Device for transporting articles and method for arranging articles

Abstract

Device (1) for transporting articles (10) in a transport direction (TR) on at least one transport track (2) while forming a defined distance (G) between successive articles (10) within the at least one transport track (2), the at least one transport track (2) comprising a first transport unit (3), a second transport unit (4) adjacent to the first transport unit (3) in the transport direction (TR) of the articles (10) and a control unit (6), wherein the control unit (6) comprises information about a master axis (7), wherein the master axis (7) defines the arrangement of the articles (10) in an area of ​​the second transport unit (4), wherein the device (1) comprises at least one detection means (9) for detecting an actual position (P IST) of at least one article (10) on the transport track (2), wherein the control unit (6) detects a deviation (D) of the actual position (P IST ) of the article (10) from a target position (P SOLL ) is calculable, and where due to a calculated deviation (D) between the actual position (P IST ) and the target position (P SOLL ) the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit (3) can be regulated by the control unit (6), wherein the first transport unit (3) is assigned an electronic gear coupling (5), which first transport unit (3) is coupled to the master axis (7) via the electronic gear coupling (5), wherein the device (1) comprises at least two parallel transport tracks (2-1, 2-2), each transport track (2-1, 2-2) having at least one detection means (9-1, 9-2) for detecting an actual position (P IST) of an article (10-1, 10-2) arranged on the transport track (2-1, 2-2) relative to the master axis (7), and wherein each transport track (2-1, 2-2) is individually adjustable, and the control unit (6) controls the respective gear coupling (5-1, 5-2) of the respective first transport units (3-1, 3-2) of the at least two parallel transport tracks (2-1, 2-2) individually on the basis of an actual position (P IST ) which controls the items (10-1, 10-2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for transporting articles and methods for arranging articles according to the features of the preambles of claims 1 and 10.

[0002] The present invention relates to the arrangement of articles conveyed in at least one row for processing in a downstream production facility. The invention particularly relates to packaging and palletizing systems as used in the beverage industry. The articles are, for example, beverage containers or similar items combined into bundles, which must be arranged in a specific order, in particular at defined distances from one another, for the downstream production facility.

[0003] The items are fed to a downstream production facility in at least one row. For the items to be processed correctly by the downstream production facility, it is often necessary for the incoming items to have a desired alignment and / or spacing from one another. If items are fed to the production facility in multiple parallel rows, it may be desirable for the items in each of the parallel rows to occupy the same positions along the transport path.

[0004] Devices are known in which the position correction of articles or packages guided in at least two parallel rows is carried out by measuring the positional offset of the packages and regulating or controlling the speed of the respective conveyor belts. In this way, packages can be brought into synchronization.

[0005] Document EP 1 578 680 B1 describes a device for arranging and aligning packages on two parallel conveyor belts. For example, a package leading on the first belt is detected by a sensor, and the speed of the drive motor of the first conveyor belt is measured. Furthermore, a package lagging behind on the second belt is detected by a sensor, and the speed of the drive motor of the second conveyor belt is measured. A counter determines the operating speed of the conveyor belts and compensates for this, for example, by reducing the speed of the first conveyor belt and / or increasing the speed of the second conveyor belt. Only when the counter reaches a so-called zero position do the packages move synchronously on the parallel conveyor belts.

[0006] With the device described, the position of articles conveyed in two parallel rows can advantageously be brought into synchronization.

[0007] A possible disadvantage here is that the position of the packages cannot be adjusted relative to the downstream production equipment. Furthermore, the method described in EP 1 578 680 B1 for arranging and aligning packages requires at least two parallel conveyor belts. The described device and method are not suitable for adjusting the arrangement of packages on a single conveyor belt relative to the downstream production equipment.

[0008] An alignment conveyor device is known from DE 11 2006 002 939 T5 and US 2009 / 0 114 508 A1. Products transferred to the alignment conveyors can be detected via sensors. With the aid of a control device, the alignment conveyors can be controlled in such a way that the conveyor positions of the products can be adjusted by adjusting the conveyor speeds.

[0009] DE 198 22 837 C1 describes a method for controlling the infeed of packaged goods into a running packaging machine. This involves detecting the distances between goods. The speed of the packaging machine's transport device and welding devices can be adjusted appropriately to ensure consistent infeed spacing between the goods.

[0010] Document DE 10 2008 055 471 A1 describes a method and a device for assembling and aligning groups of containers. The speed of a distribution belt can be controlled via a controller in order to divide transported containers or groups of containers on a conveyor belt into several cycles of containers or groups of containers. DE 40 02 724 A1 discloses a method and a device for feeding products to a packaging machine. To precisely separate products from the product stream on transport devices, they are briefly accelerated after being transferred to the conveyor and then transported further at their original speed.

[0011] GB 2 001 029 A describes a device for conveying fragile objects. A device for controlling the advance of objects along a buffer path creates gaps between subsequent objects. A sensor unit monitors the gaps to ensure that the feed rate of objects maintains a suitable value. The gap length can be adjusted accordingly.

[0012] Furthermore, EP 1 578 680 B1 shows a method and a device for arranging and aligning packages.

[0013] The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method which do not have the above-mentioned disadvantages, in particular a device and a method in which the arrangement or position of the articles or containers within a single transport track can be adapted to a subsequent production unit.

[0014] The above object is achieved by a device and a method comprising the features in claims 1 and 7. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the subclaims.

[0015] The invention relates to a device for transporting articles, for example beverage containers, in particular bottles. These can also be article assemblies, for example, a group of loosely assembled articles or an article group in which the articles are combined by outer packaging, for example, shrink film, cardboard packaging, or similar. In the following, the term "article" also includes such containers or similar.

[0016] The articles are moved in one transport direction on at least one conveyor track, with a defined distance being maintained between consecutive articles within the at least one conveyor track. The articles can arrive at the conveyor track in a continuous mass flow or already spaced apart. Within the conveyor track, a defined distance is now largely established between consecutive articles. If the articles arrive at the conveyor track already spaced apart, the distance between the articles is checked and, if necessary, adjusted to match the subsequent production equipment.

[0017] The at least one transport track comprises a first transport unit, a second transport unit adjacent to the first transport unit in the transport direction of the articles, and a control unit. The control unit contains information about a master axis. The master axis defines the desired arrangement of the articles in a region of the second transport unit of the transport track.

[0018] To achieve the desired arrangement of the articles on the at least one transport path, the device further comprises at least one detection means for detecting the actual position of at least one article on the transport path. The information on the determined actual position is forwarded to the control unit, which then calculates a deviation of the actual position of the article from a target position specified by the master axis.

[0019] The control unit is coupled to at least the first transport unit of the transport path and to the at least one detection means. Based on the calculated deviation between the actual position and the target position, the control unit calculates a change in the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit and regulates it accordingly. The master axis contains, for example, information on the planned article interval, including the distance after the article and the article size in the transport direction. A correction value for the change in the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit is calculated from the deviation between the measured actual value and the target value specified on the master axis.

[0020] The known speed of the second transport unit, however, remains unchanged. Changes in the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit particularly affect the following items, thus adjusting the distances between the items on the second transport unit to the distances or item intervals specified by the master axis.

[0021] In contrast to the known state of the art, the distances between articles on parallel conveyor belts or the arrangement of the articles on parallel conveyor belts are not compared and adjusted to one another.

[0022] Instead, the arrangement is based on a preferably endlessly rotating, virtual master axis, which is specified by the control unit.

[0023] When a product change occurs, for example, when items of a different size need to be processed or when the items need to be supplied to a different production facility with different requirements, new parameters are entered into the control unit. For example, appropriate data for a new master axis is stored in the control unit and processed accordingly.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one detection means is assigned to the second transport unit. Particularly preferably, the at least one detection means is assigned to an area of ​​the second transport unit adjacent to the first transport unit. The measurement of an actual position of an article in the area of ​​the second transport unit thus does not affect the measured article itself, but only the articles following the article on the transport path.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one detection means is assigned to the first transport unit. The measurement of an actual position of an article in the region of the first transport unit thus has an effect, in particular, on the measured article itself due to the correspondingly controlled regulation of the first transport unit and not just on the articles following the article on the transport track. A device described can therefore be used, in particular, to largely adapt the distances between successive articles on a transport track to the desired distances. For a final fine adjustment of the distances between the articles, it can be advantageous to arrange a further dividing device downstream of the second transport unit of the transport track, for example a dividing device with a push rod.

[0026] The dividing device with at least one push rod is, in particular, a revolving system. The at least one push rod moves above the articles arranged and transported on the transport unit, opposite to the transport direction of the articles. The at least one push rod dips behind the articles and is then moved in the transport direction of the articles. Since the push rod generally has a speed at least slightly higher than the transport speed of the articles, it brings the articles arranged in parallel rows into synchronization by resting against their backs and, if necessary, slightly pushing the articles in the transport direction.

[0027] At the end of the fine adjustment section, the push rod emerges upwards again from the articles and is moved back above them, opposite to the transport direction of the articles, in order to once again immerse itself between the following articles and bring them into step.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of detection means are arranged in the region of the first and / or second transport unit. From the different measured actual positions of an article along the transport path, the control unit then calculates the speed of the first transport unit or the necessary speed change or acceleration. For example, at least one detection means can be provided on the first transport unit and at least one detection means on the second transport unit, in particular in the initial region of the second transport unit.

[0029] To regulate the speed or acceleration of the first transport unit accordingly, an electronic gear coupling is provided on the first transport unit, which couples the first transport unit to the virtual master axis. In particular, this is an electronic coupling that can preferably be regulated via the control unit.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least two parallel transport tracks, each transport track being assigned at least one detection means for detecting an article position on the respective transport track relative to the master axis. In particular, the at least one detection means per transport track is a position sensor, which is preferably arranged in the starting area of ​​the respective second transport unit. The position sensor measures the distance between a fixed point of an article on the respective transport track and a reference point on the common, virtual master axis. The measured value is converted into a signal and transmitted to the control unit, which evaluates the signal accordingly.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least two transport tracks can each be regulated individually. This means that the respective gear coupling of the respective first transport units of the at least two parallel transport tracks is individually controlled by the control unit based on a position of the articles measured on the respective transport track in order to bring the articles on the various transport tracks into synchronization. The regulation of the individual transport tracks takes place only on the basis of the respectively measured position of the articles arranged on the respective transport track relative to a position predetermined on the common, virtual master axis. There is therefore no comparison of the article positions on the transport tracks with one another and in particular no adjustment of the article position on one transport track based on the article arrangement on the other transport track.

[0032] The invention further relates to a method for arranging articles that are moved in a transport direction on at least one transport track, wherein a defined distance is formed between successive articles within the at least one transport track. The transport track has already been described in detail. At least one actual position of at least one article on the transport track is determined and compared with a target position specified by the master axis. From a deviation between the actual position of the article and the target position specified by the master axis, the control unit calculates a change in the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit of the at least one transport track and regulates this accordingly.

[0033] In particular, the control unit controls a first electronic gear coupling assigned to the first transport unit of the transport track.

[0034] Furthermore, a second electronic gear coupling can be arranged on the second transport unit of the transport track, which enables the transport speed of the second transport unit to be adapted to the newly defined master axis when the product is changed.

[0035] Particularly preferably, in this method, the first and second transport units of the at least one transport track are controlled and regulated individually, so that an optimized adaptation to the subsequent production unit is possible.

[0036] According to the embodiment with at least two parallel transport tracks, in this method the respective first and second transport units of the respective transport tracks are controlled and regulated individually, so that an optimized adaptation to the subsequent production unit is possible.

[0037] Alternatively or in addition to the described features, the method may comprise one or more features and / or properties of the previously described device.

[0038] Since the arrangement of the articles on each conveyor is controlled individually, it is also possible, in particular, to use only individual or a reduced number of conveyors in an arrangement of several parallel conveyors. Converting the conveyor from n rows to (n-1) rows, (n-2 rows), etc. is significantly simplified; in particular, it is no longer necessary for transport to take place on at least one reference conveyor.

[0039] The device and method according to the invention lead in particular to increased or improved process reliability and accuracy through the individual adjustment of the respective transport tracks. In particular, no incorrect values ​​arise due to incorrect arrangement of the articles on the reference belt. The position correction described here can be used in particular for single-track article transport. However, the position correction can also be expanded as required by appropriately equipping each transport track with at least one dedicated detection device. Since the multiple transport tracks each access information from the same master axis, the articles on the parallel transport tracks are brought into synchronization with one another based on the master axis.

[0040] 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 a schematic view of a device according to the invention with a transport track. Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a device according to the invention with two parallel transport tracks. Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a device according to the invention with two parallel transport tracks.

[0041] For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, the Fig. 1 to 3, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals necessary for the description of the respective figure are shown in the individual figures. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the device and / or method according to the invention can be configured and do not represent a definitive limitation.

[0042] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a device 1a according to the invention with a transport track 2. The articles 10, for example packages of beverage containers or the like, are moved in a transport direction TR on at least one transport track 2. The transport track 2 comprises two transport units, in particular a so-called stop belt 3 and a so-called separating belt 4. The stop belt 3 and the separating belt 4 are each formed, for example, by endlessly circulating conveyor belts or the like. The speed of the stop belt 3 can be adjusted in particular via an electronic gear coupling 5 arranged on the stop belt 3.

[0043] At the transition between the stop belt 3 and the separating belt 4, gaps G are formed between the articles 10. The gaps G arise in particular because the separating belt 4 has a higher transport speed than the stop belt 3. The size of the gaps G Abetween successive articles 10 on the separating belt 4 depends in particular on the speed difference between the stop belt 3 and the separating belt 4.

[0044] For the downstream production facility (not shown), not only the distance between the articles 10 may be important, but also, in particular, the time at which the correctly spaced articles 10 arrive at a downstream production facility. For this reason, it may be necessary to readjust the arrangement of the spaced articles on the conveyor belt 4.

[0045] In order to achieve the desired arrangement of the articles 10 on the at least one transport track 2, in particular in order to achieve the desired arrangement of the articles 10 on the separating belt 4 of the transport track 2, the device 1a comprises a control unit 6. This contains information about a master axis 7. The master axis 7 defines the desired arrangement of the articles 10 in the area of ​​the separating track 4. The master axis 7 is in particular an endlessly rotating virtual master axis.

[0046] The planned distance G A between the articles 10 on the separating belt 4 is mapped onto the master axis 7 by means of position marks 8. In particular, the position marks 8 are arranged at a distance G8 on the master axis 7, which is a sum of the planned distance G A between the articles 10 on the separating belt 4 and the article length L.

[0047] In the initial area of ​​the separating belt 4, a position sensor 9 is arranged, which detects an actual position P IST of the article 10 on the separating belt 4. This information is transmitted to the control unit 6. This compares the actual position P IST of article 10 with a target position P defined on the master axis SOLL If a deviation D results, the control unit 6 calculates a correction value. The control unit 6 then regulates the gear coupling 5 assigned to the stop belt 3. In particular, the speed or acceleration of the stop belt 3 is changed via the electronic gear coupling 5, thus correcting the deviation D of the article position.

[0048] According to the embodiment described here, only the speed or acceleration of the stop belt 3 is changed, while the separating belt 4 continues to run constantly. The changes in the speed and / or acceleration of the stop belt 3 particularly affect the trailing articles 10 and thus compensate for the distances G A between these articles 10 on the separating belt 4 to the distances G8 specified by the master axis 7. The measurement of an actual position P IST of an article 10g in the area of ​​the separation band 4 does not affect the measured article 10g itself, but only the articles 10n following this article 10g on the stop band 3.

[0049] In the event of a product change, for example if article 10 of a different size is to be processed, or if the article 10 is to be supplied to another production facility with different requirements, new parameters for the master axis 7 are entered into the control unit 6 and thus new position marks 8 are defined.

[0050] A device 1a described can be used according to the Fig. 1 described embodiment can be used to adjust the distances G between successive articles 10 on a single conveyor track 2 largely to the desired distances G A In particular, the position correction can also be used for single-lane article transport, since the adjustment of the distances G between successive articles 10 is carried out using a virtual master axis 7 and not, as in the prior art, based on the arrangement of articles on a real parallel transport path.

[0051] For a final fine adjustment of the distances G A Between the articles 10, it may be advantageous to arrange a further dividing device 11 following the second transport unit 4 of the transport track 2, for example a dividing device 12 with a push rod.

[0052] The dividing device 12 with at least one push rod is in particular a revolving system. The at least one push rod (not shown) moves above the article 10 arranged and transported on a further transport unit or a further area of ​​the second transport unit 4 on the transport track 2, counter to the transport direction TR of the articles 10. The at least one push rod dips behind the articles 10 and is then moved in the transport direction TR of the articles. Since the push rod generally has a speed at least slightly higher than the transport speed of the articles 10, it brings the articles 10 into a predetermined synchronous step by resting against their rear side and, if necessary, slightly pushing the articles 10 in the transport direction TR.

[0053] At the end of the fine adjustment section 13, the push rod emerges upwards again from the articles 10 and is moved back above them, opposite to the transport direction TR of the articles 10, in order to once again immerse itself between the following articles 10 and bring them into step.

[0054] The schematic view of the Fig. Figure 2 shows a device 1b according to the invention with two parallel transport tracks 2-1 and 2-2. Each of these transport tracks 2-1 and 2-2 comprises at least one position sensor 9-1, 9-2 for detecting an article position P IST of an article 10-1 or 10-2 on the respective transport path 2-1, 2-2 relative to the master axis (not shown). The position detected by the respective position sensor 9-1, 9-2 is transmitted as a corresponding signal to the control unit 6, which transmits the information about the virtual master axis and the desired distances G Abetween the articles 10 or the desired arrangement of the articles 10 on the separating tape 4 (see also Fig. 1). The signals of the position sensors 9-1, 9-2 are evaluated by the control unit 6 accordingly, as described in connection with Fig. 1 has been described in detail.

[0055] The two conveyors 2-1, 2-2 are each individually regulated. This means that the respective gear coupling 5-1, 5-2 of the first stop belts 3-1, 3-2 of the two conveyors 2-1, 2-2 is individually controlled by the control unit 6 based on a measured position of the articles 10-1, 10-2 on the respective conveyor 2-1, 2-2, in order to align the articles 10-1 of the conveyor 2-1 with the articles 10-2 of the conveyor 2-2 according to the specifications of the master axis (not shown). The regulation of the individual conveyors 2-1, 2-2 is carried out solely on the basis of the respectively measured actual position P ISTof the articles 10-1, 10-2 arranged on the corresponding transport track 2-1, 2-2 relative to a target position P specified on the common, virtual master axis SOLL . There is no comparison of the position of an article 10-1 on conveyor track 2-1 with the position of an article 10-2 on the other conveyor track 2-2. This means that there is no adjustment of the article position of an article 10-1 on conveyor track 2-1 based on the article position of an article 10-2 on conveyor track 2-2.

[0056] In contrast to the known prior art, the distances between the articles 10-1, 10-2 on the parallel transport tracks 2-1, 2-2 or the arrangement of the articles 10-1, 10-2 on the parallel transport tracks 2-1, 2-2 are not compared and adjusted to one another. Instead, the arrangement is based on a preferably continuously rotating, virtual master axis (not shown), which is specified by the control unit 6.

[0057] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of a device 1c according to the invention with two parallel transport tracks 2-1 and 2-2. Analogous to the Fig. 2, each of the transport tracks 2-1 and 2-2 comprises at least one position sensor 9-1, 9-2 for detecting an article position P ISTof an article 10-1 or 10-2 on the respective transport track 2-1, 2-2 relative to the master axis (not shown). In particular, the position sensors 9-1, 9-2 are each assigned to the stop belt 3-1, 3-2 of the respective transport track 2-1, 2-2.

[0058] The position detected by the respective position sensor 9-1, 9-2 is transmitted as a corresponding signal to the control unit 6, which provides the information on the virtual master axis and the desired distances G A between the articles 10 or the desired arrangement of the articles 10 on the separating tape 4 (see also Fig. 1). The signals of the position sensors 9-1, 9-2 are evaluated by the control unit 6 accordingly, as described in connection with Fig. 1 has been described in detail.

[0059] The individual regulation of the two transport tracks 2-1, 2-2 is carried out in a similar way to the description of Fig.2. The measurement of an actual position P IST of an article 10 in the area of ​​the first transport unit 3-1 or 3-2, through the correspondingly controlled regulation of the first transport unit 3-1 or 3-2, thus also affects the measured article 10 itself and not only the articles 10 following the measured article 10 on the transport track 2-1 or 2-2.

[0060] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable to 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 1 device 2 transport track 3 stop band 4 Separating tape 5 Gear coupling 6 Control unit 7 Master axis 8 Position mark 9 Sensor 10 articles 11 Dividing device 12 Dividing device with push rod 13 Fine adjustment section A distance D Deviation G Distance L length P IST Actual position P SOLL Target position TR transport direction

Claims

[1] Device (1) for transporting articles (10) in a transport direction (TR) on at least one transport track (2) while forming a defined distance (G) between successive articles (10) within the at least one transport track (2), the at least one transport track (2) comprising a first transport unit (3), a second transport unit (4) adjacent to the first transport unit (3) in the transport direction (TR) of the articles (10) and a control unit (6), wherein the control unit (6) comprises information about a master axis (7), wherein the master axis (7) defines the arrangement of the articles (10) in an area of ​​the second transport unit (4), wherein the device (1) comprises at least one detection means (9) for detecting an actual position (P IST) of at least one article (10) on the transport track (2), wherein the control unit (6) detects a deviation (D) of the actual position (P IST ) of the article (10) from a target position (P SOLL ) is calculable, and where due to a calculated deviation (D) between the actual position (P IST ) and the target position (P SOLL ) the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit (3) can be regulated by the control unit (6), wherein the first transport unit (3) is assigned an electronic gear coupling (5), which first transport unit (3) is coupled to the master axis (7) via the electronic gear coupling (5), wherein the device (1) comprises at least two parallel transport tracks (2-1, 2-2), each transport track (2-1, 2-2) having at least one detection means (9-1, 9-2) for detecting an actual position (P IST) of an article (10-1, 10-2) arranged on the transport track (2-1, 2-2) relative to the master axis (7), and wherein each transport track (2-1, 2-2) is individually adjustable, and the control unit (6) controls the respective gear coupling (5-1, 5-2) of the respective first transport units (3-1, 3-2) of the at least two parallel transport tracks (2-1, 2-2) individually on the basis of an actual position (P IST ) which controls the items (10-1, 10-2). [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the master axis (7) is an endlessly rotating virtual master axis. [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one detection means (9) is assigned to the second transport unit (4), wherein the at least one detection means (9) is in particular assigned to a region of the second transport unit (4) adjacent to the first transport unit (3). [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which a plurality of detection means are arranged in the region of the first transport unit (3). [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one detection means (9) is a position sensor. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a dividing device, in particular a dividing device with a push rod, is arranged downstream of the second transport unit (4). [7] Method for arranging articles (10) which are moved in a transport direction (TR) on at least one transport track (2), wherein a defined distance (G) is formed between successive articles (10) within the at least one transport path (2), wherein the at least one transport track (2) comprises a first transport unit (3), a second transport unit (4) adjacent to the first transport unit (3) in the transport direction (TR) of the articles (10) and a control unit (6), wherein the control unit (6) contains information about a master axis (7), wherein the master axis (7) defines the arrangement of the articles (10) in an area of ​​the second transport unit (4), where at least one actual position (P IST ) of at least one article (10) on the transport track (2) and is compared with a target position (P SOLL ) is compared, where a deviation (D) between the actual position (P IST ) of the article (10) and the target position (P SOLL) a change in the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit (3) of the at least one transport track (2) is calculated by the control unit (6) and wherein the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit (3) is then regulated by the control unit (6), wherein the control unit (6) controls and / or regulates an electronic gear coupling (5) assigned to the first transport unit (3) of the transport track (2), which first transport unit (3) is coupled to the master axis (7) via the electronic gear coupling (5), in which respective transport units (3-1, 3-2, 4-1, 4-2) of at least two parallel transport tracks (2-1, 2-2) are controlled and / or regulated independently of one another by the control unit (6), where the actual position (P IST) of at least one article (10) on each of the at least two parallel transport tracks (2-1, 2-2) is determined individually and compared with a target position (P SOLL ) is compared. [8] Method according to claim 7, wherein the control unit (6) controls the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit (3) by means of the electronic transmission coupling (5). [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, in which the respective transport units (3-1, 3-2, 4-1, 4-2) of at least two parallel transport tracks (2-1, 2-2) are controlled and / or regulated independently of one another by the control unit (6), so that the articles (10-1, 10-2) on the at least two parallel transport tracks (2-1, 2-2) are brought into step in the region of the respective second transport unit (4-1, 4-2). [10] Method according to one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the control unit (6) determines for each transport path (2) the respective deviation (D) between the actual position (P IST ) and the target position (P SOLL ) Article (10) is determined; where the deviation (D) between the actual position (P IST ) and the target position (P SOLL ) calculates a change in the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit (3) of the respective transport path (2) and wherein the control unit (6) regulates the speed and / or acceleration of the first transport unit (3) of the respective transport path (2) accordingly.

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