DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING PACKAGING

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for transporting packaging, in particular packaging for foodstuffs, comprising: a frame, at least two discs rotatably mounted on the frame, at least one traction means rotating around the discs, a plurality of receptacles for receiving the packaging, wherein the receptacles are connected to the traction means, wherein the traction means is a belt, in particular a synchronous belt, a plurality of cross members, each having a plurality of receptacles for receiving the packaging, a plurality of adapter elements which are connected to the belts, at least two rails for guiding the adapter elements, wherein each cross member is connected to different belts via two adapter elements arranged at opposite ends of the cross member, and wherein the belts have reinforcements.

[0002] The invention also relates to the use of such a device for transporting packaging for foodstuffs, in particular composite packaging for foodstuffs.

[0003] In the field of packaging technology, a wide variety of devices are known for transporting packaging. Devices of this type are used primarily to transport packaging before, during, and after its filling. This requires moving the packaging to various processing and filling stations. These processing stations include, for example, stations for folding and closing the undersides (base area) of the packaging, as well as stations for folding and closing the tops (gable area) of the packaging. The filling station is used to pour the contents – typically liquid – such as milk, juice, yogurt, or soup into the packaging.

[0004] The known devices are often equipped with holders into which the packaging is placed or clamped. These holders enable precise positioning of the packaging. Precise alignment of the packaging is essential for accurate processing and filling of the packaging. When processing the packaging, a high level of precision is required so that the tools (e.g. folding tool, closing tool) can engage the packaging at the intended points. This is important in order to avoid damaging the packaging material, which is often only a few tenths of a millimeter thick, or its even thinner individual laminate layers. When filling the packaging, a high level of precision is also required so that the contents can be filled into the packaging in the desired way - i.e. as far as possible without foaming and free from splashing. This requires very precise relative positioning between the filling nozzles and the packaging.

[0005] Devices for transporting packaging are known, for example, from DE 10 2010 050 502 A1 and CH 530 307 A. The devices described therein have rotating metal chains as traction means, to which cells for holding the packaging are attached ("cell chain"). These devices are therefore also referred to as "chain conveyors" or "horizontal chain conveyors." Chains have the advantage that they can transmit very high tensile forces with a positive fit and thus without slippage. A further advantage of metal chains is that the cells for holding the packaging can be easily connected to the chain links; for example, they can be welded to the chain links or engage in the gaps in the chain.

[0006] However, it has been found to be disadvantageous with the known devices that chains exhibit a relatively high chain elongation of around 2% and more. This elongation results from the fact that the chain links cannot be connected to one another with absolutely no play. Due to the high number of chain links, even small tolerances between the individual chain links add up to a significant overall elongation. While chain elongation can be partially counteracted by tensioning elements, the use of tensioning devices is hardly effective, especially with rapidly changing tensile loads. Changing tensile loads occur, for example, in transport devices that are operated intermittently. Due to chain elongation, the high requirements for precise packaging positioning described above cannot often be met.

[0007] US 2008 / 199 286 A1 is also known from the prior art, which discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the device has a plurality of cross beams with a plurality of receptacles for receiving dough shells.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of designing and developing the device described at the outset and explained in more detail above in such a way that precise positioning of the packaging is possible even over long transport distances.

[0009] This object is achieved in a device according to the preamble of patent claim 1 in that the belts have unreinforced areas with bores, wherein the bores serve to connect the adapter elements to the belts in a form-fitting manner, and in that the bores run from the back to the front of the belt.

[0010] The device according to the invention is used to transport packaging, in particular packaging for foodstuffs. The packaging can, for example, be packaging made of composite material - i.e., composite packaging. The material used can, for example, be a composite of several thin layers of paper, cardboard, plastic, or metal, in particular aluminum. The device firstly comprises a frame. The frame is preferably made of metal and serves as a stand for the device and for mounting components of the device on the frame. The device also comprises at least two pulleys rotatably mounted on the frame, which are also referred to as pulleys. The pulleys are preferably round and can have means for the positive transmission of forces or torques, for example, teeth. Furthermore, the device has at least one traction means rotating around the pulleys.The traction device can, in particular, be a form-fitting traction device. Finally, the device has several receptacles for receiving the packaging, which receptacles are connected to the traction element. The receptacles can, for example, be designed as a rectangular, open-topped recess into which the packaging can be inserted. The receptacles can be connected to the traction device directly or indirectly—i.e., via additional components. The connection serves the purpose of allowing the receptacles and the packaging located therein to be moved by the traction device.

[0011] According to the invention, the traction means is a belt, in particular a synchronous belt. This is preferably a toothed belt. Toothed belts are positive-locking drive or transport elements that have evenly spaced teeth. The toothed belt wraps around the pulleys, which may have tooth gaps whose spacing corresponds to the spacing of the teeth of the toothed belt. In this way, the teeth of the toothed belt can engage with the tooth gaps of the pulleys and form a positive connection. Due to the positive connection, toothed belts, unlike flat or V-belts, run synchronously and are particularly efficient. The belt can, for example, be made - partially or entirely - of plastic.

[0012] Compared to chains, belts offer the following advantages: Belts do not require lubrication with oils or greases and can therefore meet the stringent hygiene requirements often encountered in food packaging (e.g., sterile conditions). Furthermore, due to their continuous, one-piece structure, belts exhibit less elongation than chains consisting of links, enabling very precise positioning of the packaging. Furthermore, the acoustic and vibration behavior of belts is better than that of chains. Furthermore, belts can achieve improved concentricity, as the "polygon effect" familiar from chains running on gears is less pronounced. This also exerts fewer impulses on the goods being transported. Furthermore, belts can transmit not only tensile forces but – to a limited extent – also compressive forces.This is particularly advantageous for cyclically operated transport devices, as the packaging must be alternately accelerated and decelerated.

[0013] One embodiment of the device is characterized by four rotatably mounted pulleys and two belts circulating around the pulleys. By using four rotatably mounted pulleys and two belts circulating around the pulleys, particularly wide transport devices can be realized. A large width can be used, for example, to transport several packages standing next to each other. Preferably, two rotatably mounted pulleys are arranged on one side of the device and are wrapped around by the first belt. The other two rotatably mounted pulleys are preferably arranged on the other side of the device and are wrapped around by the second belt. In order to achieve synchronous running of all pulleys, preferably at least two of the pulleys are rigidly connected to one another. Preferably, two pulleys are arranged on the same axis of rotation.Alternatively, it is possible to achieve synchronous operation via multiple drives, in particular via two drives, preferably via two servo motors per rotation axis (or per pair of disks). This has the advantage of eliminating the need for a physically formed and continuous, rigid axis. This allows the space between the disks to remain free of components, which can significantly reduce the risk of contamination of any processing or filling station located above, particularly when used within a device for producing and filling composite packaging. In such a case, the necessary precise synchronization of the disks can preferably be achieved by having the drives follow a common control / regulation device (often also called a "master").

[0014] A further embodiment of the invention is characterized by four rotatably mounted pulleys and four belts encircling the pulleys. This embodiment also makes it possible to achieve particularly wide transport devices. Preferably, two rotatably mounted pulleys are arranged on one side of the device and are wrapped around by the first and second belts. The other two rotatably mounted pulleys are preferably arranged on the other side of the device and are wrapped around by the third and fourth belts. Each pulley is therefore wrapped around two belts arranged next to one another. This has the advantage, for example, that belts with belt locks can be used particularly well. Preferably, the belt locks of two adjacent belts are arranged so far offset from one another in the transport direction that both belt locks are never located in the same strand at the same time.In other words, one belt connector should be on the load side while the other is on the slack side. This ensures that the belt with its connector on the slack side can carry the same or almost the same load as an otherwise identical belt without a belt connector. However, the adjacent belt moving around the same pulley, with its connector now on the load side, can only carry a partial load in this position compared to an otherwise identical belt without a belt connector. Together, the two belts can therefore carry a load in every position of a revolution that is above the partial load and below 100% of the nominal load.

[0015] The use of several belts per pulley also has the advantage that different belt tensions can be set in the individual belts, which can be used, for example, for axial self-centering of the belts or pulleys.

[0016] Alternatively, it can be provided that two discs are arranged on the same axis of rotation and at least two of the discs are rigidly connected to one another.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the device, each pulley is wrapped by at least two belts. Regardless of the number of pulleys, this design also has the advantage that, when using belts with belt locks, the adverse effect of the belt locks (lower tensile stiffness and greater elongation in the area of the belt lock) can be compensated for by staggering the belt locks. Furthermore, different belt tensions can be set. This design can be implemented particularly practically by using pulleys that are wider than the belts, allowing multiple belts to run side by side on the same pulley.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the device, the disks are mounted so as to be rotatable about at least two horizontally running and parallel axes of rotation. Due to the horizontal course of the axes of rotation, the belts run in two superimposed planes. Preferably, the two axes of rotation are arranged at the same height and all disks are the same size, so that the belts run in two horizontally running and parallel planes one above the other. Horizontally running transport planes have the advantage that the packaging is also transported in a horizontal plane. This has the advantage that the packaging is particularly easy to access from the top and stands vertically in the receptacles, so that no contents can escape from the packaging that is still open at the top.

[0019] The device is characterized by several crossbeams, each with several receptacles for holding the packaging. Crossbeams with multiple receptacles can increase the transport capacity of the device. The crossbeams also have the advantage that not every receptacle needs to be directly connected to the belts; instead, all receptacles can be connected indirectly to the belts via the crossbeam. Furthermore, the crossbeams can be designed to be interchangeable, so that, for example, packages of different sizes can be transported on the same device. The crossbeams preferably have at least four, in particular at least six, receptacles.

[0020] The device is characterized by several adapter elements connected to the belts. Adapter elements provide connection options for various mounts or crossbeams. The mounts or crossbeams are therefore not connected directly to the belts, but indirectly via the adapter elements. This has the advantage that the adapter elements always remain connected to the belts and can thus be optimally adapted to the belt geometry. The adapter elements can also guide the mounts or crossbeams.

[0021] For this design of the device, it is further proposed that each adapter element has at least one roller. Rollers enable the adapter elements to guide the receptacles or cross members particularly well. For example, the rollers can roll on or along the frame of the device to prevent the belts from sagging. The aim is to achieve a separation of functions: the belt ensures movement of the receptacles or cross members in the transport direction, while the rollers support the receptacles or cross members in the vertical direction. Preferably, each adapter element has two rollers arranged one behind the other in the transport direction. This ensures a defined position of the receptacles or cross members.

[0022] The device is designed so that each cross member is connected to different belts via two adapter elements. Each cross member is connected to different belts via two adapter elements located at opposite ends of the cross member. By connecting each cross member to several different belts via two adapter elements, particularly precise guidance and positioning of the packages can be achieved, even with long cross members.

[0023] The device is supplemented by at least two rails for guiding the adapter elements. Rails allow the path of the adapter elements to be defined particularly precisely. Rails are particularly advantageous for adapter elements with rollers, as the rollers can roll on the rails and thus enable continuous guidance of the adapter elements. The rails are preferably fastened to the frame of the device. A plastic strip, in particular a rubber strip, is preferably attached to the rails or embedded in the rails. The strip allows the adhesion and sliding properties to be variably adjusted (e.g. good adhesion for adapter elements with rollers, good sliding properties for adapter elements without rollers).

[0024] The device is designed for the belts to have reinforcements. The belt can be made of plastic. To increase the tensile strength, the belt can have reinforcing tensile elements made of metal or fibers with particularly high tensile strength. The tensile element can be, for example, metal wires, in particular steel wires, enclosed in the base material of the belt, e.g. plastic. Plastics are characterized in particular by their low cost, their high elasticity, and the possibility of particularly variable shaping. Tensile elements made of steel are characterized by their very high tensile strength. By embedding tensile elements made of steel in the plastic, the properties of both materials can be advantageously combined. Alternatively, the tensile elements can be other materials with tensile strength, for example glass fibers (Kevlar), carbon fibers, or textile fibers.

[0025] The device is designed so that the belts have unreinforced areas with holes. The unreinforced areas have the advantage that the belts can have through-holes in these areas for attaching connecting parts without having to cut through the reinforcements. The connecting parts could be the adapter elements, for example. The holes run from the back to the front of the belt, so that - in contrast to a hole across the entire width of the teeth - the shortest path through the belt is chosen. The advantage of holes that are as short as possible is that a connection with very high tension can be achieved without the risk of deformation of the belt.

[0026] According to a further development of the device, the belts are provided with a belt lock. A belt lock is understood to be a device for opening and closing a belt. The belt lock can be, for example, a belt lock known from DE 10 2013 110 027 B3. Compared to endless belts, belts with belt locks have the advantage that they can be opened and closed like a belt for assembly and disassembly purposes. If multiple belts are provided, the belt locks should preferably be arranged offset from one another.

[0027] Finally, according to a further embodiment of the device, the belts are provided with different tensions. The axial position of the belts or pulleys can be influenced by the tension level. Especially when a pulley is wrapped around several belts, setting different belt tensions can be useful to generate a targeted force transverse to the transport direction, which can be compensated by an opposing force from the opposing belts.

[0028] Self-centering belts are particularly important in food processing equipment, as otherwise the belt(s) would have to be guided laterally, which always results in belt abrasion. However, abraded particles can contaminate food, and the resulting odors or vapors may be sufficient to cause this. In the manufacture of composite packaging for food products—particularly liquid or pasty foods that require aseptic packaging—the challenge is further compounded by the fact that production is tied to high throughput or cycle times, meaning that the risk of fine particles released from a belt, which may be contaminated, cannot be completely ruled out for the contents of the package to be protected.

[0029] For lateral guidance and to prevent abrasion, it is common practice to guide flat belts over a cambered axle or pulley. However, this is not transferable to the use of synchronous belts, such as a toothed belt, and it has the disadvantage that the tensions generated in the belt are concentrated in a narrow, central section of the belt, thus limiting the belt's load capacity to a very small portion of its rated load.

[0030] If the belt tensions of at least two belts - which are used on the same pulley and are preferably mechanically coupled - are set differently, self-centering of the belt pair can be achieved if the tension differences approximately cancel each other out. A mechanical coupling can, for example, be achieved simply by the belts touching at their side surfaces. In order to completely avoid the risk of abrasion, however, a mechanical coupling should be understood here as a coupling that excludes, or at least largely excludes, any relative movement between the belts. For this purpose, for example, a bridge or a cross member can be provided. It is particularly preferred that a plurality of bridges or cross members be provided along the length of the belts.

[0031] If, for example, there are two pulleys and two belts on each pulley, self-centering can be achieved by ensuring that the belt locks of the inner or outer belts are located in the same strand when rotating and that the tension in the belt locks is adjusted slightly above or slightly below the belt partners whose belt lock is located in the opposite strand when rotating.

[0032] The device described above, in all of its configurations, is particularly well-suited for transporting food packaging, particularly composite food packaging. This excellent suitability results in particular from the previously described advantages of belts, such as the lack of lubricant and low elongation.

[0033] The invention is explained below with reference to a drawing that represents only a preferred embodiment. The drawing shows: Fig. 1: a device according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 2A: the device from Fig. 1 in a side view, Fig. 2B: the device from Fig. 2A in an enlarged view, Fig. 3A: the device from Fig. 1 in a plan view, and Fig. 3B: the device from Fig. 3A in an enlarged view.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device 1 according to the invention for transporting packaging. The device 1 comprises a frame 2 on which four discs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D are rotatably mounted. The discs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D are round and of equal size. Two discs 3A, 3D and 3B, 3C are connected to each other via Fig. 1 not shown - shafts are rigidly connected to one another. The two left-hand pulleys 3A, 3D are rotatably mounted about a rotation axis 4A and the two right-hand pulleys 3B, 3C are rotatably mounted about a rotation axis 4B, wherein the rotation axes 4A and 4B are arranged parallel to one another. In addition, both rotation axes 4A, 4B run horizontally and are arranged at the same height. Between the two rotation axes 4A, 4B there is an axis distance 5 which can be changed by a tensioning device 6. The pulleys 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D are wrapped by four belts 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, of which two belts 7A, 7B and 7C, 7D are arranged close to one another on the same side of the device 1. The two front belts 7A, 7B of the front side of the device 1 wrap around the two front pulleys 3A, 3B and the two rear belts 7C, 7D of the rear sides of the device 1 wrap around the two rear pulleys 3C, 3D.

[0035] The belts 7A, 7B of the front side of the device 1 are connected to the belts 7C, 7D of the rear side of the device 1 via several cross members 8. Each cross member 8 has four receptacles 9, which serve to Fig. 1 not shown - packaging. The cross members 8 are connected to belts 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D via adapter elements 10A, 10B, whereby the front adapter elements 10A are connected to the two front belts 7A, 7B and whereby the rear adapter elements 10B are connected to the two rear belts 7C, 7D. Each adapter element 10A, 10B has two rollers 11. The rollers 11 serve to ensure that the adapter elements 10A, 10B and the cross members 8 attached thereto can be guided precisely; in particular, they serve to guide the adapter elements 10A, 10B and the cross members 8 attached thereto in sections in one plane. For this purpose, rails 12 are provided on which the rollers 11 run. In the Fig. 1 In the device 1 shown and preferred in this respect, the adapter elements 10A, 10B and the cross members 8 fastened thereto are guided in an upper plane 13 and in a lower plane 14, the upper plane 13 and the lower plane 14 being arranged parallel to one another.

[0036] In Fig. 2A the device 1 is made of Fig. 1 shown in a side view. The already mentioned in connection with Fig. 1 described areas of the device 1 are shown in Fig. 2A provided with corresponding reference numerals. The preferred transport direction T of the device 1 is shown schematically with arrows. The side view clearly shows that the receptacles 9 are guided in two parallel planes, namely alternately in the upper plane 13 and—upside down—in the lower plane 14. Precise guidance in planes is achieved by the adapter elements 10A, 10B running with rollers 11 on rails 12. This prevents the sagging of the load and slack strands typical of belt drives.

[0037] Fig. 2B shows the device 1 from Fig. 2A in an enlarged view. The enlarged and partially broken view shows the Fig. 2A The area of the rotation axis 4A and the disc 3A shown on the left. The already mentioned in connection with Fig. 1 and Fig. 2A The areas of the device 1 described above are also shown in Fig. 2B with corresponding reference numerals. In the enlarged view, the positive connection between the belt 7A and the pulley 3A is particularly clearly visible. To form this positive connection, teeth 15 are provided on both the belt 7A and the pulley 3A. The teeth 15 of the belt 7A (and the teeth 15 of the other, in Fig. 2B not shown belts 7B, 7C, 7D) and the teeth 15 of the pulley 3A (and the teeth 15 of the other, in Fig. 2B The discs 3B, 3C, 3D (not shown) interlock and ensure a positive, slip-free transmission of the drive power. The enlarged view also shows that the cross members 8 are connected to the adapter elements 10A via connecting means 16. The connecting means 16 can be, for example, detachable fasteners such as screws.

[0038] In Fig. 3A the device 1 is made of Fig. 1 shown in a top view. The already mentioned in connection with Fig. 1 bis Fig. 2B The areas of the device 1 described above are also shown in Fig. 3A provided with corresponding reference numerals. In the plan view, the parallel course of the four belts 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D can be seen particularly clearly. The two belts 7A, 7B shown below wrap around the two pulleys 3A, 3B and the two belts 7C, 7D shown above wrap around the two pulleys 3C, 3D. It is also clearly shown that the rollers 11 run on a rail 12 which is laterally delimited by the frame 2. The adapter elements 10A, 10B are connected to the belts 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D at equal distances from one another, so that the cross members 9 are also arranged at equal distances from one another and preferably parallel to one another.

[0039] Fig. 3B shows the device 1 from Fig. 3A in an enlarged view. The enlarged view concerns the area of the two upper belts 7C, 7D and the associated adapter elements 10B. Also in Fig. 3B are those already related to Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3A The described areas of the device 1 are provided with corresponding reference numerals. The structure of the belts 7C, 7D is particularly clearly visible in the enlarged view. Both belts 7C, 7D run parallel to each other and are only separated by a narrow gap 17.

[0040] Both belts 7C, 7D are preferably made of plastic and have metal reinforcements 18. The reinforcements 18 can be, for example, steel wires or high-tensile fibers embedded in the belts 7C, 7D. The Fig. 3B The properties described of the upper belts 7C, 7D and the associated adapter elements 10B also apply accordingly to the two lower belts 7A, 7B and the associated adapter elements 10A.

[0041] Both belts 7C, 7D have two unreinforced areas 19 in which no reinforcements 18 run. In the area of the unreinforced areas 19, holes 20 are provided which are equally spaced from one another in the transport direction T. According to the invention, the openings 20 serve to form-fit the adapter elements 10B to the belts 7C, 7D. This connection can also be made by - in Fig. 3B Connecting elements (not shown) such as screws are produced. The rollers 11 of the adapter elements 10B preferably roll on a plastic strip 21 made of rubber, which is attached to the rail 12 or embedded in the rail 12.

[0042] The Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3B The belts 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D shown may have a "belt lock" for ease of assembly and disassembly. A belt lock is understood to be a device for opening and closing a belt. The belt lock may, for example, be a belt lock known from DE 10 2013 110 027 B3. Preferably, the belt locks of two adjacent belts 7A, 7B and 7C, 7D are arranged offset from one another in the transport direction T so far that both belt locks are never located simultaneously in the same plane 13, 14 of the device 1. Bezugszeichenliste:

[0043] 1:Device for transporting packaging 2:Frame 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D:Disk 4A, 4B:Rotary axis 5:Axle distance 6:Tensioning device 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D:Belt 8:Cross member 9:Receiver 10A, 10B:Adapter element 11:Roller 12:Rail 13:Upper level 14:Lower level 15:Teeth 16:Connecting element 17:Gap 18:Reinforcement 19:Unreinforced area 20:Hole 21:Plastic strip T:Transport direction

Claims

1. Device (1) for transporting packagings, in particular packagings for foodstuffs, comprising: - a frame (2), - at least two pulleys (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) mounted rotatably on the frame (2), - at least one traction means which runs around the pulleys (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D), - a plurality of mounts (9) for receiving the packagings, - wherein the mounts (9) are connected to the traction means, - wherein the traction means is a belt (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D), in particular a synchronous belt, - a plurality of crossbars (8) which each have a plurality of mounts (9) for receiving the packagings, - a plurality of adapter elements (10A, 10B) which are connected to the belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D), - at least two rails (12) for guiding the adapter elements (10A, 10B), - wherein each crossbar (8) is connected to different belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) via two adapter elements (10A, 10B) arranged at opposite ends of the crossbar (8), and - wherein the belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) include reinforcements (18), characterised in that the belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) have non-reinforced regions (19) with holes (20), wherein the holes (20) serve to connect the adapter elements (10A, 10B) to the belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) and that the drill holes (20) run from the back to the front of the belt (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised by four rotatably mounted pulleys (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) and two belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) running around the pulleys (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D).

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised by four rotatably mounted pulleys (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) and four belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) running around the pulleys (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least two belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) loop around each pulley (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pulleys (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) are mounted rotatably about at least two horizontal rotational axes (4A, 4B) which are arranged parallel to one another.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that each adapter element (10A, 10B) has at least one roller (11).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) have a belt fastener.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the belts (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) have a different tension.

9. Use of a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for transporting packagings for foodstuffs, in particular composite packagings for foodstuffs.