DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ALIGNING CONTAINERS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for rotating containers in a container treatment plant.

[0002] In container handling systems, containers, or containers assembled into groups, are moved between the individual workstations on transport devices. Depending on the workstation, it is necessary to rotate the containers to move them into a predetermined position and orientation relative to the transport device.

[0003] A corresponding device is known, for example, from DE 101 45 543 A1, in which groups of containers assembled into bundles are transported via a guidance system to a rotary station with a multitude of conveyor belts. The bundles are each placed on two conveyor belts that move at different speeds, thus creating a rotational movement of the bundle. After the rotational movement has been completed, the rotated bundles are transferred to another transport table and moved there, for example, to a centering unit for layer formation or bundling. Errors occur during layer formation from the bundles, for example, if the rotary station has not moved the bundle into its intended position and the bundles become wedged against each other during bundling. This can happen, for example, if the rotary station performs too large or too small a rotational movement of the bundles.

[0004] Publication GB 2 144 698 A discloses a method for aligning postal items using a conveying device.

[0005] The publication EP 0 458 580 A1 discloses a device for rotating elongated confectionery by 90° in several steps.

[0006] Finally, US 7,097,029 B2 discloses a device for aligning unit loads, comprising a transport device consisting of a roller conveyor with freely rotating rollers, each roller being divided into two independently driveable roller sections. To control the alignment of the unit loads, each roller section is assigned a manipulation unit with which either the rotational speed or the direction of rotation of the respective roller section can be controlled. Furthermore, a detection device is provided along the transport area in which the alignment of the respective unit load takes place, the so-called alignment area, which continuously monitors the rotational movement of the respective unit load.For example, the orientation of the individual items can be detected using a type of light curtain. Light strips are mounted on one side of the transport device parallel to the direction of travel, while corresponding light receivers are arranged on the opposite side. Even though the item is moved into a target position by the rotational movement within the alignment area, it is not possible to verify the exact position, orientation, or rotation of the item in that target position. Therefore, a high degree of positioning accuracy for the individual items cannot be achieved.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a method and a device for rotating containers in a container treatment plant, which enables a particularly precise alignment of the containers into a target position.

[0008] The invention solves the problem by a method for rotating containers with the features of claim 1 and by a device with the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. All described features, individually or in any combination, are fundamentally the subject matter of the invention, irrespective of their grouping in the claims or their cross-reference. The claims are also incorporated into the description.

[0009] The inventive method for rotating containers in a container treatment plant comprises the following steps: transporting at least one container, preferably simultaneously transporting several containers on a transport device, performing a first rotational movement of the at least one container or the containers by means of a double conveyor of the transport device, detecting the actual orientation of a first container by means of a monitoring device, comparing the actual orientation of the first container with a predetermined target orientation and determining a deviation of the actual orientation from the target orientation, controlling the transport device and performing a second rotational movement of the first container to compensate for the deviation.

[0010] The method according to the invention enables a particularly precise positioning of the container, so that subsequent devices that work with the container can take over the container in a particularly precisely specified position.

[0011] "Simultaneously" means that several containers are transported at the same time by the transport device, in particular by the double conveyor. The transport of the containers is also particularly continuous in one direction; that is, the containers are only moved in one direction and can be rotated during this process. Transport in a direction opposite to the transport direction is preferably not carried out, although a pause in movement in the transport direction may occur.

[0012] The term "containers" refers specifically to groups of containers that are connected to one another. This connection can be achieved, for example, through adhesive bonding and / or by materials such as film, a band, or similar fasteners. The containers may also be grouped together in a collection device, such as a box or tray. These containers are primarily from the food industry, such as beverage containers. Examples include bottles or cans, particularly plastic or glass bottles.

[0013] The first rotational movement can be understood as a basic rotation of the container, which turns the container at least in the direction of the desired orientation. This first rotation is generated by the set speed difference between the at least two conveying units belonging to the double conveyor.

[0014] The container rotates around a longitudinal axis oriented vertically. This longitudinal axis is therefore perpendicular to the surface of the double conveyor. Typically, the containers are transported upright, meaning their bottoms face the surface of the double conveyor. Consequently, the container's rotation occurs primarily around a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container.

[0015] The double conveyor can transport and rotate multiple containers simultaneously. For example, the double conveyor can initiate the first rotation for all containers transported on it.

[0016] The term "first container" refers to one of the containers simultaneously transported by the double conveyor. This means that the monitoring device always detects a single container. Accordingly, the alignment comparison, deviation detection, and control of the transport device are all performed based on the data from this single container.

[0017] Conveyor units such as conveyor belts, conveyor chains, roller conveyors, or similar devices can be used as transport equipment in a container handling system. A double conveyor comprises at least two conveying units arranged side by side, which can be operated at different speeds to generate the rotational movement of the containers. The containers transported by the double conveyor are thus moved in the conveyor's direction of travel and simultaneously rotated due to the speed difference between the two conveying units (first rotational movement). To ensure uniform rotation for all containers, the container is positioned centrally on both conveying units, meaning that the container preferably rests with an equal surface area on both units.Furthermore, it is preferably directed onto the double conveyor in an aligned position, for example coming from a centering unit.

[0018] The term "monitoring device" refers in particular to an optical system for detecting a container. This can preferably be a camera-based system that, upon detection, creates an image of the container and, if applicable, of parts of the transport device.

[0019] The orientation of the container on the transport device, particularly on the double conveyor, is determined from the respective data of the monitoring device, for example, the generated image. Orientation here refers specifically to the angle of rotation of the container; that is, the angle of rotation of the container is determined. Thus, actual orientation and target orientation can be understood as, in particular, the actual angle of rotation and the target angle of rotation.

[0020] As a reference point, for example, the orientation of the container as it enters the double conveyor or the side edge of the double conveyor can be used. The actual orientation determined in this way is compared with a predefined target orientation, and the deviation is determined. Alternatively, a direct comparison with a predefined target orientation could be performed, so that not the absolute rotation or the absolute position on the double conveyor is determined, but only the pure deviation of the actual orientation from the target orientation. Accordingly, the deviation can correspond to the difference between the two rotation angles, namely, for example, the difference between the actual rotation angle and the target rotation angle of the container.

[0021] The system is controlled, for example, by a control unit that receives information on at least the deviation, and optionally also the actual and target orientations. The control is achieved by, for example, a control unit changing the speed difference between two adjacent conveyor units simultaneously transporting the container. This generates the second rotational movement of the container. By changing the speed difference, the direction and / or speed of rotation of the container around its vertical axis can be altered to achieve further or improved alignment with the target orientation. The second rotational movement could also correspond to the first in speed and angle of rotation.

[0022] The necessary devices for comparison, determination and control can, for example, be part of the monitoring device or be designed as separate devices or grouped in smaller units.

[0023] The first rotational movement is always generated by the double conveyor and simultaneously affects all containers transported on it. According to a further development of the invention, the second rotational movement, to compensate for deviations between the actual and target orientations, is also generated by the double conveyor; that is, the double conveyor is controlled to generate the second rotational movement. In particular, the monitoring device detects the container that will next be transferred by the double conveyor to another component of the transport device or to another component of the container handling system. This means that the first rotational movement of the double conveyor is interrupted, and a second rotational movement, adapted to the actual orientation of the detected container, is performed by the double conveyor.Naturally, all other containers transported simultaneously by the double conveyor follow the second rotational movement.

[0024] Once the detected container has left the double conveyor, either the normal speed difference between the two conveying units of the double conveyor is automatically restored (e.g., until the next container is monitored by the monitoring unit), or a speed difference between the conveying units is directly set, depending on the next container that has now been detected by the monitoring device and whose deviation has been determined. This allows for extremely compact systems with high container throughput.

[0025] According to a further development of the invention, the second rotary movement for compensating for the deviation of the actual alignment from the target alignment is generated by means of a correction conveyor. This allows the container throughput to be significantly increased, since the double conveyor can be operated with a constant speed difference, namely the speed difference that generates the first rotary movement, and no adjustment of the speed difference is necessary based on the detected actual alignment.

[0026] A correction conveyor can be understood as a conveyor similar to a double conveyor, with two conveying units arranged side by side that can be operated at different speeds. A key difference between a correction conveyor and a double conveyor is their overall length, as the double conveyor is specifically designed for the simultaneous transport of multiple containers, while the correction conveyor primarily transports only a single container at a time and rotates during this process (secondary rotation).

[0027] To further increase the container throughput, an intermediate conveyor is preferably arranged between the double conveyor and the correction conveyor. The intermediate conveyor is preferably designed as a single conveyor, thus having only a single conveying unit, and serves, for example, as a container buffer. The intermediate conveyor is preferably not designed as a rotary device.

[0028] According to a further development of the invention, the actual alignment is detected during transport on the double conveyor, on a correction conveyor, and / or on an intermediate conveyor arranged between the double conveyor and the correction conveyor. However, it is usually sufficient to arrange one monitoring device in one of the aforementioned preferred positions. Of course, several monitoring devices can also be arranged, for example, to perform additional checks of the actual alignment.

[0029] By capturing the actual orientation during transport on the double conveyor, it is advantageously possible to perform the second rotational movement of the container using the double conveyor. This allows for particularly compact systems and may eliminate the need for an intermediate conveyor or a corrective conveyor.

[0030] Capturing the actual alignment on the correction conveyor enables an increase in the throughput speeds of the containers, since the double conveyor can run continuously with the same speed difference and no change in the speed difference is necessary.

[0031] To further increase the container throughput through the device, the detection process can also be carried out while the container is being transported on an intermediate conveyor located between the double conveyor and the correction conveyor. This eliminates the need for detection on the correction conveyor, allowing it to directly perform its second rotary motion. Furthermore, the correction conveyor can be designed to be significantly shorter.

[0032] The device can therefore be designed according to the three preferred positions for the monitoring device. If the monitoring device is arranged on the double conveyor, an intermediate conveyor and / or a correction conveyor can optionally be omitted. In particular, if the monitoring device is arranged on the correction conveyor, the device does not have an intermediate conveyor; instead, the correction conveyor and the double conveyor are arranged directly adjacent to each other. If the monitoring device is arranged on the intermediate conveyor, the device includes the double conveyor, the intermediate conveyor, and the correction conveyor.

[0033] According to a further development of the invention, an automatic alignment correction is carried out in which the deviations of the actual alignment from the target alignment of the individual containers are recorded and analyzed over a predetermined period, and in which, if a systematic deviation occurs, the first rotational movement of the containers is automatically adjusted, in particular without manual intervention by operating personnel.

[0034] A systematic deviation is understood to mean at least similar deviations or deviation tendencies that recur in individual containers. This means that over a given period X, the same or a very similar deviation occurs repeatedly in all containers or a specific percentage of containers. This could, for example, involve a rotation angle and / or a rotation angle orientation that occurs repeatedly. Such recurring deviations can be caused by negative disturbances such as progressive chain or belt wear or changing belt lubrication conditions. They can also be container-specific.

[0035] As soon as a systematic deviation occurs, as defined by a predefined standard, automatic alignment correction is performed without manual intervention from operating personnel, and the speed difference between the guide units of the double conveyor is adjusted to the systematic deviation. The adjustment is carried out in such a way that the systematic deviation is either completely eliminated or at least reduced to a lesser extent.

[0036] According to a further development of the invention, the actual alignment of the containers is recorded by means of at least one monitoring system to determine the systematic deviation and is taken into account in the analysis for the systematic error.

[0037] The monitoring system is located on the double conveyor and upstream of the first monitoring device in the direction of transport. Specifically, the monitoring system can be positioned in the infeed area of ​​the double conveyor so that it determines the orientation of each container as it enters the conveyor. The monitoring system can be used, for example, to determine the absolute rotation angle of the containers when analyzing for systematic errors—that is, the angle of rotation between the monitoring system's detection point and the monitoring device. This allows, for instance, the determination of whether a systematic deviation occurs due to the differential speed of the two conveying units of the double conveyor, or due to belt lubrication of the conveying units, or whether a fault exists in the area where the container enters the double conveyor.

[0038] Furthermore, the problem underlying the invention is solved by a device for rotating containers in a container treatment plant, comprising a transport device which includes a double conveyor designed for the simultaneous transport and execution of a first rotational movement of the containers, a monitoring device for detecting the actual orientation of at least one of the containers, an evaluation unit designed to compare the actual orientation of the detected container with a target orientation and to determine a deviation, and a control unit designed to control the transport device and to initiate a second rotational movement of the container to compensate for the deviation from the target orientation.

[0039] The device according to the invention makes it possible to significantly increase the positioning accuracy of the containers while maintaining a constant container throughput. This is achieved in particular by the detection of the container by the monitoring unit, the actual / target comparison, and the resulting second rotational movement of the container.

[0040] The second rotational movement of the container can be generated, for example, by the double conveyor. However, the transport device preferably includes a corrective conveyor designed to perform the second rotational movement of the container. The corrective conveyor is structurally similar to the double conveyor and also has two adjacent conveying units that can be operated at a differential speed. However, its overall length is significantly shorter than that of the double conveyor, since it transports and rotates only a single container at a time, whereas the double conveyor preferably transports and rotates multiple containers simultaneously.

[0041] To further increase the throughput rate of the containers through the device, a further development of the invention provides that the transport device includes an intermediate conveyor arranged between the double conveyor and the correction conveyor. The intermediate conveyor is specifically designed as a single conveyor, i.e., it has a single conveying unit. It is arranged in the transport direction of the device, in particular between the double conveyor and the correction conveyor, and abuts the double conveyor at one end and the correction conveyor at a second end opposite the first end.

[0042] The monitoring device can be arranged at different positions within the device. However, it is particularly preferred that the monitoring device for detecting the actual alignment is arranged in the area of ​​the double conveyor, the correction conveyor, and / or the single conveyor. Arrangement in the area of ​​the double conveyor allows for a particularly compact device, as an intermediate conveyor and / or a correction conveyor can potentially be omitted. In contrast, arrangement in the area of ​​the correction conveyor without an intermediate conveyor allows for a higher throughput rate of the containers through the device, since the double conveyor operates exclusively at a speed differential, and the detection of the actual alignment is limited to the correction conveyor.A further increase in throughput rate is achieved in particular by arranging the monitoring device in the area of ​​the intermediate conveyor, since the second rotary motion generated by the correction conveyor can be carried out immediately upon transferring the container to the correction conveyor, and no container detection is required. It should be noted that the arrangement preferably consists of the double conveyor alone, the double conveyor with a correction conveyor, or the double conveyor with an intermediate conveyor and a correction conveyor, with a monitoring device preferably being arranged in each case, namely either on the double conveyor, on the correction conveyor, or on the feed conveyor.

[0043] To improve the accuracy of the initial rotation on the double conveyor, an automatic alignment correction can be performed. This process analyzes the measured deviations of the containers for systematic deviations. If a systematic deviation exists according to a predefined definition, the speed difference between the conveying units of the double conveyor is automatically adjusted without operator intervention, thus reducing or completely eliminating the number and / or magnitude of the systematic deviations.

[0044] For the analysis of systematic deviations, a correction device is particularly preferably arranged, to which the acquired data from the monitoring device and / or the evaluation unit are available. Furthermore, the correction device is in particular connected to the control unit, which is designed to control the double conveyor.

[0045] In particular, for the analysis of systematic deviations, a monitoring system for detecting the actual orientation of one of the containers is provided according to a further development of the invention. This monitoring system is specifically designed to detect the actual orientation on the double conveyor. The monitoring system is positioned such that the containers are preferably detected in the infeed area of ​​the double conveyor. The monitoring system can, in principle, correspond to the monitoring device. For example, the monitoring system can also be designed as an optical system, particularly a camera-based system. Typically, however, the monitoring system does not require devices for comparison, determination, or control; instead, it provides the measurement data it acquires (e.g., images) to the evaluation unit and / or the intended correction device for detecting systematic deviations.

[0046] The correction device can, for example, be designed as a single unit with the monitoring system of the monitoring device, the evaluation unit and / or the control unit.

[0047] Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it is understood that these aspects also constitute a description of the corresponding process, such that a block or component of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding process step or as a feature of a process step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a process step also constitute a description of a corresponding block, detail, or feature of a corresponding device. Some or all of the process steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, such as a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or more of the key process steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

[0048] The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments. These will show: Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the inventive device in a perspective view, Fig. 2 schematically shows an embodiment of the inventive device in a top view during the transport and rotation of several containers.

[0049] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a section of a transport device 1, which is part of a container handling system (not shown). The transport device 1 comprises a double conveyor 2, a correction conveyor 3, and an intermediate conveyor 4 arranged between the double conveyor 2 and the correction conveyor 3. A discharge conveyor 5 and a feed conveyor 6 are also shown. A container 7 is visible on the feed conveyor 6, which is to be transported by the feed conveyor 6 onto the double conveyor 2. The container 7 consists of six containers, here six bottles, which could, for example, be designed for beverages, and which are connected to each other to form a container 7. The container 7 has a rectangular cross-section.

[0050] The double conveyor 2 consists of two conveying units 8a and 8b arranged side by side, which can be operated at the same speed or at different speeds. In the double conveyor 2 shown here, the first conveying unit 8a, located on the left in the transport direction T (represented by an arrow), operates at a lower speed (represented by a short arrow) compared to the second conveying unit 8b, located on the right in the transport direction T. That is, the second conveying unit 8b has a higher speed (represented by a long arrow).

[0051] The intermediate conveyor 4 is designed as a single conveyor, i.e., it consists of a single conveying unit 9. The corrective conveyor 3, in turn, is constructed similarly to the double conveyor 2 and also consists of two conveying units 10a, 10b, which are structurally designed and operated in the same way as the double conveyor 2. The corrective conveyor 3 is significantly shorter than the double conveyor 2. While the corrective conveyor 3 and the intermediate conveyor 4 are specifically designed to transport only a single container 7 each, the double conveyor 2 is designed to transport and rotate a large number of containers simultaneously.

[0052] All conveyors / conveyor units are configured as belt conveyors. Alternatively, however, individual or all of the conveyors / conveyor units can also be configured as chain conveyors or similar.

[0053] Furthermore, in Figure 1A monitoring device is shown in three different positions P1, P2, and P3. A monitoring system 12 is also shown in a position at the beginning 2a of the double conveyor 2 (container inlet).

[0054] The monitoring device 11 can in particular be arranged in one of the three positions P 1, P 2 or P 3.

[0055] In the first position P1, the monitoring device 11 is configured to detect a container 7 being transported on the double conveyor 2. The first position P1 can be located, in particular, in the area between the center 13 of the double conveyor 2 and the end of the double conveyor 2a. In the second position P2, the monitoring device 11 is configured to detect the container 7 on the intermediate conveyor 4, while in the third position P3, the monitoring device 11 is configured to detect the container 7 on the correction conveyor 3.

[0056] For the sake of simplicity, in Figure 1 In each position P1, P2, and P3, a monitoring device 11 is shown. However, usually, and particularly depending on the design of the device, the first monitoring device 11 is arranged in only one of the three positions P1, P2, or P3, and not, as shown here, in each of the positions P1, P2, and P3.

[0057] The monitoring system 12 is optional and serves in particular to further improve the positioning accuracy of the container 7. With the monitoring system 12, it is possible, in particular, to determine the initial position of the container 7 at the beginning 2a of the double conveyor 2. Using the known distance to the first monitoring device 11, the first rotational movement of the container 7 generated by the double conveyor 2 between its detection by the monitoring system 12 and its detection by the monitoring device 11 can be determined as an absolute value.

[0058] Figure 2 shows a section of a device for turning with a transport device 1, which, like the transport device 1, is made of Figure 1 comprising a feed conveyor 6, a double conveyor 2, an intermediate conveyor 4 and a correction conveyor 3 with a subsequent discharge conveyor 5.

[0059] In the transport device 1, containers 7a-7d, in this case four, are transported simultaneously. Two containers 7 are shown on the double conveyor 2, being transported in the direction T and simultaneously rotated. The rotation is generated by a higher conveying speed V2 of the second conveying unit 8b compared to the conveying speed V1 of the first conveying unit 8a of the double conveyor 2. The rotation occurs around a vertical longitudinal axis (not shown here) as a counterclockwise rotation. A third container 7c is currently being moved from the double conveyor 2 to the intermediate conveyor 4.

[0060] On the correction conveyor 3, a further, fourth container 7d is shown, the orientation of which is adjusted again by the correction conveyor 3. The orientation of container 7d on the correction conveyor 3 is achieved according to the rotational movement of the double conveyor 2 by different speeds V1, V2 of the two conveying units 10a, 10b of the correction conveyor 3.

[0061] While the double conveyor 2 generates a first rotational movement about a vertically oriented longitudinal axis (not shown) of the container 7, the correction conveyor 3 causes a second rotational movement of the containers 7a-7d standing on it, also about the vertically oriented longitudinal axis. To determine the magnitude and direction of the second rotational movement, the monitoring device 11 is arranged in position P 2 on the intermediate conveyor 4. The monitoring device 11 detects the actual orientation of the container 7 located on the intermediate conveyor 4, in particular its angle of rotation. The orientation detected by the monitoring device 11 is evaluated by an evaluation unit (not shown) and compared with a target orientation that the container 7 should have on the intermediate conveyor 4. Any deviation is then determined.Based on the determined deviation, the correction conveyor 3 is controlled via a control unit (not shown here). The control unit adjusts the speeds V1, V2 of the first and second conveying units 10a, 10b of the correction conveyor 3 such that the container 7 located on the correction conveyor 3 performs the second rotational movement, which moves the container 7 into the specified target orientation.

[0062] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the monitoring device 11 is located in position P 3, in which it detects a container 7 resting on the correction conveyor 3. In this embodiment, the monitoring unit 11 detects the respective container 7a-7d, in particular directly after the container 7a-7d is moved onto the correction conveyor 3 and rests on it. An intermediate conveyor 4 is not required. The image detected by the monitoring device 11 is evaluated by means of an evaluation unit, i.e., the detected image is evaluated, the actual orientation is determined, and compared with a target orientation that the container 7 should have on the correction conveyor, and any deviation is determined.The control unit (not shown here) controls the correction conveyor 3 and adjusts the respective speeds V1, V2 of the conveying units 10a, 10b, of the correction conveyor 3 so that when the respective object 7a-7d is transported on the correction conveyor 3, it undergoes the second rotational movement that aligns it in the specified target position.

[0063] In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the monitoring device 11 is arranged in a position P 1 in which it detects one of the containers 7a-7d simultaneously arranged on and transported by the double conveyor 3. In particular, it detects the container 7a-7d that will next be transferred from the double conveyor 3 to a subsequent component of the device, e.g., another conveyor.

[0064] After one of the containers 7a-7d is detected, a connected evaluation unit (not shown here) determines any deviation of the actual orientation from the target orientation. Based on this deviation, the control unit controls the double conveyor 3 in such a way that it adjusts the speeds V1, V2 of the conveying units 8a, 8b of the double conveyor 2 so that the detected container 7a-7d performs a second rotation on the remaining transport path 14 of the double conveyor 2 until it is transferred to, for example, the next component, such as another conveyor. This second rotation brings the container into the specified target orientation. Naturally, all containers transported on the double conveyor at this time perform the same second rotation.

[0065] Position P 1 and the detection of one of the containers 7a-7d on the double conveyor 2 are coordinated in such a way that the container 7a-7d following the detected container 7a-7d is only detected and the speeds V1, V2 of the conveying units 8a, 8b are adjusted as soon as the first detected container 7a-7d has completed its second movement and / or left the double conveyor 2, so that it does not perform any further movement that would lead it out of its intended orientation.

[0066] Of course, in this embodiment too, a correction conveyor 3 and, if necessary, an intermediate conveyor 4, e.g. with an additional monitoring device, can be arranged, which allows for a further check of the actual alignment, or also for an additional movement of the container 7 to further increase the positioning accuracy of the container 7.

[0067] Regardless of the positioning of the monitoring device 11 in one of the positions P 1, P 2 and / or P 3 and regardless of whether the device is arranged with correction conveyor 3 and / or intermediate conveyor 4, an automatic adjustment of the speeds V1, V2 of the guide units 8a, 8b of the double conveyor 2 can be provided.

[0068] During automatic adjustment, the recorded actual orientations of multiple containers 7, 7a-7d are analyzed for systematically occurring deviations. What constitutes a systematic deviation is defined beforehand and stored in the system, for example, in a correction unit (not shown here). As soon as a recurring deviation or tendency towards deviation occurs, a control unit (not shown here) is activated, and the speeds V1, V2 of the guide units 8a, 8b of the double belt conveyor 2 are adjusted so that the systematically occurring deviation is at least largely compensated for with the first movement of the containers 7, 7a-7d. Reference symbol list

[0069] 1 Transport device 2 Double conveyor 2a Beginning of double conveyor 2b End of double conveyor 3 Correction conveyor 4 Intermediate conveyor 5 Discharge conveyor 6 Feed conveyor 7 Containers 7a-7 First to fourth containers 8a, 8b Conveyor units 9 Conveyor unit 10a, 10b Conveyor units 11 Monitoring device 12 Monitoring system 13 Middle of double conveyor 14 Remaining transport path T Transport direction P1 First position monitoring device P2 Second position monitoring device P3 Third position monitoring device V1 Conveyor speed smaller V2 V2 Conveyor speed larger V1

Claims

1. Method for rotating packages in a container handling system, with the steps: • transport of at least one package or simultaneous transport of a plurality of packages on a transport device (1), • performance of a first rotational movement of at least one package or of the packages (7, 7a-7d) by means of a double conveyor (2) or transport device (1), • detection of an actual orientation of a first package (7, 7a-7d) by means of a monitoring device, • comparison of the actual orientation of the first package (7, 7a-7d) with a predetermined setpoint orientation, and • determination of any deviation of the actual orientation from the setpoint orientation, • actuation of the transport device (1) and performance of a second rotational movement of the first package (7, 7a-7d).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the second rotational movement for comparing the deviation of the actual orientation from the setpoint orientation is produced by means of the double conveyor (2).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the second rotational movement for comparing the deviation of the actual orientation from the setpoint orientation is produced by means of a correction conveyor (3).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the detection of the actual orientation takes place during the transport on the double conveyor (2), on the correction conveyor (3), and / or on a second intermediate conveyor (4) arranged between the double conveyor (2) and the correction conveyor (3).

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an automatic orientation correction is carried out, wherein the deviations of the actual orientation from the setpoint orientation of the individual packages (7, 7a-7d) is detected and analysed over a predetermined period of time, and wherein, in the event of a systematic deviation occurring, the first rotational movement of the packages (7, 7a-7d) is automatically adjusted.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for the detection of the systematic deviation, an actual orientation of the packages (7, 7a-7d) is detected at least by means of a monitoring system, and is taken into account in the analysis of the systematic error.

7. Device for rotating packages (7, 7a-7d) in a container treatment system, with • a transport device (1), which comprises a double conveyor (2), which is configured for the simultaneous transport and performing of a first rotational movement of one or more packages (7, 7a-7d), • a monitoring device (11) for detecting an actual orientation of at least one of the packages (7, 7a-7d), • an evaluation unit, which is configured such as to compare the actual orientation of the detected package (7, 7a-7d) with a setpoint orientation, and to determine any deviation, • a control unit, which is configured such as to actuate the transport device (1) and to arrange for a second rotational movement of the package (7, 7a-7d) which will compensate for the deviation from the setpoint orientation.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the transport device (1) comprises a correction conveyor (3), which is configured such as to perform the second rotational movement of the package (7, 7a-7d).

9. Device according to at least one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the transport device (1) comprises an intermediate conveyor (3) arranged between the double conveyor (2) and the correction conveyor (3).

10. Device according to at least one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the monitoring device (11) for detecting the actual orientation is arranged in the region of the double conveyor (2), of the correction conveyor (3), and / or of the intermediate conveyor (4).

11. Device according to at least one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that a monitoring system (12) is arranged such as to detect the actual orientation of one of the packages (7, 7a-7d).

12. Device according to at least one of claims 7 to 11, characterised in that a correction device is arranged which is configured such as to carry out an automatic orientation correction.