like and can be used to transfer the article layers 10 between the adjacent modules 12 and 30, for example to transfer the article layer 10 between the first module 12, designed, for example, as a grouping station, and the third module 30, designed, for example, as a stacking station. The support plane of the louvre gripper head 46 typically has movable elements 48, optionally as horizontally displaceable rollers or plate segments or the like, which can be moved apart in the horizontal direction to deposit the article layer 10, wherein at the same time the article layer 10 is held and stabilized laterally by means of the two push or support beams 18 and 26, respectively. In the schematic side view of the Fig. 17, the two movable elements 48 are moved together and thus form the support plane for carrying the article layer 10.

[0044] The Fig. 17 The support beam 26 arranged to the right of the article layer 10 can also be moved horizontally in the manner described above, so that it can fulfill its stabilizing and braking function for the articles 16 when the article layer 10 is pushed over onto the module 14 and in particular when it is decelerated in order to prevent the articles 16 at the front in the conveying direction from tipping over. The push beam 18 arranged on the left can also be moved along a horizontal and, in some sections, vertical displacement path 50 in order to be able to push the article layer 10 in the feed direction 38. However, during the transfer of the article layer 10 from the first module 12 to the second module 14, the push beam 18 must be moved out of the collision area with the article layer 10, which is why it can be raised vertically as required and thus moved out of the transfer path. The horizontal and vertical displaceability of the second module 14 orof the blind gripper head 46 is indicated by the double arrow 52.

[0045] In addition to the arrangements, variants, and movement paths shown for the modules 12, 14, and 30, as well as for the push and support beams 18, 26, 40, 42, further variants are conceivable that also lead to the desired result. Thus, the two or more push beams 18, 27, etc., and / or support beams 26, 40, which can be moved parallel to the conveying direction of the article groups or article layers 10, can move as needed within defined movement spaces that can optionally extend across interfaces between adjacent modules. Thus, in particular, the second push beam or support beam, which precedes the articles and serves as the front support device, can, according to an optional design variant, move along at least a short conveying path into the module into which the article layer 10 is pushed. This can, for example, be the aforementioned lifting and / or transfer device or the louvre gripper head 46 or the like.This transport module must be appropriately prepared to accommodate the second push or support beam, at least briefly, until the transferred article layer 10 has come to a standstill and no more articles are decelerated and can therefore tip over or slip. In order to enable this range of movement for the push or support beam, this or its guide elements can optionally be part of the second module 14, i.e. the lifting and / or transfer device or the louvre gripper head 46. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the guide elements, which are responsible for the drive and movement control of the second push or support beam, to extend into this second module, at least during the transfer, which can be achieved, for example, by a suitable rod or linear drive or the like.

[0046] The schematic views of the Fig. 18 to 22 illustrate, in a total of twenty-three individual illustrations, a further exemplary embodiment of successive process steps for transferring an article layer 10 between three adjacent modules 12, 14 and 30. In this exemplary embodiment, the first module 12 shown on the left is formed, as in the previously explained exemplary embodiments, by a grouping system 60, which receives an article layer 10 in a predetermined formation from an upstream sorting system (not shown here). Such a sorting system can, for example, comprise one or more handling robots, which form closed article layers 10 from one or more article inlets, which are transferred to the first module 12 or the grouping system 60 in the manner shown. The grouping system 60 does not have to be height-adjustable or laterally displaceable, but can be arranged in a fixed location, which is also evident from the Fig. 18 to 22. However, the grouping system 60 can optionally also be designed to be height-adjustable, in particular if the transfer table 62 downstream of the grouping system 60 is optionally omitted. In such a configuration, the height-adjustable grouping system 60 can be prepared for direct transfer of the article layers 10 to the loading station 64. In this case, the push bars 70 and stop bars 66 normally assigned to the transfer system are to be assigned to the grouping system 60 and their movements are to be controlled in a suitable manner, so that the transfer system can be omitted without any associated restrictions in function.

[0047] The representation of the Fig. 18a shows an article layer 10 located on the first module 12 or the grouping system 60, which can be moved by means of the horizontally movable first push bar 18 to the right onto a second module 14 located at the same height, as shown in the Fig. 18b. The second module can be formed, for example, by a so-called transfer table 62, which is designed to be height-adjustable in order to enable transfer to a loading station 64 located below the grouping system 60. This loading station 64, which is height-adjustable depending on the loading status of a pallet segment 65 arranged below, forms the third module 30 in the illustrated embodiment. Fig. 18a to 18e illustrate, the article layer 10 is pushed over from the first module 12 or the grouping system 60 in a horizontal direction to the right onto the second module 14 or the transfer table 62 by means of the first push bar 18 assigned to the first module 12, wherein a first support bar 66 assigned to the transfer table 62 stabilizes the front articles of the pushed-over article layer 10 and prevents them from slipping or tipping over. The first support bar 66 moves approximately over the entire length of the second module 14 or the transfer table 62, as shown in the illustrations of Fig. 18b to 18e. The Fig. Figure 18d also shows a special feature of this embodiment variant, in which the first push bar 18 is pushed beyond the grouping system 60 onto the edge of the transfer table 62 before it is moved according to Fig. 18e is withdrawn again (cf. Fig. 19) in order to be able to transfer another article layer 10 from the first module 12 or from the grouping system 60 to the second module 14 or to the transfer table 62.

[0048] In the representations of the Fig. 18a to 18e, the first support beam 66 assigned to the transfer table 62 moves horizontally to the right until the article position 10 is in accordance with Fig. 19a and Fig. 19b is completely pushed onto the transfer table 62 or the second module 14. The Fig. Figure 19c illustrates the subsequent vertical movement of the support beam 66, which is raised so as not to hinder the further transfer of the article layer 10. The support beam 66 moves along a closed first movement path 68, which can be predetermined in particular by a corresponding traction drive 44. The illustration of the Fig. 19d illustrates the return movement of the first support beam 66 above the article layer 10 to the left, which is correspondingly Fig. 20a and Fig. 20b continues until Fig. 20c and Fig. 20d the initial position is reached in which the support beam 66 can be used to stabilize another pushed-over article layer 10.

[0049] Furthermore, the Fig. 18a to 18e illustrate the displacement of a further push bar 70 assigned to the transfer table 62 above the article layer 10 along a second movement path 72, which may overlap with the first movement path 68 over large sections, but has a further traction drive 44 independent of it, since a movement path that deviates from the first movement path 68 in certain sections is required. Fig. 20b, Fig. 20c and Fig. 20d a displacement path of the additional push bar 70, which extends beyond the length of the transfer table 62 and partially into the area of ​​the loading station 64 of the third module 30. This extended displacement path of the additional push bar 70 enables the article layer 10 to be transferred in one go from the second module 14 to the third module 30 without requiring an interruption of the transfer movement.

[0050] During the further pushing of the article layer 10 on the transfer table 62 by means of the further push bar 70 and the first support bar 66 stabilizing the article layer 10, the transfer table 62 is lowered to such an extent (cf. Fig. 19b to 19d) until the lower level of the loading station 64 is reached ( Fig. 19d), so that the article layer 10 is moved by means of the further push bar 70 ( Fig. 19d) can be pushed to the right onto the loading station 64 (cf. Fig. 20a to 20c). A second support beam 74 assigned to this loading station 64, which is moved at least in sections approximately synchronously with the further push beam 70 to the right and thereby precedes the article layer 10, ensures the stabilization of the article layer 10 and prevents individual articles from falling over or slipping. After contacting the article layer ( Fig. 20b) it runs ahead of article layer 10 during its transfer movement to the right ( Fig. 20c) until the further push bar 70 has completed its transfer movement and is moved vertically upwards along the second movement path 72 in the area of ​​the loading station 64 ( Fig. 20d).

[0051] While the transfer table 62 can be moved vertically upwards again after the transfer of the article layer 10 to the loading station 64 ( Fig. 21a, Fig. 21b), a third push bar 76 assigned to the loading station 64 lowers vertically downwards ( Fig. 21b) up to the level of article 10 ( Fig. 21c) and is then shifted to the right ( Fig. 21d) to center the article layer 10 on the loading station 64 ( Fig. 21e), whereby the second support beam 74 simultaneously ensures the stabilization of the article layer 10. After the correct placement of the article layer 10 (cf. Fig. 21e) it is lowered down onto the pallet segment 66 ( Fig. 22a), after which the loading station 64 is lifted upwards again ( Fig. 22b, Fig. 22c). Such a transfer of the article layer 10 can be realized, for example, by means of a blind or plate gripper head, which can unload a complete article layer 10 downwards by opening or laterally shifting its movable base.

[0052] Meanwhile, the additional push bar 70 assigned to the transfer table 62 moves back to the left along the second movement path 72 to the starting point, being moved above the level of the article layer 10 during the return movement so that it cannot collide with it. The second support bar 74 of the loading station 64 is also moved horizontally to the left ( Fig. 22c) in order to be able to stabilize another article layer 10, while the third push bar 76 is moved vertically upwards ( Fig. 22d) in order to allow a layer of articles 10 conveyed underneath to pass.

[0053] It should be mentioned at this point that other movement patterns and combinations of the Fig. 18 to 22 are possible with identical or similar interacting modules 12, 14 and 30, without fundamentally changing the principle of the transfer movement of closed article layers 10. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the illustrated movement path of the transfer table 62 from the higher grouping system 60 to the lower loading station 64 is in no way restrictive, but is to be understood merely as an example. Thus, after several transfer processes, several article layers 10 stacked on top of one another can be located on the stacking location of the pallet segment 65, so that it may be necessary to transfer another article layer 10 to the loading station 64 after transfer from the grouping system 60 by raising the transfer table 62. In this case - not shown here - the transfer table 62 is not correspondingly Fig. 19b, Fig. 19c and Fig.19d with the article layer 10 located thereon is not lowered to the level of the loading station 64, but if necessary raised to a level of an article layer 10 located at the top there.

[0054] Another variant of the stacking method, not shown here, can optionally provide for multiple article layers 10 to be deposited simultaneously on the loading station 64. By simultaneously handling and stacking multiple article layers 10, pallet changeover times can be significantly reduced. The loading station 64 thus functions as a kind of buffer, which minimizes the time required for a pallet changeover.

[0055] As mentioned above, a further variant - not shown here - can comprise only the grouping system 60 and the loading station 64, wherein the grouping system 60 must be designed to be height-adjustable in order to be able to compensate for the different height levels of the stacks of article layers 10 located on the loading station 64.

[0056] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations of the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims. List of reference symbols 10 Article position, article group 12 first module 14 second module 16 items, containers, containers 17 lateral guide 18 push beams 20 feed movement 22 Sliding movement (push bar) 24 support level 26 investment bars 27 push beams 28 Sliding movement (support beam) 30 third module 32 grouping table 34 Elevator 36 stacking space 38 Feed direction 40 installation bars 42 additional push beams 44 Traction drive 46 Blind gripper head 48 movable elements 50 displacement path (push beam) 52 Displacement path (second module) 60 grouping system 62 Transfer table 64 loading station 65 pallet segment 66 first investment bar 68 first movement path 70 additional push beams 72 second trajectory 74 second investment bar 76 third thrust beam

Claims

[1] Method for the horizontal displacement of an article group or article layer (10) between at least two adjacent modules (12, 14), of which a first module (12) is formed by a grouping table (32) and a second module (14) by a lift (34) and / or by a louvre gripper head (46), and wherein the displacement from a first layer of the first module (12) is carried out by means of at least one guide rail (16) which is arranged on the module (12, 14) in relation to the conveying or handling device, while largely maintaining the relative positions of a plurality of articles (16) forming the article group or layer (10).The feed movement (38) of the first push bar (18) engaging the articles (16) located to the rear of the article group or article layer (10) takes place into a second rest position on the second module (14), wherein a support bar (26) assigned at least temporarily to the articles (16) located at the front in the conveying direction (38) of the article group or layer (10) runs ahead of the front articles (16) at least shortly before or upon reaching the rest position with a small distance to the front articles (16) or rests against them. [2] Method according to claim 1, in which the contact bar (26) which is coupled in movement to the rear-engaging push bar (18) is applied to the front side of the article layer (10) or is brought into a small distance from the front side at least in a defined phase during, in particular at the end of the transfer movement, and precedes the article group or article layer (10) in touching contact or at a small distance. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the push bar (18) and the support bar (26) carry out at least temporarily approximately synchronous movements. [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3 for palletising or depalletising groups of articles or layers of articles (10) which are pushed and / or transferred between adjacent conveying and / or handling stations (12, 14, 30) along a transfer path by means of at least one first push bar (18) which is movable at least in sections approximately horizontally along and parallel to the transfer path and engages a rear side of the layer of articles (10). [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which a layer pattern and / or a spatial arrangement of the articles (16) of the article layer (10) relative to one another are maintained during each transfer between adjacent modules (12, 14, 30). [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the push and / or support beams (18, 26, 27, 40, 42) are each assigned to individual modules (12, 14, 30) and / or can extend into adjacent modules (12, 14, 30). [7] Device for the horizontal displacement of an article group or article layer (10) between at least two adjacent modules (12, 14, 30), of which a first module (12) is formed by a grouping table (32) and a second module (14) by a lift (34) and / or a blind gripper head (46), and wherein the displacement from a first layer of the first module (12) takes place while largely maintaining the relative positions of a plurality of articles (16) forming the article group or layer (10) relative to one another into a second rest position on the second module (14), comprising at least one push bar (18, 27, 42) acting on the articles (16) for horizontally displacing the article layer (10) onto an adjacent module (14, 30), and at least one contact bar (26, 40) acting on the front side of the article layer (10), which in its movement in the transfer direction at least is temporarily coupled to the push bar (18). [8] Device according to claim 7, wherein a third module (30) is formed by a stacking station (36) for depositing several layers of articles (10) one above the other. [9] Device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one of the push beams (18, 27, 42) and / or at least one of the support beams (26, 40) is coupled to an endlessly rotating traction drive (44) for producing the pushing movements.

Images