DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE PARTICULAR CONTINUOUS CONVEYING OF PRODUCE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the continuous conveying of goods, particularly packaging, wherein the device comprises a storage unit (2) with a plurality of storage lines or tracks (5), each storage line or track (5) of the storage unit (2) being capable of receiving goods (6). The device further comprises a feed conveyor (7) arranged upstream of the storage unit (2) in the conveying direction (F) of the goods (6), by which the goods (6) to be received by the storage tracks (5) of the storage unit (2) are fed or can be fed, and a divider unit (3) arranged between the storage unit (2) and a downstream end region of the feed conveyor (7) in the conveying direction (F) of the goods (6), which is configured to feed the goods (6) fed by the feed conveyor (7) to the storage lines or tracks (5) of the storage unit (2).According to the invention, it is particularly provided that the feed conveyor belt (7) has a device (8) for creating a pre-defined or definable defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or between two adjacent conveyed materials (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to packaging lines of a packaging plant and in particular to devices for loading or distributing products conveyed one after the other in a series.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a device for the continuous conveying of goods, especially in the form of packaging.

[0003] Packaging lines are typically characterized by a multitude of packaging stations (packaging equipment), each processing the packaging in different steps. For example, in filling lines for beverage cartons, a straw applicator is used first, followed by a shrink film applicator, after a filling machine. The shrink film applicator then combines several packages into a single unit.

[0004] When designing a packaging system, the processing rate, i.e., the number of packages per unit of time, is increasingly becoming the primary focus. The higher the processing rate of a packaging system, the more efficiently it operates. Therefore, there is a fundamental need to optimize the processing rate of individual packaging stations or units within the system in order to increase the overall processing rate of the entire system. The goal when operating a packaging system is to operate the slowest packaging station (unit) at its maximum processing rate, thereby maximizing the system's throughput of packages.

[0005] On the other hand, it is unavoidable that malfunctions can occur at individual packaging units during the processing of the packaging in a packaging plant. To maintain a production process that is as smooth as possible and / or to compensate for fluctuations in the processing rate of the packaging units in the plant, it is common practice to arrange a storage device, particularly in the form of a storage table, between two packaging units.

[0006] The storage table receives packages when a fault occurs downstream of the storage table in the packaging line and the packages can no longer be processed further downstream. As soon as the downstream fault is resolved, the packages temporarily stored on the storage table can be retrieved and processed further.

[0007] Accordingly, the storage table makes it possible to continue operating the packaging equipment or other equipment upstream of the storage table for a certain period of time, at least until the storage table is filled, i.e., until the storage table's capacity is exhausted.

[0008] Thus, the use of a storage table ensures the fail-safe operation of an upstream system in the event of a downstream system failure, since the upstream system can always fill the storage table with packaging before it too has to be shut down. If the fault in the downstream system is rectified beforehand, the upstream system can continue its operation without interruption.

[0009] The storage table considered here is specifically a storage table in which packages are temporarily stored without pressure, i.e., with a predetermined or definable (small) distance between them. In particular, this storage table is not a so-called "low-pressure storage device," such as those used, for example, as storage or distribution units in bottling plants. In such low-pressure storage devices, the containers (bottles) are transported and temporarily stored under a certain (low) back pressure.

[0010] A storage table designed as a storage unit for a packaging plant is known, for example, from publication EP 3 854 732 A1.

[0011] The storage table known from this prior art has an inlet, an outlet, and at least two storage lines or tracks, which can be loaded with packaging separately and are arranged between the inlet and the outlet. Each of the at least two storage lines / tracks is assigned a transport device for transporting the respective packaging. The outlet preferably takes place at an angle to the at least one storage line and even more preferably perpendicular to the at least one storage line.

[0012] The transport devices assigned to each storage line can, in particular, consist of conveyor belts or conveyor belts. Of course, other embodiments are also possible. In particular, it is intended that the respective transport devices assigned to the storage lines of the storage table can be controlled and operated independently of one another.

[0013] However, the currently known storage tables also have a limited product throughput. Storage tables of the type considered here are typically designed for a product output of approximately 24,000 packages per hour.

[0014] The product throughput of a storage table is determined by the dividing unit or infeed, with which the products supplied via a feed conveyor belt are fed to the individual storage lanes of the storage table.

[0015] In this process, the distribution unit, often designed as a satellite, is moved perpendicular to the storage tracks of the storage table. When switching from one storage track to the next, the products in the distribution unit or satellite must be briefly held in place until the distribution unit or satellite has moved to the next storage track.

[0016] However, if the direction of travel of the dividing unit / satellite is opposite to the direction of inflow of the products, a short-term build-up of the products occurs upstream of the dividing unit.

[0017] With the current flow rates, this brief period of stagnation poses no problem. However, it can lead to problems if the aim is to increase the capacity of the storage table.

[0018] In particular, the packaging industry has a need for storage tables with a significant increase in capacity of approximately 40,000 packages per hour. In other words, a capacity increase of up to approximately 70% is desired.

[0019] With such an increase in performance, the accumulation of products in the process of the dividing unit / satellite, contrary to the inflow direction of the products, can cause problems in the smooth operation.

[0020] Based on this problem, the invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a device for the continuous conveying of goods, especially in the form of packaging, wherein the conveying makes it possible to increase the number of products passing through a storage table serving as a storage unit, without causing any disruption in the production process.

[0021] The problem underlying the invention is solved in particular by a device according to independent claim 1, with advantageous further developments thereof being specified in the dependent claims.

[0022] In particular, the invention relates to a device for the continuous conveying of conveyed goods, especially in the form of packaging, wherein the device has a storage unit, particularly in the form of a storage table, which has a plurality of storage lanes, wherein conveyed goods can be received from each storage lane of the storage unit.

[0023] The device further comprises a feed conveyor belt arranged upstream of the storage unit in a conveying direction of the conveyed material, with which the conveyed material to be received by the storage tracks of the storage unit is fed or can be fed.

[0024] Finally, the device according to the invention comprises a dividing unit arranged between the storage unit and a downstream end area of ​​the feed conveyor belt, as seen in the conveying direction of the conveyed material, which is designed to feed the conveyed material supplied by the feed conveyor belt to the storage lanes of the storage unit.

[0025] The distribution unit is in particular part of the feed-in of the storage table or forms the feed-in.

[0026] The dividing unit is in particular a so-called satellite or deflector, which ensures that the packages fed into the storage table via the feed conveyor belt are fed to the correct storage line.

[0027] If all packaging equipment downstream of the storage table is functioning correctly, the storage table can forward the packages without delay. This is achieved by transporting the packages directly from the infeed to the outfeed via a dedicated storage line on the storage table. This dedicated storage line can also be considered a "bypass storage line," which typically only transports the packages from the infeed to the outfeed.

[0028] If, however, a downstream fault occurs with respect to the storage table, the discharge point of the storage table, preferably located immediately upstream of the fault or the faulty packaging device, is instructed not to remove any further packages from the storage table. Subsequently, the first storage line assigned to the discharge point (bypass storage line) of the storage table fills up until it reaches its maximum fill level. The filling of this first storage line of the storage table can be controlled by means of a non-contact sensor, for example, located at the downstream or discharge end area.

[0029] Specifically, the first storage line of the storage table is filled until the first downstream package reaches a predetermined or definable area at the downstream or discharge end of the storage line. Then, starting from the inlet of the storage table, the storage table is successively filled along further storage lines.

[0030] First, the packages to be temporarily stored are fed into a second storage line of the storage table via the infeed system, in such a way that the first, downstream package of this line has reached the area monitored by the sensors located at the downstream or discharge end. Then, the next (further) storage line is filled.

[0031] This process is carried out either until the storage table reaches its maximum fill level, or until the fault is rectified and the storage table can then be emptied. If the fault in the downstream packaging unit has not been rectified by the time the storage table reaches its maximum fill level, at least the immediately upstream packaging unit, and potentially the entire packaging line, is stopped. Specifically, all packaging units directly associated with the respective storage table are stopped; that is, all packaging units that directly feed packaging from the at least one infeed to the storage table or receive packaging from the at least one outfeed of the storage table.

[0032] If the fault is rectified downstream, the downstream packaging unit resumes operation. This allows the storage table to be emptied gradually as the discharge system picks up the packages from the previously filled storage lines and feeds them to the downstream packaging unit until the storage table is empty.

[0033] The feeding and removal of packaging to and from the storage table is preferably accomplished using conveyor systems. Such conveyor systems are preferably arranged at the infeed and outfeed points of the storage table. Preferably, a corresponding transport device is assigned to each infeed and outfeed point to feed the packaging received by the infeed conveyor to the storage table or the individual storage lines of the storage table, and to feed packaging from the storage lines to the corresponding outfeed conveyor (discharge conveyor) at the outfeed point. With the aid of the conveyor systems and the transport devices assigned to the infeed and outfeed points, continuous processing of packaging in packaging equipment along the packaging line is possible without the need for manual intervention.

[0034] Transport devices are provided along each storage line for moving the individual packages within the storage table. These transport devices are designed to pick up the packages within a storage line and transport them to the downstream or discharge end of the storage line.

[0035] From the infeed, the packages must be fed to a specific storage line on the storage table. The storage lines are preferably arranged side by side on the storage table.

[0036] As previously mentioned, the infeed system includes a distribution unit with a transport device to feed the packages from the outfeed, typically in a linear motion, to the corresponding storage line of the storage table. However, to then distribute the incoming packages to the individual storage lines, it is necessary to vary the direction of movement of the packages, particularly from the infeed transport device to the respective storage line currently in use. For this purpose, the infeed system incorporates a distribution unit, designed as a loading device, which is typically a so-called satellite or deflector. This unit ensures that the packages fed into the infeed system by the conveyor are directed to the correct storage line.

[0037] The transport device associated with the infeed and / or the transport device associated with the outfeed preferably consists of double-sided vertical plastic link chains with applied rubber lamellae to transport the packaging gently.

[0038] The dividing unit, designed as a placement device, can be formed as a linearly operated satellite that is movable transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the storage lines and feeds the packaging from the feeder-side conveyor device to the individual storage lines.

[0039] Preferably, a multiple storage lines are arranged side by side on the storage table. The more storage lines are arranged side by side, the greater the storage capacity of the storage table and the reduced the probability of failure of the packaging system. The storage table can be either horizontal or vertical.

[0040] In order to achieve an increase in the performance of the storage table without any disruption occurring, particularly during the loading of the storage tracks of the storage table or during the insertion of the packaging into the storage tracks of the storage table, the invention provides in particular that the feed conveyor belt, with which the material to be received by the storage tracks of the storage table is fed, has a device for creating a pre-defined or definable defined gap in the flow of material between two adjacent groups of material being conveyed.

[0041] The term "gap" used herein refers to a distance between two adjacent packages that is greater than a predetermined maximum distance between the packages of the goods being transported by the feed conveyor.

[0042] The device associated with the feed conveyor, designed to create a defined gap in the flow of conveyed goods between two adjacent groups of goods, is specifically configured to slow down the packages transported by the feed conveyor as needed. This allows the gaps between the packages to accumulate, resulting in a larger gap between two adjacent groups of goods. A sufficiently large gap between two adjacent groups of goods is required so that the dividing unit, designed as a loading device and preferably as a linearly operated satellite, has more time to move, particularly transversely and preferably perpendicularly to the storage lines / tracks.

[0043] In other words, the temporary reduction in product flow rate at the feed conveyor can then be used downstream of the dividing unit, which is designed as a placement device, to change the storage lanes / storage lines of the storage table.

[0044] According to implementations of the device according to the invention, the dividing unit has a conveyor track with a downstream first end region and an upstream second end region, in the direction of conveyance of the conveyed material, wherein the dividing unit is movable relative to the storage tracks of the storage unit in such a way that, optionally or as required, the first end region of the conveyor track of the dividing unit is connected or connectable to one of the storage tracks of the storage unit in such a way that a group of conveyed material provided by the feed conveyor can be fed to the storage track of the storage unit.

[0045] In this context, it is particularly advantageous for the second end section of the conveyor track of the dividing unit to be connected in a conveying manner to a downstream end section of the feed conveyor belt - viewed in the conveying direction of the conveyed material - in such a way that a conveyed material group generated by the gaps created in the conveyed material flow can be fed or is fed to the conveyor track of the dividing unit via the downstream end section of the feed conveyor belt.

[0046] The device associated with the feed conveyor for creating the defined gap in the flow of conveyed goods between two adjacent groups of conveyed goods is specifically designed to create a gap length between two adjacent groups of conveyed goods in such a way that, with the help of the dividing unit and without a change in the conveying speed of a transport device associated with the feed conveyor, a leading first group of conveyed goods of the two adjacent groups of conveyed goods can be fed to a first storage lane of the storage system and a trailing second group of conveyed goods of the two adjacent groups of conveyed goods can be fed to a second storage lane of the storage system.

[0047] The device for generating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups is used in particular to generate a gap length between two adjacent conveyed material groups depending on a speed at which the conveyed material is fed in by the feed conveyor belt and a speed at which at least the second end area of ​​the conveying path of the dividing unit is moved from a first storage path of the storage to a second storage path of the storage to be filled.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, the gap length between two adjacent conveyed material groups is generated depending on a time period required to move at least the second end area of ​​the conveying path of the dividing unit from a first storage path of the storage to a second storage path of the storage to be filled.

[0049] According to a first implementation of the device assigned to the feed conveyor for creating a defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent groups of conveyed material, the device is designed, preferably in the downstream end area of ​​the feed conveyor, to reduce the speed at which the conveyed material is fed by the feed conveyor in certain areas.

[0050] In this context, it is particularly conceivable that the feed conveyor has a first drive device with which the feed conveyor and / or the conveyed material picked up by the feed conveyor are moved or can be moved in the conveying direction of the conveyed material at a particularly constant feed conveying speed.

[0051] The device for creating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent groups of conveyed material has a further, second drive device with which the feed conveying speed of the conveyed material moving in the conveying direction can be reduced, in particular selectively or as required.

[0052] The second drive unit is, for example, a vertical belt conveyor unit with two opposing vertical belts, each designed, at least in the area where the device for creating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups is provided, to receive the conveyed material at least partially or partially laterally in such a way that, in particular, a conveyed material flow specified by the first drive unit can be reduced to a conveying speed that is, in particular, predetermined or definable and reduced with regard to the feed conveying speed specified by the first drive unit, especially in the short term.

[0053] Alternatively (or additionally), the device for creating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups can also have a feed conveyor section (gap conveyor) provided in a downstream end area of ​​the feed conveyor – viewed in the conveying direction of the conveyed material – which is designed in such a way that it is movable relative to the feed conveyor in such a way that continuous conveying of the conveyed material is possible even when the divider unit changes from a first storage lane to a second storage lane of the storage.

[0054] In this context, it is advantageous for the feed conveyor section to be designed to move from a first position to a second position after or during a change of the dividing unit from the first storage lane to the second storage lane of the storage, wherein a distance between the first position and the second position corresponds to the length of a gap created by the change of storage lane between a last piece of conveyed material of a conveyed material group fed to the first storage lane and a first piece of conveyed material of a conveyed material group fed or to be fed to the second storage lane.

[0055] In particular, the feed conveyor section is designed to move back to or towards the first position after moving to the second position.

[0056] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the feed conveyor section has a constant length.

[0057] According to the implementations of the feed conveyor section, this section has at least a partially or partially curved shape. In particular, it is intended that the conveying speed of the material to the feed conveyor section remains at least substantially constant.

[0058] The invention further relates to a method for the particularly continuous conveying of conveyed goods, especially in the form of packaging, wherein, by means of a feed conveyor belt, conveyed goods in the form of a plurality of individual products and especially individual packaging are fed to a dividing unit, which is designed to selectively or as required feed the conveyed goods fed by the feed conveyor belt to a storage track of a storage unit having a plurality of storage tracks, in particular a storage table.

[0059] In the method according to the invention, it is particularly provided that during the feeding or when feeding the conveyed material to the dividing unit, conveyed material groups are formed, wherein a pre-defined or definable defined gap is created in the conveyed material flow between the two adjacent conveyed material groups.

[0060] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments.

[0061] They show: Fig. 1 schematically an exemplary embodiment of the packaging system according to the invention; Fig. 2A, B each schematically and in a top view an exemplary embodiment of a feed conveyor belt with which the material to be received from storage tracks of a storage table is fed or can be fed; and Fig. 3 each schematically and in a top view an exemplary embodiment of a dividing unit which is designed to feed the conveyed material supplied by a feed conveyor belt to the storage tracks of a storage table.

[0062] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically depicts a packaging system 1 comprising a first packaging unit 11, for example in the form of a filling machine, a storage table 2, and a second packaging unit 12, for example a straw applicator. The first packaging unit 11 (filling machine) has a discharge from which packages 6, for example beverage cartons or the like, preferably in a sealed state, are placed onto a conveyor belt (feed conveyor 7). The packages 6 are then fed via this conveyor 7 to an infeed 3 of the storage table 2.

[0063] On the outward side of the storage table 2, an outfeed 4 is provided, through which the packages 6 temporarily stored on the storage table 2 are discharged onto a second conveying device (outfeed conveyor 13).

[0064] At discharge point 4, a second conveyor belt (discharge conveyor 13) is provided as a second conveying device, which feeds the packages 6 to the second packaging device 12 (for example, a straw applicator). An infeed is provided on the infeed side of the second packaging device 12. An outfeed is provided on the outfeed side of the second packaging device 12. The packages 6, for example those applied with a straw in the second packaging device 12, are discharged from the second packaging device 12 (straw applicator) at the discharge point.

[0065] It goes without saying that the in Fig. The packaging system 1 shown schematically is purely exemplary, and the sequence and arrangement of the packaging devices 11, 12 and the storage table 2 can be varied. In particular, according to the exemplary embodiments, a filling machine, a straw applicator, a shrink film applicator, or the like are all to be understood as packaging devices of a packaging system 1.

[0066] The in Fig. The storage table 2, shown only schematically, serves for the temporary storage of packaging 6 provided by the first packaging unit 11. The flow of packaging 6, viewed downstream, proceeds from the first packaging unit 11 via the first conveying unit (feed conveyor 7), the storage table 2, the second conveying unit (output conveyor 13) to the second packaging unit 12.

[0067] If a fault occurs downstream of storage table 2, for example in the area of ​​the second packaging unit 12, the packages 6 should no longer be fed to the second packaging unit 12. Storage table 2 is provided to prevent the first packaging unit 11 (for example, the filling machine) from having to be shut down. Packages 6 can be fed onto storage table 2 via the infeed 3 associated with storage table 2, while no further packages 6 are discharged at the outfeed 4 associated with storage table 2.

[0068] This is possible until the storage capacity of storage table 2 is reached. During this time, however, the first packaging unit 11 (e.g., filling machine) can continue to dispense packages 6. The time provided by storage table 2 can be used to rectify the fault at the packaging unit 12 downstream of storage table 2. As soon as the fault is rectified and at least one downstream packaging unit 12 is operational again, packages 6 can be fed back to the second packaging unit 12 via the discharge 4 associated with storage table 2 and the second conveying unit (outfeed conveyor 13).

[0069] Although in Fig. Figure 1 (not shown) shows that the infeed 3 of the storage table 2 has a loading device, preferably with a transport device associated with the loading device, wherein the loading device is designed to supply packages 6 from the first packaging device 11 or from the feed conveyor 7 to one of the storage lines 5 of the storage table 2 as required. The loading device can be designed as a linearly operated satellite and / or deflector, wherein the satellite or deflector is movable transversely and preferably perpendicularly to the storage lines 5 of the storage table 2 in order to successively fill the individual storage lines 5 of the storage table 2.

[0070] The storage table 2 shown in the drawings is, in particular, a storage table 2 in which an outlet 4 is arranged at the downstream end of the storage lines 5 and an inlet 3 is arranged at the opposite end of the storage lines 5. The loading device provided at the inlet 3 of the storage table 2 is designed to load the next storage line 5 of the storage table 2 after a defined fill level has been reached in one of the storage lines 5.

[0071] On the other hand, each of the individual storage lines 5 of the storage table 2 is equipped with a corresponding transport device to move the packages 6 in the transport direction within the individual storage lines 5. The transport devices assigned to each of the individual storage lines 5 can be designed as conveyor belts or conveyor belts.

[0072] The following refers to the presentation in Fig. 2A, B describes an embodiment of a device 8 for creating a predefined or definable defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or conveyed materials 6 (packaging) of a feed conveyor belt.

[0073] The in Fig. The feed conveyor 7 shown in 2A, B has a downstream end section and an opposite upstream end section (viewed in the conveying direction F of the conveyed material 6). The downstream end section of the feed conveyor 7 is connected to a divider unit 3 of a storage table 2 (not shown in the figure). Fig. 2A, B shown) connected.

[0074] As in Fig. As indicated in 2A, B, the conveyed goods 6 (packaging) are transported by means of the feed conveyor belt 7 without pressure, i.e. with a predetermined or definable (small) distance between each other in the direction of the dividing unit 3 or in the direction of the storage table 2 at a constant speed.

[0075] In order to create a predetermined or definable (larger) gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or individual parts, a vertical belt conveyor device 9 with two opposing vertical belts is assigned to the feed conveyor 7.

[0076] The vertical belt conveyors are each designed, at least in the area where the device 8 is provided for creating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups, to receive the conveyed material 6 at least partially or partially laterally in such a way that, in particular, a conveyed material flow specified to the feed conveyor 7 is regulated down to a conveying speed that is in particular predetermined or definable and reduced with regard to the feed conveying speed specified by a drive unit of the feed conveyor 7.

[0077] In particular, the vertical belt conveyor device 9 is designed to regulate the product flow preferably to about 24,000 packages / hour.

[0078] The temporary reduction in product flow can then be used downstream of the divider unit 3, which is preferably designed as a satellite, to switch the storage lines 5 of the storage table 2. The temporary build-up upstream of the vertical belt conveyor unit 9 is dissipated again after the required lane change time of the divider unit 3.

[0079] In Fig. 3A, B is an alternative embodiment of a device 8 for creating a predefined or definable defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups.

[0080] In this case, the device 8 for generating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups has a feed conveyor section 10 provided in a downstream end area of ​​the feed conveyor 7 - seen in the conveying direction F of the conveyed material 6 - which is designed as a gap conveyor.

[0081] A comparison of the representations in Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows that the feed conveyor section 10, designed as a gap belt, is designed to be movable relative to the feed conveyor 7 in such a way that continuous conveying of the conveyed material 6 is possible even when the divider unit 3 changes from a first storage lane 5 to a second storage lane 5 of the storage 2.

[0082] In Fig. Figure 3A indicates that the infeed conveyor section 10 (gap conveyor) is designed as a movable conveyor section that can move in the opposite direction to the products fed via the infeed conveyor 7, thereby closing the gaps between the individual packages. Once a defined number of products have been grouped, the infeed conveyor section 10, designed as a gap conveyor, reverses its direction of travel and then moves back at a higher speed than the product flow on the infeed conveyor 7. This creates a timed product grouping with a defined gap, which can then be used for a lane change by the subsequent separator unit 3.

[0083] In detail, in Fig. 3A indicates that the feed conveyor section 10, designed as a gap belt, moves towards the incoming products 6 and thus closes the small gaps between the individual products.

[0084] In Fig. 3B indicates that the feed conveyor section 10, designed as a gap conveyor, retraces faster than the incoming products 6, thus creating the defined gaps between the product rows.

[0085] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Reference symbol list 1 packaging plant 2 Storage / Storage Table 3 Dividing unit 3 / Infeed of storage table 2 4. Discharge of storage table 2 5 Memory line / memory track 6. Goods to be conveyed / packaging 7 Feed conveyor belt 7 8 Setup 8 for creating defined gaps 9 Vertical belt assembly 10 Feed conveyor section 10 / Gap belt 11 first packaging facility 12 second packaging equipment 13 discharge conveyors F Direction of conveyance F QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 854 732 A1

[0010]

Claims

[1] Device for conveying goods, especially in the form of packaging, in particular continuously, wherein the device comprises the following: - a storage unit (2), in particular in the form of a storage table, which has a plurality of storage lines or storage tracks (5), wherein material to be conveyed (6) can be received from each storage line or storage track (5) of the storage unit (2); - a feed conveyor belt (7) arranged upstream of the storage (2) in a conveying direction (F) of the conveyed material (6), with which the conveyed material (6) to be received by the storage tracks (5) of the storage (2) is fed or can be fed; and - a dividing unit (3) arranged between the storage (2) and a downstream end area of ​​the feed conveyor (7) in the conveying direction (F) of the conveyed material (6), which is designed to feed the conveyed material (6) supplied by the feed conveyor (7) to the storage lines or storage tracks (5) of the storage (2), characterized by , that the feed conveyor (7) has a device (8) for creating a pre-defined or definable defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or between two adjacent conveyed materials (6). [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the divider unit (3) has a conveyor track with a downstream first end region and an upstream second end region, viewed in the conveying direction (F) of the conveyed material (6), wherein the divider unit (3) is movable relative to the storage lines or storage tracks (5) of the storage (2) such that, optionally or as required, the first end region of the conveyor track of the divider unit (3) is connected or connectable to one of the storage lines or storage tracks (5) of the storage (2) in such a way that a conveying group or conveyed material (6) provided by the feed conveyor (7) can be fed to the storage line or storage track (5) of the storage (2). [3] Device according to claim 2, wherein the second end region of the conveying track of the divider unit (3) is connected in a conveying manner to a downstream end region of the feed conveyor (7) in the conveying direction (F) of the conveyed material (6) such that a conveyed material group generated by the gaps created in the conveyed material flow can be fed or is fed to the conveying track of the divider unit (3) via the downstream end region of the feed conveyor (7). [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device (8) for generating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or between two adjacent conveyed materials (6) is designed to generate a gap length between two adjacent conveyed material groups or between two adjacent conveyed materials (6) such that, with the aid of the dividing unit (3) and in particular without changing a speed at which the conveyed material (6) is fed with the feed conveyor belt (7), a leading first conveyed material group of the two adjacent conveyed material groups can be fed to a first storage lane (5) of the storage (2) and a trailing second conveyed material group of the two adjacent conveyed material groups can be fed to a second storage lane (5) of the storage (2). [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device (8) is designed to generate the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or between two adjacent conveyed materials (6), preferably depending on: (a) a speed at which the material (6) is fed by the feed conveyor belt (7); and (b) a speed at which the dividing unit (3) is moved from a first storage line or storage track (5) of the storage (2) to a second storage line or storage track (5) of the storage (2) to be filled; and / or (c) a time period required to move the dividing unit (3) from a first storage line or storage track (5) of the storage (2) to a second storage line or storage track (5) of the storage (2) to be filled. [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device (8) for generating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or between two adjacent conveyed materials (6) is designed to reduce, preferably in the downstream end region of the feed conveyor belt (7), the speed at which the conveyed material (6) is fed with the feed conveyor belt (7). [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the feed conveyor (7) has a first drive device with which the feed conveyor (7) and / or the conveyed material (6) received by the feed conveyor (7) is moved in the conveying direction (F) of the conveyed material (6) at a particularly constant feed conveying speed, and wherein the device (8) for generating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or between two adjacent conveyed materials (6) has a second drive device with which a feed conveying speed of the conveyed material (6) moved in the conveying direction (F) can be reduced, in particular selectively or as required. [8] Device according to claim 7, wherein the second drive unit comprises a vertical belt unit (9) with two opposing vertical belts, each of which is designed, at least in the area in which the device (8) is provided for generating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or between two adjacent conveyed materials (6), to receive the conveyed material (6) at least partially or in sections laterally in such a way that, in particular, a conveyed material flow specified by the first drive unit is reduced, in the short term, to a conveying speed that is in particular predetermined or definable and reduced with regard to the feed conveying speed specified by the first drive unit. [9] Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device (8) for generating the defined gap in the conveyed material flow between two adjacent conveyed material groups or between two adjacent conveyed materials (6) has a feed conveyor section (10) provided in a downstream end region of the feed conveyor (7) as seen in the conveying direction (F) of the conveyed material (6), which is designed in such a way that it is movable relative to the feed conveyor (7) in such a way that continuous conveying of the conveyed material (6) is possible even when the divider unit (3) changes from a first storage lane (5) to a second storage lane (5) of the storage (2). [10] Device according to claim 9, wherein the feed conveyor section (10) is configured to move from a first position to a second position after or during a change of the divider unit (3) from the first storage lane (5) to the second storage lane (5) of the storage (2), wherein a distance between the first position and the second position corresponds to the length of a gap created by the change of the storage lane (5) between a last piece of conveyed material (6) of a conveyed material group fed to the first storage lane (5) and a first piece of conveyed material (6) of a conveyed material group fed or to be fed to the second storage lane (5). [11] Device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the feed conveyor section (10) is configured to move back to or in the direction of the first position after moving to the second position. [12] Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the feed conveyor section (10) has a constant length. [13] Device according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the feed conveyor section (10) has at least a partially or partially arc-shaped area. [14] Device according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the conveying speed of the conveyed material (6) in the feed conveyor section (10) is at least substantially constant. [15] Method for conveying, in particular continuously, goods (6), especially in the form of packaging, wherein the method comprises the following process steps: - By means of a feed conveyor belt (7), a conveyed material (6) in the form of a multitude of individual products and in particular individual packages is fed to a dividing unit (3), which is designed so that the conveyed material (6) fed by the feed conveyor belt is optionally or as required fed to a storage track (5) of a storage unit (2), in particular a storage table, which has a multitude of storage tracks (5); and - During the feeding or feeding of the conveyed material (6) to the dividing unit (3), conveyed material groups are formed, whereby a pre-defined or definable defined gap in the conveyed material flow between the two adjacent conveyed material groups is created.

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