METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING COMPRESSED PRODUCTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for transporting and packaging compressed products, for example bouillon cubes, pellets, or washing tablets, which are produced in a production facility and packaged by means of a packaging machine, wherein the production facility has a press for compressing bulk material, preferably a die press, and a separator that transfers the compressed products to a transport facility in order to transport the compressed products to the packaging machine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing and packaging compressed products from a bulk material, for example bouillon cubes, pellets, or washing tablets, a device for producing, transporting, and packaging compressed products with such a transport facility for compressed products, as well as its use, and a method for producing and packaging compressed products from a bulk material.

[0002] Conventional production units for manufacturing tablets from bulk material using a die press and downstream packaging of the tablets, for example, stock cubes or washing tablets, typically utilize a transport system in which the tablets produced in the press are conveyed via a chute and / or a feed belt into a buffer storage, from which the tablets are individually transferred to the packaging machines. Accumulating the tablets in the buffer enables decoupling of production from the packaging of the tablets, thus ensuring smooth operation of the packaging machine. For example, the document DE 34 03 851 A1 describes a transport system in which the products are conveyed from a production facility on a smooth, continuously moving conveyor belt into a buffer, from where they are individually transferred to a packaging machine.EP 3 175 976 A1 discloses a die press with a withdrawal device, wherein the rotating disk of the withdrawal device removes the compressed products from the press at a certain distance from one another and delivers them at a smaller distance to a slower-rotating disc-shaped transport unit. EP 458 764 A2 discloses a method for withdrawing and transporting pressed tablets. The tablets produced on a turntable of the tablet press machine in a die by two punches are withdrawn from the die openings by a rotatable disk with several recesses and transported by the rotational movement of the disk to an ejection station, from which the tablets fall unsorted into a collection container via discharge channels. In particular, EP 0 458 764 A2 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1, a method according to the preamble of claim 5, and a device according to the preamble of claim 9.

[0003] The transport systems used in the state-of-the-art for the production and packaging of compressed products utilize, for example, vacuum support to position and securely place the compressed products on the conveyor belts, as well as to separate and align the compressed products during transfer to the packaging machine in order to achieve a high separation speed. Starting with the accumulation of the compressed products in the buffer zone of the transport system, the intentional and unintentional contact between the compressed products and the deceleration of the compressed products compared to the faster-moving conveyor belt of the transport system result in abrasion and shedding of the compressed products, particularly in the edge area.Furthermore, the compressed products must be accelerated again from the buffer area for transfer to the packaging machine, normally in the direction of movement of the transport equipment, but occasionally also laterally to it. This not only causes additional abrasion and the risk of edge breakages, but also limits the number of compressed products that can be transferred to the packaging machine per unit of time. Since abrasion and the risk of edge breakage increase disproportionately with increasing acceleration of the compressed products from the buffer area for transfer to the packaging machine, conventional transport equipment can transport and then package up to approximately 900 compressed products per minute on fold-wrapping machines and up to approximately 1500 compressed products per minute on flowpack machines. Other methods of accumulation separation are based on the product to be separated being pushed transversely out of the accumulation.This also requires high strength of the tablets. To package a larger number of tablets per minute, several conveyors are arranged in parallel to transport the tablets to the packaging machine.

[0004] A large number of conveyor systems for feeding and transferring tablets to packaging machines, for example, in the production of bouillon cubes or laundry tablets, utilize vacuum support to position the tablets on the conveyor system and hold them in a specific position. This also allows for high product acceleration and reduces abrasion during acceleration for further transport and transfer to the packaging machine. Limiting abrasion and breakage on tablets through this type of vacuum-assisted synchronization not only ensures high product quality but also reduces contamination of the conveyor system and necessary downtime for cleaning.

[0005] Despite these optimizations implemented in the state of the art, conventional methods and devices for transporting compressed products, starting with the accumulation of the compressed products, such as stock cubes or washing tablets, in the accumulator buffer, result in product stress on the support surface. Furthermore, sensitive compressed products in particular are subject to stress due to collisions, particularly at the edges and support surfaces. The vacuum support used to transport compressed products for the targeted positioning of the compressed products and synchronization with the packaging machine is at the limit of its consistency and geometric shape constancy, especially for friction- and pressure-sensitive compressed products such as stock cubes, with the currently achieved transport figures. With transitions between different components of the transport device in particular leading to stress and restrictions in production.Furthermore, the use of vacuum systems for transporting compressed products results in high noise emissions and energy consumption. Furthermore, it requires considerable technical effort, and the vacuum channels must be cleaned frequently due to contamination.

[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method and a device for producing, transporting and packaging compressed products, which enables a safe and product-friendly transfer of the compressed products from the production device to the packaging machine.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for transporting and packaging compressed products according to claim 1 and a method for producing and packaging compressed products from a bulk material according to claim 5 as well as by an associated device for producing, transporting and packaging compressed products according to claim 9 and the use thereof. For this purpose, the separator of the production device transfers the compressed products individually to the transport device, wherein the separator delivers the compressed products at a distance from one another to the transport device, the transport device transports the compressed products at a distance from one another in a controlled sequence to the packaging machine and the compressed products are transferred from the transport device to the packaging machine in synchronization with the placement of the compressed products on the transport device.Such continuous transport of the compressed products within the conveyor system between the production facility and the packaging machine reduces wear on the compressed products, contamination of the conveyor system, and installation space. This is because continuous transport within the conveyor system eliminates the need for a buffer for controlled supply to the packaging machine. Thus, there is no deceleration when the compressed products enter the buffer and no acceleration during the targeted transfer of the compressed products from the buffer to the packaging machine. In this case, compressed products are defined as products formed by compressing bulk material using a press.In such a press, preferably a die press, both cohesive (free-flowing) bulk materials, for example detergents or powdered food and nutritional supplements, as well as cohesive (cohesive) bulk materials, for example dried broth or washing tablets, can be compressed into a product with a contoured shape. Especially in the food sector, compressed materials are often sensitive to pressure and prone to abrasion. Due to the continuous, synchronous transport of the compressed materials from the production facility to the packaging machine, a buffer for supplying the packaging machine is dispensed with. Instead, synchronous with the placement of the individually arranged compressed materials, ieof a single or a very small number of defined transferred compressed products, these are transported by the transport device continuously and at the distance from one another specified by the transfer of the separator to the transport device to the packaging machine and there transferred to the packaging machine synchronously with the cycle of placement of the compressed products on the transport device, i.e. the transfer of the compressed products from the separator to the transport device simultaneously defines the future moment of transfer to the packaging machine. The traceable link between the transfer of the compressed products to the transport device and the transfer to the packaging machine enables a greater dynamism of the transport of the compressed products to the packaging machine in order to achieve a significant increase in the number of transportable compressed products to over 2,000 by synchronising the cycle of production and packaging with the transport in the transport device.000 pieces per minute, preferably over 3,000 pieces per minute. Furthermore, this inventive method for transporting compressed products eliminates the need for vacuum support during transport into and transfer from the transport device, which can significantly reduce energy consumption and noise emissions during the transport of compressed products. Furthermore, such a coupling is significantly simpler and leads to greater efficiency.

[0008] A sensible design provides for the transport device to bridge any height difference and / or any distance between the production device and the packaging machine. This enables any position-independent coupling of the production device and the packaging machine, thus enabling the method for transporting compressed products to be used in existing production facilities and for different applications. Preferably, a drive of the transport device can be coupled to a drive of the production device or the packaging machine. Such coupling of the drives, optionally with a fixed gear ratio, is possible both mechanically and electrically and offers a simple implementation of the continuous transport of the compressed products and their synchronous transfer to the packaging machine.Alternatively, the transport device can be driven by a separate servo drive, which drives the transport device synchronously with the manufacturing device or the packaging machine.

[0009] According to the invention, the transport device has a rotating cam belt or a rotating driver belt. Such a cam belt or driver belt preferably consists of a carrier belt, in particular with a reinforcement, in which simple cams protruding from the carrier belt or specially shaped drivers divide the carrier belt into sections. These drivers can, for example, be glued, welded, cast, vulcanized or screwed on. Instead of a carrier belt with protruding cams or drivers, a driver chain with correspondingly designed drivers can also be used, whereby each driver can also be moved or driven individually. The use of a conveyor screw is also possible provided the compressed products are sufficiently friction-stable or the drivers are designed for low-friction transport. A transport device with a rotating cam belt or driver belt, orA flighted chain or a conveyor screw ensures the individual transport of the compressed products, which are arranged in a controlled sequence and at a distance from one another, in the transport device, since the cams or flights prevent the compressed products from being pushed together, even in the event of corresponding resistance from the compressed product. It is advantageous if the separator releases the compressed products in front of a first cam or flighted member of a revolving cam belt or flighted belt and releases subsequent compressed products in a controlled sequence and at a distance from the first compressed product in front of correspondingly subsequent cams or flights. The flights on the revolving flighted belt or flighted chain can have a variable or fixed pitch. Furthermore, it is also possible to drive each individual flight within the transport device individually, for example using linear servo systems with a large number of movers.Although this is technically more complex, it enables a more variable coupling of the production and packaging of the tablets while maintaining a unique position of each individual tablet during transport from the manufacturing facility to the packaging machine.

[0010] To ensure the compressed products are transported safely and at a distance from one another, the transport device can have a guide device for positioning the compressed products on the revolving cam belt, revolving carrier belt, or revolving carrier chain during transport between the production device and the packaging machine. This ensures continuous, spaced, and synchronized transport of the compressed products to the packaging machine, even if the compressed products are lifted off the transport device, for example, on steep inclines, deflections, and overhead guides. The guide device also eliminates the need for vacuum support during overhead transport of the compressed products.

[0011] The present invention further relates to a method for producing and packaging compressed products from a bulk material, for example stock cubes, pellets or washing tablets, comprising: Compressing the bulk material in a die press, removing the compressed material from the die press by means of a separator, transferring the compressed material individually to a transport device, wherein the separator delivers the compressed material to the transport device at a distance from one another, and wherein the transport device has a circulating cam belt, a circulating carrier belt, a circulating carrier chain or a conveyor screw, transporting the compressed material with the transport device to a packaging machine, wherein the compressed material is transported to the packaging machine at a distance from one another in a controlled sequence, transferring the compressed material to the packaging machine, wherein the compressed material is transferred from the separator to the transport device and from the transport device to the packaging machine without any buffer and in synchronization, packaging the compressed material in the packaging machine.

[0012] Similar to the transport of compressed products, the inventive method for producing compressed products enables trouble-free dynamization of production and increased production output through the synchronous transfer of the compressed products. The continuous transport of the compressed products, arranged at a distance from one another on the transport device, avoids the accumulation of compressed products typical in conventional production processes, with the associated abrasion and breakage of the compressed products due to the deceleration and subsequent acceleration during transfer to the packaging machine.Due to the synchronized transfer from the separator to the transport device, the continuous transport via the transport device, and the synchronized transfer to the packaging machine, the compressed products are transported in the transport device with essentially no acceleration, except for speed differences during the transfer from the separator to the transport device and from the transport device to the packaging machine. In addition to the resulting separate guidance of the compressed products in the transport device and the prevention of abrasion on the compressed products and contamination of the transport device, this, together with the synchronization of the production and packaging of the compressed products, enables a significant increase in production output.

[0013] A special embodiment provides for the separator to be designed as a gripper unit with a pair of holding jaws, whereby the two holding jaws of the holding jaw pair actively take over the compressed material at the die press and transfer it to the transport device. Using such a gripper unit, differences in height and inclination between the die press and the transport device can be compensated for by the inclined position of the associated lever arms and the inclined position of the holding jaw pair. Furthermore, the influence of different speeds during the removal of the compressed material at the die press and during transport by the transport device can be reduced. The separator can preferably be designed as a web belt.The separator's design as a web-type belt is particularly useful when two or four compressed products are formed simultaneously in the die press and are to be transferred separately to the transport device in two tracks by the web-type belt. Alternatively, the separator can be designed as an index wheel, which is particularly well-known for individual compressed products formed on the die press and allows for easy coupling of the drives of the separator and transport device.

[0014] According to the invention, the transport device comprises a rotating cam belt, a rotating driver belt, or a rotating transport chain. Such a transport belt typically consists of a carrier belt with a fabric reinforcement made of aramid fibers and has glued, welded, cast, vulcanized, or screwed-on cams made of a suitable plastic or metal or specially shaped drivers. Such a rotating cam belt or driver belt enables a separate, contact-free arrangement of the compressed products on the transport device in order to transport them continuously and synchronously to the packaging machine and transfer them there to the packaging machine. Furthermore, the cams and drivers serve to hold and transport the compressed products securely and separately on the cam belt or driver belt and the guide device when a guide device is provided.By means of such a guide device, vacuum support can be dispensed with even in the case of a strong inclination, deflection or guidance of the compressed products overhead in the transport device.

[0015] To prevent mixed products or defective products resulting from a product change or a change in the composition of the bulk material from being transferred to the packaging machine, or to prevent products for inspection, the conveyor system can be equipped with a discharge station. This station allows the removal of compressed products from the conveyor system. This not only saves packaging material, but also prevents the associated wear and tear on the packaging machine, as well as the unintentional distribution of mixed or defective products.

[0016] The present invention further relates to a device for producing, transporting and packaging compressed products, comprising a production device for compressed products, for example for stock cubes, pellets or washing tablets, which are produced in a press, in particular a die press, from a compressed bulk material, a transport device and a continuously operating packaging machine for packaging the compressed products, wherein a separator associated with the press is provided which, during operation, receives the compressed products from the press and transfers them to the transport device, wherein the transport device comprises a circulating cam belt, a circulating carrier belt, a circulating carrier chain or a conveyor screw, and wherein the transport device is suitable for receiving the compressed products supplied by the separator individually and at a distance from one another and transferring them to the packaging machine,During operation, the transport device transports the compressed products at a distance from one another in a controlled sequence to the packaging machine, and transfers the compressed products to the transport device in a clock-synchronized manner for receiving the compressed products and without a buffer to the packaging machine for packaging the compressed products in the packaging machine. Such a transport device enables continuous, highly dynamic transport of the compressed products and thus high production output through the clock-synchronized coupling between the production and packaging of compressed products. The possible elimination of vacuum support can also significantly reduce the energy consumption of the transport device and the acoustic emissions of the transport device. The isolated, continuous transfer of compressed products and their transport to the packaging machine by means of the present invention,Whereby an essentially acceleration-free transport in the transport device without buffers reduces the abrasion and the dynamic load on the compressed products, enabling the rapid processing of very sensitive and easily deformable products.

[0017] The invention further relates to the use of such a device for producing, transporting and packaging compressed products for a previously described method for transporting and packaging compressed products in a packaging machine, wherein the transport device has a rotating cam belt, a rotating carrier belt, a rotating carrier chain or a conveyor screw, wherein the transport device separates the compressed products fed from the separator and receives them at a distance from one another, transports the compressed products at a distance from one another in a controlled sequence to the packaging machine and transfers the compressed products to the transport device in a clock-synchronized manner with the transfer of the compressed products and without a buffer to the packaging machine in order to package the compressed products in the packaging machine.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a transport device for compressed products, Fig. 2 is a perspective schematic view of another transport device for compressed products, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a device for producing, transporting and packaging compressed products in a continuously operating packaging machine, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another device for producing, transporting and packaging compressed products in an intermittently operating packaging machine.

[0019] With the Fig. 1 In the schematic diagram of a transport device 1 shown, the compressed products 3 produced by a production device 2 can be synchronously transferred to a corresponding packaging machine 4 (see Fig. 3 and 4). The compressed products 3 are pressed in the production device 2 from a cohesionless bulk material, for example for the production of washing tablets or pellets, or cohesive bulk materials, for example for stock cubes or chocolate products, into a predetermined shape, preferably by means of a die press. The schematic view of the production device 2 in Fig. 1 shows a continuously rotating die plate 5 in which the bulk material filled into the individual dies 6 is pressed into the predetermined shape of the compressed products 3 by press punches (not shown) that continuously rotate with the die plate 5. Either a combination of upper and lower punches that rotate continuously with the die plate 5 or just lower punches can be used. To release the compressed products 3 from the individual dies 6 of the die plate 5, the compressed products 3 are pushed upwards out of the individual dies 6 by an associated lower punch (not shown) until the compressed product 3 lies flush with the upper edge of the die 6 on the upper side of the die plate 5. During the final phase of pushing the compressed products 3 out of the die 6, a separator 7 is guided over the upper side of the die plate 5 in order to securely receive the compressed products 3 from the die 6 and transfer them to the transport device 1.The separator 7 is in the in . Fig. 1 shown schematic view of the manufacturing device 2 is designed as an index disk 8, which pushes individual compressed products 3 projecting onto the die 6 from the die disk 5 via correspondingly designed index teeth 9 and transfers them to the transport device 1 via a rotary movement.

[0020] The transport device 1 comprises a conveyor belt 10, on which the separator 7 delivers the compressed products 3 in synchronism with the removal of the compressed products 3 from the die plate 5 and on which the individually arranged compressed products 3 are transported continuously and at a distance from one another in the direction of the arrow to the packaging machine 4. In the Fig. 1 In the schematic view of the transport device 1 for compressed products 3 according to the invention shown, the transport belt 10 is designed as a circulating carrier belt 11 in which specially shaped carriers 12 are placed in the carrier belt 11, which is here woven from reinforced polyester threads.

[0021] When the compressed materials 3 are placed on the carrier belt 11 in a clock-synchronized manner, the compressed materials 3 fed in a circle by means of the index wheel 8 can be slightly accelerated in order to adjust the orientation of the compressed materials 3, which are fed in a circle by means of the index wheel 8, which acceleration depends on the arrangement of the index wheel 8 and the carrier belt 11 relative to one another and on a possible transmission ratio of the conveyor belt 10 relative to the separator 7. In the further course, the compressed materials 3 lie on the carriers 12 of the carrier belt 11 and are transported by the carrier belt 11 directly to the packaging machine 4, wherein according to the invention no buffer is provided for the compressed materials 3, but the compressed materials 3 are transferred from the conveyor device 1 to the packaging machine 4 in a clock-synchronized manner to the placement on the transport device 1.Although absolute acceleration can act on the compressed materials 3 in addition to the moment of delivery of the compressed materials 3 to the conveyor belt 10 and during a deflection of the conveyor belt 10 and a guidance of the compressed materials 3 by means of the drivers 12, the continuous, spaced-apart, and clock-synchronized transport along the transport device 1 and the transfer of the compressed materials 3 to the packaging machine 4 are to be regarded as acceleration-free, compared to a conventional method for transporting compressed materials 3 with an uncontrolled feed of the compressed materials 3 to a buffer in which the compressed materials 3 are decelerated, and the accelerated, individual feed of the compressed materials 3 to the packaging machine 4 from this buffer. Other methods for transporting uncontrolled fed compressed materials 3 use belt buffers that require a lot of installation space and generate a lot of friction.

[0022] Since during the transport of the compressed products 3 by means of the carrier belt 11, the compressed products 3 are firstly strongly inclined at the deflection of the conveyor belt 10 and finally transported overhead on the carrier belt 11 in the direction of the packaging machine 4, in the schematic view of the transport device 1 in Fig. 1 a guide rail 13 designed according to the deflection of the conveyor belt 10 is provided. In alternative embodiments, other movement paths of the carrier belt 11, for example with S-shaped curves, can be used to overcome a height difference without a guide rail 13. The guide rail 13 enables in the transport device 1 according to the invention from Fig. 1 a vacuum-free transport of the compressed products 3. Since vacuum support for the placement of the compressed products 3 on the carrier belt 11 is not necessary for the individual transfer of the compressed products 3 to the conveyor belt 10 by the separator 7, the guide rail 13 further makes it possible to dispense with vacuum support for the transport of the compressed products 3 to the packaging machine 4, which not only results in significant energy savings for the operation of the transport device 1, but also significantly reduces the noise emissions of the transport device 1. Instead, the compressed products 3 placed on the carrier belt 11 are guided by the carriers 12 continuously and at a distance from one another to the packaging machine 4, whereby it is immaterial for the transport of the compressed products 3 whether the compressed products 3 are constantly in contact with the carrier belt 11 or whether they are also guided by the carriers 12 in certain areas along the guide rail 13.

[0023] At the end of the Fig. 1 The compressed products 3 transported by the carrier belt 11 on the carriers 12 are transferred to a packaging machine 4 by the index wheel 8 on the carrier belt 11 in synchronism with the placement of the compressed products 3. Alternatively, a feed chain (not shown) to a packaging machine 4 can also be provided here, which takes over the compressed products 3 in synchronism and feeds them to the packaging machine 4, for example a flowpack machine for packaging washing tablets.

[0024] In Fig. 2 is a further perspective schematic view of a transport device 1 for compressed products 3. In contrast to the production device 2 from Fig. 1 This die plate 5 has divided dies 6 which produce four individual compressed products 3 in one pressing process. Therefore, the separator 7 of this production device 2 is also designed as a web belt 14 with laterally projecting webs 15 which engage between the dies 6 of the die plate 5 and transport the compressed products 3 pushed forward on the die 6 by the lower punch of the press in the direction of the transport device 1. For this purpose, every second web 15 of the web belt 14 engages between the compressed products 3 pressed out of the die 6 and every other web 15 between two adjacent dies 6. Together with a guide web 16, the compressed products 3 formed from a die 6 are fed in pairs to the transport device 1 and separated as a pair and delivered at a distance from the subsequent compressed products 3.

[0025] The transport device 1 is shown in the schematic view in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment is designed as a cam belt 17. The cam belt 17 is opposite to the carrier belt 11 of Fig. 1 guided, but also manufactured as a support belt made of woven, fiber-reinforced polyester threads. The cams 18 of this cam belt 17 are formed as part of the support belt of the cam belt 17 or are glued, welded, cast, vulcanized, or screwed on. The cams 18 guide according to the drivers 12 in Fig. 1 the compressed products 3 are arranged at a distance from the following compressed products 3 and are transferred synchronously to the transfer of the compressed products 3 to the transport device 1 to the packaging machine 4 and are transferred synchronously from the transport device 1 to the packaging machine 4 at the packaging machine 4 (not shown). In contrast to the transport device 1 from Fig. 1 , which takes over individual compressed products 3 from the separator 7, are guided by the cam belt 17 in Fig. 2 shown separator 7, two compressed products 3 are transferred simultaneously to the transport device 1 and are transported by this in synchronized cycles and at a distance from the next pair of compressed products 3 to the packaging machine 4 and transferred there in pairs. Even if in the Fig. 2 If a pair of compressed products 3, for example stock cubes, are transferred to the production device 2 and transport device 1 shown and transported synchronously, this is to be regarded as isolated within the meaning of the invention in view of the prior art.

[0026] Instead of the Fig. 1 and 2A feed chain with corresponding carriers or rotating supports can also be provided for the conveyor belt 10, which is designed as a carrier belt 11 or cam belt 17. According to the method for the synchronous transport of the compressed products 3 and their placement or production in the production device 2, and the synchronous provision at the packaging machine 4, the drives of the press of the production device 2 and the transport device 1, as well as, if applicable, the packaging machine 4, are mechanically and / or electrically coupled, if appropriate with a fixed gear ratio, in order to facilitate the synchronous production, transport, and packaging of compressed products 3. Alternatively, the synchronization can also be achieved via a targeted control of dedicated servo drives.

[0027] As an alternative to the separator 7 designed as an index wheel 8 or as a web belt 14, a gripper system can also be used, in which a suitable gripper head picks up the compressed product 3 at the die 6 by gripping a pair of holding jaws and subsequently transfers it to the conveyor belt 10 in a synchronized manner. Such a gripper head can convert a horizontal takeover of a compressed product 3 into an inclined discharge by means of an inclined linkage of the lever arms and an inclined position of the rotation axis, which significantly increases the possibilities for arranging the transport device 1 relative to the production device 2 and facilitates the corresponding integration of a transport device 1 into existing production devices 2 and associated packaging machines 4.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a device for producing, transporting and packaging compressed products 3 in a continuously operating packaging machine based on the device shown in Fig. 1 shown transport device 1 and production device 2. Alternatively to the in Fig. 1 In addition to the transfer of the compressed products 3 at the end of the conveyor belt 10 to the feed chain of a flowpack machine as explained above, a continuously operating packaging machine 4 can also be arranged directly at the end of the conveyor belt 10, which, for example, by means of continuously operating heads, takes over the compressed products 3 in synchronism with the delivery of the compressed products 3 by means of the separator 7 to the transport device 1, the compressed products 3 and packs them into a packaging with a corresponding fold.

[0029] As in Fig. 4 Intermittently operating wrapping machines can also be used as packaging machine 4.

[0030] The Fig. 3 and 4The devices shown for producing, transporting, and packaging compressed materials 3 are designed according to a method according to the invention for producing and packaging compressed materials 3 from bulk material. The bulk material is compressed in the dies 6 of the die plate 5 by means of a die press, and the compressed material 3 is then removed from the die plate 5 by the separator 7, designed as an index wheel 8, at which the lower punches of the die press press the compressed materials 3 out of the dies 6 up to the top of the die plate 5. The separator 7 transfers the individual compressed materials 3 or pairs of compressed materials 3 to the transport device 1 in synchronization with the removal of the compressed materials 3 from the die plate 5.The transfer of the compressed materials 3 to the conveyor belt 10 of the transport device 1 takes place individually and at a distance from one another, since the coupled drives of the production device 2 and transport device 1 cause a synchronous movement of the conveyor belt 10 to the separator 7. The compressed materials 3 are then continuously transported on the conveyor belt 10 of the transport device 1 at the distance of the individual transfer of the compressed materials 3 to the packaging machine 4 and are transferred at the packaging machine 4 in synchronism with the transfer of the compressed materials 3 from the separator 7 to the conveyor belt 10 from the transport device 1 to the packaging machine 4. List of reference symbols

[0031] 1Transport device 2Manufacturing device 3Compressed products 4Packaging machine 5Die plate 6Die 7Separator 8Index wheel 9Index teeth 10Conveyor belt 11Carrier belt 12Carrier 13Guide rail 14Web belt 15Web 16Guide web 17Cam belt 18Cam

Claims

1. Method for transporting and packaging comprimates (3), for example stock cubes, pressed products or washing tablets, which are produced in a manufacturing device (2) and packaged by means of a packaging machine (4), wherein the manufacturing device (2) has a press for compressing bulk material, preferably a die press, and a separator (7) which transfers the comprimates (3) to a transport device (1) in order to transport the comprimates (3) to the packaging machine (4), wherein the separator (7) transfers the comprimates (3) individually to the transport device (1), wherein the separator (7) delivers the comprimates (3) to the transport device (1) at a distance from one another, characterised in that the transport device (1) transports the comprimates (3) at a distance from one another in a controlled sequence to the packaging machine (4), wherein the transport device (1) has a circulating cam belt (17), a circulating carrier belt (11), a circulating carrier chain or a transport screw; the comprimates (3) are transferred from the transport device (1) to the packaging machine (4) synchronous with the cycle for placing the comprimates (3) on the transport device (1) and without a run-up buffer; and the comprimates (3) are packaged in the packaging machine (4).

2. Method for transporting and packaging comprimates (3) according to claim 1, characterised in that the transport device (1) bridges any height difference and / or any distance between the manufacturing device (2) and the packaging machine (4).

3. Method for transporting and packaging comprimates (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a drive of the transport device (1) is coupled to a drive of the manufacturing device (2) or the packaging machine (4).

4. Method for transporting and packaging comprimates (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the transport device (1) has a guide device for positioning the comprimates (3) on the circulating cam belt (17), the circulating carrier belt (11), the circulating carrier chain or the transport screw during transport between the manufacturing device (2) and the packaging machine (4).

5. Method for producing and packaging comprimates (3) from bulk material, for example stock cubes, pressed products or washing tablets, comprising: compressing the bulk material in a die press, removing the comprimates (3) from the die press by means of a separator (7), transferring the comprimates (3) individually to a transport device (1), wherein the separator (7) delivers the comprimates (3) to the transport device (1) at a distance from one another, characterised in that the transport device (1) has a circulating cam belt (17), a circulating drive belt (11), a circulating drive chain or a transport screw, wherein the method further comprising the following method steps: transporting the comprimates (3) by means of the transport device (1) to a packaging machine (4), wherein the comprimates (3) are transported at a distance from one another in a controlled sequence to the packaging machine (4), transferring the comprimates (3) to the packaging machine (4), wherein the comprimates (3) are transferred without a run-up buffer and in a synchronous manner from the separator (7) to the transport device (1) and from the transport device (1) to the packaging machine (4), packaging the comprimates (3) in the packaging machine (4).

6. Method for producing and packaging comprimates (3) according to claim 5, characterised in that the separator (7) is designed as a gripper unit with a pair of holding jaws, wherein the two holding jaws of the pair of holding jaws actively take hold of comprimates (3) at the die press and transfer them to the transport device (1).

7. Method for producing and packaging comprimates (3) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the separator (7) is designed as a stud belt (14).

8. Method for producing and packaging comprimates (3) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the transport device (1) has a discharge station, wherein the discharge station enables comprimates (3) to be removed from the transport device (1) before being transferred to the packaging machine (4).

9. Device for producing, transporting and packaging comprimates (3) with a manufacturing device (2) for comprimates (3), for example for stock cubes, pressed products or washing tablets, which are produced in a press of the manufacturing device (2), in particular a die press, from a compressed bulk material, a transport device (1) and a continuously operating packaging machine (4) for packaging the comprimates (3), for a method for transporting and packaging comprimates (3) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a separator (7) associated with the press is provided, which in operation takes the comprimates (3) from the press and transfers them to the transport device (1), wherein the transport device (1) is suitable for receiving the comprimates (3) fed by the separator (7) individually and at a distance from one another and for transferring them to the packaging machine (4), characterised in that, the transport device (1) has a circulating cam belt (17), a circulating carrier belt (11), a circulating carrier chain or a transport screw, and that during operation, the transport device (1) transports the comprimates (3) at a distance from one another in a controlled sequence to the packaging machine (4), and transfers the comprimates (3) to the packaging machine (4) in a synchronous cycle with the transfer of the comprimates (3) to the transport device (1) and without a run-up buffer, in order to package the compacted products in the packaging machine (4).

10. Use of a device for producing, transporting and packaging comprimates (3) according to claim 9, for a method for transporting and packaging comprimates (3) in a packaging machine (4) according to one of claims 1 to 4.