Method and transport system for controlling a container flow

Abstract

Method for controlling a container flow, comprising the following steps: a) Continuous transport of containers (B) without back pressure on conveyors (3, 5, 7, 9) linked together by means of push-fits (2, 4, 6, 8); b) Monitoring the container flow with regard to the occurrence of gaps requiring correction (11) between adjacent containers (B1, B2); c) Individual control of the conveyors for the selective acceleration of containers (B2, B3) that follow a gap identified in step b) as requiring correction, so that the gap is reduced and at least one compensatory gap (14) is created behind the containers; and d) Temporary joint increase of the transport speeds of at least two of the transporters, wherein step d) is carried out after step c), wherein in step d) the transport speeds are increased jointly with the working speed of a gap-causing machine (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling a container flow and a transport system for carrying out the method.

[0002] It is known to convey objects in production plants on interconnected conveyors, as well as to monitor the distance between the objects and to specifically change it by separately controlling individual conveyors in order to feed the objects to a downstream production machine with as uniform a distance as possible. For example, DE 10 2004 035 821 A1 describes several conveyor belts arranged one behind the other, each with a gap between them. Elongated objects that are at least longer than the gaps between the conveyors are transported via the conveyor belts. To adjust the distances between the individual products, individual conveyors are specifically accelerated as long as only one product is on them at a time.Conveyor systems with conveyor belts connected in series, the speed of which can be adjusted independently of one another, are also known from DE 36 21 601 A1 and EP 1 280 720 B1.

[0003] DE 36 21 601 A1 describes a piece goods loading device with conveyor belts connected in series for adjusting and reducing transport distances between objects arriving at irregular intervals. These conveyor belts are followed by a measuring conveyor for determining any correction needs, an acceleration conveyor for setting a base speed, and a phase adjustment conveyor for final synchronization with a downstream packaging machine. The loading device can also send a control signal to the packaging machine so that it then runs at the same speed as the loading device. If the distances between the conveyed objects at the packaging machine become too narrow, the packaging machine is accelerated until a normal state is established. If the distances are too large, the packaging machine is decelerated.The overall speed of the loading device can also be adjusted to the speed of the incoming objects within certain limits.

[0004] In beverage bottling plants or similar applications, serially linked conveyors are used, in particular, to connect machines with a container rejection function located upstream of the conveyors in a block-like manner to a guide machine arranged downstream of the conveyors. The conveyors then convey the correct containers without back pressure, for example, into a back pressure area formed at the inlet of the guide machine. The average operating and conveying speed of such a machine block is then determined by the guide machine. The machine with a rejection function can be, for example, an empty bottle inspector, a full bottle inspector, a bottle sorter, a bottle distribution system, a unit for discharging broken pieces or lying containers, or the like.The guiding machine is, for example, a filler, a labelling machine or another rotary machine with a single-lane container inlet.

[0005] Due to the reject function of the upstream machine, gaps inevitably arise in the container flow. To ensure continuous operation of the lead machine, the gaps caused upstream must be closed by temporarily increasing the operating speed of the rejecting machine and increasing the transport speed of the intermediate conveyors. For this purpose, it is known to monitor the conveyor area, for example, for gaps that require correction and to accelerate all conveyors upstream of a detected gap together with the rejecting machine in order to at least reduce the gap. If the gap is only partially closed, this process may be repeated on at least one conveyor downstream.

[0006] The disadvantage of this process, which is in principle suitable for gap closure, is that the rejecting machine is briefly accelerated comparatively strongly during each of these sub-steps and then returns to its normal base speed. These changes occur with a comparatively strong speed increase. This results in unstable operation of the rejecting machine. Furthermore, the speed adjustment of this machine to its reject rate and the operating speed of the lead machine is severely limited. Furthermore, the speed increase requires a correspondingly large excess capacity of the machine compared to its base speed. Alternatively, the maximum reject rate of the machine must be limited.

[0007] On the other hand, it would be desirable to be able to operate the rejecting machine more evenly in order to allow the product flow to flow more smoothly overall, to reduce required excess capacities compared to the normal basic operation of the machine and / or to be able to adapt this machine better to the required reject rates and / or the working speed specified by a lead machine.

[0008] The stated object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Accordingly, this serves to control a container flow and comprises the following steps: a) Continuous transport of containers without back pressure on conveyors arranged in series by means of overhead conveyors; b) monitoring the container flow for the occurrence of gaps between adjacent containers that require correction; c) Individual control of the conveyors for the selective acceleration of containers following a gap identified in step b) as requiring correction, so that the identified gap is reduced and at least one compensatory gap is created behind the containers; and d) temporarily increasing the transport speeds of at least two of the conveyors together, wherein step d) is carried out after step c).

[0009] By performing step d) only after step c), the speed increase in step d) can be reduced for a catch-up movement of the containers to completely close the gap downstream of the conveyors.

[0010] The gap requiring correction is divided into at least one smaller gap and the compensating gap. The original gap is thus preferably distributed across multiple areas in the container flow. A final, joint acceleration of the containers upstream of the original gap is then possible, including the rejecting machine, on multiple conveyors simultaneously and with a comparatively small speed difference. This results in an overall more uniform transport of the containers and improved utilization and control of the rejecting machine.

[0011] In the area of ​​the overhead conveyors, the conveyors can run next to each other so that the containers can move from one conveyor to the next along guide rails, for example, or can follow one another in a row without overlapping.

[0012] The container flow is scanned, for example, using non-contact sensors, particularly optical sensors such as light barriers. Gaps are detected based on the distances measured between the containers. Gaps requiring correction are defined as distances between the containers that exceed a specified maximum value.

[0013] Individual control of the conveyors means that they can be accelerated to different transport speeds simultaneously or in an overlapping manner. A joint increase in transport speeds means that the conveyors simultaneously have a transport speed increased compared to a base speed, although the conveyors do not necessarily have to run at the same transport speed.

[0014] In addition, in step d), the transport speeds are increased along with the operating speed of the machine causing the gaps. Thus, the reduced speed increase compared to a gap closure without creating compensatory gaps is also effective in the machine causing the gaps.

[0015] This reduces the excess capacity of the machine required to catch up containers. This results in more consistent operation of the machine causing the gaps overall. Furthermore, the permissible reject rate of the machine for proper operation can be increased. The machine causing the gaps is located upstream of the conveyors, or an inlet-side conveyor of the transport system is configured as the reject conveyor of the machine causing the gaps. The machine causes the gaps in the container flow by rejecting faulty containers or the like and is therefore also referred to as a rejecting machine.

[0016] Preferably, the operating speed of the diverting machine is increased compared to a base speed that is adapted to a current or averaged diverting rate of the machine. This simplifies the control of the diverting machine, particularly for adaptation to the operating speed of a downstream leading machine.

[0017] Preferably, the containers are transported in step a) on at least two, especially three, conveyors of different lengths. This offsets compensatory gaps in the container flow during repeated partial gap closure. In other words, this prevents unwanted gap enlargement due to the overlap of compensatory gaps when individual conveyors accelerate. The lengths of adjacent conveyors preferably differ by at least 15 percent.

[0018] Preferably, the maximum transport speeds of the conveyors in step c) differ by 5 to 50 percent. This allows for the creation of sufficiently large compensatory gaps at at least two transfer points and avoids excessive acceleration at the transition between two adjacent conveyors. This prevents unwanted tipping of the containers at the transfer points.

[0019] Preferably, the transport speeds in step c) are limited to a predetermined maximum value for the temporally overlapping reduction of at least two detected gaps. This prevents accelerations for reducing a detected gap and for creating compensatory gaps in the area of ​​a specific overfeed from adding up to inadmissible values. Such an overlap can occur, for example, if, during a partial gap closure by reducing a first gap, for example, in the area of ​​a second and third conveyor, a second gap requiring correction is detected and reduced in the area of ​​the first conveyor.

[0020] Preferably, the container flow is fed into a dynamic pressure zone adjacent to the conveyors at the inlet of a guide machine. The container flow is thus unified without dynamic pressure by distributing the gaps as evenly as possible and thus introduced into the dynamic pressure zone. Thus, the container flow formed with the evenly distributed gaps can be conveyed more evenly into the dynamic pressure zone over a correspondingly long period of time with a comparatively small increase in the transport speeds of several conveyors than would be possible without the creation of compensatory gaps.

[0021] Preferably, step d) is triggered by the arrival of the gap reduced in step c) at the back pressure area. Thus, the originally existing gap requiring correction can be distributed across the existing conveyors, i.e., the total available back pressure-free area, before the speed increase is triggered, particularly by including the outgoing machine. This minimizes the speed difference for a catch-up movement upstream of the back pressure area.

[0022] Preferably, in step b), distances between the containers in the inlet areas of the transfers are measured, and gaps exceeding a predetermined maximum distance are classified as requiring correction. Particularly advantageously, the container flow is scanned for gap detection at a distance upstream of the respective transfer that corresponds to the distance defined as requiring correction or deviates from the latter by no more than 20%. The distances are preferably measured and the gaps are classified at all transfers downstream of a separately controllable conveyor.

[0023] Preferably, the container flow runs at least via a first transfer from a first to a second conveyor and via a second transfer from the second to a third conveyor. Furthermore, the container flow is then monitored at least at the second transfer to detect gaps requiring correction. In step c), the first and second conveyors then temporarily run faster than the third conveyor, and the second conveyor temporarily runs faster than the first conveyor. This results in a reduction of the detected gap at the second transfer, with the conveyors operating continuously, creating a compensatory gap at the first transfer.

[0024] Preferably, the container flow is further monitored at the first transfer point to detect gaps requiring correction, and the first conveyor temporarily runs faster than the second conveyor in step c). A further detected gap can then be reduced in succession.

[0025] The stated object is also achieved with a transport system according to claim 11, which is designed to carry out the method according to at least one of the previous embodiments and comprises: - a zero-pressure transport section comprising conveyors connected by means of overrun; - a monitoring device formed on at least one overhead conveyor for detecting gaps in the container flow that require correction; and - a control unit for controlling the transport speeds of the conveyors. According to the invention, at least two of the conveyors have different lengths.

[0026] Detected gaps can be reduced in the area of ​​the overfeed while simultaneously creating at least one compensating gap in the area of ​​another overfeed located upstream. Detected gaps can thus be distributed across several gaps in the container flow. This allows subsequent catch-up movements of the transport system to close the gap in the area of ​​a downstream leading machine to be carried out with a lower speed variation.

[0027] Compensatory gaps created one after the other are offset from each other in the container flow due to the different lengths of the conveyors. This prevents unwanted overlapping gaps, especially the creation of compensatory gaps that are larger than the gaps originally determined. The length ratio between the longest and shortest conveyors is, for example, 1.2 to 1.8. Suitable length ratios for a group of three conveyors are, for example, 6 to 5 to 4.

[0028] Preferably, the control unit is designed to allow conveyors of different lengths to run at different transport speeds, at least overlapping in time. This occurs during essentially continuous operation of the conveyors, i.e., without individual conveyors coming to a standstill. This enables gradual gap closure and compensatory gap formation with high machine performance and a low risk of containers tipping over.

[0029] A zero-pressure transport section with at least three conveyors and at least two transfer sections connecting the conveyors is particularly advantageous. A monitoring device for detecting gaps in the container flow that require correction is then provided at least on the exit-side transfer section. The transport system preferably comprises at least three consecutive conveyors of different lengths. A transport system in which three conveyors of different lengths can be controlled so that they run simultaneously at different transport speeds is particularly advantageous.

[0030] Preferably, the first or infeed-side conveyor is an outfeed conveyor of a gap-creating or outfeeding machine. This allows for a particularly compact transport system. The speed range of the infeed-side conveyor must then be adapted to the control system of the outfeeding machine.

[0031] The stated object is also achieved with a machine block comprising the transport system according to one of the previous embodiments, as well as a gap-creating machine upstream of the transport system, and a guide machine with an inlet-side dynamic pressure zone downstream of the transport system. In a machine block, machines are firmly connected to one another by means of transport systems, so that gaps occurring in the container flow for the continuous operation of a downstream guide machine must be closed by temporarily accelerating trailing containers into a dynamic pressure zone. The transport system then, by definition, performs a catch-up movement in the container flow.

[0032] A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a container flow through a transport system according to the invention when shortening a gap requiring correction at a first overrun; Fig. 2 the container flow after partial gap closure and creation of a first compensatory gap; Fig. 3 a further partial gap closure in the area of ​​a second overthrust; Fig. 4 the container flow after further partial gap closure and creation of a second compensatory gap; Fig. 5 a further partial gap closure in the area of ​​a third overthrust; Fig. 6 the container flow with further compensatory gaps created; Fig. 7 the container flow when triggering a catch-up movement for complete gap closure; and Fig. 8 the creation of compensatory gaps at overhangs between conveyors of different lengths.

[0033] As the Fig. 1, the transport system 1 according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a zero-pressure transport section 1a with transfer conveyors 2, 4, 6, 8 at the transition to conveyors 3, 5, 7, 9, each of which is designed for the transport of containers B without pressure. The transfer conveyors 2, 4, 6, 8 guide the containers B, for example by means of guide rails or the like (not shown), in a manner known per se to the respective laterally downstream conveyor. The conveyors 3, 5, 7, 9 are driven by drive motors 3a, 5a, 7a, 9a and can be controlled separately by means of a schematically indicated control unit 10.

[0034] On the input side, contactless monitoring units 4a, 6a, 8a, for example in the form of light barriers, are located at the transfer stations 4, 6, and 8. The monitoring units 4a, 6a, and 8a measure the distances between the containers B moving in the container stream to identify gaps 11 in the container stream that require correction.

[0035] The following example describes how a gap 11 to be corrected is successively reduced by repeated gap shortening 12 and, in the process, distributed over several compensatory gaps 14 to 17, with compensatory gap formation 13 during continuous further transport in the area of ​​overfeeds 2, 4, 6, and 8. The gaps are not shown to scale in the figures. Drive components temporarily accelerated relative to the base speed of the transport system 1 are shown with black fill for clarity.

[0036] Following the zero-pressure section 1a, a dynamic pressure area 18 is formed for the inlet of the containers B to a guide machine 19 formed downstream of the transport system 1. The guide machine 19 receives the container flow as a continuous sequence of containers B.

[0037] In the Fig. 1 also shows a machine 20 connected to the transport system 1 upstream of the latter, which creates the gaps 11 by removing defective containers or the like from the container stream. Associated with the machine 20 that creates or removes the gaps 11 is an outfeed conveyor 21 with a separate drive motor 21a, which transfers the containers B to the first conveyor 3 via an input-side transfer device 2.

[0038] In the figures, gap shortenings 12 are marked by block arrows pointing toward each other. Compensatory gap formations 13 are marked by block arrows pointing away from each other in the area of ​​the respective overthrusts.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 1 shows, in the area of ​​the first conveyor 3 and a subsequent first transfer conveyor 4, a gap 11 classified as requiring correction, which was previously created by the upstream interlocking machine 20 by diverting containers. The gap 11 is detected in the inlet area of ​​the first transfer conveyor 4 using the associated monitoring unit 4a by measuring the length of the gap 11 from the container B1 preceding it.

[0040] If the distance to the leading container B1 exceeds a specified value, gap 11 is classified as requiring correction, and the first conveyor 3 is temporarily and selectively accelerated at a suitable time. A suitable time is, for example, when containers B2, B3 following gap 11 are on the first conveyor 3 and can be accelerated relative to the container B1 leading gap 11.

[0041] The temporary acceleration of the first conveyor 3 causes a gap shortening 12 at the over-thrust 4 formed downstream thereof and a compensatory gap formation 13 at the over-thrust 2 formed upstream thereof. This compensatory distribution of gaps 11 requiring correction in the container flow can be carried out successively with several conveyors 3, 5, 7, 9 temporarily running at different speeds at the associated over-thrusts.

[0042] The Fig. 2 shows a state after the trailing containers B2, B3 have been accelerated selectively relative to the leading container B1, i.e. after the Fig. 1. A shortened gap 11a remains of the original gap 11. This gap will be reviewed downstream for its need for correction.

[0043] Due to the temporary acceleration of the first conveyor 3, a first compensatory gap 14 has been created at the input-side overfeed 2. The originally existing gap 11 requiring correction is thus divided into the shortened gap 11a and the first compensatory gap 14. In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the partial step shown in Figure 2, the gap 11, which was originally identified as requiring correction, is thus partially closed.

[0044] A monitoring unit 6a is also present in the area of ​​the second overfeed 6, which monitors the container flow in the same way with regard to the occurrence of gaps requiring correction, as described above for the first overfeed 4. As the Fig. 3, the gap 11a in the area of ​​the second overhead conveyor 6, which has been shortened by partial gap closure, is also recognized as requiring correction. Consequently, the second conveyor 5 with the containers B2, B3 standing on it is temporarily accelerated relative to the third conveyor 7.

[0045] In addition, the first conveyor 3 is also temporarily accelerated relative to the third conveyor 7, but with a smaller speed difference than the second conveyor 5. This results in at least one further compensatory gap formation 13 in the area of ​​the first transfer 4 and / or in the area of ​​the input-side transfer 2, resulting in at least one second compensatory gap 15.

[0046] The state after the temporary acceleration of the first and second conveyor 3, 5 relative to the third conveyor 7 is shown in the Fig. 4. Accordingly, the previously partially closed gap 11a was reduced by the renewed shortening of the gap 12 according to Fig. 3 the further shortened gap 11b between the containers B1 and B2.

[0047] Upstream of the further shortened gap 11b, the first compensatory gap 14 and the second compensatory gap 15 can be seen in the container flow. The lengths of the further shortened gap 11b and the compensatory gaps 14, 15 add up to the length of the originally existing gap 11 requiring correction.

[0048] As the Fig. 5, monitoring of the container flow can optionally also be carried out in the area of ​​the third transfer 8 with regard to the occurrence of gaps requiring correction, as described above. It is then possible to shorten the shortened gap 11b again if necessary and / or to create further compensatory gaps 16, 17 in the area of ​​the first transfer 4 and / or in the area of ​​the input-side transfer 2 by creating additional gaps 13. For this purpose, the first three conveyors 3, 5, 7 are temporarily accelerated to different transport speeds relative to the fourth conveyor 9, based on the procedure described above.

[0049] The Fig. 6 indicates the state after the optional creation of the compensatory gaps 16, 17, whereby the originally existing gap was further reduced to the final gap 11c entering the dynamic pressure area 18. As Fig. 6, the container flow was temporarily accelerated by at least the first conveyor 3 and the second conveyor 5 by forming at least one compensatory gap 14 compared to the Fig. 1 is distributed more evenly in the zero-pressure transport section 1a.

[0050] The Fig. 7 shows a state in which the arrival of the compensatorily reduced final gap 11c is detected by means of a monitoring unit 18a, for example a light barrier, formed at the entrance to the dynamic pressure area 18 in order to trigger a catch-up movement of the following container flow by joint temporary acceleration of at least the conveyors 3, 5, 7 and the upstream blocked machine 20.

[0051] For this purpose, the outgoing machine 20 with its outgoing conveyor 21 and the conveyors 3, 5, 7, and if necessary also the conveyor 9, temporarily run faster than a predetermined basic speed of the outgoing machine 20. As a result, all gaps present on the conveyors 3, 5, 7, 9, i.e. the compensatorily reduced final gap 11c and the compensatory gaps 14 to 17 created thereby in the dynamic pressure area 18 are pushed together with complete gap closure.

[0052] This catch-up movement ensures that there are always sufficient containers B available in the back pressure area 18 and the adjoining guide machine 19 for the continuous further processing of the container flow.

[0053] The basic speed of the discharging machine 20 is set, for example, depending on a discharge rate of the machine 20, so that on average sufficient containers B are conveyed into the dynamic pressure area 18.

[0054] Because the complete gap closure involving the diverting machine 20 only takes place after compensatory gaps have been created, the catch-up movement involving all conveyors 3, 5, 7, 9 of the zero-pressure transport section 1a can be distributed over a comparatively long period of time and consequently can take place with a lower speed difference relative to the basic speed of the machine 20.

[0055] As a result, machine 20 requires less excess capacity in the sense of a speed reserve to perform the catch-up movement than would be the case with a conventional gap closure according to the state of the art. Due to the more consistent operation, a base speed of machine 20 can also be set that is adapted to its current rejection rate. If, for example, the rejection rate of machine 20 decreases, it can be operated at a lower base speed to maintain the required container flow to supply the lead machine 19. If the rejection rate of machine 20 increases, for example due to poorer product quality, the base speed of machine 20 can be increased to compensate for the increased rejection rate.

[0056] In simple terms, in contrast to the known methods, the diverting machine 20 no longer has to participate in every acceleration of the downstream conveyors 3, 5, 7, 9, so that the adaptation of the basic speed of the diverting machine 20 to the diverting rate and the working speed of the leading machine 19 is simplified overall and the need for excess capacity to carry out catch-up movements is reduced.

[0057] The Fig.Figure 8 illustrates that the successive creation of compensatory gaps is facilitated by the fact that the conveyors 3, 5, and 7 have different lengths L3, L5, and L7. As a result, the gap formation 13 at the overpasses 4, 6, and 8 occurs at offset locations in the container flow. This prevents the gap formation 13 from occurring repeatedly at the same location in the container flow during successive partial gap shortenings 12-4 at the first overpass 4, 12-6 at the second overpass 6, and 12-8 at the third overpass 8. Thus, the gap generation 13 cannot result in a compensatory gap that is larger than the originally existing gap 11 requiring correction.

[0058] For this purpose, preferably at least three consecutive conveyors, for example conveyors 3, 5, 7, are designed with different lengths L3, L5, L7. Suitable length ratios of conveyors 3, 5, 7 are, for example, L3:L5:L7 equal to 6:5:4.

[0059] The method illustrated in the figures could, in principle, also be implemented by gap detection at the input-side transfer conveyor 2 in combination with the first transfer conveyor 4 and the second transfer conveyor 6. In this case, the outfeed conveyor 21 of the outfeed machine 20 would assume the previously described function of the first conveyor 3, the first conveyor 3 would assume the function of the second conveyor 5, etc.

[0060] Such a configuration would be advantageous in confined spaces. However, the outfeed conveyor 21 can then only be accelerated to a limited extent to form the gap 13, since the working speed of the rejecting machine 20 is to be changed only with a comparatively small speed increase compared to its base speed. Adapting the rejecting machine 20 to an existing reject rate would also be limited.

[0061] Nevertheless, the speed increase required for the catch-up movement to finally close the gap can also be achieved by generating compensatory gaps on the basis of a combination of the first and second conveyors 3, 5 with the outlet conveyor 21 of the machine 20 causing the gaps.

[0062] This enables a more uniform overall operation of the machine block consisting of the outfeed machine 20, the transport system 1, and the guide machine 19. Furthermore, the need for excess capacity of the outfeed machine 20 to perform the necessary catch-up movement on the zero-pressure conveyors 3, 5, 7, 9 is reduced.

Claims

[1] A method for controlling a container flow, comprising the steps of: a) Continuous transport of containers (B) without back pressure on conveyors (3, 5, 7, 9) arranged in series by means of overhead conveyors (2, 4, 6, 8); b) monitoring the container flow with regard to the occurrence of gaps (11) requiring correction between adjacent containers (B1, B2); c) Individual control of the conveyors for the selective acceleration of containers (B2, B3) which follow a gap identified in step b) as requiring correction, so that the gap is reduced and at least one compensatory gap (14) is created behind the containers; and d) temporarily increasing the transport speeds of at least two of the conveyors together, wherein step d) is carried out after step c), wherein the transport speeds in step d) are increased together with the working speed of a machine (20) causing the gaps. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the working speed is increased compared to a basic speed of the machine (20) which is adapted to a current or average discharge rate of the machine (20). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the containers (B) in step a) are transported on at least two, in particular three, conveyors (3, 5, 7) of different lengths. [4] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum transport speeds of the conveyors (3, 5, 7, 9) in step c) differ by 5 to 50%. [5] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport speeds in step c) are limited to a predetermined maximum value for the temporally overlapping reduction of at least two detected gaps (11). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container flow is fed to a dynamic pressure area (18) adjoining the conveyors in the inlet of a guide machine (19). [7] Method according to claim 6, wherein step d) is triggered by the arrival of the gap (11c) reduced in step c) at the dynamic pressure region (18). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step b) distances between the containers (B1, B2) in inlet areas of the overfeeds (4, 6, 8) are measured and gaps (11, 11a, 11b) are classified as requiring correction from a predetermined maximum distance. [9] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the container flow runs at least via a first transfer (4) from a first to a second conveyor (3, 5) and via a second transfer (6) from the second to a third conveyor (7) and is monitored at least at the second transfer to detect the gaps requiring correction, and wherein in step c) the first and second conveyors temporarily run faster than the third conveyor and the second conveyor temporarily runs faster than the first conveyor. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container flow is further monitored at the first transfer unit (4) to detect gaps requiring correction and the first conveyor (3) temporarily runs faster than the second conveyor (5) in step c). [11] Transport system (1) with: - a zero-pressure transport section (1a) comprising conveyors (3, 5, 7, 9) connected by means of overruns (4, 6, 8); - a monitoring unit (4a, 6a, 8a) formed on at least one overfeeder for detecting gaps (11) in the container flow that require correction; and - a control unit (10) for controlling the transport speeds of the conveyors, characterized by that at least two of the conveyors have different lengths (L3, L5, L7) and the transport system (1) is designed to carry out the method according to at least one of the preceding claims. [12] Transport system according to claim 11, wherein the control unit (10) is designed to allow the conveyors of different lengths to run at least overlapping in time with different transport speeds. [13] Transport system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the input-side conveyor is an output conveyor (21) of a machine (20) causing the gaps. [14] Machine block with the transport system (1) according to one of the preceding claims and with a gap-causing machine (20) upstream of the transport system and with a guide machine (19) with an inlet-side dynamic pressure region (18) downstream of the transport system.

Images