PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A PACKAGING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The subject matter relates to a packaging machine and a method for operating a packaging machine.

[0002] In particular, the subject matter relates to a device and a method for filling beverage containers, especially composite packaging. In a production area (also referred to as a process unit) of a packaging machine, the packaging is processed and, in particular, filled at a filling station to which the packaging is fed. The filled, still-open packaging is then removed from the filling station and sealed to form finished packaging.

[0003] Such processes and the devices used for them, often referred to as filling machines, have long been known in practice in many different designs. Conventional packaging machines work in cycles, with the packages being fed a certain amount of time in a cycle and staying at the processing station for a certain amount of time. The cyclical transport of upright, open-topped packages, particularly on conveyor chains, requires relatively short residence times in order to achieve a high throughput. This means that the product to be filled has to be filled into the packages in a relatively short time, namely during the residence time. Despite the use of large filling cross-sections, this can lead, depending on the product, to heavy foaming and to sloshing of the product during the jerky onward transport of the packages.This is undesirable, as it may cause the edges of the packages, which are to be sealed together immediately after filling, to become wetted with the contents, thereby impairing the seal quality. Furthermore, this can lead to fluctuations in fill volume.

[0004] A proposal to increase the dwell time is known from DE 10 356 073 B4. In this design, the packages are moved by two independent transport devices, namely the transport chain and the secondary chain. The secondary chain allows the packages to be moved at a higher index than is possible with the transport chain. However, the cycle rate of the packaging machine is determined by the transport chain, and the packages are decoupled from the secondary chain to the secondary chain and, after filling, recoupled from the secondary chain to the transport chain.

[0005] This is complex and mechanically demanding. In particular, two independent chains must be operated, which increases maintenance requirements enormously. Furthermore, the transfer points between the independent chains are susceptible to mechanical failure. DE 10 2012 223173 A1 discloses a filling machine with an electromagnetic linear motor, wherein a control unit is provided that controls runners, individual stations along a conveyor track, and a screw conveyor. The control unit is configured to control each runner individually. This allows the start-up process for already filled but still open containers to be designed differently than for still empty containers, in order to optimize the sloshing behavior of the liquid in the container.

[0006] The objective was therefore to improve a timed packaging machine for packaging and / or filling products into packaging that is open at the top.

[0007] This object is achieved by a packaging machine according to claim 1.

[0008] First, it should be noted that the features of each individual dependent claim, even without the characterizing feature of the independent claims, in conjunction with one or more features of the preamble of the independent claims and / or other features described here or mentioned in the claims, are part of the subject matter of the disclosure. In particular, any combination of the features mentioned in the claims and in the description is objectively disclosed without any of the features being emphasized.

[0009] Cardboard / plastic composite packaging is known from practice and is used for various flowable or pourable products. The primary application for such cardboard / plastic composite packaging is the packaging of beverages and pasteurized foods. These packages are available in various shapes. These are typically cuboid, cubic, and cylindrical. The biggest differences still exist in the packaging head, which is predominantly designed as a so-called flat or sloping gable.

[0010] Packaging can be manufactured in a variety of ways and from a wide variety of materials. A common manufacturing method involves creating a blank from the packaging material, folding it and further steps to create a packaging sleeve, one end of which can then be sealed. The package can then be filled through the other longitudinal end of the packaging sleeve, which is still at least partially open. In some of these processes, a packaging blank is molded onto a mandrel of a mandrel wheel.

[0011] One of the advantages of this manufacturing method is that the blanks and pack sleeves are very flat and can therefore be stacked to save space. This allows the blanks and pack sleeves to be produced at a different location from where the folding and filling of the pack sleeves takes place. Composite materials are often used, for example, a composite of several thin layers of paper, cardboard, plastic, or metal, especially aluminum. This type of packaging is particularly popular in the food industry.

[0012] It should be noted that when reference is made to packaging, packaging sleeves, packs or packaging sleeves, these terms can be used interchangeably and can generally also be formed in the sense of the above description.

[0013] This represents a departure from conventional transport chains or conveyor belts. The packaging is moved using transport carriages. The transport carriages are arranged so they can move along at least one transport rail. The transport rail and the transport carriages together form an electric drive, particularly in the form of a linear motor.

[0014] The transport rail determines the transport trajectory of the transport carriages. Each individual transport carriage can be controlled independently and individually on the transport rail. Thanks to the electromotive connection between the transport rail and the transport carriages, each individual transport carriage can always be controlled individually and moved at an adjustable speed, with an adjustable acceleration profile, an adjustable stroke, and / or to an adjustable location on the transport rail. The start and stop times for the movement of each transport carriage can also be individually adjusted.

[0015] The packaging machine in question operates in a cycled manner, at least in sections. This means that a cycle consists of a feed time and a dwell time. During the feed time, the transport carriage is moved between two workstations of the packaging machine. During the dwell time, the transport carriage remains stationary in the direction of movement specified by the transport rail, and the packaging arranged on the transport carriage can be further processed, in particular sterilized, filled, sealed, and / or finished.

[0016] A number of workstations of the packaging machine can be arranged along a production area (also referred to as a process area). With each cycle, the transport carriages / packages can be moved to a downstream workstation, in particular to the immediately next or the next but one, for further processing there. After the advance and dwell time, a cycle can end, and the next cycle begins.

[0017] Preferably, a carrier can be arranged on a transport carriage, on which at least one package, but preferably two or more than two packages, can be carried simultaneously. The carrier can be mechanically designed such that it can receive the base of a package. The carrier can also be mechanically designed such that it can receive a package in a clamping manner, preferably by clamping it laterally. In particular, the carrier can be removed from the transport carriage relatively easily and replaced with another carrier. Thus, the transport carriage can serve as a guide medium for different types of carriers, and different types of packaging with possibly different cross-sections or shapes can be used on different carriers.

[0018] It is also proposed that a carrier can accommodate different packages in such a way that, regardless of the length of the package, the top edge of the package is at the same level, in particular at the same distance from the transport rail, at least at one location on the transport rail. The carrier can either accommodate the packages at different positions in the longitudinal direction, or the carrier can adjust the relative position of the packages to the transport rail, in particular transversely or at right angles to the transport rail. This can ensure that the top edge of a package, regardless of the length of the package, is at the same distance from the transport rail at least at one location along the transport rail. This is particularly useful for packages with different filling volumes, as it always ensures the same distance between an opening and, for example,a filling device can be maintained and the packaging can be moved at an equal distance along the filling device and can be filled there.

[0019] As already explained, the transport carriages are moved at least in sections in a timed manner along a production area. In one cycle, the transport carriage is moved for a feed time, and during a dwell time, the carriage remains stationary at a workstation in the specified direction of movement. The carriage can also pass through a workstation. In practice, it has been recognized that the electromotive connection between the transport rail and the transport carriage and the resulting individual controllability of each individual transport carriage along the production area allows the relationship between dwell time and feed time to be varied. This is particularly interesting because the dwell time should be as long as possible, especially when filling liquid products into packaging, in order to control the fill quantity, fill quality and / or prevent foam formation and any sloshing.The feed rate should preferably be designed to reduce sloshing. This can be achieved, in particular, by using an acceleration profile during the feed rate.

[0020] It is therefore proposed that the transport carriages be moved along the production area with at least two different indices. A first index formed from the dwell time and feed time can, for example, be approximately one. This means that in a cycle formed from the dwell time and feed time, the dwell time is approximately equal to the feed time. However, along the production area, it is possible for the ratio between dwell time and feed time to be variable with the same cycle time, and thus the index to be variable. This is not possible with conventional chain drives, since the packaging is always guided on the same chain, which represents the same index for all packaging.

[0021] The use of two different chains, as known from DE 10 356 073 B4, is mechanically complex. In practice, the implementation of different indices along the production area is made possible in a particularly simple mechanical way, namely by means of a transport rail and transport carriage.

[0022] The index can be varied along the production area with the help of the transport carriage and the transport rail. To vary the index, it is also possible for a first index to advance a package or a transport carriage with each individual cycle and have a dwell time. A different index can be implemented by including feed and dwell times, in particular multiple cycles, for example two cycles. This means that during a first cycle at least the feed and possibly part of a dwell time are implemented at a single workstation, and at a second cycle there is no further feed, but rather only a dwell time at the previously approached workstation.

[0023] This means that a first workstation (which is approached in, for example, a simple index) must process the packaging in exactly one cycle, while a second workstation (which is approached in, for example, an N-fold (N=2, 3, 4, ...) index) can do this in N cycles.

[0024] in order to achieve exactly reproducible fill quantities, it is also proposed that the transport carriages in the production area in the area of ​​a filling device, in particular a filling device, are moved with a different, in particular larger, index than outside the filling device. For example, it is possible for the packaging to be moved outside the filling device with a simple index. In this case, for example, the transport carriage is advanced once per cycle and stays at the work station for a certain time. A larger index, for example an N-fold index, can be implemented within the filling device. In this case, the packaging is advanced only once within N cycles and therefore stays at the work station for a longer time.

[0025] The longer dwell time, achieved through the higher index, increases the filling time. This allows the product to be filled into the package with a lower volume flow, thus improving the filling quality.

[0026] If a larger index is implemented, particularly an N-fold index, it may be necessary to increase the number of identical workstations accordingly. This means that if the packages are moved by the transport carriages in the filling device with an N-fold index, the number of filling stations should be increased accordingly by N. This can be particularly useful in order to be able to feed packages into and out of the production area at the same time. If, for example, a double index is required for packaging, it should ideally be possible to fill two packages at the same time so that two packages are filled after two cycles. This corresponds to the filling rate with one filling device with a single index. In this case, each individual package would be filled within just one cycle, thus two packages after two cycles.

[0027] With a double index, for example, the time a package spends at the filling station can be two cycles, meaning that two packages must be processed in one filling station during this time. The output at the end of the filling station then corresponds exactly to the number of packages that were fed into the filling station.

[0028] As already explained, the index can be determined by the holding time at a workstation and the feed time between two workstations. The index can also be determined by the number of cycles a workstation should have available to further process the packaging. In particular, it may be useful to use at least two cycles at the filling device, especially the filling device. In this case, the holding time at the filling device, especially the filling device as a workstation, can be increased compared to the feed time.

[0029] The index can also be a non-integer multiple of 1, in particular 1.5 or 0.5.

[0030] The increased index allows for a longer feed stroke, particularly in a single cycle, compared to a lower index, with the same feed time. The larger stroke requires a higher speed of the transport carriages. The transport carriages are thus transported over a greater distance in the same feed time. This increases the clearance between transport carriages moved with a simple index and those moved with an increased index.

[0031] Due to the larger initial transport stroke, for example, when the packaging is empty, a larger index allows more time for the actual filling process until the new empty packages are brought up to the packages currently being filled. Slower filling with the packaging stationary can significantly reduce foam formation without necessarily slowing the packaging machine's speed.

[0032] The product to be filled into the packaging can be a liquid or a pasty product, with or without granular components. The products can also be pourable or powdery.

[0033] By increasing the index, it is advantageous to achieve a consistently consistent cycle rate across the entire production area if the filling device can simultaneously fill at least two packages arranged one behind the other in the transport direction. This is advantageous because in this way, several adjacent packages can be advanced in the transport direction, preferably simultaneously, with an increased index and are available for the filling process for a multiple of the cycle time. It has been recognized that by increasing the index, in particular by varying the dwell time relative to the feed time, the actual filling process can also be independent of the other cycle times of the transport carriages.

[0034] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that at least N transport carriages with an N-fold index are moved in the filling device, where N is at least two. It has been recognized that, in accordance with an increase in the index in the area of ​​the filling device, the number of transport carriages with this index should be increased accordingly. This has the advantage that the overall rate can remain constant along the production area. In this case, it is advantageous if N filling devices are provided in the corresponding filling area or if N packages can be filled simultaneously in the filling area.

[0035] Increasing the index is particularly accompanied by increasing the feed rate and / or the transport stroke. For this reason, it is proposed that at least two transport carriages be moved in the filling device at different, preferably increased, in particular at least double the feed rate. In particular, the different, preferably increased, in particular preferably double the feed rate is realized in the area in which the increased index is realized.

[0036] It is also proposed that at least two transport carriages be moved with a different, preferably increased, in particular preferably at least double, transport stroke during the feed time. Thus, the transport stroke with the larger index is increased compared to the transport stroke with a simple index.

[0037] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the feed time between each two workstations in the production area is constant.

[0038] In particular, the feed time is constant during the transition from the lower index to the higher index. This means that the feed time when advancing the transport carriage to the last workstation with the first index is the same as the feed time of the transport carriage from this workstation to the next workstation, whereby in the latter case, the index is already increased, in particular doubled. However, with the same feed time, the transport stroke is preferably increased, in particular doubled.

[0039] In the range of the higher index, the transport speed is generally higher than in the range of the lower index. By increasing the transport speed, preferably with a constant transport stroke, the residence time at the workstation can be increased. This increased residence time can be used to fill the packaging with the goods to be packaged. If the index is increased, in particular at least doubled, a package in the range of the higher index is preferably moved at a higher speed. In particular, this enables a longer transport stroke with the same transport time. The higher speed results in the residence time at a filling device being increased.

[0040] It is also proposed that the residence time (holding time) of at least two transport carriages at at least one of the filling devices is greater or lesser, in particular than the residence time of the transport carriages outside the filling device, in particular at least twice the holding time of the packages outside the filling device. In this context, it should be mentioned that the terms holding time and residence time can be used interchangeably.

[0041] As already explained, a cycle is determined in particular by a feed time and a dwell time. In the area of ​​the higher index, a longer transport stroke is preferably implemented during the feed time. For this reason, it is proposed that the transport stroke of the transport carriages in the production area differs between each two work stations in a cycle. This means that between two first work stations, in particular with a lower index, a first transport stroke is implemented and between two work stations, if a higher index is implemented, the transport stroke is increased. In a first cycle, a package can therefore, for example, cover a first transport stroke and in a subsequent cycle this package can cover a second transport stroke which is preferably greater, in particular at least twice the first transport stroke.If the feed time is the same, the speed in this second cycle can be twice the speed of the first cycle.

[0042] The individual controllability of each transport carriage makes it possible to implement different acceleration profiles during the feed time. The different acceleration profiles can be adapted to the condition of the packaging. For example, it is possible to accelerate a filled package with a less steep acceleration profile than an empty package. The acceleration profile can also be adapted to the package contents, for example, depending on the viscosity of the product filled into the package.

[0043] The transport rail is preferably divided into different areas. The transport rail can extend from an infeed area through a production area to an outfeed area and, if necessary, a buffer area. Workstations can be arranged in the infeed area, the production area, or the outfeed area. In particular, various workstations can be provided in the production area, which can also include a filling station or filling device. Along the production area, the transport carriages can be moved with different indices in the conveying direction of the packages. In this case, it is possible for the transport carriages to stay at some workstations for only one cycle, but at other workstations for at least two cycles.The dwell time is the time remaining after the feed time within a cycle or within multiple cycles. The dwell time can also be different at each station, as long as the package is moved to the next station after the cycle has ended so that the following package can be processed at that station. This can be particularly useful for the filling equipment of subsequent stations, since a shorter dwell time can increase the feed time, which reduces acceleration and thus counteracts chatter.

[0044] It is also proposed that the transport direction or the direction of movement of the transport carriages run at an angle to one another in some areas, in particular vertically in at least one area and horizontally in at least one area. The angle can include an angle between 30° and 60°. Thus, the transport carriages are moved at an angle to one another along a trajectory formed by the transport rail. The directions of movement are preferably vertical and horizontal.

[0045] As already explained, the transport carriage and transport rail are operatively connected to each other by an electric motor. In particular, the transport carriage is driven electromagnetically. In this case, the transport rail and transport carriage can form a linear motor. The advantage of the linear motor is that each individual transport carriage can be controlled individually. For this purpose, each individual transport carriage preferably has an electromagnetically readable identifier. Furthermore, the transport rail has reading devices to read the position of each transport carriage as well as the identifier of the transport carriage. This allows each individual transport carriage to be controlled individually by appropriately controlling the transport rail.

[0046] A transport carriage has a carrier designed to accommodate packages that are preferably open at the top and preferably already closed at the bottom. Preferably, several packages can be accommodated side by side on or by such a carrier, transverse to the direction of movement of the packages. This enables parallel processing of packages arranged side by side, transverse to the transport direction, so that the throughput of the packaging machine can be increased in proportion to the number of packages arranged side by side.

[0047] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the transport rail be formed from a stator of the linear motor and, in particular, have a plurality of magnetic coils arranged along the transport rail. By appropriately controlling or exciting the magnetic coils, the magnetic field along the transport rail can be varied and preferably shifted in the direction of movement. The transport carriages can thus follow the shifting magnetic field. Preferably, the number of individually controllable magnetic fields corresponds at least to the number of transport carriages on the transport rail. Thus, each individual transport carriage can be controlled individually. However, this requires a minimum distance between the transport means so that the magnetic fields induced by the transport rail do not influence each other in such a way that the transport carriage moved by one magnetic field is moved by the other magnetic field.

[0048] The transport carriages follow the magnetic field of the transport rail, especially when they are designed as permanent magnets. The advantage of designing the transport carriages with a permanent magnet is that it eliminates the need to electrically excite the transport carriages or the magnetic coils arranged therein, which would require electrical contact between the transport carriages and a contact rail.

[0049] Preferably, the transport rail is part of a transport device by which the transport carriages are preferably moved in a rotating manner.

[0050] The transport rail preferably forms one leg of the transport device. The transport device can have at least three legs extending at an angle to one another. The transport device preferably forms a closed ring with, in particular, at least three legs, of which at least one leg is a transport rail.

[0051] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the transport device has at least two opposing legs, wherein a first of the legs forms the production area and is guided at least partially in the filling device of the packaging machine, and a second of the legs forms a buffer area. The buffer area and the production area are thus located on opposite sides of the transport rail. Between the buffer area and the production area, either an infeed area or an outfeed area can be provided. At least one of the opposing legs can be designed as a transport rail.

[0052] Unfolded packaging sleeves, especially those with a sealed bottom, are brought to a respective transport carriage or its carrier in the infeed area. In the infeed area, the packages are picked up by the carrier and guided to the production area. In the production area, the transport carriages are moved in a synchronized manner, with at least two different indices of the transport movement of the transport carriages being implemented in the production area. After the production area, the filled, preferably sealed packages are guided to the outfeed area by the transport carriages, where they are discharged from the transport rail.

[0053] During movement along the transport rail, it is possible for the transport carriages or the supports of the transport carriages to guide the packaging in an upright position in the production area. The packaging is preferably held by the supports or the transport carriages in such a way that it can also be held inclined to the horizontal in the infeed area and / or outfeed area. The packaging is moved along a linear feed direction in the infeed area, in the production area and preferably in the outfeed area. The transport rail can, however, run at an angle such that, for example, in an outfeed area and / or an infeed area the transport rail runs at least partially vertically and in the production area at least partially horizontally. The areas can be at an angle to one another.

[0054] The supports for the packaging are attached to the transport carriage. The supports are arranged on the transport carriage using magnetic connections or click connections, making them easy to replace. It is also possible for two transport carriages to be movable relative to one another so that they grip the packaging. In this case, an edge facing backwards (in the direction of movement) of a first transport carriage or a first support can interact with an edge facing forwards (in the direction of movement) of a subsequent transport carriage or support in such a way that the packaging is clamped between the rear edge and the front edge. For this purpose, the transport carriages can be moved towards one another in the infeed area so that the packaging can be clamped between the transport carriages or the supports arranged on them.

[0055] The transport carriages can be guided along the transport rail. Although the movement of the transport carriages along the transport rail is preferably electromagnetic, particularly in the form of a linear motor, a magnetic guide is not entirely sufficient to hold the transport carriages to the transport rail. Therefore, it is proposed that the transport carriages be arranged on the transport rail with a U-shaped, I-shaped, L-shaped, S-shaped, or C-shaped mount. The transport carriages can grip the transport rail with their mounts like a clamp. The transport carriages are arranged in a form-fitting manner transversely to the direction of movement. This prevents the transport carriages from slipping off the transport rail.

[0056] This arrangement is particularly useful when the transport rail runs at an angle, e.g. from horizontal to vertical.

[0057] The buffer area is preferably designed so that the transport carriages point downwards, whereas in the production area the transport carriages point upwards. In the buffer area, the transport carriages should be prevented from falling off the transport rail. This is achieved by the support, which can engage in circumferential grooves on both sides of the transport rail.

[0058] As already explained, a carrier for receiving at least two packages is preferably arranged on a transport carriage. The carrier is preferably arranged on the transport carriage in such a way that it has several receptacles next to one another at right angles to the direction of movement of the transport carriage, on which packages can be arranged. A carrier can, for example, be mounted in a T-shape on a transport carriage. The transport carriage can preferably be arranged centrally on the carrier. The carrier can be designed to receive packages of different shapes. At least two packages, even with different cross-sections, can be arranged on one carrier.

[0059] It is also possible to provide at least two parallel transport rails. The transport rails are preferably congruent with one another and arranged next to one another at a constant distance from one another. Transport carriages are provided on each of the transport rails. Two transport carriages are guided in a synchronized manner on each of the two transport rails. This means that on each transport rail there is a transport carriage, which is synchronized with a different transport carriage on the other transport rail. Synchronization means that the transport carriages are moved as uniformly as possible along the respective transport rail. The position of the transport carriages in the direction of movement on the transport rails is preferably synchronized so that the transport carriages assume as much of the same position on their respective transport rails at all times.A carrier can be arranged between the transport carriages, on which the packaging can be placed. The transport carriages can also be synchronized so that they have different speeds, so that the carriers arranged on them no longer run at right angles to the transport direction. In this case, the carriers can be arranged on the transport carriages with an adjustable length, so that the distance between the transport carriages carrying the carriers can be increased. This allows the angle of the carrier to the transport direction to be varied.

[0060] Particularly good synchronization of the transport carriages is achieved by controlling one transport carriage on a first of the transport rails as the master carriage and a transport carriage on a second of the transport rails as the slave carriage, dependent on the master carriage. A master-slave control system ensures that the slave carriage is always guided synchronously to the master carriage. The master carriage preferably specifies the position of the carriage on the transport rail, and the slave carriage follows this position directly and in real time. This enables both transport carriages to run synchronously along their respective transport rails. It is also possible to offset the carriages so that the carrier no longer runs at right angles to the transport direction. For this purpose, the carrier can be pivoted and arranged on the transport carriage with a length adjustment.

[0061] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the transport rail has an infeed area that runs at least partially at an angle to the horizontal, in particular vertically, and that the transport carriages in the infeed area for receiving empty pack sleeves are formed by a feed unit, in particular a mandrel wheel. By infeeding the empty pack sleeves in the area of ​​the angled transport rail, the production area is better utilized. This means that the space utilization of the packaging machine is improved compared to conventional packaging machines. The conventionally available horizontal space has previously been used for both the infeed, the production area, and the outfeed.Now, the infeed takes place in the angled section of the conveyor track, so that the entire horizontal section of the conveyor track can be used for the production area and the workstations located there. This makes it possible to arrange more workstations in the production area, one after the other, along the packaging movement directions than usual.

[0062] The same applies, of course, to the discharge area. In the discharge area, the transport rail can also run at least partially at an angle to the horizontal, or even vertically. In the discharge area, the transport carriages or the supports arranged thereon are designed to deposit filled packages on a discharge unit.

[0063] A particularly flexible application of the packaging machine exists when different types of transport carriages can be arranged on the transport rail. It may also be useful to at least partially decouple the transport carriage from the transport rail in order to repair or clean it if necessary, without significantly impairing the operation of the transport rail or the packaging machine. For this reason, it is also proposed that the transport rail have at least one decoupling area. A decoupling area can be characterized in that the transport rail is pivotable there, in particular transversely to the direction of movement of the transport carriages.

[0064] By pivoting, transport carriages can be uncoupled from the transport rail. This uncoupling can be done selectively. Uncoupled transport carriages must also be recoupled, so that the transport rail preferably has at least one coupling area, with the transport rail also being pivotable in the coupling area. The pivoting plane of the transport rail can be the same in the uncoupling area and in the coupling area.

[0065] The transport rail can be pivoted by pivoting it onto a reserve rail, and the transport carriages are guided from the transport rail to the reserve rail by an electric motor. After disengagement, the transport rail can pivot back again to ensure the transport of additional transport carriages along the transport rail. The same can be done in the coupling area, where the transport rail is pivoted onto the reserve rail to couple new transport carriages, and then pivoted back again.

[0066] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the transport rail in the filling area is guided in a sterilization unit. The sterilization unit preferably encloses the transport carriages all the way around. The sterilization unit serves to aseptically guide the transport carriages and / or packages and carriers in the filling area. The sterilization unit sterilizes the transport carriages and the packages and, if applicable, the carriers before filling with the product. Sterilization is preferably carried out with H 2 O 2. The transport channel of the sterilization unit, in which the transport carriages and, if applicable, packages and carriers are guided, should have a small cross-section if possible and radially enclose the transport carriages, carriers and / or packages.Because the transport carriages are guided along a transport rail and no transport chain is used, the guide cross-section of the sterilization unit can be kept small.

[0067] According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the sterilization unit radially encloses the transport carriages. This means that the sterilization unit encloses the transport carriages circumferentially relative to the direction of movement. In particular, the sterilization unit has a housing around the transport carriages. Along the direction of movement of the transport carriages, the sterilization unit has at least one inlet and one outlet opening through which the transport carriages, including the packages, are fed in and out. During transport through the sterilization unit, the transport carriages and / or carriers and packages are enclosed by the housing, and sterilization can take place.

[0068] A particularly small cross-section of the housing is achieved by arranging the housing in a gap between the transport rail and the transport carriage. Since the transport carriages can be magnetically guided, a gap forms between the transport rail and the transport carriage. If the housing is arranged in this gap, sterilization only requires the transport carriage, any carrier present, and the packages.

[0069] The movement of the transport carriages along the transport rail causes the ambient air to move in the same direction as the direction of movement. If the sterilization unit is designed so that sterilizing agent, in particular H2O2, is first supplied, this sterilizing agent is entrained into the sterilization unit by the air draft created. Steam can then be supplied to thermally sterilize the transport carriages and / or the packages. The steam is also entrained in the same direction of movement by the air draft created by the movement. Steam can be supplied for heat sterilization, in particular for steam sterilization, in particular during or after the product is fed in, in particular at or after the filling device.

[0070] To ensure safe removal of the sterilizing agent, particularly to prevent it from remaining in the packaging along with the product, it is also proposed that at least one exhaust vent be provided between the sterilizing agent supply and the steam supply in the sterilization unit. The sterilizing agent entrained by the airflow can be removed through the exhaust vent. The resulting air pressure prevents non-sterile air from being drawn into the sterilization unit through the exhaust vent.

[0071] Particularly effective cleaning of the workstations along the production area, in particular the filling device, can be achieved using transport carriages designed for this purpose. For example, it is possible for cleaning carriages with cleaning units to be coupled to the transport rail via coupling and uncoupling. The cleaning units on the cleaning carriages can be arranged as supports on the transport carriage. The cleaning unit can, for example, have brushes pointing away from the transport rail, which carry out mechanical cleaning at the workstations as the transport carriage is transported along the production area. Cleaning units can also be provided which have a preferably battery-operated pump and a reservoir of sterilizing agent.If such a transport carriage with a cleaning unit is guided along the production area, the pump can be activated and the cleaning agent, in particular the sterilizing agent, can be sprayed from the reservoir into the work area.

[0072] It is also possible to clean and sterilize the transport equipment or carriers in the buffer area. This can be done along the transport rail or after uncoupling onto a reserve rail.

[0073] The buffer area makes it possible to arrange more transport carriages on the transport rail than are required for current production. This makes it possible to eject a defective transport carriage without disrupting production operations. Since an excess number of transport carriages can be provided in the buffer area, it is possible to temporarily eject individual transport carriages for cleaning, repair, or other maintenance. The remaining transport carriages can be guided along the transport rail in the usual cycle through the infeed area, the production area, and the outfeed area.

[0074] The production area comprises, in particular, the following work stations, alternatively or cumulatively. First, a sterilization station can be provided in which sterilizing agent is applied, in particular sprayed, to the carriages and / or supports and / or packages. A further work station can involve the action of the sterilizing agent. A further work station can involve drying the transport carriage, the support and / or the packages. Further work stations can include filling units, wherein the filling units are preferably arranged in duplicate one after the other along the transport direction so that at least two packages can be filled at one time or in one cycle. The filling devices can implement different filling speeds and, for example, also contain different product mixtures.It is also possible for a first filling device to supply inert gas, whereas a second filling device exclusively supplies the product to be filled. A further work station can involve the application of steam and / or the folding of a package head. A further work station can involve the sealing of the package head, in particular with ultrasound. A further work station can, for example, involve the application of appliqués, such as spouts. The work stations that follow the sealing can also be arranged in an already angled discharge area of ​​the transport rail. A further work station can be an ejector. This description of the production area is purely exemplary.

[0075] A further aspect is a method according to claim 29.

[0076] Whenever reference is made to the transport direction of the package and / or the transport direction of the transport carriage, these two terms are synonymous. Since a package is always moved along the transport direction of the transport carriage, it is irrelevant whether it is placed directly on the transport carriage or transported via a carrier arranged on the transport carriage.

[0077] The subject matter is explained in more detail below using a drawing showing exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows: Fig. 1a shows the transport of transport carriages along a transport rail with different indices; Fig. 2 shows the transport of transport carriages along a transport rail according to an embodiment; Fig. 3 shows a transport carriage with a carrier according to an embodiment; Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of a transport carriage with a transport rail and a guide according to an embodiment; Fig. 5 shows two parallel transport rails, each with synchronized transport carriages according to an embodiment; Fig. 6a shows a cross-section of a sterilization unit with cleaning and sterile air supply; Fig. 6b shows a view of a sterilization unit with supply and removal of sterilizing agents and steam according to an embodiment; Fig. 7 shows a closed ring of a transport rail according to an embodiment; Fig. 8 shows a guide for packages with carriers according to an embodiment; Fig.9A transport rail with a reserve rail and a decoupling option according to an embodiment.

[0078] Fig. 1a shows a transport rail 2 with transport carriages 4a-f guided thereon in a schematic view. The transport carriages 4a-f are moved on the transport rail 2 by an electric motor in the direction of movement 6. Each individual transport carriage 4a-f is preferably controlled individually, so that its position as well as its feed movement along the transport rail 2 is defined. Along the transport rail 2, the transport carriages 4a-f can assume defined positions 8 af. The defined positions 8 af preferably correspond to work stations (not shown) at which packages transported on the transport carriages 4a-f are further processed. The transport rail 2 can, for example, be divided into a production area 10, an infeed area 12 and an outfeed area 14.In the infeed area 12, unfolded packages are placed on the transport carriages 4a-f and pre-cleaned if necessary. In the production area 10, the placed packages, including the transport carriages or carriers, are fed to a sterilization unit, sterilized, and then filled with the product. The filled packages are first sealed and then removed from the production area 10. The sealed, filled packages are ejected from the transport carriages 4a-f or the carriers arranged thereon in the discharge area and forwarded for further processing.

[0079] The transport rail 2 with the transport carriages 4a-f preferably forms a linear motor, wherein the transport rail 2 preferably has a plurality of coils arranged next to one another along the direction of movement 6, so that a magnetic field can be controlled along the transport rail 2. The transport carriages 4a-f are preferably arranged to slide on the transport rail 2 and are magnetically driven by the transport rail 2 or the coils arranged therein and moved in the direction of movement 6.

[0080] The transport of the transport carriages 4a-f along the direction of movement 6, which can also be understood as the feed direction, is preferably carried out in a cycle. This means that in each cycle, a feed from one position 8 af to the next position 8 af takes place, followed by a dwell time during which the transport carriages 4a-f remain at their respective positions 8 af. The feed including the dwell time can be understood as a cycle duration.

[0081] The transport stroke along the direction of movement 6 corresponds to the distance between any two adjacent positions 8 af along the direction of movement 6. In contrast to a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain, the transport stroke between any two positions 8 af can be variable, since each individual transport carriage 4a-f can be controlled individually. This is advantageous in that the distances between the positions can be adapted to the space requirements of the respective workstation, and not the other way around as is conventional.

[0082] For example, the transport carriage 4c is first moved from position 8c to position 8b during the feed time in one cycle, and then the transport carriage 4c remains at position 8b for a certain period of time. This is followed by the next cycle, in which the transport carriage 4c is moved to position 8a and then remains there for a certain period of time.

[0083] In particular, the cycle time for each individual transport carriage 4a-f on the transport rail 2 is the same, i.e., the sum of the feed time and the dwell time is the same. Thus, the transport carriages 4a-f are moved in a synchronized movement along the transport rail 2 through the infeed area 12, the production area 10, and the outfeed area 14.

[0084] During each dwell time, a work step is carried out on the packaging arranged on the transport carriages 4a-f at the work stations assigned to the respective positions 8 af.

[0085] By using the transport rail 2, it is possible to individually design the transport stroke (also called feed path or feed distance) and the dwell time, also called stop time. This means that, for example, a transport carriage 4a-f can have a standard transport stroke and a standard dwell time in one cycle, but it is also possible that, for example, with a double transport stroke compared to the standard transport stroke, the dwell time at a position 8 af can be until the end of the second, subsequent cycle, as described below. This increased transport speed during the transport time, which leads to the increased transport stroke, can be understood as a synonym for a modified index compared to a standard stroke during a standard time with a standard dwell time.A changed index can also be understood to mean that more than one standard cycle, in particular 2 or more standard cycles, are used for the movement from one position 8 af to the next position 8 af, including the time spent there, as will be described below.

[0086] Fig. 1a shows the transport rail 2 of the filling device at a time T 0 .

[0087] Starting from this time T 0 , at the beginning of a cycle, the transport carriages 4a-f are first moved by the transport stroke 16 from one position 8 af to the next position 8 af. This means that the transport carriage 4a is transported by the transport stroke 16a, the transport carriage 4 by the transport stroke 16b, and so on. After the feed time, which can be individually adjusted for each feed between two adjacent positions 8 af, a dwell time occurs, which is also adjustable but should be such that the sum of the transport time and the dwell time corresponds exactly to the time of one cycle.

[0088] During the dwell time, the transport carriages 4a-f remain at positions 8 af and the workstations can further process the packages arranged on the transport carriages 4a-f. The sum of the transport time and the dwell time preferably corresponds to one cycle. After the end of a cycle, further movement takes place as shown in Fig. 1b .

[0089] In the Fig. 1b It can be seen that the transport carriage 4f has been moved to position 8e, whereupon a new transport carriage 4g is fed from a buffer area of ​​the transport rail 2 and remains at position 8f. There, an unfolded package sleeve can be applied to the transport carriage 4g or a carrier arranged thereon. It is also possible for several unfolded packages to be placed parallel to one another on a carrier arranged on the transport carriage 4a-g.

[0090] Furthermore, the Fig. 1b It can be seen that the transport carriage 4a was moved from position 8a to the adjacent position 80 in the direction of movement 6.

[0091] Fig. 1c shows the movement of the transport carriages 4a, b with a double index. Starting from the Fig. 1b , the transport carriage 4a was moved at the beginning of the cycle by the transport stroke 16a, whereby the transport stroke 16a is such that the transport carriage 4a was moved from the position 8 0 to the position 8 2. The transport carriage 4b ​​was moved starting from the Fig. 1b by the transport stroke 16b starting from position 8a to position 81. It can be seen that the transport strokes 16a, 16b are larger than the transport strokes 16c-f. Due to the increased transport strokes 16a, 16b, position 80 is unoccupied at the end of the transport time. This makes it possible in the next cycle, as in the Fig. 1d As shown, the transport carriages 4c-f are moved again along the direction of movement 16 with a standard transport stroke to positions 80-c. During this time, the transport carriages 4a, b can remain at positions 81, 82. This extended dwell time can be used to continue the filling process on the packages arranged on the transport carriages 4a, b. A filling device can be provided at both position 81 and position 82.

[0092] The longer residence time makes it possible to fill the product at lower flow rates, which increases production quality.

[0093] As at the Figuren 1c-d As can be seen, the time for the transport carriages 4a,b from the beginning of the movement from position 8a,b to positions 81,2 until the end of the work step, here the filling process, is longer, preferably twice as long, as is the case with a movement in one cycle, for example, from position 8c to position 8b or from position 8b to position 8a. This can be understood as a longer or double index.

[0094] At the end of the second cycle after the start of the movement of the transport carriages 4a, b from the positions 8 0,a to the positions 8 1,2, the work step at the work stations at the positions 8 1,2 is completed. Subsequently, the transport carriages 4a-f are moved according to the Fig. 1e moved further. In this case, the transport carriages 4a, b are again moved at an increased speed and a larger transport stroke from position 82 to position 84 or from position 81 to position 83. At the same time, the transport carriages 4c are moved from position 80 and 4d from position 8a to position 82 and 81 respectively. These two increased transport strokes in the transport time are due to an increased speed. This can also be understood as an increased index. Meanwhile, the transport carriages 4e were moved from position 8b to position 8a and 4f from position 8c to position 8b.

[0095] Subsequently, in the next cycle, the transport carriages 4a, b can be moved one position at a time in the normal cycle, with the transport carriages 4c and d simultaneously remaining at positions 81, 82 in this cycle, and the transport carriage 4e being moved to position 80 and the transport carriage 4f to position 8a. During this entire cycle, the work station at position 81, 82 can process the packaging arranged there and thus has an increased processing time.

[0096] Fig. 2 shows a transport rail 2 with transport carriages 4a-i. It can be seen that the transport rail 2 has a guide 2a, which is designed, for example, as a continuous groove. In contrast to the Fig. 1a-d In the production area, two filling devices are located next to each other along the transport rail 2, each in duplicate at positions 8 1, 2 and 8 3, 4. At the start of a first cycle, the transport carriages 4e, f are moved from positions 8 a, 0 to positions 8 1, 2. At the same time, at the start of the cycle, the transport carriage 4c is moved from position 8 2 to position 8 4 and the transport carriage 4d is moved from position 8 1 to position 8 3. Subsequently, preferably in the same cycle, a filling process takes place on the pack sleeves 18c-f, which are still open at the top. Pre-filling takes place at positions 8 1, 2 and filling takes place at positions 8 3, 4. The double filling process can increase the production quality. The accuracy of the fill quantity can also be increased.In the next cycle, only the transport carriages 4g-i and the transport carriages 4a-b are each moved one position, whereas the transport carriages 4c-f remain in their previous positions and the filling process can continue. This filling process lasts until the end of the second cycle, and only at the beginning of the third cycle do the transport carriages 4c-f also advance, with the transport carriages 4c-d being moved from positions 8 4, 3 and to positions 8 6, 5 respectively, and the transport carriages 4e, f being moved from positions 8 2, 1 and to positions 8 4, 3 respectively. This double stroke also occurs for the transport carriages 4g, h, which are moved from positions 8 a, 0 and to positions 8 1, 2 respectively, where the filling process can begin.

[0097] At position 80 and at position 85, i.e., the position that is only approached by every second pack 18a-i due to the increased index, no workstation is provided, so no processing takes place there. This means that an empty position can be present between two processing positions in the area of ​​the changed index. Position 85 can also be without further processing of the pack 18b, and the closure of the pack's top can take place, for example, at position 86 on the pack 18a.

[0098] As already mentioned in the Fig. 2 As explained, the transport rail 2 has a continuous groove 2a, which in the Fig. 3 is shown schematically. A C-shaped profile of a transport carriage 4a can be inserted into this groove. A carrier 20 can be arranged on the transport carriage 4a. The carrier 20 can have receptacles 20a-d for receiving pack sleeves 18a-i. The receptacles 20a-d can preferably correspond to the base cross-section of the pack 18a-i, but can also, for example, grip the packs in a clamping manner or the like.

[0099] The guide 2a guides the carriage 4a along the transport rail 2 and secures it there in a form-fitting manner against detachment transversely to the direction of movement 6.

[0100] This fuse is in the Fig. 4 shown again. It can be seen that the transport carriage 4a has a C-shaped holder, which is guided in the groove 2a of the transport rail 2. The Fig. 4 The illustrated guide of the transport carriage 4a on the transport rail 2 is particularly advantageous when the transport rail 2 specifies a direction of movement of the transport carriage 4a that is not merely horizontal, but possibly vertical. This is especially true when the transport carriages 4a are guided along the transport rail 2 pointing toward the floor. Then, the transport carriages 4a cannot fall off the transport rail 2.

[0101] Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment in which two transport rails 2', 2" are arranged parallel to one another. On each of the transport rails 2', 2', transport carriages 4a', 4b' or 4a", 4b" can be arranged. Two transport carriages 4a', 4a" or 4b', 4b" are synchronized with one another so that their movement along the direction of movement 6', 6" along the guide rails 2', 2" is synchronized. A suitable control ensures that in particular the acceleration profile as well as the positioning at one of the positions 8a-f between two of the transport carriages 4a', 4a"; 4b', 4b" is almost identical. It is preferred if one transport carriage 4a', 4b' on a transport rail 2' acts as a master and the other transport carriage 4a", 4b" on the other transport rail 2" immediately follows the master as a slave.

[0102] A carrier 20 can be arranged between the transport carriages 4a, 4a" and 4b and 4b", although this is not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0103] Such a representation, with a carrier 20 arranged between two transport carriages 4a', 4a", is shown in the Fig. 6a shown. Fig. 6a shows a schematic cross-section through a sterilization unit. It can be seen that the sterilization unit 22 has a housing 22a. The housing 22a circumferentially encloses the transport carriages 4a', 4a" as well as the carrier 20 and the packaging sleeves 18a'-a"" arranged thereon. Within the housing 22a, for example, sterilization or steam applicators 24 can be arranged, which, for example, spray or otherwise apply sterilizing agent and / or steam onto the packaging sleeves 18a', 18a"".

[0104] The bottom of the housing 22 is preferably tapered, preferably with a drainage groove 22b in which the unused sterilizing agent or the water of the steam can collect and flow away or be sucked off.

[0105] Furthermore, it can be seen that the housing 22a is guided in a gap 26', 26" between a transport carriage 4a', 4a" and a transport rail 2a', 2a". This results in the volume within the housing 22a being as small as possible, so that the consumption of sterilizing agent is reduced.

[0106] Because the transport carriages 4a', 4a" are guided electromagnetically through the transport rail 2a', 2a", preferably in the manner of a linear motor, an air gap can be provided, since the magnetic forces can also act across the air gap. As a result, the housing 22a can be arranged in a circumferentially closed manner around the carrier 20 and the packages 18 arranged thereon.

[0107] During the transport of the transport carriages 4 through the sterilization unit 20, the transport carriages 4 move in the direction of movement 6 as shown in the Fig. 6b is shown. Fig. 6b shows a schematic view of a sterilization unit 22 with a sterilizer 28, a filling unit 30 and a closing unit 32.

[0108] Units 28-32 can be part of the production area 10. The transport carriages 4a-h, including the packaging 18, are moved along the transport rail 2 through the areas 28-32. The movement in the direction of movement 6 entrains ambient air, as shown by the arrows 34.

[0109] Applied sterilizing agent is entrained in the sterilizer 28 by the air flow in the direction of arrows 36. Ventilation slots 38 may be provided between the sterilizer 28 and the filling unit 30 to remove any excess sterilizing agent.

[0110] Filling can take place in the filling unit, including the application of inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) and / or steam. The product is then placed into the packaging 18. A ventilation slot 38 can be provided between the filling unit 30 and the closing unit 32, allowing excess steam, sterilizing agent, or nitrogen to be removed.

[0111] In the closing unit 32, for example, sealing can be performed using steam. This applied steam is also carried along by the air flow in the direction of the arrows 40 and expelled at the end of the sterilization unit 22.

[0112] Fig. 7 shows the transport rail 2 as a closed ring. The transport rail 2 has an infeed area 12, a productive area 10, as well as an outfeed area 14 and a buffer area 42. The transport carriages are moved in a synchronized manner in the infeed area 12, the productive area 10 and the outfeed area 14 as described. Sterilization or cleaning of the transport carriages 4 can take place in the buffer area 42. The productive area 10 comprises at least a partial area of ​​the transport rail 2 in which the transport carriages 4 are moved horizontally. Along the infeed area 12 and the outfeed area 14, the transport rail can be shaped such that the transport carriages 4 are moved at an angle, in particular in a vertical direction, at least in part.Preferably, the transport rail 2 in the buffer area 42 runs parallel to the transport rail 2 in the production area, and the transport carriages 4 are arranged facing downwards on the transport rail 2. In the buffer area, the transport carriages 4 can be moved without a clock cycle. It should only be ensured that at the beginning of each cycle, one transport carriage 4 is available for transport to the infeed area 12.

[0113] In the infeed area 12, for example, an unfolded package 18 is first placed on a transport carriage 4 in a timed manner and then, in the next cycle, the unfolded packaging sleeve 18 is cleaned. In the next cycle, the transport carriage 4 is moved into the production area 10. There, the transport carriages 4 are operated according to the description of the Fig. 1a-d with a single and, for example, double index, and the transport carriages 4 and the packaging 18 are sterilized, filled, and sealed there. The filled, sealed packages 18 are then moved to the discharge area 14 and ejected there.

[0114] The empty transport carriages 4 arrive in the buffer area 42 and can be cleaned there and, if necessary, temporarily stored for further circulation.

[0115] A carrier 20 can hold the packages, for example, by means of receptacles. It is also possible for corresponding carriers to be arranged on two transport carriages 4 arranged one behind the other, as shown in the Fig. 8 is shown. Fig. 8 shows a plan view of a transport rail 2 with several transport carriages 4a-c, 4a'-c' or correspondingly shaped supports. The representation of the Fig. 8 corresponds to three cycles during the processing of the packages. First, the transport carriages 4c, 4c' are moved apart from one another to the infeed area 12. The distance between a front edge 44' and a rear edge 44c of two adjacent transport carriages 4c, 4c' is large enough to allow a package 18 to be inserted. In the next cycle, the packages 18 are inserted between the transport carriages 4b, 4b" and arranged, for example, such that they are arranged at a recess on the rear edge 44b of the carriage 4b. In the next cycle, the packages 18 are clamped between the transport carriages 4a, 4a' such that the distance between the transport carriages 4a, 4a' is such that the package is clamped between the respective rear edge 44a and the front edge 44a'. This clamping is possible by individually controlling the position of each of the carriages 4a, 4a'. The process according to Fig. 8 can also be done in a single cycle during the induction process.

[0116] In the buffer area, it is possible to transfer transport carriages 4 from the transport rail 2 to a reserve rail 46. For this purpose, an outcoupling 48 and an incoupling 50 are provided on the transport rail 2. The outcoupling 48 of the transport rail 2 can be pivoted transversely to the direction of movement 6, so that it can be coupled to the reserve rail 46. Transport carriages 4 that are moved in the direction of movement 6 are moved via the outcoupling 48 onto the reserve rail 46. There they can, for example, be removed from the reserve rail 46, repaired, and reattached without affecting ongoing operations along the transport rail 2. The transport carriages 4 can be moved back from the reserve rail 46 to the transport rail 2 via the incoupling 50, which can also be pivoted transversely to the direction of movement 6.

[0117] With the help of this packaging device, it is possible to individually adjust the working time at different workstations.

Claims

1. Packaging machine, in particular filling device, with - at least one transport rail (2), and - at least two transport slides (4) movable along the transport rail (2) and arranged on the transport rail (2), wherein - the transport slides (4) are arranged for transporting at least one package and are moved at least in sections in a cycled manner along a productive area of the transport rail (2), wherein a cycle is formed by a feed time between two workstations and a dwell time at one workstation and - the transport rail (2) and the transport slides (4) are electromotively coupled to one another in such a way that the transport slides (4) are moved along a productive area with two indices which are different from one another, wherein - an index is formed by the ratio between a dwell time at a workstation and a feed time between two workstations, characterized in that - a carrier is mounted by a magnetic connection or a snap-in connection at the transport slide (4), which carries at least a bottom of each package, wherein the carrier is exchangeably mounted to the transport slide (4).

2. Packing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that - the transport slides (4) are moved in the productive area in the region of a filling device, in particular a bottling device, with a different, in particular larger index than outside the filling device.

3. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - at least N transport slides (4) with an N-fold index are respectively moved in the filling device, where N is greater than 1, in particular in that the transport slides (4) are moved with an index greater than 1.

4. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - at least two transport slides (4) are moved in the filling device at a higher, preferably at least double, feed speed, and / or - at least two transport slides (4) are moved with a higher, preferably at least double, feed stroke within the feed time.

5. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the hold time of at least two transport slides (4) in the filling device is greater than or less than the hold time of the packages outside the filling device, in particular at least twice the hold time of the packages outside the filling device.

6. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the transport slides (4) are moved in the productive area between two workstations each with different acceleration profiles.

7. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the transport rail (2) has an infeed area, a productive area, an outfeed area and a buffer area, the transport direction of the transport slides (4) extending in at least one first area at an angle to at least one second area, in particular at an angle between 30° and 60°.

8. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the transport rail (2) has at least one leg along a transport device, in particular in that the transport device forms a closed ring with at least one leg in the form of the transport rail (2).

9. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the transport rail (2) forms at least one leg partially along the productive area of the legs guided at least partially in the filling device of the packaging machine and / or in that the transport rail (2) forms a leg at least partially along a buffer area, in particular in that the legs lie opposite one another.

10. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the carrier is arranged for receiving at least two packages.

11. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - two transport rails (2) running parallel to one another are provided with respective transport slides (4) arranged thereon, wherein respective two transport slides (4) being guided synchronously on the two transport rails in particular that - a transport slide (4) is controlled on a first of the transport rails (2) as a master slide and a transport slide (4) is guided on a second of the transport rails (2) as a slave slide as a function of the master slide.

12. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the transport rail (2) has an infeed area extending at least in parts vertically, and in that, in the infeed area, the transport slides (4) are arranged for receiving empty pack sleeves from a feed unit, in particular by a mandrel wheel and / or - the transport rail (2) has an outfeed area extending at least in parts at an angle to the horizontal, and in that the transport slides (4) are formed in the outfeed region for depositing filled packages on a discharge unit.

13. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the transport rail (2) has at least one coupling-out area, the transport rail (2) being swivable in the coupling-out area and / or in that the transport rail (2) has at least one coupling-in area, the transport rail (2) being swivable in the coupling-in area.

14. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the transport rail (2) is guided in the filling area in a sterilisation unit, the sterilisation unit enclosing the transport slides (4) in a circumferential manner in particular - the sterilisation unit surrounds the transport slides (4) radially circumferentially, in particular in that the sterilisation unit forms a housing around the transport slides in particular - the sterilisation unit initially has a supply of sterilising agent and then a supply of steam, or in that the sterilisation unit initially has a supply of steam and then a supply of sterilising agent in particular - the sterilisation unit has at least one exhaust air opening between the supply of sterilising agent and the supply of steam.